Multi-Dimensional Poverty Index

Ike Seneres

The Human Development Index (HDI) was first published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1990, for the purpose of having a composite set of statistics that would measure the standard of living, the literacy rate and the longevity rate of member countries. As a complement to HDI, the UNDP also published the Multi-Dimensional Poverty Index (MPI) in 2010. As it was presented, the HDI already identified education as a means to increase the literacy rate, as it also identified healthcare as the means to increase the longevity rate. There was no identification of the means to increase the standard of living, but it was implied that income generation or livelihood was the means of doing so.

As it is presented now, the MPI outlines the original HDI set of statistics into three dimensions. The first dimension is healthcare, broken down into two measures, namely child mortality and nutrition. The second dimension is education, also broken down into two measures, namely years of schooling and ages of children enrolled. The third dimension is standard of living, broken down into eight measures, namely floor, assets, cooking fuel, electricity, toilet and safe water. For easy recall, I have coined the acronym FACETS for these eight measures.

I am surprised why it took twenty years for the UNDP to refine HDI into MPI, but it’s better late than never, and it seems that the waiting is very much worth it. I have been looking for a development framework that I could use in my advocacy work, and this time, I believe that I have finally found it. HDI was actually good as it is, but it has actually evolved into a better framework in the form of MPI, since the third dimension as broken down into FACETS has become very specific, and it is now possible to drill down the data into real human needs, meaning needs that are rooted in the ground, and not flying in the sky.

As I understand it, both HDI and MPI are used to measure the performance of UN member countries in fighting the war against poverty. That being the case, the data reported is always at the national level. As far as I know, no government agency is reporting the data in the Philippines at the local level. Some friends are telling me that at least one agency is doing that, but I could not find any data source so far. That means no one is doing it, or if anyone is doing it, they are not doing a good job in reporting it. This situation actually bothers me, because if no one is gathering the local data, where is the government getting the data that it is reporting to the UN?

Pardon my insistence, but as far as I know, a survey is not the same as a census. A survey simply takes samples of respondents, whereas a census gathers actual empirical and numerical data. Having said that, I wonder what kind of poverty data the government is gathering. Is it survey data or census data? As far as I know also, there is no better way in gathering census data than to start from the bottom, and then count everything all the way up, including each level of data sets. If that is the case, then there is no other way but to start gathering data from the lowest level of governance, possibly even at the barangay level.

In the MPI framework, there seems to be an apparent shift from the “accessibility” approach to the “depravity” approach, at least in the third dimension. In “floor” for instance, a household would be considered “deprived” if their floor is made of mud, sand or dung. They would also be considered “deprived” if they do not have “assets” such as having more than one radio, television or bicycle. They would also be “deprived” if they do not have cooking fuel, meaning that they are still using wood, charcoal or dung. Whereas before the trend was to talk about people not having “access” to electricity, now the talk is about them being “deprived” if they have no electricity, including toilets and safe drinking water.

As I see it now, it would be best if the local mayors could take the lead in gathering their own HDI and MPI data, not as a survey but as a census. As it looks now, it would be too ambitious to expect the more than 42,008 barangay units to conduct their own census, but it would be reasonable to think that the estimated 1,495 cities and municipalities could possibly do it. Being ranked 105th out of 182 countries in the HDI study of 2009 does not speak well of our performance. What is important now is to drill down the data and pin it down, so that we could have a basis for our future actions.

For feedback, email iseneres@yahoo.com or text +639083159262

Read more...

P’sinan governor, solon tagged in mayor’s slay

DAGUPAN CITY --- After being linked to jueteng, Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino Jr. is facing another criminal investigation as the alleged mastermind in the killing of Infanta town Mayor Ruperto Martinez in December last year.

In a complaint filed with the Department of Justice Tuesday, the National Bureau of Investigation sought the indictment of Espino including Pangasinan first district Rep. Jesus Celeste and their associate, Jaime Aquino, for murder.

The NBI cited the testimony of a teenager who claimed “personal knowledge” of the killing.

The 16-year-old witness told investigators he was present during a meeting at a beach resort in Bolinao town in November 2011 when Espino allegedly planned the killing.

In his affidavit, the witness said he heard the governor saying that Martinez should be killed to prevent him from linking Espino to a supposed mining project anomaly in the province.

In the same meeting, the witness said Celeste introduced a certain “Kardo” who was tasked to kill the mayor.

The witness said he saw Celeste meet Kardo again a day after Martinez was gunned down.

“I heard Congressman Celeste telling Kardo to go to Infanta to check if Martinez is already dead or still alive,” the witness said.

He identified Kardo as Ricardo Legarda, one of the two suspects arrested by police.

He said the other suspect is Richard Manuel, a bodyguard of Celeste.

The witness has been placed under the witness protection program.

He told NBI probers he was aware of the earlier murders of barangay kagawad Jovencia Gasmin and Bayambang Councilor Nato Sabangan.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the DOJ would conduct a preliminary investigation into the complaint.

Meanwhile, Rep. Celeste Wednesday said he did not expect the NBI would give credence to the testimony of what his lawyers dismissed as a “procured” witness on the murder charge filed against him and Gov. Espino Jr. the other day before the DOJ on the gunslaying of Mayor Martinez last Dec. 15.

Celeste said the slain mayor was his family’s long-time political ally and he even asked the NBI to conduct a parallel probe when he was slain.

Celeste and his younger brother, former first district congressman Arthur Celeste, said they found the case “absolutely ridiculous,” adding that somebody could have maneuvered to drag the incumbent congressman and Espino to the killing.

The Celestes said Martinez was a long-time political ally and that it was the former congressman who pushed Martinez to run for mayor.

Rep. Celeste said it was he who wrote the NBI in Dagupan City to do a parallel investigation into Martinez’s killing, and now he found himself being charged for it.

Martinez, who filed his candidacy for vice mayor in the May elections after having been elected for three consecutive terms as mayor, was gunned down in his residential compound in Infanta town.

The two suspected gunmen were arrested two days after the slay and were charged in court.

Police said the killing could be linked to politics and the construction of a port for nickel being hauled from nearby Zambales province.

Martinez’s wife Crisanta, who joined the interview with her two sons and daughter-in-law, appealed to the political rivals of the Celestes to “stop using my husband’s killing in politics.”

For her part, Martinez’s daughter-in-law Jennifer recalled how the Celestes helped them, especially after her father-in-law was killed.

“We don’t believe what they say (that the congressman and the governor) were behind the killing,” she said.

“We were really surprised. It’s far from reality,” she said in Filipino.

Jaime Aquino, publisher of a local paper and father of the 16-year-old witness in the murder case, belied reports that his son knew Rep. Celeste or Espino.

Aquino said his son is not a credible witness and the NBI is not also credible in its investigation. “I’m sure my son is only being dictated upon,” he said.

He added his son was twice jailed in Baguio City for theft and had stopped schooling. He said it was on Nov. 1 last year that he last saw his son.

Aquino, who also came to ex-congressman Celeste’s residence here, said he and his wife would file in court a petition for habeas corpus asking the NBI or the DOJ to produce his son.

He also belied reports he is not in good terms with his son but admitted he is not living with him, as he is under the care of his wife.

Aquino was also named respondent in the murder case.

Meanwhile, provincial administrator Rafael Baraan, speaking in behalf of Espino, said, “We have not received a copy of the complaint and therefore we have no basis for making any statement at this time.”

Lawyers Art Amon and Joseph Segundera, Rep. Celeste’s legal counsels, said their client also has yet to receive a copy of the complaint, adding though they are ready to file the necessary counter-charges against the congressman’s accusers.

“This witness is so unbelievable. It was reported he is also a witness in two other killings in Alcala and Bayambang towns. He is always there, lo and behold. He is prolific,” Segundera said.

He added: “A minor is being used to trivialize the killing of a mayor to advance a political agenda. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know the motive for the filing of the case.”

Read more...

Officials tagged in scam: Millions lost in Vizcaya mine tailings scandal

Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Carlos Padilla has exposed what he described as a mine tailings or “luyot” scandal in his province.

Padilla said provincial officials charge P10 per kilo or P250,000 per truck hauling 25 tons of mine tailings.

“However, there is no official acknowledgement from the provincial government of the P250,000 payment by the luyot transporter. What is only being acknowledged is the P10,000 mineral tax through an official receipt issued by the office of the treasurer of Nueva Vizcaya,” he said.

He said this means that there is a missing balance of P240,000 per truck of mine wastes transported, and the provincial government is losing P2.4 million daily for every 10 trucks.

“These missing transport fees should have been properly accounted for and used to generate livelihood projects, build more classrooms for our students, provide more scholarship programs for our youth, and improve our roads and other infrastructure needs. Instead, these funds simply vanished into thin air, to the detriment of the people of Nueva Vizcaya,” he said.

Padilla asked the Commission on Audit, Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Finance to look into the “missing” collections.

He also urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to check where the mine tailings are coming from.

Read more...

Fariñas’ son faces raps for detaining beating man

By Teddy Molina

LAOAG CITY – A youth leader in this city filed charges against the son and namesake of Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas and Sangguniang Kabataan provincial president for illegal detention and physical injuries, police said Tuesday.

Supt. Melvin Napiloy, city police chief, said the victim Raffy John Corpuz of Barangay 1, accused the young Fariñas of beating him up after the latter forced him into his Toyota Fortuner car.

Charged with Farinas Jr. were his companions identified as Carlo Gaygay, Joan Samonte and a certain Macky.

Napiloy said a witness, who executed a sworn affidavit, corroborated Napiloy’s allegations.

Local media tried to contact the congressman and his son for a reaction but they have yet to respond as of press time.

Read more...

PMA event ‘politicized’ with guests VP, Danding

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City – Vice President Jejomar Binay, an adopted member of Philippine Military Academy class of 1988, gave the keynote address at the 2013 alumni homecoming of the PMA here yesterday,Feb. 16 making the occasion a political event.

Binay, who was also recently accepted as honorary member of the PMA Alumni Association Inc. together with business tycoon Eduardo Cojuangco Jr., took his oath together with Cojuangco during the annual gathering of all graduates of the premier military training institution in the country.

The PMAAI board in its resolution number 12-47 on Jan. 15 at Camp Aguinaldo approving the adoption of Binay and Cojuangco as honorary members of the alumni association cited that the Vice President was nominated to be an honorary member by PMA Classes 1951, 1952, 1953 and 1954 while Cojuangco was nominated by PMA Classes 1988, 1971 and 1973.

Both Binay and Cojuangco satisfied the requirements and criteria provided under the new bylaws of PMAAAI for honorary membership, the resolution said.

The presence of Binay, leader of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) fielding its senatorial slate in the mid-term polls this May, “politicized” the avowed “non-political” and “shielded from politics” stance of the graduates even as among them are politicians in the national and local levels, observers said.

Cojuangco’s coming at the Borromeo Field where the alumni and their adopted “mistahs” complicated the no-politics policy at the PMA as the business tycoon is also the leader of the Nationalist Peoples' Coalition, fielding several of its members in the senate under the Liberal Party Coalition against Binay’s UNA.

Key figures running in the 2013 polls who are adoptees of PMA classes are: Sen. Loren Legarda (’69); Sen. Francis Escudero (’87); Rep. JV Ejercito (’88); Margarita Conjuangco (’83); Rep. Cynthia Villar (wife of Sen. Manny Villar of class ’76);

DILG Sec. Mar Roxas, an adopted member of class ’84, and leader of the Liberal Party, was guest of honor during the PMA’s annual general membership meeting at Camp Aguinaldo on February 8. The official was present with his “mistahs” during the alumni homecoming before the May 2010 polls when he ran but lost against Binay.

Binay and Roxas are expected to have another face-off in the presidential polls in 2016.

Graduates from the PMA who are running this May are Gregorio Honasan (‘71) and Antonio Trillanes (’95).

Captain Lynette Flores, PMA spokesperson however said, “We are discouraging politicking so that political color will not ruin the solemnity of the event,” she said earlier.

For the past years, PMA has been actively campaigning against overt politicking in its events.

However, the presence of politicians during these events highlight the difficulty of insulating the PMA from politics.

Read more...

Van goes down Benguet ravine; 1dead,2 injured

TUBA, Benguet – A man only identified as “Erwin” was killed while 33-year old Raffy Baron and 35- year old Joel Bellesteros were seriously hurt when the delivery van they were riding in plunged down a 50-meter ravine along Kennon Road here around 3 a.m. Tuesday.

Tuba police said an Isuzu delivery van fell off the ravine killing "Erwin", while Baron and Ballesteros were brought to the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center.

Baron, the driver of the van, police said, was allegedly drunk.

The van en route to Baguio was carrying frozen food from Angeles City in Pampanga, the police said.

Read more...

Troops harass PhilHealth workers; gov airs concern

By Gina Dizon

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Two government PhilHealth workers assailed the Philippine Army for harassing and interrogating them, saying they were involved with the underground movement of the New People’s Army.

Gov. Leonard Mayaen informed the Provincial Peace and Order Council which he chairs saying this was of deep concern.

Earlier, the two Philhealth profilers from Ankileng, Sagada and Bontoc were doing profiling for Philhealth beneficiaries of the provincial local government unit, in the southern part of Sagada, complained at the office of the governor of interrogation by members of the 54th Infantry Battalion.

In said PPOC meeting, Lt. Col Francisco Millare, battallion commander of the 54th infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army assigned in Mountain Province told Mayaen the incident will not happen again and that the military chief shall act on the complaint.

It was learned that on Saturday morning, Feb. 9, military elements surrounded the barangay clinic where both Philhealth workers were staying and asked them questions suggesting they were involved with communist insurgents.

Both Philhealth profilers told the troopers they were insurgents nor connected with communist guerillas, it was learned.

A day earlier on Feb. 8, the same military elements numbering around 20 to 25 requested they rest for the night at the barangay clinic prompting clinic personnel to tell them that Philhealth workers were staying in the clinic and would they please find refuge in other places.

The military men apparently resented this so they resorted to interrogating and harassing the PhilHealth workers.

Read more...

Windfarm places Sagada folks in grave dilemna

By Gina Dizon
SAGADA Mountain Province – A proposed windfarm here to generate additional power for the Luzon grid has placed residents here in a quandary whether to allow it or not as it could destroy their water sources.

This, as Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Manuel Pogeyed said he doubted the existence of an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) issued to the firm Philcarbon which is pushing the windfarm at Pilaw-Langsayan ridge between Sagada and Besao towns.

Pogeyed bared this in an interview when asked on the supposed issuance of an ECC by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as earlier relayed by Philcarbon chairman RufinoBumasang during a radio interview December last year.

Pogeyed said a monitoring body should be created after the issuance of an ECC, “but there is no monitoring body formed.”

The DENR Provincial chief also informed the public that an ECC requires an Environmental Impact Statement providing therein social acceptability, study on the effects of the proposed project and identification of mitigating measures of any damage wrought by the proposed project.

Free prior and informed consent (FPIC) consultations are on-going shedding doubt on the supposedly issued ECC.

Referring to the proposed wind farm, he said the EIS should contain effects on water sources, migratory bird path, mossy forest s, and noise pollution.

Effects on the water systems are heavily questioned by village folks on the building of the proposed wind farm projected to be erected within a critical watershed of PIlaw and Langsayan including Datakan.

Said watershed is the major source of water for nearby communities.

The proposed wind farm is currently the subject of consultations with the recent conduct of validation of field based investigations of affected areas in Lacmaan, Agawa, Suquib, Besao East, Besao West, and Payew of Besao; and barangays Dagdag, Demang and PatayPoblacion of Sagada.

In said validation activities, NCIP- Mountain Province Director Tomas Tawagen reminded everyone to think many times before giving a decision- whether to give consent or not to the building of the windfarm.

The validation of field-based investigations and the second and third general assemblies are part of the free prior and informed consent (FPIC) process for NCIP to issue either a certificate of consent or non-consent by the communities concerned.

Affected points where windmill towers shall be built were relayed by engineer Andrew Magwelang officer in charge of NCIP-Besao-Sagada service office.

Projected tower points are found in sensitive and critical watershed areas where finds water sources supplying nearby places of both northern and central Sagada and Besao; including boundary issues of adjacent lots

Projected areas where proposed windmill towers shall be built are located along the Langsayan-Pilaw-Datakan ridge namely (1)boundary between Suquib, Besao and Madongo, Sagada located in a private land in Pilaw; (2) Pilaw ridge claimed by Madongo and Suquib and where water is sourced to reach some Sagada households; (3) municipal boundary of Sagada and Besao; (4) Along Langsayan ridge with need to cut trees to level the ground; (5) along Langsayan where finds boundary of Lacmaan, Besao and Madongo with need to cut trees to accommodate the 5th tower; (6) between Lacmaan and Bangaan where finds water source of Lacmaan and Agawa, Besao; (7) ‘non-sensitive’ area; (8) boundary of Lacmaan and Bangaan in a private lot; (9)boundary of Lacmaan and Banggaan with need to scrape off trees; (10) Datakan watershed found in the boundary of Lakmaan and Aguid, Sagada.

In the validation activity held for SagadaPoblacion February 13, a boundary conflict between Madongo and SagadaPoblacion was pointed out leading to the resolution of said conflict before second general assembly is scheduled.

Schedules for the second general assemblies in other communities shall be relayed by the NCIP seven days before scheduled date, Magwelang said

The second general assembly shall let proponent Philcarbon deliver detailed information on their proposed project. Other expert statements would also be accommodated.

Read more...

Former rebs to receive funds under gov’t program

By Peter A. Balocnit

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- Qualified former rebel combatants will receive livelihood assistance under the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) which is now under local governments.

The Department of Interior and Local Government meanwhile, will perform oversight functions, assist in resource mobilization, capacity building support, monitoring and evaluation, policy direction.

Early this year, four livelihood projects of individual rebel returnees (RRs) in the province were approved by the Office of the Presidential Assistance on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and their checks of P50,000 each are now with the provincial social welfare and development office (PSWDO) ready for release.

Bing Haddac of PSWDO and program coordinator said the proposals totaling P200,000 are all on rice production aimed at increasing domestic production of the staple food for the consumption of the RRs’ families.

She said 15 proposals were submitted, however, only four were approved. “We are awaiting the approval of the other proposals. We can’t say this time if OPAPP will approve them all since they are subject for evaluation as to their feasibility and viability,” Haddac said.

The proponents, whose proposals were approved are Jeffrey Tubban and Reginald Diwayan of Mabaca, Balbalan; Fernan Wanson and Simeon Singic also both of Isla, San Juan, this city.

Haddac said these beneficiaries are the first recipients of this year’s CLIP under the Aquino administration which only covers former rebels who surrendered January 2011 to present; had not benefited in the past reintegration programs, and those who had complete documents such as joint validation and authentication committee (JVAC) and profile.

The JVAC committee is composed of the provincial governor as chairman and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, PSWDO, and an accredited civil society organization as members. -- PIA

Read more...

More classrooms in Cordillera under private-public partnership

BAGUIO CITY – More classrooms will be built in Cordillera region under the Public Private Partnership for School Infrastructure Project (PSIP) Phase II project.

At least 635 classrooms in 395 school sites were initially identified across the region to address the need for additional classrooms, said a report at the Regional Development Council.

The PSIP seeks to supplement the current initiatives and program of the Department of Education on classroom construction nationwide equipped with toilets and furniture. It is intended to expand the supply of classrooms the soonest through a build-lease-and transfer (BLT) scheme in all public school system.

Recipients of PSIP Phase I project were Regions I, 3 and 4-A, and the DepEd intends to replicate the project in other regions to include the CAR for the second phase.

The Regional Social Development Sectoral Committee (RSDC) of the Cordillera RDS has already adopted and endorsed the PSIP Phase II school building program.

The National Economic Development Authority – CAR said the project will be bidded out in several regional packages to attract more bidders with one contract per region. The winning bidder is required to construct and turnover the completed classrooms in one year.

This after finding out a major setback in the region with the shortage and poor quality of classrooms and is seen to worsen if not addressed with the implementation of the ‘K to 12’ and the ‘Education for All’ programs with the expected significant hike in enrollment.

The project seeks to address 49 percent of the projected need for classroom for 2013-2014 in the region.

The RDC also recommended DepEd to look into the strict implementation of the standards for school buildings and site development guided by the Educational Facilities Manual.

Latest findings of the Cordillera Regional Project Monitoring Committee reveal that some schools were built in areas susceptible to erosion and landslide, and subsidence areas with no mitigating measures put in place.

The standard design should consider terrain, access, topography, climate and nuances of the identified sites.

The RSDC also moved for adoption of another resolution requesting national government to provide funds for the remaining gaps for more classrooms totaling to 616 in both elementary and secondary level for early consideration and inclusion.

Read more...

Pampanga cities now rising IT hubs

By George Trillo

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The two cities in this province are eyeing to become the new information and technology (IT) hubs in country, the two IT councils from this city and from Angeles said last week.

The Information and Communications Technology Council of San Fernando said that it is now initiating steps that will make the city a central technological hub with ready resources and an expert manpower pool of technology experts in the advent of the internet and Business Process Outsourcing in the country.

The council, which was created by by Mayor Oscar Rodriguez in 2007, is partnering with other concerned stakeholders to provide the necessary IT services to the private and public sectors in the city.

Council president Jim Jimenez said that they are starting to train students, IT graduates and other aspiring IT people to develop software infrastructure needed in the bid of the city to become the leader in the IT industry in the region.

Partners of the ICT Council include the academe, the San Fernando Electric Light and Power Company (SPELAPCO) and the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT).

Meanwhile, the Metro Clark Information and Communications Technology Council (MCICTC), said that stakeholders in the ICT industry are eyeing Clark to become the country’s next BPO hub.

MCICTC shared that a number BPO firms in Metro Manila are either expanding or transferring to other places including Clark.

“Metro Clark is at par with Metro Manila and Metro Cebu as a premier global investment haven for IT and IT-enabled industries,” it said.

It added that Clark, being a premier Freeport, has an airport and other facilities that will support the operation of BPO firms.

MCICTC is a founding member of the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines. It was established in 2008 when some 40 stakeholders convened to determine the readiness of the Metro Clark area to host emerging markets in the global IT outsourcing industry.

Read more...

Pols may join Panagbenga but campaigning banned

BAGUIO CITY– Political campaign is banned in the ongoing Panagbenga festivities but political figures may join in the revelries, organizers of the crowd-drawing Baguio Flower Festival said

“We are not stopping politicians from joining”, Anthony de Leon, co-chairman of the private sector initiated but government-supported festival, said but added that politicians should refrain from decorating Baguio with their campaign materials.

The month-long festival started on February 1 and ends on March 3. The highlight of the festival is the grand street dancing on February 23 and the float parade the day after.

Candidates except Baguio City incumbent officials who are running this May cannot join the street dancing parade though they will be welcomed at the Athletic Bowl program after, De Leon said, citing the organizers’ six-point “policy on political participation”.

The policy states that the Grand Street Parade is not a political event nor should it be construed as a venue for one.

For several elections since 2001, the twin parades – street dancing and float — had been the venue of election campaigning for national candidates. Recent events however prompted organizers to ban political campaigning during the events.

In 2001, senatorial bets joined the street dancing and even paraded ahead of the flower-clad street dancing kids. Heavy rains however fell just as the candidates passed along Session Road, leaving the young street dancers soaked in rain.

In 2004, a senatorial bet from the south was permitted to throw flowers-confetti at the Session road aboard a helicopter but instead “showered us with garbage,” said De Leon. The candidate lost including most of his teammates from the administration party.

In 2007, senatorial bets still joined the festivities, but toned down their gimmickry.

Politicians who insist on violating the policy, De Leon said, shall be “politely removed” from the twin parades.

Organizers have bended a little and allowed politicians to sponsor any contingent but the politicians are barred from requring the contingent to carry, distribute or display any of their posters, leaflets or merchandise that shall bear their names, political party of pictures.

“Politicians can have their own floats,” de Leon said, “but bawal bumababa sa float at makipagkamay.”

Organizers expect the crowd during the festivities to double on the 24th because of the long weekend.

February 25 is a holiday as the country marks the anniversary of Edsa 1.

Politician-bets could also parade their floats but should be 95 percent fresh flower-adorned and 5 percent “politics”.

Last year, former Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar had her float under the Villar Foundation showcasing the successes of women entrepreneurs.

Villar who is now running under the Liberal Party coalition, reportedly opted to stay out of the 18-piece flower float parade this year.

Read more...

Due to Chico River pollution, Kalinga case: Mt Province officials to build trash site in a year

By Gina Dizon

BONTOC, Mountain Province –Provincial and town officials here pledged to build a landfill within a year to replace the dump site located in upper Caluttitalong the Chico River which had been blamed as one of the causes of the river’s pollution.

This, after the demand of theKalinga Anti-Pollution Action Group (KAPAG) for Mountain Province officials to immediately stop dumping of trash along the Chico River during a mediation meeting held Feb. 1 here.

KAPAG filed a complaint seeking issuance of a writ of kalikasan at the Court of Appeals against said LGUs for their reported failure to stop dumping along the Chico River and non-implementation of sound waste management plans in accordance with RA 9003.

Mediated by Assistant Solicitor General Herman Cimafranca, a recent meeting of officials and counsels from KAPAG and officials of the province and Bontoc aimed to find a compromise agreement on said case and work out programs to keep the Chico River clean and its watershed vibrant.

Speaking on behalf of Bontoc LGU, counsel Asssanyster Patingan said the LGU’s final offer to build the landfill within a year, still lets PoblacionBontoc make use of the Caluttit dumpsite while practicing waste segregation pending land fill construction.

Bontoc Poblacion generates 2.4 tons of waste everyday at the Chico River hauled in two truckloads per day. Bio degradable waste is composted at Lengsad hill, a project of the Bontoc Market Vendors Association (BAMARVA) and the Provincial LGU’s waste management program. Said compositing was earlier done by the LGU of Bontoc with BAMARVA.

Provincial Administrator Johnny Co speaking in behalf of Gov. Leonard Mayaen said the province supports building of an access road to the identified site and support construction of the projected landfill.

The more or less one year wait targets the making of the program of work for the 2.5 kilometer access road, approval, bidding, awarding of the project followed by actual construction along with the building of the engineered sanitary landfill.

Patingan said constructing the land fill means better waste management rather than abrupt closing of the dump site leaving the community where to put waste not composted nor bought by junk dealers.

Mayor Pascual Sacgaca said a deed of sale has already been perfected between the Bontoc LGU and the owner of a 3 hectare lot located atop Falilingsitio as the projected site for a landfill to replace said dumpsite at Caluttit along the Chico River.

RA 9003 or the ecological solid waste management Act of 2000 prohibits open dumping of waste, a provision of the law which calls for the closure of all dump sites by 2006.

KAPAG chair Luis Aoas forwarding KAPAG’s non negotiable stand on the closure of the dump site said the dumping along the Chico River had been happening for years and that the previous administration had been promising to address the issue and would not want to listen to another promise again.

The case filed at the Court of Appeals October last year charges both LGUs for alleged indiscriminate dumping of waste along the Chico River polluting irrigation water that flows to vast rice fields of Tabuk and downstream Cagayan and Isabela.

A pre trial was done three weeks ago with the agreement of both parties for the holding of a mediation to possibly resolve the case without necessarily going through a full blown trial.

Following the mediation, Cimafranca said the results shall be submitted to the Court of Appeals on February 12 with both parties appearing for another hearing.

KAPAG also charged Secretary Ramon Paje and regional director Clarence Baguilat of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) being responsible for the enforcement of environmental laws and the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB)-DENR officers for not exercising pollution prevention and control.

In same development, DENR findings noted that mercury from the direction of the Amlosong river coming from Fidelisan, Sagada and Mainit, BOntoc mines were found in water test findings along with lead and cadmium taken from the Chico River.

Read more...

Tabuk officials set b’gay meets ‘to get pulse of the people’

By Larry T. Lopez

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The city government led by the City Planning and Development Office has set the 2013 barangay consultation sorties from Feb. 19 to March 26.

Barangay consultation has become an effective tool of the city government in building strong partnership with the grassroots under the principle of transparency, local officials said.

Mayor Ferdinand B. Tubban said the city government sees this as opportunity to get in direct contact with people and officials in the barangays, getting first-hand situation and feedbacks from them.

Various teams led by department heads from the city government together with representatives from concerned sectors will conduct the sorties.

"While we plan development programs and projects as leaders, we need voices and views from the level of our constituents so that our actions would be more responsive to the people’s needs," Tubban said.

Through barangay consultations, the city government “hears” from the people and “responds” to the people, he said.

"This is a mechanism for us to evaluate whether development projects and programs provide answers to needs at the grassroots, at the same time hear from them how we can improve," Tubban added.

He assured people in the 42 barangays of Tabuk that the city government will remain as development partner urging them to freely air their aspiration towards building Tabuk truly as “City of Life”. -- PIA

Read more...

Ilocos Sur PNP head axed; officials caught by surprise

By Mar T. Supnad

CAMP QUIRINO, Ilocos Sur- The Commission on Elections approved last week the changing of the provincial police director here in what was viewed by some provincial officials as a “political move.”

Upon endorsement of top Philippine National Police officials in Crame, the Comelec approved the designation of Senior Supt. Dennis L. Basngi, as officer in charge of Ilocos Sur police, replacing Senior Supt. Samuel Amoyen who was OIC for few months.

Basngi’s sudden designation as Ilocos Sur PNP chief caught provincial officials by surprise since he is unknown in Ilocos Sur and had not yet been detailed in the province, dubbed by the Comelec as one of “areas of concern.”

Newsmen learned that Basngi was personally and suddenly endorsed by PNP chief Alan Purisima to Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson, after the former had reportedly called up the former.

Basngi is reportedly a friend of Mayor Roque Versoza of Tagudin town who is running for governor but unknown to Singson.

Basngi was reportedly earlier detailed in Region 10 in Mindanao.

Prior to this, a peaceful covenant was signed by political leaders led by Rep. Ryan Singson and Versoza in the province to ensure honest and peaceful election in this once troubled province.

A political kingpin, Gov. Singson, did not file for reelection and designated his son Ryan Singson, incumbent congressman for 1st district to replace him.

Ryan is facing Versoza, once a close security aide of Gov. Singson.

Versoza’s running mate is former board member EfrenRafanan, also once a close political ally of the Singsons.

Ryan’s running mate is his father in law, incumbent and reelectionist Vice governor Deogracias Victor Savellano.

Read more...

Fiscal junks gun raps vs Pangasinan mayor

By Jennelyn Mondejar

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The prosecutor’s office has dismissed due to a technicality charges of illegal possession of firearms which the police filed against the mayor of Agno town following the seizure of an M-16 rifle and several ammunition in his residence on Feb. 6.

Mayor Jose Pajeta Jr. told media the case against him was dismissed after inquest proceedings were made following the raid on his house in the Agno town proper.

Seized from Pajeta’s house were an M-16 rifle Elisco, 252 bullets for M-16, 18 bullets for 60 caliber, 10 long magazine assemblies for M-16, and five short magazines for M-16.

Pajeta said he would talk to his lawyers for his next legal action.

Senior Supt. Marlou Chan, officer-in-charge of the provincial police, confirmed the dismissal.

Chan said they were still studying if they would file a motion for reconsideration.

Chan told Bombo Radyo Dagupan that he had yet to see a copy of the prosecutor’s resolution but was told that the firearm and ammunition confiscated from Pajeta’s residence were not included in the search warrant.

“They said the mayor surrendered the gun but I said why did he surrender it when policemen were already there in his house in the process of serving the search warrant, so I’m having this studied by our lawyers,” Chan said.

The subject of the search warrant was a carbine, but lawmen got an M-16 rifle with an expired license.

Chan also questioned why Pajeta did not sign a document when he supposedly surrendered his gun.

He said he would ask lawyers of the Philippine National Police on the legal remedies they are entitled to.

He added it depends on the appreciation of the prosecutor “but we in the PNP are looking at how to file cases on exceptional circumstances.”

Also on Wednesday morning, police teams also swooped down on the house of barangay captain Wilson Nivera of Gayusan and confiscated a .45 caliber, 14 bullets for 30 caliber, 12 bullets for 12-gauge shotgun, 20 bullets for M-16 rifle, seven bullets for .38-caliber revolver, 16 bullets for 30 caliber, 16 bullets for .45 caliber, two magazine assemblies for .45 caliber, and a magazine assembly for M-16.

Also raided was the house of one Ruperto Batalla, yielding a 9-mm viper 2, a magazine assembly for 9-mm, 22 bullets for 9-mm, six bullets for .38 caliber, and three bullets for .45 caliber.

Read more...

POLICE ROUNDUP

Real estate broker gunned down in P’sinan
BINMALEY, Pangasinan – Two unidentified men on a motorcycle gunned down a 47-year-old real estate broker in a subdivision in Barangay BaybayPolong on Feb. 10.

Jocelyn Crisologo was cleaning her car in front of her house when the shooting occurred.

She suffered gunshot wounds in different parts of the body.

Laborer nabbed with P9,000 shabu
BAGUIO CITY -- Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency – Cordillera agents arrested a “drug personality” in a sting operation about 6 p.m. Feb. 9 outside his car, near his house here at Barangay Bakakeng.

The suspect was identified as as Armando Sotero Jr. y Bumatnong alias “Jun”, 45, laborer of Tram, Ucab, Itogon, Benguet.

Sotero allegedly sold a sachet of shabu for P1,000 to a PDEA gent who posed as buyer.

When searched, Sotero yielded two more sachets of the illegal drug, placed in a stainless steel cigarette case.

The confiscated shabu was valued at P9,000.

Sotero was charged for illegal drugs before the Office of the Baguio City Prosecutor’s Office.

Drug suspect Nigerian not an American
TUGUEGARAO CITY — The suspected big-time drug dealer arrested at a hotel in this city last Feb. 7 is not an American, but a Nigerian holding a fake US passport with a bogus name, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency reported.

PDEA Region 2 Director Juvenal Azurin made the clarification after a thorough background check on Oliver Eziechiam Justice of Nigeria, who was identified in the PDEA’s earlier report as a 40-year-old American named Scoec Bosco.

“The confiscated suspect’s US passport was counterfeit… during the inquest of his case, he admitted that he was a Nigerian national whose real name is Oliver Eziechiam Justice,” Azurin said.
Justice, who was billeted at Room 217 of the Holiday Plaza Hotel, Blumentrit corner Arellano Streets, this city, was arrested in a buy-bust operation in which he yielded P1.75 million worth of “shabu.” -- Freddie G. Lazaro

Policeman’s gun kills playing son
SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — A two-year-old boy was killed the other night when his four-year-old brother played with the pistol owned by their father – a policeman assigned to the San Fernando City Police Station – inside their house in this city.

Reports reaching Camp Gen. Florendo in La Union identified the victim only as “Little K” the two-year-old son of a Police Officer 2 Nestor Gapuz, a 29-year-old police non-commissioned officer.

The policeman reported that the incident happened at 8:45 p.m. inside their house in Barangay Lingsat.

He said his four-year-old son apparently got his .22-caliber pistol from inside his bag, played with it, and accidentally shot the victim.

The bullet entered the toddler’s left cheek and exited in the back of the head. He did not make it to the Lorma Hospital alive.

Boy, 9, drowns in irrigation canal
CAUAYAN CITY – A nine-year-old boy drowned when he was swept by the strong current in an irrigation canal here in Barangay Alinam last week.

Ernesto Culang was reported to have fallen into the canal while playing with his sibling.

House helper nabbed for selling own baby
TUGUEGARAO CITY – A 31-year-old house helper was recently arrested in an entrapment operation while trying to sell her baby in Barangay Soldiers’ Hill in this city.

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation arrested Grace Alegado, a native of Antique.

NBI regional director Hector Geologo said concerned citizens tipped them off that Alegado planned to sell the baby for P15,000.

Alegado told police she wanted to sell the baby, who was fathered by her lover in Apayao province, to hide her infidelity.

She said she gave birth last Dec. 13 at the Cagayan Valley Regional Medical Center.

Read more...

Chinese turtles infest fishponds; officials alarmed

By George Trillo

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region 3 expressed alarm last week over proliferation of an invasive species of Chinese turtle that now threaten Central Luzon’s local fish population and other aquatic animals.

DENR Region 3 Executive Director Maximo Dichoso said his office has been receiving complaints from fishpond owners and operators about the turtle species preying on local fish species, particularly bangus and tilapia fingerlings.

Citing the complaints, Dichoso identified the problem as the growing population of the invasive Chinese softshell turtle, the scientific name of which is “pelodiscussinensis.”

These softshell turtles have reportedly invaded hundreds of fishponds in Pampanga, Bulacan, and nearby provinces in the region, prompting DENR authorities to create a task force to look into the animal’s distribution, feeding habits, and reproductive characteristics.

“The Chinese softshell turtle has been classified as an invasive alien species (IAS) introduced in the country in the 90s,” Dichoso said.

The DENR official also warned the public against propagating or raising the animal as a pet.

Today, the reptile is considered a threat to local biodiversity and a pest in the multi-million fish industry of Pampanga, Bulacan and Bataan, said Dichoso.

Fishermen and fishpond owners from the towns of Arayat, Candaba, San Luis, Minalin, Macabebe and Apalit in Pampanga likened the turtle menace to the “golden kuhol” that wreaked havoc in rice farms during the 80s, reported Arthur Salazar, deputy DENR director for protected areas, wildlife and coastal zone management service (PAWCZMS).

A long history of the turtle being used as food in most Asian countries where it was introduced made it difficult to determine the extent of the reptile’s native range, although it is known to inhabit brackish water, rivers, lakes, ponds, canals and creeks with slow currents.

The Chinese softshell turtle is carnivorous and aggressive, preferring to forage at night to feed on fish, crustaceans, mollusks and insects.

As this developed, the DENR ordered a team of biologists and conservation experts to conduct a six-month study to determine the impact of the softshell turtle on the environment and the local fishing industry of the affected provinces, and to identify wildlife management interventions from the DENR.

“We want to determine the rate of reproduction of this turtle species and come up with a regional policy on the allowable quota for its collection either for food or export,” Dichoso explained, noting that some private individuals have expressed willingness to “harvest” the turtles for export.

He said strong market demand for turtle meat in China and other Asian countries will open a highly lucrative and viable business opportunity among wildlife collectors in the affected provinces.

But while the reptile poses a threat to local biodiversity, there is also a need to regulate its collection and trade to avoid unnecessary competition among individuals issued with Wildlife Special Use Permit, and to ensure a sustainable turtle population without affecting the local fish industry, he added.

In Pampanga alone, three individuals have been issued permits to collect a combined 36,820 heads of live turtles this year, or about 30,700 kilos of turtle meat. Last year, 349,170 heads of live turtles, or 236,250 kilos of turtle meat were also harvested.

He said the DENR welcomes information that would shed light on the range and behavior of the reptile and urged the public to contact the nearest DENR office if there are sightings of the animal or if nesting sites are found.

Read more...

Six trucks of ‘hot’ copper seized; 10 suspects nabbed

By George Trillo

SAN JOSE, Nueva Ecija – Police arrested 10 persons Tuesday for alleged illegal transport and shipment of undocumented copper concentrates here at a checkpoint on Maharlika Highway.

The Nueva Ecija Provincial Police Office reported six international tractor trucks with container vans loaded with an undetermined volume of copper concentrates were stopped at the checkpoint and impounded.

Senior Supt. Crizaldo O. Nieves, PPO director, said the trucks came from the Ocean Gold Mining company located in Barangay Didipo, Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya.

Nieves formed a special team of operatives that set up the checkpoint in Barangay Sto. Niño 2nd, San Jose City, upon receipt of confidential information on the supposed illegal shipment passing by the area.

Police identified the six truck drivers as Leonard Sanchez, 33, of Barangay Shellhouse, Caloocan City; Yulito Palces, 53, of Barangay Alfonso, Concepcion, Tarlac; Martin Redera 37, of Dagat-Dagatan, Malabon City; Lope Amurao, 43 of Barangay Talisay, Tiaong, Quezon; Jonny Abrego, 31, of Purok 2, Maag, San Isidro, Davao Oriental; and Jay Laceda, 29, of Cupang, Pandi, Bulacan.

Escorting the convoy of the six trucks loaded with the copper concentrates were two Toyota Hi-Lux vehicles driven by Albert Gomez, 44, of 99 Mayon Ext., San Gabriel Village, Tuguegarao City, and Rio Dannug, 42, of Alibagu, Ilagan, Isabela.

The arrested failed to show to the police investigators the original documents of the shipment of suspected copper concentrates.

Read more...

Power supply to Ecija electric co-op cut off

PANTABANGAN, Nueva Ecija – Electricity in parts of this province was cut Tuesday by the First Gen Hydro Power Corp. (FGHPC), which owns and operates the Pantabangan-Masiway hydroelectric complex and supplies power to the Pantabangan Municipal Electric Services (PAMES).

The electric cooperative (PAMES) is owned by the Pantabangan municipal government.

The FGHPC said it was constrained to take such measure after PAMES again failed to keep its account current.

Unpaid power bills from July 2012 to December 2012 now amount to P8,762,405.58.

“We trust that the residents of Pantabangan will understand our decision. We are, in the meantime, exploring various options as to how we can assist in providing temporary electrical supply to critical institutions, such as the public schools in Pantabangan,” the FGHPC said in a statement.

Read more...