Nat’l park in Nueva Ecija’s Bongabon beckons visitors

By Celso M. CajucomBONGABON, Nueva Ecija – When they thought that the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic was dying down last year, local tourists, hikers and bikers began flocking here to Mt. Labi, an ecotourism attraction. in in Central Luzon.
    Bongabon’s tourism office now places the number of visitors to the mountain at 2,000 daily.
    The destination draw boasts of Deesap Falls, reputedly the highest in the Philippines, and the Calaanan Falls.
    Mt. Labi itself is part of the 5,676-hectare protected Doña Aurora Memorial National Park in the Sierra Madre mountain range, according to Noel Agustin, the town’s administrator and tourism officer.
    The national park is located along the Nueva Ecija-Baler (Aurora road), where the first Philippine First Lady, Doña Aurora Aragon-Quezon, wife of former Commonwealth president Manuel Quezon, was ambushed and killed on April 28, 1949.
    Bongabon Mayor Allan Xystus Gamilla said a bike-trail project was underway.
    Visitors to the park are mandated to strictly adhere to standard health and safety protocols, wearing face masks and face shields and maintaining the required physical distancing.
    They are also required to show a health certificate and swab test results if they are from neighboring Nueva Ecija towns and cities or elsewhere in the country.
    “We make sure that the measures in the fight against Covid-19 are met, and guests are limited to 50-percent capacity for booking and reservations,” Gamilla said.
    He added they are glad to hear that tourists have been helping preserve and protect the national park’s ecosystem.
    Apart from biking and hiking, there is a lot more to enjoy in the site ‒ water tubing, camping, backpacking, bird watching, wildlife night-spotting and rock climbing.
    Galicia recently announced that the Bongabon environment officer had reported to him the sighting in the national park of two pairs of the monkey-eating Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), the largest of its kind in the world.
    Meanwhile, the Nueva Ecija Bikers Association’s Facebook group posted on Feb. 9, 2021that its members were trekking to Deesap Falls when they spotted pieces of cut lumber that were believed to have been abandoned by illegal loggers. “The truth is we cannot stop illegal logging and kaingin (slash-and-burn farming) unless we provide an alternative source of income [to the people],” the post said.
    Jessa Mae Macaraeg, a member of the Nueva Ecija Backpackers and Mountaineering Community Inc, in her recent Facebook post, said, “Aside from the self-fulfillment that I feel, it is also important to safeguard the environment. It is the sense of being one with nature that makes me climb mountains. It pains me to see a mountain’s scar. I am annoyed to [know that there are] people who constantly abuse nature.”
    Joselito Blanco, chief of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro), and the Bongabon local government unit assured illegal loggers will be arrested.
    Penro and the LGU, denied that what the members of the Nueva Ecija Bikers Association saw were freshly cut lumber, saying they were pieces of old cut-lumber.
    Blanco said they keep watch round-the-clock to make sure the national park’s biodiversity is untouched.
Calaanan Falls, according to him, is composed of seven-level falls with refreshing water where people can swim and relax.
Its trail is divided into two sections. The first section is characterized by the presence of boulders, rocks, sand mud and a small stream to cross, and the second section is grassy and has yet to be improved because it consists of a slippery slope of about 45 degrees that one needs to hurdle to reach the top of a hill where grass abounds.
    Blanco recommended that tourists visit Deesap Falls during summer.
    “It offers cool water, [which is] perfect to beat the summer heat. The water comes from the
Sierra Madre Mountain,” he said.
    There is also a 150-year-old balete tree to climb and with which the tourists can pose for souvenir pictures.
    To reach Mt. Labi: if you are coming from Manila and elsewhere south of Central Luzon, you first have to pass by Nueva Ecija’s main business center of Cabanatuan City, and from the Maharlika-Aurora highway crossing, motorists have to drive 38 kilometers more to reach the mountain.
    Mt. Labi is within Bongabon, a second-class town with a sprawling area of 28,000 hectares of farming, residential and business areas and forests.
    The town is acknowledged as one of the biggest onion producers in Southeast Asia.

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Ifugao town opens eco-tourism sites

By Liza Agoot 

ALFONSO LISTA, Ifugao – This town has opened its outdoor tourism destinations to Ifugaos and neighboring provinces to provide a respite for people who have been locked in their homes for several months due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
    Lorena Dulnuan, municipal tourism officer, in a text message on Wednesday, said their outdoor destinations include the 1.5-kilometer 1,000 Steps, bird watching, and the Domingo Ranch agri-tourism destination. These are available to residents from the different towns of Ifugao and the neighboring provinces such as Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela, and Cagayan in Region 2, and Mountain Province in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
    “Both destinations are open spaces, large spaces where people can have free movement and breath freely aside from observing physical distancing. We still provide an opportunity for people to have a refreshing environment, to unwind after staying in their homes for several months due to the pandemic,” Dulnuan said.
    The 1,000 Steps and the bird watching attractions are located in Barangay Sto. Domingo, on the side of the Magat reservoir managed by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), both on the side of Ifugao.
    The 1,000 Steps lies on a 497-meter concrete pathway that stretches 1.56 kilometers towards a hill that is lined with a canopy of trees. The trail has a number of panoramic viewpoints where people can take photos, sit, rest or just enjoy nature.
    The bird watching features the white egrets flying in and out of their sanctuary and the Philippine ducks enjoying the warmth of the sun. The site is also ideal for picnics and relaxation, sunset and sunrise viewing, and photography.
    On the other hand, the Domingo Ranch is an agri-tourism destination that has a variety of edible plant species, chicken species that include the easter chicken which lays colored eggs, and the PHP1,500-per kilo silk chicken that the Chinese believe to be medicinal.
    The ranch is a self-sustaining place where visitors are fed with food mostly obtained from the farm.
    “We all know that when we are in a place like this, nakaka-relax sa ating mind at (relaxing to the mind and) soul,” she said.
    Dulnuan said their town was included in the Asian waterbird census in 2013 which prompted the local government to start developing the area where people can stay while watching the birds. From then on, the place became part of the annual count of waterbirds, an international activity of environmental advocates.
    “These birds are important to the environment, the eco-system because if we do not take care of them, it's like removing a part of the ecology. Here, we can watch nature with the bird, we can commune with the beauty of the birds,” she said.
    Dulnuan said that Ifugao’s thrust in preserving the environment is still focused on heritage sites, biodiversity preservation, and the town’s promotion of its destination is not veering away from the concept of Ifugao culture and environment.
    Sylvia Chinayog of the Department of Tourism-Cordillera Administrative Region (DOT-CAR), in a separate interview, said the department is helping in the promotion of eco-tourism and agri-tourism destinations, especially with their big potential.
    She said that aside from being compliant to the “outdoor” requirement of the Inter-Agency Task Force for emerging diseases, it also maximizes the potential of the areas for preservation and economic activity and farmers getting more value from producing food.
    “We are doubling the benefit from the destination and providing an opportunity for locals to have an employment,” Chinayog said.
    She said that people have learned to enjoy experiential tourism where they get to be part of protecting the place and harvesting the food they will eat while enjoying the activity. -- PNA 

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PCSO defies solons’ move to close Isabela STL operations

By Ben Rosario

ILAGAN, Isabela -- Ordered to temporarily close its small town lottery (STL) operations in Isabela, an official of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office on Feb. 16 said they will be forced to defy lawmakers unless specifically ordered by the Office of the President to comply.
    PCSO General Manager Royina Garma stood her ground during a joint congressional inquiry conducted by the House Committees on Good Government and Accountability and on Games and Amusement in Quezon City, pointing out that since the state-run lottery firm is under the OP, she cannot follow what the joint panel wants her to do.
    Garma, a former Cebu City police chief, faced House members and Isabela police officials as she defended STL operator  Sahara Gaming  from accusations hurled by local officials of Cauayan City and the provincial government.
    Sahara, a PCSO authorized agent corporation (AAC),  has reportedly been violating local laws by refusing to pay business fees and local taxes. 
    It was also accused of harassing local law enforcers ordered to stop STL operators for violation of city ordinances.
    “We will wait for instructions from OP to direct me to comply with what you manifested a while ago,” Garma told Abra Rep. Joseph Bernos, chairman of the games and amusement panel.
    Acting on an approved motion, Bernos informed Garma that the Isabela STL must temporarily cease operation while the Lower House is conducting an investigation into the  legality of Sahara’s STL business.
    Isabela Rep. Faustino “Inno” Dy appeared incredulous at Garma’s claim. 
    He said the joint panel must invite an OP representative for clarification.
    The Commission on Audit lists PCSO as a government-owned and/or controlled corporation and not an attached agency of OP.
    Isabela Gov. Rodito Albano said that aside from defying local laws  and refusal to pay business permits and local taxes in      Isabela, Sahara has been shortchanging the PCSO of its share from the STL operations in the province.
    Albano presented to the joint panel what he claimed were bogus betting tickets and receipts allegedly being used by the STL operator.
    Reacting to Albano’s claim, DIWA Partylist Rep. Edgar Aglipay, chairman of the good government panel, said it would be better for PCSO to take over all STL operations since it is being cheated by some of its AAC partners, anyway.
    While admitting that there are indeed instances where AAC’s shortchange the PCSO,  Garma insisted that they are  closely monitoring all its STL operation, adding that it is the lottery firm, not AAC’s, that conduct local draws.
    During the hearing, League of Provinces of the Philippines and Marinduque Gov. Presbitero Velasco assailed PCSO for tapping AACs to run STL outlets, saying that this is against the law.
    Velasco, a retired Supreme Court associate justice, cited the SC ruling in Kilosbayan vs Guingona which ruled that PCSO is prohibited from conducting lotteries “in collaboration, association or joint venture with any person, association, company or entity, whether domestic and foreign.”
    Together with Rep. Dy and Deputy Speaker and Sagip Partylist Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, Velasco stressed that by tapping AACs as partners in the conduct of STL lotteries, the PCSO is already violating the law.
    “We maintain that the operations of the AACs are in clear and blatant violation of Section 1 of Republic Act 1169,” said Velasco.
    The LPP president advised the PCSO to stop STl operations it has assigned to AACs to avoid being accused of defying the law.  
    “Another option is for pCSO to use officials and employes to conduct lotteries.  We also recommend that the PCSO charter and the Local Government Code can probably be amended and add LGUs to enter into arrangements and contracts with PCSO so that they themselves can operate STLs,” said Velasco.
 

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Kalinga posts 1,734 Covid cases; tests on

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- Ten barangay local government units here and two Kalinga municipalities are now conducting aggressive community testing up to Feb. 25 since it started last week. As of Feb. 15, Kalinga had a total of 1,734 confirmed Covid-19 cases.
    The province has 264 active cases, 1,455 recoveries and 15 deaths.
    The National Disaster Risk Management Council-Regional Task Forceon Coronavirus Disease 2019 has given at least 7,805 slots for three LGUs of Kalinga. 5,000 kits were allotted for Tabuk City, 1,205 for Pasil municipality and 1,600 for Lubuagan municipality.

The 10 barangays to conduct ACT in Tabuk City include Bulanao Norte, Malinawa, Balawag, Bulanao Centro, Agbannawag, Bado Dangwa, Casigayan New Tanglag, Dagupan Centro, and Dagupan Western. The testing dates in the City will be from 18 to 22 February.

Barangays Cagaluan, Guina-ang and Malucsad were identified for ACT in the municipality of Pasil. Barangays of Mabongtot, Lower Uma, Poblacion, Mabilong and Dango were also identified as recipients in Lubuagan. The ACT in the two s will be from 22 to 25 February 2021.

The swab samples will be brought to the molecular laboratory in the province of La Union.

Isabela municipal hall locked down

By Raymund Catindig

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan — The municipal government building of San Agustin, Isabela was closed on Monday after eight employees at the treasurer’s office were found positive for Covid-19.
    The lockdown until Wednesday was ordered for disinfection and contact tracing.
    The municipal health office urged those who were exposed to the patients to undergo self-quarantine and seek assistance from its office or barangay health workers.
    San Agustin recorded 36 Covid-19 cases, nine of them active.

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SEC warns public against four investment companies

Crypto, funding, franchising scams 

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) warned the public against individuals and groups engaged in unauthorized investment-taking activities disguised as cryptocurrency trading and franchising. 
    In separate advisories issued on Feb. 9, the Commission advised the public to exercise caution when dealing with Jams Mart, Solmax Global Limited and Igniter 100, as well as BitAccelerate. 
    It said all three groups have not secured the necessary licenses to offer securities for sale within the Philippines, as required under the Securities Regulation Code. 
    The SEC warned all individuals or entities involved in the unauthorized investment-taking activities of the strict penalties provided under the Securities Regulation Code, and other laws, rules and regulations enforced by the Commission. 
    The Securities Regulation Code, for one, punishes those who act as salesmen, brokers, dealers or agents with a maximum fine of P5 million or imprisonment of up to 21 years or both. 
    Similarly, those who invite or recruit others to join or invest in such venture or offer investment contracts or securities to the public may incur criminal liability, or otherwise be sanctioned or penalized accordingly.
    Jams Mart, which is headed by a certain Niño Luis A. Jamili, is not registered with the SEC either as a corporation or as a partnership. 
    The group has been offering investments to the public through its franchise investment program, where investors are promised up to 300 percent or returns within one year. 
    Solmax Global and Igniter 100, meanwhile, have been enticing the public to invest in their initial coin offering (ICO) through Filipino Independent Marketing Partners (IMP). 
    Supposedly based in London, Solmax and Igniter 100 are operated by Florian Krueger, Serge Meulenbelt, Abdul Rehman Sandhu, Steven Lubka, Thelma Dhlovu, Aarron Bates, and Asim Mirza,
    The SEC identified its IMPs as Anna Lisa, Diane Sawali, Roberto Dulin, Aizel Alana, Ehmerson Ilagan, Jennifer Plata, Meri Reyes, Elphed Reyes Stephen Carreon, Renmar Sombilon, Jemar Tarsita, Melchor Parojinog, Reynald Atillo, Fatima Atillo, Marilou Van Meeteren, Michelle Canay, Robinson Diaz, Ferzael Ebueng, Susan Borja Ramos, and Jimbert Aton. 
    The investment packages range from £25 to £5,000, with a total guaranteed passive income of 1 percent per day for a total of 200 percent for 200 days. The investor could increase their returns to 2 percent per day for 100 days if they could recruit at least three more into the scheme. 
    The SEC warned that Solmax and Igniter 100, despite claiming legitimacy abroad, may be operating a Ponzi scheme, wherein early-stage investors are likely to be paid out from investments of new investors instead of from the sale of legitimate products or services. 
    Both entities have not secured a license from the SEC to conduct its ICO within the Philippines. 
    BitAccelerate, which also operates under the names Bitaccelerateproject.com, BA, and BitAccelerator, claims to be operating a crowdfunding international platform that provides investors both long-term active and passive income. 
    Investors could supposedly generate income from BitAccelerate’s compensation plans, depending on the number of referrals or membership fees they have gathered. Investors could generate up to 350 percent maximum passive income from their investments, or about 2 percent to 8 percent daily profit. 
    The Commission reminded the public that cryptocurrencies are very volatile and involve a higher degree of risk, making any promise of lucrative returns “truly ambiguous.”

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N. Vizcaya prepare for Covid-19 vaccination

By Benjamin Moses M. Ebreo

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya --Health officials here are now preparing for Covid-19 vaccination in the province.
    Ranee Ganacias, National Immunization Program (NIP) coordinator said activities for Covid-19 vaccination deployment plan started in the province.
    She said local government units listed priority targets in their respective areas.
    "Mayors were oriented on their role and what to do during the vaccination days. We are still on the beginning stage of the VDP," Ganacias said.
    The VDP for the province targets total eligible population(TEP) of 144,420 of the 488,328 2021 projected population in Nueva Vizcaya which represents 29.6 percent of the total population.
    The TEPs are priority 1 - 9,503; priority 2 - 20,833, priority 3 - 22,803, priority 4 - 90,282 and priority 5 - 999.
    Ganacias said the VDP seeks to suppress transmission of and prevention of severe Covid-19 cases and fatalities through vaccination.
    The implementing units for the VDP are the Region 2 Trauma and Medical Center, Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Hospital, Kasibu Municipal Hospital, Lt. Tidang Memorial Hospital, Diadi Emergency Hospital, Dupax District Hospital and private hospitals in the province such as the Salubris Inc., PLTCI Luis Tiam Medical Center, Medical Mission Group Hospital and Health Services Cooperative and the Indigenous Peoples Hospital.
    Based on the National VDP, the target population are: priority group A (Priority 1) - frontline health workers such as public and private hospitals, private clinics, TTMFs, public health workers, barangay health emergency response teams including barangay health workers and other national government agencies like Departments of Education, Social Welfare and Development, Interior and Local Government, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and Bureau of Corrections.
    Priority 2 are the indigent senior citizens. Priority 3 covers remaining senior citizens, priority 4 - indigent population and priority 5 – are uniformed personnel such as the AFP, PNP, BFP, PCG and CAFGUs.
    The priority group B are teachers and school workers, all government workers, essential workers, PWDs, PDLs, indigenous peoples and people living in high density areas, eligible students, OFWs and other members of the work force while Priority Group C are the remaining Filipino citizens. – PIA Nueva Vizcaya
 
 

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P3M marijuana burned in Ilocos

By Freddie G. Lazaro

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union -- Police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency operatives uprooted and burned some P3 million worth of marijuana plants in mountainous areas in Sugpon, Ilocos Sur.
    The lawmen discovered three marijuana plantation sites Feb. 9–11 in Barangays Danac and Licungan, both in Sugpon.
    Police Lt. Jerry Arzabal, Sugpon police chief, said the three plantations were located in the disputed boundary between the provinces of Ilocos Sur and Benguet of the Cordillera Administration Region.
    Lawmen uprooted and burned 4,050 fully-grown marijuana plants in the first plantation, 4,300 plants in the second, 2,750 and 3,000 grams of dried marijuana fruiting tops in the third.
    Based on Dangerous Drug Board estimate, Arzabal said worth of destroyed marijuana was P3.080 million.
    He said samples from the uprooted marijuana plants were turned over to PDEA Region 1 agent Marlon A. Apolog for documentation and disposition.
     “We are presently conducting a probe on identities of the cultivators of the marijuana plants planted in October last year,” he said.
    Meanwhile, two policemen who were slightly injured while they were hiking the slippery terrain to reach the sites were immediately brought to Tagudin General Hospital for treatment. -- PIA 1

2 men nabbed, 2 elude arrest in Tabuk; shabu, guns bullets confiscated

TABUK CITY – Two persons were arrested for illegal drugs, guns and ammunition here recently while another two eluded arrest, a police report said. 

Police and narcotics agents implemented two search warrants, one in the residence of Hyker Wacnang Tayab here where 23 pieces of suspected shabu were found while in the house of Benny Alluyon Aboli, 43, some 20 pieces of shabu were confiscated. The suspects were not present during the implementation of the search warrants. Implementation of search warrant in Barangay Lacnog, also resulted to arrest of Ricky Alunday Balway, 30, for illegal drugs..
    A total of 21 sachets containing suspected shabu worth of P34,000 were confiscated from him.

Aggawoc Dumayom Suyam was also arrested in his residence in Barangay San Juan.

Confiscated from him were Cal.45 pistol, Carbine and assorted bullets.  for cal .45, carbine, and M16 rifle; and assorted ammunition for cal .45, carbine and M16 rifle.

The suspects and the confiscated pieces of evidence were brought to the custody of Tabuk police station.

Cops destroy P21.5-M MJ in Benguet, Kalinga; two druggies arrested

BAGUIO CITY – Police personnel from the Cordillera recently uprooted marijuana plants and burned these in Benguet and Kalinga. Capt. Marnie Abellanida, Police Regional Office Cordillera information officer, on Wednesday said a total of P21.5 million worth of marijuana were destroyed Feb. 6 to 16.
    He said marijuana eradication operations were done in Benguet and Kalinga.
    In Bakun town, Benguet, operatives of Benguet provincial police office uprooted and burned more or less 91,500 pieces of fully grown marijuana plants with estimated standard drug price of P18.3 million.

In Kibungan, around 7,070 pieces of fully-grown marijuana plants, 1,050 pieces of marijuana seedlings, and three kilos of dried marijuana stalks with a total estimated SDP value of P1.82 million were destroyed by authorities at the plantation site.

In Kalinga, operatives of the provincial police also uprooted some 7,400 pieces of fully-grown marijuana plants valued at P1.48 million.  

Benguet police also conducted buy-bust operations that resulted in the arrest of two drug personalities.

La Trinidad town police arrested Gerbel Kim Caga in buy-bust operation in Barangay Pico.

Caga was apprehended after he sold two sachets containing suspected shabu worth P1,496 to a cop who acted as a buyer.

In Buguias, cops arrested Charlie Tabao-ican Timpac in Barangay Abatan.

Timpac was arrested after he sold to the cops sachet of suspected shabu weighing 0.12 grams worth P816.

As the result of the operation, operatives confiscated suspected shabu weighing 0.81grams valued at P5,508.

All arrested suspects are now facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. – With PNA report

 

 

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Ilocos cops arrest 242 wanted persons

By Freddie G. Lazaro

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union -- Police arrested 242 most wanted persons in Region 1 through implementation of Simultaneous Anti-Criminality Law Enforcement Operations (SACLEO) Feb. 6 to 8.
    Brig. Gen. Emmanuel B. Peralta, Region 1 police director, said operations were of lawmen’s efforts to arrest criminal offenders with warrants of arrest as per instruction of PNP chief Gen. Debold M. Sinas.
    “We are going to normalize the conduct of these simultaneous operations, to serve justice to the victims and their families. I am directing all provincial directors and chiefs of police to continue doing these to maintain peace and order in the whole of Region 1. This is a breakthrough that we were able to arrest these wanted persons because aside from serving justice, we also prevent these perpetrators to continue doing crimes,” said Peralta.
    The SACLEO is focused on arrest of most wanted persons in the regional, provincial, and city/municipal levels.
    Of the 242 arrested MWPs, three of them were regional top MWPs, 16 provincial MWPs, 58 city/municipal MWPs, and 165 other wanted persons.
    Peralta said the three arrested regional top MWPs were alleged members of Raul Sison Criminal Group identified as Albert Palisoc, Benjie Resultan, and Armando Frias, all of Urbiztondo, Pangasinan.
“    The three arrested regional MWPs were among 22 suspects in the 2019 ambush of former Pangasinan Gov. and 5th District Rep. Amado Espino Jr.
    They were arrested in Barangay Poblacion, San Juan, Batangas on February 7 following warrants of arrest against them for murder, attempted murder, and frustrated murder by San Juan town police station in Batangas with the help of the police intelligence operatives from Batangas, Pangasinan and Region 1 Intelligence Unit,” Peralta said. -- PIA 1 with reports from the PRO1

 186 most wanted persons arrested in Cordillera

CAMP DANGWA, Benguet – A total of 186 wanted persons, including 30 in top most wanted persons (TMWP) lists are now in jail after their arrest in manhunt operations conducted by Cordillera police last January.
    Cordillera police director Brig. Gen. R’win Pagkalinawan said operations were conducted region-wide to arrest all wanted criminals charged for offenses following orders of Philippine National Police leadership to intensify, reinvigorate and focus on the anti-criminality drive and anti-insurgency efforts of the government.
    Of the 186 wanted persons neutralized, 30 were listed in the TMWP. One is listed in the regional level’s TMWP; nine in the provincial level and 20 in the municipal level, while 156 fell under the category of other wanted persons .
    Leading the list of arrested persons was Cordillera’s number 8 Top Most Wanted Person (TMWP) identified as Jheyrald Cayas Genove. He was captured in Lower Wangal, La Trinidad, Benguet for the crime of two counts of rape with no bail recommended.
    Another notable achievement was the arrest Abra’s no. 6 TMWP identified as Alfredo L Tampoy Sr. who was nabbed at Brgy. Bao-yan, Boliney, Abra for two counts of acts of lasciviousness with a recommended bailbond of P180,000.
    In Apayao, the no. 5 TMWP was Aljhmar Bawat Dam-at, 25, farmer,of Aga, Pudtol, Apayao. He was held for the crime of rape, while the no. 8 TMWP Emerson Pante Calapati, 32, carpenter, of Brgy. Gulpeng, Pinili, Ilocos Norte was caught for the crime of double frustrated homicide.
    In Benguet, No.8 TMWP as Judilyn P. Daclis, 37, was arrested while the No. 10 TMWP Arjay Olita Daguio, 28, was seized in his residence in Lengaoan, Buguias, Benguet.Daclis was accused of estafa with no bail recommended while Daguio was charged for violation of section 10 of RA 7610.
    In Ifugao, Jose Pugong Y Buhe, 53, no. 1 TMWP, caretaker of Globe Cell Site at Ap-apid, Tinoc, Ifugao was arrested for the crime of murder, while Roy Wallat Gopeng, a.k.a “Chong-Chonglon”, 43, laborer, of Sitio Kha’chan, Barangay Buninan, Mayoyao, Ifugao was apprehended for the crime of frustrated murder.
    Finally, the two most wanted persons of Kalinga identified as Marcial C Pallat, no. 1 most wanted person charged for the crime of rape was captured in Barangay Bantay, Tabuk City, Kalinga and Freddie B Sangab, no. 8 TMWP was apprehended for attempted rape in Pinococ, Pinukpuk, Kalinga.
    Pagkalinawan lauded the highest performance of Baguio City Police Office with 97 arrests followed by Benguet PPO with 31; Abra PPO- 19; Kalinga PPO- 18; Ifugao PPO- 12; Apayao-5; and the least which is Mountain Province PPO recorded 4 arrests.

37 arrested for rape, drugs, estafa in Cordi

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet -- Police arrested 37 wanted persons, of which eight were listed as most wanted persons (MWP) in Cordillera Feb. 7 to 16. 

Topping with most number of arrests was Baguio City Police Office with 12, followed by Benguet with seven; Ifugao, five; Abra and Apayao with four arrests each, Kalinga with two and Mountain Province with one. In Benguet, Jerry Cosendo Pinder was arrested by La Trinidad police for rape.

In Itogon, Diana Rose Collado Sotero, was nabbed for violation of Republic Act 7610 or Special protection of children against abuse, exploitation and discrimination Act.

In Abra, Reymundo Basinga Gonzales “aka” Rey was nabbed for rape.

In Ifugao, with no bail recommended for the crime of Malversation, Gregorio Naces Evangelista was arrested by Lagawe police.

In Kalinga, Arnold Wai-il Bag-ayan was arrested by Tabuk police with no bail recommended for rape.

In Baguio, Brittch Chumacog Almasan, was nabbed for illegal recruitment and estafa. Further, operatives of Loakan Police d Stepeh Ricalde Sitiar "aka" Stephen Ricalde Sitiar was also arrested for violating RA 7610 while Nellie Logaspi David was held for estafa.

Still in Baguio last Feb. 16 ,John Raymund Carino Pinto was apprehended in a buy-bust operation, after the suspect sold a sachet of suspected five grams of shabu worth P18,500 to a cop.

Another two sachets of suspected shabu worth P6,800 were also confiscated from the suspect.

Pinto was reportedly the same person who concealed shabu in adobo and brought it inside Baguio City Jail using the fictitious name of Michael Addawood Feb. 12.

Inventory of confiscated evidence was conducted at site in the presence of the suspect witnessed by prosecutor Oliver Isabelo Prudencio; punong barangay James Doligas; and Brigitte Marcasi of Bombo Radio Station.

 Still in Baguio, police and PDEA-CAR elements conducted a buy-bust operation at Baguio Memorial Park Cemetery in San Luis Village that resulted to the arrest of a drug personality and confiscation of a suspected illegal drugs.

The suspect identified as Dhel Carganilla Padilla, 34, electrician was arrested after selling shabu to a cop who posed as buyer.

Two sachets of suspected shabu worth P6,8000 were also confiscated from the suspect. Inventory and marking of recovered evidences was conducted in the presence of Prosecutor Oliver Isabelo Prudencio, Brgy. Kagawad Joseph Domiong, and media representative Brigette Marcasi of Bombo Radyo.

 

 

 

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Cordillera gov’t group to check ‘problematic’ projs

By Marlo T. Lubguban

BAGUIO CITY - The Cordillera Regional Project Monitoring Committee is set to inspect this year “problematic” government infrastructure projects and programs. 
    This, after the RPMC reviewed it 2020 accomplishments and 2021 work plan during its first quarter meeting on Feb. 9.
The RPMC conducted field visits in 2020 in compliance with health guidelines and border restrictions.
    A total of 12 priority project sites were visited in 2020.
    Along with this, the RPMC prepared four quarterly monitoring reports, conducted four regular committee meetings and webinar on school building guidelines under the DepEd Basic Educational Facilities Fund (BEFF).
    The RPMC visits sites of problematic projects under the regional project monitoring and evaluation system (RPMES) and holds problem-solving sessions to get projects back on track and meet project timelines.
    In 2019, the RPMC visited projects with good performance to learn their best practices that may applied in other projects.
    Before the pandemic, the RPMC visited sites in Ifugao in  March to inspect problematic and good-performing projects.
    Among the sites visited were Ifugao General Hospital, Alfonso Lista pump irrigation project, Duit Elementary School building project and the Ifugao State University water system project.
    With the onset of the pandemic, the committee focused on implementation of the social amelioration and emergency subsidy program (SA/ESP).
    The RPMC visited Baguio City barangays during pay-out activities, Baguio City relief operations center at the PFVR Gym, and Baguio SAP operations center in DepEd Baguio Division Office in April.
    The RPMC ended the year with inspection of sections of BLISTT Outer Ring Circumferential Road on Dec. 4, 2020.
    The implementation of road construction and slope protection projects were noted to be ahead of schedule.
    The DPWH said this was due to strict adherence to schedule and compliance of contractors.
    The sections were Section 2, Kamog Jct.-Calot-Pappa-Bagong-Balluay-Tuel Road from Sablan to Tublay,  Labey-Lacamen road in Tublay, and Bokod-Labey-Lacamen road from Bokod to Tublay (C2-C3).
    As part of its monitoring and evaluation capacity building program, the RPMC conducted a webinar on school building guidelines on Aug. 18, 2020 to guide project monitoring committees on prescribed building guidelines under DepEd’s basic education facilities funds (BEFF) as implemented by the DPWH.
    Through regional offices of the National Economic Development Authority and National Irrigation Agency, the RPMC recently concluded its February 10 webinar on NIA irrigation projects.
    Priorities for inspection in 2021 are the “Bagong CIS (Crisis Intervention System)” in Sablan in the first quarter and the roll out of Covid-19 vaccines for the rest of the year.
    RPMC will also focus on information dissemination to increase public awareness on status of government-implemented projects.

 

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Baguio, Benguet mayors agree on border rules

By Marissa Cabatu

BAGUIO CITY – Mayors of the BLISTT (Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba-Tublay) agreed here on conditions and documents needed in passing borders of said areas.
    BLISTT council chairman Benjamin Magalong earlier called for a meeting to discuss the next steps after the expiration of the border restrictions advisory implemented from Feb. 1 to 15 in BLISTT.
    It was decided Baguio City will recognize all medical certificates and clearances of LISTT residents acquired since Feb. 1 as valid until Feb. 28 and authorized persons outside residence (APORs) are no longer required to submit medical certificates or clearances between BLISTT borders.
    Following the order of Benguet Gov. Melchor Diclas, BLISTT vice chairman and Itogon Mayor Victorio Palangdan called for eased border restrictions between the LISTT municipalities like requirement for medical clearance/certificate.
    Magalong said citizens of Baguio will likewise comply with measures that the LISTT mayors will implement.
    The BLISTT chairman urged local government units (LGUs) to implement stricter health protocols, increased testing, and tracking.
    Magalong offered to help in aggressive mass testing in LISTT municipalities.
    Referring to the pandemic and the necessary preventive protocols,  Palangdan told mayors their residents will follow health protocols.
    The mayors agreed to respect the local autonomy of each LGU, with the LISTT municipalities to follow Benguet’s advisory on border restrictions.
    Sablan Mayor Manuel Munar noted increasing number of cases in their municipality saying they will release their own advisory similar to Baguio City.
    The BLISTT mayors agreed to monitor their respective Covid-19 cases in the next 10 days to determine best move in combatting spread of the virus.
    BLISTT head secretariat and National Economic Development Agency Cordillera OIC regional director Stephanie Christiansen noted mayors are committed to restricting non-essential travel of their residents through local guidelines.
    She said there was need to increase testing capacity in the LISTT.
    Baguio City is waiting results of tests on the UK variant of Covid-19 from the Philippine Genome Center.
    Magalong also offered to pass on, at purchase price, excess incoming vaccine supply to the LISTT towns.
 

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CAR: 27 Covid-19 cases, down in 2 weeks

By Liza Agoot  

BAGUIO CITY – The Cordillera Administrative Region on Tuesday recorded the lowest daily cases of Covid-19.
    The Dept. of Health Cordillera tracker showed the region logged 27 new cases, which is much lower than the average 102 daily record in the last 16 days from Feb. 1 to 16.
    Abra, Apayao and Kalinga recorded zero cases; Baguio City had 17; Benguet had six cases; Ifugao has 1; and Mountain Province has three cases.
    The region also logged 31 recoveries on the same day.
    As of Tuesday, the region has 13,374 total Covid-19 cases with 856 active and a total of 12,318 recoveries or a 92.1 percent recovery rate.
    Meanwhile, the DOH-CAR said the provinces in the region continue to improve their readiness for the rollout of the nationwide Covid-19 vaccination.
    DOH-CAR regional director Dr. Ruby Constantino, during the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) meeting on Tuesday, said the provinces are equipped with the Vaccine Assessment Tool to monitor their preparedness for effective and efficient implementation of the vaccination program in the Cordillera.
    Constantino said they are targeting a weekly assessment meeting to determine the progress in identified critical activities for each of the key thematic areas under the vaccination operation cluster.
    The thematic areas include planning, coordination activities; budgeting; prioritization and targeting; service delivery; training; monitoring and supervision; vaccines, cold chain logistics; safety, surveillance and response; and the demand generation, social mobilization and communication.
    Constantino said some of the local government units (LGUs) and hospitals have conducted simulation activities of the vaccination in their respective areas of jurisdiction.
    She said the simulation will enable LGUs to check on their vaccination plans and adjust them accordingly.
    The DOH-CAR said there are currently 252 cold storage units in the six provinces and city in the region that are mostly composed of residential freezers, except for Baguio City which was able to acquire two ultra-cold freezers that are capable of storing vaccines that require a temperature ranging from minus 70 to minus 80 degrees Celsius.
    This, as the DOH-CAR has recorded a significant drop in the number of several illnesses in January this year as compared to the same month in 2020.
    In its disease surveillance report, DOH data showed that from Jan. 1-30, influenza-like cases dropped to 69 as compared to the 678 -- a 130 percent decrease -- recorded in the same period last year; typhoid and paratyphoid cases with 29 cases from 266; and dengue with 35 cases from 251.
    The three illnesses logged the highest number of cases last year.
    Other illnesses, including viral hepatitis B and C, bacterial meningitis, non-neonatal tetanus, leptospirosis, and acute bloody diarrhea also logged decreases in cases during the first month of this year.
    Only one measles case was recorded in January as compared to the 106 in the same month last year.
    Constantino attributed the decrease in the number of illnesses to the observance of health protocols.
Geeny Anne Austria, a nurse at the DOH-CAR's Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit, said the record reflected those that are attended to and reported by the medical professionals.
    The cases are among the top illnesses regularly monitored by the department. -- PNA
 

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Red-tagging

EDITORIAL

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, the new chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), last week instructed the military to be more cautious in accusing people of having links with communist groups.
    In a television interview, Sobejana said one of the guidelines he issued to the troops was to be “very careful” in pointing an accusing finger since the burden of proof was on them.
    “That’s one of my highlights in my guidance Thursday, that we should be very careful kasi the burden of proof ay nasa atin (because the burden of proof is on us),” he said.
    Evidence should always be presented, Sobejana said.
    The military has been widely criticized for arbitrarily labeling people as communists without presenting substantial evidence.
    Even in the Cordillera, members of human rights groups, people’s and non-government organizations like the Cordillera People’s Alliance have been tagged as members of the Communist Party of the Philippines even if they have denied it.
    In Ifugao some members of cause-oriented groups have been shot after being labelled such by State forces. It had become dangerous to espouse people’s rights since one could be labelled a member of the CPP and could be shot or killed cause-oriented groups said.
    At least one Army general has been censured for publishing a list of what he claimed were communist rebels or sympathizers. The list contained names that had nothing to do with the communist movement and the AFP had to issue an apology.
    Sobejana said the AFP should learn from erroneous information that it had publicized.
    Recently, National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict spokesman Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. warned he would sue an online news reporter for her report on Aetas being tortured by soldiers.
    Parlade accused the reporter of “aiding the terrorists by spreading lies.”
    Sobejana assured the public he would look into the issue.
    Sen Panfilo Lacson said Parlade’s “careless and unnecessary” remarks might weaken the government’s defense of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), which is being challenged before the Supreme Court.
    “Coming at a time when the solicitor general is defending the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 against 37 petitions, particularly on the issue involving ‘overbreadth doctrine’ among others, such remarks from a high-ranking military official is uncalled for and totally unnecessary,” Lacson, the principal sponsor and one of the authors of the Senate version of the ATA, said in a statement.
    “There are basic freedoms that remain to be protected and upheld under RA (Republic Act) 11479, foremost is the freedom of speech or expression,” he added.
    Lacson, chairman of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation, said that accusing a journalist of “aiding the terrorists by spreading lies,” assuming that such comment was accurately attributed to him, surely does not help the government to convince the magistrates of the Supreme Court to rule in its favor.
    “At a time when unity is needed against threats such as terrorism, actions that threaten to divide are the last thing our country needs,” he said.
    The Supreme Court is now on the spot. The public is awaiting its ruling on the Anti-Terrorism Act considering widespread opposition against it. Its ruling would spell its credibility as the country’s last bastion of justice and interpreter of laws.

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Ifugao, are you (not) an Igorot?

BEHIND THE SCENES
Alfred P. Dizon

(Richard Kinnud who lives in our neighborhood writes this week’s piece)
    “Apay nga dakayo nga Ifugao ket madiyo nga maawagan nga Igorot?  Haanyo aya nga ammo nga ti kayatna nga sauwen ti Igorot ket tagabanbantay ket banbantay met ti Ifugao?  Wenno madiyo gapu ti Igorot ket kunada nga mammugot ti ulo, awanan adal, adda ipusna, kennu tadta nga panawen ket beggar?  Haan aya nga dakayo ket mammugot met laeng ti ulo, agwanwanes kayo met, ado met laeng ti adayo nga lugar idiay Ifugao nga awanan eskwelaan, ken ado met laeng ti beggar?”
    (“Why is it that you Ifugaos don’t like to call yourselves Igorot?  Don’t you know that the word Igorot means from the mountains and isn’t it that Ifugao is also mountainous? Or is it because they say that Igorots are known headhunters, uneducated, has tails, and in the present times beggars?  Is it not that you too are headhunters, you wear g-string, there are flung areas in your place that still don’t have schools, and a lot too are beggars?”)
    This was how a friend and fellow Cordilleran stunned me in the course of an otherwise friendly exchange of banters.  I felt the weightiness of every word that he uttered that even alphabets were afraid to come out of my mouth. 
    “Your first question was a complicated one,” I said softly after I managed to gather myself and minced some thoughts, “as not all Ifugaos do not like to be called Igorots.  You are talking to one who has since accepted the Igorot tag.” 
    However, I went further to tell him that even as several Ifugaos accept the Igorot label, it does not mean that every Ifugao should be compelled to be called Igorots.  I gave as an example my grandmother whom I asked once if the word “Igorot” or “Kaigorotan” rings to her mind and she said “no.”  This means that my grandmother whose place of travel was only limited up to Balingway or muyadna (which is how the folks use to refer to places far from home like Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino) never considered herself an Igorot.  What she only knows was that she is an i-huddokna (meaning from a hinterland) which in Ifugao was the general term used to refer to people from Hingyon and its surrounding villages being far from the Lagawe and Kiangan that were then the centers of government in the place.  On the other hand, writings say that Igorot is the generic term that the Spaniards used to refer to people in the upland during their conquest and so by this definition, my grandmother is an Igorot for she is from an upland.   But should I fault my grandmother for not calling herself an Igorot?
“    The second question is accusatory,” I tried to rebuke my friend, “as you are trying to portray that by not accepting the Igorot tag, Ifugaos are denying that they are from a mountain area.”
    I went on to explain that the word “Ifugao” is similar in meaning to the word “Igorot.”  Books have it that  “Igorot” is formed from the prefix “i-“, meaning “dweller of”, and “golot”  meaning “mountain range.”   On the other hand, Ifugao is formed from the prefix “i-“ also and “pugo”.  Pugo is an Ifugao word referring to a flat land area extending from a hillside or mountainside.  Clearly, Ifugao also means mountain people.  I also stressed to my friend that a stark difference even is that “golot” is a Tagalog word while pugo is our own word.
    “As to the third question, your fourth question contradicts it,” I argued to him as I assured him that Ifugaos too do not like so much possible that the word Igorot or the word Ifugao be associated with being barbaric, uneducated and a beggar.
    I cited to him a movie in the nineties entitled “Mumbaki” which depicted the Ifugaos as savage even at modern times.  And there are a lot more write-ups that misrepresented the Ifugaos.  A lot of Ifugaos too are hanging around Wright Park and Botanical Garden in Baguio City and you’d know them by their language.  Thus it is pointless to say that Ifugaos are avoiding the Igorot tag because of negative connotation.
    When my friend and I ran out of words to say to each other, we realized nga bisin mi laeng (it was just our hunger).  So we decided to proceed to that restaurant where we used to go that serves boiled kinuday (smoked and salted pork), a truly Igorot delicacy, topped with tungsuy, a locally grown vegetable.  While eating, we both agreed that our previous discussion mixed up several issues.  It ranges from the choice of an individual on how he/she be referred to up to how to erase the negative stigma attached to different ethno-linguistic groups not just in the Cordillera but in the entire Philippines.  There is also the issue on what collective term should apply to every citizen of the Cordillera especially that we are now identified as one region and Philippine Congress is moving towards autonomy of this region.  Finally, we agreed that our discussion which was the result of our hunger at that present moment did not really solve anything.
    The next day, I went into the trouble of trying to find out what the books have on why Ifugaos are not Igorots.  I peeked into “The Ifugao World” by Mariano Dumia, whom I know to be a true-blooded Ifugao from Mompolia, Hingyon and had some answers.
    I learned that there was a bill filed by the representative to Congress of then the lone district of Montanosa (old Mountain Province) that “sought to prohibit the use of the ‘Moro’ and ‘Igorot’ in all laws and books and instead use the name of ‘muslim’ and ‘highlander.’”  This was not passed into law of course but speaks of a fact that even some Igorots would not like to be referred to as Igorots.
    The book also quoted another author who disagreed with classifying as one all inhabitants of the mountainous region.  Dumia quotes the book "The Non-Christian Tribes of Northern Luzon" published in Manila in 1906 by Dean C Worcester as follows:
    “Any classification which unites such strikingly different people in the peace-able, industrious, and highly civilized Tinguians of Abra; the long-haired war-like headhunting peoples of Banawe, Silipan, and Mayaoyao (all town in Ifugao); and the fierce and wild Kalinga in one ethnological group seem to be fundamentally wrong.”
    I also peered into the “The Discovery of the Igorots” by William Henry Scott published in Manila in 1974 and found this:
“Filipinos born on the Gran Cordillera Central are generally known as Igorots, though they might more accurately be referred to by the names of six ethnolinguistic  groups into which they can be divided – Isneg, Kalinga, Bontoc, Ifugao, Kankanay, and Ibaloi.”
    Scott has also noted that there was a time when even the Spaniards referred to Ifugao as “Ifugao” for the place and “pugao” for the people.  They were however in later Spaniard reports referred to also as Igorottes.  It is to be observed though that the Spaniards were only able to occupy only portions of Kiangan and Mayaoyao.
    Scott also noted an ethnographic note Guia de las Islas Filipinas dated 1842 by Galvey that had the following classification:
Igorots – principally from the twons of Benguet, Apaiao, Bokod, Lutab, Kabayan, Kapangan, Tepiteb, Lumia, Tamorong, Amlimay, Buguias, Acupan, etc.
    Buriks – principally from Bakun, Lamagam, Culili, Palina, Bagubatan, Silipil, Maguiaanay, Pandayan, Banaao, etc.
    Busaos – principally from Payeo, Besao, Kaagitan, Agawa, Balabalasanng, Sagada, Malitep, Ambukilan, Bataran, Tublo and Luyen
    Itetepans – from Itamaan, Amkilen, Ibungan, Banguing
    Guinaanes – from Gacdaning, Mabuntoc, Pageng, Guinaang, Simadeng, Mainit, Besinang, Bukiangen.
    Ifugao – from Kiangan, Mayoyao, Burney, Baunton, Ipan, Inapu, Babatu, Kawan, Umbo, Gaviang, Nungabu, Venlas, Bulo,     Cananas, Pantucan, Lumaban, Ambabag, Tipuc, Ibuang, Pundiga, Yanol, Dugon, Magulang, Bagumbon, Mantabian, Anopol, Dacagan etc.
    Apayao – between the mountainous region of Ilocos Norte and Cagayan.
    Scott also wrote that people that inhabit Kalinga were simply referred by the Spaniards as pagans.
    These write-ups just show that there are bases on why Ifugaos, and other ethno-linguistic group such as the Kalingas, and those from Abra and Apayao should not be referred to as Igorots.  It remains however that there is logic in looking for a term that would take as one the people of the region.  And “Igorot” is an option.  This of course can not just be resolved by mere street-talk but political, including the media and academic institutions can help much.  It also remains a responsibility of everyone to put away “Igorot” and any of other names referring to a Cordillera inhabitant from the negative connotations such as being savage, wild, tailed, and mendicant by showing that the Igorot and any other Cordillera inhabitant are not these.

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City of diminishing Pines

LETTERS FROM THE AGNO
March L. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY -- Before another Pine Tree is felled, let me dedicate this part to the Igorot who has been libeled lately. I imagine the world rushing to greet everyone Keng Hei Fat Tsay. We are in the Year of the Metal Ox of 2021 which starts from February 12, the Chinese lunar New Year Day, and lasts until January 31st of next year. This year could be a blessing if it provides the protein the Ibaloy canyao lover needs at a time when pigs are out of stock.
    Since it is the Year of the Metal Ox, the lucky colors associated with it are metallic gray and aqua blue. Chinese astrologers say the color aqua blue is the kind that charges the I-samoki, I-besao and I-sagada with positive energy when they suffer from chronic stress and fatigue.
    Astrologers further say that Ox persons are naturally honest, have diligence, dependable, have strength and determination.     And since these are traditional characteristics, the women Ox are traditional and faithful Cordilleran wives who attach great importance to their children's education.
    For the male Ox, they have adopted the character of cows so that they are strongly patriotic, have great patience and a desire to make progress, and have ambitions for life that are attached to family and work, like the Kankanaey vegetable farmer of Northern Benguet.
    But before doing anything, Ox persons make sure they have detailed plans to which they apply their strong faith and physical strength like the Bontoc and Kiangan warriors. Like cows, persons born under the Ox zodiac sign enjoy satisfaction.
    The Ox however, is not always a successful animal as it shows weakness in communicating with others like the shy Ibaloy. It is stubborn and sticks to its own ways. That is why Ox people think that exchanging ideas is not worthwhile.
    And since they have lesser social dealings, they enjoy staying alone, munching hay in the field all they long. Male and female Ox however, are loyal to friends. That explains the sincerity and obedience of the animal to the cowhand.
    When it comes to love relationships, Ox people keep a long term contract with their lovers. Although as many as five female cows share or have sex with just one and the same bull. Happy Valentines. All five of them are sincere to him and changing him makes them uneasy. These are not Igorots this time. They are of a different religion down south.
***
Trees are being killed in the name of development. Sometime in 2012, the DENR sued DPWH officials and a public works contractor for killing 32 Pine trees within the Camp John Hay forest reservation that stood in the way of a circumferential road widening project at Barangay Happy Hallow despite the absence of permits.
    Apparently, the DPWH ordered the contractor to fast-track the construction before the rainy season, but the work program to widen the road along Barangay Happy Hallow required removing 157 Pine trees.
    The DPWH and the contractor allegedly violated two counts of the Forestry Code of the Philippines or PD 705, as well as EO No. 23 that was issued in 2011 to enforce a moratorium on tree-cutting nationwide.
    Just last month, the DPWH geared up to cut at least 28 trees to make way for five road expansion projects to ease traffic flow, after it was granted permits by the city government.
    Fifteen of the trees are along Marcos Highway, four are along Kennon Road at Barangay Camp 7, while the rest are along Bonifacio Street and Fr. Carlu Loop by the road entrance of the Baguio Cathedral.
    Then two weeks ago, there was noise on social media about the plan to kill 36 mature trees, most of these Pine trees, beside the Mt. Peace Retreat House area to ease the traffic along Governor Pack Road.
    Father Jesse Hechanova immediately wrote Engr. Rene Zarate of the DPWH after his office started cutting trees, reminding him that Baguio’s “natural charm to local and international tourists as the Summer Capital of the Philippines is the presence of Pine trees.”
    That is why Baguio has been known as the “City of Pines”. But that was then. Now for the second time, I am calling Baguio the “City of diminishing Pines” because as Father Hechanova said in his letter, “we are saddened that the remaining green spaces are decreasing at an alarming rate.”
    As the noise became louder on social media, engineer Leandro de Jesus, CENRO of Baguio quickly clarified that the tree-cutting permit was issued upon completion of requirements, including the City Mayor’s clearance. His office also suspended the cutting of trees until further notice.
    True. If not for the public complaints and noise from netizens, infrastructure development such as housing subdivisions and road construction would surely be more rampant, never mind that trees are sacrificed.   
    Last year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the DENR granted a special private land timber permit (SPLTP) to Vista Residences Inc. that allowed the cutting of 54 Benguet and Norfolk Pine trees inside its property at Barangay Outlook Drive in the city.
    The DENR said the developer of the Villar property was issued a permit because the company went through the tedious process of getting the environmental clearance certificate (ECC), mayor’s permit and barangay certificate.
    Still in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, the DENR granted to the Philippine Military Academy a permit to cut 53 trees from a tree plantation raised by cadets so it could put up a parking building.
    City environment officer Rhenan Diwas said the city cannot protect Pine trees inside private properties unless it exercises its power of eminent domain to buy back these properties.
    While that may be true, it is far easier to stop issuing certificates and tree-cutting permits than buying back privately owned properties which could be comparable to buying a property on the moon.
    For Mayor Benjie Magalong, the present problem was tree-cutting activities during the pandemic which affected the plan to rejuvenate green areas that Baguio lost to urban development. The city’s forest cover has been reduced to about a quarter of Baguio’s 49 sq.km area.
    An accounting of assorted trees in the city that was ordered by the DENR Sec. Roy Cimatu in 2019 was estimated at 2.5 million, where less than 500,000 of these trees are Benguet Pine.
    All of these permits and cutting of trees outraged residents and netizens while others condemned the actions, saying the city neglected the environment in its push for infrastructure development.
    I read from the paper about a plan by the city to develop pocket parks and inner city roads to be lined with trees. In addition, City Environment Officer Diwas said that they would ask the DPWH to allow the city to replant trees along its streets as part of its reforestation plan.
    As far as I can recall, planting trees along highways has been done after the killer earthquake of 1990 that devastated all five major roads leading to Baguio, by incorporating tree-planting in all public works projects.
    That can be ordered again at this time of the pandemic. Still, the best solution to stopping the trees from diminishing and bring back the glory of the City of Pines is to totally stop the issuance of certifications and tree-cutting permits.

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