BALANCING ECONOMIC GROWTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

KANAAS EDITORIAL

Hon. Belinda N. Rodriguez
Editor-In-Chief
KANAAS GIKAN SA AMIHANAN

OCTOBER 2011 VOL. 1 NO. 2

Now that the economic engine for Bogo’s growth and development is on the move, our city’s future looks bright. The development in what is now called the “new Bogo City” in the economic zone augurs well for our people. Bogo will no longer be a totally agricultural economy as this new economic zone will be home to commercial and industrial centers, as well as a port that will be the pride of the northern part of Cebu province. Already, a new city hall and a housing project named the “Teachers’ Village” are in the works. A master development plan has been commissioned by the city government so we could have a holistic approach in planning our city. Needless to say, we welcome this new phase in our city’s quest for progress and prosperity as it will mean more jobs for our people and more opportunities for a better life for all Bogohanons.

But in the process of industrialization and commercialization, we should bear in mind that we also have a responsibility to take care of the environment. We should therefore see to it that in giving in to these developments we are assured that our seas, mountains, trees and the rest of the natural  environment are not destroyed.

We should invite for investments only environmentally – friendly industries and businesses that are willing to help protect our environment. Our city has already initiated a massive tree planting activity and this is a very good start. The city council has also sponsored several ordinances and resolutions aimed at protecting the natural environment like regulating the opening of quarries, banning the capture and sale of the humble “kaka” or spider and requiring graduating students to plant ten trees each as a requisite for graduation. There are ordinances too for the protection of our bird and fi sh sanctuaries. In developing Capitancillo Island, we kept as much as possible its natural beauty since we want to promote Bogo as an eco-cultural tourism destination. The city council is also monitoring reclamation projects and oil exploration in our city.

Funding has also been given by the city government to our coastal barangays to rehabilitate their mangrove areas. It is therefore imperative on our part that before we reclaim portions of our seas, or give the go-signal to oil companies to explore our waters or permits to quarries, we should see to it first that these activities do not have a negative impact on our environment.

Too much human activity, according to a study, causes environmental problems such as pollution. Pollution is not only a killer of plants, animals and human beings but it also disrupts the balance of nature and pollution is the number one cause of climate change. We do not want our corals and other marine life destroyed and our beautiful mountains denuded all in the name of progress.

Thus, we must not only develop a pro-environment behavior but also the belief that nature is inherently fragile, interconnected, and threatened by human activity.

When we can do this for Bogo, then our city will have truly lived up to its vision as a “globally competitive and environmentally friendly center of trade and industry.”-

Bogo Joins PASIGARBO 2011

Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival of Festivals was once again held last August 10-13, 2011 at the Cebu International Convention Center grounds in Mandaue City. It featured the search for Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival Queen, Ritual Showdown, Streetdancing, Andas Making, and Best in Jingle Competition. Forty municipalities and cities of the Province of Cebu crossed the threshold together as the cultural activity was initiated. Bogo for the third time sent the Pintos Festival contingent choreographed by Christian Kay Yurango.

Dancers and propsmen of Pintos Festival entry were chosen from among the members of Katipunan ng Kabataan in their high school and college who passed the screening conducted in July. Eighty dancers and one hundred six props-men improved each day as they rehearsed the rituals that convinced the staff and committee they had the confidence to win the competition.

As part of the activity, the search for Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival Queen 2011 was also held on the first day, Aug. 10, participated in by thirty aspiring candidates. Mira Mae Dimmerling, 18, representing the City of Bogo’s Pintos Festival won as fourth runner-up. She went home with P5,000.00 and a trophy.

Princess Grace Alvorado of Kabkaban Festival (Carcar City) and Mikee Kristine Beltran of La Torta Festival (Argao) prevailed as 3rd runner up and 2nd runner- up, respectively. Leonora Cristina Kristensen of Sugat Kabanhawan Festival (Minglanilla) reigned as 1st runner-up and Halad Inasal Festival (Talisay City) candidate, Mary Lorens Goyenechea was crowned Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival Queen 2011.

City of Bogo’s Pintos Festival ranked fifteenth in the Ritual Showdown competition. Sarok Festival (Consolacion), Kagasangan (Moalboal), La Torta (Argao) and Isda Festival (Madridejos) placed 4th, 3rd and 2nd respectively. Kabkaban Festival (Carcar) won the event and received 1 million pesos. - TJL

Kagasangan Festival Moalboal, La Torta Festival Argao, Isda Festival Madridejos, Kabkaban Festival Carcar


Related Topic
Famous Bogohanon - Mira Mae Dimmerling

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BOGO QUARTERLY

KANAAS GIKAN SA AMIHANAN

OCTOBER 2011 VOL. 1 NO. 2

Bogo - NSO MOA Signed

(from KANAAS PUBLICATION)

Cebu City - THE NATIONAL STATISTICS OFFICE (NSO) – OFFICE OF THE CIVIL REGISTRAR GENERAL represented by its Civil Registrar General, Carmelita N. Ericta signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the City Government of Bogo represented by its City Mayor, Celestino E. Martinez Jr. covenanting the use of Philippine Civil Registry Information System (PHILCRIS) software.

PHILCRIS is an application developed by NSO. It is designed to automate civil registry information management. The new version is compatible with Microsoft’s Windows operating system and facilitates the encoding of relevant information from civil registry documents, storage of vital data, query and retrieval of encoded records, printing and issuance of certified copies of encoded civil registry documents, generation of transmittal files, data management and maintenance of the local civil registry databases. One of its key features is that the local Civil Registrar’s Office to may now preview and print the new civil registry forms directly.

“A better and more user-friendly civil registry information system is now within the reach of the public,” Engr. Ariel E. Florendo, the OIC Regional Director of NSO Region VII, announced during the MOA mass signing at the NSO Provincial Statistics Office last July 27. Mr. Firmo C. Diputado, the Provincial Statistics Officer of Region VII, emphasized that this system is granted to the LGU free of charge and is provided with technical support which includes assistance in the installation of the PHILCRIS software and troubleshooting the software and database problems.

The aim for world-class status runs true for both the NSO and the City of Bogo – the former as provider of statistical and civil registration products and services, the latter as a globally competitive and environmentally sound premier center of trade and industry. And both are steadily on their way to reaching the heights of it for both are committed to meet the expectations of the clientele for prompt, reliable and efficient services. - SFO

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BOGO QUARTERLY

KANAAS GIKAN SA AMIHANAN

OCTOBER 2011 VOL. 1 NO. 2

Science and Arts Academy to be Built

(Re-published from KANAAS)

Plans are underway for the establishment of the City of Bogo Science and Arts Academy, a school that would cater to the needs of gifted and exceptionally talented children through a specialized curriculum in science and the arts, including sports and foreign languages. This is an integrated school from kindergarten to high school.

Conceptualized by Mayor Junie Martinez, this is a joint project of DepEd Bogo and the local government. DepEd will take charge of developing the curriculum, hiring, staffing and managing the school operations. While the City government provides the annual budget for its operation, renovation and construction of physical facilities, funds the salaries, wages and benefits for both teaching and non-teaching personnel including the managers and the procurement of the IM/ IT/ MM and its installation.

Expected to open in June 2012, the school will start with two sections of kindergarten and grade one and two sections of first year high school with 30 students in each section. The City Council has already approved an ordinance sponsored by Hon. Belinda Rodriguez, Chair, Committee on Education for the establishment of the school and the budget for its operation. - BNR

Update:
DepEd has already started screening for enrollees to CBSA. Preliminary screening was held last month.

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BOGO QUARTERLY

KANAAS GIKAN SA AMIHANAN

OCTOBER 2011 VOL. 1 NO. 2

Bogo Positions as Distribution Center

(Republished from KANAAS)

In Resolution No. 063-2011 dated July 16, 2011 the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Bogo makes a bold declaration of the City’s aspiration: to position the City as a regional logistics center and to develop the Polambato Port in preparation thereof. 

The aspiration is hinged on the City’s God-given strategic advantage that made it a natural springboard for people and goods going to the neighboring island provinces of Masbate and Leyte for a long time now. In addition, the city has always been some kind of a geographic bottleneck for people going to and from the nearby towns of northern Cebu, resulting in its becoming the hub of education and commerce in the north.

As far as transactions with the island provinces are concerned, this advantage was always the Bogo Bay with its cove that, with God’s grace and under San Vicente Ferrer’s benevolent watch, has always been a reliable shelter for seacraft in nasty weather. With the recent re-discovery of Polambato’s deep channel for big ships, interest in Bogo’s potential for inter-island shipping has been rekindled.

The City Government sees the potent reality of Bogo as Regional Logistics Center where manufactured goods from Manila get shipped down to the City for distribution around the region. It believes this is a sound alternative to the longer navigational time presently endured by the shipping industry in the belief that Cebu City is still the only place to land cargo for regional distribution. By longer navigational time, we are talking here of something like seven extra hours which, to shippers and shipping companies, mean unwanted downtime and unnecessary cost.

But if we are not yet seeing this reality on a scale that would put us on the map of big business, it is because some things have yet to be done. The Sanggunian is right in stipulating in the same Resolution that full-scale development of Polambato Port must be made with the Cebu Ports Authority (CPA) even if at various phases, in order to make it a true major gateway to the national nautical highway.

Right now, two shipping companies have already made Polambato a regular port of call: Super Shuttle for its Palompon, Leyte route; and Montenegro Shipping for its Cataingan, Masbate route. Recently, the latter has decided to add another ship twice the size of its present one, in order to accommodate increasing passenger and cargo traffic.

Other shipping companies have been sending feelers of their desire to field other routes also. In addition, there is a large molasses carrier and a sand and gravel carrier that have become regular customers of the Polambato Port. Definitely this bodes well for the dream that underpins the resolution.

To the City Government, the urgency of the full-scale development of the Polambato Port is very real. Hence, Mayor Celestino Martinez, Jr. again made a personal follow up with the Cebu Ports Authority last September 21 to inquire into the status of the expansion project in Polambato as promised by the CPA.

In his talk with Engr. Mario Tan, Manager of the Engineering Services Department of the CPA, the Mayor was assured that the budget for the additional 40 meters of plank area as extension to the present capacity of the Port is already available. They expect the project to be bid by October and that, hopefully, implementation will start by November of this year. With the implementation of this project, the present port slipways will also be modified to maximize berthing capacity.

He was also assured that the curved nature of the channel makes it expedient for lighted buoys to be placed for further navigational safety. For the same reason, the sand bar that lies along the passageway will also be lighted, while it could not yet be extracted. More dredging is also in line for its next projects to further widen the turning basin, especially for bigger and longer ships.

With these developments soon taking place, it is imperative that Bogohanons ready themselves in order to share and contribute to the City’s march to progress. Probably, old ways of thinking and doing things need to be critically revisited. It is well to remember a line from one of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poems that goes, “The vine still clings to the moldering wall, but at every gust the dead leaves fall.”

It would be sad indeed when the march of progress comes and our constituents will just be watching by the wayside and later be staring at the marchers’ behind.

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BOGO QUARTERLY

KANAAS GIKAN SA AMIHANAN

OCTOBER 2011 VOL. 1 NO. 2

City Bogo: Home for the Aged Inauguration

A "HOME FOR THE AGED" located in barangay Anonang Sur, City of Bogo, Cebu was inaugurated last October 09, 2011.

This home for the aged will be the home for the aged women not only from Bogo City but from anywhere in Cebu.

The inauguration and blessing was led by the new Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cebu, Bishop Jose Palma and a lot of clergy men and religious personalities. Also in attendance are some sponsors and prominent people of Bogo with the Bogo City Council led by the City Mayor Celestino "Junie" Espinosa Martinez Jr.

Below are some pictures of the occasion:
Home for the Aged Inauguration



For the avid readers, sorry for not being able to update the site for a long time. Rest assured that I try my very best to keep you all up to date or at least be able to update this site once a month.
More details of this activity will be publish later here.

NCC 80TH COMMEMORATIVE BOOK

Dear fellow NCC alumni and Bogohanons,

Here's something to be proud of: The Northern Cebu Colleges (NCC) turns 80 on March 10, 2012;
a great milestone in the educational category in our "Dear Old Bogo" and neighboring towns and
provinces.

President Dr. Frankie V. Fernan and the Alumni Association held a special meeting last October 31.
Activities befitting this milestone were discussed and planned. You will be updated on the details
before Christmas 2011 by the committee in charged.

A commemorative book will be published to celebrate the 80th anniversary of NCC.
This is where I come in!

Published book info:
No. of copies - 200 (publishers' accepted minimum no. of copies )
No. of pages - 200

Printing cost based on 2009 was Php1000.

I am earnestly asking for book content contributions from:

1. NCC alumni, such as a one-page-article and photos (especially old ones).

2. families of former NCC instructors, to please send us photos preferably taken during
   school activities.

3. former instructors to send a write-up of your NCC memories

   Please send  above book content contributions via email.

Note: The editorial staff will select the articles and photos to publish depending on the
book content contributions received. Ideally, each batch must submit an article and a photo.

Book page layout:
Page size- 8 1/2" x 11"
Font style -Times New Roman
Font size -10
Alignment -Left justified
1/8" extra for left hand edge (for binding)
Header and footer margin - 1/2"
Paragraph -indent (no line space from the preceding paragraph)

To speed up the publication of this commemorative book, include the following information:
Name of contributor, contact info and batch #.

                        I       1932-1949

                II      1950-1959

                III     1960-1969

                IV     1970-1979

                V      1980-1989

                VI     1990-1999

                VII    2000-

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: DECEMBER 15, 2011.
Late submission will not be considered nor returned.

Timing is very important to publish this book.There are only 3 months to make this valuable
dream come true, minus the Christmas holidays, power and system (Internet) outages, natural disasters
and health hindrances. This leaves us a very limited time to achieve our dream - to publish
the 4th collectible book of Bogo.

Thank you so much for all your immediate cooperation.

Sincerely,

Inna-Marlyna Orat Sevilla-Villadar
P.s.
Check out Bogo's 3rd collectible book, Bogo Redeemers Society 90th Anniversary commemorative book, "LIDERAZGO".

Bogo City | Deal or No Deal?

Deal or No Deal?

Quenie Fernan
WINNER
HIGH SCHOOL CATEGORY

ESSAY WRITING CONTEST

March 18, 2011

Progress is never attained with just the blink of an eye. Progress entails a process-a step by step procedure that is accompanied with toils, perseverance, and determination. Bogo, spearheaded by its mayor, Hon. Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr, is a municipality struggling to become a city just to provide more improvement and employment to its people.

Until now, it is still considered an issue whether Bogo is much better a city than remain as a municipality. Bogo, together with other municipalities pursuing the common goal, worked hand in hand just to be considered as a city. Why do you think they are doing this?

Simply because, cityhood provides more income, thus, having a great chance to create projects for the betterment of its people. More business ventures will come and we could expect that job hiring will increase. This will then help the Bogohanons. Add the fact that if Bogo will become a city, universities, both public and private, will be situated here and we do not need to go to the Cebu city just to ensure quality college education because we already have it.

Admittedly, some people did not recognize these facts. Ironically speaking, they are being blindfolded and seemed to be unaware of the opportunities cityhood may bring. Thanks to our honorable mayor has never given up in this quest no matter how big the barrier was. Now, the battle has finally ended. The hardships are all worth it. We start to face again another battle – a battle leading us to industrialization and globalization.

This reminds me of the Chinese proverb; “if you want to be happy for an hour, take a nap; if you want to be happy for a year, inherit a fortune; but if you want to be happy for a lifetime, help people”. Bogo’s cityhood will surely help Bogohanons in all walks of life. Try to think of it. Is it a deal or no deal?


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KANAAS GIKAN SA AMIHANAN
Volume 1 No. 1, July 2011

Bogo City: Is this a good idea?

Bogo City: Is this a good idea?

by: MAITUM KAYMAE
WINNER

COLLEGE CATEGORY

ESSAY WRITING CONTEST

March 18, 2011

Bogo is a rich place, full of resources and raw materials. It is the best place for business and establishments. But Bogo, I believe, will never be economically independent if it is not declared as a city.

Bogo cityhood, though, is one of the hottest and most talked-about issue around the place. Every person has his own stand about this issue. Some may say that it is best for Bogo to stay as a town. And others may say that they prefer it as a city. Because of this, arguments and sub-issues arise. Many people were affected, especially the young ones. Confusions form, “what will I call Bogo, city or town?” Yes, this is really happening, and I admit that I am one of those confused people. The changes of the decisions the Supreme Court has made, the different views of the people, they are all head-cracking! So if you ask me what my stand is, I stand for Bogo as a city.

The cityhood of Bogo is indeed very important because it is a sign of prosperity and success as a whole, not to mention the opportunities that await us after the proclamation. Consider this, when Bogo becomes a city, it opens a lot of business opportunities for businessmen and entrepreneurs. It also allows a number of universities to branch out here in our place. If that happens, many people will be benefited. There will be many vacancies in many working positions, and there will be more standardized schools. Is that not a good idea?

As what I have mentioned earlier, Bogo is a rich place. It would be a waste for a rich place to stay as a town. Think about our resources, how can we preserve and show it to the world if we remain small? What about our raw materials, will we just remain supplying other cities raw materials? Why can’t we use those materials for our own? Do you prefer to wait and make it rot? No! Bogo is so blessed to have these things. We must show it to the world and be proud of it. Our resources are like our talents, if you practice much for it and show that you have the guts, you can succeed. Just like Charice Pempengko, she had the voice and the talent. And she showed that she had the will to make every Filipino proud. Now, she is an international singer and heads-up to be a Filipino. But if you keep this talents to yourself, eventually, it will fade up. And Bogo is just like that! Reflect Bogohanons, would you wait for Bogo to get rotten or fade up?

There are many reasons why some people stops Bogo from rising. And one of these, in general, is politics. “Man is, by nature, a political animal,” according to Aristotle, an ancient Greek philosopher who became the mentor of the greatest world conqueror, Alexander the Great. What separates man from an animal is the ability of man to think, give and articulate his reason. Man can be the best animal when he uses his intellect and acts as a beast when overshadowed by his passion. As a political animal, each has his own role to partake of in the society. We are surrounded by best minds in the city. All are intellectuals, how come that we are still struggling as a town? What goes wrong? Some politicians want to keep Bogo for themselves. They see Bogo as a great place, a good source for money, and the best site for business. But since they are not holding Bogo yet, they keep it from growing. By this, I can conclude that they want Bogo to grow only when their names will be put to frame as this happens. Keeping Bogo from growing only shows that they are self-interested. They never really care about impressing anyone, as long as they hold the power, it doesn’t matter.

Well, “man is born free, but everywhere, he is in chain,” says Jean Jacques Roussueau, a naturalist philosopher. We can do anything we want, we can even colonize a nation, as long as we hold the power. Men are unequal in strength and cunning, but that would not give them the license to dominate others because the motive for such domination is lacking. The strongest in the state of nature has no right but only might in his side, and it lasts only as long as their strength endures. Power fades, and everything we do is limited. I believe, I hope and I pray that they will never succeed. God is always guiding Bogo and through the help of our very patient and active mayor, we will succeed. A good leader produces a good state. But a good leader paired with cooperative people produces a good, united and strong city. And Bogo will be that kind of city, a city richer than ever and a city which is economically independent to others, instead, other cities will be dependent to Bogo. We have already reached a few steps, let us add a few more until we get to the top. Striving is not easy. Trying is a word we cannot measure because it needs confidence and faith. We must keep on walking without losing our tracks and contact to the ground. Bogo, strive to try your best and reach the stars above. Believe in God and show them that you can make this. Yes, you can!


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KANAAS GIKAN SA AMIHANAN
Volume 1 No. 1, July 2011

THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM, THE BOGO CITYHOOD HOOPLA

THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM;
THE BOGO CITYHOOD HOOPLA

by: Unabia Ron Jacob

ESSAY WRITING
CHAMPION 
March 18, 2011

“This is my quest to follow that star, no matter how hopeless, no matter how far.”
This is the line from a classic song, “Impossible Dream”, a song that will likely describe the determination of Bogo to become a city.

The Supreme Court has recently reversed its decision of blocking Bogo’s dream to become a city. In other words, Bogo is a city again. Lucky break for the Bogohanons. Once more, a seemingly elusive dream has turned into reality.

This is the fifth time that the SC changed its decision. In 2007, after majority of Bogohanons voted yes in a plebiscite for cityhood, the Supreme Court approved and called Bogo a City. But more than a year later, the court reviewed the case and eventually took back its vindication of the cityhood of Bogo. Then, the League of cities, an organization of 16 municipalities which aspires to become a city and is spearheaded by our very own mayor Celestino Martinez Jr. , appealed and got the nod of SC once more. Later, the Court had changed its ruling again, saying that Bogo does not deserve to become a City. A decision that led to another appeal and finally the Supreme Court, which has the characteristics of the weather, has approved, to the strongest sense of the word, the City of Bogo as well as the other municipalities that compromised the league of Cities.

A roller coaster ride indeed. But it only shows the willingness of Bogo to become a City. The effort was there and it was rewarded, which is though not perfect, still sweet.
But the question is, does Bogo deserve to become a City?

For me, it’s about time to be one. Population is growing and Bogohanons need work and through this, we can get so many opportunities. Bogo’s income will increase thus resulting to improvements. We have the qualifications to become a city and I think it is just to become one.

We can see the unity of Bogohanons in its desire for cityhood. It is evident in the plebiscite held last 2007. The longing to become a city is superior thus inspiring the Bogo Government to work hands-on to give the suffix “City” to its name.

The sad thing is, some of us are pessimistic. They only see the cons of becoming a city and are not taking a look at the pros. Yes, we all have different stands about the issue but some Bogohanons should realize that this is for their own good.

But despite of that, we will see the positive effect of Bogo Cityhood one of these days. In fact, some of it is already visible to our naked eye and there’s still more to come. The government has done its job and though there were obstacles along the way, the determination kept the flame of hope burning. Now we can start our very much awaited desire to have forward.

As the song goes, To dream the impossible dream”, the seemingly impossible dream has indeed turned into reality and like the line written in Supreme Court’s decision, it’s final and executor.

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KANAAS GIKAN SA AMIHANAN
Volume 1 No. 1, July 2011

Inquirer News | No private army in Bogo City

No private army in Bogo City

BOGO City Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez said the City of Bogo’s Anti-Criminality Task Force (CBACTF) is  an augmentation force in the city’s fight against crime and not a private army.

In  the 888 News Forum last Tuesday, Martinez said CBACTF reinforced the limited number of policemen that monitors incidents of crime.

Martinez said CBACTF members are not  “goons.”

Last year, administration candidates said they wanted Bogo City  and the entire fourth district of Cebu to be placed under the control of the Commission on Elections, citing the “distressing” situation in the area.

They also wanted the  CBACTF, a civilian task force formed by Martinez disbanded, disbanded, claiming the mayor is using civilian volunteers as his “private army.”

The complainants said the CBACTAF was  formed to serve the  Martinezes and  harass and intimidate the people of Bogo, especially those who opposed the family  in last year’s elections.

Mayor Martinez said there’s no reason to fear the civilian group because they are just residents of Bogo.
Martinez invited members of the media to visit Bogo City  and see how CBACTF helped maintain peace and order in the city.

Go to Inquirer to read more on this news, click here or click the snapshot.

Bogo Public Library Holds City-Wide DepEd-sanctioned Essay Writing Contest

Bogo Public Library Holds City-Wide DepEd-sanctioned Essay Writing Contest 

It was March 18, 2011 when fifty-one (51) aspiring, young writers trooped to the Bogo Public Library to win the Essay Writing Contest. They came from all over the City, each group with a teacher-chaperone, to participate in a tournament sanctioned by the Department of Education Division of Bogo and organized by the local government.

The contest was the opening move, specifically designed to discover and identify a pool of talented young people who will form the core of the publication support structure. Of the fifty partipants, three stood out with their obvious potential and decent writing skills. Ron Jacob Unabia, Kaymae Maitum and Quenie Fernan were declared the winners. Currently active writers, they are featured in page five of the Kanaas publication (1st issue). They will also be featured in this site one by one in the next posts.

The organizers also gave out medals to ten other participants who showed promise. Cash, trophies and medals - donated by supportive members of the local community - were given as prizes to the winners.

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KANAAS Sa Amihanan
July 2011 Vol. 1 No. 1
(A local quarterly newspaper of Bogo published by the City of Bogo through the Bogo Public Library)

Inquirer features Capitancillo Islet

Capitancillo: Cebu's new ocean leisure spot.

As a Bogohanon, I am very proud of our diving spot in Bogo, of which recently was featured in the Philippine Daily Inquirer with the title: "Capitancillo: Cebu's new ocean leisure spot."


The article talks about the short story about Capitancillo islet and why it becomes Cebu's new ocean leisure spot.

Capitancillo is an islet within the territorial jurisdiction of the City of Bogo, northern tip of Cebu Island and is considered one of Cebu's ocean leisure spot. And that is why the local government is promoting and protecting this islet and ensures its preservation including its surroundings.

According to the website www.coastguard.gov.ph, the official website of the Philippine Coast Guard, Capitancillo is one of the operating light stations in the country. The islet hosts a solar-powered lighthouse and weather observation post built in the ruins of an American prewar structure that was replaced
by a 25-meter cylindrical tower in the 1905s.

Capitancillo is filled with rich and valuable coastal and marine resources. Thus, it was declared a marine sanctuary and diving destination noting its potentials and it is now a haven for divers.

It has three dive sites - Ormoc Shoal, Nuñez Shoal and its own southwest wall. The sites have shallow reef tops at 33 feet leading to drop-offs with soft corals, gorgonian sea fans, caves and black corals.

Capitancillo Islet can be reached from four jump-off points in Bogo City, 101 kilometers from Cebu City and a three-hour travel by bus. These are Polambato Port (45-minute boat ride), Nailon Wharf (30-minute), Marangog Cove (15 to 20-minute) and Odlot Hideaway (15 to 20-minute).

Rental for a pumpboat that can accommodate at most 15 people is from P1,000 to P2,000. Day huts can be rented at P200 for whole-day use.

Although there is no diving operator in the islet, three certified divers collect only P100 each for foreign clients and P50 for locals.

Please go to the original article posted in the Philippine Daily Inquirer website to read more about this.

City of Bogo - New Scholars Named

Seven new scholars were chosen to receive assistance for their tertiary education by the Bogo City Government, adding to the current eighty seven deserving student beneficiaries.

The seven scholars are Mary Apple Balunan, Sarah Jane Metante, Richell Ann Hidalgo, Fiel Anthony Francisco, Garyphike Pelaez, Mary Faith Crodua, and Archer Lepon Jr., coming from the different barangays of the city. They took and passed the qualifying examination last May 18-21, 2011 held at Bogo City Hall.

“I, for one, know how valuable education is to each and every people. I am very much committed to giving our youth a scholarship program so that they can realize their deeply-felt hopes and dreams in their lives,’’ expressed Honorable Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr., the city mayor.

The City of Bogo Scholarship Program has long been giving support to many Bogohanons who are very much eager and hopeful to continue their tertiary schooling. With the mission of making the future bright for every constituent of the city, it has persistently and continuously accepted many aspiring students year after year with the applicants undergoing proper screening and evaluation before making their entry to the scholarship program of the City of Bogo.

From the time it first existed up to the present, it has already helped a good number of students finish their college courses. Just last March 2011, 47 scholars were able to graduate, 32 of them were cadets of the Southwestern University Maritime Regiment under the Study Now Pay Later Program of the city mayor, and the rest finished baccalaureate degrees from the prestigious and distinguished universities and colleges in Cebu City as well as in Bogo itself.

“To the man I owe priceless gratitude; a man who serves as the father of Bogohanons; a man with real passion in helping the less productive people in the society to alleviate and improve their lives; a man who serves as an instrument and an initiator for the realization of the dreams of the young Bogohanons who thought before that their dreams are just illusions. I am thankful to the mayor for his unselfish support for attaining my college education. And now, I am about to begin the second step of my journey towards success. I salute to the mayor,” said Ricky Flores, one of the appreciative cadets of the Maritime Regiment of SWU, now assigned at UNIVAN, Shipping Company.

In making their way to the scholar’s society.

Having been chosen to receive the grant for the pursuance of their education, these students were thankful for the opportunity. The said assistance will be provided on a quarterly basis as they go to college.

“Nagpasalamat kaayo ko og dako nga gihatagan mi og grasya gikan sa kahitas-an, pinaagi sa atong pinalanggang mayor sa Bogo. Usa gayud siya ka instrumento. Hinaot nga hatagan pa siya og taas-taas nga higayon pa nga mamuno og moserbisyo sa atong siyudad. Ang iyang programa usa gayud ka dakong tabang kanamong mga kabataan,” expressed Sarah Jane Metante, one of the new scholars.

With Engr. Wenceslao Cañete and Ms. Sheila Orcullo, as coordinators, the scholarship program unrelentingly inspires many young people to the realization that poverty is not a roadblock to success.

by Kenneth June Ybañez
July 2011 Issue, Vol. 1 No. 1
KANAAS GIKAN SA AMIHANAN

SC decision final | Bogo stays as city

      The Supreme Court (SC) finally issued an entry of judgment on July 6, 2011 on the cityhood status of 16 cities which includes the City of Bogo following a series of contradicting decisions on the case against the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP). The issuance of entry of judgment puts an end to the long legal battle.

       In a Resolution penned by Associate Justice Lucas P. Bersamin, it concluded: “Congress undeniably gave these cities all the considerations that justice and fair play demanded. Hence, this Court should do no less by stamping its imprimatur to the clear and unmistakable legislative intent and by duly recognizing the certain collective wisdom of Congress.”

       “WHEREFORE, the Ad Cautelam Motion for Reconsideration) of the Decision dated 15 February 2011) is denied with finality.”

       Declared constitutional were RA 9389 (Baybay City in Leyte), RA 9390 (Bogo City in Cebu), RA 9391 (Catbalogan City in Samar), RA 9392 (Tandag City in Surigao del Sur), RA 9393 (Lamitan City in Basilan), RA 9394 (Borongan City in Eastern Samar), RA 9398 (Tayabas City in Quezon), RA 9404 (Tabuk City in Kalinga), RA 9405 (Bayugan City in Agusan del Sur), RA 9407 (Batac City in Ilocos Norte), RA 9408 (Mati City in Davao Oriental), RA 9409 (Guihulngan City in Negros Orienta), RA 9434 (Cabadbaran City in Agusan del Norte), RA 9435 (El Salvador City in Misamis Oriental), RA 9436 (Carcar City in Cebu) and RA 9491 (Naga City in Cebu).

       Bogo City Mayor, Hon. Celestino E. Martinez Jr., said that the city government will ask the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) withheld from the time the cityhood law was ratified. 

         The 16 cities will submit a letter to Budget Secretary Francisco Abad, to this effect. Bogo received city-rate IRA in 2007, 2008 and the 1st quarter of 2009 only.

THE ROLLER COASTER RIDE

June 16, 2007. RA 9390 the cityhood law that converts the status of Bogo into city was ratified in a plebiscite.

November 18, 2008. SC declared the 16 cityhood laws unconstitutional for violation of Sections 6 and 10 of Article X of the Constitution specifying equality in creation of new cities. The 16 cities did not meet the criteria of a P100M income, SC ruled in a vote of 6-5 and written by Justice Antonio Carpio.

December 21, 2009. The Nov. 18, 2008 decision was reversed by SC in a vote 6-4 declaring the 16 cityhood laws were in fact, constitutional and not violative to the Constitution. The resolution was written by Justice Presbitero J. Velasco Jr. The ruling declared that 16 new cities were explicitly exempt from income requirement pursuant to RA 9009.

August 24, 2010. The third ruling granted the motions for reconsideration filed by the LCP in a vote of 7-6 and written again by Justice Carpio. Two justices inhibited from the case. SC in effect, reinstated its November 18, 2008 decision.

February 15, 2011. The fourth ruling granted the motions for reconsideration filed by 16 cities. It reinstated the Dec. 21, 2009 decision declaring the 16 cityhood laws valid and constitutional.

April 12, 2011. SC denied with finality the motion for reconsideration filed by LCP.

June 28, 2011. SC dismissed the 2nd Ad Cautelam Motion for Reconsideration (of Feb. 15, 2011 Decision).

July 6, 2011. SC issued the Entry of Judgment declaring the constitutionality of 16 laws final and executory.

The Bone of Contention. The LCP contend that the cityhood laws violate Sections 6 and 10 of Article X of the Constitution, the Equal Protection Clause, and the right of local governments to a just share in the national taxes.

However, SC ruled that Congress clearly intended that the 16 new cities be exempted from the coverage of RA 9009 particularly the adjustment in income requirement from P20M to P100M.

The 16 cities assert that in October 2000 Senate Bill No. 2157 prior to its adoption as RA 9009 was yet deliberated in Congress while the subject cityhood laws were already pending in Senate.

RA 9009 only took effect on June 30, 2011 already under the 12th Congress. Hence, it did not cover the conversion bills. Furthermore, the responses of Senator Aquilino Pimentel, author of RA 9009 made it clear that the law exempts the 16 cities from coverage.

With every fabric of contention settled, the Mayor said to those who attended the thanksgiving mass on June 30, 2011 held at the chapel of the city hall, “Be home and sleep soundly”.

By Ruby Ortega-Uy

July 2011 Issue, Vol. 1 No. 1

KANAAS GIKAN SA AMIHANAN