Beneco: Pay power bills at coop offices, not banks

NEA appointees dig in, hold office at posh hotel 

BAGUIO CITY – Benguet Electric Cooperative officials urged power users to pay directly at their offices and outlets after some banks recently froze Beneco accounts.
    Beneco general manager Melchor Licoben and the power cooperative’s board of directors aired this appeal after appointees of the National Electrification Agency reportedly convinced some banks they were the “legitimate” signatories of the Beneco accounts.     
    Banks which “froze” Beneco accounts included Development Bank of the Philippines (LBP), Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), LandBank, Rang-ay and MetroBank.
    The Philippine National Bank Branch here along Session Road reportedly released a total of P2.6 million to the NEA appointees including a Beneco director who was kicked out of office during a recent general assembly of member-consumer-owners for having sided, along with three other Beneco directors, with NEA appointees.
    Licoben had issued directives urging power consumers to pay directly at Beneco offices like at their main office in South Drive, sub-offices at Maharlika, Bonuan, km 4 in La Trinidad, Buguias and collection centers in Benguet towns.
    Beneco officials said the power cooperative needed funds to pay power suppliers like the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines considering said banks froze accounts.  
    NEA appointees included lawyer Ana Marie Rafael, former Assistant Secretary of the Presidential Communications Office who is insisting she is the legitimate Beneco general manager claiming she was appointed by the NEA board of administrators and lawyer Omar Mayo, who was designated Beneco project supervisor by NEA.
    Beneco member-consumer-owners said the NEA cannot appoint GMs of electric cooperatives basing from NEA rules itself.
    They said only board of directors of electric cooperatives like Beneco can appoint their GM.
    The Beneco had filed a case with the Court of Appeals regarding the issue but the court has yet to issue a ruling.
    The Beneco controversy, which pitted people and institutions against each other may take some weeks after the May elections next year to be resolved when President Duterte is out of office, party-list sources like Philreca said.   
    Reports said government and power brokers in the industry were out to totally control management of electric cooperatives like Beneco and privatize these before the President’s term will end.
    Rafael is reportedly now holding office at a hotel called Lafayette along military Cutoff after MCOs criticized YMCA management for letting Rafael and her group hold office at the Christian facility with rent of P5,000 a day.
    It was here where a prosecutor was allegedly seen having a meal with companions.
    Cases filed by Beneco against government appointees and minions were later reportedly dismissed.         
    This, as Licoben, who was appointed by the Beneco Board as GM holds office at the electric cooperative’s main office here in South Drive.
    He had been directing its daily operations after that 2-day takeover by Mayo who was designated project supervisor of Beneco by the NEA.
    Licoben resumed work at the Beneco main headquarters after it was retaken by MCOs and Beneco employees.
    Since then, Mayo, Rafael and their companions have reportedly been releasing reports about Beneco operations allegedly basing from announcements made by Licoben from South Drive.
MCOs are questioning “jobs” and legitimacy of Mayo and Rafael.
    They said on Facebook both and four Beneco directors who sided with them should not use Beneco money to pay their salaries or use these for expenses as these are owned by MCOs.
    Mayo was declared persona non grata by the Baguio City Council and Benguet Sangguniang Panlalawigan over the Beneco mess
    The Benguet SP also declared Rafael PNG.  
    The Beneco board of directors is composed of board president lawyer Esteban Somngi, Mike W. Maspil, Peter Bosaing, Josephine Tuling, Fr. Jonathan C. Obar, Robert L. Valentin and Jeffred Acop.
    “Dismissed” during a general membership meeting by member-consumer-owners were directors Luke Gomeyac, Enrique Moresto, James Aclopen and Rocky Aliping for siding with NEA appointees. 

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𝗧ransport groups reject road routes; hearing set

By Jordan G. Habbiling

BAGUIO CITY -- Several transport groups sought an audience with the City Council saying they opposed changes in public transport routes in the city with passage of an ordinance putting into place the city’s “local public transport route plan” (LPTRP).
    The LPTRP will be the absolute blueprint of the road network and details of the required mode and number of PUV units to serve the city.
    It will be basis for effective delivery of public land transport service in the city.
    Adaption of the LPTRP into an ordinance shall pave the way for consolidation of numerous and replicated routes of public utility jeepneys (PUJs) into a few 28 rationalized routes with six additional development routes, leading to a more systematic management and monitoring by the concerned government agencies.
    Lourdes Alcantara, representative of jeepney associations plying PNR, Gabriela Silang, Military Cut-off, Dagsian, Hillside, and Greenwater, said the merging of their routes into one rationalized route will reduce number of units to only 45 which is greatly disproportionate to number of commuters in said places.
    “Kung magme-merge po kami ng rota, hindi po kaya ng 45 units ang anim na barangays lalo na kapag bumalik na po tayo sa normal,” Alcantara said.
    According to the associations’ petition paper, the merging of short trip lines will also decrease the income of concerned transport groups.
    The proposed LPTRP also intends to change the endpoint of the Gabriela Silang-Greenwater-Military Cut-off line.
Currently, the endpoint is located at Perfecto Street and shall be transferred to Diego Silang Street.
    This, according to the associations, will inconvenience passengers carrying heavy load going to the public market and grocery stores, especially senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs), as Perfecto Street is closer to those destinations than Diego Silang Street.
    The associations said inclusion of UP Drive, T. Kalaw and Session Road Extension into the routes of the Trancoville and Aurora Hill lines under the proposed LPTRP will reduce the number of passengers of their short trip lines, the association said.
    Transport groups plying in Maria Basa, Navy Base, Liteng, and Tip Top also opposed the proposed LPTRP on grounds they are already plying  these areas and do not want competition with other transport groups and
the proposed route of the Trancoville District Line will include Governor Pack Road-UP Drive- T. Kalaw St.- Session Rd.     Extension- North Drive- Leonard Wood Rd.- General Luna Road- Bonifacio Street- Rimando Rd.- Manuel Roxas Rd. This will “greatly contribute to the underlying traffic already experienced in these areas.”
    The Scout Barrio John Hay United Operator Driver’s Association, Inc. opposed inclusion of Governor Pack Road to UP Drive into the route of the Trancoville and Aurora Hill lines, saying they will incur daily losses upon the implementation of the LPTRP come January 2022.
    Meanwhile, Happy Hallow-Kadaclan Transport Cooperative stated in their position paper that they reject merging of their route with the route of Kias jeepneys and appealed for status quo.
    “The Kias line has a number of jeepneys that is enough to supply public transportation in the areas that it covers. In that case, merging the route of Happy Hallow-Kadaclan with that of Kias will make an oversupply of public transportation while there is delay for the commuters to ride a jeepney and arrive at their destinations considering that the Happy Hallow jeepneys need to go to Kias before going to Kadaclan Village then to Happy Hallow,” the position paper read.
    On Nov. 5, the city council conducted a public consultation regarding the proposed LPTRP.
    However, transport associations said most of them were not able to attend, thus, were unaware of the content of the proposed LPTRP.
    Members of the city council’s committee on public utilities transport and traffic legislation said they will again hold another public consultation to gather more comments and recommendations from transport sector and riding public.
    Councilor Benny Bomogao and Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan said the city council with concerned offices will come up with a win-win revision of the LPTRP, incorporating viable suggestions of transport groups.

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Gov’t settling kinks with Lias tribe on P2-B road to link Kalinga, MP, Ifugao

By Dionie Chungalan

BARLIG, Mountain Province – Kinks are being ironed out between the government and tribal folks of this town for construction of a road linking Tanudan, Kalinga and the tourist town of Banaue in Ifugao which pass through their ancestral domain here.
    Although they earlier opposed it, some Lias Tribe members here reportedly were amenable to give their free, prior, informed consent (FPIC) to the multi-million project in a meeting here in July 9, 2020.
    But Lias folks opposed the project in a second meeting here Sept. 18 that year. The Department of Public Works and Highways had a budget of P1,978,99 for initial construction of the 25-km road.
    Of this length, 18 km passes through Lias ancestral domain.
    That time, the Lias Tribe opposed continuation of the project citing environmental degradation to their vast forest of wildlife and their safety saying unwanted settlers and illegal loggers would be encroaching over their ancestral lands.
    But in a recent gathering, pros and cons were reportedly considered with some folks saying development has socio-economic advantages but there are also disadvantages.
    Lawyer Wilson Kalangeg, provincial director of National Commission on Indigenous Peoples said issues “will be dealt with accordingly” when a memorandum of agreement between the DPWH and Lias Tribe will be promulgated by his office.
    “Rights of the minority who are land owners affected by the construction (of the road) with majority users shall be recognized, respected and upheld based on Republic Act  8371 (Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997) to be reflected on the MOA to secure agreed conditions, solutions and assurance to eliminate future conflicts.”
    Three alternative road routes were earlier presented.
    First was that the road at Upper Agogo be continued.
    It was also proposed that the road would pass at kiosk site.
    Another alternative was for the road to pass Lias Proper from Kabawa Bridge following flow of the river.
    The council of elders urged a survey among all households saying this should be with knowledge and concurrence of Lias folks residing outside Barlig like Baguio and Manila within three weeks.
    From these road options, it will be determined where the road project would commence.
    It was agreed a final confrontation among NCIP staff, DPWH-MP District 2 headed by engineer Rustom Martinez, Barlig mayor Clark Ngaya, tribal heads and local folk will be scheduled.

After this, the FPIC and MOA will drafted for finalization.

It was learned a yearly regular allotment of P10 million will be released by DPW until the national road is completed.

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12 ‘tourists’ nabbed for P984-K marijuana in Sadanga, Mt Prov

SADANGA, Mountain Province -- Twelve drug suspects posing as tourists were arrested for trying to transport 8.2 kilos of marijuana bricks with an estimated street value of P984,000 here on Nov. 21.
    The suspects were apprehended in Sitio Ampawilen in Barangay Poblacion, a common route to the lowlands for tourists coming from the hinterlands of Kalinga, according to agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency based in Cordillera.
    Cordillera police director Brig. Gen. Ronald O. Lee identified the  arrested drug suspects as Micheal Angelo M. Navarro, 29; Julius Cyrel F. Balonso, 19; Jolin Christian F. Balonso, 23; Lyka Joy P. Oprin, 26; Renz Manuel B. Periera, 24; Reina P. Perez, 33; Albert T. Lopez, 29; Robin Mar H. Sarmiento, 40; Pearl R. Tanedo, 23; Ella Mae J. Domingo, 22; Charwin J. Santiago, 36; and Kennedy A. Mensah,18.
    Lee said Sadanga police received a report from a concerned citizen about a vehicle described as a white Grandia GL van boarded by 12 individuals: eight males and four females, suspected to be transporting illegal drugs.
    Police manning quarantine control points in the area immediately checked vehicles coming from Kalinga.
    In Sitio Ampiwalen, cops flagged down a white Grandia GL van and found two backpacks in the back compartment of the vehicle containing eight marijuana bricks weighing 8.2 kilograms.
    Inventory of the seized items was witnessed by Prosecutor Godaliva Calaowa Golda, mayor Gabino Ganggangan, kagawads Pascual Pagcaan and Dawing Chopchopen of Brgy Poblacion and media representative Novy Afidchao.
    The suspects and confiscated items were taken under custody of Sadanga police while a case for violation of Republic Act 9165 or  Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 was prepared for filing against the suspects.

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Laoag jabs minors vs Covid

By John Michael Mugas 

LAOAG CITY—This capital city of Ilocos Norte Laoag started the Covid-19 vaccination drive on Nov. 19 among minors who are 12 to 17 years old, the city government announced.
    At least 300 children belonging to the age group and have comorbidities are targeted for pilot implementation of the pediatric vaccination.
    Minors were earlier asked to register with their village captains as the city would be implementing a “no walk-in” policy at its vaccination sites.
    The city government had recently announced that 70 percent or 51,897 of its target eligible population had received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, while 41,952 individuals had been fully vaccinated.
    Last week, the city had allowed a walk-in policy for the general adult population at its mega vaccination center at the Divine Word College of Laoag to propel its vaccination drive.
    Ilocos Norte rolled out its adolescent vaccination drive on Oct. 29 at the state-run Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital in Batac City.
    The hospital intended to inoculate 200 minors a day.
    Latest data from the hospital showed that at least 3,549 teens had received at least one dose of Covid-19 vaccine at the hospital.

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Baguio wins int’l award for smoke- free program

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY copped an international award for its smoke-free programs.
    The city government through the Smoke-Free Baguio Task Force (SFTF) received the Healthy Cities Award from the World Health Organization (WHO) under the category of “Sharing Clean Air: Committed to multi-sectoral implementation of smoke-free laws.”
    Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Coun. Joel Alangsab and members of the SFTF accepted the award during the virtual WHO awards ceremony as part of the 9th Global Conference of the Alliance for Healthy Cities (AFHC) held Nov. 5.
    The city was cited for best practices and innovations it adapted and implemented in the community to promote and protect the health of its urban population amid the challenges of the pandemic.
    The awards program by the AFHC WHO-Western Pacific Region Office has been done since 2004 and every two years thereafter “to encourage cities in the Western Pacific Region to continue to innovate and demonstrate effective and efficient ways of promoting health and urban populations.”
    The task force led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Councilor Joel Alangsab in his capacity as the city council committee on health chair said the city will “continue to uphold its advocacy until the last cigarette is put off in the City of Pines.”
    The city’s smoke-free advocacy is anchored on ordinance no. 34 -2017 or smoke-free ordinance which prohibits the use, sale, distribution and advertisement of cigarettes and other tobacco products with corresponding penalties imposed.
    To ensure strict implementation of the ordinance, the task force was created which spearheaded the implementation of other smoke-free programs like the continuous information-education-communication (IEC) campaign to educate the residents; conduct of regular compliance monitoring of residents and establishments in the barangays;  provision of assistance to smokers willing to quit under smoke cessation program; and training of enforcers in the barangays level to augment manpower implementing the ordinance.
    The task force said through the ordinance, the city “has successfully upheld the protection and promotion of the right to health of the people of Baguio.”
    “The city has significantly shrunk the areas where people are allowed to smoke and has limited access to tobacco products especially in public areas of the city.  Testimonies have been accruing from successful quitters.  Barangay officials and residents have been empowered to further fight for this advocacy,” the task force said.
 

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9 more Ilocos schools may join in-person classes

By Eva Visperas

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union -- Nine other schools in Ilocos region have been nominated by the Dept. of Education for inclusion in the ongoing pilot run of limited face-to-face classes.
    DepEd regional director Tolentino Aquino said he endorsed nine schools in Ilocos Sur.
    He said local government and barangay officials, where the nine schools are located, have agreed to the holding of in-person classes.
    Ten public schools and a private school in the region were included in the pilot run of face-to-face classes, which started on Nov. 15.
    Aquino said the biggest class has only 12 students to ensure physical distancing is observed.

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P60-M drainage to curb Strawberry Farm floods

By Liza Agoot  

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The municipal government sees an end to the flooding problem that besets the strawberry farm here, with the completion of a P60 million drainage project. 
    Mayor Romeo Salda said according to the Dept. of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the project would be completed before the end of the second quarter in 2022. 
    The project involves installation of 200 meters of pipes that will drain the water from the strawberry farm, locally known as "swamp", which has become a persistent problem every rainy season. 
    Salda said the project was a result of a feasibility study conducted by Hedcor, Inc., a subsidiary of the Aboitiz Group, which operates several mini- and micro-hydroelectric power plants in Northern Luzon, mostly in Cordillera. 
    "It was supposed to be Hedcor that will fund the project but when we presented it, but the DPWH adapted the project and allotted funds for its implementation," he said. 
    Salda shared that water from the Bolo Creek, which traverses the strawberry farm and drains into the Gayasi Creek, is overpowered by the larger volume of water coming from the Balili River. 
    "The water is pushed back to Bolo Creek that causes flood at the strawberry farm," he said in Ilocano. "The drainage project will address the flooding. It is currently being implemented." 
    The strawberry farm is a wide flat area at the town's center. Owned by Benguet State University, it has become a popular destination for tourists who could pick the strawberries themselves and pay for them at the end of their visit. -- PNA 
 

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Tourists may visit Sagada again soon

SAGADA, Mountain Province -- Missing the cool weather and charming sights of Sagada?
    Heads up: this rustic town may soon open its doors to visitors again.
    Sagada’s Municipal Tourism office announced the launch of Umali Kayo, the town’s online tourist registration portal, where visitors will need to register before making plans to visit the area.
    “Umali kayo” is a local expression that translates to “welcome,” or “come.”
    Sagada remains closed to tourists, but the municipal tourism office has released the following guidelines in advance for guests making plans to visit their community:
    A negative RT-PCR test taken 72 hours before arrival
    Vaccination card indicating the tourist has been fully vaccinated
    Umali Kayo tourism portal registration, as confirmed by the municipal tourism office
    A minimum 1-night stay in Sagada in a DOT-accredited and LGU-certified accommodation establishment
    Confirmed tourists must travel in a private or personal vehicle.
    While Umali Kayo is not accepting registrations yet, tourists who sign up on their tourism portal must wait for their registration to be approved by their office once the local government officially reopens to tourism, Sagada’s tourism office said.
    Additional guidelines will be provided upon the official announcement of reopening.
    Loved by backpackers for its nature-filled sights, Sagada rose to popularity as a tourist destination after being featured in the 2014 Antoinette Jadaone-directed hit “That Thing Called Tadhana,” starring Angelica Panganiban and JM de Guzman.

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Baguio City Council ok’s ‘no registration plate, no travel’ law

By Jordan G. Habbiling

BAGJUIO CITY -- The City Council recently enacted an ordinance imposing a ‘No Registration Plate, No Travel’ policy for all motorists in the city. 
    The ordinance was approved on third and final reading during the regular session last Monday and will be transmitted to the City Mayor’s Office for approval before it will be implemented. 
    Under the ordinance, owners of motor vehicles without registration plates attached either on the front or rear bumper or both, or motor vehicles using registration plates other than that issued exclusively for the vehicle shall be prohibited to ply the roads of the city.
    This policy shall not apply when the registration plate was detached due to apprehension for a traffic violation, provided that the driver must show to the apprehending officer the temporary operator’s permit or the traffic citation ticket issued within 72 hours from apprehension. 
    According to the ordinance, owners of motor vehicles without available registration plates issued by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) must attach to their vehicles conduction stickers, MV file number or improvised registration plate as permitted by the LTO.
    The ordinance stipulated government employees including those in the law enforcement using government or private vehicles shall not be exempted.
    Rebuilt or locally assembled vehicles for dropping with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) shall be allowed to travel only for the purpose of registration, inspection and/or obtaining clearances but with the attached notice “For registration” or “For dropping” placed visibly on any surface of the vehicle. 
    A motorist driving a vehicle without a registration plate, conduction sticker, MV file number, or temporary registration plate on the front or rear bumper shall be fined P2,000.00.
    Motorists driving a motor vehicle with a different registration plate, conduction sticker, MV file number, or temporary registration plate other than that issued exclusively for the vehicle by the LTO shall be fined P5,000.
    The driver’s license shall be confiscated and a traffic citation ticket shall be issued.
    If the driver has no license, the vehicle shall be impounded temporarily until settlement of all the violations applicable and shall likewise be subject to an impounding fee under the towing ordinance of the city.
    As per records of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, there is no existing city ordinance yet that penalizes motorists whose traveling vehicles have no registration plates attached. 
    Councilor Benny Bomogao, one of the proponents, said their committee decided to propose the “No Plate, Number No Travel” Ordinance to authorize city police to apprehend motorists not complying with this policy. 
    Ordinance 7-1984 (All ordinance adopting Comprehensive Transportation and Traffic Regulations for the City of Baguio) has been further amended recently.
    All penalties of all road violations identified in Ordinance 7-1984 have been increased by virtue of the recently approved amendatory ordinance (Ordinance 75-2019). 
    Bomogao said failure to attach registration plates is not included in the list of road violations provided for by the Comprehensive Transportation and Traffic Regulations for the City of Baguio, thus the passage of the “No Registration Plate, No Travel” Ordinance.
 

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Benguet bars may open depending on town LGUs

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Gov. Melchor Diclas said Wednesday it will be up to local government units in the province if they want bars and entertainment houses to operate amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
    He said as far as he was concerned, bars and entertainment houses can now operate following the implementation of Alert Level 2 in the province in accordance with the pronouncement of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Disease.
    Operation of entertainment establishments, he added, still depend on the decision of respective LGUs of the 13 municipalities in the province.
    Diclas said LGUs have the authority to do so because they know the actual situation of their municipalities.
    One of requisites for said establishments to operate was that all their staff or personnel should have been fully vaccinated.
    Customers who will enter their premises should also be required to present proof of full vaccination to ensure safety of everyone.
    As of Nov. 23, the epidemic risk level of the 13 municipalities of Benguet was low.
    This, as the number of Benguet residents being vaccinated was increasing.
 

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Baguio council okays taxpayers’ amnesty on fines over unpaid dues

By Jordan G. Habbiling

BAGUIO CITY -- The City Council has recently approved on final reading an ordinance granting an amnesty or relief to taxpayers for their penalties, fines, and charges for unpaid dues for the year 2021.
    The ordinance was forwarded to the City Mayor’s Office to be approved by the chief executive before it takes effect.
    The amnesty shall apply to all taxpayers who were not able to pay their dues up to 2021 on their scheduled payment period.     Taxpayers, through this ordinance, shall be allowed to settle their dues until the last working day of 2021. 
    According to the ordinance, the penalties shall be computed from the time they became due if they were not settled within the prescribed period.
    The ordinance stated City Treasurer Alex Cabarrubias recommended the enactment of an amnesty in response to the predicament and appeal of Baguio taxpayers to keep them afloat.  
    The ordinance said the city government recognizes clamor of citizens and the business sector they are affected by the financial crisis brought about by the Covid-10 pandemic. 
    In 2020, the city council also enacted a similar tax relief ordinance for affected business establishments operating during the quarantine period.
 

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31 Tadian rebels withdraw support to CPP-NPA-NDF

TADIAN, Mountain Province -- A total of 31 persons identified as communist supporters withdrew their support to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front and pledged allegiance to the government in a simple ceremony here at Barangay Duagan on Nov. 19.
    The ceremony was facilitated by Mountain Province Police Provincial Office, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15, Regional Intelligence Unit 14 and Philippine Army. 
    The former communist supporters took their pledge of allegiance to the government officiated by Mayor Johnson W. Balaoas witnessed by town and barangay officials including faculty and staff of Duagan Elementary School. 
    Before this, police and military officials held negotiations with the communist supporters.
    Balaoas, in his speech said the communist groups were earlier declared persona non grata in their community. 
    He urged his constituents to report illegal activities happening in their midst.
    Lt. Col. William B. Willie, police deputy provincial director for operations cited importance of preventive measures so that the community will not be lured by advocacies of communist groups.
    He urged local folks to persuade their acquaintances who were already recruited by the communist groups to return to the folds of the law.

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PROCor awards 11 deserving officers

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet – The Police Regional Office Cordillera awarded 11 deserving personnel and two police units here Monday.
    Out of the 11, three officers and two Philippine National Police units were awarded by Most Reverend Oscar Jaime Florencio, Military Ordinariate and Cordillera police chief Brig. Gen. Ronald O. Lee.
    Eight awardees joined virtually and awarded by their respective provincial directors. 
    Among awardees present here, Lt. Col. Reymino Paduyao and Maj. Alexander Amistad who were awarded “medalya ng kasanayan” for successful audit of regional police office. 
    “Medalya ng papuri” was also awarded to Lt. Col. Jonathan Chy for conducting pastoral visitations, celebrations of holy mass in police stations, information dissemination on PNP’s cleanliness policy and “internal cleansing program” in all police stations of Benguet and Baguio this year. 
    In line with the PNP’s intensified cleanliness policy, certificate of recognition was given to Regional Security and Protection Unit for being the cleanest office of the week for November 8-12.
    The award was received by the Chief of RSPU, Lt. Col. Patricio Degay.
    The same certificate was also given to the Regional Community Affairs and Development Division for being the cleanest office of the week for Nov. 15-19.
    The certificate was received by the chief of RCADD, Col. Maly Cula.
    Meanwhile, for virtual awardees, medalya ng kagalingan  was awarded to Lt. Jadi Fernandez and SSg Daniel Tegrado for successful implementation of a search warrant on Oct. 18 at Narnara, Pilar, Abra. 
    The same medal was given to MSg Felimon Dulyongan and Cpl Jaderick Puday for successful marijuana eradication operation on Oct. 16-20 at Loccong, Tinglayan, Kalinga. 
    Corporals Alfredo Addato and Percival Bagyon also received medalya ng kagalingan for arrest of Gian Macababbad Marciano and Izod Yuan Padilla for violation of Republic 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 on Oct. 9 at Bulanao, Tabuk City, Kalinga. 
    Medalya ng papuri was also awarded to Lt. Ricky Bugnay and Pat John Rei Hosmillo for donating eight two-way radios on Oct. 15 to Dolores Central School.

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POLICE ROUNDUP

 
Two men nabbed for marijuana in Baguio

BAGUIO CITY -- Two men were arrested in a buy-bust operation here by Camdas police at Dizon Subdivision on Nov. 22. 
Police identified the arrested suspects as Guyle Martin Estigoy Pagsanjan, 22 and Lencer Paul Salibad Decaleng, 22.
    The suspects were arrested after Pagsanjan sold a sachet of suspected shabu weighing around 0.5 grams worth P3,400 to a cop who posed as buyer. 
    Cops found additional shabu worth P680 and marijuana leaves worth P720 from the possession of Pagsanjan, while marijuana l worth P1,400 was seized from Decaleng. 
    Inventory of seized materials was witnessed by prosecutor Don Emmanuel Vergara, barangay chief George Banayos, and media representative Janice Denis. 
    Suspects and confiscated items were brought to Camdas Police Station where case for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 was filed against them.
 

P8-M marijuana burned in  Kalinga, Benguet; 2 nabbed

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet -- A total of P8,140,000 worth of marijuana plants were burned while drug personalities were arrested in separate operations conducted in Kalinga and Benguet Nov. 20 to 21. 
    Cordillera police director Brig. Gen. Ronald O. Lee said police conducted a 2-day marijuana eradication operation in Butbut, Tinglayan, Kalinga that led to discovery of two marijuana plantations where 40,000 fully-grown marijuana plants worth P8,000,000 were discovered. 
    In Kibungan, Benguet, police found 700 fully-grown marijuana plants worth P140,000 in Barangay Badeo.
    An investigation is on to identify cultivators.
    Meanwhile, two drug personalities were arrested in buy-bust operations in Kalinga. 
    In Bulanao, Tabuk City, Nelson C. Dela Cruz, 48, was arrested after selling two sachets of suspected shabu weighing around 0.75 grams valued at P5,100 to a cop who posed as buyer,
    In Dagupan West, also in Tabuk, police nabbed a minor after he sold to cop a sachet of suspected shabu worth P384.88. 
    And additional two sachets of shabu worth P497.08 were confiscated from his possession. 
Charges for violation of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 were all filed against suspects.

Baby found dead in flower pot near Baguio hospital

BAGUIO CITY -- A lifeless newborn was found outside a hospital here on Nov. 19 according to a report by the Baguio City Police Office.
    Personnel from BCPO station 5 said someone called the station informing them of a baby found dead in a flower pot near the exit of Baguio Medical Center in Barangay Military Cut-Off.
    Police said the cadaver was wrapped with blue towel and placed inside an ice cream container.
    The baby was brought to the Baguio Memorial Chapel in Naguilian Road.
    The police urged the public to help identify parents of the baby.

1 dead, 2 hurt as motorcycle hits tricycle in Kalinga town

By Villamor Visaya Jr. 

PINUKPUK, Kalinga -- A 24-year-old man died after his motorcycle collided with a tricycle here on Nov. 21, police said.
Investigators said Jerick Calumnag, who was driving the motorcycle, tried to overtake the tricycle driven by Regie Vilda, 22, while they were traversing the Sucbot-Tabuk provincial road around 6: 30 p.m.
    The motorcycle hit the rear of the tricycle, leaving Vilda and his 11-year-old passenger injured due to the impact, said Maj, Lee Alvin Alinao, Pinukpuk police chief.
    Vilda and the minor victim were taken to the Kalinga Provincial Hospital for treatment while Calumnag was declared dead on arrival in the same hospital. 

Abra mayor’s worker slain

PIDIGAN, Abra -- An employee of the municipal mayor was killed by unidentified assailants here Wednesday.
    Christopher Pasis, 46, was declared dead on arrival at Abra Provincial Hospital from several gunshots to the head and body.
    Pasis was working as a driver in a food establishment owned by Mayor Domino Joseph Valera.
    The victim was on a motorcycle when he was killed in Barangay Monggoc at past 6 p.m.
    Probers recovered five bullet shells at the crime scene.
    Police have yet to determine the motive for the killing.
 

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𝗔mnesty set in Baguio City for unpaid traffic violations; 2,166 car plates unclaimed

BAGUIO CITY – TheC ity Council approved on third and final reading an ordinance seeking to reduce the fines for all unpaid traffic violations committed on or before Dec. 31, 2020.
    Under the ordinance, erring motorists can pay their outstanding fines and claim their confiscated vehicle registration plates.
     In a letter dated August 23, 2021, the Baguio City Police Office said 2,166 registration plates of vehicles and motorcycles were still unclaimed at the traffic enforcement unit of the BCPO.
    These license plates were seized during the operations of the BCPO together with the traffic aides of the City Engineering Office-Traffic and Transport Management Division (CEO-TTMD), the Public Order and Safety Division (POSD), and the barangay officials for the implementation of Ordinance 07-1984 (Comprehensive Transportation and Traffic Regulations for the City of Baguio) and administrative order 116-2016 or the Operation Anti-Road Obstruction. 
    Of the number, 1,956 were confiscated by the BCPO while 201 were confiscated by barangay officials.
    774 traffic violations committed before December 31, 2020 are still unpaid. Among these traffic violations were non-observance of traffic rules, obstruction, and illegal parking. The total amount of these unpaid violations is P332,000.
    In addition to these 2,166 vehicles with their license plates confiscated, 22 vehicles using yellow plates (public utility vehicles) and four red plates (used by government offices) were also apprehended.
    The ordinance shall cover traffic citation tickets (TCTs) issued to motorists on or before December 31, 2020 for having violated the traffic and transportation ordinances of the city.
    All fines, as stated in the ordinance, shall be reduced to P200.00, regardless of the violation.
    Traffic violators covered by the ordinance may redeem their confiscated driver’s license card or registration plate upon paying their reduced fines within a period of three months.
    According to the ordinance, license plates not redeemed within the three-month period shall be forwarded to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) for proper action and disposal.
     Earlier, the city government and the Land Transportation Office-Cordillera Administrative Region forged an agreement for proper disposal of unclaimed registration plates of motor vehicles confiscated by police officers, deputized Public Order and Safety Division personnel, and barangay officials.
    LTO-CAR regional director Francis Ray Almora said the agreement was part of the overall efforts of the agency to strictly implement the policy on the no-detachment of license plates attached to vehicles as a license plate is considered the private property of the owner and that it is also classified as permanently attached to the vehicle where it rightfully belongs. -- Jordan G. Habbiling with reports from Maj. Cabatan

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Bontoc folks told: Get jabs to attain ‘herd immunity’

By Alpine L. Killa

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Officials of this capital town urged unvaccinated local folks to get their jabs as the Covid-19 pandemic has still not ebbed. 
    Municipal health officer Dr. Diga Kay Gomez said Bontoc is still far from achieving “herd immunity” during recent municipal peace and order council meeting at Barangay Dalican.
    Data from the Municipal Health Office bared Bontoc has population of 25,516.
    Of the number, 70% or 17,861 individuals of the actual population must be vaccinated to achieve “herd immunity”.
    However, a total of 14, 452 individuals have been vaccinated as of Nov. 16.
    The said number received either complete doses or or first jabs.
    The four central barangays recorded the highest number of vaccinated individuals since the municipality catered to those from other municipalities of Mountain Province and neighboring provinces.
    Barangay Caluttit has vaccinated 2,203 individuals; Poblacion, 2,978; Bontoc Ili, 3,203 and Samoki with 2,090 individuals.
    For other barangays, 298 were inoculated in Barangay Alab Oriente, Alab Proper is 343, Balili is 182, Bayyo is 110, Caneo is 133, Dalican is 433, Gonogon is 288, Guina-ang is 552, Mainit is 237, Maligcong is 329, Talubin is 558 and Tocucan is 515.
Health officials said fear of adverse effect and widespread misinformation about Covid-19 and vaccines especially from social media platforms were reasons that caused reluctance to be vaccinated.
    The MHO said they did not receive reports of adverse effects from those who were vaccinated.
    Oficials said the Covid-19 vaccination of minors is a welcome development for parents, students, and teachers, as this could be a possible game-changer for high school-age students who have had to adapt to the "new normal education" such as online and modular classes.

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Construction of Baguio hospital saddled with zoning, other issues

By Jordan G. Habbiling

BAGUIO CITY -- The proposed construction of the United Baguio Doctor’s Hospital and Medical Center (UBDHMC) here, a Level 2 hospital at Barangay Upper Phil-Am was put on hold pending the city government’s action on the request of UBDHMC proponents to reclassify the area from R-1 (residential zone) to C-2 (commercial zone).
    Pursuant to the city’s zoning ordinance (Ordinance no. 63, series of 2021), the construction of commercial structures including hospitals is allowed only in commercial zones.
    The Baguio City Council invited city planning and development coordinator Donna Tabangin, representatives of the UBDHMC, and barangay officials to its regular session last Monday to discuss the matter in aid of legislation.
    Tabangin said in cases of reclassification of zones, a local zoning review committee needs to be institutionalized by the mayor.
    It will be the LZRC that will assess the UBDHMC’s request, Tabangin said. 
    One of the functions of the LZRC, as stated in ordinance 63-2021, is to recommend to the city council necessary legislative amendments and to the City Planning and Development Office changes in the city’s comprehensive land use plan (CLUP) as a result of the review.
    Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda said requesting for zoning exemption might be more convenient and acceptable than requesting reclassification of the entire area.
    For years, the local zoning board on adjustment and appeals (LZBAA) had been granting zoning exemptions to individuals appealing for construction of commercial buildings in non-commercial zones.
    However, in February 2021, the city council imposed a moratorium prohibiting the LZBAA from granting zoning exemptions to stop unabated construction of commercial buildings in the city’s residential zones. 

The moratorium was lifted by the council last Monday because of the appeal of residents reeling from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The lifting of the moratorium will allow the LZBAA to resume accepting applications for an exemption from the zoning ordinance.

Should the UBDHMC request for a zoning exemption instead of a zone reclassification, it will be the LZBAA that will assess the said request and not the LZRC. 

Tabangin said the reclassification of the area or the grant of a zoning exemption to pave the way for the construction of the proposed hospital will, either way, change the “urban fabric” of the said residential zone.

"This proposed project will have a major impact on the physical features of the area," she said.

The city planner cited effects of construction of the hospital on traffic flow, general welfare of the people and natural environment in the area that need to be taken into consideration. 

She suggested that the request of the UBDHMC be referred to the executive department to be further discussed in a technical manner to determine the pros and cons of the proposed project.

“We are in need of more hospitals and medical facilities in the city considering that there is an ongoing pandemic. However, we also need to consider other factors such as environmental protection, proper urban planning, social acceptability, and the like,” she said.

Councilor Michael Lawana said allowing the project to push through might set a precedent.

According to him, it will encourage other individuals to propose more developments in the area.

Architect Cathy Carunongan who was commissioned by the UBDHMC said the proposed Levl 2 hospital with 100-bed capacity will be equipped with surgical facilities, delivery suites and dialysis units.

It will also have an outpatient department and an emergency department.

Carunongan said the site is perfect for the proposed project as it is adjacent with the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC). 

“Not only will it benefit the community during this pandemic, but it will also change the landscape of the area. It will be a modern and iconic building in a more or less 2,000 square-meter lot,” Carunongan told the council. 

The architect said they will incorporate into the plan parking spaces for the facility.

Dr. Domingo Solimen, UBDHMC president, said they will undertake road expansion and  improvement for better access to the facility.

UBDHMC secured a permit to construct from the Dept. of Health.

It also received an affidavit of non-objection from Phil-Am and barangay resolution endorsing the proposed project. 

However, punong barangay Sarah Mina claimed there were irregularities in the issuance of the affidavit of non-objection and the barangay resolution.

She said she was not involved by other barangay officials in issuing the said documents and that she and three kagawads were excluded as signatories.

Contrary to the claim of UBDHMC, Mina and Kagawad Susan Dominguez said there was no proper public consultation held to get comments and approval of residents in the area.

Dominguez claimed some residents were against the proposed project.

Representatives of UBDHMC expressed willingness to consult (again) concerned residents to determine social acceptability of the project.

 

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Baguio City Council suspends zoning exemption moratorium

By Jordan G. Habbiling

BAGUIO CITY -- The City Council suspended the moratorium on issuance of zoning exemption, nine months after the same was enacted in February 2021.
    The ordinance temporarily lifting the said moratorium was approved on third and final reading during the council’s regular session last Monday.
    Authored by Councilor Fred Bagbagen, the recently approved ordinance shall suspend restrictions imposed by ordinance no. 32, series of 2021 (Moratorium on issuance of exceptions from ordinance no. 63, series of 2016 or (Baguio City Zoning Ordinance).
    The council stopped the suspension of the moratorium after residents appealed to be exempted from the zoning ordinance so they can process their building permit applications.
    According to the proposed ordinance, the Covid-19 pandemic has greatly impacted the economy, causing the closure of businesses and the loss of thousands of jobs. 
    Bagbagen said there is a need to lift the moratorium to help the people who are in a survival mode amid the pandemic. 
    A public consultation was held on Oct. 29 to hear sentiments of those affected by the moratorium. 
    Joining Bagbagen during the public consultation were vice mayor Faustino Olowan, councilors Joel Alangsab, Betty Lourdes Tabanda, Elaine Sembrano, city planning and development coordinator architect Donna Tabangin, and city administrator engineer Bonifacio Dela Peña.
    Tabangin said common exemptions being applied for covered by the zoning ordinance included boarding houses in low density residential areas, commercial structures in residential zones, warehouses in residential zones, increase in building heights in all zones, usage of the entire lot area to build a structure, cellular towers in residential zones, motor and auto repair shops in residential zones, parking requirements, and PUJ/AUV stations in the central business district. 
    Agreeing with Bagbagen, Tabangin said certain zoning regulations may be bent for humanitarian consideration, but only to a certain extent where the environment and the integrity of urban planning are not compromised.
    “Zoning is a balancing act. The city government wants to make sure that the citizens take part in making sure that a balance between our natural environment and urban development is created,” Tabangin said.
    She appealed to citizens to avoid succumbing to the “tragedy of the common” where collective greed kills common good. 
    “Let us be the solution and not the problem. Let us all unite to eliminate all the chaos,” she said. 
    Dela Peña said certain requirements and conditions will still be in place once the moratorium is lifted. “This means that all zoning applications will be subject to evaluation using existing zoning guidelines and that not all will be approved.”
    It was clarified when the moratorium is temporarily lifted, applications for zoning exemptions previously denied might not be approved when refiled since the main tool to be used for evaluation is the current zoning ordinance.

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Baguio reaches 90% vax accomplishment

By Liza Agoot 

BAGUIO CITY – Health workers have vaccinated 91.74 percent of 281,000 eligible adult population of this summer capital.
Based on the city’s vaccination statistics Monday night, of the total 257,805 who have been vaccinated, some 212,390 received the full dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
    There were also 20,033 pediatric clients out of the 42,811 target adolescents from ages 12 to 17 years old.
    Aileen Refuerzo, chief of the Public Information Office (PIO)-Baguio, on Tuesday urged the remaining unvaccinated adult and pediatric population to register at bakuna.baguio.gov.ph.
    She said vaccination schedules are posted daily at the Baguio City Health Services Office and Public Information Office Facebook pages to guide the individuals for the sites that they can visit for their jab. -- PNA

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