NEWS BRIEFS

Kabayan leaves 4 dead

The number of fatalities from Typhoon Kabayan has risen to four while 26 fishermen remain missing, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

The latest fatality was identified as drowning victim Gilbert Lopez, 35, a resident of Barangay Gaya-Gaya in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.  

T he other fatalities were residents of Nueva Ecija, Aurora and Pangasinan.

OCD-Ilocos chief Melchito Castro said 191 of the 217 fishermen reported missing in Pangasinan have been rescued by personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy and their civilian maritime partners.

At least 32 fishing boats and seven other vessels capsized at the height of Kabayan last week.

The National Risk Reduction and Management Council said Kabayan also damaged 131 houses and affected 4,565 families or 22,368 individuals in La Union, Aurora, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija and Zambales.

Initial reports showed P1.1 million worth of crops were damaged in Pangasinan and Aurora.

   

Seniors take over Baguio City gov’t

BAGUIO CITY — Government officials of the city Monday yielded their offices and the performance of their functions to the elders in the city who will sit as Senior Citizen Officials for a Day (SCOFAD) in celebration of the elderly month this October with the theme “Igalang ang  Karapatan ng mga Nakakatanda.”  City Ordinance No. 57-2009 gave elders, especially those who have not been in government offices, the opportunity to experience being a government official for a day. Former city councilor Narciso Padilla took over as city mayor in place of mayor Mauricio Domogan for the day.

Calamity jobs set for 550 Ilocos typhoon victims

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte — At least 550 workers from areas worst hit by flooding wrought of typhoon “Ineng” and the “Habagat” (southwest monsoon) will benefit from the emergency employment program of the Department of Labor and Employment-Regional Office 1. DOLE Region 1 Director Grace Ursua said last week the labor agency has readied P1.88 million to cover the wages, personal protective equipment and micro insurance of the workers who will be hired for 10 or 15 days to help in the rehabilitation, clearing and cleaning of their communities in Dingras, Pagudpud, Piddig, Solsona, Paoay and Laoag City in Ilocos Norte; Caoayan and Santa in Ilocos Sur; and Luna, San Juan, and Bacnotan in La Union. -- Freddie G. Lazaro

Angeles sheds ‘sin city’ image

ANGELES CITY – With a reputation built from meeting the “rest and recreation” needs of Americans it used to host at the former US Air Force base, this city is finally shedding its “sin city” image, Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan said Monday.

Pamintuan issued the statement after Angeles bagged recently the Pearl Awards given by the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines and Department of Tourism (DOT).

 The contest, which aims to promote better tourism practices of local government units, capped the three-day tourism event hosted by Davao City and DOT in Davao region on Oct. 3.

The award was based on Angeles’ entry, a documentary titled “Revitalizing Heritage in Angeles City,” which detailed the government’s partnership with the community and their efforts to protect, preserve and develop the city’s heritage zone in Barangay Sto. Rosario. -- Ding Cervantes

Omega showcases ‘Can |Tuna’ at Tam-awan Village

BAGUIO CITY – Manila-based group Omega is now showcasing “Can Tuna” at the Tam-Awan Village Gallery which will run until November 6. The exhibit features the works of 14 artists, each bringing to the show their individual styles in exploring their chosen media. Omega started as a student art group from the University of the Philippines (UP)-Diliman who annually go to Baguio City each year to share their art. The group opens its doors to promising new artists every October to share in the unique relationship between Manila and Baguio artists.

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 SitioSoysoyoc, 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

Behavior management training for children with exceptional needs

BAGUIO CITY -- A Child's DREAM Foundation, Inc., Baguio's first therapy center for children with exceptional needs, invite parents, teachers, students, and caregivers to “Behavior Management Training for Children with Exceptional Needs” on Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at Baguio Pines City Lions Club, Gov. Pack Road.  Speaker is Anne Marie Dimalanta, developmental interventionist/education specialist, with 20 years teaching experience in New York. Registration fee is P500.00.  Anne Marie Dimalanta is a Master of Science in Education Administration graduate of St. John's University, New York, and a Master of Science in Family Life and Child Development graduate of the University of the Philippines in Diliman.Register at 446-6121 or +63 917 550 2511. Visit website: http://achildsdream.ph/ and Facebook page:  achildsdreamfoundation. 

SSS opens employment for Central Luzon folks

TARLAC CITY, Tarlac — Social Security System (SSS) Central Luzon is currently in need of service representatives and clerks to beef up its operations in Central Luzon region. “It is open to all Filipino citizens below 60 years old who are holders of a bachelor’s degree and board passer or Civil Service Commission professional level eligible,” said SSS Regional Information Officer Maureen Inocencio. -- Mar T. Supnad

NGCP energizes b230kv Ilocos line

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte –The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines  (NGCP) has energized its new San Esteban – Laoag 230-kiloVolt (kv) line as part of its commitment to fast-track projects that will expand the transmission line’s capacity.

NGCP’s North Luzon Public Affairs Officer Lilibeth P. Gaydowen said the line was energized at 7:02 pm. on Sept. 29.

The line is a component of the San Esteban Laoag Transmission Project which aims to improve the reliability of power services to the Ilocos region, presently being supplied by a single transmission line rated at 115 kv.

The whole project involves the construction of a 230-kv double-circuit line spanning 108 kilometers from San Esteban Sub-station in Ilocos Sur to Laoag Sub-station in Ilocos Norte to transmit the power generated from the wind power plants in the area.

This project is also expected to strengthen the transmission corridor in the Ilocos area and at the same time comply with the single outage or N-1 contingency criterion required under the Philippine Grid Code.

“With this upgrade, our lines will be better equipped to transmit the available capacity from the renewable, as well as conventional, energy sources to the rest of the Luzon grid customers,” NGCP said. -- Freddie G. Lazaro

Pampanga Dayaw fest arrangements ongoing

MALOLOS CITY -- Organizers of the “Dayaw Festival 2015” said Wednesday they are finalizing preparations and other arrangements, including security measures for the three-day celebration in Pampanga.  The annual event is expected to gather thousands of local folk, mostly indigenous people including government employees from different areas all over the country. “It is in line with the celebration of National IP Month every October that seeks to highlight the importance and richness of indigenous cultures. -- Franco G. Regala

5 Pangasinan towns to enjoy free wi-fi

DAGUPAN CITY – Five Pangasinan towns will soon enjoy free wi-fi through the “Juan Konek” program of the Department of Science and Technology.              

Director Cheryl Ortega of the DOST-Information  and Communications Technology office said the free wi-fi connection would be initially installed in select schools and public places in San Jacinto, Laoac, Sta. Maria, Tayug and Natividad, as well as in this city.

The free wi-fi is in response to the implementation of the television white space technology, a report from the Philippine Information Agency said.

Ortega said the program aims to enhance the Internet accessibility of the Filipinos and accelerate economic, social and education opportunities.

The project will cover all 3rd to 6th class municipalities nationwide with a P1.4 billion fund.

The free wi-fi connections will be installed in public libraries, schools, plazas, town halls, government hospitals and rural health units.        

Angeles eyes new teachers’ benefit

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga — Councilor Carmelo Lazatin, Jr. is supporting the move to has filed as proposed measure granting a “non-wage” benefit to all public school teachers here in the form of 100-percent free education at the City College of Angeles (CCA) for one child. Lazatin explained that the ordinance will apply to public school teachers who are either presently teaching in the elementary, secondary, or college levels or already retired from service. -- Franco G. Regala

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  fromKibungan,  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  fromSadanga. 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