25 dead, 15 still missing in Cordi after ‘Rosita’

17 confirmed dead in Natonin 

BAGUIO CITY -- A total of 25 persons have been confirmed dead, three of them still unidentified, while 15 others are still missing in the aftermath of Typhoon Rosita in the Cordillera region.

The Cordillera Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council reported on Tuesday most of the fatalities were recorded in Natonin town in Mountain Province, where a building of the Department of Public Works and Highways being constructed crumbled in a huge landslide from a mountain across the road in the afternoon of Oct. 30.

Ruben Carandang, regional director of the CDRRMC and the Office of Civil Defense Cordillera, said as of 7 a.m. on Nov. 6, a total of 17 persons were confirmed dead in Natonin, three of them unidentified.

Seven deaths were recorded in four towns of Ifugao, while one was recorded in Lubuagan town in Kalinga province.

Confirmed dead from the Natonin landslide were identified as Joel Arevalo, Gregorio Castro, Juanita Longan, Virginia Malucay, Coyugan Catet, John Tenmacheg, Jerry Epan, Raymundo Ngilin, Benito Longan, JunJun Laron, Elbert "Berto" Cano, Reynato "Pablo" Ayom, Gary Hecyawan, and Rogelio Alubong.

Meanwhile, 14 of the reported 15 missing persons were at the Natonin landslide area. One was from Lacub town in Abra province.

Those recovered in Ifugao province were identified as Baltazar Pinnay, Rexibel Pinnay, Rhezel Pinnay, Rydnell Pinnay, Kimber Padching, Eugene Nah-og Allangi, and Brawner Maradang.

Recorded dead in Kalinga due to the typhoon was Eurich Jane Galo in Luguagan town.

Search shifts to rivers

The search and rescue operatives have expanded their search to the rivers below the landslide site in Sitio Ha’rang, Barangay Banawel in Natonin, to find the 14 missing persons, who were believed to have supposedly sought shelter from the typhoon at the DPWH building that would be swept away in rainwater and mud.

 SAR operations are now a few kilometers away from the landslide site, including the river at Sitio Tuboy and in Barangay Bananao in neighboring Paracelis town, where the water from the landslide site, now called "ground zero," drains.

The SAR teams are composed of personnel from various government and non-government rescue teams and volunteers from non-government organizations and the communities.

DSWD assistance

Janet Armas, regional director of the Dept. of Social Welfare and Development in Cordillera, said on Tuesday the agency is now conducting stress debriefing for survivors and relatives of the casualties.

According to the CDRRMC report as of Nov. 6, there were 120 affected families and 427 displaced persons in Cordillera, who are now staying either in the nine evacuation centers in Benguet and Mountain Province or with their relatives.

The DSWD-CAR said relief items are being delivered by land, air, and by boat, as there are still isolated areas in the region.

Hygiene kits, family kits, sleeping kits, and kitchen kits are being brought to the affected families.

Armas said the DSWD has completed the delivery of supplies in the flooded villages of Lubo and Dacalan in Tanudan town in Kalinga, as well as in the flooded villages in Paracelis town in Mountain Province.

Some rice was also air-lifted to the isolated areas in Natonin, to augment whatever stock the people had saved from their previous harvests.

Armas said Mountain Province Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan had assured the provision of food for the over 500 rescuers.

The DSWD-CAR posted on facebook that the agency had so far 31,060 family food packs and other items, worth a sum of P46.12 million, being delivered to the affected families.

A standby fund of P4.4 million remains on hand for disaster response. 

As of press time, 11 more persons, including five members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographic Unit (CAFGU), remained missing in the Natonin landslide.

Capt. Jefferson Somera, 5th Army Division spokesman, said examination conducted on three bodies brought to Aguinaldo, Ifugao  showed they were not the remains of militiamen Leobel Orchilion, Linang Pallichang and Jonathan Ngilin.

The bodies were returned to the funeral parlor by their supposed relatives.

Somera said five CAFGU men of the 77th Infantry Battalion (IB) went on leave to moonlight as construction workers.

Lt. Col. Rembert Baylosis, 77th IB commander, had earlier said that the family members of the CAFGU men buried in the landslide would receive P200,000 in cash assistance.

Five more bodies were recovered from the landslide site on Nov. 4. Only two of the five found that day have been identified, Natonin Mayor Mateo Chiyawan said.

The Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Office identified the remains of Joel Arevalo, Gregorio Castro, Juanita Longan, Virginia Catet, Coyugan Catet, John Tenmacheg, Jerry Epan, Reymundo Ngilin, Benito Longan, Junjun Laron, Elberto Betco and Reynato Ayom.

Another body was recovered from ground zero in Barangay Banawel Monday night, bringing the total number of fatalities to 18.

Earlier retrieved dead from the slide were Benito Longan, 78; Junjun Laron RAF employee and native of Agoo, La Union; Joel Arevalo, 39 from Bicol region; Gregorio Castro from Baguio City and three other unidentified individuals.

Mike Saleo-an, of barangay Banawel and one of those who volunteered to join the retrieval operations was reportedly carried away by strong current while crossing a creek on his way home to Sitio Pomangwao.

His body was fished downstream by residents who responded to the alarm.

Rescued were Juventino Lammawen, Jupiter Pacyod, Fritzgerald Lumpanga and Junjun Gallingoy. All of them suffered minor injuries.

As this developed, Chiwayan questioned a risk assessment report of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau released on Oct. 25, which showed that “no area in Natonin is declared safe.”

“Saan kami magbi-build ng bahay namin. Baguio City was also declared a high-risk area in terms of landslides... but MGB personnel have big houses there,” he said.

The rescue and retrieval operation for the 17 still missing in a landslide here continues, with a large number of operatives concentrating their effort on the river.

Former Natonin Mayor Marie Rafael who is currently the Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs of the Presidential Communications Operations Office had expressed sadness for the sad fate of her town.

Rafael walked over 10 kilometers in 4 hours, traversing the 31 remaining landsides that were blocking the roads from Paracelis town going to ground zero on November 1 to see for herself the condition on the ground and the situation of her townmates.

From Baguio, Paracelis is about 10 hours away by land and several more hours to reach Natonin.

Rafael expressed confidence that the DPWH will continue to operate 24- hours a day until the road is opened up to Poblacion.

DPWH Cordillera regional director Tiburcio Canlas had earlier relayed his personal assessment of the roads to Natonin saying that it might take a month to fully clear the road to Natonin of the debris.

The Cordillera has yet to recover from the devastation of typhoon “Ompong” that left over 100 people dead in Itogon and in other provinces when it was again battered by typhoon “Rosita” where an initial 22 have been recorded dead.

Seven deaths were recorded in Ifugao; 1 in Lubuagan, Kalinga; 2 in Barlig town and the 12 recovered bodies in Natonin, Mt. Province.

This number is expected to increase as the operation to find the missing bodies in Natonin continues.

A total of 7,507 families or 30,666 persons in 224 barangays were affected in the six provinces of the Cordillera.

As of early last week,  there were still 135 families or 466 individuals staying in 15 evacuation centers in Cagayan Valley, Eastern Visayas and CAR due to Rosita.

Nine are in CAR, where 111 families or 3,114 persons are currently taking refuge.

DSWD has so far provided P,693,964.25 worth of assistance to the affected families. – With a report from PNA

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CBAO ordered: Probe illegal Baguio structures

By Dexter A. See 

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan ordered officials and personnel of the City Buildings and Architecture Office to hasten investigation of illegal structures erected on danger zones, forest reservations and other public lands to ease waterways and road-right-of-way in the city.

“We know that it is difficult to clear our waterways and road-right-of-way from established obstructions but we have to be consistent on the matter before nature will take its toll against us,” Domogan said.

He said there are national and local laws that provide required easement of waterways and road-right-of-way which must be freed from obstructions, particularly illegal structures that constrict the free flow of water in creeks, streams and river systems and the mobility of motor vehicles and pedestrians on the established road-right-of-way.

 According to him, the migration of people to the urban centers of the region has greatly contributed to the proliferation of illegal structures that are constricting numerous waterways and road-right-of-way in the city contributing in the worsening effects of natural calamities.

He said preservation and protection of the city’s environment has been the primordial program of the local government because it is the state of the environment that greatly contributes in maintaining the cool weather condition prevailing in the city which is being frequented by thousands of foreign and domestic tourists.

Domogan said government agencies and the local government must continue working together in implementing programs and projects geared towards improving the city’s state of environment aside from helping free waterways and road-right-of-way from obstructions in such problem areas in the city.

hasten issuance of building and occupancy permits for legitimate structures to allow building owners to pay their taxes to the local government.

Because of the need for a home in the city where they work, he said people resort to constructing their shelters in restricted areas, specifically the existing easements of waterways and road-right-of-way, that often create more problems for the local government.

He urged residents not to constrict easements of waterways and road-right-of-way as these will surely result to them wasting their money when these are demolished.

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Bontoc wins top nat’l good governance award

By Alpine L. Killa

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Bontoc is the only municipality in Mountain Province, and one among the only seven local government units in Cordillera Administrative Region that received Tuesday the 2018 National Seal of Good Local Governance during awarding ceremony at Manila Hotel, Tent City, Manila.

Other awardees in CAR were the municipalities of Bucay, Dolores, Peñarrubia, La Paz, San Juan and Tubo, all from bra.

For the second time in a row, Bontoc passed the test of good governance, earning again the SGLG which is one of the highest awards given by the Dept. of the Interior and Local Government to LGUs which recorded exemplary performance in government service.

For this year, the DILG has raised the criteria for LGUs hoping to get the seal.

Instead of using the previous assessment method called “4+1” where LGUs need to pass four core areas and one essential area, the department has required LGUs to pass in seven areas in the latest assessment.

Bontoc passed with flying colors the seven areas to include financial administration, disaster preparedness, social protection, peace and order; business-friendliness and competitiveness, environmental management, and tourism, culture and the arts.

As an awardee, Bontoc received the 2018 national SGLG awardee marker and is entitled to the performance challenge fund (PCF) in the amount of P3.2 million.

The PCF is an incentive fund from the national government to the LGU- SGLG recipients for funding to high-impact projects.

Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey who personally received the award expressed his gratitude to everyone and attributed the award to the collective and collaborative effort of the workforce of the Bontoc LGU and partner agencies.

This, he said, with the support and cooperation of the people of Bontoc.

 “All our efforts have paid off.  This award is for all of us. The municipal government cannot claim full credit for passing the SGLG national assessment. This success is due the concerted efforts of all stakeholders,” Odsey said.

Representatives from Bontoc who accompanied the mayor in receiving the award were Sangguniang Bayan member Viola Okko, administrative officer Zenith Rose Dalog and municipal local government operations officer Jill Fa-ed.

DILG Secretary Eduardo Año commended the 2018 awardees for besting the “all-in” assessment criteria of SGLG.

He expressed his appreciation to local chief executives for steering their respective LGUs into greater heights, adding awardees are reaping the fruit of their dedication and sacrifices.

“This is a testimony that LGUs in our country are continuously striving to improve the quality of service to the people,”   Año added.

 Senator Loren Legarda who was one of the keynote speakers congratulated the awardees for their all-out performance in giving the quality services.

 “All of you are what makes the nation great. At the end of the day, whatever we legislate. It is the LGUs that matters most. It is because, it is the LGUs that implement these,” Legarda said.

 Other dignitaries present are Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara, DILG regional and provincial directors.

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Kalinga domestic helper poisoned in Saudi Arabia

BALBALAN, Kalinga -- A migrant worker from this town has died from poisoning in Saudi Arabia where she has been working as a maid for less than four months.

Emerita Gannaban, 44, Oct. 27 after drinking a still undetermined liquid, according to reports reaching her family in Kalinga.

Reports did not say if the she was forced to drink the poison or if she committed suicide by drinking it. 

It was Gannaban’s first overseas job and she should have been monitored by her recruiters, the local YHMD International Manpower Services and Aloula recruitment office in Saudi Arabia.

Her brother, Cezar Bawit, said a nurse at Prince Mohammed Abdulaziz Hospital in Saudi Arabia contacted them on Oct. 29 about Gannaban.

She was reportedly taken to the hospital and was able to inform a hospital staffer about her situation, Bawit said.

Bawit said his sister’s mouth and internal organs were burned by the liquid she had ingested.

She also had bruises all over her body.

 “Before she died, my sister had phoned us about being maltreated,” Bawit said, adding that she wanted to come home, less than four months since she was recruited on June 23.

“She told us she was being locked in the bathroom and had not been fed nor given time to rest properly after work,” Bawit said.

The family was about to report the situation to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration but they had already been told of Gannaban’s death.

He said the family would decide on a course of action, but the Dept. of Foreign Affairs had advised them to delay pursuing a complaint until after Gannaban’s remains have already been repatriated. 

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Benguet kicks off 118th foundation day, Adivay fest

By Primo Agatep

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The 13th Adivay Festival opened here on Monday, coinciding with the 118th foundation anniversary of the province, for which various simple activities have been lined-up.

“Our celebration of Adivay will continue. The festival is already an institution,” Gov. Crescencio Pacalso said during the special edition of “Kapihan” at the provincial capitol.

The Adivay Festival was first staged in 2005. "Adivay" is an Ibaloi term that means "coming together". The celebration is a gathering of Benguet's 13 towns in this provincial capital, with focus on the culture and products of the municipalities.

Pacalso said the festival and anniversary celebration will be toned-down this year to show sympathy to calamity victims in the different municipalities of the province, particularly in Itogon, where over 80 people died in a landslide at the height of Typhoon “Ompong” last September.

“The festival is one way of meeting our brother and sisters from the 13 municipalities and to share with them the blessings that the province has to be thankful for," the governor said.

This year’s celebration carries the theme, "Benguet Culture - Unity, Industry, Prosperity: Managing Adversaries with Excellence thru Enhanced Indigenous Resilience”. It will feature the rich history, traditions, arts, music, culture, sports and trades and industries of the province from November 5 to December 9.

Topping the activities are Small-Scale Mining and Land Congress, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Summit, Agro-Tourism Fair, and Environmental Forum.

For the first time, the First Aid Safety Olympics will be held for elementary and high school students representing the 14 school districts of the province. The activity aims to enhance the students’ capability in giving first aid assistance.

Pacalso said the small-scale mining congress will focus on explaining to the pocket miners the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) stoppage order on the conduct of any activities related to illegal small-scale mining.

“Their lack of information on the matter has affected their livelihood and countless were dislocated,” he said, pointing out that the “order” is only “temporary”.

The governor also said laws pertaining to “Minahang Bayan” (community mining) will also be tackled as he expressed optimism that the industry will recover.

In addressing the challenges of time and the economic difficulties the locals are encountering, he urged small-scale miners to look for alternative livelihood such as by engaging in agriculture, specifically organic farming.

Provincial Administrator, lawyer Noel Ngolob, also expressed hope that “overlapping” laws will be addressed during the land congress.

He added that the Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan (ADSDPP) will be discussed and proposed for adoption by local government units (LGUs) in their annual development plans.

Moreover, environmental programs on managing the water quality of the rivers, waste management and clean air programs will also be presented.

Provincial Agriculturist Lolita Bentres said the agro-tourism fair will showcase different products from the different municipalities of Benguet. It will also serve as a meeting point of both products and buyers and seek to link the producers to potential markets.

A Farmer’s Event will also be staged to help farmers become more efficient.

In marking its foundation day, the province will honor its outstanding men and women for their leadership and achievements.

To foster friendship and cultural ties, a signing of Sisterhood Agreement with Ha Giang Province of Vietnam will also highlight the festivities.

The ties will open the gates for the two provinces to have exchanges in the fields of culture, agriculture, tourism and investment as well as other business opportunities that will promote the products of both areas and strengthen their relationship. -- PNA

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Widow of slain mayor eyeing Ecija hubby’s post

By Ariel Avendano

GEN. TINIO, Nueva Ecija – The wife of slain General Tinio, Nueva Ecija Mayor Ferdinand Bote will seek the mayoral post in the midterm elections next year following the withdrawal of her done on Thursday.

Mayvelyn J. Bote, submitted her Certificate of Candidacy (COC) before election officer Melanie Palon at the Commission on Elections office here shortly after her son Byron Joseph withdrew his COC, 22 days before the last day of substituion of official candidates.

” I was not really interested in entering politics, because I was saddened by what happened to my husband. But I was convinved by many residents to continue the programs and projects initiated by my husabnd,” the slain mayor’s widow said.

“We have decided to make the substitution this early and not wait anymore until the November 29 deadline so that we can make preparations for our platforms and campaign strategies”, she added.

Her son also welcomed the move and stressed that his mother is more service oriented and familiar with local affairs.

Then Mayor Bote was assassinated by still unidentified gunmen in his vehicle upon exiting the National Irrigation Administration compound on July 3, 2018.

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CHR probes Baguio college’s pregnancy tests on students

BAGUIO CITY -- The Commission on Human Rights on Wednesday started the probe on the controversial memorandum of Pines City College (PCC) in Baguio City mandating pregnancy testing to its female students.

“The CHR is alarmed with the documents circulating in the internet showing Pines City College’s policy of mandatory pregnancy testing not only as to possible MCW (Magna Carta of Women) violation but also of other women’s rights particularly on the rights to privacy and bodily autonomy,” CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said in a statement.

“Women and girls should not be denied exercise and full enjoyment of basic rights, they should not suffer negative consequences in educational and work spaces simply because they are pregnant,” de Guia added.

De Guia added that pregnancy does not determine one’s capacity as a student. “That deregulation and commercialization policies in education that host unjust determination and widespread collection of widespread exorbitant and dubious fees must be scrapped.”

“As Gender Ombud, the Commission through its CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region) office is investigating the case motu propio, according to the institution due process and verifying the existence of the policy.”

The memorandum signed by PCCs’ school physician Dr. Aurelia Navarro and vice president for administration Maria Regina Prats requires the Dentistry, Nursing, and Pharmacy department deans and heads to require their female students to undergo mandatory pregnancy test this week.

The institution, in a statement late Tuesday afternoon, said that PCC abides by its policy of pregnancy tests for female students who are enrolling in courses such as Clinical Dentistry, Roentgenology, Anesthesiology, and Endodontics, that “would endanger both mother and child.”

“It is a policy agreed to by our students upon their enrollment in this institution,” it stated.

“We believe it is a policy protective of our students while they are in our care and are deployed to internship programs in hospitals and to clinical practice.”

The copy of the memorandum went viral on social media on Tuesday on Facebook which drew flak from netizens.

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POLICE ROUNDUP

Fire eats up 2 buildings at scenic Kiltepan Peak

SAGADA, Mountain Province -- A disastrous fire believed caused by arson razed two buildings estimated at P5 million here at the scenic  Kiltepan  Peak in this tourist town on the property of businessman Wilson Capuyan Thursday night.  

One was a restaurant which had not been operational for a year and the other was a residential cottage.

By 9:10 p.m.,  four consecutive  heavy blasts of what seemed to be explosives were heard in town followed by  continuous pealing of bells.

Continued and fast pealing of bells in town had always been associated to signal a fire is ongoing leading residents to go to the site including officials from the local government unit, police and firemen. The two structures were razed except posts and concrete walls of the restaurant building.

Eleven unused explosives were found in the vicinity of one of the razed buildings, and a heavy smell of gasoline at another unburned cottage.

At press time, investigation was ongoing by Bureau of Fire personnel. -- Gina Dizon

  

 Former Pines Theater building burned 

BAGUIO CITY – The Pines Northfield Building here along Lower Session Road was burned Monday due to still unidentified cause.

Initial police investigation showed a certain Joy Baday Jaramel, security guard claimed the fire started around 7 p.m. while he was about to close a window.

A Police report said it took almost two hours until the fire was declared out by firemen. The fire caused severe damage at the former site of the then Pines Theater.

No casualties were reported while cause of fire and cost of damage has yet to be determined.

 Drunk driver killed in Kalinga crash

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – A drunk motorcycle driver was killed when his vehicle crashed onto an electric post here Wednesday around 5:30 p.m. along the Tabuk-Bontoc national road at Sitio Dadalao, Barangay Lucog.

The victim was identified as Winkle Amlos Siwag, 18, student, here of Purok 3, Bulanao.

Investigation disclosed the victim under the influence of liquor drove his motorcycle Suzuki Raider 150, bearing plate number 5095 QV along with his companions all onboard their motorcycles.

The group came from Barangay Lucog and were heading towards Bulanao as convoy. Upon reaching a curve, the victim lose control of his motorcycle and crashed onto the steel post. The victim suffered injuries on his head and was rushed to the Kalinga Provincial Hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Baguio city gov’t worker mauled, hacked in cemetery

BAGUIO CITY – A city government employee was mauled and hacked by two men residing inside the public cemetery here at Barangay San Luis here Wednesday around 5:15 p.m.

Police identified the victim as Alberto Chanog Bansen, 47 of the City Environment and Parks Management Office assigned at the place of incident.

The victim was reportedly was beaten by a certain Baril Valdez and hacked by Salvador “Itong” Abuen Valdez.

Investigation disclosed that the victim and his companions were invited by the group of the suspect for a drinking session at their barracks inside the cemetery.

The victim was left alone and had a misunderstanding with the suspect and suddenly beaten up. The commotion was pacified but the victim went back to ask the suspect why they beat him but Baril punched him while “Itong” hacked his head with a bolo after which, the suspects ran to unknown direction.

Police found the victim lying unconscious with a wound above his left ear. The cemetery guard said she personally saw the suspects punch and hack his head. 

Bansen was rushed by responding personnel to Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center then went back to scour the vicinity but could not find the suspects. The area has no CCTV camera.

BC workers turn over explosives to cops 

ITOGON, Benguet – Benguet Corp. personnel turned over explosive components to police here Wednesday they found in abandoned shanties formerly occupied by small scale miners here at First Gate, Ucab.

This, during implementation of demolition of illegal structures last week. The team found four pieces of dynamite and later turned these over to police.

Members of the BC demolition team included Rex L. Calde, assistant unit manager, claims department,

 Toyota Corolla hits expensive BMW

TUBA, Benguet – An expensive BMW car was hit by a Toyota Corolla here Nov.7 around 1:30 p.m. at Badiwan, Poblacion. The gray BMW Sedan 320i, 2006 model with license plate ZDN 765 was driven by Jianfie Li, 31 Chinese national and  resident of 10B Francis St., Peters Ville, Camp 7, Baguio City while the Toyota Corolla with license plate TBS 157 was driven by Donald Roxas David, 53,  of Dontogan, Green Valley, Baguio City.

Investigation disclosed both vehicles were traversing towards La Union when the BMW suddenly stopped due to traffic obstruction. The tailing Toyota Corolla applied brakes to avoid collision but it still moved forward due to slippery road. As a result both vehicles incurred damages with still undetermined cost. No person was hurt during the incident. Both parties agreed to settle the case amicably.

 Tamara FX cuts Ifugao road lane, hits 2 men 

LAMUT, Ifugao – A motorcycle driver and his rider  were severely injured when their vehicle collided here Wednesday with a Tamaraw FX around 4:20 p.m. along Lamut Bridge at the boundary of Ifugao and Nueva Vizcaya,

The Toyota Tamaraw FX bearing Plate No. UFU 240 was driven by Gerardo Piniliw Habiling, 54, of Mumpolia, Hingyon town with no driver’s license while the Honda TMX 155 motorcycle with Plate no. 6907CY driven by Armando Banhan Genna 39, farmer of Jolowon, Lamut town. Investigation disclosed the Tamaraw FX was headed to Lamut. While at the bridge near a curve at site of  Lamut PNP checkpoint, it encroached the opposite lane causing it to collide with the Honda TMX which came from Poblacion Lamut. 

As a result driver of the motorcycle sustained multiple injuries on his head and multiple abrasions on his left knee while his back rider David Baliwang Pedro felt pain on his left leg. The driver of the Tamaraw FX was unharmed. 

Both vehicles incurred undetermined cost of damage and were brought to Lamut police station for safekeeping. The victims were brought by responding PNP and Lamut Disaster personnel to Panopdopan District Hospital for medical attention. Habiling voluntarily surrendered himself to police.

BWD employee, rider hurt as taxi huts them 

BAGUIO CITY – An employee of the Baguio Water District driving a motorcycle including his rider were severely injured when they were hit by an Innova taxi here Wednesday around 5:20 p.m. along the intersection of Marcos Highway, Crystal Cave and Kitma Road.

The taxi with license plate No. AYU-631, was driven by  Ceford Lalwet Doyayag, 24, while the Yamaha motorcycle with license plate no. MV File-1401-000000-43356 was driven by Simon Palilo Jammas, 26, driver/ plumber of Bawadi.    

Investigation disclosed the taxi came from Crystal Cave Road when it collided with motorcycle, which came from the city proper headed to Green Valley.

Due to the strong impact, the motorcycle was thrown on the  opposite lane while Jammas’s body was slammed on the front of a Mitsubishi Pajero Wagon parked on the opposite lane roadside.

All vehicles were damaged while Jammas’s rider also suffered injury on different parts of his body.

Victims were brought by medical personnel to Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center for treatment. Licenses of both divers were confiscated including their OR/CRs.

Motorbike driver hurt in Kalinga collision

RIZAL, Kalinga – A motorcycle driver was hurt when his vehicle collided with another here Wednesday around 5:40 p.m. along the national road particularly near the boundary of barangays Kinama and San Francisco.

The black motorcycle was driven by Jeffrey Tubban Guzman, 19, while the blue Euro 150 was driven by Benjie Ardilles Callueng, 25, farmer.

Witnesses said the black motorcycle was with backrider Roquelyn Balanay Bangan when it collided with blue motorcycle coming from opposite direction.

Both vehicles fell down on the cement road. As a result, Guzman incurred head injuries and was rushed by his relatives to Juan Duyan District Hospital and further referred to Saint Paul Hospital at Tuguegarao City for medical treatment while. Callueng and Ms. Bangan had no injuries.

Both drivers were not wearing helmet or motorcycle safety gears when the incident happened. Involved motorcycles were brought to Rizal police station.

 Fire from shanty burns bizman’s house

BAGUIO CITY – A 1-storey wooden house of a businessman was burned here Wednesday around 8:30 p.m. at No. 131 Purok 5, Upper Camdas.

Police said the house was owned by Joey Singson Rulla, 49. A nearby shanty, where the fire originated, was also partially burned. A certain Renato Clarin Jereos, 53, construction worker was reportedly staying at the shanty.

Police, fire and a civilian volunteer identified as Mark Anthony Guzman, of 94 Middle Quirino Hill, helped suppress the fire. Guzman was injured during the incident and rushed to Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center for treatment. Fire investigator SFO2 Mario Basongan declared fired out 9:26 p.m. that night. Cost of damage was still undetermined.

Minor nabbed for robbery with violence  

BAGUIO CITY – Police nabbed here Wednesday a certain Andrew Gabriel Bacog Jimenez, 17 of Barangay Lualhati, Lower Wright Park for robbery with violence.

This, after Ivan Kim B Morales of RTC 59, Baguio City issued warrant against him while setting bail of P100,000 for his temporary liberty.

 Masseur arrested for lasciviousness 

BAGUIO CITY – A masseur was arrested at Maharlika Livelihood Center here Wednesday for acts of lasciviousness. Nabbed was Ram Pascua Vistal, 31, who was living in an establishment in Maharlika  and native of San Fernando City.

Vistal was nabbed after warrant was issued against him by Roberto R. Mabalot, presiding judge, Municipal Trial Court in Cities, First Judicial Region, Branch 2, Baguio City.

Mabalot set P12,00 bail for Vistal’s temporary liberty.

Man arrested for reckless imprudence

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – A certain Benny Danion Equias 53, here of No. PE 114 Upper Wangal was nabbed along km 5 of the Halsema Highway Wednesday for reckless imprudence resulting to serious physical injury.

Arrest was made by virtue of warrant issued by judge Roberto R. Mabalot of MTC Branch 1, Baguio City. The judge set bail of P36,000 for Equias’s temporary liberty.

 November 7, 2018.

Young man nabbed for shabu

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Joint operatives of the Regional Intelligence Division and Regional Intelligence Unit 14 (RIU-14), La Trinidad Drug Enforcement Unit and PDEA-CAR arrested Jefferson Curameng Requizo, 22, of Solano, Nueva Viscaya and resident here of Barangay Balili at Trading Post, Monday evening for illegal drugs.

Confiscated from the suspect were three sachets containing shabu, buy bust money and a cellphone. 

Philex miner arrested for illegal drugs

ITOGON, Benguet -- Joint operatives of Itogon and regional police office arrested Rolly  Aspuria Selga, 28, miner in his residence here at Philex Mines Eastern B, Ampucao Monday night for illegal drugs.

Confiscated from Selga were two sachets containing suspected shabu and a mobile phone.

Man cornered for illegal gun, bullets

SABLAN, Benguet -- – A certain Larry Mangorangca Lumano, 43, of Central Fairview, Baguio City was arrested here at Sitio Palali, Poblacion afternoon of Nov. 1 for illegal gun and ammunition.

Before his arrest, a concerned citizen saw the suspect with a firearm tucked in his back partly covered by his jacket that prompted them to report him to the police.

As a result, Sablan police seized the unlicensed Cal. 9 mm pistol and magazine and three bullets from his possession.

Security guard nabbed for illegal gun, bullets

BAGUIO CITY – A security guard identified as Andres Vallejo Paloga, 46, here of Adiwang Road, Green Valley, was arrested inside Highland Bar at Block 4, Hilltop, afternoon of Nov. 2 for possession of Cal. 22 handgun loaded with four bullets. A case for illegal gun and ammunition was prepared against him for filing in court.

OFW nabbed for estafa 

BAGUIO CITY – An overseas foreign worker was arrested here Monday for estafa. Nabbed was Gina Bala-oy Inong, 47, married, here of km 4 Asin. She was arrested by virtue of a  warrant issued against her by Cecilia Corazon S. Dulay-Archog, acting judge of RTC Branch 8 La Trinidad, Benguet . the judge set bail of P28,000 for Inong’s temporary liberty.

Man nabbed for illegal gambling 

ITOGON, Benguet – A laborer was arrested here Monday for illegal gambling. Nabbed at Ud-udan, Ampucao was Manuel Padungay Sapalit, married, 51 after warrant was issued against him by Judge Maria Clarita Casuga-Tabin of MTC, Branch 4, Baguio City. Arrested person is under custody of Itogon police. 

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Public hearing on Convention Center rehab set Nov. 14

By Dexter A. See 

BAGUIO CITY – The city council will conduct a public hearing on the on-going rehabilitation of the city-owned Baguio Convention Center here on Nov.14 to get sentiments of stakeholders on the unilateral revision of the project plans resulting to the deletion of the proposed mezzanine, escalator and elevator provisions of the facility.

           Councilor Maria Mylen Victoria G. Yaranon, chair of the city council committee on public works, said that the scheduled public hearing aims to get public opinion on the revised plans of the project to send a clear message to as input into the decision of the officials of the Cordillera office of the Department of Public works and Highways revising the original plans they were mandated implement.

            Expected to serve as resource persons during the public hearing are DPWH-CAR officials who have to justify their revision while the local government’s technical working group will explain merits of the original plan.

            Earlier, the DPWH-CAR bid out the multi-million rehabilitation of the city’s premier convention facility using the original plans and programs of work, a product of the local government’s TWG that included a mezzanine, escalator and elevator to enhance the capacity and accessibility and features of the facility.

However, during the implementation stage, the contractor could not locate the appropriate foundation for the proposed mezzanine, escalator and elevator because the local government did not provide the agency with the original plans of the structure for the technical personnel to locate where to place the foundation of the added amenities of the convention center.

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Cordi records 97% Dengue hike, 31% in leptospirosis

By Pamela Mariz Geminiano

BAGUIO CITY-- Dengue cases in the Cordillera Region recorded from January 1 to Oct. 6 this year rose to 5,921 cases, which is 97 percent higher than the 2,999 cases during the same period last year, the Dept. of Health Cordillera reported last week.

The DOH Cordillera also reported a 31 percent hike in leptospirosis cases during the period

Geeny Austria, a nurse at the Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (RESU) of the Department of Health-Cordillera, said based on collated reports from disease reporting units in provinces comprising the region, there were 11 deaths due to dengue this year compared with nine last year .

Kalinga province recorded the most cases of dengue with 1,139; followed by Benguet with 1,025 cases; Apayao, 887; Abra, 829; Ifugao, 568; Baguio City, 418 cases; and Mountain Province with 224 cases.

She added that out of the total number of cases, 831 came from other provinces outside of the Cordillera who sought medical treatment in hospitals in the region.

Austria said that 3,161 of the recorded patients were males with ages ranging from four days to 96 years old.

On leptospirosis, there were 61 cases in 2017 which increased to 80 cases in 2018, or a 31 percent hike.

 There was one death due to leptospirosis in 2017 and five deaths in 2018.

Austria said that leptospirosis cases had an increasing trend, which was caused by the leptospira bacteria carried by rats and other four-legged animals like livestock and dogs.

The Leptospira bacteria, she explained, is most commonly spread via water contaminated with the urine of infected animals, but contaminated food or soil can also act as vehicles for transmission of the disease.

According to DRUs, Benguet had 14 leptospirosis cases; Apayao and Baguio City with 10 cases each; Kalinga has seven cases; Ifugao has four cases; and Abra and Mountain Province with 2 cases each.

Austria said leptospirosis is a preventable disease.

She urged the public, especially parents to prevent their children from swimming or wading in potentially contaminated water. -- PNA

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