Benguet News January 2012

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Benguet Province

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

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

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

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

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.
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Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

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


NCCA sustains SLTs in preserving Benguet's cultural heritage

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet– National Commission of Culture and the Arts is continuously funding School of Living Tradition (SLT) projects to transmit indigenous skills and techniques to the young and ensure its transmission to the next generations.

National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Ibaloi-Kankana-ey Coordinator Brian Camhit said two of the nine project proposals for 2011-2012 submitted to the NCCA are ready for implementation while two were already deliberated upon.

The two projects for implementation are SLT on Ibaloi-Kalanguya-Karao Performing Arts to the Indigenous Peoples Organization of Bokod and the Anitap Festival of Kapangan.

Both the SLT on Ibaloi Performing Arts in Poblacion, Itogon and the SLT on Kankanaey Performing Arts (Phase II) in Amgaleygey, Buguias are ongoing, the latter awaiting the release of second tranche of budget release.

Completed last year were SLT on Ibaloi Performing Arts Phase II in Wangal, this town, SLT on Ibaloi Performing Arts (Phase II) in Loakan, Baguio City, SLT on Kankana-ey Performing Arts (Phase II) in Balakbak, Kapangan, Uhog Festival in Karao, Bokod, Sabdang Festival in Sablan and Alibay di Badang Festival of Buguias.

According to Camhit, the NCCA embarked on SLT in response to UNESCO’s call for the preservation of cultural heritage in its living form and ensure its transmission to the future generations.

A cultural master or bearer who possesses the necessary skills and techniques on traditional art or craft is responsible in teaching students of the same ethno-linguistic group, he added.

The focus of the SLT performing arts in the province are native dances, chants and use of musical instruments according to Camhit.

The SLT program is composed of lecture and application parts. During the lecture, indigenous knowledge and culture are explained to the students and students are expected to have outputs in the various indigenous knowledge and artworks as part of its application.

P13-M MJ plants torched in Benguet

Joint operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Cordillera Administrative Region (PDEA-CAR), Bakun Municipal Police Station and Benguet Provincial Public Safety Company uprooted some 64,200 full-grown cannabis plants worth P12,840,000 last January 19 to 22.

The marijuana plants were burned on-site recently in 12 cultivation sites of over 7,600-square meter lots during a four-day eradication operation in Kayapa, Bakun, Benguet.

Consultations and dialogues were undertaken with residents on the ill effects of marijuana use, legal implications of marijuana production and trading, participation of the community in the enforcement of the drug law and other related issues by the anti-narcotic units.

UNFPA turns over communication equipment, GPS to Benguet

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet- The United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP) turned over communication equipment to the province to facilitate access in far flung areas in times of disaster, together with a mapping equipment to assess geohazard areas.

UNWFP National Coordinator for the Philippines Juan Blen Huelgas said the equipment consisting of five handheld radios with base and a Global Positioning System (GPS) is a modest contribution to complement existing capabilities of the province.

Huelgas said the handheld radios will help in facilitating access to areas during disaster operations while the GPS will be used in determining geohazard areas.

The mandate of UNWFP is food distribution and the province is a recipient of UNWFP relief goods during typhoon Pepeng, according to Huelgas. However, its support to the province expanded to strengthening capabilities of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) such as the conduct of trainings.

This is a one year project, which is still within the UNWFP mandate will wind up March this year, said Huelgas.

There were series of trainings conducted such as the institutionalization of an Incident Command System (ICS). ICS is a systematic tool used for the command, control and coordination of emergency response.

Trainings on enhancing communication system and protocol and in strengthening the Benguet PDRRMC has also been conducted. On the pipeline is training on contingency planning for the towns of Atok and Tublay as pilot areas including the provincial government.

Huelgas said UNWFP may further extend capability enhancement for the PDRRMC depending on how far the LGUs have gone into adapting the skills on disaster operations.

Kintoman: Benguet’s new rice trademark

The term “kintoman” is known among Benguet natives, the Ibalois and Kankanaeys. Kintoman refers to native or traditional rice variety with red color grown in rice paddies.

Traditionally, this rice variety is planted during first crop season of the year, which is on January. This is usually harvested on June. On the average, the growing period of the plant is six months in the province of Benguet.

Aside from the food benefit, natives also use and process kintoman as rice wine. The rice wine, which is commonly known as “tapuey” among the natives, is served during special occasions like rituals, fiestas and can be given as gifts for visitors and dignitaries.

Unknown origin of Kintoman

Researchers attempted to discover the origin of kintoman using several references including knowledgeable inquiries to elders of communities but failed to determine the rice’s origin. This made them conclude the kintoman existed since time immemorial.

Early farmers of highlands in Luzon have difficulties then in planting rice because of lack of terraces and irrigation system. But gradually, they were able to figure out how to start planting. Benguet’s ancestors tried their best just to put up rice terraces for rice production.

Itogon agriculturist Donald Apidchao said the ancestors took centuries to develop rice cultivation as a farming system in the province because of the difficulties of building terraces and irrigation system.

Many old folks claimed the Banaue rice terraces were the model in the Cordillera in terms of style and system of terraces construction. Inhabitants of Benguet used to hire natives of Ifugao or Bontoc for them to make rice terraces in the province.

Kintoman is aromatic and colorful but productive wise; the average per hectare in the province is about one ton per hectare. It is because this type of rice variety does not respond to fertilizers.

CAR needs new policemen

CAMP Bado Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet- The Cordillera Police Regional Office here has announced the need again for new policemen to fill the needed force totaling 6,000 new recruits this year.

To qualify, applicants should be a citizen of the Philippines, of good moral character, must have passed the psychiatric/psychological, drug and physical tests to be administered by the PNP or by any NAPOLCOM, accredited government hospital for the purpose of determining the appointee’s physical and mental health, must possess a formal baccalaureate degree from a recognized learning institution, must be eligible in accordance with the standards set by the commission, must not have been dishonorably discharged from military employment or dismissed for cause from any civilian position in the government, must not have been convicted by final judgment of an offense or crime involving moral turpitude; Must be at least one meter and sixty-two centimeters (1.62m) in height for male and one meter and fifty-seven (1.57m) for female, must weight not more or less than five kilograms (5kg) from the standard weight corresponding to his/her height, age and sex; and must not be less than 21 nor more than 30 years of age on his/her 31st birth date.

An applicant shall be considered to be 21 years of age on his/her 21st birth date and shall be considered more than 30 years of age on his/her 31st birth date, said the advisory.

Prospective applicants should also bring with them the duly accomplished CSC Form 212, birth certificate authenticated by the NSO, report of Rating of Eligibility authenticated by the issuing authority, two (2) pieces 2x2 black and white picture with name tag, transcript of scholastic records and diploma duly authenticated by the school registrar, and clearances such as barangay, local police station, municipal and regional trial courts and NBI.

The advisory also said that additional documents such as medical certificate issued by the local health offices, two valid IDs with pictures, signature and address, and Certificate of Good Moral character issued by the college/university last attended by the applicant.

Sandiganbayan fines Benguet town treasurer

The Sandiganbayan has sentenced yesterday a municipal treasurer in Benguet province to reclusion perpetua and ordered to pay a fine of P700, 000 for approving disbursement vouchers and checks using municipal funds for ghost projects.

In a 33-page decision penned by Associate Justice Efren N. Dela Cruz, the graft court’s First division found Sixto M. Bayas, former treasurer of Kabayan, Benguet guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violation of section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-graft law) and of malversation through falsification of public document.

He was likewise directed to pay the amount of P700,000, representing the difference of the total amount of the checks of P1.2 million and the amount of P570, 000, which was restituted by its former mayor, now deceased, Ernesto Matuday, who also got the same verdict.

Benguet plans to establish composting facility along Halsema Highway

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet- The province plans to establish a composting facility along the Halsema Highway to manage the perennial problem on vegetable trimmings and wastes, which are eyesores along the historic road.

According to Governor Nestor Fongwan, the composting plant costs more than P2 million to be shared by the province and the Department of Agriculture.

Fongwan said the aerated window type of compost facility having a capacity of 30 tons could transform organic wastes in 30 days.

The compost could be used by farmers as soil conditioner such that it will improve soil nutrition and structure and helps in the growth of plants.

Fongwan said the facility is also intended to capture and contain the wastes and trimmings from the La Trinidad Trading Post which compounds to several tons per day.

E-Blotter launched at Cordillera police office

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet- The Police Regional Office-Cordillera(PROCOR) launched last January 13 the e-Blotter, a break through in crime investigation and detective management.

The e-Blotter is designed as a stand-alone system which will be installed in all police stations as a means of reporting and monitoring of all crime incidents that transpired within an area as well as the results and records of investigations conducted by the police stations.

The launching was graced by PCSupt Ricardo Marquez, Executive Officer of the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM), Camp Crame, Quezon City and Baguio Congressman Bernardo Vergara.

Marquez, in his speech said that the DIDM with the Information Technology Management Service (PNP-ITMS) developed a more efficient electronic blotter system for recording crime incidents across the country with the National Capital Region as the pilot study.

The e-BLOTTER does not only facilitate crime documentation and modernize data storage but also presents quick, fast and reliable transmission of crime information from police stations to the PNP Headquarters at Camp Crame, Quezon City. It is an effective management tool for decision makers and security strategies to have an easy and intelligent way of mapping out peace and order and anti-criminality strategy.

The main goal of the project is to have a daily update on what is really happening on the ground, particularly in every police station which is vital in mapping out strategies for quick response and crime prevention, he explained.

Among the high lights of the launching was the turn-over of e-Blotter hardware by Vergara to PROCOR Regional Director, PCSupt Benjamin Magalong. The e- Blotter hardware from Vergara are for the six Police Provincial Offices of PROCOR, City Police Head Quarters, Women and Children Protection Center and 10 Stations of Baguio City Police Office(BCPO).

In his speech, Vergara assured PROCOR of his support in all the projects that PROCOR would venture in to.

Prior to this launching, 80 officers representing the six 6 PPOs and CPO underwent a three-day seminar workshop on e-Blotter. DIDM-ITMS Mobile Team gave hands on training to the participants on how to use the system.

Last January 14, Magalong turned-over to BCPO City Director, PSSupt David Lacdan 12 e-Blotter hardware sets to operationalize e-Blotter system in the Baguio City.

University celebrates 26th anniversary

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet - The Benguet State University (BSU), which started as a rural school in the 1960s and became one of the leading educational institutions in the Philippines, celebrated its 26th year of university status on Friday.

BSU president Ben Ladilad said the celebration started with a thanksgiving mass.

Records show the former Mountain State Agricultural College (MSAC) produced even national figures in the field of agriculture like former Agriculture Secretary William Dar who served during the presidency of former President Joseph Estrada.

Later on, engineering and allied academic courses which include those in nutrition, nursing, forestry, education and others were offered which nurtured the educational needs of the youths of the old Mountain Province now known as the Cordillera Administrative Region.

BSU’s research and extension work was able to perfect the production of vegetable noodles, and greatly improved varieties of cash crops which include potatoes, white potato, and strawberry.

This time, it is also embarking on the mass production of bamboo which is seen to be valuable in various industries like fisheries, aside from serving as forest cover.

At present, the university’s social work has participated actively in the efforts to revive the dying Balili River and various eco-tourism projects in Benguet.

Solon allots P1.8M scholarship assistance to 6 SUCs in Cordillera

Around 600 students from six state universities and colleges (SUCs) in the Cordillera Administrative Region will get scholarship grant from the Priority Development Assistance Fund of Senator Aquilino Pimentel III.

Pimentel and officials of the SUC beneficiaries headed by Benguet State University (BSU) president Ben Ladilad formally signed the agreement for the scholarship last Thursday during BSU’s 26th Charter Day anniversary.

Aside from BSU, other beneficiaries of the said scholarship grant are the Abra State Institute of Science and Technology, Apayao State College, Ifugao State University, Kalinga-Apayao State College, and Mountain Province State Polytechnic College.

Under the said program, each SUC beneficiary will be given P300,000 scholarship assistance to benefit 100 scholars per institution.

During the MOA signing, Pimentel also met with the 100 scholars from BSU that are set to benefit from the program. The senator encouraged the scholars to study well, as he stressed that education is the great equalizer that young students like them can use to have a better life in the future.

“Education is the great equalizer. It is up to you how you use it but what is important is that the skills and knowledge are imparted to you, through education. It is also important that you develop the love for learning,” Pimentel said.

Speaking in behalf of the SUCs, Ladilad expressed their gratitude to Sen. Pimentel stressing the significance of such assistance to the education of the scholars. To the scholars, Ladilad encouraged them to do their part and study well.

Arian Cayso, a third year Bachelor of Science in Applied Statistics student, in behalf of her fellow scholars and their parents, expressed their appreciation and gratitude for the educational assistance.

“It will have a great impact on our lives as young students. A lot of young people dream of college but not everyone has financial resources to make the dream a reality. Through your scholarship, I am sure that all of us will be relieved of our financial dilemma and we will be fully able to focus on our studies and will no longer be bothered by payments of our school fees,” Cayso said.

“We are also hoping and praying that your scholarship program will sustain until we graduate college. Your generosity also inspires us to help others and bring back to the community,” Cayso added.

Benguet to promote 'andap' as a tourism attraction

From December to February when temperature in the region drops, frost or what is locally known as ‘andap,' is a common phenomena especially in the higher areas of Benguet.

Benguet Governor Nestor Fongwan, in a recent media forum at the Department of Tourism (DOT-CAR) regional office, affirmed that ‘frost’ is now occasionally being experienced in some part of their province, but he assured that it has very minimal effect on their temperate vegetables production. Farmers today, he said, are more intelligent and prepared to respond in preventing their farm inputs from getting damaged by frost bite.

Fongwan disclosed that they are now working out plans to promote the frost in a positive way. They plan to promote it as an attraction for tourists - for them to actually see and experience frost in the hinterlands.

He stressed that the provincial government is very keen on actively promoting the province’s tourism industry, as what they have depicted in its foundation anniversary or Adivay Festival last November through the theme, ’Exploring Benguet’s Best’.

He also affirmed that year in and year out, even with their small budget, they make sure that they allocate certain funds for tourism infrastructure so that they can also ensure to give the tourists, both local and foreign, the safety and convenience while visiting the different scenic spots of the province.

“We already established several view decks, additional streetlights, made improvements on the comfort rooms along the major roads around the province and put up additional community police action centers on strategic parts of the province road network,” Fongwan said.

Meantime, DOT Regional Director Purificacion Molintas lauded the provincial government of Benguet for having the most allocation and accomplishments as far as tourism infrastructure is concerned among the provinces in the Cordillera.

Dads push for declaration of La Trinidad as pioneer in organic farming

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet- The officials of this capital town are clamoring for the declaration of the municipality as pioneer in organic farming in the province.

Councilors Francis Lee, Arthur Shontogan, Robert Namoro and Estrella Esteban filed Resolution Number 246-2011 to support their claim.

Organic farming was popularized in this town by pioneer organic practitioners Pat Acosta and Felix Tan who had been engaged in the business for quite sometime. Acosta was conferred as 2009 National Gawad Saka – Outstanding Organic Farmer and Tan as Regional Gawad Saka Organic Farmer for 2010.

The group of organic practitioners called La Trinidad Organic Practitioner Multi-Purpose Cooperative was organized through the initiative of the local government unit . The LGU also facilitated the registration of LATOP with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) on November 2005.

The Benguet State University, the premiere state institution in the region, which owns vast tracts of land in the town, is the first academic institution in the country to get certification from the Organic Certification Center of the Philippines (OCCP) as an organic vegetable and fruit producer which accordingly complements the town’s advocacy on organic farming.

The town officials said the LGU was also instrumental in the advocacy, promotion and market of organically grown vegetables in various occasions such as the Strawberry Festival, Benguet Foundation Day and several agricultural trade fairs sponsored by partner agencies.

Furthermore, the LGU has been active in implementing and funding training on organic farming and related activities since the launching of the national program on Integrated Pest Management and Farmers Field School approach in 1996.

The provincial board in its session held recently referred the measure to the Committee on Agriculture for favorable review.

1st International skyrunning race set on Feb. 18 at Itogon, Benguet

The Pilipinas Akyathlon (Philippine Skyrunning), the country’s first ever international mountain trail high altitude race, is all set on February 18 at Mt. Ugo in Itogon, Benguet.

The race; spearheaded by the Philippine Skyrunning Association (PSA), in partnership with the Department of Tourism-Cordillera (DOT-CAR), the Provincial Government of Benguet and other event sponsors; will be a 32.88 km race going up the 2150 meters above sea level summit of Mt. Ugo and back to the barangay hall of Tinongdan, Itogon.

PSA president Nina Dacanay, in a kapihan forum Wednesday hosted by DOT Regional Director Purificacion Molintas to launch the event, said that PSA, a non-stock, non-profit organization that started in January 2009, is the first of its kind here in Asia to be accredited by the International Skyrunning Federation (ISF).

“For us in the PSA, our goal is to promote skyrunning as a sport, promote eco-tourism as well as an active and healthy lifestyle. The skyrunning event on Feb. 18 will also be the first official ISF certified or acknowledged event in this part of the region,” Dacanay stressed.

Dacanay also explained that it is a part of the eco-tourism thrust of the PSA to advocate carry zero-waste and the use of recyclable and reusable materials in the said event, thus they have partnered with local environmentalist group, Cordillera Conservation Thrust (CCT).

Dacanay said they have chosen to pilot the event here in Cordillera as it is very apt with the region’s mountainous terrain. Sky running by definition, is a mountain running at a minimum height or altitude of 2000 meters above sea level.

For the race course description, the almost 33km out-and-back race will start from the Barangay Hall of Tinongdan, Itogon Benguet with the first 1.7km a downhill run on paved road to the starting point of the mountain trail, in which from that point it will be mostly uphill route to the summit of Mt. Ugo before turning back to the mirror image of the route up to the barangay hall where the race starts.

The scenic route will showcase the magnificent views of surrounding mountains, including portions of Binga and Ambuklao dams and as far away as Pangasinan. It will also navigate through pine forest trails and three sitios: Cayuco, Cawayan and Lusod, which leads to vantage points where other peaks in Benguet can be seen.

Mt. Ugo is known for its annual summer climb which won last year in the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines’ (ATOP) Search for Best Tourism Event in the Philippines under the Sports, Adventure and Wellness Category – Municipal Level.

Town reduces admin cost in 2012

ITOGON, Benguet -- The municipality of Itogon reduced its administrative overhead cost (AOC) as it affects fund intended for a certain project.

The Municipal Council headed by Vice Mayor Noel Ngolob amended ordinance 17, series of 1997 where they reduced the AOC.

The former ordinance mandates the Municipal Government to set aside five percent AOC from the total appropriation of each project implemented which are funded from local funds, aids and grants.

Now, the amended ordinance by Councilor Bernard Waclin reduced the five percent AOC to two percent in the municipal and barangay government.

The amendment was due to the usual incident being experienced by the local government where funds allocated for a certain project is not sufficient. It is associated with the high AOC.

The amendment was patterned after that of the Provincial Government of Benguet where it totally removed the AOC in every project it implemented. The Department of Public Works and Highways also reduced its AOC.

The accumulated two percent AOC of the municipality will accrue to the general fund, while the accumulated two percent barangay AOC will also be added to its barangay general fund.

PRO-CAR joins synchronized removal of taped firearm muzzles; reports zero indiscriminate firing incident

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet- The Police Regional Office (PRO)-Cordillera conducted synchronized removal of taped muzzles including all its municipal and city police stations yesterday morning.

Regional Director PCSupt Benjamin Magalong together with the command group led at the Masigasig Grandstand at Camp Bado Dangwa, La Trinidad,Benguet the simultaneous removal of the sealed gun muzzles of all PNP personnel with issued firearms including all other security agencies and gun clubs who participated in the activity.

He thanked and congratulated them for giving their full cooperation for the said campaign during the Christmas and New Year celebration.

In the strict implementation of the APIR-Aksyon Paputok Injury Reduction (Give Me Five) campaign during the yuletide season, PRO-COR has successfully recorded zero incident of indiscriminate firing involving PROCOR personnel.

A total of four injuries were recorded due to stray bullets in the region.

Magalong conveyed his wishes of peace and prosperity to all the personnel. He further said that he hopes for more aggressive Internal Security Operations this 2012. He also added that new concepts in crime prevention will be introduced including the enhancement of police community relations in partnership with the stakeholders and most especially improving the crime prevention measures in the region.

Meanwhile, in Kiangan, Ifugao, Chief of Police Senior Inspector George Ngaya-an inspected the issued short and long firearm of his police force one by one especially those who went on leave during the Christmas and new year’s break to determine if a gun was used. He found out that not one was ever fired.

The muzzles of the service firearms of the police were taped on December 27 as a precaution and to warn all PNP personnel from firing or illegally discharging their guns during the new year celebration that may pose danger to the people.

DOH says APIR a success in CAR

“Aksyon: Paputok Injury Reduction (APIR)" toward a safe holiday celebration campaign is a success, the Department of Health (DOH) in the Cordillera reported.

Initial record shows from December 21, 2011 to January 2, 2012, listed were 36 cases injuries compared to 82 cases of the same period last year or a 56% drop on wounded individuals.

According to Dr. Myrna Cabotage, regional director of DOH-Center for Health Development, the public is slowly learning its lesson on the dangers of firecrackers.

She said the province of Abra has the highest number of injuries with 13, followed by Baguio City with 10, Kalinga, 4; Mt. Province, 3; Benguet 2, Apayao, 2 and Ifugao, 2.

The age of those affected is from six years old to 14 years old. There are more males with 32 and four females, Cabotaje explained.

The firecrackers that inflicted inhuries are piccolo, kwitis, pla-pla, luces, five star, fountain, whistle bomb, baby rocket and watusi, Cabotaje said.

We would like to thank the local government units for their support for the APIR campaign, our office will continue advocating “iwas paputok” and hope there will be zero injury in the years to come, Cabotaje added.

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