NEWS BITS

FVR launches book in Pangasinan

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Another book of former President Fidel V. Ramos was launched Tuesday, titled “FVR-111111-111-II Wonder of Words: The Timeless Quotes of Fidel V. Ramos & Contemporaries,” at the Sison Auditorium, here.

The book is a companion piece of “FVR Wonder of Words Book 1,” which was also launched in Pangasinan in November, 2011 to commemorate the 111th birth anniversary of his diplomat father, the late Foreign Affairs Secretary Narciso R. Ramos.

Ramos said his new book – a compilation of new quotes and nuggets of wisdom on good governance spanning his 68 years as a public servant and statesman –is the only legacy that he could share with the people of Pangasinan and the entire nation.

That the FVR Wonder of Words is easy-to-read, handy, and refreshing collection of wise quotes on nation building, leadership, people empowerment, and other uplifting anecdotes from FVR who remains active in promoting national interests and good citizenship.

Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. led provincial officials and guests in welcoming the former president.

Espino commended him for the publication of the book which he described as a “book of all ages.” He also called to mind the “lasting infrastructure projects which were established in Pangasinan during his (Ramos’) presidency.”

For his part, Board Member Ranjit R. Shahani who is a nephew of the former president said Ramos’ term in Malacañang and that of Espino at the Capitol, here, are intertwined because both of them have worked to make Pangasinan one great province. --  Liezle Basa Inigo

BRM raises funds  for  Busol watershed  fencing

BAGUIO CITY --The Baguio Regreening Movement is raising more  funds to continuefencing of Busol watershed here.

BRM chairman Erdolfo Balajadia said they are asking civic organizations and non-government offices to raise funds to augment resources for the fencing to  prevent intrusion into the watershed.

‘We need more than P30 million for the fencing project with a length of 25,369 meters on the 112 hectares of the watershed’, Balajadia said during laterst BRM meeting.

Balajadia urged civic groups, schools and individuals to raise funds for fencing of the city’s biggest watershed which supplies 15 percent of water needs of the city.

The Baguio Water District has six deep wells within the watershed that  supply  almost  6,179 households in neighboring barangays. -- Joseph  Zambrano

RDC, DepEd conduct  Ifugao autonomy meet 

LAGAWE, Ifugao -- The Regional Development Council and the Department of Education recently held information campaign on autonomy for teachers here.

Ramon Dacawi, chief public information officer of the city government of Baguio, himself a native of Ifugao, shared the history of the region’s pursuit of autonomy.

 “The most neglected but the most important purpose of Executive Order 220 is the third one—‘to prepare the establishment of an autonomous region in the Cordilleras,’” he said.

According to Section 3 of EO 220, CAR shall also administer the affairs of government in the region and accelerate the economic and social growth and development of the units of the region.

EO 220 created the Cordillera Administrative Region as a temporary region and shall exist until an autonomous region has been established and organized under an organic act.

 “Autonomy within autonomy is genuine autonomy. What is Benguet’s is Benguet’s. Haan nga maputed ti itited ti national government, manayunan laeng. An autonomous Cordillera would give authority to the national government to allocate more funds to the region,” Dacawi said.

Ifugao provincial administrator, Evelyn Dunuan, discussed salient features of House Bill 4649. A lawyer, she explained the bill will still go through  legal process in the Congress and  ratified before people can vote in a plebiscite.

Michael Umaming of NEDA-CAR also discussed the three core messages of the region’s current quest for autonomy.

These are enhanced Cordillera autonomy, responsive policies for the region and progress for all.

The said information campaign for teachers is part of the information, education,  communication (IEC) campaign on Cordillera autonomy.

The Division of Mountain Province also held their seminar/orientation on regional autonomy on Nov. 8.

‘Quirino Hill multipurpose building a tourist destination’

BAGUIO CITY -- The newly constructed multipurpose building of West Quirino Hill here is a potential tourist destination.

This was expressed by Rep. Nicasio M. Aliping, Jr. after inspecting the site with barangay officials Wednesday. “Further improvements could be made enabling the building to function as a view deck where tourists can photograph the city landscape,” he said.

Although its main purpose is to cater to needs of residents, it can be developed as a potential tourism center that can help generate new business and help in improving the livelihood of residents in the area, he said. 

Some tourists had been frequenting the area for sightseeing but this was not considered a main destination due to the lack of amenities like waiting sheds and toilets.The multipurpose building can now help increase tourism activities.

The project started June 20 and completed Oct. 23 as per Department of Public Works and Highways report.

"Further improvements are currently being implemented from the savings amounting to 230,000 derived on the original allocated budget of 4.3 million to maximize the project," said Aliping.

Funding for the building came from the 2014 budget of DPWH through  initiative of the congressman.

Mayor awaits skating rink plan

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio Domogan is awaiting the completion of the master development plan for the Burnham Park skating rink which will serve as guide in firming up the terms of reference in bidding out the operation of the facility.

While the plan and the TOR are still at the drawing board, the mayor directed city environment and parks management officer Cordelia Lacasama to allow the skating rink’s current concessionaire Quirante’s Fun Rides/Skates Rentals and Recreation Center to continue operating the facility on a month-to-month basis after its contract with the city expired last Nov. 2.

“We need to do this to ensure continuity of the income until it was bidded out and awarded to the winning lessee,” the mayor said. 

The mayor last week created the technical working group headed by urban planner and former city architect Joseph Alabanza of the Baguio Heritage Committee and city building and architecture officer-in-charge Johnny Degay to prepare the plan.

City environment and parks management officer Cordelia Lacasama, a representative of the United Architects of the Philippines Baguio chapters and the deans of the colleges of engineering and architecture of the University of Cordilleras, University of Baguio and St. Louis University will collaborate with Alabanza and Degay.

The preparation of the plan was decided by the mayor and the petitioners advocating to open the Burnham Park skating rink for free use by the public.

The petitioners agreed to the mayor’s decision to bid out the facility acknowledging that the city cannot allow the absolute free use of the skating rink being one of the few income generators where the city source out funds for the maintenance of the park.

The mayor promised not to renew the lease contract with the Quirante firm.

P’sinan PWDs get wheelchairs, walkers

DAGUPAN CITY – Persons with disabilitIes here on Monday received wheelchairs, walkers and crutches through a joint venture of the city government and the Church of the Latter Day Saints.

About 24 wheelchairs and other mobility devices were distributed to the beneficiaries in a ceremony held at the city public plaza.

Rhyza Ventenilla, Dagupan area service missionary, said the LDS Charities taught city government personnel the proper prescription of wheelchairs.

Ventenilla said the training was meant to ensure that each device is fitted to each beneficiary’s needs.

One of the beneficiaries, Leonardo Garpo of Barangay Pogo Chico, said he suffered a stroke last year that made walking difficult for him. With the wheelchair, Garpo said he could now move around and attend to his tasks.

Mayor Belen Fernandez lauded the LDSC for its programs for PWDs. – Eva Visperas

TESDA conducts competency assessment and certification

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) provincial office here  is conducting  Free competency assessment and certification under the National Technical Vocational Educational Technology (TVET) Competency and Certification (NATCAC) for Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) teachers and industrial workers  from Oct. 24 to Nov. 30.

Melita Pinic of TESDA here said competency assessment and certification for the identified qualifications include Book Keeping National Certificate (NC) II, and Computer Hardware Servicing NC II to be conducted at the Xijen College of Mt. Province here; Horticulture NC II and Food Processing NC II at the Eastern Bontoc National Agricultural and vocational High School in Barlig; Automotive Servicing NC II, Driving NC II, Electrical Installation Maintenance NC II, Carpentry NC II, Masonry NCII and Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) NC II at the Provincial Training Center in Sabangan; Bread and Pastry NC II, Dressmaking/Tailoring NCII, Automotive Servicing NC II and Driving NC II at the Tadian School of Arts and Trades  in Tadian; Tour Guiding NC II at the Sagada Environmental Guide Association (SEGA) in Sagada; Beauty Care NC II and Hair Dressing NCII at Erica’s Beauty Care here; and Computer Hardware Servicing NC II at Wifix Computer Shop in Tadian.

The NATCAC program is a synchronized conduct of competency assessment and certification in identified qualifications.

This aims to sustain people’s awareness and acceptance of assessment and certification program, promote industry acceptance on the value of certification to ensure they get competent workers, upgrade qualification of existing workers, TVET trainers and assessors to a higher level of qualification, and enhance competitiveness and employability of workers.

Pinic encouraged interested applicants who want to have more qualifications to be accredited to submit their application so that TESDA will determine first accredited assessment centers.

For more details, interested applicants are advised to visit the TESDA provincial office at the multi-purpose building in Bontoc. -- Juliet B. Saley

Dagupan contender for presidential award

DAGUPAN CITY – The City of Dagupan was listed as a national contender to the 2014 Presidential Award for Child-Friendly Cities under the independent component city category. Mayor Belen Fernandez said they will continue to push for programs and activities that will benefit young Dagupeños and those less privileged children.

The mayor commended all the department heads, especially the City Social Welfare and Development Office under the leadership of Leah Aquino for their good performance and hard work. The city was recognized for its programs and activities for the welfare of children in terms of education, sports, disaster preparedness, environmental awareness, health, wellness, nutrition, arts and culture, special protection, resource allocation, among others. -- LiezleBasaInigo

23 projects to boost Baguio tourism

BAGUIO CITY -- At least 23 development projects are expected to boost further the tourism industry here as the city council approved the supplemental budget worth P233 million for projects such as beautification of Athletic Bowl, rehabilitation of People’s Park Mines View Building, construction of Rillera (market) building and pasalubong centers, improvement of the city hall building, and repair of roads in the city, among others. 

Mayor Mauricio Domogan instructed the city building and architecture office to finalize the program of work for the projects to be able fast-track the bidding and implementation. Domogan stressed the urgency of the project, especially the Athletic Bowl which will be used to host the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) and Panagbenga Festival on February.

Feeding program reaches 43,662 children in Cordi

BAGUIO CITY -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development Cordillera  reported implementation of its supplemental feeding program with 43,662 day care children served.

DSWD’s program, which is being implemented in partnership with parents, aims to help improve the school children’s nutritional status through indigenous nutritious food for 120 school days.

DSWD regional nutritionist Marcia Espinueva, told e media forum last week P70 million was allotted targeting  45,000 day care school children.

For actual implementation, actual target registered for the program were 44,243 school children in 2,086 day care centers regionwide but actual number of children served was  43,662 or an equivalent accomplishment rate of 98.69 percent.

The program started July and children beneficiaries were weighed regularly to monitor the improvement in their nutritional status.

Espinueva also reported that aside from the SFP in schools, DSWD also catered  Regional Haven Home for Women and Girls  in Baguio and Regional Rehabilitation Center for the Youth in Sablan,Benguet. – Maz De Roxas 

Kalinga execs set policies on monitoring of projects

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- Provincial and municipal project monitoring committees agreed  on  policies to ensure projects from higher local government units and national government agencies and special projects funded by Official Development Assistance are well monitored.

Foremost among agreements was for the provincial LGU, NGAs and international financial institutions through ODA to furnish municipal and barangay LGUs of the list of projects they are funding including compliance to the billboard requirement.

The municipal LGU in turn will coordinate with the beneficiary barangays about the project so that every stakeholder is involved during the implementation stage including their monitoring.

“It should be an inherent policy for the provincial LGU to furnish municipal LGUs of whatever project it approves and implement,” said Cynthia Vicente, municipal planning and development coordinator of Rizal.

Ailleen Melody Alya-on, MPDC of Lubuagan, also pushed for submission of all project proposals within the planning period from January to June for their inclusion to the Annual Investment Plan including pet projects of politicians funded out of their countryside development fund to discourage the creation of supplemental AIP.

Also agreed as proposed by Tinglayan MPDC Hilario Aggalao is the policy not to accept individual requests to avoid personalizing projects. The body observed that projects awarded to individuals are allegedly prone to abuse and lead to irregularities because the LGU and its constituents that have jurisdiction over those projects have no knowledge about it.

This is also the reason why the AIP has another supplemental AIP because politicians allegedly for reason of political patronage accommodate individual proposals even after the approval of the AIP.

The body also recommended that contractors are obliged after the completion of projects to clear the project site of debris and other nuisances. Moreover, damage on public properties as a consequence of project construction must be repaired or put in their original state.  -- Peter Balocnit

SN Aboitiz power plants in CAR receive  gov’t awards

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- For outstanding contribution to safety and health of their workers and their workplaces and communities, two  institutions  in  the Cordillera Administrative Region  were among winners  in  the 9^th Gawad Kaligtasan at Kalusugan (GKK) of the Department of Labor and Employment, highest and most prestigious award for occupational health and safety.

SN Aboitiz- Power Benguet Inc., Ambuklao Hydro-electric Power Plant and  Binga Hydro-Electric Power Plant,  received recently silver and bronze awards, respectively for occupational safety and health under the Institutional Category during   awarding ceremony at the OSHC Auditorium, Diliman, Quezon City. 

In her keynote message, DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis- Baldoz, encouraged winners to share with community what they have achieved.

The GKK is one of DOLE’s five “Seals of Good Housekeeping” under the Incentivizing Compliance Program (ICP), a major reform measure of the DOLE that aims to engender, encourage and build a culture of voluntary compliance with labor and OSH standards among the country’s industries.

DOLE –CAR regional director Henry John S. Jalbuena said SN Aboitiz Ambuklao plant  in Bokod, Benguet and Binga Hydro-Electric Power  Plant in Itogon, Benguet  serve as models of excellence in occupational safety and health through programs in welfare and protection of Filipino workers. 

Tabuk  covers 31 barangays in off-site voters’ validation

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The Commission on Elections-Tabuk City covered 31 of 42 barangays of the city in its off-site voters registration and   validation.

City Election Registrar Reyman Solbita reported there are 17,865 of the total 54,606 registered voters of Tabuk that remain to be validated under Comelec’s s biometric voters’ registration system.

Comelec employed biometric registration and validation of voters under its computerized system as part of its bid to purge the list of voters  for credible and clean elections in the country, Solbita said.

The regular registration and validation of voters at the city election office is still on Mondayd to Fridays. -- Larry Lopez 

More than 5,000 Mt Prov kids benefit from feeding program 

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- A total of  5,397 day care children in the province are benefiting from the supplemental feeding program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Under this program, the meals for a day care children cost P13 per child per day for 120 school days. The parents of the children are responsible in preparing the food following menu provided using locally available foods.

This is DSWD’s contribution to the early childhood care program of the national government.

Some 268 selected kinder to grade six pupils in the province are also benefiting from the supplemental feeding program.

Arlene Fillag, nurse of the Department of Education Division Office here, said these pupils were identified as severely malnourished after computing their weight, height and birth date based on standard set by the World Health Organization.

A memorandum of agreement was entered into between and among the DSWD represented by its officer-in charge regional director Janet Armas, provincial government represented by Gov. Leonard Mayaen and municipal  chief executives  to undertake the program. --Juliet Saley

666 examinees take CSC career service exam in Ifugao

LAGAWE, Ifugao -- A total of  666 examinees took the Civil Service Commission  Career Service examination professional and sub-professional level here last week at Lagawe Central School.

LCS is one of four testing centers in Cordillera Administrative Region  along with Baguio City; Bangued, Abra and Luna, Apayao.

CSC – Ifugao director Ruben Wacas, said out  of 151 sub-professional applicants, 138 took the examination while 528 from the 560 applicants for the CS professional took the exam .

Results will be available 45 days after the day of examination.

Campus journalism training held in Lagawe

LAGAWE, Ifugao--  More than fifty school paper writers and advisers selected from various elementary and secondary schools of Lagawe district were trained on basic campus journalism recently.

The three-day journalism workshop was in  preparation for the upcoming competition in the Division Elementary and Secondary Press Conference this month .

Lagawe Public Schools District Supervisor Herminia Hoggang said this will enhance journalistic skills of participants  on how to manage their respective school papers.

Resource speakers were  staff  of  Philippine Information Agency and trained teachers and school paper advisers.  

Topics included writing news, feature, sports,editorial, headlines  and photo journalism, lay-outing, and radio broadcasting. - Marcelo Lihgawon

15 Ifugaos  complete tour  guiding  seminar

KIANGAN, Ifugao -- Fifteen trainees consisting of four  women and 11 men of this town recently completed specialized tour guiding seminar at the Kiangan Youth Hostel  here by Department of Tourism.

The activity was  part of the Tourism Industry Development Program of the municipality in partnership with the DOT to involve the community in promoting and developing community-based tourism at the same time create opportunities , generate jobs and create quality service to tourists.

It also aimed to equip the participants with the knowledge and ability to assist, facilitate, entertain and guide the tourists and visitors who will visit the municipality and provide livelihood opportunities thus enhancing the resource capability for tourism development in the locality.

The seminar was conducted following the approaches of group dynamics, lecture and discussion, written and practical exercises, technical tour and research work. -- Daniel Codamon

Bangued business owners agree to install CCTVs

BANGUED, Abra -- Owners of business establishments in this capital town  agreed to proposed ordinance requiring all business establishments to  install close circuit television (CCTV) cameras in their premises.

This was gathered during a recent public hearing conducted by  the Sangguniang Bayan headed by Vice Mayor Allan P. Seares  to solicit feedback from business sector regarding the municipal ordinance   authored by SB member Joel Bolante.

The proposed ordinance aims to enhance the security of the businesses and to curb criminality.

The presence of CCTV cameras within the premises of their businesses, he said,  serves as a deterrent to malicious intents of criminals who plan to commit robbery and/or other crimes against persons.    

The proposed ordinance was conceptualized based on experiences of increasing cases of crimes against property such as robbery/thievery committed not only by outsiders but also by their own employees.

CCTVs  are a great help in crime solution because of recorded data that could be used to identify suspects in crimes committed within the vicinity of the business establishments, the council said.  -- Maria Teresa Benas

 30 millionaire coops in  Kalinga bared

By Geraldine Dumallig

TABUK CITY, Kalinga - - The Kalinga Provincial Cooperative Development Office said at least 30 coops in the province have gained millionaire status based on the 2013 cooperative audit.

OIC PCDO engineer Ronald Ryan Jose said two cooperatives namely the TabukMulti Purpose Cooperative (TAMPCO) with a total asset of P762,704,937 and the Tabuk Farmers MPC with a total asset of P156,627,112.00 were among those who reached the large scale category.

Coops  in the medium scale category are: Provincial Engineering Office Personnel MPC with P57,855,681.00; St. Thomas Credit Coop with P42,858,297.00; Kajchilan MPC P27,607,417.00; Bibak MPC, and (Bibak PMCI) P38,496,327.00.

Under the small scale  category  are  Ambigatton MPC, Cabaruan MPCI, Holy Trinity Cathedral MPC, Dupligan Farmers MPC, Daram-Cudal MPC, Tanudan Savings and Lending Coop, Tabuk Feed Producers Cooperative, St. Joseph MPCI, Riverside MPCI, Federation of Coop in the EDNL, Bulanao MPC, Tabuk OFW Kabayan Coop, KalingaAgri Families MPC and Northern Luzon Diocesan MPCI.

Named under the micro scale  category are Tabuk Municipal Official and Employees MPC, Western Balbalan Credit Cooperative, MadopdopKasigayan Irrigation Association MPC, Nalyawan MPC, Rizal MPC, Mananig MPC, Babalag Farmers MPCI, Sumyaan Organic Farmers MPC, Pasil Farmers Consumers Coop., and  San Pascual MPCI.    

According to Jose, getting into  the list of the coop millionaires club requires the support and teamwork among members especially in the observance of their by-laws and policies and in ensuring  that the cooperative’s economic activities are documented and financial statements are carefully recorded.

Cooperatives he said must not be focused on income generating alone but must also have to take into consideration how it would uplift the socio-economic conditions of their members who are the main reason a cooperative was organized.

Jose underscored that cooperative management should also include the welfare of their clients through the practice of good housekeeping by making their offices more client- friendly and maintain a friendlier coop-client transactions.

Abra info officers undergo effective delivery training

BANGUED, Abra – The provincial government of Abra recently conducted seminar “enhancing vapacity of local media and public information officers of Abra for nore effective service felivery.

Main topic was on basic Ilokano grammar and composition as  it is the dialect widely spoken in the province.

Resource speaker was Dr. Aurelio S. Agcaoili ,Dean for Communication and Arts in the University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA, the only academic institution in the world that offers a Program on Ilokano Language, and a visiting professor to the University of the Philippines  in Baguio City.

Agcaoili  emphasized use of appropriate Ilokano terms, correct spelling and correct usage of articles, linkers, verbs and even the determination of the root word to be able to conjugate and write correct Ilokano.

Writing correctly he said,  is needed to avoid misleading information in any genre of literature. Most importantly, so that we do not repeat and perpetuate the same mistakes because as communicators, we are not only duty-bound to disseminate information but to educate our present and future generation of the correct Ilokano language, he stressed.

Dr. Maritess Benas of the Philippine Information Agency  discussed guidelines for the protection of women and children in media and film while provincial information officer SerafinAlzate  gave a review of code of ethics for Filipino journalists and canons of good taste in journalism to remind media practioners of laws regulating media.

The training attended by  local media and public information officers of the different municipalities and national agencies in the province,  was carried out in partnership with  PIA – Abra. -- Josa Mai Ramirez

Kalinga to stage spectacular ‘Awong Chi Gangsa’ festival 

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The provincial government plans a repeat of the spectacular show “Awong Chi Gangsa” during the 2015 Kalinga Day and Ullalim Festival, this time with the participation of the private sector particularly schools in this city.

Awong Chi Gangsa or “Sound of a Thousand Gongs”  with more than 1,000 dancers from all over the province clad in the native costume  dancing the  cultural dance “Tadok” of the Kalingas  with sound of the gong locally called gangsa,  was first featured during the 19th Kalinga founding anniversary and Ullalim Festival on Feb. 14, 2013 drawing public accolade.

Dr. Amelia Miranda, the brain of “Awong Chi Gangsa,” presented during the ‘kapehan’ at the  Capitol plan to sustain it as a major activity in every founding anniversary of the province.

This time, organizers and aldermen want a bigger show to include students  from  the different schools to instill in their hearts and minds the value and beauty of  the rich and preserved cultural heritage of Kalinga. -- Peter Balocnit

DTI monitors Ifugao business establishments

ALFONSO LISTA, Ifugao -- The Department of Trade and Industry recently checked business establishments selling construction and building materials here.

A team from DTI accompanied by Alfonso Lista’s market supervisor Santiago Bulan and assistant municipal treasurer AireenAllig monitored establishments.  The team found out that there were some  products without the proper and corresponding seals.

Stall owners were advised to return the products to where they bought them  otherwise  the products will be pulled out by DTI.

“Uncertified products will be pulled-out after failure to return to the dealers/company where they bought and such violation could also be mean confiscation of their business permits,” the DTI said.

The DTI told business owners rule of last touch wherein retailers who possess products that are not certified are the ones who will suffer penalties and consequences imposed by government.

They also urged traders to be vigilant consumers and retailers and help make the country safe to live by patronizing safe and quality products. -- Marcelo Lihgawon with report from Lorena Dulnuan

Baguio to host the 61st annual mining confab

By Redjie Melvic Cawis

BAGUIO CITY – At least a thousand individuals involved in the mining industry  are expected  to attend the 61st Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Conference (ANMSEC)  the city is  hosting  from  November 11 to 14.

Organized by the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA), this annual event kicked off with a tree planting and tree tending event at the PMSEA adopted park at the Botanical Garden led by PMSEA president Louie Sarmiento and Philippine Society of Mining Engineers chairman and president FelizardoGacad.

On Nov 12, mining exhibit was opened at CAP-John Hay Convention Center  followed by opening of  2nd Community Relations (COMREL) officers conference at main hall.

A media forum followed with PMSEA and PSEM officials with other heads and representatives of the Department of Environment  and Natural Resources, Mines and Geosciences Bureau  and mining companies as panelists.

A mineral industry dymposium  was held at CAP-John Hay Convention Center   Nov. 13 with Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan as guest speaker.

Among topics and speakers: The Government can Reduce its Budget Deficit by De La Salle University Dr. Patrick Caoile; The Large Scale Mining Industry’s Contributions to Philippine Commitments to the Convention on Biological Diversity by Dr. Mitzi Pollisco of GHD PTY; Free Trades and the ASEAN Economic Community 2015: Impacts on Engineers and Engineering Practice by Federico Monsada of the Philippine Technological Council; Mining and Minerals Research and Development Roadmap 2012-2016 by Dr. Rowena Cristina Guevara of the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development; and Program for Rehabilitation and Restoration of Mined-out Areas through Phytotechnologies by Dr. Teresa Perez of Ateneo de Manila.

On Nov. 14, the delegates will fill the city’s main thoroughfares starting at 6:30AM with the Mineral Industry Parade from Session Road to Burnham Park Melvin Jones where the mine safety field demonstration and field competitions will be held.

Among competitions and demo will be mine rescue, fire fighting, machine drilling, hand mocking and tag-of-peace.

The activities will be capped with testimonial dinner and awards night at the CAP-John Hay center where mining companies and individuals will be awarded for  best practices and accomplishments.

Philex Mining Corp. Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan will be guest speaker during awards night.

The ANMSEC theme this year is “61 years of Responsible Mining and Nation Building.”

BSU studes conduct clean drive along Balili River

LA TRINIDAD,Benguet --  Benguet State University students collected  a total of 2, 086.4 kilograms  of waste materials at Balili River during a recent clean up drive.

Most waste collected  were  plastics, wine glass, tin cans, pet bottles, styrofoam, house wares plastics, tires, computer parts and basic household waste materials.

According  to Alquen Sasa, instructor,  the activity was the  biggest event in five years that NSPT students from the different colleges and institutes of  BSU  united for a clean up activity in saving Balili River.

In the short program prior to the clean up event, BSU NSTP coordinator Angel Cawat Sr., cited importance of  the river to farmers and community of La Trinidad,  thus the urgent need  to save  the river from further pollution.-- Sonny Cosme

Cebuana Lhuillier brings Search for Happiest Pinoy 2014 in Baguio City

By Carlito Dar with Kurt Lubos

BAGUIO CITY -- Do you know someone who despite challenges in his or her life, has  risen  above and positively impact on the lives of other people with  their positive outlook in life?

Get your nomination form from Cebuana Lhuillier outlets as “Search for the Happiest Pinoy2014 ” is now  open.

Cebuana Lhuiller Insurance Solutions (CLIS) general manager Jonathan Batangan and Corporate Communication Division manager Cheer Mae Ecarma, led launching of the 2014 “Happiest Pinoy” search  in the city through  a press conference last week.

Batangan said the search for Happiest Pinoy is a nationwide campaign of CebuanaLhuillier that aims to give due recognition to Filipinos who has a positive outlook in life, has proven ability to rise above life’s challenges and had positive impact in the lives of others.

The search is open to all Filipinos,  18 years old and above and with good moral character.

Now on its third year, a P1 million  cash prize awaits the grand winner. Nine runner-ups will also receive P50,000 cash prize each.

Ecarma said from around 300 nominees in 2010, the nominations reached around 20,000 in 2012. For this year, they hope to reach-out to more people which is why Cebuana is taking the search to the different schools and offices nationwide.

After the Manila and the Baguio leg, Cebuana will also launch the search in Bacolod, Cebu and Davao.

Since its launch in 2009, the search for Happiest Pinoy already awarded two deserving individuals: Winston Maxino, a corporate executive who was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis, a degenerative and incurable bone disease,  in 2010 and Rommel Arellano, a guidance councilor who was afflicted with polio at age 1,  in 2012.  

Nomination form are available in any of the more than 1,7,00 CebuanaLhuiller branches nationwide, including 11 here in Baguio.

DTI monitors establishments, products in Baguio-La Trinidad

By Kurt Lubos and Hannah Fabia

BAGUIO CITY -- The Department of Trade and Industry Baguio-Benguet inspected establishments and products  at  the Baguio City and the La Trinidad public markets last week to ensure the public they are buying  quality goods  with reasonable prices.

DTI personnel were assisted by ConsumerNet , Philippine National Police  and local government representatives.

Inspected were vegetables, fish, meat, rice and other goods being sold to the public.

They also inspected the calibration of weighing scales and conditions of the establishments and stalls particularly the maintenance of cleanliness and packaging of the products.

Department of Interior and Local Government, National Telecommunications Commission and representatives from the treasurer and licensing offices of the Baguio City government also inspected business establishments selling Christmas lights and other similar items particularly looking for the product standard mark and ICC (import commodity clearance) Stickers.

The groups  also conducted similar activity in La Trinidad with the supervision of the municipal government led by Mayor Edna Tabanda . They inspected the La Trinidad public market and other establishments around the public market.

The DTI with the Department of Energy, who chaired this year’s Consumer Welfare Month celebration, will schedule  another inspection for gasoline stations and LPG retailers.

DTI Trade and Industry Development specialist Carla Noble said that the inspection was generally smooth and orderly and there were no major violations. -- Kurt Lubos  and Hannah Fabia

  

OCD to tap Benguet miners for disaster training

BAGUIO CITY --The Office of Civil Defense – Cordillera is set to  tap mining companies in Benguet for trainings of responders of local government units on collapsed structure search and rescue.

OCD regional director Andrew Alex Uysaid  miners from companies in Benguet  are always being tapped  to help during disaster operations such as earthquakes and landslides  not only in the region but around the country.

Last year, a team from Philex Mining Corporation helped  in search and recovery  of bodies which were buried under the mud and landslides and wreckages  in  earthquake stricken towns of Bohol and the typhoon- affected areas in Eastern Visayas.

Uy said main objective of the CSSR training course was to train target participants with techniques and methods necessary for searching, locating, stabilizing and extricating victims trapped in collapsed structures, using the safest and most appropriate procedures for the rescuer as well as the victims.

According to Uy, technical knowledge and techniques which the miners have been doing in disaster operations could also be  included  in trainings of  responders in the different areas.

Recently,  50 responders and police completed CSSR training course  which aims to boost city responders’ capabilities in emergency earthquake incidents. -- RedjieMelvicCawis  

Kalinga disaster councils undergo training

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- Members of local disaster councils and volunteer relief action teams recently held “rapid damage assessment  and needs analysis training.

Provincial civil defense coordinator Cristy Reyes said the training was sponsored by Cordillera Regional Office on Civil Defense for quicker and more comprehensive reporting and response action during disasters.

Reyes said participants were trained on quick assessment of disaster damages for faster submission of reports so immediate relief action could be undertaken by concerned agencies.

It was observed there was immediate need to improve system of reporting from the barangay to the municipal and to provincial disaster councils thus the training, Reyes said.

Reyes recommended reactivation of hand-held radio-based organizations in the province for faster and wider system of reporting and response during disasters. – Larry Lopez  

 Ifugao, Kalinga high in measles- rubella-polio immunization

LAGAWE, Ifugao -- Measles-rubella oral polio vaccination mass immunization in the provinces of Ifugao and Kalinga   reached  more than 95% of total population.

Provincial Health Office data showed 26,073 of children in Ifugao  received oral polio vaccine and 23,190 for MR vaccine  out of 51,150  target population for an average  of 96.4774%.

Five towns recorded more than 100 percent accomplishment with Lamut topping the list  with 113.54% ,  followed by  Asipulo  at  108.017%; Alfonso Lista - 107.224%; Lagawe - 101.181%; and Hungduan - 100.508%.

Aguinaldo - 99.83%; Tinoc - 95.74%; Kiangan - 90.11%; Hingyon - 87.49%; Banaue - 81.68% and Mayoyao - 61.95%.

Provincial health officer Mary Josephine Dulawan lauded stakeholders who supported the activity. 

She cited parents who value importance of immunization  for their children.  

Meanwhile, Kalinga Provincial Health Office chief Dr. Romulo Gaerlan reported a 95.89% accomplishment rating for its measles-rubella supplemental immunization activity.

Based on the Kalinga PHO report, among four municipalities that reached their target,  Tanudan topped at 101.78 percent covering 916 children from its 900 eligible population.

Second was Tabuk City with 99.52%, followed by Rizal with 97.47%, and Pinukpuk with   a 96% accomplishment.

All four municipalities were expected to receive a P10,000.00 incentive from DOH-Cordillera for meeting their targets. Said amount will be utilized for their immunization programs.

According to Minda Balawan of PHO Kalinga , 23,606 of  the 24,619 eligible target  for the MR  mass immunization program  availed of the vaccination.  

For oral polio vaccine, Kalinga as of the October 10 deadline reported a 92.66 percent accomplishment covering a total of 26,775 children from its 28,897 eligible population.

The mass immunization was conducted September  and extended up to October 10 to protect children aged nine to 95 months nationwide from the deadly diseases. -- JDP/MBL with reports from Gigi Dumallig

Mt Prov education assist program benefits students

BONTOC –More poor but deserving college students from Mountain Province are now finishing their education due to Mountain Province Student Financial Assistance Program of the provincial government.

According to executive assistant Cynthia A. Taguiba of the governor’s office, the MPSFAP has catered to 475 first to fifth year college students for the 1^st semester of this school year 2014.

Out of the total, 211 are studying at the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College (MPSPC) Bontoc Campus or at Xijen College of Mountain Province here, 71 at MPSPC- Tadian Campus, 122 are studying in schools in Baguio City and Benguet and 46 students from the eastern part of the province are studying either in the provinces of Nueva Viscaya or in Isabela.

The program is also benefiting 25 students from the province who are enrolled under the scholarship program for health workers of the University of the Philippines School of Health Sciences (UP-SHS) in Baler, Aurora Province and Leyte.

Relative to this, the grantees received their financial assistance of P3, 000.00 each for the 1^st semester of this school year to augment their financial needs in school.

Gov. Leonard G.  Mayaen told grantees importance of education in achieving one’s endeavour in life and uplifting family out of poverty. 

Coming from a poor family, the governor said that it is through education that he achieved his status in life today.

He urged grantees to do well in their studies so they could complete their courses and land jobs to sustain them and their families.

“I believe that it is every child right to have education. Thus, we increase your allowance from P2, 500 to P3, 000 per semester, enough to pay in full the school fees in any state college. This may be small amount, but we are happy that we could help even in little ways”, the governor said.

Relative to this, a grantee expressed his gratitude to the provincial government in giving importance to education in their programs.

He is now a graduating student and being part of the program for three years.

“Being a grantee from my second year until fourth year of college, I am grateful to the provincial government. The program is a big help in my studies and has lessen the financial burden of my parents”, a grantee said.

To avail of this program, applicant must be resident of the province, poor but deserving student, high school graduates or college students and must be of good moral character.

Applicants may submit the following requirements: letter of interest/application addressed to the governor, complete MPSFAP application form with one copy of 2x2 ID picture, photo copy of high school card or certification of latest grades (2 copies), two copies of certification of enrolment and certificate of endorsement signed by the governor.

Submission of complete requirements for renewal and new applicants studying in Mountain Province will be on Nov. 15 – Dec. 15.

Meanwhile, applicants studying outside Mountain Province shall submit their complete requirements from Nov.15, 2014  to Jan. 15, 2015. -- Alpine L. Killa