Tublay mayor ups waste, eco-tourism projects

TUBLAY, Benguet -- Reelected Mayor Armando Lauro is set to implement a comprehensive solid waste management program to address this town's garbage disposal problem.
    He said sustainable and reliable potable water source to avoid water shortages in the future due to population growth would be made.
    He said these will complement programs for agriculture and ecotourism projects in the province.
Lauro, who was re-elected to serve his third term as mayor, said the local government will look for land to build a material recovery facility.
    "We will continue agriculture and ecotourism projects that have been started in our town. Proper coordination with other towns, especially for package tours," he said, adding this could spur economic activity in villages, stalled by the Covid-19 pandemic the last two years.
    Tublay is one of municipalities that form the Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba-Tublay growth corridor where tourism is viable due to agri- and ecotourism destinations.
    The local government will also be working on completion of the town's multipurpose market and logistics infrastructure complex, which has been earmarked with a P50 million budget by Benguet caretaker and Anti-Crime and Terrorism through Community Involvement and Support Rep. Eric Yap.
    On health facilities, Lauro said there was also P20 million allocation from Yap.
    "Efforts to improve the town's rural health unit will enhance delivery of quality health care services to the people in the different villages," he added.
    Lauro said improving delivery of social services and promoting access to more livelihood activities for economic growth are the two of the best means that he could extend his gratitude to the people of Tublay for giving him another chance to serve the town.

 

No. 3, 4 cols

Baguio road projects

damage pipelines;

water supply down

  BAGUIO CITY -- Baguio Water District consumers residing at the north-northwest part of the City will continue to experience “low water pressure” to “limited to no water” during their water distribution schedules as district personnel pick-up the phase in repairing damaged pipelines along Sofia de Veyra Street, Quezon Hill affected by ongoing road rehabilitation projects.

Unscheduled water service interruptions are expected to recur in areas of Quezon Hill and Fairview, following damages to the BWD’s main distribution lines last  week.

On the evening of May 17, a 4ӯ main line was reported damaged along Sofia de Veyra Street affecting water supply schedule on said date, followed by another incident on 18 May 2022, as four portions of the 6ӯ mainline were again damaged during road excavation activities.

BWD general manager engineer Salvador M. Royeca urged affected residents to extend their patience and understanding as unscheduled interruptions in these identified supply areas were highly challenging.

He added the BWD was addressing the problem.

“We are distressed with the difficulties caused not only to our operations but more especially to the strain dealt with by our consumers. Despite these untoward damages, rest assured that BWD set out its contingency measures to normalize the water distribution the soonest possible time.” Royeca said.

Around 1,600 active connections are affected due to the ongoing repair particularly in areas of Middle and Upper Quezon Hill (Chrome, Gold, Tin, Iron, Paraan, Abellera, Zarate, Paredes, Carantes, Arvisu, Ortega, and Delos Santos) Victoria Village, Parts of Tacay-Quezon Hill (Silver, Orchid, Camia, Copper, Sunnyside Fairview), 1st, 2nd and 3rd Road Quezon Hill, Lamug, Ponce St., Upper and Central Fairview, Golden Shower, and Lower Fairview.

Based on BWD records, its construction and maintenance division attended to more than 20 pipeline repairs in that particular area since start of road rehabilitation project in February 2022.

Despite coordination with the contractor, pipeline damages reportedly recur along the project area.

Meanwhile, BWD also noted that apart from the unscheduled water service interruptions resulting from damaged pipes, part of the various road improvement projects is also causing water quality problems in some areas due to entry of soil, sediments, and other debris into the pipeline before and during repair which results to turbid or dirty water supply. The district assures the public however, that the water passes through adequate treatment before distribution to the public.

Royeca urged public to immediately report water quality concerns to any of BWD’s 24/7 hotline numbers for action and monitoring.

BWD consumers who reside within affected areas are advised to avail of BWD’s water delivery services if water supply remains to be limited, he said.

For water deliveries and other water supply concerns, customers may call the following numbers; (074)442-3218, (074)442-4929, 09088651504, 09176794929, 09228409765, send a message through Facebook messenger at BWDCustomer Relations; or email baguiowaterdistrictgmo@gmail.com

Apart from said areas, BWD is monitoring other ongoing road rehabilitation works including those along Baguio’s major roads where most of the BWD’s pipelines are located.

 

No. 4, 3 cols

Coast guard rescues

12 off Cagayan waters

By Vince Jacob Visaya

TUGUEGARAO CITY -- Twelve people were rescued by members of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) after the former's boat propeller engine malfunctioned while cruising the waters off Barangay Pata East in Claveria, Cagayan, on May 19, the PCG District Northeast Luzon said in a report.

PCG sub-station Claveria responded on board a borrowed boat, the MB Shenna Mae, and tracked down the distressed MB La Cresta.

The rescued crew and passengers of the boat include Capt. Samuel de la Cruz, 53, of Fuga Island in Aparri, six of his crew members, and five passengers of the boat.

De la Cruz reported that they left Sitio Naguilian in Fuga Island and were bound for Claveria when the boat's propeller engine broke down, causing it to slow down until they could no longer travel.

Passenger Ginalyn de la Cruz asked for help and posted it on her social media page, which was swiftly reported to the PCG.

 

No. 5, 3 cols

12 held; P3-M MJ

burned in Benguet

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet – Twelve drug personalities were arrested while P3,170,025 worth of marijuana was burned in the Cordillera on May 15-21.

Records of police Regional Operations Division bared Baguio City Police Office recorded the highest number of arrests with six followed by Apayao and Benguet with two arrests each and Abra and Kalinga with one each.
In Baguio, arrested were Arjay Simeon, 25; Ibalson Cadangen, 37; Rey Christopher Abero, 38; Ronald Ellana, 33; Janewen Lui, 42; and Karlo Ibarra, 31.

In Apayao, arrested were John Arian Magro, 27, and Cleo Tabbu, 40.

In Benguet, nabbed were Joemamel Dipatuan, 37 and Ellaine Cariaso, 37.

In Abra and Kalinga, nabbed were Jojemar Bagni, 31 and, Gian Vincent Dela Cruz, 29 respectively.
Buy-bust operations resulted in seizure of 18.19 grams of suspected shabu worth P123,692 and the confiscation of 1000.9 grams of marijuana leaves worth P120,108.

All arrested suspects will be facing charges for illegal drugs.

Meanwhile, marijuana eradication drives conducted in Benguet destroyed a total of 4,350 fully grown marijuana plants worth P870,000 and 5,000 pieces of marijuana leaves worth P600,000.

In Kalinga, a total of 8,500 marijuana plants worth P1,700,000 and 1,000 grams of marijuana seeds worth P25,000 were destroyed.

This, as another three drug suspects were arrested in Benguet on Monday.

Arrested were Princel Long-a Sacla, 22; Jomar Pepe Dionesio, 24 and Klent Pepe Darwin, 21.
According to the reports from Benguet PPO, “Princel” and “Jomar” were arrested in Barangay Pico following information from a concerned citizen.

Accordingly, a concerned citizen reported that there is an ongoing drug session in Barangay Pico, La Trinidad, Benguet.

Immediately, joint operatives of La Trinidad Municipal Police Station and Regional Intelligence Division went to the location to verify the report resulting in the arrest of the suspects.

During the operation, one plastic sachet of suspected shabu weighing 0.3 grams worth P2,040 was seized from the suspects.

Meanwhile, in a separate operation in the said barangay, joint operatives of Benguet Police Provincial Office, RID-COR, and PDEA Benguet arrested a certain “Klent” after he sold one plastic sachet of suspected shabu weighing 0.38 grams worth P2,584 to a lawman who acted as buyer.

 

No. 6, 2 cols, half box

Cordi PNP free

veggie project

reaches LU

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Police distributed free vegetables in Benguet and Baguio last week with  donations coming from generous individuals.

The activity was dubbed as Project Pacdaw, a practice of redistributing free vegetables that started at the height of the pandemic.
Col. Freddie M. Lazona, chief of Regional Logistics and Research Development Division of  Police Regional Office, said farmers and traders from Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (BAPTC) and La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post donated vegetables to PROCor.
To prevent spoilage, Cordillera police director Brig. Gen. Ronald O. Lee ordered immediate distribution of donated vegetables to include neighboring provinces of Benguet.

A truckload of assorted vegetables was delivered to Barangay Nagrebcan, Bauang, La Union on May 19.
Lazona coordinated with Merlita Marinas, chairperson of Nagrebcan, for the orderly redistribution of vegetables to residents.
Nagrebcan folks through Marinas extended their gratitude to farmers and traders of BAPTC and La Trinidad Vegetables Trading Post and to police headed by Lee. "Pacdaw,” is a kankana-ey term meaning "to give."

 

No. 7, 3 cols, half box

3K Baguio urban farmers

register for government aid

BAGUIO CITY – The City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO) on Monday said almost 3,000 residents engaged in farming, producing food, and other agricultural products have registered with the government's Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).
The RSBA is a nationwide list used by the Department of Agriculture in determining whether a person is a legitimate industry member entitled to benefits and assistance provided by the government.

CVAO chief Silardo Bested said they are targeting to have 5,000 urban farmers in the city register in the system.

But the 2,929 residents who have so far registered and come from 32 urban farmer organizations in Baguio show that more people are engaging in agriculture despite limited spaces and their busy work schedules.

In Ilocano, he said, "This is a good sign that even if we are living in the city, we can eat fresh and clean vegetables and even meat."

Baguio is a highly urbanized city with weather conducive to producing agricultural products.

May was declared Urban Farmers and Fisherfolk Month through City Ordinance 35, series of 2018, which was passed to boost the city’s agricultural industry and the economy as a whole.

This year's theme is "Modernization and Industrialization Toward Higher Yield and More Income."
Among the activities for Urban Farmers and Fisherfolk Month are edible landscaping contest; the Session Road Sunday market showcase; competency Enhancement Training for Farmer Associations on agri-business planning and writing resolutions; launching of the Baguio coffee brand and rabbit food fest; launching of Farm Tourism circuit; coffee tree planting and cleanup drive; tilapia fingerlings dispersal.

The city's urban farming was further drummed-up during the pandemic with the help of the Department of Agriculture which distributed quality vegetable seeds to residents which can be planted in pots and hung on walls to maximize spaces.

Aside from vegetable production, the government gave residents poultry and livestock supplies that can be grown in small quantities. – Liza Agoot

 

 

 

 

Ilocos Norte provincial capitol. (Photo courtesy of Ilocos Norte provincial government)