RDC steps up campaign for Cordillera autonomy

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY – The Regional Development Council (RDC) in the Cordillera has stepped up its campaign for Cordillera autonomy even as it is awaiting action of new set of Cordillera congressmen on House Bill  4649 so it could align its activities with it. 

The bill seeks to establish an autonomous region in the Cordillera.

         This, as the regional Department of Social Welfare and Development sought to involve beneficiaries of the government’s Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) as part of grassroots campaign on ignite interest of Cordillerans on autonomy.

Milagros A. Rimando, regional director of Cordillera National Economic Development Authority and RDC-CAR vice chairperson, said the involvement of parent-leaders as part of the speaker’s bureau of the RDC-CAR on autonomy will greatly contribute in empowering more people on the ground to internalize the real essence of autonomy and its benefits.

“We are consistently expanding our alliances both in the local, regional and national levels for us to be able to gain the maximum support of all stakeholders in the region’s renewed pursuit for self-governance,” Rimando stressed.

The NEDA-CAR official said influential-parent leaders will surely be able to share to their fellow parents the true essence of autonomy and its benefits to the people, especially the Cordillerans in the remote villages of the region, so that they will be able to realize that there is still hope for optimum development and improvement of their living condition once autonomy will be achieved during the present administration.

Janet Armas, DSWD-CAR regional director, said it is very enlightening to listen to the insights of parent-leaders on what they understand about autonomy and that they pin their hopes to the establishment of an autonomous region in the Cordillera as the only available means by which they could move themselves out from the shackles of poverty that have been plaguing their lives for several decades now.

Aside from parent-leaders, the RDC-CAR tapped various members of civil society organizations to be actively involved in this endeavor in order to reach more through the information education campaign.

Armas revealed that the RDC-CAR and the DSWD-CAR will continue the partnership of training parent-leaders in the different provinces and municipalities so that they will become duly recognized members of the speaker’s bureau to be tapped anytime during the autonomy information education campaign.

The RDC-CAR said autonomy would be its overarching agenda during its planning workshop in 2006 as it was seen as the only mechanism that will speed up the development of the region and guarantee maximum share from the resources of the national government which it had been deprived of for over five decades.

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Abra town mayor, councilor surrender

PDEA: Some P’sinan mayors into drug trade 

MANABO, Abra – A mayor and councilor of this province suspected of involvement in the illegal drug trade surrendered even as there  are certain mayors in Pangasinan who are involved in the illegal drugs trade.

Police said Manabo town Mayor Darell Damasing, 37, and San Juan Councilor Generoso Bose, 54, were among those who recently surrendered under OplanTokhang.

Domasing is a member of the National Unity Party while Bose is a member of the Liberal Party. 

The officials signed an oath of undertaking to stop their illegal activities and cooperate with police in identifying members of drug rings operating in their areas.

         Manabo Vice Mayor Bruno Domingo Jr. witnessed the signing of the oath.

        Damasing and Bose are the first local officials to surrender as President Duterte vowed to name local officials involved in illegal drugs. 

On July 5, various guns, ammunition and drug paraphernalia were seized during a raid on the house of former Langiden mayor Noel Castillo in Bangued.

           In Urdaneta City, Pangasinan Tuesday, newly installed Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Isidro Lapeña said there are certain mayors in Pangasinan who are involved in the illegal drugs trade.

Lapeña, who witnessed Tuesday’s surrender of over 700 drug users and peddlers in Urdanetastopped short of naming names or detailing the involvement of these mayors to the illegal drugs trade, but assured he had a list and that it is already being validated.

He said the anti-illegal drugs campaign was just beginning and that it will be further intensified.

“Wala kaming sasantuhin kahit sino pa sila at hindi namin silatatantanan (We won’t spare anyone; there will be no let-up in the fight against drugs),”  said Lapeña.

A native of this city, Lapeña welcomed the surrender of confessed drug pushers and users in the city at the Cultural Sport Complex, here.

The PDEA Chief — joined Mayor Amadeo G. Perez IV, PDEA Region 1 Director Jeoffrey C. Tacio, and Supt. Jeff Fanged, city police chief — administered the oath on the 700 surrenderers from 27 barangays who pledged to turn away from using and selling illegal drugs. – With a report fromLiezleBasaInigo

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Mt Prov board slot vacant; Lacwasan, Tauli take posts

By Roger Sacyaten

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The Provincial Board of the province was reorganized with committee chairmanships distributed among members but with vacant slot for District 2 not to be filled up.

This developed in the wake of the assumption of elected Vice Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan, Jr to the governorship in acting capacity and Board Member Francis Tauli of District 2 as acting vice governor.

There is now a vacancy in the four slots for Board Members of District 2 with the assumption of Tauli as vice governor.

The remaining Board Members are Romeo Pagedped, Donato Danglose, and Salvador Dalang while District 1 is represented by Board Members Raul Lapon, Stephen Afuyog, Cariπo Tamang, and Alfonso Kiat-ong.

In an interview, now acting Vice Gov. Francis Tauli said the body has no plan to fill the ensuing vacant position.

“Please take note that we are serving in acting capacity. I don’t think there should be an acting Board Member,” he said. “What will happen if ever they will revert back to their original positions. Will the one acting as Board Member be stripped of the position? The better option therefore is for the body not to fill the position.”

The provincial legislative body reorganized the standing committees with a chair and co-chair and three members and designated representatives to the special bodies.

The committee on budget and appropriations, public works, highways and infrastructure is now chaired by Raul Lapon and committee on health, sanitation, and social Services by CariǹoTamang.

The committee on environmental protection and tourism is chaired by  DonatoDanglose; laws, provincial properties and equipment by Romeo Pagedped; education and culture, Francis Tauli; human rights, civil defense, and peace and order, Alfonso Kiat-ong; agriculture and agrarian reform, Salvador Dalang; women, senior citizens and family relations. Romeo Pagedped and  cooperatives, NGOs, POs, and trade and industry by Stephen Afuyog.

The chairmanship of the following committees were given to sectoral representatives: municipal and youth affairs, sports, and personnel development by new PCL representative Ricky Samidan; barangay affairs to Liga Ng mga Barangay representative Paul Farong-ey, and indigenous peoples to IPMR representative Alfredo Ramon.

The following Board Members were designated to different special bodies: Raul Lapon and Salvador Dalang to personnel selection board; Tamang and Lapon to local health board; Kiat-ong and Lapon to peace and order council, and Lapon to National Board Members League.

The reorganization and designation was done by virtue of Resolution No. 2016-227 enacted by the SangguniangPanlalawigan last July 20.

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CA:Recall of 21 appointments in N. Vizcaya valid

By Manny Galvez

SAN JOSE CITY, Nueva Ecija – The Court of Appeals has upheld the order of a former governor of Nueva Vizcaya recalling the appointments and promotions of 21 capitol employees.

In a ruling released recently, the CA upheld Executive Order 3 issued by former governor Ruth Padilla revoking the appointments and promotions issued by her predecessor, Luisa Cuaresma, who is now a congresswoman.

Records showed Cuaresma signed the appointments and promotions shortly before the 2013 elections.

The appellate court also reversed a subsequent Civil Service Commission (CSC) order directing Padilla to reinstate the employees and pay their back wages.

The CA described as “illegal, null and void” the appointments made by Cuaresma, saying these circumvented the law.

A few months earlier, the Office of the Ombudsman dismissed for lack of probable cause and evidence charges of grave abuse of authority and corrupt practices against Padilla and provincial legal officer Voltaire Garcia.

The cases stemmed from a complaint filed by the employees before the CSC, questioning Padilla’s authority to revoke their appointments and promotions. The CSC ruled in favor of the employees.

In reversing the CSC ruling, the CA said Cuaresma violated the Civil Service Law, Local Government Code and Omnibus Election Code when she signed the appointments and promotions of the employees.

“It also manifested the intention of outgoing governor Cuaresma to defeat the law on midnight appointments,” the CA said.

The court said the employees, who were holding permanent appointments, should be reverted to their original positions.

Mete out justice against perpetrators of Lumad leaders killing

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the Filipino people condemn in the strongest terms the successive killings last week of Lumad leaders and para-teachers in Davao and Cotabato.
Danny Diarog, tribal chieftain of the BagoboK'lata tribe and HermieAlegre, Parent-Teacher-Community Association president of Salugpungan school in SitioKahusayan, Barangay Dianga, Tugbok District, Davao City, were shot at around 2 p.m. last July 15 by motorcycle-riding men at SitioKagaspan while on their way home from a meeting with the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP). Alegre died on the spot while Diarog is fighting for his life in a hospital.

Earlier, FaharaKabuntalan La, 29, and SittieUsop Abdullah, 31, were shot dead while AisahKaron Malugka, 34, was wounded by masked suspects on a motorcycle in Cotabato City. All three were teachers at Mokamad Ali Elementary School in Barangay Tamontaka 4. The tricycle driver, FahadAbdulwahid Abdullah, 21, was also wounded in the gun attack that occurred in full public view.
          These recent killings are clearly part of the continuing campaign of violence and suppression of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and its paramilitary forces against the Lumad people under the OplanBayanihan. The Lumads of Mindanao have long been subjected to the worst forms of human rights violations and intensified oppression since the last few years of the Aquino regime’s OplanBayanihan.

All concerned revolutionary organizations have been mobilized to immediately carry out an investigation and identify the perpetrators and masterminds of these dastardly crimes.
The CPP urges the local authorities of the people's democratic government to file appropriate charges against the criminal suspects at the soonest possible opportunity in order for the people's courts to issue the necessary warrants for their arrest and detention and ensure the swift dispensation of justice.

At the same time, the CPP urges the Duterte regime to immediately carry out its own steps to put to justice the perpetrators of the killings and end the continuing campaign of suppression being carried out by the AFP against the Lumad people.

The CPP further calls on the Duterte regime to put a stop to the continuing campaign of the Philippine Army, the CAFGU and paramilitary groups to sow terror among the villages, killing indigenous people’s leaders, destroying their schools, disrupting their livelihood.
        Oplan Bayanihan is a campaign designed to crush the Lumads’ opposition to the wholesale plunder of their ancestral lands. Today, even as numerous killings and evacuations remain unresolved, big mining companies, plantations, loggers and big business continue to seize Lumad land.

President Duterte has time and again declared his intention of bringing peace to Mindanao. The Lumad people expect much from Duterte to immediately carry out positive measures to address their plight, secure the Lumad's ancestral lands against big foreign mining companies, disband the paramilitary units and withdraw the Philippine Army units in order to put an end to widespread militarization of civilian communities.

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44 NPA Pampanga rebels surrender

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – At least 44 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, including a woman, who have surrendered to the Philippine Army were received by the provincial government of Pampanga Tuesday.

Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda welcomed the rebel-returnees after the flag-raising ceremony and gave assurance they would be provided livelihood opportunities.

       Chief Supt. Aaron Aquino, Central Luzon police acting director, said the rebels, who are residents of Sta. Ana town, also surrendered their firearms.

The surrender is another accomplishment for the Northern Luzon Command after another group of 69 rebels pledged allegiance to the government in Lubuagan, Kalinga on July 6. – RicSapnu

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Baguilat warns vs scrapping Bottom Up Budget program

By Aiza Namingit 

LAGAWE, Ifugao -- Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat has urged Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno to hold off on his plan to altogether scrap the Bottom Up Budgeting program and instead subject it to a thorough review as it has significantly benefited rural communities in the Philippines.

“I would like to appeal to President Duterte and Secretary Diokno to not scrap the program. It would be more prudent to review its successes and failure and see how it can be improved,” said Baguilat, a member of the Liberal Party.

He said that the BUB program put in place by the Aquino administration was “exemplary” because of its approach to local planning.

Through the program, civil society organizations as well as community leaders and elected local government officials worked together to identify anti-poverty programs that would then be included in the national budget.

This program not only helped make sure that the projects will indeed help the community, it also improved community relations and strengthened collaboration among different sectors.

 “Before the BUB program was put in place, it was just the local politicians who did the planning of local budgets. Now the CSOs and other sectors have a voice in deciding what poverty alleviation programs will get priority,” Baguilat said.

“In Ifugao, the leaders were not from the same political party. The mayors belonged to different groups but they and their communities and stakeholders were all beneficiaries of the BUB program. That is why it will be a shame if the BUB program will be scrapped just like that,” he added.

Baguilat shared the sentiment expressed by the Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO), the country’s largest group of NGOs, which also requested Secretary Diokno to reconsider his decision to stop the BUB program.

“Bottom Up Budgeting (BUB) enabled local civil society organizations (CSOs) and local government officials to jointly identify priority anti-poverty projects which would then be included in the budget of the national government agencies.  BUB is important because it promoted people’s participation and LGU-CSO partnerships, and allowed those on the ground in the fight against poverty to input into the national government budgeting process”, explained SixtoDonatoMacasaet, Executive Director of CODE-NGO, in the statement.

Under the BUB, each municipality and city is allocated at least P15 million a year for priority anti-poverty projects in their area.  These projects are identified by a Local Poverty Reduction Action Team (LPRAT), half of the members of which comes from local government officials and the other half comes from local CSOs. 

The local CSOs are elected by an annual assembly of CSOs active in the municipality/city.

Baguilat said that with the institutionalization or strengthening of the BUB, the local communities would even be better prepared for a federal government, which is one of the thrusts of the Duterte administration.

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CPP slams China, US over arbitration ruling

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Wednesday denounced Chinese and US governments for stepping up the rhetoric at the heels of the ruling released by the Permanent Court of Arbitration concerning the marine dispute over the marine features and resources of the South China Sea.

"The stepped up rhetoric of China and show of complete disregard over the ruling of the international tribunal does not help ease the tension nor pave the way for a peaceful settlement of the disputes," said the CPP, reacting to statements by China which dismissed the ruling as a "mere scrap of paper."

Both the Philippines and China are signatories to the UN Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS). China, however, did not participate and refused to recognize the proceedings of the arbitration tribunal which deliberated on the complaints filed by the Philippines in 2013.

The Tribunal released its rulings last July 12 which among others found the "9-dash" claims of China as having no historical nor legal leg to stand on.

"China must cast away its belligerence which unnecessarily aggravates the Filipino people," the CPP advised. "The least China could do is to show magnanimity of a superpower by putting a stop to its sea patrols in the Scarborough Shoals (Bajo de Masinloc) where Filipino and Chinese fishermen have long shared in the resources of the sea."

Among many rulings, the arbitral tribunal found that Filipino fishermen have traditional fishing rights over the Scarborough Shoals as much as the Chinese fishermen have.

It found that China breached its obligations under the UNCLOS by operating its law enforcement vehicles in a dangerous manner causing serious risk of collision with Philippine vessels.

"China must stop antagonizing the Filipino people," said the CPP. "It must seek the alliance of and support of the Filipino people in order to build amity on the basis of economic cooperation and mutual help, as well as putting a stop to threats to peace and stability in the region by the incessant build-up and display of military strength."

"From China's point-of-view, it make more strategic sense for them to seek the friendship of the Filipino people in the hope of building a more formidable front against US militarism and hegemonism."

"US strategic military build-up under the Asia Pivot is an attempt to contain China's growth as an economic and military power and aims to establish control over the South China Sea trading route."

"China's show of belligerence tend to isolate itself as an international castaway which the US wish to take advantage in order to justify its intervention in the name of enforcement of international conventions," said the CPP.

The CPP denounces proposals put forward before the US senate by war mongerers to further extend its military force in the South China Sea supposedly to enforce the ruling of the arbitration tribunal.

"Such proposals for US military action is out-and-out interference and a slap on the face of the Philippines which has earlier declared its intention to pursue peaceful bilateral negotiations to settle the disputes with China," said the CPP.

The CPP reiterated its call on the Duterte regime to take the ruling of the arbitral tribunal and use it to push for the demilitarization of the South China Sea. Having won the cases, the Philippines must assert its sovereignty and rights and demand both the US and Chinese military to withdraw its forces and vessels in the South China Sea.

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French expat shows way to manage world-class farm

AGGIE UPDATES

Laycha K. Marra and Alpine L. Killa

TADIAN, Mountain Province- “Good morning, welcome to Layog Country Farm,!” the owner greets us sweetly as she offers a cup of fresh lemon grass tea and makes every visitor feels welcome.

Members of the Provincial Small Medium Enterprise Development (PSMED) Council visited the farm recently as part of Small and Medium Entrepreneur’s week.

Layog Country farm is owned by Flordelina Layog who prefers to be called Auntie Lina. She shared how the farm came to be and the best practices on their ways in managing the area.

A sociologist by profession, Auntie Lina sold her property in France and invested in the 26-acre land here in Kayan West.  Working abroad was great but the calling to come home couldn’t wait, she came home and founded the farm on May 21, 2013.

Fifty years ago, Auntie Lina’s father had introduced to them the value of the land. Their father believed that the land is a source of life, wherever you may be, one way or another it will provide for you. Instilled in her mind all the memories and advices given by their father, she pursues her dad’s dream. 

Auntie Lina said she decided to put the farm to life again, putting into practice the good agricultural techniques learned from forefathers as best option, but also with infusion of modern sustainable farming technologies and systems.

It was her dream to retain the farm, retain the mountain, and retain the good cultural and sustainable farming practices of our forefathers. “I have my own identity. I am an Igorota. We have lots of practices that are sustainable,” she said. 

For someone who experienced climbing up and going down the mountain carrying harvest agricultural produced to the market since there was no road during their time, Auntie Lina wanted children to be proud of having their parents as farmers. “Farming is a profession itself. I want that locals employed here in the farm to be proud that they are farmers,” she added.

She admitted that opening the farm was not easy. Auntie Lina shared to the group that it was difficult for her to leave the farm while it was starting to operate, but she has no choice because she sometimes has to go back home to France and Norway to visit her children.

Managing the farm to what she refers to as “remote control” or phone call every time she is not around was even harder. Despite this, she did not quit. She believed that no matter how rough the road will be, she will make it.

After all the problems, it does seem all the work Auntie Lina put into farm paid off. Recognized by the International Tourism Organization, the farm accommodates volunteers from the Work- Away Group. These volunteers come from different countries and have different professions. So far, volunteers from 32 countries have stayed and worked at the farm for a week or two at most. There were also those who are from Visayas and Mindanao.

The youngest was a three-year old Chinese volunteer and the oldest was a 62-year old Engineer from Finland. These volunteers were given tasks such as planting fruits, vegetables and flowers, weeding, vermi-culture composting, taking care of the livestock’s, bamboo planting, making patopat and other tasks where they can learn about farming. They work six hours a day and during weekends, they go out and visit other areas or tourist spots they want to see.

Having volunteers from different countries, intercultural exchange is experienced by the local farmers and the volunteers. They learn from each other’s culture, it is more of the volunteers learning the culture of Igorots as farmers, how they live, how they are.

Individuals who are interested to experience farming the Layog way may do so. A registration of Php1, 500 for the one to two (maximum) week stay is needed.  Layog Country Farm has two cottages that can accommodate a total of eight volunteers at the same time.  Each cottage is complete with kitchen, bathroom, and two bedrooms. The bedrooms are to be shared by two person and the cottage has a capacity for four persons. Aside from the board and lodging, food is provided which is usually harvested from the farm produced.

The farm has been accredited as a training site by the Agricultural Training Institute of the Department of Agriculture on January 2016. Recently, it is the first ecology oriented farm to be accredited as a tourist destination in the Cordillera region.

Provincial Director Juliet P. Lucas of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Mountain Province commended the management of the Layog Country Farm for its very fast phase development. 

While things cannot happen overnight, Lucas remarked that developments in the farm is visible such as the inclusion of bamboo propagation, vermi-culture composting, and others. Aside from the farm practicing organic farming; it was also accredited as a training site and an Agri-tourist destination which are manifestations that the “remote control” management of Auntie Lina did help.

For Auntie Lina, farming is a passion. This is the reason that she does not mind flying back and forth from Philippines to oversee her dream farm to visiting her children in Norway and France. As she said, “you cannot delegate the passion to another.”

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NEWS BRIEFS

 3 found dead in Pangasinan

DAGUPAN CITY – Three persons were found dead in Pangasinan on Tuesday night.

         The bodies of the unidentified victims were dumped along the road in the boundary of Lucao and Binmaley towns, said Supt. Cristopher Abrahano, Dagupan City police chief.

Also on Tuesday night, an 18-year-old student identified as Julius Rabena was shot dead by unidentified men along the Tebeng-PNR Road in Barangay Caranglaan in this city. – Eva Visperas

CCTV cameras installed  in Kalinga’s main road     
TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The city-government installed closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras along the provincial road leading to the city proper to lessen crime and enhance traffic management.

City Public Order and Safety Officer Dionisio Falgui said 15 CCTV units were installed at strategic points of the 7-km road to help in solution of cases, mostly traffic-related, that usually occur in the area. 

The CCTVs are operational under two centralized monitoring stations at the police provincial command and city POSO.

Falgui disclosed that the city government approved additional fund for the extension of the project to cover the entire stretch of the road up to the farthest barangay in Balong.

He also revealed plan to install CCTV cameras near schools.

Police intelligence reports indicated that drug pushers were targeting schools in their illegal trade.

Other sites in the city earlier installed with CCTVs include public markets, landmarks, PNP compact posts, city hall compound and other crowded areas. 

In a related report, the provincial government recently held the blessing of the four-lane improvement project of the provincial road.  

Funds used for the project constructed in phases came from the province’s cash incentives on the Seal of Good Local Governance Award from the Department of Interior and Local Government for three years. -- Larry T. Lopez

Cagayan councilman stabs soldier dead

TUGUEGARAO CITY– A village councilman was arrested after he reportedly stabbed dead an Army sergeant in Tuao, Cagayan last week. Roderick Balurin was reportedly under the influence of liquor when he killed Sgt. Bobby Castro in Barangay Pata.

Chief Inspector Danilo Abalos said Balurin tried to escape, but was arrested in a follow up operation hours after the incident. -- RaymundCatindig

Kibungan passes gender equality ordinance

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet– Seeing need to ensure that both men and women will equally enjoy  economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights at the local level, officials of this town passed Gender and Development (GAD) Code.

Authored by Councilor Octavio Placido and coauthored by all members of the council, Municipal Ordinance No. 65 series 2016 known as the GAD Code of Kibungan was favorably reviewed by members of the provincial board.

Officials said they believe it is only by addressing the needs of men, women as well as their children, elderly, differently-abled persons and the indigenous people or being gender-sensitive that the quality of life will be improved and fully enjoyed.

The Code paves the way for a policy direction which accordingly will heighten advocacy in mainstreaming gender concerns in various sectors. 

It will also sustain LGU commitment in extending assistance to personal or social development of concerned sectors and to empower women in balancing their involvement in decision and policy making posts in the locality.

One of the provisions of the Code is the establishment of GAD programs incorporating benchmarking and gender studies with allocation of funds, budget for basic social services, community-based environment plans and programs, monitoring of the implementation of laws, policies on women and children, trainings and livelihood opportunities.

        The enactment of the code will ultimately aid in the formulation of programs and strategies at the local level. -- Susan C. Aro

NEA allots P7M for Tinglayan’s power lines  

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The Kalinga-Apayao Electric Coop. (KAELCO) is constructing a three-phase power lines to the municipality of Tinglayan.

Corazon Tomas, KAELCO general manager, said P7 million was allotted by the National Electrification Administration for the project which is targeted for completion this year.

Tinglayan is currently being serviced by the Mountain Province Electric Cooperative.

The project is a 13.2kVA power line that has larger load   for bigger user or number of consumers and has limited occurrence of brown out since it can withstand current disruptors unlike a single phase power lines that brings brown out at the touch of vegetation or flying objects.

Tomas said electric lines start at neighboring Lubuagan municipality.  In the process, Barangay Manangol in Lubuagan will also have power since the lines pass through that route.

With this development, the province is nearing complete energization. -- Peter A. Balocnit

Three scenic caves in Abra proposed eco-tourism sites

LAGAYAN, Abra -- Three caves in this town are being proposed as eco-tourism sites.

These caves are Kimmampana (bell-shaped), Simmimbaan (church-shaped) and Kimmatre (bed-shaped), all located at Mt. Gaco here.

Consultation took place among local government unit of Lagayan, Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and stakeholders on proposed declaration of Mt. Gaco as protected landscape area and three caves as eco-tourism sites last June 16, 2016 at La Paz-Lagayan Parish.

Genesis Quiblado, NCIP legal officer, said since Lagayan is an ancestral domain composed of 100 percent indigenous people (IP), NCIP will be taking close monitoring of said project and will ensure elders and stakeholders approve the project.

Leonidas Seares, IP representative in Lagayan, cited support to accomplishment of the proposed project in behalf of LGU and stakeholders.

Engineer Ernesto Aton, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer also assured full support in this endeavor so that not only people in said locality will prosper but protection of the environment will be heightened, too.

Meanwhile, Dr. Maria Teresa B. Beñas of Philippine Information Agency AbraInfocen, a member of Protected Area Management Board, said  there are many things and preparations to consider before implementation of projects as tourist attraction such as concreting of roads going to the caves, establishment of inns or log cabins for tourists, socio-economic preparations, physical amenities like public toilets and security.

Beñas reminded locals to take good care of their environment.  Do not exploit it, she said. -- Ginalyn B. Brioso

 Kalinga cops distribute free school supplies to  pupils

TABUK CITY, Kalinga --- One hundred seven pupils of the Gawidan Elementary School (GES) in Barangay Bagumbayan, this city, benefit from an out of camp outreach mission of the Kalinga Provincial Public Safety Company (KPPSC) today.

The “Blessing Ko, Share Ko” good practice of KPPSC and pet project of the Company Advisory Council (CAC) made 107 school children happy with school supplies given them out of voluntary contributions from personnel of said unit.

P/Supt. Jomarick Felina, KPPSC Company commander, said his company collected an amount each from the 14th month pay of the police force which was spent to buy assorted school supplies like writing pad, pencil, ballpen and colors.

“We will conduct another gift giving like this if we all share again and collect sufficient amount from our blessings,” Felina said quoting  a Bible verse: Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion for God loves a cheerful giver (Psalm 9:7)”.

Before the gift-giving, a safety drill was conducted with demonstrations by the police on basic safety measures during an earthquake.

Mario Garcia, dean of the Kalinga State University Criminology department and member of CAC, also gave an inspirational message.

GES Principal Mark Malamnao extended the school’s gratitude to the police and CAC.  “This is the first gift giving we had and we are very thankful that we are selected as recipient school,” he said. -- Peter A. Balocnit

Cash, health benefits for  elderly proposed

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- A proposed ordinance  granting  cash incentives  and health benefits  for senior citizens 80 year old and above is awaiting approval by  the Provincial Board.  

Scheduled for third reading, the measure entitled ‘Octogenarian, Nonagenarian and Centenarian Ordinance’  or  “recognizing, granting cash incentive and providing benefits and privileges to actual residents of the province” was  authored by Board Member Robert Namoro.

The measure provides financial benefits to senior citizens in recognition of their vital roles and contribution to the development of the province. They will be granted cash incentives and be accorded medical benefits.

The benefits: octogenarians (80 to 89 years old), P3, 000 cash; nanogenarians (90-99), P5, 000 cash and centenarians (100 and above), P10, 000. Each recipient will be awarded only once in the respective category but octogenarians and nanogenarians are qualified to receive a centenarian award once they reach 100 years old. They will also receive plaques of recognition which will only be given once.

Apart from the cash award, they are entitled to register for medical check-up in any medical health facility owned and operated by the provincial government. -- Susan C. Aro

 NFA calls on LGUs to ink MOA for rice during disasters 
TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The National Food Authority provincial station urged   incoming  local chief executives to sign memorandum of agreement with NFA on allocation of rice stocks during disasters.

This is to ensure the availability of rice supply in case of emergency or disaster.

NFA-Kalinga Manager Miguel Pecson explained that under the MOA, NFA can readily release rice to requesting local government (LGUs) for distribution to families affected by natural calamities.

LGUs can request for a stand-by rice buffer from NFA for ready supply of food in their areas in times of typhoons and other disasters.

The MOA allows recipient LGUs to pay the “rice loan” later when situation gets normal in the aftermath of the calamity, Pecson informed.

The move is part of the concerted disaster preparedness efforts of the province with the forecast on super-typhoons brought by the La Nina this rainy season.

In cases when far-flung barangays get isolated, local disaster councils have stand-by food to be distributed before aid from outside sources would arrive, Pecson stressed. 

It was noted that food aid usually is the initial and prime relief delivered to victims at the height of calamities in various parts of the province.

Meanwhile, Pecson reported their present inventory of 17,000 bags of rice and 13,000 bags of ready-to-mill palay, which he sees are sufficient for the coming typhoon months. -- Larry T. Lopez

   

DFA-Baguio sets online passport application system

BAGUIO CITY -- The Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of Consular Affairs has launched its Online Passport Application, to make passport application easier with appointment system.

The DFA Regional Consular Office in Baguio City started  Online Passport Application and Appointment System.

The application process was made easy in just three steps: provide personal information and contact details, choose a schedule – select where you intend to file an application and choose your preferred date for personal appearance and personal appearance

For scheduling and filing of online application, applicants can visit this website – https://www.passport.GOV.ph.

Applicants may choose to schedule individually or as a group and may also wish to resume a previously filled-up and saved application. A valid and working email address is also required to receive system-generated messages with file attachments.

The DFA reminds its applicants to be careful in filling up the Passport Appointment Application to ensure all entries provided are true and correct. Any error committed in the online form may result in delay in the application and any misrepresentation of information may be considered as ground for refusal or cancellation of the application.  All requirements necessary to the application should be ready and complete on the scheduled date.

Non-appearance on scheduled date of appointment will result in a “Time Penalty” or a 30-day ban.

According to the DFA, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women and minor children 7 years old and below are excluded from the appointment system.

The passport application of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) may also be accommodated without a scheduled appointment by presenting a valid employment contract and other supporting documents as may be necessary.

Those applying for the replacement of their lost valid passport may also proceed directly at the Information Desk without an appointment. There will be an initial 15-day clearing period prior to the processing of application for replacement of a lost valid passport.

For further concerns and inquiries, you may reach DFA RCO Baguio at telephone nos. (074) 422 1465 or (074) 442 2258. You may also visit the DFA website for the latest updates and announcements at dfabaguio.wordpress.com. -- DFA

NTA ready to lend palay loans to tobacco farmers           

BANGUED, Abra -- The National Tobacco Administration (NTA) is set to grant production loans for palay cultivation to Abra tobacco farmers.

NTA-Abra branch manager Esmeralda Gaerlan-Valera said while the NTA’s mandate is to help tobacco farmers, it recognizes the need to sustain their other economic activities hence the assistance in their palay production so they may have food supply when the tobacco season is over.

Valera said loans for palay cultivation will be given to the same tobacco farmer-cooperators whom they have been serving in terms of tobacco production loans and technical assistance.

 Meanwhile, the implementation of the college scholarship program of the NTA is stalled pending clarification from Central Office since the completers of the Junior High cannot go to college directly because of the K-12 curriculum of the Department of Education which requires two years   senior high school first entering college. -- Maria Teresa B. Benas

        

DPWH to cement 11 farm roads in Abra            

BANGUED, Abra -- Funds for the concreting of 11  farm-to-market roads have been released to the Department of Public Works and Highways during the first quarter of this year and will now  be implemented  with the lifting of  election ban.

District Engineer Loreto Dacoroon explained the implementation of the said projects was stalled as it was covered by the  election ban relative to the May 9, 2016 National and Local Elections.

One of the prohibited acts   from March 25 to June 8, 2016 is the construction of public works and delivery of materials for public works.

Dacoroon said bidding process for the 11 FMRs are now being prepared.

The 11 FMRs: 1-km Calaba South FMR with project cost of P10 million;  BangbangarinBangued- P5M;  Carcariskis-Caupasan in Danglas-  P5M; the Las-ud to Tayawa Road in Barangay Buli, La Paz- P5M; Dugong-Quimloong-Abang in Bucay-P5M;  Lagaosian-Callao in Villaviciosa-P10M; Balaoang-Poblacion FMR in Lacub - P5M;  Basar-Sallapadan Barrio in Sallapadan-P5M; Cautit-Mongoc FMR  and Arab-Nagliksaban FMR, both in Pidigan, funded with P5M each; and the Bituen-Abobotoc  FMR in Licuan-Baay- P7M.

Dacoroon said funds for the 11 farm-to-market roads with a total length of 6.7 kilometers and with total funds of P67M came from Dept. of Agriculture. -- Maria Teresa B. Benas

Kapangan LGU to create PWD Affairs Office

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Town officials passed a measure for the establishment of Persons with Disability Affairs Section through Ordinance No. 101 Series 2016 authored by councilor WartonComila.

The PDAS will be under the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office which will implement Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, Accessibility Law and other related PWD laws.

In sustaining the welfare and promotion of PWDs, the office will serve as a structural organization tasked to do monitor and evaluation, data gathering, needs assessment, planning, establishment of production center, creation of job opportunities and advocacy services.

It is expected that the MSWD will appropriate and allocate funds for the PWD Affairs Office which will be manned by a personnel to be appointed by the LGU.

The measure is anchored on the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons   which directs national and local government agencies to implement programs and services which ensure full participation of PWDs in all aspects of community life.--Susan C. Aro

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Dagupan kids choir wins int’l song fest in Malaysia

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan — The BalonDagupan Children’s Choir (BDCC) won the Malaysia International Children Choral Festival 2016, besting 15 other contenders from different countries in a competition held last Saturday at the Shah Alam Theatre in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.

BDCC received the Gold A Grade Award, the highest recognition being given to a choral group for outstanding performance; the Shah Alam Mayor Award for being the overall champion; and the Most Promising Choir (Overseas) Award, in their rendition of the “O Sanctissima” and “Orde E”, their two winning pieces in the competition.

With the theme “Binding Culture through Music”, 15 choral groups from the countries of Vietnam, India, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, represented by BDCC, joined the international choral festival.

        Dagupeños immediately extended their congratulations to the BDCC while billboards announcing the choir’s success in the international song fest have been put up in the city.

Mayor Belen Fernandez, who organized the choir, thanked Professor Adolfo Mendoza and his wife, Virginia Llamas-Mendoza, for their patience, love and dedication in teaching the children. – JojoRinoza

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Art, historical events mark Tanabata Festival in Baguio

By Gemma Estolas    

BAGUIO CITY – The “-7th Baguio Tanabata Festival 2016”  is on here  with the theme “Dream of Date Masumane: Galleon San Juan Bautista to the Sea of Tanabata.”

Tanabata,  now on its  7th year,  is sponsored by the City of Baguio, the  Embassy of Japan, the Japan Foundation, Manila, the  JICA Philippines Office,  the Japanese Association in Northern Luzon (JANL), the Filipino-Japanese Foundation of Northern Luzon (Abong), the FDCP-Baguio Cinematheque, the Baguio City National High School, Tourism Division  Miyagi Prefecture Government , the Miyagi San Juan Bautista Museum, the Sendai Tanabata Festival Support Association, All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd.,  the universities in  Baguio City and La Trinidad: Saint Louis University, University of the Cordilleras, University of Baguio, University of the Philippines, Benguet State University  and  the Baguio Museum Inc.

The two and a half month  event started with a poster design contest by the Bag-iw Art Society. Happening for the first time in Baguio this year is the “EIGASAI – Japanese Film Festival.”  

A press conference and  special screening of “Crossroads” at the FDCP Cinematheque Baguio at Vallejo Hotel  was held July 21, ahead of the EIGASAI Opening Night on August 11at SM City Baguio Cinema. 

The film screenings at SM City Baguio Cinema continue until August 14(Sunday),  screening eight contemporary Japanese films.  EIGASAI then moves to FDCP Cinematheque where two films are screened on August 15(Monday).

On July 23, there will be a celebration of  “Philippine- Japan Friendship Day” at the Japanese Garden by Abong.  July 23 to 24 (Saturday-Sunday) will be devoted to Tanabata Decoration Workshops 1 to 3 at the Abong Hall. All workshop sessions are “free and open to the public.”

At the Baguio Museum, three exhibits will be opened on August 6, 2016 (Saturday): 1.) the 7th Baguio Tanabata Festival 2016 with theme: “Dream of Date Masumane:Galleon San Juan Bautista to the Sea of Tanabata”, 2.) “Building  Tomorrow” and 3.) “Sendai Tanabata, Date’s Keicho Envoy Mission, Four Seasons in Miyagi” Poster Exhibit.

The 5th year event of “CosplayTanabata 5”  will be held at the Baguio City National High School by the Cosplay Community. It’s a “fun filled day” so be sure to go and attend.

This year’s” 7th Tanabata Festival” is to commemorate the 60th year of Philippines-Japan Friendship,  the 400 years since Date Masumane’s envoy Keicho Mission by Galleon San Juan Bautista to the Vatican  and Spain,  and five (5) years of CosplayTanabata Festival.  Baguio Tanabata  is patterned after the biggest and most famous Sendai Tanabata Festival in the Miyagi Prefecture of Japan,  inspired by the warrior Date Masamune..  According to history, MasamuneDate(1567-1636) was one of the most strong daimyo, feudal lord, in Tohoku region and the founder of the modern-day city of Sendai.

It is also said that he was a patron of culture and Christianity, and even today Date  is one of the most be-loved samurai in Japan. The theme is inspired by the Keicho Mission. 400 years ago, Date Masumane sent HasekuraTsunenaga on a mission to the Vatican and Spain, accompanied by Franciscan Missionary Luis Sotelo,  to negotiate direct trade with Spain, in exchange for allowing Christian missionaries into the Sendai feudal domain.

San Juan Bautista was a wooden European style sailing ship built in Sendai and the mission was called ‘Keicho Mission’.

This great San  Juan Bautista sailing ship  transported 180 people from the Japanese diplomatic  mission. It was later bought by the Spanish government in Manila, where Hasekura stayed about two years..

The Sendai Tanabata Festival attracts 2 million tourists a year during the three-day festival in August. Visitors and communities come from different parts of Japan to participate  in various  activities like parades, lantern and streamer decorations.

“Tanabata”  means evening of the seventh. The celebrations in Japan happen during the 7th day of the 7th month, which according to the Gregorian calendar falls in August. Streets are decorated with  bamboo installations consisting  of  small and big bamboos where one is able to hang their wishes and origami decorations.The hanging of wishes is inspired by the love story of Orihime (a weaving princess) and Hikoboshi ( a cow herder). Legend says that the lovers were separated by Tentei (the Sky King) across the milky way (Amanogawa) when they failed to meet their responsibilities after marriage. 

According to Hidenobu  Oguni, president of the JANL and  the overall coordinator of the Tanabata Festivals in Baguio,  which  started in  2010. 

Tanabata  is now on its 7th year, Tanabata also the celebrates Philippines-Japan Friendship month and continuous to be supported by other organizations in Baguio City like:   the Bag-iw Art Society, the UP Anime_HQ,  the UP SVA, the Cordillera Green Network , the NPO Salubong-Tokyo, R.K.Shimizu(Nagasaki) Foundation, Shimizi and Co Ltd, Pro Tech Machinery Corporation, Amida Software Asia, Inc, Tokyo Rinkai Rotary Club, Sakura Terras Japanese Restaurant, the Blue Files Language and Training Center, the Baguio Pines Lions Club,  Globe Telecom and Chaya Contemporary Japanese Cuisine.

For more information, please contact Hidenobu Oguni, president of  JANL -  coordinator of Tanabata Festival 2016 at 0910 411 3306 and Ms. Gemma Estolas, Museum assistant curator,  Baguio Museum at 074-444-7451.

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Politicians’ relatives can’t run in SK polls

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