Quartrly News

NEW AUXILIARY BISHOP OF LIPA, A BANTOANON

The first Banton-born and second Romblomanon bishop was installed in solemn ceremonies in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro recently last June 19, 2002. The new prince of the church, appointed recently by Pope John Paul II, is His Excellency Bishop Buenaventura "Ben" M. Famadico, SVD of Banton, Romblon and Roxas, Oriental Mindoro. Born in Banton on July 13, 1956 to parents Juan Famadico and Catalina Malayo, Msgr. Ben was ordained as priest last October 25, 1983. He attended schools (elementary and high school in Oriental Mindoro and attended seminary at SVD in Calapan City and Tagaytay City. Prior to his appointment, Fr. Ben was vicar general at the apostolic vicariate of Calapan and parish priest of the Cathedral Parish of Santo Niņo in Calapan City.

After his installation, Msgr. Ben will assume the position of Auxilliary Bishop in the Arcdiocese of Lipa now under the care of His Excellency Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales. Another Romblomanon (Bantoanon) priest, Fr. Anthony Ibarra Fabella, holds an executive position in the SVD organization. He is now the district supervisor of the Calapan District in Oriental Mindoro.

Other ranking Romblonon SVDs are: Fr. Edward Fabella, Fr. Edgar Fabic, Fr. Teody Saluba, and Fr. Raymond Festin (assigned in overseas mission work). The first Romblomanon bishop is Msgr. Dinualdo (Donald) Gutierrez of Romblon, Romblon. He now serves as bishop of Marbel, South Cotabato. (by Rinzi Fadrilan)

FABICON GRADUATES WITH MA DEGREE

Mr. Abraham Fabicon graduated with the degree of Master of Arts in Public Administration (MAP) from the Romblon State College in Odiongan, Romblon last March. He successfully defended his Thesis entitled "Perceptions and Behavior of Members Towards Management of Four Selected Cooperatives in the province of Romblon." Fabicon's thesis adviser was Dr. Romeo F. Faeldan, Ed. D. of the Romblon State College. His panel of examiners was composed of Alexander Fomento, MM-CM, chairman; Efren B. Larquez, Ph. D., member; and Ludy B. Faulan, MPA, member. With the inspiration of this writer, Fabicon has donated a copy of his thesis to the Municipal Library of Banton, Romblon. Fabicon is presently connected with the National Statistics Office in Odiongan, Romblon as census officer.

FABRIQUE HEADS BANTON MPO 

The island-municipality of Banton, Romblon has a new head of its Municipal Police Office vice SPO4 Agustin Rivero Ramal who was recently reassigned to San Andres in Tabalas Island, Romblon as chief of police thereat. SPO2 Jose de la Vega Fabrique, 49, is a native of Romblon, Romblon where he attended his elementary and secondary courses. A graduate from the Philippine College of Criminology, Manila in 1981, he was first employed as an investigator at the APC-INP Provincial Headquarters in Romblon, Romblon and later reassigned to Magdiwang Police station and served therein for a period of 13 years.

In an interview with this writer, OIC COP Fabrique of Banton said that in mid-year of 1997-1999, he was with the Provincial Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, which was formerly known as the Criminal Investigation Service (CIS). Then he was again assigned with the Romblon Police Provincial Office in year 2000 until he was designated as Officer-in-Charge of Banton Municipal Police Station last April 16. COP Fabrique first arrived at Banton on 01 May 2002 to assume the duties, functions, and responsibilities of the office of the Chief of Police of the municipality.

- Romulo A. Faz, Sr.

BANTOANON CONSULTATIVE ASSEMBLY HELD
by Abe Fabicon

A Bantoanon Consultative Assembly was held May 9-10, 2002 at the Banton Municipal Hall, Civic Center Building of the municipality. This assembly, participated by tribal leaders, was spearheaded by the National Commission on Indigenous People - Romblon Service Center headed by officer-In-Charge Jay F. Garcia. Dr. Ulysses A. Brito, the Regional Director of NCIP - Region IV, graced the affair with his informative briefing-orientation of R.A. 8371 (the IPRA law) especially concerning the ancestral domains and lands. Provincial Statistics Officer Benjamin P. Quintero shared some inputs to the office especially on the implementation of Republic Act 9048 or the Clerical Error Law. OIC Pauline Mipalar of TESDA, a partner agency, explained to the participants the Technical Skills Development Programs for Indigenous Filipinos (IPSS) while Robert Muros of the Department of Trade and Industry discussed the marketing programs for indigenous products. The energetic local chief executive, Mayor Jory Faderanga,  thanked the NCIP and the group for a job well done.

A day after the assembly, the NIP employees, different heads of partner agencies and Mayor Jory Faderanga visited Banton's historical places and the Ugat-Faigao Museum and went barangay hopping passing the marvelous and breath-taking Banton mountain roads. It was a horrifying adventure on the part of the visitors aboard the multi-cab as it crawled the zigzag road stretching up and down the mountainside.  It was a wonder for them how those concrete roads were constructed. For them, it is God's work beyond man's imagination and gifting the people with rocks they now appreciate to be useful materials to construct concrete roads.

The guest left the islands so delighted encountering such an unexpected experience seeing one of the world-class diving sites in the region, the undisputed cleanest and greenest municipality in the province, the place where some of the national treasures kept in the national museum were found and the home of God-fearing, industrious and hospitable people.

MUNICIPAL OFFICIAL PASSES AWAY
by Romulo A. Faz, Sr.

The Hon. Climaco F. Faigao of the Sangguniang Bayan of Banton succumbed to death in Odiongan, Romblon last May 8 of lingering illness. The deceased is survived by his widow, Rosa, and children Ludmila, Jaime, and Abner and a number of grandchildren. Late Coun. Faigao faithfully served and creditably performed his duties, functions, and responsibilities as member of the local legislative body. His election campaign promises to the electorate were fruitfully fulfilled as evidenced by his re-election to the position.

A highly respected member of his church, Faigao, a pious and elder of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in the locality, was accorded with a very impressive and interesting ceremony. The children and grandchildren and his brother and brother-in-law were given chances to recollect the unforgettable moments and imperishable memories they all had with the deceased.

From the SDA church, the corpse was brought to the front of the Municipal Building by the members of the Sangguniang Bayan and heads of government offices for a necrological service in honor of the late municipal councilor. Mayor Jory F. Faderanga had a talk, Vice Mayor Rolo Fainsan gave a eulogy, and EO Romulo A. Faz read and handed the Association's resolution of sincerest condolence and deepest sympathy to the bereaved family through Rosa Vda de Faigao. 

BANTON MCR OFFIVE GOES FOR CRIS  
by Abe Fabicon

The Municipal Civil Registrar's Office of the island municipality of Banton is now on its way for the computerization of its civil registry documents. With the installation of no less than Provincial Statistics Officer Benjamin P. Quintero of the Civil Registry Information System (CRIS) software program for easy and fast retrieval of documents. This was in line with the noble vision of the leadership of Mayor Jory Faderanga.

Admirable here is the fact that Banton is a small sixth class municipality and yet full computerization is already a reality, commented PSO Quentero. The PSO was surprised that information technology is so fast changing, and Banton does not want to be outpaced by the changing times, a gallant move towards excellence in financial and administrative governance.

He gave his humble commendations to the leadership of Banton, good praises to the Municipal Mayor, Vice Mayor, the Sangguniang Bayan members and the Barangay leaders. The important visit of PSO Benjamin P. Quintero was made possible through the invitation of OIC Jay F. Garcia as one of the resources speakers in the Bantoanon Consultative Assembly. This rare opportunity to push through the installation of CRIS came with prior request of MCR Marie Fababeir for the needed assistance in the instructional procedures of the CRIS Program. 

BNHS FACULTY LEADS CELEBRATION
by Romulo A. Faz

The members of the faculty of Banton National High School led this year's 104th   Independence Day Commemoration of our beloved country. The celebration was commenced with a civic parade around the town, which was cooperatively participated in by pupils, students, teachers, employees, and officials of the barangay, municipal, provincial and national governments.

The parade wound up at the town's public square, where the Rizal Monument magnificently stands and some numbers on the program were shown. Mrs. Jo Faminialagao led the opening prayer; raising of the National Colors by Mayor & Mrs. Jory Faderanga; Panunumpa sa Watawat, Mrs. Glorita F. Fano; raising of barangay banners, Barangay Captains and female kagawads; and floral offering by Miss Shareen Fiel Fajut, "Mutya ng Kalayaan"; Miss Daisyree Fabella, "Mutya ng Kagitingan; Miss Irene Claire Faminial, "Mutya ng Kapayapaan"; Miss Mary Ann Villarin, "Mutya ng Pagkamakabayan"; and Miss Christine Fietas, "Mutya ng Katarungan"

A brief message for the day was given by Mayor Faderanga. Several impressive and interesting numbers on the program were contributed by elementary pupils, secondary students, teachers, barangay, municipal, provincial, and national officials and employees.

BAGOFEA HONORS RETIREE FABIC

The Banton Government Officials and Employees Association (BAGOFEA) tendered a despidida dinner and ballroom dancing at the 3rd Floor of the Municipal Building of Banton, Romblon last May 8 in honor of a retiree.

Honored was SPO3 Norberto F. Fabic, who retired in the compulsory age of 56, effective at the close of officer hours on 22 May 2002 and had been in the government service for 27 years as a member of the local police force.

During the program, Mayor Jory Faderanga gave the welcome remarks and awarded to the retiree a Resolution/Certificate of Recognition of the Sangguniang Bayan chaired by Vice-Mayor Rolo Fainsan.

Also, BAGOFEA president, Romulo A. Faz, read and awarded to the retiree the Association’s Resolution of Recognition as a cooperative, supportive, and active member of the aforementioned organization.

After receiving the certificate and resolution of recognition from the government and the association, respectively, SPO3 Fabic gratefully thanked and sincerely appreciated the leaders of the municipal government and the officers of the Association for their respective awards. Then, he talked on how he entered into the government service as a policeman and the invaluable experiences he met in life as a peace officer.

After the lapse of dance pieces, SPO1 Jovito F. Fajiculay introduced and welcomed to the Association SPO2 Jose Fabrique and PO1 Roberto Fadero as new members of the same. Fadero took the vacancy left by the retiree. DILG Decoroso F. Fadri acted as the master of ceremonies.

Sinamay
courtesy of Ugat-Faigao Museum,
Banton, Romblon