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com

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outstanDinG local newspaper

For Five Consecutive Years
St. peter Baptist Catholic Mass Media awards

Vol. XXii, no. 18

reGional eXponent for proGress

bicol, the philippines

january 25-31, 2015

p5.00

473-8888

more Sorsogon attractions

other than Whale Sharks
By DANNy O. CAllejA

LEGAZPI CITY -
Sorsogon maybe an
obscure province but
its utterly charming
beaches kissed by exotic marine life-rich waters should not be overlooked and skipped by
idyllic tropical holiday seekers who want
heartening places away
from the arduous urban crowd.
panumbaGan Sand bar

(Turn to page 6)

Outgoing CSur PeNRO cites gains

By ANA-lIZA S. MACATANGAy
NAGA CITY --- Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Atty. Arnel P. Rodriguez
will be leaving the jurisdiction of manning the Camarines
Sur resources to his new successor together with the significant accomplishments he has propagated during his
almost 2 years of tenure as the Departments Officer in
Charge in the province of Camarines Sur.

daet boSS

Mayor Tito S. Sarion hands a certificate of appreciation to

the towns Bureau of Fire Protection represented by a lady
firefighter, citing its support to the towns Business One-Stop
Shop (BOSS) program.

Rodriguez will return at

the DENR Regional Office in
Legazpi and will assume his
new post as Assistant Regional Director for Management
Service pursuant to a Special
Order (SO) issued by DENR
USEC Demetrio Ignacio. Before serving as CamSur OICPENRO, he was assigned as
the Head of DENRs Legal
Department in the Region.
During the FORUM@
PIA spearheaded by the Philippine Information Agency
(PIA) - Camarines Sur Provincial Office Wednesday,
Rodriguez cited his numerous
achievements. One of those
was giving the departments
employees their benefits, particularly empowering them
by strengthening the Collective Negotiations Agreement
Incentives.
He also spoke about the issues of rotting charcoals and
logs that were then left putrid
at the DENRs yard. This,
under his term was turned
into useful chairs through the
partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd)
and the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur under
the project dubbed Project

outGoInG penro at pIa Forum

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Camarines Sur Provincial
Head Atty. Arnel Rodriguez was the featured guest during last weeks "Forum@PIA" program
hosted by PIA provincial head, liezl Macatangay.

Silya.

(Turn to page 7)

3rd Floor, GERONIMO BLDG., BARLIN ST., NAGA CITY TELEFAX: (054) 475-62-62 CP 0921-3183720 / 0919-2822901 / 0920-5337766

opinion

bikol reporter

editorial
Water/less World

Over the weekend, the Coca Cola Foundation

Philippines and the Philippine Rural Reconstruction
Movement(PRRM), the countrys oldest non-government
organization, turned over its PhP2.6-million Agos Tubig
sa Barrio project to three upland barangays of Baao,
Camarines Sur.
The project is part of the Foundations corporate
social responsibility of giving back an amount of water
equivalent to what they use for their products; while
for the PRRM, it is along its Water Sanitation (WATSAN)
Tubig sa Baryo program.
This attention of the two organizations to communities
deprived of or with dearth in potable water supply is
not only worth commending, but should also serve as
an inspiration for local government leaders in Bicol to
include water in their development agenda.
It is ironic that while some barangays located in
the so-called Bicol river basin area, particularly in the
Rinconada District, remain flooded brought by last
years typhoons; there are also areas in the district
which remain without potable water source or supply.
This is not, of course, an isolated situation as
a Greenpeace report on the water situation in the
Philippines showed that despite our archipelagic
location, our country is also facing several water
resource challenges.
These include water supply and demand disparaties,
water allocation, weak water use and regulation and
enforcement, inefficient water use and management,
depletion of groundwater resources, big water demand
of large corporations, and depletion and deterioration of
watersheds.
The last is particularly worth examining in the light of
the riverine and lake ecosystem of the mainland Bicol
region; which is subject to basic ecological principle
that says that what happens somewhere will have a
concomitant repercussion also somewhere.
For instance, forestall denudation will result in
the flooding downstream, as the current flooding in
Rinconada towns like Nabua show.
This makes the need for the local government units
in those area to start talking as a group in charting the
metaphorical water course of the district.
Fortunately, during the turn-over event, Rep. Salvio
Fortuno was around; and we can only hope he can help
revive the old Rinconada Integrated Area Development
Council which should discuss the future of water in the
area, including water supply.
Hopefully by focusing now on the future of water,
the future generation will not accuse us in the same
words as Christs: I was thirsty and you did not give
me water. (fpj012515)

02082606

Tel. No. (054) 475-6262

ed g. yu
Editor

0939-604-3144

Lee G. Dullesco II

Head, Advertising Associates

0920-533-7766

january 25-31, 2015

Tax Managers Advocacies

(PICPA past president and Hall-ofFamer, and ACPAPP Lifetime Achievement
Awardee).
SAFEGUARDS: The Tax Management
Association of the Philippines (TMAP)
whose members include external auditors
and tax managers of business firms
is seeking to amend the Tax Code to
safeguard the rights of taxpayers and to
limit the power of the BIR Commissioner
to interpret tax laws and to decide cases.
TMAP has submitted positions papers
to the appropriate ways and means
committees of the House and the Senate.
The tax managers are asking for
legislative changes to ensure that
proper consultations are observed by the
Commissioner of Internal Revenue (CIR)
in issuing decisions that effectively nullified
long-standing precedent rulings. There are
cases of recent decisions issued by the
CIR that were reversed or nullified by the
Court of Tax Appeals. TMAP emphasized
that authority to interpret tax laws rests with
the Finance Secretary, not with the CIR.
UNREASONABLE:
TMAP is also
seeking the reduction of the creditable
withholding tax (CWT) rate to a more
reasonable level. The CWT is actually
advance collection of income tax or VAT,
and so the rate must approximate the
eventual collectible tax. With the high
rate of withholding, some taxpayers
have excess (withheld) payments that
are perennially carried forward to the
next period. The alternative of applying
for refund or tax credit is considered
bloody!
In the case of income tax withholding

the basis used is gross sales or receipts,

whereas the income tax is computed
on gross income (less cost of services
or sales). Various claims against the
government are summarily dismissed by
the BIR without any legal justification.
Failure to attach required documents
is used by revenue officers to dismiss
outright the application for tax credit
instead of giving the taxpayers opportunity
to complete their papers.
IMF FORECAST: The International
Monetary Fund (IMF) raised this week
its economic growth projection for the
Philippines this year and next year, even
as it cut lower the global outlook. We
are expected The country is expected to
benefit from the higher public spending
(bigger budget for 2015) and the current
lower cost of fuel. The IMF growth
forecast for 2015 is 6.6% (from 6.3%) and
for 2016 6.4% (from 6.2%).
A countrys growth rate is impacted
by consumer spending as well as by
government spending which has multiplier

effect. When consumers purchase more

goods, it means industrial production (or
imports) will be boosted. The increase in
production leads to higher employment
and the payroll of workers tend to raise
consumer spending. That is how the
economic cycle turns, Oftentimes, it is
thr government that initiates the budget
spending to resuscitate or upgrade the
economic activities.
LOLO KIKO: Pope Francis left
Filipinos with several advices. TV
Commentator Ernie Verdadero of GNN
Ini an Totoo summarized them for
us: Let KINDNESS rule, create good
HABITS, and choose to focus on the
GOOD. Always be your better you,
stop JUDGING others, and start each
day with GOALS. Choose the more
modest purchases for your needs,
befriend those who DISAGREE with
you, and stop being NEGATIVE!
Respect others BELIEFS, work
for PEACE, and dont GOSSIP just to
make EPAL. Make genuine and true
commitments like MARRIAGE, and
be HAPPY with your being and with all
that you have. As long as we live, let
us have HOPE, LOVE, COMPASSION,
MERCY and JOY! We believe that as
our loving Pontiff leaves our shores
our country will be more peaceful
and prosperous, and the Pinoys more
understanding and forgiving. GOD
BLESS US ALL!
PAPAL WISH: We must be light
carriers of the Word of God; love, mercy
and compassion are our guides.

Pastoral visit of Pope Francis, TV newscasts

of Channel 1 & 7; Estrada wins SC case
I watched the arrival of Pope Francis to
our country from the beginning up to his
departure on TV. I was also excited and
happy about his pastoral visit here because
I liken him to a father of the family visiting
his children and I am one of his millions of
children here. I heard the masses on TV
in Tacloban and Luneta and I believe that
when he blessed those who heard mass,
I was also a recipient of his blessing. His
coming strengthened and energized my
faith. Faith provides direction in my life.
The Popes messages are all worth
listening and heeding to. Its like a guideline.
They are many but in this column I will
discuss only one. But I want to mention
that he is for religious unity and Universal
Brotherhood. His message was mercy and
compassion for the poor especially the
Yolanda victims and others.
When the Pope arrived at the Manila
International Airport, he was met by
President Benigno S. Aquino and many
members of his Cabinet. It was not the
usual protocol as practice for a head of
state to welcome a head of state there.
The practice in the Philippines is that the
Vice President welcomes the head of
the state at the airport. Then, they go to
Malacaang where the President is waiting
for him or her.
There was no need for the Cabinet
members to meet the Holy Father. Because
of the time consumed to greet and talk to
them, the Pope was unable to see the
dancing of many children for him. Those
children spent long hours of practicing
the dance and songs for Pope Francis.
However, I hope their meeting with the
Pope will make them better persons and
officials of the government.
In Malacaang, the President welcomed
Pope Francis. He spoke of the history of his
family and their suffering under martial law.
He also criticized the role of the clergy in the
society particularly in its aggressive position
against the RH law and the supposed
silence of the church during the nine-year
unpopular rule of former President Gloria

M. Arroyo. This part of his speech appears

to be uncalled for and unwanted. It is a
pastoral visit of the Pope in the country.
In his message at Malacaang Palace,
before senior government officials and
diplomats, Pope Francis highlighted the
need to end scandals, social inequalities
and prioritize the upliftment of the lives of
the poor. He said, As many voices in your
nation have pointed out, it is now more
than ever necessary that political leaders
be outstanding for honesty, integrity and
commitment to the common good. In this
way, they will help preserve the rich-human
and natural resources which God has
blessed the country. Thus, they will be able
to marshal the moral resources needed to
free the demands of the present and to
pass on to coming generations a society
of authentic justice, solidarity and peace,
he added. I hope these words do not fall
on deaf ears. This message is also for
everyone but primarily to his audience.
The government and the church and
those in the private sector who worked
for the security of Pope Francis deserve
congratulations for work well done. It was
not an easy job on the Pope and the church
he heads has also many detractors. But
nothing bad happened to the Holy Father
because of the precautionary measures
taken. It is unfortunate that five hundred
policemen were reportedly not given their
meal allowance during those five days.

DILG Sec. Mar Roxas should have given

it in advance. It should be given even
only now.
*****
When I watch the newscasts on TV,
I frequently change channels to also
see the view of others. I watched TV
patrol of ABS-CBN this Thursday and it
emphasized and gave much time on the
investigation of the Senates Blue Ribbon
Committees hearing where the defeated
mayoral candidate in Makati, ex-vice
mayor Ernesto Mercado accused Vice
President Jejomar Binay of getting P200
million in a Boy Scout deal between the
Boy Scouts of the Philippines and the
Alphaland Corp for the development of a
one hectare property in Makati. The side
of VP Binay was not given same time to
express its side.
When I switched to channel 7 of
GMA, it showed ex-Makati Vice Mayor
Ernesto Mercado accusing VP Binay
of getting P200 million from a Boy
Scout Land deal, but it also showed the
denial and the documents of the Boy
Scouts of the Philippines and of the
Alphaland Corporation. That is balanced
reporting.
Everytime newscasters of GMA
Channel 7 and their newscasts, they say
their station ay Walang pinapanigan,
walang pinoprotektahan. Serbisyong
totoo lamang. I can see this to be true.
*****
Eleven Supreme Court Justices
voted to dismiss the disqualification
case against Manila Mayor Joseph
Estrada while three Justices voted for
the disqualification. The main issue
reportedly considered by majority of the
SC Justices was the characterization
of the pardon extended by President
Gloria Arroyo as absolute and his civil
and political rights have been absolutely
restored.
So, Estrada can run again for any
political position and remains to be the
Mayor of Manila.

Visit our website:

www.bikolreport.blogspot.com

january 25-31, 2015

bikol reporter

bikol reporter

pama-an
Baga, puso asin laman
Ni Monica O. Tianela*

Haloy ko nang minamati an kulog na ini

Garo kinukuroso kusong papel asin pinurugti pugti
Pinupukpuk ako na daing siring,
Tinatadtad an baga, puso asin laman nin may piring.
Ginagadan ta iyo an kaipuhan
Kinukua gabos tangani lang masiraman
Ta daw kan inot ika namomoot,
Ta daw ngunyan ika grabe nang palusot,
Si dating hamis na saimong itinao,
Nasanglian nin pait sa sakong pagnamit.
Si sakong siram na namamatian kaidto
Dae na mamati ta ako simo nang pinanao.
Iyo ini an sakong baga, puso asin laman,
Idinusay sa iba, tanganing ika sakong mapaogma.
Si Monica estudyante sa CBSUA-Calabanga Campus kun sain siya
saro sa nagin fellow sa enot na ginibong Writes Workshop duman.

The use of different strategies

in teaching mathematics
By Amerlyn T. Redondo
T-2, San Jose Elementary School, Nabua East District
Nabua, Camarines Sur

The use of different stategies in teaching mathematics nowadays has been emphasized perhaps through
the values component of mathematics such as: The use
of similarities, parallel, and object lessons. The use of
story of mathematics to illustrate biographical values
in the lives of mathematicians. Raise issues relayed to
the nature and the usefulness of mathematics through
discussion, question or in challenges to pupils. Identify
values involved in problems, examples and the use cooperative learning models.
The teaching strategies in mathematics focused on
identifying values involved in problems and examples
thru the use of cooperative learning models, both studies focused its problem to classify students according to
their level of development.
The are approaches in teaching mathematics and
are intended to bring pupils closer to the core of said
discipline. The use of flashcards, the use of powerpoint
presentation, the use of software for mathematics, silent
reading, pep talk, outdoor mathematics, music, poetry,
games, journal, puzzles, trivia, mathematics connections and contents.
The approaches in teaching math deals with achieving quality education. The most common strategies was
more on their technical skills, the delivery of lessons in
the classrooms, which included strategies and processes relevant to each learning area, use of instructional
materials and the formulation of appropriate test items
that are congruent to the learning objectives of the lessons.

Indie-Film Supporter

Camarines Sur 5th District Representative Salvio Fortuno

gamely posed for a selfie with young filmmaker Jenn Romano
and James Robert Macatangay who sought and got the
congressmans support for their trip to Tropfest film festival
in Penang, Malaysia end of this month where Romanos work,
Pa-duman, is one of the finalists. Fortuno was the guest
speaker during the inauguration and blessing of the Agos
Tubig sa Barrio Project of the Coca-Cola Foundation and
the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement in barangays
Caranday, Sta. Teresita and Del Pilar, all in Baao, Cam. Sur.

halo-halo

january 25-31, 2015

Manongod sa Pag-ataman sa Gurang asin May Hilang

Siring sa ugali ko pag-uli ko sa
harong kasudma, binuksan ko an
puertahan kan kuarto kan sakong
gurang na ina asin hiniling kun
kumusta na siya. Mayo na siya
duman.
Nalingaw ako na dinara mi na siya
duman sa funeraria.
Minataong
kapunduhan
an
kagadanan sa buhay, arog sa pagaataman o kapagalan na takod
igdi, sa sarong magurang na haloy
nang paghigda na lang an aram na
posisyon mantang naghahalat kan
saiyang huring hinangos.
Mayo naman nanggad si mama sa
saiyang kuarto. Si mga gamit niya na
lang. May dakulang kawaran akong
namamati.
Alagad kasubanggi, mantang
pighihiling ko siya sa kabaong,
napaghorop-horop ko na bako man
blangko an saiyang kwarto.
Yaon na siya sa sa kwarto kan
samong memorya, sa samong puso,

asin haloy naman siyang nasa

samong dugo.
Yaon siya sa luba ko na tinaan niya
kami asin an sakong agom lalo na,
na atamanon siya, na mataan siya
nin panahon, dawa ngani sa sakong
kasiribotan o sa sakong paghiling,
garo kulang pa. Dakula na ining
balaog. Dakula na ining presencia
niya sa samong buhay.
Yaon siya sag abos na itinukdo
niya sako. Pagtukdo na bako

lang manongod sa kaaraman,

kundi patin sa pakiki-aram kun
kinakaipuhan.
Yaon siya sa pagpapagiromdom
kan pangangaipo nin pagpapaomay.
Maestra
sa
eskwelang
pampubliko si mama nin haloy na
taon sa Libmanan. Alagad, siya
man an nagserbing garo school
nurse.
Nagiromdoman ko na siya an
kinua kan magurang kan sarong
boy scout na kakontemporaryo ko
na natusok nin minasbad si tuhod
asin nagadan ta natitian nin dugo.
Garo si presencia niya bastante
na maasigurar sinda na igwang
nagmamangno, nakikidumamay.
An duwang ini: an papel
kan pagtukdo, an halaga kan
pagpapaomay, iyong naisip ko sa
kagadanan kan sakong ina.
Yaon ka pa dawa pighihidaw ta
ka na tulos, mama.

'Outstanding Daet Women' search on

By Rosalita B. Manlangit
DAET, Camarines Norte The
municipal government has reactivated the annual search for 10 exemplary women in the town that
will highlight Womens Month in
March.
Mayor Tito S. Sarion said the Outstanding Women in Daet are Daeteos
who have proven their ability to lead,
inspire and enable others, commitment
in the organization, dedication and
sustainability of advocacy, remarkable accomplishment that has major

inner chess
by j. henry danican

impacts towards a gender fair society,

and remarkable accomplishment that
has major impacts to Daeteo.
Sarion said the honorees will be
chosen from various professions,
namely, judicial service, protective
and security services, professional
services, academe and education services, volunteerism, social and community services, philanthropic, culture
and arts, math, science and technology, entrepreneurship; non-government
organization and civic organization,
media public information and journalism, government service and sports,

and those with disability.

Honoring women in Daet focuses the spotlight on Daeteos whose
economic, social, cultural and humanitarian contributions to their
communities are unique and significant, he added.
He said the awardees will be honored at a ceremony set for March in
Daet.
Nomination forms can be obtained at the Daet Municipal Social
Welfare and Development Office.
Entries should be submitted not
later than Jan. 30, Friday.

january 25-31, 2015

bikol reporter

PDAO leads National

Autism week celebration
NAGA CITY --- The
Persons with Disability
Office (PDAO) will lead
the various activities
lined up for the 19th National Autism Week slated from January 25 to
31, its officer-in-charge
bared.
The city government
through PDAO understands the importance of
working with organizations in the autism community. We are much more
than willing to extend any
kind of help that the government can extend to help
them uplift the life and
condition of persons with
autism, Molin said in an
interview.
The PDAO was created under City Ordinance
No. 2010-039 sponsored
by City Councilor Nathan
Sergio, Chair of the Committee on Persons with
Disabilities of the Sangguniang Panglungsod.
The Department of
Education (DepEd) particularly faculty members
handing children with
autism will kick off the
celebration on January 23
with a pre-opening program at the Naga Central
II-SPED Center. A showcase of various artworks of
students will be featured in
their mini exhibit. Developmental games will also
be conducted to strengthen
camaraderie and sportsmanship amongst the participants.
An Angels Walk sponsored by the Autism Society- Naga Chapter will
follow on Sunday. The
walk will commence at the
Plaza Rizal at around 6am
and will wind up at SM
City Naga. This will be
followed by a Community
mass from 9 until 10 in the
morning through the City
Government of Naga under the auspices of Mayor
John G. Bongat.
Special
Education
(SPED) Schools from various parts of Bicol Region
will also take part in the
Get Up-AU program and
will culminate through the
Signing at the Commitment Wall, including the
Isang Bansa, Isang Pangako Campaign which
will specifically address
the need of persons affected with autism to be
understood.
Molin stated that the
pledge intends to make
people understand that
autism is not a laughing
matter and that people afflicted with it should be re-

spected and understood in

their own language.
People with autism
have their own God-given
talents, just like all of us.
They should not be judged
or laughed at just because
they are special. We should
also continually challenge
ourselves to communicate
with them and make them
feel that we all part of one
community.
Autism as defined is a
neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a childs
ability to express himself
greatly affecting his verbal
and non-verbal communication, oftentimes resulting to a compromised so-

cial interaction. There are

approaches now being undertaken by various SPED
schools to make children
with autism see their own
strengths and the gift within themselves.
The celebrations culminating activity will be
a tree planting program
dubbed Tanom Para sa
Kaakian at the outskirts
of Panicuason, Naga City
on February 1. Spearheading the activity is the Naga
City SPED Center (NCSC)
Faculty members, parents,
Autism Society Naga
City Chapter, LGU Naga
and other stakeholders.
-LSMacatangay

National Confab Ocular

PCL national president Maybelyn dela Cruz Fernandez and PCL-CamSur president and regional
chair Giovanni Sear inspected the CamSur WaterSports Complex as part of the preparation
for the PCL national assembly in March 4 to 6, 2015. They are joined by other PCL national
officials, EVP Boyet Cruzado of Makati, Sec. Gen. Benny Brizuela and PRO Jay Pimentel.

january 25-31, 2015

bikol reporter
more sorsoGon attractions . . .

reSourCe manaGement team

Mayor john G. Bongat welcomes members of urban Nexus

headed by its regional coordinator, Ruth erlbeck, which
will conduct a study tour in the city and at the Bicol State
College of Applied Sciences and Technology as well as
explore areas of partnership with the city. -naga.gov.ph

Blissfully leaned on the

southeastern tip of Luzon,
Sorsogon is an unassertive
province of one city Sorsogon City, the provincial capital -- and 14 towns.
Notwithstanding, however,
the coastal location of all these
localities, except the landlocked town of Irosin-- that is
wrapped along superb beaches-- oftentimes, the province
is ignored.
The province also boasts of
high mountains to climb beneath verdant forests of exotic
wildlife, an active volcano
from where hot and cold natural springs emanate and plenty
of historical sites featuring
antique structures like century-old churches, watchtowers
and monuments.
The regional office of
the Department of Tourism
(DOT) based in this Bicols
tourism center wants travel
enthusiasts to grasp these as
an offer of the bests of the
provinces come-ons, other
than the famous whale sharks
of the town of Donsol.
One place to go not far from
the Donsol is the Panumbagan
Sand Bar, a five-kilometerlong tamarind fruit-shaped
islet richly endowed with fine,
pearly white sand belonging
to the nearby town of Pilar.
The local government provided the islet with a wellengineered series of facilities
like floating cottages connected with each other by floating
bridges made of industrial
bamboo and built in style in
three octagonal rings.
More developments are in
the offing for this site through
a Php 3.5-million fund allocation provided by the DOT via
the Grassroots Participatory

Budgeting Process (GPBP)

of the agency under the 2015
General Appropriation Act,
Maria Ong-Ravanilla, the
DOT regional director for Bicol, on Tuesday said.
At this point and time,
escapade in Donsol would no
longer be complete without
experiencing what Panumbagan Sand Bar offers -- like
the taste of sea grapes (locally called lato) that are
abundant at the surrounding
Panlatuan Bay and could be
harvested from under the water by visitors themselves and
eaten fresh, Ravanilla said.
Panlatuan Bay, a cove covering three barangays of Pilar,
is the ancient site of Astillero
de Panlatuan, the once-famous
shipbuilding yard established
after the end of Galleon Trade
in 1650.
Sea grapes (Caulerpa lentillifera), an edible seaweed variety reported to have antibacterial and antifungal properties
and believed to have a cure to
hypertension and rheumatism,
abundantly and naturally grow
under the pure seawater of the
bay for its high salinity. This
pretty green seaweed -- which
studies show to contain high
amount of minerals, balanced
amino acid profile and iodine
-- is made up of tiny oblong,
greenish crystalline balls.
Edible sea urchins, locally
named suwaki (Sea Urchin
Roe) that are known as aphrodisiac in Japan for thousands
of years, can also be found
around the area.
Panumbagan could be
reached via a 50-minute motorboat ride from the Pilar
port, passing along the Bantigue Point and Marine Sanctuary Reserve -- a cool place

for diving and snorkeling,

viewing and interacting with
various colors, shapes and
types of corals, fishes and other underwater characters.
Both places are perfect for
nature lovers who want to be
embraced by peaceful ambiance, hear the music created
by the sea breeze, and enjoy
sun bathing, bare foot sand
walking, swimming, and savoring tranquility.
Ravanilla describes these
places as among Sorsogons
perfect getaways from a busy
life that are now among the
most visited places in the
province because of its proximity to the whale shark sanctuary of Donsol.
Tourists, mostly Malaysians and Russians coming for
the whale sharks, have been
making side trips to these areas to discover for themselves
these wonderful add-on experiences, she said.
Other than whale shark
interaction in Donsol, Ravanilla said, the DOT has also
provided GPBP fund for the
putting up of a Visitor Center
and Landing Area for tourists
who are fascinated by firefly
watching along the coastline
of the towns giant marine
mammal sanctuary.
Firefly watching has been
the nighttime attraction that
entices visitors to stay in Donsol during the night after their
daytime whale shark encounters, and these facilities are
designed to make their night
outing convenient and comfortable, she said.
Other developments in
the Sorsogon tourist sites are
the canopy walk and floating
wellness center provided by
the DOT for Bulusan Lake out
of its 2014 GPBP fund worth
Php2.8 million.

The lake sits at the bosom

of Bulusan Volcano Natural
Park, a 3,672-hectare protected area serving as home to
various species of endangered
animals and considered the
most exciting ecotourism site
in the province next to Donsol.
The park also boasts of
several springs and waterfalls
that originate from the mountains.
One of the springs is the
bathing-favorite Masacrot, a
man-made earthen pool with
cool mineral waters coming
from underground springs.
Bulusan Lake itself, which is
situated at the very foot of Mt.
Bulusan -- one of the most active volcanoes in the Pacific
Rim of Fire, is a spectacular
ecotourism destination for its
scenic and exquisite beauty.
Rising 340 meters above
sea level, the lake that occupies an area of more than
16 hectares is dubbed as the
Swtizerland of the Orient
for its pristine perfection and
the coolness of its mountain
breeze.
Another tourist attraction
at the Bulusan town is the
Punta Diamante, the muralla
(stone fort) that encloses the
church complex of St. James
the Greater Parish which remains grand in its antiquity
together with the belfry, the
largest of the four watchtowers dotting the historical complex.
A tourist access road between Bulusan town and Matnog passing through the town
of Sta. Magdalena is also in the
offing with the recent approval of the project for Php300
million and appropriation this
year of Php50 million for the
start of the works, Ravanilla
added.

breastfeeDinG...
from now the facility will
be constructed after Mayor
John Bongat finally identified
an area inside the CBS that
would allow every traveling
mother to express her milk
in a mother/baby-friendly
workplace.
The establishment of
breastfeeding areas in workstations in the city is also in
compliance with the provisions of Republic Act 10028,
which is an act expanding
the promotion of breastfeeding. Both city and national
measures seek to address
the countrys commitment to
achieve at least three of the
8 Millennium Development
Goals of the United Nations
which include eradication of
extreme poverty and hunger,
reduction of child mortality,
and improvement of maternal
health.
The city government under the leadership of Mayor
Bongat is seriously pursuing
that both the city ordinance
and the national law are being implemented for their noble goals; hence, big private
companies based in the city
are encouraged to secure certification by the NCPNO that
they complied or are complying with said measures before
they could get their business
licenses and permits, Del
Castillo said.

balatas road, brgy. balatas, naga City

For DeCeMBeR
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.

NAMe OF DeCeASeD
DATe OF INTeRMeNT
FALABI, JACE AMIEL
4-Dec-14
GEREZ, MARIO P.
6-Dec-14
BUEZA, LEONITO B.
9-Dec-14
TUASON, MARILYN L.
9-Dec-14
POBLETE, MONINA S.
10-Dec-14
ENCINARES, DANTE L.
10-Dec-14
SALES, NORMA C.
16-Dec-14
AZOTILLO, CEASAR A.
17-Dec-14
ARCEGA, REYNALDO S.
19-Dec-14
KATIGBAK, VALENTINA T.
20-Dec-14
AGNABO, OTILLO C.
21-Dec-14
VILLAMORA, CLAYTON JERARD B. 23-Dec-14
VIOLA, SEVERO C.
26-Dec-14
DE MATTA, VICTOR V
30-Dec-14

january 25-31, 2015

tip of an
iceberg
homar murillo

Email: homar.murillo@gmail.com

Epistemology

(Part 2 of a 4-part series)

I. What is knowledge?
There are different examples of knowledge such as the
knowledge of how to fry an egg, knowledge of your ATM pin
code and knowledge about your native language. These
examples all fall within the interest of epistemology but the
main focus of epistemology as a branch of philosophy is
propositional knowledge. It is distinct from know-how or
procedural knowledge like how to fry an egg. It is also different
from knowing of or knowledge by acquaintance (personal
knowledge) such as the knowledge of the names of your
friends.
Propositional knowledge is also known as descriptive
knowledge or declarative knowledge. Simply put, it is a
statement that asserts the truthfulness of a claim. Whether it is
actual knowledge or not is the issue that epistemologists try to
resolve. For example, if a person declares that he or she knows
that all swans are white, this declaration must be backed by
justification or reason why it is true. The justification could be
empirical observation or based on logical assumptions.
A.) Belief
One criterion of knowledge is that it is a belief or simply the
affirmation that something or proposition is true (or not true).
For example, you may believe that the sun will rise tomorrow
simply because it has always been the case as far as you can
remember and as far as the history of the world has shown to
be true. However, the compatibility of a belief to truth or reality
is not necessarily dependent on the strength of the belief. An
actual knowledge cannot be devoid of belief. For example, you
cannot properly know that you have a talent for singing if you
do not believe that you have the talent for singing.
B.) Truth
The most widely accepted philosophical definition of truth
is the correspondence theory of truth. Simply put, truth is the
state of being, belief or cognitive assent that is in accord with
the actual state of things or reality. Hence, an actual knowledge
is in consonance with truth. If it is otherwise, then it is false
knowledge.
C.) Justification
Justification is another crucial criterion of true knowledge.
For instance, an optimistic person may believe that he or she
will recover from his or her serious illness and it may turn
out to be true. However, it cannot be considered as actual
knowledge if that person cannot account or reasonably explain
the belief. A medical doctor who has all the diagnostic data and
medical history about the patient may be said to have an actual
knowledge if the doctor correctly believes that the patient will
recover based on the evidence.
Justification can either be deontological (duty or obligationbased) or it can be nondeontological (based on cognitive
reliability rather than external norms). Deontological justification
is guided by the obligation to know the truth based on some
external methods, norms or standards. This type of justification,
however, can be defective especially when the methods or
norms themselves are defective. One example would be
a tribe that still practices trial by ordeal justice system. The
knowledge about guilt or innocence that the authorities of that
tribe may derive from the trial might be justified based on their
cultural practice but it is fundamentally defective even if it the
judgment of either guilty or innocent is true. The truthfulness
of the judgment (belief) would simply be accidental rather than
properly justified.
References:
1. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/190219/epistemology
2. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epistemology
3. http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/epistemology/
4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epistemology
5. http://www.philosophy-index.com/gettier/counterexamples/
6 http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/M%C3%BCnchhausen_Trilemma

bikol reporter
Outgoing . . .
During my tenure, we instituted a mechanism because
of the huge volume of transactions or activities in Camarines
Sur, I instituted the No-Contact Policy meaning, if one
has to transact, there is no need
to talk to the person taking action on your paper. One has
to go to the Public Assistance
Desk Officer and just wait at
the lobby while the papers are
being processed, Rodriguez
added.
Under Rodriguez jurisdiction as OIC-PENRO were the
protected areas in Camarines
Sur like the Caramoan National Park at Paniman, Caramoan;
Mount Isarog Natural Park
(MINP) located in Carolina,
Naga City; Libmanan Cave
Natural Park (LCNP) in Sigamot, Libmanan, Camarines
Sur, Bicol Natural Park (BNPCam Sur side) in Napolidan,
Lupi and the Lagonoy Natural
Biotic Area located in Agosais,
Lagonoy in Camarines Sur.
The four Community Environment and Natural Resources
Offices (CENROs) in Sipocot,
Goa and in the cities of Iriga
and Naga were also given directives to particularly ensure
the materialization of governments environment initiatives
like the National Greening Program (NGP). Rodriguez said
that in 2014, they were able to
utilize 4,925 hectares of lot and
planted it with 2,581,380 seedlings.
For the year 2015, PENRO
is targeting 1,292,200 seedlings to be planted in a 3, 178
hectares expanse of land. Under the Grassroot Participatory Budgeting (GPB), they
are also looking into 170, 650
seedlings to be planted in a
714 hectares of available soil
this year.
For year 2014, under their
Land Disposition program, they
were able to process and issue
patents to 2,121 agricultural
lands equivalent to 2381.8066
hectares and 1,432 residential
lots. The biggest number of
processed documents was at
CENRO Goa with 960 agricultural lands (1,344 has) and
330 residential lots. In 2015,
the challenge is to process 898
agricultural and 1,475 residential lands.
In as far as revenue generation is concerned Rodriguez thankfully noted that they
were able to come up with an
847,345.71 collection and will
hit a 580,000.00 for 2015.
For his concluding message, Rodriguez thanked the
members of the tri-media for
being their partner in information dissemination for the
past years.

Bikol Reporter
Published: January 18 and 25, 2015

regional exponent for progress

CARD MEDIA BRIEFING

outstanding local newspaper

For Five Consecutive Years by the St. Peter
Baptist Catholic Mass Media Awards

BIKOL
REPORTER

january 25-31, 2015

rubar

Antonio Tejada, CARD Microfinance and Health

Protection Unit manager; Luzviminda Benavente,
CARD Bank Inc. Area Manager (Labo Branch); Jenniefer
Alivia, TSPI Community Development Officer; Cassie
Chandler, Manager for Microfinance and Health

Protection, Freedom from Hunger; Rosemarie Pimentel,

Daet Municipal Health Officer; Grethel Vasquez, OBGyne, Khristine Mae Olaguera, :PhilHealth; and CNorte
PIA Head, Rose Manlangit, met the local press during a
health fair sponsored by the bank.

DAET, Camarines Norte Pregnant women in Camarines Norte received various services during a recent
health fair here sponsored by the Center for Agriculture
and Rural Development (CARD).

The fair, held at the AgroSports Center at the provincial capitol was in line with
the Community Health Day

CARD MRI sponsors health fair

and along the banks Maternal and Reproductive Health

program.
The activity revolved
around the theme, Healthy
Mothers, Healthy Babies: Kalinga kay Inay Project, and
was jointly sponsored by the
Tulay sa Pag-unlad Incorporated (TSPI) and the Microfinance and Health Protection
Freedom from Hunger based
in the United States.
The women received free
consutations, urinalysis and
free medicine and vitamins.
The fair also featured a
Health Education lecture
where the participants were
given information on family
planning, and maternal health
care.
Antonio Tejada, Manager
of Microfinance and Health
Protection Unit of CARD
Head Office said that the
program also aims to help in
the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals,
particularly on the reduction
of maternal mortality in the
country.
CARD was founded by
Managing Director Dr. Jaime
Aristotle B. Alip in 1986 in
Laguna. Currently, it runs
about 1,000 branches all over
the country, including Camarines Norter where it has 12
branches.

Breastfeeding
center at Central
Bus Station soon
By Jason B. Neola
NAGA CITY A
breastfeeding center will
soon be put up inside the
this citys Central Bus Station for the convenience of
travelling lactating mothers
and their nursing children
while waiting for the next
bus or transacting business
inside the station.
Teresita Del Castillo, head
of Naga City Population and
Nutrition Office (NCPNO),
said the plan is in accordance
with City Ordinance 2011032, which requires all government agencies/offices and
private institutions to provide a breastfeeding corner
or room in their respective
premises or places of work.
She said several weeks
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