by jeyzsonic | Jul 18, 2008 | Headlines
IN an attempt to strike a happy compromise about a controversial reshuffle move, some Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) field officers extend their stay in their areas of assignments, but not for long.
Of the 23 who were re-assigned to different Bohol towns, 6 MLGOOs get to stay in their respective areas of assignments until December, while field men who are “accepted” in their new town assignments are deemed transferred effective immediately.
For the 6 towns, Regional Director Pedro A. Noval said they would have two MLGOOs, the outgoing and the incoming, so that the transition is smoothened and two officers would join hands in local operations until full implementations happen in January of next year.
The reshuffle has generated resentment among some mayors who admit they were not consulted and their out-going MLGOOs did not appraise them of the policy despite alleged expressed instructions from the regional and provincial offices.
The move to retain the 6 MLGOOs did not fare well among the six mayors however.
The six mayors said they were just representing the mayors league members and if the deferred move applies to them, it should apply to all the 23 towns.
Mayors have bemoaned of losing a key cog in the governance machinery at a bad time when operations are at full speed.
But DILG Regional Director Pedro A. Noval Jr. invoked a department policy of allowing their people to grow by exposing their field men to different assignments.
DILG provincial director Rustica Mascariñas also turned emotional when she stood to defend the order by claiming that she personally instructed field officers to notify the mayors.
“Twice we instructed them about the reshuffling in line with the national government’s streamlining plan. I am sorry if I have offended [mayors], but I cant do away with a department order, a teary Mascariñas wavered in front of a majority of league members gathered at the Governor’s Mansion Thursday.
Meanwhile, Noval was also all apologies for what could be a default by the department’s field officers even as he vowed to reprimand and deal with those who apparently did not follow the proper courtesies and conduct of government workers.
On the other hand, the mayors admitted they have nothing against the department policy, but they deserve to be consulted and at least informed of the decisions as courtesy they deserve by hosting the MLGOOs in their town halls.
Over his apologies, Reg. Dir Noval promised he would personally see to it that the department sends the proper communications to the mayors the next time the department implements another move. (rachiu/PIA)
by jeyzsonic | Jul 18, 2008 | Headlines
THE Department of Finance (DOF) agreed to bankroll in part Catigbian’s proposal for a P10.2 M Municipal Health Center with a lying in capacity through its Local Government Finance Development (LOGOFIND) Municipal Development Fund Office (MDFO) facility.
The development elated local government officials led by Mayor Roberto Salinas, who needed to appeal for reconsideration on the extension of the LOGOFIND to get an active status and still be eligible for funding.
Earlier, Catigbian submitted the proposal to DOF through Usec. Roberto Tan of the MDFO for funding of a construction of Catigbian Main Rural Health Unit. But it came at a time when the LOGOFIND was on the tail end of its program implementation.
According to Mayor Salinas, the proposal they submitted includes construction of a 5-bed puericulture center with family planning center, chemical lab with laboratory equipments and supplies, dental clinic, minor surgical clinic with equipment and supplies as well as provision of additional medicines and supplies.
In his letter of appeal to the DOF, Salinas begged for program extension as the government has already spent around P800 thousand for the sub-project preparation. He hinted that a denial would seriously affect the morale of the people preparing the projects and Catigbianons who have been waiting and wanting for a better health service.
To the appeal, the MDFO management committee passed a resolution approving the Catigbian proposal for a 628.68 square meter 2-storey Infirmary Hospital Building with a perimeter fence and concrete pavement on a subproject basis.
The subproject follows a 35% loan, 50% grant and 15% equity to the tune of P10,247,436.00 an amount Salinas said could go higher with their equity now being based on current rates.
Not only seen as a potential means to increase the effective rendition of the LGUs health social services and empower its health workers, but also as revenue generation tool, the project proposal states.
In fact, Salinas showed a no objection letter from DOF telling him to go for the procurement of works via a competitive bidding as well as the corresponding standard bidding documents on the LOGOFIND project. The letter, dated July 4 was signed by Helena Habulan, LOGOFIND executive director. (rachiu/PIA)
by jeyzsonic | Jul 18, 2008 | National News
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has declared September 12, 2008 as a National Day of Prayer for Peace and Reconciliation of our nation.
In Proclamation No. 1555, the President said the promotion of peace and unity among the Filipino people remains to be one of the highest goals of the government.
Stressing the urgency for the “National Day of Prayer for Peace and Reconciliation, the President said, “Our country is facing several challenges, which require the steadfast devotion of every Filipino to work for the common good and for the betterment of our country, adding that such a special day may serve to promote the attainment of our national goals.”
She then called on the nation to look inward “in order to make reaffirmation of our commitment to promote the attainment of this goal, through personal reflection, change in attitudes, and solidarity for the public welfare and the development of our country.” (PIA/Bohol)
by jeyzsonic | Jul 17, 2008 | Local News / Bohol Balita
AT least 17 Bohol of towns should have no existing quarry operations.
Residents in these towns who may have noticed any quarry activities may call or text 0926 973 6654 or o915 318 1146. A staff at the Task Force Kabukiran Tactical operations Center in Camp Dagohoy, mans the number 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, TFK operations head PSSupt Edgardo Ingking said recently.
All information shall be treated confidential, he added.
Of the 17, 9 towns have no permits issue, another 8 have expired permits, 2 have deferred permits while 3 more have suspended mining operations being within a protected site.
According to the list of permittees furnished by the Bohol Environment and Management Office (BEMO) as of July this year, no permits were granted in Batuan, Clarin, Cortes, Dimiao, Pilar, San Isidro, Sevilla, Valencia and Tagbilaran City.
On the 8-page list, BEMO head Engr. Renato Villaber also named Anda, Balilihan, Buenavista, Catigbian, Danao, Loboc, San Miguel and Tubigon as having previous quarry sites but operators have expired their permits, presumably after having gathered the volume they applied for.
Moreover, permitees grantees in Jagna and Garcia Hernandez have deferred permits, BEMO reported.
The Capitol environment office did not include in its report if anybody have pending permits applied in Dauis, Panglao, President Garcia, Bilar and Dagohoy.
This means that in 25 towns of Bohol’s 47, mining activities should not be found, and if there are, they are definitely illegal.
Bohol quarry sites boast of high-grade lime stones, manganese, sand and gravel, R-phosphates, silica, guano, river sand, pebbles, boulders and diorite.
With the list, Capitol also hopes local government units and barangay governments can immediately notify any member of the newly hatched; Task Force Kabukiran (TFK) of any irregular mining activities in their areas.
PSSUpt Ingking then urges residents to report to the local police stations or their respective mayors any perceived illegal quarry operations so the TFK can immediately act with dispatch. (rachiu/PIA)
by jeyzsonic | Jul 17, 2008 | National News
CAPITOL recently bares holders of active quarry permits in Bohol in a bid to inform local government units and barangay leaders about existing legitimate operations and urge them to report to authorities of any perceived mining operations.
Through Task Force Kabukiran, Governor Erico Aumentado has launched an in-house environmental watch group which binds hands with national agencies to extend muscle flexing power and effectively implement applicable environment laws, said Engr Renato Villaber during the recent League of Municipalities of the Philippines meeting at the Bohol Tropics.
Villaber, who head the Bohol Environment Management Office also named at least 45 active permittees in Bohol operating quarries in about 30 towns of Bohol’s 47.
According to a list furnished by Bemo, Shirley Bungabong operates for sand and gravel (SAG) in West Poblacion Alburquerque, Rodrigo Labunog and Christopher Uy for limestone in Napo Alicia and Joel Bomediano for limestone in Cabatang Alicia.
In Antequera, S&Cu Construction mines for limestone in Danao, Rodrigo Labunog and Romeo Salon extracts the same quarry material from Cambanac and San Roque.
Calape has three valid permitees: Giovani Nazareno for limestone in Catmonan, Dennis Josol for limestone in Tultugan and Barangay Calunasa has river sand quarry permit in its barangay.
Candijay has only Hench/H Chua as permitee for manganese in barangay Panas.
In Corella, only Cesar Maluenda holds a limestone permit to quarry in Cancatac.
Duero has Teofanes Acenas and Bonifacio Cagape operating for SAG in Cansuhay, Herenita Peligro in Lobogon and the municipality of Duero for SAG and salt in San Antonio and Cansuhay.
Active permitees operating in Guindulman include Emmanuel Tubig, Asterio Casing and sinforiano Labastida for SAG at barangays Catungawan Sur and Norte.
Gatafe has Sinforiano Labastida mining for boulders at Corte-Baud, while in Inabanga, Anita Gudez, Jose Cellan and Segundo Anud mine for SAG in Saa, Napo and Lonoy respectively.
Maximo Roluna solely mines for limestone in Pondol Loon.
Loay has got Rodrigo Labunog for limestone in Tocdog Dacu while Isisdoro Cesar for SAG in Tambangan.
Rodrigo Labunog and Municipality of Lila mines for limestones in Poblacion and Lomany respectively in Lila, while only Tantrade Coproration extracts R-Phosphate in Marcelo Mabini.
Maribojoc has Ramir Yu mining limestone in Candavid, Colonia Hinay for limestone in Libjo Sikatuna and Gershon Dulang extracts silica in Santo Nino, Talibon along with Luzviminda Dulang for silica in Tanghaligue, Garry lou Dulang for diorite in Bagacay and Carlito hernias for boulders in Sto. Nino.
In Sierra Bullones, Uldarico Butron operates for SAG in Poblacion.
In Trinidad, silt is extracted by the MDCC, Claro Jabines gatheres boulders in Kina-oan, Paul Caberte for limestone in Kauswagan while Johver Minerals Inc gathers silica in San Vicente and Kinan-oan.
Finally, Ubay has Hanjin mining limestone in Ilihan, Deodato Butawan for limestone in Bood, Barangay San Vicente for SAG in their place, the PEO for limestone in Tipolo and Cesar Maluenda for limestone in Sinandigan. (rachiu/PIA)
