Baguio Reporter

BUT HE GIVETH MORE GRACE. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:6,7 KJV

Good News: Computerized eye consultation

OCTOBER 25, 2009

BALAJADIA

INSURANCE CORPORATION BAGUIO BRANCH OFFICE Rm. 304 Antipolo Bldg.

Session Road, Baguio City Tel. No. 442-6089 / 6681

Baguio Optical Clinic

Services Offered: Fire Marine Motor Car Personal Accident Misc. Risk

Session Rd., Porta Vaga and PMA Fort del Pillar

Dr. Ricardo Balajadia Dr. Rachellie BalajadiaBarbacena Dr. Yasmine B. Cortes Dr. Ronnie L. Balajadia Tel. No. 442-6974; 3565

“Service makes the difference”

P8.00

The Working Journalists’ Community Newspaper TRUTHABOVE ALL

VOL. XX NO. 20

Baguio City, The Philippines

MRS. LOLITA MANANES Branch Manager H.E. Amb. ANTONIO L. CABANGON-CHUA Chairman Emeritus

P1.4 billion needed to rehabilitate roads

BY DEXTER A. SEE

NA TIONAL DE FE NSE SECRE TA RY a nd Na tional Disa ster Coordinating Counc il Cha irm an Sec . Gilb erto Teod oro em pha siz es tha t p re-em ptiv e m easures should b e undertaken by loc al chief executives a nd the Cord illera Regional D isaster Coordinating Council before a strong ty p hoon strikes. Teodoro was in the city to brief local officials and CRDCC members on disaster preparedness. Photo by Redjie MElvic Cawis PIA

national government needs Tathe least P1.4 billion to restore and rehabilitate the ravaged roads

in the diffe re nt parts of the cordillera after the heavy rains and strong winds of Typhoon Pepeng inflicted hea vy damages tha t resulted to the isolation of the region from the rest of Northern

GOODAH! - A boy sorts out donated clothes and some food items from Victory Church of Baguio. Over 200 eva cuees a ffec ted by la nd slid es in Itogon , Beng uet who are now relocated in a school at Barangay Tuding received these relief goods. - Photo by Rick Rey es

Luzon.

A report by the Cordillera office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) which was submitted to the National Disas ter Coordinating Council (NDCC) showed the heavily ravaged roads include the Halsema highway, Kennon road, Marcos highway, Naguilian road, Benguet-NuevaVizcaya road, Abra-Kalinga road, Ca gaya n-Apayao-Ilocos Norte road, Abatan-Mankayan-Cervantes road, Sabangan-Tadian-Cervantes road and other major road networks in the interior parts of the region.

Engr. Roy Manao, DPWHCAR regional director, said the 190kilometer Halsema highway suffered the biggest damage with over P500 million needed to rehabilitate it, especially the re-direction of the road in several road cuts, particularly the 300-meter road cut along Km.

City government boosts bid to recover Forbes Park lots

BY AILEEN P. REFUERZO

he city government's bid to recover portions of the Forbes T Park forest reservation which were

issued Certificates of Ancestral Land Title (CALTs) by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) in favor of the heirs of Lauro Carantes shifted to high gear last week as the city sought various legal reliefs in an effort to reclaim the lots.

T he c ity through Ma yor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. last October 21 filed a civil case for injunction with prayer for the issuance of a temporary restraining order and

writ of pre liminary injunction against the Register of Deeds (ROD) to re stra in s aid office from "accepting, admitting, approving, registering, annotating or in any way giving due course to whatever deeds, instruments or any other documents involving voluntary or involuntary dealings which may have effe ct of transferring, conveying, encumbering, ceding, waiving, alienating or disposing in fa vor of a ny e ntity" the s aid contested lots.

CITY p.5

TYPHOON p.5

Donors re-tool typhoon rescuers

BY RAMON DACAWI

ayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr.has M found relief as chair of the city disaster coordinating council

after donors converted their cash support into shovels, axes and other much-needed rescue tools as Baguio and the re st Northern Luzon prepared Friday for typhoon Ramil.

The ma yor We dnes da y inspected the tools, some of which city administrator and CDCC action officer Peter Fianza assigned to the 10 police precincts for fas ter dis tribution during res cue operations.

The mayor Monday met with city police director, Sr. Supt.

Agrifino Javier and the precinct commande rs to upgrade the capability of police officers in rescue work, in tandem CDCC personnel and other volunteers The loc al chapter of the Association for Philippine-China Understanding headed by Tony Lee led the donors who upgraded the CDCC 's res cue tools and equipment.

E-power, a Manila-ba sed power company, through Andy Payoyo a nd Jerry Isica n, also handed over to the CDCC 25

BAGUIO EAR CENTER

D’ Lens Studio

Photo and Video Coverage For All Occasions

Jimmy C. Gatchalian Proprie tor

Plaza Theater Bldg., Malcolm Square 2600 Baguio City, Philippines Tel. Nos. (074) 443-8233 / 304-2635 443-8231 / 619-0246 Email Address: dlens@mozcom.com

Affiliate of the MANILA HEARING AID CENTER • Hearing Aids / Batteries / Spareparts • Otoacoustic Hearing Tests for babies •Pure Tone Audiometry / Speech Audiometry / Play Audiometry Rm. 205 Victoria Shoppersville Mabini St., Baguio City

( 442-7858

LIPAT BAHAY? Rm.106 Victoria Shoppesville Bldg.

Upper Mabini St., Baguio City Office Tel. (074) 444-6526 Cell. 0919-6326322

DONORS p.5

GOVE R NOR NESTOR F ONGWA N m eets SM F oun d a tion direc tor Cristie An geles and SM Ba guio man ager A my Gonzales to thank them for the relief goods donated for ty ph oon v ictim s, even as a p pea ls for m ore h elp , particularly for reha bilitation materia ls for the people of Beng uet affec ted by the recent ty p hoon. - Photo by Redjie MElvic Cawis PIA

Council seeks formulation of program on climate change

he city council has sought the T formulation of an integrated program on climate change for the city to cope with the expected impact of global warming and other repercussions of climate change.

"While the City has a Solid Waste Management Ordinance, Water C ode and Clea n Air Ordinance, there is a need for an integrated program on climate change for the City, which should include mitigation and adaptation measures," the body noted in Resolution No. 384 series of 2009.

Proponent councilors Betty

RITO’S RESTAURANT RITO MAGPATOC - Manager @ KM. 3 MARCOS HIGHWAY, Baguio City @ DOT-CAR COMPOUND, Fronting City High School Tel. No. (074) 444-3076; CP: +639082477909; +639285063877 www.ritosrestaurant.com “We accept catering services for small & big occasions”

Lourdes Tabanda and Nicasio Palaganas said climate change is now being felt in the country including the city where trends of increasing numbers of hot days and warm nights and extreme weather episodes like intense rains are observed.

They said the climate change will surely affect water, food s ec urity, hea lth, biologica l diversity and ecosystem and plans are needed to mitiga te the se effects.

"The Fourth Ass essment

COUNCIL p.2

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OCTOBER 25, 2009

THE BAGUIO REPORTER

Heal our land, don’t delay, plant a tree today

City calls for public offers for hydro project

BY AILEEN P. REFUERZO

he city government is calling T for public offers for the improvement, development and

LIFE SAVING TOOLS - City Disaster Coordinating Council volunteers sort out emergency tools and equipment purchased by the city government for distribution to Police SubStations to be used during rescue and em ergency operations. For emergency , needy constituents may call CDCC operations center at 442-1900, 1901, 1902 and 1905. Photo by Bong Cay aby ab

AdCon: RAB won’t concede November ad fever U

nfazed by looming typhoon Ra mil, mayor Reina ldo Bautista, Jr. acting as courier and chief negotiator for Baguio wheeled to Ma nila hoping to swa y the Advertising Board (Ad Board) to steer the 21st Advertising Congress (AdCon) back to the city.

Armed with a letter of appeal and similar petitions from the city's top business dogs, Bautista said losing AdCon hosting duties would me an losing huge pros pe ctive profits for Baguio for the last quarter, centennial year.

The Manila rush came in the heels of AdBoard chief Charmaine Canillas' letter dated October 14, informing the city government the Ad Board decided to hold one of the country's biggest conventions in another venue.

The AdCon's high-profile facet

is projected to lure big spenders to whichever loc al government hosting it.

This year, Baguio as winning suitor hoped to squeeze millions from 5,000-AdCon participants by way of hotel accommodations and miscellaneous expenditures.

But the AdBoard, jaded by the wanton destruction wrought by Pepeng to roads leading to Baguio, decided to move the AdCon in Subic.

Bautista in his letter however said, "We are ready… the roads to Baguio City are passable and with the guarantee of president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, these arteries will soon be in their usual top-grade condition in time for the 21st AdCon." Bautista told the AdBoard, "You never doubted our people's resiliency in spite of [typhoon

Pepeng that affected even your proposed alternative venue."

Appealing to the AdBoard's humane side, He added there is no better time to hold the convention in Baguio but as scheduled to nurse the c ity and its ne ighboring municipalities back to economic vibrancy after the whipping it got from Pepeng.

Aware of emotional trauma pervading over typhoon victims howe ve r, Bautista as ke d the AdBoard to "modulate the glitz" the AdCon is known for.

This, he said, "So we could make an AdC on that s eeks to encourage 'moving on' - a congress of thanksgiving and compassion that can highlight the humane side of the industry the AdCon seeks to promote."**ISL

grim find - a leg believed that A of a 12-year old boy reported missing with three others since they

Miller Viernes, a freshman at the Irisan National High School , and thre e othe rs remaine d unaccounted for after about two wee ks of se arch a nd res cue operations for missing victims of a landslide that buried three houses at Purok 1 in Irisan at the height of typhoon Pepeng.

Volunteers came up empty after days clearing the debris and following the route of the Irisan River to Aringay and then shifting the search back to the landslide area Miller's father, Orly, a farmer in Labilab, Itogon, Benguet led relatives to Tubao, La Union last Thursday and were told residents found five days before a limb snagged along their portion of the river

He the n te xte d his wife , Evelyn, who, in turn s ought transport support from the CDCC. Fianza sent volunteers Melchor Tagayona and Rowell Garcia to fetch the searchers who went as far as Aringay.

Aside from the boy, also reported missing were Marceline Sevilla, her six-year old daughter Kimberly Sevilla, and her uncle Mario Tacloy, Miller was staying with his aunt Marceline at Irisan while his parents and their two younger children Delight, 11, and Jacob, 7 - live in Labilab. - Ramon Dacawi.

resolution noted.

"The global average sea level rose due to increased in the global average surface temperature at an average rate of 1.8 mm `per year over 1961 to 2003 or a total of 0.17m for the 21st century; "There are projected increases due to future warming from 1.4 C

to 5.8 C during the 21st century, leading to an increase in the sea level from 18 - 59 cm by 2100; "Human a ctivity and the increas e in the relea se in the atmosphere of greenhouse cases have been identified as among the causes for the rise in temperature an indication of climate change."aileen p. refuerzo

Body part found along Aringay River were buried alive in landslide last Oct. 8 - was recovered last week along the river leading to Aringay, La Union.

C ity administra tor Pe te r Fianza last Thursday afternoon dispatched a team from the city disaster coordinating council that transported the limb, together with a team of searchers led by the boy's father.

While there was no immediate way to fully ascertain whether the find was that of the boy, Fianza said it would help his family cope with mourning, towards closure over its loss.

COUNCIL... from page 1

Report of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate change (IPCC) reveals that the global average surface temperature increased by 0.74 C in 1960-2005, which is higher than the Third Assessment Report of 0.6 C (1901-2000)," the

HEALTH REGIONAL D IRECTOR Dr. My rna Cabotaje assures the public that the Health department and the Reg ional Disaster Coordinating Council are read y and on stand by with the impending ty phoon and calamities region-wide. The assurance was aired during the Kapihan sa Baguio forum last week. - Photo by Redjie MElvic Cawis PIA

expa ns ion of the Asin minihyrdroelectric plants.

The city council approved Resolution No. 378 series of 2009 for this purpose.

In the measure, the body also urge d the c re ation of an Executive-Legislative and Private Mini-Hydro De ve lopment Privatization Committee composed of seven members to facilitate the conduc t of public he arings , consultations and processing of offers.

The said committee would also pres cribe guidelines on how interested parties may participate and make recommendations in choosing the best offer for approval by the c ity council and confirmation by the city mayor or vice mayor.

Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. earlier announced that the city will soon issue notices to prospective companies who have the capability to operate and manage the facilities based on the terms of reference adopted for the purpose.

The ma yor sa id the c ity council through Resolution No. 1042009 granted him the authority to negotiate for the operation of the power plants to maximize the fa cilities ' income -generating potentials.

The resolution noted that the Czec h Re public s tudy tea m's assessment revealed that the plan is economically feasible.

"Therefore the city should facilitate its privatization program since it can be proven that its further improvement and development can triple or quadruple its present capacity in the long term," the resolution said.

The sa id the re a re many interested parties making offers for the proje ct and they a re only waiting for the guidelines and how the city will do the process of studying the best option.

"There is a definite goal of improving and expa nding the capacities of the present dilapidated system which the study sets a probable cost of development and sets also the increase in capacity and estimate of production and income which is estimated to triple, quadruple or even more from the present level of the income between P18,000,000 to P20,000,000 or as the study says $2,000,000 earning in one year," the resolution noted.

"Since the project is with a technology and there is no single standard technology, the way to get the best is let everyone who has the technology to make their offer and all that has to be done is choose among the best offers and not try to prescribe a standard which we ourselves are incapable of doing," the measure noted.

ON GARBAGE LANDFILL

City begins talks with Sablan dads

BY RAMON DACAWI

epresentatives of the city began last Tuesday talks with residents R of Sablan, Benguet on Baguio 's

proposal to build an "engineered sanitary landfill"(ESL) on a private lot in the town to solve the city's garbage disposal problem and eventually prevent a similar one from occurring in the municipality.

Officials of both loca l government units stressed during the initial forum in front of the town hall that it will take a long process, starting with the series of dialogues towards "social acceptability", on whether Sablan residents would allow the project to proceed.

C ity administra tor Pe te r Fianza, designated by city mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. as point person in the efforts to solve the city's trash problem, said the project would even be stopped despite its prior acceptance should it fall below the standards and agreements set during the negotiations.

"This is just the beginning of a series of dialogues for us here and our neighbors in Baguio ," town mayor Bonny Tac io told his constituents as he asked them to raise all their concerns relative to the proposal under an atmosphere of transparency.

City councilor Antonio Tabora Jr., chair of the city council's public works c ommittee , note d the project, if pushed through, would redound to economic benefits for the hos t town, including job opportunities for its residents.

Colleen Lacsamana, head of

the city environment and parks management office, presented a bird's eye-view of the ESL structure as established in and being managed by other local government units complying with the provisions of Republic Act 9003, which mandates the closure of open dumpsites and adoption of ESL and othe r e nvironme nt-friendly wa ste disposal systems.

She s aid the ESL s ystem include s proper transport a nd containment of odor, leach and other pollutants and opens the probability for harnessing methane for fuel or to generate electricity.

Her presentation triggered a suggestion from mayor Jose Abansi of neighboring Burgos town in La Union for a look-se e into the operation of ESL facilities. "Kitapati (to see is to believe)," he pointed out.

Jay Co, executive assistant to mayor Bautista, said the city will transport sector representatives of Sablan, from town and barangay officials, non-government organizations and other groups to a field visit to the ESL of Sa n Fernando, La Union.

The 22-hectare proposed site in Sablan is one of several the city is considering for the establishment of an ESL system following the closure of the open dumpsite at Irisan Barangay in July last year.

Since then, the city has been hauling its solid waste to an ESL fa cility in C apas , Tarla c as a temporary measure.

URBAN DEVELOPMENT- Cong. Mauricio Domogan explains the various issues and concerns affecting the city's urban development and shelter programs in a recent celebration of the National Shelter Month at City Hall Multi-Purpose Center. - Photo by Bong Cay abyab

PSMBFI extends help to PROCOR policemen C AMP BADO DANGWA, Benguet - The Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund, Inc .

(PSMBFI) last week distributed cash assistance and assorted relief goods to 37 policemen and nonuniformed personnel of Baguio City Polic e Office , Be ngue t Provincial Police Office and Police Regional Office Cordillera affected by typhoon "Pepeng".

PO1 Jenelyn Bengwasan of the Benguet Provincial Police Office and PO1 Marlon Marcos of the Baguio City Police Office received 25,000 each, plus assorted relief goods in a brief ceremony here presided over by Police chief Supe rintende nt Orlando L. Pe sta no, regiona l dire ctor of PROCOR. PO1 Bengwas an of Twin Peaks, Tuba Benguet lost her father and brother when a landslide buried and cut-off their house and eventually crashed into the Bued River. His father's body was found in Sison, Pangasinan. Her brother who was inside the house remained missing to date.

PO1 Marcos who is also from Twin Peaks, Tuba, Benguet also lost his wife and daughter at the height of the killer typhoon. Both Bengwasan and Marcos were on duty when their families died.

Of the 200 beneficiaries, the initia l 37 policemen a nd non uniformed personnel of PROCOR received P2,000 each and relief goods cons is ting of therma l

A SSISTA NCE - Chief Supt. Orla n d o Pestan o, regiona l director of the Police Regional Office-Cordillera, hands cash assistance to PO1 Jennalyn Bengwasan of Benguet Provincial Police Office and later to PO1 Marlon Marcos of B aguio City Police Office w hose immediate families died in a landslide during the height of typhoon Pepeng.

The financial assistance and relief goods were donated b y Pub lic Sa fety M utua l B en efit F un d, Inc . (PSM BF I) th roug h Gen. M an ager Wa sh in gton Ja vier (righ t) a nd Sr. Supt. Frederick Oconor, left, marketing head. - Photo

by Zaldy Comanda

blanket, candles, canned goods, flashlight and noodles.

Police Senior Superintendent Frederick Oconer, of the PSMBFI sa id we ha ve to re spond immediately to a situation where our policemen were also victims so that we can give due assistance pursuant to our social obligation.

Pestano said all the recipients of assistance were in the line of duty serving the people while their respective families were left like all the other residents who suffered

the fury of typhoon "Pepeng."

"We thank the lone PNP insurance company (PSMBFI) for extending the assistance so that together we can help them - our policemen and other personnel who suffered so much…go on with their lives and move forward. The imme diate re sponse of the company, like what we want to convey to all the victims, is in line with our social responsibility," Pestano stressed. - SPO4 Viyo Hidalgo

THE BAGUIO REPORTER

Heal our land, don’t delay, plant a tree today

FELIX ‘Eliral’R. REFUERZO - Publisher and Editor-In-Chief ALDRIN T. PAGUIO - General and Business Manager NICOLAS R. REFUERZO - Circulation Manager BERNADETTE MAGTANONG - Staff Writer CATHERINE REFUERZO-VICTORIO - Staff Writer CAESAR VALENCERINA - Sports LEGAL ADVISER

ATTY.GARDY TAQUED JOYCE NAVARRO - Computer Layout Artist Editorial and Advertising Offices

RA L Me d ia Re la tio n s (Refuerzo Advertising Liaison)

Rm. 210 Mezzanine Flr., YMCA-Baguio Building Post Office Loop (Session Rd.) Baguio City 2600 Mobile Phones: (+63) 09209540572; 09084879979;09083973550 Lot 7, Purok 2, Justice Village, Baguio City 2600 e-mail: baguiorep@hotmail.com / eliralref@yahoo.com

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OCTOBER 25, 2009

3

CAR agencies, red tape-free

overnment agencies or offices in the Cordillera Administrative Region move a step closer to being red tape-free as over 100 agencies have completed their Citizen's Charters, set up Help Desks and launched anti-fixer measures in compliance with Republic Act No. 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) of 2007. The statistics include the Local Government Unit of Baguio and the Provincial Government of Kalinga and Apayao which were identified as the model city and province, respectively, in so far as the implementation of ARTA is concerned. These agencies have also complied with the provisions of ARTA. The Anti-Red Tape Act aims to improve public service specifically frontline services rendered by client-heavy agencies. It applies to all government offices including local government units and government owned and controlled corporations that provide frontline services. With the Act, lengthy procedures, unreasonable paper requirements and padded fees will hopefully be addressed and stopped.

The Anti-Red Tape Act requires all government offices to draw up a Citizen's Charter which identifies the frontline services offered, the step-by-step procedures, the employee responsible for each step, the amount of fees, the documents to be presented by the client and the procedure for filing complaints in relation to requests and applications. Prior to completing their charters however, government offices will have to review and evaluate their respective systems and procedures towards making transactions faster and easier for clients. The Citizen's Charter must be posted as information billboards at the main entrance or most conspicuous place and in published materials. Among the salient features of the law is the eradication of fixers and establishment of public assistance and complaints desks in all government agencies. The law specifically provides penalties against fixers: dismissal from the service and maximum imprisonment of six years or payment of fine of not more than P200,000 or both.

The complete list of agencies which have complied with ARTA as of August 10, 2009 may be accessed through the Commission's website www.csc.gov.ph. The public are encouraged to provide feedback thru telephone no. (02) 932-0111 or mobile no. 0917-8398272.

The Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) of 2007 took effect on September 5, 2008 following the issuance of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) by the Civil Service Commission under CSC Resolution No. 081471 dated July 24, 2008. Within one year from effectivity of the IRR, all government agencies should have set up or completed their respective Citizen's Charters.

Benchwarmer

BY RAMON DACAWI e-mail" rdacawi@yahoo.com

I

RELIEF CENTER - The Benguet Provincial Governor's Office is used as center for relief operations for the province where people or companies may bring any help to victims of the recent typhoons. - Photo by Redjie MElvic Cawis PIA

On the Beat e-mail: eliralref@yahoo.com

H

Photographers defer photo-safari in the region. Close to 80 perished in "Little Kibungan", some entire families.

Baguio City was isolated when all of the roads linking it to the rest of the world have been sealed by landslides and brought the city on its knees, pushing it on the brink of food and fuel shortage.

"Pepeng" lingered almost stationary for a week over northern Luzon pouring what many believe as world record rainfall and has also caused close to P800-million in damages in infrastructures and agriculture, prompting th e Ph ilip pine g ov er nmen t to c all for humanitaria n help fr om the in tern ational community.

Pepeng's onslaught came barely a week a fter Typ hoon Ond oy d umpe d a month' s rainfall in six hours that submerged Metro Manila and has caused untold sufferings and deaths in the national capital region.

The Luna sojourn was originally scheduled on October 24. It is the first of the club's twicea-year photo safaris this year as part of the club 's p rogr am to pr omote ca ma ra de rie among its members and to enhance further their picture-taking abilities.

Tra dition ally , a sa fa ri is an ove rlan d journey. It originally refers to a trip by tourists to Africa. Today, the term safari often refers to a trip taken not for the purposes of hunting, but to observe and photograph nature and wildlife.

contribution -and at me -, making me feel so proud. He asked where and how I got them, and I answered there were more where they came from. He then told the boys to prepare for an evening expedition catching frogs - with me as guide.

We p re pa re d flashlig hts an d I sp lit "saleng" (pine peat) for the torches. We told the girls in class not to buy specimens as we'd bring them one each the following morning.

But the frogs didn't show up that night, and we almost ended up empty-handed. After an hour, Macloyn Flormata chanced upon our only saving grace, a big one, of the species Rana magna.

The following morning, the girls picked on us for our humbled silence, picturing us like bloated bullfrogs croaking big. They had to make do with tiny specimens, of the lowland species Rana vitegera they bought from the ma rke t.

Still, we boys felt good over the expedition Mr. Alcantara didn't hesitate to immerse us in. Our non-and-then field exposure made us eventually feel and see the most important le sson of it all - the re 's no sub stitu te to experiential lear ning th at v alidate s wh at books and pictures tell us.

It's late to tell my teacher that the idea for kids today to exp lore the city's Bu sol Watershed - so they can touch and smell the soil, hu g tre e trun ks, se e a nd follow the contours of ferns, identify flora and fauna, and to hold and plant a seedling under the "EcoWalk" program - sprouted from that lesson he passed on to us in the field.

Later in college, Mr. Alcantara alerted me one morning. I was then at the UB Student Center for the second day of a Northern Luzon Conference of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines ..

"Martial law has just been declared and what are you still doing here?," he whispered.

"Better leave," he added and then asked if I had seen Nathan.

I heed ed the warning, saving me from arrest and detention that his son Nathan, several years my junior and fellow student

BENCHWARMER p.5

a day in a life

FELIX ELIRAL R. REFUERZO

e re 's d ispa tc h f rom Sly Qu in tos announcing the postponement of a photosafari by his group. Please read on.

In d ef er en ce to th e re ce nt c alamity b roug ht a bout b y Ty ph oon Pe pe ng tha t ravaged Baguio City, the Cordilleras and most of northern Luzon, the Baguio Photographers Club has postponed "until further notice" its photo-safari to the coastal town of Luna in La Union.

W hile the h ea vily -d amag ed M ar cos Highway and Naguilian Road which link Baguio to the low la nd s ha ve b ee n op en ed to vehicular traffic, the Baguio Photographers Club "thou ght it pruden t to postpone the activity for the safety and well-being of its members".

The club's officialdom has also called on th e memb ers to hee d the urg ent call f or donations for the victims of the calamity.

More than 60 people have been killed in B ag uio City a nd mor e th an 3 00 in th e Cord ille ra s du e to massive lan dslide s triggered by almost a week of relentless rains brought by Typhoon Pepeng. Thirty others have been reported missing and are feared dead.

In the nearby town of La Trinidad alone, re sc ue rs r ac ed a ga in st the c lock (se e accompanying photos) after the entire village of "Little Kibungan" was buried in what could be the biggest single landslide ever recorded

Teacher Ernesto Alcantara

n keeping with his wish, the remains of my biology tea cher , Mr. Er nesto Alcantara returned to ashes last Friday, five days after he quietly passed on last Sunday evening. He was 80.

The casket was transferred Thursday to the United Church of Christ in the Philippines beside the Rizal Park for the necrological service, last night vigil and the final rites prior to cremation at Beyond the Sunset.

Se nior Pastor Simp licio Da ng -a wa n announced no less than retired Bishop Juan Marigza was to officiate in the final rites, leading the flock in paying tribute to a fellow pillar of th e ch ur ch . Un til he c ou ld , Mr .

Alcantara, a retired regional director of the National Statistics Office, taught in Sunday school with his wife and fellow teacher, the former Adelina Estillore.

The couple met at the Kalinga Academy , h is f ir st tea ch in g assign me nt a fter h e majored in biology from Silliman University .

Th ey b ec ame my tea ch er s wh en the y transferred to the University of Baguio , where Dr. Fernando and Rosa Bautista, opened what is now the UB Science High School.

Dr. Reinaldo Bautista, who hatched the UBSHS with Damaso Bangaoet on prodding of the university founders, recalled they chose the b est te ac he rs f or the spe cial sch ool p rogr am, amon g th em Emmett Br ow n Asuncion, Mr. and Mrs. Jaime Castro, Ernesto and Adelina Alcantara and Mr.Maurice Bajada.

I often struggled to keep my scholarship, some time s fe elin g th e od db all with my con stan t or giv en we akne ss in ma th that remains a backbone of the program. I found solace in the humanities, and Mr. Alcantara kindled my interest in plants and creatures I grew up with at the Pacdal Forest Nursery, where my unschooled, garden laboring father spent a life-time gathering and coaxing seeds to sprout and grow.

Mr. Alc antara never confined us to the classroom. He took us to identifying, holding and gathering specimens from the field. In no time, I took the cue, catching bullfrogs from the creek beside the nursery and taking them to his class.

Through his spectacles, he beamed at my

BY MARCH FIANZA

e-mail: marchfianza777@yahoo.com

BGHMC Advisory Board helps children with pneumonia

F

our inf an ts w ith Pe diatric Commun ity Acquired Pneumonia (PCAP) and one foury ea r- old boy with v ir al men in gitis an d p ne umon ia w er e amon g th e 26 ind ig en t patients assisted by the Medicine Fund of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center Advisory Board for September.

In a report to the BGHMC AD, Medical Social Service Worker Dolores Beniahan said that four infants aged one month to 10 months w er e give n P2 ,4 25 w or th of me dicine .

Although the full amounts of the medicines were not given to the infants, an average amount of P800 was given to them. The foury ea r- old wa s assisted in th e amou nt of P627.35.

The ter m "c ommu nity -a cq uire d pn eu monia" r ef er s to p ne umon ia in a previously healthy person who acquired the infection outside a hospital according to the American Family Physician. CAP is one of the most common serious infections in children, with an incidence of 34 to 40 cases per 1,000 children in Europe and North America. The studies state that streptococcus pneumoniae and viruses are the most common causes in infants three weeks to three months of age.

The ten month old male infant was rated as

the high risk while the three others were mod er ate risk. Th e four inf an ts w er e discharged from the hospital.

In the report, Beniahan listed 11 children as b en ef ic ia ries, th er e we re f ou r othe r newborns who were given medicine with a five-day old male with Low Birth Weight and Multiple Congenital Anomalies who died. Two other children were included in the list, a fouryear-old boy with viral meningitis and the five-year-old boy diffuse proliferative T/C Lupus Nephritis III. For the month of September, there were 11 adults aged 17 to 58 were given P8,253 worth of medicines and four senior citizens were given P3,169 worth of medicines.

The profile of the indigent patients showed an average household income of P6,045.92 per month with the income per capita as P1,060.35 which is lower than the baseline income of P1,393.41 set by the guidelines.

There were 11 casual laborers among the be ne ficiar ie s, f iv e fa rmer s, f ou r fa rmer laborers, four relatives, one housemaid, one laundry woman, one painter, and one cashier.

There were eight earners and 18 dependents among the beneficiaries. - Nonnette Bennett

4

OCTOBER 25, 2009

THE BAGUIO REPORTER

Heal our land, don’t delay, plant a tree today

Traffic scheme issued for ‘All Saints’ Day’ he Oplan Kaluluwa executive committee in coordination with T the Baguio City Police Office

TUBLAY RELIEF - Residents of Sto. Niño in Tublay living in an evacuation center at Tomay, La Trinidad receive relief goods from SM Foundation last week. Hundreds of packs were distributed to municipa lities of Beng uet from this humanitarian Foundation. - Photo by Redjie MElvic Cawis PIA

Judge Mariñas orders burning of MJ leaves

Mariñas orders burning of MJ dried leaves Judge Pursuant to pertinent laws and

decrees, RTC Judge Marybelle Demot-Mariñas of Branch 8 in La Trinidad, Benguet has ordered the burning of 30 bricks of marijuana dried leaves, which she also led in a simple ceremony at Justice Hill, Provincial Capitol Compound, La Trinidad, Benguet last October 20.

The immediate burning or destruction by the Court, through the Philippine Drug Enforcement

Agency (PDEA), of confiscated, seized and/or surrendered dangerous drugs, plant sources of dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals, instruments or paraphernalia and/or laboratory equipment is being manda te d primarily by Section 21 of Republic Ac t (RA) Numbe r 9165 (The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).

The marijuana burning was witnessed by Benguet Prosecutor

JUDGE p.5

Traffic Management Bureau, has issued a traffic re-routing scheme for the annual exodus to the city's cemeteries come November 1.

According to Oplan Kaluluwa Action Officer Engr. Gregorio Deligero, traffic personnel shall be deployed in the Central Business District (CBD) up to the Baguio C emetery from 5:00 AM of November 1, until the activity is over.

A one-way scheme shall also be strictly implemented during the same period of time along: Naguilian road, from junction of Bokawkan road up to Dominican road; Dominic an roa d, from junction of Naguilian road up to Queen of Apostles road and Queen of Peace road up to Legarda rd/ Palma st. intersection; Whole stretch of San Luis road, from junction of Naguilian road up to San Roque road; Whole stretch of San Roque road going up towards Naguilian/ Dominican; Going up only, of the whole stretch of Sofia de Vera st; Going up only, of the first road Quezon Hill (from junc tion of Naguilian rod up to Ponce st.; and, Whole stretch of Hamada road (from Naguilian towards Queen

BY JULIE G. FIANZA

of Peace road).

As in previous years also, public utility vehicles shall be rerouted: Guisad, Fairview and other PUJ associations taking Ferguson road, in going to the CBD shall take Dangwa st., or Roman Ayson to Boka wkan rd towa rds their designated loading terminal same route in going back to the point of origin.

Trucks and Buses are banned a long Quirino highway from Boka wkan roa d, Na guilia n rd junction up to 2nd road San Carlos Heights junction. Trucks and buses are advised to take alternate routes; Marcos Highwa y, Lamta ng, Longlong a nd Sta . Lucia Circumferential road (from 5 AM of Nov. 1 up to midnight of the same day.

Only water delivery, ambulance and police vehicles are allowed inside the Baguio Cemetery during the same period.

Private vehicles are allowed to pass infront of the Baguio Cemetery and allowed to to turn around at the junction of San Carlos Heights and shall be then be allowed to unload/ load passengers infront of Baguio Cemetery then pass through Quirino highway, turn right to Lourdes/ Dominican in going back to Central Business District area.

Taxicabs delivering passengers to the cemetery shall go around at

2nd road, San Carlos hts and are allowed to unload passengers before the Baguio Memorial Cemetery Gate, go through Quirino highway, turn right to Dominic an roa d towards Queen of Peace or Queen of Apostles st. going back to the CBD. Irisan, San Carlos hts, NPC, other Naguilian PUJs Association, in going towards the CBD shall take Na guilia n road, turn right to Dominican rd down to either Queen of Peace or Queen of apostles road to their terminal, usual route in going back to point of origin. Unloading of passengers shall be at the junction of San Carlos hts, first road.

San Luis, San Roque, Asin, Na ngalis an a nd other PUJ s association shall take Asin rd., in going to the CBD shall take San Roque rd, turn right to Dominican rd down to Queen of Peace or Queen of Apostles rd to their terminal, and later usual route in going back to point of origin. Unloa ding of passengers shall be at the back of Station 1, BCPO. Dominican PUJs in going to the CBD shall take Queen of Peace or Queen of Apostles rd to their des igna te d loading/unloading terminal. Usual route shall be used in going back to the point of origin.

TRAFFIC p.5

Traffic experiments in barangays approved ll barangays except those in A the central business district are now mandated to conduct their own tra ffic e xperiments to contribute to the solution of traffic problems in their areas.

The city council approved Resolution No. 377 series of 2009 authored by Vice Mayor Daniel Farinas a nd C ounc ilor J oe l Alangsab for this purpose.

In the measure, it was noted that traffic congestions now occur even in remote barangays where roads are narrow and are used for parking by residents.

"Considering the pres ent situation, the blocking of roads often cause more inconvenience and delays worsening traffic and worst, in cases of emergencies, said troubles could result to loss of lives and properties, such as when there would be fires in the vicinity where even fire trucks, ambulances and

other vehicles of response teams are blocked along the way," the measure noted.

The measure said one-way sc he me s and othe r traffic experiments may solve these road problems in the absence of city ordinances dealing on the matter.

As approved, the experiments should be done in coordination with the Association of the Barangay Councils and the Traffic Management Branch of the city police to ensure smooth implementa tion of the experiments.

Advanced notices should also be made to alert the constituents before the sc he me s will be implemented.

Any recommendations by the barangays should also be submitted to the city council for approval before implementation.

- aileen p. refuerzo

FOR SEPTEMBER

BGHMC hits 103% occupancy aguio General Hospital and Me dica l Ce nter hit a n B occupancy rate of 103 percent in

Dads back windmill feasibility study T

he city council gave Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. the go signal to explore the possibility of constructing a wind power plant in the city.

The body a pprove d Resolution No. 389 series of 2009 recommending that the city mayor a uthorize the c onduct of a feasibility study on said project to determine the viability of said alternative power source in the city.

The mayor earlier broached the possibility of a foreign-funded feasibility study for said project. "...As a contribution to the gove rnme nt's program of propagating sustainable living, (the city) could try to duplicate the Bangui Windmills in Ilocos Norte and a good number of streetlights in China and Canada which were built to reduce the emission of harmful greenhouse gases that cause global warming," the resolution authored by Vice Mayor Daniel Farinas noted.

"The city's location offers various natural resources which when tapped could be beneficial to the environment and the residents," the resolution further noted.

The construction of the wind power plant was broached after the mayor visited the Bangui Bay Wind Power Project in Bangui town in

Ilocos Norte.

The mayor said he believes that the city has its wind power potential in strategic locations that can be tapped as alternative energy source.

Officials of the Northwind Power Development Corporation which spearheaded the Bangui wind power plant led by lawyer Ferdinand Dumlao said Baguio being the highest city in the land indeed has potential for the development of a wind power project but a feasibility study is needed to affirm this.

The ma yor expres se d reception to the idea and said that this would be one of the targets he will pursue in his administration.

The Bangui wind power plant located along the shorelines of Bangui bay is the first of its kind in South East Asia.

It started with 15 gigantic wind turbines and now has a total of 20 turbines that produce electricity without emitting harmful Green House gases and now has a total ge ne ra ting c apac ity of 33 megawatts.

It now supplies 40 percent of the power needs of Ilocos Norte.

Its benefits the locality through taxes and a share of one centavo for eve ry kilowatthour energy produced. - aileen p. refuerzo

RU INE D - A round 30 houses, inc ludin g a sc hool and a church, were totally wrecked after the river water rose up c ausing landslides in Sitio Luneta, Loac an in Itogon at the height of typhoon Pepeng. At least five individuals died while hundreds were left homeless. The v olunteers from 911 on Call Medical and Rescue group together with Bombo Rady o an d Jollibee delivered relief goods to the isolated sitio last week. - Photo by Redjie MElvic Cawis PIA

Septembe r with 2,604 patients admitted for the month in the 400 bed capacity hospital.

The report was presented by Hospital Direc tor Dr. Manuel Fortuna during the BGHMC Advisory Boa rd mee ting las t Wednesday. This attributed to the climate of the past month.

According to the report, there was an average of 389 in-patients per day with an average stay of almost five days. This was the highest rate for the last nine months of the year.

Among the in-patients, 65 per cent were charity patients with a total of 1,637. There were 693 Medicare patients and 206 pay ward patients.

The out-pa tients s erve d numbered 18,626 or an average of 980 patients per day which is also the highes t for the pa st nine months.

In the emergency room, there were 207 patients served daily or a total of 6,217. Deaths numbered 49 which ranks third for the year compared to 60 in July and 55 in May. Reports from Chie f Administrative Officer Edward Pudlao, from January to August and a total of 19,296 patients admitted in the hospital, 10,047 were from Baguio City. The provinces of the Cordillera shared 5,153 of the

statistics with Bengue t a s the highest contributor with patients numbering 4,539. T he lowes t number came from Apayao with 16.

Patients from other parts of the country numbered 4,096 where Panga sina n contribute d 2,709 patients. The second province with the next highest number of patients was La Union with 667.

Meanwhile, the out-patients catered to by the hospital have a total of 144,482 with Baguio City patients numbering 81,003 and the Cordillera provinces with 32,012 patients. Pangasinan was the other province with the highest number of out-patients at 23,218. La Union followed Pangasinan with 3,868 and the third highest was Nueva Ecija with 1,052.

In a previous report, Head accountant Magdalene Fabillar reported to the BGHMC Advisory Board that BGHMC received P3.8 million from the City Council as medical assistance in November 2008. As of September 18, a total of P2,601,544.78 was spent on 726 referrals from the city councilors.

Councilor Rocky Thomas Balisong a lloc ated his full fund of P233,333. 33 on 46 referra ls .

Councilor Nicasio Palaganas with a budget of P533,333.33 has spent P317,849. 76 on 82 referra ls .

Councilor Joel Alangsab has spent the le as t funds with only P59,513.10 spent on 13 referrals.

-Nonnette Bennett

on the massive pollution of the Chico River through Resolutions No. 2009-035, 2009-045, 2008477, 2008-478 and 2005-123 of the provincial boa rd which were eventually endorsed to the RDCCAR for appropriate action.

T he Kalinga provinc ia l gove rnme nt ha s es tablished a provincial monitoring team headed by boardmember Fernando M. Abay and composed of representatives from the DENR office in Kalinga and the local government units concerned which conducted an inspec tion of the Chic o rive r recently and met with provincial officials of Mountain province and the municipal officials of this capital town regarding the alarming state of pollution along the river connecting the two provinces.

On the other hand, the EMBCAR also conducted dialogues and cons ultations with officials of Mountain province on the establishment of materials recovery

facilities (MRFs), sanitary landfill sites and the conduct of a massive information and educ ation campaign activities on solid waste management for communities along the Chico river to ensure that wastes will not be willfully dumped in the waters which results to pollution.

T he RDC a ss erte d the complime ntary and conc erte d action of government agencies, loca l gove rnme nts and othe r stakeholders is required to ensure a comprehensive and sustainable solution to the garbage and waste disposal problem along the Chico River.

For the ir part, Bontoc municipal officials disclosed they are implementing strict solid waste management practices to prevent residents from dumping their solid and liquid wastes along the Chico River to protect it from eventual death due to pollution. By Dexter A. See

Task force formed to abate worsening Chico river pollution B

ONTOC Mountain Province The Cordille ra Regiona l Development Council (RDC) here created a task force to address the worse ning pollution along the Chico river, which strands from this landlocked province to Kalinga and Ca ga ya n province s, from the unabated disposal of garbage, liquid and solid wastes along the river, that is a risk to the health, well-being and livelihood of downstre am communities and water users.

The Chico River has been identified as one of the major river sys tems in the Cordillera that provides sufficient water resources for e lectric power ge nera tion, a gric ulture , dome stic water, ecotourism, fishery and recreation.

The super body tasked to coordinate activities to prevent the eventual pollution of the Chico river will imposed of representatives from the re gional offic es of the Department of Environment and Na tura l Re source s (DENR),

Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), Departme nt of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Interior and Local Governme nt (DILG), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the local government units of Mountain Province and Kalinga.

The task force shall ensure complime ntary and conc erte d actions of government agencies, loca l gove rnme nts and othe r stake holders in addressing the problem of garbage and waste disposal along the Chico river and overse e the effe ctive implementation of activities that would ensure the proper disposal of garbage, liquid and solid wastes of communities and households and prevent the eventual pollution of the river, popularly being used by foreigners for the famous whitewater rafting activities.

Earlier, the province of Kalinga has expressed grave concern

THE BAGUIO REPORTER

Heal our land, don’t delay, plant a tree today TYPHOON... from page 1

18, Ambassador, Tublay, Benguet.

Another P150 million, Manao added is needed to rehabilitate the road cut and other portions of Marcos highway, which has been earlier envisioned as the "a llweather road" to and from this mountain resort city.

While assuring motorists from the lowlands and other parts of the region that all roads are now open to vehicular traffic, except for the Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya road which remains closed to vehicular traffic, the DPWH-CAR official advised motorists to observe precautions in travelling along the said roads be ca us e of the on-going rehabilitation and restoration works so that any untoward incidents that could happen along the way will be prevented.

Bas ed on the submitte d estimates, P100 million each is required to fully rehabilitate the Cordillera sections of the Kennon and Naguilian roads in order to bring back the old features of the said road networks which are vital in ensuring consistent food and fuel supplies for the city and some parts of the region.

Aside from the s aid vital roa dlines , the Bontoc -TabukTuguegarao road, Abra-Kalinga road, Cagayan-Ilocos Norte road, Bokod-Ka bayan-Buguias road, Acop-Kapangan-Kibungan-BakunBuguias road and Sabangan-TadianCervantes road incurred over P100 million in damages because of the numerous roa d cuts along the stre tc he s of the roa d and the involvement of the clearing of series of landslides which hamper the flow of traffic and transport of goods to the far flung areas.

Ac cording to Ma na o, the damage suffered by the roads and bridges in the region is re ally unfortunate In preparation for the expected onslaught of Typhoon Ramil in the region within the next few days, the DPWH-CAR with the support of private contractors have already deployed almost all heavy equipment in critical portions of the major roads so that landslides could be immediately cleared for the benefit of the motoring public, especially those going to and from the interior parts of the region.

The Cordillera is considered to be a high risk area because of the presence of geohazard places as pinpointed by experts.

CITY... from page 1

City legal officer Melchor Carlos Rabanes said this is to protect the city's interest on the lots in view of the ROD's continued processing of transactions involving the titles and in the wake of the ROD's denial of the annotation or registration of the city's adverse claim on the assailed NCIP titles on account of an NCIP status quo order over said lots.

Rabanes said they filed an appeal to the Land Registration Authority to contest ROD's denial of registration of t he city's adverse claim over said lots. …But pending the resolution of our appeal, we have no way by which to protect the interest of the city except to file an injunction to restrain and refrain from honoring or approving or giving any due course any voluntary dealings which may have an effect of alienating these parcels of land in favor of private individuals," Rabanes said.

On the same day October 21, the city through the mayor also filed before the Office of the Ombudsman an administrative case against NCIP commissioners Atty.

Eugenio Insgine, Rolando Rivera, Riza lino Se gundo, Atty. Noel Fe longco, Ja nnette Serra noReisland, Felecito Masagnay and Miguel Imbing Apostol who awarded the subject lots to the heirs of Lauro Carantes.

"The act of respondents in awarding portions of the Forbes Forest Reservation in favor of the aforesaid private individuals is highly irregular, anomalous and illegal in view of the fact that Forbes Forest Reservation is an inalienable forest reserve which was withdrawn from sale of settlement by virtue of Proclamation No. 10 issued on February 9, 1924..," the complaint noted.

The city said "the anomalous and illegal titling of (portions of Forbes Park) is patent and revolting and is causing outrage and uproar to the people of Baguio who know by he art that the Heirs of La uro Carantes are bereft of any valid or legitimate ancestral land claims over portions of the said (reservation)" as proven by a certification from the De pt. of Environme nt a nd Natural Resources Cordillera office "that the name Lauro Carantes nor heirs and assigns do not appear in the listing of the 48 original Igorot claimants and additional 285 land claimants in the city as contained in Administrative Order No. 55

series of 1954."

The city prayed that the act of said commissioners should be sanctioned pursuant to existing and applicable laws.

The city council last Monday gave Rabanes the authority to file the criminal and administrative cases and other legal remedies to protect the interest of the city on said matter.

Last October 14, Rabanes also followed up the city's earlier letter to the Solicitor General requesting for the filing of appropriate cases for the recovery of the subject lots but he said that no positive response has been received.

The city through a n investigation committee discovered that Origina l Ce rtific ates of Ancestral Land Titles were indeed issued on portions of Forbes Park with an a ggre ga te a re a of 25 hectares.

The CALTs we re iss ue d through the NCIP over portions of Forbes Park Parcels I and II on November 12, 2008 and registered with the Register of Deeds, Baguio City on April 7, 2009 covering the following areas all in the name of the He irs of Lauro C arante s represented by Antino Carantes married to Espenilla Carantes, with residence and postal address at Purok I, Pobla cion, Itogon, Benguet: O-CALT-26 containing an area of 89,242 square meters; OCALT-27 containing an area of 2,327 square meters; O-CALT-28 containing an area of 34,855 square meter; and O-CALT-29 containing an area of 112,603 square meters for a total aggregate area of 239,027 square meters.

DONORS... from page 1

shovels, 25 hard hats, 12 flashlights and six pieces nylon rope.

Other donors, among them lawyer Cesar Oracion, Dominador and Judith Reyes and an anonymous s upporter a long the Marcos Highway, added 18 shovels and spades, 12 sledge hammers, 12 fireman's axes, two chainsaw blades and three rolls of nylon rope.

Earlier, the Bedi family of Camp John turned over 15 assorted flash lights, six pieces rope, a poncho and a headlamp.

Likewise, Philex Mines, which miners provided the backbone for rescue operations over the years, has responded to mayor Bautis ta's appeal by producing more tools, including crowbars needed in making he adway through landslide-hit structures.

Aside from coordinating the miners in rescue, the Mines and GeoSciences regional office has been stocking the CDCC with water purified with a gadget from the Philippine Mines Safety and Environment Association. .

Ifugao Provinc e , whic h suffered minor damages from typhoon Pepeng, has also delivered, through Gov. Teodoro Baguilat, eight sacks of squash, 432 plates, 5,000 spoons, 35 casserole, 26 frying pans, three s ac ks of mungbeans and a box of soap.

Fianza explained some of the donated tools will remain at the CDCC base at city hall where volunteers started reported Friday in time for typhoon Ra mil's expected landfall,.

The mayor again called on residents in flood and landslide prone areas to move to higher and safer grounds as the weather bureau expec te d typhoon Ramil, with maximum winds of 195 kilometers per hour and gustiness of 230 kph, to be stronger than the last two to hit the country.

BENCHWARMER... from page 3 activist, eventually suffered.

From UB High principal, Mr. Alcantara served as regional d ir ec tor of the Nationa l Statistics. After retirement, he focused on church work as d ir ec tor for Ch ristia n Education and Nurture and la te r as c hu rc h administrator.

It took me years to finish colleg e, mor e for Na th an .

Nathan later worked with the Philipp in e In formation Agency and recently joined the sta ff of th e Be ng ue t Electric Cooperative.

His siste r Er ly n is into chronicling parts of Baguio history through research and c ompila tion of old photographs that are giving su bsta nc e to our c ity' s observance of its founding ce nten nial. Th eir br othe r Stephen serves with a nongovernment organization.

Ma'am Adelina now 82, will continue teaching in Sunday sch ool an d th eir six grandchildren. Her hair is as white as cotton and she's as sha rp a s th en , an d sh e recognized me the moment she saw her student at the wa ke . (e mail:rdacawi@yahoo.com).

JUDGE...

TRAFFIC.. from page 4

Unloading shall be before the ark, left side of the road going to Baguio Cemetery.

Quezon Hill PUJs in going to the CBD shall take first road, Quezon hill, turn right towards Naguilian roa d, turn le ft to Dominican road down to Queen of Peace or Queen of Apostles to their des igna te d loading/unloading terminal. Usual routes shall be used in going back to point of origin.

Unloading of passengers shall be nine (9) meters from the junction of 2nd road Quezon Hill.

A "No Parking" policy shall be strictly implemented: • inside Baguio Cemetery; • Naguilian road, from junction of Bokawkan rd up to the first road San Carlos hts., both sides; • whole stretch of San Roque rd, both sides; • San Luis road, from junction of Naguilian rd up to Queen of Angels st, both sides; • whole stretch of Queen of Peace road, both sides; • whole stretch of Queen of Apostles road, both sides; and • the whole stretch of Sofia de Veyra st., both sides.

Recommended parking areas are: • the pay parking area inside Cooyesan Plaza; • inside Shangrila subdivision; • inside Recoletos compound; • Naguilian road, from opposite side of ist rd San Carlos hts up to main gate of Bermuda subdivision, parallel parking for light vehicles only; • whole stretch of Ponce st. along Quezon Hill;

5

BENGUET ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.

from page 4

Jurgenson Lagdao; Belban Sic-open, the accused or person from whom the c ontrabands were se ized; Esteban Gayados of the civil society group active in the campaign against dangerous drugs in Benguet; Punong Ba ra ngay Robert Na moro of Poblacion, La Trinidad, Benguet, Polic e Se nior Ins pe ctor Ale x Biadang and Police Officer 1 Dennis De Los Reyes of the Regional Crime Laboratory Office (RC LO) Cordillera who took charge of the taking, weighing and recording of representative samples from the subject dangerous drug evidence; Senior Police Officer 4 Romeo Abordo Sr., C hief Evide nc e Custodian of PDEA - Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR); local media members; and lawyer Rubie Lorraine Bogya-Lictao, Intelligence Officer 4 of PDEA - CAR, as Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) representative. The burning of the confiscated MJ bricks was certified

by Prosecutor Mark Maranes.

Earlier, as likewise provided by RA 9165 and related resolutions of DDB, an ocular inspection on the evidence seized was made by Branch 8, RTC, First Judicial Region, La Trinidad, Benguet after the criminal case was filed on March 2, 2009; and representative samples from the evidence were taken, weighed and recorded, just a few hours before the des truc tion, by forensic chemists from RCLO - Cordillera of the Philippine National Police in Camp Bado Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet, which is the forensic la boratory that c onduc ted the chemical analysis or examination of the cannabis evidence just after their confiscation. Meanwhile, the representative samples taken are being kept by the court as evidence.

For marijuana dried leaves, the law provides as well that the maximum quantity of representative sample to be retained as evidence must only be 510 grams.

Sic -open, 23, single, high school graduate, farmer, native and resident of Legab, Kayapa, Bakun, Benguet, and a suspected marijuana cultivator was busted with the PhP750,000.00 worth of marijuana upon selling these to a PDEA - CAR agent acting as poseur-buyer in an entrapment operation at 3:40 dawn la st Fe bruary 4 in Poblac ion, Kibungan, Benguet. He is in the Watch List of Drug Personalities in the Cordillera Region and allegedly, he collects marijuana bricks from other cultivators and sells these to middlemen.

Subsequently, Sic-open was charged in court for Violation of Se ction 5 (Sale, T ra ding, Administra tion, Dis pe ns ation, Delivery, Dis tribution and Transportation of Dangerous Drugs and/or Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals) of RA 9165, docketed under Criminal Case Number 09-CR7596, which is still being heard at the RTC Branch 8.

Kayapa is the only barangay in Bakun, Benguet listed under the Drug-affected Barangays in the Cordillera Region, specifically classified as Seriously Affected; and Le ga b, the plac e of birth a nd residence of the nabbed suspect, is one of the sitios of Kayapa identified with marijuana plantations.

OCTOBER 25, 2009

Alapang, La Trinidad, Benguet Tel. Nos. 422-2000 / 422-2110 “Quality Service Is Our Way Of Life”

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEMBERSHIP ASSEMBLY Notice is hereby given to all members of the Benguet Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BENECO) that the 29th Annual General Membership Assembly (AGMA) will be held on December 5, 2009, Saturday at the Kapangan Covered Court, Lomon, Kapangan, Benguet starting at 8:00 o’clock in the morning.

Pursuant to Article XII, Section 1, BENECO By-Laws, members wanting some items to be included in the agenda of the said assembly must submit to the Secretary of the Board of Directors not later than November 13, 2009 the proposed items for inclusion in the agenda.

Every member is encouraged to attend this special activity.

MANAGEMENT OCTOBER 25, and NOVEMBER 1, 2009

NOTICE OF MISSING PERSON Name: FERDINAND MACALINO FLORES Age:

48 Years of age

Address:

Old Mill Site, Balatoc Mines, Itogon, Benguet

• Last seen last December 1990 • Any information leading to his whereabouts, please get in touch with

MS. ELIZABETH DELA CRUZ-FLORES through her cellphone number

(09175061357)

OCTOBER 25, and NOVEMBER 1& 8, 2009

• right side of 2nd rd, San Carlos hts going down.

As in the previous years also, about 140 stalls were approved by the City Treasurers Office to sell flowers and candles along Harrison road; from October 26 to Nov. 1.

Among other rules given to the vendors was that the uniform-sized stalls should be facing the sidewalk, and no other goods shall be sold in the area.

City T re as urer T he lma Manaois cautioned the vendors to follow the regulations as this would mean a disqualification for the next years.

DEC. 31.. from page 6

Real Property Assessment from city assessor's office; *DENR Certificate (CO No. 67-09, Sec 5(e) from the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources Cordillera (DENR-CAR); *Certification from the Clerk of Courts at the Justice Hall; *Certification from the City Legal Officer from the city legal office; *Certification of Plumber (for water application) and certificate of electrical inspection (for power).

Power service applications must pass through the Integrated Electrical Engineers (IIEE) to check the s afety of the e le ctric connection. Those found safe will be approved by affixing a stamp on

the application forms. This will be the basis for the issuance of a certificate of electrical inspection by the city electrical engineer.

The applic ation and requirements must be personally s ubmitted for pos itive rec ommendation by the action officers before the same will be submitted to the city mayor for approval and thereafter to the BENECO or BWD for final action.

Ordinance No. 67 series of 2009 allowed said moratorium for utility connections to, according to the city council, address the growing needs of residents in face of the rapid changes the city has undergone in the last ten years. aileen p.refuerzo

2ND BAGUIO.. from page 6

the first prize, P20,000 for the second prize, and P10,000 for the third prize. The winning entry will be played in the different media as a means to lift the spirits of people.

“We want it to become a popular song,” Carino said.

The a nnounce ment of the winners will be done during the opening performance at 7:00 p.m. on November 24 and the prizes awarded on November 28 during the closing gala performance. Interested parties can get in touch with Nida Gabriel at the DiBa enterprises at the 3rd Floor of the UB Square.

NGO.. from page 6

tribes.

It can be recalled that the iNambaran Peoples Organization (iNAPO) gave cows to the BasaoDilag Community Association for Rural Development (BDCare) in exchange of the latter's goats.

This year, iNAPO has 43 family 3rd generation recipients of passed on gifts with P102,228.00 savings from their self-help project while BDCare, with 20 family beneficiaries, has P35,450.00 savings.

Also, the Danggayan Farmers Organization (DFO) of the Lubo tribe living at Hilltop here and the Saleng Farmers Association (SFA) in (Butbut) Pac ak are on 2nd generation pass on of gifts from the total original HIP-IAT pass on of 40 cattle.

DFO was a ble to s ave P23,600.00 and SFA - P4,350.00.

The money is used for providential needs of members.

During the original pass on ce re mony, Sison Pa ut, Chie f Executive Officer of IAT challenged MFA and BBFA members in the expansion areas to replicate what iNAPO and BDCare has achieved.

Meanwhile, Meehan Buliyat, Head of HIP-Luzon urged familypartners to sustain what has been started, make it grow according to the 12 core values of partnership. ** Peter A. Balocnit/ PIA-Kalinga

VOL. XX NO. 20 OCTOBER 25, 2009

MP village may collapse due to mountain cracks

BY DEXTER A. SEE

ADIAN, Mountain Province T A huge portion of a village here, which was heavily ravaged by the

re ce nt ons la ught of Typhoon Pepeng, is in the brink of being wiped out from the map which poses a se rious thre at to hundre ds of households if appropriate mitigating measures will not be immediately imple me nted by provincial, munic ipal a nd baranga y governments to forestall the impact of future landslides in the area.

The newly organized Kayan Dis aster Coordinating Council (KDCC), a community initiated civic orga niza tion to provide

assistance to the affected residents, uncovered a huge portion of Upper Ka ya n where an e arlier huge landslide happened is in danger of collapsing because of evident cracks on the mountain which could cave in during another wave of strong rains thereby putting to risk the lives and properties of people living in the area.

On October 8, 2009, a huge landslide occurred in a split second and buried at least 18 houses in Kayan East that resulted to the death of 35 people and injury to 4 others.

Because of the tragic and tra umatic e xperie nc e and the

NGO distributes cattle, chicken to Kalinga sub-tribes ABUK, Kalinga - Fifty cattle T and dozens of chickens were given to two sub-tribes here by the

Inte rnationa l As sociation for Transforma tion (IAT) in celebration of Heifer International Philippines (HIP) gift for peace part 2.

With the theme "Strengthe ning inter-triba l relationship towards peace and de ve lopment ", the HIP-IAT signed a livestock contract with the Matagoan Farmers Association (MFA) composed of new Balbalan villagers and the Burayukan-Balong Farmers Association (BBFA) from the Gamonangs tribe.

Also distributed to the partner-

families were vegetable seeds, seedlings and basic agricultural tools simultaneous with the signing of a livestock contract.

50 families from the tribes of Balbalan residing at new Balbalan, Lacnog and the Gamonangs of Burayukan and Balong were the beneficiaries of cow fattening, carabao and chickens during the original pass-on of gifts.

The past two years, the tribes of Tulgao in Nambaran and Basao in Bayabat, Dilag were the first beneficiaries of livestock and now on their third generation pass-on.

Both tribes passed on the gifts to the in-coming generation of their

NGO p.5

NPA leader surrenders ABUK, Kalinga - Heeding calls T from relatives to come down, a squad leader of the New People's Army (NPA) surrendered recently to Governor Floydelia Diasen.

Jayson Dayag a.k.a. Spike fina lly de cide d to join the mainstream society after several invitations of his cousins who are members of the police and the military.

Department of Interior and Loca l Gove rnme nt Provinc ia l Director Francisco Gamatero said Jayson accompanied by his father and relatives came to his house one night to surrender. However, Gamatero advised the group to undergo the norma l proc es s including Jayson pledging allegiance to the Philippine government.

Jayson's ceremonial surrender took place before Gov. Diasen at the Capitol on October 19.

Diasen welcomed Jayson and

heartfelt gratitude to all those who extended their support and provided assistance to the community at the time of the tragedy which helped them cope up with the traumatic situation due to the onslaught of the typhoon, the worst that ever struck the Northern Luzon area for several decades.

2nd Baguio Cathedral Int’l Music Festival set next month ishop C a rlito C enzon B announced on 20 October that all systems go for the 2nd Baguio

Ca the dra l Internationa l Mus ic Festival that will be staged from November 24 to 28 as a fundraising event for the Diocese Calamity Fund and the repair of the 40 years old Fr. Desmedt pipe organ. He also a nnounc ed tha t the Na mnama Songwriting Contest will last from October 20 to November 20 for all local composers.

Bis hop Cenzon, Honorary Chairman, sa id tha t the International Music Festival started in 2008 to promote sacred and se cula r music in the Baguio Cathedral as it endeavors to repair and maintain the 40 year-old Fr. Desmedt pipe organ as a unique feature. He said that when the Interna tional Mus ic Fes tiva l becomes an annual event, it can draw music lovers to Baguio regularly.

This event can also gather the many c hora l groups in the City to participate and host one of the evening galas for fund raising. “The production costs and promotions

could be shared ventures,” Bishop Cenzon added.

This year, the calamity in the diffe rent a reas of Ba guio a nd Benguet requires the Diocese to re spond to the nee ds of the survivors, Bishop Cenzon said that 50% of the funds raised will be added to the Diocese Calamity Fund.

“This would allow the parishes to decide which projects to put the money in. They are more aware about the needs of the survivors,” he said. He noted that this is the season when music can heal the pain and suffering. The International Music Festival will be a celebration of thanksgiving and healing.

John Glenn Gaerlan, Artistic Director of the festival, said that the re will be five nights of pe rformances with the Manila Symphony Orchestra as the gala performance on the 28th. He said that each night will have special pe rforme rs from the pool of international renowned sopranos and tenors with Kay Balajadia – Liggayu a Baguio soprano. Augusto Cuesta, a New York based former

resident, will play a 200 year-old Erard 90 key piano as a performer too.

Divina Ba utis ta , De lphic Council - Philippines chair, said that the festival is the music part of the Delphic activities in November where the arts will be staged at the Baguio Convention Center. She said that the Bungkos Palay Group of the Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija will be the outre ac h performance of the festival at the University of Baguio gym.

Councilor Richard Carino, Chairman of the Namnama (Hope) Songwriting Contest, announced the launc hing of the Na mnama Songwriting contest as part of the Festival on October 20. He said that the two minute in any genre of music songwriting contest is open to amateur and professional musicians.

“Hope is a universal feeling that is part of everyday life. We want to boost this feeling in these times of calamity,” he said. The songwriting contest has P30,000 as prize for

2ND BAGUIO p.5

told him to unconditionally pledge allegiance to the state and be an asset of society. The lady governor ass ured Jayson the province 's assistance under the Kalinga Social Integration Plan which she chairs: Community Awarenes s and Acc epta nc e; Force a nd Arms Management; and Socio-economic Intervention.

Dayag surrendered an M1 Garrand rifle with two clips live ammos. He was turned over to the Philippine National Police under the command of P/Supt. Virgilio Laya for the processing of documents and benefit claims under the social integra tion program of government.

Jayson, 26, belongs to the Leho Cawilan Command, holds 15 NPA men under his command and operates in the Lubuagan, Tanudan Tinglayan and Pasil area.

A first year high school drop out, he joined the NPA in 2000 when he was 17 years old. **PIAKalinga

Dec. 31 cut-off date for availing power, water moratorium B uilding owners have until December 31 this year to file their applications to avail of the moratorium on electric and water service connections.

Secretary to the mayor Ronald Perez, who along with c ity administrator Peter Fianza serves as action officer of the committee created by Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. to oversee the implementation of Ordinance No. 67 series of 2009 which implements the moratorium, said the committee will no longer entertain applications beyond the cut-off date but will continue to process the pending applications.

Perez s aid that only two applic ations have so fa r be en approved since the moratorium was offered to the public last month but hundreds of applications are still

closure of roads leading to the town to facilitate search, rescue and retrieval operations, the whole community organized themselves, pooled their resources and initiated the initial conduct of the rescue operations in the spirit of unity and voluntarilandslide were accounted.

Based on an initial survey conducted by experts from the town and volunteers, the cause of the landslide could be attributed to the series of cracks were observed along the slope surface of the mountain forming a hyperbolic figure when plotted measuring four (4) inches to maximum of eight (8) inches in width and a subsidence of 12 inches.

The apex of this failure curve was found to be 400 meters above the road and having a base width of 150 meters at the road level. Just above these observed cracks are rice fields and vegetable gardens tha t is currently being supplied with water coming from the Balawes creek and drains freely everywhere below without proper drainage route. This is observed to be of considerable volume and flows toward the eroded area. At the opposite end of this garden is a drainage that flows towards the cracks and falls to the spillway above Bulala and most of the time finds its way to the potable water tank supplying Kayan East.

However, community volunteers with the aid of experts have dredged the 0.30x0.40x160 meters diversion tunnel in order to drain the water from the rice fields and the water supply in the area which is being considered as one of the causes of the huge landslide that sacrificed numerous lives in the place.

The KDCC expre sse d its

FAMAS AWARDEES - City May or Reinaldo Bautista, Jr. gives due recognition to 9-y ear old Best Child Actress Jessica May Flores SLU grade 3 elementary pupil and Best Child Actor Dominico Soriano, 15 y ears old and also a student of Saint Louis University during the Gabi Ng Parangal of the 57th Filip ino Acad emy of Movies and Arts Sciences (F AMAS) held in M etro Ma nila recently . The Mov ie " Au Yang" bagged 5 awards where actress Heart Evangelista was adjudged as the best Actress, Soriano as the B est Child Actor, Flores as the Best Child Actress, Ed Palmos a s th e B est Director a n d b est Cinem a tog rap h y a n d E ffec ts. Ma y or B autista also presen ted the Cen tenn ia l Medal to Sorian o a nd Flores for their feat. - Photo by Bong Cay aby ab

being processed.

Ordinance 67-09 a llows owners of buildings and structures without building permits to avail of electrical or water connections from the Benguet Electric Cooperative Inc. (BENECO) and the Baguio Water District (BWD).

The process flow is as follows: Applicants s hould s ecure application form at the Special Se rvic es Division of the City Mayor's Office and secure the following requirements: *Notarized authority from the registered landowner, if not the owner of the property; *Barangay clearance from their respective barangays: *Updated Tax Declaration and

DEC. 31 p.5

WITH LOVE - The Association of City Executives (ACEX) represented by Romeo Concio, Association of City Employees represented by board of director Guds Gonzales and Prose Pulmano distribute rice and relief goods while City Social Welfare and Development Officer Betty Fangasan representing Cong. Mauricio Domogan hands over 4 kilos of rice to the ty phoon Pepeng victims in Pucsusan, Alfonso Tabora, Camp 7, Camp Allen, Happy Hollow, Mines View, Navy Base and T. Alonzo barangay s last Oct. 20. - Photo by Bong Cay abyab

Superherofest highlights Halloween Costume Contest at SM City Baguio here's nothing as exciting as T trick or tre at for kids this Halloween dressing up in

their Superhero Halloween Costume and hoping to get the awards and prizes in their best superheroes group, best child & pet tandem, most original superhero costume, best male superhero costume and best female superhero costume as SM C ity Ba guio c elebra te s Halloween on October 31.

The Superhero Fest Halloween Costume Contest is open to children ages 4 to 12 years old and may register in the following categories as individual, child & pet tandem and superheroes group (minimum of three members).

The participants must dress up in their favorite superhero costumes.

T he regis tration will s ta rt on October 29, 2009 from 11am to 5pm daily at The Event Center and

the final registration will be on October 31 from 10am to 12pm also at The Event Center. The registration form is available at the mall's Event Center and at the SM City Baguio Administration Office though the Marketing Department.

The interested participants must pre se nt a ny one of the following proofs of purc has e: P300.00 minimum purchase from any SM s hops , single rec eipt

purchase or two cinema tickets or two movie cards at SM Cinemas and P150.00 minimum purchase receipt at SM Food court.

Trick or Treat will start at 1PM and 4PM before and after the costume contest on October 31, 2009.

Don't miss these exciting stuffs and events , spend a ha ppy Halloween at SM City Baguio!