Cops acting on their own
>> Friday, January 1, 2021
LETTERS
FROM THE AGNO
March L. Fianza
March L. Fianza
BAGUIO CITY -- On Nov. 12, last year, a headless male cadaver was found in a ravine along Km. 20, Sitio Gulon, Barangay Ambassador, Tublay, Benguet. The body believed to be a “salvage” victim was identified as Harjan Pacyao Lagman, 25.
Baguio City
police director Col. Allen Rae Co said that with the help of CCTV footage, they
established that the men who abducted Lagman from Barangay Irisan, were anti-drug
operatives of the Cordillera police regional drug enforcement unit.
The victim's father told police investigators that his son was grabbed, handcuffed and forced into a red Toyota Innova by five unidentified men a day before his body was found.
With the help of CCTV footage from the barangay office, two of the five men in civilian clothes involved in the abduction of Harjan were identified as cops. P/Col. Co said the suspects were immediately disarmed and cases were prepared against them, saying further that the PNP does not tolerate such action no matter who they are.
The Philippine National Police Cordillera regional police disbanded its Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (RDEU) after it was “found out” that the personnel acted on their own without orders to operate. The case could further erode the reputation of the PNP amid a relentless drug war.
Government records claim that some 5,021 people have been killed since the PNP launched the Oplan Tokhang campaign. With this number, there were those who could have been killed in anti-drug operations that were not legitimately ordered. The PNP said that investigations were being conducted, the findings of which were yet to be reported to the public.
In 2016 when drug suspects were being killed one after the other in Baguio and La Trinidad even in broad daylight, I had the wild suspicion that an illicit anti-drug team was going around killing them. If so, pray that your neighborhood policeman is not part of it.
Then on Dec. 20, a few days after the beheading of a drug suspect came out in the news, a police officer identified as Jonel Nuezca fatally shot two of his unarmed neighbors in Paniqui, Tarlac.
The shooting incident occurred following an argument over an improvised noise maker for the New Year and a pre-existing dispute over a right-of-way between Nuezca and the mother and son victims identified as Sonya Gregorio and Frank Anthony Gregorio.
Lawmakers in Congress and the Senate condemned the killing of the Gregorios, describing the incident as “appalling, shocking and infuriating” which led them to file Senate Resolution No. 600 that will probe into the recent killings in the country during Duterte's administration.
Again, policeman Nuezca who was off-duty acted on his own when he shot the mother and son. He was charged for double murder. It was found out that he had been previously charged with two homicide cases and several administrative cases since 2010 but the cases were closed due to lack of substantial evidence. Looks like abuse of power.
Every time there are incidents such as these that involve cops, officials in the police hierarchy are quick to describe them as “isolated cases.” But the killing of suspected criminals in the past, prior to the headless cadaver in Tublay and the Tarlac incident are not isolated cases.
The proof is found by looking at numerous court cases involving policemen filed by families of victims. Still fresh in the mind of the public are the killing of former soldier Winston Ragos who argued with the police suspect at a quarantine checkpoint, and the killing of 17-year-old Kian Delos Santos in 2017 who, police claimed, was involved in drugs.
Although the majority of the 205,000 or so police forces in the country are honest and dedicated cops who perform their mandate properly, the thousands of cases filed in regular courts against policemen speaks of abuse of authority and a culture of impunity that has advanced through the years because these were unchecked or tolerated.
What other reasons do the killers have when they can shoot unarmed people at point-blank other than impunity and disregard for human life because some of their leaders tolerate crookedness by patting them on their shoulders?
Wishing you more blessings and the best of health in 2021.
Read more...
The victim's father told police investigators that his son was grabbed, handcuffed and forced into a red Toyota Innova by five unidentified men a day before his body was found.
With the help of CCTV footage from the barangay office, two of the five men in civilian clothes involved in the abduction of Harjan were identified as cops. P/Col. Co said the suspects were immediately disarmed and cases were prepared against them, saying further that the PNP does not tolerate such action no matter who they are.
The Philippine National Police Cordillera regional police disbanded its Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (RDEU) after it was “found out” that the personnel acted on their own without orders to operate. The case could further erode the reputation of the PNP amid a relentless drug war.
Government records claim that some 5,021 people have been killed since the PNP launched the Oplan Tokhang campaign. With this number, there were those who could have been killed in anti-drug operations that were not legitimately ordered. The PNP said that investigations were being conducted, the findings of which were yet to be reported to the public.
In 2016 when drug suspects were being killed one after the other in Baguio and La Trinidad even in broad daylight, I had the wild suspicion that an illicit anti-drug team was going around killing them. If so, pray that your neighborhood policeman is not part of it.
Then on Dec. 20, a few days after the beheading of a drug suspect came out in the news, a police officer identified as Jonel Nuezca fatally shot two of his unarmed neighbors in Paniqui, Tarlac.
The shooting incident occurred following an argument over an improvised noise maker for the New Year and a pre-existing dispute over a right-of-way between Nuezca and the mother and son victims identified as Sonya Gregorio and Frank Anthony Gregorio.
Lawmakers in Congress and the Senate condemned the killing of the Gregorios, describing the incident as “appalling, shocking and infuriating” which led them to file Senate Resolution No. 600 that will probe into the recent killings in the country during Duterte's administration.
Again, policeman Nuezca who was off-duty acted on his own when he shot the mother and son. He was charged for double murder. It was found out that he had been previously charged with two homicide cases and several administrative cases since 2010 but the cases were closed due to lack of substantial evidence. Looks like abuse of power.
Every time there are incidents such as these that involve cops, officials in the police hierarchy are quick to describe them as “isolated cases.” But the killing of suspected criminals in the past, prior to the headless cadaver in Tublay and the Tarlac incident are not isolated cases.
The proof is found by looking at numerous court cases involving policemen filed by families of victims. Still fresh in the mind of the public are the killing of former soldier Winston Ragos who argued with the police suspect at a quarantine checkpoint, and the killing of 17-year-old Kian Delos Santos in 2017 who, police claimed, was involved in drugs.
Although the majority of the 205,000 or so police forces in the country are honest and dedicated cops who perform their mandate properly, the thousands of cases filed in regular courts against policemen speaks of abuse of authority and a culture of impunity that has advanced through the years because these were unchecked or tolerated.
What other reasons do the killers have when they can shoot unarmed people at point-blank other than impunity and disregard for human life because some of their leaders tolerate crookedness by patting them on their shoulders?
Wishing you more blessings and the best of health in 2021.
Baguio City sidewalk works, Covid update
CITY
HALL BEAT
Aileen P. Refuerzo
Aileen P. Refuerzo
BAGUIO CITY -- Sidewalks along the city’s central business district are up for a makeover in 2021 not only for beautification purposes but also for health and safety reasons as necessitated by the Coronavirus disease pandemic.
City planning
and development coordinator architect Donna Tabangin said the city will pursue
the repair, recovery and improvement of sidewalks next year to make them
unimpeded, safe and convenient as well as pleasing to the eyes.
She said part of the plan will be to require shops or stalls fronting the sidewalks to move their display or business areas by .6 meters from the walkways.
With the .6 meter setback, customers could be afforded space to transact or avail of products within the confines of the stores instead of occupying portions of sidewalks and impede the flow of people.
The sidewalk improvement project was started in 2019 by the City Engineering Office under City Engr. Edgar Victorio Olpindo using a P20 million fund allocation. Another P20 million was allotted for its continuation in 2020.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong included the project in the city’s priority list and worked out additional budget with the help of the Dept. of Public Works and Highways.
The CEO and City Administrator Bonifacio Dela Peña also collaborated with the DPWH district engineering office on the design of the walkways with the use of tactile technology.
The program of work covered by the P20 million allocation had been bidded out for the installation of tactile surfaces, widening, resurfacing, construction of waiting sheds and installation of signages in various areas for implementation in 2021.
This will be continued as the city secured additional funds from external sources like the DPWH.
Olpindo earlier said they prioritized the project which covered more than 100 kilometers of sidewalks implemented in 2019 specifically along school zones.
The program has three prongs: sidewalk repair for existing walkways that are dilapidated; sidewalk recovery for those that are within the road right-of-ways but are encroached upon; and sidewalk construction for areas that have no existing footways.
In some areas, the office undertook partial recovery by designating a walkway with paint and symbols that signify that that strip is off limits to vehicles.
***
Proactivity has been Baguio’s key in its ongoing fight against the Covid-19.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the city faced the pandemic challenge by making use of the crisis management principles anchored on proactivity and sense of urgency.
“We had to be proactive and thinking of the long-term. We had to be forward-looking and always one or two steps in advance because acting late without any sense of urgency would lead to a big consequence,” he said.
He said this principle was applied on all the systems and strategies employed by the city in tackling the health crisis – prevention; detection through expanded testing, contact tracing; quarantine and isolation, treatment and reintegration.
He said with these systems in place, the city is prepared to face the continuing challenges as the city continues its balancing act of ensuring the health and safety of the people while reopening the economy while waiting for the vaccination program to roll out.
He said the city still has to contend with the economic blows dealt by the pandemic which the city is gradually addressing by sustaining the thrust for a slow, sure, safe economic revival program.
The health crisis had resulted to massive losses in the city’s tourism business, employment and city government revenues resulting to a big cut in the city’s budget for 2021.
Read more...
She said part of the plan will be to require shops or stalls fronting the sidewalks to move their display or business areas by .6 meters from the walkways.
With the .6 meter setback, customers could be afforded space to transact or avail of products within the confines of the stores instead of occupying portions of sidewalks and impede the flow of people.
The sidewalk improvement project was started in 2019 by the City Engineering Office under City Engr. Edgar Victorio Olpindo using a P20 million fund allocation. Another P20 million was allotted for its continuation in 2020.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong included the project in the city’s priority list and worked out additional budget with the help of the Dept. of Public Works and Highways.
The CEO and City Administrator Bonifacio Dela Peña also collaborated with the DPWH district engineering office on the design of the walkways with the use of tactile technology.
The program of work covered by the P20 million allocation had been bidded out for the installation of tactile surfaces, widening, resurfacing, construction of waiting sheds and installation of signages in various areas for implementation in 2021.
This will be continued as the city secured additional funds from external sources like the DPWH.
Olpindo earlier said they prioritized the project which covered more than 100 kilometers of sidewalks implemented in 2019 specifically along school zones.
The program has three prongs: sidewalk repair for existing walkways that are dilapidated; sidewalk recovery for those that are within the road right-of-ways but are encroached upon; and sidewalk construction for areas that have no existing footways.
In some areas, the office undertook partial recovery by designating a walkway with paint and symbols that signify that that strip is off limits to vehicles.
***
Proactivity has been Baguio’s key in its ongoing fight against the Covid-19.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the city faced the pandemic challenge by making use of the crisis management principles anchored on proactivity and sense of urgency.
“We had to be proactive and thinking of the long-term. We had to be forward-looking and always one or two steps in advance because acting late without any sense of urgency would lead to a big consequence,” he said.
He said this principle was applied on all the systems and strategies employed by the city in tackling the health crisis – prevention; detection through expanded testing, contact tracing; quarantine and isolation, treatment and reintegration.
He said with these systems in place, the city is prepared to face the continuing challenges as the city continues its balancing act of ensuring the health and safety of the people while reopening the economy while waiting for the vaccination program to roll out.
He said the city still has to contend with the economic blows dealt by the pandemic which the city is gradually addressing by sustaining the thrust for a slow, sure, safe economic revival program.
The health crisis had resulted to massive losses in the city’s tourism business, employment and city government revenues resulting to a big cut in the city’s budget for 2021.
Sta. Lucia police gifts poor family new house
COMMUNITY BILLBOARD
Joyah
Mae C. Quimoyog
STA. LUCIA, Ilocos Sur - The Sta. Lucia Municipal Police Station along with volunteers and stakeholders, turned over a fully furnished housing unit to 87-year-old Nanay Pacita Almazan, who suffers from blindness and poor hearing, as an early Christmas gift.
Nanay Pacita lives with her 61-year-old son, Edilberto, who suffers from goiter, in Barangay Bao-as, Sta. Lucia town.
“Sobra ang saya naming mag-ina ngayon at malaking bagay ito sa amin, kung wala ang mga tumulong sa amin, walang maipatatayong bago at mas komportableng bahay para sa amin,” a teary-eyed Edilberto said.
He said they were selected as the first recipient of Project Bayanihan: “Bagong Tahanan Tungo sa Bagong Pag-asa” (New House for New Hope) as they struggle to survive everyday especially with the challenges of Covid-19 pandemic.
Project Bayanihan is attributed to the Philippine National Police’s Good Deeds Program and in line with the regional objectives of regional director Brig. Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr. which is the Malasakit+Kaayusan+Kapayapaan=Kaunlaran and the Triple IMPACT – Community Service, Consistency, Contribution Program of Ilocos Sur Police Provincial Office Provincial Director Police Colonel Wilson Doromal.
Maj. Del Castillo said when police visited Nanay Pacita for the first time, they were shocked to witness how hard it was for the both of them to live every day in a shabby and uncomfortable nipa hut without electricity, chairs and dining tables, and decent kitchenware.
“Our personnel visited them at night and they even had to use the flashlight of their mobile phones to provide lighting because Nanay Pacita and Edilberto didn’t even have candles to use,” he added.
Through the monetary contributions of each personnel of Sta. Lucia MPS, with assistance from the local government unit and from various volunteers and stakeholders, construction of the 4 x 5-meter concrete house started on Nov. 30 and was turned over on Dec. 22.
Aside from the fully furnished housing unit, Nanay Pacita was also given grocery items, two sacks of rice, kitchenware, dining table, chairs, and beddings.
Maj. Del Castillo added with the sickness of Edilberto, some donors have shown interest to help him with the operation of his goiter for him to be able to work and provide the needs of their family.
“Isa rin yan sa mga pinost namin sa social media at nagagalak kami at may mga grupo na nagbigay interest at gustong tumulong sa pagpapa-opera sa goiter ni Edilberto at alam din namin na marami pang gustong tumulong para makapagtrabaho na siya ulit at makatulong sa kaniyang nanay,” he said.
“Our police station is open 24/7. Kung may mga problema sa ating barangay o mga ‘di kanais-nais na pangyayari, ‘wag sana kayong matakot na lumapit sa aming istasyon kasi andito lamang kami na tutulong sa inyo upang mapanatili ang kapayapaan at katahimikan sa ating bayan,” he said. -- PIA Ilocos Sur
Trump loses his ‘chicken’ game
PERRYSCOPE
Perry
Diaz
Once again, President Donald J. Trump played the game of “chicken” when he held up the $900 billion COVID relief stimulus bill by demanding that direct payments to the people be increased to $2,000 per person.
Speaker Pelosi responded that she would go along with the $2,000 direct payment wanted by Trump. But the Republican majority in the Senate didn’t want to go along, saying that $2,000 is too much to dole out to the unemployed, which the GOP legislators claim would make the unemployed Americans lazier to look for work. But there are no jobs available for them!
But as the “chicken” game was nearing the cliff, Trump blinked and gave up on his demand. The original amount of $600 for direct payments to Americans stayed. Clearly, Trump cannot afford to lose in his “chicken” game; which turned out to be “chicken” shit. It unnerved him.
But let’s go back to the time Congress and the President started negotiating for the COVID relief stimulus package. The programs, which were adopted nine months ago at the start of the pandemic, have helped Americans buy groceries, pay their bills, stay current on their rents and mortgages. All are set to expire by December 28.
If Trump fails to sign the stimulus package by that date, all hell will break lose! With no food on the table and no roof over their heads, millions of Americans will suffer. All the while the pandemic is killing Americans. To date, there are more than 18 million COVID cases and 330,000 deaths.
But he has been remiss in dealing with the pandemic. He doesn’t have a plan to mitigate the coronavirus from spreading across the country. He doesn’t even want to talk about the pandemic. How he spent his time is baffling indeed. At 3:00 AM, he starts his tweeting attacking his enemies – the Democrats – and keeps on pursuing his election fraud claims, which were rejected by at least 60 courts and two Supreme Court rulings that rejected his claims as “lacking merit.”
Plotting his moves
In the morning he watches Fox News and other right-wing channels. Some sources say he spend eight hours each day watching television. Then he’d go to one of his golf courses at least twice a week and play golf for the rest of the day. And in between, he’d be calling his Republican allies to tell them to support his plot to convince Congress to overturn the election results and declare him president for a second term.
With the legal fight now deemed over, Trump is bringing his fight to Congress where the legislators will count the Electoral College votes, which by the way has already been completed by the 50 states. The totals came out to 306 for Biden and 232 for Trump. The counting in Congress is merely a formality. But Trump’s campaign is putting up Trump “electors” in the six battleground states where he lost the election.
But the bogus Trump electors were not certified by the corresponding governors. Only the Biden electors were submitted and certified by the governors. Obviously, the Trump campaign is planning to create havoc in Congress when it convenes on January 6 for the counting. The question is: How will Trump’s Republican allies overturn the Electoral College votes in Congress? What play – or magic -- are they going to do?
Martial law
But Trump’s playbook calls for martial law as last resort if he couldn’t get Congress to overturn the election result. He’ll probably create chaos and disturbances. He already started sowing confusion when he didn’t sign the COVID relief stimulus bill. Wait until millions of hungry and evicted people will go marching in the streets. There will be bedlam!
And Trump, surrounded by an eight-foot metal fence around the White House, would declare a state of emergency, which would further infuriate the people.
And the next thing he would do is invoke the Insurrection Act. Republican governors would call the National Guard to quell the anticipated disturbances and rioting that would ensue. This would only exacerbate the situation. People will get angrier! And that’s what Trump wants. It could trigger a civil war.
And if everything else fails, Trump would then declare martial law and have President-elect Biden and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris arrested and placed under house arrest guarded by the Proud Boys, Trump’s storm troopers. This might sound outlandish but don’t underestimate Trump. He plans to be in power for 12 years, by hook or by cook. After Trump’s tenure, who would be next? Donald Trump Jr. or Ivanka Trump maybe? Thus, begins the Trump dynasty. Or should I call it Donald Duck Dynasty?
Trump’s inauguration
Meanwhile, thousands of Trump supporters are planning a virtual “second inauguration” for Trump on January 20, the same day as President-elect Biden’s inauguration.
So far, more than 60,000 people have indicated on Facebook that they are planning to attend the event billed as “Donald J. Trump 2nd Presidential Inauguration Ceremony.” At $40 non-refundable per ticket, that’s $2,400,000 to be raised for Trump bogus inauguration. That’s a lot of moolah!
A disclaimer appears on the Facebook page, which says: “We are a grassroots collection of private individuals 325,000 strong, showing our support for President Donald J. Trump. We have no affiliation with any formal organization.”
Facebook has added a disclaimer to the page that states, “Joe Biden is the President-elect. He will be inaugurated as the 46th US President on January 20, 2021.”
According to a news report, one of the event's organizers Evi Kokalari was involved in the 2020 Trump campaign and regularly appears on right-wing television shows including One America News Network. Which makes one wonder: Who will swear Trump in as president? Will it be one of three appointees to the Supreme Court? I doubt it. But Rudy Guiliani would love to swear him in. After all, he’s a lawyer, a former mayor, and a joker
Watch out for the Trump whammy. It’s going to be worse than the triple whammy, which was what would have happened had the COVID relief stimulus package been revised that would delay the funds from being released.
This reminds me of the La La Land dreamers’ song, which goes as follows:
Leaped without looking
And tumbled into the sand
The water was freezing
She spent a month sneezing
But she said she would do it again.
Here’s to the ones who dream
Foolish as they may seem
Here’s to the hearts that ache
Here’s to the mess we make.
Yes, Donald, keep on dreaming.
(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)
Farmer returns lost P133-K/ ‘Unauthorized vaccinations’
BEHIND
THE SCENES
Alfred P. Dizon
Alfred P. Dizon
TUBLAY, Benguet -- An honest farmer from Ba-ayan, Tublay, Benguet was lauded by police of this town for returning a bag containing cash amounting to P133, 800.75 which he found on Christmas day.
Tublay farmer Mando B. Alonzo said he found a sling bag while passing through Sitio Sayatan, Baayan Road in the town. He was surprised to discover that it contained a huge amount of cash.
As he looked inside the bag, IDs and cell phone number of the owner were there. He called the owner and agreed to meet him at the police station for proper turnover.
After the phone call, the farmer immediately proceeded to the police station and sought the assistance of Tublay police MSg Ronald Neil Bagta.
Roger Santiago, 29, of Poblacion, Bauko, Mountain Province, arrived and presented proof of identity as owner of the lost money and items.
In the presence of said personnel and Alonzo, the items and cash inside the wallet were checked and confirmed complete,e then turned over to Santiago.
The owner thanked Alonzo for his honesty and kindness.
As workers under the informal sector struggle having no fixed employment amidst the crisis brought by Covid-19 pandemic, this act of kindness by the Tublay farmer proves the innate honesty of Cordillera people and is thus praised, said a statement by the Police Regional Office Cordillera.
***
Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday said government must answer all questions regarding the unauthorized vaccination of top officials and soldiers, saying a black market for Covid-19 vaccines “should not be tolerated in any way.”
The statement comes after top Malacanang officials and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) were reportedly vaccinated by Chinese pharmaceutical company Sino Pharmaceuticals (Sinopharm) despite lack of authority from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
“This was unsafe and illegal. These vaccines were clearly smuggled through a black market, and even worse, seem to be sanctioned by the government. Ang taumbayan ba ang nagbayad para sa ilegal na vaccination na ito? This is another whiff of corruption,” Hontiveros said.
“Ano ang kwento sa likod ng ‘secret vaccination’ na ito? Sino ang pasimuno at sino ang supplier? Kung hindi si Presidente Duterte ang nagutos sa mga miyembro ng AFP na magpaturok ng unauthorized at hindi sigurado na bakuna mula China, sino sa Malacanang ang promotor ng iligal at iresponsableng aksyong ito?," Hontiveros said. “This is a major risk to the public’s health. Not only is it possible that the vaccine is unsafe, but it also might not even be effective in the first place. They might become confident, freely walking Covid superspreaders. Nilagay din sa panganib ang mga sundalo natin.”
Hontiveros asked the National Taskforce against Covid-19 (NTF) to provide a transparency report which she said is ‘crucial’ for preventing a waste of funds or even corruption. She added that it would also give peace of mind to the public whose fear of using vaccines remains high. The transparency report should “reflect the decisions of the NTF every step of the way”, she said.
“The vaccination plan clearly says that the first step is to locally approve the vaccines, which with Sinopharm we didn’t. On top of this, we promised that we would vaccinate our healthcare workers, who put their lives on the line every day, first, which we also didn’t. Ano na ba ang nangyayari sa plano natin,?” she asked.
Hontiveros reminded government that safety should be first priority in procurement of the vaccine. She added that the report would be a major declaration of accountability to the public. “If the vaccine is unsafe, who will be held accountable? There are major life-threatening consequences in any lapse in this mass vaccination program. Kung may magkulang o gumawa ng kalokohan, dapat managot,” she said.
The senator had earlier revealed that The Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) had procured overpriced personal protective equipment (PPEs) by at least P 1 billion. “Wag natin sanayin na may kumikita o may nagsasayang ng pera sa pandemyang ito kung saan maraming Pilipino ang nagdudurusa. Dahil milyong bakuna ang bibilhin, ang isang dolyar na patong ay katumbas ng bilyong pisong pera ng bayan,” she said.
“Ang daming tanong ang taumbayan. Paano magtitiwala ang publiko sa pamahalaan kung ang mga high ranking officials mismo ay hindi sumusunod sa mga protocol? At lalo na kung hindi malinaw sa paggamit natin ng bilyon-bilyon nilang pera. Ang gobyerno ang laging dapat maging ehemplo,” she said.
Finding money to replace PhilHealth’s stolen billions
EDITORIAL
Despite allegations of billions of pesos absconded by officials of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., PhilHealth will implement new contribution rates and adjust the income ceiling to ensure it will have enough funds to cover 110 million Filipinos under the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law.
PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Dante Gierran said those earning below P10,000 would contribute P350 per month, while those earning P 10,000.01 to P 69,999 would pay a premium rate of 3.5 percent from P350 to P2,449.99. Those earning P 70,000 and above will pay a monthly premium of P2,450.
He added while the Covid-19 pandemic has affected businesses, the state insurer is duty-bound to implement the UHC law, which aims to improve the country’s health care services, especially during the pandemic.
The rate adjustments, based on section 10 of the UHC Law and its implementing rules and regulations, cited importance of member’s social health insurance contributions to fund health care reforms.
The reforms listed under the UHC act include automatic membership of all Filipinos into the National Health Insurance Program, immediate eligibility of all Filipinos to PhilHealth benefits, assignment of a primary care provider of their choice, no balance billing or no co-payment for confinements in basic or ward accommodations in both government and private health care facilities, and lifetime coverage for all members upon reaching retirement age.
Gierran said he would implement measures to strengthen the agency’s internal mechanisms, policies, systems and processes to ensure a renewed organization.
Gierran replaced retired military officer Ricardo Morales in September after the latter was embroiled in a corruption scandal involving the state insurer’s internal reimbursement mechanism.
Following PhilHealth’s announcement, taxpayers and some top officials of the country like senators questioning upped rates of PhilHealth to be shouldered by the Filipino people.
According to pundits, erring corrupt executives of PhilHealth and other government officials who allegedly pocketed billions of pesos from the government agency’s funds should first be prosecuted first before additional rates would against be imposed on the Filipino people.
After all, they say, it is taxpayers who are providing the money to run the government agency – not the hoodlums in government.
Read more...
Despite allegations of billions of pesos absconded by officials of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., PhilHealth will implement new contribution rates and adjust the income ceiling to ensure it will have enough funds to cover 110 million Filipinos under the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law.
PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Dante Gierran said those earning below P10,000 would contribute P350 per month, while those earning P 10,000.01 to P 69,999 would pay a premium rate of 3.5 percent from P350 to P2,449.99. Those earning P 70,000 and above will pay a monthly premium of P2,450.
He added while the Covid-19 pandemic has affected businesses, the state insurer is duty-bound to implement the UHC law, which aims to improve the country’s health care services, especially during the pandemic.
The rate adjustments, based on section 10 of the UHC Law and its implementing rules and regulations, cited importance of member’s social health insurance contributions to fund health care reforms.
The reforms listed under the UHC act include automatic membership of all Filipinos into the National Health Insurance Program, immediate eligibility of all Filipinos to PhilHealth benefits, assignment of a primary care provider of their choice, no balance billing or no co-payment for confinements in basic or ward accommodations in both government and private health care facilities, and lifetime coverage for all members upon reaching retirement age.
Gierran said he would implement measures to strengthen the agency’s internal mechanisms, policies, systems and processes to ensure a renewed organization.
Gierran replaced retired military officer Ricardo Morales in September after the latter was embroiled in a corruption scandal involving the state insurer’s internal reimbursement mechanism.
Following PhilHealth’s announcement, taxpayers and some top officials of the country like senators questioning upped rates of PhilHealth to be shouldered by the Filipino people.
According to pundits, erring corrupt executives of PhilHealth and other government officials who allegedly pocketed billions of pesos from the government agency’s funds should first be prosecuted first before additional rates would against be imposed on the Filipino people.
After all, they say, it is taxpayers who are providing the money to run the government agency – not the hoodlums in government.
Army: CPP-NPA ‘weakens’ in Cagayan Valley, Cordi
By Leander C. Domingo
CAMP
MELCHOR F DELA CRUZ, Upi, Gamu, Isabela
-- The
Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) operating in
Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) and the Cordillera region continues to “weaken” after
their guerrilla fronts disintegrated, according to the Philippine Army’s 5th
Infantry Division (5th ID).
Dulawan was referring to the CPP-NPA Southern Front Committee and Central Front Committee, Guerilla-Quirino/Nueva Vizcaya Regional Committee of the Cagayan Valley operating in Region 2 and the Guerrilla-Ifugao and Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Committee that operate in Ifugao.
“As a result, the 5th ID was able to clean up the CPP-NPA influence in about 100 barangay (villages) in the Cagayan Valley and the Cordillera Administrative Region, which is proof of the success of the division in our intensified campaign against insurgency this year,” he added.
Dulawan said there had been a series of voluntary surrenders and conversions to the government of regular members as well as supporters of the CPP-NPA.
The 5ID command has recorded 193 converts to the government, of whom 117 are regular members of the NPA who voluntarily surrendered over hardships they suffered within the movement and 76 members of the Militia ng Bayan (People’s Militia), including the local party group, which withdrew their support from the rebels.
During armed encounters, the command recorded two senior CPP-NPA leaders killed along with one of their members on February 20 this year while nine were arrested, three of them surrendered during the encounters.
“We have collected as many as 67 firearms that were surrendered to the command, 46 firearms were recovered and 23 explosives were confiscated, including 14 NPA rebel camps destroyed,” Dulawan said.
Maj. Gen. Laurence Mina, 5th ID commander, said the intensified campaign against insurgency was successful because of the troops’ dedication to fulfilling their sworn duty.
“I know the hard work and sacrifice of every soldier and I admire the courage they have shown to win the campaign against insurgency,” Mina noted.
“Our victory is also the victory of the people of the Cagayan Valley and the Cordilleras who will surely benefit from the loss of the presence of the CPP-NPA whose only job is to deceive and intimidate the people,” he added.
Mina said the weakening of people’s support for the NPA was a big blow to the rebel group.
“The lack of support to the NPA movement was a result of the implementation of the community support program (CSP) in remote villages. Also, a great help came from various government agencies that cooperated in launching the CSP, which boosted the delivery of services and programs to the people,” he added.
Mina cited the support of local authorities in the campaign against insurgency declaring persona-non-grata the CPP-NPA rebels and their support organizations, as well as the forging of agreements between the 5th ID leadership and the provincial governments to end the insurgency in the Cagayan Valley and the Cordillera.
Dulawan was referring to the CPP-NPA Southern Front Committee and Central Front Committee, Guerilla-Quirino/Nueva Vizcaya Regional Committee of the Cagayan Valley operating in Region 2 and the Guerrilla-Ifugao and Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Committee that operate in Ifugao.
“As a result, the 5th ID was able to clean up the CPP-NPA influence in about 100 barangay (villages) in the Cagayan Valley and the Cordillera Administrative Region, which is proof of the success of the division in our intensified campaign against insurgency this year,” he added.
Dulawan said there had been a series of voluntary surrenders and conversions to the government of regular members as well as supporters of the CPP-NPA.
The 5ID command has recorded 193 converts to the government, of whom 117 are regular members of the NPA who voluntarily surrendered over hardships they suffered within the movement and 76 members of the Militia ng Bayan (People’s Militia), including the local party group, which withdrew their support from the rebels.
During armed encounters, the command recorded two senior CPP-NPA leaders killed along with one of their members on February 20 this year while nine were arrested, three of them surrendered during the encounters.
“We have collected as many as 67 firearms that were surrendered to the command, 46 firearms were recovered and 23 explosives were confiscated, including 14 NPA rebel camps destroyed,” Dulawan said.
Maj. Gen. Laurence Mina, 5th ID commander, said the intensified campaign against insurgency was successful because of the troops’ dedication to fulfilling their sworn duty.
“I know the hard work and sacrifice of every soldier and I admire the courage they have shown to win the campaign against insurgency,” Mina noted.
“Our victory is also the victory of the people of the Cagayan Valley and the Cordilleras who will surely benefit from the loss of the presence of the CPP-NPA whose only job is to deceive and intimidate the people,” he added.
Mina said the weakening of people’s support for the NPA was a big blow to the rebel group.
“The lack of support to the NPA movement was a result of the implementation of the community support program (CSP) in remote villages. Also, a great help came from various government agencies that cooperated in launching the CSP, which boosted the delivery of services and programs to the people,” he added.
Mina cited the support of local authorities in the campaign against insurgency declaring persona-non-grata the CPP-NPA rebels and their support organizations, as well as the forging of agreements between the 5th ID leadership and the provincial governments to end the insurgency in the Cagayan Valley and the Cordillera.
SC fines judge who sent subpoena to Baguio traffic enforcers over ticket
BAGUIO CITY --The Supreme Court declared
Cabanatuan City Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) Branch 3 Judge Nelson
Largo guilty of simple misconduct and fined him P11,000 after he figured in a
parking controversy here October last year.
On Oct. 25, 2019, traffic enforcers from the Baguio Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) led by Bernard Batnag removed license plate of Judge Largo's vehicle, which was illegally parked vehicle at Kayang Street inside the Baguio City Public Market and issued a citation ticket. But the judge on Oct. 28, 2019 issued a subpoena demanding Batnag and his colleagues to appear before him in his sala on Nov. 28, 2019 to explain why they should not be cited for contempt.
Largo claimed that the time he spent in retrieving his license plate caused delays in the hearings and processes of the cases he was handling.
He also argued that he only parked his vehicle for a short time after attending a security seminar in Baguio City.
He was heading back to Cabanatuan City when given the ticket.
The Supreme Court gave weight to a letter from Mayor Benjamin Magalong informing the court of the grievance of the city's traffic law enforcers.
The Baguio City council in Nov. 2019 declared Largo ‘persona non grata’ as it backed Batnag for issuing a citation ticket for illegal parking in accordance with Ordinance No. 01, series of 2003 or the Baguio City Number Coding Scheme.
Read more...
On Oct. 25, 2019, traffic enforcers from the Baguio Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) led by Bernard Batnag removed license plate of Judge Largo's vehicle, which was illegally parked vehicle at Kayang Street inside the Baguio City Public Market and issued a citation ticket. But the judge on Oct. 28, 2019 issued a subpoena demanding Batnag and his colleagues to appear before him in his sala on Nov. 28, 2019 to explain why they should not be cited for contempt.
Largo claimed that the time he spent in retrieving his license plate caused delays in the hearings and processes of the cases he was handling.
He also argued that he only parked his vehicle for a short time after attending a security seminar in Baguio City.
He was heading back to Cabanatuan City when given the ticket.
The Supreme Court gave weight to a letter from Mayor Benjamin Magalong informing the court of the grievance of the city's traffic law enforcers.
The Baguio City council in Nov. 2019 declared Largo ‘persona non grata’ as it backed Batnag for issuing a citation ticket for illegal parking in accordance with Ordinance No. 01, series of 2003 or the Baguio City Number Coding Scheme.
Cordi PNP give gifts to celebrate Christmas
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet –In lieu of the traditional Christmas party being observed during the Yuletide season, various gift-giving activities and outreach programs were conducted by the different units and Police Provincial Offices of PROCOR throughout the month of December.
This year’s traditional celebration of the Yuletide season in all PNP offices is cancelled in line with the directive of the Chief, PNP and the nationwide ban on social gatherings in this time of pandemic.
Christmas is the season of giving, thus, Cordillera cops in partnership with its stakeholders, private entities and other kind-hearted individuals did not hesitate to share their blessings to the community.
In Abra, police officers brought joy to more than 300 beneficiaries including children, students and senior citizens through their outreach program and other gift-giving activities. Abra cops teamed up with the different LGU and community stakeholders for an outreach dubbed as Pamaskong Handog with the theme “Spreading Love and Happiness through Sharing”. They conducted medical mission, provided free hair cut services and also distributed gift items such as toys, foods and drinks, medical and hygiene kits and donated school supplies, while selected families received noche buena food packs and assorted groceries.
In Apayao, our cops also shared their blessings thru the early Christmas gift packs distributed to the beneficiaries of “Mistra U, Pulis U”. Likewise, more than 100 individuals received food packs, assorted grocery items, slippers, umbrellas, and personal hygiene kits during the gift-giving by the different Municipal Police Stations.
In Benguet, cowboy cops also distributed to over 650 children, parents, families, PWDs and other beneficiaries the collected food packs, assorted groceries, clothes, blankets, slippers, umbrellas, school supplies and hygiene kits. Likewise, the different police stations of the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) has extended early Christmas gifts to selected families thru the assorted grocery items and food packs distributed.
Meanwhile, in Ifugao, our law enforcers reached out to more than 100 children, teachers, PWDs, senior citizens, and families in need by giving cash and assorted grocery items, while in Kalinga, the men and women of Rizal MPS and Tabuk CPS gave food and gift packs, assorted grocery items, and face shields to selected pupils, women, and families in their area of responsibility.
Likewise, Mountain Province PPO has conducted feeding activities and gift giving of assorted school supplies and goodie packs to the day care pupils in selected five remote barangays within the province.
Read more...
Cagayan judge gets Covid-19
By Liezle Basa Inigo
TUGUEGARAO CITY—-A judge in Cagayan province has tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Dec. 27.
The judge, identified as CV 5026, 54, of Tuguegarao City had a travel history to Aparri and arrived in the City on December 16.
The Provincial Information Office of Cagayan said CV 5026 experienced a cough, cold, and fever that started on December 25.
As of Dec. 27, data from the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit or PESU of the Cagayan Provincial Health Office revealed that the active cases of COVID-19 in Cagayan has reached 123.
Tuguegarao City has the highest number of cases with 70. Other places with COVID-19 cases are Solana, Baggao, Aparri, Peñablanca, Lal-lo, Amulung, Enrile, Tuao, Iguig, and Gonzaga.
Sandigan junks Ilocos Sur ex-mayor’s bid on graft raps
By Elizabeth Marcelo
CABUGAO, Ilocos Sur -- The Sandiganbayan
has denied a motion of Diocaesar Suero, former Cabugao mayor, to present a
new witness in graft and malversation cases filed against him in connection
with the allegedly anomalous farm-to-market road project in 2010.
In a resolution promulgated on Dec. 3,
the Sandiganbayan said Suero failed to show any compelling reason that would
convince the court to allow a certain Renato or Charlie Siruno to testify
through written interrogatories before the Philippine consulate in Honolulu,
Hawaii.
The anti-graft court said Suero did not
attach in his motion the written interrogatories or questions that he wanted
his new witness to testify on.
Suero is facing charges of violation of
Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and malversation
as provided under the Revised Penal Code.
The Office of the Ombudsman said Suero
conspired with former municipal officials Florante Jara and Jose Suboc in
releasing the amount of P926,650 as payment to a private entity even as the
farm-to-market road project in Barangay Cuantacla was not completed.
Siruno was chairman of Barangay Cuantacla
at the time the road project was being undertaken.
Read more...
Sta. Lucia police gifts poor family new house
By Joyah Mae C. Quimoyog
STA. LUCIA, Ilocos Sur - The Sta. Lucia Municipal Police Station along with volunteers and various stakeholders, turned over a fully furnished housing unit to 87-year-old Nanay Pacita Almazan, who suffers from blindness and poor hearing, as an early Christmas gift.
Nanay Pacita lives with her 61-year-old son, Edilberto, who suffers from goiter, in barangay Bao-as, Sta. Lucia town.
“Sobra ang saya naming mag-ina ngayon at malaking bagay ito sa amin, kung wala ang mga tumulong sa amin, walang maipatatayong bago at mas komportableng bahay para sa amin,” a teary-eyed Edilberto said.
He said that they were selected as the first recipient of Project Bayanihan: “Bagong Tahanan Tungo sa Bagong Pag-asa” (New House for New Hope) as they struggle to survive everyday especially with the challenges of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Project Bayanihan is attributed with the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Good Deeds Program and in line with the regional objectives of Regional Director Police Brigadier General Rodolfo Azurin, Jr. which is the Malasakit+Kaayusan+Kapayapaan=Kaunlaran and the Triple IMPACT – Community Service, Consistency, Contribution Program of Ilocos Sur Police Provincial Office Provincial Director Police Colonel Wilson Doromal.
Police Major Del Castillo said that when their police personnel visited Nanay Pacita for the first time, they were shocked to witness how hard it was for the both of them to live every day in a shabby and uncomfortable nipa hut without electricity, chairs and dining tables, and decent kitchenware.
“Our personnel visited them at night and they even had to use the flashlight of their mobile phones to provide lighting because Nanay Pacita and Edilberto didn’t even have candles to use,” he added.
Through the monetary contributions of each personnel of Sta. Lucia MPS, with assistance from the local government unit and from various volunteers and stakeholders, the construction of the 4 x 5-meter concrete house started on November 30 and was turned over on December 22.
Aside from the fully furnished housing unit, Nanay Pacita was also given grocery items, two sacks of rice, kitchenware, dining table, chairs, and beddings.
Police Major Del Castillo added that with the sickness of Edilberto, some donors have shown interest to help him with the operation of his goiter for him to be able to work and provide the needs of their family.
“Isa rin yan sa mga pinost namin sa social media at nagagalak kami at may mga grupo na nagbigay interest at gustong tumulong sa pagpapa-opera sa goiter ni Edilberto at alam din namin na marami pang gustong tumulong para makapagtrabaho na siya ulit at makatulong sa kaniyang nanay,” he said.
“Our police station is open 24/7. Kung may mga problema sa ating barangay o mga ‘di kanais-nais na pangyayari, ‘wag sana kayong matakot na lumapit sa aming istasyon kasi andito lamang kami na tutulong sa inyo upang mapanatili ang kapayapaan at katahimikan sa ating bayan,” he said. (JCR/AMB/JMCQ/PIA Ilocos Sur)
No Cordillera police drug users, tests bare
LA
TRINIDAD, Benguet – As part of the PNP’s intensified internal cleansing
efforts, Police Regional Office Cordillera through the Regional Crime
Laboratory Office (RCLO) conducted random drug tests to its personnel to weed
out drug users among its ranks.
For this year, of the 4,279 personnel who were randomly tested, 4,225 were uniformed personnel while 54 are non-uniformed personnel. On the other hand, 681 personnel of station, provincial, city and regional Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) were mandatory tested.
Drug test were conducted with the following breakdown: Regional Headquarters - 892; Abra PPO - 718; Apayao PPO - 241; Benguet PPO - 275; Ifugao PPO - 692; Kalinga PPO - 541; Mountain Province PPO - 303 and Baguio City Police Office - 617.
According to RCLO data, the result of drug test conducted to PROCOR personnel turned out negative for the presence of illegal drugs.
Aside from the regular random drug testing, personnel vying for promotion and schooling were being subjected to drug test. Personnel who will be tested positive on drug test will be immediately filed with admin cases and subjected to summary dismissal procedures. (PROCOR PIO)
25 nabbed in Cordillera during holiday season
LA
TRINIDAD, Benguet – Amidst the holiday break, PROCOR Cops arrested 25 wanted
persons in the Cordillera Region during the one-week operations from December
20 to 27, 2020. Seven of which are listed as Top Most Wanted Person (TMWP).
Of the 25 arrested persons, Abra Provincial Police Office (PPO) recorded the highest number of arrests with nine apprehensions followed by Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) with six arrests, Ifugao PPO with five arrests, and Benguet PPO with two arrests. Apayao PPO, Kalinga PPO and Mountain Province PPO has one arrest each.
For this week TMWP, one arrested person was listed at the Regional Level, four in the Provincial Level, one in Municipal Level and one in Station Level.
In Ifugao, Rondy Baliwag Omingle was arrested by Aguinaldo MPS by virtue of warrant of arrest for the crime of Rape. Omingle was listed as No. 7 TMWP (Regional Level). In two separate operations, Ronnie Limmag Lindao (listed as No. 4 TMWP – Provincial Level) and Daniel Dinamling Biclag (listed as No. 8 TMWP – Provincial Level) were arrested by Lamut MPS. The two are facing charges for the crime of rape. Meanwhile, Eric “Fummid” Ponchao Omingle (No. 5 TMWP – Provincial Level) was arrested by Aguinaldo MPS by virtue of warrant of arrest for the crime of rape.
In Mountain Province, Arwin Castaneda Basilio was arrested by Bauko MPS in La Trinidad, Benguet. Basilia is facing charges for the crime of statutory rape and was listed as No. 8 TMWP (Provincial Level)
In Abra, Marcelino Umaybas Urika was arrested by the personnel of Bucay MPS by virtue of a Warrant of Arrest for the Violation of R.A 7610. Mr. Urika has a recommended bail of Php 80,000.00 and was listed as No. 2 TMWP (Municipal Level).
Lastly, in Baguio City, operatives of Kennon Road Police Station (PS8) has arrested Melita Acio Baua by virtue of arrest issued for the crime of Large-Scale Illegal Recruitment. Baua listed as No. 2 TMWP (Station Level).
Read more...
For this year, of the 4,279 personnel who were randomly tested, 4,225 were uniformed personnel while 54 are non-uniformed personnel. On the other hand, 681 personnel of station, provincial, city and regional Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) were mandatory tested.
Drug test were conducted with the following breakdown: Regional Headquarters - 892; Abra PPO - 718; Apayao PPO - 241; Benguet PPO - 275; Ifugao PPO - 692; Kalinga PPO - 541; Mountain Province PPO - 303 and Baguio City Police Office - 617.
According to RCLO data, the result of drug test conducted to PROCOR personnel turned out negative for the presence of illegal drugs.
Aside from the regular random drug testing, personnel vying for promotion and schooling were being subjected to drug test. Personnel who will be tested positive on drug test will be immediately filed with admin cases and subjected to summary dismissal procedures. (PROCOR PIO)
25 nabbed in Cordillera during holiday season
LA
TRINIDAD, Benguet – Amidst the holiday break, PROCOR Cops arrested 25 wanted
persons in the Cordillera Region during the one-week operations from December
20 to 27, 2020. Seven of which are listed as Top Most Wanted Person (TMWP).Of the 25 arrested persons, Abra Provincial Police Office (PPO) recorded the highest number of arrests with nine apprehensions followed by Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) with six arrests, Ifugao PPO with five arrests, and Benguet PPO with two arrests. Apayao PPO, Kalinga PPO and Mountain Province PPO has one arrest each.
For this week TMWP, one arrested person was listed at the Regional Level, four in the Provincial Level, one in Municipal Level and one in Station Level.
In Ifugao, Rondy Baliwag Omingle was arrested by Aguinaldo MPS by virtue of warrant of arrest for the crime of Rape. Omingle was listed as No. 7 TMWP (Regional Level). In two separate operations, Ronnie Limmag Lindao (listed as No. 4 TMWP – Provincial Level) and Daniel Dinamling Biclag (listed as No. 8 TMWP – Provincial Level) were arrested by Lamut MPS. The two are facing charges for the crime of rape. Meanwhile, Eric “Fummid” Ponchao Omingle (No. 5 TMWP – Provincial Level) was arrested by Aguinaldo MPS by virtue of warrant of arrest for the crime of rape.
In Mountain Province, Arwin Castaneda Basilio was arrested by Bauko MPS in La Trinidad, Benguet. Basilia is facing charges for the crime of statutory rape and was listed as No. 8 TMWP (Provincial Level)
In Abra, Marcelino Umaybas Urika was arrested by the personnel of Bucay MPS by virtue of a Warrant of Arrest for the Violation of R.A 7610. Mr. Urika has a recommended bail of Php 80,000.00 and was listed as No. 2 TMWP (Municipal Level).
Lastly, in Baguio City, operatives of Kennon Road Police Station (PS8) has arrested Melita Acio Baua by virtue of arrest issued for the crime of Large-Scale Illegal Recruitment. Baua listed as No. 2 TMWP (Station Level).
Bontoc officials, employees attend seminar on values orientation and moral upliftment
By Alpine L. Killa
BONTOC, Mountain Province -Elected officials and employees of the Bontoc Municipal Government underwent an in-house seminar on Values Orientation and Moral Upliftment, and Rules of Conduct and Ethical Behavior in Government Service on December 17 -18, 2020, at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol auditorium.
In compliance with health protocol due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the participants were divided into two groups.
In his message, Bontoc Mayor Franklin C. Odsey remarked that the topics in the seminar are of great help for the employees to effectively and efficiently serve the constituents and the public.
Odsey added that the seminar aims to develop self-awareness and self-empowerment, and development of the right attitude towards work among officials and employees of the Bontoc Municipal Government by Republic Act 6713 on the "Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees".
“I want our local government employees to be hard-working, pro-people, efficient, respectful, and God-fearing, ” the mayor said in a separate interview.
Rev.Fr. Marcial Lloyd Castaneda, the Mission Rector of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary Church in Kilong, Sagada is the resource speaker on Values Orientation and Moral Upliftment. In his talk, he underscored humility, honestly, and obedience.
Anita Verina Paredes, the Director of Civil Service Commission (CSC) Field Office -Mountain Province and Senior Human Resources Specialist Vanessa Rose Galgala of the CSC Field Office-Mountain Province, discussed the Rules of Conduct and Ethical Behavior in Government Service. In their lectures, they emphasized the eight norms of conduct of public officials and employees which are commitment to public interest, professionalism, justness and sincerity, public neutrality, responsiveness to the public, nationalism, and patriotism, commitment to democracy, and simple living.
As a gesture of gratitude, the Bontoc Municipal Government awarded Certificates of Appreciation and tokens to the resource speakers.
A participant remarked that the seminar was a good opportunity for the Bontoc LGU officials and employees to know what public service is all about and how the training could instill discipline in their ranks.
The activity was initiated by the Human Resource Management Office of the Bontoc Municipal Government.
DILG, PNP enforce rules on use of firecrackers, pyrotechnics
BAGUIO CITY—The Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG), and the Police Regional Office Cordillera (PROCor)
are strictly enforcing the ban on the use of illegal firecrackers and
pyrotechnic devices in welcoming the New Year in the Cordillera region.
She said that under Republic Act No. 7183, an act regulating the sale, manufacture, distribution and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices, the PNP should determine what constitute as prohibited firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices and promulgate rules and regulations necessary to regulate and control their use.
Likewise, LCEs are authorized to promulgate the necessary rules and regulations on firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices within their territorial jurisdiction.
The DILG and PROCor issued a joint advisory on December 28, 2020 urging the LCEs to enforce the ban on the use of illegal firecrackers. Among the prohibited firecrackers identified are the following: Piccolo, Watusi, Giant Whistle Bomb, Giant Bawang, Large Judas Belt, Super Lolo, Lolo Thunder, Atomic Bomb, Atomic Bomb Triangulo, Pillbox, Boga, Kwiton, Goodbye Earth, Hello Columbia, Coke-In-Can, Goodbye Bading, OG, and Kabasi.
The prohibited firecrackers are those overweight (not more than 0.2 gram or not more than 1/3 teaspoon), the fuse of the firecracker should not burn less than three seconds but not more than six seconds, imported finished products and firecrackers with mixture of phosphorous of sulfur with that of chlorate.
Executive Order No. 28 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte, which provides for the regulation and control of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices, stipulates that the use of fireworks is limited to the display of fireworks display.
Community firework displays are permitted but should first be authorized by local government units (LGUs) while applying health precautions such as social distancing, wearing face masks/shields, and regular hand washing.
The Government has developed such protocols to help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus, which lurks in droplets expelled by infected persons by coughing, sneezing, and speaking. (RIU/DILG-CAR)
Read more...
She said that under Republic Act No. 7183, an act regulating the sale, manufacture, distribution and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices, the PNP should determine what constitute as prohibited firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices and promulgate rules and regulations necessary to regulate and control their use.
Likewise, LCEs are authorized to promulgate the necessary rules and regulations on firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices within their territorial jurisdiction.
The DILG and PROCor issued a joint advisory on December 28, 2020 urging the LCEs to enforce the ban on the use of illegal firecrackers. Among the prohibited firecrackers identified are the following: Piccolo, Watusi, Giant Whistle Bomb, Giant Bawang, Large Judas Belt, Super Lolo, Lolo Thunder, Atomic Bomb, Atomic Bomb Triangulo, Pillbox, Boga, Kwiton, Goodbye Earth, Hello Columbia, Coke-In-Can, Goodbye Bading, OG, and Kabasi.
The prohibited firecrackers are those overweight (not more than 0.2 gram or not more than 1/3 teaspoon), the fuse of the firecracker should not burn less than three seconds but not more than six seconds, imported finished products and firecrackers with mixture of phosphorous of sulfur with that of chlorate.
Executive Order No. 28 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte, which provides for the regulation and control of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices, stipulates that the use of fireworks is limited to the display of fireworks display.
Community firework displays are permitted but should first be authorized by local government units (LGUs) while applying health precautions such as social distancing, wearing face masks/shields, and regular hand washing.
The Government has developed such protocols to help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus, which lurks in droplets expelled by infected persons by coughing, sneezing, and speaking. (RIU/DILG-CAR)
Early birds' to get 20% cut in real property taxes in Baguio
BAGUIO CITY – The city government is hoping to encourage more real property owners to pay their taxes by offering an early bird discount.
He said several real property owners annually avail of the discount provided for under the local government code but they hope that others will also take advantage of the discount.
The official said that some owners line up to pay their tax as early as the last week of November, which has become their practice to avail of the 20 percent discount.
“Yung talagang nagbabayad na regularly at may schedule sila, every year ganun ang flow ng pagbayad nila (those who regularly pay, they already have their payment schedule and every year that is their system),” Cabarubbias said.
He said that those who will pay on the first quarter of the year whether in full or on a staggered basis can still avail of the 10 percent cut on their 2021 annual real property tax.
Cabarubbias said real property taxes (RPT) due for the year can either be paid in full or every quarter. However, failure to pay on schedule, the owner will be charged a penalty of 2 percent for every month of delay.
The RPT is about 30 percent of the total collection of the city from locally generated revenues. It forms part of the annual budget of the local government that allows it to pursue its programs, projects, and other services.
He said although some pay early to avail of the perks, others do not only pay on time, some wait for years thus the imposition of penalties on their tax payments.
The officer said also they have stopped doing the raffle for taxpayers so as not to develop an impression that people need to pay because they can win in the raffle draw.
“We have to remember that taxes are obligation and it is our individual share to the operation of the government to allow it to continue its services and not because of the raffle prize,” he said.
Cabarubbias also added that advance payment for the next three years will not be entertained this year as the adjustment in real property valuation will take effect in 2021.
The city assessor’s office had earlier announced that the local government will implement the new real property tax valuation in the 2021 real property tax due.
Almaya Addawe, chief at the city assessor’s said the city government last adjusted its real property valuation was in 1995, which does not anymore reflect the true value of the property. (PNA)
DOST’s research arm endorses new tech for dengue diagnosis
By Venus May H. Sarmiento
DAGUPAN CITY
- The Regional Research, Development and Innovation Committee in the
Ilocos (RRDIC-1), as the research and innovation coordinating arm of the
Regional Development Council in the Ilocos (RDC-1), has launched a series of
webinars to endorse seven technologies born from government-funded
researches.
Regional Director Armando Ganal of the Department of Science and Technology in Ilocos, who sits as RRDIC chair, said the webinars aim to introduce the features and potential benefits of the technologies to the local government units and other interested adopters.
“ Technology generates new technologies. It supports the growth of biotechnology industry in the Philippines and contributes to the macroeconomic growth of the country. Local scientists will also have more opportunity to hone their skills," Ganal said.
For the second day of the webinar, the topic dwelt on the Biotek-M Dengue Aqua kit as part of the ‘Lab-in-a Mug’ project.
Joy Ann Santos of the Manila HealthTek, who discussed the technology, said in the period of the re-emergence of various infectious diseases, it is necessary to arm people with the proper tools to combat these invisible agents.
“ Under the 'Lab-in-a Mug’ project, all diagnostic kits are integrated and miniaturized in an isothermal unit as small as a mug which functions as multi-infectious disease diagnostic device similar to a portable laboratory,” Santos explained in her presentation.
She said BiotekM - workflow follows the sample-nucleic acid extraction-amplification-detection flow and introduces the LAMP or loop-mediated isothermal amplification technology.
The new technology is a tool for the efficient diagnosis of infectious diseases such as dengue.
LAMP heater is portable (half the size of a thermos bottle) and uses ordinary power supply.
Santos said that as to its performance, the new technology has high sensitivity at 82 percent which would pick up the presence of a true dengue infection faster.
It has 94 percent reliability trust if test is negative.
“LAMP is an ideal amplification technology for point of care or point of need assays. The test platform using LAMP could fulfil the World Health Organization’s ASSURED which stands for affordable, specific, sensitive, user-friendly, robust and rapid, equipment-free, deliverable to end-user,” she explained.
Other technologies introduced during the seven-day webinar include: portable solar dryer, iron fortified rice, vigormin, dual drum composter, Carrageenan plant growth promoter and project – PIA Pangasinan
Read more...
Regional Director Armando Ganal of the Department of Science and Technology in Ilocos, who sits as RRDIC chair, said the webinars aim to introduce the features and potential benefits of the technologies to the local government units and other interested adopters.
“ Technology generates new technologies. It supports the growth of biotechnology industry in the Philippines and contributes to the macroeconomic growth of the country. Local scientists will also have more opportunity to hone their skills," Ganal said.
For the second day of the webinar, the topic dwelt on the Biotek-M Dengue Aqua kit as part of the ‘Lab-in-a Mug’ project.
Joy Ann Santos of the Manila HealthTek, who discussed the technology, said in the period of the re-emergence of various infectious diseases, it is necessary to arm people with the proper tools to combat these invisible agents.
“ Under the 'Lab-in-a Mug’ project, all diagnostic kits are integrated and miniaturized in an isothermal unit as small as a mug which functions as multi-infectious disease diagnostic device similar to a portable laboratory,” Santos explained in her presentation.
She said BiotekM - workflow follows the sample-nucleic acid extraction-amplification-detection flow and introduces the LAMP or loop-mediated isothermal amplification technology.
The new technology is a tool for the efficient diagnosis of infectious diseases such as dengue.
LAMP heater is portable (half the size of a thermos bottle) and uses ordinary power supply.
Santos said that as to its performance, the new technology has high sensitivity at 82 percent which would pick up the presence of a true dengue infection faster.
It has 94 percent reliability trust if test is negative.
“LAMP is an ideal amplification technology for point of care or point of need assays. The test platform using LAMP could fulfil the World Health Organization’s ASSURED which stands for affordable, specific, sensitive, user-friendly, robust and rapid, equipment-free, deliverable to end-user,” she explained.
Other technologies introduced during the seven-day webinar include: portable solar dryer, iron fortified rice, vigormin, dual drum composter, Carrageenan plant growth promoter and project – PIA Pangasinan
Gov't, private sector partner for Covid vaccine info plan
DAGUPAN CITY
- The formidable alliance between the government and private sector for the
huge task of communicating the COVID-19 vaccination program to the people
is now in full swing.
In the virtual COVID-19 Vaccine Logistics Summit, Director-General Ramon Cualoping III of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), said the government side of the communication scheme has identified four key milestones for the Vaccine Communication Plan which will be rolled out by the end of January 2021.
PIA is an attached agency of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), the lead communication arm of the government.
“The four key milestones include the development and design of communication procedures and protocols; the creation of actual communication plan; third is the implementation; and fourth is the setting up of mechanism for monitoring, evaluation, learning and social listening,” Cualoping said during the Breakout Session for Communications and Public Uptake group.
For the first key milestone, the comms group will design a national and regional information flow, identify spokesperson and protocols for speaking and identify platforms for information dissemination, among others.
In the creation of the actual communication plan, aside from identifying the objectives and messages, the group would also anticipate crisis communications and activate proper utilization of listening tools.
The Director-General said the third key milestone, which will deal on implementation, will need all partners onboard as this will require the cascading of information to other national government agencies, local government units, private sector and the civil society.
“In PIA, we go around the country and we have this program called Explain, Explain Explain. We visit the regions and bring in key senior officials of the government to discuss policies of the government and we can use this platform when we go around the 78 provinces,” Cualoping explained.
He said it is also vital to set-up mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation and develop crisis communication protocols for the supply and the demand side, which makes up for the fourth key consideration.
The private sector, as represented by Ms. Margot Torres during the Summit, said they will help in every area of the communication strategy.
Torres suggested to review the journey of the consumer, from knowing about the vaccine to identification of the pain points and potential ones to be aware on how to develop the comm plan.
“We need to get to the journey and analytics to come up with very clear strategy or framework. We need to be clear. Language may seem like a little detail but to people in communication, that would make the difference,” Torres explained.
Meanwhile, Secretary Carlito Galvez, chief implementer of the National Action Plan on COVID-19 and Vaccine Czar, said he is grateful for the public and private partnership and is hopeful for the implementation of the National Vaccine Roadmap with the tagline ‘Road to Normalcy and Full Economic Recovery’.
“The President’s guidance is to acquire safe, effective and affordable vaccine against COVID-19. Our objective is to have a safe, equitable and effective immunization program for three to five years in order to achieve normalcy in our lives and and full recovery of our economy. The target is to immunize 110 million Filipinos, without exception,” Secretary Galvez said. (JCR/AMB/VHS/PIA Pangasinan)
In the virtual COVID-19 Vaccine Logistics Summit, Director-General Ramon Cualoping III of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), said the government side of the communication scheme has identified four key milestones for the Vaccine Communication Plan which will be rolled out by the end of January 2021.
PIA is an attached agency of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), the lead communication arm of the government.
“The four key milestones include the development and design of communication procedures and protocols; the creation of actual communication plan; third is the implementation; and fourth is the setting up of mechanism for monitoring, evaluation, learning and social listening,” Cualoping said during the Breakout Session for Communications and Public Uptake group.
For the first key milestone, the comms group will design a national and regional information flow, identify spokesperson and protocols for speaking and identify platforms for information dissemination, among others.
In the creation of the actual communication plan, aside from identifying the objectives and messages, the group would also anticipate crisis communications and activate proper utilization of listening tools.
The Director-General said the third key milestone, which will deal on implementation, will need all partners onboard as this will require the cascading of information to other national government agencies, local government units, private sector and the civil society.
“In PIA, we go around the country and we have this program called Explain, Explain Explain. We visit the regions and bring in key senior officials of the government to discuss policies of the government and we can use this platform when we go around the 78 provinces,” Cualoping explained.
He said it is also vital to set-up mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation and develop crisis communication protocols for the supply and the demand side, which makes up for the fourth key consideration.
The private sector, as represented by Ms. Margot Torres during the Summit, said they will help in every area of the communication strategy.
Torres suggested to review the journey of the consumer, from knowing about the vaccine to identification of the pain points and potential ones to be aware on how to develop the comm plan.
“We need to get to the journey and analytics to come up with very clear strategy or framework. We need to be clear. Language may seem like a little detail but to people in communication, that would make the difference,” Torres explained.
Meanwhile, Secretary Carlito Galvez, chief implementer of the National Action Plan on COVID-19 and Vaccine Czar, said he is grateful for the public and private partnership and is hopeful for the implementation of the National Vaccine Roadmap with the tagline ‘Road to Normalcy and Full Economic Recovery’.
“The President’s guidance is to acquire safe, effective and affordable vaccine against COVID-19. Our objective is to have a safe, equitable and effective immunization program for three to five years in order to achieve normalcy in our lives and and full recovery of our economy. The target is to immunize 110 million Filipinos, without exception,” Secretary Galvez said. (JCR/AMB/VHS/PIA Pangasinan)
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