UNSOLICITED ADVICE TO IPC OFFICERS

As I listen to the small group discussion of members of the press here I could hear louder call than what they are talking of: The need to be one and the need to help one another to be able to advance their rights and uplift their kind of life. This louder call is being answered with Rommel Ynion investing his efforts, time and money for the Iloilo Press Club and the individual members. Danny Fajardo has the greatest efforts to bring the new developments into reality. Mr. Ynion has donated millions for the Iloilo Press Club building and soon the subdivision for the members.
However, legal questions still hounds in the mind of the individual members if the Iloilo Press Club is the duly organized, registered and existing under the laws of the country. The newly elected president, Rommel Ynion, I believe is in the right position and support to resolve the issue.  Where are the Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws,  Certificate of Registration and Membership Book of the IPC? Under the law, the Secretary is the responsible officer to keep these. These will determine the legal status of IPC. In the absence of these, the Security and Exchange Commission can legally issue copies and certify if what  the current status of IPC. We have to determine if  the  past officers of IPC complied with or submitted the yearly Reportorial Requirements of the association to SEC? The annual reports include the updated list of officers and members, minutes of meetings, resolutions passed, and financial statement duly audited by a CPA.

UNSEEN HANDS IN UNFOLDING SCENARIOS

The Second Opinion
Angelo Reyes is dead because he knew a lot.He served too long in so many top positions.  He knew so many game plans. He has to be in the top position in government from department to another probable he is a MOST VALUABLE PLAYER. Now he’s dead but his games are not over. But who is  (are) the real master of these all? The expose’ on international funds passing through non-conventional routes, coming from “unknown” and known sources used to fund unknown programs and projects may lead to new and drastically unfolding scenarios: Mayor revamp in the leadership because of alleged anomalies that may trigger  uncontrollable movements in the PNP and  AFP. In a year of two, guess what’s next. The Pre-Noy Aquino Administration  is not capable of containing  these  “movements”.These unfolding scenarios will complicate with the sluggish economy of the country. Big business and international economic arrangements that were key players in keeping the economy going during the Arroyo Regime are not as lively as they are before. The pro-people stand of the Pre-Noy Administration is not enough to keep people’s trust after a year without major changes in the our economy.

INITIAL UPDATE AND PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE OPERATION OF THE CITY MAYOR'S COMPLAINTS & ACTION CENTER (HOTLINE and FEEDBACK SYSTEM)

The Complaints and Action Center of the Iloilo City Government started its operation last August 31, 2010 catering to the people of the City of Iloilo receiving various concerns ranging from infrastructure, socio-economic, emergency, health, services, inquiries, among others.

Since the start of the Complaints and Action Center, most problems/concerns received were that of frequent power interruption which affected greatly the business sector; garbage collection problem; illegal structures; and businesses operating without corresponding business permits.

All complaints received were endorsed to the departments concerned and had been immediately acted upon by every concerned department/unit. Some complaints which had been acted upon even paved the way for a more insightful advantage to the City Government's programs especially during the times of field action dispatches in connection to resolving the complaints and problems being brought-up to the hotline system.

A. Random samples of complaints and issues brought-up to the City Government's attention through the Hotline and Feedback System:

• Garbage collection problem in Mohon
• Squatters along Mohon River
• Illegal meat vendors at the Iloilo Terminal Market
• Street lights/electrical wires hanging down the street at Bo. Obrero

• Street lights at Hibao-an Norte, Mandurriao
• Underground water drilling “tasok” of Mr. Arnold Bilbao of Hibao-an Norte, Mandurriao
• Garbage collection problem at Bo. Obrero
• Suggests repainting of pedestrian lane

• Defective fire truck pump of Arevalo Fire Station
• Unsolicited garbage across Tanza Church
• Follow-up complaint on illegal meat vendors at Iloilo Terminal Market

• Schedule of garbage collection at Landheights Phase I, Arevalo
• Hand gun threat of a CVO at Brgy. Gloria
• Illegal structure and illegal parking at a private lot in Housing, Mandurriao
• Deep well construction at Brgy. Zamora, fronting TESDA office
• Frequent occurrence of power interruption
• Follow-up on garbage collection at Landheights Phase I, Arevalo
• Follow-up on illegal structure/illegal parking at Housing, Mandurriao
• Operation of a semi-depot & carinderia/videoke without corresponding Business Permit at tanza Timawa Zone I
• No Business and Environmental Permit of “Uling” Vendor at Tanza Timawa Zone I
• Environmental violation of Barbecue Park

• Road obstruction at Cuartero Highway and Calubihan, Jaro
• Road obstruction at Mejorada St., Mandurriao
• Brown outs
• Tanod outpost occupied by a family at Brgy. San Felix
• MIWD water pipes leakages at Huervana St., Lapaz
• Unutilized Tanod Outpost with stagnant water at Jalandoni St., Jaro
• Conduct unprofessional and negligence of duty of Dra. Julie Baronda of Lapaz Maternity and Reproductive Health Center
• Road obstruction occupying the pedestrian lane along Quezon St.

• Follow-up on illegal meat vendors at Iloilo Terminal Market
• Stagnant water along Lopez Jaena St., Jaro
• Query/verification regarding the proposed Iloilo City College

• No collection of garbage in some commercial establishments along Lopez Jaena St., Jaro for almost a month already

• No garbage collection at LM Tinsay Building along Iloilo Terminal Market
• No “Permit to Operate” of tasok of Mr. Arnold Bilbao of Hibao-an Norte, Mandurriao
• Alleged operation of commercial sex den at Tanza Timawa Zone I
• Conduct unbecoming of Ms. Clarence Panes of the City Assessor’s Office

• Serious physical injuries & threat of Traffic Aide Nandin to jeepney driver Arsenio Ramos

• Conduct unbecoming of personnels of San Pedro Health Center
• Sari-Sari Store/Internet Shop operating with no corresponding Business Permit at Calaparan Zone 14, Arevalo

• Public humiliation, threat & intimidation of Mr. Jose Pablo Asne of Task Force Anti-Jaywalking to two civilians

• Tardiness of the employees of City Registry of Deeds
• Road depression along San Isidro going to Sambag, Jaro

• Overly noisy operation of Ulo-Ulo Resto Bar at Aurora Subdivision, Brgy. Villa Anita

• Alleged electricity pilferage/mulcting of two personnel of Task Force Boltahe at Calaparan Zone 15, Arevalo
• Follow-up on illegal structure/illegal parking at a private lot in Housing, Mandurriao
• Senior Citizen’s discount dishonoured at Costco Drugstore

• Garbage collection area and urinal post situated on a private lot at Infante, Molo
• Decaying public waiting shed at Tanza Timawa Zone I
• Public waiting shed turned Sari-Sari Store at Zone 2 Bo. Obrero

• Cable and electrical wires hanging down the street along Gen. Luna St.
• No street light in front of Spa Riviera
• Follow-up complaint on Ulo-Ulo Resto Bar overly-noisy operation
• Follow-up on Sari-Sari Store/Internet Shop operating with no corresponding Business Permit at Calaparan Zone 14, Arevalo

• Heavy traffic at E. Lopez-Jalandoni Sts.
• Suggests to utilize the City’s traffic lights

• Follow-up on alleged electricity pilferage/mulcting at Zone 15 Calaparan, Arevalo

• Suggestion to make ordinance to ban unsolicited delivery promo calls
• Alleged police brutality at Lapaz PNP lock-up cell

• Inconsistency in the implementation of the Anti-Jaywalking and Anti-Littering campaign
• Frequent power interruption and unsatisfactory operation of the sole power distributor Panay Electric Company, Inc.
• Follow-up complaint on the massive electricity pilferage in Zone 15, Brgy. Calaparan, Arevalo

• Follow-up complaint about the illegal structure along Quezon-Delgado Sts. Particularly in front of Prime Grocer
• Follow-up complaint regarding road depression along Sambag going to San Isidro, Jaro
• Follow-up complaint regarding the Senior Citizen’s discount card not being honored at Costco Drugstore

B. Impressions and Observations:

Since the start of the operation of the Hotline and Feedback System, the interaction among the City Government's departments and units had been very positive. At least 10 feedbacks had been received by the Complaints and Action Center giving high commendations to the City Government's initiative of having a direct hotline operation center. One notable impression is the consistent responses and actions being undertaken by concerned City Government's Units/Departments in addressing the issues and problems being referred to them.

Some examples of positive outputs are:

1. The City Treasurer's Office was able to determine that there are business establishments which do not have corresponding business permits after complaints received by the hotline and feedback center where promptly forwarded to them. Some examples are the two internet shops and sari-sari stores in Brgy. Calaparan and Tanza City Proper which were found out to have been operating illegally on the City Government properties and without corresponding business permits.
2. Illegal structures and obstructions in Jaro District were promptly acted upon by the Task Force ASIS. Electricity pilferage and illegal connections to the city streetlight were decisively resolved by the Task Force Boltahe.
3. The garbage collection scheme in Landheights, Arevalo and complaints about the road depression (“lubak-lubak”) in Sambag, Jaro were instantly acted by the concerned government agencies to which the complainants were very grateful with the outcome.
4. Positive and prompt action made by the leadership of Iloilo City Police Office headed by Senior Supt. Dennis Basngi on the complaint of police brutality committed by one Police Inspector against a detained suspect at La Paz PNP Station. The family of the victim highly regarded the dynamic support provided to them by the leadership of ICPO.

Prepared by:
Iloilo City Mayor's Complaints and Action Center Team
Meanwhile, the Facebook link of the Iloilo City Government Official Website has been the crucible of public opinion exchange not just between the City Government and the people, but also among the people themselves. Issues which matter to the affairs of the community and the impressions of the people on the various programs and projects of the Mabilog Administration have been the dominant “spice of the cake”, so to speak.
Truly, there is no substitute for the most effective social barometer of gauging the effectiveness and efficiency of the performance of the government and state functionaries, and that is…. the people. Either affirming or dissenting, the collective views of the people provide a lucid definition of a prevailing social conscience; and every government must be sensitive enough to every beat and pulse of that so called social conscience for it to be faithfully viewed as people-oriented.

Dungon Creek and Coke's Commitments

Ground Water Study of Iloilo City conducted by MGB-DENR

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6716

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF WATER WELLS, RAINWATER COLLECTORS, DEVELOPMENT OF SPRINGS AND REHABILITATION OF EXISTING WATER WELLS IN ALL BARANGAYS IN THE PHILIPPINES.


Section 1. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared to be the national policy to promote the quality of life of every Filipino through the provision of adequate social service including, but not limited to, the provision of adequate potable water supply made conveniently available to every barangay in the country.chan robles virtual law library

Sec. 2. Water Wells, Rainwater Collectors and Spring Development. — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) shall, within thirty (30) days after the approval of this Act, undertake construction of water wells, rainwater collectors, development of springs and rehabilitation of existing water wells in all barangays in the Philippines in such number as may be needed and feasible, taking into consideration the population, hydrologic conditions, costs of project development and operations, financial and economic factors and institutional arrangements: Provided, however, That the DPWH shall deduct not more than five percent (5%) for supervision, engineering, technical and other overhead expenses or fees: Provided, further, That each barangay in the country shall have at least one additional potable water source. chan robles virtual law library

Sec. 3. Operation and Maintenance. — In order to ensure the proper use of the water facilities herein provided, a Barangay Waterworks and Sanitation Association, herein referred to as BWSA, shall be formed and organized for the purpose of maintaining the water facilities: Provided, That pending the organization of the BWSA, the water facilities shall be operated and maintained by the barangay council.

The BWSA shall be composed of the member-consumers who shall administer, operate and maintain the completed water facility and shall be registered with the corresponding municipal or city council. chan robles virtual law library

The BWSA may impose such minimal charges as may be necessary for the maintenance and normal repairs of said facility. Nothing herein shall prevent any resident of the locality from using the water facility under the same terms and conditions as the member-consumers of the BWSA.

Organizing and training the recipient communities in the operation and maintenance of water systems shall be conducted by the DPWH prior to the turnover of such facilities to the BWSA subject to the guidelines to be formulated by the Department. chan robles virtual law library

Sec. 4. Submission of Report. — The Department of Public Works and Highways shall, within ninety (90) days after the approval of this Act and every one hundred eighty (80) days thereafter, submit periodic reports to the respective Committees on Public Works and Highways of both Houses of the Congress of the Philippines for evaluation and consideration.chan robles virtual law library

Sec. 5. Funding. — The sum needed for the implementation of the construction, rehabilitation and repair program shall be taken from any available appropriations for the Department of Public Works and Highways in the General Appropriations Act for 1989: Provided, That funds for this purpose shall also be included in the General Appropriations Act for 1990 and 1991: Provided, further, That the total program shall be completed not later than June 30, 1991, and: Provided, finally, That there shall be equitable and proportionate appropriations of funds annually for this purpose for all provinces, cities and municipalities. In addition, a portion of financial grants and concessional loans extended to the Philippines by foreign governments and multilateral agencies every year, the amount to be determined by the President, shall be allocated by the Department of Budget and Management to augment the appropriations of the Department of Public Works and Highways until one hundred thousand (100,000) water wells, rainwater collectors, and springs are completed as envisioned in this Act.

Sec. 6. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect upon its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved: March 17, 1989

DENR opens the 2011 National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools

Prepared by:
AMELITA Q. GUILLERGAN
EEIU
Environmental Management Bureau
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Region 6

The 2011 National Search for Sustainable and Eco-friendly Schools is now open. All interested schools may start submitting their school’s documentation of it eco-friendly program as advised by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources national and regional offices.

The Nationwide contest for eco-friendly schools program dubbed as “2011 National Search for Sustainable and Eco-friendly Schools” was launched as early as 2009 as a direct response to the Republic Act N0. 9512 also known as the Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008 calling for the cooperation and participation of schools all throughout the country paving the way for the competition on 2011. This is the Philippine initiative in support to the ASEAN Environmental Education Action Plan.

According to DENR Secretary Ramon J. Paje, “We intend to have the awarding of the search next year (2011) instead of this year (2010) to allow more time to prepare and to enhance their existing eco-friendly programs. We are hoping to encourage more schools to participate and take part in heightening environmental awareness among our youth.”

Open to all elementary, high school and tertiary school levels, both public and private, the contest is intended to give schools the opportunity to highlight their achievements and emphasize their active involvement in dealing with environmental issues and concerns at the local level. It is also aimed to develop and enhance the knowledge, skills as well as the understanding of students, faculty and school administrators to device ways and means to respond to various environmental issues and increase community involvement in combating environmental problems.

The national search is a joint activity of the DENR through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Smart Communications.

Participating schools must submit entries in three (3) hard copies to respective DepEd Division Offices for Elementary and High School categories. On the other hand, for College category, entries should be submitted to the nearest EMB Regional Office. The deadline for submission of entries is on April 29, 2011.

School entries should revolve around the theme, “Sustainable and Eco-friendly Initiatives.” Participating schools should include a brief description of the Project.

Entries will be rated according to the following: Environment-related Aspects of the School’s Policy (20 pts.); Environment-friendly School Operation and Presence of Environmental Programs (30 pts.); Environment-related Features of the School Curriculum (30 pts); Presence of Vibrant Eco-Organizations in Campus (10 pts) and Presence of Partners and Linkages in Environment Programs/Projects (10 pts). Only one entry per school will be accepted.

For the national level, prizes include College, High School and Elementary: P 50,000-1st Prize; P 40,000- 2nd Prize; P 30, 000-3rd Prize and plaques of recognition. For the regional level, a certificate of recognition and a prize in cheque of P10,000 will be given to regional winners for each category.

All winning entries for each of the three categories, together with selected entries will be displayed during the national awarding ceremonies in November 2011, coinciding with the National Environmental Awareness Month celebration.

For further details, please contact the Environmental Education and Information Division of the Environmental Management Bureau-DENR. Telefax (02) 9284674 or Tel.No. (02) 920225. Website: www.emb.gov.ph and www.sustainableschools.ph . Or contact EMB Region 6 Office, Tel No. (033) 3379801.