NEWS BRIEFS

Pangasinan bettor wins P30-M lotto pot

A player from Pangasinan won the jackpot in the 6/55 Grand Lotto’s Sept. 21 draw, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) announced yesterday.

The winner picked the six-digit winning combination 35-43-25-38-12-11, which had a total jackpot prize of P30 million, according to PCSO general manager Jose Ferdinand Rojas II.

Eleven other players won P 57,900 each for guessing five of the six-digit winning combination.

The winning ticket was bought from a lotto outlet in Lingayen.

The 6/55 Grand Lotto is drawn every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

TB cases increase in Mt Province

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The number of individuals in the province diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) reached 63 in the first quarter of this year. 

Out of the 63 individuals diagnosed with TB, Paracelis had the most, with 19 cases, followed by Bontoc with 14. Bauko listed eight, Sadanga recorded five, Natonin, Sabangan, and Tadian had four each, three in Besao, and two in Sagada. It is only in Barlig that no case of TB was recorded.

National tuberculosis control program coordinator in Mountain Province Norma Kalang-ad, noted increase of TB cases in the province compared to last year. 

In 2014, a total of 245 individuals were diagnosed with TB, Paracelis listed the highest with 76 cases. Bauko recorded 45, 35 in Bontoc, 29 in Tadian, 20 in Sadanga, 14 in Sabangan, 11 in Natonin, seven in Besao, six in Barlig, and four in Sagada.

Kalang-ad said TB is an infectious disease primarily affecting the lungs, known as Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB).  Others may also have TB in the bones, meninges, joints, genito-urinary tract, liver, kidney, intestines, and heart that is referred to as extra- pulmonary Tuberculosis.

The signs and symptoms of TB are productive cough for two or more weeks, chest and back pains, blood-streaked sputum or phlegm, fatigue, loss of weight, fever, and night sweats. --  Alpine L. Killa

Teachers’ Day held in Benguet

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet--Sept. 25 was a special day for private and public teachers in this province as they celebrated Teachers’ Day at the Benguet Sports Complex here in Barangay Wangal.

Provincial Ordinance number 15-170, known as Teachers’ Day Ordinance declared last Friday of September every year as Teachers’ Day in Benguet.

“The provincial government of Benguet highly recognizes the role of teachers through their sincere dedication and commitment in nurturing the children, youth and adults,” stated the ordinance.

Gov. Nestor B. Fongwan issued Administrative Order No. 2015-012 organizing the Teachers’ Day committee in the province.

The order installed Dr. Federico P. Martin, OIC- superintendent of the Schools Division of Benguet, as the chairman and Board Member Johnny D. Waguis, chairperson of the committee on education, as vice-chairman.

Committee member Alfonso C. Doriano, president of National Association of Secondary School Heads, Inc. (NAPSSHI-Benguet Chapter) and principal of La Trinidad National High School, said activities included motorcade, free medical check-up, sports competitions, search for most harmonious school, search for outstanding teacher, and bloodletting event by the Philippine Red Cross-Benguet Chapter. -- Augustin A. Dao-anis

Comelec, DFA serve over 850 Nueva Ecija locals

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija – The Commission on Elections registred 270 qualified local voters during the No Bio No Boto campaign and 589 passport applications at SM Megacenter here Sept. 19.

City election officer Leo Navarro said that having the voters registration in the mall provided convenience and security to people and agency personnel.

 “We are took this opportunity having top malls in the city to help us improved our service and give encouragement to all qualified voters to exercise their rights to vote this coming election 2016” Navarro said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs also brought their mobile passporting program together with Local Government Unity of the City.

Mayor Jay Vergara said that locals need to travel to Pampanga or Metro Manila and prepare around 4,000 pesos for everything they need just to apply for a passport.

“Through DFA mobile passporting program they can save money and effort. I don’t expect that this was like a blockbuster movie because of the long lines at the mall event center.” said Vergara. – Sheen Crisologo

Ilocos lady cops trained for disasters

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union – The Ilocos Region has now a group of highly-trained policewomen from Pangasinan, La Union,, Ilocos Norte and Ilcos Sur provinces to respond in times of calamities and emergencies, the PNP reported here last week.

In a statement, regional police office said 42 policewomen of Police Regional Office 1 finished disaster preparedness search and rescue operations training and received their certificates during closing ceremony held at the Concord Building here.

Senior Supt. Reynaldo G. Biay, PRO1’s regional chief of directorial staff, said specialized training for the policewomen was designed to prepare them for disaster response and deployment in search and rescue operations.

Included in the training were drills simulating hypothetical emergency scenarios that require practical application of rescue skills in first aid, basic life support, boat-handling, knot-tying, deployment of life-saving buoys and devices, high-angle rescue, and removal of debris and breeching in collapsed structures.

Meanwhile, Sr. Supt. Marlou C. Chan, deputy director for operations, said PRO1 updating its own enhanced action plan contained in the Letter of Instruction “Saklolo” to satisfy the requirements for disaster preparedness capability of public safety services as provided in Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Reduction and Management Act of 2010.

The training was initiated by Regional Police Community Relations Division of PRO1 headed by Supt. Genaro V. Sapiera as part of the gender and development program.-Myds Supnad

Ifugao gov forms group against illegal drugs

LAGAWE, Ifugao – Gov. Denis Habawel recently organized the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council to help in the campaign against illegal drugs in the province.

Executive Order No. 12 was issued by Habawel in consonance with DILG memorandum C mandating the local government units to create local anti-drug abuse councils to combat drug-addiction.

The council is chaired by the governor with the provincial director of the Philippine National Police as vice-chairman.

Members are representatives from provincial and national office including non-government organization.

The PADAC is  tasked to serve as a focal point through which various organizations and individuals work together cooperatively in the planning, implementation and evaluation of programs on drug abuse prevention.

It will provide for an effective mechanism for the coordination of existing services and program and those which might be developed in the immediate futures; provide for a mechanism to obtain funds, volunteers, facilities and technical expertise and perform other related responsibilities.

The provincial social welfare and development office is assigned as head of the secretariat to handle the administrative and technical activities and undertake liaising and coordination with appropriate agencies of the government and civil society organizations.

Habawel it is better to start preventive measures and not punitive actions  in order to  give chance  to  those involved in drugs to reform and  be assets in the community. -- Marcelo B. Lihgawon

BI sets up Vigan office

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur – Foreign nationals staying in the Ilocos region need not go all the way to Manila to renew their visas after the Bureau of Immigration formally opened its satellite office in this renowned world heritage city. 

BI Commissioner Siegfred B. Mison and Gov. Ryan V. Singson inaugurated the immigration office at the provincial capitol. “The office is now accessible to the foreign nationals in Vigan City and in nearby provinces. In this way we can help them lessen their burden in processing their needed requirements to stay in our country,” said Singson. -- Freddie G. Lazaro

More communities benefit fromBuB projects in Abra

BANGUED, Abra -- More than half of the projects under the government’s Bottom-up Budgeting (BUB)  have been finished and turned over to local government unit beneficiaries in the province.

OIC provincial director Millicent B. Carino of the Department of Interior and Local Government-Abra reported of 52 BuB-funded projects in Abra, 31  have been turned over. 

She said 18 LGUs have fully implemented their BuB projects,  15 ongoing with their implementation while six are about to start.

The LGUs that participated in the BuB projects are Bangued, Boliney, Bucay, Bucloc, Daguioman, Dolores, Lacub, Lagangilang, La Paz, Licuan- Baay, Luba, Malibcong, Pidigan, Pilar,  Sallapadan, San Juan, Tayum, and Tubo.

The BUB is being implemented in partnership with national agencies such as the Departments of Agriculture, Welfare and Development, Environment and Natural Resources, Health, Education, National Irrigation Administration, Trade and Industry and Tourism.

Municipal mayors and project coordinators of LGUs, expressed appreciation of guidelines of implementation because BuB projects give them the freedom to make choices and decisions relative to needs and priorities of project beneficiaries most especially those that chose economic development projects like the LGUs of Pilar and San Juan.   

The same was the case of the infrastructure projects where project locations are carefully considered to benefit more people in the communities but without prejudice to the program of work already prepared to ensure quality of project implementation.

Project beneficiaries appreciated BuB projects implementation scheme since they were consulted before project concepts were prepared and their needs and priorities were taken into consideration. -- Maria Teresa B. Benas

Ilocos Norte ‘houses for the poor’ fund-raising set 

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assisted the local government unit of Dingras in generating funds for the “Pabahay Program” for PantawidPamilya beneficiaries.  The “Pabahay Program” for indigents was conceptualized when 20 poor families in Dingras town were in need safe and sturdy shelters upon the conduct of the DSWD’s Social Welfare Indicators (SWI) in 2013. The SWI is a tool of social welfare agency that assesses the well-being of a family from levels of survival, subsistence, or self sufficiency. Through the initiatives of the Municipal Advisory Council and with the support and assistance from DSWD and other local stakeholders, at least P350,000 was raised for the “Pabahay Program,’ -- Freddie G. Lazaro

Empty Benguet pesticide containers off for recycling

TUBLAY,Benguet -- More than two metric tons of empty pesticide containers collected by the pesticide industry from Benguet farmers were  recently brought to Manila for proper recycling and disposal at Department of Environment and Natural Resources-accredited facilities.

Provincial Board member Florence Tingbaoen, chairman of Benguet Provincial Board’s committee on agriculture, witnessed send-off from this vegetable producing town.

A little more than half of the 4.2 metric tons of the collected triple-washed pesticide containers could be accommodated in the gigantic DENR  accredited ten-wheeled transporter from the Joechem Environmental Corp engaged by the industry-led sponsors.

A second trip for the remaining empties is planned in the next few weeks.  

The  more than 100,000 individual empty containers that would have ended up spoiling the Benguet countryside were collected from  farmers during the two raffle promos conducted by the local pesticide industry in the province: “Mag-Triple Rinse at Manalo!” and its current “TulongsaPagsasaka, TulongsaKapaligiran!” where Benguet farmers exchange their triple-rinsed empties for tickets to the raffles.

Recyclable materials from the empties will be refashioned into new materials that will have very limited contact with humans, as entered into agreement with the facilities based in Metro Manila.

The Triple–Rinse program is pursuant to the Provincial Ordinance 11-150 of Benguet, known as the "Empty Pesticide Container Management Ordinance". This encourages rinsing of empty pesticide bottles for three times and using the water as a spray for agricultural produce again. -- Joseph Zambrano

Itogon sets yearly Palarong Bayan

ITOGON, Benguet -- Itogon officials institutionalized Palarong Bayan for sports competitions in the town in response to petition filed by residents and the youth.

A municipal ordinance provided conduct of Palarong Bayan in Itogon every month of May for sports competitions  to inculcate spirit of sportsmanship, excellence and consciousness. 

As provided in the Local Government Code, the Palarong Bayan  that will be conducted in coordination with the Department of Education annually will  feature traditional sports and discipline such as those included in national and international competitions.

Itogon residents and youth earlier made petition urging municipal officials for annual holding of an inter-barangay sports fest. 

The petition said tis will foster young people’s physical, intellectual, emotional, and social growth. 

The measure which was referred to the committee on sports and youth development in the provincial board was given favorable review. --Susan C. Aro

FDA requires ‘botikang barangay’ license to operate

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The Food and Drug Administration has ordered drug establishments including Botikang Barangay and its variants to comply with new requirements for the application for regular license to operate (LTO).

This is in line with new rules and regulations on licensing of establishments classified as drugstore/pharmacy, Judith Louise Daoas of the Department of Health provincial office here said.

“All existing BnBs in the province will no longer be renewed, instead, they shall secure an LTO either as a regular drug store or retail outlet for non-prescription drugs,” she said.

All non-functional, non-compliant, voluntarily closing BnBs shall return the seed capital to the DOH regional office.

BnBs that continue to function are required to process their applications immediately and may still continue their operations as BnBs until the release of the LTO (official receipt from the FDA may serve as a proof of their application).

All BnBs that decide to convert to a retail on non-prescription drug were given until July 30 to sell their remaining prescription drugs under the BnB program.

In the province, there were 113 BnBs established in the 10 municipalities which subsidized by the DOH by providing them medicines worth P12,500 to P25,000 as seed capital.

Dr. Virginia Fagsao of the provincial DOH office said as of June 30, , there were 34 BnBs in the province that submitted seed capital with certification  from their respective punong barangays  that BnB in  their  areas of jurisdiction  are  no longer operating. – Juliet B. Saley

Tabuk, Batac cities ink sisterhood pact

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- Tabuk City and Batac City of Ilocos Norte are  now sister cities. Monsoon rains did not hamper recent simple ceremony here that tied the bond between the new sister cities.

The two are part of the batch of “16 new cities” that obtained cityhood after  a Supreme Court  ruling on June 28, 2011.

Batac City Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta led a 30-man party of elected officials and department heads to the pact signing.

They were warmly welcomed by Tabuk City leaders and officials headed by Mayor Ferdinand B. Tubban.

As contained in the pact, the two agreed to foster mutual interest in the areas of market expansion for local products, promotion of tourism, marketing and exchange visits, technology transfer for livelihood development, culture and arts promotion and opening links between state universities of both cities to advance academic aims.

As new cities, Batac and Tabuk are open to sharing together their urban plans based on the common agenda of protecting the environment and increasing opportunities on economic and social growths.

“Whatever is it that works for good to one should be shared to the other”, the two mayors stressed. – Larry Lopez

Negosyo Center opens in Ifugao

LAGAWE, Ifugao -- A Negosyo Center was opened here  recently by the Department of Trade and Industry to boost development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the province.

The launching of the NC at DTI office here was attended by DTI provincial and regional officials and employees, enterprisers and other stake holders.

St. Magdalene Parish priest Andrew Claver led the blessing of the center .Mimosa Regis of  DTI regional office, said  establishment  of  Negosyo Centers   is in compliance with Republic Act 10644 otherwise known as the “Go Negosyo Act”.

Regis said center in Lagawe town  is one of the seven Negosyo Centers to be launched in the Cordillera region this year and  part  of the 100 centers targeted by the DTI central office for 2015.

DTI – Ifugao director Valentin Baguidudol said NCs promote  ease of doing business and access to services for MSMEs.

In his message read by Constancia Baccay, Rep. Teddy Baguilat, Jr. said that Go Negosyo Act is one of the best things to happen to inventive, resourceful and enterprising Filipinos who have not been fortunate enough to have the necessary support to see their vision come to fruition.

League of Mayors of the Philippines Ifugao chapter president Banaue Mayor Jerry Dalipog committed support for the success of the negosyo center. – Marcelo B. Lihgawon

‘Doctors to the barrios’ program serves Ifugaos

LAGAWE, Ifugao -- A health program of the provincial government served more than 10,000 individuals first semester this year through medical consultations.

The “Handog Kalusugan sa Ifugao” has provided services to 10,521 people under the Doctors to the  Barrios program through medical consultations in 115 barangays in the province from January to July 2015.

Among the 11 municipalities, Tinoc had highest beneficiaries with 1,939 followed by Banaue – 1,614; Mayoyao – 1,212; Asipulo – 1,044; Lamut – 837; Kiangan – 813; Aguinaldo – 802; Hungduan – 737; Hingyon – 614; Lagawe – 484 and Alfonso Lista with 425.

The services were provided with the support of local health care givers and officials.

The “Handog Kalusugan sa Ifugao: Doctors to the Barrios ” a local  initiative under the leadership of Governor Denis Habawel since 2013, is supported by the SN Aboitiz Power.  It primarily aims  to fill in the gaps between health services of the hospitals and the rural health units, and to build up a data base of common illnesses to guide future interventions. -- Marcelo B. Lihgawon

Red Cross gives 174 families relief assistance

BONTOC, Mountain Province- Staff and volunteers of Philippine Red Cross (PRC) in the province are now giving relief assistance to victims affected by Typhoon Ineng.

Officer in charge Veronica Tactay of Red Cross- Mountain Province Chapter said  174 families in the province were given relief assistance by the PRC.

Of the total recipients, 47 families or 200 individuals were in Barangay Guinzadan Central, 15 families or 81 individuals were in SitioLetang, Barangay Tapapan and 11 families or 62 individuals are in Sitio Soysoyoc, Tapapan, all in municipality of Bauko.

Also, 25 families or 106 individuals from Barangays Busa, Camatagan, Poblacion, Losad, Namatec and Bun-ayan, all in Sabangan and 18 families or 82 individuals in Barangay Gonogon, Bontoc were given relief assistance. In Tadian, 43 families from Barangay Masla, 15 families from Barangay Batayan, and students from Masla Elementary School and Masla National High School were reached out by PRC. 

Last week, Red Cross- Mountain Province Chapter distributed non-food-items consisting of two mats, two mosquito nets, tarpaulin and one jerry can or water container per family.  Also, family pack and hygiene kits were given each family. The family pack contains five kilos of rice, four noodles and four canned goods while the hygiene kits are five pieces of towels, one nail cutter, one big size hair shampoo, one big size tooth paste, five pieces tooth brush, five pieces combs, two rolls of tissue paper, detergent bar, five pieces of bath soap, cotton buds, sanitary napkin and two shavers.

Along with this, Project Officer KenshaGardingan of the Health Services demonstrated proper hand washing to the beneficiaries while Nation Field Representative RiztyDogcio assessed the damages brought by the typhoon to the victims. Both were from the PRC –National Headquarters. -- Alpine L. Killa

Benguet to avail of support under Rural Dev’t Program

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet --  Gov. Nestor Fongwan  sought support of the provincial board in crafting a resolution affirming the provincial government’s participation to the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) to  enhance agriculture and fisheries sectors in the province.

Fongwan also urged the board for passage of appropriation ordinance  for the provincial government’s share to fund the proposal of the Benguet Arabica Coffee Enterprise anchored in one of components of PRDP.

Under the program,  participating local government unit  has to provide a counterpart for  a   project component.

The PRDP under the Department of Agriculture aims to increase the agricultural and fishery productivity and incomes of small farmers and fisherfolk through the establishment of needed infrastructure such as farm-to-market roads (FMRs), bridges, communal irrigation systems (CIS), and potable water systems, among others.

Provincial Agriculturist Lolita Bentres said nine group members belonging to the Benguet Arabica Coffee Enterprise proposed a P13 million project to boost the coffee industry of the province under the I –REAP.  The Benguet Arabica Coffee Enterprise affiliate group members are  from Kibungan,  Atok,La Trinidad, Sablan,Tuba, Tublay, Bakun, and Kapangan..

I REAP which is PRDP’s enterprise development component aims to strengthen and develop viable agri-fishery based enterprises through efficient value chains of key agricultural and fishery products in targeted project areas by providing technical, financial and infrastructure support.

Bentres said for the project proposal of the coffee enterprise,  P3 million will be the counterpart of DA while the remaining will be shared among the affiliate groups and with counterpart from the provincial government.

The national government obtained a loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development - World Bank amounting to US$501.25 million to finance the PRDP to support the government’s effort to reduce poverty in rural communities in the 81 provinces of the country.

 Should the province be included in the PRD program, Bentres said it could also avail support in the other project components such as I-PLAN for local and national planning, I-BUILD for infrastructure development and  I-SUPPORT for project implementation support. -- Susan C. Aro

Free wheelchairs to persons with disabilities

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Twenty persons with disabilities (PWDs) were given free wheelchairs by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) in partnership with the Rotary Club Sampaguita Grace Park.

Gov. Leonard G. Mayaen chair of board of directors with officer in charge Veronica Tactay of Red Cross- Mountain Province Chapter, Bontoc Mayor Franklin C. Odsdey, and members of the BOD handed over the 20 wheelchairs to the families and relatives of the recipients.

She said  the happiness of helping those in need is immeasurable. “We are very happy that to help the most vulnerable even in remote areas in Mountain Province,” Tactay said. 

Out of 20 beneficiaries, nine were from Bontoc, seven from Natonin and four  from Sadanga. Tactay added the province was lucky to get 20 wheelchairs as this was given on first come, first served basis.

She said identification of beneficiaries was in partnership with the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) and Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) which provided the lists of beneficiaries together with the documents required that was forwarded by the Red Cross- Mountain Province Chapter to the PRC- National Headquarters. 

The requirements are request letter addressed to the PRC secretary general, certificate of indigence, medical certificate, and a case study.

Mayaen thanked the Red Cross as partner of the government in helping those in need of services and assistance. With the wheelchairs provided to the recipients, it will help them continue earn a living for themselves and their families. -- Alpine L. Killa