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Kennon Road closed after quake

April 28, 2019, 12:37 pm
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By Hasreel Sandee Gano

BAGUIO CITY-- Kennon Road will not be opened to traffic pending the results of the assessment and inspection of local authorities here, the Office of Civil Defense-Cordillera Administrative Region said on Thursday.
 “Due to the 6.1 magnitude earthquake that jolted Region 3 (Central Luzon) and intensity 4 in Baguio City on April 22, the opening of Kennon Road during weekends is hereby suspended effective immediately,” stated the joint OCD and the Cordillera Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC) Advisory No. 3 issued on April 25.
 In the past weeks since March, Kennon Road has been regularly opened to light vehicles weighing not more than five tons from 6 p.m. every Friday until 6 a.m. of Monday to ease the traffic congestion at the other entry points to Baguio.
 “A thorough inspection will be conducted by the joint inter-agency task group Kennon Road before the temporary opening during weekends will resume,” said OCD regional director and CDRRMC chairman Albert Mogol in an interview.
 Meanwhile OCD-CAR information officer Cyr Bagayao urged the public to take earthquake drills seriously.
 He said for the public to be resilient and prepared for an earthquake, they have to know how to act accordingly.
 “We always tell the public to take the earthquake drill seriously and not just for compliance sake,” said Bagayao in a separate interview.
 He said the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) through the local DRRM councils regularly hold the national simultaneous earthquake drill (NSED) to prepare the public for emergencies.
 “We do drills because we do not know when an earthquake will happen and familiarizing the people on what to do during an earthquake will prevent the loss of lives,” Bagayao said.
 “It takes practice to know the rules and the procedure by heart," he added.
 He also advised the public to be calm, do not panic and keep abreast of any update from authorities.
Bagayao also urged the public to avoid spreading fake news or misinformation, which could cause panic to the public.
 He said everyone should first verify the pieces of information they receive by checking the official social media account of government offices before sharing them.
He added that earthquakes are unpredictable and no one can say when it will happen. -- PNA

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7 drown in NL Lent incidents

April 29, 2019, 3:45 am
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SEVEN PERSONS drowned in separate incidents in Northern Luzon on April 19.
The fatalities included four in Cagayan, two in Pangasinan and one in Isabela.
Reports said that Santiago Supnet Jr., 45; Rogie Evilla, 35; Jhon Jericho Doran, 11, and Janica de Luna, 7, were carried away by the current as they were swimming in the towns of Solana, Sto. Niño, Lal-lo and Pamplona, respectively.
Doran, De Luna and their families were having a picnic in the Cagayan River where the incident occurred.
Police said Evilla and Supnet were seen having drinking sessions with their friends before they decided to swim.
Meanwhile, in Pangasinan, Julian Cordova, 62, drowned as he and his friends were swimming in the Agno River in Mangatarem town.
Cordova, a resident of Pasay City, was vacationing with a relative in Barangay Cabayaosan.
Reports said he and his friends had a drinking session before they decided to take a dip in the river.
Cordova was declared dead on arrival at the  Mangatarem District Hospital.
In nearby Dasol town, Lota Ebidag, 20, reportedly failed to resurface after she dived in a swimming pool in Barangay Petal.
Reports said Ebidag and her boyfriend had a drinking spree before they went to the pool.
Ebidag was found unconscious under the water by her boyfriend, who rushed her to the Dasol Community Hospital where she was declared dead on arrival.
On the same day, Gomer Karlo Balanon, 18, drowned in the Abuan River in Ilagan City, Isabela.
Balanon was declared dead on arrival in a hospital. – Eva Visperas and Raymund Catindig
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Magalong: Baguio barangays’ growth pushed under my watch

April 29, 2019, 4:10 am
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BAGUIO CITY -- “Under my watch, all 128 barangays of Baguio City will get all-out support and assistance in the overall goal of securing our communities and propelling growth. Their officials and volunteer service providers deserve no less than the fullest assistance for them to serve honorably and tirelessly.”
Thus pointed out retired Philippine National Police Director Benjamin Magalong when asked about his plans for Baguio once he will be elected into office as mayor of the city.
He explained that barangay officials and volunteer service providers are the face of government in the eyes of our people. They exemplify what government should be all about; alert and vigilant at all times and serving as Big Brother to their neighbors.
“No stone will be left unturned to make our barangay government authorities perform well and to the utmost. After all, they are first and foremost the frontline servers of government.”
“They will be empowered, from leadership skills training to equipment and uniforms to respectable wages. They will be properly motivated for continued honest and hard work in making their constituents safe, well protected, and ably served for their most essential needs on basic healthcare, education, business and commerce, disaster risk reduction services and consistent environmental protection. For me, a happy barangay is a happy Baguio,” Magalong said.
“It is my vision to see every barangay grow in strength from resources due them and added income generated at their level. To be Baguio’s effective responders and providers, this will be among my privileged mandate as Father of the City,” he continued.
            “Lahat ng tamang ayuda para mapalakas ang ating mga barangay ay ating ilalaan bilang pagkilala sa napakahalagang tungkulin nila. Dapat natin ibuhos ang suporta upang higit pa nilang maiangat ang kanilang serbisyong dulot ay malawakang kapayapaan, katiwasayan at kasiglahan ng ating mga barangay. Isang marangal, magalang at magaling 
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Sinner and Saints Café; a place of fusion food

April 29, 2019, 4:11 am
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By Ronamee Galangco

BAGUIO CITY -- A café located within the boundary of Baguio and La Trinidad Benguet has captivated both locals and tourists alike due to its unique take on common fusion cuisine, taking the metro and provinces traditional delicacies to the next level.
From its unique entrees like their Kapangan Kinuday, pork ribs marinated with locally made rice wine and their new addition, the Benguet shawarma, using one of the regions traditional meat, the “Etag”.
Café Owners Girlie Apuntan and Jovie Sianen expressed their love for their heritage and how these cuisines fully entrails the taste of their childhood.
“ We try to make it something other than just meat, so parang naisip namin na it should represent Cordillera. We aimed for something that is not commercialized but something that comes from us,” said Apuntan in an interview.
The establishment also boasts original recipes of pasta like their potato noodles and the unique presentation of Pinikpikan Carbonara, which captures the essence of the original mountain delicacy in a more western approach. This café is also known as the “Home of the Camote Cake” and the one of a kind dessert, the “Tapuy ice cream” or also known as rice wine ice cream.
The café employs out-of-school youths and advocates the employment of those who are labelled unemployable due to age or lack of qualifications.
Association of Technical Vocational Institutions of Benguet (ATVIB) President, Angeline T. Bugtong, applauded establishments like this who support skill-based individuals, especially now that “Hard Trade” is more sought out.
“We fully support and believe in the skills of those people who take their craft and passion to the next level, moreover for those who share their blessings to the public” said ATVIB president Bugtong.
The Café hopes to bring out ore of the Cordillera’s taste outside of the region aiming for the national tongue. 

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Clark Int’l Airport back in business after quake

April 29, 2019, 4:13 am
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trCLARK FREEPORT – After being battered by a 6.1-magnitude earthquake that halted its operation on Monday afternoon, the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) announced its resumption of operations by 4 pm Wednesday.
The shutdown, which lasted only less than 48 hours, was due to the damage at the terminal building caused by an earthquake that struck Luzon Monday. Employees of CIAC frantically repaired the area to assure passengers that the delay in operation would only be minimal.
“Clark airport is business as usual, from counters to manifest to boarding gates,” CIAC president and CEO Jaime Melo said.
Clearing operations and repairs immediately started Tuesday morning inside the pre-departure area after a huge portion of its ceiling collapsed.
“May we remind the riding public to kindly check or coordinate with their respective airlines for confirmation of their flight schedules via Clark beginning April 24,” Melo said.


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Baguio City Labor Day fair to offer 16 K jobs

April 29, 2019, 4:19 am
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By Aiza Caramto 

BAGUIO CITY -- A total of 15,784 jobs for local and overseas employment will be up for grabs during the Labor Day job and business fair here, the Department of Labor and Employment in the Cordillera Administrative Region said on Wednesday.
Some 1,635 local jobs are offered by local employers. These jobs include customer service representatives, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) manufacturers, English as Second Language teachers, sales associates, skilled workers into constructions, food and beverage staffs, bookkeepers, application developers and others.
For overseas employment, there are 14,149 available jobs for nurses, technicians, and factory workers.
The job fair will be held at the Baguio City National High School grounds.
A pre-registration will be held from April 25 to 27 to allow interested job seekers to cut short their queuing time on the day itself.
DOLE-CAR Regional Director Exequiel Ronie Guzman said the jobs fair aims to fast-track the meeting of jobseekers and employers and overseas recruitment agencies to reduce cost, time, and effort particularly on the part of the applicants.
It is done regularly in partnership with the local government units, the different attached agencies of the DOLE, service providers and others.
"Our employers are not just looking for skilled workers but also those persons who have the willingness to learn and contribute to the company. The applicant's attitude towards work is a necessary factor in getting hired," Guzman said.
Aside from jobs, the event will also feature a livelihood component, which comes as an option to those who will not be able to find the appropriate job for them.
The Department of Trade and Industry will also set up a Negosyo Center at the site to provide business counseling and business forum for prospective and interested entrepreneurs.
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority will also assist those who need to upgrade their skills to match the required job offerings or those who want to want to acquire new skills. -- PNA


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Top Mt Prov poll bets air platforms in MPSPC forum

April 29, 2019, 4:21 am
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BONTOC, Mountain Province – The Mountain Province Polytechnic College held a “social accountability and election forum” at the school here Wednesday for candidates in all levels to present their platforms.
This, to give MPSPC students, faculty and staff including the public to know better congressional, gubernatorial and vice- gubernatorial candidates of the province.
 The MPSPC invited all candidates for congressional, gubernatorial, and vice-gubernatorial posts but only five chose to face the academic community.
Of the aspirants for the lone congressional district of Mountain Province, Allen S. Ocden and Anthony D. Wooden attended.
Of the aspirants for governor, only Harry C. Dominguez and Mateo L. Chiyawan chose to face the academic community. Only Ezra Samson A. Gomez of the vice-gubernatorial candidates appeared.
During the forum, Gomez that he will work to increase the scholarship assistance received by students and also source out funds from different agencies for this matter.
Chiyawan said all legal actions can be done to help the college attain and complete its requirements specifically on landholdings and physical facilities.
Dominguez, another gubernatorial candidate, answering the question on the unemployment and job order situation in employment said that he will promote the province as an investment hub.
Ocden, a congressional candidate, focused his speech on removing corruption in Mountain Province.
He also promised to help the college comply with requirements for facilities.
Wooden, another congressional candidate, spoke of regional autonomy.
When asked about his plans on solving the issue relative to dominance of politicians and government officials regarding the selection of grantees in the Tertiary Education Subsidy, he said he will formulate a separate committee specifically tasked for this matter.
Questions did not only revolve around their plans for the province but included those for MPSPC as well.
Some questions asked were their plans to help the college to reach its university status.
MPSPC had been in pursuit of achieving university status but some of the requirements hinder this quest, much more that these were beyond the control of the college.
Specifying that some of the main factors were on landholdings and lack of physical facilities, candidates were one in saying the college has to be helped in achieving a university status.
Before the forum proper, alumni relations and job placement coordinator Carolyne Dale Castañeda informed the candidates and the audience of the procedures and guidelines of the forum. The forum was followed by the covenant signing as the event also served as venue for the candidates to promote social accountability for a clean, peaceful and honest election. 
“This activity was a non-partisan forum as the institution is a non-partisan organization. The audience was prioritized to MPSPC personnel and students, thus, candidates were also advised not to bring with them more than 10 supporters and election paraphernalia are not allowed within the school premises,” Castañeda said.
Each of the candidates were given five minutes to discuss their platforms and two minutes in which to answer questions from the audience.
A five-minute closing statement was also afforded each candidate. Selected faculty members and students served as members of the panel. Several questions were asked per candidate focusing on their programs during their opening statements.
After the open forum, a covenant signing was made witnessed by the audience stating that the candidates commit themselves for an honest and clean election free from any unfavorable actions that might degrade the right of each candidate to a proper election process and the right of the Filipino citizens for suffrage.


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Indigenous energy sources gab set May 3

April 29, 2019, 7:08 pm
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BAGUIO CITY --  A press conference  on potentials of indigenous energy sources in response to the  power crisis shall be  held on May 3 by the regional office of the Philippine Information Agency at the  Balay Alumni Hall of the Baguio City High School on  May 3 at 10 a.m.
The press con is sponsored by the Collective Livelihood Initiatives Monitoring and Building Mountain Province (CLIMB MP)  in cooperation with  Baguio City High  School (BCHS)- Class 1958.
Speaker of the press conference Dr. Arthur Sali Saldivar is an alumnus of BCHS who belongs to Class 1958.
Saldivar is  former Chief Geologist of the Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) and currently  working on geotechnical engineering consultancy in construction and mining particularly as  chairman of Geotecnica Corp. (The Rock Engineers), 1978 to the present and principal of the ASaldivar-Sali and Partners from 1978- to the present.
Dr Saldivar is also a book writer and shall be launching his book Black Gold: The Search for Oil to Power A Nation same day 3 p.m. at same venue. -- Gina Dizon


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Transition team prepared for Baguio leadership turn-over

April 29, 2019, 7:16 pm
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By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio Domogan formed a local governance transition team to prepare for the turn-over of leadership after the May 13, 2019 elections.
In Administrative Order No. 49, the mayor named himself as chair of the team with City Administrator Carlos Canilao as vice chair, 15 department heads, two division chiefs, Dept. of Interior and Local Government Baguio City Director Evelyn Trinidad and an officer of the Baguio Association of Retired Persons (BARP) to represent the civil society or people’s organization as members.
The team was tasked to “ensure the smooth local governance transition (and assumption) of the newly elected or reelected local officials on June 30, 2019.”
The team will also take charge of conducting an inventory of the local government unit properties like land, buildings, infrastructure facilities, vehicles, office equipment, furniture, office supplies and others;
Gather, secure and preserve all official documents and records of transactions particularly the Governance Assessment Report, Commission on Audit report, contracts and loan agreements, comprehensive development plan, local development investment plan, annual investment plan, comprehensive land use or physical framework plan, capability development plan, executive-legislative agenda, organizational structure, inventory of personnel by nature of appointment and executive orders.
This will also include documents covered by the Full Disclosure Policy particularly the annual budget, statement of debt service, statement of receipts and expenditures, annual procurement plan, annual Gender and Development accomplishment report, statement of cash flow, bid results on civil works, goods and services and consulting services, report of Special Education Fund utilization, trust fund utilization, manpower complement, unliquidated cash advances, supplemental procurement plan, 20 percent component of the Internal Revenue Allotment utilization and report of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Fund utilization.
The team will also ensure the smooth turn-over of accountabilities using the prescribed forms and the accomplishment and submission of the required documents among incoming officials to the concerned agencies.
A turn-over ceremony to include a briefing on the governance assessment report and key challenges to the incoming set of officials will also be prepared by the team on June 30.
The mayor’s order was in compliance with the DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2019-39 enjoining local chief executives to ensure a smooth transition and turn-over of leadership.

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Cops, sheriff hurt in Cagayan demolition

April 29, 2019, 7:17 pm
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By Raymund Catindig

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan  —  Seven police officers and a court sheriff were injured in a clash with informal settlers during a demolition in Sitio Racat, Barangay Rapuli, Sta. Ana, Cagayan on Wednesday.
Patrolman Jessy Pascual, Staff Sgts. Derick Saliganan, Mario Udarbe Jr., Clarence Lansang and Marlon Blanquera; Cpl. Jezrael Jove, Patrolwoman Hazel Joyce Simangan, and sheriff George Balao were taken to the Sta. Ana Community Hospital for treatment. 
Reports said personnel of the civil disturbance management team who accompanied Balao in implementing the demolition order was attacked by bolo-wielding residents, who also hurled molotov bombs, animal feces and stones at them.
Sixteen informal settlers were arrested.

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P 2.4-M marijuana seized in Bontoc; 3 tourists nabbed

April 29, 2019, 7:18 pm
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BONTOC, Mountain Province – Police and narcotics agents arrested three men here with P2.4 million worth of  marijuana at a checkpoint along the Bontoc-Kalinga Road here at Sitio Cheta, Bontoc Ili morning of April 21.
A regional police report identified the arrested: Paolalphiny Canilao Octavio, 20, student taking up Bachelor of Arts and Communications at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa and resident of Las Vegas Street Putatan, Muntinlupa City; Jaden Rongavilla Residuo, 20, of Buli, Muntinlupa City and John Loyd Ocampo Rojales, 21, also of Buli. 
Before their arrest, a concerned citizen reported to the police that the suspects will be transporting illegal drugs on board a passenger jeep plying the Tinglayan (Kalinga)-Bontoc route. 
The report said immediately, joint personnel of Bontoc Municipal Police Station and members of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency – Mt. Province set up a checkpoint and flagged down said vehicle.
Allegedly confiscated from the suspects were 18  marijuana bricks and four pieces of marijuana in tubes weighing 20,004 kilos worth P2,4 million, drug paraphernalia, assorted IDs and three cell phones seized from their backpacks.
Cases for violation of Republic Act 9165 known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Board of 2002 was filed against the suspects who are now detained at Bontoc police station.
 “We thank the concerned citizen for providing us with this valuable and timely information that led to the arrest of these suspects. Your police force will continuously conduct proactive operations as we are committed to prevent, if not wipe out the proliferation of all forms of illegal drugs in the region,” said Brig. Gen. Israel Ephraim Dickson, Cordillera police director.
Edgar Apalla, PDEA-CAR regional director, meanwhile said in a phone interview that the tourists were apprehended after visiting Tinglayan, Kalinga during the Holy Week.
Apalla said PDEA personnel and police acted on a tip that the men were carrying marijuana.
Apalla said that they have been on the lookout for illegal drug activities involving tourists who take the chance to do illicit acts. He said that in the Cordillera region, several tourists have been arrested for attempting to sell shabu and other illegal drugs in urban areas like Baguio City. – With a PNA report

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Abra council bet shot dead; Comelec sets control moves

April 29, 2019, 7:19 pm
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TAYUM, Abra -- A candidate for councilor in this town was shot while campaigning Tuesday morning.
Alexander Echabe, who was the candidate of PDP-Laban, was shot in the head, a sketchy report by Joey Brillantes, Echabe’s companion said.
Brillantes said Echabe and his group were campaigning in Sitio Ananao, Barangay Budac, when the gunman approached shot him.
Brillantes said the gunman and his companions then fled.
Brillantes identified the gunman as a barangay chairman and his companions as his brothers..
Abra was declared as category red hotspot are by the Commission on Elections on March 19.
The shooting happened on the same day that the Cordillera regional police chief, Brig. Gen. Israel Ephraim Dickson, visited Abra to check on security preparations for the May midterm election.
Dickson had moved around key police officials in Abra as well as changed the mobile force companies assigned in the province.
Following this, a local Commission on Elections official said in Bangued Tuesday the result of the Joint Security Coordinating Center investigation on the twin shootings in Tayum will determine whether or not the province will be under Comelec control.
Lawyer Dexter Barry Cawis, Comelec-Abra election officer, said the Police Regional Office Cordillera has ordered an investigation on the two shooting incidents that happened in Tayum at about 9 a.m. on Tuesday.
Earlier media reports said one of the victims involved a PDP-Laban candidate for councilor, who was allegedly shot on the head by a barangay captain, while the other victim was hit with a bullet on the leg when a mayoralty candidate allegedly fired shots on the vehicle of the group of the Budac village chairman.
The shooting incidents reportedly occurred one after the other during a campaign sortie in An-ananao, Budac, Tayum.
"We still have to verify what really happened in Tayum. The police report usually goes up to the region and is submitted to the JSCC and will be forwarded to the Comelec en banc, which will determine whether to place it under Comelec control," Cawis said.
The Comelec declared Abra as a hot spot on March 19.
He said they are hoping that there would be no incident that will disturb the peace and order in the province.
Cawis said an area under Comelec control due to peace and order issues will be in the hands of the Comelec en banc.
"The en banc can relieve any cop, any member of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) or PNP (Philippine National Police), create a task force to have an administrative control over deputized agencies," he said.
Cawis said the PNP, AFP, and the Comelec are now discussing the security preparations for the May 13 mid-term elections.  – With a PNA report
 

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Chopper crashes in Bulacan; 2 killed

April 29, 2019, 7:20 pm
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MALOLOS, Bulacan -- Two men were killed when a helicopter crashed into a fishpond here Thursday.
The initial report of the local police said two passengers were killed “in an accidental helicopter crash” in Barangay Anilao that happened around 12:30 p.m.  
Another victim was rushed to the nearest hospital.
Police have yet to establish the identities of the victims.
The helicopter, which bears the body number RP C8098, was described in the report as severely damaged or “total wreck.”
A sourced photo showed the ill-fated chopper half-submerged in a fish pond.
Responding teams are still investigating if there were other victims at the crash site.  – Robie de Guzman

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P’sinan governor faces graft rap for overpriced project

April 29, 2019, 7:21 pm
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LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Gov. Amado Espino III has been slapped with a graft complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman due to the reportedly overpriced construction of an oval track and event staging area for the Alaminos City National High School.
The construction was intended for the 2018 Region 1 Athletic Association (R1AA) Meet, and reportedly cost around P13 million. This amount covered the backfilling of soil, asphalting of the oval, and the construction of two bleachers and a stage.
Complainant Michelle Anne Celino said that the amount claimed by Espino for the project was “grossly overpriced” because it was “not commensurate to the work that was undertaken.”
The construction of the two bleachers and the stage cost P5 million, but Celino said the cost estimate made by the City Engineer of the Province of Pangasinan only amounted to P1,241,006.81.
The P8 million, on the other hand, went to the backfilling of soil and asphalting of the oval track. Celino stressed in her complaint that the amount spent was “too excessive, and surely caused undue injury and great prejudice to the government.”
Celino wants Espino charged for violating Section 3(e) of R.A. 3019, otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The said law faults local officials for “causing any injury to any party, including the government, or giving any private party unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of his official functions.”
The three-page complaint was filed before the Office of the Ombudsman for Luzon on April 16.

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Jeep carrying Baguio LP bets’ campaigners crashes; 4 dead, 23 hurt

April 29, 2019, 7:22 pm
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BAGUIO CITY – Four campaigners of the Liberal Party died here while 23 others were injured when the jeep they were riding in developed loose brakes, swerved to the opposite lane and rammed a concrete gate marker of Sta. Lucia Realty Corp. here Tuesday around 9:45 a.m. along Circumferential Road, Asin.
Col. Allen Rae Co, acting Baguio police chief, said the jeep was traversing circumferential road headed to Barangay Irisan when it developed mechanical trouble.
The Isuzu jeep with plate number ACK-342 was reportedly driven by Leander Asia Vergara, 23, single, driver/mechanic of Crystal Cave.
Three persons died on the spot while one died while undergoing treatment.
Killed at accident site were Elizabeth Almoite Panes, 54; Richelda Almoite Abigar, 47 and Julia S. Labi. Their bodies were brought to Damayan Funeral Homes.
Injured were brought to Baguio General Hospital Medical Center for treatment by ambulances.
They were identified as Agnes Buarao Ag-a, 43; Judith Abiogan Siplat, 47; Robert Yaeng Sibal Jr., 21; Jonalyn Palatik Dekdeken, 2; Kyle Rector Libua Lardizabal, 10; Kellycent Libua Lardizabal, 14; Michael Ogayan Boligon, 39;
Jovelyn Banasan Gados, 42; Shirlyn Banasan Gados, 40 and
Shantal Gados Gonnay, 5.
Also injured were Alma Dewalan Allera, 46; Travis Bagayao Aliping, 13; Ryjen Ondong Palatic, 15; Mercedes Cawilan Guerrero, 49; Nary Grace Gorgonia Castro, 30; Patrick Zhean Castro Paylor, 5; Hilaria Yaeng Sibal, 56; Sally Lis-eg Balaodan, 39; John Rey Abaigar Passi, 6; Josephine Mayocyoc Ag-a, 59; Gloria Gatarin Simsim, 64; Robert Jaeng Sibal, 21 and Josephile Gayo Ligligan, 42.
Adelina Pimentel Agsaway, 68 died while undergoing  treatment at BGHMC.
The driver’s license of the driver and OR/CR of the vehicle were confiscated by traffic investigators.

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MATEO CHIYAWAN sees education and disaster risk reduction among 10 point agenda

May 4, 2019, 7:48 am
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GUBERNATORIAL candidate MATEO CHIYAWAN, 55  sees education and  disaster risk reduction as two among the main focus of his 10 point agenda.
              For one who has served as municipal mayor of Natonin from 2001 till the present. Mayor Chiyawan, has come to know good supervision and control over programs and activities of the municipality in  enforcing  laws and ordinances and programs of the national government.  He also served as provincial vice governor from  1998- 2001, acted as the presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Provincial Legislative Body; and a two term Board Member of District 1 of Mountain Province.
Chiyawan prizesEDUCATION as crucial in the life of a person for his dignity, career, well being, and of better service to the community. As the only one among six siblings who finished college, education comes crucial in his agenda for his gubernatorial bid for Mountain Province. Chiyawan graduated Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History  in 1988 at Saint Louis College, San Fernando, La Union. He took up units in Graduate School in Masters in Public Administration  at Baguio Central University. He finished high school education at Immaculate Heart High School Poblacion, Natonin, and elementary education at Tonglayan Elementary School.
Common in most locations in Mountain Province, schools are located far from each other making the pupil and the student hike long hours to go to school.
And for one where Natonin’s 11 barangays are located far from each other, too with schools  are located far from each other. And  with the policy of  the Department of Education that there are 35 pupils in one classroom, makes it difficult for a  barangay to fill up  the requirement. This results to the  pupil having to walk far from his home, cross rivers in order to  go to school and finish elementary or high school  school. Mayor Chiyawan had to ask the Department of Education to open some elementary schools to give some exceptional consideration where attendance falls below the required minimum providing some fund from the local government to augment the salaries of teachers.
Such feat must have earned him a certificate of Appreciation from Early Childhood Care and Development Council  (ECCD) Council and from DepEd- CAR for his support to the implementation of the K to 12 Basic Education Program.
In the municipal level, Chiyawan received  a certificate of recognition from DepEd- Natonin District for his support in the improvement of education facilities in support to the Sustainable Eco- Friendly Schools (SEFS), a program of DepEd
The  SEFS  refers to environment-friendly schools that have initiated and integrated in their instruction, research, extension, and/or administration, programs which are environment-related. SEFS is based from Republic Act No. 9512 also known as the “National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008” and to the ASEAN Environmental Education Action Plan for Sustainable Development for 2014-2018.
SEFS is manifested in schools with  environmental policies  and practice on physical cleanliness, orderliness and beautification, energy and water conservation and management,  paper conservation and recycling; waste reduction and segregation, recycling and composting; air, water, and soil pollution control; seedling production and vegetable gardening and marketing, reforestation and nursery establishment; establishment of a botanical garden, herbarium, establishment of a bio-park; and environmental audits of school’s operations and facilities.
And for his exemplary promotion of the  Alternative Learning School  program of Dep Ed, he received  a Certificate of Commendation from DepEd- Bureau of Alternative Learning System.
In the realm of sports where DepEd is involved in for the physical development of  students, Chiyawan received Certificate of Recognition from World Archery Philippines for his support to the successful establishment of the First Archery Clinic and Tournament in Natonin
The gubernatorial candidate wants to implement programs for  education  culture and sports where more financial aid goes to deserving students as well as teachers for them to develop their career and competencies, provide greater support for academic festivals and improve promotion of culture and sports.
DISASTER RISK  REDUCTION
For one whose municipality has fallen to  many  victims during the onslaught of typhoon Rosita last year, attention to a high vulnerability to landslide Mountain Province is a must.   The Province has been an unfortunate witness to victims at  Dantay, Bontoc and  Banawel Natonin in the recent year.
Disaster risk  reduction is a matter of priority in a landslide prone Mountain Province..Let us learn from what happened in Natonin, he said. We tap Mines Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to identify  high risk areas, extend  technical support and identify safe settlement areas. It is not enough that MGB ound out that Mountain Province is a geo hazard area, more attention should be done in curbing disasters such as what happened in the landslides of iBanawel Natonin during typhoon Rosita or at Dantay Bontoc that killed victims. Chiyawan sees that MGB should extend technical and even facilitate financial assistance to mitigate landslides and keep communities safe from the disasters.  
LIVELIHOOD
Among the top priority needs is livelihood. For Mountain Province which belongs to one of the poorest provinces of  the country, livelihood support shall be done through the provision of  additional fund via  linkage and  partnership  with government entities and private organizations. Entrepreneurship  endeavors of our people  should be encouraged for  them put up small scale businesses by providing capital assistance.
Funding assistance shall come not only from the Internal Revenue Allotment  (IRA) but also outside sources. And with the lobbying capacity of  the candidate, sources from outside  shall be facilitated for implementation.  
Mountain Province abounds with natural resources, soil and waters. From here  agricultural farming and fisheries needs technologies and opportunities to get agricultural endeavors boosted. All the municipalities of Mountain Province have their respective  agricultural  products with rice  and bananas as the common crop.  With this, there is still need to develop mechanization of agriculture along with increase on arable land to increase rice production, provision of irrigation facilities  and post- harvest facilities for  vegetable producing areas of western Mountain Province and the rice and corn producing  town of Paracelis.
             On the IMPROVEMENTOF ROADS  AND ACCESS  shall further improve provincial roads, bridges and pathways. Such commitment is anchored on the firm belief that good roads lead to greater opportunities. Infrastructure and tourism sees the building building of structures such as multi-layer parking spaces, and tourism facilities like toilets, view decks and information centers.
SOCIAL SERVICES to further enhance the programs for youth, senior citizens, the PWDs and other marginalized sectors. Health  to improve the health facilities and services in the district hospitals
Mateo Chiyawan  was born in Tonglayan, Natonin, Mountain Province. His mother Arummay Chiyawan (+), and  father Lubbagan Chiyawan (+) are from  Natonin. He is married to Shirley Acofo- Chiyawan of Bontoc and Sadanga descent and blessed with six children.


Northern Philippine Times
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‘Gayyem ti Umili’ BONIFACIO LACWASAN Jr to pursue ‘Barangay Muna’

May 4, 2019, 7:56 am
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Gubernatorial candidate BONIFACIO CALDE LACWASAN Jr, 60 is one among 12  children of  father Bonifacio  Lacwasan Sr  and mother Felomina  Dagiw-a Calde of Pingad Sabangan, Ankileng Sagada and  Bila of Bauko. He married Jonaliza Batang-oy Sapki of Bontoc, Mountain Province and Mayoyao Ifugao. They are blessed with four children. He finished   Bachelor of Arts major in Economics at San Sebastian College in Manila and took a Diploma course on Good Governance and Development at the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP).
Candidate for governor  Bonifacio Lacwasan is currently the governor of Mountain Province since 2016. He served as vice governor from 2013-2016 having ran unopposed; and elected vice governor in 2010-2013.  In pursuit of public service, Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan surely must have learned well from his father the former mayor of Bauko, Bonifacio Lacwasan Sr.  And for this has learned well that development starts from the basic local government unit which is the barangay.
Currently ex officio member of the Sangunian Panlalawigan, he authored the increase of provincial aid to the newly  created barangay of Pudo, Natonin; and the increase and institutionalization of provincial aid to the barangay from P1,000 to P5000.
For his flagship program, Barangay Muna from Barangay ti uMuna, financial and technical support has been persistently given to 144 now 145 barangays of Mountain Province.  This he pursues in his bid as Governor for Mountain Province. Barangay Muna traces its beginnings when Lacwasan  served as barangay captain of Otukan in 1997 having started with the amount of P1,000 given as aid to barangays as per local government code. 
He championed the position of Punong Barangay when he ran unopposed in his hometown at barangay Otukan Bauko Mountain Province from 1997 to 2007. He also was the President of the Liga ng mga  Barangay municipal chapter and president ;Liga ng mga Barangay – Mt Province chapter. He started off as Punong barangay  of Otukan Sur  of  Bauko in 1994- 1997.
Then  barangay chairman, Lawasan worked for the increase of aid to barangay to Php 2, 000.00 in the succeeding year. Having been elected as President of the Liga ng mga Barangay then, Lacwasan  authored and lobbied for a resolution that doubled the amount to Php 4,000 in 1999 to 2001. The aid became Php 5,000 in 2001 by virtue of Provincial Ordinance No. 25 of  2002.  This  amount stayed till 2010.
As Vice Governor in 2010-2013, financial assistance to the barangays increased to Php 10,000 each through Provincial Ordinance No. 120  and increased to Php 15,000 in 2013 then further increased to Php 20, 000 in 2017.  The financial assistance to the barangays dubbed, “Provincial Aid to Barangays,” will now be P25,000 as institutionalized by Provincial Ordinance No. 294.
Also as vice Governor, he increased the Aid to Day Care Workers from  P2,500.00 to P2,800.00 as provided by Provincial Ordinance No. 290; and increase in the monetary award to centenarians from P20,000 to P30, 000 per Provincial Ordinance No. 315.  Six centenarian-entries were validated, honored and given incentives.
As Vice Governor, he institutionalized the provincial aid to the federation of senior citizens in the provincial chapter; institutionalized the provincial aid to boy scouts and girl Scout. The newly opened Provincial Disability Affairs Office was created to serve the plight of persons with disabilities during the governorship of Lacwasan.
The Halfway House serve as processing center for former rebels. Rebel surrenderers’ monthly honorarium was raised from P5,000  to P5,500 under the Rebel Returnee Livelihood Program with 27 beneficiaries. Emergency assistance was given to 433 individuals in crisis situation, to 27 victims of disasters and to 11 victims of military encounters.
As member of the Board of Trustees of Mountain Province State Polytechnique College (MPSPC), Governor Lacwasan opposed the increase of tuition fee in 2010. This to jibe with today’s free college tuition fees by the government.
AWARDS
With his exemplary performance in barangay-based concerns, Lacwasan was awarded Gawad Barangay Awardee of the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas in 2002.
He  was recognized  as Ambassador of Peace of the Interreligious and International Federation of World Peace; and given certificate of recognition as Founding Member of the barangay federation of World Peace. He was also given certificate of appreciation as facilitator for participatory  development approaches for  governance and mIllenium development goals.
With his administration as chief executive, Mountain Province LGU was awarded the Seal of Good Housekeeping given by the Department of Interior and Local Government  (DILG) during his early Provincial leadership in 2016 and 2017. Mt Province’s Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) got  2nd place in the regional Gawad Kalasag  awards in same year of 2016, first place in 2017 in the regional level and 3rd place in the national level in 2017 and 1st place in the regional Kalasag awards given by the National PDRRMC and Office of Civil Defense. 
The  Provincial Agriculture and Fisheries Council category was won by Mountain Province PAFC during the 2018 Gawad Saka Regional Awards.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS TO CONTINUE
Under  the  program, “Barangay Muna,” Lacwasan implemented Special Programs. Seventy (70) barangays and civil society group beneficiaries were assisted through the provision of equipment and supplies in the amount of P3.6 M. For 2019, the PLGU has earmarked 4.46 M for its assistance to barangay development projects.
The Mountain Province Student Financial Assistance Program (MPSFAP) has benefited 600 students.The provincial government will continue to provide financial aid in the amount of P4,000 per semester. In the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES), employed 143 students last year during the summer term.
In the Provincial overseas employment program or OFW loan program., assistance was given to 16 OFWs in the total amount P1,775 M for 2018.  This 2019, alloted P4 M for OFWs pending their compliance to requisites.
In 2018, the Provincial Government allotted 1.5M to help alleviate the plight of farmers in this maize-producing municipality. The Paracelis Corn Feed Mill Management Committee was created to assist the Provincial Governor in the establishment, operation, management and sustainability of the Paracelis Corn Feed Mill as a viable economic enterprise; and allotted P1.5M for the sustainability of the enterprise and for its operations to finally commence.
The Provincial micro,small and medium enterprises (MSME) Development Council in 2018 through the focal person conducted photoshop, label and product, profile-making workshops,  Ekat weaving and extraction of dye from natural products with P300,000 for MSMEs to help in their worthwhile endeavors.
The PLGU entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Trade and Industry  and with the Bontoc Market Vendors Association. This turned the former Mountain Province Pasalubong Center into a One Town One Product (OTOP) Hub to showcase and promote our local products with P250,000 funding from the DTI. Further assistance from the Provincial Government of P55,000 was given as financial aid to IMPAKABSAT Trade Fair for booths’ registration.
ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNANCE SHALL PURSUE
Budget for the fiscal year 2019 in the total amount of P841, 880, 562  was  programmed with the Annual Investment Plan and Provincial Development Investment Plan by the Local Finance Committee. The Provincial Treasurer’s Office reports a revenue collection of P779.4 M in 2018 over its target of P772.4M. The PTO was able to exceed its target by P6.8 million. By December 2018, the total collection increased to P783, 362, 496.
The Provincial Assessor’s Office reports a  significant increase in the assessed value  in real properties in the amount of P43.9M from 2017 to 2018. A significant  assessed value of newly discovered real properties was noted in the amount of P22 million.  .
Last 2018, the Provincial Accounting Office was adjudged by the Association of Government Accountants of the Philippines (AGAP) as Outstanding Government Accounting Office for calendar year 2017 during the AGAP week-long national convention held in Iloilo City . Only three of the 181 provincial LGUs qualified for the national awards - Mountain Province, Albay and Quirino.  Mountain Province was the lone awardee from CAR.
With his able supervision of the PDRRMC, assistance was channeled to the victims including  recovery operations for the victims of tragic landslides in Dantay, Bontoc and in Ha’-rang, Banawel, Natonin due typhoons Ompong and Rosita. The Mountain Province-Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Emergency Operations Center was maintained and operational for 24 hours. The following were conducted by PDARRMC: conduct of risk assessments, vulnerability analysis and other science-based technology and methodologies on 4 different occasions in the province; training of emergency responders on 26 various courses, installation of 7 signages on landslide and flood prone areas in the capital town. Also, the PLGU in partnership with DOST, installed 3 units of Flood Warning Devices in 3 flood prone areas in Bontoc; The PDRRMC) of Mountain Province was a national finalist for the 2017 Gawad Kalasag Award under the Provincial DRRMC category; and the Best PDRRMC in the regional level for 2019.
MORE AWARDS
With  Governor Lacwasan’s  general supervision, the concerted efforts of all health providers from the provincial level to the barangays, the municipal LGUs, hospitals, and health organizations were recipients of 40 major and special awards during the 2018 Regional Gawad Kalusugan Harmonized Awards Ceremony held at the Baguio Country Club last November 2018.
Among the 19 major and 21 special awards are the Provincial Capitol as  the recipient of the 2018 Red Orchid Award for its sustained advocacy and policies on the promotion of a 100% tobacco-free environment. The province also received a plaque of recognition for sustaining a malaria free province status (CY 2010 – 2018). Mountain Province was also recognized for holding a 10-year no human rabies record, thereby, Mountain Province  among the only three CAR provinces with no human rabies cases for five years. The Provincial Health Office (PHO) of Mountain Province was also recognized for its steadfast support and outstanding commitment to the implementation of the family planning program and of the responsible parenthood and reproductive health law. 
In health advocacy, the Provincial Health Office was awarded for its Outstanding and Innovative programs on health education and promotion. Through maternal, neonatal, child health and nutrition program, saw the distribution of 1,331 mother and child books given to pregnant women. Ferrous Sulfate tablets were also distributed to curb anemia among pregnant and postpartum women. The amount of P3 M for the Health Insurance Program and another P500,000 for the SABATA ( Sabangan Bauko Tadian) Og-ogbo.
SOCIAL SERVICES TO PURSUE
Governor’s Lacwasan’s able supervision of  Provincial offices  made good results.
The District Hospitals.  - Bontoc General Hospital, Barlig, Besao and Paracelis District Hospitals- performed well given the significant decreases in the number of hospital clients.  In 2018, were 1, 674 patients served despite the only four existing dialysis machines. Ten more dialysis machines came from DOH for use by the Bontoc General Hospital.
           The Medical Assistance Program tapped the KABAYAN Party List for their support. Since the MAP’s implementation in June 2018, around 100 client availed of the MAP fund in the amount of P700, 000 at three accredited government hospitals - Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital, Bontoc General Hospital and at the Baguio General Hospital.  For 2019, KABAYAN Party List has allotted P10M-worth infrastructure projects each for Paracelis and Bauko.  
         The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office worked for the protection of children, youth and women through the existence of functional centers to cite the Sumyaan Center that accommodates victims-survivors of violence and abuse serveD 8 clients needing temporary shelter and other basic needs. Through the Child-Minding Center, gave custodial care to 18 children; 231 Day Care Workers were given incentives aside from their honorarium and 11 Day Care Workers were assessed and were endorsed to DSWD-CAR for accreditation. Financial assistance was also provided for the rehabilitation of 6 Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) as counterpart of the provincial government.
           The PLGU provided assistance in the conduct of provincial, regional and national athletic meets. During the CARAA last February, 388 students took part in the week-long sports competition in Abra. Of these, 21 were selected  to join the Palarong Pambansa where they won one gold medal in throwing, one silver and one bronze medals in contact sports. As a result of our performance in last year’s CARAA,the amount of P1 Million  purposely allotted  for  the training of athletes and coaches. Moreover, the amount will cover for the hiring of eight trainers for athletics, wushu, wrestling, table tennis, pencak silat and gymnastics. For 2019,  5M was allotted as aid to CARAA and other Sports Development Programs. Also, another P 300,000 was approved for additional assistance for the training of athletes.
The provincial government allotted P3M from the Special Education Fund for two infrastructure projects and a separate amount to pay the services of non-teaching personnel distributed in the different schools in 2018. For 2019,  the provincial government earmarked the amount of 18.4M for  education support services program, scholarship program, sports and scouting programs and activities, basic literacy programs and students employment program.
The Provincial Peace and Order Council and the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PPOC & PADAC) conducted a Drug-Free Choral Fest to promote anti-drug campaign and training of trainers on enhancing life skills in drug and other substance abuse prevention; case settlement between Salapadan, Abra and Sadanga and conduct of the Search for Best Lupong Tagapamayapa.
On the Province’s  519  drug surrenderees,  the Provincial government allotted the amount of P1.75 M aid to peace and order programs in 2019 to help  curb  the proliferation of illegal drugs in the province. Last year,  the MATAGO program was launched to provide a community-based drug rehabilitation and aftercare services to those  who have fallen victims to addiction or substance-use disorder.
 And the Provincial Security Services Group (PSSG) continuously maintains a 24-hour security services within the vicinity of the PLGU .PSSG, for the return of the check of P150, 000.00)to the owner thru the PSWDO. 
The provincial agriculture office produced 17,410 Arabica coffee seedlings for sale, techno demo and for tree planting activities.. Also, 4, 496 assorted fruit tree seedlings have been propagated in which 773 of these were distributed to 11 individuals and 4 organizations. 12, 434 kilos of organic fertilizers have been produced.  In the Fishery Development Front, the OPAG dispersed 235, 500 tilapia fingerlings to 290 fisher folks in 6 municipalities. 
Under its animal health and regulatory management, 39, 070 animals and poultry were vaccinated, thereby, serving 4, 621 clients under its provision of vaccination, deworming and treatment of animals; 366 specimens were collected, examined and analyzed for 116 clients; and 34 shipping permits and health certificates were issued.
Under the PVO’s livestock and poultry production development program, 462 sows and 39 cattle and cows were inseminated serving 501 clients were served. 8,600 free range chicks were dispersed to 86 organizations and 8,353 free range chicken were dispersed to 230 farmers. In partnership with the DA Regional Office, we were also able to disperse 1,500 itik-Pinas and 1,500 free range chicken to 125 beneficiaries. In addition, 11 carabaos, 15 sheep, 16 goats and 24 native pigs from the DA were dispersed by the provincial government to 52 clients. We also dispersed 7,748 forage cuttings and 1,362 forage seeds to 343 identified clients; and This year, P 245,755.00 was remitted to the Provincial Treasury Office.
The Provincial Cooperatives Office continued supporting cooperatives and implemented 4 capability enhancement trainings that served members of 53 operational cooperatives in the province. Last year, 30 applications were processed under our Provincial Livelihood Program.
The Provincial Engineering Office  implemented  11 road section projects under special projects funded by PRDP, CGMP, CHARM and OPPAP amounting to P325M in 2018. A total of 21.63 kilometers was completed; 56 community projects like drainage canals, pathways, foot bridges and assembly areas were improved and constructed amounting to P17 M; seven projects in support to water facilities, health and sanitation amounted to P6 M; 10 Open Gyms were constructed inside school compounds amounting to P38.3 M; and 10 projects for the rehabilitation of typhoon damages amounting to P8 M.
To achieve a more developed local tourism industry, the PTO has done necessary undertakings: validation of tourist attractions province-wide, profiling and data collection as required in the tourism planning guidebook, in preparation for the crafting of the five-year provincial tourism development plan.
The Provincial Natural Resources and Environment Office (PNREO) is maintaining 12 provincial nurseries with 120,377 indigenous forest trees and fruit trees seedlings produced and 113,721 were distributed to LGUs and other institutions.
With Governor Lacwasan;s bid for governorship to continue, shall administer the  proposed budget for 2019 for projects worth 162 million pesos from DA. Farmers from the 10 towns of Mountain Province will benefit from the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program in the amount of P 47 million-worth of food production and livelihood projects.. 65 million pesos for farm to market roads; P19.4 million for technical support services; P18 million for agriculture machinery equipment; and  P13 million  for irrigation projects. This to include  a P2 million peso-worth of livelihood projects from the Office of the Presidential Assistance for Peace Process (OPPAP).
Special projects which are ongoing and/ or ready for implementation this 2019.  These are the  construction of the phase 2 of the Provincial sports complex with an amount of P20M;  reconstruction of the provincial capitol’s phase 1 with the amount of P28.3M; construction of Sagada High School Open Gym; and Construction of a Sports Center in partnership with MPSPC. 214 community projects in the total amount of P95.8M; and 30 projects for the rehabilitation, repair, reconstruction and improvement of typhoon damages and disaster mitigation measures in the total amount of P15.2 M from the PDRRM Fund.
Development starts in the barangay and this through the Barangay Muna program of Governor BONIFACIO C. LACWASAN JR. 

*Reference from SOPA 2019, sourced from PIO Office 


Northern Philippine Times
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Baguio on graffiti, barangay profiling

May 5, 2019, 7:06 am
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CITY HALL BEAT
Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – The city’s laws against vandalism and graffiti need to be amended to become more effective, according to a legislative tracking report of the City Council Research Division.
Recommendations were culled from three entities, the Baguio City Police Office, the City Buildings and Architecture Office and the barangays during the monitoring of the implementation of Ordinance No. 41 series of 2008 or the Anti-Graffiti Code of the City of Baguio, Resolution No. 146 series of 2008 “Urging the Barangays and the Baguio City Police Office to Strictly Implement the Anti-Vandalism Law Specially Those Done through Spray Painting, Unnecessary Printing and Writing on Walls, Barangay Markers and other Public and Private Properties and Article 41 (Anti-Graffiti and Unauthorized Postings) of the Environment Code of the City.
 In the report submitted to Vice Mayor Edison Bilog recently, Local Legislative Staff Assistant III Nechel Occasion the said measures were “not fully complied with” and recommended that the city council request the city mayor to amend Administrative Order No. 5015 series of 2017 to deputize barangay officials to remove graffiti in all government structures.
At the same time Occasion said the body should consider amending the Anti-Graffiti and the Environmental Code to accommodate the suggestions made by the tree offices.
BCPO Chief PS/Supt. Eliseo Tanding suggested that the Permits and Licensing Division strictly require the posting of anti-graffiti signages in retail stores selling graffiti implements. 
He suggested that Article 41 of the ordinance be amended to exclude those who are in possession of the prohibited items when these are intended for educational purposes.
He encouraged private complainants in the barangays to file complaints and the educational sector to adopt their own policies and rules on the use of graffiti materials.
CBAO Head Engr. Nazita Banez broached the deputation of the punong barangays to remove the markings and allocation of necessary funds.
Banez also urged barangay and government offices to provide additional CCTV cameras, the schools to intensify the Information dissemination and to come up with policies on use of graffiti materials and all implementing agencies to promote the use of paint coating that allows easy cleaning.
She also urged the grant of reward to barangays that actively enforce the measure and for the city to hire hob order personnel to augment the manpower implementing the measure.
The barangays for their part proposed the installation of additional CCTVs; regular inventory of unauthorized markings; increase the fines for violations; require parents to accompany their minor children who render community service for violation; violators should repaint the vandalized areas at their own expense; regular conduct of information dissemination; and strict implementation of ordinance and monitoring of stores selling implements and require them to get barangay clearances.
They also suggested that barangays undergo trainings to fully understand the ordinance and encourage the support of the constituents and to look for a space in their jurisdiction where minors can freely express their thoughts and emotions.
The anti-graffiti ordinance prohibits the following: defacement of any city-owned or privately owned property; and possession of graffiti implements like aerosol spray or broad-tipped indelible marker, paint, marker, pen materials or instruments while near or within public or private property.
The code also imposes restrictions on the accessibility of these graffiti implements by regulating the retail display of these implements to discourage theft and prohibiting the sale, giving out, exchanging or loaning of these implements to minors.
Penalties consist of fines ranging from P1,000 to P5,000 and imprisonment from one to ten days for the first offense; 11 to 20 days on second offense; and 21 to 30 days for third offense.
Apart from this, violators will be made to make a restitution for the crime and may be made to render community service for the offense.  They will also be responsible for the restoration of the damaged property or to reimburse the party who caused the restoration of such.
The code also provides that the city government may offer rewards for information leading to the identification and apprehension of vandals.
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Only 43 out of the 128 barangays in the city submitted their profile as required under Resolution No. 240 series of 2017, according to a legislative monitoring report of the City Council Research Division. 
Because of this, the division under local legislative staff officer V Protacio Tangalin Jr. suggested the reiteration of the measure and to require the rest of the barangays to prepare and submit their updated profiles to the City Planning and Development Office.
In the report submitted to Vice Mayor Edison Bilog recently, Local Legislative Staff Assistant III Nechel Occasion concluded that the resolution “was not fully complied with.”
The resolution authored by Bilog stressed the importance of having an updated profile of the 128 barangays which contains the barangays’ history, famous landmarks, tourist sports and other significant data about them.
Such profiles when readily available would be of great help to tourists, researchers and students.
“With complete information and updated profile, the city would be able to showcase its tourism assets, historical landmarks and other important features of each of the barangays of the city,” the resolution noted.
The barangays that complied were St. Joseph Village, Greenwater, Hillside, Lower Dagsian, Balsigan, Burnham-Legarda, Imelda Marcos, Phil-Am, Sto. Rosario Valley, City Camp Proper, Palma-Urbano, A. Bonifacio, Camp Allen, Fairview, Upper Market SUbd., Padre Zamora, Bayan Park Village, North Central Aurora Hill, San Antonio Village, South Central Aurora Hill, Harrison-Carantes, Country Club Village, Lucnab, Kias, Loakan-Apugan, Loakan-Liwanag, Loakan Proper, Camp 7, Camp 8, Military Cut-off, Poliwes, San Vicente, Bakakeng Central, SLU-SVP, San Roque Village, Irisan, Middle Quezon Hill, Upper Quezon Hill, Kayang Hilltop, Rizal Monument, Upper Magsaysay, Aurora Hill Proper and East Modernsite.

Northern Philippine Times
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Cooking fuels

May 5, 2019, 7:08 am
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BANTAY GOBYERNO
Ike Señeres

Do not be alarmed, but the barbecued chicken that you are ordering from your favorite fast food restaurant may be causing the water shortage that we are now experiencing. Not only that, it may also be causing the worsening of global warming that is also killing many plants and animals in our planet.
This is now a different world. Who would have thought that the plastic bag that you used to take home your barbecued chicken might be the same plastic that ended up in the stomach of the whale that died due to too much ingestion of garbage?
The correlation might be remote, and that is why it would really be difficult to imagine what your barbecued chicken has to do with the water shortage and global warming.
 To go direct to the point, the demand for barbecued food has in turn created a demand for wooden charcoal, and that is where my story begins. For so long a time now, perhaps even going back before the Spanish period, forest dwellers have been slashing and burning trees in the forest, for the purpose of converting these into wooden charcoal.
For so many years now, these people have been called “slash and burn farmers” but I disagree with that because I would rather call them “illegal loggers”, simply because they are not even “farmers”, so to speak. By some stretch of my imagination, I would agree to call them “farmers” if they go into actual “tree farming”, but that is just about as vague as requiring logging concessionaires to do their own reforestation.
 Aside from the commercial demand for wooden charcoal, there is also a huge residential demand, because for the most part, the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has now gone beyond the budget of many people, perhaps including even the middle class.
This is a problem that has caused yet another problem, and that is the problem of substituting LPG with wood or wooden charcoal. This is a situation that has somehow put us between the devil and the deep blue sea, because we do not seem to have a way out now, not unless the price of LPG will go lower.
Actually, the use of LPG is also a problem, because the production of LPG causes carbon emissions that in turn accelerate global warming. So what is the way out?
It may sound simplistic to you, but to me, the only way to meet the demand for charcoal is to increase the supply of wood and similar materials and there is no other way to do that except reforestation or tree farming, in other words.
If you ask me, I will tell you that trees that could produce food or food by-products should be given the priority in choosing the species to be planted, and because of that, bamboos would qualify, because it produces edible bamboo shoots.
Strictly speaking, a bamboo is not a tree because it is actually a grass, but never mind that because its trunk could be processed into charcoal and that is really the main point of our discussion here. By the way, sugar cane is also a grass, but it produces food, and the stalks could be processed into charcoal briquettes.
Just as the demand for food could not be stopped, the demand for cooking fuels could also not be stopped. Either the government subsidizes the price of LPG, or it orders the production of more charcoal. If it does the latter, there should be a prior condition, and that is the planting of more trees in the forests that could be turned into charcoal, and that should include bamboos.
I know that I might sound like I am going around the bush, but what I am really trying to say here is that instead of going after the small scale “illegal loggers” who are continuing to deplete our standing inventory of trees, we should turn charcoal manufacturing into an industry, since it already has a global demand.
For feedback email iseneres@yahoo.com or text +639083159262

Northern Philippine Times
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Dirty campaigning on May Day

May 5, 2019, 7:09 am
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LETTERS FROM THE AGNO
March Fianza

May Day or International Workers’ Day or Labor Day or whatever it is called, they are one and the same. History tells us that this started in 1889 to commemorate the Haymarket general strike of workers in Chicago on May 1, 1886 for the eight-hour workday.
Three days later, the police dispersed a public assembly in support of the strike when an unidentified person threw a bomb. The police responded by firing on the workers. Seven police officers and at least four civilians were killed in the incident; 60 policemen and an unknown number of civilians were injured.
On the same day, hundreds of strike leaders and supporters were rounded-up and four were executed by hanging. A day later, the state police in Wisconsin fired on a crowd of strikers killing seven, including a schoolboy and a man feeding chickens in his yard.
In 1904, a labor conference attended by socialist and communist political parties and even revolutionary groups called on all Social Democratic Party organizations, trade and workers’ unions of all countries to hold street demonstrations on every first day of May for the demands of the working class and for universal peace.
In Manila, union members supported by students and the usual bystanders took to the streets on Labor Day demanding wage hikes, the implementation of the Expanded Maternity Leave Act, the junking of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law and calling for an end to contractualization.
After marching to Mendiola, the groups Sentro, Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, Federation of Free Workers, and Trade Union Congress of the Philippines were joined by the left-leaning Kilusang Mayo Uno and proceeded to a political rally in support of Labor Win candidates seeking Senate seats in the elections on May 13.
The Labor Win coalition is composed of, Bukluran ng mga Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) head Leody de Guzman, Federation of Free Workers (FFW) president Sonny Matula, Kilusang Mayo Uno founder Ernesto Arellano, labor lawyer Allan Montaño and former Bayan Muna representative Neri Colmenares.
With the workers’ votes, will any of the Labor Win senatorial bets win? A big percentage of the Filipino population equivalent to 41 million Filipinos are composed of workers, enough to catapult anyone of them to the senate.
But, despite the backing of workers’ groups, senate bet De Guzman admitted that based on their estimates, active union members who would vote for senate bets are only around 4% of the number of employed Filipinos, or about 1.3 million.
Furthermore, workers and sympathy votes are not enough and street rallies sometimes give negative results. They should have resources to mount a nationwide campaign.
In addition, pre-election surveys tell us that none of the candidates landed in the Magic 12. This is due to the fact that even experts talk about a “dim chance” of winning because of “weak and non-existent” workers’ vote.
This means, evenwhile the senatoriables and their supporters rally for pro-worker policies, they still have to find a convincing reason why they should be elected; unless the truth is that they do not want to win.
Common sense should tell them that burning effigies and attacking government personalities have never been rewarding campaign strategies. This actions drive away voters. Dirty campaigning does not gather votes.
This is also true in the Cordillera. In just a little more than a week before elections, I see supporters of political tandems in Baguio and Benguet jumping over the other side of the fence.
Maybe in Benguet, they finally came to their senses or found out that what their bets were saying all along about their opponents were fake. I learned this late that the attacks were concocted by a lawyer who was promised a department at the capitol.
But I was also told that one of the candidates for a provincial post frequented the casino and that one time he lost quite a big fortune so he had to mortgage his Fortuner to win back his losses.
This begs the question “If the congressman and governor frequently hold sessions in the gambling casino, what could possibly happen to the provincial treasury?”

Northern Philippine Times
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