Vol. 20, No. 52 | December 28, 2015 by Pahayagang BALIKAS

December 28, 2015 | Vol. 20, No. 52 | Php 12.00/copy balikasonline@yahoo.com | 0912.902.7373 | 0926.774.7373

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President Aquino visits 'Typhoon Nona' victims in Or. Mdo >>>NEWS....turn to P/2

Read us online: www.balikas.net

Rep. Ranie Abu makes final push to lower individual income tax >>>BUSINESS....turn to P/6

PERSONAL na pinangunahan ni PSSupt. Arcadio L. Ronquilio, Jr., provincial director, ang muzzle taping ng mga armas sa Camp Miguel Malvar, Lunsod Batangas, na suportado ng mga private gunowners and enthusiasts, tanda ng mas pinalakas na kampanya laban sa indescriminate firing sa panahon ng pagsalubong sa Bagong Taon.|

Civilian gun enthusiasts tape their gun muzzles

Mangrove rehabilitation takes toll in Calatagan

CAMP MIGUEL MALVAR, Batangas City -- As part of the best practices of the Batangas Police Provincial Office, a gun muzzle taping among gun clubs/organization and security agency was conducted during the Traditional Monday Flag Raising Ceremony held today, December 28, 2015 at Camp General Miguel c Malvar, Kumintang Ilaya, Batangas City. More or less thirty-six (36) individuals/gun enthusiasts from the different agencies - Aaron Security Agency, Batangas Rifle and Pistol Gun Club, Batangas Industrial Security Alliance, and Batangueño GatilyeroLemery – participated in the said activity. PSSupt. Arcadio L. Ronquilio Jr., Officer-In-Charge, led the activity which is in line with the PNP’s program “Oplan Ligtas Paskuhan 2015” to prevent cases of indiscriminate firing and or illegal discharge of firearm MANGROVE areas along the shorelines of Calatagan become a favorite destination both for nature lovers and researchers. The local and to further ensure safe celebration of the yuletide government of Calatagan under the leadership of Mayor Sophia G. Palacio fully support the private initiatives in maintaining the season.| mangroves.| JESSIE DELOS REYES

OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2015

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OPINION

balikasonline@yahoo.com

DECEMBER 28, 2015

President Aquino visits 'Typhoon Nona' victims in Or. Mdo LIST of CANDIDATES for 2016 ELECTIONS Municipality of TINGLOY For MAYOR: 01 ALVAREZ, MARK LAURENCE E. 02 BINAY, VICTOR E.

LP UNA

For VICE-MAYOR: 01 DUMAOAL, HERBERT R. 02 MASANGCAY, ROLANDO D.

LP UNA

For SANGGUNIANG BAYAN MEMBERS 01 ABANTE, GAVINO C. 02 AGUBA, JOSELITO M. 03 ATIENZA, ADORACION A. 04 ATIENZA, HAIDEECEL E. 05 ATIENZA, JUANITO R. 06 BACAL, PATRICIO M. 07 BACSA, GREGORIO S. 08 BELOSO, SENEN M. 09 BINAY, EDHEL P. 10 CANDAVA, EVELYN G. 11 CANDAVA, LEONARDO M. 12 DATINGALING, DANILO R. 13 DATINGALING, MELIA H. 14 DATINGUINOO, PONCIANO A. 15 DELOS REYES, VICENTE H. 16 DE TORRES, TESSA MARIE M. 17 GARCIA, CONCORDIA D. 18 GUTIERREZ, EMELITO G. 19 HERNANDEZ, CARLOS J. 20 MACARANDANG, ROMEO B. 21 MANALO, JORGE C. 22 MANALO, REYNALDO A. 23 MANALO, VIRGILIO N. 24 RIVERA, JOSEFINA M. 25 SAWALI, JOSEFA B.

LP IND UNA IND LP UNA UNA IND UNA LP LP LP IND UNA IND IND IND UNA UNA LP LP IND LP IND UNA

PINAMALAYAN, Oriental Mindoro -President Benigno S. Aquino III visited calamity-stricken residents here Wednesday to bring them some glimmer of hope this Christmas as they rebuild their lives in the wake of 'Typhoon Nona.’ The Chief Executive conducted an aerial inspection shortly upon his arrival in the province to determine the extent of damages wrought by the storm internationally known as ‘Melor.’ Oriental Mindoro Governor Alfonso Umali, Jr. then gave President Aquino a detailed briefing on the latest figures and updates with respect to the impact of Typhoon ‘Nona’ on their province. Umali said more than 422,495 of their population from 95,651 families were affected by the storm and over 14,000 individuals are currently taking refuge in 60 evacuation centers throughout the province. The typhoon also left 13 people dead and 339 injured, Umali reported, adding that 30,064 houses have been totally destroyed and 46,478 were partially damaged for a total of 76,542 affected houses. In terms of the typhoon’s economic impact, Umali said they have incurred a total of P4.474-billion in losses and damages affecting the sectors of agriculture, infrastructure, and power. The agriculture sector sustained losses amounting to P2.9-billion, infrastructure damages were pegged at

P1.5-billion, and the local power sector lost around P290-million. Umali said the Manila Electric Company or Meralco has sent over 70 personnel in Oriental Mindoro to help in the restoration of power in their province. “Nagpapasalamat po kami sa Meralco dahil sila ho ang unang-unang tumugon at dumating dito at tumutulong po sila,” the governor told President Aquino at a municipal gymnasium here where the meeting was held. “Ang pangako po nila sa amin before Christmas may kuryente lahat ng munisipyo. Pero ang mga malalayong barangay baka abutin daw ng mga isang buwan pa,” Umali added. The Department of Health through Secretary Janette Garin, meanwhile, assessed the total damage on five rural health units, 55 barangay health stations, and three public hospitals to be at P73.5-million. “We have included this in the quick response fund of the Department of Health,” Secretary Garin told President Aquino. The Department of Education division of Oriental Mindoro reported to President Aquino they are currently undergoing clearing operations in affected public schools but assured that classes will resume by January 4. The Department of Agriculture, for its part, has been distributing certified

seeds to all affected farmers while the National Food Authority said there is enough supply of rice for relief operations. The Department of Public Works and Highways in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development have sent in 60,000 galvanized iron sheets and other construction materials for the early recovery shelter assistance. Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman added that the cash-for-work program is also being implemented on top of the continuing food relief operations in cooperation with the provincial disaster risk reduction management council. After hearing the reports, President Aquino said the government is ready to help Oriental Mindoro get back on its feet, but told the local government officials that he would need to have their assessment validated first. “Mayroon ho tayong kakayahan in terms of funding dito sa mga nabanggit na nga pero hindi ko naman pwedeng sabihin sa inyong sigurado na lahat ito,” President Aquino said. “Kasi mayroon tayong mga pinanggalingang ibang lugar na ang sabi sa akin kunwari ‘yung kanilang niyugan ay 15 milyong ektarya ang bumagsak. ‘Yung niliparan ho namin wala kaming nakitang ektaryang nakabagsak,” he added.

>>>’NONA’......turn to P/3

............................................................ Political Party / Affiliation KBL - Kilusan sa Bagong Lipunan LP - Liberal Party NP - Nacionalista Party NPC - Nationalist people’s Coalition NUP - National Union Party PDP-Laban - Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban PMB - Partido ng Masang Batangueño UNA - United Nationalist Alliance IND. - Independent Compiled by BALIKAS Reportorial Team

Gun Ban Basic Information PERIOD OF THE BAN January 10, 2016 up to June 8, 2016 (120 days before and 30 days after the Election Day) PROHIBITED ACTS Unless authorized by the CBFSP, the following are the Prohibited Acts during the election period: To carry firearms and deadly weapons outside residence or place of business, and in all public places. To engage the services of security personnel To transport firearms and explosives, including its spare parts and components SUSPENDED, INEFFECTIVE, AND WITHOUT FORCE AND EFFECT Issuance of firearms licenses; Issuance of permits to carry firearms outside residence; Permits to Carry Firearms Outside Residence (PTCFOR), Mission Orders, Letter Orders (LO), and Acknowledgement Receipts; PENALTIES Imprisonment from 1 to 6 years; Permanent disqualification from public office and loss of right to vote; Deportation for foreigners, but only after prison term is served; Cancellation of and/or perpetual disqualification to secure license or; permit;

SOCIAL SERVICES. President Benigno S. Aquino III led the distribution of relief goods in communities in Oriental Mindoro being affected by typhoon Nona.|

PIA PHOTO ...............................................................................................................................................................

‘Safe place’ for rape victims eyed in hospitals WITH 46 rape cases reported every day countrywide, Makati City Rep. Mar-Len Abigail Binay has urged public as well as private hospitals to establish in their facilities a “safe place” where women who are sexual assault victims may receive medical care and submit forensic evidence to the authorities. “We have to encourage rape victims to at least have themselves checked up in the hospital so that they can receive treatment,” Binay, a deputy majority leader, said. The lawmaker stressed that sexual assault victims do not have to report the crime to have a medical examination. In the United States, Binay said a rape victim is usually first assessed by the hospital’s emergency department to ensure that any and all serious injuries or conditions are taken care of.

Then the victim is referred to the hospital’s “safe place” -- a sexual assault examination unit -- where she can meet with law enforcement officials and provide evidence, if she wants to. “Our hospitals here should also have sexual assault examination units that can collect and safely store forensic evidence from rape victims, should they decide to report the offense at a later time,” Binay said. Forensic evidence refers to proof that may be used in court, especially those obtained via scientific methods, such as a DNA test. DNA evidence from a sexual assault can be collected from the victim’s body, clothes, and other personal belongings. It can also be gathered from the crime scene. A hospital’s “safe place” would help encourage rape victims to take legal

action against their attackers, Binay, a lawyer by profession, said. A total of 8,288 rape cases were reported nationwide from January to June this year, up 62.7 percent versus the 5,096 cases documented over the same six-month period in 2014, according to the Philippine National Police Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management. The numbers translate to an average of 46 rape cases logged every day, without counting hidden incidents. In Makati, Binay said she would establish a “safe place” for rape victims at the local government-run Ospital ng Makati. “We will also ask all private hospitals in Makati to establish similar places,” Binay, who is running for city mayor in 2016, said.| BALIKAS NEWS TEAM

DECEMBER 28, 2015

NEWS

balikasonline@yahoo.com

PNoy’s Christmas Message

STRANDED AND RESCUED. A whale shark was stranded along the shores of Laiya in San Juan town, Batangas. Volunteers found out that the sea mammal has a fresh wound. Responding medical personnel applied a medicine and treated the wound before the volunteers release it again back to the sea.| JESSIE F. DELOS REYES ..................................................................................................................................................

DOH bats for alternative noisemakers .THE Department of Health (DOH) is encouraging the public to use alternative ways in celebrating Christmas and welcoming New Year and avoiding the use of firecrackers. DOH teams up with the Department of the Interior & Local Government (DILG), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Education (DepEd), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Eco Waste Coalition as it officially launches the 2015 anti-firecracker campaign which carries the theme, “Sa Ingay Walang Sablay, sa Paputok Goodbye Kamay”. “For this year, instead of firecrackers, the public is encouraged to use safe merry-making instruments and alternative noise-makers such as ‘torotot’, car horns, or by playing loud music,” said Health Secretary Janette P. Loreto-Garin. She said that the local government units (LGUs) are urged to foster community firework display. In 2014, the DOH final report on the Fireworks-Related Injury Surveillance recorded zero death and 860 cases nationwide which is 16 percent lower compared to 2013 (1,018 injuries). Of the 860 reported injuries, 840 were due to fireworks,

13 from stray bullet, while 7 were cases of firecracker ingestion. Most injuries were caused by piccolo (32%), followed by kwitis (15%), unknown firecrackers (11%), luces (7%) and fountain (5%). Most fireworks-related injuries came from the National Capital Region (57%), followed by Ilocos Region (8%), Western Visayas (7%), and CALABARZON (6%). The health chief emphasizes the earnest cooperation of the LGUs and the public to achieve zero casualty as we welcome 2016.

The DOH reminds all Filipinos, both young and old, to have fun yet be vigilant at the same time. In case of an injury due to firecrackers, Garin reminded that the wounds must be immediately washed with clean running water until all visible dirt and gunpowder residue is removed. The patient must immediately be rushed to the nearest health facility for proper medical attention. The DOH ensures that all DOH Hospitals are prepared to attend to injuries related to fireworks.| PIA

STRANDED SA PIER. Daan-daang truck na may kargang iba’t ibang produkto ang nagsipila sa labas ng Batangas Port noong bago sumapit ang pasko dahil sa bagyong Nona. Kapag nakataas ang Signal No. 1 sa Batangas o sa Mindoro, otomatikong kanselado ang biyahe ng mga barko rito upang matiyak ang seguridad sa pagbibiyahe.|

.................................................................................................................................................. <<<NONA.. from P/2

PNoy visits 'Typhoon Nona' victims in Or. Mdo President Aquino said he just wanted all the facts presented to him substantiated further to avoid possible questions from the Commission on Audit (COA) in the future. “Gusto kong ipagdiinan, may kakayahan tayong gawin ang dapat gawin. Itong mga eskuwelahan na ipinakita kanina, ako na ang magco-commit sa inyong bubuuin natin ito sa lalong madaling panahon,” the President said further. President Aquino tasked the Department of Public Works and Highways to reconstruct the damaged schools in accordance with better specifications, including the capacity to withstand 250kilometer per hour winds. “So importante ma-validate na natin lahat itong datos na ito para maumpisahan na ang proseso,” President Aquino said, noting that

there are funds which the government is willing to tap from its 2015 savings to support these measures. He said this particular sum has to be obligated before the end of year lest it becomes subjected to an election ban. “Palagay ko may exception naman ito kung calamity pero ayaw na nating dumaan doon sa hihingi pa tayo ng opinyon kung exempted ito o hindi exempted sa election ban. Kung pwede na nating gawin ngayon, bakit pa natin ipagpapabukas?” President Aquino said. The Chief Executive, nonetheless, said the homeless and those who lost their livelihood would be prioritized. He also reported that the National Telecommunications Commission is already working on the remaining six cell sites ruined by the storm.

“So huwag kayong mag-aalala… Kailangan lang natin tapusin ‘yung validation tapos mamamap out na ‘yung dapat na maging priority,” President Aquino told the Mindorenos. After the meeting, President Aquino presided over the distribution of relief goods courtesy of the Department of Social Welfare and Development to the estimated 1,500 typhoon victims who gathered at the meeting venue. Umali said the provincial government started relief operations as early as December 18, which they will try to finish by January 7. So far they were able to deliver 20,648 packages. The provincial governor mentioned as well that they continue to receive donations from various government agencies, civil society

MGA Boss, ngayong Pasko, muling ipinapaalala sa atin ang buhay at dakilang aral ng Banal na Tagapagligtas na si Hesukristo. Alam naman po natin:Tanda ng pagmamahal ng Panginoon sa atin ang pag-aalay ng Kanyang bugtong na Anak.Nagsakatawang-tao si Hesus at isinilang sa pinakapayak na katayuan at kalagayan—sa isang munting sabsaban. Kasama ang Mahal na Inang si Birheng Maria, at ang Ama na si Jose,namuhay Siya nang simple—malayo sa kinang ng mga ginto at yaman sa mundo. Sa Aklat nga po ni Juan, Kabanata 13, Bersikulo 34 hanggang 35; ipinabatid ni Hesus sa kanyang mga alagadang pinakamahalagang utos ng Diyos, at ang sabi po: “Mag-ibigan kayo. Kung paanong inibig Ko kayo,gayon din naman, mag-ibigan kayo.Kung kayo’y mag-ibigan, makikilala ng lahat na kayo’y mga alagad Ko.” Si Hesukristo nga po mismo ang nagpatotoo at nagsabuhay ng kautusang ito. Bilang tao, hinarap Niya ang pang-aapi, panlalait, at pasakit sa Kanya; hindi umubra sa Kanya ang kaliwa’t kanang tukso; at pinili niyang pasanin ang kalbaryo upang tuparin ang Kanyang dakilang misyon. Nagbigay-lakas Siya sa mahihina; naging tanglaw ng pag-asa sa mga walang-wala; at naging bukal ng pagmamahal ng Diyos sa sangkatauhan. Kung tayo nga po’y mga tagasunod ni Kristo, di ba’t nararapat lamang na sundan natin ang kanyang ehemplo?Ang mahalagang aral nga po ni Hesus ang sama-sama nating isinasabuhay sa Daang Matuwid. Nitong mga nagdaang taon,patong-patong na mga pagsubok ang hinarap natin.Sa kabila ng bawat hamon, di tayo nagpapatinag; nananatili tayong malakas at matatag. Sa bawat pagkakataon, buongloob nating itinataguyod ang agenda ng malawakang reporma. At mga Boss, nakamit natin ang mga tagumpay,sa tulong at gabay ng Poong Maykapal at sa pakikiisa ninyo. Kayo pa rin ang gumawa,at patuloy na gumagawa ng pagbabago. Maraming, maraming salamat po sa inyo. Narito na nga po tayo sa yugto ng ating bansa kung saan naiaahon sa kahirapan ang ating mga kababayan; naaaruga ng estado ang pinaka-nangangailangan; nakakamit ang tunay na katarungan;kung saan bumubukas ang mga pinto ng pagkakataon sa kaunlaran; at kung saan kapag ika’y nagtiyaga,ay tunay na mayroon kang nilaga. Sa kabila nito, marami pa ring suliranin ang hinaharap,hindi lang ng ating bansa, kundi ng buong mundo. Halimbawa na lang po rito ang nangyayaring kaguluhansa ilang bahagi ng Gitnang Silangan, kung saan marami po ang nagiging refugee. Hindi natin maiwasang itanong: Sa suliraning ito, mayroon kaya tayong maaaring naitulong,nang sa gayon ay hindi na nila kinailangang lumikassa sariling bansa? Sa mga kapatid nating nawawalan ng pag-asa at nauuwi sa karahasan,kung mas minahal kaya natin sila, nalinlang pa kaya sila sa mga maling paniniwala? Tunay pong iisang mundo lang ang ating ginagalawan. Ang problema ng isa, ay problema ng lahat. Sabi nga po ng aking ama: Kapag hinayaan mong yurakan ang karapatan ng iyong kapwa,hinayaan mo na ring mayurakan ang iyong karapatan. Tunay po: Sa panahong ito, tinatawag tayong isabuhayang halimbawa ng ating Panginoon. Nang nakita ni Hesukristong may pagkakataon Siyang tumulong, buong pagpapakumbaba Niyang piniling tumulong. Inialay Niya ang sariling buhay para sa kaligtasan ng sanlibutan. Kung atin ngang iisipin, ang hinihingi sa atin ni Hesus ay napakalayo sa tindi ng Kaniyang naging sakripisyo. Ang hiling lang sa ating mga tagasunod Niya: Magmahalan. Naipapakita po natin ito sa paggawa ng tama at makatwiran. Halimbawa: Ang pagbayad ng tamang buwis. Di po ba, sa simpleng paraang ito, nakakatulong na tayong magpa-aral sa mga walang kakayahang mag-aral? Sa kalsada naman: Ang pagsunod sa batas-trapiko. Dito, nakakatulong na tayo sa maayos na daloy ng trapiko, nailalayo pa natin ang ating kapwa sa peligro. Sa kalikasan: Ang wastong pagtatapon ng basura,nagreresulta rin sa pagbawas ng polusyon at pagkalinga sa kalusugan ng lahat. Kaya po, mga Boss, panahon man ng kapaskuhan o hindi, nawa’y maging tanglaw tayo ng pag-asa sa ating kapwa, lalo na sa mga higit na nangangailangan. Tulad ni Hesus, magsilbi tayong huwaran ng pagkakaisa, malasakit, at pagmamahal sa ating pamilya, sa ating komunidad at sa ating bansa. Isang maligayang Pasko po sa ating lahat.| organizations, and private companies. Oriental Mindoro also has P131million remaining in its calamity fund, which Umali said they are planning to use for their ongoing shelter assistance, aid to individual in crisis, and infrastructure rehabilitation programs. “Alam ko kaya natin ito. Kaya sa mga mamamayan natin dito sa Silangang Mindoro, tuloy ho ang Pasko, huwag kayong mag-aalala. Nandito ho ang ating Pangulo. Ito ho ang pamasko niya sa atin kaya kaya po natin ito,” Umali told his constituents.

Typhoon ‘Nona,’ a Category 3 storm according to the US military’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center, passed by the Philippines last week putting several areas in the central and southern parts of Luzon under water. Oriental Mindoro was immediately placed under a state of calamity in the storm’s aftermath with the town of Pinamalayan bearing the brunt. The typhoon has so far claimed over 40 lives in total and displaced more than 17,000 families across the nation.| BALIKAS NEWS TEAM

OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2015

OPINION

balikasonline@yahoo.com

OPINION

[THE following si the full text of the Christmas Message of Pope Francis to teh City of Rome and to the Whole World.] DEAR brothers and sisters, Happy Christmas! Christ is born for us, let us rejoice in the day of our salvation! Let us open our hearts to receive the grace of this day, which is Christ himself. Jesus is the radiant “day” which has dawned on the horizon of humanity. A day of mercy, in which God our Father has revealed his great tenderness to the entire world. A day of light, which dispels the darkness of fear and anxiety. A day of peace, which makes for encounter, dialogue and, above all, reconciliation. A day of joy: a “great joy” for the poor, the lowly and for all the people (cf. Lk 2:10). On this day, Jesus, the Saviour is born of the Virgin Mary. The Crib makes us see the “sign” which God has given us: “a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger” (Lk 2:12). Like the shepherds of Bethlehem, may we too set out to see this sign, this event which is renewed yearly in the Church. Christmas is an event which is renewed in every family, parish and community which receives the love of God made incarnate in Jesus Christ. Like Mary, the Church shows to everyone the “sign” of God: the Child whom she bore in her womb and to whom she gave birth, yet who is the Son of the Most High, since he “is of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 1:20). He is truly the Saviour, for he is the Lamb of God who takes upon himself the sin of the world. With the shepherds, let us bow down before the Lamb, let us worship God’s goodness made flesh, and let us allow tears of repentance to fill our eyes and cleanse our hearts. This is something we all need! He alone, he alone can save us. Only God’s mercy can free humanity from the many forms of evil, at times monstrous evil, which selfishness spawns in our midst. The grace of God can convert hearts and offer mankind a way out of humanly insoluble situations. Where God is born, hope is born. He brings hope. Where God is born, peace is born. And where peace is born, there is no longer room for hatred and for war. Yet precisely where the incarnate Son of God came into the world, tensions and violence persist, and peace remains a gift to be implored and built. May Israelis and Palestinians resume direct dialogue and reach an agreement which will enable the two peoples to live together in harmony, ending a conflict which has long set them at odds, with grave repercussions for the entire region. We pray to the Lord that the agreement reached in the United Nations may succeed in halting as quickly as possible the clash of arms in Syria and in remedying the extremely grave humanitarian situation of its suffering people. It is likewise urgent that the agreement on Libya be supported by all, so as to overcome the grave divisions and violence afflicting the country. May the attention of the international community be unanimously directed to ending the atrocities which in those countries, as well as in Iraq, Libya, Yemen and sub-Saharan Africa, even now reap numerous victims, cause immense suffering and do not even spare the historical and cultural patrimony of entire peoples. My thoughts also turn to those affected by brutal acts of terrorism, particularly the recent massacres which took place in Egyptian airspace, in Beirut, Paris, Bamako and Tunis. To our brothers and sisters who in many parts of the world are being persecuted for their faith, may the Child Jesus grant consolation and strength. They are our martyrs of today. We also pray for peace and concord among the peoples of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and South Sudan, that dialogue may lead to a strengthened common commitment to the building of civil societies animated by a sincere spirit of reconciliation and of mutual understanding. May Christmas also bring true peace to Ukraine, offer comfort to those suffering from the effects of the conflict, and inspire willingness to carry out the agreements made to restore concord in the entire country. May the joy of this day illumine the efforts of the Colombian people so that, inspired by hope, they may continue their commitment to working for the desired peace. Where God is born, hope is born; and where hope is born, persons regain their dignity. Yet even today great numbers of men and woman are deprived of their human dignity and, like the child Jesus, suffer cold, poverty, and rejection. May our closeness today be felt by those who are most vulnerable, especially child soldiers, women who suffer violence, and the victims of human trafficking and the drug trade. Nor may our encouragement be lacking to all those fleeing extreme poverty or war, travelling all too often in inhumane conditions and not infrequently at the risk of their lives. May God repay all those, both individuals and states, who generously work to provide assistance and welcome to the numerous migrants and refugees, helping them to build a dignified future for themselves and for their dear ones, and to be integrated in the societies which receive them. On this festal day may the Lord grant renewed hope to all those who lack

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DECEMBER 28, 2015

Feast of the Holy Family THE Feast of the Holy Family was celebrated on the first Sunday after Christmas this year. For Roman Catholic faithful, it is an important celebration which focuses on family’s unity as seen in the life of the Holy Family in Jesus’ early years. Filipinos easily identify themselves with the celebration because Filipino families are culturally cohesive. The image of the Holy Family mirrors the traditional Filipino family. New socio-cultural norms may have resulted in the revision of the roles of men and women in the family but the basic values defining the traditional Filipino family still prevail. Mutual respect, responsibility, understanding, and unity remain the underlying ideals that members of Filipino families strive for in spite of these new socio-cultural normal. Had it not for these ideals many would not be able to surpass the difficult times brought by strong calamities that visited us in the recent years. It is the solidarity among Filipino families, not government response, which provided invaluable relief for those whose lives were gravely interrupted by these calamities. Scientists believe that surviving natural disasters next year will certainly be as difficult as before. The weather is expected to be more erratic and harsher this coming year. It will surely confound our problems with food shortage and resource scarcity. This is certain to happen. Unfortunately, it is also certain that the actions of States to address it will be inadequate. The breakdown of many public institutions in the recent past has caused us to distrust what the future will bring us. Even the coming elections worry us as we foresee a highly volatile electoral exercise. Threats of massive electronic fraud are so vivid that the probability

of an anarchic and violent election aftermath is high. We are on a crossroad and nobody assures us that everything will be fine regardless of the path we will take. In addition to these dark glimpses of the future, the Filipino family is facing vile threats to its survival. Just as the Holy Family fled into Egypt to be spared from murderous rage of an insecure tyrant, the Filipino family is fleeing from the assault of the forces that threatens it. Anti-religious elements in the ruling regime are continually forcing the public will to agree to the rewriting of marriage laws and the institutionalization of consumerist liberal values that undermine the basic values defining the Filipino family. They are assaulting the family in all fronts with means that are both bold and subtle. In spite of the threats and assaults on the Filipino family, hope continues to shine. Attempts to redefine marriage and to destroy the family has failed. Filipinos remain steadfast in their beliefs. And while the next ruling regime may be as reckless as its predecessor in its treatment of marriage and family, any attempt to rewrite these institutions will be met with public will that cherishes and safeguards them. Our natural tendency to cling to another, to close ranks, and to feel the bond that links us together at times of great peril galvanize our common resolve to survive. Our belief that a family united in love and resolve will triumph at the end helps us withstand even the gravest of life’s tragedies. Time has tested the Filipino families and it witnessed that they always triumph in the end. Our faith in the Almighty and the unity that binds us are the reasons that keep the Filipino Family Holy.

employment – and they are so many!; may he sustain the commitment of those with public responsibilities in political and economic life, that they may work to pursue the common good and to protect the dignity of every human life. Where God is born, mercy flourishes. Mercy is the most precious gift which God gives us, especially during this Jubilee year in which we are called to discover that tender love of our heavenly Father for each of us. May

the Lord enable prisoners in particular to experience his merciful love, which heals wounds and triumphs over evil. Today, then, let us together rejoice in the day of our salvation. As we contemplate the Crib, let us gaze on the open arms of Jesus, which show us the merciful embrace of God, as we hear the cries of the Child who whispers to us: “for my brethren and companions’ sake, I will say: Peace be within you” (Ps 121[122]:8).

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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.|

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DECEMBER 28, 2015

OPINION

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The Aquino presidency: All talk, no walk BENIGNO Aquino III was elected by a people longing for change, especially after the scandal-ridden administration of Gloria MacapagalArroyo. The MacapagalArroyo family was linked to so many corruption and bribery scandals that anybody who was to replace her could be deemed an angel. But as fate would have it, Corazon Aquino, the figurehead of the EDSA people power uprising against the Marcos dictatorship, died and this propelled her only son Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, an underperforming senator who was also a former House representative with no major accomplishment to boast of, to the presidency. But the Filipino people was hopeful that an unlikely president would bring change in Malacañang and address the problems of corruption, injustice, unresolved extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances and filing of trumped up cases against activists and murders of journalists, suppression of dissent, poverty, unemployment and worsening social inequities. So what happened after five and a half years? Former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her close allies Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada, and Bong Revilla have been brought to court and detained, former chief justice Renato Corona and former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez were removed, and a few other minor functionaries of the former administration have likewise been charged and jailed. But their cases would definitely outlast the current administration and their fate would depend on the leanings of the next government. The developments in the case of the main conduit to the corruption of pork barrel funds, Janet Lim-Napoles, have been kept from public scrutiny. Moreover, all allies of the Aquino administration that were linked to previous and even current corruption scandals are being well protected. Far from being eradicated, corruption persists, albeit involving different personalities and a different type of pork barrel the Disbursement Acceleration Program.

Justice has still been elusive to the victims of killings and other rights violations. Even the most well-known cases where the perpetrators have been identified – the Maguindanao massacre and the enforced disappearance of Jonas Burgos, son of press freedom icon the late Joe Burgos – are nowhere near attaining justice. Worse, under the Aquino administration’s watch, more journalists have been murdered and more political activists have been killed, disappeared, and harassed through physical and legal threats. The unabated killings and enforced disappearances, harassments, and enforced evacuation being committed against the Lumad by military and paramilitary forces demonstrate with clarity that the Aquino administration is not beyond committing human rights violations to suppress dissent and to protect the interests of big foreign and local businesses. The Aquino administration has hardly made a dent in addressing the problem of poverty, unemployment, and social inequities mainly because it has been pursuing the same economic policies of deregulation, liberalization, and privatization, which were implemented by Macapagal-Arroyo and all other previous presidents. Independent think-tank Ibon estimates that there are 12.2 million unemployed and underemployed – 4.3 million unemployed and 7.9 million underemployed – by the end of 2014. This, according to Ibon, is the most number of unemployed and underemployed in the country’s history. The wealth of the 10 richest Filipinos has tripled from P630 billion in 2010 to P2.2 trillion in 2015. The net income of 260 listed firms of the Philippine Stock Exchange rose from P438 billion in 2010 to P583 billion in 2014. On the other hand, the share of regular employees to total employment decreased from 72 percent to 56

Benjie Oliveros

>>>PERSPECTIVE.... turn to P/7 ........................................................................................................................................................

Twelve things to do this Christmas season HERE are TWELVE THINGS TO DO THIS CHRISTMAS – for us to recapture the real meaning of Christmas. 1. VISIT THE BLESSED SACRAMENT. On Christmas Day, visit the Blessed Sacrament and have an hour of silence with Jesus. Take this opportunity to thank Him for becoming a man for YOU. Have a good chat with Jesus. Don’t forget to have a prayerful Christmas this year. For Christmas is all about Jesus. (Psalm 62:5). 2. SING A HAPPY BIRTHDAY SONG. Christmas is the birthday of Jesus. Sad to say, very few for us sing the birthday song to baby Jesus. This Christmas season, sing the happy birthday song to Jesus. He deserves our greetings. After all, the birthday celebrant deserves one birthday song. (Luke 2:13-14). 3. THINK OF THREE PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE YOU FAIL TO RECOGNIZED OR APPRECIATE. Buy them a gift. Something which you yourself would be happy to receive this Christmas. Make this gift something special. If Jesus will give them a gift, what do you think Jesus will give? (Luke 16:19-31). 4. BE THE FOURTH MAGUS. The three magi brought myrrh, frankincense, and gold as their gifts to the baby Jesus. If you’re the fourth magus, what gift are you going bring to the newly-born King? Why? Reflect and bring your answer to the Blessed Sacrament. Offer your gift to Jesus our King. Then follow the footsteps of the three magi, after paying homage to Jesus, they decided to take a different route. (Matthew 2:1-12). 5. LAST CALL TO CLEAN YOUR ROOM. Don’t let Christmas season pass without cleaning your room. Take some time and enter your heart. Reflect and review your relationships with everybody. Any broken relationship? heartaches? Miscommunications? Time to wear humility, seek your loved ones and ask for forgiveness or forgive others. Broken relationship and non-forgiveness are Christmas spoilers. (Matthew 18:21-35). 6. LEAVE YOUR COMFORT ZONES. Christmas was born when Jesus jumped out of heaven (his comfort zone) to be with us, to embrace our chaos and save us. Take this Christmas season as an opportunity to do our jumping. Let’s jump out of our “heavens” and bring

love on Christmas. Bring some cheers to the poor, to elderly, and children. Bring the spirit of Christmas to the lost, the last, and the least. (Luke 1:39-45). 7. BE A SINGING ANGEL. Call all your friends, create an instant choir and visit the home for the aged, your lolos and lolas, and the forgotten. Cheer them up with Christmas songs. Christmas is about cheering people up. Christmas is bringing joy to the lonely and forgotten. (Job 38:7) 8. COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS. On Christmas Day, don’t forget to gather your family in front of the Belen. Say a short prayer of thanksgiving to God for giving us Jesus. Then ask each members of the family, “Share your three big blessings this year.” Then lead them to thank each other and ask forgiveness if anyone is moved to do so. (Psalm 118:1) 9. SHARE YOUR BLESSINGS. We are so blessed with plenty. It is good to share the best gifts we received this Christmas. God blessed us with many things, including our life, so that we may blesse others with our life. Share your best, and not your excess. (Hebrew 13:16). 10. RETELL THE GREATEST STORY. During your Christmas family celebrations and reunions, create some space for reflection. Gather the whole family and creatively retell the story of Nativity to everybody. Allow everybody to share their thoughts about Christmas. Ask them, “What’s Christmas for you?” Let them know that Jesus is the main reason for the celebration. As one family, pray together and thank God for giving us Jesus. And thank Him for giving us our wonderful family. (Luke 2:1-20). 11. SING SONGS TO JESUS. The Carmelites Nuns of Zamboanga have this beautiful tradition of gathering before their Noche Bueña. Then as one family, they spontaneously sing Christmas songs. With our videoke, let’s choose to sing Christmas songs, and worship God through our singing. (Psalm 104:33). 12. CLOSE YOUR EYES. For some moments, in silence and alone, just close your eyes and feel the holiness of the moment. Feel the joy it brings. Remember and appreciate … “JESUS IS HERE FOR ME. HE CAME HERE TO EMBRACE MY CHAOS. FOR HE LOVES ME!” (Psalm 68:19).|

Mas pinili pa ang kabit ILANG taon ding nagsama sina Pablo at Rosa sa kanilang bawal na pagibig. Parang kuntento na rin sila sa klase ng kanilang buhay. Hindi nila gusto na matali sa kasal sapagkat parang ganoon na rin ang relasyon nila kahit na hindi sila lumakad patungo sa altar. Para sa kanilang dalawa, sapat nang sabihin na “mahal” nila ang isa’t isa. Pero ang ganitong maluwag nilang relasyon ang lumalabas na sa bandang huli ay pagsisisihan din nila. Dahil nga hindi nakatali sa kasal at walang malinaw na “commitment”, nagpatuloy si Pablo sa pagiging babaero, palipat-lipat lang siya sa kandungan ng iba’t ibang babae. Nakilala niya ngayon si Nila na sapat ang angking ganda para pansamantala niyang makalimutan si Rosa. Dahil sa kanilang pagkikita ay nabago ang pagtingin ni Pablo sa kasalan. Bago pa niya nalaman ay inaalok na niya si Nila ng kasal at ang babae naman, pakipot pa noong una pero agad din na pumayag sa alok ng binata. Kaya hayun, nagpakasal sina Pablo at Nila. Sa maikling panahon ng kanilang pagsasama ay naisip ni Pablo na hindi maganda para sa kanilang mag-asawa na manatili sa Maynila at baka maamoy pa ni Rosa ang nangyari at manggulo pa sa kanila ng kanyang bagong misis. Kaya’t lumipat ang bagong kasal sa probinsiya at nagdesisyon na doon na lang tumira. Hindi pa nagtatagal sa piling ng misis ay nabagot na naman si Pablo. Hindi talaga bagay sa kanya ang magpakasal at ang buhay may-asawa. Hinahanap niya ang dating karelasyon at matindi ang naging pangungulila niya kay Rosa. Isang buwan matapos nilang magpakasal ay nagpaalam kay Nila si Pablo upang pumunta sa Maynila. Ang palusot ng lalaki ay aayusin lang niya ang ilang bagay at babalik din matapos ang isang linggo. Dumaan ang isang linggo pero wala kahit anino ni Pablo na nagbalik sa kanyang misis. Kaya ang ginawa ni Nila ay sinundan si Pablo sa Maynila. Natagpuan niya ang lalaki na nakatira sa iisang bubong kasama ni Rosa na dati nitong karelasyon. Nakababad pa ang lalaki sa tindahan at sinasamahan ang kanyang kabit. Nang komprontahin ni Nila ang mister ay inamin nito na kalaguyo niya si Rosa at hindi niya maiiwanan ang babae. Bahala na raw si Nila sa kung ano ang gusto niyang mangyari. Kaya kinasuhan ni Nila si Pablo at ang kabit nitong si Rosa ng concubinage. Ayon kay Pablo ay inosente siya at walang kasalanan dahil hindi naman niya ibinahay si Rosa sa tahanan nila ng asawa o sa ibang lugar sa ilalim ng iskandalosong sirkumstansiya. Tama ba si Pablo? MALI. May tatlong paraan para magawa ang concubinage: Una, kung ibabahay ng lalaking may-asawa ang kanyang kabit sa tahanan nila ng kanyang misis, o pangalawa, kung ibabahay niya ang kabit sa ilalim ng iskandalosong sirkumstansiya at pangatlo, ay kung makisama siya sa ibang babae na hindi niya misis. Sa ginawa ni Pablo na pag-abandona sa kanyang asawa at pagsama sa kanyang kabit, malinaw ang ebidensiya na nakisama siya sa ibang babae na hindi naman niya asawa at nagkasala siya ng “concubinage”. (Pp. vs. Pitoc and Del Basco, 43 SCRA 756).|

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Wrapper-Gift FR. FRANCIS ONGKINGCO Whatever IN the Office of Readings of Wednesday in the First Week of Advent, we read St. Bernard Abbot’s reflection on the “Three Advents”. He says that “the coming of the Lord is threefold: the third coming is between the other two and it is not visible in the way the other two are. At his first coming, the Lord was seen on earth and lived among men, who saw Him and hated Him. At his last coming All flesh shall see the salvation of our God, and They shall look on him who they have pierced. (Sermo 5, in Adventu Domini)” The holy abbot further describes the intermediary Advent: “In the middle, the hidden coming, only the chosen see Him, and they see Him within themselves; and so their souls are saved. (…) The middle coming is like a road that leads from the first coming to the last. At the first [Advent], Christ was our redemption; at the last, He will become manifest as our life; but in the middle way, He is our rest and consolation. (Ibid.)” St. Bernard’s reminds us that Advent is not just one passive annual waiting room. Instead, he urges every Christian to be always “spiritually awake” in order to host the “daily arrival of Jesus” in his soul. If our Lord visits us to give Himself to us as a daily gift, then we must in turn strive to return His graceful presence in our hearts. Close friends often exchange simple but unique tokens when they meet. When our Lord gifted Himself to us, He could not but choose “best wrapper” for the gift of His divinity. This “wrapper” was His sacred humanity. By “wrapper” we are referring to the “fallen and frail condition of human nature” which God chose to assume. The marvelous things here is that Jesus who is the “gift” became the “wrapper” and in this way He upgraded human nature and made it possible for us to embrace divine nature. In the same way that our Lord prepared Himself to be born into our world, like a seed to divinize man and all created reality, we must also learn how to prepare ourselves constantly by wrapping ourselves as daily gifts for God and our neighbor. When it comes to wrapping gifts, we are not referring to the detached and mechanical task of covering objects for no one in particular. When giving authentic gifts, one considers to some extent that the “wrapper” is part of the gift. In the first place, when we give any gift to someone special, we make the sacrifice of trying to find something valuable. The gift seems to carry a part of us because it demonstrates how much we know the other and what he would be happy to receive.

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OCTOBER 12 - 18, 2015

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OPINION

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DECEMBER 28, 2015

BUSINESS Rep. Abu makes final push to lower individual income tax BATANGAS — One of the vice chairmen of the House Committee on Ways and Means is making a final push for the reduction of the income tax of an individual taxpayer to be based on the current Consumer Price Index (CPI). Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu said his proposal aims to give every ordinary Filipino individual taxpayer the equity he deserves in the country’s tax laws, which will put him and the family he supports in a better position to cope with life’s daily financial demands. He said there is still nine sessions left before the formal

national campaign starts as he asked his colleagues to support his measure. “By doing this muchneeded fair tweaking of the individual income tax brackets, together with the amounts of personal and additional exemption, in accordance with current CPI and automatically after every three years thereafter, this government can rightfully claim that it has done justice to every ordinary Filipino working man,” said Abu. He explained that since the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) of 1997 became effective on January 1, 1998, the individual income

LEGAL NOTICE Republic of the Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources NATIONAL WATER RESOURCES BOARD BAUAN SHIP WATER SUPPLY CORPORATION, Applicant. x------------------x

Case No. 15-2147

NOTICE OF HEARING Applicant, authorized operator of the waterworks system within Bauan Port Area, private individual and business establishments in Bauan, Batangas, applies for the renewal of Certificate of Public Convenience. This application will be initially heard by the Board on January 18, 2016, hearing will start at 9:00 o’clock in the morning at the NWRB-W UD Conference Room, 8th Floor, NIA Building, EDSA, Quezon City at which time applicant shall present its evidence. At least fifteen (15) days prior to the scheduled hearing, applicant shall publish this notice once in a daily newspaper of general circulation in the Province of Batangas and serve by personal delivery or registered mail a copy of the (i) application and its attachments, and (ii) this notice, to all affected parties appearing on page 2 hereof. Parties opposed to the granting of the application must file their written opposition supported by documentary evidence on or before the above scheduled date of hearing, furnishing a copy of the same to the applicant. Failure on the part of any person affected to file its opposition on time and to appear at the hearing will be construed, as a waiver of their right to be heard and the Board will proceed to hear and decide the application based on the evidence submitted. Likewise, failure by the applicant to appear at the hearing shall amount to lack of interest on its part and the instant application shall be dismissed accordingly. W itness the Honorable Executive Director of the National W ater Resources Board this 26 th day of November, 2015. By Authority of the Board: (Sgd.) Dr. SEVILLO D. DAVID, JR. CESO III Executive Director Affected Parties: The Secretary Sangguniang Bayan Bauan, Batangas The Barangay Chairman All the Barangays in Bauan Batangas The General Manager Batangas City Water District Batangas City Pahayagang BALIKAS December 28, 2015

tax rates have unfortunately remained based on the 1998 CPI of 67.8 percent, which has now doubled to its current rate of about 141 percent as of August 2015. “Going by these figures, a regular salaried man’s monthly take home pay of Php10,000 way back in 1998 is now equivalent to Php20,500 which rightly should be taxed at the rate of just five percent and not a higher one,” he explained. In more practical terms, he said the amount of tax on someone with a monthly salary of Php20,500 should just be Php1,025 and not Php1,550, giving him an added monthly take-home pay of Php525 or Php6,300 yearly. “With the constantly rising prices of basic commodities, this additional income will certainly go a long way in making ends meet for him and his family,” said Abu, also a vice chairman of the Committees on InterParliamentary Relations and Diplomacy, on Housing and Urban Development, and on Public Order and Safety. In House Bill 6258, Abu sought the amendment of Section 24 of the NIRC of 1997, as amended, pertaining to income tax rates, so that the rates of tax on taxable income of individuals shall be computed in accordance with and at the rates established in the following schedule: those earning not over Php20,500, the income tax shall be five percent; over Php20,500 but not over Php61,500, the tax shall be Php1,025 plus 10 percent of the excess over Php20,500; over Php61,500 but not over

Ang Batangas Una sa Housing Program. In this file photo, Batangas Congressman Raneo Abu attended the Housing Development Board meeting in Singapore. With Abu are selected lawmakers including Cong. Albee Benitez, Chairman ng Committee on Housing at the lower house to study the best practices in housing program of Singapore that will be the basis of crafting laws to improve local housing programs in the country.| TA Php143,500, the tax shall be Php5,125 plus 15 percent of the excess over Php61,500; over Php143,500 but not over Php287,000, the tax shall be Php17,425 plus 20 percent of the excess over Php143,500. In addition, those earning: over Php287,00 but not over Php512,500, the tax shall be Php46,125 plus 25 percent of the excess over Php287,000; over Php512,500 but not over Php1,025,000, the tax shall be Php102,500 plus 30 percent of the excess over

Php512,500; and over Php1,025,000, the tax shall be Php256,250 plus 32 percent of the excess over Php1,025,000. The bill provides that not later than three years after the effectivity of the Act and every year three years thereafter, each net taxable income level and nominal tax rate herein stated shall be adjusted to its present value using the Consumer Price Index, as published by the National Statistics Office (NSO).

The bill also seeks the amendment of Section 35 of the NIRC of 1997, as amended, on allowance of personal exemption for individual taxpayers so that not later than three years after the effectivity of the Act and every three years thereafter, the amounts of basic personal exemption and additional exemption for dependents herein stated shall be adjusted to present values using the CPI, as published by the NSO.| SAMMY F. MARTIN

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Mining sector sees tighter supply of nickel ore in 2016 AMID the current low prices of nickel ore, some nickel miners in the Philippines have shut down their operations, while others are reducing significantly their production. This sector said this scenario will likely continue in 2016. According to Joseph C. Sy, director of Philippine Chamber of Commerce Inc. and Chairman of Global

Ferronickel Holdings Inc., a leading nickel miner in the Philippines, since the Indonesian export ban in January 2014, the country supplied more than 90 percent of the nickel ore imports of china. However, more than 50 percent of said imports are low grade ores. Compared to last year, importations by china of low grade ores have dropped

significantly this year owing to the lack of supply brought about by the very low prices of iron ore. There was also a tight supply of medium grade ores this year because of low nickel prices. If LME nickel price will continue to hover below USD 10,000 per ton, Sy predicts that the price of medium grade ore would likely fall below USD 20 per wet metric

ton. In that case, more nickel miners would not survive as some of them have operating costs beyond USD 20 per wet metric ton because of longer hauling distances. High grade ores will continue to be scarce as this represents only about 15 percent of Philippine nickel exports.| PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

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2016 national budget favors education, elderly MANILA — The chairman of the House committee on Appropriations has said that the General Appropriations Act of 2016 which will be effective Jan. 1 was heavily concentrated on education, both basic and higher. The panel chairman and Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab said the Department of Education's (DepEd) budget was increased to Php422.468 million from the original budget of Php411.482 billion

to final budget of Php411.905 billion. Ungab said both houses agreed to slash some from other departments and realigned it to DepEd and SUCs, He said DepEd’s budget increase includes: Php50 million for the preservation of Gabaldon school buildings which are considered National Heritage; funds for Special Education for persons with disability; Education

and Sustainable Development and teachers training; the Philippine High School for the Arts additional allocation of Php25.64 million for capital outlay; for SUCS, additional amount for the University of the Philippines for the construction of buildings and gyms, and support to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH). For the Philippine Normal University (PNU), an amount was provided for the

modernization of PNU on the basis of Republic Act 9467. All other SUCs would receive additional funding which will be used for academic buildings, equipment and the Tulong Dunong Program. Likewise, all SUCs were provided increase in capital outlays. Also, Ungab cited there were four substantial changes, restorations and augmentations in the 2016 national budget.

DECEMBER 28, 2015

LIFETIMES balikasonline@yahoo.com

SSS offers calamity relief package for members affected by PS "Nona" MEMBERS of the Social Security System (SSS) from areas devastated by Typhoon "Nona" can avail of a calamity relief package that includes early renewal of salary loans, advance disbursement of pensions and preferential terms for house repair and improvement loans starting on Jan. 4, 2016. SSS Assistant Vice President for Member Loans Department Boobie Angela A. Ocay said the calamity relief package for Typhoon “Nona” would be open starting Jan. 4 in all areas in the country as pronounced by President Benigno S. Aquino III, who declared a National State of

Calamity through Proclamation No. 1186 dated Dec. 18. "In this time of need, we offer our assistance to our calamity-stricken members and pensioners so that they can cope and move on faster from the effects of this recent disaster," Ocay said. The first program under the calamity relief package is the Salary Loan Early Renewal Program (SLERP), which waives the required 50 percent completion of loan payment as a qualifying condition for loan renewal under our regular guidelines. Hence, even borrowers who have only paid a few monthly

Capricorn (Dis. 22-Ene. 19) - Iwasan ang mga kaibigan na nagsisimula sa D, M at N ang pangalan dahil magbibigay ito ng hinanakit. Lucky numbers at color ay 15, 19, 28, 42 at mint green. Aquarius (Ene. 20 - Peb. 18) - Dahil sa dami ng gawain, magiging mainitin ang ulo at madaling magalit na dapat iwasan. Hinahon at katiwasayan ng pag-iisip ang dapat pairalin. Lucky numbers at color ay 10, 12, 36, 34 at aquamarine. Pisces (Peb. 19 - Mar. 20) - Isang dayuhan ang mapapalapit sa puso. May babalang gusot na magsisimula sa trabaho at madadala hanggang sa tahanan. Lucky numbers at color ay 11, 21, 31, 42 at ruby red. Aries (Mar. 21 - Abril 19) - Lawakan ang pang-unawa sa minamahal kahit masakit sa kalooban. Ang malakas na pagkatao ay dapat sabayan ng tapat at magandang kalooban. Lucky numbers at color ay 4, 16, 23, 42 at mustard yellow. Taurus (Abril 20-Mayo 20) - Malulutas ang suliraning bumabagabag sa sarili. Lawakan ang pang-unawa at matutong magpaubaya. Mapalad ang makipagtransaksyon ngayon sa negosyo. Lucky numbers at color ay 11, 13, 25, 27 at white. Gemini (Mayo 21-Hun. 21) - Ang patuloy na pagsisikap ay magiging daan para maisakatuparan ang mga binabalak at hinahangad. Ang pakikipag-ugnayan ay mahalaga ngayon. Lucky numbers at color ay 5, 12, 20, 24 at yellow. Cancer (Hun. 22-Hul. 22) - Malamang makakakilala ng isang mayamang biyudo na mag-aalay ng pag-ibig. Magiging masaya ang araw sa larangan ng pag-ibig. Mag-ingat sa pagpapahayag ng hinanakit. Lucky numbers at color ay 6, 11, 22, 42 at marine blue. Leo (Hul. 23-Ago. 22) - Lumalandas patungo sa katuparan ang mga pangarap. Ang bagabag ng kalungkutan o katamlayan ay mahahalinhinan ng kaligayahan. Makakabuting kumilos agad bago mahuli ang lahat. Lucky numbers at color ay 9, 22, 30, 34 at lavander. Virgo (Ago 23-Set. 23) - May ilang tao na nagnanais gamitin ka sa pansarili nilang interes. Ang hindi pagkakasundo ng mga ideya ay siyang magbibigay ng kalungkutan at katamlayan. Lucky numbers at color ay 10, 14, 33, 40 at orange. Libra (Set. 24-Okt. 23) – Pakinggan ang pangaral ng nakatatandang kaanak tungkol sa binabalak na negosyo. Huwag magpadalus-dalos sa gagawing desisyon. Magingat at may pagkakataong makaharap ng taong mahirap makaunawa. Lucky numbers at color ay 4, 15, 29, 32 at midnight blue. Scorpio (Okt. 24-Nob. 22) - Umaayon ang araw sa gawaing pantahanan dahil magiging lubos ang konsentrasyon. Iwasan ang mangako dahil mahihirapan na isakatuparan ito. Lucky numbers at color ay 10, 17, 21, 39 at brown. Sagittarius (Nob. 23-Dis. 21) - May matatanggap na mahalagang balita sa pamamagitan ng sulat o tawag na maaaring makapagpabago sa takbo ng gawain. Lucky ka sa 11, 13, 21, 32 at orange.

amortizations are allowed by SSS to renew their loans as a special consideration. The SSS is also waiving the one-percent service fee normally charged on SSS salary loans to increase the loan proceeds of members availing of the SLERP. The SSS grants one-month and two-month salary loans of up to Php 16,000 and Php 32,000, respectively, which are payable in two years. "The heavy rains and floods caused by Typhoon "Nona" had damaged thousands of houses. To help our affected members to restore their destroyed homes, the SSS is providing a lower interest rate of six percent for home repair and improvement loans as part of the calamity relief package," Ocay said. Under the SSS Direct House Repair and Improvement Loan Program offered under the calamity relief package, eligible members can borrow funds of up to Php 1 million, with payment terms at a maximum of 20 years for locally-employed members and 15 years for overseas Filipino workers.

DAMAGES of public storm Nona in Sorsogon.| Pensioners residing in the pensioners covered by the declared calamity areas can calamity relief package for apply for advance three- Typhoon "Lando," which hit month pensions. Members several Luzon provinces last and pensioners can directly October, that the availment claim their checks from the deadline for SLERP and the SSS branch that received their advance three-month application within three days pension will be on Dec. 31, and one week, respectively. If 2015. unclaimed after three days, "The deadline for the salary loan and advance "Lando"-affected members pension checks will be mailed who intend to apply for house to the member or pensioner. repair and improvement Meanwhile, Ocay loans, on the other hand, is reminded members and on Oct. 22 next year, one year

Photo by NDRRMC after the issuance of the corresponding circular last October 23," Ocay said. The NDRRMC-declared calamity areas due to Typhoon "Lando" include the provinces of Isabela, Aurora, Pangasinan, Cagayan and Nueva Ecija; and municipalities of Calumpit (Bulacan), Sugpon (Ilocos Sur), Arayat (Pampanga), Infanta and General Nakar (Quezon), Camiling and Ramos (Tarlac).

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<<<PERSPECTIVE.. from P/5

The Aquino presidency: All talk, no walk percent. Ibon also said that using the government’s low poverty threshold of P58 per person per day, the number of poor Filipinos has likely

increased by some 2.5 million since the start of the Aquino administration. By the end of 2014, Ibon estimates that the number of poor Filipinos has

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PAHALANG 1 Musa sa Stacruzan 1 Lalagyan ng bigas 2 Kulay ng kabayo 4 Isara 3 Pera sa Papua New 10 Peek ng PBA Guinea 11 Gel 4 International Press 12 Lubos 5 Magalang na tugon 15 Kibo 6 Panggagaya 16 Uri ng punungkahoy 7 Din 17 Katutubo sa Zambales 8 Lider na Amin 18 Lito Atienza 9 Gawi 19 Relo 13 Salitang pananong 21 Hulapi 14 Martsa 22 Gapas 17 Gunitain 23 Nora Aunor 20 Ms. Roces 25 Natalisod 23 Naparam 28 Tipo ng dugo 24 Konsortehan 30 Esperanza 25 Engkantada 31 Itadyak 26 Kabiyak ng puso 33 Guhit ng liwanag 27 Mr. Taulava 35 Muni 28 David ng PBA 36 Pumigil 29 Imbakan ng tubig 39 Habag 32 Takot sa tao 40 Mapanlinlang 34 Haligi ng tahanan 41 Bagang o pangil 37 Sambit ng nagulat 38 Simbolo ng tantalum PABABA

reached 25.8 million. Using the 2012 Family Income and Expenditure Survey, around 66 million Filipinos are living with P125 or less per day. Landlessness persists. Around 1.2 million farmers are in tenancy arrangements and 75.8 percent of beneficiaries of the government’s land reform program could not pay the amortization imposed by the government. However, hearing President Aquino talk about the accomplishments and legacy of his administration, it

seems that these problems have been effectively addressed. President Aquino often mentions that he has prohibited the use of wangwang (sirens) by government officials as a symbol of his campaign against abuse of power. But the wang-wang may have been rendered silent, but still, motorcycle cops stop and push vehicles aside whenever a government official’s convoy of vehicles is passing through. Just like the wang-wang campaign, it’s all empty talk, it’s all for show. |

.............................................................................. <<<‘WHATEVER’...from P/5

Wrapper-Gift Second, we spend time and resources to make or purchase the gift. Hand-made gifts are often the most precious expressions of our self-giving. What counts, more than the price of a gift, is our thoughtfulness, our concern over some material detail in the gift, and the timeliness of giving the gift. Finally, when we have considered the right gift, acquired or made, then we have to wrap it. A good wrapper isn’t always something we buy. Some are creative enough to bring out very beautiful wrapping from the most unsuspecting materials (i.e. paper bags, foil, cardboard or even leaves or tree barks). Behind this creativity one discerns the effort to give the wrapper added value or meaning. Spiritually speaking, man is not capable of giving any gift –materially or spiritually– to God from Whom everything comes from. St. Paul reminds us: What have you that you have not received? Thus, even this life

is worth infinitely nothing to offer to God, unless God Himself has not mercifully revealed that He is pleased even with our slightest effort to lift up the most insignificant experiences to Him as daily gifts. Given this wonderful portal of divine mercy that our Father opens for us, we then take the final step of wrapping the gift of ourselves to God. And our unique spiritual wrapper, covering us both within and without, is composed of our life of prayer, daily sacrifices, the gems of our virtues (unfolded through the corporal and spiritual works of mercy), and our work according to our state in life. Advent is the ripe time for us to prepare wrapping ourselves for God and others. This season fills us with a childlike anticipation to give our Lord a daily surprise. In reality, however, it is God who is like an excited child eager to one day open the gift of our lives in Heaven.|

December 28, 2015 | Vol. 20, No. 52 balikasonline@yahoo.com

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Parade.... party...., photo ops.....Different shots and scenes of Christmas at SM City Batangas.