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Four tricycle riders killed in IS mishap
BY FREDDIE LAZARO

STA. LUCIA, Ilocos Sur – A passenger was killed and a driver was seriously injured when the tricycle they were riding collided head-on with an Izuzu jeep on the national highway in Barangay Bical, Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur last week.

The tricycle was traveling northwards when it overtook an unidentified vehicle. The tricycle driver did not notice the incoming Isuzu jeep, driven by one Alfredo Jadomio, 55 of Barangay Calaoan, Sta. Cruz town, on the opposite lane of the highway.

Police identified the dead victim as Nelson Y Gascon, 26, of Barangay Bagani Tocgo, Candon City.

He was declared dead on arrival at the Candon City Hospital. Police identified the seriously injured victim as Ronal Galus, brother of the dead victim and resident of Barangay Bagani Tocgo, Candon City.

He was transferred to Iocos Region Training and Medical Center in San Fernando City, La Union for further treatment.

The driver of the Isuzu jeep surrendered to the Sta. Lucia police station. Meanwhile, a laborer, who was riding a XRM motorcycle, was killed when he was stabbed by an unidentified man at Ilocos Sur on June 15.

The victim was identified as Isaias Villaluz Jr, 41, native of Barangay Immayos Norte, San Juan.


Rehab works on Halsema to Banaue road on
BY DEXTER A. SEE

BAGUIO CITY - The implementation of rehabilitation works of Phases II and III of the La Trinidad-Bontoc-Banaue Road known as the Halsema Highway road project have taken off simultaneously to spur the super region’s economic growth.

The Halsema Highway Phase II or Mt. Data-Bontoc Section with a total length of 50.5 kilometers has an estimated project cost of P1 billion while the Bontoc – Banaue section or Phase III covering an approximate length of 39 kilometers has an appropriation of P780 million.

As of May 25, a report released by the Department of Public Works and Highways showed that P340 million was initially released for civil works for the Mt. Data-Bontoc section.
There are 20 sections issued Notice to Proceed with 16 already ongoing and four sections still on the mobilization stage. Based on the initial release, DPWH reported a 23.82% accomplishment.

For the Bontoc-Banaue Section, accomplishment is 17.13% based on the initial release of P189 million for civil works. 11 sections were issued NTPs with 7 sections already ongoing while 4 are still on the mobilization stage.

Also released was P35 million for detailed engineering to be undertaken by the DPWH regional office.

In both projects, scope of work are described as widening, concreting, drainage, slope protection and road side structures.

It has been noted that in the status of work, some have been suspended due to shortage of portland cement and afternoon rains, aside from the usual road right of way problems.

Phase I which starts from La Trinidad to Mt. Data Section was substantially completed last year by the DAEWOO Construction.

As to the other infrastructure projects committed by the President during her State of the Nation address last year, being implemented by the DPWH, the Bontoc-Tabuk-Tuguegarao Road, which is composed of two sections, is also proceeding. Its improvement is envisioned to strengthen east-west link as it will enhance economic linkages between Regions II and CAR and a north-south mountain link between Mt. Province , Kalinga and Apayao.

For the Bontoc-Tinglayan Boundary Section I, the DPWH Regional Office and the District Engineering offices already received the initial release of P112 million for civil works out of the total project cost of P382 million. Six sections were issued NTPs with one ongoing while five sections are suspended due to shortage of Portland cement.

Another P19 million was released for the detailed engineering for this section undertaken by a consultant. This was bid out at the Central Office.

As for the Tinglayan Bdry.-Lubuagan-Tabuk Section 2 with an appropriation of P988 million, DPWH reported a 31.19% accomplishment based on the initial release of P229 million for civil works. Except for one project undergoing the preparation of Program of Work(POW), the four others issued NTP are now ongoing. Detailed engineering for this section was also bid out at the Central Office in the amount of P17 million .

This road is also seen as a factor to poverty alleviation as it will bring about tremendous economic and social activities in the area as well as lower the cost of transport of goods and services.
North Luzon Super Region development champion and Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap had earlier inspected these projects to ensure their smooth implementation.

The government has made infrastructure one of its priority investment areas as it believes that investments made on infrastructure will pave the way for a sure path to prosperity.


Cordillera-Cagayan Valley road almost done - DPWH

BAGUIO CITY -- Motorists will soon have another alternate route in going in and out of the tourism and agricultural highlands in Cordillera with the near completion of the Baguio-Pangawan, Kayapa Section, contract package 1 of the Baguio-Aritao road under the Cordillera road improvement project.

This was bared by Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan saying the project was hastened since it was a high-impact projects.

Dept. of Public Works and Highways Philippine Japan highway loan project director Vicente Perez said the project was 83.4 percent complete, ahead of 0.125 percent as compared to its scheduled accomplishment rating.

“Because of the good weather last month, the contractor worked continuously in almost all the scheduled construction activities resulting to a good accomplishment,” Perez said.

The Baguio-Aritao Road is included in the DPWH major high-impact project because of its expected socio-economic benefit.

Upon its completion, the new road network will link the Cordillera to Cagayan Valley Region which will speed up agricultural trade, and provide employment opportunities as it will also support the tourism industry.

The project involves construction of 66 kilometers of Portland cement concrete pavement, replacement of Acnip Bridge, reinforcement of concrete box girder on drilled shaft foundation, and some drainage and slope protection works.

This P 1.5 billion road and bridge project jointly funded by the Japan Bank for International Development and the Government of the Philippines , is expected to be completed October this year.


DPWH exec gunned down in Nueva Ecija
BY LIAM ANACLETO

TALAVERA, Nueva Ecija – A district engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways in this province was gunned down by a motorcycle-riding man as he stepped out of a restaurant here at noon on Wednesday.

Senior Supt. Alfredo Caballes, officer-in-charge of the provincial police, identified the victim as Pacifico Berin, 64, district engineer of the DPWH’s Nueva Ecija first engineering district based here.

Berin died on the spot from several gunshot wounds from a Cal. 45 pistol in the head and the body.

Police said Berin had just come out of the Lucy’s Restaurant in Barangay San Miguel na Muntil here where he attended the birthday party of a certain Resty Candelaria, of the DPWH’s construction division, when he was shot.

The gunman, who was wearing a ski mask and a white long-sleeved shirt, then boarded a motorcycle driven by another man and fled toward Cabanatuan City.

Witnessed described the triggerman as small, dark complexioned and of medium build.

Berin was a known kumpare of Governor-elect Aurelio Umali. They stood as godfathers during the wedding of a brother of Cabanatuan City councilor-elect Nero Mercado a few years ago.

Caballes said they are looking into reports that Berin might have been slain because “marami siyang nalalaman (he knows so many things).”

According to reports, Berin was with his assistant district engineer, Ric Puno, and some 20 DPWH employees before the shooting incident.

Puno said that Berin excused himself in a phone interview saying he was returning to his office in Barangay La Torre.

Moments later, shots rang out. When Berin’s men rushed outside the restaurant, they saw a bloodied Berin slumped on the pavement.

Berin bore two wounds in the head and five in the body. His attacker reportedly shot him even while he was already lying down.

Puno said Berlin had no known enemies, much less received threats prior to his killing.

“He had never mentioned anything about an enemy or death threats. Bigla na lang (It’s so sudden),” he said.

“Malalim ang dahilan nito. Di mo maintindihan (There’s a deeper reason. You don’t understand),” he said.

Puno said Gov. Tomas Jason III and his younger brother, Vice Gov. Mariano Cristino, who was abroad, both immediately called up, expressing concern over attack.

“Inaabangan na talaga. Alam kung saan siya papunta (They had been eyeing him) they know where he was going),” he said.

Berin had been the district engineer here for the past five years. Previously, he was a district engineer in Isabela and Zambales.


Slain Fil-Am soldier given 21-gun salute
BY FREDDIE LAZARO

CANDON CITY – The United States government accorded full military burial honors to Fil-Am US Army Staff Segeant Greg Phil Gagarin whose remains were buried last week at the public cemetery in Barangay Caterman, this city.

Gagarin, who was killed in action when an improvised explosive device exploded last June 3 in Thania, Iraq, was given a 21-gun salute by US honor guards during his burial rites morning of June 20.

He also received from the US Armed Forces a posthumous Bronze Star Medal, the fourth highest US military award for gallantry in action, and the Purple Heart medal in recognition of his valor and dedication to the service.

Brig. Gen. Simeon Trombitas, commander of the US Army’s Special Operation Command based in Korea, arrived here to lead the US soldiers who attended the burial rites.

In the necrological service, Trombitas extended condolences to the bereaved family. He described Garain as a great war hero, a great soldier and a great leader.

“We miss him so much in our command,” he said.

In behalf of the US government, Trombitas also thanked the bereaved family and the Philippines for having a soldier like Gagarin and for being a hero of both the Philippines and the US.

In his response, retired US Air Force Master Sgt. Ernesto V. Gagarin, 73, father of Gagarin, described his son as great soldier and hero as he sacrificed his life to restore democracy in Iraq.

Earlier, the elder Gagarin told journalists he and other members of his family were shocked by the news that his son was killed in Iraq.
“This is what I feared that might happen to my son, but, we are very proud of him because he had served in the US Army for the sake of strengthening democracy,” he said.

He said his son was scheduled to retire in 2009, and was then planning to stay in Candon City for good.

Gagarin was born on Jan. 4, 1970 in Barangay Caterman, Candon.

At the age of 10, he migrated to the US upon the petition of his father, who was then in the active service of the US air force.

After graduation from high school at the age of 17, he served in the California National Guards. Then a year later, he joined the US Army.

Gagarin had been deployed to Iraq several times. At one time, he was also assigned as a member of the peacekeeping force at the border of North and South Korea.

Later, he returned to Fort Louis in Washington State, and later volunteered to be assigned in Iraq.

US Staff Gagarin was married to Alma, who was a native in Candon City.

They resided in Taguig, Metro Manila, and have two children, a boy and a girl, who are four years old and three years old, respectively.


Isabela LTO executive shot dead while patrolling road
BY JOAN CAPUNA

CAUAYAN CITY – A ranking officer of the Land Transportation Office in this Isabela City was shot dead while he and three of his men were patrolling the national highway for colorum vehicles and traffic violators last week.

Police said Renato Patawaran Quinto, LTO agent team leader, sustained eight gunshot wounds in the face and abdomen and died on the spot on June 19.

Supt. Amorsolo dela Cruz, city police chief, told newsmen they have suspects in the killing based on accounts of eyewitnesses.

Rolando Aguada, LTO district officer, said his men were on regular patrol along the national highway in Barangay Minante-2 when two motorcycle-riding men attacked Quinto.

Quinto failed to draw his licensed Cal. 38 revolver.


5 die of dengue in Ilocos
BY JERRY PADILLA

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – Four children in Pangasinan and a 14-year-old boy in La Union were the latest casualties of dengue based on records of the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unity of the Department of Health.

Dr. Julia Racquel Magalong, Resu chief, said the two casualties were from Lingayen and one each from the towns of Dasul and Mangaldan, all in Pangasinan.

The record of the 14-year-old boy in San Juan, La Union, who died a week ago at a private hospital, has yet to reach the RESU office.

Magalong said 92 dengue cases have been recorded in the Ilocos region since January.

Pangasinan topped the number of cases with 40, followed by La Union, 33, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur have 17 and two cases, respectively.

“Based on our current date there is no dengue outbreak in the region. The number of cases that we had last year, that is our usual parameter,” Magalong said.

Magalong added the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Units of the various provincial health offices in the regional have been properly equipped to manage their own surveillance system on dengue cases.

She said continuing preventive measures are now being conducted by the DOH Dengue Control Program with the help of local government units.

“We are doing the regular advocacy campaign in cleanliness of our environment to create awareness is the best practice in driving away dengue mosquitoes.

Day-biting mosquitoes are the carriers of dengue virus.


Elected officials taking oath in far Paracelis surprises constituents
BY BERLIN TOYOKAN AND JULIET SALEY

PARACELIS, Mountain Province -- Constituents here got surprised since for the first time in the history of this province, elected officials took their oath of office in this remote town on June 16.

Around a thousand well-wishers came from different municipalities to witness the event when elected province officials headed by Gov. Maximo Dalog were sworn to office.

It was a timely event as the town celebrated its 45th founding anniversary that day.
Pundits however said the oath taking was held here to show gratitude to the people as it is the town where the Dalog got 3,089 votes over his closest rival Bonifacio Lacwasan.

Others present were Natonin mayor-elect Ana Marie Rafael Bana-ag and her father Paracelis Mayor-elect Ceasar Rafael.

Various tribes of the province made the event colorful with their traditional dances and garbs.

Paracelis has the biggest land area of 54,513 hectares of the province’s total land area of 229,231.

Meanwhile, Dalog bared some 507 households in the town of Sabangan in the province are now benefiting from the Programang Gulayan para sa Masa.

The program initially covered Sabangan barangays of Pingad, Napua, Gayang, Capinitan, Camatagan, Bun-ayan and Bao-angan.

Municipal Agriculturist Evelyn L. Dalog said these beneficiaries were identified based on the malnutrition data of the Rural Health Unit.

The Gulayan Para sa Masa, a project of the national government, aims to reduce hunger and malnutrition in selected areas of the country.

It is a vegetable backyard raising program aimed to provide livelihood opportunities and easy access to more affordable vegetables.

Each household beneficiary started its backyard garden with seeds like pechay, okra, eggplant, pole sitao, squash, ampalaya, bush sitao and sweet pepper given for free by the Department of Agriculture.

Dalog said another batch of 225 households identified municipal wide will also be benefiting from this program.

The Municipal Agriculturist office has scheduled distribution of same assorted seeds for the beneficiaries to start with their backyard garden.

Families who don’t have vacant lots can adopt containers gardening technology.

“To ensure successful implementation of this project, the MAO provides technical assistance, and trains the beneficiaries in preparing and planting vegetables. It also conducts regular visitation and follow up family backyard gardens to determine the status of the project,” Dalog said.

Under this program, all harvests will be owned and consumed by the household. In case of production excess, the household can sell the produce or can also share with their neighbors. Some seeds can also be dried for the next planting.

The Gulayan para sa Masa is part of the Department of Agriculture’s continuing effort of providing a favorable environment for agriculture with the target to increase farm production to mitigate hunger and create jobs, among others.


Cabanatuan hospital making a name as ‘heart center of the north’; low operations cost cited
BY LIAM ANACLETO

CABANATUAN CITY – A hospital here is now getting attention as “heart center of the north.” In a span of two weeks, the Wesleyan University Philippines Cardiovascular and Medicinal Center (WUP-CMP) performed four major heart surgeries on four patients who almost gave up due to high cost of such operations.

The WUP-CMP is now getting raves with its specialization in cardiovascular surgery using the latest state-of-the-art equipment also found in advanced hospital in Metro Manila.

Dr. Jose Santos G. Abad, medical and administrative director of WUP-CMC, said the first successful open heart surgery conducted on tricycle driver Leopoldo Paricia Jr. last April 18 was performed by Dr. Florante Lomibao, head of the cardiovascular surgery department at the WUP-CMC.

Five days later, Paricia was certified “A-Ok” for release from the hospital.

The Fernando Medical Enterprises Inc. here supplied the light, cardiac monitors, anesthesia machine heart-lung machine, suction apparatus in the so-called “skin-to-skin” (from opening to closing) operation.

Last June 2, Mario Nelson Canilao Jr., 16, of Angeles City, Pampanga, underwent surgery for mitral-aortic valve replacement.

On the same day, Valerio Balualua, 65, of Claveria, Cagayan Valley, had a double bypass graft operation.

Then, on June 3, with the same precision shown in the past three cardiovascular operations, Romeo Candelaria, 65, retired government employee at the National Museum, and resident of Gen. Tinio, Nueva Ecija, underwent a quadruple bypass graft operation.

Wesleyan University-Philippines lawyer Guillermo Maglaya said the four patients had a difficult time seeking cure for their ailments because of the high cost of such surgery performed in medical centers in Metro Manila.

They were referred to the WUP-CMC by physicians who heard of its reputation and mission of sure cure at the least cost.

Administrative Office Dolores R. Galang said the cost of operation at the center here is way below the rated in premiere medical centers in Manila, and it is even “negotiable and adjustable” to the economic situation of the patients.

President Maglaya and Doctor Abad have envisioned the WUP-CMC “to be the center for research, education and training in cardiovascular medicine outside of Metro Manila, and to provide the best quality cost-effective cardiovascular and health services to all patients through its high caliber, medical specialist and well-trained professionals using state-of-the-art technology geared towards building a healthy community.

In answer to the growing needs for facilities by heart patients in the region, Maglaya announced plans to build a 17bed building to complement the P200million, 40-bed medical center to serve the growing need for cardiovascular surgeries and referrals.

Doctor Abad, looking towards perfecting further science of cardiovascular surgery and referral centers, said the plan includes facilities for hearth transplant, nuclear medicine, training of medical personnel, courses in allied medicine, medical and occupational technologies, and physical therapy.