Baguio City News August 2011

From Philippines
Revision as of 12:39, 4 February 2012 by Jasmine75 (talk | contribs)
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Jump to navigation Jump to search
→ → Go back HOME to Zamboanga: the Portal to the Philippines.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Create Name's page

Regions | Philippine Provinces | Philippine Cities | Municipalities | Barangays | High School Reunions

Baguio City Photo Gallery

Baguio City Realty

Philippine News

Baguio to relocate ‘killer’ dump

By AFP


A vast rubbish dump in Baguio City which collapsed killing several people during super typhoon “Mina” will be relocated.

The government raised the total death toll from the typhoon to 22 dead and 12 missing after more fatality reports from isolated areas — up from 16 deaths on Monday.

The collapse of the Irisan open dump accounted for three deaths, one missing and one injured, said Olivia Luces, regional head of the civil defence office.

“The city government has decided to look for an alternative area for an appropriate dumping site,” Lucessaid. “The settlers below the collapsed retaining wall will be evacuated.”

Luces said the city of 253,000 people had been using the open dump, located on the side of a mountain, for decades and informal settlers later put up shanties below the wall that marked the lower edge of the dump.

Rescuers estimate some 1,500 tons of compacted rubbish slid down the mountainside after floodwaters eroded the base of the wall.

Luces said the immediate priority was to truck the dislodged rubbish to another town that would be willing to host a new dump.

Mountain of garbage haunts Baguio

By Desiree Caluza, Vincent Cabreza


BAGUIO CITY—Baguio City is celebrating its 102nd Foundation Day on Thursday, but it may be an event haunted by the stench of garbage. Every rainy season, when sections of the summer capital are flooded, public blame always falls on uncollected garbage and undisciplined residents. After Aug. 27, however, it will be the faces of Noemi Cael, 21, and her brother, Jefonie, 19, that will hound the city. The siblings died on Saturday, along with three of their neighbors belonging to the Flores family, when a section of a decommissioned dump was washed out by heavy rains, and buried their houses on Asin Road in Tuba, Benguet. Their mother, Josephine, said residents could treat her children’s deaths as lessons. “If only [the city’s] waste segregation [program] was effectively implemented, my children would still be here. Just by looking at that mountain of trash [in Barangay Irisan], we knew that [the program failed] … The [dump was piled high with garbage that was shaped] like a pyramid—the highest I have ever seen. It was a pyramid of biodegradable wastes, plastics and bottles,” Josephine said. Same sentiment It is the same sentiment aired by residents and officials of Asin and Irisan, who met Baguio officials on Monday to determine who was accountable for the slide. They were suspicious of reports that the dump had been inactive since 2008, the year the residents barricaded the area to force the government to shut it down because it was on the verge of collapse. Their fears proved true. Since Sunday, dump trucks have been hauling trash that blocked Km 5 along Asin Road. The dump continues to erode due to heavy rains since Saturday. On Tuesday, Mayor Amadeo Perez IV of Urdaneta City in Pangasinan agreed to help by taking in garbage from Baguio for a fee of P2,500 for each ton of trash. Urdaneta operates its own environmental sanitary landfill. An Asin resident said their neighborhood could plead with leaders of Baguio’s 128 barangays to enforce waste segregation so the dump would “no longer grow bigger.” Others said the city should start moving the mountain of trash elsewhere, “even Burnham Lake.” Their doubts have cast a wide net over Baguio residents, too. Tuesday was garbage collection day for Mirador Subdivision, but residents who brought out their trash bags acknowledged some guilt “because we don’t know if the trash is going to the right place now.” Moving a mountain The reality which government employees dealt with each day after 2008 was that “the mountain of trash could not be moved,” said Cordelia Lacsamana, city environment officer. The community action that closed the dump in 2008 had caught the government off guard, and Baguio was soon engulfed by a garbage crisis. Uncollected trash littered the streets for months until the city government resolved to spend up to P200 million to move out garbage daily to a commercial landfill in Tarlac from 2008 to early 2010. In the meantime, city efforts were divided between courting neighboring Benguet towns to approve the construction of an environmental sanitary landfill and pursuing a four-year closure plan supervised by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to decommission the dump and to convert it into a garden. In the middle of 2010, Baguio officials decided to equip the City Environment and Parks Management Office with two Japan-made composting machines. Microbes, sealed in thermal tanks of the Environmental Recycling System (ERS) machines, convert sewage and organic wastes into powdered fertilizer. The ERS machines were installed in the dump and have been operating for six months. The machines generated 226,800 kilograms of fertilizer as of July, and have apparently ended the garbage crisis that had put Baguio in a bad light, Lacsamana said. Scant attention People paid scant attention to the dump itself as the city’s solid waste management system improved. Lacsamana said the city government spent P66 million to terrace the mountain of trash, forming a giant wall of compacted garbage and an eight-meter high reinforcing concrete barrier near its base. Paquito Moreno, Cordillera director of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), said his office gave this instruction to the city: “As part of the drainage system, trench drains for [the] terraces and base drains, including weep holes, should be channeled into a main drainage canal system to prevent the accumulation of leachate [and cause the] saturation of the waste and possible erosion and instability [of the Irisan dump].” Moreno told the Inquirer that the EMB needed to assess if the city followed its recommendations. Lacsamana said city personnel continued to fill in the wall with residual garbage to ensure its stability, expecting to fulfill the closure plan by 2012. But the government failed to resolve social issues necessary to complete the closure of the dump. It had to deal with a community of scavengers which earn a living from the dump, Lacsamana said. She said some of these people have volunteered to join garbage trucks on their collection routes, helping out in exchange for recyclable materials. The government had already eyed the transfer of 10 households near the rehabilitated dump, but convincing them to leave required diplomacy, she added. Some of the properties surrounding the dump are multistory structures. A few have been sold over time to new owners. The Cael family, for example, is based in Barlig, Mt. Province. They bought their house below the dump in 1996. Noemi and Jefonie Leon lived in that house for years while she pursued a nursing degree and her brother took up a computer course. Josephine said her family was always fearful about the mountain of trash looming overhead and had participated in the effort to close the dump. “We became calmer when the government finally decided to close the dump … That ran for three years, and we felt relieved. There was not much odor and there were no mosquitoes. Those were the years when we felt safest,” she said. Then their world fell apart on Saturday. Amid strong rains and a flooded Naguilian Road, people reported seeing streams of water shoot up from the concrete foundations of the dump at noon, Lacsamana said. Then the barrier burst and mounds of trash rolled down the mountainside toward Asin Road. Moreno said an EMB inspection on July 28 showed that the city government had completed the facility’s spillway, and the canals and litter fence set atop the reinforcement wall bore “no indication of defects as observed from the wall’s plastered surface.” Building a dam Asin villagers have urged Domogan to consider building a dam instead to hold the trash, but city engineer Leo Bernardez said such an undertaking would force the government to relocate houses in order to acquire more space. Lacsamana said a technology used on mine tailings dams may be studied to ensure that the garbage heap won’t harm residents. “In the past, [Noemi and Jefonie] would move out of the house temporarily and stay with relatives because it would be dangerous for them to stay in the house. They were not able to leave the house in time last week,” their father, Leon, said. The Cael couple had to hike through landslides along the Halsema Highway to Baguio to claim their children’s remains. Leon said he won’t be rebuilding their house. “I don’t think we would go back to that place,” he said.

Officials, public asked to help rebuild Cordillera

by Lito Dar


BAGUIO CITY, Aug. 30 (PIA) - - The Office of Civil Defense reported 10 persons dead, 12 injured, and five other missing in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) due to Typhoon Mina, as of yesterday afternoon. Six of the fatalities died in Baguo City. Five perished when the retaining wall of the Irisan dumpsite collapsed Saturday during the height of typhoon Mina. OCD regional director Olive Luces identified the dead as siblings – Revuller, Apolinario, and Frando Flores and Jeffonie and Noemi Cael - who died when tons of garbage covered their houses. The other victim, Floro Soliven, was buried in a landslide in a pocket mining site in barangay Kias. In Benguet, Rodolfo Gagucas and Alex Magno were victims of landslides in Ucab, Itogon, and in Santo Tomas, Tuba, Benguet, respectively. In Abra, Bragas Domingo of Bucay and Dindo Candido of Villaciosa died in separate drowning incidents. Still missing are Antonia Tacio suspected to have been buried in the garbage landslide incident at the Irisan dumpsite; Dagul Joaquin and Gregorio Padua of Dulong Tubo, Abra; and Roberto Agameng of San Ramon, Manabo, Abra were reported to be missing possibly due drowning incidents, and a certain Apolonio of Liwan West, Rizal, Kalinga is said to have fallen in a creek. Luces also reported that with the strong rains and winds brought about by Typhoon Mina, 65 barangays, 3,470 families and more than 15,000 individuals were affected in the Cordillera. Around 312 families or roughly 1,300 persons were safely evacuated to 22 different evacuation centers, she added. From initial assessment, OCD-CAR also reported seven totally damaged and 94 partially damaged houses, P67.87 million estimated worth of damages to agriculture and P28.13 million were the estimated damage to infrastructure. Luces also reported that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is now prioritizing road clearing operations. As of yesterday afternoon, 26 of the 51 national road portions previously closed by landslides, have already been cleared and open to traffic. * (JDP/LD-PIA CAR) OWWA conducts “Balik Pinay, Balik Hanapbuhay” training to OFWs in Baguio, Apayao by Lito Dar BAGUIO CITY, Aug. 30 (PIA) - - The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA-CAR) is currently conducting ‘Beauty Care and Wellness Training’ to 22 female Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) at their Reintegration Training Room at the Regional Welfare Office in the city. According to OWWA-CAR Regional Director Manuela Peña, the’ Balik Pinay! Balik Hanapbuhay!’ is a joint project of OWWA and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), which aims to provide immediate source of livelihood assistance - through skills and entrepreneurial trainings and giving of start-up kits, to returning women OFWs, especially to domestic helpers, who were displaced due to hostilities in their host countries, particularly in the Middle East. The six-day training, which was opened yesterday by Peña and DOLE Baguio-Benguet Provincial Officer Samuel Lasdacan, will include beauty care skills and competencies, such as facial care, basic hair-cutting, hair bleaching and styling, and manicure/pedicure. Wellness training for hand and foot spa will also be included. Resource persons for the 6-day training included Edna Ladia, a seasoned beauty care instructor of the Baguio Technical Vocational Skills Training Center School ( BTVSTC), a long-time partner of OWWA-CAR under their Skills Employment Scholarship Program ( SESP). Overseas Workers Welfare Officer (OWWO) IV Loreta Vergara, the training focal person, also stressed that upon completion of the six days training, participants shall be receiving their DOLE-NRCO (National Reintegration Center for OFWs) Starter Training Kit so they could immediately venture into self-employment. The participants were also graduates of the two-day Entrepreneurship Development Training ( EDT) conducted by the OWWA Regional Office, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP last August 23 and 24. Meantime, OWWA-CAR personnel, headed by OWWO III Dina Ponciano also conducted a three days ‘Balik Pinay, Balik Hanapbuhay!’ Training on culinary arts on snack food preparation last August 26 to 28, in Luna, Apayao. The said training, which was conducted in partnership with the Apayao State College, was participated in by 20 female OFW returnees. According to Ponciano, the graduate-trainees could also readily venture into a food business since through the program they will also be provided with starter equipment for their business venture. *(JDP/LD-PIA CAR)

Officials, public asked to help rebuild Cordillera

By JM Agreda


LOCAL officials and the public were urged by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) to help communities recover from the destruction wrought by Typhoon Mina.

Cordillera Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council chairperson Olive Luces Saturday afternoon called for the Cordillerans to help each other in rebuilding what was destroyed by strong rains and floods brought by Mina that placed Apayao under storm signal no. 3 and the provinces of Ifugao, Mt. Province, Kalinga, Abra, Benguet, and Baguio City under signal no. 2.

Mina left the region with three dead, three missing and nine injured individuals Saturday.

OCD operations chief Ronald Villa said two of the fatalities were buried by the Irisan dumpsite similar to what happened in Payatas years back.

The dead children buried by tons of garbage were identified as Apolonio and Reguneria Flores. The other dead was identified as Floro Soliven, 72, of Kias Barangay. He was hit by a branch of a tree

Two persons in Abra were swept by a river and remained unaccounted.

Another person in Kalinga was likewise carried by a river torrent.

Villa said the lost properties and infrastructures would be worth millions of pesos.

More than 300 families from flooded City Camp Barangay in this city were evacuated to schools where they are being assisted by government agencies.

Likewise, more than 50 families in Pico, La Trinidad, Benguet whose homes were flooded, are now in evacuation centers.

Meanwhile, as early as Saturday morning, several activities supposed to be held in the city were either postponed or moved to other locations, as Mina made landfall over Northern Cagayan with sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour and 175.4 millimeters of rain in Baguio.

Classes in pre-school in Baguio were cancelled Friday, while classes in elementary and tertiary schools were suspended early morning Saturday as storm signals were raised.

Kennon Road remained impassable due to landslides and ongoing clearing operations, while Leonard Wood Road was hardly passable due to flooding, Department of Public Works and Highways reported.

Other entry points leading to the city like Marcos Highway and Naguilian Road also experienced flooding and minor landslides stranding buses.

Residents near the City Camp lagoon Friday night were also alerted earlier to prepare for rising floodwaters.

In Benguet, Camp 1-Tuba section of Kennon Road, Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya Road (Guesset Section), Gurel-Bokod-Kabayan Road (Bugaw Section), and Baguio-Bontoc Road (Ambassador-Tublay, Topdac, Atok and Cotcot Section) were closed while undergoing clearing operations.

In Mt. Province, Mt. Province-Nueva Vizcaya Road (Sukit Section, Baguio-Bontoc Road (Balitian Section) was also closed.

Province-wide blackouts were also experienced in Kalinga and Mt. Province due to toppled electric poles of the Kalinga Electric Cooperative, while several areas in Southern Apayao and Baguio City also experienced brownouts due to toppled lines. (With Aure Galacgac)

PNoy vows to address city land problem, charter change

by Aileen Refuerzo


BAGUIO CITY,Aug. 28 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III vowed to address the city’s problems on land disposition and the approval of the amendment of the city charter, Mayor Mauricio Domogan reported last week. “The President assured that he will attend to the city’s concern on TSAs (Townsite Sales Applications) which I presumed he meant the lots at Forbes Park and Wright Park (which were issued Certificates of Ancestral Land Title) and the amendment of the city charter,” Domogan told his Ugnayang Panlungsod media briefing last Tuesday on the result of his brief talk with the President after the ceremonial lighting of Burnham Park last August 19. “It is good that the President is aware of these concerns. I hope he will continue to be briefed on this problem, so that he can help us find solutions,” the mayor said. The mayor said he was able to air the city’s concern on the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to the President during their short talk. “I asked him to remind the NCIP to strictly follow the provisions of Republic Act No. 8371 (Indigenous People’s Rights Act) in the issuance of CALTs because it will make a difference if the President could caution the NCIP to avoid problems like what happened to the Forbes Park and Wright Park,” the mayor said. The city has pending petition through the Office of the Solicitor General with the Court of Appeals for the cancellation of the CALTs issued over parcels of land within the Forbes Park forest reservation and of titles covering prime pieces of property which were subdivided and eventually expanded by several hectares in Pacdal and Dontogan barangays. The OSG has the sole authority to initiate proceedings for the cancellation of the spurious titles and it has committed to fast-track the reversion proceedings. The OSG last February 25 filed before the Court of Appeals a petition for the cancellation of the NCIP Resolution No. 048-2008 which served as basis in the issuance of O-CALT 26, 27, 28, and 29 in favor of the heirs of Lauro Carantes over the Forbes Park lots. The mayor also expressed hopes that the court will immediately act on the civil case filed by the city for injunction with prayer for the issuance of a temporary restraining order and writ of preliminary injunction to protect the city’s interest on the lots to enjoin the ROD from processing transactions involving the CALTs after its denial of the registration of the city’s adverse claim on the assailed NCIP titles. (AR-PIO Baguio City/PIA CAR)

Internet games have negative effects on youth

by Redjie Cawis


BAGUIO CITY, Aug. 26 (PIA)-- The National Youth Commission is encouraging the Filipino youth to get into sports rather than playing online or internet-based games. NYC Commissioner Georgie Nava said that the youth of today are mostly engaged in online gaming through the internet or the world wide web. “Nagkaroon tayo ng pagkakataon para maging mabilis ang pagkuha ng impormasyon mula sa internet pero ito ay nakakasama din sa ating mga kabataan,” Nava said. Nava reported that in a study made, youth today are losing their socialization skills because most of the time they are playing computers rather than playing with their friends. Most youth also are having health issues as an effect of their sitting for hours in front of their computer monitors and sometimes forgetting to eat or even take bathroom breaks. The Commissioner also bared that most youth who are addicted to online games are affected by their way of thinking. Those engaged in violent games tend to think more violently and this is shown in their actions, she added. Nava stressed that the NYC are encouraging the youth to face the real world to balance reality and fiction. She encouraged every Filipino youth to engage in the different activities in their communities and schools. Schools and other non-government organization are also encouraged to create sports and other activities that would encourage the young minded to join them. Several sports teams and athletic events in the country also have created more outlets for the youth to engage in. Youth organizations are also encouraged to involve their fellow youth to have an active participation for themselves and for the community as well. *(JDP/RC- PIA CAR)

Mayor grateful of Aquino’s commitment

By JM Agreda


MAYOR Mauricio Domogan thanked President Benigno Aquino III for promising to help revive Baguio City’s tourism industry.

The President, in a short speech at Burnham Park last August 19, said he released more than P500 million for the rehabilitation of Kennon and Naguilian Roads and Marcos Highway.

Domogan said this development of access roads leading to the city will help make the city’s economy resilient in the future.

The fencing project pushed by Bishop Carlito Cenzon to help protect projects initiated inside the park such as the energy efficient lighting system is also underway.

The mayor said he will personally bring the development plans for Burnham Park, together with the list of other priority projects of the City Government, to Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson this week.

In a related development, also discussed with Aquino is the immediate passage of the Baguio City Charter and resolution of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples controversial titling of portions of the Forbes park reservation and Wright Park.

Revenue doubles from small-scale mining

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper


BUREAU of Internal Revenue (BIR) officials recently reported a significant increase in collections from small-scale mining activities.

BIR Regional Director Eduardo Bajador noted increasing profits from gold and other metal products have driven tax collections to double compared to last year’s collection.

Bajador, in the weekly Talakayan program aired by DZEQ Radio ng Bayan, said excise tax collections from mining activities doubled in the middle of 2011 alone from P3 million collections in 2010 to more than P6 million.

He predicted revenues from small-scale mining will likely increase more until December in efforts to tax small-scale miners in the region.

However, big mining companies like Philex and Lepanto still pay their taxes to the BIR Central Office as part of the large taxpayers.

Bajador claimed collections from mining will likely help augment the slump in revenue collections in the region in the second quarter of the year.

To further intensify their collection drive, the BIR will conduct tax information campaigns in Buguias and Mankayan next week to inform small-scale miners of their obligation to pay taxes.

The agency conducted a similar information drive in Itogon earlier this year and was received favorably by small-scale miners.

Hopefully, he said, other small scale miners will be able to join and contribute in their drive for increased tax collections this year.

Tax collections in the region fell short by P6.9 million at P231 million compared to revenue targets last July of more than P237 million.

Baguio City and Abra fell short in collections with the city only collecting P122 million from its target of P1390 million in July, while Abra only collected over P15 million in taxes compared to the agency’s P18 million target.

However, Bajador remains optimistic the region will recover and meet its targets for 2011, as tax remittance advances from portions of Public Works projects now amounting to P4 billion in the region will be remitted as withholding tax by contractors and suppliers before the end of the year. (JM Agreda)

Domondon: Approving matters on an Omnibus motion

By Brix Domondon
Council Reports


THE CITY Council held its twenty ninth regular session last Monday presided over by Honorably City Vice Mayor Daniel T. Fariñas and with seventy one items in the agenda.

Although a moratorium was declared regarding the inclusion of other items in the regular agenda through suspension of the rules the members of the august body allowed last Monday the inclusion of two matters deemed as priority with one matter pertaining to the appropriation of ten million pesos for the rehabilitation of Burnham Park particularly the Athletic Bowl, and the other matter pertaining to the proposed ordinance authored by Honorable City Councilor Erdolfo Balajadia on the creation of a local blood council. During the deliberation the members of the august body favorably considered the approval of the request for funding for the rehabilitation and renovation of Burnham Park on first reading and referral to the appropriate committee for study and recommendation. As to the proposed creation of the local blood council as authored by Honorable City Councilor Erdolfo Balajadia the city council, after due deliberation, agreed to pass a resolution supporting the creation of the said body.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

As to matters approved on an omnibus motion rule the members of the august body approved on second reading and for publication proposed ordinance numbered 0065 series of 2011 entitled “Amending Section 2 and 3 of Ordinance Numbered 08, series of 2008.” The provisions of the ordinance sought to be amended pertains to the comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance of Baguio City dealing on the coverage and definition of terms. Another proposed measure approved on second reading and for publication through an omnibus motion rule is proposed ordinance numbered 0063 series of 2011 introduced by City Councilors Richard A. Carino, Nicasio M. Aliping and Elmer O. Datuin entitled “Regulating parking on portion of Victoria Village Barangay Road.”

The policy of approving matters under an omnibus motion is simply to facilitate council action and consideration on matters that do not ordinarily require any further discussion or those, which would necessitate lengthy deliberations, or those deemed contentious matters.

The City Council also decided to return to the barangay for the appropriate amendment Barangay Resolution No. 19, series of 2011 of Cabinet Hill-Teachers’ Camp Barangay entitled “Resolution adopting and implementing the revised liquor code ordinance of the City of Baguio, the no selling of liquor to minors and no drinking of beer and liquor in front of stores and store curfew at 10:00 p.m.” The approval of the august body was based on the report of the Committee on Laws, which recommended that the said Barangay resolution be amended to be consistent with Section 9 par. ‘e’ of Ordinance Numbered 88 series of 2009 entitled “Further amending Ordinance numbered 01, series of 1990,” and the provisions of Ordinance numbered 1 series of 1990 entitled “Revising Liquor Ordinance of the City of Baguio,” and to remove the penalty or fine, considering that fines and penalties cannot be imposed through a resolution.

Another item in the agenda returned to the barangay through an omnibus motion rule is the letter of Punong Barangay Emmanuel Luis Bacungan, Jr. of Scout Barrio Barangay, forwarding their Barangay Tax Ordinance No. 12, series of 2011 entitled “An ordinance amending Tax Ordinance No. 005, series of 2008” entitled “An ordinance to collect fees and charges on camping grounds as well as the playing field and the talipapa.”

The City Council adopted the report of the Committee on Ways and Means and Finance, Cluster C, which recommended that the abovementioned barangay ordinance be returned to the barangay proponent without prejudice to is re-submission together with the proof of a mandatory public hearing conducted for such purpose, as evidence of compliance with Section 186 of the Local Government Code, which mandated that ordinance levying taxes, fees, or charges shall not be enacted without any prior public hearing conducted for the purpose.

Still on matters approved under an omnibus motion rule the members of the august body decided to approve the conduct of a requisite public hearing on the proposed ordinance authored by Honorable City Councilor Nicasio M. Aliping, Jr. entitled “Exempting senior citizens from the payment of parking fees in all business establishments where parking fee is collected.” The conduct of the said public hearing was contained in the report of the Committee on Social Services, Women and Urban Poor, which recommended that the said consultation is necessary for the views of the affected sector and the general public to be ventilated.

Finally, the City Council approved on third and final reading the proposed ordinance authored by Honorable City Councilor Betty Lourdes F. Tabanda entitled “Establishing a trust fund to cater to the retirement benefits of the integrated Barangay Tanods which shall be Two Thousand Pesos (P 2,000.00) for every year of service, and appropriating the amount of P 150, 000.00 as initial funds thereof.”

Socialized housing accreditation move okayed

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper

THE Baguio City Council pushed for the accreditation of the City Government with the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) for the city to avail of the Localized Community Mortgaged Program (LCMP) for its housing projects. The LCMP of the SHFC enables qualified partner-local government units (LGUs) to apply for an Omnibus Commitment Line (OCL) not exceeding P50 million, which can be made available through the SHFC to accommodate priority projects identified by the partner-LGUs The body last Monday approved the proposed resolution of Councilor Isabelo Cosalan Jr. authorizing Mayor Mauricio Domogan to apply for accreditation of the City Government with SHFC, saying the program can address the housing needs of the city with its many homeless residents in need of low-cost housing projects. This is true especially since the city despite several local legislations asking for the implementation of housing projects have not come up with a concrete settlement project due to lack of funds, he said. “The lack of funding is the primary reason why there has been no city government implemented/completed socialized or mass housing project,” Cosalan stressed. “The city has to demonstrate its sincerity in uplifting the plight of its poor and homeless constituents by providing access to decent, safe and affordable housing opportunities,” Cosalan said. The provision of housing opportunity for the residents is recognized by the city, which in its Comprehensive City Land Use Plan acknowledges “shelter planning is a responsibility of the local government unit. The implementation of low-cost housing programs and projects to benefit the underprivileged sector of the population is a primary concern under this sub-sector.” (Aileen Refuerzo) [edit]

P-Noy leads efforts to lure back Baguio City tourists

By Artemio Dumalo


BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – President Aquino has “switched on the green light” here in a bid to lure back tourists to the country’s summer capital.

Aquino led the switching of the energy-efficient lighting system at Burnham Park late Friday to signal the efforts to promote tourism in the city.

“I have seen its pre-eminent status as the summer capital of the Philippines, and with the cooperation of everyone, all the gifts of Baguio can still be recovered,” he said.

Baguio has been experiencing a slump in tourist arrivals for many years. There had been efforts for better image building such as new tourist infrastructure.

Baguio City is the first recipient of the Philippine Energy Efficiency Project of the Department of Energy (DOE) funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Baguio City Rep. Bernardo Vergara also led officials in lighting up the famous tourist spots in the city such as the Wright Park near Mansion House.

Vergara said the DOE’s Public Lighting Retrofit Program in the city would not only boost tourism but also save energy and reduce greenhouse emissions.

Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, who was with the President in the lighting ceremony, said the project is the first step to make Burnham safe, secure and beautiful.

Burnham Park and other parks in the city have been suffering from neglect, hence losing their charm as tourist attractions.

“It is now the start of the revival of where Burnham Park was (in the past),” Aquino told the audience before the ceremonial lighting amid a heavy downpour.

He cited the importance of promoting tourism in the city and in the whole country as well.

Aquino and his sister, TV host Kris Aquino, earlier tried the Tree Top Adventure at Camp John Hay.

He said the Tree Top’s zipline adventure is the newest “extreme sport” attraction in the city.

The President also vowed efficient government investments in major roads leading to Baguio, including the maintenance of Marcos Highway and complete rehabilitation of the historic Kennon Road.

“Together we can realize these goals, nothing is impossible,” he said.

Almendras added that the DOE installed 314 mercury vapor lamps and other retrofitted park lights at Burnham and Wright Park. He said the lamps will last more than 10,000 lighting hours and will take years before replacement.

By that time, Almendras said the city government will be able to fund a similar energy-efficient lighting for its maintenance as the lights will already be available locally.

The first phase of the project involves 314 park lights from 250-watt and 150-watt mercury vapor lamps with 70-watt high-pressure sodium (HPS) vapor lamps and 754-watt decorative lamps with 15-watt bollard-type compact fluorescent lamps.

Almendras said the retrofitting is in compliance with the Philippine Roadway Lighting Guidelines under international standards.

Baguio park burns brighter, cheaper

By Frank Cimatu, Inquirer Northern Luzon


BAGUIO CITY—A heavy downpour and the early evening chill in the summer capital on Friday failed to dampen the mood of President Aquino and guests during the ceremonial switch-on of energy-saving lights around iconic Burnham Park. “We cannot bring back the glory days of Burnham [Park] but this is a good start,” the President told an audience drenched by the rain in front of the park’s skating rink. “I talked to [Baguio] Bishop [Carlito] Cenzon a few months ago and [the deteriorating state of] Burnham was one of the issues we talked about. We have to get it to how it was,” he said of Baguio’s top attraction. The retrofitting of the lights at Burnham and Wright parks entailed the replacement of 314 250-watt and 150-w mercury vapor lamps with 70-w high pressure sodium vapor lamps and compact fluorescent lamps, Department of Energy and city officials said. They said the move would mean about P3 million in annual savings for the city government. “It is a dream realized for the safety of Burnham Park. It is not yet the desired solar lamps but it is already efficient lighting,” said Cenzon. “The project not only covers Burnham Park but also Wright Park, which is more than we asked for.” The President noted the enjoyment that Burnham Park offered to visitors and residents alike. “I still remember Burnham Park’s glory days. I make it a point to visit the park, especially when I’m lonely. This park is beautiful and I appreciate the sights,” he said. A statement from the Presidential Communications Operations Office said the Burnham Park lighting project was aimed at boosting tourism and raising public awareness on the use of energy-saving lights. The lighting ceremony was actually the launch of a much bigger project, the Philippine Energy Efficiency Project (PEEP) funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The PEEP, which would also be implemented in Cagayan de Oro City and Metro Manila, is expected to save the government more than P123.5 million in power consumption yearly. Sohail Hasnie, ADB principal energy specialist, said changing the lights at Burnham and Wright parks would not only save the city P2.93 million a year but would also reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions amounting to 158,460 kg of carbon dioxide (CO2). He said the retrofitting of lights in Cagayan de Oro City would help the city save P9 million a year and reduce GHG at 486,388 kg of CO2. Hasnie also said the ADB would be retrofitting the traffic lights at 159 intersections and pedestrian lamps at 88 intersections in Metro Manila. The project, which would start in the last quarter of this year, would save Metro Manila P22.25 million and reduce 1.2 million kg of CO2, he added. Energy Undersecretary Loreta Ayson, PEEP head, said the retrofitting of lights in 175 government buildings in the country would be completed by the end of the year and save the government almost P90 million.

Use of bayong pushed

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper


RESIDENTS should patronize the use of "bayong" instead of plastic bags in their daily activities.

Councilor Edgardo Bilog, in a proposed resolution, said the Baguio City Government should encourage this as a measure to help in the worldwide campaign to reduce toxic wastes and mitigate the impact of climate change.

Bilog said since plastic bags are "waste materials that can add to the upshot of climate change," residents should learn to avoid their use and instead turn to bayongs.

"Bayong is an old fashioned bag usually made of bamboo strips, pandan leaves and other raw materials that are in abundance in some parts of the nation. Nowadays they are not only being used just for market purposes and for harvesting crops such as fruits and vegetables but could also be toted by students and professionals going to school or offices since weavers are now producing fashionable (ones)," Bilog noted.

He said bayongs could also be deemed as a "symbol of cognizant consumer and a memento of an exotic place or unique tradition for a tourist."

"Its use by people from the lower and upper social classes may be encouraged and if marketed will have an expected earnings of some P520 million per year as per Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) estimates," Bilog noted.

He said there are government agencies like the DTI, who are willing to help the local government units in training interested weavers to enhance their skills and knowledge and encourage industry production and make it a part of a government livelihood program and protect our domestic markets from the influx of imported fabric bags from China and other countries.

Bilog's proposal will be discussed by the city council soon. (Aileen Refuerzo)

Baguio fighters all set for PXC 26

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper


BAGUIO mix martial arts fighters will be up for a tough task when the Pacific Xtreme Combat’s PXC 26 formally opens on Aug. 20 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila.

The trio of Geje Eustaquio, Jasor Ablasi and Crisanto Pitpitunge recently wrapped up training and will be among the under cards in the main event of the evening featuring Fil-Am Harris “The Hitman” Sarmiento and reigning lightweight champion Ronnie Borja of Guam. Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao, in an interview, said the three trained alongside Universal Reality Combat Championship welterweight champion Eduard Folayang and lightweight Honorio Banario.

“They’re all ready to fight,” quipped a confident coach Sangiao in a text message.

Pitpitunge, who absorbed his first MMA loss last February, is set to try his skills against Guahan Top Team’s Alex Castro with a record of 8 wins and 8 losses in his career.

Eustaquio, meanwhile, is out to improve his record and earn his second win in MMA against Rogelio Plomeda from Deftac Bacolod with a record of one win and two losses while Jasor Ablasi will also seek his second win against Guamanian Kyle Aguon with a record of two wins and two losses tucked in his belt.

The PXC is a Guam-based mixed martial arts organization fast making inroads in the Pacific. Its return stint here is backed by San Mig Strong Ice in cooperation with Smart Communications, Beer Below Zero, Healthway Medical and Resorts World, with FHM, and 89.1’s Real Sports as media partners.

Buoyed by the success of its initial offering in the country last June, Pacific X-treme Combat returns with a bigger, more action-packed card this Saturday headlined by Fil-Am fighters at the Newport Theater in Resorts World Manila.

School now testing center for universities’ entrance exams

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper


TOP universities in the country like Ateneo De Manila, University of Santo Tomas and De La Salle University chose Baguio City National High School as their testing center for this year’s entrance examinations.

Guidance Counselor Ofelia Padlan said that these universities chose BCNHS among other schools in Northern Luzon because of the sufficient number of testing rooms and teachers who can serve as proctors.

Padlan also noted that this would be an opportunity for students in the city and nearby areas as they need not to go to Manila for the processing of requirements.

Ateneo announces its test date this year for school year 2012-2013 on November 12 while UST and La Salle on September 24 and October 1 respectively at the BCNHS DepEd Building.

Requirements for the examinations are application forms, identical pictures, photocopies of birth certificate, report card and enrolment form, and registration fees.

Deadline of submission of completed application forms and requirements will be, Ateneo – November 9, UST- September 14 and De La Salle – September 9 this year at the BCNHS Guidance Office.

Meanwhile, Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific, Philippine Merchant Academy and NYK-TDG Maritime Academy announce their testing dates on August 28, September 24 and October 22, respectively at BCNHS DECS Building. Application forms for MAAP are available at the BCNHS Guidance Office.

Padlan said that the release of application forms for interested fourth year high school students is now ongoing. (Jayrerose Guevara)

Artists’ village shares its secrets

BY LARRY MADARANG


BAGUIO: On August 28, Tam-awan village turns 13—as its Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) registration records show—but the village now managed by the Chanum Foundation Inc. and has become home to at least 30 resident artists has existed for 16 years. This month, some artists from the village will be trekking to Kapangan, Benguet. In coordination with the Philippine National Police Police Provincial Office of Benguet (PNP-PPO-Benguet), they will be sharing two-bit skills and know-how with some 200 students. “This is just one of our outreach programs with Baguio and Benguet communities, a first in coordination with the police provincial office,” according to Chit Asignation of the Chanum Foundation. Artists will be providing “art therapy sessions” where we will be with delinquent youth and maybe those who have been abused, he said, adding “art on its own is a therapy. “Our partnership with the authorities and our community still has a lot of places to go, a lot of avenues to explore, we are just here as mediums and we would like to share what we have with everyone,” Asignacion said.

Community crafts By conducting art sessions with the community, the foundation not only teaches the community but helps them market their products as well. The village is now a display center for community made handicrafts and is host to artist who want to display their work. Asignacion explains. “We have monthly art exhibits where artist could display their works,” Asignation said, “and we don’t end there,” he boasted, adding “we also help our artist to display their art works in other galleries within the country and internationally as well.” Over-looking Tam-awan, is a native word meaning “over-looking”. On a clear day, one could go on top of the hill of the village and have a majestic sunset view of the West Philippine Sea. The village is located at 366-C Pinsao Proper, Baguio City, and lies northwest on an overlooking vantage point facing the West Philippine Sea. Little cordillera Conceived as an artist village within the environs of a highly urbanized city, a few minutes from the city proper, suddenly, one is surrounded by a nature and huts representing the different native huts from the Cordillera provinces. These huts, Asignacion notes, are donations from families and clans that believe in the spirit of creating a native environment in the city representing the Cordillera region. Chit explains that these huts are original huts from affluent families in the different provinces dating back from 1920s to 1940s. “We have dismantled these huts and re-assembled at the village, without the use of nails or bolts,” he said adding he himself did an inventory of such parts before and after the huts were transported to Baguio. Home stay For its 16 years of existence, indeed, Tam-Awan village has gone a long way. On weekends or upon special request, visitors in the village could see and experience for themselves the different cultural dances of the Cordillera region. The artist village has also become a major tourist attraction. For a few pesos, one could experience a night’s stay in a Cordillera hut of his choice and could be treated with Cordillera cuisine— among the specialties is “pinikpikan,” a chicken broth dish cooked the native way. Asignacion said they have expanded their lodging and aside from offering huts, it now caters to campers as well, who prefer sleeping in tents rather than huts. But not is all lost as one could find that despite getting the experience of sleeping in a hut or a tent, enjoying the bonfire at night, one could not miss social networking as the village has its Wi-Fi network. At 16, Tam-awan is on the verge of blooming and will always be another jewel on Baguio’s tourism scene.

Social Welfare removes 197 families in 4Ps list

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper


A HUNDRED and ninety seven families were delisted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) from the Pantawid Pamilya program after a reassessment showed they were unqualified for it. DSWD regional director Leonardo Reynoso stressed deletion of a family from the Pantawid Pamilya program remains a long process because the agency does not want genuine poor households to be delisted. The agency revealed the delisted beneficiaries come from families with regular monthly incomes. This was found out after undergoing reassessment in the program’s safety net mechanism, the Grievance Redress System (GRS). The Pantawid Pamilya program placed this safety mechanism to maintain the integrity of the program, which since its implementation in 2008, had been snowballing with complaints from community members and local officials because of income-earning individuals listed in the National Household Targeting System program of the agency. Coming from different areas in the region, some of the delisted beneficiaries were government employees and even school principals who have stable income. Some public school teachers also voluntarily waived from the program knowing they are ineligible to enlist as beneficiaries. The DSWD also reported aside from professionals, several beneficiaries were also removed due to dishonesty in the eligibility check routine in giving out details such as family information to determine how much aid they will receive from the agency. “We want to show to the public that we are sincere in improving the program to deliver what is expected from us,” Reynoso said. Earlier, Mayor Mauricio Domogan also questioned the list of beneficiaries in the city after receiving reports many of the beneficiaries are not the poorest of the poor households. The GRS safety mechanism ensures complaints have substantive basis before the delisting. The agency involves local chief executives, municipal, provincial, regional and national partners to scrutinize the list. The director added only a few of the former Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries received money from the agency, but the agency will have to ask these families to return the cash they have received. “It is good that we have partners in the community level to help us monitor and verify reports and complaints,” Pantawid Pamilya deputy program manager Janet Armas said. The system to ensure transparency and accountability of program beneficiaries and its implementers is also a venue for the public to submit complaints aside from the beneficiary inclusion or exclusion errors but also issues on misdemeanor of staff and partners not performing their tasks, lack of facilities in school or inadequate health facilities needed by the program. Complaints and correction of family information from beneficiaries are also being accepted by the agency during over the counter payouts of their cash aid. Updated family information is important by serving as basis on compliance record and payment. To date, more than P300 million has already been disbursed through educational and health grants by the Pantawid Pamilya program in the region. Since the program started, from more than 13,000 beneficiaries, the program has grown to more than 24,000 beneficiaries receiving 1,500 cash aid to cover educational and health needs of the beneficiaries. DSWD-Cordillera Adminsitrative Region advised the public to forward their complaints to their text hotline 09189122818 or through the grievance redress forms available at the Municipal or City Social Welfare and Development Office or at their regional office at North Drive, Baguio City. (JM Agreda)

Domogan creates committee to formulate sports code

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper

IT MAY be long overdue but Baguio City has finally realized it needs to create a local sports code. Following the city’s bid to host national sporting competitions next year, Mayor Mauricio Domogan recently signed an administrative order creating a technical working group (TWG) to draft the long overdue sports code. Administrative Order No. 95 Series of 2011 also assigned City Administrator Carlos Canilao to chair the committee in formulating the city’s Comprehensive Sports Development Program to be included in the proposed sports code. Others included in the working committee are members of the City Council Committee on Youth Welfare and Sports Development. Members of the TWG will also come from the City Sports Development Office, City Public Information Office, City Mayor’s Office, City Administrator’s Office and 3 representatives from duly accredited sports organizations in the city. A sixty-day period was given to the drafting committee to formulate the Summer Capital’s sports code and come up with a comprehensive sports development program for the city. (Roderick Osis) [edit]

OWWA calls on Cordillera OFW dependents to apply for college scholarship exam

by Lito Dar

BAGUIO CITY, August 14 (PIA) -- The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Regional Welfare Office (OWWA-CAR) is calling on all current fourth year students in Cordillera, who are dependents of Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) to apply now for the qualifying examination for their Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) for the school year 2012-2013. According to OWWA-CAR Regional Director Manuela Peña, the EDSP is a scholarship grant for any four to five years baccalaureate course which is being offered to all qualified dependents of active OWWA member OFWs. All qualified scholars will be entitled to a financial assistance of P60,000 per school year shall be given to cover the scholar’s tuition fee and other school expenses. For this year, Peña announced that 100 scholars will be selected nationwide through a national competitive examination which will be conducted by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) sometime in November. Application for the qualifying examination is available at the OWWA-CAR Regional Office in Manongdo Bldg., Private Road, Magsaysay Ave., Baguio City or can be downloaded from the OWWA website – www.owwa.gov.ph. Deadline for submission of application is on September 28. Since the EDSP was first implemented in 2004, OWWA-CAR provided scholarship assistance to 42 scholars of which 13 have already graduated and now pursuing their own chosen careers. Meantime, Peña also reiterated OWWA’s invitation to all OFW Family Circles (OFCs), local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs) , people’s organizations (POs), religious and other community-based socio-civic organizations, in the region to send in their nominations for the 2011 Regional Search for the Most Outstanding OFW Family of the Year Awards (MOFYA). The 2011 Search for the MOFYA is a yearly activity of OWWA where two regional winners (one each for the land- based and the sea-based OFW Family category) will be selected by a Regional Screening and Selection Committee. Regional winners will compete with entries from the other regions in the country for the National Model OFW Family of the Year Award. Nominations can be submitted until September 16 to the OWWA-CAR Regional Office or through any Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) offices. For more details or information you can call OWWA-CAR at telephone numbers (074) 300-3658 or (074) 445-2260. *(JDP/LD-PIA CAR)

BAGUIO GEN HOSPITAL CLARIFIES TRAINING FEE FOR NURSING GRADUATES

By Lito Dar / PIA


BAGUIO CITY, - The chief nurse of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) clarified that they are not charging fee for nursing students or graduates to undergo volunteer or internship work in their hospitals but rather for actual training and practicum for nurses. This was stressed by BGHMC Chief Nurse Elena Tampican in a media forum last week. According to Tampican, what a nursing student or graduate is paying is actually for the ‘Enhancement of the Skills and Attitude of Nurses’ training requirements and needed materials. She explained that the training lasts for almost five months as it includes about three-weeks of lectures from some of the BGHMC department heads and medical experts, plus an actual hospital training or practicum for four months. Tampican also stressed the need for giving actual training to the nursing graduates not only to learn actual hospital operation but also to boost their morale and self-confidence. She shared that she has noticed that nursing graduates nowadays are harder to orient and have less confidence compared to the past graduates. “There is really a need for actual training for our nursing graduates and those who have undergone training at the BGHMC could attest to this. They are even the ones who are defending us as you can see on Facebook or the internet. Maybe it is because of the quality and the large number of nursing students today which makes their practicum in some nursing schools not adequate enough. We even have nursing students and graduates outside Baguio and from far provinces that come at the hospital applying for the said training,” Tampican said. She also bared that they get training applicants on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis and depending on their set target number based on the number that their nursing staff could properly supervise or sometimes on the number of patients in the hospital. “Their practicum is divided into several modules and we also gives pre-test and post-test to the trainees aside from the actual evaluation. We are converting their practicum into actual experience and training to enhance their skills and be prepared on actual hospital works, which is also essential for them in securing a job,” Tampican strssed.* (JDP/LD-PIA CAR)

More cars clog Baguio roads

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper


THE Land Transportation Office reported a significant increase in registered motor vehicles in the city from 8,872 in 2008 to 36,296 vehicles in 2011. Baguio City Police Office Traffic Management Branch (BCPO-TMB) head Superintendent James Logan said the tripled number of vehicles plying city streets, mostly composed of 27,000 private vehicles, make it difficult for the Baguio police to implement traffic schemes to ease the congested streets in the city.

Logan said it is difficult to control private vehicles from passing through the city’s main thoroughfares but they are still mulling a color coding scheme together with more than 3,000 taxis operating in the city. Another proposal they are eyeing is the regulation of public utility jeepneys operating in the city. He said the BCPO-TMB will be meeting with local jeepney operators this Friday to discuss an effective scheme to reduce vehicle build-up, especially during rush hours and present this proposal to the Traffic and Transport Management Committee for possible adoption. Logan added another problem they have to face daily is the utter disregard of motorists on existing traffic signs, especially in the Central Business District. “We have numerous traffic signs but motorists often disregard it such as no parking signs,” he said. Based on roadside apprehension data from the TMB, violators of city traffic ordinances have increased from 2,858 violators in June to 3,702 violations last month with penalties generated by the City Government, increasing from P314,900 to P442,050. Number coding violators also increased from 263 apprehensions which earned the city P93,000 in June to 356 apprehensions with revenues generated by the worth P133,200 last month. The TMB also averages 150 traffic arrests daily mostly violations of existing city traffic ordinances. (JM Agreda) [edit]

Baguio City hosts 7th Northern Luzon alliance workshop on civil registration

by SC Aro
PIA Press Release
2010/03/27
Baguio City (27 March 2010) -- Local Civil Registrars and National Statistics Office regional and provincial delegations in Regions 1, 2, 3 and the Cordillera Region gathered during the 7th Northern Luzon Alliance Workshop on Civil Registration here aimed to strengthen their partnerships and share developments to improve the delivery of services of civil registry.

With its theme, "Fostering a Culture of Excellence in Civil Registration," highlights of the activity were updating of implementers with civil registration concerns including the Civil Registration Information System (PhilCRIS 3.0) to be used for the revised civil registry forms, lectures on leadership, sharing of best practices and the crafting of the alliance's vision/mission.

National Statistics Officer Administrator and Civil Registration General Carmelita Ericta who served as keynote speaker of the alliance workshop held March 16-18, 2010 underscored the implementation of the revised civil registry forms along with the PhilCRIS by July 2010.

Ericta said the civil registry forms are devised primarily to accommodate critical items in the civil registry documents necessary for the generation of vital statistics, specifically those linked with health concerns as well as that of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). Those circumstances on the attendance of births, causes on infant and maternal mortality like those associated with social significance and legal interests such as parental lineage on death registration to provide links with birth records.

She added the revised form seeks to provide space to accommodate write-in entries, instead of mark off boxes such as the item for "sex". The intention is to avoid clerical errors – unfortunately we have lot of these cases which could not be resolved by the existing provisions of Republic Act 9048 Republic Act No. 9048 Ericta further said.

RA 9048 is an Act Authorizing The City Or Municipal Civil Registrar Or The Consul General To Correct A Clerical Or Typographical Error And/Or Change of First Name Or Nickname In The Civil Register Without Need Of A Judicial Order, Amending For This Purpose Articles 376 and 412 of The Civil Code of the Philippines.

With the introduction of the window-based civil registry information system," We will be able to manage e-filling up of civil registry documents. To date we are now completing all the vital registration modules, and at the same time also working on effecting CRIS standards to bridge existing systems used by other LGUs which will be integrated in the PhilCRIS," Ericta said.

Ericta also mentioned the approval of RA 9858 relative to the legitimation of children born to parents below marrying age amending Article 177 of the Family Code. Its Implementing Rules and Regulations is on the process of completion.

On the inavailability of copies due to damaged, burned or wear and tear of certificate of finality for decided cases in the court, the requirements are now relaxed according to Ericta. However, there should be certification from the Office of the Solicitor General that such case is in existence and docketed which establishes its authenticity.

Ericta also announced the establishment of Civil Registration Service (CRS) outlets nationwide including the installation of BREQS in some 67 local government units in Northern Luzon, six in the Cordillera region, 18 in Region I and 43 in Region 2. BREQS is a scheme where NSO authorizes a partner to receive requests to for NSO-civil registry documents from the public and issue the documents to its clientele.

Aside from the presence of physical service outlets of the so called LGU Serbilis partners, the installed system is also sustained through a phone or door-to-door service as well as online application through the internet with the e-census service.

On the other hand, NSO-CAR Director Olivia Gulla who served as lecturer on Civil Registrar's Paragon of Good Governance shared 10 guideposts worth emulating as follows: 1) Exhibit a good work ethics as espoused by organization policies and civil service rules and regulations; 2) Be a good steward of resources entrusted to you; 3) Share what you know for "passing on the light" is a worthy cause that benefit others; 4) Question paradigms, if necessary, and innovate to improve existing systems; 5) Invest in capability building initiatives to add to personnel and to organization values; 6) Network with other organizations and touch base with the grassroots as part of social responsibility and institution-image building; 7) Apply teamwork in programmed/over-and-above activities always mindful that there is no "I" in the word, TEAM; 8) Serve customers well for a public office is not only public trust but also a sacred duty; 9) Listen to the voices of other people and of yourself before you decide or act; and 10) Above all, seek the guidance of the Divine Providence in all your ways.

Part of the activity is the interphasing with end-users such as the Civil Service Commission, Department of Foreign Affairs Baguio City Consular Office, Social Security System, Commission on Higher Education, and Philippine Regulations Commission.

Retrieved from "https://zamboanga.com/z/index.php?title=Baguio_City_News_August_2011&oldid=273456"