COMMUNITY BILLBOARD

City council oks Baguio Malcolm Square project

BAGUIO CITY – The city council on Monday approved the program of work for the rehabilitation of Malcolm Square subject to suggestions made by the members.

            The aldermen suggested some changes in the plans and specifications for consideration by the city building and architecture office (CBAO) particularly the putting up of a shed at the entire area for protection during rains.

             They also proposed the use of “people-friendly” tiles for the floor, widening of the entrance of the comfort room for the persons with disability, improvement of the lighting facility and the beautification of the areas surrounding the square.

            The aldermen said the design of the square should depict the Cordillera culture.

       Acting CBAO officer Johnny Degay earlier submitted the plan for the renovation work with an appropriation of P6,534,399.18.

            The work will cover the demolition of the existing stage and shed and construction of new stage and support structures and improvement of drainage system.

            The council committee on public works chaired by Councilor Faustino Olowan recommended approval of the plans based on Resolution No. 272 series of 2011 of the city council which called for the demolition of the structure and restoration into its original condition as a plaza. – A Refuerzo

Ifugao native is new NNC-CAR program coordinator

BAGUIO CITY– The National Nutrition Council  -Cordillera  is now headed by Nutrition program coordinator Rita Papey who took over the post earlier occupied by Ma. Eileen Blanco who was  reassigned to Region

The turn-over of leadership  was facilitated by Chona Fernandez, chief of  national NNC administrative division  last March 11 at the Fortune Restaurant here during the regional nutrition committee first quarter meeting .

Papey, from Ifugao,  in her acceptance speech  said she was  looking forward to working  closely with  RNC  in promoting  nutrition programs  in the region.

Meanwhile, in the RNC  meeting presided by Department of Health  regional director Valeriano Jesus Lopez, the 2013 Operation Timbang result and nutrition status of school Children SY 2013-2014 baseline was  presented.

Also discussed were two RNC resolutions requesting approval by the Regional Development Council.

First was  to enjoin all local government units to organize a nutrition cluster and adapt and adhere to national policy on nutrition management in emergencies and disaster.

The  second  requested confirmation of  reorganization of Regional BantayAsin Task Force and to ensure the implementation of the provisions of ASIN law in the region. -- Maria Aprila Cruz

Tadian school  PTA best in Mt. Province

TADIAN, Mountain Province –The Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) of Kayan Elementary School here was adjudged best PTA in the province for 2013.

PTAs of Ankileng Elementary School in Sagada ranked second while Banawel National High School in Natonin was third.

The first to third placers  received cash prizes of P15,000; P10,000 and P5,000  respectively  and  plaque of recognition during  awarding and second year celebration of the Mountain Province Federation of Parents-Teachers Association.

The MPFPTA has initiated an annual provincial search for the best PTA in the province  to encourage active participation  and support to education.

PTAs  are organizations of parents and teachers working to improve the quality of education.  

Eric Fulangen, president of the MPFPTA, said the search starts in the municipal level  and the best PTA of each municipality shall be the entry for the provincial search.

Awarding of winners  shall coincide with the celebration of the PTA Day in the province which is scheduled every third Tuesday of February per Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution No. 2013-050.

Criteria in  the search include the organization itself which covers the date it was organized, list of officers and members, minutes of meetings, other  records like financial statement, constitution and by-laws and other policies; organizations’ participation to school activities like seminars attended/conducted, and school projects initiated or counter-parted; and organizations’ linkages/networking.

In support to this program,  the provincial government has allotted an amount from its Special Education Fund to finance their activities. -- Juliet Saley

PENRO-Kalinga  to deploy 176 forest guards

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- Anticipating many forest fires this summer, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office here is set to deploy 176 bantaygubat(forest guards) workers  this month.

PENRO SeverinoDalutagsaid signing of work contract for the 176 was set and the guard would be deployed of March.

Guardswill be deployed in forest protection areas,  giving priority to host-municipalities of the National Greening Program of the government, Dalutag said.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources hires forest guards to conduct forest patrols, perform community work to increase people’s involvement in forest protection and prevent forest fires.

According to Dalutag, the 176 will render under contract.work for April to June which may be renewed  Julyt o December  based on work efficiency. 

They get a monthly salary of P8,000 derived from the NGP fund. -- Larry Lopez 

14 Abrenian studes pass 2014 DOST-SEI exam

BANGUED, Abra -- Fourteen graduating high school students from Abraschools passed the 2014 Department of Science  and Technology - Science Education Institution (DOST-SEI) qualifying examination for  school year 2014-2015.

According to provincial director Menandro B. Buenafe of DOST-Abra,  this year’s passers  shows an increase of  almost 300 percent  compared to the previous years. 

Abra used to have only about three to four passers. There was even a time when only one passed the examination.

The  2014 passers: Billie John Brazil of Abra High School, Bangued; Carolyn Catriz of Cristina B. Gonzales Memorial National High School, Bucay; Rea Pabrua of Western Abra National High School, Danglas; Ma. Fatima Talingda of Heart of Mary High School, Dolores; Joed Barcena of Marc Ysrael B. Bernos Memorial National High School, La Paz; Angelbert Dickenson of Quinadaoen National High School, San Juan; Vivian Flores of Baay National High School, Licuan-Baay; EdralinAbaoag of Luba-Tubo Catholic School; Jordan Segundo of Queen of Peace, La Paz; Lemuel Kent Saldivar of Our Lady of Lourdes High School, Manabo; Kathleen Jane Sumalag of Little Flower High School, Penarrubia; Henson Oliver Sotelo of Dalit National High School, Pilar; Christina Mark Tagura of Holy Ghost School, Tayum; and Jayvee Bunagan of St. Paul High School, Villaviciosa.

The passers are entitled to enroll in any course related to science and mathematics in any state university or college and in any accredited private university and college that offers  said courses anywhere in the country.

The scholarship offers special privileges such as free tuition fees, book allowances per semester; monthly stipend; uniform allowance for physical education for the first year students; and  clothing allowance on their graduation. -- Maria Teresa Benas