Tuba opposes Baguio’s operation of Asin hydros

November 12, 2019, 1:07 am

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DOE Sec. Cusi urged: Don’t issue permit

TUBA, Benguet – Officials and residents of this town are opposing the planned operation of the Asin hydro power facilities here by the Baguio City government saying these are situated on ancestral lands within the territorial jurisdiction of Tuba particularly at Barangay Nangalisan.

The Tadiangan Nangalisan Hydro Ancestral Land Association (TNHLA) in Resolution No. 1, Series of 2019 dated Sept. 10, 2019, “urgently requests Tuba Mayor Clarita Sal-ongan and the municipal council headed by Vice Mayor Marie Carantes to support the opposition of the TNHLA urging the Dept. of Energy not to issue any permit to the City of Baguio or any entity for the renewal of operation of the Asin Hydropower plants all located at the Municipality of Tuba, Benguet.”

Following this, a committee composed of councilors Roger L. Kitma, Garey G. Behis and Nestor Baban went to the DOE central office last week to request officials of the government power agency not to approve any application of Baguio City government to run the Asin hydros considering earlier cited reason among others.

The committee is set to report on the matter on Tuesday to Sal-ongan, Carantes and the municipal council on what transpired during the DOE meeting in Manila, a reliable source said.

Their TNLHA resolution said “a certification was issued Jan. 3, 2019 for the purpose of protecting the rights of indigenous cultural communities and indigenous peoples within the Tuba Ancestral Domain by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples-Benguet and another certification from NCIP-Cordillera Administrative Region Hearing Officer a case filed by the TNHLA against the City of Baguio.”

The TNHLA said the Tuba and Provincial Assessors Offices also issued certifications the City of Baguio has no registered property at Nangalisan, Tuba.

They said as stipulated under the Indigenous People’s Rights Act 8371, they have the right to develop and use their lands and natural resources.

In their resolution, the TNHLA said the Baguio City government contracted renewal of operation to a private entity without “free, prior, informed (FPIC) consent from Tuba ICCs/IPs or approval of TNHLA who own the lands within the Tuba Ancestral Domain.

They urged the Tuba local government to “continuously oppose the application of the City of Baguio for a permit to operate the Asin Hydros and follow provisions of the Indigenous People’s Rights Act of 1997.

The TNHLA, in their resolution, “appeals to the kindheartedness od the Dept. of Energy under Sec. Alfonso Cusi to recognize and respect the Tuba ancestral domain by virtue of the Native Title.”

The resolution was signed by TNHLA officers Joe Culbengan Sr., president; Peter Sito, vice president; Brenda Takingan, secretary, Tadiangan, Florida de Vera, secretary-Nangalisan; Steve Solano, auditor; Nelson Taqued, PRO; Jerico Bayan and Lourdes Tallayo, business managers; Ricardo Claro and Barnabas Balacio, Sgt. at arms.

Signatories included TNHLA council of elders Baranabas Balacio, Joseph Permo, Orlando Lagasca, Arnel Claro, Henry Ebanio, Peter Sito, Rogelio Claro, Simson Claro, Dean Albino, Carlito Dacdaco, Joseph Sahoy, Olga Dangwa, Anthony Ebanio, Miller Ogas, Marissa Lamsis, Ruben Salve, Milagros Pascua and Sonny Copero.

Earlier on April 19, 2016, the Tuba Sangguniang Bayan made Resolution No. 34, Series of 2016 “supporting the opposition of the affected communities to the transfer of water permits from Baguio Water District to the City of Baguio and the intended renewal of operations of the Asin Hydropower Plants and urging the Dept. of Energy not to issue any permit to the City of Baguio or any entity for the renewed operation of the Asin Hydropower Plants, all located at the Municipality of Tuba, Benguet and to cancel the mini-hydro operating contract granted to HEDCOR-INC. for the Asin Hydropower Plants.

It was signed by sangguniang bayan members Maria Carantes, Nestor Baban, Adora Gabino, Garey Behis, Ignacio Rivera, Roger Kitma, Rebecca Apil, Arnulfo Milo and Peter Bengwasan Sr.

Carantes, Baban, Kitma, Behis among other members of the municipal council were re-elected during the last May national and local elections.

Sal-ongan, who was then vice mayor was elected mayor.

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Cordi coops, Baguio cops vote for autonomy in mock plebiscites

November 13, 2019, 5:58 am

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By Marlo Lubguban

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Some 71 percent of 200 who joined a forum on Cordillera autonomy here voted yes to autonomy with 26% undecided and 3% saying no.

Both “undecided” and “no” voters urged extensive information dissemination drives to gain greater understanding and support to the movement.

They expressed hesitation due to lack of a filed bill in Congress.
The mock plebiscite was held when the Cordillera Cooperative Development Authority in coordination with National Economic Development Authority-Cordillera held the forum o here Oct. 25 to gain support from cooperatives in Cordillera during commemoration of Cooperative Month here in this capital town.

Autonomy advocates Paulino Tumapang and Gary Pekas discussed regional autonomy in the Cordillera and its key features.

Tumapang said cooperatives have been represented in the pursuit of autonomy with active leaders among cooperatives in Cordillera such as Emerita Fuerte, who are also involved in drafting the proposed Cordillera Organic Law.

Tumapang cited a provision from the proposed draft bill forwarded to the Cordillera congressmen which states that the ARC “shall promote and encourage creation and organization of cooperatives as instruments of economic development, social justice, and people empowerment.”

Pekas added while creation of the Cordillera Administrative Region did help improve the situation of the region, it is only a temporary set-up and is less than what is envisioned in the 1987 Constitution.

One participant asked if autonomy would lessen corruption in the region to which Pekas replied that the issue of corruption remains a concern as long as people vote corrupt officials.

Tumapang and Pekas emphasized that autonomy is necessary for the Cordillera not for the ending of corruption but to correct the injustices of the past while addressing unfitting laws and policies which relegated the unique culture and geography of the region.

In Baguio City, the Baguio City Police Office in coordination with NEDA-Cordillera organized an information, education, communication forum on Cordillera autonomy last Oct. 30.

Autonomy advocates Briccio Domondon and Peter Dumaguing discussed the basic concepts of autonomy and the region’s current advocacy.

Expounding on the concept of self-determination, Deputy City Director Edward Aquintey said during the Spanish colonial period “our forefathers in the Cordillera have always fought for freedom to protect and govern the land that is their own. Rich in culture and tradition, as well as natural resources: the preservation of these wealth has always been the foremost reason for the fight for self-determination and Cordillera autonomy.”

Domondon said indigenous peoples of the Cordillera have practiced forms of self-determination and self-rule for generations.

Domondon cited ethnic practices, such as the bodong, pechen, and tungtongan, which are similar to today’s institutionalized Katarungan Pambarangay.

He added that the Katarungan Pambarangay is basically a copycat of what has been practiced by the various tribes of the Cordillera.
Dumaguing of Ifugao said many indigenous and sustainable practices can be institutionalized in an Autonomous Region of the Cordillera such as the Ifugao forest management system of Muyong.

He said Cordillera autonomy was enshrined in the 1987 Constitution to promote social justice in exchange for the years of resource exploitation and developmental neglect experienced by the people of Muslim Mindanao and the Cordillera.

On defining a Cordilleran, Dumaguing said that the proposed organic law would not exclude non-indigenous Cordillerans.

Versions of the proposed Cordillera Organic Law, he added, define the Cordilleran as someone who is domiciled in the region.

Recently, however, members of the Organic Law drafting committee have clarified that indigenous peoples of the Cordillera shall retain their rights under the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act to include the five pillars of ancestral domain, self-governance and empowerment, tribal justice systems and human rights, cultural integrity, and entry into agreements and peace pacts.

The police officers responded by voting a majority “yes” during the mock plebiscite for Cordillera autonomy.

To show her support for the advocacy, one police officer said that “we should not rely on the organizers to raise awareness on Cordillera autonomy since we ourselves are already aware of this”.

The RDC through NEDA-Cordillera engages partners in both the private and government sectors to raise awareness and gain support for Cordillera autonomy.

RDC officials said considering the region’s unique traditions and geography, autonomy as the best approach to achieving sustainable development in the Cordillera region as envisioned in the Philippine Development Plan.

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Baguio to reclaim lots taken over by squatters

November 13, 2019, 5:59 am

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By Jessa Mardy Samidan

BAGUIO CITY -- Open spaces titled under the name of the city government will be reclaimed from informal settlers as city officials are now focused on turning idle real properties into potential investment sites.

The Asset and Property Management Division of the City general Services Office said the city owns 16 open spaces outside the central business district duly titled under the name of the city government.

Portions of these open spaces occupied by informal settlers include a 3,879 sq.m. lot along Extension Road adjoining Leonilla Hill Road; a 774 sq.m. lot along Cosmos/Daisy St. in Amparo Heights; and another 1,497 lot near the warehouse of Teahouse Pastries.

Supervising Administrative Officer Arnulfo Baldos of the Asset and Property Management Division of GSO said the presence of informal settlers were found by the GSO while updating the assets record and ocular inspection of the city properties.

These properties were presented to the Management Committee of the city chaired by Mayor Benjamin Magalong and co-chaired by City Administrator Bonifacio Dela Peña on Tuesday. Members of the committee agreed that the City Buildings and Architecture Office should issue notices to vacate prior to the demolition of illegal structures built therein.

While the city is yet to identify appropriate development for these open spaces, Dela Peña said the properties has to be secured to shun informal settlers.

Aside from informal settlers, some properties are being utilized by private individuals as grazing and agricultural land.

Meanwhile, some of the properties were developed as basketball court used by the barangays while others were established as barangay tree parks and mini parks.

The city also owns 20 parks and commercial sites aside from several building structures owned by the city but being used by agencies, organizations and civic groups which will be reviewed if there is a need to update terms of reference in the use of these properties.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the city needs to review how its properties are being used to fit the needs of the city at present particularly the need to establish parking buildings and to find a suitable area for the Bureau of Fire Protection’s main office as well as expansion of the Baguio public cemetery, among other needs.

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Baguio market master re-development plan passed

November 13, 2019, 6:00 am

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BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved a resolution approving the conceptual master development plan of the Baguio city public market subject to the introduction of necessary revisions and the conduct of public consultations with the concerned sectors of the city.

The resolution authored by all members of the local legislative body stated that the city’s market facility is where people, residents or visitors, regularly gather not only for the sale and purchase of goods, but also to socialize.

The resolution added that the public market is an iconic landmark and is one of the most well-known tourist attractions considering that it is supposedly the show window of the city being the center of trade and commerce.

Local legislators admitted that the local government needs a re-developed, organized, sanitary public market which will cater to the needs and convenience of the people as well to become the city’s largest and most visited tourist attraction aside from its scenic tourist spots.

Earlier, the local legislative body approved Resolution No. 193, series of 2019 that authorized the local chief executive to create a technical working group (TWG) composed of private and public technical experts to formulate the master re-development plan of the Baguio City public market wherein the same must be presented to the local officials within a 60-day period.

According to the resolution, the master re-development plan that was eventually presented to local officials was branded by the proponents as feasible and offers a long-term solution to address the current state of the public market but the same must pass through numerous revisions and the conduct of public hearings to ascertain the opinion of the general populace on the said proposal.

Under the conceptual master re-development plan of the city’s public market, the local government needs at least P2.5 billion to realize the implementation of the comprehensive development of the market and convert it to one of the best public markets not only in the country but also in the entire Southeast Asia.

However, the local government does not have the sufficient funds to undertake the multi-billion market re-development project that is why it is contemplating on implementing the same by phase until such time that all the components shall have been fully developed as the same will be done in partnership with the thousands of market vendors who stand to benefit from the said project.
Based on the proposed market master re-development plan, the project will be undertaken within the Magsaysay complex, the market main building, the hilltop and Kayang offices, the carinderia area, the walkways and open spaces to accommodate the huge volume of people transacting business with the market vendors daily.

The local government opted to deal with the association of market vendors in the pursuit of the development project instead of dealing with Uniwide Realty and Sales Development corporation considering that the previous contract was already deemed terminated by the city. -- Dexter A. See

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10 most wanted persons, four ‘drug pushers’ nabbed in Cordi

November 13, 2019, 6:02 am

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LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Ten most wanted persons of Apayao and Kalinga were captured while four drug suspects were arrested in the Cordillera Monday, the regional police information office here said.

Nabbed in Poblacion, Luna was Calvin T. Masula, 38, farmer for attempted murder at Barangay Lappa Luna.

This, while Edelio M. Baawa, 47 was caught in his residence at Buaya, Balbalan, Kalinga for attempted parricide.

Bail for Masula and Baawa was set at P120,000 each issued by Judges Victor R Cumigad of RTC Branch 26, Luna, Apayao and Randy Bulwayan of RTC Branch 39, Lubuagan, Kalinga, respectively.

Meanwhile, in a buy-bust operation conducted by the Baguio City Police Office three drug suspects were separately arrested after they alletgedly sold shabu to the operatives who acted as buyer.

Jessie C. Puruganan, 40, of Upper Balsigan and Anthony R. Castillo aka Tulig, 42, of Kisad Road were nabbed in Barangay Upper Balsigan after they allegedly conspired to sell a sachet of shabu worth P23,137.2 and weighing more than 3.8 grams to an operative who posed as buyer.

Two more sachets containing suspected shabu and assorted drug paraphernalia and buy-bust money were confiscated and recovered from their possession.

This, as Emil Jay P. Navalta, 21of Purok 2 Padre Zamora, Baguio City was caught in Purok 19 San Carlos Heights, Irisan for having in his possession sachet containing suspected shabu weighing more or less 0.3 grams a and worth P1,000 including P1,000 buy bust money.

In La Trinidad, Benguet an alleged drug pusher identified as Manny Rex D. Sales aka “Rex”, 34 was arrested in his house at Shamolog, Pico.

Confiscated evidence from him were two sachets of suspected shabu, P1,000 cash and one Samsung cellphone.

All arrested suspects are now under custody of police while cases of RA 9165 known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002 were filed against the arrested drug suspects.

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Is Jesus God?

November 13, 2019, 6:04 am

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TRUTH FOR TODAY

Jun Malazo

It is an age-old question that has been debated passionately by many people. Prominent religious groups stand on either side of the argument. Others stand in the middle undecided because, for the most part, of a lack of right information, or they simply do not care.

Whether you believe that Jesus Christ is God or not, or if you simply don’t care about this subject, it has far reaching implications. Is Jesus God?

In today’s article we will discover the evidences that the Bible gives us that Jesus is indeed God. We call this truth the “Deity of Christ.” First we see that Jesus is God through the names given to Him.

The Bible says in Isaiah 7:14, "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." Notice the name given to Jesus according to the prophecy of His birth—Immanuel. The New Testament rendering and meaning of this name is given to us in Matthew 1:23 which says, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." If Jesus was a mere man then the title Emmanuel would not make sense.

Jesus is also called the Son of God. Sometimes this title is misunderstood as suggesting inferiority. However, we should always study the Bible in its own cultural context, instead of our own. The Jews very clearly understood this title as being equal to God, not inferior to God. Notice the verse that further proves this point:

"I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God." (John 10:30-33, KJV)

"But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God." (John 5:17-18, KJV)

Jesus claims to be the Old Testament Jehovah. The name Jehovah in the Old Testament was the specific name for the one, true God. John 8:58 says, “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. This verse speaks not just of the eternality of Jesus but also His equality with God. Notice how God instructed Moses what to say about who God is:

"And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." (Exodus 3:14, KJV)

The name “I AM THAT I AM” may sound strange to people’s ears today. What God was simply saying is, “I am the self-existing one.” This speaks of the uniqueness and incomparable power of the Almighty God. It is this same title that Jesus claims for Himself in John 8:58.

Secondly, we see that Jesus is God because of His works. Jesus was able to do the things that only God can do. In fact, the purpose of the miracles of Christ were to authenticate His deity. Notice the Bible verse below:

"And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." (John 20:30-31, KJV)

The Bible records other works of Christ. The Bible says that He created the world in John 1:3 which says, “All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.” Also Colossians 1:16-17 says, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist."

Another of Jesus works that proves that He is God is that He forgives sins. When Jesus was about to heal the paralyzed man that was brought by four men, He says in Mark 2:5, “… Son, thy sins be forgiven thee." Then those around began to question in verse 7, "Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?” Jesus can forgive the sins of mankind because He is God. John the Baptist proclaimed when he saw Jesus coming in John 1:29, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (see also John 1:22 and Galatians 1:4).

Another evidence in the Bible that proves that Jesus is God is seen in the fact that people worshipped Him. The Bible clearly tells us that only God is to be worshipped. Exodus 20:3-5 says, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;" Yet, we see many people come to worship Jesus and He has never forbidden them.

The wise men came to worship Him (see Matthew 2:2). The healed blind man worshipped Him (see John 9:38). The Father commands the angels to worship him (see Hebrews 1:6). And then someday, “…at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;" (Philippians 2:10, KJV).

Lastly, the pinnacle of all the evidences in the Bible that proves that Jesus is God is the fact that He conquered death. The resurrection simply proves His power over death. The resurrection, as one man said, is “the crowning proof of Christianity.” He said, "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: " (John 11:25, KJV).

He proved this by rising again from the dead after the third day. He forever conquered death, so we who have trusted Him as our Savior can know with certainty that we will live in Heaven forever. There are many religious founders who are revered by men today sometimes to the point of being a god. These men are dead and their tombstones prove it. However, with Jesus, you’ll only find an empty tomb.

People that discredit the deity of Christ for the most part also cast doubt about the reliability of the Bible. In fact, some of them even deny that Jesus was a real historical figure. There is one extra-biblical source I would like to cite. Flavius Josephus was a 1st Century Jewish historian that mentions Jesus in his historical writings. His testimony about Jesus is called “Testimonium Flavium.” It reads from the Jewish Antiquities 18.63-64:

“About this time there lived, Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one ought to call him a man. For he was one who performed surprising deeds and was a teacher of such people as accept the truth gladly. He won over many Jews and many of the Greeks. He was the Messiah. And when, upon the accusation of the principal men among us, Pilate had condemned him to a cross, those who had first come to love him did not cease.

He appeared to them spending a third day restored to life, for the prophets of God had foretold these things and a thousand other marvels about him. And the tribe of the Christians, so called after him, has still to this day not disappeared.” (Translation from Loeb Classical Library)

The testimony of this Jewish historian that lived during the early days proves that Jesus was a real historical figure. I am not saying that we need his testimony to prove the authenticity of the Bible. However, his testimony does prove from a secular and historical point of view that Jesus really existed.

If Jesus is not God and all of His claims are false, then the hope of salvation He offers to mankind is also false. His works are all just creative imaginations of story-tellers. On the other hand, if Jesus is God and His claims are true, then there is hope for mankind. This means there is purpose in life.

But on the more personal level, this means that if Jesus is God and the Creator of all things then we are accountable to Him. You see, this is a very serious issue because our eternity is at stake. Based on Biblical evidences, Jesus is the Messiah. He is God. He is offering you eternal life. You can live your life denying His deity or His reality, but have you ever considered that there is a slight chance that you are wrong?

What if the claims of Christ are all real? He claims that the only way to Heaven is through Him (John 14:6). He also claims that those who do not place their trust on Him will be eternally condemned in a place called Hell.

The fact of the matter is that God does not want anyone to go to that place (see 2 Peter 3:9) so He provided a way for you. He did it by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross to pay for your entire sin debt.

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Marawi siege hero from Kapangan makes ultimate 'sacrifice'

November 13, 2019, 6:05 am

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BEHIND THE SCENES

Alfred P. Dizon

(The Philippine News Agency writes this week’s piece)

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet-- Special Action Force (SAF) Police Staff Sgt. Reagan Salbino was one of those who had survived the five-month-long siege on the city of Marawi, which started May of 2017, to recover the place from Islamic militants, led by the Maute group.

He was one of the many heroes of Marawi who received a “Medalya ng Kadakilaan" or the PNP Heroism Medal after the siege ended in October of the same year.

Salbino got married on Dec. 20, 2018 to Fretzel, a Police Corporal assigned to the Police Regional Office in the Cordillera Mobile Force company and dreamt of raising a family with her and living a full life.

“Very proud ako sa kanya (I'm very proud of him); he fought until the end,” Fretzel, who is three months pregnant, said as she narrated the exploits of her husband.

But fate seems to have a different plan for Salbino.

Salbino, a member of the 103rd Special Action Company of the Philippine National Police, was killed while serving a warrant of arrest against Abdullah Angantap Taurac for homicide and illegal gun raps in the early morning of Oct. 30, 2019 in Barangay Lilod Saduc, Marawi City.

Taurac was also killed during a shootout with police authorities that day.

“Masakit kasi wala pa kaming one year at hindi pa pinapanganak tong baby, hindi niya pa nakita pero sabi ko na lang, baka may mission siya na tinatapos niya (Painful because we have not even reached our one year anniversary and our child has yet to be born, but I tell myself that maybe when he still finishing his mission),” Fretzel said.

She described her slain husband as a fighter and strong-willed.

"Fighter siya kaya kahit ganito ang nangyari sa kanya, kahit sa huli nakikipaglaban pa rin siya. Kahit na may tama na siya, nakipaglaban pa rin (He is a fighter that is why even if this is what happened to him. At the end, he continued to fight, even if he was already wounded, he fought),” Salbino's widow said at their family home in Shilan at Benguet’s capital town.

Salbino's body was brought from Marawi to Shilan for a four-day wake. It was transferred to Barangay Taba-ao in Kapangan town, Salbino's birthplace, for a three-day wake, where he was laid to rest Nov.7.

Fretzel recalled how thankful she was when Salbino came home after the "Battle for Marawi" in 2017.

“Nalasatana met diay ngem anya ngay, talaga nga adda ti misyon na siguro (He survived that but what else can we do, probably he really has a mission),” she said when asked why her husband did not ask for an assignment near Benguet.

She said she asked him to request for transfer to a nearer region but simply shrugged his shoulders.

“Sabi niya parang gusto ko pa doon magtrabaho pero sinasabi ko sa kanya, magpa-assign ka na dito (He told me that he still wants to work but I told him to request to be assigned here),” Fretzel said.

Salbino joined the SAF in 2011. After taking the basic recruit course, he went on to complete his two-years commando training.

Fretzel said she will miss him for being a good husband, selfless.

“He does not only think of himself; he is concerned with everybody. He is caring, he washes the clothes and cooks and I will miss those,” she said.

Her husband's last visit home was on Oct. 4 and he stayed for 14 days.

“Alagaan ko ang baby, be healthy, I love you habang hawak niya ang tiyan ko (To take care of my baby and be healthy. He told me ' I love you' while caressing my stomach)," Fretzel recounted as Salbino's last words before leaving for Marawi.

“Since he learned of my pregnancy, he never failed to make me and our child feel how he loves the baby,” Fretzel said.

Fretzel said they spoke through cellular phone evening prior to the operation, their last conversation.

“He did not mention that they have an operation at dawn, which is not usual because he normally tells me but I understand that maybe he doesn’t want me to worry because of my pregnancy,” she said.

Despite losing her husband in battle, she said she would still stay in the police service.

“Ituloy ku ti serbisyok ti PNP ta isu ti kayat na, kinuna na idi nga ituloy mu aginggana agretire ka, agserbi ka nu anya ti sinapataan tayu, ituloy ku para met lang ditoy baby mi (I will continue to be a police officer because it is what he wants. He used to tell me to continue until I retire, serve based on the oath we gave, and I will continue to be one for our baby also),” Fretzel said.

Police Capt. Julius Cesar Ramirez, who was assigned as assistant commander of the group in 2018, said Salbino is a loss for the country.

“He is one who does not need to be told, he volunteers. After a task is discussed, he immediately performs what he needs to do without waiting for another day. He is a responsible SAF trooper and he is a loss to the unit,” Ramirez said.

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Illegal lending Apps

November 13, 2019, 6:07 am

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EDITORIAL

The Securities and Exchange Commission issued a warning addressed to the public regarding several unregistered online lending applications that advertise and operate through popular social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

A report by Helen Veryan C. Valdez of SEC-Baguio warned the public to exercise prudence in dealing with online lenders by checking firsthand with the Commission if the online lending applications are registered and have a Certificate of Authority to operate as a lending company.

Anyone who is desperately looking for money could easily fall prey to the advertisements offering low interest rates and easy loan processing. These illegal applications ask the borrowers to provide their general and personal information and deposit a certain amount as “processing fee.” However, after the payment is made, the lending operators halt all communication and block their borrowers on social media.

The Commission has also been bombarded with complaints about unreasonable and invasive collection practices done by these unlicensed lending operators. The SEC Enforcement and Investor Protection Department (EIPD) found out that they use the personal information they have gathered to publicly humiliate and ridicule the borrowers who could not pay their loans. In other cases, the borrower would be threatened of legal action or public shaming on social media.

A number of complainants said the abusive collection practices of the unauthorized lenders have caused them depression, sleepless nights, and health issues.

Republic Act No. 9474, or the Lending Company Regulation Act of 2007, provides that “no lending company shall conduct business unless granted an authority to operate by the SEC.” Any person who shall engage in the business of lending without a valid authority to operate may face a fine ranging from P10,000 to P50, 000 or imprisonment of six months to 10 years or both.

As part of its campaign to halt all illegal lending operations, the SEC has revoked the Certificates of Registration of 2,081 lending companies for their failure to obtain the required authority to operate as a lending or financing company. The Commission has also issued Cease and Desist Orders against lending applications such as Cash Whale, Cash 100, Cashafin, CashMaya, ET Easy Loan, among others.

The SEC enjoined the owners of the online lending applications to immediately cease their lending operations and delete all promotions posted in the internet.

Be forewarned.

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POLICE ROUNDUP

November 13, 2019, 2:21 pm

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Cop hurt as motorcycle-driving man rams him

BANGUED, Abra – A motorcycle-riding man was injured including a cop he rammed his vehicle onto here around 10:15 p.m. Monday.

A police report said police were manning a checkpoint along Rizal St., Zone 7, Bangued when a speeding Honda XRM 125 motorcycle with plate number 7091 AR driven by Jordan D. Trinidad approached.

Police signaled Trinidad to stop but he rammed second Cpl. Gener B Virgo and the checkpoint sign.

As a result, Trinidad was injured on his head and rushed to Abra Provincial Hospital for medical treatment while Cpl Virgo had injuries on his head and was rushed to Seares Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Man nabbed in Baguio for physical injuries

BAGUIO CITY – A man was nabbed here Monday for physical inuries. Nabbed at No. 16 Outlook Drive was Tyler Bien L. Sabado after Judge Ivan Kim B. Morales of RTC Branch 59, Baguio City issued warrant against him with bail set at P6,000.

Ammunition, guns seized in Tabuk

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- Ammunition and drug paraphernalia were confiscated by police here Nov. 2 from a certain “Shelo.”

Police served search warrant against the suspect for violation of Republic 9165, known as Comprehensive Drugs Act in his residence in Sitio Matocnang, Ipil that afternoon.

Man held for physical injuries

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Cops apprehended a man here Monday along km 4, Balili for physical injuries. The suspect named as Jerdon J. Mencion was the object of an arrest warrant issued by Judge Melita Amylesha D. Macaraeg of MTC, La Trinidad, Benguet who set bail at P30,000.

P72-K bail set for man in attempted rape

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Cops arrested a certain Jimmy A. Claridad here Monday at Purok 6, Bulanao for attempted rape.

Nabbed was Jimmy A. Caridad after Judge Jerson E. Angog of RTC Branch 25, Bulanao, Tabuk City issued warrant against him with bail set at P72,000.

Female cop bumps dog with motorbike; hurt

SAN ISIDRO, Abra – A female cop driving a motorcycle accidentally hit a dog here around 12:30 p.m., Monday at Barangay Dalimag.

The motorcycle driven by Tayum town policewoman Loida B. Aben, 39 fell down after it hit the dog. Aben suffered injuries and was brought to San Isidro rural health unit for treatment.

Man shot dead in Abra town

DANGLAS, Abra – A man was shot dead here Tuesday around 10 p.m. at Dumig-ay, Caupasan. The victim identified as Florendo Pataray was shot by still unidentified persons.

Investigation disclosed the victim and his friends were having drinking spree when shot. The victim was rushed to Abra Provincial Hospital by Danglas police but declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Violation of anti-fencing law lands man in jail

TANUDAN, Kalinga – A certain Joaquin Addawe Daliyong was arrested by police here Tuesday at Ammaboy, Lay-asan for violation of Anti Fencing Law. This, after warrant was issued against him by Pablo L. Villanueva, judge of MTC Bulanao, Tabuk City.

The judge set bail of P3, 000 for Daliyong’s temporary liberty.

Man nabbed for violence

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Police arrested here Tuesday at Barangay Tuliao a certain Benny M. Batulay after warrant was issued against him by by Judge Jerson A Angog of RTC, Branch 25, Bulanao, Tabuk City for violation of Republic Act 9262 (violence against women and children) with bail set at P36,000.

Judge issues warrant vs man in violence case

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Cops arrested a man here Tuesday at Barangay Pico for violation of Republic Act 7610 (violence against women and children). Nabbed by virtue of an arrest warranmt was Julius Q. Elarde after Judge Marrieta S. Brawner-Cualing of RTC Branch 9, Family Court, La Trinidad, Benguet issued warrant against him.

The judge set bail of P120, 000 for Elarde’s temporary liberty.

Man wanted for theft in Iloilo nabbed in Baguio

BAGUIO CITY – A man wanted for theft in Iloilo City was arrested here Tuesday at No. 103 Crystal Cave. Nabbed was Lanz Jaonder Babas Nider after Judge Ma. Theresa N. Enriquez-Gaspar of RTC, Branch 33, Iloilo City issued warrant against him with bail set at P24, 000.

Vizcaya judge orders woman’s arrest for theft

BAGUIO CITY – A certain Jessiefe Arquiza Cuiso was nabbed here Tuesday at Lower Pinget after warrant was issued by against him by Judge Lesli D. Cotales of MTC, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya for reckless imprudence resulting to serious physical injuries under Criminal Case No.8376 with bail set at

P36, 000.

Judge denies bail to woman in syndicated estafa, falsification

FLORA, Apayao – A judge denied bail to a woman who was arrested here Tuesday at Barangay Poblacion West for syndicated estafa through falsification of commercial document.

Arrested was Waybelyn Villanueva Ibus after warrant was issued against her by Judge Nicanor S. Pascual Jr. of RTC, 2nd Judicial Region Branch 12, Sanchez Mira, Cagayan. The accused was incarcerated at the Flora municipal jail.

P20-K bail set for man in attempted robbery case

BAGUIO CITY – Cops captured a certain Eric Guigue Madamba here Tuesday at No. 70 Upper San Carlos Heights, Irisan for attempted robbery with force upon things.

This, after warrant was issued against him by Judge Leody M. Opolinto of MTCC Branch 3, Baguio City.

Opolinto set bail of P20, 000 for Guiague’s temporary liberty.

Man held for physical injuries

BAGUIO CITY – A man was arrested here Tuesday for physical injuries. Nabbed at Guisad Valley was Christian Jay Gangan Loreto after warrant was issued against him by Judge Ivan Kim B. Morales of RTC Branch 59, Baguio City who set bail of P6, 000 for Gangan’s temporary liberty.

2 bunkhouses, greenhouse burned in Tuba

TUBA, Benguet – Two bunkhouses and agreenhouse were razed here Nov. 3 around 6:30 p.m. at Bua, Poblacion.

A certain Analie Pabloc Tocmo was residing in one bunkhouse while Lito Racho Hangad was a resident of the other.

The greenhouse was owned by Louie Puyat. Investigation showed that the fire came from the bunkhouse of Tocmo.

Equipment establishment burned in Bangued

BANGUED, Abra – The Alcoben Heavy Equipment Parts and Supply estabslishment was burned here around 2:25 p.m. of Oct. 31 at Barangay Ubbog- Lipcan.

Investigation disclosed the cause of fire was a cigarette butt thrown at the stockroom. The fire was declared fire out around 2:35 p.m. by firemen.

No one was reported injured in said incident. Estimated cost of damages was P800,000.

House burned in Sabangan

SABANGAN, Mountain Province – Fire razed a house here around 4:30 p.m. Oct. 31 in Barangay Namatec.

A police report said the the house was owned by Rita Mamanteo Malamion. Firewas declared out around 5:30 p.m. with estimated cost of damages at P1,200,000. The grandson of the owner reportedly lit a plastic bag and threw it in a garbage bin that started the fire. No person injured.

Truck hits cop officer’s pickup

BAGUIO CITY – Two pickup trucks collided here around 6:45 p.m. Oct. 31 along Ferguzon Road.

The Mitsubishi pick-up, bearing plate number XDC 524 was driven by Homer Dipas Cuilan while the Toyota Hi-lux, bearing plate number NGQ 127 was driven by Lt. Roy Lamian Bunos of city police intelligence unit.

Investigation disclosed the Mitsubishi pick-up was ascending the road, encroached the opposite lane and collided with the Toyota Hilux.

Both vehicles were damaged. Responding police confiscated driver's licenses of both drivers and brought them to Baguio General Hospital for alcohol breath test.

PNP cracks down on overloaded vehicles in Cordi after fatal crash

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet-- Police operatives in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) will intensify their checkpoint operations to flag down overloaded motor vehicles, an official said on Tuesday.

“The order is to intensify checkpoint operation giving emphasis on the checking of overloaded vehicles,” said Brig. Gen. Israel Ephraim Dickson, Police Regional Office Cordillera (PROCOR) regional director.

The order came following the death of 19 people who figured in a vehicular accident the late afternoon of October 31 in Conner, Apayao province.

Based on a report, an Elf truck, carrying sacks of rice and corn planting materials and 43 people from Rizal, Cagayan, was traversing the ascending portion of the road along Barangay Gassud in Conner when the engine malfunctioned, causing it to slide back and eventually fell into a 20-meter ravine.

The road crash also left 22 others hurt.

Dickson said based on the initial investigation, the vehicle malfunctioned due to overloading.

Dickson said Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge, Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, immediately instructed all the regional directors to intensify its operations against overloaded motor vehicles.

"In the advent of the holidays, let us do our part in apprehending and cautioning overloading trucks especially private vehicles. During the previous vehicular accident in Cotabato that also claimed lives, PRRD [President Rodrigo Roa Duterte] also gave instruction to DOTr [Department of Transportation] and its attached agencies to prevent this from happening. On our end, what we can immediately do is to stop overloaded vehicles. Convert this to a memo for nationwide checkpoint operations,” Gamboa said in his text message to his underlings.

Dickson said all provincial directors have been ordered to intensify the enforcement of overloading and check all vehicles at checkpoints which are transporting goods and people so that they do not go beyond their weight capacity, otherwise, apprehend them for violation of the transportation laws on overloading.

“It is a violation and it should be strictly implemented. Vehicles have a standard and it must be complied with,” Dickson said, referring to measures governing overloaded vehicles.

He said also the chief of the regional Highway Patrol Group (HPG), the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the PROCOR have gone to the road crash site for an ocular inspection.

Police Lt. Col. Laureano Alexis Mariñas, chief of the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division (RIDMD) of the PROCOR who went to the site with the HPG and the LTO, there is an ongoing construction of a retaining wall which will widen the area and will prevent road crashes.

He said the area is accident-prone that is why the local government requested the construction of a retaining wall. (PNA)

Buguias cops nab 14 for illegal gambling

BUGUIAS, Benguet – Fourteen persons including a minor were arrested here at Lito Bucanog Building in Sitio Mansoyosoy, Catlubong, night of Nov. 2 for illegal gambling.

The arrested persons were playing “Monte” even as a firearm.

Arrested persons were identified as: Raul Vicente Nagayos, 41; Marcelo Colinio Bay-an, 35; Randy Damilo Alvares, 30, all farmers and residents of Barangay Bot-oan; Dimson, Atolba Tostos, 54; Manday Saadang Bawas, 39;Rolian Alipio Palangyos, 20;Melchor Dulagan Piligman, 21;Junilson Nginsayan Ulban, 24;Estado Lubiki Carino, 30;Jemer Alicnas Polasen, 31; Rey Domingo Lingbanan, 22; and Andrew Camti Labosnog, 44, all farmers and residents of Barangay Catlobong; Iyson Tiblac Bayas, 21, student and a 16 year old lad, both of Catlobong.

During the operation, confiscated were bet money of P24,740 and two sets of playing cards.

Bus hits motorbike in N. Ecija; 3 dead

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan — Three persons died when their motorcycle collided with a passenger bus along the highway in Barangay Baloc, Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija on Tuesday night.

Police said a Baliwag Transit bus (ABF 7419) was overtaking a truck when it hit the motorcycle driven by Michael Limos, 38, in the opposite lane.

Limos and his son Mike, 18, and a certain Nestor de Leon died at the scene.

The bus driver identified as Agusto Sacdal, 48, escaped, but later surrendered to police officers. –Raymund Catindig beneficiaries,” he said.

2 slain in Bulacan town drug sting

SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan -- Two drug suspects were killed in a drug bust here on Tuesday.

Col. Chito Bersaluna, Bulacan police chief, identified the fatalities as Mark Panganoron and Mark Anthony Mallares.

Police said the slain suspects shot it out with police officers who posed as buyers of shabu in Barangay Gaya-gaya.

Sixteen sachets of shabu, two .38-caliber revolvers, a knife, a digital weighing scale and marked money were recovered from the fatalities.

Bersaluna said 10 other drug suspects were arrested in Balagtas, Baliwag and Meycauayan City. – Ramon Efren Lazaro

Seaman-driver hurt as stone hits wagon in Tuba

TUBA, Benguet – A seaman was injured in a freak accident when a large stone from a mountainside here hit the windshield of the vehicle he was driving Tuesday at Poyopoy, Taloy Sur, Marcos Highway around 3:30 p.m.

Police said the Toyota BB wagon, with plate number BEU 881 was driven by Rosper Val Infante Castro, 24, of Irisan, Baguio City.

Investigation disclosed the vehicle was proceeding to Baguio City when the accident happened. Castro suffered injuries on his head and was rushed by concerned motorist to Baguio General Hospital for treatment.

Sagada house totally burned

SAGADA, Mountain Province – Fire razed to the ground a 2-storey house here Tuesday around 11:30 a.m. at Sitio Lamagan, Barangay Patay.

Town police and firemen tried to extinguish the fire at the house owned by Edward Nanam Ayban, 66, farmer, resident of Barangay Dagdag.

Investigation disclosed fire started from burning wooden wood left unattended while food was being cooked at the dirty kitchen.

The totally burned house was made of light materials with an estimated cost of P550, 000.

Fire personnel declared the fire out around 12 noon with no injured person reported.

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Chavit new president of Philippines mayors’ league

November 13, 2019, 3:06 pm

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NARVACAN, Ilocos Sur Mayor Luis “Chavit” Singson was elected unopposed as new president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) on Wednesday during the LMP National Directorate meeting held in Makati.

It marked the first time in league history that a candidate for president faced no challenger from the 81 provincial chapter presidents representing the country’s more than 1,400 municipal mayors.

After acknowledging “this rare show of unity by our municipal mayors,” Singson offered his vision to make the municipal LGUs “innovative and enterprising.”

He said the LGUs “cannot be too dependent” on their internal revenue allotments (IRA) for funds to finance their development projects.

To do this, Singson said town executives “have to learn how to harness the corporate powers and abilities of our LGUs in the delivery of basic services.”

The “overwhelming trust and confidence of his fellow mayors in me,” Singson said, “will all the more spur me to deliver the best services to all our municipalities all over the country.”

Singson also released a list of his priority projects that he wants to accomplish during his three-year term.

Among them is state-of-the-art connectivity linking all municipalities through public wi-fi, which he said his company would offer for free.

“This way, even far flung towns will have direct connection with national government agencies and easy access to information and data from all over the world,” Singson said.

He owns one of the biggest telco companies in the country in partnership with TierOne Communications.

Singson ascends to the LMP presidency as a seasoned political leader with more than 30 years of experience in various capacities as Ilocos Sur governor, first district congressman, Vigan City councilor and Narvacan municipal councilor.

He was President of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) from 2016 to 2019 and also served as Deputy National Security Adviser for then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2008.

Along with Vigan City Mayor Eva Marie Singson-Medina, Singson was instrumental in making Vigan City one of the “New 7 Wonder Cities” of the world.

He also authored Republic Act No. 7171, which extends special support to the farmers of Virginia tobacco-producing provinces, providing billions of pesos in excise tax revenues to the beneficiary provinces.

Also elected unopposed to various LMP positions upon Singson’s recommendation were the following mayors: lawyer Ma. Theresa Constantino (Malungon, Sarangani), EVP for Operations; lawyer Jason John Joyce (Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental), EVP for Internal Affairs; Dr. Denise Florence Bernos Bragas (Danglas, Abra), EVP for External Affairs; Edgar Flores (Minalin, Pampanga), Luzon Cluster president; lawyer. Ma. Esperanza Christina Frasco (Liloan, Cebu), Visayas Cluster president; Rey Buhisan (Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental) Mindanao Cluster president; Franklin Lim (Santiago, Agusan del Norte), national treasurer; Mary Jean Te

(Libertad, Antique), national auditor; Allan Contado (Balangkayan, Eastern Samar), business manager; Carla Lopez-Pichay (Cantilan, Surigao del Sur), PRO; lawyer Antonio Bendita

(Surallah, South Cotabato), general legal counsel; Valentino Patron (San Jose, Batangas), EVP for Special Concerns; lawyer Cynthia Falcotelo-Fortes (Barcelona, Sorsogon), secretary general; Jose Enrique Miraflores (Ibajay, Aklan), deputy secretary general; Arnold Bautista (Tumauini, Isabela), Lorna Velasco (Torrijos, Marinduque),Vincent Pagurayan (Sto. Nino, Cagayan), Ramon Preza (Tiaong, Quezon), Edgardo Ramos (Pila, Laguna), Rosario Mediatrix Fernandez (San Enrique, Iloilo), Fermin Mabulo (San Fernando, Camarines Sur), Anamel Oligario (Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay), Emmanuel Galila (Nueva Valencia, Guimaras), Mohammad Mustafa Burahan (Hadji Panglima Tahil, Sulu), Leodegario Labao (Mabusao, Capiz), presidential advisers; Leopoldo Bataoil (Lingayen, Pangasinan), presidential spokesperson; lawyer Dimnatang Pansar (Butig, Lanao Del Sur), asst. legal counsel; Jose Dizon (Guimba, Nueva Ecija), asst. national treasurer; Ambrosio Cruz Jr. (Guiguinto, Bulacan), asst. national auditor; Dean Villa (Larena, Siquijor), asst. business manager; and Germy Goulart (Caoayan, Ilocos Sur), special assistant to the president.

Mayor Ma. Fe “Bubut” Brondial (Socorro, Mindoro), out-going LMP President will assume as LMP chairman.

Upon taking his oath, Singson vowed to support President Duterte’s initiatives for inclusive growth and rural development, local governance reforms, lasting peace in Mindanao and the fight against corruption, crimes and illegal drugs.

He said the LMP “will work as one team to achieve our goals” and promised to bring the government closer to Filipinos.

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Barlig spurs tourism advocacy

November 13, 2019, 3:08 pm

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Dionie Chungalan

BARLIG, Mountain Province – “Being familiar with tourism can open our minds to evolvement, amazing discoveries we can call our own and a unified but fascinating ways of looking at things to advocate them,” a writer wrote more than a decade ago. “At the end, the aesthetic sense in us will allure holiday-makers to drop in, to complete their diaries.”

When I visited Bohol in October 2003, I learned Boholanos appreciate so much the beauty of their origin. That’s why I was told, tourism as business flourished; yet many of the attractions are man-made and contributed to increase of revenue.

For me, I am at present staying in a little village called ‘Shangri-la on the Edge,’Kadaclan, about 58 km south of Bontoc.

My town Barlig, stands at the base of Mount Amuyao where climbers go to savor a flotilla of verdant green lands whose top is above the clouds.

Barlig is a poor agricultural town. Although rich in untapped natural resources of trees with two roaring Tanudan and Siffu rivers, the swift water current can induce electricity when developed.

Feasibility studies have shown the mossy forests have varied medicinal plants which could be processed to herbal medicines. In a casual conversation recently with Manoro Ballug, Mt. Province Interior and Local Government director.

He said intensifying tourism in Barlig would benefit the town economically.

Barangay council members have also said now that Barlig-Natonin-Paracelis national road is near completion, they have to fully sustain eco-tourism mandate to boost local economy.

Kiyoko Torakawa, a Bible translator in Barlig said her place in Sendai,Japan has progressed so much because of tourism and people have imbibed and accepted what tourism brought to their place.

Barlig Proper has tourist destinations: Allob-Lingoy Hot Springs, Lake Tufob, waterfalls and Sib-law Taraw quick sand.

In Lias, we have the the War Memorial Shrine, Karanag Falls, Chapin-ay rice terraces, Lattang sacred burial cave, Naculla rice paddies and yes -- betel-nut chewing folks who came from Ifugao but migrated in Ogo-og.

According to a native of the town, change has to take place since nothing is permanent. “We should open our town as tourist destination to augment our poor agricultural output to uplift the quality of our indigenous life,” he said. “But we should develop the trade by ourselves. We must set rules to control negative effects of the industry by strengthening organized tourism groups including our tourist guides in accordance to norms of good behaviour,”

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Baguio real estate lessors told: Register boarders /Smokers down

November 13, 2019, 3:10 pm

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CITY HALL BEAT

Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – Real estate lessors in the city have been requested to register their boarders in their barangays.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong last Oct. 29 signed city council Resolution No. 363 series of 2019 which was originally proposed by Senior Citizen Official For-a-Day Councilor Verena Viernes in their SCOFAD session held Oct. 7.

The measure was later sponsored and adopted by all councilors and Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan in the city council session last Oct. 21.

Viernes said the registration is “for the safety and protection of the registrants and the barangay residents.”

“There is a need for Real Estate Lessors to report for record purposes the names of their boarders at the barangay for proper and easy monitoring of all transient residents and boarders in the community,” the resolution noted.

***

The recent survey on smoking prevalence among youth aged 12 to 18 years in Baguio proved that “multi-faceted (anti-smoking) strategies provided by the community in general” had been effective in discouraging adolescents in the city from smoking tobacco.

In the recently released Baguio City Youth Tobacco Survey 2019 conducted by the City Health Service Office under City Health Officer Rowena Galpo and the St. Louis University School of Medicine Department of Family and Community Medicine under Medical Officer IV Dr. Nelson Hora, the survey team noted: “Overall, the indicators of smoking cessation among the smoking members of Baguio City youth this 2019 show positive effects of” the strategies.

The survey showed a significant decrease in smoking prevalence among adolescents classified as “ever youth smokers” or those who ever smoked cigarettes even one or two puffs which dropped from 43.20 percent in 2016 to 21.71 percent this year; and “current youth smokers” or those who smoked cigarettes at any time during the past 30 days which declined to 28 percent to only 12 percent.

The rate of susceptibility of the “never” tobacco smokers to tobacco use also marginally decreased to only 1.97 percent from 10.55 percent in 2014 and 5.44 percent in 2016.

“This implies that the implementation of the laws and ordinances are in effect. Health promotion targeting youth can be strengthened to prevent susceptible youth from smoking cigarettes,” the survey noted.

The BCYTS 2019 conducted by Hora and 29 4th year medical students of SLU School of Medicine is a follow-up study of the 2014 and 2016 surveys that aimed to evaluate the trends of tobacco use and their determinants among Filipino youths and aids in the monitoring on the progress of the implementation of the national law, local policies and ordinances and the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

It utilized the Global Youth Tobacco Survey standard guidelines with a total of 1,423 student-respondents from 12 public junior high schools answering questionnaires on tobacco use on the six determinants: access/availability; exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS); media and advertising; school curriculum; knowledge and attitudes towards tobacco; and smoking cessation.

Apart from the apparent decrease in smoking among youth, the study also revealed that a “greater portion of the youth have thought and tried to stop smoking, are less exposed to second hand smoke in public places, have less access to cigarette, are more exposed to anti-tobacco messages and are more knowledgeable about the harm of tobacco.”

“However, some are still being offered a free tobacco product from a tobacco company, more exposed to second-hand smoke at home and less taught in school about the dangers of tobacco use.”

The study showed increasing trends in “currently smoking adolescents who attempted to stop smoking” and in “young current smokers who believe to be able to quit once they wanted to;”, and it also increased from 73.28% in 2014, 2016 study did not reveal the data.

However, those “who want to stop smoking immediately” decreased.

“This may be interpreted that anti-smoking campaigns this year are serving its purpose to encourage smokers to quit but there are still some individual factors that affect this decision like the number of sticks smoked per day and the number of pack years..,” the survey said.

The survey also found that among students exposed to tobacco smoke, almost two in five or 39.85 percent admitted being exposed at home and 54.08 percent were exposed inside enclosed public places however there was a decreased exposure to secondhand smoke in enclosed public places.

“Smoking continues to happen at home, even showing a slight increase when compared to BCYTS 2016. Health promotion targeting adult members of the households in the community should be strengthened to counter smoking at homes and exposure of the youth to second hand cigarette smoke in their respective homes as adolescents are at an impressionable age and are vulnerable to the effects of secondhand smoke.”

The survey also showed that “in terms of access and availability, majority usually purchase cigarette from a store or shop and there is still a considerable percentage of our minor age group who tried to buy cigarettes were not prevented from buying despite their young age.”

“Despite prohibition of sale of tobacco to minors, it is apparent that cigarettes continue to be accessed by the youth mainly through a store or shop and some are being tolerated by the vendors despite their young age. Therefore, There is still the need for stricter monitoring especially in these sales outlets , “sari-sari” store and enforcement of relevant laws prohibiting sale to minors.”

“As young people prefer to buy stick/s rather than by pack/s, it is suggested to consider mandating via legislations prohibiting the sale by stick. Many studies indicate that price is a deterrent to buying cigarette among youth, thus the implementation of the Sin Tax Law.”

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Tale of two titles

November 13, 2019, 3:14 pm

≫ Next: More events set for Adivay fest

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LETTERS FROM THE AGNO

March L. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY -- While updating on local news and the demolition of shanties by the Kennon Road Lion’s head through the media chat room on internet, one of the mainstays in the chat group commented that government demolition teams are fast on small structures but are slow or afraid to touch big businessmen.

Another chatter followed up the first comment saying, hotels along Marcos Highway that have encroached on the road were not touched but the small stalls were demolished.

That pressed me to confirm from a knowledgeable friend at city hall about the construction of a concrete structure below the controversial Casa Vallejo heritage building if that has been issued a building permit.

I was told that a building permit has already been secured on Oct. 17, 2019 by the Roebling Corp. that applied for it which explains why there was none the last time I passed by the construction site in September.

By the way, the structure is being constructed by the sidewalk of the Leonard Wood Road so the rip-rap wall that was erected with peoples’ taxes had to be removed.

I was also told by another source that the construction is owned allegedly by a former officer of the Natural Resources Development Corporation (NRDC), an attached agency of the DENR.

Casa Vallejo is one of the oldest remaining buildings in the city that was constructed sometime in 1905. Prior to becoming a hotel in 1924, it was a garrison for prisoners of the First World War in 1917.

Since it was claimed and used by the DENR then, and even while Baguio residents wanted to maintain it as a heritage site, it was leased to a private business entity through the NRDC around 10 years ago.

My informant was also told by the concerned government office that the Roebling Corp. holds a title over the land, even while I am a hundred per cent sure that the land where the old Casa Vallejo Hotel and nearby structures stand has an ancestral land title issued to the Heirs of Piraso, an Ibaloy pioneer of Baguio.

Certainly, there cannot be two titles issued to different owners over one and the same lot. But if indeed two land titles belonging to two different names were issued over one and the same lot, then one of them must be fraudulent.

Sometime in 2013, the Court of Appeals validated the ancestral land title issued to the Heirs of Piraso, particularly his daughter Cosen, by dismissing the petitions against the title filed by the Solicitor General.

In fact, the CA in its ruling reaffirmed a report by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples that Piraso, the ascendant of the Heirs of Cosen occupied his land at what is now known as Session Road.

The CA decision further directed other government agencies to provide protection to indigenous communities, their ancestral lands and ensure their economic, social and cultural well-being as mandated by RA 8371.

I am puzzled as to how another title was issued over the lot where a concrete structure is being built when the same lot already has a title. Unless, these are two adjacent lots that do not overlap each other, or the Heirs of Piraso sold portions of their title to Roebling Corp.

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More events set for Adivay fest

November 24, 2019, 6:13 am

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LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- A thanksgiving day is set today (Nov. 2) to cap the month-long Adivay festival in celebration of the province’s 119th founding anniversary themed: HEALTHIeR Benguet.

The main program was held Nov. 23, the foundation day, with House Speaker Alan Cayetano and Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go earlier invited as guests of honor.

The indigenous ritual canao, the heart of the Cordillera culture, was done. Cows and pigs were offered with traditional rites.

The canao was omitted in last year’s Adivay in view of the devastations caused by typhoons particularly typhoon Ompong in the province.

Remaining events include The Cordillera Variety Show slated today with 4 x 4 Off-road challenge on Nov. 30 and fun shoot on Nov 30 – Dec. 1.

The invitational Kasibulan football for 6-12 years old national and invitational Arnis tournament for elementary, high school and college students started Nov. 23 and will end today.

An inter-municipality battle of the bands was also held Nov. 23.

Meanwhile, information and education campaign on Republic Act 9003 or the Solid Waste Management Act will be held simultaneously on Nov. 29 along main thoroughfares namely Halsema highway, Kennon Road, Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya Rd., Naguilian Rd., and Kapangan-Kibungan Road.

With agriculture as the main economic driver in the province, an agri-tourism fair started Nov. 18 up to 24 introducing new innovations such as the float parade to be held on Nov. 23 and mascot competitions on Nov. 18 which will both showcase and promote agricultural products of the 13 towns.

All held at the Cold Chain Area in Wangal, activities were a week-long agri-tourism fair from Nov. 18-24. Farmer’s Day was held Nov. 19; elegant floral designs competitions and still life canvass painting contest both on Nov. 20; rice road show and nutria-snack making on Nov. 21; organic agriculture information drive, fruit and vegetable preparation contest, natural juice preparation, rice-corn blend orientation and taste-testing all on Nov. 22; and pinaka-best fruit and vegetable on Nov. 23.

The traditional recognition of awardees for leadership, everlasting, achievement, and outstanding student leadership were held Nov. 22 at the Gov. Ben Palispis Auditorium.

Other special events were the 2nd Adivay Golf tournament on Nov. 15-16, mountain bike fun race on Nov. 17.

An Employee’s Night to build rapport between and among employees and the management through dinner and socialization is set on Nov. 29.

Gov. Melchor Diclas earlier invited Cordillera local government units to celebrate with them the Adivay festival to learn and be entertained. -- JDP/SCA-PIA-CAR, Benguet

More events set

for Adivay fest