MORE NEWS, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE

Ebdane urged: Explain controversial works: Revilla inspects defective Halsema road projects

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. inspected last week the reportedly defective rehabilitation projects on the Baguio-Bontoc-Banaue Road, popularly known as the Halsema Highway, particularly at the Mount Data-to-Bontoc section.

This, as the Cordillera Regional Development Council invited Public Works Secretary Ebdane to shed light on the alleged controversies in the implementation of several huge infrastructure projects in the region, particularly the ongoing rehabilitation of the Baguio-Bontoc-Banaue Road.

Revilla, who is chairman of the Senate committee on public works to which the problem on the Halsema Highway rehabilitation was referred, motor from Baguio City to this province and passed through the reported defective portion to see for himself the situation.

His findings will be the basis for his action on the complaints about substandard work.
At the same time, the actor-turned politician was also the guest of honor at this province’s third Lang-ay Festival.

The allegedly defective projects in the Mountain Province section of the Halsema had been the subject of criticisms by various sectors of the province.

Earlier, Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. ordered the
10 contractors for the Mount Data to Bontoc section of the road to remove and replace their substandard works at their own expense to ensure that the concrete pavement would last for at least 10 years.

The complete rehabilitation of the Halsema Highway from Mount Data to Bontoc and from Bontoc to Banaue as well as the upgrading of the BontocTabuk Road was among the projects announced in the state-of-the-nation address of President Gloria Arroyo.

It was intended to improve the accessibility of the different parts of the Cordillera and spur economic development in rural communities.

President Arroyo earlier said infrastructure development and upgrading are integral part of her 10-point agenda which is aimed at improving the living standards of people in rural communities.

The funds for the completion of the two SONA projects of the President have been included in the R200 billion earmarked for infrastructure in the R1.227trillion national budget for this year.

According to schedule, both SONA projects of the President will be completed before the end of her term in 2010.

Meanwhile, the Cordillera Regional Development Council invited Public Works Secretary Ebdane to shed light on the alleged controversies in the implementation of several huge infrastructure projects in the region, particularly the ongoing rehabilitation of the Baguio-Bontoc-Banaue Road.

The RDC’s decision to invite Secretary Ebdane to attend the RDC meeting on April 8 is in pursuance of the council’s policy to invite Cabinet secretaries to join its meetings.
During the meeting, Ebdane will be presented a report on the results of the monitoring of the on-going SONA and regular infrastructure projects in the region.

The SONA projects of President Arroyo which are now being implemented are the second and third phases of the Halsema Highway rehabilitation from Mount Data to Bontoc and from Bontoc to Banaue, Ifugao, respectively, and the Bontoc-Tinglayan-TabukTuguegarao Road. – Dexter A.See


27 Mt Province groups benefit from animal dispersal scheme
By Juliet B. Saley

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Livelihood projects have been provided by the provincial government for marginalized families in the province.

Last year, there were 27 organizations with 250 members who availed of the projects under the provincial livelihood program.

Based on last year’s annual report of the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, the province procured 112 goats, 67 swine, four cattle and 274 duck pullets with a total cost of P569,572.00.

With the assistance of the OPV, the animals were dispersed to organization beneficiaries. Since not all members of the organizations benefited during the distribution, a re-dispersal scheme of the project shall be done by the organizations to the other members to have access of the program.

To improve production of hog and large animal raisers, the breeding center maintained by the OPV conducted artificial insemination on 140 swine and 39 cattle and carabaos.

Semen used to inseminate large animals was provided by Department of Agriculture regional office.

The breeding center produces 15 piglets which were sold and had a total sales of P27,200.

Under its animal health program, OPV personnel had also conducted vaccination on 965 swine against hog cholera, 630 cattle and carabaos against blackleg, and 968 dogs against rabies, including deworming of 318 cattle, carabaos and 152 pigs.