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Du3o certifies Cordi autonomy bill urgent

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By Dexter A. See 

BAGUIO CITY – President Rodrigo R. Duterte has certified House Bill 5343, the bill seeking establishment of an autonomous region in the Cordillera  as urgent along with the proposed enhanced Bangsamoro autonomous region bill for action by the 17th Congress.  
Speaking before more than 120 Cordillera leaders who attended the meeting with him Tuesday night at the Malacanang, the President recognized the need to devolve more powers of the national government to local government units, including the autonomous regions to be established, greater control of resources by host communities, and implementation of more development projects in the countryside to ensure people will reap fruits of development.
However, he said control and supervision of one armed forces and the police will remain with the national government to avoid serious repercussions to security of the archipelago from internal and external forces.
Duterte assured Cordillera leaders he will allocate two slots for the region in the composition of the consultative commission he will be creating for charter change that will pave the way for the shift from the existing unitary form to a federal form.
The meeting of Cordillera leaders with the President was worked out by officials and members of the Regional Development Council in the Cordillera through Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus G. Dureza that the Cordillera autonomy bill be included in matters to be certified by the President as urgent. 
Present during the meeting with the President were Baguio City Rep. Mark Go, Benguet Rep. Ronald M. Cosalan, Abra Rep. Joseph Bernos, and Kalinga Rep. and Mountain Province Legislative Caretaker Allen Jesse Mangaoang, Benguet Gov. Crescencio Pacalso, Mountain Province Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan, Jr., Ifugao Gov. Pedro Mayam-o, Kalinga Acting Gov. James Edubba, Baguio City Mayor and RDC-CAR chairman Mauricio G. Domogan, Tabuk City Mayor Ferdinand Tubban, Abra Vice Governor and Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army (CPLA) Chairman Ronald Balao-as, Apayao Vice Gov. Remy Albano, Benguet Vice Gov. Florence Tingbaoen, Mountain Province Vice Gov. Francis Tauli, Ifugao Vice Gov. Jordan Gollitiw and Kalinga Acting Vice Gov. Shirlynne D. Alunday, most municipal mayors and representatives from civil society groups and the CPLA.
Domogan presented issues and concerns needing intervention of the President  citing need for certification of HB 5343 as urgent administration measure.
He expressed collective gratitude of the Cordillera leaders for giving them time to meet with him and assure him that Cordillera leaders are now unified for the region’s renewed quest for autonomy.

P’sinan bettor wins P139-M lotto pot money

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DAGUPAN CITY -- - A bettor from Pangasinan won the jackpot in the 6/55 Grand Lotto draw on July 22, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) announced.
The still unidentified player picked the six-digit winning combination 44-26-29-32-38-13, which had a total jackpot prize of P139.47 million.
Fifteen other players won P88,620 each after they guessed five of the six-digit winning combination, according to PCSO general manager Alexander Balutan.  
The winning ticket was sold at a lotto outlet in Barangay Germinal, Bolinao town.
The 6/55 Grand Lotto is drawn every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.



La Union rebel free: Ilocos peace council

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SAN FERNANDO CITY — La Union is the only province in Ilocos region that is rebel-free, according to provincial officials who said this has contributed to  growth of its economy and tourism.
The absence of the New People's Army in the province was reaffirmed at a Regional Peace and Order Council meeting last week that included Gov. Francisco Emmanuel Ortega III and representatives of the police and military units assigned to the region. 
La Union was declared rebel-free on Sept. 4, 2009.
Lt. Col. Julio Osias, commander of the 81st Infantry Battalion said the military is pushing to get commitment of all stakeholders in maintaining peace in La Union. 
“All members of the RPOC are now committed to continue its efforts in bringing La Union Province more economic growth and development,” he said.
Maj. Gen. Angelito De Leon, commander of the 7th Infantry Division, added “the continued support of the AFP to the province even after its declaration as insurgency-fee shows its dedication to serve the people beyond the threat."
He added "stakeholders shall continue to help addressing local issues that might be a potential or problem that the insurgents would want to exploit.”
Osias added, “we will continue to support and secure La Union by mobilizing our resources to prevent resurgence of the protracted war of the communist terrorists.”
The meeting was held the same week that the government canceled backchannel talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines panel over recent NPA attacks, notably on a convoy of the Presidential Security Group traveling through Cotabato province on July 19.
The Palace said that the clash happened when the PSG convoy noticed that around 50 NPA fighters manning a checkpoint were not government forces. Local police said the NPA were wearing Army uniforms.
              "The NPA checkpoint was put up to interdict military and police vehicles carrying weapons plying the route as part of the NPA campaign in response to the CPP’s call to fight martial law in Mindanao," the Communist Party of the Philippines said in a statement

Travel agencies, tour ops to be regulated in Baguio

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By Dexter A. See 

BAGUIO CITY – An ordinance regulating operation of travel agencies, tour operators and tour guides in this summer capital was approved on first reading by the city council.
The ordinance by Council Leandro B. Yangot, Jr. stated no tourism-oriented or related business establishments operate travel agencies, tour operators and tour guides in the city, either domestic or international in scope, without first securing a mayor’s permit and paying the corresponding pre-imposed fees under existing tax ordinances.
The ordinance added among objectives of the measure include promotion and maintenance of a gender-sensitive tourism industry; sustenance, protection and promotion of the rich, collective and diverse cultural heritage that is uniquely Baguio through improved human resources training, allocation and utilization of local travel and tour agencies; regulation of exploration and development of tourist spots and promotion of gender sensitivity among all local and foreign tourists.
It also intends to ensure prospective support for the industry and for the city to forge coordinative undertakings with the various local travel agencies, tour operators and tour guides and to take initiatives to attract tourists in the city, create and develop a comprehensive implementing rules and regulations in partnership with the local travel agencies, tour operators and tour guides and appropriate government agencies; protect every local travel agency, tour operator and tour guides currently operating in the city by securing for them the best possible terms and conditions, including incentives, in their tourism venture; strengthen the network among local and national government agencies and rationalize the participation of various registered government agencies, tours operators and tour guides to serve Baguio’s thrusts and programs and to uphold and sustain the principle of leadership by example and establish mechanisms that will effectively and efficiently ensure Baguio City as a tourism center in the Cordillera and Northern Luzon.
The ordinance added the issued mayor’s permit shall be non-transferrable and shall be valid until the 3st day of December of the same year and the license to operate duly issued by the City Tourism Operations Office to travel agencies, tour operators, and tour guides shall be non-transferrable and shall be valid for the same period as the mayor’s permit.
Yangot said every travel agency shall establish and maintain a principal office in a commercial district within the city and a branch office may be established by any travel agency in the same manner.
He said tourism activities organized and conducted by travel agencies and local tour operators duly accredited, registered and licensed by the city government or those travel agencies and tour operators affiliated with the latter shall be entitled to privileges, incentives and tax exemption upon recommendation of the City Tourism Operations Office and any non-local tour operators shall be subject to the standard mandate such as, but not limited to, registration with the City Tourism Operations Office, accreditation of non-local travel agencies, tour operators and tour guides, including tour coordinators, as well as their tour packages and promotions; certification of approval of the Baguio tour promotional packages and promotions and proper payment of applicable local taxes imposed on any and all tourism activities they operate in the city.

16 hurt in Natonin town road accident

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NATONIN, Mountain Province – Sixteen persons were injured when a jeep they were riding in fell down a road here around 10 a.m. Wednesday.
Police said the incident happened t Sitio Mangnao, Barangay Saliok when the vehicle’s brakes stopped functioning. The vehicle bearing Plate Number DSX FI8 was driven by Celso Bagyan, 39 of Loo, Buguias Benguet.
Rescuers composed of police, fire disaster and Paracelis Community Hospital extricated the victims from the jeep.
Investigation disclosed the vehicle was traversing the road towards Paracelis when it suddenly lost its breaks and moved fast forward until it fell on the right side of the road.
The following passengers to include the driver were injured and were brought to hospitals for medical attention: Liwag, Noli Macario, Junison L. Dangpa, Julius D. Paleng, Meriam L. Dangpa, Marvin A. Bilog. Celso K. Bagyan and Jason L. Dangpa.
Also injured were Brenda Bagyan, Samuel, Benito, Samuel Bekigan, Sonita Dangpa,  Edmard Aggang, Remy Dolores,  Arlyn Dolores, Sheila Bilao and Dan Focasan.
Passengers who were referred to Natonin Infirmary Clinic were released by the attending physician after treatment.
The vehicle was damaged.


Four men rob at gunpoint Tabuk couple of P500-K

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TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Four men robbed at gunpoint a business couple here last week and ran away with half a million pesos and personal items.   
Police said the incident happened of July 23 in Appas Sur at the residence of Ben Oliver, 42 and his wife Erlinda, 39.
The victims arrived home around 8 p.m. that night from Bulanao public market and upon entering their kitchen, Erlinda was followed by unidentified persons. One of them pointed a firearm and declared the heist. One of the men immediately took her bag containing  less P500,000 cash, five passbooks, TIN card, Comelec ID card and driver’s license of her husband. The two suspects hit the head of Ben with their firearm before searching all the rooms.
              According to Ben, the thieves armed with three handguns and  rifle, were all wearing ball caps and face mask. The house was fully equipped with CCTV camera but the robbers destroyed the monitor and took the memory cards. The unidentified men  fled towards the fire exit at the back of the house. Police lifted two fingerprints of the suspects from the crime scene. 

Pols’ tiff over beach resort hampers DA farmers proj

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CABUGAO, Ilocos Sur – A dispute over a beach resort between the municipal government here and First District Rep. Deogracias Savellano has affected the delivery of farm equipment from the Dept. of Agriculture for farmers.  
This prompted the Solidarity of Peasants Against Exploitation (STOP Exploitation) to urge Ilocos Sur officials to set aside politics and focus on delivering needed support to advance agrarian development.
              “We are urging all parties concerned to shape up, leave projects and services for farmers’ out of their differences. We encourage other farmer’s organizations in the province to be vigilant, let us not let incidence like this to go unnoticed from the public,” said Zaldy Alfiler, secretary general of the group.
              This came after STOP Exploitation’s municipal chapter, Alyansa Dagiti Kumpang ti Cabugao (ALCUMPAC), reported that the rift between the local government of Cabugao and the family of First District Rep. Deogracias Savellano has affected the delivery of farm equipment from the Dept. of Agriculture.
Farmers associations in barangays Salapasap, Baclig, Nagsingcaoan, Sabang and Sisim were supposed to have received hand tractors and water pumps, and a 4-wheel tractor for Aragan.
              “We have received reports from our members that six farmers associations were supposed to receive tractors from the DA but according to the department’s personnel in Batac, Ilocos Norte, Savellano asked to put the release of the equipment on hold,” Alfiler said.
              The local government of Cabugao is currently at odds with the family of Savellano concerning jurisdiction and management of the Cabugao Beach Resort. The Sangguniang Bayan, through a resolution faulted the lawmaker’s daughter Nicole, of trespassing after she refused to vacate the facility to facilitate the bidding process for the new lease contract.
He added that before June 24, the agricultural department released similar support to farmers’ organizations in the second district.
Alfiler said according to leaders’ of ALCUMPAC, this is not the first time that awarding of assistance for farmers in the municipality was delayed due to unnecessary intervention of politicians.
              “The last thing we need is politicians getting back at each other at the expense of the farmers. It is appalling that public officials let politics affect the delivery of vital assistance,” said Alfiler.


NEWS BITS

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Student IDs, journal found in Ifugao NPA camp 

KIANGAN, Ifugao -- The commanding officer of the  54th Infantry Battalion here urged students, parents and teachers to be partners for peace and development.
Lt. Col. Nicolas Quemado, Jr. told students to focus on their studies and avoid the influence of anti-government groups and other related organizations as they may be fronts for recruitment.
He said during an encounter at in Abaka, Danggo, Tinoc town, army soldiers recovered war materials and personal belongings including school IDs of two female students of a government university and a journal of one of the students detailing her experiences as member of the armed revolution.
“I would like to encourage the parents to closely monitor and guide their children in becoming productive citizens of the nation. The same way goes to the school teachers for they stand as secondary parents of these students,” Quemado said.
The army official said this was needed as children are the hope of the nation.  -- PIA Ifugao

Baguio sets bid for Palaro hosting

BAGUIO CITY – Dept. of Education officials headed by regional director May Eclar and city schools superintendent Federico Martin , representatives from Baguio, La Trinidad and Benguet led by provincial administrator Noel Ngolob, the Baguio City Police Office and other agencies met recently to start finalizing the presentation of Baguio and Benguet in their bid to co-host the 2018 Palarong Pambansa.
Also discussed were the delegations’ billeting arrangements, venues for the games, security, budgetary requirements, traffic scheme and more. More than 12,000 participants from the country’s 18 regions are expected to join the annual sports extravaganza.
              With the theme, “Coolest Palaro,” the presentation will highlight Baguio and Benguet’s year-round temperate climate, unique culture, vibrant arts and sports scene, tourist sites, peace and order situation, adequate facilities, world-class accommodations, and others.
              Mayor Mauricio Domogan, Ngolob and Eclar met earlier with representatives of local universities and colleges to confirm their commitments in allowing their facilities and equipment to be used if ever Baguio and Benguet are chosen as hosts of the country’s largest sports event.  It will be the first time that the Cordillera region will be the Palaro’s venue should this happen.      
 Last month, the city sports office under Gaudencio Gonzales conducted a facility and equipment evaluation to assess the city’s capability in housing the sports spectacle including those privately owned that can be tapped for the activity.
 He said they are confident that Baguio and Benguet can present enough number of venues, facilities and equipment both for the events and accommodation of thousands of participants from the other regions to satisfy the organizers’ requirements.- Gaby Keith

Students urged: Apply for  NCE scholarships

BANGUED, Abra -- The Philippine Science High School  popularly called Phisi has urged  Grade 6 students to   apply for  the National Competitive Examination (NCE) to avail of scholarships.
Applicants must  have a final grade of 85 percent or better in science and mathematics, born  on or after August 1, 2003 and  have at least a satisfactory rating or its equivalent in   character rating in his or her report card  for SY 2016 – 2017.
Deadline of filing of application is on Sept. 1 while exam is set Oct. 21. 
Application form is available at Phisi campuses, regional and field offices of the Department of Science and Technology and it is also downloadable at www.pshs.edu.ph
Phisi personnel went around  elementary schools in Abra to campaign for more applicants.
In an interview with Jessril Tayag, dorm master, and Penelyn Banawa, faculty of the Phisi–Irisan Campus in Baguio City over Hot PIA Infolink Program of Abra Infocen, they urged Grade 6 pupils and Grade 5 pupils to maintain their average grade of 85 in mathematics and science in order for them to qualify for the NCE.
They discussed the benefits of being a Skolar ng Bayan through the Phisi. The benefits come in the form of free school fees, free books and all learning materials, monthly stipend, uniform allowance and even transportation. Under the system, students are well-attended to by the teachers because of the special and highly specialized system of teaching the students because each class is limited to only 30 students.
The examination fee for the pupils of the private schools is P100 while those in the public schools are free from payment of the examination fee.
Aileen Malangen of the DOST-Abra  announced that the usual college scholarship is again open to college students because the suspension is now lifted because the first batch of the K-12 curriculum is now graduating.  -- PIA Abra

DSWD releases P18M pension in Kalinga

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The Dept. of Social Welfare and Development recently released more than P18 million in socialized pension to some 12,591 elderly in the province.
Lorna Lumiwan of DSWD-Kalinga reported the assistance covered the first quarter of the year with P1,500 per pensioner.
Based on DSWD-Kalinga distribution report, the top recipients are Tabuk City with P5 million,  Pinukpuk  with  P3.5M and Balbalan  with P2M.
DSWD-Kalinga closely coordinates with the Provincial Federation of Senior Citizens for the updated master list of members. The sector is included in the priority targets of the office. 
Under Republic Act  994, the government through DSWD extends monthly socialized pension of P500 to senior citizens, who have no other financial support. It is released per quarter.
In related report, some municipalities in the province extend additional benefits to the sector that include livelihood assistance and mortuary cash aid.
In Tabuk City, the city government provides mortuary benefits of P5,000 to qualified members of the City Senior Citizen Federation and P2,000 to non-federation members.  -- PIA Kalinga

DOST upgrades baking skills of Ifugao small entrepreneurs

LAMUT, Ifugao -- The Department of Science and Technology trained 30 young and old small entrepreneurs of the province to upgrade their skills and knowledge in making bakery products.
The DOST tapped expert chefs and bakers from the ACHIEVERS Food and Bakery Ingredients Corporation based in Quezon City as resource persons. The company offers wide range of locally manufactured and selected imported quality food ingredients to produce a wide variety of breads, cakes, pastries, dimsum and other confectionaries and also supply bakery equipment and tools.
Provincial Science and Technology Director Genna Jallorina said that the training  under the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Project or SETUP  aims to enable the bakery operators in the province improve the quality and quantity of their bakery products by learning and using new and better ingredients, technology, equipment and facilities thereby making their business more profitable and  competitive.
Among the equipment introduced and demonstrated hands-on by the chefs and bakers from the ACHIEVERS Corporation to the trainees are the deck ovens, cake mixers, rack ovens, spiral mixers, chillers, proofers, dough machines, roasters, fondue machines, ice machines, bread slicer, bread racks and other machine products.
The participants learned proper processing and cooking of bakery foods like pastel rolls, pandesal with malunggay leaves, donut variety, hopia, chiffon cake and choco chiffon cake. -- PIA Ifugao

 Baguio sets Sept. 22 clean-up day

BAGUIO CITY- Mayor Mauricio Domogan through Administrative Order 86, series of 2017 has declared Sept. 22, 2017as Balili river massive clean-up drive, enjoining the working force from the city government officials, employees and residents from adjacent barangays.
The mayor said the activity contributes to environmental cleanliness and would heighten the people’s awareness of their role and responsibilities as stakeholder of an effective and efficient solid and waste water management.
Unabated dumping of litter, sewage and domestic and human refuse along Balili river has been observed, which results in floating or islands of garbage in the said river located in Trancoville barangay, along with tributary creeks from Pacdal, Cabinet hill, New Lucban, Honeymoon, Guisad and Sto. Nino (Slaughter) barangays, the AO stated.
Garbage also causes flooding during heavy rains, with the neighborhood reporting an acrid or nauseating odor along the waterways.              
To bring back the river’s cleanliness, city officials and employees take the lead for “effective solid and wastewater management” through a massive community clean-up, the AO further stated. -- Julie G. Fianza

Kalinga 4Ps get rice aid

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – More than11, 000 Pantawid Pamilya program beneficiaries in the province started receiving  rice subsidy from the program.
Under the Duterte Administration, Pantawid beneficiaries are extended additional P600 monthly rice aid.
Lorna Lumiwan, 4Ps Provincial Link, disclosed the Dept. of Social Welfare and Development released the rice assistance for January because the period was covered under the “suspension of evaluation on compliance” due to super typhoon ‘Lawin’.       
But starting February until end of the year, release of rice aid will be back as compliance-based, Lumiwan said.
Under the 4Ps program, indigent beneficiaries receive monthly cash benefits provided they comply with conditions set on health, education and attendance to family development sessions.
Pantawid families are required to have regular health monitoring at rural health units, qualified children should be in school and undergo regular family development sessions.  -- PIA Kalinga

Int’l English teachers confab set in Baguio

BAGUIO CITY - Hundreds of English language educators and policy makers from the Philippines and Southeast Asia are expected to attend the International English Teachers Conference (INETCON 2017) slated on Aug. 18-20 at the Teachers Camp here.
Organized by the Baguio-based Vivixx Technical Academy, the international event is also expected to draw the participation of delegates from the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) as well as the English as the Second Language (ESL) and Business Process Management (BPM) sectors.
Vivixx Academy president Ace Estrada II said the event is significant because it will serve as venue for the said three government agencies responsible for education to discuss problems and intervention measures and solutions in Filipino English oral proficiency with the input of  the ESL and BPM industry.
Moreover, the event will coincide with the launching of the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) test in the Philippines and the direct hiring of the first OPI raters outside of the U.S. by the American Council  on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), according to Estrada.
Keynote speakers during the event will be Sen. Edgardo Angara, chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture; Deputy Director General Diosdado Padilla of TESDA; Undersecretary Benito Bengson Jr. of the Department of Tourism and Executive Director Penny Bongato of the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP).
Conference highlights include an exhibit, job fair, ESL school tour, dinner concert, plenary and workshops and ACTFL training. – Aileen P. Refuerzo

Tabuk City ups drive against minor drivers

TABUK CITY, Kalinga --  The City Public Order and Safety Office has intensified its campaign against  minor drivers amid reports of high violations.
POSO Dionisio P. Falgui III reported their office had recorded 1,911 traffic violators in the city from January-June, mostly minor drivers and driving without license.
This explains why road accident is the top cause in cases of physical injuries in the city police report, Falgui said.
In line with the campaign, mobile check points along the city’s main thoroughfares has  been intensified. Because of strict traffic regulation enforcement, the POSO had collected P574,350 in penalty fees for the period.
But Falgui said collection of penalty fees is just secondary to their mandate of assuring public order and safety.   
We impose penalty because we want drivers to follow proper traffic rules to avoid accidents, he said.   
He appealed to parents to cooperate with the authorities by preventing their minor-children from just going on fun-driving  without the assistance of licensed drivers.  -- PIA Kalinga 


Ban on sale of tickets mulled in Baguio
BAGUIO CITY – The local legislature has passed on first reading a proposed “anti-scalping ordinance” in the Summer Capital.
Authored by councilor Leandro Yangot, Jr., the measure is applicable to all local residents and individuals operating with or without ticket offices or official booths within the city’s territorial jurisdiction.
Scalping is the mass purchase and resell of tickets at more expensive prices while a scalper is one who sells airline, bus, theater, concert tickets and similar undertakings with or without profit outside the ticket office or official booth or place designated for the purpose.
The proposed ordinance makes it unlawful for any scalper to sell airline, bus, theater, concert tickets and similar undertakings with or without profit outside the ticket office or official booth or place designated for the purpose.
It also prohibits any person to finance, manage or operate scalping which is pernicious or inimical to public interest.
Violators of the measure’s provisions shall be meted a fine of not more than P5,000 or by imprisonment of not more than three months or both, upon the discretion of the Courts. – Gaby Keith

  Kalinga farmers learn ratooning technology

CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga --  The Provincial Agriculturist Office educates farmers on the ratooning technology to increase rice production.
Joe Casibang, Kalinga rice program coordinator, said ratooning could add at least 40 percent of the average yield per hectare to farmers.
Under the technology, farmers are taught to apply some interventions to palay plants left out during harvest and could still get additional yield. Farmers just apply additional two bags of urea per hectare compared to the usual 8-10 bags of fertilizer per hectare in the regular cropping.
Casibang said the ratooning period runs for about 60 days, which is actually the regular cropping interval, before the ratooned palay is ready for harvest.
The technology is applicable to both hybrid and inbred rice. Rice farmers get an average of 120 bags of palay per hectare.
A 50-hectare demo-farm is being used for the technology in this City, the province's major rice producing area.  -- PIA Kalinga 

DSWD sets 30,000 family food packs for rainy months

BAGUIO CITY – Dept. of Social Welfare and Development in the Cordillera Administrative Region has set family food packs for disaster augmentation this rainy season particularly for  landslide-prone areas in the region.
 DSWD-CAR regional director Janet Armas said 30,000 food packs have already been brought to provinces for distribution in case of disasters.
She said 6,200 food packs are in Mountain Province; 5,000 in Ifugao; 2,642 in Abra; 1,500 in Apayao; and 15,601 at their warehouse in Puguis, La Trinidad town in Benguet.
A food pack contains 6 kilograms of rice, half dozen 3-in-1 instant coffee, 8 canned goods, brown rice bar (energy bar) and infant dry-cereals.
Armas said the goods will augment food supplies in cases of disasters in Cordillera as landslides frequently occur due to the terrain.
DSWD-CAR, she said, spent about P13 million for the family packs. About P21 million was also spent for non-food items like blankets and tents.
Cordillera the past days has been experiencing strong rains and thunderstorms brought by the southwest monsoon. A number of roads were closed to vehicular traffic due to landslides. -- PNA

 PVET teaches farmers organic feed formulation

HUNGDUAN, Ifugao --The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVET) here recently conducted skills training on organic swine and poultry raising and feed formulation to 83 farmer- recipients of native pig raising project of the provincial government.
The training was to enable pig raisers gain more profit in their backyard livestock endeavor by formulating their own organic feeds using ingredients and materials that are abundant and indigenous in their places rather than relying on commercial feeds which are very expensive, said PVET training coordinator Ferdinand Dunuan.
By adopting organic farming  that  includes feed formulation to reduce feed cost,  they can produce not only animal meat products which are safe and fit for human consumption but also earn more profit because organically produced farm products nowadays are in great demand.
Dunuan   lectured to participants on animal husbandry, issues on bio-organic inputs and good agricultural practices.
Gilbert Caclini, also of PVET, demonstrated the preparation of the feeds using the indigenous materials with the hands on participation of the farmers  so that they can learn and experience on the spot organic feed formulation.
The ingredients and materials used during the actual preparation of  50 kilograms (kgs) of organic feed include 20 kilos rice bran, 5 corn grits, 5 corn bran, 3 chopped banana stalk, 3 chopped camote trunk and leaves, 3 ofipil leaves, 10 ofazola, a kilo of brown sugar, another kilo of indigenous micro-organism (for fermentation) and two liters of rice wash.
The farmers said were happy with what they learned and promised that they will immediately start preparing their own feed supply. -- Daniel B. Codamon







Japanese film fest opens August 10 in Baguio City

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By Alah Soledad M. Sungduan

EIGASAI is coming to Baguio again. This time the Japanese Film Festival will feature the free screening of 12 award winning Japanese films covering a wide array of genres which include a documentary and a movie dubbed in Filipino language.
The festival celebrating the Philippine-Japan Friendship Month in July and August marking its 20th anniversary in the country will officially open on August 10, Thursday in the Summer Capital, a haven of many arts, cultural and Japanese enthusiasts according to Japan Foundation Manila Office.
“We have attracted over 4,600 audiences in Baguio (nationwide we had over 26,400) last year; and this year, we are hoping that more people can join this festival and enjoy the Japanese film festival on the big screen,” JFMO Program Coordinator Ami Kurokawa said.
Proud to continue the film festivals and being able to screen quality Japanese films, Kurokawa said from ten films presented at SM City Baguio Cinema last year, two additional motion pictures are included to attract more audience and bring a diverse group of Filipino together to celebrate the Japanese culture.
JFMO believes that films are one of the most accessible and easiest gateways into Japanese culture, way of living, and language as it shows a glimpse of the interesting lives of Japanese people which they hope will fuel Filipinos’ curiosity and interest, and start conversations about Japanese culture.
They hope that through the said undertaking, Japan-lovers and film-lovers can now look forward to EIGASAI each year and watch Japanese films on the big screen. It is also an opportunity for eager Japanese learners to put their skills to practice and strengthen their passion for the language.
Featured in the festival are 11 films with English subtitles, Filipino dubbed film “Bakuman” and the beautiful documentary “Tsukiji Wonderland” which talks about the Tsukiji Market due to be moved to Toyosu. The trailer of this film can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/pg/eigasaiPH/videos/?ref=page_internal.
“Bakuman” will be shown on the opening day on August 10 at 1:30PM to be followed by “The Long Excuse” and The Magnificent Nine.
On August 11 the featured films are “Chihayafuru”, “What a Wonderful Family”, and “Creepy” while “Sweet Bean”, “Tsukiji Wonderland”, and “Her Love Boils Bathwater” on August 12.
Meanwhile, the films “The Anthem of the Heart”, “Chihayafuru Part 2”, and “The Mohican Comes Home” will be shown on the last screening on August 13.  For updates, visit the official Facebook page: eigasaiPH (https://www.facebook.com/eigasaiPH/)
Regarded as a milestone by the Japan Foundation Manila, EGASAI has over 100 screenings in nine venues in the nation which started in Manila on July 20.
EGASAI is part of the Japan Foundation Asia Center’s unified Japanese Film Festival being held around Southeast Asia and the Pacific region with Japan Foundation, Manila.

For comments and topic suggestions please email alahsungduan@gmail.com

Nationwide rondalla group wows Camp John Hay crowd

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By Julie G. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY – Young and seasoned music conductors with 99 instrument-wielding musicians, chosen from all over the country played rondalla music to a packed audience at the CAP John Hay Trade and Cultural Center, evening of July 22.
Dubbed as K’libet, concert ended the two-week rondalla music camp, made possible by the National Center for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA), Musicological Society of the Philippines, University of the Philippines Baguio – Office of the Chancellor, and the Office of Sen. Loren Legarda.
The 12-piece concert with instruments; banduria, octavina, guitars and double bass; ranged from classical, opera, folksongs, traditional and contemporary music and local composition, enthralled the audience to their feet, as they hummed along with familiar tunes.
Among the performers were Baguio-grown soprano Stephanie Quintin and conductors Nelson Polvoriza of the University of Baguio rondalla and Alma Vida Gallardo of Benguet State University rondalla, in La Trinidad,Benguet.
Other conductors are Ryan Manzanares of  Tayabas West Central School Rondalla, Tayabas, Quezon; Reynaldo Ocampo, AO Floreindo Elementary School Rondalla, Davao del Norte; Reynan Ayento, Aniweng na Cuerdas Rondalla, Mangatarem, Pangasinan; Ma. Theresa Serilo, Naga Central School Rondalla, Naga City; Rolly Gulay, Xavier University Rondalla Cagayan de Oro City; Abel Llemos, Olongapo City Youth Rondalla, Olongapo City; Noli Rodriguez, Philippine Women’s University JASMS Rondalla, Manila; Slavsky Ybanez, City of Bogo Science and Arts Academy Rondalla, Cebu; Jegger Anjao, Kabataang Silay Rondalla Ensemble, Silay City, Negros Occidental; and Lea Olmos, Cayetano Arellano High School Rondalla, Sta. Cruz, Manila.       
The two week intensive training, an offshoot of the strings of unity international rondalla forum, focused on music theory, music history and analysis, music theory, conducting and writing for rondalla. It was also organized to enhance the proficiency of musicians and conductors; instrument-playing techniques and the formation of the first national ensemble of the Philippines. 
National artist for music Ramon Santos served as camp director.


Baguio lauds chess whiz, German volunteer

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BAGUIO CITY -- The city government has lauded a local chess prodigy and a foreign volunteer for achievements in the sports arena and contribution to the Summer Capital’s beautification, respectively.
In Monday’s flag-raising ceremonies at city hall, vice mayor Edison Bilog handed over city council resolution Number 259, series of 2017, to Haridas Burlaza Pascua commending him for being the champion in the International Master Tournament in Jakarta, Indonesia and 3rd place finisher in the Challenger Open in Malaysia, both held this year.
Born in Pangasinan and a resident of Holy Ghost Proper barangay, here, Pascua was a University of Baguio varsity chess player in his college years and represented the city in various national and international competitions.
Bilog also awarded resolution number 254, series of 2017, to Frank Georg expressing the city government’s sincerest appreciation and gratitude for his unselfish and immeasurable contribution to the beautification and maintenance of Baguio’s landscapes and gardens.

Georg, a German-born painter and landscaper, has been volunteering his services since 2010 to beautify some of the city’s famous landmarks like the Baguio Cathedral, Post Office Loop, City Hall including the center islands along Harrison Road, Abanao Street and Abanao Extension. – Gaby Keith

POLICE ROUNDUP

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 Mt Proc vice gov, son escape electrocution in road accident
BAUKO, Mountain Province – The vice governor of this province, his son and driver escaped electrocution when the vehicle they were riding in hit wires of an electric post here Monday around 8:30 a.m..
Vice Gov. Francis O. Tauli and his son were proceeding to Bebe Elementary School, Monamon Sur, Bauko to attend induction program of Parents Teachers Association and student government council officers and celebration of Nutrition Month when the driver accidentally hit the electrical post wires causing damages on the vehicle’s front bumper.
The Trail Blazer was driven by Ronald Tinacba Maslian, 29, resident of Demang, Sagada, Mt. Province.

20 hurt in Ilagan City bus crash

ILAGAN CITY, Isabela -- Some 20 people were injured when their bus rolled over and hit a concrete fence during heavy downpour here in Barangay San Juan on July 23. The victims were taken to the Faustino Dy Sr. Memorial Hospital. 
Supt. Ariel Quilang, Ilagan police chief, said the driver of the Dalin Liner bus, Ariel Canceran escaped. 

Gasoline boy nabbed for molesting teener

BAGUIO CITY – A gasoline boy was arrested for allegedly mashing the breast of a 15-year-old girl in a passenger jeepney here Wednesday.
Jefte Se-eng, 23, allegedly covered his hand with his backpack while molesting the victim as the jeepney traveled along Asin road at around 8 p.m. Se-eng was arrested in a follow-up operation after the victim and her father reported the incident.

Nigerian swindles Banaue booking station of P33,500

BANAUE, Ifugao – A Nigerian swindled owner of an airline booing station here Wednesday around 5 p.m. of P33,500 and is nowhere to be found. 
The Nigerian was identified as Ayoola Kelvin Awok and is now the object of police manhunt.
Police said a certain Junie Banotan Ducyao, 32, maintenance worker of Uyami’s Greenview Lodge and Charlene Domino Nagnot, 21, cashier at Nagnot’s airline booking and loading station, personally reported to police they were victimized by Awok who exchanged his fake Euro currency.
 Investigation revealed  the suspect went to Nagnot’s airline booking and loading station and exchanged 600 euros to peso amounting to ₱31,000. The suspect proceeded to Uyami’s Green view Lodge where he checked out after exchanging also 50 euro to ₱2,500.
Nagnot was informed by her employer-aunt  that the 600 euros were all fake. Ducyao and Nagnot tried to locate the suspect but he was nowhere to be found.

 Drug surrenderee shot dead in Isabela

SAN MARIANO, Isabela -- Drug surrenderee Ritchell San Jose, 40, was in a tricycle with two other men here in Barangay Darangutan West, San Mariano when motorcycle-riding men told them to pull over and shot him several times Monday. His companions were unhurt.

2 kids drown in La Union

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union -- Two children drowned in separate incidents in La Union on Tuesday.
Raynier Arellano, 8, and his classmates were on their way home from school when he slipped and was carried away by the strong current in a creek amid heavy rains in Barangay Dagup in Bagulin town. 
Analyn Dingwas, 9, fell into a river in Barangay Amontoc, San Gabriel. – Jun Elias

 Drunk laborer killed after vehicle hits post

ITOGON, Benguet – A laborer was driving his motorcycle when it slammed on an electric post which caused his instant death here Tuesday around 8:30 p.m.  
Police said the incident happened along the Baguio-Philex road here at Besang, Manganese, Ampucao. The victim was identified as Arthur Tilay Jose, 53, of Pasiday, Ampucao. 
Investigation disclosed the victim who was under the influence of liquor was traveling without headlight when his vehicle hit the post.

Cops destroy marijuana plants in Alilem

ALILEM, Ilocos Norte -- Police discovered and uprooted a marijuana plantation in here remote Sitio Lap-angan, Barangay Dalawa early last week.
Senior Supt. Jovencio Badua, police provincial office director, said the marijuana destroyed by the joint teams of the PDEA and police – led by Sr. Insp. Jade Macaraeg and Chief Insp. Andrew Rabang – resulted in the destruction of 125 fully-grown marijuana plants with an estimated value of P25,000. -- Mar T. Supnad

 3 carabaos gore farmer to death

PARACELIS, Mountain Province -- A farmer died when three carabaos he drove away from his property went wild and gored him here in Sitio Banbanawang, Barangay Palitud July 13.
Rolando Capua Sr., 53, died while being treated at the Paracelis District Hospital.
Police have yet to identify the owner of the carabaos.

 Driver cheats death after van falls down Bauko cliff 

BAUKO, Mountain Province – A laborer cheated death when the vehicle he was driving fell down a 15-foot ravine here Monday around 11:30 a.m. along the Maba-ay-Abatan, provincial road at Sitio Soysoyoc, Tapapan.
Police said the blue van, with Plate No. WPM910, was registered to Apolonio P. Cuyopan of La Trinidad, Benguet. It was driven by Joey Laop Lardizabal, 31, of Barangay Mayag, Bauko.
Investigation disclosed the vehicle came from Abatan, Buguias, Benguet headed to Mayag. While at a curve, the steering wheel of the vehicle locked causing the driver to step on the brake to stop, but the brake malfunctioned causing the vehicle to fall down the cliff. The driver who was alone, managed to go to the road and sought assistance of other travelers who brought him to the Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital in Abatan, Bauko for treatment.

Man shot dead in sting operation

SAN RAFAEL, Bulacan -- Rodrigo Limus, alias Jojo, reportedly tried to resist arrest during a sting here morning of July 16 resulting to his death.
Limus reportedly pulled out a gun and fired at the police officers, triggering a shootout, according to Senior Supt. Romeo Caramat Jr., acting Bulacan police chief.
Probers said they recovered a .38 caliber revolver and a plastice sachet said to contain shabu from Limus.

 Man shoots cops in Vizcaya; killed

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya -- Christopher Alvarez was killed when he reportedly pulled out a gun and shot at the police officers during a sting in Barangay District 4, Bayombong on July 15.
The officers retaliated hitting Alvarez, who was declared dead on arrival at the Veterans Regional Hospital.
Probers said they recovered two plastic sachets said to contain shabu, a .38 caliber revolver and marked money from the suspect.

 Bus collides with van; 6 dead, 15 hurt

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Six persons were killed while 15 others suffered serious injuries when a van collided with a passenger bus along MacArthur highway in Tarlac City on July 16.
Van driver Jemor Bueno, 58; and his passengers Ermar Cortez, 8; Teresita Basadre, Silvestre Basadre, Lolita Marzan and Andrea Duran were pronounced dead on arrival  at the Tarlac Provincial Hospital.
Nine van and six bus passengers were taken to the same hospital for treatment.
Reports reaching Camp Olivas show the fatalities came from Bicol, where they attended the wake of a relative, and were on their way home to Tuba, La Union at about 4 a.m. when the accident occurred.
The driver of the Santrans bus, Pepito de la Luna, was arrested and charged with reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide.  He claimed the van was speeding.

Jollibee employee nabbed for child abuse

BAGUIO CITY – A young woman was arrested here Monday at Slaughter Compound by Tube, Benguet police for child abuse. Arrested was Bernadette Junio Buccat, 19, service crew of Jollibee – Harrison, Baguio and resident of Block 9, NHA, Tadiangan, Tuba. This, after  Marietta S. Brawner-Cualing, presiding judge of Regional Trial Court, Branch 9 issued warrant against her setting bail of P120,000 for her temporary liberty .

 Child rape victim found dead in Ecija

JAEN, Nueva Ecija – The decomposing body of an eight-year-old girl believed to be a victim of rape was found along the road here in Barangay Niyugan, Jaen, on Monday.
Senior Superintendent Antonio Yarra, provincial police director, identified the victim as Christina Claire Mielle Medina, a resident of Barangay Maugat in San Antonio town.
The victim had been missing since July 19.
Probers said a certain Larry Herrera, alias Boy, allegedly took the girl.  He was arrested in Puerto Princesa, Palawan on July 16. 
Herrera reportedly admitted raping and killing the girl at a cemetery in San Isidro town and dumping her body near an irrigation canal. Police said the backpack of the girl was found in the cemetery. – Ric Sapnu

 Boat capsizes in Agno River; 1 dead

SAN CARLOS CITY, Pangasinan – An 18-year-old student drowned when a boat capsized in Agno River in Barangay Bocboc in this city Monday night. 
The body of Adrian Wyeth Carl de la Cruz was recovered while search and rescue operations for painter Jordan Muñoz, 19, continued De la Cruz, Muñoz and Rico Sudio, 21, were on their way home from Aguilar town when they encountered big waves. Sudio survived. – Eva Visperas

3 foreigners held for ATM fraud

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – Three foreigners were arrested for withdrawing money using a skimming device from the automated teller machine (ATM) of a bank along MacArthur highway in Barangay San Agustin, San Fernando, Pampanga on Monday. 
Chief Supt. Aaron Aquino, Central Luzon police director, identified the suspects as Nicaraguan Radu Minodor Sandor, 45; Italian Marcu Bogdan, 26, and Romanian Petro Ioan Uveges, 44, who holds a Hungarian passport bearing the name Balazs Varga. Aquino said a skimming device, assorted ATM cards, P339,362.65 in cash and a Toyota Wigo were recovered from the suspects. 
Senior Supt. Joel Consulta, Pampanga police acting director, said they are coordinating with the Bureau of Immigration to verify the status of the suspects, who may be involved in an international syndicate engaged in ATM fraud.
The suspects also reportedly tried to bribe responding policemen with $50,000. – Ric Sapnu

Drug surrenderee killed in Badoc

BADOC, Ilocos Norte -- Motorcycle-riding men shot Arnold Quibuyen, 56, while he was driving his tricycle in Barangay Mabusag in Badoc town at around 4:30 p.m. on July 16 He died at the scene.
Chief Insp. Dexter Corpuz, Ilocos Norte police spokesman, said the victim surrendered under Oplan Tokhang last year and was ranked fifth on the drug watchlist of the police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Ilocos Norte.
Gerald Loria, a resident of Sitio 5, Barangay San Vicente in Castilla town, was drinking liquor with his friends at a karaoke bar in Barangay San Vicente when an unidentified man entered and shot him in the chest. Police have yet to determine the motive for the killing.

Man arrested for frustrated murder 

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Police arrested a certain Rizalde Traquena Tesorero aka Zaldy, 40 here Monday for frustrated murder. This, after judge Genie Gapas-Agbada of Regional Trial Court 2nd Judicial Region, Branch 42, Virac, Catanduanes issued warrant against him. Bail was set at P10,000 for his temporary liberty.

 Boy admits raping, killing 5-year-old girl

SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan -- The body of a five-year-old girl was found stuffed in a sack and dumped in a grassy area here in Barangay Kaypian early last week. A 13-year-old boy was caught on closed-circuit television camera footage leading the victim into a house.
Supt. Fitz Macariola, city police chief, said they considered the case closed after the boy admitted raping and killing the girl. -- Ric Sapnu

 Man nabbed for rape

APARRI, Cagayan – A naïve of Luna, Apayao was arrested here Wednesday at Barangay Karoronan for rape. Arrested was Jaylord Battuac Inayao 26 after warrant was issued against him by judge Francisco S. Donato, of RTC, Branch 23, 2nd Judicial Region at Luna.

PCSO agent arrested for reckless imprudence

BAGUIO CITY – A Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office agent was arrested here Tuesday for reckless imprudence.  Nabbed was Errol Singson Ibuna, 33, native of Vigan Ilocos Sur and presently residing in Asin, Tuba, Benguet. Glenda T. Ortiz-Soriano, presiding judge of MTCC, Branch 2, Baguio City issued his arrest warrant. The accused posted bail of bail of ₱3,000 for his provisional liberty.

Woman arrested for lack of business permit 

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – A woman was arrested here Wednesday at Camp Dangwa for operating two businesses without permit. Nabbed was Arlene Taynan  Camura, 34, of Tublay town. Judge Melita Amylesha G. Delson-Macaraeg, presiding judge of Municipal Trial Court of La Trinidad, issued warrant for her arrest setting bail of P1,000 for each case.

Buguias, farmer nabbed for frustrated homicide   

BUGUIAS, Benguet – A farmer was arrested here Wednesday for frustrated homicide. The suspect was identified as Christian P. Tiwtiwen, of Burgos, La Union. This, after Sergio T. Angnganay Jr., acting presiding judge of Regional Trial Court Branch 64, First Judicial Region Abatan, Buguias, Benguet issued arrest warrant against him setting bail of ₱200,000 for his temporary liberty.

Bokod farmer lands in jail for attempted murder 

BOKOD, Benguet – Cops arrested a certain Robert Sotero Sueno 47, farmer here Wednesday after Jennifer P. Humiding, presiding judge of RTC Branch 63, La Trinidad, Benguet issued arrest warrant against him for attempted murder setting bail of ₱400,000 for his temporary liberty.

Businessman’s house burned in Baguio City

BAGUIO CITY -- A two-storey residential house located here at No.120 Pinewood Street, Crystal Cave, Bakakeng Central Baguio City owned by a certain Wahab Manan Macalangan, 44, businessman was partially razed by fire Wednesday around 1:30 p.m.
A witness named as Tyron Calauto Cabantas, told police he was with his friends near the place of incident when they heard an explosion and saw smoke emanating from the first floor of the house that prompted them to call Baguio Fire Department.
The owner of the house said around 7:30 a.m., he left their house and ferried his children to school then went to their business establishment at Center Mall.
He said they removed all plugs of all their electrical appliances and there was no electricity when they left the house.
Baguio Fire Department personnel led by Insp. Hesus Yango  declared the fire out  around 2 p.m. Estimated cost of damage was  ₱100,000.
 

3 nabbed in Abra buy-bust

BANGUED, Abra – A member of a local drug group and two others were arrested early last week during a sting operation by anti narcotics agents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and police.
Eddie Mar Donato Bayle alias Abbet, 31, was nabbed together with Regienald Bilgera Acena, male, 22 and Majal Camaddo Almazan, 20. They were apprehended for selling one heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected shabu to an undercover agent.

Painter arrested for rape in Baguio

BAGUIO CITY – A young woman was allegedly raped by a painter here July 23 around 9 a.m. inside a building at Lot 5, Block 2, Phase 1, Eagle Crest, Bakakeng Norte/Sur.
The 18-year- old victim was allegedly raped by Dennis Macaraeg, 45, painter, and resident of No. 235 Loakan, Magsaysay.
 Investigation conducted disclosed that the victim together with her boyfriend slept and was left alone inside their room at about 7:30 a.m. that day.
The victim was having coffee inside their room when she was called by the suspect to get the pail inside the bathroom. The victim was hesitant but she was suddenly pulled inside the bathroom by the suspect. The suspect threatened the victim with a knife and raped her.
 The incident was reported to police station 10. Cops chased the fleeing suspect and arrested him at Ciudad Grande, Phase 1, Block 5, Lot 4, Gardenia Street, Bakakeng Norte.

Driver run over by own truck in Kabayan; dies

KABAYAN, Benguet -- A farmer died after he was run over by the truck he was driving here along Sitio Talukip, Barangay Eddet on July 23. 
Michael Atolba was delivering vegetables when the truck he was driving encountered mechanical problems.
He alighted and went under the truck to find out what was wrong, but the truck moved, pinning him to death.

Man shot, hurt in Badoc town

BADOC, Ilocos Sur -- Ricky Ines, 42, was driving his motorcycle when two men on another motorbike opened fire along the highway here in Barangay Lacuben Monday. He was confined in a hospital. Police said the victim was not on their drug watchlist.

 Raped teener slain; rapist shot dead

BUGALLON, Pangasinan – A 16-year-old girl believed to be a victim of rape was found dead in this town on July 13.
A tricycle driver found the body of Vanessa Amansec in a rice field at the boundary of Barangay Antipangol in San Carlos City and Barangay Pangascasan of this town at around 5 a.m.  
Chief Insp. Francis Castillo, Bugallon police chief, said two men were arrested yesterday in connection with the incident.

 P100 K reward set for info on rape-slay of 12-year-old

BASISTA, Pangasinan – The provincial board offered a reward of P100,000 for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the rape and killing of a 12-year-old girl in Basista town.
Joana Rose Español was found dead in a pond in Barangay Dumpay on Saturday, three days after she was reported missing. – Eva Visperas

One dead, 3 hurt in Cagayan road mishap

TUGUEGARAO, Cagayan  – A man died and two others were injured when their motorcycles collided in Barangay Rapuli, Sta. Ana, Cagayan on Tuesday.
Rogelio Tapon Sr., 70, was pronounced dead on arrival in a hospital, where his grandson, Jymen Guillermo, 16; Johnny Ulmagan and Michael Santiago were also taken for treatment.
It was learned that Umagan had no driver’s license while Tapon’s license had expired. – Raymund Catindig

 Drug surrenderee shot dead

SAN MARIANO, Isabela -- Drug surrenderee Ritchell San Jose, 40, was in a tricycle with two other men here in Barangay Darangutan West when motorcycle-riding men told them to pull over and shot him several times. His companions were unhurt.

Man survives Badoc ambush

BADOC, Ilocos Norte -- Ricky Ines, 42, was driving his motorcycle when two men on another motorbike opened fire along the highway here in Barangay Lacuben. He remained confined in a hospital at press time. Police said the victim is not on their drug watchlist.

PDEA: 482 villages in Region 1 drug-cleared

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency  revealed last week that 482 out of the 2,829 drug-affected barangays in all of Region 1 have been validated as drug-cleared villages.
Based on the tally last updated on July 13, PDEA Region 1 director Joeffrey Tacio said among drug-cleared barangas were 282 in Pangasinan; 202 in La Union; and 23 each in Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte provinces.

For a community to be declared drug-cleared, Tacio said “there should be no more identified drug users and pushers, no plantation of marijuana, no warehouse or laboratory of illegal drugs and with sustainable program of the local government for drug surrenderers.” – Erwin G. Beleo

Two drown in Agno River; bodies found

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THE BODIES of two persons, including a special child, have been recovered from the Agno River in the towns of Alcala and Bugallon in Pangasinan province.
The first victim. Jonell Sebastian, 12 , a special child, a resident of Barangay San Vicente in  Alcala, was found at 7 p.m. Wednesday, not too far from his residence in San Vicente.
He was reported missing prior to his body’s recovery.
The second victim, an adult male, remained unidentified up to press time. He was  wearing  a black polo t-shirt and black pants, with his body  already in  an advanced state  of decomposition.
Police said the male cadaver was recovered along Agno River at Barangay Banaga in  Bugallon. Police added that the man  drowned  somewhere in San Carlos when the river level rose  due to  heavy rains. -- Liezle Basa Inigo


La Union fisherman missing in stormy sea

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SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – Rescue teams Friday were still searching for a fisherman who went missing at dawn Tuesday off the coast of this city amid rough weather conditions.
The missing fisherman was identified as Rodolfo  Padilla, 43, resident of Barangay Catbangen.
According to initial reports, Padilla, along with his nephew Edgar Cabradilla, 43, also from Catbangen boarded separate fishing boats at around 2 a.m. Tuesday, despite unfavorable weather conditions.
Padilla’s boat was  battered by strong winds and large waves and later capsized.
Cabradilla tried, in vain, to rescue Padilla and promptly returned to shore to seek assistance from authorities.
Personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, local maritime police and Provincial and City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council launched a search and rescue operation which was later suspended due to bad weather.
“Rubber and aluminum boats failed to reach possible sites because of big waves, so we asked the help of the Philippine Air Force and Office of Civil Defense for helicopters,” said Florycel Obeña, City Fishery and Aquatic Resource Management coordinator. -- Erwin Beleo


Squatters enter subdivision in Baguio; owners bar road access

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By Dexter A. See 

BAGUIO CITY – Owners of a subdivision here, fed up over squatters who set up illegal buildings over the area, have barred motor vehicles of outsiders saying they have repeatedly asked the city government to demolish illegal structures but these have often been delayed due to flimsy reasons of informal settlers.       
Following this, the city council is scheduling inspection of  the subdivision in Bakakeng Central here to check validity of the complaints of residents living around it they are granted limited access by homeowners of the subdivision.
During the regular session of the local legislative body Monday, concerned residents of Dominican-Mirador the Crystal Dale Homeowners Association  restricted  entry of motor vehicles inside the subdivision that limit their access to their residences located outside the subdivision.
 Affected residents admitted their motor vehicles are only allowed entry to the subdivision during emergency situations while water delivery trucks are allowed to enter and pass through the subdivision to provide them adequate water supply.
Gordon Star, president of the Crystal Dale Homeowners Association, said the decision to limit access of residents living outside the subdivision and passing through the subdivision roads was agreed upon by officers and members to prevent unauthorized entry of construction materials that are used to build the houses of informal settlers that have allegedly been erected in the subdivision.
He added considering subdivision roads are private in nature, the decision to restrict the entry of vehicles in their private properties is left to the discretion of homeowners and limiting the access of people living outside their subdivision was seen as one of the ultimate solutions in curbing the further increase of informal settlers in their private properties.
According to the homeowner, the illegal structures erected by alleged informal settlers are still within the limits of the subdivision and have not yet been demolished because of repeated appeal of the informal settlers to city officials to defer scheduled demolition for still invalid reasons.
The affected residents want their motor vehicles to be allowed entry to the subdivision because there is no other road to where their houses are located.
Members of the councilors agreed to the ocular inspection to study possible recommendations the predicament of the affected residents while protecting the interest of the homeowners over their private properties.
One of the possible solutions being suggested by local legislators is for the affected residents to pay regulatory fees to homeowners for them to use the subdivision roads to go to their houses located outside the subdivision with the commitment that the vehicles will not bring in construction materials.
Initially, the payment of regulatory fees by the affected residents to allow the entry of their motor vehicles in the subdivision was rejected by the homeowners considering non-compliance of the concerned residents to their commitment not to bring in construction materials through their subdivision.



Makabayan to House: Probe all LGUs getting tobacco tax

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LAOAG CITY -- The regional chapter of Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan, the political party that includes the progressive partylists – Bayan Muna, Gabriela Women’s Party, Anakpawis, Act Teachers and Kabataan, called on their associates in the House of Representatives to amend House Resolution No. 1126, to include all provinces receiving share from Republic Act 7171.
 “Tobacco farmers in Ilocos welcome the support of our leaders in the House. However, we find the resolution wanting. While it is good that inquiry on Imee Marcos’s anomalous use of RA 7171 funds is being tackled by the House, we think that it is only appropriate that investigation on the benefits received by tobacco farmers must include all local governments receiving share from the law,” said Lenville Salvador, Makabayan regional coordinator for Ilocos-La Union.
HR 1126 seeks to direct the committee on good governance and public accountability to conduct an inquiry on the utilization of the tobacco excise tax and determination of the tangible benefits acquired by tobacco farmers in Ilocos Norte. Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao, is the principal author of the resolution.
 “The corruption and misuse of the RA 7171 funds is not isolated in Ilocos Norte, it is widespread and deep-seated practice among local government officials, thus, to make the funds really work for the farmers, our legislators should not leave any stone unturned, and pursue charges to all those who violated the law’s provisions,” Salvador said.
He also disclosed that Makabayan Ilocos with regional farmers’ federation STOP Exploitation is planning to lobby for review and amendment of RA 7171.
The said lobby intends to put provisions that automatically allocate the bulk of LGU shares to projects that directly go to agricultural production, mechanization and post-harvest benefits such as production incentives.


‘81st IB branding Ilocos folks NPAs to justify rights violations’

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Ilocos Human Rights Alliance (IHRA) expressed concern over pronouncement of Lt. Col. Eugenio Osias, Commanding Officer of the 81st Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The army officer announced last week over a local radio station in Ilocos Sur they will file charges against those they perceive as New People’s Army sympathizers.
Osias  claimed their troops discovered documents containing names of NPA contacts after a firefight in the municipality of Salcedo last July 23.
 “The AFP is at it again, pointing their fingers and training their guns to civilians every time armed engagement happen, now even threatening to file cases against suspected NPA supporters,” said Zoilo Baladad, IHRA secretary general.
In a prior statement, IHRA said 81st IB forces are quick to accuse residents and officials opposing their encampments in communities and public places as NPA supporters.
“Col. Osias’s pronouncement is nothing new,” said Baladad. “It has been the AFP’s practice in the past to concoct stories of confiscating documents and even storage devices that supposedly contain the names of NPA supporters, using it justify their attacks against leaders of people’s organizations and local officials opposing their programs and encampment,” she added.
“Based on the group’s record, units and elements from the 81st IB are responsible for 18 cases of threat and intimidation. They are also liable for violating International Humanitarian Law for encamping in public places and populated areas from August 2016 to mid-February 2017.”
The group believes these are part of President Duterte’s plan to justify the extension of Martial Law and its eventual expansion in the entire country.
Baladad said they are expecting steep rise of human rights violations in light of Osias’s announcement and the “bully and kill” statement made by Duterte against those government labels as enemies of the state during his second state of the nation address.

“The stage for a dictatorial rule is hastily being set. We must not be cowed by the different tricks and threat formulated by the military. We should expose and fight all efforts to broaden the martial law in the entire country,” said Baladad.  

DOLE gives cash to kin of 4 cops slain in Kalinga

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CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga --The Dept. of Labor and Employment  recently awarded cash for livelihood projects to beneficiaries of policemen killed  and wounded while doing their jobs.
DOLE Cordillera director Exequiel Ronie Guzman  led  awarding of  P20,000 livelihood each to Senior Insp. Eduardo Liclic who was wounded in action,  Ameliza Aguinaldo, wife of PO2 Jovenal Aguinaldo, Fenny Elizabeth Compas, spouse of PO1 Charles Ryan Compas; Lucia Tay-od, parent of PO1 Vincent Tay-od,  and Rosita Lawagan, mother of  PO3 Cruzaldo Lawagan.
These policemen were casualties in a shootout while serving warrant of arrest to to a top wanted person in   Malusong, Antonio Canao, Lubuagan, Kalinga last Feb. 21.

Guzman said DOLE is also giving  assistance to interested and qualified organized groups,  drug surrenderees and victims of disaster Meanwhile, DoLE awarded a  sewing project worth P404,000 to  student technologist entrepreneurs of Pinukpuk Vocational School and cacao tablea processing project to Bantay Improvement Club worth  P665,000. -- PIA Kalinga

CA upholds Baguio law; mayor orders fast probe of Camp 7 batching plant

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By Dexter A. See 

BAGUIO CITY –   Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan ordered the newly created Camp 7 batching plant task force to hasten joint inspection of the cement batching plant in barangay Camp 7 to find out its violations to the city’s zoning ordinance and Environment Code which can warrant its closure ending predicament of residents living within its vicinity who pushed its closure.
This, after the 17th Division of the Court of Appeals upheld the legality and constitutionality of Ordinance No. 043, series of 2007 or the city’s anti-batching plant ordinance overruling the decision of a lower court that declared the said local legislative measure as flawed.
In a 31-page decision signed by Associate Justices Ramon A. Cruz, Marlene Gonzales-Sison and Henri Lean Paul B. Inting, the CA cited there being a mixture of questions of facts and of law, the local government correctly instituted its appeal.
The decision added the assailed ordinance was passed by the City Council in the exercise of its police power, an enactment of the local legislative body acting as agent of Congress and local government units, as agencies of the State, are endowed with police power to effectively accomplish and carry out the declared objects of their creation and they exercise police power through their respective legislative bodies.
It stated the Local Government Code of 1991 empowered the local legislative bodies to enact ordinances, approve resolutions and appropriate funds for the general welfare of the city and its inhabitants and the proper exercise of the corporate powers of the city.
The decision pointed out the said rule is that every statute is presumed valid and on the party challenging its validity weighs heavily the onerous task of rebutting the said presumption and a reasonable doubt about the validity of the law should be resolved in favor of its constitutionality.
 “Every court is charged with the duty of a purposeful hesitation before declaring a law unconstitutional, on the theory that the measure was first carefully studied by the executive and the legislative departments and determined by them to be in accordance with the fundamental law before it was finally approved. The presumption of constitutionality can be overcome by the clearest showing that there was indeed an infraction of the Constitution, and only when such a conclusion is reached by the required majority may the court pronounce, in the discharge of the duty it cannot escape, that the challenged act must be struck down,” the decision stated.
The decision found out that it is necessary for both parties to present evidence to settle the factual issues of the case that the operation of the batching plant is an environmental hazard and that the destruction of the environment has continued at an increasing and alarming rate and the CA recognized the necessity to curb the same and the objective of the City Council to protect the tourism industry of the city as well as the health of its people and a healthful ecology, is commendable as long as it does not contravene the Constitution.
While the city can regulate the operation of batching plants to ensure their compliance with environmental laws, not even under the guise of police power, the CA stipulated Ordinance No. 043, series of 2007 was enacted within the limits of the Constitution, as there was no absolute prohibition against all batching plants, but only those that are inimical to a balanced and healthful ecology.
However, the CA noted the local government must show that the owner of the Camp 7 batching plant violated the said ordinance justifying the issuance of the closure order being questioned.
The case was remanded to the local court for the conduct of a full blown hearing regarding violations.
Domogan followed recommendation of city building official Engr. Nazita Bañez to use the violations of the batching plant to cancel the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) issued by the Cordillera office of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB-CAR) which is allegedly being used by the operator as a legal justification for its continuous operation.
 “We believe the local government has sufficient legal bases to close the operation of the Camp 7 batching plant because of our existing zoning ordinance that declared the area as residential area and the city’s Environment Code which provides the guidelines operating environmentally critical projects,” Domogan said.


Anonymous donor gives kidney patient new lease on life

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By Ramon Dacawi

A fund support of P5,000 dialysis patient Martina Pacatiw Macario received last week will not stop her from sleeping –when she can – on a pew of the chapel of the Baguio General Hospital where she had found sanctuary in a determined move to save on costs and sustain her life-saving blood cleansing sessions she has to undergo for a life-time.
The amount coming from an unidentified Korean woman who coursed it through courier at the public market in La Trinidad, Benguet last Monday, is too precious to be used for transport fare and other needs outside dialysis.
The support triggers a retelling of Macario’s story – so she can thank the donor and for other would-be Samaritans to follow the anonymous donor’s act.  
Martina, a 50-year old native of Tadayan, Pudong, Kapangan, Benguet, is now on her third year of twice-a-week hemodialysis. In May, 2013, she was rushed to the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center where doctors told her her kidneys had totally failed.
Three years earlier, on May 29, 2010, she was released after serving 20 years and one week in prison.
She was sentenced after she was caught trying to sell marijuana in a vain effort to improve the living condition of her family.
“While client (was) serving her sentence, she made effort to send money to her children who (were) in the custody of her parentws in Kapangan,.” Noted social worker Charity Mabini in a report she made to help Martina look for support to her life-time dialysis.
“(Her) children have their own families already (and) can not extend their (sustained) support anymore to Martina since their income is not even enough (for) the needs ofthier families” Mabini added.
Martina eventually found alife-time partner from Tayug, Pangasinan where she goes home to when she could after her dialysis sessions here. She is hooked to the dialysis machine from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Mondays and from 11 a.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
The prohibitive costs of dialysis (P2,200 per session), forced her to sleep Monday and Tuesday evenings to save on travel costs while waiting for her treatment on Wednesdays.
Chances are Martina’s story would be told again, after another Samaritan reaches out to her and she asks if the support can be acknowledged through the local papers. She can be contacted through cellphone number 09994699940.
Also in financial distress, another woman-patient requested last week that her condition be also told, hoping Samaritans out there would also help her sustain her life-time dialysis.
Sixty two-year old Remedios Bagsao of Paoay, Atok, Benguet could hardly sustain her twice-a-week dialysis at the Benguet General Hospital in La Trinidad, Benguet.
The patient began her dialysis in June, 2013 and has exhausted the resources of her three children the past three years. The family’s financial condition took another blow when her husband died two years ago.
“It leaves me with no recourse but to seek help through your publication,” she said.

Samaritans may ring up her cellphone number 09395684672.
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