Timely recycling of
used motor oil

I was surprised yesterday when Herbet Pilzberg called on Confed Negros-Panay chair Luis Tongoy. The German national, who did not speak English fluently, explained through an interpreter the reason for his call. It was an invitation to a demonstration on the use of a machine that converts used engine oil into usable state.

That was something startling. And even Luis Tongoy, himself a successful sugar producer found himself astonished with the prospects of such a device.

Incidentally, Pilzberg represents a German firm-Fischer - which also manufactures orthopedic machines and also orthopedic shoes.

The demonstration will be on April 16 at the Villa Angela. That's Easter Sunday.

In short, the machine reportedly purifies used engine oil and makes them clean for use again. His present machine is electricity-fired and could churn out 50 liters clean oil from the same amount of used engine oil.

There is another version of the equipment that can handle as much as 200 liters in one hour.

Tongoy immediately seized on it as an opportunity for sugar producers who own diesel-fueled trucks and tractors to consider the feasibility of such a device that could, if the price is right, mean a lot of savings on their fuel. And he even entertained the idea of inviting sugar mills and mill district development councils with tractor pools to consider the Fischer machine.

The date for the demonstration will be Eastern Sunday, April 16, at Villa Angela.

***

Marietta Goco of the Save Our Language Through Federalism yesterday sent me a special message on the current agitation for Charter Change.

Russia after years of communism went democratic and is now one of the richest countries of Europe. And China, she added, also followed suit and is now next to Japan as an economic power in this part of the world.

But she pointed out that we have been under a bicameral, presidential system for 72 years. But where are we now?, she asked. We cannot afford to retrogress, she added.

That is why I want change, Maritta stressed.

***

The activation of LCT Holy Trinity Navistar (landing craft transport) owned and operated by Tri-STAR mega Link to ply the Tabuelan (Cebu) and Escalante City route is a welcome addition to the barges operating in the area.

Fr. Harry Boem O'Cam blessed the LCT recently.

Escalante officials were led by Mayor Santiago G. Barcelona Jr. and his spouse, SPM Alice. Among those present were Marina Administrator Vicente Suazo, Marina director Armie Carilla, former Congressman Manuel Puey, president Adolfo Lim of the Northern Negros Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., Brgy. Capt. Avito Martas, kagawads Alfonso Lim, Felicitas Ejusa, Ann Mae Lim, Alma Joy Be, Nestor Infante, National Development Corporation's Ronaldo Javier, Weesam manager Frank Carbon, and Alfredo Barcelona of the FFCCII.

That's definitely another feather in the cap for Mayor Barcelona who has transformed Escalante into a bustling and dynamic community in northern Negros Occidental.

***

The provincial school board was reported as having spent P7.5-million for various infrastructure projects in different provincial schools last year.

Of the amount, P5.6 million went to the construction, repair and improvement of school buildings.

But more important was the P1.8 million used to install and upgrade water systems to insure clean and accessible potable water to several schools.

The school board has reportedly allocated another P2.8-million for the "Buhay Tubig Ko" program to provide water facilities to schools and students.

These are projects which really impact on the lives of students in outlying areas of the province. We hope that the provincial government can wring out some more funds from the national government for school building projects in the province.

***

Another editor-in-chief of a Tarlac newspaper was reportedly gunned down Monday in Barangay Armenia.

The fatality was identified as Orlando Mendoza, 54, of the Tarlac Profile.

Tarlac city police Chief Rudy Lacadin immediately declared that their investigation showed that Mendoza'a death is not related to his media practice.

Police tagged Mendoza as allegedly having been involved in inland disputes. They recovered a .380 Lalama handgun of Mendoza and an M-14 rifle 10 meters away from Mendoza's owner-type jeepney.

But even admitting that Mendoza may have been involved in land disputes, that still does not justify his shooting.

And the police still has to solve the earlier killing of Boni Gregorio of the Dyaryo Banat newsweekly who was gunned down in front of his house in La Paz, Tarlac. That remains to be solved, although police reportedly admit that politics may be behind Gregorio's slaying.

Well, the list of mediamen victims of slaying in this country is getting longer.*

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