Dingras lass wins Ms Ilocos Norte crown

By Kenneth Dhovan Natividad

LAOAG CITY -- Lovely M. Demandante, a 20-year-old lass from Dingras town, was crowned Miss Ilocos Norte 2023 during the highly anticipated finals at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena in Laoag City Friday night.
    This is the second Miss Ilocos Norte main title that the Municipality of Dingras claimed. The first was in 2016.
    "Miss Ilocos Norte has always been about more than just beauty and advocacies. Our winners receive scholarships, and [they] carry out meaningful campaigns in their communities," Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc said.
    "We do not only celebrate the 23 Ilokanas here on stage, but we celebrate the Ilokana, the greatness of Ilokana, who composed the very bedrock of the Ilokano society," he added.
    Miss Dingras bested the other 22 modern Ilokanas vying for the title.
    Lovely, a Bachelor of Science in Education Major in Science student at Mariano Marcos State University and a natural stunner with an imposing height of 5'9", also bagged the Best in Municipal Costume award.
    During the final question and answer round, Demandante boldly responded to the question asked by Miss Universe Philippines 2019, Gazini Christiana Jordi Ganados: "How will you embody the spirit of a modern Ilokana while honoring the rich heritage and traditions of Ilocos Norte?," saying:
    "I will embody it by accepting change, as well as preservation. Change in a way that women nowadays talk, and when they talk everybody listens, and when everybody listens they influence."
    "I would use that to cultivate the culture and heritage of Ilocos Norte because I believe that we Ilokanos have a lot to offer    more than just the tourist spots [and] delicacies. We are so much more than that," she said.
    The selection committee was composed of beauty queens, designers, and an Ilokano bar topnothcher and educator, namely fashion designers Mr. Leo Almodal, Ms. Cheetah Rivera, and Ms. Axel Que; Miss World Philippines 2021, Tracy Maureen Perez, Miss Philippines Earth 2023, Yllana Marie Singin Aduana, Binibining Pilipinas International 2022, Nicole Borromeo, and Miss Universe Philippines 2019, Gazini Christiana Jordi Ganados; 2022 bar topnotcher Atty. Jether K. Corpuz; and completing the list of committees is a consultant and a champion for Ilokano culture and arts, Prof. Arsenio T. Gallego.
    Meanwhile, 19-year-old Tourism student Kate Winslet V. Villa, of Solsona town, was hailed as first runner-up. She also bagged the Best in Swimsuit award. Mariela Biaca Q. Acob of Bacarra, Samantha Jane Aganon of Badoc, and Maria Pamela Ellena S. Agurita of Paoay were crowned second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively.
    Demandante and her fellow winners will serve as the province's ambassadresses in youth affairs, education, tourism, and environmental conservation, among others.
    Miss Dingras' success embodies the essence of Ilokana pride, which inspires the Ilokano youth across the province to strive for greatness while cherishing their cultural heritage.
 
 

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Pangasinan town eyes Guinness World record

By Hilda Austria 

ASINGAN, Pangasinan – The local government here is eyeing to place the town on the world’s map in an attempt to log a world record for the longest-lined native rice cake in the upcoming Kankanen (native rice cake) Festival.
    In a virtual forum hosted by the Philippine Information Agency Pangasinan on Tuesday, Asingan tourism officer Michael Soliven said the festival aims to promote the glutinous rice products of the residents given that 80 percent of the town is agricultural land.
    “This is to support and promote their products such as the glutinous or sticky rice which is the main ingredient of the kankanen. Mayor Carlos Lopez Jr. also would want the town to be known through the attempt for longest lined native rice cake in the Guinness Book of World Records,” he said.
    The Kankanen Festivals will run from June 5 to 10 and will be highlighted by the town's attempt at the world record on June 9.
    Soliven said it will be held in front of the town’s municipal plaza where they will line up at a long table a kilometer long of native rice cake.
    He said some 2,000 kilograms of sticky rice will be used for the rice cake relay.
    “It will be for free to all those who will attend,” he added.
    Soliven said kankanen making is a common livelihood of the residents of the town and has also symbolized over generations the unity and harmony among the people in the locality.
    Kankanen Festival was started in 2011 by the Department of Education. It was adopted by the local government unit as the town’s very own festivity in 2019.
The annual celebration was stopped due to the pandemic but resumed last year.
Asingan information officer Romel Aguilar, in the same forum, said tourists may also visit their municipal plaza to enjoy dairy farm products from the Bantog Samahang Nayon, a group known for their fresh carabao milk products.
There will also be the street dancing competition, medical mission, skateboard competition, raffle, beauty pageants, basketball exhibition game, and the 1st Bornok Mangosong Enduro Race challenge, among others.
Asingan is a second-class municipality in Pangasinan where the late former President Fidel V. Ramos hails from. -- PNA
  

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Council okays fund grant for Baguio City students

BAGUIO CITY -- The City Council recently approved on third and final reading a proposed ordinance amending portions of ordinance no. 116, series of 2019 which provides for the city government’s college education financial assistance grant program to students.
    The ordinance authored by Vice Mayor Faustino A. Olowan stated the proposed increase in the stipend given to the beneficiaries per semester and increase in funds that will be set for the purpose is to allow beneficiaries cope with the increasing cost of living and education expenses.
    Under the proposed ordinance, there shall be a college education financial assistance grant in the amount of P10,000 from the previous P6,000 each to poor and deserving students every semester per school year who are enrolled in schools within the city, provided that they pass all their subjects.
    Learners who are enrolled in technical and vocational courses or programs are covered by the ordinance.
    The ordinance adds P20 million shall be added and allocated in the 2023 executive budget to fund the college education financial assistance grant program from the earlier appropriation of P10 million.
    The ordinance said every year, the necessary budget shall be included in the executive budget with an increase of P5 million upon the approval of the City Council.
    The ordinance stipulated additional amount shall be used in anticipation of the increasing number of beneficiaries of the program.
    The ordinance tasks the committee on education, culture and historical research to refine the existing implementing guidelines of the measure for easy access to the program within two months from its approval and thereafter be tabled for discussion with the local legislative body for concurrence and to the city mayor for approval.

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Work scheme set for marginalized Bontoc town folk

By Shannon Althea S. Pagaduan

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Marginalized folks here have now something forward to look up to help in their finances.
    The Bontoc local government in collaboration with the Dept. of Labor and Employment and Office of Congressman under Rep. Maximo Dalog, Jr., oriented 186 beneficiaries of DOLE's "Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD)" program at the Municipal Capitol here Wednesday, May 24.
    Dalog in his message delivered by congressional staff Job Lemuel Kumalao, said the TUPAD program catering to vulnerable and marginalized sectors is one of the government’s commitments in uplifting lives of the people. 
    Dalog assured the continuous partnership of his office with the DOLE and the Bontoc LGU in bringing services of the government to the community. 
    In response, municipal administrator Arthur Leonard Odsey who represented Mayor Jerome "Chagsen '' Tudlong, Jr.,  expressed gratitude to the Office of the Congressman and DOLE  for their commitment to the community's betterment. 
    Providing short-term employment to displaced workers, underemployed and seasonal workers is of big help to sustain their basic needs, especially to the victims of the fire which happened last April 11, he added.
    According to Labor Employment Officer Jenelyn Caluza, the program is now financed by Rep. Ferdinand Alexander "Sandro" Marcos through the initiative of the Office of Rep. Dalog, as well as the Ejercito Fund through the Bontoc local government unit.

    The 150 beneficiaries under the Office of Congressman were given 15 days to work which commenced on May 25 and will receive a fixed income of P6,000 each. 

    Meanwhile, the LGU's 136 recipients will be deployed in their respective barangays for 20 days at a wage of P8, 000 per person under supervision of barangay officials.

    They will work on environmental projects such as repair, maintenance, and/or upgrading of common public amenities and infrastructures, debris clearing, canal de-clogging, debris segregation and materials recovery, stockpiling, and clearing and community projects such as repair, maintenance, and/or restoration of farm-to-market roads, bridges, and public markets.

    Also, they may work under the community agroforestry operations such as tree planting, seedling preparation, and replanting.

 

 

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Bontoc gives folks tools to catch stray dogs

By Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The local govnerment here gave dog-catching tools to four central barangays here in its campaign to lessen stray dogsthrough the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist.
    Bontoc Mayor Jerome "Chagsen" Tudlong, Jr., members of the Sangguniang Bayan, and municipal agriculturist Renato Falag-ey led turnover of tools to the barangay officials of Bontoc Ili, Caluttit, Samoki, and Poblacion on May 22 at the municipal capitol.
    The tools included catching poles with nets, animal handling gloves, and dog cages. 
    According to Agricultural Technologist Sheryl Tumingeb of the OMAg, the giving of tools to folks of the four central barangays was a follow-up intervention of the local government after dog catching training participated in by barangay tanods from said barangays and personnel from the Municipal Health Office last March.
    It is lodged under the rabies program of the Bontoc LGU which aims to prioritize safety of its people as well as the cleanliness and sanitation of the town center. 
    Tudlong said capacitating barangays with training on dog catching and equipping them with tools was part of the present administration's programs.
    The mayor told the public to be responsible in having pets and encouraged everyone to cooperate in promotion and maintenance of a healthy and clean environment.
 

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Baguio has 2.5-M trees, not enough for 370-K population; BWD conducts tree inventory

By Mark Victor Pasagoy

BAGUIO CITY – Baguio has 2.5 million trees, which is insufficient for water needs among others of this city’s 370,000 local population, according to Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources data
    The DENR, through then Sec. Roy Cimatu, complete general tree inventory in the Summer Capital in April 2019.
    This, time, the Baguio Water District has completed initial accounting of tree species within the 3,000-square meter portion of the Busol watershed in Barangay Ambiong, Aurora Hill here as part of its tree inventory program this month.   
    A total of 54 trees were inventoried from the Muyong of the Philippine Statistics Authority Cordillera Administrative Region through the BWD Adopt-a-Watershed Program.  
    Of these trees, seven species were identified namely, alnus (betulaceae), pine (pinacaea), cheery (prunusavium), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus blogobus), oak (quercus), tebbeg or fig (ficus), and bamboo (bambusa). 
    The inventory team identified 29 mature trees from this total number, while the other twenty-five (25) as poles.
Mature trees are trees that are close to maximum height, those exhibiting reduced shoot elongation, or those which start producing fruits and flowers. Meanwhile, a pole is a young tree stem between one and three (3) meters tall. 
    The partial digitized tree inventory activity, which started on March 7, commenced with the geotagging activities from the BWD’s Geographic Information System (GIS) Section. Geotagging is the process of adding geographical information to various media in the form of metadata.

The data usually consists of coordinates like latitude and longitude, but may even include bearing, altitude, distance, characteristics, age, and place names. 

BWD general manager engineer Salvador M. Royeca said the activity was a resumption of the tree inventory program conceived by the District in 2018, wherein BWD called for assistance of the academe but was held back due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The data acquired will be used to monitor the survival rate of mature trees including upcoming planting of seedlings, the establishment of an accurate tree inventory database, and develop a reference for management, education, and research for watershed conservation and protection. 

 

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Baguio mayor pushes Covid contact tracing nationwide in Phl

BAGUIO CITY -- The national government should reimplement contact tracing in the country to curb the spread of Covid-19, according to this summer capital’s Mayor Benjamin Magalong.
    Magalong said the measure is being implemented again in his city to trace and treat those found positive for the virus.
    “They have to. Tinuro na namin sa kanila, ginawa na namin sa Baguio, that’s why we were able to identify those affected. We are very transparent,” he said in an interview.
    Magalong served as the contact tracing czar during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
    The mayor cited need to strictly implement minimum health protocols amid the increase in cases and possible spread of the Arcturus sub-variant of Covid.
    “Cases are increasing. Look at what’s happening in India. Malaki ang suspicions ko na talagang widespread na ang Arcturus virus,” Magalong said.
    Data from the Dept. of Health showed that there are currently 16,053 active Covid cases in the country.
    The cases started to reach the 12,000-mark per week nationwide this month.
    The OCTA Research Group said the nationwide Covid positivity rate hit 24.3 percent over the weekend.
    As of May 19, the areas with the highest number of Covid cases were Metro Manila followed by Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Bulacan and Batangas.
    Last week, Magalong reimposed mandatory masking indoors and in crowded areas in Baguio as Covid-19 cases spiked.

The face mask mandate applies to residents and those who visit the city.

 

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P57-M illegal drugs seized in Cordillera

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet – Cordillera cops burned over P57 million worth of marijuana plants and over P38,000 worth of shabu confiscated May 14–20.
    The police Regional Operations Division said marijuana eradication operations in the Benguet and Kalinga resulted in the discovery of 227, 470 fully grown marijuana plants, 3,360 marijuana seedlings and 95, 000 grams of marijuana stalks, all worth P57, 028, 400,
    These were all burned after documentation.
    Meanwhile, 5.63 grams of shabu worth P38, 284.00 were confiscated while eight drug personalities were arrested in separate anti-illegal drugs operations in the region.
    The arrested suspects were identified as Christian Albert Garcia, 55; Belvet Palma, 47; Raysun Jacob, 39; Ramil Ong, 54; Chester Mamma, 19; Jay Ralph Casidsid, 18; Dave Perez, 19; and Obbed Cangitit, 41.
    All arrested suspects are now facing charges of violating R.A. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
    Meanwhile, Benguet cops discovered over P9.4 million worth of marijuana plants in Benguet on May 20.
    In Barangay Badeo, Kibungan, anti-illegal drugs operatives of the Benguet 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company uprooted and burned 980 fully grown marijuana plants, 320 seedlings, and 75 kilos of marijuana stalks all worth P9,328,800.
    Anti-illegal drugs operatives of the Kibungan Municipal Police Station and 2nd Benguet PMFC discovered two marijuana seedbeds in Sitio Lococ, Badeo, Kibungan with around 2600 pieces of marijuana seedlings planted valued  at P104,000.

Additional 140 marijuana plants worth P28,000.00 were discovered by anti-illegal drugs operatives of  Atok police and 1st Benguet PMFC im Sitio Patiknan, Barangay Caliking, Atok, Benguet.

All marijuana plants were uprooted and burned at sites while an investigation is on to identify cultivators.

 

 

 

 

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Groups to Marcos: Surface activists abducted by CIDG

  Capuyan, De Jesus case

Various indigenous peoples advocates and human rights organizations led a demonstration at the Philippine National Police headquarters last week to demand the surfacing of missing activists Dexter Capuyan and Bazoo de Jesus.
    It has been over two weeks since Capuyan and De Jesus were abducted on April 28 in Taytay, Rizal, they said.
    Based on information gathered from search missions, groups said it was confirmed that Capuyan and De Jesus were taken by “operatives who introduced themselves as members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).” 
    “These recent abductions of rights defenders under Marcos Jr.’s administration are a spitting image of his father’s atrocities during the dark years of martial law,” said Beverly Longid, national convenor of Katribu Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas, a national alliance of Indigenous Peoples’ organizations.     “Before Dexter and Bazoo’s disappearance, IP rights advocates Mary Joyce Lizada and Arnulfo Aumentado also went missing before being found in the hands of the AFP at Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal.”
    Various protest actions were held in the Cordillera and NCR demanding the safe surfacing of the two, but several Rizal-based law enforcement, security, and intelligence agencies have denied holding the two in custody.
    A press conference was held last May 10 at the Karapatan national office, where family members of the missing advocates expressed their concern alongside representatives from various indigenous peoples and human rights organizations.
    In Baguio City that same day, other family members alongside the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA) conducted a simultaneous search mission in Camp Allen and Camp Dangwa, following the earlier search missions in Rizal.
    A complaint and a request for assistance in the search were also forwarded by the families to the Cordillera regional office of the Commission on Human Rights.
    “This cover-up has made us all the more eager to find Dexter and Bazoo. We urge Mr. Marcos and his subordinates to surface the two,” Longid added. Under the provisions of RA 10353, state security agents and government officials who are found to be perpetrators of enforced disappearances shall be held liable and punished by the law.
    Dexter, an Igorot, and Bazoo, an IP rights advocate, are both trailblazers in the promotion of indigenous peoples rights in the Cordillera.
“    As we continue our call to surface Dexter and Bazoo, we will never forget to hold the Marcos Jr. administration accountable in the activists’ disappearances,” Longid said.
 

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Councilor dies in car crash

By Vince Jacob Visaya

SAN MATEO, Isabela -- A 46-year-old town councilor of this town and his companion died after their car rammed a concrete roadside fence and turned upside down in Barangay Saranay May 14 around 12:10 a.m. police said.
    Cpt. Scarlet Topinio, an Isabela police spokesman, identified the fatalities as councilor Michael Angelo Ramones, native of Villa Magat in the town, and Mario Acupan, a village watchman in Villa Gamiao also in San Mateo.
    Critical was Sonny Baysa, 49, village head of Villa Gamiao.
    Ramones, who speedily drove his car on their way home to San Mateo, allegedly miscalculated the sharp curve and hit the roadside concrete fence.
    The wrecked car turned upside down.
    The victims were brought to the Cabatuan Family Hospital but Ramones and Acupan were declared dead on arrival while Baysa was still in critical condition at press time.
 

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Baguio stops many building constructions for violations

By Jessa Mardy P. Samidan

BAGUIO CITY – The city government stopped ongoing construction of buildings here, latest of which were in Pinsao Proper and Quirino Hill. 
    Six ongoing structural constructions in Binen 2, Purok 3 Barangay Pinsao Proper were ordered to stop with notices of violation to the National Building Code.
    Architect Homer Soriano of the City Buildings and Architecture Office said these were inspected May 8 followed by issuance of notices of violation on May 15 after verification of ownership.
    The six residential structures are all located in a titled lot with approximately 657 square meters property under a single person. Ongoing constructions are individually owned.
    Two of the residential structures commenced work April this year and are both 20 percent complete – a 1-storey building with provision of additional floors and a 2-storey with provision of additional floors.
    The other four structures commenced 2018 to present, three of which are 70 percent complete while the other is at 50 percent complete. The buildings range from 1-storey with provision of additional floors to three floors with basements.
    During the inspection, members of the Baguio Anti-Squatting and Illegal Structures noted lack of safety measures installed such as safety nets and catch canopies for the protection of owners, workers and adjoining properties.
    Owners and workers were immediately directed to cease and desist from further construction activities and secure building permits prior to resumption of works.
    Two of the structures were directed to fast track the construction of retaining walls.
    After the issuance of notice of violation, the CBAO will schedule the first conference and further monitor the activities in compliance with existing laws. Notices of violation were issued to owners of five ongoing building constructions in West Quirino Hill for lack of building permit and for developing within the Buyog watershed reservation.
    The five new building constructions were sighted during a regular walkthrough by police personnel deputized by Mayor Benjamin Magalong as environmental guards to ensure remaining watersheds in the city are not encroached.
    Photos of the said structures were sent to the City Building and Architecture Office for verification of documents followed by an onsite inspection together with personnel of the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO), Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) – Camdas Police Station 2, and Barangay Captain Anselm M. Tao-ing on Wednesday, May 17.
    Per CBAO report, three of the five ongoing constructions are within Buyog watershed while the other two are situated in a titled property but without building permits.
CBAO immediately advised the owners to cease and desist from further construction activities followed by the issuance of notices of violation.
    For the three structures within Buyog watershed, these were forwarded to the Anti-Squatting and Anti-Illegal Structure Committee (ASAISC) under the City Legal Office for appropriate action.
    Meanwhile, the two structures within a titled property were told to comply with the building permit procedure prior to resuming construction activities.
    The city government is using an iron hand in the implementation of the National Building Code as a long-term solution to the unabated urban sprawl of buildings.
    For constructions on titled properties without building permits, the city government asks owners to stop and comply by securing building permits.
    Meanwhile, for constructions on tax declaration, the city government asks owners to stop and comply with the land titling of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
    Constructions within safeguarded lands are endorsed immediately for demolition. – JMPS

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Fast demolition of illegal Baguio buildings pushed

‘Use simplified procedure’ 

By Jessa Mardy P. Samidan

BAGUIO CITY -- A simplified procedure on disposition of cases was proposed by the City Legal Office to stop increase of illegal structures and squatting on safeguarded lands.
    The City Legal Office proposed several amendments to executive order No. 51, series of 2020 to shorten the procedure on the issuance of demolition orders for illegal structures – those without building permits and those encroaching safeguarded lands.
    The city wants expanded jurisdiction of the anti-squatting and anti-illegal structure committee (ASAISC) over illegal structures within titled private properties except when there is an issue of ownership or boundary dispute.     In the old order, the committee has no jurisdiction on structures within private titled properties unless there is public interest.
    Atty. Charles Dumasi of the CLO proposes a summary demolition order to be issued upon recommendation of the City Building and Architecture Office (CBAO) without need of going to the committee to conduct conferences if the concern is squatting within safeguarded lands.
    It was also proposed that Demolition Orders shall become stale if they are not implemented within three (3) years unless they are imbued with public interest; with only one Motion for Reconsideration to be allowed; and, no more Motion for Recommendation for previously issued demolition orders.
    For cases within the jurisdiction of the courts, it was proposed that CBAO shall immediately cause the dismissal of complaints and let the judiciary system handle such.
    Dumasi also proposes to transfer the secretariat to CBAO instead of CLO for shorter proceedings using the Local Government Code as basis in the issuance of demolition orders to illegal structures.
    As per the approved process, complaints for alleged illegal constructions will be filed with the CBAO which will conduct an investigation on the complaint based on their own investigation procedures then the city imposes different demolition procedures depending on the circumstances of the structures being complained about.
    On-going illegal constructions situated on titled properties are usually given 60 days to legalize their structure by applying for building permits; otherwise, the owner will be charged for violation of Presidential Decree 1096 and the structure will be subject for demolition.
    For illegal structures built on lots not owned by the structure owner and for structures built on unregistered lots, the structure owner will be asked to discontinue the construction or dismantle the structure within 24 hours. If the owner refuses, then the city will undertake the demolition and file a criminal complaint against the owner.
    For structures built within the right of way of national roads, the complaint will be endorsed to the Dept. of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Baguio City Engineering District pursuant to Dept. Order No. 52 while those built on public places, right of way of city or barangay roads and danger areas, forest reservations, water reservation and similar areas, the investigation report and notices of violations will be endorsed to the City Legal Office for immediate issuance of demolition order. – JMPS
 

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More cash donations set for Bontoc fire victims

By Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The local government here is set to disburse more donated funds to victims of the recent fire here which razed numerous buildings and residence s here at Poblacion recently.
    The Bontoc local government initially disbursed P7,812,000 from the collected cash donations to fire victims on May 10 at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol.
    During the distribution of cash donations, municipal officials explained that the Bontoc LGU had targeted to disburse P8.3 Million for the first release. However, a number of the victims have yet to comply with the necessary documentary requirements.
    It was explained that the recipients will receive varying amounts because of the different assessed value of damages, based on the guidelines approved by the Sangguniang Bayan of Bontoc.
    Per the record from the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO), the beneficiaries covered under the first release include 27 owners of totally damaged houses/buildings, 13 owners of partially damaged buildings, 29 owners of affected businesses, 12 owners of vehicles engulfed by the fire, 14 family tenants, 15 individual tenants, and 48 stay-in workers.
    Owners of totally damaged structures received P180, 000 while the owners of partially damaged buildings received varying amounts based on the assessed value of damages.
    Business owners received P50,000 each; P30, 000 for the four-wheel; and P15,000 each for three-wheel and two-wheel type of vehicles.
    For tenants, P30, 000 was given per family and P8, 000 for individual tenants. For stay-in workers, they received P5, 000 each.
    Bontoc Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong expressed his profound gratitude and emphasized the spirit of Og-ogfo or Binnadang in helping the fire victims get back on their feet.
    He assured transparency in all the donations that Bontoc LGU continues to receive for the fire victims.
    As of May 11, 2023, a total of P11.11 million has been collected in donations including the first disbursed amount.
    Meanwhile, the Bontoc LGU is still accepting cash donations which will soon be distributed to the fire victims along with the remaining funds.

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Five NPA guerillas surrender in Ilocos

By Freddie Lazaro

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union – Five former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels surrendered in Ilocos Sur and Pangasinan on Monday, May 15.
    Police identified one of them as “Ka Randy,” a former member of the Militia ng Bayan (MB) under the Sigmaru Unit Command of Komiteng Larangang Guerilya (KLG)-Caraballo and a farmer residing in San Nicolas, Pangasinan.
    Ka Randy underwent debriefing and has signed a pledge of alliance to the Philippine government. He has received two sacks of rice, groceries, P2,000 cash gift, and was turned over to the local government unit (LGU) of San Nicolas, Pangasinan.
    Another was “Ka Alis,” an unemployed resident of Barangay Tangaoan, Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur and formerly affiliated with the Alex Boncayao Brigade of the NPA.
    She has signed an oath of allegiance signifying iher withdrawal of support to the communist movement.
“Ka Juan,” a  laborer residing in Barangay Angkeling, Santa Lucia, Ilocos Sur, also surrendered and turned over a caliber .45 homemade pistol entrusted to him by the NPA in 2016.
    The other surrenderers were “Ka Edmund” and “Ka Me-an,” residents of Barangay Cadacad, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur and former members of the Special Yunit Partisano of the NPA operating in Ilocos Sur.
    They withdrew support to the NPA in 1994 and 1995 but they were not properly documented.
    Police and the military facilitated the surrender of the five former NPA rebels.

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Kennon Road opened;P245-M set for slope proj

TUBA, Benguet – Kennon Road was reopened to vehicles of residents and workers  going to Baguio City at 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, after a landslide was cleared which blocked the road here at Camp 6.
    Following this, the Cordillera office of the Department of Public Works and Highways said it will build a P246-million rock shed slope protection along critical area which traverses this town.
    The rock shed will be constructed in site obstructed by collapsed soil due to continuous afternoon rains on May 9.
    The construction of the rock shed was recommended in a geological study and analysis undertaken by consultants in 2017 to address road slides along critical portions of Kennon Road.
    Members of Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council earlier inspected the soil collapse and assess clearing operations.

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DOT: No tightening of travel rules even as Covid cases rise

The Dept. of Tourism has no plan to impose stricter travel restrictions despite the recent increase in Covid-19 cases in the country.
    Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco on Tuesday said the government would continue to “open up” the Philippines to travel and tourism as it moves forward from the pandemic, assuring the public that minimum health and safety standards are in place.
    “Tapos na po ang pandemiya, sabi po ‘yan ng WHO (World Health Organization). While we continue to support the Department of Health’s measures as well as ensuring the health and safety of our fellow Filipinos, the direction of the Philippines is forward and that is to ensure that we continue to open up the country to travel and tourism,” she said in a Palace briefing.
    “Of course, all the minimum health and safety standards are in place and this is also made sure of as far as compliance with our DOT-accredited establishments,” Frasco added.

    From May 8-14, the DOH reported 12,414 new Covid-19 cases, a 31% increase from the previous week, marking the highest weekly count in 29 weeks and the first time in 28 weeks that it surpassed 10,000.
    For the second consecutive week, daily new cases averaged over 1,000.
    The DOH earlier said that the Covid-19 pandemic is not yet over, despite the World Health Organization (WHO) lifting the global state of public health emergency.
 

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8 hurt in La Union vehicular accident

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union -- — Eight persons including a singer were injured when their vehicle figured in an accident here May 14.
    Gigi de Lana, Mary Gidget de Llana in real life, and her companions were headed to Ilocos Norte for a musical event when their Toyota Hi-Ace van crashed into a Foton Tornado truck parked along the opposite side of the road in Barangay II at around 10:30 a.m., police said.
    The vehicular mishap occurred amid reports that road crash incidents in Ilocos region are on the rise this year.
    Probers said that van driver Joseph George Wagan could have fallen asleep, causing the vehicle to stray into the opposite lane.
    Aside from De Lana and Wagan, injured were Emmanuel Cruz, Carmela Liane Cueto, Mike Jesser Castillo, John Maverick Sumaylo, Julius Traquena and Jan Joseph Verceles.
    The victims were brought to the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center for treatment.
    In a post on social media, De Lana said that after receiving medical clearance from the hospital, she and her bandmates pushed through with the event.
    “No one else was involved in the accident and all issues have been resolved,” she posted on Facebook.
    De Lana thanked the city government of San Fernando and the people who assisted them during the accident.
 

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Itogon mines uses P70.5-M for projects

ITOGON, Benguet -- Sangilo and Suyoc mines of the Itogon Suyoc Resources Inc. (ISRI) spent more than P70.5 million for the company's social development and management program projects for its host and neighboring communities last year.
    ISRI the past years undertook community activities/services like financial assistance for health concerns, facilities and medical professionals, access and support to local schools, livelihood programs for residents, assistance to socio-cultural activities, and assistance to infrastructure development and facilities improvement.
    Among its community development initiatives in 2022 were financial assistance/sponsorship to community activities like barangay fiesta and IP celebration, various donations to organizations of senior citizens, various electrical supplies and trash bins for various elementary schools, and road signages to Barangay Virac.
    ISRI projects included sustainable environmental management and protection campaigns like reforestation, TSF raising and enhancement project, slope stabilization, regular road backfilling and grading, regular water sampling, construction of filtration and settling pond at L1300 drain tunnel, cleanup of Ambalanga River, hauling/treatment of residual and hazardous waste, implementation of stack emission test, ambient air quality monitoring, and work environment monitoring.
    Some of the plant species ISRI propagates in its nursery are the Benguet Pine, coffee, rain trees, rambutan, avocado and other flowering and ornamental plants, with 3,011 seedlings of Benguet pine, coffee and bamboo donated to several reforestation programs in 2022.

ISRI also collaborated with small-scale miners through its Big Brother Small Brother (BBSB) program. Under this scheme, ISRI's partner organization (usually a cooperative/association of small-scale miners) mines in designated areas within ISRI's tenements, with small miners also undergoing ISRI's standard miners' underground orientation, including safety, security and ISO compliance.

In 2022, ISRI renewed its agreement with the Dalicno Small Scale Miners Association (DaSSMA). Under the BBSB, ISRI remitted P20,594,388 to DaSMMA in 2022.

In 2022, Suyoc Mine's community development programs included providing financial assistance to health facilities/workers, subsidizing the day care worker for the educational support programs, and promoting organic farming and composting. During the two-year exploration period, it spent an additional P788,000 on top of the CDP as part of its corporate social responsibility to its host barangays and neighboring communities, including the Municipality of Mankayan.

At the Suyoc mine site, the environmental work programs focused on land resources and hydrology, and water quality management. Suyoc Mine's nursery propagated pine trees and coffee seedlings for planting in its tenements and donation to local communities. It adopted a reforestation site in Sitio Elizabeth (7 hectares) planted with pine and guava trees.

 

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Dengue cases 2,954 in Baguio; execs ink pact

By Gaby B. Keith

BAGUIO CITY -- The City Council passed resolution 255-23, authorizing Mayor Benjamin Magalong representing the City Government of Baguio to enter into memorandum of agreement with the Dept. of Health Center for Health Development-Cordillera Administrative Region relative to the city's anti-dengue program and for the transfer and allocation of funds in the amount of P40,000,000. Considered by the local legislature was the letter dated April 24, 2023 of the mayor requesting for authority to enter into MoA with the DOH CHD-CAR and for the transfer and allocation of the funds for the city's anti-dengue program.
    The approved measure said Dengue is the fastest-spreading vector-borne disease in the world that is endemic in 100 countries.
    The DoH has launched the National Dengue Prevention and Control Program with the vision of "a dengue-free Philippines" and a goal of "reducing the burden of dengue disease," it stated.
    The resolution said Summer Capital logged 2,954 dengue cases and five deaths in 2022 or a 121 percent increase of cases as compared to 2021. Under the General Appropriations Act for the year 2023, the national government through the DoH allotted P40,000,000 for Baguio's Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases-Aedes Borne-Viral Disease Prevention and Control Program, it added.
    The resolution stated the MoA be submitted to the City Council for confirmation.
 

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P11-M marijuana seized; 5 drug suspects arrested

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet -- Another five “drug personalities” were arrested May 7–13 while around PP11 million worth of marijuana was burned in Tinglayan, Kalinga recently.
    Records from the Police Regional Office’s Regional Operations Division bared total of 13.80 grams of shabu and 5.00 ml of dried marijuana oil worth P119,930 were confiscated from the five suspects.
    Of the five arrested, two arrests were made by the Baguio City Police Office, two by Kalinga Police Provincial Office and one by Benguet PPO.
    Arrested were Joey Mingoy, 48; Jasmin Mallanes, 44; Marcelina Eugenio, 38; Ruffalyn Baculi, 31 and Eusebio Lamsis, 54.
    They are now facing charges for violating Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
    Meanwhile, in an anti-illegal drug operation, a total of 55, 000 fully grown marijuana plants worth P11, 000, 000 was discovered in Tinglayan, Kalinga.
    All of these illegal drugs were burned after documentation.

 

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