Mystery shrouds pastor’s murder

DEL PILAR, Ilocos Sur -- The mystery behind the murder of a 37-year-old pastor, working as a school principal, who was shot dead here night of Oct. 30 is still being unraveled by police.

Senior Supt. Virgilio Fabros, Ilocos Sur provincial director, said the victim, Dickson Uggay, was under suspension as principal of the Concepcion Adventist Academy due to unliquidated funds.

Probers said Uggay, who was also into the buy and sell of lands, was shot with a Cal.45 pistol.

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‘Dead meat’ downs 54 folk

SUYO, Ilocos Sur – Fifty four villagers who reportedly ate “double dead” meat during a wake in this upland town were hospitalized for diarrhea.

One died, a certain Dominguez Daplian, 36, of Sitio Dadtoco, Barangay Man-atong, Suyo, due to dehydration.

The rest of the victims were brought to local rural health unit and hospital for treatment. Health officials urged local folk not to serve such kind of meat as this is dangerous.

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Ilocos festival showcases indigenous peoples lores
By Freddie Lazaro

CANDON CITY -- Hundreds of indigenous people from upland towns participate in a festival here Oct. 29-30 showcasing uniquely attractive products, cultures and practices.of indigenous peoples in the province.

Ilocos Sur Gov. Deogracias Victor "DV" B. Savellano said the festival, called "Begnas Ylocos 2008," was held in the compound of the Candon South Central School.

"Begnas" is a native word that means "thanksgiving" or "offering ritual."

The festival was held to mark the anniversary of the approval of Republic Act No. 8371, otherwise known as Indigenous People Rights Act on Oct. 29, 1997.

Provincial Board Member Robert Tudayan, who is chairman of the festival committee, said Deputy National Security Adviser Luis "Chavit" Singson, House Deputy Speaker Eric D. Singson, and Gov. Savellano led officials who will attend the festival.

"Commissioner Eugenio Ensigne of the National Commission of Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Engineer Orlando Balloguing of the Bago National Cultural Society, former congresswoman Grace Singson, Agrarian Reform Undersecretary Rosalinda Bistoyong, Engineer Domingo Baquilan, and newly appointed NCIP Regional Director Sancho Buquing graced the festival.

One highlight of the festival was the oath-taking ceremony for newly elected officials of the Begnas Ylocos Inc. chaired by Tudayan.

The newly formed organization will manage the celebration in the future.

Other highlights on the first day were opening of the trade fair; food festival; search of the "Baggak ti Daya 2008 which is a beauty pageant to be participated by ladies with native roots; and indigenous sports.

A cultural ensemble competition was held on the second day of the festival.
On the third day, a chorale competition was held.

This event featured various native songs of the indigenous communities.

Board Member Tudayan said the objective of Begnas Ylocos 2008 was not only to celebrate the anniversary of the passage of IPRA but also to promote the native products produced by the IP communities.


Ilocos Sur gov pushes for yearly tobacco tripartite
By Myds Supnad

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur- To protect interests of thousands of tobacco farmers, Gov. Deogracias Victor “DV” Savellano is now pushing the yearly holding of a tobacco tripartite conference.

Citing the continued rising costs in planting tobacco, Savellano said since prices of fertilizers, pesticides, labor and other expenditures in tobacco farming, the prices of the tobacco products should be also given consideration by increasing also its prices yearly.

“From P800 per sack, the price of fertilizer is now as much as P2000,” said Savellano.

The last tobacco tripartite conference was held last November, 2007. Members of the tripartite are the farmers, cigarette manufacturers and the National Tobacco Administration, it was learned.

Savelano said it was right to conduct a yearly tripartite conference to discuss the tobacco prices together with the continued increasing of fertilizers, pesticides, among others.

For the past few years, big number of tobacco farmers refused to plant Virginia tobacco brought about by low prices of their products. Some of them shifted to planting hybrid corn, peanut, cotton and other crops.

But Savellano expressed optimism more farmers will be inspired to plant tobacco this plating season, saying he will again propose for the increase of flood price of their products.

Last year, tobacco traders had recorded 23.73 million kilos of tobacco were bought from the farmers.

But the national government, it was learned, was earning close to P22 billion from the tobacco industry in terms of taxes, among others.

Virginia tobacco is the prime income of Ilocos Sur which is now a first class province in the North.

And yet, tobacco farmers are still clamoring for assistance from the government since the tobacco industry is one of the major sources of income by the national government.

The National Tobacco Administration headed by Lawyer Carlitos Encarnacion, on the other hand, had also provided P51.24 in production assistance, benefiting 38,786 farmers.

Some farmers however said they didn’t feel the assistance the NTA had claimed to have provided to them.

‘Cyanide’ kills two, downs 54 in Ilocos

By Freddie G. Lazaro

CAMP PRESIDENT QUIRINO, Ilocos Sur -- Two fishermen died while 54 others were hospitalized in Barangay Pilar, Sta. Cruz, this province last week due to severe stomach pain, shortness of breathing, vomiting, and fever.

Gov. Deogracias Victor "DV" B. Savellano ordered Thursday policemen to conduct a thorough investigation on the suspected cyanide poisoning which police suspected caused the victims to fall ill.

Chief Insp. Jugith del Prado, Sta. Cruz chief of police, identified the dead victims as Jacinto Ronald and Loreto Cabradilla, both fishermen and residents of Barangay Pilar, Sta. Cruz.

Both men suffered severe stomach ache and fever then died, Del Prado said.

Ronald died while being treated in the Tagudin General Hospital in Tagudin, Ilocos Sur, while Cabradilla died while confined in the Ilocos Region Medical and Training Center in San Fernando City, La Union.

Del Prado said 22 of the 25 persons who fell ill were confined in the Tagudin General Hospital.

They were identified as Ardel Pascua, 20; Patrick Pascua, 17; Mattio Antolin, 20; Benito Nalaoagan, 40; Hector Cabradilla, 49; Joel Rondariz, 25; Arnold Rondariz, 27; Christian Ganat, 31; Edgar Cabradilla, 41; Alvin Peralta, 16; Rocky Manzano, 22; Jake Balanza, 29; Jomar Laurentino, 17; Ronald Cabuenas, 24; Erwin Cabunas, 24; Rea An Cabradilla, 13; Orlando Corpuz, 14; Romy Bermudez, 26; Joseph Bermudez, 21, Aboy Gascon, 22; Rolando Bio, 32; and David Manzano, 34, all residents of Barangay Pilar.

Many of them were taken to the hospital last Monday, police said.

Dr. Eugene Dauz, head of the Tagudin General Hospital, said three others were confined in another hospital, while 29 more victims were outpatients.

They all suffered stomach ache, vomiting, dizziness, difficulty in breathing, and body weakness. Del Prado said the first 25 victims were confined in the Tagudin General Hospital. "Eight of the 23 victims were already discharged from the hospital," he said.

Investigation showed on Sept. 21-25, a group of fishermen, including the dead victims, went to the Buaya River in the town to catch fish, locally known as "ipon" (small fish). Their catch was brought home, cooked and eaten by victims during meals.

Although the fish was eaten some two ago, the poison was believed to have gradually taken its effects in the victims. Doctor Dauz said the symptoms of illness indicated cyanide poisoning.

"Samples of the eaten fish were extracted from the victims were subjected to laboratory examination, while samples of water taken from the Buaya River were submitted to Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources for examination," Dauz said.

"We also refered the case to the Toxicology and Epidemiology Department of the Department of Health in Manila for examination," Dauz said.

He said appropriate medicines had been given to the victims for their recovery. "We are very thankful for the immediate support extended by Gov. Deogracias Victor "DV" B. Savellano and Vice Gov. Jerry Singson who provided the medicines for the victims," he added.

It was reported that one of the victims dropped sodium cyanide tablets in the Buaya River before they started catching the "ipon" fish.

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Solon pushes ecozone project
By Mar T. Supnad

VIGAN CITY, ILocos Sur — Rep. Ronald V. Singson (1st district, Ilocos Sur) sought the immediate establishment of the Ilocos Sur Special Economic Zone and Freeport (ISSEZF) project that is expected to spur economic development and generate thousands of jobs in Northern Luzon. The congressman also accused a fellow lawmaker of allegedly trying to stop the passage of a bill for the creation of the Ilocos Sur Special Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (ISSEZFA).

Singson, son of former Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson, said members of the House committee on economic affairs who had conducted a hearing in Salomague Port in Cabugao town, this province, where the proposed economic zone (ecozone) would be established, has already approved the bill.

Members of the committee, he said, noted economic benefits of the ecozone as well as the thousands of jobs that would be generated.

The young solon said that because of negative developments in the tobacco industry, the main source of farmers’ income in the province, there is a need for the immediate implementation of the ecozone and freeport project. It was reported earlier that during an committee hearing in Congress, Singson flared up when Rep. Exequiel Javier, chairman of the House committee on ways and means, tried to block the passage of the ecozone-freeport bill.

Laoag court worker shot dead

By Teddy Molina

VIGAN CITY – Police are still clueless on the killing here of a process server of the Laoag City court. Joselito Martinez, process server of Regional Trial Court Branch 56 in Laoag City, was shot dead Sept. 28 while having supper with his daughter in their house in Barangay 7.

SPO4 Roselio Magpali said they are facing difficulty in determining the identity of the gunman and the motive behind the killing, as they still could not get information from Martinez’s daughter who was still in shock.

Magpali said the assassin took advantage of the heavy rain, as Martinez’s neighbors were not able to hear the gunshots.

Martinez died while undergoing treatment at the St. James Hospital here.

In Laoag City, Martinez’s officemates were shocked upon learning of the killing. Clerk of court Zaldy de la Cruz said Martinez never told him of any threats to his life.

Ilocos solon hits anti-tobacco group’s claim

By Teddy Molina

CANDON CITY -- Deputy Speaker Eric Singson (second district, Ilocos Sur) dismissed as “unprofessional” and “baseless” the claim of an anti-tobacco group pointing to him as responsible for the death of more than 65,000 Filipinos for the last nine months for his role in halting the passage of a controversial bill requiring picture-based warnings placed on cigarette packs.

In a recent news report, the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance of the Philippines (FCAP) was quoted as saying Singson “should be made responsible for the death of 65,040 Filipinos because of tobacco-caused diseases since the bill was filed on Dec. 20.”

House Bill 3364 requires the printing of picture-based health warnings on the pack of cigarettes. The picture would portray various diseases caused by smoking in an attempt to influence smokers to quit  the habit and for the uninitiated not to start smoking.

FCAP and other similarly oriented groups are lobbying for the bill’s immediate enactment. They said that the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), an affiliate of the World Health Organization, had set Sept. 4 this year as deadline for countries to adopt graphic or  picture-based health warnings.

A staunch defender of the tobacco industry, Singson said “the accusation blaming me for the deaths due to cigarette-related diseases is “baseless, malicious and unprofessional and should be  censored.”

He said that it is his duty to protect the livelihood of tobacco farmers in his province whom he said have been planting the crop for a long time. Local observers noted that the measure adversely affects the industry saying that graphic health warnings on cigarettes would lead  to the eradication of tobacco farming.

Singson earned the ire of FCAP and related groups when he led a group of congressmen-members of the House committee on Health in trouncing HB 3364 at the committee’s technical working group hearing recently.

A consensus voting was held, Singson said, and the result had 24 going against the bill while only eight supported it.

The deputy speaker afterwards said “the bill is dead.” This did not sit well with the private sector endorsers of the bill with FCAP executive director Maricar Limpin deploring Singson’s allegation.

He denied FCAP’s allegation that the FCTC had imposed a deadline for the adaption of graphic health warning labels worldwide saying the same body did not make such labels to adorn cigarette packs compulsory.

“With regard to the cited health warning provision, the word used in the FCTC agreement is ‘may be’, so how can you impose this without violating the rights of concerned parties,” he asked.

Singson looks forward to the convening of the House committee on health where he said he would ”ventilate” fully the issues involved regarding the controversial bill.

He said Sen. Pia Cayetano, author of a similar measure in the Senate admitted the non-mandatory character of the provision when asked by Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile during a hearing on her bill.

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Ilocos powerusers to get P500
By Freddie Lazaro

VIGAN CITY -- The Ilocos Sur Electric Coop. is one of the electric cooperatives in the country that will receive R500 electricity subsidy for its customers, it was reported.

Teresita Ramos, manager of ISECo’s Vigan sub-area office, said the application of the cooperative for the release of the fund for the subsidy is being processed.

"Upon approval and release of the subsidy by the National Electrification Administration, we will immediately disseminate the information through the radio stations," Ramos said.

She said beneficiaries of the R500 electricity subsidy are member-consumers who use every month 100 kwh and less.

"Our ISECo employees are now validating the list of qualified beneficiary- recipients of the subsidy," Ramos said.

The cooperative’s Vigan sub-office is considered the largest branch office of ISECo in the province, servicing Vigan City and seven towns, namely Caoayan, Santa, Bantay, Sta. Catalina, San Vicente, San Ildefonso, and Sto. Domingo with 35,000 member-consumers.

"Out of the 35,000 member-consumers, at least 70 percent or 24,500 are qualified to receive the R500 subsidy," Ramos said.

Earlier, President Arroyo approved a R500 one-time electricity subsidy for poor consumers through her program called, "Pantawid Kuryente: Katas ng VAT."

The program aims to help electricity users cope with the rising costs of fuel and basic commodities.

The subsidy is taken from the collection of the expanded value added tax (EVAT).
Based on a memorandum issued by the NEA, the R500 subsidy will be deducted from the electric bills of the consumers.

This will be deducted from the monthly billings of the beneficiaries until the R500 is exhausted. The beneficiaries of the program were selected based on their recent monthly billings.

"All qualified consumers will receive a credit memo issued by the electric cooperative which will inform them of the subsidy and when will it be credited to their bills," Ramos said.


GMA releases P130 million for Vigan airport expansion
By Teddy Molina

VIGAN CITY – President Arroyo released P130 million last week paving the way for the start of construction work for the expansion of the Vigan airport to make it accessible to commercial and international flights, the office of Rep. Ronald Singson (lst district, Ilocos Sur) said last week.

Singson who had included the airport’s improvement among his priorities upon his election last year had earlier teamed up with Deputy Speaker Eric Singson (2nd district, Ilocos Sur) for the inclusion of P250 million in the national budget for the airport project.

The congressional fund initiative was made part of the 2008 budget of the Department of Transportation and Communications which was meant to be dispensed this year and next year.
With P130-million now released, the balance of P120-million will be due next year.

Local officials led by Ilocos Sur Gov. Deogracias Victor “DV” Savellano and Vigan Mayor Eva Medina said the airport was the key in bringing Ilocos Sur closer to the rest of the world and unlock the tourism, business, and trade potentials of the city and province.

In its present condition, however, only small planes and company-owned light aircraft are using it.

Rep. Ronald Singson’s father Deputy National Security Adviser Luis “Chavit” Singson had earlier envisioned the need to expand the airport during his term as governor to boost business and economic activities.

The former governor took note of Ilocos Sur’s proximity to China saying the province should prepare to be able to cash-in on the spill-over effect of the economic boom in the Chinese continent.

A former provincial board member, Ronald Singson said the airport project was urgent saying Vigan is a top location in the tourism world map chiefly due to its highly acknowledged community of centuries-old ancestral houses.

The well-preserved buildings that are still habitable had withstood the rigors of time earning for Vigan their inscription as World Heritage Site by the UNESCO.

“But international flights could not make it here,” he said, adding the “lost opportunity” would have otherwise benefited the city and his constituents in terms of income had Vigan been accessible to tourists by air.

Medina, Vice Mayor Francisco Ranches Jr. and local tourism councils joined hands with Chavit, Savellano, and Rep. Singson in looking for ways leading to the airport’s upgrading.

With the impending expansion of the airport, the first district congressman expects foreign visitors to come in droves perking up the sluggish growth in local tourism.

Savellano also cited the Vigan airport’s potential for increased trade and commerce with makers of the province’s noted products as beneficiaries.

Ilocos Sur’s furniture products, native food, and hand-woven fabrics topped the list of products sold during a regional trade festival held in Manila recently.

Ilocos lawmaker assails colleague over ecozone bill

By Myds Supnad

VIGAN CITY – Rep. Ronald Singson of the First District of Ilocos Sur accused Antique Rep. Exequiel Javier of allegedly blocking his bill to establish the Ilocos Sur Special Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (ISSEZPA) that will improve economic development and generate thousands of employment in this province.

“Instead of supporting the economic programs of the country for the benefit of the people, they (critics) are instead trying to block it,” Singson said on Wednesday.

Singson, son of former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson, said his critics should give his proposal a chance before accusing it (proposal) of various unfounded if not ludicrous reasons.

Rep. Singson lost his temper when Rep. Javier, chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, allegedly tried to suppress his economic development program for the Ilocos during the committee’s meeting on Aug. 26.

Singson said Javier was against his proposal arguing that the economic zone could be a haven for smuggling.

“I got angry and I challenged him (Javier) to file a bill to control smuggling and not block the development of Ilocos,” Singson said.

He said the members of the House Committee on Economic Affairs that conducted a hearing at the Salomague Port in Cabugao, Ilocos, where the proposed economic zone will be established, approved the bill that would provide economic benefits and employment to thousands of residents.

“In view of the declining tobacco industry, the main source of income in the province, there is a need to immediately approve this program to alleviate the plight of the Ilocanos,” said Singson.

Singson added he did not plan the economic zone for smuggling but for the creation of.

He said several foreign investors from China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan and other nations have already expressed their interest to invest in the proposed economic zone.

The said economic zone was a brainchild of former Gov. Singson when he was still a congressman and governor of this province.

The young Singson expects that around 10,000 jobs will be generated once the economic zone is in full operation.

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250th anniversary Segovia archdiocese held in Vigan
Freddie Lazaro

VIGAN CITY — Vigan residents and Catholic devotees in Northern Luzon started celebrations last week of the 250th anniversary of the transfer of the archdiocese of Nueva Segovia from Lal-lo, Cagayan to the former Ciudad Fernandina, now the City of Vigan.

Vigan City Mayor Eva Marie Singson-Medina and Bishop Ernesto Salgado, archbishop of the Nueva Segovia, led the significant and historic celebration.

"All things necessary for the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the transfer of the seat of Nueva Segovia from Lal-lo, Cagayan to our heritage city of Vigan were earlier prepared," Mayor Medina said. "The celebration is very significant to us because this is a part of the socio-cultural, historical, religious, political, and economic development of the city of Vigan."

The See of Nueva Segovia was transferred from Lallo, Cagayan to Vigan (Villa Fernandina de Vigan) on Sept. 7, 1758 upon the request of Bishop Juan de la Fuente Yepes during the pontificate of Pope Benedict XIV.

At that time, Vigan was rising as a center of Spanish culture, politics, and trade. This was the reason the bishops preferred to stay in Vigan.

In same year, the villa became Ciudad Fernandina de Vigan in honor of the reigning king of Spain.

The celebration started with free "open house" for museums and food and trade fair showcasing food delicacies and products of Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Abra, Cagayan, Baguio, Benguet, and Batanes will be held at the city proper and at Plaza Encarnacion.

On Sept. 2, Catholic devotees and parishioners from the 32 towns and two cities of Ilocos Sur conducted a pilgrimage from Lal-lo, Cagayan to Vigan.

Medina said significant events today are the concelebrated mass and procession; the search for the "first child born" (natural born); simultaneous planting of 2,500 tree seedlings with time capsules; and the re-enactment of the transfer of the seat of Nueva Segovia with a procession of the symbolic cross around the city of Vigan.

"On Sept. 8, we will celebrate our Solidarity Day with a "solidarity lunch," inauguration of the Buridek Children’s Museum, the signing of a memorandum of agreement on the newly created Metro Vigan coordinating council, and cultural presentation," Medina said.

The town of Vigan was founded by Juan de Salcedo, a grandson of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, who founded the city of Manila.

Salcedo went to the Ilocos to set up a military settlement in Vigan in 1572. In 1574, Salcedo established a Spanish residence in the poblacion in honor of Prince Ferdinand, the first born son of King Philip II of Spain, and named it Villa Fernandina.

The city of Nueva Segovia, however, was founded in 1581 by Pablo Carreon in Lallo, Cagayan, near the mouth of the Ibanag River (Rio Grande de Cagayan). Nueva Segovia, named after the old city of Segovia in Spain, was the capital and principal port of the region.

As a diocese, Nueva Segovia was canonically erected by Pope Clement VIII through a papal bull on Aug. 14, 1595 with Miguel de Benavides as its first bishop. Its territorial jurisdiction extended over all the provinces of Northern Luzon.

It was placed under the principal patronage of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Together with the dioceses of Cebu and Caceres, it was made a suffragan to the new archdiocese of Manila.

Because of distance and the need for a site at the center of the diocese, the See of Nueva Segovia was transferred from Lallo, Cagayan to Vigan on Sept. 7, 1758.


P150-M set for Vigan airport upgrade
By Teddy Molina

VIGAN CITY – The upgrading of the Vigan airport to make it accessible to domestic and international flights is expected to start next quarter after President Arroyo approved the release of the P150-million initial fund earmarked for the project.

Rep. Ronald Singson (first district, Ilocos Sur) bared this saying he intends to see Ms Arroyo and convey his province’s need for the air­port’s expansion to boost business, tourism, commercial and related activities in the area.

Singson, son of former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, said that the design and engineering details needed for the upgrading have been completed, adding that the project is ready for implementation.

He said that P250 million was allocated for the airport project and included in the budget of the Department of Transportation and Communication for 2008 and 2009 upon his sponsorship and that of Deputy Speaker Eric Singson (second district, Ilocos Sur) in Congress.

The young lawmaker said a major portion of the project that includes acquisition of airport equipment is expected to be accomplished with the P150 million initial fund. With the P100 million more due next year to complete the project, he said that the airport would be ready to accommodate commercial flights by 2010.

The airport will be extended by 800 meters and undergo substantial improvement to include the establishment of a control tower.    

Presently, the Vigan airport is being used by small planes and light aircraft.

A former provincial board member and Vigan resident, Ronald Singson stressed on the urgency of his airport project saying Vigan is on the tourism world map for its tourist-drawing ancestral houses.

The well-preserved centuries-old houses had withstood the ages earning for Vigan their inscription as World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. 

“But international flights could not make it here,” he said, adding the “lost opportunity” that would have otherwise benefited the city and his constituents in terms of income had Vigan been accessible to tourists by air.   

Local officials headed by Vigan Mayor Eva Singson Medina and Vice Mayor Francisco Ranches Jr. and tourism councils have earlier pointed to the airport as the key to unlock the potentials of Vigan as a tourism destination.

With the impending expansion of the airport, the first district congressman expects foreign visitors to come in droves perking up the sluggish growth in local tourism.

He also cited Vigan Airport’s potential for increased trade and commerce with makers of the province’s noted products as beneficiaries.

Ilocos Sur’s furniture products, native food, and hand-woven fabrics topped the list of products sold during a regional trade festival held in Manila recently.  

The province is also noted for its fine beaches and historical sites apart from ‘Vigan’ Longanisa, ‘pinakbet’, and ‘bagnet’. 

Ilocos Sur Gov. Deogracias Victor Savellano had earlier pointed to the local food delicacies as tourist drawers.

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Region 1 execs unite vs cigarette tax plan
By Teddy Molina

CABUGAO, Ilocos Sur – Chief executives of the four provinces comprising Region 1 have united and endorsed a resolution rejecting a government plan to come up with a uniform tax rate for all classes of cigarettes.

Ilocos Sur Gov. Deogracias Victor “DV” Savellano, chairman of the Regional Developmet Council bared this saying Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan will be adversely affected by the plan.

Savellano said the RDC, in its meeting held recently, passed the resolution which also expressed support to the move of House Deputy Speaker Eric Singson to oppose the Finance department-initiated tax move once it is formally submitted to Congress.

The planned tax scheme was targeted to generate higher revenues for the government.
Singson who heads the Northern Luzon Alliance, a formidable bloc of congressmen from the northern regions, said any attempt to amend the existing law mandating a four-tiered tax system on cigarettes would be rejected by his group.

Under the present set-up, cigarettes are taxed according to their class with the imported cigarettes paying highest followed by locally manufactured premium brands and the ordinary or low class cigarettes.

The excise tax impositions range from P25, P10, to P2.50 a pack.

According to Singson, the Finance dept.-sponsored measure would slap a uniform P14 excise tax on cigarettes regardless of class or brand.

The deputy speaker warned that if their products are charged P14 a pack from the present P2.50, manufacturers of ordinary and low class cigarettes will not stand the competition and will close shop leaving 60 percent of the tobacco production of northern farmers with no ready buyers.

“This (uniform tax rate) will kill the tobacco industry,” Singson said.

The low-priced ordinary cigarettes utilize low grade tobacco leaves as their raw material while the premium brands use top grade leaves.

Admnistrator Carlitos Encarnacion of the National Tobacco Administration earlier said a tobacco plant has a normal yield consisting of 40 percent of top grade leaves and 60 percent low grade.
He said a huge portion of the income of tobacco farmers come from the sale of their low grade leaf outputs.

In the RDC resolution, Savellano and his fellow governors – Michael Keon of Ilocos Norte, Manoling Ortega of La Union and Amado Espino of Pangasinan asked the government to reconsider its plan.

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NFA to supply 400,000 bags of rice in Ilocos, Cordillera
By Freddie Lazaro

VIGAN CITY -- The National Food Authority office in Region 1 will distribute additional 400,000 bags of rice this August to its various outlets in four Ilocos and two Cordillera provinces. The distribution of the additional supply is intended to keep the momentum of the agency in providing adequate cheap government rice to consumers.

As of July 25, 2008, reports reaching the Philippine Information Agency office here showed that the NFA Region 1 office had already distributed 301,444 bags of rice to the 1,173 retail outlets.

The two grades of NFA rice are sold to consumers at P18.25 per kilo and at P25 per kilo.

NFA Region 1 Director Joseph Y. dela Cruz said the volume of distributed rice is 75.36 percent of its target of 400,000 bags for July.

The NFA Region 1 Office based in San Fernando City, La Union supply cheap rice to the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, and Mt. Province.

"As it intensifies its rice distribution in the markets, NFA pulls down the prices of commercial rice from R36 per kilo to R32 per kilo in the Ilocos and Cordillera regions even as we predicted that commercial rice prices would soar during the lean period from July to September," he said.

He said that while the NFA floods the market with cheap government rice, the long line of consumers buying rice disappears, as commercial rice is already abundant in the market.

"Consumers saw radical price reduction in prices of commercial rice as NFA started to saturate all markets with sufficient supply of rice to all its outlets where several months ago, consumers were queuing when tight rice supply was felt and quantity sold was limited to three kilos per consumer," he said.

"Today, NFA outlets are selling five kilos per consumer and allocation of NFA rice have been doubled or tripled, causing the abatement of escalating prices," he added.

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3 rebels killed, several others hurt in clash
By Freddie G. Lazaro

SAN JUAN, Ilocos Sur — Three rebels were killed and many others were wounded in an encounter between a group of New People’s Army guerrillas and government soldiers in Barangay Arangin, Sta. Lucia town afternoon July of 26.

There was no reported casualty in the government troops.

Col. Roy T. de Vesa, commander of the Army’s 50th Infantry Battalion based in San Juan, Ilocos Sur, said that the firefight raged for more than one hour.

The rebels later fled, dragging along with them their wounded comrades as indicated by the bloodstains at the encounter site.

"The encounter started at about 1 p.m. and ended at about 2 p.m.," De Vesa said. "During our clearing operations, we found cadavers of the three slain NPA rebels, one them identified; five high-powered firearms, including two M-16 Armalite rifles, two M-14 rifles and one baby Armalite rifles with assorted live ammunition; and voluminous subversive documents," he added.

Before the encounter, De Vesa said troops of the Alpha Company led by Lt. Bulusan were conducting foot patrol in the mountainous area of Barangay Arangin.

They later responded to reports about the presence of some 30 fully-armed NPA rebels in the area. The NPA rebels were reportedly members of the SYP Sandino group operating in the hinterlands of the second district of Ilocos Sur.

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Soldier tagged in killing of Ilocos Sur cop, civilian
By Mar T. Supnad

BANTAY, Ilocos Sur – A female witness tagged a member of the Army’s 50th Infantry Battalion as the one who gunned down an Ilocos Sur policeman and a civilian last April 19, in a police line-up Wednesday. The witness pointed to the soldier, a certain Jake, from among 48 military personnel shown before her at the provincial police headquarters, as the gunman of SPO3 Joffrey Palacio and civilian Melchor Angala.

The witness said she had talked to the suspect prior to the shooting at the public market in Sta. Lucia town, said Senior Sup.t Virgilio Fabros, Ilocos Sur police director.

On the night of April 19, Insp. Joseph Cabreros, then the Sta. Lucia police chief, and three of his men responded to reports about the presence of armed men in a beerhouse, who turned out to be members of the 50th IB.

A misunderstanding allegedly ensued between the policemen and the soldiers when Cabreros questioned the military men for brandishing their firearms.

Apparently insulted, the soldiers left, but returned minutes later and fired shots. Lt. Col. Manning Tawantawan of the 5th Infantry Division and Lt. Col. Roy De Vesa of the 50th IB presented their men before the joint probe of the Army and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to dispel suspicions of a cover-up in the case.

“We are pursuing the angle that Jake, an alleged member of the Armed Forces deployed in Catayagan, Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur had an altercation with Palacio prior to the incident,” Fabros said.

Chief Insp.r Ricarte Marquez, the lead investigator, said the case against Jake would be finalized.

Fabros withheld the suspect’s identity pending a thorough probe and the possibility that more witnesses would come forward.

Maj. Gen. Melchor Dilodilo, commander of the Army’s 5th Infantry Division, said they “won’t condone any wrongdoing among our men (if they are found guilty).”

“We were even the ones who offered that a police line-up be done for the witnesses to (identify who among) my men shot the two,” he said.

“It is wrong to claim that we are not cooperating. In fact, I even urged the Provost Marshall to push for the joint investigation (with the CIDG) to punish whoever is at fault,” he added.

Senior Supt. Marvin Bolabola, CIDG-Region 1 chief, said they had difficulty with the witnesses, who were guest relations officers in the beerhouse where the shooting happened, as they had transferred to Candon City. “We are now tracking them down,” he said.

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Ilocos Sur PNP chief orders probe on murder of bocap
By Freddie Lazaro

CAMP PRESIDENT QUIRINO, Ilocos Sur — Ilocos Sur police director Senior Supt. Virgilio G. Fabros ordered Tuesday police investigator to conduct deep probe on the killing of the barangay captain of Pug-os, Cabugao, Ilocos Sur last Monday evening.

Barangay Captain Ely Agustin Y Sinco, 40, was shot and killed by unidentified motorcycle-riding men while he was about to bring home his cow along the national highway at Sitio Bessang, Barangay Pug-os about 7:15 p.m.

The killers, who used a Cal..45 pistol, immediately sped away.

"Don’t leave any stone unturned in the investigation," he told investigators.

"I am appealing to the witnesses to come out and help shed light in the probe of the shooting," he said.

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Ilocos army brass hit for silence in slay of policeman, civilian
By Mar T. Supnad

STA LUCIA, Ilocos Sur- The bloody murder of a policeman and a civilian remains unsolved for lack of police action and apparent refusal of the Philippine Army to coordinate with investigators, a confidential report showed yesterday.

Based on the report submitted to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Camp Crame, the killing of SPO3 Joffrey Palacio and Melchor Angala, both of this town, is yet to be solved due to alleged refusal of the 50th Infantry battalion officials to reveal the outcome of their investigators in the shooting to death of the two victims last April 19.

Despite the request made by the CIDG, the battalion did not provide the data on the shooting incident the CIDG was asking. Last June 24, a certain Lt. Col. Bautista, Provost Marshall of the 5th Infantry Division based in Gamu, Isabela, reportedly agreed to conduct a case conference with the police on the case. But up to now, no meeting was held.

Sr. Supt. Virgilio Fabros, PNP director, could not give data on the incident to the media based here, raising suspicion he was trying to hide the real story.

On the evening of April 19, a group of five army soldiers allegedly riddled with bullets the body of SPO3 Palacio Angala. However, reports said the PNP headed by Insp. Joseph Cabreros, then chief of police here, and three of his men reportedly arrived in the beerhouse to check the presence of armed men who turned out to be members of the77th IB of the army.

But some claimed the policemen went there to drink also at the beerhouse since they were in civilian clothes but brandishing firearms.

Another version gathered by Insp. Rolando Battulayan, newly-designated chief of police here, showed Cabreros and his three policemen arrived in the area in civilian clothes, then questioned the army men inside the beerhouse. Felt insulted, the army men suddenly left, then came back in a few minutes. Automatic gunfire followed.

“Nang makita daw ni Palacio na si Cabreros ay tinututukan ng mga armadong army ay nagtangkang sumaklolo ito ngunit inunahan siya ng mga army. Nang makarining ng putok itong sibiliyan na si Angala ay tumakbo. Binaril din siya,” said Battulayan.

Presidential assistant elected world sports fishing group head
By Mar T. Supnad

STA MARIA, Ilocos Sur- Presidential Assistant for North Luzon Growth Quadrangle Area Dr. Enrie A. Mendoza and Markilo Kosales, were elected overwhelmingly as the first Filipino chairman and president, respectively, of the more than 50 million card-bearing members of the World Sports Fishing Association (WSFA).

Right after their election, Mendoza and Kosales signed a memorandum of agreement with China representative Yan Bin at Tahanan ng Masa building in Malacanang complex where the presidential assistant holds office.

In the MOA, they agreed to promote “fun fishing” in the Philippines to start in the North to attract foreign tourists particularly those fond of fishing.

“The aim of this is to promote actually tourism industry in the country, particularly in Northern Luzon being strategically located near Taiwan, China, Hong Kong and neighboring countries,” Mendoza said.

A Regional Commander of the Knights of Rizal for North Luzon, Mendoza said among their programs to be implemented are the putting up of fishponda with beautiful resorts along coasts of Ilocos provinces, saying a number of their members will certainly come in the country every week for fun fishing and strolling.

With the signing of the MOA, Mendoza said more and more Taiwanese, Chine and other foreign nationals will visit the country the coming months and years.

Incompetent police chiefs set for relief: Ilocos brass warned on rise in killings

By Mar T. Supn

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur -- Chief Supt. Romeo Hilomen, Region 1 police director, warned he will relieve provincial police directors and chiefs of police in the region if they fail to minimize the rising number of killings and shooting incidents.

Hilomen said the spate of killings and shootings the first six months of this year was alarming.

“In Ilocos Sur alone, the number of shooting incidents and killings from January to June, this year, based on reports, is quite alarming, and it should be addressed immediately,” he said.

A report submitted by Senior Supt. Virgilio Fabros, Ilocos Sur police director, to Hilomen showed that of the 49 shooting incidents and killings in the first six months, only four (8.16 percent) were solved by his command.

Hilomen, meanwhile, said he will let the axe fall on where it should, adding that some cops are virtually sleeping on the job. Hilomen said the goons and hired killers in Abra might have come to Ilocos Sur after they were driven away by the additional forces in the trouble-rocked province.

Based on Fabros’ report presented at the command conference last week, the shooting killing incidents were broken down as follows: January, 7; February, 15; March, 10; April, 6; May, 9; and June, 2.

But the apparent failure to prevent and solve the killings and shooting incidents in the province prompted Hilomen to warn police officers concerned of a possible relief.

"Sabi ko sa kanila na tatanggalin ko sila sa kanilang puwesto kung hindi nila kaya ang kanilang trabaho dahil masyasdo ng malaki ang bilang ng mga barilan at patayan sa kanilang lugar," Hilomen said.

This reporter tried to get the side of Fabros, a native of Nueva Ecija, but the police officer refused to answer media questions. Ilocos Norte, based on the reports, had 65 shooting incidents in the first six months, and only 16 (24.62 percent) were solved.

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Candon picked ‘best performing’ Ilocos LGU
By Mar T. Supnad

CANDON CITY, Ilocos Sur — This component city was adjudged Best Performing Local Government Unit (city level) in the Ilocos Region. Mayor Allen G. Singson said the honor came as a result of combined efforts of city officials, heads of departments, employees and workers of attached national government agencies.

The mayor said the cooperation of the people of Candon also played a key role in the efforts to make the city government an efficient and effective LGU.

The award was given during the Regional Development Council meeting held recently in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur.

The eldest son of Rep. Eric D. Singson,(2nd district), Mayor Singson said the award was a reflection of the harmonious relationship among city officials, the city employees, and residents.

Vice Mayor Nestor Itchon said the legislative branch had always been very supportive of all city’s programs and projects.

"We share the same objectives and visions with the executive department as far as the delivery of services to our people is concerned, that is why we had excellent performance," Itchon said.

"I was expecting it because the city met all the requirements," said Victoria Ramos, the city’s local government operations officer.

The Region 1 RDC, in Excom Resolution No. 46, series of 2007, approved on Dec. 20 last year a proposal for the conduct of RDC-DILG Performance Awards.
It recommended two categories, the "Best Performing LGU," and the "Best Practices in the Ilocos."

The RDC said that the award aims to encourage LGUs to adopt good practices in the implementations of programs.

The Best Performing LGU was evaluated on five areas. These are a) governance, 20 percent; b) administration, 35 percent; c)social services, 25 percent; d) economic development, 10 percent; and e) environmental management, 10 percent.

The selection process was led and coordinated by the committee on development and ddministration. The regional selection team was composed of the Region 1 offices of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Budget and Management, and Civil Service Commission-1.

Ramos said that the DILG is the lead agency because in the evaluation process, it is using the Local Governance Performance Management System (LGPMS) system. Meanwhile, Singson said that the city expressed the hope that city would reap similar awards in the future, noting the smooth rapport in the governance affairs of the city.

"This recognition is being shared with everybody because this is something we aspire for," Singson said.

Laoag buildings to be torn down for large mall

BY JUN GUIANG

LAOAG CITY — The city government will relocate the old Laoag Central Elementary School and three other government buildings to give way for the construction of a shopping mall here, city officials said. Laoag Mayor Michael V. Fariñas said he has been coordinating with the Diocese of Laoag headed by Bishop Sergio Utleg in the formulation of the terms and conditions of the proposed mall project.

Records show that the 1.3-hectare lot where the school building stands was donated to then municipality of Laoag many years ago by the Catholic Church primarily for educational purposes. The eastern portion of the lot is occupied by a building housing the city school division office of the departments of Education, Fire Protection, and Girl Scout headquarters.

Fariñas said all the buildings in the lot would be demolished and transferred somewhere else at the expense of the prospective mall owner. Under the memorandum of agreement being finalized by the city government and the Diocese, the investor, who would win in the public bidding for the mall project, is required to post a P50 million fund for the relocation and construction of a new modern school building, Fariñas said.

During the public hearing held last Tuesday, Mayor Fariñas and Bishop Utleg convinced the people to support the project, citing the many benefits for Laoageños. These include more job opportunities, increased revenues for the city’s coffers, and other business activities.

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Marker for Bessang Pass unveiled; WW2 vets’ exploits cited

TAGUDIN, Ilocos Sur — National and local officials led surviving veterans and their relatives in the celebration of the 63rd anniversary of the "Battle of Bessang Pass" at the road junction in Barangay Bitalag here on June 14. House Deputy Speaker Eric D. Singson, Veterans Administrator Ernesto Carolina, Tagudin Mayor Jun Versoza and Gen. (ret.) Arnulfo Banez, national Commander of the United States Army Forces in the Philippines-Northern Luzon (USAFIP-NL), led the unveiling of the Bitalag Junction marker that immortalizes the valor and heroism of thousands of Ilocano-Filipino soldiers, who risked their lives to capture Bessang Pass during World War II.

Deputy House Speaker Singson said the place is significant and historical, considering that the Bitalag road junction served as a vital Japanese outpost which was assaulted by the elements of the 121st USAFIP-NL on January 8, 1945 and which was captured four days later.

He said that the siege of the Bitalag was the initial action in the Battle of Bessang Pass, a mountainous place located farther in the east. Bessang Pass was captured on June 14, 1945, hastening the surrender of the soldiers of the Japanese Imperial Army in the Philippines.

The Bitalag road junction is the gateway to the Bessang Pass, which is about a two-hour uphill ride. Bessang Pass is located on Highway 4 in Barangay Malaya, Cervantes, Ilocos Sur. At the Bessang Pass, a monument stands, some 5,250 feet above sea level. It served as the backdoor of General Tomoyuki Yamashita’s last-ditch defense in the final stage of World War II.

The Battle of Bessang Pass was captured by elements of USAFIP-NL on June 14, 1945. Ilocos Sur Gov. Deogracias Victor "DV" Savellano, who had earlier led local officials and policemen in the floral offering at the foot of the historical monument of the "Battle of Bessang Pass" in Barangay Malaya, cited a historical fact that the "Battle of Bessang Pass" began with the assault on the Japanese line at Bitalag, Tagudin, Ilocos Sur, by the USAFIP-NL on Jan. 8, 1945.

This was followed by the seizure of the enemy stronghold on Highway 4 and the defeat of the Japanese defenders of the Pass on June 14, 1945. The five-month battle spearheaded by the 121st USAFIP-NL was described by American military authorities as one of the most terrible, incredibly difficult battles of the entire war.

At least 3,400 men were killed and wounded during the series of gun battles in which Filipino soldiers from 10 units with the support of eight American Army units fought gallantly for freedom and peace. "The commemoration of the 'Battle of Bessang Pass' reminds us the value of patriotism, freedom for peace and development," Savellano said.