COMMUNITY BILLBOARD

College head dies of stroke
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya– A college president in Quirino province succumbed to stroke shortly after delivering a message during a mañanita for the 31st birthday of Rep. Dakila Cua Monday.

Engineer Edilberto Acio, head of the provincial government-run Quirino Polytechnic College, was declared dead on arrival at the provincial hospital where he was rushed after collapsing just after extending his birthday greetings to Cua.

Mañanita is traditionally performed at dawn to greet someone during special occasions like birthdays. – Charlie Lagasca

Halsema waste campaign upped
TUBLAY, Benguets – The massive information drive for proper waste disposal on Halsema Highway is targeting to reach about 5,000 motorists, travelers and passengers traversing one of the major thoroughfares in Cordillera region.

In an environmental forum, groups were clustered into four and stationed at strategic locations in Ambassador in Tublay; Pali or Highest Point in Sayangan; Atok, Pakpakitan, Natubleng in Buguias; and in the area of Sinto, which is the boundary of Benguet and Mt. Province to halt more than a thousand vehicles to warn them against throwing trash on the highway.

Mass transport vehicles were also provided with trash bins so that passengers will not throw their wastes outside the window. -- Dexter A. See


COPS 2011 launched in Ilocos Region
CAMP FLORENDO, La Union— Supt. Eric Noble, who was one-time recipient of the Country’s Outstanding Policemen in Service (COPS) award, encouraged Tuesday other police officers to be loyal and dedicated to the performance of their duties as the search for COPS 2011 kicked off recently.

The award was launched last Oct. 27 with the signing of a memorandum of agreement among financiers and organizers of COPS 2011 – Metrobank Foundation Inc., the Rotary Club of New Manila East, the Philippine Savings Bank and the Philippine National Police.

The COPS award is now a career service award given annually to 10 winners consisting of four police commissioned officers (from police inspector to superintendent) and six police non-commissioned officers (from police officer 1 to senior police officer 4).

'Christmas ed Kapangan'scheduled December 10-11
KAPANGAN, Benguet – This town in coordination with the provincial government and Department of Tourism presents an early Christmas escapade “Christmas ed Kapangan” on Dec. 10-11.

Kapangan is located at the western part of Benguet, 1,700 meters above sea level with a total land area of 17, 327. 25 hectares.

It has a population of 18, 380 in 15 barangays. Farming or agriculture is the main source of livelihood of residents. Kankanaey and Ibaloi are their main dialects.

According to Tourism Operations Officer Clarita Prudencio, the two-day tour is one way of boosting the local tourism industry since the place has the most number of tourist attractions in Benguet. Besides, it also serves as an early celebration for the coming Christmas season.

The first day of the tour would be visitation to the Anthurium Forest and to the Municipal Livelihood Center for their high quality silk being their One town One Product (OTOP).
Camping at Balakbak E/S campsite, fellowship and programs such as cañao and cultural shows will follow.

Hands on harvest at the Obellan/Catampan Rice Terraces, spelunking at the Longog Cave, picnic at the Amburayan River and shopping for fresh fruits, vegetables and handicrafts at Taba-ao will complete the tour.

Registration fee varies from P1,500 to - P2,000 depending on the date of registration. – Dianne Estino

1st BSA deanery recommitment held
BONTOC, Mountain Province – Seventy seven members of the Brotherhood of Saint Andrew of the central deanery of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Philippines attended the first deanery rededication at Barangay Gonogon here on Nov 29 at the St. Agustine Mission Church.

The central deanery is composed of all Anglican churches in the capital town of Bontoc and Sabangan municipality.

EDNP diocesan bishop Brent Alawas urged the brethrens to religiously follow the footsteps of Apostle Andrew who is the organization’s patron saint.

“We members must strengthen our fraternal ties with other chapters nationwide as this will help prevent conflicts among member and church members as well,” he said. “As a cohesive religious organization we can assist in the resolution of some problems between and among other people such as tribal conflicts especially if we have brothers in the conflicting parties.”

Before the rites seven individuals were received as new members of the BSA. An orientation on the history of BSA and a short meeting ensued after the service.

The brotherhood is a lay organization among men and youth of the Anglican or Episcopal Church worldwide with the objective of Spreading Christ’s Kingdom or bringing others nearer to Christ.
It has three disciplines that a member must have to abide such as to study the bible regularly, conduct of daily prayer for the organization and all people in this world and extend services to the church and community.

The organization’s patron saint is Apostle Andrew who with his brother Peter was called by Jesus Christ to become “fishers of men.” -- Francis B. Degay

19 Ifugao youths get DAR grants
LAMUT, Ifugao -- The Department of Agrarian Reform in the province has provided scholarship grants to deserving children of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries, which is part of the interventions of concerned government agencies to boost rural development.

Leanor Bascos, Senior Agrarian Reform Program Officer, said the Programang Agraryo Iskolar of DAR was awarded to 19 dependents of ARBs in the province to help them finish a four-year agriculture related degree course so they will be able to utilize their acquired skills and knowledge for agriculture development in the countryside.

Bascos said qualified scholars are currently enrolled at the Ifugao State University with 13 of them studying at the main campus, four at the Portia campus and two at the Lagawe campus. -- Dexter A. See