The Easter message — hope

It was not just a promise. Easter Sunday, the first 20 completed row houses occupied by relocated squatters from Barangay 6 were blessed by Fr. Bernard Casey. And soon, there will be an additional 50 units for the rest of the 150 relocatees from barangays 6, 8, and 9 behind the provincial capitol.

In short, the provincial government-Gawad Kalinga Socialized Housing Project in Mansilingan is not just a promised relocation center. It has bloomed into vari-colored houses which the relocated squatters can be proud of.

Fr. Casey blessed the 20 houses post the 8 a.m. mass.

Present during the blessing rites were GK project director Bobby Magalona, movie actor Mandy Ochoa, Col. Victor Ibrado of the 33rd Infantry Brigade, Major Nelson Gerona and owners of the GL Couples for Christ.

Project coordinator Mike Jegira said 20 other houses are also now ready for occupancy. And the squatters are now readying to transfer to the cite which will soon boast 30 more houses pledged by various groups.

One of the most interesting clusters of four homes each were the two donated by the various Lions Clubs of Bacolod. Mt. Kanlandog turned over P40,000 for the two clusters in Bgy. Kabugwason.

Several more had responded to the appeal by Negros Occidental Governor Joseph Maranon to share part of what they can spare with the homeless.

"This is a perfect example of how we, together, can provide homes for the homeless and provide hope for those who had never imagined they could ever own their homes. The impact of the this project will be better manifested afterwards," commented Maranon.

GK socialized housing projects all over the country have become transformed into havens of peace and harmony as the relocatees developed that sense of belonging so important for a sense of community. Decent homes and the environment are the essential ingredients for the transformation of some hitherto hopeless characters into responsible citizens who care for their own community is the main theme of GK.

And in Bacolod, that Kabugwason project may will become a symbol of what an entire community can do to help others less fortunate and provide them a community that they are ready to call their own.

FVR as the alternative bet

In Iloilo last week, a group called as the Lakas-NUCD originals hinted former President Fidel Ramos could be the alternative candidate to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who had announced hat she is no longer running in 2004.

Actually, it was former Governor and three-time Congressman Gualberto Lumauig who tossed the issue of Ramos as possible presidential candidate. This was during the public affairs program, Serbisyo Publiko at the Hotel del Rio.

But Lumauig admitted that a major stumbling block could be the Constitution ban for an ex-president running again.

The case has been elevated to the courts. It was Kalinga Governor Amado Almazan who sought a clarification on the issue before the Regional Trial Court 38 of the Quezon City RTC.

Although Ramos is already 75 years old, the former solon said he is still physically fit. He celebrated his birthday in Makati City last April 2 where there was a tremendous clamor for FVR to look into the possibility of running for president.

"Hindi na. Hindi na," was the reply of the former President which Lumauig said was "mahirap basahin".

Next month, Lumauig said Lakas leaders will call for a national directorate meeting to start assessing the chances of potential candidates within the party and the People Power Coalition.

It is the time when the party’s standard-bearer will be chosen, he added.

Reshuffle for PNP waterfront cops

"We will relieve police officers in the area quarterly. We don‘t want time to call in the clutches of the waterfront syndicates."

That was how Senior Superintendent Felix Muchada, deputy regional director for operations of the Region VI PNP explained the relief of Supt. Incences Capuro was head of the Waterfront PNP station.

That also included the reassignments of the police who were reassigned to the 6 Regional Mobile Group. The entire group row is undergoing Scout Rangering at the 6 RMG in Victorias City , Negros Occidental.

Muchada, however, belief that Capuno was relieved for the failure of his men to arrest Greg Espinosa. But he also admitted that there is still an ongoing investigation into "his alleged operational lapses."

Iloilo’s troublesome waterfronts is made up of Barangays de la Rama, Zamora, Melliza, Blumentritt, Sta. Monica, Concepcion, Veterans’ Village, Muelle Lorey, Sto. Rosa Jaladoni Estate, Mansaya, Bo. Obrero, Ignore and Alalassan which are part of the La Paz district.