NEWS BITS

 NLEX opens new exits for NL-bound motorists

MEYCAUAYAN, Bulacan --The North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Corp. has opened a new exit in Valenzuela City and two others in Meycauayan for motorists bound to Northern Luzon.

Rodrigo Franco, NLEX president and chief executive officer, said the new southbound exit in Barangay Lingunan was opened Tuesday.

“The new Lingunan exit aims to decongest the Valenzuela interchange, which caters to approximately 13,000 vehicles coming in and out of the city via NLEX,” said Franco.

He said motorists from the north may take the Lingunan exit when going to Valenzuela City instead of the Paso de Blas and Karuhatan exits.

Two additional exit ramps – northbound of Barangay Libtong and southbound of Pandayan – were opened in Meycauayan on June 30.

Franco said the new exits are expected to ease traffic at the Meycauayan interchange.

“More than improving traffic flow, these new exits also aim to make commercial activities in the city more efficient,” he said.

NLEX Corp. spent P31.5 million for the construction of the new exit ramps.

 DepEd Benguet trains grade 6 teachers on K-12

BAGUIO CITY – The Dept. of Education’s K to 12 education program for grade six is now being fully implemented this School Year 2017-2018.

In line with this, the DepEd  Benguet Division conducted training on K to 12 Enhanced Basic Education Curriculum here at Brentwood Apartelle recently for teachers teaching grade six on K to 12 curriculum and teaching guides.

The seminar aimed to aid teachers to appreciate the K to 12 coded curricula and use curriculum and teaching guides including learning materials correctly and efficiently and to demonstrate understanding of issues and concerns relative to content on different instruction.

The 554 teacher-participants were also trained to identify appropriate pedagogies and to cite concrete measures or interventions to assist all types of students.

-- Mercedes S. Catacutan

Danglas  drug surrenderees to graduate rehab program    

DANGLAS, Abra -- Drug surrenderees here who who underwent rehabilitation program will soon be presented to the Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council and be recommended for graduation.

Initiated by Mayor Denise Florence Bernos-Bragas, a medical doctor, the program involves medical examination, counseling, information and education and capacity development.

The community rehabilitation program is a long process of personal and social transformation. It covers the holistic life of surrenderees such as spiritual, psychological, social and even the economic aspect of their life. They also underwent psychiatric treatment and series of drug tests that include the follow-up random and confirmatory drug tests to ensure that they are no longer into illegal drugs and substances. -- PIA Abra

Regulation on road use by driving schools pushed

BAGUIO CITY – The local legislature passed on first reading a proposed ordinance regulating the use of major streets in the Summer Capital by driving schools in giving lessons and by student drivers in practical driving instructions and lessons including providing penalties thereof.

Authored by councilor Michael Lawana, the measure states that all applications to operate a driving school must comply with the rules, regulations, procedures and standards for the accreditation requirements of the Land Transportation Office.

The proposed ordinance prohibits driving schools providing lessons and instructions and student drivers with student driver’s permit and taking driving lessons and instructions to pass through and use the city’s major streets for purposes of practical driving lessons and instructions from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Sunday.

It states that driving school cars shall be painted on both sides with the name of the driving school, its address and telephone numbers in addition to a caution sign of the danger of a student driver on the front hood and back compartment cover of the vehicles.  The sign and caution shall not be removable.

“Practical driving lessons and practices must be conducted in a privately owned race circuit or test track of the driving school during the prohibited time.  Driving schools and student drivers are prohibited to pass from 6 am to 8 pm in all major streets or thoroughfares in the city of Baguio,” the measure said.

A fine of P300 will be imposed for the first offense; P500 for the second offense; and P1,500 for the third offense and the revocation of business permit for the driving school.  The student driver’s license of the student driver shall also be confiscated immediately upon violation.- Gaby Keith

Natonin  SB renames community hospital 

NATONIN, Mountain Province –The Natonin Community Hospital (NCH) was recently 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. 

PNP to DepEd, PTA: Provide security, CCTVs in schools

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.

Under 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