NEWS BITS

 New Benguet agri trading center reaches out to farmers

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The multi-million peso Benguet Agri Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) unveiled last month to boost farmers’ productivity and income and to extend professional marketing services is not generating the expected interest from intended beneficiaries.

BAPTC managing director ArdanCopas  said the facility is aimed to extend assistance to farmers in terms of  increased profitability, improved product quality and marketing services.

“It’s not quite easy, although we already have at least 40 farmer cooperatives as accredited members, and scores of individual farmers, some are still skeptical on the manual of operations of the facility, especially some traders who think of negative effects on their market trade,” Copas said.

Rules on emergency tree cutting permits set

BAGUIO CITY  - Mayor Mauricio Domogan has clarified emergency tree cutting permits which his office issues to avert physical harm and damage to property. 

“Residents may apply for an emergency tree cutting permit if the tree is posing imminent danger to lives and property,” Domogan said. “This is the only instance where we can issue an emergency tree cutting permit. He said his office cannot issue a permit if the tree poses no danger but personnel will conduct an investigation.

The request is then endorsed to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for them to issue the necessary tree cutting permit.

The procedure is done in order that applicants for tree cutting permits seek clearance with the DENR and comply with requirements set by the agency.

Some of the requirements for private property owners include, land title, project description, building permits, zoning clearances, clearance from the City environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) and clearance from the barangay of no objection and other pertinent documents.

Aside from these requirements, the applicant will have to replace the trees to be cut.

The mayor said there will be no issuance of tree cutting permit in his office if the same is not posing any danger to life or property. “The tree cutting permits issued are for trees that cause imminent danger, it is verified and investigated by personnel before approval.”

The mayor said there are dead trees causing danger which need prompt and immediate action to spare the public from untoward incidents.

The mayor has tasked the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) to inventory such trees for its immediate removal. -- Paul Rillorta

Buguias tops division math-science events

ITOGON, Benguet – Agricultural landlocked Buguias municipality was first place in Strategic Intervention Material (SIM) making contest (teachers’ category) during the recent Division Mathematics and Science Festival at Alejo M. Pacalso Memorial National High School, Bua, Tuding, in this gold-rich town. La Trinidad town settled for second place; thus, leaving the third and fourth places to Tublay and Bokod respectively.

Said open category contest was participated in by both Math and Science elementary teachers from throughout the province.

SIM is an intervention material to address the least learned competencies of learners in the core academic subjects.

Moresto Angyatao, a teacher from Buguias, explained that most of the Buguias teachers submitted their entries from grades three to grade six especially in Science category. Other districts only submitted one or no entry at all in both Math and Science categories.

Wilfredo C. Bagsao, education supervisor for Mathematics, and Dr. Mila T. Caliging, education supervisor for Science, acted as chairpersons in the said annual festival.-- Mercedes S. Catacutan

CSC recalls appointment of Sagada tourism officer

SAGADA, Mountain Province -- A case for grave dishonesty was filed by the Civil Service Commission against Robert Pangod, municipal tourism officer who recalled his appointment given by Sagada Mayor Eduardo Latawan.

A ruling by the regional CSC October this year found Pangod did not graduate when he applied for the position and  appointed by the appointing officer in 2014.

Pangod reportedly filed his application March 2014 indicating that he is a graduate of  Baguio Central University.  Certification from BCU as of May 2014 however indicated that he did not graduate with 12 lacking units to complete the degree.

Completion of the bachelor's course enables one to comply with the minimum requirements of the position of a tourism officer to be accepted as an applicant and determined by the Personnel Selection Board  with the guidance of  the local Human Resource Management Office  of the LGU.

With this, the position of senior tourism officer was opened for application by the local government unit of Sagada.  Those interested were urged to submit letters of application to Human Resource Management Office on or before Nov. 16.

In a notice published by the HRMO of the Sagada LGU and in accordance with Civil Service Commission  rules, minimum requirements for the position of a senior tourism officer Grade 18 include completion of a bachelor’s degree. -- Gina Dizon

Diskwento Caravan set Nov. 20, 21, 22

BAGUIO CITY – A “diskwento” caravan focused on post-Lando typhoon recovery efforts, through private-public and local government partnership, is scheduled on Nov. 20, 21 and 22 here at  Baguio Convention Center.

In a press conference with Market, Trade and Commerce chair Councilor Elaine Sembrano, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) representative Carla Noble, Baguio and La Trinidad-based retailers and business people, it was announced that quality basic and prime commodities are offered at discounted prices for three days.

Small and medium entrepreneurs, cooperatives and sari-sari store owners were urged to take advantage of the event and buy exclusive packaged or bundled products at a lesser price. 

Consumer rights, as part of Consumer Welfare Month; including consumer education, welfare awareness, entrepreneurship are also part of the activity, it was known from business representatives of Banco de Oro, Tiongsan Harrison and La Trinidad, Nestle Philippines, Granville and Unilever. In Benguet province, sponsors include Rising Sun and other business establishments.

The use of alternatives instead of plastics as packing materials was also advocated in the activity.

With the caravan, the public can maximize limited budget to purchase basic products, the retailers said, with the more than a hundred manufacturers, suppliers and distributors in the venue.

Up to fifty percent discount, bundled pack, product trials and sampling, product demonstration and education, games and raffles, entertainment is expected during the activity.

As the annual activity, the fifth since 2011, is done in coordination with the LGU’s Local Price Coordinating Council and the Public Employment Service Office, there were several employees hired in the process.

A seminar on “Professionalizing Sari-sari store operations,” shall also be conducted on Nov. 21 as part of the activity. – Julie G. Fianza       

62nd annual national mine safety and environment week

BAGUIO CITY  -  The Philippine Mine Safety and environment Association (PMSEA), in partnership with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, and associate groups will hold its 62nd Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Week here in this mountain resort with the theme “62 Years of Responsible Mining . . . United in Creating Relevant Development for Inclusive Growth”.

 Hence, the city council recently passed Resolution Numbered 232 declaring November 15 to 21, 2015 as the 62nd Annual National Mine Safety and Environment Week in the city of pines.

The resolution stated, “one of the projects of the association is the Safety Networking Action Program (SNAP), which provides an integral approach to prevention, preparedness, and emergency response to natural and man-made emergencies in support to the national government’s disaster and coordination program”.

The city government here will suspend the number coding scheme to exempt all participants in the said event during the period so as to allow the PMSEA delegates and their families to enjoy their visit and stay in the summer capital of the Philippines as they will contribute in enhancing the promotion of the blooming local tourism industry.

PMSEA is an organization of mining companies and advocates occupational safety and health and environmental hazards of mining and its related operations.  -- JhoArranz 

Faithful mark centennial of Holy Bible in Pangasinan

By JojoRinoza

Lingayen, Pangasinan — Pangasinenses celebrated with the Philippine Bible Society (PBS) the Centennial of the Pangasinan Bible Nov. 7 at the Sison Auditorium, here.

The event marked the 100th anniversary of the version of the Holy Bible translated into the Pangasinan dialect as well as the 116th anniversary of the establishment of the PBS, which launched its campaign, “May Be the One” that aims to put a Bible in every home.

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), and retired Chief Justice Reynato Puno, president and chairman of the PBS, led the ceremonies, along with Bishop of Laoag Renato Mayugba and Archbishop of Nueva Segovia (Ilocos Sur) Marlo Peralta.

Dr. Nora G. Lucero, PBS general secretary, said the first translated Bible book in the Philippines was in 1887 titled “Say Masantosa Evangelio Nacataoan tin Jesu-Cristo edonuñgnadinemuetnen San Lucas (The Gospel of Luke) in the Pangasinan dialect.

In 1908, the New Testament was translated in Pangasinan – “Say Balon Sipanodino El Nuevo Testamento nen catawan tan manangilaban tayo a si Jesu Cristo.

But it was only in 1915 that the translation of the Old and New Testaments into the Pangasinan Bible was completed in the “Say Santa Biblia a niluganan nasaray masagrado a Libroed Daan tan BalonSipan,” said Lucero.

In 1977, the first and only interconfessional and meaning-based New Testament was made – “Maung a Balita Para Sayon PanoonTayo”, which was then led by Fr. Angel Resultay and with the only living translator in this day, Pastor Rev. Moises Guarin.

The “Maung a Balita Biblia” was introduced in 1983 and has since remained the only interconfessionalPangasinan Bible used until today.

Garin, who is now 78 years old and now suffering from memory loss, was given recognition together with the families of other translators at Saturday’s celebration.

Assisted by his wife, Carmelita, Guarin went up on stage to receive a special citation from the PBS and the CBCP.

Carmelita said her husband’s work as a translator was a blessing to their family. “We gave him full support while he is fulfilling his job, we never bother him and always attends to whatever he needs,” she said.

Sagada  student writers club formed

SAGADA, Mountain Province -- Student writers from secondary schools of this municipality elected their officers and named their organization Ganduyan Young Writers Circle.

One objective of GYWC was to prepare young writers for division press conference to be held December this year.

Participants from St. Mary School, Sagada National High School and  Bangaan National High School  identified other topics  for training this  November  before the division press conference shall  be held including  broadcasting.

Other secondary school writers from  high schools  Ankileng, Balugan and Antadao were urged to join the training this  Nov. 21 and  join the organization.

The training-workshop sponsored by the social concerns committee of the Church of St Mary the Virgin  was delivered by SCCom members  and  writers  Alma Bawing-Bagano, Celia Penaflor and  this writer who shared tips on news writing, feature writing and photojournalism.— Gina Dizon

Pangasinan cited for fishery program

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The provincial government received another award from the national government for its contribution to the fishery development, protection and conservation.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources conferred Gawad Pasasalamat sa mga Kabalikat sa Pangisdaan 2015 award on the provincial government during last Monday’s flag-raising ceremony at the capitol grounds.

BFAR regional director NestroDomenden said Pangasinan is among the provinces that lead in fish production.

Domenden said last year, the province’s fish production hit 87.7 percent.

The agency cited the provincial government’s coastal resources education program.

Gov. Amado Espino Jr. thanked the BFAR for recognizing the program, which aims to develop the fishing sector in coastal areas. – Cesar Ramirez

Mountain Province weavers attend Iloilo study mission

BONTOC, Mountain Province - Some 18 weavers and weaving entrepreneurs from Mountain Province recently attended a two-day local study mission in Iloilo City. Planning Officer IV Brenda R. Tabbang who is also a member of the Provincial Micro Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council said the activity aimed to improve productivity and efficiency of weaving sector in the province for them to be competitive. 

She added participants  established market linkages, familiarized themselves on the use of sewing machine accessories, explored other materials that could match with their  woven products and developed new products through the infusion of other materials aside from woven cloth.

Tabbang said participants had a first-hand experience on how the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) particularly the weaving sector in Iloilo City produce their woven products.  These included how the woven products were sawn with the use of proper sewing machine, production of woven rags into useful products such as foot rags and souvenir items, and interaction with the weavers in Iloilo City.

Participants visited establishment of sewing machines in Iloilo City. The proprietor lectured on kinds of sewing machines and accessories to be used in different kinds of fabric, and demonstrated how their woven product is sewn into a dress. The participants were also challenged to try new product line and be receptive to new trends.

The study mission was funded and headed by the Provincial Government and Department of Trade and Industry – Mountain Province in coordination with DTI- Iloilo City. -- Alpine L. Killa

BSU dominates colleges’ culture, arts festival tilt

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Benguet State University (BSU) yet again emerged as the over-all champion in the recently concluded Cordillera Administrative Region Association of State Universities and Colleges (CARASUC) Regional Culture and the Arts Festival held at Mountain Province State Polytechnic College (MPSPC) last Oct. 25-27.

With their 137 points BSU brought home the bacon winning gold in the on-the-spot painting, choral singing, instrumental solo, hip hop dance, essay writing and short and sweet plays. Also in the pageant night held at the Eyeb Gym, Mr. BSU Istvan Joe S. Quiamco, an engineering student of BSU College of Engineering and Applied Technology (CEAT) was crowned as Mr. CARASUC 2015.

Quiamco along with his partner miss CARASUC 2015 Sarah Sta. Ana of MPSPC will be representing the region in the National State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) Games in Cebu City this coming 2016.

Dr. Norma Mayos BSU’s Center for Culture and the Arts (CCA) extended  outmost gratitude to the host MPSPC.

Sitting as over-all second place is MPSPC after scoring 132 points as they secured gold in quiz bowl, charcoal drawing, indigenous dance, radio drama and live band. At third place, isAbra State Institute of Sciences and Technology (ASIST) who was able to bagged golds in vocal solo, contemporary dance, pop solo and vocal duet. Landing at fourth place is Apayao State College with its lone gold in folk dance. Ifugao State University got three golds in extemporaneous speaking, storytelling and pagkukwento and stayed in fifth place while the Kalinga-Apayao State College fared well in pagsulat ng sanaysay and dagliang talumpati and landed in sixth place.

Winners now have less than a month to prepare as they will once again be competing, this time as representatives of Cordillera in the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) National Culture and the Arts Festival on November 29-December 2, 2015 at the Bicol University in Legazpi City, Albay. -- Sara Axelrod

Greenpeace gives seeds to Benguet farmers

TUBLAY, Benguet – Greenpeace, with its partners, gave seeds to farmers here last week to help farming communities recover from impact of Typhoon Lando (international name Koppu). 

More than 200 farmers received seeds, in the event organized with Cordillera Organic Producers Association and students from Benguet State University and Saint Louis University. Farmers were supplied with temperate organic vegetable seeds, vermicast, bokashi fertilizer, and organic concoctions to help them replant crops hit by Typhoon Lando.

 “Our nation’s farmers face many problems, from poverty issues, non-existent health benefits, to a lack of government support. Climate change has also taken a toll, rendering farmers even more vulnerable as we have seen with Lando and other previous typhoons,” said Virginia Llorin, Food and Ecological Agriculture Campaigner of Greenpeace Philippines.

 “Farmers need help and like the seed response we carried out for farmers in Dolores, Samar after Typhoon Ruby, we immediately tapped into our ecological agriculture network to help us pool the resources needed for the farmers in Benguet.”

 Lando, the worst typhoon to hit the country this year according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, caused a total of P9.8 billion in damage to central, northern and southern Luzon, with P8.6 billion damage attributed to agriculture  

The response package was sourced from various groups including the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry, Kahariam Organic Farm, Cosmic Farm and an ecological agriculture farmer from Gerona, Tarlac.   

Experts from the Rice Watch Action Network (R1), a network of non-government organizations promoting sustainable farming, fair trade, and community resilliency, also advised farmers on the impacts of El Nino and increasingly frequent and stronger typhoons in agriculture. Benguet farmers were also taught ways to diversify their farms and increase their livelihood opportunities through organic fertilizer production and raising organic livestock.

"We are very excited and we feel fortunate to join this activity because we will learn more about ecological agriculture,” said Jaya Marsan, a student of Benguet State University and one of the #IAmHampasLupa youth who participated in the seed response. “We believe that ecological agriculture can help our farmers become climate resilient, and this seed response is one important step towards promoting ecological agriculture in Benguet."

Greenpeace is calling for improved investments in agriculture to boost the resiliency of the nation’s farming system. The government should focus on programs that will enhance the capacity of farmers, empowering them to become self-sufficient. There is also a need to formulate and implement a comprehensive food policy that will resolve agricultural inadequacies and guide adaptation to climate change.

“Our farmers should have access to climate resilient farming practices to prevent future losses due to extreme weather events such as Typhoon Lando. The seed delivery and skillshare that we helped conduct are vital steps toward that. We are confident the #IamHampasLupa youths who participated in the seed response will become ecological agriculture practitioners who will carry our torch in the future,” Llorin added.