NEWS BRIEFS

US embassy, CJ Moran give Bauko women  P.5 M for projects

BAUKO, Mountain Province – Some 40 community women here recently attended seminar on “business start-up and maintenance workshop with gender and development training” at Garden Breeze Hotel, Bangao, Buguias, Benguet sponsored by Chief Justice Manuel V. Moran Community Legal assistance Office (CJ Moran CLAO) and US embassy.

The women were taught on socio-business enterprise to alleviate poverty.

 Five women organizations: Mount Data Kataguan Women’s Organization, Saint Bede Mushroom and Vegetable Growers, Aweng di Ampasit Women Organization, Ampasit Women Organization and the Sadsadan Advocate for Social Development were granted P 80, 000 each as capital for a total of P480,000 for  entrepreneurial projects.

The grant was from the US embassy facilitated by the CJ Moran CLAO.

The  CJ Moran CLAO is a legal aid clinic established under Saint Louis University with address at G/F Student Center, Saint Louis University in Baguio City.

CJ Moran CLAO is under  SLU-School of Law practicum members with lawyer Jose Adrian Bonifacio as director. Founded on April 18, 2015, CJ Moran CLAO is envisioned as  center of active involvement in social transformation in the Cordillera.

Bauko Mayor Abraham B. Akilit thanked the US Embassy through lawyers Neil Y. Pacamalan and Jose Adrian Bonifacio for grant and activity, saying he hoped for further partnership with the groups to forward women’s rights.

Akilit’s banner program includes entrepreneurial development as livelihood support to improve the lives of Bauko women. ArseniaAddon

Book a Grab, get free coffee

Passengers of app-based transportation service Grab don’t need to look far to get a cup of joe or a fancy frappuccino.

Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading ride-hailing platform, announced from June 6 to 10, it will be giving some of its GrabTaxi passengers free GrabCoffee.,” said Grab Philippines country marketing head, Khriz Lim.

 By using the promo code GRABCOFFEE, passengers will be given a chance to win free gift certificates from their local coffee shops. To avail the promo, passengers should book a GrabTaxi and follow four easy steps: open the Grab app., tap on the GrabTaxi icon in the Grab app to book, input pick-up & drop-off points and input promo code GRABCOFFEE and get a chance to ride a GrabTaxi giving out free coffee vouchers.

 According to Lim, Grab has tapped some of the favorite local coffee shops in key Grab cities to offer passengers coffee vouchers when they ride with GrabTaxi. GrabCoffee will be available in key areas in the country, including, Manila, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro and Baguio. For more details and updates on Grab Philippines, visit their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/GrabPH. To book a GrabTaxi, download the Grab app, available in the Apple AppStore and Google PlayStore.

Museum commemorates Pinatubo eruption

ANGELES CITY – The Pinatubo Museum was opened in this city in commemoration of the eruption of the volcano.

Robbie Tantingco, Holy Angel University vice president for external affairs, said the museum, features a mural timeline on the history of Mt. Pinatubo, a mural sculpture by artist Arnel Garcia as well as various exhibits by researcher-artist Joel Mallari, would be inaugurated on Tuesday.

“It is open to the public. It is our memorial to the 1991 event that profoundly altered the personal and collective destiny of Kapampangans,” Tantingco said. 




Tantingco said the opening of the museum coincided with the launching of the book “Our Common Fault: Stories of Loss and Survival in the July 16, 1990 Earthquake,” authored by Lia Pangilinan and published by the Center for Kapampangan Studies.  



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

OCD-Cordillera launches  disaster training for kids 

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- More than 300 Baguio and Benguet students, teachers and parents were taught basic tips about disaster preparedness during launching of “disaster risk reduction and management” for kids, coinciding with Brigada Eskwela  here last week at Buyagan Elementary School and Lucban Elementary School in nearby Baguio City.

OCD’s Kapitan Alerto preparedness program was also launched which included tips on preparing a Go Bag or emergency supply kit containing water, food, medicine, clothes and batteries; staying tuned with weather updates; and evacuating if threats like landslide and flooding are seen.

Both schools were given disaster risk reduction posters, manuals and CDs.  OCD-CAR staff also donated painting materials and helped in beautifying school facilities. --  EmilVen Laudencio and Christianne Natividad

NLEX to start flood control project

 The Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC) is spending P122.75 million to mitigate flooding along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX).

In a statement issued Monday, the MNTC said the improvement of the drainage system on the southbound portion would start this month.

 “The welfare of motorists is of paramount importance that is why we want to ensure them safe passage during rainy season,” said MNTC president and chief executive officer Rodrigo Franco.

Franco said a traffic management plan would be put in place around the work area as the project would cover four lanes in the Balintawak area.

He said at least one lane will be closed for 12 consecutive days starting from the leftmost lane until drainage enhancement work in the four lanes is completed.

Ilocos Norte raises abe lIloko flag in Independence Day rites

LAOAG CITU-- Local government and private officials, national police personnel, leaders from state academe, and employees of the provincial government celebrated June 12, to commemorate the country's 118th Independence Day with a unique twist.

World War II veteran and District Commander of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines−Ilocos Norte Chapter, Alfredo Domingo, was present.

            Symbolic of Ilocano resilience, a Philippine flag made of the durable handwoven fabric "abelIloko" was the main highlight of the ceremony, along with a wreath-laying ceremony at the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal in front of the Capitol grounds and a 21-gun salute. These have become traditional of the PGIN Independence Day commemorations.

The said flag was made by the PaoayLoomweavers Association. The fabric is a cultural heritage of the province and has been used through the years to create a variety of pieces, from curtains and tablecloths to pageant gowns.

Vice Gov. Angelo M. Barba echoed Gov. Imee R. Marcos' call for unity in his message, reminding the people, "Freedom in Ilocos Norte is working together. Freedom in Ilocos Norte is timpuyog, or unity. One hundred and eighteen years have passed since our country's declaration of independence, but this still rings true… 'Timpuyog ti BarongaIlocos Norte!'" — Mizpah Grace G. Castro

Ilocos Norte warned, told  to prepare for La Nina

LAOAG CITY – Ilocos Norte residents were urged to prepare for calamities with start of rainy season   even as the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management and Resiliency Council (PDRRMRC) began preparing for the possible effects of La Niña.

Gov. Imee Marcos said disaster preparedness will ensure zero casualties and less property damage especially in the vulnerable areas in the province.

Representatives of the PDRRMRC and Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Police Office (INPPO) have begun conducting consultations in the barangay level to identify their main concerns and come up with strategic plans before, during and after disasters.

Police Chief Insp. Dexter Corpuz, head of INPPO Police Community Relations Office, said the team has already started convening officials from highly vulnerable towns in the province such as Solsona, Dingras and Paoay.

Main concerns, according to PCI Corpuz, include improving rescue and evacuation for residents and animals in order to minimize loss and damages.

They are also planning to organize risk reduction councils in the barangay level to ensure better and faster response and coordination during emergencies.

He advised residents, especially of the prone to flood and landslide areas, to take note of early warnings and seek immediate assistance from the authorities any time.

While hoping for the safety of Ilocanos, Marcos urged the public continued cooperation saying the provincial government is prepared for relief and medical services in case of calamities.

Last month, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration raised La Niña alert in the country and urged local government units to brace for the impact of intense rainfall.—Jennifer T. Pambid

Mt. Province SP inks resolution on child care   

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- The SangguniangPanlalawigan 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 Valentin Baguidudol 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

DOST promotes services  of regional metrology lab

LAMUT, Ifugao -- Any operation which requires the use of a measuring instrument, be it scientific, industrial or commercial applications, becomes meaningful since the instruments will indicate precise measurements if calibrated.

Engineer Angel Maguen of the Department of Science and Technology  said this as he shared information about the newly established Regional Metrology Laboratory at the Benguet State University Compound in La Trinidad, Benguet, during a forum held at the Ifugao State University here.

He said that performing calibration works at the RML will also establish a traceability of the calibration of any equipment to that of an internationally accepted standard.

The RML caters to mass and volume calibration services in the Cordillera Administrative Region. It offers mass calibration on test weights, balances and scales,   and volume calibration.

 The mass calibration test is for determining the accuracy of test weights and various types of weighing instruments such as those used in selling rice, meat, vegetables and others.

Volume calibration, is performed on calibrating buckets to measure its accuracy such as right volume of the fuel being dispensed and sold to consumers which can be verified using this equipment. -- Daniel B. Codamon

DOH turns-over TSeKap equipment to Kalinga

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The Department of Health turned over medical equipment under its TamangSerbisyosaKalusuganparasaPamilya (TSeKap) program  to 11 rural health units and 118 barangay health stations in the province.

Dr. Lakshmi Legaspi, DOH Cordillera Administrative Region director, gave equipment packages to recipient municipalities and barangays during recent ceremonial turn-over at the Capitol here.

Dr. Bernadette Andaya, DOH provincial office head here, said the package worth P35, 000 each contains two Nebulizers, one stethoscope, one dressing set for wounds, one digital blood pressure apparatus, one glucometer and two non-contact thermometers.

 On the request of other barangays for the same health kits, Legaspi said she would bring the matter to the attention of DOH Secretary Janette Garin. 

In another development, Andaya said they will conduct mass deworming on school children and the community this July. -- Peter A. Balocnit

DOLE to SPES recipients: Submit  requirements

BANGUED, Abra -- As the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) ends this week in various local government units and commercial establishments here,  SPES recipients  are reminded to submit early necessary requirements for their pay.

George G. LubinJr,  Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Abra Field Office head, said all 1,029 students under SPES program should now submit to DOLE their enrolment form or statement of account and certification in case of out-of-school youth.

“DOLE shares 40% which is directly paid to their school for their tuition while their employer’s share which is 60% is paid directly to the students.” said Lubin.

Lubin added they have monitored their partners under SPES and saw no problem.

Lubin reported there was no complaint so far coming from employers or the recipients. We made sure that these students underwent required orientation prior to employment, he said.”

To both parents and students, this program is helpful to cover bills of another school semester, added Lubin. -- Ginalyn B. Brioso

Kiangan children, youth

attend life skills session

KIANGAN, Ifugao -- Eighteen children and youth of this town underwent a one-day “Life skills session on character building and responsible behavior” at Kiangan Youth Hostel here.

 Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office head Mario Indopia said the activity was aimed to gather children and youth so they can share and express their ideas, talents and skills and develop their character.

Activities included lectures by the MSWDO personnel on character building and responsible behavior, identification of positive and negative behaviors which the children and youth possess, identification of action points for behavior change and the demonstration of learnings on positive behavior.   

The MSWDO has started this life skills session especially for identified children in conflict with the law and those who are at risk as part of continuing work with the children and youth through the coordination with different organizations and offices in the government and the community. -- Daniel B. Codamon

Kalinga TESDA maintains regular scholarship programs

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority announced its  two  regular scholarship programs will continue even  as   local  scholarship sponsorship ends this June.

Artemio Jose, administrator of the TESDA Training Center here, said the sponsored scholarship program of the provincial and Tabuk City local government units and the Office of the District Representative will stop this month.

 However, he said trainees will not worry since TESDA has still the regular Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) and Special Training for Employment Program or STEP.

Jose  is optimistic that   since incumbent Gov. JocelBaac and City Mayor Ferdinand Tubban were re-elected,  they will continue this program as it really helps a lot of beneficiaries.

In a related development, the TESDA training center regularly conducts skills assessment to graduates including those in technical-vocational schools. Graduates need only to register at TESDA training center and get a schedule for the purpose. -- Peter A. Balocnit

Abrenians urged to  engage in fish industry

LAGANGILANG, Abra -- Abrenians were urged to engage in the fish industry as it is a good source of income.

National Fisherfolk Director Teddy Matulac, in his recent visit to the province, said next to agriculture, fishery is the second largest livelihood of Abrenios because of Abra River and other water bodies.

The fish industry offers good source of income thus Abrenians should engage in fish industry and learn modern, relevant but ecologically conscious methods in fishing like constructing fish ponds to establish constant fish production, he said.

Matulac said the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources is now  going around places to look into the concerns of fisherfolks and  assess which need more projects.

He particularly visited DJ Farm in Lagangilang town owned by Danny Trongco, National Anti-Poverty Commission Director, to see how the fish industry among locals has been faring. 

He commended the DJ Farm for contributing to employment of said community, and for helping empower local fisherfolk.

Trongco’s framework he said  should be put up as national mechanism and model to other fisherfolks  as it is not only a means to progress and promote  the fish industry  but most importantly, a way to help his neighbors and people from the area.

 It is offers free seminar and training to all interested fisherfolks in the province. They will learn how to make their own fish pond, increase their production and learn new methods especially in feeding and eventually turn from simple fisherfolks to fish farm owners.

They could lead a better life by believing that there is indeed success in this endeavor which to a few is lowly and out of class, said Trongco. -- Ginalyn B. Brioso

DILG turns over  BUB project in Kalinga

TABUK CTY, Kalinga--  The Department of Interior and Local Government Cordillera Administrative Region turned over a completed river flood control project located here at barangay Calanan funded from its Bottom Up Budgeting (BUB)  with fund equity from the local government unit.

The project is part of the Chico River Master Plan, a long term plan to establish a unified route and shorten channel of the river to stop it from destroying ricefields and settlements. 

The flood control plugs one of existing river channels on the Calanan side.

DILG-CAR regional director MarloIringan turned over the project to City Mayor Ferdinand Tubban then to the host barangay.

DILG-CAR provided P10 million while the city LGU provided P4.8 million counterpart for the project.

Meanwhile, three concrete access roads were also inaugurated in barangays Agbannawag, Gobgob and Appas with combined BUB fund of P2.5 million.

The BUB is a scheme whereby the needs and wishes of the grassroots are considered in the preparation of agency budgets. -- Peter A. Balocnit

Tesda provides wellness services to MP mothers

BONTOC, Mountain Province --   In celebration of  Mothers’ Day, the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority conducted  Gender Social Enhancement  in this municipality  last May 26.

As Mothers’ Day is a day to thank mothers, and a time to reflect on their importance in our lives, mother–participants were treated to wellness activities and film showing, said Christine Oliquiano of the TESDA.

Part of the  morning activities was  a short film showing on gender and family Issues conducted by MellicynthYodong,  Gender and Development (GAD) Focal of TESDA-Mt. Province Provincial Office. The participants actively critiqued the stories they watched.

TESDA in partnership with 12 industry workers also provided wellness activities to some 45 mother-participants in the afternoon to heal the body, calm the mind, rejuvenate the spirit. These wellness activities include blood pressure taking, massage, haircut, foot spa, manicure and pedicure. -- Juliet B. Saley

Lubuagan POs gets P.5M DOST assistance

By Peter A. Balocnit

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The Department of Science and Technology provincial office here approved two community-based projects providing financial assistance to upgrade machines for mass production.

Dexy Catacutan of DOST said the ChangoyBeaders Association in Lubuagan which is manufacturing beads from plastics will receive P300, 000.00 to purchase a machine capable of upgrading product quality into stainless beads.

On the other hand, the Ag-agama Irrigators Association, also in Lubuagan, which is engaged in producing soft brooms from tiger grass will receive P221, 650.00 to purchase additional capital machines to make production of their product easier and speedier.

The assistance in the form of check will be released to recipient organizations upon signing of the memorandum of agreement involving the barangay LGU as conduit of the funds, the association and DOST.

She said they are targeting to assist 11 associations in 2016.

Catacutan informed that associations that made 85% repayment of their loans can apply for further assistance to sustain their business.

DTI-Abra sets June 13 ‘Diskwento Caravan’

BANGUED, Abra– The Department of Trade and Industry here   will conduct “Diskwento Caravan” in partnership with the Department of Education in time for school opening tomorrow (June 13.)

DTI public information officer Mark Rex Hall confirmed schedule of Diskwento Caravan on May 30-31 and June 6-7   at the Pilar Rural High School.

Hall said consumers will get five up to ten percent discount in all school supplies they will buy like notebooks, bags and pad papers and other school materials.

As part of the BrigadaEskwela program, they will be monitoring prices of all school supplies in all shopping stores, said Hall.

In the past years, there were several stores reported that did not comply with the suggested retail price (SRP) of school supplies.

The agency will be making sure this time that all stores observe the regulation implemented by DTI, he said. -- Ginalyn B. Brioso