FEDERALISM: IT'S TIME WE ADOPT IT
NEGROES OCCIDENTAL, MAY 1, 2008 (STAR) THE SOUTHERN BEAT By Rolly Espina - For years, I have consistently batted for the federal system of government as the best assurance for the survival of the Republic. It is time that we throw off the shackles of Imperial Manila and let the various areas of the country avail themselves of their own resources to develop.But there is another side to it. We must save our local languages to enable us to remain rooted in our culture. The nation that throws out its languages may soon join the rest of the disappearing ethnic groups. Language, as they point out, is the elan vital to a people and culture.
But even the most enthusiastic advocate of federalism, Dr. Joey Dacudao, the lone neurosurgeon in the Caraga region in Northern Mindanao, does not hold much hope for a constitutional change soon. Still, the Senate resolution could spur more soul-searching among Filipinos to determine how best the country can survive the constricting grip by Manila on the rest of the nation.
Organic food’s popularity
It may have received scant attention from the mass media, but one promising development in the present Panaad Festival is the apparent trend indicating a growing popularity among Negrenses for organic food products.
A welcome development – organically grown rice, especially the red variety, is no longer sold by the 50-kilogram bag. The Provincial Agriculture Organic Farm authorities have shifted to selling only two-kilogram bags of the red rice and other varieties of organic rice.
An indication is that many are now making a beeline to this and other organically grown foodstuff, including vegetables.
The Negros Economic Development Foundation farm in Mansilingan, for example, has been selling its vegetables on retail. Lately, however, Willy Gonzales, chairman of the NEDF, said wholesalers have gobbled up most of their products.
Major eateries of Bacolod, including those in Robinsons, have bought their products in bulk, leaving nothing to the retail buyers.
In short, Negrenses have now shifted to organically grown agricultural products.
And the latest offering is the coffee organically grown inside the Kanlaon National Park. Thus, these chemical-free and select coffee cherries are becoming the toast of Negrenses.
The coffee was introduced by the Negros Island Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Foundation. The Negros Island Rainforest Coffee is produced by farmers in three upland communities in La Castellana, La Carlota and E.B. Magalona towns.
Coffee in La Castellana is produced by some 200 farmers of the Sag-ang Organic Coffee Producers Association.
NISARD is selling it at P100 per pack for the regular blend and P125 for the special blend.
Angelvic Labrador of the La Castellana group and Hernani Mondia of the La Carlota Organic Growers Association said all processes in growing their coffee are guided by organic standards.
NISARD’s Robert Gasparillo said their internal control system makes sure of the documentation of the farmers and their data as well as the product flow control.
Thus Gasparillo added that one can even identify the farmer who handpicked the coffee cherries and where these came from.
I have noticed eggplants, tomatoes, okra, lettuce and other vegetables grown organically as the most avidly sought produce.
And, yes one noticeable impact, organic fertilizers, sold at P10 per kilogram bag, are avidly grabbed by customers, both at the provincial organic outlet and the NEDF.
Negros Island intends to become the “Organic Center” of the country. This was a program launched originally by the late Negros Occidental governor Joseph Marañon and former Oriental governor George Arnaiz, now the congressman of the second district. Gov. Isidro Zayco, who succeeded Marañon, is a leading advocate of the organic agriculture program. And even now, it is becoming apparent that organically grown agricultural products have become more popular among Negrenses.
ADDENDUM: The Punta Bulata Beach Resort of Cauayan is organizing a three-day beach bash starting tomorrow. It is an acknowledgement of the growing popularity of southern Negros Occidental’s lure among local and foreign visitors. There will be jet-ski, fun run, beach soccer, windsurfing, kayaking, and a national skim boarding competition. There is even a summer fashion show by Nicol Yulo. The beach bash has already attracted attention among Negrenses and foreign guests. In short, a harbinger of an impending invasion of fun lovers… But few were aware that 19 houses were turned over and blessed Sunday in the Himayaan Village in Barangay 3 by the Gawad Kalinga and the city government of Himamaylan. Tony Meloto, national coordinator, Himamaylan City Mayor Carminia Bacson, and SPM Allen Tongson spearheaded the activity. Those present were Antonio de Dios, GK project director; Jose Gatuslao, Tatag coordinator; Mikmik Brizuela, provincial coordinator; Roma Padilla, Outstanding Student of the Philippines; and Illiot Estow of Seattle, Washington, USA. Rev. Fr. Tranquilino Nacional, parish priest of Our Lady of Snow Parish Church, officiated the blessing.
Joker: Cha-cha for federalism wrong move at the wrong time Thursday, May 1, 2008
(STAR) MANILA - Maverick Sen. Joker Arroyo rejected yesterday calls by his colleagues to amend the Constitution by changing the political structure of the government to federalism.
“The move to amend the Constitution to spur economic growth by changing the political structure of our government to federalism is the wrong move at the wrong time for the wrong reasons. It won’t fly for a number of obvious reasons,” Arroyo said in a statement.
While the objective cited by the proponents is to spur economic growth, Arroyo said the proposed solution, which is political restructuring, “just doesn’t mesh, no rhyme nor reason.”
“The plan, it is said, is for Congress, acting as a legislature to pass a resolution that would limit the amendments that Congress, acting as constituent assembly can propose to the change to federalism and nothing more. That is daydreaming,” he added.
Once Congress convenes as a constituent assembly to deliberate on the federalism amendments, Arroyo warned that the Constitution will be open to other amendments, a view also shared by Sen. Loren Legarda.
“Who can prevent that same Congress, this time switching back to its role as a legislature, to make an amendatory resolution expanding the amendments that can be proposed to any other thing? Open sesame,” Arroyo said.
Arroyo, a veteran lawyer, also noted that the various attempts to switch from presidential to parliamentary failed in the past “because public opinion was averse to venture into the unknown.”
“The attempt to switch from unitary to federalism will fail for the same fear of the unknown,” Arroyo added. “From the frying pan to the fire. We will have now 11 little fiefdoms and 11 little kings,” he said.
As this developed, Sen. Rodolfo Biazon said he signed the Joint Resolution number 10 calling for Congress to convene into constituent assembly for shift to federalism to start up the debates on Charter change. – Christina Mendez
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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