SNAP-Magat cited ‘nat’l private disaster management champion’

By Samantha Tan

SN Aboitiz Power Magat (SNAP-Magat) was declared the winner in the private organization category at the 23rd National Gawad Kalasag awarding ceremony held Dec. 11 at Manila Hotel.
    The Gawad Kalasag award is given to local government units, critical institutions, and special organizations for their efforts in disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness, climate change adaptation, and humanitarian assistance that protect high-risk communities.
    The award recognizes the company's commitment to sustainable operations and safety. “We are committed to safeguarding our employees and host communities, which are an integral part of our business,” SNAP President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph Yu said.
    Last year, SNAP-Magat won the national title in the same category, while SNAP-Benguet was a runner-up. This year, both companies were champions in their respective regions demonstrating SNAP plants’ consistency and commitment to safety and excellence in operations.
    The Gawad Kalasag, organized by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and Office of Civil Defense (OCD), is the country's premier award-giving body which recognizes organizations that have designed and implemented comprehensive Disaster Risk Reduction and Management programs to protect high-risk communities and increase their resilience and capability to respond to and minimize disasters.

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Baguio parents form group against vaping

By Gaby B. Keith

BAGUIO CITY — Concerned parents here have organized a movement called Parents Against Vape (PAV) to eradicate vaping among the youth.

    This was recently reported by the Smoke-Free Baguio Task Force led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong.
    Magalong said an alliance between parents and local universities was taking shape to fight what they called “vapedemic.”
    The University of Baguio and the University of the Cordilleras opened their doors to parents, offering a transformative learning tour on policies and strategies in combating the vaping menace, the task force said.
    The group said the city’s smoke-free and vape-free campaign elicited support from different sectors.
    “It is exciting to see that PAV’s campaign strategy is brewing, fueled by passion of the parents’ convergence. Together, we can create a brighter, smoke-free and therefore healthier generation,” the mayor said.
    In 2017, the city passed Ordinance 34 or the “Smoke-Free Baguio Ordinance” that prohibits use, sale, distribution, and advertisement of cigarettes, vapes and other tobacco products in certain places.
 
 
 

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Despite military’s attempt to stop us, our relief delivery effort succeeds

 RELIEF MISSION

Lulu A. Gimenez

BALBALAN, Kalinga -- On July 9 and 10, we were able to bring food aid to the communities of Poswoy and Gawaan in this militarized town of Balbalan, Kalinga.  Originally intended as a one-day operation, our relief delivery took two days because we had to hurdle a major obstacle.  
    A battalion commander of the Fifth Infantry Division (5th ID) of the Philippine Army had pressured local government officials to deny us entry into the area.  But after engaging the local officials in a night and a day of argument and persuasion, we and the local farmers’ associations were able to proceed with relief distribution.
    We came as the Serve the People Brigade (STPB), assembled from various organizations affiliated with the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) and its national counterpart, Bayan, plus the representatives of Church and human rights institutions.      We were responding to the need of the indigenous peasant communities of Poswoy and Gawaan for augmentation of their food supplies.  We brought them rice, cooking oil, canned meat, dried and cured fish, salt, sugar, and multivitamins.  We distributed these on June 9 to 55 households in the sitios of Angod and Mamaga in Poswoy, and on June 10 to 192 households in Gawaan.  
    The communities were anticipating a shortage of food because they had suffered significant crop losses resulting from restrictions that had been imposed by the soldiers of the 5th ID on their farming activities during its counter-insurgency operations.  The battalion commander’s attempt to block our delivery of relief was an added transgression of the communities’ socio-economic rights.
    Balbalan became the focus of counter-insurgency operations early this year.  The operations intensified in March, with indiscriminate aerial bombing and artillery firing followed by the 5th ID’s deployment of three battalions of ground troops to Gawaan and neighboring villages.  
    The troops constrained Gawaan villagers from undertaking their normal farming tasks. The farmers were unable to see to the irrigation of their rice terraces for about two weeks, and could not visit their upland farms and coffee groves for about two months.  They were forced to let their coffee berries drop from the trees and rot, thus losing their annual harvest of a commodity that could have earned them valuable cash.
    In Poswoy, the 5th ID’s counter-insurgency operations intensified in early May, a critical time for irrigating paddies and preparing upland farms for planting.  Prevented from tending their fields for two weeks, the farmers lost at least a quarter of their wet-rice crops and will probably lose at least half of their dry-rice harvests.  Many of them also lost their primary cash crop, bananas.
    In mid-June, the Gawaan Farmers’ Association (GFA) and the Poswoy Farmers’ Association for Development (PFAD) wrote an appeal for aid to their provincial peasant federation, Timpuyog dagiti Mannalon ti Kalinga (TMK), which is affiliated with the CPA through its peasant sectoral formation, Aliansa dagiti Pesante iti Kordiliera (APIT TAKO).
    Upon receiving the appeals, TMK staff conducted meetings with GFA and PFAD leaders to determine how many households would be needing relief and what type of goods they should receive.  The TMK staff then sent the Governor of Kalinga and the Mayor of Balbalan formal letters of intent concerning plans for relief delivery.  The rest of us in the CPA contacted national and international partners to generate support for the relief.  
    Things proceeded with hardly a hitch until July 8, the eve of our planned relief delivery.  
    The Mayor of Balbalan suddenly told us that we would have to put our plans on hold because of objections from the military.
    On July 9, we went ahead to Poswoy, anyway, because both the PFAD and the barangay officials there said they were willing to face any reprimand.  But TMK staff and the GFA had yet to persuade Gawaan’s barangay officials to take a stance like that assumed by their counterparts in Poswoy.  
    Before the day ended, though, the officials gave in.  And the next day, even the Mayor of Balbalan gave us his nod.  Thus, on July 10, we were able to bring relief to Gawaan.
    We were able to complete our relief mission only because the communities and farmers’ associations in Gawaan and Poswoy exercised their collective will and secured the cooperation of their local officials.  
    It is troubling to think that the officials of Barangay Gawaan and the Municipality of Balbalan could even consider blocking the flow of food to their people just because of a battalion commander’s objections.  
    Is Balbalan under martial rule?  Whatever happened to democracy – to the supremacy of civilian authority?
     We in the STPB express our profound gratitude to the relief donors: Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP), Congregatio Sanctissimi Redemptoris (CSsR)-Laoag, Indigenous Peoples Rights International (IPRI), Lingap Gabriela, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR), and the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP)-Northern Luzon Jurisdiction.

(Lulu A. Gimenez is staff, Aliansa dagiti Pesante iti Kordiliera (APIT TAKO) and STPB coordinator for relief to peasant communities)

 

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Cordillera RDC private reps set plans for 2023

By Jocelyn Albao Nique

BAGUIO CITY -- Private sector representatives (PSRs) in the Cordillera Regional Development Council will be effective and responsive partners of the Council in regional development and autonomy. 
    This was reflected in their 2023 work program presented during the RDC planning conference held here Jan. 26.
    For this year and in support to the Council’s priorities, the PSRs will advocate for regional autonomy, push renewable energy, disaster risk reduction and climate enhancement, assist in peace and order, pursue good governance, culture–sensitive governance, establish networks and linkages and support socio-economic programs.
    As advocates and lobbyists for regional autonomy, they will participate in the training for speakers to build their capacities for IEC activities.
    They committed to gather manifestos of support for autonomy from civil society organizations. 
    Responding to the Council’s policy direction on the development of renewable energy, DRR and climate action, the PSRs will support initiatives of local governments, Cordillera lawmakers, academe and private sector.
    On peace and development, they will continue to engage in peace dialogues and consultations, anti-drug, anti-terrorism, peace and order campaigns and activities with concerned agencies.
    They plan to collaborate with stakeholders in the region in development monitoring and evaluation activities and capability building programs that will support livelihood development of women and other groups.
    The PSRs will be participating in the annual PSR national convention in Iloilo City in April this year to put forward regional concerns and strengthen and expand their networks.
    The 14 PSRs in the Council represent six development sectors, the labor sector endorsed by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board, four provinces and Baguio City, and two basic sectors endorsed by the National Anti-Poverty Commission.
    Two geographic seats representing the provinces of Apayao and Kalinga remain vacant.
    Executive Order 325 which provides reorganization of RDCs in the country allows 25 percent private sector representation.
    The NEDA-CAR, led by Regional Director Susan A. Sumbeling, provides technical assistance to the PSRs in their efforts to be effective partners in regional development.

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Baguio gov’t partners with med groups to curb diabetes as cases of deaths rise to 393

By Jordan G. Habbiling

BAGUIO CITY -- The city government here has forged a partnership with four medical organizations in an effort to curb increasing number of people developing complications due to type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia.
Based on the latest statistics, the City Health Services Office recorded 393 deaths (both Baguio and non-Baguio residents) directly attributed to diabetes from 2019 to 2022.
    The Baguio City Council January 9, granted Mayor Benjamin Magalong authority to enter into a memorandum of agreement with Diabetes Philippines, Inc., Philippine Association of Diabetes Educators, Association of Diabetes Nurse Educators of the Philippines, and Astrazeneca Pharmaceuticals (Phils.), Inc.
    The city government, through the City Health and Services Office, will support the implementation of the Addressing Complications Today through a Network of Warriors (ACT NOW) Program.
    The ACT NOW Program is a health-care related initiative aimed at addressing the progressive increase of complications related to the aforementioned diseases. It envisions the use of a referral hub for treatment pathway, training assessment for the local health care providers, and medical education.
    The program includes the use of risk factor assessment and Chronic Kidney Disease questionnaire in the management of non-communicable diseases; continuing medical education for health practitioners on risk factor management; education on lifestyle modification, adherence to therapies, and prevention of cardiorenal complications; and a referral hub with risk factor treatment pathway with provision of access to treatment.
    The memorandum of agreement shall be valid for a period of one year and may be extended or renewed for a certain period upon mutual agreement of all parties. 

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Baguio City government accredits organizations

By Gaby B. Keith

BAGUIO CITY –Acting City Mayor Faustino Olowan signed city council resolution nos. 497-500, all series of 2020, accrediting the United Architects of the Philippines-Summer Capital Chapter; Onjon Ni Ivadoy Association Inc.; NorthWestern Luzon League of Cooperatives; and Baguio Apaches, Inc.; respectively.
    The city council’s committee on appropriations and finance, cluster C, in its 4th indorsement dated Oct. 18, 2022, found the mentioned applicants to have sufficiently submitted and are compliant with all the requirements of the law, and has recommended the accreditations.
    The accreditations are pursuant to the provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations including pertinent memorandum circulars of the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
    However, the accreditations are also coterminous with that of the Local Chief Executive.
    The organizations are now eligible for selection as members of the city’s local special bodies and to the Sectoral or Functional committees of the Local Development Council in accordance to guidelines set thereto.
    The organizations are tasked to submit to the city council of Baguio their annual accomplishment reports and financial statements on or before the 20th day of January of every year.
 

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To improve gov’t programs: DILG to LGUs: Create people’s special bodies

BAGUIO CITY – The Dept. of the Interior and Local Government – Cordillera Administrative Region hosted the “Luzon cluster orientation on DILG memorandum circular no. 2022-083” and  “conduct of civil society organization” conferences on July 7 here to prepare local government units (LGUs) for reconstitution of local special bodies (LSBs) in September this year.
    In collaboration with the CSO People’s Participation Partnership Program Project Management Office (CSO/PPPP PMO) and “Support to local governance program,” this was geared to orienting regional accreditation focal persons on said MC which outlines policy on accreditation of CSOs and selection of representatives to LSBs.
    DILG-CAR regional director Araceli A. San Jose, in her message, cited the critical role CSOs play as LGUs’ developmental partners and in equalizing power-sharing between the local government and civil society.
    San Jose cited the country’s transition towards full devolution as one important avenue for CSO collaboration considering insights these civic groups contribute to improving the LGUs’ prioritization of programs and projects and in revisiting their devolution transition plans.
    “We have great hope that our LGUs will strive to innovate and maybe even reinvent their LSBs to welcome more CSOs who shall be their partners in promoting an inclusive, accountable, transparent, and responsive local government,” San Jose said.
    Enhancing citizen participation in governance was among priorities of DILG Sec. Atty. Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr. in line with the first 100 days of the current administration.
    CSO/PPPP accreditation focal person Sean Nicholas Apostol discussed features of DILG MC No. 2022-083.
He said Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 does not explicitly prohibit the expansion of the LSBs, rather, it only provides the minimum criteria, thus LGUs may innovate their LSBs in their exercise of local autonomy.
    Apostol said this MC responds to clamor of CSOs to provide an enabling policy for the expansion of the LSBs to further increase civil society participation.
    As such, his MC encourages LGUs to increase the membership of CSO representatives in the LSBs to one-half of the fully-organized council, but not less than one-fourth as provided by RA 7160.
    In a bid to engage more CSOs, this MC also details references on activating the LGUs’ local development councils’ committees where recognized CSOs may participate as members.
    This MC also introduces the issuance of a certificate of recognition to CSOs that meet all criteria for accreditation and has submitted all the requirements stipulated in this policy except the certificate of registration or existing valid certificate of accreditation from any national government agency.
    Recognized CSOs may participate in the LSBs for the purposes only of meeting minimum requirements for membership but shall not be accorded voting rights.
    This MC also addresses concerns of LGUs with limited number of CSOs in their areas of jurisdiction.
    While the policy prohibits a CSO to be part of more than one LSB within a province, city, or municipality, a representative-organization may participate in more than one LSB for the sole purpose of meeting the membership requirements but shall only be a voting member of the LSB they are represented in.
    Development management officer Sharn Rosmer Baluyot of the SLGP PMO presented guide on conduct of CSO conferences in all LGUs in the country on the first week of August 2022.
    The CSO conference serves as a general assembly of all CSOs operating within the LGU with the goal of enjoining them to get accredited and participate in local governance.
    Baluyot said this activity is geared towards informing CSOs of the relevance of citizen participation in the LGUs’ decision-making and planning processes.
    “The CSO conference aims to enlighten CSOs on the avenues for participation, to encourage them to apply for accreditation, and to serve as a venue for networking among CSOs that can help in the formation of their local people’s council (LPC),” he said.
    A major component of the CSO conference is discussion of modules prepared by the SLGP PMO which shall tackle topics such as relevance of participatory governance, code-mandated avenues for participation, and an orientation on the accreditation procedures and formation of the LPC as provided by DILG MC No. 2021- 054.
    DILG-CAR has rolled out MC No. 2022-083 and the CSO conference field guide to its operating units last July 12 to prepare all LGUs in the region to stage CSO conferences in their respective localities. -- RJMV/DILG-CAR

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RDC ok’s rules on posts for elective, private reps

By Belinda Lucas

BAGUIO CITY -- The Cordillera Regional Development Council approved its updated manual of operations here on June 9.
    “The manual of operations is updated every time there is a new administration with a new set of officials, including the private sector representatives in the Council,” said RDC vice-chairperson and regional National Economic Development Authority director Susan A. Sumbeling said.  
    RDC secretary and assistant regional director Stephanie F. Christiansen added that several RDC resolutions that clarify the body’s operations have to be reflected in the manual.
    Christiansen presented new provisions in the updated manual of operations like nomination on the floor for RDC chairperson and co-chairperson nominees and documentary requirements for presidential appointment, vacancy to the position of the chairperson and co-chairperson for PSRs who filed certificate of candidacy, additional subcommittees, support committees, and special bodies, RDC’s relationship with other special bodies,  RDC full council confirmation of resolutions passed by the executive committee, SeCom representation during RDC meetings; and coverage of the RDC awards and recognition.  
    She cited new provisions on qualification and selection of private sector representatives (PSRs) to include: In case of a tie, toss the coin to settle the issue instead of secret balloting to avoid term sharing, disqualify a PSR nominee that lost in political elections and vacate the post when running for national and local election without replacement.
    “For basic sectors listed with the National Anti-Poverty Commission, the private sector organizations shall nominate two basic sectors among themselves as representatives in the RDC,” Sumbeling said. 
    Updating the RDC manual went through consultations with PSRs, sectoral and support committees from April 11 to June 2, with advisory from NEDA board secretariat to include latest national issuances

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LGUs, public warned vs groups posing as DILG- accredited organizations

By Pamela Mariz T. Geminiano

BAGUIO CITY—The Dept. of Interior and Local Government Cordillera warned local government units and the public about various groups and organizations posing as accredited by the Department and collecting membership fees.
    "The Department has never allowed or granted authority to accredited civil society organizations (CSOs) and other groups to engage in such fraudulent activities," Araceli San Jose, regional director of DILG-CAR, said.
    She urged local governments and the general public to be wary of various groups/organizations claiming to be accredited by the Department or declaring that DILG officials are either the founders or members of the fraudulent groups soliciting fees.
    "It has come to the DILG’s attention that a number of organizations or groups are charging certain fees from their members, recruits, and the general public while falsely claiming to be accredited by the Department," she said.
    According to reports, members are given identification cards that can be used in transactions with government offices, immunity from checkpoint inspections and apprehensions, and even the authority to not pay taxes or utility bills.
    Recently, these organizations are reportedly issuing vaccination cards that they claim can be presented by their members in various accomplishments.
    RD San Jose advised the general public to immediately report any encounter with such individuals or their bogus group, as well as any other incidents involving similar schemes, to the authorities.

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40 Phl youth groups press voter registration extension

By Mar T. Supnad

Around 40 youth groups nationwide urged the Commission on Elections to extend voter registration saying eight months of registration were lost due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
    Groups included AkbayanPartylist, AkbayanYouth,Youth with Risa Hontiveros (You+RH), First Time Voters’ Network (FTVN) and the Center for Youth Advocacy and Networking (CYAN).
    Representatives of the groups went to the Comelec main office in Manila Tuesday and asked the polling body to extend registration until January 2022.
    They gave a letter-petition signed by more than 40 youth groups and student organizations urging the Comelec to reconsider its earlier decision to deny request for extension.
    “The pandemic has already stolen so much from us. Huwagnamanhayaan ng Comelecnapatiangkarapatan mag-rehistro at bumoto ng kabataan at mamamayan ay agawin ng pandemiya,” Akbayan spokesperson Dr. RJ Naguit said in a statement.
    “The nation lost close to eight months worth of voter’s registration due to Covid-19 and numerous lockdowns. In 2020 alone, voter registration was suspended nationwide for almost six months. In 2021, some areas in the country lost close to as many as 50 days. We ask the Comelec to extend the period of voting until January. Extending until Jan. 8 not only restores some of that lost time, it also prevents massive voter disenfranchisement,” Naguit said.
    It was reported earlier the Comelec would not extend the period of voter registration and has opted to extend voter registration hours.
    It said that the number of registered voters already totals 61 million.
    However, Naguit said that this was far below 73.3 million, which is the projected number of total available voters according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Of that number, up to 25 million belongs to the youth.
    The youth groups also called on the Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) to classify voter registration as an essential activity for the Comelec to pursue more satellite registration activities in cooperation with the private sector.
    “The act of voting is an essential activity. It is essential for democracy to survive and prosper amid a pandemic. If we want a stronger voter turnout and a more representative picture of the elections, an extended period for registration is not optional, it is essential,” Naguit said,
    To dramatize their calls, they wore white shirts and carried posters saying “I-Extend HanggangEnero.”

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Groups told: Get accredited with Baguio City gov ‘t

By Jordan G. Habbiling and Jonalyn D. Pagada

BAGUIO CITY -- The City Council here urged all civil society organizations (CSOs) including people’s organizations (POs) and non-government organizations (NGOs) in the city to apply for accreditation with the City Government of Baguio.
    A civil society organization, as defined in MC No. 2019-72 of the Dept. of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), refers to a non-state and non-profit association that works to “improve society and the human condition.”
    A non-government organization is a non-stock and non-profit organization that works with different sectors and communities to promote their general welfare and development and provide a wide range of services for people’s organizations; while a people’s organization, often formed among the disadvantaged sectors of society, is an association of residents in a barangay established to promote public interest and with an identifiable leadership structure and membership.
    Pursuant to MC No. 2019-72 and other issuances from the DILG, the sangguniang Panlungsod ng Baguio is tasked to issue a notice of call for accreditation to all CSOs, accept and evaluate all applications, and certify the accreditation of CSOs that met the criteria.
    A CSO’s accreditation with the city government means becoming a member to the City Development Council (CDC) within the third or fourth week of September as provided for under Article 62 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Local Government Code.
    Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong, through Executive Order No. 124, Series of 2019, has created the CDC. Under the EO, the 34 accredited CSOs were appointed as members of the CDC.
    An accredited CSO, being a member of the CDC, may participate in the formulation of long-term, medium-term and annual socio-economic development plans and policies; formulation of medium-term annual public investment programs; evaluation and prioritize socio-economic development programs and projects; formulation of the local investment incentives to promote the inflow and direction of private investment capital; coordination, monitoring, and evaluation of the implementation of development programs and projects; and performs such other functions as may be provided by law or any competent authority.
    To date, the city council has already accredited a total of 48 CSOs including the 34 appointed members of the CDC.
Accredited CSOs are also qualified to be members of the City School Board; City Human Rights Action, Justice, and Peace and Order Council; and Local Health Board.

    One of the City School Board’s tasks is to be an advisory committee to the Sangguniang Panlungsod regarding matters on education. Through Executive Order No. 095, Series of 2020, the City School Board has been reconstituted where the City Teacher Organization representative, City Non-academic Personnel Public School representative, and the president of the Federation of Parents Teachers Association are members.

    The City Human Rights Action, Justice, Peace and Order Council is tasked to formulate the City Peace and Order and Public Safety Plan and other other plans concerning peace and order. Through Administrative Order No. 096-2016, the council has been reorganized where the religious sector, senior citizen sector, and business sector are represented.

    The Local Government Code requires the creation and composition of a local health board in every LGU. A representative from the CSOs or the private sector involved in health services in the city sits as a member of the city’s local health board. The board is tasked to recommend policies concerning planning and implementation of local health programs.

    Lastly, all accredited CSOs in the city are invited by the city council in all its public participation activities such as public consultations and hearings to give inputs regarding proposed legislative measures of the council members to aid them in their decision-making process as the local legislative body.

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Naguillan group head withdraws to commies

By Mar T. Supnad

CAMP FLORENDO, San Fernando City La Union- The adviser and coordinator of a people’s organization withdrew his support from the communist underground movement last week in Naguilian town.
    Regional police in a report, said Reggie Ligsay of Gusing Sur, Naguilian, La Union, adviser and coordinator of Timpuyog dagiti     Mannalon nga Umili ti Naguilian (TIMUN) and president of People Council for Change turned his back on the underground movement.
    The backing out of Ligsay was facilitated by Naguilian police, Regional Intelligence Unit 1, 801st ODI and 580th ACWW Wallace Air Station. “TIMUN is the underground organization of Anal Pawis in Naguilian, La Union,” said the report.
    “Signing of his oath of allegiance was done during the presence of personnel from MSWD, Naguilian MPS, LUPIU, 2nd LUPMFC, 80 1st ODI and 580th ACWW,” police said.
    Ligsay is now under the custody of Naguilian PNP for debriefing, the report said.

 

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DA-BABRC gives native pigs, coffee seedlings to Iwaks

ITOGON, Benguet – The Domolpos Ansipsip Ancestral Domain Indigenous Peoples Organization (DAADIPO) here in Barangay Tinongdan received 3,000 certified Arabica coffee seedlings and an initial of 24 native piglets from the DA-RFO CAR’s Baguio Animal Breeding and Research Center (BABRC), formerly known as Baguio Stock Farm or the Baguio Dairy Farm.
    The coffee seedlings valued at P75,000 will augment coffee trees in the community directly benefiting 45 members towards the development of coffee production in the community.
    The indigenous community generally raises coffee trees in homesteads within their ancestral domain with an average of 100 trees per household.
    The native pigs estimated at P60,000 will directly benefit 20 members in support to their pursuit to repopulate their domain with native pigs.
    The community used to be abundant with native pigs not until the sweet potato or camote, the source of natural feeds, was affected by the fusarium wilt epidemic in the region.
    These interventions were facilitated through DA’s Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo (4K) Program, in partnership with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), that aims to help develop the ancestral agricultural lands of the indigenous cultural communities (ICCs) in order to improve its productivity by developing sustainable agricultural enterprises and profitability by increasing their income in consideration with their customs, traditions, values, beliefs and interests.

“I am grateful for the continued effort by the 4K Program to reach out and help marginalized communities in the highlands, populated by indigenous peoples. Our involvement in this quest is pursuant to the current strategy of the DA for convergence. It inspires and encourages us at BABRC to redouble our efforts to produce more quality planting materials and animal stocks in support to the 4K thrusts and those of other development projects and programs for our farmers”, said Robert L. Domoguen, OIC-Chief of BABRC.

Additional coffee seedlings and animal stocks will be further sourced out from BABRC to support crop and livestock development projects of other indigenous cultural communities supported by the 4K Program.--- DA-CAR 4K RPMO MJMA

 

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RDC, PNVCA form Cordillera volunteers group

By Marissa M. Cabatu

BAGUIO CITY -- The Cordillera Regional Development Council and Philippine National Volunteer Coordinating Agency are set to form Regional Network of Volunteers in the Cordillera Region (RNV-CAR) to address disasters among other issues.
    Both agencies agreed to this on May 28 with private sector representatives (PSRs) wherein
    PNVSCA executive director Donald James D. Gawe commended PSRs, saying only CAR responded to their call since this was presented in 2020 during the PSR’s first virtual national convention hosted by RDC-PSR Eastern Visayas.
    In his briefing, Gawe said volunteerism is recognized as a development strategy as provided in the Philippine Volunteer Act of 2007.
    He added volunteerism is needed with the current situation but should not only be associated with disaster response but should be taken as a development strategy.
    At the local level, he said around 400 local governments of cities and municipalities have designated their volunteer focal persons, mostly from the local planning offices.
    A regional network of volunteers shall improve coordination of organizations and ensure coordinated action especially during disasters and pandemics. 
    Linking the RNV with the RDC shall ensure that volunteer initiatives are aligned with development thrusts of the region, and thus maximize the benefits of volunteerism.
    The establishment of RNV-CAR is the banner program of the PSRs for 2021 and is supported by the RDC with a mobilization fund. 
NEDA-CAR, as the RDC secretariat, will provide technical assistance to PSRs in establishing the RNV.

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Ex-Cordillera NPA rebels form group, elect officers

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- Elected officers of the Cordillera Former Rebels (CFRO) Organization took their oath and were inducted at the provincial multipurpose plaza in Poblacion, Bontoc here on May 28.
    Guest of honor and speaker Gov. Bonifacio C. Lacwasan Jr. administered the oath taking of elected CFRO officers, former New People’s Army guerillas.
    Inducted president was James Maitang Biag  of Mountain Province; Marcelino Ibana of Kalinga vice president; Edna Sibayan of Kalinga as secretary; Jeffrey Esnara (Benguet), auditor; Agustin Batona (Ifugao), treasurer and press relations officers (PROs) Rogelio Anggaboy of Kalinga; Mario Lapa-an (Mountain Province) and Joni Bumidang of Ifugao.
    Also in attendance to witness the ceremony were Cordillera police director Brig. Gen. Ronald O. Lee, Brig. Gen. Krishnamuritia Mortela and Col. Santiago Enginco of Philippine Army.
    Provincial and municipal officials, ELCAC members of Mountain Province and former rebels from Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Mountain Province also attended the event.
    In his message, Lacwasan urged the former rebels to support programs of the government as their organization will help persuade those who are still part of the armed struggle to return back to the folds of law.
    To end the program, Lee facilitated giving of tokens and cash assistance to the former rebels to aid them in returning to normal lives.

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Baguio gov’t to involve private sector in market dev’t project negotiations

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY -- The city government will enlist the participation of the private sector in the market development project negotiations with Original Proponent Status (OPS) holder SM Prime Holdings Inc.
    City Administrator Bonifacio Dela Peña said this is to ensure the representation of the stakeholders particularly the market vendors who will be represented in the upcoming deliberations by Federation of Market Cooperatives-Baguio Retailers Savings and Credit Cooperative auditor Cristine Inso and Baguio Market Vendors Association (BAMARVA) director Angelita Gayados.
    They will be part of the pool of advisers and consultants who will join the negotiating committees composed of members of the Public-Private Partnership for the People selection committee (P4SC) headed by Dela Peña.
    The pool also includes Councilor Francisco Roberto Ortega, Advisory Council member Edgardo Nevada, Baguio City Host Lion’s Club president Nikko Jayson Go, Rotary Club of Baguio Summer Capital president Steve Cating, outstanding woman leader Emerita Fuerte, Philippine Chamber of Commerce auditor Rowena Tabanda and national artist Eric De Guia.
    Dela Peña said two committees had been formed, the technical which he will chair and finance to be helmed by City Budget Officer Leticia Clemente but they are considering the inclusion of a socio-economic team to join the round of talks.
He said the city is meticulously preparing its negotiating terms aware that this stage is the most crucial part of the Public-Private Partnership process.
    The whole process should be completed within 80 days and only 45 days is allotted for negotiation proper.
    As the process goes, once the city mayor and the P4SC had constituted the negotiation panel and set the terms, the panel invites the OPS holder to meeting to introduce the members and approve the terms of the city government while SMPHI will also present their own terms.
    The negotiation panel will then set the ground rules and both sides must agree on the working term sheet or matrix and calendar of negotiation meetings and once done, a series of negotiation meetings will ensue the next 45 days.
    After every negotiation, both parties should agree on entries to the matrix with the final output every meeting to serve as minutes,
    After all final outputs and agreements, a public consultation will be conducted on the agreed terms. 
    Then a challenge terms of reference will be drafted based on the final agreed terms preparatory to the next stage which is the Swiss challenge where other companies can participate.
    The city will then select the best proposal from the pool and which SMPHI has to top. 
    The process will go on until an offer cannot be surpassed anymore and declared the winner.
    Dela Peña said there is no assurance that the negotiation to be conducted with SMPHI will succeed.
    “We are not saying that negotiations are always successful as they can also fail," he said adding that when that happens, the city will move on to find other offers subject again to P4 ordinance rules. 

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Ifugao councils declare ‘front groups’ unwanted

LAGAWE, Ifugao -- Officials and members of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance and other similar leftist organizations were declared persona non grata in the province by peace councils. 

The Provincial Peace and Order Council and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council unanimously approved Joint Resolution No. 5 series of 2020 declaring the CPA and other similar groups as persona non grata.

The government groups said the CPA was among the identified front organizations of the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in the Cordillera Region.

“Their operations pose a threat to the peace and continuous development of local communities,” the resolution stated.

 The CPP-NPA has been declared by the government as a terrorist organization and was declared persona non grata by the province of Ifugao and all its 11 municipalities through their respective Sanggunian bayan.

 “The CPP-NPA uses its front organizations to recruit new members and sow disinformation and hatred against the government in the local communities,” the PPOC and PADAC stated in the joint resolution.

The CPA did not issue a statement on the matter at press time.- JDP/MBL- PIA CAR, Ifugao

 

 

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EU-funded proj starts in Itogon

By Susan C. Aro

ITOGON, Benguet – A project funded by European Union that seeks to empower civil society organizations and take part in the undertakings of the local government on climate and disaster risk resiliency was recently launched in this town.

                Called EMPOWER  which stands for Empowering Municipalities, barangays, CSOs and People’s Organization through Working together to Enhance Disaster and Climate Risk Governance, this project  aims to strengthen the resilience of high-risk communities by reinforcing civil society relevance in disaster and climate governance.

Funded under the European Union with Euro 500,000.00, the 30-month EMPOWER Project under the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) and Humanity Inclusion (HI),  in partnership with the local government with CSOs in the area,  is  an offshoot of an emergency response in the aftermath of typhoon Ompong in 2018 that devastated  the town of Itogon.

In the Cordillera region, Itogon and Pinukpuk in Kalinga are the project recipients based on multi-sectoral assessment conducted by ADRA and Hi.

Typhoon Ompong hit Itogon in 2018 wherein several persons were killed while properties were destroyed.

The town is now a recipient of EMPOWER Project which stands for Empowering Municipalities, barangays, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and People’s Organization through Working together to Enhance Disaster and Climate Risk Governance, which aims to strengthen resilience of high-risk communities by reinforcing the civil society relevance in managing disaster and climate risk.

The project has two outcomes. First, is to strengthen the capacities of CSOs and other stakeholders so that they are empowered to participate meaningfully in local governance.

Second, is to strengthen the disaster and climate risk systems in the area so that it is accessible and inclusive.

“This project is timely, I welcome and support this project.  When Typhoon Ompong hit our municipality and killed 94 people, I realized the importance of citizens’ participation in risk governance. I urged my people through their community organizations to take part in the decision-making processes. There are avenues like the local councils that they can engage with and make their voices heard,” Mayor Victorio Palangdan said .

HI Philippines Country Director Reiza Dejito underscored the Filipino resiliency adding that the voice of the various sectors should be heard.

The laws are already in place and what is needed is CSO empowerment to be able to extend support to the government, she added.

EMPOWER Project Manager Geraldina Gutierrez spelled out some general impressions on CSOs’ existence such as recipients to any program and as critics to government programs, and posing these as challenges.

Gutierrez said they showed show their relevance encouraging various sectors such as farmers, women, and persons with disability to be part of the government in the planning, budgeting and implementation of services.

“Today let us help the government – the key message is to help towards the safety of the community,” she added.

She also encouraged community-based organizations that remain unregistered to register offering help if they have difficulty in the registration process to have a representation in the local councils.

PWD Federation President of the Cordillera Region Abe Tomas shared the importance of “pakikibahagi” or being a member of any sector in the community for their positions to be considered. He cited as an example the establishment of two Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) in Baguio and La Trinidad which his group pushed for.

He encouraged PWDs in the town to be active and engage with the local government for the establishment of its own PDAO that will manage PWD activities and concerns.  This is also much needed in times of calamities, he said.

During the project launching, details of the project were presented including roles and commitments of each partner and likewise the project activities for the duration.

As a show of support, community-based organizations and some local government officials signed the pledge of commitment to the project. (JDP/SCA-PIA-CAR, Benguet)

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Anti-human trafficking group in Baguio pushed

By Dexter A. See 

BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance mandating the Baguio Character Council and other organizations to form an anti-human trafficking network for the city.

            The ordinance states the city mayor shall mandate the creation of the AHTN to be included in the program of the Baguio Character Council with the Baguio Character Council as chair, city human resource officer as vice chair and members to include the city legislative body, volunteer organizations working on children’s concerns, representative from the Baguio-Benguet ecumenical group or any faith organization, the PNP Women and children protection desk, and a representative each from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), the Integrated Bar of the Philippines–Baguio-Benguet chapter, Medical Association of the Philippines, business sector and other city government departments.

            The ordinance said members of the network shall have a term of not more than three years, but they can serve on holdover capacity until another set of members will be appointed and convened by the city mayor.

            The ordinance stipulated the AHTN will assist victims of human trafficking in seeking medical, protection and legal means for peace of mind and justice to  include advocacy programs, seminars and teaching media, and other means of promoting anti-human trafficking; protection programs.

Medical and legal assistance the local law said, will be given to victims of human trafficking in coordination with other stakeholders like those conducting research on human trafficking in the city.

The groups will also recommend closure of businesses involved in human trafficking and related activities.

            The ordinance shall be promoted widely to reach as many as possible for compliance and awareness of the people in the city’s 128 barangays.

            According to the proposed measure, the business sector should be made aware, discourage and prevent any business that leads to or promotes human trafficking and that they commit not to violate anti-human trafficking laws and regulations in the conduct their business.

            The ordinance stipulates the funding of the activities of the network shall be sourced out by the network from activities on a co-sharing basis, however, for the first 2 years of operation, the network may present a one-year project to be co-funded by the city government of not more than 100,000 pesos to be part of the Character City fund of the City Human Resource Management Office.

            The ordinance notes it is the policy of the State to penalize human trafficking and human prostitution under Republic Act (RA) 9208, otherwise known as the Anti-Human Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003.

            RA 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse Act specifically states that child prostitution and sexual abuse is punishable by law.

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Abrenian new RDC- CAR co-chairman

BAGUiO CITY -- President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Philip Tingonong of the Concerned Citizens of Abra for Good Government (CCAGG), as the new Cordillera Regional Development Council (RDC) co-chairman for 2019 to 2022.

Tingonong is the first RDC-Cordillera co-chair in seven years since Virgilio Bautista, who served from 2004 to 2007 and again from 2010 to 2012.

He is a leading member of the CCAGG, civil society organization that monitors government infrastructure projects in Abra and Cordillera provinces.

Tingonong was the former Provincial Planning and Development coordinator of Abra who served for 40 years and during which he frequently represented the Abra governor in RDC meetings.

A staunch autonomy advocate, he briefly served as member of the Cordillera Executive Board.

He recently led the committee that reviewed the proposed Organic Act establishing the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera filed in the 17th Congress.

The review committee provided inputs and recommendations for the new bill for the 18th Congress. \

The bill was eventually filed as House Bill No. 5687 and Senate Bill 1232.

RDC chairperson and fellow Abrenian Gov. Joy Bernos commended Tingonong and committed to work together for the development of the Cordillera.

Tingonong was one of two nominated private sector representatives for RDC co-chair.

There are 14 private sector representatives who form an integral part of the Cordillera Regional Development Council.

They represent the private sector of the six provinces and one chartered city of the Cordillera including sectors of labor, development administration, environmental management, social development, infrastructure development, economic development and indigenous peoples’ concerns.

According to the RDC-CAR guidelines, a chairman of the RDC may be from the government while the co-chair may be from the private sector, or vice-versa. -- Marlo Lubguban, NEDA-SPCAR

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