30 vehicles impounded as city implements towing ordinance

By Jessa Mardy P. Samidan

BAGUIO CITY – More than 30 dilapidated and illegally parked vehicles have been towed from the city streets for a period of eight months since the implementation of Ordinance Numbered 78, series of 2018, or the “Towing Ordinance of the City of Baguio.”

The towing law was passed in June last year and was implemented in August after the creation of the City Towing Task Force with the City Engineering Office and the Baguio City Police Office as lead departments with at least 40 traffic aides.

Engr. Januario Borillo of the CEO-Traffic and Transport Management Division said they initially towed dilapidated vehicles obstructing public access as reported by the barangay officials.

It was only in January this year that towing of illegally parked vehicles started. Borillo said of the 30 vehicles towed, 10 were dilapidated while the rest were illegally parked vehicles.

Towing fees are computed based on a standard rate as provided in the ordinance as follows: For the first four kilometers, light vehicles weighing less than 4,500 kilograms will be fined P1,500; P2,500 for medium vehicles weighing between 4,501 kilograms and 7,500 kilograms; and P4,500 for heavy vehicles weighing 7,501 kilograms and above.

                In all cases, an additional fee of P200 will be charged per kilometre on top f the base fee measured from place of towing to the impounding area.

Aside from the towing fee, owners of impounded vehicles will have to pay the storage fee amounting to P500 for the first 24-hours plus P500 daily. At present, the city utilizes a portion of the Old City Auditorium at Burnham Park as its storage facility of towed vehicles.

“Any vehicle remaining in the storage facility for more than 90 days may be removed and disposed in accordance with disposal procedures by the General Services Office,” the law states.

However, Borillo said the task force have not recommended disposal of vehicles yet since most of those towed particularly the illegally parked vehicles were immediately released after the owner paid the necessary fees.

The storage facility only has three dilapidated vehicles which may be recommended for disposal soon, Borillo said.

The ordinance, authored by councilors Benny Bomogao, Michael Lawana, and Faustino Olowan Jr., defined the authority of the task force to remove and impound any vehicle parked on any of the highways, roads or streets, public right-of-way or other public property in the city, which is parked in violation of any provision of any ordinance of the city.

On private property, any motor vehicle left unattended may be removed either by the property owner or the task force after informing the owner. But in cases where the owner cannot be reached, yet it is a hindrance to public access, the vehicle can be outrightly towed.

Vehicles removed due to motor malfunction incidences including flat-tired and empty fuel tank will not be exempted from paying tow charges.*

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DOH props Benguet strawberry farms as tourism destinations

By Pamela Mariz Geminiano

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- A Dept. of Tourism official said strawberry farms here are being eyed as a tourism destination for the quality of the strawberry it produces.

"There are farms in other parts of the country that grow strawberries but there is nothing that tastes better than the (strawberry of the) province of Benguet," said Arturo Boncato Jr., DOT Undersecretary for Tourism Regulation Coordination and Resource Generation during the program of the 38th Strawberry Festival here.

He said the valley town offers a one-of-a-kind experience, with tourists having the chance to pick fresh strawberries straight from the plant. This tourism experience also provides an opportunity for farmers to earn income from selling berries and from-the-farm tourism activities.

Boncato said Benguet is "fortunate" because strawberry is a high-value crop.

"We are very fortunate that BSU (Benguet State University) is the main source of our strawberries here in Benguet. Our appeal to BSU is to sustain these beautiful strawberry farms. I know there will be expansion farms somewhere but let us think carefully not to make it as a destination for business but a destination for tourists all over the country," he said.

Sustaining the strawberry farms as a sought-after destination needs the collaboration of the private sector, local government units, and the community in crafting policies and regulations, he said.

              The DOT has already accredited a total of 108 farm tourism sites all over the country, but the challenge is to make sure that strawberry farms here would become one of the most sought-after tourism sites.

"We really like to make that happen, in fact, the national government has been continuing its effort, investing in tourism road infrastructure," Boncato said.

He also mentioned that the department had spent P108 billion since the road convergence project began in 2013.

He said the national government, through the DOT, would continue to build roads leading to tourism destinations and assured that the roads will be much easier and accessible for the tourists to reach the different destinations.

"Access here has become so much easier but we have the responsibility to protect them. We should be more conscious and aware how to protect our destinations so that these destinations will remain as beautiful as they are, even after we have gone in this world," he said.

In the past years, the DOT and Dept. of Public Works and Highways had been implementing the tourism-road convergence projects, constructing a tourism road network that leads to tourism sites in various localities, including barangays, with tourist spots.

Earlier, he encouraged farmers in the region to venture into farm tourism, as this would benefit them hugely, such as in terms of higher income and free education, and ultimately give the country food security.

"Any farmer can venture in farm tourism. Our regional office here is very much willing to provide the necessary training and assistance to our farmers who want to convert their farm into a tourist destination," he said.

In the Cordillera, the DOT has already accredited two farm tourism sites that were found to be compliant with the standards.

They are the Cosmic Farm in Benguet and the Layug Farm in the Mountain Province.

It is eyeing 10 additional farm tourism sites in the region for accreditation.

On the sidelines of the 38th Strawberry Festival here, Jovita Ganongan, officer-in-charge of DOT-Cordillera, defined “fun farm tourism” as an activity that allows tourists to have an experiential activity on farming by providing orientation, which encourages farmers to venture into an activity more than just producing, but also sharing the experience.

Ganongan said the farmers would not just focus on productivity, but also come up with tourism activities in their farms, providing tours for their tourists, and educating them on how to do farming.  -- PNA 

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Baguio City girds up for long, dry summer

BAGUIO CITY — The Baguio Water District urged consumers to practice water supply management in the face of this year’s El Niño episode.

Parts of the country are already feel­ing the effects of El Niño, with dry spells and even droughts being reported.

“Let’s keep it simple, use our avail­able water supply wisely.” BWD general manager Salvador M. Royeca said.

“Although our water supply is still normal at this time of the year, we might as well try to extend its availability until we reach the next rainy season.” Royeca said.

Water conservation must be prac­ticed not only by households but by business establishments like hotels, transient and boarding houses, whose water consumption is high, he said.

As early as the fourth quarter of 2018, the district had laid out contin­gency measures to head off a water shortage during the stretch from Febru­ary until May when visitors converge on Baguio for the Panagbenga festival, and on April, during the Holy Week exodus to the city.

“We will ensure that our available supply will be distributed equitably,” said Royeca, adding the rehabilitation of Sto. Tomas Rain Basin in 2018 and the commissioning of more deep wells particularly in Tam-awan, South Drive, Military Cut-Off, and Busol Tip-Top are expected to augment the water supply.

               Still, he suggested water-saving practices including the use of dipper or pail when washing hands and basins when taking a bath; recycling of used water for flushing toilets or watering plants; and inspecting a house or estab­lishment’s water pipes for leaks.

On average, the district delivers around 58,000 cubic meters of water daily. During the dry season, however, the groundwater supply is expected to dry up substantially.

During peak periods, the city’s water demand balloons to 65,000 cubic meters or more daily.

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69th IB, DOH Nueva Ecija act to protect kids from measles outbreak

The Provincial Department of Health Office (DOH) of Nueva Ecija in partnership with the Army’s 69th Infantry (Cougar) Battalion, recently conducted the Bayanihan Measles Outbreak Response in the Municipalities of Aliaga and Quezon of Nueva Ecija.

The outbreak of measles cases that hit the Central Luzon area includes the province of Nueva Ecija which prompted the Provincial DOH Office to launch its campaign, Bayanihan Measles Outbreak Response.

Headed by Dr. Erwin Santiago, the Provincial DOH Officer of Nueva Ecija, the medical service will help prevent and control the increase of cases of Measles in the whole province.

During a recent coordination meeting, Dr. Santiago requested military assistance through Lt. Col. Arcadio S. Posada, commanding officer of the 69th IB, to help in accomplishing the provincial DOH plans and programs in the conduct of their vaccination immunization activities.

During the Bayanihan Measles Outbreak Response, members from the Provincial DOH and Municipal Rural Health Unit of Aliaga and Quezon simultaneously gathered at their respective RHU offices in preparation for the said activity. Health workers and Nurses from different Municipal RHUs were also present to participate in the Bayanihan activity.

Troops of the 69th IB provided transportation assistance during the deployment of vaccinating teams and conducted area security during the house to house visitations and vaccination for children ranging from six to 59 months old.

Barangays Sta. Rita, Dulong Bayan, Ilog Baliwag, San Andres II, Sta. Clara and Brgy. Uno, all of Quezon, Nueva Ecija were visited and 250 children were vaccinated. In Aliaga, Barangays Poblacion East, Bibiclat and Sto. Rosario had a total of 150 children vaccinated.

The day-long activity ended at around 5:30 in the afternoon.

Major General Lenard T. Agustin the Commander of the 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, expressed his gratitude to the                    Provincial DOH of Nueva Ecija for involving the troops of 7th ID in such a worthy endeavor.

“It is through the delivery of basic services, especially in far-flung areas, that the people get to feel the concern of the government. And we thank Dr. Santiago and his team for giving us the opportunity to show the people that we, in the Army, truly care,” Agustin said.

Posada commended the members of the Provincial DOH for their commitment and hard work in delivering basic services to the populace.

               He also said that the 69th IB Troopers is always ready to help different organizations in responding to the needs of the people.

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NFA-Western Pangasinan to buy palay from farmers

By Liezle Basa-Inigo

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The National Food Authority (NFA) in Western Pangasinan assured farmers that it is now ready to buy palay this second crop harvest season.

The agency said the initiative was in support of the administration’s thrust to give the farmers a ready market of their produce.

It also intends to provide farmers with a better profit margin, particularly during times when the farm price of play was lower than that of the government.

NFA Provincial Manager Ramon Cuaresma said the agency has been buying palay at the support price of P17 per kilogram (kg) plus P0.20 per kg as drying incentive, P0.20 to P0.50 per kg as delivery incentive depending on the distance of the farm to the collecting point/NFA warehouse; P0.30 per kg for the Cooperative Development Incentive Fund; and the P3 per kg as Buffer Stocking Incentive (BSI).

Cuaresma also noted that the granting of additional BSI was in line with the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to increase NFA’s rice buffer stock primarily through local palay buying.

The approval of Republic Act 11203 or the Rice Liberalization Law has trimmed down NFA’s functions, requiring the agency to focus on buffer stocking for calamities and emergencies, and sourcing its buffer stocks from local farmers.

NFA advised farmers’ organizations and individual farmers to deliver their palay produce to the following warehouses: Alaminos GID Warehouse in Brgy. Pandayan, Alaminos City; Mangatarem GID Warehouse in Brgy. Umangan, Mangatarem; Ferrer Warehouse in Brgy. Maniboc, Lingayen; and Unique Warehouse in Barangay Malabago, Mangaldan.

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Cordillera art, crafts hub features “KAPEtirya”

By Jessa Mardy P. Samidan

BAGUIO CITY - The Cordillera Crafts and Productivity Center located at the DPS Compound, Upper Session Road here now offers specialty coffee alongside art and handicrafts being sold by local entrepreneurs.

This was announced by regional director Myrna Pablo of the Dept. of Trade and industry Cordillera in her letter to Mayor Mauricio Domogan informing the local chief executive that a private restaurant owner has been chosen to jumpstart the operation of the coffee shop branded as “KAPEtirya.”

Pablo said the launching of the coffee shop as a component of the crafts and productivity hub was held Wednesday morning.

“KAPEtirya is a component of our Cordillera Crafts and Productivity Center where Philippine coffees will be showcased,” Pablo stated in her letter.

Ervine Pangwi of Il Padrino bistro will be the interim operator of KAPEtirya with an agreed monthly rental fee of Php10,000. A thrust account is set to be opened where the revenue of the facility will accrue.

Pablo said the interim operation will be until the selection of a permanent operator by way of bidding, which is pending the tripartite approval of the Terms of Reference as guide per Resolution No. 168 series of 2017.

DTI-CAR opened the facility last year in partnership with the City Government of Baguio to serve as the Cordillera One Town One Product (OTOP) Philippines center and the Baguio City’s Creative City Arts and Crafts hub.

The building was built in 1997 through the initiative of former senator Leticia Shahani supposedly to serve as a training venue for small and medium scale entrepreneurs based on a tripartite agreement signed the DTI-CAR, City of Baguio and the Association of Barangay Councils of Baguio.

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DOH warns public of diseases this summer

By Shabach Joaquin

BAGUIO CITY -- The Dept. of Health-Cordillera urged the public to be cautious this dry season due to rising cases of water-born diseases including dengue.

Geeny Austria Nurse V of DOH CAR said such diseases are prominent during summer due to lack of water and extreme heat.

She advised the public to cover food containers and keep them in chilled or cool areas because with rising temperature, it will be easy for food to rot.

She added it`s also important to cover water containers and throw away dirty stagnant waters to prevent mosquitos from nesting.

The DOH-CAR also warned the public to watch out for dengue-carrying mosquitos and keep their areas clean and participate in ABaKaDa or Aksiyon Barangay Kontra Dengue, an intensified campaign and community-based approach to control dengue carrying mosquitos.

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Chavit partners with Korean investors to lower infra cost

LAOAG CITY — Former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson is bent on bringing down the prices of building materials in the country as he reported a looming business partnership with Korean investors.

Singson confirmed this in an interview this week, saying a new technology in Korea and China is on its way to Ilocos Sur to provide an alternative for steel bars used for building houses and roads.

Known as glass fiber-reinforced polymer rebars, this building material will soon be available in Ilocos Sur, Singson said.

“This fiberglass rebar is three times stronger than steel, six times lighter than steel, and 30 percent cheaper than steel. Product testing has already been approved and the best thing about it is it is non-corrosive,” he said about this latest development.

As of this posting, Singson said he is eyeing to establish about 30 warehouses from Santa to Narvacan in Ilocos Sur to store the products, which come in all sizes.

Following the visit of President Rodrigo Duterte in South Korea in June last year, Singson said it has reinvigorated trade between the two countries.

This resulted in more than 20 agreements signed between South Korean and Philippine companies.

These agreements are projected to generate an estimated USD4.8 billion in investments and 20,000 to 25,000 new jobs. -- PNA

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Bontoc LGU ups Day Care workers’ pay

By Alpine L. Killa

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The Bontoc government has increased honoraria of child development workers of this capital town this year.

Municipal Budget Officer Aida Lingbanan bared this during the municipal peace and order council meeting on March 20 at Barangay Alab.   

According to Social Welfare Officer III Araceli Shane Bayanos of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, CDWs now receive monthly honoraria of P3,700 each from P3, 200 monthly honoraria they received the past year.

“An amount of P500.00 was added to the monthly honoraria given by the municipal government to the CDWs in the 16 barangays of Bontoc,” Bayanos said.

There are 29 CDWs in Bontoc with four under plantilla position of the MSWDO while 25 are receiving honoraria from the Bontoc LGU and barangay government counterpart.

For school year 2018-2019, there were 582 Day Care children enrolled in the Child Development Centers in the municipality.

Mayor Franklin Odsey said the municipal government has always been supportive of the social and education sectors.

“We recognized the hard work of our Day Care Workers who are in the front line in bringing quality education in their respective barangays. Thus, it is fitting to increase their honoraria as an incentive for all their hard work,” Odsey said. 

The mayor added the increase in the honoraria given to CDWs was due to harmonious alliance between the chief executive and the legislative in the improvement and implementation of government’s program for a progressive Bontoc.

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Igorot PNPA grad 4th placer in class

By Christian Jay Tan

BAGUIO CITY -- Police cadet Ferdinand Mark Haguiling Lagchana, 22, from Bato-Alatbang, Mayoyao, Ifugao is a graduating fourth placer of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) class this year.

Lagchana is the last of the seven children of Marcelo Lagchana, a security guard and Virginia Lagchana, a nurse. His father passed on when he was 12 years old.

He studied BS Civil Engineering before he took a BS Criminology at Saint Mary's University in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya before entering PNPA. He wanted to help his family so he went to the academy.

“I came from a family wherein three of my brothers are graduates of the PMMA. I’ve witnessed the hardship of my brothers working in other countries for months leaving their families behind. This made me change course and had chosen to enter in the police service through PNPA,” he said.

PNPA information officer Byron Allatog said that, 29 of the 201 who will graduate the PNPA Sansiklab Class of 2019 are from the Cordilleras.

Sansiklab stands for Sandigan ng Mamamayan na may Sigasig na Itaguyod ang Kapayapaan at Ipaglaban ang Bayan.

There are 154 males and 47 females in the class set for graduation rites with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Safety. Their graduation ceremony will be held on March 22.

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Emceeing course open in Baguio

By James Patrick P. Aquino

BAGUIO CITY – The Speech Management and Rhetoric Training Systems Facilitating Innovative Tools and Solutions (SMART FITS) Area 23 has opened enrollment to Cordillera folks here on April.

              The said program is the first and only Center to offer Art of Emceeing and Train the Trainer Program (TTP) in the Cordillera.

SMART FITS Area 23 director Adamson N. Labi said that the trainings will help people who professionalize in the field of emceeing and hosting as they boost their confidence and knowledge with the activities and lectures provided.

The programs offered are emceeing for beginners, licensure for advance hosting and emceeing, and the Train the Trainer Program.

The center also offers music trainings, LET review for math, PEHMA, English, and General Education (BEE).

This professional training development center has its vision to be the leading provider of trainings and services of the said programs in the Cordillera as it encourages individuals to be part of its products.

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DA to put up solar-powered irrigation systems vs El Niño

BAGUIO CITY-- Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the department will put in place 6,200 solar powered irrigation systems nationwide as a short-term solution to address the effect of El Niño which causes the drying up of farm lands.

"This is our short-term resolution for El Niño, to build a solar-powered irrigation system. The project has a fund of PHP4 billion," Piñol said in a recent interview.

"The solar panels will produce the energy needed for the irrigation to be functional. This will be very effective during dry season," he added.

He said constructing water impounding dams is a long-term solution that will take several months if not years to complete.

Earlier, Piñol said they will be pushing for a bill that will require all communities to implement water conservation and preservation programs such as having small water impounding and small water catchment basin.

"We will do our best for this bill to be included in the President's legislative agenda," he said.

Piñol said the country experiences an average of 22 typhoons that hit the country every year, which must be taken with a positive note - coming up with measures to collect rain water for future use.

"The bill, once it is signed into a law will urge the public to conserve and utilize water resources and can be put in good use during dry season," he said.

He said this is the way to go because the country needs to implement sustainable agriculture.

"There will be a time that our resources will not be able to feed the population in the manner we produce food right now and we do not want that happen," he added.

Agriculture Undersecretary for operations, Ariel Cayanan, meanwhile, urged the farmers not to plant crops that require much water to grow, saying the department is looking for seeds which are pest and disease-resistant.

Cayanan said all of the crop pest management personnel of the Bureau of Plant Industry are on full alert in their monitoring of pests and infestation.

He said the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation will be providing loans for the farmers to ensure that there will still be a recovery fund for the farmers in case their crops are severely affected by the dry spell.

“Since we have the Program Loan Easy Access, the financial assistance and needs of the farmers will be well provided," Piñol said. (Pamela Mariz Geminiano/ PNA)

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BIBAK lot as pay parking site pushed as cars congest Baguio

By Dexter A. See 

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan urged the technical working group preparing the comprehensive master development plan for the 5,000 square-meter Bontoc-Ifugao-Benguet-Apayao-Kalinga (BIBAK) property here along Harrison Road to allow the temporary use of the area as a pay parking site to provide additional parking spaces within the central business district to address increasing volume of motor vehicles flocking to the city.

The mayor wrote regional director Ralph Pablo of the Cordillera office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and regional director Roland P. Calde of the Cordillera office of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and TWG to decide whether to allow temporary use of the feasible portions of the BIBAK property as temporary parking area while awaiting completion of the master development plan and funds for development of the property.

“It has been over a year since the illegal structures in the area were demolished, but there are still no significant improvements that were undertaken, thus, it might be good if the vacant space will still be utilized as a temporary pay parking area to help provide our motorists with parking spaces when going around the city,” Domogan said.

He said that it will be the TWG that will manage the operation of the pay parking area or it will authorize the local government to do so, but what is important is for the feasible portions of the property to be opened as temporary parking spaces while awaiting the completion of the desired master development plan and the implementation of the agreed development of the property.

According to him, once the TWG renders a favorable action on his request, he will task personnel of the City Engineering Office to assess feasible areas of the property that could be temporarily levelled for the pay parking area.

Domogan said it was difficult to evict the informal settlers in the property so it is best to have continuous government activity in the area to prevent informal settlers from settling in and hinder the implementation of future development projects in the future.

Earlier, the area was proposed to be converted into a one-stop government center for  government agencies that do not have permanent sites for their regional offices pool their resources to put up a multi-storey structure that will accommodate their said offices, aside from using the same as a cultural center.

The BIBAK property is part of Original Certificate of Title (OCT) No. 1 under the name of the Republic of the Philippines where dormitories were constructed that served as lodging for college students in the city coming from the Cordillera.

Domogan said he hoped TWG members will agree to his proposal so the property will be used for pay parking purposes.

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3 die in Pangasinan, La Union, road crashes

By Freddie Lazaro

CAMP FLOREN­DO, La Union – Three persons died while one other was hurt in separate vehicular accidents in La Union and Pangasinan on Monday, it was reported here.

Police said Rodrigo Runas Sr., 63, a resident of Barangay Gana, Caba, La Union, died due to serious body injuries after his e-bike was hit by a motorcycle driven by Juevin Sarmiento, 18, of Ba­rangay Aludaed, San Juan, La Union, on the national highway in Barangay San Benito Sur, Aringay, La Union. Sarm­iento is recovering at the hospital.

Robert Milan, 32, a resident of Barangay Samara, Aringay, La Union, died when he sustained serious injuries after his motorcycle hit a concrete fence beside the road.

Yrhin Audres Laran, 20, a resident of Barangay Cabaraoan, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan, died upon reaching the hospital due to his body wounds after his motorcycle bumped an improvised tractor’s trailer on the road in Baran­gay Labit, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan.

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Jeep falls Tuba ravine; one dead, nine injured

TUBA, Benguet – Nine persons were injured while one died when a passenger jeep fell down a ravine here March 14 around 3 p.m. at Sitio Saguitlang, Ansagan.

The vehicle was driven by Edgardo Cassama, 37 and resident of Saguitlang.

Investigation showed the vehicle was descending a curve when lost its brake prompting the driver to bump it onto a boulder but it fell down the cliff.

Passenger Willy Malogat died on the spot, while the driver and other passengers were injured and brought to a hospital in Pozzurobio, Pangasinan for treatment.

Injured were Jerome Gavin Guron, 16; Adriane Aklis Atiwen, 15; Sinbad Manogat Burgos, 13; Mylene Caboda Laconsay, 42 and Maricel Malogat, 34.

Three passengers who were seriously injured were brought to Baguio General Hospital: Clyde Brexler Panelo Tino, 12; Alicia Estepa Daping, 53 and Gloria Panelo Tino, 47.

The cadaver of Willy Malogat was brought by his relatives to their residence at Saguitlang.

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Abra gov to AFP, PNP: be neutral in May polls

BANGUED, Abra – Gov. Ma. Jocelyn Valera-Bernos urged military and police officials to remain non-partisan as the midterm election nears.

Bernos, reserved Philippine Army Lieutenant Colonel, reminded the police and military to side with the law and perform their mandate “to serve the country and their fellow Filipinos."

The lady governor said she is confident that the country's peace and security forces will display the highest sense of professionalism in the upcoming midterm polls.

Bernos said the “will of the electorate” will be guarded with utmost care. 

Earlier in the province, the Commission on Elections, policemen and the military renewed their commitment in ensuring an honest, fair and peaceful elections.

Abra earlier this year activated the “Abra Shield”, a unique public safety force composed of 1501st Regional Mobile First Battalion, 22nd Special Action Company, PNP-Special Action Force, and Provincial Mobile Force Company to implement the gun ban and to intensify the anti-crime operations against loose firearms and private armed groups.
             Aside from checkpoints, policemen had been on more than the usual foot and mobile patrols all over the province.  While the Philippine Army stationed in the province had pledged support to the local law enforcement operations by the police while strengthening their counter-insurgency campaigns. -- KSL

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DPWH building rises in Mt Prov after landslide tragedy

PARACELIS, Mountain Province -- Following the death of scores of people when the Dept. of Public Works and Highways building was buried by a landslide at the height of Typhoon Rosing last year in adjacent Natonin town, DPWH officials on Tuesday led the blessing and dedication of the newly constructed sub-office of the Mountain Province Second District Engineering Office located here at Barangay Bananao. Rev. Fr. Feliciano Agatep, engineer Charles C. Sokoken, representative of the regional director of DPWH- CAR and officials of MPSDEO, Bananao and Office of the Legislative Caretaker of Mountain Province representative lawyer Cyphrine Maxwell Y. Dalog witnessed the historical mark of DPWH MPSDEO.

The construction of the building was made possible through the initiative of the late Rep. Maximo B. Dalog, Sr.

The OIC- DE of MPSDEO, Rustom A. Martinez, in his message said the building is dedicated to the men and women of the DPWH who strive to achieve the vision and mission of DPWH, particularly employees of the Mountain Province Second DEO recently affected by the tragedy wrought by typhoon Rosita in October 2018 with quality infrastructure and a testament and dauntless vision and legacy of DPWH Officials, local officials and lot donor.”

Martinez became emotional when he recalled his first night at the building. “The said facility was very much worth it. It was my refuge with my driver on October 30, 2018 when we were not able to enter Natonin and unknowingly typhoon Rosita wiped out the whole office. Now, the only existing structure we call our own. To me this is priceless.”

Several persons were buried alive in the building hit by a landslide at the height of Typhoon Rosing.  

The building, dubbed by locales as the “White mansion of the East” seats on a lot donated by the family of Romana Ballawig at Bebesual, Bananao, Paracelis.

It is temporarily the relocation site of the DE’s quarters having a limited space supposed for a sub-office.

Employees of this newly created DEO with this only existing building are symbol of hope and inspiration after that tragic incident at Natonin, officials said.

The Mountain Province Second DEO is temporarily relocated and operating at the old DENR Building at Poblacion, Paracelis and two of its sections: Quality Assurance and Maintenance are at the LGU-owned compound at Magawood, Bantay, Paracelis.

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MP execs forge MOU on protecting forests

HAPPY WEEKEND

Gina Dizon

BONTOC, Mountain Province  - To take an active role among barangay officials in the prevention of forest fires was emphasized during a gathering of a 100 plus barangay officials along with officers from the provincial government and Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources and Bureau of Fire Protection and other government agencies  last March 26.

Following a forum here conducted by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources and BFP with the provincial government, the Liga ng mga Barangay was particularly included in the formation of an interagency task group with cooperation of multi-sectoral groups including church and media.

The activity was bound by a memorandum of understanding between the provincial government, DENR, BFP, Departments of Interior and Local Government and Education, National Defense, Science and Technology Information and Communications Technology Social Welfare and Development,  Agriculture and Health.

              Others were Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Red Cross- Mountain Province.  

The IATG was formed to coordinate with concerned agencies  enforcement of environmental laws and protection of the public from environmental related threats and destruction.  

An action planning followed which identified the crucial role of barangays in forest fire protection and strategies to do this to be further refined in detailed planning by the IATG this second week of April.

In said event, Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan said the role of barangay officials is crucial in the protection of forests. Lacwasan added P100,000 was is programmed as incentive to a barangay with no forest fires.

This as a resolution on prevention of forest fires was passed by the recent provincial peace and order council for the allocation of  P100,000 for a barangay having incurred no forest fires in a year.

              As per report from BFP- Mountain Province  Supt. Floyd Toyokan, there are 46 forest fire incidents from January to March  this year having razed some 96 hectares of mountain land most especially in the municipalities of Bontoc, Sagada, Bauko in that order with an estimated damage cost of some P1.9 million.

This, apart from other undocumented and un-investigated forest fires in the different parts of the Province.

Sadanga had zero forest fire and there must be some good practices why Sadanga has no mountain fires; followed by Natonin with only one incident of forest fire in the past three months.

In said forum, a covenant was signed by the 100 plus participants forwarding their commitment to protect the mountains particularly from forest fires agreeing that the protection of the mountains from any form of destruction is a responsibility of all. For one, to obey customary laws and ordinances on forest fire prevention.

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5th Kataguan ‘drive for life’ nets P508-K

COMMUNITY BILLBOARD

Wabilyn Mana-od

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The just concluded 5th Kataguan Caravan Drive for Life has reached an initial amount of P348,000 as of March 23 and collectibles of P160,000 to complete the amount of P508,000.

The caravan was initiated by the late Rep. Maximo B. Dalog in 2015 wherein the Office of the Congressman worked in partnership with the Kataguan Dialysis Patients Organization Incorporated to help generate funds for the weekly and lifelong dialysis treatment of patients diagnosed to have chronic kidney sisease.

In 2017, the family of the late congressman was determined to continue the legacy of their father when they formed a non-stock corporation through the Maximo B Dalog Foundation.

The MBDF primarily aims to maintain and act as a non-profit foundation for granting medical assistance to poor/indigent patients suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease.  

The MBDF had partnered with the Kataguan Organization making the caravan  an annual activity for benefit of kidney patients.

In an interview with lawyerCyphrine Maxcel Dalog, treasurer of MBDF, she said that aside from the idea of helping out our brothers and sisters raise fund to augment their financial and medical needs, the caravan also aims to promote tourist destination and the beauty of Mountain Province. She added that since its inception, it had been participated mostly by professionals, relatives of dialysis patients, government employees, hospital employees, business owners and Filipinos who vacation from abroad. 

The 5th Kataguan caravan was participated by six motorcycles and 39 vehicles from donors and sponsors. 

From the Eyeb grounds, the caravan passed through major thoroughfares of four municipalities in Mountain Province namely, Bontoc, Sabangan, Bauko and Tadian then back to Bauko municipal grounds for the program and lunch.  

According to Jennifer Tuzon, treasurer of the Kataguan Organization, based from their record there are 157 members at present who are having their weekly dialysis treatment in different dialysis centers in the country.

She recalled that when they started the organization, there were just 29 members.

The MBDF and Kataguan Organization officers and members extended their appreciation and thanks to the following sponsors and donors: Mountain Province Second District Engineering Office, Mountain Province State Polytechnic College, Mountain Province First District Engineering Office, Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital, San Vicente High School Faculty and Staff Student and PTA, Mr. Ryan Mangusan, Mountain Province Electric Cooperative, JABEN construction, AIP construction, JBA construction, MJS Construction, APO construction, Sadlan Construction, HC Cassiw construction, UPLAND Construction, OLCO Construction, Engr. Daniel Peckley, Mr. Clarence Dalog, Reynaldo Del Amor, Dax Olsim, Mayor Franklin Odsey, Mayor Johnson Bantog II, Mayor Abraham Akilit, Mayor James Pooten Jr., Engr. Edward Latawan, Novie Afidchao, Joaquin Nacnas,  Clark Ngaya, Evelio Timario, Aijays Marketing, Rosalinda Belagan, Yolanda Awing, MRC store, PM Aglipay, Besy Wangwang, Rosemarie Archog, Theodore Marrero, Edwin Falag-ey, Engr. Jerry Chimicag, Dencio Bula-ay, Mr. Russel Tupac, Atty. Edward Chumawar, Engr. Edward Likigan, Dr. Nenita Lizardo, TESDA Mountain Province, Engr. Winston Daoas, Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan, Dr. Raquel Tannao Kanongkong, Mayor Venancio Lipawen, SB Members of Sabangan, SB Members of Besao, SB Members of Sagada, Engr. Victor Komicho, Mr. Edward Chaokas, Mr. Abe Fagyan, Mr. Junior Chaokas, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Atty. Sergio Milan, Julius Likigan and Atty. Wilson Kalangeg.

                 Likewise, MBDF and KDPOI  extended their appreciation and thanks to the following: Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Red Cross- Mountain Province, Fr. Micheal Tokoyen, Bontoc General Hospital, Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital, Provincial Health Office, Mountain Province Riders Club, Provincial Information Office, Radyo ng Bayan, and the Mountain Province Police Provincial Office, the Mountain Province General Comprehensive High School for the usual support and assistance in the success of the activity. 

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Lots for North Sanitary Camp folks / City gov’t power, fuel consumption

 CITY HALL BEAT

Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – Fifty one residents of North Sanitary Camp now have the chance to own the lots they have been occupying for decades near the Baguio Sewerage Treatment Plant after the city government approved their application for the disposition of said lots in their favor.

The lot allocates last Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Agreement or Deed of Sale with the city government represented by Mayor Mauricio Domogan and witnessed by City Council Committee on Urban Planning, Lands and Housing Chair Councilor Edgar Avila and North Sanitary Camp Punong Barangay Virgilio Orca allowing them to purchase the lots from the city government.

Under the MOA, the grantees can buy the lot owned by the city measuring 5,554 square meters at P2,500 per square meter or a total cost of P13,885,000 as determined by the City’s Appraisal Committee.

Avila’s committee worked out the processing of the applications for which he said the applicants waited for 15-20 years.

The city’s approval was by virtue of Resolution No. 197 series of 1989 which approved the awarding of lots to the occupants and which paved the way for the conduct of a subdivision survey of the area.

The city council in Resolution No. 10 series of 2019 approved the sale and authorized the mayhor to enter into a MOA with the occupants.

Meanwhile, Avila said that 118 long-time residents of Teacher’s Camp-Cabinet Hill who were affected by Proclamation 613 “Amending Proclamation No. 290, Dated July 18, 1988 which Established the Teachers’ Camp Reservation, Baguio City, by Excluding from its Operation a Portion of the Land Embraced Therein Situated in Res. Sec. “C” and “F”, Baguio City and Reserving the Same for Housing Site Purposes Open for Disposition in Favor of the Actual Occupants” were also awarded the lots they have been occupying also last Tuesday.

On March 28, a total of 100 lot applicants at the San Luis-San Roque area who have settled at the city-owned cemetery lot will also be given the chance to own the lots.

Proceeds of the sale will be used to purchase a cemetery lot at a new site.

                ***

Mayor Mauricio Domogan last week directed the monitoring of electric and fuel consumption of the city government in compliance with the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program of the national government.

The mayor tasked General Services Officer Eugene Buyucan to do the monitoring and to prepare and submit semi-annual report to the Dept. of Energy.

In Memorandum Mo. 55 series of 2019, the mayor reminded all departments and offices to switch off lights, computer sets and other electrical equipment when not in use.

He also urged departments to strictly require the accomplishment of trip tickets before the use of all motor vehicles owned by the city government.

To ensure that the “no approved driver’s trip ticket-no travel” policy is observed, the mayor tasked the security guards of the GMT Interlink Security Management Corp. to require drivers to present an approved trip ticket before using service vehicles to go out of the premises of City hall areas especially during weekends and holidays.

The EE&C Program of the DOE aims to standardize energy efficiency and conservation measures in the country by regulating the use of energy efficient technologies in buildings.

It was carried in the EE&C Act approved last January 16 by both Houses of Congress.

The Act “provides for the Local Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan as well as the inclusion of Energy Conserving Design on Buildings in the issuance of building permits,” according to the DOE.

  “An Interagency Energy Efficiency and Conservation Committee will also be created for the implementation of the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP), which aims to reduce government agencies' consumption of electricity and petroleum products.”

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