Lucban pupils cited for beautifying school with art
>> Friday, August 18, 2023
CITY HALL BEAT
Aileen P. Refuerzo
BAGUIO CITY -- Lucban Elementary School had its walls beautified with artistic rendition of the city’s famous tourist spots thanks to its 25 young artist pupils.
The pupils are members of the Lucban Elementary School Young Artist Club (LESYAC) under the tutelage of LES Head Teacher Charmie Basuel which initiated the project as part of their art activities.
The young artists are Hayley Sanchez, Thean Dela Paz, Althea Yves Milanes, Checa Odalio, Abegail Raguindin, Alhzhean Bohol, Curvin Cumafay, Xymon Reparejo, Jia Carreon, Xian Quelie Avecilla, Nathalie Astrero, Jomaree Quartero, Shamille Fangyaren, Shaun Macayan, Shanilaire Tahling, Princess Tumalip, Xia Gail Cruz, Jessrell Dizon, Jilian Aniwas, Zyril Haber, Romela Mariano, Carlo Malintad, Max Adonica Lucagan, Balsi Balaglag and Franchesca Neo.
***
Mayor Benjamin Magalong and City Engineer Edgar Victorio Olpindo lauded the artistry and sense of community of the pupils and the school teachers who shared their talent, time and resources for the project.
Engineer Richard Lardizabal of the CEO Planning, Programming and Construction Division who saw the work said the students did an “amazing job” capturing the city’s tourists spots through their paintings.
“We need to give them recognition for their efforts for their dedication doing the project even outside their school hours and chipping in for the materials and for their food while completing the paintings. The city is grateful for these efforts,” he said.
***
This, as a total of 25 elementary and secondary public schools in Baguio City were assisted by personnel of the Baguio City Police Station (BCPO) and the Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) of the City Mayor’s Office during the conduct of Bridaga Eskwela 2023.
School building and equipment repairs as well as clean-up activities were held simultaneously from August 14 to 18 by BCPO and POSD together with school personnel, parents and volunteers.
Out of the 67 total public elementary schools and secondary schools in the city, 17 elementary and eight secondary schools were aided during the first five days of Brigada Eskwela in the city.
Elementary schools include: Doña Aurora Elementary School in Lopez Jaena, Aurora Hill; Jose P. Laurel Elementary School located at Upper Dagsian; Kias Elementary School; Manuel Roxas Elementary School; Lindawan Elementary School in Lucnab; Gibraltar Elementary School; Baguio Central School; Doñ Mariano Elementary School located at Upper Brookside; Irisan Elementary School; Fort Del Pilar Elementary School; Josefa Cariño Elementary School; Lucban Elementary School; Rizal Elementary School – Extension in Liteng, Pacdal; Doña Nicasia Elementary School in West Modernsite; Springhills Elementary School in Loakan Apugan; Rizal Elementary School – Gibraltar; and, the Baguio City Special Education Center along Military Cut-off.
For the secondary schools, assisted were: Baguio City National High School; Pines City National High School; Rizal National High School; Roxas National High School; Baguio City National Science High School; Sto. Tomas National High School; Happy Hallow National High School; and, Hillside High School.
Brigada Eskwela volunteers worked hand in hand in cleaning the drainages, roof gutter, trimming of protruding tree branches, hauling of chairs and tables, flattening land, cleaning classrooms, repainting of roofs and restoration of ceilings among others.
Tables and chairs were likewise repainted including hauling of cabinets and laboratory equipment from one building to another as requested by teachers in charge.
Meanwhile in Gibraltar Elementary School, welding and fabrication works were requested including the installation of canopy for the parts of the school's walkway that remain unprotected from the elements.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong extended his appreciation to all the volunteers for responding to the needs of public schools in the city.
The Department of Education recently announced that the opening of classes for School Year (SY) 2023-2024 in all public schools will be on Aug. 29, 2023. – With a report from Jessa Mardy P. Samidan
CITY HALL BEAT
Aileen P. Refuerzo
New DepEd program in Baguio/ Waste disposal
BAGUIO CITY -- The Dept. of Education Baguio announced the "Tara, Basta!" tutoring program, an educational initiative to recover learning losses in the country, is now in the city to benefit learners in the elementary level.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong lauded DepEd's efforts to bridge the learning gap through such programs as reading tutorials.
“Tara Basa!” is an educational initiative of the DepEd that is designed "to improve their foundational reading skills while offering short-term work and learning opportunities for financially challenged college students."
As announced in their social media page, the program is set to run in the city from Aug. 14-25 and every Saturday from Sept. 2 to November 11 in designated public schools in the city as announced by the schools division under Officer-in-Charge Schools Division Superintendent Soraya Faculo.
The division said the program's implementation in the city through collaboration among DepEd Baguio City, Ateneo De Manila and the different universities in the city is "great news."
The division said an orientation was conducted by Carmela C. Oracion of Ateneo last August 7, 2023 to ensure the success of the program.
The division also hailed the active participation of DepEd Baguio public school teachers and volunteers from the University of the Cordilleras, Saint Louis University and University of Baguio and the Parents Teachers Association.
"It demonstrates a strong commitment to improving literacy and education in the city," the schools division said.
During the orientation, the program components were explained to ensure that all participants understand the goals, processes, and responsibilities involved in the Tara, Basa! initiative.
"This is important to provide clear guidelines and expectations to ensure that the program runs smoothly and effectively," the division said.
***
Mayor Magalong noted improvement in city residents’ discipline in managing their wastes but said it is still wanting for a truly clean and orderly city. “Compared to the previous years, we have seen a big improvement in the way people dispose of their garbage lately. I know that it cannot be done overnight and we are happy that people are slowly but surely adopting a change of mindset,” he said.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong lauded DepEd's efforts to bridge the learning gap through such programs as reading tutorials.
“Tara Basa!” is an educational initiative of the DepEd that is designed "to improve their foundational reading skills while offering short-term work and learning opportunities for financially challenged college students."
As announced in their social media page, the program is set to run in the city from Aug. 14-25 and every Saturday from Sept. 2 to November 11 in designated public schools in the city as announced by the schools division under Officer-in-Charge Schools Division Superintendent Soraya Faculo.
The division said the program's implementation in the city through collaboration among DepEd Baguio City, Ateneo De Manila and the different universities in the city is "great news."
The division said an orientation was conducted by Carmela C. Oracion of Ateneo last August 7, 2023 to ensure the success of the program.
The division also hailed the active participation of DepEd Baguio public school teachers and volunteers from the University of the Cordilleras, Saint Louis University and University of Baguio and the Parents Teachers Association.
"It demonstrates a strong commitment to improving literacy and education in the city," the schools division said.
During the orientation, the program components were explained to ensure that all participants understand the goals, processes, and responsibilities involved in the Tara, Basa! initiative.
"This is important to provide clear guidelines and expectations to ensure that the program runs smoothly and effectively," the division said.
Mayor Magalong noted improvement in city residents’ discipline in managing their wastes but said it is still wanting for a truly clean and orderly city. “Compared to the previous years, we have seen a big improvement in the way people dispose of their garbage lately. I know that it cannot be done overnight and we are happy that people are slowly but surely adopting a change of mindset,” he said.
He more needs to be done if the city wants to achieve its dream of clean and orderly city noting the city’s experience with typhoon “Egay” where flooding incidents were once again experienced due to waste materials that clogged drainage inlets, canals and other waterways.
“Sadly despite our constant reminders, there are still irresponsible people who have no care for their environment. I hope we will all learn discipline and be conscientious of how our careless attitude has been affecting the entire city and our fellow residents,” he said.
General Services Officer Eugene Buyucan said barangays have always been reminded of the waste management protocol during typhoons or rainy days.
In anticipation of the typhoons or heavy rains, barangay heads should advise residents not to bring out their garbage and instead keep them properly wrapped and stored within their premises to avoid being scattered or carried by floodwaters into the streets and waterways.
Buyucan said the garbage will be picked up as soon as the weather condition improves and immediate coordination will be made with the barangay officials before the pick-up schedule.
He said garbage collection during bad weather is suspended for the protection of garbage collectors and waste pickers.
He said this usually results in backlogs in the collection but they immediately work them out as soon as they can.
Buyucan appealed for cooperation from residents in practicing proper waste disposal and segregation and in following the schedule of bringing out of their garbage as well as the protocol during inclement weather.
“Let’s do our part and not leave all the work to our garbage collectors. They are working hard but it would not be enough if we ourselves are not cooperating. Our garbage collectors deserve some dignity and they need our help,” he said.
Buyucan’s laterst estimate on waste production was at least ½ kilogram of refuse daily for each person or a daily total of 400 tons. Of the total, 170-175 tons are hauled out to the engineered sanitary landfill outside the city.
The GSO only has around 60 waste collectors in its plantilla who are only augmented by some 140 volunteer pickers.
He said regular waste management protocol of the city provides that barangay officials ensure that wastes are properly segregated and the collection points are cleaned after collection. They also must ensure that the designated collection time is followed and that the collection of left out wastes is coordinated with the GSO.
CITY HALL BEAT
Aileen P. Refuerzo
CEPMO managers turn responders
BAGUIO CITY -- Martin Polinday is one of the few tree management expert employees of the City Environment and Parks Management Office.
Polinday's team is in charge of complicated incidents involving trees in the ongoing disaster response operations during and after super typhoon Egay's onslaught last July 26, 2023.
CEPMO head lawyer Rhenan Diwas gushed, "Bilib ako sa skill ni Mr. Martin, along with his team, to safely manage the removal of this approximately 30-meter leaning pine tree at Loakan Road."
The said tree was among the over 100 felled or damaged by the destructive rains and winds packed by the howler. Clearing operations took days and involved intricate procedure especially for large-sized ones.
Diwas said CEPMO has four teams assigned in their urban forest management division and during calamities, they serve as responders to tree emergency incidents.
Of the four teams, only two are experts in intricate situations involving huge trees.
During calamities, these experts tackle the cutting or pruning of trees in complicated scenarios while the other two teams along with responders from the Baguio City Police Office, Baguio Fire Station, Public Order and Safety Division and other volunteers take charge of incidents involving regular-sized trees.
"CEPMO is really focusing on the management of complex tree scenarios that go beyond the capacity of other offices and agencies. One such instance is this leaning tree along Loakan Road, where our team spent three hours to safely remove and clear the area," Diwas said.
"Dealing with such a large and precarious tree required a thorough and careful assessment.
he tree's length of approximately 30 meters and the inability of the boom truck to reach the top branches posed significant challenges. As a result, we had to devise a plan and implement preventive measures before proceeding with the cutting operation. This assessment helped us determine the safest approach to cutting the tree without compromising personnel safety or risking any catastrophic accidents."
Diwas said to be ready for future calamities, they will include in their regular office program the enhancement of their disaster response capability.
They will train more personnel and volunteers on expert tree management techniques.
Eventually, they will organize a response cluster composed of these trained personnel and volunteers and they will comprise the CEPMO response team to work alongside other City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council response teams during typhoons and other calamities.
Polinday's team is in charge of complicated incidents involving trees in the ongoing disaster response operations during and after super typhoon Egay's onslaught last July 26, 2023.
CEPMO head lawyer Rhenan Diwas gushed, "Bilib ako sa skill ni Mr. Martin, along with his team, to safely manage the removal of this approximately 30-meter leaning pine tree at Loakan Road."
The said tree was among the over 100 felled or damaged by the destructive rains and winds packed by the howler. Clearing operations took days and involved intricate procedure especially for large-sized ones.
Diwas said CEPMO has four teams assigned in their urban forest management division and during calamities, they serve as responders to tree emergency incidents.
Of the four teams, only two are experts in intricate situations involving huge trees.
During calamities, these experts tackle the cutting or pruning of trees in complicated scenarios while the other two teams along with responders from the Baguio City Police Office, Baguio Fire Station, Public Order and Safety Division and other volunteers take charge of incidents involving regular-sized trees.
"CEPMO is really focusing on the management of complex tree scenarios that go beyond the capacity of other offices and agencies. One such instance is this leaning tree along Loakan Road, where our team spent three hours to safely remove and clear the area," Diwas said.
"Dealing with such a large and precarious tree required a thorough and careful assessment.
he tree's length of approximately 30 meters and the inability of the boom truck to reach the top branches posed significant challenges. As a result, we had to devise a plan and implement preventive measures before proceeding with the cutting operation. This assessment helped us determine the safest approach to cutting the tree without compromising personnel safety or risking any catastrophic accidents."
Diwas said to be ready for future calamities, they will include in their regular office program the enhancement of their disaster response capability.
They will train more personnel and volunteers on expert tree management techniques.
Eventually, they will organize a response cluster composed of these trained personnel and volunteers and they will comprise the CEPMO response team to work alongside other City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council response teams during typhoons and other calamities.
CITY HALL BEAT
Aileen P. Refuerzo
Typhoon hits 23 Baguio schools, destroys 130 trees
BAGUIO CITY -- The Department of Education Baguio City Schools Division reported 23 schools affected by typhoon “Egay” and placed the initial damage cost estimate at P1,114,050.
In the Rapid Damage Assessment Report included in the situational report of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office as of 5 p.m. of July 27, 2023, the division reported a total of 41 classrooms and 39 other facilities that incurred damages during the calamity.
A total of 310 learning materials were also damaged.
No Deped Baguio employee was affected but one 16-year-old learner perished in a landslide at their home in Bakakeng Central barangay at the height of the cyclone on July 26, 2023.
The DepEd condoled with the family of Noel Lopez Jr., a Grade 10 Special Program in the Arts learner from Pines City National High School.
***
A total of 130 trees were either felled or damaged by super typhoon “Egay” which hammered the city last July 26.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office under Officer-in-Charge Glenn Lardizabal said reports of fallen or leaning trees damaging or threatening structures came pouring in from different parts of the city as the cyclone pounded the city with torrential rains and gusty winds.
Several teams from the City Environment and Parks Management Office, Baguio City Police Office, Baguio Fire Station, Public Order and Safety Division and other volunteers scrambled to attend to the reported incidents and addressed as many as they could amid the howler’s fury.
As of press time on July 28, 2023, the teams continue to respond to the incidents based on priority.
The city issued an appeal to owners of chainsaws to lend their equipment after available units failed to cope with the demand due to voluminous requests.
CEPMO Department Head Atty. Rhenan Diwas authorized punong barangays to cut down live and dead trees posing immediate danger to the public under an expedited reporting process from July 27-31, 2023.
This is to “facilitate swift action in identifying and removing leaning and dead trees that pose danger to the public” in view of the limited capacity of the response teams vis-à-vis the volume of incidents received.
Diwas said they have four teams assigned in their urban forest management program and during calamities, they serve as responders to tree emergency incidents.
They are augmented by the teams from the Baguio City Police Office, Baguio Fire Station, Public Order and Safety Division and other volunteers.
Diwas said that after this calamity, they will conduct assessment of trees located in public areas and along roads to conduct preventive cutting and pruning in preparation for the other typhoons that are coming.
They will also work on enhancing their disaster response capability by training more personnel and volunteers on expert tree cutting techniques and organize a cluster that will be on hand during disasters.
To address the loss of trees, the office will continue to strengthen its tree planting and rearing program in cooperation with the residents.
The office is open to organizations intending to conduct tree planting activities in watersheds and forest reservations.
Residents are also encouraged to plant medium-sized trees, specifically fruit-bearing ones in available spaces in their backyard or in open spaces in their neighborhood and barangays to contribute in environmental preservation.
In the Rapid Damage Assessment Report included in the situational report of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office as of 5 p.m. of July 27, 2023, the division reported a total of 41 classrooms and 39 other facilities that incurred damages during the calamity.
A total of 310 learning materials were also damaged.
No Deped Baguio employee was affected but one 16-year-old learner perished in a landslide at their home in Bakakeng Central barangay at the height of the cyclone on July 26, 2023.
The DepEd condoled with the family of Noel Lopez Jr., a Grade 10 Special Program in the Arts learner from Pines City National High School.
***
A total of 130 trees were either felled or damaged by super typhoon “Egay” which hammered the city last July 26.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office under Officer-in-Charge Glenn Lardizabal said reports of fallen or leaning trees damaging or threatening structures came pouring in from different parts of the city as the cyclone pounded the city with torrential rains and gusty winds.
Several teams from the City Environment and Parks Management Office, Baguio City Police Office, Baguio Fire Station, Public Order and Safety Division and other volunteers scrambled to attend to the reported incidents and addressed as many as they could amid the howler’s fury.
As of press time on July 28, 2023, the teams continue to respond to the incidents based on priority.
The city issued an appeal to owners of chainsaws to lend their equipment after available units failed to cope with the demand due to voluminous requests.
CEPMO Department Head Atty. Rhenan Diwas authorized punong barangays to cut down live and dead trees posing immediate danger to the public under an expedited reporting process from July 27-31, 2023.
This is to “facilitate swift action in identifying and removing leaning and dead trees that pose danger to the public” in view of the limited capacity of the response teams vis-à-vis the volume of incidents received.
Diwas said they have four teams assigned in their urban forest management program and during calamities, they serve as responders to tree emergency incidents.
They are augmented by the teams from the Baguio City Police Office, Baguio Fire Station, Public Order and Safety Division and other volunteers.
Diwas said that after this calamity, they will conduct assessment of trees located in public areas and along roads to conduct preventive cutting and pruning in preparation for the other typhoons that are coming.
They will also work on enhancing their disaster response capability by training more personnel and volunteers on expert tree cutting techniques and organize a cluster that will be on hand during disasters.
To address the loss of trees, the office will continue to strengthen its tree planting and rearing program in cooperation with the residents.
The office is open to organizations intending to conduct tree planting activities in watersheds and forest reservations.
Residents are also encouraged to plant medium-sized trees, specifically fruit-bearing ones in available spaces in their backyard or in open spaces in their neighborhood and barangays to contribute in environmental preservation.
CITY HALL BEAT
Aileen P. Refuerzo
Baguio high impact projects
BAGUIO CITY -- The city's project monitoring team led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong and City Administrator Bonifacio Dela Peña inspected ongoing big ticket projects here last week.
The team did ocular inspections and met with project contractors and implementing agencies to evaluate each project.
As usual, the mayor reiterated to both project contractors and implementing agencies the need to deliver quality projects to ensure that these will last for the maximum benefit of the public.
Among high impact projects evaluated were the ongoing youth convergence center, tennis court, athletes' quarters and gate construction all at the Baguio Athletic Bowl at Burnham Park.
Dela Peña said the projects had been experiencing delays and one of the reasons was the need to reroute the drainage network necessitating more ground work.
A conference with the implementing agency and the contractor ensued where they threshed out the problems and looked for solutions.
During the meeting, the mayor stressed that even if the project contractor had to resort to its catch up plan to make it to the deadline, he had to ensure that the project standard will not be sacrificed.
Also inspected was the Wright Park reflection pool rejuvenation project which began last January and is now nearing completion. The new pool is scheduled for a ten-day test run starting in the last week of August before its turn-over to the city.
Other projects inspected and their status were:
*Lay-by project at Mines View which has been completed and opened to the public last June 24.
*Diversion and expansion of the road in front of Botanical Garden which is on schedule; and
*Post Office Park improvement also on schedule and scheduled for turn-over by the end of July.
The project monitoring team is composed of the heads and representatives of the City Buildings and Architecture Office, City Engineering Office and the City Environment and Parks Management Office and was joined by the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers Baguio Chapter.
Since institutionalizing project monitoring and inspection before payment issuance, the city has noted vast improvement in the quality of infrastructure projects funded by the city government over the years.
For city roads and other projects funded by the Dept. of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the city is also part of the final inspection and therefore has a say in the assessment of the outcome.
The mayor said they will sustain inspections of projects all over the city to help ensure quality implementation of these infrastructures as part of the city’s thrust to foster integrity in project implementation to achieve quality and beneficial outputs for the end users.
***
The third and last in the series of murals adorning the Climate Action Wall along Legarda Road is now in the works.
Sin-Agi artists led by convenor Coun. Leandro Yangot Jr. resumed the painting activities last June 28, 2023 to complete the painting project firmed up by the group with Mayor Magalong in December last year as a joint public-private undertaking to drum up programs addressing climate change in the city.
The team did ocular inspections and met with project contractors and implementing agencies to evaluate each project.
As usual, the mayor reiterated to both project contractors and implementing agencies the need to deliver quality projects to ensure that these will last for the maximum benefit of the public.
Among high impact projects evaluated were the ongoing youth convergence center, tennis court, athletes' quarters and gate construction all at the Baguio Athletic Bowl at Burnham Park.
Dela Peña said the projects had been experiencing delays and one of the reasons was the need to reroute the drainage network necessitating more ground work.
A conference with the implementing agency and the contractor ensued where they threshed out the problems and looked for solutions.
During the meeting, the mayor stressed that even if the project contractor had to resort to its catch up plan to make it to the deadline, he had to ensure that the project standard will not be sacrificed.
Also inspected was the Wright Park reflection pool rejuvenation project which began last January and is now nearing completion. The new pool is scheduled for a ten-day test run starting in the last week of August before its turn-over to the city.
Other projects inspected and their status were:
*Lay-by project at Mines View which has been completed and opened to the public last June 24.
*Diversion and expansion of the road in front of Botanical Garden which is on schedule; and
*Post Office Park improvement also on schedule and scheduled for turn-over by the end of July.
The project monitoring team is composed of the heads and representatives of the City Buildings and Architecture Office, City Engineering Office and the City Environment and Parks Management Office and was joined by the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers Baguio Chapter.
Since institutionalizing project monitoring and inspection before payment issuance, the city has noted vast improvement in the quality of infrastructure projects funded by the city government over the years.
For city roads and other projects funded by the Dept. of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the city is also part of the final inspection and therefore has a say in the assessment of the outcome.
The mayor said they will sustain inspections of projects all over the city to help ensure quality implementation of these infrastructures as part of the city’s thrust to foster integrity in project implementation to achieve quality and beneficial outputs for the end users.
***
The third and last in the series of murals adorning the Climate Action Wall along Legarda Road is now in the works.
Sin-Agi artists led by convenor Coun. Leandro Yangot Jr. resumed the painting activities last June 28, 2023 to complete the painting project firmed up by the group with Mayor Magalong in December last year as a joint public-private undertaking to drum up programs addressing climate change in the city.
Yangot said the concept of the third mural installment will depict the city's regreening program to show "the concerted effort of the community in planting trees and proper caring of the trees already planted.
It will also be dedicated to the deceased members of the media who were known as environmental warriors.
"Our media friends who have gone to the Great Forest in the Sky to be reunited with the Greatest Artist of the Universe, we will depict them in this mural. The third mural will include our late Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club pioneers Ramon Dacawi, Geronimo Evangelista, Willie Cacdac, Peppot Ilagan, Domci Cimatu and auntie Cecile Afable and others who were equally passionate about the environment," Yangot said.
The said media icons were instrumental in pioneering and sustaining the Eco-Walk children's environmental awareness program which won the Global 500 Youth Environment Award Roll of Honor of the United Nations Environment Programme in 2002 and the Gawad Galing Pook of the Asian Institute of Management and Local Government Academy in 1996.
Yangot said the first mural of the Climate Action Wall which was done when the project was launched last year promotes biking mobility not only as a physical fitness hobby but also as a way of reducing carbon footprint and air pollution.
This was rendered by local artist members of Sin-agi which means "brotherhood" in Kankana-ey and Pangasinan, a newly formed organization of creatives and the Baguio Educators Arts Guild composed of teachers of arts and music in schools.
For the second mural, the theme centered on saving the city's watersheds from squatters. It particularly bannered the question, "When will you ever stop?" addressed to lot speculators who continue to threaten the few forest covers and water sources of the city.
The wall project was launched last February to coincide with the country’s celebration of Art Month.
It was supported by Davies Paints and several private groups and individuals.
CITY HALL BEAT
Aileen P. Refuerzo
Elderly Baguio women posing for pictures/ Market weighing scales
BAGUIO CITY -- City Environment and Parks Management Officer Rhenan Diwas said they are carefully studying their course of action on the case of the elderly women posing for photographs for-a-fee at the Botanical Garden.
The women who city old timers said had been plying their trade in the park since the late 1970s drew attention recently due to complaints by some park goers of them photobombing or insisting on joining photo sessions and demanding that they get paid.
The women who city old timers said had been plying their trade in the park since the late 1970s drew attention recently due to complaints by some park goers of them photobombing or insisting on joining photo sessions and demanding that they get paid.
The complaints reached the city council prompting Councilor Lilia Farinas, chair of the council committee on tourism, special events and parks to call Diwas’ attention during their regular session last July 3, 2023.
Diwas said the women's activities at the park had never been sanctioned by the city government but had been tolerated out of respect considering that they are Cordilleran elders and their long-time presence in the area had become part of the park's identity.
He said it is for this reason along with cultural sensitivity considerations that the city had to tread carefully on decisions concerning them, Diwas said.
"We need to be very cautious on how we are going to treat this issue because of these factors. We cannot remove them forcibly," he said.
He said the women had from time to time been reminded of proper decorum when concerns were raised by park goers.
City Tourism Officer Aloysius Mapalo said the elderly women's rash behavior had also been a concern of their office and one solution considered was for them to be included in the sustainable livelihood program of the Office of the City Social Welfare and Development Officer.
Diwas however said it must be considered that most of the persons involved were not there for livelihood.
"We have to consider that most of them are provided for by their families and are not required to work but they go there just the same just to have something to do or because it has become part of their routine," he said.
He said his office will contact the families of the elderly to do a profiling and to hopefully convince them to discontinue their park activities.
While their next move is being studied, he said they will continue to remind the ladies to always observe proper conduct.
***
The city government ramped up operations against uncalibrated weighing scales at the city market starting last June 24, 2023 which prompted compliance to the six-month calibration policy by the market entrepreneurs.
Market Superintendent Ceasar Emilio of the City Market Division of the City Treasury Office which spearheaded the crackdown with the Public Order and Safety Division under Head Enforcer Daryll Longid said the number of calibrated weighing scales increased to 872 from June to July 4 because of the campaign.
Emilio said a total of 37 defective scales were also confiscated during the operations while a number of notices of violations were issued to those who violated the six-month calibration policy.
Longid said the operation was hatched in response to numerous complaints from consumers on underweight produce being sold to them particularly from the fish section of Block 3 Hilltop Market.
“The inspection team found that several of the scales were not calibrated properly, resulting in shortchanging of customers. The team issued citations to the vendors who were using the faulty scales and the scales were put out of service until they were properly calibrated at the Market Office,” he said.
The next day, follow-up operations were conducted along 1st and 2nd Kayang St. following persistent public complaints.
“Said operation netted some 30 weighing scales that were found to be inaccurate, possibly tampered, or uncalibrated,” the POSD said.
“The POSD and CMD are committed to ensuring that customers at our City Market are getting the full amount of product they pay for. The inspection team will continue to monitor the weighing scales at the market to ensure that they are properly calibrated,” Emilio and Longid said.
He said the women had from time to time been reminded of proper decorum when concerns were raised by park goers.
City Tourism Officer Aloysius Mapalo said the elderly women's rash behavior had also been a concern of their office and one solution considered was for them to be included in the sustainable livelihood program of the Office of the City Social Welfare and Development Officer.
Diwas however said it must be considered that most of the persons involved were not there for livelihood.
"We have to consider that most of them are provided for by their families and are not required to work but they go there just the same just to have something to do or because it has become part of their routine," he said.
He said his office will contact the families of the elderly to do a profiling and to hopefully convince them to discontinue their park activities.
While their next move is being studied, he said they will continue to remind the ladies to always observe proper conduct.
***
The city government ramped up operations against uncalibrated weighing scales at the city market starting last June 24, 2023 which prompted compliance to the six-month calibration policy by the market entrepreneurs.
Market Superintendent Ceasar Emilio of the City Market Division of the City Treasury Office which spearheaded the crackdown with the Public Order and Safety Division under Head Enforcer Daryll Longid said the number of calibrated weighing scales increased to 872 from June to July 4 because of the campaign.
Emilio said a total of 37 defective scales were also confiscated during the operations while a number of notices of violations were issued to those who violated the six-month calibration policy.
Longid said the operation was hatched in response to numerous complaints from consumers on underweight produce being sold to them particularly from the fish section of Block 3 Hilltop Market.
“The inspection team found that several of the scales were not calibrated properly, resulting in shortchanging of customers. The team issued citations to the vendors who were using the faulty scales and the scales were put out of service until they were properly calibrated at the Market Office,” he said.
The next day, follow-up operations were conducted along 1st and 2nd Kayang St. following persistent public complaints.
“Said operation netted some 30 weighing scales that were found to be inaccurate, possibly tampered, or uncalibrated,” the POSD said.
“The POSD and CMD are committed to ensuring that customers at our City Market are getting the full amount of product they pay for. The inspection team will continue to monitor the weighing scales at the market to ensure that they are properly calibrated,” Emilio and Longid said.
CITY HALL BEAT
Aileen P. Refuerzo
Regreening, mapping denuded barangays
BAGUIO CITY Mayor Benjamin Magalong sought the regreening of barangays now bereft of trees to improve the air quality as well as the appearance of these bare and bleak-looking areas.
The mayor tasked concerned offices led by the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) to encourage residents to plant and rear trees in available open spaces in their barangays especially in denuded ones and to provide ways to provide incentives to them.
The mayor expressed concern on the loss of trees even in public spaces in the barangays like Quirino Hill which now look desolate and unhealthy.
"We need to bring back the trees in said areas not only for beautification purposes but more importantly for health and environmental benefits," the mayor said.
The mayor tasked the offices to come up with incentive packages to encourage people to plant trees.
This as he encouraged groups and individuals to continue their regular tree planting programs and activities in watersheds, forest reservations and other open spaces in the city to sustain these vital sources of water and clean air.
For tree planting activities, please contact the CEPMO through Forester Floro Bastian cel no. 09105328139.
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The city government through the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) is piloting the Participatory 3D Mapping (P3DM), a community-based mapping methodology that combines traditional knowledge, local expertise and modern technology, in ten city barangays that are prone to hazards such as flooding and landslide.
CDRRMO Acting Head Antonette Anaban said the P3DM which combines “mapping techniques with active participation from barangay officials and community members to develop accurate representations of the physical and social landscape has emerged as a powerful tool for the barangays to understand their environment better, identify potential risks and develop effective disaster management strategies” which are crucial in geographically vulnerable area like Baguio City.
The P3DM is being undertaken with technical assistance from the Philippine Geographical Society of UP Diliman in ten pilot barangays in the city.
The three-day mapping exercises are being done in four batches: 1st batch - Atok Trail and City Camp Central; 2nd batch - Guisad Surong, Pucsusan and Bakakeng Central; 3rd batch - Lower Lourdes Extension, Dominican Mirador, Camp 7, and 4th batch - Irisan and Lower Rock Quarry.
At present, eight out of the ten pilot barangays have already completed their 3D scale model maps, while Irisan and Lower Rock Quarry are scheduled on July 19-21, 2023, according to Anaban.
Anaban said the process of engaging the community officials and residents “empowers them to take an active role in collectively documenting and visualizing their surroundings, including physical and social features enabling them to identify the hazards, vulnerability and resources within their barangays.”
The participants used tangible materials like old newspapers, colored paints, glue, colored pins, styrofoam and plywood in coming up with their three-dimensional representation of their barangay on scale models.
“By harnessing participatory 3D mapping to the barangays, hazards can be better understood and managed. It empowers the barangays and communities to build local capacities, and foster collaboration among stakeholders, ultimately leading to more resilient barangays in the face of disasters. Moreover, the barangays also feel a sense of ownership and empowerment, leading to increased participation in decision-making and community development efforts,” Anaban said.
However, since the mapping exercises allowed them only to produce their 3D maps, some follow-up activities or capacity building need to be conducted such as the barangay-level risk assessment, disaster risk reduction and contingency planning and other DRRM-related activities making use of their 3D maps.
Other challenges should also be addressed including “technical capacity building, access to technology and data, community mobilization and sustainability.”
“ To overcome these challenges, it is crucial to provide further training and resources to equip communities with the necessary skills and tools. Furthermore, partnerships between government agencies, academic institutions, and community-based organizations can ensure the long-term sustainability of participatory mapping initiatives,” Anaban said.
The mayor tasked concerned offices led by the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) to encourage residents to plant and rear trees in available open spaces in their barangays especially in denuded ones and to provide ways to provide incentives to them.
The mayor expressed concern on the loss of trees even in public spaces in the barangays like Quirino Hill which now look desolate and unhealthy.
"We need to bring back the trees in said areas not only for beautification purposes but more importantly for health and environmental benefits," the mayor said.
The mayor tasked the offices to come up with incentive packages to encourage people to plant trees.
This as he encouraged groups and individuals to continue their regular tree planting programs and activities in watersheds, forest reservations and other open spaces in the city to sustain these vital sources of water and clean air.
For tree planting activities, please contact the CEPMO through Forester Floro Bastian cel no. 09105328139.
***
The city government through the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) is piloting the Participatory 3D Mapping (P3DM), a community-based mapping methodology that combines traditional knowledge, local expertise and modern technology, in ten city barangays that are prone to hazards such as flooding and landslide.
CDRRMO Acting Head Antonette Anaban said the P3DM which combines “mapping techniques with active participation from barangay officials and community members to develop accurate representations of the physical and social landscape has emerged as a powerful tool for the barangays to understand their environment better, identify potential risks and develop effective disaster management strategies” which are crucial in geographically vulnerable area like Baguio City.
The P3DM is being undertaken with technical assistance from the Philippine Geographical Society of UP Diliman in ten pilot barangays in the city.
The three-day mapping exercises are being done in four batches: 1st batch - Atok Trail and City Camp Central; 2nd batch - Guisad Surong, Pucsusan and Bakakeng Central; 3rd batch - Lower Lourdes Extension, Dominican Mirador, Camp 7, and 4th batch - Irisan and Lower Rock Quarry.
At present, eight out of the ten pilot barangays have already completed their 3D scale model maps, while Irisan and Lower Rock Quarry are scheduled on July 19-21, 2023, according to Anaban.
Anaban said the process of engaging the community officials and residents “empowers them to take an active role in collectively documenting and visualizing their surroundings, including physical and social features enabling them to identify the hazards, vulnerability and resources within their barangays.”
The participants used tangible materials like old newspapers, colored paints, glue, colored pins, styrofoam and plywood in coming up with their three-dimensional representation of their barangay on scale models.
“By harnessing participatory 3D mapping to the barangays, hazards can be better understood and managed. It empowers the barangays and communities to build local capacities, and foster collaboration among stakeholders, ultimately leading to more resilient barangays in the face of disasters. Moreover, the barangays also feel a sense of ownership and empowerment, leading to increased participation in decision-making and community development efforts,” Anaban said.
However, since the mapping exercises allowed them only to produce their 3D maps, some follow-up activities or capacity building need to be conducted such as the barangay-level risk assessment, disaster risk reduction and contingency planning and other DRRM-related activities making use of their 3D maps.
Other challenges should also be addressed including “technical capacity building, access to technology and data, community mobilization and sustainability.”
“ To overcome these challenges, it is crucial to provide further training and resources to equip communities with the necessary skills and tools. Furthermore, partnerships between government agencies, academic institutions, and community-based organizations can ensure the long-term sustainability of participatory mapping initiatives,” Anaban said.
CITY HALL BEAT
Aileen P. Refuerzo
Illegal deep well drilling stopped/Baguio folk urged to save water
The City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) has issued a notice of violation (NOV) to stop a private deep well water drilling operation in a commercial building located at Lourdes Subd. Extension. Engineer Sofronio Pascua of the CEPMO environmental management division told Mayor Benjamin Magalong that the owner already stopped the drilling activities but CEPMO will continue to monitor the establishment.
The incident was reported to the mayor by a concerned citizen and was immediately inspected by the City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) personnel with the findings submitted to the CEPMO and the Baguio Water District (BWD) for action.
BWD General Manager Salvador Royeca also ordered a separate inspection by the BWD technical staff last July 11, 2023 where it was confirmed that the drilling operation was for commercial purposes and that it had no permit or clearance from the city government.
The incident was reported to the mayor by a concerned citizen and was immediately inspected by the City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) personnel with the findings submitted to the CEPMO and the Baguio Water District (BWD) for action.
BWD General Manager Salvador Royeca also ordered a separate inspection by the BWD technical staff last July 11, 2023 where it was confirmed that the drilling operation was for commercial purposes and that it had no permit or clearance from the city government.
Unpermitted deep well drilling is in violation of the city’s Environment Code and the Clean Water Act.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong said that as of December 31, 2022, unregistered private deep wells in the city were reported to have increased to 327.
The mayor and the BWD head recently met with the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) to again appeal for the regulation of private deep wells in the city.
The city has for years been asking the NWRB for the devolvement of the function to regulate and issue permits to deep wells to the local government in the hope of stemming the proliferation of illegal wells that deplete the city’s water supply and damage its aquifers, to no avail.
Related to this, Mayor Benjamin Magalong urged city residents and visitors to take extra effort in conserving water in face of the water scarcity caused by the drought or El Niño phenomenon.
The mayor and the BWD head recently met with the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) to again appeal for the regulation of private deep wells in the city.
The city has for years been asking the NWRB for the devolvement of the function to regulate and issue permits to deep wells to the local government in the hope of stemming the proliferation of illegal wells that deplete the city’s water supply and damage its aquifers, to no avail.
Related to this, Mayor Benjamin Magalong urged city residents and visitors to take extra effort in conserving water in face of the water scarcity caused by the drought or El Niño phenomenon.
"For instance, let us avoid wastage by not letting our water tanks or water storage containers overflow," the mayor said. "We should also regularly check our water tanks for defects and leaks and promptly have these fixed."
The mayor said people should be extra conscious of water conservation because of the lack of water supply being experienced in Baguio due to El Niño.
"We can help alleviate the problem by being responsible citizens," he said.
The mayor again reminded owners of private deep wells and water delivery businesses against overpumping and doing abusive practices that harm the city's water table.
He was also set to meet with the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) to request for intensified regulation and monitoring of the operations of the registered water supply businesses and the proliferation of illegal deepwells which contributes to the declining yield of the city’s water sources.
He said that while long-term solutions continue to be pursued, residents can help with water conservation measures in their homes, offices and establishments.
The Baguio Water District had been reiterating these water conservation tips:
*Repurpose water and use every drop. Recycle water by reusing laundry water for flushing toilets, cleaning bathroom or washing cars
*Turn off faucets when not in use, say when brushing your teeth
*Report or repair leaks immediately.
*Use low-flow devices/materials. Water-saving gadgets are available in the market
*Take bucket bath or short showers. Use a bucket or dipper and discourage children from playing with water
*Hand water gardens. Use bucket and dipper instead of water hose.
*Capture rainwater. Practice rainwater harvesting in your homes with the use of ordinary asphalt drums
*Use basins in doing laundry to avoid overflow of water when laundering with hands. Use washing machines with full loads only
For car wash companies: shorten car washing time, use water saving devices and recycle water used in operation.
For private and public vehicle owners: reduce instances that cars are washed.
At present, the BWD has a total of 46,726 active connections being supplied by its 77 pumping stations, 63 deep wells, 4 open/spring sources and 2 rainwater harvesting facilities.
The mayor said people should be extra conscious of water conservation because of the lack of water supply being experienced in Baguio due to El Niño.
"We can help alleviate the problem by being responsible citizens," he said.
The mayor again reminded owners of private deep wells and water delivery businesses against overpumping and doing abusive practices that harm the city's water table.
He was also set to meet with the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) to request for intensified regulation and monitoring of the operations of the registered water supply businesses and the proliferation of illegal deepwells which contributes to the declining yield of the city’s water sources.
He said that while long-term solutions continue to be pursued, residents can help with water conservation measures in their homes, offices and establishments.
The Baguio Water District had been reiterating these water conservation tips:
*Repurpose water and use every drop. Recycle water by reusing laundry water for flushing toilets, cleaning bathroom or washing cars
*Turn off faucets when not in use, say when brushing your teeth
*Report or repair leaks immediately.
*Use low-flow devices/materials. Water-saving gadgets are available in the market
*Take bucket bath or short showers. Use a bucket or dipper and discourage children from playing with water
*Hand water gardens. Use bucket and dipper instead of water hose.
*Capture rainwater. Practice rainwater harvesting in your homes with the use of ordinary asphalt drums
*Use basins in doing laundry to avoid overflow of water when laundering with hands. Use washing machines with full loads only
For car wash companies: shorten car washing time, use water saving devices and recycle water used in operation.
For private and public vehicle owners: reduce instances that cars are washed.
At present, the BWD has a total of 46,726 active connections being supplied by its 77 pumping stations, 63 deep wells, 4 open/spring sources and 2 rainwater harvesting facilities.
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