POLICE ROUNDUP

Confessed killer pleads not guilty

BAGUIO CITY – “Not guilty” was the plea entered by Jayson Paul Rebolledo, 23, at his arraignment Monday for the murder of 15-year-old high school student, Ericka Delos Santos, 15, last month.

The De los Santos family said they were surprised because police investigating the case said Rebolledo surrendered to them last August 12, detailing how he supposedly killed the girl and dumped her body at a grassy lot in Barangay Pacdal.

Probers said Rebolledo led them to the recovery of knife used in the murder.

Youths burn Paracelis school building for  being blamed of stealing

CAMP ACMOR, Paracelis, Mt. Province – Out of school youths have admitted to burning a newly constructed 4-room school building here.

A suspect admitted they did it as revenge for being accused of stealing a solar panel of a resident when they didn’t.

Lt. Col. Eddie M. Pilapil, commanding officer of the 54^th Infantry Battalion based here said the suspect who admitted to the crime was turned over by Buringal barangay chair Florencio Gongkakic and a team of 54IB soldiers led by Capt Jefferson M. Somera to Mayor GavinoBucok on Sept. 2.

His companions are still at large.

Pilapil said the school building of Buringal National High School at SitioMaliko was burned around 9 p.m. on Aug. 30 by the culprits.

Pilapil said a dialogue was later held with 54IB officers who assisted in investigating the matter wherein names of suspects surfaced.

Following this, one of the suspects surrendered to Gongkakic and  Somera.

Gongkakic said suspects are out of school youths of the barangay and burned the building for being accused of stealing  solar panel.

Pilapil said the case would not have been solved had it not for  indigenous practices at work in solving cases.

In a meeting 54IB officers pledged to provide manpower while the community and local government would soruce funds for materials to rebuild the school.

Three suspects caught in Bangued shabu session

BANGUED, Abra – Two young ladies and their male companion were reportedly caught using illegal drugs Monday around 11:50 a.m. here at Linasin, Zone 1. 

Operatives of the Abra Provincial Intelligence Branch, Provincial Public Safety Company, Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB), Regional Intelligence Unit and Special Action Force arrested Dennis Bautista,23, Queenie Torremocha,18, both residents of Linasin and Rina Alcantara,21,  resident of Zone 3.

Senior Supt. Virgilio Laya, provincial police director, said the arrest was made possible through an informant.  

Confiscated were plastic sachets containing shabu and drug paraphernalia.

 Suspects were brought to the Abra Provincial Hospital for medico-legal examination and to the Abra Crime Laboratory for drug tests prior to their turn over to Bangued police.

A case for violation of Republic Act 9165 known as Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Acts of 2002 will be filed against them.

Chief Supt. Isagani Nerez, Cordillera police director said he appreciated the support of the community on police campaign against illegal drugs by informing lawmen about users and pushers.

“Indeed, such accomplishments assure the public of more operations against illegal drugs to ensure the safety of the public attributed to the use of this illegal substance,” Nerez said.

P18-M Marijuana destroyed in Sadanga

BONTOC, Mountain Province — More than P18 million worth of marijuana plants were destroyed and burned by operatives on Mount Kadchakan, Sadanga, this province, last week.

Senior Supt. Oliver Enmodias, Police Provincial Office director, said the one-hectare marijuana plantation was discovered by operatives of the PPO, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and four army teams, while hiking on the side of Barangay Betwagan, Sadanga on Sept. 6.

Two men wanted for homicide nabbed in Abra

BANGUED Abra – Two men wanted for attempted homicide were arrested by police in the province last week.

Insp. Roberto C. Terminez led Pidigan town police in arresting Ariel Vazquez Isao, 24, of  Barangay Arab here on September 1 while  San Quintin cops nabbed Bryan Metodio Cardenas, 23, of Zone 2, Tangadan, San Quintin.

Judge Rodrigo C. Valdez, Jr., presiding judge of the Pidigan Municipal Circuit Trial Court, Pidigan issued warrants for both suspects for attempted homicide recommending bail of P12,000 for each.

Suspect in killing of Asin resident nabbed in Pangasinan

BAGUIO CITY – A suspect in the killing of Frank Joselito Dacanay Lopez in the morning of June 17 this year along Circumferential Road, Santa Lucia Subdivision, Km 3, Asin Road was arrested last week in Pangasinan.

Baguio police in coordination with Rosales and Alcala cops nabbed Federico Cabreros Paclibon Jr, 31, resident of Zone 7,

Poblacion West, Alcala, Pangasinan along Mac Arthur Highway, Carmen East, Rosales, Pangasinan morning of August 30.

Cacanay was wanted for homicide and frustrated homicide issued by Judge Manuel F Pastor Sr, executive judge of the Regional Trial Court, First Judicial Region, Branch 50, Villasis, Pangasinan.

5 jailed in Baguio for estafa; teacher falls in Apayao

BAGUIO CITY – Five persons were locked in jail here last week for estafa while a teacher of Sta. Marcela, Apayao was also nabbed for the same crime.  

Police identified them as couple Danilo and Shirley Baybayan who were arrested here at 3 Kids Auto Supply, KM4, Marcos Highway; Jaime Macaranas Apostol, 41, construction worker, who arrested in his residence at Saint Patrick and Wilfredo Magtuloy Baron, 49, resident of Barangay Bakakeng who was , arrested at Victory Liner Bus Terminal, Engineers Hill.

Also arrested was Ma. Adette Payongayong Patricio, 29, of Purok 6, Saint Joseph Village, who was arrested at SLU Laboratory High School canteen, Saint Joseph Village.

This, while Letty J. Vera, 34, teacher and a resident of Nueva Sta Marcela, Apayao, was  arrested at Betany, Elementary School in the barangay.

 Abra councilor, Tabuk man nabbed for physical injuries

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet -- Two men were  imprisoned for inflicting injuries on their victims last week.

Noel Abad Cabbad, 53, councilor of San Isidro, Abra, was nabbed in his residence while Ariston Barade Barcella, 54, of Nagbugsutan, Magsaysay, Tabuk City, Kalinga, was also detained for physical injuries. 

Eight wanted persons cornered by lawmen

CAMP DANGWA, Benguet -- Eight wanted persons were recently nabbed in the Cordillera.

Police identified them as Reynaldo Galinato Cabael, 50, barangay kagawad, who arrested in his residence in Narnara, Pilar, Abra for violation of Omnibus Election Code and grave coercion;Ronald Belisario  Bernales, 38, an overseas contract worker  and native of  Gaco. Pagala, Bucay, Abra, who was arrested in the town for violation of Republic Act 9262.

Also arrested were Jordan Bayog Peralta, 27, farmer, of San Pedro, Rizal, Kalinga, for theft while Carol Lestino Benito, 41, businesswoman, resident of Western Buyagan, Poblacion, La Trinidad, Benguet was arrested for bouncing checks.

Both nabbed in their residences.

Inmate Jerome Labawig Jr., 43, was detained at Benguet Provincial Jail, for rape and another charge for acts of lasciviousness while Antonio AgudalBaquirin, was arrested in Poblacion, San Isidro, Abra for assaulting a lawman.

Johnny Gargasin Esperanzate, 30, farmer, of Magnao, Tabuk City, Kalinga, was arrested at the CARAA ground, Purok 6, Bulanao, Tabuk City, Kalinga for light threats while Noliver Gonzales Abelao, 33, employee of Phil Spring Water Resources, Inc., was arrested in his residence at Betag, La Trinidad, Benguet for reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property.

Crime prevention week launched

BAGUIO CITY – The National Police Commission through the Baguio City Police Office in collaboration with the city government launched last week the 20th National Crime Prevention Week here.

This year’s theme, ““Krimen ay  Labanan, Karapatan ay Igalang Tungo sa Mapayapang Pamayanan” was highlighted during its soft launching where officials urged the citizenry to be active partners in crime prevention.

City officials headed by Mayor Mauricio Domogan and BCPO OIC Dir. Rolando Miranda also took part in the blowing of the whistle to mark the 20th NCPW observance.

The NCPW is celebrated in country every 1st week of September or from September 1 to 7.

The BCPO will also strengthen its information dissemination campaign in schools and communities on how to prevent criminal activities as part of the celebrations.

The whistle (pito) will also be distributed to the schools, community and government offices to up-the PNP’s program “PitoTayo Laban sa Krimen” project.

The project which employs the use of whistles as a crime prevention tool is simple yet powerful tool to reduce the opportunities for criminal activity and promote public safety by attracting attention.

“PitoTayo Laban sa Krimen” is initiated to provide a specific mechanism for individuals and communities to have an active role in preventing crimes. 

The NCPW is a weeklong celebration that aims to focus public attention on the importance of crime prevention, mandated under Presidential Proclamation No.461. – Paul Rillorta 

Apayao drug suspects cornered in their  homes 

LUNA, Apayao – Two men were separately arrested here last week for having in their possession shabu.

Senior Supt. Robert T. Gallardo, Apayao police director said implementation of search warrants resulted in of the two drug suspects on Sept. 5 in their respective residences. 

Gallardo identified the suspects as Rosley Lumbo Garcia alias Resley, 37, of Purok Mapalad, Barangay Dagupan and Sabino Galamgam Lumbo, 42, of Purok Tagumpay, Dagupan here.

Apprehending units included elements of Luna police, Apayao Provincial Public Safety Company, Provincial Anti-illegal Drug Special Operations Task Group, Provincial Intelligence Branch and Investigation Division Management Branch who served the search warrants issued by Judge Quirino M. Andaya of the Regional Trial Court Branch 26 Luna, Apayao.

Seized from Garcia’s house shabu and paraphernalia.

Confiscated at Lumbo’s house were shabu,seven mobile phones, a Cal. 38 handgun, bullets and a P100 peso bill.

Searches were made in the presence of the barangay kagawads together with the occupants.

Garcia and Lumbo were detained at the Luna police station while charges for illegal drugs were prepared against them.

P18 million marijuana uprooted in Sadanga

SADANGA, Mountain Province – Around P18 million worth of marijuana plants were uprooted by lawmen at Barangay Betwagan here Sept. 6.

Police with members of the Charlie Company of the 501 Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army and Philippine Drug  Enforcement Agency participated in the raid destroying 91, 400 fully grown marijuana and 20 kilos of dried marijuana stalks planted in four plantations.

Awards given to cops as DILG exec graces PRO-COR visitor program

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet—Senior police assistant to Secretary of Interior and Local Government Mar Roxas, Chief Supt. Danilo S. Pelisco was guest of honor and speaker during the distinguished visitors program of the Police Regional Office Cordillera here Monday.

Awards were given to deserving policemen during the occasion. Medalyang Kasanayan or the PNP efficiency medal was awarded to Senior Police Officer 1 Fedility C. Pacis for her efficiency in logistics management standards that placed PRO-Cordillera second  place in logistics unit performance evaluation rating last year.

An award was also given to Senior Insp. Carolina F. Lacuata for her effective gender advocacy awareness campaign and harmonious family relations that resulted in the resolution of 16 cases of alleged violation of the Republic Act 9262.

Also awarded were Insp. Francisco O. Ben; SPO 3 Joseph P. Belleza and SPO3 Apollo B. Avendaño for competence in implementation of Manhunt Charlie that resulted arrest of wanted individuals and neutralization of criminal elements in Cordillera.

“We put great emphasis on effectively engaging all our stakeholders and institutional partners in meeting our organizational goals especially in strengthening security maintenance of peace, and promoting public order and safety,”Pelisco said.

Pelisco extended his appreciation to “distinctive efforts of the PRO-COR personnel led by Chief Superintendent Isagani Nerez, PRO-COR regional director, for sincere intention to maintain peace and order in the region.The PNP and the community working together will powerfully eliminate the turmoil and criminality in the country for a safer place to live, work and do business,” he said.

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City jail baking partnership triggered by detainee’s appeal

By Ramon Dacawi

BAGUIO CITY -- A plea from a female detainee two years ago triggered a public-private partnership in prison reform that eventually gave weight to the Regional Kabalikat Award the city government received last week from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

TESDA director general Joel Villanueva presented the award to city officials led by mayor Mauricio Domogan when the two forged a co-management agreement for the development of the Baguio City School of Arts and Trades (BCSAT) that provides technical and vocational skills training here.

“The (Kabalikat) award is conferred to outstanding institutions, private firm/companies, local government units and legislative partners cognizant of their good practice and contribution in the promotion and development of the country’s tech-voc workers in terms of qualification and/or competencies gained,” the TESDA said.

The citation read during the ceremony noted the city’s maintaining a high literacy rate, ,having been instrumental in training thousands of scholars in technical and vocational programs and having appropriated about P13 million from 2011 to 2013 for the joint skills teaching program.

It noted that the programs conceived and implemented included skills training for the youth, including “the underprivileged and inmates of the city’s detention facilities”.

The immersion of the inmates into the skills program took form in August, 2012 when members of the Rotary Club of Baguio Summer Capital escorted to the city jail visiting Rotarian Stanley Tokigawa of AlaMoana District 5000 in Honolulu and Prof. McQuittey of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary based in Fort Worth, Texas.

The two visitors braved a storm in coming up to Baguio to link with fellow Rotarians.

They brought three boxes of rubber sandals which their local counterparts led by club founder VirgilioBautista,club president Joris

Karl Dacawi and incoming president Edward Dogui-is thought would be appropriate to distribute to inmates.

In her response at the turn-over, a woman detainee expressed hope the Rotarians might consider bringing in a baking oven so the prisoners could produce their own morning bread.

Back in Honolulu, Tokigawa sent the amount needed for the oven that his local counterparts delivered to the city jail.

Then jail warden, Chief Insp. Wilson Banasen, the Rotarians and the city contacted BCSAT administrator, Engr. David Bugallon who, in turn, sent his staff to train the inmates to bake their own bread, using the city’s fund support.

Thirty inmates finished the 15-day course that rewarded them with the national eligibility certificate being given to baking job applicants seeking domestic and overseas employment.

Prior to the arrival of the Rotarians’ oven, the trainees got a glimpse into the course when former journalist and baking hobbyist Annabelle Codiase-Bangsoy brought in her gadgets for a demonstration.

Recently, Banasen and female detainees’ dorm wardress, Chief Insp. Mary Ann Tresmanio worked out a P250,000 fund support from the Department of Labor and Employment to fund the inmates’ bread production project.

Samples of the produce were presented to city officials during one of their Monday morning breakfast meetings.

The baking course  graduates are again preparing dough  for “pandesal”  they will serve after their three-kilometer fun-run around the jail quadrangle which mayor Domogan will flag off  morning of Sept. 16 to drum up support for the regular run the city will sponsor on Sept. 28 to raise funds for patients undergoing regular hemodialysis treatment for kidney failure.

The run-for-a-cause will also serve to launch the inmates’ bread marketing program.

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Medical mission serves 1,300

By Ramon Dacawi 

BAGUIO CITY -- The city’s annual medical-dental-optical mission to usher in its founding anniversary drew 1,300 residents last August 30 at the Baguio Convention Center, as per report of Dr.John Tinoyan, action officer for the humanitarian event.

Of those who came, 1,000 availed of free medical consultation and medicines, 200 opted for optical service and 100 for dental  medicine in the day-long mission spearheaded by the Baguio Health Department under Dr. Rowena Galpo.

Designed as a public-private partnership project, the mission drew support from Victor Liner and the Department of health provided the medicines, the Lions Club for the eyeglass frames, and manpower and professional medical service from the Department of Health,  BHD, Rotarians, Lions, Philippine Dental Association, University of Baguio College of Dentistry, the Red Cross, City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, Red Cross, Baguio-Benguet Public Information Civic Action Group, Baguio Civic Emergency Group, the Bethesda Ministry and the Grace Communion International-Baguio.

The mission was launched several years ago to give a  service and humanitarian orientation to the city’s founding anniversary celebration.

The free medical service, together with the new  run-for-a-cause feature, fleshes out the charter anniversary theme, “Sharing Responsibilities, Duties and Resources for a Viubrant Baguio” and nurtures Baguio’s centennial theme in 2009, “Fostering a Culture of Caring.

The three-bracket fun-run dubbed “Straight Into Baguio’s Heart”, will fire off on September 28 as finale of the month-long calendar of activities, specifically to raise funds for indigent kidney patients undergoing life-time hemodialysis treatment in renal centers in Baguio and Benguet.

In his administrative order adopting the fun run  as a foundation day event, city mayor Mauricio Domogan pointed out that it “will, indeed, set a tradition and culture of caring that will mark future celebrations of the Charter Anniversary of Baguio, thereby serving as a rallying point to sustain a sense of community among this city’s residents, neighbors, friends and visitors who treasure fond memories of their visits to the Summer Capital of the Philippines.

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Prisoners run Sept. 14 as support trickles in for Baguio Charter race

By Ramon Dacawi

BAGUIO CITY -- They can’t join the Sept. 28 Baguio Day Run, so a hundred or more prisoners of the Baguio city jail will do their own version of the humanitarian sports event around the prison courtyard on September 16, with no less than city mayor Mauricio Domogan firing them off.

“We hope this prisoners’ run will help promote the city-wide foot-race-for-a-cause, as a similar one done in February last year did for the nation-wide Philhealth Run,” Chief Inspector Mary Ann Tresmanio, wardress for female detainees, said last Friday.

As in their version of the Philhealth Run, former world Shotokan karate champion Julian Chees took care of the running inmates’ registration fees with a P15,000 donation that will be added to the funds to be raised in the regular run on Sept. 28.

The Baguio Day Run was mandated by mayor Domogan through Administrative Order 075-2014 as a public-private partnership project to build a support fund for indigent kidney patients undergoing life=-time hemodialysis treatment in renal centers in Baguio and Benguet.

“The said Fun Run will, indeed, set a tradition and culture of caring that will mark future celebrations of the Charter Anniversary of Baguio, thereby serving as a rallying point to sustain a sense of community among this city’s residents, neighbors, friends and visitors who treasure fond memories of their visits to the Summer Capital of the Country,” the mayor noted.

Among the first to respond were Shoshin Kinderhilfe, a foundation established b Chees in southern Germany to be able to reach out to indigent patients in the Cordillera, and the city jail  inmates.

To keep the fund from Chees intact for the purpose, the inmates decided to run in their yellow prison uniforms to save on the cost of the official race singlet and enable them, to contribute the whole amount to the humanitarian purpose of the event.

Registration fees in the regular run are pegged at P150 for the 3-Kilometer bracket, P250 for the 5K and P230 for the 10K, from which P130 will be used for each runner’s singlet and race number.

With a P10,000 support from Chees, the prisoners had their initial run-for-a-cause on Feb. 18 last year, simultaneously with the Philhealth Run in 18 cities that generated funds for the National Children’s Hospital and beneficiary institutions in these localities.

The run inside the jail will coincide with the launching of the bread production program of the prisoners, a project which is being supported by the city government, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the Rotary Club of Baguio Summer Capital and the Department of Labor and Employment.

Jail warden, Chief Inspector Elvis Danglose,  said brewed coffee will be offered to people coming to witness the run-for-a-cause, with the inmates selling their jail-made “pandesal” at P3 per piece, of which P1 will be added to their contribution to the fund drive for dialysis patients.

In response to the joint appeal from mayor Domogan and Rev. Fr. Richard Justo, head of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center Dialysis Patients and Partners Association (BGHMCDPPA), groups and individuals contributed as of Friday morning a total of P118,425 to the drive, aside from donations in kind.

The city and the BGHMCDPPA have opened Banco de Oro Baguio-Legarda Branch Account Number  000940248018 through which cash support may be received. All collections and disbursements for dialysis patients will be reported through the Baguio media outlets,

Earlier, Baguio congressional Rep. Nick Aliping handed over P100,000 during the induction program of the BGHMCDPPA last June 22 as initial  fund from which the association is drawing support to patients in dire need of help for their dialysis, maintenance medicines and even burial expenses.  

Aside from Chees, the initial supporters to the run included Lepanto Mines –P25,000; Brent St. Nicholas Church parishioners – P5,000; New Lucban Extension Church of Christ – P22,425; Centermall –P10,000; Good Taste – P10,000; University of Baguio – P10,000; and the YMCA of Baguio – P10,000.

Donors of  P2,000 each were Union Construction Supply, Palengleng Family, Top Ace Motorworks, One thousand pesos each came from Paladin Hotel, Hollywood Hotel, Cresencio Doriano Family, Easter College.

Other cash contributors were Eugene Buyuccan-P200, National Institute of Information Technology – P500, La Trinidad Strawberry Glass – P300;

Dr. Israel provided P500 for tarpaulins,Arthemes Design contributed P100 worth of poster lay-out while Gregory Taag donated one tarpaulin. Shakey’s Pizza offered pick-up of three boxes of pizza while Fortune Restaurant gave P2,000 worth of gift certificates.

Veteran race director Rosario “Che” Velasco-Alberto, who accepted to serve as the race organizer, together with the city tourism office, donated several posters and tarpaulins while newsman Paul Rillorta did the poster lay-out.

People who would like to help may ring up the city information officer (442-2502).

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Baguio charter race fund 

for patients now P130,925

By Ramon Dacawi 

Group and individual support to the building of a fund support for  kidney failure patients here and in Benguet totaled P130,925 as of last Friday, two weeks before “Straight Into Baguio;s Heart”, the foot race on Sept. 28 capping the 105^th charter anniversary of Baguio for their benefit.

The amount so far is aside from an initial P100,000 support from Baguio Rep. NicasioAliping Jr. to the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center Dialysis Patients and Partners Association headed by Fr. Richard justo which asked the city to feature the run to give a humanitarian element to its anniversary celebration.

City mayor Mauricio Domogan directed last June the conduct of the three-bracket foot race  to provide a heart to the celebration of the city’s founding and give meaning to its centennial theme “Fostering A Culture of Caring”.

The mayor also said the sports event’s purpose blends well with the 105^th charter anniversary theme “Sharing Responsibilities, Duties and Resources for a Vibrant Baguio”, adding it revives the sense of community during the city’s formative years.

The fund, which is being deposited under Banco de Oro Baguio-Legarda Branch account number 000940248018, will be managed by a committee composed of mayor Domogan,city social welfare and development officer Betty Fangasan, Fr. Justo and BGHMCDPPA secretary and patient Mary Grace  Binay-an.

Priority beneficiaries will be indigent dialysis patients undergoing dialysis treatment in renal centers in Baguio and Benguet,  with the committee coordinating with the social welfare officers of the towns they came from to determine the most needy to receive support through the fun.  

Among the early individual supporters was former world Shotokan karate champion Julian Chees who turned over P15,000 to inmates of the city jail as their registration fees for their own version of the foot race inside their quadrangle this Tuesday morning.,

Registration fees in the regular run are set at P150 for the 3-kilometer bracket, P250 for the 5K and P350 for the 10K, from which P130  will be spent for each runner’s shirt and race number.

Aside from Chees, the initial supporters to the run included Lepanto Mines –P25,000; Brent St. Nicholas Church parishioners – P5,000; New Lucban Extension Church of Christ – P22,425; Centermall –P10,000; Good Taste – P10,000; University of Baguio – P10,000;  the YMCA of Baguio – P10,000 and the Baguio Water Districtg – P5,000.

Donors of  P2,000 each were Union Construction Supply, Palengleng Family, Top Ace Motorworks, One thousand pesos each came from Paladin Hotel, Hollywood Hotel, CresencioDoriano Family, Easter College, Kiddie Kingdom, Jacks Restaurant and Benguet Rep. Ronald Cosalan.

Fairview Barangay here in Baguio led by punong barangay JustinaAndaya contributed P3,000 while Baguio New City Supermarket  gave P1,500.

Other cash contributors were Eugene Buyuccan-P200, National Institute of Information Technology – P500, La Trinidad Strawberry Glass – P300;

Dr. Israel provided P500 for tarpaulins,Arthemes Design contributed P100 worth of poster lay-out while Gregory Taag donated one tarpaulin. Shakey’s Pizza offered pick-up of three boxes of pizza while Fortune Restaurant gave P2,000 worth of gift certificates.

Casa Vallejo, the city’s most historic and oldest hotel, gave a gift certificate for free overnight accommodatons for two persons.

Veteran race director Rosario “Che” Velasco-Alberto, who accepted to serve as the race organizer, together with the city tourism office, donated several posters and tarpaulins while newsman Paul Rillorta did the poster lay-out.

She said register participants have up to September 26 to register through the following centers:  city hall lobby, BGHMC main entrance, Pacdal barangay hall (Sunday), La Trinidad public market (Sept. 19-25), entrance of Laperal Building, Session Rd.

People who would like to help may ring up the information office of the citymayor’s office.  (442-2502). 

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MP LGUs, private group to manage Lang-ay fest

By Roger Sacyaten

BONTOC, Mountain Province – In a bid to make local officials and the public aware of the enhanced preparations for the staging of the Lang-ay Festival 2015, a management team has been going around the different municipalities to draw the pro-active support and participation of the local government units and the public to the Lang-ay Festival 2015.

The management for the staging of Lang-ay Festival next year is to be undertaken through the partnership of the provincial government and the private sector with involvement of local government units and selected national line agencies.

After a series of meetings with Gov. Leonard Mayaen, who conveyed his willingness to transfer the management of the Lang-ay Festival to the private sector, representatives of the business, academe, and religious sectors with the participation of representatives from provincial and national offices organized the Lang-ay Festival Organization, Inc. which is now registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.   

As the entity undertaking the preparations under the partnership for the unique and distinguished regional icon Lang-ay Festival, the organization has opted, through a team, to conduct information campaign in municipalities to promote Lang-ay Festival 2015 preparations and urge support and participation of the local government officials and the public to the various activities lined up this early.

Paulino “Pao” Tumapang, Jr., Lynn Madalang, the chairperson and co-chair, respectively, of the organization and this writer, as head of the secretariat, first went to Tadian last Sept. 1, then Bauko the following day, Paracelis in Sept. 5,   and Besao in Sept. 9.

The team is to proceed to Natonin on Sept. 15 and to the rest of the municipalities depending on the schedules provided for by the local government units.

“There is a need to inform the local government officials and the public about the various innovations and added activities for the festival next year and in the process encourage them to support and actively participate in the festivities”, said  Tumapang.

It was also stressed during meetings with LGU officials and heads of offices, that the promotion of the festival is the shared responsibility of the officials and the public. “With the innovations and enhanced activities, we entice everyone to invite their friends, relatives, and acquaintances to come and be part of Lang-ay 2015”, Lyn Madalang, the Chairperson of the Committee on Linkages, succinctly told the participants of the municipal assemblies she attended.

Among the innovations planned in the month-long festivities, not just one week as before, are the Cultural Week on the third week of April next year wherein each municipality will be allotted a day for performances and demonstrations of the best of ‘life ways’ of the local people. The local officials are being asked to help in the mobilization and provisions of the bests that the municipality can provide to make the presentations and showcases genuine and excellent.

The festivities will start April 8 just a day after the commemoration of the Foundation Day of the province on April7, and will culminate in a street dancing and cultural presentation on April 25, 2015.

Another added activity is the conduct of municipal eco-tourism treks and adventures to document and promote the tourism attractions of the municipalities in the social media and the conventional ways in the tri-media.

From the launching of the Lang-ay Festival 2015, on October 29, 2014, a trekking activity will be undertaken in Paracelis, November in Barlig, December in Sadanga, Bontoc in January, and the rest of the municipalities on their respective scheduled festivals.

The plan highlights the participation of municipal representatives led by the Municipal Tourism Action Officers (MTAOs) and local tourism stakeholders. The treks will, however, be invitational with registration fees so that the public can also participate.

Preparations and support from the local government units, as well as stakeholders, are needed and expected to bolster the basic tourism awareness of the people in the municipalities.

The municipal tour is also an opportunity for consultation with the LGU officials wherein the Organization entertains comments and suggestions for the betterment of the festivities. As the Lang-ay Festival has been through a ten year period, there are issues and concerns in the yearly staging that can be contributory to make the activities more significant and meaningful if properly addressed. 

The meetings are chances also for the team to interact with the local officials and stakeholders on how to improve the tourism industry in the province as a whole and in the respective municipalities in particular.

With the Municipal Tourism Action Officers (MTAOs) as the official go-between the Lang-ay Organization and the local government units, the development of tourism in the different municipalities is an inherent concern that partakes with the concerted efforts of the organizers and the local government officials and tourism stakeholders.

This scheme will be a great help to the Provincial Tourism Office and the respective local government units as the collaboration is expected to bolster the documentation and promotion of local tourism attractions and destinations in the different municipalities.

Gov. Leonard Mayaen had been emphatic in tourism development for the province. He acknowledged significant contribution of tourism in the province’s development and economy considering limited livelihood opportunities and absence of factories.                                                                                                    

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Anonymous soul reaches out to three dialysis patients

A 78-year old father wants to thank an anonymous soul who reached out to his ailing daughter with a P10,000 donation so she could continue her twice-a-week hemodialysis treatment which she must sustain for life.

A 55-year old mother  who received an equal amount from  the same gentle soul also found relief from the lifetime struggle to sustain her son’s twice-a-week hemodialysis treatment also for kidney failure.

So did the sister of another kidney patient who was at a loss on how to purchase a vial of hemoglobin-inducing drug that has to now and then injected during dialysis to stabilize the red blood cells of people suffering from renal failure..

“Thank you very much, sir,” Benito Gonzales would like to say to the donor who enabled his daughter, Diana Gonzales-de Guzman to undergo four dialysis sessions at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center.

Diana, 40, was single-handedly raising her two daughters, Giandra Kyle, 11, and Phomela Kyra, 10, by vending barbecue at Purok 9, Bakakeng Norte until 2010 when she was diagnosed with obstructive uropathy and other complications.

This year, she was diagnosed for chronic kidney failure, acute respiratory disease and other complications, necessitating thrice-a-week hemodialysis treatment costing P6,600.

Addressing the same donor, Maribel Cruz wrote: “Akopo ay nagpapasalamat ng marami sa inyong taus-pusong tulong na ibinigay sa aking anak na si Roel Laguipo-Cruz.”

Roel, 35, who grew up in Pacdal,  worked as a jeepney driver to augment his mother’s daily take of P150 as a laundrywoman.

Last January, Roel, the eldest of four siblings, was diagnosed for kidney failure and now has to undergo hemodialysis treatment every Tuesday and Friday at 3-4 p.m. at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center.

He can no longer work and is estranged from his wife who works overseas. He relies on the earnings of his mother for his treatment. His two children, aged 13 and 9, are under the care of his wife’s parents.

Also last week, Annie Aplasen-Yadno received P10,000 from the same donor so she could stock eight vials of epoetin, a drug that treats anemia induced by kidney failure, for his brother Abe Aplasen.

Annie texted her brother’s epoetin injection was overdue as the family was drained of finances. The following day, she received a call from the secretary of the anonymous Samaritan.

Other kind souls may contact Diana through her father’s cellphone (09238790438). Those who would like to help Roel may contact his mother’s number (09077198595. For Aplasen, the cellphone number is 09079780521.  – Ramon Dacawi

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Bontoc Am-among fest culminates Sept 16, DPWH Sec Singson is guest of honor

By Gina Dizon

BONTOC, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE – The 10th celebration of  Am-among festival  and  106th  founding anniversary of Bontoc  municipality culminates on  September 16  here in this capital  town with Department of  Public Works and Highways  (DPWH) secretary  Rogelio Singson as  guest of  honor, messages delivered by  key officials, cultural presentations  and awarding of prizes.  

The  September 16  activity  is observed with street  dancing and cultural presentations  participated by  delegates from the 16  barangays of the  capital town  followed with messages  delivered by Secretary Singson,  Mountain Province Governor  Leonard  Mayaen, Congressman Maximo Dalog and  Bontoc  Mayor Franklin Odsey.    

The culminating day also witnesses the giving of awards to winning individuals and teams on sports events held

Sept 9  to 16 and search for the lucky visitor.  

Awards for  winners of  indigenous games goes to  juniors and seniors division for the  chepchepap competition,  batbatchoy for young girls, ofonsifato for children, kadang-kadang for  young men and laklakbawi for females.

Awards  also go to winners of  the shootfest  held at  Guinaang  shooting range  and chess  tournament; and to winners of photo booth and X-box competition, bingo and battle of the bands with the sponsorship of Globe telecommunications.

Smart telecommunications also sponsored bingo games;  IFontok got Talent with prizes ranging from 1,000 to 7,000 pesos; billiards tournament with prizes ranging from 800 to 2,500 pesos; and marathon sponsored by Pepsi Cola.

Other activities  saw  the  holding of the   agro industrial fair observed with the turnover of  livelihood assistance  fund and equipment  by  the Cordillera Highland Agricultural  Resource Management Project (CHARMP);  diskwento  caravan  sponsored by  Tiongsan, videoke challenge  and feeding program  and distribution of  school supplies.

The holding of  the Bontoc  town fiesta  saw its enactment  on July 7,  1997 when  Ordinance  Number   35 series of 1997 was legislated by the  Sangguniang Bayan and approved by then Mayor David  Yawan changing the celebration of  Bontoc town fiesta from third  week of  May to September 16. The first celebration of Bontoc ton fiesta was held  September 16, 1997.

Said Ordinance  provides that the  municipal government shall  commemorate the day with “appropriate celebration that should involve all the  barangays  of the municipality, government  agencies and non government organizations  and all  others concerned”.

Am-among in the Bontoc dialect specially refers to a cultural thanksgiving event celebrating bountiful rice harvest.   

 With the celebration of  the twin events,  Odsey   emphasizes the  significance  of the traditional  ‘ato’ (cultural tribunal)  as  a reflection of good governance in this year’s theme, “Championing  good governance as a the key to self-reliance and sustainable development.”

Odsey said,  “since the beginning of Bontoc as a community all the aspects of community life were governed by the 'ato'. The ‘ato’ was run by elders respected for their wisdom, experience, and most especially the love for community. The best interest of the people and the community as a whole took paramount consideration in every decision they made”.

“We champion good governance by living and practising it until it becomes a way of life.  When it becomes a way of life for all of us, as it has for our ancestors, we achieve a community  that is self reliant in its needs and which is able  to accomplish development  that are sustainable  creating a lasting legacy of a better  Bontoc for our children and the generations to come," he added.

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NEWS BITS

Ecija village chief gunned down

SAN LEONARDO, Nueva Ecija -- A barangay chairman was killed while a bystander was wounded in an attack by motorcycle-riding men here Sept. 4.

Rodante Garcia of Barangay San Bartolome was walking in the village when he was shot. He died at the scene.

Senior Supt. Crizaldo Nieves, provincial police director, said a stray bullet hit Rowena Nogue, 49, who was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Investigators recovered bullet shells for a Cal. 45 pistol at the crime scene.

The assailants fled toward nearby Peñaranda town.

Police have yet to determine the motive for the attack. 

DOST scholarship exams September 21

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Some 299 graduating high school students in the province will take qualifying examinations for college scholarships under the Dept. of Scince and Technology on Sept. 21 here at Saint Vincent High School.

Gwyncel Bacwaden of DOST provincial office  said  273  students   have applied for  undergraduate scholarship program of the DOST implemented by the Science Education Institute (SEI).

There are also 26 student applicants for the Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration who will be taking the   scheduled  exam.

According to Bacwaden,   the examinations shall be conducted in two batches- the first batch is at 7 a.m. to 12 noon while second batch  is   1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

She said a one-day review for student examinees was set Sept. 13 by  science and math teachers of the Mt. Province General Comprehensive High School here.

Meanwhile, some 131 graduating elementary pupils in the province  submitted their application for the Philippine Science High School examination which is scheduled on Oct. 4, to be conducted  also at the Saint Vincent High School here. -- Juliet Saley

Region 3 carnapping syndicate boss  nabbed

SAN LEONARDO, Nueva Ecija -- A man tagged by police as the leader of the “Bobby Group,” wanted for robbery and carnapping in Central Luzon, was arrested here Monday night.

Chief Supt. Raul D. Petrasanta, Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) director, identified the suspect as RodelLacanilaoMangalinao, alias “Bobby,” of Barangay Mambangnan, San Leonardo.

Wanted for robbery and carnapping cases pending before the Regional Trial Courts (RTCs) in Nueva Ecija and Bulacan, Mangalinao was nabbed by joint operatives of the Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (PPO) and the Regional Public Safety Battalion 3 (RPSB3).

Senior Supt. Crizaldo Nieves, Nueva Ecija PPO director, said Mangalinao is the No. 8 most wanted in person in San Leonardo and will be prosecuted for robbery cases before the RTC Branch 35 in Gapan City and the RTC Branch 14 in Malolos City.

The suspect also has a carnapping case being tried by the RTC Branch 84 in Bulacan.  -- With reports from Franco Regala, Freddie C. Velez and Mar T. Supnad

Bangued sets ‘no smoking’ policy in public places

BANGUED, Abra -- The local government here has recently set its “no smoking’ policy in public places to promote healthy environment and lifestyle.

Benedict Bersamira of public information office said municipal officials and employees are also not allowed to smoke inside the municipal building and its vicinity.

At the start of the implementation, people were allowed to smoke in front of the municipal building.

However, the sight of by standers smoking in front of the town hall  was not very pleasant prompting  Mayor Dominic Valera to designate the Veterans Hall at the Bangued Town Plaza as smoking area.

According to Valera, the ‘no smoking’ policy  will soon be observed in the entire municipality after information dissemination.

No penalty for violators has been handed down yet. -- Maria Teresa Benas

PCL Legislative Academy launched  in Kalinga  

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The Philippine Councilors League  Legislative Academy was launched here last week to provide opportunity for  local officials to  pursue their studies in college  or  take their masteral degrees. The launching also marked celebration of the National PCL Month here

 Tabuk City Councilor Antonio Bakilan, Cordillera Region PCL president and PCL national board member, said the program  would enhance legislative capability among elected local officials and is also offered to government employees.

Through the program, officials with college degrees could finish master degrees and college degree for undergraduates with emphasis on local legislation.

The program is coordinated with colleges here where lecturers would come from.

Other lecturers will come from the Department of Interior and Local Government, Bakilan said.

Designed not to interrupt regular functions and duties of enrollees, the legislative course is duly accredited with the Dept. of Interior and Local Govenrment and PCL and is offered 2-3 days a month in one year.

Since the course is not offered free, Bakilan urged interested enrollees to consider minimal fees and encouraged  them to make arrangements with their respective agencies for their fees.         

The program is also offered to other Cordillera provinces like Apayao and Mountain Province. -- Larry Lopez

Mt Prov SP backs income tax exemption for low wage earners

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The Sangguniang Panlalawigan here backed a resolution of Camarines Norte SP requesting Congress to amend the 1997 National Internal Revenue Code and exempt Marginal Income Earners (MIEs) from payment of income tax.

Marginal income earner as defined  is an individual not deriving compensation as an employee under an employer-employee relationship but who is a self-employed and deriving gross sales or receipts not exceeding P100,000 in any 12 – month period.

The activity of a marginal income earner should be for subsistence or livelihood.

The MIE shall include agricultural growers/ producers (farmers/fishermen) selling directly to ultimate consumers, small sari-sari stores, small carinderias or “turo-turos,” drivers/operators of a single unit tricycle.

The Camarines Norte  SP resolution stated  that it would help improve the living condition and ease the burden from tax obligations of marginal income earners if they will be exempted from the payment of income tax in addition to the exemption from value-added tax and business tax.

In their resolution, the Mountain Province SP  said it agreed with the measure saying considering the lack of employment opportunities in the country, unemployed Filipinos engage in small scale industries/business and other jobs which are classified under the marginal income earner.

It was also mentioned that requiring marginal income earners to pay income taxes and comply with various Bureau of Internal Revenue requirements would be a tantamount to eliminating their source of income and employment which the government cannot provide. -- Juliet Saley

Pangasinan celebrates vibrant tourism in Sept

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Rustic sunsets and the colorful bancas on the beaches of Hundred Islands in Alaminos are but two of the many postcard-like settings that can be witnessed in Pangasinan which recently declared September as its Tourism Month.

Vice Gov. Jose Fernando Calimlim Jr. headed the passage of Resolution No. 743-2014 by the Provincial Board that will allow the province to celebrate Tourism Month every year in September.

Calimlim said this would be in accordance with the observance of World Tourism Day on Sept. 27, as declared by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Board members agreed in the resolution to strengthen and institutionalize the annual province-wide celebration and authorized the Tourism Operations Division (TOD) of the Office of the Governor to plan and implement the appropriate activities in support of the declaration.

TOD Chief MalouElduayan said her office has calendared information drives and awareness program seminars, tree-planting activities, coastal cleanups, and the First Pangasinan Tourism Summit and Skills Competition on Sept. 25.

As the Tourism Month’s culminating activity, the new Manuel Quezon monument will be unveiled and a new zipline adventure on Quezon Island, part of the Hundred Islands National Park in Alaminos City, will be opened on Sept. 28.

Elduayan said that for the past years, the province has an increasing trend of tourist arrivals with 250,165 tourists based on the accommodation establishments list and 611,000 visitors based on the arrival of guests in the province’s tourist destinations. – JojoRinoza 

Court orders transfer of 2 UP grads to N. Ecija jail

SAN JOSE CITY, Nueva Ecija – Two University of the Philippines graduates arrested last month and charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives were transferred from a police detention facility to a district jail here.

Senior Supt. Crizaldo Nieves, Nueva Ecija police director, said Gerald Salonga and GuillerCadano were transported under heavy security by a police team led by Insp. Allan Batle at around 3 p.m. on Aug. 3.

He said the transfer was in compliance with a commitment order issued by San Jose City Regional Trial Court Branch 39 Judge Cynthia Martinez-Florendo.

Salonga and Cadano are facing charges for violation of Republic Act 10591 and Republic Act 9516.

The two were arrested by joint teams from the Army’s 7th Infantry Division and the Nueva Ecija police in a house in Barangay R.T. Padilla, Carranglan town on Aug. 9. – Manny Galvez 

DOST open food innovation center in northern Luzon

The Department of Science and Technology has opened its first Food Innovation Center (FIC) in Northern Luzon as a vehicle to transform Cagayan Valley into a food processing haven.

An FIC is a “one-stop-shop food research and development center” that seeks to raise the quality of the region’s local food products to gain a big foothold in the local and national markets. DOST launched the FIC at the Cagayan State University (CSU)-Carig Campus in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, during the week-long Northern Luzon Cluster Fair at the CSU.

The DOST provisioned the FIC with indigenous food technology equipment tailored to fit the needs of the agriculture-heavy provinces industry.  -- Edd K. Usman

Couples urged to join mass wedding

BAGUIO CITY  -  City Social Welfare and Development Officer Betty Fangasan urged unwed couples to join mass wedding here slated Sept. 30 as part of the 105th charter day anniversary of Baguio.

Young couples who want to get married but cannot afford as well as couples who are already living together can tie knots with their loved ones without spending a big amount of money.

“Interested couples must complete the requirements needed to be able to join the said mass wedding,” said Fangasan.

 For couples who had lived-in for more than five years, they must be more than 25 years old. 

They must secure community tax certificate (cedula), birth certificate, certificate of no marriage (CENOMAR) from the National Statistics Office (NSO), and secure an affidavit of cohabitation from the Public Attorney’s Office or any legal officer.   

The couples are also required to attend a pre-marriage counseling at the Health Services Office located at T. Alonzo Street to be able to secure marriage license at the Local Civil Registrar’s Office.  The schedule of the said counseling is every Tuesday, 1 to 5 p.m. and every Thursday, 8 a.m. to 12 noon.

Parent consent is needed for applicants aging 18 to 20 years old.

They must submit the requirements with complete attachments at the CSWDO not later than Sept. 19.

On Sept. 19, the couple must attend the marriage enrichment seminar at the CSWDO.

For queries, interested couples can call the CSWDO with telephone numbers 442-3842 or 442-7893.  -- Jho Arranz

Student, scolded by teachers, hangs self

CABANATUAN CITY – A senior high school student hanged himself after his teachers reportedly scolded him in front of his classmates in Guimba, Nueva Ecija Monday.

Joshua Cosilet, 15, of San Andres National High School, was found hanging from a mango tree at the back of their house in Barangay Pacac. He was declared dead on arrival at the Guimba District Hospital.

Town police chief Supt. Renato David said the boy’s mother Marites told them her son was depressed after his two teachers scolded him for allegedly making sexually charged remarks to a female student.

Marites said her son was allegedly forced to admit the supposed offense.

Case investigator Senior Police Officer 1 Antonio Olandac said the school principal had talked with the victim’s family. – Manny Galvez

DTI releases P3M for Ifugao livelihood projects

LAGAWE, Ifugao -- The provincial Department of Trade and Industry  has released  P3,279,219 worth of livelihood projects under the DTI’s Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Process(GPBP), as of June 30.

DTI provincial director Valentin Baguidudol said the release was part of the P5,937,500 total amount approved by the government channeled to their office and  intended for the province under the GPBP.

He said the remaining balance of P2,658,280 will  be immediately released to beneficiaries upon their compliance with certain requirements.

The amount released included P230,569.50 for the municipality of Asipulo for its ginger and taro processing project; P810,000 for Tinoc for its integrated micro enterprise development, carrot juice processing enhancement and indigenous food/fruit processing enhancement project; P270,000.00 for Mayoyao for its training and livelihood projects for women and tricycle operators and drivers association members; P237,500.00 for Lamut for its One-Town-One Product Packaging Center and ecological bag production project; P881,150.00 for Hingyon for   food processing livelihood, buy and sell of Ifugao attire, pendants and tools and other income generating projects; P350,000.00 for Banaue for its Ifugao culinary arts training and training of homestay and P500,000.00 for Hungduan for establishment of the Hungduan Processing and Display Center. -- Daniel Codamon

 Protection of Chico River watersheds pushed

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- Closer cooperation among stakeholders and communities was pushed here last week for protection and management of watersheds along the Chico River.

This call for a concerted effort in watershed management was emphasized during the orientation of the Integrated Natural Resources and Environmental Management Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

INREMP is an eight -year (2014 – 2020) watershed management project to be implemented along the Chico River Basin,   funded by a P2.2 billion loan from the Asian Development Bank, International Food and Agriculture Development and a grant from the Global Economic Fund and the Government of the Philippine through its Climate Change Fund.

The project seeks to reduce and reverse the degradation of watersheds caused by forest denudation and unsustainable farming practices as well as provides incentives to communities and local government units for properly managing their watersheds.

Bontoc mayor Franklin Odsey said the protection and management of the watersheds and the Chico River needs the support and cooperation of all stakeholders and the communities along the river basin.

 Provincial Administrator Johnny Lausan, who represented Gov.  Leonard Mayaen, also urged people to take part in the INREMP program as this has a great impact on their lives.

Lausan said the protection of the watersheds and the Chico River is a major concern that must be seriously addressed now as many lives are dependent on it.

The province with agriculture as the main source of livelihood, depends on the Chico River for its water needs.

Chico River traverses towns of  Mountain Province and Kalinga  then to the Cagayan River. – Andrew Dogaong

Gov Fongwan pushes info drive on health

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Gov. Nestor Fongwan said information dissemination could improve nutritional status of a locality while government brings its services to the people.

Fongwan, in a meeting of the Provincial Nutrition Council, urged information dissemination on health and nutrition programs during barangay assemblies.

He urged the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist to distribute  plants of high nutritional value for propagation and  to acclimatize  nutritious lowland plants such as malunggay that may thrive.

The idea is to make these propagated and acclimatized plants and existing indigenous food be readily available and accessible in the locality and help in addressing malnutrition problem.

The provincial government has also dispersal program wherein the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian distributes animals such as carabaos, goats, cattle and swine to poor families.

One nutritional problem that beseta people in the highlands is the lack of source of food rich in iodine which the PNC is reportedly trying to look into.

Fongwan urged concerned offices to distribute and increase funds that redound to improvement of livelihood and income of local folks. -- Susan Aro

Seminar set for Tadian b’gay officials on improving work

TADIAN, Mountain Province -- Barangay officials and lupongtagapamayapa members of this town will undergo seminar to enable them to effectively carry out their responsibilities.

The Sangguniang Bayan of this municipality enacted an ordinance providing legal education program for the officials.

It mandates conduct of an annual seminar to ensure its barangay officials and lupongtagapamayapa are kept informed with existing laws, ordinances, resolutions, systems and procedures.

The conduct of the annual seminar shall be scheduled two days in any week of every month of October every year.

It is also provided in the ordinance that P30,000 shall be included in the annual budget of this municipality and P8,000 from the respective annual budget of each barangay here as their counterpart for the annual seminar. -- Juliet Saley

Young Ilocano debaters join Marcos debate cup

LAOAG CITY -- Twelve teams composed of young Ilocano debaters from different colleges and universities in the province showcased their talents and expertise in the Ferdinand E. Marcos Debate Cup here last week,

The competition, which was part of the celebration of President Marcos’ 97th birthday, was organized by the Provincial Education Department and Sirib Youth Office.

Eliminations were held Sept. 8-9 at the Northwestern University College of Arts and Sciences while finals were held Sept. 10 at the Laoag City Auditorium.

The debate cup was tribute to the late President Marcos or Apo Lakay who, at a young age, excelled in rhetoric and became one of the greatest debaters during his time.

His brilliance is a great inspiration to Ilocanos, especially the young for upholding the importance of bringing out their powerful voices to raise issues that could change the community, officials here said.

The event thus, was a celebration of Apo Lakay’s great contribution to the Ilocano as well as Filipino consciousness.

Keen in upholding Ilocano skills and talents.

Gov. Imee Marcos urged the youth to discover and enhance their potentials in the field and keep Apo Lakay’s spirit alive through generations.

The first intercollegiate debate series held last year named the Mariano Marcos State University-College of Education (MMSU-CTE) Team A as xhampion with MMSU-Batac Team B as first runner up, Northwestern University Team A second runner up and Divine Word College of Laoag Team A third runner up.

The best speaker and debater titles were both awarded to James Ceasar Ventura of MMSU-CTE Team A.—Jennifer T. Pambid,

846 Central Luzon villages drug-affected -- PDEA

PALAYAN CITY, Nueva Ecija — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency revealed last week that 27 percent of villages in Central Luzon or 846 out of Region 3’s total of 3,052 barangays are drug-affected. PDEA regional director for Central Luzon JeoffreyTacio presented the data during a drug summit sponsored by the city government.

Statistics showed that 193 of Pampanga’s 505 barangays are drug-affected, so with 189 in Nueva Ecija; 159 in Tarlac; 97 in Bulacan; 94 in Bataan; 72 in Zambales; and 42 in Aurora.  -- Sheen Crisologo

September 2 is now special holiday in Ifugao

KIANGAN, Ifugao -- Malacañang has declared the commemoration of the Fall of Yamashita on Sept. 2 as a special holiday in Ifugao. 

In Proclamation 856, President Aquino said the declaration of the holiday would give the people of Ifugao full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion. 

Ifugao Gov. Denis Habawel and Rep. Teodoro Baguilat led the event to commemorate the surrender of Japanese Imperial Army Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita here that also marked the end of World War II. 

Ifugao has been commemorating the event as “Victory Day” since 1991 to pay tribute to the sacrifices and valor of Filipino and American soldiers as well as Ifugao guerrillas during the war.

This year’s event, with the theme, “Sustaining Peace through Advocacy and Development,” start on Sept. 1 with a morning mass and candle lighting at the Yamashita surrender site in Kiangan town.

A parade, wreath-laying at the surrender site at the Kiangan Central School and a 21-gun salute at the town’s War Memorial Shrine were also held on Sept. 2.        

NGCP low on power

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte — The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) is now under “yellow alert” status after the two-hour “rotational brownout” in Ilocos provinces last Monday due to the sudden deficiency in power generation.

The NGCP explained the bigger power demand and slim power reserve during certain periods of the day resulted in the manual load dropping. Consequently, this affected power supply for the substation of the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC) servicing the towns of Currimao, Badoc, Pinili and parts of Batac City and Paoay town; and the substation of Ilocos Sur Electric Cooperative (ISECO) in Santo Domingo. -- Freddie G. Lazaro

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