Quantcast
Channel: Northern Philippine Times
Viewing all 9672 articles
Browse latest View live
↧

NEWS BRIEFS

May 11, 2016, 3:27 pm
$
0
0

 Thousands flock ‘Bangusan’ party
DAGUPAN CITY — Over 500,000 people flocked to the Bangusan Street Party, the highlight of annual Dagupan Bangus Festival on Jose de Venecia Expressway Extension last week. Some 23,000 pieces of bangus (milkfish), hotdogs and vegetables were grilled simultaneously in 500 steel grills, each of which had five kilos of milkfish, charcoal, vinegar and soy sauce. Adding to the merriment was the performance of several musical groups in six different stages installed in the area. Lighting the ceremonial grill was Mayor Belen Fernandez. – Liezle BasaIñigo

 Ifugao vice governor cited for ‘valuable contributions’
AGUINALDO, Ifugao -- The League of Vice Governors of the Philippines cited Ifugao Vice Gov. Pedro Mayam-o for his “valuable contributions” to the organization.
Mayam-o, LVGP’s outgoing deputy general counsel, received plague of recognition in a ceremony held at the Marriott Hotel Manila in Pasay city for his commitment to realization of advocacies of the league.
“His commitment strengthened the organizational capacity of the LVGP in its pursuit for genuine local autonomy and good governance in the various Local Government Units nationwide,” the plaque read.
Mayam-o was  also  an outstanding LVGP member in 2012 for his active involvement in the programs of the league especially in the promotion of transparency and accountability in public service and the realization of genuine local autonomy nationwide. -- Marcelo B. Lihgawon

‘One million lapis’ project aims to get Guinness record
BAGUIO CITY -- The Council for the Welfare of Children has started  a project  to collect pencils to give to underprivileged students in elementary schools of 4th to 6th class municipalities around the country.
Dubbed  “One Million Lapis”, it also aims to set the Guinness Book of World Record for the longest line of lapis (pencils).
The project which cited right of a child to education, was launched during the Zumbata on Child Protection that kicked off of the 2015 National Children’s Month. This will run until November as part of the 2016 Children’s Month celebration.
For the project update, SM Supermalls and National Bookstore committed 300,000 and 50,000 pencils, respectively.
To help CWC achieve its One Million Lapis goal, all regional offices of the Philippine Information Agency will become collection centers for pencil donations. 
Each regional office will set up drop boxes that will be collected every two months or when already full. In Cordillera Administrative Region, the PIA Regional Office is located along Romulo Drive, Lualhati Barangay (fronting the Mansion House). Pencil donors can also contact the PIA CAR Information Centers located in Bangued, Abra; Bontoc Mountain Province; Lagawe,Ifugao and Tabuk City, Kalinga.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines committed to transport the collected lapis from origin of drop boxes location to DepEd Central Office in Pasig City.
The CWC is the focal government inter-agency body mandated to formulate policies and plans, monitor the implementation and enforcement of laws to protect and promote children’s rights by virtue of Presidential Decree 603, otherwise known as the Child and Youth Welfare Code. --  E.Lomboy

Mt. Province local revenue collections up
BONTOC, Mountain Province -- Total revenue collection of the provincial government here has drastically gone up.
Based on statement of collection of the Office of the Provincial Treasurer, total local revenue collection in 2015 is P85, 597,079.80 which is P10, 884,739.82 higher than the collections in 2014.
Biggest contributor for the local revenues was hospital collection of  P69, 297,568.82. This figure showed increase of P11, 699,054.25 from the total collections in 2014 which was P57, 598,514.57.
Other local sources include tax revenue such property taxes, taxes on goods and services, and sand and gravel tax with a total collections of P5, 631,138.05. There is a decrease of P1, 986,167.28 from the total collections of the previous year.
Non-tax revenue such as certification/secretarial fees, rentals on provincial government facilities buildings/hall/equipment), permit fees, miscellaneous income amounted to P10, 615,860.98.
All in all, in 2015, the provincial government has generated total revenue of P623, 285,283.68 which is P75, 478,749.69 more than that of 2014.
The amount of P537, 688,203.88 of the total revenue collections in 2015 was derived from the national sources such as share from the Internal Revenue Allotment, from national wealth and from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. – Juliet B. Saley

DOST introduces ceramic water filter for potable water
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The Department of Science and Technology has introduced  new technology to bring water to rural areas.
Dr. Victor Mariano, DOST-Cordillera regional director, said a funding of more than P4 million was allotted for ceramic water filter for the municipality of Bauko, Mountain Province.   
Bauko municipal government was identified as the technology adaptor which identified an area to establish the production center of the low-cost ceramic filter that would provide increased access of the people to potable water.
DOST central office provided a total of P2,273,133 million with its regional office sharing P90,000 while the Bauko municipal government infused P2,350,000 million for the realization of the project. Other agencies that contributed for the project include the Department of Trade and Industry Department of Labor and Employment, among others.
Beneficiaries include the municipal government and the Bila Potters’ Association. The people of barangay Bila have been into ceramic pottery making for long time already. -- JDP/JBZ

Ifugao Nutrition Council searches for Green Banner awardee
 BANAUE, Ifugao -- The Provincial Nutrition Council (PNC) is now conducting  provincial search for Green Banner Award (GBA) with a team doing the  municipal evaluation of local program initiatives on nutrition.
The MELPI evaluation is conducted every year to evaluate nutrition programs in municipalities to address nutrition needs of the people particularly pre-schoolers and school children.
Through the MELPI, municipalities will be given technical assistance for the improvement of nutrition program implementation in their localities.
Members of the PNC technical working group started their evaluation in towns of Banaue, Lagawe, Lamut, Hingyon, Asipulo, Kiangan, Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista, Mayoyao,Tinoc and Hungduan.
Ifugao was conferred the Nutrition Honor Award in 2014 for efficient and effective management of the provincial nutrition program, which led to the improvement of the nutritional situation especially among pre-school and schoolchildren. -- Marcelo B. Lihgawon

BIR-Kalinga collects P81.7M in 2 months
TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The Revenue District Office in the province posted a collection of P81, 753,008 for January-February, this year.
Hilario Boacon, collection section head, said the amount is higher by P27, 481,349 or an increase in collection performance by 66 percent compared to the P54, 271,659 collection during the same period in 2015.
According to Boacon, bulk of the collection (about 90%) comes from government withholding taxes on compensation and projects.
He said figures are expected from areas like Kalinga where there are relatively lesser sources in business taxes.
Meanwhile, Revenue district officer Eduardo B. Gayas disclosed their revenue district office is given a target collection of P637, 524,000 for 2016 compared to the P514, 544,000 target last year.
With the high collection target, Gayas said they are up with the district’s tax mapping covering the provinces of Kalinga and Apayao.
He urged business owners to properly register their establishments with the BIR before they are issued notices that may result to penalties.
Gayas also advised owners of business whose operation had stopped to report the case to the BIR for proper record update to avoid undue charges. -- Larry T. Lopez 

MGB presents geohazard mapping result in Ifugao town
KIANGAN, Ifugao -- The Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources –Cordillera recently presented to local officials and government office representatives of this town the results of geohazard mapping undertaken in the area last year.
The information campaign was intended to familiarize participants with the different kinds of geohazards prevalent in the municipality and to let them understand the importance of knowing these hazards which is vital in their disaster risk reduction and management response and activities.
Some of the geohazards identified were landslides, erosion, earthquake, flash flood after torrential rains, cave-ins and volcanic eruption since the municipality has a mountainous terrain.
Participants composed of barangay officials and personnel of the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Municipal Engineering Office, Municipal Planning and Development Office, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, and Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office were told to share what they learned to the people. --  Daniel B. Codamon

EMB heads recyclable collection in Baguio
BAGUIO CITY -- The Environmental Management Bureau recently headed recyclable collection with support of line agencies, private sector and environment advocates.
This was a spontaneous one day buying and collection event for recyclable materials to promote year round recycling, waste segregation, reduction and materials recovery.
Recyclables materials which were sold durng the event were used papers and cartons, scrap glass, used tires, aluminum cans, junk electronics or electrical equipment, used printer ink and toner cartridges and used bottles and plastics.
An accredited buyer was present to buy the recyclable materials that were brought to the venue.
The recyclable collection event is a non-traditional information, education and communication strategy to advocate segregation at source and proper waste disposal. It also aims to introduce the recycling event as an entrepreneurship option.
The event also served as  venue to document volume of recyclable wastes collected in a given period and validate specific data on record.
According to the EMB-CAR, as part of the Earth Day celebration last year, the recyclable collection event gathered a total of 822.3 kilograms of paper equivalent to 14 trees saved. This amount of paper has saved a 24.7 square meter space in the sanitary landfill. -- D. Regalado and J. Panelo

Ifugao capital town urged to install CCTV
LAGAWE, Ifugao -- The Provincial Advisory Council (PAC) of the Philippine National Police  here passed a resolution urging the municipal government of this capital town to install closed circuit televisions (CCTVs) in strategic locations, business establishments and public places considered as high risk to criminal elements in the area.
This resulted from the April 14 PAC  meeting where it was discussed  that series of crimes remain unsolved due to  absence of eyewitnesses or pieces of evidence that would assist the law enforcement agencies in pursuit of their investigation.
The PAC members agreed CCTVs will not only help in identification of criminals but would also prevent crimes.
A copy of the resolution was forwarded to the municipal government of Lagawe for prompt action.
The installation of CCTVs  here  will serve as example for  other municipalities to duplicate in their fight against criminality and  maintenance of peace and order in their areas.  -- Daniel B. Codamon

FNTI grants five fire trucks to Abra
BANGUED, Abra -- The Fire National Training Institute in Canlubang, Laguna granted five fire trucks to the Bureau of Fire Protection here last week to strengthen its firefighting capability.
The fire trucks will be turned over to municipalities of Sallapadan, San Quintin, Villaviciosa, Licuan-Baay and La Paz, said Provincial Fire Marshall Rogelio Nigos.
But she clarified the local government must a a fire station first to avail of the trucks.
“Or they could provide temporary quarters for our BFP personnel and canopy to shelter the fire truck,” he said.
Nigos admitted their problem s lack of BFP personnel to man fire stations in municipalities. Several from provincial station have been deployed to fire stations and they need more for augmentation team.
Fire incidents don’t happen every day, Nigos said, but more personnel are needed to conduct fire safety and preventive measures. Peñarrubia  launched its fire station recently. -- Ginalyn B. Brioso

264 SPES grantees start summer jobs in city hall
BAGUIO CITY-- At least 264 student grantees started duties as first batch of the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) for Baguio City on Monday.
Mayor Mauricio Domogan administered oath to student grantees which signaled start of their “summer jobs” in the different offices of Baguio City government.
The SPES is a program to help poor but deserving students pursue their education by encouraging their employment during their break from school.
                “I hope that your employment will be a memorable one and more importantly, it  will give you the lesson to value  what is work and for you to continue your determination and tenacity  to climb the ladder of education for you to achieve your dreams and mission in life”, he  said.
This year’s SPES will be held in two tranches- the first batch was composed of high school students whose work period will be pril to May, while the tertiary-level students form the second batch to begin work in June.
The SPES is mandated under Republic Act No. 9547 otherwise known as An Act to Help Poor but Deserving Students Pursue their Education by Encouraging their Employment during Summer and/or Christmas Vacations.
Under the SPES program, 60 percent of the wage will be paid by the employer while 40% will be shouldered by the Department of Labor and Employment.
This year, the students will be paid P350 per day of duty rendered at their respective office designations.
SPES continues to give hope to poor but determined students to finish their education for a brighter future. –Zia Catbagan

Hope still springs in rehabilitation of rivers
BAGUIO CITY -- There is still hope in improving the water quality of the river systems in the city with the decreasing trend of mixed wastes collected yearly from the river catchments and the improvement of water quality sampled,  according to the City Environment and Parks Management Office- Waste Water and Ambient Management Division CEPPMO-WWAMD chief Moises Lozano said the decreasing trend of collection of wastes are attributed to the unified efforts of the community and the barangay officials including adopters from the private and government sector in the clean-up drives, information education advocacy campaigns and activities and the monitoring of  illegal waste disposal and overflow of septic tanks.   
Generated mixed solid garbage collected from the four catchment rivers of Balili, Bued, Galiano and Balanga including their  tributaries for a four-year period were 1,972 tons in 2012, 1,593 in 2013, 1,122 in 2014 and 1,091 tons in 2015. 
For instance, the biological oxygen demand (BOD) which is one of the parameters to measure the degradation of water quality of the river system during the wet and dry season showed varying results, Lozano explained.
BOD concentration is higher during the dry season which is an indication that the water quality has degraded but exhibit a lower BOD during wet season as pollutants are washed out, he added.
He said there would be difficulty in rehabilitating the river system if there was no significant change for instance in the BOD. 
The decreasing trend of trash collected and the sampling results recorded indicates hope for cleaner and rehabilitated river systems. But there should be discipline among the populace to stop the indiscriminate throwing of garbage so that waste will be greatly reduced and ultimately be eliminated, he stressed. 
He encouraged barangay officials to sustain and strengthen the collaborative efforts in rehabilitating the river systems. There is still hope in revitalizing the rivers with all stakeholders cooperating and working together. – Susan Aro

Search for best Cordi coop on
BAGUIO CITY -- The Cooperative Development Authority recently launched the GawadParangal 2016 in Cordillera at the Mother Child Multi-Purpose Cooperative multi-purpose hall.
GawadParangal is an annual search of CDA that aims to recognize cooperatives,  cooperative development offices, councils, unions and federations and coop leaders for their invaluable service to their members, affiliates and the community.
Categories of awards include Most Outstanding Cooperatives subcategorized  into  micro scale, small scale, medium scale, and large scale category; Most Outstanding Cooperative Leader; Best Performing Cooperative Leader; Best Performing Cooperative Federation; Best Performing Cooperative Union; Best Performing Local Government Units—Cooperative Development Offices; and Best Performing Cooperative Development Councils.
Special citations will also be given to Exemplary Environment Protection and Conservation Program; Outstanding Community Involvement and Development Program; Excellence in Membership Growth and Expansion Program; Remarkable Cooperative Solidarity and Partnership Program; Excellence in Providing Financial Products and Services to Members; and LGU Cooperative Development Champions.
CDA-Cordillera will accept nominations until April 29. Nominations will be shortlisted and those who will be chosen will be immediately notified for the submission of documentary requirements needed for the national search.
CDA regional director Atty. Franco Bawang calls on cooperatives and other stakeholders in the cooperative movement in the region to submit their nominations now.
For more information on GawadParangal, visit www.cda.gov.ph or contact (02)7256604 or email via cdacritdco@yahoo.com . -- D. Regalado and J. Panelo  

 Kiangan MAC vows to extend full support to police
KIANGAN, Ifugao --  The municipal advisory council promised to extend full support to the police here for peaceful and tranquil environment.
Vice Mayor RoelDulnuan, MAC chairman, made the commitment after chief of police Senior Insp. AysonTenenan presented accomplishment reports.
From January to March 17, the Kiangan Police initiated 58 community engagement activities, distributed 130 IEC materials, conducted 190 community awareness activities, accounted 18 unlicensed firearms, reduced by three total index crime and had 634 police operations. Local cops also arrested three other most wanted persons, trained three  investigators, received six  awards for investigators with no investigator penalized100 percent implementation of standard investigative procedure.
The MAC serves as an advisory body of the police that significantly contributes in the implementation of the PNP PATROL (Peace and Order Agenda for Transformation and upholding of the Rule of Law) Plan 2030. -- Daniel B. Codamon

BIR urges Kalinga, Apayao folks: Pay taxes promptly
TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- Revenue District Office 11 covering the provinces of Kalinga and Apayao urged income tax payers to pay their correct taxes on time.
Regional director Eduardo B. Gayas said taxes are basic obligation of citizens in the country and every income-earning citizen is duty-bound to pay the right tax to the government.
In line with this, he reminded tax payers to visit their office for tax assessment assistance before they remit their tax dues at the Land Bank of the Philippines.
Gayas said BIR’s Electronic Filing and Payment System (EFPS) where filing and payment of tax is done on-line. The system, he said, makes transaction more convenient to individual tax payers provided they are properly registered with BIR’s EFPS structure.
Under the system, individual tax payers remit their payments using their bank accounts through on-line fund transfer.-- Larry T. Lopez              

 PCSO provides Kalingadigital X-ray machine
TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The provincial hospital will soon have a digital X-ray machine with a positioning and archiving control system, donated by Philippine  Charity Sweepstakes Office.
Provincial Health Officer Romulo Gaerlan said the PCSO has downloaded to the Provincial Treasury P8.8 million for purchase of the equipment.  He said a memorandum of agreement will be signed between PCSO, the Department of Health and the local government unit upon the purchase of the modern machine.
The digital X- ray machine produces optimal quality of X-ray images that would help medical doctors in their diagnosis of the conditions of patients.  
Gaerlan said Japan for International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is extending financial assistance to local health development in terms of medical facilities and equipment and upgrading/training of health service providers. –Peter A. Balocnit

Upper Kalinga District Engineering  in operation
TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The Kalinga District Engineering Office  now has two districts  with  newly created Upper Kalinga District Engineering Office (UKDEO)   now  operational.
Domingo Enciso was named District Engineer (DE) of UKDEO and TeodoroOwek, assistant DE. Personnel assumed office on March 22.
The UKDEO which   covers Lubuagan, Pasil, Balbalan and Tinglayan, is temporarily holding office at the Equipment Area beside the old district office in this city.
Owek bared that they are negotiating a lot between Cagaluan and Tanglag (boundary barangays of Pasil and Lubuagan respectively) as site of the UKDEO where they plan to build a 3-storey building.
The reconstitution of the Kalinga District Engineering Office into two regular  districts offices  is  by virtue of  Republic Act 10369 authored by Kalinga  Representative Manuel Agyao.
The mother district office, now called the Lower Kalinga District Engineering Office comprises the municipalities of Tabuk, Rizal, Tanudan and Pinukpuk. Engr. IreneoGallato is still DE while Engr. Ruby Uyam is the assistant DE. -- Peter A. Balocnit

DOH health partners in Cordillera awarded
BAGUIO CITY -- The Department of Health recently  feted more than 180 health partners in Cordillera  in  a GawadKalusugan Harmonized Regional Awarding here at Crown Legacy Hotel here.
DOH officials headed by Undersecretary Nemesio Gako, Cordillera Regional Director Lakshmi Legaspi and Assistant Regional Director Amelita Pangilinan conferred plaque of recognition, tokens and other prizes to awardees from government and private sectors.
Given recognition were 22 government hospitals; eight private hospitals; 4 provincial LGUs; 51 municipal local government units; 19 barangays; five rural health units; one barangay health station; eight inter –local health zones (ILHZ) and four Department of Education offices, in recognition of their valuable assistance and appreciation of their various achievements in delivering health programs and services.
DOH also gave special recognition to regional line agencies:  NEDA, DBM, DILG, DSWD and PIA; the emergency response teams of Emergency Medical Service of BuguiasInc (Benguet), Rescue 26 of Mt. Province, Mankayan (Benguet) Emergency Response Team, Bontoc Emergency Response Team (Mt. Province), 911 On-call and Baguio City Emergency medical Services; NGOs - JICA SSC, Zuellig Family Foundation, Luzon health and Diteng, Inc.; and media outfits Mountain Province Broadcasting Company, BomboRadyo, DZEQ Radio ng Bayan, Sky Cable – Baguio and ABS – CBN Baguio.
Plaquea of appreciation were given to them, in recognition for their notable and steadfast support to the vision and mission of the health department under the spirit of volunteerism, sharing of resources, expertise and time towards Kalusugang Pangkalahatan in Cordillera.
USEC Gako, in his keynote address, extended Health Secretary Janette Garin’s warm greetings and congratulations to all their health partners in the region, whom through their support and worthy undertaking, assured the delivery of DOH priority health programs and services to their respective target group of beneficiaries in Cordillera.
Among these programs and services include the High Impact 5 (HI -5) program, strengthened Health Facility Enhancement Program, investment on human resource to augment the health manpower where it is needed, Buntis Congress and extensive campaign on HIV screening and treatment.
“Reaching the target clients (of the DOH health programs) would not be possible without your active participation and support. Seeing you all today and hearing all the accolades given to you makes the DOH truly happy as we know that in CAR,  we have multitudes of allies who are and who will always be there with us working for the health of all Filipinos,” Gakosaid.

Candidates’ forum turns to info drive on RH law
LAMUT, Ifugao -- A supposed candidates’ forum here recently turned into  an information on drive on reproductive health   focusing on rising cases of teenage pregnancies.
The forum set by the Philippine Legislative Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) invited national and local candidates to raise awareness on sexual and reproductive health and rights issues to shape voters’ criteria in choosing candidates they will vote and develop policy champions among the candidates and influence them to champion these issues once they are elected. Unfortunately, only four candidates showed up at the Ifugao State University (IFSU) here.
Instead, the PLCPD   discussed the Reproductive Health Law or Republic Act 10354 which mandates the Philippine government to comprehensively address the needs of Filipino citizens on responsible parenthood and reproductive health (RH).
The law guarantees access to services on RH and family planning (FP) with due regard to the informed choice and consent of the concerned parties who will opt to avail of these services for themselves or for their spouse or children, maternal health care services including skilled birth attendance and facility-based deliveries, information and education on RH including age and development-appropriate RH and sexuality education for students and regular funding for the law’s full implementation.
The Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study (YAFS) reported that there is a marked noticeable change in the sexual practices and behaviours of adolescents in the Philippines revealing that the average age of sexual initiation of adolescents is becoming lower.
The most recent YAFS data on Filipino adolescents’ engagement in the so-called “other sexual behaviors classified into three sets of activities which are engaging in commercial sex, extramarital sex and casual sex”  are increasing that should be a cause for concern as they are associated with health risks.  
Related statistics from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) also  show that one in 10 female adolescents aged 15-19 had begun childbearing and 8 percent are already mothers and 2 percent are expecting their first child. 
The link between adolescent sexual behavior and teenage pregnancies is clear that the younger persons engage in sexual activities, the younger in life they are likely to become mothers and fathers.
It is important that health services be made available to the pregnant adolescents due to the special needs that pregnancies at an early age may require.
The YAFS and the PSA also identified the Cordillera Administrative Region   as one of the regions where teenage pregnancies have high prevalence rates.
A representative from the Provincial Health Office (PHO) reported that teenage pregnancies is one of the growing problems of Ifugao and most of these cases are happening at the IFSU and its satellite campuses. 
The PLCPD personnel  stressed that the prevention of teenage pregnancies has obvious benefits not only for the health of adolescent girls but also for their well-being so that delaying sexual initiation and hampering the practice of unprotected sex among adolescent girls will lead them to having healthier adult bodies more equipped to handle pregnancies and childbirths.
If  teenage boys and girls delay parenthood to adulthood, then they will be able to focus on their education and full psycho-social development which are crucial things in preparing them for their future, PLCPD said.  -- Daniel B. Codamon





Northern Philippine Times
↧
Search

Chico River flood control project to protect folks, lands

May 11, 2016, 3:31 pm
$
0
0
By Carol Guidangen Gano

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The completed flood control project along Chico River now stands to protect more than 1,300 residents of Barangay Calanan here and their agricultural lands from flooding.
The completed 280 meter-long, 36-meter wide and average of 4.5 m high flood control section was funded under the Dept. of Interior and Local Government’s  Bottom-up Budgeting worth P10 million with the City of Tabuk sharing its counterpart of more than P 4.8 million. 
It is part of the 10,834-meter Comprehensive River Control Plan of the City of Tabuk programmed to traverse down from its head point at the Canao Bridge at Barangay Calanan to Barangay Cabaruan.
There were earlier attempts by the city government to contain the raging flood waters of the Chico River especially during the rainy season. 
Dikes made of sand and gabion type were all washed by the flood waters.
DILG-CAR Regional Director Marlo L. Iringan in his speech during the inauguration and turn-over commended the City of Tabuk for the fast implementation of projects and for its good performance. 
He said that the project is a manifestation of national government’s desire to help LGUs overcome the challenges they are facing. 
He also said that the BuB is a strategy to increase people’s participation in governance and in addressing development needs.
This project is among the projects identified by the Local Poverty Reduction Action Team of the City of Tabuk, as contained in the required Local Poverty Reduction Action Plan of the Bottom-up Budgeting (BuB).  As a participatory budgeting process, the BuB engages civil society organizations in project identification, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. 
DILG directly downloads its BuB project funds to qualified local governments. 
Other projects inaugurated on the same day are two local access roads funded under the BuB – Local Government Support Fund are the Gobgob  and Appas Local Access Roads.

With the completion of the BuB projects, Tabuk City Mayor Ferdinand B. Tubban in his acceptance speech expressed gratitude to the DILG, the CSOs and to all Tabuk City personnel as partners in development. He willingly assumed the responsibility for the maintenance of these completed projects. -With reports from DILG Kalinga
Northern Philippine Times
↧
↧

Paracelis schools hold graduation ceremonies

May 11, 2016, 3:32 pm
$
0
0

PARACELIS, Mountain Province – Two high schools here recently held graduation ceremonies.
Paracelis Technical and Vocational High School recently held its commencement exercises for Junior High School even as implementation of the K-12 curriculum was met with uncertainty by students, parents, teachers.
They said they were apprehensive on what will happen after pioneer students of the new curriculum will finish their four years education in Junior High School.
The completion ceremony was focused on grade 10 students who completed requirements for Junior High school.
The grade 10 pioneer students were the first to experience changes of the educational system.
PTVHS principal, Lucio B. Banggollay said graduates will realize that after two years additional education, they will be confident to have acquired a specialization in skills development with academic diploma.
This, as Anonat National Agricultural and Vocational High School held its graduation ceremonies with Rep. Maximo B. Dalog as guest speaker. Dignitaries were welcomed by barangay captain, Bonifacio I. Ramos and council members.
The message of the congressman focused on "stakeholders' partnership towards sustainable and development." According to him, investment for quality education for the young generation was worthwhile for future development.
He said he would work for improvement of roads in Paracelis and projects for school development.
Mayor Gavino L. Bucok said he will continue to support the school's educational development.
 Vice Mayor Lorenzo D. Carpio said joint venture of stakeholders was the key to  realization of programs and activities of schools in the district.
Awardees were cited by ANAVHS school head, Dr. Ma. Marissa A. Balao-as for their support and cooperation to academic and significant endeavors of the school.


Northern Philippine Times
↧

Party-list CLASE to push Study now, pay later program’

May 11, 2016, 3:35 pm
$
0
0

Mar T. Supnad

A group of educators who compose the Central Luzon Alliance for Socialized Education (CLASE) a party list accredited by the Commission on Elections has proposed “Study now, pay later plan,” to give chance to poor students  to study colleges and universities.
Dr. Renato P. Legaspi, President of the Central Luzon College of Science and Technology, and Number One nominee of CLASE, said he will craft a law in Congress, if given the chance, that will cater  young Filipino aspiring for basic, technical, vocational and higher education who have the intellectual capability and interested to study.
Legaspi said this will be their socialized education program where the poor but deserving students will be empowered to quality and affordable education.
The other CLASE nominees are  Dr. Reynato C. Arimbuyutan, president, College for research and Technology  in Nueva Ecija; Dr. Marcelo V. Fernandez, President, Fernandez College of Arts and Technology in Bulacan; 
Dr. Sabino M. Manglicmot, president, Midway Maritime Foundation, Inc. and Capt, Edwin M. Itable, president, MARITECH Training center. 
Legaspi said among their platforms of government are to assist parents in providing free socialized scholarship grants system of basic, TECHVOC and higher education for their children who have intellectual capability with a weighted average of at least 87 percent but financially hard-up.
Others include free tuition, miscellaneous fees, books,  uniform and subsistence allowance (free one meal and free transportation during school days).
Legaspi vowed to “legislate appropriate funds and push for a unified, expanded coverage of a “study now pay later program” as educational assistance fund  or socialized education fund for out of school youths, and students with average intellectual capacity(with a weighted average of 86 percent and below ), for them to pursue, continue and complete their  studies.
Asked if how he could raise the funds for his free education program, CLASE nominees said they will craft a law  to urge private corporations to set aside one percent of their gross income.
Legaspi however said the one percentto be allocated by the private companies will be deducted from their tax payment.
Also, he said, they will urge government financial institutions (GFI), and government-owned and control corp. (GOCC) to appropriate at least one percent also from their gross income yearly as contribution to the Socialized Education Program (SEF).
"We will also craft a law that will put up a grants-in aid fund, as part of SEF, for the entire education system to undergo academic, scientific and technological research and development, among others,” added Legaspi. 


Northern Philippine Times
↧

Hog raisers ordered: Construct septic tanks

May 11, 2016, 3:38 pm
$
0
0

BAGUIO CITY – Some 32 backyard hog raisers in Barangay Holy Ghost Extension here agreed to construct standard quality septic tanks to prevent waste generated from their piggeries from being dumped in tributaries of the Balili River that caused pollution.
During a meeting presided by Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan and representatives from the different offices of the city government Tuesday, the concerned backyard hog raisers agreed to the proposal of the local chief executive for them to construct their own standard septic tanks to serve as the outlet of their piggeries.
The City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) was given three days to provide the backyard hog raisers with the appropriate design of the standard quality septic tanks in their compounds in order to minimize the pollution of the tributaries of the Balili river.
Domogan said hog raisers will be given one month from Tuesday to build their own septic tanks for their respective piggeries to prevent repeated complaints from their neighbors on the foul odor emanating from the piggeries which cause unnecessary inconvenience to the people living in their surrounding areas.
        At the same time, a monitoring team composed of representatives from the City Health Office, CEPMO, Holy Ghost Extension Barangay Council, the affected backyard hog raisers and the complaining residents from the different parks.
The complainants and the backyard hog raisers agreed that those who will not comply with the agreed conditions will face the penalty of having their piggeries closed the soonest after the one month grace period.
At the same time, barangay officials, concerned residents and the backyard hog raisers also agreed to conduct a regular clean up drive in their respective places in coordination with other neighboring barangays of Honeymoon and Holy Ghost Proper to help minimize the volume of waste being washed into the Balili River.
Domogan expressed confidence that the example set by backyard hog raisers of Holy Ghost Extension in complying with the put up of their respective hog raisers in the other barangays to avoid the filing of complaints against them on the foul odor emanating from their respective piggeries, saying that their voluntary compliance to such requirement will help in reducing the pollution and inconvenience of their neighborhood.
He said setting up  piggeries in populated areas of the city is prohibited, thus, hog raisers must construct septic tanks to address waste generated by  piggeries and lessen foul odor emanating from piggeries.
He urged owners of backyard piggeries to cooperate with regulations imposed by barangays and the city government to avoid closure of such piggeries that would deprive them source of income. – Dexter A. See


Northern Philippine Times
↧
↧

Farmers urged not to burn rice straw

May 11, 2016, 3:47 pm
$
0
0

SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ, Nueva Ecija – Farmers were urged to refrain from burning rice straw or dayami as this could reduce the soil’s nutrients and make farmlands unproductive.
Evelyn Javier of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice)’s agronomy, soil and physiology division said burning rice straw produces air pollutants such as carbon dioxide and monoxide, and nitrogen and sulfur dioxides.
                “When done frequently, the practice can reduce the soil’s nitrogen and phosphorus contents by 25 percent, potassium by 20 percent and sulfur by five to 60 percent,” Javier said.
She said useful insects get killed during the burning.
She cited the Solid Waste Management Act and the Philippine Clean Air Act, which prohibit open-field burning.
To minimize post-harvest waste, rice straw can be used as organic fertilizer and material for mushroom production.
Rice straw and other biomass from farm by-products can spare farmers from
buying chemical fertilizer.
Javier said rice straw that are left to rot in the field help maintain the level of the soil’s moisture and nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, silicon and carbon.
It also preserves the biodiversity of microorganisms that help in nutrient cycling and efficient fertilizer utilization.
Rice straw can be used to protect the roots of the plants from heat and cold. It reduces evaporation rate and prevent weeds from growing in the paddy. – RicSapnu


Northern Philippine Times
↧

POLICE ROUNDUP

May 11, 2016, 3:55 pm
$
0
0

Unidentified men carnap bocap’s van 
BAGUIO CITY – Still unidentified men carnapped  a Mitsubishi L300  van owned by Scout Barrio barangay captain Emmanuel PatacsilBacungan, 59 here  early evening Wednesday.
Investigation disclosed that the driver of the victim identified as  Raymond Pascual Reclamado, 25,parked the vehicle  bearing plate number UFS 831 in the barangay discovered it was already missing the next day.
  
Heated argument between brothers leads to shooting
BANGUED, Abra – A heated argument between two brothers during a card game led to the shooting of a man here Thursday around ^:20 p.m. a police report said the incident happened at Linasin, Zone 1 and identified the victim as Marlon Gonzales Castillo, 33,  tricycle driver. Police arrested the suspect identified as Carmelo Gonzales Castillo, the victim’s older brother, 43, driver of Metro Bangued Water District.
        Investigation disclosed that the suspect and the victim together with their friends were playing cards whn heated argument ensued between the suspect and the victim. The suspect left the place and took his firearm from their house believed to be a Cal. 38 revolver, and shot the victim twice hitting his left elbow. The suspect fled after the incident but was arrested by responding cops while and the victim was rushed to Abra Provincial Hospital for treatment.  The firearm used by the suspect was not recovered. 
         The arrested suspect was brought to Bangued police station where he ws jailed while charges were prepared against him.

Kalinga men nabbed after warrants issued 
TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Several men were arrested Thursday when eight search warrants were implemented in the province Thursday on orders of Senior Supt. Donato O. Bacquian.
      The house of Arnold and Saboy Mendoza was searched after presiding judge Nympha Dugayon Abbacan, of MCTC, 2nd Judicial Region issued warrant for violation of Republic Act 10591 at Purok 5,  Sucbot.
        Chief Insp. Rafael Supa also led a raid that resulted to arrest of Johnny Batoy Bakilan and his wife Jacky at Barangay San Juan that led to confiscation of a Cal. 45 handgun and several bullets.
       Presiding judge Victor Dalanao of MTCC, 2ndJudicial Region issued warrant for their arrest for illegal guns.
Tabuk cops led by Supt. Gilbert Fati-ig also nabbed Dondon Doctor Cacanindin at Barangay Dagupan West for illegal drugs.        This after warrant was set against him by presiding judge Victor Dalanao of MTCC, 2ndJudicial Region. Confiscated from him were three sachets containing white crystalline substance believed to be shabu and drug paraphernalia.
       Supt. Jomarick Felina also implemented arrest warrant issued by presiding judge Nympha Dugayon Abbacan of MCTC, 2nd Judicial Region against Alfredo Buman-eg for violation of Republic Act 10591 at Cawagayan, Pinukpuk, Kalinga that resulted to confiscation of Cal. 38 and several bullets.
        Bulanao sub-station commander, Insp. Lee Alvin Alinao also arrested Camilo Tubban following warrant issued by judge Victor Dalanao of MTCC, 2nd Judicial Region at Purok 4, Bulanao, Tabuk. This resulted to confiscation of 14 heat sealed plastic sachets containing white crystalline residue believed to be shabu, used foils, and drug paraphernalia.
       Also arrested was Honasan Fogayongin  Bulanao Norte after Judge Victor Dalanao, of MTCC 2nd Judicial Region issued warrant against him for violation of RA 9165 at Bulanao Norte, Tabuk City, Kalinga that resulted to the confiscation of two small sachets containing white crystalline substance believed to be shabu and drug paraphernalia; and
       Karen Solag Sinumlag was also nabbed for illegal drugs at Barangay Agbannawa after Judge Dalanao issued warrant that resulted to confiscation of shabu and one small plastic container containing liquid believed to be marijuana oil.

Balut vendor nabbed for rape
BAGUIO CITY – A balut vendor residing here at North Sanitary Camp was nabbed here for rape. The suspect was named as  Rey Morales Fabia. Renato D. Pinlac, Presiding Judge, Regional Trial Court, 1st Judicial Region, Branch 57, San Carlos City, Pangasinanissued warrant for his arrest with no bail recommended.

Security guard found dead hanging in PCGG compound  
BAGUIO CITY – A security guard was found lifeless hanging by the neck inside his quarters here May 1 around 6:40 p.m. at PCGG Compound, 42 North Outlook Drive here at Barangay Pucsusan.
        Police identified the victim as Enrique Rosatasi Cabeltis, 21, of Monuz, Nueva Ecija, and stay-in security guard of said place.
       Investigation disclosed that at about 5:30 PM of same date, Nelson Fernando, security guard, discovered the victim hanging inside his barracks with wire tied around his neck. The wire was tied on a nail at the ceiling. A suicide note was recovered on top of the table at the receiving room.     
        Responding cops led by Senior Insp Armando Hiquiana brought the body to Bahay Damayan Funeral Homes here along Marcos Highway, for autopsy.

Man nabbed for hitting driver to steal trike 
TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Local folks arrested a man here for hitting a driver and trying to steal his motorcycle Monday around 8:30 p.m. Arrested was Jeremy Aranca Banatao, 24 by concerned citizens of Makilo, Calaccad, Tabuk City, Kalinga for physical Injury. Police investigation showed the victim identified as Orlando F. Magaway, 31, was on his motorcycle from Quezon, Isabela to Makilo, when he met Banatao holding a piece of wood. The victim slowed down as he was on the center of the road but when he passed by the suspect, he was suddenly hit by the latter several times on his body including the motorcycle.
         The victim who nearly crashed on the road stopped as he was feeling dizzy but was attacked again by the suspect so he could get his motorcycle but he fought back causing the suspect to ran away. Residents responded and saw the victim grimacing in pain. The concerned citizens searched the nearby area and arrested the suspect.

 Kagawad, ex-b’gay council member nabbed for illegal guns  
BALBALAN, Kalinga – Elements of the army’s 50th Infantry Battalion arrested a former barangay council member and an incumbent Monday around 3:30 p.m. for illegal possession of forearms.
       Arrested were Mariano Bannasi Gumannaw, former kagawad of Barangay Poswoy and Roman D. Balinggao, incumbent kagawad of the barangay, Confiscated from the suspects were Cal 45 pistol and  9 mm handgun, each with magazines and several bullets. A handheld radio was also taken from them.

Amistad swindling group ‘member’ nabbed
BAGUIO CITY – Police arrested here Monday at Mary Hurst Road a certain Romeo Rosal Calub,  41,for estafa after Judge Glenda T. Ortiz Soriano of MTC Branch 2, Baguio City issued warrant against him and set bail at P25,000. A police report said Calub was a member of Amistad swindling group. He was brought to office of Criminal Investigation Detection Group Baguio.

Drunk barangay secretary  assaults kagawad
VILLAVICIOSA, Abra – A drunk barangay secretary man assaulted a barangay kagawad here and was charged for physical injuries and assault upon a person in authority.   
         A police report said the incident happened May 1 around 11:45 p.m. at the provincial road of Lumaba. The victim identified as Manuel Billaoac Dondonan, 28, barangay kagawad of Lumaba. He identified his assailant as Roger Dacquel Teneza, barangay secretary. Dondonan told police around that time, Teneza slapped him on the face and pointed a gun at him.
         Investigation disclosed that the suspect together with three others were having a drinking spree along the provincial road and conversing at the top of their voices that Dondonan tried to pacify them, The suspect got irked and went inside their house. He came back later with a rifle and hit him while uttering expletives.

Vehicles collide; driver nabbed for transporting illegal lumber
BOKOD, Benguet --- Two vehicles collided here Monday around 9:15 a.m. along Km 20, Bangao, Ambuklao which resulted to arrest of one fo the drivers for transporting illegal logs.
        A police report said a Toyota Hi Ace Grandia van loaded with 30 pieces of Mahogany lumber, driven by  Julius Abiado Bugatan, 45, farmer, resident of, Alapang, La Trinidad, Benguet collided with a jeep driven by  Mario Patal Ticuan, 49, of Bakakeng Sur, Baguio City.
        Investigation disclosed that the van came from Isabela was going to Baguio City while the jeep came from Baguio City going to Kabayan, Benguet. While traversing the place of incident, the van encroached on opposite lane that caused the collision. Both vehicles incurred damages. The van loaded with lumber and its driver were were taken to Bokod police station for investigation. No person was injured.

Parents attend wake; man ‘commits suicide’
TUBO, Abra – A certain Raymundo Cao-is Diwayan allegedly committed suicide with the use of firearm here April 30, at about 10 p.m. at his residence here in Sitio Beew, Alangtin.
        A concerned citizen reported the incident to police around midnight.
        Investigation disclosed that the victim was alone in his residence since his parents attended the wake of a relative at nearby barangay. At about 10 p.m., his neighbors heard gunshot from the house of Diwayan and later discovered him lifeless with blood oozing from his head.
      Cops recovered a Cal. 22 rifle with no ammunition and markings at the crime scene. Relatives of the victim refused autopsy on the victim’s body.

Teacher hurt in collision of two motorcycles
MANKAYAN, Benguet – Two motorcycles collided here Monday around 10 a.m. at Barangay Colalo resulting to damage of both vehicles. One was driven by  Eugenio Bogawit Ramirez, 52, married, farmer of Cervantes, Ilocos Sur while the other was driven by Carlos Galante, 42, farmer, of Mankayan. 
 Investigation disclosed that the Honda XRM driven by Ramirez was ascending at the national road towards Poblacion the           Motorstar motorcycle suddenly appeared and was accidentally bumped on its side by the XRM.
As a result, the back rider of the XRM, identified as Vanessa Tanacio Ramirez, 50, public school teacher, wife of the driver sustained injuries and was brought to Mankayan Infirmary Clinic for medical treatment. Both drivers were not injured. Both parties agreed to settle their case amicably.

Tamaraw FX falls down Itogon cliff: one injured 
ITOGON, Benguet – A Tamaraw FX vehicle with 19 passengers fell down a 10-meter ravine here at Alpa Ville, Tuding around 9:30 am. on May 1 resulting to injuries on one rider.  
         The vehicle was driven by Rodolfo Dao-as AbayanJr, 46, married, miner,  of Upper Tram, Ucab. Police investigation disclosed  the vehicle was heading toward  Monterrazas, Tuding from Binanga Sur. While ascending a rough portion of the road, the driver lost control of the vehicle which caused it to descend backward some 40 feet and fell down the lifflanding on a “riprap.” As a result, John Awingan Coteng, 51, single, of Baguio Gold, Tuding, Itogon, Benguet was injured and brought to Baguio General Hospital by cops for treatment. The vehicle incurred undetermined cost of damages.

Korean national, companions booked for malicious mischief
BAGUIO CITY – A Korean national and unidentified companions were slapped with cases for malicious mischief after they kicked and scratched two vehicles and got a side mirror.   
A police report said the incident happened May 1 around 2 a.m. at Road 1, Leonila Hill. Victims were identified as Maureen Villena  Mabalot, 41, of Mankayan, Benguet, and Joseph Cunanan Arambulo, 45, store keeper at the area. and Jungmin Kim, 32,  Korean national, and  tenant here at Terrace Condominium, General Luna.
The suspect was identified as Seokjun Yoon, 26, Korean National, student of St. Louis University and a tenant, resident of Leonila Hill and tow unidentified men.
Investigation disclosed that May Ursula Punsalang Reyes and her husband saw through CCTV monitor the suspect and other two male companions pushing and kicking one of the vehicles parked along the road. Reyes also saw the suspects remove the side mirror of the vehicle and scratched the parked vehicles. Reyes informed the victims about the incident and they discovered scratches on the hoods and on the left side portions of a blue Ford Focus owned by Arambulo and a Mitsubishi Lancer owned by Mabalot. The victims filed a formal complaint against the suspect but Jungmin Kim is still undecided if he will file a complaint.

Laborer shoots minor drinking mate
PENARRUBIA, Abra – A laborer accidentally shot his drinking mate resulting to his arrest. A police report said the incident happened May 1 around 3:50 p.m. here at SitioSagsagacat, Barangay Patiao. The victim was a male minor, laborer of the barangay while the suspect was identified as Reynaldo Buena Bersalona, 28, of Barangay Riang. 
A police report said the victim and suspect were having a drinking spree when the suspect suddenly drew his gun from his waist but it accidentally shot the right leg of the victim. One of their companions reported the incident to police that resulted to the arrest of the suspect. The victim was rushed to Abra Provincial Hospital for medical treatment. The firearm used by the suspect, a Cal. 45 pistol, was not recovered.
                The arrested suspect was brought to Peñarrubia police station where charges were prepared against him.

Drug affected barangays in Baguio down to 32
BAGUIO CITY  – The Baguio City Police Office reported drug affected barangays in the city dropped to 32 from 36 with no more severely drug affected barangays first four months of this year.
Senior Supt. George D. Daskeo, BCPO acting city director, said that the local police force in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and barangay officials continue to conduct anti-drug operations.
From January to April this year, BCPO operatives conducted 13 anti-illegal drug operations that resulted to arrest of 17 persons and confiscation of shabu weighing 54.34 grams and 57.4 grams of marijuana with a total value of P137,000.
He said operations also resulted to filing of 13 cases against the arrested illegal drug couriers who are now detained at the Baguio City Jail.
Last year, Daskeo said BCPO operatives and anti-narcotics agents implemented 40 anti-illegal drug operations that resulted to the arrest of 60 individuals and seizure of 137.65 grams of shabu and 318.99 grams of marijuana with a total market value with a total market value of at least P977,000. 
Some 44 cases were filed by the operating government forces against the arrested persons involved in the illegal drug trade in the city which are now pending before the special drug court in the city. -- Dexter A. See


BCPO refutes high crime rape report
BAGUIO CITY – The Baguio City Police denied reports that the city is the sixth most dangerous urban center in the country because of alleged high crime rate over the past six years.
Senior Supt. George D. Daskeo, BCPO acting city director, said the reported 1,417 monthly crime incidents in the city from 2010 to 2016 was bloated and without factual basis considering there were a total of 26,761 index crimes and 47,519 non-index crimes recorded by the BCPO during the said period.
Applying the generally accepted formula, Daskeo said actual data showed average monthly index crime rate is only 117 while the average monthly non-index crime is 207 which are way below the reported 1,417 average monthly crime rate in the city.
In 2012 a team from the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division of the Police Regional Office – Cordillera under the instruction of then Regional Director Chief Superintendent Benjamin B. Magalong conducted validation of crime data in all the police stations in the city.
Daskeo cited results of the validation showed that there were discrepancies on the reported data compared to the actual data recorded in the police blotters, thus, appropriate actions were taken against those who were found out with 6 percent and above discrepancies.
Since then, the police official said BCPO personnel became dedicated and transparent in reporting all crime incidents that transpired in its area of responsibility compared to other police stations in different regions as stated by the validation conducted by the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management in Camp Crame.
According to Daskeo, based on the crime data used to compare Baguio City with other cities in the country, the city was ranked sixth with the high index crimes due to under reporting of police stations of other regions not reporting the true crime picture of their area and different treatment of cases that can be handled by the barangay.
In the city, he explained there are crime incidents that could be handled by the barangays that are still being brought to the police stations like slight physical injuries.
Daskeo added the accessibility of the police stations and the trust level of the community to the police contributed to the preference of the involved party to report crime incidents to the police station instead of going to the barangay for initial attention and most of the said cases end up being settled by both parties or for many instances, the aggrieved party would just request to record the complaint in the blotter for future reference.
The BCPO said there were crime incidents in the police blotter which are for record purposes and amicably settled and the said cases are not included in the reports of other regions, resulting to a low crime incidents reported in their respective areas of jurisdiction and such practice is against the mandate of the higher headquarters that all crime incidents must be reported and reflected.
Dakeo said PRO-COR, particularly BCPO, was commended for reporting the true crime picture of the city.
During the first quarter of 2016, he cited physical injury cases in the city decreased by 160 incidents or 46.11 percent, contrary to the published report that Baguio is the most dangerous city for mauling.
He admitted reducing physical injury was one of significant accomplishments of BCPO since implementation of Lambat Sibat and the average crime incidents, particularly physical injuries since January 1, 2014 to October 13, 2015 or 93 weeks prior to the implementation of OplanLambatSibat is 32 incidents per week.

Physical injuries  decreased to  average of 13 per week. -- Dexter A. See
Northern Philippine Times
↧

Cops involved in ‘tanim-prosti’

May 11, 2016, 3:59 pm
$
0
0

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — While many have grown weary of the “tanim-bala” modus operandi at the airport, some foreign tourists in Angeles City have fallen prey to the “tanim prosti” caper which even involves some unscrupulous policemen cashing-in on trumped up charges.
Chief Supt. Rudy Lacadin, Police Regional Office 3 director, vowed to get to the bottom of the extortion racket. The “tanim prosti” involves women who consensually go with a male foreign tourist and then conspire with a policeman to file a complaint, feigning being a victim of sexual abuse.

The unwitting foreigner is then forced to shed cash to “settle” the case. Lacadin said Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) teams, under Senior Supt. Benjamin Silo, Jr., are now working on catching those behind the extortion racket. -- Mar T. Supnad
Northern Philippine Times
↧
Search

Cable cars, trains in Baguio, Benguet towns pushed

May 11, 2016, 4:00 pm
$
0
0

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY – The city government supports a feasibility study to find most feasible common public transport system like cable cars, trains or e-jeepnes that will be put in place within the Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba-Tublay (BLISTT) area.
Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan said coming up with a lasting solution to the city’s worsening traffic woes involves study of factors that might affect sources of livelihood of some sectors.
He said feasibility studies for various types of public transport system should be studied that could be adapted in the city.
Aside from the monorail project proposed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), some sectors are pushing use of cable cars and electronic jeepneys to lessen air pollution.
However, Domogan said there is a need to first complete the feasibility studies for such projects to identify possible problems and solutions local residents would not be displaced of their sources of livelihood.
Earlier, the Cordillera Regional Development Council created an ad hoc committee to make  pre-feasibility study for the La Trinidad and Baguio lines of the monorail project proposed by the DOST-CAR.
It was learned that the 5.2-km La Trinidad line from the Benguet Provincial Capitol area up to Slaughterhouse Compound will cost P4 billion while the 2.1-km Baguio line from Bonifacio rotunda up to  SM City Baguio area will cost P3 billion.
Domogan said the city government remains open to recommendations on how to solve the city’s worsening traffic problem although initial measures have already been put in place by the city to address traffic jams in the central business district area.
According to him, city officials listen to the plight of the motoring and commuting public on how to address problems of the city with  rapid migration that is why various sectors should not be hesitant in coming out with their recommendations which will be considered by city officials and traffic experts.


Northern Philippine Times
↧
↧

Abra governor faces graft raps before Ombudsman

May 11, 2016, 4:02 pm
$
0
0

BANGUED, Abra -- Gov. Eustaquio Bersamin has been charged with graft before the Office of the Ombudsman.
Leo Bermillo Barbosa, a resident of Barangay Guimba in San Juan town, who filed the complaint, said Bersamin failed to act on a 2014 report of the Commission on Audit (COA), which questioned the provincial government’s various infrastructure projects and use of public funds.
“Materials or quality tests on various infrastructure projects totaling P136,234,274.27 were not conducted,” the  complaint quoting the COA report stated.
“Post-qualification of a contractor and evaluation of his bids for nine contracts aggregating P42,852,036.86 disclosed overlapping projects, same key personnel and lacked of information on the list of equipment to be used... casting doubt on the integrity of contract awards,” it added.
     State auditors said Bersamin also hired 134 contractuals and 899 job-order employees without approval by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
The COA also questioned the provincial government’s use of its share on excise taxes on tobacco amounting to P41 million.
Bersamin dismissed the allegations as politically motivated.

Bersamin, who is on his third term as governor, is running for mayor of Bangued.
Northern Philippine Times
↧

No blackouts seen in Luzon on election day

May 11, 2016, 4:05 pm
$
0
0

The Department of Energy (DOE) said no power outages will occur in Luzon and the Visayas on May 9, as commissioning plants will boost supply in the regions.
In a briefing Wednesday, DOE Secretary Zenaida Monsada said power outlook for Luzon and the Visayas is good, but some Mindanao areas may have rotating blackouts.
Monsada said all power plants that were on scheduled maintenance have started operating again.
“We have additional capacities from San Gabriel and Avion gas-fired power plants, which are on testing and commissioning. Both will add 400 megawatts of power to Luzon and Visayas grids,” Monsada said.
       The 414-MW San Gabriel and 97-MW Avion natural gas plants of the Lopez Group were supposed to run before the summer months but encountered issues with its contractor.

The DOE is coordinating with the power industry to ensure that preparations toward the election will be executed properly.
Northern Philippine Times
↧

Three Cordillera towns under ‘state of calamity’

May 11, 2016, 4:07 pm
$
0
0

By Jethro Lagasca

THREE TOWNS in the Cordillera are under state of calamity because of El Nino, according to records of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council.
These are Alfonso Lista  of Ifugao, Sagada and Tadian towns of Mountain Province.
In the data of Department of Agriculture Cordillera, the amount of damages in the province of Ifugao was P16 million. No data was given for damages in data in Sagada and Tadian.
El nino did not much affect Benguet, the top  supplier of vegetables in the country.

For those who were affected of El Nino, the seeds are stored at Department of Agriculture offices waiting in time for the rainy season for farmers to recover their losses. 
Northern Philippine Times
↧

Mountain Province Cordillera’s ‘poorest’

May 11, 2016, 4:21 pm
$
0
0

By Aldwin Quitasol

BAGUIO CITY -- Officer-in-Charge Aldrin Federico R. Bahit Jr. of the Philippine Statistics Cordillera said Mountain Province had the highest poverty threshold among the provinces of the region in 2015.
According to Bahit, this is attributed to  higher prices of goods and services in the province compared to other parts of the region.
He said that based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) which he said is being monitored by PSA per week, MP registered the movement of prices at 8.0 index points.
CPI is the general measure of the change in the average retail prices of a market basket or collection of goods and services commonly purchased by average Filipino household. Bahit said the Cordillera CPI in March 2016 is 141.1 which is higher by 2.7 index points from last year's 138.4.
        Cordillera Region has six provinces. They are Benguet, MP, Kalinga, Abra, Ifugao and Apayao. There are two cities in the region, Baguio and Tabuk.
Bahit said that MP has an inflation rate of 5.6% as of March 2016 compared to 2.0 % of March last year. This is being followed by the provinces of Ifugao, Kalinga, and Abrad with 3.8, 2.9 and 2.4 respectively.
He added that based on family expenditure, the poverty incidence of Cordillera decreased in 2015 compared to 2012 from 28.7 to 26.7 %. He noted however that MP and Benguet both increased in poverty incidences with 6.0% in 2012 to 9.5% for Benguet while 45.3% in 2012 to 49.9% for MP. He said that they are still processing data on Cordillera poverty incidence for the 1st quarter of 2016.
Bahit said the purchasing power of peso (PPP) in the Cordillera dropped to 71 centavos from 72 centavos in 2015.  
        According to PSA-Cordillera data, the province of Apayao has the highest peso value at 76 centavos followed by Abra at 75 centavos ansKalinga at 73 centavos. Mountain Province he said has the lowest value of peso at 67 centavos.
Northern Philippine Times
↧
↧

Conversion of local roads to national status pushed

May 11, 2016, 4:22 pm
$
0
0

BAGUIO CITY – The city government is pushing conversion of more city and barangay roads to national status to spur development and these could be used as  alternate routes  without passing through the central business district.
Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan said conversion of city and barangay roads to national status will also guarantee proper maintenance of such road networks to conform with existing standards and that the road will be under the jurisdiction of the public works department.
          In the 1990s, former Rep. Bernardo M. Vergara, in close coordination with the city government under Domogan, worked out conversion of 47 city roads to national roads that paved the way for the creation of the Department of Public works and Highways – Baguio City District Engineering Office (DPWH-BCDEO) after the city was able to qualify in the prescribed limit on the length of national roads to warrant the establishment of a district office.
Domogan said some city and barangay roads were qualified for conversion to national roads thus the  need for the local government to closely work with the DPWH to facilitate conversion and lessen burden of the city government in maintaining such roads.
According to him, the development of city and barangay roads that will be converted into national roads will allow their utilization as alternate routes of motorists so that there will be no congestions in the central business district.
Aside from the conversion of city roads to national roads, the city mayor said the city government will also work out the improvement of the remaining barangay roads so that it will be utilized by motorists in going to and from their desired destinations without passing through the city proper which will be part of the overall solution to the worsening traffic congestions in the main roads.
He cited the completion of the 21-kilometer interior circumferential road linking the city’s eastern portion in Happy Hallow and western link in Irisan contributed in providing an alternate route for motorists and going to and from the said areas thereby helping decongest the city proper from the huge volume of vehicles traversing along the major road networks.
        Another recommended solution to the current traffic problem of the city is the building of the outer circumferential road expanding to the La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay areas for greater opportunities of improving accessibility in the said places in the future.
Northern Philippine Times
↧

Wage hike for Cagayan Valley workers OK’d

May 11, 2016, 4:23 pm
$
0
0

Liezle BasaInigo

Post-Labor Day good news to Cagayan Valley (Region 2) workers: A wage increase has been approved to take effect on May 15.
The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) approved last Apr. 22, 2015 Wage Order No. RTWPB – II-17, setting an increase in the minimum wage rates for workers in the private sector in Region 2.
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 2 Director Sixto Rodriguez, concurrent chairman of the RTWPB, said the wage adjustment for all workers is P45 per day for non-agriculture; P37 per day for agriculture; P53 for retail/service employing more than 10 employees; and P31 for retail/service employing not more than 10 employees.
Meanwhile, employees in the nonagriculture sector will get P300 per day from the previous P255; P280 per day for agriculture from P280; P300 per day for retail/service employing more than 10 employees from the previous P247; and P260 per day for retail/service employing not more than 10 employees from the previous P229.


Northern Philippine Times
↧
Search

Grenade blast rocks Gamu

May 11, 2016, 4:30 pm
$
0
0

GAMU, Isabela -- Unidentified assailants lobbed a grenade at the house of a mayoral candidate’s campaign supporter here in Barangay Mabini on May 1.
      The Isabela Police Provincial Office said the grenade exploded at 1 a.m. at the house of Edna Tungpalan, 44, the national coordinator of the Patriotic Action for Democracy, Equality and Reform (PADER).
         No one was hurt in the blast and Tungpalan was not around when it happened.
Investigators said some neighbors saw two men riding in tandem on a motorcycle fleeing the area shortly after the explosion.

         The case is still under investigation.
Northern Philippine Times
↧

Comelec junks disqualification case filed versus Baguio mayor

May 11, 2016, 4:44 pm
$
0
0
By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc denied for lack of merit a motion for reconsideration seeking to reverse a resolution dated Jan. 22, 2015 dismissing the disqualification case filed against re-electionist Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan.
In an 8-page en banc resolution signed by Comelec chairman Andres D. Bautista, commissioners Christian Robert S. Lim, Al A. Parreno, Louie Tito F. Guia, Arthur D. Lim, Ma. Rowena Amelia V. Guanzon and sheriff M. Abas, the petition for disqualification filed by mayoral candidate Jose M. Molintas against Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan said it did not present substantial pieces of evidence that would warrant the positive action of the Commission, thus, the dismissal of the same for lack of merit.
The resolution said commission of the unlawful acts of the respondent should have been committed during election period pursuant to provisions of Section 68 of the Omnibus Election code (OEC), otherwise, unlawful acts committed outside the prescribed election period are not considered election offenses.
The commission said assuming that the act complained against Domogan constitutes giving of prohibitive donations under Section 104 of the OEC, it still does not warrant the disqualification of the local chief executive as it was committed outside the campaign period.
Molintas in his petition admitted that violation of Section 261(o) of the OEC was not a ground for disqualification under Section 68.
However, he claimed that by using the property of the Lions Club in Burnham Park for free, Domogan committed other grounds for disqualification under the OEC.
The Commission noted allegations that Domogan violated Section 95(d) and Section 68© of the OEC were matters that were brought up for the first time in petitioner’s memorandum, as they were never raised in the petition., thus, petitioner should not be allowed to raise new matter in his memorandum, for the main purpose of the memorandum is merely to expound the previously raised grounds contained in the petition.
“To do so constitutes substantial amendment to the petition, thus., this may only be done with leave of the Commission. For reasons of fair play, justice and due process, this Commission cannot pass upon the said questions,” the resolution stated.
The Commission said respondent’s alleged solicitation of participation of the barangay officials of Irisan is not a ground for his disqualification and contrary to petitioner’s claim, it cannot be considered as vote-buying.
The resolution said vote-buying is committed when a person has given money or other material consideration to another in order to induce him to vote for against any candidate and in the case filed by the petitioner, the evidence presented against the respondent failed to establish that respondent gave money to the barangay officials of Irisan for the purpose of buying their votes.
“This Commission finds no reason to depart from the assailed resolution of the second division,” the resolution stated.
The en banc resolution was no longer appealed to the Court of Appeals (CA) by the petitioner rendering the same final. 
Northern Philippine Times
↧
↧

Village watchman hurt in plantation ambush

May 11, 2016, 4:45 pm
$
0
0

By Raymund Catindig

TUGUEGARAO CITY – A village watchman is now recuperating after he was seriously injured in an ambush in Benito Soliven town in Isabela on April 29.
Renato de la Peña suffered multiple gunshot wounds and remains confined at the Isabela Doctors Hospital.
Investigation showed the victim was in a vehicle driven by Barangay Villaluz chairman Juan Ponce Agbulig when they were waylaid near a banana plantation.
Bullet shells for a 9mm pistol and shotgun were recovered at the scene.    


Northern Philippine Times
↧

‘No bail allowed’ in Baguio rep’s forest destruction case

May 11, 2016, 4:48 pm
$
0
0

BAGUIO CITY --  No bail may be allowed by the Sandiganbayan in the forest destruction case filed by the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources against  Rep. Nicasio Aliping Jr. and three public works contractors once their trial commences.
This was stated in a manifestation with motion addressed to Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Gerard Mosquera,  environmental ombudsman, by the DENR Cordillera Administrative Regional Office dated April 27, 2016 “because of the non-stop development in the area claimed by Respondent Aliping, (who) even with the effectivity of a Temporary Environment Protection Order, blatantly, arrogantly, completely and crassly defied the said TEPO which was issued by members of the highest court of the land sitting en banc.”
In the TEPO issued by the Supreme Court, Aliping “and those acting for and in his behalf (were ordered) to cease and desist from performing acts to develop or enhance the property located at Mount Santo Tomas Forest Reserve which the said respondent claims to be his and/or his brother’s, which acts include improving the old building standing on the land, building any structure thereon, continuing with the road opening activities, concreting any part of the road, and for the said respondent to immediately take steps to mitigate the contamination of the Amliang dams due to the erosion emanating from his road opening activity.”
The DENR-CAR, after counting that 306 trees and 455 saplings were destroyed in the excavation of the 2.6-km road leading to Aliping’s claimed property when discovered on April 15, 2014, valued the damages done there at over P10.3-milllion.
Despite Aliping’s claim that he has tax declarations covering his claimed property there, the DENR-CAR disproved it when they disclosed that a “perusal of the records will reveal that respondent Aliping has no tax declarations covering his alleged claim within Mount Santo Tomas Forest Reserve. The DENR maintains that records disclose that his claimed tax declarations identified as ARP Nos. 99-001-05853 and 99-001-05854 are not in his name, but in the names of Rosalie Leistner and the late Felimon Coyupan, respectively.
“Respondent Aliping likewise admitted that he purchased the property from a German couple, Andreas and Rosalie Leistner, and it is of public knowledge in Baguio City and Benguet Province that the German husband has been ordered arrested for violations of Republic Acts 9262 (Violence against Women and their Children) and 7610 (Child Abuse), (after being) believed to have sired 11 children by three Filipino women (who all lived in that same house located at Mount Santo Tomas, Tuba, Benguet). And while the German husband is now unaccounted for, some people, including Respondent Aliping, have been claiming ownership over his declared property.
“Respondent Aliping’s claim of the sale in his favor of the subject properties is noticeably and glaringly without proof of any documents evidencing the sale. Even a layman is aware that if he makes a claim of ownership, he must support the same with substantial proof. Consequently, Respondent Aliping’s claim of ownership, bereft of evidence, deserves not just scant consideration, but no consideration at all.”
“Moreover, Respondent Aliping’s argument that he is just improving his property and what he is doing is exactly what other people in the said area are doing, is again misplaced and utterly without legal basis,” the DENR-CAR said.
In the same manifestation, the DENR categorically maintains that Proclamation No. 581 issued on July 8, 1940 by President Manuel L. Quezon declared Mount Santo Tomas as a forest reserve which is undeniably descriptive of its legal status. ”This underscores the idea that it can never form part of the alienable and disposable lands, not unless an official proclamation, with due process, declares it as an integral part of the alienable and disposable lands of the public domain. And having (been) so determined as forest reserve, with no cogent reason having been raised to disestablish its classification, no one has the authority to ignore it as a forest reserve by just exercising his/her own discretion,” the DENR-CAR added.
“And any violation of the reasonable rules regulating the use and occupancy of the forest reserve is made a crime, not by the DENR, but by Congress. DENR, under the executive branch of the government, must execute the laws, criminal or otherwise. It is its bounden duty to do so,” the DENR-CAR pointed out.
“Simply put, those who cut, uproot, remove, collect, gather trees or forest products, and those who possess the timber or forest products without authority or legal documents, or those who will make unauthorized entry into any forest land become automatically liable of the acts punishable under Sections 77 and 78 of Presidential Decree 705 (or the Revised Forestry Code) regardless of the motive or purpose it was pursued. For what is material in determining the culpability of a person is whether or not the person or entity involved or charged with its violation possesses the required permit, license or authorization from DENR at the time he cuts, uproots, gathers or collects timber or forest products or at the time he occupies the forest land. The law must be applied regardless of who may be affected.
“ The remedy of respondents can be found elsewhere – either clemency from the executive or amendment of the law by the legislature – but certainly not a dismissal of the information or case even before it is heard where there has been a clear showing of violation of the law,” the DENR-CAR stressed.
“In Republic Act 10660 or An Act Strengthening Further the Functional and Structural Organization of the Sandiganbayan, which was approved on April 16 last year, it was stated that “In case private individuals are
charged as co-principals, accomplices or accessories with the public officers or employees, including those employed in government-owned or controlled corporations, they shall be tried jointly with said public officers and employees in the proper courts which shall exercise exclusive jurisdiction over them.”
Named as co-respondents in the forest destruction case filed by the DENR-CAR against Aliping before the Sandiganbayan were contractors William Go of Goldrich Construction and Trading, Romeo Aquino of R. U. Aquino Construction and Development Corporation, and Bernard Capuyan of BLC Construction and Aggregates.
A separate case was filed by the Baguio Water District against the same respondents for the turbidity of the Amliang Creek water sources, while another one was also filed before the Supreme Court by church leaders and concerned residents led by Bishop Carlito Cenzon of the Diocese of Baguio-Benguet and Archbishop Socrates Villegas of the Lingayen-Dagupan Diocese for the issuance of a TEPO and a Writ of Kalikasan.
It was also revealed in a letter to Mosquera dated April 11 this year that the case filed before the Ombudsman has been languishing in his office for many months. “Inspections conducted on the site showed that there was an excavation done and trees, poles, saplings were uprooted and found on the area. The backhoe loaders belonging to Respondents Go, Aquino and Capuyan were also found thereat.
“The simple fact that their backhoe loaders were found at Mount Santo Tomas Forest Reserve where the excavation and earth moving activities were being carried out and all probability were used to bulldoze the land and the trees… make them liable as co-principals, accomplices or accessories to the crime committed by Respondent Aliping. The law is clear and must be applied. This is, and should be, sufficient to find probable cause and thus immediately cause the filing of the information against Respondent Aliping as well as Respondents Go, Aquino and Capuyan before the Sandiganbayan,” the DENR-CAR said.
“Finally, DENR would like to reiterate the matter on the damages suffered by the government by reason of the acts of Respondent Aliping in causing the destruction of a portion of a clearly declared Mount Santo Tomas Forest Reserve which amount is safely pegged at a minimum of P10 million. This is certainly not a paltry amount which must be given due consideration in the recommendation of bail.
“In fact, the amount of P10 million is inclusive only of the damage by reason of the loss of the trees. This amount, huge as it is already, does not even cover the damage and injury caused to the Baguio Water District given the contamination of the water system of Baguio City and the nearby municipalities because of the soil erosion caused by the destruction of the trees. There is also the damage to government capital assets which have not yet been fully accounted for. As such, the offense should be non-bailable,” it added.

If found guilty, Aliping may be sentenced to maximum penalty for forest destruction and will be banned from holding  public office for life.
Northern Philippine Times
↧

Pozorrubio bettor wins P44-M lotto pot

May 11, 2016, 4:51 pm
$
0
0

POZORRUBIO, Pangasinan – A better of this town has won the jackpot in the 6/45 Mega Lotto’s  April 29 draw, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) announced Wednesday.
The still unidentified player picked the six-digit winning combination 44-33-45-23-11-37, which had a total jackpot prize of P44.25 million.
PCSO general manager Jose Ferdinand Rojas II said 23 other players won P39,090 each after they picked five of the six-digit winning combination.  


Northern Philippine Times
↧
Viewing all 9672 articles
Browse latest View live
Search