Media forum on language set Oct. 20 in Baguio

Baguio City (17 Oct.) -- The National Commission for National Language is set to conduct a series of fora in the city to discuss the possibility of coming up with a common language for the country.

First in the series is a media forum where members of the local media will be invited to share their views on the possibility of formulating a common language. This is set on October 20.

Media practitioners from all over the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) are expected to arrive and share their inputs on language and how it has affected reporting as well as the indigenous ways in CAR.

Expected topics to be discussed include Libel and Language; Cultural Sensitivity in Reporting Intertribal Conflicts; A Discussion on the Various Languages and Dialects in the Cordillera Region; and Indigenizing the Educational Curriculum.

"This is a good opportunity for media practitioners to air their views on how language has changed indigenous peoples of the Cordillera," Ramon Dacawi, President of the Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club (BCBC) said.

An expected output of the forum is a common advocacy on language by the various media groups.

Dacawi said "the trend now is that Cordillera schoolchildren are better in Filipino than in their own dialects….Should we allow this to continue considering that we have been known to be competitive in English." (PIA)

25 Cordillerans conferred CSE eligibility

Baguio City (14 Oct.) -- The 25 professionals from the Cordillera Region cited as New Career Service Executive Eligibles (CSEE) are part of an overall campaign of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to upgrade the bureaucracy in terms of skills, competence and capabilities and insulate the third level leadership from the vagaries of politics.

Karina Constantino-David, CSC Chairperson and concurrent Career Executive Service Board Chair, congratulated the CSEE awardees for having passed the stringent written exams held November 17, 2002 and consequent panel interview at the CSC head office from January to June, 2003. She stated that only 5.33 % of the examinees nationwide passed the screening process, the smallest passing rate to get quality examinees.

CSC Chair David was the resource person and discussant during the awarding of CSEE certificates of awardees coming from Regions 1, 3,4, CAR and NCR held October 2, 2003 at the Philippine National Police Multipurpose Center, Camp Crame, Quezon City. An executive forum followed where Chairman David answered questions.

Those conferred third level executive eligibility were Nathan E. Alcantara, Francis Ray A. Almora, Ma. Paulyn F. Aviles, Rosita C. Brillantes, Vicente D. Ching, Andres M. Cortez, Theodore T. Delson, Emmanuel W. Diaz, Genaro A. Dumpayan, Maria Luz D. Fang-asan, Irene Cynthia D. Gawi-gawen, Marjorie N. Geronimo, Josephine B. Lagasca, Mary A. Lang-ayan, Benjamin B. Magalong, Eugene G. Martin, Julie B. Montes, Paquito T. Moreno Jr., Cornelia S. Padinay, Delia B. Pascua, Cornelia M. Rillera, Susan C. Rodriguez, Ricardo Ruñez, Maria Imelda C. Ulep, and Elizabeth I. Valera.

The government bureaucracy is the source of institutional memory helping along leaders and the people get along with their jobs following best practices and it is also the primary source of vision and expertise, Chairman David said. The Third Level of executives are the determinants of the rest of the bureaucracy and it is at this level where policy directions and standards are set aside from serving as role models for those in the lower echelons of government.

Changes in government also bring about changes not only in the co-terminus staff or the floating of some mid-level experts and executives. With the kind of electoral process we have, many politicians do not understand policy nor directions as appointing authority. There is now a perspective shift such that the eligibility is conferred only to the best to ensure quality supply of eligibles and thereby influence the discretionary powers of appointing authorities by narrowing their choices to those who are qualified and eligible instead of random choices, David said. She added that there are also moves to unify the CESO and CSEE process such that there will only be one examination for both paths.

Benguet launches advocacy on BMBE

Benguet (8 Oct.) -- Concerned agencies formally launched the advocacy of Republic Act 9178 otherwise known as Barangay Micro-Business Enterprises (BMBE) in Benguet with a Kapihan forum followed by municipal level meetings with leaders and elders.

In the regular Kapihan sa Benguet, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director Eleonor Madariaga said this gives incentives and benefits such as exemptions from taxes and fees, exemption from the coverage of the minimum wage law, special credit window, technology transfer, production and management training, and marketing assistance and trade and investment promotion to small businessmen/entrepreneurs.

RA 9178 holds that any business entity engaged in the production, processing or manufacturing of products or commodities including agro-processing, trading and services except those of licensed professionals whose total assets shall not exceed P3 million can avail of benefits under this law. Assets include those arising from loans but exclusive of the land on which the particular business entity’s office, plant and equipment are situated.

Any individual owning such business entity or enterprise, partnership, cooperative, corporation, association or other entity incorporated and/or organized of legitimate standing and registered with the local government unit.

The law stipulates that the Small Micro-Enterprise Development (SMED) Council would administer an endowment fund from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), University of the Philippines Institute of Small Scale Industries (UP ISSI), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and Training Livelihood and Research Center (TLRC) may avail of the said fund for technology transfer, production and management training and marketing assistance to BMBEs.

In a meeting convened by DTI earlier, Division Chief Freda Gawisan said initial information drive and advocacy campaign were already conducted in Tublay and Kapangan. An Info campaign likewise took place in Alapang, La Trinidad presented to the Liga ng Barangay also in Kibungan among concerned LGU personnel.

In the same ocassion, the BMBE composite team to conduct information and advocacy campaign was also organized, with DTI as the secretariat.

Other members of the team include the Philippine Information Agency, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Line agencies ink MOU for P366-M projects

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (7 Oct.) -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) together with six government organizations and localities situated within the Agno River basin this week inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with projects worth P366. 8 million.

Dubbed as the "Agrarian Reform Communities Development Program," the MOU aimed at developing sustainable productive socio-economic development in the towns of Bokod, Atok, Buguias and Kabayan while maintaining a sustainable protective value on the ecological condition of the watershed along the Agno river basin areas.

The signing of the MOU Monday, September 29 is part of the requirement for the project proposal submitted to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for funding. Participating agencies include the Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Science and Technology, National Irrigation Administration and the Benguet State University.

DAR Benguet Provincial Officer Deogracias Almora said the support of other line agencies are needed in the government’s effort at nation building through sustainable agricultural and rural development with agro-industry as a cornerstone strategy.

Almora said project components include farm-to-market roads (P148.7 million); irrigation facilities (P25.3 million); foot trails and foot bridges (P68.9 million); pre and post harvest facilities ()28.245 million) and natural resources management related projects ((7.2 million).

The social infrastructure components of the program include institutional development, livelihood component, agricultural and natural resources management component with a funding cost of more or less P132.4 million as counterpart of the Philippine government.

Under the MOU, the provincial government would take a lead role in the implementation of the institutional development component of the program.

The local government units meanwhile would take a major role in resolving issues that may arise during the project implementation like the road-right-of way, claimant on water resources, and lot donations for the site of the post harvest facilities.

ConsumerNet marks Consumer Month in Sablan

BAGUIO CITY (2 Oct.) -- The CONSUMERNET-CAR, an alliance of agencies supporting consumer rights and interests, has lined up a series of activities to mark this year's celebration of Consumer Welfare Month (CWM) this October.

The celebration was launched with a motorcade in the morning of October 1 by the members of the CONSUMERNET, which started from the Baguio Convention Center down to Session Road-Magsaysay Avenue-Bonifacio-Trancovilee then go up to Bokawkan Road and then proceed to Sablan, Benguet.

Barangay Banangan, Kamog and Pappa in Sablan has been identified by the members of the CONSUMERNET as venue for the launching program to be conducted in Banangan, Elementary School.

Director Frederic Villanueva of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) was guest of honor and speaker.

Also, in an effort to attain the objective of having a well-informed consumer/ customer/ client, there will be lectures on consumer rights and consumer protection rationale of CONSUMERNET, advocacy mission on consumer welfare to be discussed by DOH, DOTC, POEA, EMB, DepEd, and BFAR.

Aside from the lectures, members of the CONSUMERNET will also bring along a rolling store with the national Food Authority as the lead agency. Among the commodities for sale will be NFA rice, sugar, groceries-canned goods, noodles, eggs, iodized salt, detergent/laundry soap and lard.

Also, in line with the CWM celebration, there will be a Baker's training forum on October 29, 2003 to be held at the Benguet State University closed gym.

The CONSUMERNET is composed of different government line agencies who continuously work together in order to improve their services, programs, or projects for their intended beneficiaries, consumers or clienteles. It is spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Other activities include Lakbay Aral by the members of the CONSUMERNET, radio and television interviews, and a kapihan. (PIA)

Benguet asks GMA for additional mentors

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (1 Oct.) -- The provincial board this week enacted on second and final reading twin-resolutions seeking presidential intervention in the allocation of additional teachers in Itogon, Benguet and to cause the creation of 58 teaching positions at the Benguet Schools Division.

The proposals prepared by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Education headed by Board member Marvin Atos stated among others that while the Itogon Municipal School Boards (MSB) is paying the salaries and wages of teachers, they (teachers) do not receive the appropriate salary and other benefits they rightfully deserve due to the lack of funds.

The committee mentioned that some members of the Parent-Teachers Community Association (PTCA) who are posting as teachers are only receiving a very meager honoraria of P1,000 to P2,500 and have been rendering service for one to six years, "hoping that the item or position will eventually be given to them."

Records show that of the 58 locally paid teachers in the elementary level, two are being paid by the Provincial School Board; 38 by the MSB; and 18 by the PTCA while in the secondary level, of the existing 109 locally paid teachers, four are being paid by the PSB; 30 by the MSB; and the remaining 75 by the PTCA.

"While we salute these unsung heroes of service, we are also cognizant of the fact that they have their own families to feed, to cloth and to shelter, hence, this appeal for the good of service," the committee said.

DAR implements P139-M multi-purpose project in Bangued

BANGUED, Abra (30 Sept.) -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) through its Development of Agrarian Reform Communities in Marginal Areas (DARCMA) Program will pour in about P139 million worth of projects in Barangay Sapac here.

DAR-Abra Assistant Agrarian Officer Lodovico Siobal and Engr. Carmelo Hall bared this during the provincial board session last September 22 as they sought board endorsement of the proposed project. Sapac is one of only four agrarian reform communities in the entire country to be granted such an important attention.

Siobal said the Japan International Cooperating Agency (JICA) pledged to release P123.5 million or 89% of the total project cost as grant with the provincial government shouldering P15.9 million as counterpart.

The project will open new roads and rehabilitate old farm-to-market roads, build irrigation systems and other water sources for irrigation and domestic purposes, provide farm machineries and proper technologies and rehabilitate the barangay school building, day care center and health center. Capital to start livelihood programs will also be offered to beneficiaries in the farm loan.

The five-year DARCMA project will be jointly implemented by the local government unit, in cooperation with the Departments of Agriculture (DA), Health (DOH), Education (DepEd), and farmers' organizations in the province.

Siobal clarified that although Sapac is part of Bangued which is a third class municipality, the barangay was identified as an agrarian reform community (ARC) since most of the residents do not have lands of their own. Sapac which is 15 kilometers south of the town proper, has a land area of 587.23 hectares spread over five sitios with a total population of 1,193 in 226 households. Agriculture is the main source of livelihood and the average annual family income is only P35,000, far lower than the P75,000 poverty line income.

Vice-Governor Jaime Lo expressed the board's appreciation and gratitude to DAR for its commendable project. (PIA)

Baguio small gold miners slowly producing bigtime

BAGUIO CITY (26 Sept.) -- Amidst the furor over the theft of gold bars owned at Lepanto Consolidated Mining Corporation, small scale mining is slowly but definitely making its presence felt as a viable economic endeavor in the environs of Benguet province.

Records of mining in the area date back to the Spanish period when reports of quality ore finds in these Cordillera mountains reached the capital. Even the development of this city as a recuperative haven for American soldiers in the early 1900's is tied in with the evolution of the mining industry here.

Hand in hand with the industry was gold panning in river systems and what was called pocket mining as intrepid miners followed veins of gold reaching to the bowels of the earth by entering literally through mere pockets - small tunnels which came to be known as dogholes or "usok" in the vernacular.

Benguet Corporation pioneered in the industry but a confluence of events - mainly triggered by the decline in metal prices compounded by the damages from the 1990 earthquake plus labor problems and community protests -- forced it to close several of its production plants and downgrade its operations.

With the resurgent interest in mining, Benguet Corporation (BC) based in nearby gold-rich Itogon town some 45 minutes from the city proper highlighted its pioneering effort of mining in partnership with the community through its Acupan Contract Mining Project in the recently concluded Regional Mining Workshop (RMW) for the National Mining Policy.

The RMW held September 15 and 16 spearheaded by the Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau of the DENR saw the participation of various mining industry stakeholders including civil society sectors -- several sympathetic, others critical, some outrightly against mining for certain reasons.

The first day consisted of speeches by industry leaders showing their best practices in mining technology, environmental and social management efforts. Leaders of host communities most notably Benguet Governor Raul Molintas, former Huallanca, Peru Mayor Luis Barrenechea and Ricardo Gomez, a World Bank consultant and Chair of Cerro Matoso Foundation of Columbia in South America gave presentations.

The workshop proper was on the second day where three breakout groups discussed major mining issues while there was also a batch which went on a mine tour of Philex Mining Corporation and Benguet Corp (BC).

BC Vice-President for Operations Isabelo Velez said the contract mining scheme was launched January 2002 in their Acupan adits with an initial production of 20 metric tons of ore processed in a day. This has built up to 50 tons per day covering 10 contract areas awarded to small-scale mining cooperatives or associations employing about 1,000 local residents.

What is novel is that it is perfectly legal as it is done in accordance with existing labor laws for contract works that also jibes with the Small-Scale Mining Act and also laws on cooperatives. Further, Senior Vice-President for Operations Marcelo Bolaño said the employer-employee relation is supplanted by a business arrangement between two stakeholders -- the company as tenement holder and the mining cooperative or association as contractor.

The company as tenement holder allows the entry of small miners into identified areas for production purposes in accordance with their standards. Aside from production planning and monitoring, they also provide centralized crushing, grinding and Carbon-In-Pulp treatment plant and assure the institution of anti-pollution measures.

Engineer Lomino Kaniteng, chair of the Federation of Small Scale Miners Associations, said cooperatives and miners associations were most willing to enter into agreement as it provides livelihood for the community. The only condition they have to face is that they have to be organized, finance their own operations and assume the risks, and conduct mining in accordance with company standards in accordance with government regulations. This is also good for the environment because they have to abandon the use of mercury and other risky small-scale mining practices and instead abide by the more efficient operations of the company.

Aside from providing livelihood and the fact that the idle mine facilities are now operating, one noticeable benefit is that community relations has improved and less expense is needed for security and protection of the mining claims.

Government also stands to benefit from this arrangement because aside from peace and order, employment and livelihood and minimizing illegal and destructive gold extracting processes, there is an increase in local revenues in the form of real property and business taxes from new sari-sari stores and land acquisition. Further, the majority of the gold production goes directly to the Central Bank coffers.

Kaniteng reported during the workshop sessions that based on the year 2002 records of the Central Bank Gold Buying Station here, they bought a total of 1,950 kilos of pure gold from small-scale miners for the whole year.

Kaniteng also interviewed 50 small gold buyers in the Baguio Benguet area and based on their transactions, small miners sold an aggregate of 2,400 kilos to them in the year 2002 alone.

This gold production is even higher than that the industry leaders, Kaniteng said as gold production of Lepanto Consolidated Mining Corporation for 2002 was 3,500 kilos while that of Philex was 3,031 kilos.

The American soldiers who spurred mining in these parts are correct and if they were still around they would say "There is still gold in dem thar hills." (PIA)

NGOs launch Chico River cleanup drive

Bontoc, Mt. Province (22 Sept.) -- Stop polluting the Chico river where a rare native fish called "gachew" thrives best -- the only one of its kind in the world, described as the most luscious delicacy of mountaineers.

This became the rallying cry of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) and other concerned citizens of Mountain Province during the recent formal launching of the Chico river clean-up drive, spearheaded by Ebgan Inc., an active non-government organization (NGO) based in Bagiuo City, in partnership with the Mountain Province Educational Theater Arts Group (MP-ETAG) and the MPGCHS Theater Group, in coordination with the local government unit (LGU).

The clean-up drive was the highlight of the weeklong celebration of the Bontoc Foundation Day with the theme: "Cultural Revival To Advance Peace and Development in Igorotlandia."

Prior to the launching of the campaign "Save Chico River From Pollution," a letter of invitation to all business establishments and the general public was circulated. It was signed by Ebgan Executive Director Lynn Madalang, MP-ETAG convenor Tyronne Glenn Lawey, MPGCHS Youth President Silvinio Agdaca and noted by Bontoc Mayor Louis Claver.

The mass action for a cause was prompted by the very alarming conversion of the Chico riverbank as a garbage dumping site, aggravated by murky waters emanating from piggeries, septic tanks and poisonous chemicals like used oils flowing downstream which endanger all marine life.

True to their mission, youth environmentalists armed themselves with stick brooms and thrash bags cleaning the Chico riverbank from Sitio Chack-chackan passing through Kadchog down to DPWH area. (PIA)

Comelec sees no major increase in number of registered voters

BAGUIO CITY (17 Sept.) -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is predicting the same number of registered voters for the 2004 electoral process brought about by exclusion cases being filed in court.

During the weekly Kapihan sa Benguet, Comelec Regional Director Armando Velasco said the Commission does not expect any increase in the number of voters expected to vote for the next year's election. The region's recent registered voters totalled 667,972 based on data gathered during the 2001 elections.

Velasco's projection stemmed from the disclosure of Baguio-Benguet Election Supervisor lawyer Julius Torres that the ongoing exclusion proceeding would result to a cleansing of the list of voters in Baguio City. Double registration and flying voters are among those that are the subject of exclusion proceedings.

Torres said at least 40 barangays in Baguio City are being subjected to exclusion cases involving an estimated figure of 5,000. He revealed that a similar move is expected in Benguet province.

Meanwhile, Torres said except for some minor problems, ongoing registration has turned well. He cited the lack of sufficient documents to determine the personal circumstances such age and residency of a voter as the most common problem which the agency encounters.

Torres said in order not to discourage applicants, they are allowed to fill-in application forms subject to presentation of proper document for validation.

Torres called on all qualified registrants to register before the October 31 deadline, adding that the Comelec office is open even on Saturdays and Sundays to accommodate more applicants. However, he clarified that applicants are not automatically registered, saying that "the applicants would have to be screened."

He said there used to be only around 2,000 applicants in the city during registration period. Presently, for only over three weeks, Comelec already accommodated around 5,000 applicants. Of this, 25 percent came in for validation of their registration while the rest are first time registrants.

Torres said applications are assessed by a committee composed of representatives from the local civil registrar, the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Comelec before they are approved. He called on all interested parties to attend the hearing scheduled on October 27, because "by doing this we would be able to determine questionable applicants this early."

It was learned that while validation of registration would end on December 12, validation of list of voters would only be done in Baguio City. The Comelec central office earlier said that each local government unit should be given biometric machines for purposes of validation procedures. But due to limited fund, only 10 units were given to the region.

These machines will be used to prevent flying voters and double or even multiple registrations. Each machine is worth more or less P180, 000 that captures basic profiles of the registrant or voter including his or her photo, fingerprints and signature. It would only take the machine three to five minutes to record the personal data.

The National Government allocated around P997 million to purchase some 1,690 sets for distribution supposedly to various cities and municipalities in the country at one machine per town or city ratio. (PIA)

GMA asked to declare Mt Province as peace zone

BONTOC, Mt. Province (15 Sept.) -- Mayor Louis Claver has sought the help of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to intervene and declare Mountain Province as a peace zone. Claver aired the call during the special meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) held at the Mountain Province Multi-Purpose Building.

The town executive explained this is in response to appeals from his constituents, particularly residents of Barangays Mainit and Dalican who are adversely affected by the continuous military combat operations against NPA rebels reportedly operating in the hinterlands.

The Mayor said residents complained that the prolonged armed conflict between government troops and NPA rebels have made them economically dislocated. Everytime NPA rebels stage an ambush and the military retaliate by conducting pursuit operations, upland farmers are afraid to work in their ricefields for fear they might be caught in the cross-fire.

It will be recalled that during the public forum held at the Bontoc town plaza, representatives from the religious sector, women's group, NGOs, and tribal leaders issued a collective call for the immediate cessation of hostilities between the military and NPA rebels. All sectors further appealed to both sides to heed the civilians' long clamor for peace in the area.

Sagada mayor Tom Killip, one of the peace advocates, appealed to both forces not to suspect as secret agent any civilian volunteer or group of volunteers performing duties of local peace negotiators.

Asked to clarify the role of PNP in the present armed conflict, Mountain Province PNP director P/Supt. Wiliam Aspilan told PPOC members that there is now a division of labor between the PNP and the AFP, saying that the insurgency problem is now being handled by the military, while solving criminality is being handled by the PNP.

To prevent delays in the implementation of a community irrigation project within the vicinity of Barangay Mainit, Aspilan said a safe conduct pass was issued to NIA technical staff supervising the said infrastructure project in coordination with military authorities. (PIA)

La Trinidad coop dev't council elects new officers

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (12 Sept.) -- Twenty-three representatives from agriculture-related and small cooperatives in this capital town met recently and elected a new set of officers for the Municipal Cooperative Development Council (MCDC).

Mayor Nestor Fongwan earlier directed Municipal Agriculturist Felicitas Ticbaen revive the MCDC and to gather leaders of small and agriculture-based cooperatives.

Lorenzo Belino, chairman of Benguet Farmers Multi-purpose Cooperative (MPC) Board of Directors, was unanimously elected as chair of the revived MCDC, making him an automatic member of the town's development council.

Ernesto Dongbo of the Alno Cutflower Growers MPC was elected 1st Vice-Chairman while Municipal Agriculturist Ticbaen will sit as 2nd Vice-Chairman as mandated in the guidelines creating the MCDC.

Tom Esquejo of BSU Orchidarium and Ornamentals MPC was voted as Secretary, Priscilla Santiago of Shilan MPC is the Treasurer while Enrique Tayaotao, Sr. of the Pines Beekeepers Cooperative is the Auditor. Nathan Alcantara, manager of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Benguet Infocen, volunteered to service as the council's PRO. Alcantara is a member of the Pines Beekeepers.

Volunteers and those appointed to the committees are William Geston - Monitoring and Evaluation; Wilfred Padio - Planning and Programming; Johnny Monang - Intitutional Development; Sabado Walang - Project Assistance and Development; Llabres Inso - Electoral Board; and Alcantara - Policy Initiatives.

Ticbaen said there is a revolving fund that can be availed for activities of the MCDC as per municipal guidelines contained in Executive Order 95, series of 1993 so they can work immediately. The Council can serve as a forum to discuss problems of cooperatives as well as to harmonize and monitor cooperative development plans and formulate policies governing their various activities.

A meeting is set for October 9 which will also serve as their induction and assumption to office. (PIA)

Tadian, cleanest and greenest town in Mt. Province

TADIAN, Mt. Province (11 Sept.) -- Home of the famous “Enchanted Eel” in the Cordilleras, this town was recently adjudged as the cleanest and greenest municipality in the province.

During the re-evaluation by the Regional Assessment Team for the Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran last week, Mayor Constito Masweng credited the achievement to the cooperation of the local officials, non-government organizations, schools and the community.

He said competition among all the barangays has boosted the spirit of the community in the clean and green program as well as in the preservation and protection of the environment.

Masweng also made special mention of the role of the Lubon People’s Organization Inc. (LPOI), which is the primary organization in the municipality that initiates reforestation projects in the area. With its more than 30 members, the LPOI has already reforested hectares of barren lands with funding sources from CHARMP

Masweng added that these reforestation projects will soon address the problem on the availability of water during summer months. The good news, he said, is that the local government has already identified a water source, but they are looking for a funding agency that could assist in the development of this water source considering the meager resources of the local government.

The practice of proper waste management is inculcated in the minds of students so that the techniques they learn from their schools are put into practice in their own households.

The barangays have also been mandated to construct their own dumping site since the local government has difficulty identifying a common dumping site for the municipality, however, Masweng said it is lined-up as a priority project of the LGU.

Mt. Province bridge program needy for counterpart funds

Bontoc, Mt. Province (5 Sept.) -- Town officials of Bauko and Tadian here have admitted difficulty in raising the P12 million counterpart for the President's Bridge Program (PBP) and are calling on Congressman Roy Pilando and other prospective sponsors for support.

Congressman Pilando, Governor Sario Malinias and other top officials were expected to attend an August 26 "pledging session" at NEDA-RDC Hall here initiated by civil society members of the Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC) as a means to raise support funds for three bridges in the towns of Bauko and Tadian. The session did not push through.

The multi-agency member RPMC Inspectorate team with Dr. Julie Cabato of Shontoug Foundation and Lynn B. Madalang of Ebgan, Inc. as team leaders visited Mountain Province on the first week of June to check on the status of five bridges allocated for Mt. Province. They found out that Wanga Bridge in Tadian and Mainit Bridge in the capital town of Bontoc were on-going while the remaining three have not yet been started.

Governor Malinias, then, revealed that they have difficulty raising the local government unit counterpart amounting to P12.089 million. These are for the Bagnen Bridge in Bauko town (P3.526 million), Apawan (P4.104 million) and Dacudac Bridge (P4.459 million) both in the town of Tadian. All of the three bridges are 20 linear meters long and 7.3 meters double lane as programmed.

The Cordillera Highland Agricultural Resource Mobilization Program (CHARMP) was invited to the pledging session but it backed out from providing funds. While it assisted one of the two on-going bridge projects earlier, Program Head Dr. Cameron Odsey said what is being asked is beyond their means and their coverage area.

Department of Interior and Local Governments Regional Director (DILG) Everdina Echalar-Doctor said this is part of PBP package II funded by an Austrian loan, which is set for termination by the end of 2003. She said it is crucial that these projects have substantial accomplishment levels before the loan termination because one implication of their failure to implement the remaining bridges is that the projects would be forfeited and realigned in favor of performing provinces in the Cordillera with earlier request for additional bridges. An adverse implication is that it could affect the province's allocation under the next PBP package such they might not be allocated any projects at all.

One problem field engineers are contending with is the peace and order situation and the reported resurgence of insurgent activity particularly in barangay Mainit in the capital town of Bontoc. The bridge project there, however, is proceeding and is expected to be completed within September as it is presently assessed at 90 percent completed.

In other developments, the multi-sectoral and multi-agency regional Kalahi Convergence Group (RKCG) for the Cordillera is targeting Barangay Mainit as the next Kalahi Rural Convergence Area to be visited by October.

The four clusters of the RKCG completed their activity plan for the expansion of the Kalahi Program to two other towns each for the six Cordillera provinces Tuesday afternoon, August 26, and they unanimously choose Barangay Mainit as the first area to be visited possibly along with another barangay in Besao town.--PIA News Service / Ugnayan

Task force conducts caravan against abuse of children and women

IFUGAO (Aug. 29) -- The Provincial Task Force Against Gender Violence (PTFAGV) here conducted a one-day caravan, an information campaign against abuses committed to children and women. The caravan was participated in by the 11 municipal sub-committees for the welfare of children in the province.

The caravan started with a program at the Lagawe Plaza, which was also attended by provincial and municipal employees. After the program, the caravan proceeded to Banaue where a short forum was conducted with the Municipal Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children (MSCWC). After Banaue, the group proceeded to Hingyon then Lamut where separate forums were also conducted. Last stop was the municipality of Kiangan for the culminating program. Kiangan holds the title as the most child friendly municipality in the province.

During the program, Provincial Governor Teddy Baguilat Jr. in his message said the issue on child prostitution in the province is a reality and instead of pointing fingers at and blaming each other, "it is better to sit together and work out for solutions."

In response, representatives of each municipality committed full support to the caravan as well in the fight against child prostitution.

The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) said since the victims of child prostitution apparently mostly come from farflung barangays of the province, the PTFAGV will next conduct a back-pack caravan, where the members will hike even to the remotest areas to conduct IEC campaigns.---Ugnayan News Service / PIA

NAPOCOR releases P434M to San Roque Dam resident-claimants

ITOGON, Benguet (Aug. 28) -- The National Power Corporation (NPC) has disbursed a total of P434.63 million as direct payment to resident-claimants affected by the construction of the San Roque Multi-purpose Project.

NPC Itogon Sub-Office Community Specialist Vincent Caluya said a total of P11.2 million was disbursed to pay 168 structure claimants and another P7.59 million to 61 house owners as of end of July this year.

Out of the total 97 land claims, 95 have already been paid, with amount disbursed pegged at P153.281 million. Two unpaid claims were still being heard in court.

For the payment of affected improvements covering 525 claims, NPC released P258.948 million. For burial claims, NPC disbursed P3.55 million covering the full payment for the transfer of dead remains of the project-affected families and for the holding of rituals.

Meanwhile, the NPC temporarily suspended the preparation of a work design in one of the resettlement areas for Itogon residents affected by the construction of the San Roque Multi-Purpose Project. The project-affected families identified two resettlement sites, namely sitios Bantik, Dalupirip and Daynet, Ampucao, Itogon.

Caluya said this is due to the recent findings of the agency's engineering resource services division that the Bantik proposed resettlement site is prone to landslides and is within an active fault.

Caluya said these findings were echoed to affected residents during the July 31 meeting. In the said meeting, residents were asked to consider other areas guided by the following criteria that include road accessibility, proximity to a tapping point for electrification and water source, and that the area is geo-technically feasible.

Caluya said the local government has identified three proposed areas, namely: Cabartan, Dalupirip; area 745 in Philex, Ampucao and Tukmo, Itogon.

Caluya said the SRMP survey team and site management group immediately visited the proposed areas for their initial investigation and possible recommendation to the NPC management committee for approval. He added that due to urgency in determining resettlement site for the Bantik relocates, affected residents requested assistance of the Inter-Agency Sub-Task Force headed by Vice-Mayor Aloysious Kato to intercede in the process of facilitating the early approval and selection by the relocates of the final site.--Ugnayan News Service / PIA

SP members hope for recovery of mummies abroad

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (Aug. 28) -- The provincial government has expressed optimism in the recovery of Benguet mummies abroad.

This developed as the Provincial Board this week enacted a resolution of appreciation to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) through its Office of American Affairs for its efforts in providing Benguet province with the necessary assistance in locating them.

It can be recalled that last month, Governor Raul Molintas wrote President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo seeking presidential assistance in recovering mummies abroad particularly those belonging to the municipality of Kabayan.

In his letter to the President dated July 3, 2003, Molintas stressed, "This is appalling and in desecration of our local and national treasures, sought to be protected by our national laws that include PD 374 and PD 260. It would be greatly appreciated if steps were undertaken to locate and thereafter, recover these treasures."

The move stemmed from an undated advertisement clipping of a German publication for catering service with additional feature for exhibit of what it described as "creepy 500 year old mummy." The ad said ten other mummies are also located in a curiosity shop in San Francisco. The value is placed at 10,000 Deutchmarks.

Engineer Orlando Abinion of the National Museum faxed the said advertisement clipping to the Office of the Governor on July 2.

The SP's resolution of appreciation for the DFA stemmed from a communication dated July 28, 2003 written by Assistant Secretary Cristina G. Ortega citing among others that Molintas' letter was endorsed to the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco "to look into and report on the matter."-- Ugnayan News Service / PIA