Make Your Stand And Be Heard

This will be my last post for the year 2008. I am posting a video about the ill-effects of mining in Rapu Rapu island in the province of Albay. Please view the video.

Post your comments and be heard for this not only matters today's generation but the future generation as well. Make your stand now!

Happy New Year and God Bless Catanduanes!

Will Northern Catanduanes Be Another Semirara?

This photo above was taken at Semirara open pit coal mine. Below are diagrams from Philippine Department of Energy.

List of Operating Contract Holders
as of 31 January 2007
Company: Monte Oro Resources and Energy Inc.
Location of Mine: Ubi, San Miguel, Caramoran, Catanduanes
Status: Exploration

Contact Person: Mr. Jose Miguel Cabarrus, President CEO
Office Address: 2284 Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati City
Phone: 893-8409 Fax: 817-4137

source: DOE

source:money.cnn.com/

RELATED LINKS:

• Philippine Mining Act of 1995 - Summary of Philippine Mining Act of 1995
• Responsible Mining Easier Said than Done - Responsible mining the answer to a real Catanduanes development?
• An Island Without Salt - Observations, challenges and food security.
• Sights in the Northern Part - Potential tourist attractions and sights.
• The Road Going to North - Latest view of the new Catanduanes circumferential road and landscape.

Christmas Wishes of Local Celebrities and Politicians

An interview of personalities and celebrities like Sharon Cuneta, Sen. Dick Gordon and others on how they would spend their christmas holidays.

The Php 105 million: Boon or Bane?

The approval of the governor-initiated Php 105 million loan by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan can be construed as Christmas gift of the legislative body to the executive branch.

Probably in the spirit of the Christmas season, the SP headed by Vice Gov. Alfred Aquino decided to approve almost the entire amount of Php 111 million.

Imagine if as originally planned, only Php 56 million was allowed, the administration would suffer a substantial setback in terms of fund-sourcing for its Real Property Tax Administration Enhancement Program (RPTAEP) etc.

Animosities and bad blood were avoided. The executive, and the legislative had “meeting of minds”.

Consequently, Gov. Joseph C. Cua and his economic/financial managers are now grinning from ear to ear. Now it would be safe to say that whatever Gov. Cua wants, Cua gets.

History will tell, however, whether the decision to avail said loan by the provincial government is a good decision or not. For the record, it was only PBM Shirly A. Abundo who objected to such substantial loan.

The workaholic and approachable legislator have yet to see a feasibility study which according to her is very important..

Accordingly, almost all of the PBMs have capitulated to the wishes of the executive department.

The way it seems, the fiscalizing function of the SP had been nipped-in-the-bud ab initio. Majority of the SP members are pro-administration. Hence, the smooth sailing of the Cua administration.

Well, as long as it is for the good of the province, no problem. Some quarters, however, are apprehensive of such multi-million-peso loan.

Successful or not, the province will have to shoulder the millions of pesos for its principal loan and interests.

The bottom-line is the 10-year period of payments. “Tapos na ang term of office ni Gov. Cua, assuming that he can serve for three terms, patuloy pa rin magbabayad ang provincial government,” one observer said in Taglish.

“Tapos na ang term of office ng mga PBMs kasama na si Vice Gov. Aquino, tuloy pa rin ang financial obligation ng provincial government,” the man added.

With the IRA to be used as guarantee, the general public hopes and prays that the financial managers and technocrats in the Capitol will not bungle in their decision.

Otherwise, woe unto the persons responsible for such decision to avail of multi-million loan.

Nevertheless, optimist that we are, this publication joins the thousands of taxpayers who wish our local leaders the best of luck in their attempt to chart a progressive island province.

Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year KAPERYODIKO!

source: Bicol Peryodiko Editorial

Happy Holidays!

To friends, associates, colleagues, relatives and all the nameless visitors... Wherever you are, wishing you all a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!

Please post your christmas wish below.

Forest Waste To Fuel

Many of us are complaining about the high cost of (LPG) cooking gas in the market. And returning to traditional firewood fuel would increase strain in our forest resource. Why not try charcoal briquette? Please read the procedures below.

Procedure

1. Preparing the raw materials.

Collect the wood (e.g., gmelina twigs, ipil-ipil branches) and no biomass materials (e.g., coconut leaves) that are traditionally considered as wastes. Sort these raw materials. Chop the large-sized raw materials and then, dry them. Reduce large pieces into finer ones by grinding. Screen the ground materials using a 40-mesh metal strainer.

a. Pruned branches and twigs are good sources of raw materials for charcoal briquette production.

b. Sorting of raw materials like coconut leaves, gmelina twigs, ipil-ipil branches.

c. Chopping of raw materials.

d. Drying of raw materials such as peanut shells, rice hull, gmelina twigs/branches and leaves.

2. Carbonizing.

This can be done either by the drum method or by the metal plate method designed by the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI). Use the drum method in carbonizing larger materials like twigs and corncobs. For pulverized materials, use the metal plate method.

e. Modified drum kiln can be used for charring shells, husks, wood pieces and corncobs.

3. Shredding/Grinding.

The common practice is that raw materials are carbonized first, using the drum method, or the metal plate method before they are fed to the grinding machine. These are placed inside the hopper to produce fine carbonized materials.

If the materials are raw (twigs, branches, corncobs) the shredding machine is used. If the materials are carbonized, the grinding mechanism is used. However, if the materials are too wet, they can be used for composting.

f. The metal plate carbonizer is a simple low-cost machine capable of carbonizing not only sawdust and rice hull but also coconut coir dust and other carbonaceous fine materials.

g. Participants demonstrate the use of a shredding machine for grinding bigger sized raw materials.

4. Preparing the binder.

The FPRDI recommends cassava flour as binder because it is available in local markets. The amount of starch to be used for carbonized charcoal briquettes is 6% to 25% of the total weight of the raw materials. This means that every 1 kg of ground materials needs 150 g of cassava flour. The amount of water needed to gelatinize the starch ranges from 60% to 100% of the weight of the raw materials.

h. Cassava flour is the recommended binder for the DENR charcoal.

5. Mixing.

This is the process of coating every particle of ground materials with a film of binder. It will enhance adhesion and produce uniform good quality briquettes. Pour proper proportions of ground materials and gelatinized starch into the mixing container. Mix the ground materials and the binder thoroughly.

i. The fine carbonized materials and the binder are mixed manually.

6. Briquetting.

The mixture is converted into finished products using the manual briquettor. Pour the mixture directly into the molder which produces it into uniform-sized briquettes.

7. Drying.

Place the briquettes in trays. Dry them under the sun for two days during sunny days or use a suitable drier during rainy days.

j. Briquetting machine is a simple energy- and money-saving device made out of locally-available materials. It is used for converting charcoal fine into charcoal briquettes.

k. The briquettes are place in trays and dried under the sun for two days during sunny days, or placed in a suitable drier during rainy days.

8. Packaging.

Pack the dried briquette in plastic bags and seal them. Charcoal briquettes are ready for use.

l. These charcoal briquettes are produced in a manually-operated briquetting machine.

The DENR charcoal is a solid fuel that is produced using leaves, twigs, stems and other cellulosic forest wastes. These are compacted into briquettes. When burned, the DENR charcoal emits a steady heat with low clean flame. It is easy to ignite and burns completely in at least 50 minutes.

The use of charcoal briquettes can reduce wood charcoal consumption of poultry farms, households and domestic enterprises which is about 590 t/year or an equivalent of 26,970 m3 fuelwood. Shifting to DENR charcoal not only puts forest wastes into good use but also helps mitigate carbon dioxide emission in the atmosphere and lessens the depletion of the country’s forest resources.

RELATED LINKS:

• Typhoons and Briquetting - Suggestion to convert organic debris to charcoal briquettes

Do You Have A Bright Idea?

Things don't happen, they are made to happen.

For our LGUs, Academic and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) who have a bright idea for their municipality or organization but cash strapped, go join in the next year Project Grant competition.

Management is handled by a World Bank-based Core Team, in close coordination with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) – Local Government Academy (LGA). Overall guidance is provided by the World Bank Country Director and the DILG Undersecretary for Local Government.

Panibagong Paraan 2008: Building Partnerships for Effective Local Governance

Panibagong Paraan 2008, with the theme "Building Partnerships for Effective Local Governance", invited ideas for projects that help improve citizens' quality of life through effective local governance. Panibagong Paraan welcomed projects that seek to promote, strengthen or institutionalize indigenous mechanisms for participatory governance. Proposed projects aim to build and utilize multi-stakeholder partnerships to:

• improve transparency and accountability in governance,
• broaden and improve quality of citizen participation in governance,
• strengthen collaboration among stakeholders, and
• improve responsiveness and efficiency of public services.

To ensure the sustainability of initiatives, project proposals were encouraged to focus on, or integrate an advocacy component for the development of ordinances/laws or policies at the local or national level that will improve local governance.

PROPONENT ORGANIZATIONS

• Civil society organizations (CSOs), including cooperatives, people’s organizations, non-government organizations, foundations, faith-based and inter-faith organizations, civic organizations, and business/commerce and industry associations.
• Academic and research institutions, including academic-based foundations and outreach programs.

Local government units, other government agencies, other CSOs or academic and research institutions, and/or private companies could be indicated as co-proponents or partner organizations. To ensure sustainability, partnership with relevant LGU/s is encouraged for projects that require integration into LGU processes.

GRANT AMOUNT AND PROJECT DURATION
Panibagong Paraan provides grants for projects that can be completed within one year. Project grants of up to PhP1 Million will be awarded for the implementation of winning project proposals. The actual grant amount will be based on the budget submitted for the proposed project. Proposals should provide for counterpart contributions (from the proponent organization and its partner organizations), in cash or kind, amounting to at least 30% of total project cost.

Project Categories

• Governance and Administration
• Delivery of Basic Social Services (including health and nutrition, education, housing, energy)
• Livelihood/Enterprise Development
• Environmental Management

Sources of Project Grants and Special Awards:
Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID)/Philippines Australia Community Assistance Program (PACAP), Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF), Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), City of Puerto Princesa, Philippine Center for Population and Development (PCPD), British Embassy, Team Energy Foundation, The Asia Foundation, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), World Bank Civil Society Fund.

Philippine Style Parental Wisdom

Hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan ang mga mumunti ngunit ginintuang butil na payo na nakuha ko sa aking mga magulang.

• Si Inay, tinuruan niya ako HOW TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE: "Kung kayong dalawa ay magpapatayan, doon kayo sa labas! Mga leche kayo! kalilinis ko lang ng bahay."
• Natuto ako ng RELIGION kay Itay: "Kapag yang mantsa di natanggal sa carpet, magdasal ka na!"
• Kay Inay ako natuto ng LOGIC: "Kaya ganyan, dahil sinabi ko."
• At kay Inay pa rin ako natuto ng MORE LOGIC: "Pag ikaw nalaglag diyan sa bubong, ako lang mag-isa ang manonood ng sine."
• Si Inay din ang nagturo sa akin kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng IRONY: "Sige ngumalngal ka pa at bibigyan talaga kita ng iiyakan mo!"
• Si Inay ang nagpaliwanag sa akin kung ano ang CONTORTIONISM: "Tingnan mo nga yang dumi sa likod ng leeg mo,tingnan mo!!!"
• Si Itay ang nagpaliwanag sa akin kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng STAMINA: "Wag kang tatayo diyan hangga't di mo nauubos lahat ng pagkain mo!"
• At si Inay ang nagturo sa amin kung ano ang WEATHER: "Lintek talaga kayo, ano ba itong kuwarto nyong magkapatid, parang dinaanan ng bagyo!"
• Ganito ang paliwanag sa akin ni Inay tungkol sa CYCLE OF LIFE: "Malandi kang bata ka, iniluwal kita sa mundong ito, maari rin kitang alisin sa mundong ito."
• Kay Itay ako natuto kung ano ang BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION: " Tumigil ka nga diyan! Huwag kang umarte na parang Nanay mo!"
• Si Inay naman ang nagturo kung anong ibig sabihin ng GENETICS: "Nagmana ka nga talaga sa ama mong walanghiya!"
• Si Inay naman ang nagpaliwanag sa amin kung anong ibig sabihin ng ENVY: "Maraming mga batang ulila sa magulang. Di ba kayo nagpapasalamat at mayroon kayong magulang na tulad namin?"
• Si Itay naman ang nagturo sa akin ng ANTICIPATION: "Sige kang bata ka, hintayin mong makarating tayo sa bahay!"
• At si Itay pa rin ang nagturo kay Kuya kung anong ibig sabihin ng RECEIVING: "Uupakan kita pagdating natin sa bahay!"
• Si Inay naman ang nagturo sa akin kung ano ang HUMOR: "Kapag naputol yang mga paa mo ng pinaglalaruan mong lawnmower, wag na wag kang tatakbo sa akin at lulumpuhin kita! "
• At ang pinakamahalaga sa lahat, natutunan ko kina Inay at Itay kung ano ang JUSTICE: "Balang araw magkakaroon ka rin ng anak...tiyak magiging katulad mo at magiging sakit din sa ulo!"
  

Forwarded by someone.

Botika Ng Bayan

The countdown for 2009 is nearing and many would be probably thinking and planning of what business to start next year. And a week ago, someone asked me about Botika Ng Bayan. So I am posting the program mechanics as reference.

Eligible Applicants

• Non-government organizations (NGOs) and cooperatives
• Trade and labor unions, employees’ associations
• Corporate foundations and religious groups
• Senior citizens’ and women’s groups
• Sole proprietorships, partnerships and corporations

Pre-Qualification Requirements

• Valid and current registration, either as a cooperative with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), a foundation or association with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), a workers’ association with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), or any organization authorized and certified by a duly recognized agency.
• Minimum revolving capital of PhP 500,000.00 for the project, as evidenced by a certification issued by an authorized Bank.
• Valid government licenses, business permits, etc.
• Proposed location plan or vicinity map.
• Capability to comply with the documentation, technical and other requirements of the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) in the filing of the application for a License to Operate (LTO) as Drugstore, including the availability of the services of a licensed Pharmacist.

Floods and Landslides

One time, I got stranded in the mountains in the north because of landslides and had to wait for hours before earth-moving equipments reached the area to clear the dirt and debris. After the long wait, we hit the road thinking that all was clear ahead, but upon reaching barangay Pagsangahan, the river was overflowing. That was four years ago... Please watch the news footages below.

September 24, 2008: GMA News Research names landslide prone areas.

October 29, 2007: Landslide kills 5 in Baras, Catanduanes.

What are landslides and how are they caused?

COA Report - 2007

VIRAC, Catanduanes - Analyzing the financial condition of this province, the Commission on Audit in its 2007 report said the island province’s condition was not financially sound since the cash available at the time the audit was made was only P159.6 million where its total liability was 169.6 million., or a negative balance of P10 million.

With the liquidity ratio of .94 to 1, according to the COA report, this means that the province has no sufficient cash to pay or liquidate its current and long-term obligations.

It noted further that current assets of P272.10 million was higher than the total liabilities of P169.6 million, or a current ratio of 1.6 to 1 which meant that the provincial government was solvent to meet its current obligations.

Catanduanes became an independent province on October 24, 1945, thru Commonwealth Act 687. However, it was RA 7160 which gave local government units total independence in managing its administrative affairs, in conformity with the national government thrust for sustainable and economic growth.

The COA also noted that the P20.5 million it contracted with the World Bank SRRIP thru the Department of Interior and Local Governments was not recorded in the books of the provincial government, resulting to the understatement of assets and liabilities. The loan, according to the audit report, has remained “substantially” unpaid.

Further, it was pointed out that the provincial government recognized liabilities amounting to P6.36 million when in fact the goods intended to be acquired were not yet delivered by the supplier.

Following are the other salient findings by the COA audit report:

- cash advances totaling P8.93 million remain unliquidated as of end of 2007, in violation of government accounting rules;

- various procurement amounting to P963,930.13 were made thru reimbursement basis contrary to Section 12 of RA 9184, or the Government procurement Act. It was suggested that all procurement transactions be first evaluated by the bids and Awards Committee prior to actual procurement;

- the provincial capitol negotiated a contract for rental of equipment at P7.4 million where the supplier showed an asset of only P50,000.”With such circumstance, the agency (provincial government) should not have rated the supplier as eligible and negotiated the contract with the supplier having no heavy equipment to be offered for lease,” COA stressed;

- Procurement of textbooks thru direct contracting without coordinating with the division office of the Department of Education

- Investment of P4 million SEF Fund in high yield savings account which is not allowed in the utilization of said fund;

- Performance Bonus, Extra Cash Gift and excess Bonus totaling P8.7 million were given to capitol officials and employees despite the fact that the capitol has already exceed its Personnel Services (PS) limitations;

The report also underscored that out of six audit recommendations COA made on the province’s previous year’s violations, only one was accordingly implemented in 2007, two were partially implemented, and three were not at all implemented.(By Jose B. Perez - Bicolmail)

Crab Center Not A Cartel

Only a few knows that the crab shells is equally important as the meat itself because of this polymer found in the shell called chitin.

Chitin is a biological substance which may be compared to the polysaccharide cellulose and to the protein keratin. Although keratin is a protein, and not a carbohydrate like chitin, both keratin and chitin have similar structural functions.

Chitin is used industrially in many processes. It is used in water purification, and as an additive to thicken and stabilize foods and pharmaceuticals. It also acts as a binder in dyes, fabrics, and adhesives. Industrial separation membranes and ion-exchange resins can be made from chitin. Processes to size and strengthen paper employ chitin.

Hoping that the crab center would not end-up as a cartel in the future.

DOLE Helps Catanduanes For Crab Center

Virac, Catanduanes (2 December) -- This island province in Bicol may yet become the crab capital of the Philippines.

"We will definitely help Catanduanes become the crab capital of the Philippines," strong words for such a strong vision from DOLE Bicol regional director Ernesto C. Bihis during the launching in this province of the DOLE On the Road for Hope (DOLE-ORAH) project last month.

Pledging to the crowd of people last November 10, that DOLE Bicol will find ways to channel 'better funds' for the Catandunganon recently launched project "crablets" or "crab meat" production, Bihis said "This is our support to the provincial government's commitment in strengthening its people's earning capacity."

Crab meat production first publicity was way back in 2006 when an organization in Camarines Norte started to export its produce to other parts of the region.

However, it was later found out that the abundant source of 'crablets' - the raw materials for crab meat, is found at Catanduanes.

Further, it was learned that the organization in Camarines Norte was actually getting its raw materials from Catanduanes.

The Provincial Government, led by Governor Joseph Cua, then mapped the island and identified 3 barangays as the crab source. Cua then provided a common service area or bagsakan for the catchers.

A provincial ordinance was also enacted preventing catchers from selling or smuggling the crablets to outside buyers.

"He (the governor) wanted that all catch to be brought to the provincial government bagsakian," Bihis narrated.

He said that with this provincial government's initiative, DOLE Bicol has seen the benefit of a fund grant to improve the technology of crablet and crab meat production. "This project would definitely generate additional income to the constituents and will actually increase employment," Bihis pointed out.

Bihis ordered DOLE Catandunaes provincial head Emma P. Acuña for a feasibility study for funding purpose. "If the papers are laid down early then perhaps we could release funds early." (DOLE/PIA)

A 25-Year Moratorium On Mining Activities

Perhaps its about time for our leaders and policy makers to put an end to the divisive issue of mining in our island. A 25-year moratorium on mining in any form in Catanduanes would be the best Christmas gift for us all.

A moratorium would give us a breathing space to think over what is good for the people of Catanduanes. Refocus our resources and programs for projects that requires immediate attention like tourism, livelihood, health care, education and eventually put to rest the issue of mining exploration.

A moratorium would encourage private resort developers and venture capitalists to reconsider developing our place knowing that their investments are protected from enviromental degradation which is detrimental to a tourism industry.