DOLE-1 reminds employers on pay rules for Eid’l Fitr

“Employers should observe the pay rules for the regular holiday on July 6.” 

This statement was issued by DOLE-1 Regional Director Grace Ursua following the issuance of Labor Advisory No. 09, series of 2016 by newly installed Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III. 

The Labor Advisory stipulates the rules for the payment of wages on July 6 which was proclaimed regular holiday by President Rodrigo Duterte through Proclamation No. 6 in observance of Eid’l Fitr or the Feast of Ramadhan. 

Based on the said advisory, the computation of wages on July 6 is as follows: 

1.      If the employee did not work, he/she shall be paid 100% of his/her salary for that day [(Daily rate + COLA) x 100%];

2.      For work done during the regular holiday, the employee shall be paid 200% of his/her regular salary for that day for the first eight hours [(Daily rate + COLA) x 200%];

3.      For work done in excess of eight hours (overtime work), he/she shall be paid an additional 30% of his/her hourly rate on said day [Hourly rate of the basic daily wage x 200% x 130% x number of hours worked];

4.      For work done during a regular holiday that also falls on his/her rest day, he/she shall be paid an additional 30% of his/her daily rate of 200%[(Daily rate + COLA) x 200%] + [30% (Daily rate x 200%)], and

5.      For work done in excess of eight hours (overtime work) during a regular holiday that also falls on his/her rest day, he/she shall be paid an additional 30% of his/her hourly rate on said day (Hourly rate of the basic daily wage x 200% x 130% x 130% x number of hours worked). 

“As we join our Muslim brothers and sisters in celebrating Eid’l Fitr, you can put more meaning in the occasion by giving your workers what is due them,” Director Ursua told employers. 

She said workers who will not be paid correctly should visit the nearest field offices of the DOLE in the cities of Laoag (Ilocos Norte), Vigan (Ilocos Sur), San Fernando (La Union), Dagupan (Central Pangasinan), Alaminos (Western Pangasinan) and in Rosales (Eastern Pangasinan).  END/Arly Sta. Ana-Valdez

Gov. Marcos lauds Ilocos Norte PNP for ‘most peaceful election ever recorded’

Governor Imee Marcos and the local police officers led by Provincial Director 
Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., 
after receiving their cash incentives and certificates of recognition for their 
outstanding performance in ensuring a safe and peaceful elections on May 2016.

The Ilocos Norte police force were honored by Governor Imee Marcos on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 for their outstanding performance in ensuring a secure, safe and fair conduct of the national and local elections.

Led by Provincial Director Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., 12 top rank officials and 23 chiefs of police from every city and municipal police station received their certificates of recognition and cash incentives during the inauguration of the new provincial officials of Ilocos Norte at the Plaza Del Norte Convention Center, Laoag City.

In her speech after her public oath-taking, Governor Marcos lauded the local police force for achieving a zero shooting incident in Ilocos Norte during the election period.

“It is the first in the history of Ilocandia that not a single shooting incident occurred and it is the most peaceful election ever recorded,” Governor Marcos stated.

Recently, she urged local officials to remain true to their commitment in government service, while emphasizing that peace and order is essential to overall development.

In a separate interview early this week, Governor Marcos also expressed full support to President Rodrigo Duterte administration’s plans to fight criminality in the country.

Governor Imee Marcos awards the certificate of recognition to 
Provincial Director Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. 
for his exemplary contribution in ensuring a secure, safe and fair conduct of the 
national and local elections.

Meanwhile, her six-minute inaugural speech on Tuesday reflected her administration’s determination to sustain development in all sectors of the province especially education, transportation, health care and social welfare.

“Sabi ni Apo Digong Duterte, ‘change is coming’ at hindi tayo magpapahuli dito sa Ilocos Norte…Bigyan natin ng pansin ang mga sektor na nakakalimutan—ang mga PWD at may kapansanan, IP natin o indigenous people, at forever minamahal, ang ating señoritas and señoritos, ang mga senior citizens! Change is coming, at dapat hindi barya-barya ang tulong dito sa Ilocos Norte,” she said.—Jennifer T. Pambid, PGIN-CMO

INPPO, CPPO partner for Claveria drug bust, enlist help of community

Police officers of Cagayan and Ilocos Norte unearth seven black plastic bags and one large blue ice box containing a total of 180-kg of methamphetamine or "shabu." (Photos from INPPO)

                             

In line with Gov. Imee R. Marcos' call to intensify efforts against illegal drugs in the province, the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office (INPPO) joined the Cagayan Police Provincial Office (CPPO) for a drug bust Sunday, July 3.

An amount of 180-kg of methamphetamine or "shabu" were dug up and recovered during the joint operation at an abandoned farm lot in Brgy. Culao, Clavera, Cagayan.

Police Senior Superintendent Jose M. Nartates, acting provincial director, explained the INPPO's participation in the drug bust, "In-ensure natin na makukuha 'yon kasi our assumption is that a part of this contraband would definitely,'pag nagamit 'yan, pupunta dito sa atin."

He also shared that in Ilocos Norte, the number of contrabands being found is decreasing while the number of arrests is increasing, showing that pushers are beginning to face difficulties distributing the narcotics. He revealed a tally of 180 personalities rounded up from January to June 2016 compared to an average of less than a hundred within the same period in previous years.

The eradication of use of illegal drugs in the province has to be "a whole government approach," he added, saying that the INPPO focuses on the reduction of demand and supply.

On demand, they are actively campaigning in schools, barangays, and organizational events against the use of drugs, while reduction of supply is steadily being addressed by the arrests and drug operations.

In response to President Rodrigo R. Duterte's aggressive onslaught against illegal drugs, Gov. Marcos said, "Wilco, Apo Presidente! We have successfully intercepted this huge transshipment and will continue to be on red alert versus illegal drugs."

INPPO is also currently conducting mandatory drug testing among all police personnel with July 8 as the deadline for completion.

"We are cleansing our ranks," Nartates said.

He also shared that many pushers and users within the province have already lined up to surrender, though many may be reluctant because of their pronouncement that those who surrender must do so to the local chief executive and reveal the source of their illegal drug supply.

Of the drug pushers themselves, he said, "What's the use of surrendering kung… isu-surrender mo yung sarili mo? Surrender mo yung drugs mo at tiyaka paraphernalia mo."

Gov. Marcos expressed her sentiments, "180-kg of 'shabu' would have ruined countless lives and families! May we request the support of the national government, especially Chief Bato, in liaising with Taiwanese, Hong Kong, and Chinese anti-narcotics agencies and police to put a stop these drug shipments?"

Recently, two top drug personalities were gunned down first in Paoay, and then in Bangui. However, Nartates continues to urge constant vigilance in the province, "There is a possibility that there is a laboratory, even here in Ilocos Norte… What we need is strong participation of the population, our stakeholders, our clients: the community."—Mizpah Grace G. Castro, PGIN-CMO

DTI to open first ever Arabica Coffee Postharvest Processing and Cupping Laboratory in the country

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on July 7, 2016 will open the first ever Shared Service Facility (SSF) Project for Arabica Coffee Postharvest Processing and Cupping Laboratory in the country at the Benguet State University (BSU) in the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Strategically located at the BSU, the Coffee Postharvest Processing and Cupping Laboratory is expected to continue research and extension services of the University to Coffee farmers in the Cordillera Region, improve the quality of Arabica coffee products in the Cordillera Region, enhance income generation of Arabica coffee farmers and processors from quality Arabica Coffee products, which will also eventually create alternative job opportunities to coffee farmers and their families.

The facility is also expected to improve postharvest processing methods of Arabica coffee in the production of quality coffee products; provide excellent service to coffee producers and processors; establish quality protocol in the production, postharvest processing, packaging and marketing of coffee products; and disseminate developed technologies on quality production, postharvest processing; and packaging to coffee farmers, processors and other stakeholders.

DTI-Regional Operations Group (DTI-ROG) Supervising Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya said that the facility will be a big boost not only to the coffee industry but to coffee farmers as well.

“We have partnered with the Benguet State University to lift the coffee industry, especially the Arabica Coffee. As we all know, Arabica coffee is one of the ten high value crops in the Cordillera Administrative Region and is recognized to be of excellent quality by the Coffee Foundation Institute of the Philippines,” Maglaya said.

Under the agreement with DTI-CAR, the Benguet State University (BSU) will be the laboratory’s cooperator, who will manage and technically assist the facility while DTI-CAR Regional Office will regularly conduct monitoring and evaluation on site to ensure efficiency of service.

The DTI identified BSU as cooperator for its active research, extension, instruction and production of organically grown Arabica coffee.

Initially, the facility shall serve as a coffee laboratory and will later become a service center for coffee postharvest processing in order to attain its objectives.  The use of the facility shall be free on the first year of operation and minimal service fees shall be collected on succeeding years.

The total project cost for this SSF Project is P4,048,000.

PRO-COR: 85 Drug Users and Cultivators Surrendered in A Day

Camp Bado Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet: At least 85 drug users and cultivators surrendered in a day to the Police Regional Office Cordillera (PRO-COR) during the implementation of “TOKHANG” in the first day of July.

 

The new Chief PNP PCSUPT Ronald Dela Rosa is optimistic that the PNP will succeed in bringing Oplan Tokhang (Toktok-Hangyo or Knock and Plead) nationwide because of the high respect for the leadership of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte who vowed in his campaign to end criminality in three to six months.

In Mt. Province, eight (8) drug users of which four top suspected drug personalities in the municipality of Bauko, Mt. Province surrendered themselves to the personnel of Bauko MPS with the assistance of their respective barangay officials while another 4 drug users turned in themselves to the  joint personnel of Bontoc MPS, SAIDU and  PAIDU.

 

In Benguet,  77 marijuana cultivators and drug users of which 60 identified marijuana cultivators from barangays Badeo and Tacadang, Kibungan, Benguet voluntarily surrendered to Kibungan MPS while seven (7) drug users voluntarily submitted themselves to the personnel of La Trinidad MPS. In the municipality of Mankayan, seven (7) drug users accompanied by their relatives and some barangay officials likewise voluntary surrendered to Mankayan MPS while two from itogon and one (1) from tuba also surrendered to the personnel of Itogon and Tuba MPS.

 

These individuals who voluntarily surrendered to the highland cops vowed to stop their involvement in the illegal drug trade, use and cultivation by signing a covenant as a sign of their seriousness. Afterwards they will be profiled and undertake a drug test. They will be given a second chance but they will be monitored and they will be arrested if they will repeat their illegal activities but those who remain stubborn, they will face the government’s iron fist.

 

Aside from the surrender of drug users and cultivators, four drug personalities were arrested during the continuous service of warrants and buy-bust operation conducted by PRO-COR operatives in July 1, 2016.

 

While in Benguet’s No. 9 in the Watch List of Drug Personality of Benguet PPO and No. 3 TMWP in the Municipality of Kibungan, Benguet for the 3^rd Qtr CY 2016 identified as Oliver Padiw Tay-ew, 26,marijuana cultivator, and a resident of Tacadang, Kibungan, Benguet was arrested in Tamog-o, Poblacion, Kibungan, Benguet by the Trackers team of Kibungan MPS and PDEA-CAR. Judge Danilo P. Camacho, presiding Judge of RTC Br. 62, La Trinidad, Benguet recommended no bail for his liberty.

 

Ifugao’s No.1 in the Watch List of Ifugao PPO identified as Dennis Padilan Bulahao, 46, and a security guard and a drug pusher in Lagawe, Ifugao  was arrested in his resident in Brgy. Poblacion West, Lagawe, Ifugao by the joint personnel of PAIDSOTG, PIB, Tinoc MPS, Hingyon MPS and IPPSC in coordination with the PDEA-CAR. Seized from his possession were one piece of heat sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected “SHABU” and marked money worth P500 peso bill.

 

Moreover, two Maranao sunglass vendors were arrested in a series of buy-bust operation conducted: Arrested suspects were identified as Ombao Tiboron Sultan, 57, a resident of 177 Happy Homes Ferdinand Barangay, Baguio City and Alimodin Mangompiya Langco, 39, and a resident ofNo. 112 Happy Homes Ferdinand Barangay, Baguio City where they were arrested.

 

Contrabands seized from Sultan were marked money amounting to P500.00; Three pieces heat sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected shabu; Disposable lighter; One homemade cal.38 Revolver, smith and Wesson with six pieces cartridges; One caliber .45 pistol COLT Stainless with markings “Gold Cup National Match”; Two magazines for cal. 45 with 16 pieces cartridges; and One Maranao ID. While seized in the possession of Langco items were two pcs Heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected “shabu” weighing a total of more or less 3.52 gram; buy-bust money worth P500.00; assorted drug paraphernalia; One Black Sony Cellphone; One colored Black and red Myphone Cellphone; and Seven pieces live ammunition for cal. 38

 

PRO-COR with its relentless campaign against illegal drugs continuously conduct anti-drug crackdown and warning against the threat of "narco-politics" in the region and we need to work together with the government and private sectors to wipe out this drug menace. The PNP is also clearing-out its ranks of police officers involved in the illegal drug trade. (PRO-COR RPIO)

DOLE fetes 2016 Gawad Kaligtasan at Kalusugan regional awardees

BAGUIO CITY, July 1 (PIA) - - The Cordillera Administrative Region recognized  four regional awardees for the 2016 Gawad Kaligtasan at Kalusugan of the Occupational Safety and Health Center, an attached agency of the Department of Labor and Employment.

OSHC Executive Director Ma. Teresita Cucueco, assisted by DOLE Regional Director Nathaniel Lacambra, spearheaded the awarding of plaque of recognition to Texas Instruments Philippines, Inc. Baguio, SN Aboitiz Power - Binga, and SN Aboitiz Power - Ambuklao for the institutional category and SN Aboitiz Power – Benguet Engr. Hollis G. Fernandez for the individual category  during the regional awarding ceremony,Tuesday.

For the institutional category, CAR has the second most number of awardees after the National Capital Region  that  had four and along with the ten other regional winners from various regions in the countries, they will be competing for the national plum.

For the individual category, Engr. Hollis will be up against six more awardees for the GKK national champion.

Cucueco said  the  GKK  is an awards program given to the best of the best - industries and individuals who have successfully complied to all the requirements of the DOLE in terms of the general labor standards as well as the safety nets standards and more than that they have implemented a very good safety and health programs that have benefitted their workers and their business.

On occupational safety and health, Cucueco explained that it is basically about seeing that these companies do not have accidents and  that the sick workers are being monitored. The safety officers are monitoring the workplace to ensure that all the protection of their workers are present and that all preventive measures are being undertaken so that accidents and illness would not happen.

The OSHC also does  research  related to safety and health in the workplace, training for safety officers  and technical services such as safety audit, work environment measurements and occupational health services.(JDP/CCD with PIA/UP Interns)

TESDA, DepEd strengthen partnership for basic quality education

BONTOC, Mountain Province, June 30 (PIA) -- The Department of Education (DepEd) – Mountain Province Division and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) entered into a memorandum of agreement to strengthen their partnership in the delivery of basic quality education in the province.  

DepEd was represented by OIC Schools Division Superintendent Gloria B. Buya-ao and TESDA by Provincial Director Gabriel Cayacay.

As stipulated in the MOA, the TESDA shall, upon the request of the senior high schools or the DepEd, conducts assessments on the skills and capability of senior high school students to determine the students’ eligibility for the issuance of national certificates or Certificate of Competency;  serve as resource speakers during seminars conducted for the purpose of developing senor high school teachers’ skills and ability to teach senior high school subjects such as but not limited to Carpentry, Automotive Servicing, Dressmaking, Computer System Servicing, Bread and Pastry production, and Electrical Installation Maintenance.

It shall also accommodate interested non-teaching personnel of DepEd to join skills development programs, and allow DepEd the use of TESDA facilities and equipment in the conduct of trainings on qualifications offered by TESDA Provincial Training Center and with proper scheduling of activities.

The DepEd here shall allow TESDA to conduct career guidance and other services beneficial to the identified beneficiaries and to the high school students of various national high schools in the province; prepare training design/ project proposal for every training to be conducted; provide the venue for the training programs. 

It shall also advise and assist the trainees and students-participants to undergo competency assessment, among others. (JDP/JBS-PIA CAR, Mt. Province)

PNP – MPPSC forms advisory council

BONTOC, Mountain Province, June 30(PIA)- -  The Mountain Province Provincial Public Safety Company (MPPSC) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) has formed its own multi-sectoral advisory council that will guide the organization attain its transformation and development programs.

 The creation of the advisory council is in line with the implementation of the PNP’s Integrated Transformation Program-Performance Governance System or PNP PATROL PLAN 2030, the PNP’s blueprint of transformation being implemented nationwide.

The MPPSC Advisory Council is composed of retired Philippine Army Col. Paulo Pagteilan as chair and retired PNP P/Chief Inspector Apolonio Ofo-ob as vice-chair. The members are Father Marcial Castaneda  representing the religious sector, Dr. Edarlina Fakat – academe, Atty. Alsannyster Patingan – local government unit, Jose Dominguez – business, Thomasa Agcalao – community and Andrew Doga-ong – media.

The multi-sectoral advisory council, which will serve as advisory body of the MPPSC, will guide and provide insights on key issues and concerns pertaining to the company’s plans, programs and activities geared towards the realization of the vision and attainment of the mission of the organization.

The council will also assist and advise the MPPSC on possible ways to generate additional enabling resources in order to support and sustain the company’s peace and order programs.

National Police Commission Provincial Officer Atty. Agosto Libang, who is also the Chairman of the PNP Provincial Police Office Provincial Advisory Council (PAC), inducted the members of the MPPSC advisory council.

The Provincial Police Office PAC  initially served as the advisory council of the MPPS.(JDP/ABD- PIA-CAR, Mountain Province)

Pacalso vows to continue projects of past administration

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, June 30 (PIA) - - Newly elected provincial officials led by Governor –elect Crescencio  Pacalso took their oath of office  and  vowed to continue and sustain the projects and programs started by the outgoing administration.

Pacalso was sworn into office by Regional Trial Court Branch 63 Judge Jennifer Humiding and witnessed by his wife Jane Galpo-Pacalso, their two children Kresdale May and CJ Nathaniel and other members of his family.

Outgoing Governor Nestor Fongwan turned-over symbolic materials to Pacalso such as provincial banner, cane as symbol of leadership and vital documents needed by the incoming administration.

In his inaugural speech, Pacalso said with the province leading the way to human development he would like to maintain and sustain such giving priority to health, livelihood and education started by the past administration.

On health, he stressed on the need to upgrade equipment of the five district hospitals in the province namely the Abatan Emergency Hospital, Atok District Hospital, Dennis Molintas Municipal Hospital, Itogon Municipal Hospital, and Kapangan Medicare and Community Hospital.

He sought the cooperation of public servants in pushing for government programs including the private sector to pursue with their corporate social responsibility in improving the lives of the people who will be directly affected. He expressed confidence of the help to be extended by re-electionist Congressman Ronald Cosalan.

With his long experience in public service as once a government employee, three-termer mayor of Itogon and three-termer vice governor of the province, Pacalso sought everybody’s help and cooperation for the next three years of his administration as he assured that he will not leave the ground hanging as what he mentioned in his campaign sorties.  He further assured he will render honest, sincere and dedicated service to the province. 

Meanwhile,  part of the transition report presented during the turn-over rites were  the 1,600 provincial personnel, provincial assets worth P2 billion and cash funds amounting to P1.16 billion of which  P949 million was appropriated for the 2016 budget. 

He also mentioned those procured during his administration such as the five- hectare lot in San Pascual, Tuba under the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian; nine-hectare lot in Bulala, Sablan under the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist and 800 square meters located at Diego Silang, Baguio City now registered with the provincial government as devolved property from the Department of Agriculture.

Also turned over were infrastructure facilities such as the Multi-Purpose Gymnasium worth P76 million; Grandstand worth P6 million; Capitol Building II worth P86 million complemented by rewards pooled from various sources such as cash awards, real property tax from Luzon hydro and from the Office of the President; Bahay Pagasa, a halfway center for abused women, children and children in conflict with the law.

Projects which are ongoing include the World Bank funded Philippine Rural Development Program of the Department of Agriculture with two road improvements for Atok; the KALSADA  or the Konkreto at Ayos na Lansangan at Daan Tungo sa Pangkalahatang Kaunlaran Program under the Department of Interior and Local Government along the Halsema Highway and the Benguet Training Center in Wangal. (JDP/SCA-PIA-CAR, Benguet)

Benguet Red Cross garners highest number of gold members

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, June  30(PIA) - - -  The Philippine Red Cross (PRC)- Benguet Chapter was awarded Top 1 highest number of Gold members in Class C Chapters with a total of  1,300 members.

The award from  the  Fund Generation Department of PRC and signed by Dr. Gwendolyn Pang, PRC secretary general and Richard Gordon, PRC chairman and chief executive officer, was given during the recent 31st PRC Biennial National Convention.

The premier gold with a P500 membership fee entitles a member P10,000 accidental medical reimbursement; P200 daily hospital allowance for a maximum of 60 days; P5,000 accidental burial assistance; and P200,000 each for accidental death, disablement, dismemberment and unprovoked murder and assault.

Members of the Red Cross need to renew their membership every year to be classified as active members.

‘We have achieved the award with the full support of the 13 municipalities of the province”, said Oscar Paris, PRC provincial administrator.  

We would like to thank and express our gratitude to our volunteer blood donors, the police, students, government workers and our walk-in contributors, Paris added.

We ask the continued  backing so that we can help more people  in line with the PRC vision of the organization in alleviating human suffering and helping achieve our thrust to be “always first, always ready, always there”, he said.

The Red Cross endeavors  to serve the citizens in the humanitarian aspects, either with first aid safety education, disaster preparedness, community health education, disaster preparedness, community health education, welfare service or with its blood products that help to continue save and extend lives. (JDP/JBZ-PIA CAR)

Philhealth distributes IDs to 201 OPAPP beneficiaries

TABUK CITY, Kalinga, June 30 (PIA) - - Two hundred one former members of the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) and New People’s Army rebel returnees and  their dependents who are beneficiaries of the  Office of the Presidential  Assistant on the Peace Process recently received  their Philhealth IDs.

Jean Baawa of Philhealth said their IDs entitle them to avail of Phlhealth benefits if they are confined in hospitals or claim for other health services.

The beneficiaries were oriented on Philhealth benefits and they   are happy to learn about the ‘No Balance Billing’ benefit which they are all entitled to,” she said.  

In another development, Baawa informed that they are conducting mapping on employers for temporary closure of their number on their employees’ Philhealth membership for reason of their termination as well as former barangay officials sponsored of their membership while in public service but their term ended.

Some who continued their membership as self-employed will still be mapped to temporary close their employer’s number. “After the mapping, we will visit them and enroll again those who stopped paying their membership contribution or renew their membership to Philhealth,” Baawa said. (JDP/PAB-PIA CAR, Kalinga)

Qualified barangays may soon avail P1M worth of dev’t projects under BuB

BAGUIO CITY, June 30(PIA) - - Qualified barangays may avail of P1 million -worth of development projects under the Bottoms-Up-Budgeting (BuB).

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Cordillera has announced that starting 2017, BuB budgeting will target further empowering the barangays by downloading as much as P1 million for the implementation of development projects. 

Eligible projects include basic services and infrastructure as well as disaster related projects.

Barangays will be assessed based on their compliance to the Full Disclosure Policy, conduct of barangay assembly, presence of a barangay development plan duly adopted by the Sangguniang Pambarangay, and capacity to implement.  

Based on a joint memorandum circular by the National Anti-Poverty Commission and the departments of Social Welfare and Development and Budget and Management signed in March this year, Barangay BuB will have covered all 42,036 barangays nationwide by year 2019.

The program will be implemented in batches, the first of which shall cover 30% of the total number of barangays to include at least one barangay per city / municipality that passes set criteria. While awaiting their turn, the rest of the barangays will undergo capacity building.

Barangay BuB aims to pursue inclusive growth and poverty reduction and promote good governance at the barangay level by involving community-based peoples’ organizations in identifying, implementing and monitoring priority projects and activities.  It also aims

CCTVs installed to help deter crime

BAGUIO CITY, June 29(PIA) - - - Seventy closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras have been installed in strategic places as part of its crime prevention and surveillance development plan in this mountain resort.

Mayor Maurico Domogan reported during his weekly “Ugnayan” media forum that the project is part of the P12 million initial funding for the city’s determination for a quick response to any type of situations including crimes, emergencies and other forms of situation that needs an immediate attention.

‘We are rapidly growing in population, but we have only a few personnel to attend to immediate concerns and the CCTV will greatly help us monitor what going around in the localities’, Domogan said.

We are the education center of the north and that we have thousands of students that are a good prey of bad elements, also as a tourist and the general public’, he added.

Domogan said the state-of-the-art CCTV should be utilized by the police in continuously improving its performance in deterring the occurrence of crimes in identified crime-prone areas.

The command center will be housed at the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) which real-time events and information relating to public safety, security and even disaster preparedness can be monitored.

The command center operates in a coordinative approach method manned by capable individuals that will implement a systematic, pro-active, aggressive and immediate response to any type of situations and emergencies.

 BCPO city director George Daskeo   lauded the project saying that it will be a big advantage to the police force. (JBZ PIA-CAR)