NUPL takes ‘Oust Duterte’ matrix to SC

EDITORIAL

The National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) has taken the issue of the alleged “oust-Duterte” matrix to the Supreme Court to justify its plea for protection from alleged harassment by government forces.

In a manifestation filed by mail late Wednesday, the group cited its inclusion in the Association between Bikoy and Ellen Tordesillas which shows the names of organizations, journalists and lawyers said to be involved in the black propaganda against President Rodrigo Duterte by publishing and distributing online videos which contain the alleged involvement of the Duterte family in the narcotics trade.

The petition was filed following the release of the matrix last Monday tagging the group in the alleged destabilization plot against the Duterte government.

The group told the Supreme Court in its pleading that the “baseless and reckless” claim against their group and others named in the matrix is proof of intimidation and harassment.

“These malicious statements and dangerous claims, as well as the contrived matrix above, baseless and reckless as they are, compel the petitioners to again seek this time for the Honorable Court’s protection and reiterate their prayer for a temporary protection order,” the group said.

“Petitioners simply chose to practice the ideals of the legal profession by rendering services to the underprivileged as mandated by our oath and by legal, constitutional and international principles,” it added.

The matrix shows the supposed links between NUPL, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), Vera Files, Rappler and other media groups and personalities. The groups were also accused of distributing the “Totoong Narco list” videos.

The lawyers’ group earlier sought protection from the High Tribunal through the issuance of a writ of amparo and writ of habeas data.

The group claims that the military harassed their members after they were accused of being part of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army.

In its SC manifestation, the NUPL named as respondents Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Maj. Gen. Antonio Parlade, President Rodrigo Duterte, National Security Adviser and National Security Council Director Hermogenes Esperon, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, AFP Chief Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, deputy commander for intelligence Brig. Gen. Fernando Trinidad, Intelligence service chief Maj. Gen. Erwin Bernard Neri and Philippine Army commanding General Lt. Gen. Macairog Alberto. 

The State is supposed to protect its people – not harass or coerce them particularly progressive groups who are only out to do their jobs or advocacies to prevent excesses of government.     

Read more...

Garbage woes

BEHIND THE SCENES

Alfred P. Dizon

Credit it to President Duterte, now the Canadian government is listening to complaints regarding the tons of garbage a Canadian company dumped on this blighted republic.

Last week, Duterte made threats of going to war against Canada concerning an issue that’s been plaguing the Philippines since 2013 —2,500 tons of trash dumped by the company at a port near Manila.

The feisty President, grown tired of the complaints against the trash may have been joking, but then, it’s hard nowadays to know if what he is saying is serious or not.

Even then, according to reports, in 2013 and 2014, more than 100 shipping containers were sent to the port, labelled as plastics meant for recycling.

But after an investigation by Filipino customs officials, the containers were found to hold garbage with items like dirty diapers and spoiled foodstuffs.

***

The rotting Canadian trash is a well-known issue in the Philippines and has led to protests in the country, with activists pleading with Prime Minister Trudeau to finally take out the garbage.

Reports said in January, the EcoWaste Coalition wrote a letter to Trudeau asking him to address the trash, as he had previously promised to get rid of it in 2017.

The letter noted that South Korea took back 50 containers of garbage that were dumped by accident in 2018.

“The stark contrast between South Korea’s actions and Canada’s indifference to its dumped waste has captured public attention and stoked anger at what is viewed as both disrespectful and illegal conduct by Canada,” the letter stated.

In 2014, the Filipino government suggested the Basel Convention, which prevents developed countries from shipping waste to developing nations, could be used to send the containers back to Canada.

***

While on a visit to Manila in 2015, Trudeau was asked about the situation and he said a “solution” was in the works.

Ottawa has been trying for years to convince the country to dispose of the garbage in the Philippines, to no avail. A Filipino court ruled in 2016 that the trash must be returned to Canada, creating a standoff.

What happened last week? The garbage issue found a larger international profile after Duterte made comments about the trash that captured global attention.

"I'll give a warning to Canada maybe next week that they better pull that thing out or I will set sail," said Duterte in a video broadcast through his office.

"I will declare war against them. I will advise Canada that your garbage is on the way. Prepare a grand reception. Eat it if you want to. Your garbage is coming home,” he said.

***

Within 48 hours, reports said, Environmental Minister Catherine McKenna announced that in the coming weeks, the government will be looking for a solution to finally get rid of the tons of garbage.

McKenna said threats from Duterte don’t help the situation. "We also need to do this in a positive way. That's certainly the way we're going forward. It has been a file that's been going for a while. We're very close to finding a solution,” she said to media.

It’s unclear what a real solution will look like, but the profile of the issue has certainly been raised due to Duterte’s threats of war over the trash.

The President had shown political will when he closed Boracay Island after saying it had become a “cesspool.” The government is also now cleaning up Manila Bay. Let’s see what will happen to the Canadian trash.

***

In the local front, it seems government units under this administration have started programs to clean the environment and dispose of trash properly.

Closer to home, the Balili River which traverses Baguio City going to La Trinidad had really not been cleaned even with several clean-up activities and government funds allotted for the purpose.

It is still polluted with trash and the water is still dirty. As pundits say, cleaning up the river is easy if people take to heart their share of making it pristine where marine life could thrive.

They say the drive should start from homes of both localities. Sewer lines should be fixed so that these would not go directly to the river and garbage should not be thrown into the river. The slaughter area along Magsaysay Road in Baguio is a main contributor to the river’s pollution, residents say.

Among Baguio and La Trinidad candidates for the coming May polls, who are talking about addressing the problem that is Balili River among other problems on trash?

Read more...

How dangerous is the Philippines?

PERRYSCOPE

Perry Diaz

A global study conducted by Global Finance Magazine (GFM) placed the Philippines as the world’s “Most Dangerous Country.” GFM’s explanation why the Philippines is more dangerous than Yemen and 126 other countries is: “The safety score for countries equally weighs each of the three factors: (1) War and Peace, (2) Crime Risk, and (3) Natural Disaster Risk. The safety score aggregates the indices from these three risks, thus presenting a comprehensive view of safety for each country.”

GFM further explained: “This also means that a high level of risk in one factor will have limited effect on the country’s overall ranking. For example, the Philippines is ranked least safe while Yemen is ranked second least safe. This can be attributed to the fact that the Philippines has poor scores in peace, security, and prevalence of natural disasters. Yemen’s terrible score is due to war and famine but the country has a very low risk of natural disaster. Thus, the Philippines ranks lower than Yemen even though Yemen is a war zone.”

GFM said its Safety Index Score (SIS) used data from the World Economic Forum and the Global Institute for Peace to create the list. The SIS study covers 128 countries or over 99.7% of the world’s population and are assessed using 23 indicators.

Countries that hardly have any natural disaster — such as Iceland — would be low on the SIS list. On the other hand, countries that have a high risk of natural disasters – such as the Philippines — would be high on the SIS list.

Global Peace Index

But another study conducted by the Global Peace Index (GPI), which is produced by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), showed the Philippines as “Dangerous” but not the “Most Dangerous.”

GPI measures “global peace” using three broad themes: (1) The level of safety and security in society, (2) The extent of domestic and international conflict, and (3) The degree of militarization. Unlike the SIS, the GPI doesn’t include “Natural Disaster Risk” as a factor, which made a big difference in the case of the Philippines because of the tropical storms that left in their wake a devastated country. And this may have made a big difference in weighing the “safety” of the Philippines within the SIS and GPI studies.

The following are the highlights of the 2018 GPI list:

1. Countries that are engaged in wars or civil wars were high on the GPI list, which placed Syria as the “Most Dangerous Country” for the third consecutive year.

2. The Philippines is 27th on the GPI list. She is preceded by more dangerous countries Eritrea, Ethiopia, Mexico, Palestine, and Egypt. She is followed by less dangerous countries India, Chad, Burundi, Cameroon, and Azerbaijan.

3. On the other end of the GPI scale, the most peaceful countries were Iceland, New Zealand, Austria, Portugal, Denmark, and Canada. Iceland has been ranked as the world’s “Most Peaceful” country every year since 2008.

Natural Disasters

When the Global Finance Magazine report came out, Filipinos in social media were outraged. Many of them claimed that the study was “fake news.” They said that it was a “hit piece” meant to disparage the Philippines and her leaders.

This writer believes that “War and Peace” and “Crime” can be prevented or controlled by man, while “Natural Disasters” cannot be prevented or controlled by human intervention. Natural disasters are limited to a smaller number of countries mostly in Asia.

It is unfair to Asian countries while it gives advantage to countries that don’t have high or no occurrences of natural disasters such as Middle Eastern and African countries. Therefore, “Natural Disaster Risk” shouldn’t be used to measure “safety.”

Take for instance the Pacific Ring of Fire. According to Wikipedia, it is a major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean, where many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. It has 452 volcanoes (more than 75% of the world’s active and dormant volcanoes). All but three of the world’s 25 largest volcanic eruptions of the last 11,700 years occurred at volcanoes in the Pacific Ring of Fire.

A volcanic eruption could cause a huge tidal wave called tsunami. The two tsunamis that occurred in the Aceh region in Indonesia in the past decade caused massive destruction and deaths. Tsunami occurs frequently in Japan. Tsunamis and volcanic eruptions cannot be controlled or prevented.
Another type of natural disaster is tropical storm, which originates from the Pacific Ocean and moves westward towards Eastern Philippines and eventually hits East Asia and Southeast Asia. Tropical storms hit the Philippines at least 20 times a year of which five to eight would wreak havoc to almost all the regions in the country.

To factor Natural Disaster Risk into the Safety Index Score is therefore unfair to countries that are vulnerable to earthquakes, tropical storms, and tsunamis.

If Global Finance Magazine fails to remove “Natural Disaster Risk” from the criteria used in the Safety Index Score, countries around the Pacific Ring of Fire would be at a disadvantage and their Safety Index Score would continually rate them as more dangerous than countries that have lesser Natural Disaster Risk or none at all.

Illegal drugs

In the case of Global Peace Index published by the Institute for Economics & Peace, this writer believes that the factors used in the study were fair and objective. In the case of the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration could improve the safety of the citizens from criminal elements. But as it turned out, extrajudicial killings (EJKs) perpetrated by criminal elements have become the number one threat to the safety of the citizens.

While EJKs were intended to reduce the number of drug pushers and users, recent police data showed that they have increased, which makes one wonder if EJK is effective in stopping drug smuggling and trafficking?

The Duterte administration should go after the drug smugglers and traffickers, not their victims. Rid the Philippines of predatory drug traffickers and you’d see a rapid decline in the use of illegal drugs, which is the most dangerous threat to the safety of Filipinos.

This writer therefore recommends that “Illegal Drug Risk” replace “Natural Disaster Risk” in the GFM’s Safety Index Score. We can then say that the Safety Index Score truly reflects a “comprehensive view of safety for each country.” And at that time, we can then ask: How dangerous is the Philippines?

Read more...

NO to Corruption, Change is Coming - Col. ALLEN S OCDEN

Congressional candidate to the lone district of Mountain Province Col ALLEN SUMEG-ANG OCDEN, 52  wants to institute change in  Mountain Province with his battle campaign ‘No to Corruption’.

Former Provincial Director Police Supt Col Allen Ocden of the Philippine National Police- Mountain Province goes for clean governance which means the eradication of the notorious and  unpopular  ‘60-40’  scheme in  infrastructure project implementation.

The “60-40” scheme is perceived to have been led by corrupt politicians who had long entrenched themselves in their political career some of whom had been charged for violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practises Act or RA 3019 before the Office of the Ombudsman and the Sandigan Bayan.

Retired Col Allen Ocden who had long been in investigation and police operations work and known to implement the law says “corruption breeds poverty”. And Mountain Province as one of the 20 poorest provinces of the country, Ocden credits this reputation of the Province to corruption.

Where there is corruption, services shall be denied to the people. Ocden believes where there is no corruption, funds shall flow in owing to the trust and confidence that investors  rely on the government.

“I want to see Mountain Province as an investors hub. Mountain Province with its  rich natural and human resources has the potential for this”, he said. “But the environment should be free of corruption to add to peace and order”, he added.

With investment coming in due to a transparent and peaceful community, infrastructure and livelihood opportunities shall flourish.

Ocden says, “Corruption is the enemy of development and transparency opens the door to trust by allowing everyone to participate in the dialogue for progress. If seated, I will eliminate the disgraceful 60-40 sharing in the implementation of infrastructure projects.

The 40% cost refers to the  ‘SOP’ or ‘commission’ that must be handed to whoever politician is seated for their personal use. Whatever is left for the project cost after taxes are paid must then be stretched by the contractors who are implementing the project thus sacrificing the quality of the project thereby making it substandard.

Ocden said a P100 million road project for example shall be automatically deducted the amount of 40% of the total cost and the 60% going to the winning contractor-bidder. The 40%  includes a 10%  “SOP” handed over by the winning contractor-bidder to a corrupt politician perceived to have facilitated the release of the funds. The 40% includes  the legal 10% “contractor’s profit”.  EVATaxes are included in the 40% deduction.

This leaves only  60% of the total project cost left for implementation. And where an implementing officer may ask for some “SOP” is another deduction from what remains that the  contractor shall implement.

This leaves the construction of substandard projects and the perpetuation of corruption and poverty, Ocden said.

A congressman reportedly has a ‘share’ in the project cost. But he does not even have a hand in the identification and budgeting of an infrastructure project, he  added.

An interview with sub-contractor Roy Matinek from Mountain Province who had been  sub-contracting  infra projects  in Mountain Province for quite some time said, 35% is taken off from  the total project cost  to include the 10% cut given to the contractor to hand over  to the “one above” referring to a top politician. Of the 35%, a 10% contractor’s profit is taken by the winning contractor- bidder.

With the remaining 65%, some amount may be given to an implementing officer. Matinek who has been sub-contracting for some 10 years said, with the remaining 65% of the total project cost, it is  important that the laborers are fully paid, he said. This apart from what he gets from his efforts and the project completed.

And to ensure that  projects are done properly and funds spent well, Ocden encourages  the public to monitor the implementation of projects and file charges against corrupt contractors and public officers.

 “I will create a template of good governance to attract investment for as long as there is investment, jobs shall be created opportunities come in.”

I want to make a difference for Mountain Province, the congressional candidate said.

People from Mountain Province do farming as a major source of livelihood with others in the private sector doing business and few in government service. A number of the population work force have gone as migrant workers to other countries.

I want a corruption-free Mountain Province, he said.

“I need your partnership” Ocden appealed to the people  of Mountain Province, asking for a one term only and if he wins for a  maximum of two terms.

Another of his platform in government is health by enhancing our government hospitals through the allocation of funds as a short term solution and as a long term solution to push for the passing of a house bill resolution transferring the Bontoc provincial hospital to the Department of Health (DOH) to become a regional level hospital.

Ocden believes that with no corruption in government, funds shall be spent to whom  thse are due including health facilities and services. As it is, even an EEG machine is lacking at the Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital.

Ocden traces his humble beginnings having been raised in Bontoc where he finished elementary school at St Vincent’s School and secondary learning at the same Catholic school in 1983. His father Alipio Longay Ocden is from Besao, and mother  Noela  Marie Kiat-ong Sumeg-ang of Bontoc. He is married to Dr Maria Laya from Manila and daughter of former Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Jaime Laya. Dr Maria Laya-Ocden is a very supportive spouse to Col Ocden’s aspirations for Mountain Province.   

He finished Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy at St Louis University in 1997 and eventually graduated Bachelor of Science in Public Safety at the Philippine National Police Academy  (PNPA) in  1993. He followed this up by taking up Masters in Public Administration at the Philippine Christian University in Manila in 2009.

A policemen throughout his career, young Lieutenant Ocden was assigned as Junior and Company Commander of the 1^st Battalion of the PNP Special Action Force  (SAF) Command and was assigned to places in Mindanao and Visayas region.

He was the first to be meritoriously promoted to Police Senior Inspector in their class in just more than year.  He was given to handle the 2^nd Battalion of the PNP SAF as Acting Battalion Commander before he was assigned as Operations Officer of the Regional Intelligence and investigation Division of the National Capital Regional Police office.                    He was assigned as Intelligence Officer in the National Intelligence and Investigation Division of the Narcotics Group now the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency(PDEA) in Manila. He also served as chief of Southern Metro Manila Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG); and Intelligence Officer of the Task Force Anti-Smuggling of the Dept of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

He served as Chief Intelligence Officer of the Task Force Anti-Smuggling of the DILG and Chief Intelligence Officer of the Southern Police District of the National Capital Region PNP.

He was Chief of the District Special Operations Unit of the Eastern Police District National Capital Region office and Chief of  the Anti-Organized Crime Division of the criminal investigation division of camp Crame, Quezon City.

He served as Chief of  the Regional Maritime Unit of Region 3 and Chief of Police of Makati city, Taguig City and Navotas City PNP.

With his exemplary performance in police force, he  garnered  awards Including  Medalya Ng Kasanayan 26 Times, Medal ng Papuri, Medalya Ng Kadakilaan 22 times, Medalya Ng Kagitingan,  Medalya ng Palaban sa Manligalig sa Mindanao, Medalya ng Paglaban sa Manligalig Sa  Visayas,  Medalya ng Sugatang  Manligalig  sa Luzon, and Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting.

Col Ocden bats for No to vote buying saying that selling one’s vote is degrading to one’s soul and being.

In his letter to the people of Mountain Province, Ocden says “it is important to go to the polls and vote for a worthy candidate. We need a leader who not only understands our situation but who will also embrace our concerns when time comes to vote on legislation dealing with the issues we all face.”

“I ask for your partnership”, Ocden appealed to the people of Mountain Province.

“I am fighting for change and I am fighting for us all. The stakes are high for me because I am not running for money or fame. I am running because I believe that we need  a new breed of politician.Someone who will champion the cause of the poor and the neglected”, congressional candidate Col Allen Ocden said.

Read more...

Multi-awarded JUPITER ‘JUP’ DOMINGUEZ for Just and Upright Public service

Multi- awarded candidate for Congressman of the lone district of Mountain Province  Engr JUPITER ‘JUP’ COTO-ONG DOMINGUEZ, 54  holds a track record of a performing executive of Sabangan municipality during his leadership as mayor of the town from 2001-2007.  JUP’s track record is capped with an award as the Most Outstanding Mayor of the Philippines given by the Philippine Senate, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), University of the Philippines (UP) and La Salle in 2006.

Fondly called JUP by his constituents from Sabangan and friends, former Mayor Jupiter Dominguez also served as the president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Mountain Province Chapter from 2004 to 2007.

The two public positions meant responsibility, commitment and reliability to a job and positions he held which in parallel manner meant a responsive and reliable constituents of a collective Sabangan which equally received awards for responsive and exemplary performance.

Awards which talk of exemplary performance that jumpstarts his legislative agenda as Congressman for a Just and Upright Public Service (JUP) on education, health, livelihood, cultural rights, economic livelihood, disaster risk reduction, infrastructure and peace and order. 

 Jupiter Dominguez brought fame to his hometown  with awards from different agencies and institutions in his six years as mayor of  Sabangan. An effective administration responsive to the needs of the e-Sabangan  earned Mayor Jupiter Dominguez a Hall of Fame Award from the DILG-sponsored Awards for Partners in Development  garnering the recognition in 2003, 2004, and 2005. This also catapulted him as the Most Outstanding Public Official of Mountain Province (MP) for 2005, an award given during the Lang-ay Festival in April 2006. Mayor Jupiter Dominguez was the Most Outstanding Public Official of MP for excellence in local governance awarded by the Provincial Government of MP. Jup’s leadership from 2001 to 2007 garnered him other awards as one among 10 outstanding citizens of MP awarded by the Provincial Government of MP during the 2007 Lang-ay Festival. The Technical Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) gave him also the Kabalikat Awardee in 2007.                                                                                 

Not only is JUP technically good as an administrator, he is also good in communicating with people and institutions. The  Baguio Midland Courier cited him as the Most Friendly Mayor of the Cordilleras for year 2004.

These awards talk of an exemplary leader that comes with the full trust and confidence of his own people and his co-workers at the executive and legislative offices of his municipal jurisdiction. Former Mayor Jup Dominguez maintained an exemplary working relationship with the  Sangguniang Bayan in a productive manner and integrity guided by his guidelines on GODSPEED- Good governance, Office administration, Development priorities, Social services, Peace and order, Environmental management and economic Development- of an executive-legislative agenda.

His motto on GODSPEED e-Sabangan executive-legislative agenda refers to a dynamic development roadmap that focuses on strategic leadership, participatory governance and convergence. A guideline which finds a strong and credible basis for his slogan JUP- Just and Upright Public Service- slogan in his legislative agenda in his bid as Congressman for Mountain Province. 

Governance

Governance refers to an executive and legislative agenda, local legislation, transparency, citizen participation, financial accountability, equity, public-private sector and Non Government Organization (NGO) partnership thus a local government-citizen interaction. With good governance, a Code of General Ordinance was enacted and included all existing and relevant administrative and non-revenue ordinances of the municipality. A legislative tracking system was  established that allows users to access available information about the LGU’s legislative process. Along with relevant legislation, an SB Member was recognized under the “Awards for Partners in Development” of the DILG. Sangguniang Bayan member Juliet Palicos was an awardee on Awards for Partners in Development by the DILG  in 2006.

The LGU’s Performance Billboard was also set up which provides information on the LGU’s plans, projects, targets, and accomplishment and LGU activities. A public information desk was in placed at the lobby properly identified and manned eight hours a day to provide information on office operations. Full community participation in local governance as evidenced by civil society representatives in the Local Development Council and other special bodies.

Participatory and consultative approach in formulation of policies and implementation of programs was done where public and private sector are encouraged to work hand in hand with the LGU toward local development. People are urged to be involved in monitoring and evaluation of LGU programs manifested by an effective financial management system transparent to the public including the  Bids and Awards Committee. Besides, the LGU utilizes the equity or counterparting scheme through networking to advance its plans and programs.

With the efficient administration of former Mayor Jup Dominguez, Sabangan was adjudged the Most Outstanding Municipality of MP for Year 2004 and 2005 for excellence in local governance awarded by the Provincial Government of MP.

In 2005, Sabangan was the Cleanest and Greenest Municipality of MP based on the Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran Program of the national government. Sabangan bested other municipalities on its environmental management program awarded by the Provincial Government of MP in 2006.

Sabangan LGU bagged Second Place for the Cleanest and Greenest Municipality of MP for Year 2003 by the Provincial Awards Committee, Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran. Sabangan LGU also got Third Place, Cleanest and Greenest Municipality of MP for Year 2001 by the Provincial Awards Committee of the Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran. Sabangan is an awardee of the Provincial Gawad Saka Awards in 2003 and  Regional Gawad Saka Awards also in  2003. Sabangan got 2nd Place in the  National Level for Gawad Saka in 2003. This meant an exemplary accomplishment of the office of the municipal agriculturist during his leadership as mayor of the town.

In  DILG’s Awards for Partners in Development, Sabangan Municipal Ecological Solid Waste Management Board was awarded for an active and functional board that effectively manages its ten year ecological solid waste management plan in 2006.

Also, barangay Supang of barangay Sabangan was the Most Outstanding Barangay of MP for excellence in local governance in the barangay level given by the Provincial Government of MP in 2006.

The Rural Improvement Club of Maggon, Supang was  awarded the Most Outstanding NGO of MP in 2005 by the Provincial Government.  And in the education sector, Namatec Elementary School, Sabangan was adjudged the  Most Outstanding Elementary School of MP in 2005 awarded by the Provincial Government.

Development Priorities

Developmental priorities refer to planning, flagship programs and impact projects and infrastructure. During his term, only Sabangan has an approved Comprehensive Land Use Plan among the ten municipalities of Mountain Province. Responsive infrastructure were built in support of environmental management, social development, and economic development.

Social services on health and nutrition, education, disaster preparedness, youth and sports development, and civil registration was in place which equally saw concrete services and results.

During his term, access to safe water was 86% in 2001 for total number of households. It increased to 100% in 2005.  Percentage of households with sanitary toilets was 63% in 2001. It grew to 86% in 2005. In 2001, there was one maternal death. In 2005, there was no maternal death. No epidemic or outbreak of disease occurred from 2001 to 2005. The position of Municipal Health Officer was filled up by the LGU in 2004. Total consultations had a dramatic increase from 1,139 in 2001 to 5,795 in 2005.The number of PHIC indigent enrollees being sponsored by the LGU increased from 263 in 2001 to 461 in 2005.

Keen attention to education services was done with the construction and rehabilitation of elementary and secondary school buildings and day care centers. A functional municipal literacy coordinating council was formed. A  Special Education Fund was utilized for priority programs on student development. This to include networking with DepEd on the Third Elementary Education Project (TEEP), School Improvement Innovation Facility (SIIF)and Adopt a Child Program.

Education

As part of JUP’s  legislative agenda, education comes as a major legislative program for JUP. From the mind starts everything. For the Mountain Province Polytechnique State College  (MPSPC) for one, expansion of college programs to include relevant  courses  in order to  improve access to education without the  need to leave Mountain Province. For those who have to study outside of MPSPC to provide scholarships with linkages for job opportunities. Helping students graduate is not enough thus the need to make sure that appropriate jobs are also available for them to make their time in college functional, useful and relevant.   

With support to the above, facilities including provision of computers, internet connectivity, laboratory   equipment should be upgraded and provision of staff development in schools. Sponsorship of relevant  trainings, educational and cultural exchange  and furthering the educational and technical capacities of staff is equally a need and included in the legislative agenda.   

Health

Sustainable public health programs on sanitation, nutrition and health risk management  and functional well organized emergency response system is important. Healthy people makes productive force in economic development. Responsive and relevant bills shall be authored to make responsive health services including the provision of equipment such as EEG  equipment which is not even present at the regional hospital of Luis Hora Regional Memorial hospital. What more to other district and general hospitals of Paracelis, Bontoc and Besao where other equipment such as  EEG or CT Scan machine is needed.

Sports

On youth and sports development  saw capability development, an athletic  Mayor’s Cup along with aid to athletics, participation in the Palarong Panlalawigan, regional athletic meet and Palarong Pambansa. Sheryl Baldo, Silver Medalist in the 2006 Palarong Pambansa was a product of the LGU’s Program on Youth and Sports Excellence. Sabangan LGU bagged Third Place in the Over all Province-Wide Ranking in the 2005 Provincial Meet, DepEd Mountain Province Division.

In Jup’s legislative agenda, support to an enhanced and strengthened sports program is needed to  upgrade our  standing in the regional athletic meet and spur inclusion of our athletes in the Palarong Pambansa.

Environment, livelihood and energy

Environmental management  was then a main program of  Mayor Jupiter Dominguez, an environmentalist by heart and by deed. This covers natural resources management, waste management and pollution control.  Through his leadership, a functional municipal ecological solid waste management board spearheaded the feat of Sabangan as the Cleanest and Greenest Municipality of MP for 2005. The Board was also recognized under the “Awards for Partners in Development” for Year 2006.

With good legislative-executive working relations, formulation of an ecological solid waste management ten-year plan was done with a Solid Waste Management Ordinance and the Municipal Environment Code enacted which  set guidelines to follow. A monthly “operation linis” was done which led to the  Annual Search for Cleanest and Greenest Barangays of Sabangan. An  active participation in the “One Million Trees” project of the Provincial government was  observed 

A Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) was established in 15 barangays of Sabangan  with the allocation of a solid waste management fund and an aggressive drive for the construction of sanitary toilet in every household.

With a sound track record,  JUP in his legislative agenda aims for location-specific  laws on cultural rights enacted and practice of sound and tested indigenous practices based on the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) that supports indigenous peoples rights including customs, beliefs and ways on land, livelihood, and natural resources including property and family and community relations to effect environmental integrity.

For one, the batangan system sets cultural practises on protecting  forests in the Province such as  setting limits on how many trees shall be cut and setting rules on protecting forests from fires.

PD 705 which prevents the people of MP from accessing forest products, the very trees they have planted and nurtured being located in what is classified as public land and forest reserve needs to be amended to suit indigenous forest management practices.

On culture and tradition therefore, bills shall be authored and sponsored to retain and respect  these. As noted, there is yet the need to codify particular and location specific indigenous land and forest management practices on ownership and management. This to include innovation of  indigenous ways to promote cooperation and peace relevant to the communities we are in. 

Promotion on the integration of culture and traditional craftsmanship in the current education system to fuel local livelihood is a need. Identification of potentials and opportunities in local materials and rich culture is a need. For one, pine cones and other forest products profuse in the mountains which could be of use for livelihood opportunities. But first and foremost the amendment of  PD705  to enable people  from Mountain  Province to practice their  indigenous forest management practices and  freely access their very own forest products.

Equally, the environment is crucial to be promoted and safeguard  optimal but sustainable  use of natural resources to spur economic growth. For one, rivers pose potential sources of  energy for micro and mini hydro sources to spur local industries such as  weaving where energy is needed to run sewing machines.  

Natural resources including  falls, rice terraces,  mountains pose  rich potential for eco and adventure tourism as source of livelihood. Yet at the same time tourism along the way  should be mindful of the people’s culture, that is  to promote  immersion and not just “come and go”  tourism. 

Bills worth authoring and sponsoring are  provision of facilities such as rails to protect sites of cultural and environmental  value  from the  physical  touch of humans. For example, the burial caves of Sagada and Bauko and the many falls not to be swam in where such is the case should be protected. Bills to author in the preservation of rice terraces is a must where some  rice terraces are noted to be  eroding.  Funds  to be allocated is important  so that these natural sources shall not continually erode and the people denied of their  sources for livelihood.  And more  facilities and trainings needing appropriation  in the preservation of cultural and environmental sites  including the preservation of artifacts.

With the environment  a vulnerable target for destruction due to insensitive ways of man can result to environmental ruin. While it is forwarded that indigenous ways and practices are promoted to be retained including the need for trainings, education and advocacy, actual and post disaster be addressed.   

Disaster risk reduction and mitigation comes in strengthening implementation of proper land use utilization. Sponsorship of bills as part of the legislative agenda is then forwarded on the provision of facilities, trainings, and comprehensive land use with protection measures included such as the planting of anti-erosion plants, tree planting and subsidies on soil fertility, strengthening implementation of proper land use utilization for disaster risk reduction and mitigation. Infrastructure equipment and trainings come in to support  the agricultural sector.

  Economic development refers to agriculture and fisheries development, business and industrial promotion, increase in annual income, one town one product program, livelihood programs and investment incentives that need a legislative agenda to  address this crucial factor in community development.

The reintegration of programs for migrant worker- returnees equally need  attention. If possible, people from Mountain Province shall not leave the Province to work in other countries where their contribution to economic livelihood and their nearness to their families shall be kept. Supporting livelihood opportunities is a crucial  feature in  supporting kaka-ilyan avail of livelihood opportunities. Mountain Province abounds with tourism potentials as source of livelihood. Trainings on souvenir item making where local materials can be availed from, provision of capital, equipment, trainings, marketing  opportunities and product development for  local industries such as weaving, carpentry, souvenir item making, dressmaking, tailoring, and customer relations  in inns, homestays and restaurant business. 

Sectoral concerns too are direly important on the inclusive management of programs. For one, strict implementation of  the Persons With Disability (PWD)  law and other existing laws of  marginalized sectors. The PWD law if such shall be implemented needs support services such as the provision of facilities as to separate quarters  and services including the provision of  personnel to take care of their needs to include physical structures, medical staff,  facilities and medicine.   

Peace and order

Peace and order refers to public safety and rule of law made manifest by the effective building safe communities program, effective local peace and order council, functional public safety plan, effective networking that resulted to the construction of a municipal police station and the grant of police car, professionalization of barangay tanods and professionalization of the members of the Lupong Tagapamayama.

As part of  JUP’s legislative agenda, the necessary equipment shall form part of resolutions and bills  to effect peace and order to include patrol cars, and peace and order systems to be in place in the barangay, municipal and provincial levels. 

Office administration refers to responsive administration, revenue generation, revenue allocation and utilization, human resource management and development, customer service, decentralized management  and  management innovations that equally reaped awards for exemplary leadership.

During his leadership a New Municipal Revenue Code was enacted that set an efficient system for real tax assessment and collection as evidenced by the accomplishment of the LGU in generating funds to support delivery of public services. A participatory and responsive annual budget as evidenced by budget hearings and effective allocation and utilization of LGU funds congruent with its programs.

Decentralized management guided by the Code of Conduct for e-Sabangan officials and employees, a work program, and performance evaluation and management innovations set Dominguez to supervise his staff.

A supportive chief executive meant competent and professional local government personnel evidenced by the selection of one of its employee as the Most Outstanding Employee of MP, Theodore Velasco  for the Year 2005  awarded during the 2006 Lang-ay festival for excellence in conceptualizing, launching, and managing flagship programs for the municipality of Sabangan. Velasco is a recipient of the DILG-sponsored APD for two consecutive years, 2005 and 2006.

Also, Camen L. Lardizabal was adjudged the Most Outstanding Literacy Worker of the Philippines by the National Literacy Coordinating Council on September 2005. Virginia G. Mangay-at was awarded Most Outstanding Day Care Worker of MP in 2006  by the Provincial Government of MP.

MPDO Salvador O. Decoy was also an awardee on Awards for Partners in Development awarded by the DILG Provincial Office in May 2005. Too, Eveline L. Dalog was adjudged Most Outstanding Agricultural Extension Worker of MP in the Gawad Saka Awards in 2003.

Jup was born in Sabangan from parents Celing Dominguez, former vice governor of Mountain Province and mother Imelda Coto-ong from Taccong, Sagada. He is married to Janet Zarate of Sabangan and they are blessed with six children-four daughters and two sons. He finished Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at St Loius University in 1986.

Read more...

Atty. MAXIMO JR Y. DALOG – Lawyer, Accountant, Public Servant

MAXIMO DALOG JR.’s life story is extraordinarily simple but one that stands out among the crowd. He certainly cares about Mountain Province more than any of his fellow candidates because he grew up here and was particularly raised in the capital town of Bontoc and the western municipality of Bauko.

Maximo Jr., 40 years old and married, is running in a crowded congressional race to replace Hon. Allen Jesse C. Mangaoang who took over as legislative caretaker of the lone district of Mountain Province vice the late Rep. Maximo Badecao Dalog, Sr., the former’s father, who died in June, 2016.

Popularly known as Maxi, he was born on April 10, 1978 to lawyer Maximo B. Dalog, Sr. of Bila, Bauko and teacher Cecilia Yawan of Bontoc Ili, Bontoc. He went to All Saints Mission Elementary School, Bontoc, Mountain Province and completed his high school education at Saint Louis University-Laboratory High School. At the same Catholic School, he also achieved his degrees in Bachelor of Science in Accountancy in 1999 and Bachelor of Laws in 2004. He passed both the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) board and bar examinations shortly after graduating in each course.

In 2009, he married Mary Grace Recaido Manzano, an Ilocana from Sta. Catalina and Tagudin, Ilocos Sur. Also a lawyer by profession, she is currently the Assistant Provincial Prosecutor of the Department of Justice-PPO, Mountain Province. They are blessed with four children namely: Maximo III, November Rayne, Mayumi Cordillera and Xam Likiti.

Maxi spent most of his life and career in public service in Mountain Province through the Department of Agriculture as Accountant I and at the Department of Agrarian Reform as Legal Officer V until his designation as OIC Provincial Agrarian Officer II. Variably, he spent some time in private practice at the Dalog Law Office giving legal assistances and services to indigent constituents of Mountain Province.

Though this is his first time to seek an elective post, Maxi is neither a neophyte nor a beginner in the political arena of Mountain Province as he had always been an aide and consultant to his father during the latter’s stint in public office. He had been to places high and low together with his father especially in the far-flung areas of Mountain Province. He met, talked and dined with people from all walks of life regardless of status, rank and identity.

After filing his candidacy, Maxi has often been compared to his father especially in terms of political willpower, wisdom, and style. Indeed both are particularly different but there is always a common distinctiveness between a father and a son. In this case, both have the passion to SERVE and WORK. Had it been that Maxi did not have any desire for public service, he could have easily opted to stay in the imperial city of Baguio or elsewhere to practice law and enrich himself with the power and wealth in the legal practice’s career path. Instead, he chose to come home after passing the bar and serve his fellow constituents in Mountain Province in the agrarian reform sector and legal services.

To those having doubts over his qualifications as a candidate, he has this to say: “My being young does not disqualify me from running for Congressman as you very well know that the work in Congress involves significant legislations in favor of our province and our country. I am not also new to the political showground as I have been materially and actively involved in the politics of Mountain Province since our father entered the same.”

Maxi intends to enter public office by ensuring the stability and sustainability of the programs and projects already initiated by the patriarch of the family especially in the areas of social services, medical assistance, educational assistance, infrastructure development, livelihood projects, trainings and employment, and the like.

Moreover, he wishes to introduce innovative measures that will favor Mountain Province and its constituents especially on the empowerment of the youth, women, senior citizens, LGBT, indigenous peoples, farmers and employees. He also wishes to carry on the hallmark flagship program anchored in the acronym PRESTIGE 2 with the following platform subject areas. And if elected, this is what Maxi intends and commits to achieve for the people of Mountain Province. 

PEACE AND ORDER AND PUBLIC SAFETY

- Promotion of peace and order through settlement of boundary and other tribal conflicts

- Preservation and Codification of customary and indigenous laws

RELIABLE, RESPONSIVE, AND EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP

- Efficient delivery of public and social services

- Leadership by example

- Coordination and partnership with line agencies and other offices for the proper identification/implementation of government programs and projects.

EDUCATION, CULTURE, AND SPORTS

- Continue the Educational Assistance Program

- Promote non-formal education for Out-of-School Youths and the Alternative Learning System (ALS)

- Promote the preservation of culture through festivals and other indigenous sports

- Support the Alternative Learning System (ALS) mechanism

 SOCIAL SERVICES, HEALTH AND SANITATION

- Work for the upgrading of hospitals to improve the service facilities and professional healthcare therein

- Continue the Medical Assistance Program

TREASURY AND FINANCE

 - Institutionalize balanced budget spending

- Promote increase of income for the provincial government, MLGUs and BLGUs

 INFRASTRUCTURE, TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AND ENHANCEMENT OF COMMERCE, TRADE AND INDUSTRY

- Continue the construction/improvement/rehabilitation of national, provincial roads and bridges, school buildings, hospital buildings, etc.

- Promote energy development

- Work through legislation  the development of Tourism Sites and access

- Promotion of good business environment in the province

 GOOD GOVERNANCE

- Conduct frequent coordination and consultation with local officials and agencies for the     planning and implementation of government programs and projects.

 ECOLOGY AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

- Legislate on waste management programs and projects;

- Construction/Rehabilitation/Improvement of Farm to Market Roads;

On the controversial issue of PD 705 that prevents access to forest products,  Maxi wants to encourage/recommend/legislate the recognition of our “Batangan Sysytem” in Mountain Province wherein such approach has been practiced since time immemorial for the advancement of sustainable conservation, use, and management of our natural resources. Such would respect and sustain the resource rights of the ICCs/IPs through equitable access to natural resources. It is also for the fair benefit-sharing under the traditional forest management systems within the areas covered. Our great forebears taught us their own way of caring, preserving and protecting our natural resources by planting and cutting trees only when necessity dictates as in the construction of a house, but in return, new seedlings must be planted as replacement.  The cutting of trees, however, should be based on the sustainable customary laws for the proper use of natural resources as in planting, protecting, and harvesting activities. This way, we will be able to utilize our own natural resources.

On Cordillera Regional Autonomy, Maxi supports House Bill 5343, An Act Establishing the Autonomous Region for the Cordillera previously filed by the Representatives of the Cordillera including the late Maximo B. Dalog, Sr., a known advocate and champion of autonomy.

Autonomy has been the long-time desire and aspiration of our great forebears and of all of us in favor of a region of self-determination, therefore we continue expressing our staunch support to this house measure on the following grounds:

We perceive Cordillera autonomy as the most effective option to provide the region with the needed solid foundation to pursue sustainable development as the region hopes to benefit from the management and use of our natural resources. 

Cordillera autonomy will bring to the national attention as well as the benefits of accepting and promoting cultural diversity through the formulation of multi-cultural policies for indigenous peoples. Such therefore is the manifestation that regional autonomy is no longer a life-long dream but a vigorous desire; should be focused this time with expansive sectoral consultations, stronger information campaign to the grassroots, active participation and clearer understanding of autonomy by the people of the Cordilleras. It is very imperative and timely that an organic act for the creation of the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera be finally enacted.

Read more...