NEWSBITS

Farmer dies in mishap

TUGUEGARAO CITY – A farmer died after his motorcycle was hit by a passenger bus in Naguilian, Isabela May 31.

Danilo Bagalay died at the scene after he was thrown off his vehicle, according to town police chief Senior Inspector Edwin Castro.

Bus driver Jerald Martinez, 30, surrendered to the police after the accident that occurred in Barangay Palattao. – RaymundCatindig

Lang-ay tickets sold fast with vehicles as prizes

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Lang-ay festival raffle tickets are now being bought at a fast in the province, now that the first prize, a  white brand new Hiace Commuter  vehicle is seen roaming around the town advertising itself.

Vehicles, as second and the third prizes are now parked at the provincial plaza grounds including the fourth prize which is a tricycle.

Last week, a team went to the eastern towns of the province in a sales blitz when a scheme was hatched wherein consolation prizes were added as part of festivals of Paracelis and Barlig both slated to be staged this June.

Paulino Tumapang, Jr., chairperson of Lang-ay Festival Organization, urged everyone to buy tickets. -- Roger Sacyaten

Man dies in trike accident

RAMON, Isabela – A certain RusselManzanilla died after his motorcycle slammed into a truck here loaded with construction materials.

Manzanilla tried to overtake another vehicle, causing him to crash into a truck driven by Ramon Herrera, according to Chief Insp. JuanchoAlobba, town police chief.

Herrera was arrested after the incident.

P7-M fake DVDs seized in La Union

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – At least P7 million worth of pirated digital video and compact discs were seized in a raid on a shopping mall here may 29.

The discs were placed in 53 sacks and were brought to the office of the Optical Media Board (OMB) in Manila, according to Senior Supt. Francisco Esguerra, chief of regional police criminal investigation and detection group.

Esguerra said stall owners and vendors fled after sensing the arrival of the police and the OMB personnel. -- Jun Elias

Baguio anti-smoking campaign boosted

BAGUIO CITY – The city government here is set to amend its “comprehensive anti-smoking ordinance” to make it more effective in implementation.

Councilors Richard Carino, Elmer Datuin and Fred Bagbagen proposed amendments with the legislation known as “New Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance of Baguio City.”

Mayor Mauricio Domogan said the city’s comprehensive anti-smoking ordinance still loopholes such as prohibited acts, designation of smoking areas and definition of public places which need improvement and amendments for its implementation to be effective.

“A stumbling block for the ordinance has been decided in court which said that the definition of a public place was not appropriately indicated in the ordinance, hence the needed amendment,” he said.

An amendatory ordinance would address this defect by enumerating in detail places where it is prohibited to smoke. – Paul Rillorta

Army, PNP ink deal to boost security campaign

CAMP FLORENDO, San Fernando City, La Union -- – Maj. Gen. Glorioso M. Miranda, commander of 7th Infantry Division  of Philippine Army and Chief Supt. Roman A. Felix, Ilocos regional director signed a “joint security plan” here last week to boost anti-criminality campaign particularly on internal security operations (ISO).

Dubbed “Amianan,” the ceremonial signing between the two top government officials was held here at the Masigasig Center here, Monday.

Felix said the plan was formulated to provide operational guidelines and procedures to be followed by 7ID and PRO1 in joint security operations.

Miranda said the plan’s mission is to go after armed groups, enforce the law, maintain peace and prevent crimes to create an environment conducive for sustainable development.

The plan will employ the “whole nation approach” and “people-centered approach” as strategies.

The formulation of Amianan was in compliance to mandates of AFP and PNP in addressing peace and security concerns and increasing drive  againsts insurgency in rural areas of Ilocos Sur. -- Mar T. Supnad

Fund assistance to Mt Prov grantees to increase

BONTOC, Mountain Province - Allowance of grantees of Mountain Province Student Financial Assistance Program (MPSFAP) will increase next year, Gov. Leonard G. Mayaen told beneficiaries in a program at the multi-purpose building here last week.

Mayaen said that the P3, 000 allowance of every grantee per semester will increase to P4, 000.

The additional P1, 000 is because of the increasing cost of education and school materials needed by the students.

But the governor explained the increase shall take effect next year since the budget for the year 2015 was already approved. 

He said this was result of the harmonious relationship of the executive and legislative body, working together and giving primacy to education.

With this, Mayaen encouraged the grantees to do their best in school to continuously avail of the program until they graduate. --  Alpine Killa

KABAYAN, Benguet – This town recently celebrated its 8th Eco-Tourism and Bendiyan Festival.

Kabayan, famous for its centuries-old mummies and Mount Pulag, the highest peak in Luzon,  showcased  traditional songs, dances and rituals of  its the rich cultural heritage.

The celebration kicked off with a civic and cultural parade from the Palenas-Pangtal Road to the Kabayan Central School Grounds in Poblacion.

The parade featured participants from barangays in  traditional cultural attires while performing cultural practices of Ibalois here.

The parade was followed by “Abang tan OwikniKeshel” or the traditional pig catching by Ibaloi men followed by the ritual and offering.

In the program, Mayor Faustino Aquisan welcomed guests while Sangguniang Bayan member Ama James Aroco narrated history of Kabayan.

Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) business research  and development division manager Ma. Zenaida Quinahan was guest of honor and speaker during the event.

Benguet Gov. Nestor Fongwan, Rep. Ronald Cosalan and Department of Tourism – Cordillera officer-in-charge Mary Bilagot delivered  inspirational messages.

The Kamora National High School, the multi-awarded dance troupe from the municipality performed cultural dances.

The KNHS had been champion in the previous Panagbenga street dance competition in Baguio City and runner up in Aliwan Festival in Manila.

A special presentation from sister municipalities of Sagada, Banaue and Tabuk City were featured during the event. Recognition was also given to Lucky Bendiyan Festival Visitor or  first time visitor to the municipality who was selected during the May 2 program.

Other activities during the day were “Pansasanopni Senior Citizens” or interaction of senior citizens from  municipalities of Kabayan, Bokod, Itogon and Buguias; a magic and acrobatic show and the Matekal e Ykabayan with fashion show featuring the attires of Kabayan and other ethnic inspired garbs.

The Bendiyan Festival gets its name from the ‘bindiyan’(commonly spelled bendian or bendiyan ) dance of the Ibalois of Kabayan which is done in a circular fashion with various hand movements and steps. 

It is celebrated as part of a sacred ritual made during abundant harvests and a thanksgiving to the gods. – RedgieMelvicCawis

Cordillera on track towards malaria – free status

BAGUIO CITY -- The Cordillera is on track in eliminating malaria in the region, according to the Department of Health.

Cordillera infectious disease cluster head Dr. Alexei Marrero.

He told media forum Baguio City and the provinces of Abra and Benguet have been declared malaria-free  after five consecutive years without recorded malaria cases.

Marrero reported that Mountain Province is getting nearer to achieving a malaria-free status with four consecutive years of zero malaria cases. Ifugao and Kalinga  have zero recorded  cases for three and two years, respectively.

Marrero, in the same forum, reported that 13 malaria cases were recorded in the region in 2014, of which five were imported cases (patient’s infection was from other parts of the country).

For this year,  only one case of malaria was recorded as of April 11, a 67 percent decrease compared to the three cases recorded during the same period (Jan. 1 to April 11) last year.

For the DOH campaign, Marrero reported that DOH  is into continuing  information, education and communication campaign focused on   strengthening   inter-border campaign to ensure that Malaria will not cross from endemic areas to Malaria-free zones, clean-up drives and distribution of insecticide – treated mosquito nets  to households and  treated curtains  to public schools.

Malaria is a life-threatening blood disease which transmission primarily comes from (Anopheles) Mosquito bite and can also be transmitted by blood transfusion between a mother and child.

Malaria signs and symptoms which usually manifest within a week to one month after transmission  include fever, shaking chills, yellowish discoloration of the skin and flu-like illness.

“If bitten by a mosquito and such symptoms manifest, a person must immediately go for a consultation to health centers or hospitals because without treatment, it can cause severe illness and can be fatal”, Marrero said. -- EngelbertNievera

600 Mt Province families  covered by cash program 

By Juliet B. Saley

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- About 600 families in the province are beneficiaries of the “modified conditional cash transfer for indigenous peoples in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (MCCT-IP in GIDAs) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) conceptualized the MCCT-IP in GIDAs which is more culturally responsive in improving the indigenous peoples’ access to basic social services.

Johnny Bumakil , provincial head of 4Ps in the province,  said identification of IP families was done with assistance of tribal leaders and barangay officials, not through national household targeting system.

The identification was based on the description of GIDA such as no or limited opportunities for development, no or limited access to social services, no access to roads or hard to reach areas, insufficiency of food and peace and order issues.He said MCCT beneficiaries have the same package of cash grant with that of regular PantawidPamilya beneficiaries which is  P500 for health, P300 each for elementary pupil and P500  each high school student for a maximum of three children. Implementation however is different.

Under the  MCCT-IP in GIDA, the grantee depends on the agreement of the wife and the husband on who  will represent the household. In regular Pantawid program, the mothers are the preferred grantees.

Once the grantees receive cash grant, a portion  will be allotted for community project and the group will determine how much and what project to invest.

They will identify project based on community needs.

For projects which need bigger amount, these will be requested to concerned unit, Bumakil explained.

Schedule of activities will be set by the beneficiaries themselves.

The compliance of the IP family beneficiaries  on the conditionalities  of the program will  be monitored as this is the basis in the release of cash grants, he  added.

Bumakil said of the total IP family beneficiaries, 53 are from the municipality of Barlig.( Lunas-13; Ogo-og – 17; Kaleo – 23).  Total cash grant of P86,2000.00 was released to these beneficiaries last May 7.

In the municipality of Natonin,  151 beneficiaries are from barangay Banawel,  Saliok – 56, Tonglayan – 55, Maducayan – 16, Banao – 14 and Poblacion-1)

For PaRAcelis, barangay Buringal has beneficiaries, Bunot – 66, Poblacion – 61 and Palitud-2. No cash grant  is released yet for these two municipalities.

DOLE releases P2.2M aid to  5 Kalinga  groups

By Peter A. Balocnit

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- Five peoples’ organizations in this province are beneficiaries this year of the Department of Labor and Employment’s livelihood assistance worth P2.2 million.

Dr. Alexander Gumabol, DOLE provincial head said P485,000 was released to Balong-Burayukan Farmers Organization for the purchase of a sugar cane crusher (dapilan) and P353,000 to Allaguia Rural Improvement Club for bakery cooking utensils and equipment.

He said P612,000 was also awarded to Balatoc Rice Terraces Farmers Organization for a rice mill and for the enhancement of rice products; P418,000 to Western Uma soft broom makers for the purchase of splitter machine; and P350,000 to Burubur Women’s Association for the purchase of rice mill, hand tractor and welding machine.

The assistance was released through barangay local government units.

According to Gumabol, proposals submitted are being evaluated and approved based on impact to lives of beneficiaries – that projects address poverty and provide income and employment.

For inquiries about livelihood assistance, interested individuals for groups may visit DOLE offices in their areas.

916 Kalinga students hired under SPES

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The Department of Labor and Employment provincial office here oriented and deployed 916 students hired under the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) this summer.

Anthony Luminang of DOLE said Tabuk City had highest number of SPES with  400 hires,  followed by Balbalan – 151; Rizal LGU – 125; provincial government – 116; LGU Pasil - 50; Tinglayan LGU – 44.  Kalinga-Apayao State College hired 20.

He said the municipalities of Tanudan, Lubuagan and Pinukpuk have not submitted their lists though they have given their pledges of commitment to the SPES program. 

Some have not submitted SPES documents to DOLE including participating private companies, he added.

He called on partner LGUs and private employers to hasten processing and submission of pre-employment requirements since the program already started this month.

He added they have to scrutinize the documents since the SPES process is covered by ISO 9001:2008. -- Peter A. Balocnit

Travel clearance needed for minors traveling abroad alone

BAGUIO CITY – Children who are travelling abroad alone or with companion other than their parents should secure a travel clearance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development here before applying for the children’s passport in the Department of Foreign Affairs.

In the issuance of clearance for minors travelling abroad, the children’s parents or legal guardians submit documents to the DSWD to ensure that the travel to be undertaken is favorable to the minor’s safety and well-being.

A social worker assesses the documents and recommends the approval or disapproval of the request for a travel clearance.

“Aside from the travel clearance being a DFA requirement, securing a travel clearance shall protect the children from the threat of human trafficking,” DSWD-Cordillera regional director Janet P. Armas said.

Human trafficking or trafficking in persons is an act of recruitment, transportation, transfer, or receipt of persons by means of threat or coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power, or compensation, with or without the consent of the person for the purpose of exploitation.

Minors Travelling Abroad Section had Julie Balagot advised  applicants to secure all necessary documents when filing for a travel clearance to facilitate the process.

“The processing and release of travel clearance usually takes 3-5 days, but due to incomplete documents, some applications take longer. So, we encourage our clients to complete the necessary documents before filing”, Balagot  said.

Among the requirements in securing a travel clearance include duly accomplished application form, photo copy of the birth certificate or passport of minor, written consent of both parents, solo parent or legal guardian permitting the child to travel alone or with someone else, two colored passport size photos of the minor taken within the last 6 months, and a photocopy of which is applicable, marriage certificate of minor’s parents, certificate of legal guardianship, solo parent identification card issued by the local social welfare and development office or death certificate of deceased parent of minor.

Application for travel clearance can be filed at the DSWD regional office Cordillera Administrative Region or in the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Offices in their areas.

Application form can be downloaded from www.dswd.gov.ph. A processing fee of P300.00 is required for travel clearance valid for one year and P600.00 for travel clearance valid for two years.

For queries and concerns, applicants may visit the DSWD field office at 40 North Drive, Baguio City (near NBI and BIR) or call (074) 444-3209. Applicants in the provinces may also visit the PSWDOs in their respective areas.

DSWD –CAR  for the first quarter of 2015,  issued 237 travel clearances. The purpose of travel was mostly to visit or to have vacation with parents/ relatives and travel or leisure.

Hongkong was noted to be top destination for minors. -- Nerizza Faye G. Villanueva

12 Ifugao nutrition workers receive long service award

ASIPULO, Ifugao -- Twelve barangay nutrition scholars (BNS) in the province were among those honored   by the National Nutrition Council   for long years of service  during  3rd national conference for BNS Northern Luzon Cluster  in  Vigan, Ilocos Sur recently.

Corazon Dawong, Provincial Nutrition program coordinator and in-charge of the BNS, said awardees of long Service Award  spent 30 to 36 years in service delivering nutrition services and other related activities in the barangays.

Dawong said among Cordillera provinces, Ifugao had highest BNS awardees. “Every year, the province is also producing outstanding BNS in the region,” she added.

Aside from the plaque, the awardees received  cash incentive of P12,000 for 30 years in service and P400 for every additional  year of service. Ifugao has registered a total of 191 BNS in the province.

The giving of long service award is to recognize invaluable contribution of BNSs in implementing the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition. It also aims to encourage continuous and dedicated service among BNSs to the cause of nutrition. -- Marcelo B. Lihgawon

Ifugao honors six achievers

LAMUT, Ifugao -- The municipal government here  honored six of its citizens  for their  exemplary achievements during its  recently fiesta dubbed “Rambakan”.

The municipal search committee selected Freddie Bayangan for academe, VillafuerteCamat, Jr. - agriculture, Carmelita Gualberto – public service and board topnotchers Marvin Dela Questa Cliff Richard Pinkihan and Dennis Nam-on as this year’s awardees.

Bayangan is a teacher  at  Ifugao Provincial Science High School  who has  contributed much efforts to the development of soccer players in the province.

Camat is the outstanding Organic Farmer of the Cordillera Administrative Region while Gualberto is a  dedicated day care worker at Barangay Lucban.

For the topnotchers,  Nam-on  placed  4th in the  2006 Electronics Engineer (ECE) board exam ,   Pinkihan landed  6th place  in the 2010 Certified Accountant licensure exam and Dela Questa placed  9th in  2010 Criminology board exam.

Giving recognition to outstanding citizens is  pursuant to the Lamut Achievers Award ordinance that  honors  exemplary performance of  its citizens  who excelled in the field of public service, education, culture and sports, military, business, and  academe  as well as  board topnotchers. -- Marcelo B. Lihgawon

21 Cordillera HS students qualify as OWWA scholars

BAGUIO CITY -- Twenty one  high school students from Cordillera will join the roster of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) college scholars  for  Academic Year 2015 – 2016.

OWWA Cordillera OIC regional director Evelyn Laranangsaid  of  21 students, 11 qualified under the Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program and 10  under the Educational Development Scholarship Program (EDSP).

The pass Department of Science and Technology scholarship program qualifying examination Sept. 23, 2014.

OWWA collaborated its scholarship qualifying exam with  DOST to save resources.

Laranang named the  CMWSP scholars as  Mark Jayson Aguda and Alan Chester Tungpalan from Flora, Apayao; Samarah Mae Felis and Ailyn Salungasing of Baguio City; Jasmin Castillejos of Benguet; Neil Kent Agliam, Francis Cordova and Justin Mae Pan of Kalinga; Jayhart Ramirez of Ifugao, and  Ralphy Jun Luzada of Mountain Province.

For the EDSP, the new scholars are  Gustan James Calza, Trisha Ann Fernandez, Kathryn Dennis Kollin, Maria Louise Lim, and Jeremy Ngade of Baguio City; Jessa Fe Dulnuan, Rhex Lee Backian, DurielTimatim and Dravey Ronald Vivencio of Benguet, and Zerrick Finch Luna of Mountain Province.

CMWSP is a House of Representative- funded OWWA scholarship program that is being offered to OFWs (below 45 years old) or OFW dependents  who  want to study Science and Technology related courses.

The EDSP is an OWWA scholarship offered to dependents of OWWA active members.

Each scholar is entitled to P60,000 educational grant per year or P30,000 per semester (for two semester per academic year, or P20,000 per semester for a tri-mester college/university)

Laranang said they are still accepting scholars under the ODSP or OFW Dependent Scholarship Program on a first-come, first-served basis. This is open  to children/dependents of OWWA-active OFW members whose salary is $400(US) and below or to its equivalent Philippine peso value.

OWWA’s ODSP has 12 slots for every Cordillera province. --Carlito Dar

Citizen’s arrest law to lessen Baguio crimes     

BAGUIO CITY – A proposed ordinance giving power to ordinary citizens to apprehend any person committing a crime or violating any law or ordinance in this mountain resort will soon be tackled in the city council here.

The Citizen’s Arrest Ordinance in the City of Baguio which adopted the provisions of the rules of court specifically the rules on criminal procedure was proposed by Councilor Leandro Yangot, Jr.

The said ordinance strengthens the citizen’s authority in the apprehension of criminal offenders or lawless elements within the territorial jurisdiction of Baguio.

The ordinance seeks to put an end to rampant violations of existing laws, local ordinances and other issuances and criminal offenses and criminal offenders, as per the draft ordinance seem to fearless in committing crimes.

“Due to limited number of the local police force and other law enforcers, various criminal offenses and even simple transgressions are committed even in broad daylight and in public view and the perpetrators are scot-free,” Yangot said.

“The private citizen’s active role and participation is very much needed in the apprehension of criminal offenders in pursuit of the maintenance of peace and order and protection of the citizenry,” he said.

Yangot added, “the Local Government Unit (LGU) may validly enact such legislative measure designed to promote peace and order, safety and the general welfare of its constituents in the exercise of its police powers.”

“While citizen’s arrest is embodied in Rule 113 of the Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure of the Rules of Court of the Philippines, majority of the people are not cognizant of this provision, he said, hence the need for an ordinance to adopt the same.”Yangot said, “enacting the ordinance is but proper in order to strengthen the citizen’;s authority in the apprehension of criminal offenders or lawless elements.”

Section 3 of the proposed ordinance states a private person or citizen may lawfully effect Citizen’s Arrest even without a warrant of arrest provided the circumstances are; 

When in his presence, the person to be arrested has committed, is actually committing a crime, or is attempting to commit an offense; or when an offense has just been committed and he has probable cause to believe based on personal knowledge of facts or circumstances that the person to be arrested has committed it, and when the person to be arrested is a prisoner who has escaped from a penal establishment or place where he is serving final judgement or is temporarily confined while his case is pending, or has escaped while being transferred from one confinement to another.

The proposed ordinance will be tackled in the city council soon.-- Paul Rillorta