Businessman Mark Jimenez chided yesterday Vice President Noli de Castro for not helping thousands of flood victims in his own province of Oriental Mindoro.

Jimenez revealed that the people of Mindoro have expressed great disappointment with De Castro for turning his back on them at a time when they badly need help to recover from the massive flooding that hit the region last December.

The leader of the moral renewal organization "Nagkakaisa sa Diyos, Nagkakaisang Pilipino" (One in God, One Filipino), Jimenez said he was informed by De Castro’s own neighbors that the second highest official of the land failed to even give them a single grain of rice.

"It’s all a lie. De Castro’s carefully cultivated image of someone who helps people in need," said Jimenez. "His masquerade has been going on for 18 years now as a broadcaster and as an elective official, but he’s fooling no one."

"How can he pretend to champion the cause of all Filipinos when he cannot even take care of his own provincemates?" Jimenez asked.

Undersecretary Villar crowns Miss Binmaley

BINMALEY, Pangasinan — Undersecretary Antonio "Bebot" Villar Jr. and 2005 Mrs. Binmaley Amelita Fernandez Anoc will crown the 2005 Miss Binmaley tonight, the highlight of the week-long town fiesta, Mayor Simplicio "Sammy" Rosario announced yesterday.

Pangasinan Rep. Victor Agbayani and Pangasinan Rep. Amado Espino have cited this idyllic fishing town for its "postcard" People’s Park inaugurated last year by President Arroyo and its newly renovated municipal hall inaugurated by House Speaker Jose C. de Venecia Jr. last month.

Rosario has earned public affection for his successful development and reform program, but earned the envy of a few political detractors who have found it doubly hard to fight him in future elections.

Aside from its marine resources, Binmaley is reputedly Northern Luzon’s woodcraft and furniture industry center. (Jun Velasco)

Nursing resource book bared; launching Feb. 7

National Book Store has announced the publication of "Community Health Nursing — The Basics of Practice."

Community Health Nursing, to be launched by the UP College of Nursing (UPCN) in collaboration with National Book Store on Feb. 7 at the UPCN campus on Pedro Gil St., Manila, is a textbook for nursing students and a resource book on public health nursing.

It seeks to impart the what, why, and how of community health nursing and provide a theoretical framework and foundation for practice for new community health nursing practitioners.

Community Health Nursing is authored by Salvacion G. Bailon Reyes, a long-time public health nurse educator with extensive experience in community health nursing here and abroad.

A graduate of the UPCN, Reyes holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland, United States, and has a Masters in Education degree from UP.

EVAT tackled today at NPC ‘Meet the Press’

"Meet the Press," the weekly public affairs forum of the National Press Club of the Philippines (NPC), will discuss today, Feb. 1, the topic, "EVAT: Bane or boon to the economy?," at the NPC Bulwagang Plaridel in Intramuros, Manila.

The invited resource speakers who will exchange views on the issue include Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Jose Mario Buñag, Makati Business Club (MBC) Secretary General Guillermo Luz, Federation of Philippine Industries President Jesus Arranza, and Reps. Teddy Casiño (Bayan Muna), Joey Salcedo (Albay), Jeslie Lapus (Tarlac), and Crispin Beltran (Anakpawis).

The issue on whether or not the additional two percent VAT will help the ailing economy and propel the so-called economic progress of the nation will be debated during the forum scheduled from 9-11 a.m.

The forum is coordinated by NPC Director Benjie J. Murillo of the Manila Bulletin, chairman, Meet the Press Committee; Chando Morallos of the Statesman, co-chairman; NPC Director Jun Cobarrubias, vice chairman; Michelle Figuerras, secretariat head; and Rey Navarez, marshal.

Business beat reporters, lawyer Bert Castro, and NPC officials led by Tony A. Antonio and Alice H. Reyes, NPC president and vice president, respectively, will compose the media panel.