Several members of Bohol media are due to sign a manifesto starting tomorrow, condemning the alleged arrogant actuation of a non-government organization (NGO) which is supposed to deliver humanitarian works for quake victims in Bohol. The NGO has been identified as ACF International, which holds its Bohol office in Dauis town, and has been known for its showcase of luxurious cars allegedly used for sanitation works in Bohol. In an unlikely turnout of event Friday, a certain John Vinzon Gokeelao who introduced himself as the head of ACF International's operation in Bohol told members of the press that he was not inviting the media to cover his NGO's project turnover ceremony, with Gov. Edgar M. Chatto as guest of honor.

Gokeelao, a non-Boholano, was quoted as saying that the media are not welcomed to his NGO's affair, which is funded by at least four international donor agencies. Offended by the alleged arrogance of Gokeelao, members of the press quietly left Crab House restaurant where the event was being held. But before mediamen left the place, they had informed the ‘over-confident' NGO honcho that it was their national office in Manila who invited members of Bohol media to cover their event. A day prior to the Crab House raw, members of the Bohol press had received a formal invitation from Rosa May de Guzman Maitem, ACF International Manager. The SMS invitation reads: “We'd like to invite you to witness the handover ceremony of one of our projects in Bohol, implemented by ACF International in partnership with UNICEF. ACF country director Javad Amoozegar will attend the event along with Gov. Chatto.

“The project aims to improve the conditions of the vulnerable populations affected by the earthquake through Water, Sanitation and Hygiene interventions. We hope you can help us highlight this important development story. “Venue at the Heritage Crab House, Mansasa Seaside, Tagbilaran City, Bohol 9 AM, July 4, 2014. Look for Vinson or Charlotte of ACF.” Despite the clear invitation from the ACF's national office, Gokeelao was instead showing displeasure of the presence of Bohol media. “Unsa kahay gitagoan sa publiko ning maong NGO nga dili man malipay ug naay media?” asks Fred Amora, associate editor of Bohol Standard, who is one of the lead signatories in the campaign against ACF's presence in Bohol. “We will be asking officials in Bohol to declare this group ‘persona non grata,'” the mediamen have vowed. An official of the Capitol who refused to be named has said that the provincial government will conduct a probe whether the said NGO is legally accredited by the provincial government before it undertakes humanitarian work in Bohol. Reports have indicated that after last year's 7.2 magnitude earthquake, many “fly-by-night” NGOs have made their presence felt in Bohol reportedly to make money out of people's sufferings.