NEWS BRIEFS

2 boats held for illegal fishing in Cagayan

APARRI, Cagayan -- Two fishing vessels and their 22 crewmembers have been held for illegal fishing in Cagayan waters.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said a third vessel managed to escape as the agency’s personnel were apprehending the F/B Rae Anne and F/B Alexandria.

The fishing boats were spotted by monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) ships 3007 and 3010 on April 6 in the waters off Aparri, Buguey and Claveria.

The PCG said the two boats were caught using the Danish Seine fishing method, which involves the use of a dragnet that hangs vertically into the water.

The net’s edge is held down by weights, so it would catch a huge volume of fish.

The Rae Anne is skippered by Remy Antonio and operated by Renato Alariao, both of Minanga in Buguey town.

Based on Administrative Order 246 of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the use of Danish Seine and Modified Danish Seine fishing methods is prohibited in the country.

The boats were towed to Port Irene in Santa Ana town.

Contractors’ payments now accepted at DTI

BAGUIO CITY -- The Department of Trade and Industry – Cordillera Administrative Region and attached agency the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (CIAP) has good news for construction contractors in the Cordillera. 

According to lawyer Samuel Gallardo of DTI-CAR’s Consumer Protection Division, the DTI regional office in Cordillera has started accepting over-the-counter payment of CIAP-related fees starting March 16.  

The CIAP Windows Program according to Gallardo aims to bring services of the four implementing arms of the CIAP: Construction Industry Arbitration Commission (CIAC), Philippine Domestic Construction Board (PDCB), Philippine Overseas Construction Board (POCB) and Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB), closer to the provinces, thereby reducing costs related to licensing. 

Other DTI regional offices with their own CIAP Windows programs are: Region XI (Davao Region); Region X (Northern Mindanao Region); Region VII (Central Visayas Region); Region V (Bicol Region); Region III (Central Luzon Region) and Region I (Ilocos Region). 

Contractors will no longer be required to get postal money orders for the payment of their application fees and other assessments.

As of January 2016, there were 355 licensed contractors in the Cordillera Region. 

Of these 355 contractors, approximately 65% availed services of CIAP Window at the DTI Regional Office in Baguio. 

The agency hopes that with the acceptance of over-the-counter payments, more contractors will be enticed to avail of the services in the CIAP Window in CAR. 

 Ifugao LGU to buy alcohol breathe analyzer for lawmen

ALFONSO LISTA, Ifugao -- The municipal government here is set to purchase two units of alcohol breath analyzer to address increasing incidents of vehicular traffic accidents due to  drunk drivers. 

The Municipal Advisory Council had requested the town officials to purchase said apparatus to be used by police personnel in implementation of liquor ban and traffic code of the municipality.

The traffic code prohibits and penalizes drivers driving motor vehicles when under the influence of liquor and prohibited drugs.

MAC members said traffic enforcers and police officers have a hard time pinning down violators due to absence of alcohol breath analyzers that will establish presence of alcohol, intoxication of the said suspect or violator.

Mayor Glenn Prudenciano said the local government allocated an amount for the purchase of the requested   alcohol breath analyzers. -- Marcelo B. Lihgawon  

  

Farmers urged: Trade at BAPTC

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The BenguetAgriPinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) project management office, with Mayor Edna Tabanda urged farmers to trade at the facility saying it would benefit them in the long run.

On April 7, the group went to the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post to explain to farmers, disposers, packers/porters and traders that BAPTC is open for them to trade their vegetable products in the BAPTC.

Tabanda urged them to try the facility and check and recommend improvements that may be done.

During the consultation, it was also clarified that the disposers will not be removed from the trading system.

Benny Hipolito, officer of the Benguet Trader and Truckers Association said that the wide area of BAPTC will help secure their commodities and will give easy access for them to buy wholesale vegetables.

 “The facility can monitor vegetable products and can assure that these are of good quality and well packed vegetables for transport,” he added.

Hipolito encouraged the farmers to bring their products in the facility.

He added that BAPTC will help farmers in farm inputs and do crop programming for better market price.

Meanwhile, Dr. Danilo Daguio BAPTC chief operations officer said policies, including the 25 centavos trading fee, were formed based on several consultations made with stakeholders. -- Jerome A. Padilla

International Balloon Festival held in Lubao

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — At least 41 colorful hot air balloons from different countries were flown on the 3rd International Balloon Festival on April 14 in Lubao, this province, the Department of Tourism Region 3 said.

DOT3 Director Ronnie Tiotuico said the balloon fest in Pradera Verde, Barangay Prado Siongco, Lubao town showcased balloon designs different from those shown in Clark. “Ninety-nine percent of them (balloons) have never been to Clark,” he said.

Tiotuico said this year’s event was bigger, both up in the air and on the ground with about 100,000 visitors from all over the country. Aside from hot air balloon flights and aerial exhibitions, there were street activities, land exhibits and musical performances by Ely Buendia, Bamboo, True Faith, Sabado Boys, and Mitoy and D’Draybers. – Franco Regala

DOH starts anti-dengue vaccinations in schools

BAGUIO CITY -- The Department of Health launched last week the school-based dengue vaccination among Grade 4 public students.

They cautioned teachers and parents that children injected with  dengue vaccine may experience mild reaction. They may develop rashes, headaches or fever, and may cause students to faint.

According to the DOH, fainting among students usually happens when children are afraid of injections or they may not have eaten prior the vaccination.

Students who experience headache or fever were advised to drink plenty of water and have some rest. If students develop rashes, they should immediately be rushed to the nearest health facility.

According to Health Secretary Janette Garin, the immunization is a good program that will benefit children and save lives. – KrishaDaniwes

Power in IFSU satellite campus restored after SP hearing

AGUINALDO, Ifugao -- The disconnected electric line  supply of the satellite campus of the  Ifugao State University (IFSU)  in Barangay Jacmal, this municipality,  is  now restored after a public hearing  initiated by  the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

The SP led by Vice Gov. Pedro Mayam-o resolved the problem with the   officials and representatives of the Ifugao Electric Cooperative (IFELCO), IFSU and the Aguinaldo National High School (ANHS), local officials and employees of the municipal government.

The IFSU-Aguinaldo campus caters to 55 students taking Associate in Computer Technology.  It is using for the meantime some of the ANHS buildings when it opened classes in June 2015 while waiting for the construction of its own building.

It was learned that on January 22, 2016, the power line of the ANHS was cut off by the IFELCO  due to the unpaid electric bill of ANHS incurred  three  years ago amounting to P30,000.

The power cut off which was also made without warning forced the students to study in dark rooms and rendered  their  computers  inoperational pushing  IFSU President SerafinNgohayon  to  condemn  the arbitrary and unilateral action of IFELCO and calling   the  assistance of the SP, the Commission on Higher Education and other concerned government agencies.

The first disconnection made by IFELCO happened on November 7, 2015.

Engineer Marcial Nahiwan of IFELCO vowed to act immediately for the approval of IFSU’s earlier request for the installation of a new and separate electric meter.

Taking the issues and concerns discussed in the public hearing as a lesson and cue in aid of legislation, the SP decided to come up with an ordinance regulating the unilateral disconnection of services by all concerned public utility service providers in Ifugao and provide penalties for its violation. -- Daniel B. Codamon

DA allots P630 million  for Kalinga

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- Kalinga was recently allotted P630 million for various agricultural projects.

Director Lorenzo Caranguian of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit, Cordillera Administrative Region (DARFU-CAR) said  the province deserves the big support to boost its rice, corn, and coffee production industries.

He said bulk of the appropriations will go to the concreting of three farm-to-market roads (FMR) under the Philippine Rural Development Program in the amount of P501 million.

“P118M will go to the concreting of the Banneng-Gumbowoy FMR in Tanudan, P180M to the Bulanao-Amlao FMR, and P203M to Catabbogan-Wagod FMR in Pinukpuk,” Caranguian said.

The director also announced that P32M is appropriated for the Kalinga Integrated Coffee Processing Center, P8M total worth of livelihood projects to associations,  P35M to increase rice production, P20M for corn production, P12M for high value commercial crops, P3.5M for livestock, P9.2M for Pamana projects, P3.1M for bottom-up-budgeting, and other small projects.  -- Peter A. Balocnit

DOLE expects increase in CAR employment with K-12

BAGUIO CITY -- The Department of Labor and employment announced the K-12 program will enhance skills of upcoming first batch of senior High School students even before they step into college.

The DOLE said key goal of K-12 is to cater to what employers require of job applicants. These include knowledge, right attitude and skills which give heavier weight in hiring of an applicant.

DOLE urged Cordillera students to take courses related to rising industries in the vicinity of the region such as mining, farming, agribusiness and forestry. These are courses that are far better to take than courses which have lower employment rate when students graduate. ­– KC Bautista

Dengue cases increase in Cordillera Region

BAGUIO CITY -- Dengue cases doubled first three months of this year  in Cordillera Administrative Region.

According to Department of Health Baguio, dengue cases increased from 138 percent in the months of January to March unlike last year with the same months.

Last year, there were 448 cases of dengue for the first 13 weeks compared this year with 1,068 cases of dengue.

Baguio City has the highest cases of dengue with 351 recorded. Benguet had 332,  Kalinga with 147.

Abra dengue cases decreases from 94 to 44 this year. –Jethro Lagasca

Campaign pushed to allow pets in parks

BAGUIO CITY – A signature campaign to amend an administrative order of the city banning pets in public parks will held at Melvin Jones grandstand here today.

Retired judge Del Claravall, initiated the project for responsible pet ownership. Theme was “Walk for a pet-friendly Baguio.” Activities include anti-rabies campaign, first aid for dog bites, controlling population of stray dogs and cats, access of pet owners to parks and public spaces.

The organizers adviced participants to bring snacks, water, poo poo bags and rain gear in case of unexpected weather. This event is open to all dog lovers. – Michele B. Gavanes

2,317 Abra folks employed  under DOLE program

BANGUED, Abra -- The Emergency Employment Program (EEP) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Abra benefited a total of 2,317 displaced workers, underemployed and unemployed local folks in the municipalities of San Juan and Dolores  last month.

George G. Lubin, Jr., DTI provincial head, said the EEP projects in the municipalities of San Juan and Dolores were funded by Party Lists in the House of Representatives worth P22.3 million.

The EEP is a special employment generation program of the DOLE dubbed as the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD).

Funds for the special employment program were given particularly as a support to the victims of Typhoon Ineng that hit the province last August 2015 especially the farmers whose crops were damaged during the typhoon. 

For the municipality of San Juan, Mayor Marco M. Bautista reported that the P20M EEP fund was given by the Coop Natco Party List for the rehabilitation, improvement and de-siltation of the communal irrigation canals and clearing of barangay roads.

On the other hand, P2.3M funds for the municipality of Dolores from the Buhay Party List was used for the rehabilitation of irrigation canals and barangay roads damaged by typhoon Ineng, Mayor Robert Victor G. Seares, Jr. reported.

Aside from typhoon-affected farmers, other beneficiaries include those that are willing to help in the needed work in the fields. -- Maria Teresa B. Benas

    

Ifugao pupils train on cultural practices

ALFONSO LISTA, Ifugao -- A total of 30 pupils of the Alfonso Lista Central School (ACS) were trained recently to help in preservation and protection of rich culture and traditions of the province.

The five days School of Living Tradition (SLT) training was conducted by the Fugato Cultural Heritage Office (ICHO) of the provincial government with culture bearers Antonio Pahigon and Carmen Dogwaon as subject experts.

Participants were trained mainly on how to perform the three main Ifugao native dances with the corresponding gong beats like Dinuyya/Dinuy-a, Bitangnguk and Hinggatut.

They were also briefed about the in-school SLT training, target activities including the demonstration on dancing the native dance by the culture bearers.

The SLT is a training program of the provincial government through the ICHO in preserving and conserving the Ifugao culture and tradition through the conduct of skills trainings and cultural performances.

ICHO project development coordinator Manifold Capuano said SLT will establish centers in each municipality to conduct trainings on cultural performing arts, crafts and indigenous skills.

Elizabeth Ognayon, ALCS principal, lauded the ICHO who initiated the SLT, culture bearers,

Mt. Province  LGUs, school to employ 1,015 studes this summer

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- About 1,015 students are expected to work this summer vacation under the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) under the auspices of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

The Provincial Governor’s Office, Office of the Vice Governor, nine local government units in the province and the Xijen College of Mountain Province pledged a total amount of P6, 352,390.00 for the employment of these students.

Based on the data provided by DOLE Provincial field Office Chief Samuel T. Lasdacan, Natonin LGU pledged the highest amount of P2, 493,750.00 for the employment of some 285 students for 25 days.

The Governor’s Office committed P1 million to hire 200 students for 20 days while the Xijen College pledged P600, 000.00 for the employment of 50 students for 40 days.

The Office of the Vice Governor committed P170, 200 for 37 students for 20 days.

The other LGUs  that will  participate in the SPES include  Barlig which pledged P420,000 for 70 students; Bauko – P414,400 for 112 students; Tadian – P400,000 for 80 students; Sabangan – PP248,400 for 54 students; Bontoc – P168,000 for 30 students; Besao – P80,640 for 24 students, Sagada – P32,000 for 8 students. These seven LGUs will employ the students for 20 days.

Paracelis LGU which pledged the amount of P325, 000 shall employ 65 students for 25 days.

Lasdacan said the daily wage of students who will be hired under the SPES varies depending on the daily wage provided by each LGU. Sixty percent (60%) of the students’ salary shall be paid by the employers in cash while the remaining 40% shall be paid by DOLE in the form of education voucher.

Interested students and out-of-school youth who intend to continue their studies are advised to start completing the required documents ready for submission during application period scheduled by the employers. They may visit the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) in the different municipalities in the province and the Provincial DOLE Office to get the required documents to be accomplished.

The SPES is a regular annual job creation program of the national government intended for the poor but deserving students to augment their school fees by providing them work during summer vacation. -- Juliet B. Saley

Poverty alleviation programs set in Apayao

LUNA, Apayao --Gov.  Elias Bulut Jr. said the provincial government has launched province-wide anti-drug campaign, livelihood projects and the “Pabahay” program.

The “Pabahay” program is the main focus of the province’s anti-poverty campaign, and the provincial government has identified the poorest barangays in each municipality as intended beneficiaries.

The provincial government allocated P8 million for the “pabahay” program with counterpart from each municipality.

The governor explained that lack of shelter is number one in the poverty indicator of the province as of 2015, followed by income or livelihood then lack of sanitary toilets.

The number of houses to be built will depend on the community-based monitoring system of each barangay.

The goal for livelihood is to strengthen the coffee production in the municipalities of Kabugao, Calanasan and Conner. Other livelihood programs will be based on the design to be created by each municipality.

“These programs are to address the poorest of the poorest”, said the governor. Apayao is the second poorest province in the Philippines in 2011, and the 4th on the list in 2015.. – Jillie Ominga

Health team serves far  barangays of Abra

MALIBCONG,  Abra -- Health team composed of personnel from Provincial Health Office, Municipal Health Office of Malibcong,  and the Philippine Red Cross  conducted medical mission in landlocked barangays of  this  upland municipality March 21.

The team conducted ‘kilatiskutis’ to children, blood typing to adults, urine screening and medical checkup to residents of far-flung barangays of Dulao, Mataragan, Bayabas and Pacgued.

The group also distributed hygiene kit to children, vitamins to pregnant women, medicines and ointment for skin diseases and 14 sacks of used clothings donated by local thrift shops in Bangued.

According to Rev. Fr. Oscar Alunday, a native of said place, the medical team was the first- ever to reach and serve the upland barangays of Malibcong.

“In my 64 years of existence this is the very first time. We are also from Abra. Lowlanders may have long forgotten that but you recognize that we are and thank you,” he said.

People there seldom get medical attention because the place is very far from rural health unit. Trails going up and down the mountains are risky, barely two feet wide near the cliffs.

“This is not the first and last time that we will serve the uplands. Slopes and tracks may be really too difficult to trek but there is no amount of difficulty for a heart ready to serve,” assured Dr. Lilibeth B. Martin, team leader.

The Philippine Information Agency-Abra also joined the team.  -- Ginalyn B. Brioso

NFA-Kalinga auctions 9,000 bags of rice

TABUK CITY, Kalinga --The National Food Authority (NFA) provincial station here is auctioning more than 9,000 bags of its current stock of imported rice   to unclog its warehouse for the new delivery of rice.

The auction is open from Monday to Thursday, until supply lasts.

NFA provincial manager Miguel Tecson said their office auctions the stock to NFA-licensed rice traders in the province at P24/kg from the prevailing price of P30/kg. He assured the rice is fit for human consumption.

As soon as their warehouse is ready, 40,000 bags of new imported rice shall be delivered to the province, Tecson disclosed. 

Meanwhile, NFA-Kalinga targets to establish 370 bigasan outlets throughout the province.

The move was made so all of the province’s 152 barangays shall have bigasan outlets in line with NFA’s mandate to provide accessible cheap and quality government rice to the grass root. 

At present, NFA provincial station has 30 newly licensed retailers added to its original 80 licensed bigasan outlets, while application is open.  NFA sells its rice at regular price of P27-32/kg. -- Larry .T Lopez

Grass fires burn power posts

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Several instances of brown-out during summer were caused by fallen power posts due to grassfires. 

The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) bared this as it appealed to the public to help prevent burning of wild grasses that often leads to power outages.

Lilibeth Gaydowen of the NGCP reported that Gaydowen recalled one case last year in Solana, Cagayan where a wide service area including Kalinga, experienced power interruption because of burned electric posts due to grassfires. 

Wild grass fires are common every summer when grazing lands are burned to generate fresh grasses as food to cattle.

Another concern is the continuing “slash & burn” practice in areas where NGCP power lines traverse.

 In a related report, the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office here warned that wild fires do not only destroy electric posts but also impede the reforestation program as trees planted on the National Greening Program sites are burned.

In Tabuk City, greening projects including fruit tree orchards are not spared by the destruction caused by wild grass fires because of these practices.

As prevention, the CENRO recommended the putting-up of fire lines around the perimeters to prevent wildfires from rapidly catching-up on the vegetation.

In the first quarter this year, the Bureau of Fire Protection -Tabuk recorded five cases of grassfires. -- Larry T. Lopez     

1,028 Abra students set for employment

BANGUED, Abra -- Fifteen local government units and five private establishments have committed to participate in this year’s Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) in the province.

Department of Labor and Employment Abra field office head George G. Lubin Jr. said pledge of commitment had already been signed by partner agencies to accommodate 1,029 students   under the SPES.

Lubin said   961 will be employed by the LGUs and 68 by the private establishments.  They will be hired for a minimum of 20 days to a maximum of 52 days within one year. The wages will be shared by DOLE and the host agency on a 40:60 ratio with the 40% share of the DOLE and 60% by the employer.

DOLE pays its share in the students’ wages directly to the school where the students will enroll since the SPES program is intended to defray school fees of the students.

The employers’ share is paid directly to the students for their personal allowances.

This year’s partner-agencies to the SPES program with the number of their commitment are:  Abra Mountain Development Education Center of Bucloc, 20; Chowking, 6; Divine Word College of Bangued,35; Jollibee, 6; New Commercial Trading, 1; Provincial Government of Abra,53; the LGUs of Bangued, 40; Bucay, 100; Bucloc, 20; Dolores,150; Lagangilang,40; Langiden, 50; Luba,10; Malibcong, 60; Pidigan, 20; Pilar, 15; Sallapadan,20; San Juan, 300; San Quintin, 8; Tayum, 55,  and Tineg, 20.

Lubin said there are still available slots for SPES in LGU-San Juan. Interested applicants may see Ms. Marietta Ta-a, the Public Employment Service Office Manager. -- Maria Teresa B. Benas

      

MP Red Cross members insured for accidents, hospitalization 

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) - Mountain Province Chapter has expanded benefits for Red Cross members.

Veronica Tactay, Officer-in-charge chapter Administrator of PRC here, said a minimal membership of P60 to P1, 000 can provide a member with accident benefit package and hospitalization benefit.

Being a member of the Red Cross is also one way of helping others who are in need, Tactay added.

There are many options for interested members to choose from depending on their age bracket and the amount of benefits they want.

Tactay said classic membership is open for people ages 6-25 years old. A one-year fee of P60 entitles a member to an accede nt medical reimbursement worth P5, 000 and P150 daily hospital allowance for a maximum of 60 days. The member is entitled to a P12, 000 each for accidental death, disablement, dismemberment and unprovoked murder and assault; and a burial assistance of P5, 000.

The premier bronze with a P150 membership fee for one year entitles a member to P5,000 for accidental medical reimbursement, and burial assistance; P150 daily hospital allowance for a maximum of 60 days; and P5,000  for accidental death, disablement, dismemberment, and unprovoked murder and assault.

If a member chooses premier silver, he/she pays P300 for one year and is entitled to P10,000 accidental medical reimbursement; P200 daily hospital allowance for a maximum of 60 days; P5,000 accidental burial assistance, and P100,000  for accidental death, disablement, dismemberment, and unprovoked murder and assault.

The premier gold with a P500 membership fee entitles a member P10,000 accidental medical reimbursement; P200 daily hospital allowance for a maximum of 60 days; P5,000 accidental burial assistance; and P200,000 each for accidental death, disablement, dismemberment and unprovoked murder and assault.

For premier platinum, the membership fee for one year is P1,000 and this entitles a member to a P10,000 accidental medical reimbursement; P200 daily hospital allowance for 60 days; P5,000 accidental burial assistance; and P300,000 each for accidental death, disablement, dismemberment and unprovoked murder and assault.

Senior citizens can also avail of this program. Under the Senior bracket, senior citizens aging 66-80 years old who are interested to be PRC members shall pay a membership fee of P300 and under  the Senior Plus bracket, senior citizens aging 81-85 years old shall pay P350. They are entitled to a P100 daily hospital allowance for 60 days; P5, 000 each for accidental medical reimbursement and accidental burial assistance; and P50, 000 each for accidental death, disablement, dismemberment and unprovoked murder and assault.

Members of the Red Cross need to renew their membership every year to be classified as active members.

Based on the data of Red Cross here, there were 2,183 members last year. Of the total members, 1,392 chose classic, 564 premium bronze, 127 premium silver, 39 premium gold, 21 premium platinum, 36 senior and 4 senior plus.

As of this month, the Red Cross national office released a total amount of P30, 196 as reimbursements to 15 Red Cross members due to illness and one due to accident.

There are still 14 members who submitted their application for reimbursements which are on process.

Tactay said the PRC here is expected to recruit 4,420 members this year to raise the amount of P329,740 goal set by Red Cross national office for this chapter. -- Juliet B. Saley