NEWS BRIEFS

Truck hits bus; 1 dead, 6 hurt

CARRANGLAN, Nueva Ecija -- A woman died and six others were injured when their bus was hit by a truck along the highway here at dawn on Tuesday. 


Senior Insp. Adriano Gabriel, Carranglan police chief, said the fatality has yet to be identified.

Joan Esteves, Eric Ruiz, Romy Sabado, Yolanda Bungihan, Dellin Roman and Mia Rodriquez, all passengers of the Cagayan-bound GV Florida bus (BVT-884), were injured.

 Initial investigation showed the truck, which was loaded with animal feed and bound for Tarlac, was speeding when the accident occurred.

The drivers of the two vehicles identified as Michael Angelo Santos and Michael Gapac were arrested. – Raymund Catindig

Kalinga  Rep. promises continuity of projects

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- Rep. Allen Jesse Mangaoang promised to work for passage of vital laws of local application and accomplish in the Lower House unfinished legislative business of his predecessor  to continue development.

“Much has been accomplished by former Congressman Manuel Agyao but, there’s also much to be done,” he said adding he will re-file bills which were not enacted during the 16th Congress.He particularly mentioned House Bill No. 4825 which seeks to establish the Kalinga Museum and Cultural Heritage Center and House Bill No. 02021 for the creation of the Chico River Development Authority.

 He said he will work for the elevation of roads to national category so that they will be improved to hasten the mobility of people, and lure investors and tourists.

 Annex secondary campuses, he said shall also be converted to national high schools. He also vowed to continue providing scholarship grants to indigent students.

 Mangaoang also committed to help curb the proliferation of illegal drugs in the province. “Since my plans jibes with the 10-point economic development agenda of Pres. Duterte, we shall be working hand in hand with the line agencies and local government units fund their programs and projects and together clean the illegal drug menace,” he said. -- Peter A. Balocnit

JHMC workers, war vet feted  in Fil-Am Day rites

BAGUIO CITY -- The John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) in partnership with the local government through the City Tourism Office celebrated 70th Fil-Am Friendship day last July 4 at Bell Amphitheater at Historical Core of  Camp John Hay. 

Camp John Hay was the first place in the country which was bombed by Japan during World War II killing American and Filipino soldiers.  

JHMC president Jamie Agbayani welcomed guests Rep. Mark Go, Mayor Mauricio Domogan and Councilors Michael Lawana, Elaine Sembrano, Elmer Datuin, Mylen Yaranon and Lilia Farinas.

Also present were some war veterans. 

Four individuals were cited for notable contributions in preservation and maintenance of John Hay. They were Ponciano delos Reyes, and Cesar Ligante, both JHMC employees and Romeo Dangle, a former employee. Nars Padila, former Baguio councilor, newsman and war veteran, also received an award. -- Zyrelle Del Prado

Lumdang di Buko marks Nutrition Month

BAUKO, Mountain Province -- Nutrition Month was celebrated here through a traditional thanksgiving feast called lumdang on Friday at the municipal gymnasium.  A lumdang menu which consists of beans and meat was shared by participants from 22 barangays. The month of July (wawao) is normally the harvesting season for legumes and livestock including rice. Traditionally, at this time of the year, every sitio (obon) or individual family pool portion of their produce in the at-ato (sitio hall) to be cooked and shared by every member of the community in a thanksgiving day called lumdang. It is now widened a municipal celebration in observance of nutrition month and to sustain the tradition of sharing harvest.

Other features of this year’s celebration of lumdang were: search for the healthiest senior citizen, smarty preggy (5-8 months),  search for healthiest baby and parent on Thursday, search for Most Productive People with Disabilities (Orthopedic disability)  and a poster making contest among high school students on nutrition. A parade with the best vegetable produce started the day. Pre- lumdang activities were also conducted like tree planting activities, Search for Healthiest School and best Bahay Kubo and Information Education campaign on health and nutrition. -- Arsenia Addon

Student dies in fistfight

ALAMINOS CITY, Pangasinan – A senior high school student died after engaging in a fistfight with his classmate in this city on July 22.

The fatality, identified as Alvin Jones Prade of Telbang National High School, and his classmate Meljoe Bornon, were teasing each other when a quarrel broke out between them.

The quarrel led to a fistfight and Prade fell to the ground, unable to stand up.

He was brought to the nearby Western Pangasinan District Hospital, but doctors declared him dead on arrival.

         Bornon’s father surrendered him to the police. – Eva Visperas

Baguio ‘top citizens’ mull Cordillera Corner

BAGUIO CITY – The Society of Outstanding Citizens of Baguio (SOCOB) are planning establishment of a Baguio City-Cordillera corner at the city library.

This was discussed during a recent meeting here.  Among those present were SOCOB members; Mayor Mauricio Domogan, educators Elma Donaal, Rachel Bugtong, Gloria Leal, Priscilla Macansantos, Leonarda Aguinalde; public servants Joseph Alabanza, Betty Lourdes Tabanda, Amparo Rimas, Rebecca Domogan, Susan Angaga, Mercedes Garcia, Divina Bautista, Sonia Dao-as and couple Art and Helen Tibaldo.

The group said there was need for printed materials regarding the city and the Cordillera region’s heritage, culture and arts. Procurement and solicitation of materials is next on their agenda.

Local and foreign materials would be of interest to Cordillera culture researchers, the group said.     

SOCOB members, themselves awardees the past years, met on the process of choosing honorees for the city charter celebration on Sept. 1. This year’s nominees have already undergone screening and with the appointment of the board of judges, profile reviews and final interviews follow.

Awardees are chosen based on leadership; moral character; contribution, plans and programs to the community; nature, area covered and duration of the program; and impact. – Julie G. Fianza       

     

Legarda urges gov’t: Address malnutrition

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte — A lawmaker has urged the government to strengthen programs that would address the country’s worsening malnutrition problem.

Sen. Loren Legarda aired the appeal during observance of the National Nutrition Month this July.

Legarda said the country’s chronic malnutrition rate has increased from 30.3% in 2013 to 33.5 % in 2015 based on latest Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) data.

“The basic cause of prevalent diseases suffered by children is malnutrition arising primarily from inadequate food intake. Undernourishment is largely preventable especially with early and effective interventions,” she stressed.

“We must tackle malnutrition concerns at the grassroots level. Our programs must be community-based and should involve our schools so that the importance of nutrition and health are also inculcated in the minds of our children,” said Legarda.

Legarda said she will also refile the “Malunggay” Development bill to spur the production, processing, marketing and distribution of malunggay in suitable areas of the country in order to acquire its benefits.

“Malunggay is a good source of provitamin A, vitamins B and C, and minerals, such as iron, among others. We need to formulate a sustainable framework for the growing of malunggay in every backyard so we can maximize its health, nutritional and other benefits,” she said. -- Freddie G. Lazaro

Actor comes out to clear name

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – An actor who was included on the drug watchlist of the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) has come out to clear his name.

Senior Superintendent Romeo Caramat, Bulacan police director, said Mariano de leon Regaliza, 57, popularly known as Julio Diaz, went to the Meycauayan police office on Monday.

Diaz told Supt. Lailene Amparo, Meycauayan police chief, that he used to be a drug user, but stopped after he underwent surgery in April.

Igmedio Lunaria, chairman of Barangay Langka, included Diaz’s name on the list submitted to BADAC.

The government has called on suspected drug personalities to come out to clear their name. – Ric Sapnu

BFP presses installation of fire equipment in schools

BONTOC, Mountain Province --  The Bureau of Fire Protection Provincial Office urged school officials here to install their school buildings with fire-fighting equipment to make their schools disaster- ready.

BFP officials gave the recommendations after municipal fire safety inspectors checked schools and school office buildings in the province.

Department of Education – Mountain Province Schools Division Superintendent Gloria Buya-ao had requested the BFP Provincial Office to conduct fire safety assessments of all the school buildings in the province.

In their consolidated fire safety inspection report, the fire safety inspectors found out most elementary and high school buildings have no appropriate fire-fighting gadgets such as fire extinguishers.

They also noted the absence of evacuation plans and directional exits signs in most of the school buildings which they said should be posted in visible walls of the classrooms.

BFP provincial fire marshall Chief Insp. Floyd Toyokan said school authorities should take fire safety seriously.

Toyokan said fire extinguishers play crucial roles as first aid response to fire specifically on small fires on their initial stages saying there were fire incidents that were successfully put out through the use of fire extinguishers.

In the recent Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council meeting, Toyokan urged school officials to comply with the recommendations of the fire inspectors as part of their fire safety and readiness measures.

The Fire Chief said failure to install fire protection equipment in public buildings is a violation of Republic Act 9514 or the Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008. -- Andrew Doga-ong

La Union cop chief replaced

CAMP DIEGO SILANG, La Union – Senior Superintendent Angelito Dumangeng was relieved Thursday as La Union police director.

Senior Supt. Leo Francisco replaced Dumangeng.

Dumangeng’s relief came a few days after Chief Supt. Ericson Velasquez was replaced as Ilocos region police director.

Chief Supt. Gregorio Pimentel replaced Velasquez.

Velasquez and Pimentel are both members of the Class of 1985 at the Philippine Military Academy.  

Ifugao reconstitutes prov’l anti-drug council

LAGAWE, Ifugao -- The provincial government here has reconstituted the Provincial Anti-drug Abuse Council (PADAC) in campaign against illegal drugs.  

Gov. Pedro Mayam-o issued an executive order reorganizing the PADAC to help address the drug problem in the province and pursue undertakings to improve public morals and maintain peace and order.

“The increasing use of illegal drugs has contributed much to the incidence of crimes and there is an urgent need to address the problem in order to effectively ensure community peace and harmony,” Mayam-o stated.

The anti-drug abuse council is chaired by the governor and the provincial director of the Ifugao Police Office as vice-chairperson. Members consist of heads of office of five line agencies, five provincial offices and three non-government organizations.

The council is tasked to serve as a focal point in the planning, implementation and evaluation of programs on drug abuse prevention.  It also provides for an effective mechanism for the coordination of existing services and programs and those which might be developed in the immediate feature, among others. 

The reorganization of PADAC is also pursuant to Department of Interior and Local Government Memorandum Circular No 98-227 mandating local government units to create their respective  local anti-drug abuse councils. -- Marcelo B. Lihgawon

 SNAP conducts  info drive  on dam operations 

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Host communities of  the  Ambuklao  and Binga dams in the province  were  recently kept  abreast of  operations and  safety consciousness of hydropower plants.

SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet, National Power Corp. and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) conducted the annual public information drive on the Ambuklao and Binga Dams and Reservoir operations.

It was attended by around 300 local government officials and residents of downstream communities of Ambuklao and Binga dams particularly barangay Ambuklao in Bokod and n barangays Dalupirip and Tinongdan in Itogon.

       The participants were likewise briefed on the conduct of annual spillway gate reliability testing set on July 25-29.

        SNAP -Benguet Plant Manager Emmanuel Lopez said reliability testing is carried out to ensure the reliability of spillway gates such that they work when required to maintain the integrity of the dams and ensure the safety of the people living downstream.

Apart from safety plan, also discussed were the different components of dam operations, flood forecasting and warning, and SNAP’s emergency action plan. This is part of the group’s safety consciousness campaign to better prepare the Ambuklao and Binga communities for emergencies.

SNAP-Benguet, NPC, and PSALM are part of a technical working group that ensures the safe and reliable operations of the Ambuklao and Binga dams. They are doing the info campaign for four years now.

The dams remain government-owned while the hydropower plants are operated by SNAP-Benguet. -- Susan Aro

DILG turns over P39.6M  for water, road  projects in Abra

BANGUED, Abra – The Department of Interior and Local Government awarded six projects amounting to P39.6 million to various local government units in the province last week.

DILG regional director Marlo Iringan and provincial head Millicent Cariño turned  the  checks  to the beneficiaries  at  the provincial capitol  here.  

Pidigan received P3M, Tineg- P15M, Lagangilang- P200, 000, Villaviciosa- P2M and Lagayan- P8.8M for construction of potable water projects.

The provincial government also received P10.6M for the road widening project from Dilong, Tubo going to Mountain Province. -- Ginalyn B. Brioso

DENR Kalinga issues titles to 55 school lots

TABUK CITY, Kalinga --  The provincial office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources here reported it titled 55 school sites and is awaiting Presidential Proclamation of  51 more.

Daniel Iyadan of the DENR survey team said 29 school lots were titled under the free patent within the coverage of Tabuk Community Environment and Natural Resources Office and 26 in Pinukpuk CENRO.

He said the land properties are elementary and high school- owned lots which were donated by individuals.

Iyadan explained that owners of  lots within alienable and disposable lands   may acquire a title through a free patent  from  the DENR  but school lots within forest zones need presidential proclamation before free patent titles are issued.

To solve the problem of donors reclaiming their donations, DENR is urging other school administrators and principals whose lots are not yet delineated to request for survey. -- Peter A. Balocnit

 Baguio public school receives building from  SM Foundation

BAGUIO CITY– The Lucban Elementary School along Magsaysay Avenue, this city, is a beneficiary of a two-storey four-classroom building from the SM Foundation.

SM Foundation executive director for education Carmen Linda Atayde, SM Baguio mall manager Rona Vida Correa and Rafael Tallocoy of the city mayor’s office  together with  LES principal Joseph Estigoy and Parents Teachers Association president Girlie Garcia led blessing and inauguration of the newly completed school building.

       The new school building is fully furnished with four toilets, 200 armchairs, four sets of teacher’s tables and chairs, eight blackboards, 16 electric wall fans and four wall clocks.

“Four classes for Grade III students will occupy the four classrooms in this new school building,” Estigoy said.

       The Lucban Elem. School is the  second  biggest school with over 2,800 students mostly from barangays  Happy Homes, Trancoville, Dizon Subdivision, Quirino Hill, Sanitary Camp, Lower Quirino Hill, Lower Pinget and nearby areas  of La Trinidad,Benguet.  

Garcia also expressed gratitude to the SM Foundation for   the fully equipped new building with an ambience conducive to learning.     

Atayde said that the new building is the 75th school building the SM Foundation has donated as support to the different schools nationwide since its school building program started in 2002.

Recently, the Baguio Central School was a recipient of the high tech gadgets turning an old classroom into a “Smart Classroom” benefitting more than 3,000 elementary students of the city. – Redgie Cawis 

 DOST provides support services to Kalinga town

TANUDAN, Kalinga -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) extended support services to this town as start-up mechanisms towards entrepreneurial upbringing, health promotion and resiliency adaptation in its communities.

Alfonso Berto,  DOST provincial director here,  said  according the National Statistics Coordinating Board, Tanudan is the poorest municipality in the Cordillera Administrative Region hence its basis of selection as recipient of DOST’s Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) program.

Services provided include livelihood, scholarship, water and sanitation gadgets, health and nutrition training, and disaster mitigation device.

Under the livelihood component of the CEST, the Nalyawan Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Taloctoc was provided coffee roaster and grinder for their coffee processing; cooking utensils and LPG tank and stove for banana chips and cornic processing.

Two scholarship grants were awarded to two college students in barangay Dupligan.

Some 110 water filters were distributed to elementary and secondary schools in the municipality while 315 water filters were distributed to households.

Berto said 50 barangay health workers and Barangay Nutrition Scholars were trained on baby food preparation using local resources.

 “A municipal-wide follow-up activity on supplemental feeding using DOST recipe (rice, mongo, iron fortified kernel) will be done for the benefit of six months to three years old children for a period of six months including regular weight monitoring,” he said. 

For disaster and mitigation, an automated, self-reading and self-data relay rain gauge was installed at Banagao last year. -- Peter A. Balocnit

Nutrition Council okays resolutions  to up programs

BAGUIO CITY --  Better implementation of nutrition programs are in progress as the Regional Nutrition Committee (RNC) in the Cordillera  approved  four new resolutions during the 2nd RNC meeting held recently.

The  resolutions deal with scaling up nutrition education for the poor, improving the status of Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS), recognition of high performing local government units (LGUs) and adoption of LGU mobilization strategies.

Better knowledge and awareness on proper nutrition for the poor was highlighted.  It intends to adopt nutrition modules developed from the Nutrition Center of the Philippines’ “Pabasa sa Nutrisyon”. It will be integrated to the Family Development Sessions (FDS) under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). Pilot areas are  in selected municipalities of Abra namely Malibcong, Luba and Tineg.

Improving status for BNS was discussed with the RNC deciding to help hasten process to amend Presidential Decree 1569 or the Barangay Nutrition Scholar Program. Taking from the petition prepared by the National Federation of BNSs, the RNC supported among others the proposal to upgrade the BNS  to salaried workers with a remuneration of P 5,000  a month plus allowance depending on their respective  LGU’s capacity. The proposal requests security of tenure and scholarships to immediate family members.

Recognition will also be given to LGUs with significant contribution to the Millenium Development Goal  targets for 2015. In particular, those with consistent decreases in malnutrition rates, those with less than one percent malnutrition prevalence and barangays with zero malnutrition rates in the last three years will be provided.  

A resolution is also approved regarding a “shepherding strategy” which aims to improve the nutrition status of low performing areas through assistance from high performing LGUs and from core team of the Regional Technical Assistants on Nutrition (RTAN) members .  The strategy also aims to help improve nutritionally depressed municipalities improve the nutritional status in their respective areas. Moreover,  the strategy also aims to help high achieving LGUs be able to sustain performance or further improve performance as they compete for national awards on nutrition.

Rita Papey of National Nutrition Council  expressed  that  such will empower not only the high achieving LGUs but also improve the status of nutrition in several areas. -- Arianne Nebrida

 Aeta farmers undergo modern aggie training

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Some 100 Aeta farmers from upland barangays of Floridablanca, Porac and Mabalacat City underwent training and seminars on how to properly plant high value crops and vegetables through the initiative of Gov. Lilia Pineda and the Office of Provincial Agriculturist (OPA).

Pineda met with Allied Botanical Corporation, a supplier of  quality seeds in the Philippines, and the Department of Agriculture with some Aeta representatives at the Provincial Capitol here to set a 12-day seminar and actual training for proper planting and soil conditioning.

The training-seminar was launched at Floridablanca National Agricultural School (FNAS) on July 21.

“Starting then, there will be a once-a-week seminar for some 100 Aeta individuals who are, at the same time, farmers in their local communities,” the governor said.

According to the governor, there is a need for such seminars because of her observation that all of the tribes’ farm produce lack quality which decreases their market value.

She also recognized the common problem among Aeta farmers who cultivate, sow, and harvest crops for some landowners.

        “With the trainings, they can eventually have their own produce,” she added.

        The farmers will be given 6,000 hybrid cacao seedlings and high-value crop seedlings from DA.

         “This is a step in achieving the provincial government’s dream of making Pampanga an ideal source of good seedlings in the Philippines.

         The provincial government also plans to establish a farmers’ market day at Clark Freeport Zone where some drug suspects who surrendered will be commissioned as workers as  part of their rehabilitation program. -- Franco Regala

BSU dean: Breastfeeding key to child’s good growth

BAGUIO CITY – The Dean of the Department of Human Nutrition and Food of the Benguet State University said mothers and babies properly nourished during pregnancy and babies exclusively breastfed during the first six months achieve optimum growth and better quality of life in the future.

Dr. Pelin Belino, Dean of the BSU Department of Human Nutrition and Food, said advantages of breast milk include the fact it is complete food for the baby for the first six months, provides good nutrition and everything the infant needs for healthy growth, contains essential nutrients needed for the baby’s cognitive development, as well as good bacteria and immunoglobulin for strong immunity, protects the baby from respiratory infections, diarrhea and other diseases, and fatty acids uniquely found in the breast milk can increase the intelligence quotient of babies up to seven points leading to better performance in school or at work later in life.

        Consequences of no breastfeeding from birth to six months include the fact that babies will not be able to achieve full potential for physical growth and cognitive development and are exposed to short and long-term health risks.

She said infant formula increases baby’s risk to infections, allergies, digestive problems, as well as obesity, cancers, diabetes and heart diseases in childhood or later in life, and that formula-fed infants are shown to have lower IQs compared to breastfed infants and may experience iron-deficiency anemia, which is also related to impaired cognitive development, risk to iodine deficiency may also increase.

If a mother doesn’t breastfed her infants, she said, it increases her risk to being overweight and obese and is exposed to diabetes, certain types of cancer and cardiovascular diseases and mixed feeding can decrease breast milk production since its supply is driven by frequent, effective breastfeeding in response to the feeding cues of the baby.

       Dominga Dawe, nutritionist and dietician of the Under 5 Clinic of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC), said those who had been properly nourished from conceptualization up to two years old and beyond are the ones who are intelligent in school and at work, and that health authorities can already predict the maximum height of the baby upon reaching two years old when given the proper nourishment for the first 1,000 days.-- Dexter A. See

Pro-PWD programs laid out in Bulacan

MALOLOS CITY -- Different programs and activities intended for the promotion of inherent rights and concerns of persons with disabilities (PWDs) are lined up in Bulacan as the province joined the celebration of the 38th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week.

With the theme, “Karapatan ng may Kapansanan, Isakatuparan… Now na!” the Provincial Council on Disability Affairs (PCDA) headed by Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado and facilitated by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) conducted a cultural variety show  dubbed as “Basta’t Bulakenyo, Kahit May “K” Okey” at SM Entertainment Plaza, SM City Baliwag recently.

The annual event showcased the unique talents of PWDs in singing and dancing, wherein 20 groups from 21 towns and three cities and different SPED schools in the province performed and participated in the event.

As part of the weeklong celebration, PSWD Officer Rowena Joson-Tiongson also announced that PGB with the cooperation of Philippine Band of Mercy (PBM) has conducted free medical screening and operations to over 200 children with club foot problems. – Freddie G. Lazaro

Ilocos Sur primed as cacao growing capital of N. Luzon

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur – A group of cacao growers from the Ilocos region are aiming to transform Ilocos Sur into the cacao production capital of Northern Luzon.

Lawyer Robert Tudayan, pioneer chairperson of the Region 1 Cacao Industry Council (R1CIC), has started formulating the action plans to bring the goal to fruition.

Ilocos Sur currently has the widest cacao plantation area with more than 200 hectares.

“As our expression of full support for the cacao industry development, I urged all farmers in the Ilocos region to plant more cacao trees to reach the region’s target of 1000 metric tons for 2016,” said Tudayan, who is also a cacao farmer.

“The challenge is vast but let’s all work together and exert efforts to strategically push our cacao industry to be globally competitive,” said Grace Lapastora, Department of Trade and Industry-Ilocos Sur provincial director.

To strengthen the promotion on cacao industry in the Ilocos, the DTI Region 1 steered the Regional Cacao Industry Convergence and Technology Forum on July 7-8, 2016 participated in by cacao growers, processors, enablers, and industry stakeholders.

For his part, the DTI’s National Cacao Industry Cluster Director Edwin Banquerigo presented the National Industry Cluster Roadmap incorporating the profile, plans and investment opportunities of cacao industry.

Based on 2015 data, the country’s cacao production was at 14,000 metric tons. About 90% of it came from Davao.

Cacao industry players all over the country aim to increase cacao production to meet the increasing demands for chocolate in the international market.

“The country has a big potential to be one of the biggest cacao exporter in the world. Hence, other regions are being tapped to help improve the country’s cacao industry,” added Banquerigo. – Freddie G. Lazaro

Read more...

Korean firm opens Ilocos solar farm

TECH TRENDS

Ariel Paolo Tejada

DINGRAS, Ilocos Norte – Another solar farm went online in Ilocos Norte on Monday.

The one-megawatt solar farm is the first renewable energy project of Korean company Bosung Powertec Phils. Inc. in the country constructed under a build-operate-transfer scheme.

Moon Jiang, president of Bosung Powertec, said the 1.6-megawatt solar plant worth $3 million is expected to provide additional revenues of P11 million annually.

“The break-even point to recoup our investment is assumed to be at 12 years. We will then turn over all the facilities to INEC (Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative) free of charge and as scheduled by mutual agreement,” Jiang said.

Felino Herbert Agdigos, INEC general manager, said the solar farm would make the cooperative less dependent on coal and minimize its carbon footprint.

“This will definitely improve voltage quality in the province because of the project’s proximity to our distribution system, which will enhance system efficiency and power quality,” Agdigos added.

Ilocos Norte has two other existing solar plants – a 7.9- MW facility established by Energy Development Corp. in Burgos town and a 20-MW plant of Soleq Philippines Inc. in Currimao town.      

Read more...

Benguet-based fabricator makes customized machines

ENTREP FEATURE

Susan C. Aro

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- A homegrown agricultural and food processing machine fabricator is now   making a name for himself as producer of customized machines.

Douglas Paticawen, from Kalinga but based in Abatan, Buguias, is a technical-vocational graduate who attributes his skills to his father who was an automotive-mechanic, and his training in General Automotive with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. 

His skills in fabrication were recognized early on as he represented the country in the First ASEAN Skills Olympics competition in Malaysia in 1995.

Paticawen worked in Saudi Arabia and at Toyota in San Fernando, La Union.  In 1988, he decided to put up his own business, an automotive machine shop called Douglas Auto Car and Body Repair Shop in Abatan, Buguias with an initial capital of P50, 000.00.

After seven years, he diversified into fabrication and conversion of motor parts, painting services, and repair of grinding machine and rice mill.  With   the high demand of his services, he cannot accommodate all due to lack of production equipment.

In 2012, Paticawen acquired a soft loan amounting to P1.2 million under the Department of Science and Technology’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) for the upgrading of his production equipment.

Paticawen was further motivated with the strong support accorded by DOST such as provision of trainings and other technical support under DOST’s Metals Industry Research and Development Center.

To enhance his expertise, he also availed of trainings under the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHILMEC). The center, based in Nueva Ecija, designs and develops mechanization and postharvest technologies and systems.

Developing his niche, he shifted to fabrication of agricultural and manufacturing machines for local

industries.

Along with this development was the change of his business trade name to Douglas Engineering and Machine Shop Services manned by   seven regular employees while others are on call.

With his expertise, DOST referred him to various government agencies. He devised government-bid out machines for various beneficiaries of the Department of Agriculture, Cordillera Highland Agriculture and Resources Management Program, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Social Welfare and Development and some local government units.  

Among his fabrications were sugar cane juice extractor, bottle and glass crusher, coffee grinder, peanut butter grinder, coffee processing machine, organic shredder, rice mill, rice dehuller, dough kneader, and hot air roaster.  

His machines undergo demonstration and testing by PHILMEC to ensure that it passes quality standards.

Paticawen claims he can customize machines depending upon the needs of his clients with lifetime warranty.

His recent  fabrication was the  P2.3 million worth  Liqui-petroleum gas shuttle type kiln project  which he was able to bid out from  the  Department of Agriculture  for beneficiaries of Bila, Bauko, Mountain Province with P1.7 million counterpart from the LGU.

He lacked capital, he said   but was bold enough to borrow money from a cooperative. One thing more, he said they could not find a company to assemble the kiln.

The kiln produces ceramic water filter used to purify water to make it potable. It could also produce ceramic clay.  

It also took them time to learn the processes and requirements in bidding he said but with the help and support of his Administrative Officer Analyn Pullis, his firm is now an accredited bidder.

The passage of Republic Act 10601 or the Agricultural and Fisheries Mechanization Law gives their business an advantage as it promotes local production of appropriate machineries. Aside from increasing productivity, farm equipment mechanization encourages the production of crops among farmers maximizing potential land areas for plantation. which redounds to the farmers.

Paticawen, a local manufacturer who is able to compete with big companies in bidding government projects, aspires to expand his business with the hope of pooling capital to stock finished products readily available for sale and display also for customers who want to see a model. His current production is demand-driven based on project bidding.

Read more...

P62-M DA project to boost Cordillera corn production

AGGIE UPDATES

PARACELIS, Mountain Province — Corn farmers in this mountain town will soon be able to recover from their indebtedness when the government completes the Corn Feed Mill under the P62 million “Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA)” program of the Dept. of Agriculture-Cordillera.

“This is a reality: Many of our farmers are largely indebted and are having difficulties in their lives. The distance from Paracelis to Isabela where the milling areas are located is making the poor farmers poorer,” Pansy Kaye Piluden, DA-CAR corn and cassava focal person said.

Due to the distance, she said, the prices of corn of the Paracelis farmers are bought at low prices. At times, the mill operators are the ones who go to the farms and buy the produce at lower prices, preventing those who till the soil from giving value to their produce.

But with the completion of the Corn Feed Mill and Corn Cub Dryer in Barangay Butigue, the corn farmers have better chances of improving their conditions.

The P62 million for building the facility on a 3.3-hectare area is a shared expenditure of PAMANA. The DA allocated P30 million while provincial government of Mountain Province, which will operate the facility, provided P32 million.

The corn cub dryer is expected to be finished next month while the Corn Feed Mill will be operational in January, 2017.

Piluden said the facility, when completed, will give the farmers a better condition as farmers no longer have to avail of the services of the middlemen and traders who lower and control the prices.

Sterling performance

DA records show that there are only few low-lying areas in the provinces of Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao, Mountain Province, and Abra where yellow corn and white corn are produced. Yet, the agency ranks Cordillera as No. 5 in the Philippines with the highest yield of corn and Rank No. 9 in terms of production.

DA-CAR records show that the region produced 217,952 metric tons of yellow corn in 2015 from the 56,286 hectares. It also produces 19,871 metric tons of white corn from the 8,15 hectares of planted area.

Ifugao produces the most yellow corn at 109,890 metric tons (MT) followed by Kalinga with 52,047 MT; Apayao 30,963; Mt. Province 22.310 MT and Abra 837 MT.

        DA-PAMANA focal person Asuncion Mendoza said the Paracelis Corn Feed Mill is a priority project of the late former Governor Leonard Mayaen, who also saw the need to put up the project to ease the condition of his constituents.

Paracelis have many poor farmers despite the high corn yield. “The project is being fast-tracked ready for the next harvest season in January.”

The PAMANA project is put in place to help improve the lives of the poor farmers from far flung communities. The new project is expected to improve the lives of the farmers who have been in deep poverty for so long.

Mendoza said Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan Jr., who became OIC governor due to the death of Mayaen last March, expressed happiness with the new facility almost completed.

He also saw the modern equipment that will be installed in the milling plant which the entire Mountain Province can utilize for their produce.

Aside from improving the farmers’ condition, the economic enterprise is also expected to provide jobs to other residents.

DA officials said “the many corn farmers in Paracelis and neighboring towns of Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista, Lagawe and Lamut in the province of Ifugao who are deeply indebted sees the lives improving in the coming years.”

Read more...

No new mining projects under Lopez’s watch

EDITORIAL

Aside from auditing operations of existing mining sites, the new chief of the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has also ordered a moratorium on  approval of new mining projects.

Environment Sec. Regina Paz L. Lopez will not allow new mining activities even if they would pay higher taxes.

Lopez has issued DENR Memorandum Order (MO) 2016-01, dated July 8, 2016, the first to be issued under the Duterte administration. The order took effect immediately and “shall remain in force and in effect until formally terminated.”

The order repealed or modified all other existing orders, circulars and directives that are inconsistent with the provisions of the order. Lopez’s first, MO 2016-1 formalizes her earlier policy pronouncement when she took over the helm of the DENR on June 30.

“In line with the pronouncement on responsible mining by President Rodrigo R. Duterte, ‘that there will be a comprehensive review of the mining claims of concessions given,’ and in the interest of the common good and to ensure that the concerns of the helpless and the impoverished are addressed, an audit of all operating mines and a moratorium on the approval of all new projects are hereby ordered for the guidance and compliance of all concerned,” the order stated.

The mining audit covers all mining operations in the country, to determine the adequacy of and efficiency of the environmental-protection measures of each mining firm; to identify gaps in environmental-protection measures; and determine appropriate penalty/ies in case of violations of mining and environmental laws.

In line with the mining audit, the DENR chief also ordered the creation of mine-audit teams per region to be headed by the DENR Central Office, DENR Regional Office, Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and a third- party expert.

Mining teams are required to submit a report to the DENR chief in a month.

The approval of new mining projects has been stopped, pending the enactment of a new mining-revenue sharing scheme as mandated by Executive Order (EO) 79, the mining policy of former President Benigno S. Aquino III.

The order, which aims to institute mining reforms, also subjected mining contracts under periodic review by the government.  As the new DENR chief, Lopez had vowed to put under strict regulatory process coal and mining ventures, including small-scale mining and other environmentally destructive projects that cause people to suffer.

Asked on her stand on the prospect of allowing mining projects/development on account of higher taxes, Lopez said: “I will not endorse anything that allows suffering to go on.  Public welfare is my non-negotiable stand.”

Asked about the existence of EO 79, which essentially stopped the approval of new mining projects pending the new mining tax or revenue-sharing scheme, she said: “We will do the audit and all those that cause suffering will be suspended.  It’s the right thing to do.”

On July 7 a preventive-suspension order was jointly issued against Benguet Corp. Nickel Mines Inc. and Zambales Diversified Nickel Corp. by three regional officials of the DENR in Central Luzon—Francisco E. Milla Jr., the DENR’s regional executive director; Lope O. Cariño Jr. of the MGB, and Lormelyn E. Claudio of the EMB.

The order, in effect, halted all large-scale mining operations in Zambales, a declared mineral reservation area.  On July 1 the provincial governor of Zambales issued EO 1, stopping all mining operations.  Local government units have power and authority over small-scale mining, while large-scale mining, falls under the national government through the DENR’s MGB, or the Mining Industry Coordinating Council.

Meanwhile, the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) said most of its members have secured the mandatory ISO 14001certification required under DENR Administrative Order 2015-07.

        COMP, which represents large-scale mining companies operating in the Philippines, had vowed to adhere to the highest standard of responsible mining, in response to Duterte’s challenge to shape up, with the stern warning that he is ready stop mining operations for destroying the environment (JM)

Read more...

Making a difference

LETTERS FROM THE AGNO 

By March Fianza

            

“We all want peace.” No president in the Philippines said that in their SONAs. This was one simple but sincere statement by President Duterte in his partly impromptu SONA last Monday. The spontaneity and frankness makes the difference in comparison to presidents that came before him. Then getting rid of his prepared speech for awhile, he announced a ceasefire on behalf of the government’s side of which the CPP-NPA-NDF was expected to respond positively.

            Aside from pushing the federal form of the government, the speechless crowd on the Batasan floor heard what their low-incomed subjects really wanted to hear – lower the income tax and reform the old tax system.

The other surprise announcements were welcome, such as extending passport validity to 10 years and effectivity of driver licenses from the usual three years to five years, which will make motor vehicle operators smile ear to ear as this will definitely save time, effort and money.

Duterte said he will ask government agencies to simplify business registration processes, remove red-tape or unnecessary government regulations; and announced that public places such as parks and libraries, including LRT, MRT and government offices will have free WiFi access.

Last week, I wrote about the possibility of an EO for the Freedom of Information (FOI) overtaking legislative action. As expected, he signed the FOI executive order as centerpiece of good governance and transparency in the Executive Branch.

On social issues, Duterte promised to improve the conditional cash transfer (CCT) program and expects beneficiaries to graduate from it before he steps down. It means that by then, children of poor families should have at least graduated from primary school, or that heads of families should have invested their CCT money wisely. Understandably, government cannot be providing CCT to beneficiaries till kingdom come.  

The controversial Reproductive Health (RH) Law must be enforced fully, he said. I am sure Senator Riza Hontiveros and all those who fought for the passage of the law are happy with Duterte’s statement. Finally, the oppositors to the RH law will be weakened which will collaterally affect the projects of RH advocates in the countryside. Editor Frank Cimatu must be sad about this as I do.

On infrastructure, President Duterte through Transportation Sec. Art Tugade, promised to improve the transport system in Metro Manila and the provinces around but there is a need to streamline overlapping rules of the LGUs that makes the management of traffic inefficient and problematic. At present, LGUs insist on their privileges under the local government code forgetting about agreements and coordination with other LGUs.

Thus, the President thought of requesting for emergency powers that will help the government fast-track infrastructure projects such as decongesting the Manila airports by improving more airports in the Clark and the countryside. In three to four years, we expect to feel the benefit of transferring incoming and outgoing flights in other airports.

The President also plans on building three major train systems in Mindanao, the Manila-Bicol railway and Manila-Batangas railway. The Manila to La Union is still existing which may be repaired and extended to Ilocos Norte down to Region 02 through Cagayan Valley. This will surely decongest urban centers in Luzon.

Railways all over the world brought social, economic and political change in outlying communities that they reach. These played an important role in providing new management of local units, opened business opportunities and employment for thousands of workers.

On mining, recently the government suspended two more mining operations in Palawan province because of environmental violations, making the number of suspended operations to six, of which, four are located in Zambales.

Environment Secretary Regina Lopez said the government stopped the mining operations of Berong Nickel Corp. in Quezon town and of Citinickel Mines and Development Corp. in Sofronio Española and Narra towns.

            Mining audit, according to her, includes physical, technical, social and environmental audit that will involve the community. If so, I suggest her team tries to visit Acupan Mines in Itogon where both human and mining wastes flow straight to the rivers that connect with the Agno River. That is why no fishes thrive in these rivers and the favorite eels of Mondax in San Roque Dam have dwindled or died.

Indeed, the effect of mining operations on the health of communities, farms and fisheries should be checked. Sec. Gina Lopez hit the nail on its head when she made it known to mining operators that no amount of profit will ever compensate for the damage that mining operations has done to the community and the environment.

But my favorite among Duterte’s declarations was that part about asking CHEd to put back ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps) in all college courses. He sees this as one way to instill discipline among the youth. I suggest, Duterte also asks DepEd to make scouting in elementary and high school more visible and active.

I mean, that was where the youth first learned about command responsibility, honesty, obedience, camaraderie, survival and first aid, in addition to naming the stars and constellations in the dark sky.

Read more...

Killing drug suspects

BEHIND THE SCENES

Alfred P. Dizon

Melandrew Velascoa, former correspondent of the Manila Bulletin is asking for justice for his grandson, 20-year-old a graduating student Roman Clifford F. Manaois – who was killed when unidentified gunmen recently attacked a known drug pusher in Dagupan City.

Velasco posted on his Facebook account five hours before President Duterte’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday his grief over the killing of his grandson whom he calls “Oman.”

“I came home to pay my respects to my 20-year-old relative grandson Roman Clifford “OMAN” Fernandez Manaois who was mercilessly killed at 10 p.m. Tuesday on July 19, 2016.

His alleged crime: suspected drug user,” Velasco’s post read.

Velasco said Oman was about to graduate from a seaman’s course this month and due for deployment in November as service crew in Dubai, following another training module from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). He described Oman as “a good son, a former sacristan and had big dreams for himself and his family.”

“His grandparents, Manuel and Leonarda whom we fondly call “Ate Leoning,” just arrived last July 17 from Oakland, California for a family vacation,” reporter Liezle Basa Inigo quoted Velasco as saying.

Velasco said it was a tragic experience for the vacationing grandparents to experience such a painful death in the family, especially since Oman has been taking care of them since their arrival and had been doing little errands for them.

            ***

Before the incident, he said Oman just finished serving food to his “Lola Leoning,” who is now half blind at age 71.

Velasco narrated Oman was invited by a tricycle driver-friend named Marvin “Moymoy” de Vera to go to “kaleskesan,” (a famous native fare in Bangus City featuring beef innards to include soup No. 5) in the old Galvan Market.

“On their way to buy kaleskes, a guy named Zaldy Abalos hitched a ride as any ordinary passenger would do at the city limit (between Dagupan City and Binmaley). Zaldy requested to be alighted along Lucao District, DC near the Missionaries of Charities.

As Zaldy was paying his fare, two men riding in tandem a motorcycle suddenly shot at Zaldy close range then other parts of the body,” Velasco’s post read.

Then the assailants shot Oman in the back – the bullet piercing through his heart – and wanting to make sure that he was dead, shot him again in the temple, Inigo said. The trike driver Marvin was reportedly lucky enough to escape and elude the killers as he sustained a minor gash across his right leg.

What is troubling, said Velasco, is that Oman’s autopsy yielded negative for any trace of drug use. Abalos, on the other hand, was long in the Order of Battle of intelligence operatives for drug pushing.

Some residents of the city who know Oman are heartbroken that the highly-praised war on drugs – which has spilled into the streets and has so-called vigilantes taking the law into their own hands – can claim the life of innocent people.

            ***

Oman is just one among the “innocent” casualties as the government steps up its war against illegal drugs. Despite the scores of deaths of alleged drug users or pushers, no one could pinpoint who are doing the killings. In Cordillera, police records bared 18 suspected drug users or pushers have already been killed the past two weeks.

Now, sectors which include the Communist Party of the Philippines are demanding a more thorough shakeup and reorganization of top echelons of the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines and other agencies for the Duterte government's war against drugs to have a chance at success.

“The police and military organization and officers are so mired in drugs and the drug trade. In naming five generals of the PNP as protectors of the drug traffickers, Duterte has only very slightly scratched the surface of the criminal drug syndicate that is so deeply entrenched in the PNP, as well as the AFP, the PDEA, the NBI, DILG and other bureaucratic agencies,” the CPP said in a statement.

The Filipino people know very well the PNP and AFP are so deeply involved in drug trafficking, as well as in other forms of organized crime, from the precinct level up. It is widely known that police station commanders and local police officers are in cahoots with, or are themselves, handlers of those who operate the illegal drug trade in their localities.”

“There is now a proliferation of so-called "shabu tiangge" spots where

methamphetamine are retailed in small amounts. These are operated openly in communities with the full knowledge of local police officers and their cohorts among barangay (village) officials.

For many years, police stations regularly carry out so-called community raids to fulfill their quota of anti-drug operations. These are carried out as a media spectacle. Police operatives clamp down on small-fry pushers and unfortunate victim drug users. Often, police operations are carried out to eliminate rival drug syndicates or liquidate police assets.

“These mostly serve to camouflage the continuing operations of drug syndicates and make the police appear to be doing their jobs.

The nationwide police offensive over the past month has resulted in scores of suspected drug criminals being killed. That the raids are now being carried out on a daily basis against drug dens and pushers in the communities indicate that the police and local government officials have long had detailed knowledge of the operations of these drug syndicates.”

Such raids and offensives at the community level, the CPP said, however, will not substantially hurt operations of large drug syndicates that operate at provincial and regional levels. These raids will, at most, temporary derail their operations. With police, military and bureaucratic protection at the provincial and regional levels, these drug syndicates can easily reestablish their illegal substance manufacturing and distribution networks in a short period of time.

“The intensified drug raids have been carried out by some police units with all-out violence and utter disregard for due process. Several scores of suspected street-level drug pushers have been unnecessarily subjected to extreme violence.  A number of suspects already under police custody have been summarily executed in an apparent liquidation spree of witnesses who can potentially expose police involvement in drug trafficking operations.

Thousands of drug users have voluntary surrendered out of fear that they too will be subjected to police violence and summary execution. The challenge is for the Duterte government to build enough rehabilitation facilities to help them overcome their addiction. The bigger challenge, however, is to generate millions of jobs in order to tap the productive potentials of the currently idle labor force.

“The violent anti-drug raids cum summary executions which gained momentum even prior to Duterte's assumption into office are not hurting much the top echelons of the drug syndicates. These can even have the negative effect of discrediting the anti-drug campaign as due process and human rights are patently violated. It is bound to be challenged legally, morally and politically.”

“The people are increasingly becoming restless that the anti-drug campaign has unleashed unmitigated violence mainly against the small users and pushers, in contrast to the accommodation and leniency given police generals accused by Duterte as protectors and part of the drug syndicate,” the CPP said.

Read more...

Who will blink first?

PERRYSCOPE
Perry Diaz   

 Right after the Philippine Congress proclaimed Rodrigo Duterte president of the Philippines, Chinese President Xi Jinping didn’t waste any time writing a congratulatory message to him.  Elated by Xi’s gesture, Duterte said, “I was honored, receiving a congratulatory message from a great president.”  

Several days later, Duterte -- who was seemingly buoyed by Xi’s expression of goodwill -- remarked that he would not resort to violence.  He declared that that his government was “willing to talk with China over the maritime dispute instead of waging a war.”  “War is a dirty word,” he quipped. 

It must have sounded like a sweet melody to Xi.  Indeed, he might have felt that his “China Dream” was just about to be fulfilled.  But then… several days later, his world turned upside down!  The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) had just handed China a stunning defeat to her claim to 90% of the entire South China Sea (SCS).  It seemed like a bad dream, a nightmare!  But then he must have realized that it wasn’t a dream.  It’s very real.

Revelation     

 But what happened next revealed China’s true intent.  In an extraordinary move, China went on a diplomatic overdrive and tried to bamboozle the Duterte administration into submission.  That was a big – no, stupid! – mistake on the part of the Chinese.  They just blew what could have been a productive bilateral relationship, which would have settled their territorial disputes once and for all. 

Xi would have gotten everything he wanted while Duterte would be happy with a railway in Mindanao.  Would it have been an equitable trade?  Not by any means.  But Duterte’s wish would have been granted – “No war!”  

 In an article, “Man in the Middle: Rodrigo Duterte Gets a Taste of China’s Heavy Hand,” published in the Wall Street Journal, columnist Andrew Browne wrote:  “On the afternoon of July 12, Mr. Duterte was irritated, according to one of his closest aides. He felt China was toying with him.

“A cabinet meeting had just received word live from The Hague of Manila’s stunning victory in its legal challenge to China’s claims in the South China Sea, and after noisy clapping and jubilant fist-pumping around the table the first order of business was to issue a public statement. A minister spoke up: He’d had dinner the previous night with the Chinese ambassador.

“That got Mr. Duterte’s attention. ‘Are you already a spy of the Chinese?’ he demanded, in a teasing kind of way, according to the aide who was in the room.

“The minister then relayed a long and detailed list of demands from the envoy about what the Philippine government should say—and not say—when the ruling came out. Anticipating a defeat, China was panicked at the prospect that Manila might issue a gloating statement that would add to its humiliation.

“Mr. Duterte turned serious. What irked him, said the person in the room, was more than just the presumptuousness of the Chinese demands.

The president had met with the ambassador [Zhao Jianhua] himself earlier the same day to offer reassurances. ‘Didn’t he trust what I told him?’ asked Mr. Duterte.

“ ‘Between us guys,’ he remarked, ‘I would have said some of those things, but because the [Chinese] embassy wants me to say them, I won’t.’ ”

Diplomatic faux pas

 Given Duterte’s volcanic temperament, he must have felt insulted by China’s high-handedness in trying to force him to kowtow to Xi’s demands.  But nothing could have been more insulting to him – he grew up a “kanto boy” in an environment that abides by the law of the jungle – than a disloyal underling, the “minister” who dined with the Chinese Ambassador, who handed him a list of what to say and not to say about the arbitral tribunal’s ruling. 

Could that “minister” be Perfecto Yasay Jr., whom Duterte handpicked to be his Secretary of Foreign Affairs?  Given Yasay’s professional and business background, he appeared to be his perfect choice for the job.

But as it turned out, Yasay wasn’t perfect after all.  He committed a diplomatic faux pas that drastically changed the dynamics of what could have been an amicable - albeit unfair – settlement of the South China Sea disputes.  However, it could have been a blessing in disguise because it gave Duterte a quick lesson in geopolitics.  And as quickly, too, he became his own man, and not somebody’s puppet or patsy. 

Boiling water

 But Yasay -- whose immersion into the treacherous waters of the South China Sea imbroglio has taught him never to jump into boiling water -- has been rumored to be on his way out.  But last July 19, Duterte doused cold water on the rumor when he released a video statement to clarify Yasay’s status. 

He said, “I would like to arrest a few rumors going around that Secretary Yasay of the Department of Foreign Affairs is on his way out. I would like to assure the Secretary that he is in good company and there is no truth to the rumor that there is a plan for his ouster, far from it actually.”

 Duterte went on to say that he personally pleaded with Yasay to join his administration because of his competence and honesty.  But here’s the twist: He said, “Although there’s a caveat. Actually, Secretary [Yasay] accepted the position on the condition that he will only serve for a few months, not even a year because he has contractual obligations to teach, professorial chair, well most universities in the western side… California, Hawaii and somewhere else.”  He went on to say that Yasay has “his backing and full support.”  But don’t they all say that when someone is just about to be canned?   

Standoff

Last July 14, Duterte said he would send former president Fidel V. Ramos to China to start talks on the PCA arbitral tribunal ruling.  In accepting the assignment, Ramos suggested setting aside the arbitral tribunal’s ruling to pursue a “settlement” with China. 

However, he said that the Philippines should first convene the National Security Council (NSC), which consists of the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House, and others who are chosen by Duterte. “There should be a National Security Council [meeting] first, so that the Philippine position can be defined,” Ramos said.

But the whole idea of setting aside the tribunal’s ruling brings to the fore a slew of questions that the NSC has to address, to wit:  (1) Could the Philippines bring the tribunal’s ruling back to the negotiating table at a latter time?  (2) Would the Philippines recognize China’s “nine-dash line” claim over the SCS?  (3) Would the Philippines acknowledge China’s “undisputed sovereignty” over the SCS?  (4) Would the Philippines agree to relinquish her exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to China who claims that it is within the area demarcated by the nine-dash line?  And (5) Would the Philippines vacate and surrender Pag-asa Island, which is part of the province of Palawan?  There are more; however, these, I believe, would be the core questions that need to be answered.

But like all successful diplomatic negotiations, a middle ground has to be reached, and a compromise to be worked out.  In other words, the parties have to agree to a “win-win” solution.  Can this be achieved knowing that China had time and time again declared that she would not yield an inch of territory?

Indeed, Ramos has his work cut out for him.   Let’s hope -- and pray -- that he’d be able to convince the Chinese that while there is plenty of room for negotiation, there are certain things that the Philippines can’t concede, which are spelled out in the Constitution.  And this is the toughest challenge for both the Philippines and China.  The question is: Who will blink first?  Or, did Duterte blink already? (PerryDiaz@gmail.com)    

Read more...

Cutting trees in Sagada

HAPPY WEEKEND

Gina Dizon

SAGADA, Mountain Province -- Doming   (not his real name) from Poblacion Sagada feels bad that the pine wood he felled from their clan’s ancestral lot and sawn into 221 pieces of lumber for use  to build a house was confiscated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources early June.

Mariano (not his real name) from southern Sagada is angry and frustrated that some pieces of pine wood felled from their ancestral forest and deposited along the road to be hauled to the site of his family’s house being built was confiscated by elements of the Philippine National Police and DENR last May.

Earlier this May 2, some 401 pieces of sawn lumber were confiscated by elements of the PNP and DENR at Balintaugan, Bauko adjacent Ankileng, Sagada which folks claim as their ancestral land.

In observance with Executive Order 23 and Presidential Decree 705, the DENR and PNP with the cooperative support of the Philippine Army are on alert following directives on implementing environmental laws.

PD 705 provides penalties on unlawful acts on destruction of any part of the forestland including the cutting of trees and kaingin making.

Executive Order  23  issued in 2011 declares a moratorium  on the cutting and harvesting of timber  and prohibits the DENR  from issuing or renewing tree cutting permits in natural and residual forests nationwide.

Tree cutting associated with cultural practices pursuant to the Indigenous Peoples Right Act (IPRA Law) may be allowed only subject to strict compliance with existing guidelines of the DENR.

Guidelines refer to the Joint Administrative Order of 2008 of the NCIP and the DENR for the recognition, documentation, registration and confirmation of sustainable customary forest resources management systems and practices of indigenous cultural communities.

Both Doming and Mariano, cultural community residents of Sagada say the sawn lumber was  supposed to be used for construction of their respective houses.

For vigil purposes, a tree is also felled from the communal property of the clan where a departed person belongs.

Such are some of the customary practices of Sagada  in their batangan system and other nearby tribal communities of  Besao, Tadian, Bauko, Sabangan, Bontoc, Sadanga including eastern tribal areas of the province  where  respective customary practices on ownership and management of forest lands are observed.

With no enacted implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Joint NCIP- DENR Order in communities who have customary practices on forest land management including resource use, the owner of the trees/lot is vulnerable to arrest and the forest product confiscated unless the necessary permit is applied for and issued. .  

This results to some individuals charged for violation of forestry laws such as illegal logging, suspects out on bail, some cases dismissed and some cases still being heard aside from the lumber and wood sawing equipment confiscated.

Only Tadian municipality in Mountain Province was able to document, formulate and have the IRR of the said national law passed by their legislative council and accordingly signed by the regional director of DENR. 

Besao is yet to have its  IRR  be approved pending endorsement from the Provincial DENR.  Sagada which is the role model for the batangan system has yet to substantially formulate its draft IRR following the joint NCIP-DENR Order at the municipal level.

The  IRR of said national law has been initiated by the previous Sagada Sangguniang Bayan and. the draft IRR critiqued by the office of the Provincial Environment Natural Resources Officer  (PENRO) found  lacking in provisions.

Customary rules as documented, formulated and  processed for legal reference are a vital necessity in recognizing age-old practices so people who make use of their forest lands and access of forest products are legally protected.

With no IRR from the main law, residents are vulnerable to arrest, harvest of lumber and chain saws confiscated, prevented from building a house or making furniture from pine wood. 

For quite some time, the government’s forestry laws have been kind of lax in implementation so the building of houses and making of furniture here in this town without need to secure permits. Except on some isolated cases where some individuals were charged for violation of forestry laws, the PNP and the DENR are observed to be very strict these days.

Barangay captain John Taguindodo of Nacagang nearby Bagnen Bauko wants that the batangan IRRules be passed as soon as possible.

PENRO Octavio Cuanso encourages municipalities to document, formulate and enact their respective IRRs pursuant to 2008 Joint NCIP-DENR AO No 1.

Read more...