Extension

The province of Negros Oriental is grateful for the extension i.e., giving of additional time, to the life of 3rd District Representative Henry Pryde Teves who was happily welcomed back home by his family, constituents and fellow public servants. Still seated on a wheel chair and talking with the media, the Congressman was a picture of the steady recuperation from the injuries he sustained from the November 13 Batasang Pambasa bombing. He revealed that, while unconscious, he had time to be alone with the Creator and this life-changing experience has encouraged him to focus on health, poverty alleviation and education. We wish Congressman Teves all the best in his recuperation and our support toward “denying himself” as he ministers to those in need.

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Another extension of 41 days was given to the Japan Exploration Corporation to complete their exploratory drilling efforts in Tañon Strait which had a January 15 deadline. The government and the oil company hope to confirm the existence of a one billion barrel deposit. The project has environmentalists watching developments while conducting studies on the effect of the drilling on the environment knowing that man's intervention with nature has a record of more long term adverse consequences on earth's sustainability. The lone objection to the extension given to JAPEX was from Bais City Mayor Hector Villanueva who raised reservations on the drilling as less and less dolphins are reportedly now seen during dolphin-watching excursions.

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The extension or enlargement of our demand for energy brings along the need for more energy production, as well as, upgrading of the energy distribution infrastructure. The former is evident in the entry into the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park buffer zone by the Philippine National Oil Co. - Energy Development Corp. while the latter will be felt in the scheduled 10-hour power shutdowns in Negros Oriental for March 20, 23, 29, 30, April 5 and 26. These developments bring about the challenge of finding a balance between preserving nature and our demands on nature to support our life style. Providentially, Silliman University President Ben Malayang III has been appointed member of the Advisory Council on Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation and Communication of the Philippine Government. The appointment strengthens the call of the environment for prudent consideration on our definition, direction and quality of progress.

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Let us end with a story illustrating how often we ignore nature's character when thinking of ourselves. A single man wanted someone to help him with the household chores, so he decided to get a pet to help out. He went to the local pet shop and asked the owner for advice on a suitable animal. The owner suggested a dog, but the man said, “Nah, dogs can't do dishes." The owner then suggested a cat, but the man said, "Nah, cats can't do the ironing." Finally the owner suggests a centipede, "This is the perfect pet for you. It can do anything!" "OK," the man thought, "I'll give it a try," so he bought it and took it home. Once home he told the centipede to wash the dishes. The centipede looks over and there are piles and piles of dirty dishes that look to be a month old. Five minutes later, all the pots are washed, dried, and put away. "Great," thought the man. Then he told the centipede to do the dusting and vacuuming. Fifteen minutes later the house is spotless. Wow, thought the man, so he decided to try another idea. "Go down to the corner and get me the newspaper," he told the centipede, and off it went. Fifteen minutes later, the centipede hadn't returned. 30 minutes later and still no centipede. Forty-five minutes and the man was sick of waiting, so he got up and went out to look for the centipede. As he opened the front door, there on the step was the centipede. "Hey, whatcha' doing there? I sent you out for the newspaper 45 minutes ago and now I find you out here without the newspaper! What gives?" "Hold on a minute!" said the centipede, "I'm still putting on my boots!"*