NEWS BRIEFS

Bauko ecological solid waste board reconstituted

 BAUKO, Mountain Province -- Mayor Abraham B. Akilit   recently reconstituted the Municipal Ecological Solid Waste Management Board (MESWMB) to enhance its programs.

The MESWMB is composed of the mayor as chairman. Members include engineer Domingo E. Pilpilen, Sanitary officer of the Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital; Councilor Susan B. Awisan, SB chair on environmental sanitation; ABC president Faustino Sili; municipal health officer, Dr. Samuel Masidong; agriculturist Carolyn Wandalen; planning and development coordinator Walter Dalang; engineer Alfredo Diano of  Municipal Engineer’s Office; Christopher Bosaing of provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office and Archie Pakipac of the Municipal Sanitary Office.

Secretariat of the Board includes Irene Pangpangdeo of the Office of the Municipal Planning and Development Corrdinator and Archie Pakipac of the Rural Health Unit. -- Juliet B. Saley

Collect real property taxes, Pampanga LGUs told

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Gov. Lilia Pineda has urged municipal and city treasurers in Pampanga to collect some P300 million in real estate taxes unpaid in the past five years.

Records from the provincial treasurer’s office showed that only P151,394,640 had been collected.

“Talk personally to landowners to inform them about their obligation and the penalties for non-payment of real property taxes,” Pineda said.  – Ding Cervantes 

   

Solo parents briefed on privileges, benefits

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – At least 1,500 solo parents from 19 municipalities and a city in this province have been briefed about their benefits and privileges provided under Republic Act 8972 or the Solo Parents Welfare Act.

Jill Quimosing of the provincial social welfare and development office, said the briefing was aimed to inform solo parents on how they could avail themselves of the benefits.

To become a beneficiary, a single parent should first secure an identification card from the city or municipal social welfare and development office.

Requirement for the identification card include a barangay certificate, birth certificates of the applicant’s children, death certificate of spouse and proof of income.

“Once solo parents are issued with the IDs, they can apply for services from the social welfare office,” Quimosing said.

Among the benefits for the solo parents are tax incentives and flexible work schedule. – Ric Sapnu 

Kiangan LGU strengthens moral recovery  program

KIANGAN, Ifugao- - The municipal government here is strengthening   its moral recovery program with orientation and planning workshop among barangay chaplains and service providers.

The government has embarked on the MRP to “recover the moral deterioration and redirect the people towards righteous governance and good citizenry adopting the core values of Makatao, Makabansa, Maka Dios and Makakalikasan.”

Facilitated by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) and the Municipal Human Resource Office, the workshop was venue for participants to know more about MRP and to prepare their action plan.

MSWDO head Mario Indopia told participants the MRP has a two-pronged focus which are the clients in the barangay local government units (BLGUs) and other institutions and the service provider groups or the Municipal Chaplaincy.

Chaplain, as explained by lawyer Leticia Morales, is a person of any status designated by the government, the governor or the mayor to preach or bring the good news or moral recovery in designated areas.  Chaplaincy on the other hand is the extended ministry outside the four corners of a church and its focus is moral or deals with the words of God and not of church doctrines.

Chaplain Albert Ngitit presented the code of ethics which is purely biblical and culturally accepted ethics in which moral attitude and values should be incorporated in biblical teachings but not church doctrines.

Chaplain Roland Dimog expounded on principles of counseling saying counselors should never dictate on what people should do but to come up with the best decision for themselves by bringing out the good in every individual. They should never let the counselee feel threatened and guilty but act as the model of the love and grace of Jesus Christ exemplified on earth and taught in the Bible.

The group made their action plan that includes regular conduct of Bible exhortation in the Sangguniang Bayan, BLGUs, police, general assemblies and other occasions such as the Nutrition Day, Family Day and others.

They will also conduct training for barangay councils and employees, orientation of ministers and workers on chaplaincy, officially include Bible exhortation during the Family Development Sessions of the 4Ps, Interfaith Prayer Gathering, quarterly get together or fellowship and continuous monthly chaplaincy meetings and education. -- Daniel B. Codamon

Ilocos Region domestic

workers get pay increase

LAOG CITY, Ilocos Norte -- Domestic workers in the Ilocos Region will get a salary increase starting this month.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said the wage boards in the two regions approved the wage increase to enable domestic workers to cope with the rising cost of living. 

The wage board in Region 1 set the minimum wage of domestic workers in cities and first class municipalities at P3,500 and P2,500 in other municipalities.

Any person who performs domestic work in a household on a regular basis are covered by the new wage order. 

The Kasambahay Law, which took effect in 2013, mandates a minimum wage of P2,000 for those working in cities and first class municipalities outside Metro Manila and P1,500 in other municipalities. 

It also directs the wage boards to review and adjust the rates of domestic workers. – Eva Visperas

Bangued mayor urges public: Help solve garbage problem

BANGUED, Abra -- Mayor Dominic B. Valera urged cooperation and patience of residents in this capital town to help in solving garbage problem.

Valera said the local government closed the dumping site along Abra River bank in BarangayCalaba following complaints from local officials of Ilocos Sur of garbage being washed out downstream when the Abra River swells.

The mayor said the LGU is trying to work out for the establishment of a municipal dumpsite that would meet the standards of the DENR to prevent further hazards to the environment.

In the meantime, the LGU put a halt on garbage collection and asked the households and establishments to segregate their wastes and put up their own compost pits in their backyards and not to dump their garbage in the rivers and creeks. -- Maria Teresa B. Benas

Nat’l Food Showdown set Oct. 19-21 in Baguio 

BAGUIO CITY - - Mark your calendar and  prepare to come up to  this Summer Capital  to witness    the   country’s culinary experts as they   battle it out for the 2016 National Chef War in the Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism (HRT) Week  from  Oct. 19 to 21.

Hosted by the Hotels and Restaurants Association of Baguio (HRAB), this year’s HRT Week   will showcase the National Food Showdown. This will be highlighted by the Chef War wherein the best culinary experts from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will display their talents and skills before local and international food experts.

HRAB president and Baguio Country Club general manager Anthony De Leon, in media forum here, said the 2016 National Food Showdown is themed|  “Agree to agri: Putting our best food forward”   to showcase the country’s agricultural produce.

Aside from regular culinary competitions for students and professionals in the hotel, restaurant and tourism industry, other activities line up include Search for Mr. &Ms. HRAB 2016 and HRAB’s Got Talent, trade fair and expositions, jobs fair, seminars and other learning sessions that will be held in three venues namely, Baguio Country Club, CAP – John Hay Trade and Cultural Center and the Baguio Convention Center. 

De Leon said they expect around 10,000 visitors for the events. He said security and safety of the delegates will be among their top priority.

There is no lean season anymore here in Baguio, travel time is now much shorter that even weekdays people come up. It is a good sign of economic activity, showing the spending power of the different classes, he added. -- Carlito Dar

Sibud-Sibud Cave in Abra now under DENR program

TINEG, Abra -- The Sibud-Sibud Cave in this upland town is one of the 39 caves in the Philippines placed under protection and management of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources recently.

Saturnina Miguel of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office said an area receives protection from DENR for its recognizable beauty and natural and cultural reserves.  This is  necessary to preserve the caves so the public could enjoy them.

Sibud-Sibud Cave is found along the road of Tineng.  An ideal place for nature lovers, it can be reached after travelling a distance of around 33 kms.  

It is categorized as Class III since it is less explored and visited.  Accordingly, Class III caves may also be utilized for economic activities like extraction or collection of guano or bird’s nest.

The local government units and residents are looking forward to developing the premises of the  Sibud-Sibud Cave  and establishing physical amenities and public utilities for the comfort of tourists and spelunkers.

Economic activities are expected to grow like tour guiding and collection of bird’s nest which is sold to foreigners as souvenir. Guano or bird’s nest is also made as soup and home remedy for certain illness.

Sibud-Sibud Cave is a threshold to all other potential natural and wildlife sanctuaries in Abra deserving protection, stressed Miguel.  -- Ginalyn B. Brioso 

Mayor allays fears on shift to solar vehicles

BAGUIO CITY -- The transport sector has nothing to be afraid about the proposed shift from gas or diesel-powered motor vehicles to solar powered vehicles as alternative mode of transport, said Mayor Mauricio Domogan.

The mayor told a recent media forum the city government is still testing capability of said alternative mode of transport in the city.

If the pilot test will generate positive results, “then the next step will be to look into the actual cost of the vehicle to determine its affordability for the benefit of the members of the transport sector,” he explained.

The city government has approved the request of the Glad to be Green group led by businesswoman Gladys Vergara-de Vera to pilot test the use of the solar-powered bus in the city for two months. 

This tests   the vehicle’s ability to maneuver in the mountainous terrain which will determine its possible areas of operation as it might have limitations especially with the very steep roads around the city. Also included in the on-going pilot test is a study on the affordability of solar-powered vehicles which is a main consideration prior to its use by certain members of the transport sector.

Accordingly, solar-powered vehicles do not emit smoke which will result to cleaner air for the City, which will result to better health for the public that will in turn translate to lesser expense in terms of keeping themselves healthy thus improving productivity and quality of life.

Domogan said that the acquisition of franchise will only be applicable when the study on the use of the solar power vehicle will have been proven feasible and beneficial.

Benguet overshoots

rabies vaccination target

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The free massive anti-rabies vaccination campaign in the province overshot its target.

An interagency collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, Department of Education, Department of Interior and Local Government and municipal local governments, the anti-rabies campaign led by the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, started in March as part of Anti-rabies Awareness Month observance and extended until June.

Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Miriam Tiongan said they have exceeded the target of the dog population by 7.34 percent which is above the national target of 70% and the region’s target of 80%.

Of the total dog population of 35,069 in the 13 towns of the province, 30,628 dogs were vaccinated.

The capital town of La Trinidad had the highest number of dogs vaccinated with 6,479 out of the   7,652 dogs.

Other towns that had high rate of vaccination are   Bakun, Kapangan and Buguias. The campaign is aimed to eradicate rabies by 2020. Fortunately, no rabid dog case is recorded this year so far, Tiongan said.

The OPVet is still doing vaccination  but already with a minimal charge. The Office  is also continuously conducting information education and administering spay and neuter as a means of controlling dog population. -- Susan C. Aro

Ifugao coop members learn project proposal making

LAGAWE, Ifugao -- More than 50 members of cooperatives in this municipality attended training on project proposal making and packaging  at the Community Development Center here.

This was aimed to enhance the knowledge and skills of the participants in the preparation of documents necessary to access funds from funding agencies.  

Topics discussed and learned by the trainees:  Introduction to projects to build understanding on the principles and bases of projects and provide a framework for the process of proposal writing in the context of project management; project proposal writing to outline the format of a project proposal and present its major elements; step-by-step process of writing a projects proposal and progress review and evaluation

Resource speaker Joseph Tuguinay of the Department of Labor and Employment used his self-made module which he acquired during his long experience and service as a community development worker for easier understanding and appreciation of the participants.

He said project proposal making is only a part in project development in rural development and it is best to discuss first the activities of a development worker who must have the values, ideals and beliefs in bringing meaning to community building.

Tuguinay also taught them tips to identify livelihood projects that can be applicable to the members of their organization and the community, the setting of their objectives to trigger action, their action plans that set the direction in achieving their activities and objectives and the basic management functions as components of their project proposal since poor management is the cause of the failure of livelihood programs and projects. -- Daniel B. Codamon

Casamata Hill National Park board reorganized         

BANGUED, Abra – The Casamata Hill National Park – Protected Area Management Board here started organizing their working committees to better perform their functions.

These are committee on environmental protection chaired by director Isidro Vasquez with barangay captains of Zone 5, Angad and Dangdangla as members; committee on ways and means chaired by this writer with provincial and municipal planning officers as members, and committee on special land use chaired by engineer Aldelbert Galera of National Commission for the Indigenous Peoples.

Linkages with provincial government are now being done for development of Victoria Park as cultural heritage.

The PAMB plans to implement activities in the park for it to become more inviting to tourists with the proposed establishment of a Patok Village that would serve as a cultural hub for the province.  

The PAMB formulated a  development framework of CHNP  last year. -- Maria Teresa B. Benas

Ifugao district jail drug-free

ALFONSO LISTA, Ifugao -- Enforcement agencies and media recently conducted search at the district jail here and found the out the facility was drug-free.  Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and Municipal Police Station personnel accompanied by a representative from DWAL 99.1 FM searched  the correctional facilities after explaining to inmates purpose of the search.

Jail warden Senior Insp. George Pang-et said each assigned “mayor” went to his respective cell with officers and searched all of the inmates’ belongings.  No illegal drugs were found.

Police advised the inmates to avoid using illegal drugs and always invoke God’s guidance for a peaceful life. -- Ruby Jean G. Satorre

 Kalinga council urges public to volunteer as blood donors

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The Provincial Blood Council (PBC) urged  healthy  individuals  to volunteer  as blood donors as collection deposit at the provincial hospital blood bank here is already depleted.

Municipal and barangay blood councils were urged to heighten public education campaign for individuals to come out and be counted as one of the volunteer blood donors to save lives.  

The 1,471 total blood collection from Kalinga province during the first two quarters this year was reportedly  far below the required 2,172 bags required stock for a year.  Health personnel manning the provincial blood bank have to seek assistance from the Cagayan Valley Medical Center and the Red Cross.

In the absence of stock from these sources, patients needing blood transfusion were asked to provide at least two qualified donors. Extracted blood from one donor will be for patient’s use and the other unit serves to cover the blood screening fee (BSF) amounting to P1, 800.00.

To   ensure adequate supply of human blood, the PBC adopted 18 blood donation policies for the province. Salient among these are the conduct of quarterly blood-letting activities in coordination with municipal and barangay LGUs and other stakeholders; increasing the capital outlay from  BSF collections to purchase a blood screening equipment for blood screening at the Kalinga Provincial Hospital and vehicle to pick up blood stocks from  Cagayan Valley Medical Center and maintaining KPH laboratory as blood service facility for the province. -- Peter A. Balocnit

Ifugao weavers trained on wall decoration making

ALFONSO LISTA, Ifugao -- Knowledge and skills of weavers in this town  enhanced with the   help of two government national agencies recently.

The Departments of Trade and Industry and Agrarian Reform jointly conducted skills enhancement training on weaving wall decorations for members of Taripnong ti Agab-abel ti Alfonso Lista Association (TAALA).

Elice Mantaha, a trainer from Hungduan, imparted her knowledge and skills to TAALA members.

“We encourage you to multiply your energy, persist to succeed and continue working for more orders and sales,” Flossie Napoleon of DAR said as she assured the agency’s commitment to empower and embrace women as partners for development.

The loom weaving project which is being managed by the local government unit is a pioneering industry in the municipality and is hoped to thrive through the challenges of time and tests towards sustainability. -- Marcelo B. Lihgawon and Lorena Dulnuan

 DOLE gives P2.5-M to four Abra groups    

BANGUED, Abra -- Four people’s organizations in the province are recipients of a P2.5 million Kabuhayan Assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment.

DOLE-Abra provincial head George G. Lubin, Jr.  said a total of 507 members of the three organizations will directly benefit from the livelihood assistance in the form of production equipment, tools and materials.

Lubin said the Rural Improvement Club of Tangadan, San Quintin was given P334, 530.00 for the procurement of sewing machines and materials and for their catering.

The Association of Dalit OFW Returnees and Dependents in the municipality of Pilar received P378, 750.00 for their farming project.

The municipality of Lagangilang has two PO-beneficiaries. The Lagangilang Farmers Irrigators’ Association that serves eight barangays was given P1,441,450.00 for its farming project while the Lagangilang Women’s Food Processors Association received P377,100.00 for the food processing projects of the women members.

The local government units of Pilar, San Quintin and Lagangilang serve as conduits of the project funds. As such, they are in charge of the procurement of production materials and facilities and also in the provision and delivery of these to the project beneficiaries.

The projects are expected not only to benefit the direct project beneficiaries through increased production and profits but also to generate employment for their families and communities. -- Maria Teresa B. Benas

CSC Abra leads fun run for a cause    

BANGUED, Abra-- A “run-for-a-cause” was hled here Sept. 3 in celebration of the 116th anniversary of the Philippine Civil Service.

Now on its fifth year, the Civil Service Commission (CSC)-led fun run   aimed to   raise funds for  families left behind by   government workers who died in line of duty and promote healthy lifestyle, Director Perfecto B. Cardenas of the CSC – Abra said.

Registration fee was P150 per participant.

The run started at 4:30 a.m. in front of the provincial capitol. 

Prizes will be given to first five finishers of the men’s and women’s division in the 3K and 5K categories.

This year’s Philippine Civil Service anniversary theme is “Sigaw ng Lingkod Bayani: Malasakit para sa Taumbayan, Kapwa Kawani at Kalikasan”

The month-long celebration anchored   will likewise be highlighted by a sports tournament to be participated by various government agencies, both in the national and local government units. -- Maria Teresa B. Benas

Credit Information Corp. brings educational campaign to Baguio

BAGUIO CITY - - The Credit Information Corp. (CIC)  brought  its  roadshow  here last week to create awareness  on Republic Act 9510 or the Credit Information System Act of 2008.

Dubbed  “Credit infrastructure roadshow: The role and obligations coop in enabling RA 9510,” the activity was attended by officials and representatives from various cooperatives in Baguio and Cordillera provinces.

The CIC, n partnership with USAID, IFC and World Bank, are now going around the country for educational campaign on RA 9510 particularly the CIC and the importance of having a Credit Registry System for the country.

CIC lawyer Aileen Amor – Bautista introduced CIC and briefing on the salient features of RA 9510.

The CIC is a government – owned and controlled corporation whose mandate include receiving and consolidating basic credit data; to act as a central registry or repository of credit information, and provides access to reliable, standardized information on credit history and financial conditions of borrowers.

Cooperatives are also covered under RA 9510 and thus they are also required to submit credit data, (both positive and negative credit information) to CIC. They will also be benefitted by the registry specifically on having access to cost – efficient credit facility and the reduction of the use of collaterals in applying for credit or loans, Bautista explained.

USAID compete project component team leader Mario Lamberte talked on benefits of credit information system while international finance corporation senior ginancial sector specialist Gay Santos tackled credit information and secured transactions.  IFC consultant lawyer Chester Abellera talked about secured transactions and collateral registry form.

CIC information technology   head Ma. Bernadette Bautista conducted credit information system   compliance workshop for IT personnel of attending cooperatives.

Other partners present during the roadshow were special assessing entities that can provide coops with value added services such as TransUnion, CRIF, Compuscan and CIBI.

Bautista said confidentiality of the credit information and the right of the borrowers will be protected as provided by the law. -- Carlito Dar

Kalinga govt’s  urged to put up PWD rehab centers

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- National government agencies directly concerned  with welfare of  Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)  are urging   local government units to establish their own rehabilitation centers for said sector.

Remegio Basilan of the Department of Health provincial office said  with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and   Lin-awa Rehab Center personnel, they are going around the province to orient local government units on establishment of rehabilitation centers for PWDs. 

They also monitor health facilities if they are complying with the PWD access law and are giving discounts on drugs and medicines.

The PWD access law provides establishments should be PWD -friendly and barrier-free   with built-in ramps, holders and safe passages.

“LGUs should consider in their budgets the needs of this sector and look at intervention programs for PWDs not on the side of charity but rather a public service since they are a constituent sector in the community that needs government assistance,” Basilan stressed. -- Peter A. Balocnit

IFSU builds more buildings, facilities

LAMUT, Ifugao -- The Ifugao State University (IFSU) is building more infrastructure projects    and improving facilities  to modernize the university towards   its quest as a premier educational institution and center of academic excellence.

Records from the Department of Infrastructure and Site Development   of IFSU showed projects are ongoing or have been completed in its main camapus at Barangay Nayon here and its satellite campuses in different towns of the province.

Among completed infrastructures were Academic and Science Laboratory buildings and the Research Laboratory at the IFSU Main Campus, the Administrative and Library and Laboratory buildings at the IFSU Potia Campus in Alfonso Lista and the Industrial Technology Laboratory Building at the IFSU Lagawe Campus in the municipality of Lagawe.

Others nearing completion are gymnasium of IFSU Lagawe Campus, technology classrooms and laboratories at the IFSU Tinoc Campus in the town of Tinoc and IFSU Aguinaldo campus in Barangay Jacmal, research and innovation center at the IFSU Potia and convention hall and Mathematics Building at IFSU main campus.

Projects are being closely monitored by personnel of the DIS so these are properly implemented and completed during target periods.-- Daniel B. Codamon

DOLE supports farmers group  in Ifugao

LAGAWE, Ifugao -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)  recently awarded P431,450.00 to a farmers organization of this town for purchase of farm equipment .

The amount was received by the president and officers of the Kabilbilan Impatye Irrigators Association, Inc. (KIIAI) of barangay Poblacion South.  The amount will be used to buy two units of hand tractor, two units of rice thresher, one unit Amphitiller, one unit water pump, three units knap sack power sprayer and 3 units grain harvester/ grass cutter to benefit 62 farmer beneficiaries. The farm machineries will be purchased by the group   through the direct administration of the DOLE.

Labor and Employment Officer Joseph Tuguinay, who facilitated the project for the farmers, said this assistance under the DOLE’s Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program, aims to alleviate poverty by equipping them with the present technology in agricultural production. They can generate income through their association with the rentals of the farm machineries.

Most of the KIIAI members are  engaged in rice farming as their primary source of income. -- Daniel B. Codamon

 PSWDO gives food to Kalinga inmates 

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Some 174 inmates of Tabuk City District Jail under the Bureau of Jail Management  and Penology received food packs last week from the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office.

Judith Puday of  the PSWDO reported  food packs contained  five  kilos  rice,  three  cans corned beef, three  cans sardines, coffee and salt.

The food pack distribution was done following the inspection by the Provincial Peace & Order Council members of the condition of inmates at the district jail last week.

Gov. Jocel C. Baac, PPOC chairperson, recommended that action should be taken to   improve the condition of the inmates. 

The jail has   90-person capacity but there are 174 inmates at present. Baac observed the jam-packed jail may have caused some health problems of inmates.

As to the other jail facilities, the province and city extended funding assistance for their water supply considering that the jail is located at the second plateau of the city.

Jail Warden Rey Lopez appealed to local leaders and private individuals to extend any assistance to uplift the condition of inmates. He said they are now enforcing tighter policy on visitors as part of the moves to prevent any sneaking-in of contraband to the inmates as reported in other jails in the country. -- Larry T. Lopez

Breasfeeding key to better life: PopCom

BAGUIO CITY -- Responsible parenthood and access to modern family planning methods will not only ensure the health of  Filipino families but also a better quality of life.

Commission on Population Cordillera Regional Director Rosa Fortaleza said this  during media forum at the Deprt of Health Regional Training Center  to promote breastfeeding on occastion of Family Planning Month.

Fortaleza  said when the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health law was passed , other countries commended  Filipinos as  the  Philippines  was  among the few that have institutionalized such  a law  given its importance in addressing health and poverty concerns of the citizenry.

RPRH mainly aims to provide Filipino families with the right information and access to modern family planning methods and services that can help them properly plan their family, in terms of how many child they want and the proper spacing of children, so they can assure the child’s health, education and better living condition.-- Carlito Dar

Tabuk City to receive mobile dental clinic

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- Delivery of dental services to poor and remote barangays in  in this city is expected to be improved  with the turn-over  this month of a “mobile dental clinic” by the Department of Health to the city government.

DOH provincial field officer Bernadette Andaya said the dental van designed for outreach clinic is fully equipped including dental chair and generator.  The facility is provided under the DOH’s Pangkalusugang Pangkalahatan Program that aims to address quality health care to indigent communities in the country.

Tabuk City Mayor Ferdinand B. Tubban welcomed the DOH project saying this will help  the city government’s health program.

Tubban said the city government will share its counterpart and other necessary support to sustain the project to answer the dental needs of people in far-flung barangays where dental care and awareness is still a serious concern.

Trained CHO staff shall be designated to operate the facility to ensure proper handling and maintenance, he said.  -- Larry T. Lopez   

PVET teaches farmers organic feed formulation

HUNGDUAN, Ifugao --The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVET) here recently conducted skills training on organic swine and poultry raising and feed formulation to 83 farmer- recipients of  the native pig raising project of the provincial government.

The training was to enable pig raisers gain more profit in their backyard livestock endeavor by formulating their own organic feeds using ingredients and materials that are abundant and indigenous in their places rather than relying on commercial feeds which are very expensive, said PVET training coordinator Ferdinand Dunuan.

By adopting organic farming  that  includes feed formulation to reduce feed cost,  they can produce not only animal meat products which are safe and fit for human consumption but also earn more profit because organically produced farm products nowadays are in great demand.

Dunuan   lectured to the participants the salient points of the Code of Good Animal Husbandry, issues on Bio-organic inputs and the Good Agricultural Practices.

Gilbert Caclini, also of PVET, demonstrated the preparation of the feeds using the indigenous materials with the hands on participation of the farmers  so that they can learn and experience on the spot organic feed formulation.

The ingredients and materials used during the actual preparation of  50 kilograms (kgs) of organic feed include 20 kgs. of rice bran, 5 kgs. of corn grits, 5kgs. of corn bran, 3 kgs. of chopped banana stalk, 3kgs. of chopped camote trunk and leaves, 3 kgs. of ipil leaves, 10 kgs. of azola, 1kg of brown sugar, 1 kg of indigenous micro-organism (for fermentation) and 2 liters of rice wash.

The farmers were happy with what they learned and promised that they will immediately start preparing their own feed supply. -- Daniel B. Codamon

Kalinga crafts juvenile intervention program

TABUK CITY, Kalinga --  This province is formulating its omprehensive Local Juvenile Intervention Program (CLJIP) founded on  principles of restorative justice which gives emphasis on rehabilitation and reintegration of the child in conflict with the law rather than retribution.

The technical working group of the provincial council for protection of children (PCPC) composed of concerned  line agencies and provincial local government met recently  to start crafting the three-year plan  funded from one percent of the province’s Internal Revenue Allotment(IRA) and implemented through an enabling ordinance by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

One input to the plan is for the Department of Labor and Employment to design a project for children of Overseas Filipino Workers who according to the Provincial Social Welfare Development Office are vulnerable of becoming children at risk and in conflict with the law.

It was also recommended that youth representative from in-school and out-of-school be included in the soon to be reconstituted PCPC.

The formulation of CLJIP is  pursuant to  Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile and Welfare Act of 2006 as amended by RA 10630 or an Act Strengthening the Juvenile Justice and Welfare System. -- Peter A. Balocnit

DA distributes P2M vegetable  seeds in Abra

BANGUED, Abra -- The Department of Agriculture through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist dispensed assorted vegetable seeds amounting to P2 million to all the 27 municipalities in the province recently.

Seeds distributed were okra, tomatoes, white cabbage, eggplant, and squash, among others.

OIC Provincial Agriculturist Gilbert Barbero directed municipal agriculture officers and farmers to plant the seeds immediately.

He said some municipalities like Boliney, Langiden and Licuan-Baay which did not submit their calamity report last year, but all municipalities were given their share. He stressed that it is imperative next time that they submit their report in order to know many seeds to allocate to each one.

He urged farmers to join in the Philippine Crop Insurance to even out agricultural risks like consequences of natural disasters. They will be able to get indemnity for the losses in their crops and farm lands. --  Ginalyn B. Brioso

Ifugao council commits help against illegal drugs

LAGAWE, Ifugao -- The anti-drug council has started plans against illegal drug use and trafficking in the province.

Governor Pedro Mayam-o led the members of the Provincial Anti-drug Abuse Council (PADAC) in signing a covenant to wage war against prohibited drugs use and trafficking. PADAC consists of heads of national and provincial and non-government organizations.

The PADAC members committed to cause the immediate arrest and prosecution of all drug pushers by reporting their presence to law enforcement authorities or invoke the power of the citizen’s arrest.

They also pledged to help in the seizure or confiscation by law enforcement authorities of any illegal drug paraphernalia as well as personal properties and vehicles being used in the proliferation of illegal drugs.

Some 250 persons  have voluntarily surrendered to police and local authorities from July 6 – 17 under the intensified anti drug campaign of the  Philippine National Police  dubbed “Oplan Tokhang” or ‘Oplan Kulkughummangan’ of the PNP –Marcelo B. Lihgawon

Ifugao health officials up campaign against dengue

LAGAWE, Ifugao --  The Provincial Health Office has intensified its campaign   against dengue in the province.

In a radio interview, Dr. Priscilla Pagada of the PHO disclosed that their office in coordination with other local authorities and health care givers started some interventions to halt the increasing cases of dengue in the 11 municipalities of the province.

As of July 24, the PHO recorded a total of 328 dengue cases  province-wide  with the town  Tinoc having the highest with 88 cases followed by Lagawe – 59; Banaue – 42; Kiangan – 30; Hingyon – 27; Aguinaldo – 23; Asipulo – 22; Lamut – 18; Hungduan – 16;  and Alfonso Lista – 3. Only Mayoyao has no case.

Pagada said they have conducted fogging in Tinoc to eliminate mosquito breeding places.  

She added they are constantly reminding the practice of search and destroy strategy through the “4’clock habit to eliminate breeding places of mosquitoes.

She said the best preventive measure is the destruction of the breeding places of mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus by having clean surroundings, covering water containers that might serve as the breeding places of the mosquitoes, observing a healthful lifestyle and eating the proper nutritious foods.

 “We will continuously conduct surveillance of dengue suspect cases to determine if there’s an outbreak, she said. 

 Meanwhile, Yvon Indunan also of PHO, advised the public to consult a doctor for early detection and management of the disease if ever they experience flu-like symptoms manifesting dengue such as severe headache, muscle and joint pains, extreme fatigue, red rashes and vomiting. -- Marcelo B. Lihgawon

IFAD conducts  SIS Mission for CHARMP2 in Ifugao

BANAUE, Ifugao -- The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) conducted its 7th regular supervision and implementation support (SIS) mission in the province last July 6-8 for  the Second Cordillera Highland Agricultural Resource Management Project (CHARMP2).

The mission recently assessed progress of project implementation and preparatory activities for additional funding and resolve constraints.

The IFAD Team was led by Tawfig El-Zabri with Ed Questalin, an environmentalist and consultant, and Greg Aris from the NEDA.

They had a meeting with the Ifugao Project Management Group and other project provincial stakeholders.

Together with local counterparts, they visited the project beneficiary towns of Asipulo and Hingyon and inspected projects like farm-to-market road and reforestation and agro projects in the areas, had dialogue with the various people’s organizations and held meetings with the municipal officials and other project stakeholders.

Since 2010, the IFAD conducted six missions for the CHARMP2 projects.  One of the recommendations of last year’s mission was for the CHARMP2 to be extended for one year without additional cost to scale up target outcomes.

This was approved and so the Project completion was extended to December 31, 2016 and closure by June 30, 2017.

Implemented by the Department of Agriculture, CHARMP 2 aims to reduce poverty and improve quality of life of indigenous people in upland communities in the Cordillera. -- Daniel B. Codamon