As I see it

Media

Part of The Bicol Star

Title: As I see it
Creator: B. M. Dumaguin
Language: English
Year: 1970
Rights
Fulltext: 2 THE BICOL STAR April 25, 1970 ft he ^icnl Jitar ENTERED, AS SECOND CLASS MAIL MATTER At THE POST OFFICE, CITY OF NAGA. PHILIPPINES ON MAY 20. 1933. PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY ★ ^Bnntingo (A. jEscalante GENERAL MANAGER. PUBLISHER & EDITOR Anbres <§• Siez ASSOCIATE EDITOR feting ®afoagon JSilberin ^Icala JEal. ,d9fL ^uwaguitt Rainie be Io b Ratites ADVERTISING & PROMOTION JRntnen jp. ^fsralanie CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTION SUBSCRIPTION RATES; P5.00 PER YEAR; P3.00 6 MONTHS P. O. BOX 123, CITY OF NAGA. PHILIPPINES MANILA BUREAU, 1963 DAPITAN. SAMPALOC----TEL. 60-66-55 ^ernarbinn (Angeles ©afuagott-—Manager Editorial: Our Naturalization Law is Bad One of the imperative measures which calls for immediate action by the present Congress is the amendment of our Naturalization Law. As all will remember, this law has been the subject of hot controversies in many past election campaigns. The case of Manuel Leelin who ran for Congressman for the second district of Camarines Sur in the last election was one of them that was hotly debated by the two major political parties. Even our known legal luminaries have been contradicting each other in their opinions on this controversial matter regarding acquired rights and privileges of a naturalized citizen. In order to save our people from the troubles that emanate from what is purely a Christian generosity of granting foreigners citizenship in our country, I am suggesting the following conditions and inhibitions which should be incorporated into a new law that we are recommending for congressional approval as soon as possible. Conditions for Admission to Philippine Citizenship 1. He should be at least a graduate of the secondary course in our public high schools which means to say that his education should be obtained exclusively from our public schools. 2. He should be married to a Philippine citizen. 3. Of good moral character. 4. He should have an income of not less than P6,000 a year. 5. He should have no record of conviction in any court for any crime committed. Inhibitions 1. He should not be allowed to run for any elective public office. 2. He is not to be given an employment in our Department of Foreign Affairs. 3. He should be allowed to purchase residential lots not exceeding the total of 4,000 square meters. 4. He should not be allowed to own more than 24 hectares of agricultural lands. Grounds for Annulment 1. Conviction for the crime of concubinage. 2. Evasion of payment of taxes. 3. Conviction for the crime of smuggling. 4. Conviction for crimes under capital punishment. It is to be regretted that up to this time, after many long years of suffering bitter consequences from financial exploitation by those we have granted the right and privilege to be citizens of our country, our Congress has not done anything to correct this evil either perhaps because they have been continuously bribed or they simply have been dispossessed by nature of the spirit of love of country above anything else. To continue overlooking this critical maAs I see It by B. M. Dumaguin From an unknown peninsula of Bataan, it became twenty eight years ago one of the most exalted symbols of democracy and freedom. It was not So much the magnitude of the battle which took place there that made Bataan so. Rather, it was the spirit of freedom that kept alive the defenders’ will to fight despite numerical odds, hunger, and hepelessness. Thus defeat, became victory; shame became glory. Twenty eight years has not dimmed our memory for those who fought, suffered, and died in this hallowed peninsula. Time cannot touch their heroic deeds, for they have become timeless. To the Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor we can only say: Yous sacrifices are be in vain. Two weeks ago, on April 9, 1970, we commemorated the very memorable day. A day, which must at all times be very dear and very close to our hearts. Twenty eight years ago Bataan capitulated. The cream of our youth fought and died there so that DEMOCRACY and FREEDOM in our country will live; so that peace and liberty can be enjoyed. But the odds were great, so Bataan fell. A chapter of our history was closed and another was begun. The atmosphere brought about by the heroic deeds of our youth twenty eight years ago, seems to be good after all. Liberty, freedom, and the pursuit of making millions of money are being enjoyed. Alien businessmen are in our midst making the best of the situation to make millions because they enjoy the blessings of freedom, liberty, and democracy, not to say the least, security; because they are guaranteed in their business ventures; because they are cashing-in millions. Thanks to the sacrifices of our youth who gave their lives in the battlefields of Bataan and Corregidor. Twenty eight years, however, did not teach so many to be grateful. Businessmen, aliens or otherwise, upon mention of the FALL OF BATAAN and CORREGIDOR they just do not give a hoot about the matter. To ask them to cooperate in a way so that we may remember the day in a way fitting only to BATAAN and CORREGIDOR, the first reaction that these beneficiaries of the sacrifices of our youth is “SORRY”, next time. These are the beneficiaries that should be shot, hanged, and demonstrated upon and whose millions should be confiscated. May the passing of the twenty eight years after the historic event, however, brings maturity and change of attitude to our seemingly friendly business visitors. May it bring ihem a certain degree of cooperation, especially to the Community Newspapers, if only to show that they area lot of gratefull beneficiaries... A Manila magazine columnist said that there now came the fourth kind of rich ... the recent rich. These are the counterfiet rich, he said. They are backed by up the peso, the (Continued on page 5) lady that is taking place in our country is the same as abandoning our last precious inheritance for the benefit of foreign reptiles and crocodiles.—AGD Cong. Ramon H. Felipe chides Gene Balfermostfs column "From the Hilltop” April 11, 1970 The Editor The Bicol Star Naga City Dear Sir: I was somewhat amused by the following item in Mr. Gene E. Balfermoso’s column entitled “From the Hilltop” in your issue of April 4, 1970: - "Cam. Sur Partition-This gobbledegook in partition can be termed ‘Filipenization’. In other words, it is more of a ‘political dilettantism’. The Sorsoguenos as, reported instantly demonstrated against partition. This is a good sign of vigilance. “We believe over exercise of ‘political deletantism’ on the part of our politicians made this country what it is: economically incapable, a country of vested interests where 90% of the nation’s wealth are in the hands of a privileged few. In which case the rich grows richer and the poor becomes poorer. "Once in a while the citizenry should forge and cross party lines to put up a solid front against the desultory tactics of politicians who would always think in terms of staying in power- ' advocating parapatriotic partition for progress’ but actuality would turn out partition for political aggrandizement, political tie-up and control.” Apparently, in spite of his fondness for high-sounding word0, such as “obbledegook”, Felipenization”, “political dilettantism”, “parapatriotic”, “political aggrandizement”, Mr. Balfermoso cannot read simple English or Bicol! In my letter to you, Mr. Editor, dated March 17, 1970, which was published in the Bicol Star and other local papers. 1 made it clear that ,Rep. Fuentebella and myself had., not yet filed any bill in Congress for the division of Camarines Sur; that we just wanted to provoke open and healthy discussion of the idea to find out the consensus of public opinion. The division of Sorsogon and the creation of the Municipality of Larap, Camarines Noite are entirely different from the case of Camarines Sur, because in the former the bills were presented by their sponsors, Rep. Rafael Aquino and Rep. Fernando Pajarillo without even consulting their constituents on the matter. I am, therefore, to say the least, why Mr. Balfermoso should indulge in insulting and uncharitable "Reflections after Easter”. I always thought that Easter was a time for charity and joy. But it seems that Mr. Balfermoso practices a different brand of Christianity from ours. Frankly, I cannot see anything wrong in “floating” an idea to find out the reaction of the public. On the contrary, I believe that Rep. Fuentebella and myself are only being truly democratic in consulting our constituents before taking any positive action on the REP. R. FELIPE, JR. idea. Why then should Mr. Balfermoso abuse and insult us? If he is opposed to the idet of partition, he could have just stated his reasons against, without descending to personalities. But, apparently, from his “HILLTOP” perch, Mr. Balfermoso now thinks that he is one of the gods on Mt. Olympus, and any mortal who disagrees with his personal views should be condemned to Hades. Nevertheless, in spite of some columnists like Mr. Balfermoso, I have always been for freedom of the press. But at the same time, I believe that congressmen and other government officials have a similar freedom to consult their constituents on important public issues without being accused maliciously of ulterior motives. If I had any ulterior motive, I could have just filed the bill in Congress without consulting anyone. Thank you. Yours in Christian charity, RAMON FELIPE, Jr. Congressman Buhi Hosted ANF Annual Confab Buhi, C.S. — This tourist town hosted the 17th General Annual Convention ot Adoracion Nocturna Filipina (ANF) Saturday April 11 with local Turnos Nos. 392 and 394 as participating hosts. Brother Guillermo Alteza also incumbent member of the Buhi Municipal Council was most instrumental in having the affair something to remember. Some 300 delegates from all over the province of Cam Sur delighted in seing the tourist town of Buhi. The faithfuls were served during the luncheon by whitely-uniformed St Bridget’s students on the spacious halls of the St Bridget’s School SBS girl serenaders kept the occasion lively and while the luncheon lasts the delegates were admirably outspoken on the tables - Buhi’s smallest fish. Rev. Fr. Lorenzo Ma. Guerrero, S. J. ANF National Director, guest of the convent.on made the gist the Adoracion Nocturna Filipina counts with 45,000 members in the Philippines and 1,200 active turnos have been registered actively with the organization. Fr. Guerrero further elaborated that the spirit of the Adoracion Nocturna in the service to Christ never changes even in the midst of tbs couutry’s political and economic upheavals. Gene E. Balfermoso FROM THE HILLTOP “Masyadong pakikisama” not good for studes. The Graduate The future’s rosary, excitingly a garden world The background of a penchant green pastel A landscape where the fairest flowers bloom Redolent over plateaus, hills and valleys fair. As you walk along, don’t stare at the garden Too long to rave, leastwise you get lost with joy The life has crowned your fate with easy burden Too young to know, don’t let it float on a buoy. For life began doesn’t mean vehemently blest Nor easy will it end on yonder horizon . . . Life’s task and goal much far apart is set Sailing . . . sailing ... the sea of no return . . So let not the heart be troubled or bend Tor in every steady soul reward lies just ahead. The Author's ‘Garden of Verses’ A dedication to: Chuchi, Don and Buena for meritorious class honors. Employment Dilemma WHITHER YOU BOUND - QUO VADIS? — This year’s crop of graduates predominate the portals of the college campuses, exceedingly a gargantuan figure of a half million strong that should catch in time the attention of well-meaning citizens and leaders of this country, who are in an enviable position to exploit all plausible means and avenues appurtenant to stave off the so-called ‘brain drain dilemma’. It is conceded that the Philippines tho small nation is ranked a close second to the United States in point of scholastic turnover - to eclipse even the Soviet Union and other western countries of high standards like Great Britain, France, Ilaly or Germany. This explains why at this sta.e the ‘exodus of brain power’ is on the run either to the United States or to Canada. Despite the fact that our per capita income is rated one of the lowest in Asia yet it is surprisingly great tho thirst for higher education in this country has given added impetus to produce more and more graduates al the college level. But while it is most encouraging to portray a behemoth intellectual elite passing thru our universities - it could be equally alarming that such an army of vast labor potential could not be harnessed for lack of adequate financing system. Such a prospect could indeed be viewed with serious consequences inviting the specter of discontent incontrovertible to the common denominator of tumult and dissent in our growing society. Anachronism Much has been said of the technological gap prevailing in an atmosphere tensed with the prospect of a gloomy future for continued job displacements. While we take pride to present fanciful figure of an aggregately strong labor potential, it is conceivably the number one problem perpetuating the anachromistic tendency of harboring an intellectual elite doing nothing positive. This saddening experience in a country that possesses all the earmarks of natural wealth and resources for survival should demand a thorough restructuring of on educational system basically colonial. While attempts at legislation to improvise an abrupt change in the educational paranoia - the means and vehicle to implement the desired change is predominantly sluggish if not dilatory. The present educationol upbringing has led to breed the teeming millions of white-collared population about to swing to the left due to discontent and it is about to detonate. The jet-age has caught us flat-footed with a national discipline harrassed with ponderable 'isms’ and ideologies slumbering on the take-off state of an agro-industrial economy. It is about time the present leadership from the priva'e sector up to the government level do something and take stock of the saddening predicament creating a wide cleavage in the employment dilemma. should be afforded extra guidance and counselling by fond-loving parents. 'Masyadong Pakikisama’ defaces the personality of the teener-student who could otherwise dedicate to serious scholastic studies. Not the peeping-Tom that a parent should be but on the psychological aspect of parenthood - responsibility should be exercised to limit teener-action to envisage the utilization of productive school enToday’s teener who are prone to seek more deavors, the 'masyadong pakikisama’ could lead to freedom of leisure hours entertaining their friends early teen-age marriages. Masyadong Pakikisama 4s I See It stolen peso, of course. These are the guilty rich. The honest rich can not be guilty of any crime just because they are r'ch. They can not have that sense of guilt unless his richness is stolen. The dishonest rich cannot have the capability of accepting any sense of guilt at all because if he can, then he would not steal. But then how many among the rich have the real sense of honesty? To them, money first, the rest follow after. The preoccupation of our lawmakers to-day is to raise or not to raise the minimum wage. I hope they will not forget the plight of the plain Citizens that do not receive wage at all. They far outmumber the wage earners. They, too, have the right to be protected. They are also paying their taxes and they are the producers of wealth, not just consumer of wealth. As I see it, maybe the solution to the present high cost of living that agitated the wage earners to demand higher pay, is for us to produce . ... produce . . . and produce, not just ask and ask. After ell no amount of legislation can change or alter the effect of the LAW OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND. If we produce foodstuffs we increase the supply and thus reduce the price. Let us start home gardening. Require every school child and even teacher to plant any thing in their back yard or in any vacant lots. When everybody starts harvesting who will buy? Who will pay high price? Another thing that we must consider is the money supply in circulation. That has a very direct bearing to the high cost of things in the market. If one has only a limited cash in his pocket how can he pay for anything that is priced very high? The trouble is, people who can afford to pay are the ones who are complaining the most. Reduce your wants, man. . . and you will find out that you can adjust with the present situation. Do not force employers to close shop because when that happens, we will have widespread umemplovment and the aftermath will be CALAMITY. Let us not forget that there are so many of the now operating business firms who barely breaks even. They are still in operation hoping to improve later. And if we force them to meet the increase wage they will be force to close shop and there will be more problems in our hands. So Let’s bear with the present situation for the time being until things get better . . . Do not kill the hen that is laying the golden eggs. There are only few days more left before the opening of the State Lions Convention here in the City with the Mayor of our City as the man on the spot. Not only because he is spearheading the success of the Convention but because he, as the City Mayor, gets all the blame if in the end the City cannot April 25, 1970 The BICOL STAR Rep. F. A. Fuentebella urges early Completion of Quirino Highway, Improvement of S. Manila - Road Thursday (April 16). The second district legislator said that in as much as the proposal to separate the management of the PNR Southern Line from the Northern Line has not yet been realized as proposed by Masbate Rep. Emilio Espinosa, Jr., it is most logical to finish immediately the mentioned projects in an appeal to Secretary ' Manuel B. Syquio of the Dept. , | of Public Works and Communications. REP. FUENTEBELLA Rep. Felix A. Fuentebella (N2nd district, Cam. Sur) batted for the early completion of the Quirino Highway and for the improvement of the Manila-South (through Camarines Norte) road to give better _r facilities to Bicolanos to supplement the services of the Philippine National Railways during the Bicol Bloc meeting last show and give what the Conventionists expect. In this score, we can help a lot if we start harping now on the cleanliness of the City and public eating places. The Police can do so much to tell our more stained Characters to LAY LOW while our visitors are in the City. There are so many more that we can do to help. What we should do is to help in any way we can. Let us start in the market. There is a strong force today who is bent on going after the scalp of Dr. Domingo Abella, Chief of the Historical Div. of the National Library. The supposed lost valuable documents from the National archives were carted away for good. If we are to evaluate the pros and cons of the matter, I’D say that the good Doctor have all the reason to be carefull about all the papers in his care, especially if they are of historical importance. Did not Doctor Abella spent money time and efforts abroad to research for historical purposes and gave all what he got to the Museum to enrich our historical records? How manv of the rich Filipinos can do this? What we should do is to really pinpoint who is responsible for the neglect of records. We will be helping the Library more with that attitude. We will be avoiding also the possibility of ruining the good name of the Director. The mass media is partly to be blamed for the much unsavory publicity lately but that can still be remedied by the (Continued on page 6) The financing, Fuentebella pointed out, will be taken from the discretionary fund of the Secretary of Public Works and Communications. Sec. Syquio and PNR Gen. Manager Nicanor T. Jimenez were the Bicol Bloc guests during the meeting. Fuentebella explained that the PNR Southern Line is self. __ , liquidating and its income can transportation - support the improvement and maintenance of its own route efficiently. Camarines Norte Rep. Fernando Pajarillo suggested that in case the management is given to the private sector the Bicol Development Company (BIDECO) will be the logical enterprise to handle the PNR Southern Line. Fuentebella also asked for the putting up of a Philippine Veterans Bank branch in Iriga City which City Mayor Jose C. Villanueva immediately offered the site. Catanduanes Gov. Vicente Alberto, who is concurrently a member of the board of directors of the PVB, assured the Camarines Sur solon to help in realizing his (Fuentebella) pet project. The Bicol Bloc meeting was attended by Sen. Dominador R. Aytona; Reps. Felix A. Fuentebella, Jose Alberto, Carlos Imperial, Roberto Sabido, Amando Cope, Fernando Pajarillo, Emilio Espinosa, Jr., Rafael Aquino and Salvador Encinas; Catanduanes Gov. Vicente Alberto, Albay Gov. Jose Estevez, Masbate Gov. Moises Espinosa; Legazpi City Mayor Gregorio Imperial, Iriga City Mayor Jose C. Villanueva and Naga City Mayor Vicente P. Sibulo. —J.T.T., Jr. SIPOCOT, Cam. Sur—Rep. Felix Fuentebella (N-2nd district, Cam. Sur) will be the guest of honor and commencement speaker during the first commencement exercises of the Impig Barrio High School, here, on Sunday, April 26, This is accoraing to Florentino V. Avengoza. Impig Barrio High School PTA President. • At the same time Congressman Fuentebella and Mayor Jaime G. Avergoza will be awarded a “certificate of appreciation” by the PTA in recognition of their valuable contribution to the welfare of the people of this municipality and their unselfish devotion to public service. The PTA president’ said, that the second district solon and Mayor JAvengoza have contributed (Continued on page 6) The BICOL STAR April 25, 1970 Rep. Fuentebella ... much in the allocation and release of various funds for the construction of different roads and bridges and specially the pre-fabricated schoolhouses (Marcos and Army types) in this town. He explained that Fuentebella, and the Sipocot Mayor, the members of the municipal council, PTA and school officials of Sipocot worked hard hand in hand for the approval of the continuation of the operation of the Impig Barrio High School which started operating during the school year 1968-1969 despite the opposition of a private high school owner in this municipality. Meanwhile, the officers of the Impig Barrio High School PTA requested Cong. Fuentebella to allocate P15,000 for the construction of additional buildings, seats and equipment and another PIO,000 for the improvement of the school grounds of the barrio high school. The other PTA officers are Prudencio Palivino, vice president; Vicenta Flores, secretary and the board of directors. Explanation second reading which is very far from being a budget of fiscal restraint. In the first place, the budget that was presented to us by the President was in the total amount of P3.8 billion, which is P500 million bigger than the budget for the present fiscal year 1970. It is true that we trimmed this proposed budget of the President to P3.5 billion, which is still P200 million bigger than the budget for this fiscal year 1970. And this P3.5 billion that we are approving tonight, Mr. Speaker, is only for the programmed items. We do not know how much the unprogrammed items will total. According to the estimate in the budget message, it will be about P17 billion. I will cite a specific instance, Mr. Speaker, to illustrate my point that our budget is not a budget fiscal restraint. The appropriation for the Public Information Office, which is popularly known as the "Malacanang Press Office” or the Malacanang propaganda machine is ?9,429,530. In this recent fiscal year 1970, under RA 6050, the budget for the same Office is only | P5,761842. In other words, we have increased the budget of the Public Information Office by more than P3.6 million. It will be recalled, Mr. Speaker, that in fiscal year 1965-1966, the last year of Macapagal administration, the budget of the Public Information Office was only P692,000. Today, from a half-million-peso office, the Public Information Office has grown to a nine-millionpeso giant! And if we examine the plantilla of the Public Information Office we will find that there are more than 400 positions provided for in this office. There are moviedirectors, photographers, TV operators, etc. . .. more than 400 positions! We are indeed;<turpnsed, Mr. Speaker, why we have to enlarge the propaganda? machine of Malacanang, considering that our President has assured our students verbally that he is not running for a third term. What will be the purpose of enlarging the propaganda machine if it is true that our President is not running for a third term? PNR Southern Jimenez assured PNR patrons that a more effective and lasting solution is presently being undertaken as plans for a complete rehabilitation and selective modernization of PNR facilities have already been approved by President Ferdinand E. Marcos. He, however emphasized that unless the PNR is given a more substantial financial assistance soon it will surely stop operations. It is high time, he said, that the railroad be given a bigger share in this year’s reparations allocation for after all the company was almost totally destroyed during the war and up to now has not really been rehabilitated from the destruction it suffered. As I See It judicious reporting. It would be a pity if disgruntled elements were allowed to assassinate the character of a dedicated public servant. xxx The picketing of the local G. S. I. S. building by school teachers and other government employees who are members of the system was avoided because President Marcos gave way partly to the demands of the employees. (To be continued) of the ... In comparison with the appropriation of the Public Information Office, Mr. Speaker, let us look into the appropriations of the different hospitals which are almost heroically serving our people in spite of their inadequate budgets. The Philippine General Hospital, Mr. Speaker, has an appropriation of only P9,951,316, which is about the same as the budget for the Public Information Office. Does this mean that the Public Information Office, the Malacanang propaganda machine, is an important as the Philippine Gen. Hospital? The North General Hospital, now known es the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Hospital, which is one of the most congested hospitals in the citv, has a budget of only P4,458,525, or less than half of the budget of the Malacanang Press Office. San Lazaro Hospital, which is a landmark in Philippine history, has a budget of only P5,190,660, or again, about one-half of the budget of the Public Information Office of Malacanang. The National Orthopedic Hospital, a very important hospital, which is still unfinished up fto the present because it has not been given sufficient funding, has a budget of only P4,955,380. Mr. Speaker, I regret that this budget which we are enacting tonight is not a budget of fiscal restraint. It is the same budget that we have been enacting year in and year out and it has been the source of the mounting complaints of our people. It is a budget that is filled with useless appropriations and unnecessary expenditures which could be better used for such worthy projects as the Philippine Genera) Hospital, San Lazaro Hospital, North Gen. Hospital, National Orthopedic Hospital & the National Mental Hospital, which has been criticized-as a "snake pit”. For these reasons, Mr. Speaker, I am constrained to vote NO! Thank you. THE ACTING SECRETARY, reading: Banco Filipino goes to Bicol. ^ight in the heart of Naga City - the center of trade, commerce, industry and education. Your very own city-mates led by Jovito Hernandez are now waiting to give you the biggest banking benefits ever! Like interest every month on saving deposits. Advance interest on time deposits. 8 to 8 banking hours . . . even on Saturdays. "Magagayon” naCRMs who’ll do anything for you. And many, many more. So, come ... bank with Banco Filipino. Your “amiga" and "amigo” are waiting to serve you.