NEWS BRIEFS

DepEd: No collection policy in public schools

BANGUED, Abra --  The Department of Education Schools Division Office  reiterated to schools and the community strict compliance on “no collection policy”

Due to queries received by SDO from parents regarding this matter, Jan Nowel Peña, DepEd chief of social mobilization and networking section, there is no collection or contribution upon enrolment especially from Kindergarten to Grade IV pursuant to DepEd Order No. 41, s. 2012.”

“However there is an acknowledged or authorized collection such as Boy Scout of the Philippines, Girl Scout of the Philippines, Philippine Red Cross, Anti-TB Fund, Parent-Teacher Association, school publication and membership to school organization.

Collection, especially on the last three items however is based on existing rules and regulations of respective schools and should not reach an extortionate amount. -- Ginalyn B. Brioso

Shabu most used illegal drug in Baguio City

BAGUIO CITY -- Methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) remains the most abused drug here followed by marijuana as reported by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency -Cordillera.

During  recent meeting of the city human rights, justice, peace and order council, Joseph Calulut, PDEA information officer,   said based on intelligence summary ,  shabu being used or sold in the city comes from Region 1, Region 3 and National Capital Region while marijuana comes from Benguet and Kalinga.

Calulut said shabu is being sold at P5,025 per gram in Baguio City,   P5,800/ g in Abra,; P5,728/ g in Apayao; P5,250 /g in Ifugao and   Kalinga  and  P5,300/g in  Mountain  Province

He said there was no reported incident involving illicit chemical diversion of controlled precursors and essential chemicals (CPECs) in the city. 

PDEA is closely monitoring pharmacies, hospitals, private and public companies, schools, and other practitioners that handle CPECs to ensure these chemicals are being handled accordingly. -- Joseph b. Zambrano

5,296 examinees take criminology exam

The Board of Criminology and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Baguio Regional Office successfully conducted the Board Licensure Examination for Criminologists Oct.  28 to 31 in Baguio City and Rosales, Pangasinan.

Evangeline Marilyn V.C. Vergara, regional PRC officer in charge bared this saying    

5,296 examinees took the BLEC under supervision of PRC Baguio regional office -- 2,934 in Baguio and 2,362 in Rosales.

The BLEC is one of the biggest licensure examinations coordinated by the regional office. The BLEC was conducted for the third time in Rosales, Pangasinan where the PRC is establishing an office. The Rosales BLEC was held in cooperation with Abono Party List Rep. Conrado M. Estrella III, the Rosales Municipal Government through Mayor Susan Pagador-Casareno, the Philippine National Police, and the Department of Education.

Representatives from the Commission on Audit, the National Bureau of Investigation, PNP and the Philippine Criminologists Association of the Philippines witnessed the counting and shredding of BLEC test booklets after the examinations.

The exam results are estimated to be released after 26 working days. Examinees can verify their grades/ratings at www.prc.gov.ph by clicking Online Verification of Ratings (OVR), using their Application Number.

Guard cited for honesty

ANGELES CITY– A security guard of the SM Clark here has been commended for returning a mobile phone he found at the mall’s cinema.

The mall management cited Rolit Cuenca, supervisor of SM City Clark Customer Relations Service, for his honesty.

Cuenca and fellow guard Rizal Marimla were inspecting the cinema at around 11 p.m. on Oct. 30 when he found an iPhone 6S on one of the seats.

The guards waited at the cinema as they were expecting the phone’s owner to return.

The owner did not show up that night, prompting Cuenca to bring the phone to the CRS office. 

The phone’s owner – Shiela Lujero, 25 ­– showed up at the CRS, inquiring about her gadget. Lujero thanked Cuenca and the mall management. -- – Ric Sapnu

Sabangan OFW training scheduled November 14

SABANGAN, Mountain Province -- Overseas Filipino Workers returnees here

will hold planning and orientation workshop on Nov. 14 after Overseas Workers Welfare Administration regional director Evelyn C. Laranang approved.

Dina C. Ponciano, of OWWA regional office said the event will be held as it was endorsed by Mayor Venancio E. Lipawen.  

One hundred former OFWs will attend the activity.

Edna Banga-an of OWWA will be expounding on their programs for former OFWs.   

Leonado “Nards” Doguil, of Dept. of Labor and Employment provincial office, signified his willingness to extend assistance and orient 54 TUPAD (Tulung Pangkabuhayan for Disadvantaged sector) workers employed by DOLE. He said he could orient former OFWs about DOLE’s existing program and assist them register their organization with their office so they could easily avail on their projects and programs.  Mayor Lipawen promised to invite him.

19 drug surrenderees graduate welding course

SAN GABRIEL, La Union – Nineteen drug suspects who surrendered under Oplan Tokhang here finished a welding course offered by the local government and conducted by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Chief Inspector Silverio Ordinado Jr., La Union police information officer, said the drug surrenderees received their certificates on Oct. 28.

The graduates received around P300,000 worth of welding projects from the San Gabriel municipal government  and a set of welding machines from former congressman Victor Ortega.

“Originally there were 20, but one of them was gunned down by unidentified men after the victim allegedly continued his illegal activity,” Ordinado said.

La Union Gov. Francisco Emmanel Ortega III earlier signed an ordinance providing educational and livelihood assistance for drug surrenderees. – June Elias

12 Baguio senior citizens get Gintong Tala award 

BAGUIO CITY -- The city government, through the City Social Welfare and Development Office and Office of Senior Citizens Affairs, in partnership with the Baguio Elderly Assembly awarded 12 outstanding  senior citizens of Baguio the 2016 Gintong Tala Luminaries Award at the BARP Center last Oct. 29.

Awardees were Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - Baguio Stakes President Edison Cabrito for religious and spiritual service; former city councilor lawyer  Betty Lourdes Tabanda, retired city engineer  Leo Bernardez, and City Prosecutor Elmer Sagsago for government service;  Dr. Romeo O Abiog for field of medicine; former City Police Director  Roberto C. Ortega for peace and order; DepEd Chief Education Supervisor Dr. Elma Donaal for education ; Michael Del Rosario for business and trade; former DOT supervising tourism officer Edgar Jularbal for tourism and special events; FBASECA president Edita Ibarra for civic and social services; former Philippines News Agency  Baguio Bureau head  lawyer  Aurelio A. Galacgac for journalism,  and Phl Team world tenpin bowling champion Rebecca “BecBec” Watanabe for sports. – Carlito Dar

Ilocos Norte seeks to give free college education

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte – This province is on its way of becoming the first province in the country offering free college education. Gov. Imee Marcos announced that the provincial government will seek to provide free college education for Ilocano youth.

Emphasizing the importance of access to higher education, she said, “Ang pangarap ko bilang gobernador ay makapagbigay ng libreng college education. Free college is possible, and all poor but deserving students can graduate.”

Marcos bared this during her recent state of the province address.

“Daydi tatang ko, ni Apo Presidente Ferdinand Marcos, nangi-libre iti high school, sapay koma ta siyak nga anak na iti mangilibren to met iti kolehiyo (My father President Ferdinand Marcos provided free high school education. As her daughter, I hope I can provide free higher education,” the governor said.

The provincial government, together with state-run Mariano Marcos State University, will shoulder an estimate of P30 million worth of school fees for less fortunate students.

“We and the Ilocano youth thank Gov. Imee Marcos for the vision of providing free college education. Every Ilocano family dreams of having at least one member to finish college, and that goal will become possible through Ilocos Norte’s free college education,” said James Ceasar Ventura, director of Ilocos Norte Youth Office (INYO).

He added that Marcos has always been a firm believer that education is the key to improving the quality of lives of Ilocanos, especially those coming from low-income families.

Recently, INYO opened 5,000 slots for the “Asikaso ni Manang Imee Tuition-for-work Program” which aims to provide financial assistance to students whose families were affected by Super typhoon Lawin.

More than 200 private college students, mostly children of farmers and fisherfolks, already received P5,000 financial assistance.

For the present semester, at least 1,099 scholars are being sponsored by PGIN.

The Provincial Budget Office has allotted a total of P22 million for the provincial government’s scholarship program for the year 2017.

DOLE sets ‘one stop service center’ for OFWs in Baguio

BAGUIO CITY- - Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III  led launching of  One Stop Service Center for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)  at the Baguio Convention Center  here Oct.  29.

Bello signed a memorandum of agreement with Mayor Mauricio Domogan for the operation of the OSSCO to bring  needed services of OFWs in one place with the center housing a service desk for DOLE and its attached agencies namely the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and Professional Regulation Commission.

It also includes   service desk for Department of Foreign Affair, Philheath, Social Security System, Baguio Public Employment Service Authority, Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, PAGIBIG, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Philippine Statistics Authority, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority.

         Bello said establishment of OSSCO in different parts of the country was government’s way to give recognition to the valuable contribution of OFWs to the country through the provision of good service, security and protection.

 Bello also announced that through the directive of President Duterte, the government will be establishing an OFW Bank.  He said the government is planning to acquire the Philippine Postal Bank for such purpose.

Through OWWA, OFWs have P19.8 billion on thrust fund and at the same time, he added. -- Carlito C. Dar

Senior high school buildings turned over to 2 Ifugao schools 

ALFONSO LISTA, Ifugao -- Two national high schools in the province have now their own Senior High School (SHS) buildings.  

The two storey SHS buildings consisting of six classrooms were turned over to Namillangan National High School (NNHS) and Sta. Maria National High School –main (SMNHS) after the inauguration ceremony witnessed by elected and community leaders, and other government officials.

 NNHS and SMNHS principals Doris Agbayani and Eunice Ann Puguon respectively received the ceremonial keys of said educational facilities. 

The buildings with a total funding of P16.8 million  under the “Basic Educational Facilities Fund (BEFF) Batch 1 project of the government was  implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways  – Ifugao District Engineering Office 2 (DEO-2).

        District Engineer Charles Sokoken, Sr. said that the national government has provided 14 school buildings to Ifugao DEO-2 with a total funding of P98 million. Seven are completed while the remaining seven are still under construction.  

He said four school buildings worth P45 million will be constructed at SMNHS compound. These include two units of two-storey twelve classroom buildings, a two-storey eight classrooms building and one-storey two classroom Technical - Vocational building. SMNHS has the biggest population in the Division of Ifugao.

Kalinga DENR hires 194 forest guards

TABUK CITY, Kalinga --  The provincial office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources here recently hired  194  forest guards under job order  to  patrol  existing forests and reforestation projects.

Dennis Daligdig, chief   administrative officer, said 169 were hired as “bantay gubat” and 25 as forest protection officers (14 for Pinukpuk CENRO and 11 for Tabuk CENRO).  They are tasked to protect the forests and reforested areas especially from man-made hazards.

Meanwhile, Forester Magdalena Buyugan informed that they are now on the planting stage   of the National Greening Program (NGP) project this year.

The NGP which started in 2011 is one of the commitments of the Philippine government under the Aquino administration on the global action to mitigate climate change and global warming, is now on its fifth year of implementation.

Bayugan admitted there are some projects under NGP that failed but   there are also model plantations citing Kapanikian and Kalbayan in Pinukpuk; Balong this city; and Sisim in Rizal.

“Since the community people are our partner through their membership to people’s organizations, we appeal for your help in their implementation and protection,” Buyugan said.  She added that contracted POs are continuing the restoration of some burned areas.

Bayugan said they have increased their target NGP area in 2017 to 4,644 hectares for planting to specific species like bamboo, high value crops and fruit trees.  She said they are now on site validation to determine the suitability of these tree species to the soil. -- Peter A. Balocnit

Benguet overshoots rabies vaccination target

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The free massive anti-rabies vaccination campaign in the province was successfully conducted even overshooting 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 with minimal charge. The Office  is also conducting information education and administering spay and neuter to control dog population. -- Susan C. Aro

Baguio posts 82% passing

rate in 2016 A&E exam

BAGUIO CITY- - The Department of Education – Alternative Learning System(ALS) Baguio Division again registered the highest passing rate in the April 17 Accreditation and Equivalency examination in the region  with an average of 82.78 percent for the elementary and secondary levels.

ALS Baguio Education program supervisor Arthur Tiongan said 42 out of their 45 (93.33%) examinees for the   elementary level while 410 out of the 501 takers in the secondary level passed the exam.

Passers include eight of nine examinees from the Baguio City Jail.

            Ifugao was second with a passing rate of 62.44% with 11 out of the 24 examinees in elementary and 732 out of the 1166 in high school passing the exam.

Mountain Province followed at third with 58.92% passing mark with 13 out 39 in the elem.  level and 357 out of 589 in the high school level making it.

Abra and Benguet followed closely with 57.58 and 57.16%, respectively, then Apayao at 43.05%, and Kalinga at 27.25%.  The Schools Division of Tabuk City registered 36.49% passing rate.

Overall, there are 130 elementary passers and 5,906 high school level passers in the region.

Tiongan explained these A & E passers will get their DepEd elementary and high school diplomas equivalent to those who finished basic education and can enroll in higher level.

       ALS A&E test is a paper and pencil examination designed to measure the competencies of those who have neither attended nor finished elementary or secondary education in the formal school system. Passers are given a DepEd certificate/diploma certifying their competencies as comparable graduates of the formal school system

“Those who passed the elementary level can now go to high school, while those who passed the secondary can either take technical – vocation education or college courses”, he  said.  -- Carlito Dar

CCTV cameras  installed  in Kalinga’s main road 

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The city-government had installed closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras along the provincial road leading to the city proper in a bid to strengthen its anti-criminality and traffic management efforts.

City Public Order and Safety Officer (POSO) Dionisio Falgui III informed there are 15 CCTV units installed at strategic points of the 7-kilometer road to help in the solution of cases, mostly traffic-related, that usually occur in the area. 

The CCTVs are operational under two centralized monitoring stations at the police provincial command and city POSO.

Falgui disclosed that the city government has approved an additional fund for the extension of the project to cover the entire stretch of the road up to the farthest barangay in Balong.

He also revealed the plan to install CCTV cameras near schools.

Police intelligence reports indicated that drug pushers are targeting schools in their illegal trade.

Other sites in the city earlier installed with CCTVs include public markets, landmarks, PNP compact posts, city hall compound and other crowded areas. 

In a related report, the provincial government recently held the blessing of the four-lane improvement project of the provincial road.  

Funds used for the project constructed in phases came from the province’s cash incentives on the Seal of Good Local Governance Award from the Department of Interior and Local Government for three years. --      Larry T. Lopez

Ifugaos sustain traditional

forest management system

LAGAWE, Ifugao – This age when technology has invaded all aspects of life, Ifugaos are proud of still practicing the muyong, the traditional way of preserving the forest.

The “muyong” system   revolves around the concept of protecting the forest as watershed and preserving its flora and fauna, its wildlife and keeping the ecological balance. 

It is a private or clan-owned woodlot, which serves as a “forest zone where people can gather firewood and lumber for their house-building needs through selective harvesting.

The ‘muyong’ is one of Ifugao’s living tradition that is passed from generation to generation,” he said.

The vital water systems that irrigate the province’s famed rice terraces come from watersheds and headwaters, which traditionally have been maintained through the muyong approach.

Local officials said the muyong system should be replicated in other parts of the country as a solution to water shortage, floods, landslides that kill thousands of people every year. -- JDP/JBZ

Tabuk City shifts to high-tech waste management system

TABUK CITY, Kalinga- - This city is now going high tech in its waste management system.

The local government unit   has shifted to Technology for Waste Diversion Facility and installed a granulator “Markell” machine for the processing of bio and non-bio waste materials at its Dilag open dump site in Sitio Bayabay this city.

Salud Lammawin, City Environment and Natural Resources Officer, said the machine worth P6.5 million will reduce the garbage disposed at the site. She said the supplier has already conducted training on the operation of the diesel fuel-run waste processing equipment.

Other facilities currently being constructed in the area are a materials recovery facility (MRF) and a composting unit amounting to P1 million and P500, 000.00, funded respectively by the LGU.

The installation of these facilities is in compliance with the provisions of Republic Act 9003 known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

            Lammawin  also bared  rehabilitation of   dump site is underway with the  city government  providing P3 million funding for the first quarter this year particularly for  initial perimeter fencing, leachate pond, high density polyethylene (HDPE) liner, retaining wall,  guard house, gate, billboard, and  gas vent among others. -- Peter A. Balocnit

DOLE allots P6 million for 16 Kalinga groups

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- Sixteen associations are set  to  receive financial assistance for livelihood projects from the Department of Labor and Employment.

Dr. Alexander Gumabol, DOLE provincial office head here, said they are preparing the checks worth around P6 million for distribution to livelihood proponents, mostly farmer groups needing post-harvest facilities.

Organizations to be given post-harvest facilities are San Isidro Farmers Asso. of Magabbangon (P352,700.00); Lumawig Clan of Pinukpuk (P481,000); Talac Yellow Corn Upland Rice of Gogbgog(P350,000); Matagoan Lapata of Tabuk(P350,000); Mengawisan Association of Masablang(P500,000); Bulitnao Tourism Manggayadan Farmers of Magnao(P353,000); Purok 3 Matayog Farmers(P200,000); Saltan Organic Farmers(P50,000); Amlao Farmers(P450,000); Guringad-Tope Clan(P350,000); Sumadel 1 Livelihood(P420,000), and Pakawit Pumiyaan(P350,000).

Others with different livelihood are Tuga National High School (P403, 050) for bakery and pastry making; Tabuk Ornamentals, Landscaping and Nursery Livelihood (P485, 000); Purok 3 Bulanao Indigent, Tourism, Handicraft Asso. (P383, 000), and Naneng Rural Improvement Club on red rice processing (P326, 000).

These projects  will have immediate impact on employment of members and additional income for their families, Gumabol said. -- Peter A. Balocnit

Ifugao farmers groups train on livestock raising

ASIPULO, Ifugao -- Members of two farmers organizations from this town and  Hingyon municipality underwent a training on poultry and swine production and hands-on preparation of fermented feeds  conducted by the Provincial Veterinary Officer (PVET).

The farmers were given lectures on the health and economic significance of utilizing home-made or processed fermented feeds for their poultry and livestock industry, good animal husbandry practices, animal health management and the various animal diseases such as the New Castle Disease of poultry and fowls.

There was also hands-on demonstration on how to process their own organic feeds using   raw and indigenous foodstuff that abound in the area.

The 22 members of the Haliap Farmers Organization of this municipality who attended the training received 13 piglets as their animal dispersal while the 23 members of the Bitu Resource Cooperative and Development Association, Inc. given 19 piglets.

PVET training coordinator Ferdinand Dunuan said that the project was funded by the Department of Agriculture which is mandated to exclusively promote organic agriculture in the country pursuant to Republic Act 10068. -- Daniel B. Codamon

Doctor pushes diabetes prevention among children

BAGUIO CITY -- Diabetes is now a global concern and intensive education among young ones who are potential victims, is still best prevention,

Dr. Domingo Solimen of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC)   said  during the Department of Health media forum last week.

The World Health Organization figues said  350 million people with diabetes around the globe, and disease is the direct cause of around 1.5 million deaths.

Solimen said diabetes, a non-communicable disease that is due to high blood sugar level, is the number one cause of kidney failure.  

At BGHMC, 60 percent of their dialysis patients are due to diabetic complications, he bared.

Diabetes is also considered risk factor to heart attack, blindness and traumatic amputation.

Diabetic complications can be fatal but the disease is also highly preventable and treatable especially if detected early on.

As a preventive measure, Solimen said their intensive information and education campaign is focused on orienting elementary pupils of healthy lifestyle given that obesity, a risk factor for diabetes, is now prevalent among children.

Obesity in the younger ages is related to the manifestation of diabetes in their adulthood, he said.

Solimen advised the general public to maintain a healthy lifestyle and have a balanced diet which includes avoiding salty foods, too much sweets and frozen foods, as well as smoking.

He also advised  diabetic family members and those feeling the symptoms (that include frequent urination, increased thirst and increased hunger) to have their blood sugar checked.

This year’s   World Health Day on April 7 focuses on diabetes with the theme, “Beat Diabetes” to scale up diabetes prevention, strengthen care and enhance surveillance. --  Leo  and G. Montecastro

Kalinga barangays, schools set sites for pre-fab health stations

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- Recipient barangays and schools of pre-fabricated barangay health stations (BHS) in the province are now busy identifying and preparing the sites.

Dr. Bernadette Andaya of the Center for Health Development reported that    barangay Dangtalan in Pasil was the first to prepare and concrete the site.

Andaya bared that the pre-fab BHS is 12x18 feet or 50sq.m. in dimension and  worth P240, 000.00. 

The pre-fab BHS project is funded under the Department of Health’s (DOH) Tamang Serbisyo sa Kalusugan ng Pamilya or TSeKaP .

She said a joint memorandum of agreement was forged between DOH, the Department of Education and barangay local government units. 

The nationwide construction of said BHS projects is contracted by a single contractor. An engineer will be hired per province to supervise project implementation, she added.

TSeKaP  strengthens  health systems; increase the efficiency and effectiveness of delivery of basic health services and enable a more equitable distribution of national health programs through the government’s Daang Matuwid Program

In another development, Andaya announced that DOH Sec. Janette Garin will visit Kalinga in April to distribute medical equipment packages to rural health units, and barangay health stations. – Peter Balocnit

NFA-Kalinga urges bigasan outlets to renew permits
TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The National Food Authority (NFA) provincial operation center here  urged bigasan operators to renew their permits in order to continuously to provide accessible and cheap rice.

Assistant  Provincial Manager Ric Baliang informed their office is open to renewal of 2016 permits to NFA-bigasan retail outlets and licenses for grains traders. 

NFA   is also accepting  new applications for its rice retail service especially in remote areas of the province where there is problem on accessibility.

There are at least 80 bigasan retailers stationed in various sites in the province selling NFA cheap quality rice at P27-32/kg, Baliang disclosed.

Baliang cleared there is no price adjustment in government rice but NFA allows minimal add-on cost to defray transportation expenses by retailers from far-flung barangays.

Meanwhile, the provincial NFA warehouse has a current inventory of 23,000 bags of rice, which according to Baliang is sufficient until the next quarter.

In the last cropping, NFA procured only 2,000 bags of palay due to the province’s low palay production arising from the irrigation crisis. 

Baliang hopes  their procurement operation would be back to normal with the resumption of regular operation of the National Irrigation Administration’s service in the province this cropping. -- Larry T. Lopez

DOST   provides baking tools to women’s group

PINUKPUK, Kalinga -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) provincial office here recently  provided  bakery equipment to Barangay Dugpa Kalipi (Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina) Organization this town for  its bakery project.

The Kalinga Science and Technology Center said their office provided P149, 000.00 for the purchase of one set oven, one set dough roller, one set dough kneader, and a blender while the proponent shared P140, 000.00 counterpart.

The group aims to produce baked products enriched with vegetables.

Raw material for the manufacture of baked products is not a problem since local raw products like malunggay and root crops are found in abundance in the place. Members of the organization will undergo training on good manufacturing practices from January 27-28.

            Meanwhile, Alfonso Berto, provincial DOST officer,  said they are processing approval of other proposals under the community-based program on Science and Technology Enhancement for the Advancement of Municipalities or STEAM. -- Peter A. Balocnit

Baguio sets regulations on use of ambulance

 BAGUIO CITY – The city government set regulations on the use of the three government-operated ambulance units serving the city’s constituents.

 In Administrative Order No. 112, Mayor Mauricio Domogan authorized the city treasurer’s office to collect fees from patients using city-owned ambulances for transport within and outside the city.

The fees will be minimal or “socialized” and will go to the maintenance of the vehicles, gasoline, meals for volunteers and toll fees.

The three ambulances are assigned in three separate offices – the health services office, the Bureau of Fire Protection and the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Committee (CDRRMC) under the city administrator’s office.

The HSO maintains the Baguio City Emergency Medical Services (BCEMS) as the pre-hospital emergency management arm of the CDRRMC which includes ambulance services under the Health Emergency Management System.

The mayor said while the BCEMS uses the HSO ambulance to transport patients for medical treatment at hospital facilities or referral for higher management within and outside the city, the transport of patients is not the priority function of BCEMS.

“As the pre-hospital emergency arm of CDRRMC, its main function is primarily emergency medical responders,” he said.

On payment of the regulatory fees, the process: applicants secure payment slips from the office where ambulance is assigned indicating the amount to be paid at the city treasury office. 

The offices will record all official receipts before transporting the patient and will prepare necessary official travel order for the personnel in the ambulance team to be signed by the department or assistant department head and approved by the city mayor.   

The city treasury office will collect the amount based on the payment slip issued by the concerned offices based on the following charges: For every trip within Baguio City, the client will pay P500 one way and for trips outside the city, the client will pay P75 per kilometer. – Aileen P. Refuerzo