AGHAM-Negros Occidental Chapter chairperson Manuel Villanueva yesterday said in a press release that its Party List group is not supporting Bayan Muna.

He clarified that it is impossible for AGHAM party list group to support another party list group like Bayan Muna because a voter can only vote for one group.

He said his group was not the source of a press release, that is apparently designed to confuse the supporters of AGHAM. He also disclosed that the University of the Philippines at Los Baños Alumni Association - Negros Occidental Chapter, of which he is also president, is hosting a forum in Bacolod City today to be attended by Dr. Emil Javier, AGHAM Party List nominee, to clarify this matter.

AGHAM, that stands for Alyansa ng mga Grupong Haligi ng Agham at Teknolohiya para sa Mamamayan, is pushing for science education and scholarships, bigger budget for research, development and extension, and development of science and technology infrastructure, according to Javier, former University of the Philippines President and current National Academy of Science and Technology president, the press release said.

The former UPLB Chancellor and Science Secretary also said AGHAM promotes the advancement and application of science and technology for the economic development of the country and the well-being of the Filipino people.

The other two nominees of AGHAM are Negros Occidental native and former Silliman University President and Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Angel Alcala and former Science Undersecretary and Director General of the Center for the Promotion of Peace and Development in Mindanao, Saeed Daof, who is the House adviser on Muslim Affairs.

Javier said AGHAM advocates appropriate government policies and support for relevant science education and research and development programs to harness the full potential of science and technology in accelerating economic progress. It aspires to generate general public consciousness and government appreciation of the importance of science and technology in increasing productivity, ensuring food security, protecting the environment, enhancing the quality of Philippine products, and increasing the country's global competitiveness, the press release added.*

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Sagay VM defends Loren

Sagay City Vice Mayor Joseph Gerard Marañon yesterday came to the rescue of Genuine Opposition senatorial bet Loren Legarda who is being victimized by what he calls "black propaganda" in southern Negros.

In text messages being circulated in southern Negros, Legarda has been tagged as an author of bill which barred teachers from receiving pay if they apply for vacations.

Marañon said the accusation against Legarda is not true. He clarified that, contrary to text messages being circulated, Legarda filed amendments to the Magna Carta for Teachers as a senator during the 12th Congress, " seeking to increase the pay and benefits of teachers."

Marañon said Legarda even wanted teachers who are required to work during the semestral and summer breaks to be paid additional compensation on a pro-rated basis, and extra pay for those saddled with additional teaching loads.

Noting that a lot of teachers dipped into their own pockets to buy educational materials to make improvements at their classrooms, Legarda said in a statement that increasing salaries of teachers would stop them from seeking employment abroad.*GPB

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YMCA sets
installation of officers

The Board of Directors of the Young Men's Christian Association of Negros Occidental Inc. will be installed and inducted at 7 p.m. today, at the Circle Inn, in Bacolod City, a press release from the group said.

Guest of honor, speaker and chief inducting officer will be Dante Orate, assistant ICE Attaché, Department of Homeland Security of the United States Embassy in Manila.

The officers for 2007 are Ernesto Pama Jr. - president, Fidel Garbanzos - 1st vice president, Virgilio Paredes - 2nd vice president, Monina Pison - corporate secretary, Restituto Pahilanga Jr. - treasurer, Federico Espende - assistant treasurer, Benjamin Montinola - auditor, Bernardo Castillon - PIO, and Elmer Montoyo Sr. - business manager.

Other members of the Board are Cesar Andrade, Philip Abello, Elmer Balbin, Franklin Demonteverde, Pepito Gellada and Samson Mondia. The inducting team will be headed by Felipe Banzon, Jose Paolo Ariola, Bonifacio Kho, and Luis Chan, the press release added.*

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Summer art workshop set

The Negros Museum in Bacolod City will hold a Summer Art Workshop, April 16 to May 18, a press release from organizers said.

The event is aimed enhanching the participants' skills and interest in art. Courses will be taught by some of the foremost local artists of Negros Occidental, the press release said. Courses will include Play Art I (for ages 4-6); Play Art II (7-8); Visual Basics (9-12); Water Color (13-17); Acrylic/Oil Painting (13-17); Terra Cotta/Clay (for ages 13-17); and Junior Tour Guiding and Photography (open to all), the press release said.

Interested parties may call The Negros Museum at Tel. Nos. 431 9451, 7085080, telefax 4334764, or email at negros_museum96@yahoo.com, the press release added.*

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