July 16 - 22, 2012 Issue

Four more

Capiz casualties reach 186

By Felipe Celino and Edalyn Acta

ROXAS City—Four have died of dengue in Capiz in 2012, the Capiz Epidemiology Surveillance and Response Unit (CESRU) said.

Also, 186 people have been infected from January 1 to July 7 2012, which is a 343-percent increase from the number of cases during the same period last year (42), said Jeoffrey Espiritu, information officer of the Provincial Health Office (PHO).

Of the four fatalities, two were from Panay and Tapaz towns. The other two were residents of Aklan who sought treatment here.

According to CESRU, Roxas City posted the most number of dengue cases among local governments in Capiz, with 58; followed by Dumarao with 16; Panay with 15; Mambusao, 12; and Jamindan, 11.

The PHO is continuously monitoring the disease through the municipal health centers, Espiritu said. He hopes that there will be no upsurge of dengue cases in the province this year.

In 2010, a dengue outbreak was declared in the province and city.

‘Service above self’---Villar to Rotarians

By Edalyn Acta

Former Cong. Cynthia Villar of Las Piñas urged the Rotarians to continue giving service to the community as she shared her various programs aimed at making Las Piñas a more livable city in the country.

Speaking at the induction of the Rotary Club of Metro Iloilo July 19, Villar particularly focused her speech on her trailblazing initiative known as The Water Hyacinth Weaving Enterprise, which provides livelihood to residents of Las Piñas, particularly the riverbanks residents.

The program, which focused on reviving a dying river and providing livelihood opportunities to riverbanks residents, has won the United Nation’s “Water for Life” Best Practices Award, besting 38 other countries, according to Villar.

Villar said that the program mobilized residents to clean the river, changed their mindsets toward enterprise and taught them how to earn by composting to make fertilizer and crafting wares out of coconut coir and water hyacinth.

She said that the program bagged the UN award because it did not only rehabilitate the river, but it also alleviated the living conditions of the poor residents along the riverbanks. She added that this is now being replicated in Central Luzon and some parts of the Visayas.

The Water Lily Festival saw a new variety or hybrid of gumamela or hibiscus named after Cynthia Villar called “Hibiscus Cynthia Villar” presented by University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) on the occasion of her birthday and in recognition of her contribution to public service and environment protection.

Hibiscus Cynthia Villar hybrid has bright orange ruffled petals and has dark red eye. Subsequent commercialization of this hybrid hopes to contribute towards further invigoration of the country’s ornaments industry.

Three members of the Rotary Club of Metro Roxas-Central --its president Mila dela Peña and members Edalyn Acta and Margie Ocido attended the induction.

DOLE reinstates sacked Filamer prexy

By Felipe Celino

ROXAS City—The Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) Sub-Regional Arbitration Branch No. 6 in Iloilo City has found the dismissal of Dr. Salvio Llanera, “full-time acting president” of Filamer Christian University, Inc. (FCU), illegal and ordered his immediate reinstatement.

In a decision issued June 27, Labor Arbiter Roderick Joseph Calanza also ordered respondents FCU and Rev. Eliseo F. Fantilaga, chairman of the Board of Trustees, to jointly pay Llanera nearly P1 million in moral and exemplary damages.

When reached for comment this week, Llanera said he was thankful for the “fair decision.”

“I would have not raised the complaint; but the manner I was dismissed was so inhuman, humiliating and full of malice,” Llanera said

“It was so un-Christian, lacking in charity from an institution that claims to be a Christian school,” he added. “I hope this will be a lesson to the leaders of the school not to be whimsical and oppressive so as to preserve its Christian values and integrity.”

Llanera took over the post on July 14, 2011. Four months later, He was unceremoniously dismissed on November 19, 2011.

Llanera had been employed at Filamer since 1972 first as a faculty member. He went on to become assistant dean, dean and vice-president for academic affairs, until he retired in 2005 as dean of the graduate school.

On May 30, 2011, Llanera entered into a one-year employment contract with FCU as a “full-time acting president.”

On October 1 of the same year, he was suddenly placed under a 30-day preventive suspension by Fantilaga due to alleged serious violations such as disallowing entry of the FCU chair and other Board members, disregarding explicit instructions by the Board, and maliciously participating in the election of the university’s alumni association, among others.

Llanera said that the preventive suspension was null and void because Fantilaga was not authorized by the Board to issue such order. He was not even informed of the nature of the accusations or the charges against him.

The crux of the controversy was when Fantilaga was not allowed to enter the school by the security officer when he was recognized as one of the rallyists.

“While it may have been a naïve decision on the part of the security officer that the person with the highest position in the school was not allowed entrance despite his plea, such was done as a call of duty,” Calanza said. “The security officer was just following orders.”

Irked by the security officer’s act, Fantilaga charged against Llanera for command responsibility.

However, Calanza said nothing and the records showed that Llanera personally ordered that Fantilaga and other members of the Board be barred from entering the school.

The arbitration officer said he also found nothing in particular that would show Llanera abusing his authority and breaching the trust and confidence given him by the respondent school.

In addition, Llanera was denied a hearing of his case when he was first invited to air his side at a meeting that was suddenly aborted.

“On the basis of this termination, the dismissal of Llanera not only lacked compliance with the mandate requirements of notice and hearing, but was obviously unwarranted and unjustified,” Calanza said.

Calanza also pointed out that dismissal should not be meted to Llanera as it was too severe a penalty considering his 38 years of service in the school without previous derogatory record, in addition to the fact that FCU had awarded him various commendations for his sterling performance over the years.

According to Calanza, “(Llanera) does not deserve the manner in which his service was terminated.” The ruling said that “the dismissal was illegal and caused so much damage to Llanera’s serious embarrassment, Filamer and Fantilaga must be pay moral and exemplary damages.”

According to Labor Arbitration Associate Juver Anthony Palomar, the decision reinstating a dismissed or separated employee shall immediately be executory even pending appeal, or at the option of the employer, merely reinstated in the payroll.

Alba questions man’s arrest

By Felipe Celino

Roxas City—Mayor Jose Alba, Jr. of Mambusao, Capiz said the arrest of a one resident of Brgy. Bating in his town was a “clear violation of [the man’s] constitutional rights.”

Insp. Nilo Morellos, a police officer from Manila, arrested for alleged murder one Charlie Jumbas outside the Mambusao Municipal Hall July 17th.

But reports said that Morellos did not have any arrest warrant.

It was later found that it was a case of a mistaken identity—the real suspect and Jumbas look alike.

Reports also had it that Jumbas is one of the personnel of Leodegario Labao, Jr., a contractor from Mambusao.

Chief Supt. Cipriano Querol, Jr., regional police director, vowed to investigate the incident and promised not to allow it to happen again.

Meanwhile, authorities arrested one Noel Canto, a farmer in Tapaz, inside the town’s public market. Canto is being charged of rape.

Judge Antonio Amular of the Regional Trial Court Branch 22 issued the warrant of arrest against Canto, with no bail. Canto, charged with five counts of rape, is detained at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology facility in Mambusao.

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July 9 -15, 2012 Issue

COC filing, voters’ registration, validation deadlines set

By Edalyn Acta

The Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for the May 13, 2013 elections can only be filed until Oct. 1–5, 2012, while the voters’ registration and validation will only be allowed on Oct. 31.

According to Atty. Joemar Betita, Commission on Election (Comelec) officer of Roxas City, as per Comelec’s advice, the registration and validation begun June 25– July 31 were suspended to give way to the conduct of general registration in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). They will resume Aug. 1.

Betita said the candidates and voters in Capiz should file early and avoid skirting the deadline to avoid hassles and delays.

Betita said that they will not be able to finish on deadline the registration and filing of COCs for the 47 Barangays in the city.

Betita also cited the potential hassles or dangers involved in the case of far-flung Olotayan where they have to validate only 200 voters.

Betita said that for the 2013 elections COMELEC will still use the PCOs machines. According to Betita, by November 2012, they should have already determined the number of voters so as not to delay the printing of the ballots.

Capiz peacekeepers cited

By Alex Lumaque

Some 30 members of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPATs) here were recognized by the Roxas City government during the awards rites for outstanding law enforcers for the month of June at the Covered Gym of Inzo Arnaldo Village.

“These BPAT agents conduct barangay patrolling and anti-drug campaign as they are also members of the Citizen’s Crime Watch (CCW),” Roxas City Police Station (RCPS) Public Information Officer and BPATs Trainer PO2 Ramil Arcangeles said.

Awardees also assist RCPS members in the conduct of police checkpoints and other anti-crime campaigns, Arcangeles added.

Aside from the BPAT awardees, top performing members of RCPS, Roxas City Fire Marshal, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and police auxiliaries also received Certificates of Recognition given by Roxas City Councilor lawyer Powell Del Rosario.

The monthly award is given to outstanding peace and order enforcers for their hard work and great contribution to the community.

Arcangeles emphasized that about 95 percent of the city’s 47 barangays have organized their respective teams of force multipliers since November 2010.

BPAT membership comes from various sectors in the community such as barangay tanods, school groups, Sangguniang Kabataan, barangay officials, Muslims and other people’s organizations in the barangays.

Each BPAT member is equipped with a baton, whistle, flashlight, identification card.

In some cases, barangay peacekeepers have a tear gas and handcuff to effectively assist police authorities as early responders when criminalities occur.

The BPAT strategy has been replicated in the various barangays regionwide as a unique version of community-oriented policing system and a way of strengthening police-community partnership.

Inmate escapes; captured

By Edalyn Acta

An inmate of the Capiz Rehabilitation Center (CRC) at Barangay Lawaan here tried to escape from jail July 7th but was later captured.

The inmate identified as 30-year-old Ramil Alifante, and resident of President Roxas, Capiz, is facing robbery and homicide charges.

Five days before the attempted escape, Acting Jail Warden Arjuna Yngcong learned from among the inmates that Alifante “was planning” to escape. So he ordered the guards to watch closely.

On July 7, Enrique Alifante, 23, brother of Ramil together with his friend who served as driver of Motorcycle visited Ramil until 12 noon.

When his visitors left, Alifante went to the comfort room around 12:06 p.m.

When a fellow inmate saw Alifante climbing through the CR’s open window, he immediately alarmed the guards.

Alifante ran some 30 meters from the area but before he could get to his brother Enrique and their friend Ramil all set on their getaway motorcycle, he was captured by the guards on duty, officers John Borlado and Linar Ilustre.

According to Yngcong, Officer Borlado gave six warning shots using his .38 caliber pistol, “rattling” Alifante who was later captured and brought back to the CRC.

On July 11, Enrique Alifante surrendered to the Roxas City Police Station where he is now detained.

Yngcong said that inmates should abide by rules and regulations implemented by their office. According to Yngcong, it is their responsibility is to help the inmates be restored to the community.”

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July 2 - 8, 2012 Issue

NATURE GALORE

Camp Peralta eyed as ecotourism site 

By Alex Lumaque and Edalyn  Acta  

The 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) of the Philippine Army based at Camp Macario Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz is being considered an ecotourism area.

3ID Commanding General Jose Mabanta, Jr. said that the exposure of the camp to tourists will be an opportunity to tell the world of the rich cultural heritage of the people there.

In an interview with the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO), Mabanta said that tourists visiting Boracay will now have another option for a place to visit.

“Visiting the camp will give visitors a chance to understand more of the local society and culture here,” Mabanta said.

More important, the camp boasts of some five waterfalls, which makes it one of the best places featuring the natural environment.

“We believe there are more unexplored waterfalls within the reservation,” he added.

Situated in a sprawling 33,310 hectares, the camp which is also the country’s third largest military camp, has been declared a military reservation through Presidential Proclamation No. 67 and officially proclaimed by virtue of Jamindan’s Sangguniang Bayan Resolution No. 19.

Covering the towns of Jamindan and Tapaz in Capiz and Lambunao in Iloilo, the camp is home to various Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities.

Mabanta said that in coordination with the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP), the 3ID continues to protect and promote the interest and well-being of the IPs with due regard to their beliefs, customs, traditions and institutions.

Some 54 kilometers off Roxas City, 88 kilometers from Kalibo, Aklan and 122 kilometers from Iloilo City, the camp is a nature park and a wildlife sanctuary.

Among its features include the grotto which shrines the Blessed Virgin Mary just at the hilltop where tourists can enjoy the view of the environs as far as Dumalag town.

Lush with various flora and fauna, the camp is a treat to nature trekkers and lovers who will be offered after a two-hour hike the sight and feel of a 100-meter high waterfalls and three basin falls.

The 3ID camp also boasts of a swimming pool which offers confined water scuba diving and is a great get-together area for command and family activities.

The camp also features the Kalikasan Nature Park, a vacation and picnic area with amenities and a viewing tower.

PDEA files motion for inhibition vs prosecutor

ROXAS City—The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 6 (PDEA-6) filed a motion for inhibition against the Roxas City Prosecutor’s Office over the case of drug suspect Alberto Billeza of barangay Lawaan here.

PDEA Legal Officer Ronnie Delicana said it wants the city prosecutor not to conduct a preliminary investigation on the case of Billeza, which is currently under a review by the Regional State Prosecutor’s Office. Delicana said that this is so only “on the case of Billeza, not all the cases filed by PDEA against drug suspects.”

Earlier PDEA was frustrated when it learned that policemen here released the drug suspect that their agency arrested in May.

Billeza was released upon the recommendation of Assistant City Prosecutor Alvin Galvez, which was approved by City Prosecutor Erwin Ignacio.

Delicana said he was informed that the reglementary period for Billeza’s detention was about to lapse, thus, the suspect was freed.

Members of PDEA arrested Billeza in a buy-bust operation on May 24. Bricks of suspected dried marijuana leaves were seized from the suspect.

Police here expressed disappointment over orders to release big-time drug personalities, particularly former Police Officer Chester Cordovero.

The City Prosecutor’s Office ordered on June 3, 2011 the release of Cordovero, the No. 2 most wanted person here, who is facing charges for illegal drugs, and illegal possession of a firearm and an explosive.

“Pursuant to the 2008 Revised Manual for Prosecutors and pending the outcome of the automatic review provided for under Department Circular No. 46 dated June 26, 2003, in relation to Department Circular No. 1 dated January 5, 2009, the respondent (Cordovero) is hereby ordered released from the custody of the Roxas City Police Station, unless he is detained for some other lawful cause or causes,” the order said.

On June 6, 2011, Galvez issued another order, this time approved by the associate prosecutor and acting officer-in-charge.

“In view of the dismissal of the above-captioned complaints against respondent in a joint resolution dated May 31, 2011, his release from the custody of Roxas City Police Station is hereby ordered, unless he is being detained for some other unlawful cause or causes,” said the new order.

Galvez refused to reveal what the 2008 Revised Manual for Prosecutors is all about. “I’m sorry;” that was the “instruction from Justice Secretary Leila de Lima,” he said.

Four other drug suspects were ordered released by the City Prosecutor’s Office for the same reason that the said manual is “pending the outcome of the automatic review.”

They were Dino Bermejo, Engr. Julius Marfil, Mark Donato and Alberto Belliza.

Bermejo of Brgy. Baybay here was arrested in a buy-bust operation on October 14, 2010. Some .011 grams of shabu were recovered from him.

Early last year, police arrested Marfil, 38 of Lanot, Roxas City; and Donato, 32 of Salocon, Panit-an, Capiz, in a buy-bust operation in a lodging house here. Sachets of shabu and a .38 caliber pistol were recovered.

In a buy-bust operation on May 17, Belliza was also arrested and some 37.4 grams of marijuana bricks were recovered from him.

P4.9B Panay flood control project hanging

By Edalyn Acta

In August 1982, the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) led a feasibility study on the Panay River Basin Flood Control Project to address the perennial problem of flooding in the province of Capiz.

Concluded in October 1985, the study sought to formulate an integrated water resource development plan on the Panay River Basin which covers 12 municipalities in the eastern part of the province.

Covering such aspects as resources development, flood control plan, agricultural development, multi-purpose dams and water supply, the JICA study also included investigation on the socioeconomic hydrology and land use.

In the inaugural meeting of the Regional and Development Council (RDC) in Western Visayas in January 2011 in Iloilo City, Chairman Gov. Victor Tanco Sr., said that if he had his way, he wanted the project to be implemented the soonest possible time.

Engr. Julius Abela officer-in-charge of the Construction Section of the Capiz First Engineering District said the proposed project cost is P4.9 billion which only covers Phase 1.

Spanning 98 kilometers, the project’s original was 12 billion pesos.

In 1996, JICA’s Kenichi Matsui visited Capiz and revealed that the flood control project was shelved in 1985, just after the completion of the feasibility study.

Matsui, JICA’s rivers expert, told Capiz officials that the province loses an average of P144 million worth of crops yearly due to destructive floods.

The province then determined that forest denudation, erosion of the watershed and the heavy siltation of the Panay River all contribute to cause flashfloods in Capiz during the rainy season.

At the time, Capiz Gov. Esteban Contreras presented environmental degradation as their major concern to then Pres. Fidel Ramos in his May 7, 1996 Cabinet meeting in Antique.

Abela said that until now, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are waiting the response from the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and they are hoping that the current president will see to and implement it soon.

Bishop Advincula receives pallium from Pope Benedict XVI

Archbishop Jose Advincula of the Archdiocese of Capiz was one of the four Filipino bishops who received the pallium from Pope Benedict XVI on June 29 during a concelebrated mass at the St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

The liturgical insignia of the archbishop made of white wool, the papal pallium symbolizes the Office of the Archbishop, particularly their bond and shared responsibility with the pope to be pastors in their regions.

The three other archbishops were Luis Antonio Tagle of the Archdiocese of Manila, John Du of the Archdiocese of Palo and Romulo Valles of the Archdiocese of Davao.

This rite of accepting the pallium is the last stage of their appointment as archbishops.

Every year during the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, the Pontiff gives a pallium to newly installed archbishops around the world.

In 2011, Archbishops Jose Palma of the Archdiocese of Cebu and Sergio Utleg of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao also received the same at the Vatican.

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June 25 - July 1, 2012 Issue

Gov Don't Leave

LP, Ugyon Brgy. Captains sign letter supporting Tanco's governorship

By Edalyn Acta

ROXAS CITY - Alfredo Albaladejo, barangay captain of Tiza, along with other barangay captains in this city recently asked Capiz Gov. Victor Tanco, Sr. to run for the same position in the next election.

In a letter addressed to Tanco, Albaladejo, member of the Liberal Party (LP) expressed his preference for Tanco, who is currently serving his second term as governor, to run for his third in 2013.

Albaladejo, vice-president of the city's Liga ng mga Barangay (Liga),  said that most of the projects in his barangay including road concreting and the construction of streetlights, health center and comfort room for senior citizens, were made possible because of Tanco.

"If Tanco becomes congressman of the second district of Capiz, how can our barangay avail itself of more projects? Besides, he still has one more term as governor," Albaladejo said.

Albaladejo added that at first, he sought to keep his sentiment a secret. But while drafting the letter at the Liga Office at the Roxas City Hall, Liga President Maria Capapas and other barangay captains saw it and later expressed their desire to sign the same.

Meanwhile, Manuel Aninang, barangay captain of Olotayan, Roxas City said that when learned from his fellow barangay captians about Albaladejo's letter, he came forward with Barangay Capt. Ildefonso Tobillo of Brgy. 3 to show support to Albaladejo's "cause" and expressed their desire to sign the letter. Aninang said they also represented 14 other barangay captains belonging to Ugyon Kita Capiz.

In an interview with reporters at the launch of Barangay Tiza Health Center on June 29, Tanco said he is pleased to hear from those who are not his allies pledging support for his reelection.

"If I were still their governor, there would be less conflict. So I feel grateful to them; and I might come out to be the common candidate of those belonging to the administration and the opposition," Tanco said.

According to Albaladejo, some sources said that Tanco will run for congressman in the second district of Capiz against former Cong. Fredenil Castro, who is reportedly "taking over" the seat of his wife, incumbent second district Rep. Jane Castro.

In the 2010 polls, then three-termer Castro fielded his wife instead for the position.

CSC monitors anti-red tape campaign

By Jemin Guillermo

ROXAS CITY - To ensure government offices' compliance of the Anti-Red Tape law and the delivery of their frontline services even at noon time, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) is continuing its on-the-spot inspection of government offices in Capiz.


Capiz CSC Director Maria Lina Gonzaga said that the monitoring of compliance by the different government offices is done in accordance with the Republic Act 9485, or ARTA of 2007.

According to Gonzaga, the ARTA Watcher is particularly monitoring the existence of the "No Lunch Break, Anti-Fixer Campaign, No Smoking Policy;" a priority lane for the senior citizens, pregnant women and differently-abled persons; poster or signage, and the wearing of ARTA identification cards by the employees.

In every frontline office, there should also be a Public Assistance or Complaint Desk or a notice informing the client whom to approach for queries, complaints, comments or recommendations, Gonzaga said.

Gonzaga said that the implementation of the ARTA Watch seeks to improve the efficiency in the delivery of government service to the public through a sustained program that will intensify public awareness of the ARTA and encourage cooperation among agencies.

She stressed that Executive Order 293 of the Revised Administrative Code of the 1987 grants the CSC the power to inspect and audit the personnel actions and programs of the departments, agencies, bureaus, offices, local government units and other instrumentalities of the government, including government-owned and controlled corporations.

The CSC ARTA Watch spot inspection held June 25 - 28 was led by Gonzaga with members of the media in Capiz and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

On the first day of the monitoring, they monitored the office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Capiz on McKinley Street.

Gonzaga also urged the offices with front line services to comply with the mandate under the said law for the welfare of the public.

Roxas health office launches anti-smoking drive

By Jemin Guillermo

ROXAS CITY - To save more Capizeños, especially the young ones, from the ills of smoking, the Capiz Provincial Health Officer recently launched anti-smoking campaigns.

June Regalado, coordinator of the Provincial Health Non-Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control Program, said local government units (LGUs) in Capiz have launched an intensive campaign against smoking.

Various initiatives are put in place, such as the passing and strict enforcement of the smoke-free ordinance by the different LGUs, which has gained national recognition and awards, she said.

For the second year now, the Department of Health (DOH) recognized Roxas City for its no-nonsense drive and initiatives against smoking, and compliance with the requirements set by the agency.

The municipality of Dumalag also received the Red Orchid Award this year, while Panay garnered the Pink Orchis Award for placing second in the said competition last year.

Regalado said the establishment of the Smoking Cesation Clinic at the Roxas City Health Office is designed to those who choose to quit smoking and participate in the anti-smoking drive.

Recently, Capiz has launched the Sponge Campaign, another anti-smoking drive in partnership with the DOH and the World Lung Foundation (WLF). It aims to inform the public about the serious health impact and dangers of tobacco use, which will eventually motivate Capizeños to stop smoking.

Besides continuous and intensive interpersonal communication, local radio and television networks were also tapped to help in the advocacy.

Further, Capiz is recognized by the DOH and WLF as one of the eight pilot provinces as one of the model LGUs for tobacco control in the Philippines, along with Misamis Occidental, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Oriental Mindoro, Nueva Viscaya, Negros Oriental and Agusan del Sur.

The campaign also forms part of the Capiz's No Smoking Month celebration this June.

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