NEWS BITS

Expelled student nabbed for arson

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan - – Police have arrested an expelled student of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) for allegedly burning four buildings of a public school in Abulug, Cagayan in July 2012.

Police said the suspect, Melvin Biado, 21, was despondent over his discharge from the PMMA when he set on fire the library, stockroom, home economics building and a classroom at the Libertad National High School.

Senior Insp. Engelbert Bunagan, Abulug police chief, said Biado’s arrest warrant for arson was issued by Ballesteros Regional Trial Court Judge Francisco Donato. – Raymund Catindig     

La Union loses P200-M DAP fund with SC ruling

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — More than P200 million worth of funds from the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) have been allocated for various district hospitals in La Union.

La Union Second District Rep. Franny Eriguel, chairman of the House Committee on Health, confirmed Monday DAP funds were allocated for the district hospitals of Balaoan, Bacnotan, Naguilian, and Rosario; the Caba Health Unit; and the La Union Medical Center in Agoo.

However, these funds will no longer be released following the decision of the Supreme Court (SC) declaring parts of the DAP as unconstitutional, said Eriguel. -- Erwin G. Beleo

Banaue seeks DA’s help for rice terraces research center 

BANAUE, Ifugao -- The municipal government here requested the Department of Agriculture for financial assistance to establish the Banaue Rice Terraces Research and Development Center.

The structure would undertake the management of data and information researches and studies and technology development of the Banaue Rice Terraces and the traditional Ifugao “Tinawon” heirloom rice.

The BRTRDC will document the indigenous knowledge of rice terraces farming such as the “chawwa system” which is informally through cultural practices integration. This is an important consideration in the restoration program and sustainability of the whole rice terraces ecosystem.

Councilor Samuel Abbig said the BTR, an engineering feat and the first to capture international recognition among the rice terraces structure constructed by ancient civilization, and  known as the Eighth Wonder of the World, must be preserved as it still continues to mesmerize people on what lies behind and the secrets and mysteries of its reality.

The proposed Center will be constructed in a lot owned by the municipal government.-- Daniel Codamon

4 held for pot session

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, La Union- An alert village watchman held four persons here last week whom he caught sniffing dried marijuana leaves, police said.

Supt. Julius Suriben, city police chief said tanod Richard Arcellana of Barangay Lingsat, initiated the arrest of Aljon Borja, Jonathan Garomita and two minors after they had a pot session in front of Two Brothers Canteen in Lingsat.

"Arcillana, did not hesitate to confront the subjects after noticing that they were using marijuana. He placed them under arrest and called for the assistance of his fellow barangay Tanods and personnel from San Fernando police," said Suriben.

Mayor Pablo Ortega said he appreciated the bravery of the tanod, saying “Hopefully,it will serve as motivation to other barangays to promote peace and order in their areas.” -- MydsSupnad

Baguio business establishments urged: Submit job vacancies list

BAGUIO CITY  -  As part of the strategy to curb unemployment and boost the job placement information system of the city, subject to all laws, rules and regulation, the city council recently approved Resolution No. 169 requesting  all business establishments in the city of Baguio to periodically submit list of job vacancies to the Public Employment Services Office, Baguio City Hall.

Republic Act No. 7160 also known as the Local Government Code provides that basic services and facilities must be provided by the local government units to its constituents including the job placement information system.

Members on the committee on employment, livelihood and cooperatives and persons with disabilities (PWD) chaired by councilor Isabelo Cosalan together with city vice mayor Edison Bilog adopted said resolution considering that former councilor Perlita Chan-Rondez is no longer a member of the city council.  -- JhoArranz

DTI trains 51 Bontoc weavers on making bags

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- Some 51 sewers and weavers in the province honed skills on  pattern making for bags and  on maintaining  and troubleshooting sewing machines  in a training conducted by the  Department of Trade and Industry  here.

Gloria Bagayas of the DTI and trainorDominador de Guzman were training speakers.

Bagayas said the training on sewing machine maintenance, trouble shooting and bag pattern making is one of the trainings funded by Senator Loren Legarda under the Small Medium Enterprise Roving Academy (SMERA) project. The other projects funded include value change analysis on wine; value change analysis on souvenir focused on weaving; and management seminar with pricing/ costing. -- Juliet B. Saley

Drug peddler nabbed in La Union

SAN JUAN, La Union – Police arrested an alleged drug pusher here July 25.

San Fernando City police chief Supt. Julius Suriben identified the suspect as Angelito Malinao, 37 of Bauang, La Union, leader of Malinao drug group. 

Suriben told Mayor Pablo C. Ortega, and La Union provincial director Senior Supt. Ramon Rafael his men seized from Malinao  shabu, P1,000 cash , cell phone two (2) pieces five hundred peso bills, one (1) unit cellular phone a motorcycle and drug paraphernalia.

Police said Malinao supplies shabu in La Union towns of Bauang, Naguilian, Caba, San Juan, San Gabriel City and of San Fernando.

"A case has been filed against Malinao. To date, 54 drug personalities have been arrested by city police which included a retired policeman and a former barangay tanod," Suriben said - MydsSupnad

SN Aboitiz donates medical equipment to Ifugao center

ALFONSO LISTA, Ifugao --A barangay here recently  received various medical equipments donated by SN Aboitiz Power-Magat (SNAP) Inc. for better delivery of health services.

The medical facilities worth P270,320.98 were  turned-over by SNAP officials led by lawyer Mike Hosillos, vice-president  for corporate affairs to the  barangay Namillangan Health Center. These were requested by said health center to address the health needs of the community.

Dr. Laurice G. Guillen, the municipal health officer, said she appreciated help extended by SN Aboitiz “With just three months as MHO, I now see the possibility of being able to carry out programs and improve the delivery of health services  with SNAP’s help and with the leadership of our municipal and barangay officials,” she said.

Hosillos said as long as SNAP Magat exists, it will extend whatever help it can provide.

“No greater words could ever measure the great help these equipment will contribute to the operation of the Barangay Health Center,” Namillangan village chiefApolonio T. Dulnuan said.

NBHC caters to maternal delivery services for barangays Sto. Domingo, Calupaan and Namillangan. Since serving as  a birthing facility  in January 2011, it has to date a total of 184 deliveries including those from other eastern barangays and one from Ambatali, Ramon, Isabela. -- Marcelo Lihgawon with reports from Lorena Dulnuan

Bontoc little league trainers receive sports equipment

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- Sports equipment worth P133,032.76 were purchased by the local government here for aspiring baseball and softball players.

Turned over to the officials of Amateur Batted Ball Association of Mountain Province Inc. (ABBAMPI) on July 21, the equipment will be used to train interested children who will potentially represent Bontoc in athletic meets.

The equipment included two baseball bats, two softball bats, eight batters’ head gears, two catchers’ head musks with throat protector, two pairs of catchers’ leg guard, four catchers’ chest protectors, six dozens baseball balls, and six dozens softball balls. 

According to Lee Patingan, ABBAMPI President, ABBAMPI will use the sports gears in training interested pupils from the different elementary schools in Bontoc.

 “The goal is to improve the performance of our municipality in batted games while giving our children a chance to learn the sport,” Patingan said, adding that they will focus this year on students from the Bontoc Central School (BCS).

During the turnover ceremony, Mayor Franklin Odsey expressed hope that the donated sports gear will help increase the chances of Bontoc in winning at athletic meets. -- Desiree Sokoken

Man wanted for rape nabbed

SISON, Pangasinan – A man wanted for rape identified as Ricky AgdongPucya, 44, sculptor, resident here, was arrested in Cannit,  Inbalog, in this town July 22.

Salvador P. Evana, executive judge of Regional Trial Court, Lingayen Pangsinan recommended no bail for his temporary liberty.

Tabuk City barangay acts on stray animals  

TABUK CITY,Kalinga -- Owners of stray animals in Barangay Casigayan  here have started keeping their pets following campaign against stray animals launched July 16 by the barangay council here.

Everyday, barangay chairman Abraham Galinggan leads barangay tanods and other council members searching for stray dogs and other animals in the barangay. 

Before the launching, the barangay council had dialogues with residents who supported the project, Galinggan said.

Barangay council member Ronnie Compas said this was line with national campaign on anti-rabies and good sanitation.

In the last two years, a rabies case had been reported in the barangay.  

This is also to address  the complaint of residents  of scattered dog waste on the streets  and  garbage  scattered by dogs  from garbage containers.

Under the ordinance passed by the barangay council, owners of stray dog pets impounded at the barangay hall are fined P1,000 upon claiming. -- Larry Lopez

Pangasinan coastal areas red tide-free

PANGASINAN, Philippines – The coastal areas of Alaminos City, Bolinao, Anda and Wawa in Bani here continue to be red tide-free, based on the latest bulletin of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

BFAR-Region 1 director Nestor Domenden said that laboratory analyses showed that fish, squids, shrimps, crabs and seashells like mussels and oysters gathered from these areas are free from the toxic red tide and are safe for human consumption.

As a precautionary measure though, the concerned local governments are advised to require market inspectors, quarantine officers, and administrators to demand “auxiliary invoice” or clearance for any fish or seashells coming from other provinces and towns to ensure that these are safe from red tide. – Eva Visperas

Baguio City mulls roving vending

BAGUIO CITY  -  Mayor Mauricio Domogan disclosed during his weekly forum last week on allowing roving vending in the city of Baguio subject to guidelines, rules and regulations to be set by the Baguio City Market Authority.

The BCMA agreed to allow roving vending in the city to give way and opportunity to individuals earn a living. 

Among the rules and regulations to be set by the city are as follows: must be a resident of Baguio City, applicants will undergo the screening process subsequently be given and identification card and a special permit defining the specific place/area where they will be allowed to vend, stationary selling of their products is prohibited otherwise their identification cards will be confiscated and will no longer be allowed to vend, they are not allowed to sell products that are found in the surrounding area assigned to do vending in a roving style,  and cleanliness must be maintained and sustained.

Domogan said  the screening committee team will be tasked to evaluate and screen interested applicants pursuant to the criteria set by the city.

A number of interested individuals were already submitted to the BCMA for screening and evaluation, added the mayor.  -- JhoArranz

 Ifugao town regulates use of herbicides, pesticides

ALFONSO LISTA, Ifugao--  The local government unit here has adopted an integrated and comprehensive regulatory on use of herbicide within the municipality.

 “This is to provide a regulatory policy in the usage and application of selective or non-selective herbicide which affects the health and environment and to promote consciousness of the effect of uncontrolled and indiscriminate usage of chemicals,” Mayor Glenn Prudenciano said.

He said herbicides will be used only for weeds or plants to be killed and users should strictly follow product label instructions so “good plants” won’t be affected.

The use of herbicide shall be prohibited in heavily populated areas. All persons when applying or using ground spraying herbicide or pesticide on plant or crops shall wear protective mask or paraphernalia to protect them from potential hazards of herbicide and pesticides in the work.

Violators will be penalized according to the gravity of offense. --  Marcelo Lihgawon

PSHS-Cordillera accepting applications for freshmen

By Joseph Zambrano

BAGUIO CITY -- The Philippine Science High School (PSHS) Cordillera is now accepting applications for incoming freshmen for school year 2015-2016. 

Eligible to apply are current grade 6 students of any school duly recognized by the Department of Education (DepEd)  who belongs to the upper 10 percent  his  batch and does not have a grade below 80 as certified by the school principal or registrar.

If the applicant does not belong to the upper 10% of his batch, he must have special aptitude in Science and Math as evidenced by the report card, with at least a final grade of 85 in both subjects and 80 in all other subjects.

An applicant should  be  Filipino citizen with no pending application as immigrant to any foreign country;  and is born on or after June 1, 2000.

He  should  be in good health and fit to undergo rigorous academic program;   good conduct and behaviour; and  has not taken the PSHS National Competitive Examination previously. 

Applicants must submit two copies of duly accomplished application forms, two identical recent 1x1 ID pictures, copy of report for the school year 2013-2014, and non-refundable test fee of P100.00 for private school students.

Application forms are available for free and may be submitted along with the other requirements at any PSHS campus and Department of Science and Technology(DOST) regional and provincial offices. Forms may also be downloaded from the PSHS website,www.pshs.edu.ph.

Deadline for the filing of application is Aug. 15, 2014 while examination date is Oct. 4, 2014. 

Only the top 90 in the entrance exam shall be taken in and are eligible to enjoy scholarship privileges which include free tuition fee, free loan of text books, monthly stipend, and uniform, transportation and living allowances for low income groups.

The PSHS in the Cordillera started in 2009 with only 59 passers. In 2014,  it rose to 82 and last year,  it achieved its quota of 90.

The PSHS is mandated to provide secondary course on full scholarship  with emphasis on subjects pertaining to science with the end in view of preparing its students for careers in science and technology.  The PSHS system is an attached agency of the DOST. (JBZ -PIA CAR)