Abra officials clarify
‘red tagging’ vs NGOs
VILLAVICIOSA,
Abra -- Tamac barangay officials here led by village chairman Carmelo Bayod
clarified the red-tagging incident against Tulong Katribu, Cordillera Disaster
Response and Development Services and Center for Development Programs in the
Cordillera during their first relief operation last week. In a community
meeting prior to the distribution of goods, Bayod apologized to the group and
also to Alliance of Concerned Teachers Provincial coordinator Ariel Solomon
Martes for being wrongly accused as rebels and promised to issue a barangay
resolution affirming that the group and teacher Martes are not New People’s
Army rebels. Martes is a grade 5 and 6 teacher in neighboring Bol-lilising elementary
school and is also among the evacuees from Barangay Tamac and was forced to
take a leave due to the incident.
"All's
well that ends well. Now that the issue has been clarified, I hope that it will
not happen again. We are aware that the red-tagging statement was not from
anyone from the barangay council. We are thankful that they gave us a chance to
air our side and clarify on the matter,” said Martes
The
group is eyeing for another round of assistance to the community, this time for
the rehabilitation of the makeshift Tamac elementary school. -- Ronald Gustilo
Still no ‘bio’ for 91K
Pampanga voters
City
of San Fernando, Pampanga — Some 91,896 voters in the province have no
biometrics data while 5000 more have yet to complete their biometric requirements
for them to be able to vote in 2016 elections, the Commission On Election
(Comelec) said.
Lawyer
Lydia V. Florentino-Pangilinan, Pampanga provincial election supervisor, said
the Comelec will not be complacent in encouraging the remaining voters to validate
their records until the deadline on Oct. 31, 2015.
“We
are requesting them to complete their biometrics so that they will be able to
exercise their right of suffrage. They will have to comply in order to be
allowed to vote on May 9, 2016,” she said.
The
province has 1,136,002 registered and validated voters as of August 31, 2015.
Of this, 7.45 percent of the voters were found without biometrics, and 0.44
with incomplete of biometrics.
La Trinidad intensifies anti-smoking
campaign
LA
TRINIDAD, Benguet – This capital town has upped its campaign for a
smoke-free environment.
The
local government last week oriented stakeholders on provisions of the La
Trinidad Tobacco Control Ordinance particularly on functions of the
Municipal Tobacco Control Board and smoking control enforcement unit.
The
Tobacco Control Ordinance regulates smoking in public places, selling
or distribution of tobacco products to minors and advertisement of
tobacco products in the municipality.
San
Gabriel, La Union Mayor Divina Velasco whose municipality has been a
Red Orchid awardee or recognized for its non-smoking efforts shared her town’s
experience during the orientation.
San
Gabriel was also awarded by the Civil Service Commission and the
Department of Health as the Best LGU Implementer of Smoke-Free Program in
Region 1. It is also the cleanest, greenest and safest municipality
in the region.
Velasco
said their town implemented total ban in smoking in all public places based on
a municipal ordinance with the strict imposition of penalties for violators.
She
also created the Smoke Free task force and the municipal coordinator of tobacco
prevention and control and a smoking cessation program. Smoke-free
advocacy activities were also created such as the Healthy Lifestyle and smoke
cessation lectures for municipal officials and employees.
Velasco
encouraged La Trinidad officials to step up its efforts in having a
tobacco-free environment by having advocacy activities and strengthened
policies towards anti-smoking.
Meanwhile,
Mayor Edna Tabanda, who chairs the MTCB, urged residents and stakeholders
to show their cooperation and active involvement for the successful
implementation of the ordinance in order to make this capital town
a healthier place to live especially for senior citizens and children. --
Redgie Melvic Cawis
Bontoc dog owners urged:
Vaccinate pets
BONTOC,
Mountain Province -- Agriculture officials called on pet dog owners in the
province to have their dogs vaccinated to lessen rabies.
Dr.
Cameron Odsey, OIC assistant regional director for research of the Department
of Agriculture – Cordillera, said the dreaded rabies is very much preventable
through vaccination.
Odsey
said responsible pet owners should have their pets three months old and
above, vaccinated yearly.
Veterinarians
said rabies in humans is caused mostly by dog bites which are transmitted
through the saliva of the infected dog. Person bitten by dogs are advised
to wash the wounds thoroughly with clean water and soup then go to the nearest
hospital or clinic for treatment,
Odsey,
together with the provincial veterinarians of Abra, Apayao, Ifugao and
Beguet and the city veterinarians of Tabuk and Baguio and some personnel
from DA-CAR, joined in the celebration of the
“World Rabies Day” last September 29 at the provincial plaza here.
Bontoc
mayor Franklin Odsey and provincial sports coordinator Arnold Petten who
represented Gov. Leonard Mayaen, urged more responsible pet ownership. They
said dogs as “man’s best friend” should be protected and given proper
treatment.
A
highlight of the celebration was a dog walk which started at the front of
the municipal plaza and ended at provincial plaza. – Andrew Dogaong
Ifugao town grants
vigil, death benefits to officials, employees
KIANGAN,
Ifugao -- The Sanguniang Bayan (SB) here recently enacted an ordinance granting
vigil service and death benefits to past and incumbent officials and
employees of the municipal government effective next year.
Called
the “Municipal Death Benefit Ordinance,” this covers past and incumbent
municipal officials, whether elected or appointed, and retired and
current permanent employees hired by the local government unit.
In
the event that an incumbent job order employee who rendered at least six months
of service passed away, the relatives or immediate family members may
avail of the death benefit and not necessarily of the vigil service.
The
vigil service at the municipal compound shall be limited to one day
and one night at a scheduled time agreed upon. The vigil service however,
may not be conducted when the family of the deceased does not allow for
personal reasons, when the home of the deceased is far and
transporting the cadaver is impractical, when there are major
government activities that LGU has to attend or prioritize or when there
is calamity or disaster.
For
the death benefit, the immediate family of the deceased is entitled to
receive P15,000.
Implementation
of the measure takes effect next year after inclusion of its
financial requirements in the annual LGU budget. -- Daniel B. Codamon
DOT invites
local producers to Makati Christmas bazaar
TABUK
CITY, Kalinga -- The provincial tourism office is inviting local producers to
consign their products for sale in Makati during the Department of Tourism
Christmas sale.
Lorraine
Ngao-i, provincial tourism officer, said this is a rare opportunity
for local producers to have their crafts and products displayed in the
premier business center of the country.
The
Department of Tourism- Cordillera Administrative Region will serve as
coordinator as well the contact between local producers and consignees.
“There
are consignees ready to sale local products. The Christmas bazaar will run
until Christmas day,” Ngao-i said. – Peter A. Balocnit
Pupils in Abra
village hold classes in tents
VILLAVICIOSA,
Abra -- Pupils of remote barangay of Tamac here are now attending classes in
tents in Mt. Paraiso.
Their
families have been relocated to the mountain after their community was affected
by a big landslide during Typhoon Ineng last month.
Classes
are being conducted in makeshift classrooms in their relocation site
facilitated by two teachers -- Didith Escobar and Monalisa Buis.
“Our
situation here is very hard. But we have no choice. We cannot go back to our
old place because it’s dangerous,” Escobar said.
“Sometimes
when it rains I just feel so helpless.” Buis said. “Water drips from the tent
and we have no place to keep the books and materials safe. But when I see these
children so gay and eager to learn, I just keep going.”
According
to John Peña, spokesperson of the Department of Education in Abra, informal
classes in the relocation sites are conducted under tents
until they could build concrete classrooms for the children.
Peña
stated said in order to construct classrooms sooner, DepEd-Abra needs the
support of other agencies and stakeholders because the agency does not have
enough funds for school building construction.
Relative
to this, the Department of Education- Abra has started implementing “Piso
Alay sa Tamac” Project ( per Memorandum No. 107-series of 2015) at the Abra
High School Main, Abra High School Extension at Calot, and at DepEd Division
Office. It will also reach out to others schools and offices as all
public school district supervisors and elementary and secondary school heads
have been informed about the project.
One
peso from each stakeholder could change the lives of people in need especially
the youth in Tamac. -- Ginalyn B. Brioso
St. John Paul II
statue planned at Burnham Park
BAGUIO
CITY -- The Senior Citizens Organization here is planning the construction of a
monument of Pope John Paul II at Burnham Park in honor of His Holiness’
momentous celebration of the mass at the city’s premiere park in 1981.
Narciso
Padilla, who served Senior Citizen Official of a Day (SCOFAD) as mayor, wrote
to Department of Tourism Undersecretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. to allow the
construction of the monument beside the present Igorot Grandstand at the right
side facing the Melvin Jones Grandstand.
“We
are requesting the DOT and the PTA (Philippine Tourism Authority) in
cooperation with our City Government Officials to kindly designate at least
three-by-three square meter area for the proposed project with the National
Correspondents Club of Baguio (NCCB) and the Cordillera Broadcaster Alliance
(CBA) as lead project coordinators,” Padilla said.
He
said the project is being supported by parish priests from several churches and
a community development volunteers.
The
monument is one way to “perpetuate and immortalize the historic activities of
His Holiness, most particularly for having offered the Holy Eucharist at the
city’s main park.”
Baguio
was included as one of the late Pope’s destinations in his historic evangelical
journey to the Philippines on Feb. 17-24, 1981.
Ilocos Sur dengue cases
triple this year
VIGAN
CITY, Ilocos Sur — Health workers have intensified the information and
education campaign against dengue as Ilocos Sur recorded a tripling of cases of
the mosquito-borne disease this year.
Records
from the Provincial Health Technology Office (PHTO) of Ilocos Sur showed that
from January to September 29, the province had 1,995 dengue cases as compared
with only 665 dengue patients in the same period last year.
Among
the top six cities and towns in the province having the greatest number of
dengue cases were Vigan City – 219; San Juan – 162; Magsingal – 157; Cervantes
– 136; Candon City – 131 and Narvacan – 128.
PHTO’s
Sanitary Inspector Oscar Frio said the only good news is that no dengue
fatality has been recorded in the province this year. -- Freddie Lazaro
IP festival set in
Pampanga
CLARK
FIELD, Pampanga – An indigenous people’s festival in this province called
Dayaw 2015 seen as the largest gathering
of the country’s cultural minority groups has started here.
The
National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has partnered with the
provincial government for the holding of Dayaw 2015 from Oct. 15 to 27 in the
cities of Angeles and San Fernando.
The
event’s theme Katutubong Kaalaman para sa Kalikasan at Kapayapaan (indigenous
knowledge for environment and peace will focus on traditional and local
knowledge on environment protection and peace).
The
event aims to showcase the uniqueness of each IP tribe.
Al-Anwar
Anzar of the National Committee on Southern Cultural Communities said Dayaw
aims to highlight the importance and richness of indigenous cultures, discuss
issues being faced by indigenous peoples and facilitate interactions with other
groups.
Marichu
Tellano, chief of NCCA plan and policy formulation, said the opening ceremony
was held in Bayanihan Park on Thursday.
– Ric Sapnu
Abra dev’t workers
deliver aid for evacuated community
VILLAVICIOSA,
Abra -- Tulong Katribu, in Partnership with Cordillera Disaster Response
and Development Services (Cordis-RDS) and Center for Development Programs in
the Cordillera (CDPC) delivered last week its second wave of relief operations
for evacuees here of Baranggay Tamac.
Tulong
Katribu is a disaster relief and rehabilitation support group based in the
province of Abra. It aims to mobilize and empower disaster victims. The
group is composed of Kakailian Salakniban Tay Amin a Nagtaudan (KASTAN
CPA-Abra), Sulong Katribu Partylist, Anakbayan and Alliance of Concerned Teachers.
A
total of 182 families were provided with relief packs consisting of rice,
monggo beans, sugar, salt, canned goods, laundry and bath soaps and toothpaste.
They were also given polyethylene sheets for tent reinforcement.
"This
is part of our commitment to serve the people of Abra. We promised not to leave
them behind and we are back to fulfill our promise" said Aguida Darisay,
chairperson of Sulong Katribu Partylist-Abra. – Ronald Gustillo
P7M given to fund Ilocos
rain harvester
LIDLIDDA,
Ilocos Sur – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) awarded a check
worth P749, 892.00 to this town for the establishment of rainwater
harvester. Lidlidda Mayor Jesus Sagay received the check from Emmanuel
Hagad, the head of the DOLE-Ilocos Sur Field Office earlier this month. DOLE
Region 1 Director Grace Ursua said Wednesday the assistance package will also
cover the wages of 124 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries and farmers affected by
recent flooding from the town’s 11 barangays who will be tapped to work on the
project. She said the amount comes from the labor agency’s “Tulong
Panghanapbuhay” para sa ating Disadvantaged Workers. The rainwater harvesters’
project, which will be excavated structures with 6,520 cu. m. capacity capable
of recharging groundwater during dry spell, was realized to help mitigate the
effect of the El Niño in the town. -- Freddie G. Lazaro
DENR issues special
free patent to 10 school sites in Kalinga
TABUK
CITY, Kalinga --Ten school sites in three municipalities of this province
were issued this year special patent by the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources for titling by the Register of Deeds.
Severino
Dalutag, provincial DENR officer, said almost 136,000 square meters
under alienable and disposable lands were surveyed and segregated for disposal
of ROD to ten schools - four each in
Tabuk C and in Pinukpuk and two in Rizal.
From
sub-total of 29,175 sq.m. for this city schools, 9,727 sq.m. was allotted for
Bulo East Elementary School; one hectare for Calanan Elementary School; 3,269
sq.m. to Bulanao East Elem. School; and 6,179 sq.m. to Nambaran Elem.
School.
In
Pinukpuk, 36,751 sq.m. was segregated for Allaguia Elem. School; 30,789 for
Aciga Elem. School; 11,247 for Calbayan Primary School, and 3,984 to
Pinococ Elem. School for a sub-total of 82,781 sq.m.
In
Rizal, of the sub-total of 23,906 sq.m , Alibangbang Primary
School was allotted 798 sq.m. and 23,108 for Bagbag Elem. School.
“Other
school sites maybe surveyed for free patent under DENR per request of school
heads,” Dalutag said. Raymund Mabazza, OIC Land Management Officer, said ROD
will release the respective school site’s title after their registration in
Manila. -- Peter A. Balocnit
Lamut in
Ifugao receives Seal of Good Local Governance award
LAMUT,
Ifugao -- This gate way municipality of the province received the 2014 Seal of
Good Local Governance award conferred by the Department of Interior and Local
Government (DILG) for passing criteria of SGLG.
DILG
provincial chief Rosario Dumelod said Lamut was one of four municipalities in
the Cordillera and the only municipality in Ifugao that passed the 2014 SGLG.
The
local government unit met all criteria of the award which
included good financial housekeeping, social protection and disaster
preparedness and also accomplished the requirement of the essential components
of seal namely business-friendliness and competitiveness, environment
management and peace and order.
Mayor
Mariano Buyagawan, Jr. said the award was great accomplishment of
the LGU. The mayor commended all LGU employees particularly the department
heads for their hard work and other partner agencies for their full support and
thanked also the DILG that their efforts are being recognized.
With
the award, the LGU is entitled to access the Performance Challenge Fund with
cash incentive of Php 3 million which they intend to use for the
improvement of the public market
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