MGB to LGU: Relocate Magpantay residents

MGB to LGU: Relocate Magpantay residents
February 23-29, 2012

By Georgene Rhena P. Quilaton-Tambiga

     Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau (MGB) Geologist refused to approve the return of residents in Magpantay, Sitio Pano-ulan, Barangay Guadalupe after the site investigation on February 25, Saturday.

     MGB's Dr. Leilanie Suerte and Joel Villanueva arrived in San Carlos following request from the San Carlos City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (SCCDRRMC) to conduct an investigation on a crack that appeared on the mountain of Magpantay.

No threat

     Suerte together with Seismologist Noelynna T. Ramos of the University of Philippines-National Institute of Geological Sciences (UP-NIGS) concluded that the crack is not the real threat to the residents of about 40 families. The crack was only caused by vertical displacement, is less than a meter deep, and only affects the top soil.

Steep climb. Dr. Leilanie Suerte of the Mines & Geo-Sciences Bureau inspects the mountain of Magpantay and discovers lose boulders are more threatening than the crack.

SCCDRRMC Action Officer Joe Alingasa and Suerte stand on the buffer zone where one huge lose boulder temporily rests. 

Landslide zone

     However, numerous lose boulders (basalt, volcanic rocks) were found on the gully (steep slope that acts as the natural passage of water from the mountain top) which when eroded will sweep houses on its way downhill.

     "Given the right combination of factors such as earthquake and heavy rain, a landslide could take place," Suerte explained.

     The area is now considered a landslide danger zone and residents are advised not to stay in their houses at night especially during rainy days.

Recommendations

     Other recommendations include that if the residents should go back, rescuers be assigned for 24-hr, seven-day shift to alarm them should a landslide take place. Disaster and evacuation training and drills should also be given to residents emphasizing when and how to evacuate and where to go.

     But the permanent and best solution, Suerte offered, is relocating the community at least one kilometer away from the buffer zone at the foot of the mountain where lose boulders (debris from Mt. Canlaon after it erupted hundreds of years ago) are likely to fall.

What does the future hold?  Mateo Casipong, 54, left in photo, reflects on what the future holds for him and his family as their area is now declared a danger zone. Alingasa, right, told NRWP that there is no regret on evacuating the residents to a nearby elementary school.
                                                      

 Findings

                The geologist, who also conducted inspections in several Isabela and La Castellana barangays on crack reports, found that the mountain is an underground water source. One hand-span from the top, its soil is wet despite three days without rain prior to the MGB's visit. This makes the soil soft and unable to keep boulders in place. Some boulders as large as two meters in diameter (estimates) are found directly at the back of houses of light materials.

Voluntary evacuation

                Remedios Casipong, 54, a resident, said her brother-in-law, Romy Casipong, first noticed the crack at roughly 270 m above sea level. On February 16, the families started evacuating as Barangay Guadalupe and Negros Oriental continue to feel the aftershocks of the tectonic earthquake last February 6.

                SCCDRRMC Action Officer Joe Recalix Alingasa said a community discussion will be conducted soon with Guadalupe Barangay Captain Godofredo Salimbaga.

                Based on initial reports, the residents are farmers working on sugarcane fields supposedly owned by the Magpantay Family. But Mayor Gerardo Valmayor, Alingasa related, has ordered the City Assessor's Office to double check if the said family still legally owns the land.

                Although some personnel of the City Engineering Office questioned the early pre-emptive evacuation of Magpantay residents despite the lack of advisory from MGB, SCCDRRMC maintained that the precaution was valid and the threat to people's lives was eminent as confirmed now by the findings of Suerte, Ramos and Villanueva.

                Suerte said she will officially report her findings to MGB Regional Office VI so that an official evacuation order will be properly channeled.

                As residents brace their future relocation, they are temporarily staying at Panoulan Elementary School while their male workers go back to their farms at daytime to till the land and feed livestock.

Tuzon reports alarming arrests

February 23-29,2012

     Second time San Carlos Police Office Chief Harold Tuzon reported 30 arrests of minors involved in crimes against property during the monthly meeting of the City Peace and Order Council, February 24. The arrests cover from January to February 2012.
      "We recognize that theft and robbery is a problem in San Carlos City after the gang," Tuzon addressed the council with its presiding officer City Mayor Gerardo Valmayor, SP Chairman on Police Matters Hernan Antonio, Vice-Mayor Edgardo Quisumbing, and representatives from Department of Education-San Carlos Division, City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) and other government agencies.
      He emphasized that the council should notice minors are involved in these cases and suggested that barangay tanods be given the authority to help the police implement the Curfew for Minors.
      Meanwhile, CSWDO Chief Cynthia Mirande admitted that the problem does exist despite the implementation of the curfew.
      "Yes, alarming gyud sya. These minors are incorrigible. Gabalik-balik lang sila [ug ka aresto sa mga pulis]," Mirande told NRWP in an interview. Eighteen minors are now in CSWDO's guidance center while there are eight active cases already in court.

Poverty & parent factors

      The CSWDO chief further explained that most children in conflict with the law (CICL) have economic problems and are misguided by mothers and fathers who are unable to properly parent their own kids. Demographic profile of such minors also shows that several of them come from broken families while some had been abandoned.

Bida Best Ka Bata

      CSWDO is now trying to reach out to 20 CICLs through the Bida Best Ka Bata program that started in December last year. The program aims to boost their self-worth and to teach them that they are important to the community. Enrolled beneficiaries undergo counseling, sessions on values formation, and livelihood training.

Fire proof your home, office- BFP San Carlos

February 23-29, 2012

                March is fast approaching. And, March is "Fire Prevention Month."

     
     The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)- Office of the City Fire Marshall San Carlos City shares the following fire safety tips that many are already aware of but many also continue to ignore.

Illustration from www.toonpool.com

• Always buy quality products with trademarks "PS" for locally made products and "ICC" for imported ones.
• Never use defective appliances such as electric fan and air conditioner.
• Consult a reliable and an expert person to do the repair for your appliances.
• Do not overload your electrical installations or circuit connections.
• Switch off and unplug your appliances after its use or before going to bed.
• Turn off your main switch (plangka) during brown-out or when leaving your house or office.
• Never use sub-standard wirings, installations, and appliances.
• Place your lighted lamps or candles away from curtains or calendars.
• Put off your lighted lamps or candles when leaving your house.
• If you are using charcoal or firewood, flush the live embers with water after cooking.
• Place your matches or lighters away from reach of children.
• Check your LPG cylinder and close its regulator before going to bed.

                Please remember our theme: 

"Makiisa, Makialam, Makipatulungan upang Sunog ay Maiwasan."

A reminder from BFP-San Carlos City

No Blind's Fault

A nation's desperate need for dedicated intellectuals

and what parents can do about it

By Georgene Rhena P. Quilaton-Tambiga

       Now, more than ever, the imbalance distribution of our intellectual resources is clearest.

     Back in 2005 when I graduated from high school, I had a heated debate with my OFW mother over the phone. The issue was the college course I chose-journalism or broadcast communication. She told me not to take the University of the Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT) because she wanted me to take BS Nursing in a college either in Bacolod or Cebu. No pun intended to my dear friends who are now dedicated to that profession, but then, I vehemently protested and proceeded to take and pass the UPCAT and eventually graduate from UP-Visayas.

       And here I am now, writing yet another column for NRWP. Regrets? None at all. 

       But for the thousands and thousands of college graduates who happened to graduate with a degree they know next to nothing about regrets are all that is filling their pockets. Several Philippine colleges are diploma mills for degrees in Education, Tourism, IT, Nursing, Management and Marine Transportation. And, their graduates end up in call centers when we could have a few hundreds of them deciphering the 'blind fault' that caused the February 6 earthquake that sent us in Exodus to the mountains.

       What a waste!

      We complain that PAG-ASA and PHIVOLCS work ever so slow. What we do not know is that these agencies are almost ghost offices because there is human resource shortage as much as equipment shortage. There aren't enough weather scientists, geologists, and seismologist. Accuracy and efficiency are greatly sacrificed.

       Over the weekend, on board the LGU service vehicle, I had the honor and pleasure to talk to two fellow UPians: Dr. Leilanie Suerte, a geologist, and Prof. Noelynna Ramos, a seismologist. Both admitted that professionals like them are far too few in the country that there aren't enough of them to monitor and study the entire archipelago which is strategically located in the Pacific Ring of Fire.

       Dr. Suerte, who earned her degree in geology from UP Diliman, said there were only three of them who graduated together decades ago. Prof. Ramos shared that professionals in geo-sciences are being tempted by foreign countries to pack their bags and migrate.

A note for teachers

February 23-29, 2012

Prologue

                As  school year 2011-2012 draws to a close, NRWP would like to give credit to teachers who filled the lives of their students with valuable lessons, fun colors, engaging activities, and much needed support in times of disasters and unprecedented events. Indeed, for many in Negros Island, surviving this school year is a one-of-a kind feat with the double catastrophe our people have to contend with. But teachers help lift their students' burdens by rationally explaining the phenomena of our changing world with humanely approaches.

                The following article is actually the sermon of Rev. Fr. Rafael E. Cabarles, OAR, renowned Recollect educator and school administrator. Fr. Cabarles delivered this during the Holy Mass to celebrate the San Carlos City Private Schools Association (SCCPSA) Teachers' Day last February 3, three days before the devastating quake hit Central Visayas.

**********

                St. John Chrysostom once said of us, teachers: "If there ever are men who do great-if not the greatest service to their country and people-they are TEACHERS. For teachers are like candles that light in consuming themselves." Teaching is one of the most vital [careers] that decides the fate of the world-a world in which you and I has a stake. If there ever is a job more praiseworthy and laudable it is teaching. Congrats! A day to "RECOGNIZE AND HONOR OUR TEACHERS."

                We, teachers, are the expungers of errors and the discoverer of truth. In us and in our collective courage and love to teach depends the very strength and survival of a democracy. In our hands, lie the very delicate task of infusing and cultivating a correct conscience and a righteous will upon the young. We are the makers of the leaders for tomorrow; we are the architect and builder of the younger generations.

                However, teaching is a delicate lifetime vocation. Let us bear in mind that when we teach, we are discharging the Sacred Trust which parents and society repose in us by entrusting into our hands the physical, intellectual and moral formation of their sons and daughters for the citizens of tomorrow. We are in "LOCO PARENTIS." That is why teaching must not just be motivated by mere "musts" and "likes" but above all by LOVE because only LOVE makes sacrifices; because only LOVE prompts one to give and share the good he has with another; because only LOVE and LOVE alone shares with the object of its love, its riches, presence, life, its very self and existence.

                Teaching, like marriage and the priesthood, is a VOCATION.  It has its satisfaction and countless small and not so small frustrations: misunderstanding, quarrels, monotony and provocations. That is why teachers to be successful must have INTELLECTUAL COMPETENCE that fires the minds of his students with ideas, aspirations and visions of the yet unknown; be PATIENT and be burning with COURAGE so that you won't shrink at the encounter of the first defeat and frustrations; be ALIVE in the classrooms, giving fun here and there to keep students awake; have IMAGINATIVE SYMPATHY for the needs of an INDIVIDUAL STUDENT; must possess visions of where they are going and lastly and foremost must have the LOVE FOR TEACHING.

LAND FOR SALE

LAND FOR SALE 

5 hectares of land at Buenavista, Escalante City, Negros Occidental, behind Bonista Beach Resort. It is currently planted with sugarcane but has all the potentials for other uses including housing. It is connected to the highway by a new concrete road.

Interested parties may contact the NewsRecord office at (034) 729-4320 or e-mail us at   grpquilatontambiga@hotmail.com or newsrecordsancarlos@gmail.com

Crash helmets, a college and a road

February 23-29, 2012

Friendly Observer

By Arthur Keefe

                Can it be true? It is reported that the local chief of police has in effect declared San Carlos City proper exempted from the safety law requiring the use of crash helmets on motorcycles.

                His justification is that helmets can be used to hide the face of criminals entering the city to steal and rob. In fact, this is rare here and much more common in Manila. Surely if the safety of the people is to be discarded for this compelling reason, this should apply nationwide, not in this small relatively peaceful area. Maybe Mr. Tuzon is just finding an excuse for the long time neglect of this area of law enforcement. How many motorcyclists have been killed or suffered head injuries in San Carlos in the past year? How many full-faced motorcyclist robberies have been there? Let's have the facts.

The college

                Another matter of considerable interest to people in San Carlos is the prospect of a large shipbuilding operation setting up here. A big impediment to this much needed development which has the potential to create thousands of jobs, way in excess of the ethanol plant, is the lack of skilled workers.

                Of the many thousands needed, the city has identified only a few hundred living here and, no doubt, many of them already have jobs as welders, mechanics, etc. The answer is for the city to invest in a rapid build-up of a skilled population not moved in from elsewhere (as has been proposed), but by training local people.

                Some can be trained on the job, but preparatory courses in the required skills could be established quickly in the city.

                Does the city recognize the benefits of offering such local training? It seems not. Last year a scheme to provide an extension of North Negros College (based in Sagay) was put forward. It had the support of the College and of the Department of Education. The principal of the national high school here was very enthusiastic and was prepared to make the school buildings available in the evenings. The decision to proceed or not was left to the city's Education Committee. They refused it, citing wear and tear on the buildings and the possible impact on the private colleges in the city.

'Age of Innocence' ends!

February 23-29, 2012

By Ma. Jesusa F. Constantino

                A few meters away from where I was writing is an internet café, and everyday the place is packed with people.  Many of them made it a routine to use computers from the ‘young ones’ to the ‘once young’.  Others go there both for research and leisure.  As a student, I go there to make projects, researches, find out new songs on the Billboard and YouTube and check my Facebook account.

                In our city during weekends, people are busy on-line.  While waiting for a vacant computer, I stand by, and the noise and laughs of the two kids I heard caught my attention.  They sounded so happy.  I got curious.  I don’t know what they were doing because the cubicle is covered with a thick curtain.  But I heard one of them saying, “Ibutang diha bai, over 18 years old naka!”  It was then, that I realized that those two kids, of about 10 to 11 years old gained access to an adult related material over the web by declaring he is over 18 years old.

                Pornography is never an old issue even if some say otherwise maybe because they believe that portrayal of sexually explicit images has become commonplace in today’s society.  What was once a taboo is now openly available.  Yes, in fact that’s the reason why I am hesitant to write about this article, but the worsening effect of pornography inspired me to share a thought about this issue.

                As a junior education student, we have a Field Study subject in one of the elementary schools in the city.  We need to observe for one to two weeks only.  We observed the behaviors of the pupils and the teaching strategies as well.  During recess, I noticed a Grade 5 pupil, Mark*, sitting over in a corner giggling after googling porn.  It was a cellphone with internet access. 

                I thought the age of a fifth grader is the youngest age to lose innocence about porn exposure.  One of my friends, who is now a practice teacher in one of the elementary schools in the city, also encountered the same type of pupil who has a regular porn exposure and was caught in the act of kissing the model’s bust in a bold/sexy magazine.  These pupils came from Grades 1 and 2.

After-effect na ba?

Bantay Banat

Ni Rics Cañisarez

               Kining gikataho nga pagliki (crack) sa bukid sakop sa Magpantay, Sitio Pano-ulan, Barangay Guadalupe nahitabo human niadtong linog niadtong Pebrero 6. Dili ko kabana-bana sa gitas-on sa maong liki sa bukid pero ang gilapdon mahimo nga kon mahulog ang karabao dili gyud kitaon ug gani ang mga tawo didto sa maong lugar nagtinabangay nga matabunan ang maong liki gumikan sa kahadlok nga mahulog ang ilang mga hayop nga karabao og kanding. Tungod niini, ang mga tawo na-alarma gyud pag-ayo niining pagliki sa bukid. Sigon sa akong paghinabi sa taga didto lawom gyud ang liki sa bukid.

                Hinu-on wala pasagdai sa atong lokal nga kagamhanan kay ang Disaster Management Council nagpadala na ug survey team sa engineering aron ma-survey ug ma-evaluate ang gitas-on ug giladmon sa maong liki (dili ordinaryong liki) diha sa bukid sa Magpantay ug ang  taga Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau (MGB) ug ang Phivolcs na ang mo-determine kon critical ba gyud ang kahimtang aron ilikay ang mga pomuloyo diha sa Magpantay. Sigon sa akong nasayran nga ang apektado nga panimalay dili mag minus 40 ka pamilya.

                Unsa man kaha ni? Resulta ba kaha sa after shock?

Ang bukid sa Magpantay kuha gikan sa Highway

**********

                Gawas niini, duna say gikataho nga pagliki sa bukid diha sa Barangay Bagonbon diha kuno sa Sitio Walos, Inutusan ug Mabulao nga angay usab nga usisa-on sa Disaster Management Council. Gani sa atong mga igsuon diha sa kabukiran kon may mahimatikdan kamo nga pagliki sa bukid diha-diha i-report dayon sa atong mga public officials aron ma-aksyonan dayon.

Bisag karton lang

Pikpik sa Abaga
Ni Henry Sandoval

           Bisan pa man sa pagbalik sa normal nga kondisyon sa mga tawo human sa linog aduna pa gyud diay mga igsoon nato nga hangtud karon naa pa gihapon sa kahadlok tungod sa miliki nga bukid sa ilahang lugar.

       Mga 38 ka pamilya ang anaa mibakwit karon sa eskuylahan sa Pano-ulan Elementary School. Ang atong disaster chairman ang mimando kanila sa pagbakwit sa maong lugar tungod sa ka delikado sa ilahang panimalay. Sa akong paghinabi sa mga residente nga mibakwit sa eskuylahan nalipay sila sa tabang nga ilahang nadawat sa Lokal nga Gobyerno pinaagi sa City Social Welfare and Development Office.

                Apan nahadlok usab sila kay ang ilahang kahimtang matud pa nila mura silag ilaga. Ug panahon sa klase mangguwa sila atubangan sa maong eskuylahan. Ang pagkatulog usab sa ilahang mga anak nga sa karon gipang-ubo tungod sa kabugnaw sa semento nga molusot sa ilahang banig nga gihigdaan.  Hangyo unta sila sa ilahang barangay nga mahatagan sila ug karton nga masapaw sa ilahang banig. Kap, syaro bisag 200 lang nga mga basiyo sa karton nga mapalit makahatag na kanag kalipay sa maong mga pamilya. Ug panahon unya nga mamupo ka sa mga gipangtanom nimo sayon ra kaayo kay sila ra ang matagak sa punu-an padulong unya nimo.

Ningbakwit. Ang mga taga-Magpantay, Sitio Pano-ulan, Barangay Guadalupe, San Carlos City nagtapok gawas sa waiting shed nga nipa gawas sa elementaryang skwelahan nga ilang gibakwitan.

                Ang mga tawo nga atua karon sa maong eskuylahan dako sad kaayo ang ilahang pagpasalamat sa Head Teacher ug mga maestro nga atua didto nagtudlo sa kaayo nga ilahang gihatag kanila. Sa pagkakaron wala pa sila mahibalo kung kanus-a sila pabalikon didto sa ilahang lugar.

**********

                Nasayud ba kayha ang atong City Treasurer ani karon nga nagkuyanap nga mga I.D. sa mga Pedicab Driver nga walay mga Licensed O.R. number sa likod sa ilahang I.D. Akong amigo sa pantalan ang mitawag kanako tungod aning mga I.D. sa pedicab nga walay mga O.R number. Sa akong paghinabi sa pipila ka driver wala silay papeles nga gihatag basta lang mihatag lang sila ug P350 sa maong tig follow-up ug pagka sunod adlaw naa na dayun ang ilahang I.D.

Pastilan basig naa tay laing Treasurer's Office ani. Nga unta molukat kini sila ug sedula, barangayclearance, health certificate ug uban pa. Gi-unsa man ni pagkuhaa sa ilahang ID nga dili na man molukat ug mga clearances? Kinsa na man pud kayha ang ulo-ulo sa kamalo aning raket sa ID sa mga driver?

                Madam Treasurer, ug dili ni paagi sa polisiya sa pagkuha ug I.D. sa pedicab maayo siguro nga imohang sugdan pagpa-inspeksyon sa imohang mga tawo diha sa City Treasurer's Office.  Kining amo suhestiyon lang basig dili kini legal ug masumpo ug mailhan ang mga tawo nga responsable sa maong modus.

Monthsary

Komentaryo

Ni Dodong Mondragon

                Hapit na mausa ka bulan sukad ang ang dakong panghitabo nga mitay-og sa katawhan sa San Carlos. Panahon sa among paniudto nga mikalit lang nga miuyog ang among balay. Kusog and pagkauyog nga ang ubang mga butang nga gipatong nangahulog. Ang kusog nga linog milungtad milungtad ug 15 ngadto sa 20 sigundos sa akong bana-bana.

                Ang nakapaukay kaayo sa katawhan mao ang mga tabi-tabi bahin sa tidal wave o tsunami nga modangat kuno sa atong dakbayan. Samtang nagpahulay mi human sa paniudto, amo lang namatikdan nga ang mga tawo sa silingan naglumba ug dagan paggawas sa National Highway. Akong gisusi kung ngano. Matud pa nila, mihubas kuno ang dagat ug daghan ang nangahadlok nga dunay mahitabo nga tsunami nga molunop sa dakbayan. Busa nanggawas sad mi ug nagbarong-barog sa dalan aron sa dugang kasayuran. Didto among nakita nga daghan na kaayong mga tawo nga nagpanon ug lakat padulong sa kabukirang dapit tungod kay nahadlok sa dakong tubig. Maong naglumba intawon ug panghipos ang mga tawo kutob sa ilang madala aron paglagiw ngadto sa dapit nga dili maabot sa tubig.