Northern Philippine Times

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- A miner is getting compensation for work-related hearing loss four years after his retirement.

In its recent ruling, the Employees’ Compensation Commission ordered the Social Security System to grant disability benefits and reimburse the medical expenses of Baltazar Bodtan.

“Bodtan met the conditions for compensability of occupational hearing loss when he was exposed…to harmful noise levels…such as blasts and sustained noise from drilling machines,” the ECC ruling read.

As underground environmental supervisor at a mining company in this povince for 24 years, Bodtan was responsible for the installation, maintenance of ventilation equipment, waste disposal and operation of mining machines.

Bodtan was diagnosed with moderate and sensorineural hearing loss with a 49 percent handicap in 2007.

By W.Hortizuela

BAGUIO CITY -- The Department of Tourism –Cordillera found an ally in its tourism development projects in the Inspirational Women of Cordilleras (IWOC), a group of spouses of elected local officials in the region.

DOT-CAR regional director Venus Tan said they thought of tapping the wives of elected officials in their REV – BLOOM program because these women have strong personalities and are influential but they keep a low profile.

The national government is anchoring its programs on gender and development particularly encouraging women empowerment.

Tan said the DOT believes having empowered women like these wives of local officials to look up to will provide more inspiration to the people.

REV – BLOOM program aims to rehabilitate and redevelop the tourism image of Baguio City and other destinations in Cordillera.

One popular project is the STOBOSA Hillside Homes Artwork at Km. 3, La Trinidad, Benguet.

DOT already hosted a forum for the IWOC Jan. 31 and is involving some of the in its tourism advocacies.

Last Feb. 25, DOT Undersecretary for tourism regulation, coordination and resource generation Alma Rita Jimenez administered oath of office of IWOC officers at the Baguio Country Club.

The IWOC officers are Soledad Go, wife of Baguio City Rep. Mark Go’s as president; Jane Pacalso, wife of Benguet Gov. Crescencio Pacalso , vice president; Joana Rivera, wife of Tuba Benguet Mayor Ignacio Rivera, secretary and Ana Lua Tubban, wife of Tabuk City, Kalinga Mayor Ferdinand Tubban as treasurer.

Jimenez said by working together they can provide more livelihood opportunities and women empowerment in the region.

By Daniel B. Codamon

KIANGAN, Ifugao -- The pilot Ecological Park located at Barangay Bolog of this town is now completed and ready to serve its purpose.

The project costing P314, 500.00 is a joint endeavor between the barangay constituents, the personnel of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) of the Department of Education and their learners and the municipal government of Kiangan through its Ecological Solid Waste Management Program (ESWMP) fund.

The eco park is riprapped with bottle bricks, motor and jeepney tires and beautified with plastic vases, vases made of brown and white papers and hanging plants.

Seats out of drums and water containers are established under the trees or shaded areas for anyone to feel the freshness and beauty of nature.

This collective effort among the different stakeholders is designed to pioneer the Eco-park as the community show-window in the implementation of the ESWMP that will motivate not only Barangay Bolog but also adjacent barangays to replicate the project.

The park will also intensify the implementation of the ESWMP activities in response to the pursuit of sustainable development through proper waste segregation, collection, transport, storage, treatment and disposal of solid waste through the formulation and adoption of best practices in solid waste management.

It is also intended to promote best practices in solid waste management activities in the barangay, broaden the knowledge and understanding of the residents, school personnel and barangay officials in proper waste management and encourage resource conservation, recovery to promote greater public participation.

This way they will be able to reduce, re-use, recover and recycle items in order to help solve the garbage problem of the community, protect and preserve the environment to mitigate the impact of climate change.

Municipal ESWMP focal person Ernesto Baglan and ALS facilitator Wilma Pumihic said the eco park will also present best practices in waste diversion among other best practices possible and a source of information to strengthen solid waste management in the area as the school, municipal and barangay local government units will ensure its maintenance and improvement through the years especially during the Brigada Eskwela activity for the benefit of all stakeholders.

By Redjie Melvic Cawis

KABUGAO, Apayao-- The celebration of the 22nd founding anniversary of Apayao was highlighted with the creation of an administrative barangay in this town named after the its founding father, the late Elias K. Bulut.

The provincial board unanimously approved an ordinance creating the Elias K. Bulut (EKB) Administrative Barangay in Kabugao during a special session at the site Feb. 12.

The barangay was named in honor of the “Old Man of Apayao” who made possible the long cherished dream of an independent Apayao in 1995 through Republic Act 7878 he lobbied when he was a congressman.

Board members acknowledged the accomplishments of the late Bulut which started development and envisioned a well-developed and progressive province for its people.

The creation of the EKB Administrative Barangay was an offshoot of popular clamor, desire and aspirations of the inhabitants, mostly indigenous peoples from the sitios in Barangay Lenneng and recommended by the Sangguniang Bayan of Kabugao.

Sitio Buyucan in Lenneng which composes EKB Administrative Barangay is the sixth administrative barangay in Apayao since its separation in 1995 from the Province of Kalinga.

The new barangay is located along the Luna-Pudtol-Kabugao Road along the famous Paco Valley. This newly opened road inter connects the municipalities of lower and upper Apayao without passing thru Region 1 or Region 2 and connects the province to the rest of the Cordillera provinces.

Resolution author Jeofrey Blas, chairman of committee on barangay and community Affairs, said the creation of EKB administrative barangay will bring development to aid locality through enhanced delivery of basic services.

After the declaration of the EKB administrative barangay, Gov. Bulut and Rep. Eleanor Begtang with provincial and municipal officials led the ground breaking of the EKB Tourism Park, which will be developed into a tourism destination due to its rich natural resources and accessibility.

In behalf of the Bulut family, the governor expressed gratitude to the people behind the creation of the EKBs.

“It is a great honor for the late founder of Apayao to have barangay named after him,” the governor said.

By Peter A. Balocnit

CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga -- Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus G. Dureza urged Cordillerans to push for autonomy ahead of federalism saying creation of an Autonomous Region of the Cordillera would be a test for a federal state.

While Congress is working for constitutional amendments, Dureza said the region should go for autonomy. “The aim here is to lobby for the enactment of an organic act for ARC simultaneously with that of the Bangsamoro new law.”

“There is better chance for Cordillera autonomy today,” Dureza of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process told Cordillera leaders during Regional Development Council meeting here recently.

Dureza volunteered to champion the cause for autonomy in the Cordillera. “But you must unite as one, come together as one in order to have a stronger force,” he said. “The bottom line is to clear all obstacles along the way in order to have a compliant organic act with the Constitution.”

What is important is to have an inclusive stand speaking with one voice, he said as he urged all groups to convene and come up with collective decision and convince Congress to pass an organic law.

The RDC will come out with the final draft of the Cordillera organic act for submission to Congress and asked CAR representatives to file the bill in Congress.

Kalinga Congressmen Sonny Mangaoang and Teddy Baguilat of Ifugao who were present during the RDC meeting accepted to file the bill early next month for its immediate hearing in the committee level.

They said they will try to convince President Duterte to mention autonomy and certify it as priority bill during his state of the nation address in July.

BAGUIO CITY — An indigenous people's group opposed to large-scale mining has thrown its support behind Environment Secretary Gina Lopez for deciding to close and suspend some mining companies.

“No Department of the Environment and Natural Resources] secretary has ever done this before—to make a decision for social justice for all communities who have been demanding for a stop to the operations of mining companies that have historically violated indigenous peoples’ rights, destroyed and plundered ancestral lands and the natural resources therein, said Igorot leader Abigail Anongos, secretary general of the Cordillera People's Alliance (CPA).

Anongos said they are supporting Lopez in cancelling 75 Mineral Production Sharing Agreements in watershed areas, five of which are located in the Cordillera region.

“In fact, mining companies should not be allowed to operate in the Cordillera because the Cordillera is the watershed area of the entire Northern Luzon,” she said.

The CPA is also hoping that DENR will also recommend that instead of just a suspension, Lepanto Mining should actually be included to the list of 23 mining companies for closure.

Anongos said that “80 years of Lepanto’s operations have polluted and silted the Abra River and destroyed people’s agriculture. Lepanto’s operations brought in militarization, resulting to many human rights violations to the people of Mankayan.”

Also, Anongos added, “in addition to its envienmental crimes, Philex Mining should in fact be included in the list of those up for closure.” Three years ago, Philex’s tailings pond 3 collapsed and dumped 50,000 tons of tailings into the river, making it the worst mining disaster in the country in recent history.

The DENR, Anongos urged, must now also work for the rehabilitation and compensation of mining-affected indigenous communities.

Lopez faces confirmation hearings at the congressional Commission on Appointments for her post as Environment secretary.

The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines has filed an official opposition to her confirmation, sayign she has "an undeniable bias against and antagonism towards large-scale mining, rendering her unfit and incapable of a responsible, fair, just and balanced implementation of the Constitution, the Philippine Mining Act and related laws and regulations, and of upholding personal interest and advocacies over public interest."

BAGUIO CITY – The Commission on Elections will conduct a special satellite registration for women and girls at the Baguio Convention Center lobby on March 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in line with its goal to attain inclusive elections and in connection with the celebration of International Women’s Day.

In a letter to councilor Lilia Farinas, chair of the city council’s committee on social services, women, and urban poor, city election officer John Paul Martin said that Comelec resolution No. 10175 was promulgated to establish a special registration kiosk for women and girls on March 8, 2017 and that Baguio is one of the venues for the conduct of the activity.

He is seeking Farinas’ cooperation in ensuring the success of the activity by considering the special satellite registration for women and girls as one of the major activities for the celebration of International Women’s Day in Baguio on March 8, this year.

Martin is also asking assistance in informing all groups, non-government organizations and associations that represent the women sector, including schools, to avail of the special registration designed for them.

Farinas sent a letter to all barangay captains, thru councilor and Association of Barangay Captains president Michael Lawana, requesting them to post the announcement in their respective barangay halls and inform all concerned.

“Help us disseminate this information to girls ages 15 to 17 years old, in line with the upcoming Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections, and to women ages 18 years old and above who have not yet or failed to register in the previous years, in line with the simultaneous Barangay Elections,” her letter states. -- Gaby Keith and Cassey Francis

CLARK FREEPORT – An employee of a money changer shop at the Clark International Airport was cited after he returned 5,500 euros or around P300,000 left by an Indian man last week.

Rene Nambatac turned over a brown wallet containing the money to the office of Hilarion Nacpil, Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) operations manager.

The owner of the wallet identified as Rebello Braminn arrived on a Tiger Air flight from Singapore.

The wallet also contains Braminn’s identification and credit cards as well as passport.

“We commend the honesty of Mr. Nambatac and we assure passengers of Clark airport’s strict policy to immediately turn over or return lost or abandoned items to their owners,” said Alexander Cauguiran, CIAC president and chief executive officer. – Ding Cervantes and Ric Sapnu

Two die in Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan shootings

TWO PERSONS were killed March 3 in Ilocos Sur and Pangasinan. A certain Tabuso, a resident of Barangay San Julian in Magsingal town in Ilocos Sur, was driving his motorcycle on his way home when he was waylaid in Barangay Guimod Norte shortly before midnight. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Pira Hospital.  Inspector Arcadio Viloria, Magsingal police chief, said the victim was being investigated over alleged drug links.In Laoag City, Ronald Cortez, 35, an employee of Partas Bus Co., was shot in front of Lovely Inn in Sitio Nalasin in Barangay 40.

Single mom nabbed for marijuana, child abuse

BAGUIO CITY – A woman was jailed Monday after she was reported by a concerned citizen who caught her allegedly sniffing shabu inside their residence at Purok 7, Sunnyside, Fairview. The suspct was named as Mhitz Reyes Patigan, 24, single parent, unemployed who was also charged for child abuse for reportedly mistreating here 5-year-old daughter. Confiscated from her possession were drug paraphernalia and marijuana leaves.

Man arrested for illegal shotgun

BANGUED, Abra – Cops arrested a certain Sotelo Funger Batoon here March 3 after he was flagged down at Bacsil, Dangdangla. Z 12 gauge shotgun without serial number was seized from his possession which was placed in a white sack.

Farmers nabbed for shotguns

DANGLAS, Abra -- Two farmers were also arrested for have in their possession two shotguns while police officers were conducting anti-illegal logging operation March 3 at Old Central, Nagaparan, Danglas. Nabbed were Jonel Bermudez Morales, 33, and Richard Medrano Medrano, 37, both residents here of Kiwas, Pulot. Confiscated from their possession were also three bullets for the shotguns.

Girl, 15, rescued from Isabela teacher’s house

TUMAUINI, Isablea -- A public school teacher was arrested after his 15-year-old student was found in his room during a raid on his house in Barangay District 1 here Monday.  Chief Insp. Allen Alcido, Tumauini police chief, said the parents of the girl sought their help after Harrymar Magno, 40, of the Tumauini National High School took her last month. The girl told police that Magno had asked her to perform lewd acts with him.

Magno is facing charges for child abuse. -- Raymund Catindig

Two young womennabbed for marijuana

BAGUIO CITY – Cops nabbed two females for allegedly possessing dangerous drugs inside Padis Point Bar, Bautista Drive, early morning Tuesday. Suspects were named as Aubrey Diane Tulabis Bangsoy, 19, student and Sandra De Vera Cumpas, 21. Confiscated from their possession were dried marijuana leaves weighing 1.38g valued at P303.

Baguio dispatcher arrested for shabu

BAGUIO CITY – Police and narcotics agents arrested a dispatcher for allegedly selling illegal drugs to operatives here along Naguilian Road Monday night. Arrested was Mark Carbonell De La Cruz, 35. Confiscated from him was shabu, and P1,500 buy bust money.

DAGUPAN CITY – Three persons died and three others were injured when a motorcycle collided with a tricycle in Barangay Bonuan Gueset in this city Monday.

Supt. Neil Miro, city police chief, identified the fatalities as Bryan Meneses, the driver of the motorcycle; his companion Roland Manzano and tricycle driver Geronimo Raboy, 41.

Meneses’ other companion, Sam Layog, 26, and Raboy’s passengers Salve Raboy, 35, and Teresita Pedeglorio, 50, were taken to the Region I Medical Center for treatment. – Eva Visperas

TUGUEGARAO CITY – A 70-year-old man was arrested last week for hacking his neighbor to death in a duel last year.

Iguig town police chief Senior Insp. Avelino Canceran said Maximiano Pader was arrested in Barangay Manaoag after Regional Trial Court Judge Jezarene Aquino issued a warrant for homicide.

Witnesses alleged that victim Reynaldo Bruno was drunk when he challenged everyone in their village to a duel, which Pader accepted. – Raymund Catindig

TEN ILLEGAL DRUG suspects were killed in Central Luzon since Monday to date after the Philippine National Police renewed its ‘war’ against illegal drugs.

In Bulacan, one died in a gun attack perpetrated by suspected vigilantes on Thursday.

Glen Mark Deogracia, a resident of Barangay Poblacion in Calumpit town, was standing in front of a school when unidentified men shot him.

Deogracia was initially taken to the Calumpit District Hospital then transferred to the Bulacan Medical Center, where he died while being treated.

Police said a knife and a cigarette pack containing 21 sachets of shabu were recovered from the victim.

Nine suspects were earlier killed in Bulacan Monday and Tuesday as police launched renewed “war” against illegal drugs.

Tricycle driver Elmer Pangsanjan, 41, alias Whitey, a resident of Barangay San Juan; Francis Bondoc of Kaingin both in Malolos City and Michael Maglanque of Tigpalas in San Miguel town reportedly shot it out with police operatives and agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency yesterday.

Chief Supt. Aaron Aquino, Central Luzon police chief, said the fatalities were on the drug watchlist in their respective barangays.

Senior Supt. Romeo Caramat, Bulacan police acting director, said Errol Caperal of Barangay Sumapang Matanda also in Malolos, an alias Lord of Camalig in Meycauyan, Christopher Eustaquio Batia of Bocaue, Roberto Bautista, an alias Nognog and a certain Bentong of Barangay FVR in Norzagaray were killed in separate anti-drug operations on Monday.

Caramat said 21 other drug suspects were arrested.

He said 85 sachets of shabu and 14 assorted guns were recovered from the suspects, including the fatalities.

Pangasinan

Still in Pangasinan, 31 sachets of shabu were reportedly seized from carpenter Freddie Abalos, 39, a resident of Barangay Basing in Lingayen, farmer Robert Rosario, Danilo Cabobos and vendor Mario Santos of Agno in Tayug during raids on their houses also on Thursday.

Lito Bulatao, alias Gerap, a newly identified drug personality, and Herminio Muñoz, who is on the drug watchlist, were arrested in Barangay Balite in San Carlos City also in Pangasinan on Wednesday.

In Pangasinan, Cristina Balicud, 37, was arrested after a raid on her house in Barangay Poblacion in Asingan town yielded five sachets of shabu, P431,000 in cash and an improvised caliber .22 revolver.

Police said they also recovered seven motorcycles and 30 goats believed to be stolen and sold to Balicud.

Two drug suspects were also arrested in Sta. Rita, Pampanga on Monday. Sachets of shabu were reportedly recovered from the suspects.

-- Ric Sapnu, Eva Visperas, Raymund Catindig

By Erwin G. Beleo

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union — New Ilocos police director Chief Supt. Charlo Collado has ordered mapping of residences of uniformed personnel and ordered them to respond to emergencies even if they were off-duty.

Collado also ordered surprise drug tests on all police officers and non-uniformed personnel as part of internal cleansing of the police organization and boost anti-criminality campaign in Region 1,

Collado, former head of the Intelligence Group at Camp Crame, was designated by his “mistah” (batchmate), PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa, as PRO1 regional director last Feb. 28.

“I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to the Chief, PNP Police Director General Ronald Dela Rosa and the entire PNP for giving this chance to serve as one of his regional directors. I will do my best to protect our organization from scalawags,” he said.

“I would like to solicit the utmost cooperation and dedication to serve and protect our constituents. I will do the best I can to guide and support you in all our undertaking. I will see to it that the internal cleansing of our personnel here in PRO-1 will be conducted properly and we will focus our operations on various initiatives that are being implemented by the PNP,” said Collado who hails from the Cordillera.

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- President Rodrigo Duterte’s promise of free irrigation service for farmers starts this first cropping season of crop year 2017.

The National Irrigation Administration will no longer collect irrigation service fees (ISF) from farmers being served by national irrigation systems (NIS), as P2 billion was provided in the budget of NIA in the General Appropriations Act of 2017 or Republic Act 10924 as irrigation service fee subsidy. The NIA Board of Directors recently approved Resolution No. 8396-17 s. 2017 providing for the guidelines on free irrigation service fee.

Engineer John Socalo, NIA-Cordillera regional manager, said first crop in the Cordillera region is usually harvested April or May of every year in the NIS.

In Upper Chico River Irrigation System (UCRIS) with service areas in Kalinga and Isabela, the first crop of 2017 was planted in November or December of 2016 and will be harvested this March until May.

This harvest will no longer be charged with ISF.

Aside from the termination of payment of ISF starting this first cropping season, the resolution also specifies that NIA will stop collecting amortization and equity payments from farmers or Irrigators’ Associations (IA).

Amortization and equity are cost recovery schemes availed by the IAs during the construction, rehabilitation, restoration and expansion of service areas of communal and small irrigation systems.

However, in projects with participation of local government units, equity requirement from concerned LGU will still be maintained.

Also, corporate farms, plantations, fishponds and other non-agricultural crop users using water or drainage facilities are not covered by the free irrigation service program and therefore will still be charged with corresponding ISF and/or drainage fees being imposed by NIA.

Socallo said even as collection of ISF for 2017 cropping seasons will now cease, all back accounts or unpaid ISF, amortization and equity payments before the affectivity of RA 10924 remain as liabilities of farmers and IAs.

NIA which may collaborate with the Office of the Solicitor General and Office of the Government for Corporate Counsel will still have to continue collection of such unpaid ISF and other liabilities.

While irrigation service is now free, NIA shall continue to handle responsibilities in the operation and maintenance management for major facilities and structure such as dams, diversion works and main canals of large and medium national irrigation systems with areas of 3,000 hectares and above as these generally require technical knowhow.

Operation and maintenance of lateral and on-farm facilities and structures shall be transferred to the farmers through their respective IAs.

The UCRIS with service areas in Kalinga and Isabela, and the West ApayaoAbulug Irrigation System with service areas in Apayao and Cagayan are categorized as medium NISs.

For small NISs with service areas of less than 3,000 hectares as well as communal and pump irrigation systems, their management as well as operation and maintenance shall be completely transferred to duly organized and developed IAs. Most irrigation systems in the Cordilleras are categorized under communal irrigation systems.

Socalo said the NIA will carry on the provision of technical support to the IAs in the planning, construction, restoration and rehabilitation of these irrigation systems.

Also, the agency will continue to provide capability building programs and training to sustain IA functionality. -- NIA-CAR

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY – The city council recently approved on final reading an ordinance granting a one-time six-month tax amnesty to give chance to real property taxpayers with penalties, fines, surcharges, interests or arrears to pay their real property tax dues which have become long overdue and providing for other purposes.

The ordinance authored by Vice Mayor Edison R. Bilog and Councilors Leandro B. Yangot, Jr. Peter Fianza and Elmer Datuin stated the real property tax amnesty shall be applicable to delinquent taxpayers as of December 31, 2015, and it shall include those properties which are undeclared and subject to taxes; those properties which are declared but the real property taxes have not yet been paid; those properties included in auctions conducted by the local government but have not yet been purchased by private persons or entities; property owners with pending cases in the court whose ownership are in question and properties sold through public auctions whose ownership has not been officially transferred due to non-issuance of final deed of sale by the local government.

The ordinance added the prescribed period for the real property tax amnesty or tax relief shall be for a period of six months and shall take effect 30 days from its approval and publication.

Under the ordinance, all fines, surcharges, interests or arrears, if any, shall be condoned only upon settlement of real property taxes if paid within the prescribed period; payments of real property tax under the ordinance shall be made either in cash or installment basis, provided that, it will be paid during the amnesty period as fixed and applied as of Dec. 31, 2013; only after the said delinquencies are settled may tax payments be credited to the current period and no further tax amnesty shall be granted after the expiration of the 6-month tax amnesty period.

The ordinance stipulated no public auction of real properties due to non-payment of tax delinquencies will be held and initiated by the local government during the amnesty period while real properties with delinquent taxes attached after the expiration of the amnesty period shall be offered for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for the sole purpose of satisfying payment of accumulated delinquencies with the corresponding penalties, arrearages, surcharges and interests pursuant to existing laws or ordinances.

It added application for amnesty under the ordinance shall be filed with the City Treasury Office on a prescribed form to be issued by the same office while the CTO shall also be in charge of the preparation and processing of any compromise agreement together with the corresponding related documents by and between the taxpayers and the City Mayor for and on behalf of the local government.

The ordinance stated any breach of the compromise agreement and the payments under installment basis or should any installment not paid on its due date, the total unpaid balance of the delinquent rel property taxes and the entire amount of penalties shall become automatically due and demandable and shall be enforced in accordance with law.

Proponents said taxes are the lifeblood of the government and without revenue raised from taxation, the government will hardly be able to fulfill its mandate and will be paralyzed for lack of motive power to activate and operate it.

By Maria Teresa B. Beñas

BANGUED, Abra-- Pacita Stimson-Balao-as from the Masadiit tribe of Boliney municipality was elected provincial indigenous peoples mandatory representative (IPMR) and will sit as ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

Balao-as was elected during a general assembly of about 70 elders of the various tribes from the 19 Tingguian municipalities at the office of the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples recently.

She will replace Ceasar provincial board member Baroña whose term expired October 2016.

NCIP provincial director Reynalda Timbreza said Balao-as may only sit in the SP after submitting her documentary requirements to NCIP-Cordillera regional office and be given her appointment by the NCIP regional director.

Provincial director Millicent Cariño of the Dept. of Interior and Local Government said unity and determination of the Council of Elders to assert their rights and privileges as a cultural community was laudable. She urged them to keep sustain their efforts to pass on their cultural heritage to the next generations.

Cariño urged the indigenous people to take advantage of their representation in the provincial board for promotion and preservation of their cultural traditions and practices.

LAOAG CITY -- Ilocos Norte’s provincial veterinarian Dr. Loida Valenzuela was awarded “most outstanding veterinarian in government service” by Philippine Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA) during its national convention last February 22 in Baguio City.

PVMA is a counterpart of the Philippine Medical Association, bringing together registered Filipino veterinarians as accredited by the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC).

To recognize individuals’ efforts to solve issues in the field of veterinary medicine, PVMA acknowledges its exemplar members yearly through its national convention.

Representing the province, Valenzuela was one of the fifteen prospects for the said award coming from different regions.

She said that the award serves as their pride, showing not only her morals and accomplishments, but of all veterinarians in Ilocos Norte.

She also expressed her gratitude to the PVMA, saying the award was worth more than anything of monetary value.

Her colleagues had been encouraging her to apply for the award the past three years, but Valenzuela said she had to prove herself worthy by looking for solutions to one of the most widespread problems in veterinary medicine: rabies which she said could be eradicated.

Gov. Imee R. Marcos commended the Provincial Veterinary Office “for doubling your efforts in eliminating rabies which involve massive dog vaccination and registration as well as early childhood intervention.”

Valenzuela urged pet owners to vaccinate their pets, and her fellow veterinarians to monitor rabies cases, particularly canine bites.-- Ma. Christian A. Ramos

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – The city government has beefed up the regulations governing the management and operation of lodging establishments in the city.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan signed Ordinance No. 3 series of 2017 amending Ordinance No. 513 series of 1969 or “An ordinance regulating management, operation and maintenance of dormitories, boarding houses, hotels and tenement houses and providing for other purposes,” some provisions of which are already obsolete.

Councilor Joel Alangsab authored the measure which provides additional amenities for convenience and safety of students.

“With the observation that the ever increasing student population in the city has spawned attendant problems which the local law - Ordinance Numbered 513, Series of 1969 - may not be able to fully address, the necessity to revise and amend some of its provisions is therefore deemed vital to fine-tune its applicability under the prevailing circumstances,” the measure noted.

The ordinance provides that before business permits will be issued, the establishments will first be subjected to an inspection by the city’s composite team which will recommend whether the permit will be granted or not based on the compliance with the required amenities.

For the convenience of the boarders, the owners will be required to provide a well-ventilated study room equipped with reading tables, chairs and satisfactory Wi-Fi or internet connection for research purposes.

For their safety, owners will be required to install Closed Circuit Television Cameras (CCTVs) with a minimum of two units for each floor for big establishments and minimum of two for small or single storey buildings.

The composite team will be authorized to conduct announced and unannounced inspections to be coordinated with all the members and recorded with the city permits and licensing division.

The team will submit a report with recommendations to the city mayor and the city council as basis for the issuance of the permit.

The team will be composed of representatives of the Bureau of Fire Protection Baguio on check on the compliance with the requirements of Republic Act 9514 or the Revised Fire Code of the Philippines; the city buildings and architecture office to check on compliance with Presidential Decree 1096 of the National Building Code; the city health services office on the compliance with Presidential Decree 856 or Health and Sanitation Code of the Philippines; the public order and safety division to monitor and oversee compliance with pertinent laws;

The Baguio City Police Office to ensure compliance with the CCTV requirement, require owners to submit a list of their boarders, maintain a master list and check on compliance with curfew laws; the permits and licensing division to ensure their compliance with permits and fees required; and the Dept. of Labor and Employment on compliance with labor laws.

The inspection will again will conducted by the composite team before the renewal of the business permit will be granted each year.

Violators will be meted fines ranging from P1,000 to P2,000 for the first two offenses and revocation of the business permit and closure of the establishment for the third and succeeding offenses.

By King Cris P. Pulmano

BAGUIO CITY- The Cordillera Anakbayan youth group expressed dismay over approval of the death penalty bill without “ample deliberation” among legislators in the House of Representatives.

The group claimed the passing of the bill unjust as it bypassed democratic processes in the Lower House.

Luke Bagangan, secretary-general of Anakbayan Cordillera said the period of interpellation and proposals for individual amendments were cut short by the house leadership.

Quoting the criticism of Bayan Muna Partylist Rep. Carlos Zarate, Bagangan said lawmakers were barred from airing their opposition as the passage of the bill was being “rushed.”

Bayan Muna, together with other party members of Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan (Makabayan) expressed opposition to the bill.

Zarate said House members, including those from the Makabayan, were not given enough venue to register their opposition and to propose amendments.

“It is alarming to know that democratic legislative processes were not able to smoothly run its course. We somehow expected the house approval of death penalty bill but this is far too early if proposals of anti-death penalty solons were considered,” said Bagangan.

Bagangan said the bill should be discussed more as several human rights and church groups have already registered their disapproval.

Any bill, especially if as important as the issue death penalty, should be well deliberated. We are talking of taking lives here, thus our lawmakers should not be hasty in making decision.

The group added that pro-death penalty legislators have yet to establish reasonable basis for the urgency of the bill as no significant improvement in crime statistics were recorded during former president Fidel Ramos administration, when death penalty was still legal.

“Considering the crime rate during the Ramos regime, the situation is not something to be bragged of. It is therefore illogical why such bill is being railroaded in the first place,” added Bagangan.

Anakbayan feared that such policy may become selective as justice is said to be problematic as claimed by the said group. “It is no longer an issue whether killing of criminals is moral or not. It is also an issue whether the justice system in the country truly upholds fairness,” said the youth leader.

Bagangan claimed that the so-called “99 percent” of the arrested or killed alleged drug personalities during the implementation of the administration’s Oplan Tokhang were small-timers compared to impunity-protected drug lords.

Meanwhile, political activist will not be spared from possible capital punishment, the group said.
Bureau of Corrections Director General Benjamin Delos Santos earlier recommended rebellion, sedition and coup d’état as actions punishable under a death penalty law.

“Political activists especially those being critical of anti-people policies and programs of the government, usually fall victims of trumped-up charges to silence them. Once death penalty is revived, opportunist government officials will surely use this against their critics,” said Bagangan.

Data from human rights watchdog Karapatan revealed that there are 402 political prisoners all over the country as of February this year.

Among them, 30 were arrested under the Duterte presidency.

By Liezle Basa Iñigo

ASINGAN, Pangasinan — Police busted a suspected carnapping syndicate in a raid, originally intended to recover a stolen goat but resulted in the discovery of seven stolen motorcycles, three stolen tricycles, a handgun, and five sachets of “shabu” in Barangay Poblacion, this town, yesterday.

Chief Insp. Junmar Gonzales, local chief of police, said the raid conducted in Barangay Poblacion at 7:30 a.m. was intended to confirm reports of existence of illegal firearms and a stolen goat.

However, Senior Insp. Reynante Organista, deputy chief of police who led the raid, said his team found seven alleged stolen motorcycles, three tricycles, a handgun, five sachets of “shabu,” and suspected loot amounting to P400,000.

Arrested and taken to the police station was Cristina Ballicud, 37, who denied involvement in illegal activities.

“We followed the suspects’ movements and found that they would buy goats stolen from other areas and then resell them. But little did we suspect that they were also in possession of stolen motorcycles,” said Organista.

At least 20 residents of this town and nearby areas have come forward to the Asingan Municipal Police Station to complain about their stolen goats and motorcycles last week.

Initially, charges of violation of Republic Act 8294 (Illegal Possession of Firearms) and R.A. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act) were being prepared against the suspect, said Gonzales.

Police said follow-up operations will be done to arrest her cohorts.

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