NEWS BITS

Gov Fongwan, Benguet mayors agree to close road to Mt Pulag

BOKOD, Benguet -- The provincial government, with mayors Faustino Aquisan of Kabayan and Mauricio T. Macay of this town, are amenable to  closure of the road in Barangay Ekip that links the main road, to stop illegal logging and conversion of forest land to vegetable gardens. Gov. Nestor Fongwan expressed dismay over what he saw – massive vegetable farms at the foot of Mt. Pulag, which were non-existent before as it used to be part of the mossy forest. Mt. Pulag National Park Supt. Emerita Albas has proposed the closure of the four-kilometer road from Sitio Maubanan, Barangay Ekip, this town to Kayapa town in Nueva Vizcaya to stop the forest destruction.

Flying school suspended over plane crash

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – Authorities suspended Monday the operation of a flying school here after its trainer plane overshot the runway Wednesday.

The suspension was imposed on Leading Edge International Academy, whose student, Eryn Grace Laforteza, was injured in the incident.

Laforteza was discharged from the hospital Wednesday night.

Arnel Borres of Leading Edge said it was Laforteza’s first solo flight.

He refused to comment on the incident pending result of an investigation.

He said Laforteza would be made to explain before the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) in Manila.

Members of the CAAP arrived here earlier to conduct an ocular inspection and investigate the incident.--  Vic Alhambra Jr.

Ifugao dad, agencies ink pact against illegal recruitment

KIANGAN, Ifugao -- The municipal mayor here recently entered into a memorandum of understanding with Department of Labor and Employment, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for  information campaign against illegal recruitment  and trafficking of persons in the municipality.

Mayor Joselito Guyguyon inked the MOU after being authorized by the Sangguniang Bayan.

The DOLE was represented by Cordillera regional director Henry John S. Jalbuena, the POEA by administrator Hans Leo Cacdac, OWWA by administrator Carmelita Dimzon and the TESDA by Cordillera regional director Francisco B. Jucar Jr.

An action plan was made for the campaignin barangays starting August until all barangays are covered. The IEC activities  will coincide with the scheduled barangay assembly meetings.

Guyguyon urged police to take active role in this project  as it affects the peace and order of the community. -- Daniel Codamon

E-Jeep to ply Baguio roads as public transport

BAGUIO CITY -- For a better air quality and environment friendly,  the  E-Jeep (electronic jeep) will  soon be a public transport in this mountain resort city.

Perfecto Itliong, 1-United Transport  Transport Koalisyon (1 UTAK) coordinator,  said initially  100 units E-Jeep with  capacity of 23 passengers each  will ply the Magsaysay-Trancoville route.

Since the vehicle is powered by electricity instead of gasoline, it does not emit carbon dioxide and is therefore considered more environment-friendly, Itliong said.

Public utility operators will have  big savings as it  is much cheaper than diesel and gasoline powered vehicles, he  added.

The E-Jeep is now a public transport in some cities in Metro-Manila, and according to Itliong, he  observed  it is cost effective.  We will have a cleaner air, he added. – Joseph Zambrano

Bontoc observes Arbor Day by planting trees

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Employees and officials of this capital town observed their Arbor Day on August 8, with 3,500 Mahogany, Narra, and Kupang seedling planted along the Samoki-Talubin Road.

“Arbor Day or tree planting day is not new to Bontoc since there have been tree planting activities conducted in coordination with the local government but it is a good thing t is now institutionalized as a yearly event to make people realize that if we work together, we can help save mother earth not only for ourselves, but for the benefit of children.” said Mayor Franklin C. Odsey

Arbor Day is an international holiday wherein individuals and groups are encouraged to plant and care for trees.

In the Philippines, Arbor Day is observed every June 25 by planting trees and ornamental plants and other forms of relevant activities.

Under Republic Act No. 10176 also known as “An Act Reviving the Observance of Arbor Day by Authorizing the Local Government Units the responsibilities for Celebrating the Day for Tree Planting as an Annual Event”, local chief executives shall have an appropriate fixed date every calendar year as shall be deemed suitable according to the proper time and season for planting trees in their area. Pursuant to the this act, Mayor Franklin C. Odsey declared the 2nd Friday of August to be the Arbor Day of Bontoc through Executive Order No. 15 Series of 2014.

 “Arbor Day was timely since the municipality is focused on clearing its name on the garbage issue by making efforts to do what is right and just to protect the environment, thus protecting our people,” said Roger Agcapen, municipal environment officer. -- Caren Ringor

DENR pushes preservation of newly-discovered Ifugao cave

KIANGAN, Ifugao -- Personnel from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the province have set a program to preserve a cave recently dfiscovered in this municipality.

Jose Cabrera Jr, officer- in- charge of the Lamut Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer recently  sought  assistance of municipal tourism officer Eulalie Dulnuan and municipal planning and development coordinator  Jos Aguana to help  in making management plan for Pangaggawan Cave.

Spelunkers who have explored the cave located at Barangay Bolog  said   its   caverns   are at par with the caves of Sagada in Mountain Province that will give cave explorers thrill because of its unique features considering it is being explored by few.

The uniqueness of Pangaggawan cave is its vertical openings which requires the visitor to rappel 23 meters down to the cave floor.

According to  Cabrera, as part of the town’s heritage, commitment must be mustered from among the stakeholders to protect, preserve, maintain and promote the cave as one of the eco-tourism destination not only in the municipality but also  in  the province. -- Daniel Codamon

Sept. 30 mass wedding scheduled in Baguio

BAGUIO CITY  -  A mass wedding will be sponsored  by the City

Social Welfare and Development Office on  Sept. 30 at the Baguio Convention Center.

This is part of the month long celebration of the 105th charter day anniversary.

Nowadays, getting married entails a big amount of money which couples cannot afford, thus, hindering them from getting married.

City Social Welfare and Development Officer Betty Fangasan encouraged young couples who want to get married but cannot afford as well as couples who are already living together to take the opportunity to be part of the mass wedding.

“Interested couples must complete the requirements needed to be able to join the said mass wedding,” said Fangasan.

For couples who had lived-in for more than five years, they must be more that 25 years old.  They must secure community tax certificate (cedula), birth certificate, certificate of no marriage (CENOMAR) from the National Statistics Office (NSO), and secure an affidavit of cohabitation from the Public Attorney’s Office or any legal officer.  

The couples are also required to attend a pre-marriage counseling at the Health Services Office located at T. Alonzo Street to be able to secure marriage license at the Local Civil Registrar’s Office.  The schedule of the said counseling is every Tuesday, 1 to 5 p.m. and every Thursday, 8 a.m. to 12 noon.

Parental consent is needed for applicants aging 18 to 20 years old.

The couples must submit the requirements with complete attachments at the CSWDO not later than Sept. 19.

On Sept. 19, the couple must attend the marriage enrichment seminar at the CSWDO.

For further queries, interested couples can call the CSWDO with telephone numbers 442-3842 or 442-7893.  -- Jho Arranz

P’sinan implements BSP order, gets award

 LINGAYEN, Pangasinan   – The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has hailed the provincial government of Pangasinan for implementing a coin re-circulation program.

Gov. Amado Espino Jr. thanked the local government offices, hospitals, and non-government organizations for their support.

In 2013, the provincial government worked with the BSP for the implementation of the currency program through the “Coins for Three” activity.

For every 50 coins of each denomination (5, 10 and 25 centavos) that an individual surrenders, he or she gets a certificate of participation, a fruit-bearing tree and the value of the coins submitted.

BSP’s coin re-circulation program was created in March 2005 by the Currency Management Committee  to address problems regarding the circulation of Philippine currency.

The program aimed to address coin shortage, non-circulation of coins and the need for the BSP to produce more coins.

Aside from Pangasinan, other awardees included the Lucena Bankers Association, Department of Education of Oriental Mindoro Division, Skills Enhancement and Learning Center in Western Visayas, Bank of Philippine Islands in Central Visayas, Zamboanga City Bankers and Financiers Association, and Land Bank of the Philippines in Central Mindanao.   – Eva Visperas

   

Kalinga stude wins JICA essay writing contest

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – A  Kalinga student   won first place in the First National Essay Writing Competition sponsored by the Japan International Cooperation Agency in Manila recently.

Angel Joy Orpilla, senior student of Tabuk City National High School (TCNHS), bested 170 other participants from various schools in the country.

She received cash incentive of P15,000 plus plaque as prize.

Angel’s essay theme was “Dumanay meets JICA,” a story of a Cordillera girl who  had to trek daily sloppy trails to school until she was  relieved from her daily hike  with road project funded by JICA in their place.

According to TCNHS Principal Rodolfo Ballog, the essay writing competition was opened to schools from 12 regions in the country in observance of the 60th year of the Official Development Association of Japan.

Angel, who is an editorial staff member of their school paper,TCNHS Newsette,, is the daughter of Alijandro and Olivia Orpilla of Casigayan, Tabuk City, Kalinga. -- Larry Lopez

Mayor urges slaughterhouse stall occupants to pay rentals

BAGUIO CITY  -   Stall occupants at the slaughterhouse compound here were ordered to pay rentals for the use of the building.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan told occupants to pay at the city treasurer’s office.

 “You can submit your proposals on how to pay your rentals Domogan told occupants in a meeting with the Baguio City Market Authority last week.

The city is amenable for negotiation with respect to the interests/surcharges due to non payments or rentals for quite sometime.

Based on the records of the City Treasurer’s Office, the stalls located at terminal 1 has a total amount of delinquency of P402,192.00, while stalls at terminal 2 has a P73,570 in unpaid rent.

Stalls located inside Times Transit Terminal and stalls between the barangay hall the comfort room incurred P936,488.00 and P354,768 arrears respectively. 

 A total of P20,161,185.75 delinquency was computed for the carinderia fronting the barangay hall.

On the other hand, stall owners at the Slaughter flea market are operating without business permits.

Domogan directed the BCMA to give notices to the concerned stall owners to secure their business permits at City Hall.

The city government is expecting P394,479.18 collections from delinquent stall owners at the said flea market.

The city government was only authorized to administer the operation of the slaughterhouse, thus, Domogan appealed to the stall occupants to pay their rentals.

Since you’ve been using the area, it is just fair to pay your obligations to the city,” added the mayor.   -- Jho Arranz

Village chief dies in mishap

 SISON, Pangasinan   – A village chairman died when a van hit his motorcycle in Barangay Agat here Aug. 17.

Julio Quidangen, 65, of Barangay Sagunto, was declared dead on arrival at the Rosario Emergency Hospital in La Union.

Investigation showed that Quidangen was crossing a bridge at around 2:30 a.m. when he figured in the accident.

Van driver Joel Orquina, 42, surrendered to the police. – Eva Visperas

Mines View Park closed for its rehab

BAGUIO CITY  -  Despite the ongoing  construction activities for the development project being implemented at Mines View Park, people are still allowed to enter the said park.

P4 million was allotted for the fencing and restoration of the park for the project which started third week of June.

However, construction materials are stock piled just at the entrance to the park causing safety hazard and discomfort to park goers.  Destroyed walkway and stairway is not meant to be walked on and the stones, rubbles and other materials are just strewn all around which may be another cause of safety hazard.

 With the present situation of the park, the same is not conducive to relax on or to commune and be in touch with nature.

“During the latest monitoring, the park is very much inviting dangerous incidents when construction workers, tourists, and park goers are all mixed up in an area where a construction activity is in full blast,” said Engr. Arturo Killip of the City Environment and Parks Management Office.  

“It is because of this reason that for public safety and comfort, and to prevent untoward incidents, Mines View Park will be closed to the  public until such time that the development project will be finished,” said mayor Mauricio Domogan.

Along with the city’s project in beautifying tourist spots of this mountain resort, the city is also prioritizing the clearing and replenishing of the reflection pool also known as the “Pool of Pines” fronting the gate of the mansion house in preparation of the upcoming celebration of the 105th Baguio Day anniversary on Sept. 1.

It has been more than a decade that the water of the reflection pool was not changed causing the build up and accumulated algae on the said pool, thus, it is no longer pleasing to the eyes of the visitors and park goers.

“We want to develop and enhance as well as sustain the tourist spots in the city so as to uplift the city’s tourism industry,” said Domogan.  -- Jho Arranz

Cattle fever hits 73 cattles in Ilocos Norte

PASUQUIN, Ilocos Norte — The provincial veterinary office reported at least 73 cases of ephemeral fever affecting cattles in this town since July 28.

Pasuquin town’s livestock insp. Froilan Cariaga said the cattle showed symptoms of ephemeral fever, a well- known three-day sickness, such as paleness, appetite-loss, and weakness.

He said the animals may show symptoms of the disease from 24 hours to several weeks. The disease is usually milder in calves under 12 months of age. Cariaga said massive injection of antibiotics and vitamin supplementation are already being given to the animals. -- Freddie G. Lazaro

City mulls to bid out the operation and management of Burnham skating rink

BAGUIO CITY  -  The lease contract for the management and operation of the skating rink at Burnham Park between the city government here, and spouses Ismael and Luzviminda Quirante will about to end this November.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan said his office received a letter from Quirante signifying  interest to renew and continue the management and operation of the skating rink indicating some proposals such as to rehabilitate the roofs  that can no longer withstand even strong downpours, to repair the drainage canal at the entrance of the skating rink, to continue to implement improvements in order to continue its transformation as a safe indoor amusement facility in the city, and to install new and upgrade the fun rides in order to provide excitement for the customers. The estimated rehabilitation cost of the skating rink is between 9.5 to 10 million pesos.

“Even if we want to manage the operation of the skating rink, it would entail additional personnel services expense on the part of the city government,” said Domogan.

The mayor believes that it is better to bid out publicly the management of the same for the betterment of the city and at the same time to the advantage of the city.

Mayor said income collected by the city from concessionaires of Burnham is about 12 million annually.

On the other hand, the budget needed to maintain the skating rink without any major improvement would reach P36 to 50 million.

At present, the maintenance of Burnham is being heavily subsidized by the city government, said Domogan.  -- Jho Arranz