Thousands join rally vs Naguillan
priest
NAGUILIAN,
La Union – More than 6,000 people from villages here joined a rally June
20 calling for the ouster of a parish priest who was accused of threatening,
insulting, and harassing the faithful and the officers of the Parish Pastoral
Council.
Holding
placards denouncing Rev. Raul Panay of the St. Augustine of Hippo Parish, the
protesters trooped to the town plaza and signed a petition written on
tarpaulins.
More
than 27,000 parishioners have signed the petition.
Panay
allegedly threatened to shoot an official of a group conducting a fund-raising
drive for church projects.
He
also allegedly also asked a parish member for “pulutan” for a drinking session.
He
denied the allegations against him. – Jun Elias
Vehicles, cell phones given to Lang-ay
fest raffle winners
BONTOC,
Mountain Province -- Lang-ay Festival raffle draw winners were revealed here
last week by the Lang-ay Festival Organization.
The
raffle draw was held June 12 with prizes distributed.
The
first prize, a Hiace commuter van was delivered to Julita Langbayan in Paitud,
Paracelis, while the second prize which is a Mitsubushi Estrada pick-up truck
was won by Tryphene Pocpoken of Sagada.
Third
prize, a Mitsubishi Space Gear van went to Sheena Felipe of Ampucao, Itogon.
The
fourth prize, a brand new Rusi Tricycle was won by Maureen Lalaan of Bayombong,
Nueva Vizcaya. On June 24, the winner claimed the tricycle, saying she would
help in sale of tickets should there be another raffle draw for Lang-ay in the
future.
Two
of the consolation prizes of five Samsung cellphones were won by Bontoc
residents Joseph Gironella and Margaret Chumacog. The rest were won by William
Panas of Bakun, Benguet, Alfredo Parquillano of Baguio City, and Ysrael Casupang
of Ampucao, Itogon. – Roger Sacyaten
Pangasinan parole officer shot dead
BINALONAN,
Pangasinan – The parole and probation officer-in-charge of Rosales town was
shot dead as she was walking home after alighting from a bus in Barangay
Sumabnit here Tuesday night.
Mary
Alcaide Romua, 44, died on the way to the Urdaneta City General Hospital, said
Chief Insp. Oliver Abayan, Binalonan police chief. Witnesses said a man on a
motorcycle shot Romua.
Abayan
said investigators are looking at robbery as the possible motive for the
killing because Romua’s bag was missing. “But it could just be a ploy of
the suspect to mislead the investigators,” he said. – Eva Visperas
137 swimmers vie for Guinness record
BAGUIO
CITY – A hundred and thirty-seven (137) swimmers joined the “World’s largest
swimming lesson” at the Athletic Bowl Pool here June 18; hoping to be part of
the country’s effort to break the 36,000 simultaneous swimming lesson Guinness
world record.
The
city is one of the country’s official host locations of the world record
breaking attempt.
According
to coach Walter Oppod of Baguio City National High School, swimming lessons
were given to teach children basics of swimming to prevent drowning.
With
nine coach and assistant coaches, swimmers as young as four listened about
basic water safety, entry into water, aquatic emergencies, dangers in shallow
and deep waters. Front gliding, floating, arm strokes, proper breathing and
submerging skills were also demonstrated, as the swimmers followed suit.
Braving
the morning cold, the swimmers donned swim suits and caps, and churned the
waters as they kicked their way across the pool assisted by the coaches with
parents and chaperones watching from the poolside.
Center
head of the Philippine Life Saving Laurence Daguio said other safety and
swimming programs will be announced later.
Their
office within the swimming pool at Athletic Bowl here is open for inquiries, he
said, or at cellphone number 0916-254-5532.
The
city pool is the training venue some of the city’s swimmers, at least five
national and an internationally acclaimed 17-year old athlete, he added.
The
swimming lesson was joined by least six clubs, all based at the Athletic Bowl
swimming pool which boasts of a children’s and adult pool. – Julie G. Fianza
Ifugao Festival focuses on climate
change
LAGAWE,
Ifugao – Sen. Loren Legarda is meeting with stakeholders and other sectors in
the Cordillera to discuss climate change and how to protect the rice terraces
from the devastation of the phenomenon.
Governor
Dennis Habawel said Legarda, chairman of the Senate Committees on Climate
Change and Cultural Communities, is one of the guest speakers for the Gotad Ed
Ifugao Festival which coincides with the 49th Ifugao Foundation Day celebration
in this capital town.
As
part of the festival, Legarda’s committee will conduct a hearing at the
Provincial Capitol to explain effects of
climate change to the local communities in the Cordillera region and to discuss
environmental sustainability and heritage conservation, including threats to
the Ifugao Rice Terraces.
According
to experts, climate change is expected to increase rainfall intensities and
prolong the dry season which would mean decreased water supply, dangerous
landslides and even the collapse of the terraces.
Legarda
will also launch “Guardians of the Forest, Stewards of the Land ,“ a coffee
table book on indigenous forest conservation systems in the Cordillera region.
The book is a project of Senator Legarda and the State Universities and
Colleges of the Cordillera Administrative Region Research and Development
Consortium (SUCCARRDEC).
Before
the climate change hearing the Ifugaos will hold a grand cultural parade
participated in by the municipalities of the province. In the afternoon, there
will be various indigenous games and cultural presentations.
4.0 magnitude quake his Ilocos
provinces
LAOAG
CITY, Ilocos Norte – A moderately strong tectonic earthquake with a strength of
4.0 magnitude hit some part of Ilocos provinces early morning Wednesday but
didn’t cause any damage to property, a report from the Philippine Institute of
Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said here. Local Phivolcs Researcher
Porferio De Peralta said the quake occurred at 2:18 a.m., epicenter located at
39 kilometers southeast of Laoag City with a depth of 5 kilometers. Intensity 1
was felt in Vigan City and intensity 2 in Sinait, Ilocos Sur.
However,
De Peralta said no aftershock was recorded after the tremor. Earlier, a 3.8
magnitude quake rocked some areas in Ilocos Sur last Tuesday evening at 9:00
p.m. with epicenter at 16 kilometers northwest of Santa Lucia town with a depth
of 26 kilometers but not intensity recorded. - Freddie G. Lazaro
Matagoan Festival celebrates Tabuk’s
founding anniversary
TABUK
CITY, Kalinga — Residents here celebrate the eighth year after the Supreme
Court’s decision upholding the cityhood of this place, and held the fun-filled
14th Matagoan Festival which focused on culture and tradition of the Kalingans.
As
part of the celebration, Mayor Ferdinand Tubban issued Executive Order
No.18-2015, declaring a June 24 and June 26 as no school-day in the city to
allow students to join the festivities.
The
14th Matagoan Festival and 8th Founding Anniversary of this city was themes
“Tabuk: Lugar a Pagbiagan, KinabaknangnaAywanan.”
The
weeklong festival will highlight culture and tradition through dances, songs,
indigenous games, cultural practices, exhibits, display of One Town One Product
(OTOP), skills competition, agricultural products trade fair and job fair.
Manila
Vice Mayor Francisco Domagoso, aka Isko Moreno graced the celebration of
Farmer’s and Agricultural Day last Tuesday as guest honor and speaker.
He
was adopted as a son of the city and named after “Gongon,” a native Army
captain known for his war exploits.
The
founding anniversary started with a grand parade participated in by officials,
school teachers and students. There were floats, cultural presentations, and
the sounding of gongs which was followed by the declaration of the opening of the
eighth founding anniversary of Tabuk as one city.
Matagoan
festival’s main celebration was on June 26, with a street dancing competition
for children, youth and adults and participated by the 42 barangays. Schools
will also join with their drum and lyre.
Nueva Ecija wants Taong Putik fest declared
pilgrimage destination
ALIAGA,
Nueva Ecija – There were fewer participants compared to last year, but
organizers said it was no reason why the “TaongPutik Festival” should not be
declared an international pilgrimage destination.
The
festival in Barangay Bibiclat has been drawing local and foreign tourists and
devotees and more people are joining the mass and procession every year, said
Mel Malang of the St. John Parish.
Board
member Joseph Ortiz said the Guinness World Records should also recognize the
festival for having the most number of people who bathe in mud.
Every
June 24, the so-called mud people – devotees whose faces and bodies are smeared
with mud and covered with dried banana leaves – welcome hundreds of tourists
here.
Festival
participants said they emulate St. John the Baptist, who appeared in most
biblical tales dressed like a beggar.
A
three-year-old child was the youngest and a centenarian woman the oldest
participant in yesterday’s event.
Ortiz
said the festival has enhanced the town’s image as a tourist spot.
The
parish has also been declared a diocesan shrine by the Archdiocese of
Cabanatuan because its patron saint is said to be miraculous. – Manny
Galvez
Dengue awareness drive on in La Union
schools
SAN
FERANDO CITY, La Union – The city government started the anti-dengue drive with
its partners from the Department of Health Region 1, City Schools Division of
the Department of Education and the provincial government.
With
the campaign theme “Eskwelahan, Simbahan, Palengke at buong Komunidad sama-sama
nating sugpuin ang Dengue para sa malusog at ligtas na San Fernando!” (School,
Church, Market, Whole Community, Let’s all join to eliminate Dengue for a
healthy and safe San Fernando!), the program involves 26 elementary schools, 65
day-care centers, including five high schools, together with 59 barangays.
The
activities, which began with a poster-making and slogan contest among school
children, is timely as heavy rains have ushered the wet season and with it the
influx of dengue-carrying mosquitoes.
Dr.
Eduardo Posadas, city health officer, Mayor Pablo Ortega shouldered expenses
for the information drive campaign around the city three times a week. Teams
are fielded to search and destroy mosquito larva, install Olyset nets; conduct
clean-up drives; fumigations; and even distribution of posters and slogan
tarpaulins.
An
integrated vector management community program participation recently in
Barangay Sevilla, one of the thickly-populated areas, revealed that the number
of dengue cases has been reduced from 131 in 2012 to 68 in 2013, lower by 52
percent. -- Erwin Beleo
Ifugao town regulates ambulant buyers’
activities
KIANGAN,
Ifugao -- The local government here has regulated activities of ambulant buyers
that include procurement of recyclable, special and residual waste.
Before
engaging in business activities, ambulant buyers shall register with the
municipal treasury office or barangay if not within the urban/ poblacion area
and pay a permit fee of P15.00 before engaging in their trade.
Weighing
scales of ambulant buyers should be checked first by any MTO personnel or
barangay captain/official and issued a certificate of compliance or sticker.
The
Kiangan police or local officials are authorized to inspect the recyclables and
residuals bought by the buyer to ensure that no property bought by him are
proceeds of theft or damage to property.
For
big companies willing to undertake such kind of business, it will be subjected
to the execution of a memorandum of agreement with the LGU.
Police
and barangay “tanods” are authorized to apprehend any violator. -- Marcelo B.
Lihgawon
Bontoc couple donates
two classrooms to Catholic school
BONTOC,
Mountain Province -- The Saint Vincent’s Elementary School, run by the Catholic
Church here, was recipient of two concrete classrooms built through the
generosity of a couple from this town who are alumni of the school.
Couple
Daniel and Hilda Peckley were feted during inauguration of the classrooms on
June 22 at the school grounds attended by pupils, teachers, school
administration, and alumni.
“It’s
payback time”, said Hilda, “in recognition of the blessings we received”. The
couple is known for their successes in their business endeavors. Daniel Peckley
is an infrastructure contractor and the wife engages in piggery and rice
production.
Daniel
is also alumni of the school.
The
couple provided materials and labor for the project that started sometime in
May 2015 and completed this June.
School
principal Christopher Chees expressed gratitude to the couple for the two 8
meters by 8 meters classrooms.
Average
cost of the two classrooms would have
been more than a million pesos as a classroom costs P650,000.
A
plan to construct an additional school building is in the offing with different
batches of alumni urged to help in fund raising. -- Roger Sacyaten
La Trinidad launches no smoking
campaign
LA
TRINIDAD – The local government here launched last week its smoke-free
environment advocacy campaign pursuant to the town’s Tobacco Control Ordinance
regulating smoking, selling, distribution and advertisement of tobacco
products.
Mayor
Edna Tabanda, who is also chair of multi-sectoral Municipal Tobacco Control
Board, urged residents and stakeholders to show their cooperation and active
involvement for the successful implementation of the ordinance in order to make
this municipality a healthier place to live
especially for senior citizens
and children.
Dr.
Amelita Pangilinan, OIC director of the Department of Health Cordillera Administrative
Region, commended the municipality for
coming up with said ordinance smoke- free community leads to lesser respiratory
cases and health diseases.
Other
activities during the launching include installation of a smoke free gallery on
the adverse effects of smoking, Hataw exercise and a lecture on smoke free
environment by DOH-CAR, risk assessment booth for blood pressure taking, blood
chemistry or screening among others, and signing of pledge of commitment by
stakeholders, and unveiling of the municipal billboard on Smoke Free
Environment-Tobacco Control Ordinance campaign at the municipal park.
The
municipal ordinance prohibits the following: smoking in any part of any
enclosed or partially-enclosed public place, workplace, public conveyance or
other public place; selling or distributing tobacco products to minors;
selling, distributing and advertising tobacco products in a schools, public
playground or any other facility frequented by minors or within a 100
meter-radius from the same; and purchasing products from minors.
It
also prohibits using, buying or selling tobacco products by minors; placing,
posting distributing any type of tobacco advertisement such as leaflets,
posters and similar materials outside business establishments and placing
cinema and outdoor ads of tobacco products.
Corresponding
penalties shall be meted to violators
whether individuals or establishments. -- Maria Aprila Cruz
Lagawe sets P.6M for ‘Medicare para sa Masa’
LAGAWE,
Ifugao -- The local government here has allotted P.6-million in
its 2015 annual budget as
counterpart in insurance premium of
selected indigent beneficiaries of the National Health Insurance or
“Medicare parasaMasa” .
“Because
of increasing cost of medical and health services, many Lagaweans especially
indigent families cannot afford the cost and deprived of the medical and health
services they needed most,” the LGU stated.
NHI
beneficiaries are indigent elderly, disabled women and children, and
those with severe illness where medical supplies, health and social services
are provided inexpensively to them.
These
NHI enrollees are recommended by the municipal selection committee and determined through the means test
protocol by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) .
The
committee is chaired by the municipal mayor
with the Department of Social Welfare and Development Officer (MSWDO), a
Sangguniang Bayan Member, and the Chairman on the Committee on Social Welfare
as members. -- Irish MikeeWigwigan
‘Asthma can’t be cured but can be
controlled’
LAGAWE,
Ifugao -- Asthma cannot be cured but symptoms can be controlled, said Dr.
PrescillaPagada in a radio interview as
part of the health campaign of the Ifugao Provincial Health Office (PHO).
Pagada
said Ifugao logged a total of 1,532 cases of bronchial asthma in 2014 wherein 780 were males and 814
were females.
She
said bronchial asthma is a disease of the lungs that can lead to episodes of
breathlessness, chest tightness, coughing and wheezing.
It
is caused by genetic and environmental
component.
Symptoms
of the illness include difficulty in breathing, coughing, wheezing and feeling
of tightness in the chess.
Sleeplessness,
daytime fatigue, reduced activity levels, school and work absenteeism can be
caused by frequent asthma symptoms.
“To
manage your asthma it is important that you know the allergies that trigger
your asthma. Avoid these triggers if possible, particularly smoking,” she said.
Pagada
warned people suffering from asthma to take only prescribed medicines and avoid
self-medication.
She
urged mothers to promote breastfeeding because early introduction to cow’s milk
may influence the babies in having allergies and possible asthma. -- PIA
Mt Prov speakers trained on autonomy
advocacy
BONTOC,
Mountain Province – Some 75 delegates from five towns of this province attended
speakers’ training May 26-27 on Cordillera autonomy.
Participants
came from Barlig, Bontoc, Paracelis, Sadanga, and Tadian.
Gov.
Leonard Mayaen said participants will form the local government’s core members
of speakers who will be sent to barangays, “You will be our partners in
whatever time or year to help speak on regional autonomy in your respective
areas,” he said.
“Personally,
I believe in autonomy and Mt. Province can achieve greater heights if autonomy
will be granted to the region.”
Mayaen
urged the speakers to educate participants on basic idea and concept of
autonomy and set aside discussions on details of House bill proposing
Cordillera autonomy since its contents are still subject to changes.
The
pool of speakers who were composed of members from the provincial government,
Regional Development Council and National Economic Development Authority
acquainted participants with the historical background on the pursuit for
regional autonomy, and salient features of the third Organic Act.
“Autonomy was initiated to give the region
greater freedom,” said one of the participants when asked about how he would
endorse the idea of regional autonomy in his community.
For
the municipalities of Besao,Sabangan, Bauko, Natonin, and Sagada, the
provincial management task force plans to conduct the speakers’ training second
semester of the year.
143 indigent students qualify for Ifugao scholarship grant
LAGAWE,
Ifugao -- A total of 143 indigent students were qualified to avail of the
provincial government’s scholarship grant this year.
These beneficiaries
are among the 286 applicants from 11 municipalities of the province for
provincial government‘s Tertiary Education Assistance Program (TEAP) for school
year 2015-2016.
TEAP grantees will be
entitled to P5,000 per semester and P1,500 for the summer classes.
Provincial
administrator Evelyn Dunuan said the TEAP committee aimed to have four grantees
each barangay, a grantee per year to lessen dropout cases for coming school
year.
As of school year
2014-2015, the provincial government recorded 447 TEAP grantees wherein 67
graduated and 111 were terminated due to failure to meet standards
qualification of the program and drop-out cases.
The 175 barangays and
10 Special Economic Zone (SEZs) are entitled to one TEAP grantee every year who
is willing to enroll in a public college in Ifugao offering courses not
exceeding four years.
To qualify for the
TEAP, an applicant must be a permanent resident of the province certified by
the barangay captain and graduated from a recognized Ifugao secondary school
with a general average grade of at least 80 percent.
He must not be
a recipient of any scholarship program and financial assistance from the
provincial government , and the total
gross annual family income shall not exceed P75,000.
Provincial Ordinance
2004
– 07 created the TEAP. -- Marcelo B. Lihgawon and Kipdohan
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