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Beat the Ibaloy gongs

November 16, 2016, 8:57 pm
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LETTERS FROM THE AGNO
March L. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY -- It’s far from over. A few days after the Ibaloys in a consensus chose their Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative to the city council, Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan hit the process of selection saying it has excluded other IP groups such as the Kankanaeys and Kalanguyas and confined the voting and selection to the Ibaloy group.
I take Domogan’s worried stance as a compliment and the Ibaloys should be grateful to him for that reminder – that there is one last fence to hurdle. In his words, he wants all obstacles cleared before Roger Sinot begins to roost on his ancestral chair at City Hall. Thank you, Mayor Morris.
Anyway, the noise on the IPMR selection was expected as supporters were not surprised that the selection for a new member to the city council would be attacked on all sides. The method of selection was challenging for both the nominees and the electors as this was the first time that the IPMR process would be implemented.
The consensus on the election of the IPMR that proceeded last November 4, 2016 at the Ibaloy Heritage Garden at Burnham Park was facilitated by the NCIP Baguio office under Atty. Harriet N. Abyadang.
Six brave Ibaloys presented themselves as candidate-nominees namely; former Onjon ni Ivadoy president Jackson Chiday of Loakan, ex-barangay chairman Basilio Binay-an of Loakan, IP book author Vicky Macay also of Loakan, public school teacher Michael Alos of Camp 7, Happy Hallow elder Philip Canuto, ex-barangay chair of Pinsao and Baguio Council of Elders chair Roger D. Sinot.
Roger won the selection by a wide margin. He is a descendant of Piraso (one name) of the Kafagway central area (Baguio market to the Vallejo Hotel vicinity).
It was agreed in a consensus in the plenary-assembly that selection would be through secret balloting, if after a dialogue (Tongtongan) between the candidates, they fail to come up with a common endorsement to the city council of Baguio.
The selection guidelines was approved and signed by members of the assembly who belonged to the Ibaloy, Kankanaey and Kalanguya Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) who are residents in the city. No exclusion of groups was done, there were only rules to follow.
More than 300 registrants who were Ibaloy, Kankanaey and Kalanguya ICCs signed up and helped ratify the rules but only 195 voted. The rest stayed to observe the selection process, while the others in their good conscience left the voting area upon knowing that they were not qualified to vote.
When asked, some of the registrants who were also Ibaloys by blood confirmed that the guidelines were okay and they felt awkward and uncomfortable if they insisted on participating in the selection process when they knew that they are not Baguio residents.  
The same feeling was expressed by one Kalanguya-Kankanaey resident of Happy Hallow. He said his group understood the ratification of the guidelines and agreed that they cannot interfere with the affairs of the Ibaloy in the same manner that the Ibaloys cannot meddle with the selection of IPMRs in the Kalanguya and Kankanaey areas.
Incidentally, Cordillera Peoples Alliance vice chair Ms. Jill Carino, a descendant of Kafagway Headman Mateo Carino expressed thanks to the IP migrants in Baguio City for issuing a resolution during the Cordillera Elders conference held last August 29-30, 2016 that pushed and expressed support for the Ibaloys to sit as IPMR in the council, in recognition as the original inhabitants of Baguio.
            ***
Last week was the week of the controversial. Donald Trump won over Hillary Clinton, our Supreme Court Justices decided to allow the burial of former strongman President Marcos at the LNMB, then the “dulldog” Ibaloys in Baguio finally chose their IPMR – something that many thought as an impossible thing.
What is so controversial with Roger Sinot? It is not because he has been leading the fight for the rights of ancestral land owners to collect long overdue rental fees from the Asin hydro-electric plant. It is because he is the first IPMR and he has the legal and moral duty to fight for the rights of IPs in the city.
         Apart from looking for solutions to the Ibaloy ancestral lands problems, IPMR Sinot has to make the city recognize the Ibaloy culture that is becoming sidelined because of the presence of other IPs. That is tough task enough for an IPMR. But Roger Sinot is also tough and hard- headed occasionally, which is what the Ibaloys are sometimes.

The city council then should help the Ibaloys and other IPs put things in their proper perspective. For the longest time, it has been so misinforming and maybe even embarrassing that during city events, the dances being presented to guests and visitors are dances by other IP mountain tribes, not the Benguet or Ibaloy dance. Let the Ibaloy gongs resound!
Northern Philippine Times
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The angle after the storm

November 16, 2016, 8:59 pm
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BENCHWARMER
Ramon S. Dacawi

Charles Kuralt said it: “The reporter is a stone skipping on a pond, taking an instant to tell a story and ricocheting to the next, covering a lot of water while only skimming the surface.”
In a life-time of journalistic work, Kuralt traveled the back roads, the rural streets of America. He was in search of ordinary people with extraordinary deeds, their simple pleasures and aches, the beauty of nature and the countryside. He wrote of folks otherwise nameless for their ordinariness, of places whose names may not be found on the map and never mentioned, much less covered, by conventional media. He did justice to these stories through the feature segment of the news telecast of CBS.  
Courage, sacrifice and fortitude, he found out, are not the monopoly of big names, of stars and celebrities, of world and national leaders, of usual and conventional newsmakers. He found heroism among common folk. For one, he found fulfillment recording and sharing the family story of brothers and sisters, all professionals, coming home to pay tribute to their parents who broke their backs sending them to school.
He wrote about a Russian dentist and war veteran who sought him out to finally be able to thank, through the power of television, American soldiers who risked their lives to share food so he and his fellow Russian prisoners could survive in a German concentration camp. 
It’s never water under the bridge to read and re-read his accounts of these human characters and places in his books “A Life on the Road” and “On the Road with…”, copies of which are still found in our “wagwag” bookshops. 
Similar stories surfaced from the recent deluge poured for days by the last two typhoons.. In the rush to meet the deadline and the element of immediacy in the news, thousands of these stories couldn’t be captured by reporters, however they tried to cover a lot of water.
Given the lack of time and space, the priority angle had to be on the number of victims, the extent of damage and loss, the cause and effect of calamity, the decisions from the top for relief and reconstruction, the lessons forgotten and re-learned, together with the finger-pointing that comes with the ebbing of the floods. 
A reporter has to sift through the voluminous accounts and facts taken from the coverage, and pick one or two that somehow give a picture of the rest. The rest would have to be written later, or never, forgotten as the situation normalizes and other newsworthy events needed to be covered also surface.
        Within the limited givens, media, especially television, depended on the amateur footages of witnesses and victims of the floods and landslides, for a better picture of what happened. Even in the aftermath, journalists will rely on the submitted accounts of the rescuers themselves in saving lives. These stories about selflessness are timeless, worth telling and recalling before, during and after the next storm, fire or any other disaster. 
These stories that inspire need to be told even during normal times, even if we can’t term as such this unending struggle to stand up against poverty. 
It’s responsible journalism to also focus on the humanitarian efforts of lesser mortals and groups, as it is to recognize the contributions of greater mortals and agencies in easing human suffering. The analogy lies in a plate of ham and eggs, as the late human rights lawyer and Baguio boy Art Galace once wrote. The chicken provided the egg and that’s involvement. The pig contributed the ham and that’s commitment. 
It’s fulfilling enough to write about a kid skipping his or her birthday bash and giving the party fund to another kid in need , as it is to record the number of people who will join this year’s “Stand Up Against Poverty” being mounted by the United Nations. The news value of a cancer patient giving up part of her chemotherapy fund for another patient is equal to that of the donation of, say, a Bill Gates. Except for the amounts, there’s no difference in the efforts. Both acts are driven by sensitivity.
Karl Marx said it so, even if not within this context: “From each according to his/her ability, to each according to his/her needs.”
The difference lies in helping and not helping. As Mike Jacobs of the Grand Forks Herald of North Carolina noted in one of his winning editorials, we are not what we have or own. He wrote the piece in the wake of a flood that hit his community. The residents  were not what they lost as they began clearing and putting order back to their town. Despite their personal loss, they tried to contribute to ease the loss of other victims. 
Just do it, then health secretary and Baguio boy Juan Flavier advised. That’s why journalists, especially those on television, are again doing it. They have gone beyond writing, shooting and broadcasting news, editorials and opinion pieces. They have mounted fund drives and relief operations. Thousands responded to their call, underscoring the power of media. 
The angle, however, may need to be refocused more on the donors rather than on the conduits. In the same token, a footage or two on volunteer rescuers, some of whom are also victims - of sleepless nights, of hypothermia, of hunger and of injuries in the line of duty -, may  also help complete the story  about our  collective sense of community. Kuralt was right about the limitations of reporters
            ***
It takes one to know one. A world champion martial artist who fought poverty early as a mine laborer’s son in Benguet came to the rescue of three distraught patients, including two girls who were at a loss on to pay for the next session of their life-time dialysis treatment for kidney failure.
Responding to the women patients’ urgent plea for help coursed through the weekly papers, former world Shotokan karate champion Julian Chees last week sent P10,133.72 that provided relief to four kidney patients undergoing twice[ or thrice-a-week dialysis treatment for life.
The sum was the latest from Chees, a sixth dan blackbelt and native of Maligcong, Bontoc, Mt. Province who now heads Shoshin Kinderhilfe, the social arm of his Shotokan karate school based in Germany.
Of the amount, P4,500 covered two sessions of hemodialysis for Jemaima Gac-oy, 22, of Virac, Itogon, Benguet who began her life-time treatment for kidney failure September two years ago.
 One session costing P2,200 will be for Erly Dumansi, a 35-year old mother of two, also from Virac, Itogon who was diagnosed for kidney failure five years ago.
The other week, P2,250 was used for the dialysis of patient Marcelo Baccud who had exhausted his resources and was waiting for a Samaritan to enable him to undergo his overdue blood-cleansing session at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center.
Gac-oy earlier received P5,000 support from a retired professor of the University of the Philippines  whose late husband arranged the  opening  by the late Shihan Kunio Sasaki of a Shotokan karate school in Baguio under what is now the  Japan Karate Association where Chees honed his skills.
Chees earlier sent P16,452.25 for Marie Joy Ligudon, a 12-year old patient from Ifugao whose twice-a-week dialysis is being shouldered by his adoptive mother, Gina Epe of Bokod, Benguet.

Another Samaritan, Esther Alicoy, delivered P2,000 for the ailing girl, P2,500 for patient Bester Imbentan, and P2,500 for Gac-oy.  -- . (e-mail: mondaxbench@yahoo.com for comments).  
Northern Philippine Times
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Investigating investigators

November 16, 2016, 9:05 pm
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BEHIND THE SCENES
Alfred P. Dizon

BAGUIO CITY -- The recent killing of a Korean who ran Monroe’s Bar along Bokawkan Road here is still unsolved, the killers still scot-free. I have a Korean friend who said the killing is big news in Korea that they sent their own investigators to this summer capital to look into what really happened and are now asking questions from police. 
Police are reportedly considering several angles in the killing, the usual suspects – love triangle, business deal gone awry or jealousy.     
With the government upping the war against illegal drugs, the victim could also have been an innocent casualty. It’s open season for killers, be they lawmen or hoodlums. As they say, killing like drugs, is addictive – once you’ve tried it, you are hooked. Then you look for the next thrill.
            ***
Once the thrill is gone, there is need to shoot up the adrenaline. Then the next victim is fair game, particularly if he is poor. But not anymore since even those who hold modest positions like alleged drug lord Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa was killed while in detention. If killing nowadays is a way to make money, some enterprising characters have moved in for the kill using different scams to earn big-time.
            ***
 “We were asked to kill you, but we can spare your life for a fee.”
Several netizens have reported what appeared to be a new scam or modus for extortion riding on the spate of killings that has plagued the country in recent months.
At least three different posts, including one supposed recording, claimed that a man who identified himself as “Alex Guerrero” informed them that their organization was ordered to kill the person on the other end of the line.
At least two mobile numbers were attributed to the caller but the narrative appeared to be similar, a news report said. Based on the posts, the caller introduces himself as a member of an organization of hired killers and provided available details about the “victim” such as their full name, address or where they are employed to give credence to their claim.
            ***
The caller will then inform the “victim” that he feels guilty about the order and then asks for money in exchange for being excluded from the hit list.
In the recorded conversation shared on social media, the caller claimed that the money would be used as return fare for the members of their organization who traveled to Metro Manila to execute the order.
A netizen who posted about the call said she hung up upon sensing that it was a scam.
“But it’s not to say that I didn’t get scared, especially when I found out that the man initially called my office and found out my personal number there after saying he has a very urgent matter that he needs to talk to me about,” read one of the posts.
            ***
“I should have peace of mind knowing that I’m not involved with anything that could endanger my safety, however, with more and more people getting killed for no reason each day – one case being that of Lauren Rosales, a K-pop fan with no history of illegal drug use – I don’t think anybody’s safe anymore,” the post added.
Rosales was killed by an unidentified assailant on July 21 in Makati City while she was in a passenger jeepney. Her brother Petronio, who was supposed to meet with police investigators regarding his sister’s case, was gunned down last month in Barangay San Antonio, also in Makati City.
            ***
Another person who received a similar call warned against such apparent scams. “See what happens when there is impunity on extrajudicial killings? Criminals would use such immunity to their advantage to commit more crimes,” the post read.
“And why am I posting about this? So that you will be aware of the new modus because if you are not smart enough, this strategy might consume you and you will be their next prey,” it said.
            ***
I know a Chinese-Filipino businessman who told me he had been informed that in Manila particularly Binondo, his compatriots had been victimized by this scam. But whether their predators were lawmen or criminals without government credentials, some gave in and have paid hefty sums of cash to these hoods.
He says the Chinese community is jittery as some have been threatened of their families getting killed if they won’t pay up.
Are there lawmen involved in this kind of modus operandi in Northern Luzon like Baguio? Was the Korean businessman who had a thriving business along Bokawkan Road killed because he refused to pay up? 
            ***
Killings are now frequent daily that it is not clear if these are drug-related. The killers are not known if they are lawmen, vigilantes or just plain criminals out to even a score.  Concerned folks say there are no investigations, or if there are, nobody is being investigated. Meanwhile, nary even a word even from our local human rights groups.
The daily killings have deadened senses of the people. Nobody is standing up to say enough is enough, says a post.  “You will not know how grave the situation is until somebody close to you like a member of your family is killed.”
            ***
Now comes our perennially drunk neighborhood philosopher’s take on the situation: Let Pacquiao fight every day. He says crime (even killings), as reported by police,  was down during Sen. Manny Pacquiao’s fight with Jesse Vargas nationwide, even in Metro Manila since everybody was glued to the boob tube.

Credit it to the Filipino’s trait of finding humor even in the goriest circumstances.
Northern Philippine Times
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Did China trick Digong?

November 16, 2016, 9:06 pm
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PERRYSCOPE
Perry Diaz   

When President Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte was sworn in last June 30, 2016, the first person he introduced to the audience was former President Fidel V. Ramos, whom he credited for helping him launch his presidential candidacy.  It did not then come as a surprise when Digong appointed Ramos as his special envoy to China.   
Immediately, Ramos went to Hong Kong to make contact with a former high-ranking Chinese official and a few other Chinese personalities to “break the ice.”  But as Ramos had told reporters upon his return to Manila, “It’s not really a breakthrough in a sense that there is no ice here in Hong Kong to break but the fish we eat… are cooked in delicious recipes.”   
After that, Duterte’s people started making arrangements for his China trip.  They even had a date set for the visit – October 18-21.  But the official invitation did not come until the last minute. With an entourage of more than 400 business people, cabinet members, presidential aides, generals, journalists, and kibitzers, Digong flew into the red dragon’s lair.  After four days of bad-mouthing the Americans, he brought home $24 billion in investment pledges and loans, including $13.5 billion in trade deals.  The question is: what concession did he give the Chinese?
But no sooner had Digong landed in Manila than he pivoted 180 degrees and reaffirmed U.S.-Philippine ties. Given his avowed dislike – or to be more precise, hatred of the U.S. – why would he make a fool of himself with such diplomatic boo-boos and flip-flops?  Or, as Americans love to say, “Are you out of your mind?”`

Dangerous game
Well, Duterte is not out of his mind but what appeared to have happened was he was playing China and the U.S. off each other, perhaps hoping to get the best of both worlds.  But what he didn’t realize was that he was dealing with pros.  China is the second biggest economic power next to the U.S. and for a third-world country to play China against the U.S. – the Philippines’ treaty ally – is something that’s not in the playbook of geopolitics.  Nobody has done that and succeeded in getting concessions from both sides.  On the contrary, Digong might find himself caught in a vise because China and the U.S. are big trading partners with interlocking economic interests.  So, when push comes to shove, the two superpowers could – or would --find ways to amicably settle their differences and throw Digong under the bus. 

What China wants
But ultimately, China would try to get what she had always wanted – sovereignty over the South China Sea (SCS), which includes all the islands, rocks, reefs, and shoals in these waters.  And also  all the marine resources, and oil and gas deposits, which would provide China with food and energy for her 1.4 billion people.  Thus, there is just no way that China would give away any part of the SCS without going to war, which Duterte already conceded when he said, “We cannot win a war with China.”  
However, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said at the closing ceremony of the 33rd Philippines-U.S. Amphibious Landing Exercise (Phiblex) last October 12, “There is only one power on earth that can stop the Chinese and that's the U.S.”  Digong knows that.  And the Chinese know it, too.  They also know that the Philippines a geostrategic buffer zone that the U.S. can use to counter China and prevent her from breaking out into the Second Island Chain in the Western Pacific, America’s last line of defense. 
        With five Philippine military bases that the Americans can use to deploy their forces, it would be too much of a risk for China to start a war in the SCS.  However, if war breaks out, the Philippines will be on the front-line, which is just around 100 miles from the Spratly archipelago where China had built seven militarized artificial islands.  Then there are the U.S. bases in Japan, South Korea, Australia, and Singapore.  And with five aircraft carrier battle groups under the joint command of the 3rd Fleet and 7th Fleet and a fleet of nuclear ballistic missile submarines, the U.S. would have more than sufficient forces to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific Region… and keep China at bay.

Quid pro quo
Although Ramos was credited for “breaking the ice” in China-Philippine relations, what really paved the way for Digong’s celebrated state visit to China were Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade’s “unpublicized” – or secret – trip to China last June prior to Duterte’s inauguration.  U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg revealed this when he was recently interviewed at the ANC talk show, “Headstart.”  The question is: Did Cayetano and Tugade strike a “quid pro quo” deal with the Chinese?
Someone who may have played a key role in forging the Chinese-Philippine connection was Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua. The groundwork for this “connection” may have been laid out when Zhao and several Chinese businessmen visited then president-elect Duterte in Davao City.  Zhao, who had kept a low profile during former President Aquino’s time, has been a “frequent visitor” to Davao City and Malacanang, conspicuously attired in a silk Kung Fu suit.  He’s often pictured with Duterte or Secretary of Foreign Affairs Perfecto Yasay Jr., the two people that matter most to him to advance China’s interests.  And if you look at what transpired in the first four months of Digong’s presidency, Zhao was pretty darn successful.

Red flags
Ramos must have sensed that something was afoot after his ice-breaking “unofficial” trip to Hong Kong.  He seems to have been sidelined by Duterte’s “kitchen cabinet,” which is presumably pro-China.  About two weeks prior to Digong’s China trip, Yasay informed Ramos that his trip to Beijing was cancelled.  No reason was given for the cancellation; however, the speculation was that Ramos was an “Amboy” (American Boy), a pejorative for someone who is staunchly pro-American.
        A few days before Duterte’s China trip, Ramos informed Malacanang that he would not be part of the president’s delegation.  Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in a press briefing, “He did not say why he won’t join but I believe that it is about giving respect to our current President Rodrigo Duterte.”  But what else could he have said?
A week after Digong arrived from his China trip, Ramos resigned as special envoy to China.  But for whatever official reasons why Ramos quit, it will surprise no one if the real reason for his resignation is that Duster has become “toxic” – that is, politically hazardous -- and has to dissociate and distance himself from him.  Ramos, a West Point graduate, a retired Lt. General, hero of the EDSA People Power Revolution, and former president of the Philippines, is undoubtedly pro-American and anti-communist, which would certainly make China’s leaders uneasy in dealing with him. 
In an article reported in the Asia Times titled, “Has the Philippines blown its South China Sea win?” (November 2, 2016), it said: “The price the archipelago nation has paid -- or will pay -- for his China pivot is also enormous. Besides economic and military separation from America, the Philippines’ long-standing and most important ally, which will likely negatively impact his country in the long-term, if it is materialized, he has made substantial maritime and territorial concessions.
“With such lavish deals agreed with China, coupled with Beijing’s claim of its inherent and indisputable sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, its opposition to the arbitration case and Duterte’s alienation of the Philippines’ key  international partners and allies, the prospect that China will comply fully or even partly with the ruling has become unthinkable.”
And this raises the question: Did China trick Digong into giving up so much for so little in return?  It seems like it.
(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)


Northern Philippine Times
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Burying Marcos

November 16, 2016, 9:06 pm
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EDITORIAL

The decision of the Supreme Court Tuesday to allow former President
Ferdinand Marcos buried at the national heroes' cemetery, in a hugely controversial verdict, critics warned, would whitewash his crimes and divide the nation.
The judges voted with a clear majority to endorse President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to allow the burial at the "Cemetery of Heroes" in Manila, court spokesman Theodore Te told reporters.
"There is no law that prohibits the burial," Te said. Marcos ruled the country for two decades until 1986, when millions of people took to the streets in a "People Power" revolution that forced him and his family into US exile.
Marcos, his wife, Imelda, and their cronies had been accused of plundering up to $10 billion from state coffers during his rule. Widespread human rights abuses were also done to maintain his control of the country and enable his plundering, with thousands of people killed and tortured, previous Philippine governments said.
Anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International in 2004 named Marcos the second most corrupt leader of all time. Marcos died in Hawaii in 1989 and his family had since tried to have him buried at the heroes' cemetery, where other presidents and celebrated military figures are interned.
The family has enjoyed a remarkable political comeback that saw his son and namesake, Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, become a senator, then almost win the vice presidency this year.
However previous presidents had refused to allow the burial because of Marcos's crimes, and the preserved body had been kept in a glass casket at his home in the northern province of Ilocos Norte.
The family's fortunes changed with the election of Duterte, a longtime ally of the Marcos family, as president in May this year. He said Marcos deserved to be buried at the heroes' cemetery based simply on the fact he had been a president and a veteran of World War II.
Duterte also said he owed loyalty to the family because his father served in the Marcos government and the family had helped to fund his election campaign.
Immediately celebrating the verdict, Bongbong Marcos said the nation of 100 million people would now be able to put past controversies behind it.
"It is in our belief a very important step for the healing process in the political arena of our country," Marcos told CNN Philippines.
"I think this will be the beginning of bringing the country together and uniting the country." But the immediate reaction from Marcos critics signaled otherwise.
"The decision intends to effectively wipe the Marcos slate clean and negate the sacrifices of the thousands of brave souls who fought and suffered under the brutal Marcos dictatorship," Sen. Risa Hontiveros said.
Marcos's war record is one of contentious issues of the debate about whether he should be buried at the Heroes' Cemetery.
Marcos claimed to have been a decorated World War II hero leading a guerrilla force against Japanese occupiers. But historians have largely discredited those claims.

Following the SC decision allowing the burial of Marcos at Libingan ng mga Bayani, the coming days will determine whether upheavals would further divide the country. 
Northern Philippine Times
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Tabuk City tourism officer wins 2016 ATOP Awards

November 16, 2016, 9:26 pm
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By Larry T. Lopez

TABUK CITY, Kalinga  – Tabuk City tourism officer Arlene Ethel Odiem   won  the 2016 “National most outstanding tourism officer award,” city category  given by Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) recently.
Tabuk City Tourism Office also won “best tourism-event adventure and best practices on community-based responsible tourism campaign.
For tourism-event adventure, the city’s entry was “Naneng village community life tour adventure, a project jointly promoted by the city local government unit and  Department of Tourism wherein tourists and guests experience immersing into the village life of the Naneng community with their rituals, music, dances and ethnic cuisine.
On BPCRTC, the city’s entry was the institutionalized “Kumustahang turismo sa barangay”   to develop and increase grassroot awareness on tourism development.
Through this project, the city-LGU holds community-based consultations to gather people’s pulse and needs as basis to formulate responsive city tourism programs, Odiem said.
       Barangay tourism councils were organized and strengthened through seminar-workshops, tourism product development trainings, promotion of barangay festivals and exploration of other natural attractions.
The effort, Odiem said, contributed largely to tourism industry gaining headway in the city.
The ATOP Awards  is an annual search  done under the DOT’s National Pearl Award , which cites outstanding tourism officers and best tourism practices in the country through various tourism projects and innovations. 



Northern Philippine Times
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Public warned against buying Dairy Farm lands

November 16, 2016, 9:27 pm
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By Dexter A. See 

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan warned individuals wanting to own real properties in the city against buying lands located within the 92-hectare Baguio Dairy Farm because no part of that government property is for sale.
            The local chief executive revealed a number of individuals have sought his advice regarding properties being sold within the Baguio Dairy Farm. He reminded prospective buyers that there is an impending demolition of the over 350 illegal structures that were built within the government property.
            “We call on the public not to buy lands being sold by enterprising informal settlers in the Baguio Dairy Farm because these sales are illegal and in gross violation of existing laws, rules and regulations. Sellers of lands in the area have no actual proof of ownership of the properties they are selling.”
            He instructed the City Legal Office to set a meeting with the Office of the Solicitor-General, the court sheriff, officials of the agriculture department and other concerned offices of the local government to finalize the details on how to implement the demolition order against the informal settlers after this was upheld by a local court.
            Domogan disclosed enterprising informal settlers are selling parcels of land and their shanties in the Baguio Dairy Farm to willing buyers for as low as P50,000.
            Last year, the Cordillera office of the Department of Agriculture (DA-CAR), the City Government of Baguio and the Tuba Municipal government conducted a joint census of the illegal structures erected by informal settlers within the Baguio Dairy Farm after a local court upheld the demolition order against these structures with finality.
            Domogan explained the sale of the illegally occupied lots within the government property allegedly led to the death of one of the leaders of the informal settlers, thus, the need for the concerned government agencies to immediately enforce the demolition of the illegal structures to prevent more complications once more illegal land sales will be made on unsuspecting individuals.
            Earlier, the Presidential Commission on Urban Poor (PCUP) conducted a pre-demolition conference with the local government, the DA-CAR and the affected informal settlers in preparation for the eventual eviction of the latter who built structures over portions of the government property.
            Domogan urged individuals wanting to own properties in the different parts of the city to validate the authenticity of the proof of ownership being shown to them by the sellers with relevant government agencies before shelling out their hard-earned money.

            He claimed there are numerous enterprising land speculators in the city who were able to cart away millions of pesos of the hard-earned money of unwitting buyers, and he reminds the public to be more circumspect in buying lands being sold at cheap prices.
Northern Philippine Times
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Court declares BIBAK demolition order valid

November 16, 2016, 9:27 pm
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By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – The Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch V here declared as valid the demolition order issued by the city government for the dismantling of structures at the government-owned  Benguet-Ifugao-Bontoc-Apayao-Kalinga (BIBAK) lot along Harrison Road.
In a seven-page decision issued October 28, 2016, Presiding Judge Maria Ligaya Itliong-Rivera dismissed the two cases filed by BIBAK lot occupants aimed at stopping the city government from implementing Demolition Order No. 24 series of 2015 directing the clearing of some illegal structures in the area.
The court said the petitioners failed to show that respondents Mayor Mauricio Domogan, city administrator Carlos Canilao, city buildings and architecture office and the anti-squatting and anti-illegal structures committee  “committed grave abuse of discretion” in issuing said order.
“’An inalienable public land cannot be appropriated and thus may not be the proper object of possession.’  This pronouncement of the Highest Court of the land must, hence, put an end to this issue.  No right, is therefore, violated by the implementation of the DO 24,” the court stressed.
The court said the petitioners were “duly notified of the (order) and were directed to obtain or present the necessary permits over their structures.  Nonetheless, they failed to adduce any or prove that they exemption from the operation of the law.”   
The cases were docketed as Civil Case No. 8285-R filed by the Miranda family led by Manuel Miranda Jr. and Civil Case No. 8285-R filed by 46 occupants led by Eleanor San Pedro.
The Mirandas, according to the decision, tried to prove their long-time possession of the area they are occupying through a letter from a Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources employee but it was not enough, according to the court.
“Sadly, long-time possession, without more, cannot vest any right of ownership especially in this case where the property involved is not alienable and disposable,” the court said.
On the other case, the court said, “The petitioners in Civil Case No. 8286-R have miserably failed to show that the public respondents committed grave abuse of discretion in issuing (DO) No.l 24 and the Demolition Advice.”
The same court last Oct. 22 denied for the second time the petitioners’ motions for the issuance of a temporary restraining order to hold the demolition.
On Sept. 9, the court first denied the motion citing earlier rulings that the claimants have no right over the lot and thus over the structures they built on the area because they do not own the lot and their buildings were not authorized by the owner of the lot. 
Acting assistant city legal officer Hannah Calitong said the order “again confirmed the legality and propriety of the implementation of Demolition Order No. 24 series of 2015 directing the clearing of the so-called BIBAK lot.”
City legal officer Melchor Carlos Rabanes earlier told city department head that there is no more legal impediment for the city to pursue the demolition of structures on said lots despite questions from the Philippine Commission on Urban Poor (PCUP).
City administrator and city anti-squatting committee chair Carlos Canilao informed the mayor that the PCUP asked the city to verify if there were occupants belonging to the urban poor.  The mayor said that based on the city’s investigation and as verified from the city’s master list based on the census conducted earlier, none of the affected parties can qualify as members of the urban poor.
Canilao earlier said they will prepare for the implementation of the demolition order and will call the stakeholders for a meeting to prepare the requirements on budget, manpower and equipment.
Canilao said no less than the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) offered to help the city by volunteering their personnel and committing fund augmentation to undertake the demolition.
The city will also enlist the help of the BCPO and the military reservists for the task.
The demolition scheduled last September was put on hold after the new administration of the NCIP intervened anew informing of the Duterte administration’s policies on demolition.
Domogan immediately apprised PCUP officer-in-charge Dr. Melissa Aradanas on the status of the lot and the circumstances that led to the city government’s action.
He said the move is backed by ample investigations that proved that the occupants of the structures do not have building permits and that they are not members of the urban poor and are using their structures for business purposes without care for sanitation and order.
The clearing of the area is also sanctioned by the Regional Development Council-Cordillera Administrative Region (RDC-CAR) and the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources-Cordillera that said the “petitioners occupation has no legal basis and neither can they qualify as beneficiaries under (Republic Act) No. 10023 (Act Authorizing the Issuance of Free Patents to Residential Lands) because the lot is not alienable and disposable.  

Last year, the PCUP under the old administration asked the city to defer the dismantling operation pointing out the need to observe proper procedures and to ensure that the rights of the owners will not be violated.  The body, after conducting their own investigation, withdrew their objection after proving the city’s cause. 
Northern Philippine Times
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Davao gives typhoon aid to Mt. Province

November 16, 2016, 9:29 pm
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By Andrew Doga-ong       

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- The city government of Davao has given financial assistance to this province, one of the hardest-hit provinces  by super typhoon Lawin recently.
Davao City disaster risk reduction and management office head Emmanuel Jaldon, Lyndon Leovee Ancajas of the same office and Virgilio San Pedro of the Davao City treasurer’s office, travelled to Mountain Province to personally hand over the financial aid.
On hand to receive the check worth P350,000 at the PDRRMO center here were Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan, Jr. and personnel led by PDRRM officer lawyer Edward Chumawar, Jr.
Lacwasan  expressed the province’s gratitude to the city government of Davao for their concern saying their financial assistance would be a great help for the province to cope with losses and restore damages wrought by super typhoon Lawin.
Mountain Province was devastated by Lawin with major roads closed to vehicular traffic for several days due to washouts, landslides, damaged bridges, toppled electric poles and felled trees. 
The province had no electricity for almost a week due to toppled electric posts/poles of both National Grid Corp. of the Philippines and the Mt. Province Electric Cooperative. 
Aside from damages on infrastructure, the province also incurred almost a P100 million worth of damages in agriculture mostly in agricultural municipalities of Bauko and Paracelis.  
        Lawin also left almost 700 houses partially damaged and about 30 houses totally destroyed.

        Mt. Province and four other Cordillera provinces were placed under state of calamity. 
Northern Philippine Times
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NEWS BRIEFS

November 16, 2016, 9:42 pm
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DepEd: No collection policy in public schools
BANGUED, Abra --  The Department of Education Schools Division Office  reiterated to schools and the community strict compliance on “no collection policy”
Due to queries received by SDO from parents regarding this matter, Jan Nowel Peña, DepEd chief of social mobilization and networking section, there is no collection or contribution upon enrolment especially from Kindergarten to Grade IV pursuant to DepEd Order No. 41, s. 2012.”
“However there is an acknowledged or authorized collection such as Boy Scout of the Philippines, Girl Scout of the Philippines, Philippine Red Cross, Anti-TB Fund, Parent-Teacher Association, school publication and membership to school organization.
Collection, especially on the last three items however is based on existing rules and regulations of respective schools and should not reach an extortionate amount. -- Ginalyn B. Brioso

Shabu most used illegal drug in Baguio City
BAGUIO CITY -- Methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) remains the most abused drug here followed by marijuana as reported by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency -Cordillera.
During  recent meeting of the city human rights, justice, peace and order council, Joseph Calulut, PDEA information officer,   said based on intelligence summary ,  shabu being used or sold in the city comes from Region 1, Region 3 and National Capital Region while marijuana comes from Benguet and Kalinga.
Calulut said shabu is being sold at P5,025 per gram in Baguio City,   P5,800/ g in Abra,; P5,728/ g in Apayao; P5,250 /g in Ifugao and   Kalinga  and  P5,300/g in  Mountain  Province
He said there was no reported incident involving illicit chemical diversion of controlled precursors and essential chemicals (CPECs) in the city. 
PDEA is closely monitoring pharmacies, hospitals, private and public companies, schools, and other practitioners that handle CPECs to ensure these chemicals are being handled accordingly. -- Joseph b. Zambrano

5,296 examinees take criminology exam
The Board of Criminology and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Baguio Regional Office successfully conducted the Board Licensure Examination for Criminologists Oct.  28 to 31 in Baguio City and Rosales, Pangasinan.
Evangeline Marilyn V.C. Vergara, regional PRC officer in charge bared this saying    
5,296 examinees took the BLEC under supervision of PRC Baguio regional office -- 2,934 in Baguio and 2,362 in Rosales.
The BLEC is one of the biggest licensure examinations coordinated by the regional office. The BLEC was conducted for the third time in Rosales, Pangasinan where the PRC is establishing an office. The Rosales BLEC was held in cooperation with Abono Party List Rep. Conrado M. Estrella III, the Rosales Municipal Government through Mayor Susan Pagador-Casareno, the Philippine National Police, and the Department of Education.
Representatives from the Commission on Audit, the National Bureau of Investigation, PNP and the Philippine Criminologists Association of the Philippines witnessed the counting and shredding of BLEC test booklets after the examinations.
The exam results are estimated to be released after 26 working days. Examinees can verify their grades/ratings at www.prc.gov.ph by clicking Online Verification of Ratings (OVR), using their Application Number.

Guard cited for honesty
ANGELES CITY– A security guard of the SM Clark here has been commended for returning a mobile phone he found at the mall’s cinema.
The mall management cited Rolit Cuenca, supervisor of SM City Clark Customer Relations Service, for his honesty.
Cuenca and fellow guard Rizal Marimla were inspecting the cinema at around 11 p.m. on Oct. 30 when he found an iPhone 6S on one of the seats.
The guards waited at the cinema as they were expecting the phone’s owner to return.
The owner did not show up that night, prompting Cuenca to bring the phone to the CRS office. 
The phone’s owner – Shiela Lujero, 25 ­– showed up at the CRS, inquiring about her gadget. Lujero thanked Cuenca and the mall management. -- – Ric Sapnu

Sabangan OFW training scheduled November 14
SABANGAN, Mountain Province -- Overseas Filipino Workers returnees here
will hold planning and orientation workshop on Nov. 14 after Overseas Workers Welfare Administration regional director Evelyn C. Laranang approved.
Dina C. Ponciano, of OWWA regional office said the event will be held as it was endorsed by Mayor Venancio E. Lipawen.  
One hundred former OFWs will attend the activity.
Edna Banga-an of OWWA will be expounding on their programs for former OFWs.   
Leonado “Nards” Doguil, of Dept. of Labor and Employment provincial office, signified his willingness to extend assistance and orient 54 TUPAD (Tulung Pangkabuhayan for Disadvantaged sector) workers employed by DOLE. He said he could orient former OFWs about DOLE’s existing program and assist them register their organization with their office so they could easily avail on their projects and programs.  Mayor Lipawen promised to invite him.

19 drug surrenderees graduate welding course
SAN GABRIEL, La Union – Nineteen drug suspects who surrendered under Oplan Tokhang here finished a welding course offered by the local government and conducted by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
Chief Inspector Silverio Ordinado Jr., La Union police information officer, said the drug surrenderees received their certificates on Oct. 28.
The graduates received around P300,000 worth of welding projects from the San Gabriel municipal government  and a set of welding machines from former congressman Victor Ortega.
“Originally there were 20, but one of them was gunned down by unidentified men after the victim allegedly continued his illegal activity,” Ordinado said.
La Union Gov. Francisco Emmanel Ortega III earlier signed an ordinance providing educational and livelihood assistance for drug surrenderees. – June Elias

12 Baguio senior citizens get Gintong Tala award 
BAGUIO CITY -- The city government, through the City Social Welfare and Development Office and Office of Senior Citizens Affairs, in partnership with the Baguio Elderly Assembly awarded 12 outstanding  senior citizens of Baguio the 2016 Gintong Tala Luminaries Award at the BARP Center last Oct. 29.
Awardees were Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - Baguio Stakes President Edison Cabrito for religious and spiritual service; former city councilor lawyer  Betty Lourdes Tabanda, retired city engineer  Leo Bernardez, and City Prosecutor Elmer Sagsago for government service;  Dr. Romeo O Abiog for field of medicine; former City Police Director  Roberto C. Ortega for peace and order; DepEd Chief Education Supervisor Dr. Elma Donaal for education ; Michael Del Rosario for business and trade; former DOT supervising tourism officer Edgar Jularbal for tourism and special events; FBASECA president Edita Ibarra for civic and social services; former Philippines News Agency  Baguio Bureau head  lawyer  Aurelio A. Galacgac for journalism,  and Phl Team world tenpin bowling champion Rebecca “BecBec” Watanabe for sports. – Carlito Dar

Ilocos Norte seeks to give free college education
LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte – This province is on its way of becoming the first province in the country offering free college education. Gov. Imee Marcos announced that the provincial government will seek to provide free college education for Ilocano youth.
Emphasizing the importance of access to higher education, she said, “Ang pangarap ko bilang gobernador ay makapagbigay ng libreng college education. Free college is possible, and all poor but deserving students can graduate.”
Marcos bared this during her recent state of the province address.
“Daydi tatang ko, ni Apo Presidente Ferdinand Marcos, nangi-libre iti high school, sapay koma ta siyak nga anak na iti mangilibren to met iti kolehiyo (My father President Ferdinand Marcos provided free high school education. As her daughter, I hope I can provide free higher education,” the governor said.
The provincial government, together with state-run Mariano Marcos State University, will shoulder an estimate of P30 million worth of school fees for less fortunate students.
“We and the Ilocano youth thank Gov. Imee Marcos for the vision of providing free college education. Every Ilocano family dreams of having at least one member to finish college, and that goal will become possible through Ilocos Norte’s free college education,” said James Ceasar Ventura, director of Ilocos Norte Youth Office (INYO).
He added that Marcos has always been a firm believer that education is the key to improving the quality of lives of Ilocanos, especially those coming from low-income families.
Recently, INYO opened 5,000 slots for the “Asikaso ni Manang Imee Tuition-for-work Program” which aims to provide financial assistance to students whose families were affected by Super typhoon Lawin.
More than 200 private college students, mostly children of farmers and fisherfolks, already received P5,000 financial assistance.
For the present semester, at least 1,099 scholars are being sponsored by PGIN.
The Provincial Budget Office has allotted a total of P22 million for the provincial government’s scholarship program for the year 2017.

DOLE sets ‘one stop service center’ for OFWs in Baguio
BAGUIO CITY- - Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III  led launching of  One Stop Service Center for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs)  at the Baguio Convention Center  here Oct.  29.
Bello signed a memorandum of agreement with Mayor Mauricio Domogan for the operation of the OSSCO to bring  needed services of OFWs in one place with the center housing a service desk for DOLE and its attached agencies namely the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and Professional Regulation Commission.
It also includes   service desk for Department of Foreign Affair, Philheath, Social Security System, Baguio Public Employment Service Authority, Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, PAGIBIG, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Philippine Statistics Authority, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority.
         Bello said establishment of OSSCO in different parts of the country was government’s way to give recognition to the valuable contribution of OFWs to the country through the provision of good service, security and protection.
 Bello also announced that through the directive of President Duterte, the government will be establishing an OFW Bank.  He said the government is planning to acquire the Philippine Postal Bank for such purpose.
Through OWWA, OFWs have P19.8 billion on thrust fund and at the same time, he added. -- Carlito C. Dar

Senior high school buildings turned over to 2 Ifugao schools 
ALFONSO LISTA, Ifugao -- Two national high schools in the province have now their own Senior High School (SHS) buildings.  
The two storey SHS buildings consisting of six classrooms were turned over to Namillangan National High School (NNHS) and Sta. Maria National High School –main (SMNHS) after the inauguration ceremony witnessed by elected and community leaders, and other government officials.
 NNHS and SMNHS principals Doris Agbayani and Eunice Ann Puguon respectively received the ceremonial keys of said educational facilities. 
The buildings with a total funding of P16.8 million  under the “Basic Educational Facilities Fund (BEFF) Batch 1 project of the government was  implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways  – Ifugao District Engineering Office 2 (DEO-2).
        District Engineer Charles Sokoken, Sr. said that the national government has provided 14 school buildings to Ifugao DEO-2 with a total funding of P98 million. Seven are completed while the remaining seven are still under construction.  
He said four school buildings worth P45 million will be constructed at SMNHS compound. These include two units of two-storey twelve classroom buildings, a two-storey eight classrooms building and one-storey two classroom Technical - Vocational building. SMNHS has the biggest population in the Division of Ifugao.

Kalinga DENR hires 194 forest guards
TABUK CITY, Kalinga --  The provincial office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources here recently hired  194  forest guards under job order  to  patrol  existing forests and reforestation projects.
Dennis Daligdig, chief   administrative officer, said 169 were hired as “bantay gubat” and 25 as forest protection officers (14 for Pinukpuk CENRO and 11 for Tabuk CENRO).  They are tasked to protect the forests and reforested areas especially from man-made hazards.
Meanwhile, Forester Magdalena Buyugan informed that they are now on the planting stage   of the National Greening Program (NGP) project this year.
The NGP which started in 2011 is one of the commitments of the Philippine government under the Aquino administration on the global action to mitigate climate change and global warming, is now on its fifth year of implementation.
Bayugan admitted there are some projects under NGP that failed but   there are also model plantations citing Kapanikian and Kalbayan in Pinukpuk; Balong this city; and Sisim in Rizal.
“Since the community people are our partner through their membership to people’s organizations, we appeal for your help in their implementation and protection,” Buyugan said.  She added that contracted POs are continuing the restoration of some burned areas.
Bayugan said they have increased their target NGP area in 2017 to 4,644 hectares for planting to specific species like bamboo, high value crops and fruit trees.  She said they are now on site validation to determine the suitability of these tree species to the soil. -- Peter A. Balocnit

Benguet overshoots rabies vaccination target
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The free massive anti-rabies vaccination campaign in the province was successfully conducted even overshooting its target.
An interagency collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, Department of Education, Department of Interior and Local Government and municipal local governments, the anti-rabies campaign led by the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian, started in March as part of Anti-rabies Awareness Month observance and extended until June.
Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Miriam Tiongan said they have exceeded the target of the dog population by 7.34 percent which is above the national target of 70% and the region’s target of 80%.
`Of the total dog population of 35,069 in the 13 towns of the province, 30,628 dogs were vaccinated.
The capital town of La Trinidad had the highest number of dogs vaccinated with 6,479 out of the   7,652 dogs.
Other towns that had high rate of vaccination are   Bakun, Kapangan and Buguias. The campaign is aimed to eradicate rabies by 2020. Fortunately, no rabid dog case is recorded this year so far, Tiongan said.
The OPVet is still doing vaccination but with minimal charge. The Office  is also conducting information education and administering spay and neuter to control dog population. -- Susan C. Aro

Baguio posts 82% passing
rate in 2016 A&E exam
BAGUIO CITY- - The Department of Education – Alternative Learning System(ALS) Baguio Division again registered the highest passing rate in the April 17 Accreditation and Equivalency examination in the region  with an average of 82.78 percent for the elementary and secondary levels.
ALS Baguio Education program supervisor Arthur Tiongan said 42 out of their 45 (93.33%) examinees for the   elementary level while 410 out of the 501 takers in the secondary level passed the exam.
Passers include eight of nine examinees from the Baguio City Jail.
            Ifugao was second with a passing rate of 62.44% with 11 out of the 24 examinees in elementary and 732 out of the 1166 in high school passing the exam.
Mountain Province followed at third with 58.92% passing mark with 13 out 39 in the elem.  level and 357 out of 589 in the high school level making it.
Abra and Benguet followed closely with 57.58 and 57.16%, respectively, then Apayao at 43.05%, and Kalinga at 27.25%.  The Schools Division of Tabuk City registered 36.49% passing rate.
Overall, there are 130 elementary passers and 5,906 high school level passers in the region.
Tiongan explained these A & E passers will get their DepEd elementary and high school diplomas equivalent to those who finished basic education and can enroll in higher level.
       ALS A&E test is a paper and pencil examination designed to measure the competencies of those who have neither attended nor finished elementary or secondary education in the formal school system. Passers are given a DepEd certificate/diploma certifying their competencies as comparable graduates of the formal school system
“Those who passed the elementary level can now go to high school, while those who passed the secondary can either take technical – vocation education or college courses”, he  said.  -- Carlito Dar

CCTV cameras  installed  in Kalinga’s main road 
TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The city-government had installed closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras along the provincial road leading to the city proper in a bid to strengthen its anti-criminality and traffic management efforts.
City Public Order and Safety Officer (POSO) Dionisio Falgui III informed there are 15 CCTV units installed at strategic points of the 7-kilometer road to help in the solution of cases, mostly traffic-related, that usually occur in the area. 
The CCTVs are operational under two centralized monitoring stations at the police provincial command and city POSO.
Falgui disclosed that the city government has approved an additional fund for the extension of the project to cover the entire stretch of the road up to the farthest barangay in Balong.
He also revealed the plan to install CCTV cameras near schools.
Police intelligence reports indicated that drug pushers are targeting schools in their illegal trade.
Other sites in the city earlier installed with CCTVs include public markets, landmarks, PNP compact posts, city hall compound and other crowded areas. 
In a related report, the provincial government recently held the blessing of the four-lane improvement project of the provincial road.  
Funds used for the project constructed in phases came from the province’s cash incentives on the Seal of Good Local Governance Award from the Department of Interior and Local Government for three years. --      Larry T. Lopez

Ifugaos sustain traditional
forest management system
LAGAWE, Ifugao – This age when technology has invaded all aspects of life, Ifugaos are proud of still practicing the muyong, the traditional way of preserving the forest.
The “muyong” system   revolves around the concept of protecting the forest as watershed and preserving its flora and fauna, its wildlife and keeping the ecological balance. 
It is a private or clan-owned woodlot, which serves as a “forest zone where people can gather firewood and lumber for their house-building needs through selective harvesting.
The ‘muyong’ is one of Ifugao’s living tradition that is passed from generation to generation,” he said.
The vital water systems that irrigate the province’s famed rice terraces come from watersheds and headwaters, which traditionally have been maintained through the muyong approach.
Local officials said the muyong system should be replicated in other parts of the country as a solution to water shortage, floods, landslides that kill thousands of people every year. -- JDP/JBZ

Tabuk City shifts to high-tech waste management system
TABUK CITY, Kalinga- - This city is now going high tech in its waste management system.
The local government unit   has shifted to Technology for Waste Diversion Facility and installed a granulator “Markell” machine for the processing of bio and non-bio waste materials at its Dilag open dump site in Sitio Bayabay this city.
Salud Lammawin, City Environment and Natural Resources Officer, said the machine worth P6.5 million will reduce the garbage disposed at the site. She said the supplier has already conducted training on the operation of the diesel fuel-run waste processing equipment.
Other facilities currently being constructed in the area are a materials recovery facility (MRF) and a composting unit amounting to P1 million and P500, 000.00, funded respectively by the LGU.
The installation of these facilities is in compliance with the provisions of Republic Act 9003 known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
            Lammawin  also bared  rehabilitation of   dump site is underway with the  city government  providing P3 million funding for the first quarter this year particularly for  initial perimeter fencing, leachate pond, high density polyethylene (HDPE) liner, retaining wall,  guard house, gate, billboard, and  gas vent among others. -- Peter A. Balocnit

DOLE allots P6 million for 16 Kalinga groups
TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- Sixteen associations are set  to  receive financial assistance for livelihood projects from the Department of Labor and Employment.
Dr. Alexander Gumabol, DOLE provincial office head here, said they are preparing the checks worth around P6 million for distribution to livelihood proponents, mostly farmer groups needing post-harvest facilities.
Organizations to be given post-harvest facilities are San Isidro Farmers Asso. of Magabbangon (P352,700.00); Lumawig Clan of Pinukpuk (P481,000); Talac Yellow Corn Upland Rice of Gogbgog(P350,000); Matagoan Lapata of Tabuk(P350,000); Mengawisan Association of Masablang(P500,000); Bulitnao Tourism Manggayadan Farmers of Magnao(P353,000); Purok 3 Matayog Farmers(P200,000); Saltan Organic Farmers(P50,000); Amlao Farmers(P450,000); Guringad-Tope Clan(P350,000); Sumadel 1 Livelihood(P420,000), and Pakawit Pumiyaan(P350,000).
Others with different livelihood are Tuga National High School (P403, 050) for bakery and pastry making; Tabuk Ornamentals, Landscaping and Nursery Livelihood (P485, 000); Purok 3 Bulanao Indigent, Tourism, Handicraft Asso. (P383, 000), and Naneng Rural Improvement Club on red rice processing (P326, 000).
These projects  will have immediate impact on employment of members and additional income for their families, Gumabol said. -- Peter A. Balocnit

Ifugao farmers groups train on livestock raising
ASIPULO, Ifugao -- Members of two farmers organizations from this town and  Hingyon municipality underwent a training on poultry and swine production and hands-on preparation of fermented feeds  conducted by the Provincial Veterinary Officer (PVET).
The farmers were given lectures on the health and economic significance of utilizing home-made or processed fermented feeds for their poultry and livestock industry, good animal husbandry practices, animal health management and the various animal diseases such as the New Castle Disease of poultry and fowls.
There was also hands-on demonstration on how to process their own organic feeds using   raw and indigenous foodstuff that abound in the area.
The 22 members of the Haliap Farmers Organization of this municipality who attended the training received 13 piglets as their animal dispersal while the 23 members of the Bitu Resource Cooperative and Development Association, Inc. given 19 piglets.
PVET training coordinator Ferdinand Dunuan said that the project was funded by the Department of Agriculture which is mandated to exclusively promote organic agriculture in the country pursuant to Republic Act 10068. -- Daniel B. Codamon

Doctor pushes diabetes prevention among children
BAGUIO CITY -- Diabetes is now a global concern and intensive education among young ones who are potential victims, is still best prevention,
Dr. Domingo Solimen of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC)   said  during the Department of Health media forum last week.
The World Health Organization figues said  350 million people with diabetes around the globe, and disease is the direct cause of around 1.5 million deaths.
Solimen said diabetes, a non-communicable disease that is due to high blood sugar level, is the number one cause of kidney failure.  
At BGHMC, 60 percent of their dialysis patients are due to diabetic complications, he bared.
Diabetes is also considered risk factor to heart attack, blindness and traumatic amputation.
Diabetic complications can be fatal but the disease is also highly preventable and treatable especially if detected early on.
As a preventive measure, Solimen said their intensive information and education campaign is focused on orienting elementary pupils of healthy lifestyle given that obesity, a risk factor for diabetes, is now prevalent among children.
Obesity in the younger ages is related to the manifestation of diabetes in their adulthood, he said.
Solimen advised the general public to maintain a healthy lifestyle and have a balanced diet which includes avoiding salty foods, too much sweets and frozen foods, as well as smoking.
He also advised  diabetic family members and those feeling the symptoms (that include frequent urination, increased thirst and increased hunger) to have their blood sugar checked.
This year’s   World Health Day on April 7 focuses on diabetes with the theme, “Beat Diabetes” to scale up diabetes prevention, strengthen care and enhance surveillance. --  Leo  and G. Montecastro

Kalinga barangays, schools set sites for pre-fab health stations
TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- Recipient barangays and schools of pre-fabricated barangay health stations (BHS) in the province are now busy identifying and preparing the sites.
Dr. Bernadette Andaya of the Center for Health Development reported that    barangay Dangtalan in Pasil was the first to prepare and concrete the site.
Andaya bared that the pre-fab BHS is 12x18 feet or 50sq.m. in dimension and  worth P240, 000.00. 
The pre-fab BHS project is funded under the Department of Health’s (DOH) Tamang Serbisyo sa Kalusugan ng Pamilya or TSeKaP .
She said a joint memorandum of agreement was forged between DOH, the Department of Education and barangay local government units. 
The nationwide construction of said BHS projects is contracted by a single contractor. An engineer will be hired per province to supervise project implementation, she added.
TSeKaP  strengthens  health systems; increase the efficiency and effectiveness of delivery of basic health services and enable a more equitable distribution of national health programs through the government’s Daang Matuwid Program
In another development, Andaya announced that DOH Sec. Janette Garin will visit Kalinga in April to distribute medical equipment packages to rural health units, and barangay health stations. – Peter Balocnit

NFA-Kalinga urges bigasan outlets to renew permits
TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The National Food Authority (NFA) provincial operation center here  urged bigasan operators to renew their permits in order to continuously to provide accessible and cheap rice.
Assistant  Provincial Manager Ric Baliang informed their office is open to renewal of 2016 permits to NFA-bigasan retail outlets and licenses for grains traders. 
NFA   is also accepting  new applications for its rice retail service especially in remote areas of the province where there is problem on accessibility.
There are at least 80 bigasan retailers stationed in various sites in the province selling NFA cheap quality rice at P27-32/kg, Baliang disclosed.
Baliang cleared there is no price adjustment in government rice but NFA allows minimal add-on cost to defray transportation expenses by retailers from far-flung barangays.
Meanwhile, the provincial NFA warehouse has a current inventory of 23,000 bags of rice, which according to Baliang is sufficient until the next quarter.
In the last cropping, NFA procured only 2,000 bags of palay due to the province’s low palay production arising from the irrigation crisis. 
Baliang hopes  their procurement operation would be back to normal with the resumption of regular operation of the National Irrigation Administration’s service in the province this cropping. -- Larry T. Lopez

DOST   provides baking tools to women’s group
PINUKPUK, Kalinga -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) provincial office here recently  provided  bakery equipment to Barangay Dugpa Kalipi (Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina) Organization this town for  its bakery project.
The Kalinga Science and Technology Center said their office provided P149, 000.00 for the purchase of one set oven, one set dough roller, one set dough kneader, and a blender while the proponent shared P140, 000.00 counterpart.
The group aims to produce baked products enriched with vegetables.
Raw material for the manufacture of baked products is not a problem since local raw products like malunggay and root crops are found in abundance in the place. Members of the organization will undergo training on good manufacturing practices from January 27-28.
            Meanwhile, Alfonso Berto, provincial DOST officer,  said they are processing approval of other proposals under the community-based program on Science and Technology Enhancement for the Advancement of Municipalities or STEAM. -- Peter A. Balocnit

Baguio sets regulations on use of ambulance
 BAGUIO CITY – The city government set regulations on the use of the three government-operated ambulance units serving the city’s constituents.
 In Administrative Order No. 112, Mayor Mauricio Domogan authorized the city treasurer’s office to collect fees from patients using city-owned ambulances for transport within and outside the city.
The fees will be minimal or “socialized” and will go to the maintenance of the vehicles, gasoline, meals for volunteers and toll fees.
The three ambulances are assigned in three separate offices – the health services office, the Bureau of Fire Protection and the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Committee (CDRRMC) under the city administrator’s office.
The HSO maintains the Baguio City Emergency Medical Services (BCEMS) as the pre-hospital emergency management arm of the CDRRMC which includes ambulance services under the Health Emergency Management System.
The mayor said while the BCEMS uses the HSO ambulance to transport patients for medical treatment at hospital facilities or referral for higher management within and outside the city, the transport of patients is not the priority function of BCEMS.
“As the pre-hospital emergency arm of CDRRMC, its main function is primarily emergency medical responders,” he said.
On payment of the regulatory fees, the process: applicants secure payment slips from the office where ambulance is assigned indicating the amount to be paid at the city treasury office. 
The offices will record all official receipts before transporting the patient and will prepare necessary official travel order for the personnel in the ambulance team to be signed by the department or assistant department head and approved by the city mayor.   
The city treasury office will collect the amount based on the payment slip issued by the concerned offices based on the following charges: For every trip within Baguio City, the client will pay P500 one way and for trips outside the city, the client will pay P75 per kilometer. – Aileen P. Refuerzo









Northern Philippine Times
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Portrait of a life of sharing

November 16, 2016, 9:44 pm
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COMMUNITY BILLBOARD
Vicente A. Sapguian

Despite the anguish and pain, Ramon Dacawi faces life with a smile. Himself now a dialysis patient tied to the dialysis machine four hours a day, four times a week, he still relates  humor stories that deeply provoke entertaining enlightenment and the smiles and laughters that remind one how sweet and precious life is.
This man amazingly radiates confidence and calm that is contagious to other troubled lives.
I am witness to countless instances when Dacawi would appeal for support for helpless  financially deprived patients. Most of those who would respond immediately are those who know him, of like hearts but would prefer to remain anonymous.
Of late, that he has to be confined almost monthly in the hospital, friends would hand him cash and insist that he use the money for himself. A luck, Dacawi keeps sharing it with his crowd of indigent patients who intermittently seek for hope even for just a while more of extended life on this plane.
One of Dacawi’s doctors observed that even if the sick man is barely conscious, some visiting relatives of those patients still find ways to whisper in his ears their desperation for  cash. This prompted one of his doctors to restrict visitors whenever he is confined in the hospital.  “I cannot ignore them all the time. Their needs are real and I understand,” Dacawi says.
It is inspiring to note that the culture of sharing and helping is passed and sustained by association from a good heart to another.
The Baguio City council has enacted Ordinance No. 44 S. 2016 approved by Mayor Mauricio Domogan providing to cosponsor a concert production by a loose group of Baguio- based artists led by sculptor Gilbert Gano Alberto.
The concert production will feature “a unique mixture of ethnic and contemporary dance and music highlighting people as instruments of promoting the value of life and environmental protection.”
Sculptor Alberto beams that the city council gave free use of the Baguio City Convention Center for the concert and stage production on November 25, 2016.  It also unanimously approved the exemption for the payment of amusement tax provided that the necessary permits are complied. This gesture from the city council and the concerted efforts of this loose group of artists boosts a lot of morale for our endeavor to extend help for the treatment of Mr. Dacawi, Alberto says.
I remember a story Ramon Dacawi related to me once.
During his high school days at the University of Baguio Science High, he often walks to and from school from their abode in Pacdal. One afternoon, he came home dripping wet from the rain. Mike Molintas, one of the leaders of the Pacdal pony boys engaged him in small talk asking him how he is doing in school.
The next Monday, Mike Molintas went to their house early in the morning as Ramon was preparing for school. He was holding a flesh brown jacket that Ramon noticed was well-washed and pressed not to mention its expensive quality.
“Nakitak nga adu nailugan mo iti kabalyo idi kalman nga Domingo. Mabalin gatangem  man daytoy jacket ko iti tallo pesos laeng ta masapul ko unay kuarta?”(I saw that you earned enough from your horse yesterday. Will you please buy my jacket for three pesos because I need money badly?) Molintas asked Dacawi.
Ramon took the jacket. He knew he needed it for his daily use against the cold weather. It puzzled him though why Mike Molintas was giving it to him for a very cheap price.
Later when Mike Molintas died of a lingering illness leaving a son suffering from congenital heart disease, Ramon swore in this kind man’s grave that the son will live.
Nino Joshua Molintas lives up to this day and has never escaped celebrating his birthday without Ramon Dacawi.


Northern Philippine Times
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Gov’t stifles ailing Abra power firm’s management

November 16, 2016, 9:52 pm
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Drug users to be fired          

By Maria Teresa B. Benas

BANGUED, Abra – Attempts by management of ailing Abra Electric Coop. to put its finances in order has ironically been stifled – by government intervention.
Attempts to streamline staffing of Abreco have been initiated the past years when complaints from general membership had been raised due to high cost of personal services.
However, with government intervention, the employees who have been fired were reinstated.
Based on Abreco rehabilitation plan, one major problem in its operation that surfaced remains the same, and that is over-staffing that incurred high cost in administrative operation.
Richard Tuzon, head of Abreco’s institutional services department said re-organization is still under study with help of National Electrification Administration, reason why NEA people visited the power firm recently to consult officials and staff.
It was found functions have to be determined as basis for staffing when re-organization will start.
Meanwhile, relative to Abreco operation and management and in support to President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s all-out war against illegal drugs, general manager Loreto P. Seares, Jr. led employees in drug test.
Tuzon, however, clarified news exposed by local police and media that  total number of employees that turned positive in the drug test was only 19 and not 90.
He said employees who turned positive in drug test are now undergoing rehabilitation.
After three months of rehabilitation, they will be subjected again to another drug test. 
If they will turn positive again, they will be forced to resign or dismissed automatically.  




Northern Philippine Times
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Ifugao State University guard shot in campus

November 16, 2016, 9:54 pm
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LAMUT, Ifugao – A security guard of the Ifugao State University here  is now in critical condition after he was shot Monday night in IFSU campus while on duty. 
A police report said around11:30 p.m., Ricky Wangag Nah-od, 26, IFSU security guard informed Lamut police through cellphone their co-security guard identified as  Albert Tuguinay Alindayo, 26, detailed at the Criminology Building, and resident of Lower Hucab, Kiangan town, was shot by unidentified suspect. 
       Investigation disclosed the victim reported for duty around 11 p.m. that night as alleged by outgoing security guard, Christopher Bang-agan Domingo.
Afterwards, Domingo reported to guards at main gate victim was shot by unidentified suspect.
       The two security guards in new shift rushed the victim to Panopdopan District Hospital but later referred to Veterans Regional Hospital in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya for medical treatment.
Domingo reportedly left the crime scene and went home to Hucab, Kiangan, when victim was brought to the hospital.
Police invited Domingo to Lamut police for investigation and he voluntarily surrendered his issued firearm Cal. 9X19MM with 16 bullets, logbook and handheld radio including Cal. 9mm handgun with four bullets.
Domingo voluntarily submitted himself for paraffin test at Ifugao Crime Laboratory Office as witnessed by barangay captain of Hucab, Kiangan, Leopoldo Gahilang Pinkihan.

        Case is still under investigation.
Northern Philippine Times
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MP gov pushes solution to vital road bridge mess

November 16, 2016, 9:55 pm
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SABANGAN, Mountain Province -- In a bid to resolve the issues surrounding the delayed Sabangan bridge construction and the temporary detour bridge and road and pave the way for the construction of a new bridge, Gov. Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr. recently requested the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to pass a resolution to request Highways Sec. Mark A. Villar to expedite construction of Sabangan bridge here..
River waters swelled during the onslaught of super typhoon Lawin that washed away the detour bridge and closed the main access route connecting the capital town of Bontoc, Sagada, Besao, Sadanga form the municipalities of Sabangan, Bauko and Tadian.
With the closure of the Chico Karayan bridge in Bontoc and the Banaue access route, access to the capital was then limited to the circuitous route of Nacawang Road, or through the province of Kalinga.
The closure of the Banaue and Sabangan routes has caused inconvenience and limited the movement of people and goods to several municipalities in the province, adversely affecting the local economy.
Even as the Chico Karayan bridge was later opened to light vehicles and a detour road built to replace the washed-out bridge, the economic cost of the temporary isolation of several municipalities resulted in economic losses to the affected communities.
Lacwasan was instrumental in the construction of the detour bridge, talking to the owners of the lots where the detour road passes, and assuring them that he shall bring their concerns to the proper authorities.
The lot owners lamented that they have not received remuneration for the use of their property since the old bridge was demolished in 2013 and the detour road and bridge was constructed.
The Mountain Province District Engineers Office confirmed this, with District Engineer Wilbur B. Likigan saying that there was no allotment intended for this.
In negotiations brokered by Lacwasan, Likigan told lot owners they will request funding for the payment or rental of the lots.
The negotiations subsequently led to the opening of the detour road with the replacement of the washed out bridge with reinforced concrete pipe culvert (RCPC) and backfilled with earth to form the road. 
The governor also requested the SP to pass a resolution acknowledging and commending the owners for allowing use of their lots to be the route of the detour road.
A contract for construction of the Sabangan bridge was awarded in 2013. However, the program of work (POW) of the contract was not approved and resulted in suspension of the contract.
Apparently, the POW was prepared by a Manila-based construction firm that was not cognizant of the local situation.

The governor requested the SP to ask Villar to authorize the DPWH-CAR, in collaboration with the DPWH-MPDEO, to prepare a revised POW that shall properly consider the realities on the site. -- MP PIO press release
Northern Philippine Times
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Nueva Ecija mayor, vice mayor survive ambush

November 16, 2016, 9:58 pm
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By Ding Cervantes

ARAYAT, Pampanga – The mayor and vice mayor of a town in Nueva Ecija were unhurt in an ambush along the national highway in this town on Wednesday.
Cabiao Mayor Ramil Rivera and Vice Mayor Angelito de la Cruz were in a convoy of three vehicles when they were waylaid in Barangay Tabuan at around 11:30 a.m.
De la Cruz’s driver Regalado Agao was hit in the back and remains confined in a hospital.
The car bore several bullet holes.

The gunmen escaped in a black car toward Nueva Ecija. Probers have yet to determine the firearms used and identity of gunmen. 
Northern Philippine Times
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Kalinga ‘bodong’ heads tapped in drug campaign

November 16, 2016, 9:59 pm
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By Peter A. Balocnit

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Around 100 “bodong” or peace pact holders of this province are now being tapped by government in its anti-drug campaign including  civil society and academe.     
This is the core strategy  of ‘Sulong Pilipinas’ of the Duterte administration   in its intensified campaign against illegal drugs, corruption and criminality in the country. 
Aside from the police, it involves local government units and communities in the campaign to improve peace and order in their respective communities to usher development..
Mayer Adong, provincial director of Department of the Interior and Local Government, in media forum told Provincial Peace and Order Council, that one of the strategies to achieve a 100 percent reduction in number of drug users in the province is involving active participation of “Bodong” holders.
In the plan are information and education campaigns on illegal drug during an upcoming bodong summit.
Bodong is a bilateral peacepact between two sub-tribes and has a key holder of responsibility to enforce its provisions (pagta) including at present the prohibition on sale and use of illegal drugs to and among bodong subjects.
Also tapped as  partners in campaign against drug abuse were Kalinga-Apayao Religious Sector Association and Shalom Kalinga, a moral recovery group involved in rehabilitation of drug users.
Mayer also named the Kalinga State University, other colleges and Department of Education for advocacy on drug laws particularly on  Republic Act  9165 to students and adoption of Drug Abuse Resistance Education or DARE in the elementary grades and high school.
To eradicate supply of marijuana which is abundant in the province and control established supply chains, communities were urged to conduct clearing operations on known marijuana plantations and for local legislative councils enact ordinances against drug transport.
Meanwhile, the “Pumiyaan” anti-poverty convergence program of the provincial LGU and partner-national government agencies shall expand its coverage to include marijuana-producing barangays.
This is to encourage producers to stop their illegal trade and divert them to engage in legitimate livelihood offered under the program.

One performance target to deliver Kalinga’s share in Sulong Pilipinas by the end of 2016 is the institutionalization of functional Mamamayan Ayaw sa Iligal na Droga or MASA-MASID in 152 barangays of the province. 
Northern Philippine Times
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More drug suspects slain in North Luzon

November 16, 2016, 10:02 pm
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3 dead in Baguio 

THE BODY COUNT of drug suspects killed last week allegedly by government lawmen, vigilantes or those out to even a score has continued to pile up. 
In Baguio City, jeepney driver Dante Castro, 44, alias Boying Bato, was shot dead by one of his passengers along West Bayan Park, Aurora Hill on Wednesday. 

        Chief Insp. Gil Imado, Station 6 chief, said Castro was on their drug watchlist and surrendered under Oplan Tokhang in July.
Imado said the mobile phone of the fatality showed his illegal drug transactions.
       A man who has yet to be identified was also found dead along the road in Baguio  Tuesday.
       Supt. Rodrigo Leal of the Baguio City scene of the crime operatives said the victim bore two gunshot wounds in the neck.
Leal said three sachets of shabu were found in the pocket of the victim.
       Meanwhile, drug suspect Romel Maipili, 34 was wounded Tuesday while he was walking at the Baguio City public market when two men wearing bonnets opened fire. He was in barangay drug list and earlier surrendered to police.
Sensinado Taloza, councilman of Barangay Paddaya in Aparri, Cagayan was arrested during a raid on his house Thursday.
         Chief Insp. Pepito Mendoza, Aparri police chief, said the raid was based on a search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Conrado Tabaco.
Glen Liberato, 35, who was ranked second on the drug watchlist of Sta. Ana town in Cagayan, and newly identified drug suspects Michael Braceros, 39, and Rodolfo Valderama, 35, were arrested during a pot session in Barangay Tangatan on Wednesday. 

Larry Arnedo, 40, also on the drug watchlist, was collared in Barangay San Gabriel in Tuguegarao, Cagayan on Wednesday.
        In Bulacan, Manuel Bobila, 36, was walking in Barangay Abangan Sur in Marilao, when unidentified men fired at him Thursday.
The assailants left a piece of cardboard identifying the fatality as a drug pusher.
Jinwel Legaspi, alias Zapra, was slain in an alleged shootout with police during a sting in Barangay Caingin in Bocaue.
Legaspi’s partner Jean Garcia was arrested.
       Seven sachets of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P175,000, drug paraphernalia, P1,000 in cash and a .38-caliber revolver were recovered from the suspects, police said.
        Senior Supt. Romeo Caramat, Bulacan police acting director, said the fatalities were on the barangay drug watchlist.
In Ilocos Sur, Romnick Arce was in front of a convenience store along Liberation boulevard in Barangay 3, Vigan City when motorcycle-riding men shot him. He ws wounded.
       The victim according to the police was on the barangay drug watchlist and surrendered under Oplan Tokhang. He is confined in hospital.
Epifanio Cruz was killed in a sting in Barangay Minuyan, Norzagaray, Bulacan on Nov. 4. His alleged cohort identified as Rosemarie Perez was arrested.
       Police said a Cal. 38 revolver, a 9mm pistol, two sachets of shabu and marked money were recovered from the fatality, who was on the barangay drug watchlist.
Former police officer Joel Nery, Mario España and Hannibal Medrano Sr. were arrested during raids on their houses in Agno, Pangasinan on Nov. 4.
The raids were based on warrants issued by a local court.
Police said Nery was a “high-value” drug target.
Also on Nov. 4, Elizalde Rebolledo, 49, was collared for selling shabu worth P6,000 to a police who posed as a buyer in Barangay 10, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.
Rebolledo was ranked ninth on the city’s drug watchlist, said Supt. Edwin Balles, Laoag City police chief.
       In Aparri, Cagayan, 16 sachets of shabu were allegedly recovered from Badoy Mendoza, 40, during a raid on his house while tricycle driver Pepito Tannu, 21, yielded four sachets of shabu during an anti-drug operation.
Almer Gaffud, 40, a self-confessed drug pusher, and his cousin Anthony, 37, were arrested during a pot session at a public elementary school in Barangay San Fabian in Echague, Isabela Monday morning
Barangay captain Edwin Busto was shot dead Nov. 5 by motorcycle-riding assailants in Aringay, La Union.
Busto, said to be on the drug list of the police, was on his way to join the village watchmen when he was killed in Barangay San Simon West. He was declared dead on arrival at the La Union Medical Center.
In Bulacan, police recovered plastic sachets said to contain shabu and marked money from four arrested drug suspects, identified as  Jeffry Baltazar of Bocaue,  Xavier San Juan of Baliuag,  Regie Rees of Baliuag and Vicente Aguinaldo of Hagonoy.
The four had surrendered to authorities during the conduct of Oplan Tokhang in their villages.
        In Pangasinan, police arrested Joana Marie Malicdem, who allegedly ranked third on the drug list of Bugallon police.

Authorities recovered two plastic sachets said to contain shabu and P600 marked money from Malicdem following a sting in Barangay Salomangque Sur. –Ric Sapnu, Eva Visperas, Raymund Catindig ,  Jun Elias
Northern Philippine Times
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Sinot elected Baguio IP Rep in City Council despite barbs

November 16, 2016, 10:05 pm
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By March L. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY – The Baguio City Council here has a new member as Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR).
Roger Dalisdis Sinot, who was elected, is an Ibaloy who traces his bloodline along with the descendants of Piraso (one name) of the Kafagway area.
He had been a leading advocate of IP rights. 
Supporters of IPMR are not surprised that the selection for a new member to the city council would be attacked on all sides.
Pinsao-Irisan Ancestral Lands Cluster member Rey B. Suello said, the method of selection steered by national and local guidelines was challenging for both the nominees and the electors as this was the first time that the IPMR process would be implemented.
The consensus on the election of the IPMR that proceeded last Nov. 4 at the Ibaloy Heritage Garden at Burnham Park was facilitated by the Baguio office of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples under lawyer Harriet N. Abyadang.
At least five Ibaloys presented themselves as candidate-nominees namely; former Onjon ni Ivadoy president Jackson Chiday of Loakan, ex-barangay chairman Basilio Binay-an of Loakan, IP book author Vicky Macay also of Loakan, public school teacher Michael Alos of Camp 7, ex-barangay chair of Pinsao and Baguio Council of Elders chair Roger D. Sinot.
But a few days after Sinot won over the other nominees, Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan hit the process of selection saying it has excluded other IP groups such as the Kankanaeys and Kalanguyas and confined the voting and selection to the Ibaloy group.
Prior to the selection on Nov. 4, the Cordillera People’s Alliance through Vice Chairperson Jill K. Carino said, “It is a promising development that the Ibaloys in Baguio City have selected their first IPMR to the Baguio City Council.”
Carino is a descendant of Kafagway (Baguio) headman Mateo Carino who championed the “native title” or private landownership prior to the arrival of foreign colonizers.
As agreed on by the plenary-assembly in a consensus, selection would be through secret balloting, after the five candidates failed to come up with an agreement among themselves (Tongtongan) on who would sit as first IPMR in the city council of Baguio.
The plenary-assembly was tasked by the national and local selection guidelines to come up with a consensus to endorse one of the five candidates as IPMR in case the Tongtongan of the nominees was unsuccessful. But that failed too.
Abyadang said, she was confident of the selection process the plenary had undergone, along with the local guidelines that the assembly ratified.
The amendment and ratification processes of the selection guidelines was witnessed by Councilor Art Alladiw while counting of the ballots was assisted by Zee Radio block timer and former barangay chair Peter Wasing of Quirino Hill.      
The set of guidelines for the selection process was approved and signed by members of the assembly who belonged to the Ibaloy, Kankanaey and Kalanguya Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) who are residents in the city, prior to the secret balloting.
The set of guidelines that was ratified in the morning prior to voting required that to be a qualified voter in the first IPMR selection, one must be able to trace his lineage to any of Baguio’s original family of Ibaloy settlers, and must be a resident in the city.
Of the more than 300 registrants who belonged to the Ibaloy, Kankanaey and Kalanguya ICCs, only 195 were qualified to vote.
The rest of the assembly stood as observers in the selection process while the others in good conscience left the voting area upon knowing that they were not qualified to vote.
Carino said the CPA “also thanks the IP migrants in Baguio City who issued a resolution during the Cordillera Elders conference held last August 29-30 pushing and expressing support for the Ibaloys to sit as an IPMR in the council, in recognition as the original inhabitants of Kafagway.”

“We look forward to working with Roger Sinot as our new IPMR to advance the rights of indigenous peoples in the City,” Carino said.
Northern Philippine Times
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POLICE ROUNDUP

November 20, 2016, 4:29 am
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 257 new cops added to Cordillera PNP command
CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet – The Police Regional Office Cordillera has hired last week 257 cops who graduated as Police Officer 1 from the Philippine Public Safety College-Regional Training School 1, at Poblacion, Aringay La Union.
Senior Supt. David K Peredo received the new PO1 cops at the training school just after their graduation to join the manpower of PRO-Cordillera for police visibility and anti-crime operations.
 The police rookies just completed their mandatory public safety basic recruit course for six months and five months field training exercise wherein they were deployed to police stations and trained on traffic, investigation and patrol.
 These new breed of police officers are now assigned to full duty status in the Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) here at Camp Dangwa. 
Chief Supt. Elmo Francis O. Sarona, Cordillera police director said “the new graduates are expected to further beef-up the existing PNP personnel complement for law enforcement and public safety operations of Police Regional Offices”.
 They will soon undergo a 45-day scout training before they will be ready for field assignments.

Sarona assigns Madjaco as Kalinga PNP chief 
CAMP DANGWA, La Trionidad, Benguet -- Regional police director Chief Supt. Elmo Francis O Sarona designated here Supt. Brent M .Madjaco as officer in charge of Kalinga police effective Oct. 31.
During turnover rites, Madjaco thanked Sarona for his trust and confidence and for giving him the opportunity to serve the people of Kalinga. Before his designation, Madjaco was the chief of Regional Operations Plans Division since Feb.15.
Likewise, Senior Supt. Victor K. Wanchakan, outgoing Kalinga police OIC chief  also thanked Saron, the command group and Kalinga police for their support and cooperation during his term. Sarona said the relief and reassignments of PNP officers were meant to ensure a well-rounded career pattern for all officers in the organization. 

Dad jailed for molesting three young daughters
CABANATUAN CITY -- Three young siblings claimed they were repeatedly molested by their own father.
In their complaint to the police, sisters Anne, 6 years old, Liza, 11, and Mary, 16 years, narrated how they were sexually abused by their father on several occasions.
Supt. Ponciano Zafra identified the father of the 3 siblings as Roberto Sarile, 40, of Barangay Macatbong. Roberto was immediately arrested and jailed.
In her statement to investigators, the eldest Mary alleged she was repeatedly abused by her father at their own house since September 2013, or when she was only 13 years old.
For her part, the kinder garden-aged Anne said her father removed her underpants and inserted his finger into her private while he masturbated.
Apparently, Roberto’s molesting of her children was revealed by Liza when he allegedly tried to literally rape her just recently.
Liza was able to run to her uncle who in turn told her mother.
The three sisters were assisted by their mother, who just came from abroad, in filing their complaint. All of them wanted their father imprisoned.
The siblings also told police that their father is always drunk and see him use marijuana and shabu.
Sought for comment Zafra said, “Wala sa tamang katinuan ang makakagawa ng ganito sa kanyang mga anak. Epekto marahil ito ng droga. Talagang sisirain ng droga ang isip ng isang tao”.
Roberto maybe convicted of several counts of statutory rape, an offense which carries life imprisonment and is non-bailable. He refused to comment on the complaint of her three daughters. – Nelson Bolos

Cops search house; guns found
PILAR, Abra – A search warrant issued by  Judge Raphiel F Alzate of RTC, Branch 1, Bangued, Abra resulted to arrest of Michael Dufale Sumalbag 33, when cops searched his residence here Monday.
Confiscated from the house were shotgun, Cal. 25 pistol with magazine and double barrel for Cal. 22.
The search was observed by occupants and witnesses namely barangay kagawads, FlorendoVillaruz, Wilfredo Sotelo, Jerome Sotelo and Berlito Ciervo, all residents of said place.

Marijuana, paraphernalia
found in Tuding house
ITOGON, Benguet – Marijuana leaves and illegal drug paraphernalia were found Monday in the house of a certain David Oniel here at No. 28 Sampaguita St., Monterrazas Village, Tuding.
A police report said the security guard of Monterrazas Village, a certain Abelardo G. Remindo Jr., reported presence of the illegal drugs in the house.
Investigation disclosed the said house was formerly rented by a certain Mark Padilla also known as Spencer Padilla who vacated it last October. The illegal drugs, reportedly placed on top of a cabinet, were discovered at about 9:45 that day by a certain Lynn M. Quemada and her co-workers while cleaning the house as they were instructed by the owner. An empty shell of suspected caliber 45 and one brown leather gun holster were also found in one of the rooms.
 The items were inventoried in the presence of barangay captain Martin D. Chavez Jr. and Kerby Rillera of RPN-Baguio CNN.

2 nabbed in Buguias for illegal drugs
BUGUIAS, Benguet – Two young persons were arrested here Monday in Barangay Buyacaoan  for illegal drugs. Arrested were Rustom Salo Tacdang, 23 and Richerl De Los  Santos Tanchoco, 19, both jobless.
Confiscated from suspects were P500 bill marked money and alleged shabu. Barangay kagawads Sonny Batistiana and Paulito Kibasen including radio announcer of “Radio Natin Buguias” witnessed the incident.

Teacher with gun says he is a cop; arrested
TABUK CITY, Kalinga – A teacher who toyed with a gun inside a lodge here Monday was arrested after he introduced himself as police officer.  A police report said the incident happened around 8:30 p.m. at Maseypan Lodge, Quezon Street, Dagupan Centro.
An employee of the lodge reported to police the incident saying the man was toying his short firearm on top of the table where he was having a drink of liquor.
Cops identified the man as Valiant Balasso Yadan, 26,  of Purok 6, Bulanao, Tabuk. He failed to show documents of his firearm when asked by responding cops  prompting them to conduct arrest. Confiscated from his possession was a Cal. 45 pistol loaded with five bullets.

Woman nabbed in church compound for estafa
BAGUIO CITY – A woman was arrested inside the Baguio Cathedral compound here Monday around 11 a.m. for estafa. Police named the suspect as Imelda Corpus Quidasol, 49, resident here of km. 3, Asin Road. Maria Ligaya V. Itliong-Rivera, presiding judge of RTC Branch 5, Baguio City issued her arrest warrant setting bail of P48,000 fir her temporary liberty.

Senior citizen hacks son
MANABO, Abra -- A senior citizen was arrested here last week for hacking his son. The suspect was named as Agapito “Itong” Bawanta Sr., 65, farmer while his son was identified as Mario Salimbay Bawanta, 32, farmer, both residents here of  Sapdaan, Ayyeng. The victim was hacked on his neck, head, and back and was brought to Manabo Rural Health Unit but later transferred to Abra Provincial Hospital in Bangued.

Coco Martin’s ‘Probinsyano’
makes man kill drinking buddy
CABANATUAN CITY -- Discussing the television series “Probinsiyano” became fatal here for two buddies
Supt. Ponciano Zafra ordered the arrest of a man who allegedly stabbed dead his drinking buddy during a drunken “debate” of Probinsyano.
Zafra identified the victim of stabbing as Cris Laurio, a native of Masbate, while the detained suspect was Victor Gumatay, 40, from Zamboanga Del Sur.
Both are stay-in construction workers of Rembrant Builders at Barangay San Joseff Sur.
Witnesses said, the two drinking buddies became drunk and had  a heated argument over ABS-CBN TV show Probinsyano starred by Coco Martin. Apparently, Laurio kept on insisting that Coco Martin was a better actor than the  “original” probisyano, the late box-office king Fernando Poe Jr.
Gumatay claimed it was Laurio who pulled out a knife which he used to stab the latter.
“Nang dahil sa kalasingan ko kaya ko nagawa yun sa aking kaibigan,” said Gumatay who is now detained for homicide. -- Nelson Bolos

Three drug ‘pushers’ detained in Baguio
BAGUIO CITY -- Three alleged drug pushers were arrested in buy-bust operations here following arrest of another three drug personalities recently.
Alex Apao Delos Santos, 32, was nabbed at Middle Quirino Hill, Nov. 3. Confiscated from his possession was shabu worth P27 and marked money amounting to P500.00.
Another drug trader identified as Jimmy Geronimo y Velasco, 37, was nabbed same day azlong Bokawkan Rd. fronting Agrix Building. Confiscated from the suspect were two sachets containing suspected “shabu” and marked money of P500.
Thefollowing day, another alleged drug supplier identified as Michael Edmar Basilio Bergania a.k.a. “Ken”, 33, was arrested at Lower Quirino Hill with shabu worth P18,000.

House yields shabu, bullets in Bangued
BANGUED, Abra – Police implemented search warrant issued by Judge Raphiel F Alzate of RTC, Branch 58, Bucay town against Mark Therenz S. Antonio of Mckinley St., Zone 2, Bangued for illegal drugs Nov. 3. Seized in his residence were suspected shabu inside gun holster and four bullets for Cal. 38 Revolver.

Young man arrested for attempted rape
BAGUIO CITY – Police arrested a young man wanted for attempted rape here Nov. 3 at Suelo Village, Bakakeng Central. Nabbed was Arnold Borromeo Gamus,  of Interior A, Balacbac following arrest warrant  issued by a local judge who recommended bail of P120,000 for his temporary liberty.

Security guard nabbed for illegal drugs
FLORA, Apayao – A security guard was arrested Nov. 3 in Ballestros, Cagayan for illegal drugs. The arrested suspect was named as Marlon B. Dalioan, 43, of Poblacion East, Flora.  Arrest warrants were issued by Francisco S. Donato, designate judge of RTC, Branch 26, 2nd Judicial Region of Luna, Apayao. Dalioan is now detained at the Ballesteros town jail.

Abra house yields shabu, bullets
BANGUED, Abra --- Cops searched the house of a certain Mark Therenz S. Antonio here of Mckinley St., Zone 2 aftter warrant was issued against him by Judge Raphiel F Alzate of RTC, Branch 58, Bucay, Abra.
Found in his residence were suspected shabu and four bullets of  Cal.38 pistol. The search was conducted in the presence of witnesses barangay chairman Amado Acosta, kagawad Liberty B. Bernardez and Edgar Tanora, DZPA radio station as media representative.

Couple arrested for estafa in Abra
PIDIGAN, Abra – A cop and his live-in partner were arrested here Nov. 2 after Corpus B. Alzate, presiding judge of RTC Branch 2, Bangued issued warrant against them for estafa. Arrested were spouses PO3 Larry Piedad Bondame, 40, PNP member assigned at Santiago, Ilocos Sur and Jennifer Bawanta Dargo, 40, both residents of Barangay Suyo, Pidigan Abra. Alzate set bail of P16,000 each for their temporary liberty. 

2 nabbed for homicide in Badoc, Ilocos Norte
B ADOC, Ilocos Norte – Cops from Baguio tracked two persons here wanted for homicide in the city and arrested them Nov. 2. Suspects were nabbed at Sitio Lisna, Barangay Camanga. They were identified as Morris Querido, 36 and Marlon Labarias, 38. This, after Judge Maria Ligaya V. Itliong-Rivera of RTC Branch 5, 1st Judicial Region, Baguio issued their arrest warrants recommending bail of P300,000 each for their temporary liberty.  Suspects were brought to Baguio where they were incarcerated at the city jail.

 Woman lands in jail for syndicated estafa
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – A certain Marilou Sangot Alyong, 50 resident of New Lucban, Baguio City was nabbed here Nov. 2 at km 6, Barangay Betag for four counts of estafa and syndicated estafa  after  Judge Jennifer P. Humiding of the Regional Trial Court, First Judicial Region, Branch 63 here ordered her arrest. The judge recommended total bail P600,000 and no bail for her syndicated offense.

Man arrested for syndicated estafa
BAGUIO CITY – A man wanted for syndicated estafa was arrested at his residence here at Happy Hollow by police Nov. 1. He was identified as Samuel Lutong Saganib, 60 after Judge Fernando Vil Pamintuan, Regional Trial Court, First Judicial Region Branch 3, Baguio City ordered his arrest with no bail.

Waiter charged for rape 
KAPANGAN, Benguet -- Charged for two counts of rape, Jeffrey Carias Andizo, 21, waiter and resident of Sitio Lebeng, Pudong, Kapangan, Benguet was nabbed here Nov. 1. Judge Marietta S. Brawner-Cualing, presiding judge of Regional Trial Court, Family court of Benguet, Branch 9 issued warrant for his arrest.

Man arrested for homicide
TABUK CITY, Kalinga – A certain Jordan Gallema a.k.a Dandan, 27, here of Barangay Tuga was arrested for homicide Nov. 1 after Marcelino K. Wacas, RTC Judge, 2nd Judicial Region, Branch 25, Bulanao issued his arrest warrant without bail.

P50-K bail set for homicide suspect 
NATONIN, Mountain Province – A homicide suspect named as Sixto Wansen, 44, farmer, here of Barangay Alunogan was arrested Nov. 1,  by the joint personnel of Buguias, Benguet  and Natonin police. Judge Sergio T. Anganay, presiding judge of RTC Branch 64, Abatan,Buguias, Benguet recommended bail of P50,000 for his temporary liberty. 



Northern Philippine Times
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Measure filed commending Wushu world champ, coach

November 20, 2016, 6:20 am
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By Gaby Keith

BAGUIO CITY – The country’s Summer Capital is gaining a well-deserved reputation as a haven for athletes especially those engaged in combat sports.
       Councilor Arthur Allad-iw has filed a resolution in the local legislature commending Divine Masadao Wally and her coach Tan Sui Tong “Tony” Candelaria for winning the gold medal in the 8th Sanda World Cup held last November 1 to 6 in Xian, China.
       A resident of Baguio who traces her roots in Sadanga and Tadian, Mountain Province, Wally also had a gold-winning performance at the 9th Asian Wushu Championships in Taoyuan, Taiwan last September 2 to 5.  
       Allad-iw said that Wally made history as the first Filipina to win gold in the 8th World Wushu Championships last year.
       “For leading the country to its best performance in the Wushu Tournament as members of the Philippine Wushu Team, their (Wally’s and Candelaria’s) feat brought pride and honor not only to their families but also to the country and city, as well.  They have put Baguio in the glare of publicity once more,” he added.
       The alderman chairs the city council’s committee on employment, livelihood and cooperatives and persons with disabilities.


Northern Philippine Times
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