MORE NEWS, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE

Am-among festival slated Sept. 16 in Bontoc town
BY ROMMEL LENGWA

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Tourists and locals have something exciting to look forward to in this town the coming days.

The new set of elected officials and employees of this municipality headed by Mayor Franklin Odsey are busy preparing for the staging of the third Am-among Festival to celebrate the anniversary of the capital town set every Sept. 16.

Local officials would showcase seven main activities spread during the three-day occasion.

A parade would be attended by all elected municipal officials and employees. A slogan contest would be open to all interested individuals.

Slogans must be the vernacular and consistent with the Am-among 2007 theme. Other activities include street dancing, cultural presentation, choral competition, Search for Ms. Am-among and on the spot essay contest on the topic “ Bontoc into the future.”

Odsey said an amount to bankroll the seven main activities will be obligated based from the proposed budget submitted by the different chairpersons in-charge of each task.

Councilor Ignacio Afidchao mean while said the municipal government will not solicit from various donors this time. “Unlike in the previous Am-among exercise, the local government will rely mainly on the municipal coffer.”

If her schedule warrants it was agreed that regional tourism director Purificacion would be guest of honor.

With this year’s theme: “ Bontoc, our Home Sweet Home” or, in the vernacular, “ Ili’y Fontoc ay Kalalaychan”, it is hoped that inhabitants of this landlocked community will look back and be proud of their tribal identity and origin, even during this high tech generation.

Am-among is an annual traditional practice of the Bontoc people usually held after the harvest season or after the burial of a dead relative.

It gathers clans and is an occasion for young people to be shown the importance of cooperation.

The event is also an opportunity for people to contribute pigs, chicken, rice, and wine to the clan affair.

Elders said Am-among gives opportunity for young people to become acquainted with their relatives and alerts them on importance of raising pigs and chickens to contribute towards the occasion. Elders said this motivates the young to work hard.



Amnesty for gun owners available
BONTOC, Mountain Province – The provincial police command has started a “firearm amnesty program” to stop proliferation of illegal guns.

Under the program started early this month, illegal gun holders would not be charged in court if they voluntarily surrender their firearms.

Provincial police officer in charge Jim Lagasca said EO no.585 of Dec. 11, 2006 provides the surrender and licensing of illegal guns.

Individuals who surrender loose firearms from June 14, 2007 until June 13, 2008 are covered by the amnesty.

Applicants shall pay P2,000 for license to possess the following firearms: rifle caliber .22, shotgun of all gauges, and all handguns (pistols/revolvers) cal.22 to .38 or 9mm.

The applicant shall pay P3,000 for the licensing to posses high-powered firearms.

Fees for test firing forensic ballistic sample shall depend on prevailing market prices of ammunition and firearm which would be paid at the local Land Bank after the issuance of the order of payments.

Needed requirements can be availed from any police station in the province.-- Berlin Toyokan -Mcintosh