NEWS BRIEFS

 LTO collects P16 million in Kalinga

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The Land Transportation-Kalinga’s collection reached P16 million, overshooting its 2015 target by about  P3 million.

In her collection performance report, Provincial Land Transportation Officer Jenelyn Angog said as of Nov. 30, the agency collected P16, 093,145. Collection on September was P13, 993,145. The 2015 target collection was P13 million.

Angog attributed the agency’s collection performance to LTO’s continuing program in scaling-up its services on registration of vehicles, issuances of driver’s license and processing of other vehicle documents.

LTO provincial stations had installed on-line systems that cut the “turn-around” time in the processing of transactions.

Angog also credited the performance to the agency’s continuing education drive and increased law enforcement operation. – Larry T. Lopez  

Baguio, BCDA to check Country Club school site

BAGUIO CITY – The City government, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority and the Department of Public Works and highways during a special meeting here agreed to put on hold bidding for construction of the Country Club School and conduct first a joint soil evaluation in the area.

The bidding for the school building was earlier set Dec. 10, but Mayor Mauricio Domogan reiterated his stand to first conduct a joint soil evaluation before any construction can be undertaken.

The city government earlier identified a 8,500 square meter lot in Country Club Village as site for a new school to accommodate school children in area with an initial fund of P2 million for its construction.

The basketball court area was however recommended by BCDA and John Hay Management Corp. (JHMC) for the construction of the school stating the proposed site identified by the city was landslide-prone as per a certification from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

Domogan raised two questions as far as the identified school site was concerned which can only be answered by conducting a joint evaluation on the area.

This included assessing if the entire 8,500 square meter area is slide prone and the possibility of introducing engineering interventions to make the area safe.

Temporary classrooms were built to house the displaced school children at the covered court in the barangay agreed upon by the city government, Dept. of Education and barangay officials including JHMC head Jaime Agbayani. -- Paul Rillorta 

Pampanga produces 556 skilled graduates

LUBAO, Pampanga — A total of 556 students who graduated Wednesday from the Lubao Training Center (LTC) can now look forward to better work pays as they are armed with the skills needed for better future, Gov. Lilia G. Pineda said.

Pineda led the ceremony that was held at the Lubao Sports Complex. She also distributed the certificates to the graduates.

The students underwent different rigid training courses provided by the municipality of Lubao in partnership with the Pampanga Provincial Manpower Training Center (PMTC) from January to November of this year.

The 556 graduates include 64 students on computer hardware servicing, 58 on electrical installation and maintenance, 14 on flower arrangement, 7 on consumer electronics, 63 on automotive servicing, and 13 on heavy equipment operation, among others. – Franco Regala

Baguio braces for influx of taxpayers

BAGUIO CITY – The city government through the city treasury office prepares for the influx of taxpayers beginning January 4, 2016 by fine-tuning the systems and procedures involved in facilitating payments for new and renewal of business permits as well as of real property and other taxes.

The office began receiving applications for payment as early as November to expedite the initial clearances required.  The bulk of the taxpayers will flock to City Hall from January to March.

City treasurer Alicia Onoza said that as in the past years, taxpayers who will settle their revenue obligations early will receive incentives like discounts and “roleta” and raffle prizes.

Assistant city treasurer Alex Cabarrubias spelled out the process of renewing business permits.

He said taxpayers should proceed to the one-stop shop section to claim printed 2016 assessment.  Owners must issue an authority to their representatives while messengers or bookkeepers must submit a list of clients and authority or special power of attorney from the owners to the business tax filing division and claim the assessment the following day.

Those without printed 2016 assessment or if assessment has issues, applicants can proceed to the business tax assessors for resolution or printing.  All unresolved issued will be referred to the city treasurer.

Once assessment is finished, the applicants may pay the taxes and fees to the tellers by showing first official receipts for residential garbage or if not, the garbage fee will be included in the assessment.

The next step will be the payment of fire code fees to the Bureau of Fire Protection tellers then process to the permits and licensing office to claim business permit and/or business plate upon submission of the following: barangay, health, fire clearances, market clearance if business is in the market and real property tax clearance if prompted by the system.

For new businesses, applicants must proceed to the licensing office and fill up the application form which will be forwarded simultaneously to the following offices for processing: city planning office, fire department, city environment office, city health office, city building and architecture office, campaign and investigation or the city treasury office.

Upon clearance of the said offices, the applicants must proceed to the one-stop shop for the assessment, payment of taxes and fees and finally go back to the licensing office to claim business permit.

Inquiries on the status of applications may be coursed through the licensing office. – Aileen P. Refuerzo

Outreach mission serves 1,300 in Sadanga town

 SADANGA, Mountain Province -- Cordillera- based soldiers and health care providers recently held an outreach program  benefitting more than a thousand residents of this municipality.

 The 54th Infantry Battalion (Magilas) and civilian medical practitioners of the province conducted free medical and dental services, gifts giving and feeding at the Sadanga Central School serving about 1,300 people.

The  54IB and Philippine Pharmacist Association-Mt.  Province Chapter (PPhA-MPC) conducted gift giving and feeding program to around 800 pupils of the elementary schools of Poblacion, Sacasacan, Bekigan, Demang and Belwang as well as students of the Alternative Learning System.

Free medical and urinalysis examinations, tooth extractions and haircutting were administered to around 500 residents of same barangays including a 100-year old elderly.

Arlene Alingawad, PPhA-MPC President and coordinator of  said outreach, the gift giving, feeding activity and medicines were sponsored by the PPhA-MPC, CB and F Marketing Association, Bontoc General Hospital, Provincial Health Office and those solicited by Charlie Company, 54IB, PA.

The Philippine Army also provided additional medical personnel coming from 5th Infantry (Star) Division headquarters in Gamu, Isabela. The 54th IB covers the provinces of Benguet, Ifugao and Mountain Province. 

More borrowers avail of livelihood program

BONTOC, Mountain Province --   At least 22 individuals were helped last year by the Provincial Livelihood Development Program of the provincial government.

Data from the Provincial Cooperatives Office which is in-charge of this program showed from January 2015 up to November,   P1, 870.00 was loaned out to 22 borrowers.

Since the program started in 2011, a total of 436 individuals availed of financial assistance in the form of a loan with a very minimal annual interest of five percent.

 This was conceived to help jobless individuals, organizations, associations and cooperatives who want to start potential projects through the provision of financial assistance.

The amount of loans released to applicant is determined by the Provincial Cooperative Officer after due evaluation of the livelihood project submitted.

Payments collected from the borrowers were loaned out to other interested applicants.

Payment of the loan shall be made in 12 monthly installments starting on the fourth month after the release of the loaned amount. A two percent shall be charged to defray program administrative cost which shall be deducted immediately from the loaned amount.

Borrowers have invested the money they loaned in piggery/swine raising, coffee shop, sari-sari store, computer shop, buy and sell, animal production, and gardening. -- Juliet B. Saley

Ifugao eyes malaria-free province by 2017

LAGAWE, Ifugao -- Ifugao through the Provincial Health Office is eyeing to be a malaria- free province by early 2017.

In a radio interview, SaturninoAngiwan, PHO’s malaria program coordinator, said with current trend of no indigenous malaria case in the last three years, the province is qualified to apply for the Department of Health’s assessment as malaria-free province in 2017.

Angiwan explained that were no malaria related mortality after 2005 and from 2012 up to present, the province did not record any indigenous malaria case except an imported case, meaning the infection was taken from other places and not in Ifugao.

“Seven municipalities of the province or 13 barangays out of 175 barangay used to have indigenous malaria cases, however with the proper implementation of malaria programs, no indigenous case was recorded since 2012,” he said.

An area maybe declared as malaria-free if it has no indigenous case in five consecutive years.   -- Marcelo B. Lihgawon

Far Abra town recipient of medical mission

MALIBCONG, Abra -- Trekking rough   terrain and muddy pathways   health service providers and advocates from the Provincial Health Office, the Philippine Red Cross - Abra Chapter, and Philippine Information Agency     delivered  medical services  and health advocacy to the communities in  this far flung municipality.

The health team led by program coordinator and Lingkod  Bayan Awardee, Lilibeth B. Martin, in collaboration with the Municipal Health Office under Dr. Desiree Ortiz initiated a two-day medical mission to Bangilo District at Brgy. Umnap and Malibcong District at Barangay Taripan.

The team conducted urine screening, check-up and ‘kilatis- kutis, gave vitamins to pregnant women, elders and children and distributed medicinal soaps especially to those with skin problems.

They also conducted blood typing to support the Blood Life Program advocacy.

“It would now be easier to refer to the list of potential blood donors if ever somebody in the community needs blood transfusion. No need to frantically take all relatives in the hospital to undergo blood typing just like the old times,” said Martin.

The Malaria Control Program under Martin likewise distributed long lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets to the households to prevent reintroduction of malaria in order to sustain the malaria-free status of the province.

The team also gave simple gifts like biscuits to partner the folks’ traditional favorite coffee break and wraparound clothing to fight the cold weather there.

Malibcong is one of the farthest municipalities in Abra where most of its roads are still impassable to four-wheeled vehicles. -- Maria Teresa B. Benas with reports from Ginalyn B. Brioso

Gov. Pineda honors 12 as pride of Pampanga

CLARK, Pampanga — For their dedication, hard work, and contribution to the welfare of others in this province, 12 proud sons and daughters of Pampanga were feted as “2015 Most Outstanding Kapampangan Awardees (MOKA)” in a glitzy ceremony at the Holiday Inn, here Monday night.

MOKA was the main highlight of the weeklong celebration of the 444th Founding Anniversary of Pampanga which is called “Aldo NingKapampangan.”

The awardees were Judge Maria Angelica Paras-Quiambao for the field of Judicial Service; Ambassador Laura Quiambao-Del Rosario for Government Service; Cesar Victor P. Reyes for the Arts; Michael L. Escaler, Business and Entrepreneurship; Eduardo T. Mutuc, Culture; Matrose P. Galarion, Ph.D., Education;

Police Officer 3 Comet Dimla-Dumangeng, Law Enforcement; Ruperto S. Nicdao Jr., Mass Media; Juliette Gomez-Romualdez, Parenthood; Virgilio Malang, Science and Technology; Sr. Eloisa L. David, Social Service and Jayson C. William, Sports.

Judge Quiambao, an awardee of the Supreme Court’s Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos Judicial Excellence Awards in 2013, and Amb. Del Rosario, a diplomatic and consular officer in the Philippine Embassy in Vienna, Singapore, and Washington D.C. and ambassador to India, Nepal, and Vietnam, led the awardees.

“Their accomplishments will serve as inspiration to every Kapampangan to work and achieve more so they are   worth to be recognized and emulated,” said Gov. Lilia Pineda, who gave the awards. -- Franco G. Regala

DOH to public: Be health-conscious during holidays

BAGUIO CITY – With the start of the new year,  the Department of Health (DOH) urged people  to eat and drink in moderation to curb the increasing prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases.

The DOH Cordillera bared heart attacks and strokes peak from December to January due to eating fatty and high cholesterol foods like “lechon” and drinking too much alcohol during the holiday festivities.

DOH CAR regional director Dr. AmelitaPangilinan urged the public to practice healthy lifestyle to the max this holiday season.

Here advise: Don’t overeat, avoid too much alcohol, stop smoking, have regular exercise and maintain appropriate weight.

The health department also cautions the public of the common sickness acquired during the Christmas season like cough, colds and flu-like symptoms due to the cold weather.

Have a balance diet, eat nutritious foods rich in vitamin C and the best still is prevention,  to an effective way to dealing with any kind of sickness, Pangilinan added.

Meanwhile, the health department is again promoting “OplanIwasPaputok”, total ban on any form of firecrackers, for the safety of everyone this holiday season. – Joseph Zambrano

Baguio treats, cites partner agencies

BAGUIO CITY  -  Pasadang pambarangay partner agencies were recognized through a luncheon treat by the city government here spearheaded by the Special Services Division of the Mayor’s Office last Dec. 17 at the Baguio City multi-purpose hall.

Partner agencies were honored for its exemplary services rendered in the field of dental, medical, anti-rabies vaccination, blood typing, as well as other services to the different barangays in this mountain resort for attaining the goals of the pasadang pambarangay.

 The different partner agencies that were recognized include the Baguio Rotary Club, Baguio City Emergency Medical Services, Family Planning Organization of the Philippines, Baguio Center for Young Adult, Reflexology Association of the Philippines Traditional Medicine Inc., Department of Science and Technology, Optical Clinic, Philippine Red Cross, Philhealth, Public Employment Services Office, DZEQ Radyo ng Bayan, Lue Foundation, Veterinary Office and Health Services Office.

In his inspirational message, mayor Mauricio Domogan stressed that the conduct of the pasadang pambarangay is aimed at bringing the various services of the city government to the marginalized sector of the society living in the city in order to address the problems of the community like health and medical needs, social services, infrastructure, environmental, among others.

“Your active participation in the weekly pasadang pambarangay in the different barangays is very instrumental in the delivery of basic services to the grassroot level,” said Domogan.  – Jho Arranz

Bayanihan clears Paracelis road

PARACELIS, Mountain Province – The Anonat National Agricultural and Vocational High School through leadership of the newly assigned school head, Dr. Ma. Marissa A. Balao-as conducted a bayanihan clean – up drive for road accessibility of barangay road of Anonat starting from the school up to Barangay Palitod here to national road to Roxas, Isabela.

The activity was a joint effort of 53 stakeholders from Mullian led by  Noel N. Moleg, Parents Teachers Association president of the school; 110 students, teachers and barangay officials headed by Anonat barangay chief Bonifacio I. Ramos.

The activity was the result of PTA meeting on Nov. 13, 2015 herein stakeholders agreed to address issue on inaccessibility of the road from the school going out and vice versa and take part in development of the school. Road condition hampered transportation of students and teachers during competitions and other school engagements. Delivery equipment and materials for the construction of the Senior High School Building was also cited.

After the bayanihan, vehicles loaded with corn products of the community were brought to Roxas, Isabela. The restored status of the road going in and out of the school made travel easier. -- Ma. Marissa A. Balao-as