Gov. Erico Aumentado yesterday said that he holds "command responsibility" on the selection of delegates going to the all-expense-paid invitational trip to China on May 6.

He issued the categorical statement even as City Mayor Dan Lim volunteered yesterday to fund the inclusion of three members of the Loboc Children's Choir who were dropped from the list of delegates due to limited slots.

In his weekly Mayor's Report over dyRD, the city mayor criticized the attitude of Capitol on "neglecting their counterparts" in the city, citing that city lawmakers who attended the dinner fellowship tendered for the visiting Chinese officials at Metro Centre Hotel earlier this year were promised 10 slots in the all-expense-paid trip to China. He said that the offer for 10 slots was mentioned in the presence of Vice Mayor Nuevas Montes, City Kagawad Edi Borja and the late City Kagawad Nerio Zamora.

However, in the final listing of 40 delegates leaving to China on May 6, only City Kagawad Jose Antonio Veloso was included in the list of 20 to represent the province and 20 others allotted for the members of the world-famous Loboc Children's Choir.

Veloso is the chairman of the city SP committee on tourism.

The controversy over the exclusion of three choir members namely, Christian Sumampong, Kenn Mandin and Charlene Baquial surfaced when a parent called broadcasters Roberto Alba and Chito Visarra of dyRD's "Pulso," public affairs program last Monday.

In his "Mayor's Report" yesterday, Lim blasted at Capitol for "seeking support in times of joint sponsorships," but these joint efforts end when "bounties come," like the scheduled visit to China wherein members of the Sangunniang Panlungsod were not included in the entourage.

He likewise cited the recent hosting of the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) meet which he was not earlier informed it was a joint undertaking with the provincial government.

"I learned of the joint hosting when I was already asked to sign solicitation papers for sponsorship of the regional sports event," the mayor said, while he lambasted Engr, Edwin Vallejos, chief of the provincial General Services Office (GSO) for allegedly engineering the schemes to generate funds for the event.

"All I demand is fairness," Lim said while he likewise questioned the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for not approving the city ordinance granting a P6 million Economic Amelioration Fund for city hall workers. (see separate story)

GUV DEFENDS CHOICEOF JIANGXI DELEGATES

Aumentado defended the choice of delegates who will go with him to China in May.

Aumentado is returning the visit of Secretary Meng Jianzhu with whom he signed an agreement at the MetroCentre Hotel in Tagbilaran City last year for Jiangxi province and Bohol to embark into friendly exchanges and cooperation.

Only last April 9, Executive Vice Gov. Wu Xinxiong of the Jiangxi Provincial People's Government wrote Aumentado to reiterate Meng's invitation.

Wu thanked Aumentado for meeting him during his visit to Manila. He also joined Aumentado's belief that the memorandum on friendly exchange and cooperation will be well carried out and implemented under their common efforts.

"I look forward to meeting you and your delegation in early May in Nanchang," Wu said.

THE TRIP

The trip to Jiangxi for the signing of the sisterhood pact of the two provinces includes visits to elementary and high schools for the Bohol group to observe China's educational system and culture as can be captured and project by the pupils and students.

In exchange, the Loboc Children's Choir will hold one-hour-20-minute concerts in Nanchang and Jiujiang cities.

Filipino-Chinese Carlos Chan who donated P1 million for the Bohol Diagnostic Center is sponsoring the Bohol delegation's Tagbilaran-Manila-China and back travel expenses. This is the second time he sponsored Aumentado's and the choir's China visit.

Chan however limited the delegation size to 40 although he later gave the go-signal for Loboc Mayor Leon Calipusan to join the group.

Aumentado said also traveling with the delegation is Consul General Corazon Yap-Bahjin.

THE DELEGATES

Being an official function, Chan had specified that the delegation be composed of policy makers, hence the Provincial Board members. He allocated 20 slots only the choir.

"Protocol dictates that Mrs. Aumentado who acted as hostess during Secretary Meng's visit here should be in the delegation," the governor said.

He is also bringing along Engr. Edwin Vallejos, provincial general services officer (GSO) who took care of the preparations for Meng's Bohol visit.

Jiangxi is not just a stone's throw away so that while the delegation is there - at no expense to Bohol to boot - the two provinces will immediately tackle brass tacks.

"As GSO, logistics and coordination for future exchanges are Engr. Vallejos' department. I cannot expect that the Board members will do this job for him. This is not within their expertise, training or job description," Aumentado said.

Anne Mariquit Oppus, chief of staff of the Vice Governor's Office (VGO) is representing Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera who to a large extent is taking charge of the fiesta activities of his hometown of Calape, he said.

"Attracting investors in business and tourism is another purpose of the visit. Mr. Chan is helping us in this area. For the specifics, we need the help of Norris Oculam who heads the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry [BCCI] and Dr. Simplicio Yap Jr., president of the local chapter of the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry [FCCCI] and Tagbilaran City Councilor Jose Antonio Veloso who chairs the Committee on Tourism," he added.

The lawmakers in the delegation include Dionisio Balite, Concepcion Lim, Godofreda Tirol, Eufracio Mascariñas, Brigido Imboy, Felix Uy, Cariso Camacho, Jose Veloso, Amalia Tirol, Ma. Fe Camacho-Lejos and Ester Corazon Galbreath.

THE CHOIR

The Loboc Children's Choir has 22 members. Musical Directress Alma Taldo says all of them understand that the opportunity to travel abroad is there but it may or may not come to them at the same time due to circumstances beyond their control.

On learning of the invitation, Taldo called the children to practice and to bring two copies of passport-size colored pictures.

When one of the pupils did not come, she had her checked, only to find out that she was at home sleeping. "This means lack of interest in her part, so I dropped her," Taldo explained.

As she will be bringing accompanist Lina Jala and a male companion to help bring their electric piano and other props, that leaves only 17 slots for the choir members. For the male companion who will also help see to the children's needs, she is tapping her husband Hidolito. He has been with them to other trips abroad and can therefore anticipate their needs including those in the electrical department.

To compensate for the voices of those who cannot come because of the slot limitation and still come up with the right voice mix, Taldo is bringing choir reserve Mirzi Therese Taldo, her daughter. Taldo needs Mirzi's experience from previous trips abroad, and as "elder sister" to the choristers, help see to their needs including in the make up department.

Aside from Mirzi, going to China this time are Aljon Balbido, Noel Kerr Cañeda, Donna Serino, Mary Rose Salig, Jessa Calipusan, Luz Angelie Cal, Feby Marie Bagaslao, Grace Marie Signe, Stephanie Ann Encabo, Jennica Alexius Calipusan, Clint Timothy Cabahug, Raynel Scud Amora, Franc Joseph Sumampong, George Earvin Calipusan, Vera Dianne Mandin and Wilson Mandin. (With reports from June Blanco)