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)

DSWD, RCDA to lead National Disability Prevention Week observance

BAGUIO CITY, June 29 (PIA) --The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Regional Committee on Disability Affairs (RCDA) will lead the celebration of the 38th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week from July 17 to 23.

The event was declared through Proclamation No. 361 (s. 2000) and Administrative Order 35 (s. 2002), which urge all government and non-government organizations to promote and conduct relevant activities for persons with disabilities (PWDs) during the week-long celebration.

This year’s celebration adopts the theme “Karapatan ng Maykapansanan, Isakatuparan—Now Na!” which focuses on the realization of the fundamental freedoms and rights of PWDs as provided for in existing international mandates and national laws.

The celebration will kick-off on July 19 with a whole day one-stop-shop for PWDs at the Baguio Convention Center with government agencies, non-government organizations and the private sector joining the event.

Among the services to be availed during the one-stop-shop include Non-Communicable Disease Assessment by DOH; DSWD Help Desk by DSWD and City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO); Legal Help Desk by Department of Justice – Public Attorney’s Office and Commission on Human Rights; Free Haircut/Massage by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority; Display of PWD products by the Department of Trade and Industry, and PWD organizations

Activities line-up for the celebration include accessibility audit of barangay halls, basketball-on-wheels on July 21 at the PFVR Hall, and a PWD sensitivity training.

A tree planting activity to be led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources on July 22 will culminate the NDPR Week celebration. (JDP/MAWC- PIA CAR)

Coop officers to undergo leadership and values re-orientation

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, June 29 (PIA) - -  A two-day training in enhancing the leadership skills and re-orientation on values of  cooperative officials in the municipality  of  Atok is  slated on July 7-8  at the Farmers Training Center in Paoay, Atok.

Municipal Cooperative Development Officer Designate Lolita Beganio said at least two to three representatives from each of the 17 functional cooperatives in the municipality are expected to participate.

With cooperatives considered as drivers of economy in the countryside, their officials need to have a strong leadership and must inculcate good values in running their group to keep the organization intact and moving and ensure profitability that would ultimately benefit its members, she said.

The participants are expected to   know and understand their roles, functions, authority, responsibility and their accountability as officers.They should also be able to determine the elements and attributes of effective leadership and integrate the Filipino cooperative values.

Training among cooperative officials is one of the supports the local government extends in enhancing their capabilities in contributing to community and nation building. (JDP/SCA-PIA-CAR, Benguet)

JICA-LGUs continue to target zero maternal-child mortality

BANGUED, Abra, June 29(PIA) -- The Japan International Cooperating Agency (JICA) conducted another local health zone meeting here recently to continue its mission to carry out its maternal health care project from the urban areas to the most remote places in Abra.

JICA and its LGU counterparts, the inter-local health zones of Dolores, Lagangilang and San Juan in northern Abra, and the municipalities of Peñarrubia, Pilar and Villaviciosa in southern Abra, are determined to move for zero maternal and child mortality in the province from the fast- growing number of cases in the past years.

JICA Chief Advisor Fude Takayoshi said this project has started in 2012 and will end on February 2017.

In the last four years of project implementation, medical equipment, birthing facilities and doctors were provided to rural health units, said Takayoshi.

They also provided seminars and workshops to the RHU teams to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills in serving their patients. 

The LGUs are very thankful to JICA for its assistance and facility provision that help them deliver quality health services to the people especially pregnant women and children from remote barangays.

 “JICA has been a great help to health department here and its legacy will continue even after its termination next year,” said Manuela Munar, Field Consultant of JICA in Abra. (JDP/MTBB- PIA CAR, Abra)

2 irrigators’ associations in CAR recognized in national awards

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, June 29- -Two Irrigators’ Associations (IA) in the region were among the country’s best IAs awarded during the 53rd founding anniversary of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) on June 22 at the NIA grounds in Quezon City.

The Taloy Sur IA of Brgy. Taloy Sur, Tuba, Benguet and Bolo-Borobor Farmers Integrated Association (FIA) of Brgy. Bolo, Tabuk City, Kalinga are Most Outstanding IAs, fifth and sixth runners-up respectively in the nationwide Annual Search for Most Outstanding IAs for CY 2015 for achieving exemplary performance.  

Taloy Sur IA maintains and operates the Taloy Sur Communal Irrigation System located in Brgy. Taloy Sur, Tuba, which was first constructed in 1988 and rehabilitated after that big earthquake in 1990. Taloy Sur IA's office which was established through the organization’s fund raising activities is located at the 2nd View Deck along Marcos Highway in Taloy Sur, Tuba.

Last year, Taloy Sur IA also received a Special Performance Award as Most Outstanding IA for 2014 under the communal system category. It is the only IA that received an award in 2015 and 2016 whose farm products are high value crops.

The Bolo-Borobor FIA, Inc. is the first time national awardee under the national irrigation system (NIS) category from the region. It was registered with the SEC in 2006 with a service area of 385 hectares under the Upper Chico River Irrigation System (UCRIS), and has currently 245 farmer-members.

IAs nationwide are being evaluated based on their operation and maintenance, organizational performance and financial discipline for the Annual Search for Most Outstanding Irrigators’ Associations. 

Aside from the awarding of outstanding irrigators’ group, one of the annual activities to celebrate NIA’s anniversary is a synchronized tree planting where all regional and field offices of NIA plant fruit and forest tree seedlings last June 10. (NIA CAR)  

DOST orients Ifugao entrepreneurs on packaging and labeling

LAMUT, Ifugao, June 29 (PIA)- - The Department of Science and Technology- Cordillera Administrative Region (DOST-CAR) oriented 50 entrepreneurs of this province on its  Packaging and Labeling Services in  forum at the Ifugao State University (IFSU) here.

Dr. Pita Picpican of DOST-CAR said the agency recognizes the urgency and critical role of proper packaging and label designs that will enable the local Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the region to compete in the local and international markets.

She said that these services are conducted by their artist-designer who provides designs of product packaging and labeling materials for MSMEs in the region and which are also offered in coordination with the Packaging Technology Division of the Industrial Technology Development Institute, an attached agency of the DOST based in Bicutan, Taguig City.

Picipican also informed that Packaging and Labeling Seminars/Trainings or technical assistance can also be provided based on the request of the MSMEs region-wide on arranged schedule in coordination with the Provincial Science and Technology Centers (PSTCs).

To avail of these services, there must be requests or project proposals for the activities from the DOST-CAR through the PSTCs addressed to the DOST Regional Director or the PSTC director and if the request is granted, coordination between the PSTCs and the proponent will be done to finalize the arrangement such as the venue, schedule and others.

Those who can avail of these services are the DOST-CAR assisted cooperators and other qualified MSMEs in the region. (JDP/DBC- PIA CAR, Ifugao)

BCDA–JHMC reports accomplishments; expresses confidence good governance in JHSEZ to continue in the next admin

BAGUIO CITY, June 29 (PIA) - - The John Hay Management Corporation reports an overboard accomplishment inside the John Hay Special Economic Zone during the term of President Benigno Aquino III and expressed confidence that good governance and development will continue in the next administration.

JHMC president Dr. Jamie Eloise Agbayani, in a kapihan media forum at the Bell House Monday, affirms that under the Aquino administration and the guidance of the Bases Conversion Development Authority headed by President Arnel Casanova, they have elevated the level of public service inside Camp John Hay in terms of business climate, job generation and environmental protection, among others.

Agbayani disclosed that from negative financial outlook when they assumed in 2011, they have turned around the business climate in one- year time and brought in income.

From the 78 business enterprises in 2011, JHSEZ already has 118 locators who continue to gain confidence in JHMC’s leadership. In 2015, the locators gave the corporation 96 percent satisfaction rating, Agbayani reported.

For contribution in poverty reduction, she bared that job generation inside JHSEZ increased by 261% from 1,410 in 2011 to 5,090 in 2015.

For community development,   a housing project in Scout Barrio has been completed and their barangay segregation program is on track guided by the Board of Directors’ signed Executive Order for such purpose.

Agbayani also proudly affirmed that with their Forest and Environment Management program, they maintained good air quality rating inside Camp John Hay and continues to preserve the forest cover in the reservation, which attributes to 53% of the total forest cover of Baguio.

JHMC also signed a mini-hydro project that will generate an estimated 3 megawatts of clean and renewable energy.

Agbayani iterates that they have really elevated the level of government service inside the camp with its ISO certification as she expressed hope that this will be pursued by the next administration.

Casanova, in the same forum, also affirmed that in addition to JHSEZ accomplishments, the BCDA as a whole recorded significant milestones and exceeded their targets.

He also expressed optimism that the good governance style of leadership will continue with the next administration. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR) 

CHED orients HEIs on grants for displaced workers

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, June 29(PIA) --- Around 140 representatives from various higher education institutions (HEIs) and government line agencies in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) attended the orientation on Instruction, Research and Sectoral Engagement (IRSE) grants and  a workshop on the K-12 Transition Scholarship Nomination held recently.

Spearheaded by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the activity aimed to assist HEIs in creating and submitting nominations for prospective faculty and staff scholars, as well as   clarifying issues   to ensure complete submissions of requirements within timeline. The activity was seen as an opportunity for faculty members to upgrade their qualifications.

CHED said the implementation of the K-12 program will result to a decrease in the number of enrolment in tertiary education schools as students are required to enter senior high school instead of going straight to college. With this, faculty members will then have less teaching loads and thus will have more free time to engage in and pursue higher learning through IRSE grants.

CHED-CAR Regional Director Romulo Malvar encouraged the various HEIs in the region to recommend their personnel to avail of the various grants according to their transition plans. With their transition plans, faculty members in both private and public institutions have longer time table to pursue graduate studies, engage in research, and even get involved in sector engagements like industry, government and civil society.

“Exposure to industry immersion makes them updated and when they go back to their institutions, they teach with expertise,” Malvar added.

The participants were also given updates on scholarship for graduate studies, senior high school support grants, institutional innovation programs, professional advancement and foreign scholarships. (JDP/JBZ- PIA CAR)  

DENR-CAR readies for NGP implementation in 2017

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-CAR has downloaded funds in preparation for the implementation of the expanded National Greening Program in 2017.

An amount of P11,032,000 from the DENR Central Office-Based Fund has been downloaded by DENR-CAR to its field offices for the conduct of site assessment of NGP planting areas for 2017.

The site assessment and submission of reports should be accomplished before the end of September this year.

The DENR-CAR has a target area of 24,515 hectares to be planted on 2017. The target area is distributed in the different provinces across the region. Of which, 7,571 hectares is in Abra; 2,803 hectares in Apayao; 4,654 hectares in Benguet; 1,452 hectares in Ifugao; 4,644 hectares in Kalinga; and 3,391 hectares in Mt. Province.

The fund was accordingly distributed in the Provincial and Community Environment and Natural Resources based on their target areas.

The planting areas for 2017 shall be identified by the PENROs and CENROs in coordination with the local government units and villages that have potential areas for reforestation, bamboo, high value crops and agroforestry plantations.

The areas to be identified should be at least 50 hectares and should not fall within alienable and disposable lands so as to prevent overlapping of sites already covered by other projects.

As much as possible, the identified areas should be free of dispute relative to political boundaries. If any, such should be reconciled by concerned local government units or village officials.

In addition, the sites should be properly assessed as to what are the suitable commodities that can be planted in them.

Although a combination of four commodities may be planted in an area, they should not be purely bamboo, high value crops or fruit trees. The commodities should be varied to harvest more benefits in the future. 

As part of the assessment, shapefiles with complete attributes, commodity map and geotagged photos of areas should be submitted within the set deadline.

Apart from the site’s profile, the PENROs and CENROs shall identify and assess potential partner people’s organization within the village of proposed planting sites.

An education, information and communication campaign shall likewise be conducted for the POs and community people for appreciation and acceptance of the project.(Giovani Joy N. Fontanilla)

168 avail of DFA mobile passporting in Tabuk City

TABUK CITY, Kalinga, June 28 (PIA) – One hundred sixty eight applicants of the city availed of the mobile passporting service by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) - Region 02, here.

The DFA out-of-town service was part of the highlights of the city 9th founding anniversary and 16th Matagoan Festival celebration last June 17-25.

It was a tie-up project between DFA and the city local government through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO). 

Under the project, DFA extends out-reach services to applicants in the grassroots in a bid to bring down government action right to where the clients are.

Francis Biag of the CIty PESO said applicants pay the regular processing fee but are saved from other incidental costs than when they go and apply at DFA processing centers. 

He advised those interested to apply in future mobile passporting services to take advantage of the project by submitting required documents to avoid stale applications. 

Through the request of the city-LGU, the program started here in 2013. (JDP/LL—PIA CAR, Kalinga) 

Defend Ilocos Challenges EMB-1 to File Charges Against Erring LGUs

EXPRESSES WILLINGNESS TO TAKE COOPERATIVE ACTION WITH BASURA PATROLLERS

Open dumsite in Bgry. Baybayabas operated by the local government of Santiago, Ilocos Sur.

The Ilocos Network for the Environment (Defend Ilocos) challenged the officials of the Environmental Management Bureau’s (EMB) in Region 1 to file appropriate charges against local governments who continue to violate the Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003). This came after the bureau deployed 13 “basura patrollers” to monitor the implementation of the law among the 125 municipalities in the region.

“We commend EMB’s effort to institute mechanism to monitor the implementation of the law. The success of this campaign however depends on its will to pursue charges against erring local governments and the closure of open dumpsites,” points Sherwin De Vera, Regional Coordinator of the group.

According to EMB-1 Environmental Education and Information Section Chief Ma. Venus Junio, the basura patrollers were hired to inspect if LGUs are complying with the law. They are mandated to check their ascribed areas of responsibilities and take real-time geo-tagged images of solid waste management violations. Service of the patrollers will be from June to December this year with a P12,000 monthly salaray. Cases will be filed against LGUs to the office of the Environmental Ombudsman.

De Vera said that last February, the Environmental Ombudsman announced that the office is set to investigate 800 local officials in 13 regions in relation to violation of RA 9003. He expressed dismay that no local government units were included in the charge, pointing that many LGUs in the region are still disposing unsegregated wastes and operates open dumpsites. Despite the bureau’s short comings, he said that his group is willing to extend assistance to the program.

“Our network will keep tag of the development of this program and will initiate parallel actions for furtherance of the laws implementation. We will get in touch with the field patrollers to pursue cases against open dumpsites operated by LGUs,” De Vera said. 

Gov. Imee Marcos sworn into office, thanks Ilocano supporters

Hon. Imee R. Marcos sworn in today, June 28, 2016, as the Governor of Ilocos Norte through a mass inauguration of elected provincial officials held at the Plaza del Norte Convention Center in Laoag City.

Following her oath-taking administered by Judge Philip Salvador, Governor Imee immediately addressed the crowd and expressed her gratitude for the all-out support of the Ilocanos despite her running unopposed during the elections.

“Agyamanak kadakayo amin gapu ti napalaus nga ayat ken suportayo kaniak itay napalabas nga eleksiyon. Iti maikadua a gundaway, saanyo manen nga inpalubos nga adda kinabalubal ko,” beamed Governor Imee.

(“I would like to express my gratitude to everyone for the love and support you have given me in the recent elections. For the second time, you made it possible for me to run unopposed.”)

Solid North and ‘Uppat a Pato’

In her short speech, Governor Marcos also thanked those who supported her mother and youngest son, third-termer Ilocos Norte Second District Representative Imelda R. Marcos and first-termer Provincial Board Member Matthew Marcos-Manotoc, respectively.

“Sabi sa Manila, may tatlong bibe, kaming tatlo (Governor Imee, Congresswoman Imelda, Board Member Matthew) na iyon,” added Governor Imee referring to the viral children’s song in social media ‘Ang Tatlong Bibe.’

She, however, highlighted that the Ilocano version of the viral song does not only have three but four ducks, saying, “Sa atin dito sa Ilocos ‘uppat a pato’ (four ducks). So paparating na ang pang-apat na pato (duck) na ang kapatid ko na si (Senator) Bongbong (Marcos).”

Priding on the unique Ilocano culture of ‘timpuyog’ or unity, Governor Marcos expressed her full gratitude to the Solid North for helping the Vice Presidential bid of his brother Senator Bongbong in the recent national elections.

“Saan pay a nalpas ti laban. Agbiag ti Solid North!” said by Governor Marcos.

(The fight is not yet over. Long live Solid North!)

First elected in 2010, Governor Marcos pushed for the overall transformation and inclusive progress in the province with her projects focusing on the development of the agriculture, manufacturing and tourism industries.

Governor Marcos also prioritized the creation of thousand jobs for Ilocanos by bringing in investors in the province noteworthy of which is the establishment of the delivery centers of major Business Process Outsourcing companies like Accenture and Expert Global Solutions which are set to offer an estimated of 8,000 jobs in the next years.

Set to begin her third term, Governor Marcos reaffirmed her commitment to finish what she started and pledged to improve the lives of every Ilocano especially the youth, persons with disabilities, senior citizens and indigenous people.—John Michael Mugas, PGIN-CMO