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PDEA orients PADAC about Balay Silangan
In Bohol, drug ‘surrenderers’ who were not in the police drug list know they have Center for Drug Education and Counseling (CEDEC) trained people in their towns to come to for community based rehabilitation. But, what about those who are in the police drug watch list, those who were nabbed for the possession of illegal drugs and paraphernalia, those who availed of the Supreme Court’s plea bargaining framework in drug cases, or those who have served prison sentences but still needs rehabilitation and would not qualify into a Department of Health (DOH) controlled medical facility? The answer is Balay Silangan, explained Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency PDEA) agent Cornelio Espartero Jr., during the joint meeting of the Provincial Anti Drug Abuse Council and the Provincial Peace and Order Council, May 27 at the Conference Hall of the Office of the Governor in the new Capitol building. During the previous PPOC and PADAC joint meeting, the PDEA floated the idea of Balay Silangan, but members demanded more information about the program, even as Bohol has identified lots for its donation to allow the construction of a drug rehabilitation facility. This time, PDEA agent Espartero came with a powerpoint presentation of the implementation of the “Balay Silangan:” the national drug reformation program that offers temporary refuge to drug offenders who are on rehabilitation. He said the facility aims to supply the temporary shelter of persons with substance use disorder (PSUD) with the goal of reforming these drug offenders into self-sufficient and law-abiding members of society. Still much like the Bohol CEDEC installed community based rehabilitation program (CBRP) mechanism in the town, the... read moreRising TRI dampens cops’ Crime reduction efforts
An unprecedented increase in traffic related incidents (TRI) in the first five months of this year in Bohol compared to the same periods in the last two years dampen the local crime-busters accomplishments, but even then, Bohol still finds a considerable decrease in total crime volume trends in the last three years. In Bohol in the last three years, from January to May, crime dipped to an average of 5.6%, which, to Camp Dagohoy, is already a positive indication of a proactive police force. The victory could have been much better if authorities could step on the brakes to lessen TRI. In a report he delivered before the joint meetings of the Provincial Peace and Order (PPOC) and the Provincial Anti Drug Abuse Council (PADAC), Bohol police Chief Police Colonel Julius Cesar Gornez showed that from 920 TRI in 2017, it zoomed to 1079 in the first five months of 2019. In the same report, he said the total crime volume from January to May in 2017 peaked at 3,224 or a monthly average of 644.8 for index and non-index crimes. Delivering his monthly crime statistics before the members of the joint councils, Gornez, who was in his customary PNP Goa uniform, pointed out that the 3224, slid to 3093 by the same period of 2018. He said four percent average decrease in crimes forms the accomplishment that Camp Dagohoy intended to maintain in the same period for the next year. But, by 2019, in January to May, crime statisticians at Camp Dagohoy compared their data from the Crime Information Reporting and Analysis System at Camp Crame noted that... read more
Aris alarmed over ‘unstable’ power
By JUNE S. BLANCO REP. Erico Aristotle Aumentado has expressed alarm over the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ (NGCP) pronouncement, through Cebu and Bohol Information Officer Betty Martinez, that Bohol’s power supply is now “critical”. Aumentdo said he is also saddened with the development, because as early as the last term as governor of his namesake father and immediate congressional predecessor Erico Boyles Aumentado, the lack of power to meet the province’s need with the looming implementation and completion of the Panglao Bohol International Airport was already recognized. The solon had expected that the Provincial Government would have already foreseen this considering that it had continuously invited investors to locate in Bohol. As the investors streamed in, he said, the need for additional power, and faster internet, should have been anticipated already so that these will not reach such critical point. Investors continue to stream in, but their respective operations might be hampered due to the lack of sustainable power, or the additional cost of maintaining power generators. “To think that the airport in Panglao is not yet operating its navigational equipment for nighttime operations, the critical power situation simply means that Bohol is not yet ready for the big time,” he said. Basic infrastructure like power and communications should be in place to make investors seriously consider locating in Bohol. The slow internet has made business process outsourcing (BPO) for call centers similarly slow. The BPOs could have been tapped for more employment. Additionally, he said, President Pinoy should have fast-tracked the matching of power production with the projection, especially with the implementation and impending operationalization of...So, who are HOTS in Bohol TechVoc Week’s Jobs Fair?
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, August 24 (PIA)— She never expected fate to finally be kind to her. Twenty-one years old Mariel Tocmo of Datag Sur, Balilihan has too many frustrations as a job seeker, she could not stop from thinking today was no different. A graduate of Corella National High School, Mariel admits her family has only enough to get by, not comfortably. “My father died, and being the youngest in the family, it is just about time I help,” she timidly shared in a chance casual conversation. As she was saying this, hundreds of job seekers were also in different processes of proving to the 6 international and 8 local employment agencies present during the Jobs Fair at the Bohol Cultural Center, that they have just the right skills for the job needed. A job fair offered by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to commemorate the National Technical Vocational (TechVoc) Week, other government agencies pitched in to elevate the TESDA skills bridging into a full scale employment event. With the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) JobStart and the Provincial Government through the Bohol Employment Placement Office (BEPO), the one day Jobs Fair hoped to reduce unemployment and push for economic productivity for people of the employable age, explained BEPO Officer In Charge Ma. Vilma Yorong during the jobs fair. “We are expecting over 800 job seekers today,” former TESDA information officer Jaminel Damolo said. Finding a job has become Mariel’s priority. After years of staying at home and helping her 62-year-old mother weave baskets and cope with her quota, the closest...Local News/ Bohol Balita
TIEZA endorses new Bohol tourism loops
By JUNE S. BLANCO THE Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) has approved in principle the development of new tourism loops for Bohol. Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado (Bohol, 2nd District) said the TIEZA concept groups that visited Bohol last month have endorsed the Abatan River-San Vicente Ferrer pilgrimage site-Punta Cruz Watchtower loop in Maribojoc town, the Ubay Stock Farm in Ubay and all possible activities on top of rodeos that can be done there, and more exciting and titillating activities at the Danao Adventure Park in Danao. Aumentado said the concept groups will next conduct the formal feasibility studies to determine what infrastructure and improvements are needed to ensure complete, convenient, enjoyable and memorable tourist experiences. Based on the studies, the detailed engineering designs (DEDs) and programs of works (POWs) can then be prepared. These, in turn, will determine the cost of the projects – readying them to be proposed for funding. The visit of the TIEZA concept groups was at the instance of Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco and Aumentado as part of the latter’s responsibilities as House Tourism vice chair. The solon had said Bohol should offer more than the Chocolate Hills and the tarsier to keep its niche in the highly competitive tourism industry – at a reasonable price range. The entry of more airlines to the province is a step in the right direction. Competition augurs well for each company trying to outdo each other in terms of rates and services, he said. This should also be the case for the resorts and hotels in Alona Beach in Panglao and all other beach strips here. To...“Carlos P. Garcia:” Destiny’s President
TAGBILARAN CITY, November 4 (PIA)—What could have happened if then Bohol Governor Carlos Polestico Garcia did not speak fluent spanish? Well, he could not have met and be endeared by then President Manuel L. Quezon. And he could not be placed under the tutelage of the country’s top politician to write his name in history. But even if he did speak fluent Spanish, if not for a big political figure in Bohol who died, he may still be nailed to a seat in an obscure province minding its intramural processes. But the death of Senator Jose Arsenio Clarin, the senate speaker protempore and the country’s third most powerful man seemingly opened a way for the Boholano teacher, poet and governor to be starting his shortened way to the country’s top seat, sums up Bohol historian Jose Marianito Luspo. Professor Luspo was retellingat the radio forum on air the accounts as told to him by fellow Tagbilaranon Jose Maria Rocha, the Boholano Presidents executive secretary. The sudden death of JA Clarin had President Quezon’s executive secretary Jose Yulo (who would later be appointed Justice Secretary) come to Bohol to finalize the funeral arrangements and lay the way for the guests. IT was when he met the governor for the coordination that Yulo noted Garcia speaking impeccable Spanish. While President Quezon also speaks perfect Spanish, Yulo told the President to just meet the governor and find out, Luspo who was invited to the Kapihan on Popularizing Caloy said. As the President, also known as the Big Spanish, was so impressed with the guy from Bohol, he accordingly told him to run...House Tourism Committee to attend World Travel Mart
By JUNE S. BLANCO THE House Committee on Tourism chaired by Rep. Lucy Torres (Leyte, 4th District) is slated to attend the World Travel Market (WTM) in London on November 6-8. This was learned from Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado (Bohol, 2nd District), who said he and six other committee vice chairs will be joined by representatives of the Department of Tourism (DOT). The latter will market the Philippines’ attractions and destinations. Aumentado said the Philippines stands to gain from, the WTM website says, “business contracts between exhibitors and travel professionals, key industry buyers, journalists, digital influencers, students and tourism ministers.” Last year, over three days, the global event generated more than £2.8 billion as almost 5,000 exhibiting destinations, technology and private sector companies found and networked with 51,000 attendees – in under just one roof. Industry leaders are also expected to discuss trends, issues and innovations in the travel industry. From the speakers’ inputs and their team’s observations and first-hand information from fellow attendees, Aumentado said their committee will craft necessary legislations to rev and enhance the Philippines’ tourism...House ups DEDVMH bed capacity to 300
By JUNE S. BLANCO THE Don Emilio del Valle Memorial Hospital (DEDVMH) in Ubay town stands to increase its bed capacity from 50 to 300. This after the House of Representatives approved on final reading the Committee on Health-endorsed bill of Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado of Bohol’s 2ndDistrict. The move aims to decongest the hospital that already serves as many as 70 confined patients each day – on top of those attended to in the Out-Patient Department. Aumentado noted that the DEDVMH now also caters to patients from even Bohol’s 3rd and 1st Districts. Parallel to the increase in bed capacity, the hospital is also gearing up for the arrival, installation and operationalization in the next two weeks of the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine that is part of the P45-million allocation from the surplus budget of the Department of Health (DoH) that Aumentado bagged during last year’s budget hearing. The machine will be the first to be installed in a national government hospital in the province. A Computed Tomography (CT) scan and five more dialysis machines round up the equipment procured with the P45 million. “There can be no development under a sick constituency,” Aumentado said, hence he is pushing for the upgrading and modernization of the health industry especially in Bohol’s northeastern part. “And the only way to start off and fast track the recovery of patients is to ensure that the hospital has ready and excellent medical services,” he added. Modern equipment, he added, augur well for accurate diagnoses – with no need for referrals to hospitals in Tagbilaran City or even Cebu City....The BCCI commending the AFP – 302nd Brigade in Bohol and the PNP Bohol for their exemplary performance in maintaining general peace and order in the Island Province of Bohol.
The Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry {BCCI} commending the Armed Forces of the Philippines – 302nd Brigade in Bohol headed by Brig.Gen. Arnulfo C. Matanguihan and the Philippine National Police – Bohol headed by PS/Supt. Felipe R. Natividad, for their exemplary performance in maintaining general peace and order in the Island Province of Bohol. The BCCI gave them each a plaque of appreciation and sponsored a lunch a la Boodle Fight, as a military way of celebrating friendship and togetherness. Also gracing the event with his participation is PNP Regional Director PC/Supt. Jose Mario M. Espino, as a special guest of the boodle fight activity. Leading the BCCI during this event is their President, Engr. Albert M. Uy with the Board of Trustees, VP for External Affairs- Mr. Norris Oculam, VP for Internal Affairs – Ms.Marietta Gasatan, Secretary- Mr Steven Lim, Public Relations Committee Chair -Mr. Peter Dejaresco, Peace and Order Committee Chair -Mr. Jess Quipit and IT Committee Chair – Mr. Jerome Auza. Also in the photo are BCCI Exec.Director Ms. Rolaine B. Uy, BCCI Secretariat Nida Bacamante and Jaya Dy and BCCI Member Ms. Daisy...National News
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