2nd Annual Evaluation Report of the Mangal Marine Protected Area, October 10, 2019

Two and an half years have past since the start of enforcement of the Mangal Marine Protected Area (MMPA) Ordinance. Once again, it is time to evaluate the performance of the MMPA Bantay Dagat Team, picking-up from where we left-off from the 1st Annual Evaluation Report dated May 10, 2018. It is worth restating that this annual evaluation report is intended to provide concrete, constructive and actionable feedback to the relevant government agencies and officials (in particular, LGU of Mansalay, Barangay Don Pedro and BFAR MIMAROPA) in an effort to continually improve the enforcement at the MMPA and thus ensure its long-term sustainability and success by way of increasing the fish catch of local fisherfolks and restoring an attractive marine environment for tourists.

During the second year of enforcement up to the present, the MMPA Bantay Dagat Team has been led by Reynaldo Ladrera (Overall Head of Marine Protected Area Enforcement in Mansalay, including the MMPA, the Palaypay Marine Sanctuary and the Sta. Brigida Marine Turtle Sanctuary) and Alan Fabila (former Barangay Captain of Barangay Don Pedro and Head of the MMPA Bantay Dagat Team), who report to the Mayor of Mansalay (formerly Joel Maliwanag and currently Ferdinand "Totoy" Maliwanag).

It is fair to state that the enforcement at the MMPA during the past year and a half has been better and more consistent than during the first year of enforcement. This is in large part due to the commitment of the Mayor's office to provide the basic requirements for such enforcement, mainly in terms of human resources. This is no small feat as explained below.

MMPA Planned Bantay Dagat Headcount (6 LGU and 2 Mangal = 8 TOTAL) is now being sustained. After the issuance and review of the first MMPA Management Plan dated September 6, 2015, Major Joel Maliwanag approved a headcount of six (6) Bantay Dagat individuals under the LGU casual payroll and Mangal approved a headcount of two (2) Bantay Dagat individuals at its own expense to supplement the enforcement efforts of the LGU. During the first year of enforcement at the MMPA, it was a challenge to consistently maintain the planned headcount of eight (8) individuals. This was mainly due to the high turnover of LGU Bantay Dagat individuals who were consistently paid late--as late as four (4) months from the time they rendered their service. In addition, the six (6) LGU Bantay Dagat individuals did NOT have an LGU designated and compensated full time supervisor to instill discipline in the ranks, to closely monitor their performance and to attend to their needs (like helping them accomplish their daily accomplishment reports to minimize delays in the payment of their payroll). Mangal also lapsed briefly on its commitment to maintain its two (2) Bantay Dagat individuals as one of them was relieved due an integrity issue and a proper replacement could not immediately be reinstated.

After the Barangay Elections in May 2018, Mayor Joel recruited Alan Fabila (who had just completed the maximum three consecutive terms as Barangay Captain of Barangay Don Pedro) to head and supervise the MMPA Bantay Dagat Team. Under the leadership of Alan Fabila, the LGU Bantay Dagat headcount of 6 individuals has been maintained, no doubt due in large part to his assistance in preparing their daily accomplishment reports that have in turn reduced delays in the payment of their compensation. According to Alan, the delay in the payment of the compensation of LGU Bantay Dagat individuals today is about one (1) month--a substantial improvement to the three (3) to four (4) month delays a year ago. Hence, it is NOT surprising that, according to Alan, he replaced only three (3) individuals for cause (due to performance or other issues) since he headed-up the MMPA Bantay Dagat Team. This does NOT include replacements for individuals who resigned in good-standing and remain eligible to return to the MMPA Bantay Dagat Team.

Going forward, Alan is working towards having the LGU Bantay Dagat individuals compensated at the same time as other LGU casual workers, who, according to Alan, receive their compensation in the middle of the following month (i.e., 1/2 month delay instead of the current 1 month delay). This should close the issue of delayed compensation to LGU Bantay Dagat individuals once and for all and, more importantly, help sustain the morale of the entire MMPA Bantay Dagat Team.

The above eliminates the need for the revolving buffer fund previously offered by Mangal to temporarily advance the compensation of LGU Bantay Dagat individuals until such time they had been paid by the LGU.

Recent Sea Turtle Hatching at Casabangan
Click the above heading to view a brief video of Green Sea Turtle hatchlings (an endangered species) making their way to the sea (Casabangan Bay). Kudos to Pastor Ladrera, who personally and carefully transferred 113 eggs (making sure the orientation of each egg was NOT altered from its original position) from the original nest (which was too close to the shoreline and would have resulted in the rotting of the eggs due to the seepage of sea water) to higher ground, thereby increasing their chances of hatching.

We know this for a fact because, in September 2017 (two years ago), we found and secured a similar nest in Casabangan but did NOT know then that we had to move it to higher ground. It was only after over 60 days had passed (and there were no hatchlings) when we discovered that all the eggs had rotted due to the seepage of sea water. Hopefully, we have learned a valuable lesson in this tragic incident.

Pastor Ladrera explained that he even takes as much of the sand with the secretions of the mother to ensure the eggs feel right at home in their safer nest on higher ground. Thereafter, the MMPA Bantay Dagat Team secured the new nest with a fence and guarded the same over the next 60 days. It seems that all the tender loving care paid off because more than 100 hatchlings (out of the 113 eggs) made it to the sea, which is an incredible survival rate from eggs to hatchlings. We can only hope that most of these baby sea turtles make it to maturity and return to Casabangan to make more sea turtles. 

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first recorded/verified successful sea turtle hatching in Casabangan in over 30 years. This is a BIG DEAL! Congratulations to the MMPA Bantay Dagat Team!

UP Marine Science Institute Survey of MMPA and Palaypay
On October 9 and 10, 2019, a team of four (4) divers from the UP Marine Science Institute and the Department of Computer Science conducted a marine survey of the MMPA and the Palaypay Marine Sanctuary, respectively. The survey at the MMPA consisted of two (2) fifty (50) meter transects within the MMPA and one (1) (50) meter transect outside the MMPA. The survey at Palaypay consisted of one (1) one hundred (100) meter transect within Palaypay. Due to the strong currents in Palaypay, the team could not proceed with a transect outside the boundaries of the Palaypay Marine Sanctuary.

The goal is to establish a new and more meaningful (i.e., fuller picture) baseline of the marine biomass/diversity at the MMPA and Palaypay at a relatively early stage of "no take zone" enforcement, combining modern scientific/visual methods and artificial intelligence software jointly developed by the UP Marine Science Institute and the Department of Computer Science.

The results of this latest marine surveys may also be compared to a previous (albeit cursory) marine survey of the MMPA (before it was a marine protected area) and Palaypay (already a marine sanctuary but not strictly enforced) over five (5) years ago (February 2014) commissioned by the Fishery and Coastal Resource Management Division of the Provincial Agriculture Agriculture Office (PAGO) of Oriental Mindoro and prepared by Melchor Deocadez and Eznairah-Jeung G. Narida of the UP Marine Science Institute.

In due course, we hope to learn whether or not the conditions at the MMPA and Palaypay have improved since 2014 and, at the very least, have a meaningful benchmark starting October 2019 upon which to compare similar future marine surveys of the MMPA and Palaypay on an "apples to apples" basis.

This important scientific initiative, which was accomplished by the UP team free of charge, was made possible by the efforts of Alain Maulion. In the absence of a scuba diving shop in the vicinity, Mangal provided the scuba tanks free of charge to enable the divers to conduct their surveys.

Mangal application for US Federal Funding for Marine Turtle Conservation and Biorock Installation Capacity Building denied
The funding opportunity was identified by Alain Maulion and Mangal (with the endorsement of Mayor Joel Maliwanag) proceeded to attempt to secure funding from the US Federal Government (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of International Conservation) for capacity building of the MMPA Bantay Dagat Team with respect to Marine Turtle Conservation and Biorock Installation (accelerated coral reef restoration).

Under Project Description of the Application:
The Project involves supplementing and improving the management, operations and enforcement at the Mangal Marine Protected Area (MMPA) in the Municipal Waters of Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro--a known marine turtle hatching area and habitat. The requested federal grant of $22,800 will be used for (a) the daily stipend of four (4) additional MMPA enforcers (known as Bantay Dagat or Sea Guardian) for a period of one (1) year ($6,000), (b) a training course on marine turtle conservation conducted by Pawikan Conservation Center of Bataan for all twelve (12) Bantay Dagat of the MMPA ($3,500) and (c) the cost (travel expenses and a nominal charge for time and expertise) of three (3) trainers (including Thomas J. Goreau and two of his associates) on the Biorock process of coral reef restoration ($13,300). The Biorock training course will be conducted at the MMPA over a two-week period for the benefit of forty (40) participants from various coastal communities in the Philippines.

Much effort was required to prepare the application for the federal grant. It was submitted on November 25, 2018 but was denied on March 13, 2019.

Going forward, Mangal is exploring the possibility of training in Indonesia on the Biorock process of coral reef restoration with the goal of installing, maintaining and continually expanding a Biorock installation at the MMPA and making the same the Biorock training center of the Philippines from which other coastal communities can learn to fast-track the restoration of their local coral reefs.

Installation of marker buoys remains a challenge.
At the outset of Alan Fabila's term, the MMPA Bantay Dagat Team implemented one of the recommendations in the 1st Annual Evaluation Report, which was to use less expensive buoys (e.g., small bamboo raft with flag and large stones tied with nylon rope as weights) that can be replaced inexpensively on a regular basis (say once a year AFTER the typhoon season) using smaller diameter (less expensive) nylon ropes. However, these only lasted for several months and were eventually overcome by the elements.

Going forward, in the absence of a more cost-effective alternative, this relatively inexpensive method of deploying marker buoys appears to be the way to go, subject to the availability of LGU funds (primarily to purchase nylon ropes). Ideally, such deployment of marker buoys should be undertaken by the MMPA Bantay Dagat Team NO MORE than once a year AFTER the typhoon season--say October or November of each year.

Guard post at Lalawigan is NOT yet installed.
This is one of the critical elements of the first MMPA Management Plan dated September 6, 2015 approved by Mayor Joel, which has NOT yet been implemented. It was also highlighted in the 1st Annual Evaluation Report dated May 15, 2018. In the absence of a guard post in Lalawigan, there remains a "blind spot" at the MMPA, particularly when conditions for spear fishing are ideal (i.e., Lalawigan is a favorite spot of spear fishermen).

Lalawigan is also the best vantage point to identify motorized bangkas travelling within the MMPA (which is not permitted) from Casabangan/Lalawigan to Sukbong Kugon, which gives enough time for the Bantay Dagat at the Sukbong Kugon post to aprehend a violating bangka after a radio call from the Bantay Dagat at the Lalawigan post and vice versa.

As in the past, Mangal willingly provides the bamboo for the construction of guard posts and marker buoys at the MMPA and other marine sanctuaries in Mansalay free of charge (a carrot, if you will), which has been suspended for the time being with respect to other marine sanctuaries in Mansalay until such time the guard post in Lalawigan is completed (a stick, if you will).

Pending commitments of LGU have been met . . . mostly.
In August 2017, Pastor Jemale Fajutnao committed to providing certain essential support/tools for the MMPA Bantay Dagat Team under the auspices of the Municipal Agrarian Office, including:

(a) a monthly allowance for fuel for the MMPA Bantay Dagat bangka of the LGU (Mangal provides fuel for its Bantay Dagat bangka),

According to Alan Fabila, he is now able to secure from the Mayor's office a monthly allowance of P1,000 for fuel for the MMPA Bantay Dagat bangka of the LGU. Much appreciated!

(b) rechargeable flashlights for the LGU Bantay Dagat individuals on the night shift (Mangal provides a rechargeable flashlight for its Bantay Dagat individual on the night shift) and

Still awaiting for these rechargeable flashlights for the four (4) LGU Bantay Dagat individuals on the night shift. We would also be grateful if the LGU could spare six (6) pairs of boots and six (6) raincoats for the LGU Bantay Dagat individuals.

(c) an MMPA Bantay Dagat bangka of the LGU.

After waiting for over a year, we are grateful that Pastor Fajutnao eventually delivered to the MMPA Bantay Dagat Team a brand new fiberglass bangka with a diesel engine. Unfortunately, the diesel engine was defective as it would run on reverse when it was started hot. In addition, the fiberglass bangka eventually cracked (and is currently unusable) because, according to Alan Fabila, this particular fiberglass bangka does not appear to be compatible with the size/weight and operating characteristics (in particular, excessive vibration) of the accompanying diesel engine. In short, the fiberglass bangka needs to be repaired and it also needs a gasoline engine. 

Close Season enforcement appears to be gaining momentum

According to Alan Fabila, the enforcement of the "close season" provision in the Fisheries Code, which was presumably determined by the BFAR/PAGO to be between November 15 to February 15 of every year, was initiated in 2017.

For ease of enforcement of the MMPA Bantay Dagat Team, let's focus on close season as it applies to commercial fishing vessels (defined as over 3.1 gross tons), which are NOT permitted to fish between the 10.1 to 15 km zone of Municipal Waters between November 15 to February 15. In other words, if there are commercial fishing vessels fishing between November 15 to February 15, they should at least be located past the 15 km mark of Municipal Waters. At the 15 km mark, the super lights of commercial fishing vessels should NOT be visible to the MMPA Bantay Dagat Team. Kung may makitang super lights yung Bantay Dagat during the close season, chances are the commercial fishing vessel is fishing within Municipal Waters and should be reported.

To date, the Team still needs to establish an efficient/seamless reporting protocol with the proper authorities with respect to commercial fishing vessels in clear violation of the Fisheries Code.

Superlights on bangkas below 3.1 gross tons
"Singgapong" is the local term for a bangka below 3.1 gross tons; therefore, it is, by definition, NOT a commercial fishing vessel and permitted to fish within Municipal Waters. The problem is, these singgapong also have superlights, which are NOT permitted within Municipal Waters.

According to Alan Fabila, there have been at least two (2) instances that a singgapong with superlights was sighted fishing near the boundary of the MMPA, which is a clear violation of the Fisheries Code. Section 93, Illegal Use of Superlights, clearly states:

"It shall be unlawful to engage in fishing with the use of superlights in municipal waters or in violation of the rules and regulations which may be promulgated by the Department on the use of superlights outside municipal waters.

Violations of this provision shall be punished by imprisonment from six (6) months to two (2) years or a fine of Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) per superlight, or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the courts. The superlight, fishing gears and vessel shall be confiscated."

According to Alan, the MMPA Bantay Dagat Team was able to speak with the operator of the singgapong after both sightings and requested the same to refrain from fishing with superlights near the boundaries of the MMPA and other marine sanctuaries of Mansalay. To date, the said singgapong operators appear to be heeding our request but it should be noted that they are still in clear violation of the Fisheries Code for as long as they are using superlights within Municipal Waters. In short, they should still be reported to higher authorities.

Outstanding LGU debt to Porek Tolentino
Towards the end of 2018, at the request of Pastor Ladrera, Porek Tolentino advanced P2,000 of his personal funds for the cost of some materials (nylon string) and labor (mostly labor as bamboo was provided my Mangal free of charge) to construct a bamboo raft for the deployment of jack stones and marker buoys at the MMPA. Pastor Ladrera assured Porek that his (Porek) advance would be reimbursed upon the return of Pastor Fajutnao, who was out of town when Pastor Ladrera initiated the request.

To date, Porek has NOT been reimbursed by the LGU for the P2,000 he advanced for the construction of the bamboo raft. 

The fact that the bamboo raft may not have even been used for its intended purpose until such time that it had deteriorated beyond use is another matter altogether--a total waste of resources that should NOT occur in the future.

This is basic accountability--a debt that should be paid and a scarce resource that was needlessly squandered. The "carrot and stick" discussed in the context of the installation of the Lalawigan guard post would apply until Porek is reimbursed.

Biometric Attendance Unit and Radio Repeater Installed
At its own expense, Mangal has provided a biometric attendance unit (a basic version of the biometric attendance unit at the Municipal Hall) at the house of Freddie Adan and a radio repeater at the Mangal residence (which is at a high elevation) between Alupiran and Casabangan. The radio repeater enables radio communications at any location within and around the MMPA, which was previously NOT possible. Both the biometric attendance unit and the radio repeater have been tested over a period of several months by Mangal personnel and may now be used by the MMPA Bantay Dagat Team for the purpose of monitoring attendance more precisely and improving communications/coordination among Bantay Dagat individuals on duty. Although modest additions to the "infrastructure" of the MMPA, these resources should be fully utilized by the MMPA Bantay Dagat Team to level-up its enforcement capacity in accordance with best practices.

To take advantage of the communication range of the radio repeater, MMPA Bantay Dagat personnel on duty need to set their individual radios as follows: receiving frequency of 430.050 and transmitting frequency of 462.700.

If the LGU needs to set-up a similar radio repeater elsewhere, it can be done cost effectively by the set-up explained in detail on the following video: Set up a Baofeng UV-5R Repeater System

Good Housekeeping and Other Important Reminders
The following pictures were taken on October 9, 2019 in the immediate vicinity of the MMPA Bantay Dagat guard post in Casabangan:

The MMPA Bantay Dagat Team is now well into its third year of enforcement and is nearing a "steady state" of operations. Before we get accustomed to bad habits, let's review some of the most basic requirements or expectations (and some new ones) of an MMPA Bantay Dagat personnel, which should be held to a higher standard as an enforcer of the MMPA Ordinance:

1. No littering. Whatever you bring inside the MMPA, you take back with you when you leave the MMPA. This includes any and all kinds of trash (plastic, styrofoam, carton, paper, etc.) like bottles, containers, bags, cigarette butts, etc.
2. No drinking of alcohol while on-duty. A Bantay Dagat should NOT bring any alcoholic beverage to the MMPA when reporting for duty. 
3. No barkada other than another Bantay Dagat allowed at the MMPA when Bantay Dagat is reporting for duty. Trabaho ito, hindi tambayan.
4. "No take zone" means no taking of any marine resource from the MMPA, including pang-ulam.
5. When reporting for duty, Bantay Dagat personnel should NOT bring any implements that may be used for fishing/collecting sihi (e.g., lambat, snorkeling gear, mask, goggles, fins, spear gun, water-proofed flashlight, fishing line, hooks and the like) and/or for cooking (e.g., grill, kawali, kaldero and the like).*
6. No more cooking allowed at the MMPA when reporting for duty. Bring your own baon of cooked food.*

*These are predicated on past sightings of violations at the MMPA, including a kawali filled with uncooked sihi (which is easy pickings at the MMPA), an individual with a flashlight underwater during the night shift (presumably spear fishing) and, just recently (hours before the release of sea turtle hatchlings at Casabangan), the discovery of a concealed spear gun. These were sightings by NON-BANTAY DAGAT individuals. As Cocoy Generoso aptly stated, "If you take away the knife of the hold-upper, he can't hold-up people anymore."

In short, everyone at the MMPA, especially Bantay Dagat individuals, should all adhere to the saying, "Take Only Memories, Leave Only Footprints."

For educational and awareness purposes, every MMPA Bantay Dagat personnel should be required to watch the award-winning documentary entitled, "A Plastic Ocean". Mangal shall provide a copy of the documentary film to Alan Fabila for viewing at the convenience of MMPA Bantay Dagat personnel. After viewing the documentary, each MMPA Bantay Dagat personnel should write down their thoughts on how they can contribute to eliminating plastic pollution in our oceans personally and in their capacity as a Bantay Dagat personnel.

Taklobo in Maasin, Bulalacao???
Although subject to verification, Mangal has been informed that there may be an abundance of giant clams (Tridacna gigas, the world's largest bivalve mollusk) growing in the waters of Maasin, Bulalacao. If so, Mangal, at its own expense, will purchase and transfer (initially) 100 juvenile giant clams from Maasin to Casabangan, which the LGU can utilize  to launch its own "Adopt-A-Clam" Program (similar to the one of UP-MSI in Bolinao, Pangasinan) to purchase and transfer more juvenile giant clams from Maasin to Casabangan.

Proposed Pawikan Conservation Center of Mansalay
Mangal reiterates the standing offer of Betta Gallego to provide US$10,000 of her personal funds to construct  the Pawikan Conversation Center of Mansalay at the designated Fisherfolks Parking Lot adjacent to the resort of James and Flor Keh within Mangal Estate, subject to a nominal extension of the MMPA to cover additional beachfront in Alupiran, which is a known and historical nesting area of sea turtles.

The Pawikan Conservation Center of Mansalay (the "Center") will serve as the "headquarters" of the MMPA Bantay Dagat Team, an information and educational center for the pawikan conservation efforts at the MMPA (among other marine sanctuaries in Mansalay) and a potential recovery facility for distressed pawikans that are inadvertently or accidentally trapped and/or injured in the area.

Upon seeking the endorsement of Barangay Don Pedro for the said nominal extension of the MMPA (to be conveyed to the Sangguniang Bayan of Mansalay for the appropriate SB resolution), Mangal was informed by Kapitan Madural that there have been several accidental trappings of sea turtles in the fish trap or baklad fronting Alupiran (outside the MMPA). According to Kapitan Madural, some of these entrapped sea turtles have been released (shaken but unharmed) while others that were not released in time had drowned and perished. On this basis, Kapitan Madural does NOT appear inclined to endorse the said nominal extension of the MMPA and is thus holding-up the Center, which is a valuable addition to the conservation efforts at the MMPA and Mansalay in general. The matter remains pending to this day.

Mangal respectfully explained to Kapitan Madural that the accidental deaths of sea turtles at the fish trap fronting Alupiran, while unfortunate, is a distinct and separate issue that should be addressed by the barangay and LGU officials and should NOT muddle or hold-hostage another distinct and separate matter like the said nominal extension of the MMPA and the corresponding establishment of the Center. On matters of governance and legislation, former President of the United States, Barack Obama, often stated, "Better is OK . . . it doesn't have to be perfect."

So, while the fish trap in front of Alupiran which accidentally traps sea turtles is far from a perfect scenario, it should NOT prevent another distinct and separate initiative (in this case, the nominal extension of the MMPA and the corresponding establishment of the Center) that would improve our conservation efforts at the MMPA. It's NOT perfect but it's still BETTER!

Summary of Actions Items Going Forward

1. Alan Fabila to continue to assist MMPA Bantay Dagat personnel with their Daily Accomplishment Reports to minimize delay in LGU payment of compensation, which is currently delayed about 1 month. Target is to reduce to no more than 1/2 month delay.
2. Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to move sea turtle nests to higher ground to increase chances of survival.
3. Secure results/final report of UP MSI/Dept. of Computer Science on marine surveys of MMPA and Palaypay (October 2019), and compare to results with UP MSI survey in February 2014.
4. Mangal to seek permission from Thomas Goreau and his associates in Indonesia to train on Biorock Installation in Indonesia (i.e., accelerated restoration of coral reef) and apply in MMPA.
5. SOP to install low-cost marker buoys at the MMPA no more than once a year after the typhoon season, say between October and November every year. Need to secure nylon ropes from LGU.
6. Install Lalawigan guard post.
7. Secure from LGU: (a) four (4) rechargeable flashlights for LGU Bantay Dagat personnel for use on night shifts, (b) repair of LGU fiberglass bangka and gasoline engine replacement, (c) six (6) pairs of boots and six (6) raincoats (kapote) for LGU Bantay Dagat personnel.
8. Establish an efficient/seamless reporting protocol with the proper authorities (e.g., PNP, BFAR, among others) with respect to commercial fishing vessels (3.1 gross tons and above fishing within 10.1 kilometers) and singgapong (below 3.1 gross tons with superlights fishing in Municipal Waters) in clear violation of the Fisheries Code.
9. LGU reimbursement of P2,000 advance of Porek Tolentino for construction of bamboo raft requested by LGU MAO.
10. Utilize biometric attendance unit and radio repeater to level-up MMPA enforcement capacity in accordance with best practices.
11. Strictly adhere to above Good Housekeeping and other rules to reduce/eliminate violations of MMPA Ordinance by MMPA Bantay Dagat personnel.
12. Mangal to initiate transfer of juvenile giant clams from Maasin, Bulalacao to Casabangan, Mansalay and LGU to follow-thru with its own "Adopt-A-Clam" program to sustain funding for additional transfers of juvenile giant clams to Casabangan.
13. Revist the proposed Pawikan Conservation Center of Mansalay; in particular, the necessary endorsement of Barangay Don Pedro and the corresponding SB Resolution prior to the release of private funding for the Center.

Parrot Bebop 2 Flight Plan Demo

I have finally tested the Flight Plan feature of the Parrot Bebop 2 and it works quite nicely. I did have to purchase (one time only) the Flight Plan App for P999.00 but it was hassle-free and definitely worth it. After watching a brief tutorial in YouTube, I inputted a couple of flight plans into memory and opened it when my drone was ready to fly. Below are links to the two demo flights:

Around Two Hectares
New Napier Plot (formerly the airstrip at the ranch)

From the time I pressed the "play" button, the drone executed the flight autonomously until it returned and hovered at its final designated spot in the flight plan. For the purpose of an aerial survey, this Flight Plan feature may actually be better than manually piloting the drone. It's precise and economical. No detours or distractions, which normally occur with manual piloting. This is a very useful feature I will be using more often in future aerial surveys.

Parrot Bebop 2 Auto Follow Demo

As I have been banned by Selina from flying an aircraft, I have had to settle for flying a drone. After evaluating the multitude of recreational drones in the market, I opted to purchase the Parrot Bebop 2, which has an FPV or First Person View feature. It basically puts the pilot at the "cockpit" of the drone, so it feels like you are flying a helicopter without the risk of crashing yourself. I should point out that the real time resolution of the pilot's view (FPV while flying the drone) is NOT great--no where near the resolution of the actual video recorded and played back after the flight. And just to be clear, the drone will crash if you are not careful. The pilot, who is really a virtual pilot (because he or she is NOT actually inside the drone), just doesn't crash with the drone! You'll just have to spend on replacement propellers (which is more than I care to count when you are still learning to fly the drone properly), among other spare parts, due to the many crashes you will most certainly experience over the course of flying your drone.

The Parrot Bebop 2 has a maximum range of two (2) kilometers with direct line of sight. I have actually flown the drone as far as 2.4 kilometers out to the sea and back with direct line of sight--almost lost it too! However, this maximum range is substantially curtailed by any kind of physical obstruction or electro-magnetic interference (usually in urban areas).



Recently, I decided to check-out the "auto-follow" or "follow-me" feature of the Parrot Bebop 2. It's a decent image recognition feature that enables the drone to track and follow a moving subject--in this case, me. Enjoy my demo video by clicking the following link: Parrot Bebop 2 Auto Follow Demo. It also happens to contain the last images of the airstrip I carved out of the ranch over a decade ago for recreational flights. Oh well . . .

On my next drone flight, I will check out the "Flight Plan" feature of the Parrot Bebop 2, which allows you to pre-program the flight path and the camera orientation of the drone from take-off to the point before landing without any intervention from the pilot. In this case, it functions like an unmanned aerial drone. Watch out for this next demo soon!

Visiting Hung and Marianne in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

It's been nearly a decade since I last visited Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), Vietnam, which was work related. This visit (between March 15 and March 22) is purely for fun while bonding with friends, Hung Bui Quang and Marianne Pham.

[An important note on Cebu Pacific. In spite of my reservations to patronize Cebu Pacific (no doubt due to some negative experience I had when I previously used Cebu Pacific many years ago but just can't remember what went wrong at that time), my frugal nature got the best of me. I booked online at a substantial discount relative to a comparable round trip flight with PAL and I was particularly careful to add check-in baggage for Selina and myself (which was NOT included in the basic charge) as well as seat selections for both flights (going to Ho Chi Minh and returning to Manila). To my disgust, I was informed by the attendant at the Cebu Pacific check-in counter that my booking only had my seat selections for the flight going to Ho Chi Minh but had no record whatsoever of my seat selections returning to Manila and no provision whatsoever for any check-in baggage in either flights. Even though I distinctly remember the price build-up from the basic charge to the price I paid online that included check-in baggage and seat selections for both flights, I was unceremoniously informed that I had to pay AGAIN for check-in baggage for both flights and my seat selections for our return flight to Manila. A clear case of double-charging. Cebu Pacific duped me again!

As the saying goes, fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me! Hence, this is the last time I am going to be fooled by Gokongwei. I will never patronize Cebu Pacific ever again and I would recommend the same course of action (i.e., never patronize Cebu Pacific ever) to any traveler.]

At a glance, Ho Chi Minh City has boomed compared to a decade ago yet it is still affordable. Thanks to Marianne, who booked us at the SILA URBAN LIVING HOTEL at the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, we were given a substantial discount and an upgrade on our room (US$62 per night, which is a great deal for the quality of the hotel). It's new, well-maintained and has a professional staff. SILA has a decent gym, lap-pool, Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, free machine laundry at the basement (you need to buy detergent) and a kitchenette in the room. SILA is walking distance from the grocery (they call it the coop over here), a brief taxi ride away from the Ben Thanh Market and the Takashimaya Mall. What else could you ask for?






Of course, we purchased Vietnamese coffee and condensed milk so we had brewed Vietnamese coffee in the comfort of our hotel room every morning. We also purchased baguette and croissant from an authentic French boulangerie (owned by a relative of Marianne) at the basement of Takashimaya (beside the Baskin Robbins ice cream shop), which was a perfect match to the proscuitto, liver pate and Brie we got at the Annam Gourmet store (also at the basement of Takashimaya) and the mushroom omelette and bacon (ingredients purchased at the grocery) we prepared for breakfast.

We had Pho (Vietnamese noodle soup), among other authentic Vietnamese dishes everyday. We sampled the avocado, atis, durian, mango and mangosteen in Vietnam. I thought the atis and avocado were better than the ones I would normally get in the Philippines. Durian was good (quite expensive though) but I have tasted better in Davao. The size of mangoes here are impressive but I think Philippine mangoes taste better.

The best value roasted duck in the world is probably in Vietnam, where we purchased half a roasted duck for about US$6.50. That would translate to US$13 for a whole roasted duck. A whole roasted duck in Manila (better quality, in my opinion, than the one I bought here in Ho Chi Minh City) would be about US$23 (and that's a promotional price); whereas, a whole roasted duck in Montreal (the very best in the world according to Hung and Marianne) would be about US$21.

Marianne was a great tour guide (Ben Thanh Market, Takashimaya Mall, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Post Office, the Opera House, among other landmarks in the City). She also brought us to the neighboring cities of Vung Tao and My Tho, where we visited churches, pagodas and, in the case of Vung Tao, the villa of the French Governor General (also served as a rest house for the last King of Vietnam, Bao Dai).

What struck me with Vung Tao and My Tho is that, while these cities are NOT Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, they appear to be quite prosperous. Economic inclusivity to the common folks of Vietnam seems to be happening; that is, in spite of the usual third-world corruption in government that remains palpable from the standpoint of our taxi driver. Indeed, it was a bit surprising that a Vietnamese taxi driver would even have the guts to discuss the topic of government corruption lest he be shot by the Vietnamese government. Some progress on the political front I suppose.

Selina and I had a fun-filled time in Vietnam, which was made possible with the company and hospitality of Hung and Marianne. We are even discussing the possibility of visiting them in Montreal next year--towards the end of May . . . lobster season!

Mayor Victor Badar and the genesis of industrial development in Nampicuan

Based on my past interactions with the LGU on developmental initiatives in Nampicuan, there has been no compelling reason to bother with the local government officials, who have historically been parochial, unimaginative and, in the case of the previous mayor, a downright malevolent land-grabber. Thankfully, the old geezer is already eternally damned, burning in excruciating pain infinitum at the pleasure of Lucifer!

In comes a wildcard, a certain Victor Badar, a balikbayan who was born and raised in Nampicuan, reportedly has done well in the United States and has returned to Nampicuan to retire and run for Mayor. Sounded crazy to me. After all, why would anyone successful assume the headache of a mayor of a poor town like Nampicuan, unless he intended to steal the coffers dry like some of the past mayors. Further, Victor Badar's reputation as a young man in Nampicuan did not leave one with a warm and fuzzy feeling--more like apprehension and fear of another "trapo" (traditional politician).

Long story short, I had the opportunity to get to know Mayor Badar due to certain unfortunate events at Rancho Caridad. In the absence of any personal contact or interaction with Mayor Badar, he acted in accordance with the RULE OF LAW when lawless elements forced their way into the family farm. Just doing his job, you might say. Unfortunately, the RULE OF LAW would have been the least of the concerns of the previous mayor with respect to our family landholdings; hence, Mayor Badar was obviously different.

I later found out that Mayor Badar had little tolerance for trouble-makers, which seemed ironic--given his own reputation as a local tough guy / trouble-maker in his younger days. Clearly, the man has been transformed. Then, I met Tita Remy (wife of Mayor Badar) and it started to make sense.

After so many years of lousy mediocre leadership, Nampicuan finally lucked-out and hit the jackpot as far as Mayor Badar and Tita Remy are concerned. They really don't need the aggravation of governing a poor rural town with all of its accompanying problems. They're just giving back because they've been given much from the fruits of their labor in the United States. It's not so unbelievable there are still people like that.

From a statistical standpoint, Nampicuan cannot always have an awful mayor. It was a matter of time before we got someone who would make a positive difference in the local community. In my view, Mayor Badar and Tita Remy are nothing short of miracles brought about by the Holy Face of Jesus.

This view was reinforced when in one of my casual conversations with Tita Remy, she asked if our family could help attract factories to create more jobs for the local community. Finally, I thought, we are on the same wavelength as the Mayor. And so, the family has again engaged the Office of the Mayor to attract industrial investments into the local economy to provide more jobs and opportunities to the citizens of Nampicuan, which is in addition to the charitable work of my sister, Betta, with the Catholic Church in promoting both the Sanctuary of the Holy Face of Jesus and the Ongsiaco-Alzate Heritage House, representing the most viable religious and historic tourism sites in Nampicuan, respectively.

The following letter to the Office of the Mayor encapsulates the family's support for Mayor Badar's vision of economic development in Nampicuan:

The factual narrative is really quite simple:

WHEREAS, Mayor Victor Badar is eliciting the support of the Sangguniang Bayan and the private sector to fulfill his vision of creating more jobs and economic opportunities for the citizens of Nampicuan;

WHEREAS, Mayor Victor Badar plans to fulfill his vision of economic development in Nampicuan by (I) developing to the fullest extent the burgeoning religious tourism brought about by the Sanctuary of the Holy Face of Jesus in the Immaculate Conception Parish of Nampicuan and (II) attracting industrial (i.e., factories) and related investments into Nampicuan;

WHEREAS, with respect to the above objective (I), Congresswoman Estrellita B. Suansing is steadfastly promoting religious tourism at the Sanctuary of the Holy Face of Jesus—which would also help the above objective (II)—by way of legislation that has passed the Lower House but remains pending at the Senate and, therefore, requires written, official, definitive and unequivocal support from the LGU; in particular, the Office of the Mayor and the Sangguniang Bayan;

WHEREAS, in line with the above pending legislation of Congresswoman Suansing (which, if passed into law, will qualify the LGU to apply for funding for the construction of certain infrastructure under the DOT-DPWH Convergence Program, also known as the Tourism Road Infrastructure Program or TRIP), Mayor Victor Badar has identified certain critical infrastructure components to dramatically improve access of tourists and industry into Nampicuan, including the construction of (A) an exit/interchange at the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) at the northwest border of Nampicuan and (B) a connecting road from the TPLEX exit/interchange to the Anao-Cuyapo Road, to pursue and catalyze the above objectives (I) and (II);

WHEREAS, Mayor Victor Badar has likewise identified the landholdings of the Gallego family in Nampicuan as (i) covering the shortest distance from the TPLEX to the Anao-Cuyapo Road and therefore (ii) the ideal location to construct the above (A) and (B);

WHEREAS, in light of the above features of the Gallego landholdings, Mayor Victor Badar has elicited the support of the Gallego family to fulfill his vision of economic development in Nampicuan, which is fully supported by the Gallego family as evidenced by the letter from the Gallego family to the Office of the Mayor conveyed by email on February 28,  2018;

WHEREAS, the said letter from the Gallego family to the Office of the Mayor expressing unequivocal support for Mayor Badar’s vision of economic development in Nampicuan recommends, as the first of many steps, the amendment of the CLUP to include approximately 100 hectares of future industrial and mixed-used development areas (to support industrial development) to:

a.  support the legislative agenda of Congresswoman Suansing vis-à-vis Nampicuan’s   development,

b.      enable the LGU to apply for funding under TRIP to construct (B),

c.       secure from the Gallego family the land required to construct (B),

d.      secure the commitment of TPLEX to construct (A) and, ultimately,

e.      attract industrial and other investors in the Municipality of Nampicuan;

WHEREAS, after careful review, study and thorough deliberations of the foregoing, the Sangguniang Bayan found the same in consonance with the mission and vision of this Municipality in the years to come;

                 

RESOLVED, to approve the amendment of the CLUP to include approximately 100 hectares of future industrial and mixed-used development areas (to support industrial development) to attract industrial and other investors in the Municipality of Nampicuan;

It's pretty self-evident. A no-brainer, if you will. The SB can just "cut and paste" the above for its resolution; however, there appears to be an idiot, who isn't even entitled to an opinion, that's throwing a monkey-wrench in the process.

Mayor Badar continues to wait patiently for months on end for the appropriate Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Resolution to approve the amendment of the LGU's Comprehensive Land Use Plan or CLUP as the first of many steps to attract industrial (among other) investments in Nampicuan, which is apparently being opposed by the SB Secretary, whose function is purely ministerial and has absolutely no voice other than to echo the discussions and resolutions of the SB.

Bottom line is, if the SB is unable to correct or neutralize an erring and grossly obstructive SB Secretary, then even the miracle of Mayor Badar and Tita Remy cannot redound to the benefit of the local community.

I have done a couple of aerial surveys at Rancho Caridad to illustrate how Nampicuan can unlock the economic potential of its close proximity to the TPLEX:

Rancho Caridad Western Boundary Survey

TPLEX Interchange and Access Road for Nueva Ecija

Unfortunately, there is still NO SB RESOLUTION and, therefore, there is still NO CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY with respect to the TPLEX interchange / exit or the connecting / access road between the TPLEX and the Anao-Cuyapo Road that will provide quick and convenient access to industrial locators in the first industrial estate of the Province of Nueva Ecija.

This is in stark contrast to the Gallego Road (donated to the LGU free of charge) under construction in Mansalay that will connect the national road to the first master-planned eco-tourism complex in the Island of Mindoro (Mangal Estate). The first resort locator and the access road to the same are expected to be completed and operational in the first quarter of 2020. This is the culmination of many years of cooperation, planning and execution by Mayor Joel Maliwanag, his entire LGU team (including the SB of Mansalay) and the Gallego family, and will result in numerous resort locators within Mangal Estate that will create thousands of jobs for the local community.

Gallego Road construction has commenced

Gallego Road construction update

Just imagine if the SB just followed the lead of Mayor Badar and got the appropriate SB resolution done. Nampicuan could eventually enjoy the fruits of development that Mansalay will be reaping very soon!

Mangal Estate (Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro) Aerial Surveys

It's been almost nine (9) years since our family has re-engaged with the LGU of Mansalay. This was due to the young and visionary Mayor Joel Maliwanag, who requested Dad to help attract resort investments in his beachfront property (Mangal Estate) in Mansalay. Mayor Joel will be completing his third and final term as Mayor and what a difference he has made in terms of setting the stage for the entry of eco-tourism investments in Mansalay.

The following aerial surveys in and around Mangal Estate illustrate the development initiatives in the area, including the "proof of concept" off-grid house of Dad (almost in the middle of nowhere), the marine protected area fronting Mangal Estate, a paragliding launch site in Panaytayan, the access road and bridge from the national road to the boundary of Mangal Estate and the access road within Mangal Estate to the site of the first eco-tourist resort in Cagulong Bay (also known as Alupiran). Slowly but surely, Mayor Joel's vision is coming together and we are expecting the first resort (and the access road to the same) to be completed and operational by the first quarter of 2020.

An Overview of Mangal Estate

Gallego Road construction has commenced

Gallego Road construction update

Mansalay Paragliding

Medical Cannabis Oil Production in an Integrated Agro-Industrial Facility

Marijuana growers wrestle with cannabis' high-tech, industrial future

The recent article above, the legalization of marijuana (medical and recreational) in Canada and the imminent legalization of marijuana (medical only) in the UK led me to revisit a concept paper I authored in 2017--see below.

Medical Cannabis Oil Production in an Integrated Agro-Industrial Facility

Nampicuan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines

A Concept Paper, October 2017

A bill that would legalize and regulate the medical use of cannabis recently hurdled the House Committee on Health–see Exhibit A below. A related bill contemplating the reintroduction of the cultivation of hemp in the Philippines has also gained traction in the Lower House--House Bill No. 4990, An Act Legalizing the Cultivation of Hemp as an Industrial Crop thereby Establishing the Industrial Hemp Research and Providing Funds Therefore. Although these bills still have a long way to go before becoming a law, this concept paper explores the potential of an integrated agro-industrial facility in Nampicuan, Nueva Ecija for the cultivation and processing of cannabis for medical use in the local and international market, subject to the passage of the appropriate enabling law.

Medical Cannabis Oil

Medical Cannabis Oil, also known as CBD Rich Hemp Oil, is sold in all 50 States of the United States today. It is a high-value agricultural-based commodity in a global sunrise industry.

The Hemp Business Journal estimated that the (US) CBD market will grow to a $2.1 billion market in consumer sales by 2020. That's a 700% increase from 2016. Matt Karnes of Greenwave Advisors is even more optimistic about the growth of the (US) CBD market saying, “In terms of the (US) CBD market size, I estimate an almost $3 billion market by 2021.

Assuming the Philippines could capture 5% of this US CBD market, this would represent an annual market value of $105 million (P5.355 billion @ P51 per US dollar) in 2020 or approximately 30% of the total value of tuna exported by the Philippines in 2015. Assuming further that the Province of Nueva Ecija approves the first integrated agro-industrial CBD Rich Hemp plantation and extraction facility with the goal of eventually capturing one-tenth of 5% of the US CBD market, that would be an annual export value of $10.5 million (~P536 million) infused into the provincial economy.

“Cannabidiol or CBD as it is commonly abbreviated, is one of the most prevalent Cannabinoids found within the Cannabis plant and it's various subspecies. It is one of around 111 odd cannabinoids currently known to exist. CBD has garnered a lot of interest over the last several years, as research both old and new seems to point to many amazing applications for this substance, as well as the flood of anecdotal evidence currently being presented by those that have been using CBD for various issues over the last several years.  CBD is considered to be safe after some 40 years of study in countries such as Israel, with no known adverse side effects to humans.”

Click this link for more information on CBD.

Integrated Agro-Industrial Facility

Along the lines of the establishment of sugar mills in the Philippines from the 1850’s to the early 20^th century, constituting one of the most significant spikes in the growth of the agro-industrial sector in the country’s history (albeit due to the preferential treatment or duty-free export of Philippine sugar in the US market at that time), the establishment of CBD Rich Hemp Oil extraction facilities adjacent to where the raw material is cultivated in the context of a globally burgeoning industry presents another compelling opportunity in the Philippine agro-industrial sector.

The key is not only in cultivating the raw material but in processing the same to create a competitive finished product that is readily delivered to the international market. The success of such integrated agro-industrial facilities is evident in the top agricultural exports of the Philippines today including coconut oil, fresh banana, pineapple and related products and tuna. CBD Rich Hemp Oil could be the next on this list of finished agricultural products exported by the Philippines.

Nampicuan, Nueva Ecija

Unlike the production of sugar, which requires a tremendous amount of land (in the thousands of hectares) and capital (in the tens of millions of US dollars for the sugar mill alone or even in the hundreds of millions of US dollars if the logistical components such as railroads and/or trucking/roads and seaports are included) to achieve economies of scale in production and delivery to market, the commercial production of CBD Rich Hemp Oil requires considerably less area for cultivation and relatively less capital for the extraction facility/refinery.

The Gallego Farm in Nampicuan, Nueva Ecija, which currently has a modest cattle operation covering an area of approximately 50 hectares, could serve as the first site of an integrated agro-industrial facility that (a) cultivates the raw material and (b) processes the same to produce CBD Rich Hemp Oil. (As a point of reference, one of the largest CBD Rich Hemp plantations in the United States to date is 250 hectares.)

  

CBD Rich Hemp Plantation in Southern Colorado, USA (with extraction facility at the rear)

Unlike sugar, which is produced in tens or hundreds of thousands of metric tons requiring massive investments in logistical infrastructure, CBD Rich Hemp Oil is a concentrated high-value finished product (relatively minute volume of oil derived in contrast to the amount of agricultural biomass that is processed, similar to the Ilang-Ilang essential oil produced in Anao) that can be delivered to the international market through the existing infrastructure to and from Nampicuan, particularly the expressways (TPLEX, SCTEX and NLEX) and the existing international airports and seaports in Clark, Subic and Manila.

In broad terms, a commercial CBD Rich Hemp plantation and corresponding state-of-the-art extraction facility could be established entirely within the 50 hectare area of the Gallego Farm with a total investment of about $4 million. The finished product would also be packaged in-house and exported until such time that the local market takes-up a portion of the production.

Over the course of time and depending on the provisions of the law, the area planted to CBD Rich Hemp could be expanded outside the 50 hectare agro-industrial facility (within the Municipality of Nampicuan) through contract growing to benefit the local farmers. This is also analogous to the established sugar mill business model in the country, which relies heavily on contract growing outside the sugar mill complex.

An alternative to factory locators

In line with Mayor Badar’s vision to introduce industrial development in the Municipality of Nampicuan, the Gallego Family continues to seek factory locators to provide jobs to the local community. In light of current peace and order concerns in Nampicuan, attracting said factory locators and investors is proving to be much more challenging than anticipated in spite of Nampicuan’s close proximity to the TPLEX. Hence, this concept paper on a potential integrated agro-industrial facility (CBD Rich Hemp plantation and extraction facility) to be undertaken by the Gallego Family or a member or members thereof may be a long-term alternative in the event the appropriate legislation is enacted.

Legislative Intervention

Even at this early stage of legislative deliberations on the legalization of medical cannabis, stakeholders in the agricultural sector should be involved to derive the economic benefits from the establishment and growth of this particular industry. In fact, due to the propensity of highly developed economies, like the United States, to over-regulate the cultivation and the processing of medical cannabis, Philippine legislation on the legalization of medical cannabis could specifically be calibrated to maximize the (a) economic yields of local stakeholders (growers and refiners) and (b) medical benefits to the market (e.g., broadening the medical cannabis program beyond CBD oil, including whole plant medicine).

Resolution from the Sangguniang Bayan

If Nampicuan is interested in harnessing the future economic benefits of the medical cannabis industry, the Municipal Government should manifest and articulate its intent to Congresswoman Suansing, so that she could intervene in crafting a medical cannabis bill that would promote the economic benefits to the agro-industrial sector and ultimately facilitate the establishment of an integrated CBD Rich Hemp plantation and extraction facility in Nampicuan, and contract growing of CBD Rich Hemp in the area.

Further, the Municipal Government should designate a knowledgeable representative to work with the office of Congresswoman Suansing in crafting the said bill to promote the interests of the Province of Nueva Ecija in general and the Municipality of Nampicuan in particular.

Paradigm Shifts in the Medical Community

Refined sugar has been a major part of the human diet over the last few hundred years. Hence, it is not surprising that hardly anyone acknowledged anything wrong with sugar. However, relatively recent published medical research has determined that excessive sugar consumption is a major factor in the epidemic of degenerative diseases, including many types of cancer, obesity, type II diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, which currently afflict our modern society. It is not surprising, therefore, that the pending tax reform law will be imposing a substantial excise tax on sweetened beverages to mitigate the health risks of excessive sugar consumption.

Although marijuana has an even longer history of human use compared to sugar (it was likely used as herbal medicine in Asia as early as 500 BC), political and racial factors in the 20th century led to its criminalization in the United States. However, because of new scientific discoveries, such as the benefits of CBD to the Encocannabinoid System (ECS, responsible for regulating all sorts of bodily processes, including mood, metabolism, reproduction, pain and immune functions), medical cannabis is regaining acceptance in the progressive medical community and being decriminalized in more and more countries all over the world.

The point is, advances in science and technology are debunking traditional and mistaken notions of health and medicine, like the universal acceptance of sugar in the human diet and the criminalization of marijuana. By embracing these irreversible paradigm shifts early on, certain communities and countries might just be able to derive a substantial and sustained economic benefit as first movers.

Medical Cannabis Capital of the Philippines

In the same manner that General Santos is known as “The Tuna Capital of the Philippines” and Davao del Norte is known as “The Banana Capital of the Philippines”, Nampicuan, Nueva Ecija could conceivably be known as “The Medical Cannabis Capital of the Philippines”. The house bill still has a long way to go; however, the groundwork in terms of crafting the appropriate legislation and permitting the integrated agro-industrial facility and contract growing of CBD Rich Hemp in Nampicuan needs to start today. Seizing this opportunity is in the hands of the leadership of the Municipality of Nampicuan and the Province of Nueva Ecija.

Exhibit A

HOUSE BILL NO. 180 (as refiled)

Introduced by Honorable Rodolfo T. Albano III
Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The recorded use of cannabis as medicine goes back to about 2,500-10,000 years ago in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine. Recent studies show that cannabis has established effects on control of epileptic seizures, pain management in multiple sclerosis and arthritis, treatment of symptoms associated with HIV-AIDS and palliative care in end-stage cancer treatment. Potential medical effects based on clinical trials include prevention of cancer from spreading, management of anxiety, slows progression of Alzheimer’s disease and control of muscle spasms and tremors. Cannabis use in children with epilepsy and seizure disorders have been shown to be effective without the deleterious side effects of anti-epileptic medications.

Cannabis has many currently accepted medical uses in the US, having been recommended by thousands of licensed physicians and more than 500,000 patients in 26 states including the District of Columbia with medical marijuana laws. At the federal level, a bipartisan bill known as the CARERS Act has been introduced in both Houses legalizing the use of cannabis. Israel, Canada, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic have enacted medical cannabis laws that remove criminal sanctions for the medical use of cannabis, define eligibility for such use, and allow some means of access, in most cases, through a dispensary. Other states in the European Union, such as Finland, Portugal, Spain and Luxembourg, in recognition of the medical value of cannabis, have developed various forms of de facto decriminalization, where possession and use of cannabis, rarely lead to criminal prosecution.

In the Philippines, thousands of patients suffering from serious and debilitating diseases will benefit from legalizing the medical use of cannabis. According to the 2012 Report of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), there were 98,200 new, diagnosed cancer cases in a year in the country while 59,000 are dying of cancer annually. Cancer treatment in the country is prohibitive. Depending on the type of cancer, cost of treatment ranges from P36,000 to P180,000 for standard 6 cycles of chemotherapy. While PhilHealth helps cover some cases of Cancer in Z case rate, patients who are not eligible still have out of pocket expenses for chemotherapy treatments.

While many patients may still opt for conventional and orthodox treatment, the intention of this bill is to invoke the right of the patient to choose treatment and the duty of the physician to honor the patient’s decision as well as to inform the patient of the side effects of such treatment. It is the intention of this bill to have a harmonious partnership between the physician and a patient where no one is above the other. Its objective is for the patient to have access to safe, affordable, available medical cannabis prescribed by a registered physician in cases where cannabis has been found to be effective in prevention, treatment and management of specified symptoms, illnesses and diseases. This is in line with Section 11 of the Philippine Constitution which states that it is “the policy of the state to adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost.”

The use of cannabis for medicinal purposes is provided for by both existing international and national law. The Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961 as amended by the 1972 Protocol provides in its Preamble : “Recognizing that the medical use of narcotic drugs continues to be indispensable for the relief of pain and suffering and that adequate provisions must be made to ensure the availability of narcotic drugs for such purposes.” It further provides in Article 4 that “subject to the provisions of this Convention, to limit exclusively to medical and scientific purpose the production, manufacture, export, import, distribution, trade in, use and possession of drugs.” On the other hand, The “Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002” recognized the medical use of drugs classified as dangerous drugs including marijuana when it said in Section 2: “The government shall, however aim to achieve a balance in the national drug control program so that people with legitimate medical needs are not prevented from being treated with adequate amounts of appropriate medications, which include the use of dangerous drugs.”

This Act should not be deemed in any manner to advocate, authorize, promote, or legally or socially accept the use of cannabis or marijuana for any non-medical use. For this reason, it provides for control measures and regulation on the medical use of cannabis to ensure patient’s safety and for effective and efficient implementation of this Act.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

HOUSE BILL NO. 180

AN ACT PROVIDING COMPASSIONATE AND RIGHT OF ACCESS TO MEDICAL CANNABIS AND EXPANDING RESEARCH INTO ITS MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act”

SECTION 2. Statement of Policy. –Section 11 of the Philippine Constitution explicitly states that it is “The policy of the state to adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost.” The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.

Section 2 of the Dangerous Drugs Act provides that the state shall provide measures to achieve a balance in the national drug control program so that patients with debilitating medical condition may receive adequate amount of treatment and appropriate medications from the regulated use of dangerous drugs.

Toward this end, the State shall legalize and regulate the medical use of cannabis which has been confirmed to have beneficial and therapeutic uses to treat chronic or deblitating disease or medical condition that produces one or more of the following: cachexia or wasting syndrome; severe and chronic pain; severe nausea; seizures, including but not limited to those characteristic of epilepsy; or severe and persistent muscle spasms, including but not limited to those associated with multiple sclerosis.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act:

a) Bona fide relationship refers to a physician and patient relationship wherein a licensed physician has made a complete assessment of the patient’s medical history and current medical condition, including an appropriate diagnostic and personal physical examination sufficient to determine that the patient is suffering from a debilitating medical condition;

b) Cannabis refers to every kind, class, genus, specie of the plant Cannabis sativa L., Cannabis americana, hashish, bhang, guaza, churrus, ganjab and embraces every kind, class and character of marijuana, whether dried or fresh and flowering, flowering or fruiting tops, or any part or portion of the plant and seeds thereof, and all its geographic varieties, whether as a reefer, resin, extract, tincture or in any form whatsoever;

c) Compassionate - a virtue combining concepts such as sympathy, empathy, fellow feeling, benevolence, care, love, and sometimes pity and mercy. A profound awareness of another's suffering coupled with a desire to alleviate that suffering.

d) Medical Cannabis Compassionate Center refers to any entity registered with the Department of Health and licensed to acquire, possess, cultivate, manufacture, deliver, transfer, transport, sell, supply and dispense cannabis, devices or related supplies and educational materials to registered qualifying patients.

e) Medical Cannabis Safety Compliance Facility refers to any entity registered with the Department of Health that conducts scientific and medical research on medical use of cannabis and provides testing services for its potency and contaminants relative to its safe and efficient use, cultivation, harvesting, packaging, labelling, distribution and proper security;

f) Debilitating medical condition means one or more of the following:
(1) Cancer;
(2) Glaucoma;
(3) Multiple sclerosis;
(4) Damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord, with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity;
(5) Epilepsy;
(6) Positive status for human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immune deficiency syndrome;
(7) Admitted into hospice care;
(8) Post-traumatic stress disorder;
(9) Rheumatoid arthritis or similar chronic autoimmune inflammatory disorders; or
(10) any other debilitating medical condition or its treatment that is added by the Department of Health as recommended by a panel of doctors constituted for this purpose.

g) Medical use refers to delivery, possession, transfer, transportation, or use of cannabis and its devices to treat or alleviate a registered qualified patient’s medical condition or symptoms associated with the patient’s debilitating disease or its acquisition, administration, cultivation, or manufacturing for medical purposes.

Section 4. The Secretary of the Department of Health herein referred to as the Secretary shall lead the formulation of regulations to implement this Act.

Section 5. There is hereby established in the Department an Advisory Committee on Medical Use of Cannabis, hereinafter referred to as the Advisory Committee to advise the Secretary on formulating regulations under this Act and on any matters related to the implementation of this Act. The members of the Advisory Committee and Subcommittee of the Advisory Committee shall be appointed by the Secretary. It shall include but not limited to health care practitioners, patients or representatives of patients with debilitating conditions, experts in the regulation of controlled substances for medical use, medical cannabis industry professionals and law enforcement agencies. The Secretary shall form a subcommittee to advise the Secretary on clinical matters relating to medical cannabis, the members of which shall predominantly be clinical professionals in appropriate areas of expertise and shall also include representatives of patients. Members of the subcommittee need not be members of the Advisory Committee. Both members of the Advisory Committee and Subcommittee shall serve at the pleasure of the Secretary. Members of the Advisory Committee and Subcommittee may receive reimbursement for their reasonable and necessary expenses incurred as Members of the Advisory Committee or Subcommittee.

SECTION 6. Qualified Medical Cannabis Physician. – To be competent to certify the patient’s medical need to use cannabis for treatment, a physician shall have the following qualifications:

a) a doctor’s degree in medicine;

b) a bona fide relationship with the patient; and

c) license to prescribe drugs

d) professional knowledge of the use of medical cannabis

SECTION 7. Qualified Medical Cannabis Patient. – “Qualifying patient” means a person who has been diagnosed by a certifying physician with bona fide relationship with the patient as having debilitating medical condition as defined in Section 3 (e) and who in the physician’s professional opinion will receive therapeutic or palliative benefits from the medical use of cannabis.

SECTION 8. Identification Cards. – The Secretary shall issue registered identification (ID) cards to qualified patients after a careful review of the documents required by the Department and included in the implementing rules and regulations of this Act.
If the qualified patient is younger than eighteen (18) years of age, the certifying physician shall not recommend the issuance of the ID card unless she/he has explained the potential risks and benefits of the medical use of marijuana to the custodial parent or legal guardian who has the responsibility for health care decisions for the qualifying patient and she/he consents in writing to the following:

a) Allow the qualified patient’s medical use of cannabis;

b) Serve as the qualified patient’s designated caregiver; and

c) Control the acquisition, dosage, the frequency of medical use of cannabis by the patient.

SECTION 9. Medical Cannabis Patient Caregiver. – A cannabis patient caregiver must be at least 21 years of age and must not have been convicted of an offense for the use of dangerous drugs under Republic Act (RA) No. 9165. The caregiver shall give consent in writing of her/his willingness to assist the qualified patient in the medical use of cannabis and shall not divert the medical cannabis in her/his possession to any person other than the patient. She/he shall assist only one (1) cannabis patient at a time.

The Department shall maintain a registry of cannabis patient’s caregivers and shall issue their appropriate ID cards.

SEC. 10. Medical Cannabis Compassionate Center (MCCC). – An entity shall operate as a Medical Cannabis Compassionate Center after approval of its application and registration with the Department.

The Secretary shall establish a system for the evaluation of the application and licensing of a Medical Cannabis Compassionate Center based on the following criteria:
a) The suitability of the applicant’s proposed location including compliance with any local zoning laws and the geographic convenience to patients, if approved;
b) The qualification of principal officer and board members’ character and relevant experience, including any training or professional licensing related to medicine, pharmaceuticals, natural treatments, botany, or cannabis cultivation and preparation, and their experiences in running a health or medical center;
c) The applicant’s system for operations and services, including its staffing and training plans, whether it has sufficient capital to operate, and has ability to provide an adequate supply of medical cannabis to the registered patients;
d) The sufficiency of the applicant’s procedure for accurate record keeping;
e) The sufficiency of the applicant’s measures for safety, security, and the prevention of diversion, including proposed locations and security devices to be employed;
f) The applicant’s system for making medical cannabis available on an affordable basis to registered qualified patients; and
g) The applicant’s procedure for safe and accurate packaging and labelling of medical cannabis, including the measures to ensure that all medical cannabis shall be free from contaminants.

The Department or its agents shall have access to MCCC’s records and premises at any time of the day or night whenever work is being undertaken therein, and to question any employee and investigate any fact, condition or matter which may be necessary to determine violations or which may aid in the enforcement of this Act or rules and regulations issued pursuant thereto.

SEC. 11. Dispensation. – A MCCC shall guarantee the appropriate dispensation of cannabis and shall not release more than the prescribed dosage for one month to a registered qualified patient or designated caregiver.

The MCCC shall comply with this limitation by maintaining internal confidential record of each entry which include information on the date and time the cannabis was dispensed, the amount of cannabis being dispensed and on whether it was dispensed directly to the patient or to the designated caregiver.

SEC. 12. Medical Cannabis Safety Compliance Facilities (MCSCF). – Safety compliance facilities may only operate if they have been issued a valid registration certificate by the Department.

The Department shall evaluate applications of medical cannabis safety compliance facilities based on the following criteria:
a) The suitability of the applicant’s proposed location including compliance with any local zoning laws and the geographic convenience to patients, if approved;
b) The proposed principal officers’ and board members’ relevant experiences, including any training or professional licensing related to analytical testing, medicine, pharmaceuticals, natural treatments, botany, or cannabis cultivation, preparation, and testing and their experiences in running a drug testing facility center;
c) The sufficiency of the applicant’s measures for safety, security, and the prevention of diversion, including proposed locations and security devices to be employed; and
d) The proposed safety compliance facility’s procedure for its operations and services, including its staffing and training plans, and whether it has sufficient capital to operate.

SEC. 13. Safety Requirements. – A registered MCCC or MCSCF shall:
a) Implement appropriate security measures to deter and prevent the theft of cannabis and unauthorized entrance into areas containing cannabis;
b) Cultivate or test cannabis in an enclosed, locked location at the physical address or addresses provided during the registration process, which can only be accessed by their employees or agents;
c) Display their registration certificates in their premises at all times.

SEC. 14. Location. – A registered MCCC and MCSCF shall not be located within one thousand (1000) feet of the property line of a pre-existing school, college or university.

SEC. 15. Exemption From Civil and Criminal Liability. – The following shall be exempt from civil and criminal liability:
a) Qualified patient for using cannabis in the prescribed dosage for treatment of debilitating medical condition as determined and certified by a bona fide recommending physician;
b) Registered and designated cannabis caregiver for assisting a registered qualified patient and for possessing not more than the exact prescribed dosage of cannabis needed by the qualifying patient;
c) The certifying physician for prescribing medical cannabis or providing written certifications stating that in the physician’s professional opinion, a patient is likely to receive therapeutic or palliative benefit from the medical use of cannabis to treat or alleviate the patient’s serious or debilitating medical condition or symptoms: Provided, That the physician has established a bona fide relationship with the patient and conducted a thorough clinical analysis of the patient’s medical conditions;
d) Registered and licensed medical cannabis compassionate center and its agents for selling cannabis seeds to similar entities that are registered to dispense cannabis for medical use or for acquiring, possessing, cultivating, manufacturing, delivering, transferring, transporting, supplying, selling, or dispensing cannabis or related supplies and educational materials to qualified patients and their designated caregivers.
e) Registered medical cannabis safety compliance facility and its agents for possessing and testing cannabis for medical research and compliance purposes.

SEC. 16. Prescription. – A certifying physician shall not be subject to administrative action by the Philippine Medical Association or by any other occupational or professional licensing board or bureau for prescribing cannabis as treatment to qualified patient.

SEC. 17. Devices. – Medical Cannabis and its devices which is possessed, owned, or used in connection with the medical use of cannabis under this Act shall not be seized or confiscated. In patient’s medical use of cannabis, the seizure shall not be prevented if it exceeds the amount or dosage prescribed by the qualified physician.

SEC. 18. Confidentiality. – The following information and records kept based on the Department’s regulations are confidential and shall not be disclosed to any individual or public or private entity, except as necessary for the performance of official duties under this Act:
a) Applications and renewals, their contents, and supporting information submitted by qualified patients and designated caregivers;
b) Applications and renewals, their contents, and supporting information submitted by or on behalf of MCCCs in compliance with this Act; and
c) The individual names and other information identifying persons to whom the Department has issued registry identification cards.

SEC. 19. Registry. – The Department shall maintain a confidential list of persons to whom the Department has issued registry identification cards, their addresses, phone numbers, registry identification numbers. These records shall be kept and maintained separately from registrant public data which shall identify cardholders and MCCCs by their registry identification numbers only and shall not contain names or other personal identifying information.

Hard drives or other data-recording media or storage which contain cardholder information that are no longer in use must be destroyed.

The data subject of this section shall not be combined or linked in any manner with any other list or database and it shall not be used for any purpose not provided under this Act.

SEC. 20. Electronic Verification System. – Within one hundred twenty (120) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department shall establish an electronic verification system. The electronic verification system shall allow the employees and agents of the Department, Medical Cannabis Compassion Centers (MCCC) and Medical Cannabis Safety Compliance Facilities (MCSCF) to enter a registry identification number to determine whether or not the number corresponds with a current and valid registry identification card. The system shall only disclose the following:
a) Validity of the identification card;
b) Information whether the cardholder is a registered qualified patient or a registered caregiver; and
c) The registry identification number of the MCCC designated to serve the qualified patient who holds the card or the registry identification number of the patient who is assisted by the caregiver.

The Department shall, at cardholder’s request, confirm the person’s status as a registered qualified patient or registered and designated caregiver to the following third party: landlord, employer, school, medical professional, PNP personnel, drug enforcement agent or court.

Section 21. Discrimination Prohibited
a) A registered qualifying patient who uses cannabis for medical purposes or a registered designated caregiver shall be afforded all the same rights under the law, as the individual would have been afforded if he or she were solely prescribed pharmaceutical medications, as it pertains to employment, housing and education.
b) A person otherwise entitled to custody of or visitation or parenting time with a minor shall not be denied such a right, and there shall be no presumption of neglect or child endangerment, for conduct allowed under this chapter, unless the person’s actions in relation to cannabis were such that they created an unreasonable danger to the safety of the minor as established by clear and convincing evidence.
c) No school, landlord, or employer may be penalized or denied any benefit under law for enrolling, leasing to, or employing a cardholder.

SEC. 22. Prohibited Acts. – It shall be prohibited for:
a) A qualifying patient to:
1. Possess and smoke cannabis and engage in the medical use of cannabis in any mode of public transportation or in any public place;
2. Operate, navigate, or being in actual physical control of any motor vehicle, aircraft, or motorboat while under the influence of cannabis: Provided, That a registered qualifying patient or visiting qualifying patient shall not be considered to be under the influence of cannabis solely because of the presence of metabolites or components of cannabis that appear in insufficient concentration to cause impairment;
3. Undertake under the influence of cannabis, task that would require the use of body or motor functions impaired by the use of cannabis; and
4. Use cannabis for purposes other than treatment of a debilitating medical condition;
b) An authorized physician to prescribe medical cannabis to any person without establishing a bona fide relationship with the patient and to refer patients or caregivers to a MCCC on which the physician holds any financial interest;
c) A registered MCCC to:
1. Acquire, possess, cultivate, manufacture, deliver, transfer, transport, supply, or dispense cannabis to any person except to registered qualified patients or through their registered caregivers; and
2. Acquire usable cannabis or mature cannabis plants from unregistered MCCC.
3. Refer patients to an authorized physician
d) Any person to:
1. Advertise medical cannabis sales in printed materials, on radio or television, social media, or by paid-in-person solicitation of customers. This shall not prevent appropriate signs on the property of the registered MCCC, listings in business directories including phone books, listings in cannabis-related or medical publications, or the sponsorship of health or charity or advocacy events; and
2. Violate the confidentiality of information under Section 21 of this Act.

SEC. 23. Penalty. – Any person or entity who violates Section 24 of this Act shall be punished with a fine of one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) and revocation of the license or registration certificates to use, possess or sell cannabis for medical purposes under this Act.

Any person who violates confidentiality under Section 21 of this Act shall be punished with a fine of not less than ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00) but not more than fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00).

If the offender is a physician the penalty shall include revocation of professional license.

The suspension or revocation of registration certificate is a final action of the Department. The Department shall constitute a committee that will review documents and evidence of the case and shall recommend action to be taken by the Secretary.

SEC. 24. Research—The Department shall within 120 days from the approval of this Act authorize the National Institutes of Health, the research arm of the University of the Philippines, Manila, the Health Sciences Center of the UP System to conduct research on the use of medical cannabis and two other organizations it may deem qualified to do so. They may develop, seek and carry out research programs relating to the medical use of cannabis. Participation of any such research program shall be voluntary on the part of practitioners, patients and designated care givers.

SEC. 25. Training of Medical Cannabis Physicians –The Department shall provide training for medical cannabis physicians on on the following topics : the pharmacology of marijuana; contraindications; side effects; adverse reactions; overdose prevention; drug interactions; dosing; routes of administration; risks and benefits; warnings and precautions; and abuse and dependence. This shall also be part of the medical curriculum of all medical schools, colleges and universities.

SEC. 26. Reports. – The Department shall submit to the President of the Philippines and Congress an annual report which shall not disclose any identifying information about cardholders, registered MCCCs, or practitioners, but shall have at a minimum, all of the following information:
a) Number of applications and renewals filed for registry identification cards;
b) Number of registered qualifying patients at the time of the report;
c) Number of registry identification cards that were issued to visiting qualifying patients at the time of the report;
d) Nature of the debilitating medical conditions of the qualifying patients;
e) Number of registry identification cards revoked for misconduct;
f) Number of physicians providing written certifications for qualifying patients; and
g) Number of registered MCCCs.

SEC. 27. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be charged to the current appropriations for the Department of Health.
Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 28. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. – There shall be created a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee for Medical Use of Cannabis to oversee, monitor and evaluate the implementation of this Act.

The Committee shall be composed of ten (10) members, five (5) shall come from the Senate and five (5) from the House of Representatives, including the Chairpersons and the Vice-Chairpersons of the Committee on Health. The members shall be respectively designated by the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The membership of the committee for every House shall have at least two (2) opposition or minority members.

SEC. 29. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the Department of Health shall, in consultation and coordination with its Advisory Committee composed of relevant civil society organizations, health care practitioners, patients or representatives of patients with debilitating conditions, experts in the regulation of controlled substances for medical use, medical cannabis industry professionals and law enforcement agencies. promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 30. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 31. Repealing Clause. – For purposes of this Act, pertinent provisions of Republic Act No. 9165, otherwise known as the “Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002,” as amended, and all other laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 32. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Notes:

Whole plant medicine vs CBD oil only

By products of CBD rich hemp

CBD vs THC

How many liters of CBD oil per hectare of outdoor cultivation

Indoor cultivation to mitigate typhoon

Spoilage

Logistics of raw materials from contract growers

Logistics of finished product

Market and sales

Reveg or start from seed after harvest

Feedstock preparation

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