‘Bribe’ mars Ifugao fertilizer fund works

By Jeremy M. Gawongna

LAGAWE, Ifugao – The controversial fertilizer fund was properly implemented in Ifugao despite a bribe attempt on Gov. Teddy Baguilat Jr. to favor a supplier.

“While it is a scam sa taas, the fertilizer fund in 2004 was properly implemented here in Ifugao,” said provincial accountant Francis Biwit on the P5 million share of Ifugao from the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani program of the Department of Agriculture that year.

Biwit said as far as documents were concerned, honesty, clarity and transparency prevailed.

Provincial agriculture, environment, and natural resources officer Raymundo Bahatan said immediately after the May 11 election in 2004, P3.25 million in cheque was transferred by the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office directly to the provincial government and the requirement was to liquidate it first before the release of the remaining P1.75 million.

“There was an initial bidding during the term of Governor Baguilat by the bids and awards vommittee but it failed so transactions did not push through,” Bahatan said.

Bahatan and Biwit said rebidding took place upon the assumption of then Gov. Benjamin Cappleman and after the implementation and the amount was well-liquidated.

Baguilat, whose name was included in the list of officials who received the P728 million from the said program published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer dated Nov, 13, 2008, said he lost the election in 2004 and it was the next administration which purchased the fertilizers and distributed these the farmers.

Baguilat said during the campaign period of 2004, a middleman who had the blessings of the DA asked him to manipulate the bidding so that their supplier would win and they will deliver the fertilizers.

In exchange, according to him, they will give P1 million to be used as campaign fund.

“It was two weeks before the election and we were already running low on funds but I rejected
what I was instructed to do because it would make the fertilizer fund an anomalous and corrupt transaction,” Baguilat said.

“Standing by my firm belief that a public official must adhere to the principle of transparency and ethical leadership, we rejected the scam even if it cost us the election by a slim margin. The kickback could have been used by us during that final week but we rejected it. We feel vindicated though because the people elected us in 2007,” Baguilat added.

Baguilat is a member of Kaya Natin Movement, a movement of politicians espousing good governance and ethical leadership.

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Ifugao governor hits DOH ‘dud’ program
By Robie Halip

Lagawe, Ifugao—Calling the Department of Health’s banner health program a “dud,” Gov. Teddy Baguilat Jr. expressed his disgust over the turtle-paced implementation of the Fourmula One (F-1), a multi-million donor aid program designed to bring dramatic improvements in the health sector.

Baguilat criticized lack of concrete policies and guidelines of the DOH in managing the F-1 which is on its third year of implementation. “Under the F-1, we were told that speed, precision and effective coordination would be guiding principles in implementing the health sector reform agenda. None of the three is evident in the current implementation of the Fourmula One program.”

Ifugao is among the 16 provinces identified by this program as one of its beneficiaries.

A province-wide investment plan for 2006-2010 health was crafted in 2005 and finished in 2006 taking on the sectoral development approach for health. The approval of this plan though took 18 months which delayed the start of its implementation.

DOH likewise reportedly left beneficiary provinces hanging with their annual operations plan as they had not been coordinating with concerned local government units on the status of their annual plans.

Baguilat saiud he was irked with finger pointing by concerned offices of the DOH every time he went to the said agency to follow up the status of the AOP of the province.

The governor noted that while F-1 has clear policy thrusts and an agenda, some operational guidelines were incoherent and changed leading to delay in submission of the LGUs of required documents.

The Fourmula One is the implementation framework for health sector reforms in the Philippines for the medium term 2005-2010. It uses a sectoral development approach where it engages national agencies, local government units, external development agencies and civil society organizations in the implementation of health
reforms.

This program was created to unite all initiatives and funding for health in one package to avoid fragmentation of health programs.

But the aim to pool all resources was never realized as only the European Commission placed their support for this initiative.

For Ifugao, an annual budget of P22 million is allotted for its health programs with P15.8 million coming from the EC to be used mainly for infrastructures for health and procurement of equipments and ambulances.

The remaining P 6.2 million is the counterpart of DOH to be utilized for the conduct of training and seminars and formation of health groups in the communities.

“The DOH is now requiring us to prepare our 2009 AOP. Yet, only a fraction of the 2007 was released and none of the funds for 2008 yet has been given. This is not just true for Ifugao but for all the 16 provinces,” Baguilat added.

Adding to the inconsistencies is the delayed approval of the AOP required for all the beneficiary provinces. Ifugao’s CY 2007 annual operations plan was only approved last March of this year but the fund from the DOH counterpart was only released last quarter of 2008.

A part of the EC funding for CY 2007 was only likewise released August of this year which further delayed the infrastructure and equipment procurement part of the program.

The governor said there was technical corruption as the delay of downloading of the DOH counterpart results into a payment of a commitment fee to the donor agency including World Bank.

This fee is charged when the funds are not fully utilized at the end of the year. World Bank finances the DOH counterpart of F-1 through a loan.

The investment plan for health was programmed until 2010 but up to now no concrete projects were implemented due to the aforementioned lapses on the side of the DOH.

Baguilat called on the immediate action of the DOH on these matters saying time was running out with only two years left for the implementation of the investment plan made by the province.

“We hope that the Fourmula One program will not just end up like a race car with four flat tires” he said.

Another Ifugao culture icon facing extinction

By Jeremy M. Gawongna

MAYOYAO, Ifugao – Aside from the Banaue rice terraces, another cultural masterpiece is facing extinction in the province.

This is the apfo’or burial tombs erected in the early period of Mayoyao as family or clan graves.

It is a rounded stone-walled enclosure where the dead is put in a sitting position and constructed to keep away rodents and other animals from ravaging the body.

Elders here said only the well-to-do in those times made use of the apfo’or to lay their dead to rest.

The construction was done through bare hands and crude implements such as hard wood and sharp stones.

But over the years, domes of two of these burial tombs collapsed. Weeds and other plants grew over it.

One of these tombs is that of Inchimag, a wealthy yet childless woman in olden times who had her apfo’or built in full exposure to the sun at the edge of the mountain range of Ottong which could be accessed in a five-minute walk from the recently constructed Mayoyao hostel.

This serves as a memorial grave since accounts from oral tradition reveal that Inchimag wanted to be remembered by the generations after her in spite of being childless.

The locals recounted that stones used for construction were carried up by hands from quite a distant Pinuwo’ river and the clay (oklet) to cement or seal the stones together were carried down from a distant elevated area called Tanaw.

The other apfo’or now starting to collapse is that of Uhupfan, a fierce yet childless chieftain in the early period of Mayoyao.

Elders said he was mocked by the people in his community because despite his fierceness, his body would be eaten by dogs when he dies because he had no children to take care of his burial.

“Challenged by the taunts nd with a wish to be buried respectably and honourably befitting his status, he planned to build his apfo’or on the hill called Tomo’,” the locals said. He had a hundred bundles of palay pounded on the site and 20 pigs butchered to feed the people.

Gloria Likiyan, one of the indigenous knowledge holders, said she feels bad that the collapse and eventual extinction of the apfo’or burial tombs are manifestations that they are losing their cultural heritage.

“These cultural masterpieces tell something about our past and someone must initiate to find ways to preserve and improve it,” Likiyan said.

Some conservationists say losing such cultural masterpiece would mean the eventual loss of this town’s distinctiveness to other places or cultures.

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DOLE gives P660 K to Ifugao groups for livelihood projects
Jun Kindipan Dumar

LAGAWE, Ifugao – Department of Labor and Employment regional director Ana C. Dione has recently turned over two checks to the provincial government for livelihood programs. The first check was handed over to Gov. Teddy Baguilat Jr. worth P557, 480 for purchase of equipments.

The amount of p100, 000 was allotted for a coffee roasting equipment of the Unique Savings Credit Coop. of Banaue while P97, 480 was set for the purchase of food processing equipment of monggo hopia, butchi, and pineapple products of Alfonso-Lista town and an additional P360, 000 for rice mill processor of the Tukbuban Farmers Organization of Banaue.

The second check was handed to Ifugao State College of Arts and Forestry President Serafin Ngohayon amounting to P100, 000 pesos for financial assistance to graduating students to start their own income generating livelihood projects.

Dione asked the farmers of Tukbuban in Banaue who attended the signing of the memorandum of agreement for the cash donation to use the equipment upon purchase to produce more of the products so as to sustain the needs of the consumers.

The provincial government was obliged to supervise equipments and improve production of farmers.

“There is a need for the provincial government to engage in this project to make sure that the equipments are used correctly and to ensure also that these equipments will be taken under the care of your organizations and not privatized by any single individual,” Baguilat said.

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4 men nabbed for different crimes
By Vency D. Bulayungan

LAGAWE, Ifugao – Police nabbed four men last week respectively for adultery, physical injuries, gambling and murder.

Records from the provincial police office here said Lagawe town police led by PO3 Watorie Guiniling arrested Edwin Buyuccan, 38 for adultery.

Arrest was made by virtue of warrant of arrest issued by Judge Jennifer Humiding of the Municipal Trial Court of Lagawe

Buyuccan was presented to court and posted bail bond in the amount of P6,000 for his temporary liberty.

Alfonso Lista town police headed by Senior Insp. Emmanuel Viernes also nabbed Jolison Galinggala, 22, for serious physical injuries. Galinggala was presented in court and incarcerated at the town jail

Another arrest was made by personnel of Kiangan town police headed by Insp. Albert Carame Jr. Rafael Bobod, 45 who was arrested for illegal gambling. A P20,000 bail was recommended for his temporary liberty.

Meanwhile, joint elements of Ifugao-Kalinga and Quirino police under Senior Insp. Noel Navan and Insp. Jaime Lucas arrested Ponciano Pataclang, 58, farmer in his residence at Barangay Dibul, Saguday, Quirino for murder.

The said arrest was made on the strength of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Marcelino Wacas of the Regional Trial court of Bulanao, Tabuk in Kalinga.

Seven men nabbed for transport of logs

By Vency D. Bulayungan

ALFONSO LISTA, Ifugao -- Police nabbed here seven men for illegal transport of logs last week.

Town police chief Senior Insp, Emmanuel Viernes said his men arrested Reyunante Nato, 29, Joel Belmonte, 37, Michael Tenoso, 25, Joel Belmonte, 37; Michael Tenoso, 25; Mark Lucas, 16; Guilbert Alcesto, 27; Nestor Nato, 27 and Dimie Pillien, 36, all from the town of Cordon in the neighboring province of Isabela.

Viernes said the suspects were caught by his men transporting illegally sawn gmelina logs at Barangay Namillangan here without the necessary documents.
Cops estimated the confiscated logs around 2,000 board feet. “These logs were loaded in a forward truck owned by a certain Camacho Avelino of Sentro Sur, Roxas and Poblacion, Cordon, Isabela,” Viernes said.

The truck and logs were impounded at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office here while the suspects were brought to the police station here for documentation.
Meanwhile, the Lamut cops arrested a certain Ponciano Tayaman Guinaat for violation of PD 1602 or illegal gambling particularly jueteng.

Guinaat who is now committed at the Provincial Jail was arrested at Lagawe. Supt. Joseph Adnol said urged residents to eliminate illegal activities by reporting these to police.

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PNP chief backs program on tourist-oriented police

BANAUE, Ifugao – Newly installed Philippine National Police Director-General Jesus Verzosa was impressed here by policewomen wearing native tapis wrapped around native skirts and designated as "tourist cops."

Lauding the program, Verzosa ordered that it be replicated in other tourism-oriented areas in the Cordillera.

Chief Supt. Eugene G. Martin, regional police director, said tourists needing assistance in this world-heritage province feel secure and comfortable when they are assisted by policewomen wearing tapis.

Tapis is a native attire of Cordillera women which is donned on special occasions and during indigenous rituals.

Policewomen headed by Insp. Arlene Abastillas was organized during a festival in this town last April for crowd control and ensure safety and protect spectators and tourists.

Martin said the Cordillera Tourist-Oriented Police and the Community-Oriented Police were launched recently with the signing of an agreement between the PNP and the Department of Tourism.

Verzosa expressed his full support for the implementation of the TOP and COP programs, saying this could boost the tourism industry in the Cordillera.

Policewomen wearing native attires could serve as another tourist attraction, Martin said.

Local government units that signed the agreement on the TOP and COP programs were the towns of Sagada and Bontoc in Mountain Province, and Banaue in Ifugao.

These three areas are considered primary destinations of foreign and domestic tourists, particularly backpackers.

Under the agreement, the DOT will continue to provide training to police officers on how to guide and assist tourists.

Other government entities in Sagada, Bontoc, and Banaue are obligated to give them a course on local history and a briefing on tourist spots.

The tourist-oriented policewomen will also provide security and extend assistance to visitors at tourist areas.

Martin said Verzosa wants the program strengthened because it is one of the ways the police could regain the trust of the public in the law-enforcement organization.

The "Mamang Pulis" program, he said. greatly helped in improving the credibility of the police organization, chalking up an approval rating of 49 percent, the highest favorable rating of the police since 2001.

Sagada is known for the famous scenic caves, while Bontoc is noted for its Mainit hot springs.

Banaue and several other towns of Ifugao are known worldwide for the stairway-like rice terraces built by the Ifugaos over 2,000 years ago.

Tourism is one of the major industries in the Cordillera, which has scenic views and cool climate. – Dexter A See

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Ifugao bar owners warned: Don’t hire prostitutes or else..

By Jun Kindipan Dumar

LAGAWE, Ifugao – Provincial officials warned videoke bar owners to abide with labor laws, not employ minors and prostitutes or their business permits would be cancelled

Bar owners were told to produce their waitresses’ birth certificates before they could work to make sure they were not minors.

Police and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office recently checked videoke bars in the municipalities of Lamut, Lagawe, and Banaue.

It was found out that waitress didn’t have birth certificates and there were no fire exits of business establishments. Business permits were also not posted in areas accessible to the public which violated laws.

Most of the waiters interviewed claimed they were 18 years of age and not minors. But all of them failed to show their birth certificates when asked by the PSWDO staffs.

Joyce Niwane, PSWD officer said the surveillance was to make sure prostitution was not practiced in the establishments and that are no minors working in the bars.

“A no-show of birth certificates means no permit to work,” Niwane said. More than 15 waitressess in Lamut to Banaue reportedly showed no birth certificates. Protection of our children and women is our primary concern,” said Niwane.

When asked about widespread prostitution in the province recently where minors were being reportedly paid for sex, Niwane said after reports came out in newspapers, radio, and television, parents became more aware of their children’s needs.

“Actually, most (alleged prostitutes) if not all of them are not from Ifugao but came from nearby provinces or cities.

Some reportedly came from Manila, Davao, Baguio, Benguet, Manila and Visayas. “Bar owners are the one who hire these women from other parts of the country because they know Ifugao women don’t want to work in videoke bar. It is the presence of these hired women who influence the young women of Ifugao,” Niwane said.

CULTURAL LORES

Jeremy Gawongna
Encounter with a mun-anap

MAYOYAO, Ifugao-- I grew up hearing stories of locals in my hometown Mayoyao who approached a mun-anap (clairvoyant) when their valuables were stolen. I was then a skeptic about it, doubting the accuracy of the information from her.

Later, given the opportunity to work on a project in a non-government organization in line with the transmission of indigenous knowledge from the elders to the youth, we did not include such traditional means of having contact with the supernatural. We focused more on land and resource management, traditional architecture, engineering, hydrology, and traditional rice cycle.

In one of our educational tours, the digital camera lent to me by the NGO was stolen. I left it inside the room where I would sleep. It was inside my bag that I placed at the very corner of my bed. I turned off the light, closed the door, and left without locking it confident enough that no one would enter.

When I went back, I wondered why the light was turned on. I was surprised to see the case of the digital camera on top of my bed. No camera was inside it! I checked my bags and every corner of my room but I was frustrated to have found nothing.

I went to the room of my cousin, woke her up and asked if she saw someone enter my room. At first, she was just nodding her head but later, she said she did see the guy who entered my room. I immediately noted her description of that guy. I asked her to get up and recognize the guy from the people outside. Unfortunately, she did not find him. She recalled her companion also saw that guy. In two days, I eventually came up with a prime suspect with the help of my cousin’s companion.

Setting aside my skepticism was a turning point for me whose orientation since childhood paid no respect to indigenous ways and means. With the desire to explore possibilities, I submitted to my friend’s suggestion to go to a mun-anap. She instructed me to list the names of the suspects. I did it but included some non-suspects to test the mun-anap’s credibility.

Our way to the mun-anap’s house was no big joke. Using the NGO’s car, we passed through a narrow and rugged road that snakes up a mountain. After almost an hour, we found a concrete middle class house. The house was surprisingly in the middle of nowhere. A woman came out of the house and my friend went to meet her. I was just observing and later learned that she is the mun-anap. She was kind enough to offer us coffee.

My friend informed the mun-anap about our purpose. She first spent some time telling stories then later, she went to get hapid, a leaf mixed with betel nut for chewing. After performing a ritual silently, she enclosed it with her wrist and blew it. Later, she requested for the list of suspects. She stared at the list and began to whisper words that I could not understand. Her hands were shaking and the pupils of her eyes went up and down repeatedly while staring at the list. I was worried she might not find the name of the thief in the list.

The mun-anap eventually pointed her finger to one of the names listed but it was not that of the prime suspect’s. My heart trembled but later, I sighed when I heard her say that the person she was pointing at was nervous but not the thief. I recalled witnesses claiming that he slept in my room for a short while because he was drunk.

Finally the munanap pointed her finger at the prime suspect’s name and confirmed that he was the thief. Tears rolled down my eyes realizing that the information was accurate. Had she pointed only at the prime suspect’s name, I might have still doubted the information (Pwedeng tsamba lang!). What convinced me was that she was able to pinpoint the name of the drunken guy who slept in my room. That guy might have been nervous for fear of suspicion.

The mun-anap continued performing a ritual then later referred us to a mumpfuni/mumbaki, an Ifugao native priest. We went to see a mumpfuni/mumbaki whom my friend used to consult. I asked him not to harm the suspect but rather merely bother his conscience. While performing the ritual, I received a text message from the prime suspect requesting me to make a phone call to him to talk where and when we could possibly meet.

Two hours after the ritual, I received another text message from him assuring that the digital camera will be returned to me as soon as possible. Time came when I met the prime suspect. I saw him sitting on a bench fronting the gate of Saint Mary Magdalene Cathedral in Lagawe, Ifugao. I approached him and spent some time listening to his lengthy explanation. Tired of listening, I asked if he has the camera. He brought it out from his pocket covered in a fine plastic bag. I took hold of it and checked immediately if it was functional. It was working! The memory card was also intact!

Sometimes I ask if everything that transpired was coincidence. I was then working for a project in line with indigenous knowledge yet here comes a real situation that drove me to meet real indigenous knowledge holders dealing with the supernatural phenomenon. It seems the situation was telling me that traditional practices are not something to scorn but should be given a chance.
Regarded by Christians as pagan practices, these have low level of social acceptability. And look!

After confronting the mun-anap and the mumpfuni/mumbaki, the prime suspect requested me to meet him in front of Saint Mary Magdalene Cathedral. Perhaps, Mary Magdalene also interceded for the return of the stolen camera! Is the whole situation telling me that there are meeting points between the traditional and Christian beliefs?

One thing for sure, the experience convinced me more of the existence of a Supernatural being watching over the whole of humanity

Prexy’s daughter Luli spends 4-day break in Mayoyao

By Jeremy M. Gawongna

MAYOYAO, Ifugao – No VIP treatment and no numerous escorts except being with three friends, four presidential security guards and Joan Sheelah Nalliw, the president of Pochon Youth Group, characterized the four-day vacation here of Luli, daughter of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, last Sept. 25-28.

“I was surprised to receive a text message from Madam Luli and was requested to transact with her through e-mail,” Nalliw said. “I could hardly believe at first but as we went on with our transactions, I was eventually convinced that I was dealing with the President’s daughter.”

Nalliw said Luli informed her she searched for Mayoyao in the internet and came across her name and her contact number. She was asked to meet Luli in Santiago, Isabela on Sept. 25 and accompanied them to Mayoyao via Ramon, Isabela and the Ifugao towns of Alfonso Lista and Aguinaldo.

“The President’s daughter requested for confidentiality of her stay in Mayoyao so she could focus on her adventure,” Nalliw said. She said two local tour guides trained by the Department of Tourism assisted them during the trekking.

Upon arrival here afternoon of Sept. 25, they checked in at Milcah Lodge then later visited the town’s Marian and Eucharistic Centre. They spent some time with Fr. Romeo Benitez, SVD, rector of Our Lady of Assumption Mission Station.

Luli’s group later visited the peak of the historic Mount Nagchajan where the last battle between the Japanese and the combined Filipino and American soldiers occurred during the 2nd World War, the tunnel of Mapfu-ag which served as irrigation and source of water supplying the rice terraces, and the Akakoy Park. They trekked the rice terraces starting from Chaya, its topmost portion, down to Bongan, Mayoyao Proper, and Balangbang.

Robert Bongayon, a former history teacher helped brief the guests on the history of the places they’ve been to. He mentioned that Luli’s grandfather Diosdado Macapagal was the first president of the Philippines to visit this town.

On the eve of Sept. 27, they watched a cultural presentation by the Akha’kha-emeh, a cultural performing group here.

Contrary to what the locals expect of dignitaries, Luli and her friends preferred eating native delicacies like camote (sweet potatoes), pikaw/yu-yu (loach) and gabi stalks.

Luli said this was her third time to visit Mayoyao. The first and second time she visited this town was aboard a chopper but on this occasion, she experienced the reality of passing through the rough roads leading to and from Mayoyao.

“My friends from abroad wanted to visit Ifugao for the first time and so I told them to visit this town,” Luli said. “The packaged tour arranged by Pochon Youth Group was what we were looking for because everything was natural. They made us experience and appreciate the simplicity of life and that is the right thing to do,” said Luli.

Luli and her group attended the Eucharistic Celebration at Our Lady of Assumption Mission before leaving this town on Sept. 28.

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Ifugao rice terraces rehab on to avert deterioration
By Dexter A See

LAGAWE, Ifugao — The Ifugao Rice Terraces and Cultural Heritage Office here is now rehabilitating damaged portions of the world-famous rice terraces in Hungduan and Mayoyao towns, this province, two of the popular World-Heritage sites.

The rehabilitation work is intended to avert the rapid deterioration of the scenic tourist destination.

Earlier, IRTCHO reported the completion of the rehabilitation of portions of the rice terraces in Bangaan, Banaue town.

The present rehabilitation is focused on the rice terraces in Battad, Banaue town, and Nagacadan, Kiangan town.

The project is in line with the efforts of the local, national, and international groups to restore the rapidly deteriorating Ifugao rice terraces, one of the top tourist destinations of the country.

The Ifugao provincial government forged recently an agreement with farmers organizations at the heritage sites to ensure the continuous maintenance of the restored portions of the terraces.
The agreement obligates IRTCHO to provide expert advice, technical services and financial assistance in the hiring of experts who will supervise the rip-rap work at the eroded rice terraces. IRTCHO is also required to participate in monitoring the progress of the restoration work and to see to it that the process meets in quantity and quality standards.

The rehabilitation is a part of a bigger effort to preserve the world-heritage sites described by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a living cultural landscape.

The rice terraces, constructed by great Ifugao ancestors some 2,000 years ago, started to deteriorate when giant earthworms invaded the area and caused massive erosion of the earthen structures.

It was also noted by IRTCHO that illegal settlers from different parts of the Luzon constructed dwellings in the rice terraces, which ruined the natural beauty and grandeur of the heritage sites.

But despite its deterioration, thousands of tourists still continue to flock to this province to have a glimpse of one of the wonders in the world.

UNESCO had warned local and national leaders that it would be forced to recommend the deletion of the rice terraces from the list of World Heritage sites if the deterioration is not stopped.

Provincial officials said a lot has already been done to preserve and restore the original grandeur the rice terraces.

The officials asked stakeholders to help in the efforts for the rehabilitation and restoration of the collapsed portions of the terraces in the next two years.

TRAILS UP NORTH

Glo A. Tuazon
A tribute to Filipino ingenuity

BANAUE, Ifugao -- A tribute to Filipino ingenuity. This is the theme of the first ever formal wooden scooter race staged apart from other festivities or events in Banaue, Ifugao. In the past it was an integral activity of the annual Banaue Imbayah, something that wowed and fascinated the crowd. In April of 2008 however, these group of men fabricating the wooden scooters and joining races decided to form a group and called it Banaue Rice Terraces Wooden Scooter Organization, headed by their president Vicente Dinundon Jr., a 2006 graduate of BS Agriculture of Benguet State University. Now 25, he is back home in Banaue to live and continue the tradition of home-based business and "scootering."

The story of the wooden scooter was well a tale on its own too. These mobile contraptions were once created to serve a need. Menfolk were having a difficult time going to and from their homes to their muyongs up the mountains, often bringing home firewood and crops tended p there.

It would often take them hours to walk the distance and carry the loads. Then was the birth of the first scooter. They would push it up the hills and work the day. Firewood would be strapped along both sides of the scooter and other goods tied at the back portion. The ride back home would then be a breeze.

These scooters are fashioned out of wood, minimizing the use of nails. Through time the simple device to ferry firewood and tubers soon became art – the designs and styles becoming more intricate and complicated. Like the swirling horses on a carnival carousel, today's scooters came in a wonderful array of different designs - horses, tigers, Indian heads, eagles, bululs, anything that catches the fancy of its creator, and most often the birthing of one creation comes with a story. That makes it the more interesting and valuable.

The forming of the Banaue Rice Terraces Wooden Scooters Organization (BRTWSO) started with a concept of showcasing their art. They made a proposition to have their club be registered with SEC that they may also use it for livelihood.

With the help of PTA (Philippine Tourism Authority), the first staging of the independent scooter race happened in a two-day activity, to boost the practice. The activity went well after two postponements and they hope it will survive the times. For now what they need is a "viewdeck", to serve as a showroom of scooters where they can manufacture, assemble and show off their pieces.

They are on the process of wooing good hearted sponsors to help them on this cause, one of which is former governor Mark Lapid of Pampanga. Vincent Dinundon fashioned and extraordinary scooter out of hardwood, with a mohawk head in front just above the handlebars. The scooter body is a horse, the mane flying in the wind, all this coated in handsome black and valued at more than P25,000.

This was finished in two and a half months, based on a story and Ifugao culture. He named it Bangkiki. The story Dinundon said is a secret for now that even to this author remains a mystery. This made it more valuable and harder to part with. But he must. This he sold to Lapid for P8,000 with the hope of being granted the favor of having the viewdeck or the club. The P8,000 he used to pay PTA for the registration fee of P300 for each of the 17 racers because with hard life, even this amount is hard to come by. With this they raced with will and hopes.

The just concluded race showed the world the ingenuity of these simple people, an art borne out of tradition and necessity to continue and blossom as a valuable art and livelihood. Ifugao is living to its name as a land of wood carvers and sculptors, making masterpieces of imaginative and soulful arts.

Where in the world have you seen wooden scooters race downroad at an average speed of 40 kph, the almost 7 km span conquered in a record time of 7 minutes and 11 seconds? Only in Ifugao, in the gloryland of Banaue. -- email: twilight_glo@yahoo.com

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Ifugao folk consulted on dam
By Robie Halip

TINOC, Ifugao---The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Ifugao Office with engineer Cesar Soriano of the Sta. Clara Corp. recently conducted a consultation among the stakeholders of the proposed Tinoc Mini Hydro Dam in Eheb, Binablayan and Poblacion in this town for the acquisition of Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC).

Stakeholders and host communities had prepared a list of assistance and projects they wished to ask from the corporation, the proponent of the said project, which is planning to construct a 2.5 megawatt mini-hydro power plant at the Baugan River in Eheb.

The dam to be constructed will be a run-off type with approximately 2.1 kilometers headrace. The powerhouse will be located at Sitio Manguh-unnoh in Eheb.

NCIP officials said it was agreed upon during the FPIC that Ifugao Electric Cooperative will manage distribution of electricity in the Ifugao side as they will be buying from Sta Clara the electricity that will be produced by the dam.

IFELCO will install transmission lines and electric posts to different barangays of Tinoc.
The excess generated electricity will be sold to Benguet Electric Coop. as the grid of Tinoc is nearer to the grid line of Sinipsip.

Assistance and projects requested by the host communities were discussed by the proponent and the stakeholders facilitated by the NCIP representative.

A memorandum of agreement was signed after the FPIC in Eheb and Poblacion. The MOA for barangay Binablayan is still pending as one of the stakeholders is not amenable to the price being offered by the proponent for his lot.

In the MOA, the SCC will operate the dam for eight years.

Gov. Teddy Baguilat, Jr. was one of the witnesses in the MOA. He cited the importance of protecting watersheds being the lifeblood of the dams and terraces.

He added in return, the watershed keepers should also be rewarded.

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SK festival set Oct 24-26 in Ifugao

LAGAWE, Ifugao – A Sangguniang Kabataan Day festival will be held in this capital town on Oct. 24-26 with activities to foster camaraderie among provincial youth.

“This would provide a day of fun for the youth, said SK federation provincial president and board member Jomar Buyuccan.

Gov. Teddy Baguilat Jr. expresses support to the activity allotting a budget counterpart of P200, 000 citing Buyuccan as a good role model for uniting the youth

Buyuccan authored his first ordinance entitled “An ordinance declaring the fourth Saturday of October as the Sanguniang Kabataan Day” which was approved by Baguilat.

Buyuccan said his ordinance also aimed to create camaraderie among the youth thorugh gatherings so they could plan activities.

The activities on CK Day includes a dinner, prayer, parade, launching of SK Day ordinance, boxing tournament, singing contest, and youth variety show, G-String marathon, launching of the Ifugao State College of Arts and Forestry teen center and closing program.

More than 600 participants are expected to attend and participate in activities.
Buyuccan said he was inviting the media to cover events particularly the the G-string 9 km marathon fun run from Barangay Piwong in Hingyon town up to the Lagawe town plaza.

Members of the organizing committee headed by the PSKF are Lagawe local govnerment unit, provincial governor’s office, Pastor Jimmy Lachaona, Joel Tultog, Emmo Bimohya, Philippine National Police, PSDD headed by Mirriam Baguidudol, Ifugao Provincial Hospital, James Banawol, and the Ifugao Youth Confederation. -- Jun Kindipan Dumar

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Ifugao police nab 10 wanted persons, three jueteng bet collectors
By Vency Bulayungan

LAGAWE, Ifugao -- Police recently arrested 10 wanted persons and three bet collectors of the the illegal numbers game jueteng in different municipalities in the province.

This, following a directive from Supt. Joseph Adnol, provincial police director for all chiefs of police in the 11 municipalities to come up with a monthly “top most wanted persons” for neutralization.

Dubbed Implan Numbahol,” joint PNP personnel of the Asipulo and Lamut town police led by SPO2 Vicente Bannawol arrested George Marayag, the number one most wanted person in the
province wanted for murder with no bail recommended.

Marayag is now behind bars at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology at Tiger Hill in Kiangan.

Alfonso Lista town police also arrested Leopoldo Guyod of San Quintin for frustrated homicide who has a recommended bail of P24,000.

In Tinoc, police arrested one Elvis Dayao for six counts of rape. The suspect was turned over by
Tinoc police led by PO2 Exequiel Langpa Jr, to cops of Abatan, Buguias, Benguet.

For violation of Presidential Decree 705 or illegal logging, Togo Montalyao of Barangay Liwo,
Mayoyao was also arrested by SPO1 Ricardo Bengwic and PO3 Daniel Gumaad.

Mayoyao police chief PSI Ruben Panitio led his men in arresting Joe Choyawon and Julio Nahelngan for acts of lasciviousness.

With a recommended bail of P100,000.00, all three suspects were brought to the Banaue BJMP.
Jupiter Gallevo was also arrested by Lamut police led by SPO3 Ruben Aron for acts of lasciviousness.

Meanwhile, joint police personnel of Lagawe, Ifugao and Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya arrested Marvin Guieb for frustrated homicide.

The suspect now under the custody of the BJMP in Kiangan.

Aida Apilado and Simplicio Sales were also arrested for cattle rustling by joint police elements of Cauayan and Alfonso Lista led by Supt.Danilo Asirit and PSI Immanuel Viernes respectively.

Meanwhile, heeding the call of Gov. Teddy Baguilat to stop jueteng in the province, provincial police declared an all out war against the illegal numbers game and all forms of gambling.

As a result, Lamut police headed by PI Angelito Pallaya Jr apprehended three alleged bet collectors Rafael Bubod, Levy Puguon and Punciano Gina-at, all from Kiangan.

Confiscated from them were cash amounting to P706 from Gina-at and two motorcycles used by the suspects in collecting jueteng bets and transporting them to Nueva Vizcaya, where jueteng bets are raffled.

Police said bet collectors were now using cell phones to transact jueteng bets and just collect the bet without handwritten receipts.

In other developments, police also raided a tupada in Lagawe and a mahjong playing area.

“This is a result of the barangay proactive security program,” Adnol said. Many concerned
citizens are now reporting illegal activities to the police thus appropriate action are now being undertaken to address these reports.”

ENVIRONMENT WATCH

Robie Halip
Ifugao, Isabela execs cite role of watersheds in Norwegian confab

LAGAWE, Ifugao --- The governors of the host provinces of the Magat dam complex (Ifugao and Isabela) recently attended an environmental conference at Stavanger, Norway after they were invited by Statkraft, main investor of the SN Aboitiz company, to talk on impact of the company’s hydropower investments on local societies and indigenous populations in the Philippines in the Offshore Northern Seas conference and to witness the energy expo presenting clean energy booths.

The ONS conference is among the world’s largest energy conferences, organized bi-annually.
This year’s conference went with the title “Energy for One World” reflecting the combination of challenges in securing access to energy for development while protecting the environment.

SN Aboitiz, since its takeover on the management of the dam last April 2007, had been actively supporting health, education, environment, social infrastructure, livelihood and eco-tourism and governance programs in Isabela and Ifugao.

Gov. Teddy Baguilat, Jr. of Ifugao and Vice Gov. Ramon Reyes of Isabela, in place of Gov. Padaca, who attended the said conference shared to the Norwegian political youth organizations, leaders from the energy industry and the Norwegian Parliament Standing Committee on Energy and Environment the programs supported by SN Aboitiz that benefited numerous municipalities and schools of both provinces and the general state of watersheds supplying water to the dam.
Baguilat, in his presentation, cited the important role that Ifugao watersheds are playing in the sustenance of water supply for the dam.

Upland municipalities of the province had been consistently supplying water to the Magat dam since its construction in 1983 with the Hapao river in the municipality of Hungduan as the main feeder.

“Our watersheds though are currently in a critical condition as many of the dipterocarp and mossy forests are being converted to swidden farms and vegetable gardens or gradually destroyed due to unregulated quarrying, illegal logging and the increasing population” Baguilat said.

He said the provincial government in partnership with the Catholic Church and civil society organizations is currently embarking on a program to preserve the vanishing forests through the Critical Watersheds Development program.

This newly established program will get its start up funds from the share of the province in the dam’s transfer tax accrued from the sale of the Magat complex to SN Aboitiz from Napocor for information dissemination on the importance of maintaining the watershed areas not only to sustain the water supply but more importantly the preservation of traditions and culture embedded in those forests.

The taxes from the dam are of great help in the implementation of projects in the communities but their commitment to protect the watersheds will only be achieved if an alternative source of livelihood is provided to them to prevent them from converting the forests into vegetable farms and from engaging into unregulated quarrying and illegal logging.

“Giving back what is due to the watershed keepers would ensure the continuity of the operations of the dam and the continuity of our rich heritage” Baguilat said.

63rd Victory Day rites held in Kiangan

By Robie Halip

Kiangan, Ifugao--- The surrender of Gen. Tomoyoki Yamashita that ended the Japanese regime in the Philippines and entailed victory among the Filipino soldiers during the World War II was again reminisced by surviving war veterans and their sons and daughters last September 2 at the Kiangan Memorial Shrine.

The theme of this year’s Victory Day celebration went “The bravery and sacrifices of war veterans…Our glory and victory forever”. This event was graced by Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. and Usec Ernesto Carolina both from the Department of National Defense (DND).

The 63rd Victory Day celebration started with a simple wreath laying ceremony at the old Home Economics building of the Kiangan Central School where Gen. Yamashita surrendered and at the Kiangan Shrine where Sec. Teodoro, USec Carolina and other local officials each offered a wreath in honor of the veterans. Veterans and their sons and daughters from Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela and other municipalities of Ifugao attended the said event.

In his speech, Sec. Teodoro said Victory Day is not merely the celebration of the surrender of Gen. Yamashita and the struggles of the Filipino, of the North and of the veterans. “These struggles,” he said, “must not be seen as merely historical events. These struggles symbolize the very essence of what a country should be.”

“If we keep on looking back without looking forward we do dishonor to all those we call our heroes” he further stated. As a challenge he told the people that they must unite and overcome the struggles of today.

Gov. Teddy Baguilat, Jr. also delivered a message and emphasized his program against illiteracy, poverty, illegal gambling and graft and corruption. He reiterated the programs, implemented and ongoing, of the provincial government to answer the said social evils stated above like enterprise development programs, support to education and health programs and empowerment of the out of school youth and unemployed to become skilled workers through vocational trainings offered by TESDA.

“However,” he said, “our efforts can never be enough. We need the cooperation of all sectors of our community, from our officials in the national, provincial, municipal and barangay governments, the nongovenrment organizations, business sectors and the people.”
Baguilat called for unity to free the society from poverty, illiteracy, corruption and illegal gambling.

“By working as one,” he concluded, “the valor and sacrifices of our war veterans will not be rendered meaningless as they fought hard for our liberty with the hope that one day, we their children can live in a nation where there is genuine justice, peace and freedom. Let us not fail them.”

A dialogue between the veterans and USec. Carolina was conducted after the program.

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Repairing Ifugao rice terraces

LAGAWE, Ifugao – The provincial government here through the Ifugao Rice Terraces and Cultural Heritage Office is now set to rehabilitate damaged portions of the rice terraces at Hapao, Hungduan and Mayoyao.

Engineer Enrique Guinaat of IRTCHO said rehabilitation of the damaged portion of Bangaan Rice Terraces was finished last year and still ongoing at Batad and Nagacadan, Kiangan. Asked about the impact of the project in Bangaan, Guinaat said the productive status and aesthetic beauty of the rice terraces were revived

To ensure maintenance and durability of the restored rice terraces after the implementation of the said project, Guinaat said the provincial government and the farmers’ organization in the heritage sites signed a memorandum of agreement containing guidelines for its implementation.

The MOA provides the provincial government through IRTCHO shall provide expert advice; technical services, financial assistance for the employment of expert stonewall rip-rappers, and shall monitor the progress of the restoration activities.

On the part of the farmers’ organization, the MOA states the organization shall hire the services of expert stonewall rip-rappers to do the restoration of eroded rice terraces, participate in monitoring the progress of the work throughout the restoration activities, and see to it that process must abide with the works’ programmed quantity and quality.

Ifugao Gov. Teddy Baguilat Jr. said rehabilitation of the damaged portion of the rice terraces was to save these world heritage sites characterized by the United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization as “Living cultural landscape”. “Taking the rice terraces off the list of world heritage sites in danger is one of the main goals of the conservation and management of the Ifugao Rice Terraces,” Baguilat said.

Baguilat added aside from the rice terraces rehabilitation project, IRTCHO’s programs to achieve the objectives of the Rice Terraces Master Plan include the research on barangay histories, land use and zoning, community-based reforestation, documentation and mainstreaming of various forms of indigenous knowledge.

“The Nurturing Indigenous Knowledge Experts, an indigenous knowledge transmission project funded by the National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan (NFUAJ), is also being implemented,” Baguilat said.

In partnership with the Ifugao Research and Development Center, an NGO focusing on developmental researches, community dialogues on indigenous agricultural practices and climate change were conducted in Mayoyao, Hungduan, Hingyon, and Tinoc.

These and other programs to save the Ifugao Rice Terraces, according to him, are meant to preserve and enrich the interplay of the watershed, the rice terraces, people, and culture all for sustainable development. -- Jeremy M. Gawongna

Suspect in pastor’s slay jailed; killers of 2 teens, farmer hunted

BANAUE, Ifugao -- A drunken man who shot and killed a young pastor when he allegedly fired indiscriminately his rifle in this town is now in jail.

In Camp Dangwa, Benguet, Chief Supt. Eugene G. Martin, regional police director identified the slain pastor as Marvin Osao, pastor of the Pentecostal church in this province.

Martin named the suspect in the latest violence in this province as James Dinanghay, 23, of Sitio Liwang, Barangay Ibayong, Banaue.

Police investigation showed Dinanghay, who was under the influence of liquor, arrived home, and without any apparent reason, he brought out an M-16 rifle and fired at a vehicle with plate No. SJR 704 parked a few meters from his house.

Barangay Kagawad Frederick Maguiling and Osao, who were then sitting in a tricycle parked a few meters away, were alarmed by the indiscriminate firing.

Maguiling tried to pacify Dinanghay, shouting at him and asking him to stop the firing.
However, Dinanghay ignored Maguiling’s call and pointed the rifle at them. He continued firing with a bullet hitting Osao.

Dinanghay fled to a forested mountain, carrying with him the M-16 rifle. While fleeing, he fired again.

Maguiling, meanwhile, brought Osao to the Good News Hospital with the help of some residents.
Osao was later transferred to the Ifugao General Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Dinanghay later surrendered to the Banaue police station. This came after policemen negotiated with Dinanghay’s relatives for him to surrender.

The suspect was detained in the provincial jail in Lagawe town. The provincial prosecutor’s office was investigating the murder case filed against him by the police.

This, as a manhunt operation is being conducted by police against suspects who shot and killed Philip Madawat a.k.a “Sau,” 18,, single and resident of Poblacion East who was shot on his head and the other victim identified as Tyron Tuguinay Taguiling, student and resident of Dugong, Tungngod of Lagawe.

Martin said the motorcycle used by the suspects in killing Madawat and Taguiling left behind at Barangay Boliwong was already recovered, together with the two empty shells of a 9 mm handgun.

In another incident in Lagawe, a farmer was hacked to death in front of his son last Aug. 17.
The victim was identified as Ronald Dulnuan, 36, and a resident of Sitio Liyang of Barangay Boliwong here.

The suspect was identified as Ventura Cabbigat, 44 and a former army man.

According to witnesses, the victim and the suspect and a certain Efren Julio, a nursery caretaker, were having a drinking spree in that afternoon when Cabbigat reportedly said that he was going to hack Dulnuan because he was a traitor.

Dulnuan was heard asking the suspect not to hack him. Even Dulnuan’s son who was at the vicinity pleaded to Cabbigat not to hurt his father but Cabbigat took his bolo and hit Dulnuan on the neck which led to his instant death.

The suspect escaped the crime scene and Julio also fled out of fear.

Municipal Social Welfare Office Carmen Pantaleon Pantaleon said that Dulnuan’s son, an elementary pupil, was in a state of shock while police were conducting pursuit operations. against the suspect.

This, as four videoke bars were found out by police to have no permits to operate in the province.

These were identified as Papa Joe Karaoke owned by Teresita Pronen, LSO videoke bar owned by Wilson Habungan and Jun-Jebars mini-store, videoke bar and sing-along establishment all in Lagawe and a bar owned by Betty Taguiling in Kiangan;

Reports said a team led by Senior Insp. Esteban Dulnuan found this out after inspecting the establishments whether they complied with business permits, safety equipments precautions such as fire exits and fire extinguishers. -- Mar T. Supnad Dexter A. See and Vency Bulayungan

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Ifugao execs, folks act on conversion of forests into agricultural lands
By Vency D. Bulayungan

TINOC, Ifugao- In a bid to save mossy forests while boosting agriculture, the provincial government held a dialogue with municipal, barangay officials and farmers here to come up with action on destruction and unregulated conversion of watershed areas into agricultural lands in this remote town.

Gov. Teddy Baguilat said the provincial government will provide resources to carry land use and zoning, protection of watersheds, development of enterprise and reforestation.

Baguilat said farmers could continue gardening as long as it does not encroach on protected areas and that heavy equipment is not used. “This requires inter-agency coordination.”
Baguilat said parties agreed to have a land use and zoning to identify protected areas or watersheds and to ask the Department of Environment to continue its plan to delineate the watershed line.

During the regional peace and order council meeting in Banaue, Ifugao, provincial environment officer Basilio Mamanteo, said swift action teams in the tri-boundary area where deforestation occurs are being organized.

The parties also agreed to limit vegetable gardening to existing agricultural lands and avoid expansion into steep and watershed areas, stop new declaration of watersheds and guard against sale of real property tax assessments to Benguet businessmen.

To explore viable alternative livelihood, agroforestry and organic agriculture were recommended.

Other points of consensus: people should support mini-hydro endeavors and investments and strengthen police and DENR presence in the area to ensure that environmental laws are complied with.


Ifugao execs, veterans nix WW2 Victory Day celebration to Baguio
By Juan B. Dait Jr, .

KIANGAN, Ifugao — Ifugao World War II veterans and local officials are opposing a move by Baguio Rep. Mauricio Domogan to transfer the venue for the annual celebration of "Victory Day," which marks the surrender of Japanese Imperial Forces commander Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita to the allies on Sept. 2, 1945, from this town to Baguio City.

Yamashita, dubbed the "Tiger of Malaya," presented himself and his staff in the morning of Sept. 2, 1945 at the home economics building of the Kiangan Central School where he surrendered to elements of the US Sixth Army.

The Japanese general was whisked to the Bagabag airport in N