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Sagada sets rules on Manila- organized concerts, events

September 11, 2018, 2:44 am
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Following gig of top singers 


By Gina Dizon

SAGADA Mountain Province – Manila-based or local groups holding events in this tourist town like concerts or marathons for a cause will now have to abide with regulations set by the municipal government.
This, after a Manila-based organizer reportedly made a lot of money after the concert in the clouds event leaving nothing to beneficiaries.
Performers included Gary Valenciano, Freddie Aguilar, Noli Cabangon among other popular singers and groups.  
An ordinance on the matter is set to be formally approved for implementation after a public hearing was held here “regulating the conduct of any tourism fund raising activity/event within the municipality of Sagada” participants were one in saying any individual or group outside  the municipality shall partner with  a local accredited organization and identify beneficiary  of any income generating activity that happens in this tourist town.
Following this, participants representing barangays, sectoral organizations and the Sagada public agreed that the proponent organization or individual shall disclose beneficiaries, target gross amount of collections, participants, date, venue, security, waste management and actual proceeds and expenses of the fund raising activity.   
Mayor James Pooten said it is a must that income generating event shall identify beneficiaries and the town benefitted otherwise such activity is a waste of time and effort of the public.
Ambasing  barangay chairman Rovaldine Dagacan said income generating activities in the past made use of barangay’s time and effort, left dirt for the officials to clean with no benefit left for the place.
The proposed ordinance as presented by the Sangguniang Bayan for consultation set a non refundable 10%- 15%  of the total target gross  collections to be submitted to the local government unit before the activity. 
This apart from a bond to answer for garbage cleaning  after the event.   
To ensure share of beneficiaries, SB secretary Ireneus Tauli said organizers shall ink a memorandum of agreement with  beneficiaries.
This way, the beneficiary shall run after or sue the organization should there be any breach of agreement on share of beneficiaries from the proceeds of the event, said Eduardo Umaming Jr, former Sangguniang Bayan member.  
Other requirements that the proponent organization shall submit are the activity plan and payment of fees to enable issuance of mayor’s permit and  municipal social welfare and development (MSWD) permit along with conditions on waste management, security, peace and order.
It has been noted that previous events like the Concert in the Clouds conducted by Manila based artist Ed Formoso with three local individuals and three local guide groups held last year did not benefit beneficiaries nor was there an agreement done with the beneficiaries before the event was done
No share was given to the host barangay.
In contrast,  following a recent fun run,  the beneficiary  Sagada National High School received a projector and mono block chairs from organizers Team Tagtag, a local organization which teamed up with Manila- based Team Malaya, said  Biag Daoas of Team Tagtag.
Sagada has been a host of activities organized by groups outside Sagada either by themselves or in partnership with local individuals or groups.
In the past, Sagada held tourism related fund raising activities such as the unpopular 2014 December bonfire marketing the culture of Sagada by Manila-based Travel Factor in partnership with a guide group having benefited local baseball group Ganduyan Bucks.
A marathon conducted by Manila-based Team Malaya Dunamis with the municipal government in  2014 did not identify any beneficiary.
A gift giving activity called SagadangTulong with no mayor's permit nor MSWD permit was done by domestic tourists having solicited money and goods and school supplies given to  "indigenous children” of Sagada done in partnership with some individuals in town.
It was also proposed that promotion of a proposed fund raising activity shall not commence until all requirements are met
It was suggested any violation of the provisions of the proposed ordinance shall subject each officer of the proponent organization to pay  P2,500.00.

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POLICE ROUNDUP

September 11, 2018, 2:47 am
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Van hits bus, falls down Sablan ravine

SABLAN, Benguet – A van fell down a ravine here Monday around 9:30 p.m. after it collided with a Gabriel Trans bus along the Baguio-Bauang Road at View Deck of this town.
The L300 Van, with plate number TNJ 310 was driven by Jeyeo Sayuwet Mandapat, 27, of Purok 3, Lachesa, Irisan, Baguio City while the bus with Plate Number BVT 771 was driven by Manuel Gabriel Sumangil, 43, married, of Ballesteros, Cagayan.
Investigation showed the van allegedly encroached lane of La Union-bound bus causing the collision after the rear left side of the bus was hit by the van.
Mandapat lost control of his vehicle making it fall down the 7-meter deep ravine.
Mandapat and his helper his companion Marco Marky Soto, 27 of Irisan, Baguio City managed to get out of the vehicle and were brought by Sablan police to Baguio General Hospital for treatment. 

2 die in Ilocos, LU drowning incidents

CAMP QUIRINO, Ilocos Sur — Two persons died after they drowned in separate incidents in Ilocos Sur and La Union on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Police said that one Cerilo Escobar, 69, a resident of barangay Olo-olo, Santiago, Ilocos Sur, died after he drowned while swimming in barangay Sabangan, Santiago town on Tuesday.
The rescuers recovered the victim’s body a few hours after the incident. The victim was rushed to the nearest hospital but he was declared dead on arrival.
Meanwhile, a certain Sonny Boy Buccat, 25, a resident of barangay Bitalag, Bacnotan, La Union, died after he drowned while swimming at the shorelines in Barangay Pandan, Bacnotan, La Union.
The victim and his friends were having a picnic when the incident happened. -- Freddie Lazaro

Troops seize rebels’ firearms in Abra

SALLAPADAN, Abra – Government soldiers seized firearms of communist guerrillas in a remote village here last week. 
Troops of the 24th Infantry Battalion and the 73rd Military Intelligence Company discovered the cache containing several firearms of still unknown calibers, bullets and other war materiel while they were on patrol at around 6:10 a.m.
Lt. Col. Isagani Nato, spokesperson for the Tarlac-based Northern Luzon Command, said the discovery was result of campaign focusing on community support and  combat and intelligence operations of the military with police intelligence agents. 

Meycauayan City’s most wanted falls

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — Meycauayan City’s No. 1 Most Wanted Person was arrested in Malolos City, Bulacan last Monday night, the regional police chief said Tuesday.
Chief Supt. Amador V. Corpus, PRO3 director, identified the arrested as Jalil Tunday, aliases “Mac” and “Majimbo,” of Block 5, Lot 284 Northville 3, Barangay Bayugo, Meycauayan City, Bulacan.
Tunday is set to face trial for murder before Judge Maria Zenaida Bernadette T. Mendiola of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 80 in Malolos City. – Franco Regala

 Woman loses P171-K to female thief in gym

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – A married woman lost P171,000 cash to a female thief who stole her bag at the  Builders Gym here at Dangwa Square, km 6, Betag, Tuesday around 10 a.m.
According to victim Margaret Ressureccion Kiat-ong, 28, here of Dapiting, Alapang, she placed her backpack behind the door of the gym then had her exercise. Later, she found out her backpack containing assorted sportswear, bundles of money amounting to P150,000, coin purse containing P800, wallet containing her BIR identification card and cash amounting to P14,000 were missing. The thief was wearing mask and black clothes upon review of the CCTV footage of the gym.

Indian threatens folks in mass, urinates on car

BAGUIO CITY – A complaint was filed at the police station against an Indian national for threatening people attending a mass here at the Baguio Indian Temple located along Avelino St. on Sept. 3.
Complainant was Pradeep Kumar Lalwani, president of Baguio Indian Temple, 54 against a certain Singh Satnam, male with unknown residence.
Investigation disclosed the suspect created trouble during the mass. He was warned several times by churchgoers and advised to leave, but he returned several times and kept uttering unsavory words against those inside the temple and threatened to steal the cash box.
He reportedly went outside and urinated on a car while women were passing by. The suspect reportedly committed these offenses several times despite warnings.

Resort manager, ranch caretaker hurt in crash

RIZAL, Kalinga – Two men were hurt in a vehicular accident here Monday at Barangay Romualdez. A police report said a motorcycle driven by Ariel Sinad Asuncion, 56, manager of Shemari Resort and resident of San Gabriel, Roxas, Isabela hit Guillermo Gaspar, 47, ranch caretaker here.
Responding police brought Asuncion and Gaspar to Quezon Hospital at Quezon, Isabela for treatment.
 Investigation disclosed that Gaspar was about to cross the road when he was accidentally bumped by the motorcycle. Both incurred injuries.

Worker nabbed for firing gun at neighbor’s house 

BANGUED, Abra – A construction worker was arrested for firing his gun at the house of a neighbor here Tuesday around 6:45 p.m. at Bacsil Dangdangla.
The suspect identified as Sherwin Navarro Vasquez, 45 reportedly fired his gun thrice at the adjacent house of the Vazquez family.
Responding cops confiscated from him a Cal. 380 with magazine loaded with bullets.

2 men killed in Bulacan drug busts

SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan – Two men were killed in an anti-drug operation Tuesday in this province. 
Christian Santiago, alias Tiano, and Ronald Sanguyo were killed when they shot it out with anti-narcotics agents in Barangay Gumaoc, of this town and Tiaong, Baliuag, respectively, on Tuesday night, Chief Supt. Chito Bersaluna, Bulacan police acting director said. 

Man arrested for shooting cop 

PIDIGAN, Abra – A young man was arrested after he shot a police officer who flagged him down at a checkpoint here Tuesday around 10:40 p.m. at Nagsangalan, Pangtud.
Nabbed was Arjay Pagaduan Soria, 19, of So Barbarit,  San Pedro,  Narvacan Ilocos. The suspect, who was riding a motorcycle was flagged down by PO3 Raymund Bringas, but he refused to stop. Instead, he tried to evade the checkpoint and drew a short firearm from his waist and fired at once but the latter was not hit prompting him to retaliate but the suspect sped moving towards San Isidro town.
Pidigan police chased and arrested the suspect at Banay,  Monggoc, Pidigan and confiscated his motorcycle. The gun used by the suspect was not recovered but the motorcycle was impounded.

2 cornered for illegal drugs

PANDI, Bulacan – Police arrested a certain Johari Mauna and Patang Mauna here last week for illegal drugs.
The pair sold one bag of suspected shabu weighing 100 grams and worth P220,000 to a poseur buyer.
Police retrieved four bags of suspected shabu weighing 500 grams and worth P3,400,000, one brown body bag, drug paraphernalia, and buy-bust money from the suspects.

Warrant served against jailed coop consultant 

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – An arrest warrant was served at the provincial jail here Tuesday by Chief Insp. Franciso B. Cacas Jr. against Lennie Anne Caoili, 33, cooperative consultant of Urdaneta City for estafa.
Warrant was issued by judge Maria Ligaya V. Itliong Rivera, RTC Branch 5, Baguio City who set bail of P50,000 fo her emporary liberty. Caoili was I jal for another case.

Man nabbed for violence

TUBA, Benguet – A man was nabbed here Tuesday for iolation of Republic Act 9262 (violence against women and children) at Sitio Pakak, Asin, Tadiangan.
Itogon town police led Chief Insp. Eugene Raymundo arrested Vhic Dayotao Andrada, 45, of Trail Tuding, Itogon.
This, after warrant was issued against him by judge Marieta S. Brawner Cualing of RTC, First Judicial Region, Itogon who set bail of P20,000 for the suspect’s temporary liberty.

Violence lands man in jail

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – Cops nabbed a certain Ronnie Acomen Purugganan, 53, laborer here Tuesday at A- Bonifacio Street, Ilocanos Sur for vilation of RA 9262 ( violence against women and children).
This, after Mia Joy C. Ollares-Cawed, presiding Judge of Regional Trial Court, First Judicial Region, Branch 4, Baguio City ordered his arrest with bail set at P40,000.
The suspect was brought to Sablan, Benguet jail. 

Man nabbed for murder in Abra 

LAGAYAN, Abra – A man was arrested here Tuesday for double murder with multiple attempted murder. Police named the suspect as Joel Millare Balucas, 45, single, here of Kiwas, Pulot.
Raphiel F. Alzate, presiding judge of RTC Branch 1, Bangued, Abra earlie issued warrant against him.

P300-K bail for man in lasciviousness cases

NATONIN, Mountain Province – A man was arrested here Tuesday for acts of lasciviousness. Cops led by Insp. Eduardo M. Bigwil Jr. arrested Basil L. Layong, 51, single, here of Te`kang, Banawel.
Arrest warrant against the suspect was issued earlier by Judge Sergio T. Anganay Jr., First Judicial Region, Branch 35, Bontoc, Mountain Province with bail set at P300,000.

Worker lands in jail for lasciviousness

LAMUT, Ifugao – A construction worker was arrested here Monday for acts of lasciviousness. Nabbed by police led by Chief Insp. Edgar L. Tapo was Krizzel John Ranan Baday, 21here of Alupapan, Pugol.
This, after judge Romeo U. Habbiling of RTC 14, Lagawe, Ifugao, issued warrant against him with bail set at P200,000. Baday was detained at the Kiangan jail on order issued by Judge Modesto Bahul Jr.

Girl hit, hurt by jeep in Baguio 

BAGUIO CITY –A 12-year-old girl was injured when she was hit by a passenger jeep around 6:20 a.m. Monday along Shuntug Street fronting Insular Life Building.
The victim was named as Kristine Toledo Tamondong, 1st year student of Pines City National High School. She was hit by the passenger jeep driven by driven by Crosaldo Tiongan Gonzales, 38 of Bilis Tuba, Benguet.
The victim was brought by the driver to Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center for treatment.
Traffic investigator confiscated the driver's license and issued citation ticket against Gonzales.

Cops nab 3 most wanted persons in Ilocos region

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union — Police operatives have arrested the three most wanted persons in separate operations, it was reported here Wednesday.
Chief Supt. Romulo E. Sapitula of the Region 1 police office identified the suspects as Rictor Ganase Pinmiiw, 24, a resident of Sitio Mabilabil, barangay Dinwede West, Cervantes, Ilocos Sur; Ronald Rico Ylagan, 33; and Joseph Rico Ilagan, 32, both residents of Sitio Tebag, Barangay Diaz, Umingan, Pangasinan.
Sapitula said that Pinmiiw, who is a top 3 most wanted person in Bakun, Benguet was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Mario Anacleto M. Bañez of the 1st Judicial Region, Tagudin, Ilocos Sur Branch 25, for Violation of Sec 11 of RA 9165 on September 1, 2018 in Sitio Maliteng Sinacbat, Bakun, Benguet.
The police operatives in Region 1 had earlier discovered marijuana plants in Pinmiiw’s nipa in eradication operations initiated by Police Regional Office 1.
Pinmiliw is presently under the custody of the Bakun, Benguet Municipal Police Station.
Sapitula said that Ronald Rico Ylagan and Joseph Rico Ilagan, who are the top 3 and 4 most wanted persons in San Luis, Batangas, were arrested in barangay Poblacion West, Umingan, Pangasinan, on Sept. 4 by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by Eutiquio L. Quitain, presiding judge of RTC Branch 5 in Lemery, Batangas without a recommended bail.
He said the suspects were charged for the crime of robbery with homicide.
The suspects were brought to the Umingan Police Station after undergoing medical examination and were properly turned over to the San Luis Municipal Police Station, San Luis, Batangas. -- Freddie Lazaro

Warrant for estafa served vs inmate

BAGUIO CITY – A female inmate at the city jail here was served warrant of arrest Monday for estafa with no bail recommended.  Respondent was Cynthia Payasdo San Jose, 30, laborer, with address at Green Wealth Gold, Room 203, 2F Ramon and Delfina building, Lower Magsaysay Avenue, Baguio City.
Mona Lisa V. Tiongson-Tabora, presiding judge of Regional Trial Court, First Judicial Region, Branch 7, Baguio City issued warrant for her arrest.

 Farmer jailed for robbery, frustrated homicide

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – A farmer was arrested here Monday for robbery with frustrated homicide. Nabbed was Lagasi Bon-as Bocad, 33 here of Barangay Nambaran.  Judge Bernabe Mendoza of RTC, 2nd Judicial Region, Branch 23, Roxas, Isabela earlier issued warrant for his arrest with bail set at P100,000.

Northern Philippine Times
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Manotoc gets 2nd Outstanding Local Legislator Award

September 11, 2018, 2:48 am
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LAOAG CIY – Provincial board member Matthew Marcos Manotoc received his second Outstanding Local Legislator Award from Superbrands Marketing International, Inc. Tuesday at Alpha Land Building in Makati City.
SMI is an award-giving body that recognizes quality governance throughout the country.
Ilocos Norte Governor Imee R. Marcos has been a three-time awardee from 2015 to 2017, placing her in the hall of fame.
Manotoc currently chairs the National Movement of Young Legislators – Ilocos Norte Chapter.
The majority of his acts as board member are anchored on youth welfare, such as Provincial Ordinance No. 005-2016, which provides for the Sirib Athletic Scholarship; Ordinance No. 008-2016, mandating the creation of city and municipal youth offices province-wide as counterparts to the Ilocos Norte Youth Development Office; and Ordinance No. 009-2016, which made possible the Ilocos Norte Youth Games, a summer youth sporting event joined by all towns and cities of Ilocos Norte.
The three-generational (3G) playground projects throughout the province, many of which are in partnership with the Department of Education, were also the initiative of Manotoc.
Through setting up safe and conducive spaces for outdoor play and exercise, he aims to improve the general well-being of Ilocanos, saying that these could “contribute to health, and subsequently, the productivity of the people – and not just physical health, but also mental health.”
Ordinance No. 010-2016 institutionalized the Sirib Awards as a yearly awards ceremony recognizing and incentivizing young Ilocano achievers, and Ordinance No. 017-2017 was enacted to regulate and standardize the operation of boardinghouses and dormitories in the province.
Last year, Manotoc passed the Transparency in Appropriation Ordinance of Ilocos Norte, which underlined his commitment to transparency and accountability of the Provincial Government. All constituents are also given equal access to local government transactions and decisions through this ordinance.
Previous recipients of the award in Ilocos Norte include Former Bacarra Mayor Jonathan Blas Ramit (2015, 2016); Vice Governor Angelo Marcos Barba (2016), and the late Laoag City Vice Mayor Michael V. Fariñas (2016, 2017). – Stewart Ocampo and Mizpah Grace Castro

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Economic, tourism growth attracts 86 banks to Baguio

September 11, 2018, 2:50 am
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BAGUIO CITY -- The City Planning Office reported last week that there are now 86 banks operating in Baguio as of 2017.
                “Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas shows that four additional banks were added to the 82 banks operating in the city in 2016,” CPO chief Evelyn Cayat said. “This means that our banking systems remain sound and stable.”
Precy Quinto, Landbank of the Philippine Baguio-Naguilian branch manager, said the relationship between the existence of banks and the economic situation in a particular place.
“Before a bank decides to open a branch in a certain place, they conduct a study to determine the feasibility of that branch prospering. If there is a lot of economic activity, there is a lot of money that will require the services of banks either for deposits, withdrawal, transfer, or even loan portfolios,” Quinto said.
She said banks operate where there is a robust economic activity hence, this spells out why numerous banks and their branches open and operate in Baguio.
The city’s tourism sector, Cayat said, exceeded its one-million-tourists target. There were 1,521,748 million tourists in 2017 or a 17.5-percent hike from the previous year’s record of 1.29 million. The tourism sector employed 2,943 workers in 2017.
Baguio remains to be a tourist destination and has recently attained the status of a weekend destination due to its proximity to Metro Manila and other regions of the country.
Traditionally, the number of visitors only peaks during the Panagbenga or flower festival, Holy Week, and Christmas season.
Cayat noted the hike in tourist arrivals had led to more business establishments opening in the city.
She said that as proof of the robust economy in the city, there were 24,494 business permits issued in 2017, although 6,904 or 26.1 percent of these were special permits, or for short-term economic activities.
Regular business permits account for 73.9 percent of the total. These are those engaged in retail and wholesale, real estate leasing, hotels, motels, inns, boarding houses, transient houses, apartments, and the like; other services include call centers, educational institutions, insurance, computer shops, restaurants, coffee shops, eateries, fast foods, refreshments; real estate brokerage, brokers, developers, general contractors; amusement facilities; and financial institutions.
"The gross sales reported from these businesses recorded an increase of 46.7 percent,” Cayat said. "These statistics demonstrate strong business confidence, as more businesses are established within the city. More businesses mean more investments and employment.”
Cayat said business establishments and economic activities employed 103,650 people last year, more than the 75,201 people employed in 2016.
She added investments from new business establishments amounted to P1.33 billion in 2017, an increase of 5 percent from P1.27 billion a year before.
The construction industry also posted a positive increase in 2017, in both government and private, Cayat said.
As for private construction, there was an increase of 14.6 percent in the number of building permits issued.
“This means that there were activities in the construction of new and repairs of residential, commercial, and institutional structures in the city,” Cayat added.
Baguio is host to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), with exports being viewed as a major driver of economic growth.
Cayat said PEZA-Baguio recorded a 16-percent rise in exports amounting to USD1.9 billion in 2017 from only USD1.6 billion in 2016.
“Electronics contribute the lion’s share of exports from the Baguio City Export Processing Zone (BCEPZ), followed by transport equipment, IT companies, textile, wearing apparel, and plastic production,” she added.
Baguio, she said, remains as a "show window of the whole Cordillera," as it accounts for a big chunk of economic activities of the region.
“The economic performance (of the Cordillera) increased from an estimated P137 billion in 2016 to P153 billion in 2017, which corresponds to the region’s growth of 12.1 percent,” Cayat said.
Last year, Cordillera posted the highest economic growth among all regions in the country, followed by Davao region, which grew by 10.9 percent. Central Luzon came next with 9.3 percent and Western Visayas with 8.4 percent. -- PNA 

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New minimum wage for Cordillera takes effect

September 11, 2018, 2:55 am
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BAGUIO CITY – The new minimum wage for Cordillera took effect on August 20, the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board said as it urged employers to abide by it.
                Based on the RTWPB  Wage Order RB – CAR – 19, the minimum daily  wage for Baguio City and La Trinidad,  Benguet is now P320 for all industries/sectors employing 11 or more workers and P310 for those with 10 workers and below.
For Tabuk City, Kalinga; Bangued, Abra; Bontoc, Bauko and Sagada  in Mountain Province; Lagawe and Banaue in Ifugao,  and Buguias, Itogon, Mankayan, Tuba and Tublay, the minimum daily wage is now P315 for those with 11 workers and more, and P305 for those with 10 workers and below.
For other parts of the region, the new minimum wage is P300 per day.
RTWPB Secretary Augusto Aquillo said as the new wage order took effect August 20 (15 days after its August 5 publication in newspaper), employers are now duty- bound to implement the order for workers in Cordillera.
For the proper implementation of the new wage order, Aquillo said RTWPB is set to conduct public consultations for both employers and workers in the different parts of the region.
Consultations were held Aug. 30 in Apayao and Aug. 31. It would be Sept. 6 in Abra, Sept. 6 for Baguio – Benguet,  Sept. 19 in Kalinga, Sept. 20 in Ifugao and Sept. 21 in Mountain Province.
Aquillo advised workers in the region to monitor if their work pay is already adjusted and if not yet, they have to remind their employers on the new wage order.
He  also called  on the public and the media  to help in monitoring non – compliance of the new wage order so that it can be reported to the Dept. of Labor and Employment for proper actions.
Aquillo said RD – CAR – 19 was an initiative of the RTWPB in the absence of any petition filed and took into considerations all economic factors and data as well as inputs from various public consultation conducted.
The new wage order, he said, adhered to all procedures and guidelines and strikes a balance between the economic needs of the workers and the capacity to pay of employers. -- PIA CAR

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Gov't nutritionists warn public against unhealthy ‘fad diets'

September 11, 2018, 2:56 am
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By Pamela Mariz Geminiano

BAGUIO CITY -- The National Nutrition Council in Cordillera has warned city residents against fad diets that promise fast and easy results as these may have negative effects on the body. 
“The most common fad diet trends worldwide include the Ketogenic diet, intermittent fasting, Atkins diet, blood type diet and many more," NNC-CAR dietician Bella Basalong said Tuesday.
Basalong cited the USA Center for Disease Control and Prevention's definition of "fad diet" as a weight loss plan that promises quick results with short-term change in nutrition needs.
"One way to spot a fad diet is if it promises rapid weight loss in a short period of time, which sounds too good to be true.
Food choices in the diet are limited to certain food or food groups, which can be difficult to sustain,” she explained.
Basalong warned that such diets promise weight loss without exercise and sound “scientific,” but are actually not supported by studies.
"Fad diets have negative drawbacks, which include occurrence of malnutrition due to certain mineral or vitamin deficiencies. It can lead to dehydration, getting tired quickly due to limited calories, and alters metabolism, which can cause serious diarrhea or constipation. It also affects emotional health due to frustration on achieving the desired weight loss," she said out.
Basalong said fad diets that introduce high fat can also lead to cardiovascular diseases, adding that fad diet pills and supplements might also contain ingredients that are harmful to the body.
High protein fad diets, according to her, affect the organs of the body such as kidney.
She said the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, as well as other nutritionist and dietitians, do not promote the practice of fad diets due to their effects on the body.
"The most successful weight management is a lifelong process, which includes healthy eating, regular physical exercise, and behavior change,” the city nutritionist said.
Meanwhile, NNC Cordillera Coordinator Rita Papey said in a separate interview that obesity is a problem in Cordillera, as the region has the fifth highest rate of obesity in the country.
Papey said that obesity, or over-nutrition, is also a form of malnutrition, signifying imbalances in the person's intake of energy and nutrients that lead to diet-related non-communicable diseases.
Jumping on the bandwagon of popular diet fads can also be a gateway to eating disorder habits and behavior, Papey warned.
Many of these trendy diets, she said, are not only ineffective but also dangerous to one’s physical health.
In a world that dwells so much on physical attributes, people will always have to live with the society's standards, the nutritionists noted, adding that in today's generation, where social media is accessible, there is a strong emphasis on idealized beauty on platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and even magazines and television.
Guian, a gym enthusiast who requested to be identified just with his first name, said body shaming is not an encouragement, but a judgmental health advice.
He said celebrities and models seen on social media with “perfect bodies” often make people critical of themselves and experiences the pressure of living up to society's unrealistic standards.
Guian said body shaming has become a serious societal issue.
Body shaming is defined as inappropriate, negative statements and attitudes toward another person’s weight or size.
Guian said the social stigma of obesity has created negative psycho-social impairments that lead to psychological and health issues.
"It has the power to make someone feel unlovable," he said. "It causes so many insecurities that they can’t even love themselves let alone expect someone else to love them. This is something individuals should not inflict on anyone. Living in the 21st century, everyone should be accepting of all body types. Encouraging each other to understand that our bodies are different,  beautiful whether we are thick, thin, curvy, or not flawless. We were created to be different, and we need to learn to love those differences." -- PNA

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Layog Country Farm cited by DOT, Mt Prov gov’t for aggie-tourism

September 11, 2018, 2:58 am
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BONTOC, Mountain Province -- The Layog Farm Center for Sustainable Futures, Inc. represented by Flor de Lina Layog received a certificate of recognition from the provincial government of Mountain Province during the celebration of the 118th Philippine Civil Service anniversary on Sept. 3, 2018 in this capital town.
On August 24, the Dept. of Tourism represented by USEC Benito Bengson gave another certificate of recognition to the same farm as first agro-tourism farm in the Cordillera Administrative Region at Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.
The farm was recognized due to its work and contribution for promotion of sustainable development in agriculture and tourism using the Igorot cultural principles, knowledge and skills.
The Layog farm is a 27-hectare mountainous terrain located in Kayan West, Tadian, Mountain Province.
According to Flor de Lina, the operations of the farm ceased for a few years when their father died, but it was revived by family members to give due respect of their father’s plea, “take care of the land and the land will take care of you.”
As related by Layog, the goal of the family farm was to encourage the youth to care for the environment, and to train the foreign and local volunteers to be Igorot ambassadors world-wide.
Aside from doing volunteer works in the farm, volunteers  are exposed to the life of the Igorots such as, interaction with the people, attending festivals and wedding wherein they can join in the dancing and playing of gongs, eating using bare hands and banana stalks as plates and using coconut shells or bamboo trunks as bowls, preparing and cooking traditional foods, and traditional farming using non-mechanized tools and organic fertilizers and pesticides. During the early stages, the Layog family started propagation of fruit tree seedlings, organic fertilizer production  and vegetable farming, native chicken, rabbit, goat and sheep  raising,  dragon fruit, flower and bamboo growing.
Within the compound is small bungalow that is being used as chapel and conference hall .
A wider conference room and sleeping quarters for guests are still under construction.
Below the road are the “farmacy” or café, and two buildings being utilized as sleeping quarters for guest-helpers.  
The “farmacy” was inaugurated on August 5.
It offers herbal pancakes, lemon grass tea, malunggay/dragon fruit cakes and organic vegetables. 
Layog Country Farm was the first in CAR to be accredited by the Dept. of Tourism-Cordillera Administrative Region as an agro-tourism farm site.
It was certified as farm school and assessment center by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority-Mt. Province and Dept. of Agriculture-Agricultural Technical Institute accredited it as training center for organic agriculture. 
Originally, the farm was popularly known as Layog Country Farm but it was registered as a non-profit and non-stock corporation last June 27.

Northern Philippine Times
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Bontoc SK members trained to respond during emergencies

September 11, 2018, 2:59 am
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BONTOC, Mountain Province – Some 30 Sangguniang Kabataaan members and social workers residing here in Barangay Caluttit are now trained with disaster risk reduction and management skills and prepared to respond to emergencies following training conducted by barangay officials and Bontoc municipal government on August  25- 27.
Municipal Disaster officer Johanna F. Padaen relayed that Caluttit SK chairperson Enver W. Caluza made a request to Bontoc government to conduct the training through cost-sharing scheme.
Bontoc mayor Franklin C. Odsey immediately approved the request. Caluttit Barangay provided P20, 000 while the municipal government shelled out P25,000 as  counterpart. Other materials were borrowed from Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital and Red Cross - Mountain Province Chapter.
In his message, Odsey commended Caluttit officials for coordinating with the municipal government to train SK members and other groups in their respective barangay to be their partners in disaster prevention, preparedness, and response.
With this, he challenged the participants to focus on the lectures of the facilitators, adding that learning is always a continuous process.  -- Alpine L. Killa

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Lady engineer slain by former partner

September 11, 2018, 3:00 am
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CALANASAN, Apayao – A lady engineer was shot dead reportedly by her spurned former partner, who also shot and killed himself here evening of Sept. 1.
The Calanasa police said that Engr. Joylin Liyaban, 27, died from gunshot wounds after she was attacked by Reden Garcia, 33 at a construction site in Barangay Poblacion here at around 6:40 p.m.
Another driver, Cleto Macklinic, was wounded when he too was shot by Garcia.
Initial investigation showed that Garcia entered Libayan’s room at the work site and shot her.
As he was stepping out of the room, he bumped into Macklinic and shot him once.
Garcia then shot himself in the head.
Investigators learned that Libayan and Garcia started a relationship in June, but the lady engineer decided to end the affair, which was resented by Garcia.

Northern Philippine Times
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Baguio City gov’t needs 200 employees for posts

September 11, 2018, 3:02 am
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BAGUIO CITY -- Baguio City's Human Resource Management Office is urging job seekers to look at various vacant permanent positions in the city's local government.
Assistant HRM officer Edith Dawaten said on Thursday the city government is opening over 200 permanent positions spread across city hall's 18 departments.
She said that some of the vacancies have been published, some are already under ongoing deliberations by the personnel selection board.
“There are many vacancies for nurses,” she revealed.
Dawaten also cited a vacancy for Disability Affairs Officer, a post that has been just recently created to handle the affairs and needs of persons with disabilities.
She added that the city government is also implementing a new system of recruitment, which subjects applicants to a rigid process, based on instructions from the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
All applicants for the vacant positions will go through the new process of pre-employment, which includes technical, personality, psychological, and critical thinking tests, aside from an examination fit for each position.
Dawaten said the new hiring process is even more crucial for higher positions, starting from Salary Grade 22.
She talked about the Executive Order of the Civil Service Commission encouraging local government units to implement the pre-employment, personality test and critical thinking test.
“Because we know this is needed by the city, the mayor issued an administrative order approving the guidelines for the conduct of the exams by a psychometrician, who is licensed to conduct exams on personality test and interpret the results," Dawaten said.
“Although it's really tedious, this is an improvement in the city’s recruitment process,” the officer said.
Baguio City's new tourism officer, Aloysius Mapalo, was among the first ones to undergo the process.
“Dumaan ako sa butas ng karayom (I went through the eye of a needle). I had two separate examinations, two separate interviews, and the other processes, which took about a month to finish before they made the decision,” Mapalo related.
He dismissed the idea that “palakasan and whom-you-know system” is what applies in getting an employment in government.
“There were seven of us, all of them from the government, mas marami silang kilala dahil nasa loob na sila (they knew more people in the government because they were already there). But eventually, I got selected," he continued.
Mapalo was a professor, then dean of the engineering department of the University of the Cordilleras, after which he became the director for creative production and the dean of student affairs before he decided to join government.
Baguio City Councilor Joel Alangsab, who chairs the committee on governmental affairs and a member of the selection board, said that in joining the government, the qualification of the applicant has more weight.
He said it is difficult to push someone to a position in the government if the person is not qualified. The applicant has to have the qualification aside from the requirements.
He said under the Baguio City government, employees are rewarded for their exemplary performance and service, while those who under-perform in several rating seasons are dropped from the rolls. -- PNA

Northern Philippine Times
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Honest security guard most outstanding Baguio citizen

September 11, 2018, 3:03 am
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BAGUIO CITY -- A security guard led this year’s Outstanding Citizens of Baguio awardees, the highlight of the 109th Baguio Charter Day celebration on Sept. 1.
Guillermo Battad Cortes was nominated by the owner of a McDonald’s food chain branch within the Insular Life compound in the city, where he works.
Lawyer Betty Lourdes Tabanda, head of the search committee of the Society of Outstanding Citizens of Baguio (SOCOB), said Cortes' honesty and dedication to service was the reason for his bagging the city’s top award for 2018.
Tabanda said the security guard was chosen “for his exemplary behavior in the exercise of his profession."
"He returned a bag containing P1 million, which was left in Maharlika, when he was still a guard there. It was not the only one. He was consistent in returning items left by the public in his workplace,” Tabanda noted.
Tabanda related that during the screening process, Cortes was asked: “Why do you treat people nicely, very respectful?"
She said his answer, in the Ilocano dialect, was: "Because I want people to respect me. I respect people so that people will respect me. I will not be able to get that respect if I don’t treat them the same way.”
Tabanda said Cortes clearly practices the Golden Rule. "Respect begets respect,” she said further describing Cortes as "an ordinary guy who makes you feel special.”
Tabanda went on to relate that Cortes had told the panel of judges in his interview that a "lowly" security guard like him could earn the people's respect by respecting others.
Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan announced the names of the other awardees as: Dr. Ester Litilit for education, Bonifacio dela Peña for professional distinction, Jose Bugayong Jr. for community service, Rosalynd Camat for education, Generosa Boado for community service, Jane Cosalan for community service, Teresita Marcelo for culture and arts, Jose Ong Tajan for community service, and Rolando Villanueva for business.
The 10 underwent different stages of judging: nomination, screening, background investigation, judging, and panel interview.
The screening committees are composed of former awardees of the city’s Outstanding Citizens Award, who were chosen by the city mayor through an Administrative Order.
Dr. Elma Donaal, SOCOB president, was among this year’s judges. She said the PHP1 million returned by security guard Cortes is an exemplary act, which must be recognized, pointing out that he did it not just once but on several occasions.
“Imagine naman na milyon na yan. Hindi siya nasilaw kahit na maliit lang sweldo niya at isauli pa ang mga naiiwan lalo na yung isang milyon na yan (Imagine that is already a million and he was not tempted despite his meager salary)," Donaal said.
There were 22 nominations submitted to the SOCOB since the search began in February. The number was trimmed down to 16, and 10 were recommended to the city government, whose names were conferred by the city and announced as this year’s awardees.
The search for outstanding citizens of Baguio is the most coveted award in this mountain resort city. It is the highest award the local government confers to a Baguio resident, who receives the accolade only once. (PNA)

Northern Philippine Times
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24 Cordi cops awarded for gallantry, exceptional work

September 11, 2018, 3:04 am
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CAMP BADO DANGWA, Benguet – Twenty deserving Philippine National Police personnel were awarded while four dependents of police officers received benefits from the National Police Commission during the kick-off celebration of 24th National Crime Prevention Week here Monday.
Speaking at the event, Napolcom vice chairman and executive officer Rogelio Casurao also led the awarding of SPO2 Noren Bandao, of the Benguet Police Provincial Office, who received “Medalya ng Kadakilaan” for stopping a robbery at Windy Hill, Buyagan, La Trinidad, Benguet last July 14.
Letter of commendation from the Napolcom chairman was presented to him.
Nine PNP personnel were also awarded “Medalya ng Kagalingan” for arresting top most wanted persons on the provincial, regional and national levels.
The awardees were Supt. Allan Guyguyon, Chief Insp. Ayson Tenenan, PO3 Florante Buhong, and PO2 Jun Lloyed Bangeng, all of the Ifugao PPO; Insp. Joel Kawapen and SPO1 Ruswayne Sanga, Supt.Romulo Talay, Jr., SPO2 Dalmacio Mangingil, and PO2 Christopher Baruzo, all of the Kalinga PPO.
Receiving the “Medalya ng Papuri,” were Chief Insp. Nicomedes Olarte III, PO2 Dave Kitongan, and SPO3 Mark Balanban, all of the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO), for the successful implementation of search warrant that led to the confiscation of illegal drugs and assorted drug paraphernalia.
Sr. Insp. Arnold Lising and SPO2 Michael Anthony Quela, also of the BCPO, were awarded for the successful neutralization of Amado Bolanosm, who was wanted for murder.
Six outstanding police personnel, on the other hand, received certificates of recognition for exhibiting their exceptional courage and gallantry in the performance of duty.
They were SPO1 Antolin Potpoten of Mountain Province; Chief Insp. Benson Macli-ing, of La Trinidad; SPO2 Noren Bandao of Atok; PO2 Heidi Juliano and PO2 Pink Pearl Kayachen, both of Baguio City; and PO1 Marlon Dela Paz.

Northern Philippine Times
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Ground movements endanger residents in Tadian, Mt Prov; urgent relocation sought

September 11, 2018, 3:06 am
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TADIAN, Mountain Province – Families of around 30 houses in Barangay Tue in this town were warned to relocate as they are in danger of being buried by soil erosion, the Cordillera Mines and Geosciences Bureau bared saying it was closely monitoring areas in the region included in the agency’s geohazard map.
The agency concluded that the soil in the region is already saturated or has reduced its strength due to days of continuous rains ast month.
MGB-CAR Geosciences Division OIC Benigno Cesar Espejo said the entire region has become susceptible to soil erosion which endangers the lives of residents especially those whose houses are built in landslide-prone areas.
Barangay Tue in Tadian is just one of many areas in the region vulnerable to soil erosion.
Espejo said significant ground movements were recorded in the area that’s why the Philippine Institute of Vulcanology and Seismology placed the said barangay under alert level 3.
“Base po sa report nila na-validate namin (na) ang site is may maximum ground movement of some sort of half a meter. Medyo malaki ang movement doon and alert level 3 i-state na ang evacuation ng area. Anytime, mas (malaki) ang risk lalo na kapag umuulan. Anytime ang area could move, magkaka-landslide,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Barangay Upper Quarry in Baguio City is also under monitoring of the MGB. The area is landslide prone because of large spaces that are developing underground where houses are built.
“Huwag po nating bahayan ang mga talagang dadaanan ng tubig lalo na pag tagulan. Kapag di umuulan walang tubig is ok lang pero natural way po ang tubig diyan syempre iyong mga mabababang lugar, iyon ang mga pupuntahan ng tubig. Advise natin huwag magtayo ng bahay sa daanan ng tubig,” Espejo said.
Espejo advised residents to act as soon as possible to avoid possible danger. – Marje Pelayo with reports from Grace Doctolero

Northern Philippine Times
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Fighting hunger and thirst

September 19, 2018, 1:04 am
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BANTAY GOBYERNO
Ike Señeres

It is hard to imagine that an agricultural country would ever import rice, or an archipelagic country would ever import fish. That is not all however, because we are also importing milk and flour. Looking at this from a positive standpoint, we should even be exporting rice, and exporting fish also.
 In fairness, we are already exporting tuna but whatever pride we have gained by that has already been eroded by our importation of blue mackerel scad (galunggong), also known as round scad. Of course, we could be proud to say that we are also exporting milkfish (bangus), but then again our pride in that is diminished by the fact that we have not really turned it into a global product, because for the most part, it is still mainly who are consuming our exported milkfish. In our case, importing fish is not really new, because we have been importing fish meal as feed ingredients for many years now.
What is even more difficult to imagine is having an agricultural country suffer from widespread hunger, or having an archipelagic country suffer from widespread thirst, possibly brought about my widespread drought or massive contamination?  
What would be more ironic is if thirst would happen in a country that is always bombarded by heavy rains, and almost always resulting in deeper than deep floods. Of course, as an archipelagic country we have always been surrounded by seas and oceans around us, bodies of seawater that could possibly be the source of fresh water, if only we could overcome our false notions that desalination is too expensive.
Using only our common sense, we should be able to realize that it is more expensive to suffer from famine due to lack of irrigation, or thirst due to lack of water.
Backtracking a little bit, we could also say that we are also importing ice creams and cheeses, because we are importing the milk ingredients that are used to make these two products. Applying the same logic, we could also say that we are also importing pork and chicken, because we are importing the feed ingredients that are used to produce the animal feeds that in turn produce the livestock and poultry.
Well, I would admit that my own reasoning is partly flawed, because we are actually also importing ice creams, cheeses, pork and chicken as finished goods. Under normal conditions, we could say that there might be nothing wrong with that, but what is gravely wrong is that regardless of whether we are importing the raw materials or the finished goods, we are depriving our local farmers of earnings from our normal day to day consumption.
Now moving forwards in our analysis, we could also say that we are in effect also importing breads and cakes, because we are importing the flours that are used to make these two finished goods. However, we should clarify that to some extent, we are not really importing the flours because in effect we are only importing the wheat grains that are the ingredients in making the flours.
For many decades now, we have been made to believe that flours could only be made from wheat grains, and surely that is not really true. The alternative sources are too many to name, but for a start, I would like to name the flour materials that could be grown by anyone anywhere, even in rooftops or flower pots.
One group would be root crops, and the other would be crawling plants. One advantage of root crops is that these are not affected by floods and typhoons. The advantage of crawling plants is that these could crawl up anywhere, for example in walls and trees.
No, I am not about to advocate the advocate the banning of rice production, but it is really time to rethink our overall economics of rice production and rice consumption. As I understand it, Israel banned rice production because it consumes too much fresh water, a resource that is scarce there.
Instead of planting rice, they planted high value crops such as oranges. Using the money that they earned from oranges, they imported the rice that they need. In reality however, fresh water is no longer scarce in Israel, because they have perfected the science of desalination.
Aside from that, they have perfected the sciences of rainwater collection, and water recycling, the two other sources of fresh water. Despite their abundance of fresh water now, they are still not planting rice, and they are still importing rice, using their revenues from exporting fruits.
I have no doubt in my mind that in so many ways than one, the solution to the prevention of hunger and thirst in our country is to support the cooperatives, so that these people’s enterprises could produce not only organic food, but also fresh water.
The production of organic food is market niche that is highly promising for the cooperative movement. By going into that field, the coops would not only increase their incomes, they could also increase the life expectancy of their customers as they will be eating healthier food.
I think that the key to enabling the coops to produce fresh water is to give them the means to produce renewable energy, using sustainable technologies such as wind and solar. In addition to that, they should be given the rights to distribute water to the last mile, using the water districts as the backbone.
For feedback email iseneres@yahoo.com or text +639083159262


Northern Philippine Times
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Who’s bluffing: Duterte or Xi?

September 19, 2018, 1:07 am
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PERRYSCOPE
Perry Diaz

A recent issue of the Philippines Today, headlines: “Duterte warns China of war over oil, uranium.”  I couldn’t believe what I was reading.  Was President Rodrigo Duterte bluffing?  Or did he finally find the courage to remind Chinese President Xi Jinping of the Philippines’ claim in the West Philippine Sea (WPS)?
Although Duterte had insinuated a few times before about war with China over oil exploration, he wasn’t taken seriously.  People would say, “He was just joking.”  But this time around, he seemed to be serious.  He gave the warning in a speech before the League of Municipalities on the Philippines (LMP), about two months prior to Xi’s scheduled visit to the Philippines in November.  What gives?
Duterte considers Xi as a “good friend,” having been able to get huge loans for his infrastructure projects.  He told his audience: “Mr. Xi Jinping, we also have a claim.  You know we have the award [U.N.’s arbitral tribunal ruling that awarded the Philippines in June 2016].  But I will not insist on recovering the award because it would result in a war, and it will be a massacre, I know.  But please be it noted that one day during my term, I will assert (our rights).”  
Does that mean that by asserting our rights, he’ll go to war – a real war, not word war – against China?
 Which bring another question to the fore:  Did Duterte play “offensive” move at a time when Xi is scheduled to visit the Philippines in November?  Could it be that he’s posturing to gain positional advantage when he faces Xi to talk or negotiate the issues that have been festering ever since Duterte abandoned pursuing the arbitral award? 
Checkmating Duterte
 Surmise it is to say, if Duterte were a good chess player, he would move his pieces in positions to prevent Xi from moving his pieces forward within checkmating distance.  Xi now has to rethink of revising his playbook when he arrives in the Philippines.  He may have to deal with a leader who has changed his tune and might not be too willing to agree or accede to his proposal – or demands? – in relations to the Philippines’ claims in the WPS.
But the problem is what Duterte told his audience that if there is war, it “would result in a massacre,” a line he had repeatedly mentioned in the past.  This would weaken Duterte’s hand.  
Besides, Xi is certain that Duterte will never go to war against China, simply because the Philippines doesn’t have the means to go war.   War with China would entail the use of naval and air forces in the contested waters.  With no heavy warships and just a dozen jet fighters, Duterte was right when he said that it would end in a massacre of Philippine forces.
Duterte’s ace card
Okay, so Duterte was bluffing… just joking again.  However, Xi knows he can’t go to war with the Philippines because Duterte has an ace card: the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), which calls for each party to come to the aid of the other in the event of an invasion from China or any other country for that matter. 
It's interesting to note that the anti-American leftists in the Philippines have tirelessly been demanding for the revocation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the U.S.  
But what baffles a lot of people is that the leftists don’t demand the abrogation of the MDT.  Why?  Is it suffice to say that the Filipino people – including the leftists -- treat the MDT as an “insurance” from the threat of war by another country, particularly China?  
When the Philippine Senate rejected the renewal of U.S. bases in the country in 1991 and the closing of the bases the following year, China – within two years – occupied the Panganiban (Mischief) Reef.  The Philippine government couldn’t do anything to stop the occupation.  China could then have invaded the country.  But the MDT deterred her.  Without it, the Philippines would have fallen easily to Chinese invasion.  The “insurance” worked. 
It’s interesting to note that the MDT also covers any Philippine naval vessel that is attacked in the high seas.  That is why the BPS Sierra Madre, a rusty vessel of World War II vintage, was purposely grounded at the Ayungin Shoal in 1999 with a contingent of Philippine marines stationed on board to keep the Chinese at bay.   
China had incessantly demanded that the Philippines remove the grounded Sierra Madre.  They even offered to haul it away for free!   Obviously, once the Sierra Madre is removed, they can then occupy Ayungin Shoal without interference.   
Malacca Dilemma
But China isn’t ready to go to war against America.  Not yet.  It would take many years for China to catch up militarily with the U.S.   But because of China’s dependence on foreign oil that accounts for 80% of her oil consumption imported from the Middle East and Africa, China is inflicted psychologically with what is called “Malacca Dilemma.”  
The “Malacca Dilemma” is a term coined by former Chinese President Hu Jintao in 2003 on China’s over-reliance on the Malacca Straits where her oil imports from the Middle East and Africa pass through.  A conflict in the region or war with the U.S. would effect China’s geopolitical and energy strategies.  
If war erupts between U.S. and China, the U.S. can block the chokepoint at the mouth of the Strait of Malacca and the Indian Ocean; thus, stopping all oil shipments to China.  It is estimated that China has strategic oil reserves that would last for only 10 days.  Without oil China would be paralyzed and rendered useless militarily. 
In my column, “Duterte’s red lines: Is it a joke?” (June13, 2018), I wrote: “When Duterte told Chinese President Xi Jinping during a recent trip to Beijing that the Philippines intended to drill in the Recto Bank, Xi told him: ‘We’re friends, we don’t want to quarrel with you, we want to maintain the presence of warm relationship, but if you force the issue, we’ll go to war.’  Whoa!  It must have hit Duterte like a double whammy!    
              “In an effort to placate Xi and maintain a friendly relationship, Duterte offered to jointly explore and drill for oil in the Recto Bank on a 60-40 sharing deal. “China has offered joint exploration and joint operation. And I said, maybe, we give you [China] a better deal, 60-40,” Duterte told an audience on April 26.”
              Clearly, China wouldn’t go to war against the U.S. and, by extension, the Philippines.  China couldn’t afford the economic loss she would incur if war erupts, which makes one wonder: How are the Philippines and China going to play their geopolitical chess game when Xi visits the Philippines?  And who is bluffing: Duterte or Xi?  Or both?
(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)


Northern Philippine Times
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CPA to Senate: Scrap TRAIN2

September 19, 2018, 1:09 am
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BEHIND THE SCENES
Alfred P. Dizon

BAGUIO CITY -- The Cordillera Peoples Alliance, added its voice to many sectors calling for the scrapping of TRAIN 2 saying it will worsen indigenous peoples' plight. On Sept. 10, the Lower House approved on final reading TRAIN 2, or House Bill 8083 also known as “Tax reform for attracting better and high quality opportunities (TRABAHO Bill).”
TRAIN 2 proponents said it will bring down corporate income taxes from 30 percent to 20%, grant additional benefits to corporations and reward tax  incentives to potential investors.
“Duterte’s TRAIN 2 will only benefit the oligarchs and foreign corporations while bleeding the poor people dry with more taxes and turning the plight of indigenous peoples from bad to worse,” the militant groups said in a statement.
The CPA assailed approval of TRAIN 2 in what it called the “Duterte-controlled House of Representatives led by the newly-installed House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.” calling it a “ruthless attempt to worsen the plight of indigenous peoples and poor majority of the Filipino population.”
According to CPA chairperson Windel Bolinget, "this is an outright treachery to the poor majority of Filipinos who have been devastated by the TRAIN 1 implementation and will only benefit oligarchs and  foreign corporations.
“As the first two instalments of Duterte’s tax reforms, TRAIN 1 and 2 is a twin attack against poor and marginalized indigenous peoples while serving the wealthy few, with additional perks and benefits given to them on a silver platter. It is a means to generate massive government income through peoples' taxes to fund the ambitious build-build-build program of the administration, the   modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other military and defence spending, and to pay ballooning foreign loans.
"Indigenous peoples bear the brunt of Duterte's tax reform program. The  sky-high prices of prime commodities such as rice and other food products, rising costs of transportation brought about by the excise 
taxes on petroleum products was a result of the TRAIN 1 implementation. 
Inflation rose to 6.4 %, the highest in almost a decade, while wages of ordinary workers (P320-PhP330 in the Cordillera region) remain constantly way below the family living wage of P1,175.”
 Research group IBON estimates that one in every four Filipinos (25%) remain unemployed or underemployed. The country’s foreign debts rose to more than P7 trillion as a result,” Bolinget said.
"TRAIN will not bring food on the tables of ordinary Filipinos,  especially the marginalized indigenous peoples whose ancestral lands, natural resources and livelihood sources are constantly threatened by 
destructive projects and militarization of communities. It will not solve the country's chronic poverty brought about by joblessness, low wages, contractualization and unfair labor practices, and insufficient or lack of access to basic social services. Instead, it will make situations worse by further opening-up our country to plunderous and 
greedy corporations who make profits out of our natural resources and the desperate conditions of workers,” said Bolinget.
Bolinget also said that large foreign-owned corporations already enjoy tax holidays and similar incentives in so-called export processing zones or special economic zones and mining projects but Filipino workers  remain hostage to slave-wages and unsafe conditions of work.
He said TRAIN 2 is a go-signal to large mining and energy corporations to  further plunder our natural resources and our people.
“With TRAIN 2, more private companies and transnational corporations will target the Cordillera and other ancestral lands of indigenous peoples for resource extraction and plunder.”
At present, more than 100 various mining applications are reportedly under process in the Cordillera including AFTA 008 of CEXCI-Nickel Asia which covers 43,000 hectares of ancestral lands.
There are also 87 hydro-power projects reportedly awarded by Dept. of Energy, the majority of which are owned by energy giant SN Aboitiz which has Norwegian investment thru Statkraft and the Norwegian 
Investment Fund for Developing Countries (Norfund).
“Instead of bleeding the people dry from massive taxation, the  government should seriously pursue a program of national  industrialization founded on genuine agrarian reform to create jobs and maintain a self-sufficient and sustainable local economy.
“The prevailing  neoliberal policies on the economy favoring large, private and foreign corporations will only worsen the condition of ordinary Filipinos who  are desperately seeking jobs and are being forced to get employment  abroad. But the Duterte regime has proven itself to be a lapdog of foreign corporations and local oligarchs which is why it continues to inflict misery to ordinary people and heightened national oppression of 
indigenous peoples.”
The CPA urged the Senate to junk the TRAIN law.

Northern Philippine Times
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‘EO on importation, a threat to local farmers’

September 19, 2018, 1:10 am
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EDITORIAL


Members of the House Makabayan bloc have expressed concerns about possible impact of the executive order that seeks to simplify the process of food importation, on local farmers.
Malacañang reported Wednesday, Sept. 12, that the government’s economic managers are planning to submit a draft executive order to President Rodrigo Duterte to tame the country’s surging inflation.
The economic managers are proposing to streamline the importation process by removing or reducing the tariffs being imposed on imported essential food items including sugar, meat, rice, and vegetables.
But according to Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, this move might threaten the livelihood of local farmers and traders.
“Kapag bumaha ng mga produkto na ito sa ating merkado, ang mabibili ay produkto ng iba.  Kaya po ito ay pagtatanggal sa kakayanan ng mga producers natin dito sa bansa na makinabang doon sa matagal nang dapat na pakinabangan” said Ilagan.
ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro also argued that the measure might result in possible price increases given the high peso-dollar exchange rate.
“Nakita natin ang sitwasyon ngayon, P54 a dollar. So kung ito na ang magiging direksyon ng gobyerno dahil nakatali na sa importasyon ang dolyar,  mas mahal na maipapasasa sa mga consumers,” said Castro.
Instead of simplifying the food importation process, the Makabayan lawmakers are suggesting that the President should declare a price control in accordance with the Republic Act 7581 or the Price Act.
“Malinaw naman po doon na kapag mayroong unreasonable spike sa price ng basic commodities and services, maari pong yung batayan para magisyu ang pangulo ng price ceiling o price control na hindi na po nangangailangang magkaroon ng declaration ng state of emergency,” said Anak-Pawis Representative Ariel Casilao.
President Duterte has earlier assured that his economic managers are now working to curb the inflation.
As reported by Malacañang, these proposals include streamlining the process of rice importation of the National Food Authority and the immediate release of essential food products in ports. 

Northern Philippine Times
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Mildred Dewey

September 19, 2018, 1:13 am
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HAPPY WEEKEND
By Gina Dizon

SAGADA, Mountain Province -- Known for her happy disposition, Mildred Dewey is the only one named Mildred I know in Sagada.
Mildred is a friend, a sister, a neighbor having stayed a house away in La Trinidad and some 12 houses away from my house here in Sagada.
Fondly called Mortecia or Mertet, good humored  Mildred laughed a lot despite life’s travails. So when she left this physical world on Sept. 8, she is remembered for her jolly soul.
Blessed with a happy disposition, it was a joy to receive a hello, a smile or a jolly laugh from her whenever I saw her. She shared happiness and joy. Not pain. Everyone has his or her own pain. Mildred was not one to spread pain, anxiety or suffering.  
No matter what time of day or whatever state of mind or feeling she was in, she never failed to greet me with a happy smile and a remark to signify it’s a fine morning or afternoon.
She did not bother anyone knowing a sad face depresses people. Better a happy face that brightens the day of people than depress them. She made people cheerful even if she was feeling bad As the Bible says in Matthew 6:25-34, do not worry.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life]? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Life in this world cannot be held on to forever. Life is fleeting. Any minute situations change – like when Yolanda destroyed Samar and Marawi was shattered by bombs and bullets.
Anything can happen. Possessions can be lost anytime and can be gained anytime.  Loved ones die comes a time. Loved ones, friends move to their own directions. Feelings change. People have their own lives. This world is molded by outside factors and everything can’t be controlled.
While this is so, life is meant to be taken responsively and responsibly.    
Mildred reminds that. Life is a fleeting thing so take life one moment in time. Deal with what life offers. Mildred was cheerful and responsible.  As Mildred, an Anglo-Saxon name of Old English origin means "gentle strength," she was that. She took care of her son Marvin till he graduated from college and had his own profession. She was a dutiful wife to her husband Onangey. She took life responsibly with gentle strength and a positive disposition. Live life. It doesn’t pain to share happiness and be cheerful – like Mildred.   

Northern Philippine Times
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Shell bike fair finale set in Manila; contestants urged

September 19, 2018, 1:14 am
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BIKE riders, club members, and enthusiasts are expected to pack the Philippine International Convention Center as Shell Bike Fair 2018 culminates in Manila on the 22nd of September.
One of the highlights of this much-awaited event is the search for the Shell Outriders Best Bike Club, a nationwide competition for groups that exemplify the values of a responsible and socially-active riding community.
To qualify for the Shell Outriders Best Bike Club award, nominees should show passion for achieving their goals, exhibit personal and social courage that benefits the riding community, have the mindset to overcome social barriers, and support a cause with a spirit of fun and youthfulness.
A screening committee will then evaluate entries and vote for representatives for each of these participating regions: NCR, Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Winners will be announced during the event in September with the grand prize being P100,000 cash plus P50,000 worth of fuel vouchers.
“Shell Bike Fair 2018 is our way of solidifying our commitment to the Filipino bikers. Through this event, we hope to recognize the bike clubs’ positive contributions to the community,” said Lorrie Ramirez, Shell Advance Brand Manager. “It’s their courage that inspires us at Shell. And it is the goal of Shell Advance to help our riders outride any obstacles they encounter by protecting their engines and helping improve the smoothness and responsiveness of their bikes.”
With this year’s theme, “Together We Ride Stronger,” Shell Bike Fair 2018 kicked off in Baguio last July with close to 3,000 bikers braving the rains to take part in the event held at the CAP John Hay Convention Center.
Now on its fourth year, Shell Bike Fair 2018 treated riders to a day full of exciting activities: with contests for helmet design and bike modification, on top of fun booth games and freebies sponsored by Shell V-Power, Shell Advance, and other sponsors. To top it off, five brand new motorcycles were given away in a raffle draw.
 Celebrity guests like Daiana Menezes and Roxanne Barcelo also entertained the crowd while performances from Rico Blanco and other local bands rocked the night away. Certified motorcycle enthusiast and Shell’s newest brand ambassador Drew Arellano also shared his personal journey as a rider, the challenges that he encounters while on board his bike, safety riding techniques, and how Shell V-Power and Shell Advance served as his road partner throughout filming his travel show “Biyahe ni Drew.”
“We recognize our bikers’ passion for driving and the challenges they face on the road every day. That’s why we at Shell continue to develop products designed to be their reliable companion on the road. Right alongside Shell Advance, we have the Shell V-Power fuels line designed to deliver both performance and efficiency for our customers to ride well,” adds Mark Malabanan, Shell V-Power Brand Manager.
Be there for the culminating event of Shell Bike Fair 2018 this September 22 at the Philippine International Convention Center. This project is a joint venture of Shell Advance and Shell V-Power, dedicated to empowering solutions for making life’s journeys better and helping motorists outride anything.

Northern Philippine Times
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Cops probe student’s death; Relatives refuse to cooperate

September 19, 2018, 1:16 am
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LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Police are probing the death of a Grade 12 student who found here dead here Tuesday inside a greenhouse after relatives refused to cooperate with investigators.  
The victim was identified as Jefferd Moyao Patras, 18, single.
A police report said they received a phone call that day around 9 a.m. from barangay kagawad Denver Nabus informing them about a body found in the greenhouse.
According to Marlon Patras, brother of the victim, Jefferd went inside the greenhouse around 7:30 p.m. on Monday to get clothes.
About 6 a.m. the next day, Marlon went inside the greenhouse and saw the victim lying inside and already stiff.
Marlon informed his relatives and neighbors about the incident and called for police assistance.
Around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, members of Benguet Provincial Crime Laboratory Office led by Chief Insp. Shanne Lore A. Dettabali arrived at the crime scene but were informed by relatives of the victim they were convinced the death of the victim was due to electrocution, no foul play happened and refused an autopsy.
The police report said they were conducting deeper probe as cause of death of the victim remains undetermined and relatives refused to cooperate.

Northern Philippine Times
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