NEWS BRIEFS

Bocboc Bridge nears completion

SAN CARLOS CITY, Pangasinan – After more than a decade,  Bocboc Bridge connecting this city to the municipality of Aguilar will finally be completed.  In 2012, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region I, started its soil exploration.

On Nov. 4, 2013 the construction of Bocboc road and bridge started under the DOT-DPWH convergence program with a P234-million fund. The Bocboc road and bridge project was initiated by former Rep. Rachel Arenas. It is now 97 percent completed and expected to be finished by February.

Engineer Editha Manuel, assistant district engineer of 4th district said that once completed, the bridge will promote tourism and spur economic activity in the area. -- LiezleBasaIñigo

Ifugao enterprisers receive p2.06m service facilities

LAMUT, Ifugao -- The Department of Trade and Industry in the provincerecently turned over to three medium scale enterprises P2.06 million worth of shared service facilities (SSFs) to support their income generating projects.

The Lamut Grassroots Savings and Dev’t Cooperative (LAGSADECO) received a corn hammer mill worth P306, 000.   Dolores Lomboy, officer of the coop, invited corn farmers in Lamut to avail of the corn hammer mill facility.

The Lamut Federation of Women’s Organization (LAFEDWO) was a recipient of food processing facilities worth P970, 000 to support their food processing activities. 

Angie Tuguinay, LAFEDWO president, lauded the DTI for believing in their capacity to make it and make it better. She hopes they can increase their production.

A kiln dryer facility worth P784, 000 was provided to the Ifugao Federation of Development Cooperatives as cooperator.

 John Bolla, coop manager, said the facility was needed by furniture makers to dry their woods.  He invited all furniture makers in Lamut to make use of the dryer.

Valentin A. Baguidudol, DTI-Ifugao director, said that the SSF program is being implemented by the DTI to improve the competitiveness of micro, small and medium enterprises by providing them with equipment and facilities under a shared system. -- Marcelo B. Lihgawon

Kabayan community learns pyrite stone craft making 

KABAYAN, Benguet -- Pyrite stone craft will soon be an entrepreneurial endeavor of local folks here.

Pyrite locally known as “tangkiyal” is a common stone in Kabayan Barrio. Also known as fool’s gold, Pyrite’s metallic luster and pale brass-yellow hue resemble that of gold.

The art of packaging pyrite stone as a novelty item is taught among residents of the community. The training   is funded under the National Commission on Culture and the Arts, according to provincial Tourism operations officer Clarita Prudence.

It will culminate on Feb. 2 with a program in Kahayan Barrio and induction of Kebajan Tourism Culture and the Arts Council.  Gov. Nestor Fongwan and NCCA officials are expected to grace the event.

The NCCA funds projects which impact on the culture and arts.  It also provides venue   for the different regions to articulate their local culture and development concerns. -- Susan C. Aro

Plastic ban enforced at Clark freeport

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga – The use of plastic and other non-biodegradable materials is now prohibited here.

“A plastic bag may only be used as primary packaging material for wet goods, excluding those that are pre-contained in plastic wraps as part of the product’s packaging,” the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) said in a press statement issued yesterday.

The CDC said biodegradable plastics and polystyrene ice chests and insulators may be allowed, provided there is a certification from the manufacturer and samples are first submitted for approval by the CDC environment permits department.

Violators, including business establishments, face fines ranging from P1,000 to P20,000 and the revocation of business permits.  – Ding Cervantes     

Tuba officials seek assistance for completion of CBMS

TUBA, Benguet -- Recognizing the relevance of the data generated utilizing system in evaluating impact of policies, plans, program and projects carried out at the local level, officials here sought technical and financial assistance from the provincial government for the completion of the second round of the conduct of Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS).

Tuba officials authorized Mayor Florencio Bentrez to forge a memorandum of agreement with the provincial government for completion of another round of the conduct of CBMS.

The CBMS is a tool designed to generate information and data disaggregated down to the household level.

The provincial government in partnership with the 13 municipalities undertook the first provincewide CBMS census in 2009 of which the results are part of the national repository.

The results were used in monitoring the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and in analyzing the poverty situation in the province.

The data generated was also used as input in the preparation of the Comprehensive Development Plans of the municipalities.

Tuba LGU together with other municipalities such as Kabayan and Kapangan took the initiative to conduct the second round of the CBMS census in their respective areas, and are requesting for technical and financial assistance to implement the remaining CBMS modules as designed.

The results will be used in updating relevant data for policy makers. -- Susan C. Aro

Pangasinan child rape cases jump by 36.4 %

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Rape cases involving children in Pangasinan increased by 36.41 percent last year, according to records of the provincial police office.

Documents showed there were 251 cases in 2015 compared to only 184 in 2014.

Most of the victims were aged 17 while the youngest was six years old.

Most of the suspects were either the victim’s father, grandfather, uncle, text mate, playmate, cousin, boyfriend or stepfather.

Meanwhile, the number of rape cases involving women decreased from 55 in 2014 to 51 last year.  The oldest victim was aged 56.      

Ifugao town regulates operation of dorms, boarding houses

KIANGAN, Ifugao -- With the increasing number of boarders, transients and visitors in this town, the Sangguniang Bayan passed an ordinance prescribing the rules and regulations for the operation and maintenance of dormitories, cottages and boarding houses in the area.

It shall be unlawful for any person, entity or corporation to own, keep, maintain or operate any boarding house or dormitory without first obtaining the necessary permits and licenses duly approved by the proper municipal authorities.

All boarding houses and dormitories must also have sufficient garbage disposal facilities, no smoking sign posted at conspicuous places of the building, and spitting bins for boarders who are chewing betel nuts.  Bringing in alcohol for drinking and deadly weapons inside the boarding house of dormitory are prohibited. Curfew hours should also be imposed.

Any operator or owner who is operating without business permit shall be given 30 days upon receipt of notice from the Municipal Treasurer to secure the permit and non-compliance after the 30 days prescribed shall make the operator or owner liable a penalty of fine amounting to P1, 500 and the closure of the boarding house or dormitory.

Penalties shall also be imposed for those operating with business permit but violate any of the provision of the ordinance. -- Daniel B. Codamon

Tourist transport group organized in Benguet

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- A tourism transport group called Benguet Tourism Transport Organization, Inc. (BTTO) was recently established here with members composed of operators, drivers, and other interested individuals aimed to promote tourism in Cordillera.

Accredited by the Department of Tourism as tourism transport organization, it started operation this month, BTTO chair of the board of trustees lawyer Juan M. Nazarro, Jr. said.

A basic requirement for accreditation is brand new vehicle with franchise such as van to be used for a period of five years only, according to Nazarro. 

Provincial Tourism Operations Officer Clarita Prudencio said BTTO frontliners    such as drivers and operators must undergo training in cooperation with the DOT-CAR to equip them with relevant information and background on tourist sites and places of interests as well as on proper grooming and courtesy.

Activities and development of the organization will be regularly monitored according to Prudencio.  The provincial government will also extend assistance through trainings and promotions, she added. 

With the establishment of the first organized transport group in the province, Nazarro hopes other transport groups will follow suit and legalize their service for the safety and convenience of tourists. -- Susan C. Aro

DOLE invites jobseekers to 2 jobs fairs in Kalinga

TABUK CITY, Kalinga --The province Department of Labor and Employment is inviting  jobseekers to  try their luck in  two job fairs  set later this month and in February in the province.

The first job fair for this year is slated Jan. 28 in cooperation with the Kalinga State University in celebration of its foundation day.  Another is on February 12-13 in cooperation with the provincial government for the Kalinga foundation anniversary.

 “Kalinga, according to recruitment agencies, is a juicy place for applicants. Usually about ten agencies come to participate during jobs fair conducted here,” Lourdes Canseco of DOLE said.

Opportunities  for local and overseas  employment   will be offered during the jobs fairs.

Meanwhile, last Dec. 18, the Kalinga DOLE provincial office was awarded Best Field Office Award and cited for its “remarkable contribution towards achieving the region’s targets on special program for employment of students , livelihood and labor market information which contributed in upliftment of the lives of the clients in the province.” -- Peter A. Balocnit

Registration for employment of Benguet students set Feb. 1-12

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Students of the province who are interested to apply for jobs under the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) may start preparing needed requirements in time for the two-week registration period  next month.

Provincial employment officer Gina Yog-a said qualified incoming Grade 11 and recently enrolled non-graduating college students may register with the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) at the Provincial Capitol from Feb. 1 – 12.

To qualify, an applicant must have a passing grade(at least 75%) and present a joint 2015 income tax return of parents  not exceeding P117,898 per  annum (regional poverty threshold level prescribed by NEDA).

Birth certificate is also a requirement.

Students will be individually screened upon submission of application to qualify for the examinations set February 13, 2016.  Priority is given to residents of the province, according to Yog-a

For this year, the provincial PESO in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment-Cordillera allotted 114 slots for qualified students.

Each will receive for the 30-day working period a total of P11, 659.20 to be shared by the provincial government (60 percent) and the DOLE-CAR (40%).

Qualified students will work in two batches. The first batch from April to May will be for high school students while the second batch from June to July is for the college students.

The SPES program is a yearly undertaking which helps develop the intellectual capacities of children of poor families and harness their potentials. It particularly helps poor but deserving students pursue their education

Yog-a shared that most of those who worked under SPES are now teachers, others engaged into business and employed in different entities. A few of them upon graduation applied and were absorbed as provincial employees. -- Susan C. Aro

Pangasinan confident of malaria-free status

LINGAYEN, Philippines --The Pangasinan health office is confident the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Department of Health (DOH) will declare the province malaria-free, an official said yesterday.

No case of malaria has been recorded in the province since 2010, Anna Ma. Teresa de Guzman, provincial health officer said.   

“We are going to be assessed by the WHO and DOH, and we are confident of the declaration,” De Guzman said.

She said public awareness, the use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets and coordination with neighbouring provinces on fogging operations were among the factors that led to zero malaria incidence in the province. – Eva Visperas 

164 Ifugao pupils benefit from outreach program

ALFONSO LISTA, Ifugao -- Around 164 pupils of Calupaan Elementary School (CES) in this municipality benefitted from the community outreach program of  three offices of the provincial government.

The offices of the Provincial Veterinarian, Provincial Administrator and Board Member NoliMaguiwe teamed up as Cluster III and shared assorted school supplies and snacks to the CES pupils whom they visited.

The activity started with information advocacy on programs and services of provincial government like Doctors to the Barrios, mental health and maintenance, and the Tertiary Education Assistance Program among others.

The activity ended with a friendly lunch courtesy of the Provincial Veterinary Office.

Miller Aniceto, principal of CES lauded the group for the delivered services and hoped for another program for the benefit of pupils.

The community outreach program is an annual activity of the provincial government through its various departments that aims to bring the government services nearer to the people. -- Marcelo B. Lihgawon

Philhealth expands program to Kalinga district hospitals

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The Philhealth office here expanded its Point of Care program  to all district hospitals in the province to serve  indigent patients wherever they are confined. 

Rommel Aranca, Philhealth head,  said the POC which took effect in November 2013, was implemented at the Kalinga Provincial Hospital in August of 2014 and cascaded to district hospitals  in  August last year.

Philhealth  also wants to expand it to other health care providers like rural health units.

Under the POC, a patient should pass the medical social worker’s assessment using the intake survey sheet prescribed by the DOH to be enrolled and become a hospital-sponsored member.  The sponsoring hospital will pay the annual premium contribution of P2, 400 to PhilHealth. Philhealth coverage starts on the first day of admission up to the end of the calendar year. Benefits include inpatient, outpatient (except primary care benefit) and the No Balance Billing policy where patients shall have o no out-of the pocket expenses for hospital charges.

To sustain universal coverage of the populace under Philhealth, Aranca appealed  to   the provincial, municipal and barangay local government units to renew the membership of sponsored members. -- Peter A. Balocnit

10 offices pledge to hire 1,403 studes in Kalinga

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- Ten  employers pledged to hire  this coming summer vacation about  1,403 students under the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

According to Anthony Luminang of DOLE Kalinga, seven of the employers that pledged are government institutions and three are private establishments.

Tabuk City local government unit has the most number of pledges with 500 followed by Riza LGU – 208.

Other government entities that submitted their pledges were the provbincial government – 115 pledges; Balbalan, 149; Pasi,  60; Tanudan, 147 and Tinglayan, 44.

From the private institutions are Kalinga Academy with 100 pledges, Kalinga Colleges of Science and Technology – 40, and CA+ACT – 40.

The submitted rate per day for clerk and laborers to be hired for at least 20 working days and a maximum of 52 days range from P250 to P376. Recruitment has  started and work will start in April, Luminang said.

A total of P4.8 million representing 60 percent of students’ salary was pledged by said employers. The 40% shall be the counterpart of DOLE.

DOLE Kalinga was awarded Best Field Office on December 18, 2015 for its remarkable contribution in capacitating students’ employability through the implementation of the SPES for the year 2015. -- Peter A. Balocnit

Veterans Bank launches improved pension loan

BAGUIO CITY -- The commercial bank owned by Filipino World War II veterans and their descendants, is making Philippine Veterans Affairs Office pensioners with improved pension loan.

Philippine Veterans Bank chairman Roberto de Ocampo and president Nonilo Cruz led the launching of the improved pension loan at the PVB’s Camp Aguinaldo branch which gathered audience composed of PVAO pensioners, veteran families, and guests from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police.

Starting last month, PVAO pensioners who receive monthly pension from PVB will now be able to get a pension loan for the maximum amount of P100, 000. Previously, the bank offered its pensioners P20, 000 and P45, 000 loan options. However, understanding the financial needs that its pensioners face, the Bank has upped the loanable amount offering pensioners flexibility with loan terms extended from three to five years.

PVB corporate communications and marketing services vice president Miguel Angelo Villa-real said this is great news for PVAO pensioners composed mostly of surviving Filipino World War II veterans, their widows, and retired personnel of the AFP.

In addition, pensioners with existing pension loans with PVB can re-avail of the higher loan amount as long as they have already paid at least two months amortizations of their current loan, Villa-real added.

For more information on PVB’s Pension Loan , interested parties can visit the nearest PVB branch or call (02) 840-2621 during office hours or emailcustomercare@veteransbank.com.ph.

Dagupan health stations receive equipment

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan — A total of 12 barangay health stations here received blood pressure (BP) apparatus, glucometer kits, and nebulizers from Mayor Belen Fernandez, recently. About 39 of the 56 BP apparatus came from the office of Senator Teofisto Guingona, while the 13 glucometer kits and the remaining BP apparatus came from the Department of Health (DOH). The 12 nebulizers were given by civic leader Ashok Vasandani. Dr. Sheila Sabado, officer-in-charge of the City Health Office (CHO), said the barangay health stations that received the medical apparatus are located in Carael, Pantal, PoblacionOeste, Bonuan Boquig, Bonuan Binloc, Bonuan Gueset, Bolosan, Salapingao, Malued, Mangin, Mayombo, and Pogo Grande. – Liezle BasaIñigo

Baguio moves up rank among cities

BAGUIO CITY — Tourism, education and sports, peace and order, health and social services, environment are among the accomplishments last year, Mayor Mauricio Domogan said. The mayor recalled that in 2014, Baguio was ranked 15th among the country’s 142 cities. Now, he takes pride that the city has gone up two notches to No. 13 based on national comparative ratings. He said concerted efforts must be taken to update and implement income-generating endeavors to improve the city’s ranking.

Ilocos Norte triples its scholarships grantees

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte — To provide quality education for Ilocanos, the provincial government of Ilocos Norte headed by Gov. Imee Marcos gave a total of 1,919 scholarships grants last year.
In academic year 2014-2015, there were 459 recipients of the Sirib Academic Scholarship, according to the Provincial Education Office.

In the following school year, the number tripled with a total of 1,460 students benefiting from the Sirib Academic Scholarship, also known as the Sirib Community Leaders Scholarship.

Scholarship programs paved the way for training youth leaders, particularly through involvement in the Sirib Ilokano Kabataan Association (SIKA) that promotes volunteerism among youth through working together for the development of their respective communities.

Since 2010, the Ilocos Norte government has shouldered over 39,000 elementary, 16,000 high school, and 3,000 college scholarships.

Widening opportunities for learning has been an aim of Marcos, reflected in her vision for Ilocos Norte as a learning hub and learning community, hence the establishment of the “Heroes Walk” on Ablan Avenue to educate passersby on Ilocano heroes’ heritage.

Access to information technology is also a vital part of this goal, and in the past year alone, 38 i-Hubs have been established and 650 computer units have been distributed throughout the different cities and municipalities.

Making education more inclusive is in line with the province’s aim to alleviate poverty and eliminate unemployment, translating into a higher human development index and sustainable livelihood for Ilocanos.

These endeavors propelled the province in attaining the Millennium Development Goals, a United Nations initiative established in the year 2000.

“We have done what we set out to do, exceeding poverty, employment, education, maternal health, and reforestation. From the alarming increase in poverty in 2010, poverty has now fallen to a record of 8.4%,” she said. – Freddie G. Lazaro

Mountain Province, Benguet barangays forge sisterhood ties

SABANGAN, Mountain Province -- Officials of barangay   Tambingan here recently forged memorandum of agreement of sisterhood with barangay Betag of La Trinidad, Benguet to foster understanding, friendship and goodwill.

The Sangguniang Barangay of Betag headed by Punong Barangay Peter D. Comila and Tambingan led by PB Cedric Rommel V. Likigan inked the MOA.

Both parties agreed to nurture and encourage friendship and cooperation between the two local government units and their constituencies through mutual sharing of the barangay best practices; provision of technical expertise and assistance in the area of promotion and development of the eco-tourism industry, including exchange of culture and education through exchange programs and education tours.

They also agreed to enhance trade relations on agricultural products, livestock and promotion of local handicrafts and strengthen educational and cultural relations with each party through scholarships, environmental research and eco-tours. They shall also strive to keep an open communication line for the possibility of forging joint ventures. -- Juliet B. Saley

Change of name of local hospital in Benguet sought

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The  Benguet  Sangguniang Panlalawigan urged the  National Historical Commission of the Philippines to approve renaming of  a provincial government supervised  hospital in the  province.

The change of name was sought for Kapangan Medicare Community Hospital” (KMCH) to be renamed “Kapangan Community Hospital”.

Board Member Esteban Piok, who authored the measure, said the word “Medicare” is rendered obsolete, thus the proposed deletion.   

The hospital was called the Kapangan Medicare Community Hospital since Sept. 23, 1982  after the Philippine Medical Care Commission (PMCC) which administered the former Medicare program. This is now called the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

The hospital is under the supervision of the provincial governor pursuant to  the Local Government Code of 1991 which devolved the management of all hospitals except for some selected medical centers to the provincial local government units. -- Susan Aro