Baguio City anti- trash drive upped

 CITY HALL BEAT

Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY -- The city government will intensify the implementation of its anti-littering and garbage disposal rules in line with the revitalized "Clean and Orderly Baguio" program as directed by Mayor Benjamin Magalong.
    City General Services Officer Eugene Buyucan and Special Services Division Acting Head Michelle Agbuya called on the barangays, establishments and residents to strictly observe waste disposal rules to avoid penalty.
    They also called on barangay officials to ensure strict observance of garbage collection schedules, segregation and other proper waste disposal practices among their constituents which are all part of their functions.
Buyucan said violators will be issued notices for violation of the Environment Code of Baguio City and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
    The GSO's designated solid waste management information-education-communication (IEC) team leaders and enforcers will continue to conduct inspections and validation of reported incidents.

The Baguio City Police Office under Acting City Director P Col. Francis Bulwayan intensified their field monitoring and dispatch of reports.
    Violators are also liable for violation of Ordinance No. 54-1988 as amended by Ordinance No. 59-2020 or the city's Anti-Littering Ordinance which declares as "unlawful for any person to spit, or expectorate discharge mucus from the nose, urinate, defecate, vomit, throw, dump, leave or scatter pieces of paper, peelings, cigarette or tobacco butts, soil or any kind of refuse or garbage in public places."
    The ordinance imposes penalties of fines ranging from P1,000-5,000.
    "We all need to step up.  Our barangay officials need to make sure their constituents are strictly observing the schedule of garbage collections. It is part of their functions and for the police to help apprehend violators. We need a coordinated effort on this to make Baguio clean," Buyucan said.
   ***
Personnel of bus companies utilizing bus terminals at Gov. Pack Road and Marcoville barangay were strongly reminded to see to the upkeep of their premises.
    Said areas had been observed to be untidy on different occasions.
    The roving team of Col. Bulwayan noted litter scattered at the vicinity of the Gov. Pack Road terminal and undertook the clean-up. 
    The team said they engaged the bus companies' security personnel as well as the dispatchers to practice proper waste disposal and segregation.  Passers-by were given the same reminder.
    Recently, a netizen also called the city's attention on the unsanitary condition of the terminal at Marcoville. 
    The City Engineering Office immediately called the attention of Marcoville punong barangay Ruel Casuga who immediately engaged the bus firm to clean up their premises.
    Mayor Benjamin Magalong last Oct. 13 announced intensifying the Clean and Orderly Baguio program which includes ensuring quick response to  issues like improper garbage disposal, untidy surroundings, clogged canals and others.
    Residents may participate in the program by immediately reporting littered places, clogged canals and the like.      Just take a photo and report via the Baguio in My Pocket (BIMP) application or just dial 911.
   ***
The City Environment and Parks Management Office has warned food establishments against dumping grease and used oil in the city's canals and waterways or face penalties for violating Republic Act 6969 or the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990.
    The city has been receiving reports of restaurants and eateries discreetly disposing grease into the city's storm drains prompting Mayor Magalong to order an investigation.
    The presence of grease deposits in drainage pipes is one of the determined causes of clogging of the water passageways that lead to flooding of streets.
    Cooking oil deposits mixed with water, soil and waste materials solidify and form a compacted blockage that is difficult to dislodge.
    After the flooding incident at Session Road due to the sudden heavy downpour last Oct. 9, the CEPMO inspected two food chains along Session Road to check on the disposal of their used oil and determine if this contributed to the clogging of the drainage along the road.
    CEPM Officer lawyer Rhenan Diwas said they required the establishments to submit DENR pollution control documents to verify compliance with hazardous waste disposal and ensure that they are not disposing in the storm drains.

They have also been reminded of the proper ways of handling grease and food wastes in accordance with the guidelines of the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources.

Said waste is to be collected and treated by the DENR's accredited contractor subject to permits to be issued by DENR Environment Management Bureau pursuant to RA 6969.

The city will also undertake other measures to catch those resorting to this illegal practice. 

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Illicit drugs linked with serious heart rhythm disorder

 WELLNEWS

Victor Dumaguing

SOPHIA, France -- Methamphetamines, cocaine, opiates, and cannabis are associated with an increased likelihood of developing atrial fibrillation, according to an 11-year study in more than 23 million adults published today in European Heart Journal, a journal of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).1
    Risks of the heart rhythm disorder were elevated in illicit drug users regardless of established predisposing factors including age, obesity, tobacco use, alcohol abuse, heart disease, and diabetes.
    “This was the first large, long-term study examining the relationship between methamphetamines, cocaine, opiates, cannabis and atrial fibrillation,” said study author Professor Gregory Marcus of the University of California, San Francisco, US. “All four drugs were associated with higher risks of developing atrial fibrillation than many conventional risk factors including high cholesterol and diabetes. This indicates that avoiding these substances could help prevent the condition.”
    Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disorder worldwide.2 Symptoms include palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping. Atrial fibrillation increases the risk of stroke by five times. The condition is associated with a two-fold increased risk of death in women and a 1.5-fold increase in men. Alcohol and tobacco smoking have each been associated with a heightened risk of atrial fibrillation, but relationships with other drugs are poorly understood.
    The study was conducted using databases of the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. The analysis included all adults in California who were free of atrial fibrillation and received care in an emergency department, same-day surgery unit, or hospital from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2015.
    The study included 23,561,884 participants. Of those, 98,271 used methamphetamine, 48,700 used cocaine, 10,032 used opiates, and 132,834 used cannabis. A total of 998,747 participants (4.2%) developed incident atrial fibrillation during the 11-year study.
    The researchers analyzed associations between the use of each substance and a new diagnosis of atrial fibrillation after adjusting for factors that could influence the relationship, including age, sex, obesity, tobacco use, alcohol abuse, income, high blood pressure, dyslipidemias, diabetes, and coronary artery disease. The use of methamphetamines was associated with a nearly doubled risk of incident atrial fibrillation, with a hazard ratio of 1.86. The corresponding hazard ratios for opiates, cocaine, and cannabis were 1.74, 1.61, and 1.35, respectively.
Professor Marcus said: “Although the link was weakest for cannabis, it was still associated with a higher likelihood of a new atrial fibrillation diagnosis than known risk factors such as dyslipidemia and diabetes, which had hazard ratios of 1.26 and 1.24, respectively. Cannabis use carried a similar relative risk of incident atrial fibrillation as tobacco use, which had a hazard ratio of 1.32.”
    The researchers also investigated the impact of the number of drugs and frequency of use. Participants using two or more illicit drugs were 1.63 times more likely to develop atrial fibrillation than single drug users. Regarding frequency, drug dependent participants had a similar risk of atrial fibrillation as episodic users.
    Professor Marcus said: “In an analysis of unprecedented size, we have shown that users of illicit drugs were at substantially greater risks of atrial fibrillation compared with non-users. More than 60% of atrial fibrillation patients have significantly impaired quality of life, and strokes related to the condition are often fatal or disabling.2 As some regions take steps towards legalizing recreational cannabis and adopting more lenient laws on the use of other illicit drugs, our research suggests caution and the importance of disseminating information on the potential harms , not only on the addicting properties of these substances but also on their more serious life-threatening effects.
    Next Week: A Closer Look at Anti-Cholesterol Medicines

Cardiovascular protection from statins outweighs risk of muscle symptoms

Victor Dumaguing

BARCELONA, Spain -- The known benefits of statin therapy in preventing cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes, outweigh the slightly increased risk of muscle symptoms, according to late breaking research presented in a Hot Line session at ESC Congress 2022.
    Principal investigator Professor Colin Baigent, Director of the Medical Research Council Population Health Research Unit at the University of Oxford, UK said: “For most people taking a statin, any muscle-related symptoms they experience are not likely to be caused by the drug. The known protective effects of statins against cardiovascular disease greatly exceed the slightly increased risk of muscle symptoms. For example, for every 1,000 people taking a moderate intensity statin, the treatment would cause 11 generally mild episodes of muscle pain or weakness in the first year with no significant excess in subsequent years. Over a five year period, statins typically prevent 50 major vascular events in those with pre-existing vascular disease, and 25 major vascular events in those with no pre-existing vascular disease, with longer treatment yielding larger benefits.”
    Statin therapy is effective for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, the world’s largest killer, and is widely prescribed. However, there have been concerns that statins may cause muscle pain or weakness, leading some patients to stop taking their treatment. This analysis was conducted to resolve uncertainties around the possible effects of statins on muscle symptoms.
    This was an individual participant data meta-analysis of all recorded muscle symptoms in large-scale randomized blinded double-blind trials of statin therapy, led by researchers from Oxford Population Health. The researchers compiled data from 23 trials from the Cholesterol Treatment Trialists’ (CTT) Collaboration, with information on nearly 155,000 patients. All trials included at least 1,000 patients and at least two years of scheduled treatment. Adverse event data were collected for all individual participants in 19 large randomized double-blind trials of statin therapy versus placebo (123,940 patients) and in four randomized double-blind trials of more intensive versus less intensive statin therapy (30,724 patients).
    The researchers examined all data on adverse effects reported by patients taking part in the clinical trials, as well as data on the timing of and reasons for stopping study treatment, use of other (non-trial) medications, other health conditions, and laboratory results that would help in the interpretation of particular adverse events.
    In the 19 trials of any statin regimen versus placebo, during a median follow up of 4.3 years, 16,835 patients (27.1%) in the statin group and 16,446 (26.6%) in the placebo group reported muscle pain or weakness (rate ratio [RR] 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.06). In the first year there was a 7% relative increase in reports of muscle pain or weakness among those allocated to a statin (RR 1.07; 95% CI 1.04–1.10), which corresponded to an absolute excess rate of 11 (95% CI 6–16)
    Reports per 1,000 person years; in the remaining follow up period there was no evidence of any excess risk (RR 0.99; 95% CI 0.96–1.02). During the first year only about 1 in 15 reported cases of muscle pain or weakness were attributable to statin therapy.
    In the four trials of more intensive versus less intensive statin therapy, high intensity regimens (e.g. atorvastatin 40 to 80 mg daily or rosuvastatin 20 to 40 mg daily) resulted in a larger relative increase in the rate of muscle pain or weakness than moderate intensity regimens, with rate ratios of 1.08 (95% CI 1.04–1.13) and 1.02 (95% CI 1.00–1.05), respectively.
    Professor Baigent said: “Muscle symptoms such as pain or weakness were experienced by similar numbers of people in the statin and placebo groups. Statins were not the cause of muscle pain in more than 93% of patients who reported symptoms. Statin therapy marginally increased the frequency, but not the severity, of muscle-related symptoms. The small excess risk of muscle symptoms occurred principally during the first year after commencing therapy.”
    He concluded: “The results should help doctors and patients to make informed decisions about whether to start or remain on statin therapy. Information provided to doctors and patients should be reviewed in light of our findings, including drug labelling and guidelines
    Statins or vastatins are the first line of treatment for high cholesterol levels by inhibiting the action of HMG Co-A reductase, a key enzyme in the production of cholesterol in the liver. Our dear patients who have or had elevated cholesterol in the blood may have already received different mg of statins depending on their metabolic profiles of the following; simvastatin, atorvastatin, rosuvastatin to name a few.

 
 

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The need for constant vigilance and accounting

THOUGHTS AND VIEWS

Fr. Roy Cimagala

CHRIST reminded us about this need of ours when he said: “Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” (Lk 12,39-40)
    We have to be keenly aware that our life here on earth is a testing ground God uses to see if what he wants us to be is also what we ourselves would want to be. God wants us to be his image and likeness, to be sharers of his divine life and nature, thus, he gave us our spiritual powers of intelligence and will so we can know him and love him, and want to be one with him. Besides, he gives us his grace, so we can attain the supernatural level of his life and nature.
    Every event in our life is actually an occasion to test us if we also would like to be like him. Thus, he gave us his commandments to guide us. Much more than that, he gave us Christ himself, “the way, the truth and the life,” so we would know how to be with God given our wounded condition.
    We need to be always vigilant and do abiding accounting of how we are doing, given this original and ultimate condition and purpose of our earthly life. Since God has made us stewards of our own life, we need to learn how to manage the many resources entrusted to us so that we can be fruitful and productive in this life. Let’s remember that God will always ask us to account for what he has given us.
    Among these resources, our time occupies a prominent and crucial place and plays a strategic role. It has been said that time is very precious because once it has passed, it can never be recovered. Some saints have regarded time not only as a treasure but also as glory, depending on how it is used.
    We have to be really good in managing our time, being clear about the proper motives, priorities and standards in the use of time. The motives should be none other than love of God and others. The priorities should always be God first, then others, then ourselves.
    And we should all have an abiding concern for accounting everything that we are and that we have. We just cannot go on with our life as if we are not answerable to anybody, especially to God, from whom we all come and to whom we all belong.
    This is an indispensable part of our life, an unrelinquishable duty to perform. Our problem is that many still are ignorant of this duty, and of those who already know about this, the tendency is to take it for granted or to do it badly or to avoid it if given the chance.
    We need to find a way of instilling this duty in everyone, starting with oneself and then encouraging others to do the same, in the context of the families, schools, parishes, offices, etc.
    We have to be most aware of where we come from, what dignity and status we are given, what duties and responsibilities are entrusted to us, etc. And let’s remember that we need to handle them properly. -- Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

The limits of our human laws

Fr. Roy Cimagala

IN the gospel, many are the instances where Christ had to correct the leading Jews at that time for their too strict and too literal interpretation of their laws. (cfr. Lk 13,10-17) These Jews acted as if they had the exclusive possession of what is right, moral and legal just by citing their laws. Obviously, they themselves could not follow those laws to the letter. And Christ pointed that out to them.
    We obviously need to craft laws to guide our life in common. But we need to understand that since these laws are human laws, they cannot capture everything involved in man’s life that can also involve spiritual, let alone, supernatural realities. Even in the level of our ordinary human affairs, complicated situations can take place that can go beyond the purview of our legal system. Depicting justice as a blindfolded woman with a weighing scale tells us a lot about this predicament.
    We should be wary of our tendency to fall into legalism, formalism and political correctness. Thus, Christ bewailed this common danger among the leading Jews by saying, “Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb, but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God. These you should have done, without overlooking the others. Woe to you Pharisees! You love the seat of honor in synagogues and greetings in marketplaces. Woe to you! You are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk.” (Lk 11,42-44)
    We should always be on guard against all these forms of inconsistency, always rectifying our intentions and also regularly editing our life, much like what writers do with their work before they are submitted for publication. That way, we can monitor how things are going and can have the chance to make appropriate corrections, improvements, revisions, etc.
    Our human laws are meant to lead us to our ultimate goal which is none other than to be with God, to be holy as God is holy, etc. Irrespective of their immediate temporal purpose, our laws should lead us little by little to become God’s image and likeness as we are meant to be. They in the end should serve the fundamental religious purpose of our life. That should always be the constant purpose of our laws.
    All the other objectives of our laws, let alone their technical requirements, serve only as an occasion, a reason or motive for this ultimate purpose. Setting aside this ultimate purpose would empty our laws of their real legitimacy, making them rife for all kinds of manipulations and maneuverings by some shrewd men who may enjoy some power at a given moment.
    We have to realize that it is Christ who ultimately gives the real meaning and purpose of our laws. We have to disabuse ourselves from the thought that our laws can be based only on our common sense, or on our own estimation of what is good and evil according to the values of practicality, convenience, etc., or on our traditions and culture, etc.
    While these things have their legitimate role to play in our legal and judicial systems, we have to understand that they cannot be the primary and ultimate bases. It should be God, his laws and ways that should animate the way we make laws as well as the way we apply and live them. After all, being the Creator of all things, he is the one who establishes what is truly good and evil. -- Email: roycimagala@gmail.com
 

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Education USA Fair highlights opportunities to study in US

Over 2,500 prospective students, parents, and teachers explored opportunities to study in the United States at the 6th Education USA Philippines Fair organized by the U.S. Embassy and the Philippine-American Education Foundation on October 8 at the Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyong City. 
    “After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, we are thrilled to welcome everyone back to the Education USA Fair in person,” U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Heather Variava said at the event’s opening ceremony.  “The exchange of students, researchers, scholars, and educators, along with broader international education efforts between the United States and other countries, strengthens relationships between current and future leaders.  These relationships are necessary to address shared challenges and contribute to global peace and security.” 
    Education USA Advisors and representatives from 32 U.S. universities and colleges offered information on academic programs, admission procedures, scholarship and financial aid options, and student visa applications.  The Education USA Fair is held annually and is free and open to the public. 
    “I know firsthand that selecting and applying for admission to U.S. universities can be a daunting process.  I recently went through this process with my own son, who is a high school student,” Deputy Chief of Mission Variava added.  “The U.S. Embassy’s Education USA Advising team is available to help you navigate the process with free, unbiased information on U.S. higher education.” 
    Education USA also hosted a networking lunch that enabled officials from Filipino universities and high schools to meet visiting U.S. university representatives and discuss the study interests of Filipino students, scholarship opportunities, U.S. school offerings, and potential institutional partnerships.  
    American university representatives recognized the high quality of students in the Philippines and noted that Filipino youth seem more prepared than ever to pursue educational opportunities.  “Prospective students can position themselves well in the U.S. college and university application process due to the excellent preparation they receive in Filipino high schools and universities,” said David Danenberg, Associate Director for Admissions and Financial Aid at Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy.  “We are excited to welcome more students from the Philippines.” 
    “Education USA opens doors to tremendous opportunities,” student Jose Miguel Villegas said.  “The EducationUSA Fair featured enthusiastic representatives from U.S. colleges and universities and an overwhelming number of programs that cater to every student’s interests.”
    Education USA is the U.S. government’s official resource for students interested in higher education in the United States.  It provides free advising services to prospective international students in more than 170 countries and offers students resources and tools to help navigate the five steps to U.S. study: researching schools, financing, completing the application, obtaining a student visa, and preparing for departure. 
    An Education USA adviser can help students narrow their options, define their priorities, and plan their college careers.  While Education USA does not offer scholarships, it can assist students in identifying scholarship and financial assistance opportunities.  Learn more about Education USA at www.facebook.com/educationusa.philippines. 
    U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Officer is John Groch, U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission is Heather Variava while Regional Educational Advising Coordinator is Luke Kim.  

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SSS to Baguio, Benguet employers: Settle dues

Christian Andrew Rillorta

Baguio City – Eight employers from Baguio City and La Trinidad, Benguet received written orders from Social Security System reminding them to settle their incurred delinquencies and comply to their legal obligations under Republic Act 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018.  
    The notices were handed to the employers by officials from SSS Luzon Operations Group and SSS Cluster Legal Unit during the simultaneous conduct of RACE operations or the Run After Contribution Evaders campaign in Baguio City and La Trinidad last October 19, 2022.  
    “As stated in the notice, subjected employers are instructed to settle their legal obligations and or delinquencies with SSS within 15 days upon receipt of the letter. We are also offering to these delinquent employers an option to avail the Pandemic Relief and Restructuring Program or Enhanced Installment Payment Program (PRRP 3) and Contribution Penalty Condonation, Delinquency Management and Restructuring Program”, said SSS President and CEO Michael G. Regino 
    Of the 8 employers, two did not register their businesses to SSS; one was not able to produce any SSS records or documents for inspection; and 5 have delinquencies amounting to more than P989,000. 
    Under Republic Act 11199, employers are mandated to register their businesses to SSS and remit their employees’ contributions monthly. They are also mandated to update their employment records such as payrolls and contribution and loan collection lists and present these documents to SSS for inspection.  
    “Employers who violate the provisions of the SSS Law will face criminal charges. Nonfulfillment of their legal obligations means they are depriving their employees’ social security benefits and loan privileges.” Regino added. 
    Social security benefits include Maternity, Sickness, Unemployment, Disability, Retirement, Death, and Funeral while loan privileges are Salary Loan, Calamity Loan and Emergency Loan. 
    With the Contribution Penalty Condonation, Delinquency Management and Restructuring Program, all single proprietorships, corporations, partnerships, cooperatives, and associations who are delinquent in the payment of SS contributions and/or penalties whose financial positions demonstrate a clear inability to pay the assessed delinquency arising from economic crisis, serious business losses or financial reverses, or resulting from natural calamity, or man-made disaster without fault on their part may apply under this program.  
    “Employers will have an option to pay their delinquencies sans the incurred penalties through one-time payment or monthly installment, depending on the amount of obligation”, Regino concluded. 
    Meanwhile, of the 14 employers subjected to RACE operations conducted by SSS Baguio Branch last April, six already submitted their records for reconciliation; six regained their good standing with SSS thru settlement of their delinquencies in full amount of P1,745,046.9; and two were endorsed to Cluster Legal Unit for filing of case.      The RACE campaign aims to intensify employer’s awareness of their legal obligations and promote the ongoing penalty condonation programs for business and household employers. It started in 2017 and has been implemented in various areas nationwide.  

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Cagayan to export mungbean to Japan

AGGIE TRENDS 

Leander C. Domingo

CABATUAN, Isabela -- A cooperative based in this town is eying to export its munggo or mungbean product to Japan with the assistance of a team from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley).
    DTI Region 2 Director Leah Pulido Ocampo said it is the agency's objective to make the region more competitive in the global value chain, thus facilitating the movement of products in the region offshore.
    To do this, Ocampo said the DTI in the region, together with the project beneficiaries from Flow of Pariir Agriculture Cooperative (FPAC), facilitated the international shipping of mungbean samples to Japan on October 5 for further testing.
    She said the project is in collaboration with DTI-Isabela, the Department of Agriculture in Region 2, and the DTI's Foreign Trade Service Corps to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
    "In this project, we intend to assist MSMEs and farmers engaged in mungbean production for possible expansion of their market in Japan," Ocampo said, adding that this was an offshoot of the collaboration with the Trade and Investment Section of the Philippine Embassy in Japan.
    She noted that before this, the DTI generated export leads during the first forum on Market Trends and Opportunities for Region 2 High-Value Crops in May 2021.
    This was the first time that the DTI gathered the top officers from the East Asian countries composed of their commercial and agriculture attaches and counselors, Ocampo added.
    According to the DTI-Region 2 and DA Regional Field Office 2 headed by Regional Executive Director Narciso     Edillo, the mungbean product in Cabatuan town has high potential with a promising prospect in Japan.
Japan currently imports its mungbean requirements from India, Indonesia and Vietnam, and it would be the first time for the Philippines to tap this market.
    Thus, the Cabatuan-based FPAC has been chosen as the target project beneficiary after having provided the best quality sample possessing all the minimum requirements, the DTI said.
    Ocampo said the DTI team conducted a series of meetings with its partners, the DTI-Export Marketing Bureau and other local stakeholders, including sourcing out samples on-site.
    "They also facilitated the Phytosanitary Certification, and initial coordination and discussion with the service of a Sea Fright Forwarding Company, which assisted in moving the product," she said.
    The DTI team also coordinated with the FTSC-Agricultural Attaché Jose Laquian, and Kenichi Katakura, trade advisor of the Trade and Investment Section, Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines.
    Katakura provided primary information related to the market demand, import status, prevailing price of mungbean in Japan, and entry regulations, the DTI said.
    The DTI Region 2 said it continues to coordinate with the buyers, officials and stakeholders.
    "The DTI team will monitor the timelines that were set to execute the directions and sustain the initial development of this project," Ocampo said, adding the DTI Region 2 and its partners are expecting a boost in the mungbean industry in the region.

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31 wanted persons nabbed in Cordillera

2 tourists held for P2.4-M marijuana 

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet – A total of 31 wanted persons were arrested last week in Cordillera.
    This, as two local tourists are now facing charges for illegal drugs after they were arrested for transporting marijuana bricks worth in P2 million morning of Oct. 14 in Tabuk City. 
    Based on the report submitted to Cordillera police director Brig. Gen. Mafelino A. Bazar, arrested were Mhark Yuzon, 21, from Tondo, Manila and Jess De Guzman, 49 of Novaliches, Quezon City. 
    Tabuk police said they received information from the 2nd Kalinga Provincial Mobile Force Company that a vehicle evaded their checkpoint located at Dinakan, Lubuagan town.
    Police set up a checkpoint and intercepted said vehicle, a Toyota Avanza here in Barangay Naneng.
    De Guzman, the driver immediately fled from the vehicle leaving his partner Yuzon behind. 
Cops chased De Guzman while other responding police officers checked the vehicle.
    They found 17 marijuana bricks weighing 17,000 grams worth P2,040,000. Meanwhile, in manhunt operation, De Guzman was arrested same date in the barangay.     
    Inventory of seized illegal drugs was witnessed by Prosecutor Lalaine Balao-ing Janette Alagao, media representative and Kagawad Fidel Belwayan of Barangay Naneng. 
    Suspects and seized contraband were brought to Tabuk City Police Station for disposition.
    Based on the records from the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division, Baguio recorded highest number of arrests of wanted persons with 15 followed by Abra with 8; Benguet, 5 and Ifugao, Kalinga and Mt. Province with one each.
    One of those arrested was Jeprey Grana Bolivar, 25, of Bangued, Abra for rape.
    Due to intensified police presence and campaign against criminality, during the same period, 62 municipalities in the Cordillera Region recorded zero crime incidents.
    In Abra, 24 out of 27 municipalities recorded zero crime incidents while in Mt. Province, 9 out of 10 municipalities posted zero crime.
    In Ifugao and Benguet, eight of their municipalities recorded zero crime while seven municipalities in Kalinga and six in Apayao recorded zero crime.
 
 
 

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Transformer burned blackout hits Abra

BANGUED, Abra -- A transformer of the Abra Electric Cooperative in this capital town caught fire around noon Tuesday creating power outage that hit the entire province.
    Abreco general manager Loreto Seares Jr. said power was restored in lowland Abra after two hours and in Bangued at around 3:20 p.m.
    Seares said electricity was restored in remaining areas as soon as the replacement of the gutted transformer arrived Wednesday.
    Abreco technical services department manager Joker Damian said an investigation into the fire is ongoing.

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Man threatens to kill live-in partner; held

SABLAN, Benguet – A 27-year-old man was arrested here on Monday, Oct. 17, for allegedly threatening to kill his live-in partner.
    Col. Damian Olsim, Benguet police chief, said suspect Darwin Kindipan, faces charges for violating the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act or Republic Act 9262.
    Olsim said Kindipan, listed as No. 1 most wanted person here, was arrested based on a warrant issued by Judge Marietta Brawner-Cualing of Branch 9, Regional Trial Court, First Judicial Region, La Trinidad, Benguet.
    Police said the suspect harassed and threatened to kill his live-in partner and stop supporting their children on Aug. 18.
    Suspect is under the custody of the police here for documentation prior to presentation and return of the warrant of arrest to the court of origin.

 

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Complaints up vs LT chicken dung trade

Council mulls relocation 

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The municipal council is studying relocation of the controversial chicken dung trade here following complaints of affected residents who said its foul odor and among other matters had affected their health. 
Vice Mayor Roderick Awingan told media the issue was referred to the committee on laws which is expected to render a report anytime.
    He said the Shilan Chicken Dung Truckers and Traders Association sought reconsideration of the decision of the local government to remove the chicken dung trade in the municipality.
    The council is consider separate opposing petitions from a group of residents and Barangay Council.
    Barangay Council leaders support continuation of the dung trade business.
    "The council will deliberate on the matter in their next regular session with the hope the body will have a collective decision on the chicken dung trade which had been the subject of numerous complaints from the directly affected residents living near the area where the business is being done," Awingan said.
    The Sept. 30 deadline set by the municipal council for the dung business to relocate was deferred upon reconsideration that measures would be adapted to mitigate its foul odor.
    The residents' group seeking relocation said the municipal government should use the Court of Appeals ruling as the basis.
    The CA declared the dung operations a nuisance and compromises the health of residents.
    Chicken dung is being used by vegetable farmers as organic fertilizer for their crops because it is more affordable than commercial fertilizers.
 

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4 nabbed for drugs in Baguio, Abra, Tabuk; P400-K MJ burned

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet – Four men were arrested last week in Baguio City, Kalinga and Abra for illegal drugs even as marijuana plants worth P400,000 were confiscated and burned in Kalinga.  
    The police Regional Operations Division bared Daniel Tan Cole, 44 was nabbed while in Kalinga, arrested were Mhark Yuzon, 21; and Jess Bilas de Guzman, 49.
    The weeklong anti-illegal drugs operation resulted in the seizure of suspected shabu worth P40,800 and 17, 000 grams of dried marijuana valued at P2,040,000.
    In Abra, Randy Tadeo, 40 was arrested in Barangay Laang, Lagangilang Oct. 17 in a buy bust operation.  
    Tadeo was arrested by joint operatives of the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unitand Lagangilang town police after he sold twelve sachets of suspected shabu weighing around 0.83 grams valued at P5,644.
    Inventory of the confiscated items was witnessed by Sangguniang Bayan Norberto Aldaca of Lagangilang and Edgar Tanura of DZPA Radio Station. 
    Earlier, a man was charged for illegal drugs after he was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Barangay Quirino Hill morning of Oct. 13 in Baguio
    Based on report submitted to Cordillera police director Brig. Gen. Mafelino A. Bazar, the suspect was identified as Daniel Tan Cole, 44, resident of Barangay Irisan.
    Cole was arrested by elements of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Camdas Police Station after he sold two sachets of suspected shabu weighing around six grams worth P40,800, the regional police information office said.
    Inventory of confiscated items was witnessed by Prosecutor Sigwil Canawil and Barangay Kagawad Eddie Alos of Quirino Hill.
    The suspect and the confiscated items were brought to PDEA Baguio for disposition.
    All arrested suspects are now facing charges for violating Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
    In Benguet, a plantation site was discovered in Sitio Liang, Ambassador, Tublay.
Police discovered 125 fully-grown marijuana plants worth P25,000.
    All marijuana plants were uprooted and burned at site by lawmen.
Investigations are on to identify cultivators of marijuana plantation sites.
    Meanwhile, police and PDEA agents have discovered a marijuana plantation site in Barangay Ngibat, Tinglayan, Kalinga. 
    Said plantation site was planted with 2,000 fully-grown grown marijuana plants worth P400,000. All marijuana plants were destroyed at the site.
    No cultivator was apprehended during the operation.

 

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Kalinga signature drive on for Cordillera autonomy

In celebration of Indigenous Peoples Month 

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The Kalinga State University through its College of Public Administration and Indigenous Governance recently launched a signature campaign to push immediate passage of a pending bill in Congress to establish the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR).

    The signature drive is part of the activities lined up by the provincial government in celebration of Indigenous Peoples month themed "Cordillera Lumin-away."

    The signature drive was in response to call of Rep. Allen Jesse Mangaoang for barangay, municipal, city, and provincial officials and private sector to head campaign to gather signatures of Cordillerans in support to autonomy.

    The signatures will be presented to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to convince him to certify the pending autonomy bill as urgent.

    Mangaoang said the signature campaign should be done during the activities lined up in celebration of Indigenous Peoples Month.

    The Kalinga solon said the signatures would also show Cordillerans are united to form an autonomous regional government.

Cordillera congressmen earlier filed House Bill 3267 to establish a Cordillera Autonomous Region.

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Ilocos Norte declared in ‘state of calamity’

Neneng’ leaves P178-M damage 

By Edison Justin B. Deus

LAOAG CITY – The provincial board declared a “state of calamity” in  Ilocos Norte through a resolution, allowing affected local government units to utilize their Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Funds to recover from the calamity.
    Post-calamity inspections and relief operations are still being conducted by the Provincial Government as of writing.
    This, as Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc reported Monday damage to Ilocos Norte’s agriculture and infrastructure was initially assessed at nearly P178 million, a day after Typhoon "Neneng" battered the province.
    The Provincial Government, through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management and Resiliency Council (PDRRMRC), Provincial Agriculture Office, and Provincial Engineering Office, bared more than P82 million worth of losses in agriculture and as much as P95 million worth of damage to infrastructure.
     "Neneng" also affected 111 barangays across 15 cities and municipalities and 4,300 families, or 17,000 individuals. 
    The PDRRMRC conducted six rescue operations and evacuated around 100 families during the typhoon’s onslaught.
     The Resiliency Council accounted for over 1700 houses affected by flooding, and partially and totally damaged houses at 60 and two  respectively.
    Three individuals were injured and a septuagenarian who was reported missing the night before the typhoon was found lifeless dead Oct. 18, making him the lone casualty.
     As of October 17, at least 1200 food packs worth almost P1 million were distributed to the hardest-hit communities.
    The provincial government’s programs on agriculture is set to aid thousands of farmers in terms of inputs and insurance.
The Governor said he coordinated with the local chief executive of the municipality of Adams, a highland town where significant damage was recorded, to address immediate needs of the community.
    He announced the Ilocos Norte Electric Coop. restored 83% electricity province-wide.

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Council sets P97-M for Baguio City projects

BAGUIO CITY – The city council authorized a supplemental budget amounting to P97,010 million for the funding of various priority projects identified in the approved first supplemental annual investment program for fiscal year 2022 under Resolution NO. 244, series of 2022.
    Under Ordinance No. 61, series of 2022, the P97 million is a surplus of the general fund which could be appropriated to cover some 26 priority projects that had been approved in the first supplemental annual investment plan of the local government.
    Among projects where the funds will be used include repair, rehabilitation and improvement of sunken road at South Sanitary Camp barangay – P8.5 million; improvement/rehabilitation of Mines view satellite market – P8 million; repair and rehabilitation of dilapidated road at South Sanitary Camp barangay – P7.5 million; road rehabilitation of Gabriela Silang barangay – P7.4 million; recovery of road-righty-of-way along  Magsaysay Avenue from Lyman Ogilby Centrum building towards Manuel Roxas road – P3.5 million; development of artificial groundwater recharge facility for drought and flood mitigation – P2.6 million; repair and improvement of caved-in drainage line and dilapidated road pavement along Evangelista St. 2 at Leonila Hill – P1.4 million; construction of drainage canal from creek to Dulnuan residence at Purok 4 Loakan Liwanag barangay – P1.2 million; rehabilitation of Lucnab multipurpose hall second floor – P740,000; construction of drainage an pathway with railings near Inway residence at Happy Hallow barangay – P450,000;Slope protection between Cachatar and Rose Picardal, Purok 4 Insao Pilot Project barangay – P2 million; rehabilitation of existing riprap near Cawis residence at Narra St., Kias barangay – P200,000; vehicle for City Accounting office – P1.6 million; vehicle for City Assessors office – P1.6 million; construction of walkway beside the bridge of Easter College – P120,000; construction of canopy of the sidewalk along Yandoc St. and corner Palma main road – P100,000; construction of canopy of the sidewalk along the corner of Palma main road corner Yandoc St. – P300,000; modern satellite market at Leonila Hill, West Bayan Park – P5 million; construction of barangay building/hall at Bakakeng Central phase 2 – P5 million; repair and rehabilitation of dilapidated pavement at Purok 15 Agro road, Irisan barangay phase 1 – P2.6 million; Convection Center BIR documentary stamp tax and transfer of property with the Registry of Deeds – P7 million; counterpart funding assistance to the Asian Institute of Management’s analytics, computing and complex systems laboratory in the course of the project entitled Project MINERVA: Monitoring of Indicators of Efficient Re-development and Value Assessment – P3.2 million; cultural mapping project – P5.7 million; city hall improvement and premises – P20 million; construction of drainage canal located at the alley behind Podique residence at Ambiong barangay – P300,000 and rehabilitation of main water pipelines at West Quirino Hill, Middle Quirino Hill and East Quirino Hill barangays – P1 million.
    Earlier the city’s Local Finance Committee certified that the amount of P97,010,000.00 is available from the calendar year 2021 surplus account of the general fund to support the request of the local chief executive to fund various priority projects approved in the city’s first supplemental annual investment program for fiscal year 2022 under Resolution NO. 244, series of 2022.
    During the recent deliberation, the council members agreed to substitute entitled, installation of road directional signages at various roads in the amount of P2.6 million under item No. 20 of the letter of the local chief executive with the project entitled repair and rehabilitation of dilapidated pavement at Purok 15 Agro Road, Irisan phase 1. -- Dexter A. See      

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CA affirms cop’s conviction over general’s slay in 2011

By Neil Jayson Servallos

A member of the Nueva Ecija police convicted of murdering his superior 10 years ago has lost his bid to overturn the court’s decision.    
    The Court of Appeals (CA) affirmed the life sentence imposed on Lt. Bernardo Castro by the Regional Trial Court of Santo Domingo, Nueva Ecija in 2020.
    Castro argued that the lower court erred in convicting him of the murder of Brig. Gen. Ricardo Dayag Jr. on Jan. 1, 2011.
    The CA said state prosecutors were able to establish the elements of murder in the case.
    In his appeal, Castro claimed that he had no intention of killing Dayag and that the witnesses lied.
Records showed that Dayag’s daughter saw him rush out of the police station to look into an incident of indiscriminate firing, but he was shot by Castro.
    Dayag died from multiple gunshot wounds in the body.
    Witnesses said he was shot repeatedly even as he fell on the ground.
    “It was established that Dayag was killed as shown in the death certificate. The prosecutor was able to prove that Castro killed the victim. The lower court established that the victim was killed treacherously,” the CA decision read. 
    Aside from the life sentence, Castro was ordered to indemnify Dayag’s family P225,000 in damages.

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NEDA holds forum with LGUs to up development

BAGUIO CITY -- NEDA CAR Regional Director Susan A. Sumbeling urged  local planners to organize and be more involved in regional planning during the recent  “Local Planners Forum” here at Newtown Plaza Event Center.
    The event aimed to level-off planning guidelines and processes towards stronger working relations between the Regional Development Council and local government units in local development processes. 
    NEDA-CAR assistant regional director Stephanie F. Christiansen introduced “Future thinking and strategic foresight as a tool in planning for possible future scenarios. “Future thinking enables us to influence the future through our decisions and strategies -- by engaging participants in thinking deeply about complex issues and imagining new possibilities to make better choices today” she said. 
    She explained the strategic foresight framework, process and tools such as the TPESTRE (technological, political, economic, social/cultural, trust/ethics, regulatory/legal, and environmental), futures triangle and scenario building. 
    An application workshop highlighted participants’ 10-year time scale projection on knowledge management, public financial management, local planning, monitoring and evaluation, and project development.
    The output of the workshop will serve as an input to the formulation of the successor Regional Development Plan 2023-2028 and an initial reference for policy discussions in the Regional Development Council.
    Sumbeling also facilitated organization of a region-wide planners’ organization, with provincial planning and development coordinator Flordeliza G. Moldero of Kalinga designated as interim chairperson. The organization was organized as an effective mechanism for data sharing, capability building, and vertical alignment of plans and programs.
    As immediate next step, a technical working group meeting will be conducted on specific technical assistance needed by local planners from regional agencies and organize a composite team from key agencies to provide such. 
    The local planners will also be involved in workshops and consultations for formulation of RDP 2023-to be led by the RDC sectoral committees this October to first quarter of 2022.

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Slides close highway in Ilocos Norte

Landslides triggered by Severe Tropical Storm Neneng’s heavy to intense rains block a portion of the Manila North Road in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte Oct. 16. – DPWH photo

By John Michael Mugas

PAGUDPUD, Ilocos Norte—The Dept. of Public Works and Highways on Oct. 16 closed a portion of the national highway here as Severe Tropical Storm Neneng (international name: Nesat) hit parts of Luzon.
    The DPWH regional office announced the closure of a segment of the Manila North Road in Pancian village due to rain-induced landslides.
    Clearing operations will start once the weather improves, the DPWH added.
    The national road along Ilocos-Sur-Abra-Kalinga-Tuguegarao could serve as alternate route for inter-province travel and vice versa.
    As of 3:50 a.m. Sunday, Neneng made landfall in Calayan Island, Cagayan, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said in its 5 a.m. bulletin.
    The state weather bureau, in its 8 a.m. bulletin, said Neneng maintained its strength and was moving away from Babuyan Islands, moving west-northwest at 20 kilometers per hour, with maximum sustained winds of 95 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph.
    Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 was raised over the southern portion of Batanes (Basco, Mahatao, Uyugan, Ivana, Sabtang) and Babuyan Islands while TCWS No. 2 is up over the rest of Batanes, the rest of Cagayan, Apayao, the northern portion of Abra (Tineg, Lacub, Lagayan), and Ilocos Norte.
Several areas in north Luzon were placed under TCWS No. 1.
 
 
  

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DSWD: P8 million set for those affected by ‘Neneng’

By John Michael Mugas

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte — At least P8 million worth of funds are ready to be allocated to victims of Severe Tropical Storm Neneng (international name: Nesat) in the Ilocos region, the Dept. of Social Welfare and Development said in a statement Oct. 16.
    The financial aid would be lifted from the agency’s quick response fund, the DSWD said.
    The agency added that it has 31,702 family food packs amounting to over P20 million prepositioned at its regional office and satellite warehouses across the region to be distributed to those who had to flee their homes due to floods.
    At least 12,654 non-food items worth P33 million were also prepared to be distributed, the DSWD said.
    Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Neneng hit several areas of northern Luzon.

 

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An assessment of Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s first 100 days in office

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. gestures as he delivers his first State of the Nation Address, in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, July 25, 2022. (Photo: Jam Sta Rosa/Pool via REUTERS)

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. marks his 100th day as president of the Republic of the Philippines                                                   Friday (October 7).

By Marvin Joseph Ang

With over 31 million of the voting population handing to him the seal of approval to govern, he inherited a country severely devastated by the adverse effects of the pandemic, skyrocketing prices of goods in the market due to a high inflation rate, rising unemployment rate, trillions of foreign and domestic debt, and so much more.
    Although Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said that the administration will not release an accomplishment report, some officials, including allies of the president, have already weighed in on his first 100 days.
    Former President and Pampanga Second District Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, in a statement, said: “I think a president’s first 100 days serves two purposes: first, to give the nation and the world a message of confidence relative to the area of greatest concern; and second, to give the Filipino people of the leadership style of the president.”
    “In President Marcos Jr.’s case, in the wake of the pandemic and global tensions in Ukraine and Taiwan, the adverse economic impact of these crises is topmost on most minds,” she added.

    Arroyo said that Marcos was able to assemble an “impressive economic team that has been universally praised,” and “has projected himself well as a calm, thoughtful leader who is true to his promise to promote unity and be a president for all.”

    In a speech before members of the Manila Overseas Press Club, Marcos said that his greatest achievement during his first 100 days is he was able to put up a “functional” government with “a very, very good idea” to achieve “strict economic targets,” nevermind the fact that up to now, in the middle of agricultural crises due to shortage of agricultural products, and the continuing public health concern brought by the pandemic, there is still no secretaries in the Departments of Agriculture and Health.

    “We are grateful for their talent, to have them in place gives us a very distinct advantage as we try to transform our economy for the next two years,” Marcos said.

    Past presidents usually publish accomplishment reports or at least try to come up with one, to show that the government the people elected is functioning well. To show the country that amid the chaotic red tape of government bureaucracy, the election and appointment of a fresh set of officials work, before it fizzles out due to systemic corruption and whatnot.

    However, it seems that what Marcos has accomplished in the last 100 days, aside from being seen partying hard on numerous occasions, is putting out the flames that factions within his own government have created.

    Just last week, two of his alter egos, and a chairperson of an important constitutional commission, resigned, or just simply walked out of the Palace.

    He may have brought home pledges from his state visits to neighboring Southeast Asian countries, $8.5 billion in Indonesia and $6.5 billion in Singapore, and the United States where he got $3.9 billion, we have yet to see the benefits of these investments as these are only pledges, and could still be pulled out.

    Bersamin, who arrived in the administration past Marcos’s 90 days in power, called the president’s first 100 days “very inspiring.”

    “Nada-divert lang nang kaunti because there were turbulences, but common ‘yan sa mga new administrations,” he said.

    (It only gets diverted because of the turbulences, but it is common in new administrations.)

    But at this point, Marcos’s “unity” should’ve already translated to more concrete socioeconomic policies, and plans to curb the rising inflation rate and shortages of goods.

    Until then, it’s safe to conclude that candidate Marcos and President Marcos have not so much in common.

    Marvin Joseph Ang is a news and creative writer who follows developments on politics, democracy, and popular culture. He advocates for a free press and national democracy. Follow him on Twitter at @marvs30ang for latest news and updates. The views expressed are his own.

 

 

 

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