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==Batanes PDRRMC to be more proactive in 2012, says Batanes Gov.==
==Coffee shop in Batanes shows honesty can be good business==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r02&id=70604
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/190761/coffee-shop-in-batanes-shows-honesty-can-be-good-business
*By: Necitas G. Alconis
*By: Yolanda Sotelo
*''January 02, 2011''
*''Wednesday, May 09, 2012''
 
BASCO, Batanes- In a move to address problems concerning disasters, peace and order and other issues, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council chaired by Vicente S. Gato called a meeting attended by 13 agency members and three local chief executives of Basco, Ivana and Uyugan.
 
Gov. Gato stressed that there is a need to discuss the pressing problems of the province before unmanageable circumstances arise.
 
Gov. Gato commendable the proper implementation of curfew for minors which aims to reduce crime incidence in the province and for the safety of the minor. He said he will schedule a meeting with school principals to ensure that the said ordinance will be fully implemented in Basco as he urged other LGUs to come up with a similar ordinance in their municipalities.
 
Meantime, Mayor Demetrius Paul Narag has called on computer shops operators to cooperate in the implementation of curfew on minors.
 
Another issue discussed during the meeting is lack of facilities to chase Taiwanese poachers.
 
Gov. Gato disclosed that as per reports reaching his office, there are nightly sightings in the north of Itbayat island but they don’t have vessels to be used in monitoring and chasing the poachers.


The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels are assigned in Mindanao because their services are very much needed there.
IVANA, Batanes—Honesty has been operating a rustic coffee shop here for 17 years now.


Gov. Gato said they will set another meeting to come up with solutions to the problem and he also told the PDRRMC members that starting this year, their meeting will be conducted quarterly, and not only when there are issues and problems that are needed to be resolved.  
When customers enter the Honesty Coffee Shop, they will never encounter anyone manning the place. They help themselves to a cup of coffee or a bottle of cola, or can munch on biscuits, fried bananas and sweet potatoes that have been prepared and laid out for them at the counter.


==Alcover: They’re shameless==
After a nice meal, they are expected to pay for the service by dropping cash or coins into a wooden “payment box” at the counter and scribble down what they bought on a notebook.
*Source: http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/news/national/20610-alcover-theyre-shameless
*By: Ryan Ponce Pacpaco
*''December 31, 2011''


“THEY said they accepted because they want to give Christmas presents to their constituents. They’re shameless,” ANAD party list Rep. Pastor Alcover was quoted as saying.
Elena Gabilo, 77, a retired schoolteacher who owns the shop, says the system has worked well for residents of this coastal village as well as visitors.


Alcover also said that Budget Sec. Florencio “Butch” Abad released P800 million in Priority Development Assistant Fund (PDAF) to his district in Batanes which has only 10,000 voters.
It was on a cold morning in 1995 when then newly retired Gabilo observed fishermen boarding boats in a pier just a few meters from her house.


This prompted Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte Jr. to make a vow of spearheading the filing of a complaint before the House committee on ethics against Alcover.
“[I realized] there was not a place for them to get drinking water, much less coffee, and my heart went out to them, especially the young children. In a corner, I put a thermos bottle and some coffee and sugar, for anyone to drink. I thought maybe they would leave me money, but in the afternoon when I returned there was no money at all,” she recalls.


“That is absolutely false. We can file a case before the House ethics committee,” Belmonte stressed, adding that Alcover has been ruining the institution for issuing blatant lies.
“I told myself that was okay because I at least helped out,” she adds.


Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone, Biliran Rep. Roger Espina, Catanduanes Rep. Cesar Sarmiento and Bohol Rep. Rene Relampagos echoed Belmonte’s position, saying the House committee on ethics chaired by Bohol Rep. Erico Aumentado should investigate Alcover “for making false accusations and irresponsible statements that put Congress as an institution and my colleagues in a bad light.”
She kept leaving the fishermen coffee and food for a month. One day she discovered a few coins tucked in a box, apparently payment for her service.


“That is totally untrue and ridiculous,” they said. “The Speaker (Belmonte) did not commit nor promise anything to those who will sign the impeachment complaint.”
It encouraged Gabilo to add biscuits and candies at the counter, and even a kilo of rice near pots and a kettle so fishermen can cook this. She also left tins of sardines.


“We read the complaint before we signed because we had an electronic copy. We signed it on our own volition and based on our belief on P-Noy’s campaign against corruption,” they added.
This time, her efforts were repaid with small bills.


Although there were allegations that the impeachment of Corona was done in haste, Tupas said that the seeming sudden move had been hatched since September 2010.
In 1998, a government radio station learned of Gabilo’s unique venture, and suggested that her shop be named The Honesty Store.


Tupas explained that it came after the Higher Court (SC) issued a status quo ante order preventing the House committee on justice from hearing the impeachment complaint against then Ombudsman Ma. Merceditas Gutierrez. 
The store has evolved into The Honesty Coffee Shop, which also displays souvenir items for tourists.


He denied that the 188 signatures in the impeachment complaint which resulted to automatic transmittal to the Senate of eight Articles of Impeachment against Corona was a product of an overnight work.
“I don’t know if the customers drop the right amount. I don’t want to know if some people are cheating. But as far as I know, 98 percent of the customers pay the right amount,” Gabilo says.


“After we were prevented from doing our constitutional duty, we decided to start gathering information against the Chief Justice. Our discreet research was not an overnight work but more than a year of inquiry,” said Tupas.
She says two of her regular customers tried a similar venture in Manila, but they failed.


'''Rep. Barzaga asked SC to dismiss petition'''
Conspicuous enough for customers to see is a sign on a wall that says: “Get what you need. Please pay (for) whatever you get. If you have no change, knock at the door. If no one answers, sorry, so you give more than the price. May your tribe increase. Remember, Honesty is the best policy.”


Rep. Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga, a member of the 11-man House prosecution panel, asked the Supreme Court (SC) to dismiss with dispatch the petition asking the magistrates to stop the Senate from proceeding with the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona for lack of jurisdiction.
==Better services seen in Basco port==
 
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R02&article=451336439782
Barzaga branded as improper the petition filed Atty. Vladimir Cabigao which sought a temporary restraining order (TRO) and writ of prohibitory injunction from the SC against the Senate impeachment court on argument that Corona’s impeachment was done in haste.
 
He cited Section 31 of Article 13 of the Constitution which guarantees the “exclusive right of the House of Representatives” to initiate impeachment while Section 6 gives the Senate the “sole power to try and decide on impeachment cases.”
 
“The SC should dismiss the petition on the ground of lack of jurisdiction. This is a political question. The House and the Senate were given by the Constitution the exclusive power to decide on impeachment cases. It is not a judicial controversy,” Barzaga explained.
 
==29 barangay nutrition scholars re-oriented on milk code==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=69888
*By: Necitas G. Alconis
*By: Necitas G. Alconis
*''December 27, 2011''
*''Tuesday, May 08, 2012''


BASCO, Batanes- The Provincial Health Office (PHO) recently re-oriented the 29 barangay nutrition scholars (BNS) in the province on the Milk Code to heighten their advocacy for all lactating mothers to exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months.
BASCO, Batanes- Officers and members of cooperatives and residents of this island province are expecting for better services once the extension of the Basco port here will be realized.


Rhiza Dacles, Rural Health Unit said exclusive breastfeeding which is stipulated in the Milk Code means feeding babies with pure mother’s milk without any water or soup or whatever liquid for the first 6 months.
Charles Ibaňes, chairman of the Batanes Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BMPC) disclosed that some officials of the Philippine Port Authority (PPA) from Manila were in the province recently to assess the situation in the area, and after seeing the urgent need for port extension, the PPA officials proposed for a second extension of 70 meters (m) more to ensure that three to four cargo vessels could dock at the pier at a time.


Darce Acacio, PHO nurse lectured and demonstrated the different correct position of the mother and the baby on breastfeeding that included the following: cradle- keeping the baby in the mother’s stomach with their skin touching each other; cross cradle hold- one arm supporting the baby’s body and others support the head; and football hold, holding the baby on mother’s side with legs behind her and the baby tucked under her arm.
The project was started in October 2011, and the completion of the first 50 m extension is targeted this June. The second extension might not be started in July-August due to west winds that usually bring towering waves, which will bring risks to the workers.


Other breastfeeding positions include saddle hold- breastfeeding in a sitting position; and lying position where breastfeeding is done by lying, giving more opportunities for both baby and mother to relax and to sleep more at night.
As per interview with some Ivatan laborers hired by PPA, the second extension may likely start on October to November when the sea at Basco port is calmer and safer for workers and the materials to be used.


On the other hand, Lynneth Calagui, Department of Health nurse, oriented the BNS on milk feeding using small cup designed for infants which is safer than bottle feeding. She said the cup is easier to clean, easier to carry and less risky from diarrhea.
According to Ibaňes, the extension aims to bring better services for the shipping operators who maintain cargo vessels in the area, such as BMPC, with two cargo vessels; the TRANSCEND with one vessel; the MISUBI, with one passenger boat; PULZAR construction, with one cargo vessel; and two inter-island motorized bancas for passengers and cargoes to and from Itbayat Island.


The last topic was child growth chart, discussed by PHO dietician Rosemarie Delatado. She emphasized that exclusively breastfed babies are healthier and more economical for family budget. It also reduces incidence of allergy among babies.
“The existing Basco port could only serve one cargo vessel at a time. If another cargo vessel comes to Basco before the previous vessel pulls out, it has to keep distance at least 100 meters from the pier,” he said.


==IBP creates team to monitor Corona trial==
==5th Uyugan’s Kamanidungan festival slated on May 10==
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=760929&publicationSubCategoryId=63
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R02&article=451336096334
*By: Edu Punay
*''December 22, 2011''
 
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) has created a special team to closely monitor the upcoming impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona in the Senate, its national president Roan Libarios announced yesterday.
 
In a press conference in their headquarters in Pasig City, Libarios said their regional governors have unanimously agreed to establish an IBP impeachment communications group composed of volunteer lawyers tasked “to inform the public on the impeachment and its effects on judicial independence.”
 
He also announced the creation of another IBP impeachment watch that would “closely monitor the developments in the impeachment case before the Supreme Court and the Senate.”
 
This developed as officials of IBP also affirmed their stand against the speedy impeachment of Corona, which they believe treads on the powers and prerogatives of the judiciary under the Constitution.
 
All 10 regional officials of the 40,000-strong organization have expressed grave alarm over what they described as “breakneck and high-handed impeachment” of the chief justice by the House of Representatives.
 
Libarios reiterated their position that the impeachment was unconstitutional but also revealed that they would not initiate legal action to question it before the high court.
 
Governors of IBP supported this stand in a statement of support for the Chief Justice where they branded the impeachment as “a menace and an open subversion of the constitutional prerogatives of the Supreme Court as the final interpreter of the law and the arbiter of rights.”
 
Those who signed the statement were IBP governors Denis Habawel (Northern Luzon), Olivia Jacoba (Central Luzon), Dominic Solis (Greater Manila), Vicente Joyas (Southern Luzon), Leonor Gerona-Romeo (Bicolandia), Manuel Enage Jr. (Eastern Visayas), Erwin Fortunato (Western Visayas), Israelito Torreon (Eastern Mindanao) and Florendo Opay (Western Mindanao). Libarios had earlier issued a statement against the impeachment.
 
This time, the other national officials of IBP supported his stand. They lamented that the House had in effect arrogated unto itself the power to interpret the law over and above the SC by impeaching the chief justice based on decisions issued by the high court.
 
“Such an impeachment has transformed the House of Representatives as the higher interpreter of what law is, a clear encroachment on the prerogatives exclusively vested by the Constitution in the Supreme Court itself,” the IBP stressed, adding that this would lead to the crumbling of constitutional doctrines of separation of powers and judicial supremacy on matters of interpretation of laws.
 
While it expressed support behind the reform agenda of President Aquino, the IBP said its implementation must respect – and not subvert – the constitutional allocation of powers to the three branches of government.
 
“If the Supreme Court is emasculated by partisan actions, to who shall the people turn to against excesses by those who are in power?” the IBP asked.
 
The IBP said the grounds invoked to impeach Corona refer to the collegial decisions of the Supreme Court involving interpretation of law in actual disputes elevated for review.
 
'''More questions'''
 
Yesterday, another lawyer questioned before the Supreme Court (SC) the impeachment of Corona in Congress.
 
In a 13-page petition, lawyer Oliver Lozano said he represents the Lawyers’ League for a Better Philippines in asking the high court to issue a status quo ante order enjoining the proceedings against the Chief Justice.
 
“There is extreme urgency to declare void the impeachment complaint for grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction as well as lack of valid verification.
 
The nullification of the complaint will preempt an impending civil strife that threatens to wreck our democratic way of life,” he alleged.
 
Lozano, former lawyer of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, said President Aquino “failed to stem the tsunami of poverty, hunger and labor unrest that engulf the nation.”
 
Lozano was the fourth to question the impeachment of Corona before the SC. Earlier this week, lawyer Vladimir Cabigao, tax informer Danilo Lihaylihay and former IBP president Vicente Millora had filed similar petitions.
 
'''‘No impeach bribe’'''
 
Meanwhile, congressmen-allies of President Aquino denied in strong terms yesterday claims that he gave P1 million to each of the 188 House members who signed the impeachment complaint against Corona.
 
Rep. Pastor Alcover Jr. of the party-list group Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy (ANAD) made the allegations in an interview with the newspaper Sun Star Cebu.
 
The story appeared in the paper’s Dec. 20 edition. Alcover belongs to the House opposition bloc, whose titular head is Arroyo.
 
“That is an absolute lie, a fabrication of a malicious mind,” Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said of the ANAD lawmaker’s claim. Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone said Alcover’s allegations “are totally untrue and ridiculous.”
 
“The President and the Speaker did not commit nor promise anything to those who signed the impeachment complaint. I read the complaint before I signed it. We signed it on our own volition and based on our belief in the President’s anti-corruption campaign,” he said.
 
He asked the House ethics committee to investigate Alcover “for making false accusations and irresponsible statements that put the President, the House and our colleagues in bad light.” Gonzales and Evardone belong to the ruling Liberal Party.
 
For his part, Rep. Teddy Casiño of the party-list group Bayan Muna said Alcover “should simply be ignored.” Casiño and his militant colleagues signed the impeachment complaint against Corona.
 
They have been at the receiving end of Alcover’s frequent privilege speeches, in which he describes their organizations as “communist-Maoist-terrorist.”
 
They have completely ignored him. Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. has denied that anything was promised to those who signed the impeachment complaint. It was a voluntary act on the part of every House member, he said.
 
Aside from claiming that the 188 impeachers received P1 million each from Aquino, Alcover said many of those who signed the Corona impeachment complaint did not read it.
 
He also alleged that Budget Secretary Florencio Abad has released P800 million in PDAF (priority development assistance fund) to '''Batanes''', his home province, which is represented in the House by his wife Henedina.
 
PDAF is the official name of the congressional pork barrel. Reached for comment, Abad said, “Both allegations are completely unfounded and absolutely untrue. The media shouldn’t waste time and space to report them.”
 
A check with the Department of Budget and Management website, where all PDAF and other fund releases are posted, showed that as of last June 29, Abad’s agency has released only P35 million to his wife’s province-district.–
 
==Search for best bakery, restaurant in Basco on==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r02&id=66894
*By: Necitas G. Alconis
*''December 06, 2011''
 
BASCO, Batanes- The local government here will be conducting a search for best bakery and restaurant to address the local and tourist customers' feedback on how food establishments can improve their services and for the business sector to comply with the requirements.
 
Basco Mayor Demetrius Paul C. Narag said there will be five major categories in the search which include quality product, cleanliness and sanitation, customer services, safety and security, and compliance to requirements.
 
He said competitiveness is gauged through evaluation which will be done monthly to enhance the maintenance of quality services.
 
There will be seven key sectors to handle the 5 major categories namely Department of Health, Provincial Health Office, Municipal Health Office and Rural Health Units for the health and sanitation category; Philippine Information Agency, hotel and restaurant management, hospitality management department of the Batanes State College, and Philippine National Police information sector for customer services.
 
The Department of Trade and Industry and municipal agriculturist will take charge of the quality product and production sector; PNP for safety and security sector; municipal engineering office, municipal civil registrar, municipal treasurer and mayor’s office for compliance and monitoring.
 
During the orientation held this morning, Mayor Narag said the monthly evaluation will commence on the 2nd week of January up to 1st week of April in time for 4th Basco Day Celebration on April 15-17, 2012.
 
Initial activities are also scheduled this month which include orientation of all bakery and restaurant operators and food producers as well as food handlers through a small scale seminar training to be handled by HRM instructors, health authorities, DTI and the PNP.
 
Narag said the orientation will promote awareness on the business sector, the objectives of LGU Basco in the implementing the evaluation and at the same time the small scale seminar-training will enhance competitiveness of business operators for better customer services.
 
==Brigada Eskwela plus provides feeling of co-ownership among stakeholders==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r02&id=66686
*By: Necitas G. Alconis
*By: Necitas G. Alconis
*''December 05, 2011''
*''Friday, May 04, 2012''
 
BASCO, Batanes- The Brigida Eskwela launched by the Department of Education (DepEd) in May 2003, now renamed Brigada Eskwela Plus, has strengthened parents, teachers and other stakeholders’ involvement as co-operator, co-owner and co-manager in school projects or programs, said Eleanor A. Abad, District Supervisor for Basco District.


Abad said the Brigada eskwela is conducted regularly in the month of May, however, parents are also conducting school works whenever the need arises.
BASCO, Batanes- The municipality of Uyugan is set to celebrate town fiesta on May 10, featuring its 5th Kamanidungan festival.


Homeroom category activities, as agreed by class advisers and Homeroom PTA, such as repair of windows and door shutter and provision of electric fans, dustpans, waste cans, book shelves and health corner are also undertaken.
Kamanidungan, from the root word "manidung" which means to help, is a local term for cooperativism, concentrated on house making, a genuine traditional cooperativism that is still strong in Uyugan.


Abad stressed that the parents’ involvement in school projects promotes camaraderie and harmonious relationship between teachers and parents.
The peculiarity of the traditional cooperativism begins with the provision of housing materials for a traditional house such as posts, lumber, cogon, reeds, nails, tying materials and stones by neighbors, town folks and friends, aside from the free labor.


The strategy is also seen as viable alternative to generate additional community maintenance and other operating expenses because the Brigada Eskwela plus successfully demonstrated how the communities can work in teams to maintain public schools, the DEPED official said.
This year,the Uyugan festival will feature the pitching in of construction materials, the categorized subworkers, and the main laborers in erecting a traditional Ivatan house.


Abad further said through the Brigada Eskwela, there is more bonding between parents and teachers as well as pupils and teachers.
Less abled men helped in the preparation of food for lunch, snacks and drinks. The animal to be butchered will be provided by the house owner, but rice, yam, camote, firewood and bread fruit leaves, wine, and other drinks are provided through donations from neighbors and the workers themselves.


“Pupils enjoy seeing their parents attend PTA homeroom meeting and they are happy if they see their parents participate in school works and this encourages them more to attend classes regularly,” a class adviser also noted.  
To be featured along with the Kamanidungan will be the agro-fair of their farm and home products for the public.


==RDC-RPOC endorses conduct of Balikatan Exercise in Region 2==
Kamanidungan festival, along with Mahatao’s Rakanen festival, (vegetables as main product) last March 17 to 19, Basco’s Kulay Festival on April 16-19, Sabtang Mayes Festival (corn) on April 25 to 27, were being held as the prelude to Batanes Day on June 26.
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=66409
*By: Thelma C. Bicarme and Angelica Umoquit
*''December 02, 2011''


The Regional Development Council (RDC) and Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) on Tuesday passed a resolution endorsing the conduct of the Balikatan Exercise in Region 2 in 2013.
==Batanes, Santiago City bid national Nutrition Honor Award==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R02&article=461335773453
*By: Oliver T. Baccay
*''Tuesday, May 01, 2012''


Regional Director Rolando L. Rafael of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said while the PH-US Balikatan Exercise is mostly known for its military activities, humanitarian and civic operations are also being undertaken such as provision of health, medical and veterinary services, farm-to-market roads, flood control projects and social infrastructures, and other community services.
Two of the local nutrition councils in region 2 are now contenders of the prestigious Nutrition Honor Award, the highest recognition given to Local Government Units (LGUs) that have consistently shown outstanding performance for nutrition improvement.


Convinced by the various opportunities which could spur economic progress for the region, '''Governors Vicente Gato of Batanes''' and Faustino “Bojie” Dy III have expressed interests in hosting the event.
For this year, Batanes province and Santiago City are the entries of Cagayan Valley in the said award system, after three consecutive years of garnering the Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN).


Gato said he is offering their island-province for the military exercise because it needs some facilities and structures for its development.
Nutrition Program Coordinator Rhodora Maestre said the two LGUs are now on their 3rd year of maintaining their CROWN award which qualifies them to be elevated into the NHA.


For his part, Dy said he is offering the coastal town of Palanan to be the military base of the American soldiers. However, they may not meet the requirements of US such as hotels with complete facilities, entertainment and variety of foods.
She said Batanes province was already evaluated last week while Santiago City is scheduled for May 7-11, 2012. NNC chief Assistant Secretary Bernardita Flores led the team in Batanes together with the evaluators from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and Department of Agriculture (DA).


Meantime, RPOC Chair and Quirino Governor Junie E. Cua said that specific site for the activity is not yet decided since there are certain criteria that must be met first.
Maestre believed that the two entries will make it as she sees the strong foundation of the programs, projects and innovations made for the eradication of malnutrition rate in the said areas.


Site surveys are being done by the AFP and US Armed Forces to scrutinize the area before the place can be considered as a possible site, he added. (TCB/AU/PIA 2)
Region 2 had consistently produced national champions in the different categories of the nutrition award system to include the NHA awards received by Solana, Cagayan; Echague, Isabela; Tuguegarao City; Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya; Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya, Cagayan province and Isabela province.


The RDC and RPOC members were earlier briefed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on the specifics of the Balikatan activities on November 23 as a result of the invitation of Isabela 1st District Congressman Rodolfo B. Albano and the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority.
These LGUs have innovative programs and projects that contributed to the eradication of malnutrition rate in their areas, a strong advocacy to promote good nutrition, support to the maternal and health care program, and the political will in implementing related laws and policies toward the development of nutrition and health of the people.
Jesz143
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