NEWS: After failed ouster bid by Daneco prexy, OIC GM says “employees are united to protect Daneco”

By Cha Monforte

jan 27

Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative OIC general manager Allan Laniba said that the failed ouster bid against him initiated by several members of the board of directors on Saturday “probably affected the employees emotionally. But we (employees) are united to protect Daneco”.

Laniba survived the ouster bid led by board president Dean Briz in Saturday’s special and regular meeting of the board of directors held at Daneco office in Tagum City following lengthy deliberations that saw the chickening out of the sought replacement who also attended the meeting.

In that meeting, Briz was actively supported by director Miguel Fermil and board treasurer Ananias Darjan Jr.

Fermil filed a resolution seeking to replace Laniba with Daneco’s technical department head Engr. Nelson Balangan, who ironically backed out from accepting the offer when he was grilled by directors supporting Laniba.

Darjan, on the other hand, tried to present the list of alleged deficiencies of the current management.

Briz and Darjan are also current city budget officer and general services office head of the Tagum city government, respectively. The two are known protégés of Mayor Rey Uy.

Briz was sought for comment yesterday but he referred the local media to Darjan.

Darjan, in an interview, said that the discussion on Laniba’s replacement and on alleged deficiencies dragged lengthily saying that they only wanted “to satisfy all avenues of discussions” and that they were not “exercising tyranny of numbers” suggesting that Briz group has already the majority in the board.

“All were allowed to express their views and opinions,” he added.

Darjan also belied allegation that he and Briz as city government employees are acting under the direction of Mayor Uy.

He said that Mayor Uy and Compostela Governor Arturo Uy have no personal or family business agenda in Daneco such as the peddled allegation that they wanted to destroy Daneco to privatize it, adding that what they only wanted was to straighten things in Daneco that need to be corrected for it to serve best the public and the power consumers.

Fermil’s resolution was subsequently deferred for further discussion and put in unfinished business. It would be tackled in the next board meeting on February 13.

On the other hand, Laniba also said yesterday in a text message that he did not know the circumstances that led to the attempt to unseat him as present OIC GM of the power cooperative.

But a report published by the Periodico Tagum, sister Bisayan publication of this paper, said that the meeting attended by all the 11 directors with department managers and some members of the local media as observers opened with the rendering of accomplishment report by Laniba.

But after Laniba’s turn Briz surprisingly moved to make the meeting a closed door one and advised the department heads and mediamen to go out from the board room.

As they did not heed Briz order and instead remained to their seats, Fermil then filed his resolution triggering opposition and interpellation from directors  Orlando Bugas, Eugenio Ramonida, Engr. Dan Gervacio, retired Col. Dominador Cruda and former board president Dr. Antonio Sebumpan, who were supporting Laniba.

Laniba, in an interview yesterday afternoon, said that he was contemplating to voluntarily request the National Electrification Administration to make the GM seat vacant “to preserve unity and solidarity in Daneco”.

Streamers from employees are ostensible in the premises of Daneco Tagum office declaring support for the permanent GM bid of Laniba. (Cha Monforte/Rural Urban News)

Filed under: Dominador Cruda, Dr. Antonio Sebumpan, Engr. Dan Gervacio, Engr. Nelson Balangan, Eugenio Ramonida, Miguel Fermil, Orlando Bugas, Allan Laniba, Ananias Darjan Jr., Dean Briz, Dominador Cruda, Dr. Antonio Sebumpan, Engr. Dan Gervacio, Engr. Nelson Balangan, Eugenio Ramonida, Miguel Fermil, Orlando Bugas

NEWS: Daneco prexy slams NEA’s delay in publication of vacancy of GM post

By Cha Monforte

jan 14

The board president of Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative has slammed the delay of the National Electrification Administration in acting on the board of directors’s resolution asking it to publish in national newspaper the notice of vacancy and search for regular general manager so applicants can be drawn nationwide.

Dean Briz, Daneco BOD president, said yesterday in an interview that the Daneco board  approved the resolution December 12 last year and forwarded it to NEA national office in Manila last December 21, but as of press time, no action yet has been made by NEA on it.

“That’s the problem with NEA and the 15-day period for NEA (officials) to make an action has already lapsed,” he said.

He charged that the NEA officials can be answerable for violating Republic Act 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees).

The law obliges all public officials and employees, , among others, to act promptly on letters and requests. within fifteen (15) working days from receipt thereof.

Briz charged that there seemed to be “conspiracy” in implementing the required publication of the notice of vacancy of the GM post. He did not name names.

He said that currently Allan Laniba is still acting as officer in charge (OIC) GM since after the death of former GM Edgar Savellano mid last year.

“(Daneco) will shoulder the cost of publication. Thirty days after the publication, acceptance of applicants is closed, then NEA will screen the applicants and submit to the Daneco its list, and we will select and approve who will become the general manager” Briz said on NEA’s rules on GM selection.

He added that after the Daneco board selected the GM, NEA will then further evaluate the selected GM and make “background checking”, and if NEA found him to be worthy, “then NEA will confirm and the GM becomes probationary GM for six months,” within which the Daneco board “can still terminate him” if he is found not fit to the position. (Cha Monforte/Rural Urban News)

Filed under: Allan Laniba, Dean Briz, Allan Laniba, Dean Briz

NEWS: Davao del Norte battle royale shifts to vice gubernatorial race

dec 7

* Baby takes swipe at Dangpanan for much talk
* Dangpanan says credentials matter in legislation

TAGUM CITY- With the backing out of Lakas supposed Lakas candidate Margie Moran-Floirendo from gubernatorial race and ergo, the unopposed reelection bid of Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario (Liberal Party), the battle royale that was then expected to spark between the two clanmates appears now to have shifted to the vice gubernatorial race.

Pundits here have speculated that the vice gubernatorial race would be tight as reelectionist Vice Gov. Victorio “Baby” Suaybaguio Jr  (LP) and Boardmember Roger “Dangpanan” Israel (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) would be respectively supported by their patrons, the Floirendo and Del Rosario camps.

Former Congressman Antonio “Tonyboy” Floirendo Jr , who is not running, and Gov. Del Rosario have been largely considered as political kingpins in the second and first districts in the province, respectively.

“Whoever wins in the vice gubernatorial race vindicates who is the real  political kingpin throughout the province,” said  a boardmember who requested not to be named.

And last week the two vice gubernatorial candidates started to snipe at each other although in obviously withheld temper.

Suaybaguio took a swipe to Israel saying that the latter talks so much in giving reasons of his running.

“He should not talk so much about his qualifications for vice governor, that he is this and he is that. Talking about how to render and sustain more public services to the people of the province would do more good for him,” the vice governor said in an interview.

“He was not replaced in the provincial slate that was still being finalized the other Sunday. On the day of the fiesta (of Tagum City , Nov. 22) he was even visited by the governor, but the next thing we knew on the next day, he was absent in the session of the provincial board and we heard he was already sitting beside Margie (Moran-Floirendo),” Suaybaguio added.

The ex-Miss Universe took her oath on Nov 23 as new member of Lakas-Kampi-CMD and declared she was excited to run for governor against her husband’s uncle by marriage, Del Rosario. She backed out from the race a few days after citing her “own Roxas-Moran family has prevailed over me to desist from pursuing my plans so as not to be caught in a family feud that may conclude to a bitter end.”

Suaybaguio, who joined in the exodus of Lakas incumbents in District 1 led by the governor to LP, added that he was not harboring ill feelings to the decision of Israel to remain with Lakas and run against him saying: “This is a free country. I respect his option and I can’t prevent him to run against me… even then I still consider him as a worthy member of one legislative body which has the vision of bringing true development for the people of the province.”

But Israel , in separate interview over the weekend, was quick to rebut Suaybaguio that he has just credentials to show and that these credentials matter since the position they are vying for is legislation.

He said that he has a long track record in legislative performance being a legislator and government worker for 15 years serving in various capacity as boardmember, former Tagum city councilor and ex-barangay councilor and barangay captain and Lupong Tagapamayapa chairman.

He said that he became even a senator of Jaycees Club International “like Senator Juan Ponce Enrile who was also a JCI senator”.

Asked about Israel ’s statements, Suaybaguio said , “cool… I would not quarrel with him with those”.

For his part, Israel said: “Maayo si Baby kay nahimong mayor sa Tagum, ako wala (Baby is better since he became a Tagum city mayor). But Dangpanan said he is presently “collecting  something” which he said he could not yet reveal at press time “as his secret yet which could defeat Baby”.

Suaybaguio and Israel , both hailing from the vote-rich Tagum City , have had their days considered as nino bonitos in the city’s politics. (Cha Monforte/Rural Urban News)

Filed under: roger "dangpanan" israel, victorio "baby" suaybaguio jr, roger "dangpanan" israel, victorio "baby" suaybaguio jr

NEWS: Davao Norte, Comval govs make high 5 as unopposed

dec 3

Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario and Compostela Valley Governor Arturo Uy are making high five as both of them are running for their respective second reelection bid without any opponent not even a nuisance candidate.
Del Rosario of the Liberal Party is unopposed as former Miss Universe Margarita “Margie” Moran-Floirendo backed out Monday from her gubernatorial plan.
Uy of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD, on the other hand, is unopposed as his critic former Governor Jose Caballero instead filed at 10:00 PM his certificate of candidacy (COC) for congressman under the Liberal Party banner in the province’s second district against reelectionist Congressman Rommel Amatong (Lakas-Kampi-CMD).
Atty. Rex Lopoz, resident of the capital town of Nabunturan, joined in the congressional race as he filed his COC as independent an hour before Caballero, also a lawyer, did.

In a sudden reversal a week after she declared she was excited to run for governor, Moran-Floirendo on Monday announced she was backing out from the gubernatorial race, saying: “After much thought and consideration, the Roxas-Moran family has prevailed over me to desist from pursuing my plans so as not to be caught in a family feud that may conclude to a bitter end.”
The 1973 Miss Universe is a granddaughter of the late President Manuel Roxas and cousin of LP vice presidential bet, Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas III.
She said her family do not want her to be caught in the middle of a feud between her husband former Congressman Antonio “Tonyboy” Floirendo Jr  and Del Rosario.
She denied there were “concessions” made between the feuding political kingpins although Del Rosario earlier announced he would not be fielding an opponent to reelectionist District 2 Cong. Anton Lagdameo, provincial chair of Lakas-Kampi-CMD. Lagdameo is Tonyboy’s nephew.
And Del Rosario made true his promise as no one is running against Lagdameo.
However, in the first district, former boardmember Emily Alvarez, wife of former DOTC Secretary Pantaleon Alvarez, will vie against the governor’s son former Vice Gov. Anthony Rafael del Rosario for the congressional seat.
But Del Rosario’s man in tandem Vice Gov. Victorio “Baby” Suaybaguio Jr has an opponent for the vice gubernatorial run as Boardmember Roger Israel, who was suddenly left alone after Margie’s political exit, filed his COC for the post.
Reelectionist Vice Gov. Ramil Gentugaya of Compostela Valley is also unopposed.
On the other hand, a three-corner mayoral fight is set up in Tagum City between among City Mayor Rey Uy (LP), former Gov. Gelacio “Yayong” Gementiza (independent) and last-termer Cong.Arrel Olano, a supposed Lakas-Kampi-CMD District 1 chairman who is now running independent.
In another three-corner congressional fight in the first district of Compostela Valley, controversial police officer Cesar Mancao filed his COC on Monday morning, while former Ombudsman graft investigator Atty. Jaime “Jun” Lopoz Jr filed Tuesday before noon and boardmember Maria Carmen Zamora-Apsay, daughter of last-termer Cong. Manuel “Way Kurat” Zamora, filed last Saturday.
Zamora is not running of any post as he earlier said he would concentrate in campaigning for her daughter’s bid. (Cha Monforte/Rural Urban News)

Filed under: governor dolfo del rosario, arrel olano, chiongkee uy, comval candidates, davao del norte candidates, governor del rosario, rdr davao del norte

OPINYON: Problema sa Daneco

oct 15

TSA PWERA

Ni Cha Monforte

May dakong problema ang mga konsumante sa Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative. Kini mo ang matag karon ug unya nga brownout. Matud pa sa bag-o nga presidente sa Board of Directors nga si Dean Briz kulang ang supply sa kurente nga moabot sa di momenus sa 10 megawatts gikan sa National Grid Corporation of the Philippines. Matud pa ni Briz ang kanunayng may brownout mao ang mga lungsod sa Laak ug Monkayo. Nagsingabot na pod ang power crisis nga makaapekto gayud sa atong mga probinsya. Usa kini ka dakong problema sa katawhan busa dakong hagit kani sa atong mga lideres, labi na kadtong nagaposisyon na nga mahimong Presidente sa nasud.

******

Kining National Gird Corporation (NGCP) mao na ang pribadong kumpanyang mi-takeover sa paghatod sa kuryente sa tibouk nasud nga kanhi gigunitan sa National Transmission Corporation kun TransCo sukad niadtong miaging Enero 15, 2009. Usa kani ka consortium nga gilangkuban sa mga kumpanyang Monte Oro Grid Resources Corporation (MOGRC), State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) and Calaca High Power Corporation (CHPC). Gi-bidding man gud sa gobyerno ang franchise sa pagmentenar sa transmission network kurente sa tibuok nasud subay sa programang privatization ug kining consortium mao ang midaug. Singkwenta pa ka tuig ang termino sa prankisa sa NGCP.

******

Hagit kani sa kasamtangang opsiyales sa Daneco sa pakigsabot sa NGCP aron katagaan kita ug permanente ug stable nga kuryente kay ang problema sa kasamtangan anaa pa man sa power transmission ug delivery, ug dili pa kaayo sa power generation, kung atong ikonsiderar nga may mga dapit sa Mindanao nga gamay ra ang power demand. O basi nagsige pa gihapon sila ug away kabahin sa isyu nga kinsa ba gayud ang mahimong general manager sa Daneco human mipanaw ang kanhi GM Edgar Savellano.

******

Tabi lang Daneco BOD president Briz paki esplika lang kung nganong mi text ka man kang OIC GM Allan Laniba kung aduna bay siyay permiso nga mobiyahe sa Manila. Didto na si Laniba sa kauluhan dihang imo siyang gipangutana pinaagi sa text. OIC GM biya si Laniba ug matud pa dugay na nga may BOD resolution nga di na gikinahanglan nga mangayo ug permiso ang GM sa BOD kung siya mobiyahe. Gikinahanglan nga may independensya ang Daneco management sa pagdumala sa kooperatiba matag adlaw kay basig wa nay mabuhat kini kung matag karon ug unya, ug pati sa mga gagmay nga mga transaksyones gikinahanglan ang permiso sa BOD. Yuna pa, di ba policy-making lang ang papel sa Daneco BOD? Mora mag nagapanghilabot na ang mga apil-apilong Daneco directors sa management sukad na OIC GM si Laniba.

******

Apan sa laing bahin, mora pog tama kini pag-inistrikto ni Briz kay kabalo biya ta nga sa panahon pa ni Amacio hangtud kang Savellano gamhanan gayud ang GM sanglit morag di na makit-an sa mga tag-iyang konsumante kung unsa gayud ang mga transaksyones sa Daneco. Nan, ang pagpaklaro sa mga minilyong transakyones sa Daneco o kung unsa gayud ang tinoud nga estado sa pinansya sa kooperatiba maoy indikasyon nga ang bag-ong BOD presidente ug bag-ong OIC GM gusto nga ipatumaw ang prinsipyong transparency alasng sa kaayuhan sa kooperatiba ug sa iyang mga konsumante. Mga sir, kumusta na man ang mga disbursements diha? Napakgang na ba ang mga kawatan sa Daneco?

******

Morag natakdan na man gud ning Daneco sa sakit sa atong burukrasya sa gobyerno. May mga tawong gusto nga mag weder-weder, o kung anaa na sa posisyon mo take advantage pa pod aron magpakadato. Miestorya lang kita dire sa sakit sa organisasyon ug wa ta mitumbok ug tawo, buhi ba o patay. Hangtud wa kitay ebedensya, kutob lang kita sa obserbasyon sa mga panghitabo. Pero kining mga panghitabo tinoud biya. Daghang nadato nga mga opisyales sa gobyerno- mga kongresman, gobernador, mayor ug uban pa tungod sa ilang paghupot ug public position. Ug kutob na lang kita sa obserbasyon.

(e-mail: chamonforte@yahoo.com)

Filed under: Allan Laniba, daneco, Dean Briz, Allan Laniba, daneco, Dean Briz

NEWS: Workers themselves cover for employers’ violation of minimum wage law- Davnor DOLE exec

nov 28

TAGUM CITY- A provincial officer of the Dept. of Labor and Employment has bared here that there are cases when the workers themselves cover the violations of their employers on the minimum wage law.

“Di sila kaako motug-an sa gipanghimo sa ilang employer sa ila (They cannot afford to tell to the labor department what their employers have been doing),” said Albert Degamo, DOLE provincial officer in Davao del Norte during yesterday’s edition of the Kapihan sa Kapitolyo in the Media Center, Capitol at Mankilam.

Degamo however bared that his office has been hearing cases every Monday relating to labor standards including those covering minimum wage laws and orders.

He could not though cite provincial statistics on the extent of violations of employers and businesses on mandated minimum wage of the workers.
Instead he cited that his agency has three frameworks in enforcing the minimum wage law.

He said that at the latest Wage Order 15 made by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-XI the workers in the region employed in businesses having 10 or more workers the current effective rate for minimum wage is P265 per day from P250 per day for the period June 16 to Sept. 16, 2008.

The framework to be taken for businesses having 1 to 9 workers requires only technical visit during which employers are only required to give their action plan on the minimum wage, adding that DOLE is still giving small businesses “time to grow”.

“For businesses having 10 to 129 workers, we do inspection on whether they comply with the law and enforce our labor standard laws,” Degamo said.

“For those having 200 workers or more, we make no inspection but rely the self-assessment on implementation of minimum wage on labor unions as embodied in their collective bargaining agreement (CBA) (with their employers),” he added.
Micro-enterprise businesses, he said, are exempted though from complying with the minimum wage law. (Cha Monforte/Rural Urban News) http://ruralurbanews.blogspot.com

Filed under: albert degamo tagum dole, davao del norte minimum daily wage, davao del norte workers, albert degamo tagum dole, davao del norte minimum daily wage, davao del norte workers