BULL’S HIT

Jueteng, video machines and new DOTC chief
Rudy Garcia

The arrest of lintang Bedol is a welcome development on the ongoing inquiry over the alleged manipulation of votes in Maguindanao. His arrest however doesn’t mean he was proven guilty but he would be placed under proper-jurisdiction while the investigation is going on.

The public wants to see him placed behind bars once found guilty to set an example and deliver a clear massage that the same fate will happen to erring officials. I hope our government authorities will be sincere in getting rid of these scalawags and not only do it for show – in other words – moro moro.

Hopefully, Bedol will not answer in “Budol Budol” when he will be placed on the witness stand. Anyway there are many good coaches from the Commission on Elections who could coach him on what he will say before hearing, that will make the poll body and their big bosses happy.
***
Jueteng is on an upswing in Baguio City and nearby provinces and I can’t help but wonder why our authorities are again seemingly helpless in getting rid of this menace, or are there reasons why they can’t?

In Baguio, there are still many bet collectors or kubradors seen around collecting bet money openly in public places. There are also betting stations and our bettors know where to go like this two stations at Kayang St. just beside the loading station of passenger Jeepneys bound for Tacay Road in Quezon Hill.

Some have raised the question if this is really jueteng or bingo sa barangay since the numbers now consist of 38 from the usual 37. As far as my sources are concerned, this is bingoteng -- jueteng in disguise.

Is there truth that a member of the city council is behind the operation of jueteng in Baguio? If not, then this fat bellied councilor should have the balls to face the public and deny speculations.

Nevertheless we have still the young and energetic Baguio mayor Reynaldo Bautista and city police director Moises Guevarra who could go after these jueteng operators – if they really have the balls too.

This is now the chance for these two officials to prove they didn’t give the “blessing” or approval for the illegal gambling activity and are not on the take in connivance with other top officials. How about it your honors?
***
Those video fruit machines or “kulalong” are still found in some at the bars and billiard joints in Baguio and it seems local authorities are not serious enough in going after the video operators (with the exception of Councilor Galo Weygan and his AVCTF who were able to catch and haul into custody several of these video machines from Barangay Irisan.)

Most high school and even elementary students skip their classes just to play “kulalong” and even commit petty crimes to raise money for this game. It’s a pity for those poor parents who work hard like carabaos just to send their children to school but later on find out their kids are not attending classes.

I wonder what kind of conscience operators and protectors of these video machines have, having seen children addicted to their machines and making these children lose track in the direction of a good future. Have these operators and protectors forgotten they have moral and social responsibilities especially to these young students? They should not wait for their own children to be also hooked on these modern day gambling bet video machines and feel sorry later.
***
The appointment of former Baguio City Councilor Federico “Bong” Mandapat Jr. as new regional director of the Dept. of Transportation and Communications is a right move. It is a fair and square appointment. Mandapat replaced former regional director . Alfredo Mondiguing

I bet, that the new regional director who is a full-blooded Baguio boy will be much more efficient, effective and upright compared to all his predecessors combined.

Welcome to the world of transportation and communications sir. Please make your priority to wipe out these colorums and smoke belching vehicles from Baguio streets.

Read more...

BUSINESS BITS

Big time safaris
Luz Baguioro

Going on safari is more than a hobby to Victor Dizon, a former investment banker and now majority shareholder and managing director of Asia to Africa Safaris, a company packaging customized safaris in Africa. Dizon, 36, got the idea for the business as a result of a safari trip to Botsawana eight years ago.

“It was an eye opener and I kept going back,” he says. At the time, the companies organizing African safaris were based either in the United States, the Unites Kingdom or South Africa, so visiting the continent was a hassle to Asia-based enthusiasts.

Challenged, Dizon tapped some friends and started organizing trips for families and other friends. Soon, safari operators in Africa broached the idea of going into business together, but Dizon took the idea seriously only when he quit banking in 2002. While contemplating what to do next, he volunteered to work as an apprentice ranger and conservationist in a South African game park.

A four-month stay in the bush led to an epiphany. “It made me realize that I’m really passionate about African safaris, that I wanted to do something related to safaris,” he says. On coming back, he got in touch with two friends, a Filipino and a Malaysian. They were both safari enthusiasts and equally tried of investment banking, so they both quit their jobs to help Dizon establish Asia to Africa Safaris in 2002.

Unlike most travel agents, Dizon and his associates arrange customized tours. After an initial meeting or phone conversation with a client, the company representative draws up a proposed itinerary given to the client’s budget and preferences.

“It’s important to understand what the client wants and to gauge his personality,” says Dizon. “Does he like luxurious stuff? Is he the active kind? The trip costs a lot of money, so we want to make sure he comes back satisfied. If he wants a particular bottle of wine or dish, if he wants to ride only in a certain plane – no problem.

We provide whatever he wants, but he would have to pay the additional costs.” A safari can last one to two and a half weeks and cost $5,000 to $10,000. A package would take you from the South African capital of Johannesburg to remote camp by private plane.
It could take you to three or four camps – all not necessarily within the country – where you could order your favorite wine or pasta any time of day. You may then wish to end your safari in Capetown to ease your glide back to civilization. “A safari gives you adventure,” says Dizon. “And people who appreciate safaris are usually well traveled, having been to London or Paris more than ten times. They look for excitement.”

One client to Botsawana’s Okavango Delta for her honeymoon last January says there were no phone lines, hence no internet access and no GSM coverage. Shy Sala says “it was hardly rugged. In fact, it was too luxurious at times, which is incredible when you consider that the camps are literally in the middle of a bush. The standards were similar to what I would have expected from a Four Season or an Aman Resort.”

Dizon’s company targets captains of industries or businessmen aged fifty-five to sixty-five, young professionals, and the so-called “older honeymooners” – people who marry past the age of thirty. It aimed at Hong Kong and Singapore initially, but the Philippines proved to be an equally lucrative market. Mainly by word-of-mouth, Asia to Africa hooked 60 clients in its first year – half of them from Hong Kong and a quarter from Singapore and the Philippines.

To boost sales, the company produced a twelve-page brochure and a DVD feature in April to hand out to prospective clients. It also tied up with a bridal company in Hong Kong that advises newlyweds where to go for their honeymoons. It plans to publish a book on Asian travelers’ safari experiences and to host safari tours for journalists. “We’ll be much more aggressive,” says Dizon. “We’ll be casting a wider net.”

Read more...

Not only FrancSwiss :Other online scams still duping victims of money

BY GINA DIZON

BAGUIO CITY -- It is not only FrancSwiss. Other online scams are still defrauding investors of millions of money but still, the list of victims is going up due to greed and ignorance, Dept. of Trade and Industry officials said.

With a 1.8 daily interest for a minimum deposit of $20 to above $5,000, any sucker would grab the opportunity offered by Euro-America Index which is posing as an online investment company.

But be warned, DTI officials here said Euro-America Index does not have a principal office address nor even a telephone number where one can reach the co-called company.

In Bontoc, Mountain Province, DTI investment promotions officer Joel Fagsao said EAIndex is an obscure company since its legitimacy is not established.

In DTI’s Friday radio program, Fagsao warned the public not to invest in dubious companies like Euro-America Index or even FrancSwiss invading Baguio City and other parts of the country.

With no principal office or company officers to deal with, the investor can only rely on the agent who is speaking for the so-called company. Where the identity of the agent is not legally established, added to the fact that the investor does not even know him or her personally makes the deal doubly risky.

Who can the investor turn to in the end that he gets duped? Investors in the infamous Line card and Mariposa pyramiding companies three years ago sued their local uplines for estafa for not giving the promised returns.

In EAIndex, the upline could only turn to the agent who seemingly is the contact to the ‘company’ and who collected registrants' payments, it was learned. EAIndex uses uplines who usually are locals who register new recruits, collect their investments also and remit these to EAIndex.

Using a system such as epoint trading, investors buy and trade among themselves. The problem begins when the ‘company’ will not deliver interest returns as promised and there are no fresh recruits to turn in additional cash.

The investor who has the biggest deposit is considered the “banker” to whom the uplines will get their money returns everyday, it was learned. An investor however said she still did not get the interest of her investment since she gave P1,000 to her upline.

Through the internet, investors check how much they made out of their invested money. An investor with Euro-America Index is hopeful she would get her money’s supposed worth.

“I am a gambler so I invest,” she said. Among EAIndex investor- gamblers, the risk is very high however.

Bloggers warn that EAIndex is not real. A website was displayed “somewhere in the US but turned out to be fake”. The one who owns the website now may be somewhere in South East Asia , a blogger questioning the legitimacy of the company said.

This high yielding investment promo is fast spreading in South East Asia which started September last year.

Sources say Euro-America Index was banned in Malaysia following unrealized profits of individual investors. Malaysian depositors are still looking for their supposed money’s worth.

The seemingly dubious scheme of AEIndex where there is no visible office and the company not even registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, makes Euro-America Index highly uncertain to deal with.

Double your money scams come fast and go. And yet, hundreds, if not thousands still hunger for quick money and they never learn getting fooled.

DTI officials said obscure investment companies swindled a number of people here in the province and the people should learn not to get victimized by their own greed.

These companies include companies which employed illegal pyramiding schemes like the infamous LineCard and Mariposa investment companies using phone cards as items.

These ‘double our money schemes’ like Ponzi operate similar to the infamous Dimensional in the ‘70s which swindled a number of people from the Mountain Province of their hard earned money.

Provincial DTI Director Juliet Lucas said she already warned government employees here during the regular Monday program 1st week of July not to invest in Euro America Index which invaded Bontoc and FrancSwiss operating in Baguio City.

Most of those who invested in Euro-America Index are government employees, it was learned. Some even loaned huge amounts just to avail of the supposed investment opportunities, she said.

While there is no indication of illegal pyramiding schemes employed by EAIndex, Lucas strictly warns the public not to fall into investing with dubious companies which promise “double your money schemes’ and are not even registered with the SEC.

Not only is the investor duped of whatever investment he may have deposited to the company’s agents. Lawyer Tomas Bayogan said a dubious company also makes money illegally in the country and runs away with whatever taxes it is liable to pay.

EAIndex for one, is liable to pay the Philippine government of whatever profits it has derived from making business in the country. And, the company has to be registered under Philippine laws, Bayogan said.

As it is however, Euro America Index is not even registered with the SEC nor a license to operate in the country.

Provisions of the law (RA 8799) require that companies dealing with securities including shares, interests or profits in a company sealed by a contract or certificate whether in a written or electronic instrument, need to register with the SEC.

FrancSwiss, along with subsidiaries SwissCash, Universal Forex System and Global America are not registered with SEC in the Philippines .

Earlier, the regional SEC office considered as fraudulent the investment schemes of FrancSwiss, an online investment firm. Elements of the National Bureau of Investigation arrested one Eleazard Castillo, FrancSwiss agent operating in Baguio City, last week, following the complaint of some investors that they were not able to withdraw the promised returns of their invested money.

FrancSwiss investors were promised $4.5% or $45 daily per $1,000 which they invested.

Read more...

Ebdane orders contractors, DPWH officials: Correct Halsema Highway slippages

BY DEXTER A SEE

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Visiting Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. ordered contractors of flagship projects of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in this province and other parts of the Cordillera to institute corrective measures to avoid further delays and negative slippages in the multi-million infrastructure projects funded under the North Luzon Agri-business Quadrangle.

In his two-day visit here and in Baguio City, Ebdane personally conducted an ocular inspection in all the 47 packages of the rehabilitation of three major road networks linking the province with neighboring, Benguet, Ifugao and Kalinga.

Initially, the DPWH quality assurance unit noted several defects in the ongoing implementation of different projects, particularly in the earthmoving and construction activities, coupled with negative slippages in most of the projects.

The President’s priority projects in the region includes the complete rehabilitation of phases II and III of the Baguio-Bontoc-Banaue road, popularly known as the Halsema highway, especially at the Mount Data to Bontoc and Bontoc to Banaue sections and the Bontoc-Tubak-Tuguegarao road.
For this year, the national government released a total of P870 million to fund the initial works for the priority projects which are expected to be completed in the next three years.

It can be recalled that it was Secretary Ebdane who proposed to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to use local funds instead of acquiring a huge foreign loan to fund the remaining projects of the Halsema highway and the Bontoc-Tabuk-Tuguegarao road during their visit here last December.

For his part, Mariano Alquisa, regional DPWH director, admitted the defects discovered by the agency’s monitoring team could be easily corrected in the course of the project implementation, thus, there is no cause for alarm on the quality of the projects upon completion.

He said such defects are compounded by the regular afternoon rains, thus, negative slippages cannot be avoided.

Alquisa issued an order to all stakeholders to fastrack implementation of all projects so that it could be completed by the end of this year right in time for the release of the funds for the second year of project implementation.

Ebdane ordered all concerned offices of the DPWH to conduct strict supervision and monitoring on the project implementation so that the President would be regularly updated on the status of her ‘pet projects’ in the region.

Read more...

‘Love triangle’ victim slain

BY JERRY PADILLA

SAN JUAN, La Union – The decomposing body of a German national was found July 10 in his house here at Montemar Village, Barangay Ili Norte, believed to be the victim of a love triangle.

The body was found three days after he was reported missing. Police identified the victim as Eberhard Peter Klaus Rust, 67, former worker of a softdrinks and appliance company in Germany.

He was receiving regular pension from Germany. Police said he was killed. Investigators are looking into love triangle as the motive behind the death of the foreigner.

Aside from love triangle, La Union police director Sr. Supt. Franklin Bucayu said, his investigators are also looking into other possible motives such as robbery and disagreement among his lovers over the question of who will inherit his properties once he dies.

It might be a love triangle because the victim had been involved with different women,” Bucayu said.

Autopsy results show that Rust suffered 13 stab wounds on different parts of the body. He also suffered a fractured skull.

Read more...

Former officials leave town coffers ‘bankrupt’

BY JENNELYN MONDEJAR

SISON, Pangasinan – This town’s coffers is “almost bankrupt,” newly installed mayor Kimi Cojuangco bared.

She said of the P51-million allocation from the national government for 2007, only P39,000 was left by the past administration.

“This is the truth, and I want my constituents to know that our treasury is almost bankrupt,” she said, vowing transparency in her administration.

The lady mayor said she would find ways to improve the financial instability of Sison. “I would like to ask my husband, Congressman Mark Cojuangco, to help us as Sison is one of the nine towns in his district,” she said.

The town’s chief executive also said that one of her top concerns is a program to provide and improve the livelihood of her constituents.

“Palalaguin natin ang palengke at maglalagay tayo ng bagsakan center para sa mga produkto n gating mga bukid ditto sa Sison,” she said.

She also said that food production will be stepped up.

Mayor Cojuangco was cited by her townmates for being honest and sincere in her goal to serve them and turn Sison into a better municipality.

She pledged to do her best to push the advancement of the town with the support of her constituents.

The lady mayor, who ran unopposed in the May 14 polls, said “We are moving toward the development and progress of Sison.”

Rep. Mark O. Cojuangco 5th District, Pangasinan), her husband, earlier administered her oath of office at rites witnessed by her parent-in-law Ambassador Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco and his wife Gretchen.

She thanked her supporters and the guests, who included Binalonan Mayor Ramon Guico Jr., president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, Villasis Mayor Nonto Abrencia, and Abono partylist founder Rosendo So.

Read more...

Villagers in 21 Central Luzon towns warned on geo-hazards

BY GEORGE TRILLO

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The Mines and Geosciences Bureau has alerted barangay heads in 21 towns in five Central Luzon provinces on specific natural dangers their communities are facing this rainy season.

Geologist Orlando Pineda, chief of MGB’s geology division, said his personnel asked barangay chiefs to sign advisories his office furnished them to make sure they were fully informed about the geo-hazards.

“It cannot be said that they were not warned beforehand,” he added.

Pineda said the advisories contained geographical coordinates with barangay halls or schools as reference points “so that everything would be clear.”

“They also identify which parts of the barangays are safe enough for use as evacuation centers,” he said.

Pineda said the MGB completed its geo-hazard mapping of barangays in Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinulungan, Dipaculao, Ma. Aurora, Baler, San Luis, and Dingalan in Aurora province; Floridablanca, Mabalacat, Mexico, and Porac in Pampanga; Munoz and Sto. Domingo in Nueva Ecija; Hermosa and parts of Dinalupihan in Bataan; and san Marcelino, Castillejos, Sta.Cruz, Botolan, and San Narciso in Zambales.

Pineda said the MGB still has to survey more areas in Central Luzon, after which a comprehensive geo-hazard will be drawn up.

Pineda said most of the identified flood-prone areas are near rivers, although surveyed communities in Aurora face threats of both flash floods and landslides.

He said that in San Marcelino, Castillejos, Sta. Cruz, Botolan and San Narciso towns in Zambales, the threats from rivers are significant because these channels are heavily clogged by lahar debris from Mt. Pinatubo.

“Our office is open to request for seminars in threatened areas so people would be more aware of the risks they are facing. We also have information and education materials ready for them,” he said.

Pineda said his agency is coordinating with other government agencies to determine the number of residents in these communities.

Read more...

2 suspects in burning of videoke bar nabbed

LAOAG CITY – Two of five suspects in the burning of a videoke bar owned by Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Rosemarie Ramos and the wounding of her caretaker were arrested last week in Solsona, Ilocos Norte.

Ramos inhibited herself from the investigation when the suspects, Ronnie Baria and Charlie Alcon, were presented by lawmen.

Ramos said the suspects, including three others, who are at large, will be charged with arson and frustrated murder.

A police report stated that her caretaker, identified as Elmer Domingo, was shot and wounded by the assailants when they torched her videoke bar in Capurictan, Solsona. -- Jun Guiang

Read more...

Charges filed vs 4 PAG men for ambush in Abra

DOLORES, Abra -- Multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder charges were filed against four alleged partisan armed group members who were nabbed here at Barangay Talogtog by policemen last week.

Police said several witnesses testified against the four suspects for their alleged involvement in the ambush of punong barangay Guyang at the boundary of barangays Pang-ot and Ba-I, in Lagayan, Abra last May 4, which resulted to the death of six persons and wounding of three others.

The four suspects who were charged were named as: Codiem Bilong, Joel Sulian, Celeno Bagnalen and Dominador Balucas.

The cooperation of witnesses was reportedly one of key factors in resolving the killings in Abra.

In another development, elements of the Abra Provincial Police Office arrested Roy Cardona y Magayam, 32, single, jobless, of Laplapog, Villaviciousa, Abra on the strength of a warrant of arrest for murder issued by Judge Corpuz Alzate of the Regional Trial Court’s Branch 2 in Abra.

Abra policemen also arrested John Gumanab y Lico-o, 34, farmer, of Laplapog, Villaviciosa by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Corpuz Alzate of RTC Branch 2 in Bangued.

Read more...

Austrian charged for killing chicken

BY GINA DIZON

SAGADA, Mountain Province -- For killing a chicken and shooting a dog, Austrian tourist Ernest Reiseneder was charged here before the fiscal’s office for violating the animal welfare act.

Bernard Wassit of Sitio Bitin, Barangay Ambasing, filed the charges against Reiseneder. The tourist had been the object of a lot of complaints from residents but to date, he is still staying put in a rented house in Bitin.

The owner of the house was reportedly asked to make Reisener move out since he was a troublemaker in the community but to date, hasn’t ejected the tourist.

In a letter-complaint forwarded to Director Antonio Pierto of the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation, nearly a hundred villagers here enumerated offenses which they claimed Reiseneder committed against residents of Ambasing and Bitin.

The letter-complaint endorsed by Mayor Eduardo Latawan, residents said they wanted Reiseneder investigated and deported by the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation.

Residents claimed that beginning November last year, Reiseneder tapped water from the community water tank located at the compound where he is renting his house, which he used for gardening purposes.

This resulted to loss of water for the people of Ambasing and Bitin who relied on the water coming from said water tank for their domestic use.

Residents said this deprivation of water by Reiseneder was done early months of this year from January to April.

Residents in many instances told Reiseneder not to use the water for gardening as the people are deprived of the much needed water.

Reiseneder however continued to use the water for his gardening, residents claimed.

Sometime in May this year, along with a local help, Reiseneder reportedly burned Ambowagiw watershed thus bringing environmental destruction to the immediate community.
Villagers here said the tourist reportedly uses foul language like “fuck you” or “I’ll shoot you” to the people here.

Due to reported abusive and inconsiderate acts towards the people of Bitin and Ambasing, residents here declared Reiseneder persona non grata in one of their barangay meetings.

The house owner also reported to the police here that Reiseneder repaired some parts of her house without her permission.

Meantime, Reiseneder reported to the police that he was allegedly threatened by a fire police officer; and not being allegedly attended to by police elements here.

Residents said Reisener should get out from the town since he is unwanted for being a troublemaker.

Read more...

La Trinidad mayor orders cops: Stop carnival games

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Mayor Artemio Galwan ordered last week town police to stop ongoing operations of a mini-carnival here due to mounting complaints of residents.

“I have instructed the police stop the carnival operations at Barangay Betag,” Galwan told local media.

Earlier, the municipal council asked his office to order a stop to the mini-carnival operations, saying this lured minors to engage illegal gambling.

Councilors said most of those who went to the carnival were minors who dropped by before or after attending classes.

Councilor Jim Botiwey said carnival operations were not good social activities, as these involved games of chance.

Barangays allow carnivals to operate as a fund-raising activity. This are however, allowed only during occasions like barangay fiestas.

The barangay council of Betag, in an earlier request for a permit to operate a mini-carnival said the activity is aimed at raising funds to be used to pay additional police force auxiliaries and to finance the repair of dilapidated streetlights there.

The carnival operator was given a permit by the barangay last June 7 to operate legally for two months.

Read more...

BAGUIO CITY

‘First reading’: Companies required to secure approval before doing projects
BY DAN RICKY ONG

BAGUIO CITY – The city council last week approved on first reading a proposed ordinance of Councilor Rocky Thomas Balisong requiring all public utilities like telephone, cable, and telecommunication companies to secure the council’s approval and indorsement on any project they intend to implement in the city.

The measure seeks to set the guidelines for companies to adhere to before initiating a project. Such undertaking would help reduce if not eliminate the problems that usually arise between the residents and the public utility companies.

“Instances of raising questions by Barangay residents and concerned officials become inevitable when projects of the utility companies are being implemented without consultations. Questions on the possible health hazards of cell site towers of cellular phone companies have also brought great debates among the parties,” Balisong said.

He said companies on the other hand would also need to cope with the pace of technology thus the need to install new base antennae and towers to be able to likewise satisfy and deliver better services to its customers and subscribers.

“It is in this light that this piece of legislation is needed in order to set the specific requirements for these utility companies to conform to hence avoid disputes between them,” he added.

Once approved, requirements to be submitted to the council would include a Barangay resolution endorsing the project and indicating that the company and the Barangay had undergone consultations or public hearings with the affected residents.

Other requirements would include the height clearance secured from the Air Transportation Office and the clearance from the Department of Health, Bureau of Health Devices and Technology indicating that the project will not cause any health problems to the residents.

Also, the company is required to acquire an affidavit of consent by the residents living within the 200 meter radius of the project site and that such project will be beneficial to the city’s constituents.

Further, the proposed ordinance contained that no application for a project permit will be approved unless the complete requirements are submitted for the council to study and indorse. Also, no building, fencing or occupancy permit will be issued without the approval of the council.


Religious leaders spearhead multi-sectoral drive againstgovernment lottery operations
By DEXTER A. SEE

BAGUIO CITY – Dozens of Church leaders and thousands of Church workers here are spearheading a signature campaign against a renewed plan to operate the controversial government-run Small-Town Lottery (STL) in this mountain resort city.

Initially, some 40 religious leaders of various congregations signed a petition for the scrapping of the STL during a recent ecumenical meeting of the United Church of Christ of the Philippines.

The petition, which was also signed by thousands of supporters of the Church leaders, was initiated by Rev. Simplicio Dang-awan Jr., UCCP Baguio senior pastor, and is now being circulated in the 128 barangays to collect more signatures.

This will be submitted to local officials, who are reportedly inclined to approve the operation of STL in a bid to eradicate the proliferation of "jueteng," the illegal numbers game.

Rev. Andres Cosalan of the Catholic Church here said religious leaders stand firm on their position that gambling, legal or illegal, is bad for the people and their families.
The Baguio multi-sectoral group had revived its opposition to STL after one city official who reportedly told reporters that STL will be approved to eliminate the operation of "jueteng" and other forms of illegal numbers games in this city.

Lawyer Alexander Bangsoy, BMG spokesperson, said the group will not allow legal or illegal gambling in the city, adding the issue over morality should come first over the economic benefits to be derived from gambling.

It was learned that at least three firms have signified their intention to operate STL in this city subject to the rules and regulations passed by the former city council and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Ordinance 45, series of 1990, amended Ordinance 2, series of 1990, providing the rules and regulations for the operation of STL in this city.

The BMG warned that it will hold a series of anti-gambling rallies in this city to show the people’s vehement opposition to gambling in the city.

However, political analysts here predicted that the approval of the operation of STL might again be a hairline decision of the city council, recalling what was done by the previous council when it approved the operation of a bingo parlor under the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. in 2000.

Despite the anti-gambling stance of BMG, "jueteng" and other forms of illegal gambling continue to proliferate in the city right under the noses of law enforcers.


More blackouts seen in Baguio, 4 Benguet towns
BY DEXTER A SEE

BAGUIO CITY – Over 100,000 power consumers in this mountain resort city and nearby towns of Benguet would experience longer blackouts in the coming days if the National Transmission Corp. will not fully rehabilitate their power lines in accordance to specifications of the Grid Code.

Gerardo P. Verzosa, general manager of the Benguet Electric Coop. bared this saying the recent five-hour blackout experienced in the city and La Trinidad, Benguet would be repeated in the coming days once the power lines of Transco fail.

He added power consumers in the towns of Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and La Trinidad will encounter longer power portages in case Transco’s main power line supplying the power needs of Beneco fails due to unforeseen circumstances.

Under the Grid Code approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission, Transco is required to install alternative lines, aside from their existing power lines, so that there will be no serious power interruptions that will compromise the interest of consumers in Baguio and Benguet.

The whole of Baguio, La Trinidad, Itogon Sablan and Tuba suffered from a five-hour blackout early evening of May 25 when its newly-tapped line from Beneco suddenly tripped off, two days after the conduct of initial rehabilitation works in reparation for the installation of double switches that would guarantee reliability of power supply.

Verzosa said rehabilitation of Tranco’s power lines must form part of the company’s five-year development and rehabilitation plan to ensure reliability and quality of power delivered to the consumers.

However, Fernando Gadon, Transco’s division manager for Western Benguet, said they are still in the process of finalizing the survey for the full rehabilitation of their power lines before it will be submitted for inclusion in their five-year development land by their corporate planning office.

Gadon said is their central office that decides on such matters but they were not remiss in submitting needed requirements to justify its inclusion in the company’s development plan.

Both officials agreed that they will closely work together to ensure the delivery of reliable and quality power to the consumers to prevent the occurrence of future blackouts that would grossly inconvenience the ordinary consumers.


P300-M circumferential road to ease traffic flow: Right-of-way claims snag vital Baguio road project
BY DEXTER A SEE

BAGUIO CITY — Unsettled right-of-way claims continue to derail the construction of the R300-million circumferential road in this mountain resort city that aims to provide an alternate route for motorists wanting to evade traffic congestion in the central business district.

Engineer Mariano Alquisa, regional director of the Department of Public Works and Highways, said it is not a matter of not having enough funds but a matter of settling claims over properties to be affected by the ambitious road project.

He said there were a number of claims that would have been settled earlier had it not been for the indecisiveness of some claimants over the compensation package being offered by the agency.
Some claimants reportedly had agreed to a settlement, but later changed their mind and demanded higher compensation.

This led to another delay in the implementation of the project despite efforts to fast-track its implementation to ease traffic congestion in the city.

Barangay Happy Hallow, one of the remotest areas in the city, remains to be a problem area in terms of the settlement of road right-of-way claims.

The 21-km circumferential road project was conceptualized in response to the city’s worsening traffic situation.

Former President Joseph Estrada had approved the release of P300 million for the project as the national government’s partial payment to its obligations it incurred for the liquidation of various national government properties in the city which were assessed at over R800 million.

If the road is finished, motorists from Irisan, the biggest barangay of the city, could go to Happy Hallow at the other side of the city, and vice versa, without passing through the central business district.

Alquisa said the three phases of the project in Happy Hallow costs over P80 million and involves road widening, concreting, and improvement of the drainage system.

Another problem is the road opening at the Balacbac-Camp 7 portion of the road where the claimants want their lots to be bought at allegedly excessive prices.

Earlier, Baguio City Rep. Mauricio G. Domogan acted as a mediator in convincing the Bases Conversion and Development Authority to allow the DPWH contractors to work on the portions of the road located in the Camp John Hay reservation.

Read more...

BENGUET

Permit already ‘expired’: Benguet folks oppose continuous operations of Philex Mining Corp.
BY DEXTER SEE

TUBA, Benguet – Thousands of residents of barangays here where Philex Mining Corp., one of the existing mining companies in this province is located are opposing the company’s operation which has been going on despite the expiration of its permit early this year.

In a petition addressed to the Benguet Provincial Government, the residents stated that Philex Mines has continue to operate despite the rejection of the company’s mineral production sharing agreement (MPSA) during a consultation on free and prior informed consent held a few months ago.

It was learned that the overwhelming rejection was prompted by the company’s alleged disrespect of the rights of the indigenous peoples, failure to provide adequate water supply, and alleged displacement of many residents.

Furthermore, it was alleged that the mining company failed to pay land claims in the buffer zone and that the owners of damaged properties caused by the continuous mining operation were given social assistance instead of just compensation.

In a recent meeting, representatives of hundreds of families residing at Sitios Loakan, Agpay, Dun-oy, Alang, Santa Fe, Liang, Libeng, Pukis, Mansumang, Piral, Tabnusan, Pugol, Pungol, Oligba, Alapang, Camait, Batian, Torre, and Clifton in BArangay Camp 3, this town declared that they do not approve the mining firm’s renewed operation. They demanded that Philex Mines discontinue its operation and rehabilitate their sources of water which, they claimed, have bee heavily depleted because of the continuous diggings.

Early this year, the central office of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) granted a one-year special mines permit to Philex to the certain condition.
Among the required condition for the company’s continuous operations are the filing of a surety bond in the amount equivalent to the annual net mining revenue derived from its operations in the 98hectare permitted area.

As of March this year, Philex paid 42, individual claimants a total of P29, 878,717.06 for the damages they suffered. The claimants are residing in the buffer or subsidence zone.

However, the residents said that the compensation paid by the company is insufficient, considering the long-term negative effects of mining in their communities.

They said that the compensation given to some families were mere pretence to convince the MGB to grant them a permit to continue operation in the mineral rich communities of this town.

Likewise, they said that the water and irrigation projects are not sustainable because these would deplete as time passes by.

The company has been conducting the consultation at Camp 3 proper which, they said, are not directly affected by mining operations.



BSU alumnus is one of top 30 students in nationwide search
BY R. FIANGA-AN JR.

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Following the trail of awards received by his predecessors, such as Ronald C. Lopez and Verna A Duque (2001), Ederson G. Bawang (2002), Fernando M. Venturina Jr. (2004) and Filmore Y. Awas (2005), another BSU alumnus made it to the top 30 list of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP) for the year 2007.

Efrain D. Dayog, a Physics major who graduated cum laude last April 2007 with the course Bachelor in Secondary Education, was the lone Cordilleran who made it to the top 30, besting 115 other candidates from all over the country.

Dayog, during the initial stages of his application shared his apprehension of not being able to make it to the national finals as he was juggling his time between meeting the tedious TOSP requirements and his schedule as a student teacher.

He was one of the three BSU students chosen as candidates to the Search for Outstanding Students of the Cordillera Administrative Region (OSCAR), the regional version of the national TOSP search. The other two were Herbert L. Wayan and Michael B. Capuyan Jr, Agricultural Engineering and Nursing students, respectively.

Dayog and Capuyan were later named as two of the six candidates from CAR, and of the six, Dayog was the only one who went to Manila to face the national panel of judges and undergo a formation program developed and facilitated by the members of the TOSP Alumni Community, an organization composed of previous TOSP awardees.

Dayog received his distinction as one of the Top 30 outstanding students in the entire country during the National Awarding Ceremonies last July 5 at the Rizal Hall, Malacañan Palace.

He was accompanied by his father and other relatives, BSU President Dr. Rogelio D. Colting, Office of Student Affairs (OSA) Director Dr. Edna A. Chua, and College of Teacher Education (CTE) Dean Dr. Percyveranda A. Lubrica.

The CTE faculty and staff played a significant role in molding Dayog as a proactive and responsible student by providing him relevant training and exposure during his stay in the University. The OSA facilitates the application and screening of candidates for the annual search at the University level.

The guest of honor, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo gave the awards. The TOSP search was founded by businessman Jose Concepcion Jr., who was inspired by the life led by Dr. Jose Rizal. It aims to honor students who are exemplars and leaders in their academic fields and make significant contributions to the community they belong to.

Prominent personalities who belong to the TOSP roster of awardees include, Bishop Antonio Ledesma, SJ; Atty. Rene Saguisag, the late Raul Roco, Sonia M. Roco, lawyer Dong Puno and Sec. Ramon del Rosario, to name a few. The annual, nationwide search inspires the youth to be model students and imbibe the TOSP credo of learning, leading and serving for life.

Read more...

ABRA

Following allegations of fraud:Comelec orders canvass to determine Abra town mayor
BY DEXTER A SEE

TINEG, Abra – The second division of the Commission on Elections has ordered the resumption of the centralized canvassing of election returns of three contested precincts in this remote town following allegations of fraud and intimidation by a candidate.

The election returns were the subject of a petition flied by a mayoralty candidate right after the May 14 elections.

Incumbent Tineg Mayor Edwin Crisologo was said to be the likely winner in the closely contested mayoralty race pitting him against Lenin Binwaren, who contested the election returns from precincts 10-A, 12-A and 13-A.

The Comelec dismissed the petition of Binwaren for lack of merit and ordered the municipal board of canvassers of Tineg to proceed with the canvassing of the votes and proclaim the winning candidates in the town.

In the results of the canvassing before the filing of the protest by the Binwaren Camp, Crisologo maintained a slight lead over Binwaren, but the exact numbers of votes obtained by the two politicians have yet to be known.

In his petition, Binwaren alleged that the election results from the contested precincts are “spurious, manufacture, and not authentic.”

He added voters suffered great intimidation by supporters of Crisologo during the balloting.

Furthermore, he alleged the contested precincts have a total number of 313 controversial votes which, he said, will significantly affect the result of the election.

But the Comelec ruled the allegations of Binwaren are not supported by evidence, except the petition and the affidavit executed by supposed witnesses.

The Comelec asserted that there is existing jurisprudence that had been upheld by the Supreme Court on such cases.

The high court’s ruling declared that a petitioner “must present proof before the board of canvassers and on appeal to the Comelec, and must have specific evidence that would reasonably support his allegation.

Without such proof, the canvassing of votes should proceed and the objected election returns are counted and the winning candidate is proclaimed.

When Clarence Binwaren, the mayor of Tineg, was assassinated in a church in Calauan, Laguna in 2003, Crisologo took over the mayorship of the town after a closely contested race in the 2004 elections.



Wanted man ‘salvaged,’ thrown into Abra river

BUCAY, Abra -- A wanted man, believed to have been a victim of a summary execution was found dead with multiple bullet wounds along a river here early Tuesday afternoon.

Police named the fatality as Prudencio Agaid Talingdan, 38, married, a resident of La Paz, Abra.

Records showed the victim had a standing warrant of arrest issued by Judge Charito Gonzales of Bangued’s Regional Trial Court Branch 1 docketed under Criminal Case No. 1106.

Bucay town police said they were called to respond to a report about a cadaver being found along the Abra River, particularly in Pagala, Bucay, Abra at around 1 p.m. on July 10.

Residents in the area said the ‘salvage’ victim was seen sprawled along the river bank with multiple gunshot wounds in his body around 12:30 p.m. on June 12.

Residents reportedly told police they did not notice any unusual incident that transpired within their vicinity or in nearby places which resulted to the killing of the victim. Recovered by policemen at the crime scene was a deformed bullet of still unknown caliber.

Police were still investigating the incident at press time.

Read more...

VIGAN CITY

Zaragoza elected as IS mayoral league head
BY FREDDIE LAZARO

VIGAN CITY -- One of the most senior mayors was chosen as new president of the Mayors League of Ilocos Sur during an election held recently at the provincial capitol here.

Narvacan mayor Edgar Zaragoza won in the election garnering 15 votes, just one vote over the 14 votes cast to his closest rival, Tagudin Mayor Roque Versoza.

Both candidates belong to the administration party. Lawyer Romeo Plata, chief of the legal services unit of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines national office, said Zaragoza will represent the province in the election of the national league’s officers on Aug. 13.

The election of officers of the local chapters of LMP is mandated by the Local Government Code.
In his message, Zaragoza thanked his colleagues for their support for his candidacy.

Read more...

PAMPANGA

Pampanga gov issues EOs to boost coffers; vice gov refuses any designation
BY GEORGE TRILLO

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Priest-turned-politician Fr. Eddie Panlilio issued two executive orders last week to strengthen local tax collections and created a body to oversee the lucrative but controversial lahar sand quarrying operations.

This, as re-elected Vice Gov. Joseller Guiao reiterated his earlier statement that he would not accept any special designation from Panlilio to maintain his “independence” in the provincial government.
Newly designated provincial information officer Roperlee Syquia said the executive order on lahar quarrying also created a body called “Biyaya a Luluguran at Sisikapan” or Balas, which literally means “grace to love and work on,” which will oversee lahar sand mining in this province.

Sand quarrying operations in this province had been controversial amid allegations of anomalies that led to the suspension of former governor Lito Lapid and various administrative and criminal cases against the latter’s son, former governor Mark Lapid, whom Panlilio defeated in the last polls.

On the other hand, the executive order on local taxes was meant to address the huge amount of real property taxes owed by the municipal and city governments to the provincial government.

Panlilio urged provincial government employees to work hard for the people. He met heads of departments of the provincial government who briefed him on their operations.

“He also told them about the do’s and don’ts. He said he wanted employees to work eight hours a day and refrain from activities such as manicuring or gossiping during office hours,” Syquia said.

This, even as provincial police director Senior Supt. Keith Singian downplayed threats to the safety of Panlilio who, during the campaign period, took to wearing bullet proofs vest and slept in various safehouses.

“We are continuously updating ourselves on his security concerns but I don’t think there is any serious threat to his safety,” Singian said.

He noted that when Panlilio was sworn into office as governor on June 30, he was no longer wearing his vest life.

“As for his hopping from one safehouse to another for overnight stays, I suppose it’s now more of the fact that Fr. Panlilio does not really have a place of his own,” he said.

Singian said that negotiations are under way for an official residence for the new governor at the Clark Freeport.

Meanwhile, as he left office, former Pampanga governor Mark Lapid left the provincial coffers some P490.34 million.

Of this amount, provincial treasurer Vergel Yabut said the general fund amounts to P395.854 million the special education fund is P11.60 million, the trust fund for hospitals is P48.97 million and the unappropriated balance amounts to P130 million.

Yabut said the 20 percent development fund intended for infrastructure projects for 2007 is still intact.


Media people assail Pampanga official for curtailing coverage
BY MAR T. SUPNAD

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga – Members of Pampanga media denounced the alleged high-handedness and discriminatory attitude of Pampanga Provincial Administrator Vivian Dabu towards them, complaining they were barred from fully covering the events at the capitol during the first day in office of Gov. Eddie T. Panlilio.

The media people who complained against the official were former Pampanga Press Club president Chris Navarro of Sun-star Pampanga, Jojo Due of Pampanga, News, and Romy Barredo of Radio DZME.

They said they were prevented by Dabu from entering the second floor of the capitol building when they tried to get a report on the entry of Panlilio to the governor’s office.

“I don’t think you need to cover this,” Dabu told them. The media people issued a manifesto denouncing the accusations of Dabu.

The journalists who signed include Ric Sapnu, President of the Camp Olivas Press Club, Ashley Manabat, chairman of the Pampanga Chapter of the Union of Journalist of the Philippines; Diosdado Pangilinan, president of the Pampanga Press Club; Ceasar Lacson, chairman of Pampanga Society of Columnists; and George Hubierna, vice chairman of the Central Luzon Media Association.

They stated in the strongly worded manifesto that Dabu has no business telling media men what to cover or what to cover. “This is prior restraint which is anathema to the freedom of the press,” they said.

Read more...

PANGASINAN

Sick man commits suicide by shooting

VILLASIS, Pangasinan -- A 64-year-old man was found dead in his room here last week after apparently committing suicide due to his illness, police said.

Police identified the victim as Simplicio Labiste y Padilla, 64 married, jobless, of Barangay Bacag.
His wife, Beatriz, said she was out of their house when the incident happened. She went out with a granddaughter when the victim asked her to buy “pandesal” for the children.

She said she heard a gunshot a few meters from their house, prompting her to return. She was shocked to see her husband oozing with blood.

In a few minutes, the victim died. The wife reported immediately the incident to the police.

The wife said he had ended his life because of his acute tuberculosis which made him bedridden for almost three years.

Policemen were still conducting an investigation. – Jennelyn Mondejar

Read more...

LA UNION

Politics not discounted by cops in La Union explosion

LUNA, La Union – An improvised explosive devise blasted a part of the municipal hall here at Nerra St. at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday in what police said could have been due to politics.

Provincial police chief Senior Supt. Franklin Bucayu said he was not discounting the possibility that the blast had something to do with the results of the May 14 elections.

“I heard that a recounting of ballots was held here recently,” Bucayu said in a radio interview.”

He said there was no casualty in the blast. “It was dark area, bystanders barely frequent that place,” Bucayu said. “However, glass panels at the north side of the municipal building were broken due to impact of the explosion.”

An IED also exploded in San Fernando City, the province’s capital two weeks ago, wounding a city engineering employee.

Two explosions also occurred in Agoo town, also in the province whereing three men were arrested with one of them injured.

They were believed to be supporters of losing candidates in the 2nd District. An IED and a hand grenade were also found in front of the San Fernando City Hall. – Jerry Padilla

Read more...

LETTERS

‘Let us honor jueteng lords’

It is a wonder why there is no jueteng kubrador the police can arrest in the Cordillera like in Baguio, Benguet and Ifugao. It is also a wonder why local government officials and the regional and local police are silent on the illegal game. Another wonder why the church hierarchy and non-government groups are mum on the issue. It is still a wonder why the people are silent on the matter.

It is like the jueteng operators particularly the lords came down from the high heavens and with a magic wand, sealed the lips of the people. Why is everybody so silent on the matter? One answer maybe is that people are having a jolly good time betting on the game anticipating a win. With the poverty and misery all around us, maybe it is time local government honor these jueteng lords for at least making the people enjoy their brief stay on this earth by forgetting their misery through jueteng. You would be surprised to know these lords who would get onstage and get the awards are your favorite idols. But that is wishful thinking. When can we wake up from our stupor?

Emmanuel Santos
Baguio City



Cordillera DPWH execs, contractors ‘plundering’ GMA projects?

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- True to her words during her 2006 State of the Nation Address, President Macapagal Arroyo released around 700 million pesos to date for improvement of the Halsema Highway, Mountain Province section. These funds were meant to upgrade living conditions of the people but sad to say, it is not serving its purpose.

The Cordillera Dept. of Public Works and Highways under Director Alquiza and its bids and awards committee chairman Assistant Director Domingo of the DPWH-Mountain Province office under District Engineer had “manipulated” the bidding process so that only one pre-selected contractor filed intent to qualify and bid. This also included pre-selected projects, making the contractor the solo bidder for the projects advertised. The bidder then bid to close the approved budget cost defeating the essence of public bidding.

Worst, the DPWH-CAR and MPDEO have seen and were informed of these substandard and overpriced accomplishments yet they have paid and are continuing to pay the contractors?

Also, they railroaded the awarding of the latest release of these projects and its 15 percent advance payment to contractors, glaringly circumventing the election ban? Ironically to date, majority of the projects’ contract time had lapsed, others, only days to lapse with no credible work undertaken. Also ghost accomplishments have reportedly been paid.

Comically, the DPWH-CAR and MPDEO, feeling the heat over their ineptitude have concocted irrational reasons to justify the continuity of the projects despite lapsed and lapsing contract time, intolerable, unjustified and huge negative slippages and delays with reasons.

Reasons include, “lack of Portland cement, road-rights-of way problems,” and “election ban?” The irony of it, the DPWH submitted a report to the Presidential Management Staff in Malacanang depicting a rosy picture of SONA project in Mountain Province which is pure baloney. “Welcome to Mountain Province! Come and see the projects!”

The projects are substandard grouted ripraps and slope protection walls, substandard cement concrete pavements, road concreting, mega-overpriced guard rails, posts and paints, “ghost accomplishments” and “falsified documents” – a showcase of engineering stupidity.

The funniest part is when DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. was scheduled to inspect the flagship SONA projects in Mountain Province on July 9, Alquiza, Domingo and Leyaley initiated the face-lifting or make-up of the DPWH secretary’s route.

They removed slides, graveled bad sections, bravely altered by placing on the billboards that the expiration of the contracts were December 2007. They deployed their project engineers. Due to the rush of things, they forgot to deploy even one quality road grader, a must equipment for road concreting. There was none from day 1 to this date.

How can we downgrade our rating as “most corrupt country in Asia” if these kind of people have the temerity to make a mockery not only of the people of Mountain Province but also the President of the Republic?

Juniper Dominguez
Sabangan, Mountain Province

Read more...

EDITORIAL

Charges needed against officials in Halsema, Kalinga road anomalies

A full-blown investigation should be done on road contract projects along Halsema Highway and the Bontoc, Mountain Province- Tabuk Kalinga- Tuguegarao Cagayan road and the culprits should be charged in court.

As things stand now, Department of Public Works and Highways officials in the region are “sugarcoating” allegations of graft and corruption in the implementation of these projects. Reports have it that credible work has not been done and contracts of winning contractors and bidders have expired even if they haven’t started the roads aside from the fact that they took “advance money” to construct or improve the roads.

We came up with this expose last week in this paper but we will repeat the facts so concerned government agencies would investigate the matter considering these road rehabilitation projects are priority projects of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

These are part of the second phase of the improvement of the above-mentioned roads. The Mt. Data-Bontoc road spans a length of 50.5 kilometers with an estimated project cost of 1 billion pesos and the 39 km Bontoc-Banaue road with P780 million project cost.

Secretary Cerge Remunde, director general of the presidential management staff of the office of the president was written by private contractor Juniper Dominguez who cited “ expired and nearly to expire projects which have reportedly not yet commenced work despite the alleged collection of the 15 percent mobilization funds by contractors of individual projects.”

Aside from Dominguez, other sectors have also urged Ms Arroyo to investigate the alleged irregularities and suspend DPWH regional director Mariano Alquiza, assistant director Danilo Domingo, Mt. Province district engineer Leonardo Leyaley, and Mt Province district engineer Rex Oyaoy while the probe was going on.

The amount of 340 million was reportedly released earlier to for the Mt Data-Bontoc route. Dominguez said the contract for widening and concreting road projects along the Mt Data- Bontoc Road amounting to at least 56 million pesos already expired with no credible work started.

These included a 9.2 million peso project; P5.6 million at Mt Data cliff by MG Samidan construction; 9.6 million at Sadsadan-Mabaay section by Daliones Construction; 13.1 million at Lukib-Sadsadan section by MG Samidan Construction; 9.7 million at Pakya section by KVC construction; and the soon to expire projects this July namely the 9.6 million contract at Sadsadan section by RS Sepian construction, and 9 million road work.

According to Dominguez, road contracts along the Bontoc-Lubugan-Tabuk road which are nearly to expire with no work done yet .These reportedly include the P13.4 million contract by RS Sepian construction and the P12 million road work by RIM Construction.

Earlier accounts said P229 million was already released for the Lubuagan Tabuk section with a 988 million appropriation. Expired contract works without work commenced may mean termination of the project or revocation of the contractor’s license to operate.

“Mobilization funds released, require that the project has already a billboard identifying the work project, equipments on site, and work already commended yet these indications are not visible in these road projects,” Dominguez said

Meantime, multimillion worth of projects with alleged negative slippages, subcontracting and substandard works and materials have already commenced along the Baguio- Bontoc road.

These questioned road works are located at Sabangan municipality including Maba-ay- Aw awigan by R.S Sepian Construction, Busa-Capinitan by RS Sepian, Aw-awigan- Namatec by STAY Construction, Pingad- Cabugbugan by EKC Construction, Pingad-Panorama by STAY Construction, and Nakagang Paling by MG Samidan Construction; and the road sections in Bontoc to include Gonogon-Alab implemented by MG Samidan Construction; and construction works along the Bontoc-Ifugao Road by EKC Construction.

These projects reportedly face big negative slippages due to alleged sub-standard work on slope protection ripraps and thin guard railings. At least P189 million was already reportedly released for the Bontoc- Banaue section. Big money if you ask us. Will concerned government agencies who should investigate these alleged road anomalies please stand up?

Read more...