Clarifying issues

Piso Para Sa Pasig project director Ramon Jacinto-Socco, Jr. and Bong Barrameda wrote letters the other day to clarify certain issues raised in The Star.

Jacinto-Socco referred to an article on the Pasig River Heritage Marathon and this year’s event chairman Hermie Esguerra, the prominent horse owner. He described the 42-kilometer run as "more than a simple sporting event but an advocacy tool to push the government to see through the rehabilitation of the waterway."

Jacinto-Socco said through the marathon–now on its fourth year, the Clean and Green Foundation, Inc. (CGFI) harnesses public participation in creating continued awareness of the plight of the Pasig River.

"We are glad Mr. Esguerra feels the same way we do, that is why we asked him to join us," he noted.

The clarifications were about the P50 Million fund that Esguerra mentioned and CGFI’s functions related to the government’s commitment to rehabilitate the river.

"The P50 Million is not the rehabilitation fund itself," said Jacinto-Socco. "It would take P15 Billion by 1989’s reckoning just to partially rehabilitate the river. The P50 Million, which we raised on our own, by the way, is merely an advocacy fund which our Foundation uses to stage advocacy events like the marathon, the choir competition and projects that complement and supplement the government’s task (like to donate two eco-boats to rid the Pasig River of solid waste)."

Jacinto-Socco added that the government, through the Pasig River Rehabilitation Committee, is responsible for the actual rehabilitation (dredging, relocation of illegal dwellers, sewage treatment and others) with CGFI, a non-government organization, helping along.

"In sporting terms, the concerned government agencies are the athletes while we are the cheerleaders," said Jacinto-Socco.

For the record, the CGFI Board of Trustees is made up of chairperson Ming Ramos, honorary co-chairperson Mike Arroyo, president Ric Pascua, treasurer Doris Ho and members Boots Anson-Roa, Feliciano Cruz, Jaime Paredes and Angel Ramos.

"We are happy that you have written about our concerns and our long-term vision for the Pasig River through Mr. Esguerra," he continued. "We join Mr. Esguerra in calling to our candidates and leaders and all other sectors of society to think of the next step for the rehabilitation of the Pasig River."

Barrameda, reacting to National Broadcasting Network (NBN) chair Mia Concio’s comments on the cases he filed against the government station, said he never sought redress from the Ombudsman.

"The Ombudsman deals only with charges against government officials and not offices or agencies," he said. "The case of graft and corruption was against a couple of individuals who continue to be the subject of administrative complaints from co-employees. As for the court case, the trial judge dismissed the suit as well as NBN’s countersuit. Thus, it is now with the Court of Appeals."

Barrameda pointed out that since 1985, he has acted as executive producer, head writer and chief planner of local and international sporting events, including a slew of Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, Asian and Olympic Games aired on NBN, ABS-CBN and IBC.

"In 2001, (Ms. Concio) personally requested me to plan and produce the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games for NBN," he said. "I have a copy of the talent contract we both signed. This, despite her knowing that the civil case I filed against NBN was still pending in court. Apparently, she has little faith in the abilities of the network’s producers and writers. Just last month, an NBN functionary kept calling me up for days to ask if I can help them with their belated bid for the upcoming Athens Olympics. Too late. A highly professional group beat them months ago."

Regarding NBN’s delayed payment of talent fees, four broadcasters phoned to express their exasperation. None remains on the air for NBN. One broadcaster claimed he is owed some P120,000 since September. Another said he left the network after not being paid for four months. Two others confided they waited two months for their checks then packed up.

"We work like carabaos but we’re not paid on time, if at all," said one broadcaster. "We have to feed our families, too. How can NBN even consider bidding for the Olympics when it still has obligations to its broadcasters?"

A problem that the broadcasters face is a clause in their talent contracts stating that the release of their checks is subject to the availability of funds.

Concio said NBN has not been remiss in paying the salaries of employees although she admitted that lack of funds has delayed the release of benefits. As regards the payment of talent fees, she said NBN "is doing its best to update" the accounts.