Difference between revisions of "Batanes News"

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<center>[[Batanes Province, Philippines|<font size=4>'''Province of Batanes'''</font>]] - [[Batanes Archived News|<font size=4 color=green>'''Archived News'''</font>]]</center>
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==Basco to implement revised swine raising ordinance by October 2==
==Coffee shop in Batanes shows honesty can be good business==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r01&id=53175
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/190761/coffee-shop-in-batanes-shows-honesty-can-be-good-business
*By: Necitas G. Alconis
*By: Yolanda Sotelo
*''September 08, 2011''
*''Wednesday, May 09, 2012''
 
BASCO, Batanes- The local government of Basco will implement its revised ordinance on swine raising or production on October 2, 2011.
 
Vice Mayor Anastacia B. Viola said the ordinance will be enforced by the municipal sanitary inspectors within Basco town proper and along major roads and creeks.
 
Viola said among the provisions of the revised ordinance include no commercial swine raising within 50 meters tangent from either sides of any major roads and creeks, no swine raising in tourist and designated historical and cultural heritage sites and along all coastal areas.


Swine producers are also required to construct standard septic tanks that commensurate to the number of pigs raised in every pigpen. Each standard septic tank for commercial swine raisers shall be limited to serve four pigs at a time.
IVANA, Batanes—Honesty has been operating a rustic coffee shop here for 17 years now.


For non-commercial swine raisers, it shall be limited to three pigs or less at a time.
When customers enter the Honesty Coffee Shop, they will never encounter anyone manning the place. They help themselves to a cup of coffee or a bottle of cola, or can munch on biscuits, fried bananas and sweet potatoes that have been prepared and laid out for them at the counter.


Discharging liquid or solid wastes from swine raising activities into creeks or body of water or into the marine environment is prohibited and swine raising within or inside any creek is strictly prohibited.
After a nice meal, they are expected to pay for the service by dropping cash or coins into a wooden “payment box” at the counter and scribble down what they bought on a notebook.


Viola stressed that violators will be subjected to a fine of P1,000 for first offense, P1,500 for second offense and P2,500 or imprisonment of not less than two months but not more than six months or both upon the discretion of the court, for third offense.
Elena Gabilo, 77, a retired schoolteacher who owns the shop, says the system has worked well for residents of this coastal village as well as visitors.


==Batanes disaster council assesses typhoon Mina damages==
It was on a cold morning in 1995 when then newly retired Gabilo observed fishermen boarding boats in a pier just a few meters from her house.
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r02&id=52495
*By: Necitas G. Alconis
*''September 05, 2011''


BASCO, Batanes- The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) convened recently to assess the damages caused by Typhoon Mina which battered the island province last August 27 and 28 presided by Acting Governor Ferdinand C. Elica.
“[I realized] there was not a place for them to get drinking water, much less coffee, and my heart went out to them, especially the young children. In a corner, I put a thermos bottle and some coffee and sugar, for anyone to drink. I thought maybe they would leave me money, but in the afternoon when I returned there was no money at all,” she recalls.


The Department of Public Works and Highways reported that there were only minor landslides along the national road, however, while the Department of Education estimated P200,000 worth of damages on school buildings.
“I told myself that was okay because I at least helped out,” she adds.


On livestock, the Provincial Veterinary Office through its veterinarian Dr. Albert Tabile assessed that affected animals were valued at P92, 550.
She kept leaving the fishermen coffee and food for a month. One day she discovered a few coins tucked in a box, apparently payment for her service.


On the other hand, the office of the Provincial Agriculture has reported that vegetables damages were assessed at P1.8 million; fruits and legumes, P1.6 million; and bananas, P628,000.
It encouraged Gabilo to add biscuits and candies at the counter, and even a kilo of rice near pots and a kettle so fishermen can cook this. She also left tins of sardines.


Provincial Agriculturist Celso Batallones said critical damage was in rice and corn in Itbayat island as they are on the reproductive stage and the others were about to be harvested.
This time, her efforts were repaid with small bills.


Total damages in rice planted in 13.2 hectares were estimated at P1.4 million and corn planted in 4.66 hectares with P448,000 worth.
In 1998, a government radio station learned of Gabilo’s unique venture, and suggested that her shop be named The Honesty Store.


Batallones said the P15 million losses in agriculture has been reported to the Department of Agriculture and to Congressman Henedina Abad.
The store has evolved into The Honesty Coffee Shop, which also displays souvenir items for tourists.


The DA- Island Agricultural Research Outreach Station has distributed 200 trays of vegetables seedlings to each municipality. Additional seeds will be requested from DA and the provincial government for distribution to families.
“I don’t know if the customers drop the right amount. I don’t want to know if some people are cheating. But as far as I know, 98 percent of the customers pay the right amount,” Gabilo says.


Meantime, Francisco Escalona, provincial director of the national Food Authority here said the 4,000 bags rice stock are safe and assured that there will be sufficient supply in the province for the next two months as additional 4,000 bags are expected to arrive in the island.
She says two of her regular customers tried a similar venture in Manila, but they failed.


The Department of Trade and Industry said that as of now there’s no significant change in prices of basic commodities based on their price monitoring activities.
Conspicuous enough for customers to see is a sign on a wall that says: “Get what you need. Please pay (for) whatever you get. If you have no change, knock at the door. If no one answers, sorry, so you give more than the price. May your tribe increase. Remember, Honesty is the best policy.”


==Provincial veterinary office distributes live chicks to malnourished pre-school children==
==Better services seen in Basco port==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r02&id=52328
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R02&article=451336439782
*By: Necitas G. Alconis
*By: Necitas G. Alconis
*''September 03, 2011''
*''Tuesday, May 08, 2012''


BASCO, Batanes, September 3- The provincial government through the provincial veterinary office (PVET) has distributed five live chicks as livestock assistance to the 19 malnourished pre-school children in Basco.
BASCO, Batanes- Officers and members of cooperatives and residents of this island province are expecting for better services once the extension of the Basco port here will be realized.


Governor Vicente Gato and provincial veterinarian Dr. Alberto Tabile personally handed the chicks to the parents of the malnourished children at the Basco plaza last Friday, August 26, 2011.
Charles Ibaňes, chairman of the Batanes Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BMPC) disclosed that some officials of the Philippine Port Authority (PPA) from Manila were in the province recently to assess the situation in the area, and after seeing the urgent need for port extension, the PPA officials proposed for a second extension of 70 meters (m) more to ensure that three to four cargo vessels could dock at the pier at a time.


Governor Gato said the project aims to provide assistance to the family of the malnourished children in the form of live chicks to be raised for home consumption.
The project was started in October 2011, and the completion of the first 50 m extension is targeted this June. The second extension might not be started in July-August due to west winds that usually bring towering waves, which will bring risks to the workers.


Gato advised the parents to take care of the chicks so that it will lay eggs then later will multiply in number. “If the production prospers, you may share them with your neighbors,” he advised them.
As per interview with some Ivatan laborers hired by PPA, the second extension may likely start on October to November when the sea at Basco port is calmer and safer for workers and the materials to be used.


The distribution was done by barangay through the assistance of the six barangay nutrition scholars who were also given three chicks each.
According to Ibaňes, the extension aims to bring better services for the shipping operators who maintain cargo vessels in the area, such as BMPC, with two cargo vessels; the TRANSCEND with one vessel; the MISUBI, with one passenger boat; PULZAR construction, with one cargo vessel; and two inter-island motorized bancas for passengers and cargoes to and from Itbayat Island.


The BNS are tasked to monitor the chick raising activity of each family recipient to ensure that the assistance is supported by the beneficiaries as intended by the government.
“The existing Basco port could only serve one cargo vessel at a time. If another cargo vessel comes to Basco before the previous vessel pulls out, it has to keep distance at least 100 meters from the pier,” he said.


The same livestock assistance will be distributed to the malnourished pre-school children in the other five municipalities in separate schedules.
==5th Uyugan’s Kamanidungan festival slated on May 10==
 
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R02&article=451336096334
==5.1magnitude quake shakes Batanes—Phivolcs==
*By: Necitas G. Alconis
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/51905/5-1magnitude-quake-shakes-batanes%E2%80%94phivolcs
*''Friday, May 04, 2012''
*By: Frances Mangosing
*''September 02, 2011''
 
A 5.1 magnitude quake shook Batanes Thursday night but no damages were recorded, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.
 
The tectonic quake, which was recorded at 9:25 p.m., was located 175 kilometers southeast of Mahatao, Batanes, Phivolcs said.
 
Phivolcs did not cite areas where the quake was felt.
 
There were no expected aftershocks from the minor temblor, Phivolcs said.
 
 
==PMA sets special entrance exam on Sept. 4==
*Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/230970/regions/phivolcs-magnitude-49-quake-rocks-batanese
*By: RSJ, GMA News
*''September 01, 2011''
   
The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) will be conducting special entrance examination for PMA cadetship in selected areas on Sunday, September 4, to give way for aspirants who were not able to take the examination due to calamities brought about by the typhoon Mina in Northern Luzon.
 
Examinations will be conducted at the following exam centers: PMA in Baguio City, Northwestern University in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte and Cagayan National High School in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.
A similar examination was also carried out in '''Batanes''' on August 31, 2011.
 
All applicants should report to the examination centers at exactly 7:00 AM on September 4. They must bring with them the following: exam permits for those who have earlier applied; at least two proof of identification; photocopy of National Statistics Office birth certificate; Form 137/ College transcript of records; at least two pieces of #2 pencils, sharpener and eraser.
 
Interested aspirants, who have not applied for PMA Cadetship may apply as walk-in applicants that said day. They must bring with them the following: High School Form 137 (with an average grade of 85% or higher); NSO copy of the Birth Certificate two pieces 2x2 ID picture; valid ID (Student ID, Drivers License, Postal ID, etc.); at least two pieces of #2 pencils, sharpener and eraser.
 
The basic requirements to become a PMA cadet are : natural born Filipino citizen; Of good moral character, 5 feet 4 inches if male and 5 feet 2 inches if female; not a day older than 21 years and not a day younger than 17 years on 01 April 2010(born between April 1, 1990 to April 1, 1996); at least high school graduate with a GPA of 85% or higher, and physically fit for cadetship.
 
16 years old aspirants may apply and take the PMA entrance examination provided they possess the above-mentioned qualifications. Should the applicants pass the exam, they may proceed with the processing once they have reached the right age. The validity of the result of the exam will be for two.
 
==Phivolcs: Magnitude-4.9 quake rocks Batanes==
*Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/230970/regions/phivolcs-magnitude-49-quake-rocks-batanese
*By: RSJ, GMA News
*''August 31, 2011''
   
A magnitude-4.9 quake rocked Batanes in northern Philippines shortly after midnight Tuesday, but there was no initial report of damage or casualty.
 
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the quake was recorded at 12:15 a.m. Wednesday, and was tectonic in origin.
 
In its bulletin, Phivolcs said the quake’s epicenter was 147 km northwest of Basco, Batanes.
 
However, it did not immediately cite specific areas where the quake was felt.
 
Phivolcs said no damage or aftershock was expected from the quake.
 
==BJMP joins dengue blood drive==
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/332576/bjmp-joins-dengue-blood-drive
*By: CZARINA NICOLE O. ONG
*''August 30, 2011''
 
The officers and personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) have decided to do their part in helping people who have been victimized by the deadly dengue fever by donating their own blood.
 
BJMP Chief Director Rosendo M. Dial announced in a meeting that the jail bureau is ready to extend help to regions and provinces with high dengue cases through blood donation.
 
“The BJMP offers its blood to dengue patients especially in provinces under a state of calamity,” said Dial.
 
He said BJMP regional and field units in dengue-stricken provinces will be ordered to mount blood donation projects for victims within their respective areas.
 
Among the provinces recently put under a state of calamity due to dengue outbreaks are Iloilo City, La Union, Ilocos Sur, and '''Batanes'''.
 
The blood donation is in line with the directive earlier given by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse M. Robredo for local government units to enforce environmental sanitation such as dredging of clogged canals, esteros and other waterways; pruning of thick bushes or tree branches; removing or draining receptacles containing stagnant water; and conducting massive information drive on environmental control of mosquito-breeding sites especially in endemic areas.
 
Six government agencies earlier joined hands last week to look for strategic and coordinated actions against the mosquito-borne viral disease which has killed at least 267 persons nationwide in the last seven months.
 
This developed after Robredo, Department of Health (DoH) Secretary Enrique Ona, Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Armin Luistro, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon Paje,
 
Department of Science and Technology (DoST) Secretary Mario Montejo, and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino signed the Memorandum of Agreement for an Inter-Agency Cooperation Strategy for Intensifying Anti-Dengue Drive in Barangay Bagbag, Novaliches, Quezon City.
 
Robredo said there is a need for inter-agency and inter-sectoral partnerships to implement a sustainable and wide-reaching campaign to prevent and control dengue.
 
“All concerned departments of the government are here today to take a stand and undertake strategies and concrete actions to address the prevalence of dengue,” he said.
 
 
==‘Mina’ weakens as it moves away from Philippines==
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/49695/%E2%80%98mina%E2%80%99-weakens-as-it-moves-away-from-philippines
*By: Frances Mangosing, Kristine L. Alave
*''August 29, 2011-newsinfo.inquirer.net''
 
Typhoon “Mina” (International codename: Nanmadol) weakened slightly as it headed out of the Philippines, where 12 people were killed in its deadly onslaught across North Luzon last weekend, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Monday.
 
In its 11 a.m. bulletin, Pagasa said Mina’s maximum sustained winds was measured at 100 kilometers per hour as of 10 a.m. Monday, 10 kph slower than its strength at 4 a.m.
 
The storm, which was seen 320 km northwest of Batanes, was gusting at 130 kph and was moving northwest at 9 kph.
 
It is expected to be at 520 km northwest of Batanes by Tuesday, the weather agency said. Public Signal No. 1 remains over the Batanes Group of Islands.
 
Storm warnings elsewhere have been lowered.
 
==Batanes to host National Museum branch==
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=67&articleId=721118
*By: www.philstar.com
*''August 28, 2011-www.philstar.com''
 
BASCO, Batanes, Philippines – A branch of the National Museum will soon rise in the 3.5-hectare former site of the old United States Coast Guard Station (USCG) in Barangay Imnajbu, 28 kilometers from here.
 
The museum, to be called the Batanes Branch Museum and Field Station of the National Museum of the Philippines, is the fruit of years of studies conducted by the National Museum.
 
Jeremy Barns, National Museum director, said, “Batanes is highly important to many of the Museum’s mandated areas of work, in cultural heritage and natural history.”
 
”It is not only clearly suitable, but also a priority for establishing a permanent presence of the National Museum by way of a branch museum and field station,” Barns added.


The ruins of the old USCG will be rehabilitated to provide exhibition, visitor and education spaces, apart from research facilities for the agency’s scientists and researchers to further extend the museum’s services to the province. It will also promote science, education and tourism.
BASCO, Batanes- The municipality of Uyugan is set to celebrate town fiesta on May 10, featuring its 5th Kamanidungan festival.


The site consists of six one-story reinforced concrete buildings that were abandoned by the Americans after the Vietnam War.
Kamanidungan, from the root word "manidung" which means to help, is a local term for cooperativism, concentrated on house making, a genuine traditional cooperativism that is still strong in Uyugan.


An initial appropriation of P39 million is included in the proposed national budget of 2012  for the establishment of the museum.
The peculiarity of the traditional cooperativism begins with the provision of housing materials for a traditional house such as posts, lumber, cogon, reeds, nails, tying materials and stones by neighbors, town folks and friends, aside from the free labor.


In a briefing before a select group of Ivatans last week, Barns cited the need to house and exhibit properly the considerable number of archeological and anthropological artifacts they have assembled in the course of their study in the province.
This year,the Uyugan festival will feature the pitching in of construction materials, the categorized subworkers, and the main laborers in erecting a traditional Ivatan house.


Archeological artifacts include pottery dating from about 4,000 years ago, objects of Taiwan nephrite (jade), baked clay spindle whorls as old as 3,000 years and 2000 year-old burial jars.
Less abled men helped in the preparation of food for lunch, snacks and drinks. The animal to be butchered will be provided by the house owner, but rice, yam, camote, firewood and bread fruit leaves, wine, and other drinks are provided through donations from neighbors and the workers themselves.


==Batanes fuel stock to last for only 12 days==
To be featured along with the Kamanidungan will be the agro-fair of their farm and home products for the public.
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=67&articleId=720817
*By: Jack Castaño III
*''August 27, 2011-www.philstar.com''


BASCO, Batanes ,Philippines  – The province’s stock of diesel fuel to run its generators that provide electricity is down to only 36,000 liters, enough to provide electricity for only 12 more days at a reduced operation of 10 hours a day.
Kamanidungan festival, along with Mahatao’s Rakanen festival, (vegetables as main product) last March 17 to 19, Basco’s Kulay Festival on April 16-19, Sabtang Mayes Festival (corn) on April 25 to 27, were being held as the prelude to Batanes Day on June 26.


Since a week ago, the operating hours of the National Power Corp. (Napocor) generators have been reduced to only 10 hours a day.
==Batanes, Santiago City bid national Nutrition Honor Award==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R02&article=461335773453
*By: Oliver T. Baccay
*''Tuesday, May 01, 2012''


The generators are switched on at 12 noon and switched off at 10 p.m.
Two of the local nutrition councils in region 2 are now contenders of the prestigious Nutrition Honor Award, the highest recognition given to Local Government Units (LGUs) that have consistently shown outstanding performance for nutrition improvement.


In the island municipalities of Sabtang and Itbayat, electricity is only available for only six hours a day.
For this year, Batanes province and Santiago City are the entries of Cagayan Valley in the said award system, after three consecutive years of garnering the Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN).


The situation will last until Sept. 6, the run-out date the Napocor has given itself to operate its generators. That means, without additional fuel, the entire province will go into total darkness from that date.
Nutrition Program Coordinator Rhodora Maestre said the two LGUs are now on their 3rd year of maintaining their CROWN award which qualifies them to be elevated into the NHA.


While Napocor still has a balance of 100,000 liters from its first semester allocation of 800,000 liters, this has yet to be delivered from Manila.
She said Batanes province was already evaluated last week while Santiago City is scheduled for May 7-11, 2012. NNC chief Assistant Secretary Bernardita Flores led the team in Batanes together with the evaluators from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and Department of Agriculture (DA).


However, the hauler cannot promise if he can deliver the stock by next week. The situation is compounded by the unpredictable weather this time of the year.
Maestre believed that the two entries will make it as she sees the strong foundation of the programs, projects and innovations made for the eradication of malnutrition rate in the said areas.


Sept. 6 is also the date set by Napocor for haulers to bid for the transport of the second semester supply of 800,000 liters. The winning bidder will also have to face the prospects of unpredictable weather.
Region 2 had consistently produced national champions in the different categories of the nutrition award system to include the NHA awards received by Solana, Cagayan; Echague, Isabela; Tuguegarao City; Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya; Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya, Cagayan province and Isabela province.


Weather this time of the year is usually not calm as a consequence of the west monsoon and easterly winds that converge in extreme northern Luzon.
These LGUs have innovative programs and projects that contributed to the eradication of malnutrition rate in their areas, a strong advocacy to promote good nutrition, support to the maternal and health care program, and the political will in implementing related laws and policies toward the development of nutrition and health of the people.

Latest revision as of 15:51, 9 May 2012

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Province of Batanes - 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.
Oldest House in Ivana.jpg
Oldest house in Ivana, Batanes

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.

Coffee shop in Batanes shows honesty can be good business

IVANA, Batanes—Honesty has been operating a rustic coffee shop here for 17 years now.

When customers enter the Honesty Coffee Shop, they will never encounter anyone manning the place. They help themselves to a cup of coffee or a bottle of cola, or can munch on biscuits, fried bananas and sweet potatoes that have been prepared and laid out for them at the counter.

After a nice meal, they are expected to pay for the service by dropping cash or coins into a wooden “payment box” at the counter and scribble down what they bought on a notebook.

Elena Gabilo, 77, a retired schoolteacher who owns the shop, says the system has worked well for residents of this coastal village as well as visitors.

It was on a cold morning in 1995 when then newly retired Gabilo observed fishermen boarding boats in a pier just a few meters from her house.

“[I realized] there was not a place for them to get drinking water, much less coffee, and my heart went out to them, especially the young children. In a corner, I put a thermos bottle and some coffee and sugar, for anyone to drink. I thought maybe they would leave me money, but in the afternoon when I returned there was no money at all,” she recalls.

“I told myself that was okay because I at least helped out,” she adds.

She kept leaving the fishermen coffee and food for a month. One day she discovered a few coins tucked in a box, apparently payment for her service.

It encouraged Gabilo to add biscuits and candies at the counter, and even a kilo of rice near pots and a kettle so fishermen can cook this. She also left tins of sardines.

This time, her efforts were repaid with small bills.

In 1998, a government radio station learned of Gabilo’s unique venture, and suggested that her shop be named The Honesty Store.

The store has evolved into The Honesty Coffee Shop, which also displays souvenir items for tourists.

“I don’t know if the customers drop the right amount. I don’t want to know if some people are cheating. But as far as I know, 98 percent of the customers pay the right amount,” Gabilo says.

She says two of her regular customers tried a similar venture in Manila, but they failed.

Conspicuous enough for customers to see is a sign on a wall that says: “Get what you need. Please pay (for) whatever you get. If you have no change, knock at the door. If no one answers, sorry, so you give more than the price. May your tribe increase. Remember, Honesty is the best policy.”

Better services seen in Basco port

BASCO, Batanes- Officers and members of cooperatives and residents of this island province are expecting for better services once the extension of the Basco port here will be realized.

Charles Ibaňes, chairman of the Batanes Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BMPC) disclosed that some officials of the Philippine Port Authority (PPA) from Manila were in the province recently to assess the situation in the area, and after seeing the urgent need for port extension, the PPA officials proposed for a second extension of 70 meters (m) more to ensure that three to four cargo vessels could dock at the pier at a time.

The project was started in October 2011, and the completion of the first 50 m extension is targeted this June. The second extension might not be started in July-August due to west winds that usually bring towering waves, which will bring risks to the workers.

As per interview with some Ivatan laborers hired by PPA, the second extension may likely start on October to November when the sea at Basco port is calmer and safer for workers and the materials to be used.

According to Ibaňes, the extension aims to bring better services for the shipping operators who maintain cargo vessels in the area, such as BMPC, with two cargo vessels; the TRANSCEND with one vessel; the MISUBI, with one passenger boat; PULZAR construction, with one cargo vessel; and two inter-island motorized bancas for passengers and cargoes to and from Itbayat Island.

“The existing Basco port could only serve one cargo vessel at a time. If another cargo vessel comes to Basco before the previous vessel pulls out, it has to keep distance at least 100 meters from the pier,” he said.

5th Uyugan’s Kamanidungan festival slated on May 10

BASCO, Batanes- The municipality of Uyugan is set to celebrate town fiesta on May 10, featuring its 5th Kamanidungan festival.

Kamanidungan, from the root word "manidung" which means to help, is a local term for cooperativism, concentrated on house making, a genuine traditional cooperativism that is still strong in Uyugan.

The peculiarity of the traditional cooperativism begins with the provision of housing materials for a traditional house such as posts, lumber, cogon, reeds, nails, tying materials and stones by neighbors, town folks and friends, aside from the free labor.

This year,the Uyugan festival will feature the pitching in of construction materials, the categorized subworkers, and the main laborers in erecting a traditional Ivatan house.

Less abled men helped in the preparation of food for lunch, snacks and drinks. The animal to be butchered will be provided by the house owner, but rice, yam, camote, firewood and bread fruit leaves, wine, and other drinks are provided through donations from neighbors and the workers themselves.

To be featured along with the Kamanidungan will be the agro-fair of their farm and home products for the public.

Kamanidungan festival, along with Mahatao’s Rakanen festival, (vegetables as main product) last March 17 to 19, Basco’s Kulay Festival on April 16-19, Sabtang Mayes Festival (corn) on April 25 to 27, were being held as the prelude to Batanes Day on June 26.

Batanes, Santiago City bid national Nutrition Honor Award

Two of the local nutrition councils in region 2 are now contenders of the prestigious Nutrition Honor Award, the highest recognition given to Local Government Units (LGUs) that have consistently shown outstanding performance for nutrition improvement.

For this year, Batanes province and Santiago City are the entries of Cagayan Valley in the said award system, after three consecutive years of garnering the Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN).

Nutrition Program Coordinator Rhodora Maestre said the two LGUs are now on their 3rd year of maintaining their CROWN award which qualifies them to be elevated into the NHA.

She said Batanes province was already evaluated last week while Santiago City is scheduled for May 7-11, 2012. NNC chief Assistant Secretary Bernardita Flores led the team in Batanes together with the evaluators from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and Department of Agriculture (DA).

Maestre believed that the two entries will make it as she sees the strong foundation of the programs, projects and innovations made for the eradication of malnutrition rate in the said areas.

Region 2 had consistently produced national champions in the different categories of the nutrition award system to include the NHA awards received by Solana, Cagayan; Echague, Isabela; Tuguegarao City; Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya; Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya, Cagayan province and Isabela province.

These LGUs have innovative programs and projects that contributed to the eradication of malnutrition rate in their areas, a strong advocacy to promote good nutrition, support to the maternal and health care program, and the political will in implementing related laws and policies toward the development of nutrition and health of the people.

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