COMMUNITY BILLBOARD

Cordillera cited for ‘best law enforcement council’
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — The Cordillera Administrative Region has been adjudged to have the best Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Council (RLEEC) in the country.

Besting 16 other regions for the coveted award, the CAR-RLEEC was cited for its efforts to make the region a peaceful place despite existence of several stumbling blocks.

The RLECC, as a coordinating mechanism for all government agencies and local governments, has the role of formulating law enforcement policies, providing additional inputs and recommendations, and enabling the passage of important legislation for peace and order, economy and environment that affect not only the region but the entire country. -- Dexter A. See

Pamaskong Thera-free’ set for special children
BAGUIO CITY -- The Autism Society of the Philippines-Baguio Chapter in coordination with the City Social Welfare and Development Office will conduct “Pamaskong Thera-free here on Dec. 21-22.

A team from the University of the Philippines speech and physical therapy therapists and Special Education (SPED) staff will conduct free assessments and give individualized home programs for children with autism, ADD, ADHD, celebral palsy, Down Syndrome, hearing impairment and speech and language delays.

Parents are advised to bring their children to Home Sweet Home at the Gov. Pack Road, Baguio City on said dates from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Pre-registration will be at JET Bookstore along Session Road. Slots are only limited to first 200 registrants.

Priority will be given to the less fortunate members of the community whose children do not have regular therapy. -- Dianne Estino

DPWH told: Finish Mt Prov-Ilocos Sur bridge
BONTOC, Mountain Province – Provincial officials and residents of this landlocked province are urging the national government particularly the Dept. of Public Works and Highways to complete the long overdue bridge linking Mountain Province and Ilocos Sur, particularly the Aluling bridge located at Cervantes, Ilocos Sur.

They said this would improve accessibility to the Ilocos and Cordillera regions once the multi-billion road projects along the roadline will be completed.

The rehabilitation of the Mountain Province – Ilocos Sur road and the Benguet – Ilocos Sur road is underway while the Cervantes – Tagudin road is already concreted. -- Dexter See


No plastic bags in San Fabian
SAN FABIAN, Pangasinan– Goodbye plastic “sando” bags, hello “bayong” here in 2011.

The municipal council passed an ordinance authored by Councilor Andres Justino Abalos regulating the use and sale of plastic bags in the public market and other commercial establishments and promoting instead “bayong” and other bags made of indigenous materials.

“The unrelenting use and indiscriminate littering of these plastic bags will pose unimaginable problems leading to health risks, environmental degradation and destruction of flora and fauna,” Abalos said.


DRI warns public on fake Christmas lights
BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry here warned the public against proliferation of fake Christmas lights which could trigger explosions or fires.

The DTI urged the public to look for ICC stickers with serial number in buying Christmas lights to ensure safety and quality.

The DTI noted most defective Christmas lights which have no ICC certifications are being sold by sidewalk vendors. -- Dexter See

3 teens drown in Lingayen
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan– Three teenagers drowned while swimming in a beach here Dec. 11, two days after three minors also drowned in a fishpond in Bayambang town.

The new drowning victims were identified as Ana Margarita Tuazon, 16; Arcelyn Maalay, 12; and Manuel Gozon, 17, all residents of Sta. Cruz, Manila.

UB holds annual tennis competitions
The University of Baguio held its citywide annual games for table tennis Dec. 9 to 11 here with representatives from elementary and high schools.

A seminar on coaching and officiating was also held by the Fernando Rosa Bautista Foundation in the second day.

For elementary boys division, Area I came up as champion followed by Area III as 1st runner up with Area II as the 2nd runner up.

In the elementary girls division, Area II came up as champions followed by Area I then Area III. The team competition for high school boys and girls division had both the same results as Area I was proclaimed champion followed by Area II as 1strunner up then Area II as the 2nd runner up.

The individual competition for elementary boys was topped by Morie Versoza winning gold, Christian Quedado winning silver, and Alex Cruz and Maxim Braga winning the bronze awards.

For the elementary girls division Jane Carbonel won gold, Sheried Ugnasi won silver, and Jelene Mae Cagan and Christin Bango won bronze. Alfredo Quinoñes Jr. came up with the gold in the individual competition for high school boys followed by William Chaneller winning silver.

Kirby Caramat and Zoren Leel finished the event with the bronze award. Marjorie Ballesteros of the high school girls division won gold followed by Cathlyn Solano winning silver and was rounded up by Irine Queenie Amgao and Frances Elleanor Villanueva winning bronze.

The winners will compete in the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) games. -- Christian Jovic D. Carino

Adivay fest generates P2.4 million sales
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- A total of P2.423 M gross sales was generated here during the Adivay Festival Agro-Industrial trade fair at Barangay Wangal.

The festival which celebrated the 110th founding anniversary of Benguet, was also meant to showcase local products, promote tourism and generate income of provincial entrepreneurs.

According to engineer Leandro H. Gazmin, director of Agribusiness Marketing Assistance Service of the Department of Agriculture, Benguet is lucky to have good climate that is conducive to farming which resulted to good production.

He added good agricultural practices resulted to profits like during the trade fair.

Products sold ranged from fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables, wood crafts, mine extracts, processed foods and accessories.

Gross sales generated from private exhibitors got the most with P1.604 million and sales from municipalities amounted to P824,502.38. -- Dianne Estino