NEWS BRIEFS

Mine site offered as Baguio waste area

ITOGON, Benguet -- The Baguio City government is considering the offer of Benguet Corp. for use of its abandoned Antamok open pit mines in Barangay Suyoc here as site for the city’s Integrated Solid Waste Management System (ISWMS).

Baguio Mayor Maurico Domogan said he signed memorandum of agreement with the firm to start negotiations.

The MOA will be deliberated by the BC board and will be returned along with the proposed terms of reference to the city for approval and confirmation by the city council.

The mayor said he is preparing to meet with BC representatives anytime soon to discuss initial details of the deal.

The area was first offered to the city government as possible location for the city’s engineered sanitary landfill in 2008 but was withdrawn in view of the prospects of reopening the mining operations and the objection of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the area being part the Upper Agno River basin watershed.

BC head Philip Romualdez then offered the area at no cost for a period of 30 years or more.

Whether the same terms apply would depend on the decision of the BenguetCorp board. -- Aileen P. Refuerzo

June 15 is Pinatubo holiday in Pampanga

ANGELES CITY– President Aquino has issued Proclamation 1259 declaring June 15 a special non-working holiday in Pampanga in commemoration of the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. signed the proclamation on behalf of the President on May 4.

“To render appropriate tribute to those who perished as well as to those who survived and helped in the relocation, rehabilitation and recovery of Pinatubo-affected families, the province of Pampanga will hold commemorative programs,” the proclamation stated.

“It is but fitting and proper that the people of Pampanga…be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies,” it added.

The eruption of Mt. Pinatubo on June 15, 1991 caused massive destruction not only in Pampanga but also in Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija. – Ding Cervantes

The bell is made from alloy of gold, silver and copper. --  Erwin G. Beleo

Strict anti-smoking rules pushed in Baguio

 BAGUIO CITY -- The city’s anti-smoking task force is pushing passage of an ordinance that will impose stricter anti-smoking rules and regulations applicable to prevent exposure of youth to smoking.

 Dr. Donnabel Tubera, medical officer IV of the city health services office, said smokers in the city still remain to be higher than the prevailing national average which warrants the passage of the appropriate ordinance that will impose applicable anti-smoking rules and regulations that will be in consonance with the National Tobacco Control Law.

She said the national average is 27.3 percent while the smokers in the city is around 28.7 percent which indicates the need for the local government and the people of the city to get their acts together in intensifying the implementation of existing antismoking rules and regulations to curb the continuous increase in the number of smokers in the city.

Tubera said a stick of cigarette contains over 7,000 chemicals with over 400 chemicals as carcinogenic and that cigarette smoking exposes the body to the conduct of 36 X-ray sessions.-- Dexter A. See

  

233 hectares Kalinga NGP areas razed by grass fires 

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- At least 233 hectares of reforestation sites under the National Greening Program (NGP) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the province were burned  in wild grassfires this summer.                                                                                                            

Based on report of Severino Dalutag, Tabuk City Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer, the sites were in towns of Rizal, Tinglayan and Tabuk City.
The CENRO said estimated cost of damage on the project reached P2, 677,780.

Cases of wild grass fires are common problem during summer here because of drying grasses due to the long dry spell.

After the assessment of damage, Dalutag said they had prepared a restoration plan for affected sites of the project.

The plan requires partner people’s organizations to rehabilitate such areas while DENR will provide assistance in terms of providing tree seedlings and re-planting. 

Under the NGP, reforestation projects are awarded to partner POs through work contract where planting, maintenance and protection of the project are part of the duties of partner POs, Dalutag said.

The CENRO urged community folks to participate in the protection of government reforestation projects revealing the cause of wild grass fires usually originate from indiscriminate acts. -- Larry T. Lopez    
 

DOST packaging labeling, calibrating assistance open

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Dept. of Science and Technology regional and provincial offices are open for package and labeling assistance proposals to include seminars and trainings.

This was known during recent DOST technology caravan in this capital town.

 Contact persons assigned in DOST provincial offices in La Trinidad, Benguet; Luna, Apayao; Tabuk, Kalinga; Bangued, Abra; Lamut, Ifugao; and Bontoc, Mt. Province are available to help entrepreneurs with product packaging and labeling.

 Regional coordinator for small enterprise technology upgrading program (SETUP) Dr. Pita Picpican said packaging enhances consumer appreciation and marketability with functional and suitable materials, informs consumers of product nutritive content and value, increase shelf life, identify and protect the product. She said these are in compliance to regulation.  

Interested MSME entrepreneurs may submit proposal to the provincial or the regional office. The form may be downloaded at www.car.dost.gov.ph. A product sample and high quality photograph may also be submitted, as a DOST in-house designer could help prepare the package label.

 An initial supply of labels can be provided if applicable.

 DOST also offers product development, establishment, sustenance, market niches, improvement and assistance, for food processing; furnitures; gifts, decors and handicrafts; agricultural/marine/aquaculture/forestry/livestock; metals; communication technology; health and wellness products and services and other regional priorities; and the Regional Standards and Testing Laboratory with functions for nutrition facts/label and shelf life analysis/testing.

Meanwhile, calibrating services for mass, weights and balances may be availed of at DOST-CAR metrology laboratory here at km.6. -- Julie G. Fianza 

BFAR sets up surveillance center at tip of Batanes

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte — Government officials have embarked on a six-day mission to the country’s northernmost territory to initiate the installation of a new monitoring facility in Amianan Island (Y’ami) of Itbayat, Batanes.

Lawyer Asis Perez, the executive director of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), led other officials in the mission on board the government’s multi-mission vessel, M/V DA-BFAR (DYCA), starting from Sta. Ana, Cagayan, last week.

In a simple rite, Perez and Mayor Reuel C. Ibañez of Itbayat town led the groundbreaking of a new Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) station that will serve as a marker as well as BFAR’s watch center in the area.

“We are intensifying government’s capacity to monitor fishing activities by putting up government structures in the island,” Perez said last Saturday.

Afterward, BFAR personnel unloaded from DYCA to Amianan almost 400 bags of cement and other materials for the construction of the MCS Station with a traditional architecture of Ivatan houses.

Aside from the station, two units of fiberglass rain collection facilities were also transported to the island to serve as new station’s temporary source of freshwater.

Perez, who is also the undersecretary for fisheries of the Department of Agriculture, said that the idea in putting up the MCS in the area is to guard immediate archipelagic waters 24/7.

“The composite teams of BFAR’s fishery regulatory officers will be alternately assigned to the station to help deter illicit fishing activities in the country’s territory,” he said.

Perez said the mission coincides with the observance of the Farmers and Fisherfolk Month in May, when the role of the country’s fisherfolk in nation building is being highlighted. -- Freddie G. Lazaro

English teacher wins regional Korean speech contest  

BAGUIO CITY – A Filipina English teacher in a Korean school  emerged winner in recent semi-final Korean speech contest held at Café Will.

Rachel Doculan of Dae Sung Academy of Baguio won first prize, followed by  Michael Dumar Bulong (2nd)   and Sharmaine Valez (3rd), both of Baguio Christian Mission International College.

The winners received cash award of P10, 000, P5, 000 and   P3,000 respectively.

Doculan was set to compete in grand finals at Ateneo de Manila University.

Grand prize winner will receive a roundtrip ticket to Korea and Php30,000 cash courtesy of the Korean Tourism Organization.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority announced list of winners for the Daisy Jamorabon of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Fifteen contestants submitted applications to the United Korean Community Association in North Luzon, organizing committee of the semi-final contest in the city.  

Aside from Doculan, Bulong and Valdez, the other semi finalists were Jelyn Mercado of Dream English Academy in La Trinidad, Benguet; Lord Dheio G. Mangaoang of Urdaneta, Pangasinan; and Elijah Ehhim Natividad of Tesla Philippines, Baguio.

A project of the Korean Cultural Center, TESDA and Ateneo de Manila, the contest aims to promote the Korean language to more Filipinos. It  is also intended to encourage the learners of Korean language to enhance their skills in speaking the language, Jamorabon said. -- Maria Aprila Cruz

NLEX to add booths at toll plaza

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Eight booths will be added at the toll plaza of the North Luzon Expressway in Bocaue, Bulacan, the Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC) said Tuesday.

MNTC president Rodrigo Franco said the project, which includes the widening of roads near the toll plaza, would cost P206 million. 

 

The additional booths are expected to address the long lines at the toll plaza during weekends and holidays. – Ding Cervantes

1 M seedlings to be planted in Pangasinan

DAGUPAN CITY – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources will plant one million seedlings in Pangasinan to replace trees destroyed in grass and forest fires due to El Niño.

Celso Salazar, community environment and natural resources officer in Dagupan City, said the seedlings would be planted in 1,184 hectares of forestlands in the towns of Labrador, Aguilar, Mangatarem and Bugallon.

Among those to be planted are fruit-bearing and forest trees such as mango, narra, mahogany, molave, bakawan and acacia.

Salazar called on the public to join tree-planting activities to be held from June to August.

He also urged the public to report illegal cutting of trees, irresponsible garbage disposal and kaingin farming to help protect the environment. – Eva Visperas     

Baguio Bishop urges public to support elected leaders

BAGUIO CITY -- Bishop Carlito J. Cenzon of the  Baguio Diocese urged  the people to support  winners in the recent elections.

“This is the beauty of democracy. We had a fair, honest, orderly, peaceful election and we should acknowledge the winners and they deserve our support. The people have spoken. It is time to move on,” he said.

‘I call on everyone to assist and give a hand to our elected leaders as we also be vigilant and watchful on their action,’ he said.

In Baguio City, elected congressman was businessman Mark Go, re-electionist mayor-lawyer Maurico G. Domogan  retained his post for the third and last term while incumbent vice-mayor Edison Bilog  elected for the same post.

Councilor-elects are Leandro Yangot, Edgar Avila, Roberto Ortega, Joel Alangsab, Faustino Olowan, Elmer Datuin, MylenYaranon, Elaine Sembrano, Peter Fianza, Leah Farinas, Art Alad-iw and Benny Bomogao. -- Joseph Zambrano

DA distributes water pumps in Kalinga

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The Department of Agriculture is  distributing 100 water pumps sets to farmers in the province under its El Nino Mitigation Program.

Joe Casibang from the Office of Provincial Agriculturist reported  that many rice farmers here need water pumps to augment irrigation supply because of receding water from the Upper Chico River Irrigation System (UCRIS) due to the long dry spell.

According to Casibang, the water pumps are not equipped with pump machines, which are supposed to be provided by recipient-farmers as counterpart.

The assistance was initially intended  for farmers who were affected by the temporary crippling of the UCRIS that prevented them from having an entire cropping last year. However, delivery of the pump sets was timed with the release of water for irrigation, Casibang explained. This prompted OPAG to instead distribute the water pumps now under to help combat El Nino.

The rehabilitation project on the UCRIS had caused irrigation water cut-off causing farmers to miss a cropping season.

The equipment aid is given to farmer-organizations based on the assessment report of OPAG on the effects of El Nino to the rice industry in the province. -- Larry T. Lopez

 PNP ladies’ outreach activity serves 606 Ifugaos

HINGYON, Ifugao -- More than 600 persons were served in a medical, surgical and dental mission by   spouses of Philippine National Police officials.

The one-day activity was headed by the PNP Officers’ Ladies Club  officers in coordination with the PNP Ifugao and the local government unit of Hingyon.

Services provided to 606 residents of the 12 barangays of Hingyon  included circumcision, tooth extraction and medical consultation. Doctors, dentists and nurses from the PNPOLC and other police units and organizations attended to the patients.

Aside from free services, medicines and reading glasses were also given to beneficiaries.

PNPOLC officers disclosed that the activity was the second medical and dental mission conducted by the group.

Mayor Geraldo Luglug thanked the group for the social activity. -- Marcelo B. Lihgawon

Organic practitioner highlights benefits of organic farming

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet --- Farmer Jeff Laruan urged fellow cultivators to go for organic farming for a healthier vegetable produce for safer environment.

Laruan, owner of the of Lily of the Valley Organic Farm  at  Sitio Ampasit, Wangal-Motorpool Road in this capital town,  urged farmers to  convert  from  conventional farming  to organic farming, which he said is a better option.

He said they grow organic vegetables in Lily of the Valley and  get more than what they used to  in terms of a per piece value since  organic vegetables cost at least three times more than chemically-grown crops.

Organic produce are not dangerous and are more helpful in improving health because only natural inputs, and  organic produce have more nutritional content and are safer for consumers, he  added.

Laruan was into the widely-used chemical fertilizers before he bravely switched to organic farming some years ago when organic agriculture was just beginning to take its momentum in the country.

Lily of the Valley uses grass as their base compost for their fertilizer called “mucosako”, a natural protein to induce decomposition. Mucosako is also good for flowering plants to promote better flowers.
 The Lily of the Valley Organic Farm also serves as a training facility and demo farm for local and foreign delegates wanting to learn more about organic farming. It is also open for  farm tours, lectures, camping, picnics, and organic produce picking. – Joseph Zambrano

BFP-Cordillera opens application for firemen

BAGUIO CITY -- The Bureau of Fire Protection - Cordillera announced  application for FO1 (Fire Officer 1) for BFP offices/fire stations in municipalities and cities in the Cordillera is now open.

The position is open to any Filipino citizen of good moral character, and has no previous employment case nor must not been convicted by final judgment of an offense or crime involving moral turpitude.

Applicant must be a baccalaureate course graduate with Civil Service eligibility and must not be less than 21 years old or more than 30 years on the date of actual appointment.

Height requirement is 1.62 meters for male and 1.57 meters for female. A waiver for height and age requirements shall be automatically granted to applicants belonging to cultural communities.

The applicants’ weight must not be more or less than 5kgs from the standard weight corresponding to his/her height, age and sex.

Applicants will also undergo psychiatric/psychological, drug and physical test for the purpose of determining his/her physical and mental health.

For documentary requirements, applicants should bring endorsement letter from the Office of the Provincial Fire Marshall and application letter addressed to BFP CAR Regional Director SSupt. Maria Sofia B. Mendoza, and a handwritten personal data sheet (PDS-CSC Form 212) with recent passport size ID photo (wearing white T-shirt, round neck)

Applicants should  also have Report of Rating/board rating duly Authenticated by PRC or Certificate of Eligibility authenticated by CSC, transcript of records duly authenticated by School Registrar, Original NSO copy of Birth Certificate (for married applicant only).

Also required are clearances from barangay, mayor’s office, Municipal Trial Court, Regional Trial Court, Police and NBI.

For inquiries, interested applicants may contact BFP – CAR COMMEL at 0927-211-0777 (Globe) or 0998-858-9041 (Smart) or at telephone number (074) 304 – 3122. -- D. Moreno

Mt. Province SP inks resolution on child care   

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- The Sangguniang Panlalawigan here made a resolution supporting implementation of    Republic Act No. 10410 or the Early Years Act.

RA10410 is an “Act recognizing the age from zero to eight yeears as the first crucial stage of educational development and strengthening the early childhood care and development system.”

It was enacted to institutionalize a national system for ECCD that is comprehensive that involves multi-sectoral and inter-agency collaboration at  national and local levels among stakeholders and sectors.

The national ECCD system aims to achieve improved infant and child survival rates by ensuring that adequate health and nutrition programs are accessible to young children and their parents from pre-natal period throughout the early childhood years; enhance the physical-motor, socio-emotional, cognitive, language, psychological and spiritual development of young children.

It also aims to facilitate a smooth transition from care and education provided at home to community or school-based setting and to kindergarten; ensure that young children are adequately prepared for the formal learning system that begins at kindergarten. – Juliet B. Saley

7 hired in Tabuk City job fair

TABUK CTY, Kalinga -- Seven persons were hired on the spot during a recent jobs fair sponsored by this city’s local government unit through its Public Employment Service Office and in cooperation with the Department of Labor and Employment.

A total of 2,320 jobs were offered during the one-day jobs fair where 197 applicants were interviewed. However, only 162 were qualified with 7 (5 female and 2 male) were hired on the spot for overseas employment.

Said jobs fair conducted at the Tabuk City people’s gymnasium was the third recruitment activity held in the province this year. 

The city LGU is again planning another jobs fair in June as part of its Matagoan Festival. The jobs fair is one of the most awaited activities and highly attended by applicants contributing to the solution of countryside unemployment. -- Peter A. Balocnit

4 Ifugao establishments receive 2015 Bagwis award

LAMUT, Ifugao --Four establishments  in the province  received awards from the Department of Trade and Industry for promoting welfare of the buying public.

The EcoMart General Merchandise and the Romil Auto Care Center,  both in  Lamut  municipality  and ABS Enterprise and JMS General Merchandise  in this capital town  received bronze Bagwis seal of excellence for the period 2015.

DTI Ifugao Director ValentinBaguidudol handed  the award to the four business establishments  during the awarding ceremony at the Gazebo, Lagawe attended by some business entrepreneurs and the public.

The  Bagwis award  aims to give recognition to establishments that uphold the rights of consumers and practice responsible business where consumers indeed get value for their  money.

The Bagwis (local term for feather or wing) Seal of Excellence is recognized by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Asean Committee on Consumer Protection as one of the best practices of the country in consumer protection.

Formerly known as the DTI-certified establishment, the Bagwis seal is classified into gold, silver, and bronze. -- Marcelo B. Lihgawon