Vol. 6, No. 2 | April - June 2014

A Quarterly Magazine of the City Government of Naga Bicol, Philippines ISSN 2094-9383

JOHN G. BONGAT City Mayor

NELSON S. LEGACION City Vice Mayor

SIEGLINDE BORROMEO-BULAONG Editor

JASON B. NEOLA Senior Writer

RAFAEL RACSO V. VITAN Layout and Design

ANSELMO B. MAÑO Website Administrator

JOSE V. COLLERA XERES RAMON A. GAGERO SYLRANJELVIC C. VILLAFLOR Photographers

FLORENCIO T. MONGOSO, JR. REUEL M. OLIVER Editorial Consultants

JOSE B. PEREZ ALLEN L. REONDANGA Technical Advisers

ALDO NIÑO I. RUIVIVAR MAUREEN S. ROJO Staff Assistants

CECILIA A. AMPARADO Circulation Manager

This magazine is published by the City Government of Naga, thru the Ciy Publication Office and the City Events, Protocol and Public Information Office, with editorial office at City Hall Compound, J. Miranda Avenue, Naga City 4400 Philippines Tel: +63 54 472-2136 Email: [email protected] Web: www.naga.gov.ph THIS SEEDLING, planted by Naga City bikers and environmentalists, in a few years will form part of a forest of pili trees along Mt. Isarog Natural Park, a project of PiliMania under the city government’s GrEET Program that aims to help improve airshed quality and mitigate carbon emission while providing livelihood opportunities to local farmers and pilinut food processors. Pili tree planting is encouraged in the city’s residential zones, barangay roads, subdivisions, urban poor communities, vacant school lots and other viable places around the city under the program chaired by the city’s First Lady, Farah R. Bongat, herself a health buff and environmentalist. TABLE OF CONTENTS

COVER STORY 3 NAGA: BICOL’S TIGER ECONOMY – STATE OF OUR CITY REPORT The “Naga SMILES to the World” logo is composed of the two 116TH INDEPENDENCE DAY baybayin characters, na and ga. 11 PRESIDENT AQUINO LEADS COMMEMORATION RITES IN NAGA CITY Na, shaped like a mountain, 13 BAYANI ANG BAWAT PILIPINO provides a strong foundation for the BY MAYOR JOHN G. BONGAT Narra tree which grew abundantly 14 BAYANI SA SARILING PARAAN BY REP. MARIA LEONOR GERONA-ROBREDO along the Naga River while a zigzag 15 P-NOY PAYS TRIBUTE TO line denotes the majestic Malabsay THE FIFTEEN BICOL MARTYRS Falls. 66TH NAGA CITY CHARTER Ga, shaped like a farmer’s plow, ANNIVERSARY is symbolic of the Nagueño’s agricultural roots and hardworking 19 MAYOR BONGAT CONFERS MAYORAL AWARDS TO 19 OUTSTANDING CITIZENS personality. 20 MAYORAL MESSAGE: 2014 MAYORAL AWARDS The baybayin Naga characters PHILIPPINE-SPANISH rest on a wave-like element which FRIENDSHIP DAY represents the Naga River and the serpent, which is read in Sanskrit 33 NAGA CELEBRATES FIRST PHILIPPINE-SPANISH as naga. FRIENDSHIP DAY

This new branding for Naga, HON. JESSE M. ROBREDO’S 56TH launched in 2010 by the dynamic BIRTH ANNIVERSARY Bongat administration, envisions a 37 BORDADO PRESENTS PAPER more livable city that is world-class. ON JESSE ROBREDO’S LEGACY 38 PEOPLE’S PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL GOVERNANCE OF NAGA CITY: THE LEGACY OF JESSE MANALASTAS ROBREDO 43 LENI REMEMBERS JESSE

1 APRIL - JUNE 2014 TABLE OF CONTENTS

REGIONAL RELATIONS Education, youth and social welfare 45 MIGRATION DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN BICOL LAUNCHED 61 NAGA SANGGAWADAN: 48 MAYOR BONGAT SPOTLIGHTS PARTNER IN PROMOTING The “An Maogmang Lugar“ logo is an NAGA IN STOCKHOLM THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION CONFERENCE OF WORKING CHILDREN attempt to capture Naga as we want it 63 PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENT to be – a city that is progressive and yet DISABILITIES GO THROUGH LEGISLATION FREE ASSESSMENT, TREATMENT environment-friendly, where the people 65 NAGA HOSTS freely participate in the day-to-day affairs 49 SANGGUNIAN EXPANDS 1ST NATIONAL CONFAB OF STUDENT PARTICIPATION SOLO PARENTS of the government, and where culture and PROGRAM 67 RENTOY STIRS CITY YOUTH arts are flourishing. 50 IMPLEMENTING THE ENABL2E OFFICIALS PROGRAM 53 NAGA ENHANCES CAPABILITY The stylized design of “NAGA” represents OF LUPONG TAGAPAMAYAPA SPORTS the city’s aggressive march towards 68 NAGA TITANS: NATIONAL 3X3 modernization and progress. The sky-blue ENVIRONMENT CAGE CHAMP background, the Narra tree, and the Naga 69 CAALIM SISTERS WIN 3 SILVERS 54 JOEY AYALA HOLDS CONCERT IN ASEAN CHESS TOURNAMENT River represent our people’s desire for an FOR MOTHER EARTH ecologically-balanced community. 55 VIETNAM WORKSHOP: MEMORIES OF DA NANG BUSINESS & TRADE

57 NAGA, ADB START TALKS The ring of people surrounding the entire ON LAND USE DEVELOPMENT 70 BICOL BUSINESS WEEK TO KICK OFF IN AUGUST design shows the Nagueños’ participatory 58 PILIMANIA MOUNTS 1ST MT. ISAROG ECOTOURISM 72 WEIGHING SCALES mechanism which is part and parcel of ENDURANCE CHALLENGE DISTRIBUTED, PRICE WATCH CONDUCTED the city’s way of doing things. It also 73 TAXICLES: MODERNIZING shows the people’s concern and unity in AGRICULTURE TRANSPORTATION FOR ORDINARY PEOPLE everything that is good for the city. TOURISM Today, the city, as Maogmang Lugar, aims to portray more than a happy place but a 75 NAGA TOPS TOURIST ARRIVALS happy people who are the true beneficiaries 79 NAGA CITY TOUR AT DAWN of everything good that is happening in the 81 FOOD TRIP: NAGA CITY city. 87 CANAMAN HOLDS FIRST DRAGON BOAT RACE 59 NAGA CELEBRATES FARMER’S 88 GROUNDBREAKING FOR DAY CAMALIGAN WHARF APRIL - JUNE 2014 2 AYOR John G. Bongat on April 15, 2014 hailed Naga City as Bicol’s roaring STATE OF Tiger Economy as he delivered his State of Our City Report which, our CITY among others, highlighted the city’s triumphs in economic development and socio-cultural REPORT Menhancement that he said continue to sustain and improve on the city’s famous title as a “Maogmang Lugar,” or a happy place. Bongat hails Naga as Quoting Wikipedia’s definition of Tiger Bicol’s tiger economy Economy as an “Economy which undergoes rapid economic growth, usually accompanied by an increase in the standard of living,” Bongat By Jason B. Neola presented data from independent sources which include Naga’s being named as one of the Top Ten Most Competitive Cities in the country in 2013 and the Ateneo de Naga 2014 First Quarter Poll on Naga City Poverty

3 APRIL - JUNE 2014 Bicolwide, Naga has been lording it over as the No. 1 most competitive city in terms of infrastructure, economic dynamism, and government efficiency. The competitiveness index is an annual ranking of Philippine cities developed by the National Competitiveness Council, together with the Regional Competitiveness Committees and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Mayor Bongat disclosed that the city’s investment and marketing campaign during the past three years (2010-2013) focused on Naga as a 1) commercial center and distribution hub, 2) an IT-BPO center, 3) a financial center, and 4) a tourism transit point and destination. He said that during the 3-year period, Naga and Governance which showed the city mayor generated P4.97B in new investments which enjoying a high satisfaction rating of 59.5% among translated to 19,840 new jobs. Naga constituents, 49.3% for Vice Mayor Nelson He said that when he first took over Legacion, and 42.67% for city councilors. city hall, there were only 34 accommodation Bongat said this is the first time that Naga establishments in the city which now have landed in the Top Ten Most Competitive Cities grown to 59. No wonder that the city registered ranking (from 19th in 2012) which is normally 859,743 tourist arrivals in 2013 alone, the dominated by bigger cities. highest for any city and province in Bicol.

APRIL - JUNE 2014 4 He said that such strong organization has been characterized by a motivated workforce and inclusive and responsive decision-making that Attended by stakeholders and brought about higher productivity, representatives from various sectors of the higher trust level, and higher efficiency. city and the newly-sworn city youth officials, Better service delivery, which is the the State of Our City Report was the main true essence of efficient and responsive agenda of the 39th Sangguniang Panlungsod governance, translates to the resulting regular session which was presided over economic and socio-cultural impacts, by Vice Mayor Nelson Legacion. It was the mayor explained. held at the People’s Hall inside the City Economic impact furthermore Hall compound to accommodate the large brings improved business confidence audience that came to listen to the city that roars like a tiger economy, he said. mayor’s address. Socio-cultural impact, on the other The mayor said that the city’s “strong hand, produces a happier Nagueño who organization” from both within and outside breathes and raises his family within the city hall was instrumental in turning the city confines of a livable city that others call into a tiger economy. a “Maogmang Lugar.”

5 APRIL - JUNE 2014 APRIL - JUNE 2014 6 7 APRIL - JUNE 2014 APRIL - JUNE 2014 8 9 APRIL - JUNE 2014 APRIL - JUNE 2014 10 By Jason B. Neola

OR the first time and with so much pride among Nagueños and Bicolanos, Plaza Quince Martires in downtown Naga became the center of national attention as President Benigno S. Aquino III led the flag-raising and wreath-laying rites on June 12 here to commemorate the 116th Philippine Independence Day. Plaza Quince Martires was chosen by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), with the President’s approval, Fas the venue for this year’s Independence Day celebration to honor the 15 Martyrs of Bicol whose travails helped ignite the revolution in 1896. Taking off from the Independence Day theme of “Pagsunod sa Yapak ng mga Dakilang Pilipino, Tungo sa Malawakan at Permanenteng Pagbabago,” President Aquino paid tribute to the country’s martyred heroes, who sacrificed their lives to free the Filipinos from the oppression of Spanish conquerors, leading to the proclamation of the country’s independence and the declaration of the First Philippine Republic. “Ngayong Araw ng Kalayaan, sama-sama po tayong nagbibigay- pugay sa mga bayaning ipinaglaban ang tama. Gamitin natin silang inspirasyon sa patuloy nating paglalakbay sa daang matuwid,” President Aquino said before thousands of Nagueños who gathered at the plaza. “Isapuso natin ang iniwan nilang aral: ang malasakit sa ating kapwa ang maghahatid sa atin sa mga inaasam natin bilang isang lahi. Sa ganitong paraan lamang po natin masasabing tunay tayong karapat-dapat sa kanilang mga sakripisyo; sa ganitong paraan lamang po natin maitataguyod ang isang Pilipinas na ganap na makatarungan at malaya.” President Aquino was joined by NHCP chairperson Maria Serena Diokno, Naga City Mayor John Bongat, Camarines Sur Representative Maria Leonor Robredo, National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel

11 APRIL - JUNE 2014 Roxas, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Emmanuel Bautista, and other local and military officials in the Naga celebration. In his welcome address, City Mayor John G. Bongat said: “Kami ay lubos na nagagalak dahil ang Naga at ang makasaysayang Plaza Quince Martires ang napili ng ating kagalang-galang na Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III na pagdausan ng pagdiriwang na ito.” Representative Robredo, for her part, also thanked President Aquino for choosing to be in Naga City to celebrate this year’s Independence Day and for acknowledging the sacrifices rendered by their forefathers. “Ikinagagalak po namin, Mahal naming Pangulo, ang inyong kapasiyahan na dito sa aming lungsod ipagdiwang ang 116 na araw ng kasarinlan. Ikinalulugod po namin na matapos ang mahabang panahon, nabigyan din ng kaukulang pagpapahalaga ang mga pamana at papel na ginampanan ng mga tinitingala naming mga bayani. Mula ngayon, hindi na lamang sila mga martir ng Bicol, mga bayani rin sila ng buong Pilipinas,” she said in her message. President Aquino III called on Filipinos to relive the spirit of heroism that spurred the revolution against Spanish colonialism more than a hundred years ago. He said the sacrifices of Filipino heroes must be recognized and must serve as an inspiration, as the country pursues the righteous path that the administration champions. “Bilang mga tagapagmana ng kalayaang ipinaglaban ng mga nauna sa atin, tungkulin po ng bawat isa sa ating hindi na hayaang bumalik ang ating bansa sa dati nitong kalagayan; ang hindi na muling magbunsod ng mga panibagong sakripisyo sa maraming Pilipino.” With this in mind, the government should continue to carry out major projects that will improve the conditions of the people in the Bicol region, he said, giving as an example the Bicol International Airport in Daraga, Albay, that is aimed at enhancing tourism and relations with other countries. He also cited the proposed one-stop Migrants Resource Center in Naga City which intends to improve the competitiveness and skills of overseas Filipino workers. The President also said that the Congress has passed the extension of the Philippine National Railway (PNR) charter to open up more opportunities to Bicolanos. After the program, the President did not have much time to meet the people as he was scheduled to meet with the members of the diplomatic community for the traditional Vin d’Honneur at 11:00 a.m. in Malacañang Palace to celebrate the occasion.

APRIL - JUNE 2014 12 Bayani ang Bawat Pilipino ni Alkalde John G. Bongat Lungsod ng Naga

Kagalang-galang na Pangulo ng Republika ng Pilipinas, Benigno S. Aquino III at ang kanyang gabinete, Congresswoman Leni Robredo at iba pang kinatawan ng Bicol sa House of Representatives, mga kapwa ko opisyales ng Lungsod ng Naga, mga opisyales at kawani ng gobyerno nasyonal at lokal, mga panauhin, mga kababayan, Marhay na aga saindo gabos!

Ang mamamayan ng Lungsod ng Naga ay nakikiisa sa sambayanang Pilipino sa pagdiriwang ng ika-sandaan at labing-anim na taong anibersaryo ng kalayaan ng Pilipinas. Kami ay lubos na nagagalak dahil ang Naga at ang makasaysayang Plaza Quince Martires ang napili ng ating kagalang-galang na Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III na pagdausan ng pagdiriwang na ito. Salamat din sa National Historical Commission of the Philippines sa pamumuno ni Chairman Maria Serena I. Diokno at ni Executive Director Ludovico Badoy sa preparasyon para maging makahulugan ang araw na ito. Ang pagdiriwang ng araw ng kalayaan ay ating ikasaya at ipagpasalamat. Dapat lang na tayo sa henerasyong ito at ang mga darating pa ay matutong magbigay-pugay sa mga Pilipinong sumasagisag ng kabayanihan, kabilang dito ang ipinagmamalaking labinlimang martir ng Bicolandia. Ngunit paano ba ang pagbibigay pugay? Sapat na ba ang magsaya at magpasalamat? Ba’t di natin tuklasin ang galing na taglay ng bawat isa sa atin? Tulad ng palaging sinasabi noon ng aming dating alkalde at ating dating Kalihim ng DILG, Secretary Jesse M. Robredo, noong siya’y nabubuhay pa: “an yaman kan Naga iyo an lambang Nagueño”. Kami po dito sa Lungsod ng Naga ay naniniwalang ang yaman ng Pilipinas ay ang bawat Pilipino! Ang bawat isa sa atin, tulad ng mga bayani, ay maaring maging dakila at bayani sa paraang kayang-kayang-kaya natin.

Wika nga ni Ginoong Gary Granada sa kanyang awiting “Si Ka Bayani, kahit saan, kahit sino, kahit kailan, kahit paano, kayang-kayang-kaya ni Ka Bayani.” Naniniwala po ako, sampu ng aking mga kababayang Bicolano, tayong mga Pilipino ay may taglay na galing. Ipakita at ipangalandakan natin ang yamang ito. Mga kababayan, magpakadakila at magpakabayani tayo! Sa ISIP, sa SALITA, sa PUSO, at lalo na sa GAWA. Sa liwat, marhay na aga. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

PHOTOs BY jose collera, xeres ramon gagero and sylranjelvic villaflor 13 APRIL - JUNE 2014 Bayani sa Sariling Paraan ni Kinatawan Leonor Gerona-Robredo Ikatlong Purok ng Camarines Sur

Sa Naga, hindi na lingid sa atin ang kabayanihan ng Nagyong araw, hayaan ninyo akong sabihin na hindi Labinlimang Martir ng Bikol. Sa loob ng halos dantaon ipinipilit ang kabayanihan. Ito ay pinipili. Ngunit hindi ito mula nang maitayo ang bantayog na ito sa panahon ng madaliang pinipili. Nanatiling pinakamahalagang sangkap ng pamamalakad ng Punong Panlalawigang Julian Ocampo, kabayanihan ang pagpanig sa kapakanan ng iba bago ang sarili. ipinagdiwang natin kung paano nila ibinuwis ang kanilang Pinili ng Labinlimang Martir na i-alay ang kanilang buhay alang-alang sa Kalayaan ng Inang Bayan. buhay sa gitna ng pagkakataong mabuhay nang mariwasa at Alam ng karamihan sa atin na isinilang ang Labinlimang malaya sa ibang bayan. Pinili nilang kalimutan ang pansariling Martir sa mararangyang pamumuhay, sa mga kalagayang maari kapakanan. At sa pag-aalay na iyon nagsimula ang maraming sanang nakapagbigay sa kanila ng maraming pagkakataong mahahalagang bagay na naging dahilan kung bakit higit na makatakas sa kanilang mga pananagutan maayos sa mga panahong ito ang ating kalagayan. sa bayan, ngunit, sa huling pagkakataon, Mahigit isandaang taon na ang nakararaan, tinawag ng pinili pa rin nilang yakapin ang kabayanihan ang labinlima sa ating mga kababayan. Tumugon kamatayan, huwag lamang matalikuran sila. Ngayon, tinatawag tayo ng kabayanihan. Panahon na ang kanilang mga kababayan at ang upang tayo naman ang tumugon. mga mithiing higit pa sa pansariling Ngayon, hindi na kailangang mamatay sa kamay ng mga kapakanan. dayuhan. Kailangan lang nating mabuhay nang marangal para Pinagbintangan silang mga kasapi sa lupang tinubuan. ng Katipunan at nilitis nang hindi patas Noong siya ay buhay pa, madalas sabihin ng asawa kong at madalian. Binaril ang labindalawa sa si Jesse: Upang magtagumpay ang ating bayan, nawa’y gawin kanila sa Bagumbayan, ipinatapon sa nating bayani ang karaniwang mamamayan. malayong lupain ang isa, at namatay sa Panahon na upang gawin nating bayani ang ating mga piitan ang dalawa. Naging mga bayani sarili. sila ng Kabikolan ngunit hindi nagtapos ang lahat sa kanilang madugo at malungkot na kamatayan. Mahigit isang taon mula ng pag-alay nila ng kanilang mga buhay, bumagsak ang Pamahalaang Espanyol sa Kabikolan, isa sa mga lugar na masasabing sandigan ng pamamalakad ng mga dayuhan. Naging madali para sa Katipunan ang paghihimagsik laban sa mga Espanyol nang mapalaya ang rehiyong masugid na tumanggap sa pananakop ngunit mapusok na kumawala sa pagkakakulong sa kinalaunan. Kailangan pa ng maraming patunay upang lubos pang maugnay sa pambansang kasaysayan ang pagpapakabayani ng Labinlimang Martir ng Bikol, ngunit maaari nating sabihing nakatulong nang malaki ang kanilang pag-aalay sa pagsiklab at lalo pang pag-aapoy ng diwang makabansa sa mga panahong higit itong kinakailangan. Ikinagagalak namin ang kapasyahan ng Mahal na Pangulo na dito sa aming lungsod ipagdiwang ang ika-isandaan at labing anim na Araw ng Kasarinlan. Ikinalulugod namin na matapos ang mahabang taon, nabigyan din ng kaukulang pagpapahalaga ang mga pamana at papel na ginampanan ng mga tinitingala naming mga bayani. Mula ngayon, hindi lamang sila mga Martir ng Bikol, mga bayani rin sila ng buong Pilipinas. APRIL - JUNE 2014 14 hat the movement for independence was a collective one—a national one—has been recognized by President Benigno S. Aquino III, as reflected in his Independence Day commemorations of the past years from various crucial settings. This annual pilgrimage by the President emphasizes that Tthe revolution was truly national in extent and character. In 2011, the President launched the commemoration of the 113th anniversary of the proclamation of independence in Kawit, Cavite— where the Philippine flag was first waved before its people, and the national anthem first played. In 2012, the President headed the ceremonies from the Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan— the venue of the Malolos Congress, which had drafted the Constitution of our First Republic. Last year, the President led the commemoration from Liwasang Bonifacio. Independence Day 2015 and 2016 are slated to be celebrated in the Visayas and Mindanao, respectively. This year, President Aquino leads the Independence Day celebration from Naga City, Camarines Sur, to commemorate the great contribution of the Bicol region to the Philippine Revolution, signaled by the martyrdom of Los Quince Martires—the 15 Bicolano Martyrs— on January 4, 1897.

15 APRIL - JUNE 2014 Plaza Quince Martires

Every fourth of January, the In the years leading to 1896, the ideas of the Propaganda people of Bicol commemorate Movement had already spread—even to the Bicol region (its the death of the fifteen Bicolano old names, Ambos Camarines and Albay), primarily in the city of men—Los Quince Martires, the Nueva Caceres (now Naga City). Tomas Arejola and Jose Maria fifteen martyrs, of the Philippine Panganiban, the latter being the youngest member of the La Revolution. A monument in Solidaridad, were Bicolano reformists who studied in Spain and Plaza Quince Martires in Naga were involved in the campaigns associated with the Ilustrado City pays tribute to these men: movement—to voice the plight of Filipinos in the Peninsula. Manuel Abella, Domingo Abella, Their influence was felt especially by those who had come from Ramon Abella, Mariano Arana, the Seminario Conciliar de Nueva Caceres, the institution where Leon Hernandez, Camilo Jacob, Panganiban studied. Though the Bicolano reformists had not yet Florencio Lerma, Mariano formed an organized group, their shared sentiment on needed Melgarejo, Cornelio Mercado, reforms spurred the birth of the Propaganda Movement in the city. Mariano Ordenanza, Macario On August 19, 1896, the Spanish government discovered Valentin, Tomas Prieto, Fr. Gabriel the existence of the secret organization known as the Katipunan, Prieto, Fr. Inocencio Herrera, and which aimed for separation from Spain. Alarmed by this, Governor- Fr. Severino Diaz. (It is interesting General Ramon Blanco orchestrated mass arrests not only in to note that Filipinos who were Manila and its environs but in regions all over the country. Anyone executed in Bagumbayan around suspected of having any connection with the Katipunan was the time of Rizal’s death were apprehended and brutally interrogated. Many were arbitrarily collectively called “martyrs” by the sentenced to death without due process. In response, the regions they hailed from. In this Katipunan openly declared their separatist aspirations on August case, although all 15 Bicolano men 24, 1896, at Balintawak. After this, the Tagalog provinces were then have been venerated as martyrs, placed under Martial Law. only 11 of them were executed Bicol was relatively peaceful—when dispatches arrived and in Bagumbayan. The remaining told of the revolution in the Tagalog provinces, most Bicolanos four died of other causes, such as dismissed it as a passing thing. When a series of related arrests torture, exile, and disease.) began on September 16, 1896, Bicolanos were stunned.

APRIL - JUNE 2014 16 Manuel Abella (Executed at Luneta)

The oldest of the martyrs, Leon Hernandez who died at the age of 60 in (Died under torture in Naga) Bagumbayan. The father to both Domingo and Ramon Hernandez was a teacher Abella, Manuel Abella was a by profession. He did not Cornelio retired clerk in the Naga court. survive the torture inflicted upon Mercado He became a farmer of abaca him during his incarceration in (Executed at Luneta) after retirement. He and his two Nueva Caceres (now Naga) and sons were arrested in Nueva died there on October 16, 1896. Very similar to Melgarejo Caceres on September 16, 1896. Records say he was forced to in profession, his properties were He was a wealthy notary public, walk for miles with arms tightly also sequestered. commercial registrar, public bound while he was whipped defender, and philanthropist. His hundreds of times until he lost other son, Mariano Abella, lived consciousness. He was the father on and represented Bicol (with its of Jaime Hernandez, the Finance old name, Ambos Camarines) in Secretary of three Philippine the Malolos Congress. presidents, and founder of the Mariano University of Nueva Caceres. Ordenanza (Sentenced to 20 Years Imprisonment) Domingo Abella Inocencio (Executed at Luneta) Ordenza was a clerk in Herrera the Bureau of Public Works. A surveyor by profession, (Executed at Luneta) Tortured in Casino Español Domingo Abella was Manuel in Nueva Caceres, he was Abella’s son. Arrested on He was a native of Pateros, shipped off to Manila and was September 16, 1896, he suffered Rizal but grew up in Bicol. He transferred to Bilibid with the the same fate as his father in became a secular priest and choir other prisoners. Although he Bagumbayan. It was said that master at the Cathedral of Nueva did not die by firing squad, he due to the severe torture inflicted Caceres under Diaz. Herrera was sentenced to 20 years of upon him, his appearance was arrested on September imprisonment by the Spanish became unrecognizable. 19, 1896 in the parish house War Council on December and was transferred to Manila 29, 1896. He may have died secretly after the interrogation. in prison. On January 4, 1897, he was Ramon Abella executed. (Exiled to Fernando Po, Bioko Island) Gabriel Prieto Ramon Abella, arrested (Executed at Luneta) on September 16, 1896, was Camilo Jacob separated from his brother (Executed at Luneta) Fr. Prieto was implicated and father, as he was exiled by his brother Tomas, who to Fernando Po, Bioko Island He was an owner of a was forced to give up names at the west coast of Africa on photography studio in Nueva under severe torture. Fr. Prieto November 2, 1896. There, he Caceres but served first as a received the same torture, suffered from abuse, but was corporal in the Guardia Civil even before he was sent to eventually released after a in Manila. He was implicated prison. It was well-known year. Though pardoned, the together with those arrested, that there had been enmity maltreatment he received in exile and was executed with the ten between him and the friars. still took a toll on him. He died men in Bagumbayan. years after in Cartagena, Spain.

Tomas Prieto Mariano Arana Florencio Lerma (Executed at Luneta) (Exiled to Fernando Po, (Executed at Luneta) Bioko Island) A pharmacist by Lerma was a successful profession, Tomas was the playwright and essayist in Like Manuel Abella, he was younger brother of secular Nueva Caceres. Like his mother, sentenced to exile in Fernando priest Gabriel Prieto. After Lerma sold leather goods, ran a Po, Bioko Island on November being tortured for days, bazaar, and managed a carriage 2, 1896. In December 1897, he he was forced to sign a shop. He was also an organist suffered from malaria and died document that ascertained at the Cathedral of Nueva there. the involvement of the people Caceres and taught music at on this list with the rebellion. Colegio de Sta. Isabel in Bicol. The list included himself and A rifle was found hidden inside his brother. his organ, which implicated Severino Diaz him. Doña Patrocinio, (Executed at Luneta) Florencio’s daughter, tells of the torture her father received, He was the first secular one of the few vivid accounts of priest to head the Cathedral of how the 15 men were tortured. Macario Valentin Nueva Caceres. He was arrested (Executed at Luneta) on September 19, 1896. When the Bicolano prisoners were He headed the night shipped to Manila, Diaz was Mariano watchmen of Nueva Caceres. Like incarcerated in San Agustin Melgarejo the others, he was arrested and convent in Manila. There, he (Executed at Luneta) was forced to confess by torture. and two other Bicolano secular All his properties were also priests, Herrera and Prieto, were Melgarejo worked in confiscated. physically and verbally abused the Department of Public before being transferred to Works in Camarines Sur. All his Bilibid prison. He was executed in properties were confiscated Bagumbayan on January 4, 1897. and he was brought to jail. A town in Sorsogon is named Prieto-Diaz in his honor. Among the first to be taken were Tomas Tomas Prieto, Domingo Abella, and the three priests— Prieto, then acting-mayor of Nueva Caceres, and Inocencio Herrera, Severino Diaz, and Gabriel Prieto—were Pedro Benito, a mechanic. Prieto was tortured to first incarcerated in the Cuartel de España in Intramuros (now the point of naming names, and thus, “various the site of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila). On January influential persons” of “local prominence” were 3, 1897, at 7:00 a.m., they were brought to the chapel of Fort arrested. No sufficient evidence was obtained Santiago and were guarded by a squad from the Plaza Artillery to prove their involvement with the Katipunan, Regiment. The other group, composed of Manuel Abella, but most of these persons had previously Florencio Lerma, Macario Valentin, Mariano Melgarejo, Camilo earned the ire of the friars in the region. The Jacob, Cornelio Mercado, Rafael Gutierrez, and Francisco Valera, three secular priests of Nueva Caceres were also were thrown in jail prior to their execution the next day. They arrested—Severino Diaz, Manuel Suburbano, and were asked to write their last will and testament, some of which Inocencio Herrera, followed by Isabelo Martinez. were allowed to be published in the Manila newspaper El On September 22, 1896, they were shipped off Comercio. to Manila aboard the steamships Ysarog and The execution field of Bagumbayan in the morning of Montañes. Meanwhile, select wealthy influential January 4, 1897, was packed with onlookers. At exactly 7 a.m., Bicolanos were also arrested and, on October 9, the 11 Bicolanos were lined up and executed by firing squad, they were shipped secretly aboard the Aeolus to on the same ground upon which Rizal was executed five days Manila, to be imprisoned in the Bilibid and Fort before. Santiago. A monument in their honor was built on November 29, 1926 at After a one-day trial by a military court on the Plaza Quince Martires in Naga, with the plaza being named December 29, 1896, a verdict was handed down: after them. the Bicolanos, and other men arrested from other provinces, were found guilty. Many were sentenced to exile in Fernando PROFILES OF THE 15 BICOL MARTYRS Po (now Bioko Island, part of Equatorial Guinea; an island in Africa which was then Spanish territory), while others were condemned to suffer imprisonment in the Bilibid. In Bicol, many were imprisoned in the provincial jails, all of them prominent men in Camarines Sur. Although a few were eventually released, the 15 Bicolanos were charged with plotting to assassinate all the Spaniards in Nueva Caceres. Two of them, Mariano Arana and Ramon Abella, were exiled to the Spanish penal colony of Fernando Po in the west coast of Africa. Arana died there in captivity in 1898, while Abella died in Cartagena, Spain (it is unclear whether in incarceration or after being released). Leon Hernandez did not survive the torture inflicted upon him; he died months before the others, on October 16, 1896 in Nueva Caceres. Mariano Ordenanza was sentenced to imprisonment for 20 years in the Bilibid; he died in jail.

APRIL - JUNE 2014 18 Bongat confers Mayoral awards to 19 outstanding citizens

IGHLIGHTING this year’s celebration of the city’s 66th charter anniversary, City Mayor John Bongat conferred Wednesday afternoon (June 18) the prestigious mayoral awards and recognitions to at least nineteen outstanding citizens whose exemplary achievements in their chosen fields have brought honor, pride and glory to their beloved city. HBongat said that it is because of its people that Naga has become what it is now today-- a Maogmang Lugar. This year’s awardees include a post-war printing press that still publishes Bicol religious pamphlets and literature, a pre-war cinema-house company, a philanthropist doctor, an award winning stage and film actress, a PWD woman entrepreneur, two honest tricycle drivers, a youth campus organization, and a gender sensitive woman economist, among others. After a month-long deliberation and evaluation of some 30 nominations received by the Board of Judges, 19 successful nominees were eventually submitted to the mayor for confirmation which then led to their conferment of honors during ceremonies held at the Avenue Convention Plaza here. The awardees received plaques, medallions, and cash incentives.

19 APRIL - JUNE 2014 Mayoral Message Ordinary men and women doing extraordinary things

SIXTY-SIX years ago today, Naga as a chartered city was born. Today we celebrate life. Life of a proud city made even prouder by its people. And because of the Nagueño, a GREAT city continues to thrive in the Heart of Bicolandia. For us to feel the significance of our birth as a chartered city, please allow me to give some bits of our city’s proud history that has led this city, An Maogmang Lugar, to greater heights. On April 9, 1945, a composite force of local guerillas attacked the Japanese garrisons in Tabuco and Ateneo de Naga. Heavy fighting ensued within the area covering today’s Magsaysay Avenue, Dayangdang, and Blumentritt where a young brave officer, Lt. Delfin C. Rosales, lunged forward to be felled by sniper bullets as he attempted to bring to safety a wounded fellow guerilla. The battle to liberate Naga took three days-- from April 9 to April 12-- that finally led the Japanese to withdraw. When the Americans entered Naga, the Japanese foes had long gone. Three years hence, on June 18, 1948 when the ashes of war had virtually settled with the rebirth of a city, President Elpidio Quirino signed into law House Bill No. 1255 which was sponsored by Rep. Juan Q. Miranda, the commander of the liberation of Naga. This became Republic Act No. 305 which formally declared Naga as a Chartered City, one of the original few in the country. On December 15, 1948, a former guerilla officer, Leon Sa. Aureus, was appointed the first mayor of Naga as a chartered city. Fast forward, a young man caught the nation’s imagination as Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo, against all odds, changed the city’s socio-political landscape. Accordingly, he was bestowed the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award, among others, for his innovative governance that sought to empower the people as part of the development process. It was a revolutionary idea-- at a time when graft and corruption and apathy were all over the place-- that blazed the path towards transparency, predictability and accountability as components of good governance. But as fate would have it, the life of this visionary leader was cut short; but not in vain. His legacy lives on and continues to endure because he taught those whose lives he touched to always aim higher for reform and lead by example. For all these, we thank him and the great men I mentioned earlier for carving out a great future for our city and its people. Today, on our 66th charter anniversary, we take time once again to rekindle our glorious past as we celebrate the gains we are enjoying NOW as TOGETHER we move on to secure a brighter future. It is on this special day that we are also honoring our outstanding citizens who have done their share in making Naga a city that we want it to be: proud, happy, peaceful, dynamic and full of prosperity. In the most appropriate and yet simple manner, therefore, these men and women will today be conferred the honors that bear our beloved heroes’ names: Miranda, Aureus, Rosales, and Robredo. These year’s awardees, as were those in the past years, are the men and women who will carry on the torch towards our future and the legacy that our great men have lived and died for. They are here with us on this very important day to celebrate the true brilliance and pride of being a Nagueño. Naga will not be what it is today if not for the INSPIRING LIVES of ordinary men and women doing extraordinary things! To the awardees, congratulations! You made our day! Happy Anniversary! JOHN G. BONGAT 2014 Mayoral Awards Avenue Convention Plaza June 18, 2014

APRIL - JUNE 2014 20 JUAN QUERUBIN MIRANDA AWARD

This Mayoral Distinguished Award is the city’s highest award named after the Father of the City Charter of Naga. As Member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines representing the then First District of Camarines Sur (there were only two districts in the province then) shortly after the war, Rep. Miranda authored House Bill 1255 which was signed and enacted as Republic Act 305 on June 18, 1948 by President Elpidio Quirino.

LEON SALEM AUREUS AWARD

The second highest award is named in honor of the first Mayor of Naga as a Chartered City. Appointed by Pres. Quirino, he accepted the gargantuan task of governing and rehabilitating the city from the ravages of World War II where Aureus served as Commander Miranda’s executive officer and the second highest ranking officer of the Tangcong Vaca Guerilla Unit.

JESSE MANALASTAS ROBREDO YOUTH AWARD

Introduced in 2013, this award is named after the former Naga City Mayor and Interior and Local Government Secretary who is widely hailed as a servant-leader. The award recognizes the Nagueño youth, individual or group, who strives and perseveres in living the “tsinelas” type of leadership and the kind of governance that the dynamic and charismatic mayor had been widely known for. The Mayoral Awards

LT. DELFIN C. ROSALES AWARD

Launched this year, this award is named after a young brave soldier who plunged into a hail of bullets fired by Japanese soldiers to save a wounded comrade. This award is conferred on any citizen of the city for extraordinary acts of heroism, valor, and civic duty, including acts of honesty worth emulating.

21 APRIL - JUNE 2014 Engr. Honesto C. General

A blue-blooded Bicolano, Honesto C. General was born and bred in Naga.

He graduated Valedictorian at the Primary School of the Boy’s Department of then Colegio de Sta. Mayoral Awards 2014 Isabel. Board of Judges For his Intermediate Grade, he graduated at the top of his class at then Jose V. Barrameda, Jr. Camarines Sur Catholic Academy, Chairperson which is now the Naga Parochial School. Its high school became the Ateneo de Naga where he again Elna N. Chia, M.D. graduated Valedictorian. Vice Chairperson In 1947, a few years after the Tito G. Valiente war, he went to Manila to become Nicolas Beda A. Priela a Mechanical Engineer. Right after Roy B. San Ramon college though, his career was shunted Melissa Sieglinde B. Bulaong into insurance, a field he has worked in Alyssa Mary John P. Abanes all his professional life. Allen L. Reondanga Members The first Filipino insurance broker, he is President of Technical Insurance Brokers, Inc. (“a small family business”) where his two sons also work.

He and his wife Fermina live in Parañaque. They have four sons and four daughters, all grown up.

He used to write a weekly column on insurance, “Question of Privilege” in the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Never wanting to retire, he authored a book, “The Coconut Cookery of Bicol,” a must read for all who want nothing less than authentic Bicol cuisine.

The Chairperson: Jose V. Barrameda, Jr. GUEST SPEAKER

APRIL - JUNE 2014 22 The Juan Q. Miranda Award, the highest mayoral award, is given to only one awardee for each year:

VCA Cecilio Printing Press

Founded in 1949, Cecilio Press, despite the developments of modern and alternative media, remains in history as one of the important contributors to the flowering of the Bikol language. Printer of Calendariong Bikol shortly after the war, Cecilio Press is being recognized for its effort in nurturing our region’s culture through the publication and distribution of various literatures, such as novenas, devocion or devotional materials, corrido, comedias and literary pieces, and prayers all written in Bikol. In the continuing debates about languages, dialects, contestation of regional identities and linguistic marginalization, one cannot ignore the presence and impact of this humble publication house which has become a cultural and historical icon that, like our heritage, should be given a place of honor, nurtured and preserved.

23 APRIL - JUNE 2014 Victor Bichara & Sons

Maria Shamaine Centenera The history of the movie entertainment Buencamino business in Naga began to take a big turn with the arrival of a Lebanese couple, Victor Bichara and Emily Panayotti. They came to Naga in the 1920’s, then a booming capital town of Camarines Sur. They settled in an old building A talented stage and film actress, along Elias Angeles Street and set up their own Shamaine delivers first-rate acting even on retail store business. After seeing the potentials TV where she had important roles in many of of the movie house business in the locality, the its teleseryes. Just recently, she won trophies enterprising couple in 1923 bought a lot and a for her roles in indie film, Golden Screen, building. From this emerged the Bichara theater and the 6th Asian Film Awards. A scholar at which first engaged in silent movies. It quickly the Philippine High School for the Arts and branched out to many towns and cities in Bicol a cum laude graduate of the UP Diliman for and in the 1930s introduced the ‘talking’ films. Theater Arts, major in Acting, Shamaine was As modern technology advanced, especially literally honed by theater where she acted her in the 1980s, the Bichara theaters somehow way into memorable classic pieces. Character floundered with the introduction of Betamax and study is the most creative stage for her as an other modern video gadgets. The surviving heirs, actress. This is where she seeks the history, through their holding company, shifted to real the circumstances, the thoughts, feelings and estate by selling or leasing out their idle cinema ultimately, the soul of the character. “Acting houses and other prime properties. Today, their has to be truthful. That’s all there is to it. company stays as one of the city’s top taxpaying Acting based on truth resonates and reaches companies, although only one of its original the heart of any viewer,” she says. movie houses has remained in operation.

APRIL - JUNE 2014 24 Josephine Robredo- Bundoc, M.D. Fe Buangin Carranza

A professional doctor specializing in rehabilitation medicine for about three decades now and still busy attending to both her academic (faculty member in 3 colleges of medicine in Manila) and non-academic Though crippled at age three, Fe has grown to involvements (various voluntary organizations), Dr. Bundoc become a successful micro-entrepreneur in Naga City. still manages to put most of her time and attention Seeking greener pastures, she went to as far as Palawan to Persons With Disability (PWDs), especially those as a retail store owner. She returned home in 2004 orthopedically-challenged, not only here in Naga City, but and ventured into making and selling tokwa, which across the country. By mainstreaming the PWDs through soon expanded to processing soya milk, soy coffee, the provision/assistance of mobility devices, she is giving taho, nutrimeat, and soy-based bread. Happy with her the marginalized sector a fighting chance to live with newfound success, Fe finds time to be an active officer dignity and decency. She was instrumental in putting up of the Naga City PWD Federation where she inspires the Resource Center for the Blind in Naga City. In Manila, her fellow members to move on. All her employees she was the proponent and Program Coordinator of the are relatives of fellow PWDs. As part of her social first Philippine School of Prosthetics and Orthotics at responsibility, Fe initiated feeding sessions for pre-school UERMMC. For all her works, she has earned international, children in her barangay and sometimes, even in other national and local accolades, not very much unlike her barangays in the city. brother Jesse.

25 APRIL - JUNE 2014 Jeanne Fe Buangin Frances I. Illo Carranza

Jeanne combines the disciplines of Economics and Applied Social Anthropology. In this field, she Though crippled at age three, Fe has grown to has conducted researches in areas where gender become a successful micro-entrepreneur in Naga City. is a significant variable: in the field of planning, Seeking greener pastures, she went to as far as Palawan economics, governance, education, right-based as a retail store owner. She returned home in 2004 approach to development, and many others. As and ventured into making and selling tokwa, which consultant, she has worked with the ADB, UNICEF, soon expanded to processing soya milk, soy coffee, UNDP, and the World Bank among other international taho, nutrimeat, and soy-based bread. Happy with her agencies. She is also acknowledged as one of the newfound success, Fe finds time to be an active officer experts in gender awareness and development, an of the Naga City PWD Federation where she inspires expertise that is supported by field research and her fellow members to move on. All her employees strong advocacy. Jeanne has written many papers are relatives of fellow PWDs. As part of her social and has read them in both local and international responsibility, Fe initiated feeding sessions for pre-school conferences. children in her barangay and sometimes, even in other barangays in the city.

APRIL - JUNE 2014 26 Ateneo Sarong Bangui Junior Eagles Monica Mae

Selected by the National Youth Mendrique Commission as one of Luzon area winners and one of 20 national finalists Montero in the search for Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO), the Ateneo Sarong Bangui Junior Eagles As part of the Philippine team is an accredited school-based socio- for Rhythmic Gymnastics, Monica civic organization whose members competed in the 10th Singapore are enthusiastic, selfless students Gymnastics Open last July 2013. Now advocating for positive social change. 17, Monica started to bring honor to Presently, they are engrossed with Naga as a young gymnast when she programs in the areas of shelter and was as young as eight years old. She sanitation, education and environment. represented the city in various regional, Through its eco-friendly outreach national and international competitions, project, the group converts old including the 2013 POC-PSC National tarpaulin scraps into pedicab sun-covers Games where she garnered silver and and paints them with Bicol culture-and- bronze and the Palarong Bicol 2013 arts-inspired designs. where she went home with one gold medal and 5 silvers.

27 APRIL - JUNE 2014 Jason D. Federis

Aldrex G. Estanislao

Without hesitation and thought of personal gain, 25-year old Jason, As a tricycle driver who has a tricycle driver, returned a wallet eleven children to raise, Aldrex once containing cash and important more demonstrated his natural documents to its owner by personally character as an honest and upright tracing her at her workplace at the citizen by returning to its rightful NIA regional office in Naga City. owner a wallet containing cash and The wallet was left on his tricycle by checks amounting to over half a the woman passenger who had just million pesos. The wallet was left withdrawn cash from an ATM machine behind by a passenger in his tricycle in downtown Naga last October 2013. unit in October 2013. Only a few years ago, he also returned an attaché case containing P35,000 cash and check amounting to P1.5M.

APRIL - JUNE 2014 28 Gershon Mark G. Cortez Aloysius Francis M. Jacqueline Meghann MAYORAL Velarde Eleazar Bresnan RECOGNITION

A magna cum MAYORAL MAYORAL laude graduate of the RECOGNITION RECOGNITION Adventist University of the Philippines, he placed 8th in the Medical Technologist He was a grand Licensure Examination champion of the First given last March 2013. A class valedictorian, student leader, lector Voice of Asia Speech and youth organizer, she was selected one of Competition the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines in both the – Bicol and one of the ten awardees in the search national and for Jose Rizal Model Student of the Philippines international given last December 2013. levels held last year.

29 APRIL - JUNE 2014 Lynn Zuniga Padillo

MAYORAL RECOGNITION Jacqueline Meghann

Velarde Eleazar A 2008 Metrobank Maricel Chua Foundation Outstanding Teacher of the Philippines Awardee and Macaraig Pagasa Awardee of the 2013 MAYORAL Search for Outstanding Public RECOGNITION Official given by the Civil Service MAYORAL Commission, Lynn is a woman RECOGNITION of innovations and wisdom who quickly rose from being a classroom teacher to become Education Program Supervisor A class valedictorian, student leader, lector Already a civil engineer, charged with mobilizing and and youth organizer, she was selected one of Maricel placed 4th in the improving DepEd Naga’s the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines Licensure Examination for Alternative Learning System, a job – Bicol and one of the ten awardees in the search Geodetic Engineers given in that takes much of an educator’s for Jose Rizal Model Student of the Philippines September 2013. heart and perseverance to meet given last December 2013. its goals and challenges. She also acts as trainor where she shares her competence and expertise to help fellow teachers find their best selves as teachers and professionals.

APRIL - JUNE 2014 30 Hannah Lalaine Rosin

MAYORAL Arnica Mae A. RECOGNITION Remoquillo

As a young gymnast MAYORAL who reaped medals in the Palarong Bicol and RECOGNITION Palarong Pambansa at the young age of eleven years, Hannah of Naga Central School 1 shone even more She placed 9th in the Nurse Licensure brightly during the Prime Examinations given by the Professional Gymnastics International Regulation Commission last June 2013 after Invitational held in graduating cum laude from the Universidad Singapore in October 2013 de Sta. Isabel. where she garnered Gold in Single Bar and one Silver medal each in the Beam and Individual All-Around categories.

31 APRIL - JUNE 2014 Timothy L. Tang Lee Say Cyril Amoroso-Vivo MAYORAL RECOGNITION MAYORAL RECOGNITION

Her winning the first prize in the 2013 National Search for Most Outstanding A consistent Valedictorian Special Education Teacher for Children in Elementary and High School with Hearing Impairment last November and graduating summa cum 2013 has brought immense honor and laude in both his college and pride to the City of Naga. Her selflessness, post-graduate studies, dedication and hard work as Master Teacher Timothy placed 4th in at the Naga City SPED Center have brought the Physician Licensure a new world and learning experience to Examination given last our children with hearing impairment. She August 2013. also conducts sign language lessons to parents of those impaired, care givers, deaf advocates and fellow teachers which are helpful in increasing their level of awareness on deaf concerns; and for them to be able to enter and understand better the world of the deaf.

APRIL - JUNE 2014 32 33 APRIL - JUNE 2014 NE hundred and sixteen By Jason B. Neola years after the Spanish government surrendered following an uprising led by two indio corporals of the guardia civil in what was Othen the Ciudad de Nueva Caceres, the Spaniards were once more welcomed, this time, by members of the local officialdom and civic leaders, and ordinary folks in the spirit of amity and friendship. The occasion was the celebration of the Philippine- Spanish Friendship Day, usually celebrated in Baler, Quezon following Republic Act No. 9187, which states that “the 30th of June of each year is hereby declared as Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day to commemorate the cultural and historical ties, friendship and cooperation between the Philippines and Spain.” The day is observed as a national special working holiday and a special non-working holiday in Aurora Province. This year, the representatives of the Spanish Embassy in the MEMBERS of the Philippines joined local officials Sindaw Philippines Performing Arts Guild of the National in tendering honor to a legacy Commission for Culture and here in Naga, the heart of Bicol. the Arts (NCCA) perform a repertoire of Filipino and The occasion proved momentous Spanish folk dances during the even as it became an opportunity cultural night of the Philippine- Spanish Friendship Day at the to recall the history of the relation USI Auditorium. CEPPIO between the natives of a nascent Naga and the Spanish settlers, a relationship that has resulted in a rich culture and heritage for the present generation. APRIL - JUNE 2014 34 The brief but bloody uprising in Nueva Caceres, now rechristened Naga City, signaled the end of Spanish colonization of the Camarines provinces and the whole Bicol region. Two guardia civil corporals, Felix Plazo and Elias Angeles, led the revolt, without assistance from Katipuneros from other regions, culminating in the surrender of the Spaniards on September 19, 1898. Then Nueva Caceres Governor the former Spanish civil governor and Vicente Zaidin signed the Acta or had the latter seated beside him like a protocol of surrender to the rebels guest of honor. that formally ended the Spanish “Welcome to our city that was regime in Bicolandia. The formal act of also yours. It is in fact one of the three surrender was signed at what is now oldest cities that the Spaniards built the Universidad de Santa Isabel, which in the Philippines, and made it the for a time became the victorious rebels’ seat of the powerful Archdiocese of headquarters. Caceres whose jurisdiction covered as The change in government was far north as Aurora and down south to described as generally peaceful and Sorsogon,” Mayor John G. Bongat of the local rebels made sure the Spanish Naga told the gathering that included captives were not maltreated. The Spain’s Consul General Pilar Villanueva insurgents, according to historical Romero, the city’s guest of honor, records, made sure that women and during terturia dinner held at the children were not hurt in the intense gun Universidad de Sta. Isabel last June 30 battles. In a banquet celebrating their that highlighted the Philippine-Spanish victory, Colonel Angeles even invited Friendship Day in the city. 35 APRIL - JUNE 2014 Movement while City Councilor David from July 1 to 5 at Universidad de Casper Nathan Sergio authored Sta. Isabel; a week-long Spanish Food Sanggunian Resolution 2014-121, Fest by participating local restaurants directing the observance of the offering authentic Spanish dishes and Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day cuisine; and a special cultural concert in Naga, which was approved by the by the NCCA’s Bayanihan National mayor. Folkdance Company on June 30, 5:00 Preparations for the various pm at the USI auditorium. events were spearheaded by the The celebration was also meant Arts, Culture and Tourism Office, ably to remember the day when General supported by the City Events, Protocol Emilio Aguinaldo, president of the and Public Information Office. The Malolos Republic, issued a decree Universidad de Sta. Isabel and Ateneo requiring the last Spanish soldiers de Naga University also provided who had garrisoned for almost a year crucial support by sponsoring the inside Baler’s church be treated not venues for some of the events. as enemies and prisoners of war, but Among the events held in as friends, and that they receive the connection with the Phil-Spanish necessary permission for their return Friendship Day (Día de la Amistad to Spain. The first celebration was entre España y Filipinas o Día de la held in 2003 in Baler. Amistad Hispano-Filipina) were: free This year, in Naga City, screenings of Spanish movies (with Bicolanos welcomed their former English subtitles) provided by the conquistadores remembering the “The Spanish rule in our land Spanish Embassy in the Philippines long and colorful history that has had long ended, but our city’s long at Emily Theatre on June 28 from brought the two countries together. and rich history with Spain will never 1:00 to 8:00 pm and at the Ateneo de Naga, as Nueva Caceres, was after all be forgotten,” Bongat said even as Naga University on June 30; historical the third of the royal cities created by he stressed that our history and lectures by Prof. Danilo Gerona, a Spain after Manila and Cebu. Here legacy with the Spaniards will always renowned historian and Dr. Felipe De also was the seat of the Archdiocese be a part of our lives especially now Leon, Jr., Chairman of the National of Caceres whose jurisdiction covered that we look at each other with trust, Commission for Culture and the Arts as far north as Aurora and down to friendship and understanding. (NCCA) at the Holy Rosary Minor the southernmost tip of Luzon. Earlier this year, the Spanish Seminary on the morning of June 30; The celebration of the Philippine- Embassy appointed Naga a Spanish culinary demonstration at Spanish Friendship Day here fittingly businessman Carlo Buenaflor as Universidad de Sta. Isabel’s Chateau served to highlight the wealth of its its Honorary Consul for Bicol, de Isabel featuring Spanish Chef Luis shared heritage. setting the stage for a more active de Terry, celebrity Chef Louis Mabulo, partnership between the City and USI’s Chef Gerald Panghulan on Government and the Embassy. the afternoon of June 30; a week-long The June 30 event was initiated exhibit of historical items and artifacts by the Nueva Caceres Heritage from the collection of Prof. Gerona APRIL - JUNE 2014 36 Bordado presents paper on Jesse Robredo’s legacy

By Paul John F. Barrosa

Interior Secretary ABrIEL H. Bordado Manuel A. Roxas III Jr., close friend commented that and former vice Bordado’s work should mayor of the late be shared with other Interior Secretary local government and former Naga units in the country Mayor Jesse M. for them to adopt and Robredo, presented his paper during replicate Robredo’s the commemoration of the latter’s good governance G56th birthday last May 27, 2014 at the Avenue Plaza model. Convention Center, Avenue Hotel, Magsaysay Avenue, “Hearing only from the stories of how Naga this city. progressed under the reins of our beloved friend, City Councilor Bordado conveyed the results of Jesse Robredo, we can already see that, indeed, his his research, entitled “People’s Participation in Local style of tsinelas leadership is effective and greatly Governance of Naga City, Philippines: The Legacy of beneficial to the people. With former Vice Mayor Jesse Manalastas Robredo,” before the incumbent Bordado’s work, this belief has been substantiated and Interior Secretary Manuel A. Roxas III; the family of the validated. If the former Vice Mayor is willing, he may late Mayor Robredo, led by Congresswoman Ma. Leonor share his work with the others through the various G. Robredo; the city officials of Naga, headed by Mayor programs of the DILG,” said Roxas. John G. Bongat and Vice Mayor Nelson S. Legacion; Congresswoman Ma. Leonor G. Robredo, for her the governors, mayors and local officials of other local part, applauded Bordado’s research saying that her governments in Bicol; and guests from the academe and “husband will be really glad” of his work. She even the private sector. compared the working relationship of Bordado and Bordado’s study puts forward a comprehensive her late husband to that of Batman and Robin. analysis of the Naga City Governance Model formulated Bordado’s thesis was written for his Master in by Robredo during his incumbency as city mayor. Using Development Management and Governance degree qualitative descriptive research method and participant at the University of the Philippines, Los Baños, a observation technique, it determined that, indeed, course funded under the University of the Philippines- Robredo had been able to establish sustainability and Department of the Interior and Local Government- community ownership in the programs of the city Local Government Academy Scholarship Program. government by putting up mechanisms that allow “The field study is my way of sustaining the people participation in local governance. legacy of the icon of good governance, Jesse M. Bordado’s thesis, though delimited to three Robredo. It is also my gift to him and a tribute to our programs, namely the Productivity Improvement long-standing friendship,” Bordado stated. Program, i-Governance and the Quality Universal Jesse M. Robredo served for almost two decades Elementary and Secondary Education in Naga (QUEEN), as mayor of Naga City from 1988 to 2010, interrupted affirmed the “primacy of people’s participation in local only in the years 1999-2002 due to term limitation. governance.” In 2010, he was appointed by President Benigno S. “Jesse Robredo forged the participative system of Aquino III as Secretary of the DILG. On August 18, local governance in Naga and eventually set it up as his 2012, however, he figured in a fatal plane crash off legacy not only for his city, but also, to a certain extent, the coast of Masbate that turned the nation into great for the entire country,” said Bordado. sorrow.

37 APRIL - JUNE 2014 PEOPLE’S PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL GOVERNANCE OF NAGA CITY, CAMARINES SUR, PHILIPPINES: THE LEGACY OF JESSE MANALASTAS ROBREDO I. Background and Rationale By GABRIEL HIDALGO BORDADO JR. For the past two decades, Naga City in Camarines Sur, Philippines has figured prominently in local governance. Its multiple Note: The author closely worked with Jesse Manalastas international, national and regional awards Robredo (JMR) for almost 25 years. He was JMR’s vice mayor and citations (now totaling more than 140) in for two terms (2004-2010) prior to the appointment of the almost all aspects of local governance certainly latter as Secretary of the Interior and Local Government. This speak volumes on how this tiny, landlocked, article was excerpted from the author’s field study submitted to and ancient (having been established as early the University of the Philippines College of Public Affairs and as 1575– just a few years younger than Cebu Development (UP CPAf). Last April, he obtained a master’s and Manila) city is carving a niche for itself and degree in development management and governance with a serving as a veritable touchstone for other local general weighted average of 1.22 – the highest rating among government units (LGUs). the graduating master’s students of UP CPAf for school year 2013-2014. The former City Mayor who eventually became the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, Jesse Manalastas Robredo, is generally credited for transforming Naga City into what it is now. This point of view was further strengthened in the aftermath of his tragic death two years ago. Empirical data point out Robredo’s pivotal role in the emergence of Naga City as a model LGU. Kawanaka (2002) averred that the late mayor’s innovations, particularly his participatory style of local governance, along with his exceptional performance as a local chief executive, did much in making Naga a center of excellence in local governance. It also “raised him up as one of the most outstanding local politicians in the Philippines.” Melgar (2010), however, posited a slightly different viewpoint, contending, in the process, that Robredo was merely one of the “building blocks.” She cited, among other things, “the entry of new mechanisms for popular participation in policymaking, which social movement activists subsequently maximized to further democratize access to state resources and reform social policies.”

APRIL - JUNE 2014 38 be augmented and even enhanced by private entities, including non- government organizations and people’s organizations. He did recognize, however, the limitations of partnerships, arguing that “at the operational and practical level, partnerships have to occur between institutions and organized groups, resulting often in the exclusion of the community at large, reducing them to a spectator’s role in governance.” Robredo, therefore, advocated people’s participation “to mainstream the marginalized, and actively engage them in governance.” Participation, in effect, would serve as the base or

Figure 1. Jesse M. Robredo’s Good Governance Model the very foundation of the Good Governance Model. From the model then evolved numerous award- winning programs, all of them institutionalized (and are, therefore, still being implemented in the city) and anchored on people’s participation. These include, among others, the i-Governance Program, the Naga City People’s Council, the Productivity Improvement Program, the Urban Poor Development Program (otherwise known as “Kaantabay sa Kauswagan” or Partners in Development), and the Quality Universal Elementary and Secondary Education in Naga (QUEEN) Program. Figure 2. Conceptual Framework of the Study II. Problem Statement INPUT PROGRESS OUTPUT What is people’s participation in local governance in Naga City (Camarines Sur), Philippines vis- à-vis Jesse M. Robredo’s Good Be that as it may, Robredo three elements, viz.: progressive Governance Model? did, in fact, lay the groundwork perspective, functional III. Objectives for people’s participation to thrive partnerships and participation. in Naga City. During his first term This model is based on the local • To determine the role of as city mayor (1988-1992), he government unit’s collective Jesse M. Robredo in forging formulated the so-called Naga experience in managing the affairs the participative system of City Good Governance Model of the city. local governance in Naga City (Robredo, 2006) which would Robredo envisioned “a city (Camarines Sur), Philippines serve as the template of all the for the people” where growth with • To identify Jesse M. Robredo’s people’s participation–driven equity would be the paramount legacy on the importance of programs now being implemented concern. He thus opened up and participation in local governance in the city. encouraged partnerships with that started in Naga City and The Naga City Good various sectors, ensuring that the adopted, to a certain extent, at the Governance Model consists of limited resources of the city could national level.

39 APRIL - JUNE 2014 contributory to the relative success of people’s participation in local governance in Naga City and pave the way for their replication in other LGUs in the country. It will also underscore the role played by Jesse M. Robredo in institutionalizing people’s participation in the context of local governance, making his city a virtual laboratory for innovative practices, approaches and strategies.

V. Limitations of the Study The study focuses only on the participatory angle of Jesse M. Robredo’s triangular Good Governance Model. Moreover, only three programs among many award winning programs– the Productivity Improvement THE AUTHOR poses with his daughter Elizabeth Ann after graduating Program, i-Governance and the with a master’s degree in development management and governance Quality Universal Elementary and at the University of the Philippines College of Public Affairs and Development (UP CPAf) under the auspices of the UP-DILG Scholarship Secondary Education in Naga Program initiated by the late Secretary Jesse M. Robredo in 2011. (QUEEN) Program– spawned by that model in Naga City • To profile the variables of in local governance, particularly are spotlighted in the study. participation, which include broad in the delivery of basic services, The late City Mayor’s role in stakeholdership and community shall be encouraged to ensure laying the groundwork for the ownership (as spelled out in Jesse the viability of local autonomy institutionalization of people’s M. Robredo’s Good Governance as an alternative strategy for participation in local governance Model), in three selected sustainable development” or as is discussed in this study but not programs of Naga City, viz.: clearly stipulated in Sec. 34 which in an in-depth or comprehensive the Productivity Improvement exhorts local government units manner befitting the humongous Program, i-Governance, and the “to promote the establishment accomplishments of the well-loved Quality Universal Elementary and and operation of people’s and public servant. Secondary Education in Naga non-governmental organizations In other words, the study (QUEEN) Program. to become active partners in the merely presents one facet of pursuit of local autonomy.” Jesse M. Robredo’s multifaceted I V. Significance of the initiatives and forays into the fields Study Yet, more than two decades after the implementation of the of local governance. It does not Since the passage of Code, people’s participation in have any illusion of illuminating Republic Act 7160, otherwise local governance has not exactly the dynamics and undercurrents known as the Local Government taken off in most of the LGUs of the life and times of the man Code of 1991, people’s in the country. An outstanding generally acknowledged as the participation in the affairs of LGUs exception, however, is Naga City best City Mayor ever produced by has always been invoked as the in Camarines Sur where award- the Philippines. ideal set-up for democracy to winning programs driven by VI. Summary of Findings prosper after practically being people’s participation continue scuttled during the Martial Law to thrive. Moreover, the name of This study sought to determine years. The Code itself openly Jesse M. Robredo almost always the status of people’s participation encourages the engagement crops up in conjunction with in local governance in Naga City of people in local governance, such programs, in particular, vis-à-vis the participation angle even providing the so-called and people’s participation in in Jesse M. Robredo’s Good participatory mechanisms in local governance, in general. Governance Model. In doing Sec. 3 (l) which states that “the This study will, therefore, prove so, it profiled three programs participation of the private sector useful in identifying the factors being implemented in Naga and

APRIL - JUNE 2014 40 evaluated them in terms of broad The participation angle, albeit and community ownership are stakeholdership and community a strong and energizing factor or the mantras which will keep ownership– two factors identified element by itself, cannot, however, such programs moving on in by the late mayor to be crucial stand entirely detached from breaking new grounds in the area in the sustainability of people’s the progressive perspective and of people’s participation in local participation in local governance. partnership angles as spelled out in governance. Drawing from secondary data, the Robredo model. In most cases, For the long haul, the the study employed qualitative there ought to be partnerships Jesse M. Robredo Center for descriptive research method for people’s participation in local Local Governance must be and participation observation governance to thrive. The QUEEN operationalized to develop technique. The researcher was Program, for instance, must training modules on Naga City’s actually part of the core group continually forge partnerships with good practices, especially the PIP, tasked by then Mayor Robredo to the Department of Education, the i-Governance, and the QUEEN establish the three programs in Liga ng mga Barangay and other Programs, that will facilitate the focus. entities to facilitate its smooth scaling up and replication of Based on the three operations and very survival. Robredo’s participative governance programs-- Productivity The same is true with and model. Moreover, the city Improvement Program (PIP), i-Governance where partnerships government must explore ways i-Governance, and the Quality have been established in a bid to and means of partnering with Universal Elementary and further streamline and strengthen higher education institutions (HEIs) Secondary Education (QUEEN) their operations and, in the process, which have existing programs on Program -- profiled in the study, continually engage people’s public administration and local people’s participation in local participation. government management so governance is alive and well in The progressive perspective, that these training events can be Naga City. All three programs viewed by Robredo from the credited to a diploma or degree (whose creation virtually spanned standpoint of the local chief which will help in the continuing the entire stretch of the 19–year executive, will always come into capacity building of Philippine Robredo administration) are play in the overall success of an local governments. people’s participation-driven. undertaking involving people’s Specific recommendations can The PIP, i-Governance, and participation. For the PIP, a be considered in the 3 programs QUEEN programs have broad willing and competent local chief profiled in this study: stakeholdership and community executive is simply indispensable in ownership, ensuring their marshaling the full resources of the For PIP sustainability all through these LGU. The i-Governance and QUEEN years. It may be inferred that the programs must, from time to time, • Revisit and relaunch projects same principle holds true for all rely on the mayor’s managerial and activities that propelled the the other programs of the Naga ability to hurdle some of the tough PIP and made it innovative, i.e. City government in view of their challenges which occasionally crop the Very Innovative Person (VIP) continued engagement of people up as they grapple with the realities annual competition for most from different sectors of the on the ground, so to speak. outstanding suggestions by city community. The study did demonstrate government employees. The profiles and subsequent the current status of people’s • Reactivate and fully analyses underscored the validity participation in local governance operationalize the Productivity of Jesse M. Robredo’s Good in Naga City. Through the three Improvement Circles (PIC) which Governance Model especially as it profiled programs, what one sees is are supposed to serve the applies, of course, to participation. a vibrant, dynamic, and sustainable departmental units in pursuing They affirmed that the model scheme of things where people’s and promoting PIP principles. really works-- even if viewed from participation, as always, reigns just the participatory angle. supreme. For i-Governance The three programs under • Develop the 4th edition study confirmed the proposition VII. Recommendations of the Naga Citizen’s Charter long espoused by Robredo and The city government, for as per ordinance, and for the articulated by Willis (2005) that its part, must continue using Sangguniang Panlungsod to it is only through sustained Robredo’s good governance model amend the ordinance and people’s participation that people in sustaining its existing people’s introduce penalties on the part empowerment can be achieved. participation-driven programs of the city agencies or employees Indeed, people’s participation and in creating new initiatives who fail to deliver the program’s in the three programs did lead aimed at harnessing people’s goal of regular updating. “to greater self-awareness and participation. Broad stakeholdership • Strengthen and develop confidence.”

41 APRIL - JUNE 2014 i-Governance applications to take and local government agencies he took advantage of the advantage of high penetration of would later expand it as mandated opportunity to use the mobile phones in Naga and in the under the Anti-Red Tape Act department’s supervisory entire country. (ARTA) of 2007, this trinity of key powers over the LGUs and use • Implement alternative information which “unilaterally it as a platform to promote and modes of delivering copies of the removed the cloak of anonymity in scale up policies which sought Citizen’s Charter so that it can public service” (as aptly described to open up local governments be made available in Nagueño by Robredo) still forms the core to their constituencies. The households. of every citizen’s charter in the series of memorandum circulars Philippines. By the time the ARTA that collectively formed the For QUEEN would take effect in 2008, and cornerstone of his “full disclosure” scale up the innovation nationally, policies can very well be traced • To strengthen legislative Naga was already on its third to the i-Governance program and oversight and make sure that the edition of its citizen’s charter. his open-government philosophy. program, together with the other In the case of the Even today, almost two years after poverty alleviation programs of i-Governance Program, his tragic death, the DILG website the city government as well as the where the Naga City Citizen’s which Robredo established still national government (especially Charter would subsequently bears a striking resemblance to the 4Ps), are indeed targeting and be incorporated through an the city government website that actually benefitting the poorest of ordinance, Robredo considered he built for Naga. These policies the poor (bottom 10%) of the city’s it as the solution to fully form the core of reforms that household population. engage wide-ranging people’s his widow, now Camarines Sur • To work more effectively participation notwithstanding the 3rd District Representative Maria with barangay and school officials fact that majority of the people Leonor Gerona-Robredo, filed to aggressively look for dropouts themselves-- including the Naga as her first bill in the House of and other potential enrollees of City citizenry which provided Representatives. the public school system. the context to this perplexing The QUEEN program, VIII. Conclusion challenge– are not members of having been conceptualized organized groups, and therefore and implemented at the tail- Now, where does Jesse M. excluded by the city government’s end of the 19-year incumbency Robredo’s legacy come in? The system of partnership with local of Jesse M. Robredo as mayor impact of the PIP in the Philippine non-government organizations of Naga City, is relatively new. setting, for instance, can be (NGOs) under the framework of It nonetheless underscored the best appreciated by reading the the Naga City People’s Council. determination of Robredo to use foreword, written by Jesse M. The program is built on the people’s participation in a critical Robredo himself, of the second bedrock principle of “information area which can make or break edition (2006) of the Naga City openness”– where government the very future of the nation: Citizen’s Charter. He averred that actively discloses information education. “a citizen’s charter–an enforceable to the various publics in such Summing up past and recent contract between the city areas as local government developments, the legacy-- government and its constituents-- finance, budgeting, procurement, defined by the Macmillan is a concept that has long been legislation, and service delivery Dictionary (2013) as “something there, up in the air, tickling our (which links it to PIP). The key that someone achieved which minds, lurking in the depths of City assumption is that citizens will continues to exist even after his Hall’s institutional memory.” He take advantage of the information death”– of Jesse M. Robredo then proceeded to trace the roots made available by an open- insofar as people’s participation of the city’s pioneering efforts to government regime to enable in local governance is concerned, document its services to the PIP, them to better engage their can be considered as secure not more specifically “the ubiquitous government. Under i-Governance, only in his beloved Naga City Performance Pledge that became a active disclosure is a defining but also in the entire Philippines. prominent part and parcel of every characteristic of Naga’s open In fact, Robredo was quoted as City Hall office.” government regime, which saying on the primacy of people’s The connection is self- distinguishes it from the “Freedom participation in local governance: evident: the Performance Pledge’s of Information” bill which the “We will emerge stronger and three-column structure (Service, previous Congress had failed to better because this kind of Response Time, Responsible pass. governance is inclusive, propelled Persons) was retained in both the When Robredo was finally by the power of the very people it first (2001) and second (2006) appointed by President Benigno embraces to serve.” editions of the Naga City Citizen’s S. Aquino III as Secretary of the Charter. Although other national Interior and Local Government,

APRIL - JUNE 2014 42 For this country to succeed, we need to make heroes of the ordinary people. We need to make heroes of ourselves.

- MayJesse 27, 1958 M. - August Robredo 18, 2012

Leni remembers Jesse By Joanne Rae M. Ramirez that she was no ordinary woman. Always under the radar, Leni was not a familiar face to most Filipinos, even to those who closely followed her husband’s career. And there she was, beautiful even in grief, her t's been almost two years since DILG kindness shining through when she said during a TV Secretary Jesse Robredo’s plane plunged interview after her husband’s death that she was not into the ocean off Masbate, leaving very big blaming his close-in aide for not being able to save tsinelas to fill. Few thought that it would be him. “Nobody is ever prepared for a plane crash,” she his beautiful but very private wife, lawyer said, even if the nation would have understood if she Maria Leonor or Leni, who would sink her were bitter over the aide’s survival. From that moment feet deeply into those tsinelas, and Leni is on, I was in awe of her big heart. proving to all that she is trying her very best to walk She had said her husband had just told her his talk. the week before that when it came to blessings, his I“I am now trying to continue the legacy my quota had already been overshot. She said there was husband left behind. I am running the last mile,” she nothing left unsaid among Jesse, their three daughters said when she addressed the graduating class of and herself, because every single day, they told each the UP School of Economics, her alma mater, at the other how much the other meant. University Theater recently. Jesse marked his 56th birth anniversary last week, I think most of us knew from the moment we and Leni paid tribute to him during her speech before heard Leni speak during her beloved husband’s wake the Class of 2014 of the School of Economics.

43 APRIL - JUNE 2014 “After joining the People Power revolution, where he left them. The clothes he wore before he left the with a new President at the helm of our house for the last time are still hanging behind our bedroom government, I was inspired to be part of the big door. His toothbrush and shaving cream are still in the same change that was unfolding before my very eyes. spot in our bathroom sink. His clothes are still neatly piled in I went home to my native Naga City for what the cabinet, as if waiting to be worn tomorrow,” she shared. was supposedly a short break after graduation She draws her strength from their shared love of country, and learned that a government agency taking especially of their home province and Naga City. care of the Bicol River Basin was looking for “But even as I have to conquer the fear of facing a future economists. With a patriotic flare in my stomach, without him, there is work to do and an entire constituency in I applied. My boss was to be Jesse, who would my district pinning their hopes on me,” she said. eventually become my husband. I had heard of how the organization was already changing because of him. However, he was unimpressed Leni exhorted the graduates, led by valedictorian with my application, because I carried with me a and summa cum laude Patricia Isabel Mayor Sotto, to be recommendation from his politician-uncle. He her partners in good governance now that she had lost told me quietly that that was no longer how Jesse. things worked. I was mortified and told him that “I may have lost my mentor and partner in good it was a lapse in judgment and the mistaken governance but maybe you can be my partners now. understanding that the recommendation would You are young and you have the idealism and energy help me get the job. But he left me biting my that Jesse and I have NEVER lost. Don’t lose it when you fingers for quite a time.” start working. Don’t lose sight of what is truly important “In the end, I was called back to take the when you get those paychecks. Find a job that inspires required examination and was asked to write an you and makes good use of your talent. Go beyond your essay on any topic of my choice. I wrote about comfort zones. Learn to love our beautiful country. Live the role of Cory Aquino in the EDSA Revolution. so that those who have less can live more.” I got the job and the rest is history. Incidentally, Leni also urged the graduates to value their my first day of work was on Aug. 18, 1986. He relationships and use them as a springboard to do good died Aug. 18, 2012, exactly 26 years later,” she for others. recalled. “Anchor your relationships on things that are greater Leni admitted that as a “fiercely private” than you. Always express your love in ways unique to person, she initially resisted the call to run you. You never know when your plane will go down for office, “preferring to drown myself in unexpectedly,” she stressed. the minutiae of daily tasks surrounding my She again recalled that Jesse never left anything daughters.” unsaid. “When he left us, we all knew how we were the But just like the widow Cory Aquino, she center of his life. Even when he was in Manila working realized that she was needed to ensure that the at the DILG five days a week, he was our go-to guy ideals her husband lived and died for would be when something in the house was not working. He preserved. would fix the plumbing when he got home. Even when “When it became clear to me that Jesse he was Interior Secretary, he would ride the bike in his needed me to fight for the gains in Naga City he trademark tsinelas to go to our local hardware store and had long worked for, and to continue the work buy the stuff men of the house normally buy. Being a for good governance he left behind, I simply husband and a father grounded him.” had to make the sacrifice and took the chance,” In closing, Leni asked the graduates to create their she added. own version of “tsinelas leadership.” “Jesse has passed Leni admits that she and her daughters on, but you can still bring it alive. Strive not just to be have not gotten over the pain of losing Jesse. true and honest, strive to be excellent in all that you “Until now, all his things in the house are do. Any job that is worth doing should be done with still in the exact same place excellence. Shed off the cloaks of mediocrity,” she urged. Often, the best candidate for the fallen knight’s work is the woman who stood by him, learning from him, imbibing his strength and resolve. Ultimately, the victor is the people they had sworn to serve.

APRIL - JUNE 2014 44 Regional Relations Migration development project in Bicol launched By Jose B. Perez

UNDP Country Director Maurice Dewulf (left) and Swiss Ambassador Ivo Sieber (right) compare notes at the lobby of Villa Cacerees Hotel before the start of the brief program that ushered in the signing of agreement on Joint Migration and Development Initiative.

HE Philippines ranks third among countries receiving migrant remittances after India and China. This was disclosed by Maurice Dewulf, country director of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in This brief message during the signing of an agreement with Naga Mayor John Bongat on April 22 at the Villa Caceres budget of US$9.5M funded by the European Union and the Swiss Hotel that formally launched the second Development Cooperation, is aimed at maximizing the potential of phase of the Joint Migration and migration for local development through the delivery of targeted Development Initiative (JMDI 2). support to local authorities and non-state actors, such as NGOs and Under the JMDI 2, the Naga private groups. City Government, as anchor LGU, Dewulf disclosed that in 2012, the Philippines received around will implement the project called US$24 Billion in remittances. This amount, which was expected “Mainstreaming Migration and to have increased in 2013 and in the following years, would Development in the Governance of have spurred more local development if used and maximized Local Authorities in the Bicol Region.” for investments, entrepreneurship, business, and other income- The JMDI 2, a three-year project generating activities. which started in Dec. 2012 with a total Swiss Ambassador Ivo Sieber, on the other hand, assured that

45 APRIL - JUNE 2014 absence of other source of living or NAGA Mayor John Bongat and Swiss Ambassador Ivo Sieber exchange signed copies of the Agreement. alternatives in their own hometown. Secretary Imelda Nicolas of the Commission on Filipino Overseas, a fellow Bicolano who witnessed the agreement signing, disclosed that Bicol’s permanent and temporary migrants are estimated to have reached around 103,000 in 2012, representing around 5% of the Philippine migrant population. Nicolas, moreover, disclosed the following other interesting data: • Apart from Naga, the top source the Government of Switzerland, through its various institutions, is cities or municipalities of migrants committed to ensuring that the rights and interests of migrants; and include Legazpi, Daet, Iriga, and Nabua. that more is made of the potential offered by migrant communities. Among the municipalities of Camarines For his part, Mayor Bongat said the vision is to make Naga the Sur, Nabua has been noted as an out- center of programs and services for Bicolano migrants. “We will migration area with most of its migrants not only build a strong structure that is of service to migrants but a settling in the US either as Navy or stronger family when both parents choose not to migrate because Marines servicemen. It has become a economic opportunities are made available at home,” he said. normal practice among Nabuaeños He added that in pursuance of President Aquino’s social to encourage at least one member of contract with the people, he expects that sooner than later, the family to go abroad for greener Bicolanos will migrate overseas for work or residency because it pastures and help their family move out is their choice; not because they are forced to do so due to the of poverty.

PHOTOs BY xeres ramon gagero

APRIL - JUNE 2014 46 • Overseas Filipinos’ remittances in 2013 is roughly P1 trillion, or half of the government’s budget for that year. • Net migration estimates show that the region will continue to be an outmigration area with more women going out of the region than men until 2020. • Permanent settlement or favored immigrant destinations are usually Canada, USA, Australia, Germany, and Italy for Filipinos who are mostly professionals-- teachers, nurses, physical therapists, doctors, bankers, accountants, and librarians, among others. Dewulf added the profile of overseas Filipinos is diverse– there are highly-skilled migrants such as physicians, engineers, and IT professionals who can share their expertise and technologies to the Philippines. There are also those with high income brought about by the critical and indispensable nature of their job who are able to save and immediately have available capital for investments and enterprise. There are, likewise, several migrant associations overseas that can facilitate collective remittances for investments. These various competencies and capacities of overseas Filipinos, when properly tapped, have bigger potentials for growth and development, the UNDP director concluded. Naga already has ongoing discussions with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), other government agencies, and the private sector for the establishment of the migration resource center. The land for the site is already available and the structure is slated to be built soon. Partnerships will soon be forged with other government and non-government agencies that can offer their services and conduct their programs in the proposed resource center. These agencies include DFA (for passport processing), POEA, TESDA, SSS, Pag-IBIG and Philhealth, among others.

47 APRIL - JUNE 2014 IN SWEDEN. Mayor John Bongat takes time out to see important places in Stockholm, the capital city of Sweden where he talked before an international audience on Naga’s role in migration and development, focusing on how the city since 2011 endeavored to mainstream returning overseas Filipino workers in local governance and the city’s development plan-- a pioneering program not only in the Philippines but in the whole world.

AGA City Mayor In Feb. 2011, he recalled, the International Organization for Migration John Bongat (IOM) selected Naga to pilot a project to mainstream migration issues in triumphantly local development. It was a strategic choice, Bongat said, driven by the returned from a city’s good governance traditions and the opportunity presented by having 5-day official travel its former mayor, Jesse Robredo, being appointed as DILG secretary. to Stockholm, This was followed by the creation of a technical working group to Sweden where spearhead project implementation; sectoral consultations with various he participated in the Global Forum stakeholders that generated/validated data about the local Overseas on Migration and Development and Filipinos (OF) in Naga; project prioritization which identified priority Nspoke to share Naga City’s experience areas for local action; and presentation of Naga City’s comprehensive in mainstreaming migration in the local development plan during the national stakeholders’ consultation in Manila. development planning process. From Dec. 2012 to Oct. 2013, the city government, through its CPDO, Conducted on May 12-16, 2014, worked with the national-level Commission for Filipinos Overseas (CFO), an the global forum was participated office under the Office of the President, to help the Provincial Government in by representatives from 150 of Pangasinan scale up Naga’s experience at the provincial level which led nations to discuss how to harness the to the creation of its own Migration and Development Council-- its version development potential of migration. of Naga’s City Advisory Committee on Overseas Filipinos (CACOF). In his speech, Mayor Bongat Then last April 2014, the city’s partnership took a higher step. The city related how Naga City has gone this secured a US$230,000 grant from the European Union and Switzerland far in addressing the issues about to mobilize and assist in the replication of Naga’s experience in 15 LGUs migration and sustaining the welfare (provinces, cities, municipalities) in Bicol over a period of two years. and interests of overseas Filipino Bongat told his audience that migration is both a national and local workers and their families. issue. He said that while national governments often see the need to craft He said the Naga City experience policies for Migration and Development (M&D) at the macro level, the goes back to August 24, 2010 matter is clearly a local issue as well. He stressed that in Naga, for instance, during the EU-funded Migrants’ one of every four households has an OF member, and everyone has an OF Associations and Philippine Institutions for a relative. At the local level, therefore, M&D assumes a human face, for Development (MAPID) project Bongat said. dissemination forum at the Ateneo de The city mayor also revealed that his chance to join the conference Naga University. During the workshop, in Sweden gave him an opportunity to learn from other international the city government, through its City experiences that will help enhance the implementation of the Joint Planning and Development Office Migration and Development Initiative project in Bicol that Naga City is (CPDO), promised to incorporate spearheading. He also saw the prospect of fostering stronger relationships migration issues in the Comprehensive with counterparts and other international donor agencies that can lead to Development Plan they were preparing. mutually beneficial undertakings in the future.

APRIL - JUNE 2014 48 Legislation

Sanggunian expands SP-SPP; signs MOA with 9 schools By Lira S. Serrado and Paul John F. Barrosa

XPANDING the Sangguniang Panlungsod Nagueños’ willingness to H2ELP our and formalizing first launched SP-SPP with five city,” stated Vice Mayor Legacion. the partnership universities-- AMA, ADNU, Legacion also underscored between the BISCAST, NCF and WRI. The that there has been a revision in academe and the addition of AMA, CCDI, PCFC, STI the MoA to include a provision that city government and WRI in the program is another states the schools’ commitment on the efficient milestone. to conceptualize and conduct and effective implementation of Prior to the formal MoA an evaluation and post SP-SPP the Sangguniang Panlungsod signing, Legacion and Edwin activities, for instance, submission EStudent Participation Program Nacianceno, School Director of of recommendations to a proposed (SP-SPP), nine schools, from 5 CCDI Naga, gave their respective ordinance within 5 days after the universities last year, signed a messages. students’ visit to the SP or conduct Memorandum of Agreement with In his sponsorship speech, of trainings or outreach programs. the City Government of Naga Legacion shared that the “This provision was suggested during the 47th Regular Session of expansion was due to the positive to us by our partners in the the Sangguniang Panlungsod of reactions and recommendations academe themselves as they really Naga held last June 17, 2014. made by the representatives from desire to have a follow-through Naga City Vice Mayor Nelson the first batch of SP-SPP academe to the program and translate S. Legacion, with Mayor John G. partners. the acquired knowledge of the Bongat, led the signing of the “Through the course of the students to something tangible and MoA with the heads of the school implementation of SP-SPP, we beneficial to the community,” the partners, namely: AMA Computer received positive feedbacks, vice mayor said. College (AMA), Ateneo de Naga especially from our partners in Nacianceno, on the other University (ADNU), Bicol State the universities and colleges of hand, expressed his appreciation College of Applied Sciences and Naga, that indeed the program to the SP-SPP and articulated Technology (BISCAST), Computer advanced the common goals the academe’s commitment to Communication Development of the academe and the city continually support the City Institute (CCDI), Naga College government. Aside from the fact Government of Naga in coming Foundation (NCF), Philippine that, through their (WRI, AMA, up with and implementing Computer Foundation College PCFC and CCDI) participation, sound programs that will be (PCFC), Universidad de Sta. Isabel we are widening the reach instrumental to the full attainment (USI), University of Nueva Caceres of the program and making of transparency and people- (UNC) and Worldtech Resources it more inclusive and more empowerment in local governance. Institute (WRI). comprehensive, their commitment “SP-SPP will not only expose On November 19, 2013, to join us also signifies the the students to the legislative

49 APRIL - JUNE 2014 processes of the city government and provide SP Watch provides students the opportunity opportunity for them to air their sentiments and to observe the proceedings of the Sangguniang insights, but, through the post SP-SPP activities that Panlungsod’s regular session by allowing one class the academe has committed, the program will also per week per university to sit as an audience of the make the youth truly involved in nation-building,” said Sangguniang Panlungsod. Nacianceno. SP Forum, meanwhile, serves as an interactive The MoA signing was witnessed by City Mayor feedback mechanism between the students and the John G. Bongat and the respective administrators of city officials. Under SP Forum, a 15- to 30-minute the different schools. open forum shall be conducted for the students SP-SPP generally aims to educate the students to clarify procedural measures of the Sanggunian, in the city on the legislative functions and processes provide their thoughts and comments on certain of the city government, enhance their awareness developmental issues being faced by the city and are on various developmental issues, as well as engage presently being deliberated by the SP, and/or offer and empower them as proactive stakeholders suggestions on how to improve city mechanisms and and development partners of the city. It has two projects. mechanisms-- 1) SP Watch and 2) SP Forum.

Implementing the ENABL2 E Program By nelson s. legacion Vice - Mayor

THE AUTHOR explains the salient points of the program.

be organized by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Naga, he Empowerment aNd in partnership with the Liga ng mga Barangay and with Advancement of Barangays on Local the support of the Department of the Interior and Local LEgislation (ENABL2E) Program Government (DILG). that seeks to bring down good Dubbed as Conference on Barangay Legislations, the governance practices of the city to one-day seminar sought to enhance the knowledge and the grassroots level is now being skills of barangay officials in crafting relevant legislations implemented. Institutionalized and rational regulatory policies and in promoting through Ordinance No. 2014-008, introduced by transparency, accountability and people-participation in yours truly and sponsored by City Councilors Vidal governance processes. TP. Castillo, Elmer S. Baldemoro and Esteban Greg The said conference was held last April 10-12, R. Abonal III, the implementation of the ENABL2E 2014 with seven barangay-attendees per day. On Day Program started with the conduct of the Conference 1, the participants came from Barangays San Francisco, on Barangay Legislation, followed by the SP Watch Peñafrancia, Balatas, Liboton, Bagumbayan Norte, and SP Forum held last May 6, 13, 20 and 28 during Bagumbayan Sur, Calauag, Dinaga and Dayangdang; on our 41st, 42nd, 43rd and 44th Regular Sessions. Day 2: Barangays Abella, Sta. Cruz, Sabang, Igualdad, Pursuant to Ordinance No. 2014-008, otherwise Mabolo, Tabuco, Lerma, Tinago and Triangulo; and, on known as the Naga City ENABL2E Program Ordinance, Day 3: Barangays San Isidro, Cararayan, Carolina, Pacol, barangay officials of Naga City are mandated to Panicuason, San Felipe, Concepcion Pequeña, Concepcion undergo a one-day seminar on local legislation to Grande and Del Rosario.

APRIL - JUNE 2014 50 Councilor Vidal P. Castillo, president of the level are consistent with the city’s thrusts and goals. Liga ng mga Barangay, welcomed the participants Mayor Bongat’s talk was then followed by my of the conference. Afterwards, Councilor Elmer S. reminder to the barangay officials of the ENABL2E Baldemoro lectured on the powers and functions Program, especially the Outstanding Sangguniang of the Sangguniang Barangay, followed by this Barangay Award. This representation reiterated representation’s discussion on the Barangay Legislative that the end-goal of the seminar and the other Process and by Councilor Esteban Greg R. Abonal components of the ENABL2E Program is to establish III’s lecture on Parliamentary Procedure. By the more responsive, more dynamic and more transparent afternoon, City Planning and Development Officer barangay councils in Naga. Wilfredo B. Prilles Jr. imparted to the participants the Conference on Barangay Legislation then Principles of Good Governance and Development- culminated with a short 15-item exam to test the Oriented Legislation putting emphasis on the Naga learning retention of the participants. Certificates of City Governance Model and the role of legislation in Completion were also distributed to the attendees. promoting good barangay governance. As a follow through to the Conference on To hone further the proficiencies of barangay Barangay Legislation and as a part of the barangay legislators, a lecture and workshop on crafting of officials’ continuing education under the ENABL2E ordinances and resolutions were given by the Secretary Program, the Sangguniang Panlungsod has opened to the Sangguniang Panlungsod Gil A. Dela Torre. The its door and invited the barangay legislators to attend participants were tasked to craft and to present an the SP’s regular session this May. The barangays were ordinance on the adoption of the Naga City Tertiary divided into four clusters and each cluster was given Scholarship Program in their respective barangays. the opportunity to watch and observe the proceedings of our regular session under the mechanism called SP Watch. After the session, another mechanism, named SP Forum, provided an avenue for a 30-minute interaction between the barangay and the city officials for the former to clarify procedural measures of the SP, provide their thoughts and comments on certain issues, and/ or offer suggestions on how to improve our mechanisms and NAGA CITY’s barangay officials undergo an intense seminar on projects. SP Watch local legislation to enhance their and SP Forum aspire knowledge and skills in crafting laws and policies that promote to strengthen the transparency and accountability partnership among in governance. and between the city

SP PHOTO government and the 27 barangay governments of Naga. We expect that their draft ordinance on Barangay Clarifications on legislative procedures were Tertiary Scholarship Program will be refined once they discussed and the officials of the aforementioned go back to their respective barangays and, later, be barangays also pledged to conduct their sessions passed by the Sangguniang Barangay. in accordance with the necessary formal legislative On the later part of the conference, Mayor John procedures. G. Bongat discussed the Alignment of Local Initiative Since the ultimate goal of the ENABL2E Program for Growth in Naga (ALIGN) Program which aims to is to establish more responsive and more dynamic integrate all barangay programs and mainstream them barangay councils, it is just fit for the City Government into the city’s over-all development agenda. The ALIGN of Naga to recognize sangguniang barangays which Program seeks to ensure that projects at the grass-root have demonstrated exemplary performance in

51 APRIL - JUNE 2014 enacting legislative measures that greatly contribute contain the following minimum requirements: to the achievement of sustainable and inclusive Organization of the Sangguniang Barangay socio-economic development in their respective Calendar of business for each session communities. Thus, the Outstanding Sangguniang Legislative process Barangay Award is made an integral part of this Parliamentary procedure program. Discipline of members In January 2015, an Awards Committee, composed Quality of Office Set-Up and Sanggunian of the Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod, Deliberations. Director of DILG-Naga, Director of Jesse M. Robredo • Barangay Session Hall with appropriate fixtures Governance Institute and representatives from and equipment. the academe and private sector, shall commence • Performance of the barangay council during in determining the barangays with the highest the visitation and observation of the Sangguniang accumulated score on the following criteria: Panlungsod, Liga ng mga Barangay and DILG in their regular session. The following shall be taken into Effectiveness of Legislative Agenda consideration in rating their performance: • The legislative agenda of the barangay • Observance of the legislative process complements and supports the Executive Legislative • Observance of the parliamentary procedure Agenda and thrusts of the City Government of Naga • Attendance of barangay officials and the Republic of the Philippines • Participation of barangay officials • Consultations have been made in the development of the Legislative Agenda The first placer shall receive a plaque and One • The Legislative Agenda of the barangay provides Million Pesos (P1,000,000) worth of barangay project legislative actions on the Investment and Development to be funded by the City Government of Naga. The Plan of the barangay second and third placers, meanwhile, will win Seven • Effectiveness of the Legislative Tracking Hundred and Fifty Thousand Pesos (P750,000) and Five System Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000) worth of barangay • All legislative measures of the barangay are on project to be funded by the City Government of Naga, file, properly indexed and easily retrievable respectively, and plaques. Only priority projects of the • There are mechanisms for monitoring the barangays, as stated in their Barangay Development implementation and impacts of local legislations Plan, shall be funded by the city government subject to strict observance of usual accounting and auditing Availability of Legislative Documents laws, rules and regulations. The awarding and • Journals of the Sangguniang Barangay are on culminating activity shall be conducted in December file and easily retrievable 2015. • Minutes of sessions duly signed by all members Since 1988, the city government has initiated present and certified by the Barangay Secretary and institutionalized various programs that promote • Committee Reports signed by majority of all transparency, accountability and people-participation members in its system of government. • Notices and minutes of special sessions are on We believe that it is high-time for these file and easily retrievable good practices to be replicated by the barangay governments of Naga, especially that they play a vital Efficiency of Performance of the Sangguniang role as the basic political units of the government. The Barangay competence and responsiveness of barangay officials • Number of landmark ordinances enacted. The in addressing the needs of the people will form a great following are considered as priorities: part in shaping Naga as one of the most competitive Annual Budget of the Barangay; and most liveable cities in the country and in the world. Barangay Investment Plan; It is always our belief that the most significant Barangay Revenue Code; and, factor in attaining, sustaining and improving our Barangay i-Governance which shall include the Maogmang Lugar is a happy, proud and empowered institutionalization of a barangay website, Barangay citizenry. By lifting the bar of standards in the Citizens’ Charter and other people-empowerment barangays through training them and providing them programs incentives to make the best better, we can guarantee • Number of resolutions with impact on local that even at the lowest echelon of society, participatory, communities and adoption/localization of city responsive and accountable governance is in place. ordinances/programs; If all Nagueños live in an enabling and empowering • An enacted Internal Rules of Procedure which environment, surely, Naga will smile to the world.

APRIL - JUNE 2014 52 Lupon members are trained on the effective‘ and efficient implementation of the Katarungang Pambarangay or Naga Barangay Justice System provided under enhances the Local Government Code of 1991. capability of lupong ’ tagapamayapa By Paul John F. Barrosa

ONSISTENT with the provisions Local Government Code of 1991. It was held in under the Prescribed Naga Lupon the months of March and April in the city’s 27 Ordinance (PNaLO), authored barangays clustered accordingly. by then City Councilor now Vice Vice Mayor Legacion, adviser of the Lupong Mayor Nelson S. Legacion, and Tagapamayapa Federation Inc. and author of seeking to ensure that the 27 Ordinance No. 2012-037 or the Prescribed Naga Punong Barangays, 401-strong Lupon Ordinance (PNaLO), served as the speaker members of this city’s Lupong Tagapayamapa, 27 for the introduction of and updates on the Lupon Secretaries, and 27 process servers of this city Katarungang Pambarangay. Legacion exhibited Care conversant and proficient with the applicable his expertise as a lawyer and as an author of two laws and regulations on the barangay justice system, books, one in English and another in Bicol, on the City Government of Naga, conducted capability Katarungang Pambarangay. building seminars in the months of March to May. Legacion was followed by Ms. Mila Lim Held every time a new Lupon in each barangay Solis, Supreme Court-accredited mediator, who of Naga is constituted, the continuing education discussed about the effective techniques on program for the Lupong Tagapamayapa was divided mediation/conciliation. into three categories: 1) Continuing Education Councilor Elmer S. Baldemoro, on the other Seminar for re-appointed Lupon members and hand, talked about his experience as former barangay secretaries and re-elected punong Punong Barangay and concurrent Lupon chairman barangays 2) Capability Building Seminar for newly- of Barangay Concepcion Grande. He also shared appointed Lupon members and barangay secretaries with the participants the best practices and and first termer punong barangays and 3) Capacity innovations made by the winners of the DILG Enhancing Seminar for process servers or the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentive Award and individuals assigned to deliver and process barangay encouraged them to aspire in winning the said summons. competition. The Continuing Education Seminar was a Meanwhile, the Capability Building Seminar half-day conference that seeks to refresh and was a whole-day forum on the basics and enhance the comprehension and proficiencies of complexities of the Katarungang Pambarangay. the Lupon members on the effective and efficient Aside from Legacion, Solis and Baldemoro, guest implementation of the Katarungang Pambarangay speakers from the Department of the Interior and or Barangay Justice System provided under the Local Government, namely Mr. Allen Roy O. Prila,

53 APRIL - JUNE 2014 Local Government Operations Officer II of DILG Naga, In all the seminars conducted, Mayor John and Ms. Fatima M. Penino, former director of DILG G. Bongat delivered an inspirational message Naga, were also invited to talk about the rules and addressed to all the participants. Bongat said that procedures of the barangay justice system. the competent administration of the Katarungang The Capacity Enhancing Seminar for process Pambarangay is vital to the city’s growth as it servers was held on May 16, 2014 at Bicol Science prevents or lessens the animosity between members and Technology Centrum. Sheriff Jun Papa Pelagio of of the community caused by long, expensive and Regional Trial Court was the guest speaker of the said usually delayed court cases. seminar. Pelagio focused his discussion on the filling Legacion’s book entitled Katarungang up of the required forms on the implementation of Pambarangay, written in Bikol, was also distributed the Katarungang Pambarangay and their proper and by the vice mayor himself to the participants of the effective delivery and service. aforementioned trainings. Before Pelagio’s talk, however, Vice Mayor “As the trainings end and the members of the Nelson S. Legacion briefed the process servers of Lupon go back to their task of restoring cordial their vital role in the responsive implementation of relations among protagonists and promoting the barangay justice system, while Councilor Elmer peace and stability in their respective communities, S. Baldemoro imparted the practices of Concepcion it is my hope that they will find the Katarungang Grande in serving summons during his stint as the Pambarangay book useful,” said Vice Mayor Legacion. village’s punong barangay.

APRIL - JUNE 2014 54 Environment Memories of Da Nang …and why they matter

By Wilfredo B. Prilles, Jr.

ROM June 25-27, 2014, around 10 Southeast Asian cities covered by the German government- MAYOR John Bongat presents the status of funded Integrated Resource Management Project: Nexus projects in Naga City in the biennial The Urban Nexus (or “Nexus” for short) met in Da workshop in Vietnam. Nang, Vietnam for its biennial workshop, organized jointly by the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) and UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). Beside it, a new high school will Mayor John Bongat; Dr. Richard Cordial, president of Bicol rise in a 5,000 square meter lot to serve FState College for Applied Sciences and Technology (BISCAST); and the Del Rosario-Concepcion area which Engr. Juanito Eje, senior vice president of the Home Mortgage the Education, Scholarship and Sports Development Fund (HMDF, more popularly known as “Pag-Ibig” Office (ESSO) is now coordinating, with Fund) and myself represented Naga City in that conference. funding support from the Naga City The project being implemented in Naga under Nexus is School Board and corporate partners its low-cost housing initiative (Phase I) for city government like the National Grid Corporation of employees, which consists of 48 housing units organized into 12 the Philippines (NGCP). quadruplexes at Barangay Del Rosario, near the Naga City District It is envisioned that in the long run, Jail. The Bicol outfit of Habitat for Humanity, an international a decentralized wastewater treatment housing NGO, is partnering with the city government through its plant (WTP) will process solid and liquid Housing and Settlements Development Office (HSDO) headed by waste from the new housing community Engr. Rolando Campillos, in implementing Phase I, with funding for the city (around 200 units in all), coming from HMDF. From January to April 2014, BISCAST the district jail, the high school and architecture students have worked with two German housing the nearby city abattoir to produce experts in monitoring implementation of Phase I under a capacity biogas and organic fertilizers-- thereby building component. operationalizing integrated resource management for the food, energy and WILLY Prilles of the Naga City Planning water sectors. Right now, instead of the and Development Office explains the low-cost housing initiatives in Naga City usual individual septic tanks, centralized for its employees. septic tanks for Phases I and II will be established in preparation for the eventual implementation of the WTP. While concrete progress has been made in the city’s housing project a year after it was conceptualized, which we dutifully reported to the plenary (in fact, the three Naga presentations-- by Mayor John and myself, Dr. Cordial and SVP Eje-- were all well received, especially by the Thai housing minister who wished their local governments will also go into public housing), there was a different memory of Da Nang that I am taking home.

55 APRIL - JUNE 2014 CITY of Da Nang, Vietnam has its well-maintained and well-lit boulevard, with its proud, disciplined and happy people also taking good care of its river.

in private properties interfering), and promote pedestrian traffic (decent sidewalks with trees in the city center, generous ones with separate planting strips in the riverfront/seafront tourism area). On the final day of the paved & well-lit roads and bridges, Here in Bicol, government conference, after going and walking hardly no informal settlers in sight, agencies (led by the DPWH, with around the city (including what neither any by-standers in public “helpless” local governments serves as its biggest shopping center, places, clean and wide sidewalks and watching) have massacred trees, like which cannot hold a candle to SM riverbank promenades. Always on what happened to the tree tunnel in City Naga), I posted the following the go, the Vietnamese can be seen Bulan, Sorsogon; as well as Malinao observation in my Facebook page: riding their ubiquitous motorcycle, and Tiwi, Albay and key stretches of “A clean riverfront with a their precious possession that brings Pangasinan and other provinces-- all functioning port, five-star hotels with them to work and back home every in the name of road widening. international brand names (including day. No trace AT ALL of the poverty In Naga, the Nexus project offered a Hilton that is rising beside Novotel), and neglect of its dark past, ONLY the us an opportunity to study (for free) tree-lined boulevards with generous exuberance of a PROUD, DISCIPLINED the possibility of implementing a sidewalks where trees peacefully and HAPPY PEOPLE. Vietnam WHAT vacuum sewer system, which we co-exist with humans, and a society HAPPENED? PLEASE ANSWER THIS for dutifully wrote to the Metro Naga more orderly than ours: these are vivid my country’s SAKE!” Water District sometime in October memories of Da Nang that I will bring Da Nang, of course, is Viet Nam’s 2013. We have yet to get a reply as home with me.” third most important city (behind of this writing. Meanwhile, when the Mayor Bongat is more pointed. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh), and fifth city of Da Nang made up its mind to Before leaving for home earlier that in terms of population. With around greenlight the project early this year, same day, he posted: 1 million inhabitants, the better in a 100-unit community near its coast, comparison would be Davao or the study and detailed engineering “VIETNAM WHAT HAPPENED TO Cagayan de Oro. Nonetheless, if there design were completed from March to YOUR COUNTRY? In 5 hours, I’ll be is a good benchmark for what Metro mid-June by a team from the German leaving Da Nang for Manila via Ho Naga can and should do with its river Fraunhofer Institute. Financing is now Chi Minh. Good I’ve been given the system, Da Nang easily fits the bill. being arranged with the World Bank. opportunity to visit Vietnam again From what I saw, theirs is a society If Vietnam leapfrogs ahead of (last year I was invited in Hanoi, the that had the good sense to care for the Philippines-- if it has not done so nation’s capital, to speak before a its Han River (as wide as Bicol River, yet-- I’ll not be surprised. It matters convention attended by Vietnamese but definitely cleaner in spite of being not whether the political system is mayors from small cities). Vietnam located at the city center), protect communist or democratic. What has literally risen from the ravages of public spaces (ordinary residents can matters is a society with a clear value war a few decades ago: New, state-of- motor or walk to the very accessible system, and one that can get its act the-art airports, modern ports, well- beach any time of day without fenced- together.

APRIL - JUNE 2014 56 Naga, ADB start talks on land use development

By Jason B. Neola

EEPING a portfolio of undertakings that aims to firm up Naga City’s PHOTO BY JOSE COLLERA/CEPPIO livable atmosphere, Mayor John G. Bongat DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT. Naga City Mayor John G. Bongat welcomes Arghya Sinha Roy of the Asian Development Bank as he and other department heads of the city hall meet with representatives of the ADB last May 6 sat down to discuss measures in addressing disaster risk through improved indicators and land use management. with consultants from Looking on (with back to camera) is Engr. Joel P. Martin of the city’s Solid Waste Management Office. the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to come up with effective tools on risk- The city mayor also assured the ADB consultants of the city Ksensitive land use planning and urban government’s willingness to provide the team with studies on the city’s development. flooding problem, including the risk reduction approaches that should be The ADB Regional and Sustainable undertaken. Development Department has chosen Engr. Rolly SI. Campillos, head of the Naga City Housing and Naga City as one of the five cities of Settlements Development Office, said the technical assistance being developing member countries that will be offered by the ADB would help alleviate the plight of urban poor provided with technical assistance on land communities as it will guide his office in identifying problems brought use management. about by flooding and, likewise, come up with solutions that really work. The team who came to kick off the Roy said the outcome of the technical assistance will be presented initial talks is composed of Disaster Risk to other cities overseas for replication and help them to enhance their Management Specialist Arghya Sinha respective disaster preparedness plan. Roy, mission leader; Gerald Erbach, urban “Similarly, the studies made by four cities will also be evaluated for development specialist; Sher Singh, possible implementation in Naga,” he said. water, wastewater, and drainage planning Established in 1966, the Asian Development Bank undertakes and specialist; and Douglas Lucius, incentives provides financial assistance to various development projects in the for risk reduction and adaptation specialist. Asia-Pacific region with the primary aim of reducing poverty incidence. Also in the consultative meeting with Approximately 1.7 billion people in the region are poor and unable to Mayor Bongat and the ADB team were access essential goods, services, assets and opportunities to improve their concerned department heads of the city lives. government. Asked if there is anything the city government wanted to bring up The other four cities included in the with the ADB for possible funding, Prilles said that “if given the chance, program are Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh in it would be the construction of the anti-flooding structure which is a Vietnam, Wuzhou in the People’s Republic component of the Naga River Revitalization Project (NRRP). The structure of China, and Kathmandu in Nepal. costs more or less 60% of the P2.1 billion budgetary requirement of Wilfredo Prilles Jr., city planning and NRRP,” he explained. development officer, said the partnership would allow the city government to identify the different disaster risks that are prevalent in the city and the corresponding approaches that it has to undertake. Bongat said that primarily, the city will focus on the development of tools and procedures that would effectively help to address flooding, a major natural disturbance that the city experiences every ADB VISITORS. “This is where we can see the Naga River joining the Bicol River,” Lilibeth LI. time heavy rains come. Sanchez (right) of the City Mayor’s Office and Sieglinde Borromeo-Bulaong (2nd from right) of the Metro Naga Development Council (MNDC) tell the visiting consultants from the Asian Development Bank-- Mr. Arghya Sinha Roy (Disaster Risk Management Specialist) and Mr. Sher Singh (Water, Wastewater, and Drainage Planning Specialist)-- during a tour and ocular 57 APRIL - JUNE 2014 inspection of the city’s waterways. The consultants were in Naga to discuss with the local city officials matters concerning risk-sensitive land use planning and urban development. PiliMania mounts 1st Mt. Isarog Ecotourism Endurance Challenge

HIS year’s celebration of the city’s charter At a designated point inside the campus, the anniversary took a new dimension when racers ran on foot towards the NVAC Pili Farm, which the PiliMania Executive Committee chaired is some 200 meters away. Upon reaching the site, the by First Lady Farah Bongat hosted the first- runners planted one pili seedling each in pre-dug holes. ever Mount Isarog Eco-Tourism Endurance They then proceeded to the Panicuason main road for Challenge last June 15, 2014. another 5 km. trail run that ended at the Panicuason hot The endurance challenge is a springs. combination of trail bike and trail run of amazing adventure Some 165 male and female challengers from to highlight the beauty of and the need to care for the different elite biker and running groups participated in Tenvironment. the endurance-cum-pili-tree-planting race. Ryan L. Pili PiliMania is a project of the city government’s GrEET of Naga City was declared King of the Mountain while Program which aims to improve airshed quality and mitigate Lilibeth Oenino, also of Naga City, was Queen of the carbon emission by planting more pili trees in the city’s Mountain for being top runners and bikers. residential zones, barangay roads, subdivisions, urban poor As a separate yet related activity, pupils of communities, vacant school lots, Panicuason and Carolina elementary within CBD I and II, and in other schools, meanwhile, enjoyed the thrills of viable spaces of the city. “Laro ng Lahi.” Members of the Philippine Participants converged as Army’s 9th ID Marching Band led the early as 5:00 a.m. at Pilimania Boodle Fight, along with race participants, Park beside the Bicol Central guests and support groups from the PNP, Station in Bgy. Triangulo, CBD II Philippine Army, medical teams, and the Naga and, on their bikes, cruised children. This, they did while enjoying the through Panganiban Drive, took view of Mt. Isarog Natural Park upside the rotunda to Magsaysay Avenue and the panoramic overview of downtown and Penafrancia Basilica, turned Naga on the other side. left to Matiway in Bgy. San Felipe and started the climb towards the Avida Rotonda and Haciendas de Naga, passing through the Nursery Road-Carolina junction and proceeded to the main road of Carolina and Panicuason. The bikers then continued the race towards the campus of Naga View Adventists College to cover a total of 20 kms. of trail biking.

APRIL - JUNE 2014 58 Agriculture

BEST BOOTH. Barangay Panicuason was adjudged as having the Best Booth during the celebration.

he City Agriculture Office (CAgO), last May 7-9 hosted the three- day Farmers’ Day, where farmworkers gathered to celebrate and showcase their best products at the City Hall grounds here in Naga and earn some cash from eager buyers. TMayor John G. Bongat and Regional Executive Director Abelardo R. Bragas of the Department of Agriculture, along with other city officials, youth officials, and city hall personnel, graced the occasion, going around the booths set up by the participating barangays to showcase their various agricultural products. Farmers’ Day, now on its third year, is being celebrated to honor and give tribute to the city’s farmers and farm workers whom Mayor Bongat lauded as the city’s partners in OIC- City Agriculturist Maria Edna B. Bongalonta said its continuing march towards equitable and that Farmers’ Day, also provides the facility to determine the sustainable economic growth. impact of the SARIG Naga program, an approach that aims to The celebration is also being increase the income of local farmers. made possible in coordination with the Conceptualized under Mayor Bongat’s administration, Independent Component City Agricultural SARIG Naga or Sustainable Agriculture for Rural Income and Fishery Council (ICCAFC), highlighted by Growth in Naga focuses on farmers’ income growth, not only an agricultural fair and booth contests, an on production growth. Under the SARIG principle, the city organic agriculture lecture, a climate change determines the measure of success in farming through the lecture, project proposal preparation, and farmer’s net income, not cavans per hectare. The program agri-karawat or agrilympics. also works for the reduction of production cost.

59 APRIL - JUNE 2014 By Jason B. Neola

A RICH ARRAY of harvests was exhibited for sale at the City Hall grounds during the Farmers’ Day celebration.

PHOTO BY XERES GAGERO/JOSE COLLERA

More than 50% of the city’s entire territory, according to CAgO, is agricultural, of which not less than 900 hectares are cornfields and 700 hectares are ricefields. On livestock, CAgO takes as its continuing program the cattle dispersal it started 15 years ago. Nearly 40 heads of cows were already distributed in the city’s barangays. The office is also set to provide feeding assistance to piggery owners to enhance their operations. Capping the Farmers’ Day celebration was the awarding of the winning barangays in “Pagarayunan nin Booth” contest wherein Barangay Panicuason was named champion to win the P5,000 cash prize. Barangay Concepcion Pequeña got the P1,000 cash award for the male category of “Darakupan nin Manok” contest, P1,000 for the female category of the same contest, and another P1,000 for topping the Agri-Quiz Contest. The cash prize of P1,000 for “Hitting the Pot” went to Barangay Cararayan.

APRIL - JUNE 2014 60 Education, Youth and Social Welfare

NAGA Sanggawadan: Partner in promoting the right to education of working urbanchildren By Jason B. Neola

HEIRS are stories that tell about persistence and determination to reach one’s goal despite the odds . The chance of finishing their studies becomes brighter as children of poor families were enlisted in the city government’s Sanggawadan program which requires working children to complete at least their elementary and secondary education. The program provides indigent families with rice subsidies in exchange for sending their students to school. The amount saved for rice may be expended for their children’s transportation and daily allowance. Moreover, the city provides the students with free school supplies and even school bags. Take the case of 6 poor children whose parents were hard up to send them to school. These children’s parents are construction and farm laborers, porters at the Bicol Central Station, trimobile drivers, Tcigarette vendors, or volunteer barangay tanods. Before their admission to the program, the children worked as watch-your-car boys, newsboys, peddlers of homemade meriendas and kakanin, store attendants and helpers at ukay-ukay (hand-me-down) stores, to help augment their families’ income, which also deprived them of precious time to spend for studies and stay in school. What is amazing about these six school children is that they had recently finished their basic and secondary education last school year 2013-2014, as either valedictorian or salutatorian.

61 APRIL - JUNE 2014 graduated class salutatorian at Rosario V. Maramba Elementary School, are now pursuing their secondary education at Camarines Sur National High School (CSNHS) under the Engineering and Science Education Program (ESEP) curriculum. Clouie Mae San Juan, who graduated class salutatorian at Balatas Elementary School, is now enrolled in Cararayan High School. The six are among the 2,500 children registered in the program. The story of Erika and her fellow scholars, however, are no longer surprising in the history of Sanggawadan since many of its children- beneficiaries in previous years have been reported to have achieved the same distinction in schools and are now professionals like Niel Breech Lalas, Jason Aliben and McDivino Largo. Niel, a former class valedictorian and magna cum laude, used to peddle yema (milk candy) before passing the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) board licensure exam. He now works in Makati as Senior Executive Accountant of one of the country’s largest accounting firms-- SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV) NAGA Sanggawadan: and company. Jason, a valedictorian of Carolina High School and cum laude of the University of Nueva Caceres, and McDivino, a class valedictorian of Tabuco Elementary School and Magna Cum Laude graduate of the Ateneo de Naga University (BSBSE major in Biology-Chemistry), teach at St. Joseph School and the Naga Parochial School (high school department), respectively. FACES OF A BRIGHT FUTURE McDivino Largo (left) a Sanggawadan graduate who is now employed as a high The Sanggawadan program, which is school teacher at the Naga Parochial School, poses with being implemented continuously by Mayor Sanggawadan college students (left to right) Jerome Corpuz and Erika James Roxas and high school Sanggawadan Cyril John G. Bongat, started in 2002 during the time Borromeo (right). At the back (left to right) are other high of former mayor and the late DILG secretary school student -beneficiaries Bea Ignacio, Crislen Milano, Francia Delos Santos and Clouie Mae San Juan. Jesse M. Robredo. Under the program, students and parents PHOTO BY jason b. neola are allotted free supply of rice every quarter Three of them were offered scholarships for college of the year based on the actual attendance education while the other 3 who had just completed their basic of the students in school and their parents’ education are now pursuing their secondary education in their attendance in Sanggawadan meetings. Free respective barangay high schools. school supplies are also given to the students Erika James Roxas who graduated high school class during the opening of each school year. valedictorian at Bicol State College of Applied Science and The program is an extension of the AusAID Technology (BISCAST) is now enrolled at the Ateneo de Naga State and Urban Working Children Program University taking up Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education (SUWCP) that the city government continues (BSBSE) major in English. to implement even after the said international Jerome Corpuz and Jessica Balmes who also graduated agency terminated the program 12 years ago. valedictorians at Leon Mercado High School and Carolina Among the 25 cities in the country where National High School, respectively, are now taking up BSBSE SUWCP had been implemented, only the city major in Mathematics as resident scholars at the same university. of Naga decided to sustain its implementation Aylla Kaye Eusebio, who graduated class valedictorian at despite the cessation of financial and material Calauag Elementary School, and Francia Delos Santos, who assistance originally extended by the Aus Aid.

APRIL - JUNE 2014 62 MAYOR Bongat stresses a point during the seminar and training on disaster preparedness for persons with special needs. The activity, which was attended by parents and guardians of PWDs, was conducted last May 30, this year, at the Blue Room of the Public Safety Office. Persons with developmental disabilities go thru free assessment AND treatment by licensed therapists By Jason B. Neola

IGHTY individuals, mostly children effort of LGU Naga, Naga City SPED Center headed by diagnosed as persons with Principal Edna San Jose, the Presidential Commission developmental disabilities (PWDDs), for the Urban Poor, and the Naga City Division of the underwent a thorough evaluation by Department of Education (DepEd). licensed therapists from Manila last May In his brief message, Mayor John G. Bongat 30, this year. thanked and lauded the “good Samaritans” for sharing The activity was aimed at identifying their knowledge and resources generously by way of the PWDs’ needs and the kind of services they should conducting evaluations and offering recommendations receive. that aim to determine the needs of PWDDs and by EThe evaluation, free of charge, was conducted under encouraging everyone in the community, especially the “Handle with Care Program” of the Communicare their families, to play an important role in enhancing Therapy Center for Children, in partnership with the the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities. Philippine Autism Society. Ms. Mary Jean Nebreja, teacher at Naga City SPED Specifically, the individuals who availed of the Center, revealed that the evaluators were speech and assessment were persons with developmental disabilities language pathologists and occupational therapists. like autism, Down syndrome, and intellectual disability. They conducted exercises to enhance the skills of Ms. Edwina Oco, Naga City SPED Center teacher, parents, guardians and the teachers belonging to Naga said the activity was organized thru the consolidated City Special Education (SPED) Center in handling and

63 APRIL - JUNE 2014 caring for PWDD children. The therapists also conducted functional evaluation on PWDDs in their customary environment in the belief that individuals with developmental disabilities should have access to opportunities and necessary support to be included in community life, have interdependent relationships, live in homes and communities, and make contributions to their families and the community. Aside from occupational, physical and speech-language therapy, a seminar and training on disaster preparedness for persons with special needs and their parents or guardians was also conducted with Mr. Ernesto T. Elcamel, head of Naga City Disaster Management Office, as speaker. In an interview, City Councilor D.C. Nathan A. Sergio, chairman of the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s Committee on Persons with Disability (PWDs), said the commendable gesture by the Communicare and other partner agencies was, indeed essential as “our LGU is in the thick of finding ways and means to provide our PWDs with services that they need.” Sergio emphasized that the city government is ready and willing to help the PWDDs, avail of the services they need. He said the only thing that burdens the city government is the situation wherein it lacks technical knowledge about the kind of interventions that should be adopted for the reason that PWDDs’ concerns and priorities are of different types. “We have different concerns and priorities for autistics which are different from those persons who are visually-challenged and persons with Down syndrome or intellectual disability. ” Mr. Christopher S. Molin, officer in charge of the Persons With MR. CHRISTOPHER S. Molin, officer in charge of the Persons with Disability Affairs Office, Disability Affairs Office, said they are more than willing to work underscores his office’s mandate to help in partnership with similar entities in the future to come up with provide the needs of PWDs in the city. undertakings that will uplift the life and condition of every PWDD.

NAGA CHED OFFICE. Mayor John G. Bongat cuts the ribbon during the formal opening and inauguration of the Naga field office of the Commission on Higher Education at the Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology (BISCAST) located at Peñafrancia Avenue, Naga City. The office will address requests for assistance by institutions of higher education (colleges and universities) in the provinces of Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte, including the cities of Naga and Iriga. Assisting the Mayor are CHED Regional Office OIC Dr. Belen D. Azul (left) and BISCAST President Dr. Richard H. Cordial (right). CEPPIO PHOTO

APRIL - JUNE 2014 64 By Jason B. Neola

ANTING to learn from this city’s good governance practices, some 600 solo parents converged at Naga Regent Hotel here April 25-26 to discuss problems that solo parenthood faces, such as poverty, lack of employment, children deprived of Weducation, and juvenile delinquency. The participants tackled points seeking to Solo parents, under R.A. 8972, are amend the Solo Parent Welfare Act of 2000, unmarried, separated, annulled, and widowed otherwise known as R.A. 8972, which they said individuals. They also include women who should give them more benefits and privileges as give birth as a result of rape and those whose mandated by the said law. spouse is detained or serving sentence for Addressing the solo parents, majority of criminal offense. It also includes or any family whom (about 96%) were women, City Mayor John member who assumes the responsibility of head G. Bongat dubbed the event as “historic”. It was of family as a result of death, abandonment, the first time that a national convention of single and disappearance, or prolonged absence of parents was held since the enactment of R.A. 8972 the parents or solo parent. on Nov. 7, 2000, and after its implementing rules Section 4, Article 3 of the Naga City and regulations approved in April 2002, or 12 Ordinance 2013-003, states, “Notwithstanding years ago. that the mandate under Republic Act No. 8972 Mr. Lito D. Alcaraz, national president of the is given unto the national government, its Solong Nanay at Tatay (Sonata) Confederation of agencies and instrumentalities, by this local the Phils., said they have chosen Naga to be the legislation the City of Naga formally imposes venue of the national convention because in the upon itself the obligation to provide the solo entire country, only Naga City, under its Ordinance parents and their children the welfare services No. 2012-049 (later amended as Ordinance 2013- and special privileges and benefits that the law 003), has so far created a solo parents office that has enumerated such as livelihood assistance, looks after the interest and welfare of solo parents counselling, parent effectiveness, critical and their children. incidence stress debriefing, among others.”

65 APRIL - JUNE 2014 Some of these benefits include the allocation Indeed, Naga treats all constituents as both of 10% of the city’s tertiary scaholarship assistance partner and beneficiary. Because of this, what to children of Naga’s solo parents and P2,000 burial Naga is now, is not only the sum total of what assistance. its people have become; rather, it is the product This city’s Solo Parents Ordinance was jointly of what its people have contributed to the authored by then City Councilors Nelson S. Legacion city’s development. Of course, the solo parents (now city vice mayor) and Raoul T. Rosales. are always part of the city’s various inclusive Shirley Bandola, a single mother in Barangay engagements for development, the city mayor Sabang in Naga City, said through the city government’s pointed out. assistance, she was hired as janitress in a public school Bongat told the participants that single where she earns P270/day. She said all her children are parents in Naga, like the other sectors that enrolled at public elementary and high schools. compose the community’s stakeholders, have

PHOTO BY xeres ramon gagero

According to Ms. Liezel N. Po, corporate secretary always been part of the city’s well-known of Sonata, the total number of solo parents nationwide inclusive governance. “The enactment of has now reached 13 million, an alarming figure that R.A. 8972 came as a bonus to them; and yet, the government has to seriously look into. Po is also they are fully aware that with the benefits the chairperson of Nain Foundation which is one of and privileges provided, also comes the the organizers of the national convention, along with responsibility to sustain and nurture such law Sonata and the city government of Naga. Participants and even improve on them especially when came from as far as Cebu and the Visayas (Regions faced with changing challenges in the future,” VII and VIII) and other parts of Luzon (Regions III, IV- the mayor added. A, and IV-B) and the National Capital Region (NCR), The participants at the conclusion of the with representatives from the DSWD Central Office convention vowed to petition their respective in Manila, and the Office of the Solicitor General, legislators to look into possible amendments also from Manila. The Bicol delegates came from the to the solo parents’ welfare law and ask the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, national government to replicate Naga City’s Masbate, Sorsogon, and Catanduanes. initiatives on solo parents in other local government units throughout the country.

APRIL - JUNE 2014 66 RENTOY stirs 2014 City Youth Officials Program

On April 14, 2014, the chosen 45 city youth officials, led by City Youth Mayor Rica Rose V. Pacardo and City Youth Vice Mayor Joriza K. Novio, were sworn in to office before the crowd of city officials, led by Mayor John G. Bongat and Vice Mayor Legacion, and city hall employees during the City Hall Flag Ceremony at the City Hall Grounds. The CYO orientation followed right after the oath-taking. The orientation featured talks and briefings from various city government department heads that included Mr. Francisco M. Mendoza, city budget officer; Mr. Huberto I. Ursua, city human resource management officer; Mr. Gil A. Dela Torre, Secretary to the Sanggunian; and Mr. Florencio T. Mongoso, Jr., city administrator. The speakers focused on the overall operations of a local government unit and on how the City Youth Officials can make a difference in improving government systems. OUNCILOR Ray-An Cydrick G. Rentoy, The whole month of May witnessed various chairman of the Sangguniang Panlungsod youth-oriented programs initiated by the CYO and Committee on Youth and Sports supervised by Councilor Rentoy. These activities Development and author of Ordinance included the Inter-Barangay Laro ng Lahi; the LGBT No. 2012-035 or the Naga City Youth Basketball Tournament; Pagsurat Nagueño; Arteng Code, oversees this year’s successful City Biswal; Basura Mo Obra Ko; Himig Kan Nagueño; Youth Officials (CYO) Program. seminars on financial literacy, disaster risk reduction, Being the youngest councilor and former Naga mental health, preventive dentistry, and the RH Law; City SK Federation President, the members of the 11th E-Cosplay; Youth Expo; the first ever Naga City Color CSangguniang Panlungsod chose Rentoy as the present chair Run; and the Festival of Talents, which served as the of the aforementioned committee. culminating activity of the youth month celebration. Data showed that this year’s CYO application turnout The CYO Sanggunian members, headed by was substantially higher than the previous year, amassing a City Youth Vice Mayor Joriza K. Novio, actively total of 369 youth applicants as compared to the 200-plus participated in the regular sessions of the 11th in the preceding year. This may be attributed to the effective Sangguniang Panlungsod. As part of the city’s information dissemination campaigns with the use of the legislative branch, they were able to pen and internet and partnership with academic institutions and the propose six resolutions and an ordinance which 27 barangays of the city. centered on education and youth participation in An amendatory ordinance (Ordinance No. 2014-015) governance. to the Naga City Youth Code, which Councilor Rentoy also “The success of this year’s CYO Program authored, deletes the requirement of “at least high school proved that the City of Naga, An Maogmang Lugar, graduate” as CYO application eligibility, to encourage continuously upholds people participation in local participation of out-of-school youth Nagueños in the CYO governance starting with the youth who will be the program. future servant-leaders of Naga,” said Rentoy.

67 APRIL - JUNE 2014 Sports

Naga Titans National 3x3 Cage Champ; to represent PH in Asia-Pacific Championship

NATIONAL CHAMPION. This year’s 3x3 national cage champions (l-r) coach Brian Ayque Ayo, Ken Estrada, Christian Nismal, Joshua Ayque Ayo, and Jude de Vera pose with their gold medals and championship trophy.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

OUR young student-athletes from this city, after successfully trouncing their rivals in the national finals, will see action anew to represent the Philippines in the 2014 Asia Pacific Championship slated on July 19-20, 2014. Playing under the team Naga City Titans, Jude de Vera (Naga City Montessori HS), Ken Estrada (University of Nueva Caceres) and Joshua Ayque Ayo and Christian Nismal (both of the Ateneo de Naga University), along with Coach Brian Ayque Ayo breezed through the 3x3 national basketball finals at the Pearl Sports Complex in Harrison Plaza Manila last May 24-25, this year., Athletic Coordinator Francis Barja of the Naga City Mayor’s Office said the Asia Pacific championship will be held at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. FBarja earlier acted as tournament commissioner of the Bicol-South Luzon elimination of the Talk N Text-SBP, under 18, 3x3 “tatluhan” competition that sent the Naga young cagers to the quarter finals where they trounced teams from Cagayan de Oro, Taguig City, Ormoc City, and Baguio City. Undefeated throughout, the Naga City Titans routed Zamboanga City in the finals and took away P35,000 in cash prize, medals, and the championship trophy.

APRIL - JUNE 2014 68 Caalim Sisters win 3 silvers in Asean chess tournament By Arnel S. Labrador

WO young sisters from this city took home three silver medals in the recently-concluded 15th ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships held last June 2– 12, 2014 at Sands Cotai Central, Macau, China. Candace Faye Caalim won the silver medal in Standard Chess, while her sister TArianne Pearl Caalim bagged two silver medals in Rapid Chess and Blitz Chess, all in the Under 8 Team Category. Together with the Caalim Sisters in the Team Event were Precious Day Yecla and Casey Manlosa. The competing countries in the 15th ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships are Vietnam (Over All Champion), the Philippines (Over All 1st Runner Up), Singapore (Over All 2nd Runner Up), Indonesia, China, Malaysia, Russia, Mongolia, India, Laos and New Zealand. The homecoming Caalim sisters were roundly applauded and given due recognition by Mayor John Bongat and the members of the Sangguniang Panglunsod headed by Vice Mayor Nelson Legacion during the flag ceremony at the SISTERS ACT. Arianne Pearl (right, top photo) and Candace Faye (left, lower photo) shake hands with their Singaporean counterparts before the start of the games Naga City Hall on June 23. at the 15th ASEAN+Age Group Chess Championship in Macau, China. For each of the medals,the sisters received P5,000.00 earned as cash incentives as provided for by Executive Order No. 2012–003. Under the In the National Championships, Arianne Pearl bested EO issued two years ago, winners in international other players from Visayas and Mindanao and was declared competitions are entitled to P6,000.00 cash champion in the said category while Candace Faye landed 6th incentive for each gold, P5,000.00 for silver and P4, place, making the sisters qualify for the 15th ASEAN+ Age 000.00 for bronze. Group Chess Championships in Macau, China. The Caalim sisters started to shine in the The young chess wizards are primary school students of 2013 National Age Group Chess Championships in the Naga College Foundation. Manila. Their supportive mother, Maureen Iraula– Caalim always provides her children (including the eldest, Hadji Ray) encouragement and inspiration whenever they join local and national chess competitions such as the Naga City Selection Meet, Palarong Bicol, and Batang Pinoy Leg. It was during the 2014 National Age Group Chess Championships Luzon Leg held here in Naga City that their winning moment begun when they finished 2nd and 3rd places, respectively, in the 8 and Under category and qualified for the 2014 FUTURE GRANDMASTERS. Asean Chess National Age Group Chess National Championships Championships silver medalists 8-yr old in San Andres, Quezon Province. Arianne Pearl Caalim (second from right) and her 6-yr old sister Candace Faye They will represent Naga City and the Caalim (third from right) and their mother Philippines in the World Youth Championship to be Maureen Caalim (right) pose with Naga City Mayor John Bongat after the flag held in September 2014 in Durban, South Africa. ceremony at city hall where they were recognized for bringing honor and glory to the city. Also in photo at the back (l-r) 69 APRIL - JUNE 2014 are City Councilor Elmer Baldemoro, Vice Mayor Nelson Legacion, and City Councilor Greg Abonal. PHOTO BY JOSE COLLERA Business & Trade

HE annual Bicol Business Week, the biggest exhibition and trade fair in the Bicol Region, was officially launched by the Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI) last May 23, 2014. The 2014 BBW will be held on August 26-30, this year, with the Jesse M. Robredo Coliseum as the main venue for the trade fairs. Various fora and business conferences are to be conducted in selected hotels and convention centers. During the launch and ensuing press conference, MNCCI President Nicolas Beda Priela said the BBW, which is now on its 10th year since it was first launched in 2005, has for its theme, “Priming Bicol, Winning Asia.” This is in tune with the anticipated implementation of Asean Economic TIntegration come 2015 when products from among member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) will be freely competing with each other. “It is imperative for the Bicol market to be ready for this eventuality so that it can cope up with the competition and not be left out in the business radar of this emerging borderless market,” Priela said. He said that as in the past, the city government of Naga and other concerned government agencies led by the Department of Trade and Industry, along with the private sector, will be the major partners and players in this grand annual event. MNCCI Director Amy Villafuerte, regional station manager of ABS-CBN Bicol, is this year’s chairperson of the BBW. She said that this year’s trade fair and exhibitions, while traditionally anchored on Bicol products and services (agri-aqua, construction and real estate, retail trade, car and motor show, entrepreneurship, and micro industries, among others) with both the private sector and the provincial and city LGUs as main presentors, will also highlight the latest trends in communication technology and social media networking, and how Bicol Entrepreneurs will respond to the challenges and anxieties that are expected to be posed by the Asean integration.

BUSINESS WEEK. MNCCI President Nicolas Beda Priela (2nd fron right) gives the opening remarks during the press conference that formally launched the 2014 Bicol Business Week and Halyao Awards. Shown in photo (l-r) are MNCCI Dir. Amy Villafuerte (BBW chair), Priela, MNCCI VP for Special Projects Fred Perdon, and MNCCI Dir. Joe Perez, Halyao Awards chairman. MNCCI PHOTO

PHOTO BY bong villacruz

APRIL - JUNE 2014 70 She said the BBW hopes to pave the way towards attaining higher levels of economic dynamism by aligning Bicol interests and initiatives with the Asean Economic Community (AEC). Experts and well-known business leaders from prestigious companies and business groups from Manila will be invited as resource speakers, Villafuerte said. During the same occasion, MNCCI Director Jose Perez also formally launched the annual search for the Halyao Awards that he chairs. Halyao Awards is the culminating event of the BBW, which recognizes Bicolano businessmen and entrepreneurs whose outstanding and exemplary achievements lie not only in their entrepreneurial pursuits but more so in their contribution to the growth and development of the Bicol Region and its people. One outstanding Bicolano businessman from each province will be chosen by an independent panel of judges who, along with Naga City Mayor John Bongat, will confer on them the title in fitting ceremonies scheduled on August 30, 2014 in a venue yet to be announced, Perez said. He said the MNCCI is looking forward to the evolution of the Bicolano businessman as one with a mindset of a global entrepreneur who can comfortably venture in a borderless marketplace but without forgetting the place he came from. Also to be conferred during the same awarding rites is the “Young Entrepreneur Award,” which Perez said is given to an exceptional Bicolano businessperson/entrepreneur who belongs to the under 40-year age bracket. Unlike the Outstanding Bicolano Award which is appropriated to the 6 Bicol provinces and their component cities, only one from among the nominees throughout Bicol will be picked for the Young Entrepreneur Award, Perez explained. The recent recipient of this prestigious award was Carlo Buenaflor, the chief executive officer of Bigg’s Incorporated, which operates a homegrown food chain that has branches throughout Bicol and in selected cities outside the region. Deadline for submission of nomination forms is at closing of office hours on July 31, 2014, Perez said. Nomination forms for the two awards may be obtained from the provincial offices of the DTI and the respective local chambers of commerce and industry in each city or province. Or they may contact: MNCCI Halyao Award Secretariat with its office at the 3rd floor of GIP Bldg., P. Burgos St., corner J. Hernandez Ave., Naga City (Tel. [054] 4739258) or email at [email protected] for inquiries. Forms may also be downloaded through the website: www.mncci.com. The annual BBW is being supported as partners by the City Government of Naga, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with ABS-CBN and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) as media partners. “Halyao” is a pre-Hispanic word for “merchant,” according to Bicol historian Dr. Danilo M. Gerona, which he said shows the strong entrepreneurial spirit of the Bicolanos even before the Spaniards came.

71 APRIL - JUNE 2014 weighing scales distributed,

WEIGHING SCALES. Members of the Naga City price watch Price Monitoring Council headed by City Councilor Babet Lavadia (2nd from left) turn over 16 units of calibrated weighing scales to NCPM Manager Ramon Florendo (extreme left) for use by shoppers and consumers in counter-checking the correct conducted weight of the goods they purchase from stalls inside the people’s mall.

n order to protect consumers from exuberant prices and to “Given the economic difficulties ensure fairness and competitiveness in trade, the Naga City we are presently facing and the issues Price Coordinating Council (NCPCC) distributed weighing on the supply of some commodities, it scales at the Naga City People’s Mall where it also conducted is important that we protect the public a price inspection last June 25, 2014. from facing further problems. Aside Headed by Councilor Ma. Elizabeth Q. Lavadia, chairman from the fairness of the price of goods, of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Consumer their quantity as indicated or claimed Protection, the NCPCC turned over to the administration of the Naga should also be correct and satisfactory,” City People’s Mall and the Naga City Market Stallholders’ Federation said Lavadia. I(NAMASFED) 15 units of weighing scales with 10 kilo-capacity and one NCPM Manager Ramon J. Florendo weighing scale with 60 kilo-capacity for the public to use and check and NAMASFED President Claro L. the correctness of the weight of the goods they purchased. Alfonso received the weighing scales. According to Councilor Lavadia, “the weighing scales shall serve Both committed to install the scales in as a means for the public to detect and deter unfair trade.” strategic places in the market and to see to it that they are always in good condition. “We thank the NCPCC for their initiative. We in the NAMASFED commit ourselves to fair trade. We even watch our own ranks as we know that unfair trade will cause consumer dissatisfaction and will result to them avoiding shopping here. Given the competition from big enterprises and malls in the city, we believe that we cannot afford that,” said Alfonso. The NCPCC also went around the NCPM and checked that the prices of commodities at the People’s Mall were consistent with the retail prices approved by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agriculture (DA). “There are sudden price increases in prime commodities, such as garlic CITY Councilor Babet Q. Lavadia checks the price and proper packaging of and rice. Consistent and vigilant watch goods in a stall during a surprise inspection at the Naga City People’s Mall. over price fluctuations is necessary to guarantee that no one takes advantage of the situation,” Lavadia stated.

APRIL - JUNE 2014 72 Apé Taxicles: Modernizing Transportation for Ordinary People PHOTO BY jason b. neola By Jason B. Neola

HE exponential economic growth of the city requires modern mass transport vehicles that are efficient and appropriate to the changing needs of the people. This was the gist of the message delivered by the late secretary Jesse M. Robredo of the Department of Interior and TLocal Government (DILG), who was then the city mayor, during the annual general assembly of the Pinag-Isang Samahan ng mga Tsuper ng Traysikel at Operators sa Naga (PISTTON) in 2009. TAXICLES (upper photo) parade through the major routes of Naga PISTTON General Manager Rafael Duque City during the launch last May 19, this year, after they were granted a franchise by the Sangguniang Panlungsod. Photo recalls that Robredo, popularly regarded as an below shows a Prototype of the Piaggio Apé City Callesino. icon of good governance, dared the leadership of the transport cooperative to “be ready to act in response to the challenges that a growing Naga has been asking.” Michael Javellana, president of Piaggio Apé Naga, said Duque, who is also the chairman of the the arrival in the city of his units, which come in different Bicol Transport Cooperative Federation in the types, is his company’s response to the needs of Nagueños region, said “the late secretary challenged us for low-priced but presentable transport vehicles. to think of a novel idea that would enable the “The product will provide Nagueños with an alternative transport sector to go with what is happening option between taxi and trimobile. We brought in the in our progressive city.” Piaggio Apé to be able to add more color to the group of Now, five years later, Robredo’s bid has public utility vehicles plying the city, and with the hope of become a reality after PISTTON and D’ Marillac improving the transport system as well,” he said. Multipurpose Cooperative purchased 10 units Powered by a 435 cc diesel engine with one year of Piaggio Apé, which were converted into warranty, Piaggio Apé, which runs about 30-36 kilometers 9-seater taxicles, with a temporary franchise for every liter of diesel gasoline, is a cost-effective granted by the Sangguniang Panlungsod to commercial vehicle with a very low maintenance and boot. operational cost.

73 APRIL - JUNE 2014 THE MAYOR, with members of PISTTON, tries the ease and comfort of a taxicle on a test drive inside the City Hall grounds.

PHOTO BY xeres ramon gagero

The purchase of “taxicle” was inspired by Mayor John G. Bongat. The name itself, which is a contraction for taxicab and tricycle, was coined by the mayor who said “its operation will definitely improve further the image of existing trimobiles and are expected to provide additional mobility for the public which is attuned to the requirements of the Clean Air Act.“

New king of the road He also said the operation of taxicles is a welcome development, not only because they Pio Samonte, president of Concerned Taxi boost the transportation capability of public Transport Services and Chairman of Naga City utility vehicles, but also provides commuters an Integrated Jeepney Federation, said taxicles are alternative to overcharging PUV drivers. safer than trimobiles as they can accommodate Taxicle driver Domingo Porlaje, Jr., vice a bigger number of passengers, unlike in the chairman of PISTTON Development Transport traditional types wherein their drivers have to Cooperative, said that he is happy about driving sit on the motorcycle gas tanks to maximize a taxicle that will allow him to earn a bigger capacity but prevents them from driving freely income. “Imagine, ordinary trimobiles can only and effectively. accommodate three to four passengers at the A taxicle measures 3 m. in length and 1.5 limit while each of these taxicles can carry 8 to m. in width, which is not too far from the size nine passengers,” he said. of a trimobile. It has a feature that allows the Efifranz Health & Well Spa company driver to shift gear to be able to drive backward, driver Joel Oliquino said that aside from being and has a maximum loading capacity of 535 economical, as he only spends P150 for 3 days kilograms. of diesel fuel, Piaggio Apé is a very dependable The taxicle is a customized model of Apé service vehicle. “What I am more impressed in is (pronounced ah-peh), Italian for “bumblebee” the after-sales service of its branch office here in to connote hard work, which the makers of Apé Naga City na talagang maasikaso,” he added. vehicles want to portray. It is manufactured The unit can also be converted into stainless under license from Italy’s Piaggio which became expandable mobile store, composite expandable popular in the automobile business in that mobile store, closed van, patrol car, mobile food country in 1948. shop, calessino locale, jeep, roving ad, florist van, Samonte, who is an auto mechanic by water delivery van, bakery shop, and soft drink profession and runs the automobile shop of the carrier. Naga City People’s Council, said the taxicles are By September, this year, a tour around the environment-friendly because of their EURO 2 city will be held to showcase the Piaggio Apé engines. These are compliant with the standards City Callesino, a variant that can be converted of being environment-friendly with their catalytic to “top down” with white interior. It will provide converters that suppress carbon emission. passengers, especially tourists, a new way to travel and enjoy the city’s sites.

APRIL - JUNE 2014 74 Arts, Culture & Tourism

TWO early morning bikers hit the trail towards the 75 APRIL - JUNE 2014 shoulder of Mt. Isarog for exercise and fresh air. A panoramic view of Naga City’s Central Business District ll

PHOTO BY xeres ramon gagero

aga City, although a landlocked and Iriga City, by the way, mustered a total tourist non-traditional tourist city, remains to arrival of 38,240 in 2013, where as much as 90 be the top performer in tourist arrivals percent were domestic tourists. This is also the first in 2013, besting all the 6 provinces time that it has its own listing of tourist arrivals and 6 other cities in Bicol. separate from Camarines Sur as far as the DOT report Naga City in the same year is concerned. posted a total of 859,743 domestic While Camarines Sur, Naga and Iriga combined and foreign tourist arrivals, followed by Camarines registered a total of 1,562,877 in tourist arrivals in Sur which had 664,000 and Legazpi City with 615,380, 2013, the number is actually lower than the 2,527,159 Naccording to a summary report submitted by the tourist arrivals the combined province and two cities Department of Tourism regional office in Legazpi City. posted in 2012. As such, the combined growth rate Running fourth is the Province of Albay which had for Camarines Sur (with its two cities combined), 259,078, and on fifth spot is Camarines Norte with 230,157 declined by as much as 38.16%. tourist arrivals. For some ten years now, Camarines Sur and In terms of foreign tourists, however, Legazpi City, site Naga City combined spurred the highest number of of the iconic Mayon Volcano, posted in 2013 the highest tourist arrivals, where at best it jointly accounted for foreign tourist arrivals at 263,568, followed by Naga City at almost two-thirds of the regional total. 184,000. Camarines Sur, though running third, fared poorly Interestingly, Albay and Legazpi City combined with only 94,925 foreign tourists during the same period. recorded a total of 874,458 tourist arrivals in 2013, This is the first time that the DOT tabulated the an impressive improvement over their total tourist number of tourists by specific province separate from its arrivals of 523,832 in 2012, which is equivalent to a respective cities. Before, tourist arrivals were summarily growth rate of 66.93%, the highest so far among the lumped by province such that tourist arrivals in Albay other Bicol provinces and cities. and Legazpi were figured out as one (Albay), in the same Sorsogon City and Sorsogon province together manner that Camarines Sur was combined with the cities posted the second highest growth rate at 46.18%, of Naga and Iriga. Tourist arrivals in Tabaco City and Ligao owing to their combined tourist arrivals of 253,981 in City, however, remain to be tabulated under the province 2013, from only 173,740 in 2012. of Albay. APRIL - JUNE 2014 76 Regional Total Drops

Because of Camarines Sur’s declining Camarines Sur used to lord it over when the Camarines Sur performance, Bicol’s regional total tourist arrivals Water Sports Complex (CWC) was topbilled as among Bicol’s of 3.7 million in 2012 went down to 3.2 million leading tourist destination icons. The Caramoan peninsula and in 2013, or a total growth rate of -12.61%, the islands, particularly its pristine, white sand beaches continue to worst performance ever recorded so far, unlike in attract an increasing number of local and foreign tourists, even with the past ten years when all the provinces marked the not so impressive performance of CWC over the past two years. increasing figures in their tourist arrivals. Except for Camarines Sur, the growth rates in Metro Naga Tourism Circuit all other Bicol provinces and cities actually went up, suggesting that more tourists, both domestic Meanwhile, in a related development, the Metro Naga and foreign, are going down south of Manila. Development Council (MNDC), in cooperation with the Metro Naga Camarines Norte had a growth rate of 20.55% Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI), has proposed a (tourist arrivals went up from 190,018 in 2012 to number of projects that may consist what can be considered as the 230,157 in 2013); and Masbate Province and City Metro Naga tourism circuit. These projects further broaden tourism posted a growth rate of 12.80%, from 176,967 in perspectives as sites and spots are no longer within the confines of 2012 to 199,263 in 2013. Naga City but are expanding in surrounding municipalities, thereby, defining more sharply what “Naga Excursions,” or NagaX is all about. Open river cruise services will soon operate along the downstream stretch of the historic Bicol River in the towns of Camaligan, Gainza, Canaman, and Magarao, all in the province of Camarines Sur which are member towns of the MNDC, as Naga City continues to promote the revitalization of its own Naga River, host to the 304-year old Penafrancia fluvial procession. The MNDC and MNCCI see the project’s strong tourism potential as it may deliver progress to the municipalities involved. The project is also seen to encourage local entrepreneurs to put up businesses showcasing native food, souvenir items, and other tourism-related products and services, hence, generating local employment. Plaza Rizal

77 APRIL - JUNE 2014 Haciendas De Naga

Malabsay falls PHOTO BY BONG BAJO PHOTO BY BONG BAJO

Eco-tourism

A site in Barangay Curry, in Pili, Camarines Sur has also been projected as a tourist destination. The project intends to develop an eco-trail, a resort and events venue, a camp site, team building facilities and tour packages anchored on the Pili-administered section of Mt. Isarog Natural Park (MINP), featuring eight barely-explored waterfalls shrouded by triple-canopy forests; the Curry farming communities highlighted by pockets of rice terraces; and the War Years points of interest, including the Japanese cenotaph and wartime tunnels. PHOTO BY ray ubaldo Cultural Heritage in Libmanan Naga as Agri-tourism Hub The ancient town of Libmanan is expected to take the lead in establishing institutionalized comprehensive A new and exciting plan to develop Naga as a cultural heritage tourism in the Bicol Region which in the top-of-mind agri-tourism destination is on its way. end may provide tourists enhanced access to the rich The project intends to assist Isarog Highland culture and history of this town as one of the earliest Leisure Farm complete its bed and breakfast settlements in the region. Two components are initially services, as well as its amenities that include seen to be formed: Handiong expedition river cruise mini-zoo, livestock farm and health and wellness through the Libmanan River, its tributaries and islands and facilities that include organic vegetable garden islets; and inland tourism, inclusive of the development and orchard. It also takes focus on the De Los of two ancestral houses into heritage hotels and Santos Integrated Farm in its efforts to establish enhancement of nature adventure sites. farm, proactive planning, farming technologies, road network and parking area, including construction of visitor center and farmers market, acquisition of farming equipment and implements, and implementing marketing campaigns. Furthermore, the undertaking promotes the Naga City Goat Farm trough completion of its pasteurization plants and construction of visitors’ facilities. It also includes establishment of structured goat dispersal program that involves technology transfer and initial breeding stock. When fully implemented, Naga as agri- tourism center is expected to facilitate and establish technical assistance and linkages for its partners with government, agriculture schools, and private institutions. With report by Victor Dennis T. Nierva APRIL - JUNE 2014 78 NagaNaga CityCity

at PHOTOs BY xeres ramon gagero toutouBy James Z. Carpio rr at dawndawn

O sun yet but sleep anymore. I guess I felt that right across are hip and chic I was awake way because it is a sign of a new diners/restos that are welcoming and I couldn’t dawn of progress for the city. A famished clientele to their cozy go back to right direction geared for a bright interiors. The church with adobe sleep. Usually, future of Naga at its best. concrete materials contrasts I do my brisk As I walked along the alleys, with the restaurants with wide walking or streets, drives and avenues of the transparent panel glass windows. cycling around five a.m. at sunrise. city I felt awesome and glad that The neon lights, the I looked out the window and I live in Naga. At the city center elaborate lamp posts and Nexcept for the lamp post exuding the new traffic lights reminded me lighted signage play with your a mood light of dim yellow, it was that the idyllic, historic place has vision. I remember seeing the pitch black. embraced modernization. Naga downtown area during Christmas Without hesitation but with is a fusion of the old and the new time and the experience was a slight burst of excitement, I which has a heartwarming effect. bedazzling, magical and surreal. decided to take a look at my The centuries-old San It is definitely something to look city in my own terms just for Francisco church faces a mini park forward to every Yuletide season. relaxation and not for exercise. It complete with a monument, trees, Bakeries start to open as I is wandering at its finest. concrete benches, other plants smell the aroma of freshly baked The weather was cool, foggy with different colored leaves and delights. Now the early morning and windy. I should have worn a windbreaker and I gave a sigh with a mist and a smile. I traversed the popular avenue of the Magsaysay District and it was scenic and picturesque. The city lights were beaming with all its glory. Bars, convenience stores, restaurants and cafes were still open. Of course, some establishments are open 24 hours 7 days a week. I realized with a feeling of pride that Naga doesn’t

79 APRIL - JUNE 2014 people begin to appear in the celestial and heavenly experience. scene. The public market is There are police stations and now open and ready to cater to outposts sporadically situated in buyers of fresh produce, meat the city that make you feel safe and fish. and secure. It was a pleasant and I saw people walking their peaceful walk, an epitome of dogs. Siberian Huskies, German tranquility. Shepherds, Belgian Malinois and Bells chimed fifteen minutes other purebred canines were a before the five o’clock mass. sight to behold for pet lovers. Devout parishioners flocked to Joggers, cyclists began their the churches. And daylight has exercises. enveloped the whole enclave. More The sun was beginning to transportation vehicles were plying break the dawn and the light of the thoroughfares. a new day had come. I wished It’s time to head home keeping that I had brought a camera. in mind the friendly greeting of Nonetheless, I took mental one of the security personnel of the pictures of the Queen City of hotel I passed by: “Good Morning, Bicol. Sir!” he said. What a splendid day The Porta Mariae is it was! With that I invite you to see strategically illuminated the city at dawn before sunrise which makes its façade truly a and prepare to be enthralled. And landmark to appreciate. It has an a friendly reminder: make sure to imposing presence and Ina and bring a camera with you. the angels give you a glimpse of

APRIL - JUNE 2014 80 Arts, Culture & Tourism

Bikol cuisine is known as being spicy and sweet. Sili (chili peppers) and coconut milk (gata) are used in a lot of dishes, as well as pili nut products for desserts and a unique relish. Here’s a look at some of the best places where you can savor the flavors of Bikol (compiled from numerous visits to Naga to visit my folks), as well as some of the new restaurants worth checking out. FOOD TRIP: Naga City By Kara Santos n recent years, my hometown Naga City in the Bicol Region has become a rising foodie destination. Every visit means that there are new restaurants waiting to be sampled, as well Ias old favorites that just have to be revisited.

BIGG’S DINER

Type of cuisine: American retro diner, Filipino, burgers, rice meals, etc. Price range: P150-300 per person Address: Bigg’s has branches in Centro, Magsaysay, BMC Road and SM City Naga

No trip to Naga City would be complete without a visit to the homegrown classic Bigg’s Diner. This retro-inspired diner that’s been around for 30 years is known for serving Western style fast-food snacks like burgers and pizza, as well as satisfying rice meals. My favorites here include the cheeseburger, Pork Cordon Bleu & Tenderloin tips. They also serve hometown meals like Chicken cordon bleu stuffed with laing, Bicol Special (Pork Chop served with Bicol Express) and Pili Pie. Their Tower Burger (with 2 meat patties, bacon, 2 slices of cheese, a hashbrown, spam, lettuce, tomatoes, caramelized onions and a fried egg) is quite a meal!

81 APRIL - JUNE 2014 CHEF DOY’S GOURMET RESTAURANT

Type of cuisine: Filipino food with a twist Price range: P200-500 per person GEEWAN Address: Cereza Compound, Magsaysay Ave., Naga City Type of cuisine: Filipino, Bicolano dishes, cakes Price range: P100-200 per person Address: P. Burgos St., Naga City

Another favorite restaurant of mine in Naga City is Chef Doy’s, known mostly for its unique take on traditional Pinoy favorites. Favorites here are Kare-Kareng Lechon Kawali, ‘Batang-batang Pusit’ (baby squid in olive oil and Geewan, another fast-food favorite of Naguenos, serves spices), Ginataang Puso ng Saging (a mixture of banana native Bicolano-- carinderia style. Restaurant specialties heart cooked in coconut milk), Crispy Tadyang, Bangus sa include pinangat (minced shrimp and ground coconut Bayabas and Pininyahang Manok sa Gata. meat wrapped in taro leaves and cooked in coconut milk), Bicol Express, kinunot and ginulay na natong. They also serve Halo-Halo with cheese (a famous dessert that originated in neighboring province Albay) and buko pandan salad in a buko shell.

BOB MARLIN RESTAURANT & GRILL

Type of cuisine: Filipino dishes, grilled, seafood, RED PLATTER bar chow Price range: P200-500 per dish Type of cuisine: Filipino, Eastern, Western cuisine, Address: Magsaysay Ave., Naga City (they cakes, pastries, desserts also have a branch called Cafe Price range: P250-400 per person Rasta in Haciendas de Naga) Address: Cereza Compound, Magsaysay Ave., Naga City

Bob Marlin is a casual dining resto ideal for big groups and families. They offer seafood dishes like Island Grilled squid, Pinoy staples, basic cocktails and beer with reggae This homey restaurant is a fine dining version of Geewan. music to boot. Cafe Rasta by Bob Marlin in Haciendas They specialize in Filipino classic and traditional fare, as de Naga, a new resort complex in the Pacol area, also well as cakes and desserts. Aside from the Bicol Express serves the signature dishes and bar chow. Their ultimate and Pinangat, they also recently launched a Bicolano best seller is the crispy pata. Other recommendations: Special Pizza, topped with chili and laing. For dessert, Sinigang na Salmon, Laing, Bicol Express, Grilled squid, try a slice of their bestseller Blueberry or Strawberry Chicken adobo sa gata & Rasta-Paling (a rainbow-colored Cheesecakes or indulge in their homemade Halo-halo cocktail spiked with lambanog)! served in a coconut shell.

APRIL - JUNE 2014 82 GRISSINI RISTORANTE

Type of cuisine: Italian dishes, pasta, pizza WHITE BEAN CAFE Price range: P175-P300 per dish Address: Cereza Compound, Type of cuisine: Pasta, sandwiches, coffee, cakes Magsaysay Ave., Naga City Price range: P150-300 per person Address: G/F Naga Land Hotel, Elias Angeles St., Naga City

Grissini Ristorante (Italian for “bread stick’) serves Italian food like pizza and pasta and appetizers. Recommendations include the Italian feast (a combo White Bean is a cozy cafe in the lobby of Nagaland of 4-ways pizza, pasta and a chicken dish), Ravioli di Hotel along Elias Angeles Street. This lovely cafe spinaci (spinach stuffed ravioli with cream sauce) and serves continental breakfast, classic Filipino breakfast, Porchetta con Patate (roast pork loin with marble coffee, specialty tea, shakes, pasta, salad, sandwiches. potatoes). They also have a few interesting Bicol fusion dishes on their menu like Laing Quesadilla, Stuffed Sili in Garlic Mayo Dip, Pinangat Rolls and Bicol Express Linguine.

CASA SORIANO

Type of cuisine: Family Heirloom Cuisine CHILI-PEPPERS Price range: P200-500/dish (family-style, good for sharing) Type of cuisine: Steak, ribs, pasta, seafood Address: 29 Concepcion Grande, Price range: P150-300 per dish Naga City Address: G/F Avenue Square, Magsaysay Avenue, Naga City

Casa Soriano is a house-turned-restaurant that offers family heirloom cuisine, with some Filipino dishes influenced by Spanish, French and Italian cuisine. Chili-Peppers is an old local restaurant that used to be Guests can choose to sit in the air-conditioned dining the only decent place to eat along Magsaysay Street area or the garden/al fresco veranda where dining (way before the restaurant boom in the area). They tables have been placed in the landscaped garden disappeared for a while after opening some branches surrounding a swimming pool. The place has a very in Manila. Good thing they came back to Avenue cozy ambiance and uses antique touches all around. Square with a modern look and upgraded menu. Some We tried the Pumpkin soup, Salad, Pan-seared recommendations include the Jurassic Ribs, Sta. Fe Pork Salmon, and Turbo Broiled Chicken. The food was a Chops, Baked scallops and Crispy tuna tail. bit on the salty side, but was very flavorful. Very nice place for special occasions or dates.

83 APRIL - JUNE 2014 CAFE PLAZUELA, AVENUE PLAZA HOTEL

Type of cuisine: International, Fusion Price range: P150-300+ per dish, P350 for afternoon tea set THE PRO-CHEF’S OFFICE Address: G/F Avenue Hotel, CULINARY ESSENTIALS Magsaysay Avenue, Naga City Type of cuisine: Pasta, sandwiches, crepes Price range: P175-250 per person Address: 2/F ADC Hotel, Magsaysay Avenue, Naga City

Cafe Plazuela is the in-house restaurant of The Avenue Plaza Hotel, the best hotel in Metro Naga. Their a la carte menu features fusion and international dishes. They recently launched an afternoon tea, that comes with an assortment of gourmet sandwiches, pastries and desserts, served with a pot of tea of your choice. The tea The Pro-Chef’s Office is the first Culinary Café and Studio set is a pretty good deal for afternoon with friends or in Naga City. They serve good coffee, shakes and cakes business meetings. Avenue Plaza also has promos for a as well as sandwiches, pastas and entrees. The food Businessman’s Lunch and Holiday Feast. is great and the servings are good for sharing. Try the Chicken Parmigiana Crepe & Salmon Crepe. For a dessert overload, have the Triple Choco Milkshake.

GREEN EARTH CAFE Type of cuisine: Vegetarian OYSTER RESTAURANT Price range: P150-250 per person Address: 3rd St., Villa Sorabella Subd., Type of cuisine: Chinese, seafood Concepcion Grande, Naga City Price Range: P150-P300 per dish Address: G/F Lobby, Regent Hotel, Elias Angeles St., Naga City

Green Earth Cafe is the first vegetarian and health food restaurant in Naga City. Located in Villa Sorabella, a residential area in Concepcion Grande on the highway If you’re craving for Chinese food while in Naga City to Legazpi, this rustic and homey restaurant serves or have to feed a large group of family and friends, all natural and organic food. Their tasty offerings Oyster Restaurant (also known as Oyster Villa) is include crispy homemade nachos and hummus, fresh the place to go to. This restaurant serving Filipino, salads with organic dressing, pako (fern) salad, shitake Chinese dishes and seafood has been around since mushrooms and tofu, and veggie pad thai. I was a kid. Expect the usual assortment of Chinese comfort food including Yang Chow fried rice, stir- fry dishes, lemon chicken, century egg with sea cucumber and Nido soup with quail’s eggs.

APRIL - JUNE 2014 84 BORA HUT

Type of cuisine: Bar & Grill/Filipino Price range: 150-300/dish good for JACK’S BLUE PLATE DINER sharing Address: Peñafrancia Avenue Type of cuisine: American, Asian Fusion, seafood, burgers Price range: P99-299 per dish Address: Shell Station, Palestina, Pili, Camarines Sur

Casual open-air restaurant along Peñafrancia Avenue that serves Pinoy favorites like crispy sisig, grilled pusit and other pulutan fare. Good for barkadas who want a night out for drinks. Try their crispy kangkong and baked tahong topped with cheese! A diner that serves surprisingly affordable seafood dishes like fresh lobster, crabs, prawns, exotic seafood and fish. They have live seafood on display in aquariums in the middle of the restaurant. We tried the lobster in butter sauce, fried scallops, wild clams adobo, and orange chicken. The Jack’s Burger (Angus Beef) was also really filling and delicious.

DADDY’S GRILL

Type of cuisine: Filipino, seafood Price range: P99+ dish, seafood has TRIBOO GRILL separate cooking fee Address: Taal Avenue, in front of Type of cuisine: Filipino, grilled food Naga City Civic Center Price Range: P100+ per dish Address: Mayon Ave., Naga City; they also have a branch in SM City Naga

An open air restaurant that serves fresh seafood dampa- style and some Pinoy favorites. Their façade could use a bit of improvement as the place looks really unassuming With its laid-back ambiance and affordable dishes from the outside and not as attractive as restaurants along like salmon belly, barbecue and chicken inasal (their Magsaysay Ave. However, the food is pretty good and bestseller), Triboo is a good place to soak in Naga’s laid- very affordable, making it ideal for big families or friends back vibe, especially at night. looking for a place to drink at night. Bestsellers are the Sisig Bagnet, Creamy Spicy Bagnet, Boneless Crispy Pata, Barbeque, Inihaw na Manok and of course seafood, like baked oysters. Good value for money! (Thanks to Marty, Dr. Emil and Ramon of Stay, Stray, Play and Feast for recommending the resto in the comments section!) 85 APRIL - JUNE 2014 PINANGAT: bundles of taro or gabi leaves, filled with shredded bits NATONG: stewed taro leaves of pork and shrimp, lots of chilie, in coconut milk, seasoned ginger, garlic and onion and grated with shrimp paste or fish young coconut, then cooked in bagoong and red hot chilie. coconut cream.

KINUNOT: spicy dish traditionally made of shark meat (endangered) but also now of stingray or BICOL EXPRESS: crabs cooked in coconut mixture of pork flab cream, malunggay leaves and shrimp paste and spicy chilli. sautéed in tomatoes and onions and lots of green chili strips simmered in coconut cream.

PHOTO BY BONG BAJO SANTOL EXPRESS: santol fruit cooked in coconut cream. This is similar to Bicol Express, but is on the sour side. Goes great STREET FOOD & SNACKS with fried food. For budget merienda and meals, street food and snacks, you can head to Plaza del Rizal, where there are numerous food stalls selling local fare and street food.

KINALAS: Kinalas is Naga City’s homegrown version of mami SOUVENIRS/DELICACIES or noodles. The broth is made from strips of meat from cow or pork head that is boiled until tender. The soup is topped off with a serving of gravy, scallions, some kalamansi on the side. Popular places to get kinalas include Bolofer’s and Cely’s. Cordova’s (also known as Tya Kamot) is reputed to serve the best kinalas in town. Cha Ced (Kinalas sa Balatas) is another eatery by the riverside that serves good kinalas.

TOASTED SIOPAO: Toasted siopao bola-bola is a warm toasted dinner roll filled with ground pork and slices of boiled egg. This variation of the traditional white bun that is usually steamed is a must-try in Naga City, and a local favorite. You can buy this in Naga Garden Restaurant & numerous bakeries in Naga and environs.

PUTONG BAGAS: Putong bagas (steamed rice cakes) is a PILI NUT PRODUCTS: Pili nuts, an indigenous traditional Bicolano delicacy made of rice flour and shredded nut that grows primarily in the Bicol Region, coconut cooked with brown sugar inside. The rice cakes are widely used in a variety of delicacies-- from are steamed in small coconut shells and wrapped with a pili nut pastillas, mazapan, suspiros, bonbones, banana leaf. The combination of dry rice cake and sweet cakes and candied treats like Pilinut Choco moist coconut is reminiscent of pan de coco. This is sold just Kisses, Dark Chocolate with pilinuts, and Pili Bar. outside San Francisco Church. You can buy these at J. Emmanuel in centro, and in their main store in RJ Village, Haring Canaman.

BADUYA (maruya): Sliced bananas that are dipped in rice flour batter and deep-fried. You can find this sold in many DISCLAIMER: For people who are from Naga City, I know that street corners around town. You can eat this alone or with there are many other restaurants (esp. in Magsaysay Ave.) that santan (coco jam with pili nut). are not included in this list. Either I have not tried them yet or don’t have photos. I am currently based in Manila, but I will try to update this as soon as I get a chance to go back. :) Feel free to leave your suggestions in the comments section on what other restaurants/food are must-tries especially for first-timers in Naga! For those who are not from Naga City and are looking for tours, BULASTOG: The Bicolano version of check out Naga Excursions page. KARA kwek-kwek (a hard-boiled chicken egg deep-fried in orange batter). EDITOR’S NOTE: Establishments with this logo means they are members

PHOTO BY BONG BAJO of the NagaX consortium. APRIL - JUNE 2014 86 Canaman holds its first Dragon Boat race

By Honesto Bermudo III

LOCAL TOURISM BOOST. Local paddlers race for top prizes in the Canaman Dragon Boat race.

ESIDENTS and visitors of the Camarines Sur Dragon Boat Team that won Mangayawan, a coastal barangay honors in the competitions in Singapore and of Canaman, Camarines Sur some China. eight kilometers west of Naga City, During the ensuing race here, 6 teams, each witnessed with fun and excitement composed of twenty members, competed in the the launching of the First Dragon 300-meter boat race. LGU Canaman Employees Boat Camp last May 15, 2014. fielded one team, PNP Camarines Sur PPO had In his remarks during the brief program, this another and the remaining four teams including, author as member of the Sanggunian Bayan of an all-female team, came from Mangayawan. RCanaman recalled the history of the Dragon Boat Sitio Maalsom served as starting line while the and the humble beginnings of the Bicol River Hot barangay’s wharf served as the finish line. Paddlers of Mangayawan. Amidst the loud cheers of the spectators who These paddlers who worked as farmers and lined up the boulevard in front of Mangayawan fishermen gained attention when their team joined Elementary School and National High School, the the dragon boat races in Manila a decade ago competing teams paddled their way against the where they fought with well-trained and well-oiled strong current towards the finish line. In the end, rowing boat teams based in Manila, including the two teams got eliminated and only four teams teams from the Philippine Navy and De la Salle moved to the finals. University. Declared winners in the 300-meter Dragon The team also competed in Boracay Boat Race were PNP PPO Team 4th Runner–Up; International Dragon Boat Race where they Bicol River Hot Paddlers Melba Team, 3rd Runner- emerged winners and crowd favorite. The Hot Up; Bicol River Hot Paddlers Arvy & Jeffrey Paddlers continued their winning streak in the Team, 2nd Runner–Up; Bicol River Hot Paddlers Camarines Sur International Dragon Boat Race in Kiki Team, 1st Runner - Up and Bicol River Hot October 2010. Some of them became members of Paddlers Maong Team, Champion.

87 APRIL - JUNE 2014 Groundbreaking for Camaligan wharf

Each winning team received a specially-crafted wooden paddle courtesy of Delovino Wood Products of Canaman town. Barangay Mangayawan is seen as the base of Canaman’s Dragon Boat Camp where trainors are members of the home- grown world class Bicol River Hot Paddlers, who are mostly farmers, fishermen and housewives. Along the contiguous coastal barangays of the neighboring towns of Camaligan and Gainza, the town of Canaman is part of the Bicol River Cruise Circuit, an eco-tourism activity that both local and foreign tourists can enjoy. Along that circuit, one can witness the laidback and traditional life along the coastal villages where people are involved in fresh water fishing, nipa shingles making, planting and harvesting rice while their children go swimming, or simply crossing the hanging bridges to get to the opposite side of the river. One can also enjoy riding or staying overnight in prototypes of “Kayang,” a boat that is transformed into an overnight floating home of Peñafrancia devotees from coastal barangays during the fluvial procession along the Naga River every September. LGU Canaman, in collaboration with other towns along the Bicol River and the Metro Naga Development Council, is finalizing plans to formally put into motion the town’s eco-tourism plan which is mainly anchored on the potentials of the river. GROUNDBREAKING for the proposed new Camaligan wharf It is foreseen that motor boats christened (artist’s perspective shown in lower photos) was held last June 5, as Beth, Joy, Melynza, Ronnie, Vangie and 2014 at the old site of the wharf in Brgy. Sto. Domingo, Camaligan, Camarines Sur. Present during the ceremony (as shown in top others that used to transport passengers from photo) are Camarines Sur Vice-Gov. Fortunato C. Peña as guest these coastal barangays to and from Naga City of honor, Camaligan Municipal Mayor Marilou Marquez-Hirose, Municipal Vice Mayor Rolando C. Eduardo, MNDC Executive would soon resurface, this time, as floating boat Director Melissa Sieglinde B. Bulaong, MNCCI President Nicolas restaurants or tourist boats. Beda A. Priela, members of the Camaligan Sangguniang Bayan, municipal department heads, and guests from various LGUs involved in the MNDC tourism circuit. Also in picture is Andrew B. Opena of A.B. Opena Builders, the wharf’s contractor/developer.

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