Cagayan de Oro blog

Dear Doki-Rich,

Happy New Year!

It was not a very happy new year for me, though, because I had just said goodbye to something that I had learned to carry around in my mind and my heart. (And, believe it or not, caused me to lose 20 precious pounds!) It was difficult not to call up the Emergency Room to ask about all of you and how you all did after the new year. But certainly, life is like that.

At the outset, please allow me to say that I hold no grudges nor have I ever regretted the decision to take on the JRBGH leadership… even while my heart (which used to be majority “hospital mother”) is sad at the moment.

Thank you very much for the “Open Letter…” that you wrote. Can a heart enlarge non-physiologically, Doctor? My heart swelled with pride to know that there are among you who value my stay at the JRBGH. But, I had to caution myself… let the swelling stay in my chest… I did not want to be afflicted with emphysema of the brain… or symptoms to that effect.

But, even while I had decided to leave the JRBGH (where I was prepared to retire and die in… maybe not really “… die for…” as you said), I couldn’t help but try to point out a few things for you. It seems my leadership mode for the JRBGH hasn’t really been totally turned off.

Doki Rich, as soon as I arrived at the JRBGH a little over a year and 3 months ago, among other things, I made sure that we had a working Executive Committee (Execom) composed of the Division Heads and me. Please humor me by allowing me to explain why. Because I believed that everyone in the hospital needed to have a significant part in how we would run the hospital. We needed to allow every single person to be accountable not only to their immediate supervisors but to the hospital clientele, the people of Cagayan de Oro City: the main reason why we are. This meant that every week, the Execom met and discussed hospital concerns emanating from city hall, hospital management, personnel, patients and other stakeholders (DOH, media, the youth council, etc).

From these meetings, the Execom went to their Divisions to trickle down our thoughts and promote upstream run of issues. And once a month, we had a Hospital General Meeting to identify, air out and address concerns. (At this point, allow me to say thank you to everyone… those who supported what I tried to do: because they made my work easy and those who didn’t quite agree: because they kept me on my toes to try and be better.)

Why do I bring this up again? Because Doki-Rich, I want to point out that my leadership style called for the involvement of everyone and that such be properly implemented, too. I wanted to walk my talk. All of us needed to have a voice in how we run the hospital. All of us needed to know where we wanted to go. All of us needed to know our weaknesses. All of us needed to know our strengths. All of us needed to know our Vision and Mission: to be a tertiary hospital responsible for the health needs of Cagayan de Oro City. Thus, as your previous leader, I encourage you to continue to be responsible and accountable to yourself, the hospital and the people with regards what we are BEST in: the hospital care of Cagay-anons.

I do not intend for this to be a pitch for my return to the JRBGH. At this stage, I don’t think that’s best for our hospital. You were all witness to my experience there. My staying on will only mean that the JRBGH will not be able to get what it truly needs.

FOCUS instead on the Systems changes that can improve the services of the hospital: Fiscal autonomy or at least, retention of income and a revolving drug fund; Hiring of Resident doctors and augmentation of staff for expanded hospital operations; Review and modification of the procurement system; Training, training and more training for the staff (on clinical knowledge and values formation); and provision of appropriate benefits for personnel and staff. We need to open up our hospital to knowledge and technology that can markedly improve our services.

Doki Rich, our problem is not just money. It is a metanoia (is this the right word?) , on all levels. We need to take on our vision and mission. We need to live it and exert all our energies to “get there.” (as YOUR favorite President-elect aptly puts it. ) I hope we can “get there” without dealing with all these on a personal level.

While accolades and verbal or nonverbal support truly warms this ageing heart and adds to my treasure chest of fond memories to delve into during times of strife, I really should once more “lead” you away from this track. As I have said over and over again, no one is indispensable. Our systems should run; our services should be optimal whoever is at the helm.

Lastly, let me share with you this piece (attached file “national”) on why I think Nationalization of our Hospital is advantageous to all concerned. No one really asked for my opinion on this matter so please allow me to impose it on you. It is not a complete list, I am sure. It may not even be totally true as I did not consult with anybody on this. But, these are my personal ideas and if proven wrong, again, I shall humbly accept.

My warmest regards to you, Jovy and your beautiful family. Pa sobra pa diay: my personal and humble thanks to Jovy who selflessly turned over her hospital showcase. It shows what kind of hearts you have and where our hospital lies in your lives. And, while I have thanked you for this, let me say that one of the peaks of my stay at the JRBGH was having a website: ALL OUR VERY OWN! And this was because of you… May blessings upon blessings come upon you.

Yours truly,

DET

ADVANTAGES:

1. Direction for this government health facility will be in line with the New Public Management System of the Health Sector.

a. The DOH is the authority in health systems
b. The DOH has the researches and projections on output that when put to use, will serve the best health interest of the populace of Cagayan de Oro City.
c. Rationalization of Health Resources based on Health Need for Cagayan de Oro City and Region X can be more fully studied and addressed.

2. The DOH has the budget for the Health Sector

a. A hospital under the DOH will have priority to its annual budget
b. The JRBGH need not compete with other services of the local government for its limited budget
c. The DOH has access to overseas funding agencies that regularly provides for the health sector and can direct some of these to the JRBGH
d. The LGU-run hospital will not need to constantly ask for a share in the national DOH budget for health; the JRBGH shall have a regular budget from DOH.
e. When properly managed with the appropriate directives, the JRBGH can further move towards sustainability with Corporatization and better fiscal management, thus providing for its own means to support advances and upgrading of facilities.

3. Continuing Education and training

a. DOH is the repository of brilliant minds in health: including training and education
b. DOH has regular training for its staff and personnel
c. Foreign-funded training coursed through the DOH will be available for the personnel of JRBGH
d. Services will be enhanced with training of the Administration, Nursing, Ancillary and Medical Staff of the Hospital

4. Hospital Services

a. All directives and orders of the DOH shall be implemented. These are guaranteed to provide optimum hospital health care for the patients.
b. Infrastructure completion can be factored into the short, medium and long-term plans of DOH for the JRBGH, hence completing the whole hospital as a Medical Center in probably 5-10 years.
c. Retention of Income can allow the hospital to continue to improve and add to its equipment complement to be able to provide the various basic and specialty hospital that is necessary in Cagayan de Oro.
d. A Revolving Drug Fund can be put into place immediately to correct the dearth of drugs and medicines. Emergency drugs shall then be always available for the hospital clientele.
e. Suppliers will not hesitate to negotiate with a re-nationalized hospital.

5. Personnel Benefits

a. DOH administrative orders shall provide the best milieu and work conditions for the staff of the JRBGH. Benefits shall be provided. The Magna Carta for Public Health Workers can be implemented.
b. National Qualification Standards and the Career Path for the Health Sector shall be implemented.

6. Others:

a. The hospital can continue to be named the J.R.Borja General Hospital and thus, hold on to the historical aspect of the hospital. It shall continue to be a City Hospital for Cagayan de Oro City but, more responsive to the City’s needs.
b. The JRBGH can be more involved in the Rationalization of Health Services for the City in particular and the whole region in general.
c. The JRBGH can be a more responsive Government Health Facility for Region X because an upgraded and properly managed hospital can provide the necessary tertiary health care while the Northern Mindanao Medical Center can be allowed to develop and provide Sub-specialty care. This will then mean that patients who need transplant surgery, advanced cardio-vascular and thoracic surgery, neuro-surgery and other services need not go to Cebu or Manila for such

DISADVANTAGES:

1. Ownership will not anymore rest with the local government of Cagayan de Oro City.
2. Hiring, Firing and management will be turned-over to the National Government.

(Attachment: Dr. Tagayuna’s letter)

The public is hereby advised not to panic in the presently suspected Hog Cholera incidence in the province of Misamis Oriental. However, farmers are advised to be vigilant in the reporting of any case they observed in their livestock, to effect immediate control of the disease.

The cause of the incidence of mortalities has yet to be confirmed by the central laboratory at the Philippine Animal Health Center (PAHC), Bureau of Animal Industry, Manila. To whcih, samples have been sent to PAHC.

The Department of Agriculture - Regional Field Unit 10 (DA-RFU 10) is assisting the Provincial and Municipal Local Government Units of Misamis Oriental in the control measures with the release of 3,450 doses of Hog Cholera vaccines. As of today, the incidence report has declined in the municipalities that have instituted vaccination.

In the meantime, the farmers are advised not to “force slaughter” or sell their sick animals to traders for this will be a means of spreading the disease. They are advised to report immediately to the nearest Municipal Agriculture Office, to the Provincial or City Veterinary Office, or call the Department of Agriculture (Hotline 09209386798 or 09192335738).

For the consuming public, we advise them to buy only the meat that passed Meat Inspection by the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) at accredited slaughterhouses. Meat that passed Meat Inspection has distinguishing Meat Inspection stamp or branding (inspected & passed).

We appeal for everybody’s cooperation in controlling the spread of the disease. Report at once!! Department of Agriculture has already advised the other Provincial Governors of REgion 10 to monitor, report, institute measures to control spread.

Thank you…

Lealyn A. Ramos
Regional Executive Director, DA - RFU 10
November 5, 2008

Cagayan de Oro City mayor Constantino Jaraula is optimistic that the problem between BIR District Office 16 regional director and the members of the Coalition of Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCCI) will finally come to an end when the new commissioner assumes office on November 1, 2008.

He told reporters in an interview that the recent “Sara Protesta” staged by the CCCI members all over Northern Mindanao would bear fruit as their grievances they put in writing was already sent to the office of President Gloria Arroyo in Malacanang.
He said he is in contact with the president as well as the Secretary of Finance Margarito Teves and he even personally handed the letter of the coalition to the President. “I am confident this problem between Dir. Gandarosa and coalition members would be resolved soon,” the mayor told reporters.

For his part, Lawyer Oscar Musni, spokesperson of the coalition said over a television station that the members of the coalition are not afraid of the charges that regional director Gandarosa is planning to file for those who joined the “Sara Protesta” last week.
He said the reported charges on economic sabotage against the CCCI members who joined the protest on October 22, 2008 have no legal basis according to the point of view of the coalition members.
Meanwhile, BIR-DO 16 regional director Mustapha Gandarosa in an open letter sent to this paper said since he assumed office as regional director of BIR district office 16 in June 2006, the bureau was at the tail end as far as tax generation is concerned.

“Few months later and due to my reforms and effective and equitable tax administration the regional office was recognized by the BIR National Office as among the Top Three record holder in tax collection. This is a recognition that I have kept for three consecutive years, he explained.

TOTAL COMMITMENT
He said BIR district office 16 was included in the top 3 Top performing BIR district offices for the last three years because of his commitment to help President Gloria Arroyo’s campaign to collect more taxes thru legal means in order that our government can finance more projects as well as give more social services to the people.

“We have maintained our yearly collection target and even exceeded them because we feel the government needs to implement more projects. We also religiously follow orders from the national office to conduct surveillance on private companies and corporations that we suspect are not declaring their daily sales in good faith. Our efforts proved we are heading to the right path because we have increased our collections tremendously and even allowing the bureau to land in the Top Three spot for best performing districts.”

THREAT TO BUSINESSMEN
Gandarosa said his office’s massive tax collection efforts to collect more taxes were also perceived by some local businessmen as a threat to their business operations to deny the truth of them mis-declaring their real taxes.

“ Some group of businessmen who saw me as a threat to their business also started maligning me and accusing me of “harassing” them which I also vehemently denied. These are all pure fabricated allegations to discredit my reputation to the national office and to the people of the region where I served. They even wrote the president and told her of so many things which I did not do. I hope God will forgive them and guide them to the right path. They should do the right thing. If they have evidence that some of my men are undesirables and have accepted bribes why should they subject me to trial by publicity when we have courts that could hear their allegations? We have proper forums that will conduct fair trial. All I need is fair and justice and not trial by publicity,” the regional director added.

He said “to those businessmen who are hit by my strict implementation of tax reforms I hope they will see light and instead help our dying economy by honestly paying their taxes. Those people who cannot buy me are the ones who are after me. But I have to do what my superiors have instructed me to collect more taxes thru legal means.“

“How can I become a corrupt official when I don’t gamble, womanized or even have other vices? I don’t even socialize. I don’t need to ask financial help because our family has been blessed already even when I was a kid. I grew up with my parents who have fortunes in life.”

He said prior to his appointment as regional director of the BIR district office 16, he has worked hard for 13 years in the Middle East based in Riyadh and Jeddah all in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as Revenue Attache and he was paid in dollars. “I have even kept a dollar account in Saudi Arabia until now enough to enjoy the remainder of my life.”

ACHIEVEMENTS
Gandarosa said for many decades of BIR district office #16, those previous officials have not even bothered to put their own office. It was only during his time that he had successfully established the biggest BIR building in Mindanao thru a lease-purchase agreement with Land Bank. “
This is because I am committed and dedicated to serve the administration of Pres. Gloria Arroyo” the regional director said in his letter.

He said it was also during his time that the region received an award from the national office recognizing his clients as outstanding taxpayers like the Bukidnon government represented by Governor Jose Ma. Zubiri and UKC Builders represented by Mr and Mrs Dodong Uy. This is first to happen that the national office has recognized two outstanding taxpayers from Mindanao.

In Gingoog City, where he was also previously assigned he said he has increased collection up to 127 percent in the first year of his assignment. After two years he was sent to Bukidnon to institute reforms in tax collection. From a mere collection of 33 million, he said he has increased them to more than a hundred million pesos.
“Records in the office would show that I have increased up to 339 percent collection,” Gandarosa stressed.

“Now in Cagayan de Oro, I have also instituted tax reforms because the region’s collection was a problem. As a dedicated servant I even stopped our Christmas party, anniversary celebration, our monthly staff meeting and even my birthday celebration so that my name would not be tarnished and used by my personnel in solicitations to protect my integrity. We transferred to our new and world class BIR building with no celebration at all as we remain to be of low profile,” he pointed out.

He said these were his proud legacies that “I want people in the region to remember me. I am a dedicated servant and I cannot allow that my detractors would only destroy my good reputation, just because they don’t want to pay their taxes fairly,” the regional director concluded. By Joel Escol kagayandeoro.blogspot.com

SO THE PUBLIC MAY KNOW

Hereunder is the letter-appeal of the Coalition of Chambers of Commerce
and Industry Associations of Northern mindanao to
Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

COALITION OF CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS

Northern Mindanao

AN APPEAL TO THE PRESIDENT

14 October 2008

H.E. PRESIDENT
GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
Malacanang, Manila

Your Excellency,

With all humility we come to your Excellency on a matter of survival for our business. In the last three (3) consecutive years, our Revenue District in Cagayan de oro was consistently recognized as most Outstanding, among the country’s top three (3) in tax collection. This clearly demonstrates our cooperation with the Bureau of Internal revenue in nation-building through the payment of correct taxes.

However, the cooperation and tax consciousness of our members have been abused by the BIR Regional Director of Region XVI when he formed a Special Task Force composed of the Regional Special Investigation Division (SID) and issued hundreds of Letters of Authority (LAs) and Mission Orders (MOs) to conduct tax examinations on the heels of the annual tax audit by the Revenue District Officers (RDOs). The Regional Director has issued a barrage of LAs and MOs, repeated subpoenas duces tecum with undue procedural haste, giving no reasonable opportunity to our members to comply before the Regional Director imposes arbitrary and oppressive “assessments”.

Correspondingly, we most humbly appeal to you, Madam President, for the following corrective measures:

* the reassignment of Dir. Mustapha M. Gandarosa as Regional Director of BIR Region XVI, to another Region or to the National Office;

* retain the regular tax audit by the RDOs concerned on an annual basis and set the on-going series of tax examinations of the BIR regional Task Force, and accordingly, recall the tax “assessments” thereunder.

To demonstrate the depth and extent of our suffering under these oppressive tax examinations and “assessments”, our members will be constrained to stage simultaneous BUSINESS SHUTDOWN (SARA PROTESTA) initially on October 18, 2008 (Saturday).

Madam President, please help us survive, even under the looming world financial crisis.

Thank you ver much.

Sincerely Yours,

Mr. Efren T. Uy
President
Misamis Oriental Filipino-Chinese
Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Rodolfo L. Menes
President
Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce
and Industry foundation, Inc.

Quinciano H. Lui
President
Cagayan de Oro Filipino-Chinese
Chamber of Commerce

Rogelio Lim
President
Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Industries

Mr. Yang Jian Xin
President
Philippine Chinese Chamber
of Commerce- Misamis OrientalChapter

Pershing Tanqueto
President
Ozamis City Filipino-Chinese
Chamber of Commerce

Antonio F. Chua
President
Bukidnon Filipino-Chinese Chamber
of Commerce and Industry

Nelia Lee
President
Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association

Elvira D. Tan
Regional Governor
Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.

The “Sara Protesta” has been moved to October 21, 2008 (Tuesday)

CAGAYAN de Oro Mayor Constantino Jaraula met with President Arroyo Wednesday as the local business sector shows no sign of backing down on the threat to close shop if the head of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in Northern Mindanao is not replaced.

Jaraula boarded a 7:45 flight for Manila and met with the President at lunchtime, said City Information Officer Erwin Culanag.

Jaraula presented to President Arroyo the manifesto of the Coalition of Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) in Northern Mindanao, Culanag said, adding that details on the meeting will be known when the mayor arrives from Malacañang.

The businessmen’s manifesto contained two demands: The replacement of BIR-Northern Mindanao Regional Director Mustapha Gandarosa and the retention of regular tax audit by Revenue District Officers (RDOs) on an annual basis.

BIR-Northern Mindanao should also stop the “on-going series of tax examinations” and have the tax assessments therein recalled, reads the manifesto, a copy of which was obtained by Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.

Early this week, CCCI-Northern Mindanao members had threatened to stage a one-day close shop to protest the alleged “arbitrary and oppressive” tax assessments being conducted by the regional BIR office.

They decided, however, to postpone the protest dubbed “Sara Protesta” after Jaraula promised to bring their demands to Malacañang.”

The coalition noted that for the last thee years, the local revenue district was “consistently recognized as Most Outstanding being among the country’s top three in tax collections.”

This demonstrated, according to the businessmen, “our cooperation” with the BIR “in nation-building through the payment of taxes.”

But the coalition lamented that its support for the government’s “revenue-generation efforts” has been “abused” by Director Gandarosa “by issuing hundreds of Letters of Authority (LAs) and Mission Orders (MOs) to conduct tax examination on the heels of the annual tax audit by the RDOs.”

Gandarosa, they said, “has issued a barrage of Las and MOs, and repeated subpoenas with undue procedural haste, giving no reasonable opportunity to our members to comply before the Regional Director (Gandarosa) imposes arbitrary and oppressive ‘assessments’.”

The traders warned that if the “on-going oppressive tax examinations and ‘assessments’” continue, “the permanent closure of businesses by some of our members and the resulting economic dislocation would be inevitable.”

Oscar Musni, the coalition’s legal counsel, said the planned protest will push through should their demands are ignored by Malacañang.
By Cong B. Corrales Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro

Philippine Air Force  UH-1H military transport helicopter at standby at the Lumbia Cagayan de Oro Airport.

A stairway waiting area overlooking the city. A project of Congressman Rolando “Klarex” Uy at Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City. Cong. Uy is the Congressman coming from the First District Cagayan de Oro

Department of Pulic Works and Highways, Region 10
Office of The District Engineer, Cagayan de Oro City District Engineering Office, Puntod, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines