Peña says: I won’t bar voters,
but entry permission needed
QUITO BACKS DINO,
GRACE ARRIVING FOR BEBOT
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Pulupandan Mayor Magdaleno Peña yesterday said he will not bar residents from voting in Barangay Inolingan, Moises Padilla, on Saturday but they have to get his permission to enter his grandmother’s property.

The mayor, who is supporting the bid of Board Member Emilio “Dino Yulo” III for congressman of the fifth district, said they were checking people entering the property because of reports of the presence of Revolutionary Proletarian Army members in the area.

Yulo, of the Nacionalista Party, and his uncle Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro “Bebot” Mirasol of the Liberal Party, are running for the fifth congressional seat of Negros Occidental left vacant by the death of Rep. Ignacio Arroyo Jr. in January.

Two days before the June 2 special election in the 5th district of Negros Occidental, there is no indication that the New People’s Army may disrupt it, Col. Oscar Lactao, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said yesterday.

Lactao, however, also said they are not taking chances, as he has already deployed Army soldiers, especially in the hinterland areas, to ensure the conduct of a peaceful and orderly Saturday election in the district, which is composed of Himamaylan City, Binalbagan, Hinigaran, Moises Padilla, La Castellana and Isabela.

Military records show that in previous elections, the NPA had demanded campaign fees from candidates, who tried to enter their so-called controlled areas in Negros.

Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday said there have been numerous complaints that there are not enough teachers and classrooms available for the Department of Education’s K to 12 Basic Education Program, and that local government units may have to bear the brunt of the shortfall.

He expressed concern that, with the addition of kindergarten and two more years to high school despite the current classroom shortages, students could end up holding classes under trees.

Before adding additional school years, Marañon said focus should be made on improving the quality of teaching to ensure better education for students.