8ID wins Outstanding Literacy Award
By
Maj. FELIX M. MANGYAO (INF), PA
September
10, 2004
CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan, Samar – The 8ID Army
Literacy Patrol System (ALPS) won second place in the Outstanding Literacy
Program Award for 2004. This is the 3rd year that the 8th Infantry Division
has won the same award. MGen. Glenn J. Rabonza, Commanding General, 8ID
received the award from the Chair of the Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC),
Usec. Ramon Bacani during the National Literacy Conference and Awards held
at Rembrandt Hotel, Quezon City on September 8, 2004. On hand to witness the
ceremony were DepEd officials from Region 8 led by Director Sol Matugas,
Northern Samar Governor Raul Daza, members of the LCC and other DepEd
officials.
From Learning to Earning a Living
Education provides a clear
path to victory against the war on poverty, ignorance and consequently
against the insurgency. The ALPS is an
important component of the AFP’s counter-insurgency program. Soldier-teacher
of the 8ID conduct literacy-cum-livelihood classes to held eradicate
illiteracy, to enable out-of-school youth and adults gain employed skills
and prepare them to be responsible and productive citizens.
The 8ID during the year has
conducted 19 ALPS classes and graduated 571 learners throughout Samar and
Leyte. Ten more classes with 287 learners are on-gain. Three of these of ALPS classes have been registered as producers’ cooperatives.
These cooperatives are now venturing into marketing their products made from
the abundant supply of abaca, rattan and coconut from Region 8.
“Hall of Fame” Literacy Program
The LCC has recognized and
awarded the 8ID for its effective conduct of the ALPS since 2002. The award
citation states “For undertaking non-traditional service of teaching
literacy to poor, deprived and marginalized constituencies in places of
unrest by making the learners more constructive and productive members of
the communities. For using organized, disciplined and mobile human resources
to propagate and manage the program in areas where government services are
at the minimum in collaboration with DepEd-BNFE, LGUs and other Government
Agencies. . .” .For its consistent performance, the 8ID has gained the added
distinction of being registered at the LCC Hall of Fame.
MGen. Rabonza in remarks
made before 8ID personnel and DepEd Region 8 Officials stated “Winning
second place for three consecutive years is good enough. Just like in the
previous years, an NGO bagged number one. They do this work full time with
funding from generous donors, while the ALPS is just one
of the 101 other tasks we are mandated to accomplish. We shall continue
being the best implementers of the ALPS because the insurgency cannot be won
with guns and bullets alone. Moreover, the ALPS will certainly contribute to
the realization of the President GMA’s 10 points Agenda.”
New
RP Consul General in San Francisco dialogues with Bay area-based Filipinos
By PEGGY PERALTA
September 9, 2004
SAN FRANCISCO, California - The newly-designated
Consul General of the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco, Ms. Maria
Rowena Mendoza Sanchez, who formally reported to the Consulate on August 6,
2004, conducted a dialogue with some Filipinos in the San Francisco Bay Area
on September 4, 2004, at Carmen’s-by-the-Bay, located at the picturesque
Pier 40 on Townsend and Embarcadero streets in San Francisco.
The dialogue touched on
the following: (1) the role of the San Francisco Consulate and the entire
Philippine Foreign Service in pushing through a “Tabang Pilipinas”
initiative starting with the ongoing drive to mobilize Filipino support to
assist the victims of the massive flooding in Central Luzon and Metro
Manila; (2) the need and advisability for a formal, dignified, relevant
welcome by the Filipino-American community for her designation as San
Francisco Consul General; and (3) the possibility of instituting an
international forum in San Francisco to be attended by experts on various
issues impacting the Philippines in this age of terrorism and economic
hardships for the Filipino people with resource persons coming from the
Philippines and other parts of the world.
In her
introductory remarks, the Consul General informed the group that it would be
her policy to undertake periodic consultations with the various sectors of
the Filipino community in her jurisdiction to feel their pulse.
When
requested by UP Alumni Association of Berkeley President Jose Aliling IV for
her priorities, the Consul General replied that the Consulate is mandated to
protect, maintain, and enhance Philippine diplomatic, political, and
economic interests in California and provide all other traditional services
inherent in the office.
But the
Consul General has some innovations. These are projects that are in the
pipeline, such as the following: (1) a planned three-day workshop on how to
improve the process of sending disaster relief assistance and donated funds
to various organizations in the Philippines and how to make the government a
more effective facilitator and the recipient organizations more accountable;
(2) a concerted campaign in California to include the study of
Philippine-American history in the curricula of the school system to develop
greater awareness of the Filipino-Americans in their history; (3) renovating
the Consular Office so that there is more space for art exhibitions and
gatherings, and; (4) increasing the presence of Philippine art in the San
Francisco Asian Museum.
In addition, the group
suggested instituting a 1-800 number, which will
make information easily accessible to Filipinos and other clients of the
Consulate. Jose Caedo of the Filipino-American Democratic Empowerment
Council of San Francisco suggested the holding of a townhall meeting that
should bring information and services to the people as an outreach function
of the Consulate Staff, especially to the Filipino seniors who find it
difficult to visit the Consulate. A San Francisco Consulate website, similar
to the one the Consul General did in
Chicago
but with a Message Board, was discussed. The issue of undocumented Filipinos
was brought up. It was suggested that Identification Cards be issued similar
to those given to undocumented Mexicans so they can have access to the State
and the City’s health and medical services. The Consul General assured the
group that this matter is already in the pipeline. Towards this end, Mr.
Caedo offered assistance in sponsoring a possible legislation that might be
presented to the City of San Francisco or to the Legislature of California.
He opined that the agreement between the US and Mexico could become a guide
in this regard.
The Consul
General also assured the group that the Consulate would take the lead in
celebrating Rizal Day, to honor the Philippines’ foremost martyr.
Accompanied by Consul J.
Eduardo Malaya, the group that met with the Consul General included two
icons in the Filipino American Community in Northern California: 85-year old
Brigida Abuyen, President of the International Alliance, and Jose G. Caedo
III, President of the Filipino-American Democratic Empowerment Council of
San Francisco and a popular Filipino staff member in the City and County of
San Francisco.
Others
who attended the dialogue were: Dr. Joaquin Gonzalez III, Program Director
of Professional Studies of Golden Gate University and the University of San
Francisco and a former San Francisco Immigrant Rights Commissioner; former
UP College of Business Administration Professor Jose Aliling IV who is
concurrently President of the UP Alumni Association of Berkeley; Morgan
Benedicto, former Vice-President of the Filipino-American Council of San
Francisco; Nerissa M. Fernandez, former editor-in-chief of The Manila
Bulletin USA and now a managing partner at International Media Exchange
(IMEX) in Burlingame; newspaper and radio executives Addie and Hanthur
Angeles of The Fil-Am Press; budding artists and social historians,
Lian Ladia and Pio Candelaria, who are documenting the life and culture of
Filipinos in Northern California in addition to coming out with a
documentary on the descendants of the “Manila Men” in Louisiana, and this
writer.
Doctor Gonzalez offered
the facilities of the Golden Gate University in downtown San Francisco, as
well as the University of San Francisco to the Consul General and the group
if the planned international forum on the state of Philippine society or the
formal welcome for the Consul General would be held.
A core group studying
the details of a formal welcome to Consul General Sanchez has been organized
with Mrs. Brigida Abuyen as Chair and Ms. Lian Ladia as Vice-Chair. The two
represent the senior and junior generations in San Francisco. Assisting
them are veteran Filipino organizers in the Bay Area. Mrs. Abuyen and Ms.
Ladia will be contacting their counterparts in the Consulate concerning this
event.
The dialogue was
initiated by former UP Political Science Professor Cesar Torres, the Acting
Chair of Pamana ng Lahing Pilipino Foundation-United Way.
Search for Unsung Heroes in the Visayas and Mindanao On Going
By
GEMA ESCOBIDO
September 4, 2004
CEBU CITY, Philippines - The Ramon
Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) is now accepting nominees to the 3rd
Triennial Awards for Exemplary Individual and Outstanding Institution in
the Visayas and Mindanao.
Nominations from government agencies, non-government agencies, people’s
organizations, civil society organizations, as well as those from the
academe and the business sector will be accepted. The foundation also
accepts re-nominations from the last two awards.
The awards will be given in
two categories namely the Ramon Aboitiz Award for Exemplary Individual
and the Eduardo Aboitiz Award for Outstanding Institution. The Ramon
Aboitiz Award is open to every Filipino, natural born or naturalized
citizen, at least 30 years of age and of good moral character whose
dedication to his/her profession has made significant contributions to the
advancement of the well - being of his/her fellow Filipinos. On the other
hand, the Eduardo Aboitiz Award is open to all institutions/organizations
who have been established for at least three years with functional program/s
and services and has dedicated partnerships with other groups in bringing
about comprehensive and responsible development.
Individuals and institutions
nominated for these awards will undergo extensive screening process. A
Search Committee composed of representatives from the academe, business
groups and NGO/PO has been formed to conduct evaluation/validation of the
nominees in the Visayas and Mindanao and come up with a short list which is then submitted to
the RAFI Board of Trustees for final deliberation.
Each award category winner
will be given a trophy, cash prize of P250,000 and an opportunity to travel
in the Visayas and Mindanao to share his/her expertise to various groups.
Deadline for submission of nomination is
November 30, 2004.
The awardees will be announced March of 2006. Online nominations as well as
more information on the Awards can also be accessed through RAFI's website -http://www.rafi.org.ph,
or contact The Secretariat at (032)2555626-27 and look for Anton Dignadice (adignadice@rafi.org.ph)
or Gema Escobido (gescobido@rafi.org.ph).
The RAFI Triennial Awards
program is the foundation’s way of portraying an expectant tomorrow --- a
future full of hope and possibilities --- by highlighting the contribution
and character of men and women who make a difference; institutions and
individuals who commit themselves to building a more humane, equitable, and
caring society.
AVE calls government to implement students
‘transpo discount’
By
Alliance of Volunteer Educators
September
1, 2004
MANILA, Philippines
- Let us keep our students off from the government’s unimplemented laws and
ineffective system.
Rep. Amang R. Magsaysay of the Alliance of Volunteer Educators (AVE)
appealed today to the Arroyo administration and the Department of
Transportation and Communication (DOTC) to take immediate actions towards
the unimplemented public transportation discount of the students.
“It has been several months since the transportation fare increased
again. But it seems that the drivers and operators of our jeepneys and buses
are yet to be informed about the fare matrixes they are posting inside their
respective vehicles,” Magsaysay said.
Under the DOTC memorandum circular 2000-033, the Land Transportation,
Franchising and Regulatory Board reiterated and modified its policy on the
grant of fare discounts to the elderly, disabled persons and the students.
Recognizing the students’ “special and particular stake on how we shape
the future,” the said memorandum requires all public utility vehicles
(except for trucks for-hire and school transport service) to give a fare
discount in the amount equivalent to 20% of the authorized fare (or the
regular/normal fare being collected in the case of air-conditioned buses).
The fare discount covers all students, 21 years old and below, enrolled
in elementary, secondary, and collegiate schools including academic,
vocational, and technical schools duly recognized by the government, except
those of short-term courses of seminar type. To avail the said discount, the
student has to present his/her valid school ID or registration papers
proving his/her enrolment.
However, despite the memorandum’s good intentions, Magsaysay raised the
alarm bells regarding its non-implementation of some if not most of public
utility vehicles’ drivers and operators.
“AVE party-list has received several letters and calls from students
nationwide complaining about jeepney drivers and bus conductors refusing to
grant them the fare discount.”
Magsaysay explained that most of the students who initially asked or
demanded for their fare discounts but rejected, were later on uncomfortable
in asking for it the next time they ride on public utility vehicles.
“Our students should not suffer from this unconscientious and unlawful
act of our drivers and operators. Like them (the drivers and operators), the
parents of these students are enduring deprivation and financial weakness.
Let us be of help to one another,” Magsaysay appealed.
Ex-Palaro silver medalist earns crack at WBF title
By Alex P. Vidal/ PNS
August 22, 2004
MANILA, Philippines
- After clinching a silver medal in the 1997 Palarong Pambansa in Naga
City, pint-sized Sukarno Banjao told Ronald Cuambot, his teammate in the
Western Visayas
boxing team, that he would quit boxing.
He broke that promise.
Banjao, 26, of
Bacolod
City, turned professional a year after losing the gold in the 51 kg to Cebu
City's Jovan Presbiterio in the Palaro. After racking up 15 professional
fights, Banjao challenged anew Presbiterio for the RP flyweight throne only
to be repulsed on points.
On September 25, the
Negros
speedster will trade mitts versus Indonesia's Yongki Afrizal for the
vacant World Boxing Foundation (WBF) flyweight diadem scheduled for 12
rounds at the Elorde Sports Complex in Paranaque City.
"I will be there to cheer for him and tell him that he made the right
decision in braking his promise (of turning professional)," said Cuambot,
25, of Iloilo City, who bagged the bronze in the Naga Palaro in the 48 kg.
The card, which is going to be one memorable birth anniversary for the
"Grand Old Man of Philippine Boxing" Lope "Papa" Sarreal, will be promoted
by Gabriel "Bebot" Elorde Jr, grandson of the late boxing great,
who announced that four WBF titles will be put on the line in one evening,
the first time in Philippine boxing history.
Sarreal, father of Flash Elorde's wife Laura, passed away nine years ago. He
had produced a total of 22 world champions of different nationalities.
Sarreal was also a special icon of international boxing before and after the
World War II.
A matchmaker extraordinaire Sarreal was instrumental in producing world
titlists led by his son-in-law Flash Elorde, Saensak Muangsurin, unbeaten
Masao Ohba, and Ricardo Arredondo of Mexico.
"Three more world title fights will also be up for the card," Elorde
announced.
The WBF event is an offshoot to the recent Philippine visit of WBF president
Mick Croucher, who met with some Filipino promoters and managers in order to
establish the organization's presence in the country.
Samar execs extend financial aid to human
rights victims
By
RICKY J. BAUTISTA
August
20, 2004
CATBALOGAN, Samar - Samar Governor
Milagrosa "Mila" Tan is set to give financial assistance to the families and
victims of alleged abduction, illegal arrest and detention reportedly
perpetrated by the members of the Philippine Army's 8th Infantry Division
based in this provincial capital.
On July 26 this year, or
during the 4th regular session of the 11th Sangguniang Panlalawigan of this
province, Vice-Governor Jesus "Jess" Redaja signed and approved resolution
number 11-11 requesting financial assistance from the office of the
honorable Governor Milagrosa T. Tan to be given to relatives and the victims
of alleged abduction, illegal arrest and detention and the rehabilitation of
farms that were allegedly destroyed during the series of military operations
in the interior barangays of Jiabong, San Jorge, San Jose De Buan, and
Motiong, all of this province.
During the committee
hearing conducted by the provincial board last July 22 at the session hall,
capitol building in Catbalogan, some twenty-two farmers, three of them
children victims of the militarizations in the said towns had sought the
legal and financial assistance of the provincial government.
The complainants, all from
the interior villages of San Miguel, Sto. Nińo and Barayong of Jiabong and
San Jorge, identified the elements belong to the 34th Infantry
Battalion stationed in San Jorge, 52nd Infantry Battalion and the
8ID's 7th Scout Rangers Company as responsible to the destroyed farm lands,
missing of some innocent farmers and other human rights violations last June
27 until July 5, of this year.
"The victims has suffered
so much and indemnification of days work lost in their farms and
rehabilitation of destroyed crops in their respective farms," SP member
Concepcion De Luna said.
De Luna said that after the
"committee finds the farmers claim to be true and indeed needs assistance,"
their request for financial aid was immediately granted.
De Luna, however, failed to
mentioned how much of the province's coffer will be extended to the human
rights victims.
As this developed, the
provincial board members reminded the involved military to observe the
Protocol II of the Comprehensive Agreement of Human Rights and International
Humanitarian Law (CAHRIHL).
As contained in Resolution
No. 11-12 series of 2004, it is said in part, "that the SP has received
several complaints of alleged human rights violation such as abduction,
illegal arrest and detention by the military in their counter insurgency in
the said towns."
The complainants and
victims of alleged abduction, illegal arrest and detention – to include
three children who were present during the committee hearing testified that
they were allegedly forced to serve as guides to said military operations
and were only released after few days in captivity.
"Some of our friends were
still missing," a 13-year old kid narrated to this writer right after the
hearing concluded recently.
All of these allegations
and accusations against the members of the Philippine Army were contained in
the sworn affidavits submitted to the provincial board.
"Based on their signed
affidavits, there was (indeed) a clear violation of the Protocol II of the
CAHRIHL (in the part of the involved men in uniform)," Vice-Governor Redaja
said.
It was learned that copies
of the resolution requesting all military personnel to observe the Protocol
II of CAHRIHL was furnished to the said involved military detachments and to
the Office of the President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for their information
and record.
Earlier, the military has
released a press statement to the members of the media in Catbalogan, and to
the city of Tacloban and Calbayog denying the said militarization and human
rights violations.
Catbalogan mayor going after street crimes,
gang wars
By RICKY
J. BAUTISTA
August
19, 2004
CATBALOGAN, Samar – Taking his war against
crime a step further, the chief executive of this town ordered yesterday an
all-out campaign against the five warring gangs and other crime elements
operating in this provincial capital and neighboring municipalities.
The Filipino-Chinese
businessman turned politician Mayor Coefredo “Tekwa” T. Uy gave the order
after law enforcement agencies, led by the Philippine National Police has
identified several street gangs victimizing innocent civilians, especially
at nights.
It is said that the police
are now having difficulties in cracking down these groups as they are using
improvised guns and Indian panas. A source said each of the warring
gangs has a minimum of 20 or more membership outnumbering the police.
As this developed, the
Catbalogan Peace and Order Council (CPOC) has been reactivated again and
subsequently mapped out strategies to solve the problem in a conference
concluded at the session hall of Catbalogan on Monday, August 16.
Mayor Uy said the warring
gangs would be “targeted and neutralized” in the same way that the police
have pursued illegal drug peddlers in the society.
To carry out the campaign,
the mayor started to strengthened the coordination between the police,
village officials and other non-government organizations such as the PNP’s
Allied Community Enforcers Corporations (PNP-ACEC), Council of the Community
Elders (CCE), and the two radio groups – the Kabalikat Civicom and the REACT
Philippines.
“I told them to go after
them (gangs), neutralized them and I am optimistic that they will
immediately hit the ground running for them,” Mayor Uy said.
In fact, he said, to avoid
stabbing and snatching incidents in the dark portion of this town, “I
ordered the police to conduct a 24-hour visibility in strategic locations
wherein some of these groups have their ‘frat wars,’ the mayor said.
“Each of the ‘priority’
57-barangays of this town will soon have 2-3 handheld radio in order to be
effective in case of emergencies. A 24-hour Emergency Crisis Center will
soon be operational within the lobby of this municipal hall that will
addressed all kinds of disaster, crimes, among others to the benefit of the
general public,” Mayor Uy said.
Earlier, the police
intelligence community has identified these notorious gangs as Kapitulo 13,
Trese Hudas, Dose Banal, WAPS (Walang Awang Papatay Syo), among others
operating and victimizing innocent youths, residents and even visitors of
this locality.
Also previously, the Youth
for Christ, a Catholic organization based in this town has also apparently
transformed some of these gangs into a “renowned Christian” but month later,
street crimes involving these youths hounded again to the police complaint
desk.
To date, the police are now
intensifying its campaign and vowed to minimize if not to neutralize the
street crimes and gang wars in this town.
