LIKE a ripple that bounced back after hitting the shore, the Facebook post about Legazpi City outclassing Naga City as the most competitive component city based on the latest National Competitiveness Council ranking for this year proved to be baseless, and therefore is not true. When queried, sources from no less than the National Competitiveness Council emphasized that official results of the 2017 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index are yet to be released in July or August this year, or five or six months from now. While the news (before it was exposed to be false) was received eager-beaverly with awe and great pride, especially among netizens from Legaspi, there were efforts from those concerned to validate the source of the information so that congratulatory messages should be in order. Admittedly, there is a silent, undeclared competition obtaining between the two leading Bicol cities, although officially both of them would publicly congratulate each other for any blessing or good news that come their way, and readily feel sorry or offer help if one or both of them lay victims to calamities or crisis. Friendly competitions, in fact, should always be welcomed, as in Palarong Bicol, which is traditionally closely contested by athletes from Camarines Sur, Naga, Legazpi and Albay to pick out the best of them for the national games, or in the race for more tourist arrivals that spur more jobs and income to the region as a whole. The news (false news, that is) also came at a time when it was reported earlier that there was an urgent call for all regional offices to be transferred immediately to Legazpi City, where a number of them still remain rooted in Naga City despite an old presidential decree that proclaims Legazpi as the regional administrative center for Bicol and hence should be the place to situate all regional offices to expedite transactions under one roof, so to speak. This, of course, was not good news for Naga City, which before Martial Law was the seat of almost all the major regional offices in Bicol, including the regional equipment pool, the regional hospital, GSIS, PNB (when it was still owned by the government), NBI, and others. NIA and the DA and BFAR remain to be located in Naga and Camarines Sur, but Legazpi or Albay had expressed strong interest to relocate them to the regional center in Rawis, had been done with the NBI only a few weeks ago. This, despite an earlier frank assessment by then Albay Gov. Joey Sal ceda that Legazpi City was not an ideal haven for the regional offices because of constant flooding, strong typhoon and volcanic eruptions that regularly take place in that city. As it stands now, Naga City remains as the most competitive component city in the country, with Legaspi City landing for the first time in the Top Ten as 3rd placer that both Legaspiños and Nagueños felt happy about. Legazpi will have to wait until July or August this year when it would have the chance to overtake Naga City in the ranking because, after all, Legazpi City, with its majestic volcano and vast sea port, has been profusely crowned by the Imeldific First Lady, through her despotic husband Ferdinand, as Bicol’s regional administrative center. But whoever will be on top of the other will be an honor for Bicol – for its common march towards regional progress and development – especially if both of them land in the Top Ten as this year’s most competitive component cities.

After the Christmas season, like any dedicated government employee, I browsed through the calendar for the coming holidays; and I realized that one of the soonest non-working days would be February 25. Much to my dismay; it falls on a Saturday. Ouch! So much for the holiday. I was a kid then. I never thought of it much at that time. But when I realized that that day was important, I could make out from memory that it was a day when choppers would hover to and fro; and for a male child, that was something exciting. As far as I could remember, my father was unusually home when the song, “Magkaisa” played on TV; and I realized that the same song was playing in the neighbor’s houses. I was thinking, “What’s the deal?” I never thought something was wrong. Walking around neighborhood streets and across downtown, it was all too common to see Marcos Tolentino banners in red and blue, and Cory Doy ones in yellow and green. In the afternoon, the neighborhood bakery even sold bread with matching green and yellow colors, which was called “Cory-Doy”. I know too well that “Boycott” wasn’t referring to a person. I was familiar with terms like Laban, UNIDO and KBL. I understood what an election was; but why on earth did it have to be done in a snap? Later, every government official was referred to as an OIC. A couple years later, I would learn that Marcos was a deposed dictator, and his rule was supposed as the darkest of the nation. I tried to get a grasp of the idea but my early childhood didn’t feel like we were living in an oppressive dictatorship. (Come on, what do you expect from a 5 year old residing away from the nation’s capital.) An online article has complained, “What then is left to “celebrate” whenever the anniversary of the 1986 “revolution” comes around?” “The same power structures remain entrenched in Philippine politics and business. The same tiny elite clique of families still rule the islands. The same sorts of disasters still kill tens of thousands of Filipinos. And the same armed homicidal terrorists roam the country’s mountains and jungles with impunity. Dependence on the remittances of the country’s vast army of overseas foreign workers is growing. And the economy is propped up more by consumption and asset bubbles (both fuelled by these remittances) than by real industrial capacity. The “democracy” supposedly “restored” by this “revolution” is there in form but not in substance. The quality of the political “debate” has failed to rise to the level a true modern democracy demands. (www.getrealphilippines.com) This same sentiment have long been echoed by political grandstanders, coup plotters, and those who make careers out of criticizing political institutions. (Do you really have to complain to speak or write?) What were the people’s objectives when they took to the streets in February 1986? Did they intend to uproot Philippine power structures in politics and business? Did they aim to bring down every elite family? Did they ridiculously mean to bring halt to every naturally occurring disaster in this typhoon ridden, geologically volcanic archipelago? Did they seek to bring a final solution to the nation’s insurgency problem? Did the 1986 EDSA demonstrators go out to decrease national dependence on dollar remittances? Did the protesters converge along EDSA to improve the economy? Was EDSA Revolution initiated to raise the level of Philippine political debate? People came out along EDSA, in February 1986, to rise up against the government, in the hopes of change. I believe the movement was not intended to go so much beyond a change in the government. For years, Filipinos frustrate themselves in the absence or lack of social reforms, the proliferation of oligarchy, calamities and the difficulties of recovery from their negative effects, communist and secessionist rebellions, fatalities among overseas Filipino workers, the struggling and lagging economy, and the graft and corruption in civil service; and at times have pinned blame on supposed failures of EDSA when all these were not included in the intended output of the grand rally at the National Capital Region’s main thoroughfare. The revolution was meant only for changes in political administration. To expect more would be like assigning a grand poetic meaning on a literal concrete object, and realizing it does not stand so much for that assigned meaning; when in the first place, it promised no such thing but it was all expanded expectations. Maria went to market to buy vinegar; and when she gets home you ask for caviar. Restoration of democracy and order in any form is worth to be looked back with the greatest of gratitude. Besides, I’m thankful I won’t have to attend to graduate school classes this Saturday. “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” Proverbs 14:30

FROM latest media reports it would seem that the much vaunted arrest of Senator Leila de Lima would not happen as the senator has filed Motions to Quash the Information filed by the DOJ before the three RTC Branches of Muntinlupa City. It is De Lima’s contention that it is the Office of the Ombudsman and not the Department of Justice which should have investigated “the charges against her because she was the justice secretary when the alleged crimes were committed.” With this development no warrant of arrest could be issued against the senator until the issue of jurisdiction is resolved by the RTC branches of Muntinlupa. The RTC branches may still give the DOJ time to comment on De Lima’s Motions and the latter to file her Reply if she so desires after which the matter will be submitted for resolution by the Court. Should the resolutions be adverse against the senator, the latter may elevate the issue to the Court of Appeals by way of Petition for Review and to the Supreme Court if the CA’s decision is adverse against her. With all these proceedings, it may still take some time before De Lima could be incarcerated. Incidentally, the latest reported written confession of retired SPO3 Arthur Lascanas “that he served as hit man for a death squad under the control and pay of President Duterte when the Chief Executive was the mayor of Davao City” would boost the claim of senator De Lima of the perpetration of extra-judicial killings of drug users/pushers by the Duterte administration. Parenthetically, reports also are that the Commission on Human Rights rejected last Tuesday the claim of Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar that “it had cleared President Duterte of involvement in extrajudicial killings in Davao when he was mayor of the city.” The CHR reminded Malacanang that “it had forwarded a resolution dated June 28, 2012 to the Office of the Ombudsman recommending the investigation of then Davao Mayor Duterte for possible liability for tolerating numerous extrajudicial killings and his alleged involvement in the Davao Death Squad (DDS)”. TRIVIA: Congratulations to the Knights of Columbus, Nueva Caceres Council 7995, based on Our Lady of Penafrancia Parish, which celebrated its 36th Foundation Anniversary last Sunday, February 19. Yours truly was tasked to deliver a Special Message during the occasion. As a former Grand Knight of the Council (1987-1988) I feel honored to deliver the message. Congratulations also to the officers and member of the Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce which will have its Induction of Officers at the Avenue Plaza today, February 23. Sincere greetings also goes to Timoteo “Tim” Borromeo Jr. and Pompeo “Pomping” Requinta of the AdeNU high school batch ‘54 who are celebrating their respective birthday anniversaries this coming Friday, February 24, at the Oyster Villa Restaurant with a luncheon-fellowship for their batch mates and their spouses. The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), Camarines Sur Chapter is slated to have its election of the new set of Board of Officers this coming Saturday, February 25, at the IBP Building. This writer has been designated to sit as the Chairman of the Election Committee with Atty. Leo Arnel M. Caayao and Atty. Epifanio Maria J. Terbio, Jr as members. QUOTATION OF THE WEEK: “THE FUTURE BELONGS TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN THE BEAUTY OF THEIR DREAMS.” ELEANOR ROOSEVELT FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE: “SING PRAISE TO THE LORD, YOU FAITHFUL; GIVE THANKS TO GOD’S HOLY NAME.” PSALM 31:5

Solid waste management is a crucial issue hounding the livability of our Maogmang Lugar. The City Government of Naga, thru Resolution No. 2016-430, has already green lighted the P21M Balatas Dumpsite Closure Program – a move aimed at eliminating the foul odor emanating from said facility and complying with the requirement of law. However, with the shutting down of the dumpsite, it has been imperative to provide an alternative infrastructure. As such, in the Sangguniang Panlugnsod’s February 14 session, Resolution No. 2017-099 was passed approving the construction of a P260.7M Sanitary Landfill wherein actual expenditures whereof are spread in ten (10) years. Such landfill will be established in the 4.85 hectare lot acquired by the city government in Barangay San Isidro. Per design submitted by the Technical Working Group headed by City Planning Officer Wilfredo Prilles, it can handle a maximum of 508,064 cubic meters of solid waste. The discussions concerning said plan officially began in July 2016 and thereafter when the aforesaid TWG was created. Initial reports were forwarded to the Sangguniang Panlungsod in January of this year. On January 24, plenary debates ensued, subjecting the group’s recommendations to scrutiny of our legislators. Productive discussion on any project is beneficial. Free exchange of ideas and dynamic interaction between teammates will cause the best ideas to surface. In this case, the animated deliberation that lasted three regular sessions resulted to a reduction of the facility’s total cost by about P13M, as well as to the arrangement of acquiring a right-of-way that is two kilometre (2km) shorter than the original proposal, effectively lessening travel time of garbage trucks and corresponding gasoline expenses in the long-run. Building of the San Isidro Sanitary Landfill will commence as soon as bidding procedures are completed. Initial financing of the project, amounting to P25M, will be sourced from the Economic Development Fund of the city already included in the 2017 Annual Budget. The other funding sources, including possibilities of getting a loan, will be appropriated by the Sangguniang Panlungsod once City Budget Officer Francisco Mendoza furnished us a copy of his analysis and recommendation. The foundation of a world-class, self-reliant and caring city is a happy and productive people. Hence, it has been our enduring commitment to manage effectively the city’s solid waste and ensure that Nagueños are free from threat to their health. The Balatas Dumpsite Closure Program and the San Isidro Sanitary Landfill are steps towards the realization of such goals. But similar to other initiatives of the city, the two programs will not be long-lasting solutions without the cooperation of the city’s major stakeholders – the people. At the individual level, everyone should be conscious of the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. We should help each other in cutting down the tons of garbage we are collectively producing. Otherwise, we are bound to repeat the mistakes of the past and suffer the smelly and unpleasant consequences. Tarabang po kita!

AMIDST the raucous created by a post in Facebook that says that Legazpi has overtaken Naga by a small percentage point in the top list of the most competitive component city nationwide, let me refresh our readers with some salient points related to the competitiveness ranking and for what purpose was it established in the first place. The Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) is an annual ranking of Philippine cities and municipalities developed by the National Competiveness Council, through the Regional Competitiveness Committees with the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development. The Index measures competitiveness at the local government level using 28 indicators grouped into three-weighted pillars: Economic dynamism, government proficiency, and infrastructure. This year, after its fifth year of existence, the index, we are told, will include a fourth pillar: Resilience. The organizers argue that adding Resilience is key factor in determining an LGU’s competitiveness where stakeholders will devote more time and energy to develop greater capabilities and sustainability in the light of climate change, environment disruptions, and man-made crisis, such as war and civil conflict. The Index ranks highly-urbanized cities, component cities, and 1st to 2nd class and 3rd to 6th class municipalities, respetively. It was only in 2015 that ranking of provinces was introduced. Local competitiveness is a building block of national competitiveness. Reportedly for this year, the NCC has expanded the Cities/Municipalities Competitiveness Index to now cover almost 1,400 LGUs across the country in just four years with Resiliency and Sustainability as the fourth criterion in the competitiveness evaluation process. According to Guillermo Luz, co-chair of the NCC, scores for economic dynamism are based on the size and growth of the local economy, capacity to generate employment, cost of living, cost of doing business, financial deepening, productivity, and presence of business and professional organizations. Government efficiency, on the other hand, is measured based on data from transparency scores, local taxes and revenues, local competition-related awards, business registration efficiency, investment promotion, compliance to national directives, and health and education. Infrastructure scores are measured by data on existing road network, distance from the city center to major ports, health infrastructure, education infrastructure, DOT-accredited accommodations, availability of basic utilities and number of transportation vehicles, ICT connections, and number of ATMs. Luz said it is important for all stakeholders (private and public sectors) to work together to build cities and municipalities that are affordable, accessible, socially acceptable, environmentally friendly, economically viable, climate resilient, and competitive. What makes the Index more significant is that it is not based on public opinion surveys or boards of judges. It is based solely on statistics and data collected per LGU as the organizers themselves tried to remove as much subjectivity as possible in any selection, Luz would emphasize. The results highlight the importance of being competitive in several factors, especially those which are closely examined by potential investors. Furthermore, the Index was designed to encourage local governments to regularly track data and eventually benchmark performance against other cities in the Asean to better manage their regions. Over the last 6 years, Luz said they have tracked the country’s competitiveness ranking across a series of global competitiveness reports to see how we compare against other countries. These reports range from well-known ones like the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Index, the World Bank-IFC’s Ease of Doing Business Report, Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, and the Heritage Foundation’s Economic Freedom Index to the less well-known like the Failed States Index and Logistics Performance Index. When many of these reports were first established, some of them as far back as the 1990s, the Philippines, according to Luz, ranked deep in the bottom 20 percent of world rankings. “Even as recently as 2011, we ranked in the bottom 30 percent of virtually all major reports, with the only exception I know being the Gender Gap Report (where we currently rank seventh in the world). Our modest goal in 2011 was to move the country into the top-third of world tables.” He said that looking back at our performance and the annual data releases, “we have indeed improved—but we haven’t made it into the top-third yet. We have managed, though, to get out of the bottom 30 percent and move into the middle-third for most of these indices. Our performance in 2016 indicates continuous improvement across most indices, though not all.” He emphasized that being more competitive essentially makes the country more attractive for investments and new business generation. Most countries which rank higher than us in the region, he pointed out, generate much more direct investments than we do, sometimes five or six times as much.

NAGA CITY -- Commemorating the Feast of St. Josephine Bakhita, the patroness of human trafficking victims, the “Third International Day of Prayer and Awareness on Human Trafficking” was held at the Good Shepherd Chapel of the Holy Rosary Major Seminary last February 9, this year, with the theme, “They are God’s Children, Not Slaves!” The said prayer activity was spearheaded by the Caceres Office for Women and Children in Crisis (COWCC) in response to the call of Pope Francis to pray for the victims of trafficking and for those who work to combat it. According to Fr. Xavier Amoroso, the director of the said office, quoting the document issued by Vatican during the First International Day of Prayer and Awareness on Human Trafficking, “the primary objective of this activity is ‘to create greater awareness on this phenomenon and to reflect on the overall situation of violence and injustice that affect so many people, who have no voice, do not count, and are no one because they are simply slaves’”. About 245 participants from the different parishes, religious congregations, schools and youth groups came to join the said activity which began with an “Awareness Seminar on Violence against Women and Children and Human Trafficking” given by Prosecutor Zhella A. Monserate, Senior Assistant Provincial Prosecutor of Camarines Sur, who is also a member of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) and Zonta Club of Naga and Camarines Sur. The said talk was followed by a Eucharistic Celebration in honor of St. Jospehine Bakhita which was presided over by Most Rev. Rolando J. Tria Tirona, Archbishop of Caceres. The launching of the “Kasurog kan mga Kababaihan asin mga Kaakian sa Parokya” or 3KP was also held during the Mass. 3KP is the parish community watchdog of the COWCC which will also serve as the office’s advocacy arm in the parochial level.

Dear Father, Bilang Simbahan o bilang mga miyembro kan Simbahan sala daw po na magtaram manonongod sa gobierno o sa pulitika? Ano po an boot nindang sabihon na ‘Separation of Church and State’? Minagalang, Gener Dear Gener, Napapanahon an saimong hapot. Kun an simbahan minataram manonongod sa pulitika o minatao nin pagtuyaw sa gobierno igua nin tulos na minakurahaw: “Separation of Church and State”. Dakul kan mga ini sala an pakasabot o dai nasasabotan an saindang sinasabi. An “Separation of Church and State” na sinasabi sa ‘Constitution’, sa totoo lang, naka-address sa gobierno. Boot sabihon dai puede mag-pabor an gobierno sa sarong relihiyon. Dai man ini puede magpirit kan mga tawo sa sarong relihiyon. Kaya igua nin separation. Alagad dai ini nagbabawal sa Simbahan o sa mga miyembro kaini na magpahayag kan saindang opinyon o posisyon sa mga isyu. Asin an Constitution mismo nagsasasbi kaini: “No law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed. No religious test shall be required for the exercise of civil or political rights.” (Article 3 , Section 5). Malinaw na marhay na dai binabawalan kan batas na magpahayag an Simbahan o an saiyang mga miyembro na magpahayag orog na ta an mga miyembro kaini mga namamanwaan (citizens) man. Kun kaya lehitimo, tama asin susog sa derecho an pagpahayag kan Simbahan o kan mga miyembro kaini kan saindang opinyon o posisyon sa mga isyu sa banwaan o sa nasyon. Kun siring, sala na magsabi: ‘Dai puede magtaram an simbahan o an mga miyembro kaini dapit sa gobierno o sa mga isyu huli ta may separation of Church and State.’ Bakong tama an interpretasyon na ini. Ika, bilang Filipino; an mga Catolico, bilang mga Filipino; an mga miyembro kan ibang relihiyon, bilang mga Filipino, igua nin derecho o ‘may karapatan’ na magpahayag kan saindang boot, opinyon o posisyon sa mga isyu sa barangay, munisipalidad, syudad, o nasyon. Kun an gobierno magpugol sa simbahan o sa mga miyembro kaini na magtaram o magpahayag, ini pagtumang, laban sa mga derecho na yaon sa Constitution. Minagalang, Father

Ika 92 na Parokya kan Achidiocesis binuksan sa sarong selebrasyon kan Eucaristia na pinangenotan ni Reverendissimo Rolando Octavus J. Tria Tirona, OCD, DD kan Pebrero 20, 2017 sa Brgy. Dugcal, Camaligan Camarines Sur. An bagong prokya mangangataman kan limang barangays asin duwang sitios. An mga brgy kan Dugcal, Sua, Sitio Gogon asin Tampac sa banwaan kan Camaligan asin mga brgy kan Sua, Mangayawan, Iquin sa banwaan kan Canaman an aatamanon kan bagong parokya sa pangataman ni Sta. Teresa kan Kolkata. Pinagnomrahan man kan Arzobispo si Reb. Padre . Bernard M. Lagatic bilang enot na Cura Parocco kan nasambit na bagong Parokya. Hinagad kan Arzobispo sa saiyan homiliya an pagkasararo asin pagtarabangan kan lambang saro sa paghingowa na maitindog an bagong simbahan.

HALL OF JUSTICE. After 18 years of dreaming, February 10, 2017 finally saw the actual groundbreaking of the construction of the Camarines Sur Hall of Justice at the Capitol Complex, Cadlan, Pili with the Hon. Raymund L. Mecate, Department of Justice Undersecretary as guest of honor. The lot is donated by the provincial government of Camarines Sur under the leadership of Gov. Migz Villafuerte with funding facilitated through President Duterte’s initiative. jmts/danrey/mmec021517TJ/fb_GovMigzVillafuerte

THE QUEEN’S AMBASSADOR. A painting (cubism) on Naga’s interesting landmarks by local artist Ray Ubaldo is presented as token by Mayor John Bongat and Vice Mayor Nelson Legacion to visiting British Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad (center). CEPPIO

THE ROBREDOS. Siblings Butch Robredo (seated left), and (l-r, standing) Penny, Josephine, and Jeanne reunites with their late brother (represented here as a sitting statue), former DILG Secretary and Naga City Mayor Jesse M. Robredo which will be a central figure in a museum being completed by the National Historical Commission in a corner lot at the Naga City Civic Center. FACEBOOK PHOTO

AFFECTED subsistence miners in Camarines Norte rally in front of Camarines Norte Capitol Building to ask the lifting of cease and desist order from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau or hasten the approval of the Minahang Bayan permit to allow them to undertake small-scale mining activities. Juan Escandor Jr. By Juan Escandor Jr. DAET, Camarines Norte --- On Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14), about 3,000 subsistence miners held a rally in front of the Capitol building here as they cried for source of livelihood after the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) issued “cease and desist order (CDO)” against illegal mining activities in the 12 towns of Camarines Norte province. Officials of the towns of Jose Panganiban and Paracale told the Bicol Mail that a total of about 11,000 families directly depending on small-scale mining activities have lost their livelihood with the enforcement of the CDO. “The action of the director of the MGB has displaced economically subsistence miners in seven villages in Jose Panganiban that are easily translated to 6,000 families or about 30,000 individuals who are affected,” according to Sarah Marie P. Aviado, municipal environment and natural resources officer of Jose Panganiban. In the town of Paracale, the number of subsistence miners and their families affected by the CDO reached 5,000, revealed Gil B. Salen, municipal planning and development coordinator. Wilfredo Sapalaran, 54, affected subsistence miner, said he started mining in 1980 in Barangay Luklukan in Panganiban town, and made do to raise his seven children even though his eldest is 32 years old and the youngest is eight years old. Sapalaran said his spouse is a plain housewife while two of his children are already married so that four of his children are still dependent while one child is already working and helps the family. “I call on the government to allow us continue our mining activities because we do not destroy the environment unlike the large-scale mining that strips mountains of vegetation,” he said pointing to the verdant terrain where they mine by making tunnel in the mountain. But Guillermo Molina, MGB Bicol director, explained the CDO he issued against illegal mining activities on January 10, this year, was based on the Executive Order 79 and the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 7076 or the Small-Scale Mining Act. Molina said he the CDO he issued was not the first one because two previous MGB directors had issued the same years back. “The issuance of the CDO shows that we are doing activities not in line with the laws. I decided to enforce the CDO all over the province, especially in the towns where there are illegal mining activities like Paracale, Panganiban and Labo,” he said. Molina said he had forwarded the directive he issued against illegal mining activities to the local governments of the province, municipal and barangay in Camarines Norte and that he had deputized last week the municipal police of Labo and Panganiban while Paracale municipal police was deputized earlier. Maria Linda Yasis, 46, said the primary livelihood of her family is through subsistence mining so that if the government continues to prevent them from mining it is tantamount to “burying their family in the grave.” “We don’t even have steady income with the only livelihood (subsistence mining). When there is no gold we suffer, if we strike one our family is provided and we can send our kids to school,” Yasis said. She said through mining her eldest child was able to finish Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and her two high school students and four children are still in the elementary. Yasis said there are still six children who have to finish school. Gov. Edgardo A. Tallado said he sympathized with the subsistence miners who lost their livelihood since the CDO was enforced by the MGB without giving them alternative livelihood. “There were pending application at the MGB that won’t give them permits,” Tallado said. Molina said the permit for subsistence miners to get mining permit is through the Minahang Bayan which applications had been pending approval since 2010 and still under process. He said the biggest problem confronting the approval of the Minahang Bayan is the consent from mineral claimants under it which are usually the large-scale mining corporations with approved mineral claims in Camarines Norte. Molina said only one large-scale mining corporation, the Golden River, has consented to give their claim under the Minahang Bayan applied for in Paracale town. Serafin Dasco, president of the Samahan ng Magkakabod ng Paracale (Association of Subsistence Miners in Paracale), retorted that if the problem is the consent from mineral claimants, there must be period of prescription of the mineral claims once it is not used for a long period. Molina said there is prescription which is five years and after which the MGB can recommend for cancellation of the mineral claims but he said there are instances when the mineral claims cannot be cancelled because of pending review if it is under process renewal. He said all over the Philippines only seven Minahang Bayan had been approved 10 years after the Small-Scale Mining Act had been implemented. Molina said it will only be the secretary of the DENR who can reverse the CDO against small-scale mining in Camarines Norte or interested group can ask the court to grant them temporary restraining order while the processing of the Minahang Bayan is underway.