COMMUNITY BILLBOARD

Japanese tourists visit Kadaclan; contractors warned

BARLIG, Mountain Province -- Amidst the summer heat in the metropolis, 7 Japanese nationals from Tokyo to spent a week at Kadaclan here dubbed “Shangri-la on the edge,” from March 15-20, for eco-educational, and prayer mountain activities.

Takashi, Fukuda, leader of the group earlier told this writer he upon landing in Manila March 14, they would straight to Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya. next day to Kadaclan to enjoy their vacation here known for its  simplicity in life, good environment, clean water source, zero crime rate and friendliness of natives.

With Fukuda were Hikaru Shinohara, Ken Yamamora, Michiko Kudo, Rei Ishikawa, Yukiko Isayama, and Hiroe Kanetsugu.

Their itineraries include a picnic at Monyopoyop Waterfalls where rural youths  were invited to participate.They earlier told them they would buy many domestic chickens for as long as many youngsters were joining.

In the afternoon of March 16, a large crowd of inter-faith fellowship  sponsored by 10 christian religious sects gathered to listen on the “living word of God.”

The remaining days are full for the Japanese visitors like teaching in schools in the area on Niponggo, arts, songs and Asian history.

To ease their hectic schedule, they photographed spectacular views of untouched mossy forests and integrate themselves on first hand knowledge of social practices and skills of the tribe.

In another development, Chupac barangay officials made an ordinance for the controlled cutting of trees.

It was observed that contractor/s concreting the Kadaclan national road were just cutting trees for their project without negotiating with local people on how to preserve natural resources before starting the work. Likewise, trees were being cut daily near  the CAFGU station for their firewood.

The Council of Elders, here warned if wanton cutting of trees continues without replanting, in five years the source of water would become scarce drying up numerous rice paddies and lessening drinking supply. One elder said, “We only know the worth of water when the well gets dry.” Erring parties were warned. -- .Dionie Chungalan

Former CPLAs to start work as forest rangers 

BANGUED,  Abra — A total of 127 former members of the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army are set to begin their work as forest watchmen this mid-March under the National Greening Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Mountain Province’s DENR Forest Management Specialist Christopher Bosaing said their office is finalizing the contract of service of the former rebels. -- Freddie G. Lazaro

Laoag City honors Quevedo

LAOAG CITY – The city government will confer the Order of Lam-ang award on Cardinal Orlando Quevedo for bringing honor to the city with his elevation to the College of Cardinals.

The Order of Lam-ang is the highest award the local government gives to its people who bring honor to Laoag.

Councilor Joseph Tamayo, who sponsored a resolution granting the award to Quevedo, said the country’s new cardinal deserves the citation, noting the honor he brought not only to the city, but to the nation.

Quevedo was born in Sarrat, IlocosNorte, but grew up in Laoag.

He served as archbishop of Nueva Segovia in Vigan before he was transferred to Cotabato, where he is currently based. – Teddy Molina

Nueva Vizcaya fetes 9 centenarians 

 BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – Nine centenarians here received Tuesday P100,000 assistance each from the provincial government.

The recipients comprised first batch of centenarians entitled to receive cash incentive since the provincial board passed Ordinance No. 2013-089 or the Centenarian Ordinance last Jan. 6.

The recipients formally received the cash incentive during the flag-raising ceremony at the capitol grounds here where they were honored “for being worthy models of a healthy lifestyle and clean living,” which enabled them to reach 100 years.

Two of the centenarians were identified as Maria Dugay, 106, and Leuterio Genato, 101, both from this capital town. 

Under the ordinance, certified centenarians in the province are also entitled to free medical checkup in any of the local government-run hospitals and health facilities, and 50 percent discount on professional and laboratory fees, including medicine sold in the hospitals’ pharmacies, when they are admitted as patient.

The provincial government said the ordinance requires recipients to show their birth certificates duly issued by the National Statistics Office or the local civil registrar, voter’s affidavit or identification card issued by the Commission on Elections, and a certification that they have resided in the province for the past 25 years. – Charlie Lagasca and Raymond Catindig

Trading centers start buying tobacco

LAOAG CITY,  Ilocos Norte — Trading centers in Virginia tobacco-growers areas in the Ilocos provinces have started buying farmers’ products as early as the third week of February, a National Tobacco Administration official said last week.

The NTA also announced that the trading season for Burley and native tobacco begun early this month.

“Tobacco farmers in Northern Luzon are now ready to reap the result of the hard work they have put in the farms as the 2014 tobacco trading season starts,” Edgardo D. Zaragoza, NTA Administrator said.

NTA expressed optimism on the success of the farmers especially with the P6 increase in the floor prices of all grades of Virginia tobacco variety and from P3 to P10 increase for the Burley and native tobacco.

The rate of high-grade Virginia leaf (AA) is now P78/kg while Burley and the native variety are bought at P61/kg and P66/kg, respectively.

Tobacco trading centers in Ilocos also buy flue-cured Virginia tobacco leaves higher than the approved floor prices.

Initially, the tobacco buying rate at the Ilocos Sur trading centers reached as high as P86 per kilogram for the prime grade of full-flavor type tobacco.

The NTA has also approved the opening of 11 trading centers in the early weeks of the trading seasons in Ilocos provinces.--Freddie G. Lazaro

Mayor urges Mines View vendors to utilize multi-purpose building

BAGUIO CITY  - The request of Mines View vendors occupying the multi purpose building to be allowed to go back and sell at the Mines View Park was denied by the Baguio City Market Authority. 

This was revealed by Mayor Mauricio Domogan during a media briefinglast week.

The city stands firm to make use of the Mines View multi purpose building to serve its purpose for the vendors. 

“We understand the apprehensions of the vendors of a declined profit, but I hope the vendors will cooperate with the city,” said the mayor.

With regards the concern of the vendors of introducing repairs of the door of the multi purpose building, mayor Domogan directed the City Buildings and Architecture Office to immediately look into the possibility of changing the door in such a way that it should be exposed to the people at Mines View.

“We have to help the vendors entice the public to utilize the multi-purpose building,” added mayor. -- Jho Arranz