NEWS BRIEFS

Lagan is ‘best performing barangay’ in Sabangan

SABANGAN, Mountain Province -- Barangay Lagan headed by Punong Barangay Jonie Frenzel Omero was adjudged “best performing barangay” in the town.  Mayor Donato Danglose awarded barangbay officials during the recent Gagayam Festival at Saint Joseph Parish Plaza.

Barangay Lagan was also champion in street dancing, cultural presentation and battle of the gongs in elementary level during the festival. Lagan is one of the oldest barangays of this town. It is located across the Chico River facing barangays Tambingan and Poblacion.  Its people are known to be fierce but very accommodating.

El Niño phenomenon to stay until July: Pagasa

BAGUIO CITY -- El Niño will stay until June or July this year according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

El Niño started November last year, and one of the most affected areas is the Cordillera Administrative Region was Baguio City, according to Danny Galate, meteorologist of PAGASA, urging residents to prepare  severe rise in temperature.

Baguio City still experiences raining with the “cold front” causing it,  Galate said, adding no typhoon would hit the city in May.

El Niño is one of the most common problems of farmers in the Cordillera with farmers complaining about lack of water supply for their crops . PAGASA however said water supply in the Cordillera would be  sufficient until El Niño ends.

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

Ifugao studes learn business skills from Negosyo Center

NAYON, Ifugao -- Graduating students of the Ifugao State University (IFSU) here taking up Business Administration and Hotel and Restaurant Management attended a training conducted by the Negosyo Center of the Department of Trade and Industry-Ifugao Provincial Office.

Known as Business Expenses Savings Training (BEST) Game, the  training recently held at the IFSU Gym in Lagawe, Ifugao enabled graduating students to plan and operate a business.

The BEST Game as explained by DTI-Ifugao provincial director Valentin Baguidulol aims to teach business skills to the participants through the playing of a reality-based game which has three modules.

The mechanics of the game according to Baguidudol divides the participants into competing teams that simulates a business environment with each group trying to make the most profit at the end of the certain reckoning period.

The Best game exercise was facilitated by DTI-Ifugao’s SME Development Division (SDD) and Consumer Protection Division (CPD) personnel who introduced the learning modules to the students.  -- Art Tibaldo

Baguio pet owners against restriction of pets

BAGUIO CITY – A signature campaign of Baguio pet owners was launched here last week against restriction of pets in parks of this summer resort. Administrative Order 21 of 2015 of the city government stipulates “no raising, pasturing, herding, breeding, tying out or turning loose of pets and other domesticated animals,” in city parks.

According to the City Environment and Parks Management Office, that doesn’t mean that pets are not allowed to enter the city parks.

She said it only means that pet owners should be responsible for their pets and make sure that the park is always clean for human activities. – Krisha Daniwes

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

UN urges Baguio gov’t: post Earth Day photos

BAGUIO CITY – The city joined World Earth Day celebration Friday, with pre and post-activities focused on mitigating climate change and global warming.

Activities included free smoke-emission testing conducted by the City Environment and Parks Management Office.   Other activities are slated with the celebration of World Earth day.    

A letter from Michael Bloomberg, United Nation Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change, requested Mayor Mauricio Domogan to join the celebration by “posting a photo of participation in Earth-friendly programs and initiatives to highlight the leadership, commitment and progress cities are making on climate mitigation and resilience.”

A “toolkit” from the Compact of Mayors Earth Day to help “promote and amplify climate initiatives across all social media channels,” was enclosed.

The expected signing of the Paris Agreement by world leaders Friday signaled start of bigger and more comprehensive actions from the grassroots to national groups. Aside from planting trees, targeted to be 7.8B by year 2020 on world earth day’s 50th anniversary, other commitments include riding the bike, installation of LED lights, switching to electric buses, recycling and reduction of garbage, use of recyclable energy and the like.   

Bloomberg encouraged action for the reduction of “local greenhouse gas emissions, enhance resilience to climate change, and track progress publicly.” We can build from the agreement in Paris to “a permanent place for cities as critical partners in the global climate solution,” he said. – Julie G. Fianza

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 ‘kilatis kutis’ 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 accident 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