Northern Philippine Times

Baguio reaches 90% vax accomplishment

>> Sunday, December 5, 2021

By Liza Agoot

BAGUIO CITY – Health workers have vaccinated 91.74 percent of 281,000 eligible adult population of this summer capital.
Based on the city’s vaccination statistics Monday night, of the total 257,805 who have been vaccinated, some 212,390 received the full dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
   There were also 20,033 pediatric clients out of the 42,811 target adolescents from ages 12 to 17 years old.
   Aileen Refuerzo, chief of the Public Information Office (PIO)-Baguio, on Tuesday urged the remaining unvaccinated adult and pediatric population to register at bakuna.baguio.gov.ph.
   She said vaccination schedules are posted daily at the Baguio City Health Services Office and Public Information Office Facebook pages to guide the individuals for the sites that they can visit for their jab. -- PNA

Road projects shorten trip to Abra's adventure areas

ACCESSIBLE. The province of Abra can now be reached in just five to six hours from the previous eight-hour trip with the opening of the Tarlac, Pangasinan, La Union Expressway Rosario exit. Photo shows the Kaparkan falls, one of the tourist destinations in the province. (PNA file photo)

By Liza Agoot

BANGUED, Abra -- A road trip to this province has been shortened by two to three hours, making accessibility easier to experience extreme adventures in the area.
   Gov. Maria Jocelyn Bernos, during the "Laging Handa" network briefing on Nov. 23 said completion of TPLEx (Tarlac, Pangasinan, La Union expressway), "mga 5 to 6 hours na lang (it is now around 5 to 6 hours)" from the previous eight hours trip.
   The official said numerous road projects of the national government like the one that reached La Union was beneficial to people and local government units located far from Metro Manila.
   While the province still has to work on opening up its borders to tourists, she said they allow residents to visit their tourist attractions.
   "In a way, we offer the hospitality but at this moment, di pa open (it is not yet open) for outside residents ang (the) tourist spots, only for residents. Hopefully by January mag o-open na kami para maging ready naman ang (we can open by January so that we can prepare first our) tourist spots for those coming from different parts," Bernos said.
   She said most of their tourist destinations and attractions are "given by God designed to become a tourist spot".
   She mentioned the Kaparkan Falls which is like levels of waterfalls dropping on rock formations, as well as the several camping sites, caves, hiking, and trekking trails found in the different municipalities.
   "'Pag adventurous ka na tao, extreme adventure, swak ka dito sa Abra, maraming nagte-trek dito (if you are an adventurous person, extreme adventure, Abra is perfect for you)," she said.
   "Hopefully after the pandemic, unti-unti natin ibabalik ang mga pwedeng pasyalan (we will slowly bring back the tourist destinations)," she added.
   Bernos said that aside from March for their month-long "Kawayan (bamboo)" festival, the rainy season is also a tourism season for the province with their water attractions as a favorite.
   "Pre pandemic, maraming pumupunta dito, pinupuntahan ang Abrenian kawayan. Rainy season pumupunta kasi adventure, trail, extreme, outdoor activity (there were many visitors before the pandemic who come for the Abrenian Kawayan. They also come during the rainy season for adventure, trail, extreme, outdoor activities)," she added.
   The governor is hopeful that they can open the border soon for jobs to also resume. -- PNA

NEDA-Cordillera eyed for ISO certification

By Marissa M. Cabato

BAGUIO CITY -- The National Economic Development Authority Cordillera regional office was recommended for ISO 9001:2015 (International Organization for Standardization) certification for another three years after remote recertification process by SOCOTEC Certification International Philippines last Nov. 22.
   This confirmed effectiveness of the national regional office’s management system in providing regional development coordination, NEDA officials said.
   Lead auditor Kim Winston Pajares cited the national regional office for its commitment in pursuing ISO certification amid the pandemic.
   The SOCOTEC auditors noted positive findings such as modernized administrative functions, orderly premises and accessibility and easy retrieval of records.
   The evaluation and analysis of articles or media releases across regional offices and teamwork during audit was a good practice were also commended.
   The process improvements were reportedly evident such as the Cordillera Administrative Region investment program (CARIPOL) monitoring system and electric records management.
   Assistant NEDA regional director Stephanie Christiansen said the NRO’s initiative to establish and sustain its certification was anchored on its mission “to orchestrate regional development initiatives and aspirations through broad-based consultations, and in an atmosphere that inspires a dynamic fit among management, staff, partners and resources”.
   “As the lead in sub-national development planning and secretariat to the Regional Development Council, the NRO enhanced processes of regional development planning and monitoring, regional development investment program (RDIP) formulation and project evaluation, monitoring and evaluation. Beginning this quarter, secretariat services to RDC meetings will be in operation as support quality management system process and improved its services to the Council.”
   Christiansen added the NRO’s enhanced QMS contributed to successful delivery of its services despite challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.
   NEDA regional director Susan Sumbeling said the NRO will improve more the QMS, especially in 2022 when the NRO shall be formulating the regional development plan and investment program.
   The agency’s journey in embracing a global quality standard under the ISO QMS began in 2014 when it was first ISO certified under 9001:2008 and in the current QMS version in 2018.

House bill pushed for Tesda office in Baguio

BAGUIO CITY – Rep. Marquez Go was urged to file a bill for the creation of a separate Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-Baguio City Office.
In a recently approved council resolution, Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda said creation of TESDA-Baguio will be beneficial as it will help more recipients and contribute to the TESDA Region’s accomplishments
“The annual Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) investments to Baguio City require more focused intervention for the city’s clientele. Thus, a separate and distinct office for Baguio City would result in more and better programs to address the specific needs of the city residents,” she added.

   In her resolution, she cited that the TVET output of the TESDA Regional Training Center located at Purok Magsaysay, Loakan Proper Barangay is contributing about 60% of the regional accomplishments.
   Although the TESDA Regional Training Center which was established in 2001 is located in the city, the same remains under the umbrella of TESDA-Benguet.
   The lady councilor said there were resolutions of request by the city government for the establishment of a TESDA office in the city.
   Resolution No. 406, Series of 2021, in particular, has strongly urged the TESDA and the DBM to institutionalize the creation of the TESDA-Baguio City Office.
   The TESDA was established to coordinate and monitor the delivery of all skills development activities of the public and private sectors. The TESDA-CAR has provincial offices in Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province except in Baguio City. -Jordan G. Habbiling

60 Bontoc families get range chicks, feeds, veg seedlings

By Alpine L. Killa

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Sixty families of this capital town received free-range chicks, feeds and vegetable seedlings from the Bontoc local government on Nov. 23.
   Vice Mayor Eusebio Kabluyen who represented Mayor Franklin Odsey during the turnover said brown eggs and vegetables will soon be added as food on the table of recipients.
   He said that this was part of intervention initiatives of Bontoc local government to promote health and nutrition among its constituents especially among malnourished children in the municipality.
   Municipal nutrition action officer Venus Faith Cofulan of the Municipal Health Office said recipients are parents or guardians of malnourished children who are ages 0-59 months who all underwent Operation Timbang Plus conducted by the MHO.
   The recipients were from Barangays Balili, Bayyo, Bontoc Ili, Caluttit, Can-eo, Dalican, Mainit, Samoki, Talubin, and Tocucan.
   Cofulan added that each recipient was given 10 heads of free-range chicks and 17.5 kilograms of feeds.
   Municipal Agriculturist Renato Falag-ey said going back to basics by producing organic food through free-range chicken brown egg production and backyard gardening are cost-efficient and healthy.
   This undertaking of the Bontoc LGU was realized through the Municipal Nutrition Council. Members include Office of the Municipal Agriculturist, MHO, Municipal Nutrition Action Officer, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, chairperson on committee on health and sanitation, Dept. of Education Bontoc District and Information Office.
   The MNC is chaired by the mayor.

Full Senate probe on Beneco, NEA ‘standoff’ pushed

Benguet Board declares Rafael persona non grata

By Kimberlie Quitasol

SEN. Sherwin Gatchalian has filed a resolution calling for a full-blown inquiry into the management standoff between Benguet Electric Cooperative Inc. (Beneco) and the National Electrification Administration (NEA).
   Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Energy committee, said while reports showed regular services of the electric cooperatives, which had been interrupted by the forcible takeover by NEA-appointed officials last Oct. 18 to 20, has resumed, there is yet to be a final resolution on the issue between Beneco and NEA.
   He said he found out Beneco was having difficulties in processing bank transactions as some accredited banks do not acknowledge the signature of engineer Melchor S. Licoben as Beneco's general manager.
   "Kailangang maiwasan na magkaroon ng pagkaantala sa operasyon ng electric cooperative na maaaring magresulta sa brownouts sa Baguio City o saan man sa 13 bayan na sineserbisyuhan ng kumpanya (Delay has to be avoided in the operation of electric cooperative that may result in brownouts in Baguio City or anywhere in the 13 municipalities being served by the company)," Gatchalian said in filing Senate Resolution 945.
   The issue stemmed from the disagreement between the NEA and Beneco board of directors on who should be appointed the new GM following retirement of the late Gerry Versoza on April 30, 2020.
   While the Beneco BoD issued three resolutions that named Licoben as the new GM, the NEA board of administrators (BoA) instead recommended lawyer Anna Marie Paz Rafael to the position.
   What ensued saw the assumption of Rafael in the morning of Oct. 18, 2021, with the aid of around 50 heavily armed members of the Philippine National Police, causing alarm among Beneco employees who were fearful for their lives and safety.
   It also led to the closure of its office on Oct. 18 to 19, leaving consumer concerns unattended.
   "It is important to ensure the continuous and reliable electricity service within the franchise area of Beneco amid the ongoing disagreements between the NEA and Beneco on the appointment of its GM. They have to make certain that the appointment of the GM is done in accordance with the current rules and regulations," Gatchalian said.
   Gatchalian took note of the memorandum dated Oct. 24, 2017 issued by NEA on the selection of GMs. Memorandum No. 2017-035 entitled the "Revised Policy on the Selection, Hiring, Termination of Services/Suspension for General Managers of Electric Cooperative (3rd Revision)" provides that the BoD of an EC shall appoint its GM in accordance with guidelines set forth by the NEA.
   On April 21, 2020, the Beneco BoD appointed Licoben as the GM effective May 1, 2020 after the retirement of the late general manager Gerardo Verzosa pursuant to Option No. 2 in the selection of general manager enshrined under the pertinent provisions of NEA Memorandum No. 2017-035.
   Ironically, the NEA BOA entertained an endorsement from the Office of the President that transmitted the letter dated June 30, 2020 of former Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary Rafael requesting an endorsement from the said office for her application as Beneco GM even if there was already an appointed person to the said position several months earlier.
   The Beneco BoD rejected the resolutions of the NEA BoA that insisted the appointment of Rafael as general manager and reiterated the appointment of Licoben.
   In La Trinidad, Benguet , the provincial board on Monday (Nov. 8) declared Rafael persona non grata (unwelcome) in Benguet after the recent armed takeover of the power utility serving the province and Baguio City.
   Voting 13 in favor and one abstention, the provincial board issued a resolution for the declaration.
   Vice Gov. Johnny Waguis said Rafael lied when she told the board during the Nov. 3 session that she arrived at the headquarters of the Benguet Electric Cooperative (Beneco) in South Drive around 7 a.m. during the takeover on Oct. 18
   Waguis said video footage with time stamps showed that Rafael was at the compound as early as 5 a.m.
   Licoben, who assumed the leadership of Beneco by succession and appointment by the Beneco Board of Directorsr, was slapped a 90-day preventive suspension by the NEA, along with Beneco’s board president and six directors, who voted to reject Rafael’s appointment due to her alleged ineligibility.
   Lawyer Omar Mayo, legal officer of NEA, designated by the regulator as Beneco “caretaker,” had also been declared persona non grata in Benguet last week.
   Mayo reportedly led the forcible takeover of the Beneco office backed by NEA-deputized policemen.
   During the provincial board session last week, Rafael was asked why she should not be declared persona non grata, to which she replied: “up to you to decide.”
   The board also asked her if she could give way and respect the public clamor, Rafael said: “I just want to work … unless and until my appointment is annulled, I need to work as the general manager.”
   In an interview last week, Board Member Juan Nazaro said they did not initially include Rafael in the persona non grata declaration saying they still had to verify her statement that she was not present during the armed takeover.
   To date Beneco member-consumer-owners are having 24-hour daily vigils at its main headquarters here in South Drive to prevent appointees of the NEA from taking over the power firm.
   At the Senate, Gatchallian said during recent committee hearing it was the prerogative of the board of directors electric cooperatives like Beneco to appoint the general manager.
   Gatchalian scolded newly-installed NEA Administrator Emmanuel Juanesa for the agency's failure to instill stability in leadership of Beneco, one of the country's top-performing electric cooperatives, when it insisted on appointing an unqualified and unrecommended applicant for the position of general manager.
   Gatchalian told NEA officials the regulating agency could interfere with affairs of an electric cooperative if it was declared ailing.
   In the case of Beneco, it was not an ailing cooperative, thus undue interference of NEA was unnecessary as it was one of the top-performing electric cooperatives in the country that could independently select its general manager pursuant to established rules and regulations, enshrined under NEA Memorandum No. 2017-035.
   Sen. Imee Marcos also branded the forcible takeover of the Beneco main headquarters, done under the guise of serving the preventive suspension order of some members of the Beneco board and incumbent general manager — as a show of excessive force since those being served with such an order were unarmed.
   Marcos said there was need for in-depth investigation on the matter to ascertain responsible persons who would be charged for offenses.
   Sen. leila De Lima had also called for an investigation on the matter.
   Earlier, MCOs, local leaders and the 121-strong Philippine rural Electric Cooperatives Association sought intervention of the Senate to instill law and order in Beneco because the present leadership crisis was having a negative impact on performance of duties and responsibilities of Beneco officials and employees who were caught in the crossfire of the feuding parties.
   The 13 board members who declared Mayo and Rafael PNG included Florencio V. Bentrez, Juan M. Nazarro,Robert Namoro, Jim Botiwey, Neptali B. Camsol, Ruben E. Paoad, Roberto K, Canuto, Fernando M. Balaodan Sr., Nestor B. Fongwan Jr. Jeston S. Balong-angey and Melchor C. Guesey.
   Board Member Bernard Waclin abstained saying he preferred that lawsuits be filed against Mayo and Rafael, who is former assistant secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office, if needed.
   Mayo was earlier declared persona non grata by the Baguio City Council during its Oct. 23 session, also after launching its own inquiry into the deputization of police officers to help break into the Beneco building at the city’s South Drive before 3 a.m.
Members of the city council said they did not declare Rafael PNG as she was a Baguio resident.
   Board Member Nazaro, who sponsored the Benguet PNG resolution, said Mayo disrespected customs and traditions of    Benguet’s Ibaloy, Kankaney and Kalanguya residents when he led the violent takeover of the power utility serving Baguio and Benguet.
   The Provincial Board of Benguet also passed a resolution condemning the Oct. 18 raid-like takeover.

Plea to remove NEA execs tossed to DOE

MALACANANG has tossed to the energy department the plea of member consumer owners (MCOs) of Benguet Electric Cooperative (Beneco) to remove and replace the board of the National Electrification Administration (NEA).
   Lawyer Kim Raisa Uy, Assistant Secretary of the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES), forwarded to the Dept. of Energy (DOE) on Oct. 22 the MCO resolution that called for President Rodrigo Duterte to sack the NEA board of administrators for breaking the rules of GM selection to ensure that lawyer Ana Maria Paz Rafael will become the GM of Beneco.
   Melchor Licoben, general manager and Esteban Somngi, board president, earlier transmitted the said resolution to Mr. Duterte and attached their own letter that said the NEA Board of Administrators disturbed the peace of the people of Baguio and Benguet when the board abused its discretion in choosing the wrong GM.
   In his transmittal letter, Uy said the OES is forwarding Licoben and Somngi’s letter and the MCO resolution to the DOE “for appropriate action subject to existing laws, rules and regulations. “
   The NEA board of administrators are DOE Usec. Emmanuel Juaneza, lawyer Cirilo Badelles, Ramon Gonzales and Agustin Maddatu. Juaneza concurrently sits as the NEA administrator.
   The MCOS accused them of favoring lawyer Ana Maria Paz Rafael, a former asst. secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), as the GM of Beneco despite not being qualified.
   The NEA BOA earlier endorsed Rafael as GM to the Beneco board owing to her higher score in the final interview than Melchor Licoben who was earlier appointed by the Beneco board as the GM.
   But the Beneco board rejected the endorsement, saying the NEA should have endorsed the two applicants since both passed the final interview. The board said the power to choose the GM belongs to the Beneco board.
   The NEA BOA insisted to name Rafael as the GM which the Beneco board rejected anew.
   Rafael attempted to sit as GM at the Beneco office in South Drive, Baguio City but majority of the Beneco board, Licoben and the employees refused to recognize her.

   Rafael filed a case before the NEA administrative committee for gross insubordination against Licoben, directors Somngi, Mike Maspil, Jefferd Acop, Robert Valentin, Josephine Tuling, Peter Busaing and Jonathan Obar.
   The NEA BOA placed them under preventive suspension but the MCOs affirmed and reinstated their authority during the Oct. 2 AGMA.
   On Oct. 18, lawyer Omar Mayo, the NEA designated project supervisor for Beneco, led a group of fully armed policemen and forcibly took over the Beneco office in the wee hours of that day.
   The forced seizure triggered a widespread protest among the MCOs who, together with the employees, recaptured the Beneco office two days later.

Baguio City council orders stop to bidding, awarding of market stalls

By Jordan G. Habbiling

BAGUIO CITY -- The city council, through a resolution, has directed the Baguio City Market Authority (BCMA) and the City Treasury Office to hold in abeyance the bidding and awarding of all stalls in the city public market that have been previously declared as vacant.
   The council sought the suspension of the stalls’ bidding and awarding in light of the recently approved ordinance providing for a market amnesty program.
   Under the ordinance, an amnesty program for a period of three months shall be granted to concerned stall occupants and/or actual leaseholders to rectify or act on their violations. After the said period, all arising violations shall be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the city’s existing tax ordinance.
   For the transfer of leasehold rights, the transferee, upon presenting a Deed of Sale, Waiver of Rights, or acknowledgment by the registered leaseholder of the transfer, shall be issued a Contract of Lease, provided that the transferee is personally or physically conducting business in the stall/booth.
   For a stall whose registered leaseholder is already deceased, the compulsory heirs of the deceased person must execute an Extra-Judicial Settlement or Waiver of Rights designating a person (who may not necessarily be a compulsory heir) to be the next registered leaseholder.
   For a leaseholder who is sub-leasing or mortgaging their stall or using a dummy, they must terminate this relationship. The leaseholder, with the consent of the other party, may regain occupancy of the stall. Should both parties fail to agree, the Contract of Lease shall be revoked or cancelled, and the stall shall be declared vacant.
   Section 10 of the ordinance provides that the Implementing Rules and Regulations shall be prepared by the City mayor’s Office.
   Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda, author of the ordinance, reasoned that any move to transfer or bid the leasehold rights of any stall in the Baguio City market, including all city-owned satellite markets and the slaughterhouse compound, must be held in abeyance in compliance with the aforementioned provisions of the ordinance.

𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐃𝐀 𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐌𝐎𝐀 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 vehicle firms for trainings

By Jhodie Flor Carpio and SNMP

BAGUIO CITY -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Baguio forged partnerships with five industries to strengthen and expand its partnership with sectors.
   A memorandum of agreement was signed here Nov. 11 at Lafayette Hotel in Camp John Hay among Tesda officials and business groups.
   All, except for Toyota Baguio, forged a partnership with the training center for the first time.
   Three of the industries were from the automotive sector -- Toyota Baguio, GR Tuning Autoshop, and Marcos Highway Diesel Calibration Shop.
   The other two, GEGA Engineering and Construction Services and Gegasa Engineers and Construction Services are from the Construction sector.
   The agreement was for the Supervised Industry Learning Program under the enterprise-based learning program.
   Both parties agreed to enhance TVET programs, venue for industry experience and immersion of trainees, curriculum enhancement and placement referrals.
   Regional director Jeffrey Ian C. Dy said one of objectives of enterprise based training was to train individuals to become “highly employable”.
   “Maraming matutulungan itong kabataan ,ang ibibigay ninyong craftsmanship doon sa bata ay yung gagamitin talaga nila direct to employment, that’s how important these types of training are,” he said.
   He added partnering with private institutions in skills training and development was crucial for the training center to provide a high standard of training delivery to their learners.
   “Innovation and technology have been a top agenda of Tesda,” he said. “Despite effects of the pandemic, the training center is stepping up its collaboration with private sectors and other government institutions.”
   RTC Administrator Felixberto B. Matute, Jr. cited partnership in helping learners get employment opportunities and work experience.
   MOA signatories said they were committed to the agreement. “Before wala pong private institution to offer automotive courses and basically talagang mga technicians po namin ay fruit po ng Tesda, without them hindi po kami makakapag repair ng sasakyan po na nakikita natin everywhere so it’s a privilege for us to be part of this partnership,” said Rainel Calagui, after-sales manager of Toyota Baguio.
   In December, Tesda RTC will make training plan and send trainees to the industries for on-the-job training.

Baguio beefs up triage system

Aileen P. Refuerzo
BAGUIO CITY will beef up its triaging system to ensure that health and safety protocols are maintained even with the increasing number of visitors and entrants as part of the calibrated reopening of the city’s economy.
   Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the city will also look into streamlining the checkpoint and triaging process without dropping caution to continue to prevent potentially infected persons from gaining entry and spread Covid-19.
   City Administrator Bonifacio Dela Peña and City Health Officer Dr. Rowena Galpo said additional triage units will be set up by hotels and bus companies to decongest the central triage at the Baguio Convention Center especially during weekends, long weekends and holidays when visitors flock to the city.
   Galpo said bus companies are now working on reviving their triage facilities while Dela Peña said at least 12 hotels have applied for accreditation of their own triage units.
   The traffic and process flow at the central triage had also been improved as of Nov. 24, according to Dela Peña even as the city also works out the augmentation of the manpower assigned to the units.
   Also last Nov. 25, the city established another triage unit at the Lion’s Head section for travelers who will traverse the newly reopened highway.
   The checkpoints along highways will continue to be tapped to do initial triaging particularly for residents and authorized persons outside residents (APORs) who are fully vaccinated.
   The city tightened border and triage rule implementation as contingency measure against the Delta variant surge and has since turned away numerous entrants with incomplete and fake documents daily.
     Executive Assistant IV Althea Alberto said the city’s entry and triage protocols will be revised once the city’s alert level status eases up.
   She said focus of triaging may shift to document verification more than health screening.

DPWH: 20K jobs available for 'Build, Build, Build' program

ROAD CONSTRUCTION -- The Department of Public Works and Highways continues to implement road construction and improvement to further provide access and good roads to the public. Undated photo shows road construction at the Naguilian Road leading to La Union from Baguio City. (PNA photo by Liza T. Agoot)

By Liza Agoot

BAGUIO CITY – The Dept. of Public Works and Highways is set to employ about 17,000 to 20,000 more workers in the construction industry under the "Build, Build, Build" (BBB) program of the Duterte administration.
   DPWH Sec. Roger Mercado, in a message on Tuesday, said “there were around 40,000 generated jobs and we expect to generate 17,000 to 20,000 more. We need to generate more employment to allow those economically affected by the pandemic to recover fast.”
   “The BBB is felt by our people and they are very happy as shown in the trust rating of the DPWH at more than 70 percent and hope to further improve with the constant monitoring and management meetings as the people continue to feel the impact of the DPWH in their lives,” he added.
   Mercado said more technical persons, masons, laborers, and others will be needed in the program including the maintenance of roads.
   Government data show there were 6.5 million jobs generated by the BBB program from 2016 to 2020.
   For the year 2021, there were 1.6 million jobs generated by the program.
   Mercado said the BBB program allows the government to directly create jobs aside from the jobs generated from indirect effects of the projects like businesses created as a result of roads and use of the roads.
   “We will see to it that this program will redound to the benefit of our people at sana mapakinabangan ng ating mga kababayan (we hope that the people benefits from it), take advantage, make use of our highways, be innovative, plan any livelihood programs that can generate jobs not only the government giving jobs to our people but those who benefit from our infrastructure should also share in this social responsibility in providing jobs,” he said.
   With more road users, the official said the DPWH has also come up with the “ayuda” (aid) program where the department allots money from its savings for the hiring of people affected by the pandemic and help in the maintenance of roads, roadsides, and highways.
   “We have just released P1 million to our maintenance division so that we can hire more people for the ayuda program, as a food for work program which is a social responsibility project of the DPWH,” he said.
   Meanwhile, Mercado said the department is on target for the completion of the BBB projects under the Duterte administration
   He said they have completed at least 67 percent of the 70 percent target considering that there are projects that will be completed even after the term of President Rodrigo Duterte is finished.
   “I ordered the RDs (regional directors) and the DEs (district engineers) to see to it that the BBB program lalo na yung contracts na matatapos sa 2022 ma inaugurate at matapos (especially the contracts set for completion in 2022 to be finished and inaugurated)," he said.
   For projects that will not be completed should be ground break dahil itong BBB hindi matatapos this term alone (because the BBB will not all be completed during this term). This is a continuing long-term program of our government to provide better and convenient infrastructure,” he said. -- PNA

London firm gives P120-M to ‘illegal miners, settlers’

HAZARDOUS AREA -- Shanties of illegal miners and settlers in a declared geohazard area in the gold deposit-rich village of Runruno in Quezon town, Nueva Vizcaya. –Photo by Leander Domingo

By Leander C. Domingo

QUEZON, Nueva Vizcaya -- Over P120 million has been released to around 700 “illegal occupants” who have been relocated to a safer place from a Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)-declared geohazard area in the gold deposit-rich upland village of Runruno.
   James Carmichael, FCF Minerals Corp. country manager, said the company continues in its efforts to complete the removal of the remaining illegal miners and settlers within the area covered by their financial or technical assistance agreement (FTAA) approved by the national government under the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
   The FTAA is a permit issued to a multinational company sharing technology and resources to explore and extract minerals in the Philippines.
   FCF Minerals is 100 percent owned by the London-based Metals Exploration.
   It operates the Runruno Gold-Molybdenum project located some 285 kilometers north of Manila in this province, an area which has been known to be prospective in gold and other precious metals since the early 1960s.
   "In conjunction with relevant government agencies, the company continues in its efforts to complete the removal of the remaining illegal miners, including their infrastructure and dwellings, from those areas scheduled to be mined as part of a mine plan particularly stages three and four," Carmichael said.
   He added illegal occupants have been safely relocated and that they continue to work diligently with local authorities to complete their removal and resettlement from stages three and four of the project sites.
   "We extended over P120 million financial assistance to cover more than 700 structures by the occupants that were removed from these project sites," Carmichael said.
   The company recently informed DENR Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan of the renewed presence of at least 100 illegal settlers and shanties in Sitio Compound in Runruno.
   "We are continually having talks with the local government units and concerned national agencies like the MGB under the auspices of the DENR for their relocation and safety," Carmichael said.
   He added that he hopes that before any natural calamity hits the province, particularly this town, these illegal occupants will have already been evacuated and moved from the geohazard area within the project site to safer ground.
   In November last year, 10 illegal small-scale miners and squatters died while two others were injured in a landslide at the height of Typhoon "Ulyssess" in Runruno village, a highly susceptible landslide area based on the DENR-MGB list of geohazard areas in the province.
   Meanwhile, FCF Minerals praised the government's move in relocating illegal small-scale miners and squatters in Runruno village.
   "We are very much satisfied with the move of government agencies in relocating villagers from landslide-prone areas to safer grounds in Runruno," Carmichael said.
   He added past operations of the DENR-MGB, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Army and Philippine National Police in dismantling small-scale mining equipment and the process of their relocation should be maintained to prevent the return of illegal settlers in geo-hazard areas in the village.
   "We will continue to provide fair and just compensation to the illegal small-scale miners and squatters whose properties have to be removed," Carmichael said.
   He also recognized the assistance of the religious sector in the conduct of dialogues between the mine firm officials and the illegal small-scale miners and squatters for their relocation.
   This town's local government has also purchased a two-hectare land in Boliwao village that will be transformed into a housing and relocation site for poor and legitimate illegal small-scale miners and squatters from Runruno village.
   The relocation project will be jointly constructed with the funding support of the National Housing Authority with initial funding of around P50 million.

CHED: Colleges, universities may hold limited face-to- face classes by December

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said universities and colleges may start holding limited face-to-face classes in all degree programs under the expanded phase by next month as long as they have complied with guidelines on reopening of in-person classes,
   “Itong expanded face-to-face ay pagdagdag doon sa original na limited face to face para sa medical and allied health sciences, engineering, tourism at maritime na inaprubahan ng Pangulong Duterte, early this year (This expanded face-to-face is an addition to the original limited face-to-face for medical and allied health sciences, engineering, tourism and maritime approved by President Duterte, early this year),” CHED Chairman Popoy De Vera said in a Laging Handa public briefing on Nov. 22.
   De Vera said under expanded limited face-to-face classes, higher education institutions (HEIs) may reopen their campuses under certain conditions.
   In particular, De Vera said that the students and the faculty who will participate in the limited in-person classes should be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
   For the HEIs, De Vera said they must be able to comply with requirements on minimum health standards by retrofitting their facilities, among others.
   De Vera said that another consideration is the coordination or concurrence of local governments.
   So, kailan pwedeng magsimula? Eh depende kung gaano kabilis ang retrofit at saka mag-comply ang mga schools sa kanilang safety standards. (So, when can they start? It depends on how fast the [HEIs] can be retrofitted and how soon can the schools comply with safety standards),” De Vera said.
   “Kung sila ay handa na ay pwede na silang magsimula na kahit ngayong December (If they are ready they can start even this December),” he added.
   De Vera said HEIs may now apply to reopen limited face-to-face classes in all degree programs at a limited capacity of 50 percent as long as they comply with the requirements approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).
   Meanwhile, De Vera clarified that this will be limited in areas under Alert Level 2 and below.
   “Iyong Alert Level 3, ang target natin diyan ay by January ay magsimula na ito (For those under Alert Level 3, our target is to start by January),” De Vera explained. “Pero, by December puwede ng magbukas iyong mga schools under Alert Level 2 kasama diyan ang Metro Manila kung saan pinakamaraming mga eskuwelahan (But, by December, the schools can open under Alert Level 2 including Metro Manila which has the most number of schools),” he added.
   With vaccination as among the major considerations to allow HEIs to offer limited face-to-face classes, De Vera once again urged students and faculty to get vaccinated against Covid-19.
   De Vera said that CHED continues its efforts to promote the urgency of vaccination by visiting various schools nationwide through its vaccination caravan.

Citing CHED’s latest data, he noted that 42 percent of tertiary students have been vaccinated against Covid-19.

SNAP inks agreements with Ifugao, Isabela, N. Vizcaya LGUs for P22-M programs

Renewable energy solutions provider SN Aboitiz Power Magat (SNAP-Magat), as part of its corporate social responsibility, signed agreements with local government units in Isabela, Ifugao, and Nueva Vizcaya for projects worth P22 million that address the communities' immediate health and safety needs.
   Initiatives include purchase of barangay motorcycle patrol vehicles for barangay Planas, purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies for barangays Ambatali and Gen. Aguinaldo in Ramon, Isabela; construction of quarantine facility in Taliktik, Cordon, Isabela; procurement of food packs for around 180 families of barangay Calimag in Alfonso Lista; purchase of Covid response vehicle of barangay Hapid in Lamut; a bailer machine in Aguinaldo, Ifugao and potable water supply projects and public comfort room upgrades in Diadi, Nueva Vizcaya.
   Mayor Gaspar Chilagan expressed his gratitude during the MOA signing between SNAP-Magat and the municipality of Aguinaldo, Ifugao. "The bailer machine greatly aids in recycling, thus, maintaining cleanliness and sanitation in our municipality," the mayor said.
   "SNAP stays true to its commitment to making a positive impact, especially in these trying times. We understand and value the needs of our host communities and fully support efforts to improve health and safety as these are also two of our top priorities," said engineer Ed Bundalian, SNAP-Magat AVP and Plant Manager.
   In compliance with Covid safety protocols, all MOAs were signed at the Magat dam crest, an open-air space overlooking the Magat reservoir.
   Since the pandemic last year, SNAP-Magat's host communities have benefitted from 88 projects totaling P22 million through the CSR Fund.

17.4 -MW Kiangan hydro power plant operations slated

KIANGAN, Ifugao -- An additional power source will soon rise in the province after the 17.4 megawatt Kiangan mini hydroelectric power project (KMHPP) broke ground.
   Representatives of Alternergy, Santa Clara International Corporation, local government units of Kiangan and Lagawe, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, elders, community members, and project partners led ground breaking ceremony of KMHPP here in Barangay Mungayang recently.
   Bishop Valentin Dimoc of the Bontoc-Lagawe Vicariate officiated the blessing of project site and equipment, followed by a simple fellowship program with project partners and host communities of Bokiawan, Dalligan, and Mungayang in Kiangan and Cudog in Lagawe.
   Senior project manager engineer Isabelo Fernandez said the 17.4-MW KMHP which costs around P5 billion is expected to be completed by June 29, 2023 to benefit Ifugao and nearby provinces.
   “We will be constructing two hydro power plants. It will be located
at Ibulao Power House and the other at Ahin-Hungduan Power House,” he said.
   Water coming from the Hungduan headrace will pass through about 3.8 kilometers box culvert towards the Ahin-Hungduan power house.
   Water from the Ahin headrace will pass through about 2.8 km box culvert going to the Ahin-Hungduan Power House.
Water from the Ahin-Hungduan Power House will again be conveyed through about 3.8 km box culvert to the Ibulao Power House, Fernandez explained.
   “This one will not cause any flooding because the water will pass through concrete box culvert,” he said.
   Kiangan Mayor Raldis Andrei Bulayungan said the local government unit ensured that proper processes involving the affected communities and project proponents including getting prior consent and addressing concerns of host communities and other stakeholders were followed.
   “The LGU hosted the meetings between the barangay officials and council of elders of the host communities particularly Bokiawan, Daligan, and Munggayang. We were together with the NCIP in facilitating dialogues so they were able to explain to the people their rights with respect to their land,” he said.
   During the program, corporate social responsibility equipment which included oxygen tanks, medical equipment, printer and desktop computer set were also turned over to host barangays.
   KMHPP is a joint project of Renova, Alternergy, Santa Clara International Corporation, Ifugao provincial government, municipal governments of Kiangan and Lagawe and barangay government units of Dalligan, Bokiawan, Mungayang, and Cudog. – PIA Cordillera

Baguio-Benguet power rates drop in November

BAGUIO CITY -- Power rates charged by the Benguet Electric Cooperative from its member-consumer-owners over the past two months reduced by P0.0415 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) this November because of lower transmission charges.
   Beneco data bared residential consumers are charged P9.2261/kWh this November compared to the P9.2677/kWh billed last October.
   Beneco general manager Melchor Licoben said the lower power rates this November was because of drop in transmission charge from P0.7051/kWh in October to P0.6927/kWh in November.
   The lower power rates were complemented by drop in systems loss charge from P0.5277/kWh to 0.5078/kWh in November, brought about by cost efficiencies implemented by the management amid the Beneco leadership crisis for more than six months.
   He said generation charge of P4.9500/kWh has been consistent for October and November despite fluctuating prices of coal in the world market that triggered increases in power rates the previous months.
   In October, Beneco power rates dropped by 0.30/kWh because of the lower generation charge of power suppliers.
   Beneco officials expressed hope on downtrend of electricity power rates in the coming months.
   Under provisions of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, pass-through charges such as the generation and transmission charges, value-added tax, among others, which are collected by the generation and transmission companies as well as regulatory agencies are beyond the control of the electric cooperative, while the pass on charges such as the distribution, supply and metering remains constant.
   Since 2012, Beneco has not increased its existing distribution, supply and metering charge and despite the same, it was able to maintain its Class AAA status and one of the top-performing rural electric cooperatives in the country. Beneco has an existing 50-year franchise to be a power distribution utility in the Baguio and Benguet area that is expected to expire in 2028 pursuant to the provisions of existing laws, rules and regulations governing its operations.
   At present, the current management and majority members of the Board of Directors are standing firm on their decision not to recognize controversial resolutions of the National Electrification Administration – Board of Administrators insisting on appointment of an "unqualified and not recommended applicant to the position of general manager" because there was an appointed general manager on April 21, 2020, based on Resolution No. 2020-90 of the Beneco board.

Benguet congressional bet files withdrawal for post

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – There are now four candidates for the lone congressional seat in Benguet after former governor Crescencio Pacalso withdrew his candidacy.
   Pacalso, who filed his certificate of candidacy for representative of Benguet under the Partido Reporma, submitted his withdrawal documents at the Baguio-Benguet office of the Commission on Elections late Monday afternoon.
   Pacalso's withdrawal from the congressional race circulated when a signed withdrawal form that allegedly bore his signature was privately shared to some personalities in the province.
   The former governor has yet to release an official statement on reasons of his withdrawal.
Since his withdrawal was submitted past the Comelec deadline for substitution, he can no longer be replaced by a party-mate.
   The remaining contenders for the province's congressional seat are Itogon Mayor Victorio Palangdan, lawyers Torzon Keith and Samson including congressional caretaker and Anti-Crime and Terrorism through Community Involvement and Support party-list Rep. Eric Yap.
   Reports said the former governor was allegedly insulted when he was asked by another former official to withdraw his candidacy and for the latter to substitute him in the race for a congressional post.
   Pacalso is the only candidate in Benguet to withdraw his candidacy for the 2022 polls.
   Palangdan disclosed Pacalso's withdrawal from the congressional race was part of the ongoing unification efforts being initiated by former congressman Ronald Cosalan.
   The mayor said the former governor's withdrawal was voluntary.

He added it could pave the way for two or more political parties to unite in the province.

Villasis town execs ban unvaccinated in enclosed areas

By Eva Visperas

VILLASIS, Pangasinan — The municipal government here has prohibited unvaccinated people and minors from entering enclosed establishments.
   Mayor Nonato Abrenica issued an executive order on Wednesday promulgating the protocols for unvaccinated persons and minors after the town was placed under Alert Level 2.
   The order prohibits establishments such as groceries, restaurants, beauty salons, banks, appliance centers, department stores and hardware stores from allowing entry to unvaccinated individual and minors.
   It said that Alert Level 2 allows minors accompanied by their parents or guardians to go out only for sun and exercise as well as for medical purposes.
   Basketball and other contact sports are still prohibited in Villasis, except those with written permits from the mayor.

La Union RTC hears Dec. 3 move to reverse dismissal of illegal drugs case vs Ongpin

By Jeffrey Damicog

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union -- The La Union regional trial court (RTC) is set to conduct a hearing on Dec. 3 on the motion filed by government prosecutors to reconsider the dismissal of the illegal possession of drugs case filed against Julian Roberto S. Ongpin, son of billionaire businessman and former trade and industry minister Roberto V. Ongpin.
   Prosecutor General Benedicto A. Malcontento said on Nov. 26, the hearing was pleaded by Dept. of Justice prosecutors in the motion that was filed last Nov. 25.
   “If allowed by the court, the panel (of prosecutors) will present evidence in support of the motion,” Malcontento said.    A copy of the motion was not immediately available.
   Last Nov. 15, RTC Judge Romeo E. Agacita Jr. who is based in San Fernando City issued an order that dismissed the case against Julian for alleged possession of dangerous drugs in violation of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2012.
   Judge Agacita also ordered the lifting of the precautionary hold departure order (PHDO) that prevented Julian from leaving the country.
   However, Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said that the immigration look-out bulletin order (ILBO) issued against Julian has not been lifted because of the motion for reconsideration.
   With the ILBO, immigration officers monitor Julian’s presence in the country ports and airports.
   Julian’s case arose from the 12.6 grams of cocaine, a prohibited drug, found by the police inside a San Juan, La Union hotel room where he and the late artist Breanna “Bree” Jonson checked in last Sept. 17.
In the morning of Sept. 18, Breanna was found “unconscious” and died thereafter. Julian became a person of interest in Breanna’s death.
   The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), on orders of Guevarra, started a probe.
   In dismissing the case, Judge Agacita ruled that the policemen who arrested Julian failed to comply with the provisions of Section 21 of Republic Act No. 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
   Section 21 of RA 9165 imposes a strict compliance with the chain of custody of the seized illegal drugs.
   The law requires that the seized dangerous drugs must be inventoried and photographed immediately after seizure or confiscation; the physical inventory and photographing must be done in the presence of the accused or his/her representative or counsel, an elected public official, a representative from the media, and a representative from the Department of Justice, all of whom shall be required to sign the copies of the inventory and be given a copy of the same; and the seized drugs must be turned over to a forensic laboratory within 24 hours from confiscation for examination.”
   In its numerous decisions, the Supreme Court (SC) had ruled that “strict compliance with the requirements is necessary in protecting the integrity and identity of the corpus delicti, without which the crime of the illegal sale and illegal possession of dangerous drugs cannot be proved beyond reasonable doubt.”
In his order, Judge Agacita said:
   “It is specifically provided that the prohibited drugs be immediately marked by the apprehending officer as soon as they are seized from the accused to prevent the switching, ‘planting,’ or contamination of evidence. Strict compliance with the prescribed procedure is necessary because the illegal drug’s unique characteristic rendering it indistinct, not readily identifiable, and easily open to tampering, alteration or substitution either by accident or otherwise.
   “A careful scrutiny of the inventory of evidence collected discloses that, at the time of the seizure of alleged illegal drugs, the ‘eight sealed transparent sachet containing white substance’ and ‘ten sealed plastic sachet containing white substance’ were merely marked as ‘JSD-B’ and ‘JSD-A.’
   “Nowhere in the said Inventory of Evidence Collected is there an indication that plastic sachets were individually marked and signed by the seizing officers. It could not, therefore, be determined how the unmarked drugs were handled upon confiscation. Evidently, the alteration of the seized items was a possibility absent their immediate marking thereof.
   “The processing was not in the presence of Ongpin since at that time, he was brought by police officers to the hospital for medical examination.
   “Neither the presence of the insulating witnesses, I.e., representatives from the media or Department of Justice (DOJ) and any elected public officials, required under Sec. 21 of R.A. 9165 because the law requires them to sign the copies of the inventory and to be given thereof, were secured.
   “In the case at bar, the prosecutions’ narrative that the apprehending officers were not able to comply with the provisions of Sec. 21 of RA 9165 in view of the peculiar circumstances of the case, i.e., the responding police officers were dispatched to investigate a dead human body (Found Dead Body), not of illegal drugs, is unmeritorious.
   “The repeated breach of the chain of custody rule here had cast serious uncertainty on the identity and integrity of the corpus delicti (body of crime). Verily, invocation of the saving clause is unwarranted.
   “Here, there was no justifiable ground given by the arresting officers for the absence of the mandatory witnesses in their Joint Affidavit of Witnesses, Affidavit Complaint with Supplemental Joint Affidavit.
   “Likewise, there was even no earnest efforts on their part – not even attempts to call through phone call – nearby barangay officials, considering that the Barangay Hall of Barangay Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union is just a few meters from the place of incident.”

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

© Blogger templates Palm by Ourblogtemplates.com 2008

Back to TOP

Web Statistics