NEWS BRIEFS

Cayetano to announce poll  plan in 2 weeks

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan — Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano revealed Wednesday that he will formally announce his plan in 2016 elections in two weeks. Cayetano visited the city to push his micro financing program at the Malimgas Market. “As I’ve stated, I really want to run for president. I think I have the programs, the vision, but I think it’s not the right time yet,” he said. He added that he is willing to seek the vice presidency, as long as he and his running mate share the same vision and views in governance. He bared he had been in talks with the camps of ruling Liberal Party standard bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. -- LiezleBasaIñigo

1,642 pass PMA entrance exam

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City – A total of 1,642 examinees of the 12,767 applicants passed the entrance examination at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) last August.

The PMA said 1,141 of the passers were men and 501 women.

The passers will undergo medical, psychological and physical examinations before the PMA cadet procurement board will select the most qualified candidates to compose PMA Class of 2020. 

Imee seeks nat’s gov’t help in repair of damaged dikes

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte  — Gov. Imee Marcos sought the help of the national government for the replacement of damaged dike systems particularly the Madongan Dam in Solsona town and the Sabo Dam in Nueva Era, which reeled from the effects of typhoon ‘Ineng’ recently. A Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management and Resiliency Council (PDRRMRC) report showed that the estimated cost of damage caused by “Ineng” to river/flood control facilities reached P2.6 billion. Marcos was joined in an aerial inspection of the damaged facilities by Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) Misaki Kawaguchi and Takeshi Muronaga, Engr. Gil Iturralde of the Flood Management Control Management Cluster DPWH; and Engineer Glen Reyes of DPWH Ilocos Norte. The aerial survey showed that the dike systems were severely damaged and affected by sedimentation. Marcos said that the provincial government and JICA, together with concerned agencies, plan to redesign the Sabo Dam in order to avoid any adverse impact of severe floods in the future.  -- Freddie G. Lazaro

Benguet Corp. adds more student scholars

ITOGON, Benguet — Benguet Corporation (BC), the oldest mining company in the region, continues to add to the number of scholars from the host and neighboring barangays of its various operations in the country since 2008.  For this school year, Benguet Corp. is sending 345 students to school. Seventy-five of them are from Barangays Virac, Poblacion, Ucab and Gumatdang in Itogon, Benguet, host barangays of the mining company’s Gold Operations. Sixty-one are in secondary and 14 are in the tertiary levels respectively with three of them just resuming their classes last week in one of the universities in Baguio City.  Benguet Corp. Nickel Mines, Inc.(BNMI) has also accepted 269 scholars (194 in high school, 65 in college and 10 in tech-voc) from its host and neighboring barangays in Sta. Cruz and Candelaria, Zambales.

CL cops, media join forces vs criminality

CAMP OLIVAS, City of San Fernando, Pampanga — The Police Regional Office 3 and the local broadcast industry have joined forces to combat criminality in the region through effective feedback mechanism. Dubbed “KRIMENITXT MO, AKSYON KO”, the project is a 24/7 feedback method that engages the community, media, police personnel and local government units to actively participate solving crime-related concerns.  Local radio stations would adopt a “plug-in scheme,’’ which allows it to promote programs and plans, anti-crime initiatives of the police and disseminate the mobile phone number dedicated for said project and encourage the public to report any crime incident/s or report any information that will lead to the identification or arrest of the suspects and in return, the radio stations will forward said reports to the police.

Better living conditions for Baguio students pushed

BAGUIO CITY --For  safety and  better facilities  of students studying in this mountain resort, an alderman  sought to amend an  ordinance regulating the management of lodging establishments.

 Councilor Joel Alangsab,  city council committee chair on public utilities, transportation and traffic legislation,  said  that the ordinance needs to be updated to cope up with changing times and needs of the students.

 For safety,  Alangsab proposed that owners of business establishments  should install closed circuit television (CCTV)  for  monitoring of suspicious individuals.

Fire exists and proper ventilation rooms  as well as  Wi-Fi connection  are a  must  in dormitories or boarding houses  so that  the students can study and learn better, he   said.

Uninterrupted water supply should be considered in a dormitory or boarding houses , he added.

The city government issued permits to 3,590 boarding houses and four dormitories this year.

Because of its cool climate and high caliber universities, Baguio   which  is considered the educational center of the entire Northern Luzon, is  hosting  thousands  enrollees  every year. – Joseph Zambrano  

Pangasinan cited for hospital service upgrade

DAGUPAN CITY -- The Commission on Audit has hailed the provincial government of Pangasinan for improving the services offered by local hospitals last year.

In a report released recently, state auditors took note of how the provincial government used the P23.7 million to increase the bed capacity of the local hospitals.

The money was also used to hire additional medical consultants instead of filling the 39 vacant positions for medical officer, which would have cost P26 million.

State auditors said local hospitals with a bed capacity of 645 were able to serve an average of 1,423 patients daily.

They said the hiring of 99 medical consultants on a contractual basis to augment the existing medical personnel in 14 hospitals, generated a savings of P2.3 million for the provincial government.

Bontoc folks plant trees vs disasters

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Barangay Bontoc Ili folks recently planted 540 kupang seedlings here at PalikotAso to Nagua for disaster prevention and mitigation.

Some 135 individuals led by Bontoc Ili Punong Barangay Alexander N. Fana-ang and barangay kagawad participated.

Fana-ang said he was thankful that members of the community actively participated in the activity. He said that the Barangay Tanod, Barangay Health Workers, Green Police, teachers of Bontoc Ili Primary School, teachers and Grade 5 students of Ut-utan Primary School, teachers of Mountain Province General Comprehensive High School (MPGCHS), students of MPGCHS who are members of the Filipino Club, YES-O, Health Scouts and Boy Scout of the Philippines (BSP), Lanao Youth Organization, beneficiaries of the PantawidPamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps), and other youth volunteers from Bontoc Ili joined the tree planting.

He added seedlings were provided by the Bontoc Local Government Unit thru its Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO).

Tree planting has been an annual activity of Bontoc Ili, headed by the barangay officials.

The activity was in support to the National Greening Program (NGP)
of the government that aims to grow 1.5 billion trees in six years from 2011 – 2016. -  Alpine L. Killa

Ilocos lady cops trained for disasters

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union – The Ilocos Region has now a group of highly-trained policewomen from Pangasinan, La Union,, Ilocos Norte and Ilcos Sur provinces to respond in times of calamities and emergencies, the PNP reported here last week.

 In a statement, regional police office said 42 policewomen of Police Regional Office 1 finished disaster preparedness search and rescue operations training and received their certificates during closing ceremony held at the Concord Building here.

Senior Supt. Reynaldo G. Biay, PRO1’s regional chief of directorial staff, said specialized training for the policewomen was designed to prepare them for disaster response and deployment in search and rescue operations.

Included in the training were drills simulating hypothetical emergency scenarios that require practical application of rescue skills in first aid, basic life support, boat-handling, knot-tying, deployment of life-saving buoys and devices, high-angle rescue, and removal of debris and breeching in collapsed structures.

Meanwhile, Sr. Supt. Marlou C. Chan, deputy director for operations, said PRO1 updating its own enhanced action plan contained in the Letter of Instruction “Saklolo” to satisfy the requirements for disaster preparedness capability of public safety services as provided in Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Reduction and Management Act of 2010.

The training was initiated by Regional Police Community Relations Division of PRO1 headed by Supt. Genaro V. Sapiera as part of the gender and development program.- Myds Supnad

Ifugaogov 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

More communities benefit from BuB projects in Abra

By  Maria Teresa B. Benas

BANGUED, Abra -- More than half of the projects under the government’s Bottom-up Budgeting (BUB)  have been finished and turned over to local government unit beneficiaries in the province.

OIC provincial director Millicent B. Carino of the Department of Interior and Local Government-Abra reported of 52 BuB-funded projects in Abra, 31  have been turned over. 

She said 18 LGUs have fully implemented their BuB projects,  15 ongoing with their implementation while six are about to start.

The LGUs that participated in the BuB projects are Bangued, Boliney, Bucay, Bucloc, Daguioman, Dolores, Lacub, Lagangilang, La Paz, Licuan- Baay, Luba, Malibcong, Pidigan, Pilar,  Sallapadan, San Juan, Tayum, and Tubo.

The BUB is being implemented in partnership with national agencies such as the Departments of Agriculture, Welfare and Development, Environment and Natural Resources, Health, Education, National Irrigation Administration, Trade and Industry and Tourism.

Municipal mayors and project coordinators of LGUs, expressed appreciation of guidelines of implementation because BuB projects give them the freedom to make choices and decisions relative to needs and priorities of project beneficiaries most especially those that chose economic development projects like the LGUs of Pilar and San Juan.   

The same was the case of the infrastructure projects where project locations are carefully considered to benefit more people in the communities but without prejudice to the program of work already prepared to ensure quality of project implementation.

Project beneficiaries appreciated BuB projects implementation scheme since they were consulted before project concepts were prepared and their needs and priorities were taken into consideration. 

Empty Benguet pesticide containers off for recycling

TUBLAY,Benguet -- More than two metric tons of empty pesticide containers collected by the pesticide industry from Benguet farmers were  recently brought to Manila for proper recycling and disposal at Department of Environment and Natural Resources-accredited facilities.

Environmentally-committed Provincial Board member Florence Tingbaoen, chairman of Benguet Provincial Board’s committee on agriculture, witnessed send-off from this vegetable producing town.

A little more than half of the 4.2 metric tons of the collected triple-washed pesticide containers  could be accommodated in the gigantic DENR  accredited ten-wheeled transporter from the Joechem Environmental Corp engaged by the industry-led sponsors.

A second trip for the remaining empties is planned in the next few weeks.  

The  more than 100,000 individual empty containers that would have ended up spoiling the Benguet countryside were collected from  farmers during the two raffle promos conducted by the local pesticide industry in the province: “Mag-Triple Rinse at Manalo!” and its current “Tulong sa Pagsasaka, Tulong sa Kapaligiran!” where Benguet farmers exchange their triple-rinsed empties for tickets to the raffles.

Recyclable materials from the empties will be refashioned into new materials that will have very limited contact with humans, as entered into agreement with the facilities based in Metro Manila.

The Triple–Rinse program is pursuant to the Provincial Ordinance 11-150 of Benguet, known as the "Empty Pesticide Container Management Ordinance". This encourages rinsing of empty pesticide bottles for three times and using the water as a spray for agricultural produce again.

This also provides that distributors, dealers and agrochemical companies should lead the collection of these empty fertilizer and pesticide bottles to ensure proper disposal.

The crop science industry  livens up   again it empty container  collection even more with its Clean Up Day Drive slated  from  September 11 and 18, in cooperation with the local government units  and the Cordillera Agriculturist Research Extension Organization. -- Joseph Zambrano

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 Palarong Bayan  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

FDA requires ‘botikang barangay’ license to operate

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The Food and Drug Administration has ordered drug establishments including Botikang Barangay and its variants to comply with new requirements for the application for regular license to operate (LTO).

This is in line with new rules and regulations on licensing of establishments classified as drugstore/pharmacy, Judith Louise Daoas of the Department of Health provincial office here said.

“All existing BnBs in the province will no longer be renewed, instead, they shall secure an LTO either as a regular drug store or retail outlet for non-prescription drugs,” she said.

All non-functional, non-compliant, voluntarily closing BnBs shall return the seed capital to the DOH regional office.

BnBs that continue to function are required to process their applications immediately and may still continue their operations as BnBs until the release of the LTO (official receipt from the FDA may serve as a proof of their application).

All BnBs that decide to convert to a retail on non-prescription drug were given until July 30 to sell their remaining prescription drugs under the BnB program.

In the province, there were 113 BnBs established in the 10 municipalities which subsidized by the DOH by providing them medicines worth P12,500 to P25,000 as seed capital.

Dr. Virginia Fagsao of the provincial DOH office said as of June 30, , there were 34 BnBs in the province that submitted seed capital with certification  from their respective punong barangays  that BnB in  their  areas of jurisdiction  are  no longer operating. – Juliet B. Saley

Tabuk, Batac cities ink sisterhood pact

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- Tabuk City and Batac City of Ilocos Norte are  now sister cities. Monsoon rains did not hamper recent simple ceremony here that tied the bond between the new sister cities.

The two are part of the batch of “16 new cities” that obtained cityhood after  a Supreme Court  ruling on June 28, 2011.

Batac City Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta led a 30-man party of elected officials and department heads to the pact signing.

They were warmly welcomed by Tabuk City leaders and officials headed by Mayor Ferdinand B. Tubban.

As contained in the pact, the two agreed to foster mutual interest in the areas of market expansion for local products, promotion of tourism, marketing and exchange visits, technology transfer for livelihood development, culture and arts promotion and opening links between state universities of both cities to advance academic aims.

As new cities, Batac and Tabuk are open to sharing together their urban plans based on the common agenda of protecting the environment and increasing opportunities on economic and social growths.

“Whatever is it that works for good to one should be shared to the other”, the two mayors stressed. – Larry Lopez

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

‘Doctors to the barrios’ program serves Ifugaos

LAGAWE, Ifugao -- A health program of the provincial government served more than 10,000 individuals first semester this year through medical consultations.

The “Handog Kalusugan sa Ifugao” has provided services to 10,521 people under the Doctors to the  Barrios program through medical consultations in 115 barangays in the province from January to July 2015.   

Among the 11 municipalities, Tinoc had highest beneficiaries with 1,939 followed by Banaue – 1,614; Mayoyao – 1,212; Asipulo – 1,044; Lamut – 837; Kiangan – 813; Aguinaldo – 802; Hungduan – 737; Hingyon – 614; Lagawe – 484 and Alfonso Lista with 425.

The services were provided with the support of local health care givers and officials.

The “Handog Kalusugan sa Ifugao: Doctors to the Barrios ” a local  initiative under the leadership of Governor Denis Habawel since 2013, is supported by the SN Aboitiz Power.  It primarily aims  to fill in the gaps between health services of the hospitals and the rural health units, and to build up a data base of common illnesses to guide future interventions. -- Marcelo B. Lihgawon

Red Cross gives 174 families relief assistance

BONTOC, Mountain Province- Staff and volunteers of Philippine Red Cross (PRC) in the province are now giving relief assistance to victims affected by Typhoon Ineng.

Officer in charge Veronica Tactay of Red Cross- Mountain Province Chapter said  174 families in the province were given relief assistance by the PRC.

Of the total recipients, 47 families or 200 individuals were in Barangay Guinzadan Central, 15 families or 81 individuals were in SitioLetang, Barangay Tapapan and 11 families or 62 individuals are in SitioSoysoyoc, Tapapan, all in municipality of Bauko.

Also, 25 families or 106 individuals from Barangays Busa, Camatagan, Poblacion, Losad, Namatec and Bun-ayan, all in Sabangan and 18 families or 82 individuals in Barangay Gonogon, Bontoc were given relief assistance. In Tadian, 43 families from Barangay Masla, 15 families from Barangay Batayan, and students from Masla Elementary School and Masla National High School were reached out by PRC. 

Last week, Red Cross- Mountain Province Chapter distributed non-food-items consisting of two mats, two mosquito nets, tarpaulin and one jerry can or water container per family.  Also, family pack and hygiene kits were given each family. The family pack contains five kilos of rice, four noodles and four canned goods while the hygiene kits are five pieces of towels, one nail cutter, one big size hair shampoo, one big size tooth paste, five pieces tooth brush, five pieces combs, two rolls of tissue paper, detergent bar, five pieces of bath soap, cotton buds, sanitary napkin and two shavers.

Along with this, Project Officer Kensha Gardingan of the Health Services demonstrated proper hand washing to the beneficiaries while Nation Field Representative RiztyDogcio assessed the damages brought by the typhoon to the victims. Both were from the PRC –National Headquarters. -- Alpine L. Killa

Benguet to avail of support under Rural Dev’t Program

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet --  Gov. Nestor Fongwan  sought support of the provincial board in crafting a resolution affirming the provincial government’s participation to the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) to  enhance agriculture and fisheries sectors in the province.

Fongwan also urged the board for passage of appropriation ordinance  for the provincial government’s share to fund the proposal of the Benguet Arabica Coffee Enterprise anchored in one of components of PRDP.

Under the program,  participating local government unit  has to provide a counterpart for  a   project component.

The PRDP under the Department of Agriculture aims to increase the agricultural and fishery productivity and incomes of small farmers and fisherfolk through the establishment of needed infrastructure such as farm-to-market roads (FMRs), bridges, communal irrigation systems (CIS), and potable water systems, among others.

Provincial Agriculturist Lolita Bentres said nine group members belonging to the Benguet Arabica Coffee Enterprise proposed a P13 million project to boost the coffee industry of the province under the I –REAP.  The Benguet Arabica Coffee Enterprise affiliate group members are  from Kibungan,  Atok,La Trinidad, Sablan,Tuba, Tublay, Bakun, and Kapangan..

I REAP which is PRDP’s enterprise development component aims to strengthen and develop viable agri-fishery based enterprises through efficient value chains of key agricultural and fishery products in targeted project areas by providing technical, financial and infrastructure support.

Bentres said for the project proposal of the coffee enterprise,  P3 million will be the counterpart of DA while the remaining will be shared among the affiliate groups and with counterpart from the provincial government.

The national government obtained a loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development - World Bank amounting to US$501.25 million to finance the PRDP to support the government’s effort to reduce poverty in rural communities in the 81 provinces of the country.

 Should the province be included in the PRD program, Bentres said it could also avail support in the other project components such as I-PLAN for local and national planning, I-BUILD for infrastructure development and  I-SUPPORT for project implementation support. -- Susan C. Aro

Free wheelchairs to persons with disabilities

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Twenty persons with disabilities (PWDs) were given free wheelchairs by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) in partnership with the Rotary Club Sampaguita Grace Park.

Gov. Leonard G. Mayaen chair of board of directors with officer in charge Veronica Tactay of Red Cross- Mountain Province Chapter, Bontoc Mayor Franklin C. Odsdey, and members of the BOD handed over the 20 wheelchairs to the families and relatives of the recipients.

She said  the happiness of helping those in need is immeasurable. “We are very happy that to help the most vulnerable even in remote areas in Mountain Province,” Tactay said. 

Out of 20 beneficiaries, nine were from Bontoc, seven from Natonin and four  from Sadanga. Tactay added the province was lucky to get 20 wheelchairs as this was given on first come, first served basis.

She said identification of beneficiaries was in partnership with the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) and Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) which provided the lists of beneficiaries together with the documents required that was forwarded by the Red Cross- Mountain Province Chapter to the PRC- National Headquarters. 

The requirements are request letter addressed to the PRC secretary general, certificate of indigence, medical certificate, and a case study.

Mayaen thanked the Red Cross as partner of the government in helping those in need of services and assistance. With the wheelchairs provided to the recipients, it will help them continue earn a living for themselves and their families. -- Alpine L. Killa

Sept 25 is Teachers’ Day in Benguet

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet--Sept. 25 is a special day for both private and public teachers in this province for they will be celebrating their Teachers’ Day at the Benguet Sports Complex here in Barangay Wangal.

Provincial Ordinance number 15-170, known as Teachers’ Day Ordinance declared last Friday of September every year as Teachers’ Day in Benguet.

“The provincial government of Benguet highly recognizes the role of teachers through their sincere dedication and commitment in nurturing the children, youth and adults,” states the ordinance.

Due to this, Gov. Nestor B. Fongwan issued Administrative Order No. 2015-012 organizing the Teachers’ Day committee in the province.

The order installed Dr. Federico P. Martin, OIC- superintendent of the Schools Division of Benguet, as the chairman and Board Member Johnny D. Waguis, chairperson of the committee on education, as vice-chairman.

Committee member Alfonso C. Doriano, president of National Association of Secondary School Heads, Inc. (NAPSSHI-Benguet Chapter) and principal of La Trinidad National High School, said that the Committee has prepared various activities like motorcade, free medical check-up, sports competitions, search for most harmonious school, search for outstanding teacher, and bloodletting event by the Philippine Red Cross-Benguet Chapter. -- Augustin A. Dao-anis