NEWS BITS

 Underground system for telecom, power lines pushed

BAGUIO CITY  -  With the city’s plan to convert existing overhead lines to underground lines in the central business district area, mayor Mauricio Domogan recently formed a technical working group to conduct a study in coming up with underground system for telecommunication and electric power lines.

Domogan directed the city engineering office to chair the TWG and sangguniang panlungsod committee on public utilities, transportation and traffic legislation chair as the co-chairperson.

Members are representatives from the City Buildings and Architecture Office, City Administrator’s Office, Department of Public Works and Highways- BCDEO, City Planning and Development Office, Globe Telecom, Smart Communications, Inc., Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company and Baguio Electric Cooperative.

To address the topsy-turvy wiring and cable networks of public utility companies that create eyesores and poses threat to public safety challenges, councilor Leandro Yangot, Jr. proposed an ordinance requiring all public utility companies utilizing wires and cables to install underground lines and obliging them to convert overhead lines in the CBD into underground lines.

 Public utility and cable companies previously are amenable and are in support to the city’s plan not only to eliminate eyesores in the city but also to prevent any threat to public safety most especially during the onslaught of natural calamities.   -- Jho Arranz

Alkansya ng Bayan for Bontoc vendors

BONTOC, Mountain Province --   PhilHealth - Cordillera Administrative Region  by regional vice president Jerry F. Ibay  recently  launched the Alkansya ng Bayan for Bontoc Market Vendors Association.  

 Noland Sabling, project head of Alkansya ng Bayan,  said his project  piloted in this municipality aims to enrol remaining uncovered individuals from groups and associations starting with the public market vendors with the assurance that premium contributions are paid at all times.

This project intends to institutionalize collection scheme that will make the public market vendors maintain membership by regularly paying their daily share of contribution  of P7 or more which they drop in their individual compartment  in the Alkansya ng Bayan.

The PhilHealth through  the Local Health  Insurance Office of Mountain Province will   count in the presence of BoMarVa officer the quarterly collection of each member  on or before the 10th day of the month following the quarter  and issue the corresponding receipt.

The scheme will ensure them access to PhilHealth benefit availment when needed.

To ensure the sustainability of the Alkansya ng Bayan project, a tripartite memorandum of agreement  was entered into among  and between the BoMarVa represented by its president, Paula F. Acofo; Mayor Franklin C. Odsey and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation represented by   Ibay.

The tripartite MOA defines the roles and responsibilities of each party in ensuring the sustainability of  the Alkansya ng Bayan with the continual intent of saturating the whole public market for PhilHealth coverage. -- PIA Mt. Province

La Union execs join PDP-Laban

AGOO, La Union  – Ninety-five percent of this province’s elected officials including Gov. Francisco Emmanuel Ortega III have joined the administration party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan.

PDP-Laban secretary general and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on June 1 led the oath taking of 18 mayors, along with their vice mayors, provincial board members, city and municipal councilors.

The province has 20 mayors.

“This shows that most of our local leaders in the province are supporting President Duterte’s agenda and programs for our country,” Alvarez said.

Most of the new PDP-Laban members are from the Nationalist People’s Coalition and Liberal Party. 

Glen Badon, PDP-Laban national executive director, said the party has become stronger, noting almost all political leaders in the provinces have joined the PDP-Laban. – Jun Elias

 PNP-Kalinga ups schools surveillance for illegal drugs

CITY OF CITY, Kalinga – Kalinga police had intensified surveillance against illegal drugs pushers, who are  reportedly  targeting  schools.

The campaign against illegal drugs in the province is still on high alert following arrest of illegal drug suspects  recently .

All police stations in the province were directed  to reactivate all “cops on the block” and “cops on school” posts as part of “Oplan Balik Eskwela” this school year.

Provincial director Senior Supt. Brent Madjaco said these were  in line with nationwide program of the police to assure safety of students on the opening of classes on June 5.

For schools that are far from the city proper, the police sought assistance from barangay officials in the assignment of barangay tanods for the job. Part of the Balik Eskwela operation includes direction of traffic near schools.

As safety call, the police appealed to drivers to properly observe traffic rules and discipline especially when approaching school zones. -- PIA Kalinga

Businesses required to submit job vacancies

BAGUIO CITY – The city council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance mandating the submission to the Public Employment Services Office of list of job vacancies and placements by all business establishments in the city.

The ordinance authored by Councilor Joel Alangsab stated the proposed legislative measure will give local residents greater information on job opportunities in the city fit for their qualifications.

The ordinance added business establishments shall submit to the PESO their job vacancies for posting as well as complete information with regards applicants hired or placed in their establishments to ensure the availability of accurate information on supply and demand skills in the labor market.

The PESO shall post list of job vacancies in designed bulletin boards and in the PESO Baguio Facebook page and copy furnish the Department of Labor and Employment field office and City Public Information Office for similar posting in the DOLE-CAR and the local government website free of charge for a period of one month.

The PESO Baguio shall refer for free, job seekers suited for the posted job vacancy as required by the business establishments after complying with the basic requirements for employment.

The ordinance stipulated submitted job vacancies and placements must include either posted or not posted and hired via referral from PESO or walk in, respectively. -- Dexter A. See

Tarlac police second best in Central Luzon

TARLAC CITY -- The Tarlac police provincial office is now second best in Central Luzon.

Tarlac Senior Supt Ritchie Medardo Posadas bared this result of the latest performance evaluation of the 9-unit police commands in Central Luzon.

The Philippine National Police Regional Office 3 is composed of the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Aurora, Zambales and Tarlac and police commands of Angeles City and Olongapo City.

“When I assumed office (Tarlac police provincial director) last February, TPPO was No. 8. Our determined efforts to improve our performance and our services to the people paid-off. We are now second best,” said Posadas.

Posadas replaced former provincial director Senior Supt. Wegrimundo Obinque last February who was sacked by PRO3 police director Chief Supt Aaron Aquino for “under performance”.

Tarlac police recently hugged the national news over the series of “commendable accomplishments” including the separate entrapment operation against two barangay kagawads in Concepcion who were both arrested selling shabu and the killing in a “bungled buy bust” of a Manila-based supplier of illegal drugs also in the town of Concepcion.

Concepcion Police is headed by Supt. Luis Ventura Jr.

Also the arrest recently of the so-called “Shabu Queen” in Moncada town under Chief Insp Palmyra Guardaya made  national newspapers and “trended” in online news.

The evaluation performance rating was Bataan – 52.48 points, Tarlac – 51.69, Zambales -50.92, Nueva Ecija - 37.59, Bulacan – 30.81, Angeles City - 28.29, Olongapo City - 26.22, Pampanga - 26.13 and Aurora - 25.27. -- Nelson Bolos

Ifugao communication network officers named

LAGAWE, Ifugao -- With President Rodrigo Duterte’s focus on information  and communication as imperative for good governance, the Philippine Information Agency recently   organized the Ifugao Communication Network (iComNet).

PIA Cordillera regional director Helen Tibaldo said the Development Communication Network (DevComNet), an initiative of the Presidential Communications Operations Office, is aimed at having a strong and powerful government information system that will bring down the programs of the national government which will also bring accomplishments of the agencies to the grassroots level.

‘We want to connect the agencies and help each other in coming up with timely, accurate and relevant information. This also includes the use of government media platforms as medium in informing the public about programs and accomplishments,” she added.

 More than 50 information and designated IOs   from the municipal and provincial local government units and national line including the uniformed personnel elected their officers to lead them and represent the organization in official undertakings.

The  iComNet’s officers are  as follows: president - Rosemarie Lindawan of the provincial government; vice president for national government agencies – Donald Jay Bulahao of  DSWD-SWAD; vice president for PLGU – Miriam Baguidudol; VP for LGUs – Gabriel Buyawe, LGU-Lagawe, treasurer – Peter Buhong, Jr., BIR-Ifugao and P.R.O – Kathlyn Abluyen, Provincial Tourism Office with PIA – Ifugao as secretariat.

The iComNet plans to craft its constitution and by laws before requesting for an executive order from the governor to strengthen functions of the organization that will help disseminate programs services of the government in the community. -- PIA Ifugao  

PMA incorporates 285 new cadets

BAGUIO CITY -- The Philippine Military Academy incorporated 285 new cadets who will compose the PMA Class 2021  in recent  ceremonies here at Fort Del Pilar. 

Armed Forces of the Philippines Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Salvador Melchor Mison Jr. led the military leadership in welcoming the 285 new plebes into the Cadet Corps of the AFP.

The new cadets are incorporated as regular members of the CC-AFP after long and arduous weeks of "beast barracks."

 “After having completed the New Cadet Battalion Training, a grueling and life changing seven-week course that intends to test, transform and prepare novice individuals to embrace a strict and regimented life in the academy, the 285 strong plebes composed of 245 males and 40 females now proudly wear their full dress whites as they march on the sacred grounds of Borromeo Field,” the PMA said.

Through the incorporation ceremony, the new cadets now take their place in the different squads of the eight companies making up the Cadet Corps.  -- J. Esmele, S.Yusuf, K. Valdres- PIA CAR/UC Interns

 NGCP gives school supplies to La Trinidad pupils

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet --- More than 200 school children of  the Pico Elementary School here were given school supplies by  the country's sole energy grid operator.

National Grid Corp. of the Philippines  gave items to children in one of its host communities in the program dubbed “Gamit ni Bulilit”.

NGCP corporate communications and public affairs officer Melma Batario said the activity is part of the corporate social responsibility of NGCP   to assist indigent and deserving Grades On to Three pupils in their host communities.

This is one was of giving back to its host communities where its towers and steel posts are located, she said.

School principal Jerome Tulic and barangay captain Jerome Mendoza thanked NGCP for the school supplies   which will help the pupils in their studies and in acquiring better learning habits.

NGCP personnel also conducted information, education and communication campaign on the safety of   transmission lines and other facilities.

Batario urged pupils, teachers and parents to help secure transmission lines to avoid severe damages that may result to power interruptions. Parents and teachers were told to strictly not allow children to fly kites near transmission lines or to climb any transmission structure to prevent accidents and electrocution. Planting of trees under transmission lines, towers and right-of-way clearances is also  prohibited.

She warned that NGCP transmission lines s carry very high voltage power and violations of their safety regulations affect their operations. 

Batario said that they will also conduct outreach programs in other host communities including Ansagan, Tuba; Lamtang, Irisan; Kamog, Sablan; Sinipsip, Buguias; Ampucao and Tuding in Itogon and Bekkel, La Trinidad in Benguet; Pandayan, Tadian and Guinzadan, Bauko in Mountain Province, and  La Union and Nueva Vizcaya.  -- PIA CAR

Natonin  SB renames community hospital 

NATONIN, Mountain Province –The Natonin Community Hospital (NCH) was renamed Anastacia Rafael-Sagel Memorial Hospital in honor of its   former mayor who was instrumental in establishment of the facility.

In Municipal Ordinance No. 57, S. 2017, members of the Sangguniang Bayan here said they were unanimous in rendering the late Anastacia Rafael-Sagel, fondly called Mayor Tasing, a commemorative entity to publicly honor, recognize and deeply appreciate her instrumentality in the establishment of the NCH 1994 which has been playing vital role in the lives of every resident of the municipality.

They also acknowledged that during her term, she became the catalyst for establishment of facilities in the delivery of services to the people of this municipality up to present.

The late Sagel served for two consecutive terms as a municipal mayor of this municipality from 1992 – 1998.

The municipal ordinance was further approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan through Resolution No. 2017 – 149.   -- PIA Mt. Province

 AFPMBAI  gives ambulance, medical equipment to BFP   

BAGUIIO CITY --- The Bureau of Fire Protection Cordillera  under regional director  Maria Sofia B Mendoza expressed   gratitude to Armed Forces of the Philippines Mutual and Benefits Association, Inc. (AFPMBAI) for medical equipment and emergency service vehicle  it donated to the office.

The donation  included  one unit of ambulance vehicle with complete accessories such as Automated External Defibrillator, extrication device, trauma bag, trauma kit, spine board and one unit of dental chair with complete accessories .

The  AFPMBAI  represented by Brig. Gen Rolando M Aquino (Ret.),   head of  Area Branch Operations Division together with  the Chief, BFP Director Bobby V Baruelo   formally signed the deed of donations and led the blessing of the new equipment at BFP National Headquarters last May 15. 

 DepEd urged to provide security

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The Police Regional Office urged the Dept. of Education to provide security guards in schools to ensure safety of students and its facilities.

“Bad elements today do not choose what to rob so there is a need for schools to beef up their security not only to protect the teachers and students during school days but also to protect the school properties and facilities   with most schools already equipped with high tech equipment and gadgets,” said PRO-Cor regional operations division deputy chief Supt. Davy Limmong said.

 Limmong said PRO-Cor recorded  last year  at nine robbery incidents in Benguet and one in Apayao   where perpetrators took several computer units and other gadgets being used by teachers and students.

School officials and the Parents-Teachers Association officers were also encouraged to coordinate with police officers or station commanders in charge of their schools regarding security plans and other measures to protect the students, teachers and the schools.

Limmong suggested installation of    closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in school as additional safety mechanism.

Meanwhile, Limmong assured police presence and visibility in schools and areas of convergence as classes opened June 5 to ensure safety and security of students and teachers.

At least 3,000 police officers regionwide with the augmentation of other force multipliers including barangay peacekeeping teams and tanods were mobilized during the school opening in the Cordillera.

For safety tips, Limmong said students should be always careful and to safe keep their money, gadgets and other valuables. He also urged parents and teachers to discourage students from brining their prized possessions including their gadgets and other valuables to school for them not to be victims of criminals. -- PIA CAR

 Entreps learn through DTI mentoring program 

BANGUED, Abra – Entrepreneurs here are leaning how to become successful with interaction and learning with fellow business persons under the “Mentor Me” Program of the Department of Trade and Industry.

DTI regional director Myrna P. Pablo and mentors launched the program here at provincial capitol last May 5.

The program  is a long and tedious learning process where entrepreneurs share success stories and failures to small medium scale entrepreneurs (SMSEs) to inspire them to persevere in their own business.

This is an 11-module training program where SMSEs learn business operation and management.

Tina Arestina Morados, owner/manager of Pamora Farm Inc., from Brgy. Garreta, Pidigan, and one of the mentors, cited need for hardwork and sacrifice in learning the process of the program. Commitment to share the gains acquired was alsol cited so everyone in the SMSE group would also benefit.

Some 23 out of 390 participants committed to participate in the 10-week program. – PIA Abra

Abra PAC reorganized    

BANGUED, Abra -- The Abra Provincial Police Office (APPO) recently reorganized its   Provincial Advisory Council to improve police services.

 Carmelita Bersalona, chair of the Abra Peace Conveners’ Group, was un-opposed during the election of the members of council.

The PAC is established for the purpose of providing support through technical/advisory assistance to the APPO especially in matters affecting peace and order program and the international police program dubbed as Patrol Plan 2030 that aims to improve police services.

It is composed of representatives from various sectors in the province with working committees to perform specific tasks on resource generation, health services, communications and community services. -- PIA Abra

Ifugao creates team for RH law

LAGAWE, Ifugao  - Gov. Pedro Mayam-o recently issued an executive order creating the Provincial Implementation Team to locally implement Republic Act 10354 or the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act.

The PIT will be a sub-committee of Ifugao Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Council that will focus on proper implementation of RA 10354 pursuant to President Duterte’ order on attaining and sustaining zero unmet need for modern family planning that requires a collective action from all sectors especially the local government units.

It will be composed of the Provincial Health Officer as the chairperson with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Chairman of the Committee on Health as the vice chairperson with members from the different national agencies operating in the province and the offices of the provincial government.

The PIT will manage dissemination and implementation of all issuances pursuant to the RH Law at the provincial and municipal levels, coordinate all actions of the provincial line agencies and provincial government departments who are implementing the law in the areas of policy development, capacity building, advocacy, education, information, health services delivery, field operations and monitoring and evaluation.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier Executive Order No. 12 for the strict implementation of the RH law.  It provides for the organization of structures at the local level for the enforcement of the law that recognize the right of Filipinos to decide freely and responsibly on their desired number and spacing of their children within the context of responsible parenthood and informed choice including the access of the needed reproductive health care information and services.

Implementation of this law will enable poor couples to make informed decisions and choices on their financial and family planning.  -- PIA Ifugao

 DSWD releases P18M pension in Kalinga

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The Dept. of Social Welfare and Development recently  released more than P18 million in socialized pension to some 12,591 elderly in the province.

Lorna Lumiwan of DSWD-Kalinga reported the assistance covered the first quarter of the year with P1,500 per pensioner.

Based on DSWD-Kalinga distribution report, the top recipients are Tabuk City with P5 million,  Pinukpuk  with  P3.5M and Balbalan  with P2M.

DSWD-Kalinga closely coordinates with the Provincial Federation of Senior Citizens for the updated master list of members. The sector is included in the priority targets of the office. 

Under Republic Act  994, the government through DSWD extends monthly socialized pension of P500 to senior citizens, who have no other financial support. It is released per quarter.

In related report, some municipalities in the province extend additional benefits to the sector that include livelihood assistance and mortuary cash aid.

In Tabuk City, the city government provides mortuary benefits of P5,000 to qualified members of the City Senior Citizen Federation and P2,000 to non-federation members. (PIA Kalinga)

 Kalinga 4Ps get rice aid

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – More than11, 000 Pantawid Pamilya program beneficiaries in the province started receiving  rice subsidy from the program.

Under the Duterte Administration, Pantawid beneficiaries are extended additional P600 monthly rice aid.

Lorna Lumiwan, 4Ps Provincial Link, disclosed the Dept. of Social Welfare and Development released the rice assistance for January because the period was covered under the “suspension of evaluation on compliance” due to super typhoon ‘Lawin’.       

But starting February until end of the year, release of rice aid will be back as compliance-based, Lumiwan said.

Under the 4Ps program, indigent beneficiaries receive monthly cash benefits provided they comply with conditions set on health, education and attendance to family development sessions.

Pantawid families are required to have regular health monitoring at rural health units, qualified children should be in school and undergo regular family development sessions.  -- PIA Kalinga

 Kalinga farmers learn ratooning technology

CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga --  The Provincial Agriculturist Office educates farmers on the ratooning technology to increase rice production.

Joe Casibang, Kalinga rice program coordinator, said ratooning could add at least 40 percent of the average yield per hectare to farmers.

 the technology, farmers are taught to apply some interventions to palay plants left out during harvest and could still get additional yield. Farmers just apply additional two bags of urea per hectare compared to the usual 8-10 bags of fertilizer per hectare in the regular cropping.

Casibang said the ratooning period runs for about 60 days, which is actually the regular cropping interval, before the ratooned palay is ready for harvest.

The technology is applicable to both hybrid and inbred rice. Rice farmers get an average of 120 bags of palay per hectare.

A 50-hectare demo-farm is being used for the technology in this City, the province's major rice producing area.  -- PIA Kalinga  

DSWD sets 30,000 family food packs for rainy months

BAGUIO CITY – Dept. of Social Welfare and Development in the Cordillera Administrative Region has set family food packs for disaster augmentation this rainy season particularly for  landslide-prone areas in the region.

              DSWD-CAR regional director Janet Armas said 30,000 food packs have already been brought to provinces for distribution in case of disasters.

She said 6,200 food packs are in Mountain Province; 5,000 in Ifugao; 2,642 in Abra; 1,500 in Apayao; and 15,601 at their warehouse in Puguis, La Trinidad town in Benguet.

A food pack contains 6 kilograms of rice, half dozen 3-in-1 instant coffee, 8 canned goods, brown rice bar (energy bar) and infant dry-cereals.

Armas said the goods will augment food supplies in cases of disasters in Cordillera as landslides frequently occur due to the terrain.

DSWD-CAR, she said, spent about P13 million for the family packs. About P21 million was also spent for non-food items like blankets and tents.

Cordillera the past days has been experiencing strong rains and thunderstorms brought by the southwest monsoon. A number of roads were closed to vehicular traffic due to landslides. -- PNA

  PVET teaches farmers organic feed formulation

HUNGDUAN, Ifugao --The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVET) here recently conducted skills training on organic swine and poultry raising and feed formulation to 83 farmer- recipients of native pig raising project of the provincial government.

The training was to enable pig raisers gain more profit in their backyard livestock endeavor by formulating their own organic feeds using ingredients and materials that are abundant and indigenous in their places rather than relying on commercial feeds which are very expensive, said PVET training coordinator Ferdinand Dunuan.

By adopting organic farming  that  includes feed formulation to reduce feed cost,  they can produce not only animal meat products which are safe and fit for human consumption but also earn more profit because organically produced farm products nowadays are in great demand.

Dunuan   lectured to participants on animal husbandry, issues on bio-organic inputs and good agricultural practices.

Gilbert Caclini, also of PVET, demonstrated the preparation of the feeds using the indigenous materials with the hands on participation of the farmers  so that they can learn and experience on the spot organic feed formulation.

The ingredients and materials used during the actual preparation of  50 kilograms (kgs) of organic feed include 20 kilos rice bran, 5 corn grits, 5 corn bran, 3 chopped banana stalk, 3 chopped camote trunk and leaves, 3 ofipil leaves, 10 ofazola, a kilo of brown sugar, another kilo of indigenous micro-organism (for fermentation) and two liters of rice wash.

The farmers said were happy with what they learned and promised that they will immediately start preparing their own feed supply. -- Daniel B. Codamon

 DOST upgrades baking skills of Ifugao small entrepreneurs

LAMUT, Ifugao -- The Department of Science and Technology trained 30 young and old small entrepreneurs of the province to upgrade their skills and knowledge in making bakery products.

The DOST tapped expert chefs and bakers from the ACHIEVERS Food and Bakery Ingredients Corporation based in Quezon City as resource persons. The company offers wide range of locally manufactured and selected imported quality food ingredients to produce a wide variety of breads, cakes, pastries, dimsum and other confectionaries and also supply bakery equipment and tools.

Provincial Science and Technology Director Genna Jallorina said that the training  under the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Project or SETUP  aims to enable the bakery operators in the province improve the quality and quantity of their bakery products by learning and using new and better ingredients, technology, equipment and facilities thereby making their business more profitable and  competitive.

Among the equipment introduced and demonstrated hands-on by the chefs and bakers from the ACHIEVERS Corporation to the trainees are the deck ovens, cake mixers, rack ovens, spiral mixers, chillers, proofers, dough machines, roasters, fondue machines, ice machines, bread slicer, bread racks and other machine products.

The participants learned proper processing and cooking of bakery foods like pastel rolls, pandesal with malunggay leaves, donut variety, hopia, chiffon cake and choco chiffon cake. -- PIA Ifugao