Killing of journalists and the culture of impunity

The Philippines is the most dangerous place for journalists like me. Since the time the late dictator became so obsessed of staying in power, journalists were either arrested, detained or worst, abducted and killed. Even during the time of former President Corazon C. Aquino, whose rise to power somehow restored press freedom and democracy, the attacks against journalists continued.
It was during her term when journalists felt that even under a democratic setup, freedom of the press, which symbolizes democracy, remains an elusive dream.

Remember the late Louie Beltran? My favorite radio commentator and columnist know for being candid with everything he says on air or in his column in the Manila Standard was charged with libel by no less than Pres. Aquino herself for saying that so afraid was the president that she hid under the bed during the height of the 1987 coup.
The attacks against journalists eased during the time of Former Pres. Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada. Perhaps because they have their way with media or simply because they seem to respect the media as an important flavor of democracy.
Killing of journalists and other attacks against press freedom is the worst under the present administration. With 33 of the 77 journalists and media practitioners killed in the line of duty, the death toll under Pres. Arroyo's administration has overshadowed the number of journalists and media practitioners killed from the time of former Pres. Aquino up to the short lived term of former Pres. Estrada combined.
Making matters worse, most of the murder cases involving journalists and media practitioners remain unsolved and the perpetrators never had to spend a day in jail or at least have his day in court for the gruesome crimes they committed.
Aside from media killings, the attack against press freedom today, has never been worst. The First Gentleman himself has filed multiple libel charges against journalists critical of the first family. The filing of libel, which has been criminalized, is seen as a way of threatening or intimidating journalists by the powers-that-be.
It's also during the present administration that journalists covering a significant event in the country's history as it unfolds, now more popularly called the Manila Peninsula Siege, were arrested, detained and treated like criminals or enemies of the state. They were escorted outside the hotel, handcuffed like common criminals, for doing their job! Worst, the Philippine National Police (PNP) official who ordered the arrest of the media men inside the hotel seem to have gotten away with it.
The incident or the worsening situation that made the Philippines the most dangerous place for journalists and media practitioners second to Iraq did not seem to bother members of the Philippine media.

Most of the killings which remain unsolved have been easily forgotten, even by the very people whose profession was violated. The government did nothing to solve these killings. Worst, those in Malacanang even had the nerve to blame everything to irresponsible journalism.
Today's journalists and media practitioners continue to do their job day after as if it never happened. We remain critical while providing the people with relevant news and information as accurate, fair and objective as possible.

But it seems, everything about the media killings have been forgotten.

I must admit, only a few journalists have what is lacking among journalists nowadays - advocacy. Advocacy for press freedom and democracy.

The least we can do - to take the cudgel for our fallen colleagues - seemed to have slipped our minds.

Two of my colleagues and close friends - Albert Orsolino and Dick Melendres were killed by assassins. Orsolino's killers remain scot-free. While the killers of Melendres was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment, a slap in the wrist, I might add, the masterminds of both murders never had to spend a day in jail or at least have his day in court.

The motive was personal, perhaps. But then again, the murders of my two colleagues, whether because of personal grudge or a huge gambling debt for that matter, is not justifiable. There is no justification in killing another person which deprived him of his life for whatever reason. Yet, we failed.

For most of my colleagues, we can only weep. We can only grieve with his family.

We all were guilty of cowardice for not fighting the ills of society - the poor police investigation... the failure of the prosecution to gather sufficient evidence and prosecute those involved, and the weak judicial system that seem to protect the criminals more than they protect the victims and their relatives.

I can only weep and grieve...

Un-SWAT!

The leadership of the Philippine National Police has decided to prohibit members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) from wearing their black uniform because members of a robbery-holdup gang are using it in their operation.
One veteran SWAT member says he feels uneasy wearing the ordinary police uniform after being accustomed to using the black uniform that adds prestige to the elite police unit.
In stead of creating a special task force that would go after the gang, here they are prohibiting the authorities to wear their uniform.
What if the gang members start to use the ordinary police uniform? Or the fireman’s uniform? Or the jailguard’s uniform? Will the PNP prohibit using them, too?

One of the Greats

Last Wednesday, during the 56th Anniversary of the National Press Club, one of CAMANAVA's Greats received his certificate of recognition. Mr. Benny Antiporda of Remate, president of the NPC started as a cub reporter covering the Caloocan-Malabon-Navotas-Valenzuela or CAMANAVA beat. His phenomenal rise to fame as a reporter and later a columnist of the same tabloid made him one of the most successful products of CAMANAVA Press Corps. As NPC President, he continues to support the organization where he became BENNY ANTIPORDA.




A proud CAMANAVA Press Corps product, Benny Antiporda receives his certificate of recognition from Jimmy Olegario of Bulgar, Vice President of the CAMANAVA Press Corps.
Looking on at his left is Toneth Marquez of Remate and yours truly who is the Chairman of the Board at the other end. In the background is Rommel Sales of Hataw.

Of Great and Greatness

CAMANAVA Greats!

Last Friday, members of the Caloocan-Malabon-Navotas-Valenzuela (CAMANAVA) Press Corps paid tribute to some of the great men who, one way or the other, made it to the headlines for their courage or heroism, for their performance as public official or for simply being just GREAT.

The event was held at the Valenzuela City Convention Center in Maysan, Valenzuela City.

It was truly a celebration of the greatness of a few as part of the 20-year anniversary celebration of one of the oldest media organizations in the country.

The four mayors in the area namely Caloocan City Mayor Enrico Echiverri, Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian, Malabon Mayor Canuto Oreta and Navotas Mayor Tobias Tiangco were among the awardees for dedicating their life to serving their respective constituents.

Malabon Councilor Alfonso "Boyong" Manalac who earned the monicker Hoodlum Terminator as former Malabon policeman and later chief of police of Malabon was also among the awardees.

Police officials who did something great one time or the other were also recognized for their heroism.

Bishop Deogracias Yniquez of the Diocese of Caloocan, however, stands out among the rest. Aside from being a vocal critic of the government, the good bishop has provided his flock with spiritual guidance, always reminding them of their duty to God and country.

Bishop Yniquez is the Press Corps' Spiritual Adviser, aside from being an honorary member.

Another awardee who received thunder of applause from crowd that graced the ocassion is PO2 Rommel Habig of the Malabon Police. He handled the investigation of the killing of our colleague Dick Melendrez, a photo journalist covering the CAMANAVA area. Kuya Dick's killer was arrested, charged and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Here's what happened.

CAMANAVA Press Corps President Anthony Giron, Vice President Jimmy Olegario (In Barong) and former Press Corps President Toneth Marque pose with Valenzuela City beauties...

Mayor Echiverri is escorted by Toneth Marquez of Remate

Mayor Gatchalian receives a token for being Great from officers of the club.

The mayor shakes hands with officers of the Press Corps after receiving his token as one of the CAMANAVA Greats!

Mayor Echiverri is flocked by CAMANAVA President Anthony Giron and Vice President Jimmy Olegario during break

The two mayors during reunion of sorts as they meet again, this time no longer as lawmakers, but local chief executives of their respective cities.

The only flower among the thorns is Marither Menia, whose support to the Press Corps and its members was also recognized during the awards night.

Alvin Feliciano poses for a snapshot with his certificate of recognition

PO2 Habig makes a proud pose together with his certificate as one of the CAMANAVA Greats!

Senior Supt. Orante, one of the awardees, shows his certificate of recognition to his colleagues

Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian and Valenzuela City ABC President Alvin Feliciano talking before the program proper

Chow Time!

Boyong Manalac is all smile after receiving his certificate of recognition.

Last but not the least, Bishop Yniquez receives and shakes hand with yours truly after receiving his token. Truly, a CAMANAVA Great!

May mga tao...

I always remember this 70s song which tries to explain why some peole are like what they are. Mabuti na lang may kantang ganito.

"May mga tao, lumaki sa hirap...

May mga taong puro sarap..."

From these two striking lines, I begin to understand why some people are like what they are. May mayaman na akala mo kung sino, at may mga mahirap na obvious kung kumilos - sobrang mahiyain at kung minsan, ugaling palengkera... oooppppssss may mayaman at edukado na ugaling palengke so it means, nasa pagpapalaki. he he.

May mabait. May hindi mabait.

May maunawain. May hindi maunawain.

Mayroong mapagpakumbaba, at may hindi mapagpakumbaba. Ito iyong mga alam na nilang mali sila, eh taas noo pa rin na naglalakad sa daan.

Daig sila ng baboy. Iyong baboy kasi, alam na baboy sila, palamunin at madumi, kaya nakayuko palagi.

May mga tao na lahat pinapakialaman. Iyon iyong masyadong mapapel. At may walang pakialam - iyon iyong bahala na gang.

Mayroon iyong sobra talino. Mga siyentipiko at eksperto.

Mayron ding akala lang nya matalino siya.

Iyon bang kung magsalita akala mo alam lahat.

Tipong kahit balu-baluktot ang english eh proud pa rin.

True! may mga bobo na akala mo kung umasta alam lahat.

Mayroon na kahit alam na nilang hindi alam, eh nagkukunwaring alam pa rin nila...

Pretender, ika nga.

At mayroon naman na kahit na alam na nila eh, keep your mouth shut - kasi nakakahiya.

May taong tunay. May hindi tunay. Ito marahil iyon plastic na tinatawag. Iyong mapag-kunwari.

May mahiyain. May hindi mahiyain. Ito iyong makapal ang mukha.

May mapag-bigay. May hindi mapag-bigay. Ito iyong mga madamot.

May mga tao rin pranka kausap.

May run din na hindi.

Parang plastic rin, pero mas matindi.

Ito iyong mga sipsip - magaling pag kausap ka ngayon, bukas, wasak ka...

he he.

Mayroong nagsasabi ng totoo, may roong hindi. - Sila iyong mga buko mo na eh, nagsisinungaling pa at dadaanin ka sa "sorry" at paiyak iyak. (Gloria style).

May mga tao na madali magalit. Pikon kung tawagin. Sensitive o balat sibuyas. At may mga tao na makapal ang mukha at walang feeling.

Iyon bang dead-ma lang sa lahat ng kawalanghiyaan. Ayon sa psychologists, anti-social sila. Iyong hindi marunong mahiya at walang pakialam sa sasabihin ng iba.

May mga sympathizers din.

Iyong galit pag may ginawang mali sa iba.

At may mga kunsintidor. Iyong mali na nga eh, okay lang sa kanila.

Iyon din iyong mga taong binastos na ang kasama, kaibigan o kapatid ay ok lang - katwiran, hindi naman sila iyon. Iyon iyong mga kunsintidor.
Kaya ang gobyerno, nanatiling strong. Kasi Pilipino eh naturally kunsintidor.

Buti na lang may kanta na isinulat para maunawaan ang mga ugali ng tao.

Kung hindi, naku... maraming mababaliw.

Oo nga pala. May mga taong baliw at may hindi baliw.

Iyong hindi baliw, nakakaunawa.

At least, hindi pa ako baliw.

Iyong hindi na gumagamit ng tamang pag-iisip. Iyong wala ng pakiramdam. Iyong kumikilos ng hindi ayon sa normal na pag-iisip.

He he he

Tsibugan na!

Last Friday, I took a time out from my "busy schedule" of resting and treated myself to a variety of delightful food served at Souk Kafe, my siser's coffee shop at Terraza Dasma, Robinson's Place in Pala-pala, Dasmarinas, Cavite. Of course, it was for free.

And the food, definitely, sarappppp!

The chef, who prepared most of the food is my cousin, Edward.

Souk Kafe will be serving lunch buffet for P299 only every Friday...

It means eat all you can - the best of the best pasta galore and assorted dishes - mostly meditteranean will be served.

Here's some of what I had last Friday...

Enjoy!

Grilled chicken with lemon. Tasty and filling. With lots of hhhhmmmmmmnnnn - herb and spices that enhances your desire for more...

Salads. Vegetables and Potato. If you don't feel like eating rice... if you are a vegetarian... or simply chose to be more healthy, this one's definitely for you!

Fruits, fruits and more fruits... Name it, apple, mango, singkamas, pear ba iyon (?) pineapple, at kung ano ano pa. Nice to have some of those after a hearty meal...

You can also dress your own vegetable salad... with fresh, fresh, fresh onions, tomato, lots of delicious cheese etc...

There's also chicken macaroni, spaghetti - chose your sauce - red or white... and bread pica pica...

Oooppppssss.... don't forget to buy spices from different places. They are for sale at Souk Kafe, too. Sarap nyan! I like the powdered chilli most.

Now you know why the food at Souk Kafe's delicious. The herb and spices came from different countries...

Fish fillet! with dip, of course. ang sarap!

Ano ba talaga, kuya?

KING VS ENFORCER
DENR Chief, Hotel owner in Aklan showdown
By Jonathan L. Mayuga
Correspondent
Published in the Business Mirror May 29, 2008


The continuing development of Boracay Island as a prime tourist destination is now the subject of heated debate between local and national government officials. The debate was triggered by the desire of local officials of the municipality of Malay to develop the island to realize its full potential as a world-class tourism destination, on one hand, and on the other hand, the desire by national government officials to protect the island’s environment and natural resources from the hazards of unbridled development.
Proclamation 1064
Central to this is the vague land use and classification of certain areas in the island, which was aggravated by the issuance of Presidential Proclamation 1064 on May 22, 2006, by President Arroyo. The proclamation is being contested in court by various stakeholders, particularly hotel, resort and restaurant owners in the island.
The issuance of Proclamation 1064 paved the way for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to step into the picture.
The proclamation classified the entire island into forestland and agricultural land for purposes of protecting the island, as well as declaring some areas as alienable and disposable pursuant to Section 13 of Presidential Decree 705, or the Revised Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines, and Commonwealth Act 141, or the Public Land Act, subject to actual ground survey and delineation.
The proclamation also declared that all existing roads, trails and pathways and a 15-meter buffer zone on each side of the centerline of roads and trails which are reserved for right-of-way shall form part of the area reserved for forestland protection purposes.
Illegal construction?
DENR Secretary Lito Atienza recently filed graft charges against the mayor of Malay town, Aklan, Ceciron Cawaling, and officials of J. King and Sons Inc. in connection with construction of the P1.2-billion Boracay Crown Regency Hotel and Convention Center project in barangay Balabag, which the DENR deems illegal.
The construction site, Atienza averred, used to be a wetland, hence, the area is unfit for such construction project and falls under the jurisdiction of the DENR, that being its classification.
This is the first time the DENR filed graft charges against a local chief executive for being remiss on his duty. Atienza said the mayor gave the owner of the hotel undue favor in allowing the company to proceed with the construction, albeit at its initial stage of hauling and compacting back-filling materials, even though there’s a construction moratorium.
Wetland or tourism zone?
Local officials, as well as company executives of J. King and Sons, insisted that the project is not covered by the moratorium, because it was already ongoing when the moratorium took effect on January 2, 2008.
Seeking court reprieve, J. King and Sons asked Branch 5 Judge Elmo del Rosario to create a commission that will determine the land classification of the company’s 1.6-hectare property to once and for all settle the issue. The company insisted that per its tax declaration since 1948, it was an agricultural land devoted to coconut, and in 1997, it was reclassified as a tourism zone by the municipal government of Malay.
The court has granted the petition and has asked the parties to submit a list of names from which the members of the commission will be picked.
Prior to the issuance of Proclamation 1064, illegal settlers had started to settle on the island. To date, only 20 percent of the island has land titles. Most of those who claim rights pay only taxes and, by virtue of tax declaration, use the land accordingly.
Tourist destination
The municipality of Malay, Aklan, is a prime tourist destination because of the beautiful island of Boracay. Hundreds of thousands of tourists come to visit the island, prompting its development mainly for tourism purposes.
In the past decade, more and more people have settled on the island because of the income potential of tourist arrivals, especially during the summer.
Malay is one of the 17 municipalities that comprise the Province of Aklan, having a land area of 6,731 hectares or 67.31 sq km comprising 3.63 percent of the total land area of the province. It is located in the northwestern tip of Panay bounded on the north by Sibuyan and Sulu Sea, on the east by the municipality of Nabas, on the west by the municipality of Buruanga and on the south by the province of Antique. It includes Boracay Island and Tigwatian or Laurel Island.
It is approximately 76 road kilometers from Kalibo, the capital town of Aklan, 237 road kilometers from Iloilo City, and 12 hours’ sea travel and 45 minutes’ air travel from Manila.
‘Hilly and mountainous’
According to the official web site of the municipality of Malay, 60.2 percent of land area of Malay is classified as hilly to mountainous, irregularly shaped and with elevation of less than 600 meters. In Boracay Island, about two-thirds of the total land area falls between 8-percent and 16-percent slope. Lowland and gently sloping areas are found near the shoreline.
Based on its existing land classification, 33.9395 hectares are residential; 2,719.0742 hectares agricultural; 13.6800 hectares commercial; 2,599.0000 hectares forests; 2.3960 hectares institutional; 13.8400 hectares utilities; 1,004.0150 tourism; 8.7012 hectares parks and open space; 111.8258 hectares other built-up areas in rural barangays; and 224.5283 hectares meadows/grasslands.
Part of the island, according to the DENR, remains a forest, and thus should be protected from further destruction.
Atienza said that aside from the forest, the island is host to natural bodies of water such as rivers, streams, swamps, wetlands and mangrove areas. Of the 11 swamps, wetlands and mangrove areas, only two remain, one of which is slowly being illegally reclaimed.
In explaining why he has decided to file charges against the mayor of Malay, Atienza said most of these wetlands were reclaimed and disposed of as private property, with the approval of the local government unit.
Investment haven
Despite the issues hounding Boracay, it remains as an investment haven because of the tourist-drawing beach properties.
Richard King, chairman and chief executive officer of J. King and Sons Inc., is bullish over his company’s multimillion-peso investment in the world-renowned Boracay Island.
King said despite the moratorium issue hounding one of his company’s four projects, sales are still up even before actual construction has begun.
The six-month construction moratorium on new construction took effect only in January 2, 2008. By July 2, 2008, construction of hotels and condominiums, as well as resorts in the prime tourist destination, is expected to resume.
Room shortage
At present, there are only a total of 7,500 rooms to accommodate tourist arrivals in the island, particularly during summer, Holy Week and the Christmas season.
The highest recorded number of tourists arriving in Boracay was in 2006, wherein some 500,000 local and foreign tourists came for the summer vacation, according to the Boracay Foundation Inc.—an organization of various stakeholders that include hotel, resort and restaurant owners on the island.
Lucrative business
The hotel-and-restaurant business is a lucrative business in Boracay. Most of the tourists are moneyed and are themselves willing to buy property, if not condominium units, where they can stay on yearly visits to Boracay.
According to King, as of last week, 20 percent of the 457 rooms of the P1.2-billion Boracay Crown Regency Hotel and Convention Center in barangay Balabag have been sold even though they just announced an increase in their condominium’s unit price by P1 million, or from P3 million to P4 million, owing to the demand.
The company’s biggest project so far represents “water,” one of the four elements of nature which include fire, earth and wind that each of the company’s four projects represent.
Representing “fire” is the P120-million, 40-room Crown Regency Hotel in Station 3 of the Island, to be formally opened in September this year. The Crown Regency Prince Hotel, an P80- million, 36-room condominium-hotel project representing “earth,” will start operating in December this year.
A fourth project that will represent wind is still in the design and planning stage.
The Boracay Crown Regency Hotel and Convention Center boasts of a 2,800-sq-m swimming pool—the biggest swimming pool ever to be built on the island—a water park, slides and kiddie attractions that it claims no other hotel or resort in Boracay offers.
It is a few minutes’ walk away from the beach. The hotel is accessible by tricycle, the only means of public transportation leading to the beaches of Boracay.
The Cebuano businessman is confident that in the next few months, sales will continue to go up and his company will eventually hit the target sale even before actual construction takes place.
The project is presently at its initial stage. Workers are hauling and compacting back-filling materials in the 1.6-hectare property, situated along the main road of barangay Balabag.
This, according to King, despite the supposed adverse impact of the negative publicity the company’s project has been getting as a result of what he described as the “malicious” allegations by Environment Secretary Atienza against the company in filing graft charges against Mayor Cawaling and company executives of J. King and Sons for proceeding with the construction project.
King said Boracay remains a promising investment haven for those in the hotel, resort and restaurant business, because of the influx of foreign and local tourists from all over the world.
Bold projection
In the next 10 years, local officials of Malay expect the number of tourists visiting Boracay to increase. At present, King said there’s already a room shortage of 5,000 during the peak season. He predicts this will increase to 8,000 in the next few years.
The company is also expanding its business to Bohol, and King noted that the province promises to be the next ecotourism destination in the Philippines.
“We are already looking for properties for future projects, particularly in Bohol, because as the DOT [Department of Tourism] said, Bohol needs big hotels soon,” King said.
King has found an ally in local government officials who support the idea of developing Boracay to achieve its full potential as a prime tourist destination.
Local government officials said they are not keen on issuing a cease-and-desist order to stop ongoing construction in the world-famous Boracay Island that is not covered by the six-month moratorium passed and approved by the members of the municipal council.
Ed Sancho, executive assistant to Mayor Cawaling, clarified that the moratorium covers only new construction and not those that were given building permits before January 2, 2008.
He said Cawaling has, in fact, strictly ordered concerned town officials not to issue building permits since the moratorium took effect. The moratorium will expire on July 2, 2008.
Councilors Rowen Aguirre and Welvic Gelito, who respectively chair the committees on laws and tourism, echoed his sentiment. “We cannot just stop an ongoing project just because the DENR wants it stopped. On our part, we can only stop a project if there’s a violation of the terms and conditions of the building permit,” Aguirre said.
He said such is the case of the controversial P1.2-billion Boracay Crown Regency Hotel and Condominium Project in barangay Balabag.
According to Sancho, ongoing construction projects should proceed with the construction activities because they are not covered by the moratorium. The rule, the local official said, applies to all projects.
There are ongoing construction projects other than the Boracay Crown Regency Hotel and Convention Center, according to Gelito, and issuing a cease-and-desist order to J. King and Sons while allowing others to continue their ongoing construction would be interpreted as a move to single out the company, he said.
Meanwhile, King is expected to sue DENR Secretary Lito Atienza and DENR Region 6 officials and employees for allegedly causing the company undue injury.
King insisted that the Boracay Crown Regency Hotel and Convention Center is a tourism project that’s “aboveboard”—taking note that his company has complied with all the requirements from all agencies.
At present, local officials of Malay, Aklan, are drafting a Comprehensive Land Use Plan to serve as their guide in issuing permits for the development of the island. At the same time, the DENR, too, is set to finish the final draft of the Environmental Master Plan for Boracay for the protection of the environment and the island’s natural resources.

Wetland and wet dreams

I was in Boracay from May 24-26, 2008 to personally look into the construction site of the Crown Regency Hotel and Convention Center. The P1.2 billion hotel and convention center project is being opposed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) because according to Secretary Lito Atienza, the project site is a wetland.
After conducting a site visit, I was convinced that it was really a "wet land" because the land was wet, if that's what how the good ex-mayor of Manila defines it.
In this case, most parts of Metro Manila are wetland during the rainy season because the land becomes wet after being submerged by floodwater.
Anyway, Boracay still has the most beautiful beach in the world, as far as I'm concerned. It continues to attract the most beautiful people - women particularly.
No wonder many of my friends said Boracay is where even grown ups would have wet dreams.

Court-commissioned experts to rule Boracay 'wetland' issue
Unpublished in the Business Mirror
By Jonathan L. Mayuga

MALAY, Aklan - A panel of experts to be commissioned by a local court in Aklan will soon determine the land classification of a 1.6-hectare property of J. King and Sons Inc. in the world famous Boracay Island which will determine the legality of its P1.2 billion Boracay Crown Regency Hotel and Convention Center project.
Augusto Macam, lawyer for Richard King Jr, chief executive officer and chairman of J. King and Sons Inc said as per order of the court, they will submit not later than Tuesday a list of names to Judge Elmo del Rosario of the Aklan RTC Branch 5 who will name the members of the commission.
Likewise, the DENR, being the other party in the case initiated by J. King and Sons Inc. is expected submit its own recommendation next week.
“The members of the commission will determine whether the property in question is a wetland or nor. If it is not, then it means it doesn’t fall under the jurisdiction of the DENR,” he told reporters during a press conference here on Saturday.
He also said that the commission will be asked to define "wetland" which he said is unclear based on the DENR's own classification.
The court, in ordering the creation of the commission, granted the petition of J. King and Sons to for the purpose of determining the classification of the property.
J. King and Sons sought for court reprieve to prevent Atienza from allegedly "maliciously harassing” this town's local officials and J. King and Sons company executives to prevent the hotel and convention project.
The project is expected to be completed within the next three years.
Based on its tax declaration, the property formerly owned by the Garcia family is an agricultural land devoted to coconut in 1948 until it was reclassified into a tourism zone in 1998. The property, which is one of six properties acquired by J. King and Sons in Boracay more two years ago, is situated along the major road of Barangay Balabag. Just across the construction site is a branch of Allied Bank.
Local town officials have questioned the failure on the part of the DENR’s to clearly define what is a “wetland” adding that not all wetlands, particularly in Boracay, are government property.
The construction site, although is partly submerged under water that was diverted from a nearby wetland is at the heart of a residential and commercial area in Barangay Balabag. Several business establishments are situated near the property.
At the same press conference, King said the construction of the Boracay Crown Regency Hotel and Convention Center will continue, saying they have complied with all the requirements of the law to proceed with the construction.
“We have complied with the requirements for the construction of this project. And there’s no reason for us to stop it. Our project is not covered by the moratorium because the permits have been issued by the local government before the moratorium was passed and approved,” King said.
Macam told reporters during a site inspection of the property that their recommendation will include experts from the academe, the field of property planning and development, a geologist and a former DENR undersecretary.
King said the trees that were cut as part of the development of the property were planted by people who used to live in the community, and hence are not covered by the DENR guidelines in the cutting of tees. He was reacting to Atienza’s allegation that the company violated environmental laws in cutting the trees without securing a permit.
The classification of the property as per its tax declaration by the owners since 1948 is being questioned by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) led by Secretary Lito Atienza who filed graft charges against Cawaling and J. King and Sons Inc. executives led by King for the continued construction of the hotel, on this basis, saying it proceeded without an environmental clearance certificate from any of the agency’s offices in Quezon City or Aklan and an existing construction moratorium passed by the members of the Sangguniang Bayan.
He said Cawaling has given King and his company undue favor which constitutes graft while the company execs, in defying his order to stop the construction which allegedly led to the destruction of the “wetland” that’s also unfit for such construction project.
Next week, King said it will be his turn to file charges against Atienza and DENR Region 6 officials for alleged graft, saying it was the DENR chief who is liable for violating Republic Act 3019, particularly when it caused his company undue injury in filing the graft charges against them last week.
King dismissed the filing of the case against him and the mayor as attempt to harass and prevent his company from pursuing the project to favor hotel owners who do not want his company to put up the said project, which is projected to be the biggest hotel in Boracay Island.
The hotel and condominium project will have a total of 457 rooms, a 2,800 sq. m swimming pool with water park and kiddie attraction.
The hotel will also have its P20 million sewerage treatment plant that makes it one of the very few hotels with such in compliance with existing laws, particularly the building code of this town, and the Clean Water Act.

A lake, a tribe and a people

MAMANWA TRIBE IN AGUSAN GETS LIVELIHOOD PROJECTS FROM AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT
by Jonathan L. Mayuga
02-Nov-2006 BusinessMirror

For most Mamanwa living near Lake Mainit in Jabonga, Agusan del Norte, fishing is a way of life. Even if their small farms are unproductive, they manage to survive on their own, with a little help from the local government, because of the lake's abundance.
Over the past few years, however, even the lake is becoming unproductive. Soon enough, the Mamanwa tribe found themselves needing help more than ever.
Datu Randy Catarman, a tribal leader of the Mamanwa, describes his fellow Mamanwa as diligent.
But he says food is getting harder and harder to find nowadays in Mindanao.
The good news about biotechnology could not, therefore, have come at a better time for them.
Basically hunters, the Mamanwa eventually turned to farming and fishing in Lake Mainit after hunting became increasingly less productive. But to survive, they decided they needed the government's help. And to do it, they need to do it the biotech way.
Despite its abundance, the lake had been unable to sustain the needs of the increasing number of people.
"We are not lazy people. We cultivate our land and we go fishing in the lake everyday if we had to. Before, it takes us just an hour, even less, to catch a fish; now, it takes us four hours or more and yet sometimes, we go home empty-handed," he says.
A recent visit of former Agriculture Secretary Domingo Panganiban in Butuan City last month to attend a three-day stakeholders' forum titled, "Economic opportunities in biotechnology in Caraga Region," an hour's drive from the old town of Jabonga, Agusan del Norte, came at a very opportune time for the Mamanwa.
Panganiban met with some 20 tribal leaders led by Datu Randy, who appealed for government support. While saying farming has never been better, they said the food they produce is barely enough for their subsistence.
"What we produce in our farm and what we catch in the lake are just enough for our daily consumption. Although we are not experiencing hunger, our people remain poor," Datu Randy said.
The Mamanwa said the great Lake Mainit is no longer as abundant as before. The Mamanwa were once considered a Negrito group, but now are thought to comprise an older group entirely distinct from other Filipino populations.
But like all Negritos, they have adopted the language of a dominant nearby group. In Mindanao, they are concentrated primarily in Kitcharao and Santiago in Agusan del Norte.
They are quite mobile and have continually relocated until recent years. As hunting has declined in importance, the Mamanwa receive some of their subsistence from other groups with whom they have labor arrangements.
But the major economic activities of the Mamanwa are farming and fishing in the lake.
Lake Mainit, the country's fourth largest lake, has totally become their life-support system since time immemorial.
The lake, with a total inland water of 17,000 hectares and, with a depth of 180 meters and an elevation of 37 meters above sea level, the deepest lake in the Philippines, provides them food and drinking water.
The unspoiled teardrop-shaped lake is one of the most untouched ecosystems in the region; it has unique and diverse potentials among the largest lakes in the country.
It has the most pristine water surrounded by numerous cold and hot springs in its tributaries. It is home to some rare freshwater fishers.
The terrestrial ecosystems feature some of the rare and endangered species of palm, orchids, fire orchid and hardwood premium timber species. The presence of wildlife species, such as migrating birds in season, that depend on the lake is attributed largely to the shallow marshland and estuarine areas.
Panganiban, during the dialogue, promised a package of livelihood projects for the Mamanwa. He likewise ordered the DA's regional executive director Ricardo Regis to immediately craft a proposal on how to provide the Mamanwa with livelihood.
In response, the DA official in Caraga said that initially, 55 goats will be given to the Mamanwa. The DA Region XIII also shouldered expenses for procuring supplies such as the interlink wire for fencing, biologics and pasture grasses as planting materials.
The municipality of Jabonga will provide other logistics needed, as well as the labor requirement to build the goat house.
For its part, director Alauya Olama of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) - Caraga will provide fish cages for the establishment of mariculture park in Lake Mainit. He said BFAR's amazing breed of freshwater tilapia would fit in the lake.
Panganiban also directed DA-Caraga to purchase one pump boat for the Mamanwa.
More important, he urged them to join the biotech revolution and farm for natural ingredients. He noted the economic opportunities in biotechnology, such as supplying the world's natural ingredients industry, with raw materials.
For instance, papaya, which is traditionally grown by the Mamanwa, can become a major source of income. He urged them to plant papaya and become a major supplier of papain.
Panganiban also urged them to plant hybrid corn and pest-resistant and high-yielding Bt corn instead of the regular corn they usually grow in their farms, and experience the wonders of agricultural biotechnology.

Bat kamo?

To the bat cave!
(Published in the Business Mirror, May 2, 2008)
By Jonathan L. Mayuga
Correspondent

San Juan, Batangas—Known for its white-sand beaches, this town, earlier declared as a bird sanctuary, will soon promote one of, if not perhaps its best-kept, secrets as an ecotourism destination—a bat sanctuary in the middle of the forest. This was revealed by Councilor Noel Pasco, chairman of the town’s agriculture and fisheries committee, and member of the committee on environment and tourism.
“We are planning to open our doors to nature lovers who might want to experience this new adventure—a journey to the bat kingdom,” Pasco told the BusinessMirror in an interview.
Local officials have been actively promoting this town as an ecotourism destination and have passed enabling ordinances that strengthen existing environmental laws as they see better economic opportunities protecting the environment.







THE forests of the Laiya Aplaya Mountain in San Juan, Batangas, are home to two species of giant fruit bats. The Golden Crowned Flying Fox is the largest bat in the world, with a wingspan of 2 meters, while the Large Flying Fox is the heaviest bat in the world, weighing up to 1.1 kg. --JONATHAN L. MAYUGA

In 1995 local officials passed a resolution declaring the entire town as a bird sanctuary—in effect prohibiting hunting, catching, transporting or selling of birds in the town.
In 2004 the town also passed enabling ordinances declaring nine out of 16 coastal barangays as Marine Protected Areas to shelter marine life, including the threatened marine turtles, dolphins and butanding found in its coastal waters; the protection and conservation of a species of the teak tree locally known as malabayabas, which is endemic to the town; and now, the habitat of giant fruit bats at the Laiya Aplaya Mountain, which covers three towns—San Juan, Lubo and Rosario, all in the province of Batangas.
Approximately two-and-a-half hours’ drive south of Metro Manila, this town is known for its native products like lambanog and palayok. It also boasts of the unspoiled beaches of Laiya, one of 16 coastal barangays that boast of a long stretch of beautiful white-sand beaches. The town is home to nesting marine turtles, mangrove forests, dolphins and the occasional butanding, and a unique species of birds.
Among the existing ecotourism and adventure travels this town offers to local and foreign tourists are snorkeling and scuba diving, hiking and camping, plant and wildlife appreciation—which include whale-shark and dolphin watching—as well as bird watching.
Soon it will offer the majestic view of the bat kingdom right in the middle of the forest, its latest attraction for nature trippers.

Councilor Noel Pasco leads members of the media during a shallow river trek at the foot of the Laiya Aplaya Mountain that leads to a bat sanctuary in the town of San Juan, Batangas - JONATHAN L. MAYUGA

This coastal town in Batangas is home to two species of giant fruit bats—the Golden Crowned Flying Fox, scientifically known as Acerodon jubatus, an endangered species; and the Large Flying Fox, scientifically known as the Pteropus vampyrus, also threatened with extinction.
The Golden Crowned Flying Fox is the largest bat in the world with a wingspan of 2 meters, and the Large Flying Fox is the heaviest bat in the world with a weight of up to 1.1 kg.
The giant fruit bats are keystone species that serve as pollinators and seed-dispersal agents, helping regenerate the forest.
Scientists said there are 300 plant species that rely on fruit bats to pollinate them and disperse their seeds. Some of the plant species dependent on fruit bats are bananas, mangoes, avocados, figs and cashews.
Unlike most bat species, fruit bats use their sense of smell, and not echolocation. Fruit bats travel up to 50 km a night in search for food. They roost during the day. The roost in San Juan has a population of approximately a thousand bats.
The 3-km journey to the bat kingdom is, by itself, already an adventure. It is a two-hour trek via a shallow river and streams on foot or by horse leading to the foot of the Laiya Aplaya Mountain. From there, it will be another hour’s trek without the horses to the bat kingdom.
Local officials of this town, as well as the local communities, have seen and appreciated the economic potential of nature conservation and wildlife preservation.
Willie Gutierrez, 24, a resident of Laiya Aplaya, is hopeful that more tourists will come because this offers additional income opportunity for a farmer like him—either as a tourist guide or a tourist companion.
Gutierrez, who owns a horse, is one of six tourist guides who offer horseback riding to local and foreign tourists who go to the bat kingdom.
Besides ecotourism, local communities benefit from community-based forest- and marine-resource management.
“Everything is interconnected. You protect the bats, you protect the agent that regenerates not only the forests in Batangas, but other areas, as well, because bats are migratory mammals,” Pasco explained.
The Laiya Aplaya mountain, according to Pasco, provides livelihood to the communities. However, he said the law against bird hunting, as well as the giant fruit bats that thrive in the forests, is now strictly enforced.
Pasco said slowly, they are educating the people who are still into the practice of slash-and-burn agriculture, as well as cutting trees for fuel and for charcoal making.
“Slowly, we are educating them, teaching them alternative means of livelihood from ecotourism. We are teaching them to help take care of the forest. Instead of cutting trees, we teach them to help pick up pieces of garbage left behind by litterbugs to keep the forest clean,” he said.
Town officials are getting help from Ramon Flores, a marine-turtle conservationist who belongs to Earth Day Network, an organization that promotes the protection and preservation of Mother Earth, and two Peace Corps volunteers in couple Steven and Rebecca Gomez. The couple has been actively involved in the town’s information, education and communication campaign as far as environmental protection is concerned.
Eight of the coastal barangays of this town have been identified as nesting sites of marine turtles, which are also threatened by extinction.
Flores said the active involvement of the community boosts the government’s effort to protect marine wildlife.
“Before, you could see people selling turtles and turtle eggs for consumption. Now, you’ll see the people building fences to protect nesting sites of marine turtles,” he said.
“The turtles that eat seagrass and jellyfish help a lot in striking a balance of nature, making the beaches of San Juan, Batangas, more enjoyable,” he said.

Iyan, kasi

Nature trip lang!

San Juan, Batangas -- My elders used to tell me that our clan (Mayuga) originated from this town. Well, historically, Mayuga really came from Batangas and what made ours, meaning my ancestors (Lolo Martin Mayuga) to migrate to Panay Island is one hell of a story. So let us skip that part. I was in San Juan with some of my colleagues in the media covering the "Environment Beat" on 25 and 26 April, 2008 for a nature trip in this beautiful town. Ahhh yes, the white beaches and pristine sea. Unfortunately, it didn't turn out well. But it is worth the adventure. The thrill. We did a shallow river trek to the foot of the Laiya Aplaya Mountain. Six of us, which include me, rode horses, of course, guided by the horses' owners.

The horse, Alasan, and me

The horse owners are actually farmers who are trying to be tourist guide on that particular adventure - the trip to Bat Kingdom. The Laiya Aplaya Mountain is home to two species of giant fruit bats. Well. The place was indeed swarming with giant fruit bats.

The giant fruit bats

On the foot of the mountain, we needed to scale the mountain on foot because it will be too difficult for the horse to go up, much more, to go down. It was 45 degrees to 90 degrees elevation. As expected, I had a very hard time catching up with the younger ones. Fortunately, I stopped smoking a year ago which perhaps helped me stay fit to eventually make it to the Bat Kingdom. Uhaw, pagod and gutom, not to mention. There we saw the bats. Really plenty of them. Flying and hanging unto those trees. We can't get close enough to see if they really taste good. He he. Of course, the Municipality of San Juan has banned the hunting of bats in the area, because they really wanted to promote the place as an ecotourism destination. I say it's good. The place has the potential. A lot of nature tripper will be willing to try the place. On our way back, it's a lot easier. Kung pwede nga lang gugulong na lang ako eh. He he he. Anyway, the trip was, well worth it. Unfortunately, not all good trips are good trips. The bad thing about the trip is that, on our way back, I fell from the horse. The horse that I picked on our way back was somewhat picky. She doesn't want someone pulling her hair. She doesn't want some horse getting near her, too. Why and how I fell from the horse? One stupid horse got too close to her and she kicked the other horse. She was hysterical. She was jumping up and down. The guide can't seem to stop her. I lost balance and fell. Fortunately, I was able to avoid falling from the big bolder nearby. Otherwise, I could have sustained serious injury. Anyway, the guide blamed me for jumping from the horse. Well, I wouldn't want the horse to fall with me. My God, I'm 100 kilos and I can see why she's so uneasy. He he. Anyway, I rode her again and went on. We were able to reach the river where our vehicles were waiting and finally, I'm safe. Another thing... after I fell, my sister's canon camera fell and nearly soaked in the river. It was wet so I guess it needs cleaning. Fortunately, it is still working. After the horseback riding and visit to bat kingdom, we went to join a boat ride to see the mangrove forests. There’s nothing new in there, though. Nothing amazing, either. But the boat ride was exciting. It was already noon and the wind was strong. The waves could have caused our small motorized banca to capsize. Luckily, we were able to go back alive. Well, as I've said, not all adventures are can be considered great. My colleagues were dismayed because our host sent us to a place to spend the night with nothing except a small kubo (hut) a pillow and a blanket. Of course, the food was good but the place. Well, it's too much a nature trip for the girls and boys. Thanks anyway to our hosts and I will say, that they have been a generous host and sponsor to us all.

Bahala na Diyos

Riding motorcycle is a risky business

Negotiating the road, even with a four-wheel vehicle is risky enough. Much more if you are riding a two-wheeled vehicle – like a scooter or a motorcycle which I have been using for the past several months. It’s a Honda Wave 100, payment of which I took over from my younger brother who decided that he’ll never ride a motorcycle again after a minor accident back home in Cavite. I can’t blame him. Last Tuesday, April 29, I figured in another accident. Many of the accidents I figured in for the past months are not as serious as this one. Thanks to my helmet, I’m still alive and still blogging. He he he. Well, what can I say? I’ve figured in several accidents before. I have nine stitches on my left thigh, severed knees (it means both knees), hit my head with helmets on several times, and burned my right thigh by the steaming hot muffler, among others. The latest was, well, a little more exciting. It happened between 9 am to 9:30 a.m. (Exactly, I clocked it at 9:15) in front of the main entrance of the Veterans Memorial Medical Center along North Avenue, Quezon City.

I was on my way to work (actually, I was on my way to the Land Transportation Office to renew the motorcycle’s registration, its plate number ending in 5) and was traversing North Avenue when a taxi cab cut my path. I was running at a speed of 50 kph and was about five to seven meters away when I noticed the taxi in front of me. It came from a training center just across the main entrance of the hospital. How stupid of him to cross North Avenue, a major thoroughfare, when in fact he knew the vehicles were fast moving towards Quezon Circle. We have the green light, by the way.Quick thinking on my part, perhaps, saved me from more serious injuries, if not death, as well as other motorists. Had I avoided the taxi, I would have hit another motorcycle rider on my right… Had I turned left, I would have hit the taxi’s front nevertheless, or be hit by the taxi myself, because the taxi was still moving when I hit it. So what I did was stepped on the break hard and strong but still, I hit the taxi. Because of the impact, I flew and rolled over the taxi’s compartment then fell on the concrete road. I was able to stand up quickly and avoid incoming vehicles. Checked myself up and decided I wasn’t seriously injured. All that I suffered from were abrasions and bruises on the left leg and thigh. Not to worry. My very reliable motorcycle was the one that suffered the most… When I checked, its front was badly damaged. I believe the wheel needs re-alignment and the body cover, well, needs replacement. I also need to have the breaks repaired, as well as the steering wheel, if I may call it that. It took me and the driver of the taxi more than two hours waiting for traffic policemen to arrive and investigate what happened but to no avail. They never came. An MMDA traffic enforcer came by and drew a sketch of the accident. I wasn’t about to let them haul my motorcycle yet despite the traffic the accident was causing along North Avenue, because I wasn’t sure that’s the right procedure. In my experience as a journalist, the traffic enforcer should be the one doing the sketching and investigating. Anyway, some of the traffic policemen’s “boys” went over to take pictures and so I agreed that we proceed to the traffic sector 6 in QC which has the jurisdiction.
Does it mean I'm quitting motorcycle riding? Definitely.... NOT. Imagine the traffic and the skyrocketing bus and jeepney fare? Imagine how much you're going to save when you ride a motorcycle than take a taxi? And imagine the time and effort you save when you get yourself stocked into traffic which Metro Manila is notorious for nowadays?"
And the accident? Well, it’s just another day for a pusang gala like me. Everyday is an adventure. Everyday is a learning experience. And this one, I will definitely remember well. By the way, I’m pursuing charges against the driver. He doesn’t deserve a driver’s license. Moreso, he doesn’t deserver a professional driver’s license.

Paano na sila?

The question is, will there be an available relocation site for these people? Maybe, or maybe not. The point is, the Philippine government has no comprenesive human settlement plan. Metro Manila's squatters continue to grow in number because people in the province where employment opportunity is scarce are forced to migrate to where they think job hunting will be easy. Apparently, there's no job for them in Metro Manila. The country's rich natural resources should be sufficient to feed the country's growing population but how, when even the lands devoted for food production belong to the few ruling class - the rich and the moneyed who run the government, or control their dummies in Malacanang, the Philippine Senate and the House of Representatives.
If demolished, where would these poor people go?

50,000 Laguna de Bay squatters must go
Published at Business Mirror April 25, 2008

By Jonathan Mayuga
Correspondent

AFTER starting to dismantle illegal fish cages at Laguna de Bay, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is now faced with the bigger challenge of relocating some 50,000 squatters to rehabilitate the lake.
This was revealed by Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) general manager Edgar Manda after leading the dismantling of the illegal structures on Wednesday.
So far, a total of illegal 74 fish cages with no pertinent permits have been dismantled.
Environment Secretary Lito Atienza commended Manda, but said he will closely monitor the clearing operation to ensure the successful revival of the lake.
The dismantling of the illegal structures will allow water to flow smoothly, which, hopefully, will help reverse its degradation.
“This is just the first phase of the clearing operation. Fish pens will follow. The dismantling operations will take about two years to allow fish-pen owners to recover their investment and to lessen the impact of zero fish pen and fish cage to Metro Manila’s freshwater-fish supply.”
He added that the gradual phase-out will address the growing concern on freshwater-fish production, especially for Metro Manila, where 30 percent of its supply of milkfish (bangus) and tilapia came from Laguna de Bay.
However, Manda said dealing with solid waste, both domestic and industrial, and the proliferation of squatters in the area is the bigger task at hand for the DENR and the LLDA.
“There are 50,000 squatters on the lake banks and surrounding areas of the lake, adding up to the degradation of the water quality,” Manda said.
He said the dismantling of fish pens and fish cages is just one part of the rehabilitation plan for Laguna de Bay. Relocation of squatters is another.
“We cannot fully rehabilitate the lake unless other problems are addressed, like the squatters who immensely contribute to the degradation of the water quality of the lake,” Manda said.
About 77 percent of Laguna de Bay’s pollution load reportedly comes from households, 11 percent from industries and 12 percent from land run-off.
Laguna de Bay is the largest freshwater lake in the country. It is also the largest freshwater basin in Southeast Asia. It is being eyed as a potential source of potable water for Metro Manila, and is currently being utilized for power generation.

Kami rin, pwede mag-negosyo!

Philippines fishers to establish seafood restaurant, turning area into ecotourism location
Jonathan Mayuga, Business Mirror ABS-CBN 17 Mar 08;

KABASALAN, Zamboanga Sibugay—A small group of municipal fishermen-turned-fish-cage operators in this town are going big time with their innovative livelihood projects, transforming their community into an ecotourism destination with the support of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).
Members of the Kalugpungan sa Gagmay Mangingisda sa Concepcion (KGMC) are planning to put up a seafood restaurant soon to promote their barangay as an eco-tourism destination. Besides creating additional employment, the initiative will also empower people in the community.
Roberto A. Ballon, KGMC chairman, said the restaurant will serve cultured grouper fish, oyster or talaba and freshwater crabs.KGMC, or the Small Fisherfolks Association of Concepcion, is composed of 251 agrarian-reform beneficiaries belonging to the Greenfields agrarian reform community.
Through the help of the DAR-Western Mindanao Community Initiative Project (WMCIP), KGMC’s 251 members who used to be municipal fishermen made a complete turnaround, as they started to culture talaba, catch alimango, then later, invest in "high-end" fish-cage operation—culturing maya-maya and various species of grouper fish, legally."Before, we earned less than P100 a day. Our fishing methods were even illegal, considering we used nets that catch even the small fishes.
"We know it is illegal, but we have no choice. Through the DAR-WMCIP, we changed. Now, we are fish-cage operators," he said.The fishing method, locally called sudsod, is destructive since it kills seagrass and the fishes’ natural habitat in the coastal areas.Now, Ballon, who owns 12 floating fish cages, with his P50,000 investment now earns P8,000 to P10,000 net, on top of other sources of income such as culturing talaba and catching alimango.
Ballon boasts of receiving two national awards, including a Presidential Award for sharing his talaba culture technology to others. While others who culture talaba use bamboo pole as tulos, or rope that they hang underneath to allow talaba to grow, Ballon simply scatters them in the mud.
The talaba grow bigger and even taste better and juicier."I just tried it. To my surprise, it worked. So why need to invest to put up structures to culture them when they grow in the mud?" he said.
KGMC members have rights to a 17-hectare land situated in the coasts in barangay Concepcion.In 2001, DAR, through the WMCIP, a United Nations-funded project under its International Fund for Agricultural Development Program, convinced them to help manage the marine coastal resources and start their own livelihood project, encouraging them to try fish-cage operation.
The group has undergone various seminars to strengthen their capacities, until members are confident enough to start their own livelihood projects. Recognizing the big demand for grouper fish, they agreed to culture the fish variety.
Ballon also organized KGMC, which now has more than two hundred members."From 10 members, we now have 251 members. We are doing good business," he said.DAR-WMCIP provided KGMC financial support in the amount of P150,000 for the net and fingerlings, including payment for their training.From six floating cages when they started in 2001, there are now a total of 42 fish cages in the area.
Fish-cage operations generate jobs, according to Ballon.While some of their members operate fish cages, others catch fingerlings which they buy at P25 each.
Within six months, the grouper fish can be sold from P75 to P250 each, depending on the size and variety of the fish.Ordinary grouper fish, which weighs less than half a kilo each, costs P65 each. However, those that weigh up to a kilo cost P130 each.
A fish cage can accommodate 200 fishes, with a 90-percent survival rate, which is much higher than those that come from hatcheries, according to Ballon.They also buy what he calls "scraps," or caught fish that cannot be sold because they are either too small or damaged, at P15 a kilo.
Normally, he said, it will cost a fish-cage operator P3,000 for every 10 feet by 10 feet fish floating cage for the entire season.
To protect their livelihood, KGMC volunteered to help protect the marine coastal resources, including the all-important bakawan or mangrove which they planted.
The bakawan serve as natural habitat and protection from predator for young and small fishes.
"People used to laugh at me, because they saw me planting mangroves. They even teased me, saying they will be the ones to cut them later when they mature," he said.Fortunately, the local government of Kabalasan passed a resolution that provides permanent protection to the mangrove forests in the coastal barangay, as well as the entire town."We have a tie-up with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, that’s why we can move freely. Otherwise, all our livelihood projects here will not be possible," he said.
Mangrove trees now thrive, resulting in other benefits, including breeding freshwater crabs that could guarantee a P3,000 monthly income for every hard-working member.
"Lazy people don’t get anything. But those who work hard earn more than enough to feed themselves," he said.
The freshwater crabs are caught using traps with dried fish as bait during high tide."It is easy to catch those crabs. You just put the trap, put some dried fish, and wait for the high tide. In the morning, when the water subsides, you’ll have your crabs," he said.
Ballon said since they have their own source of fresh seafood, they conducted a study regarding the feasibility of establishing their own restaurant to sustain their livelihood.So far, KGMC has constructed 15 cottages which have started to attract local tourists, who gave them the idea of serving those fresh maya-maya or lapu-lapu that they grow in fish cages, the talaba and those delicious freshwater crabs.
"If other seafood restaurants are making good business out of the fish we sell to them, why can’t we? This way, we can also help provide jobs not only to our families, but other people in our barangay," he said.

Extra rice, please!

When we eat, wether at home or at a local carinderia, we almost always order for extra rice. Some, however, would later leave their plate with a lot of wastes on their plate. The reason is simple. We take everything for granted. We take rice for granted.
Filipinos eat rice more than any other nation in the world. According to the Department of Agriculture, rice feeds 90% to 95% of the country's close to 90 million popupulation. We start eating rice cereal at the early age of one. Even as an infant, some of us are fed with am, which our parents use as alternative to the more expensive infant formula. We eat rice, sometimes even for breakfast. Sinangag or fried rice is commonly served with tapa, fried egg, tuyo, or sardinas. At lunch, we can't work without eating a plateful of rice. Even at night, we eat rice sometimes twice when we are at home. But when it comes to wasting rice, Filipinos are also number one.
I eat rice perhaps more than any member of the family. Even when I wake up late at night, instead of a midnight snack, I eat rice. My dad used to joke in the morning that some cat ate all of our food the previous night, then would look and smile at me.
Why rice. Well, no other food in the world can be better source of energy. Rice is easy to grow. The Philippines used to be one of the world's rice producer. Until, of course, we got used to importing them because farmers no longer find planting rice profitable. Land conversion is being blamed for the poor rice production. The shrinking area devoted to rice because most landowners sell them to real estate developers who in turn make a subdivision, a golf course, mall or commercial complex out of what used to be ricefields.
Of course, the government is also to be blamed for failing to develop Philippine agriculture. Imagine despite all those years that our rice production is falling short of increasing demand, we have not invested in irrigation to ensure adequate rice will be produced. Talking about food (in)security.
Now, we are facing a rice crisis. Not because there are no more supply of rice, but because unscrupulous traders take advantage of the panic buying among consumers that was triggered by irresponsible media reporting that there's rice supply shortage. This was aggravated by the NFA's failure to secure adequate supply of rice to strike a balance between the price of commercial rice and government subsidized rice during these crucial times when the government can't stop panic buying and can't impose price control among local traders. And why not, most government officials are the ones involved in price manipulation and excessive rice importation for their own vested interests.
Today, we say please for an extra cup of rice when eating at a fancy restaurant or carinderia.
Tomorrow, we may be begging for even our first cup of rice.
Soon enough, we will be eating corn and cassava because there will be no more rice.
Kaya habang meron pa, let's enjoy eating rice and whenever we ask for extra rice, let's not forget to say "please."

Saludo ako sa iyo, bata!

Biofuels scientist offered work to country
By Jonathan L. Mayuga, Business Mirror Correspondent
Published Mar 2006 in The UPLB Horizon

When Normand Secreto discovered there was high ethanol potential in molasses, he didn’t think twice about pursuing a thesis that would impact on the people and the economy. Soon enough, the 22-year-old BS Chemical Engineering graduate found ways to extract high ethanol content from strains of molasses which can be used in the production of ethanol products - including alcohol and fuel. Ethanol can be used as an additive for gasoline to mitigate the steadily increasing fuel process. It can also provide a cleaner and environment-friendly alternative to imported fossil fuels.
Normand got as far as his thesis, distinguished by having determined the highest percentage of ethanol (12 percent against the existing record of 9 percent) that can be extracted from molasses - and both his teachers at UP Los Baños and private firms looking to apply his discovery are excited. But the brilliant young scientist is dead, victim of a recent freak accident. He fell last week from a jeep where he was hanging on the running board, on his way to a retreat in Mount Makiling. He suffered a fatal blow on the skull.
His professor and thesis adviser, Dr. Fidel Rey Nayve, said Normand’s experiment would have been the most significant scientific discovery in ethanol production and would have made him the youngest, sought-after biofuels scientist in the country today.
Normand, however, did not live long enough to enjoy the recognition – or perhaps even the monetary rewards, which would have been useful to his family in General Santos City. “He was so young,” laments Nayve. “He could have done more for the country.”
Nayve described Normand as their “workhorse”, doing much of the job with enthusiasm and high spirits. “He was very patriotic. He dedicated his work to the Filipino people,” he said.
Despite his humble origins and the oft-repeated admonition of people for him to do well for he can provide for a family of six children where he was the eldest sibling, Normand’s sense of duty to country was overwhelming. In the acknowledgement page of his chemical engineering thesis: “Evaluation of Distillery Slops as Medium Component in Molasses-based Ethanol Fermentation Using Biotech Yeast Strains,” Normand wrote:
“To my countrymen, the Filipino people, who subsidized my schooling in this University; may you reap the true worth of the taxes you paid when I graduate. It is my pleasure to serve you all in my own little ways…Mabuhay ang Pilipino! I keep on praying…Babangon ang Pilipinas.”
Nayve admits he had a soft spot for his brilliant chemistry student. The eldest of six children, Normand belonged to a poor family like his teacher. “He was very studious. He knew that his family is depending on him to finish his studies,” says Nayve.
Nayve himself was able to study college through a scholarship offered by the state university to deserving students in the countryside. “I didn’t intend to study at UPLB because we were poor. I’m from Bicol. Even if I pass the UP College Admissions Test (UPCAT), we would not be able to afford the costs of my college education,” Normand’s professor said.
Nayve’s mother, way back in the late 1970s, was a plain housewife while his father was an employee of a bottling company. When 20 application forms were raffled off by their school to 200 students, he was lucky to “win” one application form, prompting him to fill it up and take the test for UPCAT.
Like him, Normand had to work to be able to study - despite the fact that being a state university student entitled them to a lot of benefits, including free tuition and allowance as state scholars. Normand graduated in 2005. He worked for a computer college before transferring to the UP Rural High School in Los Baños, where he taught mathematics last November.
Nayve says Normand continued to be involved in his BIOTECH team, doing most of the work in their biofuels program. “He really supervised it closely, that’s why the results came out well.”
Normand’s experiment was considered a breakthrough in ethanol production. Normand was able to produce ethanol at 12-percent volume per volume (v/v), even in medium containing 40-percent distillery slops. The thesis, which he shared with Nayve, and fellow researchers Irene Gabrido, Francisco Elegado and Catalino Alfafara, was present at the 27th Annual Scientific Meeting of the National Academy of Science and Technology in July 2005.
It focused on the current thrust of the government to expand the use of nonoil energy and fuel sources, especially biofuel. Normand used the simplest strategy of producing yeast strains that produce ethanol. He explained that the expected increase in ethanol production will be accompanied by the increase in distillery slops generation, which is the main waste in the distillery industry.
Distillery slops is a major environmental concern because of their high biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Using the best combination of slops and yeast strain with bioreactor, Normand was able to determine potentially superior yeast strains among 10 local yeast isolates he used for the experiment. He concluded that high ethanol production at 12-percent v/v was possible even in medium containing 40-percent distillery slops, after one of the strains performed much better - perhaps better than most currently used industrial yeast strains.
Impressed by Normand’s dedication to the experiment, Nayve sees a big a possibility for industry players using the thesis in the production of ethanol - both alcohol and fuel.
Although the results of the thesis have not yet been fully validated by industry players, Nayve is confident the result of the experiment is valid and will boost production of ethanol in the country in the future. “This is a very important discovery. He got such a potent strain for use in ethanol production,” Nayve says.
Note: This article is reprinted from the March 13, 2006 issue of the Business Mirror.