Upped offensive against Baguio protocol violators

CITY HALL BEAT
Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY -- Mayor Benjamin Magalong has ordered a fresh offensive against violators of health and safety protocols in the city as the city tightened its guard against the new more infective variant of Covid-19.
    Tourists will not be spared, according to the mayor, who warned that visitors who will not follow the city’s rules on the wearing of face masks and shields, physical distancing and the like will be ejected from the city despite fulfilling the travel requirements prior to entry.
    In separate memoranda issued Jan. 14, the mayor directed the Baguio City Police Office under City Director P Col. Allen Rae Co and the Public Order and Safety Division under Division Chief Marvin Herrera and the city’s 129 punong barangays “to intensify actions to ensure that the general public is compliant with minimum public health standards.”
    The BCPO and the POSD were “reminded to institute the necessary actions or impose proper sanctions against all persons who continue to defy, or refuse to abide by our current health protocols as clearly provided in Republic Act 11332 or City Ordinances Numbered 45-2000 (mandatory wearing of face masks) and 46-2000 (observance of physical distancing).”
    He asked Co to mobilize all police stations which are now required to regularly submit accomplishment report on their daily operations.
    Police personnel at checkpoints should intensify inspection of documents of travelers coming to the city especially those from the National Capital Region where the country’s first case of the new variant came from.
    The mayor also tasked the traffic enforcement unit to inspect public utility vehicles to see if they are complying with the safety requirements like the installation of plastic barriers and making sure that their passengers and barkers are wearing proper personal protection equipment.
    To the barangays, the mayor asked the heads to “submit progress reports or documentation of any and all COVID-19 awareness and preventive practices being done in the barangays (and) to update monitoring reports of (contacts of confirmed Covid-19 cases) and persons undergoing home quarantine to their District Health Centers.”
    For business establishments, the mayor tasked the Permits and Licensing Division to ensure that all business owners are religiously observing and imposing the protocols in their jurisdictions.
    The mayor also encouraged citizens to take the initiative of reporting violators of the said health measures to help law enforcers.
    Under Ordinance No. 45-2020, persons caught violating the face mask requirement face fines amounting to P1,000 for first offense, P2,000 for second offense and P3,000 for third offense while establishments or entities face penalties of P3,000 and cancellation of permit.
    For Ordinance No. 46-2020, individuals not following the physical distancing rule will be slapped fines amounting to P500 for first offense, P1,000 for second and P3,000 for third offenses while establishments are liable to fines ranging from P1,000 to P3,000 plus permit cancellation.  
***
Mayor Magalong brought back the stay-at-home restriction for minor children below the age of 15 years old as part of its safety precautions to address the surge in Covid-19 cases and advent of a new and more contagious variant.
In an advisory issued Jan. 18, 2021, the mayor prohibited said age group from leaving home except for medical purposes and other extraordinary emergency situations from Jan. 19 to Feb. 1.
    The advisory also applies to tourists and tourism activities.
    He notified all establishments not to allow said age group within their premises.
    The mayor said the city had to look after the vulnerable population which includes persons below the age of 15 and over the age of 6, pregnant women and those with underlying health conditions and comorbidities.
    While at the moment the advisory applies only to minors, the mayor reminded that the other at risk groups are still covered by prohibitions under Executive Order No. 159 series of 2020 which mandates them to stay in their residences at all times except for essential purposes like accessing food and basic necessities, necessary errands, medical emergencies, work and permitted activities.
    “Although we have eased some restrictions in the City, we remain under Modified General Community Quarantine.  Consequently, we must continue to keep paramount consideration for our health, safety and general welfare most especially for our children..,” the mayor said.
    “Consistent with our ‘hammer and dance’ principle which has since proved an effective practice in balancing the management of Covid-19 with the resurgence of our local businesses, we have to impose restrictions in the coming weeks to mitigate any further clustering among our households,” he added.

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Of walking, running and work stresses

Lorna Dulnuan Kinnud

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- When community quarantine was imposed due to the pandemic, exercises were restricted. Gyms and oval running tracks were closed, and advisories on limited movement outside the home were emphasized.  The streets were empty including those hours when joggers often fill the roads and streets. 
    When the quarantine was modified and allowed walking, jogging, running and other physical activities that does not involve physical contact, people were happy and were drawn to oval tracks and some streets at designated hours.
Walking, running or jogging are popular forms of physical activity. It was an appealing exercise to many because it does not require much skill tutorials from an expert. 
    It is less expensive as it won’t require enrolling at the gym.  It also requires lesser apparatus except some appropriate shoes as running barefoot maybe ill-advised nowadays. 
    It can be done alone such that one can run at one’s most convenient time and pace.  And when one wants to add to some motivation, there are competitions to include competing againsts one’s previous pace or in fun runs, race or even the marathons. 
    Even at this time when gatherings are restricted, there are the so-called virtual races where once may do it individually but is actually competing with people in other places, even far ones, doing the activity too.
    I have embraced running as my favorite exercise some years ago. There was that first time when I registered to a five-km run within the valley near our residence organized by an organization in coordination with the local government to celebrate the municipality’s premier festival. 
    I was happy receiving my first finisher certificate and the usual token they give to runners – a medal and a finisher shirt, remembering that I almost gave up at a little uphill to the turning point.
    Then later I had the chance to chat with a fellow lady participant. I was amazed to know that she was already nearing senior citizen age then and was more amazed to know she had just run the half-marathon category.  That conversation became an inspiration to run more and increase the distance I was running.
    I found that running has become useful to me at more.  During those normal times, running was a way to sweat especially that work often involves seating behind a table and facing spreadsheets or letters on the computer screen, sorting papers and beating deadlines for certain tasks.   The only exercise in the office is when every one in the office would have a good laugh at someone’s joke. 
    If no one got some joke for a day, or every one has got some bad day, stress builds up.  And the sweat from a good run may wash away those work stresses.  It is also a way to go outside of the box and enjoy the greeneries. 
    During weekends, my hubby and I would sometimes try the longer distance and on trails nearby.  I feel that the mountains and trees are real energy-giver, and the fresh oxygen are  naturally good for the heart.
***
This time of the pandemic some tasks became more difficult to do since not every one in the office is physically reporting to work, or if they do, not at the same time.   
    Communication becomes harder even with the technologies such as social media, text messages or emails.  Sometimes, there is miscommunication. It is challenging to discuss possible solutions to some office problems or some taks at hand without the physical presence of all concerned.
    There are delayed answers or reactions to messages. Different understanding or interpretations on certain matters are not easily resolved.   And often, expressing one’s opinion in emails is difficult by itself.  These causes pressure or stress at work and often a refuge has to be sought.
    I am thankful that walking and running are allowed these times.  These kinds of exercise are indeed stress-relievers and burn fats too.  The greeneries, to include brooks and rivers where roads and trails pass are a refuge. 
    But while running and walking can be done, we hope that the pandemic ends so we run and walk, for relief from stress and energy for work, without worries of a virus. (The writer of this article is Lorna Dulnuan Kinnud, the administrative officer of the Benguet National High School – Ed)
 
 

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A mother’s gift

BEHIND THE SCENES
Alfred P. Dizon

(Alpine L. Killa information of the Bontoc municipal government writes this week’s piece)

BONTOC Mountain Province -- Nineteen-year-old Antonette Cabrad Lomong-oy, a 2nd-year nursing student of Mountain Province State Polytechnic College (MPSPC)-Bontoc Campus here was scheduled for a kidney transplant last Dec. 13, 2020, at the Cordillera Hospital of the Divine Grace in La Trinidad, Benguet.
    Alfa, Antonette's mom Alfa, was supposed to be the donor but due to unforeseen circumstances and financial constraints, the operation was rescheduled after the Christmas and New Year holidays.
    Antonette has been undergoing hemodialysis for almost three months, and it has not been easy.
    Per phone conversation with Antonette's mom, they were admitted to the hospital on Jan. 11.
    The kidney transplant procedure which costs P1.5 million was scheduled Jan. 17 but did not materialize because of financial constraints. 
    Antonette’s family was in dire need of P600, 000 for the kidney transplant procedure to push through.
    They knocked on kind hearts for donations. Antonette just celebrated her 19th birthday last Dec. 21.
    Those who wish to donate any amount to share as a gift to this young lady may deposit to Land Bank Savings Account, Antonette Lomong-oy, 1046245683.
    Also, you may hand over your donations to Jodesca Lumiwes Masilian. You may contact her at cell phone number 0926-907-2026 and Facebook account Jodesca Lumiwes Masilian.
    You may also send your donations to GCash account Jodesca Masilian 09269072026.
    For transparency, all donations will be posted on the Facebook account of Jodesca Lumiwes Masilian. The money to be collected will be turned over to Antonette's family before they will be discharged from the hospital.
Antoinette’s story
Antonette who traces her roots in the small village of Caneo, Bontoc is the firstborn of James Lomong-oy and Alfa Cabrad Lomong-oy. Both her parents are laborers who work hard for their family’s daily needs.
    Her parents, despite the hardship in life, are thankful to the Almighty for being blessed with healthy children.
    However, in 2019, Antonette experienced dizziness and hypertension. She was 18 years old, a jovial Senior High School student at Saint Vincent’s High School.
    At a young age, she had no choice but to take maintenance medicines for hypertension.
    The difficulty of life in the village and her dream of uplifting her family from poverty has been the driving force for the young Antonette to pursue her studies.
    The young Antonette dreams of becoming a nurse. This is the reason  she decided to enroll Bachelor of Science in Nursing at MPSPC - Bontoc Campus.
    For those who have known Antonette, her choice of profession best fits her because of her jovial personality. She has a soft voice and her smile is infectious to everyone she meets.
    She possesses the “tender loving care” (TLC) personality people look for in every health worker.
    In her first year in college, her dizziness and hypertension became frequent prompting her family to seek medical attention at Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital in Bauko town.
    Antonette was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease secondary to chronic glomerulonephritis and hypertension.
    As per doctor’s advice, a kidney transplant was the best option while the patient (Antonette) is young, and this would give her better quality of life and better chances of survival.
    Despite financial constraints the family is facing, they decided to follow the doctor’s advice.
    The plan included initiation of hemodialysis, kidney transplant workup for the patient and the donor, and finally, a kidney transplant.
    The kidney transplant procedure costs P1.5 million. The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation shall shoulder P600, 000 under its Z Package.
    Even with the Z Package from Phil Health, Antonette’s Family still needed to prepare P900, 000 for the kidney transplant procedure.
    Some kind-hearted individuals and groups gave financial donations and organized fund-raising activities and events for Antonette.
    People coming from all walks of life gave cash and support to fund-raising activities and events.
    Her mother Alfa had been counting days and weeks until she can donate one of her kidneys and help her daughter.
    To Alfa, it was her Christmas and birthday gift to her daughter. It came without hesitation. It did not come wrapped in a box.     Rather, it was surrounded by love of a selfless mother.
    The Cordillera Hospital of the Divine Grace in La Trinidad, Benguet performed a successful kidney transplant from donor-mother Alfa to Antonette on Jan. 17.

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Trump’s fate is at the mercy of the Senate

PERRYSCOPE
Perry Diaz

As I am writing this column, President Donald Trump has only two days left in his presidency.  Then he will go into retirement.  It must be hard for him to accept that he would be a one-term president being defeated by President-elect Joe Biden by a stunning eight million votes!  Yet he claims that he was cheated.  He claims that he won the election with millions more votes.      And to the very end he believes that Biden committed election fraud.  He filed more than 60 lawsuits in at least five states but the courts dismissed his lawsuits as baseless and without merit.  Even the Supreme Court dismissed two cases by unanimous vote of the justices, three of whom were his appointees. 
    He still believes that he will be president on January 20, 2021.  He believes that the American people will not allow Biden to be sworn into office.  And by all accounts, he is bent on pursuing the presidency even after Biden is inaugurated. How is he going to do it?  Is he planning to declare martial law and have Biden arrested?
    Meanwhile, there are strange chatters in the Internet by Pro-Trump supporters.  One supporter said two days ago, “The good news!  Biden’s inauguration postponed!  Excellent!  Biden oath taking will never happen!  President Trump will continue as president indefinitely!  Wonderful! He’s the chosen one!  He’ll prevail!”  So I asked the supporter, “where did you get the information?”  He replied, “It’s the sharing of information about Pro-Trump!  Some actions have been executed but the official announcement could be a few days!”  I said, “Let’s see what happens.  You mean to say that Trump will take over the presidency on Jan. 20?  That would be a coup.” Then he said, “I don’t know!  But the government will be under military control!”  Whoa!  Is this what Trump’s supporters believe?  A martial law?  The question is:  Would the military support a declaration of martial law?  I doubt it.
Rumors abound
I did my research and found an article that says, “Joe Biden postpones inauguration rehearsal over security threat as FBI warns of ‘concerning chatter’ after Capitol riot.”  It’s so easy to drop the word “rehearsal” from the sentence and totally change its meaning.  But this is the kind of chatter among Pro-Trump supporters that would give the impression that Biden has “postponed his inauguration.”  And pretty soon the word is out that Trump will stay as president indefinitely.  But nevertheless, it would be prudent for Biden to watch out for turbulence.  Last Friday, a Virginia man with fake inaugural credentials, a loaded handgun and more than 500 rounds of ammunition was busted while trying to pass through a U.S. Capitol Police checkpoint in downtown Washington. 
        Indeed, there have been rumors that Trump supporters – heavily armed militias – will converge on January 17th at the Capitol to finish what they started on January 6th  – the overthrow of the government… a coup d’état. 
Trump’s mob
While it is our fervent hope that Trump will go into retirement quietly, I don’t think he’d retire.  To the very end of his presidency, Trump truly believes that he’s been cheated in the election.  And that’s probably the reason why on Jan. 6, 2020, he tried one more time to lay claim to the presidency by inciting the large mob that had gathered in front of the White House. 
He urged them to march down Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol 1.5 miles away.  He told them he’d lead the march.  But he didn’t.  But his supporters have been unleashed just like a genie out of the bottle.  Well, what happened Donald, did you decide to play golf instead of leading your supporters to lay siege on the Capitol? 
    But without Trump leading them  -- they’re now on auto-pilot – the mob forced their way into the Capitol breaking window glasses and breaking down the doors.  Overwhelmed, the Capitol Police were overpowered.  And the mob went looking for lawmakers who gathered in a joint session to certify the Electoral Colleges votes. 
    Vice President Mike Pence who was presiding over the joint session was surprised when the mob started chanting “Hang Mike Pence!  Hang Mike Pence!”  Pence and his family ran and hid in a secure room.  He managed to evade the mob by a few seconds; otherwise, he would have been hurt by the mob.  Other legislators ran for their dear lives.  Fortunately, none of them were caught; otherwise, it could have ended in a bloody massacre.
    At around 11:00 PM, after the National Guard -- who arrived in the nick of time -- had cleared the Capitol of rioters. The legislators assembled again to finish their business of certifying the Electoral College votes.  It was past 3:30 AM when the certification was complete.
    Hats off to Pence for his statesmanship in seeing to it that the certification would be complete that evening.  But that didn’t make Trump happy.  The whole idea of inciting the insurrection was to stop the certification process.  And Pence finished the certification to Trump’s consternation. 
Second impeachment
On January 13th, the House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump for the second time during his presidency.  The lawmakers voted 232 to 197 to approve a single charge of “incitement of insurrection” for his role in encouraging a violent mob on January 6th.  Ten Republicans joined the Democrats in voting against Trump.
    Trump denounced the impeachment as part of the “witch hunt” against him.  What follows is a Senate trial that requires a 2/3-majority vote, which is tough considering that the 50 Republican senators were mostly beholden to Trump.  But who knows, 17 of them could be persuaded to break rank with Trump.  However, if many Republicans would choose not to attend the Senate impeachment hearing, it would drastically decrease the number required to achieve 2/3-majority. 
    On January 17th, Washington DC looked like a war zone with more than 25,000 National Guard personnel deployed around the White House, the Capitol and other government buildings. 
    Seventeen other State Capitols have National Guardsmen deployed.  Other states have taken precaution to protect their Capitols with local police and law enforcement personnel.  The FBI assigned thousands of agents in various states.  America is at war!  And the enemies are from within.  At the end of the day, the militias – except for a few armed men – didn’t show up.  But that’s not an indication that they’ve withdrawn.  They will be around and show up when the government lets its guard down.  The Biden administration has to be vigilant and be ready to defend the Constitution again.    
    The Senate is expected to reconvene on January 19th.  However, with the election of two Democrats from Georgia, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, the number of Democrats in the Senate increased to 50, thus splitting the Senate 50-50.  The Senate President will be the incoming Vice President Kamala Harris, who would be a tie-breaker in the event the Senate vote is deadlocked.  Sen. Chuck Schumer will become the new Majority Leader at which time the Democrats would have full control of both houses of Congress.
Inglorious end
Trump has laid out an elaborate grand exit.  On the morning of January 20th, just before noon, Trump will be flown in the Marine One helicopter to Andrews Air Force Base where the presidential plane, Air Force One, will be waiting for him.              Complete with a Color Guard and a military band, Trump will walk down a red carpet to review the Color Guard.  And then a 21-gun salute will be fired before he goes up the plane. 
    Upon reaching the top of the steps, Trump will turn around to face the gathered crowd of mostly media people.  He’ll wave for posterity and then enters the cabin, never to be seen again until he arrives in Mar-A-Lago as a private citizen.  Thus, the reign of Donald Trump will come to an inglorious end.
    Meanwhile, back at the White House, the swearing-in of President Biden will begin at 12:01 p.m.  Barring disturbances created by Trump’s supporters, Biden will take his oath of office after which a military aide will signal him that he has the nuclear football, a different version of what Trump had during his presidency. 
    Trump’s nuclear football, which he had with him on Air Force One, will be deactivated at exactly 12:01 PM, the precise time when Biden’s nuclear football would be activated, ready for use by him.  The nuclear football is a briefcase, the contents of which are to be used by the president to authorize a nuclear attack. The transfer of nuclear power will then be complete, a fait accompli. And upon Biden’s shoulder would fall the heavy burden of leadership, which he carries 24/7 every day during his presidency.
     With the election of Biden as president and the Democrats’ takeover of the Senate, Biden will have a powerful bloc that would support his progressive agenda.  And with Trump thrown into political oblivion, one wonders what would be his fate? 
With 29% approval rating after the January 6th fiasco, Trump’s future is in limbo with a slim chance of recovery.  And if the Senate convicts him, he’d be banned to run for office again for the rest of his life.  Gone will be his presidential pension, secret service security detail, travel allowances, and other benefits.  He might not even get a presidential library. He will go into retirement in shame.
    Indeed, Trump’s fate would be at the mercy of the Senate.
(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)

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Kibungan swaps DepEd heads with Kapangan

By Rona Basquial Claudio

KIBUNGAN, Benguet – Dept. of Education supervisors of Kibungan and Kapangan towns of Benguet recently swapped positions.   
    Molly M. Ablaza, EdD accepted from Jonathan G. Sadey, EdD responsibility as public schools district supervisor (PSDS) for Kibungan district during a simple rites here at Kibungan Central School on Jan. 15.
    Ablaza during her acceptance speech, asked support of the stakeholders for the continued delivery of quality education of the school.
    “I ask stakeholders that the support you have given to Dr. Sadey will continue so that we can still deliver blended learning," said Ablaza, who served as PSDS of Kapangan.
    Sadey, who will be the PSDS in Kapangan, said turnover of leadership could result to good and bad but he will strive for the better.
    "Thank you very much to the local government unit for the help you extended to DepEd specially this time of pandemic in delivering blended learning -- also to the DepEd family, parents and other stakeholders like the PNP.”
    Addressing high school and elementary teachers, Sadey said he hoped they learned something from him throughout his stay.
    The ceremony was witnessed by Vice Mayor Edwin G. Nitron, municipal councilors, Kibungan police chief Capt. Douglas M. Akistoy, Jr., Kibungan district school heads  with teaching and non-teaching staff, district PTA Federation president and representatives from Kapangan district.

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334 Kalinga families to get livelihood grant

By Peter A. Balocnit

CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga – A total of 334 families in the municipalities of Balbalan, Pasil, Lubuagan and Pinukpuk are awaiting the release of livelihood assistance grant approved last quarter of 2020 from the Dept. of Social Welfare and Development.
    Macfarlyne Bumosao, focal person on the Livelihood Assistance Grant (LAG), said they were waiting for downloading of funds   for these beneficiaries under LAG 3 whose project proposals were assessed and approved.   
    Each family-beneficiary affected by calamity will receive P15,000” he said.
    Bumosao said under LAG 4 this first quarter of 2021, assessment for eligibility are applications of 337 families of displaced persons   from the Balbalan, Pinukpuk, Tanudan, Lubuagan and Tabuk  City which were shortlisted by their respective disaster risk reduction management offices.
    Under LAG 5, the Social Welfare and Development team was targeting 635 families in municipalities of Lubuagan, Tinglayan, Tanudan and Tabuk City.
    Bumosao said their applications were being processed for the DSWD-CAR region’s approval. 
    Meanwhile, liquidation is ongoing for LAG 1 and 2.
    Beneficiaries were told procurement must be based on the proposal. “Anything procured or paid not in the proposal is passed to the proponent as his personal expense,” Bumosao said.
     Proposed livelihood are short term for victims of calamities to   earn and recover early, he said. – PIA Kalinga

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Baguio, Benguet top DepEd Cordi in math competition

By Jesusa Rosario / Manuel Roxas  

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The Baguio and Benguet Dept. of Education schools divisions topped the 2020 Mathematical Investigation Competition, the Department of Education – Cordillera announced recently.
     In memorandum 006—2021 signed by DepEd Cordillera director Estela Carino and received by DepEd Baguio last January 8, Baguio and Benguet took two wins each to rule the competition open to Grades 4 to 12 from both public and private schools.
    During the recent virtual awards ceremony streamed live over DepEd Tayo Cordillera Facebook page, the winners in the elementary and high school divisions of Key Stage 2 and 4 are Charles John Diosan of Gibraltar Elementary School and Baguio City National High School’s Stephen dela Torre, respectively.
    Diosan won with his entry Building Match Sticks Sequence Using Regular Octagons, while dela Torre’s Pointed Shurikens was also favored by the judges in the competition held online.
    Ashnica Zarein Balauin and Meishael Chyne Abellera of Puguis ES and Kendrick Diaten, Franelyn Dale Jose and Ishtar Karylle Songot of Cordillera Regional Science High School topped the same key stages but for the group division.
    The winners from Puguis had Solving the Perimeter of Expanding Equilateral Triangle as entry, while the group winners had The Length of a Leg of the Trapezoid of a Side of a Rhombus in the Truncated Square Pyramid and the Volume, the Total Lateral Surface Area, and Total Surface Area of the Truncated Square Pyramid in the nth Iteration.
    However, Baguio took one silver finish and two third place finishes to emerge the top winner in the competitions.
    The duo of Hazjezhia Grace Sumensin and Michael Go of Bakakeng ES placed second to Benguet in group category of Key Stage 2. 
    Third place finishes for Baguio include Richardyne Lei Soralde of Pines City National High Schoolin the individual category of Key Stage 3 and Athena Karhylle Lazo and Mykhailla Jzemigma Abad in the group category of same key stage.
    Benguet finished third in the individual category of Key Stage 4 with Karen Joy Canabe of CRSHS.
    Apayao is the third DepEd division with the most wins with one first place finish and two second place honors.
    Samara Yancee Tacas of the Apayao Science High School topped Psalms Wenrose Portugal of the Tabuk City National High School disputed the top honor in the individual category of Key Stage 3.
     The Golden Petals entry of Tacas bested Portugal’s The Area of a Growing Germ of Life and the Circumference of the Circle Circumnavigating it in the nth Stage.
    However, it was the reverse in group division of said key stage as TCNHS’s Ryza Jennine Atienza, Lhyzael Alethea Magno and Rubijane Padang coming out as the victor with their work The Area and Circumference of Eight Petal Lotus Flower in the nth Stage.
    The work of Cristalyn Alunday, Heidy Lei Cacayan and Mylyn Mandingwan of Tappo Vocational High School in Apayao was adjudged second best.
    Abra had one silver and one bronze finishes in the individual and group categories of Key Stage 2, while Ifugao has one third place finish in the individual Key Stage 2.
    The competition was held from Sept. 1 to Oct. 15 last year with an online orientation of SIDO education program supervisors for mathematics held on Sept. 4.
    Online training for grade 4 – 12 teachers on mathematical investigations, on the other hand, was held from Sept. 8-10.
    The deadline of submission for entries was on Oct. 16, followed by the judging of entries on the division level on Oct. 19-23.
    The due date for online of submission for the regional level was on October 30, with the judging done from Nov. 2 until 6.
    With the theme: “providing quality, accessible, relevant, mathematics education for all in the new normal,” the MI competition intends to facilitate the integration of learning outcomes in Mathematics and across curriculum areas within the Basic Education K-to-12 curriculum.”
    It also “provides learners with the opportunity to discover the practical applications of Mathematics.”
 
 
 

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CPA chief submits to NBI after PNP shoot-to-kill order

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Cordillera People’s Alliance chairperson Windel Bolinget submitted himself to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) here Jan. 21 following a shoot-to-kill order against him by the Cordillera Police Regional Office after “trumped up murder charges” were filed against him in Mindanao. 
    A CPA statement said Bolinget submitted himself to the NBI for security while proving his innocence from the fabricated case he is charged with.
    “We would like to emphasize that this is in no way an act of surrender nor an admission of guilt for the fabricated charge that the police filed against him. This is so he can have full access to all legal services in challenging his case, while under NBI’s protective custody,” the statement said.
    “By submitting, Bolinget maintains his innocence and honors his earlier statement of challenging his case in due time as was his intention when he learned of the warrant issued for his arrest. While in custody, we demand that Bolinget’s right as a detainee be given to him in full. The state will be responsible and accountable should any harm befall him while he is under their protection.”
    Police issued a “shoot to kill” order against Bolinget which was denounced by the militant group saying the murder case filed against him in Mindanao was “trumped up.”
    The CPA urged police to stop the manhunt and drop the P100,000 bounty against Bolinget.  
    Police Regional Office Cordillera director R’win Pagkalinawan who reportedly issued the order Tuesday however clarified the “shoot to kill” was only if Bolinget will “manlaban (put up a fight) and resist arrest.”
    The CPA said in a statement Wednesday right after the wanted posters with a bounty of P100,000 against Bolinget was issued by Kalinga police in their official Facebook page for any information that could lead to his arrest, several copies of the same poster were reportedly placed around Bolinget’s residence in La Trinidad, Benguet early morning of Jan. 19.
    The same posters were also seen in Baguio City.
    Bolinget issued a statement earlier saying “before Christmas Day 2020, stalking was observed on my house by a team of men in civilian clothes, days and nights.  I was alarmed.  I took it very seriously as a signal for extrajudicial killing against me. 
    “A week later, I was informed that massive surveillance was being done in my hometown in Sagada, Mountain Province, with increased military and police presence. 
    Bolinget said he and 10 other persons were accused of murdering Garito Tiklonay Malibato on March 21, 2018 in Sitio Upper Tagasan, Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte. 
    “I read in news report that Malibato is a Lumad claimed by his village mates to have been killed by members of the paramilitary group ALAMARA. I have never been to Davao del Norte and have not been to any place in Mindanao in 2018. I am not a murderer as alleged by this fabricated case. I am not a resident of Kapalong, Davao del Norte as falsely claimed in this trumped-up case.
    I am not a member of the New People’s Army nor am I a terrorist.  I am an unarmed civilian and I believe that continuing the activist tradition of indigenous peoples for human dignity, social justice, land and environment is crucial in our society. I was a student activist before I worked full time with the CPA from 1997 up to the present.
    “As a student activist, I joined protests against high tuition fee increases and fought for students’ rights and welfare. As a staff of the CPA Education Commission since 1997 until I was elected as its Secretary General in 2001 and served as CPA’s chairperson from 2009 up to the present, I have been part of implementing CPA programs and activities for people’s rights and welfare, human rights and indigenous peoples’ rights.
    The CPA urged government authorities to observe due process in the case of Bolinget saying he was not declared by any court as a criminal.
    The CPA is composed of 307 sectoral and indigenous people’s organizations in the Cordillera.

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Covid-19 cases up in 6 provs; 10,072 in Cordi

BAGUIO CITY – The Dept. of Health flagged the Cordillera Administrative Region for a spike in Covid-19 cases even as it monitored an increase in Covid-19 cases in six provinces nationwide the past two weeks.
    In a press briefing in Manila, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the average daily attack and two week growth rates of Covid-19 in the region were high.
    “We have flagged the area (Cordillera). We are closely monitoring and working with them so that we can address the situation,” Vergeire said.
    A total of 638 beds in hospitals and infirmaries in the Cordillera were assigned for Covid-19 cases as of Jan. 17.  Sixty-one percent have been utilized.
    Of the 37 mechanical ventilators, 41 percent are in use.
    As of Tuesday, the Cordillera logged 10,072 Covid-19 cases, 1,700 of them active. 
    “While Metro Manila has remained relatively cool post-holiday, a surge is occurring in many provinces,” the OCTA Research group said in a report released Wednesday.
    “Cebu, Benguet, Leyte, Pangasinan, Cagayan and Kalinga all had significant increases in Covid-19 cases, with an increase of more than 40 percent compared to the previous week,” the group said.
    Citing data from the Dept. of Health, OCTA said average number of new cases per day in Cebu province increased to 95 from Jan. 13 to 19 compared to 62 in the preceding week.
    The number of Covid-19 cases increased from 59 to 89 in Benguet, 54 to 81 in Leyte, 40 to 69 in Pangasinan, 20 to 36 in Cagayan and nine to 27 in Kalinga.
    Cagayan, Isabela, Pangasinan, Benguet, Kalinga, Leyte and Misamis Oriental all had positivity rates of more than 10 percent, an indication of a high number of positive results out of the tests conducted.
    From Jan. 13 to 19, Metro Manila recorded an average of 410 new cases per day, slightly below the 417 recorded the week before.
    The DOH-Cordillera posted considerable number of new Covid infections in this city and in the provinces of Kalinga, Mountain Province and Ifugao, with a total of 243 fresh cases on  Jan. 18.
    The Baguio City Health Service Office logged 56 new cases, with one fatality, and 26 recoveries.
    The city now has 506 active cases, 3,942 recoveries and 85 deaths out of the total of 4,533 confirmed cases as of January 18.
    Kalinga had the most number of new cases on Monday with 108, 53 of which came from the capital city of Tabuk, 20 from Balbalan, eight each from Rizal, Tanudan and Pasil; five in Libuagan, four in Tinglayan, and two in Pinukpuk.
    And because of the surge in the incidence of Covid-19 in Tabuk, the Kalinga Provincial Covid-19 Task Force placed under temporary lockdown Barangays Bulanao Norte,Bulanao Centro, Agbannawag, and Bado Dangwa from Jan. 18 to 22.
    The celebration of the Fifth Bodong Festival was also ordered suspended by the provincial management committee.
    The observance and commemoration of the province’s 26th founding anniversary will be through a simple thanksgiving mass, where all minimum health and safety protocols would be followed, on Feb. 14.
    The Mountain Province Provincial Health Office reported 47 new cases and eight recoveries on Monday, bringing total of confirmed cases to 418 (256 active cases, 161 recoveries and one death).
    Of the new cases, 27 came from capital town of Bontoc, 12 in Sabangan, 2 each from Bauko, Sadanga,Sagada and Paracelis. 
    A Philippine Information Agency report meanwhile bared at press time number of new cases increased to 106 with 77 in Mountain Province, 2 in Mountain Province; 29, Baguio City; 26, Benguet and 21 in Kalinga.
    The PIA reported three deaths – a 90-year-old female from Benguet, 60-year-old male from Kalinga and 50-year-old female from Mountain Province.
    The DOH meanwhile said 32 new cases were reported in Ifugao.
    Meanwhile, data from DOH-Cordillera showed there were 329 new cases in the region, with 86 still being verified to be coming from the provinces of Benguet, Apayao, and Abra.

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Cordillera IPMRs to Du30: Make autonomy bills urgent

BAGUIO CITY – Cordillera Indigenous peoples mandatory representatives (IPMRs) recently urged President Rodrigo Duterte to certify as urgent pending bills in Congress seeking to make the Cordillera autonomous.    
    This, after the Cordillera regional offices of National Commission on Indigenous Peoples partnered with National Economic Development Authority to update IPMRs in the region on pursuit of Cordillera autonomy.
    Led by the Regional Development Council. NCIP and NEDA conducted face-to-face and virtual meetings with IPMRs Dec. 1 to 16.
    Over 80 participants joined and signified commitment to sustain support in the advocacy.
    They urged the President in a resolution to certify the autonomy bills as pushed by Cordillera congressmen, local government units, and private sector representatives.
    A mock plebiscite was also conducted where 89.7% voted in favor of establishing the Autonomous Cordillera Region, 2.3% voted no, while 8% remain undecided.
    A common sentiment that surfaced was that community elders’ opposition to the previous two attempts was because the bill was not explained to them properly.
    Others who were in favor in 1990 and 1998 also expressed that they faced strong opposition from doubters who did not understand the benefits that an autonomous governance can provide the region.
    As part of their commitment, IPMRs will work with NEDA-
    CAR through the SPCAR program to increase awareness and support of Cordillera autonomy in their local communities.
    NCIP Commissioner for Region 1 and CAR, Gaspar Cayat, called for the involvement of the IPMRs.
    He said community elders are the best way to reach the grassroots and amplify support for autonomy.
    Currently, there are three bills filed in Congress establishing the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera, Senate Bill 1232 filed by Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, House Bill 5687 filed by all CAR Congressmen, and House Bill 7778 filed by Benguet Caretaker         Congressman Eric Yap. With increasing support for Cordillera autonomy legislation, having a pool of advocates ready for information dissemination is crucial for attaining the ‘yes’ vote during the plebiscite. – With a NEDA report

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Ifugao gov’t offices, villages locked down

By Marcelo B. Lihgawon

LAMUT, Ifugao -- The rising cases of Covid-19 cases in the province prompted some municipal mayors to declare lockdowns and suspend work in government offices and travel to other places.
    This, as the Provincial Health Office reported as of Jan.  19, Ifugao had a total of 239 cases with 131 recoveries, 107 active and one death while 1,251 possible cases are on quarantine in the different municipalities.
    Alfonso Lista Mayor Edralin Alipio, in his executive order 01 series of 2021, imposed temporary lockdown of government offices within the municipal compound starting Jan. 19 due to seven newly confirmed cases.
Employees holding critical positions and personnel of the rural health unit in charge of swabbing and contact tracing and disinfection were exempted from the lockdown.
    The RHU, in partnership with other offices, is intensifying prevention, detection, isolation and other related health measures.
    In Asipulo, Mayor Armando Domilod placed sitios Likud and Proper of barangays Haliap and Amduntog respectively, under calculated lockdown Jan. 21 for contact tracing of the direct and secondary contacts of the new cases in said places.  
It will be extended or lifted earlier depending on the recommendation of the contact tracing team. Concerned agencies and officials were directed to ensure that the movement of people is monitored.
    In Hungduan, the Municipal Inter-Agency Task Force on Covid-19 placed also Barangay Hapao on a 24-hour lockdown starting Jan.  20 while the local government unit was closed Jan. 20-21.
    Issuance of business permits was extended on Jan. 25.
    Kiangan Mayor Raldis Andre Bulayungan also ordered lockdown in sitio Ibulao in barangays Baguinge and Matuppik in Duit which ended Jan. 20 to facilitate efficient contact tracing of the close contacts of the latest cases.
    Transactions at the municipal government offices of Banaue were suspended until further notice to give time to the contact tracing team to identify, test and manage all direct contacts of the Covid-19 case who was an LGU employee.
    In Mayoyao, Mayor Jimmy Padchanan, Jr. imposed a 3-day lockdown in Barangay Chumang and particularly Sitio Chuyong until Jan.  31 for  contact-tracing and swabbing due to new Covid-19 case in the area.
    Padchanan also temporarily suspended non-essential travels to and from the municipalities of Lamut, Alfonso Lista, Hungduan, Asipulo, Kiangan and Lagawe.
    The suspension ended Jan.  21 to give ample time to the medical teams of said municipalities to conduct efficient contact tracing and swab tests.
    Meanwhile, Banaue Mayor John Raymund Wesley Dulawan announced that LGU offices will remain closed until further notice   to enable the contact tracing team to identify, test and manage all direct contacts of an LGU employee who tested positive for Covid-19.– PIA Ifugao

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Sagada cancels Etag Festival

BAGUIO CITY -- This scenic town will skip the 10th edition of the Etag Festival this year due to Covid-19 pandemic.
Sagada Mayor James Pooten Jr. said the local government decided to cancel Etag festivities to prevent spread of the virus and  in adherence to the safety guidelines set  by the national and local   Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
    “It is with a heavy heart that we have had to arrive to a decision to cancel our annual town fiesta and its festivities, but bearing in mind the health and well-being of the members of our community, this is the best course of action that we need to take,” the Sagada municipality social media post stated.
    “Despite this, we hope to still keep the vision of our municipality in heart and in mind as we continue to survive this pandemic.     "The municipality of Sagada will be an economically, socially, religiously and culturally progressive society where there is peace, justice and abundance of life."
    The Sangguniang Bayan  in 2011 enacted the town’s Etag Festival identifying ‘etag’ (pork meat preserved through salting, smoking over a low fire or sun-drying) as a way of life of the people and promoting local products thru the annual celebration.
    Festivities highlight culture and traditions of Sagada folks through activities and events participated by local residents and tourist.
    Due to the pandemic, the SB Jan. 4 issued resolution 02-2021 recommending cancellation of this year’s   Etag Festival.
    It  noted that while the local government unit joins the country in starting plans and promotions to slowly spur economic, social and cultural development,   comes another global problem, which is the UK variant of the COVID-19, putting into serious threat the country’s economy and social security.
    Pooten said even with the cancellation, Sagada folks produce etag despite also being affected by the depleting   pork meat due to the African Swine Fever .
    Meanwhile, Pooten said with the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the municipality and Mountain Province, reopening Sagada to tourists will be put on hold to ensure safety and health of the people.
    As of Jan. 14, Sagada recorded five new Covid-19 cases bringing total cases to 14 with seven recoveries and seven active cases.
    Most new cases were close contacts of known Covid-19 cases. – PIA Cordillera

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La Union town bans local hog raisers from shipping out livestock

By Caren Grace R. Cabanayan

SAN FERNANDO CITY-- The local government of Rosario in La Union province issued executive order 6 series of 2021 to temporarily suspend its local swine raisers from selling and shipping out their livestock outside the municipality which started Jan 14.
    The order only covers those with backyard piggeries while  commercial piggery farms are exempted.
    According to Dr. Fay Baniqued, municipal veterinarian, this issuance aims to ensure enough and steady supply of pork for the town’s people as the municipality is experiencing pork shortage since December last year.
    “May shortage tayo ng baboy dito sa ating bayan mula pa nung Disyembre. Dahil nga ASF-free ang Rosario ay marami pong munisipiyo dito sa La Union ang kumukuha ng supply ng karneng baboy dito sa atin. Hindi rin naman po tayo kumukuha ng baboy o karne mula sa ibang bayan,” Baniqued said in an interview.
    Among LGUs in La Union importing pork products from Rosario are Agoo, Pugo, Sto.Tomas, Balaoan, and the city of San Fernando.
    As a result, the selling price of said meat product in the municipality climbed up to P320 to Php350.
    “Ang consequence niya, tumataas yung retail price namin dito sa munisipyo. Maraming umaangal na mga residente sa mataas na presyo ng karneng baboy. Nag-usap kami ni Mayor and I suggested the temporary suspension to stabilize the price,” she said. 
    Through said EO, the LGU established the meat’s suggested retail price at P280 to P300.
    Any individual found to have violated this order shall be penalized accordingly which may result in the revocation of permit to operate business.-- PIA La Union

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Baguio VM pushes legal help for sued city workers

By Jordan G. Habbiling

BAGUIO CITY – The vice mayor here is pushing a local law for the city government to provide city government and barangay workers lega assistance if they are sued while in performance of their official functions.
    In his proposed ordinance, Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan sought help of the City Legal Office for legal counselling, preparation of pleadings, representation to the courts/tribunals/quasi-judicial bodies/other special bodies, and other legal assistance to barangay officials and city government employees.
    Barangay officials include elected officials, appointed secretaries, appointed treasurers, tanods, health workers, barangay nutrition action officers, and barangay human rights action officers.
    The ordinance shall not apply if the case is between or among barangay officials, city officials, and/or employees and if there is conflict of interest clearly identified by the concerned office.
    The budget shall be formulated by the City Legal Office and shall be incorporated in the yearly budget of the said office subject to accounting/auditing rules and approval of the Sangguniang Panlungsod. The city legal officer shall coordinate with the city budget officer for the fund allocation within five days from the approval of the ordinance.
    Likewise, the CLO shall be tasked to prepare rules and regulations of the ordinance.
    Olowan invoked Section 458 of the Local Government Code or Republic Act No. 7160 which mandates the Sangguniang Panlungsod to “provide legal assistance to barangay officials who in the performance of their official duties or on occasion thereof have to initiate judicial proceedings or defend themselves against legal action.”
    The same law states that the city legal officer shall perform other functions and exercise other powers subject to local legislation.
    The vice mayor said there was no specific provision of the code prohibiting the City Legal Office from representing the city government’s rank-and-file employees sued by virtue of their official functions.
    Rank-and-file employees are those who are not in any managerial positions.
    The proposed ordinance was approved on first reading and was referred to the committee on ethics, governmental affairs and personnel for further study.

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Fire hits house in Pangasinan boy, 16 dies

 STA. MARIA, Pangasinan – A 16-year-old boy died Monday night in a fire that broke out at the family residence in Barangay Poblacion West here.
    In an interview on Tuesday, Fire Officer 1 Sheila Joyce Dotimas of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Sta. Maria identified the casualty as Angelo Jordan Sumabong.
    Based on the initial report of the BFP Sta. Maria, the fire engulfed the Sumabong residence at 11:20 p.m.
    “The mother, Rose Mia, an employee of the municipal government of Sta. Maria, was able to run outside of their residence.         However, her son was allegedly trapped inside the house,” she said.
    Domitas said the fire was put out with the help of fire stations from neighboring towns, but not after the whole house was razed.
    The body of the victim was recovered inside the burned house.
    “We are still investigating the incident. The investigators are still gathering information from the mother who is still in shock.         She was unable to talk since last night,” she said.
    She added the mother sustained first-degree burns.
    The cause of the fire is yet to be determined as well as the total cost of damage, Domitas said. 
 

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39 wanted persons nabbed in Cordillera

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet – A total of 39 wanted persons were nabbed in the Cordillera second week of January with 10 categorized most wanted.
    Baguio City Police Office has recorded the highest number of arrests with 14, followed by Benguet PPO with 10, Kalinga, 8; Abra, 5   and Ifugao with 2.
    In Kalinga, Tanudan town police arrested, Segundo Dona-al Lingbawan listed as No. 7 MWP and Christopher Dona-al Lingbawan listed as No. 8 MWP.
    The two were facing charges for murder with no recommended bail.
    Pinukpok town police also arrested Regino Sagalong Gaano, Shad Lugay Dimara, and Regina Awingan Romano.
    Gaano, listed as Kalinga’s most wanted person was facing charges  murder while Dimara and Romano were both facing charges illegal drugs.

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P19.2-M marijuana burned, 6 druggies held

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- - More than 19.2 million worth of marijuana plants in seven plantation sites were burned while seven drug personalities in Benguet were arrested Jan. 10-16.
     In Kibungan town, police destroyed around 62,170 fully-grown marijuana plants, 125 marijuana seedlings and 30 kilos of dried marijuana stalks worth P16,039,000.
    In Bakun town, police discovered some 16,150 fully-grown marijuana plants worth P3,230,000 in three plantations at Barangay Kayapa.
    All marijuana plants were uprooted and burned the site.
    Meanwhile, Benguet police arrested six drug personalities:
    Amiel G. Eligores, Rasmia Ebra Balang, Sharon G. Lorenzana, Rommel C. Lagera, Jojit A. Tesion and Hazel Mae Guiles Dogcio.
    In La Trinidad, an alleged drug personality  was arrested in a buy-bust operation Jan.18.
    Gideon Lastimosa Manzano, 50, was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Betag, La Trinidad.
    La Trinidad police said Manzano was arrested after he sold three sachets of suspected shabu to drug operatives who acted as buyer.
    Three sachets of shabu worth P6,868,  P6,000 bills and Vivo cell phone were confiscated from him.
    The items were listed as evidence in the presence of barangay kagawad Fredirick Compalas and Denver Bastingo as media representative. 
 

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Baguio City 180 2020 projects’ status bared

By Gaby B. Keith

BAGUIO CITY -- Of the 180 city government projects of 2020 amounting to P2.2 billion, 39 percent were implemented, 39 percent ongoing and 32 percent not yet implemented due mainly  to Covid-19 pandemic.
    City Planning and Development Office coordinator architect Donna Rillera-Tabangin bared this during meeting of local officials at City Hall, Jan. 13, led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong.
    Implemented projects include online building permit system of the city buildings and architecture office (CBAO); park development, sewer line and forestry projects under city environment and parks management office (CEPMO); and promotion of urban gardening and organic farming by city veterinary and agriculture office.
    The conversion of Irisan dumpsite into an eco-park by general services office (GSO); execution of the Baguio VISITA by the city administration office-tourism division (CADMO-tourism); and the public information office’s quad media information campaign were also implemented, among others.
    Ongoing projects are socialized housing program spearheaded by the CPDO; SMART city system:  command center by the City Mayor’s Office (CMO); and the city engineering office’s (CEO) sidewalk improvement project.
    Also ongoing are Baguio swimming pool rehabilitation by CADMO-tourism; Baguio In My Pocket application by CMO; and Smart Flood Early Warning System by CPDO and city disaster risk reduction management office.
    Projects not yet implemented but to be pursued are youth convergence and sports center by CADMO-sports division; Burnham Lake Drive drainage by CEPMO; and market development by city treasury office.
    These also include Koha software library information system spearheaded by CMO-library division; the CMO’s fibertization project; and Community-Based Monitoring System by CPDO, among others.
    Tabangin said all local government programs, projects and activities are implemented in line with the city’s 16-point strategic goals that serve as an action plan for 2019-2022.
    These are speeding-up government action; revitalizing the environment; innovating peace and order; aggressive traffic management; responsive education program; youth empowerment; expanding health and social services;  responsible tourism; and enlivened culture, arts, crafts and heritage.
    Also included are market modernization; effective disaster management; empowered and accountable barangay governance; strengthened livelihood and entrepreneurship; unemployment reduction; resolution of Indigenous People’s and other land issues; and happiness. 

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