Cruising and Combing Maribojoc

Posted on July 29, 2008
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Abatan RiverPostan ForestWritten by Arnoldo dela Cruz

Take a breeze flight to Bohol’s Tagbilaran airport. Then roll up a trip 14 kilometers going up north. It’s the opposite route from the world famous Chocolate hills, so that keeps you far from the maddening crowd.

The town of Maribojoc stands humble in its beauty and sits quietly in its majesty.

A bit of trivia: Maribojoc got its name from a tree that is abundant in the area. The tree is very much like the Pine tree… except that its needles are a bit thicker and firmer like wild hair. Thus in the ancient times they call it Maria Buhok, which literally translate to Maria’s Hair. Hence Maria Buhok uttered from generation to generation became Maribojoc.

Back on the road: It isn’t that long a trip, while you check out the eye-refreshing and spirit-energizing scenery. On the road, peek out the car window and check out the enticing Palm-tree-and-mangrove-lined Abatan River. The river’s calmness and quietness whispers sweet poetry to one’s ears. Going to Maribojoc is like receiving an RSVP invitation of quiet yet exciting adventure and amazing discoveries.

Check this out, at the edge of Maribojoc, in its last Barangay, is the Punta Cruz Watch Tower of “Castillo de San Vicente”.  Built in 1796, the tower stands as a look out point for the inhabitants for pirates and other invaders. Today, it stands as a regal monument that withstood time and elements. Just beside it is the equally magnificent ancient cross that watches over the waters of Maribojoc. Boldly romantic is an understatement to describe its surroundings.

Move on and check in at the nice resorts tucked in at the seashore stretch of Maribojoc. From the beaches of Maribojoc, take a boat and proceed to enter Abatan River and cruise along five towns (Maribojoc, Cortes, Catigbian, Balilihan and Antequera). Inside the Abatan River stands the Postan mangrove forest barely touched by human feet and inhabited by exotic colorful birds and fauna… whoa… cruising inside Postan Forest makes you feel like canoeing along the Amazon River minus the anacondas. Truly it is totally a different encounter than paddling along the more known Loboc River also in Bohol. The Abatan River has its own personality… its own character and a peaceful attitude. The Abatan River has many traits all too inviting for one to discover and conquer its many possibilities.

Mesmerizing scenery

One travelling in this river can’t help but be mesmerized by the mirror reflections cast in its deep emerald green waters . The river water juxtaposes a mirror image of everything facing it, the skies, the palms, the trees, and even the boat. And the result is an artwork only nature can create. Go! Look straight at the river and greet your own reflection.

It is such, the river is littered by nature’s scraps justifying the abundance of growth all around the river. Various leaves, palms, bamboos, tree branches and fruits all add up to the river’s litters. Yet no matter how much of these you see around, the river has a totality of virgin cleanliness.

And the trip doesn’t end there…

Somewhere along deeper on the boat ride a traveller is welcomed by the roaring of the hidden Kawasan falls (Balilihan Town).

Experience and feel the energy as the crystal clear waters of Kawasan Falls powerfully cascades down and drops straight to a basin of equally crystal emerald green river water and burst into a mystic explosion of sound and colours reflected by sunlight.

Tranquil yet bursting with serene life… the Abatan River is a place to be. It lies waiting to be conquered and experienced.

Indeed discovering the Postan mangrove forest and the hidden Kawasan Falls and just relishing the sight of the abundance of growth and life along the Abatan River is enough to keep a traveller unmindful of time.

Maribojoc doesn’t run short of places to discover. The Maribojoc Church is one spot to visit. Its serenity is an open invitation for one to commune peacefully with the Creator. And tucked at the second floor of the ancient church is a modest museum. Yet, it has a great collection of antiques and religious artifacts. The museum is a one room affair. One can spend hours inside it just looking, scrutinizing, and admiring its collection.

Maribojoc is blessed with a variety of landscapes surrounding it. It has mountains both for trekking and climbing. Just moving around closely in the mountains one can hear the cries of monkeys fooling around criss-crossing tree branches.

Truth is, a day or two is a bit too short for one to explore and get acquainted with Maribojoc. It is a town gifted with a wonderful river full of surprises and with so many curves and bends that getting lost in it is a delightful experience. It is a town blessed with many breathtaking beaches shrouded with beautiful skies and graced with equally breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. It is a town whose people have warm smiles and honest hearts. It is a town waiting to be explored, discovered, and conquered.

Maribojoc is a town so graced with a God-sent Mayor whose simple lifestyle is emancipating… a mayor that has a heart open to its people and its visitors… a heart that loves his native Maribojoc and its people… the way any son would love his mother and his siblings. The Mayor? Who? Mayor Leoncio B. Evasco, Jr. the Renaissance man. Believe me… I’ve been a visitor and I will keep on visiting.

Be there! Be an explorer. Be a conqueror. Rediscover ancient roots.

Get wet, wild, daring and start combing Maribojoc. <  

EcoGov Project in Maribojoc

Posted on November 7, 2007
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US-AID Regional Director May Elizabeth Ybañez stresses a point in the mid-project assessment forum at the SB Session Hall, Maribojoc town. Held Thursday and attended by 19 stakeholders headed by Mayor Leoncio B. Evasco, Jr., the Environmental Governance (EcoGov) Project aims to develop a self-assessment instrument for guiding the environmental governance performance of LGUs receiving its technical assistance. US-AID assists Maribojoc in the Solid Waste Management Program. (Fred C. Fuertes)

Irate Father Kills Teener

Posted on September 9, 2007
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MARIBOJOC.  – The love and care of a father towards his wayward daughter turned into a passion killing early Wednesday night when one Eduardo Mabunay alyas Carte stabbed to death 16-year old Mark Angelo Briones right infront of the Sta. Cruz parish church, this town.

In a spot report dated September 14, this year, PNP Acting Chief of Police Jose Vendencia Arocha told Police Sr. Supt. Edgardo Ingking,
Bohol PNP director, that the bloody incident took place at 7 o’clock Wednesday evening in the vicinity of the centuries-old house of worship.

Police investigation further revealed that the victim together with a friend Michael Morgia were walking at the Sta. Cruz Plaza towards his boarding house when they chanced upon the suspect who was harboring grudge against the teenagers for allegedly inviting his 14-year old daughter to their boarding house Sunday night.

Upon seeing the two teeners, Mabunay chased them until he got hold of Briones and stabbed him, inflicting wounds in different parts of his body with the use of an impoverished hunting knife.

After the bloody incident, the suspect went to the Mayor’s residence to voluntarily surrender. But since the town executive was out-of-town, Mabunay opted to be in the custody of the local police at the Maribojoc PNP station. He turned over also to the police officers on duty the death weapon placed in a scabbard.

Responding police officers SPO1 Teodoro “Doling” Arocha and PO1 Edilberto Calipes brought the victim to theRamiro Community Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival by the attending doctor.In an interview with the Post Friday morning, the suspect related the incident that led to the brutal slaying.

Mabunay’s daughter, a minor, did not sleep in their house Sunday night. When she returned home early Monday morning, the suspect sensed that she was under the influence of liquor.

This infuriated him.   

Fred C. Fuertes, MPIO-Designate, Maribojoc, Bohol

Marijuana plants seized in Maribojoc

Posted on September 2, 2007
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MARIBOJOC. Elements of the Philippine National Police in coordination with the office of the Mayor, conducted early yesterday morning a clearing operations at barangay Pagnitoan, this town.

The raid resulted in the recovery of four potted full-grown marijuana plants in the vicinity of the residence of one Nilo Mangala who is listed by the PNP as a drug personality.

Mangala, sensing the presence of the arresting officers and their companions, hurriedly rode on his motorcyle and headed for the direction of the Poblacion. At presstime, the police was in hot pursuit of the suspect.

The seized illegal plants are now under the custody of the Maribojoc PNP station and will be turned over to the Camp Dagohoy PNP Crime Laboratory for examination.

The raiding team which operated at 6:30 a.m., was composed of SPO3 Jose “Abrau” Arocha, acting chief of police, MLGOO Victor Lapez, Jr. of the DILG, Maribojoc Tanod Chief Raymund Coloma, seven other police officers and seven selected barangay tanods.

Fred C. Fuertes
MPIO-Designate, Maribojoc, Bohol

Maribojoc intensifies coastal management

Posted on August 26, 2007
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MARIBOJOC. The Municipal government here has intensified its coastal resource management as Mayor Leoncio Evasco places the rehabilitation of Maribojoc Bay among the town’s priorities.

The effort recently resulted to the arrest of five fishermen engaged in illegal fishing along the seawaters of barangays Guiwanon and Punta Cruz.

A joint PNP-Bantay Dagat Sea-Borne patrol arrested two fishermen who were caught using illegal fishing gears in the seawaters of barangay Guiwanon.

The team apprehended Pedro Cabahug ang Marlon Cagais, both based at Burgos St., Tagbilaran City, who used an electric shiner which electrified a fish trap locally known as “payao.”

Municipal Ordinance 479 prohibits the use of illegal fishing gears along the municipal waters.

PO3 Carlito Cahayag led the patrol together with PO1 Mario Dapitilla, and Bantay-Dagat enforcers Narciso Yap and Nicomedes Baluma.

A joint team of PNP and Bantay Dagat conducted another sea-borne patrol operation along the seawaters of Punta Cruz on Tuesday night last week which resulted to arrest of Allan Abuyabor, Rustom Jaluag and Stephen Estillore of Gallares St. in Tagbilaran City.

Abuyabor, Jaluag and Estillore yielded an electric shiner pumpboat engine.

The raiding team that operated Tuesday night was composed of PO3 Curayag, PO1 Dapitilla, PO1 Victor Majomot, Jr., Yap of the Bantay-Dagat, and Barangay Tanod Meracleo Elcana, Jr.

In both operations, the police used the technology of global positioning system (GPS).

On the other hand, Mayor Evasco also created on Tuesday last week, the Waterworks Services Management Office (WSMO) and the General Services Office (GSO), both under the Office of the Mayor.

During the meeting of the waterworks personnel on Thursday afternoon last week, Mayor Evasco announced the designation of waterworks in-charge Ric Nacorda as manager and Engr. Nestoria Flores as the new general services officer.

The town’s waterworks services used to be under the Office of the Municipal Engineer.

Fred C. Fuertes (MPIO-Designate, Maribojoc, Bohol)

Maribojoc comes up with Economic Enterprise Management Section

Posted on August 20, 2007
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MARIBOJOC. Mayor Leoncio “Boy” Evasco, Jr. created last August 14, 2007 the Economic Enterprise Management Section to intensify the municipality’s campaign to increase revenues by profitably managing its economic enterprises and streamline operations of the municipal treasurer’s office.

Through Administrative Order No. 01, which took effect on August 15, 2007 created the new section under the Municipal Treasurer’s Office, to cover the operations of public market, slaughterhouse, municipal cemetery, parking area, cultural center, and the Punta Cruz watch-tower.

During the mayor’s meeting with the concerned personnel, Evasco announced the designation of former Kagawad Dioscoro Leopardas as manager of the economic enterprises management section.

Leopardas shall ensure the maintenance of sanitation and orderliness of the facilities and their premises, imposition of taxes and fees in accordance with the town’s revenue and tax code, and undertakes daily remittances of collections from these enterprises except the Punta Cruz collection which is to be done every other day.

Leopardas is also tasked to coordinate with the municipal engineer for repairs and maintenance of existing structures and premises, prevent unauthorized improvements and illegal construction within these facilities, and ensure compliance of all involved personnel of the daily working hours.

The new eco-enterprises manager will also formulate, together with the unit heads under the section, the annual business plans for each component and prepare monthly report for submission to the municipal treasurer’s office on the performance of each unit.

Leopardas will also recommend to the office of the municipal mayor, new policies, policy adjustments and changes for the Sangguniang Bayan’s appropriate legislative action.

Fred C. Fuertes
MPIO-Designate, Maribojoc, Bohol

NEO orientation forges executive-legislative harmony

Posted on August 13, 2007
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MARIBOJOC. The two-day orientation for the Newly-Elected Officials (NEOs) has helped strengthen the team-build up between the executive and the legislative branches of the local government unit here.

The orientation training for NEOs and department heads sponsored by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) was held last August 6 & 7, 2007 at the Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall.

DILG personnel briefed the town officials on their respective tasks and responsibilities in an effort to deliver public service to the constituents.

The seminar also paved for complete reconciliation between Mayor Boy Evasco and Vice Mayor Ben Redulla who were affiliated with the opposing political parties during the last elections.

The issues and concerns identified to be needing immediate attention of the town leaders include the anti-rabies campaign, dengue outbreak, protection from waterborne diseases, campaign for santiary toilets, blood-typing in the barangays, PhilHealth coverage for all, Botika sa Barangay, deputization of barangay cpatinas as building inspectors, effective utilization of 20 percent development fund to support projects.

The present administration considers it a priority to fucos on these issues and the revival of arts and culture, sports development, effective waterworks system, mangrove plantation, planting of more trees, and public safety.

Mayor Evasco personally go around the town every night to assure the maintenance of peace and order as he also bats for more police visibility, especially in the evening.

Fred C. Fuertes
MPIO-Designate, Maribojoc, Bohol.

DILG trains new local officials

Posted on August 5, 2007
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MARIBOJOC. The newly-installed officials and department heads of this coastal municipality will attend a two-day orientation course at the Sangguniang Bayan session hall tomorrow and Tuesday.

Co-sponsored by the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the local government unit, the orientation program is aimed at the following objectives:
a) to familiarize the local officials on their respective duties and functions;
b) to understand the current local state of development; and
c) to come up with a term-based development road map consistent with the current development agenda of the national and provincial governments.

The subject matter areas to be tackled in the two-day gab include the following: Newly-Elected Officials Road Map and FEET Program; Sources of Power and Leadership; Official Functions of Newly-Elected Officials; The First 100 Days; Aligning with the National Vision and Super Regions; Bohol 10-Point Agenda; JMC on Rationalized Planning System; SLGR Framework; SLGR Presentation; Budgeting; Executive-Legislative Agenda; and YOU Tube.

The trainors, facilitators and resource speakers are: MLGOOs Victor Lapiz, Jr., Sharon Marimon, Franklin Medequiso, Corazon Evangelista, Provincial Budget Officer Valeria Orig, Engr. Ronilita Bunado, and Engr. Ma. Nenita Reyes Chiu, the town’s municipal planning and development coordinator.

During the opening program, Vice Mayor Ben Redulla will give the welcome address while Mayor Leoncio “Boy” Evasco, Jr. will deliver the main message. Mayor Evasco will also give the parting words during the closing program.

Fred C. Fuertes
MPIO-Designate, Maribojoc, Bohol

Evasco reinvigorates peace and order body

Posted on July 30, 2007
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MARIBOJOC. Mayor Leoncio “Boy” Evasco, Jr. put fresh blood Monday to the Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) during its first session in his incumbency.

Though they are not regular members of the peace-keeping body as mandated by law, the 22 punong barangays of this coastal municipality were advised to attend so they could get first-hand information on the peace and order condition of this community.

DILG Municipal Local Government Operations Officer Victor Lapez, Jr. chairman of the MPOC Secretariat, delivered the opening salvo. He discussed the Integrated Public Safety Plan of the municipality and stressed the role of the council which include, among others, a periodic assessment of the peace and order situation of the area.

Municipal Social Welfare Office Loreta Pusta reported four cases of child abuse and two incidents of violence against women. Dr. Rey Belderol municipal health officer, bared dengue cases in Lagtangon, Poblacion and Cabawan.

After all the reports were collated, Mayor Evasco discoursed on the need to maintain peace and order in this coastal town to attain progress and prosperity. “Peace and order should be the concern of all. We took our oath to look after the welfare of the people,” he stressed.

“It is our bounden duty to prevent threats to life and property and to maintain a drug free community,” he further emphasized.

On the same forum, the town’s chief executive stressed that the Philippine National Police in coordination with the barangay captains, should establish a functional Barangay Intelligence Network (BIN).

He also bared that he will soon call to a meeting the alleged drug users and their parents. Exaltacion, Bayacabac, and Pagnitoan are reportedly rampant with drug abusers.

Meanwhile, Mayor Evasco conducted last July 27, 2007 an ocular inspection of all water sources in this municipality. He visited Buloc-buloc Spring, Jandig, San Isidro, Candavid, Tinibgan, Toril, Busao, San Roque, and the Swades Spring at barangay Aliguay. He was accompanied by Waterworks in-charge Ric Nacorda and this writer.

Fred C. Fuertes
MPIO-Designate, Maribojoc, Bohol

Evasco meets rural leaders

Posted on July 23, 2007
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MARIBOJOC. In an unprecedented move to bring the municipal governmnet closer to the people, Mayor Leoncio “Boy” Evasco, Jr. met in six different settings top officials of the town’s 22 barangays last July 16-21, 2007.

The forum gave the former Davao City chief executive first hand information on the problems and concerns besetting the rural villages of this coastal municipality. It also bridges the gap between the town’s functionaries and their constituents.

After the usual opening rites, the participants buckled down to tasks in a workshop that pinpoint the problems and issues of their communities related to social services, economic interventions, peace and order, and support services. The members of each barangay legislative body comprised each work group.

Following the reports by the barangay captains or their representatives, Mayor Evasco took the cudgels for the municipal government.

“Let’s forget politics - let’s face our problems-head on,” he usually starts his feedback session in this manner. He then articulated the top priority programs and projects of his administartion for the next three years. These include public safety, livelihood, health thru agriculture, planting more trees, mangrove plantation, functional waterworks system, revival of arts and culture, and sports development.

Mayor Evasco is backed up by the LGU’s department heads - Oscar Valles, chief of staff; Engr. Yanie Reyes Chiu, municipal planning and development coordinator; Engr. Raul Jabines, municipal engineer; Dr. Rey Belderol, municipal health officer; Victor Lapez, Jr., municipal local government operations officer; Eva Bolasco, municipal agricultural officer; Tasing Arocha, municipal treasurer; and Bebing Remperas, municipal assessor.

Fred C. Fuertes
MPIO-Designate, Maribojoc, Bohol

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