By AMIELA SINGCO-BALABA

JAGNA – Mayor Fortunato Abrenilla, Vice Mayor Exuperio Lloren and MLGOO Lito Dajalos distributed the 150 pesos one time aid to 212 Jagna motorela operators last June 14. The aid was the Public Transport Assistance Program (PTAP) – Pantawid Pasada of President Benigno S. Aquino III through the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is an urgent intervention to mitigate the impact of the constant increase in the price of fuel. The Pantawid Pasada beneficiaries are legitimate motorela franchise holders from the Land Transportation and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and which have valid and updated registration with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and with the LGU-Jagna. The assistance to motorela operators totally comes from the PTAP. The one-month distribution of the PTAP will be monitored by the Department of Energy (DOE) who will recommend if the program will be continued or scrapped.

DENR: Win-win solution to Pandanon beachfront row

A “win-win” solution to the beachfront row between island residents/officials and a developer in the island barangay of Pandanon in Getafe town is the key to settle the dispute, said an official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The official, whose identity is withheld since his proposal is unofficial yet, said that the developer should give in to the barangay folks since the family has already developed a portion of the island with white sand beaches now being frequented by visitors direct from Cebu. As tourism booms, islanders and their officials and the Ouano family of this six-hectare island barangay of Pandanon, Getafe, locked horns to possess a certain portion of the white sand beach that is now attracting foreign visitors from Cebu and other places. Earlier, the officials questioned the approval of Getafe Municipal Resolution No 82, series of 2009, endorsing the application for foreshore lease of a certain Mr. Antonio Ouano, Sr.

In their petition dated April 26, 2009 signed by 707 residents, the islanders asked the Talibon based Community Environment Natural Resources Office headed by Officer-in-charge CENRO Alejandro Estopa to look into Ouano’s application for foreshore lease. This in effect prompted Pandanon officials to pass on April 11, 2009 a Resolution “opposing the foreshore lease application (FLA) of Mary M. Ouano adjacent to approved FLA (VII-2)  615 of Ernesto C. Ouano Sr. at barangay Pandanon, Getafe, Bohol and any other application involving the same family.” The petition was addressed to the DENR, Department of Tourism, tourism committee chairs of the House and Senate, including former Mayor Theresa P. M. Camacho. But he said that the said endorsement dated April 27, 2009 was received by Sangguniang Bayan office on May 5, 2009 since SB Resolution 82, series of 2009 was already passed.

The SB was then chaired by then Vice-Mayor and now incumbent Mayor Cary Camacho, son of the former mayor. The barangay officials raised the concern whether or not the barangay folks must be consulted prior to the approval of the SB Resolution No. 82, series of 2009. The Ouano family represented by municipal councilor Antonio Ouano asked the DENR to give priority in approving their FLA because the Ouanos has been there on the island applying for FLA since 1980s. The Ouanos who operate a beach resort here said that with the tourism becoming a boom in the area they are able to provide job opportunities to the local residents. The case is now pending at the DENR office. (RVO)