THIS IS the asthma season; asthmatics beware! In fact, I have been on asthma medication for fourteen days and I had a checkup appointment with the ever-kind Dr. Naat Montemayor Tuesday this week as recommended by my cousin-in-law Dr. Maan Delos Santos-Sales on Monday evening. Best to follow your doctor’s orders.
So far, my set of medications is okay. Dr. Naat just added one or two. Then we had an overdue lengthy conversation ending with a prayer. I must say the checkup was both healing for the body and the soul. I left the clinic inspired that I am on the right track. So, thank you Dr. Naat. Thank you Dr. Maan. May God bless your practice and profession.
Feeling better on Wednesday, I went on a pleasurable long trip to Maitum, Sarangani. I was singing along with the repertoire playing on the car stereo. Some cuts brought me back to my childhood days – the music that my father used to listen to faithfully, while other songs were popular during my college disc jockey days. It was a fun ride!
Then we dropped by the Headquarters, 38th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Tampuan, Kamanga, Maasim, Sarangani. Since it is an elevated camp, one can enjoy the panoramic and glorious view of Sarangani Bay. The fresh air and fantastic view are both healing for the body and the soul – again! God’s marvelous creation indeed!
There, I met LTC Anhouvic B. Atilano, the battalion commander who graciously gave me a token for our visit. I met some young female soldiers. They were talking politics, haha! I had the pleasure of being photographed by a 23-year-old female soldier who took my photos perfectly! Hmm. I was thinking, perhaps she has photography training. Voila! She did when I asked.
After appreciating the view, exercising my lungs, inspecting their fishpond teeming with fish creatures, and some conversation about the kind of work I do – I only tagged along, haha, we departed to proceed to our next mission.
We proceeded to meet 1LT Phil Jun D. Ocumen, Acting Commanding Officer, Bravo Company, 38th IB together with SSG Rocky Javier, SGT Gomer Pusdan, PVT Rey Mark Capitle, and PVT Baltazar Clarito in Bugo, Malalag, Maitum, Sarangani. These gentlemen accompanied us to our destination which was a banana plantation.
The drive back to the city was again enjoyable complete with scenic view and my singing, haha! Overall, I had a fun day sprinkled with photographs, new acquaintances, and another brand-new experience!
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13th Philippine Shrimp Congress
The SARGEN Shrimp Stakeholders’ Association, Inc., a non-stock, and non-profit organization formally organized on Nov. 13, 2013, held the virtual “13th Philippine Shrimp Congress” at Sydney Hotel in General Santos City on Nov. 9-11, 2021.
The gathering brought together shrimp producers, hatcheries, feed millers, exporters, suppliers, experts, and institutions that help promote and support the growth of the shrimp industry in the Philippines. The theme for this year’s congress is “Philippine Shrimp Farming: Its Paradigm Shift to the New Normal.”
According to Marjun P. Villanueva, assistant vice president of Charoen Pokphand Foods Phils. Corp., and new president of the Sarangani Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., “The shrimp industry especially in Region 12 is growing rapidly amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, being an essential commodity, and a component to ensure food security in the country.” “The Philippine shrimp industry is to become a significant player in the world as we are becoming more competitive,” Villanueva concluded.
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Latest from the House of Representatives
Congress resumed session on Nov. 8, 2021, and lawmakers are hopeful to pass the national budget for 2022. The lower house has approved their version of the budget in September, this year. Presently, the Senate is deliberating on their version of the proposed 2022 appropriations bill.
House Bill 10153 or the proposed 2022 General Appropriations Act amounts to P5-Trillion, the biggest budget ever in Philippine history.
On this budget, we will see around P1-Trillion of funding go down to local government units, in accordance with the Mandanas Ruling of the Supreme Court that mandates devolution.
In the 2022 national budget, P1.1116 trillion (or more than one-fifth of the national budget) is allotted for local government units.
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Food for Thought
It’s not every day that we are healthy.
It’s not every day that we are happy.
Some days are uninspiring.
Some days totally suck!
So, when today makes you happy, just give it all you’ve got!
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Writer can be reached at belindabelsales@gmail.com. Twitter @ShilohRuthie./PN
