SSS
offers loan restructuring
BANGUED, Abra --
Worried of penalties on delinquent loans and nothing left from your retirement
benefits from the Social Security System?
Here's the solution
SSS is offering its members to be able to settle their delinquent loans.
Edward Urua, Manager
of SSS - Bangued Branch, announced their amnesty program for
delinquent loans to address the problem of SSS members with difficulty in
paying their loans that have been long overdue and have already accumulated
interests, penalties and surcharges.
Based on the SSS loans
amnesty program, delinquent loans are allowed restructuring whereby only the
principal amount of loan plus interests are to be paid waiving all the
penalties and other surcharges in order to ease the burden of the members .
Members with
delinquent loans are advised to visit the SSS Office located at the Seares
Building along Rizal Street, Zone 5, Bangued, Abra to avail of the amnesty
program. -- Maria Teresa B. Beñas
NLEX
opens two lanes on Pampanga segment
CLARK FREEPORT,
Pampanga – North-bound motorists passing through the Dau-Sta. Ines segment of
the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) can now travel faster, safer and more
conveniently with the inauguration of additional two lanes last week.
Rodrigo Franco,
president and chief executive officer of the Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC)
said the Dau-Sta. Ines segment was converted into a two-lane, two-way road from
being a one-lane, one-way route.
The NLEX segment can
now accommodate more vehicles and traffic is expected to improve.
Franco said the
construction of the four-kilometer, two-way lane segment cost P235 million.
The construction
started in March and set for completion next year. The MNTC and its contractor fast-tracked it in time for the
holiday season.
Franco said fare toll
hike petitions for 2012, 2014 and September this year have been submitted to
the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), which has yet to act on the matter.
“That is why no toll
hikes were applied during the said period,” Franco said.
He said the TRB
slashed the toll rates in 2006 and 2008.
Meanwhile, MNTC chief
operating officer Raul Ignacio said that all major road works in the expressway
would be temporarily suspended starting Dec. 15 to ease traffic. -- Ramon Efren
Lazaro
Inter-town
vehicles barred from picking city passengers
BAGUIO CITY – The City
Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance prohibiting
inter-municipality public utility jeepneys (PUJs) from picking up passengers
along Baguio PUJ routes and providing penalties for violators of the same.
The ordinance authored
by councilors Benny Bomogao, Faustino A. Olowan and Michael Lawana stated
inter-municipality vehicles refer to public utility jeepneys or vehicles that
come or leave from their original route or terminal area in a municipality or
city or province and enter another city or province to deliver its passengers
or baggage to final point of destination but passing through the route of PUJ
franchise holders within the city.
Under the proposed
ordinance, all public utility inter-municipality vehicles shall not be allowed
to load passengers within the city and along routes already covered by public
utility vehicles granted franchise by the Land Transportation Franchising and
Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to operate within the city.
The ordinance provided
any aggrieved party may initiate or lodge his or her complaint to the proper
court or to the LTFRB for proper disposition.
However, the penalties
to be imposed by the LTFRB for violation of traffic rules and regulations shall
be distinct from the penalties that will be provided by the ordinance and any
findings of capability by the LTFRB shall require the violator to pay the
corresponding penalty to the City Treasury Office.
Any public utility
vehicle operator, driver or owner found to be violating the ordinance shall be
fined P1,000 for the first offense, P2,000 for the second offense and P3,000
for the third offense.
Resolution No. 115,
series of 2014 was passed supporting Resolution No. 01, series of 2014 of the
Traffic and Transportation Management Committee (TTMC) entitled “Prescribing
the Guidelines on the Operation of Public Utility Jeepneys Originating from
Outside the City of Baguio (Inter-Municipality PUJs) with Destination Towards
Baguio.”
Despite this
resolution, the ordinance noted the PUJs coming from outside still ignore the
tenets of the resolutions.
Earlier, the Regional
Trial Court (RTC) of Baguio ruled Resolution No. 115, series of 2014, by its
temporary nature will be revised, amended or abandoned, and the court acceded
that even during rush hours, commuters with the bulk comprising students and
employees line up in long queues with no jeepneys in sight. In such
extraordinary situation when there are no available jeepneys with intra-city
routes available, it may be highly impractical to have an absolute prohibition
on all jeepneys with inter-city routes not to pick up passengers and perhaps, a
modification of the resolution to accommodate instances as cited be helpful. --
Dexter A. See
PCIC to
farmers: Avail of free crop insurance
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet
-- The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) urged Benguet farmers to
avail of free crop insurance benefits before the year ends as funds are still
available.
PCIC regional manager
Florentina Pugal extended the invitation to farmers during the Farmer’s Event
in the recent Adivay Festival.
PCIC is the country’s
sole crop insurance provider. It is mandated to provide insurance protection to
qualified farmers and other agricultural stakeholders against losses of their
crops and produce, including their farm machineries and equipment, transport
facilities and related infrastructure arising from natural calamities, pests
and diseases, and other perils beyond their effective control.
The PCIC office is
based in Urdaneta, Pangasinan but they established an extension office in
Bekkes, Abatan, Buguias to cater to farmers in the province, Pugal informed.
PCIC marketing and
sales division vhief Raul Servito said 1,180 farmers availed of free insurance
services of the PCIC.
The amount of P12.397
million has not been utilized for 2016.
Farmers
who availed of the free insurance are those engaged in crops such
as high value commercial crops which compose majority of farmers while some are
palay and corn producers. There were also those engaged in livestock and
fisheries and those with non-crop implements insurance such as farm
machineries, equipment and transport facilities.
Only 54 insured farmers
affecting their high value commercial crops were able to claim for indemnity
with an aggregate amount of P1.035 million damaging their crops during the
onslaught of past typhoons.
Pugal said those
interested to avail of the free crop insurance benefits should apply first
before planting. They may seek the help of their respective Office of the
Municipal Agriculturist in their towns for assistance.
The required documents
for such crops are accomplished application form for insurance, parcellary or
location map, list of growers if applicable and other documents that may be
required by PCIC.
For further
details, interested farmers may contact the PCIC regional office in Urdaneta,
Pangasinan through telephone numbers (075) 632-3248/632-2787, mobile no. 0928-174-7453
or email them at pcicro-1@yahoo.com. -- Susan C.
Aro
TESDA
Kalinga gets P4.6M for free training of 643 students
CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga
-- The Provincial Training Center of Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority here received P4.6 million for the free training of 643
students under the Training for Work Scholarship Program.
Greg Bagtang of PTC
invited students to train on short courses at the PTC and seven TESDA
accredited tech-voc institutions in the province.
“Seven accredited
schools namely C+ACT College, Business and Entrepreneurship School of
Technology, Cherwai, St. Louis College of Bulanao, Kalinga State University,
and the Kalinga Polytechnic School are given slots depending on the course
offering. But the PTC will absorb the bulk of students as it offers various
registered courses.
Meanwhile, Bagtang
also informed that the skills mapping of TESDA is still on-going in the
barangays. He urged barangay officials to assist TESDA for the early completion
of the project since the data to be gathered will be used in planning future
training needs of the provincial manpower resource.-- Peter A. Balocnit
51 new
cops complete Combat training
LAGAWE, Ifugao --
Fifty one new members of the Ifugao Police Public Safety Company recently
completed training on police intervention and combat.
These IPPSC members,
will be assigned to municipal police stations of the province. Meanwhile, the
Provincial Advisory Council (PAC) held its last meeting for 2016 presided by
police provincial director Constancio Chinayog Jr. at the provincial police
headquarters.
The agenda included
orientation of new members who were recruited as part of the expansion activity
of the council, election of PAC chairman, presentation of police accomplishment
report and basic E-learning for PAC members.
The PAC was formed in
2014 to advise and assist the Ifugao Provincial Police Office identify
programs, projects and activities to improve crime prevention, solution and
public safety. It has provided valuable insights to police in aligning the
IPPO’s policies, plans and programs with political, socio-economic, cultural
and moral development needs of the province. It also assisted the IPPO in
generation of resources to support and sustain its plans and programs. --
Daniel B. Codamon
Heifer
provides aid to typhoon-affected 4Ps families in Kalinga
CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga
-- Selected Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps families affected by
typhoon ‘Lawin’ in areas covered by Heifer- Philippines received assistance
last week.
Beneficiaries
numbering to 85 in Pinukpuk and this city were given each four pieces G.I.
sheets to repair damaged piggeries while 45 families in Quezon in Isabela
province were given eight pieces G.I. sheets to rebuild totally damaged cow
sheds and four pieces for partially damaged ones. They were also given a
kilo each of roof nails.
Moreover, 667 4Ps
families in Kalinga received nine kilos each of certified palay seeds while 40
families got 40 bags corn seeds. In Quezon, Isabela, 300 families got palay
seeds and 27 for corn.
Recipients of
vegetable seeds are 640 families in Pinukpuk and Tabuk City and 800 in Quezon.
Earlier, after Lawin
cut power to thousands of households in Northern Luzon, Heifer also distributed
seven generator sets in seven barangays of Pinukpuk and 15 in Quezon.
To heighten
preparedness against calamities, two hand-held radios and seven megaphones were
given to Pinukpuk while 15 megaphones and a pair of two-way handheld radio were
also given to Quezon barangays.
Olowan Dom-oguen,
program officer of Heifer Northern Philippines said funding of this assistance
was provided by Heifer International based in the United States under its
special fund for disaster. “A rapid assessment on damages was conducted which
form part of the basis for the approval of Heifer’s relief aid,” he said.
On the other hand,
Sison Paut, director of the International Association for Transformation and a
partner of Heifer, said the assistance is all in support to sustain Heifer
projects.
“In behalf of
beneficiaries, I express our thanks to Heifer for helping typhoon affected poor
families in its areas to move on,” he said. --
Peter A. Balocnit
93
barangays in Ifugao drug-free
HUNGDUAN, Ifugao --
The Ifugao Provincial Police Office reported there are 93 illegal drug-free
barangays in the province.
In Hungduan, all nine
barangays are drug-free with the help of community people and local officials.
This was disclosed by
Hungduan police chief Senior Insp. Rodolfo Fateg in an interview
over Radyo Kiphodan 99.1 FM in Lagawe town.
Fateg said police
personnel conducted validation to all barangays in a bid to determine if there
are still drug personalities. Barangay chairmen issued certification attesting
to absence of illegal drugs in their respective areas.
“This is the
result of the harmonious working relationship of the police, municipal and
barangay officials and the community. The people are bent on eradicating
illegal drugs in the municipality,” Fateg added.
He said to sustain
this good standing, the personnel of Hungduan Municipal Police Station
intensified their anti-illegal drug advocacy campaign to the various schools
and barangays.
Fateg urged Hungduan
folks to report illegal drug users or pushers. -- Marcelo B. Lihgawon
PRDP
projects to revive Kalinga coffee industry
CITY OF TABUK,
Kalinga-- Two multi-million farm-to-market road projects funded by the World
Bank under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) are seen to
resuscitate the dwindling coffee industry in the province.
Kalinga is a recipient
of P130 million fund for the 13-kilometer Banneng-Gombowoy farm-to-market road
(FMR) in Tanudan municipality and P180-M 15.8-kilometer Bulanao-Amlao FMR in
this city.
Both projects are now
on-going to improve road access to the province’s top coffee-producing
barangays.
Recent findings of the
Kalinga Coffee Council, however, had shown how coffee production had dropped
due to several factors.
From the original 5,550-hectare
coffee production area, what is left is about 3,427 hectares due to massive
conversion of coffee lands into corn farms since 2014, records show.
At good market
condition, traders, here buy a kilo of dry coffee beans at P85-95.
Now, host barangays of
these PRDP projects are encouraged to revert to coffee production.
Department of
Agriculture-CAR Director Lorenzo Caranguian disclosed there is high request by
residents in these areas for coffee seedlings.
Provincial
Agriculturist Domingo Bakilan added another indication of the province’s coffee
industry getting revived is the intent of new sectors going into coffee
production seeing the fresh support provided.
Because of the
relatively distinct taste and aroma of the Kalinga coffee, there evolved the new
line of business on coffee processing and now there are at least six brewed
coffee processors in the province.
Trade and Industry
Provincial Director Grace Baluyan reported products of local coffee processors
are gaining shares in the local and national markets, and even abroad.
With the completion of
the projects and approval of similar project proposals by the province and city
LGUs, coffee industry is seen to become again a top source of living in
Kalinga. -- Larry T. Lopez
Pampanga
‘green’ firms cited
SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga
– The city government has recognized local companies and business
establishments that complied with environmental laws and regulations.
Mayor Edwin Santiago
said the recognition was part of the city’s observance of the National
Environmental Awareness and Clean Air Month.
Santiago said among
those awarded are the San Miguel Yamamura Packaging Corp., San Fernando
Beverage Packaging Plant, Metal Closure and Lithography Plant San Fernando, San
Miguel Brewery Inc., SM City, Pepsi Cola Products Philippines Inc. and Our Lady
of Mt. Carmel Medical Center Inc.
The city government
conducted activities promoting environmental awareness, preservation and
protection.
Among these events
were the eco-bag painting and the jingle and lantern-making contests. --
Ric Sapnu
Baguio
execs ask Duterte P200M to rehab BCC
BAGUIO CITY – The city
government requested President Rodrigo Duterte to allocate P200 million for the
rehabilitation of the Baguio Convention Center, the city’s primary venue for
conferences and other large gatherings.
Mayor Mauricio Domogan
last week signed city council Resolution No. 269 series of 2016 stressing on
the need to improve the facility considering the city’s status as a tourist and
convention destination.
“The Government
Service and Insurance System building, now Baguio City Convention Center, has
been the over-all arena, stadium, amphitheater or auditorium of all gatherings,
occasions, or activities held or sponsored by the City Government,
nongovernmental organizations or stakeholders,” the city council noted in the
resolution authored and jointly considered by the all councilors.
They said the facility
“needs improvement so that in the future it may host bigger events and
activities and can accommodate a bigger number of individuals compared to its
present capacity with a wider lobby or reception area.”
“In fact, there is a
need to modernize the Baguio City Convention Center for it to comply with local
and international standards. This building can be gentrified into a
multi-purpose building by improving or replacing the existing structure, it can
possibly be the podium of a world class multi-purpose building in the city,”
the council said in the resolution.
Since the city’s
purchase of the center from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) in
2011, it has only introduced pocket improvements to the facility due to limited
funds.
The 7,100-square
meter, 2000-seater facility is considered historic. It was constructed in
1973 through the initiative of former First Lady Imelda R. Marcos when she was
the head of the Ministry of Human Settlement purposely to host the world chess
championship match between Gary Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov.
It was owned and
managed by the GSIS until 2003 when the city and former GSIS general manager
Winston Garcia entered into an agreement for the city to purchase the facility.
The purchase was perfected in 2011. – Aileen P. Refuerzo
Lamut
sets rules on posting of advertising materials
LAMUT, Ifugao -- To do away with the unwanted postings of
advertising materials even in government structures, the town council here set
policies governing such activity.
Municipal Ordinance
No. 2016-18-08 authored by Vice Mayor Adryan B. Chaguile with Councilors Maria
Victoria Grace Macadaeg, Joseph In-uyay and Napoleon Belingon as
co-authors, provided common posting area for
advertisement and prohibits posting in government structures by
commercial and private individuals or group who intends to promote their
products and other similar promotions within Lamut town.
Other prohibitions
included posting/hanging in the advertising area without securing first the
permit, and materials made out of thin plastic.
The LGU through the
municipal treasurer shall designate a maximum of five common advertising areas
in the municipality with corresponding payments while the Engineering Office
will create a plan for the construction of the advertising structure.
All advertisements to
be posted shall be first submitted to the Municipal Treasurer for assessment of
the fees to be paid. After payment, the advertisement shall be stamped in the
office of the mayor stating therein the amount paid; the number of copies and
the duration.
However, exempted are
advertisements needing widespread dissemination by the LGU related to its
programs and services and other government agencies in line also with their
program as approved by the municipal mayor.
Any person,
association or organization that will violate the provisions of the ordinance
will be penalized accordingly. -- Marcelo B. Lihgawon
DOLE
gives P1.9M to Abra organizations for livelihood
BANGUED, Abra – The
Dept. of Labor and Employment recently released
funds for procurement of production facilities and equipment for two
rural organizations in the municipalities of San Juan and Lagangilang.
The procurement was
conducted through local government units.
Awarded P1,948,100
were Farmers and Irrigators Associations in eight barangays in Lagangilang
and Bamboo Furnishing and Deco/Craft
Production of San Juan.
George Lubin, Jr. and
his staff of DOLE - Abra facilitated preparations.
Regional DOLE director
Exequiel Ronie A. Guzman turned over projects to beneficiaries in the
presence of Mayor Meynardo Arthur Bautista of San Juan, Mayor Patrocinio Abaya
of Lagangilang, Vice Gov. Ronald Balao-as and the chief of staff of Rep.
Joseph Sto. Niño Bernos.
The Kabuhayan Program
is under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program that
promotes community enterprise development through livelihood assistance by
focusing on employment generation among vulnerable sectors in society. -- Maria
Teresa B. Beñas
Regulation
of city hall
parking
spaces proposed
BAGUIO CITY – The City
Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance prohibiting the
unauthorized parking of motor vehicles on spaces as indicated in the plan
prepared by the City General Services Office officially reserved for city
officials, taxpayers, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and city hall
employees at the city hall parking areas and providing penalties for violations
thereof and further amending Ordinance No. 04, series of 2013.The ordinance
authored by Councilor Michael Lawana stated violations of the ordinance shall
consist of the unauthorized parking of motor vehicles on spaces reserved for
city officials, taxpayers, persons with disabilities, senior citizens and city
hall employees and the indiscriminate parking of motor vehicles in areas around
the city hall where it is not allowed.
The ordinance provides
that appropriate signage shall be painted with the names of the city officials
or acronym of the office in the parking spaces reserved for them, while spaces
reserved for city hall employees will be painted or marked with “City Hall
Employees Parking Only” on first come, first serve basis.
Violators shall pay
the fine imposed under Article XVI and in addition, the motor vehicle license
plate or driver’s
license of the violators
shall be confiscated immediately upon the violation. – Dexter A. See
DTI
holds ‘diskwento caravan’ pre-Christmas selling in Ifugao
LAGAWE, Ifugao --
Consumers in the province who are looking for lower prices of basic
commodities and other home products availed of“diskwento caravan” at the
Public Plaza recently.
The Department of
Trade and Industry –led caravan coincides with the 2016 Provincial Athletic
Selection Meet to give more chance to the public to buy discounted products.
The DTI-Ifugao announced the diskwento caravan was participated in by
entrepreneurs offering great discounts on Noche Buena products, Christmas gifts
items, kitchen wares, furniture’s, appliances, electronic gadgets, shoes and
motorbikes
The Diskwento Caravan
is a government program to provide relief to workers though non-wage benefits
and one way to augment their income to enable them to cope with rising prices
of basic goods and services. It is a public service conducted by DTI in
partnership with big manufacturer or distributors. It is also an act of public
service by the manufacturers and distributors as most of them do not make money
on their diskwento caravan activities.
Aside from the
caravan, the DTI also held a pre-Christmas selling fair in the same venue from
Nov. 28 to December 4. The activity featured home-grown products like food and
beverages, loomwoven items and woodcarvings. --
Marcelo B. Lihgawon
Discrimination
of HIV-infected workers prohibited
BAGUIO CITY – The City
Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance prohibiting all forms of
discrimination perceived or suspected or even found to be positively infected
with Human Immune Deficiency virus (HIV) in workplaces within the jurisdiction
of the city.
The ordinance authored
by Councilor Leandro B. Yangot, Jr. stated employers cannot simply equate HIV
to disability, thus, it is unlawful to discriminate against any employee or
applicant because one or she is perceived, suspected or confirmed to be
infected with HIV in regard to hiring, termination, promotion, compensation,
job training or any other term, condition or privilege of employment.
Yangot claimed it will
be unlawful for employers to require compulsory HIV testing to applicants
seeking employment with them or to its current employees who are suspected of
having been infected with the dreaded illness.
He added all local
government and private employers, must have an official protocol in handling
suspected or positive HIV cases in their respective workplaces and that they
can get the assistance of the Department of labor and Employment (DOLE) on how
to formulate and adopt the required protocol.
Under the provisions
of the ordinance, licenses or permits issued by the local government to
employers or business entities found guilty of committing discriminatory acts
or policies shall be revoked. -- Dexter A. See
445th
Pampanga Day festivity kicks off
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO,
Pampanga -- The 445th Aldo ning Kapampangan (Pampanga Day) celebration kicked
off here Monday with the theme “Masayang Pamilya king Maasensung Probinsya” at
the provincial capitol grounds.
After
the mass, attendees gathered for the flag raising ceremonies.
Some
19 municipalities and cities participated in the street dancing competition
where they presented their respective festival dances.
Floridablanca
bested the other participants followed by Guagua, San Simon and City of San
Fernando. Special citations were also given to San Simon and Guagua for their
head dress and costumes, respectively.
Other
activities in this year’s week-long celebration include river cruise, launching
of Preventive Health Management System and medical mission, coronation of Mutya
ning Kapampangan and most outstanding Kapampangan awards. -- PNA
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