The Vaunted P625.4-M Budget of Bayambang

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

BAYAMBANG, Pangasinan – This first class burgeoning town ticks compared to her counterparts in many parts of the country.

Her annual budget (AB) is P625, 493, 399.09 for this year while most of the first class towns could only chalk-up more or less three hundred million pesos.

The continues spike of this local government unit (LGU) finances under the stewardship of corporate icon Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao was due to his good governance’s zero corruption tolerance since he became the top executive of the public corporation in 2016.

"Because the corporations of the family of the Mayor pay their taxes here," Alfe Soriano, a vice mayoralty aspirant of Malasiqui - the most populated first class town in Pangasinan – quipped in Filipino to this writer when the latter could not hide his appreciation to the feats and performances of the LGU during Quiambao’s State of the Municipality Address (SOMA) held recently at the Balon Bayambang Events Center.

Soriano cited that Mayor Quiambao is his idol in governance because he was not corrupt. “Hindi sya corrupt at very transparent. Inuuna ang kapakanan ng kanyang constituents at ang visions niya for Bayambang ay nakakalula. I wish we can do that too sa Malasiqui (He is not corrupt and he is very transparent. He prioritizes the welfare of his constituents and his visions for the town are awesome. I wish we can do that too in Malasiqui),” he reacted.

Upon the motioned by Majority Floor Leader Amory Junio to suspend the rules, the Sangguniang Bayan (Legislature) allowed the Mayor to deliver his SOMA before members of the SB, municipal and village officials, and other guests.

Quiambao, the former top executives of the family controlled Stradom and Land Registration Systems, Inc, cited the following salient accomplishments of his six years in office under the theme’s Visionary Leadership and Transformational Governance.

Under the “Responsible Financial Administration”, the Mayor cited the top five corporate taxpayers of the 77 villages’ 118,205 populated (2015 Census) town that paid their business and real property taxes here:

Top 1. Stradom (IT Solution for Real Change) : P63, 578, 488.04; Top 2. Land Registration Systems, Inc. : P39, 860, 018.05; Top 3. AIL & FS: P4, 863, 211.23; Top 4. Jollibee: P1, 551, 811.39; Top 5: P1,450,722.72.

Creation of the City of Bayambang

He cited Resolution No. 1, series of 2021: “Resolution Requesting the Honorable Deputy Speaker Rose Marie “Baby” Arenas to File a House Bill for the Enactment of a Republic Act Converting the Municipality of Bayambang into Component City of the Province of Pangasinan to be known as the City of Bayambang.

“Bayambang has passed some of the requirements to become a city (annual income, land area, competitiveness), so if it gets approved, our town will be formally called City of Bayambang,” he cited.

Increase in Registered Businesses

Number of Business Registration from year 2018 to year 2021:

2018 2019 2020 2021 (1st Quarter)

New - 359 New – 262 New – 417 New- 141

Renew – 1,113 Renew- 1,144 Renew – 1,163 Renew - 979

TOTAL : 1,472 1,406 1,580 1,120

Increase in Revenue

Year Revenue

2019 P408, 981, 311.95

2020 483, 028, 491.29

Taxation and Property Assessment

Massive Tax IEC Continues

Quiambao said that the town’s massive revenue campaign continues to change the mindset of Bayambanguenos about paying the right taxes such as land or real property. “Among the topics discussed were Tax Education Campaign and Appraisal of Land and Buildings, and Appraisal of Commercial Establishments. Owners’ copies of Tax Declaration were distributed onsite to residents who paid their taxes,” he stressed.

The Assessor’s Office, he added, conveyed the positive message about paying the right taxes – which it is in accordance with the law, that it is only proper as this town’s contribution as Filipino citizens, and that taxes end in good hands and result in projects beneficial to the community.

Re-Igniting Tourism, Culture, and Arts Affairs

After seven months, the colossal Guinness World Records' tallest bamboo sculpture Vincent Ferrer Statue prayer place was reopened on October 8 for devotees and tourists, although it was limited to residents of the province of Pangasinan. All visitors were reminded to strictly observe all public heath protocols to keep the prayer safe. The reopening signaled the rebirth of the tourism sector, giving hope to those who were badly affected by the pandemic restrictions.

Soon to Rise: Julius K. Quiambao Medical and Wellness Center

A focus on Health for all especially the Undeserved.

A private tertiary hospital project of Mayor Quiambao’s family is the Julius K. Quiambao Medical and Wellness Center in Brgy. Ligue. It is expected to serve the pressing health needs of patients in the region.

Streamlined Procurement Process

As part of the LGU-Bayambang policy on transparency and accountability, the government’s latest procurement process was implemented by the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC). The new process is expected to expedite the acquisition of the local government unit supplies and services in accordance with the procurement law and realize big savings.

Anti-Corruption Drive Intensified

“Isumbong Mo Kay Mayor Quiambao!”

Corruption and bribery are strictly prohibited in Bayambang. Should there be such an incident, the public is advise to report it to Mayor Quiambao through these hot lines: #4357, 633-2977, or 0919-613-14-60

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How Other Mayors Create Economics Opportunities to People

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MORTZ C. ORTIGOZA

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I am a twenty years seasoned Op-Ed Political Writer in various newspapers and Blogger exposing government corruptions, public officials's idiocy and hypocrisies, and analyzing local and international issues. I have a master’s degree in Public Administration and professional government eligibility. I taught for a decade Political Science and Economics in universities in Metro Manila and cities of Urdaneta, Pangasinan and Dagupan. Follow me on Twitter @totoMortz or email me at totomortz@yahoo.com.

Pilots of the Ill-Fated C-130 Blame for Soldiers' Death

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

I have fondness about the military cargo plane C-130 Hercules manufactured by Lockheed Martin because I have been riding it countless of times when I was a kid and a teenager.

This every time my Air Force father had R & R (soldier’s jargon on Rest & Recreation or furlough) from Awang Airport in Brgy. Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao to the jungle asphalt and glittering chrome neon lights buildings of Metro Manila through the then Nichols Air Base in Pasay City.

When a Philippine Air Force’s reconditioned 1987 model Hercules aircraft crashed in Patikul, Sulu last Sunday and claimed 52 lives of its 96 passengers, I browsed the local aviation pages at Facebook and learned the nitty gritty of the flying behemoth.

The C-130s since time immemorial became not only the work horse of the Philippines but countless military all over the globe on combat activities and during calamities.

Photo Credit: Philippine Daily Inquirer

It is a 92 passengers capable aircraft.

Geez, have you read the 96 Pinoy soldiers and civilians as based on the Manifest or Passengers List I mentioned earlier?

The C-130 with tail number’s 5125 was overloaded unless the American has an average kilos of each of the passengers as based on the bigger Caucasian Race compared to us smaller Flips, er, Filipinos.

Below are the Salients features of the Herc:

* A Hercules can carry too two M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks – those thick armored monsters that easily demolished the Iraqi's Soviet made tanks; or 7-10 8x8 armored vehicles (Stryker or LAV-25); or 16 High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV or Humvee) those that replaced the M151 series jeeps;

* This aircraft has a payload capacity of 80 tons o 80,000 kilos. It can carry up to 42,000 pounds of cargo;

* The 5125 tail number aircraft was a former United States Air Force (USAF) C-130H manufactured in 1987 by Lockheed;

*It was delivered by pilots of the United States Air Force assigned in the 179th Airlift Wing of the Ohio Air National Guards to the Philippine Air Force on January 29, 2021;

* It was part of the two refurbished Lockheed C-130H "Hercules" four-engine turboprop military transport and cargo aircraft in 2019 to beef its existing fleet of four C-130s under the 222nd Airlift Squadron of the 220th Airlift Wing;

*The cost of acquisition for the two C-130s was PHP2.5 billion. It was co-financed by the Philippines for P1.6 billion and the US through its Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program worth PHP900 million;

* It departed last Sunday morning Villamor Air Base in Pasay City to Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro, and ferried there military personnel to Jolo Sulu Airport where it crashed in a village in the mountainous town of Patikul in Sulu province with 96 soldiers on board, including three air force pilots and five crew, civilians while the bulk came from the 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army.

*It is one of the three Hercules that thudded in Naga and Davao City, and gutted by fire before it took off in Clark in years in 1993, 2008 and 2019, respectively.

***

Monday dusk, I found an actual mobile phone footage took by an amateur – probably a soldier - at the side of the runway in Sulu how the fast descending plane that landed hard 500 feet beyond the threshold of the almost 6,000 feet runway, overshot it, and instantly emit a cloud of black smoke at the forestry area.

Here under the reactions of those people who witnessed the tragedy:

“Wala! Wala! Hala nawala! (Lost! It was lost. Damn it was lost!),” a boy screamed

“Hala nahulog sir! Yawa! Putang Ina! (Damn it fell sir! Devil! Mother f*cker!),” a Cebuano speaking soldier told his officer while cursing.

Other yelled that the transport aircraft was so fast on its approached to the runway.

Here are some of the intelligent comments I culled from the posts of people who knew what caused the mishap:

Hack2 Legends: "As a Pilot myself this guy came in too high, to hot, failed to hit his mark, failed to get the nose of the aircraft on the ground fast, failed to realize he could not stop, failed to apply full throttle to do A GO AROUND. This is the most basic thing you are taught as a pilot and this video is easy to conclude 100% pilot’s error. So sorry for souls lost and the families.

William Duval: @Prodigal Son  it’s an assault landing, the Pilot missed his landing mark and supposed to ditch the landing to go around to try again".

Jamdwn1: “Yes, from the video at 0.20 to 0.23 second mark you can see the dust of the touchdown point. The aircraft was well past the threshold of the runaway, at least 500 feet. pass it. For a 3000 feet runaway he has less than 2,500 feet to stop or "go around" ..”

EdwinArcenal: “Heavy big plane + fast landing + short runway = pilot error".

Prodigal Son: @William Duval  “I know it was an assault landing. As a former USAF Combat Controller (1963 - 1967) I have set up many assault landing strips and drop zones for C-130 aircraft and have observed hundreds of landings and drops/extractions from the C-130. From the video of the crash it is very difficult to determine (the) point of touchdown in relation to the specified touchdown zone, or the point where full power was applied. As a former USMC helicopter pilot (1970 - 1977), I also know “things happen”.

QUEUE. Ganito rin ako noong bata pa ako pipila rin ako dito sa likod ng mga soldiers - as based on the Manifest or list of passengers - to enter the back of the C-130 for my Cotabato City to fly to then Nichols Air Base in Pasay City.

Pag minalas sa steel na floor kmi naka upo o naka tayo because of our cheek by jowl situation for our three hours ride with stop overs in Zamboangga- to get some coffins in casket and even an armored personnel carrier - and Mactan, Cebu. (Photo of the ill-fated C-130 as it prepared to fly to Sulu. Picture is internet grab)

Cliff Villanueva: “My personal opinion. The weight of the cargo and pilot's error is the reason for the crash. Weight is really important when flying a plane that is why passenger planes always weight your bags before boarding, I also saw a picture inside from that plane there were really lots of soldiers on board. AFP needs to invest to retrain all the Air Force personnel and must follow strict protocols. We Filipinos have a tendency to over capacitate from vehicles, motorcycles and boats(banka). The military probably overloads their airplanes to avoid big cost of fuel or they just want to save time. Even thou their job is dangerous safety precautions must be prioritized for the protection of our military personnel.

Miguel Bisnar: ”….At least it was landing from West to East and went to the trees. Otherwise, if it landed from East to West it would have been disastrous since there a lot of residential houses going to the pier and the sea. See the map of the airport”.

***

Major General Edgard A. Arevalo -the Spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines - had been heard on the television telling all and sundry that the pilots of the ill fated C-130 H were seasoned too.

But circumstantial evidences on the YouTube footage and those pilot-commenters I cited above refuted that statement.

Oh by the way, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on a Tuesday’s television interview blamed the tailwind that push the Hercules to approach the runway extraordinarily faster and pilots’ error.

READ MY OTHER BLOG/COLUMN:

Pilot-Solon Hits Chopper Crew’s Inexperience

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MORTZ C. ORTIGOZA

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I am a twenty years seasoned Op-Ed Political Writer in various newspapers and Blogger exposing government corruptions, public officials's idiocy and hypocrisies, and analyzing local and international issues. I have a master’s degree in Public Administration and professional government eligibility. I taught for a decade Political Science and Economics in universities in Metro Manila and cities of Urdaneta, Pangasinan and Dagupan. Follow me on Twitter @totoMortz or email me at totomortz@yahoo.com.

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BATA KA TAGA M'LANG ANG ISA SA DEAD SA C-130

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

One of the 47 soldiers and civilians who died in a reconditioned C-130 Hercules cargo plane was Technical Sergeant Donald Peroy Badoy (extreme left photo).

He was with the 220th Airlift Wing responsible in the engineering maintenance of the 1987 made four turbo prop's engines giant plane - a part of the P2.5 billion procurement of two refurbished C-130 (Type H) of the Philippine government in the United States.

When I asked Air Force Staff Sergeant Danny Porras (photo extreme right) of Lower Inas, M'lang, Cotabato about TSGT Peroy-Badoy, this what he told me:

"TSG Badoy sir. Siya ang Flight Engineer. Taga M'lang ni nanay niya sa Brgy Labo. Peroy iya middle name".

He told me the deceased used to visit M'lang during the family's reunions.

KUWENTONG C-130s. The plane I had rode since I was in elementary grade. The other air force's aircraft I rode with my air force's father from military bases all over the country were World War 2's vintage C -47, Fokker, and Nomad. Helicopter lang ang di ko pa nasakyan.

***

Ganito rin ako noong bata pa ako pipila rin ako dito sa likod ng mga soldiers - as based on the Manifest or list of passengers - to enter the back of the C-130 for my Cotabato City to fly to then Nichols Air Base in Pasay City.

Pag minalas sa steel na floor kmi naka upo o naka tayo because of our cheek by jowl situation for our three hours ride with stop overs in Zamboangga- to get some coffins in casket and even an armored personnel carrier - and Mactan, Cebu.

ALL MILITARY PERSONNEL ON BOARD CRASHED PAF C-130H 5125 ACCOUNTED FOR:

47 dead

49 injured

There were 96 military personnel on board the aircraft per manifest.

CIVILIAN CASUALTIES:

3 dead

4 injured

***

Pag Officers may upuan at lamesa sa C-130. Pag Non- Officer, sila and Civilians nakatayo o naka upo sa sahig. This was an old practice I saw when I first rode the Hercules in 1979.

Photo: Mostly military passengers of the ill fated C-130 Hercules unwary about the plane would overshoot the runway of a military air base in Sulu that killed more than half of the 96 of its passengers many charred by the burning American made cargo plane.

FROM PINOY AVIATOR:

The down Air Force C-130H Hercules medium lift turboprop military aircraft with tail number 5125 was a former United States Air Force (USAF) C-130H aircraft and was built in 1987.

This former USAF C-130H aircraft with Serial number: 382-5125 was delivered by USAF pilots from the 179th Airlift Wing of the Ohio Air National Guards to the Philippines on 29 January 2021.

This C-130H Hercules is not a “Whiskey” model because the last “Hotel” model was built in 1988. All C-130Ws were built in 1991. This former USAF C-130H was only reconfigured as Whiskey model for the USAF Special Operations Command (AFSOC) in 2016.

The Philippine Air Force acquired two refurbished Lockheed C-130H "Hercules" four-engine turboprop military transport/cargo aircraft in 2019 to add to its existing fleet of four (4) C-130s under the 222nd Airlift Squadron of the 220th Airlift Wing.

The sale of the two C-130s is part of the US government's commitment to help the Philippines develop its territorial defense and maritime security capabilities, as well as enhance its ability to respond to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief emergencies, which routinely occur in the Philippines.

The cost of acquisition for the two C-130s is PHP2.5 billion. The two former USAF C-130s were co-financed by the Philippines who contributed PHP1.6 billion and the US through Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program worth PHP900 million.

The US FMF program provides grants and loans for the acquisition of US defense equipment, services, and training.

PAF Hercules 5125 served the country for almost five months only.

The 222nd Airlift Squadron of the 220th Airlift Wing currently operates four (4) C-130 Hercules aircraft, and another one (1) former USAF C-130H is also expected to be delivered before the end of 2021.

In flying status:

• C-130H with tail number 4704

• C-130T with tail number 5040

• C-130H (former USAF coming soon)

Grounded Philippine Air Force C-130s:

• C-130T with tail number 5011

- Hercules 5011 is in Portugal undergoing IRAN (Inspect Repair As Necessary).

• C-130B with tail number 3633

- Hercules 3633 is still grounded undergoing DLM (Depot Level Maintenance) in Mactan, Cebu.

Damaged beyond repair:

• C-130H with tail number 5125

- C-130H “Hercules” #5125 took off from Villamor Air Base in Manila (RPLL) to Lumbia Airport(RPML) and subsequently ferried military personnel to Jolo Airport (RPMJ) where it crashed in a village in the mountainous town of Patikul in Sulu province with 92 soldiers on board, including three air force pilots and five crew members while the others were from the 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army at around 1100 (11am) on 04 July 2021.

• C-130H with tail number 4726

- C-130H “Hercules” #4726 aircraft caught fire while about to take off from Clark Air Base in March 2019. (4726 is no longer in service and was cannibalized for parts.)

It was in 1973 when the Philippines acquired some brandnew C-130 “Hercules” military aircraft.

Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of the victims of flight 5125 that crashed in the mountainous town of Patikul in Sulu province on 04 July 2021.

READ MY OTHER BLOG:

U.S, others display fire powers at Clark

Celeste Thrills on Cong. Positioning of the Opposition

By Mortz C. Ortigoza, M.P.A 

BOLINAO, Pangasinan - Former nine - year Congressman Jesus “Boying” Celeste relished the political configuration that favors the opposition party in the congressional districts of Pangasinan versus the Espinos.

He told this newspaper the presence of these candidates in the five of the six districts of the province will undermine the strength of the ruling party.

The Espinos are incumbent Governor Amado “Pogi” Espino, III, Second District Rep. Jumel Espino, and their patriarch former Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr.

Celeste cited that the aspirants of the United Lights of Pangasinan (Ulopan) in the five districts are formidable.

MARQUEE congressional bets from top left photo clockwise: Former Congressman Art Celeste, former Rep. Mark Cojuangco, Mrs. Maan Guico, Fourth District Rep. Christopher de Venecia, and former Congresswoman Rachel Arenas.

Come backing congressional bet Art Celeste is pitted to 2019 poll defeated congressional bet Tim Orbos in the First District; Former Congressman and Billionaire Mark Cojuangco versus reelective Rep. Jumel Espino in the Second District; Former Congresswoman Rachel Arenas seen to have no opponent in the Third Congressional District; Rep. Christopher “Toff” de Venecia being negotiated by the opposition to side with them in a quid pro quo that they will not field a bet against him, and; Maan Guico pitted with Urdaneta City’s scion of a rich family and former Board Member Clemente “Niño” Arboleda in the Fifth District.

Political kibitzers hope that the Ulopan can convince Hermogenes Cendaña Esperon Jr. to put on the political gloves again and slugged it out in a rematch with former Congresswoman Marlyn Primicias-Agabas in lieu of her husband Six District Rep. Tyrone Agabas who will slide for the mayorship of Tayug town.

In the 2010 election the lady Agabas bludgeoned Esperon in a congressional race despite the latter well oiled political machinery.

But political spectators see Esperon as newly minted behemoth due to his association with President Rodrigo Duterte and the political trappings his post can give.

“They are more stronger now compared to the last election,” Celeste quipped to this writer about the repositioning of the opposition that will give the Espinos a run of their money in the May 9, 2022 poll.

Boying Celeste sees Fifth District Congressman Ramon “Monmon” Guico instead of Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) and Presidential Adviser for Northern Luzon  Secretary Raul Lambino to challenge last term Governor Pogi Espino for the diadem of the 1,946, 564 vote rich's three cities and forty four towns Pangasinan (April 19, 2021 Comelec).

The 123, 927 voters strong Dagupan City is not included as she is an independent component city.

Boying is the oldest among the political family of the Celeste who presently controls the congressional district in Western Pangasinan and the city and town’s of Alaminos and Bolinao.

He is geared to unseat Espinos’ backed Mayor Liseldo “Dong” Calugay in Sual - the fourth richest town in the country- in an expensive election pundits see next year.

This grudge match with Calugay ensued after the latter out smarted and beat in the 2019 election the Celestes’ backed mayoralty bet John Arcinue – a former nine years mayor of the coastal town.

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Oligarchs Mga Amo' ng Senador sa Pinas?

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MORTZ C. ORTIGOZA

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I am a twenty years seasoned Op-Ed Political Writer in various newspapers and Blogger exposing government corruptions, public officials's idiocy and hypocrisies, and analyzing local and international issues. I have a master’s degree in Public Administration and professional government eligibility. I taught for a decade Political Science and Economics in universities in Metro Manila and cities of Urdaneta, Pangasinan and Dagupan. Follow me on Twitter @totoMortz or email me at totomortz@yahoo.com.