COMMUNITY BILLBOARD

DSWD provides assistance to 4Ps beneficiaries in jeepney accident

BAGUIO CITY- - The Department of Social Welfare and Development Cordillera Regional Office assured  assistance to families of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program(4Ps)  beneficiaries who were involved  in the jeepney accident at the Baay-Licuan, Abra last Feb. 8.

DSWD Regional Director Leonardo Reynoso bared this to families of five 4Ps beneficiaries who died in the tragic accident, those injured in the accident.

Most of the passengers of the jeepney which fell into a ravine due to mechanical trouble, were 4Ps  beneficiaries who  were on  their way home from a Family Day activity  at Barangay Nalbuan, in Baay-Licuan. The fatalities include two children and three adults.

For DSWD assistance, P50,000 burial assistance was already given to the families of those who died, P36,000 worth of medical assistance to those who were critically injured and P26,000 worth of family packs (containing rice, canned goods, noodles and coffee)  to all the accident victims.

The DSWD also provided psycho-social interventions to the victims of the said accident. -- Neri Villanueva

SNAP-Benguet  gives P1.5 million to Bokod for projects

BOKOD, Benguet - -The  amount of P1.5 million  was turned over recently  in this fourth class municipality by  SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet (SNAP-Benguet) as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Mayor Mauricio Macay in a ceremony received the check at the municipal hall. SNAP-Benguet was represented by community relations officers Jane Ardenio and Ramon Capsula.

‘We are grateful for the contribution of  SNAP-Benguet, it is a big help as part  the development of our poor municipality’, Macay said.

The CSR fund, Macay said, will be used for the construction of the Ambangedpublic  market building  which will cater to the people of  Daclan barangay.   

Atty.  Mike Hosillos, SN Aboitiz vice president for corporate affairs,   said the company is  committed to provide  assistance to the host town where they  operate. He expressed hope that the  financial support can help in a way in  the advancement of the municipality.

‘We will continue our CSR especially on the protection and preservation of the forest and the environment which is the source of water’, Hosillos stressed.  

Bokod is the host municipality of the 105-megawatt Ambuklao Hydroelectric Power Plant owned and operated by SNAP-Benguet, which also owns and operates the BingaHydroelectic Power Plant in Itogon. – PIA

Scholarships for Ilocanos

LAOAG CITY -- The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is set to partner with Sirib Express, a voluntary youth organization in the province, for financial assistance to students who are dependents of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

OWWA Family Welfare Officer Nona Marie Ganal said the scholarship program will target the third year (incoming fourth year) high school students and fourth year high school (incoming first year college) students whose parents’ monthly salary does not exceed US $400.

Ganal said OWWA has been offering these programs in the previous years but only a few qualified students from IlocosNorte availed themselves of the program due to lack of information on the existence of the scholarship.

OWWA seeks to change that by tapping the services of Sirib Express, which holds campus tours to bring youth services offered by the provincial government of IlocosNorte closer to target beneficiaries.

Governor Imee Marcos is keen on supporting the empowerment of Ilocano youth through providing quality education, believing that the youth has a great contribution towards the inclusive development of the province. -- Ferdinand F. Castro and Freddie G. Lazaro

Ifugao, Japanese students engage in culture-sharing

LAMUT, Ifugao — A cultural exchange program has succeeded in broadening the horizons of students from the Ifugao State University (IFSU) who, for a week, spent time with visiting students from the Kobe Gakuin University (KGU) in Japan.

Sharing the best in each of their cultures, IFSU students learned “origami” which is the art of paper folding while teaching their counterparts Ifugao traditional dances. Sarah Maniapao, a 17-year-old Tourism student of IFSU, said meeting the Japanese students was a chance to promote the beautiful things about Ifugao.

The program is a regular activity of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV), said JOCV volunteer Akira Satonaga, who is also set to share her expertise in agriculture with farmers in Western Visayas in 2015.

Women’s  Month events kicks off in Baguio

BAGUIO CITY – Different women’s organizations in the city were in attendance at the flag raising activity and program at the City Hall grounds last Monday as this year’s Women’s Month celebration officially kicked off.

With the theme “Juana, ang tatag mo ay tatag natin sa pagbangon at pagsulong”, the city gears up for activities for the Kababaihan Festival2014 starting with a program and grand parade on March 12.

Participating agencies in the parade will be city government officials, government agencies, barangay women’s organizations and private and civic groups.

The program will feature awarding of winners of poster and slogan contest in the morning followed by folk dance, chorale and ethnic attire competition of the Barangay Women’s Organization in the afternoon.

Both events will be held at the Baguio Convention Center.

University of the Cordilleras vice president for administration Dr.Leonarda Aguinalde said that the parade will be a statement of unity in support of women’s month.

“Tayo lahat ay magkakaisa para sa mga kababaihan sa lungsod at bansa” said Aguinalde.

Other events will be awarding of winners of best performing barangay women’s organization and showcase of talents at the SM events Center on March 22 and 9^th awarding of outstanding women leaders of Baguio City on March 28.

The local version of the festival is in its 9^th year after its initial conception  in 2006.

The National Women’s Month highlights recognition of women’s resilience, strength and contributions to nation building and is celebrated  March every year by virtue of Presidential Proclamation Nos. 224 and 227 and Republic Act 6949.  -- David Balway and Cleo Mae Valdez

Osorio groundbreaks CSC building in Kalinga

By Peter Balocnit

TABUK CITY, Kalinga - - The Civil Service Commission (CSC)  Kalinga Field Office will soon have its own building with  Commissioner Nieves Osorio leading  the recent groundbreaking.

The P3 million worth  two-storey building  will be constructed on a 1,225 square meter lot donated by the provincial government to the CSC at the government center here.

Osorio, the guest speaker of the opening day on Feb. 12 of the 19^thKalinga Founding Anniversary and Ullalim Festival was joined by Gov. JocelBaac, Vice Governor Allen Jesse Mangaoang and Tabuk  Mayor Ferdinand Tubban.

“This project is for the public which will serve as a coordinating center for service providers in the province and a form of contribution to public service,” Osorio said in her message.

According to CSC Kalinga and Apayao Field Offices Director II Nerissa Canguilan, funds  for the construction of the building  comes from their capital outlay approved in October last year.

DOLE Kalinga officials orient employers on  new wage order

TABUK CITY, Kalinga  - - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) oriented 68 employers and employees in the province  on the implementation of Wage Order RB-CAR-16 which took effect  last  February 3.

Dr. Alexander Gumabol, DOLE Kalinga Field Office head,  said the orientation on February 18 at the Golden Berries Hotel and Convention Center here,  aimed to let  employers and employees understand the provisions, approved minimum wage and productivity based pay under the two tiered wage system.

“Employers and employees in the province have to be oriented on wage order number 16 since its implementation is now mandatory,” he said.

Aside from the P247 daily minimum wage set by Wage Order 16 in Kalinga, Ifugao, Mountain Province and Abra, additional pay is also mandated in the form of bonuses or incentives for workers based on their productive work performance or good work behavior.

Tax incentives will also be granted to those who adopt the second tier. “Fifty percent tax deduction from the total productivity bonuses is given to employees and another 50% grants for manpower training and special studies given to rank-and-file employees, Gumabol said.

He was happy to inform that some employer-participants signified during the forum their willingness to implement the wage order this year.

“The positive response is resounding among the participants especially from the employers group,” Dr.Gumabol said adding that this will greatly contribute to the attainment of the inclusive growth program of President Aquino.

Gumabol said if there are complaints from less than 10 employees, they will recommend for an action plan to correct any deficiency in the implementation of the wage order.

If after  three months  there will be no compliance to the action plan, it will become a labor case,” he said. – Peter Balocnit