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>> Wednesday, August 19, 2015


Isabela gets ready for new typhoon
The Isabela Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) is getting ready for the possible impact of super-typhoon “Soudelor,” to be named “Hanna” once it enters the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR).

Provincial Administrator Noel Manuel Lopez, who also heads the PDRRMC, said the province is not taking any chances as Gov. Faustino “Bojie” Dy has been firm with his order of “zero casualty” in times of calamities.

Soudelor devastated the Marianas Islands, flattening home and power services as it moved across the Pacific Ocean headed for Taiwan through the northeastern part of PAR.

Although the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Soudelor will not make landfall, the typhoon may bring moderate to strong rains.

Lopez said Isabela is already securing four of its most vulnerable coastal towns which may experience a storm surge. – Liezle Basa Inigo

Fishkill hits Pampanga
SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga – Residents should not consume fish and other aquatic products affected by the fishkill, officials said last week.

Gov. Lilia Pineda said she met with mayors and other local officials to discuss the fishkill in Candaba, Masantol, Macabebe, Apalit, San Luis and San Simon.

Officials of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) attended the meeting.

Agriculture officers of the affected municipalities reported the fishkill started in the Pampanga River several days ago.

Gonzalo Coloma of BFAR said the fishkill was caused by the low level of dissolved oxygen in the waters in affected municipalities.

Coloma said recent water tests conducted by the agency confirmed the low level of dissolved oxygen.

Pineda ordered a separate examination of the affected fish and the water to determine other factors such as pesticide contamination, bacterial infestation and chemical poisoning.—RicSapnu   

Walk for good health
BAGUIO CITY -- Take advantage of the fresh  and cool weather of the Cordillera, and walk 10,000 steps everyday to have good health.

This was the advise of  Eduardo Laconsay, director of Human Kinetics  Department of the Benguet State University.

Middle age people should do easy walking of 10,000 steps or two kilometers daily and gradually increase the distance as you are accustomed to it, Laconsay said. “We are very lucky to have a cool climate that do not make us sweat much when we walk unlike in the lowlands.”

“Before starting to do any work out, it is important to do stretching and warm up exercise to prevent any injury. Wear the right shoes which are light weight  but with thick soles to absorb the shock of walking. Above all, it must be comfortable,” Laconsay said.

Drink more than eight glasses of water  which will hydrate a person’s body and wear light colored t-shirts and pants which are not too tight  to cut blood circulation to the arms and legs. Also use visor or cap to keep the sun out of the eyes, he added.

Laconsay was  one of the guest panelists  during kapihan forum that kicked-off the  Nutrition Month celebration this July  with  the theme, “Timbang Iwasto sa Tamang Nutrisyon At Ehersisyo.” -- Joseph Zambrano

DTI to town execs: Open biz centers, help entreps  
BONTOC, Mountain Province -- Following the launching of the Go Negosyo- Mountain Province here at the office of the Department of Trade and Industry urged the opening of Go Negosyo offices per  town.

DTI regional division chief Mimosa Regis of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Development Division said the Go Negosyo law of 2014 or  Republic Act  10644 mandates the opening of Go Negosyo offices per municipality. 

Said law provides strengthening of  micro, small and medium enterprises  to create more  jobs, opportunities to foster  national development and reduce poverty.

DTI Mountain Province director Juliet Lucas said coordination with municipal mayors shall be done  to urge opening of  Go Negosyo offices per LGU.

Go Negosyo centers intend to promote ease of doing business and facilitating access to services for micro and small and medium enterprises .

Lucas said prime local products of Mountain Province namely coffee, woven products, processed foods and tourism are potentials of the Province needing  GoNegosyo services.

Launching of  the Go Negosyo-Mountain Province  was conducted with Mountain Province  Gov.  Leonard Mayaen as guest speaker along with executive director Trinidad Cayading of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry- Northern Luzon chapter,  division chief Mimosa Regis of DTI-Cordillera, Mountain Province State Polytechnique College (MPSPC) president  RextonChakas and Joaquin Nacnas  from the office of  Rep. MaximoDalog.

Mayaen said  the province through its  livelihood and barangay development program already advanced  furthering entrepreneurial activities  for individuals and  groups of persons.

PCCI-Northern Luzon executive director Cayading urged opening of services, saying they intend to open a PCCI-Mountain Province chapter.

Chakas said MPSPC supports Go Negosyo through the conduct of research.

Bontoc Land Bank offers loans to entrepreneurs and also through cooperatives as conduit banks.

Budget  for initial implementation  of Go Negosyo is sourced from the DTI. Continued  implementation shall be included in the  general appropriation act and  allocated  to  support for  provincial, city and  municipal operations of the Negosyo centers. –  GinaDizon

Kalinga gov’t, DSWD ink MOA on livelihood program
TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The provincial government and the Department of Social Welfare and Development forged a memorandum of agreement to jointly implement the locally–initiated Pumiyaan anti-poverty program.

The MOA signed between Gov. Jocel Baac and DSWD Cordillera regional director Janet Armas seeks to identify common working grounds under DSWD’s sustainable livelihood program (SLP) for focused targeting and empowerment of communities through pooling of resources with other government agencies.

Both parties through the Pumiyaan project agree to cooperate and assist in providing livelihood opportunities in pilot barangays giving priority to Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps families by conducting entrepreneurship training and organizing them into cooperatives and associations.

The DSWD using SLP various modalities shall provide capital assistance while the provincial government of Kalinga shall identify the needed poverty reduction intervention.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan earlier authorized the governor to enter into a MOA with DSWD-CAR.

The Pumiyaan is an anti-poverty convergence program of the provincial government that is aimed at propelling economic growth in the rural areas of  Kalinga. Four pilot barangays are chosen per municipality where national government and local government converge their services to  address the concerns and  uplift the life of the people.   --  Peter A. Balocnit

5 Pillars of Justice Month in Bulacan
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan — The Five Pillars of Bulacan continues to uphold equality as they stressed Wednesday the importance of fair trial and immediate civil and criminal investigations during kick off ceremony of the Five Pillars of Justice Month at Hiyas ng Bulacan Pavillon Convention Center in this city.

With the theme “Susi sa Pagkakapantay-Pantay,” Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said the key to achieve a strong foundation of justice system is the collaborative efforts of all justice sectors that provide equal protection under the law, access to a fair legal process, adequate legal representation and information about legal rights and opportunities.

The governor encourages the community that plays a vital role in justice process, to strengthen their cooperation and commitment on crime prevention and community safety issues engagement.

After the program, the Five Pillars of Bulacan also conducted Criminal Justice Congress to develop innovative pathways to public safety that avoids excessive sentencing, increasing quality of indigent defense, strengthening the voices of reform-minded prosecutors, and promoting greater understanding of the civil and criminal systems.

In line with the month-long celebration, they will also conduct information drive and gift giving to the inmates of Bulacan Provincial Jail on August 19. – Freddie C. Velez

CDA holds basic book keeping course
TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The provincial Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) in coordination with the City Cooperative Development Office (CCDO) recently conducted a basic book- keeping course here.

Fifty participants from ten people’s cooperatives learned basic skills on book- keeping, records and accounting during the recent three-day course.

According to Melvin Banggolay of CCDO, the training was needed e since most cooperatives in the city come from the marginalized sector without formal education and training.

As part of the training requirements, participants were asked to complete their 2014 financial statements required by the CDA.

Under Republic Act 9520 or Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008, all cooperatives in the country are required to submit annual operation report.

Because of lack of proper training, some cooperatives in the city failed to submit the requirements and reprimanded by CDA.

Development of small cooperatives is one of major programs of the city government to create access to development assistance at the grass roots. -- Larry T. Lopez

Pangasinan hosts 3-day language congress
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — The celebration of “Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa” this month of August was given a deeper meaning with the staging of the “Pambansang Kongreso sa Pagpaplano ng Wika” (National Congress for Language Planning) by the KawanihanngWikangPambansa (KWF) at the Sison Auditorium, here.
Gov. Amado T. Espino Jr. welcomed last Wednesday participants representing various regions in the country to the three-day event that ended Friday.
He stressed the importance of Filipino as the national language, saying: “Mahalagaangpagpapalaganap at pagpapaunladngatingsarilingwikaupangmagkaroonngmalinawnapananawsakatutubongkatangianangmgamamamayan.”
Espino pointed out that each region in the country has a distinct cultural identity which determines the innate characteristics of an ethno-linguistic group.
He said that Pangasinan has reached its “cultural renaissance” with this generation encouraging the use of the Pangasinan language in oral discourse and the launching of PangasinanOrtography. – JojoRimoza

Transfer of lease rights of Baguio market stalls OK’d
BAGUIO CITY -- The Baguio City Market Authority recently approved 33 applications for transfer of leasehold rights of market stalls at the various sections in the city market.
Reports have reached the office of mayor Mauricio Domogan that a number of stall owners in the city market are being subleased which is a clear violation on the existing rules and guidelines of the city.
It is for this reason why the Baguio Market Task Force was formed to investigate the operations of all stall owners in the city market.
Domogan directed the BMTF to conduct investigation for possible violations of stall owners.  Subsequently the termination /cancellation of the lease the contract based on the violation.  
 Thereafter, to conduct public bidding in order to give opportunity to other interested individuals.
A public auction of unpaid stall at the city market and slaughterhouse was conducted at the Baguio City multi-purpose hall last July 23.  
 “Out of the 45 stalls due for public auction at the city market, 33 stalls were sold.  While 14 stalls were sold out of the 81 stalls due for public auction at Slaughterhouse which reached the amount of P1,606,477.00,” said city treasurer Alicia Onoza.  -- JhoArranz

DSWD gives P37,000 to 20  families, 15 Kalinga folks
TABUK CIY, Kalinga -- Twenty PantawidPamilyang Pilipino Program(4Ps) and  15 individuals were given assistance by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Cordillera Administrative Region to build livelihood and establish their own sewing enterprise.
Imelda Polig, Florence Baguilat and Jennifer Diego, all from DSWD-CAR turned over checks worth P37,000 to 20 families in Tinglayan representing pay  for their labor in improving the Ayyot Communal Irrigation System similar to the cash-for-work program.
They also released P160,000.00 to 15 individuals who were pantawid graduates of technical-vocational course on dressmaking at the provincial social welfare and development office training center to buy their own sewing machines.
Polig said the assistance to 20 4Ps families in Tinglayan is DSWD-CAR”s counterpart to the Pumiyaan poverty reduction convergence program of  the  provincial government under Governor JocelBaac while the support to the 15 dressmaking trainees was an incentive for them in coming out with outputs out of their training. -- Peter A. Balocnit

NNC forum to boost gov’t-NGO nutrition partnership
BAGUIO CITY -- As a strategy in Scaling Up Nutrition  (SUNM) Movement the Philippines is member, linking and collaborating with non-government organizations widens partnerships and for exploring, testing, and scaling up innovations for nutrition improvement.
The National Nutrition Council- Cordillera Administrative Region in the region conducted a regional forum to strengthen GO-NGO partnership for nutrition recently at Prince Plaza Hotel here.
This was attended by NGOs with nutrition and related services and programs in the region.
Bella Basalong, Nutrition Officer of NNC-CAR , said many NGOs have a vital role in shaping and implementing nutrition programs at in communitties. However, the involvement of NGOs in nutrition action has not been fully recognized and documented.
She said the meaningful engagement of NGOs in the Philippine development is a clear direction of the present administration and that of the Department of Health, the mother agency of the NNC.
Topics included nutrition situation in the region, updated regional nutrition committee strategic plan 2014-2016 and role of NGOs in operations.
Others were on NGO leadership and engagement in nutrition initiatives, innovations, and in scaling-up nutrition-experiences, lessons learned and prospects. --- Maria Aprila Cruz

Tuba sets rules on  junk shops
TUBA, Benguet -- The increasing number of junkshops along the highways here has prompted municipal officials to regulate their operations.
Authored by councilors AdoraGabino and Maria Carantes, Ordinance No. 242 prescribed rules for junk shop operations with corresponding penalties.
Operation of  junk shops along Kennon Road  and Marcos Highway  should be regulated, Gabino said.
The measure which promotes legal sources of income of junk shop operations and related activities ensures that it is in accordance with the zoning, health, safety and environmental laws and regulations.
Gabino cited need to maintain cleanliness within perimeters of junk shops and ensure they do not become eyesores.
The ordinance also safeguards  source of materials sold and guarantees that these are bought legally.
Gabino said reports of other areas on road traffic signs and other materials looted and sold in exchange for cash needed to be addressed in the town.
The measure also mandates classification and documenting of incoming and outgoing materials.
They are required to maintain two kinds of transaction books, one for acquisition or purchase records and another for disposal or sales record as provided in the measure.  
A joint inspection team will conduct regular inspection and monitoring of junk shops and related activities to make sure they have complied with the provisions of the ordinance.  
The ordinance also spells out the permit fee apart from the business tax the owner or operator has to pay depending on the size of the business.
Penalties include violations of non-acquisition of license and permits, duties of junk shop owners, prohibited acts such as transport of stolen junk materials among others.
The measure was referred to the provincial board’s committee on trade and industry for further study and appropriate action. -- Susan C. Aro

Baguio  market-rice section ‘best retailer group’
BAGUIO CITY  -  The city council approved a  resolution introduced by councilor Elaine Sembrano commending the Baguio City market-rice section for winning first place as the best retailer group, region I category.

This is a nationwide search for best rice market retail outlets conducted by the National Food Authority.

Region I covers public market rice retail outlets in the Ilocos and Cordillera with the rice section of the Baguio City market recently adjudged as regional winner, coming out  first place in region-wide competition.

Being the first placer, Baguio city market-rice section is automatically nominee for the national category in the nationwide search of the NFA for the best rice retailers throughout the country.

The resolution said  “This notable achievement deserves utmost congratulations and full acknowledgement from a grateful city, and citation of the officers and members of the Baguio City Rice Section groups of retailers led by their president Nicolas Medrano, Jr.”

Sembrano said, “The achievement of the Baguio City market rice section has given honor to the city which only shows that the rice section of the city market exemplifies good market practices that are fair, reasonable and consumer-friendly.”  -- Jho Arranz

Tabuk City’s  2015Patawid trade fair  sales up by 67%  
TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- With scaling-up in product quality and marketing skills, sales in the 2015 Patawid Agro-industrial Trade Fair shot-up by 67 percent over sales last year.

Benita Mangadap of Trade and Industry provincial office said  exhibitors hauled in total sales of P3.2 million  over the P2.154M in 2014 or an increase of P1.046M.

A joint-project of DTI-Kalinga and city government, the Patawid has become part of the annual celebration of the city founding anniversary and Matagoan Festival.

A brainchild of DTI-Kalinga, the event showcased homemade products from the line of woven items, home-kitchen wares, souvenirs, toys, decors, processed foods, furniture, ornamentals and organic agri-produce.

As marketing arm to open wider outlets to small entrepreneurs, organizers had invited guests-exhibitors from partner provinces of Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya and Baguio City.
To enhance product design and innovations, special awards were  given to winning exhibitors.
This year, Best New Products Award went to KINWA Etnika Handicrafts, BalikTribo Fashion Accessories, Desiree’s Food Products, Mt. Zion Bakery, Jaja’s Handicrafts & Gift Shop and E. Bro’s Antiques & Modern Furniture Shop. The winners also received P1000 cash incentives each.
For Best Dressed Booth, Peralta’s Souvenirs & Gift Shop, SMB Ornamentals and Kalinga Food Treat got P2,000 each as winners.
Adding fun and delight in the Patawid  this year was the new contest on landscaping.
Winners were Tropical Oasis Farm, Clem’s Fresh Blooms, JAM’s Flower Garden &Bago Ornamental –  first place;  Second Place – Jennica’s Garden0; 3rd  – Macjhemarhee’s Garden, Mt. Zion Flower Garden and 4th  – Gemmm’s Garden. -- Larry Lopez

34 hired on the spot in Matagoan job fair
TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- Thirty four  applicants were hired for local employment during the recent jobs fair conducted by this city’s Public Employment Service Office and Department of Labor and Employment.
LoydaSaboy, PESO manager,said of  212 who registered and  were interviewed, 189 qualified with 34 hired on the spot including 13 females.
Ten employers  for overseas employment and four for local employment offered a  total of 4,071 job vacancies in job fair  conducted on the third day of the Matagoan festival on June 26.
According to Dr. Alexander Gumabol, DOLE provincial head, said job fair was  the sixth  to be conducted for  conducted this year in the province  and the highest in number of job vacancies offered.
He said the first jobs fair conducted on Feb. 14-15 was sponsored by the provincial PESO; the 2nd on March 6 was in Lubuagan; 3rd in Pinukpuk on March 19; 4th in Rizal on March 24; and the 5th by the Kalinga-Apayao State College on March 26. -- Peter A. Balocnit

Abra form task force to address child abuse
BANGUED, Abra-- The Provincial Council for the Protection of Children was recently reorganized to promote protection and welfare of children in the province.

Gov. Eustaquio P. Bersamin also issued an executive order creating the Inter-Agency Monitoring Task Force (IMTF) to monitor and document cases of abused, neglected, exploited and discriminated children in the province for the PCPC to address problems.

The PCPV shall perform functions such as formulate plans, policies and programs for children that are gender-fair, culturally relevant and responsive to the needs of diverse groups of children from 18 years old and below; prepare the Annual Work and Financial Plan for children; and recommend appropriations to the Sanggunian Panlalawigan; provide coordinative-linkages with other agencies and institutions in the planning, monitoring and evaluation of plan for children.

The PCPC shall also establish and maintain a database on the children in the province.

It is the policy of the state to protect and rehabilitate children gravely threatened or endangered by circumstances which affect or will affect their survival and normal development over which they have no control.

Among the laws that provide for the protection and welfare of children is Republic Act. No. RA 7610 which provides special protection of Filipino children against abuse, neglected, cruelty, exploitation and discrimination, and  RA No. 9344. -- Maria Teresa B. Benas and Josa Mai B. Ramirez

Ifugao gov forms group against illegal drugs
LAGAWE, Ifugao – Gov. Denis Habawel recently organized the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council to help in the campaign against illegal drugs in the province.
Executive Order No. 12 was issued by Habawel in consonance with DILG memorandum C mandating the local government units to create local anti-drug abuse councils to combat drug-addiction.
The council is chaired by the governor with the provincial director of the Philippine National Police as vice-chairman.
Members are representatives from provincial and national office including non-government organization.
The PADAC is  tasked to serve as a focal point through which various organizations and individuals work together cooperatively in the planning, implementation and evaluation of programs on drug abuse prevention.
It will provide for an effective mechanism for the coordination of existing services and program and those which might be developed in the immediate futures; provide for a mechanism to obtain funds, volunteers, facilities and technical expertise and perform other related responsibilities.
The provincial social welfare and development office is assigned as head of the secretariat to handle the administrative and technical activities and undertake liaising and coordination with appropriate agencies of the government and civil society organizations.
Habawel it is better to start preventive measures and not punitive actions  in order to  give chance  to  those involved in drugs to reform and  be assets in the community. -- Marcelo B. Lihgawon

Itogon sets yearly Palarong Bayan
ITOGON, Benguet -- Itogon officials institutionalized Palarong Bayan for sports competitions in the town in response to petition filed by residents and the youth.
A municipal ordinance provided conduct of Palarong Bayan in Itogon every month of May for sports competitions  to inculcate spirit of sportsmanship, excellence and consciousness. 
As provided in the Local Government Code, the PalarongBayan  that will be conducted in coordination with the Department of Education annually will  feature traditional sports and discipline such as those included in national and international competitions.
Itogon residents and youth earlier made petition urging municipal officials for annual holding of an inter-barangay sports fest. 
The petition said tis will foster young people’s physical, intellectual, emotional, and social growth. 
The measure which was referred to the committee on sports and youth development in the provincial board was given favorable review. --Susan C. Aro

Negosyo Center opens in Ifugao
LAGAWE, Ifugao -- A Negosyo Center was opened here  recently by the Department of Trade and Industry to boost development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the province.

The launching of the NC at DTI office here was attended by DTI provincial and regional officials and employees, enterprisers and other stake holders.

St. Magdalene Parish priest Andrew Claver led the blessing of the center .Mimosa Regis of  DTI regional office, said  establishment  of  Negosyo Centers   is in compliance with Republic Act 10644 otherwise known as the “Go Negosyo Act”.

Regis said center in Lagawe town  is one of the seven Negosyo Centers to be launched in the Cordillera region this year and  part  of the 100 centers targeted by the DTI central office for 2015.

DTI – Ifugao director Valentin Baguidudol said NCs promote  ease of doing business and access to services for MSMEs.

In his message read by Constancia Baccay, Rep. Teddy Baguilat, Jr. said that Go Negosyo Act is one of the best things to happen to inventive, resourceful and enterprising Filipinos who have not been fortunate enough to have the necessary support to see their vision come to fruition.
League of Mayors of the Philippines Ifugao chapter president Banaue Mayor Jerry Dalipog committed support for the success of the negosyo center. – Marcelo B. Lihgawon

Cordi PNP briefs Baguio media on PNP programs
BAGUIO CITY -- A highly capable, effective and credible police service working in partnership with a responsive community towards the attainment of a safer place to live, work and do business.
This is the vision of the Philippine National Police PATROL Plan 2030 that the Police Regional Office – Cordillera imparted during recent fellowship night with Baguio media and national correspondents under the PNP Press Corps.

Supt. Cherry Olucan said implementation of the  PATROL plan is a follow-up to the Performance Governance System (PGS) that was integrated in the PNP Integrated Transformation Program that  started implementation in 2005.

Key components  are resource management through the optimal use of both financial and logistics funds; continuing learning and growth to develop competent, values oriented and disciplined personnel, as well as a professional organization; and achievement of process excellence.

As for PRO-Cor, Olucan said they developed a scientific management tool in crime prevention such as the Crime Mapping System, e-learning system, the web-based Online Community Engagement System and e-Personnel engagement survey.

Other best practices, she reported are the Oplan Tambuli implemented in public markets, tourists spots and public transportation terminals; the Barangay Integrated Defense System; the conduct of youth leadership summit; the creation of the Regional Law Enforcement Cooperating Committee   website and a Model Regional Tactical Operations Center.

The police regional office had urged small units to develop and initiate best practices, she added.


PRO-Cor director Chief Supt. Isagani Nerez in giving gratitude to the tri-media participants for their suggestions to improve police service, called for partnership with media in advocacy of PNP programs for a safer Cordillera. -- Jenina Munoz 

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