Vol 20, No. 33 | August 17 - 23, 2015

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August 17- 23, 2015 | Vol. 20, No. 33 | Php 12.00/copy  balikasonline@yahoo.com | 0912.902.7373 | 0926.774.7373

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Programang Pabahay, inilunsad para sa 302 pamilya sa Balete

LGU can’t impose taxes on petroleum production

>>>NEWS....P/3

MAY posibilidad nang matapos ang rehabilitasyon ng Calumpang Bridge at inaasahang matatapos ito ngayong Oktubre 2015. Ito ang kinumpirma ni Deputy Executive Secrtetary for Financial Affairs (DESFA) Ronaldo Geron sa panayam ng Pahayagang BALIKAS nitong nakaraang Huwebes, batay na rin sa ulat ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Sa pinakahuling assessment ng DPWH, nabatid na natapos na ang pagpapatibay ng mga pundasyon ng mga natitirang pier o poste ng nasirang tulay,

samantalang naitayo na ang dalawang bagong poste bilang kapalit ng gumuhong pier. Hanggang nitong nagdaang linggo, isinasagawa na rin ang coping at inaasahang matatapos hanggang sa katapusan ng Agosto. Ang mga girders na gagamitin o mga biga na siyang magdurugtong sa mga pier na siya namang pagkakabitan ng mga slabs na pinakasahig ng tulay ay nayari na rin at naghihintay na lamang na matapos ang coping para maikabit na. Kapag natapos na ang coping, isasagawa na ang pagkokongkreto ng bridge slab at isusunod din agad ang sidewalk na inaasahang kapwa matatapos sa Oktubre.

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>>>BUSINESS....P/6

Batangas, nangunguna sa police service sa Calabarzon Region CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna -- Kinilala ng pamunuan ng Phlippine National Police (PNP) sa pagdiriwang ng 114th Police Service Anniversary rito noong Lunes ang pangunguna ng

Lalawigan ng Batangas sa larangan ng pagpapanatili ng peace and order service sa CALABARZON Region.

>>>PULIS.....sundan sa P/2

>>>TULAY.....sundan sa P/3

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Oceana condemns killing of fisheries advocate GERLIE Menchie Alpajora, 33, was gunned down in front of her two sons on July 29 in Sagñay, Camarines Sur. Police investigation cited Alpajora’s work against illegal fishing as the motive for the killing. “Oceana condemns in the strongest terms this atrocious act, and we call on the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation of her assassination and file charges against those accountable. Alpajora has dedicated her life in the

service of our country and our people in furthering the goal towards sustainable fisheries. She is our hero,” lawyer Gloria Estenzo Ramos, Vice-President for Oceana Philippines, said. Alpajora was the secretary of Sagñay Tuna Fishing Association (STFA), a community organization that assists law enforcers in monitoring fish catch and illegal fishing.

>>>FISHERIES....turn to P/2

Natutulog na aplikasyon ng Coal-Fired Power Plant >p.4

Economic crisis still afflicting the world >p.5

SUPORTA NG LGU, SUSI NG SEGURIDAD. Personal na tinanggap ni Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos Recto kay Police Director General Ricardo Marquez ang Plake ng Pagkilala para sa Pamahalaang Panlala-wigan ng Batangas bilang katangi-tanging Local Government Unit (LGU) - Provincial Category sa walang humpay at di mapantayang suporta ng lalawigan sa pulisya sa pagsusulong nga kapayapaan at kaayusan sa buong CALABARZON, habang nakamasid si PCSupt. Richard Albano, Regional Director ng PNP CALABARZON (gitna) -- sa pagdiriwang ng ika-114 Taon ng Police Service sa Camp Vicente Lim, Calamba City, Laguna, Agosto 10.| JOENALD MEDINA RAYOS


AUGUST 17 - 23, 2015

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ENVIRONMENT balikasonline@yahoo.com

Is the Philippines prepared to deliver an ambitious climate action plan? BY the end of November this year, world leaders will assemble in Paris for a historic summit that promises to gradually cut or phase out the use of climate-altering carbon emissions and inaugurate greater global reliance on clean energy sources. The promise will begin to take concrete form as soon as all 196 UN members submit their “intended nationally determined commitments” (INDCs) which will determine whether the world can stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere and limit global temperature rise to 2 degrees Centigrade in order to prevent the worst impacts of climate change. Capping 23 years of intense research, debate and negotiation, the Paris summit of the UN Framework on Climate Change Convention

asserts that a good INDC should be “ambitious, leading to transformation in carbon-intensive sectors and industry; transparent, so that stakeholders can track progress and ensure countries meet their stated goals; and equitable, so that each country does its fair share to address climate change.” The example of Mexico — one of some 50 countries that have so far communicated their INDCs to the UNFCCC — is worth emulating. Mexico’s elaboration of its commitments involved broad public participation, multiple sectoral meetings, and a web-based public survey. To back up its pledges, Mexico included in its formal submission the following instruments: a national strategy on climate change, carbon tax, national emissions and emissions reductions registry,

energy reform laws and regulations, and on-going process for new set of standards and regulations. Our own INDCs are still being formulated, and it is unfortunate that this is being done with little transparency and without public debate. The official attitude seems to be that, since the Philippines is not a significant emitter, the crucial pledges should be made by the industrial nations. This attitude is so wrong. First, the Philippines has bound itself to submit contributions that are fair and ambitious in the light of our national circumstances. Since private industry will bear the brunt of cutting emissions, there is a need for total transparency in order to build responsibility, trust, and accountability with all stakeholders.| IMELDA ALBANO

Mr. & Ms. DepEd 2015, itinanghal sa BCCC

Inter-Island News Lunsod ng Calapan, Top 7 sa Citizen Satisfaction Index System ng DILG CALAPAN, Oriental Mindoro — Ang lokal na pamahalaan ng Calapan ay ginawaran kamakailan bilang pampito sa buong bansa na may mataas na grado sa Citizen Satisfaction Index System (CSIS) ng Bureau of Local Government Supervision (BLGS) ng Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). Sa isinagawang Utilization Conference noong nakaraang buwan sa Vencio’s Garden, Lungsod ng Calapan, sinabi ng mga dumalong opisyales mula sa DILG na ang parangal ay manipestasyon ng maayos na pamamahala. Ayon kay DILG OIC Regional Director James Fadrilan, ang ginagawang pagpapabuti sa pagbibigay ng serbisyo sa publiko ay sangkap ng mabuting pamumuno o good governance. Sa lumabas na national summary report na kanilang iprinesenta para sa taong 2014 na kinabibilangan ng 50 lunsod sa bansa, mapalad na mapabilang ang Calapan sa top 10 lungsod na tumanggap ng mataas na grado batay sa citizen’s satisfaction para sa walong Needs Assessment Areas. Sa Priority Action Areas, ang Environmental Services ay nagkamit ng pinakamataas na Importance Net Score na 92.27% na sinundan ng Health 88.33%; Social Welfare 88.19%; Public Works and Infrastructure 86.97%; Governance and Response 86.92%; Support to Education 86.29%; Agricultural Support 85.50% at tourism support 81.67%. Lahat ng service areas ay may score lampas sa 60% at ang average component score ng Calapan na 87.02% ay mataas na ayon sa pamantayan ng DILG. Sinabi ni Mayor Arnan C. Panaligan, sinisikap ng kanyang liderato na maibigay sa bawat mamamayan ang pinaka-episyente at mabilis na pamamaraan ng paghahatid ng produkto at serbisyo. Epektibo rin aniya na nasasagot ng bawat serbisyo ang tamang pangangailangan ng publiko na una sa kanyang mandato bilang pununlunsod. Sisiguraduhin ng kanyang pamunuan hanggang sa mga susunod na taon na mapataas ang antas ng pagkilala ng mga mamamayan sa serbisyong pinagkakaloob ng pamahalaang lunsod.| ...........................................................................................................................

Komunidad ng mga batak sa Puerto Princesa, magkakakuryente na

HINDI nagpahuli ang mga guro ng DepEd sa larangan ng pagandahan at pagwapuhan sa idinaos na awarding ceremonies ng Mr. & Ms. DepEd Batangas City na ginanap sa Batangas City Convention Center noong August 13. Ang nasabing patimpalak ay isang fund raising activity na naglalayong makatulong sa ibat ibang proyekto ng Department of Education. Tinanghal na Mr. & Ms. DepEd sina Mr. Nestor Alon at Ms. Euna Costa Briones. First Runner up sina Christopher Panganiban at Remedios Mercado. Second runner up naman sina Mark Philip Perez at Margie Ramirez.

Samantalang 3rd runner up sina Arvin Aclan at Maricris Perez at 4th runner up naman si Eleuterio Andal Jr. at Rhona P. Godoy. Ang nasabing programa ay pinangunahan ni Dr. Donato G. Bueno - Division of Schools Superintendent ng Department of Education. Dumalo din sina Atty. RD Dimacuha na kinatawan ni Mayor Eddie B. Dimacuha at mga department heads ng pamahalaang lungsod ng Batangas. Nagbigay kulay naman ang presentasyon ng mga piling guro na kasapi ng DepEd chorale at DepEd Dance Troupe.| ALVIN M. REMO, kuha ni ELMER ZARASPE

.............................................................................................................................................. <<<FISHERIES.... from P/1

Oceana condemns killing of fisheries advocate “The killing of Alpajora has a great connection to her work, particularly her advocacy against illegal fishing,” according to the police report about the incident. According to the police, Alpajora had received threats a week before she was killed, after she gave infor-mation to authorities that led to the arrest of illegal fishers in Sagñay. Colleagues describe Alpajora as very active in raising public aware-ness about illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUUF). She also gives seminars about govern-ment fisheries programs, such as the registration of boats and fisherfolk, and conducts

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information cam-paigns in the villages around Lagonoy Gulf, one of the country’s major fishing grounds. Joanne Binondo, Project Manager of Partnership Program Towards Sustainable Tuna (PPTST) for WWFPhilippines, described Alpajora as a very hardworking and committed activist. “She was a fearless advocate. Despite the threats, she persisted with her work,” said Binondo, who had previously worked with Alpajora. Bindondo said that after Alpajora’s death, several STFA members also received threats, which were promptly reported to police authorities. “This violation is beyond fisheries and conservation rights. This violates our human rights,” Binondo said. A report made in 2014 by Global Witness<https:// www.global witness.org/…/environ…/deadlyenvironment/>, a group that seeks to shed light on the links between environmental exploitation and human rights abuses, cited the Philippines as the deadliest country in Asia for environment activists. The Philippines ranks third in the world with the highest number of slain environment advocates, at 67 deaths since 2002.| PPI/BALIKAS

PUERTO PRINCESA City — Magkakaroon na ng kuryente ang isang komunidad sa Sitio Kalakwasan, Brgy. Tanabag, Puerto Princesa sa pamamagitan ng electrification program ng Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI). Ayon kay Konsehal Gregorio Q. Austria, pinuno ng Committee on Environmental Protection and Natural Resources ng Sangguniang Panlunsod, inindorso na ng konseho sa pamamagitan ng Resolusyon Bilang 1255-2015 ang proyekto ito ng PSFI upang makakuha ng Certificate of Non-Coverage mula sa Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) ang naturang proyekto. Ang proyektong ito ay ang restorasyon at rehabilitasyon ng kasalukuyang pagpapailaw sa mga komunidad ng mga katutubong Batak at mga mamamayan sa nasabing lugar. Ito ay sa pamamagitan ng isang kilowatt na micro-hydro power at isang kilowatt na micro-solar power, kung saan ang enerhiya mula sa tubig ay magmumula sa Tabanag River at ang solar power nito ay mula sa isang genset na mayroong photovoltaic array. Php1.5 milyon ang inilaang pondo ng PSFI sa nasabing proyekto. Ang naturang alternatibong enerhiya ay inindorso din ng mga katutubong Batak sa naturang barangay sa pamamagitan ng isang resolusyon mula sa mga pinuno nito. Tinatayang nasa 49 na kabahayan o nasa 202 na populasyon ang makikinabang sa proyektong ito na kung saan nasa 30 porsiyento ay mga katutubong Batak. Ang nasabing proyekto ay isa lamang sa mga nakalinyadang proyekto na ipinatutupad ng PSFI sa mga komunidad ng mga katutubong tribu sa Lunsod ng Puerto Princesa.| ...........................................................................................................................

Foster parents, panawagan ng DSWDMimaropa para sa batang napabayaan PWEDE ka bang maging bahagi ng buhay ng batang pinagkaitan ng pagmamahal at pagkalinga? Inaanyayahan ang Department of Social Welfare and Development – Mimaropa ang mga mag-asawa o mga pamilya na lumahok sa Foster Care Program para makabalikat ng pamahalaan sa pangangalaga sa mga batang pinabayaan, abandonado, ulila at mga biktima ng pang-aabuso. Kasama din sa Foster Care Program ang pagbibigay kalinga sa mga batang may espesyal na pangangailangan at yung mga naghihintay ng mag-aampon sa kanila. Ang Foster Care ay ang pagbibigay ng temporary (pansamantala), substitute (panghalili) pangangalaga ng magulang sa isang bata (foster child) ng isang pansamantalang magulang o pamilya (foster parent o foster family). Naniniwala ang pamahalaan na mas kapaki-pakinabang sa bata ang ma-arugaan ng ng isang pamilya kumpara ng isang institusyon kahit sa maikling panahon man lang. Ang Foster Care, alinsunod sa Implementing Rules and Regulations ng Foster Care Act of 2012, ay kinikilala ng Estado bilang unang hakbang bago maibalik ang bata sa kanyang tunay na magulang o pamilya o kaya ay bago maisalin sa pangangalaga ng pamilyang mag-aampon sa kanya.


AUGUST 17 - 23, 2015

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NEWS

balikasonline@yahoo.com

Bayan ng Calatagan, San Jose at Talisay tumanggap ng bagong fire truck

KAMPEON NG SEGURIDAD. Kinilala ng Bureau of Fire ProtectionCalabarzon si Batangas’ 4th District Congressman Dong Mendoza bilang kampeon ng seguridad sa buong suporta ng mambabatas sa mga programa ng kawanihan, lalo na sa pagsusulong ng distribusyon ng mga makabagong firetrucks sa mga bayang salat dito, sa pagdiri-wang ng BFP Anniversary kamakailan. isinulong din ni Mendoza ng pagkakaloob ng ng DIILG ng makabagong firetruck sa mga bayan ng San Jose, Talisay at Calatagan sa Batangas.| CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

“SIPAG lamang at tiyaga!” Ito ang maikli ngunit malamang pahayag ni Mayor Sophia Grandeza Palacio ng bayan ng Calatagan sa kaniyang pagtanggap ng isang yunit ng makabagong fire truck sa turnover ceremony sa Camp Vicente Lim, Canlubang, Laguna, Agosto 7. Ayon kay Mayor Palacio, lubos aniya ang kaniyang kagalakan na nagbunga ang sipag at pagtitiyaga niyang mag-follow up sa Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), partikular sa Bureau fo Fire of Fire Protection (BFP) para mapagkalooban ang kaniyang bayan ng kahit isa man lamang makabagong firetruck bago pa matapos ang kaniyang termino sa susunod na taon. Idinagdag pa ng alkalde na “matagal na po nating request yan, tiyaga din po sa follow-up, at iyan, Salamat po sa Diyos, nabigyan naman ng magandang resulta. Sana lang ay hindi natin ito magamit, but nonetheless we need to have one to assure safety for our constitutents and the neighboring town.” Lubos din ang kagalakan ng kaniyang mga kababayan. “Yan ang

totoong public servant, kapakanan ng mga nasasakop ang inuuna! Congratulations po for Calatagan, Mayora!” Pahayag ni Arvin Kenneth Cruz , isang OFW. Sa pagtanggap na ito ng bagong firetruck, tiniyak pa ng alkalde na isusunod na kaagad ang pagpapagawa ng maayos na fire station para sa bayan ng Calatagan. Aniya, mayroon nang alokasyong P2.5-milyong budget ang pamahalaang bayan paras alupang pagtitirikan ng anturang istayon ng pamataysunog. Ang naturang firetruck ay may kumpletong firemen gears. Inaasahan naming mabilis din itong makareresponde hindi lamang sa bayan ng Calatagan, kundi maging sa iba pang kalapit-bayan sa Kanlurang Batangas. Masuwerte ang bayan ng Calatagan, kasama ang bayan ng San Jose at Talisay na mapabilang sa unang 80 bayan na pinili sa 55 lalawigan sa bansa na tumanggap ng naturang firetruck na may 1,000 galloon capacity. Ang naturang turn-over ay sinaksihan rin ni Congressman

Mark Llandro Mendoza ng Batangas at ng iba pang mga opisyal ng pamahalaan.| JOENALD M. RAYOS

PAGKILALA. Kabilang si Mayor Sofia Grandeza Palacio sa mga tumanggap ng Pakilalasa Sandugo Awards sa Batangas kamakailan.| CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... <<<PULIS.... mula sa P/1

Batangas, nangunguna sa police service... Programang Pabahay, inilunsad Sa nasabing programa, ang mga proyektong ito sa Tinanggap ng BPPO ang para sa 302 pamilya sa Balete kinilala ang Pamahalang HEARTS program ng Achievement Unit Award for Panlalawigan ng Batangas bilang Outstanding Local Government Unit sa provincial category para sa buong Region 4-A dahil naging masigasig itong kapartner at kabalikat ng kapulisan sa kanilang kampanya para sa kapayapaan at seguridad. Sa pangunguna ni Batangas Governor Vilma Santos Recto, tuluy-tuloy ang suportang ibinibigay ng pamahalaang panlalawigan sa PNP tulad ng pag-turn over ng mga police cars, communication equipment, mga baril at bala. Naka-angkla

Batangas Capitol, kung saan ang Security ay isa sa mga prayoridad. Personal na tinanggap ni Gov. Vi ang nasabing pagkilala sa programang dinaluhan nina Police Director General Ricardo Marquez, Chief PNP; PCSupt Richard Albano, Regional Director ng PNP CALABARZON; at Director Renato Brion, Regional Director ng DILG 4A. Kaalinsabay nito ay kinilala rin ang Batangas Provincial Police office sa pamumuno ni PSSupt. Omega Jireh Fidel, provincial director.

.............................................................................. <<<TULAY.... mula sa P/1

Calumpang Bridge, ok na sa Oktubre 2015? Nabatid na aabot lamang ng isang linggo o higit pa ang hihintayin bilang curing period para magamit ang tulay. “Ito marahil ang kasagutan sa walang katapusang katanungan ng ating mga kababayan na naghihintay na magamit muli ang ating tulay sa malapit na hinaharap” pahayag ng isang lokal na opisyal na ayaw magpabanggit ng pangalan. “Ito ang isang proyekto na napakahirap magbigay ng komento; kung magsalita ka, masasabihan ka na nag-gagrandstanding, kung di naman magbigay ng update, masama rin,” dagdag pa niya. Matapos ibagsak ng bagyong Glenda ang Calumpang Bridge, naging pinakamalaking suliranin at pasanin ito ng mga Batangueño na nagdulot naman ng matinding trapiko saan mang sulok ng lunsod. Nai-award ang kontrata

sa JBL Builders and William Uy Construction Joint Ventures sa halagang halos P64-milyon. Ngunit bago ito, nakadalawa munang public bidding ang isinagawa ng pamahalaang nasyunal ngunit walang lumahok na bidders. Sa ikatlong public bidding, ang JBL Builders and William Uy Construction Joint Ventures lamang ang nag-iisang bidder kaya sa ilalim ng negotiated contract ay ipinagkaloob na rito ang proyekto. Noon ding Enero, naibigay ng DPWH sa JBL Builders and William Uy Construction Join Ventures ang ‘Notice to Proceed’ para sa rehabilitasyon ng Calumpang Bridge na may kabuuang halagang Php63,478,735.04 at popondohan ng pamahalaang nasyunal mula sa Calamity Fund na nakapaloob sa 2014 General Appropriation Act (GAA).| JOENALD MEDINA RAYOS

the Solution of Sensational Criminal Case - PPO Level. Tinanggap rin ni PCInsp Gerry Malibiran Laylo, hepe ng Lemery Municipal Police Office, ang Achievement Award in the Field of Police Criminal Investigation (PCO Level). Dalawa pang tauhan ng BPPO ang tumanggap ng parangal -- sina NUP Viola Lulab Ancheta, Provincial Supply Accountable Officer, at tinanggap ang Achievement Award in the Field of General Support (Supervisory Level). Sa Non-Supervisory Level naman, tinanggap ni NUP August Jimenez Ponsoy ang katulad na pagkilala. Samantala, naging bahagi din ng seremonya ang pag turn-over ng 7 Mini-Troop

UPANG matiyak ang seguridad ng mga residenteng naninirahan sa isla ng Bulkang Taal, isang programang pabahay ang ginawa ng lokal na pamahalaan ng Balete, Batangas sa tulong ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan. Dinaluhan ni Governor Vilma Santos ang Ground

Carrier Vehicles at ang presentasyon ng mga nakumpiskang armas at motorsiklo sa ilalim ng programang LAMBAT SIBAT. Kasama ng gobernadora sa nasabing okasyon sina Vice Gov. Mark Leviste, Provincial Administrator Atty. Joel Montealto at Chief of Staff Pedrito Martin Dijan, Jr.| May ulat nina VINCENT ALTAR at LANDICHO

Ground Breaking Ceremony.

DHALENZ

Breaking Ceremony ng Jowivil Crater’s View Subdivision sa Brgy. Makina, Balete, Batangas, Agosto, 12. Ang proyektong ito ay handog ng pamahalaang lokal ng Balete sa pangunguna ni Mayor Leovino “Joven” Hidalgo at Vice Mayor Wilson Maralit, kasama ang Sangguniang Bayan, sa tulong ng Local Housing Board. Kasabay nito, ginanap din ang blessing at ribbon cutting ceremony para sa model house. Ang proyektong relokasyon ay handog ng pinagsamang proyekto sa pagitan ng pamahalaang panlalawigan at lokal na pamahalaan ng Balete para sa mga residente ng Brgy. Calawit upang masiguro ang kanilang kalig-

tasan sakaling magkaroon ng pagputok ng Bulkang Taal. Tatlong daan at dalawang (302) bahay ang itatayo sa nasabing subdibisyon at 278 pamilya mula sa isla ang makikinabang dito. Mula sa pondo ng Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), sa ilalim ng Calamity Fund, ipinagkaloob ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ang P9.3 milyon upang makatulong sa pagbili ng lupang pagtatayuan ng subdibisyon. Bukod sa proyektong pabahay, tutulungan din ng lokal na pamahalaan ang mga residente upang magkaroon ng kabuhayan sa pamamagitan ng Livelihood Projects.| ELFIE E. ILUSTRE

Pinangunahan ni Gov. Vilma Santos Recto at Mayor Leovino Hidalgo ng Balete, Batangas ang ground breaking ceremony ng Jowivil Crater’s View Subdivision sa Brgy. Makina, bayan ng Balete, Batangas, Agosto, 12. Ang naturang pabahay ay proyektong handog ng lokal na pamahalaan ng Balete, Batangas sa tulong ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan para sa mga residenteng naninirahan sa isla ng Taal upang masiguro ang kanilang kaligtasan.| L. HERNANDEZ


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Be a part in shaping public opinion. Email your comments/reactions to: balikasonline@yahoo.com AUGUST 17 - 23, 2015

OPINION

KUMUSTA na kaya ang Petition for Locational Clearance ng JG Summit Holdings, Inc. para sa panukalang pagtatayo ng coal-fired power plant sa Brgy. Pinamucan Ibaba sa Lunsod Batangas. Ano na kaya baga ang status na nito sa Sangguniang Panlunsod? Matatandaang matapos mag-file ng aplikasyon ang JGSHI sa p amahalaang lunsod, iniendorso ito ng executive branch sa Sangguniang Panlunsod. Kasunod ng mga pampublikong pagdinig, pinagsumite ng Committee on Environment ng kani-kaniyang position papers ang iba’t ibang stakeholders – ang proponent, barangay officials, community, church, etc. – upang mabalanse ang mga argument at rekisitos kaugnay ng pagtatayo ng nasabing planta. Sa paghaharap ng mga pro at anti groups sa Sangguniang Panlunsod noong Abril 30, muling nagbigay ng kani-kaniyang pahayag ang magkabilang grupo. Bitbit ng grupo ni Arsobispo Ramon C. Arguelles si Atty. Ipat Luna, kilalang environmental advocate, at ang mga kinatawan ng iba pang grupong kumukontra sa pagtatayo ng planta. Kasama rin ng mga matataas na opisyal ng JGSHI ang ilang mga public officials mula sa mga hosts barangays sa baybayin na nagbigay rin ng kanilang mga saloobin kung kaya’t dumating sila sa puntong magbigay ng endorsement para sa proyekto. Noong araw ding iyon, humiling ang grupo ng arsobispo ng hanggang isang buwan para makapagsumite ng panibagong position paper kung saan ay ihahanay nila ang kanilang mga punto de vista kung bakit nila tinututulan ang panukalang pagtatayo ng planta. Ibinigay ng konseho ang gayong panahon. Matapos ito, nginangali-ngali naman ng arsobispo at ng kaniyang grupo na desisyon kaagad ng konseho ang application for location clearance. Sabi pa ng arsobispo sa panayam ng Radio Veritas, “Halata talagang dinedelay nila. They are making fool of the people. Kailangang magdecide na sila whether yes or no!” Sagot naman ng ilang sumusubaybay sa mga pangyayari, hindi anila fair ang tinuran ng arsobispo, sapagkat sila man ay binigyan din ng sapat na panahon para makapagsumite ng position paper. Mangyari, kailangan din marahil ng konseho ng sapat na panahon para pag-aralan ang mga isinumiteng position paper ng magbilang panig. Ngunit sa pagkakataong ito, ngayon napapanahon na masabihan ng sinuman ang konseho na tila nga yata inupuan na nga lamang ang mga naturang position papers at nag-aamoy pinais na kumbaga… nakakabingi ang pananahimik ngayon ng konseho. Nasaan na ang pag-uulat? Huwag sanang mangyari na hahayaan na lamang na mamatay ng tuluyan ang isyu o hayaang mainip ang proponent hanggang sa maging disinterested na sila. Ang kailangan ay ang pagkilos ng mga kagawad ng konseho, at aksyunan ang usaping nasa kanilang hapag. Kung ano man ang kanilang maging boto dito, o kung tuluyan mang di nila aksyunan ito ay siyang magiging salamin ng kung anong klase ng pagtupad sa tungkulin meron ang bawat isa sa kanila, sa pamumuno ng Bise Alkalde na siyang may hawak ng timon ng konseho. Magkaganunpaman, ano nga ba ang mga konsiderasyon sa pagboto, pabor man o kontra, sa panukalang pagtatayo ng coal-fired thermal power plant sa Lunsod Batangas? May mga nagsasabi na “there is no such thing as clean coal”. Ganun ba? Eh, di parang sinabi na rin nilang wala silang paniwala sa scientific advancement na pwedeng lapatan ng advanced technology ang pagagamit ng coal upang ang epekto ito ay sabi nga ay within the acceptable and world standard. Kung ipilit nila yung argument na “no such thing as clean coal,” then so be it, paniniwala nila yun. Ang totoo, hindi naman lahat ng coal-fired power plant sa bansa ay kasing dumi ng meron sa Calaca. Ang karamihan sa mga larawang ipinakita sa maraming mga fora at panayam ay kuha noon pang kasagsagan ng sabi nga ay hindi maayos na pangangasiwa ng Batangas Coal-Fired Thermal Power Plant sa bayan ng Calaca, Batangas. Pangita naman ang mga nagging epekto nito sa komunidad – kalusugan, kapaligiran, etc. Ngunit hindi tamang iyon ang maging batayan ng ipinapanukala ng JGSHI

>>>INKS & BUBBLES... sundan sa P/5

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Natutulog na aplikasyon ng Coal-Fired Power Plant

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Bringing Christ to politics PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III recently delivered his final State of the Nation Address. The count-down has begun to the next national elections in 2016. We thank God whosemighty hand is at work in our history for the gains we have made. We implore his pardon for our faults and failings. We call on his unending mercy for the tremendous work that must yet be done. Do not forget the poor While there are figures to prove that investments have risen and that economic fundamentals are strong, as pastors, we are deeply concerned with the inclusiveness of economic gain. Government and corporate figures remain items of cold statistics until they are translated into better lives by those now most disadvantaged. End political dynasties It is regrettable that Congress has, despite prompting by the Filipino people themselves, failed to pass a law that gives life to the Constitutional rejection of political dynasties. Until Congress defines what dynasties are in a manner that fulfills the policy embodied in the fundamental law, we have nothing more but an inert provision of the Constitution that accusingly points at the refusal of Congress to act! Peace for Mindanao and for all We take heart from the earnestness with which our lawmakers address the problems of Muslim Mindanao, in fact, of all Mindanao -- for we have always insisted that a peaceful and just settlement must be acceptable to all: Muslims and non-Muslims alike, for Mindanao is bountiful, rich and promising enough for all to share. The on-going disagreement between supporters of different versions of the organic law for the region are not worrisome. If anything, they are proof of the earnestness with which our Legislature addresses nettlesome issues. There would be nothing more

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prejudicial to the peace process than a resurgence of violence and lawlessness. We urge all to allow the institutions of our democracy to craft a solution, in dialogue with all, to this challenge. People’s Primary As the political engine is revved for the presidential elections, we urge our lay persons to be actively engaged in the apostolate of evangelizing the political order. The CBCP was recently apprised of a lay initiative to screen candidates, to listen to them and to endorse those the movement deems worthy of support. While the CBCP and the Catholic Church in the Philippines will NEVER endorse a particular candidate or a particular party, leaving the consciences of voters sovereign in this respect, in keeping with long-accepted moral teachings of the Church, we commend efforts such as these to arrive at a collective discernment on the basis of Catholic standards and principles, that are not necessarily sectarian! Political Education We encourage debate among the candidates, and we hope that our dioceses will organize public fora and debates that allow the public to familiarize themselves with the positions, platforms, plans, beliefs and convictions of our candidates. All of these meetings, however, must be permeated by a genuine sense of fairness, consecration to the truth and, above all, charity. May we all heed the voice of the Good Shepherd who, without fail, leads us to verdant pastures to give us rest! From the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, Intramuros, Manila, August 11, 2015, Memorial of Santa Clara de Assisi (Sgd.) + SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS Archbishop of Lingayen Dagupan President, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Phils.

Joenald Medina Rayos

Nicetas E. Escalona

Publisher / Editor-in-Chief

Lifestyle Editor

Jerick M. Dorado Copy Editor Melinda R. Landicho |Minerva Padua Sarah Joy Hernandez News Reporters Gerry M. Zamudio | Atty. Jesus Dureza Atty. Jose Sison | Atty. Ramel C. Muria Benjie Oliveros Columnists Janlei Benedict G. Rayos | Cartoonist

Atty. Roberto Iñigo Sanchez Legal Consultant Jack L. Aquino | Jessie delos Reyes Jerome Jay C. Sapinoso Contributors Ronalina B. Lontoc Special Project Editor

Benjie De Castro Circulation In-Charge

Ang pangalang “BALIKAS” ay hango sa mga salitang ‘balik’ at ‘kalikasan’. Hangad ng pahayagang ito na maging kasangkapan sa paghahatid ng mahahalagang impormasyon upang maibalik ang dating anyo ng ating inang kalikasan.|


AUGUST 17 - 23, 2015

5

OPINION balikasonline@yahoo.com

Why Serve the Poor: Three Perspectives

Economic crisis still afflicting the world IT has been seven to eight years since the world was rocked by an economic cataclysm called the housing crisis. Banks and financial investment houses that were hitherto believed to be too big to fall were rocked at its foundations when billions of dollars were lost in a high stakes gamble gone bust called the housing bubble. But the housing bubble – the highly irregular skyrocketing of values of housing assets, the frantic trade in financial instruments that gathered mortgages called collateralized debt obligation (CDO) or mortgagebacked securities, and insuring these CDOs through AIG’s credit default swaps – was just a vehicle in the high stakes gambling being done by large international banks, financial investment houses and large multinational corporations through what is called by the boring name portfolio investments. Earlier on, in 2001, the world was rocked by the bursting of the high technology bubble, or the high stake bets on stocks of software and IT companies. This sent companies in Silicon Valley crashing as it would do so again seven years later when Wall Street was plunged into the quicksand of bankruptcy. It was actually the housing bubble that allowed the global economy to ‘recover,’ albeit temporarily, from the bursting of the high-tech bubble. Meanwhile, the real economy has remained stagnant as industries are dealing with the problem of production surpassing consumption, by a people whose purchasing power are weak. Capital was invested, nay gambled, in complicated financial instruments. Even companies such as GE created banks and financial investment arms to trade in financial instruments. So after the housing bubble burst seven years ago, what now? Actually the world is still reeling from the crisis and there is no relief in sight. While the people of the world are being bombarded by reports of rosy economic figures supposedly indicating that the global economy is on the road to recovery, an obscure, short article revealed a different picture. The article is BIS warns low interest rates could spell ‘entrenched instability’ published by GMA news

Benjie Oliveros

online, June 28, 2015. The BIS is the Bank of International Settlements. It is the Central Bank of the world comprised of 58 central banks. It has a core of 31 chiefs of central banks of the most economically powerful

countries of course. Every two months, the chiefs of more than a dozen central banks meet to decide whether “to devalue or defend currencies, fix the price of gold, regulate offshore banking, and raise or lower short-term interest rates.” The BIS is not controlled by any government, pays no taxes, and has its own police force. What did the BIS warn about in the article? It warned about the persistently low interest rates. In fact, some countries such as Switzerland, Sweden and Denmark have negative interest rates. Japan, in recent years, also approximated negative interest rates. In fact, interest rates are even lower now than at the height of the 2007-2008 financial crisis. Why are interest rates very low? Central banks lower interest rate to encourage borrowings for investments to stimulate the economy. And this monetary policy of lowering interest rates is, the BIS warned, “overburdened in an attempt to reinvigorate growth.” But companies are not too keen on borrowing for production as inventories are still high. Banks, on the other hand, are too cautious to lend money, especially after suffering billions in dollars in losses both from housing loan defaults and too much betting in financial securities. Governments, on the other hand, borrowed unsustainably to finance its bail out packages and to run the state machinery. Greece, for example, is now on the verge of a major debt payment default unless it is bailed out by the European Union, which would be voting on the matter soon. This, the BIS said, resulted in “too much debt, too little growth and too low interest rates.” And yet, governments still rely on the same monetary and fiscal policies that have so far been ineffective while retaining the same neoliberal framework and policies that caused the economic crisis in the first place.|

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<<<INKS & BUBBLES... mula sa P/4

Natutulog na aplikasyon ng Coal-Fired Power Plant sapagkat magka-iba nga ang teknolohiya, at maging ang gatong na coal. Ang isinagatong na coal sa Calaca na iniluluwas mula sa Semirara Island sa Antique ay hindi pasado sa klase ng coal na ginagamit sa mga plantang katulad ng gusting itayo ng JGSHI. Meron ding maayos na coal-fired power plant sa bansa. Bukod sa planta ng Panay Energy Development Corporation (PEDC) na nasa La Paz, Iloilo, clean coal technology rin ang ginagamit sa Sual Power Plant sa Pangasinan ng Aboitiz Power at sa isang power plant na nagpapaandar ng isang processing plant sa Palawan. Ngunit, may ilan pang mga factor na dapat ikonsidera sa pagboto kung papayagan ba o hindi ang panukala ng JGSHI. Teka nga, bakit nga baga ditto pa sa Batangas gutsong itayo ang plantang iyan? Marami naming probinsya sa bansa o ditto sa Luzon na may malalawak na lugar na walang malalapit na bahayan, walang kritikal na water forms gaya ng Verde Island Passage na kinikilalang center of the center of the world’s marine biodiversity. Sa dinami-dami na ng power plants at iba pang industrial locators, ngayon pa lamang ay kapansinpansin na ang sobrang pagtaas ng temperature sa kapaligiran. Pansin nyo ga, sobrang init na ng hulab ng kapaligiran, hindi pa kasama ang mga konsiderasyon sa hangin, usok, alikabok, at iba pa. Aba naman, wala na bang ibang lugar? Walang ring malawak na flat area na ganun kalaki sa bahagi ng Pinamucan para gawing coal terminal, dagdag pa ang pag-iimbakan ng fly ash. Kaya kinailangan pang mag-reclaim at magpatag ng bundok. Resulta nyan, lahat ng mangagaling sa iiimbak na coal ay walang salang hindi tatagas sa dagat. Syempre, wala naming magiging pagtagas na sa paitaas, laging sa pababa. Yan nag simula ng pagkasira ng Verde Island Passage. Masisira na at mamamatay na ang mga halamang dagat, mga corals, at iba pang may buhay sa ilalim ng dagat. Syempre, wala na ring mahuhuling mga isda at iba pang lamang dagat na mahuhuli sa mga baybayin.

At ang isa pang nagdudumilat na katotohanan ay ang kwestyonableng track record ng JG Summit bilang isang mamumuhunan dito sa Lunsod Batangas. Ang kaniyang operation ng naptha cracker plant, pangita na.. Napaka insensitive.. Yung sinasabing flaring at malaking buga ng maitim na usok sa shutting down at opening o resumption ng operasyon ng planta ay sobrang matagal at mukhang higit pa sa world’s standard. Bago pa lang iyan, papaano pa kung nakailang taon na ang operasyon niyan. At ang pinakamatinding konsiderasyon o argumento ay ang pangit na track record ng kumpanya sa larangan ng pagbabayad ng buwis. Batay sa impormasyong nakalap sa City Treasurer’s Office, hanggang sa noong Hulyo 24, 2015, ang JG Summit Petrochemical Corporation ay may pagkakautang sa buwis para sa operasyon ng naphtha cracker plant na umaabot sa Php 722,977,600.00, kabilang dito ang patung-patong na surcharge at penalties sa hindi pagbabayad sa tamang panahon. Halos kapantay naman ng higit pang kalahati nito ang pagkakautang naman ng Kepco Ilijan Power Corporation na P384,416,008.87. Suskopo rudeee! Sa buwis na buwis na lamang, nakikita na hindi maayos o katangap-tanggap maging mamumuhunan sa lunsod sa laki ng buwis na di nila binabayaran. Hindi baga’t dapat pagitang gilas sila sa pagbabayad ng buwis dahil may gusto pa silang makuhang permit? Eh, bakit ang laki-laki ng arrears nila? Para bagang gustong gayahin ang Keilco, at sa bandang huli ay hihiling na makipag-compromise muli ang pamahalaang lunsod. Dahil sa mga konsiderasyong ito, ang pagboto ng ‘YES’ ay mangangahulugan ng isa pang rason kung bakit ang taumbayan ay magkakaroon ng pagsususpetsa na maaari nang may kahina-hinalang dahilan kung bakit magiging ‘YES’ ang boto para rito. Sa kabilang banda, kung hindi naman aaksyunan ang nakahaing usapin, at hihintayin na lamang na mamatay ang usapin, ito naman ay magbibigay-daan upang masinsinang kilatisin ng publiko ang kakayanan at kapabilidad (ability and capability) ng mga naka-

FR. JAMES H. KROEGER, M.M. LIVING MISSION: “Year of the Poor” Reflections

MOTHER Teresa. Saint John Paul II called Mother Teresa of Calcutta “an icon of the service to life which the Church is offering in Asia” (EA 7). We can draw insight and inspiration from her life-witness and poignant words: “We read in the Gospel that Jesus Christ came into the world to give us the Good News that God is love; that God loves you and loves me; that He wants us to love one another as He loves each of us. And to make us understand this love, He used a beautiful way of explaining: ‘Whatever you do to the poor, you do it to Me. I was hungry and you gave Me to eat. I was naked, and you clothed Me. I was homeless, and you took Me in’.” “It is something wonderful to think that you and I can return that love, that we too can love God. Where is God? To make it easy for us, He gives us an opportunity to love Him in one another. For He said, ‘Whatever you do to the least, to the man dying, the destitute, the hungry, you do to Me’.” “Put your love for God into living action, always remembering that it is not what you do, but what you are, and how much love you put into the doing, and have undivided love for God and for each other.” Brother Bob. Father Bob McCahill, MM, who calls himself “Brother Bob,” has worked several decades in Bangladesh; he describes his experiences: “’What are you doing here?’ That’s a question Bengalis continue to ask me…. I reply: ‘I try to help people who are sick and poor.’ ‘Why do that?’ they ask me. I answer: ‘Because Jesus, my Model, did it.’ My purpose here continues to be simply to live as a Christian among Muslims, showing God’s love, especially to the poorest.” “Progressively, it has been dawning on me that my efforts have to do with more than helping and healing the sick. I also invite and inspire trust…. It is literally thrilling for me to win the trust of the poor. Now, many of them invite me into their hut-homes, request me to share their food, bring me with them to religious festivals, ask me to bless them when they are sick and when they are well, expect me to name their babies; they pray for me and tell me jokes.” “They know that I am a Christian and that my faith is not a threat to theirs.” Brother Bob believes he finds acceptance by both rich and poor Muslims in Bangladesh, precisely because he has “gone to the poorest.” Sister Emelina. Filipina Sister Emelina Villegas, ICM, expresses her motivation for her apostolate with the poor: “I have always been involved with the people, especially the poor, as far back as my days in the elementary grades…. I want to give myself for others—to help them help themselves … then, hopefully, I will be gaining some merits for myself and my loved ones and thus would be deserving of heaven.” “As a religious missionary within a congregation whose option is for the poor, who are seeking life and freedom, my response is to be with the oppressed and exploited, particularly the workers who are downtrodden in spite of their contribution to the economy of the country.” “My faith in Jesus Christ has been the driving force in all my involvements. But my different involvements have helped me discover the different faces of Christ. My faith in Christ has brought me right into the heart of the struggle of the people, and while participating therein, the image of Christ is purified….” Undoubtedly, Sister Villegas possesses a profound faith-vision of the unity and inter-connectedness of all the members of the Church, the Body of Christ. Reflection. Note that all these generous persons who serve the poor call themselves by a very “personal” name: Mother, Brother, Sister. Indeed, a true personal relationship always underlies genuine Christian service of the poor.

............................................................................................... Intelligent discussions and exchange of views on issues are encouraged among our readers. Anyone can send comments or feedback about the news, features or stories published in our pages. However, the editorial board reserves the right to edit comments for clarity and brevity. The use of foul language, personal attacks or hate campaign on a person or an institution is not tolerated, otherwise, they will not be published. Likewise, promoting one's own agenda or interests (such as those that are commercial or political) are not intertained here. The same policy is also applied to our social media pages. ...............................................................................................

upong miyembro ng konseho na gampanan ang kanilang tungkulin sa bayan. Dahil dito, kailangang basagin ang nakabibinging katahimikan ng konseho sa isyu ng CFPP. Kailangan na nilang aksyunan at pagbotohan ito. Hindi na katanggap-tanggap ang idinadahilang rasong ‘pinag-aaralan’ pa nila ang usapin. Sobrang tagal na. Wala ditong partikular na miyembro o grupo na tinutukoy. Kundi ang buong konseho mismo. Syempre, mula sa bise-alkalde at ang lahat na kagawad ng lunsod. Ipakita ninyong kayo’y magigiting na lingkod ng bayan. Mga

lingkod-bayan na hindi magdedesisyon dahil sa pressure ng mga pagbatikos, pagdududa, mga banta at anumang akusasyon; kundi dahil sa isang responsibilidad na tugunin ang tawag ng posiyong hinahawakan na inyong hiniling sa taumbayan. Hindi ito laban ng pula at berde. Ito’y laban ng katotohanan at ng mga susunod na henerasyon. Marami pa rin namang naniniwala na ang konseho ay makapagdedesisyon, hindi dahil sa kung ano pa mang konsiderasyon, manapa’y dahil sa pagsasaalang-alang kung ano ang nararapat para sa lunsod at sa kaniyang taumbayan.|


6

Increase the potential of your business! Advertise with us. Email us at: balikasonline@yahoo.com AUGUST 17 - 23, 2015

SUCs, HEIs eye establishment of S&T fixated facilities STATE Universities and Colleges with Higher Education Institutes of CALABARZON started the move towards the empowerment of their respective institutions through strengthening the S&T backbone of their curricula and facilities. Through the Department of Science and Technology IVA, six (6) institutes from the academe namely, Cavite State

University, Laguna State Polytechnic University, Batangas State University, University of Rizal System, Southern Tagalog State University, and Malayan Colleges Laguna, conducted a benchmarking visit at the Fabrication Laboratory (Fab Lab) of Bohol Island State University (BISU)-Tagbiliran Campus last July 15, 16, & 17, 2015.

AUCTION REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH 87 ROSARIO, BATANGAS OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT & EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF SHERIFF’S NOTICE OF SALE EJF CASE NO. 2015-281 Upon extra-judicial petition for sale under Act 3135, as ameded by Act 4118 filed by HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND (Pag-Ibig Fund), mortgagee, with postal address at 14th Flr. JELP BUSINESS SOLUTIONS CENTER, Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City against SPS. HENRY MANGUBAT & MA. ELENA MANGUBAT, Mortgagor/s with residence and postal address at Brgy. Namunga, Rosario, Batangas to satisfy the mortgage indebtedness which as of APRIL 30, 2015 amounts to SEVENHUNDRED THIRTYONE THOUSANDFORTY NINE PESOS & 90/100 (Php 731,049.90) including/ excluding interest and other charges agreed thereon and other expenses in connection with this sale, secured by the mortgagee, the undersigned Deputy Sheriff IV of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 85, Lipa City, will sell at public on SEPTEMBER 4, 2015, at 10:00 o’clock in the morning or soon thereafter at the main entrance of the Hall of Justice, Rosario, Batangas, to the highest bidder for CASH ad in Philippine Currency, the described real property/ies and its improvements thereon, to wit: ORIGINAL /TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 77397 “A parcel of Land (Lot 6, Blk. 12 of the subd plan (LRC) Rec. No. 40088), together with all buildings and future improvements thereon, situated in Namunga, Rosario, Batangas. Bounded on the N., points 3 to 4 by Lot 7; Blk. 12; on the E., points 4 to 1 by Road LOt 14; on the S., points 1 to 2 by Lot 5, Blk 12, all of the subd plan; on the NW., points 2 to 3 by Namunga River. Beginning x x x x containing an area of TWO HUNDRED SISTY SIX (266) SQUARE METERS.” Prospective buyers and bidders are hereb enjoined to investigate for themselves the title herein above described and the encumberances thereon if any there be. In the event that the Auction Sale should not take place on said date, it shall be held on September 11, 2015 without further notice. “All sealed bids must be submitted to the undersigned on the above stated time and place.” Rosario, Batangas, July 30, 2015. (Sgd.) ROMEO U. MACARAIG Sheriff IV Published at: Balikas Edited at: Batangas City Posted at: Municipal Hall Bldg. of Rosario; Brgy. Hall of Namunga; Public Market of Rosario Date of Sale: September 4, 2015 Copy furnished: Parties concerned. WARNING: It is absolutely prohibited to remove, deface or destroy this notice on or before the date of sale. UNDER PENALTY OF LAW Pahayagang BALIKAS | Aug. 3, 10 & 17, 2015

BISU’s Fabrication Laboratory is a technical prototyping platform for innovation and invention, providing motivation for local entrepreneurship. It also serves as a practical laboratory extension of classroom theory, a place to create, play, learn, mentor, and invent. Accordingly, it is connected to a global community of educators, learners, researchers, technologists, makers and innovators- a knowledge

sharing network that spans 50 countries and 24 time zones. Fab Lab helps in developing the local economy by providing better and more competitive products. It enhances local MSMEs’ network, encourages startups, develop entrepreneurs who foster employment. The laboratory is equipped for phases of metalworking, woodworking, and machining, as well as digital fabrication with CNC

routing, laser cutting, and 3D printing. The lab is accessible to all Industrial Design students enrolled at the BISU system. BISU showcased one of Fab lab’s major accomplishment which is the “Wiki House” that was fabricated through the use of these cutting-edge machineries. This project is made from pieces of wood that was assembled together to create a learning hub that will serve as a preparatory knowledge

center for pre-schoolers. In November of 2014, the Provincial S&T Center of Laguna opened its Ideation Design and Development Laboratory (IDD Lab), the IDD Lab will complement the Fab Lab in terms of creativity, design, and prototyping. DOST IV-A envisions that in 2016, a total of 3 firmly established IDD-Fab Lab tandem laboratories in the provinces of Cavite, Laguna and Batangas will be inaugurated.| JCMM

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South Luzon adopts new R&D database: DOST IV-A behind the wheel THE Management Information System (MIS) of DOST IV-A (CALABARZON) started the deployment of their recently accomplished system that will lend hand in the online archiving of Research and Development achievements of State Universities and Colleges and Higher Education Institutes and research institutions in the region through the conduct of users training orientation. EXPLORE, a fitting

acronym that stands for Exchange of Probes, Learnings and Outputs of Researches is optimistically seen to give 24/7 easy access to researchers provided that all works are timely uploaded by different academic and R&D institutes. Access to highly reputable works of intellect is now just a click away through this “first online compendium of R&D achievements.” The system capacitates

the Regional Research Committee (RRC) in the consolidation of Research and Development projects and initiatives of academic institutions and government agencies in CALABARZON region. It also aims to harmonize R&D activities and promotion in the region to disseminate up to date pieces of information of R&D activities in the academe and other research institutions. MIS, the team known for

the development of highly reliable disaster warning systems such as Local Government Unit Information Dissemination System (LGUIDS), Hazard Notification and Awareness (HANDA), Sensing Environmental Parameters through Telemetry (SENTRY) invokes that all systems they have developed are all ready for implementation and adoption to interested parties.| JUAN CARLO M. MANAS

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LGU can’t impose taxes on petroleum production THE Supreme Court (SC) has ruled that municipal, city, and provincial governments have no power to impose and collect business taxes on persons and companies engaged in the manufacture and distribution of petroleum products. It said that under Section 133(h) of the Local Government Code (LGC), local government units (LGUs) cannot impose taxes, fees or charges on petroleum products. Although petroleum products are subject to excise tax, “the same is specifically excluded from the broad power granted to LGUs under Section 143(h) of the LGC to impose business taxes,” it said. “Additionally, Section

133(h) of the LGC makes plain that the prohibition with respect to petroleum products extends not only to excise taxes thereon, but all ‘taxes, fees or charges,’” the SC said in a decision written by Justice Diosdado M. Peralta. With the ruling, the SC dismissed the petition filed by the Batangas City government to reverse a Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) decision that junked a trial court ruling which allowed the city government to collect P405 million in business taxes from Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation which operates an oil refinery and a depot in the city’s Tabangao district. Affirmed by the SC were the decision and resolution dated Jan. 22, 2009 and April 13, 2009, respectively, that

LEGAL NOTICE EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH ABSOLUTE SALE NOTICE is hereby given that the estate of the late JUAN E. MARQUEZ who died intestate on November 16, 1996 at S. Agito, Alitagtag, Batangas, consisting of a parcel of land situated at S. Agito, Alitagtag, Batangas, covered by Tax Declaration os Real Property ARP No. 02-0015-00267, containing an area of 6,6,99 square meters has been extra-judicially settled by and among his heirs with Deed of Absolute Sale per Doc. No. 38; Page No. 8; Book No. 18; Series of 2015 of ATTY. MARIO C. ALBAY, Notary Public. Pahayagang Balikas | August 3, 10 & 17, 2015

reversed the ruling issued by the Batangas City regional trial court (RTC) in favor of the city government in 2004. Case records showed that Pilipinas Shell was only paying P98,964.71 for fees and other charges which include the amount of P1,180.34 as Mayor’s Permit. But in 2001, the Batangas City government sent Pilipinas Shell a notice of assessment for P92,373,720.50 and P312,656,253.04 as business taxes for its manufacture and distribution of petroleum products. The oil company was also required and assessed to pay P4,299,851.00 as Mayor’s Permit Fee based on the gross sales of its Tabangao Refinery. The city government stated that the assessment was in line with Section 134 of the LGC of 1991 and Section 23 of the Batangas City Tax Code of 2002. When its protest was denied, Pilipinas Shell filed a case with the RTC in 2002. While the case was pending with the trial court, Pilipinas Shell paid under protest the Mayor’s Permit Fees for the year 2003 amounting to P774,840.50 as manufacturer and

P3,525,010.50 as distributor. When the oil company applied for the issuance of the Mayor’s Permit in 2004, it offered the amount of P150,000.00 as compromise “without prejudice to the outcome of the case then pending.” On Oct. 29, 2004, the RTC issued a decision sustaining the imposition of business taxes by the city government for Pilipinas Shell’s manufacture and distribution of petroleum products. But the RTC declared the Mayor’s Permit Fee of P4,299,851 based on gross receipts/sales as grossly excessive and unreasonable considering the business taxes imposed, and ordered the refund of the excessive fee collected. Pilipinas Shell elevated the issue before the CTA which ruled in its favor. The Batangas City government appealed the CTA’s ruling before the SC. In its petition, the city government claimed that any activity that involves the production or manufacture and the distribution or selling of any kind or nature as a means of livelihood or with a view to profit can be taxed by LGUs.|

Tawag na sa Pahayagang Balikas Telephone No. 0926.774.7373 0912.902.7373 para sa inyong pagpapalathala.


AUGUST 17 - 23, 2015

7

LIFETIMES balikasonline@yahoo.com

SM Lipa Hosts Brillante Mendoza’s Film Appreciation Workshop THE renowned Filipino Independent film maker, Brillante Mendoza, just recently held a film workshop in Lipa City. The launching of the film appreciation workshop was attended by several personalities in Lipa City including city councilors Nonato Patmon and Mark Aries Luancing. The workshop featured one of Mendoza’s critically acclaimed indie films ‘Thy Womb’ that reaped three awards in Venice; Bisato D’Oro, La Navicella o Venezia Cinema prize and P. Nazareno Taddei Award Special Mention including 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival. Likewise, it also included

the never seen footages of indie film making that cover technical know-how and comprehensive aspects of indie film making that include direction, screenplay, cinematography, acting, production design, sound, and editing. Student attendees from De La Salle Lipa, Lipa City Colleges, Kolehiyo ng Lunsod ng Lipa and Batangas State University Malvar Campus got a rare opportunity to interact with the Director as the workshop is designed to spark creativity and innovative thinking. Brillante Mendoza, who is known for his advocacies on tackling social issues, hopes to inspire workshop partici-

pants’ probing and critical thinking skills while improving their capacity in relating to social issues. He also aims to encourage awareness, appreciation and understanding of the alternative art movement called ‘independent film’ or indie-film. Dubbed as Passion for Cinema Film Appreciation Workshop, the Brillante Mendoza Film Workshop and Special Screening is a joint project of Centerstage Productions, SM Cinema and SM City Lipa. The next Brillante Mendoza Film Appreciation Workshop will be held at SM City Batangas on August 2425 and will feature Mendo-

SM awards Director Brillante Mendoza a token of appreciation through SM’s Senior VP for Corporate Communications Millie F. Dizon (center), SM Lipa’s mall manager Liza F. Dimaculangan (2nd from right) and Lipa City Councilors NonatoMonfero (far left) and Mark Aries Luancing (far right)| za’s newest film “Taklub”. For inquiries, please contact Ms. Lea de Chavez at 09175525103.|

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Bonsai Ala Eh, itinanghal sa Batangas

TINANGHAL na Best in Show ang entry (balete) ni Alfonso Apostol ng lalawigan ng Rizal sa isinagawang kauna-unahang Bonsai Exhibition and Competition noong ika-13 ng Agosto sa Amphitheater ng Plaza Mabini. Si Apostol, 47 taong gulang at may 6 na taon nang nagbobonsai ng mga halaman. Siya rin ang nagkamit ng karangalan sa Best Rock Clasping, Best in Penjing, Gold Tropical at Top 10 Tropical. Nakakuha naman ng ikalawang pwesto si Basil Barroga at ikatlong karangalan ang nakamit ni Jhonny Lim. Nagkaloob din ng mga special awards na kinabibilangan ng Best in Flowering, Windswept, Literaty, Rock grown, Forest/Raft, at Best in Small na pawang nakuha ni Lim. Best in Exposed Root ang entry ni Barroga, Best in Weeping kay Jeffrey Razal, Best in Fruiting si Joel Castro at Best Cascade ang kay Jun Llaga. Pormal na binuksan ang okasyon at ang ribbon cutting ceremony sa pangunguna nina Office of the City Veterinarian and Agricultural Services Chief Dr Estelita Lacsamana na sya ring kinatawan ni Mayor Eduardo Dimacuha, Founder ng Bonsai Suseiki Alliance of the Philippines Inc (BSAPI) na si Letty Ligon, BSAPI President Pablo Dychitan at Bonsai AlaEh! (BAE) President Joel Castro. Ang naturang kompetisyon ay itinaguyod ng BAE na grupo ng mga bonsai enthusiasts sa lalawigan. Ito ay may dalawang kategorya, ang bantigue at non-bantigue category. Ayon sa pangulo nito, layunin ng nasabing proyekto na mapalaganap ang pagbobonsai at maitampok ang angking husay ng mga gumagawa nito. Bagamat Follow us: @Balikasonline

Si BAE Public Relations Officer Jhun Magnaye at ang Best in Show entry sa isinagawang bonsai exhibit sa Plaza Mabini. may kamahalan ang ganitong hobby, sulit naman aniya ang sayang dulot nito at mainam din aniyang stress reliever. Dalawang buwan pa lamang ang kanilang samahan at sa kasalukuyan ay may 40 myembro. Bukod sa kompetisyon, nagkaroon din ng lecture at workshop sa pangunguna ni Juan Llaga at Marcos Cantaco ng BSAPI at Castro ng BAE. Sa okasyon ding ito isinagawa ang induction ceremony ng BAE Officers kung saan nagsilbing Inducting Officer si BSAPI President Dychitan. Kabilang sa mga opisyales ng BAE ay sina Alex Beredo, Vice-President; Tess Pagcaliwagan, Secretary; Luisita Pulusan, Treasurer; Azucena Panopio, Asst. Treasurer; Ponciano Magnaye Jr, PRO; Ildefonso Sulit at Ruben Aguilar, Auditors at sina Ismael Gonzales, Joseph Patrick Dinglasan, Patrick Angelo Villapando at Manuel Cuartero, Board of Directors. Ang exhibition ay tumagal hanggang August 16.| RONNA E. CONTRERAS

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PAHALANG 1 Batik 6 Kapatid ni Maxene 10 Milyon 11 Prenda 12 banoy 13 Takbo ng isang makina o sasakyan 14 Bihasa 15 Tuyong dahong nalagas sa puno 16 Remata 17 Tipo ng dugo 18 Istorbo 24 Educational researcher 25 Unti-unting paghubog ng isang bata o isang bagong Kristiyano 27 Karamdaman 30 Kaibigang babae 31 Gang 32 Sakit na nagbalik 33 Obispo 34 Bayan sa Bataan

35 Huwad na Diyos 36 Wala sa pila. PABABA 1 Bayan sa Iloilo 2 Reklamo 3 Kaligkig 4 Taluntod 5 Lumiko: Ingles 6 Kung pwde 7 Pangalang panlalaki 8 Pagtaas-pagbaba ng tubig-dagat 9 Kumahol: ingles 11 Ligtas 17 Abril: ikli 19 Bakal 20 Pangigitata 21 Bahagyang kita 22 Libre 23 Ina ni Daniel 26 Kapital ng Guam 27 Saksakin: Ingles 28 Kalis 29 Uri ng punon-kahoy 30 Taboy (Pangasinan)

Leo (Hul. 23-Ago. 22) - Ang nasimulang trabaho ay tatakbo ng maayos at mabilis kung iiwasan ang makipagtsismisan. Ang pag-aalaga sa kalusugan ng magulang ay dapat bigyang panahon. Lucky numbers at color ay 3, 8, 26, 39 at carnilian. Virgo (Ago 23-Set. 23) - Iwasan ang mangako dahil hindi kayang tuparin. Ang usapan ay salamin ng pagkatao na dapat panindigan. Mapalad na transaksyon ang dara­ting kaya hindi dapat pabayaan. Lucky numbers at color ay 15, 17, 27, 36 at agate green. Libra (Set. 24-Okt. 23) - Iwasan na maging matampuhin dahil walang mapapala kundi sakit ng damdamin. Kung taimtim ang dalangin, mapapawi ang suliranin at mapapanatag ang kalooban. Lucky numbers at color ay 16, 20, 25, 32 at emerald green. Scorpio (Okt. 24-Nob. 22) - Dalawa ang mukha ng payo, may mabuti at may masama. Suriing mabuti bago magpahalaga sa payong matanggap. Lucky numbers at ay 2, 4, 25, 36 at royal blue. Sagittarius (Nob. 23-Dis. 21) - Magiging makulay ang araw sa mga taong maganda ang kalooban, tapat makitungo at masayahin. Iwasan ang magalit at mag-init ang ulo. Lucky numbers at color ay 13, 17, 36, 41 at fuchsia. Capricorn (Dis. 22-Ene. 19) - Nagtagumpay ang pagtitiyaga at pagsisikap, at magsisimulang pitasin ang matamis na bunga. Sa mga walang tiyaga, walang pagsisikap at tamad, hikahos ang daranasin. Lucky numbers at color ay 9, 14, 30, 39 at red. Aquarius (Ene. 20-Peb. 18) - Iwasan na maging malikot ang isipan dahil maaaring pasukan ng hindi magandang ideya. Lucky numbers at color ay 1, 3, 17, 24 at light green. Pisces (Peb. 19-Mar. 20) - Taglayin ang mahinahon na pag-iisip dahil mapapasabak sa mental o pisikal na gawain. Huwag mag-atubili, ipakita ang kakayahan dahil kailangan ngayon. Lucky numbers at color ay 19, 22, 34, 37 at yellow. Aries (Mar. 21-Abril 19) - Mali o tama, panindigan mo ang iyong desisyon. Maganda ang palatandaan tungkol sa pagibig. Ipagpaliban ang balak na paglalakbay. Lucky numbers at color ay 12, 13, 29, 37 at brown. Taurus (Abril 20-Mayo 20) - Ang tunay na pag-ibig ay hindi nasusukat sa materyal kundi sa gawa at pag-unawa. Sikapin na matupad ang pangako sa minamahal. Lucky numbers at color ay 15, 20, 25, 36 at dollar green. Gemini (Mayo 21-Hun. 21) - Kung hindi mapaglalabanan ang pagkatamad, hindi makakapasok o walang magagawang trabaho. Kung makapagtatrabaho, magiging maikli ang pasensiya. Lucky numbers at color ay 13, 17, 32, 37 at indigo. Cancer (Hun. 22-Hul. 22) - Huwag aksayahin ang oras sa walang kuwentang usapan, pagtitipon o tsismis. Maraming makabuluhang bagay ang naghihintay na dapat gawain. Lucky numbers at color ay 14, 24, 25, 37 at jade green.|


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August 17 - 23, 2015 | Vol. 20, No. 33 balikasonline@yahoo.com |  0912.902.7373

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>>FESTIVALS & FEASTS | EVENTS | SHOWBIZ & SPORTS | TRAVEL & TRENDS<<

Batangas Province at ilang lingkod bayan, kinilala sa Gawad Sulo ng Bayan Awards KABILANG ang Lalawigan ng lalawigan at kay GoverBatangas at ilang lingkod bayan sa nor Vilma Santos Recto mga natatanging organisasyon at bilang pinakamahusay indibidwal na pinarangalan sa na gobernador sa ikalawang Gawad Sulo ng Bayan CALABARZON Region. Awards para sa CALABARZON, Naibuslo naman ni Vice Japan at Manila na ginanap sa Governor Mark Leviste Tanghalang Pasigenyo sa Pasig City ang parangal bilang Hall Complex noong ika-11 ng natatanging indibidwal na nagsusulong ng Agosto. Ang Gawad Sulo ng Bayan turismo samantalang Awards ay inorganisa ng Golden ang kanyang ina na si Torch Creative Consultants Asso- Lipa City Councilor ciation Inc. (Golden Torch CCA, Patsie Leviste ay kinilala Inc.), isang grupo ng professionals sa pagtulong sa sector mula sa iba’t ibang industriya sa ng senior citizens. Binigyang pagkilala nasyonal at lokal na pamahalaan. Binibigyang parangal ng grupo ang din para sa kanyang mga natatanging indibidwal at pagtulong at suporta sa organisasyon na nakapagbibigay ng women empowerment si magandang halimbawa sa naka- former 4th District Board Member rarami, lalong-lalo na sa larangan at ngayon ay Batangas Capitol Chief ng education, livelihood, health, Executive Assistant Lianda Bolilia. social and humanitarian services, at Hinirang na Outstanding Youth in people empowerment. Ang parangal the Philippines si 2nd District Board na ito ay isang year-long activity Member Katrin Erika Buted at na nakatakdang bigyang pagkilala Outstanding Educator in the ang ilang piling nanunungkulan Philippines naman ang kanyang mula sa gobyerno, pangangalakal, ama na si former Board Member at non-government institutions, at ngayon ay Pangasinan State University President Dexter Buted. entertainment and mass media. Layunin ng grupo na makaTinanggap ni Board Member at hanap ng mga magsisilbing modelo Lipa City Councilor Kathleen “K” at inspirasyon ng ibang nanunung- Briones ang awards bilang natakulan sa gobyerno at magiging tanging Konsehal ng Lungsod at matapat sa kanilang pagseserbisyo Indibiduwal na may Adbokasiya sa sa bayan. Tulad ng sulo, na guma- Agrikultura, habang ang kanyang gabay sa madidilim na landasin, amang si AGAP Partylist Repreang Gawad Sulo ng Bayan sentative Nikki Briones ay kinilala awardees ang magbibigay liwanag bilang natatanging kongresista sa at pag-asa sa panahon ng krisis at larangan ng agrikultura. Naroon din para tumanggap ng kalamidad na maaaring maranaparangal si Lipa City Mayor Meysan ng sambayanang Pilipino. Nakakuha ang Lalawigan ng nard Sabili bilang pinakamahusay Batangas ng labinlimang parangal, na pununlunsod at ng Lunsod ng tampok ang pagkilala sa Batangas Lipa pinakamahusay na lunsod sa Province bilang pinakamahusay na CALABARZON area; at napili sina ..............................................................................................

KABILANG ang Lalawigan ng Batangas at ilang lingkod bayan sa mga natatanging organisasyon at indibidwal na pinarangalan sa ikalawang Gawad Sulo ng Bayan Awards para sa Calabarzon.| Taal Vice Mayor Fulgencio “Pong” City Councilor Nonato "Patmon" Councilor Romulo “Romy” Cuevas Mercado bilang pinakamahusay na Monfero bilang pinakamahusay na bilang pinakamahusay na konsehal pangalawang punong bayan, Lipa konsehal ng lungsod at Cuenca ng bayan.| KRISTINA ANDAL

Krispy Kreme invades barako donut lovers with new branch in Lipa City Krispy Kreme, the international donut brand founded by Vernon Rudolph in North Carolina in 1937, has arrived in Batangas. Its 65th store in the Philippines opened on 14 August 2015 at the ground floor of the SM Lipa City Annex. The company, which continues to be based in Winston-Salem in North Carolina, now has a presence in 25 countries worldwide. In Southeast Asia, the company has stores in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. In the Philippines, the rights to Krispy Kreme are owned by the Real American Donut Company, Inc., which is owned by the Max’s Group of companies. The flagship store opened in November 2006 at the Bonifacio High Street in Taguig City. From there, the company branched out to various locations all around Metro Manila. Krispy Kreme also operates stores in Pampanga, Iloilo, Cebu, Bacolod, Rizal, Cavite, Zambales and Misamis Oriental.

Batangas’ VG Mark Leviste leads the opening of Krisy Kreme - Lipa.

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The SM Lipa store is the first in Batangas and opened with simple ceremonies graced by Sharon Fuentebella, the CEO of Krispy Kreme in the Philippines, and Vice-Governor Mark Leviste of the Province of Batangas. Also present were guests from the local and national media, local bloggers and personalities from various sectors and industries in Lipa City and the Province of Batangas. Among the highlights of the opening ceremonies was the awarding of the Golden Tickets to those in the public who participated in the traditional overnight camp out prior to the opening of a store. The first in line won a Golden Ticket that entitled him to an entire year’s supply of the original glazed donut along with the company’s signature coffee. The second in line won half a year’s supply of the same, while the third in line won three month’s worth. All others up to the 100th participant were entitled to a month’s supply of the glazed donuts. All these participants needed to do was to line up, show their Krispy Kreme mobile app and purchase a dozen donuts. (More on www. Food Batangas.com)



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