8th M2K ECO-YOUTH CAMP, SUPORTADO NG BRGY. SAN CRISTOBAL

Nasa larawan ang buong pamunuan ng Barangay San Cristobal na pinamumunuan ni Brgy. Chairman Benjamin M. Felismino na nasa kanyang unang termino. Nasa larawan din ang 2-storey Barangay Hall ng San Cristobal kung saan ay dalawang beses kada buwan ay regular na nagpupulong ang Sangguniang Barangay para sa kapakinabangan ng kalakhang San Cristobal. (Sandy Belarmino/7LPC)

San Pablo City - Suportado ng Sangguniang Council at ni Brgy. Chairman Benjamin M. Felismino II ng Brgy. San Cristobal ang matagumpay na pagtatapos ng 8th M2K Ecological Youth Camp na isinagawa noong Abril 28 hanggang Abril 30 taong kasalukuyan.

Pinatunayan ng pamunuan ng Brgy. San Cristobal na ang ganitong adhikain, maliit man o malaki, ay mahalagang suportahan ng lokal na yunit ng barangay lalut higit ang isinagawang eco-youth camp ng M2K Mountaineering and Outdoor Club na sa nakalipas na walong taon ay walang humpay na isinasakatuparan.

Sa nasabing okasyon ay nagbahagi ng kanilang kasanayan ang Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau ng DENR sa pangunguna ni Bb. Angelita P. Meniado, Chief, Wildlife Management Section hinggil sa importansya ng mga ibong mandaragit (raptors) at iba pang mga kauri nito para sa kapakinabangan ng ating kagubatan at kalikasan.

Ang kahalagahan ng tubig, pinagmumulaan at pangangalaga nito ang tinalakay naman nina G. Al Genove ng San Pablo City Water District at Dr. Dalisay Fernandez ng Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development (PCAMRD). Nagbahagi rin si 1Lt. Lyndon Del Rosario (PAF), 202nd Infantry (Unifier) Brigade ng pagtalakay sa kahalagahan ng liderato o kasanayan sa pamumuno ng isang kabataan.

Lumahok sa nasabing youth camp ang mga kabataang nagmula mismo sa Brgy. San Cristobal; Kabalikatan Inc. (San Pablo Federation); MSC Computer School; mga leader kabataan ng Brgy. Lawagin, Nagcarlan, Laguna at mga kabataang kaanib ng M2K.

“Tamang kaalaman sa kasalukuyang nangyayari sa kapaligiran at mga alternatibong gawain ang isang mabisang paraan ng pagtuturo sa mga kabataan, kung kaya’t sa personal na kapasidad bilang punong barangay ay patuloy kaming sumusuporta sa ganitong mga gawain” ang naging pahayag ni Chairman Felismino sa mga nagsipagtapos na kabataan. (APC/SAB-7LPC)

WHAT'S INSIDE A LOSER'S MIND?

I was told to write a feature article about the Division Spelling Contest but every time I attempted to write, it was always an editorial that I was able to develop. Funny how it happened because I very well know the difference between the two. After I crumpled my last masterpiece of opinions , I felt ready to start with my feature story. That's it. I just have to release my reactions and my opinions first before I can start with my assigned task (those opinions are unsolicited anyway).

I started retrieving in my memory bits and pieces of what took place in the contest. I was there alright, but I must admit that I did not focus on the winners. Actually, I did not bother to take down their names and so I can't remember even one . While the winners were being awarded, I told myself that the long journey has ended and those are the children whom He chose to win . He did not include the pupil from the school that I run. For whatever reason, only He knows. After claiming His divine power and knowledge over us, I contented myself feeling happy for the winners.

As I was trying to look back to that day, the faces of the losers kept flashing in my memory. Sorry, I can't help but notice them for fear that they might have mirrored mine. There were different faces yet displaying one distinct emotion. How would a contestant feel when she loses? Definitely, not happy. But the faces do not just express sadness but extreme sadness. Yes, it was written all over their faces! I understand them. Preparing for the Spelling Contest was not easy. In fact, it was as if fishing in the deep blue sea. There were no words given to review. No specific books to serve as references and no idea of what these words within the grade levels are. It's not only that. Naming the letters in a certain word is not enough. One has to consider capitalization rules, learn the possessive forms, compound words and homonyms. Therefore, before one must start spelling a word, she must listen attentively first to the sentence and be sensitive enough as to how the given word was used. See, winning in this contest is really a hard earned glory.

At this point, I remembered what Miss Gutierrez, the former regional supervisor in charge of the private schools and special education said in the seminar that I attended years back. She said that, one of the characteristics of the gifted pupils or intelligent pupils is the difficulty in spelling words I oppose to the idea and at the same time suppose that everybody will agree with me. Apparently, spellers are intelligent enough to know and apply all the skills that I mentioned awhile ago.

With one or two mistakes, must losers claim that they do not qualify to the description? I overheard a boy telling his mom that he does not know why he was eliminated. Curiosity made my ears focused to their conversation with hope that his query be satisfied. After a while, the teacher in-formed them of the boy's mistake. The boy, after hearing what the teacher said, told her mom that he was not wrong anyway. In fact, he knows the correct spelling of the word. He could have spelled the word correctly had he heard the word clearly. He mistook the word for another word. A major reason to feel extreme sadness knowing it was his only mistake. Can we judge him as less intelligent than the rest? I would like to think that this thing happened for some reason. Maybe the Lord is teaching him the value of listening and so he must take (maybe we may consider also) his experience as another thing to remember in joining a contest… listen very well !

Losing really punches a blow on one's heart. Feeling sorry is but natural. Feeling extreme sadness is not. Reality is, pressure is also bombarded on the child's mind. Remember that children have enough bur-den put upon their shoulders in preparing for any contest. Let us not add pressure to them, instead, teach the children to accept defeat with smiles on their faces.

What took place last March 17 was not the last spelling contest in the Division of San Pablo City. As long as there is the Seven Lakes Association of Southern California, the contest will not end. Let us prepare our children not only intellectually but also emotionally. Let us instill in their minds that it is best to win but it is alright to lose once in a while. Let them bear in mind that there is always somebody better than each one of us, and in that particular Spelling Contest, those somebody happen to be not them nor us. Losing is just a matter of acceptance.(Kristel Iris Estrellado/THE WEDNESDAY HERALD 4-23 to 4-29-2008/kristel iris estrellado)

SEVEN LAKES ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SPONSORS DIVISION SPELLING BEE

“I take pride and joy to be a part of the Annual Division Spelling Bee sponsored by our organization for the Grades I to VI pupils in public school of San Pablo City since 1980. This program aims to motivate and inspire our young learners to strive for excellence, develop effective study habits and skills, acquire discipline, and increase their desire and love to LEARN”.

These words were uttered by Ms. Aurea “Teena” Ticzon Estiva, the president of Seven Lakes Association of Southern California, L.A. County, USA., last January 18, 2008 during the 6th Biennial Convention of Seven Lakes International held at G&E Pavillon, Brgy. Concepcion, San Pablo City.

She further acknowledged the unrelenting effort of San Pableños abroad to actively and dedicatedly carry on the commitment to serve the kababayans especially the youth- the future of the city.

As evidence of this commitment, the association handed P65,000 for this year’s Spelling bee which was held at San Pablo Central School last March 17. Major winners from each grade level received certificate and cash prizes ranging from P4,5000 to 800 while their coaches received up P1,000 to P450. Nobody went home empty-handed because all 42 participants and 42 coaches from the seven districts received their equitable share of the cash prizes.

Like the previous years, this event remains the most awaited academic competition because of the prestige and the monetary reward that go with it. Everybody feel the suspense and excitement filling the hall as the judge-pronouncer Education Supervisor I-(English), Rosario N. Robielos almost run out of words for the contestants who proved to be well-prepared.

Department of Education-San Pablo City and the San Pableños will be forever thankful to the Seven Lakes Association of Southern California, L.A., County, USA, for the gift of service and commitment to the future hope of the city. (THE WEDNESDAY HERALD 4-23 to 4-29-2008/Lorna C. Cataag, mjees school head)

EDUKASYON, MAHALAGA SA MGA BILANGGO

Nasa larawan si Maj. Wilmor T. Plopinio City Jail Warden at ang kanyang mga tauhan ng dumalo ang mga ito sa lingguhan flag raising ceremony ng Lunsod ng San Pablo.

San Pablo City – Ang dormitoryo ng BJMP District Jail sa lunsod na ito ay disenyo para lamang sa 150 detainees subalit sa kasalukuyan ay 301 napipiit kung saan ang 29 ay kababaihan na pawa namang mayroon ng sapat na gulang.

Ito ang ipinahayag ni Chief Inspector Wilmor T. Plopinio, City Jail Warden nang siya ay mag-ulat sa flag raising ceremony noong lunes ng umaga sa City Hall.

Pinahahalagahan ni Plopinio ang ginagawang pakikipag-tulungan ng pangasiwaang lunsod para maging maayos ang kanilang isinasagawang pagkukupkop sa mga napipiit o pinipigil doon na may mga usaping dinidinig sa mga hukuman sa lunsod na ito, tulad ng pagsagot sa buwanang bayarin sa kuryente at tubig, gayon din ng pagkakaloob ng office supplies, sa dahilang wala ito sa budget ng Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

Maging ang Department of Education ay nakikipagtulungan upang ang mga interesadong detainees ay maipagpatuloy ang kanilang pag-aaral sa ilalim ng Basic Alternative Learning Program, kung saan 54 ang ipinagpapatuloy ang kanilang pag-aaral sa lebel ng elementarya upang sa kanilang paglaya ay maging handa sa pagtataguyod ng mga malinis na hanapbuhay, tulad ng pagninegosyo at iba pang kinikilalang gawain na nabibilang sa informal sector ng paggawa.

Maging ang iba’t-ibang sector ng lipunang ay may patuluyang palatuntunan upang sa araw-araw ay magkaroon ng mga religious services dito na malaking tulong upang ang mga napipiit ay magabayang dumaan sa matuwid na pamumuhay sa sandaling sila ay lumaya na, pag-uulat pa ni Major Plopinio.

Sa pakikipagtulungan ng City Health Office, nabatid na ang kalusugan ng mga napipiit sa District Jail ay maayos na napapangalagaan, at may mga non-governmental organization na naghahandog ng mga kinakailangan nilang gamot, kaya ang lahat ng karapatang pang-tao ng mga detainees ay napapangalagaan, at ito ay mapatutunayan ng mga namumuno sa City Parole and Probation Office na regular na dumdalaw sa kanilang mga karsel. (Southern Tagalog Herald/7LPC)

68th FOUNDATION DAY NG SAN PABLO CITY

Itinatag ang San Pablo bilang lunsod noong Mayo 7, 1940 sa bisa ng isang batas na pinagtibay ng National Assembly na Commonwealth Act 520, na isinulong ni Assemblyman Tomas Dizon sa Pambansang Asembleya.

Sa nakalipas na 68 taon ay pinamahalaan tayo ng labing-apat (14) ng city mayor kabilang ang mga naging appointed at mga halal na punong lunsod. Ang mga naging appointed mayor ay sina (1) Dr. Potenciano Malvar 1941; (2) Dr. Manuel Quisumbing, 1941-1943; (3) Kgg. Tomas D. Dizon, 1943-1946; (4) Kgg. Alfonso Farcon, 1946; (5) Dr. Fernando Bautista, 1946-1948; (6) Kgg. Marciano Brion Sr., 1949-1952; (7) Kgg. Artemio Fule, 1952-1953; at (8) Kgg. Tomas D. Dizon, 1954-1955.

Si Mayor Tomas D. Dizon ay nakadalawang termino ang appointment, marahil ay dahil na rin sa pagpapahalaga sa kanyang mga nagawa at naitulong sa lunsod ng pitong lawa

Alinsunod sa batas ay mula 1955 ang alkalde ng lunsod ay nararapat nang ihalal ng mga San Pableño. Ang pinaka-unang halal na punong lunsod ay si (1) Kgg. Cipriano Colago, 1956-1959; (2) Kgg. Lauro D. Dizon, 1960-1963; (3) Kgg. Zacarias A. Ticzon, 1964-1967; (4) Kgg. Cesar P. Dizon, 1968-1986; (5) Kgg. Vicente B. Amante, 1992-2001; at (6) Florante L. Aquino, 2001-2004.

Nahalal muli at nanungkulan si Mayor Zacarias A. Ticzon noong 1986-1992 at si Mayor Vicente B. Amante noong 2004 at 2007 para sa kanyang ika-4 at ika-5 termino. Sa pagtatapos ng huling termino ni Amante ay siya ang pinakamaraming ulit na inihalal ng mga San Pableño na magkakaroon ng habang 18 taon.

Ang mga naging vice mayor naman ay ang mga sumusunod: (1) Zacarias A. Ticzon, 1960-1963; (2) Cesar P. Dizon, 1964-1967; (3) Pedro Magcase, 1968-1971; (4) Palermo Bañagale 1972-1980; (5) Jimmy M. Gonzales, 1980-1986; (6) Celia Conducto-Lopez, 1986; (7) John Henry “Binky” A. Potenciano, 1988-1992; (8) Danton Bueser, 1992-1998; (9) Leandro Castillo, 1998-1999; (10) Lauro G. Vidal, 1999-2007 at (11) Martin A. Ilagan, 2007-hanggang kasalukuyan.

Sa mga naging pangalawang punong-lunsod na nahalal na alkalde ay sina Ticzon at Dizon, samantalang si Bueser ay nahalal na kongresista ng ikatlong distrito ng Laguna. Si Aquino ay naging kongresista muna bago nahalal na punong lunsod. Ang dalawang kongresista ay kapwa ginapi ni Amante sa pagka-alkalde ng San Pablo.

Personahe lang ang binilang ng pitak na ito kung kaya’t ang mga nakapagitang termino nina Ticzon at Amante ay hindi na natin isinama sapagkat ang mga nauna at sumunod na panunungkulan ay ginampanan kapwa ng iisang tao.

Ito ay isang aral pang-kasaysayan ng San Pablo, handog ng may akda sa mga istudyante ng Lunsod, na buhat pa sa lumang baol ng pitak na ito. HAPPY 68th FOUNDATION DAY.(sandy belarmino)

EMPOWERMENT OF BARANGAY OFFICIALS

After the passion and emotion filled Barangay Elections, as usual the winning candidates have to sit down and start charting the courses of action they have to take in managing the affairs of the Barangay. The local honchos have lots of matters to consider.

Foremost is to name the support staffs that will be responsible in carrying out the day to day activities. Good for some who have been in the position for long, the set up is already in place. Those neophytes have to learn the nitty-gritty of the little bureaucracy. Even the Barangay have its laws and regulations to learn and to follow in the strict sense..

As we trace the evolution of the Barangay to the present,in term of political responsibility and governance Barangay officials have been empowered. They are autonomous in term of budget expenditures so to meet the basic necessities of the Barangay constituents’ . Sanggunian can enact ordinances and enforce them too, be it penal in nature of revenue generating measures..

Barangay officials are in the forefront in the maintenance of peace and order. They have to be effective in conciliation, mediation or arbitration of cases mandated by the Local Government Code to be heard by the Lupon as precondition to filing in court. Hundreds of thousands of petty cases which could otherwise clog the docket of the court had been disposed off. The efforts spare the contending parties of the expensive and unpleasant task of litigation. For the initiative, the police are no longer saddled of going to every Barangay just to attend to every little complaint. The Tanods have effectively performed its shares of responsibilities as supervised by the elective officials.

The DSWD relies so much to Barangay Officials in monitoring and supervising children in conflict with laws. Lacking as it is in support personnel and facilities, the barangay officials are the repository of many headaches of DILG. The statute (RA 9344) requires the creation in every Barangay- Barangay Child Protection Council.

RA 9262 gives the Punong Barangay likewise through the Lupon the power to issue temporary protection order in an effort to curb abuses of men against their wives former wives or sweetheart be the relationship is legitimate or illegitimate. To this includes also excesses against their children.

Empowerment is one of the principal components of effective governance. The autonomy makes the officials more dependable, independent and responsible. They rely less on the meager support of the municipal or city officials. But empowerment entails being effective, efficient and responsive in management. To be empowered means using power, discretion and prerogatives sensibly and with accountability. To the uninitiated such is a great responsibility, a heavy burden but to the personality with vested desire the awesome is the power at the disposal to wield.

The power is not there to abuse. It is there to serve the people. It should be used for effective governance. There are parameters and defined standard actions in accord with the laws. It should guide every official.

To guide the elected officials to become effective and to give true meaning to the empowerment, the first action taken by the President of the Association of the Barangay Council (ABC President) Gener B. Amante upon his assumption to office is to educate them. Education is the best medicine for knowledge deficiency.

Seminars and workshops were undertaken under the auspices of the DILG. Armed with the new found learning the Barangay Officials buckle down to work. They are more confident now and can be counted to keep our institutions running. Smoothly. (SANDY BELARMINO/7LPC)

PROCLAMATION NO. 1459

MALACAÑANG
Manila



BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES


PROCLAMATION NO. 1459


DECLARING WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2008, AS SPECIAL (NON-WORKING)
DAY IN THE CITY OF SAN PABLO


WHEREAS, Wednesday, May 7, 2008, marks the Foundation Day
Anniversary of the City of San Pablo.

WHEREAS, it is but fitting and proper that the people of the City of San
Pablo be given full opportunity to celebrate the occasion with appropriate
Ceremonies.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, EDUARDO R. ERMITA, Executive Secretary, by
Authority of Her Excellency, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, do hereby
Declare, Wednesday, May 7, 2008, as special (non-working) day in the City of San
Pablo.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the
Seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Done in the City of Manila, this 7th day of February, in the year of Our
Lord, Two Thousand and Eight.

By authority of the President:


(SGD.)
EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary


By the Executive Secretary:

(SGD.)
JOAQUIN C. LAGONERA
Senior Deputy Executive Secretary

SISTER CITY AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT made this 17th day of April, 2008 by and between the VILLAGE OF BOLINGBROOK, in the STATE OF ILLINOIS, the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

The CITY OF SAN PABLO also known as the CITY OF SEVEN LAKES in the PROVINCE OF LAGUNA, REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES.

WHEREAS, after friendly consultations and wishing to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the American and Filipino peoples; and

WHEREAS, the two cities have agreed to deepen friendship and understanding through trade, education, cultural, science and technology, and commercial exchanges; and

WHEREAS, the cities desire to promote common development and prosperity; and

WHEREAS, the countries have established a goal of strengthening the ties of friendship between the Philippines and the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, the cities hold the firm belief that this SISTER CITY AGREEMENT will contribute to the peace and prosperity of our two countries and the world.

NOW THEREFORE, the CITIES OF BOLINGBROOK and SAN PABLO do hereby agree:
1. To pledge and cooperate with each other as Sister Cities.
2. To maintain contract between officials and relevant departments to facilitate cooperation and continued exchange of communication on matters of common concern.
3. And to bond and commemorate this understanding, we hereby agree to name a street in SAN PABLO, LAGUNA after “BOLINGBROOK” and to name a street in BOLINGBROOK, ILLINOIS, “CITY OF SEVEN LAKES”.

WE HEREBY affix our signatures and corporate seals, this 17th day of April, 2008.





(SGD.)
ROGER C. CLAAR, MAYOR
BOLINGBROOK, ILLINOIS
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(SGD.)

VICENTE B. AMANTE, MAYOR

SAN PABLO, LAGUNA

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES