Dumaguete Metropost, November 13, 2022 edition

Nat’l Museum declares Belfry as ‘cultural property’

The Diocese of Dumaguete, through its Commission on Church Cultural Heritage, is now preparing for the installation of a marker by the National Museum declaring the Cathedral Belfry here as an Important Cultural Property.

Msgr. Julius Perpetuo Heruela, chair of the Commission on Church Cultural Heritage, on Monday said the marker will be installed at the century-old belfry of the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria, also known as the Campanario de Dumaguete, on Nov. 23.

“We are happy this has now come to fruition as it is really important to recognize the Cathedral Belfry not only for its religious, but historical significance to the people, the City, and the Church,” Heruela said in mixed English and Cebuano.

The National Museum had earlier sent teams to inspect the watch tower, which was built sometime in the 1800s, to warn residents from Moro invaders coming to this capital city and nearby areas.

With its declaration as an ‘Important Cultural Property’, the National Museum will now have the implementing authority and responsibility for the maintenance of the Campanario, Heruela said.

“The belfry was declared as an ICP because it has unique cultural properties found locally, possessing outstanding historical, cultural, artistic, and scientific value, which necessitates the structure’s protection and conservation,” he added.

The National Museum had made the declaration some time in 2020 but due to the CoViD-19

Until 2025 NegOr focus: health

Roel Degamo spoke of his flagship program, HELP, according to a media release from the Capitol provincial information office issuedHELPThursday.stands for Health, Education, Livelihood, Projects for Peace & Development, which will be the provincial administration’s priorities.

The health sector plans include boosting the workforce of the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital.

The Governor “intends to do this by providing scholarship programs for nurses and other medical professionals, aside from the current scholarship for doctors,” the release said.

Highlighting the need to further bring medical services closer to the people, particularly those in remote areas, the Governor plans to build a district hospital in barangay Dawis in Bayawan City.

He said he also hopes to complete the construction of a community hospital in Tamlang Valley in the south, which straddles the boundaries of Sta. Catalina, Pamplona, and Valencia.

The Governor called on the health sector to draw up initiatives that would improve medical services, such as interventions and strategies, to prevent diseases more than just providing curative care.

Meanwhile, the Governor assured full support for the education sector by allocating funds to improve school buildings, and address the needs of learners.

He also plans to give a one- year P5.5-million budget to address sustainability concerns for livelihood programs.

He likewise called on the agricultural sector to increase the production of fish and crops, particularly rice and corn, to ensure food security in the Province.

On livelihood, the Governor said he would help people’s organizations, and aid programs of the Technical Education & Skills Development Authority.

Regarding safety concerns, the Governor said he would continue to coordinate with the Armed Forces to resolve the communist insurgency. (Judy F. Partlow/ PNA)

Board Member Ikay Villanueva gestures as she discusses with her fellow Provincial Board Members, headed by Vice Gov.Guido Reyes, and with Gov. Roel Degamo during the three-day Executive-Legislative Agenda meeting in Cebu City. (Photo by Jing Villaflores)

Negros Oriental will prioritize health care and other related sectors until 2025.

Cong. Chiquiting Sagarbarria (center) inaugurates a road concreting project in barangay Enrique Villanueva in the town of Sibulan. The road concreting, which began in 2020, was completed with a project cost of P36 million. Present during the inauguration were local residents, Enrique Villanueva Barangy Capt. Balbino Muskas (4th from left), and (after Congressman Sagarbarria:) Sibulan Vice Mayor Dirkie Fontelo, Councilor Bong Abada, and Dennies Omoso. (Photo by Loi Patrocinio)

In his talk at the opening of the Province’s Executive- Legislative Agenda planning workshop on Wednesday, Gov.

NEWS and UPDATES

Indigent seniors to get aid

About 3,067 indigent senior citizens identified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office Regional Office 7 will be receiving their social pensions at P 3, 000.00 for each beneficiary on November 15 at the Barangay Talay Evacuation Center.

The Office of Senior Citizens Affairs and City Social Welfare and Development Office will oversee the distribution of the social pension covering the 4th quarter of Calendar Year 2022 will be orderly and safe for the elderly based on the schedule.

NOVEMBER 15 (MORNING) Camanjac, Poblacion 5, Poblacion 6, Pulantubig, Bagacay, Mangnao, Poblacion 4, Calindagan, Poblacion 3, Piapi, Poblacion 2, Taclobo, Balugo, Daro, Poblacion 8, Junob and Banilad.

NOVEMBER

15 (AFTERNOON) Bantayan, Bajumpandan, Cadawinonan, Batinguel, Tabuc-tubig, Cantil-e, Buñao, Talay, Looc, Poblacion 7, Candau-ay, Poblacion 1 and Motong.

City Social Welfare and Development Officer

Lilibeth Filipinas shares the criteria of DSWD Region 7 in choosing who among the senior citizens are eligible to receive the social pension, as follows:

1. Must be 60 years old and above

2. Those who are not receiving any pension or survivorship pensions

3. Those who are not receiving financial support from children, especially from abroad

4. Those who have medical maintenance

5. Those who are among the indigent residents of the barangay especially those who are bed ridden

Good or bad?

Peso improves as stocks recover

The local bourse’s main index recovered on Friday after the slower-thanprojected inflation rate in the US in October 2022 and the peso improved towards the 57-level.

After several days of decline, the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) rose by 1.93 percent, or 119.20 points, to 6,286.77 points.

All the other counters also gained during the day, with All Shares up by 1.56 percent, or 51.23 points, to 3,328.89 points.

Holding Firms led the sectoral gauges after it jumped by 2.74 percent, followed by Property, 2.73 percent; Mining and

TO PAGE 7

Driving schools sprout in Dumaguete

On Dumaguete’s congested streets, one may easily find a car with a sign at the rear saying: Caution: Student Driver. There are many such cars in the City streets these days, thanks to the entry of several players in the driving school business.

One such driving school vehicle went viral on social media last month after it almost hit a bystander along the national road south of Dumaguete.

The mandate of accreditation, supervision, and regulation of driving institutions, as well as the task of standardizing driving education in the country, is under the Land Transportation Office.

The LTO ensures that a holder of a valid Philippine Driver’s License is compliant with international driving regulations, which entitles Filipino drivers to drive anywhere in the world.

The reality, however, is that there are many drivers in our midst who, while holding valid licenses, do not know driving rules and regulations.

There’s still the concept that the larger and faster vehicle, and the more aggressive driving behavior gets the right of way.

The situation appears no different from an advice that appeared in an adventure travel magazine which said that to be able to drive through Africa, India, and Nepal, one would only need three things: good brakes, good horn, and good luck.

The LTO Memorandum Circular 20212284, which is barely a year old, provides the needed breath of fresh air that ensures the upgrading of driving proficiency in the country.

The Memo Circular mandates that before learning how to drive, prospective drivers are required to attend a 15-hour theoretical driving course. This qualifies them to apply for a Student Permit, and to enroll in an eighthour Practical Driving Course. They can then apply for a regular license after 30 days.

Some driving schools are reportedly offering enticing “package deals” to applicants, whereby for a cost of P14,000, they offer all services from the theoretical driving course upto the release of the driver’s license.

There are at least nine driving schools in Dumaguete that are accredited by the Land Transportation Office, while other driving schools get their accreditation from the Technical Education & Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

development of maneuvering dexterity, prior to major road driving lessons.

A number of applicants have since found some driving schools ill-equipped. Stephanie (not her real name), for instance, said she had her driving lessons along the Dumaguete Diversion Road, and on the streets of downtown Dumaguete, as her school’s maneuvering site was too cramped. She said her actual driving time was much less than eight hours since there were a number of student drivers in one schedule, and they had to take turns in the use of one vehicle.

Another applicant said he had to execute a Complaint Affidavit about his unfortunate experience with a certain driving school.

Alberto Inion, a carpenter from Valencia town, recounted that he enrolled at the Western Visayas Institute on Nov. 7, 2022 near the LTO office in Dumaguete City. He said he paid the assessed fee of P1,850 for a Theoretical Driving Course (TDC), and expected a 15-hour education seminar. Instead, he said, he was told to just wait for the release of the TDC, which came out three hours later.

Another surprise that greeted Inion was that while the TDC Certificate was issued by Western Visayas Institute, it actually bore the name of MAPD Driving School in Bacolod City. The Certificate indicated that his training started Nov. 2 and ended Nov. 4. The following day, he proceeded for the medical examination, and an employee simply released his medical certificate, issued by the Diba Medical Clinic. Inion said he was surprised because he was “medicallycertified” without having to go through a medical examination by a legitimate doctor. All he had to do was have his photograph taken, he said.

organizations so that communities get access to medical tests that are not available in their areas. (Contributed photo)

NOTICE

The public is hereby informed that RICHARD LUMACAD MANGA of Lazi, Siquijor has filed an AFFIDAVIT OF GUARDIANSHIP as Father and Legal guardian of minor RHECIA MAE MALONGO MANGA, born on December 7, 2010, to be entitled to receive the DAMAYAN Benefit and Savings/Share Capital on behalf of the minor, in Lazi, Siquijor on September 23, 2022 which is registered as Document No. 251, Page No. 58 Book No. XXXIX Series of 2022 in the Notarial Register of Orlando A. Fua, Jr. MetroPost 2022 Nov. 13 • Nov. 20 • Nov. 27

NAT’L MUSEUM....FROM P. 1

pandemic delayed the official ceremony, the priest said.

It was also originally timed for the celebration of 400 years of the St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish.

Heruela said he hopes the local government will issue an Ordinance to help preserve the watch tower, considering it is the most popular landmark of the City, and in fact, is included in the City’s official seal. (PNA)

However, only two of these LTOaccredited driving schools are owned by Negros Oriental residents: the Sto. Niño Skills Training & Assessment Center Inc.; the other is Roade TechVoc & Assessment Center.

Roade TechVoc boasts of a 4,000square-meter driving range in barangay Bajumpandan, and offers driving lessons not just for motorcycles and cars, but also for trucks, trailers, and other heavy equipment as well.

The proprietors of the other driving schools that have since operated in Negros Oriental are from Davao, Cebu, and Western Visayas.

In addition to a Mayor’s permit to operate a driving school, the LTO Memo Circular requires the business to maintain classrooms and a maneuvering site or a driving range that is at least 300 square meters in size, where student drivers are taught in-car but off-highway driving lessons, including the

Inion said he executed his complaint affidavit because he is apprehensive of his official documents for a government license being forged. He said he is also dismayed at the dishonest activities of these private businesses “which I personally feel of a (sic) rampant and clear violations of LTO rules and regulations”

The proprietor of Roade TechVoc & Assessment Center, who asked not to be named, said he hopes the local government of Dumaguete can carefully inspect the facilities of all driving schools to see if they comply with all the requirements under LTO Memo Circular 2021-2284, before issuing them a Mayor’s Permit.

He also called on the City Council to pass an Ordinance banning the use by driving schools of our City, provincial, and national roads for practice lessons since a driving range is a vital requirement prior to their respective accreditation approval.

This, he said, is one way that could ensure that we have more aware and more disciplined drivers in our narrow thoroughfares.

Dr. Ted Esguerra, emergency manager of the Energy Development Corp., trains barangay officials from Puhagan, Caidiocan, and Malaunay, BHERTS, barangay tanods, other first responders, and the local media on All-Hazard Community Emergency Response and Austere Environment Rescue Operation during a three-day seminar at the EDC campsite in Valencia that ended Friday. (Photo by Judy F. Partlow)

BRINGING THE HOSPITAL NEAREST YOU. The SU Medical Center Mobile Clinic, the country’s first solar-powered transportable medical facility, travels more than 113 kilometers north to Jimalalud, Negros Oriental to conduct the inaugural medical mission, an initiative of the Dumaguete Lions Club led by Mariant Escaño-Villegas and Dr. John Anthony Tindoc. The SUMC medical team was composed of senior consultants, senior pathologists, postgraduate interns, medical technologists, senior nurses, nurse aides, and the SUMCFI officers and support staff headed by President Roberto Montebon. The SUMC medical mission also included the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital Eye Center doctors. More than 150 patients availed of the free services from the mobile clinic, including eye examinations with free glasses, cancer screening (biopsy), ECG, X-ray, urinalysis, and blood screening. The SUMC Mobile Clinic team is looking forward to partnering with more

“Not alarming” PNP downplays shooting incidents

The series of shooting incidents in Negros Oriental during the past few days is not alarming, the director of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office said Tuesday.

Col. Jonathan Pineda said in an interview that even though the shooting incidents were reported in succession in different parts of the province, these are not related and there is no reason to be alarmed.

“These incidents were perpetrated by different personalities with various motives and as such, these cases are not connected to each other,” Pineda said in mixed English and Filipino.

“What would be alarming to us is the occurrence of shooting incidents that are related and have something in common, such as the

perpetrators or the reasons behind them, for instance, illegal drugs,” he added.

Five shooting incidents were reported in the province from Saturday to Monday where six people were killed, a NOPPO report said.

These were in Bacong, Bais City, Manjuyod, and Bayawan City where one died in each area, and Siaton where two people were killed, said Lt. Col. Roland Lavisto, chief of NOPPO’s Police Community Affairs & Development Unit.

The shooting incidents took place in Bais City, Siaton, and Bacong on Saturday; in Manjuyod on Sunday; and in Bayawan City on Monday.

In Bais City, the case is deemed solved following the arrests of two gunsfor-hire allegedly paid to

kill the victim who was reportedly a suspected thief/robber, Lavisto said.

The Siaton incident involved two residents returning from a cockpit, who were shot dead by unidentified assailants after taking their motorcycle and cash.

The Bacong shooting remains unsolved. The victim is believed to be a “manghiloay” or someone who uses poison or “black magic”, and personal grudge was seen as the motive behind the killing.

Last Sunday, a member of the Special Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit- Active Auxiliary in Manjuyod shot dead out of “self defense” a man who entered a military detachment and allegedly pulled a gun at him.

TO PAGE 6

Farmers surrender firearms

Four farmers have voluntarily surrendered their firearms and ammunition to the 11th Infantry Battalion (11IB) of the Philippine Army in Siaton, Negros Oriental on Thursday afternoon.

A report from the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) on Friday said the items were turned over to the 11IB at its headquarters in Barangay Salag of Siaton town .

Surrendered were one unit KG9 submachine gun with one magazine and 14 rounds of 9mm

ammunition; one .357-caliber revolver without serial number and with 10 rounds of ammunition; one .38-caliber revolver without ammunition; and a shotgun with 10 rounds of ammunition.

These were turned over to the NOPPO for proper disposition as the Army’s task is on peace and security while the Philippine National Police’s mandate is peace and order, Lt. Col. Roderick R. Salayo, 11IB commander, told the Philippine News Agency.

The four are from

Barangay Napacao, Siaton, and are members of a farmer’s organization that is seeking to benefit from the government’s land reform program.

Army troops and the Siaton Police Station facilitated the surrender of the firearms and ammunition.

The farmers’ identities are being withheld pending further investigation by the police.

The report also did not give the farmers’ reason for possessing firearms. (Judy F. Partlow/PNA))

P36M in drugs seized in 2021

Close to P36 million worth of suspected shabu and marijuana was seized in various anti-illegal drug operations in Negros Oriental in 2021.

A consolidated report from the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office on Wednesday showed that last year, the total volume of shabu seized was pegged at 5,255.26 grams.

On the other hand, marijuana seized was pegged at 95.74 grams.

The aggregate street value of the illegal drugs totaled over P35.747 million, the report said.

The NOPPO conducted 474 operations last year in which 515 suspects were arrested.

These included 68 high-value individuals, 422 street-level individuals on the police’s watch list of suspected drug personalities, and 25 other suspects.

Meanwhile, the Province of Negros Oriental was adjudged the 2021 Best Performing Provincial AntiDrug Abuse Council in the Central Visayas region. Other awards also included the High Functional Provincial ADAC and Functional Peace and Order Council.

Gov. Roel Degamo received the award on Tuesday in Cebu City, with Regional Director Leocadio Trovela of the Department of the Interior & Local Government-Region 7 leading the rites.

The awards were given based on the official results of the recently concluded 2021 ADAC Performance Audit and 2021 Peace and Order Council Performance Audit where the Province of Negros Oriental garnered 90.5 points, and 98.25 percent, respectively. (Judy F. Partlow/PNA)

Siquijor boosts disaster readiness

SIQUIJOR -- The Province of Siquijor has obtained an upgrade in its communication facilities to help gear up for future crises such typhoons, flashfloods, and earthquakes, among others.

The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Inc., and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc., donated an all-in-one emergency communication package #LigtasKit to the island-province.

The PLDT-Smart #Ligtas Kit seeks to support local government units and disaster-response agencies with emergency communication devices.

The kit includes the following: power station, solar panel, rechargeable handy megaphone, crank radio, satellite phone (SmartSat) with initial load, smartphone, Smart LTE pocket Wi-Fi, rechargeable flashlight, and a whistle.

“Coastal communities such as the island of Siquijor have become more vulnerable to natural crises such as typhoons due to climate change. We, at PLDT and Smart, through our disaster resilience initiatives, are able to support Siquijor’s disaster preparedness initiatives through our emergency communication package, #Ligtas Kit,” said Marylou Gocotano, head of Visayas Relations under Stakeholder Management at PLDT and Smart.

“We’d like to thank PLDT and Smart for helping us out here in Siquijor. Just in case there would be typhoons, earthquakes and other disasters and crises, we are now better prepared because of the Ligtas Kit. This is a big help for the communities in Siquijor,” said Siquior Gov. Jake Vincent Villa.

PLDT and Smart’s long-standing #SafeandSmart advocacy highlights the commitment of the group to attaining the UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG #11: Sustainable Cities & Communities, which seeks to promote readiness and immediate response through continuous accessibility of communication services, mobile solutions, and activities to help communities mitigate disaster risks. (PR)

DENR strengthens waste advocacy

Amid the growing environmental threats, the Department of Environment & Natural Resources in Region 7 has intensified its solid waste management advocacy campaign in a protected area of Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park where there is a great potential for ecotourism.

DENR7 Regional Executive Director Paquito Melicor Jr. led the environmental campaign and benchmarking tour with information officers of DENR7, the Environmental Management Bureau, and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region 7, and selected youth and

representatives of people’s organizations who serve as environmental champions at Lake Balinsasayao.

The group also visited the Material Recovery Facility Eco Park in Dumaguete City, which converts trash into useful by-products.

The MRF generates an income of P500 per month for managing the garbage while providing livelihood for the waste pickers through proper and sustainable solid waste management.

Melicor also cited the Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Farmers’ Association Inc. , the people’s organization

CoViD cases to reach 18K daily sans masks

The daily average of CoViD-19 cases nationwide may reach 18,000 in the next two months should the public opt to ditch the wearing of face masks, a health official said Thursday.

In a radio interview, Department of Health OIC Maria Rosario Vergeire said she presented a possible scenario of increased daily infections during an InterAgency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases meeting last week.

“Sinasabi sa projections na towards November and December of this year, kung magtatanggal tayo ng masks, maaaring tumaas ang kaso natin (Projections showed that towards the end of November and December of this year, if we discontinue wearing of masks, our cases be in the range) from 2,500 at the lower limit, to as high as 18,000,” she said.

Vergeire, in a television interview, confirmed that the wearing of face masks is voluntary “across all settings” nationwide.

“Based on the agreement, the IATF resolution, and based on what has been proposed to the President, it’s going to be voluntary nationwide,” she said.

Citing that the term “voluntary” boils down to “individual informed decisions”, Vergeire said every person has to know the risks and be able to decide whether one can afford not to wear a face mask in certain situations.

“In depth, there’s this agreement with the IATF, where we have a unified messaging that we still encourage the wearing of masks, especially in high risk areas katulad po ng public transport, katulad po ng healthcare facilities at katulad po ‘yung mga vulnerable natin, mga matanda, buntis, hindi bakunado, kailangan alam nila ‘yung risk nila (like public transport, healthcare facilities, and the vulnerable like the elderly, pregnant and unvaccinated) they still need to, we still highly encourage that they wear their masks,” she said.

When asked whether face mask use in public transportation is mandatory, Vergeire said they are still awaiting for the president to issue an executive order.

“We are still proposing that it would be mandatory. Whether it be voluntary or mandated, I hope that our citizens would always decide for the best for them and for their families. Let us wear a mask when in public transportation and crowded places,” she added.

On Wednesday, infectious diseases expert Dr. Rontgene Solante warned the public about a possible rise in CoViD-19 infections, following the detection of the Omicron XBB subvariant, and XBC variant in the country.

As of Oct. 26, the country logged 1,121 new CoViD-19 infections, which brought the overall tally to 3,997,941 with 21,325 active cases. (PNA)

Restituta Partosa of Zamboanguita receives a check for Php 100,000 from the Provincial Government for turning 100 years old last week. (Photo by Jing Villaflores)

EDITORIAL Regulate driving schools

We’ve heard of countless complaints against bad drivers who don’t know the basic rules of the road.

Often, the blame is on how they obtained their driving licenses.

It’s safe to assume that these drivers are not aware of even basic road courtesy because they must just have bought their licenses through a fixer, or “passing” the driving test without actually taking it.

But now, there’s a promise that things could get better. The Land Transportation Office is implementing Memorandum Circular 2021-2284 that mandates any new driver to take a 15-hour theoretical course, pass a practical driving course, and pass a written exam before he is given a license.

If followed to the letter, this Memo Circular could make a big difference in our already-congested roads.

However, even as this law is barely a year old, several unscrupulous driving schools have sprouted, some even branching into our City in violation of the Memo Circular. And many of them offer the same shortcuts that we have been blaming for the sad state of our driving conditions today.

For starters, there is documented evidence to show that at least one of them produces driving test “results” — including medical certificates— without having the applicants go through an actual examination.

There’s also a common practice of some driving schools to use our city, provincial, and national roads as their “driving course”, again in violation of the Memo Circular.

Our City and Province can help restore order in our streets by regulating the operations of these driving schools, and ensure they do what they are supposed to do to produce better drivers.

ATTY. WHELMA SITON-YAP

101

whelmayap@yahoo.com

Thedeath of tough-talking radio broadcaster Percival

“Percy Lapid” Mabasa, whose brazen assassination in October launched a fast-paced investigation, has exposed controversial activities in the government’s correction system.

Mabasa’s brother Roy has since likened the government investigation to a telenovela, which has relentlessly introduced over a hundred cast of persons-of-interest, alleged middlemen, and supposed masterminds.

A complaint for Murder has since been filed against suspended Corrections Director-General Gerald Bantag, BuCor Deputy Security Officer Ricardo Zulueta, some Persons Deprived of Liberty, and alleged conspirator Cristito Palaña who was earlier referred to as “Junior” or Crisanto Villamor, reportedly the alleged middleman who strangely died shortly after the alleged gunman, Joel Escorial, surrendered, and

named the middleman to the police.

Why is this happening right in the nation’s main correction institution? Are the problems of prison overcrowding, human rights, lack of information technology systems, corruption, inadequate training, screening of jail guards, and other related issues properly addressed? Published records show

179 inmates held 500-plus inmates, which eventually led to illnesses and a death toll in the thousands.

In addition, according to The World Prison Brief, 75.1 percent of incarcerations are pre-trial detainees, with some serving sentences without conviction, and some serving time that outweighs their crimes.

On average, these Persons

‘Bilibid or Not’

that in 2019, the Philippines held the sixth-highest prison population out of 21 Asian countries.

W ith our existing 933 prisons, and a population at 108.31 million people, an estimated 215,000 people were incarcerated, thus, a rate of about 200 incarcerations per 100,000 citizens... and counting.

After President Duterte won in 2016, his war on drugs led to severe prisonovercrowding. In Manila, for instance, a cell designed for

RENZ TORRES and IAN ROSALES CASOCOT

CULINARY CUTS

renzchristianmtorres@gmail.com

The end of the year brings in a sense of reflection, especially over the year that has passed. Considering the kind of year we’ve all had so far with 2022 and the pandemic—the closing of businesses, the isolation, the reliance to simple pleasures— now that we’re opening our storefronts again, some of our favorites are shedding their

ago, has opened on Oct. 28 a new location along Rovira Road in barangay Bantayan for a soft opening.

Despite opting to focus on its catering services and its successful appearances at the Sibaan Valencia Sunday Market since 2020, the FilipinoSpanish restaurant was intent on bringing back their dine-in option, said owners Kim and

Deprived of Liberty are being detained for at least nine months without being sentenced

At a 2019 Senate hearing, Ernesto Tamayo, Bilibid Hospital medical chief, disclosed that about 5,200 inmates die there annually due to overcrowding, filthy living conditions, inmate violence, vigilante justice, lack of nutritious food nor basic healthcare.

Human rights advocates have called for the release of vulnerable inmates, hoping

to protect them from the poor living conditions.

Reports confirmed that systemic corruption is rampant at Bilibid, and in September 2018, the public learned that a woman was informed that her husband’s “sentence” could be shortened if she paid P50,000 (about $970).

The public also learned that inmates could “live like a king” for a fee; or that government workers and officials alike at Bilibid receive bribes to facilitate the bringing in, and distribution of contraband to the inmates.

Is the improvement of the prison system, and the inmates’ successful reintegration into the mainstream society the sole responsibility of the Philippine Correction System?

There are institutions in government, civil society, and the business sector which are involved in the confinement, correction, and restoration of individuals charged for and/ or convicted of delinquent acts or crime.

It is important to note the role of the various government agencies (like the Department of Justice, Department of the Interior & Local Government, and the Department of Social Welfare & Development), civil society, and the business sector in addressing the flaws in the correction system.

Follow the Bilibid story.

remind patrons of their origins, as well as what direction they’re headed for with their food. For starters, we had the quinoa poke salad to share: tuna poke and fresh mango with quinoa and romaine lettuce. The dressing was unconventional, but it provided heft, and mouthfeel

curtains hanging from the windows, and directly opposing is the sinamay accent wall. But the decorative plates from the old site

A return to new forms

skin to reveal something new underneath.

Señor Juan, which closed its brick-and-mortar location on EJ Blanco Street three years

Inah. They said they wanted to have everything in place before they reopen, hence the wait.

The place bears novel threads: floor-to-ceiling

still adorn the walls of Señor Juan.

Speaking of dishes, the menu boasts of both prime favorites and new offers to

for the whole dish.

I had the pepper beef: thin slices of sukiyaki beef with a soy hoisin sauce paired with a curry rice. The corn topping gave relief to the robust flavors of what I assume would become a new favorite. I had lychee soda to pair: fizzy, floral, and fun. For dessert, Señor Juan has online pastry maven Buttery Negros to thank for its fine

DIANA BANOGON-BUGEYA

PEOPLE’S CORNER

DianaBugeya@gmail.com

LUJANA CIARRA ROMERO-HERRENAUW

HearHerNow

LujanaHerrenauw7@gmail.com

Dumaguete

ños bask when referred to as ‘Gentle People’. Definitely, I see a lot of this gentleness, this kindness exhibited by the common tao here in Dumaguete, though I’ve seen the same traits at the NAIA and other places in Manila associated with the travel industry. In Cebu, Bohol, Davao, Iloilo, Leyte, Butuan, Surigao, Palawan as well.

I see the gentleness more as a nation-wide trait, than one solely owned by Dumagueteños. We are sought internationally for our caregiving skills, as nurses, yayas after all, testimony to this national trait.

But what I do observe in my many years of returning to the Philippines for longer and longer periods of time is that it’s not so much a ‘gentleness’ that we exhibit here in Negros Oriental but an apathetic attitude towards all the wrongs that go on.

the issue but right now is not a good time.

And then a response coming from only one or two people: 4. What can we do?

I often get, “Di, sit back, enjoy your stay, your life is good, so keep it that way!”

Precisely! It’s because my life is good that I cannot sit back, and not see that goodness go out to others. I credit good people for bringing me that goodness, albeit I worked hard to achieve it.

I am not a particularly religious person but I’ve had life-altering experiences in my early adulthood that taught me that remaining silent is ultimately being complicit

one of the best places in the world to live in. Wonder why? Because they are not apathetic.

So I challenge my fellow Dumaguetnons to try highlighting a wrongdoing that we should not be afraid to name names of perpetrators, of department heads, for example, who cannot be bothered meeting a commitment simply because they believe they are untouchable.

They are untouchable because we enable them to be untouchable.

Gentle and spineless?

Yes, there is a pocket of the population that is trying its best to steer this ship around, but they are so few, not even 500 at my last count.

I have become a pain in the neck at gatherings because I tend to bring up the subject of political wrongdoings, and I get one of four reactions each time:

1. You can’t fight City Hall, they will do what they will do, so why even try?

2. I’m just here to enjoy myself, and I’ll be gone soon so there’s no point doing something.

3. Yeah, I’m interested in

It was my belief in God that got me through those experiences, with a healthy dose of help from friends and total strangers. When someone kills himself because no one can be bothered to understand and help, that is when it hits home that no matter one’s circumstance in life, one cannot just be an observer. One has to be involved, and speak up.

I’ve lived most of my life in Canada, having moved there in my early 20s. My observation is that Canada is generally in a good state because the citizens are involved. They take their politicians to task, they name politicians and department heads who fall short of the legal expectations and requirements of their position.

Canada is considered

For example, I find that a number of our failings in correcting what is wrong in our society, and especially in the political arena, are driven by cultural traditions. We don’t want to offend anyone. We are immediately tagged as boastful, and lacking in humility, if we want to show others how things can be done differently. That we have not learned our Bible lessons well. We are insensitive when we prick someone’s amor propio That we do not know our place in the hierarchy of social order.

If you’re moneyed and have a name to bandy about, then you deem yourselves to have the final say, overriding the well-thought through plans of an organization that’s trying to implement something. I saw this behaviour during the Leni Robredo campaign. Being rich trumped experience and planning.

Don’t you think it’s time to set aside our cultural failings? After all, we had no problem setting aside centuries-old

Wuwu’snow smiling but a few nights back, he was telling the nurse, “Don’t touch me! Stop touching me!”

You might be wondering how this happens to all parents no matter how vigilant we think we already are, let’s actually do more.

Raxu hit his head while playing tag with Chebby. He was running too fast, and accidentally tripped off some gym equipment that resulted to impacting his head on the mats or somewhere, which we aren’t really particularly sure of yet.

Anyone who knows Jadon

“One word is enough for a wise man”; a wise boy in his case. He is a very obedient boy.

But that day, he was impatient to go home. So we did, showered him, and put him to sleep. Then he puked... twice.

Vomitting after a serious fall is one of the danger signs of possible head injury.

We didn’t wait for another one, and without hesitation decided to take Wuwu to the ER.

We had learned our lesson three years ago when Wuwu was rushed to the ER for what would’ve been a

most likely going through a concussion. All his visible symptoms manifested right on point.

He was groaning the whole night, pointing at his head which must have been throbbing with pain.

We prayed all night for our loving Heavenly Father’s grace, accompanied with his Papa Jadon’s blessing to keep him sane.

The following day, our Heavenly Father’s mercy and grace greeted us, as Wuwu woke up looking refreshed, and acted like he was feeling a lot better.

Before getting up from

We can always do more as parents

and me are pretty well aware that we are so hands-on with our kids, considering that we do not have the luxury to pay a yaya; so this pretty sure happened even under our watch.

Nevertheless, we checked his head for goose eggbump or what, referred to as bukol in the vernacular, but there weren’t signs of it. Wuwu wasn’t in his usual behavior after that. He even shrugged off his favorite game ‘Roblox’ in our attempt to calm him down. He just kept on whining and whining while rubbing the right side of his head.

near-death experience out of complacency and financial worries. The doctor had told us then we were lucky to live three minutes away from the hospital otherwise, we would’ve faced an unlikely event.

Since then, we had promised to be prompt on emergencies like this, no matter our financial status.

There are hundreds of ways to look for money, but we can never replace a life.

bed, Wuwu offered to say our family prayer instead -- which I normally do: “Our Heavenly Father, I thank thee for healing my headache right away. Please bless my family and friends, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”

Then he asked, “When can I go home, and get out of this miserable place?”

That brought me back to 2019 when Wuwu first got admitted in the hospital. We had prayed all night on our knees, begging for mercy. The following day, instead of proceeding to the ICU, the pediatrician gave clearance to discharge Wuwu, and send him home.

GOING THE DISTANCE

DARIO ENDOZO Ironmandario@gmail.com

Asa running and triathlon coach, it is important for me to know an athlete’s capabilities how to train for a specific race that he or she is preparing for.

First, the runner or the triathlete chooses the date and distance of a race that is considered an “A” race. A race with a goal in mind, like running a personal best, or “merely” finishing a race.

For example, the 21K or 42K Cebu City Marathon in January. For whatever reason, proper training for a long distance event is critical.

Once the athlete has chosen the date for a specific “A” race, then we count 18 weeks (or 4.5 months) back to mark the ideal start of training period. It is preferable to have a 18- week lead time for the target race to give ample time of preparation.

want to do, such as a triathlon.

It is not impossible to do both during training; however, it might affect the end result of the marathon, especially if the athlete is looking to break his marathon time.

The demand to train for both a triathlon and a marathon is greater than focusing on one. Yes, it could be done. It will definitely help to gain strength to supplement each other’s physical and mental demands.

The problem, however, is that one could end up being over-trained -- which could lead to getting burned out.

If doing a long distance triathlon such as an Ironman is

Phase 1 is building the foundation, with increasing weekly training time and mileage, while introducing speed and drills. Speed workouts and running drills should be done in a running track like our Perdices Stadium oval at least once a week.

This is also the time to test an athlete’s ability to run fast by doing a time trial, usually a 3K on a track, or a 5K race. The test results will determine what pace he should run in different intensities for intervals, easy, and long runs during training.

Race preparation

the main goal, then it’s better to focus on triathlon training, and to use a marathon as a secondary goal or “B” race.

If it’s not possible, at least 12 weeks (or three months) may be adequate time to train.

In the span of 12 to 18 weeks of training, there could be other races of different distances that may also be available to compete in, as part of training.

These races are labeled as “B” and “C” races. Such races are not meant to be raced all out, but at about 80 to 90 percent effort. These are the races that will determine if the athlete is making progress, and which could predict if he is on target on achieving his goal.

Be careful, however, in choosing these B and C races.

For instance, if an athlete is training for a marathon, the focus is to train for 21- or 42kilometer race. There are other races that an athlete might

It would take a toll on the body to even want to excel in both.

For regular mortals like most of us, with limited time to train, it’s best to choose one sport that he or she may want to excel in, and use other events as part of training. This is referred to as the “specificity” of training.

By running a half marathon or 21K race at least four weeks before a 42K race is a perfect race to predict the expected time for the eventual 42K. It could be used as a “B” race.

A weekly training regimen is normally broken down into 80 percent “easy” runs, and 20 percent focused on speed or fast runs, such as tempo pace runs. The whole training process is a progression of four phases.

Phase 2 continues the weekly speed sessions with longer intervals, from 800 meters to 1,600 meters.

The tempo run is also introduced in this phase. A tempo run is a faster run done within a single run.

For example, one can start running easy and comfortable for 20 minutes, then run a little harder that is sustainable for 20 minutes, and finish it off with a 20-minute easy pace.

These two workouts together in a week is not advisable for beginner runners because of the high intensity demand. Beginners could choose only one hard workout, and the rest are easy runs.

Phase 3 is perhaps the most demanding of all due to the increasing mileage with longer intervals, tempo run, and long run. It is labeled as the “strength” phase.

As the training progresses from the beginning, it is inevitable to feel exhausted due to the high demand of energy spent.

It is, therefore, important to have adequate sleep, and

And for the first time, he threw a fit! And if you knew Wuwu, you know he would never do that. He’s the kind of kid who lives the mantra,

When we reached the hospital this time, Wuwu was groaning in pain, and could barely open his eyes. He was restless and irritated with the bright lights.

While he was trying to get some sleep, we searched the whole night for possibilities, and looking at it, he was

Miracles are alive! We just got to believe in them. As a family, we’ve experienced TO PAGE 6

DR. JUSTIN JOSE A. BULADO JJAbulado@norsu.edu.ph

THE OBSCURE ACADEMIC

Col.Satoshi Oie was the head of the 174th Independent Infantry Battalion which was stationed in the Dumaguete Garrison during the last years of the Japanese occupation of the Philippines.

With General MacArthur’s advances in the Pacific, the Japanese forces in the Philippines were expecting his imminent return.

As a result, the Japanese troops in Dumaguete under Colonel Oie were preparing their exit plan to the hinterlands of Valencia and Zamboanguita.

True enough, when the American forces arrived in the Philippines, Colonel Oie

Philippines and in Japan.

Colonel Oie was tried later on for war crimes in Manila. He was suspected as the commanding officer of the execution squad responsible for the Palawan Tunnel Massacre where more than a hundred American POWs were placed in air raid shelters, and set on fire using gasoline barrels. (This was shown in the movie The Great Raid.)

Out of the all the perpetrators in the Palawan massacre, it was only Colonel Oie who was sentenced to death via musketry, or firing squad. After his trial in Manila, he was moved to Sugamo Prison in Japan.

sentenced to life; the others were either given amnesty, and around five to 30 years of prison time.

From the book titled The Way of Deliverance: Three Years with the Condemned Japanese War Criminals , the author Shinsho Hanayama, who was also chaplain at the Sugamo Prison, described Colonel Oie as a “sturdy man of action” possessing “considerable literary ability” which he showed in his letters and notes he wrote while in prison.

Col. Satoshi Oie’s final writings:

“At one o’clock on the night of Oct. 22, I end this life under the punishment of death by shooting.

Last days of Col. Satoshi Oie

and his men – together with Gov. Guillermo Villanueva and his family – escaped to the hinterlands of Valencia, and held off the combined American and Filipino guerrilla forces for a few months.

Lacking morale, and in dire need of food, the remaining Japanese troops under him came down from the hinterlands, and surrendered to the Americans at Guinsoan Bridge, Zamboanguita. There were no guerrillas present at that time since Colonel Oie and his men intentionally chose -- and requested only for -- the Americans to accept their formal surrender, as they feared guerrilla retribution.

The defeated Japanese forces were then sent to the Trade School building in Dumaguete where they would temporarily stay, awaiting their transfer to the various prisoner of war camps in the

It has been said that on his way to the firing range, the guards were amazed at the site of Colonel Oie sleeping in the bus, seemingly unfazed by his impending death; he had to be woken up when they arrived at the execution site.

The person who woke him up told Colonel Oie he had been snoring. The colonel replied: “To die is like returning home, isn’t it?”

His almost stoic-like demeanor was somehow driven by his religious belief, as he was a practicing Buddhist.

Colonel Oie was executed in the early hours of 23 October 1948.

Until now, however, no one has emphasized the point that only Colonel Oie was held accountable, and executed via firing squad, for the Palawan Massacre.

The rest of the suspects were found guilty but only

It is really a significant day for me. To reflect now, I realize that I have always been causing you trouble, while at the same time, I have always been unable to return any words of thanks.

My happy return to the holy land of Amida — for this, too, I must be grateful to the favor of Buddha. “To give thanks for Buddha’s favor” — only this I must endeavor to do till my end.

I am afraid my parents, wife, children, brothers and sisters will mourn my death especially. But I beg them not to lament. It is all due to karma that I die today — it is my fate. After I have arrived at the holy land, I will return here again by all means, and engage in the great work of saving unawakened people.

After I lost my father in childhood, my mother took his place, and my three elder brothers watched over me particularly. After my marriage, my wife’s

selection of baked goods. We had the matcha tiramisu: although a departure from its coffee origins, its bitter earthy matcha lifts the creamy base to new territory.

Señor Juan isn’t the only restaurant to have switched it up recently. Curious customers and loyal patrons will find the curtains drawn at the old Unknwn Kitchn on Hibbard Avenue. Their new location is now at the ground floor of Puyo Apartments, at the heart of Daro, open since Nov. 4.

Although the remote location will perplex loyal

patrons, one look at the façade will dissuade any apprehension. The large wood panel door greets you with grandeur, and the loft draws your attention to the high ceiling. Philodendrons and wood accents contrast against the white interiors, with the bright neon sign of the restaurant glows on the main wall.

Chef and owner Matt said that he named the restaurant for its “unknown” combination of East and West offerings on the menu, which include the gochujang chicken wings,

the Indian pulao, and the chorizo pizza. We opted for the salmunagi and the seared pork belly, both served on a bed of chahan, which is Japanese fried rice.

Fresh cabbage, pickled red onions, nori tamago, fresh green

DENR....FROM P. 3

that has been working within the protected area and taking care of BTLNP.

An 8,000-hectare park established in 2000 by virtue of Presidential Proclamation 414, the BTLNP is shared by three Negros Oriental towns, namely: San Jose, Sibulan, and Valencia. It covers four mountain forests: Mount Mahungot, Mount Kalbasan, Mount Balinsasayao, and Guintabon Dome.

“It is important for us to see this nature park protected... there a lot of things in our work that started from biodiversity that we should see the connections and

appreciate nature,” Melicor told the participants.

BTLFAI President Rico Mier shared their best practice on solid waste management as the natural park serves ecotourism products and provides services such as food and other recreational activities for visitors and tourists.

The participants committed to promote or advocate for the proper waste segregation and upcycling, and to begin the practice of sorting, collecting, and identifying trash through a commitment drawing workshop. (JCT/PIA7 NegOr)

PNP DOWNPLAYS....FROM P. 3

On Monday last week, a candidate for councilor in the last elections in Bayawan City, was shot dead in broad daylight.

Pineda identified the victim as Juwim Cofreros Estiñoso, 38, of Barangay Poblacion.

Initial police investigation showed that at around 12:10 p.m., two unidentified men on board a motorcycle rode up to and shot Estiñoso while he was tending his food stall at the GV Subdivision in Barangay Villareal.

Estiñoso died of multiple gunshot wounds.

Pineda said investigators

still have to determine the motive for the killing and are not discounting a possible political angle, considering that the victim had run but lost in the recent elections.

He said Estiñoso was also the administrator of a social media page and was “hard-hitting” in his comments against certain politicians.

Pineda reassured Negros Oriental residents of the police’s relentless anti-criminality campaign amid the recent series of shooting incidents. (Judy F. Partlow/PNA)

SUBASTA

JMT BELEN PAWNSHOP

Kanhi Agencia Belen Surban Dr. V. Locsin St., Dumaguete

Ang tanang prenda nga wala malukat ug wala tubua sa petsa, isubasta karong adlaw nga Martes, Nov. 15, 2022 sa alas 9:00 sa buntag dinhing pawnshop.

SUBASTA

JF BELEN PAWNSHOP

Kanhi Agencia Belen Br. IV Twin Arcade Bldg., Dumaguete

Ang tanang prenda nga wala malukat ug wala tubua sa petsa, isubasta karong adlaw nga Martes, Nov. 15, 2022 sa alas 9:00 sa buntag dinhing pawnshop.

SUBASTA

AGENCIA BELEN

Perdices St., Brgy. 3, Dumaguete

Ang tanang prenda nga wala malukat ug wala tubua sa petsa, isubasta karong adlaw nga Martes, Nov. 15, 2022 sa alas 9:00 sa buntag dinhing pawnshop.

PEOPLE’S CORNER....FROM P. 5

admonition of no-sex before marriage.

If someone says to me the next time, “It’s bad manners to speak up!,” then I am going to retort, “And why is it not bad manners for civil servants to stand someone up?” (I recall here the recent experience of the columnist Mr. JG Umbac which has given me an excellent springboard for my commentaries.)

in detail why a particular rule is in place, and WHY it needs to be in place. A response of “because, because this is the way it’s always been done” no longer cuts it.

So by publishing the perpetrators’ names, would they now deem to meet with the people who boldly speak up?

onion, and pickled ginger liven up the proteins. Lattes from their partner Coffee Collective finish off the meal with soothing warmth. Our hunger for new flavors never seems to cease. Even through the brunt of rising prices and an unstable market, our restaurateurs are finding new ways to tantalize our palates. A new place seems to mushroom every week. But our established chefs and restaurateurs show that being entrenched in the food scene, and pushing for novel innovation aren’t mutually exclusive.

With the way they’re cooking their food, Señor Juan reminds us why they’re perennial favorites and Unknwn Kitchn won’t be a hidden secret for much longer.

Good manners are displayed in how we handle a delicate situation. Shouting, screaming, calling a person names are not helpful; but pointing out to a department head that one of his or her responsibilities is to explain

these miracles from God countless of times.

And each time, we commit ourselves that whatever happens, we will stay together as a family, whenever, and wherever.

5

father gave me a parent’s love, and her mother also was fond of me, and her brothers and sisters were devoted to me as they could have been to a real brother. Needless to say, I have also been loved and cherished by my wife and children. Thus, I have lived a perfectly happy life. Only I am ashamed that I have rendered the Emperor too meager service, and that I have been unable to display the true love which I felt for my parents, wife, children, brothers and sisters.

I am ashamed that knowing that love is everything in life, I have been unable to show it. But Amida Buddha mercifully saves even this worthless fellow full of earthly lust. This man who, even in the situation he faces today, is scarcely able to give

himself up to sincere religious meditation. Bathing me in the light of salvation, he takes me to His holy land. How merciful He is!

What else should we be thankful for, if not for this? My elder brothers, love one another. My nieces and nephews, love one another.

My young brothers and sisters, love one another. My wife and children, love one another with the mother as the center.

My friends, love one another.

Love one another! These are my last words. We have to economize on food and clothing, but there is no need to economize on affection and love.

Do not utter harsh words. Do not speak ill of others. Do not try others. Nothing can make life more beautiful or give it more

meaning than this one word, love. I feel that if you can fully understand this love — that is, the Mercy of Buddha — my death today will not have been in vain.

Now it is five o’clock in the evening. I still have seven hours before my departure for the holy land.

Seiichi, take care of everything after I am gone. You were a 1st lieutenant in the Army, were you not? Only 26 years old, and already 1st lieutenant — you are a good boy.

Reijin, I hope you will become the manager of the bank.”

Col. Satoshi Oie’s last words to his family were “Love one another!” This is quite ironic as he was the one in-charge of the most brutal massacre during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines.

However, he also accepted his fate, and said it was because of karma that he was about to be executed.

One can only question why he did what he did: was he merely following orders from his superiors (as was the main line of defense of some convicted Nazi war criminals)? Or was it done out of desperation (to prevent the rescue of the American POWs)?

We will never know why he did what he did, but his story shows the human element of war -- that war is still fought by humans, and that humans still have some goodness in them in spite of the terrible things they do in times of war to accomplish an order or a mission.

By the afternoon, Tito Dr. Bollos gave us clearance to go home, and ruled out Wuwu’s predicament as a minor concussion. Doctor said there wasn’t a need for CT scan, based on the laboratory results and physical checkup.

So it’s a yay for Wuwu! So we could go home, and get out of the “miserable place”.

On the subject of developing a spine, we have yet to hear from Mr. Ipe Remollo, and the officials identified with his administration, on what they did to conclude that Dumaguete needed a destruction project of the boulevard that was undertaken under the nose of this City of Gentle People.

THE OBSCURE....FROM P.

CULINARY CUTS....FROM P. 4

View of Dumaguete City coming down from the town of Valencia. (Photo by Mary Judaline Flores-Partlow)

encountered a minor problem with Dandy’s motorbike: his radiator malfunctioned because it got drenched on the barge due to the big waves. Thankfully, it didn’t take long to get it fixed. So off we drove! Late lunch was in Yani’s Place in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, another lunch treat, this time by Atty. Edwin Alibutdan, Dondon’s classmate at SU Law. The food was so good, gibutdan gyud mi tiyan sa kabusog! We are just so grateful to God for blessing our trip not just with protection and safety

but with provisions through friends’ generosity.

On the road, we experienced only light rains with no winds nor flood. Paeng was a little ahead of us. We continued our adventure in good weather, aiming to arrive in Zamboanga City before nightfall. But for some reason, we got to Zamboanga City safely. Contrary to the news on TV, the flood there had already receded by the time we got in past 8 in the evening. Indeed in God’s perfect time, He continued to protect us and keep us safe!

We checked in at Marcelina Hotel, and had late dinner at around 10:20 in the evening at Tom & Tom’s-Dumaguete. I’m told this is owned by a family of Sillimanians. It seemed like it was newlyopened because it was still crowded, while the other restaurants were already closed that time.

The food was superb; especially because we’re so hungry.

The next day was our laag day, so we booked a trip for Sta. Cruz Island, popularly known as the Pink Sand Beach (due to the red corals that abound in the area). While our children played near the cottages, the backrider mommies, on the other hand, delighted in shopping for pasalubong (inexpensive pearls, jewelries, souvenirs, and other accessories locally made by the islanders); we almost forgot the time!

Then we took the banca back to Zamboanga City as we had decided to have lunch at Alavar Seafood Restaurant. For me, it was the best amongst all the restaurants we had dined in. Alavar specializes in curacha, Chavacano for large red frog crabs, that was steamed in coconut milk, crab paste, curry, and other spices.

After lunch, we headed to the historical Fort Pilar Shrine, also known as the Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar de Zaragoza, a 17th century military defense fortress built by the Spanish colonial government to protect themselves against attacks from

pirates and raiders. It is now a national museum of the National Museum of the Philippines.

Then we went straight to the Yakan Weaving Village in barangay Calarian. This was my best experience in Zamboanga thus far (next to motor back riding). The hardworking Yakan weavers allowed me to experience the traditional backtrap weaving technique. It would take them three days to finish a long table runner. I was amazed at their artistry and skill, I had to buy an eight-seater table runner, several batik bags, genuine malongs, and some accessories -- not just for souvenir but also to show my deep appreciation and support for what they do.

We continued our City tour, and visited the Barter Trade Center in Canelar Street to buy (more) pasalubong for family and friends (especially those who got stranded in Dumaguete and didn’t make it to our planned trip). Everyone enjoyed our “shopping spree” of malongs, imported food items like Old Town coffee, chocolates, White Rabbit, Apollo biscuits, sotanghon, shirts, bags. Most products are from Malaysia and Indonesia, and are truly inexpensive. My personal favorite would have to be the Safe Care aromatherapy oil from Indonesia (just goes to show how old I really am!)

Our last stop for the City tour was KCC Mall de Zamboanga across our hotel. It’s the biggest in their chain of malls, and the largest of all malls in the Zamboanga Peninsula, with over 200 stores spread over seven floors (including two basement levels). We ended our day being warmly welcomed by Cielo Lynn Gadiane Saavedra-Navarro and family, Dan’s classmate at Silliman. They treated us with a stately dinner at Astoria Regency Hotel.

Our three-day adventure, riding our motorbikes for more than 690 kilometers to Zamboanga, felt like it was quick as lightning. As they say, it’s always like that when you are in good company and are having pure fun! Our love for motor riding brought us all to Zamboanga. And only God’s love and protection saw us through!

NegOr triathletes compete in Ironman

Triathletes from Negros Oriental will see action in the season finale of the Ironman 70.3 triathlon on Sunday, Nov. 13 in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan.

Also known as the “City in a Forest”, the capital city of Palawan will play host for the first time to the premier triathlon and ultimate endurance test, featuring a 1.9-kilometer open water swim, 90-kilometer bike race, and 21-kilometer run.

Over 1,300 triathletes have signed up to compete, with 891 of them all geared up for a tough fight in the overall, individual, and age-group divisions. The relay competition is also set to take place, with a total of 162 entries.

To date, the Ironman 70.3-Puerto Princesa race has drawn triathletes from all over the world, with participants hailing from 26 different countries.

The race course for Ironman 70.3 begins at 6:25am with a single-loop of swim at the Puerto Princesa Baywalk Park. Athletes will them embark on a three-loop 90-km bike ride that will take them through lush rainforests, and scenic views of Puerto Princesa’s southern part to the Iwahig Bridge. Triathletes will then transition south and around the City Center after racking their bikes for the two-loop 21-km run, then straight to the Ramon Mitra Jr. Sports Complex oval track to cross the finish line. (PR)

healthy nutrition choices to recover and be replenished with vital nutrients that the body needs to perform for every workout.

Phase 4 is the final test which indicates if the athlete is on target with his initial goal. The weekly mileage is reduced, although the intensity remains. There are specific workout exercises that focuses on race pace or race simulation run. This is the best time to test what race day nutrition works or doesn’t.

Finally, the last week before the race is called “Taper Week”. This is when the daily mileage is reduced tremendously, and final preparation for the race is considered, including what sports attire and running shoes are appropriate to wear in the race, and seriously getting enough rest and sleep in the final days.

During the taper week is also a good time to keep hydrating with water and electrolytes as often as possible, more than ever needed for hot weather, and warm conditions.

About three days before the race, it is important to consume at least 60 percent carbohydrates, 30 percent protein, and 10 percent fat to fuel the body.

Try to visualize the race in your mind, complete with your race strategy, and do some meditation to calm the nerves. Then it is best to arrive at the race venue at least an hour before the race to be able to

Oil, 2.03 percent; Industrial, 1.22 percent; Financials, 1.01 percent; and Services, 0.71 percent.Volume reached 441.04 million shares amounting to PHP4.92 billion.

Advancers led decliners at 125 to 58 while 40 shares were unchanged.“Philippine stocks rallied, fueled by a better-than-feared US inflation print, giving investors the idea that the overall prices of goods may be cooling,” said Luis Limlingan, Regina Capital Development Corp. head of sales.

The US consumer price index (CPI) in the 10th month of the year rose by 0.4 percent every month and 7.7 percent year on year, slower than the previous month’s 8.2 percent.

Limlingan said sentiments were also boosted by the higher-than-expected growth of the domestic economy in the third quarter of the year, which the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Thursday to be at 7. 6 percent, faster than the previous quarter’s upwardly revised 7.5 percent.

The local currency also gained against the US dollar and closed the day at 57.23 from 58.19 a day ago.

It opened the day at 57.4 and traded between 57.59 and 57.14, averaging 57.35.

Volume reached USD820.15 million, higher than the USD792 million on Thursday.

take care of personal business, and do some light warm up to be physically and mentally ready.

*****

In last week’s Sandurot Half Marathon in Dumaguete, some of our local runners amazingly ran their Personal Best times.

Our very own Jason Padayao of Spectrum Running team was declared champion, with a breakthrough time of 1 hour and 12 minutes running 21 kilometers. Which means, Jason was running at a pace of 3 minutes-26 seconds per kilometer.

Coming in second was his team mate, Erl Peorilo, who only five minutes behind, running at a pace of 3 minutes-40 seconds per kilometer

The race drew more than 300 runners from here and outside the Province, running from Burgos Street and taking the streets to Bajumpandan, Cantil-E, Talay, Cadawinonan, Junob, Motong, Pulangtubig, Bantayan, and Piapi to complete the loop back to Burgos Street for the finish.

The Sandurot Half Marathon is popular especially for those who are registered to run Cebu City Marathon. With nine more weeks to go, the Sandurot Half Marathon is a good test of how these athletes can expect to run the final 21K or 42K come January 2023 in Cebu City.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort, in a report, said the local currency finished the day’s trade at its strongest since Sept. 15, 2022, when it closed at 57.16.

Aside from the positive inflation developments in the US, he said, the local currency also benefited from the sharp decline of the US dollar overnight after China decided to ease the quarantine period for inward travelers from 10 days to eight days and scrapped flight bans.

“Global crude oil prices still lingering among nine- month lows recently still partly supported sentiment on the peso and the rest of the local financial markets,” he said.

Ricafort said the latest domestic output report for the Philippines, as well as positive foreign direct investment (FDI) data, also lifted sentiments.

“The relatively stable peso exchange rate also brought about by signals/reiterations recently on local policy rate hikes of as much as +0.75 on the next rate-setting meeting on Nov. 17, 2022,” he said, referring to the meeting of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ policy-making Monetary Board.

For next week, he forecast the peso to trade between 56.75 and 57.75 to the US dollar. (PNA)

Rotarians and Anns of the Rotary Club of Dumaguete East celebrate the 50th birthday of Nova Arnaiz-Leon (3rd from left) tendered by PP Dan Leon (behind her). (Jul Gallogo photo)

LOCAL SOURCES

TAX REVENUES

Particulars

Particulars

Fines and Penalties-Service Income 630,000.00 471,450.00 -158,550.00 -25.17%

Medical, Dental and Laboratory Fees 480,000.00 450,190.00 -29,810.00 -6.21%

42,507,453.00 43,825,306.84 1,317,853.84 3.10%

REAL PROPERTY TAX 10,343,303.00 9,338,810.43 -1,004,492.57 -9.71%

Real Property Tax -Basic 10,343,303.00 9,338,810.43 -1,004,492.57 -9.71%

Current Year 0.00 6,374,896.96 6,374,896.96 0%

Fines and Penalties-Current Year 0.00 38,926.71 38,926.71 0%

Prior Year/s 0.00 1,956,989.81 1,956,989.81 0%

Fines and Penalties-Prior Year/s 0.00 967,996.95 967,996.95 0%

TAX ON BUSINESS

28,132,150.00 30,685,418.63 2,553,268.63 9.08%

Amusement Tax 100,000.00 96,775.00 -3,225.00 -3.23%

Business Tax 27,091,000.00 29,639,698.53 2,548,698.53 9.41%

Manufacturers, Assemblers, etc. 27,058,000.00 654,778.78 -26,403,221.22 -97.58%

Wholesalers, Distributors, etc. 0.00 2,836,121.28 2,836,121.28 0%

Exporters, Manufacturers, Dealers, etc. 0.00 662,294.69 662,294.69 0%

Retailers 0.00 16,623,101.15 16,623,101.15 0%

Contractors and other Independent contractors 0.00 7,113,068.12 7,113,068.12 0%

Banks & Other Financial Institutions 0.00 1,260,752.67 1,260,752.67 0%

Printing & Publication Tax 33,000.00 15,186.29 -17,813.71 -53.98%

Tax on Amusement Places 0.00 110,126.16 110,126.16 0%

Other Business Taxes 0.00 364,269.39 364,269.39 0%

Tax on Delivery Trucks and Vans 173,410.00 192,250.00 18,840.00 10.86%

Fines and Penalties-Business Taxes 767,740.00 756,695.10 -11,044.90 -1.44%

OTHER TAXES 4,032,000.00 3,801,077.78 -230,922.22 -5.73%

Community Tax-Corporation 0.00 149,373.67 149,373.67 0%

Community Tax-Individual 3,327,000.00 3,071,339.58 -255,660.42 -7.68%

Professional Tax 205,000.00 183,889.00 -21,111.00 -10.30%

Real Property Transfer Tax 500,000.00 396,475.53 -103,524.47 -20.70%

NON-TAX REVENUES 32,673,265.00 35,572,064.22 2,898,799.22 8.87%

REGULATORY FEES (Permits and Licenses) 8,609,694.00 8,445,147.07 -164,546.93 -1.91%

Permits and Licenses 6,329,694.00 5,683,058.38 -646,635.62 -10.22%

Fees on Weights and Measures 281,855.00 258,081.41 -23,773.59 -8.43%

Business Permit Fees 2,120,000.00 2,188,920.01 68,920.01 3.25%

Building Permit Fees 2,085,839.00 1,628,570.75 -457,268.25 -21.92%

Zonal/Location Permit Fees 1,132,000.00 971,528.70 -160,471.30 -14.18%

Tricycle Operators Permit Fees 210,000.00 163,750.00 -46,250.00 -22.02%

Other Permits & Licenses 500,000.00 472,207.51 -27,792.49 -5.56%

Registration Fees 1,600,000.00 2,211,199.00 611,199.00 38.20%

Cattle/Animal Registration Fees 200,000.00 393,580.00 193,580.00 96.79%

Civil Registration Fees 1,400,000.00 1,817,619.00 417,619.00 29.83%

Inspection Fees 200,000.00 182,514.13 -17,485.87 -8.74%

Fines and Penalties-Permits and Licenses 480,000.00 368,375.56 -111,624.44 -23.26%

SERVICE/USER CHARGES (Service Income) 11,308,000.00 12,089,442.06 781,442.06 6.91%

Clearance and Certification Fees 2,800,000.00 1,707,409.60 -1,092,590.40 -39.02%

Secretary’s Fees 2,800,000.00 1,707,409.60 -1,092,590.40 -39.02% Other Fees 7,398,000.00 9,460,392.46 2,062,392.46 27.88% Garbage Fees 730,000.00 2,552,276.00 1,822,276.00 249.63%

6,668,000.00 6,908,116.46 240,116.46 3.60%

RECEIPTS FROM ECONOMIC ENTERPRISES (Business Income) 8,627,078.00 9,042,187.38 415,109.38 4.81%

Receipts from Economic Enterprises (Business Income) 8,627,078.00 9,042,187.38 415,109.38 4.81%

Cemetery Operations 282,250.00 234,626.05 -47,623.95 -16.87%

Market Operations 6,727,928.00 7,417,434.89 689,506.89 10.25%

Slaughterhouse Operations 1,616,900.00 1,171,055.80 -445,844.20 -27.57%

Other Economic Enterprises 0.00 219,070.64 219,070.64 0%

OTHER INCOME/RECEIPTS (Other General Income) 4,128,493.00 5,995,287.71 1,866,794.71 45.22%

Interest Income 4,000,000.00 3,770,875.61 -229,124.39 -5.73%

Other General Income (Miscellaneous) 128,493.00 2,224,412.10 2,095,919.10 1631.15%

Miscellaneous - Others 128,493.00 2,224,412.10 2,095,919.10 1631.15%

TOTAL INCOME-LOCAL SOURCES 75,180,718.00 79,397,371.06 4,216,653.06 5.61%

EXTERNAL SOURCES

SHARE FROM NATIONAL TAX COLLECTION 1,663,938,063.00 1,663,938,063.00 0.00 0%

INTERNAL REVENUE ALLOTMENT 1,663,938,063.00 1,663,938,063.00 0.00 0%

Current Year 0.00 1,663,938,063.00 1,663,938,063.00 0%

RECEIPTS FROM LOANS AND BORROWINGS (PAYABLE) 0.00 139,871,454.53 139,871,454.53 0%

Loans - Domestic 0.00 139,871,454.53 139,871,454.53 0%

900,000.00 41,582,380.05 40,682,380.05 4520.26%

OTHER NON-INCOME RECEIPTS

Collection Receivables 0.00 2,235,180.00 2,235,180.00 0%

Refund of Cash Advances 0.00 2,227,843.90 2,227,843.90 0%

Collection from Inter-Agency Receivables 0.00 16,105,459.28 16,105,459.28 0%

Collection of Trust Liabilities 0.00 20,403,540.00 20,403,540.00 0%

Due from other NGAs 0.00 20,403,540.00 20,403,540.00 0%

Other Receivables 900,000.00 610,356.87 -289,643.13 -32.18%

TOTAL INCOME/RECEIPTS FROM EXTERNAL SOURCES 1,664,838,063.00 1,845,391,897.58 180,553,834.58 10.85%

TOTAL GENERAL FUND 1,740,018,781.00 1,924,789,268.64 184,770,487.64 10.62%

SPECIAL EDUCATION FUND

SPECIAL EDUCATION TAX

Special Education Fund

0.00 12,968,934.00 12,968,934.00 0%

Current Year 0.00 9,106,997.47 9,106,997.47 0%

Fines and Penalties-Current Year 0.00 55,608.70 55,608.70 0%

Prior Year/s 0.00 2,571,028.60 2,571,028.60 0%

Fines and Penalties-Prior Year/s 0.00 1,235,299.23 1,235,299.23 0%

Other Receipts 0.00 13,534.80 13,534.80 0%

Interest Income 0.00 13,534.80 13,534.80 0%

TOTAL SPECIAL EDUCATION FUND 0.00 12,982,468.80 12,982,468.80 0%

GRAND TOTAL (GF + SEF) 1,740,018,781.00 1,937,771,737.44 197,752,956.44 11.36%

ADVANCE PAYMENT FOR RPT

General Fund 81,117.44

Special Education Fund 115,894.05

TOTAL 197,011.49

Certified correct: OPHELIA URIKA R. TRINIDAD Acting City Treasurer

6,685,000.00 46,496,765.00 3,617,471.98 22,285,446.80 0.00 528,206.37 26,431,125.15 2,945,513.02 10,963,333.20 0.00 6,156,793.63 20,065,639.85 43.15%

Office of the Vice Governor/ Vice Mayor 1016 2,636,901.00 1,328,108.00 0.00 0.00 3,965,009.00 1,933,193.01 353,553.97 0.00 0.00 2,286,746.98 703,707.99 974,554.03 0.00 0.00 1,678,262.02 42.33%

Sangguniang Panlalawigan/ Panlungsod/Pambayan 1021 27,327,463.00 10,720,695.00 0.00 0.00 38,048,158.00 18,127,671.55 6,265,235.56 0.00 0.00 24,392,907.11 9,199,791.45 4,455,459.44 0.00 0.00 13,655,250.89 35.89%

Support Services(Secretary to the Sanggunian) 1022 9,755,922.00 329,750.00 0.00 0.00 10,085,672.00 5,206,783.36 160,440.22 0.00 0.00 5,367,223.58 4,549,138.64 169,309.78 0.00 0.00 4,718,448.42 46.78%

Office of the Provincial/ City/Municipal Administrator 1031 16,739,926.00 21,537,625.00 0.00 541,000.00 38,818,551.00 7,230,362.11 10,817,697.54 0.00 122,026.24 18,170,085.89 9,509,563.89 10,719,927.46 0.00 418,973.76 20,648,465.11 53.19%

Personnel Officer/Human Resource Management Office 1032 4,774,089.00 4,816,794.10 0.00 2,880,000.00 12,470,883.10 1,869,493.41 2,594,519.32 0.00 1,706,480.84 6,170,493.57 2,904,595.59 2,222,274.78 0.00 1,173,519.16 6,300,389.53 50.52%

Office of the Planning and Development Coordinator 1041 12,627,396.00 13,015,060.00 0.00 623,000.00 26,265,456.00 8,203,730.99 7,002,337.63 0.00 433,288.34 15,639,356.96 4,423,665.01 6,012,722.37 0.00 189,711.66 10,626,099.04 40.46%

Office of the Civil Registrar 1051 5,950,471.00 788,689.00 0.00 1,135,000.00 7,874,160.00 3,897,207.27 289,978.45 0.00 72,928.93 4,260,114.65 2,053,263.73 498,710.55 0.00 1,062,071.07 3,614,045.35 45.90%

General Services Office 1061 30,974,652.00 39,197,920.00 0.00 17,327,175.00 87,499,747.00 22,132,477.75 19,743,519.16 0.00 500,305.83 42,376,302.74 8,842,174.25 19,454,400.84 0.00 16,826,869.17 45,123,444.26 51.57%

Office of the Provincial/City/ Municipal Budget Officer 1071 9,466,561.00 322,239.00 0.00 280,000.00 10,068,800.00 5,188,047.21 81,155.48 0.00 267,300.00 5,536,502.69 4,278,513.79 241,083.52 0.00 12,700.00 4,532,297.31 45.01%

Office of the Provincial/City/ Municipal Accountant 1081 14,600,780.00 602,810.00 0.00 256,600.00 15,460,190.00 9,411,885.36 124,973.61 0.00 190,000.00 9,726,858.97 5,188,894.64 477,836.39 0.00 66,600.00 5,733,331.03 37.08%

Office of the Provincial/City/ Municipal Treasurer 1091 21,313,737.00 5,720,640.00 0.00 2,612,000.00 29,646,377.00 12,939,721.18 2,623,969.85 0.00 1,869,500.15 17,433,191.18 8,374,015.82 3,096,670.15 0.00 742,499.85 12,213,185.82 41.20%

Office of the Provincial/City/ Municipal Assessor 1101 9,668,244.00 2,607,941.00 0.00 210,000.00 12,486,185.00 4,307,141.13 1,313,229.26 0.00 196,383.92 5,816,754.31 5,361,102.87 1,294,711.74 0.00 13,616.08 6,669,430.69 53.41%

Office of the Legal Officer 1131 4,503,055.00 1,063,740.00 0.00 165,000.00 5,731,795.00 2,101,550.01 192,431.68 0.00 0.00 2,293,981.69 2,401,504.99 871,308.32 0.00 165,000.00 3,437,813.31 59.98%

Aids to Barangay 0.00 28,000,000.00 0.00 0.00 28,000,000.00 0.00 28,000,000.00 0.00 0.00 28,000,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0%

SOCIAL SERVICES 62,222,500.22 89,022,665.72 0.00 6,568,250.00 157,813,415.94 43,721,319.87 29,930,361.11 0.00 227,955.77 73,879,636.75 18,501,180.35 59,092,304.61 0.00 6,340,294.23 83,933,779.19 53.19%

Education, Culture & Sports/ Manpower Development 3000 0.00 167,490.00 0.00 0.00 167,490.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 167,490.00 0.00 0.00 167,490.00 100.00%

Secondary School 3322 0.00 167,490.00 0.00 0.00 167,490.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 167,490.00 0.00 0.00 167,490.00 100.00% Health, Nutrition & Population Control 4000 47,896,997.22 36,881,450.00 0.00 5,730,500.00 90,508,947.22 36,199,734.99 16,811,254.46 0.00 39,500.00 53,050,489.45 11,697,262.23 20,070,195.54 0.00 5,691,000.00 37,458,457.77 41.39%

Office of the Health Officer 4411 47,896,997.22 36,881,450.00 0.00 5,730,500.00 90,508,947.22 36,199,734.99 16,811,254.46 0.00 39,500.00 53,050,489.45 11,697,262.23 20,070,195.54 0.00 5,691,000.00 37,458,457.77 41.39%

Rural Health Unit (RHU) 4411-2 47,896,997.22 36,881,450.00 0.00 5,730,500.00 90,508,947.22 36,199,734.99 16,811,254.46 0.00 39,500.00 53,050,489.45 11,697,262.23 20,070,195.54 0.00 5,691,000.00 37,458,457.77 41.39%

Social Services and Social Welfare 7000 14,325,503.00 51,973,725.72 0.00 837,750.00 67,136,978.72 7,521,584.88 13,119,106.65 0.00 188,455.77 20,829,147.30 6,803,918.12 38,854,619.07 0.00 649,294.23 46,307,831.42 68.98%

7611 14,325,503.00 25,873,444.00 0.00 837,750.00 41,036,697.00 7,521,584.88 13,119,106.65 0.00 188,455.77 20,829,147.30 6,803,918.12 12,754,337.35 0.00 649,294.23 20,207,549.70 49.24% 30%

0.00 26,100,281.72 0.00 0.00 26,100,281.72 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 26,100,281.72 0.00 0.00 26,100,281.72 100.00% Economic Services 8000 75,490,315.00 311,291,759.25 0.00 646,748,566.38 1,033,530,640.63 43,877,390.08 172,116,746.81 0.00 55,862,314.03 271,856,450.92 31,612,924.92 139,175,012.44 0.00 590,886,252.35 761,674,189.71 73.70%

Office of the Provincial/City/ Municipal Agriculturist 8711 16,465,045.00 125,320,627.00 0.00 11,653,484.76 153,439,156.76 8,467,120.88 76,836,562.71 0.00 0.00 85,303,683.59 7,997,924.12 48,484,064.29 0.00 11,653,484.76 68,135,473.17 44.41%

Office of the Veterinarian 8721 8,093,627.00 19,091,218.00 0.00 2,820,000.00 30,004,845.00 4,284,451.62 10,094,186.59 0.00 0.00 14,378,638.21 3,809,175.38 8,997,031.41 0.00 2,820,000.00 15,626,206.79 52.08%

Office of the Environment and Natural Resources Officer 8731 7,406,344.00 34,968,281.00 0.00 2,900,000.00 45,274,625.00 4,567,459.21 20,296,299.26 0.00 162,319.37 25,026,077.84 2,838,884.79 14,671,981.74 0.00 2,737,680.63 20,248,547.16 44.72%

Office of the Provincial/City/ Municipal Engineer 8751 32,390,996.00 90,404,739.50 0.00 225,624,348.44 348,420,083.94 20,460,686.98 44,555,098.83 0.00 11,158,335.49 76,174,121.30 11,930,309.02 45,849,640.67 0.00 214,466,012.95 272,245,962.64 78.14%

Office of the Cooperatives Officer 8761 5,453,640.00 16,700,500.00 0.00 4,358,692.00 26,512,832.00 2,794,123.90 6,107,376.98 0.00 193,758.25 9,095,259.13 2,659,516.10 10,593,123.02 0.00 4,164,933.75 17,417,572.87 65.69%

Operation of Economic Enterprise 8888 5,680,663.00 3,336,165.00 0.00 224,000.00 9,240,828.00 3,303,547.49 1,762,906.26 0.00 0.00 5,066,453.75 2,377,115.51 1,573,258.74 0.00 224,000.00 4,174,374.25 45.17%

Operation of Markets (Economic Enterprise) 8811 4,818,427.00 2,725,501.00 0.00 0.00 7,543,928.00 2,655,864.78 1,622,720.58 0.00 0.00 4,278,585.36 2,162,562.22 1,102,780.42 0.00 0.00 3,265,342.64 43.28%

Operation of Slaughterhouse (Economic Enterprise) 8812 862,236.00 545,664.00 0.00 224,000.00 1,631,900.00 647,682.71 140,185.68 0.00 0.00 787,868.39 214,553.29 405,478.32 0.00 224,000.00 844,031.61 51.72%

Operation of Cemeteries (Economic Enterprise) 8841 0.00 65,000.00 0.00 0.00 65,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 65,000.00 0.00 0.00 65,000.00 100.00%

20% Local Development Fund 8911 0.00 0.00 0.00 358,237,612.60 358,237,612.60 0.00 0.00 0.00 43,867,959.15 43,867,959.15 0.00 0.00 0.00 314,369,653.45 314,369,653.45 87.75%

70% Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund 0.00 21,470,228.75 0.00 40,930,428.58 62,400,657.33 0.00 12,464,316.18 0.00 479,941.77 12,944,257.95 0.00 9,005,912.57 0.00 40,450,486.81 49,456,399.38 79.26%

Disaster Prevention and Mitigation 0.00 21,470,228.75 0.00 40,930,428.58 62,400,657.33 0.00 12,464,316.18 0.00 479,941.77 12,944,257.95 0.00 9,005,912.57 0.00 40,450,486.81 49,456,399.38 79.26% Debt Service 0.00 0.00 61,000,000.00 0.00 61,000,000.00 0.00 0.00 45,186,149.26 0.00 45,186,149.26 0.00 0.00 15,813,850.74 0.00 15,813,850.74 25.92% Principal 0.00 0.00 30,763,409.94 0.00 30,763,409.94 0.00 0.00 29,059,259.80 0.00 29,059,259.80 0.00 0.00 1,704,150.14 0.00 1,704,150.14 5.54% Local Development Projects 0.00 0.00 30,763,409.94 0.00 30,763,409.94 0.00 0.00 29,059,259.80 0.00 29,059,259.80 0.00 0.00 1,704,150.14 0.00 1,704,150.14 5.54%

Loan AmortizationDomestic (Debt Service-Principal) 0.00 0.00 30,763,409.94 0.00 30,763,409.94 0.00 0.00 29,059,259.80 0.00 29,059,259.80 0.00 0.00 1,704,150.14 0.00 1,704,150.14 5.54% Interest

0.00 0.00 30,236,590.06 0.00 30,236,590.06 0.00 0.00 16,126,889.46 0.00 16,126,889.46 0.00 0.00 14,109,700.60 0.00 14,109,700.60 46.66% Interest Payment -

23,765,075.36 0.00 -23,765,075.36 0.00 0.00 -23,765,075.36 0%

-5,550,401.73 0.00 0.00 -5,550,401.73 0%

9,725,734.03 0.00 0.00 9,725,734.03 0.00 -9,725,734.03 0.00 0.00 -9,725,734.03 0%

204,214.74 0.00 0.00 204,214.74 0.00 -204,214.74 0.00 0.00 -204,214.74 0%

-1,318,579.90

817,183,091.38 2,049,124,445.49 286,610,733.46 606,582,597.31 45,186,149.26 63,803,060.27 1,002,182,540.30 173,946,520.76 103,801,502.58 15,813,850.74 753,380,031.11 1,046,941,905.19 51.09%

8,539,430.58 84.59%

8,854,798.00 0.00 1,240,202.00 10,095,000.00 0.00 1,341,936.66 0.00 213,632.76 1,555,569.42 0.00 7,512,861.34 0.00 1,026,569.24 8,539,430.58 84.59% TOTAL EXPENDITURES 460,557,254.22 719,238,897.89 61,000,000.00 818,423,293.38 2,059,219,445.49 286,610,733.46 607,924,533.97 45,186,149.26 64,016,693.03 1,003,738,109.72 173,946,520.76 111,314,363.92 15,813,850.74 754,406,600.35 1,055,481,335.77 51.26% Payment of

-205,162,590.94

-2,091,784.28 -109,128,242.35

SPORTS and WELLNESS

By Ylang-Ylang Parial-Jordan

The journey of ONe MC to Zamboanga!

For the past two months, our group, the Oriental Negros Moto Club, had been planning, praying, and dreaming about doing a major ride from Dumaguete to Zamboanga City in the big island of Mindanao. The recent long weekend (from Oct. 28 to Nov.1) was encouraging enough for Team ONe MC, so we decided to grab the opportunity.

Prior to the actual trip, we had only been hearing about Vale Zamboanga! back in our schooldays, or reading in the news about this Chavacano-speaking place down south. A number of

snack food. We are so grateful to Henri Voltaire “Dondon” & Tata Sojor who volunteered not to ride their bike but instead be in charge over the children in the support vehicle.

We finally planned to leave Oct. 28 to be able to meet up in Dipolog with 15 other motoriders –our family and friends from Kabankalan City. Our 6 a.m. FastCat eventually left the port of Dumaguete at 8 a.m. on that sunny Friday morning. Aboard the vessel, it was a joy to witness (and overhear) students excitedly talking about visiting home in their respective provinces in Mindanao.

Little did we know that all ships after ours had been cancelled

already, in preparation of the onslaught of typhoon ‘Paeng’. In short, our ride companions from Kabankalan were stranded in Dumaguete.

Then suddenly, the excited chatter from the students just stopped, everybody fell silent as typhoon ‘Paeng’ started causing huge waves to slam on our FastCat, “shaking” the catamaran, and delaying our supposed three-hour boat ride to Dapitan City by three hours more! It seemed like the motion discomfort and nausea would never end. (I suspect FastCat ran out of seasickness bags!)

Until finally after six grueling hours at sea, we landed in Dapitan by 2p.m. We are just so grateful that God kept us all safe! The humor we found in our boat experience became a highlight of our trip.

We had a quick late lunch at Jollibee, and left Dapitan by 3:15 p.m. as we wanted to arrive in Pagadian City before dark, for safety reasons. Thankfully, we hit our target, and were in Pagadian before 6 p.m. After checking in at Xaris Suites, we were treated to a sumptuous dinner in a local restaurant by Atty. Escalante Jr. and his family, Allan’s classmate in Political Science at Silliman. It was a unique experience riding the Pagadian kind of tricycle, which are designed to be able to negotiate the hilly undulating roads there. Then we walked around the gated plaza, still trying to relax from the boat trip earlier.

The next day, we planned to hit the road early but we

the news, in fact, were not so encouraging – bomb blasts here, kidnapping there, siege here, more bomb threats there…. But we were not discouraged. We wanted to see and experience Zamboanga for ourselves, and on wheels.

As a backrider, I was just as ecstatic as our designated drivers in the group for this major trip: my husband Jeremy, Atty. Allan Martinez, Ludo Managing, and Dan David Orbeta.

I’m sure they were enjoying tremendously being in control of the driving, but I also believe the backriders had the better view, as the drivers had to be focused on the road. My fellow backriders were Beth Managing, and the Singco sisters Engr. Geronica Martinez and Gina Orbeta.

Since it was also a long weekend off from school, surely it wouldn’t have been complete without our kids in tow, so we decided to take them along in our long ride. We assigned a Nissan Terra for the kids, which also served as our support vehicle carrying everything else, including all our personal effects and

Dumaguete’s pedia-hematologist-oncologist Dr. Sheila Marie Loo-Flores completes the 2022 TCS New York City Marathon held on Nov. 6 with a respectable time of 6 hours-11 minutes for the 42-kilometer route, her second World Major Marathon, after finishing the Berlin Marathon in September 2019. (Photo by Dulce Flores-Chandiramani in New York)

Dumaguete City Councilor Marife Cordova, organizer of the Sandurot fun run, is flanked by some run participants who are volunteers from Canada and Italy who are currently rendering services at the Bata ng Calabnugan orphanage in the town of Sibulan. (Photo by Lhorydan Catada)

Long distance runner Evamie Villarin wins the Sandurot Half Marathon. With her are 2nd placer Josephine Rodriguez, 3rd placer Jamine Cruz, (left to right) 4th placer Josie Asoy, 5th placer Sheila Chavez, 6th placer Maricar Maputi, 8th placer Mirolivet Canpila, 9th placer Maripol Rotea-Tecson, and 10th placer Angela dela Cerna. (Photo by Albert Tecson)

Marjorie Bermejo, dressed as an Avatar, wins the 5K Costume Fun Run. With her are 21K finishers Judge Dinah Chu, Maripol Tecson, and Sheila (Photo by Albert Tecson)

Sprinter Mereeis Ramirez wins 2nd place in the Sandurot 5K Costume Fun Run. (Contributed photo)