NEWS BITS

Mt Polis climb set  November 14-15

BAUKO, Mountain Province -- A  trek to Mt Polis, one of the nature  trails of  this  vegetable producing  town of Mountain Province is set to hold a  hike  on Nov. 14-15.

Municipal tourism officer  Arsenia  Addon said the  climb shall  see sights along the way   including  panoramic views of  mountains and rice terraces.

On Nov. 14, trekkers shall  assemble at  the Municipal hall at Abatan Bauko and proceed to  Bangnin, Bauko. The four- hour  trek shall see sights  along the way namely Abatan Grotto, Toktok Allan, Layaan burial cave,  Bokong  rice terraces,  Cotcot Aso spring and  St Gregory’s church.

Lunch follows at Bangnin  proceeded with an hour  trek to Mt  Polis. Atop the mountain peak, are views of  Sagada,Sabangan and upper Bauko,some parts of  Ilocos and Tadian, and  Mankayan.

Community integration follows afternoon of  Nov.  14 at Bangnin throughout the night. Homestays are available and those who have  tents are welcome to  set these up.

In the morning of  Nov. 15 is a trek to the nearby historical place of Balintaugan with more sights and a visit to the healing cave.

Registration of  P300 per person covers four meals and environmental fee. Contact  Arsenia Addon  CP number 09128615646 for further inquiries. --  Gina Dizon

JVO installs signages at Bokod’s Mt Purgatory

BOKOD, Benguet -- Jaime V. Ongpin Foundations started a project here called “Saving Mt. Purgatory” to “strengthen local capacities on ecotourism for a sustained protection, management and conservation of the Mount Purgatory-Mangisi ecotourism area.

Last Oct. 28, a group from the JVO Foundation,  ABADEG, a tourist guide association of the Mt. Purgatory Area, Provincial Governors’ Office-Tourism,  provincial environment office and municipal tourism office o, trekked to Mt. Purgatory to install floral signage at Mt. Pact  to Mt. Purgatory Trail.

Along the trail, 11 photo signs were installed. Included in the sign is the local name of the plant, the family of the plant and its scientific name. These signages would be a source of information to all who would pass through the area. Some of the sign contains a vicinity map of the Mt. Pack – Mt. Purgatory area.

 Mount Purgatory hosts mossy forests and rare forests flora and fauna.

Business outlook in Luzon remains positive

BAGUIO CITY -- The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said business in Luzon for the third quarter of this year was positive despite slowdown brought by lesser demand due to rainy season.

BSP Department of Economic Statistics deputy director Fernando Silvoza, bared this during a forum conducted by BSP under its  Economic and Financial Learning Program here recently at the Golden Pine Hotel.

Silvoza said based on their third quarter business expectations survey result, business outlook in Luzon is less upbeat but remains positive  except in Region 1.

“Business outlook in Region 1 weakened wherein the wholesale and retail trade sector went negative, while service sector stayed neutral and only the industry sector that remained positive,” Silvoza  said.

For Regions III, IV and V, Silvoza also reported a generally slower business outlook except in industry sector which remained positive.

Slowdown in business for Luzon third quarter of this year was generally due to effect of  typhoons looming energy crisis and increase in price of petroleum products and some basic commodities.

According to Silvoza, they expect the business sector to rebound this fourth quarter in time for the yuletide season. -- Carlito Dar

Mt. Province approves P30M budget for disasters

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has approved the province’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and Climate Change Adaptation Annual Investment Plan for 2015.

The DRRM/CCA 2015 AIP has a total budget of P30.2 million which is five percent of the estimated total revenues of the province next year.

In the DRRM phases, preparedness gets the biggest allocation of almost P14.6 M. Programs, projects or activities in this phase include: conduct of advanced trainings on disaster preparedness, response search rescue and retrieval operations; procurement of disaster equipment for disaster response and rescue activities; stockpiling of basic emergency supplies; construction, rehabilitation or completion of evacuation centers; procurement of coaster; and conduct of IEC on DRRM, among others.

Under the prevention and mitigation phase with an allocation of P4.1 M,  it will cover the  conduct of risk assessments, vulnerability analysis and other science-based technology and methodologies; capability trainings for DRRM officers and DRRM members; implementation of climate Change adaptation and mitigation strategies; installation of signages along roads identified as hazard prone; tree planting; purchase and installation of fire hydrants; construction/rehabilitation and completion of infra projects to support DRRM/CCA, among others.

Programs and activities under rehabilitation and recovery phases have a total budget of P1.4 million while support programs have P1.07 million funding.  The remaining P9.08 million is allocated as the Quick Response Fund or standby fund which could be used during disaster or calamities.

PDRRMC chairman Gov. Leonard Mayaen said DRRM proposed programs and activities are reasonable and badly needed in the Council’s continuing efforts to build disaster-resilient and climate change-resilient province. -- Andrew Doga-ong

Pagcor commits 32 Baguio classrooms

BAGUIO CITY  - Baguio  City School Superintendent Francis Bringas said the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has committed to finance a 32 classroom senior school building project for the Baguio City National High School.

This project is in preparation to the first batch of senior high school students this coming 2016, being part of the changes brought about by the K + 12 basic education program.

The Department of Education has proposed to expand the project to 62 classrooms, expecting that the public school would be serving 5,000 of the projected 7,000 students who would be qualified as high school seniors this coming 2016, said Bringas.

A four storey school building with 20 classrooms will be constructed at the Pines City National High School at Irisan.

Accordingly, PAGCOR will put up the building that is pursuant to the city plan.

As other option, Mayor Mauricio Domogan said to coordinate with other top universities for possible vacant classrooms that can be used for the senior high school program.  -- Jho Arranz

Pangasinan bringing life back to Casa Real, new Baywalk

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — To stoke Pangasinense pride, the famed national historical landmark that is now nearly two centuries old, Casa Real, will undergo full restoration to what it once was – the seat of power in the North.

The restoration project – along with the development of the new Lingayen Baywalk – will highlight what Pangasinan is today, a province that still thrives as what local officials like Gov. Amado T. Espino Jr. and Rep. Leopoldo N. Bataoil dub as “the best place in which to invest, work, live, and raise a family.”

As early as 2012 or 10 years after the National Historical Institute (now the National Historical Commission of the Philippines or NHCP) declared Casa Real a National Landmark, local officials have been planning its restoration.

Last week, local government officials and representatives of the Pangasinan Historical and Cultural Commission (PHCC) led the groundbreaking for the project on the 1,480 square-meter-lot where it stands at the municipal plaza complex.

When the Americans took over, it was named Capitol and served as the Office of the Governor until 1918 when the new capitol building was constructed at the beachfront. Judge William Howard Taft was given a grand reception in Casa Real in 1901 following the creation of Pangasinan as a civil province.

The PHCC recommended the restoration project when Espino, was first elected governor in 2007. It was not difficult to convince local officials that it was about time one of Pangasinan’s most important cultural treasures be rehabilitated for tourism.

But it was only until Bataoil, 2nd District representative, sat as vice chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, that a P30-million fund was appropriated for the purpose. For its part, the provincial government allocated P5-million for the first phase.

At present, the building is hardly inhabitable. Its roof was totally destroyed by super-typhoon “Cosme” in 2008, compelling offices occupying it then bail to out.

The weather-beaten building soon fell prey to looting and vandalism.

Bataoil said that alongside the restoration project, life in the Capitol beachfront area is also being revived by developing the new Baywalk.

Bataoil said the third phase of this project is almost complete. The succeeding works will include various amenities within the baywalk to enhance the tourism potentials of the 659 meters-long paved walkway from the driving range to the back of the Urduja Building.

The initial fund of P28.5 million was sourced from Buhay Partylist and other funding agencies. The congressman said the area is envisioned as a place where people can converge and families bond for fun, exercise, and fitness activities. -- Jojo Riñoza and Liezel Basa Iñigo

Pagcor donates P105 M sports facility to PMA

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City - Cadets of the country’s premiere military academy will be using a modern sports complex donated by the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation by next year.

As part of the recent 116th Philippine Military Academy foundation day activities here, Pagcor chairman Cristino Naguiat, who was guest of honor and speaker, said they have alloted P105 million for the construction of the academy’s two-story sports facility that will serve as an added sports facility for the summer capital to cater to the hosting of regional and national sports competition.

“The sports complex which will be completed by February 2015 will house a covered basketball, volleyball, badminton and tennis courts a gymnastics center, offices and classrooms is the state firm’s contribution to improving the facilities of the country’s military school as requested by President Benigno Aquino III during last year’s PMA graduation program,” Naguiyat said.

Naguiat said their donation to the PMA is part of their commitment for improving education in the country more importantly the academy which molds future leaders of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. He pointed out the condition of the PMA’s former gymnasium has been poor and no longer apt to accommodate the needs for physical fitness activities of the academy and other outside competitions.

He cited the funds for the construction of PMA’s modern sports complex comes from Pagcor’s savings which has also helped so much in the education sector, particularly the building of schoolbuildings intended for upcoming senior high school students in the different parts of the country by the year.

‘This includes some P5 million in funds that have been allocated for building thousands of classrooms in partnership with the Department of Education including the repair of hundreds of classrooms destroyed by Typhoon Yolanda,” he added.

Naguiat revealed the firm will be adding by the end of the month some P2 billion for the construction of more classroom buildings and other education needs of the country bringing their total investments to the improvement of the education to some P7 billion this year.

PMA spokesperson Maj. Reynaldo Balido Jr. said the donation of Pagcor is a big help to the country’s premiere military school as physical fitness is one of the pillars of molding future cadets and officers of the AFP.

Balido said the new sports facility will also strengthen the sports program of the PMA and the city as it can now host inter-sports competition among universities through the Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League.

Naguiat was also honored by a parade and review by the Cadet Corps of the AFP. He also awarded PMA uniformed and non-uniformed personnel who have demonstrated outstanding performance of their duties for the year.

The foundation day activities also included a bloodletting activity in cooperation with the PMA’s Host Parents Association, The Department of Health, Baguio General Hospital and the Philippine National Red Cross.

The actual foundation day of the PMA is October 25 but the celebration was moved earlier due to previous commitments of Naguiat. Other guests in the foundation day program are Department of National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Northern Luzon Commander Lt. Gen. Felicito Trinidad. They were joined by academy officials led by PMA superintendent Maj. General Oscar Lopez.

Since the foundation of the PMA in 1898, it has produced more than 8,000 graduates which has formed the roster of officials that has officiated the more than 300,000 personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. -- Dexter A. See

P50M needed for repair of Baguio Athletic Bowl solved

BAGUIO CITY  – The Department of Public works and Highways and Department of Tourism provided P50 million needed by the city government to start rehabilitation of Baguio Athletic Bowl located within the 34-hectare Burnham Park to allow the Summer Capital host upcoming regional, national and international sports competitions in the coming years, a senior DPWH official said here.

Alexander Castañeda, district engineer of the DPWH’s Baguio Engineering District, said P32 million from the earmarked amount next year will be utilized to pursue the cutting of tartan rubber on the track oval while the remaining balance of P18 million will be used up for the convention of the wooden bleachers to a concrete one as well as the construction of an access road and the repair of the basketball, volleyball, tennis courts among other major sports facilities.

“We can bid out the project as soon as President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III shall have signed next year’s national budget into law. We can also ask the winning contract tor to execute a risk letter so that the project can immediately proceed so that it can be completed in time for the city’s hosting of the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association sports competitions,” Castañeda said.

He said P50 million additional fund for rehabilitation of the Baguio Athletic Bowl was sourced out from the tourism infrastructure fund for next year and which will complement the P60 million to be earmarked by the city government from its 2014 supplemental budget for the rubberised oval for its tracks in order to improve the current condition of the sports complex. 

“If the funds from the city government will be released first, then it will be the one to be utilized for the implementation of the rubberised track oval and we will use our programmed budget for the rehabilitation of other facilities within the Athletic Bowl,” Castaneda added.

On the other hand, the DPWH official claimed if their programmed funds will be the one to be released first, then the city government will have to use up the funds for the repair of other facilities within the sports complexes.

Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan said the allocation of funds from both the DPWH and city government purposely to rehabilitate the sports facility is a good sign of close coordination among concerned government agencies and the local government.

“Our primary objective is to improve the state of our own sports facility so that we will be able to bid for the hosting of bigger sports events which will bring in more visitors to our city,” Domogan said.

He said technical people of the DPWH and the city government will continue to closely coordinate with each other in order to ensure the smooth implementation of the programmed projects that will uplift the state of the city’s sports complex.

Domogan cited it is high time Athletic Bowl be rehabilitated and upgraded considering that aside from the placing of an olympic-size swimming pool in the area in 2003, no concrete project has been implemented in the area over the past 12 years. -- Dexter A. See

Kalinga disaster councils undergo disaster training

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- Members of local disaster councils and volunteer relief action teams recently held “rapid damage assessment  and needs analysis training.

Provincial civil defense coordinator Cristy Reyes said the training was sponsored by Cordillera Regional Office on Civil Defense for quicker and more comprehensive reporting and response action during disasters.

Reyes said participants were trained on quick assessment of disaster damages for faster submission of reports so immediate relief action could be undertaken by concerned agencies.

It was observed there was immediate need to improve system of reporting from the barangay to the municipal and to provincial disaster councils thus the training, Reyes said.

Reyes recommended reactivation of hand-held radio-based organizations in the province for faster and wider system of reporting and response during disasters. – Larry Lopez  

 Ifugao, Kalinga high in measles- rubella-polio immunization

LAGAWE, Ifugao -- Measles-rubella oral polio vaccination mass immunization in the provinces of Ifugao and Kalinga   reached  more than 95% of total population.

Provincial Health Office data showed 26,073 of children in Ifugao  received oral polio vaccine and 23,190 for MR vaccine  out of 51,150  target population for an average  of 96.4774%.

Five towns recorded more than 100 percent accomplishment with Lamut topping the list  with 113.54% ,  followed by  Asipulo  at  108.017%; Alfonso Lista - 107.224%; Lagawe - 101.181%; and Hungduan - 100.508%.

Aguinaldo - 99.83%; Tinoc - 95.74%; Kiangan - 90.11%; Hingyon - 87.49%; Banaue - 81.68% and Mayoyao - 61.95%.

Provincial health officer Mary Josephine Dulawan lauded stakeholders who supported the activity. 

She cited parents who value importance of immunization  for their children.  

Meanwhile, Kalinga Provincial Health Office chief Dr. Romulo Gaerlan reported a 95.89% accomplishment rating for its measles-rubella supplemental immunization activity.

Based on the Kalinga PHO report, among four municipalities that reached their target,  Tanudan topped at 101.78 percent covering 916 children from its 900 eligible population.

Second was Tabuk City with 99.52%, followed by Rizal with 97.47%, and Pinukpuk with   a 96% accomplishment.

All four municipalities were expected to receive a P10,000.00 incentive from DOH-Cordillera for meeting their targets. Said amount will be utilized for their immunization programs.

According to Minda Balawan of PHO Kalinga , 23,606 of  the 24,619 eligible target  for the MR  mass immunization program  availed of the vaccination.  

For oral polio vaccine, Kalinga as of the October 10 deadline reported a 92.66 percent accomplishment covering a total of 26,775 children from its 28,897 eligible population.

The mass immunization was conducted September  and extended up to October 10 to protect children aged nine to 95 months nationwide from the deadly diseases. -- JDP/MBL with reports from Gigi Dumallig

Mayor forms group to prepare skating rink plan

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio Domogan last week created the technical working group to prepare the master development plan for the Burnham Park skating rink.

Urban planner and former city architect Joseph Alabanza of the Baguio Heritage Committee and city building and architecture officer-in-charge Johnny Degay will co-chair the group with the city environment and parks management officer, representative of the United Architects of the Philippines Baguio chapters and the deans of the colleges of engineering and architecture of the University of Cordilleras, University of Baguio and St. Louis University as members.

The master plan will serve as basis in the drafting of the terms of reference in the bidding of the operation of the skating rink after the expiration of the city’s contract with the present concessionaire Quirante’s Fun Rides/Skates Rentals and Recreation Center set on November 2.

The drafting of the plan was agreed on between the mayor and the petitioners advocating to open the Burnham Park skating rink for free use by the public in a meeting recently.

During the meeting, both parties also agreed that the lease contract with Quirante firm will not be renewed by the city and the operation of the facility will instead be bid out based on terms that are beneficial to both the city government and the public.

After hearing the mayor’s justifications, the petitioners led by Alabanza, Bishop Carlito Cenzon of the Burnham Park fencing committee and former punong barangay Ferdy Bayasen acknowledged that the city cannot allow the absolute free use of the skating rink being one of the few income generators where the city source out funds for the maintenance of the park,

At present, the city earns only P15 million from the various park concessionaires which is way below the fund requirement of P37 million to pay for manpower, water, fertilizer and other maintenance needs of the park, according to the mayor.

 As to the petitioners’ call for the removal of other business enterprises not in line with the area’s intended use, the mayor said this is consistent with the city’s stand that these operations which include bump cars and arcade games must not be allowed inside the facility meant only for a skating rink and including a refreshment canteen and coffee shop.

Bayasen said the petition entitled, “A People’s Initiative and Manifesto: “Return the Skating Rink at Burnham Park to the Public’” which gathered a total of 17,065 street and 1,119 on-line signatures aimed to get the pulse of the residents on how they want the skating rink managed. 

He said that the common sentiment was that the facility be restored to its olden day status as an open facility.

Alabanza who broached the drafting of the proposed master plan said they will consider the suggestion in the drafting of the plan.  He committed to complete the master plan within two weeks. – Aileen Refuerzo

Mt Prov education assist program benefits students

BONTOC –More poor but deserving college students from Mountain Province are now finishing their education due to Mountain Province Student Financial Assistance Program of the provincial government.

According to executive assistant Cynthia A. Taguiba of the governor’s office, the MPSFAP has catered to 475 first to fifth year college studentsfor the 1^st semester of this school year 2014.

Out of the total, 211 are studying at the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College (MPSPC) Bontoc Campus or at Xijen College of Mountain Province here, 71 at MPSPC- Tadian Campus, 122 are studying in schools in Baguio City and Benguetand 46 students from the eastern part of the province are studying either in the provinces of Nueva Viscaya or in Isabela.

The program is also benefiting 25 students from the province who are enrolled under the scholarship program for health workers of the University of the Philippines School of Health Sciences (UP-SHS) in Baler, Aurora Province and Leyte.

Relative to this, the grantees received their financial assistance of P3, 000.00 each for the 1^st semester of this school year to augment their financial needs in school.

Gov. Leonard G.  Mayaen told grantees importance of education in achieving one’s endeavour in life and uplifting family out of poverty. 

Coming from a poor family, the governor said that it is through education that he achieved his status in life today.

He urged grantees to do well in their studies so they could complete their courses and land jobs to sustain them and their families.

“I believe that it is every child right to have education. Thus, we increase your allowance from P2, 500 to P3, 000 per semester, enough to pay in full the school fees in any state college. This may be small amount, but we are happy that we could help even in little ways”, the governor said.

Relative to this, a grantee expressed his gratitude to the provincial government in giving importance to education in their programs.

He is now a graduating student and being part of the program for three years.

“Being a grantee from my second year until fourth year of college, I am grateful to the provincial government. The program is a big help in my studies and has lessen the financial burden of my parents”, a grantee said.

To avail of this program, applicant must be resident of the province, poor but deserving student, high school graduates or college students and must be of good moral character.

Applicants may submit the following requirements: letter of interest/application addressed to the governor, complete MPSFAP application form with one copy of 2x2 ID picture, photo copy of high school card or certification of latest grades (2 copies), two copies of certification of enrolment and certificate of endorsement signed by the governor.

Submission of complete requirements for renewal and new applicants studying in Mountain Province will be on Nov. 15 – Dec. 15.

Meanwhile, applicants studying outside Mountain Province shall submit their complete requirements from Nov.15, 2014  to Jan. 15, 2015. -- Alpine L. Killa

Save the Ludong’ gets support from Vigan exec 

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur -- The Save the Abra River Project got support from a local official  here  who promised  to push for a provincial ordinance  supporting  Administrative Circular No. 247 of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources that protects the “Ludong,” in the Abra River and formation of committee that would regulate the catching of the rare fish.

Lawyer Pablito Sanidad, Jr., chairman of the city council committee on agriculture and fisheries of Vigan assured this  during 10th consultation meeting of the technical working group of the Save the Abra River Project earlier in this Heritage City.

Sanidad’s statement boosted implementation of BFAR circular passed last year but remains unenforced. Because of this, the endangered Ludong remains at risk of extinction.

According to the Bureau of Agricultural Research, ‘ Ludong is a freshwater mullet that is endemic to Cagayan River and tributaries extending through the watersheds of Cagayan Valley and in Santa-Abra River systems of Ilocos Sur and Abra.’ 

It is said to be the  best tasting and most expensive fish in the Philippines.

Relative to the preservation of ludong,  Evelyn Amin from BFAR Region II reported result of their research on the two  existing species of ludong, the Cestraeus oxyrhynchus and Cestraeus goldiei.

Amin said they have laboratory facilities for ludong for researches and experiments to be able to derive information on biology, culture and sexual maturity of the said freshwater fish. 

Meanwhile, Raul Cabungay of the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources– Cordillera said it is safe to swim in the Abra River as indicated in the result of  its  water quality analysis.

He reported that their office conducted water quality analysis from five sampling stations in the Abra River within the province.

A committee tasked to formulate the vision-mission of the Save the Abra River was also  organized with Dr. Isaias Bangana of the Abra State Institute of Science and Technology  – Lagangilang as the chairman.  The committee shall draft the information education campaign materials for the promotion of the BFAR ACNo. 247.

The campaign to save the Abra River carries the slogan, “Agbiag Karayan Abra para ti Masakbayan.” -- Josa Mai Ramirez