Difference between revisions of "Isabela News"

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==Region 2 is top 2 nationwide in social pension implementation-DSWD==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=57976
*By: Thelma C. Bicarme
*''October 07, 2011''
The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Region 2 (DSWD2) has completed the distribution of social pension to the indigent senior citizens in the entire region making it top 2 performer in the nationwide implementation of the government’s social pension program.
Lucia Alan, chief of the Technical Division of the DSWD said for the second quarter of this year, their office was able to release P8,433,000 to a total of 5,622 beneficiaries from the five provinces of region 2.
For Cagayan, a total of P3,732,000 has been disbursed to some 2,488 senior citizens; '''Isabela''', P3,285,500 to 2,190; Nueva Vizcaya, P717,000 to 478, Quirino, P685,000 to 457 and Batanes, P13,500 to nine (9) senior citizens.
She added that indigent senior citizens, aged 77 years old and above have been identified through the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR).
“Only those indigent seniors aged 77 years old and above, who are not receiving any pension from the Government Service Insurance System, Social Security System, Armed Forces of the Philippines and other insurance company, without permanent source of income, or regular support from his/her relatives shall be included in the program,” Alan further explained.
Alan stressed that DSWD social workers have conducted verification and validation of eligible senior citizens who are qualified to receive a monthly social pension of P500.00 to be distributed on a quarterly basis.
The provision of monthly pension for indigent senior citizens is in-line with the fulfillment of the obligation of the government to protect the most vulnerable sector through social protection and for the full implementation of Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.
The P500 monthly pension will help the family augment the daily subsistence and other medical needs of indigent seniors particularly those who are sickly and bedridden.
==300 families evacuate homes in Isabela==
==300 families evacuate homes in Isabela==
*Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/09/27/11/300-families-evacuate-homes-isabela
*Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/09/27/11/300-families-evacuate-homes-isabela

Revision as of 08:04, 7 October 2011

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Province of Isabela - 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.
Nophoto.gif
Isabela

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.

Region 2 is top 2 nationwide in social pension implementation-DSWD

The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Region 2 (DSWD2) has completed the distribution of social pension to the indigent senior citizens in the entire region making it top 2 performer in the nationwide implementation of the government’s social pension program.

Lucia Alan, chief of the Technical Division of the DSWD said for the second quarter of this year, their office was able to release P8,433,000 to a total of 5,622 beneficiaries from the five provinces of region 2.

For Cagayan, a total of P3,732,000 has been disbursed to some 2,488 senior citizens; Isabela, P3,285,500 to 2,190; Nueva Vizcaya, P717,000 to 478, Quirino, P685,000 to 457 and Batanes, P13,500 to nine (9) senior citizens.

She added that indigent senior citizens, aged 77 years old and above have been identified through the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR).

“Only those indigent seniors aged 77 years old and above, who are not receiving any pension from the Government Service Insurance System, Social Security System, Armed Forces of the Philippines and other insurance company, without permanent source of income, or regular support from his/her relatives shall be included in the program,” Alan further explained.

Alan stressed that DSWD social workers have conducted verification and validation of eligible senior citizens who are qualified to receive a monthly social pension of P500.00 to be distributed on a quarterly basis.

The provision of monthly pension for indigent senior citizens is in-line with the fulfillment of the obligation of the government to protect the most vulnerable sector through social protection and for the full implementation of Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.

The P500 monthly pension will help the family augment the daily subsistence and other medical needs of indigent seniors particularly those who are sickly and bedridden.

300 families evacuate homes in Isabela

Isabela province bore the brunt of the onslaught of Typhoon “Pedring”, forcing some 326 families or about 1,500 individuals to evacuate their homes.

The evacuees are mostly residents from the 4 coastal towns in the province.

Pedring's strong winds tore off roofs and uprooted trees.

Earlier, some buses were forced to turn back as fallen trees blocked Isabela's national highway.

The weather has since improved, allowing emergency crews to clear the roads.

No casualties in the province have been reported as of posting.

The typhoon hit the northeastern side of Luzon before dawn, packing winds of up to 140 kilometers per hour and gusts clocking in at 170 kilometers an hour.

4 Isabela towns brace for 'Pedring' onslaught

Isabela province is now bracing for typhoon Pedring, which is expected to make landfall somewhere between Aurora and Isabela Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning.

An emergency meeting by the provincial disaster risk reduction and management council (PDRRMC) was held Monday morning to discuss preparations for the coming storm. Intermittent rains are already being felt in the province, although the winds have yet to pick up in strength.

Officials said four towns on the other side of the Sierra Madre facing the Pacific Ocean may bear the brunt of the typhoon.

Governor Faustino Dy III said officials in Dinapigue, Palanan, Divilacan and Maconacon have been instructed to prepare for Pedring.

"Nangangamba kami sa towns na yan kasi hindi accessible. The only way to go there is by boat or by helicopter. Pero nakahanda na naman ang LGUs sa lugar na iyan, they have supplies and their evacuation centers are ready," Dy said.

The Philippine National Police and Armed Forces have already raised their alert levels, with their rescue units on standby.

Classes in Isabela for Tuesday have been suspended on all levels.

In anticipation of the coming typhoon, Magat Dam has also begun releasing water into the Cagayan River. Officials said this is a precautionary measure to prevent the sudden release of water during the height of the storm.


P1.9 M dispensed to 4Ps beneficiaries in Isabela coastal towns

DIVILACAN, Isabela- Pantawid Pamilya grantees of this town totaling to 345 family recipients have just received their cash grants totaling to P398,500 pesos.

Bridgette Mayor, information officer for 4Ps, said the cash released encompasses educational cash grants to children aged 3-14 amounting to one P150,000.00 and health cash grants of the families amounting to P248,500.00.

She said, according to the provincial link, Ma. Sheila Karen Addun, the beneficiaries are very thankful as they fall in line and received the cash grants and most of them revealed that the money they received will be allotted for their food expenditure and needs of their children.

The staff of the Land Bank in Cauayan Branch together with Roving Bookkeeper Jay-C Gumabay of the Pantawid Pamilya Regional Program Management Office and the provincial link flew over to the coastal town to deliver the benefits of the 4Ps beneficiaries.

Mayor also informed that the group was also able to release P1.5 million cash grants to the 1,225 family beneficiaries in Palanan, Isabela last September 1 and 2.

Palanan Vice Mayor Pacita Mona Atanacio witnessed the over the counter release and reiterated to the beneficiaries that they should use the money exclusively for the health and education of their children.

A total of 1.9 million pesos was released to the beneficiaries of the two coastal towns during the month of September. Payment for the July and August grants of the beneficiaries will be scheduled early this October after going through validation and verification of their compliance with the program conditions.

Palanan and Divilacan towns are the pilot areas of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program which implementation was started in 2008 by the Department of Social Welfare and Development to cater the poorest of the poor thru giving out financial support subject to certain conditions.

The conditions include 85% class attendance required to the children beneficiaries in day care, elementary and high school, regular check up of children and pregnant women and availment of deworming medicines and vaccinations among children aged 6-14. Also, the parents are required to attend the monthly Family Development Session.

Prices of rice, corn still favorable to farmers, assures Agriculture office

ILAGAN, Isabela- The provincial agriculture office in this province in its monitoring on the prices of rice and corn has found out that the prices are still favorable to farmers despite the rainy season.

In a monitoring report by the province’s rice and corn coordinator, the price of rice now reaches P17 pesos per kilo for the clean and dry rice product while wet rice are on the P13 per kilo.

In Cauayan City and in the capital town of Ilagan including the towns of Tumauini, Mallig and in Santiago City, the price monitoring of rice is at P17 per kilo for clean and dry and the wet rice is at the P13.50 per kilo.

The prices of corn in Cauayan City reaches at P11.50 per kilo for clean and dry while wet corn is at P8.50 per kilo.

There are price differences per kilo in some municipalities ranging from P11.60 per kilo to P11.70 per kilo on clean and dry corn products.

Despite the good prices being experienced by farmers in the province, the provincial government continue its price support program aimed at helping the farmers that are still to recovering from great losses in the previous calamities.

The provincial government has allocated some funds of P2 pesos per kilo for the National Food Authority’s (NFA) procurement program for farmers who sell their corn products at a maximum of 50 cavans in the NFA. Another P1 per kilo is also allocated for the NFA's procurement of palay products.

Meanwhile, the largest corn processing plant in the country situated at Reina Mercedes, Isabela is buying corn in cobs at P7.50 per kilo last week but now it went down at P7.30 per kilo due to the rainy season.

The Mindanao Grains Processing Center is the largest corn processing plant constructed in the province last year where President Benigno C. Aquino III inaugurated and led the ceremonial switching on of its processing machine of the Mindanao Grains Processing Plant.

Farmers and cooperatives in the province lined-up in the compound of the said facility to sell their corn products.

The provincial government is also coordinating with the Mindanao Grains Processing Plant for the possible offering of price support fund for the procurement of corn products to help the farmers regain their losses.

The provincial agriculture office will continue to monitor the prices of rice and corn in the province this cropping season in order that the provincial leadership will expedite necessary actions to help farmers regain form their great losses.

Sanggunian realigns P4.2 million savings last year to fund IT project

ILAGAN, Isabela- The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of this province has realigned the P4.2 million from the unexpended budget of the 20% economic development budget to fund the Information Technology (IT) project of the province’ assessor’s office.

The SP has seen the need to computerize the transactions of the assessor’s office seeing its present status of manual operations.

The sections of the assessor’s office that need to be computerized are the tax mapping section, section maps and records section.

Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Rolando Tugade, member of the finance and appropriations committee, has seen the need to computerize the records management and transactions of the provincial assessor to speed up processing of needed documents of Isabelinos.

He also authored a resolution granting Governor Faustino G. Dy III to use the realigned budget to fund the said programs and projects of the assessor’s office.

The realigned budget will be used specifically for the purchase of information technology (IT) equipment of P2 million pesos and records computerization and maintenance of the tax map section of P2.254million.

The appropriation ordinance realigning the said amount was approved during the special session conducted in Cauayan City last September 1, 2011.

Provincial assessor Guillermo Barreto expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for prioritizing the computerization program.

Barangay tanods undergo basic first-aid training

SANTIAGO CITY, Isabela- Barangay tanods in this city are currently undergoing a basic first-aid training aimed at equipping the tanods with basic life saving techniques under the city’s Rescue 206 medical personnel who served as trainors.

Calro Comoda, Rescue 206 chief, said that each of the 37 barangay has at least an average of 10 tanods who are undergoing training.

“The barangay tanods are first responders to accidents before the rescuers will arrive and it is necessary to provide them the basic techniques in rescue operations,” Comoda stressed.

Likewise, he said barangay officials cannot give first-aid to victims due to lack of knowledge on first aid.

The training has started last month and is expected to be completed today.

The Rescue 206 urged the city government to provide the tanods with the basic firs-aid kits upon finishing the training so that they have something to use in their respective areas.

The barangay tanods suggested that there should be an annual training to be conducted so that they (barangay tanods) will be able to acquire more knowledge not only in first-aid training but also in other trainings related to their duties.

The barangay tanods are partners of the police in the maintenance of peace and order in the locality.

City gov’t to reduce employees, projects next year due to budget cut

SANTIAGO CITY, Isabela- Mayor Amelita S. Navarro said the city may reduce its present budget of almost P43 million next year and that it will greatly affect the present programs and projects considering that the city has appropriated its previous annual budget of of P872.1 million.

The local chief executive said that the city might reduce the number of its employees due to the impending adjustment of the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) next year as a result of the Supreme Court’s ruling on the legality of the creation of 16 new cities in the country.

She said casual and job order employees will be affected by the IRA cut and have been advised to start looking for jobs.

The Sangguniang Panglungsod will only prioritize programs and projects that are necessary for the benefit the city residents as sanggunian member Augusto Saranggaya said the city council is scrutinizing the programs and projects that have been submitted to the council.

Barangay officials in the city have also been notified on the possibility of the IRA cut.

Mayor Navarro assured that with the impending budget reduction next year, education and health programs will not be affected.

DA urges Isabela farmers to plant soybean

The Department of Agriculture is urging Isabela farmers to plant soybean as rotating plant after planting primary products to serve as organic fertilizers to corn lands that are exposed to the use of inorganic fertilizers .

Rosie Aquino, national soybean coordinator made the call to Isabela farmers as the soybean production is already introduced in the provinces of Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya.

Aquino said aside from gaining additional income after harvesting corn, soybean stalks will also provide essential nutrients for the human body and for animals when consumed.

“We are introducing soybean as rotating crops for all farmers in the region and we are targeting all provinces in region 2 and in other regions as well,” Aquino said.

She said the stalks and leaves of soybean are important fertilizers of soils that are exposed inorganic products in order to bring back the natural soil quality.

The agriculture department is promoting the soybean production and it has also tapped non-government organizations, government institutions, and interested groups to be involved in soybean production.

Aquino is visiting other regions in the country to encourage farmers in planting soybean as their rotating plants.

'Illegal' lumbers found in Isabela vice mayor’s house

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday recovered 2,000 board feet of undocumented and "illegally cut" lumbers in the residential compound of Isabela Vice Mayor Roberto Lungan.

Police authorities searched the residence of Lungan in Benito Soliven town and found soft wood lumbers and several Narra square logs in his backyard.

Lungan denied allegations he was selling the lumbers. He said that the lumbers will be used for the renovation of their home.

“Hindi ako nagbebenta, kasi kung nagbebenta ako, sa labas pa lang nahuli na ako,” said Lungan.

Meanwhile, Lungan’s brother, Mario, slammed what he described as a "commotion" in their compound.

He said that the police operation was invasive because the authorities entered their compound without any search warrant.

According to Mario, the police were already all over the place before they even got a hold of the warrant from Regional Trial Court Branch 16.

The Lungans said they are ready to face all charges that may arise from the said incident.

Currently, the confiscated lumbers are under PNP’s custody.

Indigenous Isabelinos to benefit from AusAID program

ILAGAN, Isabela- Marginalized Indigenous Peoples’ (IPs) children in Isabela who are out-of-school-youth will soon benefit from an Australian Assistance on International Development AusAID) Program through the Philippines Response to Indigenous Peoples and Muslim Education (PRIME) program of the Department of Education (DepEd).

The PRIME program has selected the province as a recipient of the program because of the numerous IPs in the province, particularly in the four coastal towns.

The PRIME program aims to provide better access to an appropriate, policy driven, sustainable and quality education for girls and boys in Muslim and IPs communities.

The program is targeting 14 areas either in barangays, municipalities or ancestral domain (ADs) areas to implement the project with an initial fund of P7 million.

Lauris T. Anudon, field-based program officer for region 2 of the GRM International advocacy agency based in Tuguegarao City, said the program also wants to address the gaps identified in the basic education sector like problems on drop-out rates, poor participation rates, low completion rates, and low achievements rates on National Achievement Test (NAT) levels.

Anudon said there are nine regions in the country that are beneficiaries of the Australian Aid. They are the Luzon Cluster: regions 1 (Ilocos Region), Region 2 (Cagayan Valley), Region IV-B (MIMAROPA), Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Mindanao Cluster: Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), Region X (Northern Mindanao), Region XI (Davao Region), Region XII (SOCSARGEN) and Region XIII (CARAGA).

In the region, only the province of Isabela was identified to be the beneficiary of the new program.

Isabela Schools Division Superintendent Corazon Barrientos will lead the identification of IP areas in the province, prioritizing the four coastal towns as the target areas where most of the marginalized IPs particularly the Agtas reside.

Based on the records of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) here, the Agtas are the IP group considered to be marginalized based on their assessment and data gathering in all areas of the province.

The Isabela’s DepEd chief said there is a need to identify and select 14 IP areas for the PRIME program. The program is expected to be implemented starting this July and will end in 2013.

Barrientos also added that the Muslim education is already initially implemented in the province three years ago. They hired Muslim teachers or Madrasah who are teaching pupils in basic education with respect to the culture of Muslims.

The program was dubbed as Arabic Language and Islamic Values (ALIVE) where Muslim children are taught not only on basic education but also on Muslim cultures and traditions.

The Madrasah education is being implemented in Barangay Baligatan, Ilagan, Isabela and is expected to expand in other areas of the province.

Treasury office monitors accuracy of weighing scales

CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela– To ensure that all weighing scales of palay and corn traders and rice and feeds vendors are all accurate, the city treasurer’s office here has embarked on a massive monitoring activity in all the business establishments in the city.

City treasurer Carlito Andres said there are reports reaching their office that some business establishments have inaccurate weighing scales.

Andres said business establishments which are found with inaccurate weighing scales are recommended for closure and lifted of their permits to operate.

He said it is important to ensure that the public are protected with regards to the accuracy or exact weight of every product they buy.

This is not the first time the city treasurer’s office is monitoring the weighing scales as the city government wanted to ensure that all business establishments using weighing scales are following the regulations of the city.

Andres warned business establishments who are continuously using inaccurate weighing scales to fix them and not wait for the monitoring team to reach their establishments.

NTA expects more farmers to engage in tobacco production

ILAGAN, Isabela- The National Tobacco Administration (NTA) is expecting more farmers to engage in tobacco production as its demand is seen this year, according to Herman Torres of NTA Isabela office.

Bundled with the good price of tobacco in the province, Torres said that this will encourage and attract farmers to plant their idle lands or even their corn lands with tobacco plant for variations. According to him, there is an increase of five million kilograms of tobacco this year at 15.4 million compared to last year’s 10 million.

He also said that there are about 2,700 hectares planted with native tobacco while there are about 3, 573 hectares planted with barley variety of tobacco in the whole province of Isabela.

The municipalities engaged in tobacco production are Luna, Tumauini, Delfin Albano, Quirino, Roxas and Mallig all of Isabela.

These municipalities are also recipients of the tobacco excise tax having received portions of the tax and accrued to their respective local government units treasury to fund additional programs and projects for the benefit and welfare of their constituents.

Former GRP peace panel head tells gov’t to lay down concrete peace plan

ILAGAN, Isabela- In his desire for a lasting peace, former Government of the Philippines (GRP) peace panel head has advised the government to lay down a concrete peace plan with the rebels in order that it will meet its goal of lasting peace.

Silvestre “Bebot” Bello III, a veteran lawyer, peace negotiator and cabinet secretary of the past administration aired his desire for a lasting peace with the rebels over a local radio station here so that the citizens will no longer be affected when caught in crossfire between the government troops and the rebels.

He said the innocent residents are the victims of conflicts between the armed rebels and the government troops when the two forces meet.

Bello said that in the negotiating table, there should be a clear airing on both sides on the real issue of conflict between the two parties and how to solve the conflicts being laid down.

“I pity our people being victims of conflicts between the government and the government troops” Bello said.

He said if there are concrete plans and find concrete solutions of conflicts would mean peace and that follows development.

Pag-IBIG Fund, Cauayan City ink agreement for RA 9679 implementation

To ensure the effective implementation of the Home Development Mutual Fund Law of 2009, Republic Act 9679, the Pag-IBIG Fund Tuguegarao Branch entered into a mutual support and agreement with the City government of Cauayan.

The memorandum of agreement aims to intensify the commitment of the City Government to enact a parallel ordinance requiring new and renewing business permitees to obtain Pag-IBIG Fund Clearance before securing for a mayor’s permit to operate and conduct business in the area.

The MOA signing germinated from RA 9679 of Section 5 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) expressly requires that all employers shall first register with the Fund prior to the start of their business operations, Pedro G. Darauay, department manager III, said.

Mayor Benjamin G. Dy said being one of the financial centers in the region 2, he saw the importance of enrolling all the residents to Pag-IBIG.

“It’s a way of helping our constituents to be responsible citizen by learning how to save and at the same time investing money in the right institution,” Dy said.

The Fund has installed a permanent service desk at the City Hall to attend to the needs and queries of the members as well as to prospect registrants every third Thursday of the month.

Also, they shall conduct series of fora to all business owners to inform them of their mandatory registration and fiduciary obligation to the Fund.

Darauay said the initiative shall prepare them of the full-blast compliance of RA 9679 in the Business-One-Stop-Shop (BOSS) on January 2012.

13 families evacuate as floods hit Isabela

Thirteen families from the coastal town of Maconacon, Isabela have been evacuated as floods started to enter their homes amid heavy rains brought by Typhoon "Mina."

In an interview over radio dzMM, Isabela Governor Faustino Dy said the situation may worsen if water spills over Magat Dam.

Dy said water at the dam has reached over 190 meters, just 5 meters short of the spilling level.

Dam officials, meanwhile, said they would be forced to release water from the dam once it reaches critical point. It urged families in low-lying areas -- who have not yet evacuated -- to leave their homes.

Typhoon Mina continues to batter northern Luzon, bearing sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour near its center.

Signal Number 4 remains hoisted over norther Cagayan, Calayan and the Babuyan Group of Islands. Signal Number 3 is up over Isabela, the rest of Cagayan and the Batanes Group of Islands.

NPA guerrillas raid Isabela sugar cane farm

ILAGAN, Isabela, Philippines – Some 30 heavily armed New People’s Army rebels yesterday swooped into a sugar cane plantation being developed in a remote village in San Mariano town for a bio-ethanol plant.

Senior Inspector Ruby Capinpin, San Mariano police chief, said the rebels led by Joey Ramos, alias Ka Jerome, and Michael Erana, alias Ka Poktong, burned a tractor owned by Ecofuel Land Development Inc. in Sitio Amisan, Barangay Del Pilar, San Mariano town.

Police said the site is a former logging area at the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountains.

Peasant groups have decried the proposed bio-ethanol plant, alleging that it would displace settlers there.

In San Luis, Aurora, meanwhile, government troops overran an NPA training camp after an hour-long gunbattle last Tuesday.

Lt. Col. Kurt Decapia, commanding officer of the Army’s 48th Infantry Battalion, said the encounter broke out Tuesday morning in Barangay Dimanayat while a platoon of the their Charlie Company led by 2Lt. Edwin Lauro was conducting patrol operations there.

A soldier, identified as Pfc. Erwin Dacayo, sustained two bullet wounds in the abdomen. He was airlifted to the Aurora Memorial Hospital for emergency treatment and later transferred to the AFP Medical Center.

Rats invade Alicia town

ALICIA, Isabela- Agriculture officials in the town of Alicia and palay farmers are alarmed over the rising rat infestation of their rice fields.

Daniel Salviejo, Alicia municipal agriculturist, said there are now a total of almost 20 hectares of rice that are being attacked by rats.

He said if the rat infestation will not be controlled, the average yield per hectare will be affected thereby he is seeking the intervention of local officials of Alicia.

Salviejo said he has already reported to the town council on the extent of damages on rat infestation in the locality and the town council allocated P50 thousand for buying rat tails as one solution for the proliferation of damages on palay.

The agriculture office requested Alicia residents for rat hunting and that the agriculture office will buy rat tails at P5 per tail hoping that this measure will at least decrease and somehow solve the problem of rat infestation.

Salviejo said as of this month, there are now a total of 600 rat tails that were bought by the municipality and he urged local residents to hunt more for rats in the locality.

It is observed by the agriculture office that during the vegetative and flowering stage, palay plants are usually attacked by rat by eating the palay stalks.

The agriculture official is confident that the measure which the local government unit has adopted is effective with the cooperation of Alicia residents and the farmers themselves.

Isabela Red Cross urges public to donate blood

ILAGAN, Isabela- The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) -Isabela Chapter urged Isabelinos to donate blood for the needy patients as rise in the number of patients has been reported nationwide.

Antonietta Asis, PRC- Isabela Chapter head called on the public to donate some of their blood to be used by patients who are afflicted with dengue virus especially those who are needing blood transfusion to regain the normal blood level of the patient’s body.

The PRC chief said that donating blood will save lives and if the donor or donor’s relatives got sick and need blood, they are no longer required to buy blood from the PRC as they are in the masterlist of blood donors and will be given back to their patients for free.

“When an individual is donating blood, the blood is examined carefully to know if the blood is normal or not”, Asis assured.

Asis said when donating blood, there will be rejuvenating effect in the body particularly on the skin and the feeling becomes refreshing.

As of Friday last week, the PRC has joined efforts of private and government offices in their drive to earn enough blood supply for the future use of patients.

On the other hand, DZNC Bombo Radyo, one of the local radio stations here has set another day for a blood letting program in November 2011.

The local radio station has been regularly conducting blood letting program in coordination with the PRC in order to earn enough blood supply in province for future use.

Asis called on interested individuals, groups or associations to donate their blood and the PRC will assist in the blood letting programs of groups or associations.

Job-generating RC Cola plant welcomed by Isabela Folk

MANILA, Philippines - The people of Cauayan City, Isabela know that every RC Cola bottle means so much more than 240 mls of refreshing soft drink. In July, Isabelanons welcomed the opening of the RC Cola manufacturing plant in the area, along with the socio-economic benefits that a successful and responsible business can deliver to their community.

The modern, fully operational plant in Cauayan, Isabela will produce all soft drink products of Asiawide Refreshments Corporation (ARC) including RC Cola, the century-old international brand with headquarters in Columbus, Georgia, USA. The manufacturing plant is expected to produce jobs, drive down distribution costs for business partners, and satisfy the cola thirst of Isabela and the neighboring provinces.

“We are hiring employees (for the new plant) from the same area; this way, we would also be able to help generate local employment,” reports Gerry Garcia, executive vice president and chief operating officer of ARC. Job creation is only one of various positive outcomes of the presence of RC Cola’s manufacturing hub there.

The Isabela plant is the sixth in the company’s programmed expansion in Northern Luzon to Mindanao, and continues to provide new business opportunities for existing and potential soft drink dealers, sub-dealers, retailers and suppliers. Garcia continues, “Aside from being able to hire employees from the community and nearby towns, retail outlets can also gain quick, convenient access to our plant, while benefiting from reduced distribution costs since the plant is located within our distribution area.”

Executives of ARC recognize that a big part of overall business sustainability is maintaining a dynamic, positive relationship with the host community. “Just as in Manila and Davao where a lot of people depend on RC Cola for their livelihood, we want our Isabela plant to positively impact the lives of our workers and partners.” Throughout less than a decade of operations nationwide, ARC has involved itself in environmental initiatives, was hailed as among the top taxpayers in a city where one of its bottling plants is located, and has since earned back-to-back recognition from the Laguna Lake Development Authority for its consistent and successful compliance with environmental standards.

The brand reemerged in the domestic market in 2003 and today, a mere eight years later, it has put the Philippines on the cola map as the country with the most units of RC Cola consumed all over the world.

The fact that Filipinos have embraced an international brand like RC Cola as their own is a telling sign of the kind of product it represents for the Pinoy: a “third option” that offers affordable, delicious cola that wins in taste tests against other cola brands. “Consumers are happy to discover this quality product that suits the Filipino taste, and yet doesn’t put a strain on their budget,” says Garcia. That a quality product also creates opportunities for Pinoys through jobs gives a whole new dimension to the product’s catchphrase, “RC ng Bayan.”

Isabela farmers hope high prices of rice, corn continue

ILAGAN, Isabela- Farmers from this province who have already started harvesting their rice and corn products have expressed happiness over the existing high prices as they expressed hope that it will continue up to the last harvests of September.

Based on the monitoring of the province’s agriculture office, harvest time for rice and corn has already started since last week where prices range from P15 to P17 per kilo for palay and P11.50 per kilo for corn for private traders.

Provincial agriculturist Danilo Tumamao said farmers are expecting that the high prices will be sustained so that they can regain their losses caused by the onslaught of calamities in the province in previous years.

Danilo Juan, a rice and corn farmer in Cabatuan, Isabela said he is satisfied with the present prices of rice and corn and he expects that it will remain until the last harvest of this cropping season.

He also appreciated the continuous price support fund of the provincial government for it will be beneficial for them in regaining their huge losses in previous years.

“I am satisfied with the present price of rice and corn and I pray that the price of P17 per kilo on rice and P11.50 for corn will stay as it is until the final harvests”, Juan said.

Junior Tejada, a corn farmer in Reina Mercedez, Isabela whose corn plants are about to be harvested, said if the high price of corn will be sustained, he can regain his losses in the past cropping seasons.

“I hope that I can regain my losses in the last cropping, the good standing of my corn plants plus the good price would mean that I can gain a lot this cropping season”, Tejada said.

Tumamao said farmers are also advised to sell their products to the National Food Authority (NFA) to avail of the provincial government’s price support assistance for farmers.

The provincial government has allocated P2 per kilo for corn and P1 kilo for rice wherein if farmers will sell at the NFA, the price of rice will reach up to P19 per kilo and P13.50 per kilo for corn. Isabela province is known for being the country’s top producer of corn and second for rice.

Use of improvised solar-powered bulb pushed in Alicia town

ALICIA, Isabela- A non- government organization here is pushing for the use of solar powered bulbs in households to reduce electric consumption of the residents especially at the relocation site of Alicia.

Junior Chamber of the Philippines, Inc. national president Bernard Faustino Dy, together with the Marshatter Foundation, jointly introduced the improvised bulb made out of plastic bottle with clean water and chlorine that produces enough light during daytime.

Illac Diaz, founder of the improvised solar bulb, said his discovery and invention is environment-friendly, easy to use and install and no electricity consumed.

He said his invention is only good during daytime when lights from the sun penetrate through the bottle. Without sunlight, this will not function.

He said the life of the improvised solar bulb is five years and after five years, just simply change the water inside the plastic bottle and it can be used again for another five years.

Residents of Alicia were given the improvised bulbs of Diaz by JCI President Bernard Dy and Mayor Maria Cecilia Claire Reyes.

Mayor Reyes expressed her thanks to the two non-government organizations for choosing her town to be a recipient of the new invention.

Former police community service head, now Ilagan police chief

ILAGAN, Isabela- The former head of the Isabela Police Provincial Office-Police Community Service (IPPO-PCR) is now the police chief of the Ilagan police station.

Police Superintendent Roberto Bucad took over the helm of the Ilagan Police station yesterday from Police Superintendent Baltazar Israel, who is now the head of the operations section of the IPPO.

The turn-over of command held at Ilagan municipal hall during its regular Monday flag raising ceremony was witnessed by IPPO chief Senior Superintendent Jimmy Rivera, Ilagan Mayor Jose Marie L. Diaz and municipal officials and employees.

Israel has served the Ilaguenos for more than two years and has curbed criminality during his stint as the police chief.

Israel has also joined the town’s relentless campaign on anti-drugs and urged his successor to continue what he has started to make Ilagan a peaceful and orderly town.

Bucad vowed to continue the programs and projects which have been started by Israel.

Israel’s tour-of-duty in the capital town for almost two months was extended upon the request of the municipal officials of the town for his outstanding performance.

2 trafficking victims rescued

AN INTER-agency task force rescued two human trafficking victims and arrested two suspected illegal recruiters at the port of Zamboanga City, a police official said Friday.

Senior Inspector Gemma Luna, chief of the Zamboanga City Police Office' (ZCPO) Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD), said the victims were rescued around 6 a.m. Thursday at the local wharf.

Luna identified the victims as Melania Acto and Valentina Galapon, both from Aurora, Isabela province.

She said the victims were rescued by members of the Sea Based Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (SBATTF) following information about their presence at the local wharf.

She said the victims were placed under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Meanwhile, arrested were Romel Paraiso and Rachel Lopez, both residents of this city, Luna said.

The suspects were turned over to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) for the filing of appropriate charges against them, Luna added.

Construction of P712 M bridge to benefit western Ilagan villages, Isabela towns

ILAGAN, Isabela- The construction of a bridge linking to western Isabela towns has officially started after the public works and highways department allocated P712 million to fund the bridge construction. This will no longer be an overflow bridge but a regular or all-weather bridge linking the western section.

The Lulutan bridge was destroyed by recent typhoons that hit the province some years back so western Isabela residents had no choice except to traverse the Cagayan River through motorized bancas in Calamagui 1st, Ilagan, Isabela in order to reach the town proper.

The Lulutan Bridge will be constructed between barangay Calamagui 1st and Lulutan, approximately two kilometers from the town proper.

Engr. Renato Ubina, Department of Public Works and Highways 1st district engineering head said the 500.5 linear-meter length bridge, if completed will connect the western Ilagan barangays and western Isabela towns making it easier for the residents to transport their agricultural products.

Ilagan is the center of economic activity and educational institution in the eastern and western Isabela towns.

Ubina said that the bridge is expected to be completed within three years as programmed by the DPWH.

NPA ranking officer surrenders

ILAGAN, Isabela- A high ranking officer of the New People’s Army (NPA) has surrendered to the military camp in Kalinga and was presented to 5th Infantry Division chief Major General Rommel Gomez at Camp Melchor dela Cruz in Upi, Gamu, Isabela the other day.

Nonito Dauayan a.k.a commander Jango or Jackson, a medical officer and team leader operating in Cordillera, was presented to 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army commanding general Major General Rommel Gomez by 503rd Brigade Commander Colonel Eliseo Posadas and 41st Infantry Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Noel Baluyan.

Dauayan, a resident of Katabbungan, Pinukpok, Kalinga was encouraged to surrender to the folds of law under the government’s Social Integration Program (SIP) through Lieutenant Colonel Noel Baluyan who made negotiations with Dauayan’s family.

Dauayan surrendered an M-16 armalite rifle to Baluyan.

Dauayan has joined the underground rebel movement in barangay Katabbungan, Pinukpok, Kalinga and he was believed to be a runner by the rebels in their place when he was still a kid.

On his stay in the underground movement, he has held high ranking post among which were liaison officer, militia ng bayan and supply officer.

Dauayan was urged to surrender by his family before he voluntarily surrendered to the military through Colonel Baluyan.

After 19 years as rebel, he decided to surrender to the folds of law believing that his benefits under the Social Integration Program to be provided by the government will help him as he starts a new life .

5th Infantry Division Commander Major General Rommel Gomez handed an initial amount of P10 thousand for Dauayan’s starting a new life while waiting for his entire benefits such as livelihood assistance and value of the rifle surrendered that will be given by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

DA 2 pushes organic farming

ILAGAN, Isabela- The Department of Agriculture 2 is pushing for organic farming for farmers of rice, corn or high value crops in the region.

Marina Acebedo of DA 2 said there is a need to convince farmers from using inorganic fertilizers into organic one to help the farm soil recover from its acidic state into its normal condition and productive quality.

Organic farming is the use of organic fertilizer and pesticides in rice, corn, and high value crops for a more productive yield without endangering the health of individuals and improve the soil quality of farmlands.

“The use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides in farming is turning the soil quality into acidic state, and the solution to bring back the good quality of the soil is to use organic fertilizers and pesticides for two straight years,” Acebedo said over a local radio station here Sunday.

Acebedo also said it will take three years for farmlands which were heavily fertilized with inorganic fertilizers to restore their fertility and good soil quality.

Inorganic fertilizers are made of synthesized or artificial chemicals, while organic fertilizers contain ingredients derived from natural sources like compost or manure.

In the region, there are groups and associations who are producing organic fertilizers and farmers are urged to get in touch with the nearest agriculture office in their areas for the list of the certified producers.

Acebedo urged farmers to buy organic fertilizers from certified producers only to ensure good quality of the fertilizer.

Sta Maria exec lauds DSWD’s convergence initiative

STA MARIA, ISABELA- The chief executive of this municipality has expressed commendation to the convergence initiative of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) region 2 in the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

Mayor David Omar Masigan said the convergence program, which is the newest pillar behind 4Ps implementation, is worth replicating in other forms of program seeing its efficiency and effectiveness.

The convergence initiative is the collaboration of different agencies in the implementation of the 4Ps wherein the DSWD links with other different agencies to fulfill the needs of the beneficiaries based on their mandates such as the Departments of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform on interventions for the farmers, the education department for the literacy program component, the health department, nutrition council, population commission for the health and nutrition aspect, TESDA, DOLE, DTI, DOST and other agencies for skills development and livelihood programs for the beneficiaries and the LGU concern for other programs.

Masigan said when he learned about the concept of the convergence program and its effectiveness in the 4Ps program, he replicated the same concept in the implementation of their big projects.

He said one of the successful projects they did through the convergence effort is the establishments of their Small Water Impounding Project (SWIP) which, now, benefits hundreds of farmers on their municipality.

“Through the convergence, the 32 million worth of SWIP project was established in less 20 million only when we linked with other agencies for their technical supports and assistances,” Masigan stated.

He stated that different government line agencies have delivered technical support to the project and they also utilize their own resources such as the heavy equipments and the expertise of their technical people in putting up the SWIP.

Other than this, Masigan also said that other projects of their municipality are now under the concept of convergence initiative which is in line with the present administration’s public-private partnership (PPP). He further encouraged other LGUs to replicate the same to establish and implement a less cost project.

Corn farmers to avail of low-interest farm inputs loans

CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela,- Corn farmers in Cagayan Valley and Eastern Cordillera will soon be availing of a low-interest loan from a private lending institution through the Public Partnership Program (PPP) of the Aquino administration.

Assistant Secretary Ed de Luna of the Department of Agriculture, in his visit to this province, said the government’s PPP is one of the priority agenda of the administration.

De Luna who inspected the Reina Mercedez corn processing plant met the farmers who are applying for the farm input loans.

As of this date, 200 farmers’ loans from a private lending institution have been processed and it will continue to accept farmer-applicants to avail of the loan.

The private lending institution will be providing farm inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, etc. to corn farmers with low interest which will be paid during the harvest seasons. The agriculture department targets at least 5,000 farmers as beneficiaries in the whole region and in Eastern Cordillera by 2016.

Farmers are also encouraged to sell their products after harvest at the Asia’s biggest corn processing center in Reina Mercedez, Isabela.

The loan program is part of the convergence initiative of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to promote development in the countryside.

Provincial board commends honest provincial employee

CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela- The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Isabela awarded a certificate of commendation to Fernando Quebral, a provincial employee from the province’s general services office, for his honesty in returning an expensive brand of cell phone which he found inside the SP session hall during yesterday’s regular session.

Quebral, who is in-charge of all gadgets, sound system and other electronic systems inside the sangguniang panlalawigan session hall, turned-over the expensive cell phone to SP secretary Manuel Santos who in turn traced the real owner of the cell phone.

Sangguniang panlalawigan member Ric Justice Angobong, who turned-out to be the owner of the expensive cell phone, said he did not notice that he left his cell phone after the session.

Angobong said the honesty shown by Quebral should be emulated by all employees of the provincial government that whenever there are any left gadgets or other important things inside the capitol, they should be returned to the authorities or to the real owners.

Int’l relief agency assists calamity-affected families in northern Isabela

CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela- The International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) has assisted families whose houses were blown by typhoon Juan by donating some construction materials to be used in rebuilding their destroyed houses.

Philippine Red Cross-Isabela chapter head Antonietta Asis said that Isabela, being one of the hardest hit provinces in the Philippines during the previous typhoons, has been assisted by the IFRC in Germany and Spain through the Red Cross shelter repair key project.

Asis said there are the 13 beneficiary municipalities in the province mostly in the northern Isabela towns.

Each of the identified beneficiaries received P7 thousand worth of construction materials for those whose houses were partially damaged houses and P15 thousand for those with totally damaged houses. Asis said they are now on the monitoring stage of the project to ensure that all the materials provided by the IFRC are properly used by the beneficiaries.

The Philippine Red Cross is an active member of the IFRC and is also extending aids to other countries through the IFRC.

Tagalog news: Kampanya laban sa dengue, lalong pinalakas sa Echague

ECHAGUE, Isabela- Lalo pang pinaigting ng lokal na pamahalaan ng bayan ng Echague ang kampanya nito kontra sa dengue matapos makapagtala ang lokal na tanggapan ng kalusugan at makumpirmang isang batang mag-aaral ang namatay sanhi ng dengue.

Dahil dito, ipinag-utos ni Mayor Leoncio Kiat ang pagkakaroon ng malawakang fogging operation o pagpapausok upang maitaboy ang mga lamok na nagdadala ng dengue sa kabayanan at para maapula ang pagdami ng biktima ng dengue.

Sinabi ni Kiat na humingi pa sila ng karagdagang mga fogging machine sa tanggapan ng punong lalawigan upang mapuksa ang mga lamok na nagdadala ng nakamamatay na sakit.

Tuwing sasapit ang tag-ulan, nakakapagtala ang Department of Health (DOH) ng pagtaas ng kaso ng dengue sa buong kapuluan.

Kaugnay rito, pinalakas ng DOH ang kanilang kampanya upang hindi lumobo at lumala ang bilang ng mga nagkakasakit ng dengue sa bansa.

Ang sakit na dengue ay nakukuha mula sa kagat ng lamok na tinatawag na Aedis Egypti kung saan mabilis na kumakalat sa buong katawan ng isang tao at kapag hindi naagapan ay namamatay.

Ipinatawag ni Mayor Kiat ang mga opisyal ng barangay upang himukin ang mga ito na maglinis sa kani-kanilang barangay araw-araw upang maiwasan ang kaso ng dengue sa kanilang nasasakupan.

Naniniwala si Kiat na kung nagsasama-sama ang buong komunidad para labanan ang dengue ay mapupuksa ang nasabing delikadong sakit lalo na sa mga bata na siyang karaniwang biktima ng nasabing sakit.

Army urges interested individuals to join PMA

CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela- A Philippine Army official based in this province urged young individuals to join the Philippine Military Academy Cadetship program and be part of the prestigious Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) military organization.

Army Captain Ramon Padre, Jr., 502nd Brigade Spokesman said that the Philippine Military Academy is now accepting applications for the upcoming nationwide cadetship entrance exam which is scheduled on August 28, 2011 in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya and Tuguegarao City in region 2.

Padre said that qualified applicants should be natural born citizen, physically fit, with good moral character, single or never-been married.

Male applicants should be 5’4” in height while for female should be 5’2”, at least high school graduate with average grade of 85% or higher, 17 years but not more than 23 years old upon admission for cadetship.

Padre said application forms are readily available at the army camps, police station, local government units and other designated areas in the region.

Juaning destroys 1, 948 hectares of corn plantations in Region 2 – DA official

CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela- The Department of Agriculture - Regional Field Unit 2 (DA-RFU2) has registered 1, 948 hectares of corn land damaged by the recent tropical storm ‘Juaning,’ and no longer have chances of recovery, DA 2 regional technical director Valentino Perdido said over a local radio station here.

Quirino was the hardest hit having registered more than 9,000 hectares totally damaged and 7,000 hectares partially damaged and 21, 458 thousand hectares corn plants reported to be partially damaged.

The second hardest hit province was Isabela while the province of Cagayan and Nueva Vizcaya were spared from the wrath of Juaning.

While there are registered damages on palay and high-value crops, Perdido said this is not as alarming as the damages on corn because rice plants are still on their vegetative stages.

The eye of tropical storm Juaning hit the provinces of Quirino and Southern Isabela last Wednesday where the agriculture products in the said two provinces were destroyed.

Isabela disaster council prepares for tropical depression ‘Juaning’s’ entry

CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela- The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) chaired by Governor Faustino G. Dy III is now preparing for the possible effects of tropical depression Juaning which is expected to affect the province in the next few hours.

Although Dy is still recuperating from an operation, he is closely monitoring the entry of Juaning in the province, according to PDRRMC office head Edmund .

Dy has urged the PDRRMC to be vigilant to avoid damages on lives and properties that Juaning may bring.

PDRRMC office head Edmund Guzman, said that Juaning may bring moderate to heavy rains in the province and is now placed under storm signal number 1 by the Philippine Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Last night, moderate rains dampened the soils of the province in which farmers here considered a blessings from the sky.

On the other hand, for the farmers, the entry of Juaning is additional blessings especially those whose corn plants are still at their vegetative stage and those who planted corn late.

However, they are deeply praying that this tropical depression will not be bringing strong winds that may endanger their corn plants which are now about to be harvested.

The PDRRMC said that based on the latest weather forecast from PAGASA, Juaning is expected to enter the province in the next 24 hours as it moves nort-nortwest of northern Luzon and it carries only a minimal winds of 55 kilometers per hour.#TCB/MGE/PIA- Isabela

2 Isabela cops nabbed for extortione

Two officers of the Isabela Police Provincial Office were arrested for allegedly extorting money from a driver.

Authorities said they received a tip from an anonymous source on July 15, saying that a chief of police extorted money on a weekly basis, with amounts reaching P1,000.

“Nagsumbong ‘yung texter na kinukuhanan sila ng pera nung opisyal. Ginagamit niya daw panggasolina ng sasakyan,” said Police Superintendent Jimmy Garrido.

An entrapment operation conducted by the Provincial Investigation and Detection Management Section of Isabela Police resulted in the arrest of a junior officer who said he was merely following the orders of the chief of police.

“Nung matanggap namin ‘yung text, agad na nag-follow up kami tapos naaresto sa entrapment operation ‘yung PO1. Nag-positive siya sa UV powder mula dun sa ginamit na marked money. Dun niya ni-reveal na inutusan lang daw siya ng opisyal niya,” Garrido said.

Both the officer and the chief of police are detained at the provincial headquarters. Authorities refused to name the arrested suspects.

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