Ms. Earth beauties help save a historical jewel
By Rhaydz B. Barcia, Correspondent
CAGRARAY ISLAND, Albay—By holding a pro-environment activity, the candidates of the recent Ms. Earth beauty pageant gave valuable help in preserving this historical jewel of Bicol.
Ms. Earth 2004 Priscilla Mereilles and her court set foot on this historical island to plant pili seedling in Barangay Misibis at the wide stretch of white sand girding about 11 hectares of greenery and panoramic scenery.
Mereilles was with Ms. Earth-Air Muriel Celemine of Martinique, Ms. Earth-Fire Kahaia Lesage of Tahiti, Ms. Earth-Wind Yanina Gonzales of Paraguay and Thea Foejkaer of Denmark, Natalija Grubovik of Macedonia, Sara Lundemo of Sweden, Liesel Holler of Peru and Katherine Gonzales of Uruguay. Unknown to Ms. Earth beauties and to many, this place is considered a historical jewel, because of the archeological relics that were found here between l879 and 1881 by Juan Alvarez Guevarra.
According to the archeological findings, sacred burial jars were found in two of at least 28 caves in the island and local historians suggest that these archeological evidences could prove that Cagraray Island was the cradle of Bicolano civilization about 200,000 to 300,000 years ago.
But that is not the only reason Mereilles described the area a “paradise on earth.”The island is also seeing the rise of a P500-million residential resort that is frequently filled with the rich and famous.
The residential resort was developed by businessman Elizaldy S. Co of Sunwestville Realty and Development Corporation, one of the more reputable property developers in the region.
The Misibis Residential Resort boasts of exclusive residences with five-star amenities on a 20-hectare property of powdery white sand.“Our advocacy is to help fellow Bicolanos to uplift their lives through the positive features this investment may bring forth to the community.
Let us change the status of Bicol as the second-poorest region in the entire country.”“Let us change the perception that Bicol can be proud no more than Mayon Volcano. Let us put Bicol on the map, and let everyone take an active part creating Misibis a place seemingly a paradise within reach,” Co said.
“It adheres to the principle of creating a balance between development and the concern and care for the environment. We will have our own sewerage treatment plant to ensure that the natural beauty of Misibis is never exploited through willful neglect of environment,” he added.
Dean Barbers, the Philippine Tourism Authority general manager, said that the opening of the residential resort here will help to uplift the economic growth of Bicol from poorest region to progressive region.
“This new resort is even better than Mount Amanpolo. This is the new tourist destination not only in the country but throughout the world because of unique and world class style,” Barbers said.
The place offers a panoramic view of Mayon Volcano; Sula Channel, which used to be the sanctuary of galleons in time of typhoons during the Spanish era; the well-known burning Nag-asu Lake and Bacman geothermal plant in Manito.
Adjoining the resort are several caves and captivating limestone formations. The unexplored Pototan Cave in neighboring Batan Island can be reached by a fleeting boat ride.
Just 20 minutes from the resort is another underground river called Pighologan Cave and after a 25- to 30-minute boat ride, tourists can visit the “wild monkey” sanctuary in Manaet Islet here.Maria Ravanilla, the DOT regional director, told The Manila Times that the new resort is the biggest breakthrough in Bicol tourism.
“We’re happy that we have Zaldy Co in Albay, an active partner of government to develop Bicol through tourism promotion. We’re on the process of marketing and promoting this resort in the international market,” Ravanilla said.
“The provincial government of Albay constructed the cable car in this area and Albay can soon be like a Hong kong where tourists could see the picturesque landscape of adjacent Legazpi City and its adjacent areas,” said Vice Gov. James Calisin of Albay.
Misibis could be reached or take the route of Sula Channel in Bacacay, wherein a motorized boat can ferry them across the channel and can take a 15-minute jeepney ride or a 25-minute boat ride to the resort.
Co said less affluent visitors can reach the residential resort at a minimal cost once the provincial government approves the operation of the cable car this year.Processo Taduran Jr., the cable car’s project engineer, told The Manila Times that the P10-million cable car project could accommodate at least 6 passengers.
This project was built in Barangay Sula with two stations in Sitio Pasulmoc and the other in Bukanan with 660 meters distance from station to station at about 37 elevation from Sula channel with 10 to 15 minutes travel time.
“With the strong support of the community, government agencies our company will continue to preserve the Cagraray Island while development is in progress,” said Co.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Young mother in Albay gives birth to twins, claims one is a python
Friday, March 14, 2008
Young mother in Albay gives birth to twins, claims one is a ‘python’
Rhaydz B. Barcia
TABACO CITY: This story may sound incredible, but it’s true. Maricel Berzosa-Bellen, 24, of Sto. Cristo gave birth to twins, one a healthy baby girl, the other a seven-inch python.
Maricel, who had previously given birth to normal babies twice, narrated how on February 28 she went through labor pains and gave birth to snake before twilight.
“I was shocked and frightened when I saw the python come out of my womb. My husband Gil took the baby snake and placed it in a bottle of Ginebra San Miguel. A day after, I gave birth to a healthy baby girl at the Ziga Memorial Hospital, “ she said.
The child-snake was born on February 28 while the human sister was born on February 29 at around 9:00 a.m..
Maricel is a native of Sangay town in Camarines Sur province while Gil, 28, is a native of Sitio Banoyo, barangay Cawayan, Cagraray Island in Bacacay, Albay.
A week before she gave birth, Maricel continued her narrative, she dreamt twice that her daughter is a snake. “In a dream, I was told that my baby was a snake. When I woke up I told my husband. But Gil laughed it off and teased me that it might be a “sawa” (python).”
“Two days before I gave birth, I again had this dream that my baby was a snake so I told our neighbors.” Maricel said.
The “partera” or ‘hilot” (midwife) told her that her baby were twins and even encouraged her to be ready for any eventualities.
Unsure of the consequences and fearing the possible stigma as a likely consequence, Maricel decided to send the snake to Camarines Sur. “I asked my mother (Merlinda) to bring the snake to Camarines Sur because the snake sneaked out from the bottle and slept beside her twin sister (Jacquelin),” she continued.
On March 1, while her husband was still sleeping, a worried Maricel requested her mother to take the snake to Camarines Sur after people who had heard about what happened, some even gambling aficionados, came and offered to buy the baby snake at P50,000.
Her husband, Gil, confirmed that the snake was healthy at first, although it reportedly fell sick since it was brought to Camarines Sur.
“I placed our child snake in a bottle but it slithered beside her sister. I am not afraid of our snake child that’s why at first I was mad at my wife when she gave the snake to my mother-in-law. I will take care of our child snake and I believe that she will give us luck in our business and will be our protector,” Gil stressed.
Gil said the snake refused to eat pork and rice and prefers to have milk instead.
The couple lives in a squatter area where they run a “goto” business with three workers, earning at least a thousand a day.
This story has strong similarities to one mentioned in Warriors, Gods and Spirits from Central and South American Mythology written by Douglas Gifford where he mentions a snake sister.
Young mother in Albay gives birth to twins, claims one is a ‘python’
Rhaydz B. Barcia
TABACO CITY: This story may sound incredible, but it’s true. Maricel Berzosa-Bellen, 24, of Sto. Cristo gave birth to twins, one a healthy baby girl, the other a seven-inch python.
Maricel, who had previously given birth to normal babies twice, narrated how on February 28 she went through labor pains and gave birth to snake before twilight.
“I was shocked and frightened when I saw the python come out of my womb. My husband Gil took the baby snake and placed it in a bottle of Ginebra San Miguel. A day after, I gave birth to a healthy baby girl at the Ziga Memorial Hospital, “ she said.
The child-snake was born on February 28 while the human sister was born on February 29 at around 9:00 a.m..
Maricel is a native of Sangay town in Camarines Sur province while Gil, 28, is a native of Sitio Banoyo, barangay Cawayan, Cagraray Island in Bacacay, Albay.
A week before she gave birth, Maricel continued her narrative, she dreamt twice that her daughter is a snake. “In a dream, I was told that my baby was a snake. When I woke up I told my husband. But Gil laughed it off and teased me that it might be a “sawa” (python).”
“Two days before I gave birth, I again had this dream that my baby was a snake so I told our neighbors.” Maricel said.
The “partera” or ‘hilot” (midwife) told her that her baby were twins and even encouraged her to be ready for any eventualities.
Unsure of the consequences and fearing the possible stigma as a likely consequence, Maricel decided to send the snake to Camarines Sur. “I asked my mother (Merlinda) to bring the snake to Camarines Sur because the snake sneaked out from the bottle and slept beside her twin sister (Jacquelin),” she continued.
On March 1, while her husband was still sleeping, a worried Maricel requested her mother to take the snake to Camarines Sur after people who had heard about what happened, some even gambling aficionados, came and offered to buy the baby snake at P50,000.
Her husband, Gil, confirmed that the snake was healthy at first, although it reportedly fell sick since it was brought to Camarines Sur.
“I placed our child snake in a bottle but it slithered beside her sister. I am not afraid of our snake child that’s why at first I was mad at my wife when she gave the snake to my mother-in-law. I will take care of our child snake and I believe that she will give us luck in our business and will be our protector,” Gil stressed.
Gil said the snake refused to eat pork and rice and prefers to have milk instead.
The couple lives in a squatter area where they run a “goto” business with three workers, earning at least a thousand a day.
This story has strong similarities to one mentioned in Warriors, Gods and Spirits from Central and South American Mythology written by Douglas Gifford where he mentions a snake sister.
Global warming to cause famine in RP by 2020
Monday, April 21, 2008
Global warming to cause famine in RP by 2020
By Rhaydz B. Barcia, Correspondent
LEGAZPI CITY: Scientists warned the Philippines could experience famine by 2020, as the adverse impact of global warming takes its toll on natural resources.
One of those scientists was Lourdes Tibig, climate data chief of the central office of the national weather agency, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pag-asa).
She and others attended the roundtable discussion of scientists and community development practitioners on disaster and climate risk reduction and climate change adaptation, organized by the Center for Initiatives and Research on Climate Adaptation, of the Albay provincial government.
Tibig said the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) fourth assessment report showed global warming is unequivocal, causing ice caps to melt and sea levels to rise.
“We have pumped enough greenhouse gases into the atmosphere to warm the planet for many decades to come. The earth’s natural system will be affected for decades even if greenhouse gas emissions are reduced now,” she said.
“There are projected increases from 1.1 degrees Celsius to 6.4 degrees Celsius during the 21st century, and for the next two decades, a warming of about 0.2 degrees Celsius per decade is projected, meaning severe drought occurrences and frequent flooding are expected to happen in the Philippines,” Tibig told participants here.
“The impact of climate change on agriculture will be very bad,” she added.
She said the observed mean annual temperature anomalies in the Philippines increased by 0.8904 degrees Celsius from 1951 to 2006. And she added that the increase in minimum temperature is almost three times the increase in maximum temperatures.
“When there is an increase of temperature, expect more typhoons, and as the years progressed, typhoons are now crossing in Northern Luzon.”
Tibig predicted that from 2050 and beyond, the agriculture sector will be vulnerable.
“If we do not act immediately, some 1.4 billion global population will adversely suffer from famine. So there is an urgent need to address the climate change phenomenon for us to adapt and mitigate the impact of it,” she said.
Director Shiela Encabo of the National Economic and Development Authority said climate change is causing more severe typhoons, like Reming that pummeled the Bicol region in 2006. That typhoon destroyed at least $90-million worth of agricultural products and infrastructure.
Scientists believe Bicol, on the southern part of Luzon, is the most vulnerable to global warming because of its location.
“There is a need for us to work together,” Encabo said. “Local initiatives across the country should be mobilized to address and adapt mitigation schemes on climate change. To date, only Gov. Joey Salceda of Albay initiated the project on climate change that are not waiting for an international assistance to go through adaptation.”
Jose Ramon “Jiff” Villarin, a Catholic priest and president of Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City, said climate change should be addressed globally and locally.
“There has to be a concerted [effort] and global action to mitigate and stabilize atmospheric carbon [emissions] by instituting common [action] by differentiated responsibilities. Whatever you’re doing to environment today, you’re doing it to climatic change,” he said.
Two ways of addressing climate change is through reforestation and reducing disaster risk, he said. “We need to act responsibly for sustainability [and this] means leaving something for another day for our children.”
Global warming to cause famine in RP by 2020
By Rhaydz B. Barcia, Correspondent
LEGAZPI CITY: Scientists warned the Philippines could experience famine by 2020, as the adverse impact of global warming takes its toll on natural resources.
One of those scientists was Lourdes Tibig, climate data chief of the central office of the national weather agency, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pag-asa).
She and others attended the roundtable discussion of scientists and community development practitioners on disaster and climate risk reduction and climate change adaptation, organized by the Center for Initiatives and Research on Climate Adaptation, of the Albay provincial government.
Tibig said the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) fourth assessment report showed global warming is unequivocal, causing ice caps to melt and sea levels to rise.
“We have pumped enough greenhouse gases into the atmosphere to warm the planet for many decades to come. The earth’s natural system will be affected for decades even if greenhouse gas emissions are reduced now,” she said.
“There are projected increases from 1.1 degrees Celsius to 6.4 degrees Celsius during the 21st century, and for the next two decades, a warming of about 0.2 degrees Celsius per decade is projected, meaning severe drought occurrences and frequent flooding are expected to happen in the Philippines,” Tibig told participants here.
“The impact of climate change on agriculture will be very bad,” she added.
She said the observed mean annual temperature anomalies in the Philippines increased by 0.8904 degrees Celsius from 1951 to 2006. And she added that the increase in minimum temperature is almost three times the increase in maximum temperatures.
“When there is an increase of temperature, expect more typhoons, and as the years progressed, typhoons are now crossing in Northern Luzon.”
Tibig predicted that from 2050 and beyond, the agriculture sector will be vulnerable.
“If we do not act immediately, some 1.4 billion global population will adversely suffer from famine. So there is an urgent need to address the climate change phenomenon for us to adapt and mitigate the impact of it,” she said.
Director Shiela Encabo of the National Economic and Development Authority said climate change is causing more severe typhoons, like Reming that pummeled the Bicol region in 2006. That typhoon destroyed at least $90-million worth of agricultural products and infrastructure.
Scientists believe Bicol, on the southern part of Luzon, is the most vulnerable to global warming because of its location.
“There is a need for us to work together,” Encabo said. “Local initiatives across the country should be mobilized to address and adapt mitigation schemes on climate change. To date, only Gov. Joey Salceda of Albay initiated the project on climate change that are not waiting for an international assistance to go through adaptation.”
Jose Ramon “Jiff” Villarin, a Catholic priest and president of Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City, said climate change should be addressed globally and locally.
“There has to be a concerted [effort] and global action to mitigate and stabilize atmospheric carbon [emissions] by instituting common [action] by differentiated responsibilities. Whatever you’re doing to environment today, you’re doing it to climatic change,” he said.
Two ways of addressing climate change is through reforestation and reducing disaster risk, he said. “We need to act responsibly for sustainability [and this] means leaving something for another day for our children.”
Senior Citizens in Albay denied benefits
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Special Report: Senior Citizens, devalued, humiliated
Senior citizens in Albay denied benefits
By Rhaydz B. Barcia Correspondent
LEGAZPI CITY: Relentless defiance of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act by small drugstores is the main problem of the elderly here, said Abias Burce, president of the locally based Federation of Senior Citizens.
Even in some big drugstores, sales clerks often tell seniors the medicine they want is out of stock, and seniors claim they are lying.
Many businesses also ignore the law giving discounts to seniors—those age 60 or older.
The Legazpi City government is not using its powers to enforce the law, seniors charge. It has not even built the senior citizens’ center that another law requires municipalities to put up for the elderly.
Situationer
“[The] three giant drugstores of Legazpi religiously obey the law,” the sixty-nine-year-old Burce, a former barangay councilor, said referring to Mercury Drug, South Star and St. Jude. But he complained these drugstores limit how much medicine a senior citizen can buy for every visit.
Honorio Brimon, 65, a retired public school teacher who is Legazpi’s Disabilities-Affairs office coordinator, agreed with Burce but described a worse situation.
Brimon said sometimes stores do not bother to lie about not having medicines in stock. “Our worst problem here is the even though you’re complete with necessary documents to buy the prescribed medicines, the store staff will not let you buy what you need.”
“We have to go back to the store several times, which costs us more money and energy,” Brimon added. “It weakens our body, especially those of us who are frail and sickly.”
Brimon said he has been asking establishments for safe express lanes for the elders with disabilities—but to no avail. This despite the fact that Board Member Celso Aytona of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Albay sponsored an ordinance—which passed—requiring businesses in the province to install express lanes for seniors.
“They can hardly cope with the strenuous task of buying the basic goods and services for human subsistence,” Aytona said. “Even if they are given the 20-percent discount required by RA [Republic Act] 9257, also known as the Expanded Citizens Act of 2003, some of them cannot benefit from it. They are deterred from going to the stores where they know they will have a difficult time.”
His ordinance covers hospitals, drugstores, malls, restaurants, banks, grocery stores, amusement centers and theaters. Violators can have their business permit suspended.
P1-million pledge
On January 8, the officers of Legazpi’s Federation of Senior Citizens met with Albay Rep. Al Francis Bichara and Dr. Butch Rivera, administrator of the Bicol Training and Teaching Hospital.
In that meeting, Bichara promised to “allocate a fund of P1 million for the establishment of a senior citizens’ pharmacy,” Burce said.
“This is our first time being to be recognized by a congressman from our own city,” Burce added.
“Rep. Bichara said this project will be put up as soon as possible to ease our problem. Our usual problem is that when salesladies see a senior citizen who has lined up to buy medicines, they tell us that the medicine we want is out of stock, but the truth is they are just keeping it for sale to nondiscount customers,” Burce added.
Angara’s bill
Another major concern of the elders in this city is how to help push the passage of Senate Bill 2569 proposed by Sen. Edgardo Angara. The measure calls for an increase in the senior citizens discount from 20 percent to 32 percent to offset the 12-percent expanded value-added tax.
The Albay Senior Citizens Association has passed a resolution urging Congress to support the Angara measure and is campaigning among other groups to do the same.
To date there are between 7,000 and 8,000 senior citizens in Legazpi, living in the city’s 70 villages. The oldest on record is a 93-year-old grandmother.
“Presently there are about 6 million of us elderly Filipinos nationwide who dedicated our productive years in the service of our country, our family and community,” Burce said. “It’s about time to recognize and honor the elders with affectionate concern in the remaining years of our lives.”
No center for seniors
Manny Dasalla, 79, center manager of the Federation of Senior Citizens in Legazpi, said his group has been seeking the help of city government to put up the senior citizens center.
There is a law—Republic Act 7876 approved on February 14, 1995—that says, “There is hereby established a senior citizens center, hereinafter referred to as the Center, in every city and municipality of the Philippines, under direct supervision of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, hereinafter referred to as the Department, in collaboration with the local government unit concerned.”
The centers’ functions are well defined:
* “To identify the needs of, training to be given to, and opportunities open for senior citizens in all cities and municipalities;
* “To initiate, develop and implement productive activities and work schemes for senior citizens in order to provide income or otherwise supplement their earnings;
* “To promote and maintain linkages with provincial government units and other instrumentalities of government and the city and municipal councils for the elderly and the Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines and other non-government organizations for the delivery of health-care services, facilities, professional advice services, volunteer training and community self-help projects; and
* “To exercise such other functions which are necessary to carry out the purpose for which the centers are established.”
Mayor Noel Rosal has assured the elders that the Legazpi City government will donate land, but no funds are available to build a center.
Burce said Bichara has also pledged to allocate funds for the construction of the center as soon as Legazpi provides the land as Rosal has promised.
Special Report: Senior Citizens, devalued, humiliated
Senior citizens in Albay denied benefits
By Rhaydz B. Barcia Correspondent
LEGAZPI CITY: Relentless defiance of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act by small drugstores is the main problem of the elderly here, said Abias Burce, president of the locally based Federation of Senior Citizens.
Even in some big drugstores, sales clerks often tell seniors the medicine they want is out of stock, and seniors claim they are lying.
Many businesses also ignore the law giving discounts to seniors—those age 60 or older.
The Legazpi City government is not using its powers to enforce the law, seniors charge. It has not even built the senior citizens’ center that another law requires municipalities to put up for the elderly.
Situationer
“[The] three giant drugstores of Legazpi religiously obey the law,” the sixty-nine-year-old Burce, a former barangay councilor, said referring to Mercury Drug, South Star and St. Jude. But he complained these drugstores limit how much medicine a senior citizen can buy for every visit.
Honorio Brimon, 65, a retired public school teacher who is Legazpi’s Disabilities-Affairs office coordinator, agreed with Burce but described a worse situation.
Brimon said sometimes stores do not bother to lie about not having medicines in stock. “Our worst problem here is the even though you’re complete with necessary documents to buy the prescribed medicines, the store staff will not let you buy what you need.”
“We have to go back to the store several times, which costs us more money and energy,” Brimon added. “It weakens our body, especially those of us who are frail and sickly.”
Brimon said he has been asking establishments for safe express lanes for the elders with disabilities—but to no avail. This despite the fact that Board Member Celso Aytona of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Albay sponsored an ordinance—which passed—requiring businesses in the province to install express lanes for seniors.
“They can hardly cope with the strenuous task of buying the basic goods and services for human subsistence,” Aytona said. “Even if they are given the 20-percent discount required by RA [Republic Act] 9257, also known as the Expanded Citizens Act of 2003, some of them cannot benefit from it. They are deterred from going to the stores where they know they will have a difficult time.”
His ordinance covers hospitals, drugstores, malls, restaurants, banks, grocery stores, amusement centers and theaters. Violators can have their business permit suspended.
P1-million pledge
On January 8, the officers of Legazpi’s Federation of Senior Citizens met with Albay Rep. Al Francis Bichara and Dr. Butch Rivera, administrator of the Bicol Training and Teaching Hospital.
In that meeting, Bichara promised to “allocate a fund of P1 million for the establishment of a senior citizens’ pharmacy,” Burce said.
“This is our first time being to be recognized by a congressman from our own city,” Burce added.
“Rep. Bichara said this project will be put up as soon as possible to ease our problem. Our usual problem is that when salesladies see a senior citizen who has lined up to buy medicines, they tell us that the medicine we want is out of stock, but the truth is they are just keeping it for sale to nondiscount customers,” Burce added.
Angara’s bill
Another major concern of the elders in this city is how to help push the passage of Senate Bill 2569 proposed by Sen. Edgardo Angara. The measure calls for an increase in the senior citizens discount from 20 percent to 32 percent to offset the 12-percent expanded value-added tax.
The Albay Senior Citizens Association has passed a resolution urging Congress to support the Angara measure and is campaigning among other groups to do the same.
To date there are between 7,000 and 8,000 senior citizens in Legazpi, living in the city’s 70 villages. The oldest on record is a 93-year-old grandmother.
“Presently there are about 6 million of us elderly Filipinos nationwide who dedicated our productive years in the service of our country, our family and community,” Burce said. “It’s about time to recognize and honor the elders with affectionate concern in the remaining years of our lives.”
No center for seniors
Manny Dasalla, 79, center manager of the Federation of Senior Citizens in Legazpi, said his group has been seeking the help of city government to put up the senior citizens center.
There is a law—Republic Act 7876 approved on February 14, 1995—that says, “There is hereby established a senior citizens center, hereinafter referred to as the Center, in every city and municipality of the Philippines, under direct supervision of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, hereinafter referred to as the Department, in collaboration with the local government unit concerned.”
The centers’ functions are well defined:
* “To identify the needs of, training to be given to, and opportunities open for senior citizens in all cities and municipalities;
* “To initiate, develop and implement productive activities and work schemes for senior citizens in order to provide income or otherwise supplement their earnings;
* “To promote and maintain linkages with provincial government units and other instrumentalities of government and the city and municipal councils for the elderly and the Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines and other non-government organizations for the delivery of health-care services, facilities, professional advice services, volunteer training and community self-help projects; and
* “To exercise such other functions which are necessary to carry out the purpose for which the centers are established.”
Mayor Noel Rosal has assured the elders that the Legazpi City government will donate land, but no funds are available to build a center.
Burce said Bichara has also pledged to allocate funds for the construction of the center as soon as Legazpi provides the land as Rosal has promised.
In Bicolandia, machiinery is all powerful
Monday May 28, 2007
In Bicolandia,machinery is all-powerful
By Rhaydz B. Barcia, Correspondent
LEGAZPI CITY: Cash-starved candidates for the congressional and gubernatorial posts in Albay and Camarines Sur suffered defeat in the last May 14 midterm election. But three members of the so-called Bicol Bloc in Albay’s second district and in Catanduanes and Masbate were booted out.
Congressional candidate of the first district of Albay and incumbent Vice-Governor Jesus “James” Calisin suffered defeat against reelectionist Edcel C. Lagman of the Lakas-CMD.
Calisin, a popular radio broadcaster was backed by three political groups—the UNO, Liberal Party and PMP. Groups of young professionals, church-based organizations and church leaders also supported Calisin, who was perceived to be popular also among the voters that hoped to topple the political dynasty that has been in power in the first district for over three decades.
But his lack of money had apparently crippled Calisin, whose landslide victory over Lagman had been predicted by political observers here during the campaign period.
On the eve of the election, Calisin simply could not match the reported P800 that his opponent had supposedly shelled out to each voter.
A member of the Lakas-CMD for 15 years, Calisin was a former provincial board member of the provincial government in late 80s and was acting vice-governor in the 90’s after his colleagues in the provincial board were suspended, along with former governor Romeo Salalima for graft and corruption charges.
In the second district of Albay, Rep. Carlos “Papay” Imperial fell to Al Francis Bichara. Imperial had been in office for 42 years, while Bichara, a former representative of the third district, was Albay governor for 9 years and was designated ambassador to Lebanon by President Arroyo.
Although a close fight between Bichara and Imperial was expected, but in the end Imperial’s political machinery, which included a media blitz and a seemingly bottomless pocket, made the difference.
Ironically, Imperial and Bichara were friends once. Their friendship ended during the 2004 election.
Bichara had told The Times he ran against Imperial to avenge the latter’s treachery against his father Don Alfonso Bichara, who ran for governor against Don Fernando Gonzalez in 2004. He said Imperial had dumped his father at the last hour and instead supported Gonzalez, who lost anyway to Joey Salceda in the last May 14 election.
In Camarines Sur, the political battle was focused on the first district, the turf of Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya.
The battle between Diosdado Ignacio Jose Maria “Dato” Macapagal Arroyo, the President’s son, and San Fernando town Mayor Sabas “Abang” Mabulo for the district’s congressional seat was likened to the fight between David and Goliath.
Arroyo was the Goliath to Mabulo’s David.
Church groups, nongovernment organizations, people’s organizations and community leaders from the academe and the business sector had supported Mabulo. He was the only candidate who was believed to have a fighting chance against Arroyo.
Mabulo lost, supposedly because three powerful politicians in Camarines Sur—Second District Rep. Luis R. Villafuete, Rinconada Fourth District Rep. Felix “Nancing” Alfelor, and Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya—supported Arroyo.
Political observers in Bicol said Villafuerte was moving mountains to be the next speaker in the House of Representatives. With Arroyo elected, Villafuerte has a direct line to the President.
Arroyo’s triumph means that a Pampangueño would be representing a part of Bicol in the House.
In Masbate, the defeat of the powerful Espinosa family who had ruled the island province for more than five decades was an unexpected turn.
Backed by strong political machinery and logistics, members of the Espinosa clan, who ran for various posts, were believed to be shoo-ins.
Ma. Lourdes Lilia “Maloli” Espinosa was defeated by outgoing governor Antonio Kho. Espinosa, the daughter of former congressman Moises R. Espinosa, has the educational qualifications, and has held positions in government and private corporations.
She gave up her position as vice-president for government, corporate affairs at the public relations office of ABS-CBN network to run in her province. She was president of the Kapisan ng mg Broadkasters ng Pilipinas for eight years, and was chairman of the copyright committee of the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union, representing 150 broadcast and allied organizations from 54 countries in the Asia Pacific and other regions.
Kho’s uncle, Emilio “Miling” Espinosa, also lost to Kho’s wife Olga, in the race for governor. Espinosa is the outgoing representative of Masbate’s second district. He belongs to the Bicol Bloc, which counts political kingpins Imperial; Rep. Jose Alberto of Catanduanes; Rep. Felix Fuentebella, father of Arnulfo, of Camarines Sur; and Rep. Berting Sabido of Albay’s third district.
Members of the International Observers Mission from the US, who witnessed the elections on May 14, had hit the political dynasties in Masbate.
IOM spokesperson Sarah Ronnevik, told The Times political clans were one of the major causes of extreme poverty in Masbate.
Another IOM member, Becca Lawson, said: “Powerful politicians, who have access to national and international resources, continue to amass wealth and control power. They build their private armies to protect them, [and] if you have more of these people carrying arms, no wonder they end up with loss of lives and bloody incidents.
“They’re in control of the land—this is the integral problem in Masbate—poverty. The people of Masbate should wake up from apathy. They should elect people with long-term programs for the betterment of the countryside. Though, it’s a long process, people should wake up and exercise change by casting their vote for good politicians. The poor is already at the edge of the edge. They don’t exercise their free will. That’s why they remain in poverty.”
Bishop Joey Bailon, prelate of the Diocese of Masbate, agreed that poverty has been a major concerns in the province despite its rich natural resources.
He said politicians in Masbate have acquired vast tracts of land for their own personal and private enterprises while many of the farmers struggle to till the land they do not own.
There are more cockpits in the province than health centers in Masbate, and hardly any developmental projects that would benefit the people, Bailon said.
In Catanduanes, Leandro Verceles, three-term representative of the province’s lone district and two-term governor, was beaten by Chinese-Filipino businessman Joseph Cua.
In Camarines Norte, former internal revenue commissioner chief Liwayway Vinzons-Chato of the United Opposition routed Lakas-CMD’s Renato Unico Jr.
Chato ran for senator under the administration coalition in 2004, but joined the opposition at the height of the “Hello, Garci” scandal.
In Bicolandia,machinery is all-powerful
By Rhaydz B. Barcia, Correspondent
LEGAZPI CITY: Cash-starved candidates for the congressional and gubernatorial posts in Albay and Camarines Sur suffered defeat in the last May 14 midterm election. But three members of the so-called Bicol Bloc in Albay’s second district and in Catanduanes and Masbate were booted out.
Congressional candidate of the first district of Albay and incumbent Vice-Governor Jesus “James” Calisin suffered defeat against reelectionist Edcel C. Lagman of the Lakas-CMD.
Calisin, a popular radio broadcaster was backed by three political groups—the UNO, Liberal Party and PMP. Groups of young professionals, church-based organizations and church leaders also supported Calisin, who was perceived to be popular also among the voters that hoped to topple the political dynasty that has been in power in the first district for over three decades.
But his lack of money had apparently crippled Calisin, whose landslide victory over Lagman had been predicted by political observers here during the campaign period.
On the eve of the election, Calisin simply could not match the reported P800 that his opponent had supposedly shelled out to each voter.
A member of the Lakas-CMD for 15 years, Calisin was a former provincial board member of the provincial government in late 80s and was acting vice-governor in the 90’s after his colleagues in the provincial board were suspended, along with former governor Romeo Salalima for graft and corruption charges.
In the second district of Albay, Rep. Carlos “Papay” Imperial fell to Al Francis Bichara. Imperial had been in office for 42 years, while Bichara, a former representative of the third district, was Albay governor for 9 years and was designated ambassador to Lebanon by President Arroyo.
Although a close fight between Bichara and Imperial was expected, but in the end Imperial’s political machinery, which included a media blitz and a seemingly bottomless pocket, made the difference.
Ironically, Imperial and Bichara were friends once. Their friendship ended during the 2004 election.
Bichara had told The Times he ran against Imperial to avenge the latter’s treachery against his father Don Alfonso Bichara, who ran for governor against Don Fernando Gonzalez in 2004. He said Imperial had dumped his father at the last hour and instead supported Gonzalez, who lost anyway to Joey Salceda in the last May 14 election.
In Camarines Sur, the political battle was focused on the first district, the turf of Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya.
The battle between Diosdado Ignacio Jose Maria “Dato” Macapagal Arroyo, the President’s son, and San Fernando town Mayor Sabas “Abang” Mabulo for the district’s congressional seat was likened to the fight between David and Goliath.
Arroyo was the Goliath to Mabulo’s David.
Church groups, nongovernment organizations, people’s organizations and community leaders from the academe and the business sector had supported Mabulo. He was the only candidate who was believed to have a fighting chance against Arroyo.
Mabulo lost, supposedly because three powerful politicians in Camarines Sur—Second District Rep. Luis R. Villafuete, Rinconada Fourth District Rep. Felix “Nancing” Alfelor, and Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya—supported Arroyo.
Political observers in Bicol said Villafuerte was moving mountains to be the next speaker in the House of Representatives. With Arroyo elected, Villafuerte has a direct line to the President.
Arroyo’s triumph means that a Pampangueño would be representing a part of Bicol in the House.
In Masbate, the defeat of the powerful Espinosa family who had ruled the island province for more than five decades was an unexpected turn.
Backed by strong political machinery and logistics, members of the Espinosa clan, who ran for various posts, were believed to be shoo-ins.
Ma. Lourdes Lilia “Maloli” Espinosa was defeated by outgoing governor Antonio Kho. Espinosa, the daughter of former congressman Moises R. Espinosa, has the educational qualifications, and has held positions in government and private corporations.
She gave up her position as vice-president for government, corporate affairs at the public relations office of ABS-CBN network to run in her province. She was president of the Kapisan ng mg Broadkasters ng Pilipinas for eight years, and was chairman of the copyright committee of the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union, representing 150 broadcast and allied organizations from 54 countries in the Asia Pacific and other regions.
Kho’s uncle, Emilio “Miling” Espinosa, also lost to Kho’s wife Olga, in the race for governor. Espinosa is the outgoing representative of Masbate’s second district. He belongs to the Bicol Bloc, which counts political kingpins Imperial; Rep. Jose Alberto of Catanduanes; Rep. Felix Fuentebella, father of Arnulfo, of Camarines Sur; and Rep. Berting Sabido of Albay’s third district.
Members of the International Observers Mission from the US, who witnessed the elections on May 14, had hit the political dynasties in Masbate.
IOM spokesperson Sarah Ronnevik, told The Times political clans were one of the major causes of extreme poverty in Masbate.
Another IOM member, Becca Lawson, said: “Powerful politicians, who have access to national and international resources, continue to amass wealth and control power. They build their private armies to protect them, [and] if you have more of these people carrying arms, no wonder they end up with loss of lives and bloody incidents.
“They’re in control of the land—this is the integral problem in Masbate—poverty. The people of Masbate should wake up from apathy. They should elect people with long-term programs for the betterment of the countryside. Though, it’s a long process, people should wake up and exercise change by casting their vote for good politicians. The poor is already at the edge of the edge. They don’t exercise their free will. That’s why they remain in poverty.”
Bishop Joey Bailon, prelate of the Diocese of Masbate, agreed that poverty has been a major concerns in the province despite its rich natural resources.
He said politicians in Masbate have acquired vast tracts of land for their own personal and private enterprises while many of the farmers struggle to till the land they do not own.
There are more cockpits in the province than health centers in Masbate, and hardly any developmental projects that would benefit the people, Bailon said.
In Catanduanes, Leandro Verceles, three-term representative of the province’s lone district and two-term governor, was beaten by Chinese-Filipino businessman Joseph Cua.
In Camarines Norte, former internal revenue commissioner chief Liwayway Vinzons-Chato of the United Opposition routed Lakas-CMD’s Renato Unico Jr.
Chato ran for senator under the administration coalition in 2004, but joined the opposition at the height of the “Hello, Garci” scandal.
Malnutrition issues hound in Camarines Sur
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Malnutrition issues hound Camarines Sur
The province has the most number of preschool children who are malnourished
By Rhaydz B. Barcia Correspondent
LEGAZPI CITY: While the economy and tourism trade is booming in Camarines Sur, the province has the most number of pre-school children who are malnourished in the Bicol region.
Based on the consolidated nutritional status of pre-school children, “Operation Timbang” results submitted by the provincial and city health offices of the six provinces and seven cities to the National Nutrition Council (NNC) regional office, Camarines Sur ranked first with grave malnutrition problems.
Next to Camarines Sur, the other provinces with the highest malnourished pre-school children are Catanduanes, Albay, Camarines Norte, Masbate and Sorsogon.
The province of Camarines Sur has been a consistent topnotcher with grave malnutrition problems for almost a decade now based on NNC data. Among Bicol’s cities, the topnotchers are Legazpi followed by Iriga and Naga.
The Philippine government is one of the signatories among the 189 United Nations member countries rich and poor that reaffirmed their commitment to the millennium development goals that target the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger.
Despite this commitment the local government units in Bicol failed to fully address the malnutrition problems in the region. As indicated by the nutritional status of pre-school children in Camarines Sur last year, there were 45,505 or 20.87 percent categorized as moderately malnourished; 9,357 or 4.29 percent, as severely malnourished, while 6,596 or 3.02 percent were overweight out of 217,993 total pre-school children weighed.
Records showed that there are 256,828 estimated pre-school children population in Camarines Sur but only 217,993 children weighed; 54,862 or 25.16 percent of these children were found malnourished and 156,535 had normal weight.
Data revealed that there are 136,370 pre-school children who were malnourished or 17.12 percent; 24,762 or 3.11 percent were severely malnourished and 19,534 or 2.45 percent were overweight across the region.
But the most depressing data given by the NNC during the media forum sponsored by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) held at the DOST regional office here was that the prevalence of malnutrition in Bicol region is increasing among elementary school children this year based on the report of the Department of Education regional office.
In 2006 to 2007 consolidated weight and height status of elementary school children in Bicol submitted by DepEd Bicol to NNC revealed that there were 233,682 or 30.26 percent below normal and 13,785 above normal while 524,832 had normal weight and body mass index (BMI).
The BMI report of the DepEd regional office did not include pre-elementary grades. At least 141,637 or 28.2 percent of children from Grade 1 to 1V were found stunted and 353,887 with normal height.
Tomas B. Briñas, OIC director of the Department of Science and Technology in Bicol told reporters during the media forum that while Bicol is the poorest region in Luzon, it ranked fourth poorest in the country.
He also noted that one of the primary reasons for the high prevalence of malnutrition among children in the region is the incidence of natural calamities. The frequent typhoons and the armed conflicts brought about by insurgency cause poverty that leads to malnutrition.
“There are high prevalence of malnourished school children here although participation rate in education is high in elementary but low in secondary,” Briñas lamented.
He said Bicol has the highest incidence of poverty, with the second most number of poor families as well as second with lowest per capita.
Briñas explained that most people were employed in agriculture because the major products are copra, natural fibers, coconut, and marine products although the region is rich in mineral resources with very few micro and small to medium enterprises.
Malnutrition is a public health issue, unfortunately the nutrition program does not seem to be a high-priority concern among the local chief executives.
Malnutrition issues hound Camarines Sur
The province has the most number of preschool children who are malnourished
By Rhaydz B. Barcia Correspondent
LEGAZPI CITY: While the economy and tourism trade is booming in Camarines Sur, the province has the most number of pre-school children who are malnourished in the Bicol region.
Based on the consolidated nutritional status of pre-school children, “Operation Timbang” results submitted by the provincial and city health offices of the six provinces and seven cities to the National Nutrition Council (NNC) regional office, Camarines Sur ranked first with grave malnutrition problems.
Next to Camarines Sur, the other provinces with the highest malnourished pre-school children are Catanduanes, Albay, Camarines Norte, Masbate and Sorsogon.
The province of Camarines Sur has been a consistent topnotcher with grave malnutrition problems for almost a decade now based on NNC data. Among Bicol’s cities, the topnotchers are Legazpi followed by Iriga and Naga.
The Philippine government is one of the signatories among the 189 United Nations member countries rich and poor that reaffirmed their commitment to the millennium development goals that target the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger.
Despite this commitment the local government units in Bicol failed to fully address the malnutrition problems in the region. As indicated by the nutritional status of pre-school children in Camarines Sur last year, there were 45,505 or 20.87 percent categorized as moderately malnourished; 9,357 or 4.29 percent, as severely malnourished, while 6,596 or 3.02 percent were overweight out of 217,993 total pre-school children weighed.
Records showed that there are 256,828 estimated pre-school children population in Camarines Sur but only 217,993 children weighed; 54,862 or 25.16 percent of these children were found malnourished and 156,535 had normal weight.
Data revealed that there are 136,370 pre-school children who were malnourished or 17.12 percent; 24,762 or 3.11 percent were severely malnourished and 19,534 or 2.45 percent were overweight across the region.
But the most depressing data given by the NNC during the media forum sponsored by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) held at the DOST regional office here was that the prevalence of malnutrition in Bicol region is increasing among elementary school children this year based on the report of the Department of Education regional office.
In 2006 to 2007 consolidated weight and height status of elementary school children in Bicol submitted by DepEd Bicol to NNC revealed that there were 233,682 or 30.26 percent below normal and 13,785 above normal while 524,832 had normal weight and body mass index (BMI).
The BMI report of the DepEd regional office did not include pre-elementary grades. At least 141,637 or 28.2 percent of children from Grade 1 to 1V were found stunted and 353,887 with normal height.
Tomas B. Briñas, OIC director of the Department of Science and Technology in Bicol told reporters during the media forum that while Bicol is the poorest region in Luzon, it ranked fourth poorest in the country.
He also noted that one of the primary reasons for the high prevalence of malnutrition among children in the region is the incidence of natural calamities. The frequent typhoons and the armed conflicts brought about by insurgency cause poverty that leads to malnutrition.
“There are high prevalence of malnourished school children here although participation rate in education is high in elementary but low in secondary,” Briñas lamented.
He said Bicol has the highest incidence of poverty, with the second most number of poor families as well as second with lowest per capita.
Briñas explained that most people were employed in agriculture because the major products are copra, natural fibers, coconut, and marine products although the region is rich in mineral resources with very few micro and small to medium enterprises.
Malnutrition is a public health issue, unfortunately the nutrition program does not seem to be a high-priority concern among the local chief executives.
Farmers walk for justice
Monday, November 19, 2007
Farmers walk for justice
Presidential intervention may be their only recourse to reclaim ancestral land
By Rhaydz B. Barcia, Correspondent
DARAGA, Albay: The Sumilao farmers of Bukidnon in Mindanao brave the scorching heat of the sun and heavy rains by walking more than 2,000 kilometers to reach Malacañang in search for justice and hoping to regain ownership of their ancestral land.
In question are some 144 hectares of ancestral land that belong to the Higaonon lineage that decades ago some powerful people managed to take over from the San Vicente Landless Farmers Association and the Mapalad Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Mapalad) farmers and transform into cattle ranches, pineapple plantations and now even into pig farms.
The Sumilao farmers are composed of 40 men and 15 women led by Samuel “Toto” Nerida, 53, chairman of Mapalad who left Bukidnon on October 10 for this dramatic trek across the islands on foot. For 36 days, they marched through the Visayas, traversed the entire, setting foot on the island of Luzon on November 9 through the municipality of Matnog, Sorsogon, on their way to Metro Manila.
Tatay Toto, with his graying hair and mustache has braved this journey barefoot, accompanied by his 21-year-old son Elgin, and 53 other comrades who had brought with them their “white rosary” to for strength and courage during a peaceful journey, along with the customary placards making public their advocacy.
Along the way, the group gets strong support from various sectors of society, especially from fellow farmers who are sympathetic to their cause and are able to relate with the struggle the farmers have opted to pursue with admirable passion.
Arriving in Matnog, the group was welcomed by farmer organizations such as Pangopod, BAP, LPKI-SCUPFI, CBTG and Coastal Core who all joined the march towards Sorsogon City, as a demonstration of their support and solidarity.
On November 13 in the afternoon, the marchers took refuge at the Daraga covered court for another night, officials and employees of the Department of Agrarian Reform regional office led by Regelio O. Rondan, assistant regional director for operation came to share with them food and water as well as new slippers to replace worn-out ones.
During a mass for the farmers officiated by Fr. Monching Segubiense of the St. Gregory the Great Parish, the statement of Bishop Lucilo B. Quiambao, apostolic administrator of Diocese of Legazpi expressing support for the farmers of Sumilao, their families, and organizations.
“The Diocese of Legazpi, the clergy, religious and lay faithful is one with you in your efforts to achieve the truth and justice that you seek,” said Bishop Quiambao. “Our people are no stranger to such quest. It is about every farmer’s, fisher folk’s and laborer’s dream of securing a good future for his children and his children’s children. It is about how hard it is to reach that quest and fulfill that dream in this country, under present conditions.”
After the mass and dinner was when the farmers found time to rest their feet that were swelling with bruises, and very thick and infected calluses from the long journey on foot.
On November 14, at 4 a.m., the marchers left Daraga and headed for Ligao City. The Manila Times joined the Sumilao farmers in their march from Daraga to Guinobatan covering almost 20 kilometers.
While walking, Tatay Toto told The Manila Times that they had all the intentions of making the protest march as peaceful as can be, if only to make their appeal to President Arroyo as credible and irresistible. They see presidential intervention as the only recourse, hoping that the President legitimately awards them the 144 hectares as a Christmas gift.
“We’re walking against hunger and to seek for justice. We’re appealing to President Arroyo to legally award to us the ancestral land taken from us by the wealthy and powerful people,” Tatay Toto said the Sumilao farmers are expecting to arrive in Manila on December 7 with the hope that their protest journey would have underscored their plight well enough and gain the attention it deserves that they may regain their long lost ancestral land. Add to that the call for reform and extension for the CARP program beyond 2008, as well as the need for a national land use legislation.
Farmers walk for justice
Presidential intervention may be their only recourse to reclaim ancestral land
By Rhaydz B. Barcia, Correspondent
DARAGA, Albay: The Sumilao farmers of Bukidnon in Mindanao brave the scorching heat of the sun and heavy rains by walking more than 2,000 kilometers to reach Malacañang in search for justice and hoping to regain ownership of their ancestral land.
In question are some 144 hectares of ancestral land that belong to the Higaonon lineage that decades ago some powerful people managed to take over from the San Vicente Landless Farmers Association and the Mapalad Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Mapalad) farmers and transform into cattle ranches, pineapple plantations and now even into pig farms.
The Sumilao farmers are composed of 40 men and 15 women led by Samuel “Toto” Nerida, 53, chairman of Mapalad who left Bukidnon on October 10 for this dramatic trek across the islands on foot. For 36 days, they marched through the Visayas, traversed the entire, setting foot on the island of Luzon on November 9 through the municipality of Matnog, Sorsogon, on their way to Metro Manila.
Tatay Toto, with his graying hair and mustache has braved this journey barefoot, accompanied by his 21-year-old son Elgin, and 53 other comrades who had brought with them their “white rosary” to for strength and courage during a peaceful journey, along with the customary placards making public their advocacy.
Along the way, the group gets strong support from various sectors of society, especially from fellow farmers who are sympathetic to their cause and are able to relate with the struggle the farmers have opted to pursue with admirable passion.
Arriving in Matnog, the group was welcomed by farmer organizations such as Pangopod, BAP, LPKI-SCUPFI, CBTG and Coastal Core who all joined the march towards Sorsogon City, as a demonstration of their support and solidarity.
On November 13 in the afternoon, the marchers took refuge at the Daraga covered court for another night, officials and employees of the Department of Agrarian Reform regional office led by Regelio O. Rondan, assistant regional director for operation came to share with them food and water as well as new slippers to replace worn-out ones.
During a mass for the farmers officiated by Fr. Monching Segubiense of the St. Gregory the Great Parish, the statement of Bishop Lucilo B. Quiambao, apostolic administrator of Diocese of Legazpi expressing support for the farmers of Sumilao, their families, and organizations.
“The Diocese of Legazpi, the clergy, religious and lay faithful is one with you in your efforts to achieve the truth and justice that you seek,” said Bishop Quiambao. “Our people are no stranger to such quest. It is about every farmer’s, fisher folk’s and laborer’s dream of securing a good future for his children and his children’s children. It is about how hard it is to reach that quest and fulfill that dream in this country, under present conditions.”
After the mass and dinner was when the farmers found time to rest their feet that were swelling with bruises, and very thick and infected calluses from the long journey on foot.
On November 14, at 4 a.m., the marchers left Daraga and headed for Ligao City. The Manila Times joined the Sumilao farmers in their march from Daraga to Guinobatan covering almost 20 kilometers.
While walking, Tatay Toto told The Manila Times that they had all the intentions of making the protest march as peaceful as can be, if only to make their appeal to President Arroyo as credible and irresistible. They see presidential intervention as the only recourse, hoping that the President legitimately awards them the 144 hectares as a Christmas gift.
“We’re walking against hunger and to seek for justice. We’re appealing to President Arroyo to legally award to us the ancestral land taken from us by the wealthy and powerful people,” Tatay Toto said the Sumilao farmers are expecting to arrive in Manila on December 7 with the hope that their protest journey would have underscored their plight well enough and gain the attention it deserves that they may regain their long lost ancestral land. Add to that the call for reform and extension for the CARP program beyond 2008, as well as the need for a national land use legislation.
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