HAPPY WEEKEND

Regional autonomy once more with feelings
Gina Dizon

What do Cordillera people think about autonomy? Attempts by officials to make the region autonomous was voted down in a plebiscite in Jan. 30, 1990 when the four provinces of Kalinga, Abra, Benguet, Mountain Province and Apayao voted no with only Ifugao saying yes. The second attempt was also foiled with only Apayao voting yes on March 7, 1998.

What is autonomy? The people must have been right in their decision at the very first and second take. What chances do the third take give? Have the people become wiser, more informed, or they are already wise and informed in the very first place?

This politically hankered state of autonomy, I understand, refers to that state of being a free and independent region governing its economic, political and social life. If the Cordillera would become autonomous, would it be free from region from oppressive national policies. Government laws give us a framework on how to exercise this seemingly lofty state of regional autonomy following the peace accord entered into between the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army led by Fr. Conrado Balweg in Sept. 13, 1987 and then Philippine President Corazon Aquino giving birth to Executive Order 220 which sets up a regional administrative body while preparing for a Cordillera regional autonomy.

This, following Section 15, Article 10 of the Constitution which provides an autonomous region in the Cordillera with “common and distinctive historical and cultural heritage, economic and social structures, and other relevant characteristics within the framework of the Constitution and the national sovereignty.

With moves for an information drive on Cordillera regional autonomy purportedly being done, I am curious to see what attractive features an autonomous animal the Cordillera would be, otherwise, the P15 million info drive is just another futile attempt gone to kingdom never come.

I consider autonomously palatable the position of the late Fr.Balweg who pushed for a federal state of autonomy for the Cordillera. In a federal set up, the Cordillera people shall make their own laws, Constitution and policies yet still be a part of the national state.

What degree of autonomy will the Cordillera enjoy if it becomes autonomous according to what EO 220 will prepare? Will it be just the same setup where people will exercise their political, cultural and social affairs the way things are under the present laws and political structure? Or will there be a strikingly distinct set up where people can say they are autonomous?

Just what structure and laws will be created in order to make autonomy realized somehow? If there be a collective decision for example among Cordillera leaders, just how strong will this be as an autonomous policy? What measures are in place to make this so?

Where policies are concerned, can the envisioned autonomous region provide policies where it can go against a national law or policy? The Mining Act of 1995 for example was given judicial mandate by the Supreme Court when the application for Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement of a foreign mining firm in Mindanao legally upheld its constitutionality despite opposition from tribal B’laan communities.

Can the envisioned regional autonomy say no to a Supreme court decision? Can it come up with its own judicial laws? What policies can the envisioned autonomy come up with and not being considered contrary but rather supplementary to national policies? On the other hand, national policies and practices are already in place for a semi-autonomous state. The Local Government Code already provides a system of devolution where LGUs could exercise some relatively autonomous control on generating taxes for one. Congressmen are in place to represent their respective provinces and people in Congress. Structures are already in place where LGU representatives can lobby for their share in income derived from the natural resources located in their own territories for one. Although it is another story when representatives and government officials cannot deliver.

Where the people in the region with more or less similar cultural and distinct culture could come up with their own policies about their own economic and political existence without the sword of Damocles hanging over their head, would be considered autonomous. Meanwhile, Baguio Rep. Mauricio Domogan and other political leaders are reportedly pressing the implementation of a permanent Cordillera administrative setup. This move may make some people push the Cordillera Regional Assembly and the Cordillera Executive Board as overseers of Cordillera affairs in the regional level. Just what happened to the former CRA and the CEB are things of the past which cannot be forgotten with a yearly P5 million budget cost of a lesson to draw from.

Creating a bloated policy-making structure “to articulate and harmonize the interests and aspirations of the people of the Cordilleras” was the supposed role of the Cordillera Regional Assembly composed of not more than 250 appointed from each municipality of the Cordillera, 10 from Baguio City, 18 representatives from NGOs and a tribal representative each is also a question.

Granting that these envisioned representatives have articulated and harmonized the aspirations of the Cordillera people, where shall these articulations be forwarded to? To the President? Congress? What sizable vote will these collective articulation bring to Congress or the Office of the President? How strong are these articulations in influencing national policy or when these challenge national policies? Is this the kind of self-rule that original proponents to Cordillera autonomy envisioned that EO 220 prepared for? How will Cordillera regional autonomous policy be in consonance to national policy-making? We maybe creating one bloated, overlapping body which is far out from original intentions of what self and autonomous rule means.

Another EO mandated body is the Cordillera Executive Board which is the implementing arm of the CAR is composed of 29 regular members of the board to name the Baguio city mayor, 5 governors, 6 from the Cordillera Bodong Administration, 12 from the different ethno-linguistic groups in the Cordillera, and 5 representatives from NGOs. Under EO 220, the CEB is headed by an executive director appointed by the President. Aside from questions of criteria to membership, what difference will this implementing arm make from departments and offices currently doing envisioned functions. Where it is a matter of codifying laws for example, or “promotion of indigenous institutions and processes for conflict resolution and dispute settlement, preservation and enhancement of indigenous customs, traditions, languages and culture? Isn’t this the job of the National Commission on Indigenous People where it has its provincial branches? Where it is a matter of looking at agricultural development, there is also the Department of Agriculture who takes care of this, as well as health and tourism.

Seemingly, this bloated CAR body and its supposed functions are a repetition and overlapping of what the regular departmental offices are doing. Unless, this CAR body will do something distinctly independent to further policy for indigenous peoples rights will it become relevant. As talks go on about this third attempt for Cordillera autonomy, responsibility falls on the shoulders of the Regional Development Council to come up with real good, authentic, representative and people-based information of how and what true and genuine regional autonomy really means.

The people have become wise, I guess, and know if they are being taken for a ride or not and the third attempt may just become kaput. This P15 million budget might as well be de-programmed or re- aligned for livelihood support activities for the farming and struggling folks of the Cordillera .

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THE MOUNTAINEER

Memory food for the not so young?
Edison L. Baddal

For want of something to do, I casually browsed through a lifestyle section of an old newspaper one dull afternoon during a weekend. As I flipped uninterestingly through the worn-out pages in which some spots were even discolored, my attention was suddenly riveted to a certain article about good diet. Curiously, I read the contents eager to know what it has to say or pontificate about proper diet and the like.

Obviously, my curiousity was precipitated by the fact that my body size is bulky and my weight is quite heavy for my height. This was the assessment of my nutritionist-dietician sister when she paid me a visit several years ago. Hence, my eagerness was aroused being fully aware of my abnormal heft. All along I thought that it offers suggestions on how to havea proper diet so as to maintain a
wholesome physical figure as what previous related articles I read on the subject usually delved on.

However, I got excited when the tone of the article seem to dwell on something novel and not
the run-of-the- mill theme such as avoiding fatty, too acidic or sugary foods. The article dwelt
on keeping one’s brain young in a not-so-young body, especially those past productive age
where memory loss is a hallmark. The pervading theme is having a proper diet for maintaining
a good memory despite dotage with the consumption of nutritious food. The article lifted some
noteworthy passages from the book tiled “The Memory Bible” authored by an American psychiatrist named Gary Small.

He concluded that, based on collective evidence which he accumulated through studies and researches, the brain could be kept in shape even when no longer young by eating right. He
enunciated that “eating right helps keep the brain young.” At this, some curious thoughts
penetrated my mind as regards the relevance of the aging of the body with the unending flux
of time. and the concomitant wear and tear of the mind with the dynamic changes that occurs in one’s life, let alone lifestyle, as one goes through the rigors of living. Based on common observation, the debilitating conditions of the body due to aging also occurs simultaneously with weakening of the brain cells which consequently suffers memory loss. It is thus that a trite remark or grouch could be usually heard from aging people which goes: “

Am not young anymore so I my memory is not as strong as it used to be.” Generally, as one ages, one’s responsibilities also increases so that it requires a maximum use of the cells of the body and the mind. As one coasts along through life, the need to maintain the necessary balance between a strong body and a strong mind is inadvertently left out. The cares of life usually increases in intensity and keeps flooding and streaming through one’s consciousness with age as one tries to overcome the hassles of living.

The result is that it renders the maintenance of a well-cared body and an efficiently working
mind the least priority, especially if one has a big family to nurture. On a philosophical standpoint though, none can stop the constant ticking of time which gradually chips away at the optimal
capacity of the body and mind simultaneously with the ticking of the biological clock which also weakens as one ages. However, as nutritionists aver, it is eating that literally helps facilitate the
degeneration of the capacity of the mind and body as one ages.

Though the natural course of things is for the body and mind to get worse than better as one advances in age, a big part of the blame for facilitating aging is improper diet. They point to the saturation of the body with useless fats that increases the production of free radicals. The latter are the foreign toxic, oxygenated substances that invade the healthy cells in the body and give rise to life-threatening diseases.

Modern lifestyle, particularly the urban lifestyle, is characterized with patronizing fastfood outlets which serve food that are not so nutritious. To think that some 33,000 chemicals are utilized in food processing and commercialized food seasoning, those fastfood chains churn out foods that increases the presence and movement of free radicals in the body. These food which are merchandised and eaten due to easy access and availability hastens the degeneration of the body and mind.

To talk turkey on it, they are the flotsam and jetsam which are poured into the body and debilitate it in the process. The affirmation of the nutritionists’ advocacy then on proper eating by the above said Psychiatrist is a cause for shifting one’s eating habits if one cares about the constant productivity of one’s body and mind. Proper diet obviates the deleterious effects of aging
in the capacity of the body and mind and therefore maintains the productivity of the body
and mind even as one advances in age. On the principle of keeping the brain young through proper diet, Gray Small, enumerated the nutrients and the sources of such accompanied by its
mechanism on how those nutrients enhance memory and reverse memory loss for the not
so young.

These are intended for those on the threshold of old age and those who are already in old age. But they are also intended for the middle-aged people (like me) who are the most productive
sectors of society and most vulnerable to the various hassles of life.

First on his list of memory-enhancing nutrients are the Omega-three fatty acids. These are
fatty acids but they are healthy acids. These type of acids are found in salmon, shellfish, trouts and anchovies. According to Small, these acids “improves communication between nerve cells by
maintaining the fluidity of cell membranes.” In effect, as one ages, the fluidity of thecell membranes
is reduced so that its capacity to process and store information is also weakened. It may be also that the drying up of cell membranes lessens the capacity of the brain to perceive matters and
the analytical capacity is numbed.

Second on the list of nutrients are the anti-oxidants. These are found in fruits and vegetables. These nutrients are very helpful in destroying the damaging effects of free radicals. These
destructive cells are described as unstable oxygen molecules which wrecks the healthy cells
of the body making it susceptible to the onslaught of illnesses. Aside from its damage to the flesh, it also damages the brain cells which leads to memory loss.

Thus, an aging body is not only susceptible to various diseases but to memory loss and other
mental illnesses like Alzheimer’s Disease. It should be emphasized here, though, that what’s recommended are the fresh fruits and vegetables and not those processed and merchandised in cans. Third on the menu is the choline. These are sourced from eggs, milk, beef liver and peanuts.

These nutrients help in memory storage. It is believed that “it may improve development of
brain function of a fetus when added to a mother’s diet.” In effect, not only is the physical development of a fetus enhanced but also its intellectual capacity. Most assuredly, this nutrient could also boost the mother’s general health and well-being. In effect, this is a big boost to the achievement of one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
which is improvement of a Women’s Reproductive Health. Fourth type of memory-enhancing nutrients are the carbohydrates. These are sourced from fresh fruits and whole grains.

So aside from being an anti-oxidant, fruits are also sources of anti-oxidants. These nutrients
increase blood sugar and “indirectly regulates a neurotransmitter associated with memory.”
Of course, too much sugar in the blood is a matter of concern as it is an indicator of diabetes so that whole grains,i.e. rice, should be taken in moderate amounts.

As such,too much blood sugar might stultify said neurotransmitter and memory loss might result as it will surely give rise to free radicals, the main culprit for all physical and mental ailments. Fifth on the line is alcohol. Again, it should be stressed that this should be imbibed in small
amounts as it is commonly known that too much alcohol in the bloodstream triggers a lot of
diseases. These are usually sourced out from wine and spirits. Taken literally in small amount per day, Small concluded that “it may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease or other dementia.”

There was also that finding conducted by a certain doctor in the United States about the effect of
alcohol taken in small amounts to the body some three decades ago. He concluded that one beer a day improves the rate of heartbeats/palpitations and thus improves the workings
of the heart which is involved in the pumping and circulation of blood in the body. All told though, it is not the nutrients that heal or preclude disease. These nutrients, though they are affordable to everybody, including the poor ( although it may not be so to the dirt poor),are not meant to be taken
excessively. They should be ingested in proper amounts.

The Carnegie principle of “always avoiding the acute angle” is applicable also in the nutritional field
and/or gustatory/alimentary matters. In a similar vein, the bible admonishes that “if you find
honey, eat just enough for too much of it triggers vomiting.”

In a way, coming full curcle in life is not only doing right and what’s expected in any stage of life. It also points to the proper noursihment of one’s potential and capacities even as one advances in age. It not only refers to having the right dose of character, gumption, enough resources and the natural right to enjoy the fruits of one’s labor as one ages but also having the discipline to “eat right.”

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CALIFORNIA DREAMING

Dr. Stanley Ambas in the City of Angels
Benito 'Jong' Molintas Jr.

LOS ANGELES, California –He came knocking at the door with his wife Mary Dominguez of Bauko, Mountain Province. A simple and approachable person, his determination to work as a dentist in Los Angeles was not just for Cordillerans who migrated to this country but for blooded Americans. BIBAK members have traveled all the way from San Diego, Las Vegas, and other places traveled to Los Angeles County to look for this small, smart, approachable, loving, and very Christian professional dentist – Dr. Stanley Amba of Mankayan, Benguet for treatment of their problems among others.

It was a blessing and a pleasure when Arnie Leyaley-Sumbad told me to stay for a while to wait for Dr. Ambas and his wife to sign an important document. It was really worthy enough to wait for these people.

After an hour the couple came and we got acquainted in few minutes. I was also so delighted for my Uncle David Wanawan of Lepanto, who planted his name not only for his progenies, but for his family, bonded with Dr. Ambas.

I may say that even if I am a cub in this job as a member of the Press (Northern Philippine Times), it is a privilege that I am taking this opportunity to thank people who are considered Angels in Los Angeles.

I called him for an appointment in his clinic and asked if he could treat me since I don’t have dental insurance. His positive response solved my problem. For a month I suffered from a bad tooth filling pasted by a dentist in Manila. At last, a kailian was here to save me. His willingness to take care of my dental problem was not a joke. “Doc, apay mabalin kitan you biit ti ngipen ko uray away insurance ko? I asked. “Wen a, uray pay nu han mu bayadan.” A tooth and dental check up in the United States costs thousands, unlike in our country. A root canal here will cost more than a thousand dollars, aside from other tooth filling and his fee. I didn’t really know what to say to him because even a bag of thanks would not have been at par to what he did to me.

“Charging you for free is not for being who you are but for being a Christian who needs my working hand,” he said. It struck my heart while Dr. Ambas was saying this. If you will recall all my columns, most of these were negative comments of Filipinos in this country. But, it was really ironic when I met this person – our kailian, an Igorot who was so Christian. I hope to see more professionals exhibiting their expertise wholeheartedly, doing their job from the bottom of their hearts as Christians, not for anything else or just to enrich themselves. Matago-tago ka.

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BUSINESS BITS

Investing in education
Nancy Locsin

In 1995, when Jin-Hun Roh met an illegal Filipino worker at a hospital in Korea, he was so moved by the worker’s plight that he decided to help the Filipino people in whatever he could. The opportunity for doing so came in 2002 when Daekyo, a Korean educational company offered its services overseas and decided to expand its operation in Southeast Asia.

Roh, who was then working as a program provider and marketing manager in Daekyo’s headquarters in Korea, chose the Philippines for this purpose. “There were bigger markets in Southeast Asia but I chose the Philippines because I really wanted to help Filipinos,” he says.

For Roh, education is the way to improve one’s future. With this in mind, he came to the Philippines in 2003 all by himself so study the market. In the course of his research, he not only met Filipino students but also Korean students who were studying here. “The Korean students were having problems with the educational material here,” he recalls. “The Filipino curriculum’s approach to math is more difficult than in other countries. Even in the lower level, they teach too many concepts. In Korea, the approach to math is easier. Until grade three, we study multiplication and division only.”

During the first year and a half, Daekyo operated only for Korean students. Filipino teachers who were taught the Korean teaching styles gave home tutorials to about 300-400 students. After a year in operation, Roh decided to also offer the program to Filipinos. He observed that the local math curriculum requires one to learn too many concepts, with the result that many students could not understand their lessons well enough and end up hating math.

Roh emphasizes the need to understand each student through his or her own perspective. This is the reason why the Daekyo system offers an easier step-by-step approach that instills self-confidence in the students. He explains: “If they are confident and have fun doing math, they will study well. I really want to give this chance to the Filipino students.”

Roh asked Kwang-Hee Kang, a Daekyo marketing team member in Korea, to help him set up the business in the country. Kang joined him in 2004 and is now the general manager of Daekyo Philippines.

In August 2005, the company introduced the E.nopi program to the Filipino market. Developed in Korea in 1976 to hone mathematics and English skills, the after-school supplemental program is based on the principle that students learn at their own pace. As such, they should be taught beginning from their current level of learning, gradually increasing their knowledge. Also, the program proceeds from the belief that teachers are most effective when they understand the individual needs of the students.

Roh makes it clear that the E.nopi program is not designed to replace formal school education; instead, it is meant to reinforce what is being taught in school. Thus, preschooler kids and high school students regularly visit an E.nopi center only once or twice a week. They are given sets of worksheets, each set to be answered each day. The worksheets are designed with pictures and colors to attract kids, thus increasing their motivation and concentration. In addition, the program teaches the children to work and learn independently.

What sets E.nopi apart from its competitors, Roh says, is its focus not only on numerical skills but also on critical thinking and the understanding of practical mathematics applications.

E.nopi through a franchising system, and many of its franchisees offer the program in addition to the existing curriculum of their preschool or learning centers. The monthly fee for each subject is P1,980, and the initial investment for setting up a center ranges from P150,000 to P300,000.

With the increasing market awareness about E.nopi, payback time for franchisees is now around six months to one year, depending on location. To ensure the quality of service in each center, certain qualifications are required of franchisee applicants, including passing an examination given by the company.

As the business grows, Daekyo intends to reduce the tuition fee and provide scholarships to Filipino children as a form of payback to the Filipino people.

“The Philippines helped Korea during the Korean civil war,” Roh explains, “So now our generation in Korea must help the Filipinos. Through E.nopi education, someone from among our students can perhaps become the Philippine president or a congressman. We want to help the Filipinos achieve a bright future.”

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AGGIE TRENDS

DA to conduct study on malunggay for food export
Jason Santos

The Department of Agriculture will conduct a comprehensive study on the impact of the lowly malunggay to reduce malnutrition and increase incomes of farmers who would cultivate the hardy tree and supply local and foreign corporations with natural ingredients that have significant cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications.

Malunggay, known in England as moringa and in India as sajina, has been found by biochemists and molecular anthropologists as rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, iron and high density lipoprotein (HDL) otherwise known in medical literature as good cholesterol, according to director Alicia Ilaga of the DA Biotechnology Program Office, which monitors all projects related to the development of agricultural biotechnology products.

Ilaga said a scientific study of malunggay would spark interest in the tree, which could potentially supply a variety of substances needed by food processors, pharmaceutical industries and even corporations engaged in the manufacture of cosmetics. This early, Ilaga explained, DA is encouraging experts from the Department of Health, the National Nutrition Council, the Bureau of Plant Industry, the National Anti Poverty Commission, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Nutrition Center of the Philippines and Secura Philippines, Inc, a local biotech firm, to collaborate in pushing the wider cultivation and processing of malunggay.

According to Secretary Domingo F. Panganiban, NAPC chief, the cultivation of malunggay can be undertaken in the 10 poorest provinces of the country along with many communities in the National Capital Region since the tree can survive in hostile terrain and needs practically little attention. Panganiban is at the forefront of the drive to reduce the poverty level of 800,000 families nationwide that government regards as the poorest of the poor and has batted for a cocktail of measures to reduce urban and rural misery.

The NCP has proposed a study on the efficacy of malunggay leaf powder and malunggay oil as additives to the diet in order to reduce the traditionally high micronutrient deficiency among Filipinos, young and old alike. Ilaga said NCP is setting its sights on fortifying different types of food using the vitamin A, iron and high-density lipoprotein or good cholesterol that are found in liberal quantities in malunggay.

She added the study is anchored at producing a science-based research that will guide government health policies on malunggay as fortifiant, which complements the DA’s objective of opening up the market for malunggay growers and boost industry formation. Ilaga said the leaves, seeds and even flowers of malunggay for a number of byproducts and added that manufacturers of instant noodles are now using substances found in malunggay to fortify their products.

She stressed malunggay will not only fight malnutrition but also generate jobs to millions of Filipinos, from planting to processing and distribution of planting materials for commercial production. Under the law, rice, salt, flour and other commodities are required to be fortified with iron after government found out that many Filipinos are critically deficient in iron.

According to Ilaga, one of the components of the proposed study is the comparison of malunggay oil to other essential oils. Ilaga said they are eyeing the support of legislators for funding the project, while Secura Philippines, Inc. a local biotech firm which is now offering contract to grow malunggay will donate materials, such as malunggay leaf powder for use in the study. -- biolife news service

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DPWH officials, contractors assailed for endangering lives

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- Motorists assailed Dept. of Public Works and Highways officials and contractors doing work along Halsema Highway in the Mountain Province side for not placing safety measures like signs or advisories exposing road users to danger and unnecessary inconvenience.

Joel Fagsao, owner of the Xijen Computer School here, said Phase 2 of the Mt. Data to Bontoc road, which is now undergoing widening and concreting, had become dangerous to motorists.

In a letter to Vice Gov. Louis Claver and members of the provincial board, Fagsao said there was need for local legislation on road safety measures and other related government projects in Mountain Province.

Fagsao said construction and repair along the Mt. Data to Bontoc route was lacking in warning devices and traffic management including directories for motorists. “There is not even an advisory on road conditions on all exit roads.”

Motorists have aired that presence of warning devices and proper traffic management especially in critical portions of the road under repair could help minimize if not prevent the destruction of properties, unnecessary accidents and loss of lives.

Fagsao cited the road incident last Sept.13 along the on-going road widening at Barangay Lukib, Bauko where truck driver Winston Sili Pawid met his instant death when boulders fell on his truck and a landslide carried it down.

Recently, drivers and owners of vehicles plying the Sabangan to Bontoc road have also brought out their ill-feelings on the contractors of this multi-million project for their seeming disregard to road safety of motorists.

Fagsao appealed to provincial board members to institute local laws to hold contractors responsible and ensure that ongoing projects provide adequate safety measures to their workers and the public at large.

The on-going improvement of the Halsema Highway is part of the flagship program of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in the North Luzon Agri-Business Quadrangle.

But the road projects have been questioned by concerned individuals and cause-oriented groups saying these were tainted with anomalies since these were not done following specifications.

The road projects were also reported to have been implemented following irregular bidding processes.

The regional DPWH office denied the allegations but Highways Sec. Hermogenes Ebdane personally conducted an investigation and found out some of the projects were irregular as these were not done properly following technical project specifications.

Ebdane ordered regional and provincial DPWH officials to make contractors redo the projects according to plans and specifications thus the ongoing road works which motorists complained about since proper road signs or advisories were not set up by Highways officials or contractors. – With a report from Andrew Dogaong

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Privatization of Luzon power plants to solve crisis bucked

BY DEXTER A SEE

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — The privatization of five major power plants in Luzon is not a guaranteed measure to address impending power crisis in the country by 2010 due to huge investment that will be entailed in their rehabilitation.

Melchor Licuben, chief engineer, Benguet Electric Coop, said the country would suffer the same consequences of the power crisis in the 1990s without government measures to mitigate the crisis.

Licuben proposed instead construction of mini-hydro power plants that could boost electricity supply in various cooperatives.

He said rehabilitating the non-operational power plants will take at least five years, which is like building a new one.

Thus, the privatization of the Ambuclao, Binga, Masinloc and other power plants will not deliver on time he needed supply for the higher demand for electricity in 2010.

If the rehabilitation were to start soon, they are still expected to be fully operational only in 2012.
It was learned that there are still no takers for the privatization of Ambuclao and Binga dams which
are located in Benguet.

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Troops overrun huge NPA camp in Ilocos

FREDDIE G. LAZARO

NARVACAN, Ilocos Sur — Government troopers overran recently a big camp of the New People’s Army while on combat operation in the remote areas of Sitio Caset, Barangay Maradodon, Cabugao, Ilocos Sur.

Lt. Colonel Roy T. Devesa, commander of the Army’s 50th Infantry Battalion based in San Juan, Ilocos Sur, said in a report to Col. Loreto G. Rirao, commander of the Army’s 503rd Brigade based in Barangay Sulvec, Narvacan the discovered rebel camp can accommodate about 30 to 50 persons with several outposts in its surroundings.

"The rebel camp was discovered when our troop was on combat operation to respond on reports from local residents that a large number of fully-armed communist rebels were roaming the area to conduct forced taxation activities," he said.

According to Devesa, the communist rebels senses the approaching army troopers and they (rebels) abandon the camp leaving the following: one improvised 12 – gauge shotgun with two live ammunitions; communist’s propaganda materials; red books; food stuffs; personal belongings and other subversive documents.

While further searching the area, the soldiers questioned a person, who was allegedly a member of the NPA acting as informer of the rebels to monitor the movement of soldiers and he wandered at the vicinity of the camp during the operation.

"This significant achievement has further degraded the communist rebel’s strength and capability to launch terror attacks in the province. The unit will continue to protect the people for the rebel’s until they are brought to the fold of law," Devesa said.

For his part, Col. Rirao commended the soldiers for their bravery and meritorious achievement.
"Our success in the fight against the NPA is the result of the cooperation of the residents in the area who provided vital information on the presence of the enemy in their locality. The residents manifested that they are sick and tired on the rebel’s extortion activities," Rirao said.

"The effective intelligence analysis and commitment of the military, reinforced with the people’s real time information have led to many successful operations such as this one which clearly demonstrate the weakened stance of the communist rebels," he added.

Rirao said the recent incident served as an immense tactical defeat for the communist group whose existence subsists on sowing terror and making life hard for the people, especially on the rural peasants.

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Abducted Chinese rescued by folk, cops in Pampanga

BY MAR T. SUPNAD

MABALACAT, Pampanga – Police and concerned residents rescued unharmed on Sept. 25 a Chinese businessman who was abducted in Juan Luna, Binondo Manila on Sept. 23.

Si Wei Pang, a Chinese national engaged in electronics business, was presented to Chief Supt Errol T. Pan, Region 3 police director by Sr. Supt. Keith Ernald Singian, Pampanga police director, and Supt. Melchor Reyes, chief of police of Mabalacat, after the successful rescue operation.

Quoting the victim, Reyes said Pang was abducted as he was going out of his firm in Juan Luna, Binondo that night by three armed men who rode on a Starex van with plate number RDC 146.

Pang told police that he was immediately blindfolded and couldn’t see where they were going.
He said he felt they were traveling most of the time since he was abducted.

“My abductors told me they would not hurt me if I just followed their instructions,” Pang told this correspondent in an interview.

But the victim lamented he was not given food except for biscuits while they were traveling.

The victim said he was unaware if the suspects got in touch with his family and asked ransom, saying they just kept on traveling and had not heard them talking.

Singian said the suspects then brought the victim to a secluded dumpsite in Mauli, Mabalacat town.

“But when they got off our vehicle, the people saw us and they called the police. My abductors got alarmed and they just ran away,” Singian said.

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Ilocos PNP, Army sign anti-NPA accord

BY FREDDIE G. LAZARO

CAMP GEN. OSCAR FLORENDO, La Union – A memorandum of agreement was signed between Ilocos police and the army at Consuelo Hotel In Lingayen to strengthen partnership on campaign against insurgency in the southern part of Region 1, it was learned here.

Ilocos Region police director, Chief Supe.t Leopoldo Bataoil represented the police while Major General Juanito P. Gomez, commander of the Army’s 7th Infantry Division based in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija represented the Philippine Army.

Bataoil said the MOA on joint internal security operation will intensify the campaign on internal security in the southern part of region one particularly the province of Pangasinan.

Pangasinan is under the jurisdiction of the army’s 7th Infantry Division in its anti-insurgency operations.

“This is a continuation of our joint flagship mission, ‘Bring home a comrade program’ against insurgency. With the exchange of information and partnership in operation we can surmount the problem,” said Bataoil.

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95 persons afflicted , 3 dead in Bauang rabies calamity

BAUANG, La Union – The number of rabies-infected individuals in this town was pegged at 95 including three deaths since the start of the year to date.

Village leaders were ordered last week to capture stray dogs to curb the spread of rabies after Bauang officials placed the town under a state of calamity.

This, as the Dept. of Health urged officials of this town to pass an ordinance on responsible pet ownership to reduce occurrence of rabies and prevent spread of the disease in the town.

“We encourage them to pass an ordinance for responsible pet ownership kasi pag tinamaan ng rabies at di maagapan yan, malamang talaga madali ka,” Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said.

Duque said the DoH was helping Bauang officials through information and education campaigns
on rabies.

He added the DOH was coordinating closely with the Dept. of Agriculture especially in giving out anti-rabies vaccines for animals.

He said pet owners should not think twice in giving anti-rabies shots to their animals as it only costs P50 compared to anti-rabies vaccines for humans that costs P1, 500 to P3,000.

DOH data bared regions 2, 5 and CARAGA have the highest incidence of rabies.

According to thee World Health Organization, rabies, is transmitted to humans or animals through close contact with saliva from infected animals. It may be transmitted through bites, scratches or licks on broken skin.

The first symptoms of rabies manifest in the respiratory, gastrointestinal and central nervous system of the patient. In the advanced stage, the patient becomes hyperactive and paralysis sets in. this is followed by complete paralysis, comatose and eventually, death.

WHO added that the most effective protection against rabies is to wash and flush a wound with soap and water followed by the application of ethanol or iodine. Anti-rabies vaccine must be administered as soon as possible.

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New congressinal district proposed for Nueva Ecija

BY LIAM ANACLETO

SAN JOSE CITY, Nueva Ecija – A member of the Nueva Ecija provincial board has proposed the creation of an additional congressional district in the province by redistricting the four existing ones.

Board member Joseph Ortiz, of the Lakas-CMD party to which Gov. Aurelio Umali belongs, said it is high time that Nueva Ecija, which has a population of 1.7 million based on the last census of the National Statistics Office, exert efforts to have an additional congressional district to better serve the provincial folk.

Under existing laws, a congressional district could be carved out of an area which has a population of at least 250,000.

Based on this, the province is eligible to have two additional districts, not just one.

Nueva Ecija is the biggest province in Central Luzon in terms of land area. Its four congressional districts are represented by Eduardo Nonato Joson (first), Joseph Violago (Second), Czarina Umali (third), and Rodolfo Antonino (fourth).

Each congressional district is entitled to a minimum P80 million in congressional funds each year for various projects.

Ortiz said he has submitted his proposal to Umali, a former congressman himself, who is now studying it.

Congress has the sole power to create a congressional district.

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MORE NEWS, KALINGA

Chico irrigation system slated for construction with P507 M WB loan

TABUK CITY – The repair of the Upper Chico River Irrigation System is expected to start soon with a P507 million loan from the World Bank.

Kalinga provincial irrigation management office OIC chief Alfredo De Guzman Jr. bared this saying signing of the agreement between the WB and the Philippine government is expected this last quarter.

He said work will be carried out until 2010, adding that the four-year repair of UCRIS will be jointly implemented by National Irrigation Administration and K-PIMO.

“The project is necessary in order to restore the system to its highest operational capacity and to support food security in the region,” De Guzman said.

He added hundreds of farmers particularly in Tabuk depend on UCRIS for their irrigation needs.
He said since its initial operation in 1986, no major repair had been undertaken on the irrigation system.

De Guzman said to maintain the status of Tabuk as the rice granary of the Cordillera and establish farming as a permanent source of livelihood of farmers, support facilities on agriculture must also be maintained.

The area irrigated by the system in Tabuk area alone is 9,057 and 9,083 hectares for the dry and wet seasons respectively out of the 17,551 hectares total irrigable target area.

Of the total project cost, P378.6 million will be spent on civil works with P218.4 million allotted for improvement of the canal system; P93.1 million on diversion works; P36.1 million on drainage facilities; P11.7 million on canal service roads, P15.7 million for farm level facilities and P3.5 million for project facilities.

De Guzman said civil works aspects of the repair project include the construction of a dam operation bridge at the main dam and replacement of damaged and deteriorating parts of the sluiceway and intake gates.

It will also improve canal lining and upgrade canal embankment of selected sections of the main system and laterals. To improve the drainage system, the Chico siphon protection and outlet will be constructed together with settling basins along the Tuga-Gobgob main canal.

Major service roads will also be graveled alongside with the modification of turnouts and restoration of main farm ditches to upgrade farm level facilities.

The project has also an institutional component for the strengthening of Irrigators Associations and support of local government units, De Guzman said.

“Exactly P20.1 million would be spent from the whole development package for the training of IAs and LGU stakeholders for their participation on shared responsibilities,” he said.

Repair of the NIA-KPIMO main building and improvement of water master’s working stations will also be done.

The rehabilitation project is under Phase I of the Participatory Irrigation Development Project of the NIA. -- PIA


96 houses being built for Tabuk’s homeless
TABUK CITY – Gawad Kalinga is constructing 96 houses for homeless Tabukeños at Agbannawag, the gateway barangay to this city.

Dubbed ANCOP-Canada-Matagoan Gawad Kalinga Community Village, it is the first housing project in the province participated in by the Couples for Christ, the local governments of Tabuk and Agbannawag, and ANCOP-Canada.

Sponsoring stakeholders met last week at the project site to witness the blessing and laying of the cornerstone.

This coincided with the birthday of city mayor Camilo Lammawin Jr, GK Minister, who is now on vacation in Canada .

In his message, OIC City Mayor Rainier Sarol thanked volunteer members of Gawad Kalinga and assured the group of the City’s continuing support for the project.

“LGU Tabuk always supports joint government-private sector endeavors. In this particular project, we are looking for its expansion,” he said.

The city government donated 3.1 hectares from the municipal park at Agbannawag for the project and allocated a total of P650,000.00 for site development.

Sarol said the project is not only for members of the Couples for Christ but for homeless families regardless of their religious affiliation and ethnic membership. “This is a project for and of the people of Tabuk,” he said.

He said the Sangguniang Bayan has seen the good concept of this project the reason of its full support hoping it will be replicated in other barangays.

City information officer Oliver Gacuya said the SB passed a resolution on Oct. 3, 2005 authorizing the mayor to enter into a memorandum of agreement with GK Kalinga Community Development Foundation Inc.

He said Res. No. 234 was also passed donating 31,491 square meters from the municipal park reservations located at Agbannawag as site of GK housing.

In 2006, LGU-Tabuk allocated the amount of P350,000or site development of which P18,875.00 was spent for fencing, he said.

He said the LGU allocated this year P300,000 for further site development and validation of beneficiaries by the City Social Welfare and Development.

Last Sept. 7, CFC–GK Northern Luzon Director Elmer Cadiz visited the site to launch the ANCOP-Canada Matagoan GK housing village.

The project requires beneficiaries to render free labor counterpart for the construction. Line agencies were also urged to help like the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources to designate a community forest, Dept. of Agriculture for a common garden and Dept. of Agrarian Reform to provide crop lands.

Joseph Aguilar, CFC team leader for Kalinga said the vision of GK was to build 700,000 homes in 7,000 communities in seven years.

He said there were 245 GK sites all over the country. GK is counting on one million volunteers to help. -- PIA

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MORE NEWS, IFUGAO

Mayor starts ‘war’ against illegal gambling in Lagawe
BY MHARS B. LIHGAWON

LAGAWE, Ifugao – The mayor here warned gambling operators here to stop their illegal activities and has started to personally inspect suspected gambling dens.

Mayor Ceasario Cabbigat, backed by the municipal peace and order council swooped down on alleged gambling dens located at urban barangays of this capital town last week to check their existence while urging people not to patronize such establishments.

Out of the 11 reported alleged gambling dens mostly located in private establishments, five were in actual operation when the group arrived surprising the people playing.
It was earlier reported to Lagawe police that these places were dens of gambling like bingo, “monte” and including jueteng.

Cabbigat said the inspections signaled the start of war against all forms of illegal gambling in the municipality.

“This is just a warning to the people involved, the present administration is not tolerating this kind of activities that disturb the peace and order situation of this municipality” he said.

During the inspections, some owners said these activities were merely recreational especially “bingo” since most players were retirees.

They also bargained that if possible, this kind of game will be allowed during Saturdays and Sundays.

But Cabbigat advised owners of the establishments to completely stop their operation pending the MPOC’s decision on their request or else police will confiscate their gambling paraphernalia.

Furthermore, the owners of the establishments signed a manifesto declaring their support to the anti-gambling campaign of the present administration.

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MORE NEWS, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE

Mt Prov execs elect officers

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The Association of Provincial Executives here recently elected its new set of officers for the next three years.

Inducted into office by Vice Gov. Louis F. Claver were provincial Agrarian officer Deogracias Almora as president; assistant provincial Budget officer Oliver Cullalad,, vice president; Parole and Probation officer Helen Monta, secretary; provincial treasurer Cawed Gamonnac, treasurer; Interior and Local Government provincial director Robert Mangangey, business manager; provincial auditor Hilario Dumasan, auditor and National Food Authority manager Celedonio Mendoza as PRO.

APEX officers shall serve for a period of three years without re-elections from the date of assumption of office or until the successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.

The association was organized in 1992 and had been active until 1998. It was reorganized in 2004 when lawyer Maximo Dalog regained the governorship.

The association is composed of regular members only which is composed of the provincial governor, vice governor, the chiefs and assistant chiefs of offices, national and local offices.
The APEX aims to provide leadership in the attainment of the goals of the provincial government and executive departments.

Outgoing president provincial administrator Paulo Pagteilan said one of the accomplishments of the APEX was conceptualization of the Lang-ay festival.

Pagteilan said it was also members of the APEX who planned for the activities of the past three Lang-ay festivals which were successfully celebrated.

The APEX also sponsored the Lang-ay fund raising like selling of raffle tickets and solicitation for the souvenir program which has generated funds for the province.

The proceeds of the 2005 and 2006 Lang-ay fund raising were used for the improvement of some facilities of the Bontoc General Hospital, the improvement of the Children’s park and the construction of the amenities at the Rizal Plaza, Pagteilan added. – Juliet Saley

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MORE NEWS, BAGUIO CITY

Belmonte leads Baguio ‘Gintong Tala’ awardees

BAGUIO CITY – Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. is one of this year’s “Gintong Tala” awardees.

They will receive recognition on Oct. 2 as the city starts the month-long Baguio Elderly Filipino Octoberfest 2007.

Belmonte, who spent his younger years here when his father, Feliciano Sr., was a judge in one of the local courts, will get the government service, executive branch awards and will be one of the 12 awardees that include a human rights lawyer, a politician, a judge, a bishop, an artist, a doctor and businesswoman, among others.

Belmonte, also former House Speaker, finished elementary in Baguio before moving to Manila for high school at San Beda College and law at the Lyceum.

The event was organized by the Baguio Elderly Assembly, a conglomeration of elderly associations in the city.

The other winners are: Bishop Francis Daoey (religious and Spiritual service), lawyer Edilberto Tenefrancia (government service, legislative branch). Judge Fernando Cabato (government service, judiciary), Dr. Virgilio Bautista (education), Dr. Antonio Adorable (medicine), Betty del Rosario (business and trade). Benhur Villanueva (arts and culture), Commander Robert Villase (military service), Dr. Ricardo Balajadia (civic and social services), lawyer Pablito Sanidad (journalism) and retired colonel Antonio Alviar (sports).

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MORE NEWS, BENGUET

Vegetable smuggling from China feared this Yuletide
BY DEXTER A. SEE

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Stakeholders of the local vegetable industry here warned concerned government agencies on the expected rise in the smuggling of imported vegetables from China during the Yuletide season.

The warning was issued because smuggling of vegetables from China will greatly affect the currently upbeat vegetable industry benefitting thousands of farmers in the 13 towns of the province.

There were reports of an attempt to sneak in the country thousands of tons of carrots the past two weeks.

This affected the price of the commodity which went down to as low as P5 per kilo at the vegetable trading post here before it regained a stable price.

Officials said backdoor smuggling is detected once the prices of locally produced vegetables drop to abnormal levels.

However, officials of the Bureau of Customs and the Bureau of Plant Industry denied knowledge on the entry of imported carrots nor of any permit issued to import the product.

Concerned sectors here could not pinpoint which port was used in sneaking carrots into the country.

The farmers and trader groups called on the BOC to strictly monitor “misdeclarations” made by importers especially during the Christmas season so that the entry of imported vegetables could be prevented.

This is to protect local farmers who plant similar crops.

Smugglers and importers have reportedly declared their products as fresh fruits and apples but upon the conduct of an extensive inspection of the container vans, customs examiners discovered the declared products were carrots, potatoes, onions, among others, all coming from China.

Local officials are pushing for the immediate creation of an anti-smuggling task force that will look into the unabated smuggling of vegetables and for a representative from the province to be part of the task force so that the interest of the local farmers and traders could be protected all the time.

At the same time, they rallied Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap not to sign the pest risk analysis (PRA) for carrots from China because the entry of imported carrots will surely "kill" the local vegetable industry which is the primary source of livelihood of over 250,000 farmers in the different parts of the Cordillera.


Bank offers finance to La Trinidad for plant
BY SUSAN C. ARO

LA TRINIDAD – The Cooperative Bank of Benguet, Inc. is offering financial assistance to this town’s local government to construct a toll packing plant to add value to marketable vegetables and make these globally competitive while improving its cold chain facility.

CBBI general manager Gerry Lab-oyan said the plant costs P10 million which is in support to the post harvest facility to maximize its utilization.

Lab-oyan said enhancement of the cold chain system through toll packing would increase the shelf life of produce as it could vacuum pack products preventing the entry of bacteria and other micro-organisms.

According to Lab-oyan, the plant has a feature that could sanitize products by removing bacteria such as E.coli and other harmful food borne micro-organisms. Bulacan is already doing the technology for non-vegetable processed foods, he added.

Coupled with the technology is proper labeling that would imprint the seal of quality products. Before a product would qualify for labeling, it entails scrutiny by experts perhaps from the academe and farmer representatives if it passes and conforms with quality products standards, Lab-oyan said.

Benguet vegetable produce has gained popularity adding that before others would patent it as their own, something has to be done, he said.

Seemingly, toll packing and labeling are the missing link in order to maximize the use of the facility, Lab-oyan stressed.

New Benguet Chamber of Commerce member Christine Abellon said the province’s produce have not been recognized which is why there is a need to improve quality and labeling to identify or associate these with Benguet.

“We are in a global market, we have to move and put our acts together not only for the vegetable industry but other products a well,” she added.

In addition to CBBI’s loan capital and concessionaire loans to cooperatives, it also financially assists farmer parents of students of the Benguet State University during enrollment allowing them to display organically produced crops at the BSU business center.

An affiliate of the NBCC, CBBI initiated the organic agriculture congress and the Benguet ethnic food festival in coordination with local government units and line government agencies which according to Lab-oyan increased trade and commerce, another means of extending assistance to farmers.

With 150 farmer-beneficiaries catering to both individuals and groups, the bank’s asset has ballooned to a total of P250 million from a meager asset of P1.37 million when it started way back 1992.

In a related development, the NBCC is promoting and focusing potential areas for development such as production of organic coffee and organic agriculture. Going organic according to Abellon is reaffirming the Cordillera’s cultural identity in preserving and in recognizing its traditional way of life.

Abellon said Benguet Arabica is a premium coffee with competitive advantage over other coffee varieties considering that it commands a higher price. She said the group hopes that it could be positioned in the international market.

In promoting the coffee industry, the NBCC together with multi-sectoral groups will be holding a Coffee Congress next month.

Furthermore, the NBCC committed to support the Department of Trade Industry’s move for the creation of an Investments Promotion Coordinating Council that would draw policy directions of businesses in the province and the crafting and enactment of an Investment Code which serves as a roadmap for business industry.

DTI program management division representative Vilma Abad said this should be a collaborative effort between and among stakeholders in the province.


Beneco officials confiscate Buguias tampered meters
BY SUSAN C. ARO

BUGUIAS, Benguet – The Benguet Electric Coop. has confiscated 130 pilfered meters mostly here at Barangay Bangao reportedly tampered by a group of unscrupulous individuals collecting fees to reduce monthly power bills.

Beneco northern sub-office manager engineer Garet Gregory Waytan said inspection of meters was conducted last June following reduction of power consumption by 50 percent among consumers in some parts of Buguias.

The syndicate collects fees ranging from a low of P100.00 to a high of P1,000 depending upon the consumer’s capacity to pay, Waytan said.

Beneco confiscated the tampered meters and issued penalties to consumers with a minimum of P2,500.

They will also be charged of meter cost amounting to P1,250.00, reconnection fee of P50.00, and retroactive billing based on the monthly average power consumption.

Beneco has not filed yet a case against these unscrupulous individuals as they have not been tracked and that their exact identities are still unknown.

The power cooperative warned consumers not to fall prey to such scheme as it would affect other consumers in payment of systems loss.

Moreover, in compliance with National Electrification Administration regulatory power directive with the advent of the EPIRA Law, BENECO will be organizing a multi-sectoral electrification advisory council, said Beneco corporate services manager Brenda Carling.

As stated in the guidelines, existing member-consumer electrification committees or district electrification committees shall be converted into MSEAC upon effectivity of the guidelines whose membership shall be confirmed in writing by the sector they represent within a given period of 15 days.

The MSEAC shall serve as information channels in the dissemination of electric cooperative programs and policies.

It would also serve catalysts in harnessing member-consumer efforts in support of activities in improving electric cooperative operations.

Beneco officials said the MSEAC chairman or his or her representative shall be allowed to attend Board meetings as an observer or to discuss relevant issues and concerns affecting the district or municipality to ensure transparency and responsiveness of electric cooperative policies, decisions and generate immediate feedbacks.

MSEAC representatives shall compose sectors such as agro-fishery, barangay council, business, civic, education, local government, media, religious, youth, and women.

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MORE NEWS, ILOCOS SUR

Eight persons die of dengue in Ilocos Sur
BY FREDDIE G. LAZARO

VIGAN CITY - - Eight persons recently died in Ilocos Sur due to dengue.
Rogelio Varilla, provincial malaria and dengue operation officer bared this saying fatalities were mostly children.

They were from Vigan City, San Juan, Bantay, Sta. Catalina, Caoayan, Narvacan, Sta. Maria, and Santiago. Their deaths covered the past nine months to date.

"As of the second week of September, the occurrence of dengue fever in the province is not yet an outbreak or alarming because of the scattered locations of the casualties,” Varilla said. “We considered an outbreak of the dengue virus when a clustered area was massively affected."

"However, we are presently conducting massive campaigns on the "4S" strategy to prevent the upsurge of the dengue fever throughout the province," he said.

He disclosed that "4S" means search and destroy of breeding places of mosquitoes; Self protection measures by wearing long sleeves shirt, mosquito nets and fly repellant;

Seek early consultation specifically when fever occurs; and say "no" to indiscriminate fogging in which fogging operations will only be advisable when dengue outbreak occurred in an specific place.

"We are intensifying the environmental sanitation through massive community participation considering that this is the most effective and most economical way to control and prevent the spread of the dengue virus," he added.

In 2006, the Ilocos Sur’s provincial health and technology office recorded a total of 181 dengue cases with three casualties from the 24 towns and two cities.

It was topped by Candon City with 45 dengue cases; followed by Santiago with 29 cases, including two casualties; Tagudin with 16 cases; Alilem with 16 cases including 1 casualty; and the rest had below 10 cases.

For this year, from January to the second week of September, the PHTO recorded a total of 160 dengue cases from the two cities and 20 towns in the province such as Vigan City with 31 cases including 1 casualty; Sta. Maria with 26 cases including 1 casualty; Bantay with 15 cases including 1 casualty; San Esteban with 15; Santa with 12; Narvacan with 10 including 1 casualty, and the other towns and city had below ten cases.

In both years, the bulk of the dengue cases in the province appeared during the months of July, August, and September or during the rainy season.

"We are expecting more dengue cases by the end of this year because the rainy season is not yet over," Varilla disclosed.

Meanwhile, Barangay Captain Felicissimo Artajos of Barangay Pagburnayan, Vigan City led his constituents in "Operation: Taob" to prevent and control the prevalence of dengue fever causing mosquitoes.

"All stagnant waters in cans, tires and other materials are removed to discourage the reproduction and laying of eggs by mosquitoes," Artajos said.

Dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever are acute febrile diseases found in the tropics and are caused by any of the dengue family of viruses. The mosquitoes that transmit dengue live among humans and breed in discarded tires, flower pots, old oil drums, and water storage containers close to human dwellings.


Army denies conspiracy to overthrow government

NARVACAN, Ilocos Sur -- Troops in Northern Luzon are not involved in any move to destabilize or overthrow the government, the region’s military commander said Sep. 23.

In a statement, Lt. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang, Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command chief, said soldiers under his command are not being recruited for any anti-government effort.

“As far as our troops in the Northern Luzon and Central Luzon are concerned, our loyalty belongs to the Constitution,” he said.

“We have not been and never will be a party to any attempts to destabilize or overthrow the government.”

“I have been doing rounds of visits to all our units in Regions 1, 2, 3 and the Cordillera Administrative Region to review their performance, uplift the morale of the troops and ensure their adherence to the Constitution.”

Maclang said his men remain cohesive and focused on the mandated mission, and that any attempt to destabilize or overthrow the government would no longer prosper.

“They have already grown tired of any overtures or any attempts that would drive a wedge with their ranks,” he said.

“They pledged to reject any recruitment, just like in the past, by destabilizers who are only interested in pursuing their selfish political agenda.”

Reports said some “disgruntled factions” in the military out to destabilize the administration and oust President Arroyo are capitalizing on the controversial national broadband network project.

The Nolcom covers the regions Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and Central Luzon.

It had been the favorite recruitment base of coup plotters,

Last week, at least six military officers were relieved for alleged involvement in a new attempt to destabilize the government, according to Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon.

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MORE NEWS, ILOCOS NORTE

Piddig marks Basi Revolt

BY JUN GUIANG

PIDDIG, Ilocos Norte -- The second centennial of the Basi Revolt was celebrated here on Sept. 17 with activities include selection of the best-tasting basi (sugarcane wine).
It was in this town where the Basi Revolt broke out during the Spanish regime some 200 years ago.

Mayor Generoso de Leon Aquino, chairman of the committee in charge of the celebration recalled that basi-making in this town was once a booming industry.

Vice Mayor Onofre Agustin Bayag, committee vice chairman, said that historical records confirmed the Basi Revolt started in this town and ended in San Ildefonso, Ilocos Sur.

It was caused by the widespread protest by the Ilocano basi makers against the Spanish monopoly on the buying and selling of basi. The wine makers were required to sell all their produce to the Spaniards.

The vice mayor said that Barangay Suksuken of this town was so named by the people because the rebels fighting the basi monopoly hid in the remote village whenever the guardia sibil hunted them.

"Susuken" is an Ilocano word for a remote or hidden place.The vice mayor said there were plans for the installation of an architectural marker for the Basi Revolt here.

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MORE NEWS, PAMPANGA

Panlilio, Pampanga board clash anew on quarry income sharing
BY GEORGE TRILLO

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The gap between Gov. Edie Panlilio and the provincial board presided over by Vice Gov. Joseller Guiao further widened after the latter recently scrapped the P150 share of the provincial government from the P300 tax from every truckload of quarried lahar sand.

“The P150 share per truck imposed as administrative cost during the term of the Lapids had been against the law,” Guiao said after the board passed Ordinance 172 despite Panlilio’s objections.

Guiao said the ordinance, passed last week by the board, merely “corrected a legal aberration” in the lucrative lahar sand quarrying operations in the province.

Before the ordinance was enacted, P150 of the P300 earned from every truckload of lahar sand was divided and the provincial government at a ratio of 40, 30 and 30 percent, respectively.

The remaining P150 also went to the provincial government purportedly to cover “administrative costs” in quarrying operations.

Records showed since Panlilio assumed his post as governor last July, income from lahar sand quarrying has significantly increased to an average of P1 million per month.

Panlilio objected to the new quarrying income-sharing scheme, warning, “The effects (of the ordinance) will be felt throughout the province, more so by our less privileged people who will be denied the basic services due them.”

Panlilio had been at odds with the provincial board and Guiao over various issues, including his appointment of provincial administrator Vivien Dabu and provincial attorney Aiza Velez.

Guiao and the board members questioned Panlilio’s insistence that the appointments of Dabu and Velez were already in effect after the board supposedly failed to act on them within 15 days.

In a statement, the provincial information office said only 22 barangays and seven municipalities – Bacolor Floridablanca, Lubao, Mabalacat, Mexico, Porac and Sta. Rita – were involved in the quarrying business.

Guiao said the P150 administrative cost that used to go to the provincial government was against the Local Government Code, which, he said, mandates that 40 percent of income from natural resources should go to the barangay and the rest to be divided between the municipality and the provincial government.

“There is no room in the law for the administrative order which was imposed during the terms of the Lapids for questionable purposes,” he said.

Guia Filed administrative and other charges against former governor Mark Lapid and his father, former governor now. Sen. Lito Lapid, whom he accused of being involved in anomalies in the use of quarrying funds during their terms.

Guiao said increasing the income of host barangays and towns would eventually redound to the benefit of local folk.

Since July, the provincial government has distributed more than P11 million in quarrying shares to the host barangays and towns.

Quarrying income for September has yet to be released.

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