Robinsons Mall in Ilocos Norte

This afternoon officials of Robinsons Land and Venvi Corporaion unveiled the plans for a Robinsons Mall in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte.

Groundbreaking is scheduled this coming September.

Robinsons Place-Ilocos Norte will be a two-story mall with a total floor area of 2.7 hectares.

The mall will be completed by December 2009.

Personally, I prefer this project better than the one proposed in Laoag because it does not involve relocating a school and dealing with the Catholic Church.

The area where the mall will be located sits in a sprawling 40 hectare property owned and managed by Venvi Corporation.

No relocation.  No traffic.  No complications.  No problem.

Proposed Conversion of Elementary School into a Mall

Today the Laoag City Government, headed by Mayor Michael V. Farinas, together with the Archdiocese of Laoag, heade by Bishop Sergio Utleg, held a public hearing/consultation at the Laoag City Hall Auditorium regarding the conversion of Laoag Central Elementary School into a Commercial Establishment (i.e. mall or department store).

If it involved just a plain, unoccupied parcel of land to be leased or sold to an investor (i.e. SM, Robinsons, Gaisano, etc.) then there's no problem.  Go ahead and build one!  I've been waiting for a National Bookstore and a decent movie theater for a long time. 

But the project is made complicated because it involves a Public Elementary School on land originally owned by the Roman Catholic Church.

First, on the matter of the public school.  The lot, which covers a 13,000 sq.m. area, is where the Laoag Central Elementary School (LCES) is located.  Logically, if you're going to build a new structure, the present occupants must be relocated, if they even want to.

The good news is they want to.

The gooder [made-up word, i know] news is that the developer/investor is willing to build a new school complex for LCES in another location, complete with other facilities LCES doesn't have as of the moment (like camping area, bigger room size and high-tech AV rooms).

Yun naman pala, eh.  First problem solved.  LCES? check!

Second, and I believe more important, matter is regarding the ownership of the lot.  The lot was owned by the Roman Catholic Church.  It was sold to the local gov't of Laoag back in the 1920's on the condition that it be used exclusively for educational purposes.  Otherwise, the sale will be annulled.

I think anyone would agree with me that the operation of a mall is no way related to "educational purposes."

What the City Government wants to do is enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Church to create a Joint Ownership between the two and lease the lot to the developer as one entity.  Ang profit sharing ng dalawang co-owners ay 75% to the Church and 25% to the City Government.

On this point, I was forced to stand up during the open forum and give my unsolicited advice.

I told them that I didn't think they could do that.  I mean they could do that, it's a free country, but it's not such a good idea kasi magkakaroon ng confusion.  Pwede pa nga na may nangyaring novation, I dunno.  Ang dami kasing pwedeng mangyari.  Ang alam ko, with this MOA in question, nag-short cut sila.

For me, with my little experience as a corporate lawyer, the issue of ownership should be resolved first.

And we can only do that if the City Government would return the said parcel of land due to the fact that the condition will be violated.

That way, the annotation in the TCT is made clean.  Malinaw.  Babalik siya sa simbahan.

Then and only then, after it is reverted back to the church, the latter can enter into a new contract with the City Government.

Otherwise, kung di-diretso tayo sa MOA (Joint-Ownership) there's always a cloud over the title.  Ano na nangyari sa unang sale?  Na-annulled ba?  Na-novate ba?  And more important, who is the owner?

After my comment, Mayor Farinas explained that the issue of ownership should be resolved by the courts and the reason why they came up with the MOA is so that there wouldn't be delay in the implementation of the project.

Precisely my point!  If the issue gets dragged to the court system, then the project might not push through.

So, better pa rin na maayos na yung issue of ownership.

I dunno kung tama ang interpretation ko (na dapat step by step gawin).  I hope my brods na lawyers (paging, Ryan, Marc, Jat and FJ) who read my blog could comment on this.

Meanwhile, I hope the City Government slows down a bit and studies this whole transaction in detail before they do anything we'll regret in the future.

Yes, putting up a mall or department store will mean more jobs for Laoagenos, but if the project will be stalled in the middle of things due of legal issues, then lahat tayo talo.

PS:  Anong say ng simbahan?  Okay lang sila sa "Joint-Ownership."  Okay sila sa MOA.     

Benguet Mining in Ilocos Norte

Benguet Consolidated Mining Corporation (BenguetCorp) held its first province-wide public consultation today at the Ilocos Norte Capitol Auditorium.

Above is a photo of BenguetCorp's President and CEO, Mr. Benjamin Philip Romualdez, explaining to us the ABCs of large-scale responsible mining.

The afternoon program was well organized.  First, officials from the DENR talked about mining in general.

Next, officers from the MGB discussed the FTAA process.

Then, representatives from the NCIP (since most of the prospected lands are ancestral lands belonging to indigenous peoples) explained the IPRA law.

The organizers were smart because around this time waiters started serving food.  Now, usually in this kind of forum ang snack namin kape at biskwit lang.  Aba, heavy merienda ang sinerve.  Pang mayaman.  (see picture below)

We were served barbeque, fried chicken, pancit, fresh lumpia, soda, coffee, cream puff and brownie.

By the time all of us were full, that's when Mr. Romualdez gave his presentation.  I kidded with my seatmate na matalino ang BenguetCorp.  Pinakain muna kami para maantok kami at di na tumayo at mag-react during the open forum  Hehehe.

Anyway, Mr. Romualdez' presentation was very convincing.  They are still at the FTAA application stage.  They want to explore 5 towns, namely, Adams, Vintar, Carasi, Solsona and Nueva Era.  A total of 21,000 hectares.  According to their initial research our province has Gold, Manganese, Iron and Copper.  'wag daw muna kami mag-alarm kasi "exploration stage" lang daw sila.  And it will take them 4 years to explore, if permitted.  And another 7 years to make feasibility studies, again, if permitted.  After that, tsaka lang sila magmimina.  So, matagal pa daw.

Then, pinasalita nila si Bishop Utleg.  He said kahit na malayo pa yung time na magmimina ang BenguetCorp, if we allow them to explore now, it is as if we are allowing them to mine in the future.  For how can we then tell them to go away after they have made their studies (and apparently would have spent 9 million pesos)?  By that time, di na kami makaka-hindi.  

Afterwards, Open Forum na.  Usually, ako ang unang nagtatanong (ganito na ako grade school pa lang), but this time I didn't have to initiate.  Ang daming mga stakeholders and pumunta sa mic at nagtanong.  In fact yung mga IPs from Adams came complete with big placards which read, "NO TO MINING!"

After about 35 minutes, while people still wanted to ask questions, Congressman Bongbong Marcos stood up and gave his remarks.  In a nutshell, he said for us to study this matter extensively, and that we should balance environmental concerns as well as its economic benefits.

And then tapos na.

Sa akin lang, yes, may benefits sa mining.  And as chair of the committee on ways and means, I should be endorsing this project since it would mean jobs to hundreds of ilocanos and added income for LGUs.  Pero alanganin ako kasi kahit sabihin natin na pwede naman magkaroon ng RESPONSIBLE mining, the truth of the matter is, may mawawala sa lupa namin.

Kahit gano ka ingat ang minero sa pag-mina, may mawawala na mineral resource.  You can't replant gold, like trees.  That's the bottom line.

So, tama nga si Congressman Marcos.  This is a complicated issue.  Kelangan talagang pagbalansehin ang dalawang panig.

mag-re-research muna ako...

Just when you thought you had 'em, they get right back atcha

Remember my problem with Government Price in utilizing my Development Fund allocation? how actual gov't price is more expensive than the retail price, which is ridiculous 'coz it should be the other way around?

Well, I thought I was able to beat the system (meaning, maximizing the use of my Development Fund without the SOP/'Bukol' usually associated with public bidding).

Or so I thought.

It all started when a Barangay requested for piglets as a livelihood project.  As it turns out, there are no accredited suppliers of pigs or piglets in the government's list of accredited suppliers.  Since i wanted to help this barangay, I asked how we could grant the request absent any gov't accredited supplier.  I was told I could request the release of the amount it would cost to purchase the piglets in the form of Financial Assistance.

One piglet costs 1,500 here.  So if I want to give 4 piglets it would cost me 6,000, right?  So I asked how much mababawasan sa Development Fund ko (y'know, the SOP/bukol).

Wala daw.  The gov't will just give a check in the amount of 6,000 to the beneficiary.  No SOP. No VAT.  No 'bukol.'

Eureka!!!

I finally found away to avoid the pesky VAT and SOP--through the form of Financial Assistance!

I was so excited I told my staff to process the other requests via Financial Assistance.  A long-barrel typewriter that cost 13,500 at gov't price could sell at 10,000 retail.  A set of 6 bikes that would cost 22,000 at gov't price could sell at 12,500 retail.  Consturction materials that would cost me 20,000 at gov't price would be just 15,000 retail.

Wow!

Think of all the savings I could make!

Think of the other barangays I could help because of the savings!

And then the bombshell...

When I secretary finally started processing the first three requests for financial assistance, she was told that there was a limit.  Up to 8,000 lang daw.  Mapipilit pa ang 10,000.  But anything above kelangan bidding na uli.

Oh, man!

Just when you thought you had 'em, they get right back atcha.

I knew it was too good to be true.

So, balik VAT/SOP nanaman ako.  Ano magagawa natin, di ba?

Back to the drawing board. 

MIRACLE Schmiracle

The vice-governor called for a special session this week to pass a resolution certified as "urgent" by the governor.

This was about a resolution authorizing the governor to participate in the Monetization of IRA Collectibles for Local Empowerment Program (or MIRACLE 2 Program, in short).

What happened was for fiscal years 2001 and 2004, the government worked on a reenacted budget. Because of this, there were adjustments in the IRA (Internal Revenue Allotment) shares of the local government units. Adjustments that were withheld until this day.

This differential amounts to P12,577,000,000.00. You read right, 12.5 Billion Pesos.

As for my province's share? It comes down to P29,602,853.00. That's 29.6 Million Pesos.

Now we are entitled to the entire amount. The Local Government Code of 1991 says so. And we were entitled to that back in 2001 and 2004, but the National Government withheld it from us.

Now it comes to us with this MIRACLE 2 Program.

Shoving down our throats is more like it.

What's happening is, National Government is saying, "We are giving you two (2) choices, we give you your 29.6 Million now; OR, we give it to you in 7 installments."

Sounds reasonable, right?

Until you read the fine print.

The catch on Option A is we get the money discounted na. You know how much the discount is? THIRTY PERCENT! 30% of 29.6 Million is around 9 Million. So, if we choose Option A, we only get 20 Million. Good bye, 9 Million, although to begin with, amin din dapat yun.

What a rip off!

The catch on Option B is that the first installment will be paid in 2009 pa. AND, we are only assured of payment while GMA is president. We are not sure if the next President will honor the payables from 2011 to 2015.

Ano ba yan?

Either way, we're screwed.

Ang sobrang nakakainis dito, pera namin yan eh. We are entitled to the entire 29.6 Million. Why can't we get it then?

I don't understand. The 1987 Constitution and the Local Government Code both say that the policy of the State is devolution and decentralization of powers. Connected to this is the automatic release of LGUs shares in national taxes. How come then does Malacanang still hold us by the balls?

Akala ko ba decentralized na tayo?

Akala ko ba devolved na tayo?

Why are we still at the mercy of Malacanang?

So, this is all pretend? The Constitution and the Local Government Code are just guides, ganun ba?

Anyhoo, according to the vice-governor, we needed the money, so the SP approved the MIRACLE 2 Resolution during the special session today.

What did I vote?

Well, I was hedging on voting for the resolution if we could negotiate the rate of discount--may be lower it to 25% (after all, each percent amounted to 300,000.00). But my proposal was shut down by the DBP and LBP representative. Fixed na daw yung 30%. Bale, take it or leave it daw.

My jaws dropped to the floor. non-negotiable?

Unbelievable. Some choice you gave us.

I abstained.

For the life of me, I don't know why we let ourselves get bullied by these people.

For related news, here are some links:

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20080514-136555/Arroyo-orders-release-of-P1257B-IRA-differential-to-LGUs

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/101266/DA-uses-LGUs-IRA-to-buy-fertilizer-for-rice-program

Window Washing in the Rain

When my friend Barnett and I were driving back to Corinthian Gardens the other day, and we were stopped at the intersection of Quezon Ave and Agham Road, I noticed a little girl, couldn't have been more than eight years old, dash up to a Toyota Prado and start wiping its windows with a makeshift squeegee.

My first thought was, 'Oh Lord, here come these pesky kids again.  They wipe their dirty sponges and basahans on your windows in exchange for money.  Even if you don't want to, they still go at it.'

I told Barnett, who was driving, to leave some space between him and the car in front, so that, if the kid goes up to us we could move ahead to signal to her that we don't want her services.

Anyway, back to the girl.  She was pesky alright.  She kept on wiping the Prado's left windows even if the driver didn't want to.

After she realized she wasn't getting any barya from the car, the little girl walked away and ran back to the center island.

And at that moment, from feeling irritated I started feeling sad.

Because it was raining.  It was raining hard.

And she was trying to clean windows.

How stupid, di ba?  Sino ba may gusto magpalinis sa isang batang kalye with a rag that leaves your window dirtier than it was before, much more kung umuulan?  In other words, it was useless.  Kahit ba sabihin mo malinis yung pampunas, umuulan pa rin, di ba?

But it was exactly that.

Ganun siya kadespirado.

She needed the money so bad, she'd do something useless just to get it.

Ganun niya kelangan yung pera.

At naawa ako sa kanya.

p.s.: I wonder if she even knew, at her age, that what she was doing was something stupid, given that the rain would wash away her work.

My first facial

My fiance, Ria, treated me to my first facial last week.  In return, I treated her to hair strengthening treatment.  Mini-gifts in celebration of being together for 8 years.

gifts... that's what I thought...

So we come in and the attendant tells me to lie on the chair/bed/gurney.  She then moistens my face with a sponge; Covers my eyelids with cotton patches; Applies some gel on my face; and begins to massage it.  Somewhere in between or after, I'm not so sure, she puts a steamer inches away from my face.  Para daw magbukas yung pores ko.  10 minutes daw.  I had no problem in the first few minutes, but later on I almost suffocated.

Di pala walk on the park 'tong facial na 'to.  But I remained optimistic.

THEN, the pricking.

The attendant started with my forehead.  Not so bad.

And then she attacked my nose.

O

M

G!

This is not a gift! This is not a gift! I told myself repeatedly as I tried holding back my tears.  My fiance hates me, I screamed inside of me.

The pain!  The pain!

Memories of being initiated in the fraternity came flashing by as I weighed which was more painful.

Ang sakit talaga.  Meanwhile, the attendant just goes on with her pricking, never mind kung nagluluha na ako dun parang niagara falls.

I mustered up the courage to tell her na masakit.

Sabi niya madami kasi akong blackheads sa ilong.

Ininsulto pa ako ha.

Amenado naman ako na I have big pores in my nose, but does it have to hurt so bad to declog them?

After the 30 minute ordeal, she wiped my ears (that's where all my tears went) with tissue, and then used this laser thing on me to close the pores daw.  I was just glad it was over.

When I saw my fiance again I asked her if she knew how painful facials are.

She grinned.

Gift ha.  This is was punishment for all my procrastinating on wedding preparation duties, I know it.

I'm never going to have a facial again.

Oplan Tuli and Med Mission in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte

When I'm not legislating, nagsa-sideline ako ng ibang projects.  This summer, nag-organize ako ng TESDA-JITCO STTP Orientation Seminar to help my constituents hone their skills.  Second, kinareer ko yung 2-stroke engine conversion for tricycles by talking to the exclusive distributor of SKN LPG Conversion Kits and by visiting Vigan City to learn more about Envirofit's Direct Incylinder Fuel Injection Conversion Technology.  And hopefully, this coming June naman, matuloy yung Recyclables Market ko sa San Nicolas.

Meanwhile, just last week, together with UP College of Medicine (CM) Regionalization Students Organization (RSO), I organized a mini-medical mission in Brgy. Davila, Pasuquin.  The RSO is under a special program of UPCM wherein students from a particular region go back to their provinces every year to give back to the community.  I was lucky enough to talk to my friend Tina Langit last March and napili nila yung Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte as their area this summer.  6 of them came for the mini-med mission last May 27.  Tina (Pangasinan), DS (Pangasinan), Anthony (La Union), Ais (Ilocos Norte), Jotty (Zambales) and Gian (Nueva Ecija).  Sumabit yung isang brod ko, si Jegar Catindig.

We were warmly received by Brgy. Officials and SK Officials in Brgy. Davila.

We were joined by doctors from the provincial hospital and nurses from Northern Christian College.  Also, the staff of my dad came to bring in some medicines.  Thanks, you guys!  It wouldn't have been a success without you.

All in all, they were able to circumcise 50+ boys.

TESDA-JITCO Skills and Technology Training Program

Another project that's keeping me busy here in Laoag is this special training program of TESDA.  It is a joint initiative with TESDA's counterpart in Japan, JITCO (short for Japan International Training Cooperation Organization) to bring Filipino skilled workers to train in Japan for a maximum of 3 years (and get some allowance, siyempre).

I was very fortunate enough to have met the good people at Ocean Bridge and Arc Foundation (OBAF) which is a TESDA-accredited Sending Organization.  I invited them over to Laoag a month ago to give an orientation on the program to interested persons, and just like that they booked their tickets and came over last week.  Salamat po, ma'am Malou and JR!

The program works like this:

1.  A person should be skilled in welding, electronics, plastic molding, painting or sandblasting, among others.  He applies with a Sending Organization (OBAF in this case).  Takes an exam.  Undergoes a medical exam.

2.  If he qualifies, he is sent to a training facility in Laguna to learn Nihonggo for 4 months.  The training is free.

3.  If he passes the language exam, he processes his passport and other documentary requirements.

4.  The trainee is sent to Japan (plane fare is paid by the Sending Organization)

5.  Trainee is assigned to an Accepting Company (Hitachi, Canon, Sony, etc.) where they hone their skills for the next 3 years.  They are given a monthly allowance, which is very competitive and attractive compared to working here in the Philippines.

If you know anyone in the Ilocos area who does welding, painting, sandblasting, plastic molding, furniture making or electronics (aged between 19 to 25), and would want to train abroad, tell them to attend the next orientation on May 31, Saturday, at the Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos Auditorium in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte. 1:00pm-4:30pm.

For more information, interested parties can contact (77) 770-4696 or visit our office at Rm 214, Ilocano Heroes Hall, Rizal St., Laoag City.  Look for Ms. Melymar Astocia.

Envirofit's 2-stroke conversion kits

When people go to the provinces, one of their reasons for going is to get to breath the fresh air.  The air's presumably cleaner than in polluted Metro Manila.  But all that is becoming less and less true because of the proliferation of 2-stroke tricycles servicing the areas.

Did you know that motorcycles with 2-stroke engines allegedly emit smoke (hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, etc.) equal to 50 automobiles! You read right, 50 cars!  That's based on an ADB study conducted throughout asia.  You know how bad that is?  Our chances of getting TB, asthma or lung cancer is increased ten-fold!

That's one of the reasons why under the Philippines' Clean Air Act of 1999, these 2-stroke engines were banned from being manufactured or imported by the end of 2003.  Having said that, there remains to be thousands of 2-stroke engines still being used today (those produced or purchased before 2003), and they continue to pollute our air.  Yes, the Clean Air Act does mandate that all motor vehicles undergo smoke emission testing, but it's not effective.  Let's be frank about this, testing happens only once a year.  All the owner has to do is to make a few adjustments so that his 2-stoke engine passes the test during renewal, and the other 364 days of the year he can operate the tricycle without much hassle.

In comes Envirofit International, a non-profit organization based in the US.  Our friends in Colorado developed a Direct In-cylinder (DI) Fuel injection retrofit kit for 2-stroke engines that is cleaner and more fuel efficient.

Envirofit chose Vigan City as its pilot area.  Right now, after much explaining to the different Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations, Envirofit has started converting the tricycles.

When I heard about this, I told myself we should do the same thing in Laoag.  I mean we have over 2,800 tricycles, y'know.  So I wrote to the Vigan City Council about it and they responded positively.  So, with an NGO, the PENRO, CENRO and a couple of reporters, I went to Vigan last week to see if we could replicate the project in Laoag and Batac.

This is Vigan's CENRO (Community Enviroment and Natural Resources Officer) Glenn explaining to me and my companions how the new converted engine works:

And here is what the converted tricycle looks like.  To the untrained eye, wala kang makitang difference.  No big attachments or anything.  Mukhang ordinaring tricycle pa rin.

  

To cleaner air!

Busy as a B

Busy as a Bokal, that is.  You know, summertime's not only circumcision time, it's also fiesta time-both town and barangay!  I thought after graduation ceremonies, I'd get a break from public appearances. Boy, was I wrong.

Another role for us Bokals, aside from legislating, is to be guest speakers in local events.  That's why punong-puno sched this May.

Here I am crowning the Little Mr. Day Care of Brgy. Ablan, Burgos Town:

Here I am crowning the 2nd runner-up of the Mutya ng Sarrat 2008 Pageant:

Here I am marching with the officials and balikbayans during the town fiesta of Sarrat:

Here I am pinning the sash of the the winner of the production number of the Search of Little Mr. and Ms. Brgy. Dibua North, Laoag City: 

And here I am crowning the Mrs. Parut of Brgy. Parut, Vintar Town:

Another Crazy Fitness Machine

This is the Hawaii Chair.  The marketers say that it is a fitness machine.  I'm sure you've seen the infomercial when you channel surf.  The way it works is you sit down, flip the switch and the base of the chair wiggles, in effect, making you wiggle as well, while sitting down.

It's a couch potato's dream come true.  Imagine, you can enjoy your favorite TV show, and shed some pounds in the process.

It is sold at a $350.  Buy now and we will toss in a Hula Skirt for free!

If you ask me, it's just a chair with a motor under it.  Have you seen people use it?  They look ridiculous.

This invention is stupid, I don't know how it even went on production.  

If you bought this, I'm pretty sure its in your garage or closet right now.

Siopao and Mami for Lunch

The few times I am in Manila I spend it with my parents and Ria.  The other day, when Ria had to do some chores, I accompanied my Dad and step-mom to lunch in Ma Mon Luk restaurant (along Quezon Ave.)

The last time I went Ma Mon Luk Ricky Martin was still with Menudo, Cory was President and Richard Gomez was still a geeky looking teeny bopper actor:

This picture frame was just one of over a dozen others plastered on a wall as you enter the restaurant.  If the owners wanted to maintain an 80's look, they succeeded.  Everything looked liked it did over 25 years ago.  It's a piece of nostalgia right in the heart of Quezon City.

Anyhoo, my dad insisted on going here for lunch because he loved the siopao and mami.  Here he is enjoying both:

Notice the concentration on his face in pouring asado sauce on the siopao (which really is the best I've ever tasted):

Nothing could stop my dad with his meal.  He continued to savor his mami while answering a text message:

My dad really enjoyed his meal over in Ma Mon Luk.  In fact, we brought home a bag full of siopao for merienda.  As for me, I fell in love with the siopao.  Masarap talaga.  grounded ng mabuti yung meat, at konti lang ang taba.  I highly recommend it.  I wish I could say the same for the mami.  Ria loves it.  I personally didn't notice anything different with its taste.  Its like all mamis I've eaten.

This entry by no means whatsoever tries to poke fun at my dad, not at all.  I just wanted to show the politicians are people also, that they do regular everyday stuff like all of us.

And at the end of the day, I don't see him as a congressman.  Rather, I see him as my dad.

Belated Happy Birthday, Dad.  Love you lots!

An Afternoon with Carlos Primero

The faces have been blurred and the names changed in order to conceal their identities.

In my 5 years as a resident fellow of my fraternity, with all the parties and drinking binges that go with it, I had never gotten drunk.  The brods understood my situation (I had a long drive ahead of me and more importantly, I had work the next day) so they let me off with 2 or 3 bottles of San Mig Light.

Not turning into a drunk bastard after law school, I thought I would never drink more than 3 bottles of beer ever again.  I thought I would never get lasing in my life.  After all, if there's a time to be a drinker, that'd be college and law school, right?

I spoke too soon...  Story of my life.

The other day was my dad's birthday.  As usual, there were many politicos, including my fellow board members, mayors, vice-mayors and councilors (no congressmen or senator this year since Dad's birthday fell on a session day).

We had the usual birthday rituals: short program, messages from prominent personalities, the birthday song and lunch.  After having dessert, I looked at my fiance and nieces to signal them that it was time to go home.  And then someone called for me.  Oh, no. It was LCE, my boss.  He signaled for me to come over their table.  I left sina Ria and headed over there.

"Kris, come join us.  Stay here and drink with us."  LCE was with my sister Annette, 4 mayors, 2 Board Members, 1 Vice-Mayor and 3 Councilors.  I looked around the table for a can of San Mig Light.  There was none.

They were having Fundador Exclusivo.  Oh, sh*t, hard drinks.  Now unlike in the fraternity, I couldn't wiggle myself out of this one.  Not with my boss insisting that I drink with them. 

Oh, boy.

I had no choice but to drink the hard stuff.  And when we finished the bottle, one mayor brought out Carlos I, another brand of brandy.  The mayor explained to me the different levels of brandy.  At the low end is Fundador.  Next is Carlos I.  And on top is Exclusivo.  Cognac naman is a sweeter and more expensive brother of brandy.  And its not Cognac unless it was made in Cognac, France.  Most of them were not fond of whisky naman.  My colleagues just drank and drank and talked and talked.  After we finished a bottle, a new one would be opened.  My boss checked on my glass from time to time, making sure it was full.  That stuff is strong.  I had to dilute it with ice.  Anyway, this went on for 7 1/2 hours!  I think we were able to finish 5 or 6 bottles.  I couldn't drive home after that.  Ria had to fetch me.  And when I got home, I didn't eat.  I didn't take a shower.  I just went straight to bed and dozed off.  When I woke up the next day, my head was still throbbing.

That was my first official drinking session as a politician, and I'm sure as hell not looking forward to the next one.

Help me complete the list!

We always complain about the corrupt officials of government, blaming them for everything that's wrong with this country. They're the reason why the Philippines is the perennial basket case of Asia, they are the snakes, the crocodiles, the lowest of the low, so on, so fort, but have we ever thought about the honest and principle ones? 

They exist, you know. Government officials, whether elected or appointed, who believe in the system; who strive to make it work; who try to be leaders by example.

I created another multiply site to identify all those honest and principled public leaders with the desire that the list will inspire the corrupt officials to turn in a new leaf, and for all of us, to keep on believing that there is still hope that our nation can be a peaceful, unselfish, just, god-fearing and progressive nation.

Please, help me complete the list.  Click on:

http://leadersbyexample.multiply.com/

Of Circumcision and Tooth Extraction

Today, I accompanied a team of doctors, dentists and nurses in my dad's umpteenth medical mission in far-away Pallas Valley, Vintar town.  I really feel like a 5th wheel in these activities because I have nothing to offer to the patients.

To pass the time I walked around and took some pictures.

You know what they say, 'Summer Time is Circumcision Time.'  And rural Ilocos is no exception as you can see all the young boys lining up to get their pototoys snipped.  I have never seen kids so eager to have their little manoys trimmed than in this place.  It's like they woke up this morning and thought, 'I feel like having a circumcision. Hey, let's go to the doctor and have him make me a man!' Nooh-neeh-nooh-neeh-nooh.

This is a mean picture, but I couldn't help it.  The kids just walk in, put down their shorts and lie on the table.  'Ey, doc, how you doin'? See my pecker?  Care to circumcise me?'

And speaking of the tables, I wouldn't want to be the student who'd have to work on that table next school year.  Imagine all the 'loose ends' that plooped all around it. Ugh!  'Ma'am, anong klaseng eraser 'to?'  'That's not an eraser, iha...'

Another popular thing in med missions are tooth extractions.  I guess oral hygiene is not a priority for farm folk.  Our dentists had a hand full of teeth to extract today. God bless 'em.

And so that wraps up another med mission where yours truly couldn't do diddly-squat for anyone.

I am so looking forward to take up nursing so that I can be useful next time.  

Flower Economics

What is the difference between the bouquet of Malaysian Mums on the left and the one on the right?

Well, the one on the left cost me P30.00.  The one on the right costs P195.00.

Their prices differ by a hundred sixty pesos.  Thats a mark up of 500%.

Why the huge difference?

Well, the one on the left is on sale in Baguio's Public Market.  The bouquet on the right is displayed in one of Glorietta's Flower Shops.

I was in Baguio recently canvassing flowers with Ria in preparation for our wedding this October.  I had to ask the saleslady if she meant P30.00 per stem.  I couldn't believe it was just thirty pesos per bundle! OMG!  I've been cheated by H#ll@*d T*l!p$ all these years!  Ang laki naman ng patong nila!  Sobrang bukol naman yun!

... ... ...

Well, as a management student, that's just business and economics.

Anyhoo, the next time I give Ria flowers, I'll make sure both of us are in Baguio. : ) 

20 SMs and Counting!

A Project of...

Whenever I drive around Metro Manila and other provinces (including Ilocos), I can't help but notice the different projects of the President, Vice-President, Senators, Congressmen, Governors, Vice-Governors, Board Members, Mayors, Vice-Mayors, Councilors and even Barangay Captains kasi naka-paskil mga mukha at pangalan nila eh.  More often than not ang nakalagay ay, "A Project of so-and-so."

I hate to say it, but I was also guilty of this.  I did this sa first tent na binigay ko.  It read, "A Project of the Office of Kristian R. Ablan and the San Mateo - Lataag Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association."

This got me thinking, sa akin ba talaga nanggaling yung project? 

Hindi eh.  

It's not MY money.  It's actually the people's money.  It's taxpayer's money.  So who am I to say na it's MY project.  Siguro, I'm responsible for facilitating and channeling the funds, but that doesn't still make it MY project.  It's still the people's project.

And if ever someone should be credited for the project, I think it should be the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, kasi kami collectively and nag-appropriate ng development fund.  Hindi pa rin ako.

So, my new policy is to recognize those who parted with their hard-earned money so that government could effectively deliver basic services and serve the general public -- the taxpayers.

And that is why, in my most recent BDF project, when I delivered cement and GI Sheets at CABEZA Elementary School and I had a photo taken for records purposes, we held a banner reading, "A Project of the Hardworking Taxpayers of Laoag City."

Because, ultimately, it is THEIR project.

Local Legislation 101

At the start of my term as Provincial Board Member, I submitted proposed measures under my name.  Siyempre ako yung nag-isip, nag-research, nag-type at nag-submit. So, sarili ko yung nilagay ko as Sponsor.  Ang ilalagay ko sa title, 'Sponsored by BM Kristian Ablan.'

Pero nagtaka ako nung hindi gumagalaw sa committee yung mga draft ordinances ko, habang yung iba naman gumagalaw.

And then I noticed that the proposals that were moving were the ones wherein the sponsors included the 'real' sponsor, the committee it would most probably be referred to and its chairman.  For example, 'Sponsored by BM Kristian Ablan, BM Juan Dela Cruz and the Committee on Environment." Pag-ganun, wala ng public hearing - public hearing.  wala na ring committee report. 2nd reading na kaagad. 

I further noticed that if you really want your proposal to breeze through the board, ang ilagay mo as sponsor ay 'Committee of the Whole,' which means it is authored by everybody, kahit wala silang cinontribute ni sinco.

There's no such thing as 'giving credit where credit is due' here in local legislation.  In order for your proposals to pass you have to credit as much people as you can.

Learning my lesson I started applying it.  The Blood Handling Fee for Indigents Fund was a personal request by the Local Red Cross Chapter.  It was asking for P150,000.000 for use for indigent patients who needed blood, but could not afford the P1,500.00 fee for laboratory examination.

So, I drafted an appropriation ordinance.  I knew if I put only my name sa proposal, it wouldn't pass through.  Instead of putting my name, I put 'Sponsored by the Committee of the Whole.'  And wouldn't you know, na-pass namin siya within a month!  Yun nga lang, hindi 150k.  Bumaba sa 100k.  Needless to say, at least may magagamit na ang mga indigent patients.  Although may gastusin pa rin sila, at least gumaan ang financial burden.

So, di bale na ang credit-credit na yan.  Ang importante magawa ko ang trabaho ko.