High population growth

Cong. Edcel Lagman said that the population growth rate is too high. At an estimated 95 million, the Philippines is the 12th most populous country among the more than 200 countries in the world. It would increase to 100 million by 2015. There must be more effective methods to reduce our high 1.9 percent population growth rate.

UP Prof. Ernesto Pernia says Thailand has 0.6 percent growth rate while Indonesia has 0.8 percent growth rate. Its time to vote on the RH bill.

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IN THE ICU . . Senator Sergio Osmeña III, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy, said in a TV interview that the Mindanao power situation is in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). He also said that the Mindanao power shortage is caused by the reduction of water supplying the 2 big hydroelectric dams in Lanao and Bukidnon.

Mindanao is paying P3.70 per kilowatt hour because of the high cost of gas turbines.

The EPIRA Law of 2001 was implemented in Luzon and Visayas but not in Mindanao.                                 

Mindanao should have the cheapest rate in the whole country but soon with the plan to use the power barges its will have the highest rate at P11 per kilowatt hour.

It looks like Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile is correct. Consumers in Mindanao will just have to bite the bullet for the next 30 months when the Agus VI hydroelectric power plant upgrading will be completed.

Poor Mindanao. Still a land of promise.

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LENTEN THOUGHTS . . As we went to church during Holy Week, the predominating thought was one of thanks to the Lord for keeping us alive for so many years, for giving us beautiful children and grandchildren, for giving us successes and disappoinments in our journey through life and for giving us the privilege of doing public service to our fellowmen.

Again, Lord, Thank you very much.

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6 MONTHS TO GO . . The deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy is October 2012. Thus, it is not surprising that the political leaders are starting to firm up their respective lineups for the 2013 senatorial and local elections. The PDP-Laban and PMP have continued its 2010 coalition by agreeing to a senatorial United Nationalist Alliance joint ticket in 2013 with the following names under serious consideration: Senators Chiz Escudero, Allan Peter Cayetano, Loren Legarda, Gringo Honasan, Koko Pimentel, Congressmen Jack Enrile, JV Ejercito, Mitos Magsaysay, Cynthia Villar, former Senators Dick Gordon, Jamby Madrigal, Migz Zubiri and your columnist and Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian. The list will be finalized by September. LP spokesperson Erin Tañada and DBM Sec. Butch Abad in a press statement said the LP is “not worried about the Binay-Erap alliance” and “could go it alone in 2013.

Potential LP senatorial candidates are Justice Sec. Leila de Lima, Erin Tañada, Butch Abad, Sen. Antonio Trillanes, Cong. Roman Romulo, former Cong. Rizza Hontiveros Baraquel, Cong. Rodolfo “Pong” Biazon, Gen. Danny Lim, Gov. Vilma Santos and Cong. Boyet Gonzales.

Other senatoriables are Gov. Ace Barbers, Mrs. Imelda Marcos and former Sen. Freddie Webb.

It is a good development that President Noynoy Aquino wants the voters list in the 5 ARMM provinces junked and a general registration to be conducted.

The biggest voting provinces are Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Pangasinan, Cebu, Negros Occidental, Davao del Sur, Pampanga, Bulacan, Iloilo, Nueva Ecija, Camarines Sur, Quezon and Isabela, also Quezon City and Manila in NCR.

Graduating from the Senate are Senators Edgardo Angara, Joker Arroyo, Panfilo Lacson, Miriam Defensor Santiago and Manny Villar.

With Sen. Miriam Santiago expected to resign in June to join the International Criminal court, 13 slots will be up for election in 2013.

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CHANGES . . Malacañang insiders have noted some changes in President Aquino’s conduct. He has stopped hitting Chief Justice Renato Corona. He is no longer talking about GMA and the past administration. He is working and accepting engagements on weekends. He is spending less time with his KKK barkada, including spending less time on the target shooting ranges. Even Grace Lee has adopted a low profile.

He is now well received for delivering short speeches and being direct to the point.

DIABETES . . There’s a diabetes epidemic worldwide with 43 percent of the population suffering from the disease.

This is also true in the Philippines. If not taken cared of early, it can cause serious health complications.

Have a blood test to find out if you are diabetic. Watch your diet and exercise regularly.

People who are obese and who are 50 years of older with a sedentary lifestyle are candidates for the disease. Better yet, have a regular check up at least once a year.

TIDBITS . . . COA reported that Mindanao missed its tax collection target by 50 percent in 2011. With the power crisis, its going to get worse.

Bombo radio Davao broadcaster Aldion Layao, 34, and Barangay Chairman of Lacson, Calinan district was shot dead Saturday night in Davao City.

LETTERS. Arthur G. Lapuz of Batobalani, Paracale Camarines Norte calls attention to alleged illegal mining activities of a Malaysian national without an ECC from DENR. Mr. Lopez also claims the iron ore produced is being smuggled out without payment of taxes. Erlando Navarro, a retired employee of the Bureau of Treasury, reports that he has not received his dividends from Meralco shares of stock.

Major Gen. Renato P. Miranda (Ret.), head of the DENR environmental law taskforce, took note of the report of Sen. Loren Legarda on illegal mining activity at the Banawe rice terraces and promised action to stop the same.         

Condolence to Amalia Fuentes and family on the death of husband Joey Stevens.