05 September 2024, from Gems:

Thank you for all your greetings, sirs. Been on the road since 3 a.m. today. Just paid homage to Our Lady of Penafrancia here in Naga enroute to Daraga to visit my ailing mom. For me, there is no event more special than coming back home, returning to my roots, and once more giving joy back to my beloved Mama. Sixty-three years ago she carried me in her womb and labored for hours to deliver me on this day at exactly seven in the morning as the city siren was blaring. Her birthing, her labor of love, and how she reared me up to become the person I am – are the reasons I celebrate every fifth of September. Just a long, warm loving hug with her is worth my whole year’s run.

Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat na bumati. During the mass at the Basilica Minore, I took the time to dedicate our long struggle to Our Lady, with a special prayer for those in positions of authority and power to finally see the light and discern the right from the evil deeds they continue perpetuate. I know that the answers may take a long time, but they will come.

As you might have read from the letter which we initiated and duly signed by AFPOVAI Pres Aguilar, another roadblock has been recently set up against us, effectively stopping for the time being the processing of our lot applications at the behest of the Solicitor-General. Our request for an audience with the Secretary of DENR is therefore critical. We had actually planned this for the past 3 months, but decency and due courtesies constrained us to take immediate action.

To be sure though, your Chapter Board still took time and effort to call on key officials at DENR last June after we had noticed the slowdown in the processing of our applications. But since we were never given any direct communication by DENR as parties in interest, we had to bide our time. This time, given the letter addressed to one our lot owners, we were compelled to write directly to the Department Secretary. We do hope to get some positive response this time.

In any case, we cannot be deterred in our fight to win back our lots. If at all, we must only be emboldened to unite and reinforce every move we make, from knocking on each office door to providing all the needed assistance we can give from our bases of strength. We must be willing to press on with claiming our rights by filing appropriate charges or seeking inquiries. And we must be determined to sustain the vitality of our own Ph 678 Chapter leadership and membership by ensuring our participation in all activities.

This coming 21 September we are all called to once more cast our votes. Prior to that, we are urged, encouraged and obliged to nominate who we think should lead up front and out front. Please, dear fellow lot owners, make your voices heard. Volunteer. Step up. File your candidacies before 09 September. Join our fight from the board level.

Once again, thank you, sirs, for all your greetings. God bless Ph 678 Chapter.