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NGCP bares TransmissionDevelopment Plan for Bicol

outstanDing local newspaperFor Five Consecutive YearsSt. peter Baptist Catholic Mass Media awards

www.bikolreport.blogspot.come-mail: rubenbabar_br@yahoo.com

regional exponent for progressvol. xxii, no. 47 bicol, the philippines august 16-22, 2015 p5.00

Bicol express to roll anew in 2021

By ANA-LIzA S. MACATANGAY

NAGA CITY --- The 653-kilometer railways from Ma-nila to Legazpi City in Albay, now also including route extensions to Batangas City and Matnog in Sorsogon, will soon serve commuters once the bid for the P171-billion worth North-South Railway Project (NSRP) is in place.

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NAGA CITY --- From the Naga 100 MVA 230/69 kV transformer which was completed in December 2012, the National Grid Corporation of the Phil-ippines (NGCP) is now gearing up for the appli-cation to Energy Regula-tory Commission (ERC) for the completion of the Naga 200MVA 230/69 kV (kilovolts) transformer under their 2016-2020 Lu-zon System Development Plan in Bicol

Included in the applica-tion for the 4th regulatory period (2016-2010) are the capacitors and transform-ers of Iriga City (69kVS/s: 2-5 MVAR 69 kV Ca-pacitor), Ligao Switching Station(3-5 MVAR 69 kV Capacitor), Tiwi (230 kV / 50 MVA (Mega Volt Am-pere 230/69 KV transform-er) and the Daraga substa-tion (100 MVA 230/69kV transformer).

NGCP, still under the 2016-2020 Luzon System Development is gearing up for the Eastern Albay 69kV

NFA Camarines Sur Provincial Manager Gloria M. Tabayag, Acting Assistant Provincial Manager Alexander Parrera, PSQAO Marlon Mateum, and Acting SEIO Joan Brijuega conduct inspection at Naga City Peoples Mall and Peoples Satellite Market, two of the major markets within the city.

(Photo courtesy of NGCP during its orientation of the Camarines Sur Energy Press Corps on NGCP's on-going proposed projects in Bicol Region during their familiarization tour of NGCP facilities, August 12-13, 2015.)

bikol reporter2 august 16-22, 2015opinion

opinionsunlimited

Atty. TONY (APA) ACYATAN

PSA sees total harvest of palay contracting to 4.68M hectares from 4.74M hectares in 2014. Yield per hectare, however could improve to 4.03MT per hectare from 4.0MT last year. The Bicol Region is rated to have higher production, having been saved from recent natural disasters. In MIMAROPA, there were crop damages due to intense heat and short water supply. Same thing occurred in Caraga, Western Visayas and Northern Mindanao. In everything, our God is supreme!

AIRBORNE THEFT: Budget carrier Cebu Pacific is looking into an alleged theft by one of its male flight attendants on a trip from Boracay to China. The airline said it was made aware of the alleged incident and that “appropriate action would be taken depending on the result of the investigation”. Chinese news website reported earlier that the incident involved a flight attendant who was “caught stealing cash from Chinese passengers on flight 5J52”.

On a personal basis – I also experienced

dishonesty on one Cebu Pacific flight. During my return flight from HK, I bought on board some souvenir items from the crew. Unfortunately, I did not check the purchased items as they were handed to me. After arriving at our residence, I verified my purchased souvenirs and discovered that the necklace I bought did not include the offered trimmings. Since then – I kept that lesson in my mind. Don’t be overtrusting!

WITHHOLDING: Purchase payments are subject to withholding, with the purchaser automatically being designated as BIR withholding agent. It used to be that the withholding responsibility is limited only to the purchases of Top Ten Thousand taxpayers. However, while the Revenue Regulations were issued only in mid-2013, they are being applied retroactive to January 2013 – and also covering small and medium taxpayers. As a result, their net income and business (VAT/percentage) taxes are increased.

Recently – the rules were over-stressed by BIR examiners and audit reviewers – to cover even payments for water and power expenses, and more importantly, interests on bank loans! We are emphasizing this because many banks are not cooperating in implementing the withholding rules. We must understand that most withholding taxes remitted to BIR are creditable to our net income tax liability – provided supported by BIR W/T certificates!

PROVERBS: A man of knowledge uses words with restraint; a man of understanding is always even-tempered.

(Atty. APA – chairs Acyatan & Co., CPAs-DFK International – is past chair of ASEAN Federation of CPAs, PICPA past president and Hall-of-Famer, and ACPAPP Lifetime Achievement Awardee).

RETAINED: The Monetary Board has decided to keep its policy rates unchanged as it expects average inflation for 2015 to fall below the target. The Monetary Board kept its overnight borrowing rate at 4% and overnight lending rate at 6%. The BSP also maintained the interest rates on term reverse repurchase facility, repurchase facility as well as special deposit accounts for reserve requirements of banks. The MB based its decision on recent benign inflation outturns.

Inflation is projected to rise gradually and stabilize within the lower half of the inflation target. The rate eased to a new record low of 0.8% in July from 1.2% in June bringing average inflation to 1.9 percent in the first seven months of 2015 on the back of easing food prices. Also being considered by the policy makers are the lower costs of fuel countered with the gradual reduction in the peso exchange value vis-à-vis the US dollar – and the formal depreciation of the Chinese yuan.

PALAY PRODUCTION: Lower production of unmilled rice (palay) is expected to fall by 0.6% year-on-year. The Philippine Statistic Authority (PSA) reported yesterday that this is due to the contraction of harvest areas and planting delays. In its latest palay-corn production outlook, PSA said palay production for 2015 could reach 18.86MT, lower than the 18.97MT produced in 2014. This falls short of the production target this year of 20.08 million MT.

Interest Rates Unchanged

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imaginations. And enough is enough.The tiring “matuwid na daan” leads

nowhere really. The infamous “Kayo ang boss ko,” is hallucination to say the least. The “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap” is one big joke.

And there are tiring by-words of “Inclusive growth” which in effect is well-devoid of ground reality.

Furthermore, there are the alleged

blessings brought about by the “PPP” whereby the government in fact becomes a business corporation. And the so-called “Peace Process” through the BBL — only simpletons believe it. The still present administration is rich in imagination, poor in actualization.

Continue a government where graft and corrupt practices are the rule?

Keep a governance whose expertise is demanding lifetime taxes of many kinds and in many ways from the rich and the poor alike?

Go on having an Executive Department that dominates the Legislature through its Pork Barrel system under different names? Keep a Presidential Office that has and spends huge amounts of public funds exempted from accounting and beyond standard auditing?

To go on with a governing leadership that abhors Land Reform, that looks at the Filipinos as anything but a sovereign people?

We are now seeing many propaganda in the trimedia because of the coming presidential election on May 2016. Some are promotional while others, destructive trial by publicity. It is important for the people to be properly informed and to use our knowledge, common sense, fairness and discernment. The following column of Ret. Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz in the Daily Tribune dated August 18, 2015 is worth considering among othersL

To change what is foolish, wrong, unjust in the country — this is the rightful demand of the Filipinos for the years ahead. Simply to continue aristocratic leadership, incompetent governance, imaginary national achievements and the like are the last things that the people of the Philippines need in the years to come. They have more than enough of public officials who are pro-selves instead of pro-others. They have heard enough words plus words and more words.

In the times ahead, they crave for more actions than talks, more realities than but

Change, Not Continuity

NeNiTA fueNTebellA-PeÑONes

frommy

window

editorial

Presidential TouchThe recent visit of President Noynoy

Aquino in Naga City was a breeze. Just a whiff, actually. Not a fresh wind in the summer of our tropical landscape. Of course, his purpose in coming was in some ways, private – remembering Naga’s dear son, the late DILG Secretary Jesse M. Robredo. So, we can forgive how his visit was so passing that we only “felt” his presence through the airlanes and the television screens.

It appears that Presidents with a common touch, i.e. the likes of a Pope Francis who would defy his security escorts to bless a baby cradled by a mother awaiting his passing; are now rare. This clearly is an indication of a greater concern on the life and security of the President. Rightly so, because he is the President, the head of the Republic. Yet, we can only rue the fact that this also underscores another reality – no one is safe anymore, not even a President.

The generation of the 50’s love to remember that President Ramon Magsaysay opened the gates of Malacanang to the people. That is why, he is referred to as the “Man of the Masses.” Indeed, one way by which we can evaluate how well our leaders lead is through the people’s response. President Cory Aquino, whom the late dictator President Ferdinand Marcos belittled early on as a “mere housewife,” had the same common touch that Magsaysay had. One should only recall her funeral procession years back.

Next year, we will be choosing a new president. Will we look for a popular one or somebody whom we will only recognize through the media? Bicolanos, as UP Professor Roland Tolentino observes, are a “touchy” lot, as shown by the frenzied rush to touch the image of Ina during the Penafrancia fiesta. Will this culture make us choose a President who touches us and whom we can also touch?

PARTISAN politics has an uncanny way of invigorating people. When the breath of the season comes, even the terminally ill bursts with life.That is how unusual is the season .People do not tire talking about it even in their sleep.

There was this politician who had been weakened by old age and a debilitating diseaseWonder drugs with their vaunted healing power could not rouse him back to health. They all proved useless. The best of quack doctors’ incantations had failed to work miracles for him.

But when the faint whiff of the season came, wafted to his nostril,he was said to have gained much vigor as if old age and illness had not spoiled his health.

This politico had trounced all challengers to his throne as if they were of no political value to people. He was described in his turf as a political kingpin..

A very unique animal is how the Filipino politico is pictured Not only because partisan politics enhances his lust for life but also his lust for violence In some provinces, bloodshed traced to political

rivalry is as normal as the ebb and flow of the sea.

In the so-called ‘hot spots’,there is abnormalcy when the polls are violence-free and honest.That may qualify for the world famousRipley’ Believe It Or Not feature.

The politician particularly the trapo, abhors any threat to his post. He believes that once his opponent wins, the latter will acquire torrens title to the position and he will be out for good.

To him, this is unacceptable.

He would, however, give up the post if it would go to his wife or son or daughter.Not to anybody outside his clan.The Magindanao massacre is an example. The Ampatuans hated the idea of an outsider dislodging them from their position of power.

Our politicians are no different from the Chinese rulers of old . They had their dynasty, passing the reins of power from generation to generation.If this is disturbed, war would come.

What attraction does partisan politics have on our political clan.Some said it is power that attracts, because power leads to millions and millions lead to power .That is our curse.Money has become the most important commodity. Unless this insane love for money is taken out of our system,our sorry lot won’t change

Power plus money and fame is what politicians are after..

Who among our honorable public atsoys have only the shirts on their backs for their worldly possessions.Nobody.

An unusual season

salvador d. flor

A Question

ofprivilege

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bikol reporter 3august 16-22, 2015

land Bank names CArD Bankas 2015 outstanding Cfi

Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip, the Founder and Managing Director of CARD MRI and Dolores M. Torres, the President and CEO of CARD Bank hold the two trophies awarded by LandBank to CARD Bank as 2015 Outstanding CFI. Also with them are

CARD Bank, a mem-ber of CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI), was award-ed by one of the most trusted commercial banks in the country, Land Bank of the Philippines, as one of their 2015 Outstanding Accredited Client-CFIs. The Gawad CFI Award-ing Ceremonies was held on August 14, 2015 at the Centennial Hall, Manila Hotel.

A microfinance-oriented rural bank, CARD Bank won first place in the cat-egory of Rural Bank in the national level and a special award, Best CFI Availer-Agri-Agra Loans. CARD Bank has the highest loan portfolio on agri-agra based on its submitted report to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

“CARD Bank will never tire helping people living in the countryside to help them uplift their quality of

life,” said Dolores M. Tor-res, the President and CEO of CARD Bank.

CARD Bank is one of the financial institutions of CARD MRI that helps em-power millions of Filipinos especially people who are excluded in the mainstream financial system.

The President and CEO of LandBank Gilda E. Pico commended CARD Bank for its noble mission to help the poor communities.

“CARD Bank will con-tinue to partner with appro-priate institutions, like Land Bank, that share the same mission as ours to achieve our mutual goal of eradicat-ing poverty in the country,” said Torres.

Land Bank’s Outstand-ing CFI-clients awarding is being done annually to rec-ognize CFIs that modelled excellence in rural financial services. This recognition aims to maintain a good partnership between Land

Gilda E. Pico, the President and CEO of Land Bank of the Philippines (middle of Dr. Alip and Mrs. Torres), and other executive committee members of CARD MRI and officers of Los Baños LBP Lending.

Bank and CFIs in providing financial access to margin-alized sectors and develop-ment players in the country-side.

The cash prizes received by the institution will be added to the calamity loan fund of CARD MRI.

Guests and participants

from the Rural Bankers As-sociation of the Philippines, Chamber of Thrift Banks, key officers and leaders of SMEs and Corporations,

representatives from other government agencies and senior officers of Land Bank attended the awarding ceremony.

bikol reporter4 august 16-22, 2015halo-halo

inner chessBY J. hENRY DANICAN

Tar-Politiko

dis*Karte*Kusyon*Kurso

frANk PeÑones jr.

tar-politikong ini. Garo huna ninda madadara kita na botohan sinda huli lang kan saidang pa-pogi sa tarpaulin. Alagad, mas patal idtong matubod man nanggad sainda.

Kaya nagkakaigwa nin tar-politiko huli man kan mga daing isip na mga botante na mataan sana nin tres syentos, pinabakal na si enterong tolong taon kan futuro kan saindang banwaan o distrito.

Ay, nuarin daw mababago an sistemang ini sa satong banwaan. May kinaagahan pa daw kita. An kasimbagan yaon sa lambang saro sa sato. Alagad, pagmakahiling kamo nin mga lalawgon sa mga tarpaulin, sigurado, dai yan nagsasabi kan gabos na totoo. Sabi kan mga hippies kan dekada 70, “stir” lang yan.

May multong naglilibot sa satong mga banwaan ngonyan: an multo kan mga tar-politiko. Kaipuhan nang magreklamo an mga kahoy asin mga parke sainda. An saidang mga sanga, kun bako man papakuan, gagakodan kan mga tarpaulin kan mga politikong ini. Kaya mantang an mga parke para sa kapahingaloan asin hayahay nin mga nagpapasyar duman, hinahali ini kan lalawgon kan mga daing-pagmangnong mga tar-politikong ini.

Isay sainda nagtao nin derecho na ipahiling satuya, aldaw asin banggi, an saindang mga lalawgon? Bako daw may derecho man kita na dai makahiling sainda? Dapat may ley para digdi. Orog na sa mga nakatukaw sa pwesto na pigaaprobitsaran ini nganing magpagamiaw kan saindang soboot ginigibo. Aber, bakong iyan

man talaga an saindang mandato kaya pigswesweldohan ta sindan kan saindang buwis? Siisay pigluluko ninda? Ngata bako tang aram na harani na an 2016 kaya nagpupulus-pugos na naman sinda?

Saro ini kan kapatalan kan mga

homar murillo

tip of anicebergEmail: homar.murillo@gmail.com

The Robredo MagicOnce there was a political phenomenon known as the

Cory Magic. It was the charisma of the late former President Corazon Aquino that served as the focal point of the courage, optimism and hope of the Filipino people who converged at EDSA in 1986 to serve as human shields against tanks and machine guns. The people power prevailed and the dictator who occupied Malacañang for 21 years was ousted.

Cory took over the helm of power, having the burden of responsibility to clean up the bureaucratic mess and govern-ment bankruptcy that Marcos left behind as his shameful legacy. It was the same Cory Magic that was tested several times but proved to be triumphant in all adversities, includ-ing several coup attempts during her term of office. It was also the Cory Magic that was a deciding factor in catapulting Gen. Fidel Ramos into the highest office of the land as the “anointed” successor. This national political phenomenon also has a local version here in Naga City. It is called the Robredo Magic.

Just like the Cory Magic, the Robredo Magic is pure wizardry in terms of people empowerment and good gover-nance. It is the embodiment of the will of the people that is expressed in the political exercise of electing leaders, over-coming adversities and achieving lofty goals. Former Mayor Jesse Robredo translated the idealism and hope inspired by Cory into concrete programs and initiatives that can be objectively assessed. As a result, Naga and Mayor Jess himself gained national and international acclaimed. One of the most significant of which was the Magsaysay Award. Beyond the accolades and official recognitions, however, the Robredo Magic is best seen in the way Nagueños vote. The “ubos kun ubos” (now known as the Team Naga) is the epitome of political clout that Mayor Jess wielded. It was the expression of full trust and love of the Nagueños in him.

The Robredo Magic remained intact even after Mayor Jess was appointed as Sec. Jess. It even became stronger after his tragic death in a plane crash. Just like Cory, Mayor Jess became a revered, almost saint-like icon after death. Enumerable honors were bestowed upon Robredo, from naming the coliseum to awarding a posthumous Quezon Service Cross award, which is highest national recognition of the Republic of the Philippines. It has been awarded to only five Filipinos since its creation in 1946. The five recipi-ents of this highest civilian honor of the republic are the fol-lowing:

1. Carlos P. Romulo, April 12, 19512. Emilio Aguinaldo, June 12, 19563. Ramon Magsaysay, July 4, 1957 (posthumous)4. Benigno S. Aquino, Jr., August 21, 2004 (posthu-

mous)5. Jesse M. Robredo, November 26, 2012 (posthumous)The official awards that Mayor Jess received in his life-

time and after death are only the icings in the cake. His leg-acy lives on in the institutions that he established and the culture of good governance that he left behind. The Robredo Magic transcends the infrastructures and institutions. His legacy is a living legacy. The election of his widow, Atty. Leni Robredo, as congresswoman and the current clamor for her to become vice-president of the land in 2016 are proofs that the Robredo Magic is still casting a very potent spell.

So it is well understandable that the prevailing spirit of the common tao is not the continuity of the faulty thinking and errant agenda of the still reigning administration but precisely its change into a government that is truly by the people, of the people and for the people.

Enough of reigning incompetence in governance, marked insensitivity to the plight of the poor, the miserable, the pitiful. No more of a Malacañang occupant who is but by and large self-preoccupied, simply self-attentive as well as mostly self-conscious. Others? So what?

Most of all: Enough of selective justice — which is downright injustice — for political consideration.

Slowly but surely, political party-mates have become exempted from the reach of the arm of the law. Others? Let them be behind bars for people to see, for media to publish. Make them the exemplary figures of public graft and corrupt practices. But KKK Members plus proven political supporters, these are beyond reach of the arm of the law.

Just for the record, selective justice is the objective expression of falsity, the strong stimulus of dissent and resentment.

No continuity but change in the present system of governance. No continuity but change in the prevailing undependable incumbent Supreme figure in government. Please!

(Reprinted with permission of Archbishop Emeritus Oscar V. Cruz, from www.ovc.blogspot.com)

from my winDow . . .

The Origin of a Philippine MythHe is usually depicted as

tall and dark. At 7 to 9 feet, he can surely help the Philip-pine basketball team regain its faded glory in the game. Dark, not because it is only at night that he is seen or make him-self visible, but because he is simply that, dark. He often sits on a branch of a banyan tree, smoking a large and long wad of tobacco, while his hairy and log-like legs dangle idly in the air.

How did this creature come into being?

His story will take us back to 1780 during the reign of Spanish Governor General Jose Basco. Even at this time, the Philippines as a Spanish colony was still dependent on a royal subsidy, called real situa-

do, sent from Mexico, then an-other Spanish colony. To help make the local economy self-sufficient, Basco adopted the proposal of the insular fiscal, Francisco Leandro de Vianna to create a tobacco monopoly in the country. He then sought and secured the approval of his plan by the King who issued a royal decree on February 9, 1780 for the same.

By virtue of this decree, a mono-cropping policy and monopoly was established in the growing, grading, and buy-ing of tobacco in certain prov-inces and areas of the country, like the Ilocos and Cagayan Valley. At its height, tobacco production earned the country

as much as P163.4 million, for example in 1866.

The financial success of the venture, however, bred concomitant abuses by the colonial officials, and ac-cording to Edilberto de Jesus in his Tobacco Monopoly in the Philippines, 1782-1882, it became “an instrument of exploitation.” For instance, heavy fines, penalties and even physical punishment like whipping, were imposed on farmers not complying with the decree. Even smoking the tobacco one grew was prohib-ited. In places not designated as tobacco-growing provinces, like the Isarog mountain area in the then Ambos Camarines,

the colonial government con-ducted entradas or military incursions into the settlement of Agtas who grew tobacco on the highlands. They were then relocated in specific ar-eas called reduccion. Manuel Crespo in his Memorias Sobre la reduccion de monteses de Isarog, recorded three such reduccion, namely Feced and Novelda in what is now the City of Iriga, and in Sta. Isabel, in neighboring Buhi town.

These abuses, however, was also met by subtle retaliations by the natives. In Nueva Ecija, the growers smuggled some of the best graded tobacco leaves to get the best price. Or, they purposely produce less than the mandated volume. In Weap-

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By h. FRANCISCO V. PENONES JR.

bikol reporter 5august 16-22, 2015

UNC soro-fratsets lecture series

Fight against hunger and poverty

The combined Nu Kappa Beta Sorority and Nu Kappa Phi Fraternity of the University of Nue-va Caceres will launch its Lecture Series for college students, associates and professionals. The open-ing salvo will be held on September 2 and 3 at the UNC Auditorium in Naga City.

The schedule for Thurs-day – September 3 covers such subjects as Account-ing and Financial Report-ing, Updates in Taxation, and Financial Statement Analysis. Invited as prin-cipal speaker is CPA-Law-yer Antonio P. Acyatan, a multi-awarded alumnus of the UNC College of Com-merce. He is one of the se-nior members of Nu Kap-pa Phi (Nueva Caceres’ Finest) and a recognized university student leader in the 1960s.

Acyatan said he will discuss with his audience the developments in the accounting and auditing professions. He will trace the rationale for the shift of accounting principles and standards to financial reporting standards. Nec-essarily – he will relate the stories of the various anomalies that hounded the accounting profession which led to the passage of the (US) Sarbanes Oxley Law and the New Accoun-tancy Act.

Philippine taxation is a changeable and volatile subject not only in aca-demic studies but more so

CamSur Energy Press Corps visit first ever solar powered radio station in BicolBy ANA-LIzA S. MACATANGAY

GOA, Camarines Sur --- Starting off with a few solar panels in response to the government’s call to shift from the traditional to renewable source of energy, DZRP, a government- run radio station in Goa, Cama-rines Sur has started using an alternative power source to augment its operation and energy needs.

Facing the officers and members of the Camarines Sur Energy Press Corps over the weekend, Partido De-velopment Administration (PDA) Acting Division Chief for Operation Charlie Balag-tas shared the good news that the said initiative is working favorably for their institu-tion.

This initiative is the proj-ect of PDA and by 4th Dis-trict Congressman Wimpy Fuentebella currently sitting as the Vice Chair of the En-ergy Committee.

“During daytime, the so-lar panels cover 52 per cent of the electricity requirement of DZRP but on the aver-age, the panels cover 30 per cent of the total requirement. This computation was based on the 18-hours operation, 10 hours of which is dur-ing daytime. The panels are expected to generate 10,000 watts,” Balagtas added.

In a span of barely three (3) weeks after the solar panel was installed, re-markable savings from the electricity cost rang-ing from Php14,000.00 to Php15,000.00 per month was

initially recorded. Balagtas said that this is even a mod-est estimate given the recent episodes of rain almost every day in the Partido area.

DZRP’s solar panel is not the usual battery-equipped apparatus which can save energy during the nighttime. Balagtas said that they de-cided to remove the battery from the package as its up-keep is more cost-intensive and will incur more mainte-nance expenses in the future. In 5-year time, the battery will undergo tear and wear and will need a new replace-ment. This would pose more cost to its keepers.

Currently, DZRP or Ra-dyo Partido which serves the Partido District and parts of Albay area is sourcing out their alternative power from the initial 34 panels installed in the station’s rooftop. It would need a total of more or less 80 panels more to absorb all the power needs of the station’s daily operations.

CASURECO IV Corpo-rate Planning Section Chief Engineer Rick Gonzales com-mended the said initiative stat-ing that the energy that will be saved by DZRP can be chan-neled to other areas in the Partido area which are also in need of additional supply.

Balagtas said that they are also contemplating on using solar panels to lessen the operational costs of their existing water treatment fa-cilities in Partido area which are usually consuming a big chunk of electricity.

In the future, PDA is not only thinking of expanding the use of solar panels, but will also begin looking for alternative sources of energy,

like tapping hydro power sources to augment the dis-trict’s needs for additional and alternative sources of energy.

Rep. Leni Robredo (3rd District, Camarines Sur) pre-sented before DSWD, DAR and DA officials the lessons learned and challenges fac-ing the pilot implementation of the Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty in the Third District of Camarines Sur during the Echo Session of the Study Tour in Brazil and Meeting on PAHP Up-dates held at the Depart-ment of Social Welfare and Development central office in Quezon City, August 10, 2015.

Present were DSWD Sec-retary Dinky Soliman, DAR Secretary Gil de los Reyes, and other regional and na-tional officials of the 3 depart-ments.

Pilot areas for the PAHP program in Camarines Sur are San Antonio, Ocampo; Del Rosario, Pili; Bonot-Sta-Rosa, Calabanga; and Cararayan-Pa-col-San Isidro in Naga City.

PHAP is a collaborative ef-fort between the Department of Social Welfare and De-velopment (DSWD), the De-partment of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) to engage

poor households and work closely with the rural com-munities to provide essential social and economic services toward eliminating hunger and alleviating poverty in the countryside

This collaborative multi-stakeholder program will target the creation of a com-munity food hub (a localized

version of Brazil’s commu-nity food banks) to serve as a facility that can store food items for the various feeding programs of the DSWD and other similar on the ground programs of other agencies like the education, health, and local government depart-ments.

Local smallholder farm-

ers will be tasked to ensure a steady food supply for various feeding programs. Because community food hubs will be used, partner beneficiaries will be empowered to become economically sustainable. This will ultimately benefit their families and communi-ties. -GCBuensalida

in practice. Time and again – the Bureau of Internal Revenue issues so many regulations and interpreta-tions aimed at upgrading tax collections No doubt – Taxation is the most feared subject both in CPA Board Exams and Philippine Bar.

Hence, the need for reg-ular update lectures.

Accounting Manage-ment Services involve fi-nancial statement analyses. Acyatan will explain the use of financial ratios in de-termining the “Cause and Effect” based on figures gathered from the financial statements. The analyses can be used to guide the management in tracking the sources of their successes or failures – and what best to do to further improve re-sults of operations.

The Lecture Series is intended by the joint UNC Nu Kappa Sorority and Nu Kappa Fraternity to be a continuing program. Suc-cessful alumni in their re-spective fields of endeavor will be invited in the next offering in the series.

Credit should go to the current active leaders of the fraternity and sorority who handled the organizing chores and preparations. Their primordial aim is to draw expertise from their senior sorority and frater-nity members for the ben-efit of the current student populace as well as other young and old university alumni. That’s brotherhood and sisterhood in real ac-tion!

feDerAlism forumFormer Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno (on the podium) addressed the participants of the 4th Foundation Anniversary of the Bicol Autonomy Movement as Regional Convenor Dante Jimenez (5th from right), the Provincial Convenors from the different Bicol provinces and some LGU officials listen.

BAM Chair Dante Jimenez led the burning of the effigies of political clans, one of the activities in support of the Anti-Dynasty Bill in Congress.

bikol reporter6 august 16-22, 2015

NAME OF DECEASED DATE OF INTERMENT

CATALINO P. BAYOBO JULY 5, 2015WILFREDO M. BISANA JULY 5, 2015PURIFICACION B. VIDAL JULY 4, 2015hENRY V. CATANEO JULY 6, 2015MARIA TERESA C. DY JULY 6, 2015JOSE C. SARCILLA JULY 9, 2015VICTOR C. AzADA JULY 10, 2015PURITA R. BONGAPAT JULY 11, 2015SOTERO B. ESCANDOR JR. JULY 10, 2015ELVIRO R. BALLARAN JULY 15, 2015CESAR N. SEMINIANO JULY 18, 2015PETRA P. FELICES JULY 22, 2015PURITA N. PAChECO SRA JULY 25, 2015RAMON Q. MARQUEz JULY 25, 2015OSMUNDO C. DESPACIO JULY 17, 2015JAIME A. PEDERIO JULY 26, 2015DAVID T. DE FIESTA JULY 22, 2015JUDIThA O. SAN FELIPE JULY 29, 2015ESPERANzA V. RECTIN JULY 14, 2015PILAR P. SABINO JULY 30, 2015MARThA B. FABIA JULY 31, 2015

FOR JULY

This was the good news delivered by Department of Transportation and Commu-nications (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Emilio “Jun” Abaya during the JMR Day multi sectoral forum held here this morning, with no less than President Benigno Aquino III as guest of honor.

The issue on the prospect to revive Bicol Express was brought to the attention of DOTC official by Gilbert Al-bero, President of the Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Camarines Sur citing hat the railways played a significant role in the economy of the Bicol re-gion, not just as a source of cheap and alternative mode of transportation, but also as a way of hauling goods from Albay and nearby provinces.

Aside from the grand plan of reviving this old transport mode, the project also en-deavors to modernize train stations and its depot facili-ties; repair rail bridges; pro-vide electric multiple unit-

bicol express to roll . . .based rolling stock as well as the electromechanical, signaling, communication, and automatic fare collection systems.

Abaya was hopeful that once the winning bidder has been granted with the project, the 4-year construction pe-riod might start comes 2017. By 2021, he said, the railway project might have reached its fruition.

The DOTC also decided, Abaya stated, that the airport will remain to be in the out-stretch of Pili, Camarines Sur and has been allotted with a 3.5M fund for its re-construc-tion.

“Our problem is that the Pili runway faces Mount Isa-rog. We are still envisaging if we need to extend another 2.1 km to lengthen it or look for another area where we can build a new runway. So we are not only building daang matuwid, but also riles na matuwid at runway na matu-wid,” Abaya enthused.

Before the forum con-

cluded, President Aquino an-swered the rest of the queries coming from Ansel Maño on pay standardization and ben-efits, Geraldine Tapalla – a 4Ps beneficiary and Mafel Barrios representing the aca-deme.

Aquino particularly point-ed out the Productivity En-hancement Incentive (PEI) stipulated under Executive Order No. 181 or the Imple-mentation of the provisions of FY 2015 General Appropria-tions Act (GAA) for govern-ment employees in response to the query of Maño.

This, the President said is a form of incentive as re-wards for agencies exceeding their financial and operation-al performance targets and motivate employee efforts to-ward higher productivity.

Aquino also shared the government contribution in giving thousands of indigent children an opportunity to study and become produc-tive citizens of the country. - PIA5

Transmission project specif-ically in Sto. Domingo Sub stations’s 10 MVA 69/13.8 kV Transformer, includ-ing the 18-km Tabaco-Sto.Domingo 69 kV line and the Daraga-Sto. Domingo 69 kV line with a 20-km stretch.

Nelson Bautista, NGCP Regional Communications Division Head explained that the project is part of NGCP’s commitment to improve the transmission of electricity from the coun-try’s power generators to the distributors and provide its partners with the utmost competence to push for de-velopment in various parts of the country.

“This is also part of NGCP’s 10-year program

ngcp bares transmission . . .for expansion, reinforce-ment and rehabilitation of our transmission system. This is being updated an-nually and being submitted to ERC for approval,” Bau-tista added.

NGCP also hopes to finish some development projects under their 2011-2015 system Development Plan which includes the up-grading of Labo Substation 50MVA 230/69 kV trans-former which is expected to be completed in February 2016 and the Daraga Sub-station’s 100 MVA 230/69 kV transformer expected to be fully operational comes June 2016.

Bautista further elaborat-ed that aside from ensuring the efficient transmission of

energy, they also see to it that these practices follow the stricter environmental rules.

“NGCP joins all environ-ment advocates in making the air we breathe safe for our countrymen, so we see to it that any development that we undertake does not mean a dent in our fight for a sustainable environ-ment.”

NGCP was awarded with a 50-year franchise to oper-ate and maintain the coun-try’s transmission network. As such, it was also given the right to operate, main-tain, expand and implement development plans to ensure the effective transmission of electricity to its clienteles. -- (Ana-Liza S. Macatangay)

neW presiDent GOVMIGzVILLAFUERTEFB

Gov. Miguel Luis R. Villafuerte welcomes Ayala Education CEO and newly-appointed President of University of Nueva Caceres, Mr. Alfred I. Ayala.

Calling all UNC Cross Swords members and alumni, Annual

Gathering of members

September 12, 2015K of C Bldg., City hall Compound,

Magsaysay Avenue, Naga City.

Registration starts at 5:00PM

Contact: Johnny JanaCellphone No. 0915.237.4445

bikol reporter 7august 16-22, 2015

And nobody has grown as poor as a churchmouse serving the people.All of them with a minute exception have hundreds of millions in their pockets..

Their hearts bleed for the poor? That is a big, big lie..If somebody comes to you offering the moon, the sun and the

stars, and virtually the whole universe,he is lying.He will take the moon, the sun and the stars, take them all for himself.

Remember, this season is unusual. Both the good and the bad surface, mostly the bad.

a question of privilege . . .

tHe grADuAtes JMTS/JOREChIII/DANREY/RBMJR/MMEC

Latest batch of animators and assistant animators from the CamSur Animation Training Program (CATP) under Gov. Migz Villafuerte’s administration with (inset) head Trainer, Mr. Benedicto Bernardino, assuring the newly-minted animators that jobs await them right away.

DSWD initiates Talakayan in 15 municipalities in Bicol

Joysharon Ponciano (middle) of Brgy. hibago, Ocampo, Camarines Sur checks the programs and projects that the government provided for their village during the gallery viewing in Municipal Talakayan last August 14, 2015.

The DSWD through Kalahi-CIDSS initiated the conduct of “Municipal Ta-lakayan” in 15 municipali-ties which started last Au-gust 14, 2015 in Ocampo, Camarines Sur.

It is a municipal-level democratic dialogue which aims to measure the condi-tion and level of local de-velopment of Kalahi-CIDSS municipalities by bringing all stakeholders together us-ing a participatory approach through knowledge genera-tion, sharing and collabora-tive self-assessment among stakeholders.

“The Municipal Tala-kayan is like a State of the Nation Address (SONA) that presents reports on a local government’s accomplish-ments and an open forum that entitles the public to raise questions about development to the government officials,”

Dir. Garcia said.In Ocampo, the barangay

captains, selected residents, civil society organizations (CSOs), indigenous people and municipal local govern-ment unit officials were pres-ent.

Joysharon Ponciano of Brgy. Hibago in Ocampo said that she is grateful to attend the said activity because the people are updated of the lo-cal government’s programs and activities.

“Gusto ko magkaugwa pa sa susunod para aram mi ang nangyayari (I want this to be conducted again to know what is happening)” she add-ed.

The same group of people will be invited in the fol-lowing municipalities: Viga, Catanduanes, Gigmoto, Cat-anduanes, San Vicente, Ca-marines Norte, Basud, Cama-rines Norte, Labo, Camarines

Norte, Caramoan, Camarines Sur, Bato, Camarines Sur, Baao, Camarines Sur, Lib-manan, Camarines Sur, Bula, Camarines Sur, Bombon, Ca-marines Sur, Gainza, Cama-rines Sur and Ragay, Cama-rines Sur.

The town of Cabusao in Camarines Sur has also con-ducted their Municipal Tala-kayan last August 17, 2015. The series of municipal dia-logue is expected to end in November this year.

Kalahi-CIDSS- Kapit- Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Inte-grated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) is a DSWD program that seeks to help alleviate poverty through community-driven development (CDD).

Community-driven devel-opment (CDD) puts power

back in the hands of the peo-ple by giving them the op-portunity to make informed

decisions on locally identi-fied options for development and manage resources to

implement sub-projects that address needs identified by communities themselves.

ons of the Weak, James Scott calls these acts as examples of “everyday form of resistance” of peasants.

Historian Danilo M. Ge-rona, who recently came out with a book on Magellan where he dislodged the latter’s place in history as the first hu-man to have circumnavigated the globe, argues that the myth of the kapre arose during the one-hundred year tobacco monopoly in the country. The kapre, he says, is an inven-tion, an imaginary creation of the natives. “The word comes from kafir which refers to Afri-can slaves,” he explains. The natives, according to Gerona, appropriated the word to por-tray an oral caricature of the abusive colonial officials to get back at them.

So, the next time you pass by a large balete, do not be afraid a kapre lives there. He is only an oral cartoon which is an indica-tion of the power of the na-tive imagination nurtured during the colonial tobacco monopoly years.

the origin ...

Great Taste White is making everyday wins even greater with the Choose Great Win Great raffle, its biggest promo to date. More than P27 million worth of prizes is a stake.

The promo will have four regional draws in five areas: Greater Manila Area, North Lu-zon, South Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. For every regional draw, there will be one winner of P200,000 and one winner of P100,000 in each area. Two winners will also get their very own white MacBook Air, four winners will take home a white iPhone 6 and six winners will re-ceive a white iPad Mini.

The Great Taste White: Choose Great, Win Great Pro-mo will culminate in the Grand Draw where one lucky winner will take home PP3 million pe-sos in cash and eight others will get to own a white Toyota Vios 1.3 E M/T.

To make his winning mo-ment an even greater experi-ence, the grand prize winner will get an exclusive sneak peek into

Experience the great taste of winning Great Taste White’s Choose Great, Win Great Promo

the Pinoy Big Brother experi-ence. Apart from the P3 million cash prize, he will also receive VIP tickets to the PBB: 737 Big Night, tour the PBB house and get to meet and greet PBB; All in Big Winner Daniel Matsunaga.

“Through Great Taste White: Choose Great Win Great Promo, we aim to let more consumers savor greater wins,” said Lance Gokongwei, Universal Robina Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer. “This is also one way to thank our consumers for making Great Taste white the leading brand in the white coffee segment.”

The Great Taste White: Choose Great, Win Great Promo is open to all Filipino residents 18 years old and above. To join, partiicipants must simply collect five empty sachets of any Great Taste White variant (Smooth & Creamy, Smooth & Creamy Sugarfree, Smooth & Caramel-ly, and Smooth & Chocolatey) or one empty BigSAVE Pack. They must then put the empty packs in a plain white envelope with a piece of paper containing their complete name, birth date, current mailing address, mobile or landline number, store outlet where the product is purchased

and email address. One envelope qualifies for one entry, which can be dropped to drop boxes located in participating stores, supermar-kets, and outlets nationwide.

Promo period is from August 2 to September 18, 2015.

Nothing is better than the great taste of winning, from small day-to-day triumphs to grand mile-stones. Savor great wins and take home the most awesome rewards in the Great Taste White: Choose Great, Win Great Promo. Know more about the promo by liking the official Great Taste White Fa-cebook page (facebook.com/Gre-atTaste3in1).

Great Taste White makes everyday wins taste even better with the Choose Great Win Great promo. Exciting gadgets, a brand new Toyota Vios, and great cash prizes – as much as P3 million for the grand draw winner – are at stake.

first farm business school in Bicol launched

BIKOL REPORTER

REgIOnaL ExPOnEnT fOR PROgREss

outstanDing local newspaperfor five consecutive years by the st. peter

baptist catholic mass media awards

8 august 16-22, 2015

DSWD Bicol ties up with Japanese investorsfArm sCHool lAunCHDAR and DAR-ATI personnel pose with the 35 farmer participants in the Farm Business School recently launched in Ocampo, Camarines Sur.

The Department of Agrarian Reform here launched its first Farm Busi-ness School, August 17, 2015 at San Antonio, Ocampo, Camarines Sur.

The Farm Business School (FBS) is implemented under the project “Capacity Build-ing of Small Farmers in Entre-preneurship Development and Market Access”, through col-

laboration of the Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI), Department of Agrarian Re-form (DAR), Food and Ag-riculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO-UN), and the local government units concerned.

Initially, a total of 35 farm-ers-members of Ayugan San Antonio Agrarian Reform

Cooperative (ASAARCO) in San Antonio, Ocampo will un-dergo a series of group-based experiential learning activities or a 25-day training sessions (from August 17 to November 13) to help them learn and de-velop their capacity in running a profitable farm business for long-term sustainability. As a result, Farm Business Schools help family farms to access

new markets and respond to ever-changing market de-mands.

Camarines Sur II agrarian reform chief Maria Gracia Sales, DA-ATI training su-perintendent Vivien Carable, DAR regional and provin-cial personnel, and local of-ficials of the municipality of Ocampo graced the occasion. -GCBuensalida/DAR

mou signingDSWD Regional Director Arnel Garcia together with Asst.Regional Director for Operations Corazon Miña led the MOU signing with Aderans Philippines Inc. Director & Gen.Manager Masao Kaneko, Asst.Gen.Manager Norio Asakawa and Anando Marketing & Services Treasurer Evangeline Anastacio

Legazpi City - Aderans Philippines Inc, a Japa-nese company and Anando Marketing & Services Inc. , a sub-contractor, signed a memorandum of under-standing with the Depart-ment of Social Welfare and

Development Bicol yester-day at the DSWD Field Of-fice.

Aderans Philippines Inc. a manufacturer and world wide exporter of hairpieces and re-lated accessories will provide employment to the DSWD

beneficiaries after they under-gone training. The company operates in Clarkfield Pam-panga and the head office is based in Tokyo, Japan.

On the other hand, Anan-do Marketing & Services which is engaged in trading,

marketing, repairs and sub-contracting of personal goods such as wigs and make-up will conduct the technical/skills training of the DSWD referred participants.

The participants include a

total of 500 Pantawid Pami-lya beneficiaries ages 17-25 years old from Libmanan, Minalabac and other nearby municipalities in Camarines Sur will benefit from the said partnership.

For its part, , DSWD will fund 4.5 million for the food and transportation of the participants in their 30 days training on wig making. ( cr-barrameda