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>> Friday, February 19, 2016
Musical
contest ushers start of Panagbenga 2016
BAGUIO
CITY -- Parading school children garbed in floral costumes accompanied by
festive music that reverberated through the cool mountain air in this city last
week kicked off the highly-anticipated 21st Baguio Flower Festival, known as
Panagbenga.
A
total of 11 elementary schools competed in the drum and lyre competition during
the parade which traversed the city’ s main roads.
The
participating schools were Baguio Central School, Aguinaldo Elementary School,
Apolinario Mabini Elementary School, Dominican – Mirador Elementary School,
Dona Aurora Elementary School, Don Mariano Elementary School, Josefa Carino
Elementary School, Jose P. Laurel Elementary School, Lucban Elementary School,
Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School and Pinget Elementary School.
Carrying
the theme “Bless the Children with Flowers,” the month-long Panagbenga Festival
seeks to underscore the importance of children to the event for the past two
decades.
“Panagbenga
is an event in the city which is awaited, that is why we are always coming up
with innovations to improve the annual event,” said Anthony de Leon, executive
co-chairman of the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation, Inc.(BFFFI).
Vangie
Payno, chief of staff and chairman of the Panagbenga parade committee said that
Mabini Elementary School is expected to go all out in its title-retention bid.
Mayor
Mauricio Domogan, co-chairman of the BFFFI said the festival is not just about
impressing local and foreign tourists, but also away to spur economic activity
and unity among the city’s businessmen and entrepreneurs.
Pangasinan town marks fish festival
BINMALEY,
Pangasinan – This town, considered the province’s fishbowl, recently celebrated
its bountiful harvest through the Sigay Festival with the simultaneous grilling
of at least 400 kilos each of milkfish and tilapia.
Municipal
agriculturist Fernando Ferrer said fish came from local fishponds.
Grill
pads were lined up around the municipal hall and a church for the outdoor
grilling activity.
Ferrer
said the town has about 3,120 hectares of fishponds, which produce milkfish and
tilapia as well as prawns, shrimps and crabs.
He
said Binmaley has the largest inland fishpond in the province and in the Ilocos
region.
“We
may not be considered as the highest producer of bangus because we do not have
fish pens and cages in rivers unlike in other towns, but we grow our products
in fishponds” he said.
When
Mayor Simplicio Rosario started the river cleanup here years ago, fish pens and
cages were removed. Ferrer said no massive fishkill has been reported
since.
Some
milkfish producers are still using the traditional way of bangus-raising, which
involves the use of natural fish food, lamuyak or lablab. Others use commercial
fish feed, he said.
Mayor urges taxpayers not to utilize
fixers
BAGUIO
CITY - With the full implementation of the electronic Business
Process and Licensing System (e-BPLS) in the city government of Baguio, mayor
Mauricio Domogan advised and urged taxpayers not to utilize fixers at city
hall.
The
city has set policies and procedures in the process of registration of new
business, renewal of old permits and other transactions involving set up of
additional lines of business, change of location, ownership or trade name,
partial retirement, retirement of business and replacement of permit and
certificates, thus, Domogan encouraged taxpayers to process their permits
personally instead of utilizing fixers.
It
is the goal of the system to speed up the processing time and eradicate the
problem of fixers in the licensing systems.
However,
despite of the faster processing time of business permits in the city now,
there are still taxpayers who depend on fixers.
“Do
not go to fixers. Identify who the fixer is because that is the best way
that we can stop it. We do not tolerate this kind of undertaking,” said
Domogan.
Also,
government officials and employees are not allowed to transact business
relative to obtaining or renewing business licenses in behalf of an owner of
business for whatever reason and regardless of authority granted by the owner,
stressed the mayor. – Jho Arranz
Mt Province DILG office inaugurated
BONTOC,
Mountain Province -- The provincial office of the Department of the Interior
and Local Governments is now housed in a building at the Bilibid
Compound
in Upper Caluttit in his capital town.
Inauguration
was Feb. 10 attended by staff and personnel of the agency attended by Gov.
Leonard Mayaen, Interior regional sirector John Castaneda, Mayor Franklin
Odsey, and local officials. The building was funded by the Performance
Challenge Fund of the DILG in 2012 worth P7 million as an incentive of the province
for garnering the Seal of Good Housekeeping award. P5.8 million was used for
the construction while P1.2 was set for purchase of an emergency ambulance.
Mayaen,
in his message cited additional P1.3 million in 2015 completed the first floor
now occupied by the provincial office of the DILG.
Provincial
director Anthony Ballug cited the need for the turnover of the building to the
DILG even as more funds were needed to complete the 3-storey building.
“We
will work out for the turn-over of the building to the DILG as technically the
building is owned by the provincial government”, Mayaen said, considering the
building stands on provincial lot.
The
building was originally built as the Disaster Emergency Operations Center.
Abra group sets ‘one good vote’ campaign
BANGUED,
Abra - - The Church Military Police Action Group (CMPAG) here recently convened to map out its “One Good Vote” campaign project for an honest and credible
May 2016 elections.
CMPAG members come from ecumenical churches,
security forces like the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the
Philippines, Commission on Elections, civil society and non-government
organizations, media group, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting
(PPCRV) and the youth.
This
project, organizers said, aimed for
honest, peaceful, just and meaningful elections.
Bishop
Leopoldo Jaucian said, “One Good Vote”
is a clean and fair casting of vote by a person who has high probity and
upright character.
There
is a need to revive morality and spirituality in order to transform the society
from the inert culture and easy-money ilk of the voting population, he said.
“A
single morally sound vote makes the difference,” added Rev. Fr. Drexel Ramos of
the PPCRV, the citizens’ arm during elections.
The
project involves the use social media and all media outlets possible to imbibe
in the mind of the public to deny all forms of vote buying.
Also
discussed during the meeting were preparations by the PNP and AFP with the
possible scenario of the presence of potential partisan armed group by
political parties, guns-for-hire and NPA remnants who would likely to disturb
the flow of elections. -- Ginalyn B. Brioso
Kalinga gets P68 M KALSADA fund
TABUK
CITY, Kalinga - - The province of Kalinga is a recipient of a
P68 million fund under the Konkreto at Ayos na LanSAngan, ang DAan Tungo sa Pangkalahatang
Kaunlaran or Kalsada program.
Francisco
Gamatero, provincial director of the Department of the Interior and Local
Government said, the fund has already been already downloaded by Department of
Budget and Management (DBM) to the provincial coffer.
Budget
Secretary Florencio B. Abad earlier said P6.5 billion was appropriated in the
2016 General Appropriations Act (GAA) for rehabilitation and upgrading of
provincial roads in 73 provinces, with the allocation of funds based on
performance.
Provinces
were selected based on their compliance with DILG’s Seal of Good Financial
Housekeeping and submission to the DBM of their Local Public Financial
Management Assessment Report, he added.
FlorMoldero,
provincial planning and development coordinator, said the KALSADA fund will be used for the continuation of the
concreting of the Bulanao-Laya-Cabaruan provincial road.
Gamatero
said Kalinga also received P7 million from the Performance Challenge Fund of
the President for the concreting of the San Juan road section of the
Bulanao-Dagupan road; P2.7M for road
signs and another P2.7M share from the
special local road fund – Motor Vehicle Road Users Tax for the concreting of
STS Dagupan section of the same road. -- Peter A. Balocnit
Checks released for Mt. Province
development projects
BONTOC,
Mountain Province -- Checks were released last week by the government for
projects under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) and Bottom Up
Budgeting (BUB) programs of the agency for 2016: PAMANA, P1.5 million for
completion of evacuation center in Besao, P1.0 M for improvement of Caneo
waiting shed, P6.0M for improvement of
waterworks in Tadian, and P20M for Betwagan Access Road in Sadanga.
Under
the BUB: P5.0M for evacuation facility in Sadanga, P4.0M for the provision of
potable water supply in Bauko, P3.0M for waterworks in Besao, P6.3 for
waterworks in various locations in Natonin.
-- Roger Sacyaten
Ifugao town’s monitoring team
evaluates 2 BUB projects
KIANGAN,
Ifugao -- The local chief executive (LCE) warned of blacklisting of contractors
due to failure to complete projects as per contract agreement.
This
was one of the recommendations of the Project Monitoring Team (PMT) of this
town in a recent a meeting convened to
clarify and resolve issues affecting the implementation of two the
Bottoms Up Budgeting projects here - the Lingay Road Project (LRP) in Barangay
Lingay costing P500, 000 and the Dalligan Road Project (DRP) in Barangay
Dalligan costing P1 million.
Accordingly,
Notice to Proceed for LRP was issued Sept. 21, 2015 and the start of the
project as per contract was October 1, 2015 and to be completed in November
2015.
However,
actual start of the project was Nov.18
and actual accomplishment to date is only 33 meters of the target project
length of 108 meters.
On
the other hand, the Notice to Proceed for the DRP was issued on Sept. 21, 2015
and the expected start of the project was on Oct. 1, with project duration of
60 calendar days. The actual start was Oct. 19. Due to a suspension order to
accommodate road right of way problem, completion date was adjusted to December
4, 2015. Actual accomplishment is only
22.5 meters over the target 153 meters expected total project length.
Hearing
all these issues, the PMT headed by Albert Indunan representing the civil
society organization, recommended that aside from issuing warning for the
possible blacklisting of contractors due to failure to complete the project as
per contract agreement, the LCE to apply necessary actions based on existing
rules and regulations.
Moreover,
the Liquidation Damages for the projects will cover Nov. 23 to Dec. 8, 2015,
and that the PMT should be furnished official copies of suspension orders,
resumption orders, pouring permit and change orders.
It
was also agreed that the PMT to hold dialogue with the contractors
for negotiation regarding the incomplete projects as soon as possible and the
PMT to continue monitoring the projects for their speedy accomplishment in order to
qualify for the 2016 BUB project. -- Daniel B. Codamon
4 Mt Province public schools WASH program
beneficiaries
BONTOC,
Mountain Province-- Four public schools in the province are among the 16
identified schools who will directly benefit from the school-based water,
sanitation and hygiene (WASH) promotion with disaster risk reduction component
project of the Australian Red Cross in partnership with the Philippines Red
Cross (PRC).
According
to Veronica Tactay of the Philippine Red Cross Mt. Province Chapter, the four
schools are Bagabag Elementary School and Catao Elementary School of the
municipality of Paracelis; ALBAGO National High School and Dalican Elementary
School, both of Bontoc municipality.
The
school-based WASH promotion project piloted in some areas in the Northern and
Cordillera regions in 2011, reaches far flung areas in need of support to
improve the current available and accessible facilities in the area.
Reaching
more than 40 public schools throughout the regions, the Red Cross had
contributed to decreasing the vulnerability of school children to WASH-related
health risk.
Qualified
to avail of the WASH promotion are schools that are identified as most at risk
to WASH-related health issues due to limited or lack of water and toilet
facilities.
Criteria
in determining the schools that would need the intervention include the
following: schools with low access to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities,
schools with high incidence of water-borne diseases, schools with no capacity
and resources to improve current situation, schools with enough space for
possible construction of WASH facilities, and schools and stakeholders who are
willing to accept, own and sustain the program.
Additional
criteria include schools considered and used as evacuation centers, and schools
with established Red Cross Youth Council. -- Juliet B. Saley
Ifugao opens application for SPES
LAGAWE,
Ifugao - - Application for Special Program for the Employment of
Students (SPES) for 2016 is now open to interested and qualified beneficiaries
province wide.
The
provincial government in partnership with the Department of Labor and
Employment is now accepting applications for the SPES for this summer.
Interested
applicants are advised to submit the necessary papers to the Public
Employment Service Office (PESO) in their respective municipalities or the
provincial PESO located at the Provincial Sustainable Development Division,
Capitol compound in Lagawe town.
Requirements
include birth/baptismal certificate (15-25 years old); barangay
certificate of good moral character for out of school youth; Form 138 or
certificate issued by School Registrar showing average passing grade;
Income Tax Return of parents and two pieces recent 2x2 ID picture.
Deadline
of submission of application form is on February 20, 2016. -- Marcelo B. Lihgawon
DOH to conduct mass deworming in Kalinga
TABUK
CITY, Kalinga -- The health department in this province will conduct this month
mass deworming among school children including senior citizens.
This
will be conducted through a harmonized schedule and combined mass drug
administration (MDA) for the prevention and control of lymphatic filariasis,
schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis particularly among school
children.
According
to Dr. Bernadette Andaya, provincial health office head here, the mass
vaccination involves their office, Department of Education, municipal health
offices with the active participation of barangay health workers.
The
activity aims to increase national and provincial MDA coverage to at least 85
percnt and to improve efficiency of health service delivery.
Drugs
and medicines are already delivered here and ready for shipment to the
different municipalities in Kalinga, Andaya said. -- Peter A. Balocnit
Tabuk allotted P18M to scholars in
2015
TABUK
CITY, Kalinga – To assist poor but deserving students obtain college education,
the city government released P18, 461,000 under its Education Assistance
Program in 2015.
Mayor
Ferdinand B. Tubban said under the program, the city supports 2,337 scholars
with P3, 500 financial assistance per semester in college.
Last
year, the amount released also covered previous unpaid obligations of the city
to partner schools where beneficiaries were enrolled.
Aside
from regular tuition support, performing students are also given cash
incentives of P5, 000 each for graduating with honors and P2, 000 for those
with citations and special academic awards.
Last
March 2015, 317 had completed various courses. Dexter Pingi graduated cum laude
from the International School of Asia and the Pacific while four others
received academic awards.
Aside
from helping produce professionals in Tabuk, the city government also include
in the program to instill social awareness among beneficiaries through their
involvement in community events like the annual City Matagoan Festival.
As
enhancement support, selected scholars are called for trainings and seminars
sponsored by the city government.
In
the recent City Tourism Month celebration, many scholars participated in the
youth summit as a highlight of the event.
– Larry T. Lopez
CHED calls for nominations to research
and publication awards
BAGUIO
CITY -- The Commission on Higher
Education urged higher educational institutions(HEIs) to nominate their outstanding research and
publication for nomination to CHED’s 2016 Republica Awards.
The
Republica Outstanding Research and Publication) Awards is in accordance with
the pertinent provisions of the Higher Education Act of 1994 (RA 7722). It aims
to give recognition and reward to outstanding research outputs of higher
education faculty researchers leading to significant advances in priority
disciplines and contributing to national development at the same time, encourages
research productivity and publication of research outputs in CHED accredited
and internationally indexed journals.
The
awards have three major categories, namely; Agriculture and National Sciences;
Mathematics, Engineering and Information Technology, and Humanities, Social
Science, Business and Teacher Education.
The
award shall also be granted in two stages; first to identify and recognize
qualifiers and the second to choose the winners of the Repub;ica National Awards.
Eligible
for nomination for Republica qualifier
awards are: CHED – funded research output published in any ISI/SCOPUS – indexed
journal as well as in any CHED accredited non-SCOPUS journal within the last
three calendar years prior to the award year; CHED funded research output that
has been accepted for publication in an ISI/SCOPUS – indexed journal; and
research paper included in conference proceedings that eventually gets
published or accepted for publication in a CHED accredited/ ISI/SCOPUS –
indexed journal.
All
qualifiers that will be selected will qualify for the National Republica Awards
that will be judged by the National Awards Board based on the quality of
research (50%); Quality of Publication (30%) and Socio-economic
relevance/potential impact to regional or national development (20%).
Cash
prizes of P25, 000 awaits the REPUBLICA qualifiers while a trophy and cash
prize of P300, 000 will be awarded to the winner in each of the three major
categories.
HEIs
can get from and submit their nomination
form at CHED Regional office in Km. 6 La
Trinidad, Benguet. Forms can also be downloaded from http://www.ched.gov.ph (under “What’s New”).
For
more information, call MenzieKuengan of the CHED Cordillera Regional office at
telephone number (074) 422 – 4052. -- Carlito Dar
Kalinga-Apayao tax collection increases
but misses target
TABUK
CITY, Kalinga, Jan. 20 (PIA) - - Tax collection of Kalinga and Apayao Revenue
District Office grew last year by around 12 percent or an increase of P48
million from P359M in 2014 to P408M in 2015,
but still missed its collection
goal.
Hilario
Boacon, Chief of Collection Section, said actual collection really increased
with the bulk coming from withholding taxes particularly from government
contracts. “However, we missed our collection goal for the past two years,” he
admitted.
Collection
goal for 2015 was set at P514 million but tax collection was pegged at around
P408 million or a short fall of P107M.
In 2014, the revenue office also missed its P486 million collection goal
by P127M.
Boacon
attributed their shortfall last year to the water cut off of the Upper Chico
Irrigation System halting rice farming in Tabuk plains. He said business slowed
down affecting income from business which is the basis for taxable income.
BIR is
only allowed 7.5% collection deficit, according to Boacon. “We are
making efforts work to increase our collection,” he said adding that they are subjected to the
Attrition Law if they will not perform well. -- Peter A. Balocnit
Kapangan town crafts organic
agriculture law
KAPANGAN,
Benguet6 -- town officials here passed
a resolution adopting and
institutionalizing the practice of organic agriculture to prop up organic
farming among small farmers while promoting healthy living and preserving
agro-bio diversity.
Municipal
Ordinance Number 95 series 2015 is anchored on national policy on the practice
of organic agriculture to promote healthy living, ecologically balance
environment and global competitiveness.
It
adheres to the policy and advocacy of the local government to help marginalized
farmers to have sustainable livelihood for food security, provide quality and
safe food and increase farmers’ income by adopting and practicing organic
agriculture while preserving and sustaining agro-biodiversity.
Among
the provisions of the measure are the creation of a Municipal Technical and
Working Committee (MTWC) to carry out plans, projects, activities and policies
in pursuit of the organic program; registration of organic farming
practitioners through a comprehensive screening, proper labeling of organic
produce and formulation of a workplan.
Vice
Mayor Manny Fermin said small organic farm practitioners in the area have been
engaged in the trade since 2012. Due to market demand and appreciation of
healthy living, other farmers were enticed to go into organic farming
increasing their number through the years. The measure aims to strengthen and
attract more small organic farm practitioners into the trade.
To
date, they have formed themselves into associations according to Municipal
Agriculture Office head Peter Degawan Jr. One is a municipal-based group called
Kapangan Organic Practitioners Association (KOPA) composed of around 30
members.
The
two barangay-based organizations located in Taba-ao with around 20 members are
UbodApunan Association for Better Living and the Abiang Purok Association for
Better Living.
In
encouraging them to market their produce, Fermin said the local government
provided a stall for them at the town’s public market to display their goods.
Degawan
also informed that their office extend training assistance in enhancing the
capabilities of the organic practitioners and likewise hold regular monitoring
of their activities.
Fermin
said people gradually appreciated the value of organically produced commodities
even at the outset the pricing was relatively higher compared to those
conventionally produced. -- Susan C. Aro
Baguio folks urged to save water
BAGUIO
CITY -- With the El Niño phenomenon affecting the country,
Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan urged everyone to conserve water and use it
responsively.
Everybody
has the responsibility to save water
especially that the city is
hosting big events like the Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic
Association (CARAA), the month-long Baguio Flower Festival in February ,
Philippine Military Academy graduation and the observance of Holy Week in March which bring thousands of foreign and local tourists,
Domogan said.
According
to Engr. Salvador Royeca, general manager of the Baguio Water District, more than 43,000 cubic meters of water
is being produced daily from three main water sources- the Mount Santo Tomas catch basin, four spring
sources and 57 deepwells.
Domogan encouraged the public to
practice water conservation measures by avoiding excessive use of water.
DTI-Ifugao issues advisories to
protect public welfare
LAMUT,
Ifugao-- The Department of Trade
and Industry recently issued advisories on text scams, door
–to-door selling, official receipts and accredited shops.
According
to DTI-Ifugao, text scam is the most common scam. Dubious text messages are
sent to cellular phone owners informing them that they have won a special prize
in a raffle or a member of the family abroad needs a load. Phone owners
should not entertain such text messages.
On
door-to-door selling, the DTI advises the public to ask for the home solicitation permit issued by
the DTI and his identity to ensure the legitimacy of his business.
“When
buying, the buyer should check first the product by opening it in front of
the vendor to ensure the quality. Always ask receipts and
warranty cards as a proof of purchase to said products.”
Meanwhile,
owners of repair and service shops in the province are encouraged to apply for
accreditation for the promotion of quality service to the people and their
business as a whole. -- Marcelo B. Lihgawon
Reform programs encourage
LGUs
to perform better
TABUK
CITY, Kalinga-- Government reform programs are making local government
units more responsive and competitive in good governance.
The
Seal of Good Housekeeping and Seal of Good Local Governance of the Department
of Interior and Local Government are among the reforms making impact to good
local governance.
Local
government units that are awarded the seal are eligible to the Performance
Challenge Fund (PCF) of P7, 000 incentives for the province, P5, 000 for the
city and P3, 000 for the municipality, to be utilized for development projects.
The
latest incentive for performing LGUs is the Konkreto at AyosnaLanSAngan,
angDAanTungosaPangkalahatangKaunlaran or KALSADA program.
Three
of the Cordillera provinces- Benguet, Abra and Kalinga- are among the 32
provinces nationwide that are
recipients of huge amounts under KALSADA this year.
“LGUs
now see the value of hard work and competence in local governance. If you don’t
perform, you will receive lesser share from the development pie,” said
Provincial DILG director Francisco Gamatero.
He
informed that local chief executives and other
concerned offices will
oriented on February 9-10 on the seal of good local governance. -- Peter A. Balocnit
DTI approves P8.5-M shared service
facilities in Mt. Province
BONTOC,
Mountain Province -- The Department of Trade and Industry approved in 2015 the
total amount of P8, 523,105.00 for 12 Shared Service Facilities (SSF) projects
in the province.
DTI’s
SSF program aims to improve the competitiveness of micro, small and medium
entrepreneurs (MSMEs) by providing them with machinery, equipment, tools,
systems, skills and knowledge under a shared system. The program is implemented
with project partners termed as cooperators.
Mabel
Banggawan of the DTI Provincial Office here said the SSF on loom weaving was
launched on January 10, 2015 with the Caneo Women’s Organization in barangay
Caneo, Bontoc as the cooperator; SSF on muscovado processing
upgrading launched on November 19,
2015 with the Masla People’s Organization in Masla, Tadian as cooperator, and
SSF on arabica coffee which was launched last December 16 with Madchikom Coffee
Producer Cooperative as cooperator.
This
January, the DTI launched two SSF on loom weaving with the Guinzadan Weavers
Organization in Guinzadan Sur, Bauko and the Maggon Rural Improvement Club in
Supang, Sabangan as cooperators.
Launching
of the SSF on Arabica coffee with the Mountain Province Association of
Coffee Growers as cooperator is also scheduled later this month.
The
DTI provincial office has also scheduled on February 2016 the launching
of the SSF on sweet potato processing for the Ubaya Food Processors
Association, SSF on food processing for the Bauko Overseas Workers and
Returnees Association, SSF on coffee processing for the Anabel-Sadanga
Multi-purpose Cooperative, SSF on coffee processing for the Sagada Arabica
Coffee Growers and Processors Organization, and the SSF on muscovado sugar
processing for the Bagnen-Balintaugan Timpuyog Credit Cooperative
Launching
of SSF on organic fertilizer production for Seven Daffodil Organization of
Organic Farming will be in March.
Under
the SSF Project, DTI awards equipment aid to recipient cooperator under a
six-year conditional grant. If recipient cooperator stops its business
operation or if equipment is not being used for the purpose, DTI can recall the
equipment and awards the same to another cooperator.
If
the business opened by cooperator- beneficiary grows and surpasses the six-year
conditional period, DTI turns over to the cooperator full ownership of the
equipment. -- Juliet B. Saley
Coalition pushes community involvement for Balili River
BAGUIO
CITY- - The Balili River System Revitalization Coalition (BRSRC) will go beyond
cleaning up activities and will push for community involvement in the
protection of the Balili River.
This
was agreed upon during the BRSRC Action Planning Workshop held at the University
of the Philippines- Baguio on January 21.
Dean
Aurea Sandoval of Benguet State University pointed out that the clean-up
activities they have spearheaded in the past have not much of an impact in the
revitalization of the Balili River.
University
of the Cordilleras Director for Research and Development Center, Engr.
Nathaniel Lubrica seconded that fully
revitalizing Balili River will not be successful with just clean-up drive; it needs community involvement .
Proposed
activities to encourage community involvement include “Adopt a Community”
project wherein different institutions will adopt barangays within the stretch
of the river and educate the residents about protecting this important river
system.
Aside
from pushing for behavioral change, the education campaign will also give focus
on the improvement of the governance of barangay officials with regards to the
environment.
The
BRSRC formed in 2011 includes the Environmental Management Board - Department
of Environment and Natural Resources, the academe and local government units of
Baguio City and La Trinidad, government offices, private/industry partners and
civil society group. -- Via Perez
BWD assures enough water supply in
Baguio
BAGUIO
CITY-- The Baguio Water District said the city has enough enough water
supply even with with the
expected influx of visitors due
to various upcoming events and the
effects of El Niño.
BWD
general manager Salvador Royeca said his office has been preparing for the El
Niño phenomenon with the adaptation measures to reduce its impact.
“The
Baguio Water District constructed a lot of canals or ditches for our watersheds
to capture the run of water especially with the less rainfall being experience
here in the Cordillera and with the announcement that we are going to have an
El Nino,” Royeca said during the Kapihan sa Baguio forum on Thursday.
He
also bared that they have preserved the water collected at the Mount Santo
Tomas catch basin which will be utilized until the Panagbenga and even up to
March.
Royeca
said the city has varying water demands especially with the expected thousands
of tourists during the Panagbenga festivities, the Philippine Military Academy
Foundation Day and Graduation Rites and the observance of Holy Week. The
average demand is around 50,000 to 55, 000 cubic meters per day but it may
increase to 100,000 cubic meters per day depending on number of people in the
city.
The
BWD at present has 65 pumping stations, 57 deep wells and five spring sources
where it gets the supply of water rationed to residential homes, business
establishments and government facilities.
Even
with the assurance of enough water supplies in the city, Royeca encouraged the
public to practice water conservation. He also called on the public to help in
the preservation of the watersheds and other water sources which are slowly
diminishing. – Lalaine Galagala-
Tabuk City’s real property tax
collection up
TABUK
CITY, Kalinga-- The city’s real property
tax collection performance in 2015 increased by 13percent compared
to the previous year.
Olivia
Mendoza of the City Treasurer’s Office reported total collection of P6, 000,756
for the period over the P5, 268,956 in 2014.
Real
property taxes of the city come from four major sources that include taxes on
agricultural property posting the top with P2,669,109, residential –
P1,848,977, commercial - P1,473,649 and industrial with P9,019.
According
to Mendoza, the city has sustained annual growth in real property tax
collection because of improved efforts on massive tax mapping, intensified tax
campaign at the barangay level and massive information-education drive.
She
admitted though there is still high need to educate people on taxation
which is considered as government’s life
blood. Real property taxes accrue to the government’s general fund while the
other half goes to Special Education Fund.
Mendoza
urged eal property tax payers to avail of the 20% discount for advance payments
made every December of the preceding year and the 10% discount for payments
made in the first quarter of the year. Late payments are charged additional 2%
monthly penalty fee. -- Larry T.
Lopez
Million volunteer
run
reset Feb 6 in
Baguio
BAGUIO
CITY ) - - The Philippine Red Cross (PRC)- Baguio City Chapter has
re-scheduled the Million Volunteer Run3 on Feb. 6 as part of
the Pangbenga 2016 activities.
The
run, a humanitarian run which is participatory and
non-competitive, aims to raise funds for the capacity building of the
organization.
For
a three kilometer run, the registration is P400, P450 for the 5 k.m. and P500
for the 10 km run, all inclusive with a singlet, race bib, and a runner’s card
which name will be posted on the Red Cross website.
Annie
Tamayo, PRC Baguio administrator, is inviting everyone to support the
worthwhile activity which will help those who are in need.
Newly
installed city police director Senior Supt. George Daskeo committed to send a
big number of police contingent. At the same time the police will act as
marshals and manage the traffic to ensure safety of the runners.
Interested
runners may register with race director Che Alberto (cellphone No. 09177450378) at Laperal Building,
Session Road at and race coordinator Gerald Alejo Jr. (09082853788) at
Baguio Red Cross office. -- Joseph
Zambrano
BFAR releases 300,000 tilapia fingerlings
for Abra fisherfolk
BANGUED,
Abra - - The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources regional office released this month a total of 300,000
tilapia fingerlings to the province.
According
to Provincial Fishery Officer Mr. Jesus Astrero, these fingerlings are
distributed to fish folks and fish pond owners in the municipalities of
Lagangilang, Sallapadan, Peñarrubia, Lagayan, Bucay, Pilar, Bangued, Dolores,
San Juan, Tubo and Tayum.
“Other tilapia fingerlings will be placed in
communal body of water or rivers while fingerlings left in the office will be
dispersed in Calaba River,” he said.
These
fingerlings are expected to grow in number to help the community have
additional source of living.
The
first stock of fingerlings from BFAR was requested by Governor Eustaquio P.
Bersamin to augment the loss resulting from strong typhoons that struck the
province last year. -- Ginalyn B. Brioso
Abrenian youth shine in UP Namnama
Regionals
BANGUED,
Abra -- Abrenian youth delivered a good fight
during the UP NAMNAMA Regional Sirib Quiz Show ken Saririt Cultural Festival
Events in Bacnotan, La Union last January 6 and 7.
With
25 participating elementary schools from Abra, Baguio, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur
and La Union, Divine Word College of Bangued (DWCB) Grade School Department
landed first runner up next to Saviour's Christian Academy of Ilocos Norte.
Beatriz
Angelica Bernardez of DWCB bagged first place in English Essay Writing.
Jonathan B. Tugadi of An-Anaao Elementary School, Hannadyn Balaoro of Bangued
East Central School and Keziah Vojtylla Bigornia of Bangued West Central School
are third-placers in poster-making, vocal solo and Ilocano declamation
respectively.
In
the high school category participated by 36 schools, DWCB’s Irvin Jeremy Tamayo
won first place in the poster-making contest, and Ralph Angelo Guzman of Holy
Cross School in 2nd place. The Holy Spirit Academy of Bangued dance troop also
won in the in the folkdance contest,
Other
events in the regionals were declamation contest in Ilocano and English; short
story writing in English and Filipino; impromptu speaking in Ilocano, Filipino
and English; oration in Ilocano and English, Quiz Bee, Bucanegan Debate
Tournament, Chorale Competition, and Speech Choir.
Regional
winners will vie for the Patalasan lahi in the nationals.
This
year’s theme, “Illuminating the Tapestry: Strengthening the Strands of Ilocano
Culture through Youth Involvement in Nation-building” aims to increase the
consciousness of the youth in their culture while developing their acumen.
The
Regionals was organized and facilitated by UP Namnama Diliman and Baguio. --
Ginalyn B. Brioso
PSA Baguio Serbilis outlet serves
1,410 clients daily
BAGUIO
CITY - - Just a month into the new year, the Philippine
Statistics Authority’s Baguio Serbilis Center
is already experiencing an influx of clients getting civil registration
documents especially birth certificates.
PSA
data shows that from January 4 to 13, the center is averaging 1,410 clients a
day and going as high as 1,608 clients in January 11h compared to the 914 daily
average clients for the year 2015.
Center
Manager Gerard Tolito, in interview, explained that the shift in school calendar is the first
reason in the rise in the number of daily clients. Second semester starts this
January many parents and students are getting birth certificates for enrolment
purposes.
Another reason is for local employment
especially in the application for Philippine National Police recruits.
Applicants are getting seven authenticated copies of their birth certificate,
he added.
Tolito
assured that PSA Baguio Serbilis outlet is always ready to respond to the
challenge with the hiring of eight new staff to augment the personnel manning
the six client/public assistance computers.
He
also informed that PSA has six collection officers with two assigned to the
priority lane to assist senior citizens, person with disabilities and
pregnant/nursing mothers.
Tolito
advises the public to plan ahead and come on lean days or months as birth
certificate has no expiration if it will be used for enrolment purposes. He
also appeals to those getting their civil registration documents not to bring
companions especially children so that they will not add-up to the crowd inside
the center.
Tolito
also calls on the public to utilize the PSA’s BREQS (Batch Request Entry
System) partner wherein for a little added amount, they can save travel time or
avoid the long line at the Baguio Serbilis outlet.
PSA-CAR’s
BREQS partners provincial offices in
Abra and Ifugao, and the local government units of Paracelis, Bontoc,
Tadian, Bauko and Barlig in Mountain Province; Balbalan and Tinglayan in
Kalinga; Dolores Abra; Pudtol and Kabugao in Apayao, and Kabayan,
Buguias, Bakun and Tublay in Benguet.
The
public can also get their civil registration documents in SM City Baguio, he
added. -- By Carlito Dar
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
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