Persevering school kids 
inspire army to give more

BY JEZZA NEPOMOCENO

JAMINDAN, Capiz – In the hinterland barangays of this mountainous town, children have to walk for hours and negotiate several kilometers of long and winding rough roads to reach school. 

Their perseverance has inspired the Philippine Army.

A total of 1,801 poor pupils studying near Camp Peralta here recently received free books, raincoats and slippers as “post-Christmas” gifts from the Philippine Army.

Of these beneficiaries, 203 were from Agloloway Elementary School, 83 from Jaena Sur Primary School, 130 from Ubog Primary School and 555 from Camp Jamindan Elementary School.

The remaining 110 beneficiaries were from Ulot Mambusao Primary School in adjacent Mambusao town.

Major General Vicente Porto, commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), said the donated books came from various non-governmental organizations and concerned patrons while the others were bought from the proceeds of the army’s shoot fest in December last year.

The 2nd 3ID Golf-for-a-Cause held at the Sta. Barbara Golf Course in Iloilo last December 3 and 4, 2010 raised P250,000.

Porto said they were inspired to give children these gifts after seeing their dedication to go to school despite the odds.

“They insist on going to school kahit napakalayo, kahit maulan, kahit tag-init, at kahit na they have only a dahon ng saging to cover their heads,” he said.

“Because we know that education changes lives, we encourage them to go to school by providing them with even simple things that make their lives a little bit easier and more comfortable,” he added.

Also, he said, Ubong Elementary School now has access to electricity. The 3ID installed a three-kilometer electric cable from the last electric post in the camp to the school.

“Then we set up an Interactive Multi-Media Learning System composed of a television set, a satellite dish, set of educational materials in DVD format and a DVD player. There is also a mobile library in the area,” Porto said.

The project will be replicated in other schools in far-flung barangays of Jamindan, he revealed./PN
   


Cutting, transport of coco 
trees indefinitely halted

ROXAS City – The government has indefinitely suspended the issuance of permits to cut and/or transport coconut trees.

The suspension will remain until the governing board of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) has set the guidelines in the implementation of Republic Act 8048 (Coconut Preservation Act of 1995), said Jeffrey delos Reyes, Capiz PCA manager.

To enforce the order, delos Reyes has sought the assistance of the Philippine National Police and other agencies like the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Maritime Police.

He also urged Capiceños to help protect coconut plantations here.

Capiz has more than 2.2 million coconut trees. These have helped provide livelihood opportunities to coco farmers.

The suspension order is in accordance with the directive of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala spelled out under Republic Act 8048. (PIA/PN


LAPSUS CALAMI


INJAP’S 21-STOREY BUILDING
EDGAR “Injap” Sia is constructing a 21-storey condominium across SM City Iloilo.
We heard that almost all the rooms were taken during its pre-selling promotion.
There are new high-rise buildings decorating the skyline of the city due to an unprecedented influx of investments.
Bali Hotel owned by Iloilo Press Club president and businessman Rommel Ynion is about to be finished and by the end of March, it will be opened for business.
Fabulous and prestigious, Bali Hotel is located on Ramon Muzones Street, Brgy. Fort San Pedro, Iloilo City.






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