Tourism stakeholders organize ONTA
BY DINDO GENEROSO
The president of COSCA (College of Sta Catalina de Alexandria) and that of the Tour Guides Association of Negros Oriental with three others from the Dumaguete Press Club, the Dive Guides Association and Divers Association, were elected co-chairmen of the all-private oriental Negros Toursim Association. (ONTA). More...

KBP Statement (Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas)
In view of the prevailing state-of-affairs affecting our Country and in order not to unduly alarm the public, the KBP leadership _______ its members to strictly observe the KBP Television and Radio codes that require balanced programming and presentation of news and public affairs. Coverage of events, should be accurate, informative, adequate, and must present all sides. The “right to respond” must be observed at all times.
Attention is called to the provision of the KBP Television and Radio Codes that states that rallies and demonstrations are legitimate news events and may be covered at the discretion of the station. However, care must be exercised that the coverage does not provide false information that tends to incite the pubic to rebellion.
In the overage of troop movements, members are reminded that there are national security implications and lives are stake. Any coverage of this nature should NOT identify the location of the troops or provide/show identifiable land marks, give troop estimates, identify of troop personnel and destination or direction of troops.
In a dialogue with the NTC Commissioners, the KBP was assured that the NTC respects the freedom of the press and of free speech and expression protected by the Constitution. Further, the NTC Commissioners stated that in the enforcement of the laws, rules and regulations affecting broadcast, due process will always be observed in tandem with the self-regulatory mechanism of the KBP. The Commission further committed to a continuous dialogue with the KBP on matters affecting the industry.
RUPERTO S. NICDAO, JR. Chairman
BUTCH CANOY

CRITICAL REPORTING
HOW MEDIA SEES IT, AND NOT OTHERS
BY ELY P. DEJARESCO (email: elydejaresco@yahoo.com)
The unfinished Revolution ....
As the saying goes, a People do not make a Nation in one day. Just as Rome was not built overnight.
And so what started as EDSA-1, the so-called bloodless revolution in February of 1986 two decades ago, that catapulted the Philippines to world acclaim as the bastion of democracy in Asia, —is not yet over. More...

TOP OF THE WEEK

War vs. human trafficking
BY EDWARD LOPEZ
Governor George Arnaiz Monday declared ‘war’ against all forms of trafficking in persons in Negros Oriental and called on all Negrenses to join him to stop what he called its ‘unacceptable continuing proliferation’. His declaration comes as data released by the Visayas Forum Foundation, Inc. (VFF) disclosed that 441 of all those intercepted in the VF Halfway House in Manila’s North Harbor from 2001 to 2005 were from Negros Oriental.

DENR to close open dumpsites
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is poised to close all open dumpsites in Negros Oriental and the rest of the country to comply with the order of Republic Act No. 9003, particularly on the provision to require local government units to build a sanitary landfill.
The impending closure comes as the League of Municipalities (LMP) declared their preparedness to go to jail for failing to comply with the law.
Cabrido said the DENR must not be blamed now for the impending closure because both the agency and the LGUs had agreed to withhold the implementation of the law and the latter to cluster themselves to build a common landfill.

P1M seized illegal drugs burned
Governor George Arnaiz led the burning Thursday of more than P1 million worth of confiscated illegal drugs, mostly shabu and dried marijuana at the Capitol grounds.
Also present at the destruction of 267 grams of shabu, 677 grams of dried marijuana, and bottles of rugby, were members of the anti-illegal drug Task Force 24 and representatives
from the courts, the fiscal’s office, and private groups.
RTC Branch 31 Judge Cresenciano Tan, Jr. said Republic Act. No. 9165, the new anti-illegal drugs law, allows the destruction of confiscated illegal drugs that had already been used as evidences.

NegOr is crucial transet or human traffickers
Negros Oriental plays a ‘pivotal role’ in the campaign in the campaign because it has been identified as one of the trafficking ‘hotspots’ or major recruitment ground for victims and potential trafficking victims. “Negros Oriental is a transit area and at the center of development,
commerce, and transportation and it is a fertile recruitment ground for traffickers,” he said. Cecil
Hoffman of GWAVE said trafficking is an international issue. Citing statistics from a 2001 United Nations report, Hoffman said 4 million persons were trafficked across borders each year of which 80 percent are women.
She added that 50 percent of trafficked persons were children quoting a 2004 US Trafficking Report while data from the International Labor Organization showed that 70 percent were absorbed by the sex industry.

DEPUTY PRESS ATTACHE of the U.S. Embassy Ms. Stacy D. MacTaggert (inset) explains the evolution of media’s “content and delivery” 20 years ago and 20 years henceforth, speaking before the SU Mass Comm students, faculty and alumni during the media-partners recognition rites held at the SU little theater last Thursday. school Director is Dr. Rose Baseleres.

Newest building honors a loving aunt:
INEZ E. UYMATIAO BUILDING
It could yet be the most modern commercial edifice in the heart of the city. Most of all, it is built by a grateful generation of children of one of the city’s top business scions, the UYMATIAO family, whose forefathers have been the pioneers in the city’s commercial district .More...

‘Pinocchio is Coming to Town’
BY ANTHONY GERARD S. ODTOHAN
“Have you seen him?”
‘Pinocchio’, the much anticipated live musical, is all set to give
Dumaguete city a treat on March 4, Saturday at 2pm and 8pm at
the Luce Auditorium. More...

Civil Service Exam ANNOUNCEMENT
The Civil Service Commission Negros Oriental Field Office, Dumaguete City, announces the filing of application for Career Service Professional and Sub-Professional Examinations Paper and Pencil Test (PPT) scheduled on April 2,2006.
Those who are interested may now file their applications at the Field Office in Daro, Dumaguete City starting January 9, 2006 up to February 28, 2006. Acceptance of applications shall be on a first-comefirst- served basis. However, acceptance of applications may be closed at any time within the filing period as soon as a sufficient number of applicants have been admitted to the examination. Applicants for Professional and Sub-Professional should be at least 18 years old regardless of educational attainment. A filing fee of P350.00 is required. Application forms (CS Form 100) are now available for distribution.
For more details please call our Office at Tel. No. 420-5002. (Sgd) LORDA M. VILLAFLOR OIC-Senior Personnel Specialist

Dialysis machines donated; Great Physician inaugurated
Many good deeds are done quietly by Civic Organizations in our city and province; it is good to recognize and be inspired
by the good works of the many generous and enthusiastic
persons and organizations helping our community
by way of this CIVIC CIRCLE Corner. .More...

Communicating the Filipino Psyche
BY: DR. BETSY JOY TAN
SILLIMAN U. –VPAA.
Why is there no evidence of any spirit of nationalism among us,
Filipinos? Why do we play lip ser vice to nationalism… to patriotism … and pursue our own selfish personal interests? How many of us are truly Filipino? More...

Water trapped; rains could cause landslide
This rain-made pond in Ilaya, Taysan will no longer be tapped for irrigation because more rains could cause a landslide, this being in an elevated area in Tayasan.
This “natural” pool will soon be forcibly drained before it is too late, said Gov. Arnaiz, who turned 51 last Wednesday.

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