Four Cordillera police recruits found positive of virus: More schools suspend classes over (A)H1N1

BAGUIO CITY – More schools in northern and Central Luzon have suspended classes due to the dreaded A(HINI) virus as cases have risen in these areas.

The Department of Education has allowed schools to suspend classes over suspected or confirmed cases of Influenza A(H1N1) virus but on a strict “case to case” basis

DepEd Communications Unit chief Kenneth Tirado said schools “are still allowed to suspend classes especially if it’s their first time to have a confirmed Influenza A(H1N1) case or if they have a relatively high number of suspected cases.”

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus last week ordered schools to stop suspending classes when there are confirmed cases of A(H1N1) among their students, saying such measure was unnecessary because A(H1N1) was proving to be highly treatable while dengue fever was more deadly.

In this mountain resort, the University of Baguio, St. Louis University, Pines City Colleges and the Baguio City National High School have suspended classes due to the dreaded disease.

In nearby La Trinidad, Benguet, the Benguet State Unviersity also suspended classes last week.

At Camp Dangwa, also in La Trinidad, the regional police office confirmed reports that 220 cop recruis and 30 training personnel of the Cordillera Administrative Region Training School based in Teachers’ Camp, Baguio have been placed under quarantine after four of the rookies were found positive of A(H1N1).

Chief Supt. Orlando Pestano, regional police director said here at Camp Dangwa there is need to isolate the whole contingent and the training staff to prevent the spread of the virus to their relatives and friends who visit them in the training camp.

The four infected police recruits are kept in separate isolation facilities in the camp, while their fellow trainees and the training staff are placed under quarantine in the Teachers’ Camp.

Despite this, Pestano said trainees and their instructors will continue with training under close supervision of physicians.

The 220 new policemen, who were formally accepted by the regional police office last week, are undergoing a six-month training, aftter which they will be formally assigned at various police units in the region as Police Officer 1..

Pestano said there are fears there would be a rapid spread of the virus in the training camp because the infected ones have direct contact with their fellow trainees and the staff.

The Cordillera police chief said he is one of the close contacts of the trainees and the training personnel because he visited them last Tuesday before the laboratory results of the throat swabs of those infected were released.

Temporarily, he said, he confines himself in his quarters and avoids socializing until next week.

In Cagayan Valley, three more cases of A(H1N1) have been confirmed.

Dr. Lydia Depra-Ramos, DOH regional director, said the three additional A(H1N1) victims are all high school students, two from Isabela and a 12-year-old freshman from Saint Mark High School in Cabarroguis, Quirino.

The patient from Quirino, the first reported case in the province, tested positive for the virus with a history of contact from a lecturer of the University of Santo Tomas, who was invited by the school administration.

Likewise, two students from Tumauini, Isabela also tested positive for A(H1N1) after being exposed to a sick relative from the US and spending days in Manila recently.
But Ramos said the situation is still manageable.

In San Fernando, Pampanga, Provincial Health Office officer Eddie Ponio said the leap in the A(H1N1) cases could be due to two big malls in the province.
Dr. Rhodora Cruz, chair of the A(H1N1) team of the DOH regional office, said that from only eight cases as of last July 1, confirmed cases of A(H1N1) in Pampanga jumped up to 101 as of last Monday July 13.

The DOH regional office said that from only 83 cases last July 1, the total number of confirmed A(H1N1) victims in Central Luzon has zoomed to 205.

But Ponio said the figures are larger. He said A(H1N1) cases in Pampanga have already reached 112 as of Thursday.. This would make Pampanga the worst hit among Central Luzon provinces, amid reports that Bulacan, the next worst affected, had only 35 confirmed cases.
Despite the rise in the number of A(H1N1) cases in Central Luzon, Cruz noted that 96 percent of the victims have already fully recovered.

Latest figures from the DOH regional office indicated a slight rise in A(H1N1) cases in other provinces in Central Luzon as of last Monday July 13.

Nueva Ecija has 30 cases, Bataan 20 cases, Zambales 17 cases and Tarlac two cases as of Thursday. No case has been reported in Aurora province.

Cruz noted that despite the new policy of the government which no longer encourages suspension of classes in schools affected by A(H1N1), St. Scholastica’s Academy and the Assumption University Seminary in San Fernando, Pampanga recently suspended classes to disinfect their campuses, she said

Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Thursday clarified that, contrary to earlier reports, the government is not providing P75,000 for workers afflicted with Influenza A(H1N1), Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said.

“The government is not extending financial assistance to all workers afflicted with the flu virus,” he said. – By Dexter See, Armand Tamaray, George Trillo, Liam Anacleto and Jerry Padilla

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Top cops hunt gunmen in Villasis blood bath

By Mar T. Supnad

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union – A police task force is now hunting suspects in the shooting incident that resulted to the death of two and wounding of three others in Barangay Barangobong, Villasis, Pangasinan last week.

Region 1 police head Chief Supt. Ramon V. Gatan ordered Thursday the formation of the group.

Reports reaching the PRO1 headquarters here identified the five victims as Ferdinand Celis alias Caboy, 46; Rolando Celis alias Lando, 57; Nora Celis, of legal age; Richard Celis, 28; and Daniel Celis, 5; all residents of the place.

The victims were reportedly aboard their Isuzu Extreme Vehicle heading towards east direction when the suspects riding in a Mitsubishi L300 white van with unidentified plate number blocked the way of the victims and subsequently fired at them.

The victims sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed by responding policemen to the Sacred Heart Hospital in Urdaneta City where Ferdinand and Nora Celis were declared dead on arrival by the attending physician, while Rolando Celis is now in critical condition.

The police recovered from the scene 46 empty shells and a bullet for 5.56 MM rifle, 20 empty shells and one bullet for .30 Carbine, three empty shells and one ammunition for Cal. 45 pistol, three empty shells for Cal. 9 MM, and two deformed slugs.

Gatan directed Pangasinan police to focus their efforts in solving the incident and dig deeper into the case for the early identification and arrest of perpetrators of this heinous crime.

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DFA opens Baguio passport office

By Ramon Dacawi

BAGUIO CITY -- It took 21 long years for the Department of Foreign Affairs to deliver Baguio ’s request to decentralize its passport and consular services to the Cordillera. However, it will take a few months from tomorrow for the department to make up for the long wait.

Persistence of local officials did it, said department Assistant Secretary Domingo Lucenario Jr., as he announced last Monday the regional office here will open and in full operation tomorrow.

This means considerable time and money savings for Baguio residents and Cordillerans who used to line up in Pasay City or San Fernando, La Union for their passports as their passport to uplifting the lives of their families, especially overseas Filipino workers, noted city mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr.

He and Rep. Mauricio Domogan said visitors can now enjoy their vacation up here while having their travel documents processed at the regional office at Moneylife Bldg. along Legarda Rd. , beside the Prince Plaza Hotel.

Consular officials and staff smiled their approval to Domogan’s would-be threat to block DFAs budget request for next year if they procrastinated in opening the Baguio office.

Lucenario, who came up with fellow Assistant Secretary Renato Villapando, pointed out other regions had filed similar requests but Baguio ’s officials were “the most persistent.” He added the regional office, the 16th to be established, serves as DFAs contribution to the observance of Baguio ’s founding centennial this year.

Domogan recalled that the office inauguration and blessing came exactly 21 years and 21 days from the time he and then fellow city councilors Eddie Aguilar and Virgtilio Bautista filed the initial resolution-request. That initial push, Domogan said, was followed by a barrage of others, including initiatives by former mayor Braulio Yaranon.

“It’s a dream come true,” the mayor and congressman told other city officials and sector representatives of the community, after tourism regional director Purificacion Molintas and Rebecca Domogan cut the ribbon and Fr. Vicente Decoran did the blessing. They then offered a toast.

City officials also acknowledged the series of mobile passport services conducted here prior to the office establishment by the staff of Region 1 consular officer Eleanor Belgica, in tandem with the staff of city administrator Peter Fianza.

Regional consular officer Grace Clavecilla was yanked out of her office in Bacolod to oversee operations of the fledgling regional office here.

The officials acknowledged the operations in Baguio will also unclog the regional office in San Fernando, La Union of thousands of passport applications.

“We hope to live up to the motto of your (city’s) centennial,” Lucenario said.

The Baguio centennial committee headed by Dr. Virgilio Bautista has adopted the theme “Fostering A Culture of Caring” to mark Baguio ’s hundred years.

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Killer quake survivor gives scholarships to poor students

BAGUIO CITY – A survivor of the July 16, 1990 killer quake who was trapped at the former Hyatt Hotel here which collapsed that time is thanking the Lord for his life by giving scholarships to poor students.

He started the Ray Anthony Olarte Scholarship Foundation, he named after himself, now a humanitarian foundation.

Lately, the RAOSF has chosen its scholar for school years 2009 to 2014.

Jonathan Libatique, a first year civil engineering student at the University of Baguio, the recipient, is a graduate of the Baguio City National High School.

His father, Edwin Libatique is a security guard while his mother, Amy, is a housewife.
The Foundation’s first scholar, Cory Am “Aidyl” Soriano finished B.S. Accountancy from the Saint Louis University last year.

She took and passed the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) board examinations the year she graduated.

She now works at the Pag-Ibig fund office here.

Olarte, his benefactor is a “Baguio boy” who went abroad after the earthquake which devastated Baguio.

He was sent to Aruba, an island in the Caribbean which is part of the Dutch Antilles.

Olarte, an OFW success story wants to give back and share his blessings with the Baguio community by way of educational assistance to needy but talented youths.

He is back in Baguio and plans to engage in business. He is married to Dra. Annie Urmaza.--- Bong Cayabyab and Farah Agunos

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Calls for Isabela cop chief's relief mount over jueteng

ILAGAN, Isabela– After failing to meet the deadline for the stoppage of jueteng, the police director here is now facing mounting calls for his relief led by Gov. Grace Padaca herself.

Padaca last May had given Senior Supt. Jimmy Rivera, who had just been assigned as police director here earlier this year, five days to stop the illegal numbers game here.

But reports said the illegal activity continues to flourish throughout the province.

The embattled Rivera said he respects the governor’s decision, vowing that “If I have my marching orders, I will not stay even for one minute longer.”

Vice Gov. Ramon Reyes said the governor’s order for the police leadership here to stop jueteng came as an offshoot of a provincial board resolution, Resolution No. 42 calling for the stoppage of the illegal lottery in this country’s third largest province.

“Apparently, Rivera failed to meet the deadline prompting the governor to call for his relief,” said Reyes, who also presides over the provincial board.

Amid other issues thrown at the police official, Reyes said, that what really got Padaca’s ire was the report of seemingly unabated jueteng operations here, whose operators were reportedly using papers for government-sanctioned numbers games as legal cover.

Aside from the jueteng issue, Reyes cited the alleged failure of Rivera to extend courtesy to some local officials as well, as to attend important provincial events, had also reportedly triggered calls for his relief.

Reyes said the provincial leadership also felt slighted after Rivera failed to attend several important occasions in the province, like the recent 11-day Isabela’s founding anniversary celebrations.

“We didn’t see him any time during the event. He should attend provincial functions to show that he considers himself to be a part of the governor’s team,” Reyes said.

Padaca said she had written PNP chief Director General Jesus Versoza asking for the relief of Rivera, and asked the PNP leadership that her decision be respected.

“There are mayors who have issues against Rivera. The vice governor himself has some questions on the way Rivera conducts his leadership. Congressman Edwin Uy also has issues against him,” said Padaca.

Rivera, who got the support of various police offices here for his leadership, said that he felt pained the governor was now among those calling for his relief when she was the very one who chose him for the police provincial director post earlier this year.

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NCIP junks case vs mine operations

By Dexter A. See
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The Cordillera office of the National Indigenous Peoples dismissed a case filed by affected indigenous cultural communities against the operation of Philex Mining corporation over a 98-hectare expansion area after the contending tribes decided to share among themselves the royalty and economic packages due them in the future.

Under the approved compromise agreement which resulted to the eventual dismissal of the case against Philex’s mining operation, the heirs and members of the Artemio Pio Clan Inc (APAI) is included in the list of indigenous cultural communities and indigenous peoples within the Applied Production Sharing Agreement (APSA) 102 affected by the mining operation of Philex as recognized by the members of the Indigenous peoples Organization of Alang, Pukis, Santa Fe, Oliba and Ligay (IPO APSOL) and NCIP-CAR.

Furthermore, APAI members shall be consolidated and included by IPO APSOL as its added members and are recognized as indigenous peoples of the community.

Being members of the IPO APSOL now, APAI members honor and recognize the existence, due execution and validity of the free and prior informed consent (FPIC) and memorandum of agreement entered by the former with the Philex management relative to APSA 102 which was executed by the parties on January 14, 2008.

The compromise agreement stated by the consolidation and recognition of the APAI members, it is understood that they, or each of them, is entitled to the remaining royalty and socio-economic projects defined in the signed agreement for APSA 102 and its implementing guidelines based on its community development plan or projects in the same manner that all the indigenous peoples represented by IPO APSOL are entitled to the same.

The agreement between IPO APSOL and Philex relative to the controversial APSA 10 2 provides the indigenous cultural communities shall receive an annual royalty for the use of their property as mine site which is equivalent to 1.25 percent of the company’s gross receipts.

As its commitment to the compromise agreement, the APAI members warrant and guarantee that any or all claims by any clam, heir or member now and in the future shall be settled by APAI from whatever socio-economic development program and benefit that each of their heirs and members may receive from IPO APSOL and shall hold IPO APSOL and all the parties in the agreement relative to the FPIC and memorandum of agreement (MOA) for APSA 102 free from any further obligation or liability.

According to the same agreement entered into between APAI and IPO APSOL representatives, it made clear that a certain petitioner named as Eric Petilan is not a member of APAI and will not be included by IPO APSOL and by virtue of the compromise agreement, he is not an indigenous people of APSA 102 affected area, thus, hereby waives any claim and all claims he may have against all the parties hereto relative to the FPIC and MOA for the mining operation of Philex.

At the same time, APAI declared it will no longer file any case, demand or claim based on similar cause of action in the NCIP and in any other court, tribunal or any government agency against all the concerned parties.

Philex, NCIP-CAR and IPO APSOL also waived any counter-claim against APAI in as far as the case is concerned for the benefit of smooth community relationship in the coming days.

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SC: Allow vote recount against Pampanga gov

By George Trillo

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga -- The Supreme Court has ordered the Commission on Elections to recount votes cast in the gubernatorial race in Pampanga province in the May 2007 polls.

Justices of the High Court voted unanimously during session Wednesday to junk the petition of Gov. Ed Panlilio seeking to stop the recount of votes in relation to an electoral protest filed by losing candidate Lilia Pineda.

Panlilio, who has said he might challenge President Arroyo if she ran for a congressional seat in her home district in Pampanga, will seek a reconsideration of the SC ruling, his lawyer said.

In a 14-page decision penned by Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, the Court ruled that Panlilio’s petition questioning the decision of the Comelec, which allowed the recount and ordered the collection of ballot boxes, lacked merit.

The SC said there was no grave abuse of discretion on the part of the Comelec in issuing orders for the recount simply because the poll body has the authority to do so.
In the same decision, the court lifted its Feb. 19, 2008 order stopping Comelec from recounting the votes in the gubernatorial race.

The second division of the Comelec issued an order on July 23, 2007 giving due course to the election protest filed by Pineda.

On Aug. 1, 2007, the same division denied Panlilio’s appeal on the order.

The priest-turned-governor then sought relief from all Comelec commissioners but was again denied in an order dated Feb. 6, 2008. Panlilio then asked the SC to nullify the rulings of the Comelec.

In his petition for review, the governor argued that the presiding commissioner of the division of the Comelec is mandated to certify the case to the Comelec once a motion for reconsideration is filed, regardless of whether the order or resolution sought to be reconsidered is an interlocutory order or a final one under Section 5, Rule 19 of the Comelec Rules of Procedure.

But the Court was not convinced by his argument. Citing its decision in Repol v. Comelec, the Court held that since the Comelec Division had issued the interlocutory order, the same Comelec Division should resolve the motion for reconsideration of the order.

It said the remedy of the aggrieved party is neither to file an MR for certification to the entire Comelec nor to elevate the issue to the High Court via a petition for certiorari under Rule 65 of the Rules of Civil Procedure.

The High Court said it was clear in the constitutional provision that the Comelec shall decide on motions for reconsideration only of “decisions” of a Division, meaning those acts having a final character. In the case at bar, the Court said that the assailed Second Division order did not completely dispose of the case, as there was something more to be done, which was to decide the election protest.

“This case is not among those specifically provided under the Comelec Rules of Procedure in which the Comelec may sit en banc… Thus the Comelec en banc is not the proper forum where petitioner may bring the assailed interlocutory orders for resolution,” the Court stressed.
Likewise, the Court said that there was no irregularity on the Aug. 1, 2007 order being signed only by the presiding commissioner of the Second Division who had only acted within the authority vested in him by Section 6, Rule 2 of the Comelec Rules of Procedure.

Furthermore, the High Court noted that the motion for reconsideration was a mere rehash of the ground already raised by petitioner Panlilio in his answer.
It noted that the Comelec Second Division should even be commended for immediately resolving Panlilio’s motion for reconsideration.

“The term of an elective office is short. There is the contestant’s personal stake which generates feuds and discords. Above all is the public interest. A title to public elective office must not be left long under a cloud. The efficiency of public administration should not be impaired,” the Court said.

Panlilio and Pineda both ran for governor of Pampanga in the May 14, 2007 elections.

On May 18 of the same year, the Provincial Board of Canvassers of Pampanga proclaimed Panlilio as duly elected governor by a margin of 1,147 votes. Subsequently, Pineda filed an election protest citing, among others, alleged misreading of ballots cast.
Meantime, Panlilio will ask the Supreme Court to reconsider its decision allowing the recount of votes in Pampanga.

Lawyer Ernesto Francisco told that he got a copy of the high court’s decision late afternoon yesterday and Panlilio is ready to block the move to transport boxes containing ballots cast in all precincts in Pampanga in the last gubernatorial race.

“We will file a motion for consideration. We will do all legal remedies to block the recount move,” Francisco said.

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P’sinan teacher hacked to death

SAN NICOLAS, Pangasinan– A teacher was hacked to death while her teenage daughter sustained multiple injuries when a man barged into their home here and attacked them.

Killed was Norma Zamora, 44, while her daughter, Regine, 14, a high school junior, survived the attack and is now in stable condition at the Medical Mission Group in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya.

Regine said suspect Dionisio Mateo, 24, repeatedly hacked her mother in the head in their home in Barangay Malico and hit her, too, in the head and arms when she came to her rescue.

She said Mateo allegedly tried to rape her but she was able to escape while he was loosening his belt to remove his pants.

She then sought her neighbors’ help. – EV

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Baguio execs deny snubbing Cordillera Day ceremonies

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – City officials here denied claims that they snubbed the celebration of the 22nd anniversary celebration of the Cordillera Day last July 15.

Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. Thursday told a press briefing that there was no malice in their not attending the program.

“Our city played host to the event and the program went on successfully. Its success does not depend on us or on anybody so people should not attach any more stories to that,” the mayor said.

He said the city remains committed to the aspirations of the Cordillera region and the absence of representation from the local government during the program does not mean a regress to this commitment.

Vice Mayor Daniel Farinas, for his part, said their absence in the program was not intentional.

He said he verified their records and found that there was no invitation sent to them to attend the event.

Moreover, he said there were prior commitments and functions needed to be attended during that date like a Philippine Councilors League function where some councilors had prior appointments.

“We could not require our councilors and even our employees to attend the program to which we were not invited but this would not also mean that we intentionally boycotted the program,” he said.

He said during the opening of the Cordillera Month celebration, he was invited and had a part in the program which he attended.

“We did our part as asked. We are supportive of all the activities of the CAR and that has not changed,” he said.

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Baguio picked as pilot area for gun-free zone

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY — The Philippine National Police as chosen this city as one of pilot areas where gun-free zones will be implemented in a bid to boost the city government’s peacekeeping efforts.

Instead of limiting the gun-free zones to Burnham Park and Mines View Park, two of the city’s premier tourist destinations, city officials want the program to be implemented in the whole city, hoping this would check the proliferation of unlicensed firearms.

Director Leopoldo Bataoil, head of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations Northern Luzon, said the PNP is continuously developing programs to boost the maintenance of peace and order, and the establishment of gun-free zones is one such program.

Under the program, individuals are prohibited from carrying firearms even if these are covered by licenses and permits to carry firearms outside of residence.

Baguio City was chosen as one of the pilot areas for the initial implementation of the gun-free zones because of its minimal crime volume and the police’s high efficiency rating in solving crimes.

Mayor Reinaldo A. Bautista Jr. welcomed the PNP decision of selecting this city as a pilot area where to implement the program, saying that the city government will extend to the police whatever support is needed to ensure its successful implementation.

The mayor said the PNP’s action to expand the coverage of the gun-free zone to all parts of the city is a wise decision because it would serve as a message to gun holders that the police means business in its bid to curb the proliferation of unlicensed firearms.

He said that the declaration of a gun-free zone jibes with City Hall’s plan to regain the city’s image as a peaceful tourist destination, noting a series of bad news reports on national television about the worsening peace and order situation in the city, especially at night.

Aside from the 550-strong members of the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO), the Police Regional Office (PRO) in the Cordillera frequently fields over 200 other law enforcers as augmentation force, particularly on special occasions, to enhance police visibility at crime-prone areas.

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CSC bares leave policy for quarantined gov’t workers

BAGUIO CITY -- Government employees returning from official travel abroad can charge their days of quarantine as official time.

The Civil Service Commission has issued a policy allowing civil servants who have been or will be absent from work due to self-quarantine upon returning from official travel abroad to render such absence on official time.

Covered by the policy are all government officials and employees, regardless of status of appointment, who have been or will go on travel on official business to other countries affected by the Influenza A (H1N1) global pandemic since the start of the spread of the virus in April 2009.

Official business includes travel due to study grant, scholarship, training, seminar, conference, fora and other similar circumstances. Self-quarantine can be done in their homes or in any appropriate health facility.

But government workers who underwent self-quarantine due to travel abroad for personal reasons should charge their absence from work to their accumulated sick leave credits. Similarly, those who contracted Influenza A (H1N1) for reasons other than recent travel abroad, and who are taking care of family members/relatives being treated for said illness, should charge their absence to their sick leave credits.

Upon returning to work, the government official or employee concerned who has not exhibited flu-like symptoms such as fever associated with coughs and colds, muscle aches, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, should present to the agency’s human resource unit a medical certificate issued by a qualified physician stating that that person has submitted to self-quarantine and is cleared to return to work.

Those who exhibited flu-like symptoms but did not contract Influenza A (H1N1) should submit a medical certificate stating they have been treated of flu and may already report back to work.

Moreover, those who have been actually infected with the Influenza A (H1N1) virus should submit to their respective agencies’ HR unit a medical dertificate issued by a government health facility responsible for the treatment of said infection indicating that they have been treated and are cleared to return to work.

The CSC has asked agency heads to institute appropriate measures to disseminate health advisories in their respective offices, as well as to ensure continuous delivery of public service during the periods of absence of concerned officials and employees.

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Way rights hindrance in SONA projs’ completion

BAGUIO CITY – The existence of increasing road-right-of-way claims aggravated by overlapping claims in some road sections are major hindrances to completion of multi-billion peso State of the Nation Address (SONA) projects of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the Cordillera.

Amidst serious criticisms that project implementers could not finish their works on the prescribed deadline which is by December this year, engineeer Roy Manao, officer-in-charge of the Department of Public Works and Highways in the Cordillera, pointed out they are working double time in all the project sites to complete the projects to satisfy the will of the President and to ensure convenience among the motoring public plying the roads where the flagship projects are being undertaken.

Manao said major hindrance to completion of phases two and three of the Halsema highway rehabilitation project and the Bontoc-Tabuk-Tuguerao road are increase in road-right-of-way claims and overlapping claims as well as continuous heavy downpour during the afternoons.

But Manao said local officials and community leaders are actively participating in convincing the affected residents to give up their lands in exchange for just compensation so that the road widening and concreting works will not be interrupted.

Ironically, those who have supposed claims in the areas affected by the road-right-of-way, Manao said, are demanding very high compensation over and above the allowed rates by the government, thus, they will not give in to the utilization of their properties for road expansion unless the DPWH gives in to their desired rate of the property they are supposed to give for road-right-of-way.

Engineer Alexander Castanieda, SONA project manager for the Cordillera, dsaid 26 kilometers of the three flagship projects are encountering road-right-of-way problems but efforts are already being initiated by concerned government agencies to settle the pressing concern.

Out of the 50 km stretch of the Mount Data to Bontoc section of the Halsema highway, only a minimal 1.3 kilometers is having some road-right-of-way problems from purported landowners while at least 7.3 km along the 39 km stretch of the Bontoc-Banaue section of the project is still undergoing negotiations for road- right-of-way concerns.

Along the Bontoc to Tinglayan boundary of the Bontoc-Tabuk-Tuguegarao road, Castanieda revealed over 7 kilometers is having some road-right-of-way problems while 11 kilometers along the Tinglayan boundary to Tabuk section is having the same problem.

Despite such pressing problems, Cordillera DPWH officials are working to settle the road-right-of-way conflicts in critical portions of the said roads to fulfill their commitment to the President that the projects will be completed on time even with the existence of several sensitive issues regarding the project implementation.

The national government has earmarked a total of P5.2 billion for the completion of the rehabilitation of major road networks in the region, particularly phases two and three of the Halsema highway, and the Bontoc-Tabuk-Tuguegarao road.

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Fostering a culture of caring; a family’s trials

By Ramon Dacawi

BAGUIO CITY – It’s very expensive to be poor. That's why Teresita Panis - Romero, a barangay day care worker at Gibraltar, spent the last two decades of her life caring for toddlers. So their parents could be free to do household chores and to work and earn for their young families.

Suddenly last Monday, they had no one to turn over their pre-schoolers to. Punong barangay Orlando Flores told them Tessie was already gone. She had succumbed to a sudden illness early Saturday evening. Her remains were in state at the Baguio Memorial Chapels, they were told.

Juliet Flores, Kapitan Andot’s wife, thought Tessie’s tiny wards would also miss her, as their parents started to upon hearing the news. So she asked if the wake could be transferred to the day care center. So the children could have a final glimpse of their teacher and also bid her goodbye. And perhaps catch some anecdotes about her from elder boys and girls who had learned their ABC and to spell and write their names from her.

Like their parents, Tessie grew up in Gibraltar. She was the second of five children of the late Manong Fred Panis, an all-around handyman, and his widow Josephine, now 80.

Like many who settled at Gibraltar, Manong Fred raised his family as caretaker of one of the summer vacation houses of the rich. Gibraltar is part of what was once called Topside, the choice, scenic eastern side of Baguio where the city’s American founding fathers and the old rich in Manila built their cabins.

Perhaps because the rays of the sun hit Topside first, warming them up before the rest of the city in those cold mornings during the city’s formative years.
Like the owners of the vacation houses, the caretakers at Topside and their children knew each other during those years when Baguio was practically one neighborhood.

That’s why the children of Eugenio Mateo, caretaker of the Tuazon house along Baguio Country Rd., and those of Paulino Arnaiz who maintained the First National City Bank staff house at Outlook Drive, came to Tessie’s wake.

As the kids of the vacationing rich studied together - in exclusive schools-, so did the caretakers’ children go to the public Pacdal (now Rizal) Elementary School). They were classmates of Tessie, her elder sisters Lita and Lolita, or younger siblings Lydia and Roberto.

Manong Fred was quite popular even beyond Topside. Perhaps because he was generous to a fault. He was always there to cook at baptisms, weddings and to serve at funeral wakes.

He was ready to treat friends to bottles of gin with his hard-earned pay as a plumber, carpenter, mason and small-time contractor. He never out-grew the joy of hunting wild mushrooms on mountainsides where houses eventually sprouted. Or catching bullfrogs in the creek that had since died.

Tessie married Mario Romero, her high school and college classmate. Mario, originally from Cebu, arrived in Baguio when he was 15, with an uncle assigned to preach gospel truth here.

The couple raised four children whom they supported through college - Kristine, Joseph, Roschelle and Elizabeth. The first three gave their parents seven grandchildren – Lance Gideon, Kleziah, Sunshine, Angel Gwyneth, Gabriel.,Keira and Geoff Elisha. Elizabeth is preparing for the board exams in accountancy.

Tessie knew it’s more expensive to die than to live poor. That’s why she registered and regularly paid her dues with the Social Security System as a self-employed member.

It entitled her family to a P20,000 support for the cost of the funeral.
She could not enlist with the Government Service Insurance System.

That’s because she could not be absorbed as a regular city employee under the city social welfare and development office. It would be in violation of the anti-nepotism act, as her elder sister Lita is already a regular day care worker.

Mario, who also worked with the city social welfare office, wondered why the same law doesn’t apply to relatives of high-ranking officials taken in their offices as “confidential” staff enjoying regular salaries.

As volunteer worker, Tessie received P4,000 monthly honorarium from the city and P1,000 from the barangay. Still, she served more than some in regular plantilla positions. Mario remembers having to fetch his wife home at times when she would be working at the center hours after her wards had been fetched by their parents coming from work.

Tessie was rushed to a hospital after her class the other Thursday. She felt better and was glad to be released and be at the day care center the following morning. At mid-morning Friday, she experienced difficulty breathing and had to dismiss the class. Again, she was rushed to the hospital. Early evening of the following day, July 11, she passed on.

Tessie was laid to rest last Thursday, beside her father at the city cemetery.
It’s always very expensive to be poor. That’s why Tessie worked for two decades, quietly fleshing out her city’s slogan for its centennial – Fostering a Culture of caring - years before the theme was coined..

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Baguio officials want hotel strictly watched

By Julie G. Fianza
BAGUIO CITY- The city council last week approved the proposed resolution of Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda mandating the strict compliance of Novotel, now being constructed along Abanao st. extension, to “time honored principle of tradition and heritage of the city.”

The lady councilor proposed the resolution to quell expressed “anticipatory doubts” of concerned individuals as to the operation of the hotel.

Earlier, vice-mayor Daniel Farinas, then the acting mayor allayed such doubts for the construction, said to be a motel. Such operation, Councilor Tabanda stated in her resolution, would not speak well “of the family-oriented culture that Baguio has always been known for.”

The council thus mandated Novotel owner William Go to strictly abide by the qualifications and “operate strictly as a standard hotel,” as to minimum requirements of the revised Baguio Tourism Code.

According to then acting mayor Farinas, Go, being the owner of the on-going construction just below city hall has complied with the requirements, such as excavation and building permits, set by the City Building and Architecture Office (CBAO), thus could go on.

There is “nothing illegal” being done as of now, as to the use of the place, then acting mayor Farinas clarified.

During an earlier council session, residents of adjoining areas as represented by Catherine Arvisu-de la Rosa and Adelaida Lim Perez protested the construction with worries on the eventual use of the place, and the on-going construction. “The place should be preserved as it has historical significance,” it was said.

Go, who was present during the session, denied that the building is for a motel, but for a standard six-floor hotel.

In addition to the council looking into the strict compliance of Go to building standards, Councilor Fred Bagbagen of the committee on laws agreed that the Zoning Ordinance be looked into.

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Mayor: Busol demolition to take place this week

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. Thursday said the planned demolition of illegal structures here within the Busol watershed will push through this week.

“Definitely we will take action next week,” the mayor told a media briefing saying enough time had been devoted to fulfilling the procedural requirements and to planning.

“We have to take action and definitely we will be guided by the Supreme Court ruling (that sided with the city government in its intention to purge the watershed of illegal structure),” the mayor added.

Members of the anti-squatting committee led by city administrator Peter Fianza and the demolition team headed by engineer Nazita Banez also met Thursday morning with various agencies to finalize the demolition proceedings in accordance with the mayor’s order to undertake the dismantling operations from July 20 to 31.

The concerned agencies agreed to be involved with the activities and committed support to make the operations smooth and peaceful if possible.

The group also set pre-demolition meetings with the settlers on Monday and Tuesday for final arrangements and notices.


Cops to go after Baguio vandals

BAGUIO CITY – City police will embark on a stricter program to apprehend persons vandalizing government and private owned properties and parks.

This, after the city government created a graffiti task force to implement ordinance 41 series of 2008, (anti graffiti code of Baguio).

This task force is composed of the city engineering office and city buildings and architecture office who shall initiate repainting or repair of defaced city properties. – Leroy Florendo

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Product commonly used as death weapon in suicide: Benguet gov’t pushes ban on lethal herbicide

By Dexter A. See

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — The provincial government has asked the Fertilizers and Pesticides Authority to withdraw from stores in this vegetable-producing province a restricted herbicide which was linked to the death of at least 17 persons two years ago.

Before the chemical product claims more lives, provincial officials said, it should be withdrawn from the different outlets, provincial officials said.

The herbicide is reportedly labeled as Gramoxone and comes in liquid form.
Based on data provided by the rural health units and hospitals in Baguio City and Benguet, the herbicide is said to be the most commonly used substance in suicide cases since 2007.

Only three persons were reported to have survived the use of the herbicide in suicide attempts.

Health authorities said this year has the most number of suicide cases with herbicide as the death weapon. There were 13 victims recorded since January.

Local officials said the increase in suicide incidents is considered alarming, and so there is need for the FPA to withdraw the product from the stores.

The provincial government had earlier created a task force to determine the causes of the increasing suicide cases and come up with recommendations on how to solve the problem.

Although another brand of pesticide and fungicide was used in the suicide cases, it was found out that Gramoxone had claimed the most number of victims.

Provincial and municipal officials appealed to the company distributing the herbicide to offer alternative products in a bid to protect the people.

Earlier, the task force learned that the herbicide was banned in the country and restricted for institutional use.

However, in 2003, Syngeta Co. re-formulated the solution of the herbicide, paving the way for its being re-categorization by FPA for general use.

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MP studes now prefer local to urban schools

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Instead of going to urban centers and spending a lot of money to achieve higher education, students in this province have become wiser, opting to enroll at local schools while helping their parents in their daily work.

At the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College, records bared an increase in enrollment this school year.

Unlike private higher education institutions in urban centers like Baguio City which registered a slight decrease in their enrollment this school year, the MPSPC here recorded a seven percent increase in enrollment for the school year due to innovative programs which helped attract students.

Dr. Nieves A. Dacyon, MPSPC president, said affordable school fees offered by government schools as well as the quality of education they are offering lured enrollees to patronize courses offered by the state-run institution.

This school year, MPSPC Bontoc had 4,184 enrollees while its Tadian campus had 757 enrollees. Its graduate programs had 159 enrollees.

The Bachelor of Science Criminology topped the list with the most number of enrollees having a total of 1,110 followed by the BS Nursing with 637; Bachelor in Secondary Education, 495; BS in Business Administration, 326; Bachelor in Elementary Education, 311; BS in Accountancy, 280; BS in Office Administration, 220; BS in Information Technology, 207; BS in Commerce, 179; BS in Hotel and Restaurant Management, 148; Associate of Arts in HRM, 124; Bachelor of Arts, 97; BS Tourism, 27 and BS HRMT, 23.

With improved facilities and competent faculty and staff, MPSPC is fast becoming one of the most prestigious higher education institutions in the region as it now aims to become a university in the future. -- Dexter A. See

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Cops push drive vs guns in Abra after media firms shot

BANGUED, Abra – Abra policemen pushed their drive against loose firearms at the heels of the recent shooting of the offices of Catholic-run newspaper Abra Today, its radio affiliates DZPA and Spirit FM radio DWWM by still unidentified gunmen.

Abra policemen nabbed “small fries” in its drive against “loose guns” still proliferating in the province.

But provincial director Senior Supt. Charlo Collado promised intensified random checkpoints and 24-hour “operation bakal” can preempt crimes and reduce the root causes of violence.

Only a few days ago, a joint task force – Abra policemen, commandos from the 1601st Mobile Group, Special Action Force and Regional Mobile Group cornered security guard Nestor Talledo of the Abra State Institute of Science and Technology for his .45 caliber Norinco-made pistol with one magazine loaded with eight bullets..

As the cops combed down Bangued, Abra’s capital town, 41-year-old Junar Bersamin was also arrested for bringing a Colt .45 pistol with one magazine loaded with six live ammunition without the necessary government permit.

Along a checkpoint, 22-year-old Harry Pilarta was also taken for questioning for bringing a loaded .38 caliber revolver. He was drunk.

Abra Gov. Eustaquio Bersamin has ordered cops in the province to be on their toes amid last week’s shooting at the offices of Abra Today, DZPA and Spirit FM radio DWWM.

Bersamin has hinted a reward of P20,000 for anyone who can give tips to authorities on the identities of the perpetrators.

Tighter security has also been ordered by Bangued town Mayor Dominic Valera.

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4 wanted persons nabbed in Ifugao

LAGAWE, Ifugao – Four persons were arrested in different parts of the province last week for rape among other crimes.

A certain Pedro “Dondon” Tumayan y Saltino, 29, single, farmer and resident of Barangay Danggo in Tinoc town was arrested July 13 by joint elements of Tinoc town police under Investigator Albert A. Carame Jr., Lagawe police under Investigator Typon P. Acod and provincial police office.

Judge Joseph P. Baguilat of RTC 2nd Judicial Region Branch 14 Lagawe, Ifugao issued the warrant for his arrest.

Two other wanted persons: Jun Monguiho, 25 and Fernando Tayaban, 16, both single and residents of Barangay Boliwong, Lagawe were also arrested on July 14 for physical injuries.

Judge Jenifer Humiding of MCTC, Lagawe issued the arrants for their arrest.

Redentor Johnny y Antonio, 21, single, jobless and residence of Barangay Tulludan, Tinoc, was also nabbed July 16 at Tinoc Pblacion by police led byInvestigator Albert A Carame Jr.

Judge Merianthe P.M. Zuraek, Presiding Judge of RTC 2nd Judicial Region Branch 29, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya issued his arrest warrant for violation of of Republic Act 9165.

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Vigan City biomass power plant mulled to boost trade

VIGAN CITY , Ilocos Sur- This city headed by Mayor Eva. Marie S. Medina is mulling to put up a biomass power plant as part of its vision to become a globally competitive city.

The city has tapped the services of Pacific Ecology and Environment, Inc., an expert in environmental research studies that will undertake a full blown feasibility study on the establishment of the biomass power plant.

Based on their memorandum of agreement signed by Medina and Cezar E. Pacheco, president of Pacific Ecology, the latter will first conduct a full blow feasibility to determine the project’s aspects in marketing, technical, operational, financial, environmental and come up with a financial aspect on the project whether it will contribute to the economic and social welfare of Vigan.

The proposed establishment of the said biomass power plant came at a time when this Heritage City’s economic development has been blooming and becoming globally competitive city with the sprouting of various commercial establishments here, the continued investors’ confidence, the prevailing peace and order, making Vigan as one of the most peaceful cities in the country, among others.

But Medina saidthe city will also want to address the issue of global warming through the tapping of the renewable sources of energy.

She said if ever the power plant pushes through, the rates of electricity would be more affordable to the people of Vigan and its neighboring municipalities.

She said a feasibility study should be done first to determine whether or not such project is viable to the people of Vigan.

Based on the MOA, the city will enter into a build-operate-transfer contract with Pacific Ecology for the construction of the said plant which will finance for it.

On the environmental aspect, the project should be pollution-free and that it will also assess its impact on environment, particularly on air, sea, land and surface and groundwater, the MOA added. -- Mar T Supnad

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