Ilocos agri, health workers find hope in Marcos' SONA

By Leilanie Adriano 

LAOAG CITY – Farmers, fishers, health workers, and members of the business sector in Ilocos Norte found new hope in President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.
    Fisher Arnulfo Cabacungan Jr. of Barangay Metro La Paz, Laoag City said he felt the President’s sincerity in making the country a better place for farmers and fishers as he had witnessed how various farm machinery and agriculture inputs benefit rural communities in the province.
    "In Ilocos Norte, there’s a lot of aid being given to farmers and fishers under the Marcos administration,” he said in Ilocano from his home.
    Farmer Marvin Agustin of San Nicolas town likewise lauded the President’s focus on ensuring food security by improving the agriculture sector while ensuring that basic goods and services are made affordable and accessible to all.
    “The Kadiwa ng Pangulo program is good. It connects producers to consumers directly without middlemen, which makes goods more affordable and accessible to everyone,” he said in an interview, referring to the government's program in which produce is sold at cheaper prices by removing intermediaries.
    Farmers here also lauded the President for condoning the old debts of agrarian reform beneficiaries as he awarded unused lands to deserving farmers.
    “Thank you so much to our President for continuing his father’s legacy to the needy farmers. We feel more secure now for the future of our children,” said Carmen Quitadio, a resident of Cabaroan village in San Esteban, Ilocos Sur.
    Health workers in the province were also delighted to hear that their hazard pay would be released while qualified students of state universities and colleges would continue to enjoy free education.
    “I am happy that the present administration recognizes the sacrifices of health workers, particularly during the pandemic. I hope village health workers too will get what they deserve,” said Leslie Salvador, a nurse from Batac City.
    Business groups were also happy with the government’s digitalization efforts as mentioned by the President to improve public services, promote ease of doing business, and fight graft and corruption.
    “Taxes are the lifeblood of the government. Taxes are the main source of revenue for the government. So, with the government’s digitalization program, we can be assured of more efficient and faster government transactions when paying our taxes, which enables the government to perform its duties and provide public goods and services,” Laoag businessman Hanson Chua said. -- PNA
 
 
 

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Bontoc mayor cites programs in SOMA

Mayor Tudlong delivers first SOMA on January 26, 2023, at the Municipal Capitol Auditorium.

 

By Alpine Killa-Malwagay

BONTOC, Mountain Province –Speaking before a large audience, Bontoc Mayor Jerome “ Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr., delivered his first State of the Municipality Address (SOMA) on Jan. 26 at the municipal capitol auditorium here citing his administration’s accomplishments  the previous year and plans for year 2023.
    In his address, the mayor gave a clear view of the operations of the municipal government and how its budget is divided to cater to the different sectors reaching the grassroots level - the barangay. The budget distribution paved the way for the great head start in achieving the administration’s vision which is ENLANGAKHA: Achieving the Vision for a Dynamic Bontoc.
    It encompasses four pillars, namely: Ecosystems Regeneration; Empowered Communities; Economic Empowerment; and Good Governance.
    The mayor said Bontoc can regenerate its ecosystems through proper solid waste management; reviving biodiversity and damaged ecosystems: implementation of climate adaptation and disaster resilience programs; and expansion of water systems and maintenance of sanitation.
    Some of the highlights of accomplishments and plans under the first pillar are: Bontoc remains to be the ONLY municipality in Mountain Province that has a functional Engineered Sanitary Landfill (ESL) of which, the municipality has spent P5 million;
    The Bontoc LGU was able to source out P23 Million from DILG and DBM for the construction of an all-weather road at the Am-anchu Waste Processing Facility; Re-launching of the Oplan Pera Sa Basura; Planting activity tagged as “OPLAN KAWAYAN: Sustainably Protecting our Mountain Slopes”. It aims to propagate enough bamboo to prevent and mitigate the effects of soil erosion in all 16 barangays; Organized fire brigades and emergency responders; Bontoc is the FIRST and ONLY municipal LGU in Mountain Province to have Level 4 Incident Command System (ICS) graduates; The Bontoc LGU will be constructing a dog pound at Am-ancho where all stray dogs will be brought; and improvement of water systems for barangays outside Central Bontoc.
    Tudlong said communities are empowered through projects on health and nutrition, local culture, and the arts; strengthening the support to education and youth development and maintenance of peace and order.
    Among undertakings: The Municipal Health Office (MHO) has been granted by the Department of Health (DOH) a License to Operate as a Primary Care Facility and as a Clinical Laboratory; The Bontoc LGU was able to access P300 Thousand from the DOH for the improvement of Barangay Health Stations in Can-eo, Mainit, and Samoki; The Bontoc LGU was able to access a grant of P1 Million for the improvement of the TB DOTS Center and other health facilities; Purchase of a fully automated biochemistry analyzer; In negotiation for the purchase of a lot for the expansion of the Bontoc Public Cemetery; Allocation of funds for the retirement benefits of Barangay Health Workers who have reached 65; Financial assistance to all public schools; Assistance in the Brigada Eskwela; Youth Leadership Summit; Municipal Student Financial Assistance Program; Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations; Cash Incentives to athletes; and two barangays are beneficiaries of the million-worth ELCAC programs
    The mayor highlighted promoting agriculture; revitalizing local enterprise; strengthening sustainable tourism; promoting green infrastructure; and opening Bontoc's economic corridors are key factors in Economic Empowerment. Among these are: Assistance to farmers; Operation of a Multi-species Fish Breeding Center in Barangay Talubin.It is the first breeding center to be maintained by a municipal LGU in Mountain Province; Opening of additional tricycle franchise
    The Bontoc LGU was able to access a grant worth P4.8 Million from the DSWD under its KALAHI-CIDDS PAMANA IP-CDD Program; The Bontoc LGU was able to access P50 Million from the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) of the DILG for the rehabilitation of the Bontoc Public Market; The Bontoc LGU was able to secure P25 Million grant from the LGSF of the DILG for the rehabilitation of Balikyan-Dalican FMR; and installation of solar streetlights along strategic areas.
    Tudlong said good governance is through people-centered services.
    Among these are: Financial assistance to indigent individuals; Provision of assistive devices to PWDs; Bontoc is the ONLY municipality in Mountain Province that qualified for the grant of the Performance-Based Bonus for its compliance with Good Financial Housekeeping, Anti-Red Tape Act, Audit Finding, and Performance Rating Consistent with SPMS requirement of the CSC.
    The mayor made mention of numerous prestigious national and regional awards accorded to the municipality.     He credited these awards to the collective efforts of all stakeholders.
    “But even with all these awards, we know that there are still much room for improvement. Therefore, I ask for your continued support because there are still many daunting challenges ahead and greater things can only be achieved by working together. Nu infina-chang tako, mas khumag-awis ya mas inlangakha nan Fontoc ay Kalalaychan," the mayor added.
    Present during the occasion are municipal and provincial elective officials, heads from National Government Agencies-Provincial Offices, Bontoc LGU employees, senior citizens, barangay officials, and other stakeholders.

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An assessment of Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s first 100 days in office

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. gestures as he delivers his first State of the Nation Address, in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, July 25, 2022. (Photo: Jam Sta Rosa/Pool via REUTERS)

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. marks his 100th day as president of the Republic of the Philippines                                                   Friday (October 7).

By Marvin Joseph Ang

With over 31 million of the voting population handing to him the seal of approval to govern, he inherited a country severely devastated by the adverse effects of the pandemic, skyrocketing prices of goods in the market due to a high inflation rate, rising unemployment rate, trillions of foreign and domestic debt, and so much more.
    Although Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said that the administration will not release an accomplishment report, some officials, including allies of the president, have already weighed in on his first 100 days.
    Former President and Pampanga Second District Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, in a statement, said: “I think a president’s first 100 days serves two purposes: first, to give the nation and the world a message of confidence relative to the area of greatest concern; and second, to give the Filipino people of the leadership style of the president.”
    “In President Marcos Jr.’s case, in the wake of the pandemic and global tensions in Ukraine and Taiwan, the adverse economic impact of these crises is topmost on most minds,” she added.

    Arroyo said that Marcos was able to assemble an “impressive economic team that has been universally praised,” and “has projected himself well as a calm, thoughtful leader who is true to his promise to promote unity and be a president for all.”

    In a speech before members of the Manila Overseas Press Club, Marcos said that his greatest achievement during his first 100 days is he was able to put up a “functional” government with “a very, very good idea” to achieve “strict economic targets,” nevermind the fact that up to now, in the middle of agricultural crises due to shortage of agricultural products, and the continuing public health concern brought by the pandemic, there is still no secretaries in the Departments of Agriculture and Health.

    “We are grateful for their talent, to have them in place gives us a very distinct advantage as we try to transform our economy for the next two years,” Marcos said.

    Past presidents usually publish accomplishment reports or at least try to come up with one, to show that the government the people elected is functioning well. To show the country that amid the chaotic red tape of government bureaucracy, the election and appointment of a fresh set of officials work, before it fizzles out due to systemic corruption and whatnot.

    However, it seems that what Marcos has accomplished in the last 100 days, aside from being seen partying hard on numerous occasions, is putting out the flames that factions within his own government have created.

    Just last week, two of his alter egos, and a chairperson of an important constitutional commission, resigned, or just simply walked out of the Palace.

    He may have brought home pledges from his state visits to neighboring Southeast Asian countries, $8.5 billion in Indonesia and $6.5 billion in Singapore, and the United States where he got $3.9 billion, we have yet to see the benefits of these investments as these are only pledges, and could still be pulled out.

    Bersamin, who arrived in the administration past Marcos’s 90 days in power, called the president’s first 100 days “very inspiring.”

    “Nada-divert lang nang kaunti because there were turbulences, but common ‘yan sa mga new administrations,” he said.

    (It only gets diverted because of the turbulences, but it is common in new administrations.)

    But at this point, Marcos’s “unity” should’ve already translated to more concrete socioeconomic policies, and plans to curb the rising inflation rate and shortages of goods.

    Until then, it’s safe to conclude that candidate Marcos and President Marcos have not so much in common.

    Marvin Joseph Ang is a news and creative writer who follows developments on politics, democracy, and popular culture. He advocates for a free press and national democracy. Follow him on Twitter at @marvs30ang for latest news and updates. The views expressed are his own.

 

 

 

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Bongbong’s SONA short on objectives

PERRYSCOPE

Perry Diaz

PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s first SONA before the joint session of Congress lasted for an hour and 14 minutes.  It highlighted a 19-point legislative agenda.  However, it excluded human rights, justice, and peace -- issues that have houndedthe previous Duterte regime.
    What was the message or what was he trying to avoid… or both?   Why the sudden silence on the three most important issues that would determine the paths to be taken by his presidency?  Or could it be that he isn’t prepared to elevate the priorities that he as chief steward of the ship of state to a level of highest importance? 
    At this point we can only speculate just like when he refused to participate in the debates during the campaign.  He probably surmised that by evading discussion of these important issues, the Filipino people would give him a pass just like before. 
    But skipping the debates is one thing and evading the issues is another.  After he skipped the debates, it left his future direction uncharted.  He didn’t have to make promises on how to address the pressing issues like the Covid-19 pandemic, economic downturn, drug problem, inflation, unemployment, health care, rising prices of gas and rice, and recession.
    Unlike his predecessor, former president Rodrigo Duterte, who said that he’d solve the peace and order situation and how he’d get rid of the drug and criminality problem in six months, Marcos did not mention them at all.  He did not talk about the issue of justice and rule of law, which Duterte pursued with vigor, eliminating 27,000 people as a result in the campaign against drugs, which was Duterte’s pet project.  He did not talk about how he is going to fight corruption in government.  Needless to say, by not addressing them, he did not take responsibility and own accountability.
    “Simplicity, economy, and efficiency”
    He issued Executive Order No.1, which abolished the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) in the guise of achieving “simplicity, economy, and efficiency.”  But instead it created another layer of bureaucracy, the Deputy Secretary for Legal Affairs (DESLA), which has its hands already full of cases investigating internal and external legal matters.
    He did not mention appointments to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) that is tasked to recover the ill-gotten wealth of his family and their cronies. The PCGG was formed in 1986 in the aftermath of the People Power Revolution that ousted the Marcos dictatorship and ushered in the government of Cory Aquino.  It was tasked solely to recover the ill-gotten wealth of the Marcos family and their cronies.
    Cristina Palabay, secretary-general of human rights group Karapatan, also noted that there was no mention of “press freedom, disinformation, death penalty, and failed domestic accountability mechanisms.”
Justice and rule of law
    Former Senate minority floor leader Franklin Drilon said the Marcos government should not “sweep under the rug” issues concerning justice and rule of law, saying that a strong justice system could also boost investors’ confidence.
    But Marcos raised some concerns among business circles when he vetoed HB 7575 creating the Bulacan Airport Special Economic Zone and Freeport adjacent to the proposed airport city in Bulacan province.  It is expected that his veto would drive foreign investors away.  Not good for his fledgling presidency.
    Marcos, surprisingly, included in his legislative agenda the revival of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. (ROTC).  Surmise it to say, the ROTC could be called upon in cases of national emergency.   But short of invasion by a foreign power, the ROTC need not be activated and armed.  Unless of course a civil war erupts between the communist New People’s Army (NPA) and the Muslim separatists in Mindanao, in which case the ROTC could be armed and sent to the troubled region.  But between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police who have a combined strength of 250,000 armed personnel, I don’t think the ROTC needs to be deployed in the war zone.
Overkill
But that just shows Marcos’ paranoia of national turbulence.  A case in point was during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 25, he ordered 21,000 armed personnel to guard the National Museum of Fine Arts where the swearing-in occurred.  It was overkill.  It shows how he fear for his life.  Besides, the protestors were not allowed near the building.  They had to hold their rally miles away in Quezon City.  
    Many Filipinos are apprehensive about the prospect for martial law under Bongbong Marcos.  Although it’s unlikely that he’d declare martial law soon, a lot of people are expecting him to gradually undermine the existing system by changing the law, little by little. 
    One of the laws that he needs to address is taxation.  When he was elected, he commented that the government does “not have good collection on taxes,” citing the influence of corruption.
    “The economy of the Philippines will simply not succeed, we cannot collect duties, tariffs, etc through the BOC and we do not have good collection on taxes both on the national and local level. Hindi talaga uubra. The numbers don’t match,” Marcos said.
    He added, “So that’s why it’s very, very important and we have to at the very least reduce the corrosive influence of corruption in government as a general rule,” he added.
Marcos’ unpaid estate tax
    Last March, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) confirmed that it sent a demand letter to the Marcos family to settle their unpaid estate tax worth P203 billion.
    When asked about corruption in the BIR, Marcos Jr., consistent with the family’s historical denialism, said that past corruption in the agency would be forgotten.   Hmm… Does that mean that he would not pursue the collection of the Marcos unpaid estate taxes?  He said that it was not under his watch.  “I was not in charge at the time. Now that I am governing, there shouldn’t be corruption anymore.  Wait until the taxpaying people stop paying their taxes, then you can say that Mr. President.
    At the end of the day, I believe President Marcos Jr.’s SONA was short on objectives.  I wish him all the best and may the good Lord guide him on the righteous path in governing the Filipino people.
(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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‘Whole of nation approach’ against commies pushed

By Liza Agoot 

BAGUIO CITY – A mayor said the "whole of nation approach" to “End the local communist armed conflict (ELCAC) of President Rodrigo Duterte should be continued by the next administration. 

Sadanga, Mountain Province mayor Gabino Ganggangan said the ELCAC was “a comprehensive and effective way of addressing the insurgency problem of the country.     

As early as the first two years, you can already see the merits. Insurgency will not end in a few years but we are glad he started it.”
    Ganggangan bared this after President Duterte recently delivered his last State of the Nation Address (SONA) where he reported to the Filipinos the accomplishments of his administration, his priorities in the last 11 months in office, and the legacies he wants to leave for the next generations.
    Antonio Domes-ag, a retiree and former mayor of Penarrubia, Abra, said he appreciated the President's "mild-mannered way of delivering his SONA compared to his usual talk to the nation. He exerted effort not to say any invective. He was also polite in addressing Vice President (Leni Robredo).”
    As a retiree and a father, he said the accomplishments of the Duterte administration "are felt by the people especially under the Build, Build, Build program".
    On the anti-illegal drugs campaign, Domes-ag said those cited by the President are felt by the people, especially the rape victims of drug addicts.

“He (Duterte) was also correct when he said he was not able to rid corruption because there are still a lot of corrupt people in government,” he said.

Col. April Rose Ayangwa of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said the administration's public safety programs "are all commendable and great".

"Being in the uniform service, we feel that we have a President who cares and provides focus on public safety concerns -- national security (internal and external) and for the well-being of the men and women in uniform by doubling our salary, modernization program, free legal assistance, and the retirement plan and benefits,” she said.

Salvador Ballena Jr., a member of the Bagalay Farmers Association in Tayum, Abra, said, “it is a big help particularly to us farmers those mentioned by President Duterte on the passage of the rice tariffication and free irrigation laws),” he said.

Barangay Chairperson George Esteras of Dagupan Centro, Tabuk City in Kalinga said the public is benefiting from projects under the administration like anti-illegal drugs and infrastructure projects. -- PNA 

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Diaz saves day during Du30’s boring SONA

LETTERS FROM THE AGNO

March Fianza

As millions of Filipinos were glued to their TV screens, listening to President Duterte’s long, boring and incomprehensible state of the nation address, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz of Zamboanga pulled the rag from under the feet of the president and made our day.
    Hidilyn lifted 127 kilos of barbell in the Tokyo Olympics on July 26, 2021; beating the all-time winner in female weightlifting from China. Although, I have seen male porters load 40-kilo sacks of rice on trucks at the Baguio market, they can carry two sacks at least, equivalent to 80 kilos.  I imagined, Ms. Diaz carried an equivalent of three 40-kilo sacks of rice, plus seven kilos extra.
    Ms. Diaz snatched the gold in the weightlifting event in the Tokyo Olympics and put the Philippines on the sports world map. This was the first Olympic gold that the country grabbed by the first female to win it. With that, we all seemed to have forgotten that it was still raining cats and dogs that evening.
    On that lucky day, 30-year-old Ms. Diaz became the latest Filipina millionaire, not because she will be P40-million plus richer, but because she won a million admirers from all over the world, maybe billions.
    Gifts did not stop coming as President Duterte promised her a house and lot in Zamboanga, another guy gave her a house and lot in Tagaytay, still another will give a condominium unit worth P14 million, a Foton van, and many more.
    Her winning should make us weigh our country’s status in sports. It is certainly not an easy task to participate in world sports. Just by looking at your opponents makes you feel like packing up to go home because your rivals are bigger and well-trained with up-to-date equipment.
    Hidilyn’s win should make us think of seriously crafting a national sports program, maybe pour more funding but seeing to it that it is spent wisely.    
    While children, whether enrolled or out-of-school are interested in basketball, I have not seen a basketball court that was completed with the necessary features. In most cases, the facility is constructed in trickles.
    I recall annual sports competitions for public and private schools. During the opening parade of delegates, we see elected and appointed officials together with all school officials from the highest directors and superintendents down to the referees and coaches.
    Of course, they are happy to join the parade to display their new made-to-order and personalized colorful uniforms; complete with caps, T-shirts, jackets and jogging pants. But observe, during the actual competitions, the athletes who directly compete do not have the proper gear. No running shoes and no mitts for track and field athletes, sad to say.  
    On the same day that Ms. Diaz was competing, President Duterte was delivering his SONA that was not easy to comprehend by the ordinary man on the street. It was even more incomprehensible because of the unnecessary clapping by the audience of lawmakers and public officials.
    They were applauding even before Duterte made his point which drove him to express disapproval by asking why they were always clapping. This was aside from a teleprompter that was not working well as it was always hanging and pausing.
Duterte’s last SONA was long and boring as those he mentioned were not what the ordinary man on the street wanted to hear. His first five SONAs were more interesting as he was his own person with his dirty language. That was what millions of common people who can relate with him wanted to hear – his foul language.
    He is known for bad mouthing, and hoodlums love him for being natural. They relate with him as one among them or as any backstreet thug who has no pretensions. To an extent, he admitted his closeness to President Xi Jin Ping of China even while he knew that such closeness irked his political enemies
    Understandably, the opposition would always be unsatisfied with SONAs and naturally they would not hear from any President what they expect to hear. It is even much harder to make him act and talk the way they have seen previous presidents talk.
    For Duterte, he has become the most talked about president, just like Trump. But all presidents are criticized especially if s/he does not act the way they want him to. Because of their own styles, the good things delivered during their incumbency are set aside.
    Presidents are incomparable as they are totally different individuals with different mindsets. The audience has to go inside the mind of the speaker to understand his person and what he is talking about. Duterte’s original style of delivering a speech was to talk, saying what he wants to say without thinking about the effect on his audience.
    This time he did not mention Federalism when it was this topic that catapulted him to Malacanang. He did not talk about Mandanas law which increased the internal revenue allotment of LGUs from the national wealth. As an ordinary local chief executive, he won as president.
    He did not talk about a roadmap to get out of the Covid-19 pandemic problem. Just like any LGU executive, he knew that nobody could predict how the dreaded virus will act in the future. It is a problem that has to be analyzed as it comes.
    But he thanked the frontliners, government agencies and the private sector who are fighting the pandemic, hinting that there is a need to unite in order to win the fight against the virus.
What caught my attention was when the president said, there were times he wanted to go out of Malacanang but the Presidential Security Group prevented him from doing so. He said, the PSG has to obey the law on keeping a president safe and secure. This only shows that it is not easy to be president and head a nation. It is lonely at the top.

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Sona held in Baguio; gov’t projects bared

BAGUIO CITY - - The sixth “Kasama sa pamana pre – SONA (State of the nation address) series headed by the offices of Executive Secretary, Cabinet Secretary and Presidential Communications Operations was held  June 1  here at the Baguio Convention Center wherein government programs and accomplishments under the administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte were bared including government response on the Covid-19  in Cordillera.
    Cabinet Sec. Karlo Nograles presented national food policy result areas and roadmap headed by the Inter Agency Task Force on Zero Hunger created through the President’s executive order 101 series of 2020.
    Agriculture Sec. William Dar, Cabinet Officer for regional development and security for Cordillera, presented accomplishments in the region under the Duterte administration. 

He cited significant decrease of poverty in the region.

From 22.7 percent in 2015, it went down to 12% in 2018, and this was made possible with the growth in regional economy.

Video presentations on accomplishments of governance clusters were also presented.

Dept. of Health Cordillera assistant regional director Dr. Amelita Pangilinan presented Covid-19 update in Cordillera and vaccination program in the region.

Nograles said amidst challenges brought by Covid– 19, the government continues to work. 

With the Pre-Sona series, government aims to inform people major accomplishments of the President and policy direction of the administration until 2022, government’s response against Covid – 19, including vaccination and deployment program. 

PIA Director General Ramon Cualoping III, said “as the Duterte administration approaches its end, the President’s accomplishments would forever remain to be emulated, sometimes criticized but mostly appreciated, and it is upon us to continue whatever legacy he has for the people.”

He said among President Duterte’s legacies is the campaign for an illegal drug- free Philippines, infrastructure development through the Build, Build Build Build program, ending insurgency through executive order 70 that pushes for a whole of nation approach to end local communist armed conflict and   the fight against Covid – 19 that includes free vaccines for all Filipinos.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the event was marked by four Cs in good governance namely, cooperation, collaboration, coordination and communication. – PIA Cordillera

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Du30 admin, plans feature set in 6-1 Baguio pre-Sona

By Marissa Cabatu

BAGUIO CITY – An event to feature major accomplishments of President Duterte’s administration and plans for the remainder of his term is set here at the Baguio Convention Center on June 1.
    The President’s report will cover six cabinet clusters on economic development, infrastructure, human development, poverty reduction, participatory governance, security, justice and peace and climate change, adaptation, mitigation and disaster risk reduction.
    Though this event, the Cordillera National Economic and Development Authority and Regional Development Council will support the Office of the Cabinet Secretary and the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) in the Cordillera leg of the “Kasama sa pamana: regional pre-state of the nation address” (SONA) series.
    The event will be a hybrid meeting with participants from the House of Representatives, local government units, national and regional line agencies, academe, civil society organizations, business sector, and the  public from Baguio City and Cordillera provinces. 
    From the BCC, the event will be streamed live at Philippine Information Agency Cordillera Facebook page starting 9 a.m.
Cordillera Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security and Dept. of Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar will give updates on the region’s development and security concerns.
    The region’s Health Department assistant regional director Dr. Amelita Pangilinan will give updates on Covid-19 response and vaccination deployment program.
    The pre-SONA series is conducted nationwide prior to the last and sixth SONA of President Duterte in July this year.
    Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles leads the series of events together with the PCOO.

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Mayor cites Bontoc’s achievements in SOMA

By Alpine L. Killa

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey credited the accomplishments and the numerous national awards received by the municipality to the people of Bontoc and to its partner agencies when he delivered his state of the municipality address (SOMA) on Jan. 27. 

Speaking before a jampacked audience at the Bontoc municipal capitol, Odsey said Bontoc had been a consistent awardee of the national Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) in 2016, 2017 and 2018, the highest award accorded by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to LGUs.

The award  is given by the national government to local government units for  exemplary performance.

The Bontoc municipal government is also the only municipal LGU in the Philippines that was adjudged Hall of Famer in the Most Outstanding Accounting Office given by the Association of Government Accountants of the Philippines (AGAP) in 2019.

Along with the Accounting Offices of the Provincial Government of Albay and City Government of Danao, Cebu, Bontoc LGU was awarded for three consecutive years from 2016, 2017 and 2018.

 Bontoc was also accorded the Seal of Child – Friendly Municipality from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for three years in 2016, 2017 and 2018. 

 Odsey outlined operations of the municipal government and how its budget is divided to cater to the different sectors reaching the grassroots level - the barangay.

He reported a notable increase in the municipal budget for the past four years from 2016 to 2019, which he attributed to the municipal government’s revenue collection on Real Property Tax (RPT), business tax, non-tax revenue, and share of Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA). 

 With the increase of the budget every year, the municipal government was able to sustain and increase funding for its project and programs and was able to accommodate new programs for the benefit of the people and the municipality. 

Odsey laid out the plans of the municipal government for the year 2020 while sustaining the existing programs. Primarily, the present administration focuses on solving the two perennial problems of the capital town- garbage and sufficient supply of water. 

 The municipality has come a long way in garbage problem.

A writ of kalikasan case against Bontoc was filed in August 2012 for its open dumping of waste along the Chico River in Sitio Matoytoy-ok, Barangay Caluttit and the Court of Appeals ordered the closure and rehabilitation of the dumpsite in 2013.

With the support of the community, the Bontoc LGU instituted programs towards the goals of closing the decades-old dumpsite and instilling a new sustainable paradigm on solid waste management.

These include the Oplan Pera Sa Basura Program being participated in by all elementary and high schools; formation of the Bontoc Green Police; establishment of Eco-parks; Senior Citizens Eco-brick and Eco-brick Making Project; No Plastic No Styrofoam Policy and Development of Residual Waste Processing Facility. 

 For this year, the Am-anchu waste processing facility and eco-park will be developed further with construction of a residual waste containment area and construction of a modified sanitary landfill.

Sufficient potable water supply has been a perennial problem in the four central barangays of Bontoc. To solve this, the municipal government has embarked on the construction of the Manguid Water System which will hopefully be operational this year and which will serve as a secondary water source for the town center. For the other barangays, he assured that the municipal government is working on improving and expanding their barangay water systems. 

 “The next thing we will embark on will be the improvement and expansion of the existing distribution lines. It is my hope that before my term ends as a mayor of Bontoc, the distribution lines should be in place and working,” Odsey added. 

 For this year, it is expected that a new municipal slaughterhouse will be built at Sitio Matoytoy-ok. 

To continually improve the overall performance of Bontoc in the annual sports provincial meet, the mayor bared the municipal government, with DepEd and private partners, will be sponsoring coaching clinics this summer for elementary and high school coaches.

 From the plans of the present administration for this year, he cited the municipal government’s accomplishments and plans vis-a-vis the administration’s vision “Bontoc on the Rise” which encompasses the five major programs to include people-centered service, disaster preparedness and resiliency, youth development, shared Prosperity, sustainability and health. 

 Giving primary importance to the vulnerable sectors in the community, the municipal government’s administration incorporated in its annual budget medical assistance to cancer, kidney, and heart patients; burial assistance, the cause of death of which is accident; emergency shelter assistance to families whose house are damaged by fire, erosion, or earthquake; Aid to Senior Citizens per barangay; Mortuary Aid for senior citizens; Aid to Persons with Disabilities; among others. 

He said the municipal government recognizes the efforts of its partner agencies and stakeholders in delivering services to the public, and as a gesture of gratitude provides annual subsidies. 

 In building a disaster –prepared and resilient community, the municipal government through the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and partner stakeholders, upped its information dissemination and trainings catering to all different sectors, and procured necessary equipment for search and rescue operations.  

A teacher by profession, education has always been one of the mayor's major programs since he started his political career.

Some of these are doubling the financial assistance to each municipal student grantee per semester; increasing the municipal counterpart in the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES); giving of cash incentives to athletes who bring home medals in provincial, regional, national, and international sporting events. 

 Odsey also noted an increase in the number of business establishments, an increase in domestic and foreign tourist arrivals, and an increase in the number of tricycle franchise releases that contribute to boost the economy of the capital town. 

 Also, the municipal government was able to access funds from the national government agencies in the implementation of its livelihood programs. 

 On infrastructure, the single biggest project undertaken during Odsey’s administration is the construction of the Bontoc Municipal Capitol. 

 "I have said it before and I say it again. The Bontoc Municipal Capitol is an impossible dream come true. It now stands as one of the most uniquely recognizable landmarks of our town and of our province – a fitting tribute to our town’s rich history and its people,” the mayor remarked. 

Some of the other impact projects are the concreting of the Bontoc Ili - Dalican road, construction of daycare centers, improvement of diversion dams, improvement and concreting of farm-to-market roads and other access roads, the building of Barangay Health Stations, and construction and improvement of irrigation systems.

 On Sustainability and Health, Bontoc recorded zero incidences of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, tetanus, and polio from 2016 to present. Also, it is only the Municipal Health Office in the entire Mountain Province that is open even during Saturday mornings to give vaccination services to the children of working mothers. 

 In closing, the mayor expressed his gratitude to everyone and credited the accomplishment of the present administration to the collective effort of the workforce of the Bontoc Municipal Government, partner agencies and stakeholders, with the support of the Bontoc community. 

 He added that the municipal government’s programs and projects were accomplished and achieved because of the trust and all-out support that the people gives to the present administration.

 In attendance were municipal officials and employees, barangay officials, Tanods, Lupong Tagapamayapa, Barangay Health Workers, Bontoc Women Brigade, senior citizens, school heads and teachers, business sector, and representatives from national government agencies

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Gov Lacwasan cites nat’l awards during SOPA

By Erwin S. Batnag

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Gov. Bonifacio C. Lacwasan cited  citations and recognition by the national government of  achievements in implementation of government and civic programs in Mountain Province. 

“Excellence defines good governance and behind excellence is shared or collaborative governance,” Lacwasan said in his recent state of the province address (SOPA).

He said strengthening of partnership between the provincial government and government and non-government sectors and agencies paved the way for the successful implementation of the projects, programs and activities of the provincial government.

Among the highlights of the annual report were the regional and national recognitions that the province received last year.

“Highlighting and summarizing the accomplishments of the provincial government are four national awards which did not only showcased the capability of our provincial government to meet national standards but also, have proven that we can be at par with our counterparts and even excel in our performance as an LGU despite our limited resources,” Lacwasan said.

In August 2019, the provincial government was recognized and accorded the 2019 National Kabalikat Award for its “deep commitment in the promotion of technical-vocational education and training, its significant contributions to the development of the Cordillera’s skilled manpower and for continuously upholding the standards of skills excellence and appropriate work ethics.”

On Oct. 23, 2019, the Provincial Accounting Office was awarded as one of the 2019 Outstanding Provincial Accounting Office nationwide by the Association of Government Accountants of the Philippines.

The PLGU’s Accounting Office was the lone awardee from CAR and was also one among the only three PLGU awardees nationwide.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) and the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC),  like the PAccO, were also the only awardees from CAR in their respective categories.

In the national awards level, MP-PDRRMC was one of the only two PDRRMC national finalists wherein it landed second place.

Also, the PADAC was among the few provincial ADAC awardees that got ideal performance award for being 100% compliant to said award’s criteria by the National Anti-Drug Abuse Council.

According to the governor, the awards closely summarized his administration’s accomplishment as a whole as the criteria set by the award bodies are part and parcel of the core and essential assessment areas of the Seal of Good Local Governance by the DILG, particularly on Financial Administration, Disaster Preparedness, Social Protection and Peace and Order.

“I would like to commend the efforts of everyone for without the cooperation of all offices and special bodies’ members, we could not have satisfied all the criteria or standards set by the award-giving bodies,” Lacwasan said.

The governor cited the support of the members of Sanggunniang Panlalawigan on implementation of the current administration’s special programs under its mantra, “Barangay Muna.”

He said that under this program, barangays, associations and individuals were assisted thru provisions of equipment and supplies and livelihood packages among others. He further said that under its special programs, the provincial government gave due attention to job-bridging programs which include OFW financial assistance and annual mobile passport services, scholarships and livelihood assistance as sort of poverty alleviation measures.

On top of the special programs, the governor said the provincial government leveled up implementations of its regular programs.

The governor said that the regional and national awards that were earlier mentioned proved employees worked as a team.

“Given all these, we have done well as a province. However, the bigger challenge awaits- the sustainability of our performance as a whole local government unit and our ability to surpass our previous feats,” Lacwasan said. 

The governor said in preparation for 2020, the provincial government has conducted an assessment to measure its absorptive capacity. According to him, the activity determined the factors which affects the provision of basic services which are being accorded by the Provincial Government to its people and those which affect the implementation of programs, projects and activities.

The governor delivered his annual report in front of municipal and barangay officials including representatives from the partner agencies and private sectors during the session of the Sangunniang Panlalawigan on Jan. 14, 2020 at the multi-purpose hall.

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‘Moon River’, Digong version

LETTERS FROM THE AGNO

March L. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY -- It was the first time that sound of music filled the halls of the House of Representatives, and the first time that a musical group was invited to grace the occasion of the State of the Nation Address or SONA delivered by a president of a country.

In other countries like in the US, oath taking of presidents are graced by musicians like James Taylor, Aretha Franklin, Beyonce who sang during the inauguration of President Obama in 2013.

During President Bill Clinton’s inauguration, 10 brass players consisting of seven saxophone heroes and three clarinet blowers occupied the makeshift stage fronting the White House.

It is “kanya-kanyang style” in running the affairs of an event. For Duterte’s SONA, I heard a presidential spokesperson say it was the President himself who requested for the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra to play our National Anthem.

After the speech that lasted 1 hr. and 45 minutes, and after the selfies and picture-taking, President Duterte found his way to the orchestra that backed him in rendering his version of “Moon River” by songwriters Henry Manicini and Johnny Mercer.

Just like the song goes, Duterte is “crossing you in style”. And so, unfortunately too, he admitted in his SONA that he might not finish his drug war before his term ends. After three years, thousands of collateral deaths and thousands of arrests; more drugs and offenders are uncovered.

The dream to stop corruption and realize Federalism during the time of the “dream maker” as partly mentioned in the song, is a “heart breaker” too. Perhaps Duterte’s dreams are as elusive as the “rainbow’s end” in the song.

Digong’s style of running his term is something his critics hate. It is incomparable to the styles of past presidents that his enemies were used to. Maybe that is what irks them, in addition to having the nerve to straightforwardly spit out bad words and expletives.   

“Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' your way” says the song, and so despite the curses in public, his popularity rating is still up – an indication that the masses look at his fight against drugs and corruption in government as something sincere.

He is one president who has the nerve to physically face an organized street rally consisting of student-activists, urban poor orgs, market vendors, jeepney drivers, squatters, cause-oriented groups, political enemies, and other detractors.

An unusual move he made in his first year as president is to appoint to his cabinet distinguished personalities belonging to left-leaning organizations, if only to show seriousness in wanting to end decades of a hopeless anti-insurgency war.

A musician-friend used to sing Moon River but intentionally sings the line “Moon River, wider than a smile” instead of “mile”. Truly, a smile as wide as a mile paired with a shrug is all that many of us can do now whenever Digong coughs up remarks that are no longer for the headlines.

***

DJ Louis Eric Barrier once said, “Where the poison wind blows a deadly plague spreading negativity, viciously unto every city.” I hope this is not applicable in the affairs involving our new set of officials in the city.

I do hope they put forward new initiatives and seek genuine solutions to old problems that the past officials failed to resolve in their nine years of running this city.  

I wish them good sense to avoid listening to dead rumour being spread by quarters who have axes to grind against certain personalities. They only result to disagreement and misunderstanding instead of unity.

Indeed, it is rubbish to elect into office one who will act as an extension of the past and wasteful for one to believe on info given to him by people of the past administration.

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SONA grab

LETTERS FROM THE AGNO

March Fianza

“Grab” has been in the news since last year. Whether it is a way to travel from one place to another on a motor vehicle called grab taxi, or a power grab as employed by politicians, it is a confused word that is misunderstood on all fronts.

What concerned me among many whose eyes were glued to the TV, and who expected last Monday to listen to the third state of the nation address of President Duterte, was for him to deliver it on time to those who were anxious about what he was to say this time.

But this was delayed for an hour due to a power grab by the camp of the supporters of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria M. Arroyo who wrestled from Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez his position as House Speaker.

As seen by millions on TV, a majority of the members of congress ousted Alvarez by voting GMA into occupying the House Speaker’s position after declaring it first as “vacant”.

It was like history repeating itself. Only this time, GMA took over power from House Speaker Alvarez, a familiar picture of her oath-taking in an orange colored dress, after taking over from President Joseph “Erap” Estrada in January of 2001.

A day after a quick survey of the messy circus, some congressmen including majority floor leader Rudy Farinas questioned the House Resolution installing GMA, saying the removal of Alvarez was maneuvered and unceremonious because House rules and procedures were not properly followed.

There was more confusion an hour before the SONA when Arroyo took her oath at the stage of the session hall and became Speaker of the House. Still, Alvarez was the one who welcomed President Duterte to the House after alighting from his chopper.

I am no fan of House Speaker Alvarez and former President Gloria M. Arroyo so whoever sits as chief legislator is the least of my worries. Any of the two will do. But as for the abrupt change in leadership in the House, it strengthened the fact that nothing is permanent in politics.

Some congressmen revealed to news reporters that the ouster of Alvarez had been brewing. This was due to his conflict with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte after the latter organized another political party last year.

Other lawmakers say they were no longer satisfied with his leadership after he made controversial statements on nationwide television that he was in favor of postponing the 2019 elections. Furthermore, even Duterte and the senators are opposed to the “No-El” of Alvarez.

On the contrary, I heard people say that democracy is healthy and at work in the Philippines with the latest circus that took place on the Batasan floor. Others say it was one more abuse of democracy.

Meanwhile, some observers guessed that the action of people in the House who dethroned Alvarez took the signal from President Duterte himself, saying that any change in leadership comes with the blessings of the topmost politician in the land.

They say the signal passed through presidential daughter Sara so that the ouster of Alvarez will not be opposed. True, Duterte and his partymates did not stop her from calling and gathering allies in congress.

This, after they heard Alvarez make pronouncements without consulting his colleagues in congress, as though he can get away with doing anything and saying anything he wanted to.

From where I watched as a lowly citizen in a place practically detached from the central government in Manila, all I can do was speculate how politicians are able to pull the rug from under Duterte’s feet. For self-preservation and promotion, the congressmen grabbed the limelight from the President.

With the political power grab still fresh in his mind, the President stressed his legislative plan and priorities in his SONA that was brief, but with lost momentum and suspense.

The President looked upset and disappointed because circus clowns stole the thunder from his speech. Many won’t mind and I don’t care even while I saw a troubled face.

Life should still go on for TV spectators, even with what had just happened. Although, I feel unusually odd because President Duterte’s speech was subdued and boring as he forgot to ramble and curse.

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