Baguio City News February 2012

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Burnham Park to shine brighter with LED lights

By IMELDA V. ABAÑO / CORRESPONDENT


BAGUIO CITY—Burnham Park will shine a little brighter after lighting company Philips and the city government install the P6 million new energy-efficient lighting system, which will provide the city significant savings as well as security for residents and tourists.

The energy efficient LED lighting which illuminates the park’s Rose Garden is part of the ongoing effort to add luster and luminance to the city. The Garden will be fully lit up with 68 LED post lamps, 14 LED street lights and 6 LED flood lights.

“There is a growing concern with energy conservation and finding ways to live more earth-friendly and green. Our aim is to light up public spaces. This LED lighting technology for public infrastructure projects provide the city with safety and security, beautifying the landscape and reducing energy consumption,” said Clifford Jison, senior manager of the Lighting Sector of Philips Philippines.

Jison said that with the high light intensity and controllable lighting effects and colors of Philips LED bulbs, tourists will enjoy a spectacular view of the Rose Garden in Burnham Park. The Garden is the most visited landmark in Baguio, especially at night. Proper efficient lights provide a secure and comfortable environment to visitors.

Jison told the BusinessMirror that LED lights provide 40 to 60 percent energy savings over traditional sodium bulbs and also appear brighter and luminous because they emit a natural white color.

Prior to the lighting project at Burnham Park, Philips had lit up the façade of Baguio City Hall with LED lights as well as donated energy-efficient CFL lamps to the city’s public market.

“With government and business establishments already benefiting directly from Philips lighting technology, illuminating a tourist destination was the obvious choice for this project,” Jison said.

Las Piñas City’s waterlily float joins Baguio City’s Panagbenga parade

By Freddie G. Lazaro


BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – An attractive waterlily float from Las Piñas City joined a parade of the Panagbenga Festival in Baguio City yesterday morning.

The design of the waterlily float was conceptualized by Villar Foundation highlighting the livelihood projects, or aptly called green social enterprises, of the foundation. These include among others the coco coir and peat enterprise, handloom blanket weaving enterprise and the water hyacinth weaving enterprise. The waterlily float was decorated with combinations of Fiji, Malasian mums, Rosal and other flowers in purple, orange, green and white colors; mats and other handicrafts made out of water lilies or hyacinths and coco husks, which used to clog the Las Piñas-Zapote River until the foundation embarked on a river rehabilitation program. Former Congresswoman Cynthia A. Villar, the managing director of Villar Foundation, said the water hyacinths or lilies and the materials made out of them, were the central theme of the float. The water hyacinth weaving enterprise provides livelihood to 200 families in Las Piñas City. “If Baguio is the ‘Summer Capital of the Philippines,’ Las Piñas is becoming known as the ‘Water Hyacinth Capital of Metro Manila.’ We are proud that we have turned water hyacinths from aquatic pests into sources of livelihood and now even works of art — as the design of our float and the gowns of Las Piñeras show,” she said. “We are pleased to participate in this year’s Panagbenga Festival. Through our float, we would like to inspire and encourage people to venture into green social enterprises, which do not only protect the environment but provide livelihood opportunities to people as well,” she added. The winners of at the beauty pageant during the 6th Waterlily Festival last year rode and graced the float. The ladies wore their winning gowns, which were made out of water lilies.

Cordillera to join nation-wide earthquake drill on March 1

By Ramon Dacawi


BAGUIO CITY, Feb. 26 (PIA) -- While earthquakes can’t still be predicted, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has set a nation-wide drill on March 1 to help people “predict” their responsible individual and collective responses should an earth-shaker occur.

Regional director Olivia Luces of the Office of Civil Defense has called on heads of Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (LDRRMC) to mobilize their communities for the simultaneous response and evacuation drill, the time of which will be announced early this week.

City hall has cancelled its plan to hold a prelude to the Thursday exercise supposedly to be held this Monday. Instead, the city DRRMC will conduct the drill for all offices at city hall also on March 1.

Based on the memorandum issued by mayor Mauricio Domogan, CDRRMC operations officer Glenn Lardizabal has set the following guidelines approved by city administrator and CDRRMC action officer Carlos Canilao for the city hall earthquake evacuation drill which other offices and institutions may find useful to adopt in accordance with their own locations and surroundings: - All department heads and administrative assistants shall brief their respective personnel on the upcoming drill, indicating the offices’ respective exit routes and evacuation areas. - The alarm will be sounded at exactly 2:00 p.m. and will last for 15 seconds. “Duck, cover and hold” will be observed during the 15-second alarm duration. - After the 15-second alarm, all employees and clients at city hall will go to their evacuation areas on a “buddy system.” - An employee shall be designated as a sweeper for each office. He will make sure that everyone in the office has exited and to lock the office doors during his own evacuation. - Personnel from the CDRRMC, Bureau of Fire, police and security guards will double-check if everybody has evacuated the city hall. - Head count and documentation will be done at the designated evacuation areas by designated personnel. - Personnel of the Disaster Operations Center will evaluate the drill and discuss their findings at the post-drill assembly area in front of the city hall before the employees go back to their offices.

Over at the local legislature, city councilor Peter Fianza has filed a proposed ordinance for the establishment of the city’s disaster management and emergency system that, he said, is suited to Baguio’s environment and needs.

In a briefing for the CDRRMC officials and operatives, Fianza said his proposal is anchored on “changing or shifting disaster management approach from relief or response to preparedness and risk reduction or management.”

He added this means strengthening the family unit’s preparedness and capability to reduce disaster risk.

His proposal introduces the “incident command system” that pinpoints officers in charge in addressing hazards and disasters according to their expertise, thereby preventing overlapping and conflicting functions.

He proposed the city engineer as incident commander for landslides, floods and earthquakes, the city building architecture office as to collapsed buildings and vertical structures, the city health office as to disease outbreaks and other health and medical issues and the fire department as to fires.

In the absence of an applicable plan or upon finding that the same may not be effective, the CDRRMC may direct or institute the adoption or implementation of a different command system, Fianza suggested. (RDacawi-Baguio City PIO/PIA CAR)

Basketball tournament benefits school, students

By Redjie Cawis


BAGUIO CITY, Feb. 25 (PIA) -- One of the farthest elementary schools in the province of Benguet and at least seven high school students were beneficiaries of the recently concluded 3rd Miners Cup Basketball Invitational Tournament held here in the city last week.

Some P40, 000 worth of cash were given to the financial support to a school and scholarship program of the annual tournament organized by the Saint Louis University Boys High Club 7882.


Pimingan Elementary School teacher Remy Dum-ao received in behalf of the school a cash donation of P10, 000 as financial support to one of the poorest and farthest schools in Benguet located in Ansagan, Tuba.


Dum-ao said that since her stay in Pimingan ES two years ago, she and her co teachers have been providing from their own pockets school materials for their classes like chalk, manila paper, cartolina, notebooks, books and writing materials just to make the students come to school to learn.


Dum-ao, who has been teaching in Pimingan and another remote school, Ligay, for more than five years now, had to walk for four hours via Pozzorubio in Pangasinan where it can be accessed through motorcycles since no road leads to Ansagan until October last year only when Philex Mines opened an access road. Several elementary pupils have to walk for two hours just to attend class, she added.


Dum-ao said that the donation is big help to the school and it will be used to buy school supplies and possibly for feeding program for their pupils.

On the other hand, two high school students from the Baguio City National High School namely Arvin Bongon and Calrise Liwliwa and Rodolfo Nievera Jr. of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Montessori were handed P5, 000 worth of scholarship while four students from the SLU–Laboratory High School (SLU-LHS) namely Jeremiah Dacanay, Gabriel Capitly, Daniel Tabangcura, and Lemuel Oriz were also given P4, 000 each to support their schooling.


Saint Louis Boys High Club 7882 president Engineer Felizardo Gacad said that the tournament was created to provide an avenue for the school children to enhance their skills in basketball and develop sportsmanship and camaraderie among them.

He added that since its inception in 2010, several students have been beneficiaries of the scholarship program being provided through the sports event.

Among the sponsors of the tournament are the Philex Mining Corporation, Lepanto Consolidated Mining Corporation, the Baguio City National High School and the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association.(JDP/ RMC-PIA CAR)

DPWH ready to implement Baguio-Benguet circumferential road

By (PNA)

FFC/AAG


BAGUIO CITY, Feb. 24 (PNA) - The Department of Public Works and Highays (DPWH) is now ready to implement the envisioned Baguio-Benguet circumferential road which would greatly benefit an economic zone in the area.

DPWH Regional Director Edilberto Carabacan said the vision for that road was both of Benguet Congressman Ronald Cosalan and Baguio Congressman Bernardo Vergara.

The growth node or economic zone is composed of this city and the towns of La Trinidad, Sablan, Tuba and Itogon, all of Benguet or known as the "BLIST."

"The Baguio circumferential road is about to be finished and Benguet officials are sold to the idea that with a good transportation system, improvements of all sectors are assured of faster development," Carabacan said.

Better transportation network, he said, could speed up the transport of the people's products in the area as well as in bringing the needed supplies and materials for the people.

DOLE, OWWA-CAR conduct capacity building activity for migrant service partners

By Carlito C. Dar


BAGUIO CITY, Feb. 23 (PIA) - - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), in partnership with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)- Cordillera Administrative region (CAR) conducted a one-day capacity building seminar for the migrant service partners in the different local government units (LGUs) here in the region at the Highland Villa Hotel and Restaurant here yesterday .

More than 50 participants composed of LGU Overseas Filipino Worker(OFW), Help Desk Officers and OFW focal persons, as well as representatives from some people’s organization (PO) and religious groups attended the said seminar.

OWWA-CAR Regional Director Manuela Peña, in an interview, bared that the activity aims to strengthen the capabilities and capacities of the migrant service partners in managing OFW problems for a more effective delivery of government programs and services for OFWs at the community level.

According to Peña, there are already many migrant help desk officers and OFW focal person in the different provinces in the region who are good in handling OFW problems and concerns, but she stressed that they have to continuously provide education, enhancement, and capability building as the government’s programs and interventions for OFW are also being enhanced and increased.

“The bottom line here is we aim to strengthen the capability of our local partners in handling problems and concerns of OFWs, as well as to strengthen the partnership in delivering the government programs and services for OFWs at the grassroots level”, Peña stressed.

In the said seminar, the participants were presented with migration realities including enabling laws and remedies for OFW welfare and protection and brief orientation from government agencies providing services for OFWs including the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) and National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO), as well as a review on the responsibilities of OWWA and the LGU on the establishment of OFW Help Desk.

The participants also role played pre-selected actual OFW cases, which Peña stressed aims to enhance the capacities of their local partners in handling such cases and to identify possible convergence areas where concern government agencies could work together in better addressing OFW problems and concerns. (JDP/LD-PIA CAR)

Police investigates cause of loud explosion between headquarters and city hall

By (PNA)

FFC/AAG


BAGUIO CITY, Feb. 22 (PNA) - Members of the explosives and ordance division (EOD) of the Baguio police is investigating the cause of strong explosion between its headquarters and city hall at around 6 a.m. here Wednesday.

In an initial report to Police Senior Superintendent David Lacdan, Baguio police chief, said a plastic container with used motor oil was apparently the material which exploded just when a 12-wheeler truck was passing by the area.

Driver of the truck loaded with tons of chicken dung told police he is not sure whether or not the plastic container fell off from the vehicle.

The explosion which was heard in that area surprised the early merchants who were unloading several goods from the lowland provinces.

The cargoes unloaded nearby included poultry products, fresh lowland vegetables, fruits and marine products which are in demand as the city is having its annual flower festival.

Peace and order is the main concern in this mountain resort 250 kilometers north of Manila as it hosts thousands of visitors coming for the summer activities which include the flower festival's street dancing and float parade which serve as main events.

The police led by Lacdan has assured that enough law enforcers are in town to safeguard peace here while Baguio has its flower festival.

No SM protest during Panagbenga parade

By JM Agreda


PANAGBENGA festival organizers warned Grand Street Dancing parade participants to coordinate and follow rules set by the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. (BFFFI) to ensure peaceful celebrations this year.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan, Panagbenga Festival overall chairman, said the BFFFI welcomes every contingent which will be participating in the February 25 and 26 parades including a group calling for the a giant mall chain to stop the earth-balling of 182 pine and alnus trees to make way for its expansion project.

But the mayor said the festival is not a venue for personal interests, adding placards against the mall chain will not be allowed.

“We are not singling out any group here, but they must remember that they should coordinate with organizers to ensure the peaceful conduct of the festival,” he said.

The mayor said he instructed Baguio City Police Office Director David Lacdan to file appropriate charges against any group or person found violating the rules set by organizers.

“We hope they would not take advantage of the crowds as participating contingents should cooperate with organizers as they should be given slots in the order of the parade,” he added.

The mayor also warned groups planning to throw things at the SM float to prepare for charges.

Panagbenga Executive Committee chairman Anthony De Leon said the parade is not a avenue for different advocacies nor to stage any political rallies.

“Such actions do not speak well of Baguio people as a whole. Throwing things at the SM float is immature, childish and unprofessional,” De Leon said.

He said the Panagbenga festival has improved through the years with an expected one million visitors flocking the month-long festivities with the Grand Street and Float parades and the weeklong Session Road in bloom as fitting highlights.

The festival is also believed to infuse more than a billion peso in revenues to different businesses in the city.

He expects crowds in the street dancing parade to double or triple on the Grand Float parade with television personalities expected to be riding flower floats of three major television networks, ABS-CBN, GMA and TV5.

As of Monday, some 26 floats have already signed up to participate in the Grand Float Parade with flower-bedecked floats depicting various themes and characters.

Street dancing participants will include winners of the opening day street dancing and drum and lyre competition from different elementary schools, while contingents from high schools, colleges and other provinces will join the Open Category competitions on the February 25.

Much has improved in the street dancing parade as organizers have enjoined the Baguio Cultural Society, headed by Laurel Bangaoet and University of the Cordilleras vice president Alec Mapalo, to ensure a smooth flow of street dances.

The mayor said the Baguio Cultural Society has choreographed forward dancing steps to avoid long gaps for every parade, maintaining this year’s parade will still have moving performances on the streets as well as in the final staging area at the Baguio Athletic Bowl.

DA allocates P2.658-M for Climate Change R&D studies in Cordillera

By Carlito C. Dar


BAGUIO CITY, Feb. 20 (PIA) - - With the effects of climate change currently being felt worldwide, the Department of Agriculture (DA) focuses its programs, especially its Research and Development (R&D) studies on the issue as part of its mandate to ensure food security and sufficiency for the country.

DA-CAR OIC Regional Executive Director Marilyn Sta. Catalina, in a press conference last week, disclosed that the DA allocated P2,658,000 for Research and Development programs focusing on climate change adaptation studies in the Cordillera Region.

According to Sta. Catalina, the R &D will include studies on cropping or planting schedules and researches on high yielding but drought tolerant and cold tolerant variety of agricultural products to help local farmers adapt to the effect of climate change in the agricultural sector, to be able to ensure ample and stable supply of agricultural produce for the people.


Sta. Catalina said that various DA -led R&D studies have been helpful to local farmers. Adapting such R&D studies and mixing or alternating it with the Cordillera traditional ways of farming have been helpful in increasing or at least leveling production during extreme weather conditions, she said.

In 2011 alone, Cordillera posted growth or increase in palay and corn production despite the strong typhoons such as Mina, Pedring and Quiel that hit the region.

Sta. Catalina bared that DA is also focusing into buffer stocking. The Office has signed a memorandum of agreement with seed growers a 3,000 seedling bags buffer stock wherein they will only pay what will be needed and delivered during times of calamities.

The same goes with vegetables, Sta. Catalina stressed. According to her, they have already work out plans and agreements that when calamity strikes the agricultural sector, they could ensure that in two weeks time they could immediately distribute planting materials to the farmers that may be affected.


Sta. Catalina also disclosed that DA is now going away with subsidies but rather focusing on agriculture-related infrastructure projects that each local community needs. (JDP/LD-PIA CAR)

Baguio mayor threatens sealing pipes polluting waterways

By Juliet D. Pilotin


BAGUIO CITY, Feb. 19 (PIA) -- Errant house and building owners here and in Benguet who use the Balili River as a convenient septic tank may yet find their sewage flowing back and clogging their sinks and toilet bowls.

This scenario loomed after mayor Mauricio Domogan announced that unless voluntarily removed, illegal pipes flowing into canals and waterways would be plugged to put more teeth to the renewed campaign to “Save the Balili River.”

“Let us seal with concrete these pipes draining into the river,” the mayor told a recent meeting of the “Alay Sa Kalinisan,” a multi-sector volunteer group at the forefront of the city’s environmental concerns.

Domogan announced the effluent backflow plan after members of an environmental coalition updated members of “Alay” on fresh efforts to restore back to life the polluted tributaries of the Balili River itself flowing from Baguio to Benguet and spilling into La Union.

The mayor said the plugging of pipes would spare the city the task of tracing the sources of illegally piped-out effluents and force polluters to stop dumping their waste into the river.

Aside from human and kitchen sewage, pollutants being dumped the river include trash, waste from backyard piggeries and used oil from vehicle repair shops. Septic tank effluents and soil from lot excavations are also directed to canals flowing into the river during heavy rains.

Even the city’s rainwater drainage system is being polluted by sewage, the mayor said. He recalled seeing sewer lines of commercial buildings connected to the city’s sub-surface water drainage system from Burnham Park to Magsaysay Avenue when the culverts were dug up and replaced with bigger ones several years ago.

Representatives of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), which regularly monitors water quality along the Balili, reported tell-tale signs of pollution: low dissolved oxygen, which is the amount of oxygen needed by aquatic life to survive, high biochemical oxygen demand, or the amount of oxygen consumed during decomposition of organic waste; and high content of coliform, a bacterium that thrives on feces.

The mayor also urged inclusion of the Bued and Galiano, two other rivers emanating from the city, in the program of the Balili River System Revitalization Coalition (BRSRC) organized last year, mainly through the efforts of colleges and universities in Baguio and Benguet.

He likewise suggested expanding the reach of the river coalition’s Learning Resource Center by providing the city library with ready reference materials on the campaign for use of students.

The establishment of the BRS coalition boosted the pioneering efforts of Dr. Julie Cabato-Cabato, a physician and environmentalist who spent years rallying barangays along the waterways to maintain cleanliness of their portions of the river.

Like others who grew up here, Cabato rues the disappearance of aquatic life along the upper tributaries and headwaters of the Balili such as “bunog” (goby fish), river crab, “bakbak” (bullfrog), “jojo” (loach) and “igat” (freshwater eel).(PIA CAR/RD - Baguio City PIO)

Aquino a no-show at PMA Alumni Homecoming

By Katherine Evangelista

INQUIRER.net


BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — President Benigno Aquino III was a no-show at the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Homecoming here in Baguio City Saturday. The president was originally the guest of honor for this year’s celebration. Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, meanwhile, read Aquino’s message to the alumni and cadets at the ceremony held at the grandstand in front of the Borromeo Field inside the PMA campus.

OWWA offers scholarship program for dependents of low income OFWs

By Carlito C. Dar


BAGUIO CITY, Feb. 17 (PIA) - - The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) under its OFW Dependents Scholarship Program (ODSP) offers educational financial assistance to legal dependents of low income Overseas Filipino Workers.


OWWA’s ODSP, which started in 2010, is a scholarship program that offers financial assistance to qualified dependents of an active or OWWA member OFW, who receive a monthly salary of not more than 400 US dollars, who shall enroll in any four-year or five-year baccalaureate or associate course in any state college or university.

According to OWWA-CAR Regional Director Manuela Peña, the said program which is being offered nationwide, aims to provide opportunity to poor but deserving students, to earn a baccalaureate degree or associate degree and become agents in community development.

Under the program, legal dependents of qualified OFWs, either a child of married OFW or a brother/sister of single or childless married OFW, will be entitled to financial assistance of P20,000 per year or P10,000 per semester that shall cover tuition fees and other academic related expenses.

Thus, Peña calls on all active OWWA member OFWs in the region who are qualified for the ODSP to avail of the program, as each qualified OFW is entitled to one scholar-beneficiary, given that the legal dependent is a high school graduate or graduating high school student, below 21 years old during the time of application and has not previously availed of any other OWWA scholarship.

According to Peña, each province in every region is given slots for the said scholarship program every year. In the Cordillera, there are 80 ODSP slots available for the opening of school year 2012-2013. Baguio-Benguet, Apayao, Kalinga, and Ifugao are alloted 12 slots each, while Mountain Province has 20 available slots, she disclosed.

Aside from ODSP, OWWA has other scholarship program for its active members which include the Education for Development Scholarship Program or EDSP, wherein OFW dependents, upon passing a qualifying exam would also be entitled for a scholarship grant for any baccalaureate course of his choice.


There is also the SESP or the Skills-for-Employment Scholarship Program, which an active OWWA member OFW or his dependent can avail - for a short-term training program. This provides a maximum assistance of P4,500 per course leading to the completion of a vocational or technical courses in any school accredited by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. (JDP/LD-PIA CAR)

DOH: Mentally retarded persons need more understanding and support, not medication

By Carlito C. Dar


BAGUIO CITY, Feb. 16 (PIA) - - Mental retardation is a health case that needs more support and understanding from the family and the community, more than medication.

This was stressed by Dr. Beatrice Inumpa of Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) Department of Psychiatry, during a kapihan forum last Wednesday sponsored by the Department of Health (DOH)-Cordillera.

According to Inumpa, a mentally-retarded person usually suffers with impairment intellectually and on his/her adoptive functioning. “For the intellectual, part mostly it can be seen when a child goes to school or through an IQ test and as for the adoptive functioning, such person is having a hard time to do physical activity, taking care of himself and has lesser ability to recognize direction, communicate, inter-personal relationship, or on assessing a situation”, she explained.

“Mental retardation can be hereditary or congenital and sometimes it is acquired through infection mostly on the brain, as well as through trauma such as from physical or sexual abuse,” she added.

Inumpa also pointed out that usually there is no medication given to a mentally-retarded persons and what they need is support and understanding from both the family and the community, for them to maximize their remaining capacity or what they can do and to blend in with the rest of the community.

She shared that when a mental retardation consultation or referral comes in at their department, they conduct diagnostics such as psychiatric evaluation and psychological testing and afterwards, if found positive they gather the family to brief them for a better understanding about the condition and on how to take care of the patient.

“For a mental retardation patient, the most important thing is to reinforce the parent as they are our allies in taking care of the patient. When a mentally-retarded person goes home, it is still the family who will take care of him/her, which is why it is important for them to have a better understanding of such condition, so that they can also provide proper and better care, education and supervision of the patient”, she stressed.

For BGHMC, Inumpa reported that they have 35 cases of mental retardation last year, a slight increase compared to the 29 cases they have in 2010. She, however, clarified that such figure does not reflect the a full account of the real number of cases in the community. The increase in number can also be indicative of better public awareness about such illness or health case, she said.

Part of the DOH's advocacies in the said kapihan forum is the observance of National Mental Health Retardation Week, which the country celebrates every first week of February. (JDP/LD-PIA CAR)

Environmental group in CAR pushes for development of national mercury storage plant

By Carlito C. Dar


BAGUIO CITY, Feb. 15 (PIA) - - An independent, non-profit, environmental organization is pushing for the development of a national storage plant as means to stockpile the element mercury which is one of the most dangerous environmental pollutants that is persistent and cannot be destroyed.

Ban Toxics, in coordination with the Cordillera Regional Development Council (RDC-CAR), presented this in a multi-stakeholder consultation dubbed as ‘Developing a National Mercury Storage Plan Project’ at the Hotel Elizabeth here, Tuesday.

Executive Director Atty. Richard Gutierrez stressed that mercury chooses no one and once released in the atmosphere, will leave everyone defenseless, especially women, babies and children on its adverse health effect. The toxic effect of mercury may not manifest on the person who is directly exposed to the chemical but there is a strong probability that it will manifest or will be passed on to their children, he added.

Thus, in partnership with the Environment Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), they have been long working to produce effective means of stockpiling or storing mercury, Gutierrez said.

Since last year, they have been embarking on a series of regional consultations, partnering with the different RDCs and other stakeholders, in line with their objective to produce an effective means of stockpiling mercury.

Meanwhile, Department of Environment and Natural Resources- Cordillera (DENR-CAR) Regional Executive Director Clarence Baguilat, expressed his support to Ban Toxics’ advocacy. According to Baguilat, pushing for the establishment of a national Mercury storage facility will work more for the benefits of our children or to the generations to come.

He also proposed for the organization and the participants, who are mostly representatives of RDC-CAR member agencies, to work together in pushing for enactment of a national law that will govern the use and storage of mercury.

In addition, Baguilat also proposed a more intensive documentation of mercury-related health cases, especially in the local small scale mining community, which could be an effective tool in further advancing the country’s advocacy against the use of harmful or toxics element such as mercury. (JDP/LD-PIA CAR)

NCCA launches Philippine Arts Festival 2012 in Baguio City

By Lito Dar


BAGUIO CITY, Feb. 13 –-The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) is leading the country's celebration of Philippine Arts Festival 2012 the whole month of February focused on the theme, 'Tradisyon at Inobasyon'.

Launching the festivity in this part of the country, NCCA Deputy Executive Director Marlene Ruth Sanchez spearheaded a kapihan forum at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA-CAR) Dap-ay last Thursday. Sanchez was joined by Festival Director and Vice Head of the National Committee on Dramatic Arts Edward Perez and NCCA Northern Luzon Coordinator Mary Carling.

According to Sanchez, this year's festival aims to bring in together traditional and modern contemporary arts in the promotion and preservation of the country's rich cultures and traditions especially among the youth. It will communicate to the younger generations to educate and appreciate the culture and the art so as to provide a bigger door of innovation which will still evolve around the rich traditional arts and culture of the Philippines.

She also announces that the month-long schedule of festivities set for PAF 2012 celebration banners the flagship projects of the seven committees of the NCCA's Sub-commission on the Arts (SCA) embracing architecture, cinema, dance, literature, music, dramatic and visual arts.

For architecture, Sanchez disclosed that the Committee on Architecture and Allied Arts will highlight three simultaneous exhibits focusing on the growth of Philippine furnitures, architectural artists and the country's finest icons.

For cinema, NCCA will have the 'Cinema Rehiyon 4' in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental on February 8 to 11, which will feature screening and forums that focus on the artistic endeavors in filmmaking from the different regions.

For dance, 'Sayaw Pinoy', now in its ninth year and the longest-running Arts month flagship project, will continue to spread the beauty of dance in various areas all over the country.

On Literary Arts, Sanchez announces that the National Committee on Literary Arts will mount the 'Taboan 2012: Philippine International Writers Festival', in Pampanga and in Baguio on February 9 to 11, which will gather writers and readers for panel discussions, lectures, book fair, literary readings and performances, among others.

On Music, scheduled on February 20 to 24 in Cagayan De Oro and from February 25 to 28

in Baguio and in Iloilo, will be the staging of the First Asian Festival of Gongs and Bamboo Music which will gather both local and foreign gongs and bamboo ensembles for performances and workshops.

For Dramatic Arts, NCCA will have the 'Tanghal 6', which will bring together the best and emerging university and college-based theater groups, as well as community-based theater groups for performances, inter regional exchanges, audience dialogues, workshops and forums and exhibits. Tanghal 6, which will be held simultaneously this February 9 to11, in four venues nationwide – Baguio City for Luzon, Dumaguete City for Visayas, General Santos City for Mindanao and the National Capital Region.

For visual arts, there will be the 'Philippine International Visual Arts Festival: The Rizal experience that will happen in Angono, Rizal from February 17 to 20, wherein lined-up of activities include conferences, exhibitions, competitions, workshops, painting sessions, scenic tours, among others.





Sagada, PRC ink MOA for Online Verification of Professionals

By Carlito C. Dar


BAGUIO CITY, Feb. 13 (PIA) -- Sagada Mayor Eduardo Latawan and Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) Baguio Regional Office Director Teofilo Gauis Sison Jr. on Wednesday, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the implementation of PRC’s Online Verification of Eligibility System (OVES).

With PRC’s OVES, the municipal government will keep fake professionals from entering Sagada since the system will ensure fast and reliable verification of credentials of professionals applying for employment in the municipality.

According to Latawan, the OVES is a welcome development as it is a way in which they can protect the populace’s public health, welfare and safety against fake professionals.

Meanwhile, Sison disclosed that through the OVES, the PRC and the Civil Service Commission (CSC) recently discovered six fake professionals applying for government positions.

Aside from the CSC, the Department of Education (DepED), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other provincial and municipal local governments are now also using the OVES.

Meantime, Sison also stressed that the PRC is continuously strengthening its computerization program or PRC’s e-services.Recently, PRC Commissioner Jennifer Jardin-Manalili personally spearheaded the pilot-testing in Baguio of the newly developed Online Application System for PRC’s licensure examinations. According to Sison, they initially tested the system to the criminology licensure exam whose application is currently on-going and once the system is fully operational, it will be applied at the national level.

Once applied on a national level, the said Online Application System will be a big help to the clients or to aspiring professional especially nursing, teacher and criminology graduates who are the top three in terms of the population taking the PRC licensure exams, Sison said. (JDP/LD-PIA CAR)

CAR dev't council eyes revitalization of coffee industry

By Susan C. Aro


BAGUIO CITY, Feb. 12 (PIA) -- .The Regional Development Council – Cordillera (RDC-CAR) sectoral committee on economic development held its strategic planning workshop recently and decided to focus on the strengthening and revitalization of the coffee industry.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in this region, who are members of the Office of Primary Responsibility on economic development sectoral committee, are inclined to coffee development.


The revitalization of coffee production project will be lodged with DA-CAR which covers the key focus areas (KFA) on greens, fruits and ornamental grocer while a complementary project dubbed, “Strengthening of the Coffee Industry” is under DTI-CAR covering KFA on agri-industry, technology and knowledge based industries.


The Cordillera region accordingly produces Arabica coffee, a premium coffee with good aroma and distinctive taste predominantly grown in Benguet.


RDC-CAR Co-chair Dr. Virgilio Bautista supports the program and is pushing for the strengthening of the coffee industry as it has a great potential in the global market and builds up labor force. Coffee trading globally ranks second to oil.


Bautista, who represents the private sector, expressed concern over the current low employment situation which results to social problems and leads to high crime incidence. Most crimes are attributed to poverty and it is high time to identify programs and projects that can generate employment, he stressed.


DTI– CAR Regional Director Myrna Pablo said their agency fully supports the further development of the industry and identified the Cordillera region as the national champion for coffee industry based on the availability of resources. DTI earmarked funding for coffee product development through the provision of a facility but have yet to identify a private organization of good track record to operate it, according to Pablo.


Initiatives and efforts to develop the coffee industry in the region have long been taking place by various sectors in the private sector and the government as well. All aspects of coffee production and development was integrated in the complementing projects identified by both OPR agencies that would further enhance the coffee industry from production, post harvest handling, processing, marketing until its consumption by the end users including research aspect. (SCA PIA-CAR)

POEA records increase of Cordillera Balik-Mangagawa in 2011

By Lito Dar


BAGUIO CITY, Feb. 11 (PIA) - - The influx of Overseas Filipino Workers (OWFs) including rehires continues despite news of civil unrest and travel bans in some countries.

Based on the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) data, there is an increasing trend of Filipinos working abroad, wherein from the 2008 deployment data of 1,236,013, it increased to 1,422,506 in 2009 and to 1,470,826 in 2010.


POEA-Cordillera Regional Director Delfina Camarillo, in an interview, also confirmed that the same trend is true here in the region. From January to December 2011, her office processed a total of 13,912 rehires or Balik Manggagawa, which is over four percent higher than the 13,365 documented in 2010.


Camarillo also disclosed that for name hires, POEA documented 2,690 contract papers last year compared to the 561 documented in 2010.


For agency hire, Camarillo reported a total of 2,690 contract papers documented in 2011, which is more than double than the POEA 2010 data of 929.


For deployment destinations, Camarillo also disclosed that among the top countries where OFWs go are Middle East countries such as United Arab Emirates and Qatar, and as well as Asian nations particularly Hongkong and Singapore.


Aside from processing of contract papers of OFWs, Camarillo also reported that POEA is also continuously providing workers protection and welfare assistance to Overseas Contract Workers such as issuance of Special Recruitment Authority (SRA), monitoring of illegal recruitment cases, conciliation of work-related cases and adjudication.


In a related news, the POEA Governing Board has recently re-imposed a total ban on deployment of OFWs to Iraq, expect in the Kurdistan Region, in view of the expected surge of terrorism and violence following the withdrawal of U.S. military forces last December 11.


The Governing Board also issued a resolution allowing the redeployment or returning workers to Yemen, subject to proof of existing employment as determined by POEA. (JDP/LD-/PIA CAR)

DSWD warns public against birth simulation, advocates legal adoption

By Lito Dar


BAGUIO CITY, Feb. 10 (PIA) - - Birth simulation or the tampering of the civil registry birth records of a certain child which will cause the child to lose her or his true identity and status is against the law particularly Republic Act 8552, an Act Establishing the Rules and Policies on the Domestic Adoption of Filipino Children.

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-CAR) Adoption Resource and Referral Unit (ARRU) head Mary Ann Buclao, stressed this in an interview over PIA Hour radio program last Thursday.

According to Buclao, any person who shall cause the fictitious registration of the birth of a child as well as any physician, nurse or health personnel that will collaborate in such illegal act shall be guilty of birth simulation, and shall be meted with the corresponding penalty and criminal liability under RA 8552. In the same manner, adopting a still unborn child or a child that is still in the womb of his/her mother is also illegal as it constitutes child trafficking.

Buclao said there are existing cases in which dubious persons are taking advantage of some unwanted pregnancy cases or of some pregnant mothers who are making a hurried decision wherein they offer to adopt the child at birth in exchange for a certain amount but eventually they will also sell the child to others for a higher amount.

The DSWD is spearheading this week the country’s observance of Adoption Consciousness Week with the theme, ‘Isulong, Legal na Pag-aampon’, in which once again they advocate to prospective adoptive parents to give hope to the abandoned, orphaned and neglected children by sharing them an alternative permanent wholesome home through legal adoption.

According to Buclao, though the whole legal adoption process could go for a year or so, it is still the best thing to do for the benefit of both the prospective adopted parents and the child being adopted.

Buclao explained that since 2008, there are already 40 orphaned, abandoned and neglected children in Cordillera that DSWD-Cordillera, in partnership with the different local government units and private partner institutions, made available for adoption.


At present, there are 39 Children in the DSWD- run regional Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC) in La Trinidad Benguet, which they are processing the clearance or certificates for adoption.Other children being taken care of Safe Harbor International Philippines (SHIP) located at Asin Road, Baguio City. (JDP/LD-PIA CAR)

DOT,city govt launch ‘The North Face 100 Philippines 2012 Baguio-Benguet’.

By Carlito C. Dar


BAGUIO CITY, Feb. 9 (PIA) - - The North Face 100 or TNF100 Philippines, now on its fifth year is back here at Baguio. -Benguet for its 2012 staging this .

The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the City Government of Baguio spearheaded the launching of the TNF 100 Philippines 2012, which will ne held on April 21 and 22, in a kapihan forum at the DOT Conference Hall, Wednesday.

Leading the panelists were DOT Regional Director Purificacion Molintas, Baguio City Administrator Atty. Carlos Canilao, TNF Division Manager Jundel Llagas and Mr. Levi Nayahangan.

According to Llagas, TNF100 is the first Ultra trail running marathon series in the Asia Pacific Region, which since its launching in 2008, is becoming bigger and better every year.

This year, Llagas said they decided to return here in the Baguio-Benguet area, after the city first hosted the event in 2010, as the mountainous terrain and the cool weather here, plus the warm hospitality of the people best suit the TNF100 which is an endurance ultra trail running marathon.

For this year’s TNF100, Llagas disclosed that they are expecting about 1,000 participants – local and regional as well as participants from about 11 countries to join in the four categories, namely: the 11K solo; 22K Solo; 50K solo and the ultra 100km solo, which all will have a male and female sub-category.

For the race routes, Llagas announced that the race will start and end inside Camp John Hay passing through the trails of Philippine Military Academy, Mt. Santo Tomas and the municipality of Tuba and Itogon, Benguet.

Registration for the TNF100 is now open and will be accepted up to April 8. Registration fee, which will include TNF jerseys, bibs, hydration, discount coupon, raffle entry, freebies from sponsors is P1,000 for the 11 and 22 km. race and P3,500 for the 50 and 100 Km. Ultra Marathon. Cash and product prizes also await the winners and podium finishers.

Registration points will be the Travel Club SM Baguio, ROX/ResToeRun/Bratpack at the Camp John Hay Techno Hub and Primer booth at the Session Road in Bloom on Feb. 26 to March 4. For more information, interested individuals can also log on to www.thenorthface100.com.ph.

Meantime, DOT Regional Director Molintas said that the Baguio-Benguet area, as well as the other parts of Cordillera, are now fast becoming the sites of sports and adventure tourism events. Molintas cited the Bike Trail Race in Sagada Mt. Province which coincided with Sagada’s Etag Festival last week , then this February 18 will be the International Skyrunning Race in Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet where participants will race along a 33km. mountain trail up with turnaround point at peak of Mt. Ugo which is popular for its annual summer climb. (JDP/LD-PIA CAR)

PRDC-CAR sets strat plan,NGO forum

By Susan C. Aro


BAGUIO CITY, Feb.8 (PIA) -- To effectively implement the Regional Development Plan for 2011-2016, the Regional Development Council – Cordillera will conduct strategic planning workshop come February 21-22.

The workshop intends to identify key sectoral programs and areas of concern of agencies and sectoral groups and define the courses of action to undertake.

In the Strategic Planning Workshop, agencies and the private sector will converge and come up with a plan that would set the direction for the next five years with possible identified funding sources.

In support to this, the RDC-CAR is on the process of reorganizing its committees to further streamline and strengthen their operations guided by the rule of Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR).

The OPR, according to NEDA-CAR Director Leo Quitos Jr., will come from among the key implementing agencies of that sector as chairpersons. This is in order for them to support the RDC-CAR with their technical expertise and logistics.

Quitos said the concept of OPR is in accordance with the implementing rules and regulations of Executive Order 325 which stipulates that agencies also provide secondary technical secretariat and support to implement the functions of the RDC-CAR.

In a sectoral planning workshop of the committee on Economic Development, Quitos said a new full blown committee, the committee on Environment and Natural Resources, must spin off from the sectoral committee on Economic Development. This is given that watershed development is one of the major thrusts of the region and that Cordillera has positioned itself as the watershed cradle of Northern Luzon.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Executive Director Clarence Baguilat was elected as chairperson of the committee on Environment and Natural Resources while Department of Trade and Industry Regional Director Myrna Pablo was elected as chairperson of the Economic Development committee.

The RDC-CAR will also strengthen the sectoral committees of the RDC-CAR with the participation of more non-government organizations (NGOs). An NGO forum is slated on February 17, 2012 to select additional Private Sector Representatives (PSRs) to the sectoral committees.

Preferred NGOS should comply with the following requirements: 1) registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and or accredited by local government units (LGUs) and agencies; 2) track record of development programs implemented in two or more CAR provinces for the last three years; and 3) willingness to actively participate on voluntary basis.

For further details contact the NEDA Secretariat at telephone nos. 424-1422 and 448-0041 with office address at Botanical Garden, Leonard Wood Road, Baguio City or visit the RDC website at www.cordillera.gov.ph. (SCA PIA-CAR)

PRC, CHED assures: Gov’t addressing concerns of nursing profession

By Carlito C. Dar


BAGUIO CITY, Feb.7 (PIA) -- The Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) assured that the government is doing its best to address the concerns presently hounding the nursing profession such as over-subscription and the over-supply of nurses resulting to un-employment or under-employment.

Such assurance was made by PRC Commissioner Atty. Jennifer Jardin-Manalili and CHED Assistant Regional Director Dr. Ramon Santiago during the Regional Student Nurses’ Congress which was held here at the St. Louis University here last week.

According to Manalili, nursing graduates remain to be the top clients of the PRC in terms of number of graduates taking the licensure examination, and for the past eight years or so, nursing also captured the limelight on issues such as oversubscription, unemployment and over-employment.

Manalili explained that the national government, mindful of these challenges, provided initiatives to address the so called over-supply of nurses like the NARS (Nurses Assigned to Rural Service) and the RN HEALS (Registered Nurses for Health Enhancement and Local Service) programs. It is also engaging in the continuing talk with the Business Process Outsourcing(BPO) industry in the hope and desire to find alternative jobs for nurses specifically medical transcription, health and medical services.

She also said that the commission’s data from the licensure examination in the last five to ten years as well as its projection in the next five to ten years, have provided valuable information not only on the present oversupply of nurses but more importantly on finding a solution.

Manalili also disclosed that PRC is trying to open up Japan’s market to Filipino nurses and other professional workers through a technical cooperation project between the Philippines in Japan or under Japan-Philippines Economic Development Agreement (JPEPA).

In addition, Manalili also informed that the PRC’s Board of Nursing is also pushing for the adoption of a competency based national nursing career profession program which is a more directed and rational training for Filipino nurses towards general nursing practice since trending demand for nurses now is competency based.

On the part of CHED, Santiago said that the Commission has came out with a moratorium on the nursing program. CHED is pushing for the improvement of the policies, standards and guidelines that govern the nursing education and profession and for its strict implementation on higher educational institutions (HEIs) that are offering nursing program.

Santiago also bared that CHED , in partnership with the PRC, Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) and other partner stakeholders are closely monitoring the performances of HEIs with nursing program and that they are ready to close down or give sanctions to any institution that does not adhere to the policies, standards and guidelines of quality nursing education. 

“We are trying to do this to protect the general welfare of the public – the parents, students, and the other who are helping provide education for our nurses. The commission and other stakeholders, are one with you in promoting safe and quality nursing care in clinical practice,” Santiago said.

The said Regional Student Nurses’ Congress, now on its 7th staging, was initiated by the Association of Deans of Philippine Colleges of Nursing Cordillera Chapter and the Cordillera Association of Nursing Deans. (JDP/LD-PIA CAR)

Mayor orders illegal vending crackdown

By Carlito C. Dar


BAGUIO CITY, Feb. 6 (PIA) -- The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) is leading the country’s celebration of Philippine Arts Festival 2012 the whole month of February focused on the theme, ‘Tradisyon at Inobasyon’.

Launching the festivity in this city, NCCA Deputy Executive Director Marlene Ruth Sanchez spearheaded a kapihan forum at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA-CAR) Dap-ay last Thursday. Sanchez was joined by Festival Director and Vice Head of the National Committee on Dramatic Arts Edward Perez and NCCA Northern Luzon Coordinator Mary Carling.

According to Sanchez, this year’s festival aims to bring in together traditional and modern contemporary arts in the promotion and preservation of the country’s rich cultures and traditions especially among the youth. It will communicate to the younger generations to educate and appreciate the culture and the art so as to provide a bigger door of innovation which will still evolve around the rich traditional arts and culture of the Philippines.

She also announces that the month-long schedule of festivities set for PAF 2012 celebration banners the flagship projects of the seven committees of the NCCA’s Sub-commission on the Arts (SCA) embracing architecture, cinema, dance, literature, music, dramatic and visual arts.

For architecture, Sanchez disclosed that the Committee on Architecture and Allied Arts will highlight three simultaneous exhibits focusing on the growth of Philippine furnitures, architectural artists and the country’s finest icons.

For cinema, NCCA will have the ‘Cinema Rehiyon 4’ in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental on February 8 to 11, which will feature screening and forums that focus on the artistic endeavors in filmmaking from the different regions.

For dance, ‘Sayaw Pinoy’, now in its ninth year and the longest-running Arts month flagship project, will continue to spread the beauty of dance in various areas all over the country.

On Literary Arts, Sanchez announces that the National Committee on Literary Arts will mount the ‘Taboan 2012: Philippine International Writers Festival’, in Pampanga and in Baguio on February 9 to 11, which will gather writers and readers for panel discussions, lectures, book fair, literary readings and performances, among others.


On Music, scheduled on February 20 to 24 in Cagayan De Oro and from February 25 to 28 in Baguio and in Iloilo, will be the staging of the First Asian Festival of Gongs and Bamboo Music which will gather both local and foreign gongs and bamboo ensembles for performances and workshops.

For Dramatic Arts, NCCA will have the ‘Tanghal 6’, which will bring together the best and emerging university and college-based theater groups, as well as community-based theater groups for performances, inter regional exchanges, audience dialogues, workshops and forums and exhibits. Tanghal 6, which will be held simultaneously this February 9 to11, in four venues nationwide – Baguio City for Luzon, Dumaguete City for Visayas, General Santos City for Mindanao and the National Capital Region.

For visual arts, there will be the ‘Philippine International Visual Arts Festival: The Rizal experience that will happen in Angono, Rizal from February 17 to 20, wherein lined-up of activities include conferences, exhibitions, competitions, workshops, painting sessions, scenic tours, among others.

“All the activities for the PAF 2012 are free and open to the public, in which I encourage the public to join, especially the youth, as we hope that the youth wouldcontinue to appreciate and love our country’s culture and arts, which is an important part of our history,” Sanchez added. (JDP/LD-PIA CAR)

Mayor orders illegal vending crackdown

By Paul Rillorta


BAGUIO CITY, Feb. 5 -- Mayor Mauricio Domogan this week warned illegal street vendors selling along congested streets and pedestrian pathways to cooperate and stop illegal vending activities.

Domogan said he has made instructions to the police to conduct a dialogue with peddlers to educate them about city rules on vending while warning unlicensed sellers that their goods will be confiscated once they sell in prohibited areas. The Anti-Peddling Task Force has launched a saturation drive to rid the city from illegal vendors targeting areas with high concentration of illegal vending such as Lakandula area.

“I have instructed the police and our task force to hold a community meeting with concerned vendors so we could also hear their side and we can also tell them other alternatives they can avail of so they can do their business legally”, he said.

Dozens of vendors often clog sidewalks, alleyways and even overpasses selling everything from fruits and vegetables to second hand clothes.

“It is not our intent to go out and arrest them but we want to make sure that vendors understand our city ordinances”, Domogan said.

The problem on illegal street vending is currently being addressed where the city government designated Harrison Road as a ‘night market vending area’ where vendors can sell their wares from 9:00PM-4:00AM.

“We have to clear our sidewalks in order for it to be used as a passage of people and not as vending areas,” Domogan stressed.

The number of street vendors have risen dramatically over the past years and continue to increase most especially during special celebrations in the city like the Panagbenga and summer breaks. (PIA CAR/PRillorta-PIO BAguio City)

Illegal vendors face uncertainty

By Paul Rillorta


MAYOR Mauricio Domogan warned illegal street vendors selling their wares on congested streets and pedestrian pathways to cooperate and stop illegal vending activities.

The Anti-Peddling Task Force has launched a saturation drive to rid the city from illegal vendors targeting areas with high concentration of illegal vending such as lakandula area.

Domogan said he has made instructions to the police to conduct a dialogue with peddlers to educate them about city rules on vending while warning unlicensed sellers that their goods will be confiscated once they sell in prohibited areas.

“I have instructed the police and our task force to hold a community meeting with concerned vendors so we could also hear their side and we can also tell them other alternatives they can avail of so they can do their business legally,” he said.

Dozens of vendors often clog sidewalks, alleyways and even overpasses selling everything from fruits and vegetables to second hand clothes.

“It is not our intent to go out and arrest them but we want to make sure that vendors understand our city ordinances”, Domogan said.

The problem on illegal street vending is currently being addressed where the city government designated Harrison Road as a “night market vending area” where vendors can sell their wares from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m.

“We have to clear our sidewalks in order for it to be used as a passage of people and not as vending areas,” Domogan said.

The number of street vendors has risen dramatically over the past years and continues to increase most especially during special celebrations in the city like the Panagbenga Festival and summer breaks.

“We have no choice but to implement our ordinances against peddling, don’t blame us if we confiscate your goods,” he said.

Domogan, however, said his office has been and will continue be working to find a solution that can meet everyone's needs, from vendors, to pedestrians, to store owners.

NMIS holds 1st Nat’l Summit of LGU meat control officers, inspectors

By Carlito C. Dar


BAGUIO CITY, Feb. 3 (PIA) -- Around 150 deputized local government unit (LGU) meat control officers and meat inspectors from all over the country participated in the first national summit held recently by the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) here.

NMIS Executive Director Jane Bacayo, in an interview, said the summit aims to convene all deputized meat control officers and meat inspectors to have a short term planning for enforcement implementation in support to the local government’s meat inspection system and to align and harmonize the implementation and enforcement of NMIS issued laws and regulations.

The participants were given updates on the latest NMIS laws and regulations including Administrative Order (AO) 22, which provides the rules and regulations on handling of frozen and chilled meat and meat products in the market and AO 18 on Animal Welfare.

In relation to AO 22, Bacayo stressed the importance of the different LGUs and the local community, to work hand in hand with the national government for a 100 percent success in the implementation of various rules and regulations involving meat products.

Bacayo advised the public, as consumers to always check for the inspection mark when buying meat products and also to buy only from on meat stores or establishments that have inspection certificate especially when buying chilled or frozen meat products.

She also disclosed that aside from government efforts through the NMIS ,in partnership with the different LGUs, in the regular monitoring, confiscation and strict implementation of related regulations and laws, also being pushing in Congress is a proposed bill that would increase the penalties and fines for violations of the Consumer Welfare Act, especially on selling of hot meat and double dead meat.

In another move, the proposed amendment to the Meat Code has been passed in the House of Representatives and also passed first reading in the Senate.

Under the proposed amendment, fine for violating the Meat Code will be increased to 25,000 - P500,000 from the previous fine of P1,000 to 10,000, and imprisonment term of the present two month to one year, to six months to six years, according to Bacayo .

She also informed that the fine and imprisonment will not be confined only to those who will be caught selling hot or double dead meat, but also including the source, the conveyor, as well as the vehicle used in the illegal trade. (JDP/LD-PIA CAR)

One Luzon e-news magazine marks first milestone

By Carlito C. Dar


BAGUIO CITY, Feb. 1 (PIA) -- In this world of modern technology and social networking, the One-Luzon e-news magazine since its maiden issue on October 10,2011, has been significant in connecting the Northern and Central Luzon to the rest of the country and other parts of the world.

One Luzon, like the other Philippine Information Agency (PIA) e-news magazine, which was initiated by Director General Jose Fabia, delivers the latest and significant regional news and other informative facts and figures from this part of the country right into the comfort of every person’s home, Filipinos or foreigners alike.


It is part of Fabia’s vision to maximize the accessibility and effectiveness of social networking to eventually create a database which will bring the contents of PIA’s e-news magazine to millions, if not billions, of recipients worldwide.


Today, the One-Luzon e-news magazine comes out with its 100th issue, considered by the PIA North Central Luzon cluster composed of Regions 1, II, III and the Cordillera Administrative Region as a milestone achievement given that this is a daily publication from Monday to Saturday.


So far, feedbacks are coming in from as far as the United States, Europe and the Middle East.


The e news magazine carries the niches of each region; Region 1 – Agri-business, Tourism Powerhouse in Northern Philippines; Region 2 – Philippines’ Prime Cereal Producer and Northern Gateway; Region 3 – Rice Bowl of the Philippines and CAR – Watershed Cradle of the North, in line with Philippine Development Plan.


Aside from the regional news, the One Luzon has also sections for factsheet, good- to-know; Executive Dispatch(news about the President) and CNEX/Talking Points, which are programs of PIA Central Office.


According to PIA CAR Director Helen Tibaldo, who is also the N/C Luzon cluster head, they aim to further improve the One Luzon alongside the PDP and regional development plans and in line with PIA’s mission to deliver timely, relevant and accurate information to help people in making better decisions to improve their lives.(JDP/LD-PIA CAR)

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