LETTERS FROM THE AGNO

20-yr stench and traffic on Baguio ’s charter day
MARCH L. FIANZA

BAGUIO CITY -- More than 20 years ago, numerous complaints against the Irisan garbage dumpsite were made known by village residents along Asin Road. At one time, the officialdom of Tuba threatened to file charges against the city if its reeking garbage that flowed down to the water sources of the Asin villages is not contained.

Very temporary solutions were implemented by the city to appease a considerate neighboring community. However, both knew that the stop-gap measures were not lasting solutions to the city’s garbage problem. Tons of garbage increased by the year and the city knew that soon the dumpsite had to transfer somewhere as the present space was not getting larger.

The garbage problem is not a concern for the present administration alone. No matter who were then mayors and officials in the past, the city’s waste disposal problem started during their tenure. All the concerned and “unconcerned” officialdom (or is the word ‘trapo’ more appropriate?) knew that the garbage problem was something that needed immediate solution. Even while the city’s officialdom is scheduled to visit Vallejo , California and Chicago, and given that the city has money to pay trash haulers, or that it has money to purchase the required land area for its waste disposal, the ultimatum requirement lies in the acceptance of the stinking project by the host community.

The city knew that this was a forthcoming problem so that someone thought of the idea of pulling into the mire the neighboring LGUs. The suggestion of a “Metro Baguio” Manila-style cropped up. But this was not received by the LGUs warmly as it had the undertones of the impending presence of an ‘imperial’ central district that would make them second class citizens in a new geo-political set-up.

If one looked at Metro Manila today, it has the MMDA with a “kunwari” chairman, but who actually is “governor” of all the congressional districts. I know that the Ibaloi would not want to be subjected to another layer of bureaucracy, such as having a Metro Baguio Development Authority chair or “governor” who would be lord over all things, a person’s waste included.

Later, a more flexible and more acceptable version called BLIST (Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba) was coined. Its first projects were the construction of diversion roads to link Baguio and its neighboring Benguet towns. Waste disposal issues were also discussed.

With the concept still in the works, now is the time for the towns in Benguet within the BLIST area to assert whatever solution they can share for the traffic and garbage problems of Baguio. This is so because traffic and garbage will always spill all over the BLIST area as these can not be contained forever in the city.
***
Last week a heavy ten-wheeler truck lost its brakes, rammed an FX taxi that was parked on the side and slammed the post of the flyover at the Bokawkan-Magsaysay crossing. The drivers and passengers of both the taxi and the truck suffered injuries. Luckily, no bystander in the busy intersection was hurt.

Earlier this year, a heavy truck lost its brakes and rammed the right shoulder of the road to avoid hitting several vehicles that were waiting to turn left towards Guisad road. A month later another ten wheeler truck slammed on the flyover post in front of the Agrix building at Bokawkan.

Three years ago, a truck owned by a hardware store lost its brakes and went out of control. It ran over three children who were off to school that fateful morning. The schoolchildren were killed on the spot. The owner of the truck washed his hands of any responsibility. Adding insult to injury, the hardware company now encroaches on Bokawkan by deliberately using the road for its own loading and unloading zone without restraint. That causes traffic jams all throughout Bokawkan, Magsaysay down to Trinidad road, Trancoville up to Rimando and Bonifacio streets.

By the way, I wonder who or why the city, the DPWH and the police allow that. Definitely, there is another story behind the “whos and whys.” Quoting a police friend of mine who once headed the traffic division, but was reassigned to another outfit for unknown reasons, he said, “business-minded persons have turned the traffic problem in the city and Trinidad into an economic enterprise.”

The BLIST area has at least four diversion roads. From Marcos highway, truckers and businessmen traveling in heavy vehicles can reach La Trinidad and Halsema highway passing through Asin, Irisan, enter Lamtang and exit at the Long-long Puguis road.

A truck from Kennon who wishes to reach La Trinidad may follow the same route but will have to cross Bakakeng or Balakbak from Camp 7 to reach Marcos highway. Another possible route is to turn right from Kennon through Military Cut-Off, South Drive , Ambuclao road then take Lamut road at Barangay Ambiong and exit at Tawang road after Camp Dangwa . It is time heavy trucks, loaded or not, are prohibited from traversing the Bokawkan stretch through the issuance of lawful orders. At the same time, the law would now recognize the importance of the circumferential roads that were built to bypass the main thoroughfares of Baguio and La Trinidad.

One reason for the law is to see to it that the main thoroughfares of Baguio and La Trinidad are spared from heavy traffic by using the existing diversion roads. Of course, the circumferential roads are not for the exclusive use of heavy truckers only. Smaller vehicles and PUVs are most welcome to use them as this would definitely make traffic in the city thinner.

Baguio must accept that even with her big money, neighboring towns inside the BLIST are on equal footing with her, given that they have control over the spaces being eyed by the city, aside from the fact that the diversion roads are in these areas. Aside from environment compliance, the solution to Baguio ’s traffic and waste disposal problem lies on the acceptability of proposals by the host towns.

For the benefit of all, Baguio and the towns composing the BLIST must come up with a solution to the traffic and garbage problem for all – hitting two birds with one stone, that is. Unfortunately, the unresolved traffic and the stench will be with us come Baguio charter day on September 1st. – marchfianza777@yahoo.com

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UNDERVIEW

When garbage talks everybody listens
MIKE GUIMBATAN JR.

BAGUIO CITY -- Garbage crisis ends said city official. “Old waste shall be collected starting July 31, until August 14, 2008.” After that, a new chapter of garbage talk resumes. The symptom of the garbage disease was cured not the disease itself.
***
The city mayor avoided talking about garbage but delegates it to the administrator. Basic management concept says only the authority is delegated because the responsibility still remains with the mayor. ***
The city council was not excused in the crisis because they failed to allocate a budget for a new landfill site nor have they set new policies that could have prevented the garbage crisis.
***
Persons who do not segregate the “good” and “bad” garbage stand as the third term which is the “ugly.” Household garbage has dominant yellow and blue color. Thanks to SM who provided non-biodegradable plastic bags. May they share in the responsibility of solving the problem.
***
Bigwigs in hotel and restaurant business are accordingly doing their part in solving the garbage they create. Selected media were even called to be lectured on the relationship of garbage reporting and the tourism industry. ***
But who cares about tourists when the health and sanitation of the local residents are at stake?
***
A newly established movement wants the garbage management transferred from CEPMO to GSO. Same as transferring garbage from one house to another. ***
A mountain resort city with fresh pine scented air and lush greeneries was conceived at the turn of the century. If the city will do nothing, a centennial will be celebrated with a display of mounds of garbage, stench of rotten waste and colorful plastic bags.
***
New Garbagetology: Basurasitis- Sickness of getting used seeing mounds of garbage along city streets. Garbagekinesis -- A stimulus response of public officials that stinks.

Basura Express -- A new money-earning transport business. Baguio-Capas,Tarlac Sisterhood- (Please share your talent in supplying the tie that binds the two local government units).
***
If city council members want to spend wisely their research funds, here are some public policy proposals for their perusal:

A proposed ordinance requiring big business establishments (like SM. Country club, John Hay locators, PEZA locators, and educational institutions) to establish their own garbage management system and independently or jointly maintain their residual disposal facilities.

A proposed ordinance imposing mandatory barangay level composting and providing stiffer penalties in improper waste disposal.

A proposed ordinance mandating values orientation in garbage management in all levels of educational institutions in the city.

A proposed ordinance imposing environment management fees from big business establishments that produce non-biodegradable goods.

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THE MOUNTAINEER

Vanity fair
EDISON L. BADDAL

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- The latest State Of The Nation Address of President Arroyo reeked of fortitude and verve in the face of uncontrollable inflation besetting the nation.

This, given the country’s economic hardships as a consequence of the rise in prices of oil and food in the world market that impacted on local prices of oil and food. Bucking personal unpopularity as she battles one of the worst economic meltdowns to hit the country is simply awesome. Against all odds, she further risked unpopularity by standing firm on the implementation of the reformed VAT.

She rationalized undercutting such opposition from various spectrums of society like the church and militant groups, by citing the sound economic foundation to evolve from the continued implementation of the VAT. Intended as a long-term answer to the prolonged economic crunch that our country is undergoing, she declared that VAT is presently making headway in cushioning the heavy impact of the crisis on the poor.

She cited the national government’s subsidization in electric bills of million lifeline customers recently of major electric providers like Meralco as one of the beneficial effects of VAT including the erection of more school buildings, agricultural modernization projects to raise income of marginal farmers among others.

In principle, she deemed the unpopular VAT to be a virtual windfall of sorts being a major source of funds for significant projects that will nerally redound to the benefits of the poor. As to how this will make a dent in the improvement of the quality of life of the poor is anybody’s guess. ***
One thing that riveted my attention on TV was the razzle-dazzle of designer barongs of the honorable congressmen and senators as they moved idly about in the lobby of the congress building while awaiting for the arrival of the president to deliver her SONA.

Later, with journalists’ cameras clicking frenetically for the photo-op, they sauntered jauntily on the red carpet as they followed the president into the refurbished interior of the august hall. Their outfits, certainly priced in several thousands having been designed by famous designers, were equally matched, if not outdone, by the designer clothes worn and ostentatiously displayed by their wives. The scene-stealing outfits which enhanced the voluptuous bodies of the wives were accentuated by expensive accessories. ***
In like manner, the female Senators also cut a dash of what they had nothing to say of their fat wallets and huge bank accounts, by being dressed in pricey get-ups. One female senator even went beyond the prim and proper dress code for her exalted government position by wearing a backless gown that exposed a lot of bare flesh on her back.

It also exposed a lot of flesh on her front neck and upper chest as her cleavage gaped wide below the neckline. Nevertheless, nobody can doubt about the enormity of her wealth given the fact that she once lodged a million-peso electoral protest with the supreme court following her disastrous defeat as a vice- presidential candidate in 2004. ***
It was height of dowdy dressing in stark contrast to the patriotic and somber atmosphere of the occasion. Inappropriately, the nationalistic atmosphere of the SONA was transformed into a fashion show by the legislators and their coterie. Conversely, these highly esteemed people betrayed their utter insensitivity to the current crisis saturating the country. In a similar vein, it also betrayed their lack of sympathy and empathy with the worsening deprivation of Filipinos of their basic needs engendered by uncontrolled inflation which has ratcheted up from 11.2 percent in June to 12.2 percent in July.

Such a quintessence of vain glory is a transparent reflection of the kind of values that these show-offs imbibed and possess. Such indifference was borne by the fact that they were virtually insulated from the crippling and maddening effects of the economic crisis because of their charmed and privileged lives.
E'ither it was done to impress the masses, consciously or not, one apparent truth bore out: the height of indifference and insensitivity to the morass of the millions of Filipinos by the high and the mighty. If anything, it was a show of selfishness underpinned by plumb greed, inhumanity and consuming individualism.

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RAIN OF FIRE

A world torn by violence
CESAR G. BONILLA

LAOAG CITY -- The world is being torn by violence, crime and war; weighed down by greed, immortality, and poverty, poisoned by increasing pollution, and wasted by the wanton destruction of resources. Government is no big deal. On our own, we are more helpless. How then do we even begin to fight wickedness, ease our suffering, and stop our descent into destruction? If we haven’t done it yet, it’ll help to take the first step.

Turn to the bible. Reading and studying it, we really turn to God. We profit by it. We know the meaning of life and understand His purposes for us. Then we act on the basis of our faith. The bible is the world’s most important book, an all-time bestseller.

Between 1815 and 1975, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, some 2.5 billion copies of it were printed. It’s been translated into more than 1,800 different languages and available to 98 percent of the world’s population. Forty individuals of diverse backgrounds kings, shepherds, fishermen, civil servants, priests, one general, and a physician wrote various portions of the Bible. But there were one in saying they were writing not their own thoughts but God’s. a collection of 66 books, the Bible embodies law, prophecy, history, poetry, counsel and other matters.

The first 39 books were written originally mainly in Hebrew by Jews, long before Jesus Christ was born, and referred to as the Old Testament. The latter part, 27 books, was written in Greek by Christians to form what is known as the New Testament. All books were written over some 1,600 years, starting when Egypt was the dominant world power and ending when Rome ruled most of the world. *** The celebration of Ablan Day in Ilocos Norte was a memorable tribute to the patriotism and heroism of the late Gov. Roque Ablan, Sr. who led the province during the turbulent years of Japanese occupation in the country.

He was an excellent leader of the province and although he was pressured by the Japanese authorities to cooperate with them, he courageously cried for freedom and together with his loyal followers, he fought the imperialistic regime in defense of the inhabitants of the province.

This legendary hero is a pride of the Ilocanos and his virtues can be a living inspiration not only to the youth but to all public servants who are dedicated in keeping the noble creed of public service being a public trust. ***
Parents play a great part in nurturing their children’s physical, moral, spiritual and educational well-being. Even some students in colleges and universities have poor discipline. They have made a mockery of their duties as students for most of them are physically present but mentally unprepared in the pursuit for knowledge.

This is the waterloo of some students whose presence in school didn’t make any difference when they were outside the institution. They attend their classes without any book or notes to follow the subject matter. The worst, those who are not performing well are the most talkative and try to attract attention from serious students.

If they got lower ratings, some of their parents even the blamed instructors or the institution and didn’teven want incompetent and stupid students evaluated.

The young should be aware that the present is only temporary and educators are always there to guide the future.

The serious students with ambition could reap the glory of greatness inside the
academe and give a pride to their parents for their love and sacrifices for them to become better persons. Education is just an instrument for them to reach their goal. We must hope and pray that the system of education can give additional dynamism and innovations for the promotion of quality education in our country. ***
Aug. 6 and 9 are dates to remember Japan’s humiliation in World War II. The United States Air Force dropped the deadly uranium bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. It destroyed over half the city, killed about 60,000 persons outright and wounded 100,000 others.

On Aug. 9, another bomb fell on Nagasaki three days later. It was a bomb made of plutonium, an artificial radioactive element derived from bombardments of uranium by neutrons in atomic reactors built for that purpose in United States. It flattened a square mile of Nagasaki and took a heavy toll on lives. With the most incomprehensive destruction of the atomic blast in the history of mankind, Japan finally lost its will to resist. With this tragic event and faced with total annihilation, Japan unconditionally accepted the demand for surrender on Aug. 15, 1945.

This is a lesson in history that all races in the world should be bound by a certain degree of civilization, peace, unity, and love. No race is superior in this world. We have to recognize the limited capability of man to change the face of the earth and we have to abide with God’s ultimate wisdom to direct our actions like in international diplomacy and reconciliation.

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BULL’S HIT

RUDY GARCIA

BAGUIO CITY -- I was so unfortunate I was not able to attend two activities I should have for the University of Baguio’s alumni homecoming this year. First was the UB alumni homecoming held at the UB gym on July 26 which was hosted by my batch mates of UB high school batch ’73, and second, the alumni luncheon treat at the Rosebowl Restaurant last Aug. 7.

I guess, it would be no use citing my unexcused reasons, but nevertheless, I was glad to hear from my batch mates that the activities were successful. Congrats! Surely, I owe a lot from my batch mates but I guess it’s not too late for my promise that I will be making up for my shortcomings to them and to my alma mater. Happy Homecoming!
***
First, it was an issue whether to postpone the Aug. 11 ARMM election or not, and although several positions were set forth, the Comelec said it was ready to push through while some lawmakers were for its postponement. The Senate likely would not conform to the postponement. It was plain stupidity for some of the administration puppets to hold on to the edge of the ropes just to have this election postponed.

They are saying that the ongoing peace process between the government panel and the MILF would be affected once the ARMM election pushes through and that the MILF would likely get mad and stage attacks. Ha! Ha!

How could these people issue such stupid reasons? They better tell that to the marines, not us. They are now admitting that we have a helpless Armed Forces of the Philippines and a powerless government to defend the constitution and the people? Or is this another kind of crap tactics by the spit masters to grab another chance to dance the cha-cha? Funny, but only here in the Philippines!
***
What is alarming now are reports that the government will push an agreement with the MILF or the Bangsa Moro for its territorial domain. The palace admitted this but was quick to deny that it was already finalized and said this was not yet a done deal. Oh, how I wish that our officials at Malacanang would show their true colors. Kanya kanya kasi sila ng hugasan ng kamay! Nakakahiya na sila! Buking da met!”
***
My salute goes to the National Bureau of Investigation-Cordillera especially its regional director, Manong Atty. Ricardo Pangan Jr. for their excellent entrapment operation that led to the arrest of two top officials of the Baguio City engineer’s office based on a complaint by a local contractor.

These two arrested officials are now facing extortion charges at the court. Sana magsilbing babala ito sa ibang mga opisyal na mahilig ng tongpats. Kuwidaw! And to the NBI operatives who made the entrapment, mabuhay kayo! And to the complainant: Kudos din sa iyo, sana marami pa ang mga katulad mo! keep it up! ***
Calling the attention of BCPO traffic division chief Samuel Bumangil Jr. to kindly check the reported causes of traffic at Upper Bonifacio St. heading to Gen. Luna Road., Upper Magsaysay beside old Tiong San, and at the corner of Upper Magsaysay and Gen. Luna Road.

According to one of my bubwits, some hard headed jeep drivers bound for Trancoville and Aurora Hill are making these areas their waiting terminals for passengers the reason for the heavy traffic. Worst he said, not even a traffic cop or a traffic aide could be seen in these areas at times like these! Magaling lamang sila sa hulihan. Well, that is according to my bubwit. Tama ba ito o hindi Insp. Bumangil? Pakibusisi!

***
Baguio ABC president and councilor Joel Alangsab and Baguio barangay affairs coordinator Lawrence adobe should look into the report of one of my bubwits that barangay officials at Upper Magsaysay headed by punong barangay Antonio Tamayo could be remise in their function as barangay officials and should be up on their toes to improve the peace and order in their turf.

According to my bubwit, a series of stabbing incidents are happening at the corner of upper Magsaysay Raod and Upper P. Burgos St. just beside those videoke joints and massage parlors especially at night.

He is wondering why there are no barangay officials or even tanods who should be on foot patrol to monitor and preserve the peace and order in that area. It was reportedly barangay officials and tanods of Lower Magsaysay barangay who were doing the job the officials of Upper Magsaysay. Totoo ba ito Antonio Tamayo? Naku kung totoo ito, mahiya ka naman kay apo kapitan Amagen ng Lower Magsaysay! Agkuti kayo met ah!

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TRAILS UP NORTH

The man who believed he can
GLO A. TUAZON

HINGYON, Ifugao -- In a lot beside the Catholic Mission Church here is a small shed that houses the odds and ends of the organic garden project there. This is where Daniel Ihing, a 37-year-old inventor originally from Hungduan tinkers with his borrowed tools to create small machineries. He said he was not able to pursue college so at one time he had to forego lucrative dreams and high paying jobs.

What he does now may not bring him fortunes but he creates with a purpose in mind. Working with the rectors of the parishes in Ifugao gave him inspiration to go back to the basics to uplift in his own small ways both the “little people" and help save the environment at the same time.

Daniel said he once thought of learning to fabricate motor vehicles, passenger jeeps in particular but he does not have the capital to start one. So he thought of smaller projects to make instead. That brought him his first creation, the micro shredder. Painted in bright orange and rigged with a motor, the machine runs on electricity. Ifugao is mainly an agricultural province so most of the blue collared workers are either farmers or woodcarvers.

With his invention, biodegradable waste materials and uprooted grass and weeds from garden clearings can be converted to become compost materials or livestock food. The process is to insert the grass in the orange upright tube where a blade shreds it to tiny pieces. The shredded pieces then come out from the horizontal tube.

The concept here is that of a food processor or blender, put something in to be shredded into bits. With this machine, farmers and livestock raisers can save a lot on fertilizers and feeds. The other benefit aside from that is the fact that everything here is organic.

The need for synthetic fertilizers and feeds are lessened or totally eliminated. This invention was what worked for in the garbage disposal problem of Lagawe when the landpiles were filled up to he brim. The church collected the biodegradables from the market and converted it to useful compost. (Story on these next issue.)

Daniel's shredder can be ordered and bought for a mere P20,000, a lot lesser than other patented machines that does the same work. So what next I asked?

There is the micro tiller he said. Looking at children and women in the fields who harrow the rice paddies with carabaos or big tillers, it was difficult for them to maneuver the beast or the machine so he thought of making a tiller in a smaller scale. It is lightweight that 2 people can carry it to the paddies and handy enough for women to push around. It runs on gasoline though, but the tilling job is faster than doing it manually or with the carabao. F

or a man didn’t attend formal school, he fascinated me with his words and terms. At one point during our interview he talked about turbines and water elevations and pressure and. My turn to gawk, my lower jaw dropping, trying to comprehend the gist of his explanation on this next invention he did, a micro turbine.

Whew! Electricity is as good as gold these days, and yet in Ifugao some remote villages are still unlit to this day. He said this may solve some of that problem although he has yet to introduce it to the public unlike the other two projects which are already running and being used by those who have availed.

So who said only the learned could make a difference? Little ones in their own little ways can to. For me I have always had in mind this quote, "A brain with lots of ideas is useless without the hands that work it to become." Luckily for Daniel, unschooled maybe but he has both the brain and the working hands. email: twilight_glo@yahoo.com

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AGGIE UPDATES

Low vegetable supply seen
DEXTER A. SEE

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The food security situation, now plagued by the rice crisis, is feared to turn worst as agriculture stakeholders in this province predict a shortage of vegetable supply in the coming months. They said the low vegetable supply will come as a result of the reduction in planting areas which is caused by the soaring prices of farm inputs. This is, in turn, caused by the endless increase in the prices of petroleum products in the world market.

Many farmers in this vegetable-producing province said they are forced to reduce their planting areas by as much as 50 percent because the prices of farm inputs have risen to levels beyond their capacity to shoulder.

Moreover, they said, the one-time fertilizer subsidy given to them by the Department of Agriculture is barely felt due to the more than 75 percent increase in the prices of farm inputs.

Benguet is the source of at least 80 percent of the country’s vegetable supply. The reduced production in the province is expected to result in the scarcity of vegetables in the market in the next few months.

Another cause of the low production of vegetables is the low level of the buying prices of the produce. This is a disincentive to the farmers who are encountering difficulty in meeting the high production cost, the stakeholders said. Because of this situation, many farmers are now forced to look for other sustainable sources of livelihood, aside from farming. Several farmers abandon farming and migrate to the urban areas which they see as greener pasture.

From a little over R1,000 per bag of fertilizer, the price of this vital farm input has doubled or even tripled in the last three months, "virtually killing the local vegetable industry," the stakeholders said.

While some farmers have decided to continue producing vegetables, they opted to reduce their planting areas by as much as 60 percent. The income from the reduced planting areas is just enough for the basic needs of their families, they said.

The remaining 40 percent of their land would be left idle for the meantime. Agri-business people in the province said the reduced production areas for vegetables in the current planting season would surely result in shortage of vegetable supply in the country in the next few months.

They feared that in this eventuality, smugglers might take advantage of the situation by bringing in cheap vegetables from China. If this happens, they said, the vegetable industry in this province might collapse.

If the national government does not act immediately to ease the burden caused by expensive farm inputs, the over 250,000 people engaged in vegetable growing would lose their primary source of livelihood.

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ENVIRONMENT WATCH

Expansion of Quirino fish sanctuary sought
Luis Jose

CABARROGUIS, Quirino -- The municipal government here is poised to push for an expansion of its five-hectare fish sanctuary, following the re-emergence of an endangered soft-shelled turtle there, the Philippine Environmental Governance, a USAID-funded project, said. EcoGov’s Bing Jaleco said the freshwater turtle, which was last seen in the area seven years ago, was discovered to have resurfaced two weeks ago, boosting biodiversity conservation efforts in Cabarroguis town.

“More than anything else, it shows how sound environmental management and good governance can impact positively on biodiversity, in this case on habitat,” Jaleco said.

He cited the improved governance of Quirino’s forest and forestland resources through the town’s Forest Land Use Plan, which was prepared with technical assistance from EcoGov.

Leo Valdez, municipal environment officer of Cabarroguis, said the freshwater juvenile Cantor’s Giant Soft-Shelled Turtle (Pelochelys cantorii), locally known as cagot, was discovered after it got trapped in the fishnet of a fisherman along Addalam River in Barangay Eden two weeks ago.

The turtle was immediately brought to the municipal agriculturist’s office for proper documentation.

Valdez said the Addalam River watershed irrigates rice lands in Cabarroguis, Aglipay and Saguday in Quirino, and nearby towns in Isabela.

He said the site where the cagot was found is part of the fish sanctuary established in the mid-1990s.

Intensive quarrying and illegal fishing along the river prompted local leaders to protect the area to enable it to renew and increase fish stocks, Valdez said.

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BUSINESS BITS

The comforts of home
Judy Cruz-Malabanan

To come up with a name for their company, Jun and Bernadette Biag combined their children's names to form the word VINLIA, spelled in all-capital letters. Largely on the strength of Dette's talent as a furniture designer, the couple had decided to go into the business of producing and marketing quality custom-made home furnishings and accessories. Previously, Dette had seven years of experience designing furniture for clients, and Jun, a dentist, had great faith in her design abilities.

"This faith was actually all I brought to the business in the beginning," Jun says.

"For me, going into the business was like entering the 'Twilight Zone'. I had zero background in furniture and design, so Dette encouraged me to enroll in an AutoCAD class. This was how I eventually learned to do the layouts for her furniture designs."

To get the business started, the couple set up their office and workspace in 2005 at Dette's old home in Angeles City in Pampanga. They had to do a lot of rehabilitation work at the place because it had been left unoccupied for years following the disastrous eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991. Recalls Jun: "We started with only four skilled workers but they were very kind and loyal to us. They even assured us that they would work for us without pay until clients or projects actually came in."

During the initial year of their business, the couple ruthlessly cut down on costs
to keep themselves afloat. Dette explains how they did it: "We ran the business with minimal overhead, with Jun and I dividing the work required by our day-to-day operations. I took care of the designs and estimates, while he took care of the production. We would do purchasing, marketing, and even deliveries together. It was hard work, but it finally paid off when we started getting good feedback from satisfied customers."

Their first big break came in 2005 when a relative contracted them to furnish and refurbish an entire house in Hacienda Royale, San Fernando, Pampanga. It was a rather large house, with seven bedrooms and an area of 600 sq meters. News of the good job they did to the house soon spread by word-of-mouth. "We got more deals in the months that followed, and we had to hire two new office staff to help us cope with the growing demand for our services," Dette says.

Promoting VINLIA was a job the Biag couple did themselves. Dette recalls: "We
made our own brochures and flyers and distributed them ourselves to the various villages in Pampanga. My husband would even befriend newspaper vendors in the area so they would agree to insert our flyers into their newspapers for free."

The couple says they had an advantage by making their business home-based from the start. "It lessened our overhead expenses, and we used the savings to pay off our electric bills and other expenses," Dette says.

What proved to be a dilemma for the Biags, however, was raising capital for their business. "You can avail of a loan only if you had already been in business for two years and have collateral, so we couldn't get a loan from financial institutions. We therefore had to turn to our relatives for a loan to expand our business. We just had to prove ourselves reliable by keeping up-to-date with our repayments," Jun says.

Today, a year later, VINLIA now has a showroom right in front of the Biags' workshop in Angeles City, Pampanga. "We chose a spot that used to be an auto supply store, then converted it into a well-organized showroom for our home furnishing and accessory lines," Dette says.

Now that their products are getting the attention they deserve, the demand for them has been growing. To keep up with it, the Biags now have eight workers and have expanded their production workspace to 200 sq m.

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FRONT PAGE

PDEA-Ilocos head sacked for releasing probe info: 20 more cops probed on large shabu haul
By Jerry Padilla

SAN FERNANDO, La Union – The police task force probing the shabu laboratory, touted as the largest in the country and recently raided in Naguilian, La Union, is set to investigate 20 more policemen to explain how the illegal facility managed to operate more than a year.

This, as the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency director in the Ilocos region was relieved from her post Thursday for allegedly releasing confidential information to the media on the ongoing investigation on the shabu laboratory.

Supt. Jane Andres Aunzo, PDEA regional director, was summoned to the PDEA headquarters in Manila and would be replaced by a former Army official, a certain Roberto Opeña, in turnover rites at Camp Diego Silang here tomorrow.

Task Force Bimmotobot, named after the village where the shabu lab was located, is now probing how the syndicate was able to bring in chemicals unnoticed and sneak out finished products despite checkpoints in the area during and after the elections last year.

“They (policemen) did not necessarily participate, but we think they had knowledge of the operation, particularly on the delivery of drugs and chemicals,” a source said.
Another source said law enforcers might have been threatened or bribed, which probably explains why they failed to report anything or do something about it.

Heavily armed personnel, mostly from the Regional Mobile Group, manned checkpoints along Naguilian Road to ensure peaceful and orderly elections last year.
Supt. Dionicio Borromeo, tagged by Dante Palaganas, an arrested caretaker of the shabu lab, as one of the syndicate’s alleged protectors, was then the RMG director before he became police chief of Dagupan City.

Borromeo has been relieved from his post following Palaganas’ allegations. He is now at Camp Crame facing an investigation.

The drug syndicate, according to Palaganas, transported shabu four times to Metro Manila without encountering any problems at the checkpoints.

He said the shabu lab began operating in May last year. It was raided last July 9, yielding chemicals that can produce shabu worth about a trillion pesos.

Earlier, authorities said that aside from Borromeo, four other policemen were being investigated.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in the Ilocos region headed by Senior Superintendent Marvin Bolabola will take custody of policemen found to be involved in the illegal activity.

Meanwhile, a high-ranking police official said PDEA Director General Dionisio Santiago was bothered with the raw information Aunzo had allegedly given the media because this might affect the investigation.

“I don’t know the real reason why she (Aunzo) was relieved because the order came from Gen. Santiago. They may have reasons for her relief but we would have been more prepared in the investigation into the shabu lab if she stayed longer,” said the police official, who was involved in the investigation.

Task Force Bimmotobot, headed by Chief Supt. Romeo Gatan, earlier designated Aunzo as one of its spokesmen but later withheld her authority to do so due to the alleged release of confidential information in her media interviews.

A PDEA employee said they received information Aunzo had been relieved from her post as Region 1 director and was at the PDEA office in Manila attending a command conference on Aug. 30.

The source said he has not heard of any reason for Aunzo’s relief, adding though that a PDEA regional director is normally replaced when he or she has served for two years in his or her position.

Meanwhile, Gatan said the task force’s legal team has finished the amended complaint it is filing this week.

Gatan said the amended complaint was based on the supplemental affidavit of Dante Palaganas, the arrested caretaker of the shabu lab busted in Barangay Bimmotobot, Naguilian town.

Gatan said US law enforcers have also stepped into the investigation to find out the links of the shabu lab’s operators with international syndicates.

Gatan said US authorities are scheduled to visit this week the site of the shabu lab where authorities seized six truckloads of chemicals that could produce about a trillion pesos worth of the illegal drug.

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Besao native selected best cop nationwide
BONTOC, Mountain Province – The people of the province have another reason to celebrate. One of their brother policemen has made them proud having been selected as the best commissioned officer in the whole country in this year’s annual search for the Country’s Outstanding Policemen in Service (COPS).

Police Supt. Jonathan Calixto was honored by Metrobank Foundation, PS Bank, and the Rotary Club of New Manila East for his gallantry and professionalism he exemplified as evidenced by his accomplishments as government peace keeper. He received a cash prize of P250,000 and a trophy for the feat.

A native of Kin-iway, Besao, Calixto had his elementary and secondary education in his hometown before he moved to Baguio City where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Criminology at the University of Baguio.

Following the steps of his older brother, Rimas Calixto, who is presently the Regional BJMP director for Region 1, the younger Calixto entered the Philippine National Police Academy and graduated in 1995.

As a police officer, he led the team that assaulted the perpetrators of the Bicutan siege that caused the death of 22 Abu Sayyaf inmates and the recovery of seven firearms. He also headed the police force which captured the second highest officer of the Jemaah Islamiyah and recovered high intelligence value items.

This performance was hailed by President Arroyo as a big blow to the terror network of the terrorist group. Follow up operations resulting to the capture of Abu Sayyaf gun suppliers effectively limited the capability the group to conduct criminal activities.

Calixto was also among those who secured the Manila Peninsula during the foiled military stand-off led by now Sen. Antonio Trillanes.

In the fight against syndicated crimes, Calixto led Oplan Black Shark that resulted to the capture of members of the Black Shark gang.

The gang is reportedly responsible in series of kidnap for ransom, highway robberies, carnapping, drug trafficking, and other nefarious activities.

He was also a key player in many outreach programs that conducted clean and green drives and tree planting activities with the community people.

He is now assigned as battalion commander of the First Special Action Battalion of the PNP Special Action Force.

In his congratulatory message to Gov. Maximo Dalog and the people of the province, Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto Sobrepeña said such exemplary accomplishments have qualified Calixto to join the elite roster of policemen worth emulating.

This year’s board of judges was chaired by Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara and go-chaired by presiding justice Diosdado Peralta of the Sandiganbayan. -- Angel Baybay

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Isabela village chief, 9 others face raps for ‘illegal logging’
By Joan Capuna

SAN MARIANO, Isabela – Illegal logging charges are being readied against a barangay chairman of this remote town and nine others for the shipment of high-grade wood products earlier this month. Gov. Grace Padaca yesterday July 26 said that the province’s anti-illegal logging task force is set to file charges against barangay chairman Floriano Dichoso of Macayocayo, San Mariano and nine others for violation of the anti-illegal logging law.

“We have prepared cases against them,” Padaca said. “The law is the law. If you violated it, then you have to be arrested.”

Dichoso was reportedly included in the case after he reportedly owned responsibility over the more than 4,000 illegally-cut forest products worth more than P500,000.

The task force, also composed of Army and police, discovered the narra lumber while they were being shipped across the Pinacanauan River in remote Benito Soliven town with the use of floaters.

The charges against the illegal logging suspects came in the wake of Padaca’s two-week ultimatum to all illegal loggers and timber poachers to voluntarily surrender the equipment they were using in their illegal activities or face appropriate charges.

“Bring down your chainsaws now and we won’t arrest you,” said Padaca, whom Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Joselito Atienza have given a special deputization order to go after illegal loggers and timber poachers here.

The ultimatum, which took effect July 21 until Aug. 4, was issued during a meeting of the provincial government-led anti-illegal logging task force whose recent revival came amid reports of rampant illegal logging in the province’s protected forest zones.
Padaca said no apprehension, arrest or charges will be made on persons who would voluntarily turn over their chainsaws and other equipment being utilized in the illegal cutting of trees.

In related developments, mayors from the province’s forest zones led by Mayor Jose Mari Diaz of Ilagan said some constituents had to resort to cutting of trees to sustain their basic needs.

Any alternative livelihood for them, they said, would lead to curbing the age-old problem of illegal cutting of trees here.

“We understand their (mayors) concerns for some of their constituents engaged in illegal timber poaching out of poverty,” said provincial environment and natural resources officer forester Felix Taguba.

“We have been implementing alternative ways for their constituents to legally make use of their forest resources.”

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2 buses torched in P’sinan terminal

SAN FABIAN, Pangasinan – Two buses of the Five Star company were torched at a terminal here night of July 24.

Authorities said no one was hurt in the incident. Probers ruled out the employees’ claim that communist rebels could be behind the attack, suspecting that a labor dispute was a likely cause.

The company placed the damage at P5.5 million. Armed with handguns, the arsonists used gasoline in plastic gallon containers and small bottles, reports said.

The attackers reportedly told a terminal guard that the Five Star manager owed them something. They casually walked away after setting the two buses on fire. – George Trillo

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2 hired killers take pity on victim; cancel slay

By Dexter A See

BAGUIO CITY – For allegedly attempting to have her elder sister assassinated, a teacher in Abra was arrested by Baguio policemen in an entrapment operation conducted in Ilocos Sur.

This came after the killers she had allegedly hired took pity on the supposed victim, Veronica Iban Ganao.

The hired killers were overwhelmed by pity when they saw Veronica’s deformed face with one blind eye, which reportedly came as a result of the first attempt on her life in February last year.

Chief Supt. Eugene G. Martin, director of the Police Regional Office in the Cordillera, identified the alleged mastermind as Herminia Iban Daproza, 40, separated, teacher, native of Dilong, Tubo, Abra, and resident of Zone V, Bangued, Abra.

Veronica also hails from Dilong, Tubo, Abra, but now resides at Tapaw East, Quirino Hill, Baguio City. Confessed gun-for-hire Michael Marquez Bermudez, barangay kagawad, of Patiao, Peñarrubia, Abra, said he and his cohort, Nomer Biendema, his neighbor, were hired by Daproza to kill her elder sister in exchange for P75, 000. T

hey alleged that Daproza had given them a downpayment of P10,000 when they met in the Baguio First Hotel last July 10.

They said she also promised them a second job, which is to assassinate her elder sister’s husband, Lorenzo, if the first assignment is successful.

However, while casing her residence, the hired killers took pity on Veronica after seeing her pathetic condition.

They saw her taking care of her two grandchildren in their house and realized she is already old, with a deformed face and one blind on eye.

They forgot their evil scheme as they were overwhelmed by pity.

After talking to their supposed victim, the two hired killers agreed to surrender to the police and turn witness in the prosecution of the case against the alleged mastermind.

During the investigation, the two men told police probers that Daproza also hatched the failed plot on the life of her elder sister, who was hit on the head with a blunt object by unidentified assailants in their hometown last year.

While the investigation was going on, Bermudez maintained contact with Daproza through a mobile phone and gave her the false information that they had already killed her elder sister.

A team of the Baguio City Police Office and the two hired guns, went to Narvacan, Ilocos Sur to conduct an entrapment operation on the alleged mastermind who agreed to give them another partial payment of P7,500.

While on their way to Ilocos Sur, the hired killers and Daproza agreed to meet at a beach resort in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur, where she was eventually arrested.

The alleged mastermind is now detained in the Baguio City jail for two counts of attempted murder, but the motive of the failed slay attempts is not yet known because the suspect and the victim refused to divulge the cause of their feud.

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‘Spirits possess’ 21 studes; elders perform tribal rite
By Mike Guimbatan Jr.

TUBLAY, Benguet – Bad spirits possessed 21 female high school students here July 25, apparently angered by the construction of a school building in the school compound.

The 21 students of Tublay School of Home Industries passed out one after the other for no apparent reason in the morning until 3 p.m. of same day.

"The students passed out and remained unconscious for a long time. Two of them became hysterical," said councilor Ericson Felipe who witnessed the unusual event.
Local folk pointed to the demolition of an old school building to pave the way for a new concrete building costing R4 million as the cause of the spiritual phenomenon.
Some parents suggested the holding of native ritual to appease the spirits but this was opposed by Catholic parish priest Fr. Benny Villapa who said that the people should not yield to whatever the unseen want.

The students regained consciousness after a little rest, it was learned.

Policemen who responded to the incident said it was a case of "possession by evil spirits." "It is a mere mass hypnosis," said Father Felipe who also said that a similar situation occurred in the municipalities of Kibungan and Bakun, both in Benguet.

A similar disturbance caused by unfriendly spirits occurred in July 2007 at the Tuba National High School-Extension in Tuba, Benguet.

The Tuba spirit possession was a manifestation of an opposition to the construction of a two-storey school building that disturbed the unseen.

At least 16 female students turned hysterical for no apparent reason. The students who were affected had undergone counseling as the Church prayed for them before they regained consciousness.

Elders of Tuba held an indigenous ritual to appease the spirits by butchering a pig, a dog, and native chicken in the school premises.

Spirit possession like those in Tublay and Tuba high schools can be prevented, said a pastor of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines.

Pastor Christopher Alegoyojo said there are evil sprits everywhere and they follow a pattern of disturbing high school students, mostly females.

The reason, he said, is that high school students are still in the stage of soul searching and are prone to worldly exposures.

Most women in that stage are weaker, and so there is need for spiritual guidance. Alegoyojo, recently assigned as an outreach UCCP pastor at Kennon Road, this city, admitted he has been driving away evil spirits from possessed teenagers, mostly females.

It is the individual’s faith in Jesus Christ that wards off evil spirits, he added.

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City council stops private firm from hauling trash: Baguio officials at loggerheads over garbage-hauling contract

By Dexter A see and Mike Guimbatan Jr.

BAGUIO CITY – The bickering among city officials over the garbage crisis in this mountain resort city is not helping them in the efforts to find a long-term solution to the problem. In fact, the quarrel is aggravating the situation to the prejudice of the residents.

This developed as the hauling of garbage in the city by a private firm, Metro Water Management Corp., has been disallowed for lack of authority from the city council.

Instead, the city’s legislative body decided to appropriate P10 million for the hauling of the city’s garbage that has piled up in the streets for one week now.

The council also decided that the hauling contract will be bidded out.

The councilors have failed to designate a dumping area for the garbage. And as a result of the council’s action, the private hauler is now at risk of not being paid for its services.

The mayor signed the contract with the private hauler without the authority of the council, one councilor said. The mayor should have first referred the contract to the council because it involves the appropriation of funds, the same councilor said.

Councilors were given the impression that Metro Waste is the only accredited hauler, but it turned out that the accreditation of haulers is only for the transport of toxic waste.

If the council decides to appropriate funds for the payment of the hauler without going through competitive bidding, councilors said they would be liable for graft and technical malversation.

While the city officials are locked in a controversy over the funding issue, tons and tons of garbage continue to pile up in the streets.

Due to the unsanitary condition, many tourists are now skipping the city.

The council had turned down plans of the mayor to charge the hauling expenses against the calamity fund as it denied a proposal to place the city under a state of calamity.

But the hauling cost would instead be charged against other kinds of funds of the city government.

Earlier, there were proposals that the garbage collected daily would be dumped temporarily at the lime kiln in Irisan, but this was scrapped down because the area is heavily populated.

At the time that the city was scouting for an area where to dump garbage loaded in the city’s dump trucks, the lime kiln was identified as a transfer station, but the residents barricaded the area. This prevented the dumping of the garbage at the lime kiln site.

Meanwhile, three committees were formed to negotiate with groups that offered to help the city in providing temporary relief.

One of the committees chaired by Councilor Erdolfo Balajadia is tasked to meet with executives of Camp John Hay. The second committee chaired by Councilor Isabelo Cosalan Jr. is to meet with officials of Philippine Military Academy.

The task to look for a longer-term solution was assigned to a committee chaired by Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda. It is asked to meet with the Carantes family regarding a 10-hectare land the family had offered to sell in Virac, Itogon, Benguet.

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Cagayan mayor’s nephew, aides charged for ex-PC man’s killing

TUGUEGARAO CITY – Two aides and a nephew of a mayor of a remote southwestern town here and three others are now facing murder charges in connection with last week’s killing of a retired sergeant of the now defunct Philippine Constabulary.

Senior Supt. Jude Santos, provincial police director, identified those facing murder charges as Chito Cauilan and Dik-dik Gundan, reportedly both aides of Mayor Raul dela Cruz of Rizal town, and Kit-Kit Littaua, who, together with Cauilan were tagged as the gunmen who shot dead 50-year-old retired Constabulary sergeant Elmer Baligod.

De la Cruz was not immediately available for comment.

Also included in the case filed by the police was the mayor’s nephew identified as Kevin de la Cruz and two others, including a son of a barangay chairman of Rizal. However, except for Cauilan, the five other suspects have yet to be arrested.

The regional trial court here recommended no bail for Cauilan. A separate case of murder was formally filed against the five other suspects before the prosecutor’s office here.

The suspects, police said, were identified by witnesses as responsible in the killing of Baligod, who was shot dead while tending their family’s food stall in front of their house along Del Rosario Street Centro 4 here on June 18. – CL

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MORE NEWS, BAGUIO CITY

Mayor to talk Uniwide out of city market deal
By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. expressed high hopes that Uniwide Sales Realty and Resources Corp. (Uniwide) would agree to withdraw from its market development accord with the city government to give the city a free hand in charting the development and operation of the trading center.

In the weekly Ugnayan Panlungsod press briefing aired over Radyo ng Bayan Thursday, the mayor said he would convince the company it would be best to abandon the deal considering the many upheavals that superseded contract.

The mayor is set to meet with Uniwide executives on August 5 to thresh out the deal.
“Our people do not welcome privatization anymore and I intend to forcefully stress this to Uniwide. The city intends to take over the development and operation of our city market and I’m hoping that Uniwide will understand this,” the mayor said.

The deal was forged in 1995 but was not implemented due to the court cases that were only resolved this month.

The mayor said because of the long time that had elapsed since the contract was signed, a lot of changes have transpired and it follows that there are conditions and terms in the contract that are not applicable anymore to the present situation in the city.

He said events and circumstances that occurred since that time particularly the city’s experience on the botched deal with the infamous Jadewell Parking Systems Corporation made city officials and residents reconsider the benefits of the privatization scheme.

In the meeting, Uniwide is expected to also present its plans on whether or not to pursue the deal.

In case Uniwide decides to pursue the project, the mayor said the city will still welcome it but the firm should present an updated development concept and plans.
Uniwide won the bid for the project costing P1.7 billion in 1995 but negative reports on its financial status over the past years raised doubts on its capability to pursue the project.

City officials sought to hasten implementation of the development project due to the pressing need to upgrade the market which is now in a dilapidated state.

The Regional Trial Court recently affirmed the validity of its contract with the Uniwide for the development of the market under the design-build-lease (DBL) scheme which was questioned by market vendors groups opposed to the project.

Under the lease agreement forged during the term of former mayor Mauricio Domogan, Uniwide will build a multi-storey building in the area and operate its upper floors for 30 years. The first floor where the main market place and legitimate vendors will be housed will continue to be operated by the city government.

Baguio execs hit DOT order stopping P10-M Burnham Park fund
BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Tourism has scrapped the P10-million annual aid it is giving to the city government for the maintenance and operation of the historic Burnham Park here, a premier tourist destination. The reason for the scrapping of the fund assistance is that by now the park should be self-sustaining. Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano informed city officials of his office’s decision to stop the financial assistance, saying maintenance and operation of the park have been devolved to the city government.

Earlier, President Arroyo issued an executive order turning over the management and operation of Burnham Park from the Philippine Tourism Authority to the city government, granting a request of city officials who had complained about the failure of PTA to maintain the park well.

City officials said the scrapping of the P10-million annual aid being given by the PTA to the city is not included in the President’s order.

They questioned Durano’s "unilateral act" of scrapping the fund, which is appropriated for the salaries of some 100 workers.

City officials said Durano could not just stop the grant of the fund aid for Burnham Park because this requires a PTA board resolution, adding that the city is still entitled to get its annual share from the PTA this year.

The President had reportedly assured city officials that the fund assistance for the park will continue until 2010.

City officials branded the act of Durano as "in defiance of the order of the President," saying the DOT secretary deprived park employees of their salaries and benefits.

In 1995, former President Fidel V. Ramos issued Executive Order No. 224 creating the Burnham Park management committee, composed of representatives of the national and city governments.

The committee is in charge of the administration, operation, and management of the park.

Initially, the PTA had been giving P18 million to the city as its annual aid, but this was reduced to P10 million in 2000.

In case Durano insists in scrapping the aid for the park, city officials said they are willing to enter into a compromise in which the fund assistance would be removed only if a bill in Congress seeking for the conversion of Burnham Park into a national park is approved.

At present, the city government is implementing a P12-million facelift project at the children’s park to ensure it will conform with standards. – Dexter A See

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MORE NEWS, ILOCOS SUR

3 rebels killed, several others hurt in clash
By Freddie G. Lazaro

SAN JUAN, Ilocos Sur — Three rebels were killed and many others were wounded in an encounter between a group of New People’s Army guerrillas and government soldiers in Barangay Arangin, Sta. Lucia town afternoon July of 26.

There was no reported casualty in the government troops.

Col. Roy T. de Vesa, commander of the Army’s 50th Infantry Battalion based in San Juan, Ilocos Sur, said that the firefight raged for more than one hour.

The rebels later fled, dragging along with them their wounded comrades as indicated by the bloodstains at the encounter site.

"The encounter started at about 1 p.m. and ended at about 2 p.m.," De Vesa said. "During our clearing operations, we found cadavers of the three slain NPA rebels, one them identified; five high-powered firearms, including two M-16 Armalite rifles, two M-14 rifles and one baby Armalite rifles with assorted live ammunition; and voluminous subversive documents," he added.

Before the encounter, De Vesa said troops of the Alpha Company led by Lt. Bulusan were conducting foot patrol in the mountainous area of Barangay Arangin.

They later responded to reports about the presence of some 30 fully-armed NPA rebels in the area. The NPA rebels were reportedly members of the SYP Sandino group operating in the hinterlands of the second district of Ilocos Sur.

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MORE NEWS, ABRA

Typhoon ‘Igme’ leaves 4 persons dead in Abra
By Jack Turqueza

BANGUED, Abra - Typhoon "Igme" left four persons dead and hundreds homeless, caused heavy damage to the livestock industry of the province, and destroyed hundreds of hectares of agricultural crops as well as fishponds.

The typhoon also ruined water systems and infrastructure facilities in Abra.

Decimia Cabang, provincial social welfare officer and executive officer of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council, identified the dead typhoon victims as Ismael Gayban, Gemma Malaggay and her three-year-old son Dale, and Melissa Balweg, 10, all residents of the upland town of Malibcong.

Gayban, 54, was buried in a landslide in Buanao, Malibcong night of July 27.

On the same day, Balweg was struck by a lightning in their home at Sitio Matalibeng, Barangay Mataragan at about 1 p.m.

Her grandmother who was her companion in the home was unharmed. Gemma, her husband, and son Dale reportedly insisted on crossing the already swollen river between Poblacion and Barangay Duldulao in Malibcong that afternoon.

As they were in the middle of the river, raging floodwaters carried them away. Mother and son drowned, but Gemma’s husband survived.


Multi-sectoral group hits unabated killings in Abra
By Jack Turqueza

BANGUED, Abra – A multisectoral group, composed of members of the clergy, the laity, academe, and media came out with a united stand and condemned the unabated killings in the province, especially in this capital town.

It was noted killings continued even after the 2007 elections.

A manifesto, which was a cry for justice and peace to reign again in Abra, was read Wednesday by Catholic Bishop Leopoldo C. Jaucian, SVD, in a mass he celebrated at the St. James the Elder Cathedral here.

In a text message to this correspondent, the bishop said the manifesto was timely, as the Church marked the 40th anniversary of the late Pope Paul VI’s July 29 "Humanae Vitae," the encyclical on the value, dignity and inviolability of human life.

The manifesto lamented "the wrong reasons for which Abra is again in the news." It pointed out that the series of murders committed inside the homes of the victims, inside offices, and in the streets under cover of darkness or in broad daylight, makes the residents worry about their safety, and these crimes truly make Abra live up to its tag as the "killing fields of the North."

"From the reports that as assassin can be hired for a few thousands pesos, life has become very cheap," it read.

In the manifesto, the multi-sectoral group noted the widespread perception of the people that scarcely any of the cases has been solved.

"The police, the military and local government units are supposed to have the training, the skills, and the resources to track down the criminals and bring them to the bar of justice. But no matter their efforts, the peace and order situation does not seem to improve," the manifesto added.

The group said violence will remain uncontrolled for reasons that authorities know the persons behind these killings, but much has not been done against them, as the masterminds are not afraid of the police because they are powerful to be untouchable, and assassins continue to kill with impunity because they are protected by certain authorities.

Admitting that the multi-sectoral group "does not have the power of guns, the influence of political positions, nor financial and manpower resources," the group said it remains optimistic of a better future, and urged concerned agencies to do their job as guarantors of peace and order.

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