Weather in Ilagan City, Isabela, Philippines

Monday, August 13, 2012

The new city of Ilagan

City Mayor Jay with a thumb up saying we are now a city.
Last August 11, 2012 successfully converted the Municipality of Ilagan into a city. The city now joins the rank of the other 143 cities in the Philippines.

Let me quote some famous sayings and anecdotes that a city must have:


“A great city is one where people want to go out of their homes. Public space is a magical good, and it never ceases to yield pleasure; we should give it a lot of attention. Public good prevails over private interest. A great city is where we all feel not excluded. The quality of the sidewalks in a city is the most telling thing. Just as a bird needs to fly, fish need to swim and deer need to run, we need to walk.”
“The most valuable asset in a city is its road space. The road space can be used as a society wishes. How do you want to distribute this space between pedestrians, bicycles, mass transit and cars—this is a political decision. Trying to solve traffic jams with bigger roads is like trying to put out a fire with gasoline. If there was more space for cars in London or New York, there would be more cars. Making new parking lots in London has been banned for over 40 years.”
“A city speaks, a city creates behavior. We want people to be able to leave their cars at home. In Holland a political decision was made to support bicycle infrastructure. It is done little by little. In Japan 30% of people who arrive at a train station arrive by bike. To have a safe bicycle route is a right; governments have to take a risk, show leadership and do the uncomfortable thing to invest in the necessary infrastructure. Bicycle use is a great symbol of equality. Someone on a $30 bike and a $30,000 car are equal in the street. A cyclist has as much right to use the road space as does a car. In developing countries 15-35% of people’s income is saved by those who travel by bicycle. In the future, bicycles will continue to become more and more important.

In 200 years people will say how could they live in those horrible 2010 cities? The 20th century will be remembered as disastrous for cities, as they were designed to accommodate cars, not people. “ Source: EcoLocalizer (http://s.tt/12tu9)

Monday, April 23, 2012

A visit to Ilagan Santuary

The last time we visit Ilagan Sanctuary was April 22, 2012. A wonderful experience with new people.

About two hours of walking before reaching the Pinzal Falls but most of us enjoy the scenic beauty of the place. It's definitely a commendable visit for you guys, despite the area leading to the falls do not have yet any concrete paths for an easy reach in a matter of minutes.


Find time to visit again, maybe the next summer of 2013. Enjoy enjoy and enjoy. :D

Sunday, March 04, 2012

Dangerous drugs

Drug abuse has dramatically worsened over the years. This is clearly manifested by the high number of apprehensions relative to the violation of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 which impose stiff penalties for would-be violators.

Drugs
Philippine jails are also heavily populated with drug-related offenders or suspects. Their cases range from mere usage to the manufacture of dangerous drugs. The most common of which is called “Shabu”, “poor man’s cocaine” or “meth” or simply “bato”. In Ilagan District Jail alone, one-third of the jail population are suspects for the violation of RA 9165-all facing charges at the various Regional Trial Courts in Ilagan and Cabagan. This is also the same picture in other jails.

What makes the drub menace a thriving underground activity? Philippines is now considered as one of the docking points or entry points of drug contrabands. Philippine archipelagic nature is a factor. The police and naval patrols cannot fully cover the 7,100 islands. Their limited number is also doubly weakened by various forms of corruption and bribery. Drug lords are awashed with money and do everything to bring in their products in cahoots with the police authorities.

The drug problem is considered a multi-billion dollar industry and it has grown into a self-regulated economy all on its own. It is now wrecking havoc to legitimate economy of the country and elsewhere.


 Poverty also drives people to peddle dangerous drugs to earn a living. That’s why drugs are so common in squatters where poverty line and they would do everything to live.
The advent of free trade or liberation also contributed in the influx of raw materials for Shabu production. They can enter the ports or customs quite liberally and without tariffs or reduced tariffs. Latest news reports reveal that the Chinese nationals are involved in the entry of raw materials.

The drug menace does not only undermine economy. It has destroys the moral fabric of Philippine society. It attacks the families, the youth, the poor and ever the upright. It affects all ages-young and old. It transcends gender-male and female.

Dangerous drugs seem to be everywhere and authorities have to double efforts to check them. If every offender is apprehended, these are the likely outcome of acquittal as the method or manner of apprehension are usually violations of well-settled doctrines that protest individuals rights and liberties. Simply put, they were not properly apprehended. This, police authorities must well study and rectify their errors to ensure conviction.

The judiciary and justice department are also not spared of the drub menace. Drug lords could afford to dispense their millions to overturn convictions, quack changes or bribe investigators. A former President once accused in robes- from the trial courts up to the appellate or ever the Supreme Court.

Drug lords also support politicians to secure protection from the law. In this way, they could maintain their illegal activities and spread their network and market.

Philippine government must be firm and make a decision stance. But the government cannot do this alone. The problem of drugs needs to involve the cooperation of the community, the church and the media. The prosecutors and judges, the police and POEA.

Police information about the ill-effects must not only in schools but in the barangays as well. Rehabilitation centers must be affordable to make time accessible. And most importantly, livelihood programs must be accorded to the needy and make them productive.


--
from file.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Back to blogging


It has been a long time since I blog with my blogger account. First, I can't find time to do it and currently busy at work here at a department store. Second, I have a tight budget that hampers my posts. And lastly, I have no words to say behind so many tasks. Hoping that anyone in the world will listen to my post and have a great time reading my blogs.

Let's continue with God's help.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Quotes from the first Aquino president


I am facinated by the quotes, speeches and others from the first Aquino president. Both Ninoy Aquino, Jr and Corazon Aquino have one and the same common denominator. They were great orators in their time.

Having to quote first the sayings of Corazon Aquino thus:

I've reached a point in life where it's no longer necessary to try to impress. If they like me the way I am, that's good. If they don't, that's too bad.

I would rather die a meaningful death than to live a meaningless life.

Reconciliation should be accompanied by justice, otherwise it will not last. While we all hope for peace it shouldn't be peace at any cost but peace based on principle, on justice.

The media's power is frail. Without the people's support, it can be shut off with the ease of turning a light switch.

One must be frank to be relevant.

National leaders who find themselves wilting under the withering criticisms by members of the media, would do well not to take such criticism personally but to regard the media as their allies in keeping the government clean and honest, its services.

You have spent many lives and much treasure to bring freedom to many lands that were reluctant to receive it. And here you have a people who won it by themselves and need only the help to preserve it.

Maybe this is one way of telling them how much it means not only to me but to all of us who love our democracy and who are searching for the truth.

I know I will receive a lot of criticism for this but I will do what I think is right for our country.

Monday, November 14, 2011

A millionaire's attitude



The tips of having a millionaire attitude is just a click away. Read the ten tips on creating a millionaire attitude by JField as the site discuss about the norms of being a millionaire. Specially if you started from rags and became rich, then the article is a must read to upgrade you attitude for you to survive. Please be careful reading it just for an advice.


Another article to read is about the mindset of a millionaire.Good luck.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Do you have table manners?


A lot of people I met usually don't have any table manners. Having a good manners on table will give you edge over the others. You stand out and make a good impression on everyone especially to your partners, bosses and to totally strangers.


In my current work at Talavera Group of Companies, employees do not practice table manners or don't have any idea about it.They usually chew with their mouth open, talk when their mouth is full, they are not sitting straight, placing elbow on the table and a lot more.

The benefits of such manners is discussed in this link.You may visit www.mannersinternational.com containing good resources for manners and etiquette.

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