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>> Sunday, June 22, 2014


Rainy season on; Baguio mayor pushes disaster preparedness
BAGUIO CITY  -  The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG ASA) has declared that rainy season in the country has officially set due to the frequent southwest monsoon or “hanging habagat”.

With this development, Mayor Mauricio Domogan prompted barangay officials as well as the citizens to be prepared for whatever calamity that might strike the city.

During his monthly meeting with the punong barangays last week, the mayor reminded the officials to start clearing the drainages in their respective jurisdiction. For those barangays with mountainous residential areas, start inspecting the area and put necessary drainage canals to avoid landslides.  

“It is also your (barangay officials) duty to encourage your constituents to be responsible in throwing their garbage properly,” said the mayor.

Domogan stressed that calamity strikes without prior notice and it is best to be alert and prepared.  

“It is important to coordinate with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC).  Let us all cooperate and contribute in the preparation of the rainy season,” added the mayor.  -- JhoArranz

Banaue gets P40M loan from DBP to build trade center
BANAUE, Ifugao -- The  local government here  has  entered into a loan agreement with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) worth P40 million to finance  construction its Trade Center II at Poblacion.

This was made possible after the Sangguniang Bayan presided by Vice Mayor Joel Bungallon passed a resolution authorizing their Mayor Jerry Dalipog to enter into a memorandum of agreement for a one hundred percent loan financing program with the DBP last Feb. 28 and  enactment of an ordinance last March.

These requirements are in accordance with the provision of the Local Government Code of 1991 or Republic Act 7160 .

This project is under the town’s local Development Plan and Public Investment Program for 2014.

The project was proposed because the existing trade center located at the town center was built more than  30 years ago is dilapidated, and a fire hazard.

The loan will be paid in 15 years inclusive of the three years grace period with an interest of 6% per annum. -- Daniel Codamon

992 Bontoc town dogs vaccinated against rabies
BONTOC, Mountain Province -- The Bontoc Local Government Unit has stepped up its anti-rabies drive by offering free animal vaccination in several of its barangays.

Since last week of May, a team from the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist has been making rounds, offering free anti-rabies shots to dogs. To date, a total of 992 dogs has been vaccinated.
               
According to Clare Benjamin Lopez, the Municipal Veterinarian, nine of the 16 barangays of Bontoc have already been covered. These are Poblacion, Caluttit, Samoki, Bontoc Ili, AlabOriente, Alab Proper, Gonogon, Tocucan, and Mainit. The other barangays will also be visited, upon availability of vaccines to be purchased by the LGU and to be requested from the provincial government, said Lopez.

Last March, the OMAG also went around Bontoc vaccinating dogs, but it concentrated only on the four central barangays. “This time, we are aiming for all 16 barangays.” 

According to the records of the Animal Bite Treatment Center of the Department of Health, the latest case of rabies in Bontoc was in February 2009 when a 28-year-old male from Loc-ong, Poblacion died after being bitten by a rabid dog.

Under Republic Act 9482 or the Anti-Rabies Act, it is the responsibility of pet-owners to have their dogs vaccinated against rabies. Those who do not comply shall be liable, if and when their dogs bite someone, to pay for the vaccination of both their dog and the individual/s bitten. They shall also shoulder the medical expenses of the individual bitten, otherwise, they shall be meted a fine of P25,000. -- Desiree Sokoken

Kalinga reports 12.67% growth in tourist arrivals
By Geraldine Dumallig
TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The Kalinga Provincial Tourism Services Office reported a 12.67 percent average annual growth rate on tourist arrivals in the province from  2011 to 2013.

This was based on data from 27 registered hotels, lodging, inns, and homestays,  according to Provincial Tourism Officer Lorrain Ngao-i.

In 2011, said establishments reported total of 23,949 domestic and 1,229 foreign tourist arrivals. In 2012 the arrivals increased to 29,022 (domestic) and 1,588 (foreign), and in 2013 domestic tourist arrival was  up at 30,099 while foreign tourists totaled to 3,028.

In 2013, foreign tourist arrivals from the ASEAN nations totaled to 130; 822 from East Asia; 38 from South Asia; 633 from North America; 165 from Oceana; and 41 from South America.

Some 882 came from Europe, 85 from Middle East, 10 from Africa, and 222 others came from unspecified residences overseas.

Ngao-I said that among the top three municipalities visited are Tabuk City, Tinglayan and Lubuagan.

Tabuk City she said has the highest considering the various tourism activities being conducted here such as the Ullalim and Matagoan festival, water rafting activities, seminar and conferences, among others.

In Tinglayan, most visited is the Tattoo Village in Buscalan where the only Kalinga tattoo artist Whang-od resides,  and the Sleeping Beauty mountain.

For Lubuagan, the municipality she said is also attracting visitors not only for the sites but because of the year round tourism activity of the people such as the Awichon Cultural Village heritage tour and community immersion, Mabilong Weaving, Dangoy beads making and the Tiwod Fertility Spring.

Recently, the Provincial Tourism Council has come up with the Kalinga Village Hopping package covering these three municipalities.

Ngao-i said  there is a need to create tourism activities in each municipality in the province aside from developing the sites. Tourists she said are attracted to visit a place when they get to experience something like festivities, buy souvenirs, eat unique foods, have  a tattoo, get to experience nature like rafting, hiking and spelunking, extreme sports among others.

JHMC joins schools in Brigada Eskwela
BAGUIO CITY -- John Hay Management Corp. heeded the requests of several schools within the John Hay reservation areafor support in this year’s Brigada Eskwela, a project of the Department of Education.

Brigada Eskwela brings together teachers, parents, LGUs, community members and stakeholders in the yearly activity to prepare a conducive learning environment for students and teachers before the classes start.

JHMC, implementing arm of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority in  cleaning and repair of schools within its jurisdiction.

The John Hay reservation area comprises 13 barangays, where public schools are found surrounding the forest watershed

As part of its community relations program, JHMC will continue to partner with agencies in promoting programs and activities for the community.

Bauang gets Red Orchid award
Bauang, La Union – This coastal town has been dubbed “Model Town” in the north after being bestowed with the Red Orchid Award for two consecutive years for successfully implementing the “smoke-free” town initiative.

As this developed, this town is now vying to win the prestigious Red Orchid “Hall of Fame” award. This was disclosed by Vice Mayor Bonifacio G. Malinao Sr., who said that a team from the national office had already conducted a research to validate this town’s “smoke-free” campaign that has been successful for years. Malinao expressed optimism that they can win the prestigious award due to the full support and cooperation of their constituents for the program that has been implemented – making this town as one of the cleanest towns in the region. -- Mar Supnad

Businesswoman shot dead in Ilocos Sur
BANTAY, Ilocos Sur – A businesswoman was recently shot dead by unidentified suspect here in Zone 6.
Police identified the killed victim as Michelle Gorospe, 24, of Barangay Solid West, Vigan City and of Barangay Boquig, Bantay, Ilocos Sur.

Gorospe’s nephew, Jake, 12, survived the incident.

Investigation showed the victims were on board a motorcycle when Gorospe was shot. -- Freddie Lazaro

26 Cordillera road rehab projects up in Cordillera 
Baguio City – Twenty-six road rehabilitation projects in the Cordilleras are slated for completion before end of 2014. Regional Director Edilberto Carabbacan of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Cordillera said the projects, under the DPWH-Department of Tourism (DOT) convergence project worth P2 billion, started in 2013.

He said in 2013 there were 12 tourism road upgrading projects implemented in Abra, Benguet, Ifugao and Baguio City worth P1.005 billion funded by the national government to connect all potential tourist destinations in the region. “Four of these have been completed while the six are still being constructed and two are delayed due to lack of manpower and materials,” he said.

Projects for CPLA projects checked
BAGUIO CITY – The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Secretary TeresitaQuintos-Deles Monday visited sites where farm-to-market roads were recently completed, as part of the PAMANA project for former Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army (CPLA), which helped Manabo, Abra and barangay Cabiten in Mankayan, Benguet.

Deles’ one-day site visit took place first in Manabo with a welcome party led by Abra Gov. Eustaquio Bersamin and other LGU officials in Casakudan Elementary School in Sitio Sakudan, San Ramon East, Manabo.

Deles also met with the former armed groups who opted integration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as forest guards locally called the “BantayGubat group.”  -- Larry Fabian

IS health council formed to address rising AIDS cases
VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur – With the alarming reports on the rising occurrences of Human Immunodeficiency Virus – Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV-AIDS) here, health officials are seeking the formation of a council to address its prevention. Ilocos Sur’s Provincial Health Officer Carmeliza Singson disclosed that at least 12 residents from the province, two of whom are overseas Filipino workers (OFW’s), were infected with HIV in 2013.

Two are full–blown AIDS cases. It was reported that the Provincial Health Office (PHO) was doubling its efforts in educating sex workers, reminding them of the need to undergo regular pap smear examinations. -- Freddie G. Lazaro

257 added to PNP elite force
CAMP JUAN, Ilocos Norte — A total of 257 rookie policemen from the Ilocos provinces had finished the rigid 45-day PNP Special Counter-Insurgency Unit Training (PNP SCOUT) held at the San Roque Power Plant Corporation in San Manuel, Pangasinan.


The trainees received their certificates during the culmination exercises held at the grandstand of the police regional office in Region 1 May 9 at Camp Brigadier Oscar Florendo in San Fernando City, La Union. -- Freddie G. Lazaro

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