METROPOST


Geothermal provides free wifi in Valencia


power leader Energy Development Corp. will pilot in Negros Oriental its electronic-communities or e-communities project as it marks its 45th anniversary today being the country’s leading renewable energy provider. A s


“regenerative mission”, EDC will provide the communities in Valencia, Negros Oriental with free


p a rt of i ts Geotherm al


due to the COVID-19 pandemic because we know how crucial it is for them to be connected to the rest of the world amid these challenging times,” said Norreen Bautista, head of EDC’s Corporate Social Responsibility team in Negros Island, was quoted as saying. “Having good internet access in their far-flung mountainous area is important in helping the


technology and a redundant broadband network design to ensure uninterrupted connectivity for the residents of Puhagan. Puhagan Chair


I


Leonarda Sarita personally thanked EDC for its cash donation amounting to P735,000 for the cost of labor and the purchase of necessary materials and equipment and DICT for the procurement of the fixed wireless broadband


MARCH 14- MARCH 20, 2021 7 BERNICE ANNE ASEÑAS-ELMACO berniceanne311@gmail.com


barely 24 hours before the last day of filing the certificates of candidacy would expire, when we had a conversation about me running for Councilor. B eing s urpri s e d would definitely be an understatement. What we talked about that night made me anxious, if not edgy, to say the least. Who wouldn’t be? You


t was midnight of my husband’s birthday in October three years ago,


were given 24 hours to decide the fate of your future – which doesn’t offer any certainty. I was going to be completely in unchartered territory.


THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA


again, as they say, “There is only one way to find out.” I was always known to be a wife who supports her husband in media interviews, press conferences, and official engagements. I was the support system, the cheerleader, and partner who gets involved in her husband’s active career in the sideline. And I never had qualms with that; I just enjoyed the view from the sidelines, as I just wasn’t comfortable being in the spotlight.


But I was focused, determined, and driven. To this day, I’m still baffled where I harnessed my strength during the entire election period. Although I know I had the best supporting cast in my family, and the strongest core in God.


strength from God as a core in governance, you are impenetrable amidst overwhelming challenges. When election day came, all


occasion after Lloyd declined the offer for him to run in Dumaguete for personal reasons.


But I stepped up to the


Nervous, overwrought, and nauseous at the same time, I tried to sleep it off, and prayed for divine intervention. Indeed, it was the longest night of my life. Morning broke as if it knocked my subconscious. I realized I even barely slept. I had my early self- time before I finally


Public Service in engraved in the heart and mind of an Elmaco. I have witnessed this with my husband, my father- in-law, and other members of the family who have excelled in the realm of Public Service. When I was given this


Truly, when you implore


A journey in public service


rare opportunity to be at the forefront, and raise my involvement in public service, I felt some uncertainties as thoughts of myself -- not my husband nor my father-in-law -- talking on TV, or my face plastered on posters came rushing through my mind. I had to embrace my


public Wi-Fi, starting with Barangay Puhagan, a media release said on Monday. The project is undertaken in partnership with the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and the Department of Information & Commu n i c a ti o n s Technology.


first “off-grid barangay” in the country to have Wi-Fi as soon as DICT delivers and installs its 10mbps bandwidth-on-demand facility at the barangay hall this month.


EDC’s 45th anniversary by providing this much- needed free Wi-Fi to our partner communities despite our limited mobility


“We are commemorating Puhagan will soon be the


residents stay connected to their loved ones and friends from other locations. It is also necessary in order for the students to cope with the challenges of distance learning and for the barangay officials to be able to conduct virtual meetings with EDC as well as with their counterparts in the local government and even with regulatory agencies,” emphasized Bautista. EDC said it is thankful to NOCCI, DICT, and to the local government unit of Valencia led by Mayor Edgar Teves for their unstoppable partnership that made this possible. The LGU gave logistical and regulatory support while NOCCI provided fixed wireless solar


Republic of the Philippines Regional Trial Court 7th


Tanjay City stationed in Dumaguete City


In the matter of cancellation/ correction of entries in the Certificate of of Live Birth of Melody Andiza Mahilum


Melody Andiza Mahilum, Petitioner -versus –


Civil Registrar of Tanjay, Negros Oriental and all persons/entities who/which may be affected thereby, Respondents. x-----------------------------------------------------x


Petitioner, through the undersigned Counsel and to this Honorable Court, most respectfully states that:


AMENDED PETITION PREFATORY STATEMENT


1. On Jan. 14, 2021, the undersigned Counsel received the Order of the court directing the Petitioner to amend her Petition incorporating the changes the Petitioner wants to be done in relation to this Petition within five days from receipt of such Order. This Amended Petition being filed on Jan. 19, 2021 is therefore, timely filed; 2. In retrospect, this Petition was originally filed on Feb. 18, 2020, with prayer for the court to issue an Order granting the following changes in the Petitioner’s certificate of live birth, to wit:


a. To cancel the middle name of Petitioner, and to correct the same from Melody Andiza Mahilum to Melody Mahilum Bao by virtue of Petitioner’s subsequent legitimation;


b. To correct the middle name of Petitioner’s mother from Andiza to Andeza;


the Petition on the ground that the changes sought were covered by R.A. 9048 thus, to rectify the errors, Petitioner must avail of the Administrative proceeding before the Local Civil Registrar of Tanjay City;


3. In an Order of the court dated 21 February 2020, the Court dismissed


c. To correct the first name of Petitioner’s mother from Lilet to Lilia; d. To correct the age of Petitioner’s mother from 17 years old to 19 years old;


for the reconsideration of the Dismissal Order of the Court, citing RA 9048 as amended by RA 10172, wherein changes in the year of birth or age can only be done through judicial proceedings. The undersigned Counsel prayed that the age of Petitioner’s mother in the Petitioner’s certificate of live birth be changed from 17 years old to 19 years old. The Court granted the said motion for partial reconsideration on 21 September 2020; 5.Therefore, the subject of this Amended Petition is merely the change of the


age of Petitioner’s mother in her certificate of live birth, as the other changes as prayed for in the original petition were already corrected by the Civil Registrar of Tanjay City, the Petitioner having availed of the benefits of RA 9048; PETITION


6. Petitioner is of legal age, Filipino, single, a resident of Block 4, Lot 5, Peter Homes Subd., Bio-os, Amlan, Negros Oriental where she can be served with summons and court processes; whereas Respondent Civil Registrar is the public officer-in-charge of the registration and cancellation/correction of entries in the Civil Registrar where the fact of birth of said Petitioner was registered, of which Registrar is located in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental;


4. In a motion of partial reconsideration, the undersigned Counsel moved


Special Proc. Case No. 2020-02


Judicial Region Branch 43


network for their barangay hall.


Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry Gov. for Central Visayas Edward Du likewise lauded this strong synergy that should serve as a model and showcase for all LGUs in the country especially during these trying times. This will be the first e-community in Negros Island and will be copied in other EDC sites in the country, said France Ariola, Public Relations Lead of the said power firm, in an interview this afternoon. This e-communities


project is part of EDC’s tireless efforts to empower its communities, she said. (PNA)


welcomed, and expected the “longest day” of my life. I may be overreacting, but I never felt that feeling before, not even during the time I waited for the Nursing licensure exam results. What struck me this time were the responsibilities I had to consider, most especially my role as mother to my eldest son, Gavin. I had just lost my second child a year prior, and I wanted to spend more of my time to our firstborn. I also had to consider my role as homemaker, a law student, and a corporate secretary to both family-owned corporations -- all at the same time.


These are only a few of the things that I had to weigh and think about. But indeed, In Sha Allah,


if you just trust His will and surrender everything to Him, He will never fail you. God works in mysterious ways. I was the last one to file my COC on the last day of filing, at 4:45pm to be exact. The rest is history.


new life. Unknowingly, I just witnessed my bubble burst -- the last of my private contained life slipping right before my very eyes. The months thereafter came as transition and adjustment periods for me. From barangay visitations to high-impact events, I had to be present so I could get to know the community better. I was a neophyte in all aspects, but one thing was certain, I had the focus and motivation to do what was needed.


our preparations were finally put to test. I just prayed and spent the whole day with my family, and offered to His will whatever the results would be. By God’s grace, I landed in 7th place for the top 10 seats. My family and I were ecstatic; grateful to the people in the barangays who put their trust in me.


Those arduous months going to the election were training avenues for me. I had to learn how to perceive things clearly sans the cloud of emotional distress. To deal with people sincerely and kindly, and not to get affected with any situation easily.


Thankfully, my experience prior to joining politics trained me well enough to succeed during crunch time.


And because of those barangay visitations, I was able to see and meet people from all walks of life. It made me understand the true essence of public service, and the role of a public servant. To listen to people. To be sensitive to their needs. And to encourage their participation.


Although I had a glimpse of what politics was going to be like -- with my husband being Bais City legal officer, and my father-in-law an electoral candidate in the previous elections -- it was not my cup of tea, I must admit. But then


7, Tanjay City, out of wedlock, by her parents LILIA ANDEZA MAHILUM and NILO ZERNA BAO, which fact of birth was registered on Oct. 9, 1995 before the office of Respondent Civil Registrar of Tanjay City under Civil Registry No. 95-1078. Copy of the Certificate of Live Birth of Petitioner is hereto attached as Annex “A”; 8. On Feb. 27, 1999, Petitioner’s parents, Nilo Z. Bao and Lilia A. Mahilum, without any legal impediment, got married at the Parish of St. James the Greater in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, and because of the subsequent marriage of Petitioner’s parents, Petitioner has acquired the status of a legitimate child by operation of law. The marriage certificate of Petitioner’s parents is hereby attached, and made an integral part of this Petition as Annex “B”; 9. That in Petitioner’s Certificate of Live Birth with Registry No. 95-1078, her mother’s age was erroneously written as “17 years old” instead of “19 years old”, her mother being born on Nov. 14, 1975. A copy of Petitioner’s mother’s Certificate of Live Birth is attached as Annex “C”; 10. That the error in the Certificate of Live Birth of Petitioner, with Registry No. 95-1078 remains unprocessed and uncorrected; 11. The correction of the above-mentioned entry of the Certificate of Live Birth of Petitioner would put in order Petitioner’s birth records, and eventually, facilitate and expedite Petitioner’s intention to correct erroneous entries in her Certificate of Live Birth; 12. Under Sec. 1, Rule 108 of the Rules of Court, “any person interested in any act, event, order or decree concerning the civil status of persons which has been recorded in the civil register, may file a verified petition for the cancellation or correction of any entry relating thereto, with the Court of First Instance [now Regional Trial Court] of the province where the corresponding civil registry is located.” 13. Likewise, Sec. 2 of the same Rule provides that “upon good and valid grounds, the following entries in the civil register may be cancelled or corrected: (a) births;.. x xx.”


PRAYER


Wherefore premises considered, it is most respectfully prayed to this Honorable Court that an Order be issued directing herein Respondent Civil Registrar to cancel and correct the age of Petitioner’s mother from 17 years old to 19 years old in the Petitioner’s Certificate of Live Birth. Other reliefs just and equitable are likewise prayed for. Respectfully submitted. Tanjay City. January 18, 2021.


3rd


Door, Anita Bldg., Real St., Brgy. 5 Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, 6204 Mobile No. 0965-774-3954 By:


Arcide Law Office


This Petition is furnished to the Office of the Solicitor General through registered mail due to the distance.


Atty. Reynil C. Arcide MetroPost 2021 February 21 • February 28 • March 7


MCLE Compliance Cert. No. VI-0009157 EXPLANATION


PTR No. 91115937/1-04-2021 IBP No. 150919/1-13-2021


Atty. Reynil Cata-al Arcide Counsel for Petitioner Roll No. 67270


7. Petitioner was born on Sept. 13, 1995 at Dr. J. Bumanglag’s Clinic at Brgy.


During the campaign period, I was able to visit all 30 barangays in Dumaguete by doing the traditional house- to-house campaign. As an independent candidate with limited resources, I maximized the energy and resources of my small group composed of four individuals, including my father-in-law. I would wake up by 4 in the morning to start my day with barangay visits, walking through and among several households, and ending the day by 10 in the evening. It was quite a challenge and a struggle at the same time.


Being a Public Servant also meant the beginning of something totally different, something I needed to get used to: that even your personal life is an open book, vulnerable to criticisms. There is no room for being onion-skinned in this world, and that one must be strong enough to face any reproach or critique with candor and professionalism. Genuine public service comes with a price, and one must be ready to pay for it. With all the rigor of politics, there is just one thing I detest: when friendships are tested due to political inclinations and principles. I must admit, it has been hard, in that regard, when colleagues you treated like family have become adversaries, inside and outside the plenary. Nevertheless, I continue to be hopeful that peace and love will someday prevail, albeit not sooner. This is my first term in


spirit that guides me to these most honored halls: to serve with honor, pride and dignity; to value respect over self- condemnation; and to promote unity in the midst of division.


the true


EDC leads way to regenerative future


leader Energy Development Corp. was established to reduce the country’s dependence on imported fuels by harnessing indigenous power primarily from geothermal sources. Fast forward to today, EDC continues to live up to its mandate to generate low carbon, clean power, and expanded its portfolio to include solar, wind, and hydro; geothermal remains as its core business.


“Our country needs a reliable, stable source of clean, renewable power which only geothermal energy (Geo 24/7) can provide, to power the economy and lower its carbon footprint,” said Engr. Debonaire Mamhot, head of EDC’s Negros Island geothermal facility.


On March 5 about 45 years ago, the Lopez-led geothermal


Negros Oriental is located in the country’s renewable energy hub, with geothermal energy accounting for over 25.1 percent or 955 megawatts of the Visayas region’s 1,667MW total installed RE capacity. This is equivalent to 43.8 percent of the region’s 3,809MW total installed capacity, according to a 2019 power situation report of the Department of Energy. Over 220 MW of that power is generated at EDC’s Southern Negros geothermal facility in the mountain municipality of Valencia, where its 112.5MW Palinpinon-1 has been providing uninterrupted source of geothermal energy to the Visayas region for over 37 years. Beyond its commitment to keep the lights on for its power


local politics, and my journey has just begun. I may be new in this “world of grandeur and wit”, but I just keep reminding myself


customers like Negros Oriental II Electric Cooperative and Negros Oriental I Electric Cooperative, EDC strives to keep the wheels of progress turning for the Province, especially for its partner communities, in fulfillment of its mission “to forge collaborative pathways for a decarbonized and regenerative future.”a


to do less harm, and demands EDC to look at its business from a wider lens than just profitability. All need to benefit from the positive impact of its decisions and actions. (PR)


This mission goes beyond sustainability that merely seeks


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