Latebreakers, by PERCY A OSTONAL

Price of getting elected and compensation. A twice-re-elected JP Sangguniang-Bayan member and now a resident of Sta Mesa, Manila, once said: "Para may laban ka sa politika, una sa lahat dapat lang na ikaw ay Filipino citizen, of legal age, may pangalan kang kagalang-galang sa bayan, have the residency required by law, your are healthy, with desirable and appropriate education, with community involvements or any public service rendered in the past, belongs to COMELEC-nationally certified political parties (that includes Independent candidates), mahusay ang liderato at sapat-sapat ang pundo mo hanggang sa kahuli-hulihang araw ng kampanya" (for you to have better chance of winning in politics, first and foremost, you should be a Filipino citizen, of legal age, you should have respectable reputation, have the residency required by law, your are healthy, with desirable and proper education, with community involvements or any public service rendered in the past, belonging to COMELEC-nationally certified political parties (that includes independent candidates) with good leadership and with financial resources available up to the last day of the campaign). 

Our local correspondent asked him: “Eh sir, more or less, magkano naman po iyong average na campaign money expenses na dapat paghandaan ng sino mang magnanais tumakbo para sa Sangguniang-Bayan ng Mambulao?”

Not wanting to divulge his name, he told MWBuzz: “Sa kalkulasyon ko, sa panahon ngayon, mga P200,000 up to P300,00 at kung first attempt mo itong pumasok sa politika, natural lang na tataas pa ang halagang ito. Dependi sa local leadership, iyong dagdag pundo ng partido ay malaking bagay para palawakin ang "name recognition" ng bawat isa, ika nga ... walang iwanan!!!

Our reporter has obtained the current compensation of an elected Sangguniang-bayan for a second-class Municipality like Jose Panganiban. 

First fifteen days             P17,000.00

Second fifteen days        P17,000.00

        Total                          P34,000.00                                      

 

Representation expenses

and travel allowances         P8,000.00

(RETA)                    

       Grand  total                    P42,000.00/month     

NOTE: As always, RETA allowances cover Sangguniang-Bayan members lodging, food and transportation costs during their yearly national Sangguniang-Bayan  convention as mandated by the national government or any other government-sponsored workshops /LGU good governance trainings and seminars anywhere in the Philippines.

Anxious and waiting!!! The "Performance team" under Lakan Padilla is ready to rumble (words from Michael Buffer, world's greatest boxing announcer) and yet they  have to hold back ‘till the campaign seasons starts. The 2013 local election is on May 16, 2013.

The LIBERAL PARTY, under the  local stewardship of ex-mayor William Lim running as vice-mayor this time and his eight Sangguniang-Bayan candidates as reported, has not shown any real organizational/political plans for now and local residents (even gossips) were all kept in the dark as to "how he will carry his new political agenda" to JP knowingly that Mayor "Dong" Padilla, Vice-Mayor Ariel Non and  the "Magnificient Seven plus One" Sangguniang-Bayan candidates are all gearing-up and have long been anticipating the real assessment results  and mandate of Mambulaoans after two years of tenure of the Padilla administration. 

"Tapat po kaming naglinkod bilang mga elected officials sa konseho," as one current administration council member expressed. 

"Iniiwan po namin sa kanila (mga botante) ang muling patnubay sa ikapag-papatuloy ng mga proyektong pang-bayan, pang-kabuhayan at ikabubuti ng mga mamamayan na  sinimulan ni Mayor Dong, Vice-Mayor Non at kaming miembro ng konseho. 

“Umaasa po kami nang muling pagtangkilik nila … maraming salamat po.”

Just like anyone, MWBUZZ also wish hearing from Independent candidates alike . 

Padilla-Non five-point agenda. Thru the office of Vice-Mayor Ariel Non, representing Mayor Ricarte "Dong" Padilla, our local correspondent obtained these five-point agenda which this current administration follows as their “guidelines for progress in Jose Panganiban and its people”.

MWBuzz was also told by our JP reporter that when asked, this gentleman said: "That the administration uses these also as their general campaign creed.”

A. Education. Joint projects of Ex-Governor & Ex-Mayor Roy Padilla Sr, the memorial vocational school and TESDA will continue to expand, funding resources, sponsorships and scholarships will be sourced from both government and  private entities.

B. Infrastracture. The "farms-to-market roads" as per reliable source said will be one of  the "continuing priority projects" of the Padilla administration as his philosophy stands for the logical economic growth, prosperity that ultimately translates improvement in social services and peace and order.

C. Health. No details provided

D. Social Services. No details provided

E. Peace and order. No details provided

Meanwhile, Mayor Padilla continues to appeal to every resident to pay their taxes. He said: “Kailangan po nating magtulungan sa pagbabayad ng buwis, kung wala po ito, bukod sa national funds, hindi po ito sasapat para matugunan natin ang pangangailangan ng bayan at mamamayang umaasa sa LGU ng JP. 

"Open book po ang records ng ating ‘ingat-yaman’ and we will be transparent all the way through,” Mayor Padilla said.

A reliable source, who requested anonymity, said that Padilla's administration claimed that tax collections the last two years have doubled as compared to previous administration of the same number of years.

LAKAS -PDP/PMP-UNITED NATIONALIST ALLIANCE  Camarines Norte candidates for  Provincial Board:

Mike Canlas - a native Mambulaoan who was once elected to the provincial board in 2001 representing the Tagalog speaking Towns of Jose Panganiban, Paracale, Labo, Sta Elena and Capalonga, is once again eyeing the same post he held some years back.

At young age of 15, he was elected as SK chairman at Baranggay Plaridel (1992-1996), SK Municipal Federation president – Jose Panganiban (1996-1999) and SK Provincial Federation president-Camarines Norte (1999- June, 2001). He graduated with a degree in Marine Engineering at Mariner Polytechnic College in Caraman, Camarines Sur.

Canlas has been one of the youngest-ever elected to the provincial board of Camarines Norte. He was given the chairmanships of commerce and industry, women and families, vice-chairmanships for tourism, provincial  baranggay organizations, public service, education and culture, agriculture and natural resources, cooperatives, youth sports and development.

Erwin L Lausin will be representing the Bicol-speaking towns of Vinzons, Talisay, San Vicente, Basud, Mercedes, Daet, San Lorenzo Ruiz. Lausin is a re-electionist and his term of office will expires in May 2013.

Where bulk electoral votes will be coming from. Our roving reporter in JP had a rare chance of meeting and talking to an "old politiko" in a small carenderia along  the wet market at south poblacion (marketsite) and he asked this gentleman as to his personal opinion regarding this coming 2013 local election particularly, about former three-term mayor William Lim (and six years vice- mayor) against incumbent Vice- Mayor Ariel Non. 

"Tatang, ano sa palagay mo, kaya ba ni Walim na makabalik sa municipio bilang vice-mayor sa panahon na ang liderato ni Mayor Dong Padilla ay walang katinag-tinag?" 

“Alam mo "kabayan, ’wag nating isang-tabi ang mga nagawang infrastracture, social upliftment, promotion of local tourism projects at livelihood programs ni Walim noong siya pa ang mayor natin. 

“Para sa akin, he was good … pero iba ang dating ni Mayor Padilla.” 

“Kaliwat-kanan … may pera siyang dinanadala sa bayan galing sa mga "kaalyada niyang mga matataas na politico sa NCR (National Capital Region) at totoong binubuhos niya ito sa mga proyektong pang-bayan … balita pa nga, hindi raw 'yan  kumukuha ng suweldo niya (mga P20,000 a month) dahil pandagdag raw ito sa mga nangangailangan (MWBuzz has confirmed this in April from Ms Lydia T Reyes of the treasury unit.) 

“Hindi bibitawan ni Mayor Dong si Vice-Mayor Non … kaya suma-total ang katungali ni Walim ay si Vice-Mayor Non pero ang katotohanan noon ang kalaban ni ex-mayor Lim ay ang two years performance in office ni Mayor Dong Padilla. 

"Tatang, saan sa palagay mo kukuha ng mga boto ang bawat panig?” tanong ng ating local reporter. 

“Dahil long-time resident ng Baranggay Parang si Vice-Mayor Non, tiyak lang "that big sweeptakes votes" ay kanya, together with North and South Poblacion, Motherlode, Sta Rosa Sur, Sta Rosa Norte, Sta Elena. 

Ex-Mayor Lim's considered place to get sizeable votes would be Baranggay Plaridel and his partymate Nicasio Dilao bailwick’s Baranggay Larap. 

“Kabayan", Tatang said, “the rest of the votes coming from other baranggays not mentioned ay paghahatian nila ang boto. 

"Sa palagay mo, sino ang mananalo? tanong ng ating reporter. 

Mahirap sabihin, pero at anytime na you're the incumbent and has done NOTHING WRONG ... at so far okey naman ang public service performance mo, ano pa ang hihingngin ng tao sa iyo?

JP baranggays           Classification    Population 

Parang                        Urban                     5,754            

Larap                           Urban                    4,470           

Sta Rosa Norte          Rural                      3,124            

Luklukan Sur              Rural                      2,925          

Bagong Bayan           Rural                       2,714          

Plaridel                       Urban                     2,647           

Motherlode               Urban                     2,356          

Osmena                      Rural                       2,021          

South Poblacion        Urban                    1,739           

Luklukan Norte         Rural                      1,716          

Santa Cruz                  Rural                      1,703            

North Poblacion        Urban                    1,689           

Calero                         Rural                      1,659            

San Rafael                  Rural                      1,583          

Santa Elena                Rural                     1,293           

Dahican                      Rural                     1,274            

Santa Milagrosa        Rural                     1,257         

Nakalaya                    Rural                      1,212          

San Isidro                   Rural                      995             

Tamisan                     Rural                      861             

San Pedro                  Rural                       967            

San Jose                     Rural                      739            

Pag Asa                      Rural                       646            

Salvacion                   Rural                      623             

San Martin                Rural                       520           

Dayhagan                  Rural                       403             

Gawad Kalinga         Rural                     no report        

(Above information taken from  Wikipilipinas - Philippine encyclopedia )

Official candidates for provincial office

LIBERAL PARTY

Governor  - Edgar Tallado

Vice-Governor   Jonah Pedro Pimentel

1st District (Tagalog speaking towns of Sta Elena, Capalonga, Jose Panganiban, Paracale, Labo)

For Congressman - Winifredo b Oco

2nd district ( Bicol speaking Towns of Vinzons, Talisay, Daet, San Vicente, Mercedes, Basud, San Lorenzo Ruiz )

For Congressman  Edgardo Panotes

LAKAS-PDP/ PMP/UNA

Governor - Renato J Unico Jr

Vice-Governor - Roy Aquino Padilla Jr

First District (Tagalog speaking towns of Sta Elena, Capalonga, Jose Panganiban, Paracale, Labo )

For Congress  Ms Cathirine "Cathy" Barcelona  Reyes

Second District

Unnamed

COMMENTARY: Why we at MWBuzz feel good

Mayor Dong inspects the progress of a recent community cleanup job at Parang beach. - JPLGUpic

Picture of the beach which is just a stone’s throw away from the poblacion of Jose Panganiban, taken in April 2011. - MWBuzzpic by ALFREDO P HERNANDEZ

By ALFREDO P HERNANDEZ

THIS edition, which I label Year 2 Volume 1, marks the start of MWBuzz’s second year of journey across the cyberspace.

It has been a grueling one year for us here in the news tunnel that began in November 2011. 

When I say “us”, I am referring to myself, my buddy Percy A Ostonal of Michigan, USA, and Dr Emma P Valencia, MD, of Metro Manila, herself a writer-journalist who squeezes an occasional charity gig in her schedule diary in between writing and working.

Putting together twice a month an online news outlet that tries its best to focus on the affairs of Mambulao, aka Jose Panganiban, is no joke.

We know that we continue to miss out on more stories arising from Mambulao that are very important to our readers.

We regret to tell our esteemed readers, the netizens from Mambulao, that we’re truly handicapped but we’re doing our best. That’s one we can assure you of.

Of the many stories that MWBuzz reported in the past 24 editions covering 12 months that began in November 2011, two issues stood out: The appalling condition of pollution on the beach of Parang and the equally-disgusting gold mine tailing pollution that is now choking Mambulao Bay to death and the “scandal” that has tainted the name of Western Union, a global remittance company, in the eyes of many Mambulaoans because of the actions of its paying agents – LSP-LGU-SGV pawnshops.

Of course, I don’t want to grab the thunder from the baranggay road cementing project of Mayor Dong Padilla; this is one that has truly captivated the fancy of Mambulaoans who are overseas and those elsewhere in the Philippines. And we wrote about it – passionately at that -- with flourish.

One may ask why I am highlighting the Parang beach and the Western Union “scandal”.

These are two issues that put MWBuzz to the test: whether it can move heaven and earth to make people realize why they should do something about the filth that the Parang beach has been thrown into and whether the complaint of one Mambulaoan resident against one of Western Union’s erring paying agents would find a happy resolution (for the aggrieved party) – via MWBuzz.

In both instances, MWBuzz succeeded in doing so – and with flying colors.

The beach in April 2011. - MWBuzzpic

The beach recently with Mayor Dong pausing to appraise the extent of cleanup. Notice the three cell phone sites in the background -  JPLGUpic 

 

MWBuzz first posted the pictures of the filthy beach of Parang in its first edition, at the same time accusing the municipal government of Mayor Ricarte Padilla of turning a blind eye on the dying beach resource.

I have one valid reason: When I walked this beach in 2007, it was as good as it was when I was a kid in the 50s swimming its waters while snatching “galunggong” and “sapsap” from the “banyeras” and “tiklis” that were being unloaded from the many “basnigs” that called on our beach every morning of that summer.

Padilla became mayor in July 2010 and I came back to Parang for a holiday in April of 2011, only to see a thick carpet of rubbish – all sorts of rubbish – along the 1.5km stretch of the beach.

The first question I asked: Is there a government here supposed to take care of this beach?

The first reaction I had was to come back early next morning (our ancestral house is just about 700 meters from the beach) to the beach, armed with a camera and a resolve to post these nightmarish pictures on the internet for all Mambulaoans who would care to send in their input on how the dying beach could be saved.

Back in Metro Manila after a few days’ sojourn in Parang, I launched a crusade to save Mambulao Bay and Parang beach from rubbish pollution through the Facebook. 

On my personal/group account “Taga Jose Panganiban Ka Ba?” which I registered in May 2011, I posted all the pictures I took of the beach, appropriately captioned, showing my disgust.

I also opened an account with Flickr and posted the same pictures.

After seven months of hammering on the Parang beach issue on Facebook, nothing happened so far.

The volume of rubbish that carpeted Parang beach seemed to have doubled.

When I had the chance to launch Mambulaoans Worldwide Buzz or simply WWBuzz in November 2011, I took it an opportunity to push my beach crusade/campaign further. 

Once again, I posted those pictures that I took in April on MWBuzz, where it ran with an article ventilating my frustrations.

Last April, when I came back to Parang for my annual holiday and at the same time to attend the alumni homecoming of JPNHS, I once again took pictures of the beach. 

Things had not changed for the better, to my sheer dismay. The rubbish was still there and much thicker this time, sitting side by side with human excreta dotting the sand.

And I had an opportune day for an audience with Mayor Dong, whom I was seeing for the first time in flesh and blood. 

I immediately brought up the issue.

The mayor was peeved – annoyed, irritated, pissed off and the like adjectives listed on my cyber dictionary – to hear about the dirty beach from someone he never knew from Adam. 

He told me, as he looked straight in my eyes: “Mr Hernandez, alam mo ba ang tunay na estorya ng basura diyan sa Parang beach? Walang nakakalam niyan … o kaya ay iilan lang …”

So what’s your story? I asked him.

And he spewed out this litany: “Alam ninyo, hindi lang naman galing sa Parang ang mga basurang nakalatag diyan sa baybayin … malaki rin ang kinalalaman ng mga baranggay along the coasts – from Larap, Pag-Asa, Sta Milagrosa, Calero, Osmena, Bagong-bayan, Poblacion, Plaridel, pakatan community and many more …”

“Pag-high tide, kakabigin ng tubig-dagat ang mga basurang itinapon ng mga taga-baranggay na ‘yan – patungo sa Parang beach.

“Pag-hibas ng tubig, maiiwan po ang mga basurang iyan doon mismo sa baybayin ng Parang.

“Pagbalik uli ng high tide sa gabi, the same process of collecting the waste materials from these coastal baranggays will take place … all ending up at Parang beach.

“Madalas, ang mga nasa tabing dagat at talagang ibinabaon na ang mga basurang iyan para lang wag na nilang makita.

“Pero, itong tubig naman paghigh tide sa gabi, eh hahalukayin hanggang lumitaw… kaya paggising mo sa umaga andoon na naman ang mga basura….”

“Kaya nga nang pumunta ako sa mga baranggay … sinabi ko na huwag po tayong magtatapon ng basura sa likod ng ating mga kabahayan dahil ang likod for natin ay tubig na … kung pwede lang po ay ilagay natin sa isang sisidlan at itapon sa isang tamang lugar, pero wag po lamang sa tubig-dagat …”

I also talked to some Parang beach squatter residents about the rubbish.

Said one: Kami naman po ay naglilinis din ng aming paligid lalo na po yong likod namin na tabing-dagat… ang problema po ay darating po ang ta-ib sa gabi… paghibas po sa umaga, maiiwan po ang mga duming dala nito galing ibang baranggay – sa Larap, Calero, Bunog, Osmena …”

“Kaya mapapansin po ninyo sa umaga ang linya o guhit ho ng basura sa buhangin na magkakapatong pagkatapos pong iwanan ito ng high tide …”

In his remarks at the alumni homecoming, Mayor Dong made a hit-and –run by accusing some groups of making a show of the beach cleanup that took place prior to the homecoming: 

“Those beach cleanups are just palliatives … just for a show … dahil pagbitaw nila sa tabing-dagat, sino ang magpapatuloy? Kaya nga ang madalas kung sabihin sa mga baranggay na dapat sa inyo mismo manggaling ang initiative to clean Parang beach with the involvement of the people, because it is more practical, realistic and sustainable.”

The succeeding editions of MWBuzz dramatized the situation along the beach and its waters that have been marred by mud and silt from gold mining operations along the coastline. 

Turning murky and brownish/reddish, the shoreline waters have become a no-no for swimmers.

THEN VERY recently, Mayor Dong was snapped in a picture where he was on the beach of Parang, marching like a soldier and later, pausing to assess the progress of the cleanup that the JPLGU and the community carried out over a period of time.

Seeing Mayor Dong walking along a clean beach – the beach of Parang – I was heartened, I felt elated, and nearly proud that MWBuzz has done its share of ridding the beach of almost 95% of the rubbish.

I hope, the community – with occasional needling from Mayor Dong -- could continue protecting this important natural resource as this is the only one we can have in Parang. 

THE Western Union saga took 11 months to get resolved.

And obviously, it had become so frustrating for the parties involved after a few months of trying to find the right parties who could help bring justice to the aggrieved individual – Evangeline B Demasayao, who lost P882.37 to one Western Union paying agent who took the liberty of making an unauthorized extra charge on the Christmas remittance she received from her husband in Canada.

Demasayao went to the municipio and lodged her complaint against LSP/LSG pawnshops – the remittance paying agents of Western Union – in one of its offices that she felt could help. There was neither response now action -- to say the least – to her complaint.

The complaint was posted on Facebook, where I chanced on it. It called all Mambulaoans to avoid the two pawnshops. And the reactions from cyberMambulaoans ranged from being weird to sensible. 

But the most that was said was that “just avoid claming your money from these two pawnshops”, because involving the municipal government to resolve the issue could be a “political suicide” 

What?

MWBuzz picked up the controversy last August and called the attention of some contacts at Western Union’s international operations in Kuala Lumpur.

Immediately, I was referred to the head of operations for South and East Asia covering the Philippines, which launched in no time a probe on Susan Galleta, the owner/operators of three pawnshops accused of so-called “malpractice” that put the name of Western Union in great jeopardy.

Roy Fernandez, director for operations, South and East Asia, told MWBuzz in an email a few days ago: “Our investigation concluded that the operator of the paying agent made an error during the transaction process, as a result of which Demasayao was paid out less than she was expecting (paid out peso 20,294 instead of peso 21,186.37).”

 “We regret this error and our paying agent (Galleta) wishes to rectify this matter immediately.

 “Western Union takes every consumer complaint seriously and would like to thank you for bringing critical issues to our attention so that we continue to better our services,” Fernandez told MWBuzz.

The case is now history.

Western Union said the paying agent will return the money amounting to P892.37 to Dimasayao, which she wants to offer to the local church.

SO TO all cyberMambulaoans who had visited our site at the rate of more than 7,000 times a month (or an average of 230 a day) since September, a BIG THANK YOU!

We will continue to strive bringing you relevant stories from our beloved community Mambulao.

The task is daunting, but it’s doable.

When you’re feeling blue, homesick and clueless, all we ask of you is click on our alternate website 

http://mambulaoansworldwidebuzz.blogspot.com.au/view/timeslide#!/

We may have something to light up your day.