Dumaguete Metropost, April 23, 2023 edition

Degamos to file cases vs Teves

The family lawyer of the late Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo said they will be filing more cases soon in relation to about 60 killings in the Province.

In an interview on Monday at the preliminary investigation of the Department of Justice on the March 4 slay of Degamo and eight others, lawyer Levito Baligod said suspended Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves will be among those who will be sued.

“I think in a few days from now, we will be filing new murder cases involving previous killings,” Baligod

said. “Actually, there are a lot more, as I’ve said in my previous interviews. In my record alone, I have 64 already [that are]incidents of killings.”

Lawyer Baligod had filed before the DOJ on March 7 murder complaints against Congressman Teves for the deaths of three persons in Negros Oriental in 2019.

The alleged victims were former National Bureau of Investigation agent Miguel Dungog, Lester Pialago Bato, and Pacito Retes Libron.

Monday’s preliminary

TO PAGE 2

Felipe Antonio Remollo (rightmost) installs the newly-elected representatives to the Dumaguete City Local Youth Development Council, representing nine youth advocacies, before holding their first regular session presided by Councilor Renz Macion, president of the Sangguniang Kabataan-Dumaguete. The Local Youth Development Council will serve in their posts until 2026. (City PIO photo)

Arnie dares: Prove charges

Embattled

In a Zoom interview with media networks like ABS-CBN and GMA, Teves lamented that he has been judged as guilty in the public eye because of trial by publicity.

“In the Senate hearing, they gave weight to hear-say information. They even made side comments against me based on hear-say,” he said.

“It would have been easy for them to ask the person complaining -- about land I allegedly grabbed -- to produce her land title. They also listened to a resource person who turns out to be a drug addict,” Teves added When asked if he, indeed, gave instructions through video messaging to at least four of the suspects in the Degamo killing, Teves said, “It’s easy to accuse. Why don’t they

show the video? The burden of proof lies on the accuser.”

Teves, who would still not divulge his whereabouts because of concerns over his and his family’s safety, said he will come home when he sees signs of fairness.

“I might consider it. They are reviewing old cases but they did not review the case of the son of [Justice Sec.] Boying Remulla who was suddenly cleared of drug raps,” he lamented.

Teves again reiterated that he has nothing to do with the Degamo murder, saying he has nothing to gain out of it.

His counsel, Ferdinand Topacio, also dared the DOJ to file the case so they could begin defending themselves. “They shouldn’t be speaking if they’re not sure because there are statements like ‘I think, ‘I’m not sure’, ‘It’s possible’.”

“Complete the case buildup so the case can be heard by the prosecutor,” Topacio said.

Earlier, Justice Secretary Remulla named Teves as the “Boss Idol” “Big Boss” “Kalbo” referred to by Teves’ former bodyguard, the captured suspect Marvin Miranda, who is said to have played a major role in recruiting the killers, and supplying their firearms.

The DOJ Chief also said it is “reasonable” to say that Teves

paid for the firearms used in the assassination.

“They’re being considered as masterminds, but I don’t know yet. I have to get into the panel of prosecutors but the way it’s going, that is the direction it’s going,” Remulla said.

The National Bureau of Investigation said Miranda was arrested on March 31 in Mayabay, Barbasa in Antique by a composite team of their own personnel, the Philippine National Police, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The NBI said their investigation revealed that Miranda managed to escape from Negros Oriental to Antique province from March 23 until he was arrested eight days later.

So far, authorities have accounted for 12 suspects in the March 4 Pamplona carnage. Of these, 11 are under the custody of the NBI, while one died in a shootout.

Remulla said the case is now “99 percent solved”.

No complaint has yet been filed against Congressman Teves and his brother, former Gov. Pryde Henry Teves, in connection with the discovery of firearms, ammunition, and explosives in their compound in the southern town of Sta. Catalina.

3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. has dared the Department of Justice to present proof of his guilt, instead of making statements accusing him as the mastermind of the March 4 killings, which claimed the lives of Gov. Roel Degamo and eight others.

2nd District Cong. Manuel “Chiquiting” Sagarbarria visits barangay Banban in Mabinay, north of Dumaguete, to discuss with the farmers, habal-habal drivers, livelihood groups, and senior citizens how his Congressional office can help them improve their lifestyle in the mountain town. (Photo by Elvira Alagao)

Mayor

The Philippine Commission on Women is deeply concerned and horrified seeing the extreme violence in the viral video showing a police officer maltreating his live-in partner, even to the extent of pointing a gun at her. We cannot even begin to imagine the immense pain she was subjected to, given those strong kicks and blows, coupled with curses.

The photo showing the woman’s battered face after the abuse is the image showing the grave problem of Violence against Women in the country.

Data from the Philippine National Police show that in 2022, 7,424 cases of violations of the Anti-Violence against Women and Children Act (Republic Act 9262)were reported. In 2021, there were 8,430. But these are not mere numbers; these are women with rights, women with dreams, women with families, women with lives that matter.

Hence, the PCW reiterates that all forms of violence should not be inflicted on anyone. A woman, especially one’s partner, should be given respect, not jabs or strikes, and should be treated with love, not with manipulation or gaslighting. No one, regardless of their gender, stature in life, circumstances, should be subjected to violence that can leave them physically- and psychologicallydamaged, almost on the verge of death.

We emphasize that VAW is a grave human rights violation, and is considered a public crime, as penalized by our laws. VAW is a manifestation of the perpetrators’ flawed sense of entitlement over women, a show of supposed “superiority”, and a play of power dynamics.

Hence, we must condemn VAW in all forms, captured in a video or not, whoever the perpetrators and the victims are.

The catch in this specific case is that the beating was captured on video, and that someone took courage to film the evidence leading to the action from authorities.

If this detestable act was done outside the house, even with the risk of being seen by others, imagine the level of violence that happens behind closed doors, free from onlookers, where victims cry on their own, hoping that the violence will stop, and that someday, their partner will change. (Unfortunately, some fail to.)

The PCW encourages women and girls who fall victim to violence in intimate relationships to speak out and seek help.

While we acknowledge there are several factors that can hinder you as a victim to come forward, we do hope that you can find the courage to report to authorities because your physical, psychological, economic, and sexual well-being can be put in danger.

There is help and hotlines available (including 911 National Emergency Hotline, Aleng Pulis, etc.). Government agencies, especially those with mandates under existing anti-VAW laws, can provide assistance and services to victims, be it security, legal, psychosocial, etc.

The PCW also shares the sentiment of citizens as to the perpetrator being part of the police force. We call on our partners at the Philippine National Police to ensure that a thorough investigation will be conducted, and justice be served. May the agency also continue to inculcate gender-sensitivity to all police officers that they will be protectors of women from violence, not the perpetrators of it. May all partners in this law enforcement agency live up to the pillars of service, honor, and justice.

The PCW recognizes that ending VAW does not happen overnight, and does not entail only a few people and agencies, but the whole of the community. We hope this case will serve as a wake-up call, and as a realization as to the urgency to address the problem.

For VAW cases to decrease, its root cause must be addressed, focusing mainly on gender inequalities. VAW is a manifestation of a patriarchal, misogynistic, and sexist perspective: a view that women are weak, submissive, second-class, and therefore, can be subjected to violence; while men, viewed as strong and macho, can assert dominance and power through abusing his partner.

There is victim-blaming and -shaming, a belief that VAW is away mag-asawa lang, and should be a private matter, and the misconception that there are reasons or causes that can justify hitting a woman. These, and other gender stereotypes/norms and factors that perpetuate violence must be dealt with so we can eradicate the problem of VAW.

The community also has a stake in this problem. If witnesses are able to help victims by reporting VAW to authorities, if service providers strengthen mechanisms and procedures for them, if the public and private sector work together to nip the problem in the bud, we can achieve a VAW-free Philippines.

Until the day that these kinds of violence are eradicated, the PCW will continue to push for the protection of women’s rights and promote actions towards a VAW-free Philippines. (PR)

PPI to innovate for print’s survival

After conducting several online activities during the pandemic, the Philippine Press Institute, also known as the national association of newspapers in the country, will finally hold its back-to-back events in-person on April 24 and 25 at Citadines Bay City Manila.

The highly-anticipated annual National Press Forum, now on its 27th edition, themed Midya at Pandemya: Taking Charge of Journalism Post-Pandemic, and this season’s Civic Journalism Community Press Awards will be held on April 25, in partnership with Nickel Asia Corp. as its longstanding principal partner.

The annual gathering of newspaper owners, publishers, journalists, and media executives from PPI-member publications nationwide will kick off both major events as they elect the PPI trustees and officers.

“We are going full blast with these annual events which PPI members have eagerly waited for. Now is the best time to check on each other, and discuss issues and concerns that have greatly affected newspaper operations,” said PPI executive director Ariel Sebellino.

Also joining the event are educators, students, members of the business community, members of the diplomatic corps, government officials, and representatives from local and international civil society organizations who will participate in various discussions on innovations in journalism, sustainability, and community engagements.

Keynote speaker is Duuya Baatar from Mongolia, a McCain Global Leader for 2022.

Joining her are journalists Ed Lingao from TV5, Inday Espina-Varona from Rappler, Nini Cabaero from WIN/ WAN-IFRA, Francis Allan Angelo from Daily Guardian, Jonathan de Santos from PhilStar.com, and University of Sto. Tomas Prof. Felipe Salvosa II.

The panel will discuss the need for journalists and newsrooms to sustain good journalism, as they leverage on the power of digital platforms and artificial intelligence technology that enhance their news production.

Aware of the current challenges faced by community newspapers in the Philippines, such as declining readership brought about by disruptive technology and innovations, and a changing consumer landscape, PPI Chairman Rolando Estabillo stressed the “need for journalists to recalibrate and step up in the conduct of their work”.

Adding frills to this year’s events are the competitions on the Best Regional Booth, and Best Exhibit of Photos and Pandemic Stories.

Highlighting the two-day events is the Civic Journalism Community Press Awards that will honor outstanding work of the community press in both weekly and daily categories: migration issues, photojournalism, environment, business and economy, editorial page, and editing.

The finalists are: Sun.Star Cebu, Sun.Star Davao, Daily Guardian and Sun.Star Pampanga for the daily category; and Baguio Chronicle, Mindanao Observer, Mabuhay, Dumaguete Metro Post, The Mindanao Cross, Luzonwide News Correspondent, Eastern Visayas Mail, and Lucena Herald for the weekly category. The Dumaguete MetroPost is one of only two finalists among the Visayas weekly newspapers.

The awards program is managed by the Asian Institute of Journalism & Communication.

This year’s events are also supported by Kusog Bikolandia, SM Investments, Unilab, San Miguel Corp., and Citadines Bay City Manila. (PPI)

Senator wants BSKE deferred In Negros Oriental

MANILA – Senator Francis Tolentino on Friday said he is determined to push for the postponement of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in Negros Oriental amid reports of threats and violence in the province

after the killing of the late Governor Roel Degamo.

“My purpose here is one, to have a breathing space; two, to really allow the parties to cool off; and

investigation involved the 10 witnesses under the NBI’s custody, who are former soldiers arrested in succession soon after the Pamplona town massacre on March 4.

The Governor’s widow, Pamplona Mayor Janice Vallega-Degamo, and her group of about 40, left Dumaguete over the weekend to participate in the DOJ investigation, and the probe at the Philippine Senate, which also began Monday.

The DOJ investigation has yet to include Congressman Teves, who has refused to

three, to have a focus on maintenance of peace and order for the forthcoming barangay elections in Negros Oriental. This was concurred in by several local officials present during the Senate hearings,” Tolentino said in an interview aired over ANC’s Rundown. The lawmaker was referring to the hearings conducted by the Senate Committee on Public Order TO PAGE 8

return to the country despite the expiry of his personal travel authority on March 9.

The lawmaker has been suspended by the Philippine Congress for 60 days until May 22, with House Speaker Martin Romualdez acting as caretaker of the 3rd District of Negros Oriental (from Bacong to Basay).

A preliminary investigation was also held on the charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives against Teves’ sons, Axel and Kurt Matthew, in connection with the 2019 triple murder charges. Another hearing is scheduled next month. Lawyer Baligod said the families of the victims are concerned over the delay in issuing subpoenas or warrants.

“Napaliwanag ko naman sa kanila ‘yung proseso, at naiintindihan naman nila, pero dadating din tayo sa objective na makamit ang hustisya para sa lahat. (I was able to explain to them [the families] what due process entails, and that they understand [there could be a few delays] but we will eventually achieve our objective to attain justice for all),” he said. (PNA)

Statement by PH Commission on Women

‘Police force must be protectors not perpetrators’

DEGAMOS....FROM P. 1

Cong. Chiquiting Sagarbarria and Vice Gov. Chaco Sagarbarria lead the grand re-opening of the neighborhood AM-PM Convenience Store, now in a new location along the North Boulevard in barangay Bantayan. (Photo by Syril Repe)

Senator Francis Tolentino (File photo)

Charcoal factory to employ 20K

The country’s first automated eco-friendly Bana Grass Charcoal Facility worth P30 million is set to employ over 20,000 workers to plant bana grass in a 400-hectare land, and to make green charcoal.

The Van Kessel-Mackay Green Energy Company is expected start construction of the bana grass charcoal factory in Ayungon town soon.

Foreign investor Johannes Van Kessel Olie, an oil and energy businessman from the Netherlands, said an estimated of 60 workers per hectare will do the planting of bana grass, while other skilled workers will be assigned in processing the charcoal or briquettes.

MetroPost vies for natl press awards anew

The Dumaguete MetroPost , the only newspaper in Negros Oriental to have won the highly-coveted Civic Journalism Community Press Awards in the past years, is again a finalist for the 2022 awards during the National Press Forum on April 25 in Manila.

The Civic Journalism Community Press Awards will honor outstanding work of the community press in both weekly and daily categories: migration issues, photojournalism, environment, business and economy, editorial page, and editing.

In its relatively young history of 23 years, the MetroPost has won

NPA rebels kill civilians in Guihulngan

Suspected members of the New People’s Army shot and killed two civilians in the mountainous barangay Trinidad in Guihulngan City, close to midnight Tuesday.

The victims were identified as 24-year-old Juven Patagatay Pasinabo, a resident of Barangay Trinidad; and Jinny Boy Rapol Tubias, 29, of Barangay Montelya; both of Moises Padilla town in Negros Occidental.

Reports said the two victims were attending a fiesta in the remote Sition Cambairan in Barangay Trinidad, around 42 kilometers away from the city proper, when four armed men believed to be NPA rebels, arrived.

Two of the suspects approached Pasinabo who was sitting in a chair, and shot him several times.

national awards for Best Editorial Page, Best in Photojournalism, and Best Edited Community Paper.

Other finalists in the weekly newspaper category are the Baguio Chronicle, Mindanao Observer, Mabuhay, The Mindanao Cross, Luzonwide News Correspondent, Eastern Visayas Mail, and Lucena Herald

Only the Dumaguete MetroPost and the Eastern Visayas Mail are Visayasbased finalists, that will compete with the Luzon and Mindanao weeklies.

For the daily newspaper category, the finalists are Sun.Star Cebu, Sun.Star Davao, Daily Guardian and Sun.Star Pampanga

The awards program, the only one of its kind by far, is managed by the Asian Institute of Journalism & Communication.

After conducting several online activities during the pandemic, this will be the first time that the Philippine Press Institute, also known as the national association of newspapers and online publications in the country, will finally hold its back-to-back events in-person, in partnership with Nickel Asia Corp. as its long-standing principal partner.

The highly-anticipated annual National Press Forum is now on its 27th edition, themed Midya at Pandemya: Taking Charge of Journalism Post-Pandemic

NegOr bans Cebu pork

The provincial government of Negros Oriental ordered an indefinite ban on pork and pork products coming from Cebu and other places affected by the African Swine Fever.

Gov. Carlo Jorge Reyes signed Executive Order No. 23, dated April 18, extending the total ban indefinitely, and overriding the March 3 ban order for 45 days.

The total ban is for the entry of live hogs, pork, porkrelated products and by-products, whether raw, processed, or cooked, including frozen boar semen, from the province of Cebu and other ASF-affected areas, through all ports and boundaries of Negros Oriental.

The new EO also prohibits the shipment of live hogs, pork, and all related products to Cebu for 30 days.

Cebu had earlier banned the entry of swine and its by-products from Negros, after it was initially told that the ASF contamination in their Province originated from Negros. Media reports later clarified that it was established that ASF cases were already present in Carcar City in Cebu even before Negros was pinpointed as the “source”.

Dr. Alfonso Tundag, quarantine office of the Bureau of Animal Industry, said Negros Oriental is still ASF-free, and must ensure that the Province is protected from the viral disease that affects pigs.

He said hog traders and raisers had expressed their concern over the latest ban in the Province.

Tundag said about 20,000 to 30,000 heads of pigs were being shipped out of Negros Oriental each month before the ban due to ASF. (Judy F. Partlow/PNA)

The Department of Labor & Employment in Negros Oriental on Tuesday said not all micro, small & medium enterprises are exempted from the implementation of the minimum wage.

Ma. Teresa Tanquiamco, DOLE-Negros Oriental provincial director, during a Kapihan sa PIA forum here, said there are certain criteria and requirements from other government agencies that would categorize whether an MSME is qualified for exemption.

“Our office has received several complaints about why their businesses are not exempted from paying the minimum wage for their workers as well as for income tax,” Tanquiamco said.

She urged these MSMEs to coordinate with the Department of Trade & Industry to be guided accordingly.

DTI-Negros Oriental Public Information Officer

Jade Bato said MSMEs fall under the three classifications (microenterprise, small enterprise and medium enterprise) based on assets, that would determine whether they are exempted from the minimum wage implementation.

The exemption requires a Barangay Micro Business Establishment Certification from the DTI, and another certification for income tax exemption from the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Bato said.

MSMEs considered by the DTI have up to P100 million in assets.

Micro businesses/sole proprietorships are those that have assets P3 million or below; small are those

the hiring of local workers: 70 percent from Ayungon town, and 30 percent skilled workers from other local government units in Negros Oriental, or outside the Province.

In her video message, Sen. Cynthia Villar, committee chair on the Environment, Natural Resources & Climate Change, welcomed the establishment of the green charcoal facility.

Villar said she hopes that the quality of life of the people of Negros Oriental will improve, without sacrificing the environment.

Olie explained that his firm is looking for renewable energy that will turn into green charcoal production as a sustainable and greener response to climate crisis.

Local businessman Luis Ramilo, who heads the Climate Change committee of the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said that several businesses prefer the use of renewable energy source because of its sustainability.

“We intend to replace wood-based charcoal for bana grass which is not only sustainable but it can be harvested every six months, unlike other sources,” Ramilo said.

He added that the Philippines alone needs about 280,000 tons of charcoal on a monthly basis.

The Van Kessel-Mackay Green Energy Company has committed to prioritize

The Senator said bana grass aims to bring down, if not eliminate, the practice of kaingin or slash-andburn of trees which are illegal and destructive to the environment, instead of relying on the traditional way of producing charcoal.

Meanwhile, in her message read by Bana Grass Corp director Atty. Florence Tangente, Sen. Imee Marcos said, “Malaking ambag ito at tulong sa pagsusulong ng sustainable at greener Negros Island maging ating bansa sa kabuuan sa gitna ng lumalalang global climate crisis.”

“Malaki ang magagawa ng Bana Grass Charcoal Facility hindi lang para sa kalikasan, climate change kundi sa mismong pamumuhay ng mga taga Negros,” Marcos added.

Bana grass is a perennial hybrid variety that is highly tolerant to drought and typhoons, pest-resistant and non-allergenic. Its name is derived from livestock feeds crop babala and napier grass. (JCT/PIA7 NegOr)

PNP, Army deployed to mining site

A composite team of Philippine National Police and Philippine Army personnel was deployed on Friday to the mining exploration site in Sta. Catalina town, Negros Oriental to quell the tension between pro- and anti-mining citizens there.

This developed after the Provincial Peace & Order Council on Thursday afternoon approved a resolution that would secure the area at Sitio Tarug, barangay San Francisco in Sta. Catalina in response to Mayor Peve Ligan’s request.

It was also in response to a joint resolution of three barangays – San Francisco, Fatima, and Milagrosa –requesting the Mayor for police visibility, according to Jeff Bungcasan, head of Task Force Gold Mountain created by the Mayor.

The joint team is composed of around 40 personnel from the local and provincial PNP, the Regional Mobile Force-7, and the Army’s

11th Infantry Battalion, Bungcasan said.

“These security forces will be staying there indefinitely, as we still have to determine how serious the threat is, considering there are reports of fighting between those in favor and those who are opposed to mining exploration,” he said in Cebuano.

Sta. Catalina Mayor Ligan on Thursday sought the help of the provincial government after Midan Corp. started its mining exploration for gold at Sitio Tarug last week.

The Korean-owned business had secured a permit from the Mines & Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment & Natural Resources in 2018, and a renewal in 2021.

The area covered by the mining exploration is around 884 hectares.

Meanwhile, Vice Gov. Chaco Sagarbarria said in a separate interview that he is opposed to the mining

Some MSMEs exempted from minimum wage law

Passengers line up under the intense heat to buy their boat tickets at the Dumaguete port, as shipping companies make do with sarisari store-sized ticket offices which may be violating Building Code and business permit requirements.

EDITORIAL

Kangaroo court

If a poll were to be conducted at this time while the Senate Committee on Public Order is holding its public hearing that is broadcast worldwide, it would not be surprising to learn that Cong. Arnolfo Teves Jr. is considered guilty, not just for the March 4 massacre that claimed the lives of Gov. Roel Degamo and eight others in Pamplona, Negros Oriental, but of all other crimes in the Province.

By now, those living outside of Negros Oriental also tend to believe that our Province is truly the country’s version of Wild, Wild West, where justice is done through the barrel of a gun, and that our tourist spots must be empty.

Of course, we who actually live in Negros Oriental know better.

There have been many killings in Negros Oriental. The political angle is just one of them. Many of them have been listed as drug-related crimes, and land disputes.

However, the land disputes have often been complicated by the presence of powerful political clans and influential landowners, who are accused of using violence and intimidation to maintain their control over particular lands.

The situation has been exacerbated by the lack of effective land reform policies, and the slow pace of land distribution.

There were also a series of mysterious killings in July 2019 when 14 people were killed in separate incidents in the Province over the course of two days.

The victims included nine farmers, three policemen, and two civilians, including a former town mayor.

The police version was that the killings were perpetrated by a group of armed men who were suspected of being members of a communist rebel group. Or was it really?

In the wake of the Senate inquiry’s twists and turns, where one offers one juicy piece of information after another, we must take time to remind ourselves that this Senate hearing is not a court of law. This is only a hearing in aid of legislation.

Meaning, the Senators are looking for ways to correct possible lapses in the law that may have allowed such killings to happen.

However, because many people now tend to believe that the Teveses are guilty of the crimes mentioned, the public hearing is actually turning out to be a kangaroo court, and a venue of some politicians for grandstanding in aid of re-election.

Still, we sincerely hope the victims may find the justice that has long eluded them.

whelmayap@yahoo.com

April 21 was a regular holiday in observance of Eid al-Fitr, or the Feast of Ramadan, through Proclamation 201 signed by President Marcos Jr. declaring the holiday to “bring the religious and cultural significance of the Eid alFitr to the fore of national consciousness, and allow the public to join the Muslim community in peace and harmony”.

Translated from Arabic, Eid al-Fitr means “festival of breaking the fast.” It is a time of official receptions and private visits, when friends greet one another, presents are given, new clothes are worn, and the graves of relatives are visited.

The first and last dates of Ramadan are determined by the lunar Islamic calendar ,

occurring on the ninth month, observed by over 1.7 billion Muslims across the world through fasting and praying.

The end of Ramadan is known as Eid al-Fitr is celebrated during the first three days of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.

During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset, with some exceptions especially for those who have health problems. It is a holy month of worship, devoted to the study of the Quran, prayer, and fasting, and occurs during the month in which Muslims believe the Quran began to be revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.

Eid al-Fitr

One of the five pillars of Islam, fasting from dawn to sunset, is obligatory for all adult Muslims who are not acutely or chronically ill, not travelling , the elderly , those breastfeeding, diabetic, or menstruating. The spiritual rewards of fasting are believed to be multiplied during Ramadan.

Accordingly during the hours of fasting, Muslims refrain not only from food and drink, but also from tobacco products , sexual relations , and sinful behavior, devoting themselves instead to prayer and study of the Quran

It is believed that in the month of Ramadan , the Quran revealed “a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the

PEOPLE’S CORNER

DianaBugeya@gmail.com

guidance, and the criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, a number of other days. Allah desires for you ease; He desires not hardship for you; and that you should complete the period, and that you should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that perhaps you may be thankful”.

Muslims devote more time to prayer and acts of charity, striving to improve their self-discipline, believing that “when Ramadan arrives, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of hell are locked up and devils are put in chains.”

Known as the festival of happiness, prayers, feasting, and charity, Eid al-Fitr is observed with massive feasts to fortify unity and togetherness among relatives, friends, neighbors, acquaintances, and even strangers, greeting each other: “May you be blessed with kindness, patience, love; and the blessings of Allah fill your life with happiness, and open all the doors of success now and always. Eid Mubarak!”

Death

in a family is always a difficult time, a time filled with emotion, remembering, regret, uncertainty, and for some, relief that the loved one who has passed on is free of pain and severe discomfort.

For many, these intense emotions are compounded when faced with having to figure out where the deceased will be interred. Not all have the capability to plan for an inevitable event.

For many, because of foresight and blessed with good fortune, burial plots are in place, and it is just a matter

of making arrangements with the cemetery personnel for preparation for internment when the time comes.

I suspect it seldom happens that at one’ s imminent passing, one ’s family is faced with hours of heated debate with another family about ownership of a burial plot, intended for the one who soon may die.

Much as I am loath to publish my story because it brings renewed distress to my family and relatives, it is the only way to alert the public that they better check into their ownership of burial plots at the Dumaguete Memorial Park that they will

have paid for in the distant past. What we have been through, twice now, is not something you’d wish on anyone.

My father, who was a Mason, bought a bank of burial plots at the Masonic Cemetery at the Memorial Park. He was one of the first to make such a purchase. My uncle, his older brother, also did the same, although in lesser numbers. This they did in 1973, paying Mary Davis Amigo, owner of the land, the required fees. She issued handwritten numbered receipts, and

a list (handwritten and typewritten) of the Masons who had purchased at the time, and the plots they were assigned to. Both my father and uncle were assigned contiguous plots, with my father’s bank of seven starting by the road, then followed by my uncle’s own contiguous bank of three, south to north. The list will show many plots still available for purchase by other Masons.

Sometime before 2003, a number of people associated with the Memorial Park decided to lessen the width of each plot so as to have more on the same surface area.

My understanding is that

more Masons wanted to buy plots at the Masonic Cemetery but few lots were available for purchase by that time.

So what would have been a bank of three plots in 1973 now became four plots, 30some odd years later.

Unbeknownst to my family, a new map was drawn, and poetic license was taken in assigning alreadypaid-for plots to others, and moving already-assigned plots to other locations in the cemetery.

Where my family had a bank of contiguous plots,

we now were assigned spots in two locations, two on a walkway no less. Plus, we were shorted by one plot. We’re down to six plots, according to this new map. Why?

If this wasn’t bad enough, a number of our plots were arbitrarily assigned to my uncle’s family.

In my mind, criminality occurred. Plots that were already bought and paid for should not be arbitrarily sold to other parties. This is misappropriation by someone selling that which does not belong to them any longer.

Mental anguish has

occurred. For now, two families are in debate with each other as to who now owns plots that legally belong to my family. And this debate will intensify again when someone else in our families eventually passes away. For it has already happened twice.

This should not happen!

To make matters worse, a plot belonging to a family unrelated biologically to our two families, but related through friendship, has been assigned to my uncle’s family.

Using a copy of the Jan. 27, 2003 map which my uncle’s family has, one can surmise who the authors of the map are – one or both of the names that are reflected on the map. It is not unreasonable to conclude that one or both are responsible for this grievous misdeed.

Unfortunately, they are now deceased, making it impossible to challenge them over what’s been done. The following are no longer around to provide answers: Narciso “Nene” Majarocon Jr. and Engr. Jose Quiambao. Neither is Judge Venancio Aldecoa whose name is listed as contact person.

But the owners of Memorial Park must have documentation that will explain what happened, and if indeed, they had sold already-bought-for and legally-paid-for plots to others, then they have some answering to do, and pay

ATTY. WHELMA SITON-YAP

In a time of grief, this should not happen

DIANA BANOGON-BUGEYA (SHE/HER)

PORT MOODY, CANADA

-- Location, ambience, service, price, and of course, the food flavor one’s dining experience in Dumaguete City. Eateries and restaurant owners understand this well.

But some focus more on the food since customers choose where to dine and drink for the palate’s approval or the stomach’s satisfaction.

The price should also be right, so the affordable places focus on their menu, and the prices, and the other aspects of eating out merely come secondary.

SANSEE LEE VENDIOLA

PEOPLE’S CORNER

Many good restaurants have set shops -- and survive well -- in the City. Most are in the Piapi area like Lab-as, Lantaw, Hayahay Treehouse Bar, Dumaguete Deli, Sierra Hotel restaurant , and the niche restaurants at the reincarnated The Henry Hotel: Sans Rival and Si Señor. I’ve heard of other good eats, but I haven’t found time to visit them during my short visit: Buglas Isla Cafe, Casablanca, and Cafe Racer.

A few restaurants have maintained good reviews over the years, and are favorite

Wings , located just outside St. Paul’s University side gate on Rovira Road.Be warned: Harvey’s ‘Atomic’ hot wings are super spicy, enough to make my tongue and esophagus burn. I had to drink a lot of water to chase the burning sensation away; I wished they sell milk even just to temper down the burning spicy hotness.

The home-churned ice cream at Why Not? by the Rizal Boulevard, and cream of broccoli soup at the Dumaguete Deli in Piapi are delicious enough to visit these

Dgte can be a restaurant-hopping city

The more upscale places, on the other hand, focus on their ambience, and menu, as much as their location and brand name, but at a hefty price. People will pay for great food, anyway.

Dumaguete is a convergence, maybe a divergence, of restaurants and dining experience.

My former favorite restaurant, KRI along Hibbard Ave. across Hibbard Hall, covered the basics nicely. Alas, what once was the KRI restaurant is now a mass and mess of sand, cement, lumber, steel rods, and sweaty workers laboring on a new building.

places to bring visitors and friends and family. For instance, my friends Irma and Myles have driven me separately to Adamo near the Silliman ballfield. Relatives have repeatedly dined with me at Jo’s Chicken Inato which is a stone’s throw away from the Silliman portals. Sans Rival Bistro along Rizal boulevard, and Qyosko on Sta. Rosa Street have been favorite go-to places for me and my friends. In fact, the whole stretch of Rizal Boulevard has a string of good (well, also notso-good) restaurants.

I especially love the hot wings platter at Harvey’s

Republic of the Philippines Congress of the Philippines House of RepresentativesMetro Manila

Nineteenth Congress

First Regular Session

places.

Don’t miss out on the various glutinous rice desserts offered by the public stalls at the Dumaguete Public Market Painitan. The famous budbud sa Tanjay, puto, bico and other native desserts covered in thick tsokolate are enough reason to overlook the apparent sanitation, and ambience problems in an open-air eating place. The prices of the desserts at the Painitan stalls have remained low, too, since their main clients are the common tao Sans Rival continues to offer great desserts, especially

TO PAGE 14

Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-fifth day of July, two thousand twenty-two.

RESOLUTION NO. 53

Resolution expressing the profound condolences of the House of Representatives to the family of Dr. Angel Chua Alcala, National Scientist, professor, author, former Secretary of the Environment & Natural Resources and Former Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education

WHEREAS, on Feb. 1, 2023, well-respected marine biologist and National Scientist Dr. Angel Chua Alcala passed away at the age of 93;

WHEREAS, Dr. Alcala was born on March 1, 1929 to parents Crescenciana Chua and Porfirio Alcala in Caliling, a coastal village in Cauayan, Negros Occidental;

WHEREAS, Dr. Alcala completed his secondary education at Kabankalan Academy, Negros Occidental; obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Biology, magna cum laude from Silliman University, Dumaguete City in 1951; and earned his Master’s degree in Biology from Stanford University in California, United States of America in 1960 and Doctorate degree in Biological Sciences in Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro City in 1966;

WHEREAS, as one of the pillars of Silliman University, Dr. Alcala held various positions aside from being a Professor, such as Silliman University President, Vice-President for Research; Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences; Director of the Silliman University Marine Laboratory which he established in 1974; and Vice-Chairperson of the Silliman Board of Trustees;

WHEREAS, as a pioneer of marine biodiversity and conservation, Dr. Alcala also served in the government as Deputy Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development under the Department of Science and Technology; Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources; and Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education during the term of President Fidel V. Ramos;

WHEREAS, during his long career as a marine biologist, Dr. Alcala was recognized for his important research on the identification of fifty new species or more than ten percent of all known reptiles and amphibians in the Philippines;

WHEREAS, as an acclaimed biologist and conservationist, his most significant contribution to marine biodiversity conservation in the country was the creation of the first artificial coral reef system, which highlighted the importance of marine protected areas in species rehabilitation while providing habitat for local aquatic life, which is now being used throughout Southeast Asia;

WHEREAS, Dr. Alcala’s advocacy for the conservation of marine biodiversity earned him various awards and recognitions including the Oceans Legend, given by the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia during the East Asian Seas Congress in Iloilo City in 2018; ASEAN Biodiversity Hero, awarded by the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity in 2017; the Order of National Scientist, awarded by then President Benigno Aquino III in 2014; Gregorio Y. Zara Medal for Basic Science by the Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science Inc. in 2011; Outstanding Men and Women of Science by the Department of Science & Technology in 2009; Pew Fellow in Marine Conservation by the Pew Fellows Trust in 1999; Outstanding Fulbright Award in Ecology by the Philippine American Educational Foundation in 1996; Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service, given in 1992 for pioneering scientific leadership in restoring and conserving the coral reefs; and Ilaw ng Karunungan Award for Biological Sciences by the Philippine Fulbrighters’ Association in 1983;

WHEREAS, Dr. Alcala was a loving husband to his wife of 70 years, Naomi Lusoc-Alcala, and a dedicated father to their six children: Angelo, Estrilda, Moses, Emily, Grace, and Ely;

WHEREAS, Dr. Alcala was a man of utmost integrity and strong faith, who despite earning national and international recognitions had remained humble, grounded, and thoughtful of the needs of others;

WHEREAS, the demise of this renowned National Scientist is a great loss to his family, friends, and to the country which he sincerely and selflessly served, but his memories and legacy will continue to live, especially on those whose lives were touched and impacted by his life and advocacy: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, to express the profound condolences of the House of Representatives to the family of Dr. Angel Chua Alcala, National Scientist, Professor, Author, former Secretary of the Environment & Natural Resources, and former Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education. Resolved, further, that a copy of this Resolution be given to the bereaved family. Adopted,

(Sgd.) FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ Speaker

This Resolution, in consolidation with House Resolution No. 794, was adopted by the House of Representatives on Feb. 27, 2023.

(Sgd.) REGINALD S. VELASCO Secretary General

Republic of the Philippines Congress of the Philippines

Senate

Pasay City

Nineteenth Congress

First Regular Session

RESOLUTION NO. 46

Resolution expressing the profound sympathy and condolences of the Senate of the Philippines on the Demise of National Scientist Dr. Angel C. Alcala

WHEREAS, Dr. Angel Alcala, Filipino biologist, National Scientist, the first Filipino ASEAN Biodiversity Hero, former Secretary of the Department of Environment & Natural Resources, former Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education, and former President of Silliman University, passed away on 1 February 2023 at the age of 93;

WHEREAS, in 2014, Dr. Alcala was named a National Scientist of the Philippines through Proclamation No. 782 signed by former President Benigno Aquino III, in recognition of his research on the ecology and diversity of Philippine amphibians and reptiles, marine biodiversity, and marine-protected areas;

WHEREAS, through his research, Dr. Alcala, along with his peers, added 50 new species of amphibians and reptiles out of the 400 known species in the Philippines. This gave international conservationists a reliable basis for establishing conservation programs on Philippine vertebrate biodiversity. Other subjects of his research were taxonomy and ecology of Philippine amphibians and reptiles supported by grants from the US National Science Foundation in Stanford University, and the California Academy of Sciences, of which he is an Honorary

WHEREAS,Fellow;Dr. Alcala established the Sumilon Marine Reserve in Southern Cebu in 1974 and the Apo Marine Reserve in Southern Negros in 1982. Thereafter, a dozen similar marine reserves in Bohol Sea were established because of his advocacy;

WHEREAS in 2017, Dr. Alcala was named an ASEAN Biodiversity hero, making him the first Filipino to be awarded such accolade, in recognition of his pioneering advocacy in the establishment of MPAs in the Philippines, as well as his contributions to biodiversity conservation and in helping communities make their natural resources sustainable;

WHEREAS, Dr. Alcala received many other recognitions for his passionate work toward protecting the Philippine marine ecosystem, including the Guggenheim Fellowship for Natural Sciences in the category for Organismal Biology and Ecology in 1963, the Ramon Magsaysay Award for pioneering scientific leadership in 1992, the Field Museum Founders’ Council Award of Merit for his contributions to environmental biology in 1994, and membership to the Fulbright Philippines Hall of Fame in 2018;

WHEREAS, Dr. Alcala authored or co-authored more than 200 papers and books on Philippine herpetology, marine science, MPAs and biodiversity conservation in collaboration with noted scientists like Dr. Walter C. Brown and Dr. Garry Russ. Named in his honor are two species of Philippine snakes (Lycodon alcalai and Opisthotropis alcalai) and one species of nudibranch (Chromodoris alcalai);

WHEREAS, as the Filipino nation mourns his passing, it is important to strengthen the institutional support for efforts toward marine biodiversity conservation in honor and continuation of Dr. Alcala’s work and advocacy: Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate of the Philippines to express its profound sympathy and condolences on the demise of National Scientist Dr. Angel C. Alcala; Resolved further, that a copy of this Resolution be furnished to the bereaved family of Dr. Alcala.

Adopted,

(Sgd.) JUAN MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI

President of the Senate

This Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 1, 2023.

(Sgd.) RENATO N. BANTUG Jr.

Secretary of the Senate

Republic of the Philippines Province of Negros Occidental City of Sipalay Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod

Excerpt from the minutes of the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Sipalay, Negros Occidental, held at the Session Hall on Tuesday, the 7th day of February 2023

Present:

Hon. Oscar C. Montilla Jr., City Vice-Mayor & Regular Presiding Officer

Hon. Genaro G. Alvarez IV, City Councilor

Hon. Leslie C. Alejano, City Councilor

Hon. Jonathan G. Eran, City Councilor

Hon. Ulysses C. Hisona, City Councilor

Hon. Rome A. Vargas, City Councilor

Hon. Ellaine Pearl G. Palma, City Councilor

Hon. Janewill L Selga, City Councilor

Hon. Claudio P. Bacatan, City Councilor

Hon. Elir D. Borres, Liga ng mga Barangay President

Hon. Novey Leen A. Molejon, SK Federation President

Absent:

Hon. Dennis V. Galvan, City Councilor (on official travel)

Hon. Bobby R. Domingo Sr., City Councilor (on forced leave)

RESOLUTION NO. 2023-022

A resolution expressing deepest sympathy to the bereaved family of the late Dr. Angel Chua Alcala, former Secretary of the Department of Environment & Natural Resources, a National Scientist, considered the “father” of Marine Protected Areas, and the Vice Chairperson of the Silliman University Board of Trustees at the time of his death

WHEREAS, the late Dr. Angel Chua Alcala was born in the Municipality of Cauayan, Negros Occidental on March 1, 1929, and died on February 1, 2023 at age 94, leaving his wife, children, grandchildren, relatives and friends in grief;

WHEREAS, the late Dr. Angel Chua Alcala is a National Scientist and considered the “father” of Marine Protected Areas; was the Vice-Chairperson of the Silliman University Board of Trustees at the time of his death; was appointed the 9th President of Silliman University in 1991 but served only for two years after he became the Department of Environment & Natural Resources Secretary during the administration of then President Fidel V. Ramos;

WHEREAS, former President Benigno Simeon Aquino III conferred on Dr. Angel Chua Alcala the Order of National Scientist of the Philippines Award in the field of Biological Sciences for his research work on Amphibians and Reptiles Marine Biodiversity and Marine Protected Areas in 2014; he also received an Award of Guggenheim Fellowship for Natural Sciences, in the United States and Canada; and published a book titled Books on Philippine Amphibians: An Illustrated Field Guide;

WHEREAS, the City Government of Sipalay mourns the loss of a great man whose extra ordinary contribution and expertise in the field of marine science and resource management have bolster LGU capability and political will to aggressively adopt, replicate, follow and comply the standard protocols and technical norms thereof;

WHEREAS, Dr. Angel Chua Alcala is survived by his wife for 70 years, Naomi Lusoc- Alcala, and their children and families: Angelo, Estrilda, Moses, Emily, Grace, and Ely;

WHEREAS, the death of the late Dr. Angel Chua Alcala is mourned not only by his family, relatives, friends, fellow public servants, but also by those into whose hearts he had found his way;WHEREAS, this good-natured man would sadly be missed and will surely be lovingly remembered as a husband, public servant, father, grandfather, brother, relative and many more, rolled into one, over whose demise could only be told by hearts that love him;

WHEREAS, saddened by his death, this resolution is being passed with the hope that this would help assuage the pain in the hearts of those who love him and to let them know that they are not alone in their moment of great loss.

-NOW, THEREFORE-

BE IT RESOLVED by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Sipalay, Negros Occidental to express deepest sympathy to the bereaved family of the late Dr.Angel Chua Alcala, Former Secretary of the Department of Environment & Natural Resources, a National Scientist, considered the “Father” of Marine Protected Areas, and the Vice Chairperson of the Silliman University Board of Trustees at the time of his death.

ADOPTED this 7th day of February 2023, on motion of Councilor Claudio P. Bacatan, jointly seconded by Councilor Genaro G. Alvarez IV, Councilor Leslie C. Alejano, Councilor Jonathan G. Eran, Councilor Ulysses C. Hisona, Councilor Rome A. Vargas, Councilor Ellaine Pearl G. Palma, Councilor Janewill L. Selga, Liga ng mga Barangay President Elir D. Borres, and SK Federation President Novey Leen A. Molejon.

I HEREBY CERTIFY to the correctness of the foregoing resolution. Attested and certified to be duly adopted:

(Sgd.) OSCAR C. MONTILLA JR.

City Vice-Mayor Regular Presiding Officer

activities in Sta. Catalina.

Mayor Ligan had sought the Vice Governor’s help in a closed-door meeting on Thursday.

“That [mining] is very damaging to the environment, and I have heard many stories from other local government units that it’s been abused, destroying the ecosystem and forests,” Sagarbarria said partly in Cebuano.

Besides, he added, only a “few selected people” can benefit from gold mining.

Vice Governor Sagarbarria said he will assist the Sta. Catalina LGU in its quest to have the mining exploration halted before it is too late. (Judy F. Partlow/PNA)

The suspects, according to witnesses, shouted in Cebuano “NPA mi! Hapa ang walay labot!” (We are NPAs! Those who have nothing to do with this, duck!)

Pasinabo died on the spot due to multiple gunshot wounds.

Tubias, an employee of the Guihulngan local government unit, on the other hand, did not duck, and instead gave instructions to the person in charge of the sound system to shut it down.

The other two armed men dragged him to a dark area where he was shot and killed.

Lt. Col. Romeo Cubo, Guihulngan police chief, said the second victim was a collateral damage, while Pasinabo was previously arrested during massive police operations a few years back for illegal possession of firearms.

Cubo said they are still trying to determine the motive in the killing of Pasinabo. (Judy F. Partlow/ PNA)

SOME MSMES....FROM P. 3

with not more than P50 million; and medium are those that have up to P100 million, Bato said.

Only businesses classified as micro or sole proprietorship qualified under BMBE are excluded from the minimum wage, she added.

The BMBE Certification has a two-year validity, and upon expiry, an inspection or validation will be conducted to see if they still qualify for renewal or not, especially if the business’s assets have grown, Bato said.

There are about 9,000 registered MSMEs in Negros Oriental, with about 90 percent categorized as small, and have BMBE Certification, she added.

Meanwhile, Tanquiamco said her office has 132 pending requests for assistance for the settlement of underpayment of wages and non-payment of benefits.

She reassured the public they are strictly implementing the minimum wage law, and conducting regular inspections to determine if business establishments are complying with the law. ( Judy F. Partlow/ PNA)

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given to all parties who wish to participate in the Public Hearing (HYBRID: Face-to-Face and Online via Zoom) for the proposed Philippines SCIP2 Cable Project Segments 2.8 and 2.9 of DITO Telecommunity Corporation. Details on the Public Hearing are seen below:

Date/Time Tagbilaran Site and Carcar Site (Seg 2.9); May 9, 2023/ 1:00M

Toledo Site and Vallehermoso Site (Seg 2.8): May 10, 2023/

1:00PM

Venue Tagbilaran Site: Talisay Beach, Talisay Road, Brgy. Taloto, Tagbilaran City, Bohol Carcar Site: Barangay Hall, Brgy. Ocana, Carcar City, Cebu Toledo Site: Barangay Hall, Brgy. Bato, Toledo City, Cebu Vallehermoso Site: Open Fishport, Brgy. Poblacion, Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental

Brief Project Description

Proponent

The Philippines SCIP2 Cable System is a domestic submarine fiber optic system that connects nineteen (19) sites with eleven (11) cable segments in the Philippines.

The proposed cable Segment 2.9 from Carcar City, Cebu to Tagbilaran City, Bohol will track a cable distance of estimated 58.895 kilometers. While Segment 2.8 from Vallehermoso, Negros Oriental to Toledo City, Cebu will track a cable distance of estimated 29.773 kilometers

DITO Telecommunity Corporation

The Public Hearing aims to achieve efficient exchange of information and views between and among project proponent, the EMB-DENR, relevant agencies, LGU’s and other stakeholders on environmental impacts of the proposed project currently applying for Environmental Compliance Certificate.

Those who would like to join online via Zoom Meeting, the details are found below:

Zoom Details Tagbilaran Site and Carcar Site (Seg 2.9): May 9, 2023/ 1:00PM

Zoom Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/i/87622536446?pwd=WVljWnRaRnBpYn

pua1FKTIIJNWkwdz09

Meeting ID: 876 2253 6446

Passcode: DITO

Toledo Site and Vallehermoso Site (Seg 2.8): May 10, 2023/ 1:00PM

Zoom Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/i/89068963671?pwd-dmhzdDllbDFIWU

0weUM2boRtSE4xZz09

Meeting ID: 890 6896 3671

Passcode: DITO

For more information, you may send an email thru r7eiapermitting@emb. gov.ph or rigelkentcdg@gmail.com or pip@benline.com.ph.

MetroPost 2023 April 23 • April 30

NOTICE

The public is hereby informed that EMILIA S. AMOR-CIELO, ELMO

S. AMOR, DULCE S. AMOR and REYNALDO S. AMOR, all of Dumaguete City, Philippines, as heirs of RUDY SISON AMOR, have executed an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE AND WAIVER OF SHARE IN THE PROPERTIES over the U.S. Dollar Time Deposit of Rudy Sison Amor at the Bank of the Philippine Islands with account number 1088-3222-03; BPI Perdices Branch Savings Account number 1083375619 with account name

Rudy Sison Amor or Emilia S. Amor-Cielo; U.S. Dollar Account with BPI Perdices Branch, Dumaguete City, under SA/No. 1084010142 with account name Rudy Sison Amor and Emilia S. Amor Cielo; in Dumaguete City on December 21, 2022 and is registered as Doc. No. 156; Page No. 33; Book No. XIV Series of 2022 in the Notarial Register of Atty. Gloria G. Futalan.

MetroPost 2023 April 16 • April 23 • April 30

NOTICE

The public is hereby informed that NEIL TEVES SALMA, JORDAN TEVES SALMA, as heirs of BALTAZAR SALMA and MELISSA T. SALMA of Tanjay City, Negros Oriental have executed an EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT AND SALE OF PARCELS OF LAND in favor of IRVIN LEMUEL ABUDA BALLENA and JENNIFER ORLINO BALLENA, of Tanjay City, over the following parcels of land known as Lot 1, Block 1, Pcs07-004497, covered by Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-37906; Lot 2, Block 1, Pcs-07-004497, covered by Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-37907 and Lot 4, Block 9, Pcs 07-004497, covered by Transfer Certificate of Title No. T-38010; on January 17, 2023 in Tanjay City, which is registered as Doc. No. 499, Page No. 101, Book No. I, Series of 2023 in the Notarial Register of Atty. Krizea Marie Kiamco Duron.

MetroPost 2023 April 9 • April 16 • April 23

Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES

OFFICE OF THE PENR OFFICER Negros Oriental LEASE OF PUBLIC LAND

Notice is hereby given that the Department of Environment & Natural Resources PENRO-Negros Oriental, Larena Drive, Taclobo, Dumaguete City will accept sealed bids not later than 10:00 a.m. on JULY 5, 2023 for the lease for commercial purposes of the tract of land herein described:

Location of Land : Bangcolotan, Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental

Description : Miscellaneous Lease Application No.074625-12

Boundaries : Northeast : Lot No. 944-F-2 (LRC), Psd-248932

Southeast : Public Land Southwest : Public Land Northwest : Public Land

Area : 918 square meters

Appraised of Value : Land: P560.00 per square meter

Or P514,080.00 for the whole tract

Proposed/Existing improvements : P114, 350.00

Applied for : Commercial Purposes

Applicant : Enrica Recto

The right to lease the land will be awarded to the person offering the highest annual rental, which shall not be less than three per centum (3%) of the value of the land plus one per centum (1%) of the value of the proposed and/or existing improvements. In order that a person may be entitled to participate in the bidding, he/she must be a qualified public land applicant, and must, before the commencement of the same, make a deposit equivalent to at least three months rental. Only deposit in cash, money order, treasury warrant, certified checks, cashier’s check or manager’s check can be accepted. A person bidding in representation of another may do so under duly-executed power of attorney. During the bidding, the bidder has to make an additional deposit every time his bid is raised shall not be accepted, the right is reserved to reject any or all bids. The successful bidder, if other than the applicant, must reimburse the latter of the value of the improvements if any, and the expenses incurred for the publication of the Notice of Auction and the survey of the land.

Dumaguete City, Philippines, March 20, 2023

VIERNOV D. GREFALDE OIC, PENRO Officer

PNP....FROM P. 3

NPA....FROM P. 3

CATCHING MOMENTS....FROM P. 12

and expressive portraiture of a woman with butterfly wing ears; and Jonee Jibe’s “Noe’s Space,” a beguiling work of acrylic on canvas that functions very much like a dream: you see a playground swing done up in barber’s stripes occupying beyond a forbidding arc, and silhouetted by either moon or sun, all the while flooded by undulating flesh-colored blobs that feel threatening but have the texture of cotton candy dreams. I live for images like this— because they are truly Rorschach tests. My favorite remains Dolly Sordilla’s “Daisy,” a gorgeous sculptural work from polymer clay, epoxy clay, synthetic glass, synthetic hair, resin, and acrylic paint, which depicts a girl with a sunflower for one eye taking a walk— but walking via the animated tendrils of her blue hair. It speaks nightmare, it speaks delightful anime; it reminds me of the dark fantasies of Neil Gaiman.

both of which depict men of the laboring class going about their daily work [one is a potter, and the other is a peddler of plastic wares], are representational works of painstaking photorealism that Sid has become known for [although I still stand on my conviction that his sculptural works made from old ballpens represented a major departure for his art]; and two others are more conceptual— and almost invisible if you do not pay attention: Jan Alix’s “Terminals” occupy ceiling space, an installation of playing cards and strings that for the artist call attention to “the intentions of what we make [which] are evident in the ethics of how we create,” and Ma. Isabel Gutang’s “Work Transfer” occupies the floor space, which litters it with paper on which are printed assorted diagrams and texts and pictures, occasionally threaded by shoe marks. Both are ciphers done well.

Proquackstinate in Arte Gallery runs until April 23, and Hue in Shelter Gallery runs until May 5.

But the gorgeous details of it all—the sculpted hair, the knitted dress, the blue eye, the sunflower—reminds me once again that Dolly is one of my favorite Dumaguete artists whose work I want to see more and appreciated more.

The other works in the group exhibition do not exactly epitomize pop art: two are pure abstraction, including Daniel Vincent Fabros’ “Exotiq 2,” which is a delightful uncut gem of a canvas pulsating in shades of emerald and amethyst and garnet, and Amber Tashiro’s “Liberosis,” which is a ravishing Zen-like work almost delicate in its deliberate use of dots and shades and shape; Sid Labe’s “Mangtaso’ng Kahanas” and “Bulawanong Bahandi,”

N. ASTARIE INCORPORATED

Mobile 0929-246-0623

and Dangerous Drugs on the Degamo killing, as well as other political assassinations that recently happened in different parts of the province.

Tolentino however clarified that Negros Oriental is capable to push through with the BSKE but said it is better to take the available precautions.

“It’s not really an admission [that Negros Oriental’s peace and order situation is unsuitable to the conduct of any elections at this point] but we don’t want to take the risk. We don’t want to have both parties coming up with something that would later on provide a means to threats and violence, and would later on blame this to the PNP (Philippine National Police), the Army, and even the government,” he said.

In response to Tolentino’s proposal, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) noted that there are “stringent” requirements under the law to postpone the BSKE, and any other postponement, which can only last for 30 days.

Comelec chairperson

George Garcia admitted that the poll body can hold off the BSKE in a certain area.

“Although admittedly, we have the power to postpone the election in an area,” Garcia said assuring that Comelec will study the proposal.

Tolentino thinks the said requirements can be complied with and the 30day postponement of BSKE in Negros Oriental is enough. (PNA)

Ogahong Road, Palinpinon

6215 Valencia, Negros Oriental WE ARE HIRING

Operations Manager / Chocolatier

Good opportunity for hands-on experience requiring a wide range of management skills in the Dumaguete area. The Operations Manager / Chocolatier must be able to adapt to a variety of demands and changing priorities typical to a small start-up enterprise. The successful applicant must have the following qualifications:

Fluent in English and French, both written and spoken. Valid driving license for motorcycles and vehicles.

Minimum 2 years of experience making chocolate.

Minimum 2 years of experience managing and training Filipino staff.

Responsibilities include:

• Set-up of chocolate laboratory and equipment to conform with FDA standards and international industry best practices.

• Manufacture consistent, high-quality chocolates.

• Conduct harvest of cacao beans and controlled processing of beans.

• Maintain records of production and quality control of finished products along with weekly inventory reports of raw materials and final products.

• Document and maintain current versions of all processes for FDA approval, and maintain records of all testing and ensure that testing is conducted according to internal procedures or by a qualified external laboratory.

• Maintain basic bookkeeping records of expenses and sales.

Develop new sales outlets including shipping and export of products.

• Report progress and issues in regular investor meetings.

SENATOR....FROM P. 2

Dolly Sordilla’s Daisy

Amber Tashiro’s Liberosis

Emeliana Y. Cagang from Guihulngan City, born in 1923, receives the Centenarian Award from Negros Oriental officials. The recognition for a “healthy lifestyle, good living, and the gift of life from God” comes with a cash gift of P100,000. (Photo by Jing Villaflores)

THE WIDE READER

By Ian Rosales Casocot

Catching moments and some whimsy

Theextraordinary thing sometimes about art we’ve come to love is to see them with completely fresh eyes.

I have always loved Hersley-Ven Casero’s “Catch a Moment” photo series, ever since he started prowling the streets and byways of Dumaguete more than a decade ago to, well, “catch moments” with his camera. Knowing what I know about how he goes about this, every snapshot I see still takes my breath away, because there seems to be nothing rehearsed about any of it—just a pure moment from life distilled into one photo, an element or two in it organically surprising, like beholding unexplained magic.

I’ve written about his process before, how he’d put himself into specific spots, observing everything in the urban landscape before him, and always waiting for a literal voice floating near his head who prompts him with a simple command: “Now.” And then he’d click. The reality of getting it all in breathtaking composition, honed after years of study and technical know-how, only adds to that magic of obeying an unexplained inner prompt. [My insistence on the use of the word “magic” is deliberate, especially if you know where Hersley comes from.]

can also very well say they are mirrors to the bundle of nerves I call my life. [Perhaps also yours? Welcome to the club!]

IN A

TIME....FROM

P. 4 restitution to all aggrieved parties.

It appears that one can no longer get a copy of the original map created in 1973.The Memorial Park management will not provide a copy of the original map. I wonder why not?

But I have recreated it based on the lists mentioned earlier, and the existence of lapidas (headstones) of Masons who died before 2003.

I’m glad my mom and sister were pack rats because we have all our legal papers to prove rightful ownership if this has to be resolved in court. And we will go to court if we have to.

Between our original receipts and plot assignment documents issued in 1973 and my cousins’ original receipts issued in 1980, resulting in their having a total of eight plots, we should have a strong case against Memorial Park management.

Death and saying goodbye to a loved one is no laughing matter.

But before going to court, hopefully a dialogue with the Memorial Park management with our combined documents will result in a redress of my family’s situation, and an appropriate and acceptable assignment of burial plots for my cousins.

Equally important, and not to be forgotten, who else out there will now discover they have a debate on their hands when a family member dies and needs to be buried in a plot claimed by two families? I hope they, too, are pack rats.

its famous silvanas. Halohalo in many dining places is always a hit, especially when the mercury soars.

I also enjoyed the complimentary breakfast at Sintral of The Bricks Hotel by the Rizal Boulevard, so I imagine that it offers delicious fares for lunch and dinner, too. Yet, I prefer my breakfast of native delicacies -- personally nostalgic, at a super low price -- at the Painitan of the public market.

Coffee drinkers have a number of great places to savor the aroma of the hot beverage. Local food and drinks blogger and awardwinning creative writer, Ian Rosales Casocot, has praises for a few coffee places -incidentally his favorite places to relax, and to write in -- like the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf along Flores Avenue, and Cafe Estacion along Calle Sta. Rosa.

5 centenarians get P100k each

The provincial government of Negros Oriental has handed over P 100,000 cash gift each to five centenarians.

Provincial Social Welfare & Development Officer Rosa Emilia Banquerigo told the media on Wednesday that the P100,000 cash assistance was from the provincial government. They also received a plaque of appreciation.

Another P100,000 will also be given to the beneficiaries from the national government, she added.

The centenarians received the financial aid on their 100th birthday, Banquerigo said, adding that this is in line with the implementation of Republic Ac 10868 or “An Act Honoring and Granting Additional Benefits to Filipino Centenarians and for the Other Purposes”.

The first to receive assistance was Emeliana Cagang from Guihulngan City on April 17.

The other three, Severo Angcon from Pamplona town, Felisa Verzano, and Patricia Bungcasan from Valencia town, received the checks on April 18.

On Wednesday, the fifth centenarian, Patricia De Arca of Mabato, Ayungon, got her check.

Banquerigo said more centenarians are to receive their cash gifts after completing the requirements.

The national government counterpart is also under process, she said. Judy

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F. Partlow/(PNA)

I’m sure, like me, Ian also misses Poppy Coffee & Cupcakes, the former coffee shop right by the entrance of Portal West. I chanced upon this very talented young writer sipping cups of coffee while pounding on his laptop keyboard, I suppose writing something juicy and creative.

Poppy was my main hangout during my previous visits to Dumaguete in preCoViD times. Through the big glass windows of the air-conditioned coffeeshop, I used to watch Sillimanians go in and out of Silliman, hoping to catch familiar faces, and catch up with old friends and acquaintances.

During my last visit in Dumaguete, my favorite hang-out dining place was a quaint little hole-in-the-wall, Dekada 80, by the corner of Luke Wright and Perdices Street. In fact, I purposely stayed at a few hotels near

Dekada 80 to conveniently have my gastronomic fill, and feel the old-time ambience and friendship of Silliman alumni of the 1980’s. The affordable and chic place is owned by my BFFs Edco (Judge Eldred Cole) and Bebong (Maria Cole-Havranek). Both kindred spirits are vivacious hosts, and every minute worth my visit. Never a dull moment with these highly-animated and chatty sisters.

And their champorado, bico ducut , dinuldog , and spicy wings combo are worth every peso I paid. (And I look forward to the transfer of Dekada 80 to the corner spot at Harrold’s Hotel soon).

Truly, my brief and notso-successful business trip in Dumaguete was still made more memorable and enjoyable by my restauranthopping. Food can soothe a weary soul.

In any case, I and many others have enjoyed these gorgeous photos from his walks around town over the years, many of us claiming certain favorites. His sepia photo of a Dumaguete street complete with a tricycle, with the morning glimmer of the Rizal Boulevard in the distance, is mine. He also has a shot of children playing with wheels and running through a smokedrenched road is another. [Come to think of it, I do have a thing for sepia!]

And now to see that latter photo in a way I’ve never seen it before: in glorious, gigantic reproduction, 41.33 x 61.41 inches in size, and printed with pigmented ink on smooth cotton rag! The result is an immersive experience with the photos, as if privileged with stepping into the reality they offer. I have always wanted to have a photo exhibit like this in Dumaguete, but have always felt it would remain a dream: no Dumaguete printer is capable of printing photos in this size, and if there are any, the cost would probably be prohibitive. Now that it has come true with this exhibit, Onion Kids: Homecoming , in MUGNA Gallery [Unit 1, Uypitching Building, Jose E. Romero Road, Bong-ao, Valencia], it feels like a dream fulfilled.

And what a dream! Because I’m seeing this photo with details I have missed before: the density of the smoke, the griminess of the dirt, the prints on the children’s shirts, the fullness of the shadows, the texture of the foliage. And the joy that bounces off the kinetic energy of the children becomes more magnified.

Hersley’s photos have always had that ingredient of joy. You can never find a note of dourness in them. In his photos, people fly into the sea, swim beds of onions, chase balloons, chase each other. [Heck, one of his iconic photos, which has traveled the world over and has become a meme, is that of a laughing kid!] I think people respond to that joy instinctively, which has made Hersley perhaps the most appreciated Dumaguete visual artist of his generation today.

The exhibit runs until 7 May 2023.

There seems to be an whirlwind of pop art brewing in Dumaguete these days.

Last April 5, Arte Gallery Café [2nd Floor, Allegre Building, Rizal Avenue] opened the first solo exhibition of Moshi Dokyo, a testament to delightful chaos the artist calls Proquackstinate. And peering closer into the exhibition, it becomes also a testament to the bewildering “gifts” of anxiety and doubt and rage. Looking at the whole caboodle of it, I

Because what do you have here? A rash of confessional works that speak of a chaotic mental state, but acknowledging that chaos with whimsy and artistry, and rendering it into a playful landscape of color and lines. One work in a particular is a triptych of paintings, all portraits, that show the evolution of the subject—most likely the artist himself—from a state of edgy calm to a state of full-on rage, all three marked by fiery all-seeing eye floating, like a signifier of anxiety, on the subject’s head. The eye rages more with its fieriness as the pictures evolve, the rage made even more animated when the flames burst out of the confines of the painting’s frames. This work would have been terrifying if it were not, somehow, also funny. Which I guess is a double-edgedness I see embedded in the very nature of much of pop art: they can contain all sorts of expression, even maddening ones, but somehow the best of them retain an element of playfulness that provide us an ironic distance from the emotions at play. I like that. I like seeing the rage, and acknowledging its anger, but I also like being able to laugh at it. That is a good recipe for catharsis.

The fiery all-seeing eye is a motif that touches most of the works in Proquackstinate, including an installation piece that makes use of it as an emblem to a kind of altar, complete with another triptych set of portrait caricatures—perhaps depicting the artist and his fellow artist friends—in lines that evoke a weariness, a certain madness. Is this the artist’s way of acknowledging the pain that comes about when you come to the worship of the artistic life? I’m not exactly sure, but that’s how I read it. And the subtext everywhere else seems to be pain—we see a bloodied nail, a bisected dog, a plane window surrounded by objects of despair, a wall of graffiti that reminds us of the zany madness of the underground artist Robert Crumb.

And yet, despite all that pain and all that expression of anxiety, what transcends is an antithetical brightness. I like that duality;

that is the essence of life—to know that undergirding all our brightness is also a consuming darkness, and vice versa. Life— and mental health—is not a monolith: I can both cry and laugh at the same time.

Moshi Dokyo carries over that playfulness—and thematic duality— in another work that’s part of a group exhibition, Hue , that recently opened in Shelter Gallery [Angatan, Tabuctubig]. In “Moshpit Aftermath,” Moshi’s contribution to the collection, we find the same tortured, fire-ravaged figure on canvas, but it comes with a more sinister twin: a work that reminds you of an emergency box glass casing, but inside, there’s a facsimile of a gun [dolled up in baby blue], and on the casing itself, a message: “Breakdown in Case of Emergency.” I found that play of words chilling: not “break glass” but “breakdown,” like an invitation to despair willingly. Why does Moshi Dokyo’s work feel like therapy?

Many of the other works in the group exhibition also take pop art’s cue, including Jascer Merced’s resin and acrylic renditions of Gandalf and Frodo from The Lord of the Rings; Skye Benito’s “Psyche,” a splendid

PEOPLE’S CORNER....FROM P.

Moshi Dokyo’s first solo exhibit, Proquackstinate, at Arte Gallery

Catching Hersley-Ven Casero’s Onion Kids: Homecoming in MUGNA Gallery