Happy Weekend

Gina P. Dizon
Melodies of the Binangi
The panag-atep di binangi held February 26 highlighted the launching of the Ayyoweng di
Lambak Ed Tadian celebrated March 6-8. The event let media practitioners from Baguio and
Mountain Province see for themselves the covering of the roof and the building of the traditional
house locally termed binangi.
Called inatep, binatang, gino-on, or sinebey to other parts of Mountain Province, the
binangi measuring 20 ft high composes three levels from the basement serving as receiving
porch to the second level which is the enclosed four by four meter structure serving as the
cooking and sleeping quarters. The second level is reached by climbing on a tetey (ladder) to the
cooking and dining area. Above the cooking area and that part below the roof locates the section
where palay is stored.
The binangi tells of harmony and consistency with nature. Materials used are sourced
from the community resources, from plants grown in the forest and other materials the household
needs. The locally grown and produced materials are sustained in their growth with nature taking
care of nature and the people taking care of the very materials used for their very own housing.
Every material used in the construction of the binangi is indigenous to the community
from the posts to the sidings to the roofing to the materials which bind materials together. There
is no nil to keep wood or bamboo together. A binangi does not find a single metal, said Tadian
Mayor Anthony Wooden. No metal is found to fasten wood together or cover any part of the
house. Must be that there is nothing metal in an indigenous world.
The sidings of the house is made of bundles (betek) of cogon grass locally called goon fastened together in sticks called pa-o the strips or la-ut done by men in an act called
owasan. (I did not see women stripping) The cogon grass changed at least every after two
years makes the house always durable in whatever weather be it hot or cold or in extreme
conditions.
When the weather is sultry warm, the inside of the house is cold and when the weather is
cold, the inside of the house is warm, said binangi researcher Fortunata Guiamas. There must be
something in the cogon grass which makes the temperature inside the house adaptable for the
household dwelling inside the house.
The house is simple much as life is simple for indigenous peoples noted in the Tadian
household with its sustained relationship with the very resources in the forest they source their
livelihood from- rice growing, raising organic legumes and crops and animal rising to include
cattle, pigs, and chickens- with the values of culture intertwined in everyday activities and living.
The doors are not locked and there is no story of stealing, Guiamas said.
The house tells of contentment. Every part is devoid of anything consumerist or
luxurious. Each parts of the house have a functional and practical use and nothing spoilt or
whimsical.
Inside the enclosed part of the house serving as the dining and sleeping quarters finds
compartmentalized sections where the dapowan (cooking hearth is found. Located nearby the
dapowan is a clay pot for drinking water. Compartmentalized sections adjacent the sidings
locates compartments inside the structure where clothing and blankets are kept. A long shelf
surrounding the inside structure is built atop the compartments fastened close adjacent the
sidings of the house used to place anything be it left overs or pots and plates.

The dining area has double function with the det-a or flooring used to sit on when eating
and the floor also used as space for sleeping at night.
A very small opening is located above the entrance to the second floor enough to keep
air coming in and out with other openings in the cogons natural aeration spaces. Above the
cooking/dining/sleeping area locates the rice granary where palay is stored.
The binangi tells of unity and cooperation of the people in the village.
We attended the segep where construction of the binangi lasts a day with the community
helping the household put up the house. The materials brought in by the community people have
already been prepared by the household who stays in the forests for sometime collecting the
materials until these are ready for building the structure. The women of the village bring the
cogon and the sticks from the forest and the wood and losongan or mortar carried by the men.
Women bundle the cogon grass fastened by the men to the sticks wound tightly to accommodate
the bundled cogon grass. Other men strip bamboo ropes and both men and women hand over the
bundled cogon to men who climbed atop the second level of the structure to do the fastening.
Towards the finishing of the binangi, he men climb up the roof and fasten this with bundled
cogon.
After half a day of work, we had lunch of miki and vegetables for viand coupled with
rice. Everybody was happy with everyone taking part in the construction. We had our role of
doing the documentation of the binangi completion and the press conference with the LGU
officials.
After the segep the community celebrates the ubaya signifying thanksgiving and
completion of the house structure with the butchering of a pig and the people partaking of the
meal.
The organic way of life of the binangi is simple, uncomplicated. There are only two
binangi left in town, Kayan councilor Joseph Cawilli said.
Binangi for a house these days?
Mayor Wooden encourages this and likewise open to the idea of binangi as home stays or
cottages for visitors.
Tadian abounds with a cultural and natural resource potentials beckoning ecotourism at
its doors. With
business and commercialization knocking at the doorsteps of Tadian, what is the response
of the people?
This will be defined by the community, Wooden said.
The values of the binangi remain open to the village and who will embrace and live this with,
beckoning living with community, working with the community, eating with and defining
what life is in this contemporary world where information technology, tourism and business is
taking its toll.
Editorial
Religious, govt, barangays form
Cordi group for good governance
The Ugnayan ng mga Barangay at Simbahan (UBAS) was formally launched in the Cordillera by
the Department of Interior and Local Government to develop good governance in barangays.
UBAS is a tripartite linkage between the government, the church and barangay leaders
where information, volunteerism and participation flow freely among stakeholders towards
sustainable development, according to their press statement.

The said program is reportedly also an initiator for change with the church and barangays
assisting the DILG in identifying areas that require improvement in social services and
encouraging citizens participation in achieving goals.
Michael Lawana, Liga ng mga Barangay regional president of the Cordillera said with
launching of UBAS in the region, they can do more and strengthen relationship between
barangays and the church
According to Liga ng Barangay national president, Edmund Abesamis, the UBAS does
not violate doctrine of separation of church and state since UBAS is recognition of the separation
between the two sectors.
Why, because the word ugnayan itself connotes absence of Union- ugnayan negates
unity, Abesamis, a lawyer said.
Undersecretary Austere Panadero of DILG said they choose barangays as a part of their
tri-partite program on good governance because barangays are closest to the people.
Panadero said the DILG is guided by the local government code and good governance
anchored on transparency, accountability, and participation of private sectors to local government
units.
Bishop of Baguio and Benguet, Rev. Carlito Cenzon said LGUs should be empowered
but it should empower barangays.
The birth of the unique organization reportedly began with a partnership led by late DILG
Sec. Jesse Robredo and Rev. Bishop Antonio Tobias in 2011 whose vision was to empower good
governance through the grassroots and interfaith participation.
DILG Sec. Mar Roxas was reportedly inspired to continue the legacy and strengthen the
same partnership with renewed fervor, allowing the proverbial seed to take root grow and bear
fruit.
Well and good. It would be nice to see some concrete results in even one small barangay in the
Cordillera which could be replicated.
Perryscope
Perry Diaz
Obama vs. Putin: Can
Obama survive Round 3?
It wasnt too long ago when President Barack Obama was the undisputed world leader
since the end of the Cold War in 1989; he reigned over the greatest empire the world has ever
known. But recently, he had become too complacent Lording it over a unipolar world order,
confident that the sun will never set on Pax Americana.
But little did Obama know that while he was basking in the glory of American
exceptionalism, a militaristic Russia was slowly rising from the ashes of the defunct Soviet
Union under the autocratic rule of Vladimir Putin, a former KGB spy of dubious provenance and
questionable morals.
Putin came to power in 1999 when then President Boris Yeltsin appointed him as Prime
Minister. On December 31, 1999, Yeltsin abruptly resigned and Putin became Acting President.
He was elected President in 2000 and reelected in 2004. Constitutionally prohibited to run for a
third term, Putin stepped down. Dmitry Medvedev was elected in 2008 and he appointed Putin
as Prime Minister.

In 2008, Putin was termed out after serving two terms. He made a comeback in 2012
when he was elected to a third term. It was at that time that Putin had set his sights on the Soviet
Unions former republics and satellite states in what he calls as the near abroad.
An opportunity for Putin to show his mettle presented itself when Obama in an
apparent demonstration of weakness did not act when Syria crossed the red line he drew on
Syrias use of chemical weapons against the Syrian rebels. By failing to respond with the use of
military force against Syrias use of banned chemical weapons, Obama sent the wrong message
not only to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad but also to the entire world, particularly to alAssads benefactor and protector, Vladimir Putin. Putin saw Obamas wishy-washy hesitancy to
act as an opening to engage him in geopolitical brinkmanship. And thus far, Putin is ahead in the
game.
Round 1
Their fight began when Putin sent Russian soldiers with no identifying insignia on
their uniforms who came to be known as little green men to Crimea. It didnt take long
for Putin to annex Crimea, which stunned the U.S. and her NATO allies. However, the U.S. and
NATO had a chance to react with force to the Russian incursion or as some say, invasion
but instead they stood down and allowed Putin to grab Crimea.
This was a major victory for Putin because he could now deploy land-based nuclear
missiles as well as missile-firing warships and submarines in the Black Sea that could reach
NATOs southern flank from Turkey to the Balkans, Italy, Spain and Portugal.
Russias Crimean territorial grab diminished the U.S.s credibility as the worlds
superpower. For the first time since the end of World War II, the U.S. failed to protect her
geopolitical interests since the Cuban missile crisis in 1962 when the Soviet Union attempted to
deploy nuclear missiles 90 miles from U.S. mainland.
Simply put, with Putin breathing down NATOs southern flank, it puts the 28-member
Atlantic alliance on notice that Russia would be a power economically and militarily to be
reckoned with in the Mediterranean Basin.
It did not then come as a surprise when it was announced that Russia is holding bilateral
negotiations with Greece, Cyprus, and Egypt that could establish Russias military presence in
the Mediterranean.
Right now, Russia and Greece are in the midst of negotiating a financial bailout, which
could result in Greece getting out of NATO and the European Union (EU). If that happens, it
would break NATOs defenses on her southern periphery.
Russia is also holding bilateral negotiations with another EU member, Cyprus, which is
having financial problems. Russia is offering financial aid; however, she also wants to station air
and naval assets on Cypriot ostensibly for humanitarian reasons.
These Russian bases would be located near the Akrotiri Air base where British personnel
are stationed to support ongoing operations in the Middle East, which makes one wonder: What
would Cyprus do in the event Russia and NATO went to war? The specter of the tiny island of
Cyprus becoming one bloody and possibly nuclear battlefield should be a good enough
reason for Cyprus to reject Russian military presence on her territory.
Meanwhile, not too far away, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi gave Putin a
heros welcome in Cairo. They discussed a slew of economic and military deals including the
purchase of MiG-29 fighter jets and attack helicopters worth $3.5 billion.

But the irony of this is that the U.S. had been sending billions in military aid to Egypt for
the past three decades! Last year, the U.S.s military aid to Egypt was $1.5 billion, which makes
one wonder if the U.S. were indirectly subsidizing Egypts arms deal with Russia?
Round 2
Last February 12, after a marathon 17-hour summit of Putin, German Chancellor Angela
Merkel, French President Franois Hollande, and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in
Minsk, Belarus, they agreed on a ceasefire and a number of measures to achieve peace in
Ukraine. But no sooner had the ceasefire agreement been signed than Russian tanks, missile
systems, and troops crossed the border into Ukraine.
Apparently, Merkel, Hollande, and Poroshenko had played into Putins game. The
ceasefire called for heavy weapons from both sides to be withdrawn from a line drawn dividing
the country into two regions the government-occupied region on the western side and the
Donbas region in the east controlled by the rebels.
They agree to establish an exclusion zone 200 kilometers long and 50-70 kilometers
wide separating the two sides that would be policed by observers from the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and a joint contact group of Russian and
Ukrainian military personnel. Heavy weapons would be withdrawn from the exclusion zone;
however, ceasefire agreement allowed armed combatants to stay within their side of the
exclusion zone, which is not unlike the demilitarized zone (DMZ) that divided North and South
Korea since 1953 when the Korean War Armistice was signed.
But the way Putin played his game is that whether the ceasefire would hold or not, he
wins. A stalemate would result in a frozen conflict, just like what happened in Georgia and
Moldova when Putin sent Russian peacekeepers or occupation troops? to preserve
peace between these countries and the self-proclaimed republics that broke away.
Evidently, Obama lost Round 2 because he had a chance to take the bull by the horns
when the Ukrainian government forces had the upper hand in fighting the Donetsk and Lugansk
separatists. But due to Obamas refusal to send lethal weapons to Ukraine to defend her territory,
Poroshenko had to surrender the Donbas region to the Russian-backed separatists.
Round 3
After Ukraine, what is Putin up to next? There are strong indications that Putin would try
to reclaim the Soviet Unions three former Baltic republics Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania
and force them to join the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), which Russia, Belarus, and
Kazakhstan formed as an economic union similar to the EU.
Interestingly, at the time the EEU was formed in January 2015, Russia made a proposal to
Europe: Dump the U.S. and join the Eurasian Economic Union. While it may sound ludicrous,
the way Putin had been playing his game of deceive and conquer, it may not be long before
some European countries particularly those near Russias border would consider joining EEU as
a means of self-preservation unless the United States overcomes her fear of a resurgent Russia
whose unpredictable leader Vladimir Putin is bent in reclaiming Mother Russias glorious past
and use her might to stop Russian imperialism. But does Obama have the cojones to lead?
So far the scorecard shows 2-0 in favor of Putin. Can Obama survive Round 3?
(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)
Behind the Scenes
Alfred P. Dizon

A granddaughters tribute
to Virginia O. de Guia
(Ann de Guia Ericksson, granddaughter of former Baguio mayor and civic leader Virginia O.
de Guia, who just passed away, writes this weeks piece)
***
I found it difficult to try and formulate what to say about my dear Lola. Not for lack of
anything to say, but rather for the difficulty in having to select what to include. The task of
commemorating someones life in just a few minutes is difficult enough as it is- and my Lola
what a life she led!
I will not enumerate all of my Lolas civic, social and political (?) accomplishments as
there are all around us and showcased in all these pictures and placards- instead I thought I
would share with you my understanding of her as a granddaughter to her grandmother.
Lola was 74 years old when I was born; as a result, during the years when she was still
very active, I was too much of a child to remember anything. And by the time I became adult,
ready to consciously form relationships, Lola was old (and I say old because Lola didnt really
become old in the true sense of the word until about 8 years ago) and frail.
But that is not to say that I didnt have strong bond with my Lola, or that I struggled to
find anything relatable about her. I have many strong impressions of her from my childhood, that
I still consider true.
Lola was not an ordinary lola. She did not knit, own a lot of cats, or sit at home and go to
bed early. Lola was a lakwachera and layas. Between her Soroptimist group, were sororities, her
girl scouts, her YWCA groups and her various social engagements and trips abroad, I rarely ever
found Lola at a loss for company or at a loss for words. Her house was always a whirl of people,
and she always seemed to know what to say in every situation.
She was a socialite, and remained one well into her late years. Rarely did I walk down
Session Road with her without someone coming up and greeting her. She was not only well
liked, but respected.
Lola cared a lot. About everyone. If you ever came around Lolas house, you have
probably been asked the question emblematic of Lolas hospitality: Kumain ka na? If you
hadnt, she would immediately offer you some food, and if you had she would ask when and if
you wouldnt like to eat again. Sometimes it wasnt even a question, but a matter of fact
statement, that oh, youre here, you should eat!
As a child growing up in Lolas house, constantly peopled, I often heard of Lola helping
someone with some problem they may have had, and many came seeking her help on all sorts of
matters. The details of these affairs slipped through my childs nave head, but I understood that
Lola loved to help people, and tried to as best as she could. Whether it was providing more
profound help, or simply a matter of the stomach, Lola wanted to see to it that your needs were
met.
Lola cared about Baguio. She was born here, grew up here, and dedicated her life to the
growth and beauty of this city. I cannot imagine a life more intrinsically entwined to something
as Lolas was to the City of Baguio. She watched it grow and change, and Lola did all she could
to ensure that those changes were for the better.
With all her social engagements and civic duties, I could see that Lola was/is a goddessjust not a domestic one. Lola never cooked or baked. She visited us in Sweden once, and,
wanting to help out with the preparation of the food, she suggested that she would pick some
salad from the garden. She came back clutching a whole salad head, roots and all, soil crumbling

all over our kitchen floor, but with a grin stretching from ear to ear. I hadnt the heart to tell her
she had done it wrong. But I learned that Lolas shortcomings when it came to house tasks hardly
mattered, for she succeeded in creating a warm home. She was a loving wife and mother to 4
children, and later a loving Lola to her grand and great-grandchildren.
Lola was a fierce, strong woman. The significance of all she had accomplished in
becoming mayor and councilor at a time when the world was run solely by men, is something I
could really appreciate when I became a little older.
But even if I was unable to fully understand the context in which Lola had made here
name, an intimation of it seeped into my childs brain through the pictures I saw of her ( a sole
woman, surrounded by men), through the things I heard of about her, ( the first and only female
mayor, how she had to work 3 time as as hard to prove her worth) and through the things she had
done (her campaigning for womens suffrage).
I cannot express to you how incredibly important it is for a little girl to have someone
such as Lola to look up to, what it meant for me as a little girl to hear of these things
accomplished by my Lola a woman.
Lolas life, in my eyes, is a lesson in being a woman, in every sense of the word. She showed me
that a woman could be powerful, influential, friendly and smart, fiercely independent and still
loving and warm. Lola pulled all of this off with a grace and style very few possess today her
poised and incredible sense of style is evident in all these pictures (I think its safe to say, that
even now Lola, you look better than most of us in this room). She showed me that an ambitious
woman can still be a loving mother, that a forthright and intelligent woman is a beautiful woman,
that a kind and helpful woman is a person to be respected. You literally had it all Lola. For all of
this, for all of your love, your direction, grace and intelligence- sharing all of this with me Lola , I thank you.
Benchwarmer
Ramon S. Dacawi
Oggy Doggy
(We yield this space for a piece from my son Johann D. Dacawi about an addition to his young
family. RD)
It has been quite long, but at last we have a dog.
We needed to change our tail waggers name because it was identical with our
neighbors. Dylan, our younger son, named him after his favorite toon show, Oggy and the
Cockroaches. His brother Lukie protested because the story of the show is a cat and he suffers
from watching it all the time. But then again, deep down, he liked it.
Like most dogs, he is adorable. This small mutt has a thick brown with shades of black
fur. Whats great about his fur is that it doesnt shed off. Probably because he is still young.
Anyway, his body is long and his legs short and stubby. Normally, Oggys ears are folded. When
he is looking up he loks like a bat-eared fox. And then you can fold his ers outwardly to give him
a new look.
The difficulty we had before contradicts how easy we got Oggy. My wife asked our
neighbor, Angela if she knew of a pooch we could adopt. Folks here call her the witch becuase
every year she dressed up to be the befana. Angela asked another neighbor, Paula, and Paula had
a rtoerh, and her brother knew of a friend who has this niece who had dogs that were up for
adoption.

It rained like cats and dogs when we went to visit Oggy. We didnt expect that we would
bring him home that day. It was kind of signora Paula to give us some tips on how to train Oggy.
She also gave us a leash and dog food. When I heard the dog food was organic, my mind told
me organic is not cheap. And the signora insisted Oggy to eat organic.
We know little about the dog really. The mother of the young lady who owns Oggy was
like, take him and leave in a politely kind of way during the visit., We didnt know if he was
vaccinated and they said he was three months old. That was it.
I thought it would be traumatic for the dog to have a bath, but my wife bathed him
anyway. After we dried him up,m he went to poop and pee in the boys bedroom. When I went to
see the incident, Dylan had covered them with kitchen towels. I felt good about it and hoped that
they would soon learn toclean it up.
The mongrel likes Lukies calmness and goes to
him for a nap. When its play time, Oggy finds Dylan for his rough-and-tumble ways.
And when nature calls, our dog comes to my wife and me, of course.
****
Heres whats going on with Oggy.
On his second night here in his new home, he woke my wife up at two in the morning.
Oggy was whining and walking back and forth, going in and out the bedrooms. My wife thought
he needed to pee but she couldnt get herself up to take our poor canine out, Lovelyn was still
tipsy form our night cap earlier that evening. Then she went back to bed and later deal with
whatever disaster wed find in the morning.
There was nothing clean when we woke up and we wondered why Oggy was agitated.
Later in the day, we learned that the former owner of our dog came last night to bring Oggys
mom to our neighbor, Rowena, who decided to adopt his mom, too. Thy brought the dog in the
late evening and at around 2 a.m., Rowena took mommy dog out because, like her offspring, she
was agitated. Mothyer dog and son senses that night they were close to each other.
Both dogs were finally reunited in the afternoon, Oggy was like doing somersaults and endlessly
licking her mom who they named Miley. (e-mail: jhndacawi@yahoo.it for comments.)
Letters from the Agno
March L. Fianza
Twisted justice on Ibaloy Day
Belated happy Ibaloy Day! Some lawyers I know use their influence and popularity, bully court
personnel to the extent of filing cases against them if they do not get what they want, and usually
win the first round in a court case. Normally, the losing party files an appeal but it loses again,
technically this time, because the appeal is dismissed right away and the other side is not given
the chance to argue. Again the winning is secured through influence, dictates and manipulation.
More than a hundred years ago after Spain ceded these islands to the United States and
after we were told many times over that no one will be deprived of life, liberty, or property
without due process of law, nor be denied equal protection of the laws; we still find cases where
lands, especially those actually occupied and in the possession of indigenous communities, are
being grabbed by prominent parties with the support of counsels through courts that act as eager
and willing partners.
I do not know how true this is but a lawyer-friend admitted that lawyers do not lie in
court but they do not tell the correct things. In many instances they twist the facts to suit their
needs, then it is up to the judge if he or she reacts correctly, or cooperatively turns the court into
a venue for a one-sided fight.

In cases involving Ibaloy lands in Baguio and Benguet, research work showed that there
are supposed Deeds of Sale that are not recorded with the proper offices so that these do not
become official and are of no value. Next, the land is issued a title administratively or through a
manipulated bidding process. Then the supporting documents and necessary attachments to the
fake title come later.
In such case, no folder of documents for the land cannot be found in any DENR office
because the documents have to be hidden from scrutiny. And since there are neither records of a
title nor other documents found in the DENR offices, any new application for a title over the said
land can now freely be issued, but based on complete and genuine requirements.
The overused excuse of land grabbers is that they acquire the land through miscellaneous
sales applications and public bidding. Although often times, land speculators are not aware that
forested lands in the Cordillera or those certified by the DENR as timberland are not alienable
and not disposable through bidding except by IPs who are the actual occupants of the land. By
the way, lands cleanly acquired under MSA are limited to 1,000 square meters.
Another excuse for land speculators is that they won a land dispute case in court and
present a paper title. But lands acquired through MSA or the courts have requirements. The
applicant must have occupied in good faith the land applied for, and have constructed a house on
the land where his family is actually residing. The land applied for must also have an approved
plan and technical description.
In some cases, the lot applicants do not even know the location of the land applied for,
and therefore, have not stepped on the land. When asked why they do not know where the land is
located, they will say that they are innocent buyers from a party who sold it to them. Needless to
say that a land application that has been processed and issued a title comes under suspicion if the
applicant has never seen the land he applied for. There is also a suspicion of anomaly in the sale
if the buyer does not know the location of the land that he bought.
In Baguio and Benguet, there are records with the DENR that show that some land
applications that were issued titles were never processed in the District Lands Office concerned,
nor are there any files found in the Land Management Office. Even the survey plans if there are
any, or technical descriptions of the concerning said lands as patented were never plotted in the
projection map.
In cases where both claimants have no title over the land, there are many factors to
consider like actual possession and occupation. The one who occupies the land in good faith has
better rights as against someone who possesses doubtful documents or has recently acquired a
land title without the knowledge of the one in possession.
Lawyers and judges know these. But in a case that has to be won by all means, the
situation changes. This time, only one person makes the laws or decides the case and we no
longer live in a government of laws but of men. We come under the laws of the influential, the
expert manipulator, or the king who is allowed to decide which decisions are to be enforced.
What I understand is that laws should be applied fairly to everyone without consideration
of positions, reputations or personal relationships with others. In contrast, a government of men
would be subjective, depending on the relationship of those administering the laws and those
against whom so-called court decisions are to be enforced.
If this keeps on, all IP lands will be lost!
Light at the end of the tunnel
Roger D. Sinot

ASIN HOT SPRINGS, Tuba - The month of February has a lot of markings. There is a
succession of events and activities for local and foreign a tourists who find their way to Baguio.
We have the Panagbenga Festival that is a month and a half activity, including the first week of
March. We have the Chinese New Year. And the just concluded Ibaloy Day Celebration that is a
three-day activity from February 21 to 23, the last day of which was officially declared as Ibaloy
Day with this years theme ADIVAY SHI AVONG: Daing, Tahal tan Semek ni Ivadoy.
On the first day was a parade marked with the blowing of a cow horn loud enough to be
heard. The horn-blowing jumpstarts the parade. In the early days of cattle raising, the cowboys
blow their horn many times that people on the other mountain get to their feet and bow as a sign
of respect to an activity, just like a trumpet sound that announces the arrival of the king or the
royal family. Onjon ni Ivadoy president Jackson Chiday and Leopoldo Lamsis, the vice-president
led the parade of the descendants of early settlers of Baguio and Benguet. Around a thousand or
more walked the historical road with pride from the Convention Center down Session Road with
their traditional attires.
As a descendant of the great old man Piraso, I took a second look at the Casa Vallejo and
asked myself, shall we still see a house of the old man on this site if the Americans went to some
other aside of Baguio? According to manong Jackson, he recalls that his grandfather Batu was
buried at the foot of the site of city hall. Maybe someday his ancestors will appear in his dream
and we will see Jackson doing a ritual for his ancestors in front of city hall.
February 22, 2014, Sunday, was the launching of a book Indigenous Earth Wisdom by
Ms. Vicky Macay. The book is a recollection of how Baguio was preserved and maintained in the
early days. The book written by manang Vicky gives importance to the Kakad kajuan forested
mountains. The author is one of the Council of Elders of Baguio from the Loakan cluster area.
Andrew Bobby Carantes, a professor of PMA from Loakan also launched his CD Album
entitled IKUL an Ibaloy term for tail. You will love his songs since these are original
compositions. He and his siblings were members of Bagiw, a Baguio Band which rocked the
clubs with their Rollling Stone attires. His CD albums are now available at the record bars in
Baguio.
During the three-day celebration, I noticed the streamer of a man in a kuval (G-string)
and Americana riding on a horse beside a corral where cows are grouped, fed with salt and
branded. Mateo Carino was the man who fought all the way to the higher courts his land where
John Hay was established. He won without seeing the fruit of his fight. History tells that he was
the hero behind the Carino Doctrine. It states that lands held since time immemorial are private
lands.
Former NCIP Chair Zenaida Bridgette Hamada Pawid, fondly called as Manang Bridz
and a descendant of Mateo Carino, once again said at the program that the site of the Ibaloy
Garden is originally owned by them but their clan have decided that this be used not by the clan
alone but by the Ibaloys of Baguio and Benguet. If only the late Cecil Okubo Afable of the
Baguio Midland Courier was around, she would say Amen to that pronouncement.
The United Nations refers to Indigenous People as the People who occupy a distinct
territory, have a historical continuity with pre-invasion and pre-colonial societies; consider
themselves distinct from other sectors of society living in the same part of the same territory.
They are not a dominant sector of society but are determined to develop, preserve and transmit
existence as a people, in accordance with their own cultural patterns, social institutions and legal
system. Before the program, the Council of Elders of Baguio and Council of Elders per clusters

of Baguio were inducted by the NCIP-Regional Hearing Officer, Atty. Brain Masweng, whose
mothers roots is Ibaloy.
The late senator Dr. Juan Flavier said, The IPs are the off springs and the heirs of the
peoples who have first inhabited and cared for the land before any central government was
established. Their ancestors had territories over which they ruled themselves and related with
other tribes. These territories - the Land- includes people, their dwelling, the mountains, the
waters and the air, plants, forests and the animals. This is their environment in its totality. Their
existence as Indigenous people is manifested in their own lives through political, economic,
socio-cultural and spiritual practices. The IPs culture is the living and irrefutable proof of this.
Their survival depends on securing or acquiring land rights, asserting land rights to it. Otherwise,
IPs shall cease to exist as a distinct peoples. His speech molded the IPRA Law.
For his part, Mayor Mauricio Domogan said, he recognized what the law provides in the
IPRA law and will see to it that the Ibaloy day will be a part of the Panagbenga Festival next
year. A salute to Councilor Isabelo Poppo Cosalan Jr. for authoring February 23 as official day
for Ibaloys, and the Carino Clan represented by Manang Bridgette for allowing their land to be
used as the Ibaloy Heritage Garden.
Happy trails to all Ibalois, Hail to the Onjon ni Ivadoy!
Ecija town mayor ousted
by OMB remains in office
PANTABANGAN, Nueva Ecija Four months have passed since the Office of the Ombudsman
ordered the dismissal of Mayor Lucio Uera of this town for having illegally suspended and
dismissed 44 permanent municipal employees, but he has since remained in office.
In its joint resolution issued in June 2013, the OMB found Uera administratively liable
for grave misconduct and grave abuse of authority for having unilaterally suspended and
terminated the 44 municipal employees.
The aggrieved employees are now questioning why despite the OMB having
transmitted its ruling to the office of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
Secretary Mar Roxas Uera continues to hold office and dispense the functions of mayor.
I am very concerned about this because I received reports that Mayor Uera has been
telling people that he cannot be removed from office because he has connections (within the
Ombudsman), Alison Villaflor, one of the complainants said.
Villaflor has repeatedly written to Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, requesting
Ueras removal from his post but has not yet received any reply or acknowledgment from her
office. Sheen Crisologo
Sec Singson to grace
Begnas di Bauko fest
BAUKO, Mountain province This scenic town is set to celebrate its Begnas Festival on
March 12-14 at Bauko Catholic High School at Poblacion to be highlighted by inauguration of
Mabaay-Abatan tourism road with Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson cutting the ribbon.
Singson will be welcomed by Rep. Maximo Dalog, Gov. Leonard Mayaen and Bauko
Mayor Abraham B. Akilit.

With the theme Menpaek ya mamang-et ay Ibauko, gameng di nsiposdan da alapo

(Diligent and vigilant people of Bauko, gem of the native land), it aims to strengthen
participation and bonding of its 22 barangays.
Begnas di iBauko is one of cultural festivities celebrated annually by the municipality
com foundation day. It will feature the cultural presentation of barangays.
A musical-theater presentation of Bauko government employees in a stage play entitled
Tawid di litagwan under the direction of Ventura Betot will also be featured. The stage play is
about responsible utilization and nurturing of natural resources.
Activities were conducted before the begnas . A trek to Bauko Spanish Trail to the
camping site of Balintaugan culminating at the Lepas di ipadogan in Bagnen Oriente (festival)
took place Feb. 20-21. Inauguration and launching of the Agro-industrial fair is set at municipal
ground March 2-14.
A job fair will also be conducted March 9-10 at same venue. Arsenia Addon
2 die as van hits motorcycle
TUGUEGARAO CITY Two persons died while two others were injured when their motorcycle
was hit by a van in Tuao town Feb. 20.
Jay-ar Baltazar and Adriano Jove were declared dead on arrival at the Nuestra Seora de
Piat District Hospital while Dante Fernandez and Mark Marzan were said to be in critical
condition at the Cagayan Valley Medical Center, according to case investigator PO3 Jonathan
Corpuz.
Reports said the victims, who were on a motorcycle driven by Jove, were traveling along
the highway in Barangay Villa Laida when they were sideswiped by the van at around 11 p.m.
Corpuz said the van driver, who has yet to be identified, escaped after the accident.
Raymund Catindig
4.1 quake jolts Baguio,
nearby provinces
BAGUIO CITY Classes started promptly and without fuzz Tuesday morning shortly after
some panic when a magnitude 4.1 earthquake rocked this city at 7:14 a.m.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the center of the quake was
about 13 kilometers
southeast of this city.
It was felt strongest in this city and La Trinidad, Benguet at Intensity 4, which is
considered moderately strong, but caused no casualties or damage to property.
Phivolcs said such intensity is comparable with the vibration of a passing heavy truck
that is felt by people indoors and some people outdoors and may awaken light sleepers.
Intensity 3 was felt in Itogon, Benguet, which is relatively weak, but some people may
experience dizziness and nausea.
Meanwhile, it was slightly felt at Intensity 2 in Dagupan City in Pangasinan and
Intensity 1 or scarcely perceptible in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija.
There was no significant disruption of classes in this city and the National Grid
Corporation of the Philippines said that power transmission service was normal.
Drug couple busted

BACNOTAN, La Union A couple from Taguig City was busted in Barangay Guinabang, here
night of Feb. 22 for possession of drugs, guns, ammunition and explosives, the Philippine Drug
Enforcement Agency said.
Senior Insp. Reginaldo Dalipias, local deputy police chief, identified the suspects as Jabar
Masorong, 32, and his wife Asnaimah Macalanggan-Masorong, 33, both of Barameda Street,
Taguig City.
Seized from them were 10 sachets of suspected shabu, a .38-caliber gun, a paltik or
homemade pistol, assorted bullets, a hand grenade, and a marked P1,000 bill used in the buy-bust
operation around 7:30 p.m.
They are now detained at the Bacnotan Municipal Jail, facing a string of criminal
charges. Erwin G. Beleo
Mt Province to employ
878 studes under SPES
BONTOC, Mountain Province In support to the Special Program for the Employment of
Students (SPES) of the Department of Labor and Employment, the provincial government unit,
nine towns and two tertiary schools in the province will be employing 878 students this summer
vacation.
Of the total, the municipality of Natonin pledged to hire 212 students; provincial
government - 145; Bauko -115; Tadian 78; Paracelis 66; Mountain Province State
Polytechnic College 50; Sabangan 49, and Barlig 45.
Xijen College of Mountain Province and the Office of the Vice governor will employ 25
students each; Besao and Bontoc, 24 each and Sagada, 20.
The towns of Bauko, Barlig, Besao, Bontoc, Sagada, Tadian, provincial government and
office of the vice governor will hire students for 20 days.
Students to be employed by Natonin and Paracelis will work for 25 days and 22 days in
Sabangan, according to DOLE Provincial Field Office Head Samuel Lasdacan.
MPSPC and Xijen College of Mountain Province will employ students for 40 days.
Lasdacan said all the Public Employment Service Officers in municipalities were
instructed to start screening student applicants and process the employment documents of
qualified applicants in time for their employment in April.
Student applicants are required to submit complete documents such as original/certified
true photocopy of birth or baptismal certificate, grades for first semester for college students and
latest card of previous year for high school students, income tax return of parents or
certification from the barangay stating that the income of the family does not exceed the poverty
thresh hold.
The SPES is a regular annual job creation program of the national government intended
for the poor but deserving students to augment their school fees by providing them work during
summer vacation. This program is open to all qualified high school, college, technology or
vocational students and drop-outs who intend to continue their studies.
Under this program, students are paid a salary computed based on the given wage rate of
each of the employers, 60 percent will be paid by the employer in cash while the remaining 40
percent of the salary will be paid by DOLE in the form of education voucher. Juliet Saley
Kalinga gov calls for peace,
unity in Ullalim fest address

TABUK CITY, Kalinga Gov. Jocel C. Baac urged people to take the call of a thousand gongs
a call for peace and unity as the province celebrated its founding anniversary last week with the
theme, Kalinga at 20: A Legacy of Peace and Unity
Baac made the call Monday before a multitude who watched the spectacular dance of
awong chi ganza or call of a thousand gongs played by 3,048 players coming from the various
barangays, municipalities and schools.
Rallying for peace and unity among tribes, Baac likened the harmony of the three
thousand gongs to people of the province, who in the midst of diversified beliefs and dreams,
could ultimately stand as one for Kalinga.
The rhythm and tune produced from the thousand gongs could resound and despite
varied tribal groupings, our hearts can beat as one and act together to push our province and
people forward to prosperity and development, Baac said.
I urge you to bring the call beyond the borders of the province to the rest of the
Cordillera, nation and wherever it could reverberate, Baac said.
This years awong chi ganza was documented for possible entry in the Guinness
World of Book Records.
It was launched last year and played by a thousand gong players from the different municipalities
but this time, organizers increased the number of players to 3,048. Larry Lopez
New quake devise
installed in Dagupan
DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan A new earthquake intensity meter has already been installed
here for disaster preparedness and response.
The device, which was provided by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and
Seismology (Phivolcs) and Japan government, is capable of perceiving movements or shaking
during or after an earthquake.
The earthquake device is connected to a computer with an internet access that gathers
information and transmits real-time data to Phivolcs database for an accurate description of an
earthquake. Liezle Basa Iigo
La Trinidad launches
Strawberry Festival
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet As the Baguio Flower Festival heated up, the nearby capital town
of Benguet also launched last week its Strawberry Festival.
Set to open in the first week of March just as Baguios Panagbenga is winding down,
Strawberry Festival 2015 carries the theme Valley of Colors: A Colourful Gathering and
Merry-Making.
La Trinidad officials headed by Mayor Edna Tabanda said the month-long event will
kick-off on March 2 with the opening of Agro-Industrial Trade Fair and barangay booths at the
public market grounds.
The formal opening is on March 6 that will start with an ecumenical service.
On March 16, the Strawberry Lane will open at the Municipal Park where various
strawberry by-products and other La Trinidad produce will also be offered for sale. Also
featured will be strawberry cake festival and strawberry baking and pastries competition.

The towns foundation day on March 18 will be highlighted with street dancing, parade,
the main program, and multi-cultural celebrations and rituals. A mini-float and drum and lyre
parade and competition are scheduled on March 20.
The annual Strawberry Fun Run and Walk with the most awaited Duting tan Dukto,
and the search for the sweetest and biggest strawberry fruit are set on March 2. Coronation
night for Mr. and Ms. La Trinidad will be on March 28 at the Benguet State University grounds.
Other scheduled-activities include: clean-up drive (Mar. 6), renewal of marriage vows
(Mar. 19), barangay night (Mar. 20), youth symposium, Acoustic Band Competition (Mar. 25),
La Trinidad Got Talent (Mar. 27), Jobs Fair (Mar. 30 -31), and various family, sports and
adventure events, among others.
Tabanda is inviting the public to come and celebrate with them and enjoy the various
cultures and products of La Trinidad. Arlene Abat
200 Abra women join
livelihood training
BANGUED, Abra, More than 200 women in the province are being trained to engage in
livelihood projects to augment their family incomes.
Since January, four training sessions were conducted at Velasco, Tayum; Cabaruyan,
Daguioman; Poblacion, Tayum and Sulbec, Pidigan. Another training session is set at Cayapa,
Lagangilang .
Noemi Belandres-Bachiller of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office was
trainer in food processing and preservation.
Participants in the livelihood development trainings were members of the Kalipunan ng
Liping Pilipina.
The KALIPI members cited Gov. Eustaquio P. Bersamin for giving attention to needs of
Abra women by funding their training programs and giving soft loans that are interest-free for
capital to start small businesses.
The governor assured the women of his continuing support for as long as these women
will show their sincerity and diligence in implementing the skills they have acquired and really
engage in business and not misuse the money that is loaned out to them.
They also thanked the PSWDO headed by Decimia D. Cabang for sustaining the program
for the women by integrating and accommodating their project proposals for inclusion in the
funding in their annual investment plan. Maria Teresa Benas
Ifugao town gives incentives
to retiring nutrition scholars
ALFONSO LISTA, Ifugao Retiring barangay nutrition scholars in this municipality now
receive incentives from the local government.
Municipal officials led by Mayor Glenn Prudenciano and Vice-mayor Joseph Angowan
approved last quarter of 2014 the ordinance granting incentives to retiring BNSs upon reaching
the optional or mandatory age of retirement.
The ordinance states the BNS at age 60 to 65 could apply for early retirement with an
incentive of P20,000, and at the compulsory retirement age of 65, incentive is P25,000.
This is in recognition to services of BNSs leading to reduction of malnutrition cases in
the municipality and in gaining Green Banner Award on nutrition in the region.
Barangay nutrition scholars are trained community workers whose basic tasks include
caring for the malnourished, mobilizing communitites for improvement of their nutrition, linking

community with service providers, and assisting in delivery of nutrition services. Marcelo
Lihgawon
DA Sec urges farmers to join
Benguet Agri-Pinoy trade scheme
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala urged
Cordillera farmers to sell their crops under a business scheme of Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading
Center here.
Alcala, however said farmers are not forced or mandated to join the BAPTC saying
Kung sinong unang nagtiwala, siyang unang makikinabang pertaining to the benefits the
farmers would be getting in the said trading center.
The BAPTC, expected to be operational this first quarter of the year, aims to help
farmers of Cordillera access new technologies, lower cost of production and wider market
options under DAs Agri-Pinoy Trading Center program.
The program aims to attain sufficiency in food staples and sustain the growth of the
lucrative local vegetable industry in the Cordillera which is to benefit the farmers.
BAPTC is patterned after the Sentrong Pamilihan in Sariaya in Quezon Province where,
according to Alcala, he hopes the Cordilleran farmers will get to experience what farmers of
Sariaya experienced.
He said BAPTC would help the farmers be competitive in terms of production and
quality of vegetables.
Alcala said he is now pushing trading centers that would allow development agricultural
marketing in the country. Pryce E. Quintos, Jasmine Ann Jacer and Christine Faye Kim
DOLE 2 eyes hiring
of 16,000 new grads
TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan This year, as in previous ones, Region 2 expects 16,000
youth to graduate from college and face the challenge of landing a job, the Department of Labor
and Employment said Tuesday.
Lawyer Sixto T. Rodriguez Jr., DOLE Region 2 director, said the big population of young
graduates calls for action and, as such, his office sees through the holding of at least 50 job fairs
throughout the region.
The job fairs, Rodriguez said, will be done in partnership with academic institutions,
local government units, local private employers and overseas recruitment agencies in order to
help the fresh college graduates find suitable employment.
But the job fair is not only for those graduating this month. He said the job fairs are a
venue for the unemployed, laid off and even returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) whose
contracts abroad have been terminated to find new livelihood opportunities.
That is why we will be organizing Job Fairs to bring employment right here in our
doorstep, Rodriguez said. We will be posting in our website, www.ro2.dole.gov.ph the
schedules of Job Fairs. We will also be using social media for information dissemination.
Liezle Basa Inigo
Motorists reminded of
king of the road law

BAGUIO CITY Folks here are once again clamoring for strict implementation of the citys
King of the Road Ordinance to discipline drivers and prevent vehicular accidents.
The ordinance requires motorists to slow down when approaching a pedestrian lane and
fully stop for five seconds in all pedestrian crossings within the city.
The ordinance is yet to see full implementation given the fact that the Traffic
Management Unit lacks personnel to man all pedestrian lanes.
Signs of the ordinance are in place and augmentation forces which includes police interns
are now anning different choke points in the city.
Volunteers were also tapped to help in directing traffic especially during weekends and
big city events. Mayor Mauricio Domogan said, there order for city police to man crossings
especially in crowded areas.
This he said includes areas where frequent accidents are recorded.
We have asked the Department of Public Works and Highways to cut savings from the
pedestrian overpass being constructed by removing the planned elevator, hopefully the money
saved can be appropriated for another overpass or underpass fronting Saint Louis University,
Domogan said.
The mayor reminded drivers to follow traffic rules and regulations, speed limits and
observe utmost care when driving a motor vehicle.
This also applies to pedestrians, they should also use designated pedestrian lanes when
crossing and drivers should yield to pedestrians , he said.
As per Ordinance No. 7 series of 1984 or the Comprehensive Transportation and Traffic
Ordinance of the City of Baguio, it is unlawful for any person to drive in a built up area at a
speed exceeding 30 kilometers per hour.
Domogan said, following the speed limit will not only reduce number of vehicular
accidents but will serve to discipline reckless drivers.
A recent incident of over speeding and careless driving caused the death of a student in
the city last month. Paul Rillorta
Baguio Filipino-Chinese
share gifts to poor folks
BAGUIO CITY - The city government here in partnership with the Baguio Filipino-Chinese
Community celebrated Spring Festival with gift sharing at Bakakeng Central headed by punong
barangay Dan Palos Daniel. They gave 5,000 gift packs to indigent constituents.
Feb. 19 was at Bell Church with 5,000 gift packs given to poor folks.
Beneficiaries were identified by the City Social Welfare and Development Office.
Hotelier Peter Ng said they have a 2-classroom project at the Mabini Elementary School
ready to be used next school year. Jho Arranz
Tour operators promote
Cordillera tourism sites
BAGUIO CITY The Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) has given its
commitment that its more than 300 members and affiliate transportation and hotel and restaurant
groups will market the regions unique features and attractions.
PHILTOA made the vow during the five-day Island Philippines Fun Caravans
Cordillera leg where some 50 tour operators and first-time visitors toured heritage
sites and tourist destinations in the region.

The tourism caravan is the first activity of the PHILTOA, with the aim of
boosting tourism promotion in the entire country. The caravan started in the
Cordillera region, then to Southern Tagalog, Central and Northern Luzon, Visayas
and in Mindanao.
PHILTOA president Cesar Cruz said the group advocates to help the domestic
tourism industry through the caravan an effective way to encourage local and
foreign tourists to visit historic sites in the countryside.
He said their group wishes to contribute to the declaration of 2015 Visit
Philippines Its more fun in the Philippines of the DOT by coming up with the
five caravans which they can use to design low cost tour packages for visitors.
He said Cordillera is not difficult to sell as communities are ready, the local
governments have programs and there are unique sites that can be found in the
region.
The Cordilleras Heritage Warrior Caravan started in Kiangan, Ifugao where
the local government pushes for the new concept of tourist destination and
attraction the Open Air Museum.
Kiangan is the town where General Tomoyuki Yamashita actually surrendered
in September 2, 1945 before he was flown to Camp John Hay in Baguio City for the
signing of the surrender documents with the Americans the following day.
The concept is not just seeing the attraction, but being part of the attraction,
doing activities involving the tourists right at the heritage site.
The next stop was Banaue and Banga-an Rice Terraces which are listed as UNESCO
heritage sites. The group proceeded to Bontoc and Sagada in Mt.Province ; then to
Buguias, Atok and La Trinidad towns, ending in Baguio.
Burgos wind farm to
ease Phl power crisis
By Freddie G. Lazaro
BURGOS, Ilocos Norte The 150 megawatt (MW) wind farm constructed at 700-hectare land
extending across three barangays of this town Saoit, Poblacion and Nagsurot promises to
be part of the solution that will ease the looming electricity crisis in the country this year.
The 150 MW Burgos Wind Farm, which is the second wind farm built in the province of
Ilocos Norte by the Lopez-owned Energy Development Corporation (EDC), is the biggest wind
farm in the country and in Southeast Asia.
The wind farm had an estimated cost of US$450 million for its construction and had been
commissioned by the Department of Energy (DOE) in November 2014.
The project was the first one to be nominated by the DOE as eligible for the departments
feed-in tariff (FIT) scheme.
EDC president and chief operating officer Richard B. Tantoco mentioned the great help
of the wind farm to contribute for the solution of the power generation crisis in the country
particularly in the Luzon grid.
But, he admitted power generation of the wind farm will decrease in the months of April
and May due to the expected slowing of winds in the area.
Burgos Wind Farm is greatly contributing to power supply generation from November
towards the end of March but upon the entry of the months of April and May in which this period

would be the expected peak of the power crisis; the wind will be expected to slow down;
however, we could still generate power but not that full of 150 MW, Tantoco said.
The 150MW Burgos Wind Farm composed of 50 giant wind turbines with equivalent
height of 25-storey building. The wind farm can produce a total of 150MW that can supply the
electricity requirement of at least 2.2 million households.
Tantoco visited the wind farm last week to attend a thanksgiving mass with Ilocos Norte officials
led by Gov. Imee Marcos.

Stop barring projects in barangays

Baguio govt mulls charges vs
BCDA-JHMC over John Hay
BAGUIO CITY The city government is mulling to file charges against the
Bases Conversion Development Authority and John Hay Management Corp. for allegedly
not following terms and conditions of 19 conditions imposed by the city over stewardship of
Camp John Hay here.
This, as top officials of BCDA and JHMC were urged by city officials to stop barring
implementation of government projects and entry of construction materials in barangays here
within John Hay.
The city council adapted a resolution last week after heads of barangays complained
against BCDA-JHMCs restrictions which they said affected development programs of their
communities.
The punong barangays complained of allegedly harsh treatment they are receiving from
BCDA-JHMC including their security force which maintained intimidating presence despite
previous appeals by residents.
They decried BCDA-JHMCs irrational restrictions on entry of construction materials
and implementation of infrastructure projects programmed for the barangays even if these were
justified.
Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda said BCDA and JHMC should not restrict projects
especially if these were legitimate.
The body in another resolution requested mayor Mauricio Domogan to immediately act
with dispatch on complaints of punong barangays and to reiterate that BCDA-JHMC comply
with 19 conditionalities set under Resolution 362, series of 1994 which included segregation of
all 13 barangays from the reservation.
The body also moved on motion of Councilor Fred Bagbagen to relay concerns raised by
barangay heads to JHMC and to city legal office to study the possibility of filing a case in
relation to the conditionalities.
The city has often appealed to the BCDA-JHMC to honor the conditionalities amid its
blatant disregard of the same particularly its refusal to allow its locators to secure building and
business permits from the city government, failure to provide its own water source, segregate the
13 barangays from the reservation and remit the citys shares from the lease rentals under the
present administration.

This, as mayor Mauricio Domogan said not one of two parties can claim victory in the
decision rendered by the arbitral court on the BCDA and Camp John Hay Development Corp.
(CJHDevCo) case as the city government stands to be the biggest loser with the looming noncollection of its supposed share from the lease of the former military reservation.
In the ruling dated Feb. 11, the Philippine Dispute Resolution Center Inc., finding
mutual breach of the agreement by both parties, rescinded the original and derivative lease
agreements and ordered the CJHDevCo to cede the leased premises to BCDA while in turn
directing the BCDA to return to the CJHDevCo the rental payments it made totaling
P1,421,096,052 and further cleared CJHDevCo from its liability to pay its arrears amounting to
P3.3 billion.
But according to the mayor, the city suffered the biggest blow as it may now be totally
deprived of its 25 percent share from the lease rentals which it had demanded for so long and
which it could have used to fund priority projects.
The mayor however said that the city will not give up and will watch out for postdecision developments so it can accordingly to assert its rights based on the 19 conditionalities it
set on the Camp John Hay development once the decision becomes final.
BCDA had sought the payment of CJHDevCos arrears and botched negotiations between
the two parties led to the arbitration by the courts.
The mayor also took exception from the BCDAs claims that the city did not do its part to
help in the efforts to collect the unpaid rentals.
Records would bear us out that we were not negligent and we tried our best to reach out
to both the BCDA and the CJHDevCo even before they decided on the arbitration. We sought
them out and tried to convince them to settle the conflict amicably but they refused, the mayor
said.
In 2012, Domogan on a number of occasions tried to broker a diplomatic settlement for
the two parties urging them to sit down and negotiate out-of-court. He suggested that the two,
based on the terms of the contracts they have entered, evaluate and determine the obligations that
each failed to deliver, quantify in monetary value and compensate each other under a
compromise agreement.
Sana kung nakinig sila, hindi sana nagresulta sa ganito, he bemoaned.
The city stands to collect 25 percent share of the arrears being collected pursuant to the
conditionalities under Resolution No. 362, series of 1994.
The original agreement pegged the lease rental at P425 million annually for the first five
years starting in 1996 and P150 million annually thereafter and the citys share from the rental
was supposed to be 25 percent or P106 million for the first five years and P35,500,000 for the
succeeding years. However, the lease agreement was restructured in 2000, 2003 and in 2008.
Meanwhile, the BCDA-JHMC met owners of business establishments who entered into
contracts with CJH Development Corp. in the former American military facility to thresh out
their concerns.
BCDA president and chief executive officer Arnel Paciano D. Casanova said the rights
of the victims (tenants) of CJHDevCo cannot be taken cognizance of unless they lay a claim
against DevCo and make it account for the payments they have made.
The arbitration committee came out with its decision on Camp John Hay earlier,
rescinding the lease agreement between BCDA and CJHDevCo. With the original lease
rescinded, the contract that CJHDevCo entered into with its buyers no longer applies and their
subleases are terminated with the principal lease, according to Casanova.

There was a deliberate concealment on the part of CJHDevCo of the contracts it had
entered into and the payments it had received. We are still in the process of determining the
enormity of the undisclosed sales, Casanova said.
In a meeting with investors in Manila last week, the BCDA requested locators of
CJHDevCo to provide it with a record of their lease contracts, payments and other relevant
documents so that it can start an inventory and determine how to proceed. CJHDevCo sold 50year leases to the victims despite having only a 25-year lease on the property.
The members of the arbitration committee were unanimous in ordering Sobrepenas CJH
Development Corp. to vacate Camp John Hay and return it to the BCDA in tenantable
condition.
The BCDA said CJHDevCo should pay the government firm P2.4 billion obligation that
it reportedly admitted to owing the state run firm in 2008.
CJHDevco executives however said they will leave if the BCDA would pay them P1.42
billion as ordered by the arbitration committee. It is a standoff to date.
With a report from Aileen P. Refuerzo
Bauko, Sabangan to settle land dispute
By Wabilyn M. Lomong-oy
SABANGAN, Mountain Province Provincial and local officials are setting a meeting to resolve
the boundary dispute of this town and adjacent Bauko.
This, after there was
no settlement in second meeting held Feb. 13 here at Sitio Libo.
The first meeting was held Jan. 12 wherein municipal mayors from both municipalities
were present. Rep. Maximo Dalog was invited as mediator/facilitator who explained procedure.
To understand present s1ituation regarding the problem, engineer Benjamin Ventura
identified the affected areas.
For Bauko affected areas include Maba-ay, Monamon Norte and Leseb while Sabangan
had Namatec and Napua.
Ventura said the dispute came about after the municipality of Bauko allegedly encroached
on territory of Sabangan specifically at barangay Napua and Namatec with an area of around 519
hectares.
Another disputed area was from barangay Data to Pingad which Bauko allegedly
encroached upon covering 977 hectares.
It was also learned that Bauko cadastral survey returns were earlier submitted and
subsequently approved after finding that everything was in order while Sabangan cadastral
survey returns were submitted later though it was surveyed earlier.
Since there was no agreement made on the first meeting conducted, both parties
suggested and agreed to invite elders who knowledgeable on history of disputed area.
The elders were present during the second meeting conducted this year at Libo but could
not arrive to a consensus so they agreed to return back the responsibility to elected municipal
officials in settlement of the dispute.
Dalog urged cooperation of both parties in settlement of the boundary dispute. He urged
both parties to resolve the problem now as not to let the future generation inherit the problem.
The congressman said he was hoping the boundary dispute would be resolved this March.
Nueva Vizcaya fiscal gunned down

By Raymund Catindig
SOLANO, Nueva Vizcaya A government prosecutor was gunned down by suspected guns-forhire at his house in Barangay Roxas here 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Samuel Dacayo was pronounced dead on arrival in a hospital, according to initial reports
received by Chief Insp. Kevin Balayugan, Solano police chief.
Police said the victim, a cousin of Solano Mayor Philip Dacayo, was shot in the head.
Police investigating the killing said they are looking at angles whether the killing was
work-related among others.
To date no witness outside of the family has surfaced to shed light on the killing which rocked
this bustling town.
Former cop nabbed for colleagues slay
By Jun Elias
CAMP DIEGO SILANG, La Union A dismissed police officer was arrested last week by
agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group for the murder of his colleague 12
years ago.
Leoncio Diaz, 55, was arrested in his hideout in San Antonio, Zambales for allegedly
killing Police Officer 3 Randy Fernandez in Pangasinan in September 2002, said Senior Supt.
Francisco Esguerra, CIDG regional chief.
Esguerra said Diaz admitted to killing Fernandez, a member of the Sto. Tomas police
station in Pangasinan.
He said the suspect claimed that the killing was due to a personal grudge and alleged that
he was with a certain Sonny Galisim when he shot Fernandez.
No bail was recommended for Diazs temporary liberty.
PNP-Army teams kill 3 hired
guns in two shootouts in CL
BONGABON, Nueva Ecija Police clashed against gun-for-hire and robbery syndicates in
Central Luzon, killing one member of a group operating in Bulacan and two others from a
separate gang that had just assassinated their target in Nueva Ecija last week.
Senior Supt. Crizaldo Nieves, Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (PPO), said his men,
backed up by army soldiers, neutralized Oliver B. Moga, 37, married, of Barangay San Isidro,
Laur Nueva Ecija; and Jeffrey M. Garcia, 35, married, Barangay Talipapa, Cabanatuan City, in a
shootout in Bongabon town.
Prior to the shootout, Garcia and Moga, listed as the No. 8 most wanted man in
Bongabon, allegedly gunned down Raymond A. Nicolas, 58, married, of Sitio Tamale, Barangay
Digmala in the same town, Nieves said.
After the shootout, police collected the suspects Colt MK-IV .45-caliber pistol and black
Euro motorcycle they used in their getaway.
Meanwhile, Sr. Supt. Ferdinand O. Divina, Bulacan PPO director, said suspected
holdupper and hired killer Ramillo Princena Uclaray, 32, of Buguey, Cagayan, was killed in an
exchange of gunfire with police and army soldiers in Barangay San Isidro, San Jose del Monte
City (SJDM) last Wednesday night.
Supt. Charlie A. Cabradilla, SJDM chief of police, said Uclaray and his two cohorts
one, identified only as alias Bunso were subjects of a hot pursuit operation after they
allegedly took the service firearms of Privates First Class Junky G. Hidalgo and Jonald V. Lintac.

The two soldiers, from the Peace and Development Team (PDT) Alpha Company, were
taken by surprise when the suspects, on board a Mitsubishi van, stopped in front of them on Igay
Road and held them at gunpoint.
As the suspects sped off with their firearms, Hidalgo and Lintac radioed their company
and a hot pursuit with police commenced.
The lawmen caught up with the suspects, who engaged them in a gun battle. While Uclaray was
killed, his two cohorts escaped leaving behind the .45-cal. PT 1911 Taurus pistol stolen from
PFC Hidalgo and one Uzi machine gun. (Sheen Crisologo and Freddie C. Velez)
P1.7-M marijuana
burned in Benguet
CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet After the recent destruction of P9.4 million worth
of marijuana plants in Benguet last week, another 1.7 million marijuana plants were again burned
Feb. 17 in separate operations.
Bakun town police discovered seven plantation sites in Sitio Nagawa, Barangay Kayapa
in the town planted with 5,980 fully grown marijuana plants and 3,000 marijuana seedlings.
Said marijuana plants has a total Dangerous Drug Board Value of P1,316,000.
The other was in Sitio Saguilip, Barangay Badeo, Kibungan, townwherein police
discovered five plantation sites planted with 600 fully grown marijuana plants and 6,900
seedlings valued at P396,000.
All uprooted marijuana plants were burned on site and only representation was taken for
evidentiary purposes.
Chief Supt. Isagani Nerez, regional police director said, Our recent successful marijuana
eradication operation is an evidence for our promise to intensify the destruction of marijuana
plants and free the region from other forms of illegal drugs.
He appealed to the public to report to authorities illegal activities especially existence of
marijuana plantation in their areas.
Flying speedboats
available in Phl
By Mar T. Supnad
VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur Believe it or not but flying speedboats are now available in the
Philippines after former National Security Council Adviser and Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis Chavit
Singson purchased one for the use of people in Ilocos Sur which has vast coastal areas being
located along China sea.
This flying boat will be used by the people of Ilocos Sur particularly in search and
rescue operations during typhoons. They can also use it in campaign against illegal fishing, said
Singson whose two sons-Ryan and Ronald are incumbent governor and
congressman of Ilocos Sur.
These flying speedboats can be easily utilized by the national and local governments
against crime like smuggling and illegal fishing, since, aside from being affordable, it can be
easily operated.
This after an Italian firm responded to a call from local officials to manufacture a flying
boat that can be easily utilized also in search and rescue operations during calamities.
It can also be used in the campaign against illegal fishing along the coastal areas and
illegal logging in the mountains.

Tested in a dry-run flight Feb. 22 along Manila Bay last week, the flying boat called
Ramphos amphibious, can carry three persons in flight and five in water, said Enos Gaiga and
Giorgio Gentilini, inventors and owners of the Ramphos flying boat.
The flying boat can operate by non-expert pilots, provided they undergo at least a week
of training , said Gaiga and Gentilini.
It can fly a distance of 300 miles or less than a little 500 kilometers and can take off from
land and sea. If you use the boat in running after lawless elements, you can have its engine
switched off a few kilometers away from the target so it is noiseless, said Gentilini, a former
colonel in the Italian air force.
He said that it is also perfect for sightseeing, scuba dive tours, adventure, patrol,
emergency rescue and yacht tender.
Fueled by diesel or petrol, It can run a speed of 28 kts. on water and operate in 10
centimeter deep water, mud and wild sand lagoon and can fly 30 meters above sea level.
Ramphos started manufacturing the sea vehicle in 1998, producing 145 units which are
now flying in 27 countries, including America, Australia, Russia, Mexico, Scandinavia, China,
Malaysia, and others.
According to Gentilini, thousands of flights have been made by their products since its
existence but so far no accidents occurred.
It is safe to operate aside from being cheap, said the Italian inventor in an impromptu
interview with this writer aboard the flying boat.
The Ramphos owners are now planning to put up their office and manufacturing plant in
the country to help the national and local governments in rescue and campaign efforts and
against lawless elements since these are affordable and can be easily operated.
He said they are ready to discuss further its mechanics with the military and other officials.
Ilocos Sur PNP on alert after
NPAs torch mining equipment
By Myds Supnad
QUIRINO, Ilocos Sur Ilocos police director Chief Supt. Roman A. Felix ordered Ilocos Sur
police to be on alert status and investigate burning of equipment by rebels here at Sitio
Sinagaban, Barangay Patungcaleo, on Feb. 19.
Based on reports equipment of South Ocean Mining Corp. owned by Peter Hay, a
Chinese National, were burned at around 1:25 a.m. of said date by armed men who claimed they
were members of New Peoples Army.
Based on
statement of security guard Jose Rapada and caretaker William Ong, an unidentified
armed male person entered the premises and ordered them to turn off their cell phones
introducing himself as member of the NPA.
Afterwards, companions of the alleged NPA member poured gasoline on the equipment
and set these on fire that lasted for more than an hour.
Following this, Felix said he directed his men to ensure security at mining area and in
Quirino town to avoid recurrence of same incident.
On April 11, 2014, same incident happened in Patiacan, Quirino wherein the drilling
machine of the Freeport Mc-Moran Phelps Dodge Mining Company was allegedly burned by the
NPA Alfredo Cesar Command.

Felix said this time, intensified security operations is being implemented in suspected red areas
with the support of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other law enforcement agencies to
ensure safety of communities folks.
Leader of illegal drug
pushers nabbed in Buguias
BUGUIAS, Benguet Police arrested an alleged leader of illegal drug pushers here at an eatery
in Barangay Abatan night of Feb. 23.
The suspect was identified as Agosto Singwa Paayas, 54, of Lower Nakiangan,
Tabbacan, Abatan.
A police report said Paayas allegedly used his house as a drug den and transaction venue,
Paayas is allegedly one of drug personalities in Buguias who are known to have big time
suppliers.
During the buy-bust operation, the operatives seized from his possession 46 small heatsealed transparent plastic sachets containing shabu worth P23,000, buy-bust money amounting to
P3,000 and cell phone.
Paayas is now in detained at the municipal jail which charges for illegal are being
prepared against him.
3 minors caught
smoking marijuana
BAGUIO CITY Three minors were caught smoking marijuana in the orchidarium at Burnham
Park here midnight of Feb. 23.
Ronnie Bangsail Valdez, helper of Baguio Water District who saw the minors turned them
over to police.
Drug gang leader falls
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet An alleged drug syndicate leader was arrested in a sting at an eatery
in Buguias town here Monday night.
Agosto Paayas, 54, was collared after he reportedly sold 46 sachets of shabu with an
estimated value of P23,000 to an undercover agent.
Paayas was reportedly the towns most wanted drug trafficker and uses his home as a
drug den, said Chief Superintendent Isagani Nerez.
Cops confiscate lumber in
Benguet, Mt Province towns
CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet Police confiscated P30,832.05 worth of lumber in
Benguet and Mountain Province last week.
In Bokod, Benguet, pine lumber worth P17, 332.05 was confiscated by police.
Personnel of the Regional Public Safety Company of Regional Public Safety Battalion
found 88 pieces of illegally sawn pine lumbers valued at P13,822 here in Barangay Kawal,
Libakung, Bobok Rizal Feb.23.
In another operation, personnel of Benguet PPSC recovered 19 pieces of illegally sawn
pine lumber worth P3, 510.
Lumber were found abandoned in Sitio Annadong, Sebang, Buguias, Benguet and Sitio
Lakkaan, Batan, Kabayan, Benguet on Feb. 23 and 24 respectively.

In Mt Province, acted upon a textmessage from a concerned citizen, police recovered

130 pieces of pine lumber valued at P13,500 abandoned along Halsema road in Mabaay Bauko
evening of Feb. 23.
Explosives dug along Baguio
road, fished out from well
BAGUIO CITY Explosives were found here at Purok 1 Irisan night of Feb. 19, 2015 by a
laborer identified as Delio Ingosan and his co-workers who were digging a road here to widen it.
The explosives were turned over to the police after these were recovered by concerned
citizens.
In the afternoon of the same day, an 81mm mortar was retrieved by police at boundary of
Loakan Airport and titled lot in Magsaysay Drive, Loakan Proper, Baguio.
It was reportedly behind the residence of Col. Cartojano at No. 241 Purok Magsaysay,
Loakan Proper.
Said projectile was found inside a dried and abandoned deep well 10 feet deep by Jerry
Marron, 48, a retired Philippine Army who paused while jogging at Loakan runway.
Regional police director Chief Supt. Isagani Nerez, expressed his gratitude to the public
for information provided to the responding personnel.
He said the public could contact police regarding criminal activities
through social media (Twitter-@PNPCordillera or Facebook Page- Pio Procor, or
throughthe following numbers: Complaint Referral - 09174297628; Regional Tactical Operation
Center (074) 422-5515; 09175302679/ 09285591669.
PNP, Comelec bare
SK election rules
CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet To ensure peaceful and orderly Special
Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections on April 25, the Philippine National Police and
Commission on Elections bared calendar of activities regarding said election.
The Comelec earlier postponed SK elections set Feb. 21, 2015 resetting it to April 25.
Calendar of events are as follows: March 26 to May 10 election period; April 11, 13,
14 filing of certificates of candidacy; April 25 election day; April 25 counting and
canvassing of votes and proclamation of winning candidates and April 26 will be filing of
statements of contributions and expenditures.
Comelec Resolution 9939 as amended stipulated the PNP should prohibited acts during
the election period: transfer of detail of officers and employees in the civil service including PNP
personnel without clearance from the Comelec; appointment of hiring of new employees;
absolute prohibition without exemption on promotions or giving of salary increases,
remuneration or privileges and creation and filing up of new positions.
Regional police director Chief Supt. Isagani Nerez said gun ban would be imposed once
election period starts to ensure safety and public order.
9 illegal gamblers arrested
BAGUIO CITY Nine gamblers were arrested here last week for illegal gambling.
Baguio cops arrested nine alleged gamblers engaged in cockfighting at an open space in
Barangay Kitma, Bakakeng Central morning of Feb. 22.
Arrested in the raid were Manuel Bolante Bersola, 53, ve of Bangued, Abra and resident
of Kitma Extension; Ernesto Iyang Cabillan, 23, of Kitma; Alex Gonzaga Napoles, 21, laborer,

of Layte, Leyte; Jose Llagas Borja, 23, of Bicol, Albay; Jerry Claro Cosme, 54, resident of
Tadiangan, Tuba, Benguet; Alfredo Arellano Igoy, 36, of Pozurobio, Pangasinan; Carlo Abuga
Cefreno, 49, carpenter, of Santa Rita, Samar, and resident of Kitma and Pedro Beltran Padilla,
57, of Sto. Nino Bakakeng Central, Baguio City and a minor.
During the operation operatives confiscated a fighting cock with spur attached to the leg
and cash bet of P2,000.
Two men unloading illegal lumber from jeep nabbed
SABLAN, Benguet Police arrested two men unloading sawn lumber from a jeep at Lower
Poblacion, Sablan, Benguet Feb. 21.
Suspects were identified as Bobby Pacalso Binay-an, 41, driver and his helper Alfredo
Petisme Chan, 51, of
Asingan, Pangasinan, both residents here of Upper Palali.
They were arrested after they failed to present legal documents.
Upped PNP security measures makes Kalinga peaceful during Ullalim fest
TABUK CITY, Kalinga - -The province was peaceful due to police security efforts to ensure
peaceful celebration of the provinces 20th Founding Anniversary and Ullalim Festival last week.
Provincial police director Senior Supt. Victor Wanchacan said police provide 24/7 patrol
and visibility at venues of events in the city.
Ecija town mayor ousted
by OMB remains in office
PANTABANGAN, Nueva Ecija Four months have passed since the Office of the Ombudsman
ordered the dismissal of Mayor Lucio Uera of this town for having illegally suspended and
dismissed 44 permanent municipal employees, but he has since remained in office.
In its joint resolution issued in June 2013, the OMB found Uera administratively liable
for grave misconduct and grave abuse of authority for having unilaterally suspended and
terminated the 44 municipal employees.
The aggrieved employees are now questioning why despite the OMB having
transmitted its ruling to the office of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
Secretary Mar Roxas Uera continues to hold office and dispense the functions of mayor.
I am very concerned about this because I received reports that Mayor Uera has been
telling people that he cannot be removed from office because he has connections (within the
Ombudsman), Alison Villaflor, one of the complainants said.
Villaflor has repeatedly written to Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, requesting
Ueras removal from his post but has not yet received any reply or acknowledgment from her
office. Sheen Crisologo
Sec Singson to grace
Begnas di Bauko fest
BAUKO, Mountain province This scenic town is set to celebrate its Begnas Festival on
March 12-14 at Bauko Catholic High School at Poblacion to be highlighted by inauguration of
Mabaay-Abatan tourism road with Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson cutting the ribbon.
Singson will be welcomed by Rep. Maximo Dalog, Gov. Leonard Mayaen and Bauko
Mayor Abraham B. Akilit.

With the theme Menpaek ya mamang-et ay Ibauko, gameng di nsiposdan da alapo

(Diligent and vigilant people of Bauko, gem of the native land), it aims to strengthen
participation and bonding of its 22 barangays.
Begnas di iBauko is one of cultural festivities celebrated annually by the municipality
com foundation day. It will feature the cultural presentation of barangays.
A musical-theater presentation of Bauko government employees in a stage play entitled
Tawid di litagwan under the direction of Ventura Betot will also be featured. The stage play is
about responsible utilization and nurturing of natural resources.
Activities were conducted before the begnas . A trek to Bauko Spanish Trail to the
camping site of Balintaugan culminating at the Lepas di ipadogan in Bagnen Oriente (festival)
took place Feb. 20-21. Inauguration and launching of the Agro-industrial fair is set at municipal
ground March 2-14.
A job fair will also be conducted March 9-10 at same venue. Arsenia Addon
2 die as van hits motorcycle
TUGUEGARAO CITY Two persons died while two others were injured when their motorcycle
was hit by a van in Tuao town Feb. 20.
Jay-ar Baltazar and Adriano Jove were declared dead on arrival at the Nuestra Seora de
Piat District Hospital while Dante Fernandez and Mark Marzan were said to be in critical
condition at the Cagayan Valley Medical Center, according to case investigator PO3 Jonathan
Corpuz.
Reports said the victims, who were on a motorcycle driven by Jove, were traveling along
the highway in Barangay Villa Laida when they were sideswiped by the van at around 11 p.m.
Corpuz said the van driver, who has yet to be identified, escaped after the accident.
Raymund Catindig
4.1 quake jolts Baguio,
nearby provinces
BAGUIO CITY Classes started promptly and without fuzz Tuesday morning shortly after
some panic when a magnitude 4.1 earthquake rocked this city at 7:14 a.m.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the center of the quake was
about 13 kilometers
southeast of this city.
It was felt strongest in this city and La Trinidad, Benguet at Intensity 4, which is
considered moderately strong, but caused no casualties or damage to property.
Phivolcs said such intensity is comparable with the vibration of a passing heavy truck
that is felt by people indoors and some people outdoors and may awaken light sleepers.
Intensity 3 was felt in Itogon, Benguet, which is relatively weak, but some people may
experience dizziness and nausea.
Meanwhile, it was slightly felt at Intensity 2 in Dagupan City in Pangasinan and
Intensity 1 or scarcely perceptible in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija.
There was no significant disruption of classes in this city and the National Grid
Corporation of the Philippines said that power transmission service was normal.
Drug couple busted

BACNOTAN, La Union A couple from Taguig City was busted in Barangay Guinabang, here
night of Feb. 22 for possession of drugs, guns, ammunition and explosives, the Philippine Drug
Enforcement Agency said.
Senior Insp. Reginaldo Dalipias, local deputy police chief, identified the suspects as Jabar
Masorong, 32, and his wife Asnaimah Macalanggan-Masorong, 33, both of Barameda Street,
Taguig City.
Seized from them were 10 sachets of suspected shabu, a .38-caliber gun, a paltik or
homemade pistol, assorted bullets, a hand grenade, and a marked P1,000 bill used in the buy-bust
operation around 7:30 p.m.
They are now detained at the Bacnotan Municipal Jail, facing a string of criminal
charges. Erwin G. Beleo
Mt Province to employ
878 studes under SPES
BONTOC, Mountain Province In support to the Special Program for the Employment of
Students (SPES) of the Department of Labor and Employment, the provincial government unit,
nine towns and two tertiary schools in the province will be employing 878 students this summer
vacation.
Of the total, the municipality of Natonin pledged to hire 212 students; provincial
government - 145; Bauko -115; Tadian 78; Paracelis 66; Mountain Province State
Polytechnic College 50; Sabangan 49, and Barlig 45.
Xijen College of Mountain Province and the Office of the Vice governor will employ 25
students each; Besao and Bontoc, 24 each and Sagada, 20.
The towns of Bauko, Barlig, Besao, Bontoc, Sagada, Tadian, provincial government and
office of the vice governor will hire students for 20 days.
Students to be employed by Natonin and Paracelis will work for 25 days and 22 days in
Sabangan, according to DOLE Provincial Field Office Head Samuel Lasdacan.
MPSPC and Xijen College of Mountain Province will employ students for 40 days.
Lasdacan said all the Public Employment Service Officers in municipalities were
instructed to start screening student applicants and process the employment documents of
qualified applicants in time for their employment in April.
Student applicants are required to submit complete documents such as original/certified
true photocopy of birth or baptismal certificate, grades for first semester for college students and
latest card of previous year for high school students, income tax return of parents or
certification from the barangay stating that the income of the family does not exceed the poverty
thresh hold.
The SPES is a regular annual job creation program of the national government intended
for the poor but deserving students to augment their school fees by providing them work during
summer vacation. This program is open to all qualified high school, college, technology or
vocational students and drop-outs who intend to continue their studies.
Under this program, students are paid a salary computed based on the given wage rate of each of
the employers, 60 percent will be paid by the employer in cash while the remaining 40 percent
of the salary will be paid by DOLE in the form of education voucher. Juliet Saley
Ecija town mayor ousted
by OMB remains in office

PANTABANGAN, Nueva Ecija Four months have passed since the Office of the Ombudsman
ordered the dismissal of Mayor Lucio Uera of this town for having illegally suspended and
dismissed 44 permanent municipal employees, but he has since remained in office.
In its joint resolution issued in June 2013, the OMB found Uera administratively liable
for grave misconduct and grave abuse of authority for having unilaterally suspended and
terminated the 44 municipal employees.
The aggrieved employees are now questioning why despite the OMB having
transmitted its ruling to the office of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
Secretary Mar Roxas Uera continues to hold office and dispense the functions of mayor.
I am very concerned about this because I received reports that Mayor Uera has been
telling people that he cannot be removed from office because he has connections (within the
Ombudsman), Alison Villaflor, one of the complainants said.
Villaflor has repeatedly written to Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, requesting
Ueras removal from his post but has not yet received any reply or acknowledgment from her
office. Sheen Crisologo
Sec Singson to grace
Begnas di Bauko fest
BAUKO, Mountain province This scenic town is set to celebrate its Begnas Festival on
March 12-14 at Bauko Catholic High School at Poblacion to be highlighted by inauguration of
Mabaay-Abatan tourism road with Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson cutting the ribbon.
Singson will be welcomed by Rep. Maximo Dalog, Gov. Leonard Mayaen and Bauko
Mayor Abraham B. Akilit.
With the theme Menpaek ya mamang-et ay Ibauko, gameng di nsiposdan da alapo
(Diligent and vigilant people of Bauko, gem of the native land), it aims to strengthen
participation and bonding of its 22 barangays.
Begnas di iBauko is one of cultural festivities celebrated annually by the municipality
com foundation day. It will feature the cultural presentation of barangays.
A musical-theater presentation of Bauko government employees in a stage play entitled
Tawid di litagwan under the direction of Ventura Betot will also be featured. The stage play is
about responsible utilization and nurturing of natural resources.
Activities were conducted before the begnas . A trek to Bauko Spanish Trail to the
camping site of Balintaugan culminating at the Lepas di ipadogan in Bagnen Oriente (festival)
took place Feb. 20-21. Inauguration and launching of the Agro-industrial fair is set at municipal
ground March 2-14.
A job fair will also be conducted March 9-10 at same venue. Arsenia Addon
2 die as van hits motorcycle
TUGUEGARAO CITY Two persons died while two others were injured when their motorcycle
was hit by a van in Tuao town Feb. 20.
Jay-ar Baltazar and Adriano Jove were declared dead on arrival at the Nuestra Seora de
Piat District Hospital while Dante Fernandez and Mark Marzan were said to be in critical
condition at the Cagayan Valley Medical Center, according to case investigator PO3 Jonathan
Corpuz.
Reports said the victims, who were on a motorcycle driven by Jove, were traveling along
the highway in Barangay Villa Laida when they were sideswiped by the van at around 11 p.m.

Corpuz said the van driver, who has yet to be identified, escaped after the accident.
Raymund Catindig
4.1 quake jolts Baguio,
nearby provinces
BAGUIO CITY Classes started promptly and without fuzz Tuesday morning shortly after
some panic when a magnitude 4.1 earthquake rocked this city at 7:14 a.m.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the center of the quake was
about 13 kilometers
southeast of this city.
It was felt strongest in this city and La Trinidad, Benguet at Intensity 4, which is
considered moderately strong, but caused no casualties or damage to property.
Phivolcs said such intensity is comparable with the vibration of a passing heavy truck
that is felt by people indoors and some people outdoors and may awaken light sleepers.
Intensity 3 was felt in Itogon, Benguet, which is relatively weak, but some people may
experience dizziness and nausea.
Meanwhile, it was slightly felt at Intensity 2 in Dagupan City in Pangasinan and
Intensity 1 or scarcely perceptible in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija.
There was no significant disruption of classes in this city and the National Grid
Corporation of the Philippines said that power transmission service was normal.
Drug couple busted
BACNOTAN, La Union A couple from Taguig City was busted in Barangay Guinabang, here
night of Feb. 22 for possession of drugs, guns, ammunition and explosives, the Philippine Drug
Enforcement Agency said.
Senior Insp. Reginaldo Dalipias, local deputy police chief, identified the suspects as Jabar
Masorong, 32, and his wife Asnaimah Macalanggan-Masorong, 33, both of Barameda Street,
Taguig City.
Seized from them were 10 sachets of suspected shabu, a .38-caliber gun, a paltik or
homemade pistol, assorted bullets, a hand grenade, and a marked P1,000 bill used in the buy-bust
operation around 7:30 p.m.
They are now detained at the Bacnotan Municipal Jail, facing a string of criminal
charges. Erwin G. Beleo
Mt Province to employ
878 studes under SPES
BONTOC, Mountain Province In support to the Special Program for the Employment of
Students (SPES) of the Department of Labor and Employment, the provincial government unit,
nine towns and two tertiary schools in the province will be employing 878 students this summer
vacation.
Of the total, the municipality of Natonin pledged to hire 212 students; provincial
government - 145; Bauko -115; Tadian 78; Paracelis 66; Mountain Province State
Polytechnic College 50; Sabangan 49, and Barlig 45.
Xijen College of Mountain Province and the Office of the Vice governor will employ 25
students each; Besao and Bontoc, 24 each and Sagada, 20.

The towns of Bauko, Barlig, Besao, Bontoc, Sagada, Tadian, provincial government and
office of the vice governor will hire students for 20 days.
Students to be employed by Natonin and Paracelis will work for 25 days and 22 days in
Sabangan, according to DOLE Provincial Field Office Head Samuel Lasdacan.
MPSPC and Xijen College of Mountain Province will employ students for 40 days.
Lasdacan said all the Public Employment Service Officers in municipalities were
instructed to start screening student applicants and process the employment documents of
qualified applicants in time for their employment in April.
Student applicants are required to submit complete documents such as original/certified
true photocopy of birth or baptismal certificate, grades for first semester for college students and
latest card of previous year for high school students, income tax return of parents or
certification from the barangay stating that the income of the family does not exceed the poverty
thresh hold.
The SPES is a regular annual job creation program of the national government intended
for the poor but deserving students to augment their school fees by providing them work during
summer vacation. This program is open to all qualified high school, college, technology or
vocational students and drop-outs who intend to continue their studies.
Under this program, students are paid a salary computed based on the given wage rate of
each of the employers, 60 percent will be paid by the employer in cash while the remaining 40
percent of the salary will be paid by DOLE in the form of education voucher. Juliet Saley
Kalinga gov calls for peace,
unity in Ullalim fest address
TABUK CITY, Kalinga Gov. Jocel C. Baac urged people to take the call of a thousand gongs
a call for peace and unity as the province celebrated its founding anniversary last week with the
theme, Kalinga at 20: A Legacy of Peace and Unity
Baac made the call Monday before a multitude who watched the spectacular dance of
awong chi ganza or call of a thousand gongs played by 3,048 players coming from the various
barangays, municipalities and schools.
Rallying for peace and unity among tribes, Baac likened the harmony of the three
thousand gongs to people of the province, who in the midst of diversified beliefs and dreams,
could ultimately stand as one for Kalinga.
The rhythm and tune produced from the thousand gongs could resound and despite
varied tribal groupings, our hearts can beat as one and act together to push our province and
people forward to prosperity and development, Baac said.
I urge you to bring the call beyond the borders of the province to the rest of the
Cordillera, nation and wherever it could reverberate, Baac said.
This years awong chi ganza was documented for possible entry in the Guinness
World of Book Records.
It was launched last year and played by a thousand gong players from the different municipalities
but this time, organizers increased the number of players to 3,048. Larry Lopez
New quake devise
installed in Dagupan
DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan A new earthquake intensity meter has already been installed
here for disaster preparedness and response.

The device, which was provided by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and
Seismology (Phivolcs) and Japan government, is capable of perceiving movements or shaking
during or after an earthquake.
The earthquake device is connected to a computer with an internet access that gathers
information and transmits real-time data to Phivolcs database for an accurate description of an
earthquake. Liezle Basa Iigo
La Trinidad launches
Strawberry Festival
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet As the Baguio Flower Festival heated up, the nearby capital town
of Benguet also launched last week its Strawberry Festival.
Set to open in the first week of March just as Baguios Panagbenga is winding down,
Strawberry Festival 2015 carries the theme Valley of Colors: A Colourful Gathering and
Merry-Making.
La Trinidad officials headed by Mayor Edna Tabanda said the month-long event will
kick-off on March 2 with the opening of Agro-Industrial Trade Fair and barangay booths at the
public market grounds.
The formal opening is on March 6 that will start with an ecumenical service.
On March 16, the Strawberry Lane will open at the Municipal Park where various
strawberry by-products and other La Trinidad produce will also be offered for sale. Also
featured will be strawberry cake festival and strawberry baking and pastries competition.
The towns foundation day on March 18 will be highlighted with street dancing, parade,
the main program, and multi-cultural celebrations and rituals. A mini-float and drum and lyre
parade and competition are scheduled on March 20.
The annual Strawberry Fun Run and Walk with the most awaited Duting tan Dukto,
and the search for the sweetest and biggest strawberry fruit are set on March 2. Coronation
night for Mr. and Ms. La Trinidad will be on March 28 at the Benguet State University grounds.
Other scheduled-activities include: clean-up drive (Mar. 6), renewal of marriage vows
(Mar. 19), barangay night (Mar. 20), youth symposium, Acoustic Band Competition (Mar. 25),
La Trinidad Got Talent (Mar. 27), Jobs Fair (Mar. 30 -31), and various family, sports and
adventure events, among others.
Tabanda is inviting the public to come and celebrate with them and enjoy the various
cultures and products of La Trinidad. Arlene Abat
200 Abra women join
livelihood training
BANGUED, Abra, More than 200 women in the province are being trained to engage in
livelihood projects to augment their family incomes.
Since January, four training sessions were conducted at Velasco, Tayum; Cabaruyan,
Daguioman; Poblacion, Tayum and Sulbec, Pidigan. Another training session is set at Cayapa,
Lagangilang .
Noemi Belandres-Bachiller of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office was
trainer in food processing and preservation.
Participants in the livelihood development trainings were members of the Kalipunan ng
Liping Pilipina.

The KALIPI members cited Gov. Eustaquio P. Bersamin for giving attention to needs of
Abra women by funding their training programs and giving soft loans that are interest-free for
capital to start small businesses.
The governor assured the women of his continuing support for as long as these women
will show their sincerity and diligence in implementing the skills they have acquired and really
engage in business and not misuse the money that is loaned out to them.
They also thanked the PSWDO headed by Decimia D. Cabang for sustaining the program
for the women by integrating and accommodating their project proposals for inclusion in the
funding in their annual investment plan. Maria Teresa Benas
Ifugao town gives incentives
to retiring nutrition scholars
ALFONSO LISTA, Ifugao Retiring barangay nutrition scholars in this municipality now
receive incentives from the local government.
Municipal officials led by Mayor Glenn Prudenciano and Vice-mayor Joseph Angowan
approved last quarter of 2014 the ordinance granting incentives to retiring BNSs upon reaching
the optional or mandatory age of retirement.
The ordinance states the BNS at age 60 to 65 could apply for early retirement with an
incentive of P20,000, and at the compulsory retirement age of 65, incentive is P25,000.
This is in recognition to services of BNSs leading to reduction of malnutrition cases in
the municipality and in gaining Green Banner Award on nutrition in the region.
Barangay nutrition scholars are trained community workers whose basic tasks include
caring for the malnourished, mobilizing communitites for improvement of their nutrition, linking
community with service providers, and assisting in delivery of nutrition services. Marcelo
Lihgawon
DA Sec urges farmers to join
Benguet Agri-Pinoy trade scheme
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala urged
Cordillera farmers to sell their crops under a business scheme of Benguet Agri-Pinoy Trading
Center here.
Alcala, however said farmers are not forced or mandated to join the BAPTC saying
Kung sinong unang nagtiwala, siyang unang makikinabang pertaining to the benefits the
farmers would be getting in the said trading center.
The BAPTC, expected to be operational this first quarter of the year, aims to help
farmers of Cordillera access new technologies, lower cost of production and wider market
options under DAs Agri-Pinoy Trading Center program.
The program aims to attain sufficiency in food staples and sustain the growth of the
lucrative local vegetable industry in the Cordillera which is to benefit the farmers.
BAPTC is patterned after the Sentrong Pamilihan in Sariaya in Quezon Province where,
according to Alcala, he hopes the Cordilleran farmers will get to experience what farmers of
Sariaya experienced.
He said BAPTC would help the farmers be competitive in terms of production and
quality of vegetables.
Alcala said he is now pushing trading centers that would allow development agricultural
marketing in the country. Pryce E. Quintos, Jasmine Ann Jacer and Christine Faye Kim

DOLE 2 eyes hiring

of 16,000 new grads
TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan This year, as in previous ones, Region 2 expects 16,000
youth to graduate from college and face the challenge of landing a job, the Department of Labor
and Employment said Tuesday.
Lawyer Sixto T. Rodriguez Jr., DOLE Region 2 director, said the big population of young
graduates calls for action and, as such, his office sees through the holding of at least 50 job fairs
throughout the region.
The job fairs, Rodriguez said, will be done in partnership with academic institutions,
local government units, local private employers and overseas recruitment agencies in order to
help the fresh college graduates find suitable employment.
But the job fair is not only for those graduating this month. He said the job fairs are a
venue for the unemployed, laid off and even returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) whose
contracts abroad have been terminated to find new livelihood opportunities.
That is why we will be organizing Job Fairs to bring employment right here in our
doorstep, Rodriguez said. We will be posting in our website, www.ro2.dole.gov.ph the
schedules of Job Fairs. We will also be using social media for information dissemination.
Liezle Basa Inigo
Motorists reminded of
king of the road law
BAGUIO CITY Folks here are once again clamoring for strict implementation of the citys
King of the Road Ordinance to discipline drivers and prevent vehicular accidents.
The ordinance requires motorists to slow down when approaching a pedestrian lane and
fully stop for five seconds in all pedestrian crossings within the city.
The ordinance is yet to see full implementation given the fact that the Traffic
Management Unit lacks personnel to man all pedestrian lanes.
Signs of the ordinance are in place and augmentation forces which includes police interns
are now anning different choke points in the city.
Volunteers were also tapped to help in directing traffic especially during weekends and
big city events. Mayor Mauricio Domogan said, there order for city police to man crossings
especially in crowded areas.
This he said includes areas where frequent accidents are recorded.
We have asked the Department of Public Works and Highways to cut savings from the
pedestrian overpass being constructed by removing the planned elevator, hopefully the money
saved can be appropriated for another overpass or underpass fronting Saint Louis University,
Domogan said.
The mayor reminded drivers to follow traffic rules and regulations, speed limits and
observe utmost care when driving a motor vehicle.
This also applies to pedestrians, they should also use designated pedestrian lanes when
crossing and drivers should yield to pedestrians , he said.
As per Ordinance No. 7 series of 1984 or the Comprehensive Transportation and Traffic
Ordinance of the City of Baguio, it is unlawful for any person to drive in a built up area at a
speed exceeding 30 kilometers per hour.
Domogan said, following the speed limit will not only reduce number of vehicular
accidents but will serve to discipline reckless drivers.

A recent incident of over speeding and careless driving caused the death of a student in
the city last month. Paul Rillorta
Baguio Filipino-Chinese
share gifts to poor folks
BAGUIO CITY - The city government here in partnership with the Baguio Filipino-Chinese
Community celebrated Spring Festival with gift sharing at Bakakeng Central headed by punong
barangay Dan Palos Daniel. They gave 5,000 gift packs to indigent constituents.
Feb. 19 was at Bell Church with 5,000 gift packs given to poor folks.
Beneficiaries were identified by the City Social Welfare and Development Office.
Hotelier Peter Ng said they have a 2-classroom project at the Mabini Elementary School
ready to be used next school year. Jho Arranz
Tour operators promote
Cordillera tourism sites
BAGUIO CITY The Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) has given its
commitment that its more than 300 members and affiliate transportation and hotel and restaurant
groups will market the regions unique features and attractions.
PHILTOA made the vow during the five-day Island Philippines Fun Caravans
Cordillera leg where some 50 tour operators and first-time visitors toured heritage
sites and tourist destinations in the region.
The tourism caravan is the first activity of the PHILTOA, with the aim of
boosting tourism promotion in the entire country. The caravan started in the
Cordillera region, then to Southern Tagalog, Central and Northern Luzon, Visayas
and in Mindanao.
PHILTOA president Cesar Cruz said the group advocates to help the domestic
tourism industry through the caravan an effective way to encourage local and
foreign tourists to visit historic sites in the countryside.
He said their group wishes to contribute to the declaration of 2015 Visit
Philippines Its more fun in the Philippines of the DOT by coming up with the
five caravans which they can use to design low cost tour packages for visitors.
He said Cordillera is not difficult to sell as communities are ready, the local
governments have programs and there are unique sites that can be found in the
region.
The Cordilleras Heritage Warrior Caravan started in Kiangan, Ifugao where
the local government pushes for the new concept of tourist destination and
attraction the Open Air Museum.
Kiangan is the town where General Tomoyuki Yamashita actually surrendered
in September 2, 1945 before he was flown to Camp John Hay in Baguio City for the
signing of the surrender documents with the Americans the following day.
The concept is not just seeing the attraction, but being part of the attraction,
doing activities involving the tourists right at the heritage site.
The next stop was Banaue and Banga-an Rice Terraces which are listed as UNESCO
heritage sites. The group proceeded to Bontoc and Sagada in Mt.Province ; then to
Buguias, Atok and La Trinidad towns, ending in Baguio.

BAYAMBANG, Pangasinan Teachers and parents of students of the Bayambang Central

School here are appealing to Education Secretary Armin Luistro to conduct an investigation after
cracks were reportedly found on the beams of some classrooms.
In a letter dated Feb. 20, teachers and parents led by Filipinas Alcantara, president of
Parents Teachers Association, said they are worried about the safety of the students and
personnel of the newly constructed school on Magsaysay St.
A check made at the site by media confirmed cracks on the beams.
The transfer of the school to the area in 2013 was met by protests from parents and
teachers and resulted in a legal dispute involving the municipal government that claims
ownership of the old school site in Poblacion, some officials of the Department of Education in
Pangasinan 1 and school authorities.
Teacher Evangeline Ferrer said she moved her students to other areas within the school as
she worries about their safety.
School principal Corazon Cayabyab said the municipal engineers office inspected the school
last week. She said she has yet to receive a copy of the inspection report. Eva Visperas
Baguio mayor creates group to monitor city hall red tape
By Jho Arranz
BAGUIO CITY Mayor Mauricio Domogan recently issued an administrative order to create
monitoring team to stop or lessen red tape in city hall.
Republic Act 9485, known as Anti-Red Tape Act (Arta) of 2007 has been in effect since
Sept. 5, 2008 following the issuance of implementing rules and regulations by Civil Service
Commission.
The monitoring team will be headed by the mayor with Dr. Estrella Bisquera as the vicechairman and action officer.
Members of the team include city administrator lawyer Carlos Canilao, city engineer Leo
Bernardez, Jr., city general service officer Romeo Concio, city assessor Nilda Navarro, city
treasurer Alicia Onoza and acting city building official, Arch. Johnny Degay.
The ARTA monitoring team will determine methods/strategies for 100 percent
implementation of the ARTA in the city government here, to conduct on-the-spot monitoring of
the offices, and to compel all offices to comply with the requirements of the ARTA, such as but
not limited to posting of the Citizens Charter in their respective departments; No Noon Break
and the presence of a public assistance and complaints desk.
The CSC adapted
mechanism called ARTA Watch in which actual on-the-spot monitoring is conducted to
determine agencies complying with the specific ARTA provisions and requirements and the city
government here is continuously doing its part to improving the delivery of public service.
It provides all government agencies including departments, bureaus, offices,
instrumentalities, or government-owned and or controlled corporations, or local government or
district units shall set up their respective standards to be known as the Citizens Charter within
one year after effectivity of said law.
Said act aims to promote efficiency and transparency in government with regard to the
manner of transacting with the public by requiring each agency to simplify frontline service

procedures, formulate service standards to observe in every transaction and make known these
standards to the clients/citizens.
ARTA of 2007 was enacted to improve efficiency in the delivery of government service to the
public. The reduction of bureaucratic red tape and prevention of graft and corruption is the main
purpose of the RA.
Cop caught in Pangasinan town drug session
By Eva Visperas
CALASIAO, Pangasinan A police officer was arrested by his colleagues and agents of the
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency during a raid on an alleged drug den here Feb. 22.
PO1 Jerry Mabanglo was allegedly caught using shabu with some companions in a house
in Barangay Buenlag, said Supt. Rizaldy Dalope, Calasiao police chief.
Mabanglo reportedly tried to resist arrest but someone close to him convinced him to
surrender.
The raiding team reportedly seized from Mabanglo a plastic sachet said to contain shabu
and drug paraphernalia.
Dalope said aside from drug charges, Mabanglo would also face an administrative case.
He said his men placed the alleged drug den under surveillance before staging the raid.
Cagayan, Kalinga raids
yield P1.2-M shabu
By Raymund Catindig
TUGUEGARAO CITY At least 550 grams of shabu with an estimated street value of P1.2
million were seized in separate drug operations in Cagayan and Kalinga provinces last week.
Of the total volume, at least 500 grams of shabu were seized from the house of Bong
Addawi, alias Bongtay, in Barangay Nambaran, Tabuk City, Kalinga, said city police chief
Superintendent Francisco Bulwayan.
Aside from Addawi, arrested were Jeffrey Danipog, Peter Bam, Luis Appag, Ricky
Bayog and Jefferson Sal-ao, all of Tabuk City.
Meanwhile, agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) arrested
Jonathan Tamayo during a sting in Barangay Bagumbayan, Tuguegarao.
Tamayo, who was in the target list of the PDEA, reportedly yielded 14 plastic sachets said to
contain shabu, said PDEA regional director Juvenal Azurin.
Kalinga town road accident leaves 3 persons dead, 33 hurt
PINIKPUK, Kalinga Three persons died while 33 others were injured when a passenger
jeepney rolled over here Feb. 22.
Michael Bagbago, died at the scene while Jovilyn Canias, 12, and Rolino Sagayo, 20,
died a day after while being treated at the Cagayan Valley Medical Center in nearby Tuguegarao
City, said Senior Insp. Francisco Ben, town police chief.
The injured
passengers were taken to different hospitals for treatment. Fourteen of them were said to
be in critical condition.
The passengers came from a religious fellowship meet and were on their way home when
the accident
occurred at around 4:30 p.m.

Reports said the jeepney was traveling along a road in Sitio Kapanikian, Barangay
Junction when its driver, George Caddawan, lost control of the wheel causing the vehicle to roll
over.
Caddawan was placed under police custody as charges were readied against him.
In Tabuk city, recent road accidents had made the City Public Order and Safety Office to
impose a truck ban at the citys commercial center.
The imposition was also due to mounting problem on traffic and road order.
Tabuk City POSO Officer Dionisio P. Falgui III reported the truck ban is imposed from 7
a.m. to 5 p.m. every day at the citys main thoroughfare leading to the city public market.
The monstrous traffic is reportedly caused by delivery trucks unloading commercial
stocks at the area. Aside from the truck ban, POSO has also designated common unloading and
parking site for trucks near the area to help ease the problem.
Officials said the ban would make roads safe for pedestrians especially young children
who pass along the area to school.
Meanwhile, Falgui reported strict enforcement of the Helmet Law among motorcycle
riders in the city.
With the recent completion of road improvement and widening works in Tabuk, cases of
road accidents involving motorcycles had tremendously increased.
To assure public safety, the POSO set up checkpoints to check those driving without license,
particularly among minors and motorcycle drivers not wearing helmets. With a report from
Larry Lopez
5 dead, 3 hurt in La Union
hacking, shooting incident
By Jun Elias and Vic Alhambra
AGOO, La Union Five persons were killed and three others were wounded when a father and
his three sons went on a shooting and hacking rampage here in Barangay Capas Tuesday.
Reynaldo Refuerzo, 30, and his three-year-old daughter Mary Anne; Gil Cabilitazan, 28;
Zosimo Fontanilla, 30; and Gilberto Cecilio, 41, were pronounced dead on arrival in a hospital
due to stab wounds in various parts of the body, said Chief Insp. Artemio Infante, Agoo police
chief.
Rodel Refuerzo, Gilmar Cabilitazan and Benjie Tabunia remain confined at the Ilocos
Training and Regional Medical Center.
The suspects were
identified as Demetrio Gayo and his sons Noel, Oscar and Ferdinand.
Investigation showed the victims were having a drinking spree along the road when the
suspects arrived and Demetrio challenged them to a fight. Noel fired at the victims with a Cal. 45
pistol while Oscar and Ferdinand took turns in stabbing them.
La Union police chief Senior Supt. Ramon Rafael said Ferdinand was arrested
Wednesday. A manhunt for the other suspects is underway.
Police are looking at family feud as the motive for the killings.
Baguio mayor creates group
to monitor city hall red tape
By Jho Arranz

BAGUIO CITY Mayor Mauricio Domogan recently issued an administrative order to create
monitoring team to stop or lessen red tape in city hall.
Republic Act 9485, known as Anti-Red Tape Act (Arta) of 2007 has been in effect since
Sept. 5, 2008 following the issuance of implementing rules and regulations by Civil Service
Commission.
The monitoring team will be headed by the mayor with Dr. Estrella Bisquera as the vicechairman and action officer.
Members of the team include city administrator lawyer Carlos Canilao, city engineer Leo
Bernardez, Jr., city general service officer Romeo Concio, city assessor Nilda Navarro, city
treasurer Alicia Onoza and acting city building official, Arch. Johnny Degay.
The ARTA monitoring team will determine methods/strategies for 100 percent
implementation of the ARTA in the city government here, to conduct on-the-spot monitoring of
the offices, and to compel all offices to comply with the requirements of the ARTA, such as but
not limited to posting of the Citizens Charter in their respective departments; No Noon Break
and the presence of a public assistance and complaints desk.
The CSC adapted
mechanism called ARTA Watch in which actual on-the-spot monitoring is conducted to
determine agencies complying with the specific ARTA provisions and requirements and the city
government here is continuously doing its part to improving the delivery of public service.
It provides all government agencies including departments, bureaus, offices,
instrumentalities, or government-owned and or controlled corporations, or local government or
district units shall set up their respective standards to be known as the Citizens Charter within
one year after effectivity of said law.
Said act aims to promote efficiency and transparency in government with regard to the
manner of transacting with the public by requiring each agency to simplify frontline service
procedures, formulate service standards to observe in every transaction and make known these
standards to the clients/citizens.
ARTA of 2007 was enacted to improve efficiency in the delivery of government service to the
public. The reduction of bureaucratic red tape and prevention of graft and corruption is the main
purpose of the RA.
Local entrepreneur turns exporter with government support
By Maria Teresa Benas
BANGUED, Abra A local entrepreneur here is now an exporter, thanks to the technical support
program of the government especially the Department of Science and Technology.
The JB Campol Furniture Shop owned and managed by John B. Campol and his wife has
gone a long way since it started operation in the early 1980s. , Campo is a native of Poblacion,
Boliney.
It was started by Campols late father with only two skilled carpenters-carvers from San
Vicente, Ilocos Sur and used manual tools such as hacksaw, planer and
chisels.
When the elder Campol died in 1987, John was forced to stop schooling and helped in its
operation using same old manual carpentry tools.

Orders increased and so was the income of the shop. John went back to school and
graduated in Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Management in 1991.
In 1992, John invested additional capitalization of P50,000.00 for the procurement of raw
materials and mechanized tools. But the shop experience rough sailing and after five years, John
stopped operation due to the declaration of a total log ban by the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR).
When the DENR declared a selective log ban and allowed again the transport of wood,
John re-opened his shop in 2003 with another start-up capital of P200,000.00. With the
marketing assistance of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the shop regained its
momentum and John registered his shop in 2004.
Johns participation in the trade fairs sponsored by the DTI in various malls in the
Metropolis such as SM Mega Mall, Mall of Asia, and Alabang Festival Mall gave him exposure
in the world market.
Purchase orders increased and in order to cope with the increasing market demand for
their products, John sought the technical assistance of the DOST in Abra. This was in the form
of an equipment loan under the Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP)
scheme.
As a result John expanded his business operation, and increased his workers from 10
to 25.
Today, JB Campol Furniture Shop has a standing order of 8,000 pieces of wooden
chopping boards of different sizes made of mahogany and acacia for export to Valencia,
California, USA.
From its humble beginning, the JB Campol Furniture is inspiring and worth emulating
for other entrepreneurs.
Explaining the SETUP program, DOST-Abra Director Menandro Buenafe emphasized
the benefit of a backward link it generates. With the increased business operation of the furniture
industry, people in the forested communities are given livelihood by being able to sell their forest
trees as sources of raw materials for the wood
industry.
Moreover, the sustainability of the furniture industry is strengthened because of the
continuing program of tree planting because the forest dwellers are linked up with the seedling
producers who supply them with their planting materials.
Consequently, the program also contributes to the national program of the government to address
the global problem of climate change.