Wednesday, January 13, 2016

NEWS BRIEFS


 Cool mornings start
The northeast monsoon returned on Thursday, bringing in cool winds in the morning in the country, state weather bureau PAGASA said.
In a state report on Thursday, PAGASA said the northeast monsoon now prevails over extreme Northern Luzon.
The minimum temperature in Metro Manila on Wednesday was recorded at 20.0 degrees Celsius at 5 a.m. Daily readings are recorded at the PAGASA Science Garden in Diliman, Quezon City.
Easterlies or winds from the east, meanwhile, continue to affect the eastern section of Visayas and Mindanao, PAGASA noted.
On Thursday, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains are forecasted over Batanes, Calayan and Babuyan group of islands.
Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms will prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of the country.
Light to moderate winds blowing from the east to northeast will prevail throughout the archipelago with slight to moderate seas.
The state weather bureau has not issued gale warning as fisherfolk are safe to venture into the seas.

Multi-sectoral partnership set for K-12 programs in Paracelis
PARACELIS, Mountain Province – The Anonat National Agricultural and Vocational High School here recently launched multi-sectoral partnership for K-12 programs in this town.
The school launched a gathering themed, “Multi-sectoral information dissemination on the growth and development of ANAVHS” on Dec. 8, 2015.
As partners in the education and development of the youth and the school, Mayor  Gavino L. Bucok, in his message cited need for unity of  stakeholders to promote progress and development of the school. He cited financial assistance and programs implemented by the local government of Paracelis in support to programs and activities of the Dept. of Education within the locality.
Vice Mayor Lorenzo Carpio in his talk, said the success of developmental plans for the school lies much in the hands of community folks.
He cited vital role of the community for progress and success of all programs implemented in the school.
Unity and support for the school was urged by Lucio B. Banggollay, the secondary school principal II of Bacarri National Trade-Agricultural School whom ANAVHS was annexed on June 7, 2007 starting its operation as an extension school.
The principal enumerated milestones and challenges the school had gone through until its separation and bore the name, Anonat National Agricultural and Vocational High School through a Republic Act No. 10204 signed by the president of the Philippines on October 2012.
The school was inaugurated by Rep. Maximo B. Dalog on Feb. 14, 2013.
DepEd Division of Mt. Province represented by Primo B. Aligo, education program supervisor and engineer Domingo T. Banglo Jr., of Division Mountain Province, recalled services of Mt. Province Division Office that realized projects for ANAVHS like the water system and the two buildings.
              Programs of the K-12 Curriculum were also discussed to deepen the comprehension and generate support from the stakeholders.
Titling of the land area of the school was also considered priority.
He acknowledged donors of the land for the school which made possible quest of the community for growth and educational development of their children.
Salipada Pinangga, community representative cited numerous counterparts accomplished by the people in the community.
The representative accepted the responsibility that lies on them for the success of the school in its plans and endeavors. -- Ma. Marissa A. Balao-as

Baguio City Athletic Bowl oval rubberized for CARAA
BAGUIO CITY– Barring unexpected rains the next weeks, this summer resort will be welcoming delegates to the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) with a brand new rubberized track on February.
Baguio Rep. Nicasio M. Aliping Jr. said Taiwanese consultants hired to undertake the job started the work January 6 and have until Feb. 5 to complete the task. The CARAA opens Feb. 6 with Baguio as host.
“This is a project long in the waiting because the Athletic Bowl complex has not received any kind of development work for the last 30 years,”  Aliping said.
The three-phase project has a total allocation of P115 million.
The first phase involved modernization of main bleachers at east end of the compound. The second phase was extension of main bleachers and concreting of oval track. The third involved the installation of the rubberized track.
The third phase was delayed for almost a month because of the unexpected rains in November.
“The concrete track needs to be totally dry in order for the adhesive to fully bond with the surface,” said engineer Louie Gacad, project engineer of contractor RUA construction which is doing the entire project.
“With the rubberized track, and lawn field together with the already existing Olympic size swimming pool, the city is now ready to host national events like the Palaro Games,” Aliping said.

Magnitude 5 quake hits Cagayan
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology on Monday evening recorded a magnitude 5 earthquake that struck the province of Cagayan.
The quake which occurred at 10:36 p.m. was traced 39 kilometers south west of Calayan, Cagayan. Its depth of focus was 15 kilometers.
The tremor was felt at Intensity 3 in Claveria, Cagayan while it was felt at instrumental Intensities 2 in Claveria, Cagayan and 1 in Laoag, Ilocos Norte and Sinait, Ilocos Sur.
Despite being felt at various intensities, Phivolcs said there was no damage or expected aftershock for the
earthquake.
In its advisory, Phivolcs said there were three other mild earthquakes recorded on Monday aside from Cagayan. These are in Looc, Occidental Mindoro; Baler, Aurora; and Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental.
On the other hand, there were two mild tremors reported on Tuesday morning. The first quake was in Looc, Occidental Mindoro while the latest recorded was in Itbayat, Batanes.
Phivolcs said all of the earthquakes reported were tectonic in origin.

NTA-Abra sets programs vs El Nino for tobacco farmers
BANGUED, Abra --The National Tobacco Administration has started programs to support tobacco farmers maintain high quality products and productivity with expected El Nino or long dry spell.
                “The effect of El Nino is widespread and undeniable. Hence, we need to provide assistance to our farmers especially those who are most-affected,” said Esmeralda Gaerlan- Valera, NTA-Abra manager.
While everyone is asked to take his share in water conservation, Valera said they completed their irrigation projects in the province particularly in the tobacco-producing municipalities. These are in the form of mini dams in the towns of Pilar and Villaviciosa and an impounding dam in Tayum.       
The NTA also provided water pumps and water hose to the farmers in areas with no big irrigation projects in order to help the tobacco farmers cope with the ill-effects of drought.
Valera added they have also ongoing water supply project in Dolores and look forward to starting more water-related projects in the municipalities of Luba, Pidigan, San Quintin, Penarrubia and Tayum. -- Maria Teresa B. Benas

 DENR Kalinga to reforest 1,828 hectares in 2016
TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- Having completed  early its  target   for the year  under the National Greening Program (NGP) of the government,  the provincial Department of Environment and Natural Resources office here aims to reforest 21,000 hectares under six-year greening program in the province. 
Severino Dalutag, provincial PENRO, bared for 2016, the last year of NGP implementation, 1,828 hectares is targeted to be planted with Tabuk City Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) sharing 1,100 hectares and Pinukpuk CENRO, 728 has.
“We are awaiting intents of people’s organizations to again partner with us and barangays covered by NGP to come apply for a three-year contract from 2016-2018,” he said.
Under the contract, a PO has to reforest 50 hectares and maintain it for three years. 
The Aquino government launched the NGP in 2011 to reduce poverty; promote food security, environmental stability, and biodiversity conservation; and enhance climate change mitigation and adaptation. This involves the planting of 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares all over the country in a period of six years until 2016. -- Peter A. Balocnit

K-12 training held in Paracelis
PARACELIS, Mountain Province – The Education District of this town conducted a 3-day training on implementation of the K-12 curriculum among AralingPanlipunan teachers here at Paracelis Technical and Vocational High School on Nov. 28-30, 2015 participated by 44 teachers from elementary and secondary schools in the locality.
The training was conducted by seven trainers in partnership with Irene S. Angway, assistant schools division superintendent of Kalinga province. Before the training, trainers attended division summer camp for Araling Panlipunan at Tadian Elementary School on May 12-16, 2015 relative to K-12 curriculum.
The realization of the activity was due to support of Dept. of Education Mt. Province Division Office headed by Division superintendent Gloria B. Buya-ao who approved the proposal and  Jacinto  P. Yassan, public schools district supervisor of Paracelis who issued memorandum order for the activity.
The training focused on K-12, classroom assessment and best practices in teaching like learning, contextualization and researches. -- Funny B. Fiadcong

DOLE, agencies partner to boost overseas employment
TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- the Department of Labor  and Employment and  licensed recruitment agencies have embarked on a program to increase hiring of overseas workers in the province.
Recently, seven Kalinga applicants were deployed to Hongkong and Brunei by recruitment agencies that came to the province. 
 Meriam Bocauto of DA Rodrigo International, Inc. said they frequent the province to hire OFWs. “Instead of applicants come apply at our regional offices outside of Kalinga, we personally bring our services to the province so that applicants will not be hard up in applying,” she said.
Kalinga is one of the “juicy” places in looking for applicants since they have a good command of the English language, have basic skills in several field of work particularly on domestic helpers and care givers, she added.
                According to Alexander Gumabol, provincial DOLE head, placement agencies are cooperative of their programs, and come to process papers of applicants if they have job orders.
                “To assure OFW applicants of their safety, we offer recruitment agencies our office for them to interview applicants so that applicants will also have access to know from us the credentials of agencies,” Gumabol said. -- Peter A. Balocnit

Ifugao folks urged: Help ensure clean, orderly 2016 polls
LAGAWE, Ifugao -- Ifugao provincial election supervisor Ricardo Bulintao urged members of the civil society organizations and religious groups   to help the Commission on Election conduct clean, honest and orderly polls come May.
He bared this during voters education forum   organized by the Provincial Moral Recovery Council and attended by private and religious organizations in the province.
                Bulintao oriented participants on campaign rules and regulations, gun ban law,  Fair elections Act among others.
He urged candidates and supporters to observe common poster areas and not to do prohibited acts. He said candidatesashould file statement of contributions and expenses 30 days after the election to Comelec.

Bulintao also told the group that the campaign period for the national candidates is from Feb. 9 to May 7 and March 25 to May 7 for local candidates. -- Daniel B. Codamon

Veterans Bank launches improved pension loan
BAGUIO CITY -- The commercial bank owned by Filipino World War II veterans and their descendants, is making Philippine Veterans Affairs Office pensioners with improved pension loan.
Philippine Veterans Bank chairman Roberto de Ocampo and president Nonilo Cruz led the launching of the improved pension loan at the PVB’s Camp Aguinaldo branch which gathered audience composed of PVAO pensioners, veteran families, and guests from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police.
Starting last month, PVAO pensioners who receive monthly pension from PVB will now be able to get a pension loan for the maximum amount of P100, 000. Previously, the bank offered its pensioners P20, 000 and P45, 000 loan options. However, understanding the financial needs that its pensioners face, the Bank has upped the loanable amount offering pensioners flexibility with loan terms extended from three to five years.
PVB corporate communications and marketing services vice president Miguel Angelo Villa-real said this is great news for PVAO pensioners composed mostly of surviving Filipino World War II veterans, their widows, and retired personnel of the AFP.
In addition, pensioners with existing pension loans with PVB can re-avail of the higher loan amount as long as they have already paid at least two months amortizations of their current loan, Villa-real added.
For more information on PVB’s Pension Loan , interested parties can visit the nearest PVB branch or call (02) 840-2621 during office hours or emailcustomercare@veteransbank.com.ph.


Disaster officials raise flood alert in Aurora
BALER, Aurora – Disaster management officials have raised a flood alert in three municipalities in this province in the wake of heavy downpours that inundated Casiguran town.
In an advisory released Tuesday, the provincial disaster risk reduction and management council said the
northeast monsoon affecting Northern Luzon would trigger 24 hours of rainfall and most likely cause rivers in Casiguran, Lower Umiray in Dingalan and Aguang in this town to overflow.
Since late December, roads in Casiguran have been submerged in floodwaters due to continuous heavy downpour.
The floods affected 10 houses in low-lying areas in Barangay Calantas. -- Manny Galvez 

Dagupan health stations receive equipment
DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan — A total of 12 barangay health stations here received blood pressure (BP) apparatus, glucometer kits, and nebulizers from Mayor Belen Fernandez, recently. About 39 of the 56 BP apparatus came from the office of Senator TeofistoGuingona, while the 13 glucometer kits and the remaining BP apparatus came from the Department of Health (DOH). The 12 nebulizers were given by civic leader Ashok Vasandani. Dr. Sheila Sabado, officer-in-charge of the City Health Office (CHO), said the barangay health stations that received the medical apparatus are located in Carael, Pantal, PoblacionOeste, BonuanBoquig, BonuanBinloc, BonuanGueset, Bolosan, Salapingao, Malued, Mangin, Mayombo, and Pogo Grande. – Liezle BasaIñigo

Baguio moves up rank among cities
BAGUIO CITY — Tourism, education and sports, peace and order, health and social services, environment are among the accomplishments last year, Mayor Mauricio Domogan said. The mayor recalled that in 2014, Baguio was ranked 15th among the country’s 142 cities. Now, he takes pride that the city has gone up two notches to No. 13 based on national comparative ratings. He said concerted efforts must be taken to update and implement income-generating endeavors to improve the city’s ranking.

Ilocos Norte triples its scholarships grantees
LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte — To provide quality education for Ilocanos, the provincial government of
Ilocos Norte headed by Gov. Imee Marcos gave a total of 1,919 scholarships grants last year.
In academic year 2014-2015, there were 459 recipients of the Sirib Academic Scholarship, according to the Provincial Education Office.
In the following school year, the number tripled with a total of 1,460 students benefiting from the Sirib Academic Scholarship, also known as the Sirib Community Leaders Scholarship.
Scholarship programs paved the way for training youth leaders, particularly through involvement in the Sirib Ilokano Kabataan Association (SIKA) that promotes volunteerism among youth through working together for the development of their respective communities.
Since 2010, the Ilocos Norte government has shouldered over 39,000 elementary, 16,000 high school, and 3,000 college scholarships.
Widening opportunities for learning has been an aim of Marcos, reflected in her vision for Ilocos Norte as a learning hub and learning community, hence the establishment of the “Heroes Walk” on Ablan Avenue to educate passersby on Ilocano heroes’ heritage.
Access to information technology is also a vital part of this goal, and in the past year alone, 38 i-Hubs have been established and 650 computer units have been distributed throughout the different cities and municipalities.
Making education more inclusive is in line with the province’s aim to alleviate poverty and eliminate unemployment, translating into a higher human development index and sustainable livelihood for Ilocanos.
These endeavors propelled the province in attaining the Millennium Development Goals, a United Nations initiative established in the year 2000.
“We have done what we set out to do, exceeding poverty, employment, education, maternal health, and reforestation. From the alarming increase in poverty in 2010, poverty has now fallen to a record of 8.4%,” she said. – Freddie G. Lazaro

Mountain Province, Benguet barangays forge sisterhood ties
SABANGAN, Mountain Province -- Officials of barangay   Tambingan here recently forged memorandum of agreement of sisterhood  with barangay Betag of La Trinidad, Benguet to foster understanding, friendship and goodwill.
The Sangguniang Barangay of Betag headed by Punong Barangay Peter D. Comila and Tambingan led by PB Cedric Rommel V. Likigan inked the MOA.
Both parties agreed to nurture and encourage friendship and cooperation between the two local government units and their constituencies through mutual sharing of the barangay best practices; provision of technical expertise and assistance in the area of promotion and development of the eco-tourism industry, including exchange of culture and education through exchange programs and education tours.
They also agreed to enhance trade relations on agricultural products, livestock and promotion of local handicrafts and strengthen educational and cultural relations with each party through scholarships, environmental research and eco-tours. They shall also strive to keep an open communication line for the possibility of forging joint ventures. -- Juliet B. Saley


Change of name of local hospital in Benguet sought
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The  Benguet  Sangguniang Panlalawigan urged the  National Historical Commission of the Philippines to approve renaming of  a provincial government supervised  hospital in the  province.
The change of name was sought for Kapangan Medicare Community Hospital” (KMCH) to be renamed “Kapangan Community Hospital”.
Board Member Esteban Piok, who authored the measure, said the word “Medicare” is rendered obsolete, thus the proposed deletion.   
The hospital was called the Kapangan Medicare Community Hospital since Sept. 23, 1982  after the Philippine Medical Care Commission (PMCC) which administered the former Medicare program. This is now called the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.
The hospital is under the supervision of the provincial governor pursuant to  the Local Government Code of 1991 which devolved the management of all hospitals except for some selected medical centers to the provincial local government units. -- Susan Aro


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