Difference between revisions of "Ilocos Norte News"

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==Elderly couple shot dead==
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=67&articleId=718862
*By: Charlie Lagasca
*''August 21, 2011-www.philstar.com''
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya ,Philippines  – An elderly couple was shot dead allegedly by their former house boy while having their siesta in front of their house in Solsona town, Ilocos Norte Friday night, police said.
Senior Superintendent Marlou Chan, Ilocos Norte police director, identified the victims as Patricio Esteban, 78, and his wife, Leonila, 79, both reportedly pensioners, of Barangay Manalpac, Solsona town.
“They were sitting in their yard just after taking their dinner when the gunman fired at them five times,” he said.
Reports said both sustained gunshot wounds in the head, causing their instant death.
Chan said a suspect, identified as Cristobal Pablo, 36, is now under their custody while double murder charges are now being readied against him.
The suspect, the couple’s former household help, was arrested in a videoke bar hours after the killing, reports said.
==Laoag now under dengue calamity==
==Laoag now under dengue calamity==
*Source: http://mb.com.ph/articles/331171/laoag-now-under-dengue-calamity
*Source: http://mb.com.ph/articles/331171/laoag-now-under-dengue-calamity
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Lando is expected to bring an estimated rainfall amount of 5 t 10 mm per hour within the 300 km diameter of the tropical depression.
Lando is expected to bring an estimated rainfall amount of 5 t 10 mm per hour within the 300 km diameter of the tropical depression.
==Tagalog news: Sec. Alcala dumalo sa Farmers’ Forum sa Ilocos Norte==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=45381
*by: Cherry Joy Discaya
*''July 26, 2011-www.pia.gov.ph''
LAOAG CITY, Sa pagbisita ni DA Sec. Proceso Alcala sa Ilocos Norte para sa Farmers’ Forum, marami ang naghanda para sa mga gusto nilang sabihin at iparating sa kalihim. Karamihan sa mga ito ay para sa pantulong sa pagpapalago ng kani-kaniyang tanim sa sakahan.
“We will ask him for the moon and the stars” hiling ng isang dumalo na nasa sector ng pagsasaka.
Maliban kay Alcala, naging mga panauhin din sa talakayan si Gob. Imee Marcos at si Cong. Rudy Farinas para direktang marinig mula sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda ang kanilang mga kahilingan at kinakailangan para sa ikauunlad ng agrikultura sa ILocos Norte.
Nagpapasalamat si Marcos kay Sec. Alcala dahil sa mga ibibigay niyang mga hanger (Onion Hanger Storage) sa probinsya.
“Maganda ang technolohiyang ito para sa mas mataas na kita ng mga magsasaka dahil kapag harvest season ang daming ani pero bagsak naman ang presyo” aniya.
Maliban dito, humingi si Marcos ng tulong sa Department of Agriculture para sa karagatan ng Norte, Coastal resource management at Inland fisheries partikular ang mas maayos na pag-unlad at konserbasyon sa mga yamang-dagat.
Isa ang Ilocos Norte sa pinakamaraming yamang-tubig sa rehiyon na kinagigiliwang pasyalan ng mga turista. Ilan lamang sa mga ito ang karagatan ng Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.
Ilan din sa mga ibinahagi ng mga magsasaka na nagpapahirap sa kanila ay ang patubig at irigasyon sa kanilang lugar. Sinagot naman ni Alcala na palalawakin nila at ipapatupad ang mga nasabing programa, bagaman marami na sa parte ng probinsya ang nakakuha ng ganitong benepisyo.
Kinwestyun ng mga magsasaka ang pagtigil sa subsidiya ng gasoline para sa kanila. Sinabi ni Alcala na itinigil nila ang fule subsidy sapagkat hindi naman lahat ay mayroong traktora na nangngailangan na ginagamit sa bukid, kung kaya’t mga may kaya lamang daw ang nakakaranas nito. Sa ganong pagkakataon, hindi daw ito epektibo.
Ang Farmers’ Forum ay bahagi ng Management Strategy ng DA Secretary. Na ginanap noong Hulyo 21, 2011 sa Teatro Ilocandia ng Mariano Marcos State University sa Batac City. (ANL/CJD-PIA 1 Ilocos Norte)
==Tagalog news: DA Secretary bumisita sa Ilocos Norte para sa Farmers’ Forum==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=45148
*by: Cherry Joy Discaya
*''July 24, 2011-www.pia.gov.ph''
Nilibot ni Sec. Proceso “Procy” Alcala ng Department of Agriculture ang buong rehiyon 1 sa layuning makita at malaman ang lahat ng mga hinaing nga mga nasa sektor ng agrikultura at piskarya.
Naging panauhin siya ng mga Ilocano sa nakaraang Farmers’ Forum noong Hulyo 21 na ginanap sa Batac City, probinsiya ng Ilocos Norte.
Bilang parte ng pagbisita ni Sec. Alcala sa Ilocos Norte, nagkaroon ng open forum sa pagitan niya at sa mga sektor ng magsasaka at piskarya sa probinsiya. Sa kanyang talumpati, sinabi niyang natutuwa siya sa Ilocos Norte sapagkat noong nakaraang pagbibigay ng Gawad Saka award, ang Ilocos Norte ang tumanggap ng pinakamaraming parangal.
“Ganyan po kagaling ang inyong mga magsasaka dito sa inyong lalawigan,” aniya.
Ibinahagi din niya ang planong pagkakaroon ng midterm agricultural planning na gagawin sa Ilocos Norte. Ito ay para pag-usapan ang mga proyekto at programang maaaring maibigay sa mga Ilocano. Kasama sa pagpapatupad nito sina Gob. Imee Marcos at Cong. Rudy Farinas.
Nagbigay pahayag din siya para sa mga aasahang proyekto ng mga magsasaka’t mangingisda sa lalawigan ng Ilocos Norte. Isa dito ay ang pagbubuo ng isang kooperatiba para sa mga onion growers nang sa gayon ay didiretso na ang mga magsasaka sa kanilang mga exporters.
Idiniin din niya ang pagbibigay solusyon sa pag-iimbak ng mga aning produkto upang hindi ito masayang at mabulok. Iimbitahin niya ang mga federation president ng garlic growers sa Ilocos Norte sa pagpaplano kung kailan dapat magtanim, paano isasaayos at kung paano iimbakin ang mga produkto, partikular ang bawang.
Nauunahan na daw kasi ang bansa ng mga imported na bawang kung kayat, hinamon niya ang mga Ilocano na palaguin pa lalo at huwag patatalo sa mga imported na bawang.
“We are now allocating funds for four hanger-type garlic storage as requested by Gov. Imee Marcos and Cong. Farinas. Initial pa lang po yan,” dagdag pa nito.
Maglalaan din daw ang gobyerno ng pondo para sa teknolohiyang kung tawagin ay “Fish Cage” para sa mga mangingisda para maparami ang high value fishes and crabs sa kanilang nasasakupan.
Ipinangako ni Sec. Alcala na lahat ng mga nabanggit niya ay aasahang maisasakatuparan ngayong taon na ito sa lalong madaling panahon.
Ang pagbisita ni Sec. Alcala sa lahat ng magsasaka’t mangingisda, ayon sa kanya ay bahagi ng kanyang management style. ‘Management by going around, ikot ng ikot para sa pagkuha ng kaalaman mula mismo sa mga tao’, ani pa Alcala. (JCR/CJD-PIA 1 Ilocos Norte)
==Laoag to benefit from P-Noy’s open skies policy==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=35&id=45069&si=0
*by: Cristina Arzadon
*''July 23, 2011-www.pia.gov.ph''
LAOAG CITY, July 23 (PIA) -- Laog is set to benefit from the Aquino administration’s open skies policy.
Lawyer Jose Claro Tesoro, former board member of the Civil Aeronautics Board said the open skies policy enables the Philippine government to sign new air deals with foreign air carriers which will fly using secondary airports in seven secondary gateways including the Laoag International Airport.
He said Laoag stands to benefit from new air deals with the entry of more tourists that will create more economic activities.
The Aquino administration’s open skies policy will help decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) by making use of secondary airports outside of Manila and, in the process, spur tourism and economic activities in the provinces.
Tesoro said the NAIA runway is congested having a 97 percent utilization of its runways for departures and arrivals of domestic and international flights.
“Congestion of NAIA runways is a problem. Aircrafts are often unable to land immediately and would have to circle around the airport until the runways are clear,” he said.
He said the air services agreement covers low cost foreign carriers or budget airlines which will be granted access to any airport within the country other than NAIA.
The open skies rule is pursuant to Executive Order 29, promoting the Philippine government’s civil aviation liberation policy which Aquino signed in March.
“These foreign carriers will not be allowed to fly in through NAIA. They are only allowed to fly using the secondary airports,” he said.
Tesoro said NAIA could no longer afford additional flights and is not capable for expansion.
Tesoro was in this city on Friday and met various groups involved in the tourism and airline industries.
“But if we are to accommodate more air traffic, we need to improve our airports. The problem is not in the air, it’s on the ground,” he said. (JCR/CCA-PIA 1 Ilocos Norte)
==Aquino administration delivers agri support to Ilocos Norte’s farmers==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=44804
*by: Cristina Arzadon
*''July 22, 2011-www.pia.gov.ph''
Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala did more than barnstorming Ilocos Norte by hearing out farmers’ woes and delivering more than P6 million in agriculture support for the province’s farming sector.
Alcala made a quick visit to this province today but he made sure he heard the concerns of Ilocos Norte’s farming sector during the farmers’ forum held at the Teatro Ilocandia at the Mariano Marcos State University.
Farmers raised various concerns from marketability of their farm products, high cost of farm production and the cancellation of oil subsidy for farmers.
Alcala said Ilocos Norte will continue to receive support from the Aquino administration to improve the province’s agriculture sector.
He said the pantawid pasada assistance was canceled due to issues of ownership of farm tractors that were being utilized by ordinary farm tillers.
“Who owns the tractors….. but the rich landlords. The oil subsidy will not go directly to farm tillers because they do not own tractors,” he said.
Alcala said the government is studying other alternatives to provide cash support to farmers to replace the pantawid pasada program.
As initial grants, the Laoag city government received some P825,000 to establish a cold storage facility while farmers of Bacarra town will soon have its bagsakan area for farm products with the release of P4 million. On the other hand, onion producers will have their onion drying facility with the release of P1.3 million.
Alcala said other projects intended for the province include an irrigation dam and fish cages which are set for implementation before the year ends.
He also assured farmers of their products’ marketability by helping them identify direct buyers from abroad instead of relying on middle men to trade their crops. (ANL/CCA-PIA 1 Ilocos Norte)

Revision as of 11:56, 21 August 2011

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Province of Ilocos Norte - Archived News

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.
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Ilocos Norte

Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

Elderly couple shot dead

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya ,Philippines – An elderly couple was shot dead allegedly by their former house boy while having their siesta in front of their house in Solsona town, Ilocos Norte Friday night, police said.

Senior Superintendent Marlou Chan, Ilocos Norte police director, identified the victims as Patricio Esteban, 78, and his wife, Leonila, 79, both reportedly pensioners, of Barangay Manalpac, Solsona town.

“They were sitting in their yard just after taking their dinner when the gunman fired at them five times,” he said.

Reports said both sustained gunshot wounds in the head, causing their instant death.

Chan said a suspect, identified as Cristobal Pablo, 36, is now under their custody while double murder charges are now being readied against him.

The suspect, the couple’s former household help, was arrested in a videoke bar hours after the killing, reports said.

Laoag now under dengue calamity

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte, Philippines — Local officials officially declared this city as under a state of calamity due to the spread of the dengue virus. The Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) passed and approved a resolution declaring the city under state of calamity due to dengue upon the request of Mayor Michael Fariñas.

Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) President Chevylle Fariñas said the declaration allows the use of the calamity fund for a massive campaign to battle dengue. The City Health Office reported that 250 residents have been downed by dengue with eight of them succumbing to the disease.

DAR completes P16M farm-to-market road for Ilocos Norte town

CURRIMAO, Ilocos Norte- The Department of Agrarian Reform will turn over a P16.3 million farm-to-market road, jointly funded by the governments of the Philippines and Japan, to the agrarian reform communities of barangays Pias Norte, Anggapang Norte and Sur on August 25.

The project was also a collaborative work of DAR and the Japan International Cooperation Agency with the Department of Public Works and Highways as implementing agency.

Christianne Suguitan, provincial agrarian reform officer, said the road concreting was under the phase III of the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project (ARISP) of the department.

The formal turn over will be held in Currimao town to be attended by Governor Imee Marcos, Representative Imelda Marcos and other project proponents led by Ma. Celerina Afable, national project manager of ARISP, Engr. Veniedo Reyes, DPWH regional director, Homer Tobias, DAR regional director and their provincial counterparts.

Laoag eyes by-pass roads to ease traffic woes

LAOAG CITY- The Laoag city government is eyeing to establish by-pass roads to ease traffic flow in the city’s business district.

According to Laoag Mayor Michael Fariñas, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has already approved the road project amounting to P100 million which is set for construction in 2012.

Before the project starts, the city government will have to conduct a study to determine the areas where the road will traverse.

Initially, the by-pass road will cover Bacarra road, Vintar road and the Laoag City public market area, which are all considered main arteries to downtown Laoag.

The DPWH will then submit a report to Department of Budget and Management for the release of the fund.

Farinas said the bypass road will ease traffic woes and ensure the residents’ safety and security. “On top of fixing traffic woes, the bypass road will also minimize road accidents,” he said. Traffic in the city’ business district has become tight due to growing business activities in the area.

In Barangay Nangalisan leading to Robinsons Mall, for example, traffic has become heavier even during off peak rush hours due to the volume of vehicles that enter and exit the mall compound.

The city government also expects the same scenario once the SM Savemore supermart begins its business operation in the city’s central downtown area.

The SM mall will reportedly break ground before the year ends.

Imelda Marcos slips before song number in Cebu

CEBU CITY, Philippines—Former first lady and now Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos scared her audience when she lost her balance and fell on the floor while she was about to sing at the Capitol Social Hall about 3 p.m. Saturday.

Her children—Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos and Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos—as well as Gov. Gwen Garcia rushed to the 82-year-old widow of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos to check on how she was.

Her two security aides also helped her up.

But the former first lady said she was not hurt and and went ahead and sang the famous Cebuano ballad “Matod Nila” with Rep. Pablo Garcia of Cebu’s 2nd district, the Cebu governor’s father.

The Marcos family was in Cebu upon the invitation of Governor Garcia as part of the month-long celebration of the 442nd founding anniversary of Cebu province.

Imelda and Imee graced the opening of the Cebu Performing Arts Center inside the campus of the University of the Philippines Cebu College in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City on Friday night.

On Saturday afternoon, Imelda and her two children witnessed the signing of the sisterhood agreement between Cebu and South Cotabato as well as the distribution of P5 million in financial assistance to the flood victims in Albay at the Capitol Social Hall.

Imelda then spoke to thank Garcia for inviting her family to Cebu. She recalled her various visits to Cebu when her husband, Ferdinand Marcos, was President.

When she was about to sing and moved around the stage, she apparently forgot that she was on a platform. When she stepped on the edge of the platform, she lost her balance and fell on her left side.

A loud thud was heard and the audience was shocked.

After the event at the Capitol Social Hall, she and her children joined the provincial officials at the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City for the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo festival.

Magnitude 5.4 quake shakes Cagayan, Ilocos provinces

LAOAG CITY- A strong temblor measuring 5.4 struck at 10:56 am today 23 kilometers southeast of Calayan in Cagayan Valley but caused no damages on property or injury to residents.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the earthquake was felt at intensity 4 in Calayan and Intensity 3 in Sanchez Mira both of Cagayan province.

The temblor was also felt at intensity two (2 ) in Pasuquin in Ilocos Norte and Laoag City.

It was the first strong earthquake that struck the Cagayan province this month.

According to Phivolcs’ earthquake intensity scale, an intensity 5 temblor is generally felt by most people indoors and outdoors while people asleep could be awakened by the shaking.

The shaking also causes hanging objects to swing violently while dining utensils clatter and clink. It also causes small, light and unstable objects to fall or overturn. Vehicles on idle may also rock noticeably.

Binay unveils 1st housing project for indigenous peoples

LAOAG CITY- Vice President Jejomar Binay said the Aquino administration will start providing housing units exclusively for the Aeta communities in Central Luzon.

Binay said the National Housing Authority has approved the P14 million housing project, which will generate 350 housing units for the indigenous peoples in Pampanga.

Considered the first housing project for Indigenous People (IPs), the program will benefit the Tribung Ayta ng Nabuklod from Floridablanca town in Pampanga.

“The ‘pabahay’ program has long been focused on informal settlers and the poorest sector but has not included the IPs who are likewise poor,” he said.

He said talks on providing housing support to IPs cropped up during his earlier consultations around the country.

He said the government will also provide housing units to other IPs around the country like the Lumads, Mangyans and Dumagats.

“We must remember that IPs are also Filipinos and basically poor,” he added.

The vice president also led the ceremonial awarding of 57 transfer certificate of titles to beneficiaries of Pagibig or Home Development Mutual Fund’s FVR-Palaris housing project and NHA’s housing units in Paoay town in Ilocos Norte and Candon City in Ilocos Sur.

Binay, also chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, was in Laoag on Tuesday for the eight leg of the Pabahay Caravan.

He has gone to the cities of Cebu, Baguio, Tagaytay, Davao, Pampanga, Zamboanga and Tacloban.

VP Binay says Marcoses open to FM’s burial in Ilocos Norte

LAOAG CITY- Vice President Jejomar Binay said the details on the final resting place of the late President Ferdinand Marcos will be announced in the coming days once burial preparations have been finalized.

Binay had already recommended Ilocos Norte as Marcos’ final resting place citing a survey he conducted earlier this year showing that Filipinos favor military honors for Marcos in his home province.

President Benigno Aquino III tasked Binay to study the matter and come up with his recommendations so that the issue of giving Marcos a hero’s burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani will be given closure.

Binay said the Marcos family has already agreed to the government proposal to have Marcos buried in his home province.

He said the discussions on the burial place have been trimmed down to two points.

“The main issue was (whether or not to have the burial at the Libingan). That became moot and academic because the burial place originated from (the late president) who made a wish to have his body buried at the Libingan,” he said.

“If (the Libingan burial) is not possible then we have to consider the family’s wish. But the Marcos family has already agreed to have the burial in Ilocos Norte,” he added.

Binay was flanked by Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos when the former issued the statement during a press forum upon his arrival at the Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel.

Marcos was one of the provincial officials who welcomed the vice president upon his arrival at the Laoag International Airport.

Binay did not say whether he has formally sat down with the Marcoses to discuss on the burial preparations.

“We will issue an official pronouncement on the matter in the coming days once we have ironed out the remaining details of the burial plans,” he added.

Marcos, who was silent during the forum, later told reporters in a chance interview that the family has yet to discuss the final burial plans.

“I leave the decision to God as to where Marcos should be buried,” she said.

Since 1993 when the Marcoses returned from Hawaii where they lived in exile, Marcos’ remains have been temporarily kept inside a glass coffin in an air-conditioned family mausoleum in Batac City.

After meeting local chief executives in the Ilocos Region for the forum on the housing program, Binay proceeded to the provincial capitol as principal guest of the birthday celebrations of the late Ilocos Norte Governor Roque Ablan, Jr.

Vice President Binay to lead housing caravan in the Ilocos Region

LAOAG CITY- Vice President Jejomar Binay will lead the housing caravan for local government units during its launching in the Ilocos Region on Tuesday, August 9.

Binay, also chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, will also meet regional local chief executives in a forum titled “Strengthening local government units in housing delivery and local development planning.”

The two-day caravan, which begins today, seeks to assist local government units (LGUs) in financing residential plans for government workers.

The national government has earmarked P50 billion for housing loans for 2011. Out of the funds, LGUs can borrow P20 million for each subdivision project and P40 million for a medium-rise condominium project.

Binay had advised local governments to update their comprehensive land use plan and define commercial, industrial, agricultural a reas as suitable sites for housing.

The vice president will also meet heads of key shelter agencies namely the National Housing Authority, Home Guaranty Corp., Housing Land use Regulatory Board, National Home Mortgage Finance Corp., Social Housing Finance Corp., and the Home Development Mutual Fund or Pagibig fund which is hosting the affair.

Ilocos media men pin hope on President Aquino to bring justice to radioman’s slay

LAOAG CITY—Members of media organizations in Ilocos Norte remain hopeful that the seven-year-old murder case of radio commentator Roger Mariano would be given closure under the Aquino administration.

On July 31, officers of the Media Active in Ilocos Norte (Main) visited the site in Barangay Barabar in San Nicolas town where Mariano was slain while he was on his way home on the same day in 2004. They lighted seven candles to symbolize how long the murder has remained unsolved.

Melvin de la Cuesta, former Main president, said the group is pinning its hopes on President Aquino’s promise to resolve extrajudicial killings in the country and put an end to impunity.

“We are confident with [Mr. Aquino’s] commitment to bring justice to the families of slain journalists and put an end to media killings,” he said.

A former policeman and another suspect who were the principal accused in the murder were acquitted in August 2010.

Judge Reynaldo Alhambra of the Manila Regional Trial Court found no evidence directly linking Apolonio Medrano, a former policeman, and Basilio Yadao to the case which dragged for six years until it was terminated with the suspects’ acquittal.

But De la Cuesta said the murder case remains open until the real perpetrators are identified. “Investigators should pursue other angles which could lead into the identification of those who masterminded the murder,” he said.

De la Cuesta has been leading media workers in the province in marking Mariano’s murder since 2004. He initiated the building of a press freedom marker on a lot donated by San Nicolas Mayor Alfredo Valdez Jr., on the same spot where Mariano was gunned down.

Mariano was the first Ilocos Norte radio commentator felled by assassins’ bullets in what authorities believe was a result of his exposés on his radio program.

A list compiled by the the media watchdog Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) showed that 179 Filipino journalists were killed from 1986 to July 2011. It said 121 died “in the line of duty” or whose deaths were considered work-related.

In the year that Mariano was killed, 14 other journalists were murdered in the country. Eight deaths, including Mariano’s, were work-related.

The CMFR list showed that the highest number of work-related deaths of journalists, at 79, was recorded under the nine-year administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from January 2001 to June 2010.

Four journalists had been killed under the administration of President Aquino from July 2010 to July 2011, the CMFR said.

Stranded vessels

CAMP JUAN, Ilocos Norte, Philippines — Two cargo vessels have been stranded in waters between Baccarra and Pasuquin towns in Ilocos Norte due to gale force winds that have made conditions at sea bad for sailing, local authorities reported Saturday.

Senior Inspector Leonardo Tolentino, Pasuquin town’s chief of police, identified the stranded ships as Japan-bound “Eastern Galaxy,” cargo vessel from Manila, and “Mermaid Star,” also a shipping vessel bound for Indonesia.

Eastern Galaxy has 20 Filipino crew members led by Chief Captain Alfredo Querubin while the number of the crew of Mermaid Star vessel was not determined by police as of press time.

Tolentino said the two shipping vessels will temporarily stay along the shorelines between Bacarra and Pasuquin for safety.

“Our policemen are continously guarding these vessels until weather conditions become normal and these vessels may continue to travel,” he said.

Laoag eyes calamity state due to dengue

LAOAG CITY- Mayor Michael Fariñas has recommended the city to be placed under calamity state citing a report that the current number of dengue cases is threatening to breach the mark for an outbreak.

In a special staff meeting on Thursday afternoon, city health officer Renato Mateo reported that the present dengue cases already correspond to an alert level and that it is near the outbreak mark. “We expect to breach the outbreak level but not necessarily a calamity level. In my opinion, we can declare it as an outbreak level,” he said.

Based on the city health office’s monitoring, 186 residents have fallen ill with five deaths due to dengue.

Fariñas said he will ask the city council to immediately declare Laoag under calamity state so that they can utilize the calamity fund to assist victims and buy additional fogging machines.

He said the city government could now make use of its local disaster risk and reduction management fund or 30 percent of the amount as quick response fund for relief and recovery efforts.

Fariñas said the city government may need to buy a stronger dosage of insecticides and more fogging machines to drive away dengue-causing mosquitoes.

PDIC set to pay insurance claims of Banco Filipino depositors in Laoag

LAOAG CITY- Representatives of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) will be in this city to pay insurance claims of depositors of the shuttered Banco Filipino Savings and Mortgage Bank from August 4 to 18.

The PDIC said the scheduled payment dates would be the last opportunity for depositors based in the province to have their claims settled.

They also requested the Laoag city government to extend assistance to small depositors by providing free notarization of their affidavits.

In case they fail to show up during the scheduled dates, local depositors may still process their insurance claims from the PDIC Makati office starting August 29.

Pursuant to R.A. 3591 (PDIC Charter), as amended, the last day of filing claims for insured deposits is on March 18, 2013. The PDIC shall no longer accept any claim for insured deposits maintained with Banco Filipino after the date.

The bank closed down in March due to financial woes.


Agri-Kapihan is 25 years old

One group that has stood the test of time is the Agri-Kapihan, a forum for farming enthusiasts that is open free to the public. Last Sunday, July 31, the 25th anniversary of this forum was celebrated jointly with the 11th anniversary of the radio program “Kaunlaran sa Agrikultura.”

The event was attended by some 400 farming aficionados who had come all the way from the provinces (as far away as Batac, Ilocos Norte) as well as in Metro Manila. The large attendance is enough proof that it is one activity that is benefiting a lot of farmers, otherwise why would they attend?

The celebration at the courtyard of radio station DWWW was graced by no less than Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala who gave the audience a clear view of his vision towards staple food sufficiency in the country. Which means that the population should not only depend on rice for their staple food. He cited a program backed by the Institute of Plant Breeding in Los Baños whereby white corn production is being pushed, especially in the Visayas and Mindanao where white corn is a favorite staple

Alcala said that white corn seeds for planting are being produced under a program spearheaded by experts of the IPB. Aside from seeds, the IPB has also developed an efficient corn mill that will process corn grits in the village level. White corn is even a more nutritious food than rice. It has a lower glycemic index so that it is good for diabetics. It is digested more slowly than rice, hence the consumer feels full in the stomach longer. Because it is digested more slowly, the sugar in the cereal is absorbed in smaller quantities in the blood than in the case of rice. Hence, it is better for those suffering from diabetes.

Rootcrops are another substitute or supplement to rice. Camote, for instance, is a healthy food. The roots as well as the leaves are packed with nutrients needed by the body.

How did the Agri-Kapihan start? It all started when we were offered to edit the Agriculture page of the Manila Times when it was revived in 1986 after the EDSA Revolt. We thought that if we were to edit a page that would easily relate to the farming community – especially those who are literate and who read newspapers, we should have a means to meet them. And one way of getting closer to the farmers and getting their stories is to come up with a venue where we could exchange views and experiences with them.

The Agri-Kapihan may be called a non-organization because there are no officers, only volunteers who would make the meetings possible. Since there are no officers, there are no elections. Which means that there are no squabbles about electioneering, vote-buying and the like. There are no fees to pay. So there are no funds to squander by the organizers.

In the earlier many years, there was a caterer who served breakfast which was not free. If the attendee wants to eat, he has to pay for his meal. There are no corporate sponsors for meals.That was adopted as a policy because that could otherwise be abused.

Resource persons consisted of some of the best speakers on agricultural topics, especially those who are actually farming. There is no talent fee for the speakers, but there are many talents who want to share their know-how and experiences without any compensation.

The topics that have been discussed the past 25 years have been wide-ranging. These include crops, farm animals, fisheries, farm management, fertilizers, pest and disease control in plants and livestock, natural farming, urban gardening, vermiculture and so on. You name the topic and most likely it has been discussed at the Agri-Kapihan.

At the Agri-Kapihan, the attendees are able to pick up new ideas and stories that inspire them to undertake their own farm projects.

The sessions used to be held every Saturday morning at the Manila Seedling Bank in Quezon City. The place was offered for free use by the MSB management which was beneficial to the company because the attendees were prospective buyers of the seedlings it has been selling.

There are two special occasions observed at the Agri-Kapihan. One is the anniversary celebration which was originally held on the Saturday nearest to August 2. Today, since Kaunlaran sa Agrikultura radio program has adopted Agri-Kapihan as its own project, the forum is held every last Sunday of the month. The other special occasion is Christmas celebration.

In both occasions, the practice is potluck style. Each attendee brings something to eat which could be shared with the other attendees. But there are those who bring more than others. Like last Sunday, Pio Rodriguez who sells tractors donated a whole cow lechon. Mario Rabang brought a native pig lechon while Sec. Alcala donated three pig lechons. There was an overflow of food.

Up to now attendees report the good news about their projects. Some have become agribusiness entrepreneurs because they have found the idea at the Agri-Kapihan. The AANI or Agri-Aqua Network International is a progeny of the Agri-Kapihan.

The founders of the AANI have observed that people are hungry for farming technologies. So it was organized by people who have become friends through the Agri- Kapihan. AANI has pioneered in conducting agricultural seminars which is continuing up to this day. It was also a pioneer in coming up with weekend markets, first with the Sidcor which used to be held at the the present site of Makro in Cubao, Quezon City.

AANI used to have its weekend market at the Magallanes Center in Makati and at the TESDA in Taguig. Its biggest weekend market is at the FTI with more than 200 stallholders. The latest is at the St. Vincent Seminary in Tandang Sora, Quezon City. All these and many, many more came about because of Agri-Kapihan.

Ilocos Norte media pin hope on P-Noy to resolve broadcaster’s murder

SAN NICOLAS, Ilocos Norte - Members of the Ilocos Norte media remain hopeful that the seven year-old murder case of radio commentator Roger Mariano will be given closure under the Aquino administration. Officers of the Media Active in Ilocos Norte (Main) visited the site in Barangay Barabar in San Nicolas town where Mariano was slain while riding home on July 31 seven years ago.

They lighted seven candles to symbolize how long the murder has remained unsolved. Melvin de la Cuesta, former Main president, said the group is pinning its hopes on President Aquino’s promise to resolve extra-judicial killings in the country and put an end to impunity.

"We are confident with P-Noy's commitment to bring justice to the families of slain journalists and put an end to media killings," he said.

A former policeman and another suspect who were the principal accused in the murder were acquitted in August 2010.

Judge Reynaldo Alhambra of the Manila regional trial court found no evidence directly linking former police officer Apolonio Medrano and Basilio Yadao to the case which dragged for six years until it was terminated with the suspects’ acquittal.

But de la Cuesta said the murder case remains open until the real perpetrators are identified. “Investigators should pursue other angles which could lead in the identification of those who masterminded the murder,” he said.

De la Cuesta has been leading the media group in marking Mariano’s murder since 2004. He initiated the building of a press freedom marker on a lot donated by San Nicolas mayor Alfredo Valdez, Jr. on the same spot where Mariano was gunned down.

Unlike the previous years, Mariano’s widow and her children would show up at the site and join Mariano’s colleagues in marking his death anniversary.

De la Cuesta said Alma Mariano did not reply to his text message informing her of the commemoration last Sunday.

He said he would often visit Alma in her home in Dingras town and advise her of the media event but that he failed to see her personally before the commemoration.

“But residents said they would often see fresh flowers and candles at the marker,” he said. Mariano was the first Ilocos Norte radio commentator felled by assassins’ bullets in what authorities believe as a result of his exposes on his radio program.

Laoag residents on guard for tropical depression ‘Lando’

LAOAG CITY, Residents have been advised to be on guard with the entry of another tropical depression named Lando, which will bring scattered to widespread rains in Luzon and Visayas.

As of 11 am today, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that Lando was estimated to be at 280 km west of Laoag City.

The weather bureau advised the public and the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils to take appropriate actions noting that Lando has remained almost stationery over the West Philippine Sea.

PAGASA said Lando is slowly moving north, northeast and is estimated to be 190 km west, northwest of Laoag on Tuesday morning; 160 km north of Laoag on Wednesday morning and 240 km north, northeast of Laoag or 110 km north, northeast of Basco, Batanes on Thursday morning.

It said the country is not directly affected by Lando but it enhances the southwest monsoon bringing scattered to widespread rains over Luzon and Visayas particularly the western section.

Lando is expected to bring an estimated rainfall amount of 5 t 10 mm per hour within the 300 km diameter of the tropical depression.

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