Cordi cops nab 10 druggies; 4 Manila men held in Sadanga

By Liza Agoot 

CAMP DANGWA, LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Policemen in the Cordillera Administrative Region arrested 10 persons engaged in illegal drug activity during operations from April 25 to 26, the Police Regional Office Cordillera reported on Tuesday.
    Capt. Marnie Abellanida, PROCor information officer, said four persons were arrested in a checkpoint in Poblacion Sadanga, Mountain Province on April 26 for attempting to transport about 8,250 grams of marijuana with an estimated value of P990,000.
    Those arrested were identified as Lorence Bautista Ignacio, 21; John Ceasar Padilla, 20; Dan Mark Roa Delos Reyes, 21; and Vince Marie Robles Cruz, 21, all residents of Parang, Marikina City.
    “A tip-off regarding a marijuana transport led to the arrest of four individuals in a checkpoint operation in Sadanga, Mountain Province,” he said.
    The setting up of a checkpoint was a result of an information received saying that a black Toyota Avanza carrying marijuana from Kalinga will pass through the province.
    Abellanida added that in the evening of the same day in Baguio City, Mark Camarillo Buscaga, 29, a high-value drug personality, was arrested by police operatives along Palispis Highway, Barangay Imelda.
    Buscaga was arrested after selling 0.5 grams of shabu with a market value of P5,500 to an operative who acted as poseur buyer.
    On April 25, five persons were also arrested for possession of illegal drugs.
    Based on the report of the Baguio City Police Office, the suspects were identified as Mitchell Mendoza, 21; Andrew Chadwick Muros, 24; Fred Tayron Canita Napat-a, 21; Luis Angelo Idiesca, 22, and Jensen Elias Suanding, 23.
    The report said the policemen responded to a call from a concerned citizen about rowdy drunk persons who were consuming illegal drugs.
    Drugs worth P6,000 were seized from the arrested persons. -- PNA 

P7.8 marijuana held in Tabuk checkpoint

TABUK CITY -- Some P7.8 million pesos worth of marijuana was seized in a checkpoint here evening of April 25. Regional police director Brig. Gen. Ronald O. Lee said Tabuk police received information from a confidential informant regarding an individual in a motorcycle transporting suspected marijuana from Loccong, Tinglayan town. Police immediately set up a checkpoint along National Road at Barangay Calanan, Tabuk City.

Police later saw the motorcycle as it approached the checkpoint but suspiciously turned back.

Police pursued the motorcycle until it stopped along the road at Purok 3, Barangay Bado Dangwa, Tabuk.

With the aid of a narcotics drug-sniffing dog,  the box loaded in the back of the motorcycle was searched that led to discovery of 65 pieces of dried marijuana bricks weighing 65 kg worth P7,800,000.

Kalinga police director Col. Davy Vicente Limmong, identified the arrested suspect as Michael Macad Assudo, 35, farmer of Tinglayan.

Police also confiscated Assudo’s cell phone, the Honda XRM125 motorcycle with no plate number and a pair of keys. The suspect is now facing charges for illegal drugs.

 
9 nabbed in Baguio for illegal drugs

BAGUIO CITY – Nine persons were arrested here recently for illegal drugs. 
    Of the nine, two men were arrested here after reportedly selling shabu to undercover anti-illegal drug operatives while two others were nabbed for possession of illegal drugs in separate operations on April 22 and 23.
    Based on reports from the Baguio City Police Office, two suspects were arrested at Bokawkan Road, Corner Easter School Road on April 22.
    They were identified as Akiya Lugares Velasco Alyas, 24, unemployed, and Jhaniel Dale Tuazon Foronda, 29, driver, both residents of Barangay Gibraltar.
    Meanwhile, Legarda Police Station personnel apprehended two male suspects for possession of illegal drugs.
    They were identified as Dan Jayzzreel Ramirez Panelo aka Jazz, 22, online seller, of Dreamland, Tiptop Village and his companion, an 18-year old Grade 8 student.
    Police were conducting mobile patrol early morning of April 23 along Kalaw Street when saw the two male suspects suspiciously peeping inside parked vehicles in the area.
    When approached, the two ran towards the National Bureau of Investigation building, prompting police to chase them.
    They were apprehended and told to empty their pockets.
    Panelo yielded one sachet of suspected shabu weighing about 0.5g worth P3,400.00 while his companion brought out a candy wrapper containing suspected dried marijuana and one aluminum foil strip.
    The two suspects and seized drug evidence were brought to Baguio City Crime Laboratory Office for drug test,
    The grade 8 student was brought to the City Social Welfare and Development for assessment.
    In another police operation, five men were arrested for illegal drugs April 25 in Barangay Pacdal.
City police, in a report identified suspects as Mitchell Mendoza, 21; Andrew Chadwick Muros, 24; Fred Tayron Canita Napat-a, 21; Luis Angelo Idiesca, 22 and Jensen Elias Suanding, 23.
    Police personnel reportedly received a phone call from a concerned citizen about his drunk boarders causing commotion in his house and alleged to be using illegal drugs.
    The concerned citizen confronted the said boarders that resulted to the confiscation of two suspected marijuana dried leaves weighing about 50 grams worth P 6,000.00 including one improvised totter and a lighter.
    When the police officers arrived, the concerned citizen turned over the drugs which were inventoried at the site witnessed by kagawad Rogelio Bayuga of Pacdal, media representative Christopher Bartolo and Prosecutor Isabelo Prudencio.

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Cops join ‘og-ogfo’ to ease MP learning, economic problems

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- “Og-ogfo,” an indigenous  used to describe the culture of “bayanihan” here is being observed in other parts of the province despite hardship brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.
    One of the most affected are the learners living in far-flung areas of Mountain Province.
    With the new learning style combining online lessons and printed modules, students in the far barrios struggle to cope with their studies.
    With this, municipal police stations coordinated with the Dept. of Education, providing manpower support to ensure timely distribution of learning modules for students.
    Through a door-to-door collection and distribution of learning modules in some areas of Sadanga and Sagada, police lessened the burden for teachers and students.
    While doing their usual patrolling and information drive in barangays, cops also took time to tutor learners when requested.
    Also, the “Adopt-a-family” program started last year to provide immediate help to families in need.
    Mountain Province cops purchased and delivered more than P600,000 worth of food and grocery items to 899 beneficiaries, focusing on persons with disabilities, indigent, and elderly identified by the barangay officials.
    With their “Libreng Sakay” program, 2,325 individuals were ferried for essential activities.
    In partnership with local officials, government agencies and kindhearted individuals, Barangayanihan were set up by police stations.
    It was “Barangayanihan for iGolinsan” in Besao while another was brought from Bontoc MPS located in the central barangay to Can-eo, one of the remote barangays in the town.
    While in the area, the cops also provided free hair cut to residents.
    When the youth of Sabangan put up a pantry themed, “Share what you can and take what you need,” the local police also donated assorted groceries to support initiatives of the youth. A clean-up activity was also conducted in Bontoc with youth volunteers.
    “As the province unite as one to heal and rise from the impacts of the health crisis, Mountain Province police director Col. Ruben B. Andiso said police will provide help to communities through Barangayanihan efforts.
 

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Baguio suicide cases up due to Covid-19; most fatalities males

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY – Local mental health experts raised concern over drastic increase in number of suicide cases in the city during the first quarter of the year attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic.
    Ricky Ducas, mental health responder of the City Health Services Office, disclosed that for the first quarter of this year, there were 11 suicide incidents documented by the CHSO which is more than double compared to five suicide incidents recorded by the local government during same period last year.
    He added for 2020, there were some 30 suicide incidents documented by the CHSO – 25 of whom were males and five females.
    Ducas urged individuals who notice strange behavior among their family members, relatives, and friends to immediately seek the assistance of mental health experts to prevent the situation from worsening that could result to drastic actions the subjects may take.
    He said mental health experts are providing free psychological, neurological and psychiatric consultation to individuals who seek their help for appropriate guidance for them to recover from the current situation they are experiencing.
    For those who have been diagnosed, CHSO mental health responders have provided individuals with free medicines in coordination with private individuals who are helping in the advocacy to effectively and efficiently address mental health issues of individuals who had been heavily impacted by the ongoing health crisis.
    According to him, it would be best for people encountering early signs of mental health problems to seek the assistance of experts so that they will be given the appropriate guidance and medication to help them recover from the situation they are currently facing.
    Ducas said the pandemic had a significant impact on mental health of individuals because of tremendous effect on economy which affected their lives.
    Aside from biological factors and trauma, he said one of major factors that triggered the drastic increase in number of individuals encountering mental health issues was impact of the pandemic to economy not only in the city but also in the whole world.
    The mental health responder said anxiety and depression were initial indications of mental health issues and it is still best for people to immediately seek guidance of experts who can prevent their situation from worsening.

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18 bogus Interpol members nabbed in Diffun, Quirino

By Liezle Basa Inigo

CAMP MARCELO A. ADDURU, Tuguegarao City – Eighteen persons posing as members of the International Police Organization (Interpol) were arrested April 22 in Diffun, Quirino.
    The modus operandi of the group was discovered when they were caught violating health protocols at about 11 p.m. in Barangay Balagbag.
    The suspects, who were all wearing clothes with Interpol and United Nations (UN) markings, introduced themselves as senior officers of the Interpol based in the Philippines, but they could not show travel documents, police said.
    According to Police Capt. Reynold Gonzales, chief of the Diffun Police Station, the group was placed under surveillance after they received reports that the suspects were collecting P2,000 membership fee and P100 monthly due from their victims whom they “recruit” as members of the Interpol.
    The suspects will be charged with usurpation of authority and violation of the health protocols. They are now detained at the Diffun Police Station.
 

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Vaccination resistance down in Baguio; 13,875 inoculated

 By Julie G. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY – Resistance to vaccination against Covid-19 has gone down in this summer capital as a total of 13,875 priority groups, health workers and vulnerables were inoculated recently in vaccination centers in the city.  

On April 21, priority group (A1) health care workers not vaccinated from the first tranche got their first dose, while some health care workers got their second dose at the University of Baguio gym.
    On the same date, Priority group (A2) senior citizens of Quirino Hill were scheduled for their first dose at the Saint Louis University (SLU) gym.   

Priority group (A2) senior citizens of Campo Filipino were vaccinated at SLI, near St. Vincent Church on April 21 and 22, while on April 22 and 23, senior citizens of Aurora Hill had their first dose of Covid-19 vaccine at the Saint Louis University (SLU) gym.  

During the management committee meeting on April 20, Dr. Rowena Galpo reported vaccination was met with acceptance and eagerness from concerned groups.

Inquiries for online and onsite registration in district health centers were going on non-stop, she said.

In an earlier media forum, risk communication management officer Cecile Agpawa said this may be attributed to behavioral change due to reliable and evidence-based instructions.            

A reconciled report from the Dept. of Health and City Health Services Office through Dr. Khaecy Colas said as of April 22 in Baguio City, 11,483 from the A1 group (Health Care Workers) were vaccinated for the first dose, 6,908 with Sinovac and 4,575 with Astra Zeneca.

In the A2 priority group or senior citizens, 982 were vaccinated, as with 1,410 A3 priority persons or adults with comorbidities. 

The total first dose administered is 13,875 while 4,108 were given as second dose.      

During actual vaccination, vaccinees were counselled to ease discomfort and anxiety which may manifest through increased blood pressure.

Vaccinees also stayed for an hour at the vicinity for observation of side or after effects of the vaccines. 

Individuals with co-morbidities were requested to bring legitimate medical certificates from physicians or authorized health personnel, to be registered and vaccinated.

Registered vaccinees were instructed to wait for messages from the health center in order to proceed to vaccination sites.

This, to avoid jostling and crowding at the site while being told to wear face masks, face shield and practice social distancing.  

Available vaccines are administered as they arrive, Agpawa said.

Priority for vaccination are the following: frontline health workers, sr. citizens 60 years old and above, those with comorbidities, frontliners and the working sector as deemed proper by the Inter-Agency Task Force and the indigent population. 

The rest follows: teachers and social workers, other government and essential workers, those at high risk other than senior citizens, overseas foreign workers, and the rest of the population.

Vaccine info drive pushed in Benguet

By Susan C. Aro

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The provincial government is intensifying its information campaign to convince more people to have themselves vaccinated reach herd immunity and control  spread of Covid-19 virus.
    Gov. Melchor Diclas, in a Network Briefing News interview of Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary JV Arcena, said vaccination acceptance among the populace is at 50 percent at most and there’s a need to convince more to reach the 90 percent target of the eligible population.  
    Diclas said level of acceptance has improved but still wanting, thus the need to intensify advocacy efforts on the advantages of Covid-19 vaccination.
    To date, almost 5,000 were vaccinated with around 1,000 already receiving their second dose of Covid-19 vaccine.
    Diclas said the provincial government will coordinate with medical organizations such as the Philippine Nurses Association to help in dissemination of good effect of vaccines.
    It will also strengthen efforts in reaching the various barangays for massive information dissemination.
Health workers who have been vaccinated will also serve as models as they share their experiences that they have not encountered adverse effects.
    This is one way to draw acceptance among the public. 
    As there is yet problem in the vaccination campaign program, the provincial government together with the national government are helping each other for the program to prosper. – PIA Benguet
 

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Dagupan uses task force on beaches for sea fest

By Dennis Principe

DAGUPAN CITY – The city government reactivated its task force formed during this year’s Holy Week to enforce minimum public health standards at the Tondaligan and Pugaro beaches last week.
    “People flock to beaches, so we will use the same exact task force to man the areas for the three-day weekend from April 30 to May 2,” Mayor Marc Brian Lim said in an earlier interview.
    In Proclamation No. 1133 issued last week, Malacañang declared April 30 a special non-working day in the city in observance of the annual Bangus Festival.
    Today(May 1), a regular holiday in observance of Labor Day, Pangasinan will also celebrate Pistay Dayat (Sea Festival), a thanksgiving feast for the year’s abundant harvest from the sea.
    Traditionally, both events draw large crowds at the beaches not just in the city but on all beaches of the province.
    Despite the swimming ban at the Tondaligan Beach still being in effect, it has been observed that bikers, joggers, families, and groups of friends troop to the beach on weekends.
    A bigger number of beachgoers is expected on holidays, Lim said.
    The task force included the Dagupan City police, Public Order and Safety Office, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, auxiliary forces like the Philippine Navy, and the barangay security forces, he added.
    Pugaro Beach is included in the areas being monitored as this island barangay’s beach is becoming popular especially with the beautiful sunsets of the Lingayen Gulf.
 

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City council wants new burial site for Baguio

BAGUIO CITY --  The City Council requested the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) and the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) to study identify a temporary burial site within the city because of congestion in the city’s public cemetery located along Naguilian Road.
    In a resolution, city legislators, during recent regular session, stated that the purpose and intention of a temporary burial site is mostly needed during the occurrence of deadly disasters with numerous casualties that need to be buried for public health-related reasons, aside from those recovered cadavers and expired bodies of the mentally incapacitated that have no claimants but whose cadavers have already reached the point to be buried.
    The council said even in a temporary burial site, burying the dead aside from evident health reasons, is also part of the culture of Filipinos where there is a need to put to rest the demised.
    However, the body cited that proper labelling of the buried cadavers is required for future identification and claiming purposes, especially by those relatives who can prove their identities through various scientific means.
    According to the resolution, the State highly values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights.
    Republic Act 10121, or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, aims to provide maximum care, assistance and appropriate services to individuals and families affected by disasters that may happen anytime thereby posing a serious threat to life and limb.
    At present, the city maintains its 9-hectare public cemetery to date and apart from being congested, the 70-year public cemetery has no designated area for temporary burial site pursuant to existing laws, rules and regulations.
    The council explained that the city is on its way of becoming a Smart City and that its anatomy includes good governance, robust economy, smart living, creative people, smart mobility and smart environment.
    The City Council explained that smart environment connotes proactive urban plans and innovative ways to preserve and protect both the people and the environment for the benefit of the future generations and all must be integral with each other with the aim of enhancing the quality of life within the city.
    Moreover, Baguio being a melting pot and densely populated area is, by nature, becoming prone and highly exposed to all kinds of disaster at any time, and other social challenges the city is facing is the impact of in-migration with an increasing number of individuals with no specific addresses, most visible are those mentally incapacitated with no specific abode in the city or direct relatives living in the locality.
    The approved resolution will be forwarded to the concerned local government offices for their information and immediate action. – Dexter A. See
 

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DepEd, PBEd push face- to-face classes in August

Advocacy group Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) pushed implementation of the Dept. of Education’s plan to implement limited in-person classes for tentative opening of the school year on August 23.
    While the country is still in the middle of surging cases and suffering the economic blow of the pandemic, the PBEd said  the learning crisis threatening the education sector should be urgently addressed too.
    “We need an immediate response to the learning crisis in our country. We call on the government to draw out measures to bring our students back to schools safely. The longer we wait for our schools to open, the heavier the losses will be for our students and the economy.” PBEd executive director Love Basillote said in a press statement Thursday.
    The PBEd said immediate and safe return of face-to-face classes will help make up for learning losses especially for the 2.7 million unenrolled K-12 students this school year. 
    “Around 3 million students have dropped out of school this year due to lack of resources required for distance learning. With no alternatives left, we are abandoning a generation of young people. This has a grave impact on national development,” Basillote said.
    In February, DepEd said more than half of Filipino students called for resumption of face-to-face classes.
    A 2020 survey of education group Aral Pilipinas among 9,716 Filipinos showed 75% of respondents agreed with resumption of face-to-face classes.
    Of the 7,297 who said yes to opening of schools, 53% believed that children learn better with face-to-face classes. Most of the respondents came from poor families, as 92% of them were beneficiaries of the government’s conditional cash transfer program.

 

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Cordillera autonomy advocates plan moves

By Bob Lyndon B. Daroya

BAGUIO CITY -- Cordillera autonomy advocates, speakers and partners met for a 2-day virtual assembly on April 13-14 to set plan in thrust to make the Cordillera an autonomous region.
    The Social Preparation for Cordillera Autonomous Region (SPCAR) program was assessed on the its communication plan through digital platforms among others.
    Regional Development Council-CAR acting vice chairperson and National Economic and Development Authority-CAR OIC-regional director Stephanie Christiansen opened the program recognizing resilience of partners and their willingness to continue advocating for the region’s pursuit of autonomy even in this pandemic.
    She presented the program’s accomplishments in 2020 last year.
    Christiansen said the SPCAR program had to shift its activities from face-to-face to a blended modality to adapt to the new normal.
    Baguio City Rep. Mark Go, chair of the committee on local government-technical working group on House Bill 5687 and 7778, was guest speaker for the first day of the event.
    He gave updates on status of the house bills and findings of the TWG on certain provisions of the bills.
    After discussion with partners, it was agreed that a workshop shall be conducted after the next CLG-TWG meeting to consolidate inputs in addressing issues on the provisions. “I want this bill to be approved before the end of this 18th Congress,” he added.
    The SPCAR communication plan was also presented to the partners to solicit recommendations to fine tune it considering the new normal and to further the program’s reach in advocating for Cordillera autonomy.
    Effective utilization of the online platform was highlighted keeping due to the pandemic.
    The second day was on capacitating partners with Ma. Lourdes Tiquia, CEO of Publicus Asia Inc., as the resource speaker.
    She lectures on, “Building your digital ecosystem”. 
    Tiquia shared insights on social media advocacy, providing tips and strategies on how to advance information dissemination and gain public support for autonomy virtually.
    Another activity will be set with Tiquia to boost online presence and advocacy for regional autonomy.
 

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44 ASF-affected hog raisers in Kalinga get financial aid

By Peter A. Balocnit

BALBALAN, Kalinga -- The Dept. of Agriculture-Cordillera Administrative Region gave funds to 44  hog raisers in the province whose animals were  affected by the African Swine Fever (ASF) last year.
    Thirteen families here in Barangay Talalang, whose pigs died or their piggery depopulated due to the ASF recently received from DA-CAR P5, 000 cash assistance for every pig affected.
    Municipal Agriculturist Anita Caldingon said a total of P165, 000 was distributed by the ASF Task Force to affected hog raisers to help them cope with their losses by using the assistance for other alternative livelihood activities.
    She said the Balbalan local government unit earlier provided cash assistance to these families of P2, 000 per swine that died from ASF.
    The DA-CAR also gave funds to 31 hog raisers affected by ASF from eight barangays in Tabuk City: Malalao, Agbannawag, Tuga, Cabaritan, Lucog, San Julian, Bagumbayan and Bulanao. Assistant City Veterinarian Dr. Carmen Wanas said the ASF-affected livestock of these hog raisers were subjected to  culling by the City Veterinary Services Office.
    Wanas said those who violated protocols on disposal  of  infected and dead swine and buried the animals instead      were  disqualified for the assistance.
      Around 153 hogs were culled in 2020.  
    The maximum assistance a hog raiser can get is P100, 000 regardless of    the number of hogs culled, Wanas said. – PIA Kalinga

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P7-M road to benefit farmers in Bambang

By Benjamin Moses M. Ebreo

BAMBANG, Nueva Vizcaya -- The Dept. of Public Works and Highways will improve roads here in Barangay Salinas to boost economic activities of farmers and agricultural traders.
    Engineer Marifel Andes, DPWH First District chief said they were concreting the Salinas-Mcdo toad worth P7 million to provide better roads for farmers in the area.
    Andes said that the project includes concreting of four road sections with road lengths of 115 meters for first section, 85 meters for second section, 169 meters for third section, 134 meters for fourth section, respectively.
    "The project that started on Jan. 6 this year will provide an accessible transport facility of agricultural goods and local products," she said.
    Andes said that once completed, the project will improve the mobility of goods and services within the area, thereby ensuring food security.
    “This road concreting projects aims to uplift the lives of the farmers leading to the growth of agricultural economy in the area,” Andes added. -- PIA 2-Nueva Vizcaya

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Baguio and its vision of a Smart City

By Len Amaroda

As the ongoing pandemic accelerates innovation, Baguio City pushes forward with its goal of building the first Smart City in the country.
    After several investments in technology for digital governance, crowd density monitoring, and real-time weather prediction, City Mayor Benjamin Magalong enlisted the expertise of Cisco in creating the Integrated Command and Control Center.
    “I envision Baguio as a SMART City where various types of electronic methods are used to manage the Summer Capital’s assets, resources and to provide even more efficient and effective services to the public,” said Mayor Magalong.  “I am confident that Cisco’s participation will help the city realize its goal of digital governance where residents can engage in  “contact-less” transactions with the government and much more.  Less “contacts” will also help to decrease the spread of the Covid-19 infection.”
    While investments in technology can enhance public services and governance, a true Smart City has the capability to gather data and use insights to manage assets, resources and services efficiently. Cisco’s Integrated Command and Control Center serves as Baguio City’s monitoring center and coordination office all-in-one. It will be operated by a combined force from the CDRRMO, Police, Fire Services, Health and EMS Departments.
    “Smart Cities are not a vision of the future – they are here and now, and Baguio City is leading this initiative in the Philippines,” said Karrie Ilagan, Managing Director, Cisco Philippines. “Cisco is proud to help Mayor Magalong and his team realize this vision for not just a smart but a safe and thriving city.”
    Specifically, Cisco will be installing a holistic and integrated Smart City platform which includes the Command and Control Center, an Integrated Communication Platform (ICP), a Video Management System (VMS) with Video Analytics, Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), and Geographical Information System (GIS) and big data analytics for the city of Baguio. Ultimately, Baguio City will be able to closely monitor and respond to incidents in the community, improving peace, order and safety for its citizens. Baguio City will also be able to better manage and respond to citizen complaints and feedback with the integration of its Smart City app launched earlier this year.
    “The shift to be a Smart City is not easy and there are many challenges that we need to overcome, but for country leaders who are determined to enact a vision, this innovation is well within reach,” said Ilagan. “We are excited about the work we are doing with Baguio City and we hope that more cities will take that bold step towards building an inclusive future for the Filipino.”

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P84-M illegal drugs seized in Cordi, Ilocos destroyed

BACNOTAN, La Union --  More than P 84 million worth of illegal drugs seized by police and Philippine Drug Enforcement  agents of Cordillera and Region 1, were destroyed here at Holcim Philippines, Inc. compounds on April 22.
    The drugs were destroyed through thermal decomposition, a process wherein heat is applied to dangerous drugs and cause the drugs to lose their chemical value, rendering it impossible for recycling or reconstruction.  
    Based on data released by PDEA-Cordillera Administrative Region, the destroyed drugs were through thermal destruction procedure were seized drug evidence amounted to P84,047,913.39.
    These included 979.8303 grams of methamphetamine more commonly known as shabu; 4.6550 ml of liquid shabu; 639,695.9333 grams of marijuana; 2016.4 ml of marijuana oil, 467.7342 grams of marijuana seeds, 673 marijuana plants and 24 stalks.
    These were reportedly dangerous drugs seized during anti-illegal drug operations of police and PDEA units, all ordered by the courts for destruction. Majority of which are from terminated cases or cases already decided by courts.
    The destruction ceremony was in compliance to guidelines on the custody and disposition of seized dangerous drugs as required by Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and Dangerous Drugs Board regulation 1 s. 2002.
    Gracing the event as guest of honor and speaker was Assistant Sec. Gregorio R. Pimentel, deputy director general for operations of PDEA witnessed by public officials from both regions.
    A memorandum of agreement was earlier signed between PDEA and Holcim Philippines - Bacnotan allowing the use of the latter’s facility for thermal destruction of drug evidence, in which, a similar ceremony was held December last year.

3 dead in Bulacan, Ecija drug stings

By Ramon Efrene Lazaro and Raymund Catindig

CABANATUAN CITY -- Three persons were killed in anti-drug operations in Bulacan and Nueva Ecija yesterday.
    Col. Lawrence Cajipe, Bulacan police director, said Danilo Paiste and Raffy Reyes engaged undercover police officers in a shootout in Barangay Lambakin in Marilao shortly after midnight.
    Police said two .38-caliber revolvers, 20 sachets of shabu, two sachets of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, two weighing scales and marked money were recovered from the fatalities.
    In Nueva Ecija, police director Col. Colonel Jaime Santos said Jay Mark dela Peña shot it out with anti-narcotics agents in Barangay Mabini Homesite in Cabanatuan.
 

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Baguio to institutionalize Montanosa film festival

BAGUIO CITY -- The City Council, during recent regular session, approved on first reading a proposed ordinance that seeks to institutionalize the Montan֮osa film festival as part of “Summer in Baguio” activities.
    The proposed ordinance stated the Montan֮osa film festival shall be every third week of March of every year as part of the summer vacation activities of the city government to boost growth of the local film industry.
    City councilors proposed creation of the committee which shall be composed of the city mayor as chairperson with vice mayor as vice chairperson.
    Members of the committee shall include the regional director of the Cordillera Dept. of Tourism, city administrator, city tourism and special events representative, Office of the Congressman, chairperson of the committee on tourism, City Environment and Parks Management officer, City Buildings and Architecture Officer, city General Services Officer, Baguio City Police Office director, Baguio Fire Department fire marshal and Dept. of Public Works and Highways – Baguio City District Engineering Office representative.
    Other committee members include City Health Services officer, City Engineering officer, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee representative, Emergency Medical services, City Public Information Officer, representative from the Workshop for Infinite Media, Inc., representative from the Baguio City Chamber of Commerce and other concerned agencies.
    The committee shall convene and plan for the conduct of the event, schedule programs for dates and arrange venues, facilitate members of the committee on their duties, formulate rules in food preparation for delegates from participating provinces, cleanliness and maintenance of security and order, and other rules to be observed.
    The committee shall also draft working plans for setting up stalls to house participants and other beautification or landscaping ornaments, delegate security personnel to patrol the area during the said event and include other activities for the successful conduct of the event.
    The council proposed that an amount of P1 million be appropriated from the annual budget of the city for the implementation of the ordinance and for this to be included in the budget of the Office for City Administration.
    The council noted activities of the first Montan֮osa film festival were held in outdoor cinemas at the Loakan airport drive-in and Burnham Lake and at the Baguio Convention Center last March 20-28, 2021 and that the festival was successful despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
    After the successful film festival, the council noted organizers, through a manifesto, sought the support of the city government by requesting that the annual event be institutionalized as a yearly activity of the city.
     Baguio City was dubbed as a Creative City in the field of Crafts and Folk Arts by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on October 31, 2017.
    Baguio is now a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. – Dexter A. See

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Baguio accepting tourists again

BAGUIO CITY is accepting tourists again, but only from areas under general community quarantine and modified GCQ.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong asked the Dept. of Tourism on April 16 to allow the city to reopen to tourists, DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said in an interview over dzBB Wednesday.
    Puyat said Magalong cited need to allow the tourism industry to recover even as he gave assurance that health and safety protocols would be strictly enforced.
    Baguio shut its doors to visitors last month after its tally of patients infected with Covid-19 reached 1,000.
    In an advisory posted on Facebook, the city tourism office said travelers are still required to sign up at visita.gov.ph to generate a QR coded tourist pass.
    A negative swab test taken 72 hours prior to the visit or an antigen test upon arrival is required aside from mandatory triage.
    The city government said it would accept only 3,000 tourists per day.

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Baguio Covid status ‘critical’; hospitals urged to expand ops

By Aileen P. Refuerzo and Dexter See

BAGUIO CITY -- Aside from increasing its isolation facilities, the city government is working out ways to help hospitals expand their own operations to address critical status of the city’s health care utilization in face of the ongoing surge in Covid-19 cases in the city.
    Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the city had gotten the commitment of National Task Force for Coronavirus Disease 2019 Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. to find ways to augment isolation beds possibly through the construction of modular treatment facilities at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center.
    He said he will follow through on this in the coming days.
    The city is also currently expediting the scheme to possibly provide augmentation of the manpower of private hospitals that have earlier declared full occupancy of their dedicated Covid-19 beds.
    At present, the city is working double time to increase the bed capacities of the Baguio City Community Isolation Unit at the former Sto. Nin֮o Jesus Medical Center and the Baguio Teachers' Camp to accommodate more asymptomatic, mild and moderate Covid-19 cases. 
    City Administrator Bonifacio Dela Peña said the BCCIU is also being equipped to serve as a step down facility where recovering patients can complete their isolation period to declog public and private hospitals.
    Dela Peña who was tasked by the mayor to spearhead the quarantine and isolation facility aspect of the city's COVID control and response program said they are currently upgrading 50 beds for step down occupancy and will add 50 new ones as replacement at the BCCIU.
    Magalong and Dela Peña said the city also responded to the appeal of hospital workers to locate them a stay-in facility where they can bunk in while attending to their hospital duties and protect their families from the danger of contracting the virus from them.
    Two hotels – Travel Light and Eurotel – are now being commissioned to serve this purpose. 
    The current efforts to expand the isolation facilities was made possible through the help of the City Health Services Office, Dr. Willy Occidental, MEP Const., DPWH BCDEO and the Sto. Niño and Teachers' Camp managements. 
 

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P84-M illegal drugs seized in Cordi, Ilocos destroyed

BACNOTAN, La Union --  More than P 84 million worth of illegal drugs seized by police and Philippine Drug Enforcement  agents of Cordillera and Region 1, were destroyed here at Holcim Philippines, Inc. compounds on April 22.
    The drugs were destroyed through thermal decomposition, a process wherein heat is applied to dangerous drugs and cause the drugs to lose their chemical value, rendering it impossible for recycling or reconstruction.  
Based on data released by PDEA-Cordillera Administrative Region, the destroyed drugs were through thermal destruction procedure were seized drug evidence amounted to P84,047,913.39.
    These included 979.8303 grams of methamphetamine more commonly known as shabu; 4.6550 ml of liquid shabu; 639,695.9333 grams of marijuana; 2016.4 ml of marijuana oil, 467.7342 grams of marijuana seeds, 673 marijuana plants and 24 stalks.
    These were reportedly dangerous drugs seized during anti-illegal drug operations of police and PDEA units, all ordered by the courts for destruction. Majority of which are from terminated cases or cases already decided by courts.
    The destruction ceremony was in compliance to guidelines on the custody and disposition of seized dangerous drugs as required by Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and Dangerous Drugs Board regulation 1 s. 2002.
    Gracing the event as guest of honor and speaker was Assistant Sec. Gregorio R. Pimentel, deputy director general for operations of PDEA witnessed by public officials from both regions.
A memorandum of agreement was earlier signed between PDEA and Holcim Philippines - Bacnotan allowing the use of the latter’s facility for thermal destruction of drug evidence, in which, a similar ceremony was held December last year.

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SNAP holds clean drive, tree-planting in dam sites

Earth Day events 

By Estefany Mae Tawagon

Renewable energy solutions provider SN Aboitiz Power (SNAP) Group joined the rest of the world in celebrating Earth Day through activities aligned with the 2021 Earth Day theme, “Restore our earth.” 

On April 22, SNAP conducted a clean-up drive simultaneous with tree-planting activities in areas surrounding their Magat hydroelectric power plant in Ramon, Isabela; Ambuklao hydroelectric power plant in Bokod, Benguet;  and in Binga hydroelectric power plant in Itogon, Benguet.
     Despite the controlled number of participants due to Covid-19, this year’s clean-up drives were joined by 49 volunteers composed of SNAP employees mostly on lockdown duty, contractors, and local workers/residents of Magat, Ambuklao, and Binga hydroelectric power plant facilities. 
    Members of the Philippine National Police also took part in the clean-up drive in Benguet.
    Safety Covid-19 protocols were strictly observed during the activity.
    Around 250 kilograms of mixed wastes were collected at the Magat crest in Isabela, along the Agno River Estero below the     Binga powerhouse in Benguet, and other areas surrounding SNAP facilities.
    The SNAP-Magat volunteers capped the day with tree-planting and gardening activities.
    Earlier on March 27, SNAP switched off non-essential lights for one hour in observance of Earth Hour.
    These annual activities are observed to signify SNAP’s support for better environmental practices as part of its overall environmental sustainability program.
    “Not despite the pandemic but precisely because of the pandemic, we continue to do as much as we can to promote not only environment-supportive practices but also develop long-term sustainability projects with our host communities.  Sooner is better, but it is always a good time to get engaged and do something for our environment to benefit not only the current generation but also the next,” said Mike C. Hosillos, SNAP chief corporate services officer.
     SN Aboitiz Power (SNAP) is a joint venture of Scatec Solar and Aboitiz Power Corporation (AP). Scatec is a Norway-based leading renewable power producer that delivers affordable and clean energy worldwide.
    As a long-term player, Scatec develops, builds, owns, and operates solar, wind, and hydro power plants and storage solutions. AP is the holding company of the Philippines-based Aboitiz Group’s investments in power generation, distribution, and retail electricity services. 
    It advances business and communities by providing reliable and ample power supply at a reasonable and competitive price, and with the least adverse effects on the environment and host communities.
     SNAP owns and operates the 105-MW Ambuklao and 140-MW Binga hydroelectric power plants in Benguet; the 388-MW Magat hydroelectric power plant on the border of Isabela and Ifugao; and the 8.5-MW Maris hydroelectric power plant in Isabela. 

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Benguet coffee picking up steam, getting known

By Susan C. Aro

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet--The province of Benguet is known for its highland vegetables and strawberries but its coffee is also gaining recognition.   
    Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Sec. JV Arcena in the Network Briefing News program Wednesday told Gov. Melchor Diclas Benguet coffee was featured in one of Qatar’s specialty coffee shops. 
    As cited by Arcena, the coffee shop owner said the coffee beans can compete with international beans.
    These beans are from high elevation areas which play an important key to a high quality bean product.”
    Diclas said Benguet has a thriving coffee industry particularly the Arabica variety raised in high altitude places.
    The Benguet Arabica coffee is popular for being more aromatic and flavorful.
    The Benguet-grown Arabica coffee was chosen as the best Arabica coffee in the country during the 3rd Philippine coffee conference three years ago.
    “Yung coffee industry po nating ito, isa itong inaalagahan ng mga taga-Benguet, alam po nating maswerte po tayo kasi mataas ang elevation dito kaya masarap po yung kape natin, yung Arabica coffee,” he said.
    The upland municipalities of Atok, Itogon, La Trinidad, Tuba, Kibungan, and Tublay are producing the Arabica coffee which has distinct taste and quality and the government is helping the coffee farmers to grow their coffee until it is ready to be brewed, the governor said.     
    He said the local government is supporting the province's coffee industry to boost production.  
Meanwhile, Diclas said the provincial government is pushing rehabilitation of farm-to-market and provincial roads to make transport of produce especially highland vegetables from the farms to markets.
    The province tagged as the “Salad Bowl of the Philippines” records one million tons of semi-temperate vegetables during its peak production and supplies 80 percent of the country’s needs.
He said the conditional matching grant to provinces will be a continuing project for road repair, rehabilitation, and improvement. – PIA Benguet

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Ilocos tobacco farmers get NTA funds boost livelihood

By Freddie G. Lazaro

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – A total of 750 farmers listed under the Tobacco Contract Growing System (TCGS) from tobacco-producing provinces recently received additional source of livelihood from the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) amid the pandemic.
    Each qualified farmer got a heifer through the Beef Cattle Production Assistance Project (BCPAP), which is a part of the livelihood component of the tobacco agency’s sustainable tobacco enhancement program (STEP).
    NTA Administrator Robert Victor G. Seares, Jr. said the BCPAP is one of the priority programs of their agency to lessen economic impact of the pandemic on tobacco growers.
    The administrator worked out last year the immediate implementation of the program in two phases.
     The beneficiaries of the first phase of the program composed of 250 farmers received their heifer last year while the second phase with 500 tobacco growers got their heifer in the early period of 2021.
     Per project guidelines, assistance shall be repaid with two 12-month-old cows, the first and third offspring, within a maximum period of six years.
    The first offspring is the first repayment which is to be loaned out immediately to the next-in-line or downline farmer-cooperator, and the third offspring for the second repayment, to be sold out as the income of the agency to recover the investment.
    Seares, Jr. added the BCPAP, which is a dispersal program of a ready-to-breed upgraded Brahman heifer, is also a part of the livestock component of the agency’s five-year industry development plan, or the STEP, to increase productivity and farmers’ income.
    Another component of the program is the Gulayan at Manukan sa Barangay.
     In a related development, a farmer from La Union gained the first offspring of the Brahman heifer he received under the BCPAP program.
     The heifer of tobacco grower and barangay chairman Robert Opinaldo of Pao, Balaoan, La Union gave birth to a calf on March 28, or just more than a week after he received the production assistance.
     An NTA press statement quoted Opinaldo as saying he was not aware that the heifer was pregnant when he received it from the NTA -La Union Branch on March 19 or during the distribution of the first batch of beneficiaries for the second phase of the project.
    He said he was lucky he gained offspring in a short time.

 With his first calf, Opinaldo will now have the first repayment for the production assistance. -- PIA 1 with NTA reports

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