COMMUNITY BILLBOARD

City number coding scheme suspended  Nov. 15 to Dec. 6

BAGUIO CITY  -  The city of pines will play host to the 64th staging of the Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament, the longest running amateur golf competition in the whole world at the Baguio Country Club and Camp John Hay fairways.

Because of this, Mayor Mauricio Domogan  suspended the implementation of the Baguio number coding scheme on Nov. 25 up to Dec. 6.

“There is a need to suspend the implementation of the number coding scheme for all private vehicles only in the city on the aforesaid dates to provide our golfers, visitors and their families convenient and stress-free journey around the city to help boost the city’s identity as the prime tourist destination,” said the mayor. -- Jho Arranz

Baguio Christmas activities revealed

By Julie G. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY – Christmas in Baguio activities officially start on Dec. 1 with the lighting of the Christmas tree along Session Road rotunda, while the Best Golden Decoration Competition was launched Nov. 16; with the theme: “Let Baguio Glitter in gold this Christmas Season.”

The construction of the city’s Christmas tree has also started and decorations are being installed along the road and private business establishments around the central business district. Entry points: km 3 in La Trinidad, Marcos Highway, Naguilian highway; Igorot Park statues, Loakan statues, and Baguio General Hospital Rotunda statues shall also be decorated for the festivities.

In the morning of Dec. 1, a grand opening mardigras parade featuring school-age children will go on along the main thoroughfares, up to the opening program at the Melvin Jones grandstand, Burnham Park.  

The Saint Louis University lantern parade along the main thoroughfares shall also go on, in the evening at the same date.

On Dec. 5 the Philippine Military Academy cadets’ day go on at the Melvin Jones Football Field.

A quest for Baguio Lucky Christmas Family goes on from Dec. 6-8; while the Immaculate Concepcion day festivities go on in various shrines on Dec. 8.

On Dec. 14, Malcolm Square will be the venue for “Special Day for Special People.”

On Dec. 25 and Jan 1, the quest for Lucky Christmas and Lucky New Year Baby goes on in various hospitals. Babies born closest to midnight of said dates will be given special gifts, as was traditionally done for the past years.  

On Dec. 28, the search for the Baguio Lucky Balik Bayan Day shall be conducted at Sunshine Park. The Philharmonic Orchestra and choirs of the world concert goes on at the Baguio Convention Center on the same date. 

Fireworks shall be witnessed in various venues around the city, on Dec. 1, 7, 14, 21, 24 and 31.

Traditional activities: Diwang Pasko, Simbang Gabi, choral concert of various schools, sister cities, city hall Christmas party; and innovations such as the golden Christmas tribute to the outstanding teachers of the Cordillera, Santa got talent too, go on during the month.

The Philippine Amateur Golf Tournament at the John Hay green and other venues go on as scheduled.

During a media forum, Mayor Mauricio Domogan reiterated that this year’s Christmas celebrations would not anymore include firecrackers, and fireworks would be centralized through the city council tourism committee headed by Councilor Elmer Datuin.

The mayor said last year’s pyrotechnic works were regulated, and that environmental concerns for the city should be considered. Air pollution and safety concerns due to firecrackers are eminent, the mayor said, thus the move for its prohibition. 

120 foreigners to join La Union run

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — About 120 foreign marathoners are expected to join the “Ibtur 88,” a running event organized by the provincial tourism office scheduled on Nov. 30.

An Ilocano word meaning endure, “Ibtur” is an 88-km route that includes mountain climbing.

Randy Abasolo, founder of IRunners said the event is also aimed at raising funds for the improvement of the Baraoas Community School’s library that will benefit 300 indigent students. Jerry Segarino also known as Mr. Trans Filipinas who will set a new running record in 2014 through the 2,500 kilometers Batanes to Jolo run will join the Ibtur 88 event.-- LBI

P3.74 M livelihood projects set in Ifugao

Lagawe, Ifugao — The provincial Agriculture and Environment Office and the Provincial Fishery Council are implementing livelihood projects through the Agrikultura Kaagapay ng Bayang Pinoy (AK-BAY) program in nine 5th and 6th class municipalities of Ifugao.

The project costs P3.74 million which is part of the P4.4 million allocation of the National Agriculture and Fishery Council (NAFC), a Japanese grant aimed for self sufficiency programs.

Provincial Agriculturist Raymundo Bahatan said AK-BAY is a loan program accessible to indigents who are allotted a maximum of P10,000 as start-up capital for backyard poultry, livestock, tilapia production including and other income-generating activities.

Korean bizmen give Christmas gifts to Baguio indigents

BAGUIO CITY -- Around 200 indigents and persons with disability (PWDs) received an early Christmas gift last week at the Igorot Park from Good Hands-Luzon.

The group of Korean businessmen residing here gave them gift packs.

President Shin Won Mook said the group, formed in 2010 to help the local communities through livelihood activities, continues to provide free health services, feeding programs, and scholarships.

Mook’s group also promotes environmental protection and preservation in Baguio and the Cordilleras which they help promote as a tourism destination for Koreans. Good Hands’ socio-civic work extends to the province of Benguet.

CHED issues support to SUCs thrust in  organic agriculture

BAGUIO CITY -- Luisa Valencia, regional director of Commission on Higher Education-Cordillera Administrative Region (CHED-CAR) expressed support to sustainable agriculture and quality instruction for agricultural researches during the 1st SUCs Consultation on the National Organic Agriculture Program.

With the 132 delegates from the different State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in the country, converged as academic institutions to lay a roadmap and strengthen degree programs for SUCs’ organic agriculture program.

Valencia commended the SUCs moves to enhance the academic offerings of organic agriculture in the country.

“We need to assess the current situation of our agricultural sector both as an enterprise and as a profession so we can determine whether we continue our good existing programs or to develop new ones,” said Valencia.

She added through consultation of the SUCs, the academe can identify appropriate programs and projects yielding to a roadmap for Organic Agriculture which she called “SUCs Version 101.”

“As always CHED Central Office and Regional Offices will definitely support the continuance of this (OA Program) undertaking through programs and projects that you (SUCs) may propose to CHED,” she said.

       

She cited importance of collaboration, especially the SUCs encompassing to the five pillars of SUC structure: instruction, research and development, extension, administration, and governance, will surely “enable our country to battle the harm effects of climate change through this program.”

            

“Through the continuous production of organic products, we sustain our food nutrition and food safety and eventually our health through this organic agriculture,” she ended. -- Paul Joseph Nuval

and Jennyline S. Tabangcura