NEWS BITS
>> Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Ilocos shooting leaves 2
dead
SOLSONA, Ilocos Norte – A couple was killed while their
two children survived when unidentified gunmen waylaid them here Aug 31.
Owen Cariaga, his wife
Regelyn and their children were traveling on a motorcycle in Barangay
Caringquing when they were attacked, said Solsona police chief Senior Insp.
Leonardo
Tolentino.
Investigators
recovered several bullet shells for an M-16 Armalite at the crime scene.
Tribal family holds
canao against Baguio trash site
BAGUIO CITY -- A family held a cañao Aug. 30
here at Sitio Bilis. Sto.Tomas Central Barangay to show opposition to
establishment of a garbage dump in the area.
Along with indigenous
residents and elders, they said they elevated their opposition to the Office of
the President in Malacañang and the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources
Central Office in Diliman, Quezon City.
They said aside from
many families to be displaced, thousands of trees, as well as several
waterfalls and other water sources will be destroyed once the city government
sets up the garbage dump site in the area.
La Union students win in
international math contests
SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union -- Mayor Pablo
Ortega cited 12 students of this city for wining three gold, three silver and
two bronze medals in international mathematics competitions in China, Singapore
and Taiwan from July 26 to Aug. 13 this year.
The math
wizards are Ralph Ernest Argana and Brylle Jaden Louise Ordoño, who both won
gold medals in the “I Love China Math” in Hongzhou City last July 29.
Brylle also won a bronze.
Loraine
Joy Calica won the gold in “Search for Star of the Math Olympics” in Hong Kong
last July 22 while Paul Jeremiah Naraval got a silver medal. Both Lorraine and
Paul also won silver medals in the “Chong Hua Math Cup” in Hong Kong
The
bronze medalists are Phylline Cristel Calubayan, Bert Joseph Prestoza and
Lovely Anne Nullar.
Seven
other delegates got merits of excellence in the PanAsia Pacific math contest
and King of Math Cup competition. Among them are Jan Vincent Simbol, Mary
Alyenne Azarcon, Victor Dominic Naraval and Lorigene Marie Cepriaso.
Ortega
described the students as “budding math wizards” and pride of San
Fernando. – Jun Elias
5 alleged gunrunners fall
in Nueva Ecija
GUIMBA, Nueva Ecija – Five suspected members
of a gunrunning syndicate were arrested at a checkpoint here Aug. 28.
The suspects were
identified as ArnaldoArao, 32; Jackson Tuazon, 31; Jerry Villastique, 38;
Alayodan Jalil, 39, and Sumacum Cader, 72.
Superintendent Sidney
Villaflor, chief of the regional public safety battalion, said the suspects
were in a Toyota Revo (WGP-633), which was pulled over by police officers in
Barangay Trila.
Villaflor said the
suspects yielded a rifle, a hand grenade, a magazine with 15 bullets for an
M-16 Armalite, eight cell phones, a computer tablet, and P150,661.
Villaflor said charges
for illegal possession of firearms, explosives and ammunition would be filed
against the group.
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 last week operation of a
flying school here after its trainer plane overshot the runway.
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.
ArnelBorres 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 campaign in 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 TransportKoalisyon (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 discovered 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
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.
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