Mark Zuckerberg sues 100s of Hawaiians

Mark Zuckerberg

Mark Zuckerberg fired back at "misleading stories" about the 700 acres of Hawaiian property he paid $100 million for in a post on his Facebook page Thursday.

The Facebook CEO has filed quiet title actions in court against a few hundred Hawaiians who have partial legal-ownership claims to parcels of land sprinkled throughout his vacation estate on the island of Kauai.

The families who have been sued collectively inherited 14 parcels of land through the Kuleana Act, a Hawaiian law established in 1850 that for the first time gave natives the right to own the land that they lived on.

In his Facebook post, Zuckerberg said the lawsuits were simply a way to find the various owners, some of whom are descendants that have ownerships rights to 1/4% or 1% of a property and don't even know it. 

The so-called quiet title suits are designed to "find all these partial owners so we can pay them their fair share," Zuckerberg said.

"For most of these folks, they will now receive money for something they never even knew they had," he said. "No one will be forced off the land."

"We are working with a professor of native Hawaiian studies and long time member of this community, who is participating in this quiet title process with us," he continued. "It is important to us that we respect Hawaiian history and traditions."

Zuckerberg, his wife Priscilla Chan, and their daughter Max last vacationed on their Kauai property in December.

You can read Zuckerberg's full post from Thursday below:

ori

Story originally appeared on Yahoo

The U.S. Army on Thursday awarded Sig Sauer a contract worth $580 million on P320 handgun

Sig Sauer P320

The U.S. Army on Thursday awarded Sig Sauer a contract worth $580 million to make the next service pistol based on the company's P320 handgun.

Sig Sauer beat out Glock Inc., FN America and Beretta USA, the maker of the current M9 9mm service pistol, in the competition for the Modular Handgun System, or MHS, program.

"We are both humbled and proud that the P320 was selected by the U.S. Army as its weapon of choice," Ron Cohen, chief executive officer of Sig Sauer, said in a statement to Military.com here at SHOT Show, the world's largest gun show, taking place this week in the city.

"Securing this contract is a testimony to Sig Sauer employees, their commitment to innovation, quality and manufacturing the most reliable firearms in the world," Cohen added.

The Army launched its long-awaited XM17 MHS competition in late August 2015 to replace its Cold War-era M9 9mm pistol.

"By maximizing full and open competition across our industry partners, we have optimized private sector advancements in handguns, ammunition and magazines, and the end result will ensure a decidedly superior weapon system for our warfighters," Army Acquisition Executive Steffanie Easter said said in a press release.

One of the major goals of the effort was to adopt a pistol chambered for a more potent round than the current 9mm. The U.S. military replaced the .45 caliber 1911 pistol with the M9 in 1985 and began using the 9mm NATO round at that time.

In their statements, Army and Sig officials didn't specify what caliber the new Sig Sauer pistol will be.

Sig touts the P320 model product as "modular" and "adaptable," with interchangeable grips, multiple sizes and calibers that can be converted between 9mm, .357SIG and .40SGW. "From calibers, to pistol size, to the grip fit best suited for the shooter, the P320 is the most adaptable pistol available today," the company says in promotional materials.

Two sources confirmed to Military.com that Sig submitted to the Army .40-caliber and 9mm pistols for consideration. One source said the Army ultimately selected the 9mm version.

Shortly after the contract announcement, Sig officials celebrated here at  the show. Staff at the Sig Sauer booth set out champagne flutes for a celebratory toast.

The Army in December down-selected to two finalists for the competition: Sig and Glock, which had submitted its Glock 17 and Glock 19 models for consideration. Given the size of the contract, Glock is widely expected to protest the decision.

Brandie Collins, communications manager for Glock, said she had not been briefed on the contract award but wished the winners well.

Army officials informed Beretta USA and FN America at the show that they had been dropped from the competition in the recent down-select decision, according to a service source who is not authorized to speak to the press. But confusion reigned as reporters informed company officials of the Army's announcement.

The decision formally ends the Beretta's 30-year hold on the Army's sidearm market.

Gabrielle de Plano, vice president of Beretta Defense Technologies marketing and operations, said staff were still reading through the contract announcement to fully understand it.

"It's going to have to be a no comment from us for now," he said.

Beretta has fought hard to remain to remain the Army's pistol maker. In December 2014, Beretta USA submitted its modernized M9A3 as a possible alternative to the Army's Modular Handgun System program.

But the Army rejected the improved M9A3, which featured new sights, a rail for mounting lights and accessories, better ergonomics and improved reliability. The company, however, wasn't finished yet. It developed a new striker-fired pistol, the APX, and entered it into the competition.

Kristina DeMilt, public relations for FN, said officials at the show hadn't been informed of the award and were not immediately prepared to comment.

The Army began working with the small arms industry on Modular Handgun System in early 2013, but the joint effort has been in the works for more than five years. It could result in the Defense Department buying nearly 500,000 new pistols.

Current plans call for the Army to purchase more than 280,000 handguns, according to Program Executive Office Soldier officials. The Army also plans to buy approximately 7,000 sub-compact versions of the handgun.

The other military services participating in the program may order an additional 212,000 systems above the Army quantity.

"As MHS moves forward into operational testing, the due diligence taken by all of the stakeholders will ensure a program that remains on-budget and on-schedule," Easter said.

Lawmakers may be eager to hear such an assessment.

During last week's confirmation hearing for retired Marine Gen. James Mattis to become defense secretary in the Trump administration, Republican Sens. Joni Ernst of Iowa and Thom Tillis of North Carolina took turns criticizing what they described as an overly bureaucratic effort, with technical requirements totaling several hundred pages.

This article originally appeared on Military.com

The Fallacy of #CoryLeaks

In The Opinion column of the online 'newspaper' written by Carlos Munda, he made a headline that is sure to make traffic to his particular article tip to his favor. The Headlines as shown below "Declassified CIA Document reveals Cory Aquino's 1989 request for US "airstrikes" against Filipino soldiers." Which is not only unsubstantiated, but if you read further down the line on the document he published from the CIA declassified document, it clearly is the "The Los Angeles Times and the Wahington Post reported last weekend that the Aquino government asked for air strikes but the US officials refused because of political risk in killing Filipinos" Ramos told that the request is "in very general terms" as he puts it in his words.

Further more, he did not include the December 1,1989 document, which is also in that CIA library of declassified information. in which it should also be considered because he is not making a commentary and opinion on the "current events" but on the history that was made already. It is a fallacy to conclude one's action based on a single document alone. I call it irresponsible and biased view of things to favor his agenda. 

In the December 1 document, merely three days before the document he published and commented on, it says 

" The situation in Manila continues to be fluid. Press reporting indicated that rebel helicopter gunships have bombed Constabulary Headquarters at Camp Crame and AFP Headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo, and Cavite Naval Base is reportedly in rebel hands" 

This kind of situation should also be considered on his op-ed section since the report on the document which he refers to is after this event. Further it was said that the Australian, Canadian, Spanish and French governments have all issued strong statements of support. 

If you were the president at that time and almost all your army and navy strong holds are attacked and subjected to the rebel hands, what will you do then? Resign? and surrender it to the rebel? or ask the help of those willing to help you on the matters? Will you stand or just clip your wings? I do believe that the action on that matter by the late President is an action she deemed that time to be the best action she and his (remaining) generals can come up with. 

His kind of op-ed is therefore a biased reporting and not a good sign of being a good reporter on that matter by not diving deeper into the issues discussed. 

The bad side of this is that people mostly just read the headlines that you write  and if is somehow "catchy" and "controversial" and "conspiracy theory" people of the Philippines will love that story especially the facebook page of Ms Mocha Uson blog which has something like 4 Million followers who some of them blindly follow her lead as a "news source" but it is clear on her page that she is indeed not a journalist!

I implore all the journalist to be responsible for the op-ed they publish as to not damage people just for the sake of readership of their post. 

Final words. BE RESPONSIBLE IN YOUR REPORT.

Quest to save the Calumpang River in Batangas City

The Philippines passed a law Republic Act No. 9275 which is also known as "Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004". This law was signed and approved by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on March 22, 2004. It states:

The Mandate is clearly to protect bodies of water from pollution and to create a national Sewerage and septage management program as well as Domestic sewage Collection, Treatment and Disposal with the help of LGU, DPWH, DOH and other concerned agencies, shall emply septage or combined sewerage-septage management stystem.

The DOH was tasked to lead, with coordination with other government agencies, to formulate guidelines and standards for the collection, treatment and disposal of sewage including guidelines for the establishment and operation of centralized sewage treatment system.

Local government units shall share the responsibility in the management and improvement of water quality within their territorial jurisdictions.
Each local government unit shall within six (6) months after the establishment of the water quality management area action plan prepare a compliance scheme in, accordance thereof, subject to review and approval of the governing board.
Each local government unit shall, through its Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) established in Republic Act No.7160, have the following powers and functions:
a) Monitoring of water quality;
b) Emergency response;
c) Compliance with the framework of the Water Quality Management Action Plan;
d) To take active participation in all efforts concerning water quality protection and rehabilitation; and
e) To coordinate with other government agencies and civil society and the concerned sectors in the implementation of measures to prevent and control water pollution: Provided, however, That in provinces/cities/municipalities where there are no environment and natural resources officers, the local executive concerned may, with the approval of the Secretary of the DENR designate any of his official and/or chief of office preferably the provincial, city or municipal agriculturist, or any of his employee: Provided, finally, That in case an employee is designated as such, he must have sufficient experience in environmental and natural resources management, conservation and utilization.

That being said, the following problems like the one in the picture below, should be addressed to ENRO and local government should formulate the Sewage Collection, Treatment and Disposal of the said pollutant, which if left unsolved and un attended will eventually flow into the Calumpang river and will further damage the river. 

Courtesy: Sandy Fondevilla (FB post)

Courtesy: Sandy Fondevilla (FB post)

Mayor Beverley of Batangas City should spearhead the initiative of giving the people of Batangas a cleaner River by allocating time and energy to study and further acquire the necessary land and facilities for the implementation of a much more centralized waste water management in the City of Batangas - not only in Poblacion but the whole City which discharges all the effluents and waste into a single river system.

It is just a matter of time before the fate of Pasig River be repeated in the Batangas City itself. 

Let us protect the environment not just by planting trees, but also cleaning up the waste water that we use before discharging it to the river. 

Most of you don't think that the simple bath soap that you use is harmful to river fish if it is left untreated. The more amount the soaps and oils and other human wastes that we discharges to the river directly, the more the environment becomes polluted. 

Let us all help and save the water from pollution. Water and air are the basic human needs - save them. 

#SaveCalumpang

Here's how to combat the "sangla ATM"? and How to Attract people to Open a Bank Account

Based on the BSP, 86% of the population does not have a bank account. BSP cited several reasons why Filipino does not have a bank account: No need for account, bank is too far, can't manage the account, service charge is too high.

The most common collateral for loans, based on the same survey, includes ATM card (40%), land title ( 23%), appliances (12%), car (8%) and crops (6%).

A typical Php 10,000 loan from the locally known as "sangla ATM" or payday loans, will require a payback of $12,000 in 4 months time - which is 20% interest.

It is indeed a lucrative business that attracts more and more people with money to lend. Two men operating their business in this model said that the money they should have earned in a typical work in a company for eight years, they just earn the same amount in less than a year. 

Financial Inclusion
The real challenge, according to Rosabel Guerrero, the director of Department of Economic Statistics at Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is how the government can include millions of Filipinos in formal banking system in the country.





Source: ABS-CBN

Opinion

Since getting a bank loan requires a lot paper works which an ordinary Filipino doesn't even posses. Some of the ridiculous bank requirement to open an account is atleast two ID with photo. Most of the citizen just have one ID in their purse - that is Voter's ID of they are voting. 
So where the hell are they going to get another ID with photo? 
An ID issued by government should be sufficient to prove your identity.

Plus there are minimum amount which a person has to maintain in order for him.her to open an account as you can see on the table below.

Peso savings account in BDO

Once you did not met the required Monthly Average Daily Balance (MADB) - which is very high for some citizen since those balance will stay in the bank and cannot be withdrawn unless you have a deposit that will make the average equal to atleast Php 2,000. or else a fee of Php 300 will be deducted automatically to your account. in just about a span of 6 months, all your Php 2,000 will be gone if you left it in the bank untouched. So why do you have to save in the bank in the first place?

There is also this MADB minimum deposit to earn interest. For the said Prime Savers - it amounts to Php 5,000. You need to reach that number before an interest can be paid into your account. 

The simple question for ordinary people is: If they have Php 4,000 in their pocket - are they going to open a savings account knowing that it is a hassle to do so and there is no incentive of doing so since the money won't earn interest?

The only solution to the problem I think is to remove all those ridiculous fee on savings and reduce the "MDAB to earn interest" be the same as the MDAB. 

This should be the line that will determine whether your money is earning or not. If it falls below this line, you cannot earn interest - but will not give you penalty in keeping the account active to save you some hassle of closing the account if it falls below, and then opening another account once they have enough savings to do so. It's a hassle to do that, and most of the time - they won't even come back to open another.

ATM  loaners can be combated by the bank by offering the ATM holders of that particular bank the same service that the "Sangla ATM" operator is offering - only that they have the advantage since the payments passes thru their systems and networks, so they can easily monitor the funds (sweldo) and thus have an upper hand here, combined with a lower interest rate for the loans.

To put it simply... make the bank requirements SIMPLE and making loans to bank SIMPLE.

The Health Benefits of Guava Leaf Tea

The young leaves of the guava plant are used in traditional medicine in tropical countries. These leaves contain a number of beneficial substances, including antioxidants like vitamin C and flavonoids such as quercetin. Drinking a tea made by soaking guava leaves in hot water may be beneficial in treating diarrhea, lowering cholesterol and preventing diabetes.

Guava leaves and Fruits

  

Diarrhea

Guava leaf tea may help to inhibit a variety of diarrhea-causing bacteria. People with diarrhea who drink this type of tea may experience fewer stools, less abdominal pain, less watery stools and a quicker recovery, according to Drugs.com. A study published in the "Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo" in 2008 found that guava-leaf extracts inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which is a common cause of diarrhea.

High Cholesterol

Drinking guava leaf tea may cause beneficial changes in your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Study participants who drank guava leaf tea had lower total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein levels and triglycerides after eight weeks whether or not they were receiving medical treatment to lower their cholesterol levels, according to an article published in "Nutrition & Metabolism" in February 2010. Their levels of beneficial high-density lipoprotein were not affected. Other trials have shown similar benefits, with study lengths ranging from four weeks to 12 weeks and doses ranging from 0.4 to 1 kilogram per day, according to Drugs.com.

Diabetes

Japan has approved guava leaf tea as one of the Foods for Specified Health Uses to help with the prevention and treatment of diabetes. Compounds in the tea inhibit the absorption of two types of sugars, maltose and sucrose, helping to control blood sugar levels after meals. The article published in "Nutrition & Metabolism" described two studies showing this effect. The first study showed the short-term benefits, as participants who drank guava leaf tea after consuming white rice had decreases in blood sugar that were greater after 30 minutes, 90 minutes and 120 minutes than when the same study participants ate the same amount of white rice followed by drinking hot water. In the second, longer-term study participants with either prediabetes or mild Type 2 diabetes who drank guava leaf tea with every meal for 12 weeks had lower fasting blood-sugar levels than before they started drinking the tea.

Considerations

Studies showing the benefits of guava leaf tea are still preliminary, and more evidence is needed to verify the beneficial effects found by the few existing studies. However, there are no well-documented adverse effects or drug interactions with guava leaf tea. Pregnant women may want to avoid drinking this type of tea, as there isn't sufficient evidence about its safety at this time.

Is Trump playing the Taiwan card against China?

China Flag map. PRC and ROC Taiwan

China will "take off the gloves" and take strong action if U.S. President-elect Donald Trump continues to provoke Beijing over Taiwan once he assumes office, two leading state-run newspapers said on Monday.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal published on Friday, Trump said the "One China" policy was up for negotiation. China's foreign ministry, in response, said "One China" was the foundation of China-U.S. ties and was non-negotiable.

Trump broke with decades of precedent last month by taking a congratulatory telephone call from Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, angering Beijing which sees Taiwan as part of China.

"If Trump is determined to use this gambit in taking office, a period of fierce, damaging interactions will be unavoidable, as Beijing will have no choice but to take off the gloves," the English-language China Daily said.

The Global Times, an influential state-run tabloid, echoed the China Daily, saying Beijing would take "strong countermeasures" against Trump's attempt to "impair" the "One China" principle.

"The Chinese mainland will be prompted to speed up Taiwan reunification and mercilessly combat those who advocate Taiwan's independence," the paper said in an editorial.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said the United States was clearly aware of China's position on "One China".

There are reasons to believe that the Trump administration, once sworn in the office this coming friday, 20th January 2017,  will use every card it has to force China to "play by the rules" by not manipulating their currency, a fair trade agreement between two nations, and the escalating tention in South China Sea, in which China is building artificial islands in the cluster within the EEZ (exclusive Economic Zone - 200 nautical miles) of the Philippines. Which the UN Tribunal already ruled in favor of the Philippines.

Taiwan and it's Independence

Taipei, Taiwan - Taipei 101 in the view.

Ms. Tsai had riled China with a historic phone call to Mr. Trump after his election. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal on Friday, Mr. Trump said he wasn’t committed to the 1979 agreement in which the U.S. effectively pledged to not recognize Taiwan as a separate country. ‪


President-Elect Trump’s congratulatory phone call with Tsai Ing-wen was the first time a president-elect, or president, has spoken to a Taiwan leader since 1979. The long gap was the result of the ‘One China Policy." as wsj reports.



              

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said on Sunday her trip to Central American allies and transit stops in the United States had elevated the island's international profile, as China hit back at U.S. President-elect Donald Trump for his remarks on the "one China" policy.

Beijing was also upset that Tsai was allowed to stop over in the United States on the arrival and departure legs of her trip to Central America the past two weekends, which it saw as a potential breach of the "one China" policy.

Under the nearly four-decade old policy, the United States has acknowledged China's position that there is only one China and Taiwan is part of China. It has formal ties with China rather than the island of Taiwan, which China sees as a breakaway province to be reunified with the mainland one day.

"Our first objective (of this trip), was to consolidate our state friendships and allow Taiwan to walk on the international stage," Tsai said at Taiwan's international airport upon arrival on Sunday night.

She said she had bilateral talks with four heads of state in Central America. "We also grasped the opportunity during our short transit time in the United States to visit industries and talk with important people in America," Tsai said.

U.S. officials had said Tsai's transit stops were based on long-standing U.S. practice and Tsai's office had characterized her meetings on U.S. soil as private and unofficial. Reuters.

The PRC considers Taiwan as break-away province that oneday someday will be reunited with the mainland, but most of the people in Taiwan want to see their independence and be recognized as one nation. 

Taiwan, in 8th of August 2001, re-initiate the campaign to enter the United Nations; which the china opposed.

Here, we can see a nation trying it's hard to be recognized in the world as one nation.

National Living Treasures (Manlilikha ng bayan)

Last January 6, 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte, through Proclamation 126, named three "National Living Treasures" otherwise known as "Manlilikha ng Bayan". The thre persons named are: Yabing Masalon Dulo, Ambalang Ausalin, and Estelita Tumandan Bantilan.

Courtesy of http://cctmalungon.blogspot.com/

Yabing Masalon Dulo. A B'laan ikat weaver from Mount Matutum, Polomolok, South Cotabato. She is recognized for her commitment to the safeguarding and promotion of the B'laan Mabal tabih (ikat weaving) tradition.

Yabing Masalon Dulo photo by Rappler/Edwin Espejo

A Rappler story by Edwin Espejo published October 21, 2014 showcased her work as a master weaver. Her children says she is 95 years old but probably younger than her proclaimed age, nevertheless she is slowly loosing her steps because of her eyes is always watery - a sign of aging.

Unlike other traditional spinners, B'laan uses strans of abaca fiber, joined them patienly by hand and use no spinning wheel - all done by hand.

A purist artist. She can't bear to see commercial looms added to the weaving process. "No, that is not what I taught them to do. My design was wasted because they put the red and white bands in it and very small Tabih design replaced," She told to her grandniece Josephine "Arjo" Turner, a half B'laan married to an American living in Atlanta.

The name "B'laan" is coined from the root word "bla"meaning "opponent" and "an" a suffix meaning "people".

Tabih is a B'laan word for the finished hand woven cloth. It has a hefty price tag depending on the intricacy of the design. It is said that a single piece of tabih is more that enough for a dowry and also can be used as blood money according the the Landan village chief Jerry Ante.

for further reading: click here

Ambalang Ausalin a Yakan tapestry weaver from Lamitan, Basilan, is recognized for her commitment to the safeguarding and promotion of the Yakan tennun (tapestry weaving) tradition.

Mindanawon weavers shocasing Mindanao fabrics photo courtesy of RD Nelly Dillera

Estelita Tumandan Bantilan. a B'laan mat weaver from Malapatan, Sarangani, is recognized for her commitment to the safeguarding and promotion of the B'laan igem (mat weaving) tradition.

The three are presented with a specially designed medallion, an initial grant of Php 100,000 and a Php 14,000 lifetime stipend per month. They will also receive a maximum cummulative amount of Php 750,000 worth of medical and hospitalization benefits as well as funeral assistance.

Other Mindanawons awarded with the Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan include Kutyapi musician Samaon Sulaiman of Mamasapano, Maguindanao in 1993, tinalak weaver Lang Dulay of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato in 1998, ikat/inabal weaver Salinta Monon of Bansalan, Davao del Sur in 1998, kulinatang, kwitangan, kayu, gabbang, agung, and tuntungan musician Uwang Ahadas of Lamitan, Basilan in 2000, pis yabit weaver Darhata Sawabi of Parang, Sulu in 2004, and mat weaver Haja Amina Appi of Tandubas, Tawi-Tawi in 2004.

Source: Mindanaotimes

UN Arbitral Tribunal ruling on Mischief Reef (Panganiban reef)

Mischief reef, also known as Panganiban Reef is a reef in the Spratlys Islands in South China Sea - west of Philippines.  It is approximately 128 nautical miles from the island of Palawan, Philippines.

Here are some pictures that will show how close this one is to to Palawan, and yet China is still claiming it as their own - even the UN ruled in favor of Philippines.

Ruling on the Michief Reef by the UN - in favor of Philippines

Approximate distance of Michief Reef courtesy of Google Earth.

200 Natical Mile line 

In just a span of a little over three years, China has managed to change the landscape of the reef.

From a natural habitat and sanctuary of fish and other creatures of the sea into a military outpost.

The Natural landsape of the reef - 2015 from Google Earth

Military with airstrip - 04/2016 by Google Earth

According th NYTimes report published in October 27, 2015, China (that time) was creating seven new islet in the region

From that report until now, they did manage to create islands from the submerged reefs. 

Now that the US has a strong stance on the matter, A chinese tabloid now says the the US needs to "wage war" to block off South China Sea islands. This is a response to the hearing for confirmation of Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State. Obama administration previously conducted  air and naval patrols to assert the right of free navigation in the South China Sea. This angered Beijing, but seeking to blockade China's man-made islands would be a major step further and a step that Washington has never raised as an option. 

Japan researchers warn of fingerprint theft from 'peace' sign

Hand Peace Sign

Research by a team at Japan's National Institute of Informatics (NII) says so, raising alarm bells over the popular two-fingered pose.

 Fingerprint recognition technology is becoming widely available to verify identities, such as when logging on to smartphones, tablets and laptop computers.

But the proliferation of mobile devices with high quality cameras and social media sites where photographs can be easily posted is raising risk of personal information being leaked., report said.

The NII researchers were able to copy finger prints based on photos taken by a digital camera three meters away (nine feet) from the subject.

"Just by casually making apeace sign in front of the camera, fingerprints can become widely available," NII reseracher Isao Echizen told the Sankei Shimbun newspaper for an article published monday.

"Finger print data can be recreated if fingerprints are in focus with strong lighting in a picture," Echizen also told Yomiuri TV

source

The end of 80 year old FM Radio standard (Starting in Norway)

Norway, which is a large nation in Scandinavian Peninsula, which has 5 million inhabitants spread in a vast area mostly mountainous slopes, is set to become the first nation in the world to switch off the FM radio network as we know it. But without opposition. Critics says the government is rushing the move that will leave many people unable to hear the emergency warning signs unless they upgraded and buy the DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) receiver - which intends to replace the traditional FM radio signal. DAB system can carry 8 channel in single frequency, thus more choices and less costly than broadcasting in traditional FM frequency. The running of concurrent system which cost each  about 250 million krone ( 29 million USD) each drains investment in programs.
The system that was introduced in 1950s.

The plan of shutting it down starts January 11 and starts in the northern city of Bodo. It is anticipated that by end of the year all the FM broadcast will shutdown in favor of DAB.

Switzerland plans a similar shift in 2020. U.K. and Denmark are considering the switch as well. 

Source: cbc.ca

courtesy of Flickr

New species of gibbon discovered in China

The Guardian reported a newly recognized species given the name "Skywalker hoolock gibbon" the the team of scientist who are Star Wars fan. The name also is a nod to  Chinese character "hoolock tianxing" means "Heaven Movement"

It was dicovered in living in the south-west of China's rain forests.

Dr. Sam Turvey of the Zoological Soceity of London, who was part of the team studying the apes, told the BBC News: " In this area, so many species have declines or gone extinct because of habitat loss, hunting and general overhuman population. So it's an absolute privilege to see something as special and as rare as a gibbon in a canopy in a Chinese rainforest, and especially when it turns out that the gibbons are actually a new species previously un recognized by science."

It is indeed a remarkable discovery on today's world where we almost explore every corner of the planet. Complete story here.

A female Hoolock tianxing gibbon, a newly discovered species in Yunnan, China. Photograph: Fan Pengfei/ZSL

Does Batangas City need to be 105 Barangays?

(Tagalog version below)

The 2017 election for the Barangay is coming this October 23,  2017 that was supposedly held last October 31, 2016 [source: comelec]
 
Barangay is the smallest of the Local Government Units which can be further subdivided into sitios and puroks but those divisions do not have leaders elected in formal elections supervised by the national government. A barangay Executive is the Punong Barangay or Captain and it's legislature is Sanguniaang Barangay composed of Barangay captain and Barangay Kagawad and the SK chairman. [1]



As the basic political unit, the Barangay serves as the primary planning and implementing unit of government policies, plans, programs, projects, and activities in the community, and as a forum wherein the collective views of the people may be expressed, crystallized and considered, and where disputes may be amicably settled. [2]


Do we need 105 Barangays in Batangas City?

Batangas City composed of 105 Barangays which twenty four of them are in the Poblacion. Batangas province alone is composed of 1,078 barangays, next only to Quezon Province in region IV-A cluster of provinces.




There are about two dependent persons in every voter in the city which was based on the 2015 national census data of Batangas City Population which amounts to 329,874 people (of which 147,363 are voters). A ratio of 2.25:1.

LGU Code states:

Sec 385. Barangay may be created, divided, merged, abolished, or its boundary substantially altered, by law or by an ordinance of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan or Sangguniang Panlungsod, subject to approval by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite to be conducted by the Comelec in the local government unit or units directly affected within such period of time as may be determined by the law or ordinance creating said Barangay. In the case of the creation of Barangays by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the recommendation of the Sangguniang Bayan concerned shall be necessary. [3]

Sec 386 A Barangay maybe created out of a contiguous territory which has a population of at least two thousand (2,000) inhabitants as certified by the National Statistics Office except in cities and municipalities within Metro Manila and other metropolitan political subdivisions or in highly urbanized cities where such territory shall have a certified population of at least five thousand(5,000) inhabitants: Provided, That the creation thereof shall not reduce the population of the original Barangay or Barangays to less than the minimum requirement prescribed herein.

I gathered the data from the last May 2016 election results and tabulated it below. I ranked it based on the numbers of voters in that particular barangay.
As you can see on the table I provided, there are areas where there are a lot of people/voters like the Santa Rita Karsada which has 7,081 voters and Alangilan which has 5,760 voters; which equates only to one barangay captain each. Compared to Barangay 15 which has 149 voters with also one barangay captain.
Thus by just doing the ratio of the captain to the voters, it is unfair to the other constituents of the city.

If we further examine the table below, I highlighted some barangays in poblacion that has low vote counts. These are Barangays 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 22. These Barangays can be then combined if contiguous just like barangay 2&3, 8&9, 16 & 17, etc...

Based on the LGU code of creating a barangay, a creation of it requires a population of atleast 2,000. if we use the numbers of voters to the ratio of population which is 2.25:1 , we can assume that the population on those barangays I mentioned only amount to at most 915 people - which is less than the required population to be a barangay.


Services and the supposedly the role of the barangay captain to his contituents which includes serves as the primary planning and implementing unit of government policies, plans, programs, projects, and activities in the community; are suffering. This primary function and intent of the law creating the barangays as the smallest political subdivision is on the brink of collapsing because of the inequality and weight to represent each person to express, crystallize and considered is in jeopardy. Now it is the time to re-balance. It's time to hear the neglected.


I am calling all the Sangguniang Panglungsod to initiate and further study the proposed re-evaluation of the barangay limits within it's jurisdiction for the betterment of the whole Batangas City populace - not just a few lucky ones who has the same budget but lesser constituents. It's time to revisit the boundaries.

Source: comelec

Based on the last 2016 National Election

Ang Batangas City ay binubuo ng 105 na barangay, 24 dito ay nasa poblacion. Ang probinsya ng Batangas mismo ay binubuo ng 1,078 barangay, pangalawa laang sa probinsya ng quezon sa region padamihan ng barangay sa buong cluster ng region IV-A.

Ayon sa istatistika nuong 2015 census, ang Batangas City ay may populasyon na 329,874 ( 147,363 duon ay mga botante) sa makatwid, 2.25:1 ang ratio.

Ang 2017 Barangay eleksyon ay gaganapin sa october 23, 2017, na sana ay ginanap nuong nakaraang October 31, 2016

Ang Barangay ay ang pinakamaliit na yunit ng Lokal Government na pwede pang hatiin sa sitio at purok, ngunit ang mga iyon ay walang leader na pormal na inihalal ng tao na may patnubay ng national government. Ang punong ehekutibo ay and Punong Barangay o Kapitan at taga gawa ng batas ay ang Sangguniang Barangay na kinabibilangan ng Kapitan, Kagawad, at ng SK Chairman.

Bilang isang pulitikal na yunit, ang pangunahing tungkulin ng barangay ay ang pagplano at pagpapatupad ng polisiya ng gobyerno, plano, programa, proyekto, at aktibidad ng kumunidad, at nagsisilbing palitan ng kuro kuro at iba pang pangkalahatang idea ng mga tao ay maiparating, magawa, at mai kunsidera, at kung saan ang mga alitan ay mapayapang masolusyunan.

Nakuha ko ang data mula sa huling Mayo 2016 mga resulta ng halalan at tabulated ito sa ibaba. niraranggo ko ito batay sa mga numero ng mga botante sa mga partikular na barangay.Tulad ng iyong nakikita sa table, may mga lugar kung saan may mga maraming tao / botante tulad ng Santa Rita Karsada na may 7081 mga botante at Alangilan na may 5760 mga botante; na may isang barangay captain sa bawat isa. Kung ikukumpara sa Barangay 15 kung saan ay may 149 botante na may isa  ring barangay kapitan.Kaya sa pamamagitan lamang ng ratio ng kapitan sa mga botante, ito ay hindi makatarungan sa iba pang mga constituents sa bayan.Kung higit pang suriin ang mga talahanayan sa ibaba, naka-highlight  ilang mga barangay sa poblacion na may mababang bilang ng boto. Ang mga ito ay Barangay 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 at 22. Ang mga Barangay ay maaaring pagsamahin kung magkadikit katulad ng barangay 2 & 3, 8 & 9, 16 & 17, etc ...Batay sa mga LGU code ng paglikha ng isang barangay, isang paglikha ng mga ito ay nangangailangan ng isang populasyon na atleast 2,000. kung gagamitin natin ang mga numero ng mga botante sa ratio ng populasyon na kung saan ay 2.25: 1, maaari naming ipagpalagay na ang populasyon sa mga barangay ng nabanggit ko ay hindi hihigit sa 915 mga tao - na kung saan ay mas mababa kaysa sa kinakailangang populasyon para maging isang barangay.Serbisyo at papel ng barangay captain sa kanyang contituents na kinabibilangan naglilingkod bilang pangunahing pagpaplano at pagpapatupad ng yunit ng mga patakaran ng pamahalaan, mga plano, programa, proyekto, at mga gawain sa komunidad; ay napapariwara. Ito pangunahing function at layunin ng batas paglikha ng barangay bilang pinakamaliit  na subdibisyon pampulitika ay nasa bingit ng pagbagsak. Dahil sa hindi pagkakapareho ng bigat ng kumatawan sa bawat tao upang ipahayag, gawing kristal at i konsidera ay nasa panganib. Ngayon ito ay ang oras upang muling balanse. Panahon na upang marinig ang napapabayaan.

Aking tatawagin ang lahat ng Sangguniang Panglungsod upang simulan at karagdagang pag-aralan ang ipinanukalang muling pagsusuri ng mga limit ng barangay sa loob ng nasasakupan para sa ikabubuti ng buong mamamayan sa Batangas City  - hindi lamang ng ilang mga masuwerteng mga bago kung sino ang may ang parehong badyet ngunit higit na maliit constituents.