Catigbian resolves timberland issue over barangay Maitum

by | Aug 22, 2010 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita

DARKNESS eases out of Barangay Maitum in Catigbian when dialog diffused a potential governance headache here.

Long believed as an incendiary that help spark the avid support to the communist, the situation could not just be left unattended, says Catigbian Mayor Roberto Salinas.

Maitum, an agricultural barangay sliced off from a forest, owns 638.8 hectares all classified timberland based on the 1928 survey.

Being timberlands, farmers eversince could not own lands as this is technically government property.

The implications are unthinkable, says Mayor Roberto Salinas, hinting that everyone here is illegally settling and harvesting their planted trees on government lands can get them to jail.

“The thing is, we have problems collecting real estate and property tax from the people as the lands they settle in, are technically not theirs” bemoaned Salinas.

On his last term, Salinas has since attempted to remedy the situation by reclassification of timberlands into alienable and disposable (A and D) lands. This allows the process of claiming ownership to proceed.

After several attempts, the retired navy captain turned mayor finally succeeded in facilitating a dialog among residents and authorities from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Agrarian Reform (DAR) and local concerned agencies and offices last August 17, 2010.

That day, at the Maitum Barnagy Hall, DENR 7 Regional Director V11 Leonardo Sibaluca, Regional Technical Director (RTD) for Forest Management Service Isabelo Montejo, RTD for Land Management Service Diana Apistar, and DAR RD Rudy Inson, Capitol Consultant Isabelito Tongco, PENRO Nestor Canda, CENRO Eusalem Quiwag, BEMO’s Nunilo La Fuente, DAR Bohol’s Operations chief Ronald Pumatong and Catigbian officials led by Salinas, Vice Mayor Rey Lacea, SB members, MPDC Tifilito Rulida, Mun Treasurere Ranulfo Suarez, Assessor Benjie Lacea, MARO Laura Lacea and Maitum barangay officials led by Brgy Captain Jun Tupaz convened for the historic ironing out of the governance kinks.

DAR Bohol’s Dr Ronald Pumatong recounted the “joint efforts” of the municipality and DAR, which has ushered in the moment.

RTDs Montejo and Diana Apistar admitted before the barangay folks that the problem sprouted from an erroneous 1928 survey.

Both of them however were amenable to reclassify the 356.3 hectares as A and D so these can be titled in favor of the farmers.

The meeting then led to the correction of classification from the erroneous survey thereby identifying more than half of the total Maitum area as alienable and disposable, to the applause of barangay folks.

This leaves only an area of only 282.5 hectares as timberland.

Over the development, DENR RD Sibaluca, urged accelerated process of documentation pegged a month-long target so they can finally turn over the A and D lands to DAR for proper disposition.

Finally, DAR RD Inson directed his men to fast track the titling of the lands already tilled by farmers long time ago.

Asked if the one-month target is attainable, government officials said they are optimistic that it can be done. (racPIABohol)

Salinas asks “DOH share” in running P15M hospital

by | Aug 25, 2008 | Headlines, Local News / Bohol Balita

AFTER successfully tapping sources to fund its P15M Municipal Health Center, Mayor Roberto Salinas now dared the Department of Health (DOH) to put up its “share” in the future operation of the structure the town would build starting next month.

After all, it was DOH who introduced in the town an innovative health program called the Leaders for Health Program (LHP), a joint project of the health department, Ateneo de Manila Graduate School of Business (AGSB) and Pfizer Philippines.

Since the Salubungan in 2003, the LHP was introduced by the DOH in the Visayas and Manila based doctor volunteers were immediately assigned to Catigbian and Bindoy in Negros Oriental, two Central Visayas beneficiaries, sources revealed.

Salinas implored the government health agency for help in the operation of Bohol’s second town run hospital.

The LHP also empowered Catigbianons, led by local officials to think, feel and behave towards health as authorities developed leaders who champion for health in the community.

During the Commencement Ceremonies for Municipal Health Officers (MHO) held at Ateneo de Manila in Quezon City recently, Salinas found the chance to cast the challenge as he witnessed the granting of a masteral degree to the Catigbian MHO.

Dr. Evangelista earned the degree after 4 years of LHP implementation in Catigbian, as stipulated upon the program inception.

Two years ago, Mayor Salinas received from AGSB a certificate course in governance and so had two of the town’s community health leaders: Marichelle Rulida and Virgilia Sequiña.

Salinas, with the community leaders attended the exercises marking the end of the LHP in the country.

The 4-year program also earned for Catigbian recognition of completion after program implementation since September 2004.

Moreover, the program also earned for Catigbian Dr. Evangelista, 2 years of work with the DOH DTTB program.

The town, in compliance with existing laws has put up local projects for community birthing centers.

The program also assured for the town technical support in the local health plan development and health services innovation as evidenced by the Sentrong Sigla certification and PhilHealth and TeleHealth program expansions, Evangelista said.

Recently, the town under Mayor Salinas entered into an agreement with the World Bank to fund its P15M health center, in its efforts to expand its health services.

The 2 storey hospital building is set to be erected next month, but the town still has to put up operational costs and medical equipment to assure its efficient operation. (rachiu/PIA)

RAISING LOCAL HEALTH CONCERNS, Mayor Roberto Salinas dared the DOH to put up its share in operating the soon to rise P15M Municipal Health Center here. The Mayor’s picture, together with Vice Mayor Digaum and Treasurer Ranufo Suarez however was taken during the recent nutri-month culmination activities.

RAISING LOCAL HEALTH CONCERNS, Mayor Roberto Salinas dared the DOH to put up its share in operating the soon to rise P15M Municipal Health Center here. The Mayor’s picture, together with Vice Mayor Digaum and Treasurer Ranufo Suarez however was taken during the recent nutri-month culmination activities.