Tarlac State Univ allows transgender grads to wear dresses in graduation rites

The Tarlac State University (TSU) allowed transgender students upon last-minute decision to wear dresses in their graduation rites Tuesday.

In a memorandum order released by the school management, female students were required to wear ankle length dress, while the male students should wear barong and black pants.

The school management did not designate a dress code for the transgender students.

Despite being barred from cross-dressing, the transwomen graduates march with the rest of their class wearing dresses.

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30 Cordillera PNP units conferred proficient status; get Eagle Awards

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet -- Thirty units of Police Regional Office Cordillera were awarded Monday with with  Proficiency Seal and Eagle Awards by the head of Philippine Military Academy Academics Group, Brig. Gen. Cheston D. Valencerina.

The awarding was led by Valencerina with PROCor regional director, Brig. Gen. Israel Ephraim Dickson and members of the PROCOR Command Group to the following units for successfully passing the third stage (Proficiency) of the PNP’s transformations plan, the PNP P.A.T.R.O.L. Plan 2030.

For Baguio City, four Police Stations bagged the Gold Eagle Award: Stations 1, 3, 6 and Station 8, followed by the Silver awardees City Mobile Force Company, Stations 2, 4, 5, 7, 9 and 10.

The BCPO Station 1 had the highest rating among all units region wide with an overall rating of 98.24% in the proficiency evaluation process.

For Apayao Province Police Office, Silver Eagle Award was awarded to the municipal police stations of Calanasan, Flora, Luna and Pudtol while Apayao Provincial Mobile Force Company, Conner, Kabugao and  Santa Marcela MPS received certificates of appreciation.

For Mt. Province PPO, Silver Eagle Awards were given to all its Municipal Police Stations: Barlig, Bauko, Besao, Bontoc, Natonin, Paracelis, Sabangan, Sadanga, Sagada, Tadian and the Provincial Mobile Force Company.

The proficiency seal and eagle awards were received by the concerned chiefs of police and company commanders with their advisory councils. 

Awardees for the Gold Eagle Award attained ratings of 96% and above while awardees of Silver Eagle Award had ratings of 90% to 95.99%.

Certificates of appreciation were presented to the Regional Advisory Council Members in recognition of their significant services to PRO Cordillera as panel members during the conduct of PGS Proficiency Evaluation Process of the lower units of PROCOR.

The Regional Advisory Council (RAC) was headed by Reinaldo Bautista, RAC Chairman and engineer Eduardo Meneses, RAC Vice Chairman, while members were: National Police Commission regional director Editha Puddoc, Juan Dicang, Oscar Cadeliňa and Rev. Manuel Flores.

Valencerina congratulated awardees and Command Group and staff of PROCOR “for a job well done.” He also thanked RAC, PAC, FAC, and MAC members.

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Baguio drug surrenderees going back to old trade

BAGUIO CITY – The Baguio City Police Office disclosed a number of drug surrenderees are allegedly going back to their old trade of selling illegal drugs to their clients.

Maj. Nicomedes Olarte, chief of the BCPO dug enforcement unit, said that a number of drug surrenderes who underwent plea bargaining agreements in their cases and those who reportedly underwent rehabilitation have been re-arrested for selling illegal drugs during drug buy bust operations.

He said law enforcers and anti-narcotics agents are now closely monitoring the activities of the drug surrenderees to prevent most of them from going back to their old trade considering the situation that some of them had been re-arrested by authorities for selling illegal drugs to pusher-buyers.

The BCPO continues to engage barangay officials where the drug surrenderees come from to help in closely monitoring the activities of the surrenderees considering validated reports that a good number of them started going back to their old trade after undergoing rehabilitation because of the need to have sources of livelihood for their families.

Olarte said there are still drug pushers from other parts of the country who come to the city to try their luck in selling prohibited drugs to drug users but efforts are being done to neutralize their operations that could lead to their arrest and the eventual filing of the cases against them.

He said there are still a few number of high value targets and drug personalities who continue to be involved in the illegal drug trade amidst the government’s aggressive campaign against illegal drugs although authorities are now closing on them through their close coordination with the concerned stakeholders.

Earlier, the regional oversight committee on drug clearing declared that 8 barangays in Baguio city passed the parameters for drug cleared barangays prescribed under existing rules and regulations that were crafted for the said purpose.

The recently declared drug cleared barangays in the city include Cabinet Hill and Engineer’s Hill under the jurisdiction of BCPO Station No. 3, Burnham-Legarda and BGH Compound under the jurisdiction of BCPO Station No. 5, Aurora Hill and Lopez Jaena under the jurisdiction of BCPO Station No. 6 and Upper Market Subdivision and New Lucban under the jurisdiction of BCPO Station No. 7.

Last year, the number of drug affected barangays in the city increased from 18 to 27 during the last quarter following the series of arrests that were made by authorities on suspected drug pushers and users who were earlier recorded as drug surrenderees from the different police stations citywide. -- Dexter A. See

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Baguio gov’t bids out 62 public market stalls

By Jessa Mardy P. Samidan

BAGUIO CITY -- Sixty-two stalls at the Baguio City Public Market were bid out on Wednesday for new leaseholders.

The Baguio City Market Authority (BCMA) published the bidding of the said stalls early this month after contracts were terminated due to failure of the leaseholder to pay rentals while other stalls were found out to be subleased and some were even sold to private individuals.

Most of the stalls were located at the Meat Section including some stalls at Block III, Vegetable Section and at the Second Hand Hangar area.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan said the BCMA oversees the management and operation of the city’s public market to ensure that leaseholders abide to policies such as timely payment of rental obligations, cleanliness and orderliness with the help of the Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) personnel.

“The city government owns the city public market and therefore, subleasing or sale of stalls to another individual is in violation of the lease contract and is a primary ground for termination of contract,” Domogan explained.

                He said if the leaseholder cannot personally tend to the stall, the lease contract must be surrendered to the BCMA for it to be published for bidding.

“If the leaseholder died, the heir or family member shall apply for the stall if they want to continue operating business at the public market, however, the stall is not an automatic inheritance since they have to comply with the bidding process,” Domogan said.

He furthered, the BCMA found out that one stall whose leaseholder died is being sold by a family member at Php4 million in violation to the “no selling, no subleasing” rule at the public market.

Domogan warned the public not to be duped by stalls being sold or being subleased. He said interested individuals should only transact with the BCMA office and personnel at the market.*

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Duterte slates funds for 911 command Center in Baguio

By Dexter A. See 

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor-elect Benjamin B. Magalong said President Rodrigo R. Duterte assured him of funds to set up a command center to deal with traffic, peacekeeping and disaster management.

              He said he talked with the President to start a local version of the 911 in Davao city for better traffic, peace and order and disaster management the next months.

Magalong a team of experts from Metro Manila and Davao City will be arriving in the city anytime to assess the situation, especially on the strategic location where the center will be established.

According to him, the centralized command center of the city is being proposed to be established either in the City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) building or within the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) building, whichever will be suitable to host the said center.

One of the priorities of the incoming mayor is to improve the prevailing traffic situation along major roads and streets in the city with both short and long-term solutions to ease the dilemma of motorists when plying along the central business district area.

The team of experts will also assess the existing information and communication technology system in place in the city government to determine what to improve that could be implemented the soonest so that the same will be at par with international standards in addressing traffic, peacekeeping and disaster management.

Magalong reported recommendations of the team of experts on the location of the command center will support the request for funding from the Office of the President.

The integrated command center will provide the information for the deployment of personnel in the efficient and effective management of traffic around the city, the provision of interventions to support the implementation of peacekeeping initiatives and the appropriate response to disasters in the city.

Magalong added his administration will try to bring in the science to the existing programs, projects and activities in the city to determine appropriate and strategic interventions needed to deal with any situation that will arise in the different parts of the city.

Magalong appealed to the residents to support his administration’s initiatives once he assumes office so they can directly benefit from the innovations or new initiatives introduced by his administration.

The incoming mayor is currently holding meetings with the different sectors in the city to listen to and be aware of their issues and concerns as he prepares for his assumption to office.

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DOE grants P6 million to study Antamok for BLISST trash site

BAGUIO CITY –Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi has sourced P6 million from the energy department needed by the Philippine National Oil Company–Renewables Corporation (PNOC-RC) for completion of ongoing feasibility study on utilization of a 29-hectare property of Benguet Corp. for the local government’s proposed integrated solid waste disposal facility to address solid waste disposal problems of the Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba-Tublay (BLISTT) area.

PNOC-RC officials led by its president John Arenas told outgoing Baguio mayor Domogan latest developments on the ongoing feasibility study on the  property ceded by the country’s oldest mining company to Baguio to ascertain the suitable area for the proposed integrated solid waste disposal facility.

Domogan said the proposed integrated solid waste disposal facility, including an engineered sanitary landfill, a waste-to-energy plant, a centralized materials recovery facility, an anaerobic digester, a toxic and medical waste treatment plant, a special waste treatment plant and the operation of the Environmental Recycling System (ERS), will help stop the hauling of the city’s residual waste to the engineered sanitary landfill in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan.

Earlier, BC ceded to the local government a total of 29.11 hectares from its existing properties in Antamok, Itogon which could be used for the establishment of an integrated solid waste disposal facility for a period of 25 years without any payment in return.

PNOC-RC previously entered into an agreement with the local government to pursue the conduct of a feasibility study for the proposed put up of the integrated solid waste disposal facility within the ceded property to ascertain which portion of the property will be suitable for the said purpose.

The PNOC-RC also entered into an agreement with the Benguet Electric Coop. which will purchase the renewable energy produced by the planned waste-to energy plant. -- Dexter A. See

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DOST, RDC push revival of Cordillera weaving trade

By Marlo Lubguban

BAGUIO CITY – The Dept. of Science and Technology-Cordillera,  as vice chair of the Regional Development Council’s economic development committee, has initiated drafting of the Cordillera weaving industry development plan.

The revitalization of the weaving industry of the Cordillera was discussed during their recent committee meeting in Baguio. DOST Cordillera director Nancy Bantog said the plan is a collaboration of regional offices of DOST and National Economic Development Authority, National Cultural Communities Commission and Departments of Trade and Industry, Labor and Employment, , Tourism, Welfare and Development, Cooperative Development Authority and and TESDA with the University of the Philippines-Baguio, Benguet State University, Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, through a memorandum of understanding.

The DOST-CAR recently held a forum in Baguio City with concerned stakeholders from the academe, government agencies, weavers and local government units to gather insights on crafting the industry development plan.

Committee chair and DTI-Cordillera regional director Myrna Pablo said weaving is one of the main reasons for the declaration of Baguio City as a UNESCO creative city for folk arts and crafts.

UP Baguio Chancellor Raymundo Rovillos, added that the goal of the creative economy is increasing value of local products such as indigenous weaves.

“The intensive labor, history, culture, and tradition all add to the value of the product,” he added.

He said Cordillera fabrics are not intended for mass production which also justifies its current price level.

Pablo said that DTI-CAR gives trainings on proper product pricing for the benefit of both the producers and consumers.

DOST-CAR eyes to have the development plan endorsed by the RDC this year.

The Cordillera Month celebration led by the RDC infrastructure committee and the provincial government of Kalinga will feature Cordilleran fabrics in an all-age fashion show promoting indigenous weaving products by different designers from all over the region.

Through the regional development plan 2017-2022, NEDA-CAR aims to promote and develop the local weaving industry for improved export, employment, and income opportunities for the region.

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DOH issues insecticide-laced anti-dengue ‘curtains’ in CAR

BAGUIO CITY -- The Department of Health in the Cordillera Administrative Region has distributed “curtains” treated with insecticides in areas with high incidence of dengue to avoid its spread.              “We have distributed rolls and rolls of treated curtain, volumes in high-risk areas with high cases. The central office’s augmentation for more long-lasting insecticide-laden nets has been also relayed,” Dr. Amelita Pangilinan, DOH-CAR acting regional director, told the Philippine News Agency on Monday.

The nets would last four to five years and must not be washed or it would lose its effectiveness by 20 percent, she said.

“Pagpagin lang (Just dust it off),” Pangilinan said.

With the installation of the treated nets on windows and doors, the mosquitoes would immediately die once it touches the net.

Pangilinan said mosquitos have changed their biting behavior and dengue-carrying mosquitos now bite any time of the day.

“Mosquitoes should be our number one enemies. They do not only cause dengue but also Zika, Japanese encephalitis, and chikungunya,” Pangilinan said.

She said the best way to rid of mosquitoes is to rid breeding sites, as the dengue virus has become a year-round illness.

“It used to be that there is a cyclical occurrence of dengue, but as early as January up to the last day of December there are cases and the most common denominator seen or the risk factor are the breeding sites of mosquitoes,” Pangilinan said. 

For schools, the DOH has written the Department of Education to allow the students not to use skirts but wear long pants for protection.

The regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit of the DOH reported that the region recorded 2,025 dengue cases from January 1 to June 1 this year, which is a 53 percent increase compared to the same period in 2018.

Benguet tops the number of cases with 441, a 66 percent increase from the 266 recorded in the province in 2018. There were also two deaths listed during the period.

Apayao comes second with 434 cases this year marking a 271 percent increase from the 177 incidences of dengue in 2018.

Apayao is the hardest hit by El Niño and residents stored water, which could become breeding grounds of mosquitoes.

Ifugao has 221 cases as against last year’s 37; Kalinga with 170 as against 304 in 2018; Mountain Province with 143 compared to last year’s 36: Abra, 131 versus the 165 last year and Baguio City has 101 cases lower than the 138 recorded last year.

Four deaths were recorded during the period -- two in Benguet, one in Mountain Province and another involving a patient from non-Cordillera province. In 2018, there were three deaths -- one each in Baguio and Benguet and one non-resident of Cordillera.

With a number of primary hospitals led by the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) operating in the region, several patients from nearby Region 1 seek medical intervention in the region bringing an additional 384 cases to the region’s statistics.

Austria also advised the public to be vigilant, especially this rainy season when water accumulates and mosquito breeding grounds can develop.

Alexander Baday, an entomologist of the DOH, earlier urged the public to follow the 4-S to prevent dengue -- “Search and Destroy, Self-Protection Measures, Seek Early Consultation and Say No to Indiscriminate Fogging”. 

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2 men from Tadian, Baguio slain in Pampanga after Shell hold-up

By Mar T. Supnad

CAMP OLIVAS,  Pampanga- Two of four robbery hold-up suspects who came all the way from Cordillera were killed during a shootout with joint operatives of Pampanga SWAT, Pampanga 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company and Bacolor Municipal Police Station, early dawn of June 13 in Bacolor, Pampanga.
            Prior to the shootout, police said victims identified as Edmer Rosillo and Aina Estrabillo, both cashiers of Shell Gasoline Station located in Barangay Sta. Ines, Bacolor, Pampanga reported to Bacolor Municipal Police Station that they were victims of a robbery hold-up perpetrated by four unidentified armed men wherein two were onboard a blue Toyota Hi-lux pick-up truck with plate no. XTF628 while the duo wearing black and blue helmets were onboard a single motorcycle similar to Yamaha MIO. 

The suspects reportedly carted away cash money worth more or less P5,000 and one OPPO cell phone. 

Immediately, Bacolor police alerted all PNP units to conduct dragnet operation in Pampanga and nearby city and towns.
Around 12:35 a.m. that day, the pick-up truck was intercepted by police while passing along Pasig Potrero Dike Access Road, Barangay. Cabetican, Bacolor, Pampanga.

A shootout reportedly ensued which led to the instant death of the duo.
          Slain suspects were identified as Ariel Say-ao Moguil, of Mabalite Tadian, Mountain Province and Dexter Tinguey, 21 , of Bermuda Hills, Barangay San Carlos, Baguio City.
        Recovered from the suspects were: one Cal. 45 pistol loaded with five bullets, Cal. 22 revolver loaded with two bullets, 12 spent shells, metallic fragment, deformed slug, four sachets containing suspected shabu, two cellphones, cash money amounting to P2,420 and one OPPO cellphone.
        PRO3 regional director Gen Joel Coronel said, “Due to quick police reporting, we were able to locate these lawless elements promptly and the necessary police action was conducted. One criminal off the street accords citizens with sound sleep and I continue to appeal to our public to help us in this fight.”

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100 Luzon riders join 1st Sagada Enducross

By Gina Dizon

SAGADA, Mountain Province -- The 1st Sagada Moto Enduro Funrace gathered nearly a 100 riders from Luzon here at Maduto grounds of Barangay Ankileng on June 16.

Riders came from the towns of Bontoc, Tadian, Bauko and Sagada in Mountain Province; Tuba, Itogon, La Trinidad, Buguias and Mankayan of Benguet; Tabuk City, Kalinga; Ifugao; Quezon City, Cavite, Batangas, Bulacan and Manila.

Participants thrilled the audience with their racing styles riding uphill, downhill, traversing muddy canals, overcoming obstacles at the race track along the Suyo- Balili Road.

A rider got points crossing the race per lap basing from time.

Mountain Province with its mountainous and natural terrains present potential sites for enduro motorbike riding.

Maduto grounds present a spacious oval to plant obstacles, challenging creeks to traverse, rocky surfaces to go over, and low to potential higher sloping uphill climbs.   

Organized by the Mountain Province Trail Riders Group (MPTRG), racing categories are Production, All China, 85 kgs and above, Underbone, Local Enduro, All Sagada, and Female category.    

Riders from Baguio, Manila, Bauko, and Bontoc won 1st prizes in the different categories at P3,000 for each winner including the 1st prize winner in the All Sagada category and female category.  

Second prize winners bagged P2,000 each; 3rd prize winners got P1,000 each while the 4rth prize winners took P500.00 each.  

Winners also got trophies and certificates of awards.

Winners in the production category were: 1st- Ryan Saguiyod of Baguio clocking in 15 minutes 57 seconds to 2^nd placer Roy Farinas  from Itogon  at 17:08 and 3rd Dondon Kisofen from Tadian following in close at 18:38. Fourth place is Jericho Oyo Poi  from Marikina.

For 85-kg and above category were:1st- Roy Farinas, 2nd- Jericho Oyo Poi from Marikina,  3rd- Kennan Yodong from Sagada   and  4th- Gian Lomong-oy from Sagada.

Underbone category winners were: 1^st placer Julius Marrero from Bauko who took the challenge at 29 minutes and 54 seconds followed far by 2^nd placer Giovani Domingo  from Tuba, Benguet.  

Third placer was Rain Hart Aguilar fromTabuk City, Kalinga and 4^th is Pike Soria from Bontoc.

All China Category was won by 1^st placer Kyle Domingo from Tuba Benguet who clocked in at 39:09 followed close behind by 2^nd placer Jefferson Sapul  at 40:03 and 3^rd by  Bryan Ron Rodriguez from Quezon City at 40:20. Fourth place is Jasher Bantic  from Bauko.   

Winners for the Local Enduro category were 1st- Remar Nise  from Taguig who did fast crossing at 12 minutes and 30 seconds followed far by  2^nd placer Kiefer Mangaoli from Baguio at 18:07. Third place is Reydel Bayaona  from Ifugao and 4th- Jessie Saguipel  from La Trinidad, Benguet.

Most of the winning riders particularly Saguiyod, Farinas, Kisofen,  Marrero and Domingo  won in other  enduro competitions  including those held during festivals at Tuba Benguet, Pangasinan, La  Union,  Bauko, Bontoc  and Tadian Mountain Province.

The All Sagada Category was won by 1st- Lanban Bolares, 2nd- Felix John Gansoen, 3rd- Ian Fritz Baniaga and  4th- Kevin Tauli.     

The Female category was won by 1st- Peja Maude Sagsagkho  from Bontoc, 2nd- Jikky Aranduque from Sagada and 3rd- Charmain Pablo from Bontoc.

Sponsoring host organizers are by the rules of  MPTRG are not allowed to join enduro competitions held in their respective locality.

Pioneering founder-member of MPTRG Gareth Likigan from Sagada emerged champion  in the local enduro category in the 1st Montanyosa Enduro Challenge held during the 2019 Lang-ay festival.   

Pioneering founder-member of MPTRG James Wandag  from Sagada who won in some previous enduro events held in Mountain Province said he hoped it will be another grand enduro event next year with the venue eyed for this national event to be held in Sagada.

Enduro crossing in Mountain Province began this year with the influence of Tadian riders and the game having started in Baguio City last year.

Enduro events were first held at Tadian during its 2019 Ayyoweng Festival held 1st  week of March,  2019 Begnas festival at Bauko held 2nd week of March and during  the 2019 Lang-ay Festival held first  week of April.

Gareth said enduro is good for the discipline it gives to the rider. He said no smoking is emphasized among the riders.It’s a total exercise with the muscles and the mind coordinating with the other, he added.

It’s not purely physical as one has to mentally gauge the distance and the foresight in overcoming the obstacles along the way, he said.  

We were only touring before and now it’s getting to be a competition. There is not much of a difference though because I still feel the stress and the thrill in riding, competition or not. Though enduro is more stressful, he added.  

James and Gareth are open for cause- oriented enduro activities. MPTRG has been doing  cause- oriented riding before they went into enduro.

Gareth saied they are also open for trainings for those who would like to learn motorbike and enduro riding.

Prizes for the winners of the 1^st Sagada Enduro funrace were donated by local sponsors including Yoghurt House, Ganduyan Souvenirs, Rock Inn, 7Js Souvenirs, Ayeona’s Souvenirs, Coda Lines, Log Cabin, Rusty Nail, Juniors’ Fabrications, Gabay Wines, Moonhouse, Rock View Hardware, Sagada Weaving, Sagada Guesthoue, e-dagdag Merchanidse. Sagada Hub, Sagada Caveman, Dako Bagano, Arturo Masferre,  Fely Capuyan Omengan, Rusco Aben, Inggo Ayban, Raymond Patacsil, Romeo Pagedped, Jones agpad, Aldwin Ayban and Felicito Dula.  

Other sponsors of the event were San Miguel Beer, Red Horse and Oppo.  

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Case of slain Muslim head to be turned over to CIDG

By Dexter A. See 

BAGUIO CITY – The Baguio City Police Office is studying the possibility of turning over the case of Imam Bedejim Abdula, who was brutally murdered by a still unknown lone gunman here to the Cordillera office of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to ensure a concentrated investigation on the high profile case.

City police director Col. Allen Rae F. Co said he sought permission of the Police Regional Office on the matter.

However, he said that the turnover of the murder case does not mean that BCPO investigators will stop doing their investigation considering that there is still a long way to go in ascertaining the suspect behind the broad daylight murder incident.

“We will still push through with our investigation of the case. The transfer of the investigation is just part of the established procedures on cases that are still unresolved for a period of six months,” Co stressed.

Under laws, investigation of cases that have reached six months or more can be turned over to the CIDG for further investigation after the said cases have achieved the so-called clod case status.

The police official asserted that CIDG is mandated to pursue the investigation of high profile cases with the assistance of concerned police units, thus, it is just proper for BCPO to turnover the investigation of the berutal murder case to the investigating agency to pursue the lead that could have been established.

He admitted that there is no definite lead yet on the identity of the suspect and the mastermind as well as the motive behind the brutal murder of one of the influential Muslim leaders in the city amidst their unrelenting and uncompromising efforts to pursue the case even with the creation of a special investigating task force.

On Dec. 6, 2018, Imam Abdulah was shot to death by a still unidentified gunman while he was on his way to his office along Kayang St. and that the suspect was able to immediately flee from the crime scene without being accosted by responding police operatives.

 Muslim and other religious leaders in Baguio and Benguet condemned the brutal murder incident that happened a few hundred meters away from the main headquarters of the BCPO.

Abdulah was a well-loved Muslim religious leader as he was able to bridge the gap between Muslims and Christians who are living in Baguio and Benguet through various cause-oriented activities.

Co claimed that with the CIDG playing the lead role in the investigation of the high profile case, the possible suspect and the motive of the brutal murder case could be established soon but the BCPO will continue to help in proving whatever needed assistance possible for the immediate resolution of the case considering that the CIDG can concentrate its ongoing investigation on the said case that has yet to be closed pursuant to standards of the Philippine National Police.

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LTFRB opens 200 slots for taxi units in Baguio

BAGUIO CITY – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) recently approved the opening of some two hundred slots for taxi units in the city to help provide convenience to residents and tourists alike who want to move around the city.

LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra said that the available taxi units will be offered to transport cooperatives that have already consolidated pursuant to established rules and regulations that were crafted for the purpose considering that the franchises that will be issued will be on a fleet management scheme.

He said a maximum of 50 units will comprise one fleet that is why the grant of the franchises to the newly opened taxi units will be granted to registered transport cooperatives that were able to avail of the consolidation.

“We were able to receive a number of applications from local transport cooperatives that were able to consolidate and we are currently evaluating the said applications before granting the franchises to the approved units of taxis in the city,” Delgra said.

The LTFRB chairman said additional slots for taxi units that were opened by the board was pursuant to the identified need for more taxi units that will ply the city’s streets for the convenience of the increasing number of motorists wanting to roam around the city.

Delgra was in town to witness the turnover of leadership of both the LTFRB-CAR and the Cordillera office of the Land Transportation Office (LTO-CAR) Thursday morning.

Chairman Delgar also announced that Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade approved the opening of franchises for premium taxis in key cities in the country that includes Baguio city.

According to him, premium taxis are those top of the line car models and high capacity vans that will be converted to taxi units to service the needs of high-end visitors.

He said premium taxis that will be made available in key cities in the country will provide the opportunity for high-end visitors to leave their cars in their hotels and lodging areas to allow them to freely roam around their desired tourist destinations instead of being stressed due to traffic in their places of destination.

 Delgra said owners of top of the line vehicles can apply with the LTFRB for the issuance of the appropriate franchise for their vehicles to be converted into premium taxi units to entice more high-end visitors to spend their well-deserved break in key cities in the country that are also major tourist destinations.

LTFRB is an attached agency of the Department of Transpiration and Railways (DOTR) that is mandated to issue the certificates of public convenience (CPCs) to applications for issuance of franchises to individuals and cooperatives interested to operate the public transport industry in various places around the country.

He urged local transport cooperatives to complete their requirements before filing their applications for the issuance of franchises to the available 200 slots of taxi units and the premium taxis so that the same could be immediately processed by the board considering the stringent procedures required for the said purpose pursuant to existing rules and regulations that were crafted for the said purpose. -- Dexter A. See

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DAR distributes 188 has. of land to Ifugao farmers

LAGAWE, Ifugao -- The Dept. of Agrarian Reform (DAR) on Tuesday distributed a total of 307 Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) covering 188.64 hectares of government-owned lands to Ifugao farmers.

“There are 100 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) from Alfonso Lista town, 121 ARBs from Asipulo and 86 ARBs in Kiangan,” the Philippine Information Agency-Ifugao's post on social media said.

Information Center manager Marcelo Lighawon said the CLOAs were received by the beneficiaries in an event at Southville Inn in Ifugao capital town Lagawe.

Aside from the distribution of CLOAs, Lighawon said the DAR also briefed the ARBs about the agency’s program, projects and other information about the department’s priorities to advance President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to expedite the distribution of land to the farmers.

Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones said with the distribution of land titles, President Duterte wants farmers’ lives to be more comfortable.

Duterte earlier directed DAR officials to fast-track the processing of CLOAs and distribution of the titles to beneficiaries all over the country.

Castriociones also told Ifugao farmers that the department will continue the processing and distribution aside from extending support services to beneficiaries.

If only to aid the farmers, the DAR also facilitates and links the sector for them to avail of housing projects, scholarships from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, provision of crop insurance from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp., and credit assistance from the Land Bank of the Philippines, and other financial institutions.

One of the ARBs, Elsa Codamon, 54, of Baguinge, Kaingan town said her family now has confidence and protection over the land they till after waiting for many years. -- PNA

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Strict closing time for Baguio nightspots: PNP

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY – The Baguio City Police Office ordered all stations in the city to strictly implement closing time of night spots in this summer capital.

City police chief Col. Allen Rae F. Co said owners of night spots must comply with prescribed closing time or fines would be imposed on them for violating city ordinance.

He said while the ordinance prescribing the closing time of night spots has not been amended, revised or repealed by the local legislative body, the local police force will continue to implement the same and that it is expected that owners of the night establishments will strictly comply with the prescribed closing time instead of awaiting for the policemen to remind them about their compliance to the local legislative measure.

Earlier, some owners of night spots located in the different parts of the city have been found by the BCPO personnel to have constantly violated the prescribed closing time of night spots and that the appropriate fines were imposed against them by the local government through the years.

Under the ordinance, videoke establishments are mandated to close at 9 pm, liquor establishments without dancing are mandated to close at 12 midnight while bars with dancing are supposed to close their operations at 2 am.

“We seek the cooperation of the owners of the night spot owners by strictly complying with the prescribed closing time so that our law enforcers can concentrate in anti-criminality and peacekeeping interventions for us to be able to sustain the prevailing decent peace and order situation in our city,” Co said.

According to him, there were numerous incidents in the past where bar owners and managers badmouthed law enforcers who reminded them of their violations which should not be the case because the policemen are simply doing their job as embodied in the existing ordinance that must be complied by all owners of nigh spots.

He said bar owners should bring their sentiments to the local legislative body for the possible amendment of the prescribed closing time of their establishments and for them not to blame the police when they are imposed the required fines for their violation.

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SSS sets mandatory coverage for OFWs

The state-run Social Security System (SSS) announced Wednesday the pension fund is duty-bound to implement the provisions stipulated under Republic Act 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018 saying that it stands by the decision of the lawmakers to provide meaningful social protection to all Filipinos based in the country and abroad.

The law was a product of in-depth and long discussions between the SSS, its stakeholders and the lawmakers from the upper and lower chambers.

The SSS management said that public consultation hearings were conducted during and after the passage of the Social Security Act of 2018 contrary to recent claims that some sectors, particularly the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) community, were not consulted in crafting the law.  

Public consultation hearings on the SS Act of 2018 were held on March 1 and 4 in Cebu and Manila while a separate public forum on the provision of mandatory coverage of OFWs under said law was also conducted on April 29.

These hearings were attended by representatives from the Filipino Association of Mariners' Employment Inc., Philippine Association of Service Exporters Inc., Joint Manning Group, Associated Marine Officer's and Seamen's Union of the Philippines, Coalition of Licensed Agencies for Domestic and Service Workers Inc.

The pension fund said that SSS contributions should be seen as savings and not additional expense. SSS offers seven kinds of benefits - sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, funeral, death, and unemployment - which could all be availed of by OFWs. 

SSS data showed that as of end-March 2019, OFW paying members or those who have paid at least one month of premium contribution, stood at 325,061 only as compared to the 2.3 million OFWs recorded in the latest Philippine Statistics Office data from April to September 2018.

The state-run agency also refuted claims that it is not doing its job of collecting premium contributions from members especially through their employers. SSS records show that its contributions collections from members significantly increased since the current administration assumed office - from P132 billion in 2015 and P144 billion in 2016 to P159 billion in 2017 and to P181 billion in 2018.

The increase in contribution collections is the product of aggressive collection efforts being pushed by the current SSS administration which include the pilot implementation of the Run After Contributions Evaders, the SSS version of Operation Tokhang, and the issuance of Warrants of Distraints, Levy, and Garnishment to delinquent employers. Under the SS Act of 2018, a contribution penalty condonation program for employers is now in effect until September 1, 2019. 

SSS also explained that not all of the 36 million registered members of SSS are regularly paying their monthly contributions.  Some of these members registered only for the purpose of having an SS number while others paid contributions only once.

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Benguet town mulls ban on cigarette sale

By Dionisio Dennis Jr.

SABLAN, Benguet -- The Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) here has approved a resolution urging the Sangguniang Bayan to enact an ordinance on the total ban of the sale of cigarettes in the town, an official said Thursday.

Outgoing Mayor and Vice Mayor-elect Arthur Baldo said the MAC's action was based on reports that some students in the municipality are seen smoking near school premises even during class hours.

The MAC is composed of the mayor, vice mayor, a representative from the legislative body, academe, senior citizen, women’s group, church leaders, youth, business sector, and non-government organizations.

MAC is an advisory body serving as partners of the Sablan police as an overseer of the implementation of the Philippine National Police Integrated Transformation Program-Performance Government System.

Baldo said Sablan is a recipient of the Red Orchid award. As early as 2017, Sablan has consistently bagged the regional award, making it a Hall of Fame awardee with the towns of Lamut and Hungduan in Ifugao.

The annual DOH Red Orchid award seeks to recognize smoke-free offices of local government units, line agencies, government-run hospitals DOH-managed centers for health development and jail facilities that implement a smoke-free policy.

Baldo said they received the award for diligently implementing the No Smoking Ordinance.

Sablan approved its smoking ban ordinance in 2011, which prohibits any person from smoking in public utility vehicles, government-owned vehicles, public buildings, public places, enclosed public places or any enclosed area in the municipality.

The ordinance imposes fines on violators with a penalty of P500 to P2,000 or imprisonment of six months or both at the discretion of the court.

“We have to strengthen our campaign to protect those who are not yet inclined to smoke especially the students,” Baldo said.

During the MAC meeting, Capt. Cyril Tubongbanua, Sablan chief of police, reported that incidents involving students seen smoking near school premises are not reported to them but said they will soon be patrolling school premises. -- PNA

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Confusion stalls PH Wushu Sanda China team training

By Pigeon Lobien

BAGUIO CITY — Wushu Sanda members are still waiting for their flight to China where they will undergo a five-month training in preparation for the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), a team member from the Cordillera said on Wednesday.

“Hindi pa. Next month na daw po kami aalis (Not yet. We will leave maybe next month),” said the most celebrated of these warriors, Divine Wally, in a private message through Facebook to the Philippine News Agency.

The team remains grounded in Manila pending the final preparation for the members' accommodation and training arrangements.

Last June 2, while Daniel Parantac and the Wushu Taolu team departed for Fuzhian, China for their five-month training, Wally said: “Wala pa po kami sched(ule) punta ng China (We still do not have a schedule for China).”

The Wushu Sanda team trains at the Wuhan University in Hubei province, where Wally, who will leave with newbie member Gideon Padua, said they will meet their new coach. She did not identify the new coach.

"It will be at Wuhan University this time since our new coach is from there," said Wally, winner of the gold in the World Wushu Championship, World Cup of Wushu Sanda and SEAG.

The delay was reportedly due to the confusion in their accommodations, which the Wushu Federation of the Philippines is working on.

"They will follow after getting the approval where they will train," said the 28-year-old Parantac, who also won a silver and two bronze medals in the Wushu World Championship in 2013 and 2014.

Wushu is comprised of Taolu and Sanda.

Taolu involves martial art patterns, acrobatic movements, and techniques for which competitors are judged and given points according to specific rules.

On the other hand, Sanda, also known as Chinese boxing, combines full-contact kickboxing with close range and rapid successive punches and kicks.

Both the Taolu and Sanda athletes will train for a total of five months, while they are also set to compete in the 15th World Wushu Championship scheduled in October in Shanghai, China.

They will fly back to the Philippines in mid-November for the 2019 SEA Games scheduled late November and early December in various venues in the Philippines — in Metro Manila, New Clark City, Pampanga, Bulacan, among others. -- PNA

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NCIP exec graces Paracelis anniv, Panagdadapon fest

By Francis B. Degay

PARACELIES -- Lawyer Gina Naimes Castor was the guest of honor and speaker of the 57th Paracelis founding anniversary and 1st Panagdadapon festival in this lowland municipality of Mountain Province last week.

Castor’s father was from Natonin, Mountain Province while her mother was from Tinglayan, Kalinga, where famous mountain called “sleeping beauty” (the mountain resembles a sleeping woman) is found.

She is currently the regional hearing officer of the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) of region 3. 

Castor recalled her past experiences when Paracelis had rugged roads, lacked transportation facilities and had no electricity.

But today, she said, due to taxes paid by the people of Paracale, the old name of Paracelis, and assistance of the national government, the town is under 2nd class category and is considered  cosmopolitan.   

The guest of honor shared three important key words in her message. These were remembering, celebrating and believing.

“Remembering the past is very important,” Castor said. “We have to recall our past leaders and forebears who became our foundation.”

Castor added “there is need of celebrating the successes of our grandparents. They practiced and taught us the values of oneness and cooperation, their talents and skills that we have today, and the love of environment.”  

Believing is another crucial word in the life of the people of Paracelis, the speaker said. “We should believe in ourselves first, before others. And more will be accomplished if we work together. We must make our best now because we don’t what will happen tomorrow.” 

In the program, a certain Wacayan Bongayon, a centenarian was given a certificate of appreciation and monetary incentive from the local government of Paracelis.

Bongayon was born on June 10, 1919.

Accordingly, she eats organic vegetables that she grows in her backyard garden.

She is still strong except that she is hard up in standing and walking due to arthritis.  

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Charges filed vs suspect in slay of 3 Besao men

Church, gov’t condemn slay 

By Gina Dizon

TUBO, Abra – Police filed murder charges last week against the suspect in the massacre of three men from Besao, Mountain Province at the provincial fiscal’s office of Bangued, Abra, sources said.

The suspect, identified as Marlon Batuli, 39, single, hunter and resident of Baklingayan, Tabakda of Tubo is still at large. 

Sources said his village mates identified him as the one who admittedly killed the three men from Agawa, Besao, who went to fish at Nakanga Creek, Baklingayan and were found dead and decomposing on May 27.  

Medical reports revealed the two died by hacking and one by shooting.  

Motive of the crime still remains unknown.

Tubo police chief Lt. Elarde Agustin said the case is still undergoing investigation.

Besao police chief Lazaro Fangayen said they were monitoring the incident.  

This, as religious and government officials condemned the murder of the three hunters in the boundary of Tubo, Abra.

Four more statements from said sectors called for the perpetrator/s to surrender.

This, following a statement from Sagada clergy condemning the murders last week of May came  

Barangay officials from northern and western Besao namely Lacmaan, Agawa, Gueday, Ambagiw  and Tamboan  asked the officials of nearby Tubo municipality and barangay officials of Tabacda  (Baklingayan) of Tubo including concerned individuals to help in the resolution of the murder case by telling suspects to voluntarily surrender.  

Earlier, victims Jansen “Ayban” Gabaen, Pedro Mabiasan Sauyen and Ronnie Diosan Macayba all residents of Agawa, Besao went to the mountains third week of May and had not been home for a week since they left from home to gather bamboo to make “ugat” (woven fish traps).

The dead and decaying bodies of the three hunters were found by a hunter from Baklingayan, Tubo on May 27 which he reported to the Tubo municipal police station.

Two of the victims suffered gunshot wounds and one by hacking.

Reportedly, all victims were found to be hacked with their heads almost separated from their bodies and the male organ of one of them removed.

A sack containing ‘dalit’ was also found in the vicinity of the crime along Nakanga Creek where the three victims  fished for “dalit” (eel).

Said site of incident is located within the boundary of Tubo, Abra  and  Agawa, Besao. Nakanga Creek is a communal fishing ground of the communities of Tubo,  Agawa and nearby  villages.  

The congregation of Besao and Kinali deaneries of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Philippines (EDNP) forwarded their deepest condolence to the families of the victims.

The congregation of Besao “with much indignation join in solidarity the whole municipality  of Besao in condemning this evil of murder with prayer that process of law will bring to justice the perpetrators.”

In their statement led by rural dean Fr. Prinzel Balitog, the congregations stated “we invoke our basic Christian faith of the sacredness of human life - that we were created in the image of God. As such we were endowed with human dignity that makes us higher than the animals and lower than angels. Thus it is believed that the perpetrators of this tragic murder displayed blatant disregard  and utter disrespect of such human dignity.  Ultimately it a direct assault  to God our Father and Creator who intended  us to live in harmony with our  brothers and sister and to care, and nurture this  precious gift of life.”

Likewise, the Sangguniang Bayan of the municipality of Besao condemed the murder, saying “killing is so inhuman and considered felonious barbaric beyond ethical standards of mankind and the law of God, Philippine constitution,  indigenous laws and the peace advocacy of Besao.

Following the same statements of condemnation, members of the technical working group of SIKAME (Sisipitan Kaman- ingel Mengmeng) integrated watershed management plan  (IWMP) of the Cordillera Highland Agricultural Management Project  (CHARMP) Scaling Up  condoled with the  families of the victims.  

The TWG of SIKAME said the site where the crime was committed “is within the project of SIKAME of the CHARMP Scaling UP (SIKAME – WMP) as they called for the fast tracking of the resolution of the case by government and the ‘umili’ through indigenous means.  

 The perpetrator in the killing of the three men is a resident of Sitio Baclingayan, Barangay Tabacda of Tubo, said Simon “Ka Filiw” Naogsan, spokesperson of the Cordillera People’s Democratic Front in an open letter to elders of Agawa, Besao and Baclingayan, Tubo as he appealed to them not to resort to tribal war.

He did not name the alleged perpetrator earlier but sources said some Besao residents were planning tribal war against the people of Tubo due to murder of their relatives.

The CPDF spokesperson said the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army and Cordillera People's Democratic Front were willing to intercede in this case to bring it to its just and peaceful resolution.

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