Veggie food processing center opened to boost Benguet farmers’ trade

By Reggie Melvic Cawis

BUGUIAS, Benguet -- Farmers can now process their locally produced vegetables into other food products here with a new building facility and equipment to support their livelihood.
    The Dept. of Trade and Industry thru the Cordillera regional office and the and the DTI Baguio Benguet provincial office recently turned over the fully equipped building facility with a vegetable processing center and cash assistance to  Vegeland Agriculture Cooperative  in Barangay Calamagan  to support livelihood of farmers and their families.
    DTI INREMP-LES project manager Pearlita Socorro Pusta, DTI-CAR Industry Development Division Head Karen Lising representing OIC regional director Juliet Lucas and DTI Baguio-Benguet provincial director lawyer Samuel Gallardo headed the launching, turnover and blessing of the facility to Vegeland Agriculture Cooperative led by its chairperson Risalyn Pe with Buguias Mayor Ruben Tinda-an, Vice Mayor Dione Baucas, barangay captain Letecio Daguyam, representatives  from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office -Buguias and other stakeholders in a simple ceremony.
    A usufruct agreement was signed by the DTI with the farmer cooperative and witnessed by the local chief executive for the Shared Service Facility and usage of the building facility.
    DTI also awarded P50, 000 as a working capital to the farmer cooperative during the event.
    Gallardo  explained  that the   facility and cash assistance are    under the Asian Development Bank-funded Integrated Natural Resources and Environmental Management – Livelihood Enhancement Support (INREMP – LES) in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), that seeks to provide strategic enabling conditions to sustainably increase the sales from commodities produced by upland farmers, smallholders and micro enterprises in the covered areas through the introduction of value adding, entrepreneurial skills, and market linkages.
    The INREMP – LES aims to reverse the damage done to watersheds and other environmental systems caused by human practices while at the same time encouraging local communities to manage their resources and engage in sustainable and profitable economic activities.  
    Gallardo said that one of the components of the INREMP is the livelihood assistance to the farmer cooperatives operating in identified critical areas such as Barangay Calamagan which is within the   headwaters of the Agno River and the Chico River.
    The building with processing center is also thru the Shared Service Facilities (SSF) Project , a flagship program of the DTI aimed at improving productivity and efficiency of small enterprises through access to better technology, he said.
    Pe, Vegeland Agriculture Cooperative president, expressed gratitude to the DTI for providing a facility including technical and cash assistance to their small cooperative, which are very helpful in improving the livelihood of the farmers group.
The facility will be helpful for farmers especially when there is over supply of vegetables or when vegetables are not sold. Instead of throwing away vegetables as   shown in the news, or not harvesting the produce due to low prices of vegetables, we could process the vegetables into other food products for it to be sold and become our income, she said.
    She shared that there are instances that their vegetable products go to waste due to over-supply or when it is not sold in the markets but this time, they would be creating products and income thru the new facility.
    High value crops being produced in the area   include cabbage, celery, bell pepper, potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, wombok, beans among others.   
    Pe also thanked heirs of Victor Sarac for donating the lot where the SSF   was built.
    Tindaan urged farmers to take good care of the facility and ensure that they maximize the use of the different equipment which would be very helpful to their livelihood. He also assured support for the farmer cooperative to ensure that the facility will continue properly for their own benefit as well as to the community. (JDP/RMC- PIA-CAR)

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How Roman Catholic Mission started in Abra

Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian, SVD DD, of the Diocese of Bangued

By Susan C. Aro

BANGUED, Abra -- Do you know that a Roman Catholic mission which has helped greatly in the  growth of  Catholic communities in the province and in the country started  in Abra  more than a century ago?
    Society of the Divine Word or SVD Mission in the Philippines traces its humble beginnings to the town of San Isidro in Abra. It was established on August 23, 1909 by two German missionaries -Fr. Luis Beckert and Fr. Juan Scheiermann.
    Bishop Leopoldo Jaucian, SVD DD, of the Diocese of Bangued narrated that the mission established a parish in San Isidro and then moved to Tayum and then to Bangued. It eventually expanded to Manila, Mindoro until Mindanao.
    Founded by Fr. Arnold Janssen in 1875 in the Netherlands, the SVD   mission is “to preach the Gospel to all nations through pastoral and sacramental ministry, teaching and working among those in need.” This is done through ministries that build and staff schools, hospitals, orphanages and hospices. 
    As the country celebrates 500 years of Christianity with the theme, “Gifted to Give” or “Naparaburan tapnu Agiburay” in Ilocano, Bishop Jaucian shares some snippets about the SVD mission in Abra and its role in  the history of Christianity in the Philippines.
    The involvement of the SVDs church was holistic not only the spiritual and pastoral aspect but it also contributed to the socio-economic aspect to the lives of the people in the community.
    The SVD missionaries went all over Abra to do pastoral work, mission work establishing parishes, chapels and communities.Amoung the schools they founded is the Divine Word College of Bangued.             
    While doing their mission work, they invited the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters or the Servants of the Holy Spirit Sisters (SSpS) in 1912 to serve in the education ministry in charge of the diocesan schools. 
    The SVD  later on developed the local priests or the so called diocesan clergy local clergy. They built the Saint Joseph Minor Seminary  primarily to train young men to become priests who will later serve the Diocese of Bangued.
    The SVD eventually turned over 20 of their parishes to the diocesan priests. Only four remained with the SVD - in San Isidro, San Quintin, La Paz and Malibcong. The SVD Parish in San Isidro will remain perpetual and will stay for as long as the SVDs are in Abra, said Bishop Jaucian.
    The involvement of the SVDs was holistic, not only  in the spiritual and pastoral aspects but in socio-economic aspect as well.
    Back then, roads were   rough and in the interior towns of the province, there were no roads at all. The SVD Mission got involved in the construction of roads. They likewise established the earliest irrigation system called the Manabo Irrigation Project which was turned over to the laity.
    It also established the Abra Diocesan Teachers and Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ADTEMPCO) which was initially intended for teachers but was later on  opened to anyone   interested to join. Now a billionaire cooperative, it has branched out to other areas to continue providing services to its members.  
    “We are so thankful. The first attitude is really gratefulness to God for all the blessings that He has given us in the Diocese of Bangued. We thank God for the gift of the SVD missionaries because it was in Abra which was their first mission in the whole Philippines,” he said.   
    “That’s a big contribution to the celebration because from the two German missionaries, we have now more than 200 Filipino SVDs. They are not only serving in the Philippines but there are at least a hundred Filipino SVDs all over the world as missionaries,” the Bishop noted. With the mission started by the SVD priests and continued by the diocese and priests, the Diocese of Bangued is very much ‘Gifted to Give’. We hope that we continue to share the blessings that we received through the 500 years of Christianity,” the Bishop Jaucian said. (JDP/SCA-PIA-CAR, Abra)
 

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WW2 POW’s medal finds way home in Benguet

POW MEDAL FOUND ITS WAY HOME. Emerita Bolislis-Ebes (left), daughter of the late WWII veteran Julio A. Bolislis, proudly shows off the United States-awarded WWII medal for honorable service of her father turned over by local historian Muller H. Bato, who in turn receives a certificate of appreciation from the hero’s family. –Mac Malanes             

By Macarthy B. Malanes

More than a decade after acquiring this from a medal collector in Manila, local historian and Ambuclao NHS teacher Muller H. Bato turned over to the immediate family last Tuesday a US-issued medal awarded to the late Julio A. Bolislis "for honorable service while a Prisoner of War (POW)" during World War II particularly as one of the survivors of the Death March from Bataan to San Fernando, Pampanga.
    Without any condition whatsoever, Bato wholeheartedly turned over this historic medal to the awardee's eldest daughter Emerita Bolislis-Ebes after he was able to contact Atty. Jurgenson Lagdao and two other members of the Bolislis Clan whom he searched and get acquainted through Facebook.
    "It's been more than a decade that this medal is in my possession which I acquired from a medal collector in Manila I knew years ago.
    How the medal came into him was unknown. I heard the person died four years ago. So no other information available," narrated Bato, who is also grandson of a WW II guerilla.
    "I became interested to purchase it since the family name seems to be familiar. My maternal roots traced back in Kapangan too. I am a grandson of a WW II guerilla, I understand the feeling of losing very important family memorabilia," he said.
    As simple gesture, the Bolislis family in turn gave a certificate of appreciation to Bato saying "his commendable acts will be best remembered with lifetime gratitude."
    According to documented account, Bolislis from Kibungan and Kapangan, Benguet was a first sergeant of the 11th Division, Philippine Army, Usaffe (United States Armed Forces in the Far East) that bravely took part in the defense of Bataan in 1942.
    After surviving the Death March, Bolislis rejoined the guerilla movement in Benguet against the Japanese invaders.    
    His family recalled that he often narrated his war exploits as "he wanted to put forward the age-old lesson that people should sweat hard for peace rather than shed blood in war."

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Ilocos Sur requires home quarantine for unvaxxed returning residents

By John Michael Mugas

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte—Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated residents, who are returning to Ilocos Sur province from Alert Level 3 areas, need to go on home quarantine for at least 14 days, according to Ilocos Sur Gov. Ryan Luis Singson.
    In an executive order issued Tuesday, Feb. 15, Singson said the provincial government decided to ease the COVID-19 restrictions to reopen the economy further.
    The national task force against COVID-19 placed the province under COVID-19 Alert Level 2 today, Feb. 16. It was previously under Alert Level 3 after a spike in COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant.
    Aside from home quarantine, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated returning residents would need to present a negative RT-PCR test released within 72 hours before arrival in the province.
    Fully vaccinated returning residents coming from Alert Level 3 areas are no longer required to undergo home quarantine but should present a negative RT-PCR test released within 72 hours.
    Proof of vaccination is needed if coming from areas under Alert Levels 1 and 2.
    Singson also required all indoor establishments to check the vaccination status of all individuals.
    The latest data from the provincial government showed that Ilocos Sur had logged 21,744 COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began, of which 354 remained active.

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La Trinidad extends deadline for permits

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The municipal council here approved a resolution extending processing of business permits and payment of local taxes without penalties, surcharges and fines until March 31.
    Resolution 11-2022, authored by Councilor Nestor Fongwan Jr., will extend to local business owners the deadline who are still reeling from economic impact of the pandemic.
    The resolution also coincides with the Dept. of the Interior and Local Government's advisory to local government units and Mayor Romeo Salda's request regarding aid to be extended to local businesses for their recovery.
    Fongwan said the municipal government will look for ways to help taxpayers settle taxes and in processing their permits with concerned offices for gradual recovery of local economy.    
    While it is true that taxes are the lifeblood of the government, Fongwan said there is also a need for the local government to look after welfare of the populace by relaxing the deadline in the processing of permits and payment of local taxes. 

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Isabela farmers venture into tobacco farming

HECTARES of land in Barangays Santa Maria and San Antonio in Alicia town are transformed into tobacco farms in Isabela. 

By Leander C. Domingo

ALICIA, Isabela -- The local government here is venturing into tobacco farming in the villages of Santa Maria and San Antonio as pilot areas to boost tobacco production in Isabela province.
    Mayor Joel Alejandro said the tobacco farming program of the municipality in Barangay Santa Maria has a total area of 18.5 hectares while Barangay San Antonio has an area of 5 hectares.
    "We are starting in this town, our first tobacco farming venture to help farmers and get a share from the national government's collection of excise taxes," Alejandro said.

    He said they have already initially distributed along with several members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan led by Vice Mayor Andy Bon Velasco the wages for at least 130 tobacco farmworkers, who have labored for the preparation and planting of tobacco in Barangay Santa Maria.

    Alejandro noted that the farmworkers received their wages ranging from P700 to P1,400 depending on the number of days they have rendered working, and P650 to those who worked using their carabaos.

    In this project, the mayor said they are collaborating with the Universal Leaf tobacco company.

    "We have tapped the Universal Leaf tobacco company as our partner in our local government unit's tobacco farming program," Alejandro said.

    He said the company has downloaded its fund share for the rental fee of the utilized farm lots owned by the villagers in Santa Maria and San Antonio.

    "The LGU will also provide its share of the P30,000 per hectare rent during the duration of every planting season to raise the required amount of more or less P600,000 fund for rental fees, covering the 23.5-hectare tobacco farm," Alejandro said.

    He said this is their first time to venture into tobacco farming.

    "This project will surely help our farmers, in the long run, providing job opportunities for the displaced farm workers due to agricultural modernization and mechanization," Alejandro said.

    He said their tobacco program requires laborers within the pilot villages.

    Alejandro noted that while harvesting tobacco is not all year round, farmers are also encouraged to engage in crop rotation so they can also plant corn and vegetable products for the remaining months for additional income.

    "We also have assistance for corn and vegetable farmers from the local government unit," he said.

    Alejandro added that corn and vegetable farming will even enrich the soil for the next round of tobacco planting and other agricultural products.

 

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Ifugao heirloom rice biz up with DA-PRDP support

By Elvy T. Estacio

BANAUE, Ifugao -- Full operation of the enhanced heirloom rice processing business of the Rice Terraces Farmers’ Cooperative (RTFC) here is now in full swing with completion and turnover of their enterprise subproject on the processing and marketing of quality export Ifugao heirloom rice Feb. 11 here at  Barangay Amganad.
    The newly constructed Ifugao Heirloom Rice Consolidation, Processing and Marketing Center along with a trading capital and several processing machineries were turned over to the RTFC as part of their enterprise.

    During turnover ceremony, Ifugao Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Agustin C. Calya-en, representing Ifugao Gov. Jerry U. Dalipog, commended RTFC and everyone involved, for compliance to requirements of the DA-PRDP.
    “We have been beneficiaries of several foreign-funded projects in the past, so we know that the requirements are not easy especially for the LGU,” Calya-en said.
    The RTFC subproject aims to improve socio-economic status of farmer-members while empowering the heirloom rice industry.
    Through the enterprise, RTFC intends to increase total heirloom rice production from its farmer-members from 42,930 kilograms to 220,000 kilograms in the span of 10 years; increase farmer income by 5% on the first year; increase income of the cooperative by 100% until the 10th year; increase RTFC members by at least 2% every year; and create employment.
The RTFC received PP12.49 million as enterprise support from the DA-PRDP, shared by the World Bank (60%), DA (20%) and Ifugao Provincial Local Government (20%).
    As proponent group, the RTFC contributed a 20% counterpart in cash and in kind, amounting to PhP2.18 million.
DA-CAR regional technical director lawyer Jennilyn M. Dawayan, representing DA-CAR regional executive director and RPCO-CAR project director Cameron P. Odsey, urged RTFC members and officers to sustain production of heirloom rice and culture behind it.
    Dawayan added  the cooperative has learned to become more data-driven, which can be beneficial in terms of how they are going to operate the center.
    DA-PRDP Project Support Office North Luzon Cluster deputy project director Elma S. Mananes said along with upgrades, income of farmers must also be prioritized in order for more beneficiaries.
    As he accepted the completed subproject on behalf of the members and officers of the RTFC, RTFC manager Jimmy G. Lingayo recalled how it took years to finally complete the project, from a series of business plan preparation workshops, going through the procurement process, two site relocations, and up to the construction of the processing facility.
    “We started the export business 10 years ago and we plan to export a total of 450 metric tons of heirloom rice to the US and another 200 MT for the local market,” Lingayo added.
    He urged RTFC members to bring their heirloom rice produce to the RTFC, and encourage other farmers to increase and sustain their production.
    During the turnover, attendees toured the 3-storey processing center that will be used to process, store, and market the heirloom rice produce of the RTFC.
    According to Lingayo, the top floor (road level) will serve as a Pasalubong Center, where several local products produced by RTFC members such as heirloom rice, rice wine, rice cookies, coffee, ginger and turmeric tea, and some kitchen woodworks will be sold.
    Among the Cordillera provinces, Ifugao has the largest area planted with heirloom rice varieties at 5,141 hectares.             Additionally, Ifugao is the top producer of aromatic and pigmented rice with the municipalities of Mayoyao, Banaue,     Hungduan, and Aguinaldo as the top producing areas.
    Under the DA-PRDP, several farm-to-market road (FMR) subprojects are also being implemented in Ifugao to support the heirloom rice industry.
    Subprojects include the improvement of Viewpoint-San Fernando FMR in Banaue which is now at a 95.26% physical accomplishment rate, the Junction-Alimit-Nattum FMR improvement in Mayoyao, which is at a 97.6% completion rate, and the construction of Anaba-Ducligan-Banao FMR in Banaue currently at an 84.6% completion rate. Aside from these road projects, several Communal Irrigation System (CIS) subprojects were also completed in the previous years.
Heirloom rice is among the priority commodities in Ifugao that is supported under the DA-PRDP including coffee and highland vegetables.
 

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DepEd eyes topics expansion for K-12

The Department of Education (DepEd) announced that it is mulling to advance more topics on inclusivity and global citizenship in the intended curriculum for basic education even as the agency — through the Bureau of Curriculum Development (BCD) — has been updating and recalibrating its curriculum to be up to par with international curriculums.
    BCD director Jocelyn Andaya stressed that it will also include the integration of global citizenship education, which UNESCO describes as one that aims to equip learners of all ages with those values, knowledge, and skills that are based on and instill respect for human rights, social justice, diversity, gender equality, and environmental sustainability and that empowers learners to be responsible global citizens.
    The Education department — through the International Cooperation Office — has been in touch with different organizations from different parts of the world to take note of their best practices, their initiatives and projects.
    “With these outputs, the GCED advocacy will likely reach 27 million learners. Though much is needed to be done, the Department of Education, through the Bureau of Curriculum Development, is committed to advancing the courses of GCED in the intended curriculum. As such, may we all be challenged to push all the boundaries that limit us in optimizing the premises and possibilities of GCED,” she added.
    The Education department — through the International Cooperation Office — has been in touch with different organizations from different parts of the world to take note of their best practices, their initiatives and projects that will help in the integration of gender sensitivity and responsiveness, cultural appreciation and inclusivity to the DepEd curriculum.
    “We believe that everyone, our learners, and ourselves included, is a global citizen. We must evolve our curriculum to focus on cultivating values and integrating concepts of global citizenship to help our learners develop into responsive and empowered individuals capable of building and rebuilding peaceful communities in their respective places,” said Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Diosdado San Antonio.
    “In our strokes in shaping the curriculum, we not only integrate concepts of Disaster Risk Reduction Management, gender, and cultural sensitivity, but also inclusivity and global citizenship. These are all important in sensitizing our curriculum to ensure that our learners develop holistically and embody being lifelong learners,” he added.
 

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SSS: March 31, deadline for pensioners’ confirmation

 The Social Security System (SSS) said the deadline for compliance to the Annual Confirmation of Pensioners' Program or ACOP is on March 31, 2022.
    The ACOP, implemented in 2004, is a measure used by the SSS to ensure the continuous payment of benefits to the rightful pensioners in accordance with the Social Security Law.
    All pensioners who have not yet complied with the ACOP for the calendar year 2021 are required to do so on or before March 31, 2022.
    Retirement pensioners residing in the Philippines, on the other hand, are no longer required to do the ACOP effective October 30, 2017, but they are subject to other verification processes, if applicable.
    The ACOP was suspended from March 2020 until September 2021 in view of the pandemic situation in the country.
“For over one and a half years, we have continuously granted our pensioners their respective pensions without the corresponding reporting under the ACOP since they are high-risk individuals to the virus. We have then resumed the implementation of this program last October 1, 2021, and to make up for the suspension period, we have given all covered pensioners, except those who already complied for CY 2021, a period of six (6) months or until March 31, 2022, to submit their compliance through online and alternative methods that are designed for their safety and convenience,” SSS President and CEO Aurora C. Ignacio said.
    If the said pensioners fail to comply, the SSS will temporarily suspend their pensions starting with their May 2022 pensions.
    “Starting April 1, 2022, we will follow the usual schedule of compliance for the program, wherein retirement pensioners residing abroad, and total disability pensioners must comply on their birth month; survivor pensioners must comply within the birth month of the deceased member; while dependents and guardians must comply on the birth month of the member or deceased member, whichever is applicable. Non-compliance to this will also lead to the temporary suspension of their pensions,” Ignacio explained.
    Covered pensioners may also submit their compliance within six (6) months before their schedule, which will be considered as early compliance.
    Currently, covered pensioners can course their ACOP compliance through the following methods:

• By sending required documents to the corporate email of the nearest SSS branch (if residing in the Philippines) or foreign office (if residing abroad) using “ACOP Compliance” followed by their name as email subject – for survivor pensioners, retirement pensioners residing abroad, total disability pensioners residing abroad, dependents, and guardians.
• By sending required documents through mail or courier to the nearest SSS branch (if residing in the Philippines), or foreign office or OFW-Contact Services Section (if residing abroad) – for survivor pensioners, retirement pensioners residing abroad, dependents, and guardians.
• By submitting the required documents through drop box at the nearest SSS branch – for survivor pensioners and total disability pensioners residing in the Philippines.
• By sending a written request for home visit to the SSS through the email, drop box, or mail of the Medical Services Section of the nearest SSS branch – for total disability pensioners residing in the Philippines.
• By requesting for an appointment with the SSS for video conference using MS Teams through email at ofw.relations@sss.gov.ph – for pensioners, dependents, and guardians residing abroad except for total disability pensioners.

The establishment of the said methods is part of the SSS' continuing compliance with the Inter-Agency Task Force Resolution No. 100, which mandates the adoption of alternative modes of validation for senior citizen pensioners in lieu of personal appearances or submission of documents that require personal appearances before a notary public.
    The list of documentary requirements and other information about the said methods of compliance with the ACOP is available at https://bit.ly/SSSCI2021-010, sample photos can also be found at https://bit.ly/ACOPCompliance.
    The e-mail and location of SSS branches including its foreign offices can be accessed in the directory on the SSS website at https://bit.ly/SSSDirectory.
    For more information, visit the uSSSap Tayo Portal at https://crms.sss.gov.ph, follow “Philippine Social Security System – SSS” on Facebook, “mysssph” on Instagram or YouTube, “PHLSSS” on Twitter, or join the SSS’ Viber Community at “MYSSSPH Updates.”

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Nueva Ecija farmers get huge boost with P12-M road

By Jonas Reyes

GENERAL TINIO, Nueva Ecija — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Nueva Ecija announced that it has completed the P11.7-million farm-to-market road in Barangay Pias which is seen to provide ease of travel to both motorists and farmer residents.
    The newly paved 3.096-lane km farm-to-market road in Barangay Pias is part of the thrust by the DPWH Nueva Ecija 2nd District Engineering Office (DOE) to reduce travel time for motorists.
    According to district Engineer Elpidio Trinidad, the undertaking is part of the Convergence Program of the DPWH and Department of Agriculture (DA) funded under the General Appropriations Act of 2021.

    In other developments, Trinidad inspected the ongoing desilting project of the Nueva Ecija Area Equipment Section (NEAES) in Gabaldon as he noted that the desilting of the Digmala Creek started in October last year.

    The agency has removed large amounts of sand deposits and other dredge materials.

    “This undertaking has improved the creek’s flood carrying-capacity,” Trinidad said.

    He added that by improving the channel’s ability to carry increased river flow, flooding in low-lying areas during the typhoon season can be mitigated, thus promoting the safety and welfare of residents living nearby.

    Trinidad was with Quality Assurance Chief Marlon G. Hernandez and field engineers from the Construction and Maintenance Sections. The group assessed the condition of the bridge structure located in the said waterway.

    “We are grateful to Bureau of Equipment Director Toribio Noel L. Ilao and Regional Equipment Management Division Chief Danilo S. Danganan for their continued support through the implementation of projects like this. We hope that with the cooperation of BoE, EMD, NEAES and NE 2nd DEO we will be able to solve the perennial problem of flooding in this part of our province,” Trinidad said

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Covid high among kids aged 5-11 due to Delta, Omicron

By Jessa Samidan

BAGUIO CITY -- Prevalence of Covid-19 increased among the pediatric population in Baguio City which was attributed to the more transmissible Delta and Omicron variants of concern.
    Data analysis from the City Health Services Office and the University of the Philippines Baguio – Dept. of Mathematics and Computer Science, a total of 1,795 children aged 5 to 11 years old were infected with Covid-19 from March 2020 to February 8, 2022.
    Highest cases for the 5 to 11 age group were noted during the Delta surge of COVID-19 in the city on September last year at 498 followed by 318 cases last month with the Omicron wave.
    Despite measures to restrict the movement of minors to home, infection among children cannot be abated due to home and workplace transmission according to City Health Services Officer Dr. Rowena Galpo.
    The CHSO and UP Baguio – DMCS data emphasize that minors are an at-risk population, more so that vaccination for this age group is only about to roll-out outside the National Capital Region.
    Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong urged the public on adherence to minimum public health standards to protect the vulnerable age group from Covid-19.

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No quarantine for ROFS/OFWS but strict rules set

By Gaby B. Keith

BAGUIO CITY – Every Returning Overseas Filipino and Overseas Filipino Worker (ROF/OFW) is issued a certification by the Department of Health Bureau of Quarantine which no longer requires them to observe mandatory facility-based quarantine.
This was revealed by City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office  head Antonette Anaban during virtual management committee meeting of local officials Feb. 8, led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong.
    She said the move was based on Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases Resolution No. 159, series of 2022 that provided several conditions for the ROF/OFW to strictly follow.
    These are:  Stay at home for seven days with the first day being the date of arrival; shall monitor for any sign or symptoms during the home quarantine period; and shall report to the local government unit of destination and their respective barangay health emergency response teams upon arrival at residence and upon manifestation of symptoms.
    Anaban said the LGU through the City Mayor’s Office is automatically copy furnished the certification that is forwarded to the CDRRMO for coordination with district health centers and barangays for monitoring purposes.
 

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Asin hot spring contract to expire in three months

BAGUIO CITY -- The City General Services Office said the three-year contract entered by the local government with a private company for the short-term operation of the Asin hot spring complex will expire in three months.
    City General Services Officer Eugene Buyucan said the company and the city’s local finance committee had already been informed on the upcoming expiration of the short-term lease contract that is why it will be up to the said committee to ascertain on what will be the next step that will be undertaken for the further improvement of the city-owned property and to maximize its potentials as a source of revenue for the local government.
    He claimed that despite having been heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the lessee was able to timely settle its obligations with the local government aside from being able to introduce minor improvements within the property to entice people to use the available amenities.
     Buyucan said if the local government will not be  able to come out with a decision on what to do with the Asin hot spring contract once the contract will expire, the company might be requested to operate the same on a hold over capacity until such time the city will be able to ascertain on what to do with the property to contribute in generating additional revenue for the local government.
    Earlier, City Budget Officer Leticia O. Cemente claimed the local finance committee will be deliberating on the said matter to ascertain best option to maximize potentials of the property in generating added revenues for the city that will be used to enhance the delivery of quality basic services and sustain the implementation of development projects that are beneficial to the greater majority of the populace.
    According to her, the committee will be studying the possibility of offering the city-owned property for a long-term public-private partnership based on the city’s existing public-private partnership for the people ordinance or for the city to continue operating the same with minimal improvements until such time that the situation gets better to be able to entice interested private companies to participate in the said scheme of developing the property.
    The city budget officer said the company which is currently managing operations of the Asin hot spring complex is aware of the short-term lease that it entered with the city that is why the same was able to implement minor improvements in its facilities to sustain its viability as a resort while maintaining the quality of services for those wanting to spend a well deserve break.
    The city government under then Mayor Mauricio Domogan took over the property from the previous lessee and immediately offered the same for a short-term lease in 2019 so there will be continuous operation of the resort while awaiting the final decision of the local government on what to do with the property in the future.
    The Asin complex is located within Tuba, Benguet.
    The city government acquired the same from its previous owner and that the city is perfecting its ownership of the property with the Tuba municipal government over the past several years. – Dexter A. See

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Burnham, Gov Pack Road areas set for dev’t, bidding

By Gaby B. Keith

BAGUIO CITY -- The City Planning and Development Office and City Legal Office are finalizing a memorandum of agreement for the development of an area covering parts of Burnham Park and Gov. Pack Road in this summer capital.
     "These would include a high-density, multi-use area for commercial, parking and transit oriented development as well as pedestrian and green parks," CPDO head Donna Rillera-Tabangin said.
    A MOA between the city government and Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources regional office and is expected to be signed this month on the matter.
    In the virtual management committee meeting of city officials, Feb. 8, led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong, she said copies of the agreement will be furnished to the city council with a request for authorization.
     Tabangin said the city and DENR aim to improve and redevelop the area with infrastructure and green spaces that would cater to the needs of the city and its residents.
    Tabangin said under the MOA, the city will be preparing the development plans according to best use of the area; do marketing to create interest from private sector entities to participate in development of the properties probably through public-private partnership modality; preparation, bidding and awarding of contracts; to enjoy the possession and use of the properties; and more.
    The obligation of the DENR as the first party to the agreement, she said, is to review and concur with the site development plan for the project; to exercise the right of ownership over the properties and allow the city (second party) to use these for 25 years renewable for another 25 years by mutual agreement of the parties; and more.
    Tabangin said the agreement, among others, also provides for fair and equitable sharing of profits between the two parties including a third party which is a private sector entity through a PPP modality. 

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Dagupan jabs 5-11-year- old kids in Pangasinan against Covid-19

DAGUPAN CITY — This city on Monday held a ceremonial COVID-19 vaccination for children 5 to 11 years old at the Dagupan City Astrodome, with kids mostly of medical frontliners.
    The astrodome was brightened with balloons and healthcare workers distributing candies and goodies to the children after the jab.
    Mayor Brian Lim thanked the Department of Health for providing the vaccines for the children of Dagupan, the first local government in Pangasinan province to conduct the pediatric vaccination for this age group.
    The city had reached herd immunity against COVID-19, and Lim said the pediatric vaccination would help them return to in-person schooling and revive the economy.
    “I believe that pediatric vaccination is connected to a full recovery of the economy. If you ask experts and economic managers, they will say pediatric vaccination would pave the way for full [in-person classes]. And if students are out in full force at all levels–from primary to senior high school–we will spur the economy even more,” Lim said.
    While children are more resilient to COVID-19 based on scientific studies, the vaccine would give them extra protection, he added.
    “I’m asking parents, the Department of Education, and everyone to promote pediatric vaccination because, like all initiatives, many do not understand it. So help spread the word that vaccination is safe and is ongoing,” Lim said.
    Dr. John Fernandez, a pediatrician, encouraged parents to have their children vaccinated, saying this would protect them from severe illness. He brought his 8-year-old son to get jabbed that day
 

 

 

 

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Bontoc local registry offers free issuance of documents Feb 22-24

By Alpine Killa- Malwagay

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The Bontoc local government through its Municipal Civil Registrar Office (MCRO) will be issuing copies of the civil registry documents for free at scheduled dates. 
    According to Municipal Civil Registrar Valentina Domaoa, documents that will be issued for free by the MCRO include Local Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates, and Death Certificates. 
    Free issuance of civil registry documents to the constituents of the ALBAGO Cluster (Barangays Alab Oriente, Alab Proper, Balili and Gonogon) will be on February 22, 2022; the Upland Cluster (Barangays Dalican, Guina-ang, Maligcong, and Mainit) will be on February 23, 2022; and the Riverside ((Barangays Bayyo, Caneo, Talubin, and Tocucan) and Central Cluster (Barangays Bontoc Ili, Caluttit, Poblacion and Samoki) will be on February 24, 2022.
    Interested individuals who would like to avail of the free issuance of local Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates, and Death Certificates are advised to visit the MCRO at the scheduled dates. Also, clients are advised to bring two valid IDs and adhere to health protocols. The MCRO is located at the Left Wing, First Floor of the Bontoc Municipal Capitol and is open from 8:00 in the morning to 5:00 in the afternoon. 
    Domaoa clarified that those who request for the said documents before or after the scheduled dates will pay the regular fees. 
    In a separate interview with Mayor Franklin Odsey, he encouraged the public to take advantage of the free issuance of local civil documents that may be used in applying for a job, enrolling in school, or for one’s files. 
    “The MCRO has allotted three working days to accommodate as many clients as possible,” the mayor added.
    The issuance of local civil registry documents for free is an activity of the Bontoc LGU through the MCRO in celebration of the Civil Registration Month February of every year. The theme for this year’s 32nd Civil Registration Month is “Improving Civil Registration and Vital Statictics through Digital Transformation”.
    Proclamation 682 declares the month of February of every year as Civil Registration Month affirmed by former President Corazon C. Aquino on the 28th of January 1991.
 

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POLICE ROUND UP

 P1.8-M marijuana burned; 7 held in Baguio, Benguet

CAMPO DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet – Some P1.8 million worth of marijuana plants discovered in plantations was burned while seven drug suspects were arrested in anti-drug operations conducted in Benguet and Baguio City from Feb. 10 to 13. 
    Cordillera police director Brig. Gen. Ronald O. Lee, said the the seven suspects were separately arrested by Cordillera police and anti-narcotics agents.
     Three suspects were nabbed in Benguet with four in Baguio City. 
    Suspects Mark Gilford Pudong, 38; Jhonson Cuyugan Langgacao, 26 and Christian Umuquet Pescador, 21 were arrested in separate operations in Benguet. 
In Baguio City, arrested for selling drugs were John Aurelio V De Guzman, 44; James Paul Aspuria Villanueva, 24 and Ben Saja Palaya, 29. 
    Also in Baguio City, Joshua Jaim Manago Isibido, 23, was nabbed for possession of illegal drugs. 
    A total of 4.02 grams of suspected shabu worth P27,336.00, some 33 grams of dried marijuana leaves worth P3,960 and a bottle of suspected marijuana oil valued at P1,200 were confiscated. 
    All confiscated pieces of evidence and arrested suspects were brought to the custody of the concerned police units for documentation and disposition. 
    Meanwhile, a series of marijuana eradication drives in Benguet resulted in destruction of 1,200  fully-grown marijuana plants worth P590,000 and 10 kilos of dried marijuana stalks worth P1,200,000.
    All marijuana plants were burned on site.

2 minors held in Tabuk for P10-K shabu

TABUK CITY -- Two minors were arrested in a police buy-bust operation here in Barangay Bulanao Feb. 10.
    A regional police information office report said Tabuk police, Provincial Intelligence Unit and Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit of Kalinga Provincial police officer conducted the operation that resulted in the arrest of two minors aged 17 and 16.
Confiscated from the suspects were suspected shabu weighing more or less 1.5 grams worth P 10,200.
    Inventory of confiscated items was witnessed by Dept. of Justice  representative Nakingngak Bangloy, media member Melisa Guaves and barangay kagawad Ricardo Agnaya.
    The arrested suspects were brought to Tabuk police for questioning.
 

36 nabbed in Baguio; 13 ‘most wanted persons’

BAGUIO CITY – Police arrested 36 individuals in this summer capital from February 11-14.
    City police implemented warrants of arrest and anti-criminality campaign that resulted in the apprehension of 13 top most wanted persons.
    Other 13 wanted persons were also arrested through warrants of arrest for crimes and offenses.
    Ten drug peddlers were also arrested in a series of anti-illegal drugs operations. More or less 14.5 grams of Shabu worth P98,600 and 152 grams of marijuana and 120ml of marijuana oil worth P20,640 pesos were confiscated during operations.     The suspects will be facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
    In relation to Kontra Boga, aggressive police operations targeting unregistered and unlicensed firearms, as well as firearms with expired or unrenewed licenses, a total of 11 firearms were confiscated.
    City police director Col. Glenn D. Lonogan commended police for their  accomplishments.

 
36 nabbed in Baguio; 13 ‘most wanted persons’

BAGUIO CITY – Police arrested 36 individuals in this summer capital from February 11-14.
    City police implemented warrants of arrest and anti-criminality campaign that resulted in the apprehension of 13 top most wanted persons.
    Other 13 wanted persons were also arrested through warrants of arrest for crimes and offenses.
    Ten drug peddlers were also arrested in a series of anti-illegal drugs operations. More or less 14.5 grams of Shabu worth P98,600 and 152 grams of marijuana and 120ml of marijuana oil worth P20,640 pesos were confiscated during operations.     The suspects will be facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
    In relation to Kontra Boga, aggressive police operations targeting unregistered and unlicensed firearms, as well as firearms with expired or unrenewed licenses, a total of 11 firearms were confiscated.
    City police director Col. Glenn D. Lonogan commended police for their  accomplishments.

Illegal lumber seized in Nueva Ecija town

By Ramon Efren Lazaro

CABANATUAN CITY — Illegal lumber with an estimated value of P600,000 was intercepted in Nueva Ecija on Dec. 31.
The forest product was loaded in a truck intercepted along the highway in Barangay Joson, Carranglan town, according to a report received by Nueva Ecija police director Col. Rhoderick Campo.
    The town police launched an operation after receiving information that a vehicle loaded with illegal lumber would pass through the area.
    The driver of the vehicle refused to pull over when it was flagged down by the authorities.
Jomer Deteques and his helper Jayson Maniquiz were arrested following a brief chase.

Abra village chief caught with grenade

PILAR, Abra — A barangay captain was arrested after he was found in possession of a fragmentation grenade during a raid on his house here in Barangay Tikitik on Tuesday.
    Police said Renato Bañez Jr., 50, is also an ex-officio town councilor as president of the Association of Barangay Captains.
    The raid was based on a search warrant issued by Pangasinan Regional Trial Court Judge Rusty Naya.

Liquor ban, curfew  lifted in Dagupan

By Eva Visperas 

DAGUPAN CITY — The liquor ban and curfew hours in this city have been lifted as Covid-19 cases continue to drop.
    Mayor Brian Lim issued an executive order lifting the ban on serving and public consumption of liquor and alcoholic beverages starting last Feb. 11.
    He urged owners of business establishments to continue to enforce minimum public health standards, including restrictions on unvaccinated persons.
    “The curfew imposed in the city of Dagupan as part of health measures to address the pandemic is lifted without prejudice to its reimposition should actual public health situation on a given period requires,” the EO also stated.
    Lim said public markets would now be open every Thursday.
    Public markets were closed for disinfection every first and third Thursday of the month under a previous EO that Lim issued.
    From 1,246 Covid cases in early January, infections in the city dropped to 134 last week.

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5K aged 5-11 register for vaccination in Baguio

BAGUIO CITY -- A total of 4,744 children aged 5 to 11 have registered for Covid-19 vaccination as of Jan. 6.
    The city government opened enlistment for children last Jan.1 in preparation for the rollout of the vaccination program for said age group. 
    The City Health Services Office Baguio City said they will announce the schedule of the vaccination soon.
    As of Jan. 5, the city has fully vaccinated a total of 258,953 adults out of the target of 281,000 for a 92.15 percent accomplishment. 
    For adults with at least one dose, the city has inoculated a total of 283,929 for a 101.04 percent achievement.
    The 281,000 target is 95 percent of the total eligible adult population of the city.  It went beyond the goal set by the Department of Health at 70 percent or 262,185 adults.
    Based on the DOH Cordillera’s target, the city’s vaccination rate for adult population is 108.61 percent for fully vaccinated and 120.56 percent for partially vaccinated adults.
    A total of 33,219 have availed of the booster doses.
    For the pediatric population aged 12-17 years, the city has partially immunized a total of 32,002 or 74.75 percent of the target population of 42,811 and fully vaccinated a total of 27,557 or 64.36 percent. – Aileen P. Refuerzo
 

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Baguio City exceeds jab goal, 268K fully vaxxed

By Liza Agoot 

BAGUIO CITY – The Baguio City Health Services Office (BCHSO) has cited the best practices that helped the city not only achieve but even surpass its coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination target.
    Based on the report of the BCHSO posted by the Public Information Office, as of January 17, the city has exceeded its self-imposed goal of 95 percent after achieving 95.43 percent, with 268,168 individuals receiving the full doses out of the 281,000 eligible population.
    Also, 288,385 have received at least one dose of the vaccines, while 60,122 have also received booster shots.
In a phone interview on Monday, Aileen Refuerzo, chief of the city’s public information office, cited equity where health workers and senior citizens were given priority in the vaccination program.
    She also mentioned teamwork, which meant the whole of government, society, and all sectors approach was emphasized in terms of reliable vaccine supply from the national government to the local, purchase of vaccines by the city, vaccine loan policy by private to government, manpower augmentation from different sectors, vaccination sites offered by different government and private establishments and the available cold chain management-related equipment and supplies managed by both national and local governments.
    She added that increased availability of vaccines through the mobile vaccination program for home-bound clients, outreaches in the community, market, churchgoers, transport groups, workplace including all public and private schools, nursing homes, and isolation facilities also contributed to effectively reached all sectors -- even the immobile individuals who cannot go to the vaccination sites.
    Refuerzo said policy support was also instrumental in the success of the inoculation program.
    This includes the information technology support through the BIDA (Baguio Inoculation Digital App) website to monitor vaccination uptake, breakthrough infections, validate vaccination record; demand generation activities through quad-media campaign; issuance of the resolution, administrative order, and advisories in support of vaccination; allocation of financial resources to hire additional manpower, food for vaccinators, overtime pay of staff, and creation of an organizational structure of the vaccination program with roles and function of each member clearly defined.
    Refuerzo likewise cited the cooperation of the local residents as a huge contributing factor to the success of the city's vaccination program.
    "Mula nung nagsimula ang pandemic nakita naman natin dito sa Baguio ang cooperation ng bawat isa kaya madali tayong nakaka-implement ng program, nakita rin natin sa vaccination yan (since the start of the pandemic, we saw how people in Baguio cooperated which allowed us to implement our programs. The same is evident in the vaccination activities)," she said.
Aside from achieving more than a 95 percent vaccination rate for the adult population, the city also reported that 69.42 percent or 29,722 of the 42,811 eligible pediatric population have received the complete doses of the vaccine.
    Refuerzo said as of the first week of January, the city government has recorded and released Quick Response or QR codes to about 5,000 children aged 5 to 11 years old who have already registered.
    Mayor Benjamin Magalong said in earlier interviews that they hoped that the vaccination for the younger age group will start by the middle of February.
    The vaccination for all eligible persons here is continuing daily in barangay and district health centers including the mega-vaccination sites with schedules regularly posted on the social media pages of the city government. (PNA)
 

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