NEWS: Oyo now serious for Congress bid

april 14

Tagum City Councilor De Carlo “Oyo” Uy is now serious in his plan of vying for the Davao del Norte District 1 congressional post amid reports that he has already prepared his camp, backed up by his father City Mayor Rey Uy, on how to further float his name to the electorate as a good congressional aspirant.
He gave silence on said report but instead he said in a text message that “I’m not confirming about it but I’m seriously contemplating the idea”.
Since when the former Vice Gov. Anthony Rafael del Rosario made a public admission early this year that he is afflicted with Hodgkin Lymphoma cancer in Stage 3 development, the post that would soon be vacated by last-termer Congressman Arrel Olano has become hotly sighted and prematurely contested by among Lakas and Kampi partymates.
At press time, Anthony’s father, Governor Rodolfo del Rosario is mum on whether his son, who declared his intention to run for the post mid last year, would be still be coming to gun for the post amid drumming up of reports that his disease is curable and the continued inclusion of Anthony’s name in province-sponsored sports activities.
Reported to be among those eyeing for the post were Vice Gov. Victorio “Baby” Suaybaguio, Boardmember Roger “Dangpanan” Israel, and Philippine Councilors’ League provincial president Helario “Larry” Caminero.
As Anthony went to Manila for treatment and as talks ripened over about his most potential successor from within the Lakas party, Vice Gov. Suaybaguio let loose gripes about the governor’s past political decisions and maneuverings that allegedly diminished the political stature of Suaybaguio.
At one time, Suaybaguio said in a report he could afford to be on the losing end this time around as to his longstanding congressional aspiration.
It could not yet be immediately ascertained if Suaybaguio has already patched things up with Del Rosario following the issue about the governor’s alleged act of disowning the vice governor’s whereabouts relating to his US trip last December.
The reported falling out of Suaybaguio from the governor’s grace has reportedly resulted to “much sipsipan” of Boardmember Antonio Lagunzad, while Boardmember Israel also continued to grumble over his own congressional ambition but careful of not hurting the governor as Israel bid for the latter’s political blessing.
Meanwhile, Boardmember Caminero said in an interview welcomed the latest statement of the younger Uy saying that “it’s good that there’s now voice from the youths like Oyo who will meet the challenge of representing our people in Congress.”
“I welcome him as a good potential rival,” Caminero added.
There is still much silence these days on whether the defeated congressional aspirant in the last polls, former DOTC Secretary Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez will be coming in to join the congressional fray. He already attempted twice but failed to grab the post despite the reported millions he poured to his political and barangay leaders especially in the last 2007 polls. (Cha Monforte/Rural Urban News)

Filed under: anthony rafael del rosario, boardmember larry caminero, boardmember roger israel, councilor de carlo "oyo" uy, mayor rey uy, pantaleon "bebot" alvarez, vice gov. victorio "baby" suaybaguio jr, anthony rafael del rosario, boardmember larry caminero, boardmember roger israel, councilor de carlo "oyo" uy, mayor rey uy, pantaleon "bebot" alvarez, vice gov. victorio "baby" suaybaguio jr

NEWS: P7 fare to effect January 2

dec 22

Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy has approved to implement a reduced tricycle fare of P7 starting on January 2 next year.

In his meeting on Saturday with the City Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (CTFRB) chairman Atty. Roland Tumanda and other board officers, the decision was reached to effect the second fare cut from the latest P8 since that the current gasoline pump prices already hit within the P30-P39.99 range in a general matrix provided under the city’s flexi-fare ordinance.

If the minimum fare is P7, students and senior citizens would only have to pay P5 for the regular tricycle ride.
However, the CTFRB will still have to formally make a corresponding board resolution for the new fare cut this week, Atty. Tumanda, also the city legal officer, told Sidlak.

The city has now its flexible mode of charging tricycle fare due to the flexi-fare ordinance which provides a bracket on tricycle fares depending on gasoline pump prices.

The City Hall already ordered for fare reduction to P8 fare from P10 last November 18.

When the reduction was effected on that date, gasoline prices were already observed to be diving below the P40 per liter mark.

There was then a fare increase from P7 to P10 approved by the city
council which effected last September 19.

But a week after due to growing complaints of riding public as gasoline prices were decreasing then when the increased P10 fare was implemented, Uy backpedaled and pushed
the flexi-fare ordinance as a novel way of skipping the tedious and long legislative process of enacting an ordinance in view of the volatility of oil prices.

The ordinance’s bracket provides that if gasoline prices per liter
(gpl) range P20 to 29.99 it will have P6 for regular fare and P4 for
student or senior citizen; P30 to P39.99 gpl- P7 regular fare, P5 student/senior citizen; P40 to 49.99 gpl- P8 regular fare, P6 student/senior citizen; P50 to P59.99 gpl- P9 regular fare, P7 student/senior citizen; P60 to P69.99 gpl- P10 regular fare, P8 student/senior citizen; P70 to P79.99 gpl- P11 regular fare, P9 student/senior citizen; P80 to P89.99 gpl- P12 regular fare,
P10 student/senior citizen; P90 to P99.99 gpl- P13 regular fare, P11 student/senior citizen; and P100 and above gpl- P14 regular fare, P12 student/senior citizen. (Cha Monforte/Rural Urban News)

Filed under: mayor rey uy, tagum city fare, mayor rey uy, tagum city fare

NEWS: No 13th month bonus for Tagum City Hall contractuals

Davnor, Comval Capitols to release P10 T performance bonus

dec 18

Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy said yesterday that he could not give 13th month Christmas bonus to contractual employees saying that the Commission on Audit disallows it for them.

He said in radio interview that a law prevented him from proceeding of his plan of sharing also Christmas bonanza to contractual employees even as he bared that the City Hall has money for it.

He added that he would give the bonus for them it might be later be subjected to refund.

In that supposed case, the mayor said he has not regret if the money would be put to good use, but added it would be a problem if it would be splurged to booze.

Permanent and casual government employees in national government agencies, government-owned and -controlled corporations and financial  institutions across the country have been receiving bonuses since late November, and since lately of the P10,000 performance bonus as covered by President Arroyo ‘s Administrative Order No. 250  signed last December 10.

Both the Capitols in Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley are accordingly releasing the performance bonus either today or tomorrow, sources said.

At press time, however, the amount of the performance bonus from said Capitols could not be known as it is to be funded from agency savings as contained in the Dept. of Budget and Management’s EO 250 circular for national State workers.

Said circular stated that if the savings is insufficient to cover for the P10,000 performance bonus smaller amount could be released provided it is the same and equal to all employees. (Cha Monforte/Rural Urban News)

Filed under: comval capitol, davao del norte, mayor rey uy, comval capitol, davao del norte capitol, tagum city hall, tagum city mayor rey uy

News: New Tagum tricycle fare cut coming

dec 15

Tagumenyos all appear to be receiving one big Christmas gift from the City Hall- another P1 reduction of the tricycle fare from P8 to P7 if the flexi-fare ordinance will be followed to the letter.
Atty. Roland Tumanda, chairman of the City Transportation and Franchising Board, will meet with Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy this week to discuss on new and second fare cut for public utility tricycles in view of further oil price decreases following the latest reduced P8 fare charging from the highest P10 fare this year.

“There will be fare cut due to new oil price decreases,” said Tumanda, also the city legal officer.

As of yesterday evening, a gasoline station in the city sold gasoline at a price of P36 per liter, while diesel has P34 per liter, habal-habal driver Alexis Seno told Sidlak.
With the said price, regular fare should already be P7 based on the flexi-fare ordinance.

The city has now its flexible mode of charging tricycle fare following Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s confirmation of the city council’s flexi-fare ordinance which provides a bracket on tricycle fares depending on gasoline pump prices.
The City Hall already ordered for fare reduction to P8 fare from P10 last November 18 even as the SP had still to confirm the flexi-fare ordinance. The SP approved the ordinance shortly.

When the reduction was effected on that date, gasoline prices were already observed to have already breached below the P40 per liter mark.

Under the ordinance, the present P8 regular fare and P6 fare for students and senior citizens would mean that gasoline prices range from P40 to P49.99 per liter.
The CTFRB, under the ordinance, is the body which will call for fare increase or fare decrease from time to time.

Mayor Uy pushed the flexi-fare ordinance to adjust tricycle fare skipping the tedious ang long legislative process of enacting an ordinance in ivew of the volatibility of oil prices.  There was then a fare increase from P7 to P10 approved by the city council which effected last September 19, but a week after Uy pushed the flexi-fare ordinance.

The ordinance’s bracket provides that if gasoline prices per liter (gpl) range P20 to 29.99 it will have P6 for regular fare and P4 for student or senior citizen; P30 to P39.99 gpl- P7 regular fare, P5 student/senior citizen; P40 to 49.99 gpl- P8 regular fare, P6 student/senior citizen; P50 to P59.99 gpl- P9 regular fare, P7 student/senior citizen; P60 to P69.99 gpl- P10 regular fare, P8 student/senior citizen; P70 to P79.99 gpl- P11 regular fare, P9 student/senior citizen; P80 to P89.99 gpl- P12 regular fare, P10 student/senior citizen; P90 to P99.99 gpl- P13 regular fare, P11 student/senior citizen; and P100 and above gpl- P14 regular fare, P12 student/senior citizen. (Cha Monforte/Rural Urban News)

Filed under: atty roland tumanda, flexi-fare ordinance tagum, mayor rey uy, atty roland tumanda, flexi-fare ordinance tagum, mayor rey uy

OPINION: Dear Departed

nov 3

BLOGISTA
By Cha Monforte

The cemeteries were most visited by folks in the provinces in yesterday’s All Souls Day, while those in cities had theirs Saturday, paying visit one’s dear departed. Really, all roads led to the cemeteries during the two-day celebration, which was generally peaceful in our region.Thanks.

So alas, after the kalag-kalag we now train our sight for the Big Yuletide Season. The road is clear for Christmas. For Nabunturanons, it’s such usual replex. After paying our dear departed a memories-filled and prayerful visit, with the family and relatives in reunion, now, today, we wish for merry Yuletide days and abundant new year ahead. Nabunturan has an Oct. 2-3 fiesta, a fixed date,  which is a month before the All Saints/Souls Days.

Tagumenyos, too, are agog for the holiday. The city mayor is now visibly sprucing up the palms and putting up highway lights and decors for Christmas. Include the tallest Christmas tree by the City Hall. It’s good for the spirit. But the city has still its fiesta, the feast of Christ the King, celebrated by the last week of the month. Anyway, the city’s fiesta seems already a part of the Tagum’s Yuletide Season. There’s cheer now in the corners, the global meltdown nothwithstanding.

At any rate, the city’s bankers have laid their first cards last week, and LBP-Tagum assistant manager Ma’am Nice and branch managers of other nationwide banks last week dispelled fears that effects of the global financial crisis are reaching the local shores. Maybe, nyet.

When an internal corporate circular of one bank, otherwise held confidential, was “leaked” to me Thursday, I wasn’t surprise. The net has vast info on the international financial crisis from sleuths, spies and analysts if you’re net-savvy. It’s the A1 info from horses’ mouths that I take more credence. Say, Gob. Dolfo’s last assessment that the banana industry wouldn’t be affected by this Santa Banana! meltdown. Or to Sec. Dureza’s assessment that only our OFWs would later be returning home.

Now, every time I open my Yahoo email address, I always see at the sidebar Barack Obama‘s projected winning votes in the electoral college. At this writing, Obama is getting 333 already against the 181 for McCain. Kaluoy. Everyday, McCain is losing in Yahoo‘s projection. All Obama needs are 270 votes, the majority. I’m an avid Democrat fan, too, and want to see Obama (look-alike of Davao City broadcaster Leo Villareal) sit in the White House. I’m not worrying now. Tomorrow is the US election, and on the same day we’ll know that Barack is the next US President. My fearless forecast and I bet McCain by midday in US time tomorrow (sorry, we’re advance 6 hours to US) will concede as soon as the initial results of the pre-poll survey come out.

This is what the good stuff of the US election is made of: virtually no cheating, results are immediately known, and candidates immediately concede by electoral forecast alone. As to the Pilipins, and to our provinces, ah, oh my gulay! But Barack Obama must be thankful for the meltdown that went out for streak at the hands of Republican President Bush. But he’s no socialist. He’s just the leader of the world policeman. So cheers, too, for Obama’s victory in waiting. We really have good and merry days ahead of us. (For online, visit my blog at: http//cha4t.wordpress.com, for comments and reactions, e-mail: chamonforte@yahoo.com, ruralurbanews@yahoo.com)

Filed under: mayor rey uy, nabunturan fiesta, tagum, tagum banks, tagum christmas tree, tagum city, barack obma in the philippines, kalag-kalag, mayor rey uy, nabunturan fiesta, tagum banks, tagum christmas tree, tagum fiesta

NEWS: Dureza sings paeans to Tagum City’s rush of developments

In defending GMA’s low ratings Press Secretary Jesus Dureza is singing paeans to the rush of developments in Tagum City describing that what he has been seeing while motoring around the city is the same to what is happening all around the country in his travels with the President. As he paid tribute to City Mayor Rey Uy, whom he said has done many things for his city even if he might have made unpopular decisions like President Arroyo, he said that he was awed by the city’s well-paved four lanes and many infrastructure projects “that made a difference”. “Call me sipsip to the President, but  a lot of developments are going on which we never have seen before,” Sec. Dureza said in his keynote speech after inducting into office the officers of the National Press Club-Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley Chapter Monday at Bulwagan ng Panlalawigan building in the provincial Capitol complex at Mankilam, Tagum City. He said that the President makes decisions including unpopular ones like the implementation of Value Added Tax (VAT) adding that “it pays off” into bolstering the national development fund from which the P1.6-billion for the Talaingod-Bukidnon road project that Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario got came from. Dureza also crossed his finger that when he became a press secretary he got the opportunity to closely work with Arroyo and know that “she is a righteous and hardworking President.” “Only that she’s unjustly maligned, unfairly judged in public resulting to her low survey ratings,” he said, “while her Cabinet members scored higher ratings.” Sensing the presence of District 1 Cong. Arrel Olano, the press secretary said that like him “mouli ug pirme to be of service to the constituents.” Sources that the congressman, who is in town for the recess in Congress until November 10, has long been shuttling from Manila to arrive at the city by Friday night and be back at Manila by Monday morning when the Congress is not in recess. Sec. Dureza congratulated newly sworn officers of NPC-DNCV Chapter saying “you are now wed to your profession for better or for worse.” Also in his keynote speech, he exhorted local mediamen to maintain their independence and integrity in keeping the flame of press freedom alive in this part of the country.(Cha Monforte/Rural Urban News) http://ruralurbanews.blogspot.com

Filed under: mayor rey uy, press sec. jess dureza, tagum news, tagum sex video, press secretary jess dureza, tagum city davao del norte developments, tagum mayor rey uy

NEWS: Chiz Escudero riddles Davnor politicians

oct 17

Davao del Norte provincial and city officials faced baffling scenarios from Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero when he personally visited them yesterday at the Capitol, Mankilam, Tagum City.

Senator Escudero was the guest speaker for the Philippine Judges Association in the evening in Davao Davao City but he made first a side trip in Tagum City to personally visit and consult politician friends.

He made baffling riddles about the real opposition in the county citing the flip-flopping record of several wannabes for the top post in the country.
He named potential presidential bets as Senate President Manny Villar, Mar Roxas, Panfilo Lacson, and even former President Joseph Estrada.

“Sino ba talaga ang tunay na oposisyon?”asked Sen. Escudero.
He just recalled past records of presidential wannabes flip-flopping in their past dealings with the Macapagal administration.
Present in friendly roundtable exchange of friendly talk at Tahanan building at the provincial Capitol complex in Mankilam were Davao del Norte Rodolfo del Rosario, Vice Gov. Victorio Suaybaguio, Tagum City Mayor Rey Chiong Uy, District 1 Cong. Arrel Olano and others.
They were cheerfully dumbfounded of Escudero’s presentation on past record of flip-flops of the said presidential wannabes. (Cha Monforte/Rural Urban News) http://ruralurbanews.blogspot.com

Filed under: cong. arrel olano, gov. rodolfo del rosario, mayor rey uy, cong. arrel olano, gov del rosario, mayor rey uy tagum, senator chiz escudero davao del norte

NEWS: Mayor Cee O: “No cause for alarm”

On rise of killings in Tagum

oct 14

Tagum Mayor Rey Chiong Uy in a report of DXDN Radyo Ukay in Tagum early morning yesterday said that the city’s statistics on killings reported by the police “is no cause for alarm” adding that that those “salvaged” or killed were bad elements in the society, “mga kawatan, holdupper, snatcher, akyat bahay… so walay dapat ikaalarma.”

Asked in an exclusive field interview the other day by Ruel Dagsangan, anchor of Radyo Ukay’s early morning newscast program, the mayor added that the city in fact had been banking on its good peace and order situation in receiving continuing confidence from people for its continuing development.

In the same Radyo Ukay report, Vice Mayor Allan Rellon condemned extrajudicial killings in the city saying that the “root cause of the problem” should be addressed to in an effort of helping the police solve it.

The mayor’s and vice mayor’s statements came close to the heels of provincial police reports on the rise of crimes against persons particularly shooting incidents in the city that accounted the bulk in the reported cases throughout Davao del Norte.

Provincial police director PSSupt. Benelito Bianzon bared a total of 54 shooting incidents from January to October 10 in the city last Friday’s Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s human rights committee hearing-inquiry initiated by Boardmember Antonio Lagunzad, the committee chairman.

The crime statistics included the still unresolved slaying of long-time serving former Mankilam barangay captain and kagawad Noel dela Cruz.

PSSupt. Bianzon however that police has solved 23 crimes and a lot of petty crimes like stabbing, hacking and others and recovered many loose firearms in their Operation Kapkap.

But he also bared on increasing death threats which he said the police has been meeting difficulties in responding to all requests for protection considering the limited number of police personnel.

In that committee hearing, the police director admitted difficulties and loose ends in stemming off the rising crime index in the city primarily owing to the lack of police personnel to secure the high city population even as he said that the province is still generally peaceful.

He called on for active civilian support while asserting that police has all been doing its work to secure the populace.

Also in that hearing, Bianzon downplayed reports on the presence of death squad operating in the city, but he admitted the police is looking into reports on hired killers. PSSupt. also cited various causes and motives in the rise of shooting incidents in the city.

The hearing led to various initial proposals in addressing the problem of criminality which the SP committee had documented.

Boardmember Lagunzad said that extrajudicial killing is a human rights violation and vowed to continue his committee’s probe. He planned to conduct activities with barangay officials to address the problem.

Also present during last Friday’s committee hearing-inquiry held at Lakan’s Place were Boardmembers Jose Recarido Federiso, Ely Dacalus, Artemio San Juan, Salvador Royo, and SK federation president Dennis Café, Tagum City police chief PSupt. Dario Gunabe, CIDG-Davao del Norte provincial director PSupt. Rowena Garma, and some members of the family of the slain Dela Cruz who shared their fearful plight to the committee. (Cha Monforte/Rural Urban News) http://ruralurbanews.blogspot.com

Filed under: allan rellon, board member larry caminero, boardmember artemio san juan, boardmember ely dacalus, boardmember jose recarido federiso, boardmember salvador royo, boardmember tony lagunzad, CIDG-Davao del Norte Police Supt. Rowena Garma, mayor rey uy, police supt gunabe, PSSupt. Benelito Bianzon, rellon, tagum city crimes rise, Tagum police chief Dario Gunabe, tony lagunzad, boardmember tony lagunzad, CIDG-Davao del Norte provincial director PSupt. Rowena, killings crimes in tagum city, mayor rey chiong uy, Tagum City police chief PSupt. Dario Gunabe, vice mayor allan rellon

NEWS: Flexi fare ordinance in Tagum coming

oct 1

Depending on price of gasoline

TAGUM CITY- City Legal Officer Roland Tumanda bared yesterday that the proposed ordinance on flexible fare for motorcycles which he drafted following directive of Mayor Rey Uy will be taken up by the City Council this coming Monday’s session.

Atty. Tumanda said in text message that under the scheme the fare will be flexible depending on the price of gasoline in the market, and thus fare for motorcycle would be adjusted, either it will go down or go up.
The proposed flexi fare ordinance was submitted last week to the City Council. It has no session last Monday.

The measure was proposed by Mayor Uy following a week when tricycle drivers started to ask for an increased P10 regular fare from passengers after the taripas were issued by the City Land Transporation and Franchising Board starting last Sept. 19.

The Tagum City Federation of Tricycle Transport and Services Cooperative (Tafettrasco) helped in the distribution of the taripas.

The P10 fare increase, which was enacted due to absence of opposition from the public, has later sparked widespread complaints from the riding public over the high fare increase at a time of decreasing prices of gasoline.

Last August 25 the Sangguniang Panlalawigan unanimously approved Resolution No. 503 confirming the fare-increasing City Ordinance No. 305, which was also unanimously approved by the city council last July 28.Last July tricycle owners and drivers clamored for P10 fare on the ground that gasoline prices had already almost doubled from January price level. That month the price of gasoline once broke beyond P60 per liter.

They complained of daily losses due to skyrocketing prices of oil and to the unfair competition posed by thousands of colorum habal-habal single motorcycles. (Cha Monforte/Rural Urban News) http://ruralurbanews.blogspot.com

Filed under: atty roland tumanda, mayor rey uy, tagum tricycles, atty roland tumanda, mayor rey uy, tricycle fare in tagum

The tricycle fare increase in Tagum City

sept 19

The City Legal Officer Roland Tumanda made the inevitable reason loud and clear to quell murmurs around on the possibillity of holding in abeyance the present P7 motorcycle fare since prices of oil products have been already decreasing over the last two weeks. The increased P10 fare will continue for Tagum City despite the price rollbacks.

Since it’s the Tagum City Federation of Tricycle Transport and Services Cooperative (Tafettrasco) that would be benefited, its act of volunteering to distribute the taripas is a just a natural reaction knowing that tricycle drivers and operators have then been losing when gasoline prices were still about a double of the January price level, as well as due to the unfair competition posed by the colorum habal-habals which have been snatching their passengers in the city’s streets during sunny days.

“Unless the ordinance is amended,” Atty. Tumanda said to belabor a point that the fare could still be decreased to attune with current oil prices.

It’s good that there seems to be a quick price reflex now in the country’s deregulation regime in the oil industry but this positive news about price rollback is so scarce vis-avis the many instances of price increase.

We hope there will also be quick reflex mechanism in our local legislation. It seems to us that on the average it would take us one month and a half to two months before legislation is finally implemented after passing through the local and provincial legislative processes. But we start to count on the date of approval of the ordinance. In particular, the city ordinance on fare increase was unanimously enacted last July 28 and if taripas would be issued today, it takes us a total of one month and 21 days to have it implemented.

However, the delay on this fare increase ordinance seems to occur at the provincial level.

Nevertheless, despite what appear as discreet dilatory processes occurring at the provincial level for this piece of legislation, the city councilors who all voted yes to the ordinance should still be congratulated- for increasing fare at a time of decreasing oil prices. Thanks for the delay.  (Cha Monforte/Rural Urban News)

Filed under: atty. tumanda, councilor alfredo pagmilao, councilor allan zulueta, councilor francisco remitar, councilor joey millan, councilor suaybaguio, mayor rey uy, mylene baura, tagum, tagum city, tagum city councilors, tagum city hall, tagum councilors, atty. tumanda tagum, tagum tricycle fare increase