introduction by allan_dude

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CAR

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Abra

The Province of Abra is now known as the "Natural Dye Capital of the Philippines" because it is blessed with abundant natural dye-yielding plants. Natural dyes are extracted from the barks, leaves, fruits, and roots of these plants, and used to color food, beverages, textiles, cosmetics, furniture, and pharmaceutical products.

The revival of Abra's dyeing tradition had been the project of former Governor Ma. Zita Claustro-Valera. It started in 1992 with the Katutubong Foundation, Inc., headed by former First Lady Amelita "Ming" Ramos, with the help of designer Patis Tesoro who is renowned for using ethnic designs and fabrics for her haute couture creations.

Another revival project that is related to the province's natural dye industry is loom weaving and embroidery.

Apayao

The province of Apayao boasts its own collection of natural wonders that are otherwise not found in the rest of the Cordilleras. Little wonder that it has been dubbed as “Cordillera’s Last Frontier for Nature Richness.” Here, underground rivers, majestic waterfalls, magnificent lakes hug a unique land that is replete with captivating caves, picture-pretty parks, and exotic wildlife.

Delve deep into underwater splendor being offered by Malabisin Lake and Underground River as well as Waton Subterranean River. Come up the surface to gape at fish and wildlife, which are highly visible in the unpolluted waters of Apayao River. And do stop to admire the myriad of picturesque waterfalls of varying sizes that are found along the river.

Commune with nature and marvel at wondrous sights at the Agamata, Agora, and Anag-Sicapo wildlife sanctuaries. Scale the heights of Mount Solo, the highest peak in Apayao. Stumble into untold discoveries at Purit, Anganupan, Nalvo, and countless other caves that make Apayao a whole lot more than simply interesting.

Benguet

Benguet is the roof of Northern Luzon. It straddles on the Cordillera mountain ranges. Mt. Pulag, second highest mountain in the Philippines, and Halsema Highway, the highest mountain highway system in the country, are located in Benguet. Today it holds claim as the “Salad Bowl of the Philippines” because of the huge production of upland vegetables.

Ifugao

Ifugao is home to a thriving ancient culture and host to the famous rice terraces carved from the base of the mountainsides to the top, which appear to be massive green stairways reaching to the sky. The famous terraces had been inscribed in UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1995 as “a continuing cultural landscape” and likewise considered by the U.S. Association of Civil Engineers as an engineering marvel built by unschooled and free men not of slave labor.

It was a credit to the inherent wisdom of the Ifugao forefathers that a forest and watershed management system was instituted to help sustain the terraces that serve as the basic food source of the sturdy Ifugaos.

The Ifugao native huts could probably be among the world’s first prefabricated houses that do not use a single nail or metal to fasten their parts.

Kalinga

A glance of the Philippine map will easily reveal the similarity of the physiography of Kalinga to that of a bust of a man akin to former President Ferdinand E. Marcos. The province’s geographic feature is charcterized in the western portion by sharp crested interlinking peaks of the steep slope, isolated flat lands, plateaus, and valleys. The eastern portion has generally rolling, gradually sloping foothills. With interlocking wide tracks of flat lands and flood plains along its main drainage system, this rare geography interposes a great role expected of the province in national development pursuits.

Mountain Province

Mountain Province is known as the “Weaver’s Paradise” due to the presence of various weaving centers sporting different designs that bespeak of the province’s cultural heritage. This was a province that practiced the traditional parliamentary/participatory form of governance as evidenced by the presence of the Dap-ay/Ato, a traditional form of governance led by the respected elders in the community.

Baguio City (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=253865) - Summer Capital Of The Philippines

Source:
nscb.gov.ph
tourism.gov.ph



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Magtour tayo! :cheers:

Bangued, Abra
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by Marjun (http://flickr.com/photos/26745359@N00/archives/date-posted/2007/02/16/)

Abra Church
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by gulliver59 (http://flickr.com/photos/48972099@N00/)

An exhausting but very enjoyable trip to exotic locations in Northern Luzon. We covered Banaue, Sagada and Baguio in a period of two days. I think, we spent more time on the road. And these weren't just any kind of roads- these were zigzag, high-altitude, cliff-hanging, pulse-quickening ones!

The views were nothing short of spectacular. What are the best things about this trip? Aside from the stunning vistas of Northern Luzon, they were riding on top of a jeepney at Kalinga, the sumptous beef broccoli, the cave exploration-cum-swimming, and the cozy inn where we stayed. In Baguio we got a good laugh at our sketch portraits.



The Town of Banaue

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A portion of the Banaue Terraces

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Up close and personal with the rice terraces

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My not so girly girl friends and behind them a more panoramic view of the terraces...

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The Kalinga Terraces on the way to Sagada...

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The Sagada Terraces...

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Into the Caves of Sagada...

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A house among the limestone formations...

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A creepy well just outside of those caves...

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Whoever is the Bulol, please stand up and introduce yourself...

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^^ NICE PICS!!! :cheers: thanks!

INQUIRER NORTHERN LUZON
Elusive Cordillera autonomy (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/sports/view_article.php?article_id=89373)

Self-rule goal not yet lost on the people
By Maurice Malanes
Inquirer


LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – They did not beat gongs and dance the tadek on Sept. 13 when they commemorated the 21st anniversary of the first peace agreement in the country signed between an armed group and the government under then President Corazon Aquino.

Instead, surviving leaders and members of the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) and the Cordillera Bodong Administration (CBA) sat down with government officials in a “peace and development forum” and reflected on the ultimate aim of what is now known as the Mt. Data Peace Accord of 1986.

That aim was regional autonomy. Although it remains a dream, it has become the cause of those who pushed for the accord.

They still consider autonomy or self-rule, especially in terms of managing and using the region’s land and resources, as the path to peace and development that can check a long history of neglect.

That dream was the desire of the late CPLA chief, Fr. Conrado Balweg, and of his followers when they forged the pact with Aquino.

At that time, the Aquino administration, which promised “democratic space” after strongman Ferdinand Marcos was ousted in a civilian-backed military revolt in February 1986, provided an auspicious opportunity for peace making.

Talking peace

During the signing of the accord in Mt. Data in Bauko, Mt. Province, “we, in a way, taught the national government how to talk peace,” Gabino Ganggangan, CBA secretary general, told the well-attended forum in La Trinidad, Benguet.

“Former President Fidel Ramos himself acknowledged that the government learned a lot from the Cordillera’s peace initiative,” said Ganggangan.

Unlike other armed groups, the CPLA immediately made peace with the government after it was formed in 1986, when its pioneers led by Balweg broke up with comrades in the New People’s Army due to political and ideological differences.

“To set the record straight, those of us who joined the NPA [during Marcos’ martial law regime] did not fight for communism. We fought mainly for our ancestral lands and resources,” Ganggangan said.

He cited how under Marcos, wide swaths of forest and rice lands in Abra, Mt. Province, Kalinga and Apayao were threatened by Cellophil Resources Corp., a paper mill owned by a Marcos crony, and by the planned series of World Bank-funded dams in the Chico River.

Through Marcos’ regionalization law in 1972, the provinces of what is now the Cordillera were politically divided. Benguet, Mt. Province and Abra became part of Region 1 (Ilocos) and Ifugao, Kalinga and Apayao belonged to Region 2 (Cagayan Valley).

This setup, according to Ganggangan, was aimed at “dismembering” the Cordillera, which was regarded as a vital resource base for the national government.

After the separation of the provinces, Marcos’ controversial development programs followed and pushed the likes of Balweg to join the NPA.

The division of the Cordillera and Marcos’ “development” programs led to the “one region, one people” battle cry of Balweg and other Igorot activists.

“This battle cry was the seed of what is now called Kaigorotan consciousness and the dream for regional autonomy,” said Ganggangan.

The desire soon found its way into the peace agreement that Balweg signed with Aquino. To fulfill her pledge to give flesh to the accord, Aquino signed Executive Order No. 220 on July 15, 1987, which gave birth to the Cordillera Administrative Region.

The CAR was established in preparation for its autonomous status. Unfortunately, the Cordillera electorate rejected two proposed autonomy laws in two plebiscites—on Jan. 30, 1990 and on March 7, 1998.

But advocates, including Balweg’s followers and those in government, maintain that the rejection of the proposed laws did not mean the death of autonomy itself.

Juan Ngalob, National Economic and Development Authority regional director, cited lack of information—if not misinformation—for the losses.

Kabayan (Benguet) Mayor Ernesto Matuday, who joined the peace and development forum in Baguio City, agreed.

During the past campaigns before the plebiscites, “I heard that some people came over to my town and butchered a pig but they never informed us about the benefits of regional autonomy,” said Matuday.

“Another reason [for the rejection] was public distrust of some politicians who were already positioning themselves if the autonomous region was created,” said Ngalob, chair of the Regional Development Council (RDC) which is now preparing the ground for another campaign.

Actually just a few steps away, autonomy can still be achieved through a “more scientific approach,” Ngalob said.

He cited a tedious poll survey which the RDC would undertake to determine the reasons the electorates had voted against autonomy. Campaign materials will be prepared based on the survey results, he said.

“Let us take our steps slowly but surely,” said Ngalob. “If the people of Quebec (in Canada) are still not giving up hope in their cause for independence (which began shortly after World War II), why should we easily give up our dream for autonomy after 21 years?”

Last January 2007, UST Architecture 4th yr field trip 1st batch
"most awesome trip"

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Arabica coffee industry dev't pushed

Sun.Star (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/bag/2007/10/23/bus/arabica.coffee.industry.dev.t.pushed.html)

THE development of the Arabica coffee industry is gaining support from various sectors in Cordillera, citing its competitive advantage over other coffee varieties.

This as coffee manufacturers and the academe also pushed for the expansion of areas planted to coffee in the region.

Valentino Macanes, head of the Arabica coffee research and development program for Cordillera, said the production of this coffee variety needs to be improved.

Macanes said the average production of Arabica coffee in Cordillera is only 300 kilograms per hectare compared to the tons per hectare production in other countries.

He said the region should be able to produce at least 1,000 to 2,000 kilos of coffee beans per hectare in order to be competitive.

In Benguet and Mountain Province, areas planted to Arabica coffee is 223.89 and 85.01 hectares, respectively. These provinces are the major producers of the coffee variety in the region.

Macanes said potential expansion area for Arabica coffee in Benguet is 5,965 while Mountain Province has an available expansion area of 4,876 hectares. "These potential expansion areas are not planted with vegetables," he said.

Farmers in the region are more focused on growing vegetables than coffee, which is a contributory factor to the latter's low production.

Lawyer Alipio Castillo III of the Montañosa Coffee Corporation said demand for coffee in the market is unlimited, adding that private and the government sectors' efforts to process, package and market the commodity should be strengthened.

Presidential Assistant for Cordillera Thomas Killip said his office has been advocating for the development of the Arabica coffee industry, taking the advice from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that production and development of the industry must be improved.

Kalinga town dream of joining Cagayan

Artemio Dumlao (http://www.philstar.com/index.php?p=60&type=2&sec=24&act=view&aid=200710168)

TABUK CITY, Kalinga - The residence fo Rizal town in Kalinga is aking to to join the province of Cagayan and become its 29th town.

The town people mentioned peace and order, development neglect, hampered trade and commerce as well as the practice of indigenous justice system as reasons for wanting to pull out from the Cordillera Adminstrative Region.

The people also mentioend that 15 barangays in their town have been left neglected and un-attended by the pronvicial government.

Rizal town came into the spotlight after a demolition at the former Madrigal estate in Malapiat killed 9 squatters and wounded 10 policemen.

Baguio: Mock poll shows low turnout of autonomy takers

Sun.Star Baguio (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/net/2007/12/07/baguio.mock.poll.shows.low.turnout.of.autonomy.takers.%2811.29.a.m.%29.html)

BAGUIO -- Results of the mock plebiscite done on the provinces of Benguet, Mt. Province and Ifugao showed that only a few of the sample population agree on autonomy for the Cordillera.

Albeit the results of the mock plebiscite in other provinces like Kalinga, Apayao, Abra and the cities of Tabuk and Baguio have yet to be tabulated, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Director Juan Ngalob said the partial results showed that those pushing for autonomy have to rethink if plans have to be pursued in the future.

Ngalob meantime said the Regional Development Council (RDC) is in the process of gathering the inputs of stakeholders on the proposal of Baguio Representative Mauricio Domogan that pending the plan for autonomy, amendments to Executive Order 220 should be worked out.

EO 220 is the directive issued by then President Corazon Aquino, which created the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

Ngalob said transforming CAR into a permanent region would help maintain the national line agencies that are assigned in several of the provinces in the region. (Rimaliza Opiña)

NLAQ projects to commence before yearend

by SC Aro

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- About P25 million worth of projects for the tramline and cold chain system will be implemented in Benguet and Mt. Province before the year ends, according to the Bureau of Post-Harvest Research and Extension (BPRE).

The agri-infra project is under the North Luzon Agri-Business Quadrangle with Benguet sharing the biggest chunk amounting to more than P45 million. NLAQ is one of the State-of-the-Nation commitments of the present administration aimed to spur agricultural development in the region.

BPRE Senior Science Research Specialist Don David Julian said seven towns in Benguet namely Itogon, Bakun, Atok, Mankayan, Buguias, Kibungan, and Tublay were identified as beneficiaries for the tramline poject in Benguet. The installation of the tramline in Itogon already started.

Mt. Province is likewise a beneficiary of the three tramline projects to be located in three different sites in Bauko.

About P15 million was allotted for the 10 tramlines while the remaining amounts will be used for pre-cooling facilities in the identified areas.

Part of the project is the minimal processing and packaging facility located at the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post.

Julian said the cold chain system project for Benguet will be until 2010. Components of the project are cold storage, pre-cooler, mini processing plant, payloader, dump truck and tramline. (PIA-Benguet (http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p071207.htm&no=76&r=&y=&mo=))

DA funds 6 multipurpose drying pavements in Ifugao

by Dan B. Codamon

LAGAWE, fugao (11 January) -- To boost agricultural production, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has approved the construction of six multi-purpose drying pavement (MPDP) under its Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) Rice Program in the province this year.

The MPDPs costing P100,000 each will benefit three barangays of Lamut, two barangays of Asipulo and one barangay of Aguinaldo.

The DA provides the P100,000 financial assistance as a grant to the cooperatives or people's organization in the respective barangay beneficiaries while the concerned local government units will assist the beneficiaries in the preparation and perfection of the documents required by the DA- Cordillera Administrative Region as well as help in the monitoring, supervision, construction and inspection of the project.

On the other hand, the beneficiaries will provide the cost of labor and other expenses as counterparts for the completion of the project.

According to Avelino Lunag of the Provincial Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Office (PAENRO) here, the Memorandum of Agreement between the DA and the beneficiaries has already been signed and the amount released.

Construction has already began in time for the harvest season this summer, he said.

Lunag also disclosed that as part of its continuing service, the PAENRO assisted by the DA, is currently distributing 350 bags of rice certified seeds and 150 bags of hybrid rice seeds to farmers for the planting season. (PIA-Ifugao (http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p080111.htm&no=87))

Cordillera tribes realize why they should not fear tourism

By Vincent Cabreza (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/Quay%20Side%20Gantry%20Cranes)
Northern Luzon Bureau


BAGUIO CITY -- After years of viewing tourism with suspicion, cultural workers now say Cordillera communities need not fear the tourism industry because it has been instrumental in keeping traditional practices of the country alive.

Benicio Sokkong, the Kalinga-born founder of the first government-sponsored school of living tradition in Baguio, says new generations of Cordillera youth had rediscovered their fathers’ old rituals and magic because of the tourism boom.

As a result, he says, villages had been encouraged to open their doors to foreign and domestic visitors.

Sokkong, 52, an advocate of authentic Igorot culture, lectured at a festival management workshop here that was sponsored by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and assisted by experts from the Philippine Education for Theater Arts (Peta).

Using the city’s annual Panagbenga Flower Festival that opens on Feb. 1, and the “Lang-Ay” Festival of Mt. Province as case studies, the workshop offered officials some techniques to help fine-tune their skills in organizing and presenting authentic native festivals, says Purificacion Molintas, director of the Department of Tourism in the region.

The DOT reported breaking the agency’s 2007 target with three million foreign tourists infusing more than P168 billion into the national coffers. Baguio should have earned P2,500 from each tourist who stays for two days, according to Councilor Perlita Chan-Rondez, chair of the city council’s committee on tourism.

To attract more tourists to the summer capital, the DOT has tasked tourism stakeholders with marketing the city jointly with the Poro Point International Airport in La Union, which will open in mid-2008.

But most provinces fear that tourists and government-led tourism will interfere with or change community rituals, Sokkong says. This fear often compelled local governments to stave off or suspend projects that would have strengthened their tourism potentials, he said.

“We are a culture that suffered from invasions. The Spaniards [and the Catholic Church] stopped us from playing our gongs because it was supposed to be un-Christian,” he says.

Dr. Brenda Fajardo, a Peta visual arts educator and workshop lecturer, says Philippine culture had a “multicultural” flavor because it drew from a rich history dating back to pre-Hispanic times, a Catholic Church-controlled Spanish colonial rule that lasted for nearly five centuries, and a 50-year American colonial period.

The traditions these periods helped introduce were immediately “Filipinized,” which is why they lasted this long, Fajardo says.

But towns today are also confronted by the fact that, to new generations of villagers, these rituals have lost their purpose, Sokkong says. He says he piloted the school of living traditions in Baguio in 1999, hoping to reignite the youth’s interest in their parents’ culture.

“The project [which became the Cordillera Music Tutorial and Research Center] was subsidized by the NCCA, but it took me a year just to find people who can teach authentic traditions, rituals and music,” he says.

The school inspired the youth by focusing on Igorot dances and chants, Sokkong says, because music is attractive to the new generation. “They also see that when we perform our dances, we showcase our sense of pride [to visitors].”

Molintas says the festival workshop had become necessary because new interest in community-oriented tourism also required some measure of restraint from the people.

A DOT concept paper for the workshop theorizes a “strong interrelationship of culture and tourism,” but it prefers the “kinder” school of thought that culture can be used for promotional purposes, compared to another advocacy that opposes cultural adulteration through tourism.

According to Fajardo, tourism is inherently an economic activity to both the government and the private sector, “but what is presented to the world is culture.”

“That is dangerous. We cannot commodify our culture,” she says.

She says there were tourism-oriented cultural performances that were staged due to “economic motivations.” As a result, “nawawala ang kahulugan (culture has become meaningless),” she says.

Fajardo says this should not be the inevitable consequence of tourism. Communities can avoid it if they draw up programs that showcase their traditions “using motivations of your own and not the motivations imposed by outsiders,” she says.

Aboitiz allots $200M for dams

By Delmar Cariño (http://business.inquirer.net/money/breakingnews/view/20080127-115160/Aboitiz-allots-200M-for-dams)
Northern Luzon Bureau


LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- SN Aboitiz Power Inc. is ready to spend $200 million to rehabilitate Benguet’s Ambuklao and Binga dams.

The rehabilitation would increase the plants’ combined generating capacity to between 175 and 200 megawatts (MW).

Emmanuel Rubio, SN Aboitiz chief executive officer, said the rehabilitation would cover the replacement of Ambuklao’s aging power generators and the repair of Binga’s turbines.

Rubio told the provincial board here recently that the company would prioritize Ambuklao’s overhaul since its power generators were outdated.

He said National Power Corp. (Napocor) and Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (Psalm) would turn over the dams’ operations to Aboitiz on June 25.

“We will spend $200 million in assets that are practically not operating, but we are willing to spend to express our sincere decision to become the province’s long-term investor,” Rubio said.

The company is seeking a 25-year special work permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources since the dams are in protected forest areas.

“Hopefully, we could renew the permit in view of the amount of investment we will make,” Rubio said.

Kalinga braces for 13th Ullalim Festival

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The province braces for its 13th Ullalim Festival with regal festivities of modest budget come February 14.

DTI-Kalinga Provincial Director Grace Baluyan, who is a member of the program steering committee said this year's Ullalim Festival will be a 4-day celebration marking the province's 13th Foundation Day, Feb. 13-16.

Kalinga and Apayao became separate provinces on Feb. 14, 1995 under RA 7878 signed by former Pres. Fidel Ramos.

Starting the 4-day affair will be the municipal and sectoral float parade that leads to the provincial capitol grounds, where the opening rite of the Ullalim Festival will be led by Gov. Floydelia Diasen.

The opening rite is signified by the recital of the Ullalim (Kalinga Epic), followed by the sounding of gongs and native Kalinga dance, tachok.

Each municipality will present its own festival based on its significance and implication. Tinglayan will do the Unoy Rice Festival, Pasil the Salip Festival, Tanudan the Tanudan Festival, Balbalan its Manchatchatong Festival, Pasingan Festival of Pinukpuk and other cultural presentations from Amung Chi Bochong of Lubuagan.

Baluyan said the committee has invited Tourism Sec. Joseph Ace Durano as Guest of Honor and Speaker and other Cordillera Tourism officials led Director Purificacion Molintas as guests.

Highlighting the celebration is the Agro-industrial Fair that offers a variety of Kalinga indigenous crops and products of world demand, under the auspices of DTI-Kalinga.

Other highlights include the 'Provincial Skills Competition' (PSC) for the skilled workers in the province to display their abilities in a friendly competition.

This aims to promote quality development in technical and vocational skills and develop a pool of world-class Filipino workforce whose skills help enhance both their employability and productivity.

This will be participated in by graduates of community-based training program from the municipalities, students from the private and public schools in the province, industry workers, entrepreneur, out-of-school youths, graduates and professionals, graduates from the Technical Educational Skills and Development Authority Provincial Training Center (TESDA-PTC), and even from the group of people with disabilities.

Contested areas which will be conducted in open and youth categories include Information Technology, Welding, Building Wiring, Horticulture, Automotive Servicing, Consumer Electronics, and Indigenous Crafts.

It will likewise showcase demos on beauty care like body massage, facial, foot spa, hair styling and cosmetology.

Martial arts enthusiasts will also be witnessing self defense demonstrations by the Kalinga Colleges of Science and Technology, Saint Louis College of Bulanao and the Philippine National Police.

The inclusion of the PSC in the province's annual major event is in support to the flagship of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to create more jobs for the Filipino through the provision and promotion of skills training producing a world-class and competent workforce.

Like the Kalinga legendary washing at the waters of Chico River to end the day's toils, participants and guests to the 4-day Ullalim Festival are invited to take the Chico River white water rafting, a 4-hour exasperating challenge on the Chico rapids.

Baluyan said the province, which is emerging as the new tourism discovery of the Cordillera, aims to develop the annual Ullalim Festival as an attraction, and later have it at the levels of Aklan's Ati-atihan and Cebu's Sinulog festivals. (PIA Kalinga (http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p080125.htm&no=75))

P1.5-M requested to improve Talama tourism view park

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- In line with the goal to make the province a prime tourist destination in the country, members of the provincial board is requesting Kalinga Congressman Manuel Agyao P1.5 million to fund the improvement of Talama Tourism View Park in Bulanao, this city.

In an interview with Provincial Tourism Officer Grace Kidang, this move of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) is a big step in developing the area which is a potential tourist spot in the province.

"This is the only place in Kalinga where one could view in one setting the scenic sights of the majestic Chico River, a glimpse of Tabuk Valley, the panoramic agricultural lands of Tabuk and parts of the mountainous upper Kalinga," she said.

The place which is accessible and very near the town center the is also a very suitable site for camping, trekking and other eco-tourism activities.

"This place is also recommended as a stop-over for rafters after an exhilarating white water activity offering them picturesque scenery either in broad daylight or just watch the sunset reflecting in the western portion on the long winding river," she expressed.

She related that led by the Provincial Tourism Council (PTC) president Natividad Suggiuyao, several eco-tourism activities had been conducted in the area where students, government employees and the private sectors attended.

"We are grateful for such initiatives since the appreciation of tourist spots in the province should start from us, so we will know how we could promote and invite our friends from other places to come and see what is proudly Kalinga," she underscored.

In a related development, the SP recently approved a budget of P1.2M from the 20% Development Fund for Eco-tourism Development of the province as part of the Provincial Government's Annual Investment Plan (AIP).

This is in support to the national government's goal of developing tourism potentials in the province as one major economic activity and source of livelihood of the people and revenue source of local government units. (PIA-Kalinga (http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p080126.htm&no=15))

Kalinga seeks funding assistance for 5 infra projects

Tabuk City, Kalinga -- The provincial board here is seeking funding assistance from the Senate for five vital infrastructure projects needed to further develop the agriculture potential of the province, establish transport facilities to propel domestic economy and the tourism industry.

The Sangguniang Pnalalawigan(SP) requested Senator Edgardo Angara to allocate fund in the amount of P10M for the construction of a domestic airport in the province particularly in the city of Tabuk.

The SP resolved among others in Resolution No. 2008-004 authored by Board Member Eduardo Buliyat that Kalinga needs an airport to cater to white water rafters, tourists, cut travel from Manila to Tabuk, and promote trade and commerce.

Another P5.5 million fund allocation was requested from Senator Loren Legarda through SP Resolution No. 2008-011 authored by Board Member Fernando Abay for the improvement of three farm-to-market roads (FMR).

These are the Gobgob-Tangbay FMR needing P3 million, Dilag - San Juan in the amount of P1.5 million, and Cabaruan-Sucbot FMR for P1M.

According to the SP, these barangays have tracts of idle lands suited for agricultural purposes. "If the agricultural potentials of these barangays are developed, the food security program of government could be attained in this part of the country," the proposal states.

Based on reports, these infra projects were severely damaged by typhoons that made the affected barangays isolated up to these days, the SP averred in their resolution approved on January 8 of this year.

Abay also sponsored a bill for the construction of additional multi-purpose pavements in 12 barangays in this city. The SP requested Senator Jinggoy Estrada a total of P5 million to establish agriculture facilities in these barangays.

According to Resolution No. 2008-013, Kalinga is a hybrid rice producing province and the rice granary of the Cordilleras thus the need for drying pavements particularly for barangays Laya West, Calaccad, Ipil, Gogbgob, Balong, Dilag, San Juan, Cabaruan, Cabaritan, Nambaran, Lacnog, and Balawag.

The SP went on to endorse during the same regular session the request of the Barangay Council of Bangad for the rehabilitation of a footbridge across the Chico river connecting the municipalities of Tinglayan and Tanudan. The amount of P933,000 was being sought from Senators Angara and Gregorio Honasan.

To promote the green Philippines program, the aldermen through Buliyat also requested Sen. Legarda to allocate P3M for the improvement of forest parks in the province. The SP believes that improving forest parks could prevent environmental degradation.

Legarda is invited Guest Speaker on the 13th Kalinga Day celebration on February 14. (PIA-Kalinga (http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p080121.htm&no=20))

P10-M training center to rise in Apayao

by L. Lopez

LUNA, Apayao -- Responding to the needs of this fast developing province, the local government of Apayao earmarked P10M this year to finance the construction of a training center in this municipality.

TESDA-CAR Assistant Regional Director Emmanuel Dabalos said Gov. Elias Bulut, Sr. was touched by the inconvenience of his people who need to go to Cagayan and Baguio City for skills trainings.

Dabalos said after their office submitted the memorandum of Agreement (MOA), Gov. Bulut approved the project and immediately released P2.5M for its initial works.

TESDA-Apayao has closely worked with the local government in providing skills to the people of the province under its Sheet Metal Arch Welding (SMAW) program, where trainees undergo 1-month training on metal welding.

Dabalos said their office has now trained two batches of welders numbering to 48, who are now being worked out for jobs at a ship building company in Subic.

The training provided by TESDA even qualifies trainees to work overseas, as two of its trainees now work as welders in Saudi Arabia, Dabalos said.

TESDA is aggressive on the SMAW as part of President Arroyo's Hunger Mitigation and Poverty Alleviation Program, which has sank in the priorities of this province.

Dabalos informed that the provincial government is shouldering allowances of trainees in going to Cagayan and Baguio City, to attend skills trainings.

Other skills provided by TESDA include care giving, butchering and barrista. This program is tied-up with the Anti-poverty Agenda of the local government of Apayao. (PIA Kalinga (http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p080121.htm&no=19&r=&y=&mo=))

Benguet develops RP’s first organic potato varieties (http://business.inquirer.net/money/topstories/view/20080216-119347/Benguet-develops-RPs-first-organic-potato-varieties)

By Delmar Cariño
Northern Luzon Bureau
First Posted 18:31:00 02/16/2008

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The thrust toward organic agriculture got a boost with the production of new types of potatoes that Benguet State University (BSU) researchers labeled as “the country’s first organic potato varieties.”

Now available at BSU’s Northern Philippines Root Crops Research and Training Center (NPRCRTC) are four potato breeds—Solibao, Gloria Kamaptengan, Tawid and Watwat—that could improve potato production in the highlands.

Organic potatoes are sold at P100 a kilogram in the wet market but the price could go up when sold in high-end markets like supermarkets, says Pat Acosta, an organic farming practitioner.

Dr. Belinda Tadawan, project team leader, says the four potato varieties feature a major component of organic agriculture—the use of genotypes that are resistant to pests and diseases and adaptable to the minimum use of farm inputs.

Tadawan’s team—Donita Simongo, Esther Josephine Sagalla, Janet Pablo, Cynthia Kesia and Charlotte Shagol—developed the varieties after field trials that took three years in six potato production areas in Benguet to finish.

These areas were chosen to represent the varying levels of elevation of farm gardens in order to determine their best adaptive qualities to varying degrees of temperature.

Barangays Balili (1,336 meters above sea level) and Puguis (1,342 meters above sea level) here were chosen to represent the low mountain areas; Barangays Loo in Buguias town (1,638 meters above sea level) and Cabututan (1,588 meters above sea level) in Bakun town, for mid-mountain areas; and Barangays Englandad (2,300 meters above sea level) in Atok town and Sinipsip (2,350 meters above sea level), also in Buguias, for the high mountain areas.

The project’s success was made possible with the help of six farmers who owned the lands where the varieties were tested—Dr. Jose Balaoing, Acosta, Rene Noepe, Alex Cubalit, Toria Lesoc and Johnny Osting.

The project initially chose 55 samples of different potato varieties.

After a series of experiments, 15 varieties were left and subjected to what Tadawan’s team called “multilocational trials” from 2005 to 2007.

The trials, according to Tadawan, studied the varieties’ performance based on yield per hectare, tuber size and resistance to late blight, the most common potato disease in Benguet.

Tadawan says most of the 55 varieties came from the International Potato Center in Lima, Peru, while the rest were locally bred varieties.

All of them were given codes during the study.

The response of the varieties was studied based on the area of cultivation, temperature, relative humidity and soil condition.

The farmers used compost, animal manure, effective microorganisms and biological control in cultivating the varieties.

Of the 55 varieties, the study found four varieties that stood out, having potential yields of seven to 10 tons of potatoes per hectare.

The varieties had strong resistance to pests and diseases and required minimum use of farm inputs.

“Since their cultivation and yield did not rely on the use of chemicals and commercial fertilizers, they are deemed as organic varieties,” Tadawan says.

During the celebration of BSU’s charter day anniversary, farmers were asked to join a contest to name the varieties.

Thus, the variety identified as CIP 13.1.1 became Gloria Kamaptengan; 38.0251.17, Tawid; Phil. 5.19.2.2, Watwat; and CIP 676059, Solibao.

Johnny Dati, NPRCRTC director, says the cultivation of the organic varieties could cut down costs on farm inputs, giving farmers the opportunity to earn more.

The advantage of the province’s farmers is that Benguet remains to be the country’s center of potato production.

The province has 10,964 hectares of land devoted to potato production with an annual average yield of 97,834 tons.

The common potato types are sold between P30 and P35 a kilogram.

“Imagine the income the farmers would derive when a substantial part of agricultural land would be used for organic varieties,” Tadawan says.

She says Benguet supplies 62 percent of the country’s annual potato production. It is followed by Davao (14 percent), Mt. Province (12 percent) and Bukidnon (10 percent).

Dati says a 2004 study showed the high demand for potatoes.

The study found the following breakdown of potato purchases in 2004—Divisoria wholesalers (84,138 metric tons), food chain traders (10,762 MT), Balintawak wholesalers (2,446 MT), and supermarkets, hotels and restaurants (489 MT).

-dp-

Apayao State U teener picked Miss Solid North at ASCU sportsfest


LINGAYEN – It was an unexpected victory for Hannah Sue Eming of Apayao State University as she romped off with the Miss Solid North 2008 crown last Wednesday night at the Pangasinan State University (PSU) Convention Center in Lingayen besting 13 other candidates from various state universities and colleges in Regions I, II and the Cordillera Autonomous Region

All of eighteen summers, Hannah came like a whiff of fresh wind, smartly and confidently answering the final question tossed to the Magic 7 finalists to capture the nod of jurors and spectators.

A 3rd year BS Education student, the Miss Solid North 2008 did not get any of the minor awards during the pageant night but ended up with the most coveted title, a proof that intelligence weighs more than physical attributes.

First and second runner-ups for the Miss Solid North 2008 were Wendy Lucas of Cagayan State University and Rochelle T. Cayton of Nueva Vizcaya State University.

Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr., represented by Board Member Nestor Reyes, earlier welcomed this year’s Association of State Colleges and Universities (ASCU) delegations who are staging their annual Sports Olympics and Cultural Festival at the Narciso Ramos Sports Center in Pangasinan.

The holding of such event he stressed, upholds unity, resilience, productivity and commitment through the showcase of academic, cultural and athletic potentials of the youth.

Sports competition, literary-musical contest and the beauty pageant were among the highlights of the three day event. (PIO/Ruby R. Bernardino)

http://pangasinanstar.prepys.com/archives/2008/02/27/apayao-state-u-teener-picked-miss-solid-north-at-ascu-sportsfest/#more-2405

CAR

http://www.gov.ph/aboutphil/images/regioncar.jpg
Abra

The Province of Abra is now known as the "Natural Dye Capital of the Philippines" because it is blessed with abundant natural dye-yielding plants. Natural dyes are extracted from the barks, leaves, fruits, and roots of these plants, and used to color food, beverages, textiles, cosmetics, furniture, and pharmaceutical products.

The revival of Abra's dyeing tradition had been the project of former Governor Ma. Zita Claustro-Valera. It started in 1992 with the Katutubong Foundation, Inc., headed by former First Lady Amelita "Ming" Ramos, with the help of designer Patis Tesoro who is renowned for using ethnic designs and fabrics for her haute couture creations.

Another revival project that is related to the province's natural dye industry is loom weaving and embroidery.

Apayao

The province of Apayao boasts its own collection of natural wonders that are otherwise not found in the rest of the Cordilleras. Little wonder that it has been dubbed as “Cordillera’s Last Frontier for Nature Richness.” Here, underground rivers, majestic waterfalls, magnificent lakes hug a unique land that is replete with captivating caves, picture-pretty parks, and exotic wildlife.

Delve deep into underwater splendor being offered by Malabisin Lake and Underground River as well as Waton Subterranean River. Come up the surface to gape at fish and wildlife, which are highly visible in the unpolluted waters of Apayao River. And do stop to admire the myriad of picturesque waterfalls of varying sizes that are found along the river.

Commune with nature and marvel at wondrous sights at the Agamata, Agora, and Anag-Sicapo wildlife sanctuaries. Scale the heights of Mount Solo, the highest peak in Apayao. Stumble into untold discoveries at Purit, Anganupan, Nalvo, and countless other caves that make Apayao a whole lot more than simply interesting.

Benguet

Benguet is the roof of Northern Luzon. It straddles on the Cordillera mountain ranges. Mt. Pulag, second highest mountain in the Philippines, and Halsema Highway, the highest mountain highway system in the country, are located in Benguet. Today it holds claim as the “Salad Bowl of the Philippines” because of the huge production of upland vegetables.

Ifugao

Ifugao is home to a thriving ancient culture and host to the famous rice terraces carved from the base of the mountainsides to the top, which appear to be massive green stairways reaching to the sky. The famous terraces had been inscribed in UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1995 as “a continuing cultural landscape” and likewise considered by the U.S. Association of Civil Engineers as an engineering marvel built by unschooled and free men not of slave labor.

It was a credit to the inherent wisdom of the Ifugao forefathers that a forest and watershed management system was instituted to help sustain the terraces that serve as the basic food source of the sturdy Ifugaos.

The Ifugao native huts could probably be among the world’s first prefabricated houses that do not use a single nail or metal to fasten their parts.

Kalinga

A glance of the Philippine map will easily reveal the similarity of the physiography of Kalinga to that of a bust of a man akin to former President Ferdinand E. Marcos. The province’s geographic feature is charcterized in the western portion by sharp crested interlinking peaks of the steep slope, isolated flat lands, plateaus, and valleys. The eastern portion has generally rolling, gradually sloping foothills. With interlocking wide tracks of flat lands and flood plains along its main drainage system, this rare geography interposes a great role expected of the province in national development pursuits.

Mountain Province

Mountain Province is known as the “Weaver’s Paradise” due to the presence of various weaving centers sporting different designs that bespeak of the province’s cultural heritage. This was a province that practiced the traditional parliamentary/participatory form of governance as evidenced by the presence of the Dap-ay/Ato, a traditional form of governance led by the respected elders in the community.

Baguio City (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=253865) - Summer Capital Of The Philippines

Source:
nscb.gov.ph
tourism.gov.ph

Mt. Province prepares for Lang-ay Festival


BONTOC, Mt. Province – Preparations are now underway for the fourth staging of the Lang-ay Festival here in April.

After a series of meetings, the Lang-ay Development Council chaired by Governor Maximo B. Dalog, finalized plans for this year’s celebration that will revolve around the theme of: “ Living Tradition: We care and share.”

Activities were identified for the week long celebration that will start on April 1st and the different committees organized to insure the best presentations for this year’s Lang-ay Festival.

The series of events include an agro-industrial fair, traditional and tribal competitions as ‘Gimata’ race and pounding rice; indigenous games and exhibits, cultural dance presentation combined with street dancing parade, Day-eng contest, and cultural fashion show among others.

The agro-industrial fair, now a regular component of the annual festival, will serve as the ‘kick off’ activity of the week-long festival and will formally open on April 1. There will be a contest for the best local products and best boothes.

The ‘Gimata’ race, is a race for men while carrying the “gimata” (the baskets on both ends of a strong pole used to transport newly harvested rice-on-stalk) and pounding rice competition for women. Competing in these events will be chosen from the Balangao, Baliwon, Aplai, Kankana-ey and Bontoc tribes. Participants must be in their ethnic attire.

Lomban di amam-a ya inin-a (marathon for the elderly) is open to men aging 50 years old and above for the 5km run and women who are 45 years old and above for the 3km run. Interested to participate are required to submit medical and birth certificates.

The street dancing competition will be opened to two groups: the Children Street Dancing which shall be participated in by elementary pupils; and the first and second year high school students. Participants in this category shall be composed of a minimum of 25 to a maximum of 30 students;

The second group is for the Mixed-age Group street dancing which shall be participated in by the community of all ages with a minimum of 60 to a maximum of 100 performers to include dancers, musicians and prop-bearers.

Other activities to be conducted during the week-long festival include mountain trekking; skills fair/showcase; Ms. Mt. Province Pageant; Lang-ay Theme song competition; farmers forum/congress/lectures; medical/dental mission; coffee sipping experience; indigenous worship and concert; Theater presentation; 11th Community get together; Job fair and Serbisyo Caravan of selected agencies; Chorale Fest; Oratorical contest for the youth with the theme, ‘Gawis ay Mountain Province’.

The Regional Development Council will also be holding its meeting here.

From the P1.5 million allocation last year, the provincial government has increased the Lang-ay allocation for 2008 to P2 million.

Financial assistance of P50,000 will be given to each of the ten municipalities to defray cost of preparation, coordination, and rehearsal for street dancing, props and costumes, preparation ,of booths and honorarium of municipal coordinator/choreographer.

Another P10,000 per municipality to defray cost of lunch by the Chico River Bank; P10,000 each for transportation expenses for the municipalities of Barlig, Sabangan, Sagada, Sadanga, Bauko, Besao and Tadian; and P20,000 each for the Natonin and Paracelis, the farthest municipalities.

Financial assistance of P15,000 will also be given to each participating group in the children street dancing to defray expenses incurred during coordination, preparation, to include costumes, props, etc.

The remaining amount will be given as cash prizes to the winners of the different competitions like in the street dancing, the Best Performer in the Mixed-Age group will be given a cash prize of P50,000 while the other participants will be given P25,000. the Best Performer in the children group will receive a cash prize of P10,000 and consolation prize of P5,000 for each participating group.

The Lang-ay Festival, which was first staged in 2004, is the biggest crowd drawer in the province. (Juliet B. Saley/PIA MP)

NORDIS (http://www.nordis.net/blog/?p=2251)

Trails, instead of roads, will beef up Cordillera tourism

By Vincent Cabreza
Northern Luzon Bureau


BAGUIO CITY -- Common sense tells most people that roads lead towns to economic success.

But an alternative map detailing a rudimentary trail system, which links 500 kilometers of rich forest land in interior Cordillera, may be all that rural communities need to bring modern trade to them.

Ibaloi naturalist Jose Alipio of the Ateneo de Manila University offered experts this alternative road map at the first International Conference on Cordillera Studies sponsored by the University of the Philippines Baguio last week.

The National Economic and Development Authority spent two decades negotiating for funds to complete the Cordillera road improvement project, a network of roads that connect Baguio City to Benguet, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao and Abra.

The region counts most of its towns as poverty-stricken communities.

But instead of pining for concrete roads, government should start developing earthen trails instead, said Alipio, a grant beneficiary of the National Geographic Society.

Trail development “brings money into remote villages without [resorting] to the cost of building roads,” he explained.

The primary industry that could make good use of trails is tourism, he said, because foreign tourists who visit the Cordillera have been drawn there by government’s eco-tourism marketing campaign.

Alipio said most of these community trails have been used for decades to haul market goods for trade with neighboring towns.

Most villagers in interior Cordillera have been waiting for government to build them proper roads, he said.

According to the Department of Public Works and Highways website, the Cordillera has 1,844 kilometers of road.

But only 510 kilometers of these road stretches are paved with concrete, and about 105 kilometers are covered by asphalt.

The public’s attention has been concentrated on Halsema Highway, the main artery between Benguet and Mt. Province that is used to transport the region’s daily supply of salad vegetables to Metro Manila.

In the latest assessment made by the Regional Development Council, capital gaps still compel government to suspend paving plans for these road networks.

Alipio offered a reason for the delay: “If I were a businessman, and I would build P50 million [worth of] road [benefiting only] five houses in a village, how would I get back that P50 million?”

The alternative road map “brings the outside economy to the village instead of bringing the village to the market.”

A master’s degree holder in environmental management, Alipio admitted that his primary concern was the region’s dwindling forest land.

Reducing the amount of concrete should protect the region’s natural landscape, and allow interior communities to harness their water, land and floral resources at their own pace, he said.

He said his initial survey suggested a correlation between the high consumption of forest resources to a local economy.

He said many Cordillerans have migrated to the cities or abroad to work, and the money they remit back home determines how much trees are cut for fuel near their villages.

The proposed trail system requires communities to develop their own “cultural maps” because the villages become “pseudo-protected areas.”

“What we want to present here is tourism where tourists learn from the local community instead of impose what they want from the local community,” Alipio said.

He said he and fellow environmentalists have mapped out the primary trails that already lead to popular Cordillera tourist haunts.

But before the trails can be “commercially activated,” villagers must also develop mechanisms that would address problems that accompany tourism, he said.

He said communities should also determine their respective “carrying capacities” for tourists.

Bhutan in the Himalayas, for instance, requires tourists to spend a minimum of $500. This helps reduce the number of visitors there, he said.


http://business.inquirer.net/money/topstories/view/20080209-117833/Trails-instead-of-roads-will-beef-up-Cordillera-tourism

Getting Lost: A walk in the clouds

By CHEN REYES-MENCIAS


On the cover of Newsweek a couple of months ago it says, “Slow is Beautiful.” Just like the “Slow Food” movement, a new philosophy in travel is encouraging visitors to be more reflective on their experiences, to go beyond what they see and explore what their other senses can perceive.

http://www.nordis.net/blog/wp-content/files/chen2008_0302hungduansml.jpg
Like all other terraces in Ifugao, the Hungduan rice terraces has been seriously neglected. Photo courtesy of Chen Reyes-Mencias

A trip to the Ifugao province emphasized this paradigm as I allowed myself to see, taste, feel and understand what it is like to visit a place that is so rich in culture and history that I ended up craving for more.

Discovering a treasure

An interesting bit of information that got my attention was the fact that Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita surrendered in Ifugao. This mountain hideaway was the last stance of the Japanese Imperial Army. Perhaps this created a lot of speculation about the possibility of having hidden treasures in places where he was known to have been during the war.

More valuable though are the terraces themselves that remains to be the most compelling asset of the province.

More commonly known as the Eighth Wonder of the World, the hagdan-hagdan or rice terraces of Ifugao province is an engineering feat that never fails to amaze visitors. The actual date of the terraces is highly debated. Several theories have developed over the years, although the most amazing is the result of carbon-14 dating that indicated that the oldest terraces could have been made as early as the 7th century.

Inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List are four sites: Mayaoyao, Hungduan, Banaue and Kiangan. Each one demonstrates indigenous knowledge that is in danger of disappearing for good unless steps are taken to preserve them for the benefit of future generations.

Mayaoyao is known for experts on native house constructions, stone tiling and stone terrace construction. Hungduan is known for their land management while Kiangan is said to be known for indigenous rice production. Banaue is also known for its rice production, as well as for forest management. It is also the most famous tourist destination among the four.

Serious concern

The terraces may be man-made but just like natural ecosystems they are plagued with serious problems. Poverty and the interest of young people to seek better opportunities in the cities have led to some terraces being abandoned. Lack of local employment and livelihood leaves the people no option but to migrate somewhere else.

Tourism and development planners find it depressing to see a growing trend on the use of GI sheets for roofing. Locals, however find the iron roofs much cheaper than using traditional materials. As one local farmer said galvanized roofs are easier to maintain than the traditional grass roofs.

http://www.nordis.net/blog/wp-content/files/chen2008_0302ifugaohousesml.jpg
More than a dozen Ifugao houses had been saved and are now showcased near the Municipal Hall of Hungduan. Photo courtesy of Chen Reyes-Mencias

Some government officials consider tin-roofed houses as eyesores because these stand out against the landscape. It is easy for them to conclude that local folk are not concerned about preserving their culture and heritage. However, it should be noted that such trends are indicators of the declining economic state of affairs. Minimum basic needs such as food, education, shelter, clothing and health care have to be addressed first before any resources are used for conservation. Poor people will always find ways to maximize whatever money they have, sometimes at the expense of heritage.

The proliferation of large earthworms has been a serious concern as well since they have weakened the terraces and caused erosion. The use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers has resulted in the decline in production of some farms. The local fish called yuyu that used to thrive in the rice paddies almost disappeared because of the increased toxicity of the soil.

Hope for the future

Education will play a key role in the preservation of indigenous knowledge and vernacular landscapes. The integration of heritage education in mainstream education will ensure that the next generation will appreciate their heritage and will continue to protect it. This is exactly what a small band of young men and women are focusing on.

The Save the Ifugao Terraces Movement (SITMO) is an NGO implementing the project aptly called Indigenous Knowledge Transmission (IKT). The group is piloting this concept at the Ifugao State College and aims to integrate indigenous knowledge in the school curriculum. Led by passionate indigenous knowledge experts, the group hopes to see Ifugaos preserve their architecture, food, arts, crafts, dances, folklore, costumes, jewelry, practices and traditions amid the sweeping changes happening in the world.

Augusto Villalon, chairperson of the International Committee on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Philippines said, “People is part of the landscape and it is in the way they adopt to the challenges of their environment that they develop their heritage.”

Indeed the challenge for the local people is to find a balance between survival and protecting the terraces, a colossal task considering that they are now perceived as a precious asset not just for the Ifugaos but f for humanity.

Hungduan Mayor Pablo Cuyahon emphasizes that the locals are doing their best in preserving the terraces not just for them or for the Filipino people but for the world.

“It is a remarkable responsibility,” Mayor Cuayahon adds.

Ordinances banning the use of chemicals in rice planting and the re-seeding of the paddies with yuyu is restoring productivity. Concerted effort is already bearing its fruit as more young people have seriously made the choice to stay and have an active role in the advocacy.

A glimpse of what lies ahead

As I climbed the steps to the Lagud Village Learning Inn, I was met by Japanese-looking girls wearing ampuyo or skirt that has red and black stripes. It turned out that they were indeed Japanese students who came over for an immersion trip. I learned that they had been living in the village for three months. Upon reaching the top I saw more students, this time locals who had been active participants in a scheme that allow them to raise funds for their education through tourism.

http://www.nordis.net/blog/wp-content/files/chen2008_0302ifugaoboysml.jpg
This boy proudly shows off the list of visitors who bought seedlings to be transplanted in the muyong or forest. Part of the fund will go to his education. Photo courtesy of Chen Reyes-Mencias

Eco-cultural tours provide interesting experiences to visitors as the people themselves showcase their culture through dances, souvenirs, local wine and food, and even traditional ways of managing their natural environment. After some dancing, chanting and merrymaking, the festive mood became more serious when the tour organizer announced that visitors can help by buying seedlings that may be planted in the muyong or forest on top of the mountain that supplies water to the terraces. This tree-planting project is not only a source of fund for the conservation activities, but also pays for the education of the young scholars.

The Pochon Group headed by Joan Sheelah Nalliw has come up with highly experiential activities for tourists during the planting and harvesting season. The guests are allowed to participate in the actual planting and harvesting of rice and in building local Ifugao houses. As they become ambassadors of their own people, they promote local pride, as well as increased appreciation and awareness of their own cultural identity.

After a day of traveling and sight-seeing I went to the local market and bought a drum and a few functional baskets. I was tempted to buy more souvenirs with the distinctive ethno-cultural motifs. I held myself and instead bought a bottle of baya, also called pfudfud. What better way to end my three-day trip than to relax and taste the local rice wine. While sipping the local brew I sat in the balcony of the hotel enjoying the panoramic view of the majestic steps that disappeared in the clouds. I could not help but feel proud. There is not a drop of Ifugao blood in my body but as a Filipino, I am one with them in their advocacy to leave a legacy for the future.

For more information about the eco-cultural tours of Ifugao and how you can help preserve its rich culture, contact Nilo Manangan at sitmo311@gmail.com and The Pochon Group at josh21020@gmail.com . Let me know what you think. Send me an email at wildexpeditions@yahoo.com.

Article from the Northern Dispatch Information Service (http://www.nordis.net/blog/?p=2225)

Cordillera losing its water due to watershed destruction

Philippine Daily Inquirer


LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET—The Cordillera Administrative Region is losing more water than saving its sources, and irrigation officials are afraid the region may fail in its bid to become a major cushion against climate change.

Abraham Akilit, National Irrigation Administration (NIA) regional manager, said declining forest cover and watershed degradation continued to imperil the region’s remaining water supply sources. “More water is being lost than kept,” he told reporters in a forum here on March 4.

Akilit said expanding commercial vegetation remained to be the main human activity that had threatened the life of watersheds, bringing to a head-on collision the government’s poverty mitigation agenda and watershed protection.

The government, he said, must balance food security program in the region that puts premium on vegetable production and the need to preserve the ecosystems, particularly in areas where farming has become viable.

“The food program must be pushed with regulation to avoid agriculture encroaching on watersheds,” he said.

Akilit admitted, however, that the food security program that dwelt on intensive food production might not ignite a massive conversion to agriculture lands since other reasons might have also caused the depletion of the watersheds.

Forest fires, illegal logging and slash-and-burn farming, called the kaingin system, were also hurting the forests and other natural resources.

The impact of commercial vegetation, Akilit said, was most felt when vegetable terraces were carved out of mountain slopes that loosen the soil, making them vulnerable to slides, erosion and siltation.

This can be seen in the cases of Mt. Data National Park in Bauko, Mt. Province, and of Mt. Pulag, the country’s second highest peak that straddles Benguet, Ifugao and Nueva Vizcaya.

The felling of trees and the elimination of mossy forests in these areas have compromised the ability of the forests to survive for a long time, he said.

This was the reason that pushed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the NIA to launch a massive tree nursery and tree planting program of more than one million trees as a measure to arrest the forest and watershed decline, Akilit said.
Records showed that the NIA had scored some success in its campaign to rehabilitate the watersheds and make full use of the distribution of water to the farms.

Reynaldo Apil, NIA engineering and operations chief in the Cordillera, said more drainage canals, water reservoir, pipe lines and other water conveyors were constructed for rice, corn and vegetable farmers. Delmar Carino, Inquirer Northern Luzon

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20080310-123803/Cordillera-losing-its-water-due-to-watershed-destruction

Benguet needs more development funds

By Jane Cadalig


WHILE Benguet is perceived to be receiving more than other provinces in the Cordillera region in terms of agricultural development funds, Benguet Governor Nestor Fongwan said much has yet to be improved in the province.

"In fact, we need more (funding) assistance from the National Government because we still have wide (agricultural) areas which need more improvement," Fongwan said.

The governor was reacting to an earlier claim that Benguet is the favorite of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in terms of funding for farm-to-market roads (FMRs) having allotted the highest amount last year.

Fongwan said several vegetable producing areas in the province have yet to be reached by infrastructure developments.

He added that Benguet was not the province being referred to, when three Cordillera regional governors slammed the DA allegedly for playing favorites in allocating funds for FMRs.

"I believe when they said that, they were not referring to any province because we all have the same problems," Fongwan said, while adding that other provinces should not envy Benguet's FMR development as this also benefits nearby localities being the major link from the farm to the market.

"The improvement of the roads in Benguet is benefiting the farmers in our neighboring provinces," he said.

Benguet was allotted P15 million from the DA's FMR program last year, but the agency's top officials clarified that the province got more because it is the major vegetable producer in the region.

Other provinces which produce majority of other commodities like rice and corn are also allotted more under the DA's program for the commodities.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/bag/2008/03/06/news/benguet.needs.more.development.funds.html

Ancient burials

Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd


It would be a shame to make it all the way to Banaue and not make the trip further to Sagada, a tranquil mountaintop town famous for its ancient burial caves and hanging coffins.

But be forewarned, the journey there is not for the faint-hearted.

We were on the National Highway but the dirt road looked anything but that.
It was dusty, narrow, washed out in certain areas and full of potholes. The 62km journey from Banaue to Sagada, which might take 30 minutes on a regular highway, took four hours.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/3/8/lifetravel/f_24coffins.jpg
Coffins stacked like logs in the Lumiang Burial Caves.



Often, drivers have to wait when the road gets too narrow as they figure out who gets right of way. The system is such that it’s not about who is ascending or descending but rather who has the bigger space. I noticed that the drivers were very patient, for they would wait without grumbling at lorries or tractors doing construction work in the middle of the road oblivious to traffic.

They will only move once their job is done. Most of the time was spent waiting for one thing or the other, as the debris from landslides covered the road at most places. Our guide informed us that they carry shovels in the coach for a bit of D-I-Y remedy since it would take ages to wait for the authorities to clear landslides.

Tours to Sagada are also dependent on weather and road condition, so make sure to check with your local tour guide before making arrangements to this part of the Philippines.

We stopped at Mt Polis, the highest point of our journey, to take pictures with a giant Virgin Mary statue that was at least three-storeys high. It was quite chilly as the wind was very strong.

There were small shops selling various local products by the side of the road, and I decided to try their delicacy, balut (duck embryo in an egg), which is supposed to warm you up. The sight was not very appealing but it tasted like normal duck and egg. I was amused at my fellow German tour mates because they were appalled by the idea of eating duck embryo and refused to taste it.

As we approached Bontoc town, the gateway to the Cordillera region, I noticed that the rice terraces were shorter and the walls made of stone in contrast to the mud terraces at Banaue. The farmers here must be very romantic, for we spotted plenty of vegetable crops planted to form heart shapes and words such as IªU.

The Bontoc Village Museum is a must-visit as it is quite simply the best in the region, with its powerful black-and-white photos and the indigenous music accompanying its exhibits relating to the region’s main tribes.

The head-hunter exhibits are the most fascinating as there are some grisly photos of the ancient practice. Check out the Bontoc village replicas outside to have a better understanding on how the tribes live.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/3/8/lifetravel/f_24cliff.jpg
Hanging Coffins make it easier for the dead to reach God.


We finally arrived at Sagada and were taken straight to the grand but eerie Lumiang Burial Caves where over 100 coffins were stacked, the oldest believed to be about 500 years old. The dead were buried in a foetal position and left in the cave. Our guide told us that most coffins are empty as irresponsible tourists used to take bones and artefacts home as souvenirs. The area is well-guarded now.

There was another area before the main cave, which housed smaller coffins of mothers who died in childbirth and young children.

We passed the Sugong Coffins that were suspended on the cliff face on the way back. These “Hanging Coffins” are perched precariously on wedges that are seemingly impossible to reach. Sagadians believe that the higher the gravesite, the easier it would be for their lost ones to reach Heaven or God.

Many come to Sagada to explore the network of limestone caves and subterranean streams. Sumaging Cave, the largest, can be explored by anyone with a local guide. Basic tours last around three hours but it is possible to spend an entire day inside.


http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2008/3/8/lifetravel/20349756&sec=lifetravel

Cordillera experiments with educ programs for remote villages


KIANGAN, Ifugao – Cordillera is experimenting on innovative teaching practices to combat the low functional literacy rate caused by the region's lack of roads and schools.

Here in Kiangan, in the woodcarving village of Bolog, a pre-school program was launched to solve these problems.

The Supervised Neighborhood Playgroup had mothers and volunteers of pre-school children teaching their kids. The nearest school is about three kilometers away.

The SNP, coordinated by the Cordillera Parents Federation Incorporation with assistance from the Christian Children's Fund, was proven to be effective as the normal preschool instruction program.

"This will serve as an example of responsible parenthood to others for the proper early childhood growth and the development of their children," a CPFI officer said.

Another grassroots program is the Text2Teach500 project of the Southeast Asian Ministries on Education Organization - Innotech, Nokia, Globe Telecom, Ayala Foundation and other partner agencies.

The T2T500 will provide every school beneficiary with a satellite disk, television and video server/recorder and mobile phones for teachers to just text for specific videos to be accessed. The educational videos would then be sent and the class could then watch and learn.

Two-hundred of the 500 elementary schools in remote areas are expected to come from the Cordillera and Cagayan Valley.

In terms of simple literacy, Cordillera is at par with the rest of the country, but fails in functional literacy.

Benito Tumapao, Cordillera head of the Department of Education, said the simple literacy rate of the region is 97 percent (the national rate is 92.3 percent in 2000) but the functional literacy is only 84 percent. This is the same functional literacy rate for the country.

Tumapao said the lack of books and infrastructures particularly in remote communities contributed to the low functional literacy. He also said that these same communities have no or little exposure to modern technology .

Tumapao said that grassroots education is the key to increasing literacy. - GMANews.TV

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/84839/Cordillera-experiments-with-educ-programs-for-remote-villages

Town readies new strawberry products for festival

By Delmar Cariño
PDI Northern Luzon Bureau


LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET – Jammed, juiced, fermented, extracted for flavor or simply eaten raw, Benguet’s versatile strawberry has come a long way from its usual preparations to include being lipped, scrubbed – and even applied as feminine wash.

This town’s strawberry festival on March 14-28 will feature not only fresh and sweet strawberries but new byproducts as well, such as soap, lotion, body scrub, lip gloss and feminine wash. Mayor Artemio Galwan said the town was ready to start making them in a bid to widen the market potentials for its fruits.

“We are the country’s strawberry capital. But we are all set to go beyond strawberry jams and strawberry cakes. Our farmers are ready to become entrepreneurs themselves,” he said.

Felicitas Ticbaen, the municipal agriculturist, said the growing market for fresh strawberries and processed products had made local production an annual P50-million industry. National demand has pushed farmers to increase production, she said.

Farmers, she said, should not be satisfied with supplying only the retail and wet markets. Right now, she said, the market for both fresh and processed strawberries had been responsive to the 600 strawberry farmers.

La Trinidad has more than 74 hectares of strawberry fields with an average production of 14 metric tons (MT) per hectare.

The festival will be geared toward looking for institutional buyers who will patronize most of the 3,234 MT of strawberries produced a year. Harvests come between November and April. A kilogram costs P35 to P80 during peak season and from P90 to P300 during the off-season, Galwan said

Byproducts will mark the festival’s “Strawberry Lane,” in a bid to bring back memories of the town’s record of producing the “World’s Largest Strawberry Short Cake” in 2004, which landed in the Guinness Book of World Records.

“The festival will highlight our strawberries in terms of its aesthetic and business potentials,” Galwan said. Local entrepreneurs hope to cash in on the festival following the success of the sale of strawberry byproducts in the Panagbenga Flower Festival in Baguio City last month.

Metaphor Soaps, a strawberry processing business of the Ayupan family, sold 500 such products at the flower festival, using around 40 kg of fresh strawberries.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20080314-124562/Town-readies-new-strawberry-products-for-festival

PGMA visits vegetable farms (http://www.gov.ph/news/?i=20396)

BAGUIO CITY – Still in a working Holy Week mode, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will visit and touch base with vegetable and strawberry farmers in Betag in nearby La Trinidad today (Saturday).

La Trinidad is holding a Strawberry Festival.

The President is scheduled to motor to Betag for a firsthand look into the plight of upland farmers whose produce have been affected by blight due to unexpected fluctuations of the temperature in the area.

Local government officials, farmers and researchers from the Benguet State University (BSU), formerly the Mountain State Agricultural College (MSAC), will present to the President the result of their studies on the processing of vegetables into veggie noodles, veggie meat, veggie sausage, and dehydrated veggie noodles which can be commercialized as processed food.

Processing vegetables, instead of selling them to middlemen at bargain-basement prices in the wake of natural calamities, or a supply glut, will help farmers earn higher income from their produce.

The President will also send off delivery trucks laden with processed vegetables from the country’s vegetable bowl to Metro Manila markets.

Before proceeding to Betag, the President will distribute various forms of government assistance in nearby Brgy. Puguis, including rice and checks for farm-to-market road projects.

She will also distribute certificates to operate several Botika ng Barangay, about 3,000 Philhealth cards, certificates to operate Tindahan Natin in La Trinidad, self-employment assistance, scholarships, vegetable seeds, financial support for the vegetable industry, and English reading materials for teachers.

Accompanying her are Rep. Samuel Dangwa of the lone district of Benguet, and Gov. Nestor Fongwa.

IFUGAO NEWS : Mayoyao Prepares for Igkhumtad ad Majawjaw 2008 Festival

Mayoyao, Ifugao – Officials from the Local Government Unit, Non-government Organizations, and various sectors met here last March 7 to discuss the preparations and conduct of Igkhumtad ad Majawjaw 2008.

Igkhumtad, according to indigenous knowledge holder Robert Bongayon, is a mythical term from the mythical adventures of the heroic Aligkhujon who had shown prowess in top playing and wrestling in a famous Igkhumtad ad Pfayyukan, a festivity in Pfayyukan that used to draw the Mayoyao people together after rice planting season to hold competitions that test physical strength and intelligence. Bongayon explained that to extol this extraordinary literary masterpiece and instill it in the hearts of the young generation, it is but proper that officials carried out the conduct of Igkhumtad festival from mythology to reality and now, being conducted here in Majawjaw (Mayoyao).

As per ordinance, Igkhumtad ad Majawjaw is annually conducted on April 25 to 27. Locals from the 27 barangays of Mayoyao gather at the stone tiled municipal plaza to participate in various activities such as ethnic parade, ethnic sports and take pleasure with everyone’s presence.

Mayoyao Mayor Romeo O. Chulana facilitated the said meeting that resulted to the identification of ethnic sports to be contested, presentations, working committees, and suggestions to enhance all activities making them truly educational to the young generation and tourists. One of the participants pointed out that the essence of each activity must be given emphasis by the organizers.

Furthermore, the body tackled the problems being encountered in the promotion of the said festival. One of which is the changing of the festival’s name from Tikhaw to Igkhumtad ad Majawjaw in year 2002. Tikhaw is a festive celebration of victory and is usually held after rice planting season. A participant brought out that tourists who attended the Tikhaw ad Majawjaw wrote articles on it and posted them in the internet, as a consequence, there are tourists inquiring more on the Tikhaw festival. Planning Coordinator Florence Ponchinlan said that she had foreseen the said problem and presented it to the committee members but were persistent to change its name because Tikhaw, according to them, has negative connotation.

Discussions on the festival’s official name resulted to the agreement to retain its current name since it had been used for 6 years. It was reiterated that Igkhumtad is, at any rate, worth promoting taking into account its mythical origin. --Jeremy M. Gawongna (http://karitoon.com/xoops/modules/news/article.php?storyid=121)

IFUGAO NEWS : Construction of Ifugao hut to signal cultural festival in Hungduan

The traditional rituals that weave the fabric of tribal identity, this time those surrounding the construction of the nail-less native house on stilts of the Ifugaos, will be done on March 30 in remote Hungduan town where some of the most extensive and oldest rice terraces in the Cordillera are found.

“Hamang di Bale”, as the rituals are collectively called, will prepare the setting for the annual “Tungoh” festival, set mid-April in an effort to help mend the fraying cultural fabric.

“We hope this cultural revival will convince those who trace their roots to Hungduan, especially the younger Ifugaos, to return home and learn, appreciate, value and help save their vanishing heritage,” mayor Pablo Cuyahon said.

“Tungoh” is a period of rest after the terraces have been planted, in anticipation of a bountiful harvest in July of the highly valued “tinawon” (yearly) native rice variety planted during the “tunod” last January.

The festival proper opens on April 15, with the remaining “mumbaki” (native priests) presiding over the traditional “hogop di bale” (house-warming ritual) beside the town hall where nine native huts – one for each of the town’s barangays – were built.

Mayor Cuyahon himself will officiate in a “pahang ad Hungduan”, a mass wedding ceremony for couples who were earlier united in native rites but whose children will need the marriage contract document when they go to school or for other legal purposes.

“Bayah”, or fermented rice wine, “inlagim”, a native version of duck, chicken or pork stew and other traditional dishes will be offered in a dinner-for-a-cause set evening of April 16.

Villagers from the nine barangays will be in full native regalia the following day for a parade depicting the evolution of the Ifugao costume, followed by traditional contests in native dance, gong-beating, native song, ethnic ensemble and the ethnic games.

On top of the “guyyud” (tug-of-war), “hanggul” (arm wrestling), “dopap” (wrestling) for men will be a contest in the chanting of the “hudhud”, the romantic tales celebrating wealth and nobility and are traditionally sang by women during harvest and wakes.

Chorale and folk dancing will continue until evening. Some of the young men, however, will rest early for their foot race to and from historic Mt. Napulawan.,Ifugao’s highest peak.

As in past years, a team from the Philippine Sports Commission will sponsor and record the climathon up and down the mountain where Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita, commander of the Japanese imperial forces made his last stand before his surrender in neighboring Kiangan town.

The fastest runner is expected finish the climb in two hours, in time for the continuation of the ethnic contests featuring “akkad” (stilts), “bangngunana” and “mumbayo” ( rice-pounding).

Other features of this year’s “tungoh” include ball games, a chess tournament, tree-planting, musical-literary contests, and the search for Wigan and Bugan, to personify the first man and woman in Ifugao myth –- Ramon Dacawi. (http://karitoon.com/xoops/modules/news/article.php?storyid=122)

42 Cordillera bridge projects now finished

P451.8-M program improves accessibility of remote areas

By DEXTER A. SEE (http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20080323120070.html)

BAGUIO CITY – The Cordillera office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported the completion of 42 President’s bridge projects in different areas of the region with a total cost of P451.8 million.

The bridges were constructed to improve accessibility of remote areas and spur economic activities.

In a report submitted to Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., Engineer Mariano Alquiza, Cordillera DPWH director, stated that 25 of the bridge projects were funded by the United Kingdom (UK), 13 bridges were financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and two were funded by Austria.

Alquiza said the UK-funded bridge projects have a total length of 992.5 meters, the JICA-assisted bridges, 421 meters; and the Austrian-aided bridge projects, 89.98 meters.

The report stated that the funding for the 25 bridges came from the UK President’s bridge program, 13 from JICA, and two from the Austrian bridge program.

The remote areas in the Cordillera, particularly in the provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Mountain Province, were the recipients of the foreign-funded bridge projects.

These areas need bridges to link remote communities to urban centers. This is expected to facilitate economic development in the countryside.

Mountain Province got the most number of bridge projects with 13; Kalinga, second, with 11; Apayao, 10; Benguet and Abra, three each; Ifugao, two.

The implementation of the President’s Bridge program started in 2004 when funds from various foreign agencies began to come.

Alquiza noted the improved accessibility in the areas where the bridge projects were undertaken, saying that thousands of people can now travel faster from one place to another because of the improved accessibility.

The national government under the stewardship of President Arroyo has embarked on a sustained effort to bring infrastructure development to the countryside.

It is one of her priority programs to help uplift the living condition of people who are on "the level of extreme poverty."

These programs are also intended to attract investors who would pour in money in businesses in the countryside.

Alquiza said that the DPWH will continue to fast-track the implementation of priority projects of the President in the different parts of the Cordillera in a bid to fulfill the commitment of the government for better accessibility and more opportunities for rural people to earn income and improve their living condition.

Cordillera gets P10B for PNP modernization

LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET – Philippine National Police Director General Avelino Razon has handed 27 new vehicles to Cordillera to start the P10-billion PNP modernization program.

Razon said that the program had just been approved by Malacanang this week and is needed to boost the police effort in combating lawlessness and preserve peace and order in the countryside.

Cordillera Regional Police Chief Superintendent Eugene Martin said that the fleet given to the province includes 13 Toyota Hi Lux pickup, 11 motorcycles and two Toyota Altis.

Martin said that the Cordillera would be the first in northern Luzon to benefit the modernization program.

He said that these would be dispatched to the more remote towns in the Cordillera.
Razon said that the police needs about 500 more vehicles for its fleet. He said that this would augment the 8,000 vehicles the PNP already have.

Razon said that the fund would be used not only for vehicles but also for firearms and police stations.

He also said that the country needs 1,800 more police stations all over the country.

Razon inaugurated a new police station on a lot donated by the La Trinidad municipality.

He also visited the all-women police station in Baguio located at Burnham Park. Thirteen female cops headed by Police Senior Inspector Maria Teresa Pucay heads the station, which particularly caters to women and children cases. - GMANews.TV

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/85837/Cordillera-gets-P10B-for-PNP-modernization

Cordi visitor arrivals reach 1M

Sun Star

TOURIST arrivals in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) reached the one million mark last year, five years after this was first recorded way back in 2002.

This year also registered the highest number of foreign tourist arrivals, the Department of Tourism (DOT) regional office reported.

Tourist arrivals surpassed the five percent increase target, the DOT in its report said, with Baguio still the top destination at 71 percent. Benguet province followed with 11 percent and Ifugao with nine percent.

DOT records showed that from January to December last year, 1,117,226 tourists arrived, compared to only 992,918 in 2006.

Domestic tourists still account for the largest number at 90.46 percent, 8.28 percent for foreigners, and 1.26 percent for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

In terms of foreign arrivals, Ifugao accounted for the highest arrivals at 50 percent or 46,036 visitors and Baguio with 38 percent or 34,810.

Koreans topped the list of foreign visitors followed by Americans, Japanese and Germans. (RO)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/bag/2008/03/24/news/cordi.visitor.arrivals.reach.1m.html

Going organic

By CYRENE REYES

Whether for health reasons, or just watching their figures, or being environmentally conscious, many are into lifestyle changes nowadays in terms of health habits. This growing trend is an indication that more people are becoming more aware on the importance of “clean living” not only for their physical condition but for their overall well-being.

http://www.nordis.net/blog/wp-content/files/2008_0323organiclettuce.jpg

Organic farms like this in La Trinidad are also frequented by tourists who are treated to a first-hand experience on organic farming. Photo courtesy of Braxton Valasote

Unfortunately, corporate food manufacturers are taking advantage of this trend. There are more choices than ever in terms of “healthy” food products. We are bombarded with all kinds of products that are low fat, sugar-free, low cholesterol, and free from preservatives, which are most probably just deceiving marketing strategies.

Vegetarian diet

Many switch to vegetarian diets for different reasons. Health considerations, economic concerns, and religious beliefs are the most common reasons for opting for this kind of alternative diet. Some convert to vegetarianism out of concern over animal rights or the environment.

There are those who refrain from consuming heavily processed foods. They prefer whole wheat bread over regular white bread, brown sugar or even moscuvado over white sugar, and brown rice over regular commercial rice. The principle behind is that the more process a product undergoes, the less nutrients are left in the finished product.

A stricter form of vegetarianism is veganism. Vegan diet excludes meats and other animal by-products like eggs, dairy products and honey.

But there are a growing number of people who go beyond just being simple vegetarians or the more strict vegans and consume only organically grown produce. Organic living is gaining mainstream popularity mainly because of the increase in consumer awareness on food safety issues and environmental concerns.

Organic farming

Organic farming does not only refrain from using commercial chemical fertilizers and other plant regulators. It involves a more integrated and ecologically balanced approach to farming. To maintain soil productivity, organic farmers rely on the use of plant residues and animal wastes as fertilizers. Farmers practice crop rotation or grow a variety of crops to promote biodiversity. The use of genetically modified organisms or hybrid seeds is also discouraged to promote sustainability.

Because of the growing demand for organically grown produce, a number of conventional farmers shift to organic farming. Here in Benguet Province, member-farmers of the La Trinidad Organic Practitioners Multipurpose Cooperative or LaTOPMC are farmers who took the risk and opted to go organic in their farming business. LaTOPMC organized with the support from the La Trinidad local government in 2005 has 46 members coming from Benguet municipalities of Tuba, Tublay, Sablan, Atok, and Buguias.

Aside from highland vegetables and fruits such as carrots, lettuce, strawberries and blueberries, they also produce low land crops like okra, eggplants, ampalaya and string beans. They also have different herbs like mint, basil, and oregano. For tea they have lemon grass and yakon leaves. They also produce special products like mushroom patties and malunggay noodles.

To ensure the quality of their products, the LaTOP cooperative formed a committee that inspects farms of those applying to be a member. As its standard, the committee checks the history of the farm, quality of the compost being used, soil quality, and water quality. They also do surprised inspections to make sure the farmers are not deviating from their standards.

“We produce our own compost by using plant residues or the “green manure” and for pesticides, we make our own spray using fermented mixture of fruit extracts, garlic, ginger, sugar, beer and gin,” said Lily Carpio of the LAC Eco-Farm and a member of LaTOP. She said they also place aromatic plants like oregano along the plots or in between crops to repel unwanted pests.

It is not only in farming that the organic system is practiced. A growing number of poultry and hog raisers are also into this trend. They avoid using artificial animal feeds and boosters. As a result, they produce eggs and meats that are free from any chemicals and are therefore safer to consume. They also provide animal wastes to organic farmers to be used as natural fertilizer.

“Organic farming is more expensive than conventional farming because it is labor-intensive,” said Carpio. “But because there is a growing demand for organic produce, it pays off in terms of profit and at the same time it protects the environment,” she adds.

Japanese support

The Japanese Agricultural Exchange Council (JAEC) started an experimental program on organic farming in partnership with the Benguet State University (BSU). Started in April 2007, the three-year program trains farmers on how to properly practice organic farming.

According to JAEC representative Juntaro Nakajima, “We are very much open to share our technology and know-how on organic farming,” adding that their project aims to help farmers increase their income by organic-based vegetable production.

Whatever the reason that pushes people to go organic, those who do always find it beneficial in the long run, not only on one’s health and the environment, but also on the pocket.

Article courtesy of The Northern Dispatch Weekly (http://www.nordis.net/blog/?p=2334)

Town bans ownership of land near water sources

BONTOC, Mountain Province – In support of World Water Day over the weekend, the town of Bauko passed a radical municipal ordinance forbidding the cultivation and ownership of land within 100 meters of identified water sources.

The ordinance "prohibits any individual to claim ownership of any legal document and/or cultivate any portion of land within 100 meter radius of all sources of domestic water supply."

The passage of the ordinance came after the town received reports of contamination of drinking water from pesticides and fertilizers from commercial farmlands.

The delimited area shall fall under the responsibility of the barangay to reforest these areas with any suitable variety.

As the amendment to the Municipal Ordinance 004-C said, any tax declaration or other legal documents within these "delimited areas" would be recommended for cancellation after an agreement between the claimants and the barangay unit was forged positively.

If both parties agree, they submit the result to the municipal assessor for recommendation to the province.

Violation of the ordinance means a fine of P2,000 or imprisonment of 30 days or both upon court discretion.

Meanwhile, the whole province is set to double its "Million Tree Program" started in 2004. Mountain Province residents already planted 1,758,811 trees of various species since four years ago.

About three-fourths of these trees are forest trees while the rest are fruit-bearing ones, most of them coffee.

Provincial agriculturist Concepcion Wangdali said the province has been providing a fund of P400,000 annually to ensure that these trees mature.

The province issued tree certificates to the planters so that their children can benefit on the fruits of the trees, said Wangdali. - GMANews.TV

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/86136/Town-bans-ownership-of-land-near-water-sources

Mountain Province rice varieties to be exported to US

BONTOC, Mountain Province – After successfully helping Ifugao and Kalinga provinces export their native rice varieties to the United States, the Cordillera Heirloom Rice Project hopes to do the same with rice varieties from the Mountain Province.

At least 13 of the 30 native rice varieties grown from the rice terraces here were identified for export by the National Irrigation Administration and the Revitalize Indigenous Cordillera Entrepreneur (RICE).

Eighth Wonder Inc. and RICE are the marketing arm of CHRP, which had helped export up to 20 metric tons of native rice from Kalinga and Ifugao last year to gourmet shops and restaurants in 15 states in the US. In 2006, they had exported seven tons.

The rice varieties would be marketed by CHRP under one trade name known as "Ginolot." It will supplement the other CHRP's varieties like the Tinawon Fancy and White, Kalinga Unoy and Ulikan Red.

Participating towns included Sagada, Bontoc, Barlig, Bauko, Besao, Natonin, Sadanga and Tadian. CHRP conducted field consultations with the farmers in these towns before embarking on the project.

NIA regional director Abraham Akilit said exporting of the native rice varieties is expected to revitalize the payew or the rice terraces in the Mountain Province.

Many of the native rice varieties, though far more delicious, are harvested only once a year and are meant only for sustenance of the villagers.

One thing going for them, Akilit said, was that these varieties are organic, which means that they are grown with no chemical pesticides and fertilizers. In most of these payews, only sunflower leaves and stalks were used as mulch.

Akilit said that this type of cultivation made the payew sustainable for centuries. He said that the traditional way is needed if the Mountain Province wanted to preserve their remaining forests.

Akilit said that many of the payews, particularly in the low-lying towns, were already planted with commercial varieties which were already applied with chemical inputs.

He said that they needed to remain in fallow, or the ground was left to remain idle, for at least three years before they could be included in the CHRP "Ginolot" variety. - GMANews.TV

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/86132/Mountain-Province-rice-varieties-to-be-exported-to-US

Mayors to promote Ifugao as tourist destination

By Rimaliza Opiña

EVERY mayor of Ifugao will promote his/her respective town as a tourist destination.

But instead of competing against one another, the mayors have adopted a radical change in the promotion of the province as a tourist destination.

Although the town of Banaue is recognized as the most frequented, since this is where the amphitheater-like rice terraces are located, Kiangan Mayor Jonathan Cuyahon said that with the thrust of the Provincial Government of improving its economy through tourism, every town now promotes their own tour destinations.

Ifugao is host not only to the hand-carved rice terraces but also of the Ibulao River, which is promoted as another white water rafting site; Mt. Napulawan for hikers and trekkers; caves and waterfalls.

This summer, several festivals have been lined-up in the province. These include the Imbayah in Banaue on April 15 to 17 and the Gotad ad Kiangan on April 29 to May 1. Also included in the list of major activities in the region is the International Igorot Consultation in Banaue on April 12 to 15.

Spearheaded by the International Igorot Organization (IIO), the conference is a gathering of Igorots from around the world for a few of days of immersion in their native community. The event is also held to discuss common problems of overseas Igorots.

Bontoc, capital town of Mountain Province, will be celebrating the fourth Lang-ay festival on March 31 to April 8. Street dancing parade and an agro-industrial fair will be showcased during the weeklong affair.

On April 12 to 15 will be the Sas Aliwa festival of Natonin, Mountain Province and the Unoy on April 20 to 23 in Kalinga.

Baguio recently concluded its flower festival and La Trinidad is celebrating its strawberry festival. It will end on March 30.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/bag/2008/03/24/news/mayors.to.promote.ifugao.as.tourist.destination.html

Rising rice costs seen good for terraces

By Vincent Cabreza
Philippine Daily Inquirer (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20080326-126616/Rising-rice-costs-seen-good-for-terraces)


BAGUIO CITY – Increasing world prices of rice are good for farmers tilling the centuries-old rice terraces of Ifugao and Kalinga, agriculture officials said here on Tuesday.

Organic indigenous rice grown by these farmers have penetrated the American market due to the business efforts of a former US Peace Corps volunteer, said Virginia Tapat, program coordinator of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA).

The value of the grains produced by the terraces only goes as high as P50 a kilo in domestic markets, but its export value should have tripled by now based on the new global mark-up for the staple, she said.

“For a few years now, farmers (have been exporting) their indigenous rice and spending their profits buying cheaper rice for their consumption,” she said.

President Macapagal-Arroyo said global warming had reduced harvests in most rice-producing countries and the high oil prices had hurt rice distribution.

She said the country was not experiencing a shortage, even though the $200 price tag abroad for a ton of rice had increased to $700.

The Cordillera is expected to produce 191,000 metric tons of rice by June, Tapat said, to address the increasing demand.

This is a 4.8-percent increase for Kalinga, Abra and Apayao, which produce the biggest volume of rice in the Cordillera, Tapat said, but their capacity to produce more rice is hampered by the environment and terrain.

Many farmlands there are rain-fed, which means their planting and irrigation cycles are attuned to a different season compared to lowland rice paddies, Tapat said.

But the government is looking closely at the region’s indigenous organic varieties because of the opportunities that the world demand has opened for these produce.

Unoy, a special variety of red rice, was sold for $5 (P208.40) a kilo in Montana, when it was introduced there by the Revitalized Indigenous Cordillera Entrepreneurs (RICE), which a Filipino businesswoman set up in tandem with Mary Hensley.

Hensley was a Peace Corps volunteer who was assigned to Kalinga in the 1970s. She set up Eighth Wonder, a Montana-based organic food supplier, which markets unoy from Kalinga and tinawon from the Ifugao terraces as cereals that are harvested and pounded into grain by hand.

The RICE federated many farmers’ groups of these provinces to help sustain their annual export quotas.

The increasing rice prices should also encourage younger farmers to return to the terraces, which have been classified in the World Heritage List as one of its most endangered sites, Tapat said.

The preservation of the terraces requires farmers to revive their ancestral mountain rice farms, said Ifugao Gov. Teodoro Baguilat Jr.

He said most of the terraces had been abandoned because many young Ifugao no longer find them economically viable.

Only a few tons of tinawon and unoy reach the US markets.

Tabuk City mulls establishing crisis intervention unit

by P. Balocnit

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- The city government is eyeing to put up a haven or a Crisis Intervention Unit to cater to the welfare of abused women and the Children in Conflict with the Law (CICWL), victims of violence, human rights abuse, and other forms of crimes.

The proposal was revealed by City Social Worker and Development Officer (CSWDO) Susana Daluping saying documents and other technical aspect of the plan are being prepared for submission to the Sangguniang Panglunsod for deliberation.

When presented to City Mayor Camilo Lammawin Jr., Daluping said the chief executive readily accepted the proposal and gave the go signal to the CSWDO to prepare the necessary documents and come out with a technical study on the feasibility and viability of the project.

Daluping said the feasibility study (FS) is being taken cared of by an organized team composed of members from concern departments of the city government. She said the FS will be submitted to City Councilor Sandra Uyam-Mejia, Committee Chairman on Social Services for her to introduce in the legislative body.

She said her office is also coordinating with the provincial Social Welfare and Development Office for technical assistance and the possible integration of the city plan to the proposed Alay Pag-asa building project of the Provincial Health Office for CICWL where the city government of Tabuk can provide the lot and staff.

With the absence of such facility, victims of family violence and abused children are brought to Baguio City's Haven for protection, shelter and counseling. (PIA Kalinga)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p080320.htm&no=19

Peace shrine unveiled in Kalinga

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- A memorial peace shrine built by the Kalinga Peace Makers Movement at the Tabuk Pastoral Center (TPC) here was unveiled on March 15 with Governor Floydelia Diasen and City Mayor Camilo Lammawin Jr. leading the wreath laying at the foot of the marker.

It was dedicated to those who sacrificed their lives in the name of service for the people of Kalinga, particularly the four Catholic priests killed in recent years and those victims of violence.

The inscription at the peace shrine reads: "In memory of Rev. Fathers Conrado Aquino, Elias Bareng, Leo Vande Winkel, all CICM priests and Franciscus Madhu, SVD and all those who sacrificed their lives due to tribal or criminal violence. May the blood they shed be the seed of lasting peace in Kalinga."

A text drawn from the gospel of Luke 6:27: "Love your enemies and do good to those who hate you" was hanged on the wall to always remind peace makers on the virtue of humility.

Lighted candles were also put under names of other victims after which the eternal light was raised proclaiming the birth of the movement.

Bishop Prudencio Andaya Jr. said the occasion was momentous when two family victims of violence, Gov. Diasen and Mayor Lammawin, wholeheartedly embraced the way of peace and openly gestured to one another and other victims to discard hatred and instead work together for non-violent solutions to killings.

"How beautiful it was for two persons losing their own love ones to tribal violence cheerfully met together and led other victims to set aside vendetta but instead promote love for enemies," Andaya said.

"The movement was really organized for healing and reconciliation among aggrieved parties and perpetrators of crimes including victims of tribal violence. It works on prevention of further killings," Andaya explained.

The solemn unveiling of the anchor for the peace movement in Kalinga was immortalized by the message of Gov. Diasen when she said: "it is only when we find a place for the enemies in our hearts that we know peace." She leveled a biblical teaching of loving ones enemies, as key to genuine peace and unity in Kalinga.

"As governor and leader of the province, I exhort our people the spiritual teaching of loving our enemies, for this could only be the start for genuine peace to stay", Diasen stressed adding that for the rest of her term, she offers this for the attainment of genuine peace in Kalinga, "where we find every tribe at peace with one another".

Let us leave the act of vengeance to the Lord and instead fill our hearts with forgiveness for unless we do this, we will hardly find a peaceful province to stay, she said.

The occasion was made more symbolic by the two doves released by Diasen and Lammawin that flew separately then perched on one branch.

"It was so touching, some people cried while a pleasing musical background was being played by the 501st Army band, the day was so meaningful for the province everyone to throw away hatred and embrace the way of peace," Andaya remarked. (PIA Kalinga)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p080320.htm&no=18

Village opposes landfill proposal

A VILLAGE in Itogon is opposing a project, which intends to put up a sanitary landfill in the area.

In a resolution, the barangay council of Gumatdang manifested its opposition against the proposal to set up a sanitary landfill in the village, saying this came as a surprise to residents and officials.

"Most of the residents are not aware of any detail regarding the construction of a sanitary landfill at Sitio Besil as they were not informed about this project," the resolution stated.

The council said it came to know only of the project when one of its members saw the bidding invitation for the project posted at the Itogon Municipal Hall.

Consultations with residents and previous barangay officials revealed that there was no information dissemination conducted regarding the project, according to the barangay council resolution.

"In meetings with previous barangay officials, (it was learned) they never issued any document, much more an endorsement to the construction of the sanitary landfill at Sitio Besil," the council said.

"Upon assumption of office of the newly elected officials in December, the council never issued endorsement for they were not aware of the project," it added.

Local government units (LGUs) are mandated to put up their sanitary landfill, pursuant to Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. (JC)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/bag/2008/03/27/news/village.opposes.landfill.proposal.html

Arroyo gives P1M for tramlines to transport Benguet veggies

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The Benguet vegetable industry is hanging on the line and that's good news for farmers.

President Gloria Arroyo gave Benguet farmers P1 million this Easter Sunday for the installation of two tramline systems in transporting vegetables.

Beneficiaries, which will be getting P500,000 each, are the Labilab Agricultural Tramline System in Itogon town and the Ambassador Tramline System in Tublay town.

The P1 million is part of the P25 million motorized tramline and cold chain systems for the temperate vegetable industry not only in Benguet but in Mountain Province as well.

3President Arroyo in her visit to Benguet last Black Saturday acknowledged the great contribution of Benguet in the vegetable production.

The Department of Agriculture said that Benguet supplies 68 percent of the country's temperate vegetables like cabbage, potatoes, lettuce, Baguio beans and many others.

DA's Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension (BPRE) was calling for more motorized tramlines and cold chain systems in Benguet and Mountain Province because of the lack of roads and the fact that these vegetables should be handled with care. The BPRE said that the Benguet towns of Itogon, Bakun, Atok, Mankayan, Buguias, Kibungan and Tublay and the MP town of Bauko were pinpointed as beneficiaries of the tramline project.

Mayor Concepcion Balao of Atok, a major vegetable producer, said that her town already installed six tramlines prior to the project. Balao said that hauling cost dropped by a third when they installed the tramlines between the farms and the road. Before that, they have to rely on porters and trucks, she said. Hauling time of the vegetables also dropped by 70 percent with the installation of the tramlines.

She said that hauling off vegetables used to take them three days in some remote farms. "Now it's reduced to just three hours," she said. - GMANews.TV

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/85854/Arroyo-gives-P1M-for-tramlines-to-transport-Benguet-veggies

Mountain Province rice varieties to be exported to US

BONTOC, Mountain Province – After successfully helping Ifugao and Kalinga provinces export their native rice varieties to the United States, the Cordillera Heirloom Rice Project hopes to do the same with rice varieties from the Mountain Province.

At least 13 of the 30 native rice varieties grown from the rice terraces here were identified for export by the National Irrigation Administration and the Revitalize Indigenous Cordillera Entrepreneur (RICE).

Eighth Wonder Inc. and RICE are the marketing arm of CHRP, which had helped export up to 20 metric tons of native rice from Kalinga and Ifugao last year to gourmet shops and restaurants in 15 states in the US. In 2006, they had exported seven tons.

The rice varieties would be marketed by CHRP under one trade name known as "Ginolot." It will supplement the other CHRP's varieties like the Tinawon Fancy and White, Kalinga Unoy and Ulikan Red.

Participating towns included Sagada, Bontoc, Barlig, Bauko, Besao, Natonin, Sadanga and Tadian. CHRP conducted field consultations with the farmers in these towns before embarking on the project.

NIA regional director Abraham Akilit said exporting of the native rice varieties is expected to revitalize the payew or the rice terraces in the Mountain Province.

Many of the native rice varieties, though far more delicious, are harvested only once a year and are meant only for sustenance of the villagers.

One thing going for them, Akilit said, was that these varieties are organic, which means that they are grown with no chemical pesticides and fertilizers. In most of these payews, only sunflower leaves and stalks were used as mulch.

Akilit said that this type of cultivation made the payew sustainable for centuries. He said that the traditional way is needed if the Mountain Province wanted to preserve their remaining forests.

Akilit said that many of the payews, particularly in the low-lying towns, were already planted with commercial varieties which were already applied with chemical inputs.

He said that they needed to remain in fallow, or the ground was left to remain idle, for at least three years before they could be included in the CHRP "Ginolot" variety. - GMANews.TV

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/86132/Mountain-Province-rice-varieties-to-be-exported-to-US

Freaky. We're having problems with supply of rice in our country yet we are exporting? :ohno:

Getting Lost: Pools of possibility

By CHEN REYES-MENCIAS

In the book Seven Lenses, it was mentioned that everything is connected to everything else and that everything goes somewhere. These are two of the seven environmental principles that govern the way nature works. A recent trip in the outskirts of Baguio City illustrated to me how much people need to take these principles seriously.

A mere 19 kilometers from Baguio city is the town of Itogon. It is a place of mountains, deep valleys and steep slopes. People say that it was once a pristine wilderness where creeks and rivers with clean clear water meander through the canyons. The Agno River runs through it and provides water for Binga Dam and the San Roque Multi-Purpose Dam in Pangasinan. Upstream of Itogon is the Ambuklao Dam.

http://www.nordis.net/blog/wp-content/files/cye2008_0330itogon_hotspring.jpg
FABULOUS POOLS. These warm pools provide opportunities for visitors to relax and enjoy the natural phenomenon of the place. Photo by Cye Reyes/NORDIS

A total of 2,113.74 hectares is currently covered by mining claims. Itogon has a long history of resistance against mining. Despite this, several mining companies have exploited its mineral resources for a decade now. Mining had been proven time and time again to be destructive. It is in fact believed to be the most destructive human activity on the planet. And yet this mining town seems to have very little choice but to go into mining. Small-scale mining had become a major livelihood.
Nature knows best

Benguet province has always been known to be the land of the gold. Itogon is one of its 13 municipalities and has hosted the most number of mining companies. Through the years these companies have operated open-pit mines and underground large scale mining activities that devastated the environment, polluted the rivers and displaced many families.

In Barangay Poblacion nature wreaked havoc when a major landslide occurred in 1987 followed by an earthquake in 1990 that brought down massive rocks and boulders down the slope. It covered Tolving Creek, a tributary of the Ambalanga River. This event opened up underground springs from where hot water flowed and drained from the creek and down to the river below.

A life changing inspiration

Lito Kimmayong is a member of the Barangay Tourism Council and recounts how a local resident named Avelino Tiangao one day saw kids wading in the small natural pools created by the spring. An idea started to gel in his mind. He decided to harness the water of the spring and build a big pool where the children can swim better and more freely.

This was in 2005. Since then other people have built several other pools in varying shapes and sizes. The Department of Agriculture was so impressed by this initiative that it introduced the concept of “fish terraces.” These are fish ponds that are arranged like terraces along the slope. Fingerlings were provided and today locals harvest tilapia twice a year. Tourists also have the option to fish, buy what they catch and cook it themselves.

The pools had become popular and business increased when the Department of Tourism started providing assistance through promotions and guideship training. There are now eight swimming pool owners and they have banded together to form an association. They aim to provide safe and enjoyable experiences for the visitors. They also wish to come up with regulations and policies that will ensure that the water of the springs are not contaminated by mining or other highly pollutive activities.

Viable alternatives

Since the introduction of eco-tourism the local people have realized that there are other feasible alternatives to small scale mining. Tourism is not only bringing economic benefit for the families involved in the fish terraces and the swimming pools but provides an excellent motivation for preserving the integrity of the environment.

http://www.nordis.net/blog/wp-content/files/chen2008_0330spa.jpg
STEAM BATH. Hot water and steam comes out from a diversion tunnel and now serves as a natural sauna for visitors. Photo courtesy of Chen Reyes-Mencias

“We monitor the water quality quarterly and we inspect the small scale mining activities that are going on up the slope. We monitor for the presence of e-coli and heavy metals. These pools are now a valuable resource and we need to protect them,” said Kimmayong.

Large or small scale mining impact heavily on the forests, the land, the rivers and the communities. Whatever happens up the mountain will eventually affect the lower slopes and the rivers to where the creeks eventually drain to. This is how things are connected.

While the warm and hot pools provide wondrous and relaxing moments, an equally fabulous experience when visiting Poblacion is to cross the long stretch of hanging bridge. It is quite a unique and challenging activity especially for people who come from the city. A bonus is to spend some time in the “nature spa,” a diversion tunnel from where steam and hot water come through. As I balanced myself onto the rocks to climb the slope and take a peak into the tunnel, I was warned by my guide that I should not allow myself to dip my feet into the boiling water. People flock to this place to detoxify themselves. It has the potential to be developed into a real and honest to goodness steam bath. Indeed I found some people huddled together inside. Some even brought their own chairs.

The struggle continues

Slowly the local residents are opening up to other possibilities, especially from non-extractive livelihood activities. Tourism has inspired mountain guides to organize a “Climb for a Cause” from where funds were raised from fees collected from tourists and were used to provide assistance to a community member who badly needed medical treatment.
Another group is engaged in raising cattle and had even formed the Cattle Herders Association of Poblacion. Others have engaged in small businesses such as small stores, production of souvenirs, knitting and weaving items to be sold to tourists, selling vegetables and fruits and managing small eateries.

During the last fiesta, a horse raising event called “Dongba ni Kabadjo” was organized and it drew a crowd all the way from Baguio City, La Trinidad and other nearby towns.

Despite the new outlook the local people believe that the struggle to resist mining will continue. Some believe though that mining and tourism may co-exist if mining companies are only serious about their commitments. The proliferation of irresponsible practices in the mining industry will be the major stumbling block in finding a “win-win” situation between these two.

Lessons learned the hard way

The people of Itogon have drawn valuable lessons from years of solidarity and resistance to destructive industries like mining. They are now learning other ways of making a living that may provide a brighter future for their children.

“Sana di na maulit iyong nangyari nung nakaraan na natabunan ang Tolving Creek. Nakakabit na rito ang kabuhayan namin,” (I hope that the landslide that covered Tolving Creek years ago will never happen again. The pools are already part of our livelihood) Kimmayong reiterates.

But in an environment that keeps changing and that is re-shaped by human hands this wish may have to be strengthened by an advocacy that will ensure that the resources of the land will benefit the local people for a long time.

For more information on how you can visit the pools of Itogon, contact Lito Kimmayong at 09212751639. Support communities engaged in tourism. Your contribution will go a long way in motivating them to further take care of the environment. Let me know what you think. Send me an email at wildexpeditons@yahoo.com.

http://www.nordis.net/blog/?p=2351#more-2351

Mountain Province celebrates the Lang-Ay Festival

Mountain Province is staging the fourth "Lang-Ay Festival" in celebration of Mountain Province Day on April 7. The weeklong festival starts on April 1 and culminates on April 7.

The "Lang-Ay Festival" was the biggest crowd-drawer event in the province when it was launched in 2004 to promote the wine production business in the province. With the success of the first "Lang-Ay Festival," it was made part of the annual cultural activities of Mountain Province Day.

"Lang-ay" characterizes the Mountain Province’s cultural practice of generosity and sharing of food and wine on important occasions. It aims to create unity among families and promote fellowship among community members and respect for visitors.

With the theme "Living Tradition: We Care and Share," the weeklong celebration kicks off with an agro-industrial fair where participants vie for the best local products and the best booth. Ethnic tribes such as the Balangao, Baliwon, Aplai, Kankana-ey, and Bontoc will compete in the tribal sports known as "Gimata." The participants will be in their ethnic costumes while they race and pound rice. There will be a marathon run for the elderly tagged as "Lomban di amam-a ya inin-a." There will be other indigenous games, sports, exhibits, Day-eng contest, cultural fashion show, cultural dance celebration, and street dancing parade.

Other highlights of the weeklong "Lang-Ay Festival" include a search for Ms. Mountain Province, medical and dental mission, skills fair, farmers forum/congress/lectures, job fair and Serbisyo Caravan, Lang-ay theme song competition, theater presentation, oratorical contest for the youth on the theme "Gawis ay Mountain Province," choral festival, community get-together, indigenous worship and concert, mountain trekking, and coffee sipping experience.

We congratulate the people of Mountain Province led by Governor Maximo B. Dalog on the occasion of Mountain Province Day and the celebration of "Lang-Ay Festival" and wish them success in all their endeavors.

http://www.mb.com.ph/OPED20080403120898.html

Ifugao promotes IK Tourism

BANAWE, Ifugao — Indigenous Knowledge (IK) Tourism, a newly introduced concept in Ifugao’s tourism operations, triggered curiosity among ten Japanese university students.

The Japanese students came to Ifugao on a study tour from March 19 to 29, organized by officials and staff of the National Federation of Unesco Associations in Japan (NFUAJ) headed by Division Director Kawakai Chiharo.

The Nurturing Indigenous Knowledge Experts (NIKE) Team currently headed by Ifugao Governor Teodoro Baguilat Jr. maintained that IK tourism aims to use indigenous knowledge as competitive edge that would, at the same time, help intensify IK transmission to the young generations of Ifugao.

Study tour participants started their ten-day activities with an orientation by the NIKE Team on their IK transmission project starting from its phase 1, the mapping of existing IK in the province which revealed that indigenous knowledge such as stone terrace construction, stone-tiling and native house construction are mostly concentrated in Mayoyao. They discovered that well-protected watershed areas, are mostly found in Hungduan, and indigenous rice (tinawon) is produced in Kiangan, where General TomoyukiYamashita allegedly surrendered.

The result of phase 1, according to the NIKE Team, became the basis for the implementation of the project’s phase 2 where elders from the said municipalities were hired to directly teach IK to out-of-school youth who were sponsored by the team to attend IK classes during Saturdays at the pilot school, the Ifugao State College of Agriculture and Forestry (ISCAF).

After the orientation on the IK transmission project, the participants witnessed a demonstration on rice-wine and rice-cake making at ISCAF. They went to Mayoyao where they witnessed the native house construction demonstration, the Pfuni (Baki) rituals, and where they climbed the historic Mount Nagchajan, trekked the extensive rice terraces, and visited typical Mayoyao homes.

“We truly had a great time in Ifugao,” Chiharo announced during the farewell program. “We hope to foster stronger relations between Japanese and Filipinos in Ifugao,” she added.

Contributed by Jeremy M. Gawongna

http://www.nordis.net/blog/?p=2397

Angara proposes master plan for restoration of rice terraces

Says let us save Ifugao Rice Terraces before it is too late

In a bid to preserve and bring back the natural grandeur of the Ifugao Rice Terraces, Senator Edgardo J. Angara has filed a bill seeking to formulate a 10-year Cordillera Terraces Master Plan for the preservation and restoration of the Ifugao Rice Terraces.

"The Ifugao Rice Terraces is known worldwide as the 8th Wonder of the Old World and the country’s prime tourist destination. They are the living testament to the Ifugaos’ mastery of watershed ecology, terrace engineering, and water distribution. Unfortunately, the condition of the terraces has continuously deteriorated," Angara said.

In 2001, it was placed in the World Heritage List in Danger.

The Ifugao Rice Terraces and Cultural Heritage Office (IRTCHO) cited several factors causing the deterioration.

These are: 1) loss of biodiversity due to biopiracy, unregulated hunting and indiscriminate use of new technology and introduction of new species; 2) reduced farm labor due to increasing out-migration of farm labor force; 3) erosion and siltation due to destruction of watershed; 4) land use conversion and abandonment of rice terraces due to damaged rice terraces; and 5) insufficient irrigation water supply, limited income from rice farming, shift in values and priorities of the people, unregulated land use and physical planning.

Angara said the major components of the 10-year Cordillera Terraces Master Plan are the restoration of the terraces, the protection and maintenance of ecological balance, the rehabilitation of the age-old irrigation systems, and massive reforestation.

"This bill is a first step towards an overall terraces management and preservation strategy with the end in view of establishing a permanent, efficient, and effective body to coordinate and lead efforts to safeguard, restore, and protect the Terraces of the entire Cordillera Region," he said.

The Ifugao Rice Terraces significantly forms part of the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordillera, whose terraces and culture were inscribed in the World Heritage list in December 1995 under the category "living cultural landscape" having both natural and cultural characteristics of outstanding universal significance.

"The terraces of the Cordilleras are truly a rare engineering achievement, and the Philippines is racing, nay scrambling, against time to save them from deterioration," he added.

http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20080410121524.html

Ifugao rice farmers among world’s best

By Conrad M. Cariño Senior Desk Editor

Can the Ifugao rice farmer be considered as one of the best, if not the best, rice farmers in the world? The facts behind the fabled and legendary Ifugao rice terraces can perhaps answer that question.

Of the several rice terraces in Ifugao, the Banawe rice terraces are largely touted as the “eighth wonder of the world.” It is also well known that the Banawe and other Ifugao rice terraces were built without forced labor, unlike the other Seven Wonders of the World, which employed slaves.

It is thus fitting that the Banawe rice terraces be named a United Nations Heritage Site.

The other rice terraces in Ifugao, which have also caught much of the attention of tourists and anthropologists are: Batad, Banga-an, Mayo-yao, Hapao, Bacung, Kinga, Nagacadan, Julongan and Nunggulunan.

While Bontoc also boasts of its rice terraces, the Ifugao rice terraces are larger in scale.

According to the website of the Ifugao local government, the rice terraces may have dated back to the late 16th century or early 17th century. And at one time, it stretched from Cagayan in the North to Quezon province in the South.

However, the age of the rice terraces has been a subject of debate, with the Ifugao local government’s website stating that “there are young and enthusiastic writers/speakers who say that the rice terraces were built some 2,000 years ago.”

Age notwithstanding, the rice terraces are more than a sight to behold and an ancient monument—they are actually a very functional agriculture and ecological masterpiece. Likewise, the rice terraces have been producing rice for centuries, showing that the Ifugaos were able to maintain the fertility of the rice fields’ soils and even contain soil erosion.

“Agriculture is an extractive activity [on the soil], but the rice terraces have been productive for many centuries. It’s a wonder how the lands [of the rice terraces] have remained fertile for thousands of years,” said Rodelio Carating, technical assistant to the director of the Bureau of Soils and Water Management.

Apparently, the Ifugaos have proven that they are more intelligent compared with their counterparts from other local tribes who practiced slash-and-burn or kaingin farming, which is unsustainable and even discouraged.

“At the most, kaingin farms last only up to three years. After that, another area must be cleared for farming,” Cataring said.

Engineering marvel

Cataring said the Ifugaos must be highly commended for constructing the rice terraces, since they did not have surveying instruments and modern machinery at their disposal. Notably, some portions of the rice terraces reach as high as 4,500 to 5,000 feet.

As to how the Ifugaos built the rice terraces using mostly crude primitive instruments and without the aid of surveying instruments is actually thought provoking.

The Ifugao local government’s website states “it is indeed a wonder how the early Ifugaos, with only the simplest and crudest hand tools, were able to build the rice terraces. They were able to cope with the ecological factors, which they have to interrelate with the social and cultural factors.”

The engineering feat of the Ifugaos never escaped the attention of the American Society of Civil Engineers, which conferred it the “International Historic Engineering Landmark Award.”

Besides being an engineering feat, the Ifugao rice terraces demonstrate that farming can blend in harmony with culture, and more importantly, nature.

Cataring said Ifugao culture includes beliefs in anitos or gods, who are believed to dwell in forests, hence the preservation of forests is part of their culture. And it is from the forests that water for the streams and rivers is supplied, which feed the irrigation system of the rice terraces.

The Ifugao’s irrigation system diverts water from rivers and streams, and channels these to the terraces through a series of dikes and pipes. The pipes can be bamboo of various diameters, which make sure only the right amount of water is channeled to the terraces, and that no soil erosion is caused by excessive water flow.

At the upper point of most terraces are well-preserved rainforests, the primary source of water.

So simple yet efficient is the irrigation system of the rice terraces. But prominent Filipino biotechnologist Dr. Saturnina Halos labeled it as “advanced.” Halos is also the chairman of the Biotechnology Team of the Department of Agriculture.

Harold Conklin, in his Ethnographic Atlas of Ifugao (Yale University Press), explained that “for hundreds of years, Ifugaos have diverted stream water for irrigation up to five to six kilometers. Using the stream’s current and sheer manpower, they rolled stones and small boulders from mountaintops and formed these as rock walls to hold mountainsides and create rice terraces.”

And in an article taken from the University of California Publications in American Archeology and Ethnology dating back to 1922, which is posted on the Internet, Barton R.F. somehow shows amazement on how the Ifugaos were truly skilled agriculturists, taking note also of their irrigation system.

“In this the Ifugao shows himself [as] a highly skilled agriculturist. Did he know the reason for this practice would even be a science one? All year the fields have been under water. Even after rice harvest the water is not turned off for the fields would then grow up with dense vegetation. There has been little action of the air on the soil; little decomposition of vegetable matters by oxygen. In the mounds the air has an excellent opportunity to decompose and mellow the soil,” Barton said.

And for centuries, the Ifugaos were able to preserve the ecological balance of the rice terraces vis-à-vis the forests, which they believed is where the anitos dwelled.

“The rice terraces are truly multi-functional it’s also an ecological piece,” Carating said.
[B]
Future of farming

In an earlier interview with Agence France-Presse, International Rice Research Institute President Robert Zeigler said, “There is just not enough land” in the Philippines to plant more rice. This partly explains why the country has to import rice.

IRRI economist David Dawe also cited that Thailand, India, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia and Bangladesh have the advantage of having broad deltas and large tracts of plains that are best for rice farming. Unfortunately, the Philippines does not have the luxury of having vast plains.

Halos also warned that investing in traditional irrigated lands require large outlays of capital and huge amounts of water, which is not sustainable.

“When a water crisis hits the country, we will suffer a rice crisis because most of the technologies developed for rice farming are for the lowland varieties which require large amounts of water,” she said.

However, the Ifugaos demonstrated that even without access to arable lands on the plains, rice farming is possible and can be sustained for centuries in the mountainous regions.

In fact, Halos lists Ifugao terrace farming as one of the five methods to cultivate rice, the others being: clearing or kaingin; upland (using rice varieties that need less water); sabog or broadcast method; and transplanting or Chinese rice culture.

The only problem of the rice terraces is its low yields, which according to Halos, is less than one metric ton per hectare. The variety grown is a red fragrant variety that takes more time to mature compared to lowland rice.

However, the Ifugaos never resorted to using fertilizers or pesticides. Compost and animal manure are among the organic fertilizers used. Nor have the Ifugaos asked government to build irrigation systems for their terraces, because their rice fields have a “natural irrigation” system.

Halos even notes that besides its advanced irrigation system, Ifugao rice terrace farming is also noted for its pest control, weeding and fertilizing.

To contain pests, Barton observed that “when infected plants are found, all infected parts are picked off and burned or left in the hot sun to dry. In case a field is found to be badly infected, recourse is to have religious ceremonials. Rice pests are thought to have been originated by one of the highest deities, Bangauwan, in order to compel men to give [sacrifice] animals to him.”

The advantage of this organic type of farming is the soil’s fertility is maintained and even improved.

“Fertility is rarely a factor because the Ifugao method of agriculture tends to render a field more fertile year by year,” Barton said.

Nonetheless, a noted biotechnologist told The Manila Times that it is possible to increase the yields of the Ifugao rice terraces by using organic fertilizers produced with enzymes or co-enzymes and composts; and seed inoculants that increase the absorption of soil nutrients by a plant’s roots.

With the alarm raised toward unsustainable farming practices like the excessive use of chemicals on farms that can affect the long-term fertility of soils, the Ifugao method of rice farming deserves study as a solution to attain rice self-sufficiency, at least for the Philippines.

But the bad news is the younger generation of Ifugaos are no longer interested in the adopting the culture of their predecessors, which may result in the rice terraces having no caretakers. This is very bad news, because the rice that the Ifugaos grow is now gaining popularity in Europe as gourmet rice, which can command a high price there.

“The younger generation of the Ifugaos are leaving for the cities,” Cataring said.

Perhaps these young Ifugaos are not aware that their fathers, grandfathers and forefathers are one of the best rice farmers the world has ever seen. Or even the best the world has ever seen.

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/apr/10/yehey/top_stories/20080410top8.html

Bontoc emerges from popular neighbors’ shadows

By Doris Dumlao
Philippine Daily Inquirer

BONTOC, Philippines—This idyllic capital of Mt. Province in northern Luzon, situated at the crossroads of Ifugao’s crown jewel Banaue and the famed Sagada highlands, is carving its own niche in the Cordillera’s booming tourism business.

Linked to either town by a dirt-road much narrower and rougher than Baguio’s zig-zag road, Bontoc is enjoying some windfall from burgeoning public interest on Sagada, which was made known to the world in the 1960s by European backpackers who fell in love with its great caves, hanging coffins and lovely landscapes.

After hitting the global tourism charts, domestic tourists too started exploring Sagada in the 1980s, thus lifting tourism in the adjacent Bontoc in the absence of mass transport going straight to the highlands. Tourists from Manila can go either via Baguio or Banaue but there’s now an increasing appetite to hit two birds with one stone—see the Banaue Rice Terraces en route to Sagada.

“Most of the tourists coming here now are only passers-by,” says Frank Odsey, mayor of this third-class municipality known to many as a mere gateway to Sagada and an alternative source of lodging during the peak season.

During the recent Lenten break, for instance, some Manila-based tourists heading to Sagada but who ran out of sleeping quarters there found refuge in the Bontoc poblacion. In such cases, tourists would take a 45-minute bumpy jeepney ride to Sagada first thing in the morning and then return to their Bontoc camp before dusk. Not bad, tourists say, since it’s also from Bontoc that they would take the bus back home to Manila anyway.

Jewel in the Rough

But Bontoc is emerging from the shadows of its more popular neighbors. With its equally rich Ifugao heritage, postcard-pretty landscapes and natural resources, the town is striving to lure more tourists and make them stay longer.

Unknown to many, Bontoc was endowed by its forefathers with its distinct clusters of rice terraces built at about the same time that the world-famous Banaue Rice Terraces were chiseled out. It is also blessed with a number of hot springs, which, if developed, can offer the weary traveler some respite, for instance, after a weekend of serious hiking and spelunking.

Hilda Peckley, whose family owns Churya-a Hotel in Bontoc, says there’s a lot more to her hometown that the outside world hasn’t explored.

Aside from the rice terraces and the hot springs, Peckley says Bontoc has its pristine waterfalls and caves which natives believe to be connected to Sagada’s famous caves.

“You have to spend a whole week here in the Cordilleras to explore everything,” Peckley says.

She adds that the hotel business in Mt. Province is doing well, especially during the summer. Recently, Churya-a (the native name of Bontoc) Hotel acquired a property and put up an annex in Sagada.

Meanwhile, Odsey says plans are underway to build a domestic airport atop one of Bontoc’s peaks—in what could be the first in the Cordilleras. The plan seeks to give tourists going to any of the region’s hotspots the option to fly than endure a 10-hour road trip. It has the potential to catapult the town into a logistics hub.

But building the first airport in the Cordilleras is a tall order. After finding the suitable peak amid Bontoc’s rugged terrain, it has been difficult to convince the descendants of old tribes to yield their ancestral domain, Odsey says.

Bontoc is nevertheless grooming itself to attract more tourists. It is also developing “homestay” programs for backpackers to address the lack of commercial hotels and inns outside of the Bontoc town-proper, replicating the state-backed transient bedspace programs popularized in the Western countryside and now adopted in rural tourist spots like Sagada and Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte.

Of landscapes, cultural heritage

Two of Bontoc’s terraces stand out—the Bay-yo and Malegcong terraces.

The Bay-yo terraces, built on a low-sloping valley embracing a quaint little village, offer a breath-taking respite for travelers en route Banaue to Bontoc. It is so pretty that tourists literally halt in the middle of the road to take panoramic snapshots. Unlike the usual rice terraces which resemble stairways to heaven, the Bay-yo terraces, when viewed from the roads high up in the mountain, look like a pile of jigsaw puzzle pieces spread out in a reclining valley.

“People often mistake it as still being part of Banaue,” Odsey says of Bay-yo, which has been featured in various travel documentaries.

On the other hand, the Bontocs consider the Malegcong Rice Terraces as the greatest landscape made by their ancestors. But unlike the Banaue terraces which were carved out of the mountains, theirs were constructed with stone piled atop each other to form terraces from the base to the top of the Malegcong mountain. Before the planting season, they are thus more brownish than their green counterparts in Banaue. They also look like stairways but are shorter than those in Banaue.

“Sometimes you’ll wonder where our forefathers got all the stones to build these,” Odsey says.

Another local jewel is the Bontoc Village Museum, built and run by ICM nuns and located within the Catholic sisters’ convent and Saint Vincent’s Elementary School. It is a must-see for tourists seeking to learn more about the Igorots’ rich heritage.

Although native houses have been wiped off the landscapes of Bontoc, the museum recreates its old social structure centered around village wards, where young men and women lived in dormitories and went home to their families during meals. Unlike the native houses of Banaue which stand on stilts and whose removable stairs are pulled up at night as a protection against wild animals, native Bontoc houses are built on ground-level but are in clusters.

“We try to preserve things as they are,” says Sr. Marcel Agang-Ang, a native Bontoc who came back after her retirement from the ICM congregation and now serves as museum curator.

Aside from offering an outdoor life-size diorama of the native Bontoc village, the museum has an interesting photo-documentary on the Bontocs’ colorful pre-Christian history, including its legendary headhunting sport. There’s even a photo (dated early 1900s) of a beheaded person tied up in a bamboo pole and of an unceremonial burial for such a beheaded person (It’s considered a family disgrace to lose your head).

But today, this municipality with a population of 25,000 is home to a peaceful and friendly farming people who love country music and shun from politics.

The Bontocs comprise one of the six ethno-linguistic groups of the Igorots of the Cordillera region. The others are the Ibalois, Ifugaos, Isnegs (or Apayaos), Kalingas and the Kankana-eys.

Hot springs

Odsey says Bontoc does not have a woodcarving industry but has a loom-weaving tradition. Samoki, one of its old villages, specializes in backstrap weaving. Various colorful woven materials like knapsacks, placemats, bags and purses are among the popular products.

Temperature in most of Bontoc is warmer compared to the highlands of Banaue and Sagada. This is because it sits on a dormant volcano that now produces hot springs. These sizzling pools give it the potential to become the “Los Baños (Laguna) of the North.”

The residents of Barangay Mainit (which means hot in the vernacular), 18 kilometers away from the poblacion, have long discovered the medicinal and refreshing effects of hot springs. There’s another hot spring in the nearby municipality of Sadanga, 29 km away from Bontoc’s town proper.

“This is the area with the lowest incidence of skin disease because imagine them bathing in sulfuric hot water every day,” says Tex Odsey, the mayor’s son, while boiling a dozen of eggs in Mainit’s hot spring for afternoon snack.

Odsey, whose parents hail from Mainit, says previous studies were conducted to see if the area could produce geothermal energy, but it turned out that there was not enough to supply other regions.

There are only two private mini-resorts offering swimming pools and overnight accommodation in Mainit. Even the tiny houses along the spring thus have a pipeline linked to the hot springs water.

“Although it’s a dormant volcano, we’re not afraid because the earth is letting off the heat,” says Benedict Odsey, the mayor’s brother who owns Ben-Vic Resthouse, one of Mainit’s two swimming resorts which is still under construction.

But to attain its potential to be a hub of natural spa, Bontoc hopes to attract more private investments. It can’t even rely on overseas remittances, as there are more sons and daughters migrating to Baguio and Manila than anywhere abroad.

Hurdles

At present, local hotels and buses plying the Manila-Bontoc route can better help actively promote Bontoc as a tourist hotspot of its own instead of being content with the town remaining as a mere gateway to the more popular Sagada.

The local government hopes to use the Internet to promote its attractions, like the hot springs. To date, there’s very little official online promotion for tourists to be attracted to a longer stay in Bontoc. Leaflets and maps on the must-see sites are not yet easily available.

Likewise a big challenge for the whole of the Cordilleras is to smoothen the rough roads that lengthen travel time. And to prepare ways to ensure its rich heritage shall be preserved if and when tourists come in droves.

http://business.inquirer.net/money/topstories/view/20080405-128630/Bontoc-emerges-from-popular-neighbors-shadows

Other routes offered to reach La Trinidad

By Jane Cadalig

AS LA Trinidad lures more visitors, advocates of the tourism industry are pushing for the use of alternate access routes to reach the town and its adjacent municipalities.

Long-long Road, a less-traveled road leading to the town, is being offered to visitors, as well as the riding public, to avoid traffic.

"The best way to see La Trinidad is through the Long-long Road. By using this alternate route, one will be able to see the scenic sites of the town, while avoiding the traffic," lawyer Damaso Bangaoet Jr. said.

Bangaoet is one of the founding members of the newly organized Benguet Visitors Bureau (BVB), a private group working as coordinator of the province's tourism activities.

While taking the road may mean longer travel time, it will have no difference when taking the main access road, where traffic is a serious problem.

Benguet Governor Nestor Fongwan has been advocating the use of alternate routes to La Trinidad to decongest the stretch from Baguio to Km 6 from heavy traffic.

Motorists are assured of convenient travel through the Long-long Road as this is already concreted.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/bag/2008/04/06/news/other.routes.offered.to.reach.la.trinidad.html

Asin’s natural hot springs

By ARTHUR L. ALLAD-IW During summer time when the children are having their vacation and seemed irritated on the summer heat, it is a time when a family considers an outing. Destinations could either be in the white sand beach in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, the pine cool weather in Sagada, Mountain Province, or the rice terraces in Banaue, Ifugao.

You need not go so far just to have fun or enjoy a vacation with your family. There are places near Baguio City, which are usually frequented by city residents and local tourists.

http://www.nordis.net/blog/wp-content/files/art2008_0413asinhotspring.jpg
HOTSPRINGS RELIEF. One of the resorts in Asin, Nangalisan in Tuba, Benguet frequented by visitors. Photo by Arthur L. Allad-iw/NORDIS

Nangalisan, Tuba, Benguet is frequented by visitors due to its natural hot springs the locals call Asin. There are at least five hot spring resorts in the area. Asin is more or less 18 kilometers from Baguio City. Since the roads had been cemented, the area is now merely a 30-minute drive from the city.

My recent visit to the area has proven that Asin, with its hot spring resorts, is fast turning into a tourist destination.

The five resorts in Asin, Nangalisan have established bathrooms, some with steam bath, and pools complemented by the hot waters from the springs.

A staff of one of the resorts said even during cold season, the hot springs are utilized by visitors. He noted from visitors during this season that they complained of body pains due to arthritis and fatigue, among others.

“Even during lean season, visitors regularly go to the hot springs due to its natural therapeutic effects on body pains,” explained the staff.

Peak of visits

During summer, the area is frequented as the hot spring resorts use the cool waters coming from the natural springs to supply their pools and bathrooms. Summer in the area is hot due to its proximity to the lowlands but mountains balance the summer heat.

“The peak of the visits is during summer and holidays,” the staff added. In their resort alone, he claimed the resort receives more than 100 persons a day, not only visitors from Baguio, but also other places. Even Koreans living in the city are among the notable regular visitors of the hot spring resorts in the area.

The resorts in Asin also cater to seminars and conferences. Seminar halls can accommodate at least 100 persons. Room rates depend on the space and capacity. Rooms have either an air conditioner or an electric fan, depending on the rate. Resort restaurants are usually open until 10:00 in the evening.

The entrance fee in the resort is considered cheap at P 80 per person but children are charged lower.

Hot springs

The natural hot water in Asin bubbles up from the underground continuously. In my last visit in the area, my daughter asked: “Why do they have the hot springs in Asin? Why do we not have it in Baguio?

These are questions from an innocent mind which force a father like me to seek answers. According to an environmentalist hot springs in Asin and Klondykes in Kennon, also in Tuba, are believed to be a result of the Mt. Cabuyao, believed to be a dormant volcano. Mt. Cabuyao is in Mt. Sto. Tomas, the highest peak in Tuba town. It is 7,000 feet above sea level and 12 kilometers away from Baguio City. You can view the La Union beaches when you are on top of that area.

There are natural beauties in Tuba which have been discovered long ago but remained unpopular. There are natural waterfalls, caves and rivers in the area. The maintenance of their natural beauty is notably due to the local communities’ sense of natural resource conservation and protection. This is an area which can also be documented and published and shared to the public.

While hot springs in Asin contribute to the town’s income, local residents however expect local government officials also to adopt a project where they can utilize the natural hot springs. Regardless of this issue, however, Asin is an alternative for family outings. These are natural beauties that can satisfy our love for nature.

http://www.nordis.net/blog/?p=2409

The humorous side of the Ifugao people

By Delmar Cariño
Philippine Daily Inquirer

BANAUE, Ifugao – The jokes are still on them, but the Ifugao have managed to keep things in stride. And just like those who have heard the funny stories, the people themselves relish listening to the stories.

The so-called Ifugao jokes have made the natives popular, making others want to know more about them as indigenous peoples, next to the curiosity over their woodcarving skills, world-renowned rice terraces, and years of chewing muma (momma) or betel nut.

Ramon Dacawi of Hungduan town, Baguio City’s public information officer, brought the house down during the Igorot International Consultation (ICC) at Banaue Hotel when he dished out samples that ribbed the delegates to the hilt.

Here are some of them:

An Ifugao flagged down a Dangwa Tranco bus bound for Baguio. When the bus stopped, the conductor asked where he was going. The man answered, “Ket siempre dita oneg a (There, inside),” meaning, he would go inside the bus.

The man had a pig placed in the bus compartment. When the conductor asked him to pay for the cargo, the man said, “Damagen a no adda pagpliti na (Ask the pig if he has money for fare).”

Evolution of jokes

Dacawi’s jokes, narrated with native accent and facial expression, were enough to generate discussion on their evolution.

Fernando Bahatan, former director of the Cordillera Executive Board, said the jokes reflected the Ifugao’s sense of humor and flair for knocking in some sense to a situation or communication through seemingly harmless – but practical – questions and answers.

“The jokes showed how the Ifugao view life and their struggle to confront the changes that came their way,” Bahatan, a native of Banaue, said.

But the stories were sometimes misunderstood, he said. Listeners have typified the Ifugao as “pilosopo (smart aleck),” but he said: “The jokes actually expressed our being discerning and critical through practical queries and retorts.”

The jokes were first known as “Kiangan jokes,” he said, referring to the former capital town of Kiangan. The early ones had something to do with riding on the Dangwa bus, which had its loading area in Kiangan at that time, Bahatan said. “But later, the jokes became applicable to all areas in the province,” he said.

He said the jokes had helped a lot in easing tension and in arriving at an amicable settlement for elders who handled conflicts involving personal quarrels, land claims and family relations.

These showed the Ifugao people’s ability to make things light or to provide some comic relief to some serious, if not tense, matters or conditions, Hungduan Mayor Pablo Cuyahon said. These evolved from the way the Ifugao adapted themselves to the transition period in their lives, he said.

“That’s why the jokes often involved experiences while riding on the bus, going to the city or meeting policemen when caught violating a city ordinance,” he said.

Discerning trait

Cuyahon said the jokes showed the discerning trait of the Ifugao. “Their questions might appear ignorant, but they actually wanted facts or questions to be direct and clear,” he said.

Aguian Maximo, a retired public school teacher and now a farmer in Barangay Patilong in Banaue, said the jokes also came from their elders who would end the day gathered before a bonfire. “There, they would exchange stories that turned out to be funny and which later became stories,” he said.

Maximo, 72, said the jokes were often associated with daily experiences.

Gov. Teodoro Baguilat Jr. said the funny stories were actually the “self-deprecating humor” of the Ifugao. “We make jokes out of ourselves, about our feigned ignorance and about our peculiar traits, like betel nut chewing and the use of G-strings,” said Baguilat, a native of Kiangan.

“The jokes are meant to make one think and not actually to make one laugh. They are actually sources of wisdom,” he said.

But he said the kind of jokes spun for them were not exclusive to his province mates since these also applied to the other provinces.

Dacawi said the jokes revealed the sense of humor that the Ifugao had. “The stories showed how the Ifugao made life bearable for themselves.”

These had something to do with the rice terraces that made engineers marvel over how they were built, he said. “The Ifugao realized that the task of building the terraces needed a shovelful of humor,” he said.

Ifugao jokes are many, but Baguilat said he had yet to come across a book on them.

Bahatan though said his classmate at the seminary then, now Rev. Patricio Guygoyun of the Episcopalian Diocese of Bontoc-Lagawe, had a record that contained 62 stories.

Ray Baguilat Jr., president of the Igorot International Organization which convened the ICC, was so entertained with Dacawi’s jokes that he hinted at sparing a slot for Dacawi in Vancouver, Canada, the next conference site in 2010, for the jokes’ retelling.

Whether Baguilat was serious or not, only he would know.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20080415-130609/The-humorous-side-of-the-Ifugao-people

Beyond the greens of Banaue

04/16/08
Posted under Philippines, Travel & Commuting, Tourism, Tourism & Leisure, Banaue

By Izah Morales
INQUIRER.net

ASK for a P1,000 bill. Browse your old Araling Panlipunan book. Surely, you will see the sketch of the Banaue Rice Terraces. Yet seeing the greens with your own two eyes would mean a guessing game on which is which. You will be surprised to see many terraces in Banaue, Ifugao.

The one sketched in a P1,000 bill is the terraces located in what they call the view deck, near the town proper of Banaue. You would not only have the chance to see the staircase-like mountain, but you may also walk directly into the rice paddies.

The view deck at Banaue View Point can be easily accessed through a short tricycle ride from the town proper.

http://blogs.inquirer.net/talesofthenomad/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/view-deck.jpg

Aside from this attraction, a bahay kubo beside the deck would catch your attention because of its unusual decoration. You might wonder why bones are used as decor.

http://blogs.inquirer.net/talesofthenomad/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/bones.jpg

According to the Ifugao woman living in the kubo, hunting is a way of life. Displaying the skulls and bones of animals is a sign of bravery and serve as status symbols.

Not only do the bone decors embellish the Ifugao’s dwelling place but the bundles of harvested rice grains also add appeal to the facade. They may remind you of miniature versions of Cousin Itt in “The Addams Family.”

http://blogs.inquirer.net/talesofthenomad/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/cousin-itt.jpg

But there is more to these grains than a cartoon show look-alike. You will know why when you visit the rice terrace in Barangay Batad.

You need to go up a steep, slippery, and stony mountain — and that is a thirty-kilometer walk. That makes 60 kilometers back and forth. Imagine how sweaty you can get. Just tell yourself that you’re burning your calories. Not only that, you’re also lucky you have shoes to protect your feet while the natives walk barefoot.

http://blogs.inquirer.net/talesofthenomad/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/batad.jpg

It will also surprise you to see them carrying something heavy like an LPG cylinder. It seems dangerous but to them it is not. You will notice that even children are climbing up and down the mountain.

Though exhausting, you will not regret it once you are rewarded with the breathtaking sight, and welcomed not only by the cooler temperature but also the warm hellos of the natives. It is also surprising to learn that they are very fluent in English. An aged native carrying her granddaughter on her back shared that they learned English from the foreigners who visited the place.

http://blogs.inquirer.net/talesofthenomad/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/grandmother.jpg

Beyond the greens of Banaue are the Ifugao — the people who molded and cultivated the mountain with their bare hands.

http://blogs.inquirer.net/talesofthenomad/2008/04/16/beyond-the-greens-of-banaue/

Crime rate in Cordillera drops - police

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines - The number of criminal cases referred to or handled by the Police Regional Office (PRO) in Cordillera last month was lower compared to March 2007.

PRO records showed that the total crime volume in March 2007 was 140, compared to 99 last month.

These same statistics showed out of the eight index crimes reported in Abra last month, six of them were solved, giving the Abra Provincial Police Office (PPO) a 75 percent crime solution efficiency rating for March 2008.

In March last year, 10 out of the 13 reported cases were solved, giving the same PPO a 76.92 percent solution efficiency rating.

Although no crimes were reported in Apayao last month, the two crime incidents reported in the same province in March last year were both solved by personnel of their PPO.

The Baguio City Police Office (BCPO), on the other hand, improved its crime solution efficiency from 92.16 percent in March 2007 to 97.14 percent last month, after its personnel solved 34 out of the 35 index crimes reported.

While Benguet recorded 10 index crimes last month compared to the 14 cases in March 2007, their PPO maintained a 100 percent crime solution efficiency rating, after solving all cases reported in both periods.

Two cases each were reported within Ifugao in March 2007 and last month. Since only one of these reported cases was solved last month, this gave the Ifugao PPO a lower crime solution efficiency rating compared to last year, when both reported incidents were solved.

Kalinga got a 100 percent crime solution efficiency last month for the lone crime reported and solved, compared to the five cases last year where four of them were solved, giving their PPO an 80 percent crime solution efficiency rating then.

Mountain Province had the same number of recorded index crimes in March 2007 and last month, both with a total of 10, but eight out of them or 80 percent was solved last month, compared to all for a 100 percent crime solution efficiency rating last year.

For non-index crimes, Baguio City is still in the lead with a total of 18 cases reported last month, but this still showed a decrease compared to the 24 reported last year.

Benguet runs second with six cases, Mountain Province with four, Abra with three, and Ifugao and Kalinga with one each. Apayao had no reported crime incident last month.

All in all, the total number of non-index crimes of 43 in March last year has dwindled down to 33 last month.

According to Chief Superintendent Eugene Martin, PRO-Cordillera director, the various programs of the Philippine National Police (PNP) are now showing good results based on the statistics shown.

He said community support and enhanced police service are two important ingredients in the prevention and solution of crimes.

Martin encouraged the public to report any crime prone situation that may threaten the safety of the citizenry, and peace and order in the community, to the nearest police station.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/90063/Crime-rate-in-Cordillera-drops---police

All-out info drive seen as key to attain Cordillera autonomy

Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY – A long-term, all-out information and education campaign could be the key to the attainment of the Cordillera development and autonomy that would benefit future generations.

This was the suggestion of the Regional Development Council (RDC) in the Cordillera which analyzed the results of a baseline survey.

Acting on the suggestion, it ordered concerned agencies to fast-track the preparation and conduct of an information and education campaign on regional development and autonomy.

Earlier, Malacañang released P15 million for the new drive for regional development and autonomy.

The RDC has allotted an amount for an all-out information and education campaign which aims to acquaint the people on the benefits of self-governance.

The region’s policy-making body said that the analysis of the baseline survey concludes that the populace is generally interested in regional autonomy. Those who remain undecided want Cordillera’s capability for autonomous governance to be gradually developed or through a phase-by-phase program.

The baseline survey was conducted between October 2007 and January 2008 in the five provinces and one chartered city of the region to get the people’s pulse on the issue of regional autonomy.

The survey indicated significant revelations vital in the crafting of appropriate strategies to convince the people to vote for regional autonomy once the issue is brought to them in a plebiscite.

The survey also indicated that 41.4 percent of the Cordillera people are not aware of the 1987 constitutional provision for the creation of an autonomous region in the cordillera.

Furthermore, 64 percent tend not to be aware of the legislative powers being granted to the proposed Cordillera autonomous region.

Ironically, 66.3 percent said they are undecided on the issue should a new plebiscite to ratify a new organic act is held soon.

This indicated the urgent need for information, education and drive on the matter especially on the grassroots level.

While autonomy advocates assert that regional autonomy is far more beneficial than the present administrative setup on the Cordillera, they believe that the people are being misinformed by anti-autonomy groups.

During the plebiscite on the first Organic Act held on Jan. 30, 1990, only Ifugao Province voted in favor of regional autonomy. The Supreme Court had ruled that one province could not comprise an autonomous region.

In the March 7, 1998 plebiscite, Apayao was the only province which voted in favor of joining the proposed autonomous region.

http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20080421122400.html

Belgians renew ties with Cordillera partners

Contributed by Jane L. Yap-eo/CDPC

The partnership of the North with the South in achieving peoples’ genuine holistic growth was at work and evident with the recent visit of a delegation from the Belgian Province of East Flanders to the Cordillera.

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PROVINCIAL TOUR. The Belgians pose with their Ifugao partners. Photo cortesy of CDPC

Comprised of government officials and representatives of non-government development organizations, the Belgian delegation headed by East Flanders Deputy Eddy Couckuyt, deputy for Development and Cooperation, Tourism, and Youth and Children Welfare also had Secretary-general Albert de Smet; William Blondeel – the Department Head for Development Aid; and Agnes Verspreet, administrative officer for the North & South Relations Office.

Belgian NGO New World sent Pascal van Dreissche & Roger Camps, who have long been visiting and staying with the local NGO partners in the past two decades.

The Southern partners in the Cordillera region of the Philippines are the network of people’s organizations and NGOs allied with the Baguio-based Center for Development programs in the Cordillera (CDPC) and the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA).

Province of East Flanders has started a partnership with two more countries, Ecuador and Rwanda.

“Emancipation and welfare, working on short and long term changes are both important,” said Coukuyt in his introductory statement. “Food security, health and socio-economic work is important. But at the same time we need to work on building a democratic society, based on equal rights. We are glad to see that we share these goals with our partners in the Philippines,” he added.

http://www.nordis.net/blog/wp-content/files/cdpc2008_0420pef1.jpg
East Flanders Deputy Eddy Couckuyt receives the key to Baguio City. Photo courtesy of CDPC.

The Belgians chose multi-sectoral approach because they saw that the integrated strategy in development is effective. The CPA and CDPC is a network of peoples’ organizations from the six provinces of the Cordillera region. Its sectoral organizations include those of the urban poor made up of women, children and youth, drivers, indigenous peoples and lowland settlers; those of the government employees, teachers and the religious.

This year’s visit was mainly to assess the Belgian province’s policy on development cooperation.

“We want to observe the effectiveness in the field and the actual project implementation. We want to have a dialog, a discussion with our partners on the cooperation after 2009. Will we continue or will we phase out?” Coukuyt said.

He added they also expected an open discussion on the sustainability of the investments in the Cordillera. “When we talk about investment we do not only think about money but we also think about the work done by a lot of people,” he clarified.

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East Flanders Deputy Eddy Couckuyt receives a gift from Ifugao Governor Teddy Baguilat. Photo courtesy of CDPC.

Places they visited included urban poor communities in Baguio City particularly Barangays Upper Pinget and Happy Hollow; Barangays Bulalacao and Colalo in Mankayan; Province of Benguet, Barangay Can-eo-Chapyusen in Bontoc, Mt. Province, and Barangay Tupaya in Lagawe Province of Ifugao. The Belgian partners stayed and mingled with the local folk, dialogued with them and learned from their daily lives.

“It gave me a week-long sleepless nights,” Coukuyt was quoted as saying during the assessment. He said the culture shock is a normal experience for a visitor from the “first world coming to a third world country for the first time.” Nevertheless it helped the delegation understand the context of development approaches to adopt.

The sharing with the officers and members of Lepanto Employees Union (LEU) on their issues and activities was productive and it concluded the whole activities in Mankayan. The meeting with the LEU was significant to the Belgian official because he once worked with the labor sector.

The assessment gathered multi-sectoral representatives, who are directly involved in the actual implementation of the multi-sectoral program, these points were clarified and handled lightly to the satisfaction of the Belgian partners.

The Belgian partners were very appreciative of the evening dinner meetings with CDPC multi-sectoral implementors, allies and friends from the academe, church and in the local government units, from the provincial down to the barangay (village) level.

Upon hearing such very positive comments regarding strategy and approach of the network in serving the people, Executive Director Benedict Solang said “It is encouraging and challenging for CDPC-CPA to carry on and further advance its work towards peoples’ genuine development.”

Solang said the entire week-long encounter with the Belgian partners was very successful as he expressed the network’s appreciation for the contribution of the academe, the church and the local officials and allies in the activities.

The delegation paid a courtesy call to Baguio City officials, represented by Vice-mayor Daniel Fariñas who handed them the symbolic key to the city. A solidarity program in Baguio City capped the program with fitting exchange of tokens, as CPA Chair Beverly Longid termed it.

http://www.nordis.net/blog/?p=2456

P290-M released for Manabo bridge

BANGUED, Abra — This upland Cordillera province – the 10th poorest country in the Philippines – got an unexpected P290-million from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo when she flew to this province last April 10 to address the peace assembly in this capital town.

In her speech at the Provincial Capitol’s social hall where the peace assembly was held, the President announced that she had instructed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to complete the half-finished bridge that has been towering for more than a decade over banca-riding commuters crossing the Manabo River in hinterland Manabo, Abra.

GMA said the bridge is “a monument to corruption where you spent on infrastructure, and then just leave it alone, never mind what happens.” She then revealed that she had earlier resolved to do something about the bridge that looks like a suspended rainbow of concrete over the Manabo River that residents cross with bancas to this day.

Also in the peace assembly in Bangued were Philippine National Police chief Avelino Razon, National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman, Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral, and Peace Process Adviser Jesus Dureza, among others.

http://www.nordis.net/blog/?p=2450

Ifugao gives final salute to last World War II veteran of province

By DHOBIE DE GUZMAN
ABS-CBN Baguio

KIANGAN, IFUGAO -- Ifugao recently gave its final salute to its erstwhile last surviving World War II hero.

War veteran Lt. Santiago Balajo succumbed to complications from prostate cancer around 5 a.m. in Ifugao Provincial Hospital last April 18, according to his doctor Roberto Calugdan. He was 98.

Balajo was designated as Commanding Officer "C" under First Battalion, a unit organized to fight Japanese troops in Ifugao during the Second World War.

Ifugao was the site of a major event in WW II history when General Tomoyuki Yamashita of the Japanese Imperial Forces informally surrendered on September 1, 1945 in Kiangan town. Yamashita finally vowed to Philippine and American forces after he formally surrendered on September 2, 1945 in Baguio. Kiangan in Ifugao then became the repository of Yamashita's belongings.

Mentor and mayor

Aside from being a war hero, Balajo became a mentor and served as the first mayor of Mayoyao town in Ifugao.

Ifugao Gov. Teodoro Baguilat said Balajo was an icon and well-respected in the province due to his heroism as well as his active efforts in promoting the welfare of WWII veterans.

"He also fought for the benefits of the bolomen," added the governor.

Historical reference

Baguilat was impressed with Balajo's vivid memory of the cruelties of the war. Balajo started writing his autobiography in the early 80's.

Balajo would constantly ask Baguilat, who was then a mayor, to edit manuscripts of the veteran’s accounts of the last world war.

"Eventually, his memoir will become a historical reference not only for Ifugao but for the whole country," Baguilat also said.

Heroism recognized

In the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Philippine’s liberation from Japanese occupation last September 2, 2005, President Arroyo pinned a commemorative badge to Lt. Balajo in recognition of his heroism during the war.

"Really, I thought he would live to be a hundred. His death was not really a tragic death because he lived a full life. But I was honored to know him," Baguilat added.

After five days of mourning, Balajo was finally laid to rest last Wednesday, April 23, 2008, at three in the afternoon in Kiangan, Ifugao, where he lived most of his life.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/newreply.php?do=postreply&t=591887

Yabadabadoo industry in Ifugao booming

By EV Espiritu, Elmer Kristian Dauigoy
Northern Luzon Bureau

BANAUE, Ifugao—Every three years in this town that is famous for the rice terraces, men in G-strings race down the road using homemade wooden scooters.

The race, part of the Imbayah (Merrymaking) Festival here, has drawn fans who have witnessed a fleet of scooters speeding down the terraces.

Unknown to many here, the race also serves as a marketing showcase for these scooters.

After the race, tourists negotiate to buy the scooters, some priced as high as P15,000.

The scooters have become a “midnight-madness” spectacle because their underground retail is one of the few profitable businesses in the agriculture-dominated Ifugao economy.

Aside from the terraces, a perennial tourist draw, most Ifugao eke out a living selling woodcarvings as well as woven G-strings and hats topped with feathers or foliage to simulate age and ritual authenticity.

The race has been profitable, says Rafael Buccahan, 31, who makes wooden scooters.

The scooters began selling for P500 in 2005 when photos published in newspapers caught the attention of many visitors.

Buccahan says the scooters used to help his older relatives ferry food stock or vegetables around town.

The first scooter was made of ordinary firewood and twine. It belonged to a local town mayor in the 1960s.

Rubber tires had not been available then so the mayor carved the wheels from wood. The wooden wheels were greased from the sap of a local shrub.

http://business.inquirer.net/money/topstories/view/20080419-131466/Yabadabadoo-industry-in-Ifugao-booming

Team finds rare cloud rat breed after 112 years

By Delmar Cariño
Northern Luzon Bureau

BAGUIO CITY -- A team of American and Filipino biologists recently found a rare breed of cloud rat at the Mt. Pulag national park in Benguet, which was first seen by a British scientist 112 years ago.

Dr. Lawrence Heaney, team leader and curator and head of mammals at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, identified the mammal here on Friday as the “dwarf cloud rat,” a rare breed endemic to the Cordillera.

Heaney, whose team has been conducting studies on Cordillera’s animal life since 2000, marveled at the rat’s rediscovery, saying “it is the animal whose existence had baffled biologists for so many years.”

He said the rat was dead when the team found it. Heaney’s team immediately preserved the rat and prepared it for shipment to Chicago for further studies.

“The Philippines may have the greatest concentration of unique biological diversity, relative to its size, of any country in the world,” Heaney told reporters here on Friday.

Samuel Peñafiel, Department of Environment and Natural Resources director in the Cordillera, said the dwarf cloud rat’s rediscovery could boost government efforts to protect the region’s threatened watersheds and mossy forests.

He said the findings of Heaney’s team meant that there is still a wide range of rare animal life worth saving in the region’s mountains and forests.

Danilo Balete, a research associate of the National Museum and Heaney’s co-team leader, said the dwarf cloud rat, known by its scientific name Carpomys melanurus, was found in a patch of mature mossy forest on Mt. Pulag.

“It was found in the canopy of a large tree, on a large horizontal branch covered by a thick layer of moss, orchids and ferns about five meters above ground,” he said.

Balete described the rat as “a really beautiful animal with dense, soft reddish brown fur with a black mask around its large dark eyes, small round ears, a broad and blunt snout and a long tail covered with dark hair.”

It weighed 185 grams, he said.

Mt. Pulag is Luzon’s highest peak at 2,922 meters above sea level. It straddles Benguet, Ifugao and Nueva Vizcaya.

Emerita Albas, DENR’s Mt. Pulag park superintendent, said the park’s mossy forests had been gradually degenerating due to the encroachment of vegetable farms.

Based on initial assessment, Heaney said the rediscovery of the dwarf cloud rat indicated that “it required a pretty much undisturbed mossy forest” to be able to survive.

The team worked on the theory that the rare species probably lived only in high big canopy trees with mature mossy forests and from an elevation of about 2,200 to 2,700 meters above sea level.

“The rat’s rediscovery was the first evidence of such fact,” Balete said.

Heaney said: “Now that we know where to look for them, it will be possible to learn more.”

“The cloud rats are one of the most spectacular cases of adaptive radiation by mammals anywhere in the world, with at least 15 species ranging in size from 2.6 to 15 kg, all living only in the Philippines,” he said.

“They are the prime examples of why biologists refer to the country as the ‘Galapagos times 10,’” Heaney said.

Heaney was referring to the Galapagos archipelago found west of Ecuador in South America that is known for its vast wealth of endemic species.

John Whitehead, a British researcher, first saw the dwarf cloud rat in 1896 when the indigenous peoples living within the Mt. Data national park brought him some live specimens.

Mt. Data, which covers Mt. Province, Ifugao and Benguet, provides the headwaters for the region’s four major river systems—Agno, Chico, Bued and Abra.

But the DENR had admitted the park’s watersheds are rapidly deteriorating due to the expansion of vegetable farms.

Heaney said Whitehead did not know anything then about the animal’s ecology but the animal’s life drew the heightened curiosity of biologists.

“Since then, the species became a mystery. This could be partly blamed on the disappearance of the forest in Mt. Data where the rat was found,” he said.

Research on the rat’s existence drew new life when the species was found lately in Mt. Pulag, he said.

Heaney said the Cordillera is known as the habitat of endangered species, like the cloud rat.

The rats were identified as “cloud rats” since mossy forests are known as cloud forests, Peñafiel said.

Mt. Pulag is also known as the only place that hosts the four cloud rat species. One of them is the bushy tailed cloud rat, locally called “bowet.”

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20080426-132920/Team-finds-rare-cloud-rat-breed-after-112-years

Getting Lost: Assault of Mt. Pulag: relaxing the rigors of the city

By MILDRED WANSI

It all started when I received a text message from Ate Reyna (Villacarlos) asking if I could join the First Aid team to accompany a group of journalists in climbing Mount Pulag and without second thoughts, I said yes. Why not? It would be a way of relaxation after spending a one-year clerkship in the hospital.

http://www.nordis.net/blog/wp-content/files/pulag078.jpg
NORDIS Photo

The travel was difficult in a way that the road going up the ranger station is not cemented and the jeep swayed to the left or right and there were parts which are one way and sometimes it left me breathless when we met other vehicles at these parts of the road. Another thing is that, as we went higher in the mountains, the temperature became colder that by the time we reached the peak, it was near freezing and my hands were so numb I could not feel them anymore. The cold weather was remedied by the delicious cup of hot brewed coffee we drank all the time, accompanied by boiled sweet potatoes or biscuits.

During the day of the climb, we had to wake up before 2:00 A.M. so that we could reach the peak before sunrise. We started walking up the mountains armed with flashlights, good sense of hearing and common sense because they were what we needed for the climb.

At this point, I learned a few things: (1) It was difficult to lead others when you yourself could not see where you are going but this was remedied by letting the tour guide before us since he already knew the way to the summit. Without him we could not have reached the peak on time; (2) Since we could not see the path we are going to clearly, we had to listen to the instructions of those who were before us and we were also responsible of giving the right instructions to those coming after us so that nobody would step on slippery or wet areas and worst, nobody would fall; (3) Always bring with you a flashlight, water, any food to sustain you along the way, warm clothing, mitten, bonnet and of course, a camera.

At around 5:50 A.M we reached what we termed the summit junior and we were able to witness the changing colors of the sunrise. It was a really beautiful sight – the changing colors of the sky with the effects of the clouds and the green surroundings before our eyes. The wind was very strong that it could blow off the tarpaulins we were holding. It was very cold and I did not have any mittens so I could really feel my hands getting numb to the point that I could not feel the contents of my pocket when I attempted to bring out the petroleum jelly.

When it was already bright, some of us started the hike to the summit which is another 30-minute hike from where we stopped. With the remaining little energy in me, I started to climb the peak of the second highest mountain in the Philippines. Upon reaching the top, I had the urge to shout, however we were warned not to shout so as not to disturb the spirits dwelling in the place. I just filled my eyes with all the magnificent sight while I filled my lungs with fresh air.

http://www.nordis.net/blog/wp-content/files/pulag091.jpg
Photo by Lyn V. Ramo/NORDIS

From where we stood, I could see Mount Napulawan of Ifugao, Mount Santo Tomas in Baguio City, parts of the towns of Benguet, Mountain Province and Ifugao in the sea of clouds. I also saw the miniature bamboos surrounding the peak of the mountain. We had to walk carefully as we went down so as not to destroy the said miniature bamboos and other small plants along the way.

Mount Pulag has a very rich ecosystem wherein you can really appreciate the rapid transition from a pine forest to a mossy forest to grassland. Actually, the word “pulag” literally means bald, according to Jun Verzola, who came along with his son, Jason.

The mountain peaks appear to be bald where only miniature bamboos and other tiny plants survive the cold climate. The mossy forest is called as such since mosses cover the barks of the trees and different kinds of mosses are seen in the area. There are also other variety of plants like ferns, orchids, flowering shrubs and tiny plants I could not identify. Mount Pulag is a perfect place to study Kingdom Plantae if you are interested in Botany and if you want to discover new species of plants. It is here where I saw a species of pitcher plant which is maroon with white stripes.

I was tempted to pick some of the plants, however as a biologist, I had to observe the rule: “Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures.” As the park personnel told us, we could not leave any contaminant behind like a tamarind seed because it would be changing Pulag’s features if a tamarind tree grows on the grassland at the peak. The contaminants might also interact with natural inhabitants of the forest to produce mutated species as she explained. We could not also take anything from their natural environment because it would destroy the entire ecosystem, she said.

I am right after all. The entire experience I had in Mount Pulag has provided me the relaxation I needed after the rigors of clerkship and it will prepare me to face challenges in the future because I have conquered a lot of things in this event. I was able to climb the mountains and I was able to endure the cold weather without any asthma attack. I also gained new friends who taught me new things and who gave me new insights. I will definitely do this again.

The whole activity was organized by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines Baguio-Benguet Chapter with the sponsorship of Globe Telecom and the National Commission of Indigenous Peoples.

http://www.nordis.net/blog/?p=2470

Makan a la Pinoy: Squash noodles

By ROBERT PANGOD

A popular tourist destination, Sagada offers another novelty attraction – canton noodles fortified with squash.

Last week, the Montañosa Research and Development Center (MRDC), a non-government organization based in this town, launched the Sagada Squash Canton Noodles, the very first variety of squash canton to hit the market in Mountain Province and the Cordillera region.

http://www.nordis.net/blog/wp-content/files/makan2008_0427squash_noodles.jpg

The Sagada Squash Canton Noodles is made from a mixture of squash puree, wheat, egg, squash, and salt. “Our squash canton noodles is very much improved and more nutritious compared to other canton noodles sold in public markets that are just made of flour, food coloring and preservatives. Ours has more nutrients like beta-carotene or Vitamin A,” according to MRDC nutritionist, Charlotte Camfili.

In an analysis conducted by the Food & Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), a serving of 55g of Sagada squash canton noodles will provide 9%, 12% and 35% of the RDA for energy, protein and vitamin A, respectively.
Marketing of the product is very encouraging. In Sagada alone, orders for squash canton noodles have been increasing.

“We are flooded with orders from hotel owners, retailers, and residents. This only shows people are very supportive of this new product from their hometown,” Camfili added.

She said that during the Lang-ay Agro-Industrial Fair held in Bontoc recently, they turned down the offer of some businessmen to market the product due to limited production capacity at present.

MRDC’s plant initially produces 600 packs of 150g vitamin A-enriched noodles every week. But with the growing demand in the local market, it expects to increase production to 150 to 200 packs daily. Each pack costs P20.

Dr. Matthew Tauli, executive director of MRDC, thanked the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through the FNRI, for providing the necessary information and technology for the manufacture of squash canton noodles.

He also commended the provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) headed by Ms. Juliet Lucas for offering its consultancy services and providing training on product labeling and marketing.

Bio of Bado Dangwa in the works

By Nikka Corsino
UP Intern

A BIOGRAPHY of the late Bado Dangwa, the first elected governor of the old Mt. Province, is set for publication by the end of this year.

Two professors of the Benguet State University, Felipe Comila, and Dr. Marcos Buliyat have started working on the book in 2006, but its completion took some time, as the authors say they want to put in as much information as possible before it is circulated.

"We have always thought of writing the biography of leaders in the Cordillera. It's actually a long-overdue book," Comila said.

He said the book will be circulated internationally.

"I think it will be an international one, because the name Dangwa has already gone worldwide. Having that in mind, we have to be more definite in the documents we will have to use," Comila said.

Born in Kapangan in May 5, 1905, Bado Dangwa was the first elected governor of the then Mt. Province, to which Benguet was merely a sub-province.

Dangwa as a businessman

Bado Dangwa is the pioneer of today's Dangwa Transportation. He started the transport business in 1928 with five dilapidated Chevrolet cars with the encouragement of a former school principal and P10 for gasoline expenses from a former teacher.

When World War II broke in December 1941, Dangwa turned over to the United States Army 197 of his vehicles, which were used to transport military personnel and supplies from Camp John Hay to Bataan.

Until his death in 1976, he was the president and general manager of the Dangwa Transportation Company, which serviced the Mt. Province and parts of Cagayan Valley.

He also organized the Dangwa Enterprises, which engaged in farming, dairying, poultry raising, among others.

As a military man

War veterans recently recounted their experiences with the late Dangwa, through the initiative of his nephew, now Benguet Representative Samuel Dangwa.

Among them are Camilo Atas, Belino Alumno, Icad Bayan, and former Mankayan Mayor Alberto Bugtong. Apolonio Alfredo, although not a war veteran, was also invited to recount his experiences as a young boy when the Japanese were in the Cordilleras.

Atas, who was part of the 12th Infantry organized by then Major Dangwa, also praises the late military man. "He is like no other. He eats what everyone is having," said Atas in Ilocano. Atas added as a politician, Dangwa "had no negative issues with the people." The 12th Infantry was later integrated to the now famous 66th Infantry Usafip NL.

Bado Dangwa's knowledge of generators and automotive electricity played a vital role in during the war. He set up communication system, which intercepted movements of the allied forces towards the liberation of the Japanese-occupied countries.

This made his hometown Kapangan the communications center of North Luzon and became the headquarters of the United States Armed Forces headed by General Russel Volkman.

The 66th Infantry to which Dangwa belonged, led the rescue of the family of then President Sergio Osmena Sr., who were then imprisoned at Teacher's Camp.

According to guerilla records, General Tomoyoki Yamashita planned to hostage Osmena's wife to be able to escape the country to Japan, via the north. Dangwa's intelligence group, which was then comprised of Kapangan women, devastated the Yamashita strategy.

Post-War and Dangwa as a politician

In 1953, then President Elpidio Quirino appointed Bado Dangwa as governor of the then Mt. Provinces, which comprised Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga-Apayao and Bontoc as the sub-provinces.

After Quirino's defeat to Ramon Magsaysay in 1954, Dangwa was reappointed to rule Mt. Province.

Dangwa geared his programs for the establishment of more schools, health clinics, hospitals, roads, and bridges construction.

He also initiated the settling of boundary disputes between Mt. Province and its adjoining areas like Isabela, Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur and Abra.

His exemplary leadership and principle earned him several endorsement and backing and he became the first elected and unopposed governor of Mt. Province from 1956-1959 and from 1960-1963.

Bado Dangwa died on March 18, 1976 from a lingering illness.

Congressman Dangwa plans to provide the different libraries, especially those in Benguet, with copies of the finished biography of his late uncle so students and the younger generation will have knowledge on the former politician, who is now declared a local hero.

He added the Board of Directors of the family-owned Dangwa Transco, of which he is president, plans to establish a museum either at the Dangwa Station in KM 6, La Trinidad or in Kapangan.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/bag/2008/05/03/feat/bio.of.bado.dangwa.in.the.works.html

UN representative baptized as princess of Bontoc's Chico River

BONTOC, Mountain Province - Suneeta Mukherjee, the representative of the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) in the Philippines, was baptized as "wagchas" or the "Princess of Chico River" by local government officials in an elaborate ceremony here.

Does that mean that Mukherjee, an Indian national and a strict vegetarian, would be able to partake of pork, the favorite food in Bontoc?

"No," said Gov. Maximo Dalog. "But this is our way of saying that we are serious in our thrust for population management and development."

Mountain Province and nearby Ifugao were among the few provinces in Northern Philippines that passed a code for comprehensive reproductive health.

Dalog said that the implementing rules and regulations of the code, as well as the Gender and Development Code were approved recently.

Mukherjee said local government units should not wait for the House and Senate to pass the National Reproductive Health Code.

"You should pass yours now…Three Filipinos are born every minute. Are we prepared to feed them?" Mukherjee said.

Rice production had grown by less than 2 percent annually, while population rose by more than 2 percent, thus hunger gap is growing, according to Mukherjee.

Mukherjee's task in the UNFPA is to reduce maternal mortality rate in the Philippines.

She was hoping that the country would meet its millennium development goal of reducing mortality rate among mothers by 2015.

In 2006, the maternal mortality rate in the Philippines stood at 162 per 100,000 births. The goal is to reducing it to 52 by 2015.

She said that yearly, about 4,000 Filipino mothers die while giving birthing. But a huge part of the cases, are actually preventable, according to Mukherjee.

Meanwhile, she said many pregnant women in the Philippines resort to abortion, which is illegal and is not recommended by UNFPA as a method in population control.

"But still 483,000 abortions happen in the country every year. This is an institutional report," she said.

About a third of the yearly 5.1 million pregnancies in the country are unplanned, and many resort to “illicit" abortions despite government denial that such things happen, according to the UNFPA representative. - GMANews.TV

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/90500/UN-representative-baptized-as-princess-of-Bontocs-Chico-River

Abra police enhance community relationship

By Ernie Olson Jr.

IN ITS bid to regain the trust and confidence of the community and to bring them closer to the police, the Abra Provincial Police Office (PPO) has initiated joint activities involving them and residents there.

Police Provincial Director Alexander Pumecha said with their 501-strong "Mamang Pulis and Aleng Pulis," this is just one of their ways to step towards the implementation of community relations and partnership in promoting peace and order maintenance.

Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo

As their first step, he said the PPO pushed through with the conduct of their first Provincial Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (Plecc) meeting involving the various heads of concerned offices and agencies in the province recently.

Pumecha said Plecc was organized "to ensure closer cooperation and coordination among law enforcement agencies involved in the enforcement of general and special laws to attain a unified direction and integration of efforts towards the attainment of a better place to live, work and do business."

The heads of agencies actively participated in its first quorum conducted on February 27.

"The Plecc objective served as a forum for dialogue and coordination among agencies to be united and establish team work for the attainment of a peaceful community and for the development of progress in the whole province," he pointed out.

The second Plecc meeting was on March 25 in Bangued, Abra.

On the improvement and strengthening of the Abra PPO's capabilities, Pumecha said their modern provincial police office building located at Camp Villamor in Bangued, Abra is now on its final construction phase, symbolizing a more enhanced office to cater to the needs of the community for better quality of police service.

He said the Abra PPO opened its Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC) inside the Abra multipurpose building located at Camp Villamori in Bangued, Abra on March 28.

The facilities in the children's park were remodeled purposely for a more comfortable and relaxed ambiance for women and children clients, he said.

Pumecha explained that the WCPC was established to serve as a one-stop shop for the investigation of and treatment of victims of child abuse, violence against women and other similar crimes through a multi-disciplinary approach.

Equipped with a computer set, two sets of bamboo chairs and a television set, the television is ready to play videos of cartoons, stress management and counseling videos.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/bag/2008/05/02/news/abra.police.enhance.community.relationship.html

PGMA declares Apayao and Abra "Priority One" provinces in delivery of social services

Noting that 34.5 percent of poor families live in the Cordillera Administrative Region, the President said that she has instructed her Cabinet to prioritize Apayao and Abra as "Priority One" provinces in the delivery of social services, especially food for the poor.

"The government wants to ensure that the hungry will have food but we also want to make sure that we give them a sustainable source of livelihood," the President said. This as the President announced in her address at the Local Peace and Security Assembly in Bangued, Abra, the allocation of P100 million for Upland Development Program.

The initial funding would be used for the construction of farm to market roads, small scale water projects, watershed and spring protection projects and construction of tramlines or footbridges.

The Government's Upland Development Initiative also calls for stepped up education and extension services to be spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture, the distribution of basic farm implements, tools and equipment.

The President pointed out that through the Upland Development Program, the poor in the Cordilleras would have access to the government's livelihood project.

The Upland Development Program package, the President said, also includes provisions for loans to farmers for the acquisition of dryers, seedlings for upland trees suitable for slopping land above 18 degrees like abaca, jackfruit, rubber, coconut, mango, pili, durian and rambutan.

Loans would also be available for the purchase of seeds for assorted vegetables and legumes like mongo, beans, peanuts, bataw and hadyaws, as well as goats, pigs and and poultry.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p080411.htm&no=09&r=&y=&mo=

MGB head sees big growth of mining sector in 3 years
By DEXTER A. SEE
http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20080506123779.html

BAGUIO CITY – Despite the rice crisis and other national problems, the country’s economy is expected to grow in the next three years with mining as the major player.

This was predicted by Engineer Joracio Ramos, director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), who said that many mining companies with investments in the mineral-rich areas of the country are expected to dramatically increase their capital for expansion and exploration.

He said the mining sector, which is a potential source of employment opportunities and business investments, will attain its projected growth in the next three years, and its output is expected to increase to over billion until 2011.

Most of the investments are projected to come between this year and next year when bigger, world-class mining investors speed up the construction and development of potential mining sites in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

At present, 40 mining-processing and exploration projects and 23 other exploration projects have already invested .4 billion.

Mindanao is considered to be one of the potential expansion and exploration areas because its mineral-rich areas consist 60 percent of total mining sites, followed by Luzon with 15 percent. The Visayas has 10 percent.

MGB projection shows a drastic increase in the volume of mineral production starting this year in all sub-sectors of the mining industry, particularly gold, nickel, copper, chromites, cobalt, zinc, ferronickel, and claimed nickel.

Ramos said the rise in the production volume will correspondingly raise the production value of the mineral industry which is expected to reach record-breaking levels.

Five major mining projects -- namely, the Oceana Gold project in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya, the old Atlas project, the Carmen ore deposit, the Filimar project, and the Filsag project in Agusan are expected to start their operations in the next two years. Their operations are expected to add to the production volume which would help address the global demand for high-quality mineral products.

With this production level, experts predicted the Philippine mineral industry’s contribution to exports will be at 6.5 percent, enough for the country to be classified as a mining country based on the standards set by the World Bank (WB).

The MGB is concentrating its efforts to put on stream big mineral projects in the different parts of the country before entertaining expansion and exploration projects with promising prospects.

In the Cordillera, the Far Southeast project of Lepanto Consolidated Mining Corp. is now in the pipeline, and its operation would spur economic development in the northern part of Benguet, which is considered to be one of the mineral-rich areas of the country.

Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Cordilleras allot P2.8-billion for infrastructure projects in 2008
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/may/06/yehey/prov/20080506pro2.html

BAGUIO CITY: The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) will receive more than P2.8 billion for the government’s infrastructure programs this year, said Highways Regional Director Mariano Alquiza.

Alquiza said that of P2,890,520,000 intended for the region; P864,807,000 will go to the Mt. Province, of which; P554,000,000 will be allotted for roads to enhance tourism; P166,000,000 for road upgrading; P20,000,000 for the reconstruction of damaged national roads generated from pavement management system and highway development and management; P40,000,000 for various infrastructure including local projects; and P84,807,000 as foreign assisted projects for highways.

The Province of Kalinga will receive P533,323,000; Benguet, P520,665,000; Ifugao, P357,000,000; Apayao, P3,42,855,000; Abra, P138,870,000; and Baguio City, P100,000,000 Alquiza added.

On the status of State of the Nation Address (SONA) projects of President Gloria Arroyo, Alquiza said the DPWH has an actual 89.3 percent on actual accomplishments based on fund release, as compared to a 97.26 percent planned accomplishment as of April 30, 2008.

There are four SONA projects for the region, the Mt. Data-Bontoc Section (Phase II); the Bontoc-Banaue Section (Phase II); the Bontoc-Tinglayan Boundary (Section1) and the Tinglayan Boundary-Tabuk (section 2). Both the latter road improvements are part of the Bontoc-Tabuk-Tuguegarao road.

Alquiza said of the four SONA projects, the Tinglayan Boundary-Tabuk is now completed, while the Bontoc-Tinglayan Boundary road is 94.89 percent complete, followed by the Bontoc-Banaue Section with 90.67 percent completion and the Mt.Data-Bontoc Section with an actual accomplishment of 79.61 percent.
--Larry Madarang

Cordillera elders renew pact vs mine firms
By Desiree Caluza
Northern Luzon Bureau
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20080506-134790/Cordillera-elders-renew-pact-vs-mine-firms

BAAY LICUAN, ABRA – More than 50 elders in the Cordillera renewed a pact rejecting large-scale mining in tribal communities in the region, saying the industry would endanger the environment and displace indigenous peoples from their homelands.

The pact was signed in an elders’ caucus during the celebration of the 24th Cordillera Day here last month.

“We want roads and infrastructures that will help us transport our agricultural products and support livelihood. We do not want mining that will destroy our livelihood,” said Ernesto Quinto, 57, a member of the Binongan tribe and chair of Baay Licuan Takderan Omnu a Karbengan.

The agreement was part of the seven-point “unity pact” forged before delegates of the Cordillera Day.

The elders said they were opposing the planned operations of Olympus Pacific Mines and wanted the firm to leave the people of Baay Licuan in peace. They said the Mining Act of 1995 had “legalized the plunder of resources of indigenous communities.”

Olympus Pacific Minerals, however, said it would not pursue mining operations in the town if the community would reject its entry, according to a statement e-mailed to the Inquirer by Emelita Fabro, the company’s public relations manager.

“Olympus Pacific Minerals is for progress and is not comfortable working in a chaotic environment where fear grips its employees. [The company] will only work in [an] area where the majority of the people welcome us as guests in their communities and appreciate the progress we can bring to them,” Fabro said.

Olympus stopped drilling operations in the town last year because of strong opposition from residents, Neoman de la Cruz, Cordillera director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, said.

Olympus signed a memorandum of agreement with its local partners, Abra Mining Industrial Corp. (Amic) and Jabel, on Nov. 23, 2006, for a proposed exploration of a 300-hectare area in Mt. Capcapo. Amic and Jabel have mining claims in Baay Licuan, through a mineral production and sharing agreement.

Before the elders endorsed the resolution against mining, they held a ritual called senga in Mt. Capcapo, where they spilled the blood of a butchered pig on areas where mining firms conducted drilling activities.

The elders said the ritual was meant to show the mining companies that the tribes owned the land “wounded” by their operations.

“Mt. Capcapo is a very high mountain, if mining is pursued in the area, our rice fields and houses would be submerged,” Quinto said.

Fabro said the drilling of eight holes on Capcapo was meant to verify the “very incomplete” geological records submitted by Amic and Jabel.

“If after drilling the confirmatory holes, Olympus finds out that the geological information provided to them by Amic and Jabel is not economically interesting, then Olympus will decide not to pursue a joint venture agreement. To this date, no joint venture agreement has been signed by either party,” Fabro said.

She said the company had agreed to seek the community’s “free prior and informed consent” for the project and was closely working with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples.

Kabayan residents want to co-manage Mt. Pulag

KABAYAN, Benguet — As the Department of Tourism (DOT) declares Kabayan as the next eco-tourism site in the Cordillera, local residents are pushing for their involvement in the management of Mount Pulag.

“We are currently lobbying for our involvement in managing Mount Pulag,” Onjon ni Kasikuan shi Kabayan (Indigenous People Organization) President James Aroco said in an interview during the recent eco-tourism launching and grand cañao at Kabayan, Benguet.

He said that Mount Pulag is part of the ancestral domain of the indigenous people in Kabayan as asserted by the Ancestral Domain for Sustainable Development and Protection Program. Since Mount Pulag was declared as a national park during President Corazon Aquino’s administration, the park has been managed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

“Local folk here have no participation in the management of Pulag,” said Aroco.

He added that the folk in Kabayan belonging to indigenous groups of Ibaloi, Kankanaey and Kalanguya want to be co-partners with the management of Mount Pulag National Park.

The municipal government has passed a resolution on the co-management of Pulag while the provincial board has endorsed it to the Protection Management Board which is responsible for all the rules that govern Mount Pulag.

Kabayan mayor Faustino Aquisan is amenable with this request of the local residents there. However, he said that “we have to consult first the other provinces like Nueva Vizcaya and Ifugao,”who share boundaries on Mt. Pulag with Kabayan.

Mount Pulag sits on three provinces. Around 70% of Mount Pulag and most of its protected area is in Benguet’s territory.

“The people in Kabayan has a well-arranged program on managing Mount Pulag. So far, they are more aggressive at claiming Mount Pulag’s management than the other provinces,” Aquisan added.

Aquisan said that although the town’s folk have accomplished a program for Mount Pulag management, he said, they should carefully study the plans first.

“We have to talk with the other provinces to avoid conflicts and have a harmonious relationship to everyone’s advantage,” Aquisan said.

Mining, vegetable gardening as threats to Mt. Pulag

Before Mount Pulag was proclaimed as a national park, the people of Kabayan have been protecting it with their indigenous ways.

“It was well-protected, until a logging company came here during the 1970s” Aroco said. While logging has stopped several years ago, mining activities and vegetable gardening are threatening Mount Pulag, he said.

“There are mining activities at the foot of Mount Pulag,” Aroco said adding that unlike other mining operations in the Cordillera, the mining there has not yet caused great damage.

Aroco still fears that in the future, mining will destroy their ancestral lands if not contained.

The same threat is seen by Aquisan but with the vegetable gardening in some parts of Mount Pulag.

According to Aquisan almost 20% of the total area of the mossy forests in Mount Pulag has been encroached by settlers who are into vegetable gardening. He added that Mount Pulag is an eco-tourism site and its nature should not be disturbed and instead should be protected.

DENR-Cordillera Executive Director Samuel Peñafiel explained in his message that the local residents “should educate themselves in protecting the surroundings” now that Kabayan is an eco-tourism spot.

“In promoting eco-tourism, we should protect our environment” he added.

John Eric B. Escalante for NORDIS

http://www.nordis.net/blog/?p=2551

Cordillera now has a population of 1.52 million

By DEXTER A. SEE

BAGUIO CITY – The Cordillera office of the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) here reported that the region has a total population of 1,520,743, based on the results of the 2007 census of population.

The census results showed that Cordillera’s population accounted for 1.72 percent of the country’s 88,574,614 population and indicated an annual average growth rate of 1.5 percent from 2000-2007 as compared with the 1.82 percent growth rate from 1995 to 2000.

Of the six provinces of the region, Benguet, excluding Baguio City, registered the largest population with 362,533, followed by Abra with 230,953; Kalinga, 182,326; Ifugao, 180,711; and Mountain Province, 148,661.

The sixth province, Apayao, recorded the lowest population of 103,633 although it has one of the biggest land areas among the provinces.

Baguio City, which is the only highly urbanized city in the region, accounted for 19.85 percent of the region’s population with 301,926, while the newly created city of Tabuk has only 87,912 people.

Batas Pambansa Bilang 72, Commonwealth Act 591, and National Statistical Coordination Board Resolution No. 9, series of 2007, authorized the conduct of the census of the country’s population.

This mountain resort city is considered one of the rapidly growing urban centers in the region. It draws people because of the availability of employment opportunities generated by the influx of investments.

The census of population is supposed to be conducted every five years as mandated by law but it was conducted only 2007. The last census before 2007 was conducted in 200.

NSCB officials predicted a rapid population growth in urban centers in the different parts of the region. This could come as a result the completion of the Arroyo administration’s infrastructure projects that link Cordillera with other parts of Northern Luzon, particularly Regions I and II.

The improved accessibility is expected to result in more employment opportunities, increased economic activities, various livelihood activities, and enhanced promotion of potential tourist destinations.

By 2015, it was predicted that the region will have a population of at least two million.

http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20080516124785.html

Solon calls for bigger agricultural budget

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — The House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture chair Abraham Mitra during the committee’s regional consultation here said that the budget for the agriculture sector should be increased and that it should even be larger than the military’s.

“The agriculture sector should be second to education in terms of budget allocation and should have a higher budget than the military,” said Mitra adding that he will push for this in congress on the 2009 budget deliberations.

The congressman said he has talked about this with National Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro quoting the secretary that “he is also for this as long as their budget will not be reduced.”

Virgie Dammay of APIT-TAKO a peasant alliance in the Cordillera, said that they support Mitra’s call citing that as an agricultural country, the government should give priority to the development of the agriculture sector.

On the other hand, Dammay was also wary and said “ though increasing the budget for the agriculture sector would also mean more peoples’ money would be subjected to corruption.”

The 2008 national budget allocates P50.9 billion to the Department of National Defense while P26.8 billion to the Department of Agriculture.

Vegetable smuggling

Meanwhile, Cordillera farmers and representatives of different agricultural line agencies of the local government expressed their grave concern over the influx of imported and smuggled vegetables. This was raised during the consultation by the farmers as an urgent threat to the local vegetable production.

“This vegetable smuggling almost killed the province’s vegetable industry because nobody is buying our vegetables,” said Benguet Governor Nestor Fongwan.

Compared to the price of locally produced vegetables, smuggled vegetables are much cheaper thus preferred by the consumers.

Mitra reassured the participants that their committee would look into this matter.

Dammay on the other hand said that it is more the legal importation of vegetables that is killing the local vegetable industry.

“Entering into agreement under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade-World Trade Organization (GATT-WTO) is mainly the cause of this influx of cheap imported vegetables,” said Dammay citing that under this agreement, tariffs for imported agricultural products were lifted giving no protection for the local food industries.

“There is adequate supply of rice”

On the “rice crisis” issue, Mitra said that the country has an adequate supply of rice.

“The common sentiment of the farmers we have consulted during our rounds to the different regions, is to stop the importation of rice because there is really adequate supply,” said Mitra.

“We will have our own investigation on this to validate what the Department of Agriculture (DA) is saying that there is a rice shortage,” said Mitra adding that they would soon be ready to come up with their own findings.

Cye Reyes for NORDIS

http://www.nordis.net/blog/?p=2572

Balancing Wheel: The Camaraderie Race

By JOHN MARASIGAN Distance: 25 kilometers, Terrain: 80 percent off-road (rolling climb and steep ascent and descent) 20 percent paved, Travel time: estimated at 2-3 hrs. , Calorie burn: 428 cal. Destination: Talinguroy trail.

http://www.nordis.net/blog/wp-content/files/wheel2008_0518.jpg
A portion of the few paved tire path killer climbs. Photo courtesy of Ji Gonzales Last Sunday exactly two months from the last time that I rode my bike, the pack hit the dirt road from the city to the outskirt of La Trinidad, Benguet. It was my second time travelling the same route, and the first time it nearly took the last breath out of me, figuratively of course, since the uphill climb was at least 30 to 40 degrees in elevation. Well, what do you know? This time I nearly ended up dead. So proud and never wanting to say enough (bike machismo), the two months of relaxation took its toll and made me suffer dearly. With muscle cramps and aching joints. How about that!

It does not stop there. It seems that being a couch potato for two months decreased my fatigue level and so it follows that the liquid intake is twice the usual amount compared to when I was riding the bike regularly. Midway of the technical course I already consumed my 500ml. supply of water. Good for me that in the middle of the route there were several sari-sari stores to stop and buy from. Anyway, we chose to take the Talinguroy trail for the primary purpose of getting familiar with the terrain since it will be a major advantage on our part come May 24th. When a team category cross country race will take place. The race route will start and end at the Pinsao Basketball court.

To give you a glimpse of the 25-kilometer grueling route here are some of the details. It starts at Pinsao. Upon reaching the Junction (Aguinalde hardware) take a right turn going to Tam-awan (Boy!..this concrete pavement is one monster of an ascend). Just follow the red arrow until you reach another junction (Lamtang, Trinidad Junction). Take a left turn and upon following the red arrows you will find your way to a tire path going to Talinguroy Proper. Just be keen, the red arrows and flaglets are your pointers.

The road is partially technical but never under estimate the curves or you will end up overshooting to a deep ravine. Talinguroy will be a challenge especially the uphill technical climbs. A couple of downhill and you will be at the foot of Brgy. Lower Wangal in a few minutes. When you reach the Memorial Park, take another right to upper Wangal and when you reach the Forestry area take the mossy path on your right. This is the part of the route where you enjoy the cool breeze courtesy of the thick pine trees. When you reach the top you will be maneuvering a two-kilometer paved ascent and descent.

Take a left turn towards the Piraso Private road and it will exit at the old crashing plant site. The last leg of the race of course is going back to the Pinsao Basketball Court. This race is a “must enter” event and we are encouraging everyone to join. Let us create a harmonious environment for Baguio and Benguet bike riders. Camaraderie and goodwill is the theme of the race. See you there.

For more details please contact Derek 09107193994.

http://www.nordis.net/blog/?p=2554

SPECIAL REPORT
Cordillera watersheds in grave peril

By Delmar Cariño
Northern Luzon Bureau


(First of two parts)

LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET—Watersheds in the Cordillera Administrative Region are courting an environmental disaster and the government is being urged to launch a major rescue operation to stop the further decline in the region’s forest cover and water resources.

Forest fires, timber poaching and the conversion of forest lands to agriculture areas has been eating up an average of 1,735 hectares yearly as of 2006, said Samuel Peñafiel, regional director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

“The situation is critical since even mossy forests have not been spared,” he said.

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is also panicking because the region’s four major river systems—Chico, Agno, Bued and Abra—have been serving up less and less water the past few years.

“Major portions of watersheds are being converted into vegetable gardens while inland rivers and streams drawn from the watersheds are also seriously threatened by siltation,” said Abraham Akilit, NIA Cordillera manager.

Lukewarm

While the government has acknowledged the grave danger confronting the watersheds, its bid to save them has been “lukewarm” and not aggressive, according to Ifugao Gov. Teodoro Baguilat Jr.

Baguilat decried the government’s failure to come up with a clear policy on dealing with the region’s crucial role as a well-sculptured environment.

“The Cordillera is a critical ecosystem. Its biodiversity is special,” the governor said, adding that the region would play a crucial role in cushioning the impact of climate change.

But the DENR and NIA dismissed as hogwash the governor’s claims that efforts to rescue the watersheds were slow or that these emanated from a tepid policy. Peñafiel and Akilit said the government had deployed its resources to save the watersheds.

Watershed cradle

The Cordillera is composed of the highland provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and the Mountain Province, and Baguio City. It has an area of 1.83 million hectares, of which about 85 percent or 1.56 million hectares are classified as timber or forest lands. The rest are alienable or disposable lands.

Of the forested areas, 92 percent are public forests and forest reservations, while the rest are national parks and civil and mineral reservations.

The DENR’s Forest Management Services said the four major river systems and forest resources had blessed the Cordillera with its greatest wealth—its 13 major watersheds—feeding the waterways of the Ilocos, Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon.

These are the river basins of Cabicungan (5,000.059 hectares), Zimigui-Ziwanan (551,892 ha), Abulog (265,094.690 ha), Chico (405,670.603 ha), Siffu-Mallig (150,258.115 ha), Magat (232,445.053 ha), Agno (128,725.253 ha), Bued (18,473.812 ha), Aringay (19,455.427 ha), Naguilian (25,939.020 ha), Amburayan (60,848.213 ha), Silag (12,444.053 ha) and Abra (441,501.885 ha).

Their total area of 1,809,614.58 ha is a testament that indeed the Cordillera is the “watershed cradle of north Luzon,” supporting the irrigation, mini and hydroelectric power plants, fishing, agriculture and potable water supplies of the region and northern Luzon’s lowland provinces.

Very high forest loss

Forest resources are classified into three types—dipterocarp, pine and mossy forests—that are the home base of resources rich in biodiversity and natural ecosystem.

But the rate of forest loss is very high, according to Moises Bai, chief of the DENR’s Forest Conservation Division in the region, and Julius Cawilan, chief of the Forest Resources Development Division.

However, both officials said that assessing an environmental disaster was “too much.” They said “some parts are in danger but some are not.”

For the last five years, the Cordillera had a reforestation rate of 1,284.88 ha a year or a recovery rate of 903.8 ha compared to the rate of forest loss.

Cawilan said that aside from an intensive forest protection program, the DENR executed 76 memorandums of agreements with various stakeholders for the management of forest lands.

Environment officials, however, view the word “critical” differently.

Critical condition

“A forest is critical if it supports a major watershed infrastructure like a dam,” Bai said. “The word critical meant the forest plays a major role in supporting a watershed.”

Akilit was more candid. “The region’s watersheds are in critical condition since they are fast deteriorating. Forest cover is declining and our rivers are drying up,” he said.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080521-137848/Cordillera-watersheds-in-grave-peril

Cordillerans in Hong Kong unite to defend ancestral lands


HONG KONG — The sound of gongs reverberated in Chater Road on May 4 as migrant workers from the Cordillera region reaffirmed the defense of their land, life, livelihood and resources in celebration of Cordillera Day in Hong Kong.

Organized by the Cordillera Alliance, the event focused on the issue of mining plunder and state terrorism in each of the six provinces in the region, namely Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province.

The Cordillera Catholic Group headed by Luz Afidchao sponsored an ecumenical service for the morning part of the whole day program. For the first time, a Bible enthronement ritual was participated by representatives of various tribal groups from the region. Spiritual readings focused on respect for God’s creations including land and the environment.

The main program in the afternoon featured the specific cultural heritage of each of the six provinces that was clearly depicted in the opening rites. Josefina Pingkihan, Cordillera alliance (Corall) chairperson, welcomed the participation of the migrants who braved the searing heat of the sun and showed solidarity throughout the whole program.

Abra, the host of this year’s Cordillera Day in the Philippines last April 23 & 24, is under threat of massive mining exploration particularly in the Baay-Licuan area as well as dredging of the Abra River, according to Caring Bachiller, president of the Abra Tinguian-Ilocano Society Hong Kong (ATIS).

Fourteen municipalities in the province would be disastrously affected if the project continues, she stressed. The negative impacts of mining include deforestation, slope destabilization, soil erosion, desertification, water resource degradation, de-fertilization, crop damages, siltation, alteration of terrain and sea-bottom topography, increased water turbidity and air pollution.

Aggravating the situation, Bachiller stated, is the deployment of the 41st Infantry Battalion in the communities, sowing fear and terror therein intended to silence the communities in their protest against Olympus and other destructive mining companies. The military camped under residents’ homes and have maliciously tagged members of people’s organizations, like the Cordillera Peoples Alliance and its member organizations Kastan-CPA Abra and Balitok to be members of the revolutionary New People’s Army, making the civilians open targets to the attack of the military when in fact these legitimate organizations are but pursuing legitimate activities asserting their democratic rights and survival as a people, according to the sources.

Bachiller called on all Cordillerans to stand firm to oppose the exploitation of their rich natural resources by foreign corporations as well as the heavy militarization protection provided by the Arroyo government

Speakers from other provinces echoed the situation suffered by the people of Abra. Actually, each province presented a specific concern such as illegal logging, open pit mining, killings of tribal leaders, and others.

Guest speaker Norman Uy Carnay from the Mission for Migrant Workers lauded the Cordillera tribes for being a source of inspiration to the rest of the Filipinos in their bravery and unity to defend their ancestral domain.

“Let us remember how our ancestral lands have been stolen from us. Let us remember the various government-sponsored and foreign funded projects that destroy our environment and put our lives and way of life in danger – Chico Dam, Cellophil, San Roque Dam, open pit mining. And let us remember the courage and victories of the various Cordillera peoples,” he stressed.

He reminded the migrants that Cordillera is worth fighting for since it is home to the biggest concentration of indigenous peoples in the Philippines. It is rich in natural and mineral resources like gold and copper and it is also an ideal site for hydroelectric dams that can be used, as the government says, to meet the power needs of residents in the region and big industries in Luzon.

But the local inhabitants value their land because land is a gift from God and thus should be protected, according to him. This is also the source of their life, their food and the foundation of their very existence.

Carnay cited the martyrdom of Macliing Dulag who was gunned down by government troops on April 24, 1980 and later became the symbol of the Cordillera people’s struggle for self-determination. His death became a cause for the celebration of Cordillera Day in the Philippines and later abroad.

“Life! If life is threatened, what should we do? RESIST! This we must do, otherwise, we are dishonored and that is worse than death. If we do not fight, we die anyway. If we fight, we die honorably… and our children may win and keep this land. And the land shall become even more precious when nourished by our sweat and blood.” This was Macliing’s commitment.

Vicky Casia-Cabantac
Cordillera Alliance and Abra Tingguian-Ilocano Society (ATIS)

http://www.nordis.net

From mossy forests to vegetable gardens

By Delmar Cariño
Northern Luzon Bureau

Read Part 1: Cordillera watersheds in grave peril (05/21/08) (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080521-137848/Cordillera-watersheds-in-grave-peril)

(Conclusion)

LA TRINIDAD, BENGUET—Abraham Akilit, manager of the National Irrigation Administration in the Cordillera Administrative Region, was shocked to see five bulldozers roaring like lost motorcycles in the forests.

Akilit led a team to inspect the Mt. Ahin watershed in the boundary of the provinces of Ifugao, Benguet and Mountain Province last month.

“Like in the other national parks, the bulldozers were meant to clear the forest for vegetation,” Akilit said.

Attracting most attention are the Mt. Pulag National Park that straddles Benguet, Ifugao and Nueva Vizcaya, and the Mt. Data National Park in Buguias, Benguet, and in Bauko, Mountain Province.

“Crucial sections of Mt. Data and Mt. Pulag are becoming vegetable gardens. This is a sad development,” Akilit said.

At stake in these national parks are mossy forests, the most critical portions of the country’s forests, said Manuel Pogeyed, Benguet’s environment and natural resources officer. “They provide the habitat of endangered species of plants and animals.”

Samuel Peñafiel, director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Cordillera, agreed.

“The mossy forests act like a sponge. They hold water and organic matter which are crucial to forest life and biodiversity. This is why mossy forests are attractive to vegetation,” he said.

33 bird species

Pulag, the highest peak in Luzon and the second tallest mountain in the country, had been reported to host 33 bird species and several mammals believed to be in danger of becoming extinct, like the deer, longhaired fruit bat and the giant bushy tailed cloud rat (Crateromys schadenbergi).

Officials said the extinction of the cloud rat, called bowet (also known as buwet, puot, yut-yut, bu-ot or vuwot in the vernacular), a rare species endemic to Philippine forests, also meant the demise of the region’s watersheds.

“The rats have played a role in sustaining life forms in the remote forests of Kalinga and Apayao to Pulag in Benguet, and even diminished the threat posed by giant earthworms in the rice terraces of Ifugao,” Peñafiel said.

In fact, he said, the DENR had adopted the cloud rat as the mascot of its efforts to salvage forests from further deterioration.

Deforestation and expanding vegetable farms were cited as ways to welcome desertification.

Water scarcity

In his visit here in November last year, Dr. William Dar, chair of the United Nations subcommittee on desertification, said the symptoms of desertification, which has made water scarce in other countries, were already present in the Cordillera.

Dar, who is also the director general of the International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics based in Greater Hyderabad, India, said the region’s expanding vegetable farms might bring in more problems as the ecosystem would be greatly disturbed by the use of chemical farm inputs.

The loss of forest covers, on the other hand, would also destroy biodiversity that would cut short the life of watersheds that are critical water sources, he said.

Dar’s statements confirmed Akilit’s fears.

Gov’t ‘very slow’

The NIA official said the sources of water for domestic and irrigation uses in the different communities and the lowland provinces would dry up if the present rate of deforestation in forest reservations, such as Data and Pulag, continues.

“A collaborated effort must be done by the various stakeholders to prevent the mossy forests from being destroyed by enterprising individuals who want to enrich themselves at the expense of the environment,” Peñafiel said.

He said the DENR was doing its best to protect the remaining forest covers.

But Ifugao Gov. Teodoro Baguilat Jr. is unimpressed. Asked if he believed the government is taking for granted the role of the Cordillera as a watershed cradle, he said yes.

“The national government views the Cordillera more as a super region of mines, high value crops and vegetable production. This would mean conversion of forests to agriculture lands,” Baguilat said.

“The government is very slow in releasing the shares of the provinces from the national wealth taxes and there seems to be no effort to redefine host communities in hydropower plants projects to include upland communities.”

Ecosystems approach

It all starts how the government would view a watershed, he said. “This view would determine the response and the level of commitment to save them.”

Baguilat said: “The Cordillera as a watershed cradle invites a lot of development imperatives. The forests and water resources in the region must be viewed as one ecosystem. This approach would force policy reviews on the increased production of vegetables and other high-value crops and the granting of mining permits.”

“Definitely, mining cannot coexist with a watershed cradle,” he said. “The key is ecosystems approach.”

This, Baguilat said, was the correlation of humans, resources and activities. “It means biodiversity. What the DENR is doing is massive tree planting of exotic homogenous species. That’s not good. It should be biodiversity approach,” he said.

He suggested the following programs—identification and inventory of critical watersheds, adoption of traditional forest management systems into the reforestation programs of the DENR and the implementation of biological diversity in tree planting that would intercrop forest trees with coffee, rattan, bamboo and provision for wildlife.

Partnered with int’l groups

Peñafiel and Akilit disagreed with Baguilat, particularly on the failure of government to view the Cordillera as a watershed cradle.

Peñafiel said the government launched last year the P12.25-million Integrated Watershed Management and Sustainable Development Project. This year, he said, the project would target the rehabilitation of three critical watersheds—Chico, Abulog and Upper Magat—concentrating on reforestation, agroforestry and the assisted natural regeneration (ANR) project.

“The massive planting of trees would reverse carbon dioxide from the air through a process called carbon sequestration, the planting of trees and the conduct of ANR activities would help slow the growth of greenhouse gas concentrates in the atmosphere,” Peñafiel said.

He said the department’s national tree planting project, the Green Philippines Project, had planted 5,573,383 seedlings in the region, covering 2,893 hectares and 171.2 kilometers of roadsides.

The government has also partnered with the international community to save the forests, like the Department of Agriculture’s link with the Cordillera Highland Agricultural Resources Management project, he said.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080522-138043/From-mossy-forests-to-vegetable-gardens

Workers in Region 11, CAR get pay increases


By Mayen Jaymalin and John Unson
Wednesday, May 28, 2008


Even without filing a petition, workers in the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR) are getting an additional cost of living allowance (COLA) of P10 to P15.

In Central Mindanao (Region 11), meanwhile, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board has approved a P10 to P15 wage increase.

The CAR wage board approved motu propio or even any without formal petition the pay adjustment for minimum wage earners in the region.

Patricia Hornilla, officer-in-charge of the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC), said the CAR wage board unanimously approved a new wage order providing P10 to 15 COLA for workers in the private sector.

Under the new wage order, workers in the non-agricultural sector in Baguio City, La Trinidad, Tuba, Itogon and Sablan will receive a daily pay of P260 from the previous P245.

Those in the agricultural sector will receive P242 while workers in retail and service establishments with more than 10 workers will get P260 and those in firms with 10 workers or less, P240.

In Mt. Province, Abra and other towns in Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Apayao, minimum wage rates in the non-agricultural sector will increase from P233 to P243, and in the agriculture sector, from P216 to P226.

Retail and service establishments employing more than 10 workers in these areas have to give a minimum wage of P 243, and those with 10 workers or less, P219.

Hornilla said the CAR wage board took into consideration the increases in the prices of goods and services brought about by shortages in supply, high importation costs, and the upward trend in world market prices.

Household or domestic helpers, family drivers and workers in barangay micro enterprises are not covered by the new wage order.

The wage board encouraged commercial establishments to adopt productivity improvement schemes to sustain the “rising levels of wages and enhance competitiveness.”

Meanwhile, Gloria Tango, who chairs the Region 11 wage board, told Catholic radio station dxMS that the increase is a combination of adjustments in the basic pay and COLA, which will take effect on June 15.

“We expect the new wage order to be published in a local newspaper of regional circulation this week so it can take effect, hopefully, on June 15,” said Tango, regional director of the Department of Labor and Employment.

Tango said workers in the non-agricultural sector will get a P10.50 increase in their basic pay and P5 in their COLA, while those in the agricultural sector, or plantation workers, will receive an additional P10 in basic pay and P3 in COLA.

The region’s non-agricultural workers are presently receiving a daily wage of P230, and plantation workers, P212.

With the new wage order, workers in the non-agricultural and agricultural sectors will have a daily take-home pay of P245 and P225, respectively, Tango said.

Agricultural workers not employed in plantations will now have a daily take-home pay of P220, with an additional P8 in their basic pay and P3 in their COLA.

Those working in retail and service establishments with more than 10 workers will get P7 in their basic pay and an additional P3 COLA, or a daily wage of P225, Tango said.

On the other hand, those in retail and service establishments with less than 10 workers will get a daily take-home pay of P219.

Tango said the new wage order for Central Mindanao has been sent to the NWPC “for confirmation.”

“It will not take long. Hopefully it can be confirmed and sent back to us for publication,” she said.

The regional wage board last granted a wage hike last November.


From The Philippine Star:
Workers in Region 11, CAR get pay increases

School-building projects hampered by high cost

Some contractors abandon projects in Benguet due to losses

Dexter A. See

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — The continuous rise in the prices of construction materials has hampered the construction of school buildings in this vegetable-producing province, it was reported.


The construction of more schoolhouses was intended to address the problem of classroom shortage caused by the sudden increase in enrollment.

Education officials here said some contractors have abandoned their school building projects, causing inconvenience to the teachers and pupils.

The on-going construction of three school buildings for the Benguet National High School, the largest public secondary school in the province, was abandoned by the contractors after the cost of construction materials rose by an average of 100 percent over the last two months, education officlals said.

In Tublay town, local officials said they required a contractor to submit a bank guarantee to ensure the completion of a two-storey schoolbuilding at the Tublay School of Home Industries (TSHI), one of the technical-vocational schools in the province.

From an average price of P270, a piece of 16-millimeter arm bar now costs P570, while the price of a 10-millimeter arm bar increased sharply from P99 to P220 per piece.

In year 2000, officials in charge of the Special Education Development and Improvement Program (SEDIP) of the Department of Education targeted the construction of at least 40 school buildings in the province with a total allocation of P170 million.

The bulk of the amount came from the national government, and the rest of the amount was provided by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and the provincial and municipal governments.

In Kibugan, the municipal government had to allot additional fund after the contractor undertaking one school building almost abandoned the project because hauling cost ate up a substantial part of the amount.

Aside from steel products, local contractors said, the cost of cement has been increasing since 2006. Contractors had earlier warned against what they believed to be "a cartel which is controlling the supply and the prices of cement."

They said project estimates prepared last year have dramatically changed as the prices soared over the past several months. This resulted in losses, which prompted the constractors to abandon the project.

Because of the continuing rise in the prices of construction materials, some contractors are forced to save on materials, thereby sacrificing the quality of the projects.

Despite the constant plea to concerned government agencies for the tight monitoring of the prices of construction materials, it appears that the appeal has fallen on deaf ear, the contractors said.

They asked the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to look into reports on poor quality of cement being sold by giant cement manufacturers in the country. If true, this would compromise the stability and shorten the lifespan of infrastructure projects, they said.

Ifugao eyes tourism boost post-Campbell case rule

By XENIA RIBAYA
ABS-CBN Baguio

BANAUE, Ifugao – The provincial government is anticipating a boost in the tourism industry after the promulgation of the province’s most distinguished crime story: the murder of the 40-year-old US Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell.

Mixed emotions were drawn by Juan Donald Duntugan’s conviction on Monday.

Majority believe the court’s decision was fair and would serve a lesson for all.

Residents said that after all, tourists are welcome in Ifugao.

“People may come and go here without any fear at all,” said Erlinda Calug, an Ifugao elder.

Following the decision that saw the court handing down a life term for Duntugan, Ifugaos again are hoping for a soaring tourism rate in the world-renowned Cordillera Rice Terraces following the scare that cloaked their place because of Campbell’s slay.

Local businessmen and stall owners admitted their income dwindled after the murder in April 2007. “Many (tourists) want peace in Banaue. We would like to assure the safety of foreigners,” businesswoman Susan Nanglihan said.

Latest tourist arrival statistics of the Department of Tourism in Cordillera said Ifugao placed fourth after Baguio, Benguet and Mountain Province among the top tourist destinations in the region.

Ifugao Gov. Teddy Baguilat Jr. said he would like to maintain or further enhance the province’s great tourism performance.

Baguilat and the local police assure tourists that Campbell’s murder was an isolated case.

They said that despite the controversial killing, Ifugao remains one of the most peaceful provinces in the country.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=123935

CAR's state of environment better than other regions, says official

Tabuk City, Kalinga -- With 35 percent remaining forest cover, the state of the environment of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) is better than other regions. Except for Baguio City, air quality in the region is still best, the overall habitat remains bio-diversified and still the water shed cradle of northern Luzon.

This was the assessment given by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-CAR) Regional Executive Director Samuel Penafiel during a press conference last week with local media held at the Tabuk Multi-Purpose Cooperative Inn here, also the venue of DENR-CAR top-level management meeting.

He said all provinces of CAR have good forest covers to maintain ecological balance in the region. "Reforestation in the region took fast phase in the past, every cut down tree is changed by new planted forest tree seedlings," a technical director said but warned that DENR's investment on reforestation projects were also overtaken by the fast rate of deforestation.

During the conference, DENR-CAR cited collaborative programs of their office with the communities as among successful efforts done to make CAR an environmentally good place to live in. The national integrated protected area system (NIPAS) and community-base forest management (CBFM) have led to the establishment of protected and reforestation areas.

He cited among others the Balbalasang National Park, which remains intact because the inhabitants around involved themselves in preserving and protecting the area. Balbalan is a hall of fame awardee in environment management. The upper stream of the Saltan River that originates from the NIPAS park is potable.

On the state of water bodies, Penafiel said all river systems in the region maintain a class-B classification and upper streams as class-A. In order to remain in that state, settlers along these rivers have to take care of them. "We need water for drinking and irrigation so is our obligation as direct beneficiaries and stewards to protect them from pollution and drying," he asked through the media.

Meanwhile, Director Neoman De la Cruz stressed that the Mines and Geo-Science Bureau of DENR is promoting responsible mining in the region to help protect CAR's environment. He said we must be partners in pursuing that policy. "The region has vast suspect of mineral resource but their exploitation could not commence without the nod of affected communities and for mining companies to comply with the requirements of law," De la Cruz said.

The region has also some shortcomings in the areas of solid waste management and protecting the forest. Illegal cutting and furniture shops proliferated in CAR. Cases of forestry law violations are moving at turtle phase in courts and furniture shops mushroomed freely.

Supervising ENR Officer Noel Barientos of the DENR provincial office here said no furniture shop in Kalinga was given a permit to cut tree from an identified source. "The commercial use of trees is not prohibited but furniture shops should also secure permit as to the source of their material to also require them to change what they exploit through tree planting," he said.

Another lamentable state of the environment in the region is the low compliance of local government units (LGUs) on solid waste management where few LGUs complied with the policy of implementing a long-term plan on protecting the environment against pollution. "This is a devolved function to the LGUs and is now their concern to perform the job, Penafiel said. (PIA-Kalinga (http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p080707.htm&no=45))

Tree planting, clean-up drive of Bangued Creek highlight celebration of World Environment Day

by Maritess Beñas

Bangued, Abra -- The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Abra led the celebrations of the World Environment Day on June 5, 2008 in this capital town.

The World Environment Day was actually celebrated on June 5 and June 9 in abra, said Engr. Ernesto Aton of the PENRO.

Tree planting was led by the PENRO staff and the Philippine National Police trainees on June 5. A total of 2,000 seedlings of mahogany, gmelina and acacia trees were planted. After the tree planting, a clean-up drive in the creeks within Brgy. Zone 5, Bangued followed.

The creeks in Zone 5 were the site of the clean-up drive because it is the center of almost all institutional and business establishments in the province. It is also the exit point of the creeks in the Bangued town proper which is crucial in the drainage system of this capital town.

Hence, the clean-up drive was carried out to ensure a smooth flow of the drainage and sewerage system in town to avoid flooding during the rainy season.

The second activity was led by Bangued Mayor Dominic B. Valera with the participation of the staff of the PENRO and the Department of Public Works and Highways. A total of 3,000 seedlings of gmelina and mahogany were planted in Brgy. Tangadan, San Quintin.

The clean-up drive of the creeks in the town proper of Bangued was continued on the same day while cleaning of the Barangay Park of Zone 5 was done by the local people and the barangay officials led by the Brgy. Captain Sylvia V. Go. (IA-Abra (http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p080614.htm&no=29))

Jobs fair kicks off Tabuk City 1st founding anniversary

Tabuk City, Kalinga -- Highlighting the start of the four-day anniversary and Matagoan Festival Celebration, City Mayor Camilo Lammawin Jr. announced that around 3,000 vacancies are made available to job seekers during the opening program of the two-day jobs fair sponsored by the city government held at the City Hall grounds.

Through the participation of 11 licensed recruitment agencies, said jobs fair according to the mayor is schemed to provide employment opportunities for the professionals and skilled workers in the province who are looking for work here and abroad.

The mayor said that the city government has allotted P500,000.00 as soft loan assistance for the financially deprived who are planning to work abroad. This he said "will help protect applicants from loan sharks, so instead of earning to pay for loan interests, you will be saving more for your families with our zero interest loans," he said.

The mayor had also disclosed that skilled workers are now becoming in-demand abroad relating that during his visit to Guam last May, he was informed that Guam is opening around 30 thousand jobs for skilled workers particularly carpenters and welders from the Philippines and he also received information that Canada is likewise in need of 12 thousand more carpenters and welders for the coming eight years to finish several constructions in said country.

400 vacancies for welders in Subic were also posted during the event.

With this he appealed to the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) to give priority in providing training on welding and carpentry to give a chance for the skilled workforce of the province to avail of the abovementioned vacancies.

Meanwhile, TESDA Regional Director Cenon M. Querubin underscored the potentials of taking up blue collar jobs stressing that this should be given priority because of its contribution not only to in providing employment to poor but skilled workers but for its economic contributions through dollar remittances from those employed skilled workers overseas.

He likewise expressed gratitude to the city government of Tabuk for making the jobs fair and skills demonstration as a highlight in opening the 1st City Founding Anniversary Celebration which he said indicates the determination of the LGU in providing employment for its constituents. (PIA-Kalinga (http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p080707.htm&no=47))

Abra gov reports first year accomplishments

by Maritess Beñas

Bangued, Abra -- Governor Eustaquio P. Bersamin bared last week his accomplishments during his first year in office during his State of the Province Address at the Provincial Capitol Atrium.

Bersamin enumerated his accomplishments which include physical infrastructures, social services, environmental project, agriculture development, promotion of peace and order, and human resource development for the provincial employees.

The infrastructures include the following: concreting of 7 kilometers of road at various sections of the Abra provincial roads; construction of 3 modular steel bridges; 21 new barangay/community water systems; renovation of the Villaviciosa Medicare Hospital;

Construction of the TESDA Dormitory to support the PGMA Training Program; construction of a state-of-the-art Waste Disposal System in Pidigan; gravelling and re-grading of provincial roads at 38 sections; stone masonry at 22 road sections of the province; construction of flood control systems in Manabo and San Isidro; construction of school building in Tubo and Danglas; and renovation of the Abra Provincial Hospital.

Other projects which are still on-going are the renovation of the hospitals in Dolores and Bucay and the construction of micro-hydro projects in Malibcong and Boliney.

For the social services, Berasmin provided emergency shelter assistance to seven families who were fire victims in Licuan last year; and 42 lots are now ready for occupancy at the Gov. Takit Resettlement Area. Financial assistance was provided to 199 Abrenios under the Crisis Intervention Program and 12 rebel returnees.

Capital funds were likewise given to 51 beneficiaries of the Micro Livelihood Assistance Program, and the Association members of the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities. Trainings for livelihood were given to the inmates of the Abra Provincial Jail, and the women of Daguioman and Bucloc. Scholarship grants were likewise maintained by the Office of the Governor with a total of 320 youth scholars and also TESDA scholars.

The problem of Abra's environment was likewise given equal importance. Bersamin organized the Abra Anti-Environment and Natural Resources Crime Task Force. He also implemented the No Permit, No Mining Policy and installed pathological waste facilities in all the public hospitals in the province. A Memo of agreement with a multi-national corporation was also initiated for the dredging of the Abra River to prevent flush floods in the province.

Bersmin's promise during his campaign to improve agricultural productivity of the Abrenian farmers was also fulfilled. He had all-out support to PGMA's Hunger Mitigation Program dubbed as Pagkain sa Bawat Mesa by implementing the GMA Rice Program of the Department of Agriculture, distribution of water pumps to farmer-associations, distribution of corn and palay seeds, distribution of fertilizers, and provided technological trainings to farmers and fish pond operators. Free vaccination of animals was also sustained.

Also during his campaign trail, he underscored the need to restore peace and order in the province. Since he assumed office last year, he reactivated the Peace and Order Council which had been meeting regularly on a monthly basis. He had initiated [peace dialogues particularly the warring factions of political families in Abra. As per statistical report of the PNP, Abra had a significant decrease in crime incidence.

The plight of the provincial employees for the implementation of salary increases and provision of other fringe benefits were finally addressed by Bersamin. He implemented the across-the-board 10% salary increase and increased the representation and transportation allowances. He also implemented the step increment of all qualified employees effective January 1, 2008 of which the employees are very grateful. (PIA-Abra (http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&fi=p080707.htm&no=60))

Focus efforts on sustaining food security, Kalinga solon advises

Tabuk City, Kalinga -- Citing the imminent effects of global economic recession, Kalinga Representative Congressman Manuel Agyao underscores the need for the province especially Tabuk City to direct efforts in sustaining food security.

Considering the domino effect of the soaring oil prices which is virtually affecting all economic activities of the people, the development support from the Office of the Congressman and the increased internal revenue allotment (IRA) of Tabuk as a city does not suffice to bring Tabuk into a quantum leap to progress, he pointed out.

"With the effects of global recession daunting our efforts to see this city take off for a good start, what matters most is that we focus to maximize the utilization of our resources to address the most priority concern of our people," Agyao said in his speech during the recent Tabuk City first Anniversary celebration.

"Tabuk City plays an important role in easing the strife of the whole Kalinga populace and even the rest of the Cordillera in the quagmires of this economic recession because it is the food basket of the region," the solon stressed.

Pointing out the need to protect the province's food sources, agriculture producing areas such as the rice fields of Tabuk City should be protected from wanton conversion to residential lands and that agricultural programs should give priority in supporting farmers from the soaring costs of farm inputs.

To boost the rice production of the city, the solon is lobbying to Department of Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap to fund the Aliog River Irrigation Project which is also seen to service as well the vast potential agricultural lands of Rizal municipality.

The realization of said project, the solon said can make Kalinga play a big role in easing the problem in the rice shortage being felt in the whole country. (PIA-Kalinga (http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p080707.htm&no=40))

Cordillera mayor advocates peace as key to progress

by L Lopez

Tabuk City, Kalinga -- "It's better to sweat for peace than to bleed in war" - thus said Mayor Camilo Lammawin, Jr in a statement urging his constituents to support the city government's efforts on peace.

With his persevering peace campaign lumped in the Matagoan program, Lammawin stressed the vital requirement of peace as key to the rapid conversion of Tabuk City as economic hub of the Cordillera.

We are one city blessed with abundant resources and dreaming people, but we can move forward faster if we all together work for peace in our place, he said.

I believe we all want to be included in the line of successful local government units, and so I urged everybody to give his share towards that aspiration, Lammawin said.

With the looming position of Tabuk City as agro-industrial center of the region, Lammawin called on the people to continue the gains of peace so that investors and tourists would come to help transform this once barren and swampy land into an economic tiger of the region.

As a true son of Tabuk, he recalled the vision and dreams of the city's forefathers of making the place fruitful and productive and abundant for us - the young generation.

From their work hands and plows, this place has been changed and became the rice bowl of the then Mt. Provinces, now becoming the hybrid rice capital of the country, he said.

Accepting that conflicts remain inevitable, Lammawin, though, expressed his belief that there is a ready solution for every problem, as he appealed to all to work for that solution.

It is the duty of every one in Tabuk to work for peace and raise the solutions to conflicts, this way we continue what our forefathers have started to what we now enjoy today, he said.

He addressed the youth of Tabuk to live to the value of peace and help deliver change to the city.

You who are young should take part in this vision, so that one day we will all see our city as a chosen destination, a City of Life, he said. (PIA Kalinga (http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p080707.htm&no=42))

Palace: July 14 a non-working holiday in Cordillera

By Vincent Cabreza
Northern Luzon Bureau (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20080709-147406/Palace-July-14-a-non-working-holiday-in-Cordillera)
First Posted 15:54:00 07/09/2008

BAGUIO CITY -- Malacañang has declared July 14 a non-working holiday in Baguio City and six Cordillera provinces to allow residents to celebrate the region's 21st Foundation Day.

Owing to the Arroyo administration's holiday economics program, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita advanced the celebration a day from July 15, the date when former President Corazon Aquino issued Executive Order 220 creating the Cordillera Administrative Region in 1987.

The CAR was the result of a negotiated peace agreement with rebel priest Conrado Balweg in 1986.

Aside from Baguio City, comprising the CAR are the provinces of Benguet, Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, Mt. Province and Ifugao.

"It is but fitting and proper that the people of [CAR] be given the opportunity to celebrate the occasion with appropriate ceremonies," Malacañang said.

Cordillera autonomy advocates shift to federalism

Mike Guimbatan Jr
07/10/2008 | 05:00 PM

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Saying that the term autonomy has already lost its meaning, advocates of an autonomous Cordillera region in the northern Philippines are shifting support to the national movement for a federal form of government.

Mando Mosing, alias Ka Mando, newly elected chief of staff of the revitalized Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA), said federalism has been the stand of his group even before the autonomy concept was introduced.

“We have a unique resource base and cultural background … development efforts should start from here," said Mosing, who received the tokens from then President Corazon Aquino when the CPLA then led by rebel priest Conrado Balweg signed a peace accord with the government in 1986.

The agreement led to the creation of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) consisting of the provinces of Abra, Benguet, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao and Baguio City.

To give flesh to the accord, Aquino signed Executive Order No. 220 on July 15, 1987, which gave birth to CAR. This was supposed to be a stepping stone to an autonomous region.

The Cordillera electorate, however, rejected two proposed autonomy laws in two plebiscites — on Jan. 30, 1990 and on March 7, 1998.

Autonomy advocate Gabino Ganggangan claimed that these were government-sponsored legislation that were “planned to fail."


21 years of neglect

On Monday, regional offices in the CAR will take a rest to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the region. Malacańang, consistent with its holiday economic policy, issued proclamation 1551 declaring July 14 instead of the original July 15 as a special non-working holiday in the region.

Former autonomy advocates, however, consider the holiday as a celebration of 21 years of government neglect and failure to grant the promised regional autonomy.

“The Cordillera people received less than what they have bargained for so what will we celebrate," says one Ifugao native.

Although the CAR is better today than it was 20 years ago in terms of social and economic development, advocates still believe that regional autonomy is the best way to lasting peace and progress.

Leaders of the newly unified CPLA and its political arm, the Cordillera Bodong Administration (CBA) agreed to pursue a political and economic development agenda this time, however, in a wider and broader scope through a federal form of national governance.

“Despite the good intent, the issue of regional autonomy has become so unpopular that even the earlier prime movers of autonomy has shifted strategy by adopting a more prominent federalism advocacy," said Ganggangan, a former mayor of Sadanga town in the Mountain Province.

Former CBA chief executive Joel Obar, a prominent lawyer, has since moved residence to Dumaguete City in the central Philippines, but he wants to see the present leadership of the CPLA and CBA resume their passion for self-determination and self-governance through federalism.

“Federalism is an answer," said Obar, who also wants to see separate federal states for the Cebuanos, the Ilonggos and the Warays.

Incumbent CBA president Marcelina Bahatan also thinks federalism is the way and that the campaign should be expanded to support the national movement, which is gaining ground with the proposal of creating eleven federal states.

As proposed, the federal states — from south to north — would be as follows:(1) Bangsamoro (ARMM), (2) Davao Region and Central Mindanao, (3) Zamboanga Peninsula and Northern Mindanao, (4) Central and Eastern Visayas, (5) Western Visayas and Palawan, (6) Bicol, (7) Southern Luzon, (8) Metro Manila (NCR), (9) Central Luzon, (10) Cordillera (11) Northern Luzon."

Each state would be an autonomous regional government of the Federal Republic, the territory of which are to be determined by a combination of geographic contiguity of their component areas, their ethnic, linguistic and other cultural aspects, and their socio-economic potential and viability. - GMANews.TV (http://www.gmanews.tv/story/106199/Cordillera-autonomy-advocates-shift-to-federalism)

i hope i posted this in the right thread. if im mistaken, kindly PM me so that i can correct my mistake.


PSALM turns over Ambuklao-Binga power complex to Aboitiz-led group (http://www.philstar.com/archives.php?aid=2008071031&type=2)


By Donnabelle L. Gatdula
Friday, July 11, 2008

The Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) has formally turned over yesterday the 75-megawatt (mw) Ambuklao and 100-MW Binga hydroelectric power complex to SN Aboitiz Power Benguet Inc. (SNAP Benguet).

With its offer of $325 million for the Benguet-based power facilities, SNAP Benguet was declared the highest bidder for the Ambuklao-Binga power complex in the bidding held last Nov. 28, 2007.

The country’s first and second hydroelectric power plants, respectively, the Ambuklao-Binga power facilities run along the upper portion of Luzon’s longest waterway, the Agno River.

Binga, located in Itogon, Benguet, lies 19 kilometers downstream of the Ambuklao plant in the Bokod town of the same province.

Construction of the Ambuklao plant was completed in December 1956. Ambuklao’s three 25-MW generating units have been under preservation by the National Power Corp. since 2000. At present, the release of water from the Ambuklao Dam is being regulated for use by the Binga hydro plant.

The Binga plant consists of four 25-MW generators that were commissioned in 1960. It can operate as a base-load plant when the water level is high and as a peaking plant when the water level is low. It can also provide ancillary services.

One of the responsibilities of SNAP Benguet is to rehabilitate the Ambuklao plant and make it operational to 65 MW minimum within seven years from the date of turnover, PSALM pointed out.

SNAP Benguet will pay at least 70 percent of its bid or about $227.5 million. The entire bid amount will go to the liquidation of the National Power Corp.’s debts, as specified in the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, to ease the government’s debt burden.

PSALM has successfully bid out 12 power plants, representing a 48.9 percent privatization level. The asset management firm expects to reach the 70 percent privatization level as stipulated in the power reform law by yearend to facilitate open access and retail competition in the Philippine power industry.
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Mini-hydro to save Ifugao terraces

Robie Halip

LAGAWE, Ifugao — Ifugao Governor Teddy Baguilat Jr., Sec. Angelo Reyes of Department of Energy (DoE) and Mitsuru Shimizu, project manager of e8, signed a memorandum of agreement for the construction of a mini-hydro in Ambangal, Kiangan, Ifugao Wednesday in Taguig, Metro-Manila.

The Ambangal Mini-hydro project was conceptualized in 2003 for the preservation of the Ifugao rice terraces and for cheaper source of electricity for the province.

The project which features the development of a run-of-river hydro-power plant (200 kW) will be funded and implemented by e8 through the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) with the support of the Department of Energy and the Provincial Government of Ifugao.

Community consultations and pre-feasibility studies were conducted last year and the year-long feasibility study started in the second quarter of 2007. The construction of the said mini-hydro project is estimated to start third quarter this year after the acquisition of the free prior and informed consent (FPIC) from the involved communities and will begin operations in 2009.

The e8 is a non-profit organization composed of nine leading electricity companies from the G8 countries that promote sustainable development through electricity sector projects and human capacity building activities in developing countries worldwide.

G8 is an acronym for the Group of Eight, or the most powerful countries in the world, that includes Japan, Britain, Canada, France, Italy, Germany, Russia and the US.

Toyoto Matsuoka of e8 said part of the project’s power sales will go to a rice terraces conservation fund to be used in the rehabilitation of damaged rice terraces and communal irrigations, reforestation project, and enhancement and promotion of traditional culture programs.

According to Reyes, “The terraces is in a rapidly deteriorating state and is needing repair. This project is well designed as it incorporates environmental, social, cultural, economic, and historical aspects. It provides livelihood and income to the community thus improving the way of life of the people and enhances one of the wonders of the world currently in danger of being enlisted from the heritage sites of Unesco.”

“This project is a miracle not only for me but for the people of Ifugao. It will provide IFELCO (Ifugao Electric Cooperative) with cheaper source of energy.” said . Baguilat. “The project once completed will serve as a stepping stone for other investors to invest on social enterprise projects in Ifugao. We will devote our time, effort, and logistics for the success of this project.”

Courtesy of The Northern Dispatch Weekly (http://www.nordis.net/blog/?p=2763#more-2763)

Kalinga now brewing own exotic civet cat coffee (http://www.philstar.com/archives.php?aid=2008071499&type=2)

Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Tabuk City, Kalinga – Kalinga province is now brewing civet cat coffee, its own version of the exotic world renowned blend of coffee coming from the droppings of the mountain civet cat.

Trade and Industry officials here recently launched the Kape de Motit, yet another of the four coffee blends in Kalinga, perhaps coveting the tag as “Cordilleras’ coffee capital” known for local villagers’ love for strong brewed coffee and vast coffee plantations in the province’s highlands.

Processed by the Nor Ref Food Products of Tabuk City, the expensive brew according to Maria Cecilia Baral, senior trade and industry development specialist of the Department of Trade and Industry Kalinga, is traced to the motit – a cat-like wild animal that feeds on delicately selected red coffee berries. The beans are not digested and are excreted by the motit.

These beans are then collected and processed just like any ordinary coffee bean.

Unlike ordinary coffee, the civet cat coffee bean produces a distinct taste and aroma believed to be due to the enzyme and breakdown of the bean’s proteins in the civet’s intestine aside from the high quality of beans being picked by the civet when feeding.

One the most popularly known civet coffee —Kopi Luwak (Civet Coffee) – produced in Indonesia is selling up to $1,300 per kilo. Indonesians sell their civet coffee beans in the US and Japan.

Forbes Magazine has tagged the civet cat coffee as the most expensive coffee in the world.

The Kape de Motit is the fourth processed coffee brew in Kalinga. Earlier, the province’s coffee growers had been producing their own Kalinga Brew, Kalinga Blend and the Mananig Wild Coffee, said the government-run Philippine Information Agency. – Artemio Dumlao

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2 Cordillera projects now 93% complete (http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20080719130171.html)

BAGUIO CITY – The Cordillera office here of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported that two major road projects in the region are right on track despite the negative criticisms hurled by some people.


Local and public works officials are confident these major road network projects will be completed before 2010 or when the President steps down from office.

Engineer Mariano Alquiza, DPWH regional director, said the rehabilitation of the Baguio-Bontoc-Banaue Road or Halsema Highway and the Bontoc-Tabuk-Tuguegarao Road is going on smoothly and that the job will surely be completed before 2010.

However, he said that there are minor problems being encountered in the implementation but these are being addressed by the contractors, the implementing agencies and the local government units concerned.

President Arroyo has given top priority to the rehabilitation of the Halsema Highway and the Bontoc-Tabuk-Tuguegarao Road as these two roads would improve the accessibility of the different urban centers in Northern Luzon and would consequently result in more economic activities and better standards of living of the people in remote areas.

Alquiza said that the two major road projects will be completed as he was assured that the fund release will be forthcoming.

He said the two road projects are now 93 percent complete, noting that R870 million had been released for the undertakings as of last year.

Four other road projects connected to the two road networks are also expected to be completed by August.

For this year, the two major road projects have received a combined funding of R942 million.

Earlier, the Regional Development council (RDC) in the Cordillera and private monitoring groups gave a very satisfactory rating to the implementing agency and the contractors for the efficient implementation of the projects.

The RDC said the commuting public and the residents of communities traversed by the road projects must be vigilant and help monitor the implementation of various infrastructure projects.

The RDC, for the last 20 years, has been seeking adequate and consistent national government’s support for the development of the Cordillera roads. The RDC feared that its efforts would be wasted if malpractices by some contractors are not checked.

Halsema Highway connects Baguio City to Benguet, Mountain Province, and Ifugao, while the Bontoc-Tabuk-Tuguegarao Road serves as an alternative route to Region II via Mountain Province and Kalinga. (Dexter See)

Gov’t won’t close Baguio airport anymore – Arroyo (http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20080719130170.html)

Says scrapping of plan shows gov’t listens to people’s voice

By DEXTER A. SEE

BAGUIO CITY — President Arroyo, who was here yesterday, said the national government will no longer close the controversial Loakan airport in this city.


She acted favorably to the clamor of Cordillera officials not to isolate the region from the rest of the country through air transport.

The President made the announcement during a joint Lakas-Kampi merger consultation which was held at the CAP Convention Center in Camp John Hay here.

The scrapping of the plan to close the airport was intended to show that her administration listens to the voice of the people on what is best for them in terms of economic activities and infrastructure facilities.

President Arroyo cited the key role of the Cordillera in the implementation of the country’s food-sufficiency program, noting that it supplies at least 70 percent of the vegetable requirement of the lowland, particularly Metro Manila.

She likewise noted that Baguio serves as an information and communication technology hub, and so there is a need to maintain the operation of an airport to serve the transport needs of investors.

She told Cordillera officials that the national government had indeed decided to close the Loakan airport here.

The closure was supposed to take place when the construction of the Poro Point international airport in San Fernando City, La Union is completed as this would pave the way for the expansion of the operations of Texas Instruments.

The President urged Cordillera officials to help the government find a vast track of flat land where Taxes Instruments could expand its operations so that this big investor would not leave the country or the region and look for other areas where to locate its plants.

Earlier, various sectors of this mountain resort city and the region as well expressed vehement opposition to a plan of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) to close the Loakan airport, saying that the closure would be a great setback to the city’s booming tourism industry as well as the program to attract investors to the city and region.

The groups had proposed that the government and the investors look into the Camp John Hay property or nearby Balatoc, Itogon, Benguet as an area for the expansion of businesses outside Baguio, saying this would decongest the city and enhance the development of neighboring Benguet towns.

By heeding the clamor not to close the Loakan airport, the President said the strong partnership of local officials would be instrumental in finding a solution to the problem of how to retain a world-class investor like Taxes Instruments in the region.

Texas Instruments is reportedly planning to pour in some 0 million for the expansion of its operations to cater to the growing demand of semi-conductors in the global market.

proud to be Abrenians!

sa wakas unti unti ng bumabangon ang aming bayan ha. meron ng jollibee dun sa amin. heheh

‘Calabasa’ no more (http://www.philstar.com/archives.php?aid=2008072320&type=2)
ASK GONEGOSYO By Joey Concepcion
Thursday, July 24, 2008
It seems that I don’t hear the end of it, with my friends saying that my column about the “Secret of My ‘Success’” (the mushy column dedicated to my wife) has created so much pressure from their wives. I promised them these things only happen every 25 years, so don’t expect it again to happen so soon.

Meantime, the kryptonite economy column last week was well received by many, using superman as the symbol for the US, which can also be hit hard by a crisis. Well unfortunately, rates were still increased by half a point and hopefully this would be the last. I firmly believe we need to keep lending rates low to push the economy forward. Anyway, the Peso has appreciated back, which is good for importers while bad for exporters and BPO’s.

Last week, I met an entrepreneur coming from the ‘second generation’. I guess people our age would still remember the Collezione shirts. We used to buy these shirts until designs became more exciting with newer brands. But, what recently caught my eye is the rebirth of the second generation Collezione shirts with new and amazing but simple design. A Philippine map is on the left part of the shirts, something like the big Polo emblem, but now with a nationalistic flavor. (My sister gave me the first two shirts.) Looking at it, I saw it was different. I started to wear them and people kept asking me where to buy one.

Joey Qua is the son of the founder of Collezione shirts. He has recently named it Collezione C2. I guess the C2 stands for second generation. For the first time, it feels good to be wearing something, which shows that we can be proud of the Philippines.

Manny Pacquiao has helped build the same patriotic feeling through his championship fights, or shall I say victories. More international artists, like Lea Salonga, continue to do well. International entrepreneurs such as Monique Lhuillier, Josie Natori, Tina Maristela-Ocampo, Bea Valdez and Dado Banatao continue to build our image and pride in the Filipinos.

Despite what people say about the rating of the President, she still has the enterprising spirit in her. I guess having the right work habits and discipline helps. She is always on time and never late in all engagements. She has attended most Go Negosyo activities and she was never late. In fact, I was the one almost late at one time. The President works hard and is very passionate with what she does in the midst of adversities and limited resources. She is passionately focused on common goal to spur economic development and uplift conditions of the Filipinos.

Sometime early this year, actually during Good Friday, PGMA through Sec. Cerge Remonde, tried to call me when I was in Japan. When I returned his call, Sec. Cerge relayed PGMA’s announcement. Go Negosyo was asked to help get the private sector to mentor and assist the Benguet State University with their vegetable processing center. This assistance will develop and market vegetable-based products like noodles, bread, juice, and other formats. The task was to develop noodles and other products enriched with nutrients from vegetables, which in the end should help the farmers get more demand for their produce. In fact, she already announced this intention in TV, with RFM to help in this task. I responded to Sec. Cerge that we will work on this.

Our PCE – Go Negosyo executive director Mon Lopez worked with the inter-agency MSME council of Sec. Cerge on the planning and implementation of this project, and they were able to develop as a first output, a Pancit Canton product using Calabasa. We proposed to brand it “Proud Harvest” and have the packaging with the Philippine flag in dedication to the hardworking Filipino farmers.

Meantime, Oishi-Liwayway Marketing and Lucky Me – Nissin Monde have also joined us in developing the use of vegetables in snacks and instant noodles.

We see the role of the private sector complementing what the government can provide. The private sector like RFM Corp., can take projects to commercial levels with economies of scale and assuring quality. Private companies will have to ‘adopt the project’ and provide needed working capital, raw materials, expertise in building the brand and spending behind marketing activities. For the project to prosper, the products should use the private corporations’ sales infrastructure. This can push the products to the mainstream market and improve the chances for its continued viability. In the “Proud Harvest” project, the business model provides for these corporations to toll process or buy from the Benguet State University and other small toll processors. This can provide income opportunities to these institutions as well as market for farmers’ produce.

This is an example of how the private sector and the government can work together. In the end, a crop like Calabasa, which was considered to have limited use, is now in “Proud Harvest”. Calabasa may now become one of the most in-demand crops, encouraging more farmers to plant it. Now, the Calabasa vegetable, which is sometimes associated to an insulting ‘calabasa award’ connotation, will now have a new improved image.

There are a lot of things we should be proud as Filipinos, from the Collezione C2 shirts projecting the Philippine Islands and hopefully to the “Proud Harvest” veggie-canton noodles. PGMA deserves the credit for this effort in finding ways to help the Filipino farmers. We also give credit to the cooperating government agencies and private institutions. Rather than complain or criticize, everyone is given the chance to help. As my father has always reminded us in his NAMFREL advocacy, “It is better to light a candle, than to curse the darkness”. In the end, what is truly important as we all get older is how we do our own share, no matter how small, in helping improve the lives of the people around us. Thousands of farmers will surely benefit from their ‘proud harvest’.

* * *

Our Teen Negosyo Edition III kicks of next week as we head back to the City of Pines to share to the youth the good news of finding solutions to poverty through Negosyo.
Together with the Department of Education — Center for Students and Co-Curricular Affairs, Department of Trade and Industry — Philippine Trade Training Center, The Master’s Lighthouse Foundation and Entrepreneurs School of Asia, the Third YECS Entrepreneurship Training and Conference dubbed as the Teen Negosyo will be awarding the 2008 Go Negosyo-Dep Ed Most Inspiring Student Entrepreneurs and Entrepreneurship Educators. This award will recognize the best high school student entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship educators who have successfully implemented the YECS programs at the secondary level.

Go Negosyo will also be awarding Most Inspiring CAR Micro Entrepreneurs. We will be recognizing Cordillera’s micro-entreps who gave positive contributions to their community and inspired others with their negosyo stories. They are the micro entrepreneurs who rose from the challenges of life, serving as role models in their own businesses.

With the theme “Young Entrepreneurs Taking Charge”, the third edition of Teen Negosyo will be on July 26 to 30, 2008 at the Teachers Camp, Baguio City. Activities during the event include plenary sessions, interactive break-out sessions, contests, and entrepreneurial showcases. High school students and educators are invited to join.

* * *

For feedback, email me at gonegosyo@yahoo.com or thru SMS at 09175591245. For free business advice, visit www.gonegosyo.net. Watch the Go Negosyo Bigtime Show in its new home, QTV, every Saturday and Sunday 8 to 8:30 a.m., with replays in NBN every Sunday 9:15 to 10 p.m.]

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Accor Hotel to build no-frills hotel (http://www.philippine-builder.com/content/view/478/108/)
European based Accor Hotel, United Kingdom’s Yotel, Malaysian hotel chain and two Indian firms are interested in building no frills hotels in the country.

“I will be meeting the representatives from the Indian firms in the next 90 days,” Samie Lim, chairman of the Philippine Franchisers Association said in an interview.

Lim refused to name the Indian companies saying only that one group owns four hotels while the other operates 30 hotels.

Lim explained that he is studying the concept of the Malaysian group which ties up the budget air fare to the hotel. “Air Asia has a partnership with a hotel near the airport. It is a good business,” he explained. Lim said the investments are part of the ASEAN hotel project of the ASEAN member nations namely the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar and Malaysia.

The ASEAN hotel plans to build similar no frills hotels in the 10 member countries. The hotels will be priced the same. The amenities, rooms and the lobby of all the hotels across the ASEAN will be the same as well.

According to Lim, the ASEAN ministers approved the ASEAN hotel concept last year after the meeting of the economic ministers in Manila.

“All the ASEAN hotels will have similar services and integrated marketing and advertising,” Lim explained. “They will also conduct a centralized training for the food and beverage staff.”

This, he said, is necessary in order to ensure that the services provided by all ASEAN hotels are consistent.

Also, Lim said there will be more than one ASEAN hotel per country. In the Philippines, he said there should be ASEAN hotels in all major tourist destinations like Cebu, Boracay, Bacolod, Baguio and Ilocos.

Lim further said that the owner of the franchise in the country must be a local. If this is not possible, he said at least a big chunk of the hotel franchise is owned by a resident. For example, the master franchise of the hotel must be 34 percent owned by locals.

The Accor Hotel is currently operating in nearly 100 countries. It is the European leader in hotels and the global leader in corporate services. Yotel on the other hand is also a no frills hotel operating in United Kingdom.

Watersheds’ role in food security cited

Clamor for more funds for watershed protection backed

By DEXTER A. SEE

BAGUIO CITY — The watersheds in the Cordillera play a pivotal role in the country’s current effort to attain food security and energy self-sufficiency.

This was the statement of Bukidnon (2nd district) Rep. Teofisto Guingona III here, who assured support of the opposition block in the House of Representatives for a clamor to allocate more funds for the preservation and protection of critical watersheds in the region.

Earlier, the Cordillera Regional Development Council (RDC) expressed support for a request by the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) office in the Cordillera for the national government to allocate substantial amount for its five-year watershed rehabilitation and management program aimed at saving the over 6,000 hectares of critical watersheds from further devastation.

While admitting that the minority in the House could voice out its concerns on sensitive issues affecting food and energy security, Guingona said the allocation of funds still depends on the decision of the majority although watershed rehabilitation and management should be the concern of all lawmakers belonging to both the opposition and administration because it is the lifeblood of the country’s agriculture sector.

Aside from strengthening the government’s watershed rehabilitation program, the Bukidnon lawmaker cited the importance of increasing the salaries of forest rangers so that they would not be forced to be tempted by the bribe offers of illegal loggers.

RDC and NIA have embarked on sustained efforts to rehabilitate the region’s devastated forest cover which resulted in the significant decrease of the water flowing in the four major rivers supplying irrigation water to vast track of agricultural lands in the lowland.

The Agno, Chico, Magat and Abra Rivers trace their headwaters to Mt. Data and Mt. Pulag national parks which are now being rapidly invaded by unscrupulous individuals who have established big commercial farms in forested areas.

Guingona said that abundant water supply would result in increased crop production in vast tracks of agricultural lands in the rice-producing areas of Northern Luzon.

This, in turn, could ensure sufficient production that could meet the growing demand for rice and other farm products.

The Cordillera has been described as the "Watershed Cradle of Northern Luzon" because it is the major source of water supplying small and big power plants as well as irrigation water for farms in Regions I, II and III.

http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20080728130924.html

Mt. Province celebrates Cordillera Month with cleanup drive

by Juliet B. Saley

Bontoc, Mt. Province (28 July) -- Governor Maximo B. Dalog issued a memorandum to all national as well as local offices in this municipality enjoining them to participate in the clean-up drive to be conducted around the town of Bontoc.

This is one of the province's lined up activities in celebration of this year's Cordillera Month with the theme "Moving Forward! Cordillera on the High Road to Development." All offices have their designated areas of cleaning scheduled Friday from 8:00AM to 12 noon.

Other scheduled activities include an orientation for barangay chairmen of selected barangays on the procurement and distribution of National Food Authority rice to their indigent beneficiaries which was conducted by the Provincial Government (PSWDO) in partnership with the NFA; Photo Exhibits of Lang-ay 2005 to 2008 documentations which are displayed at the Lang-ay hall for public viewing; and a Contingency Plan Formulation Workshop participated by Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council members, Disaster Action Officers and selected BDCC Action Officers along the Halsema Highway.

The Provincial Nutrition Council will also conduct on July 28 a provincial search for the healthiest mother and healthiest baby, also in celebration of the Nutrition Month.

There will be also a two-day Jobs Fair to be conducted by the provincial government in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment on July 30 - 31 at the Multi-Purpose Building.

According to Mrs. Miguela G. Limmayog, Head of DOLE-Mt. Province, there will be a Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar (PEOS) to be conducted on July 29 to all interested overseas job applicants before the conduct of the jobs fair.

Limmayog said there are five recruitment agencies who signified their participation during the fair. These are the Greenfields International Manpower Services Inc., GBLMT both from Manila; Topmake International Manpower Services and Androme Recruitment and Management Services, Inc. both from Baguio; and EMR of Pampanga. (PIA-MP)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p080728.htm&no=29

Gov't assures availability of food on every table in Cordillera

by Lito Dar

Baguio City (28 July) -- The regional inter-agency committee on food and energy security headed by the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera assured the availability of food on every table of people in the region.

This assurance was made by DA-CAR acting regional director Jerry Baliang during a kapihan forum last week.

Baliang gave a presentation on the current food and energy situation in the country, which is also being felt in the US and some countries in Europe, Latin America and Asia. He assured that the government t is doing everything to ensure food security, to stabilize prices of other commodities and to provide targeted subsidies to the poorest of the poor.

In ensuring food security in CAR, Baliang reported the implementation of FIELDS program or Fertilizer, Irrigation/infrastructure, Education/extension, Loans/insurance, Dryers/other post-harvest facilities, and Seeds; completion of 35 farm to market road projects worth P45M; establishment, construction and rehabilitation of post-harvest facilities in CAR, allocation of P25.2M for the provision of pre-coolers facilities for highland vegetable in Benguet and Mt Province. Baliang also lined-up other projects completed and on-going projects of the DA's Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension (BPRE).

He also cited that the government allocated P232M in regular and augmentation funds to National Irrigation Authority-CAR for small irrigation facilities to improve production.

Among the food security programs being implemented in the region are Gulayan sa Masa, Tindahan Natin Outlets, Barangay Bagsakan Centers, NFA rolling stores, and Bigasan Bayan.

Other government efforts on the ground are the DA/House of Representatives Memorandum of Agreement on a P1B congressional funding for rice and corn productivity program; importation of additional volumes of rice; opening up of rice importation to the private sector and the strict monitoring of traders to prevent hoarding and rice manipulation.

Baliang also mentioned Administrative Order 226, issued by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo last May 16, suspending the processing/approval of conversion of rice lands;

Finally, Baliang is urging the people of Cordillera to join them in assuring food security in CAR, as all Filipinos are part of this enduring movement in their little big ways, wherever they are and whatever they do for a living.

Other officials of the inter-agency committee on food/energy security in the kapihan were Director Carmelita Usman of DTI-CAR, Dir Ben Ladilad of DOST-CAR, Engr Akilit of NIA-CAR, Ms Arsenia Tejada of DSWD-CAR and Atty Brenda Poklay of DOTC-CAR. They also reported their agencies participation and ensured their continuing commitment in ensuring food and energy security in Cordillera.

Meanwhile, t he DA press report disclosed that under the "Pagkain sa Bawat Mesa" commitment, the agriculture department has so far helped establish 10,919 Tindahan Natin outlets; 1,533 rolling stores; and 108 Barangay Bagsakan or drop-off centers that provide low-income families with quality basic food items at affordable prices nationwide.

In the fisheries sector, the DA has set up several mariculture parks to help increase fish production.

For the stable supply of rice, DA is sustaining its "aggressive procurement and aggressive distribution" strategy, which involves sourcing rice from local and foreign sources to prop up the NFA's buffer stocks and selling the staple government-subsidized prices to low-income consumers.

Secretary Arthur Yap said that even the President herself noted that despite the spiraling rice prices across the globe, the costs of the staple in the country remained relatively low as compared to those sold in other countries, including rice-exporting economies.

The agriculture secretary said that under the DA's five-harvest Rice Self-Sufficiency plan, palay production is expected to reach 18.55 million MT in 2009 and 19.77 million MT the following year to help the country attain a 98% rice self-sufficiency level by 2010. (PIA)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p080728.htm&no=21

Autonomy, road to Cordillera's speedy development - solon

by Lito Dar

Baguio City (28 July) -- Representative Mauricio Domogan reiterated the need to push for the region's autonomy saying it would give us more independence and authority to manage the region, in speeding-up its socio-economic and infrastructure development.

Domogan explained that autonomy is synonymous to the "federalism" being pushed by Senator Aquilino Pimentel for the country.

Domogan also explained to the participants of the "Walk Cordillera Walk" event last July 21, the power and benefits they receive under the in the existing laws won't change or decrease under an autonomous region, as the national government will continue to fund them, and only the coordination and supervision will be handled by the regional government.

Domogan said he was saddened by the survey on autonomy, reported by Acting Regional Development Council Chairman and NEDA Director Juan Ngalob that more than 60% of Cordillerans are unaware of the benefits of an autonomous region, to our socio-economic and infrastructure development.

He is hopeful that this time, we will continue to educate ourselves and come out with an "autonomy law" that will cover everybody's interest so that everybody will really push for it.

Lastly, Domogan calls on all Cordillerans to strengthen their cooperation and unity for CAR to move forward to the road of development and to work together to achieve what is good for the entire CAR, without giving up the quest for autonomy. (PIA)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p080728.htm&no=16

Forum on Cordillera's development and autonomy held at UC

by Lito Dar

Baguio City (28 July) -- As part of the month-long celebration of Cordillera Month this July, the Regional Development Council held a forum on Cordillera's development and autonomy at the University of Cordilleras (UC) auditorium last week attended by representatives from line agencies and students and faculty of UC.

The forum started with a cultural presentation from UC's KALASAG group, with a theme, solidarity and unity - for CAR's development. After the cultural presentation, an audio visual presentation about Cordillera was shown at the forum.

Mr Fernando Bahatan, a former member of the Cordillera Executive Board, gave a presentation on the historical facts about the Cordillera as he also cited the gains from Executive Order 220 that created CAR. He also shared his and his personal insights on Cordillera's pursuit of autonomy saying this is just and valid, though pursuing it now, at least until 2010, is a 'lost case'.

Meantime, RDC-CAR acting chair and NEDA-CAR director Juan Ngalob, gave updates on RDC's initiatives on Cordillera's regional development and autonomy. On development, Ngalob talked about "regional physical integration", its role and importance in the development of the region.

He also presented the results of the latest pulse survey on the Cordillera regional autonomy. The said survey touched on the failed plebiscites for the Organic Acts, on the discernment process for regional autonomy and on the prospects of a third Organic Act.

As a conclusion on the result of the survey, Ngalob reported that it is not yet time to work out an Organic Act - for autonomy, as there are high level of unawareness on constitutional provision for the creation on an autonomous region in the Cordilleras, as well as inadequate understanding of the substance of autonomy. Relative to this, Ngalob invited the academe to do more studies and research, relative to the issue.

Ngalob also lined-up the RDC's agenda for regional development and autonomy for 2008-2010 and this is summarized by three program thrusts, namely: Information, Education and Communication (IEC); capacitation of prospective regional autonomy implementers and enablers; and program management/policy steering, monitoring evaluation. (PIA)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p080728.htm&no=17

d/p

The Zaragoza World Expo 2008 (http://www.philstar.com/archives.php?aid=20080801188&type=2)
By Honey Jarque Loop
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Adhering to the Zaragoza World Expo 2008 theme “Water and Sustainable Development,” the 247-square-meter Philippine Pavilion responded with an ultra-modern aquatic design that celebrates the country’s archipelagic character.

The winning proposal by Lor Calma Design Associates in collaboration with the museum development company TAO Inc. brings together a surprising combination of hi-tech equipment and the most traditional, that of industrial bone China materials with avante garde sound art .

On hand to welcome visitors is the amiable “Filipo”, the pavilion mascot symbolizing Donsol’s famous butanding (whale shark) which is inspired by one of the best practices modules presented in the Expo.

The pavilion is designed to transport one in a seeming underwater experience. Blue-lit space with hundreds of transparent spheres are suspended from the high ceiling and figures in bone china and embroidered translucent cloth appear luminous in the darkened pavilion creating a water realm environment.

While the pavilion is consistent to the over-all theme of water and sustainable development, it successfully blends tourism value in the presentation that creates awareness and interest about the Philippines.

“The exhibit’s main theme suits well with our existing promotional strategy for the European market. This is a great opportunity for the DOT to push our country’s water adventures to a hugely European audience,” DOT secretary Ace Durano said.

Video screens are strategically placed showing various Philippine destinations and attractions like Banaue, Baguio, Vigan, Metro Manila and environs, Cebu, Bohol, Camiguin, Davao and top dive sites in Balicasag and Moalboal, with special interest activity such as Butanding (whale shark) encounter in Sorsogon. This information is replicated in various printed promotional materials in both Spanish and English translations for better understanding and appreciation of what the Philippines can offer to the visitors.

The 10 water-related efforts include the conservation efforts in Anilao, Donsol and Tubbataha Reef, watershed custodianship at the Ifugao Rice Terraces, the cultural and social welfare sustainability of Batanes, the geothermal and hydro energy projects in Leyte and other provinces, El Nido Resort’s earth-friendly hotel management, Jewelmer’s pearl farm operations and the steadfastness of the Filipino seaman.

Catering to all the senses, the Philippine exhibit includes the Agua y Olio, (water and oil) a mini-spa that provides a 15-minute traditional massage called hilot. Four experts in this type of treatments attend to about 90 persons a day. It is an ideal remedy for muscle stress, back and neck aches.

The pavilion also has a “Coffee Nook” offering the Travel Café Philippine Drip Coffee and roasted coffee beans for tasting and demonstration on coffee preparations and a corner boutique that showcases handicrafts and merchandizes from top Filipino producers.

In these three months, the Expo Zaragoza 2008 will focus on one of the greatest challenges facing the human race and that is water as a main support for life.

The Philippines in turn makes use of the opportunity to present to a global audience a high level of skill that brings together art, science, community development and tourism that will surely entice the visitors to visit the Philippines.

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if im mistaken, kindly pm me.



Benguet LGUs now enjoy shares in nat’l wealth tax (http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2008/08/16/PROV20080816132673.html)

For hosting large-scale operations of mining companies

By DEXTER A. SEE

TUBA, Benguet – Communities hosting the operation of large-scale mining companies in this vegetable-producing and mineral-rich province are now starting to enjoy additional revenues with the release of their shares from the income of mining companies in the past several years.


Two towns, two barangays, and the provincial government stand to receive a total of R49 million as share from the national-wealth tax paid by Philex Mining Corp. here in the first quarter of 2005 and the first three quarters of 2006.

The Local Government Code grants local government units (LGUs) a 40 percent share from the national wealth tax paid by companies exploiting natural resources in their areas, but the release of the funds requires the approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

For several years now, the national government has not been prompt in releasing the shares of local government units from the national-wealth tax.

As a result, the host communities were deprived of the opportunity to use the funds for projects aimed at improving the living condition of the people in the affected areas.

The towns of Tuba and Itogon, both in Benguet, received more than RR11 million each from the national-wealth tax paid by the mining company, while Barangays Ampucao in Itogon and Camp 3 in Tuba got more than R8.6 million each.

The provincial government got more than R9.8-million share from the national wealth tax, which it would utilized for the implementation of various impact projects.

Tuba and Itogon, together with their barangays, will temporarily receive equal shares from the taxes paid by Philex, pending resolution of a dispute over which municipality has the jurisdiction over the area where the mining company is conducting its operation.

Of the RR50-million national-wealth tax paid by the company, Rizal Province had received RR1 million for hosting the firm’s main office, while the P49 million was divided among the Benguet provincial government, Tuba and Itogon towns, and Barangays Camp 3 and Ampucao.

Local officials are confident that the national government will again release their respective shares from the national wealth tax paid by Philex for the last quarter of 2006 and the first three quarters of 2007.

The release would enable the LGUs to implement immediately their priority projects for the people.

Mining is one of the most lucrative industries in this province, aside from the growing of semi-temperate vegetables.

The suite life at Baguio Burnham Suites (http://www.philstar.com/archives.php?aid=2008082183&type=2)
By Dandi Galvez
Friday, August 22, 2008
As a student living in Baguio City over a decade ago I’ve always found that the best time to go there, contrary to popular belief, was in October. This was semestral break for most of the student population, when Session Road was, on a typical afternoon, uncharacteristically empty — devoid of cars and tourists. This was when you found the real Baguio City. The air gave the right kind of chill, like the kind you’d enjoy under the shade of a tree on a hillside. Most importantly, the city settled back to its slow, casual pace, not having to mind the call of quick commerce that lowlanders would bring during the summer and holiday seasons.

“Actually, any time is a good time to visit Baguio,” says Al Ferrer, general manager of the newest hotel property in the city, Baguio Burnham Suites. And he’s right. This city has become many things to many people. As relaxing as those quiet weeks in October, Baguio is absolutely alive for most of the year. It’s an exciting and vibrant place, well deserving of its title as the country’s premier vacation capital.

Opened nearly a year ago, Baguio Burnham Suites is situated along Kisad Road, right next to Burnham Park. The name of the hotel is no accident, giving broad emphasis to its proximity to the park as well as nearby tourist hot spots, which are literally just minutes away on foot. And if you want to visit some of the malls and commercial districts, hailing a cab is easy and most destinations take less than five minutes.

Burnham Suites makes for a very good starting point for many tourists for the great Baguio experience. Guests can already be treated to a little bit of history when they learn that on the hotel site itself is the former vacation house of President Manuel Quezon, with parts of the original structure still intact behind the building. Right beside the hotel is the historic Our Lady of Lourdes Church. Of course, there’s that great view of Burnham Park and the city from the rooms on the hotel’s front.

Guests can expect facilities and amenities comparable to any Manila or Makati-based hotel. Aside from the classy and well-appointed interiors, Baguio Burnham Suites boasts of 24-hour wireless broadband Internet access and cable television service, a DVD player and LCD TV in all 38 rooms, hot and cold baths, a mini bar — and full air-conditioning. As Al explains, “We found that very important for several reasons. One, during summer it’s important to have an air-conditioning system not only because of the temperature but also to prevent outside factors from coming in such as noise.”

Some of the rooms are located up front, right where the busy Kisad Road is. At the back is Legarda Road, where most of the pubs, bars and restaurants are located. So, expect bands blaring out their music on weekends. It’s all a matter of opening or closing a window to bear the difference and how effectively the rooms can shut out noise from the street below. Not every day is a cold day in Baguio, and having an effective climate control system is most welcome.

The hotel also has a ballroom that can accommodate up to 150 people for social functions and conferences. “We have equipment for seminars, making it easy for clients to deal with us with regards to their requirements,” Al says. “We have a complete kitchen that can service both our coffee shop here at the lobby and at the ballroom for functions. You won’t need to look for a caterer.”

Baguio Burnham Suites is in a unique position to bring the kind of business that one expects from other hotels based in Metro Manila. Al explains: “Since we are a professionally managed hotel, we stuck to the standards of the hotel industry *— that our rooms are what you would also see in Manila or Makati-based hotels — the standard twin-bed rooms, suites with separate parlor, to differentiate us from the common or usual hotels you find in Baguio that were formerly pension houses.”

Al adds: “Having said that, we find that the big players, the corporate accounts, find it very conducive to book with us because it’s like dealing with a Manila-based hotel. It also goes with the way we manage it. The professional management system we apply is the same that they will find in Manila.” Suffice it to say, most clients may find it easier to deal with Baguio Burnham Suites because of its familiarity with most professionally managed hotel properties.

The establishment of this hotel couldn’t have come at a better time, what with Baguio’s centennial celebration just two years around the corner. “By the centennial, we would be well-established as one of the big players in the hotel industry of Baguio,” Al concludes. “We look forward to doing very good business.”

* * *

Baguio Burnham Suites is located at No. 6, Kisad Road, Baguio City. For inquiries or reservations, call (074) 424-2211 to 15, fax at (074) 424-2216, e-mail at info@burnhamsuitesbaguio.-com or log on to www.burnham-suitesbaguio.com or www.-theburnhamsuites.com. Its Manila sales office is at the 11th floor, Raffles Corporate Center, Emerald Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Call (632) 915-0055 local 118 or (632) 706-1093 or fax at (632) 915-0905. Baguio Burnham Suites is managed by the Genesis Hotels and Resorts Group.

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Expressway, La Union airport seen to boost Cordillera growth (http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2008/08/31/PROV20080831133898.html)



By DEXTER A. SEE

BAGUIO CITY – The upcoming operation of the San Fernando airport in La Union and the immediate completion of the 84-kilometer Tarlac-La Union toll expressway will surely perk up tourism, agriculture, and economic development in Baguio City and the entire Cordillera.

The San Fernando airport is expected to resume flight operations by October, this year following the completion of the first phase of the half-billion-peso upgrading project funded by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

The San Fernando airport is part of the Poro Point Freeport Zone being managed by the Poro Point Management Corp. (PPMC), a subsidiary of the BCDA.

The Tarlac-La Union Toll Expressway Project on the other hand, is being implemented by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and will be completed and is expected to be operational by 2011.

Johnny dela Cruz, president of the Baguio-Benguet Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (BBCCII), said the overflowing development in the city which comes as a result of the completion of the vital infrastructure facilities would also benefit the surrounding communities such as the towns of Itogon, La Trinidad, Sablan, and Tuba, all in Benguet.

With the expected influx of investors in Baguio and Benguet and with the operation of the San Fernando airport and the Tarlac-La Union toll expressway, he said, employment will be provided to thousands of people and there will be sufficient opportunities for livelihood that would help uplift the living condition of families in urban centers.

The Tarlac-La Union toll expressway will be connected to the BCDA’s flagship project, the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).

The entire 94-kilomete SCTEX is now open for commercial operations. Recently, one of the country’s major bus companies, Victory Liner, started taking the SCTEX Clark-Tarlac route to Baguio, cutting travel time from six hours to four hours.

Aside from the reduced travel time, travel will be safer and more convenient as the buses need not take the narrower and sometimes unevenly paved national road. An added bonus for using the SCTEX is the considerable amount of fuel savings due to non-stop driving. It will only be a matter of time before other bus companies and cargo trucks will follow suit.

Dela Cruz said the provision of access is an integral part of the country’s tourism, agricultural and economic development, and SCTEX and the Tarlac-La Union toll expressway, which will be operational soon, would improve the delivery of goods to any part of Northern Luzon in a short time.

Moreover, locators in the economic zone here will now have alternatives in the use of transportation means to bring their products to Clark and Subic via the inter-connected expressways. They could opt to maximize the use of the San Fernando airport which is much nearer to the city. They could cut travel time and expenses in the transport of their products.

Tourism, agricultural, and economic development in Central and Northern Luzon is in an upbeat mood following the full operation of SCTEX.

The Clark-Tarlac segment of the SCTEX opened last July 25, while the Subic-Clark segment started commercial operation last April 28.

Dela Cruz said the development of surrounding communities that could come as a result of improved access will also benefit this city because people will drop by Baguio to enjoy its cool, romantic weather, pine-scented air, and natural scenery.

Mayoyao’s deep magic (http://www.philstar.com/scripts/article_print.php?PhilStar&id=2008083040&type=2)

By Audrey N. Carpio
Sunday, August 31 2008

http://www.philstar.com/newphilstar/www/image/20080831/travel1.jpg


It was a good night for a war dance.

A full moon reflected its tumescent state in the rice paddies, still wet from a fresh harvest. The dancers, dressed in woven thongs and skirts, braided belts and feathery headdresses, lifted an open palm or spear, depending on the type of ritual and celebration, and moved in and out of the circle, a whirl of red, black and white, to the rhythmic threshing of the gong. They told an ancient tale of headhunters and tribal conflict, of victory and thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest.

We were in Mayoyao, the Cordilleras, and this night in particular our group of travelers had descended into the valleys where 2,000 years before Ifugao ancestors carved out rice terraces on the slopes of these mountains. A modernized Ifugao hut, whose iconic cogon roof had been replaced with red-painted galvanized steel, provided the evening’s shelter. Mayoyao is one of the 11 municipalities of Ifugao, almost all of which have their own set of terraces. Banaue, of course, remains the most famous, with an appearance on the P1,000 bill; but unknown to many, there are terraces beyond Banaue that form a network so extensive that, if placed end to end, they would reach halfway around the world.

After the dance, the performers changed back to their regular attire of pants, T-shirt, Adidas jacket and bolo. Everyone partook of the meal that had been killed just earlier. Pinikpikan involves lightly beating a live chicken so that its blood coagulates and thickens the meat around the wings and neck. After the chicken is taken out of its misery, it is plunged into an open fire to burn off the feathers, then chopped up and cooked in a container. Inhumane or not, the process of making the dish was actually more exciting than the taste of the chicken, which was plain, save for the hint of blood and smoke.

But the tapuy — oh, the sweet tapuy. Our guide JP Alipio, one third of the Cordillera Expeditions group, brought over a few bottles of the rice wine from his personal estate in Baguio, bootlegged in Ginebra bottles. Now this was the stuff: none of that burnt-tasting bitter brew sold at souvenir shops that littered the rim of Banaue. The tapuy had the light red color of a rosé and a natural sweetness to it, and seemed to go down especially well after spitting out one’s moma or betel nut chew.

Impassable is nothing

“I wanted Filipinos to see their country the way a tourist would,” says Alipio, explaining why he puts together these off-the-beaten-path trips to the Cordilleras. “There are so many beautiful places here, each with its own distinct character, language and customs.” Alipio is a true Cordilleran, having grown up in Baguio where he spent a lot of time exploring the outer regions trekking, biking and camping. But the mountains are more than just a playground for this environmental management post-grad; they are his passion and his advocacy; its soil, his own soul. Alipio has investigated issues from tribal wars to pesticide use and has received grants from the National Geographic Society as a Young Explorer to research the Cordillera region, as well as mentored under adventure photographer Gordon Wiltsie.

One of his expeditions for the National Geographic was a hardcore 38-day trek known as the Philippine Central Cordillera Traverse, a trail that connects Benguet to the Mountain Province and ends at Tirad Pass. No wonder, on our mini expedition to Mayoyao, every destination according to our guide was just “30 minutes away” and involved “light trekking.” We took maybe five hours to hike up and down a forested mountain and were blistered, scratched, sweaty and palpitating all the way. I tripped over vines and slipped a few times, and wished I could’ve worn my as yet unbroken-in Hi-Tec Base Element shoes, which are waterproof and would have provided better grip and traction on muddy trails and steep inclines than the battered old pair of sneakers I had on.

But, at the base of the mountain swept an elegant waterfall, its icy waters a salve for our sunburns and a contemplation for our complaints. The photographers of the group whipped out their tripods and shot the rapids while the rest of us splashed around and screamed like children. When hunger struck, a lunch of barbecued chicken, veggies and rice was served on freshly macheted banana leaves (nature provideth). Ben Muni must be thanked for hauling around all the supplies in his gigantic backpack. Ben is the second guide from Cordillera Expeditions, and while not a native of the parts like JP, he could very well be one, as a teacher of anthropology at UP Baguio and a team member of the Central Cordillera Traverse. His extensive knowledge of local culture is outshone only by his ability to crack jokes and lighten people’s spirits.

The third of the Cordillera Expeditions triumvirate is Cherry Malonzo, a med school graduate who has backpacked all over the country and has known JP from their college mountaineering days. She added a woman’s touch to the expeditions, though she is certainly as fit, if not fitter, than the boys, earning her the nickname “Ula the Amazona.” The three are good friends above everything else, and their love for the outdoors is so infectious you can’t help feel like you’ve been traveling buddies for a long time.

The other rice crisis

And after the guides have taken you safely — sometimes holding your hand — through the wilderness, you do feel a sense of gratitude, not just for reaching the destinations but also for the detours along every step of the way. If a 30-minute hike took a few hours, it was because we stopped through villages where children would congregate and want to have their photograph taken, or we paused to hear a hymn sung in the local dialect at a makeshift church, or we interrupted a household’s afternoon routine and asked to try our hand at rice pounding.

Simple as they are, these are the kind of experiences fast becoming extinct in a world where almost everything and everyplace is accessible at a price. Banaue is an example of unplanned tourism gone awry — the supposed Eighth Wonder of the World, the rice terraces there have been neglected and abandoned by younger Ifugao folk who look for more lucrative careers in tourism or in the city, or who have converted them into plots for lodging and shops. Visitors leave the place not with a sense of wonder but often disappointment with the rundown view and the widespread prostitution of native culture. Eventually, the reason for tourists to come to Banaue in the first place will cease to exist.

“Ecotourism” meanwhile has been a marketing buzzword of late and a label slapped on almost any kind of nature-related activity. True responsible ecotourism must minimize its own impact, aid in conservation of the ecosystem, build environmental and cultural awareness and respect, and be sustainable by giving back to the community through jobs and socio-economic benefits. According to many definitions of the term, ecotourism must, above all, sensitize people to the beauty and fragility of nature.

“We have a policy to use only locally produced food and services like guides, transportation and catering,” says Alipio on how they apply the leave-no-trace ethic to their tours. “It makes less business sense, but in the long run the communities not only benefit monetarily, but will start to give more value to the local environment that the explorers come to see.” The people of Mayoyao have learned the lessons of Banaue, and are using the income generated from tourism to save the terraces, which were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Danger in 2001. Our local guides Leandro Elahe, who joined us on our walks, and Grace, who led the cultural activities, are part of MATTIKHAO (Mayoyao Trekkers, Tour Guides, and Indigenous Knowledge Holders Allied Organization), a group that uses part of their earnings to fund the rehabilitation of the terraces.

A group limited in size — 12 people at the most — also lessens the impact on the environment and its resources. By staying at an Ifugao hut, the demand for inns (and building of new ones) is minimized. “We hope to create a new kind of tourist,” explains Alipio, “a traveler who would much rather stay in a hut than look for five-star accommodations, someone who is respectful of local customs and traditions, someone who will readily eat the local food and drink, dance with the locals, and be mindful of the people and environment they are visiting.” And to address the 10-hours-plus road trip getting there, a portion of the tour fees is donated to planting trees to offset emissions from travel.

Sure, the local practitioners did put on a show for the guests, but it was in the form of performance and theater, not a staged ceremony of sacred ritual that may no longer even be relevant. I believe that at some level it was also for the instruction of the younger generation, the lot of children who might possibly lose interest in their heritage and never be inclined to put on a G-string. The toothless, wrinkled old man who dons his tribal garb to step into the dance is repeating a motion inscribed in memory, singing a song that was never written down, and calling out to the god of the Sky World, who existed long before religion.

We left Ifugao with hopefully little to no trace. But Ifugao no doubt left a huge impact on us.
* * *

Special thanks to Hi-Tec shoes for their sole support. Hi-Tec is available at Rox Bonifacio High Street and SM Department Stores.
Head for the mountains. Visit cordiexpeditions.multiply.com.

Copyright 2007. Philstar Global Corp. All rights reserved. This article cannot be published or redistributed without the permission of the publisher.

Banaue: Window to paradise (http://www.philstar.com/archives.php?aid=2008090643&type=2)
RENDEZVOUZ By Christine S. Dayrit
Sunday, September 7, 2008


http://www.philstar.com/newphilstar/www/image/20080907/travel3.jpg


It is only on a truly dark night that one can see the stars. I whisper this to myself as I marvel at the picturesque sight. Imagine this: I sit on the ragged edge of a bright yellow-green giant rice terraced paddy in Banaue, located at a rising altitude of 5,000 feet above sea level. I am cradled in the embrace of ethereal clouds above that serve as soft pillows and blankets. The crisp mountain air incites an exhilarating surge. My friends and I share tapuy (sweet native rice wine) as we begin to identify the constellations one by one. The night gets deeper, the hooting of the owls and symphony of the cicadas become even more enchanting. This is total bliss.

Banaue, one of the 11 towns of the province of Ifugao, derived its name from Banawol, a night bird that used to dwell in the area. Nestled in the hinterlands of the Cordillera Mountains, 333 kilometers north of Manila, it has an estimated expanse of 400 square miles of rice paddies or terraces that appear like stairways to the sky. They curve and cling to the glorious mountainsides that they embrace.

In December 1995, the World Heritage List of UNESCO listed the Ifugao Rice Terraces — covering 20,000 hectares that span the towns of Banaue, Hungduan, Mayaoyao and Kiangan — as the first living cultural landscape, having been hand-carved by the native Ifugao tribes some 2,000 years ago. Streams and springs found in the mountains were ingenuously tapped and channeled into irrigation canals that run downhill through the rice terraces. The Banaue Rice Terraces is the grandest manmade monument of antiquity not built by slaves. It is believed that its length, if connected end to end, would encircle half the globe, 10 times the length of the Great Wall of China.

It was actually at the recent “Windows to Paradise” extravaganza held at the CCP — where Filipino musical and dance performers were exhibited before officials of various consulates, embassies, hotels, resorts among other stakeholders in the local tourism industry — that my dear friends Clang Garcia, publisher of Colors magazine, ace photographer Yvette Lee and I decided to embark on a local trip to Banaue. Our indefatigable Tourism Secretary Ace Durano and dynamic Undersecretary Edu Jarque encouraged the international community to travel to the country’s priority destinations through native songs and dances. “Windows” transported the enthralled audience to the cities of Laoag and Vigan, bustling streets of Manila and even to the Visayas. Our country has so much to offer to the world. Our Department of Tourism invites the local as well as the international community to experience our sights and sounds and make it their destination of choice. We unanimously decided to visit a destination in our lovely country and Banaue topped our list. Truth is, it was my second time to be in this paradisiacal place.

In retrospect, the very first time was when my best friend and two-time Catholic Mass Media Awardee Bum Tenorio — whose first-ever job was as a researcher-writer for an environmental agency in Lamut, Ifugao in 1991 — brought my sister Michelle and I to Banaue Rice Terraces in 2003. Bum’s familiarity with the terrain aided in our jovial exploration. Unforgettable it was when he broke into song while we crossed a bridge in the middle of the terraces that resembled the one in the film The Bridges of Madison County. With resolute nostalgia, he quoted a line from the movie: “This kind of certainty comes but once in a lifetime.” We giggled like high school girls as we repeated the line, admiring the vast expanse of the terraced paddies. While suspended on the bridge, we brought out camote bread, foie gras in honey orange liqueur and Gruyer cheese from our picnic basket. We became giddier as we felt the tapuy kicking in. That solitary moment in time, surrounded by the exhilarating terraces, felt like knocking at heaven’s door.

The Batad Terraces, forming a breathtaking, amphitheatre-like structure, is one of the best examples of the stone–walled type. Hungduan and Mayaoyao also host a number of these. From the Batad Terraces, we proceeded to the Tapia Falls. We descended down a steep flight of concrete stairs to reach the village of Fubloy, located at the bottom of the valley just 40 minutes away. The sight of the cascading water that dramatically falls from a 40- to 50-foot elevation is awesome. The Mayaoyao rice terraces are just 41 kilometers away from the town of Banaue. Perched in the heart of the Central Cordillera mountain ranges, Mayaoyao is known as “The Land of Eternal Spring.” Stone-walled terraces stretch from the mountain-perched barangay of Chaya to the banks of the legendary Penangah river that flows downstream. Each terrace wall is carefully paved with stones.

The use of differently sized and shaped river stones to shore up terrace walls integrates art and science, a skill so highly esteemed that a good number of the paddy builders have been sought throughout the country to build retaining walls along the nation’s highways and even private residences. Other tourist attractions here are Mt. Ammuyao (being the eighth highest mountain in the country), the fabulous Mahencha and Tenogtog waterfalls, the mausoleum containing bodies of the town’s native warriors and Mt. Nagchayan — a town where Japanese troops under Gen. Yamashita fought fierce battles during WWII.

The best time to visit Banaue is between February and August. February is the beginning of the planting season while July and August, despite the damp weather, is when the grains ripen and turn the otherwise green landscape into fields of saffron and gold. Visitors to the terraces will notice plants with bright crimson leaves planted along the paddy edges. These are used to demarcate property boundaries, as fields are handed over only through family members, generation after generation.

We can never forget how the sun begins to set in Banaue as evening falls and the blanket of stars is strewn across the surreal sky. Like magic, the constellations come alive before our very eyes. There are many things in this world that we take for granted, perhaps because they are just within reach. Yet little do we realize that the most sparkling diamonds are in our very own backyard and yes, we only see the stars when the sky is pitch black. Like a scintillating diamond displayed on the black velvet of a jeweler’s showcase, Banaue is an opulent testimony to God’s grace located right here in our country.

* * *
For further information please call the Department of Tourism.

How to get there: By bus - Autobus (+632-740-7959), Florida Trans (+632-731-5358 or 743-3809), Victory Liner (+632-833-0219). Where to sleep: Philippine Tourism Authority-managed Banaue Hotel & Youth Hostel (+63-74-386-4087 to 88); Native Village Inn, Uhaj Village (+63-916-4056743 or 0908-303-9810).

* * *
E-mail the author at miladay.star@gmail.com.

Watershed-protection teams formed (http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2008/09/07/PROV20080907134525.html)

Cordillera teams tasked to check forest destruction

By DEXTER A. SEE

BAGUIO CITY – Alarmed by the rapid pace of forest and watershed denudation, the Cordillera Regional Development Council (RDC) approved the creation of quick-response teams.


The teams are tasked to prevent the destruction of forests and watersheds in the region, particularly at tri-boundary of Benguet, Ifugao, and Mountain Province. They will focus their efforts on identified "hot spots", such as the Mount Pulag, Mount Polis, and Mount Data reservations.

The quick-response teams will be composed of personnel of government agencies, local government units, and non-governmental organizations. The composition of the teams is in recognition of the complexity of the forest-destruction problem that undermines the efforts and capability of the Cordillera office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The regional DENR office is handicapped by the lack of forest officers and logistics in its efforts to hasten the solution of the forest-denudation problem.

RDC said the teams will tap the services of agencies and organizations whose mandate and mission is to ensure sustainable development through the judicious use of natural resources and maintenance of peace and order.

These include the DENR, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Agriculture (DA), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and local government units.

RDC, the region’s policy-making body, cited the need to address the problem on forest and watershed destruction. It said that if not stopped, watershed destruction could result in the loss of water resources for electricity generation, irrigation for agriculture, industry and household use.

The tri-boundary of Benguet, Mountain Province and Ifugao and other areas such as Mount Pulag, Mount Polis, and Mount Data serve as headwaters of the Agno River, Chico River, and Magat River that support hydroelectric plants for the Luzon grid and irrigation systems in Northern Luzon.

These areas used to be parts of the central Cordillera forests, which were blessed with a rich bio-diversity of wild plants and animals.

RDC said the wanton destruction and conversion of mossy, pine forests into vegetable farms in the "hot spots" have been difficult to control because of the interplay of economic, political, and social factors.

Firm to explore geothermal energy in Kalinga and Apayao

MANILA, Philippines - A subsidiary of listed holding company APC Group Inc. has been granted the right to explore an area in Kalinga and Apayao provinces for possible geothermal energy development.

In a statement to the Philippine Stock Exchange, APC said subsidiary Aragorn Power and Energy Corp. and partner Guidance Management Corp. were granted a geothermal service contract (GSC) by the Department of Energy.

The area is estimated to have a potential of 120 megawatts to 200 megawatts in power generation.

"Under the GSC, APEC and GMC shall be responsible for geothermal operations which shall include geothermal exploration, development and production," the statement said.

Besides energy-related projects, APC has investments in telecommunications, mining, and manpower outsourcing businesses. - GMANews.TV (http://www.gmanews.tv/story/122550/Firm-to-explore-geothermal-energy-in-Kalinga-and-Apayao)

The Ifugao wooden scooter: Pinoy ingenuity at centerstage

By Gloria Tuazon

A TRIBUTE to Filipino ingenuity is the theme of the first wooden scooter race staged apart from other festivities in Banaue, Ifugao.

In the past it was an integral activity of the annual Banaue Imbayah, something that wowed and fascinated the crowd.

In April of 2008 however, these group of men fabricating the wooden scooters and joining races decided to form a group and called it Banaue Rice Terraces Wooden Scooters Organization, headed by president Vicente Dinundon Jr., a 2006 graduate of BS Agriculture of the Benguet State University.

Now 25 years old, he is back home in Banaue to live and continue the tradition of home-based business and "scootering."

The story of the wooden scooter is a tale on its own, too.

These mobile contraptions were once created to serve a need. The men-folk were having a difficult time going to and from their homes to their muyongs up the mountains, often bringing home firewood and crops tended up there. It would often take them hours to walk the distance and carry the load.

This then gave birth to the first scooter. They would push it up the hills and work for the day. Firewood would be strapped along both sides of the scooter and other goods tied at the back.

The ride back home would then be a breeze.

These scooters are fashioned out of wood, minimizing the use of nails. Through time the simple device to ferry firewood and tubers soon became art, their designs and styles becoming more intricate and complicated.

Like the swirling horses on a carnival carousel, today's scooters come in a wonderful array of designs -- horses, tigers, Indian heads, eagles, bululs, anything which catches the fancy of its creator, and most often the birthing of one creation comes with a story.

That makes it the more interesting and valuable.

The forming of the Banaue Rice Terraces Wooden Scooters Organization (BRTWSO) was armed with a concept of showcasing their art. They made a proposition to have their club be registered with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which they may also use for livelihood.

With the help of Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA), the first staging of the independent scooter race happened in a two-day activity, to boost the practice. The activity went well after two postponements and they hope it will survive the times.

For now what they need is a "viewdeck," to serve as a showroom of scooters where they can manufacture, assemble and show off their pieces. They are on the process of wooing good-hearted sponsors to help them on this cause, one of which is Gov. Mark Lapid, the incumbent governor of Pampanga.

Vincent Dinundon fashioned and extraordinary scooter out of hardwood, with a Mohawk head in front just above the handlebars. The scooter body is a horse, the mane flying in the wind, all this coated in handsome black and valued at more than P25,000. This was finished in two and a half months, based on a story and Ifugao culture. He named it "Bangkiki."

The story, Dinundon said, is a secret for now. This made it more valuable and harder to part with. But he must. This he humbly sold to Lapid for P8,000 with the hope of being granted the favor of having the viewdeck dream for the club.

The P8,000 he used to pay PTA for the registration fee of P300 for each of the 17 racers because with hard life, even this amount is hard to come by. With this they raced with will and hopes.

The just-concluded race showed the world the ingenuity of these simple people, an art borne out of tradition and necessity to continue and blossom as a valuable art and livelihood. Ifugao is living to its name as a land of wood carvers and sculptors, making masterpieces of imaginative and soulful arts.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/bag/2008/10/02/feat/the.ifugao.wooden.scooter.pinoy.ingenuity.at.centerstage.html

Rehabilitation of ruined Ifugao rice terraces on

To avert rapid deterioration of World-Heritage site

By DEXTER A. SEE

LAGAWE, Ifugao — The Ifugao Rice Terraces and Cultural Heritage Office (IRTCHO) here has lined up activities for the rehabilitation of the damaged portions of the world-famous rice terraces in Hungduan and Mayoyao towns, this province, two of the popular World-Heritage sites.

The rehabilitation work is intended to avert the rapid deterioration of the scenic tourist destination.

Earlier, IRTCHO reported the completion of the rehabilitation of portions of the rice terraces in Bangaan, Banaue town.

The present rehabilitation is focused on the rice terraces in Battad, Banaue town, and Nagacadan, Kiangan town.

The project is in line with the efforts of the local, national, and international groups to restore the rapidly deteriorating Ifugao rice terraces, one of the top tourist destinations of the country.

The Ifugao provincial government forged recently an agreement with farmers organizations at the heritage sites to ensure the continuous maintenance of the restored portions of the terraces.

The agreement obligates IRTCHO to provide expert advice, technical services and financial assistance in the hiring of experts who will supervise the rip-rap work at the eroded rice terraces.

IRTCHO is also required to participate in monitoring the progress of the restoration work and to see to it that the process meets in quantity and quality standards.

The rehabilitation is a part of a bigger effort to preserve the world-heritage sites described by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a living cultural landscape.

The rice terraces, constructed by great Ifugao ancestors some 2,000 years ago, started to deteriorate when giant earthworms invaded the area and caused massive erosion of the earthen structures.

It was also noted by IRTCHO that illegal settlers from different parts of the Luzon constructed dwellings in the rice terraces, which ruined the natural beauty and grandeur of the heritage sites.

But despite its deterioration, thousands of tourists still continue to flock to this province to have a glimpse of one of the wonders in the world.

UNESCO had warned local and national leaders that it would be forced to recommend the deletion of the rice terraces from the list of World Heritage sites if the deterioration is not stopped.

Provincial officials said a lot has already been done to preserve and restore the original grandeur the rice terraces.

The officials asked stakeholders to help in the efforts for the rehabilitation and restoration of the collapsed portions of the terraces in the next two years.

http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2008/10/01/PROV20081001136733.html

Abra river no longer fit for humans - study (http://www.gmanews.tv/story/125127/Abra-river-no-longer-fit-for-humans---study)
10/05/2008 | 11:11 PM

BANGUED, Abra - The mighty Abra River, one of the five largest rivers in the country straddling from Mountain Province and Benguet as headwaters downstream to Ilocos Sur, is being haunted by pollution.

A probe by the Saint Louis University (SLU) College of Engineering's Applied Research and Development Studies found out that the river, the home of the famous Abra River eel and very dear heritage of the Abreños, is no longer fit for domestic use.

The scientific study "The Abra River system water quality monitoring" by Josephine Aries Dulay, coordinator of SLU's Environmental Research Laboratory that came out in the Northern Luzon Research Journal (2007), found out that "except for temperature, all parameter readings exceeded allowable limits or did not meet minimum required concentrations set forth in DAO 34 for the rivers to be classified AA (public water supply Class I), Class A (public water supply Class II), or Class B (recreational water Class I)."

Meaning, the findings indicate that the river is polluted.

Data sampling for the research was started in October 2004. The sampling was performed on a quarterly basis.

Water samples were taken from different sites along the length of the Abra river and were analyzed in terms of physic-chemical characteristics, which include temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, total suspended solids, total dissolved solids, biochemical oxygen demand, nitrates, lead, mercury, chromium and cyanide concentrations.

The samples were taken from the headwaters in Barangay Guinaoang in Mankayan, Benguet as control sample; then going down stream at the mill outlet, tailings dam spillway, Lepanto bridge, Kayan, Gitlangan, Bulaga, Patungkalew, Banoen, Manabo, Bucay, Bangued, Banaoang, Caoayan and Santa.

"During samplings at the mill outlets and tailings dam spillway, no life forms in these parts of the river were observed," Dulay said.

Dulay also noted an alarming presence of toxic substances. There are high nitrate concentrations, heavy metals and cyanides, she found out.

She attributed the nitrates to fertilizers, domestic and industrial effluents and animal manure.

Heavy metals present are lead, mercury, and chromium in concentrations much higher than acceptable limits. Although these metals are naturally present in the environment, "if found in excessive amounts, they are most likely due to industrial discharges," Dulay explained.

Cyanide has also been found to be in concentrations above the acceptable limits, "especially at the mill outlet and the mine tailings spillway," the study stated.

"Cyanide is the most common chemical used to extract gold from ore despite the fact that leaks or spills of this chemical is extremely toxic to fish, plant life and human beings," it also said.

Cyanide can break down with sunlight and oxygen, but the low amount of dissolved oxygen (DO) in the water hinders it from breaking down. The low DO also means the water cannot support aquatic life.

"Due to the pollution, the river may no longer be able to fulfill its productive and life-sustaining functions as the river's assimilation and self-purifying capacity is greatly impaired," Dulay said.

The Abra River stretches from Mountain Province passing through Ilocos Sur and Abra.

It used to be rich in aquatic resources supporting the needs of the communities it traverses.

Population growth, urbanization, technological advancement, and mining have contributed to the river's pollution, said Dulay.

Aside from the blame on mining, deforestation and slash and burn activities in the upland area, illegal logging and tunnel shoring in mining areas causing soil erosion and river siltation, and use of chemical pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers by the farmers nearby also cause the pollution.

Dulay insisted that while the research may hurt, she studied the Abra river to assess its capacity to receive waste discharge and later recover from the disturbance, to classify the river according to guidelines set by Administrative Order 34 of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Eye opener

The SLU professor added that the Abra River though still has the capacity to regenerate if proper management of waste disposal is met, sounding that she wants people to open their eyes to the darn reality.

She suggested dredging, like what Marcopper in Marinduque did, which can be done to be able to bring back the ecological system of the riverbeds. She likewise proposed oxidation to destroy cyanide molecules.

Mining operations and environmental protection can go together, Dulay said, but "radical changes in mining practices and stricter government implementation of environmental laws" must be done.

She further said "mining companies (should) utilize available technologies for the treatment of contaminated fresh surface water, efficient on-site reduction of metal and the control, storage, and beneficial utilization of mine tailings. - Sun.Star Baguio

2 Cordillerans among public service awardees

Lyn V. Ramo

BAGUIO CITY — Two public servants from the Cordillera made it to the Outstanding Public Officials and Employees of the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

A public health official and a English public school teacher from the region were among five individual and two group recipients of the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award in line with the CSC 108th anniversary.

Dr. Celia Flor Brillantes, Baguio City’s Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit head and Warren Ambat, a teacher at Baguio City National High School received the award on September 19 in Malacañang.

Working outside the box

CSC cited Brillantes for spearheading the creation of the website Bonjing, the first government-run interactive website that dwells on sex education for the youth. The site earned for the country the Best Practices Award in Internet-based public service for young adults, given by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

Brillantes has also inspired health professionals to be of utmost service to the poor. She said in her acceptance speech during a ceremony here Wednesday, “Our work depicts our concern for people, our families and friends.” She added being a true public servant requires innovation, creativity and skills to work outside the box.

Ambat bagged the award for championing the cause of information and communications technology as an approach in teaching and as a tool in improving school systems and processes. As an English teacher unlettered in IT, he improved teaching approaches and style through the use of digital technology.

ICT made his lessons more interesting for him as a teacher, as well as for his students.

The other Lingkod Bayan awardees are Mayor Ricardo Revita of Rosales, Pangasinan; Mayor Roberto Agcaoili of San Mateo, Isabela; Dr. Caesar Saloma, dean of the College of Science, University of the Philippines (UP)-Diliman; the Joint Department of Loans and Credit (DLC) and Information Technology Sub-Sector (ITSS) for the Development of the Electronic Recounting System, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Malate; and the UP-Manila’s School of Health and Sciences.

Three other Cordilleran educators made it as semi-finalists, namely Nora B. Amowas, a public school teacher at the Baguio City Special Education Center; Evelyn Joyce Taguiba of the Mountain Province General Comprehensive High School in Bontoc; and George B. Vidal, public elementary school teacher at Quirino Hill Elementary School in Baguio City.

San Ubaldo Esteban of the Bureau of Fire Protection and Regina P. Sarmiento of the Department of Education-Cordillera regional office were semi-finalists in the Dangal ng Bayan and Pag-asa ng Bayan, respectively.

The five national awardees also got plaques from the regional CSC office Wednesday.

CSC also recognized outstanding programs on awards and incentives for service excellence (praise) committees. The honor awards system aims to deliver the highest good to the public, according to CSC Regional Director Danilo Danipog.

http://www.nordis.net/blog/?p=3114

Aquarium fish to land in Igorot’s dining table

Lyn V. Ramo

BAGUIO CITY — The fish is as big as its aquarium. Literally, this applies to the dory gold or popularly known to pet-keepers as the golden hammerhead fish.

http://www.nordis.net/blog/wp-content/files/lyn2008_1005aquariumfish.JPG

AQUARIUM FISH. Fishery Regional Director Rebecca G. Dang-aoan shows off a school of pangasius or hammerhead shark, simply known as yellow tail catfish fingerling. The agriculture department re-launched the production of said species after it failed to get public acceptance in 1978 and 1982. Photo by Lyn V. Ramo/NORDIS

Cordillera folk will get a bigger view and a better taste of the fish when it lands on the platter, not as the small aquarium fish but as a fillet, with the launching Wednesday at the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) here.

According to BFAR Regional Director Rebecca G. Dang-aoan, the dory gold, a.k.a. cream dory and yellow tail catfish, can grow as big as two kilos in four to six months in a pond.

Since the fish thrives in low temperature, it can be grown in many places in the Cordillera, according to Dang-aoan.

BFAR will embark on hatchery and breeding for the cream dory and envisions to develop areas for its propagation. Private pond-owners and operators shall raise the dory until this is ready for the market.

A study shows a steadily growing market for fish fillet. In the Philippines, an existing annual demand for 5,000 metric tons of dory fillet is being supplied by imported fish from Vietnam, according to Dang-aoan.

Cream dory, pangasius, is a large fresh-water fish indigenous to the Mekong Delta, which include China, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Dang-aoan told the press Wednesday the fish would be raised in pilot areas where private individuals interested in its production would be tapped. She mentioned the Magat lake behind the dam in Alfonso Lista and Aguinaldo, Kalinga and the Ambuclao fish cage takers as possible beneficiaries of the first dory gold fingerling dispersal.

Dr. Micaela Defiesta of the Food and Nutrition Council said the new fish production venture would provide the needed protein in the Cordillera folk’s diet.

http://www.nordis.net/blog/?p=3113

DOT promotes Kalinga's "Diddiga", Buguias, Benguet's "Alibay di Badang" festivals

by Lito Dar

Baguio City -- The Department of Tourism (DOT-CAR) is promoting two festivals in the region - Kalinga's "Diddiga" Festival and "Alibay di BADANG" of Buguias, Benguet.

DOT OIC Armi Legaspina, in a Kapihan forum Wednesday stressed that DOT supports LGUs and other related tourism organizations/associations in their tourism endeavors, such as these festivals, by way of marketing and promotion.

The province of Kalinga will be having a "Diddiga" Festival on October 26 to 30 as the Kalingas join the country in celebration of the Indigenous People (IP) month.

The Digdiga has five components, namely the "Sallidummay" Festival and Indigenous trade fair to celebrate the province's pride of "identity"; The Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) Faura to respect and recognize the rights of the indigenous people; the Chico River Festival to protect the Chico River as a heritage site; and the Batok Festival – to relieve a vanished Traditional Art.

Kalinga's Provincial Tourism Council chairperson and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Provincial Officer Naty Suguiyao explained that "Diddiga" means pride and showing off one's talent, beauty and arts, therefore they will try to showcase Kalinga's best, during the festival.

For the Batok Festival, Suguiyao explained that it would be like a reunion for all the tattooed men and women of Kalinga and through the festival they plan to make a coffee table book, which they will name "voice of the skin." She also announced that they will give some guidelines to the press people, regarding the taking of photographs of the tattooed men/women of Kalinga.

With the Chico river festival, they would put forward the advocacy of the "urgent" need to protect and preserve Chico River, as one of the important watershed cradle in Cordillera.

According to Saguiyao, Chico River is now on an "alarming state", as it is becoming a huge sewage system, degraded and silted. She also stressed the need to protect the river from "ourselves".

Meantime, the Domain of Buguias, Benguet will be having an "Alibay di BADANG" festival on October 27 -31. Festival chair Johnny Carlos explained that "Alibay" pertains to Buguias' customary laws and practices and focus on more productivity, good health and production, while "BADANG" is an IP organization, which means Buguias Ancestral Domain for the Native's Governance.

According to Carlos, aside from the usual cultural shows, they will be promoting carrots and its by-products as Buguias' OTOP. He added that they will also be promoting coffee/bamboo production and organic farming to the local farmers. (PIA)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&fi=p081018.htm&no=08

Gov’t allots P5.6 billion for Cordillera projects

Amount earmarked in P1.4-trillion national budget for 2009

By DEXTER A. SEE

BAGUIO CITY — The national government has earmarked at least P5.6 billion for various infrastructure projects in the Cordillera.

The appropriation, which is provided in the 2009 P1.4-trillion national budget, will be used for the rehabilitation and improvement of various roads in the region.

The amount of next year’s allocation for the region is at least 200 percent more than the R2.89 billion allocated this year for various projects in the region..

State-of-the-nation-address (SoNA) infrastructure facilities make up some 95 percent of the programmed projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to ensure that the commitments of President Arroyo in the region will be completed in or before 2010.

Engineer Mariano Alquiza, Cordillera DPWH director, said Kalinga will get the biggest allocation next year in the amount of R1.77 billion.

Mountain Province, which usually got most of the funds for infrastructure in the past years, will receive R1.44 billion for infrastructure projects, Alquiza said.

Ifugao is expected to get R224.5 million for the implementation of SoNA projects, while Benguet will get at least R721 million for the implementation of various foreign-assisted projects. These include the rehabilitation of the Abatan-Mankayan-Cervantes secondary arterial road which has a total cost of R673 million.

At the same time, Alquiza, who is chairman of the Regional Development Council’s infrastructure committee, said Benguet will also get R438 million for the rehabilitation and construction of damaged national roads, R127 million for road upgrading, R116 million for roads intended to boost tourism, and R20 million more for other infrastructure projects.

Ifugao is set to get R518 million for the implementation of SoNA projects, road upgrading, road opening and construction of missing national road links, roads to enhance tourism, rehabilitation and reconstruction of damaged national roads, and other infrastructure facilities.

Abra will receive R501.8 million; Apayao, R471.1 million; and Baguio City, R80 million. Thje regional office will get R18.5 million for various road projects.

Since 1989, RDC had been constantly lobbying for national recognition of the need to rehabilitate various roads to bring development to the far-flung communities. It crafted the Cordillera Road Improvement Project (CRIP), the blueprint for the region’s infrastructure development, which serves as a basis for funding by foreign and local agencies.

President Arroyo has given priority to the infrastructure development of the Cordillera in an effort to boost tourism, agriculture and economic development. All these projects are geared towards the improvement of the standards of living of the upland people.

http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20081018138323.html

http://photos-763.friendster.com/e1/photos/36/74/19014763/1_529029282l.jpg

Photo taken from Tiendesitas

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3123/3147039626_cbe16be76f_o.jpg
ADVANCE HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3076/3150592470_2e4fd21564_b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/dxpsycho/Legazpinewyear.jpg
Photo by tonytones (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonytones/)

ALL AROUND THE WORLD CELEBRATES TONIGHT


http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll149/glittergn/newyear/newyear075.gif

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll149/glittergn/happy%20new%20year%202009/15.gif


From SSC-Iligan City

Revamped the Welcome to SSC-Philippines (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=777770) thread. No need to add your name after you copy and paste the long list of forumers. I've also included a poll to see which part of the globe our members are from.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n250/bobtaz08/SSC.jpg?t=1230790298

Good Day SSCers!

Here is the information necessary for ordering the SSC National T-shirt:

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x248/gibbster1/others/SSCTeedesign1.jpg

Ordering - Manila, Philippine Domestic and Overseas


You may send your payment through Western Union or for the Philippines, either in ML Lhuiller Kwarta Padala or Cebuana Lhuiller. The recipient information will go as follows:

Name: Bernardo Muerong Arellano III
Address: Unit 16C, Kingswood Condominium, Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City, Philippines
Telephone Number: +63(921)2155266


Upon sending, please PM/YM/or SMS me the details of your name, address and most importantly your MCTN or the shipping/tracking number.
For Metro Manila orders, you may also pay directly/personally to me (HabagatCentral1) but you may have to contact me before 21 January 2008 since I'll be leaving for Iloilo and will be there for 2 weeks.
Deadline for purchasing for the first batch would be at February 10, 2008.

Distribution and Shipping


For Metro Manila and suburb orders, you have two options:
First: You may claim it personally through me in which it would not incur additional shipping costs. Please do contact me or send me a PM/YM/SMS for claiming your shirt. Otherwise, we will be announcing the date when you can claim your shirts in one meet.
Second: For special requests or delivery, we may send in your order directly to your doorstep with additional shipping cost. For Manila orders, shipping cost may have an additional P115 and for Luzon P120.



For Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao Shipping:
We would like to suggest that the SSCers of Luzon and especially Visayas and Mindanao would agree on one contact person who will be responsible distributing the t-shirts in their locality so that we could send the shirt in bulk...this way it will be more affordable to ship the said t-shirts to any destination in the Philippines.
Please do have an agreed assigned representative from your locality by 31 January 2008.
Please do send me a PM of your personal information, delivery address and contact number through PM of the said assigned representative.
Possible rate may be PhP50 to PhP80 but may be reduced if the orders would increase in your locality, so start informing other forumers there and encourage them to take part of this project.



For Overseas Shipping:
Standard shipping rates apply either through FedEx or DHL.

Distribution:


For Greater Metro Manila area orders, we will be announcing when will be the date to claim your t-shirts personally.
For Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao orders, you may claim your tshirts from your designated representative.
Possible delivery of the t-shirts would be from a week to two weeks after deadline, so most probably we will have our tshirts by mid or late February.


For more questions, suggestions or comments, please feel free to send me a private message/PM.

Also, for interested parties who want to order, please add up your name on the list so that we could have a complete list of how many will be ordering.

Thanks and mabuhay po tayong lahat!

=====================================

Please check out this thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=761866) for more details and information. :okay:

Apayao seeks consultation before investors' entry (http://http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/apayao-seeks-consultation-investors-entry)

WHILE the province of Apayao may be open to the entry of companies wanting to utilize it's natural resources, this should not serve as a signal for them to bypass the process of consultation with the local government units.

Apayao Governor Elias Bulut Sr. said the province is not as strict in the entry of investors in the locality, but emphasized the local government should be informed first.

Specifically, Bulut said the province does not prohibit the entry of logging and mining firms.

He, however, stressed that whatever company applies for either mining or logging permit must consult local government officials first for their approval.

The governor earlier raised allegations the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the region issued a permit to a logging firm without the Provincial Government's knowledge, an allegation denied by the DENR.

Bulut's concern reached the Regional Development Council.

The DENR, meanwhile, said Bulut's fears were unfounded, adding the agency has not issued any logging permit, aside from the company that has the existing logging license, which is currently recognized by the Provincial Government.

"We are not asking the DENR not to issue permits. What we only ask them is to let us be informed first on applications and allow us to decide if we should allow the company applying or not," Governor Bulut said.

Investments to the province are seen to spur economic development of Apayao. "But we want that the activities of the companies must be regulated. We do not want the unwise use of our resources," he added.

Last month, the Provincial Government organized the Apayao provincial task force against illegal logging, illegal hunting, and unauthorized fishing to protect its natural resources. (Jane Cadalig)

PNP euro general named Cordillera Administrative Region chief (http://http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=442752&publicationSubCategoryId=63)
By Cecille Suerte Felipe Updated February 23, 2009 12:00 AM


MANILA, Philippines - Philippine National Police officials have appointed to a top regional post a PNP officer who was linked to the alleged illegal release of 105,000 euros or P6.9 million that was seized by Russian authorities from retired police comptroller Director Eliseo de la Paz in a Moscow airport last October.

Chief Superintendent Orlando Pestaño, director of the PNP Finance Service, was designated yesterday as regional director of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

Pestaño replaced Chief Superintendent Eugene Martin, who was earlier designated as chief of the PNP Directorate for Intelligence replacing Director Dante Ferrer who retired last week upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56. The STAR tried to contact Pestaño but to no avail.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome said the case against De la Paz, Pestaño and the other police officials linked to release of the euros is now at the Office of the Ombudsman and pending the result of the investigation, there is no law that prohibits the PNP from appointing officers to certain positions.

“The case is now with the Office of the Ombudsman and pending their findings, there is no prohibition in appointing police officers (to certain positions),” Bartolome told The STAR.

The PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) had forwarded all its records on the investigation on the De la Paz and the so-called “euro generals” to the Ombudsman.

De la Paz and his wife were held at a Moscow airport on Oct. 11, 2008 for carrying the undeclared euros, after they attended the 77th International Police (Interpol) General Assembly in St. Petersburg, Russia.

The other police officials in the PNP delegation to the Interpol meeting were Deputy Directors General Emmanuel Carta, Ismael Rafanan, Directors Romeo Ricardo, Silverio Alarcio, German Doria and Jaime Caringal, and Superintendent Elmer Pelobello, the aide of the delegation.

De la Paz and his wife were questioned at an airport in Moscow for carrying undeclared excess cash and during investigation by the PNP, Senate and the House of Representatives it was learned the money was released illegally from the PNP intelligence fund.

The PNP reported that Pestaño was the police officer who went to see De la Paz to confirm the latter’s request for P10 million for the allowance of the PNP delegation to 77th Interpol General Assembly in St. Petersburg.

Pestaño later gave the clearance to Superintendent Samuel Rodriguez, disbursing officer of the 14th Finance Service Office, to release the money.

Records showed that on Sept. 26, Senior Superintendent Tomas Rentoy III, chief of the Budget Division of Comptroller, was called by Rodriguez and was told that the PNP delegates to the Interpol need P10 million.

Rentoy claimed that the Notice of Fund Availability (NFA) had not yet been issued. Hence, there was an urgency that funds should be made available via cash advance so that the plane tickets could be paid and other requirements of the PNP delegation could be prepared.

Last month, De la Paz’s lawyer Noel Malaya claimed that the Russian government had already cleared his client and his wife of any criminal intent when they failed to declare the euros in their possession.

Malaya also noted that the 105,000 euros has been released by Moscow to the account of De la Paz’s Russian lawyer based in the capital.

Green Financing offered to organic Benguet farmers (http://http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/green-financing-offered-organic-benguet-farmers)


BENGUET vegetable farmers have made headway in organic agriculture practice with its vision to make Benguet the Organic Food Bowl in Asia.

The La Trinidad Organic Practitioners (Latop) Multi-Purpose Cooperative will give the province a jump start for the future as they received loans through the Green Financing component of the project: Upscaling Organic Vegetable Production in Metro Benguet and Baguio, funded by the Philippine Australia Community Assistance Program (Pacap) and the Foundation for Sustainable Society Incorporated (FSSI) through the Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation Inc. (JVOFI).

The Green Financing assistance is a credit facility that will provide Latop members P25,000 in loans to be used for the construction of organic farming structures such as greenhouses, compost sheds, nurseries and packing areas to improve organic farming production.

To date, 51 LaTOP farmers have availed of the Green Financing loan from both the Pacap and FSSI Project.

JVOFI Executive Director Marichu Lopez said this project for LaTOP would serve as model for the country's agricultural industry. He added that Green Financing is something new to be implemented in the agriculture scene.

She said the project not only responds to poverty reduction in Benguet, but would also address the concerns on environment and health.

Both Pacap and FSSI conform with the vision of JVOFI to promote the production of organic fertilizers for small farmers to minimize their dependence on chemical fertilizers.

Benguet Governor Nestor Fongwan also shares the belief of JVOFI and Latop farmers that going back to the basics through organic farming will provide people with healthier food and will address the problem of the spiralling cost of petroleum-based fertilizers.

JVOFI's Ecological Enhancement Manager Rhoda Fe Buenavista said food security begins in the farming communities, but added that farmers have to know many things before going fully organic.

She stressed farmers must first know the techniques of proper management of soils and nutrients. This is where JVOFI comes in through the "Upscaling Organic Farming in Metro Baguio and Benguet.”

LaTOP members are continuously undergoing training and seminars on organic farming through the capacity building component of the project. LaTOP producers are expected to train more farmers to become organic practitioners.

Through the information and education campaign on organic farming, the organic demo farm modeling aims to establish organic demo farms in Benguet.

Buenavista added, aside from being friendly to the environment and health, organic farming would help rehabilitate and restore the fertility of the soil.

‘Bahag Pulis’ debuts in Panagbenga (http://http://www.gmanews.tv/story/150880/‘Bahag-Pulis’-debuts-in-Panagbenga)
03/01/2009 | 02:09 PM

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Dancing cops? How about cops in G-strings?

A number of “bahag pulis” were the toast of the town Sunday as they participated in the annual Panagbenga Festival in this mountain city in northern Philippines.

The audience, estimated to be at about 150,000, cheered when the “bahag pulis” paraded beside the Transformation Torch float of the Philippine National Police-Cordillera.

"We are testing their acceptance to the community," said former Cordillera Police Chief Superintendent Eugene Martin, who conceptualized the “bahag pulis.”

The “bahag pulis” are members of the Tourist-Oriented Police, Community-Oriented Police (Topcop). The Topcop are the police officers assigned in the tourist areas of the region like Banaue, Sagada and Bontoc.

The float, designed by Martin and assembled entirely of shasta daisies, chrysanthemum, calla lilies and other flowers at the Benguet State University, has a large PNP cap and the transformation torch in front and the Procor seal in the middle.

The transformation program is part of PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa's nine-point agenda aimed at professionalizing the police service. - GMANews.TV

Record crowd joins Baguio's Panagbenga '09 fest (http://http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/features/03/02/09/record-crowd-joins-baguios-panagbenga-09-fest)
By Kristine Servando, abs-cbnNEWS.com | 03/02/2009 2:53 PM


It is always a treat to come home to Baguio City, especially during the Panagbenga season, because there is always something new in store for you. As soon as I hopped on a bus bound for Baguio after work, and saw the long lines of "chance passengers" and the harried ticket sellers, I knew that I wasn't the only one excited to go.

This year, owing to the fact that it is Baguio's Centennial year, the festival drew a record number of people, coming from as far away as Surigao, Mindanao to Vallejo, California (the sister city of Baguio). News reports intially tagged the number of expected guests at 50,000 but it reached 300,000 or more, based on official police estimates. No small wonder that this year's Panagbenga theme is "Our Festival, Yours Too."

My mother tells me that the Panagbenga Flower Festival, a Kankanaey term for "season of blossoming", was conceptualized as a way to help rebuild Baguio after it was shattered by the 1991 earthquake. Sort of a morale boost for the people of Baguio whose lives were shattered as well. Over the years, it has evolved into a tremendous tourist attraction.

I was amazed and overwhelmed by the sheer number of people who squeezed into the sidewalks of Session road (or climbed
on top of buildings), and other roads leading up to Athletic Bowl, where the parades ended, just to get a good view of the the two major parades held over the weekend. People went to great lengths, including waking up at 4 a.m., just to secure a good spot close to the road

All the hotels, inns, and transient houses were full. Anyone who couldn't find any lodgings actually camped in tents at Burnham Park or slept on makeshift beds inside jeepneys or vegetable trucks. Restaurants and shops, especially SM City Baguio, were brimming with people. Street vendors had brisk business, peddling everything from "strawberry taho" to buttered corn to sunglasses to cellphone load to silver jewelry.

In both instances, watching the Streetdance Competition on Saturday and the Float Parade on Sunday, I had to jostle my way through the crowds, angering many people along the way. It was like walking through a big, hot, hostile pool of oatmeal. In all my years growing up in Baguio and visiting during tourist peaks, I have never seen Baguio this full of people.

There were so many people that in the end, local TV networks like ABS-CBN Baguio appealed to viewers to just stay at home and watch the live coverage of the event instead of adding to the already swelling crowd. I have to give all these people credit, though, for braving the intense morning and noon heat and the likely possibility of fainting, just to see a view partially obscured by other people's heads.

The parades were lovely, full of vibrant colored costumes and props that looked wonderful against the clear china blue sky. The streetdancers
were energetic, clad in glittery costumes or body paint, carrying giant paper leaves and sunflowers. Some were dressed in bahags, the native attire, and danced to a chorus of gongs. Even some policemen, who dutifully marshalled the crowd, were wearing bahags along with their police uniform.

The 28 floats were bursting with plants and flowers, mostly Everlasting, in all colors of the rainbow. Marching bands continuously played popular tunes, including the ever-present Panagbenga Festival hymn composed by Macario Fronda. There were even surprise celebrity appearances from Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson, Ogie Alcasid, Wilma Doesn't, and my favorite, Jollibee.

I interviewed many people in the crowd, both tourists and locals, and many of them said that a glimpse of any of those beautiful performances and flowery floats would make any inconvenience (bruised toes, annoyance, or forgone trips to the bathroom) worth it.

"Maganda, kakaiba sa panangin, nag-enjoy ako sa panonood although medyo masakit, mahirap, maraming tao, eh enjoy parin," said Gilbert dela Cruz from Mindoro, who said it was his first time to watch the Panagbenga parade.

Even with the economic crisis, no expense was spared by participants and organizers to make this year's Flower Fest a memorable one. One of the floats alone reportedly cost more than P200,000. Although some locals noted a slight decline in the number of flowers used in the parade this year, they said they were still impressed by the festivities.

After the crowd dispersed, and the last of the floats was dismantled, I suddenly felt sad about leaving again, because it seemed as if the weekend went by too quickly. The Panagbenga festival and Baguio Centennial celebrations are not over yet though, with a long list of activities on the Tourism Council's itinerary yet to come, including "Session Road in Bloom", a week-long street fair where Session road is closed off from cars, and crowds are free to sample food and souveniers from the region.

I left the city with a feeling of hope and joy that in one hundred years of its existence, and more than fourteen years of Panagbenga Flower Festivals, Baguio never seems to lose the energy to celebrate, even in times of hardship, and make everyone feel welcome. For me, and for many of Baguio's visitors, it always feels like home.

Safe bang daanan ang Halsema Highway?

P34.2-M marijuana destroyed in Cordillera (http://http://www.gmanews.tv/story/152146/P342-M-marijuana-destroyed-in-Cordillera)
03/10/2009 | 07:59 PM

MANILA, Philippines — Anti-drug operatives in the Cordillera region destroyed some P34.2 million worth of marijuana plants in Kibungan town in Benguet province Tuesday.

Radio dzRH reported the burning followed four days of drug eradication operations by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Police Regional Office-Cordillera.

Operatives destroyed 165,440 fully grown marijuana plants and 27,800 seedlings during the operations.

PDEA Cordillera spokeswoman Tessie Sarmiento said the eradication operations were conducted March 4 to 7 in 26 areas in Kibungan.

The Dangerous Drugs Board said the drugs destroyed were valued at P34.2 million. - GMANews.TV

the road leading to Banaue in Ifugao...
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Something from my city...

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baguio city cathedral
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FINAL RULING
SC: 16 municipalities can’t become cities

By Tetch Torres
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 14:38:00 05/07/2009

Filed Under: Local authorities, Judiciary (system of justice)

MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court has denied with finality appeals to reverse its ruling that declared as unconstitutional laws that converted 16 municipalities into cities.

Voting 6-5, the court voided the following Republic Acts: 9389 (Baybay City in Leyte), 9390 (Bogo City in Cebu), 9391 (Catbalogan City in Samar), 9392 (Tandag City in Surigao del Sur), 9393 (Lamitan City in Basilan), 9394 (Borongan City in Samar), 9398 (Tayabas City in Quezon), 9404 (Tabuk City in Kalinga), 9405 (Bayugan City in Agusan del Sur), 9407 (Batac City in Ilocos Norte), 9408 (Mati City in Davao Oriental), 9409 (Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental), 9434 (Cabadbaran City in Agusan del Norte), 9435 (El Salvador City in Misamis Oriental), 9436 (Carcar City in Cebu), and 9491 (Naga City in Cebu).

“In view of the denial of the second motion for reconsideration, no further pleadings shall be entertained. Let entry of judgment be made in due course,” the high court said in a three-page resolution.

The court had voided the said laws converting the municipalities into cities in a resolution dated November 18, 2008.

The court said the municipalities were not exempt from the income requirement for cities of P100 million.

The income requirement for cities was raised to P100 million from P20 million after Republic Act 9009 amended the Local Government Code. The laws converting the 16 municipalities into cities were passed after RA 9009 took effect.

The court said “limiting the exemption only to the 16 municipalities violates the requirement that the classification must apply to all similarly situated.”

The high court made the ruling following a petition by the League of Cities of the Philippines, saying a wholesale conversion of municipalities into cities would reduce the share of existing cities of the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA).

DPWH jobs fair generates 29,000 jobs for workers (http://www.mb.com.ph/node/199889)


Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane yesterday announced that the DPWH Jobs Fair has already provided 29,000 jobs to displaced and/or idle Filipino workers all over the country.

A first in the history of the DPWH, the job fair project was launched only in February this year with the full support of President Arroyo and in cooperation with the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) and the two associations of contractors of the country.

Secretary Ebdane said, “After only two months since we launched our jobs fair, we have already received more than 45,000 applicants in the various DPWH offices all over the country and out of these number, we have placed 29,000 in new jobs.”

“This is our modest contribution to battle global recession which has displaced many of our construction workers abroad,” Ebdane said.

The DPWH secretary added that, “I am very happy to be of help to our Filipino workers and I encourage more of our idle construction workers to apply in their nearest DPWH office in their areas. I assure you, those who will qualify will get good jobs.”

Of the 45,000 applicants, a high 63% have been hired. Currently, the bulk of hiring is in the Cordillera Autonomous Region and in Region 6, where mega projects of the DPWH are on-going.

Ebdane encourages more applicants in the Visayas, Mindanao, and Palawan areas, saying “we are launching mega projects in these areas soon. We will need good workers.

Our workers are as essential as the projects themselves in providing a better way of life for our countrymen, especially those in the far flung areas of our archipelago.”

Ebdane added that among the new and immediate mega projects to be launched by the DPWH are the Palawan Roads and Bridges project, and the Butuan Roads and Bridges project that aims to connect Agusan del Norte with Agusan del Sur.

Meanwhile, a Pump Priming forum initiated by the DPWH was held in Nueva Viscaya in line with President Arroyo's job generation program.The DPWH conducted the Pump Priming meeting among the contractors in Cagayan Valley region.

Ebdane said that majority of the funds needed in the DPWH Pump Priming Projects were already released and should be immediately implemented not only to generate employment but to improve the country's needed infrastructure facilities.

DPWH Region II Director Eugenio Pipo said that 60 percent of the DPWH 2009 budget for infrastructure is allotted for the Pump Priming Projects.

During the meeting, the contractors were informed that the DPWH Regional and District Offices will accept applicants and will report to them according to the needs of the contractors for hiring.

The contractors were also advised that although they have their permanent employees, they must employ at least 50 percent of their non-skilled work force from the locality to support the program.

A total of 30 representatives from various contractors from the based on Cagayan Valley Region attended the meeting.

2,433 pass criminology licensure exam (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=461003)


MANILA, Philippines - The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) yesterday reported that less than half or only 2,433 passed out of 7,702 who took the Criminology Licensure Examination (CLE) four days ago.

The University of Cordillera got the highest passing rate among schools with over 100 examinees at 92 percent followed by University of Baguio :banana: and the University of La Sallete with 77 and 76 percent, respectively.

Among the schools with less than 100 examinees, Cordillera Career Development College and Northwestern University topped the list, both posting 63 percent passing rate, while Metro Manila College ranked second with 51 percent, according to the PRC.

Lipa City College, the University of Manila and the ICCT College Foundation were the top three schools with less than 50 examinees.

PRC said the registration for the issuance of Professional Identification Card (PRC ID) and Certificate of Registration will start on April 30.

Successful examinees were advised to personally register and sign the Roster of Registered Professionals.

The oath-taking ceremony of the successful examinees, as well as previous ones who took the CLE but have not taken their Oath of Professional, will be held on May 30 at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel in Manila.

Abra enjoins Brigada Eskwela in Biodiversity Day celebration (http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p090509.htm&no=38)


Bangued, Abra (9 May) -- The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO-Abra) has earlier made arrangements with the Department of Education officials in the province to enjoin the Brigada Eskwela in the celebration of the International Biological Diversity Day on May 22, 2009.

The move to involve the Brigada Eskwela was made in consideration of the need for more participation from the school community since May 22 falls on a summer vacation and there are no pupils and students to participate in the celebrations.. The Brigada Eskwela will already be working in the different schools in preparation for the school opening by then.

The celebration of the International Biodiversity Day aims to promote the concept of the "Green Wave Campaign". The Campaign aims to create awareness among pupils and students on the economic value of the trees and the contribution of these trees to the conservation and preservation of Mother Earth.

According to Frances Judith Centeno of the PENRO, the following activities will be undertaken to highlight the international celebration in Abra: On May 15, the NSTP students of the Divine Word College of Bangued under Mr. Gerardo Palcon will participate in tree planting at the Victoria Park on top of Casamata Hills in Bangued. On May 22, there will be a simultaneous watering of plants in the province. Also on that day, the students can log in and chat with students of other countries participating in the international biodiversity day celebration.

The Brigada Eskwela in the public schools will likewise participate in the simultaneous tree planting and watering of plants as well as in the information education campaign on the same day.

Upland development program benefits 1,218 families in Abra (http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p090501.htm&no=19)


Bangued, Abra (1 May) -- The Upland Development Program (UDP) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will benefit 1,218 families in the province.

In a report made by the Abra-DENR headed by Engr. Ernesto Aton, a total of 1,218 hectares of lands will be covered by the UDP project in Abra. This target area represents one hectare per family. Meaning, each family is given a hectare of land to develop.

The UDP project covers 24 out of the 27 municipalities in the province. For the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office(CENRO) in Bangued, the following are the municipalities covered: Bangued, Bucay, Boliney, Bucloc, Daguioman, La Paz, Lagayan, Langiden, Manabo, Peñarrubia, Pidigan, Pilar, Sallapadan, San Isidro, San Quintin, Tubo and Villaviciosa. A total of 793 hectares will be awarded to the 793 family-beneficiaries.

CENRO-Lagangilang will cover the municipalities of Lagangilang, Lacub, Malibcong, Licuan-Baay, Tineg and San Juan. A total of 425 hectares of land will be awarded to the family-beneficiaries.

There are three components of the UDP project. These are: assisted natural regeneration/enrichment planting; agro-forestry; and reforestation. These components provide immediate employment and income to the participating families which is the administration's thrust to alleviate poverty in the country by providing immediate income thru employment.

Implementation of the project components will be supervised by the CENROs concerned to ensure that the end goal of the project which is not only to provide immediate income thru employment, but to rejuvenate the environment and to provide a long-term source of livelihood to the stewards of the project areas.

Filipino illiterates now at 5.2M (http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/top-news/9243-filipino-illiterates-now-at-52m-.html)


THE Department of Education (DepEd) is set to strengthen the education and literacy programs of youths and adults as the number of Filipino illiterates reached 5.2 million, and dropout rates stood at 6 percent in elementary and 7.5 percent in high school.

“We are now at [a] dead end in education,” Education Undersecretary for Muslim Affairs Manaros Boransing said.

“With these crises, the government should be compelled to implement without delay and strengthen education and literacy programs for youth and adults,” he added.

Boransing delivered the welcome message at the Forum on Youth and Adult Literacy and Lifelong Learning held at the DepEd central office in Pasig City.

He said the rising dropout rate would inevitably take its toll on the Philippine economy, especially amid the global financial meltdown.

DepEd data showed that schoolyear (SY) 2004-2005’s dropout rates of 6.98 percent in the elementary and 7.99 percent in secondary level rose to 7.33 percent and 12.51 percent, respectively, by SY 2006-2007.

Although these figures went down in SY 2007-2008 to 6 percent (2.2 million children aged six to 12) and 7.5 percent (3.4 million aged 12-15 years), the numbers are still high, he said.

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said the department has initiated several interventions such as the launching of Project Reach last year, to enable out-of-school children and youths to go back to school through collaborative work between school and village officials, and help from the private sector.

Earlier, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) report listed the Philippines among countries that deprive children of basic literacy and numeracy skills with its failure to address inequalities in education.

The Unesco 2009 report said the Philippines also lags behind in achieving universal primary education as part of its commitment to the Education For All (EFA) goals which the country signed in 2000.

Unesco said Filipino children in the poorest 20 percent of the population receive five years less education than children from the wealthiest families. On the average, the poorest 20 percent get 6.3 years of education compared to the 11 years of the rich20 percent.

A literacy mapping of fifth- and sixth-class towns by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) also showed the presence or impact of government’s literacy programs are not felt in the bottom 30 barangays.

DILG assistant division chief Virginia Ferrer said literacy programs are currently not among the priorities of some local government units (LGUs), and the most economically backward areas have the highest number of illiterates.

She said the situation might worsen if government, particularly the LGUs, will not intervene.

The DILG said the bottom 30 barangays with the lowest literacy rates are in Abra, Benguet, Kalinga, Mountain Province, La Union, Batanes, Isabela, Laguna, Quezon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Iloilo, Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor, Leyte, Samar, Zamboanga del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental and Surigao del Norte.

The bottom 3 barangays with the lowest literacy rates were Matampa (30.4 percent), Alipuaton (32.9 percent) and Bunal (44.8 percent) in Salay, Misamis Oriental.

The study showed the most common reasons why LGUs do not initiate literacy projects for its needy constituents are: they believe this is the responsibility of DepEd; they have no funds; nobody cares; no official in the fifth- or sixth-class towns has requested for them; and they are not the priority of LGUs.

Ferrer urged Congress to pass a law mandating municipal governments and other LGUs to set aside a percentage of their Internal Revenue Allocations for literacy projects that should be made part of the annual municipal development plans.

PvQQMncBY2w&feature

CORDILLERA WELCOMES YOU

vl-aY2teMOE

lN51XVlvTOE&feature

Solar power lights up Kalinga villages (http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/regions/10170-solar-power-lights-up-kalinga-villages.html)
Regions
Written by Paul Anthony A. Isla / Reporter
Tuesday, 12 May 2009 18:36

USING energy the sun radiates, Japanese-led Solutions Using Renewable Energy Inc. (Sure) has energized three remote communities in Kalinga province.

In a statement, Sure said it was tapped to use solar power for the energy needs of the three barangays in Pinukpuk, Kalinga, as the mountain villages are far from the nearest transmission lines.

Sure has implemented the Pinukpuk lighting program in coordination with Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan–Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDDS), a nongovernment organization involved in poverty alleviation.

Connecting barangays Asibanglan, Limos and Ba-ay in Pinukpuk to the Luzon power grid “is not feasible at this time due to the huge cost involved,” lawyer Clarence de Guia, Sure spokesman, explained.

Pinukpuk is a municipality in Kalinga province, 530 kilometers north of Manila and three to four hours’ drive from the provincial capital of Tabuk. The nearest transmission line to Pinukpuk is about 7 km away.

“Solar power offers the best alternative in this situation, because the barangays are off-grid locations. Moreover, solar energy is environment-friendly; it creates no toxic carbon emissions, which may upset Kalinga’s ecosystem,” said de Guia.

Early this month Sure completed the first phase of its program for the barangays, which required the immediate distribution of 440 units of 12-watt solar panels. Each carries a 7-watt compact fluorescent lantern and a 12V/7AH battery.

Sure said the distribution comes under a subsidized financing program.

The second and last phase of Sure’s contract requires the firm to set up a solar-powered recharging station in each of the three barangays, which will allow the recharging of cellular phones, laptops, television sets, flashlights and handheld radio sets, powered by rechargeable batteries.

“Most of these gadgets are considered rarities in the barangays, and their absence contributes to the area’s isolation,” pointed out Roderick Dumallig, a Kalahi-CIDDS community worker, adding that the use of modern devices will break the isolation of the villages from the rest of the world.

Sure said both phases of the project cost only P2.93 million, which is a fraction of the investments needed to connect the barangays to the Luzon power grid.

“The use of lanterns has an immediate impact on the barangays by extending the productive hours of the residents, many of whom are farmers and handicraft makers,” Dumallig said.

According to Dumallig, residents usually stop working at dusk as kerosone lamps and candles did not provide sufficient lighting.

That was before the solar-powered lanterns arrived. Dumallig said the solar panels also helped residents save on expenses for candles and kerosene.

“Before the introduction of solar power, the recipients, who earn between P500 to P1,000 a month, spent half of their income on kerosene and candles,” he added.

“Now, they devote more time to their handicraft business, and they save more of their income from the cottage industry for their other needs,” Dumallig noted.

“The solar-powered lanterns also have allowed the children to focus longer on their home works. And we expect the kids to learn their lessons faster than before with the use of the solar lanterns,” Dumallig said.

HAPPY 111th, PHILIPPINES!
http://i41.tinypic.com/sqjty1.jpg
LAOAG CITY HALL
Photo credit: anton photographer (http://www.flickr.com/photos/15814863@N04/)

a very warm greeting to the people of the Cordilleras!

Filipino illiterates now at 5.2M (http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/top-news/9243-filipino-illiterates-now-at-52m-.html)


THE Department of Education (DepEd) is set to strengthen the education and literacy programs of youths and adults as the number of Filipino illiterates reached 5.2 million, and dropout rates stood at 6 percent in elementary and 7.5 percent in high school.

“We are now at [a] dead end in education,” Education Undersecretary for Muslim Affairs Manaros Boransing said.

“With these crises, the government should be compelled to implement without delay and strengthen education and literacy programs for youth and adults,” he added.

Boransing delivered the welcome message at the Forum on Youth and Adult Literacy and Lifelong Learning held at the DepEd central office in Pasig City.

He said the rising dropout rate would inevitably take its toll on the Philippine economy, especially amid the global financial meltdown.

DepEd data showed that schoolyear (SY) 2004-2005’s dropout rates of 6.98 percent in the elementary and 7.99 percent in secondary level rose to 7.33 percent and 12.51 percent, respectively, by SY 2006-2007.

Although these figures went down in SY 2007-2008 to 6 percent (2.2 million children aged six to 12) and 7.5 percent (3.4 million aged 12-15 years), the numbers are still high, he said.

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said the department has initiated several interventions such as the launching of Project Reach last year, to enable out-of-school children and youths to go back to school through collaborative work between school and village officials, and help from the private sector.

Earlier, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) report listed the Philippines among countries that deprive children of basic literacy and numeracy skills with its failure to address inequalities in education.

The Unesco 2009 report said the Philippines also lags behind in achieving universal primary education as part of its commitment to the Education For All (EFA) goals which the country signed in 2000.

Unesco said Filipino children in the poorest 20 percent of the population receive five years less education than children from the wealthiest families. On the average, the poorest 20 percent get 6.3 years of education compared to the 11 years of the rich20 percent.

A literacy mapping of fifth- and sixth-class towns by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) also showed the presence or impact of government’s literacy programs are not felt in the bottom 30 barangays.

DILG assistant division chief Virginia Ferrer said literacy programs are currently not among the priorities of some local government units (LGUs), and the most economically backward areas have the highest number of illiterates.

She said the situation might worsen if government, particularly the LGUs, will not intervene.

The DILG said the bottom 30 barangays with the lowest literacy rates are in Abra, Benguet, Kalinga, Mountain Province, La Union, Batanes, Isabela, Laguna, Quezon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Iloilo, Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor, Leyte, Samar, Zamboanga del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental and Surigao del Norte.

The bottom 3 barangays with the lowest literacy rates were Matampa (30.4 percent), Alipuaton (32.9 percent) and Bunal (44.8 percent) in Salay, Misamis Oriental.

The study showed the most common reasons why LGUs do not initiate literacy projects for its needy constituents are: they believe this is the responsibility of DepEd; they have no funds; nobody cares; no official in the fifth- or sixth-class towns has requested for them; and they are not the priority of LGUs.

Ferrer urged Congress to pass a law mandating municipal governments and other LGUs to set aside a percentage of their Internal Revenue Allocations for literacy projects that should be made part of the annual municipal development plans.

Ouch me La Union. Dapat umaksyon ang LGUs sa Probinsya namin ukol dito. Thanks for the news!

BENGUET GENERAL HOSPITAL , La Trinidad: Designed by Japanese Architect Soheii Kitakka

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It is energy efficient with its use of solar panels

Cordillera Region still least developed (http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/209564/cordillera-region-still-least-developed)


Baguio City — Despite its 22 years of existence as an administrative region, Cordillera remains as one of the least developed regions in the country today with its road network being one of the worst despite the multi-billion-peso infrastructure projects committed by President Arroyo.

This was the observation of Juan Ngalob, regional director of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and acting chairman of the Regional Development Council (RDC) in the Cordillera.

Ngalob said there is still a lot to be done in terms of improving the region’s infrastructure facilities.

He said the committed SoNA (state-of-the-nation address) projects involve only the trunkline that links the Cordillera provinces to the Ilocos Region and Cagayan Valley.

These development projects are considered significant compared to the previous situation of the major road networks in the region.

But Ngalob cited the need to fully develop the roads from Kalinga to the northern tip of Apayao as well as from the southern tip of Benguet to the Ilocos Region.

The NEDA official said the status of development of the whole region shows that outside Baguio City, almost 97 percent of the investments are coming from the government. This raises the need to expand private investments in other suitable areas, especially in urban centers, could could serve the needs of multi-national companies.

He said the multi-billion-peso Cordillera Highland Agricultural Resources Management Project (CHARMP) I and II, the Highland Agricultural Development Project (HADP), and the Central Cordillera Agricultural Project (CECAP) I and II are purely government-initiated, foreign-assisted projects intended to improve the condition of the agriculture sector in the region.

The present state of development in the region confirms a recent publication of the National Statistics Coordination Board (NSCB) which listed Cordillera as the second internal revenue allotment (IRA) dependent region in the country due to the absence of investments in the rural areas which are not reached by road networks.

Ngalob said the existence of better roads in the region would surely spell the difference in the economic status of the different provinces because the development of the vital linkages is still far from over despite the huge funds allotted for the Halsema Highway rehabilitation project and the upgrading of the Bontoc-Tabuk-Tuguegarao road.

On July 15, 1987, former President Corazon C. Aquino signed Executive Order No. 220 creating the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) which is composed of the provinces of Benguet, Mountain Province, Abra, and Baguio City (from Region I) and Ifugao, Kalinga, and Apayao (from Region II).

Cordillera wind farm in the works (http://business.inquirer.net/money/topstories/view/20090611-210002/Cordillera-wind-farm-in-the-works)


MANILA, Philippines – Renewable energy firm Philcarbon Inc. plans to put up a wind farm in the Cordillera that can generate 20 megawatts of electricity, its chairman said.

Rufino B. Bomasang said in an interview that the company was eyeing Mt. Province, which was identified in the 1990s as a potential area in the wind mapping project of National Power Corp. and the Department of Energy.

“I brought the representatives of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory of the US to the area, right away they said you can easily generate here 20-30 MW. A few months later, [a company] from Japan visited the area and they said something like 20 MW,” Bomasang said.

Based on the studies conducted by the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the DoE, the Philippines has vast renewable energy potential, including 76,000 MW of wind capacity.

Government data also showed that as a rule of thumb, a firm needs to invest about $3 million to produce a megawatt from wind power.

Despite the potential of the area, Bomasang explained that it was never developed because back in the ’90s, the government did not have a firm national policy on the use of renewable energy sources.

Bomasang added that with the passage of the Renewable Energy bill last year and the signing of its implementing rules and regulations last month, investing in renewable energy has become more attractive to prospective investors.

With the wind farm, Bomasang said Philcarbon would be able to supply not only the power demand of the province, but also the electricity requirements of nearby provinces.

“And that’s why Philcarbon is interested in the area,” he added.

Bomasang said the company would soon send its letter of intent to explore and develop wind resources in Mt. Province to the DoE.

He also disclosed that the company targets to take on a partner, particularly the Canada-based EnerAsia Renewables Corp., which has existing tie-ups with other local firms.

“We will need funding ... we target to partner with EnerAsia because we don’t have the funds, but we can do the initial work, initial studies and getting approvals from local governments, among others,” Bomasang said.

:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

NSIC certification sought for Asha peanut variety (http://businessmirror.com.ph/component/content/article/53-agri-commodities/12872-nsic-certification-sought-for-asha-peanut-variety.html)


THE Field Legume Varietal Improvement Group, the technical working group evaluating peanut seeds, is recommending Asha peanut for certification by the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) after the peanut variety passed a series of testing and strict evaluation.

This was revealed by Dr. Rosemary Aquino, the focal person of Asha peanut (ICGV 86564) production in the Philippines.

Certification is an important mechanism to ensure varietal purity, seed genetic identity and overall seed quality in relation to production, processing, storage and distribution in pursuant to the implementing rules and regulation of the Seed Industry Development Act (Republic Act 7308) of 1992. Thus, the tag “certified seed” is the highest credential given to the seed that possesses quality.

She further stated that the qualities possessed by Asha peanut revealed in 17 national cooperative trials (2007 wet season to 2008-09 dry season), Asha peanut has undoubtedly passed the quality standard of NSIC. Among the accredited testing areas were DA-CVIARC, BPI-LBNCRDC, DA-BIARCS, DA-ROS Bohol, DMMMSU La Union, DA-SMIARC, USM Kabacan, CMU Bukidnon, MMSU Batac, Ilocos Sur, DA-SAMAR and DA CEMIARC.

Based on the result, Asha consistently ranked as No. 1 in terms of yield. Actually, it outyielded the NSIC national check variety (Pn 11) by 22 percent during the wet season and 10 percent in the dry season.



Asha is also the only peanut variety released in the Philippines that produces the highest recorded yield of 3,991 kg per hectare. It doubles the yield of the most commercialized peanut varieties in the country and has a 3-in-1 variety in terms of seed sizes, comprised of Class A (jumbo), Class B (large) and Class C (medium-small seeds). The biggest is sized as a cashew nut, weighing one gram per seed.

Aside from being large-seeded, Asha has a high-shelling recovery of 73 percent to 79 percent. Asha is also ideal for confections and table foods as indicated by its proximate nutrient analysis: 25.67-percent crude protein, 20.05-percent carbohydrates, 47.41-percent crude fat, 4.39-percent moisture, and 2.48-percent ash.

Asha is also resistant to bacterial wilt and other foliar diseases like early- and late-cercospora leaf spot and rust, making it ideal for livestock forage due to its high fresh biomass and dry-matter yield, Dr. Aquino added.

Since its arrival in the Philippines, Asha peanut created a positive image to farmers and businessmen because of its yield potential and profit. It has been commercially grown in Region 2, particularly in the municipalities of Echague, Jones, Benito Soliven and Gamu, Isabela and in Lallo, Cagayan, commercialization program.

At present, farmers in regions l, 9, 10 and Cordillera Autonomous Region are showing interest in the production of Asha as manifested by seed orders, sales and delivery records of CVIARC. In fact, it is now a byword and even a word of expression to most peanut farmers and other peanut enthusiasts. It also appeared on text messages and even in e-mails as indicative of its popularity, stated Dr. Aquino.

The success of Asha was made possible through the collaborative effort of different agencies coupled by strong technology commercialization and dissemination strategies, like the conduct of national and local peanut festivals, technology demonstrations, trade fairs, and the mass production and distribution of information and communication materials.

Making the seed always available to farmers and all Asha enthusiasts is the most important aspect of all strategies, which is the basic role of DA-CVIARC as breeder in the case of Asha peanut, said Dr. Aquino.

DOST intervention contest is on (http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p090704.htm&no=23)


Bangued, Abra (4 July) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is calling the attention of all inventors, designers and researchers to bring their outputs for competition at the DOST-CAR Regional Office in La Trinidad, Benguet.

The contest is open to all Filipino inventors, designers and researchers in Northern Luzon particularly the Cordillera Region, and Regions 1 & 2.

In a presentation by Mr. Menandro Buenafe of the DOST-Abra, there are five categories of the contest: The Outstanding Invention (Tuklas Award); Outstanding Utility Model; Outstanding Industrial Design; Outstanding Creative Research (Likha Award); and the Outstanding Student Creative Research (Sibol Award).

The inventions, utility model and industrial design have to covered by patent or registration which are in force and granted by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO).

The creative researches are studies with demonstrable results and are potential for improvement and widespread commercialization and dissemination.

The Sibol Award which is open to secondary and tertiary students are those that are new and innovative projects or models that have special features and characteristics that could promote science and technology (S&T) innovations that are not contrary to public order, morals, public health and welfare. Entries to the Sibol Award must be endorsed by the head of schools.

Entries that have won first, second, and third prizes in previous contests except those under the Creative Research Category are no longer eligible for the contest.

Contestants are required to submit six copies of the entry form duly filled-up. Entries must be submitted to the DOST-CAR at KM 6, La Trinidad, Benguet not later than 5:00PM on July 17, 2009 for pre-screening.

Qualified contestants will be assigned a booth free of charge to display their entries. They are required to install their entries on Aguust 17, 2009 at the Baguio Convention Center in Baguio City where the judging of the entries will be held.

Criteria for judging for the Outstanding Invention and Utility Model will be based on the degree of inventiveness/ingenuity, useful technical advantage, readiness for commercialization/degree of development, commercial viability and presentation and demonstration.

The Outstanding Industrial Design will include ornamental and aesthetics, has market potential and uniqueness, aside from the presentation and demonstration.

The Outstanding Creative Researches must have originality and creativity, usefulness and market potential. And like the above categories, there must also be presentation and demonstration. (PIA-Abra)

Introducing PCARRD


The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD), a locally and globally well-known lead agency in the areas of research and development, is providing science solutions for a vibrant agriculture and sustainable environment in the country nowadays.

PCARRD is one of the five sectoral councils of the Department of Science and Technology (DoST). It serves as the main arm of DoST in planning, evaluating, monitoring, and coordinating the national research and development (R&D) programs in agriculture, forestry, environment, and natural resources sectors.

DoST has five sectoral planning councils responsible for formulating policies, plans, programs, projects, and strategies for S&T development; for programming and allocating funds; for monitoring of research and development projects; and for generating external funds.

The other DoST councils are: The Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development (PCASTRD), the Philippine Council for Aquatic Marine Research and Development (PCAMRD), the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), and the Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development (PCIERD).

The first DoST council to earn an ISO 9001:2000 certification for its quality management system, PCARRD is engaged in active partnership with international, regional, and national organizations and funding institutions for joint R&D, human resource development and training, technical assistance, and exchange of scientists, information, and technologies.

Established in 1972, PCARRD is the apex organization of the Philippine national agricultural research system. It plays a significant role in fostering science and technology (S&T)-based economic development through natural resource utilization and management. For over three decades now, it has been providing a unified and focused direction for national research and development (R&D) efforts in agriculture, forestry, and natural resources (AFNR).

Vision, mission and mandates

Vision. PCARRD envisions “dynamic, economically viable, productive, and science and technology (S&T)-driven AFNR sectors that produce competitive agricultural and forest products and that are optimally managed to sustain land, water, and biodiversity resources.”

It envisions itself to be “a creative S&T leader and an effective partner that initiates and facilitates sustained development and utilization of local and other adoptable innovations for competitive AFNR sectors.”

Mission. To achieve this vision, PCARRD shall perform its mandate and provide strategic R&D directions for the National Agricultural and Resources Research and Development System (NARRDS) to deliver new knowledge and technologies, phand to ensure that enabling conditions are in place for the efficient and effective performance of the R&D system.

Mandate. The mandate for PCARRD to perform is four-fold: (1) formulate policies, plans, strategies, programs, and projects for S&T development in the AFNR sectors; (2) program and allocate government and external funds; (3) monitor and evaluate R&D projects; and (4) generate external funds for R&D.

Organizational Structure

The Governing Council (GC) is PCARRD’s highest policy-making body. It formulates policies, strategies, and rules and regulations on the administration of the national R&D system; determines the national priority R&D areas for the AFNR and the environment; and approves the budget to support the national AFNR R&D programs (PCARRD, 2008).

The Technical Advisory Committee assists the Council’s executive director in ensuring the quality and effectiveness of the national R&D programs and recommends proper action to the GC.

The PCARRD secretariat implements policies and guidelines presented by the GC.

Strategic programs

The four banner programs embody PCARRD’s strategic S&T directions that strongly support President Arroyo’s ten-point agenda. These include: (1) Knowledge and technology generation program (2) R&D results utilization program (3) Policy research and advocacy program, and (4) Strengthening R&D governance and accountability (Information Bulletin No. 19-F/2008).

These programs are carried out by PCARRD and partner agencies based on the principles of technology-based productivity and competitiveness; effective science-technology-adoption link; conducive R&D environment; and good governance, collaboration, and coordination.

Knowledge and technology generation. This program, a formative banner program, sets the trend for other S&T activities through its components – R&D agenda, development and maintenance of R&D information systems, and packaging of science-based information materials.

The R&D agenda cover the crops, livestock, and forestry sectors. It was derived from 11 Industry Strategic Plans (ISPs) developed by PCARRD in collaboration with the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST). The ISPs are for the following industry clusters: (1) Export fruit crops; (2) vegetables, legumes, and root crops; (3) coffee and abaca; (4) coconut and oil palm; (5) ornamentals; (6) herbals; (7) rice and white corn; (8) sugarcane; (9) swine-poultry-yellow corn; (10) pasture-ruminants; and (11) forestry.

The final integrated R&D agenda includes 31 specific commodities under the 11 industry clusters spread across the 14 geographical regions. Implementation of the R&D agenda will generate 104 products ranging from planting materials to ecotourism sites.

Implementation of the activities as specified in the agenda are carried out by the member-agencies of the 14 regional consortia all over the country. All base agencies of the consortia in the regions are state universities and colleges.

The consortia are as follows: Cordillera Autonomous Region – Highland Agriculture and Resources R&D Consortium (HARRDEC) based at Benguet State University; Region I – Ilocos Agriculture and Resources R&D Consortium (ILARRDEC) at Mariano Marcos State University; Region II – Cagayan Valley Agriculture and Resources R&D (CVARRD) at Isabela State University; Region III – Central Luzon Agriculture and Resources R&D Consortium (CLARRDEC) at Central Luzon State University; Region IV – Southern Tagalog Agriculture and Resources R&D Consortium (STARRDEC) at Cavite State University; Region V – Bicol Consortium Agriculture and Resources R&D (BCARRD) at Bicol University; Region VI – Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources R&D Consortium (WESVARRDEC) at UP in the Visayas; Region VII – Central Visayas Consortium for Integrated Regional R&D (CV-CIRRD) at Negros Oriental State University; Region VIII – Visayas Consortium for Agriculture and Resources Program (VICARP) at Visayas State University; Region IX – Western Mindanao Agriculture, Forestry and Resources R&D Consortium (WESMARRDEC) at Western Mindanao State University; Region X – Northern Mindanao Consortium for Agriculture and Resources R&D (NOMCARRD) at Central Mindanao University; Region XI – Southern Mindanao Agriculture and Resources R&D Consortium (SMARRDEC) at University of Southeastern Philippines; Region XII – Cotabato Agriculture and Resources R&D Consortium (CARRDEC) at University of Southern Mindanao; and CARAGA – CARAGA Consortium for Agriculture, Forestry and Resources R&D (CARRD) at Northern Mindanao State Institute of Science and Technology.

For the development and maintenance of R&D databases, PCARRD continuously provides timely, reliable, and relevant data and information to its clients and beneficiaries.

Cordillera marks 22nd 'birthday' (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=486120&publicationSubCategoryId=200)


LA TRININDAD, Benguet, Philippines – The highland Cordillera region turns 22 on July 15.

Hence, Malacañang has declared Wednesday next week a special non-working holiday here.

“The day is an event for the people of the Cordillera to celebrate this historic event,” said Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita in Proclamation 1830.

The Cordillera is the only landlocked region in the Philippines. It consists of the provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Mountain Province, and Baguio City.

It encompasses most of the areas within the Cordillera central mountain range of Luzon, the largest range in the country.

CAR is home to numerous indigenous tribes collectively called “Igorots”.

Teeming with mineral reserves including metallic ores such as gold, copper, silver, zinc, and non-metallic minerals like sand, gravel and sulfur, the region is a major resource basket in Northern Luzon.

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5,000 join Bayanihan festival in New York
(http://globalnation.inquirer.net/features/travel/view/20090716-215744/5000-join-Bayanihan-festival-in-New-York)



NEW YORK CITY, United States—The Filipinos’ rich cultural heritage was on full display for one whole day in June during the Bayanihan Cultural Festival held in the very heart of the Filipino community in this city.

For many Filipinos who have been living in the New York-New Jersey area for some time now, the festivities on June 21 did not only serve to reconnect them to their native country, but it also reinvigorated their pride in being Filipinos.

Liza Hizon, a mother of two from Plainview, NY, has not been to many Filipino events in years but said she felt an instant reconnection with her Filipino roots at the festival.

“It was a wonderful experience, it brought back my being a Filipino,” said Hizon, who brought her 13-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son to the festival. “Hearing native music and watching folk dances were very moving. Being with fellow Filipinos made me feel like I was home. We will certainly be back next year.”

An estimated 5,000 Filipinos and Filipino Americans attended the Bayanihan Festival that featured a cultural program showcasing Philippine music, dances, songs, and martial arts. It was also a day when Filipino culture was literally on display out on Hart Playground in Woodside, Queens; there were tables laden with Filipino food and delicacy; there were native products on sale; one corner was devoted to children’s games, arts, and craft; and on one side was giant mural-painting using a traditional Filipino style.

The festival was the first ever celebration of Philippine Independence Day held in the heart of the Filipino community in Queens. Among the five boroughs of New York City, Queens has the largest Filipino population.

The festival began with an ecumenical service that was designed to reflect the various religious, geographic, and political realities in the Philippines. The service was concelebrated by a Catholic priest and a Protestant pastor, with representatives from Muslims and non-Muslim, non-Christian ethnic groups participating in the ceremony.

The Prayer of the Faithful was presented in several of the major Philippine languages, and the various sectors of Philippine society—workers, farmers, youth, indigenous groups both from the northern mountain provinces and in the south in Mindanao—were represented during the offertory.

“That was beautiful,” said Perla Godinez, who came all the way from Central New Jersey with her daughter’s family and grandchildren. “I like the fact that they said the Prayer of the Faithful in different languages.”

Hilda Mantalaba from the St. Sebastian Parish in Woodside, Queens, said she received a lot of positive feedback about the ecumenical service. “The people I talked to said it was an inspiring moment,” said Mantalaba, who was one of those who drafted the liturgy for the service. “They said that Filipinos have proven themselves once more that they are united as one people and one nation.”

The day-long lineup of performers was not just a hodge-podge, free-for all program. The performances were carefully selected to reflect the social and historical influences that shaped Philippine culture through the years.

There were a number of notable performers:

The Bibak North East, an association of Filipinos from the five Cordillera provinces (Benguet, Ifugao, Bontoc, Apayao, and Kalinga) now based in the US Northeast, performed traditional ritual dances of their region, such as a war dance, a courtship dance, and one asking the heavens for rain.

The Filipino American Senior Citizen Association of Woodside, Queens danced to Hawaiian ditties “Pearly Shells” and “Tiny Bubbles” to remind the crowd that the first wave of Filipino migration to the United States were the manongs who landed in Hawaii to work in pineapple plantations.

Several members of Project Yehey (Young Educators for Health and Empowerment of the Youth) demonstrated the world-renown Filipino martial arts arnis and kali.

While the performances were going on, there was a sizable crowd of Filipinos and even non-Filipinos who took advantage of the free health screening and free immigration consultations that the organizers offered for the day.

“Bayanihan Day is not only a day for celebration. It is also a day for service,” said Julia Camagong, co-exectuive director of the Philippine Forum, one of the organizers of the festival.

Bayanihan literally means being a hero for others but it has also become synonymous with volunteering, lending a helping hand, involvement in community projects, or coming together for a common purpose.

In one corner of the park, award-winning Filipino artist Eliseo Art Silva was guiding festival participants in painting a mural with the word ‘Bayanihan” printed on it. Silva said the mural is done in the traditional “Letras y Figuras” style, which depicts scenes from daily Philippine life sometimes hidden and sometimes emphasized by the letters of the word printed on the canvas.

At around 4 o’clock in the afternoon, a thunderstorm cut short the program and the festivities in the park. But it was not enough to dampen the spirit of those who were there. Youth volunteers transported the sound system and equipment to the Bayanihan Filipino Community Center a few blocks away and resumed the performances. The night belonged to young Filipinos who danced and grooved to the live music of Filipino American rock bands.

For many Filipinos who took part in the festival, what happened that day was not just an explosion of Philippine culture, but also a manifestation of the indomitable bayanihan spirit of Filipinos as a people.

Adel Inez, of St. Elizabeth Parish and one of the lead volunteers of the festival, said it was “a historic event in New York City.”

“It was a fitting tribute to our motherland, whose children come from different ethnic backgrounds, reared in different parts of the Philippines, and belong to various religious denominations, and yet deciding to gather together as sanlahi (one race),” Inez said.

“We need to do this as least once a year,” she added.

Benguet coop bank, SLU institute receive presidential citations for best practices (http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&fi=p090717.htm&no=39)


Baguio City (17 July) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo conferred the 2009 Presidential Citations for Best Practices to Saint Louis University Institute for Small Scale Industries Foundation, Inc. (SLU-EISSI) and the Cooperative Bank of Benguet during a fitting ceremony at the SM Megamall, Megatrade Hall in Mandaluyong City recently as part of the activities of MSMED (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development) week.
SLUEISSI was cited in the Productivity and Efficiency Category for its Beekeeping Research and Service Program which has revitalized the beekeeping industry through training programs, research studies, outreach activities and marketing assistance.
Dr. Edmund Benavidez who received the citation from Arroyo said that the program is now on its twelfth year and has brought beekeeping to the forefront as a lucrative and productive source of livelihood in the Cordilleras and nearby regions. Today, the expanded Beekeeping Center in Ciudad Grande, Bakakeng in Baguio City is widely recognized as a training institute for beekeeping and the marketing center for the Goldwell Sunflower Honey brand according to Benavidez.
The Cooperative Bank of Benguet on the other hand received a citation for Best Practices in the Financing Category for its contribution to the growth of the MSME sector through its various lending programs catering to the agricultural, commercial, manufacturing and service sectors.
The cooperative bank’s General Manager, Gerry T. Lab-oyan said that their coverage has expanded its reach to the countryside through judicious distribution of credit facilities and hands-on approach to insure the success of the beneficiaries’ projects. The cooperative bank has also achieved a wide network in the government and private sector through its diverse advocacies from business enabling to organic agriculture. Today, the bank is now on its 17th year as a homegrown service provider.
DTI Baguio/Benguet Provincial Caretaker Freda Gawisan said that the awarding of Presidential Citations for Best Practices was first launched in 2007 to give recognition to programs and services that are geared towards the development and promotion of the micro, small and medium enterprises sector.
Both awardees have been endorsed to the National SMED Council selection committee through the Baguio SMED Council chaired by the Baguio-Benguet Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
During the initial launching, two awardees from the Cordilleras namely the Rangtay sa Pagrang-ay and the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-CAR (RTWPB-CAR) were cited for their for micro-financing services and exemplary productivity program interventions to MSME clients respectively.
The 2009 Presidential Citation for best practices in MSME promotion and development was likewise given to the Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc.; St. Mary’s College in Tagum City, Davao del Norte; GTZ Technical Cooperation; Inglass Sardines of Dipolog Association; Simbag sa Pag-Asenso, Inc.; MASICAP MSME Development Foundation, Inc.; CARD Bank, Inc.; Bank of the Philippine Islands; Planters Development Bank; Fair Bank; National Wages and Productivity Commission and the Regional Wages and Productivity Boards and Baao Multi Purpose Cooperative. (DTI)

P12 million rehab of burned Baguio market begins (http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/211701/p12-million-rehab-burned-baguio-market-begins)
- DEXTER A. SEE


BAGUIO CITY – The long wait of the hundreds of market vendors who were displaced by the March 2, 2009 fire that gutted the vegetable and fruit sections of the Baguio City public market is now over.

This developed as Mayor Reinaldo A. Bautista Jr. approved the P12 million budget for the rehabilitation of the burned portion of the market, over four months after the fire.

With the approved estimate, the city government was able to reportedly save P4 million since the original cost of the plan prepared by the city buildings and architecture office (CBAO) was a whooping P16 million.

Despite the reduced funding, the proposed rehabilitation of the market will cover all the areas that were affected by two separate fires that affected several portions of the old market structures.

Bautista claimed the local government will not allow private parties, particularly the affected vendors, to implement their own repair plans for their burned stalls.

Earlier, hundreds of vendors whose stalls were gutted down by two separate fires criticized the city government for being too slow in implementing the supposed rehabilitation of the burned areas.

The group of market vendors proposed to raise P25 million and will implement their desired rehabilitation of their burned stalls so that they could recover from the heavy losses which they have incurred as a result of the fires.

People's Movement calls on citizenry to help secure and bring back beauty of Burnham Park (http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p090725.htm&no=34)
by Lito Dar


Baguio City (25 July) -- Fencing Burnham Park is a project that was conceptualized by the city's Centennial Commission, thru the Baguio Centennial Parks Committee (BCPC) with Bishop Carlito Cenzon as the point person to coordinate and oversee the various programs, projects and activities in relation to the beautification, renewal and rehabilitation of the parks in the City.
According to Bishop Cenzon, it was decided by the group of volunteers he heads, to animate all the people who love Baguio, whether they reside in the city or elsewhere in the country or abroad, to adopt a portion or span of the Burnham Park fence.
In a press conference, Friday, Bishop Cenzon said that after a year of the "Adopt a Fence" program, there are 110 spans that have been done and on-going. There are also pledges that they already received, though overall the project needs 864 sponsors for the 864 spans needed to complete the project.
In line with the project, Bishop Cenzon is reiterating the call for the people to get involved, individually or as a group, and help it become a project of the people, a people's movement.
"The city government also signified its intention to help, but what is important is for the people, in line with our centennial theme of "Fostering a Culture of Caring," to help us secure and beautify the whole park," Cenzon said.
"This park is ours, your children are there and maybe your grandchildren will be there also," added the bishop.
For her part, Baguio pioneer journalist Cecille Afable expressed the need for the public to know that there are people participating in the project. She also appeals to the people of Baguio to believe that we own the park, (through the project) we are serving the people and that we will fight for this park. "We have to tell the people that the park is beyond the commerce of men," she said.
For those who will be part of the project, maybe someday they can say, "Once upon a time, I was in that park and I helped fenced it" and maybe someday when they return, to the once beautiful park, it is now again a place, "wherein everyone can sit and dream, where every children can play and young lovers to walk hand in hand, a park for everybody," Afable added.
According to Vic Agcaoili, BCPC chairman, each span or section of the Burnham Park fence, is three meters by six feet and will cost each sponsor, P60,000 and with its planned 864 spans it will cover the entire outside perimeter of Burnham Park.
Agcaoili also expressed optimism that donors will always come, as there are a lot more kind hearted people out there. Bishop Cenzon also assured that the project will go on even after the city's centennial celebration ends on December 31.
To learn more about the Burnham Park Fencing Project you can log on to www.bpfp.org.com or for more information, you can also call their office at 3042715.

US Ambassador Kenney opens American History Art Exhibit in SM City Baguio (http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p090711.htm&no=20)
by Lito Dar


Baguio City (11 July) -- US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney graced the opening of an art exhibit entitled "Picturing America," at the SM City Baguio Thursday as part of the commemoration of the Philippine-American Friendship Day.
The art exhibit which will run from July 9 to 22, is a project of the Embassy of the United States of America, in cooperation with National Endowment for the Humanities and SM City Baguio.
In her speech, Amb. Kenney is greatly thankful to the Filipino people for being friendly to the United States and the Americans. She also gave due recognition to Mayor Bautista and Baguio City citing that their US and Philippine history are enjoined. Before opening the exhibit a video presentation of a message from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was also shown.
According to the Ambassador, the exhibit depicts American History through art. It showcases a collection of masterpiece of art and photography by American artisans, artists, craftsmen, photographers and architects. "It is so nice to go back and reflect on history," she added.
Picturing America exhibit is a collection of high-quality reproductions of American artistic masterpieces and heritage - paintings, sculpture, architecture, fine crafts and photography. The collection is intended to offer unique insights into the character, ideals and aspirations and provide deeper appreciation of the US history.
After formally opening the exhibit, Kenney personally welcomed the public to join her in viewing the artworks. She even gamely pose for some pictures with the people.

Philippines: Cordillera citrus growers get gov’t help (http://www.freshplaza.com/news_detail.asp?id=48014)


As a way of reducing the country’s reliance on imported fruits, the Department of Agriculture will boost the capacity of local citrus growers in the Cordilleras to produce fruits in commercial quantities to supplant citrus imports in the next three to five years.

Bureau of Agricultural Research Director Nicodemus Eleazar said the project involves pooling the skills and resources of farmers, nursery operators, research centers and the local government units in Kalinga and Mountain Province to increase production of quality, disease-free planting materials for domestic growers of citrus fruits.

“This is a novel way of addressing concerns of our fruit growers over the proliferation of imported fruits from Taiwan, China, Japan, Thailand, United States, Australia, and other countries,” Eleazar said.

“Commercializing the production of locally produced citrus fruits will ensure that three to five years from now, mandarin oranges, lemons, and ponkans are to come from the Cordilleras and enter the local markets,” he added.

He said the project is the first to be conducted in the highlands on a commercial scale. The initiative was derived from the Philippine-German Fruit Tree Program in the highlands in early 2000.

The project is conceptualized by Dr. Teresita Mangli, research chief of the Bureau of Plant Industry’s Baguio National Crop Research and Development Center, to empower local nursery operators to become independent entrepreneurs by providing them technical information on citrus production management system with community-based strategies from the center.

“To date, the project is expanding in terms of the provision of technical assistance in the form of farmers’ training and field demonstrations highlighting information-sensitivity and development-oriented citrus agribusinesses within citrus growing areas in the Cordilleras,” Eleazar said.

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Photo credit: Waffy Casem (http://i27.tinypic.com/16l46s.jpg)

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Photo credit: derfjam14 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/derfjam/)

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100th year of Baguio as a city on Sep 1, 2009.

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http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h315/req2000/mapa/Ph_locator_benguet_baguio.png

100th year of Baguio as a city on Sep 1, 2009.

This is fast approaching. 100th year, this must be a grand celebration.

haay. marami pang lugar ang sakop ng cordillera... sana wag naman silang magfocus ng husto sa baguio lang..

Baguio executives nix renaming Session Road after Cory (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=533215&publicationSubCategoryId=67)
By Artemio Dumlao (The Philippine Star) Updated December 17, 2009 12:00 AM

BAGUIO CITY , Philippines – City officials have rejected a proposal to rename Session Road, Baguio’s main business thoroughfare, after former President Corazon Aquino who died last August.

An accompanying proposal for the construction of a bust of the late President at the site where the concrete pine tree on Session Road currently stands was also rejected.

Also, a separate proposal of councilor Richard Cariño for the renaming of the Father Carlu loop at the Baguio Cathedral compound as Corazon C. Aquino Street was thumbed down.

The Father Carlu loop and Session Road both have historic meaning to Baguio.

Session Road was so named after members of the first Philippine Commission walked their way to the Baden Powell building where they held their very first sessions in Baguio.

It was during these sessions when the commission officially named Baguio as the country’s summer capital.

The Father Carlu loop, on the other hand, derived its name from Fr. Florimund Carlu, the rector mission of Baguio in 1913.

A chapel built at the turn of the 20th century slowly expanded during Carlu’s stint to become the Cathedral of Perpetual Atonement, which is more popularly known as the Baguio Cathedral.

The city council’s Committee on Education, Culture and Historical Research headed by councilor Fred Bagbagen recommended the approval of the two proposals.

Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr., however, himself rejected them, citing the need to preserve the historic significance of both Session Road and the Father Carlu loop.

sige na ipangalan na sa kanila lahat ng kalye ng pinas.. hindi na ba sila nakuntento na nakapangalan na kay ninoy ang airport.. ano ba yan... cory country na ata dito ha..

ur_PrnEhnBU

UMfCE2GgpPQ&feature

ZyVqDxO4Sxg&feature

CARAA's barefoot runners go home with blistered toes and soles (http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p100213.htm&no=38)

By Jeremy M. Gawongna

Lamut, Ifugao (13 February) -- Track runners in the just concluded Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) Athletic Meet went home with blistered toes and wounded soles as majority of them run barefoot at the new athletic oval of the Ifugao State University (IFSU).

Though some claimed that Cordillerans are not used to run with shoes, spectators of the regional track events who witnessed athletes struggling in pain with their blistered toes and wounded soles maintained that wearing of shoes in such event is indeed advisable.

On the other hand, the athletes from Baguio City didn't suffer the same fate since majority of them wore shoes.

IFSU employee Vicky Madangeng who joined provincial and regional athletic meet since childhood expressed her disappointment upon seeing athletes in track events still not wearing spiked shoes.

"Since then, as if no one initiated to address the needs of athletes especially in track events," Madangeng said.

"In the national and international level, wearing of spiked shoes in track events is required so our athletes must be trained running with spiked shoes. Organizers should make the wearing of shoes in track events mandatory even in the district, provincial, and regional level," she explained.

Furthermore, IFSU Architect Dexter Gullon affirmed that the use of IFSU's new athletic oval is possible but wearing of shoes is advisable as protection since the track is covered with sand.

"We covered the track with thick sand so that comes October when we have the intramural, the sand is already well-mixed and hard-pressed with the soil making its surface suitable for track events," Gullon said.

"When the Department of Education (Dep - Ed) proposed to use the athletic oval during the CARAA since it met the measurement standards, I did not expect that the athletes would not be wearing shoes," he added.

Gullon asserted further that though they remedied to lessen the thickness of the sand, it would still negatively affect the running time of the athletes.

In support to the sports program of Dep-Ed and the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) of Ifugao that hosted the CARAA, IFSU granted the request to use its new athletic oval for the track and field events. (PIA)

One municipality converted into a city, sixteen municipalities
reverted back to being cities and two barangays created
in the 4th Quarter of 2009
(PR-201002-PP2-01, Posted 23 February 2010)

Seventeen new cities and two new barangays were added in the Philippine Standard Geographic Code masterlist during the last quarter of 2009. In summary, the following are the changes in the PSGC masterlist for the 4th Quarter 2009:

I. Conversion of the Municipality of Dasmariñas in the Province of Cavite in Region IV-A (CALABARZON) into a Component City pursuant to Republic Act No. 9723 and which was ratified through a plebiscite conducted by the COMELEC on November 25, 2009.

II. On December 21, 2009, the Supreme Court, with a majority vote of 6 to 4, reversed and set aside its November 18, 2008 decision and declared as constitutional the cityhood laws converting the 16 municipalities to cities. This ruling was a reversal of the earlier decision of the Supreme Court that turned them back to municipalities under Entry of Judgment of General Record (G.R.) Nos. 176951 and 177499 which became final and executory on May 21, 2009 as stated in COMELEC Memorandum dated June 3, 2009. The 16 new cities are as follows:
PSGC
Municipality Reverted as City
Province/Region

1 012805000 BATAC Ilocos Norte, Reg. I
2 045647000 TAYABAS Quezon, Reg. IV-A
3 072211000 BOGO Cebu, Reg. VII
4 072214000 CARCAR Cebu, Reg. VII
5 072234000 NAGA Cebu, Reg. VII
6 074611000 GUIHULNGAN Negros Oriental, Reg. VII
7 083708000 BAYBAY Leyte, Reg. VIII
8 086005000 CATBALOGAN Samar (Western Samar), Reg. VIII
9 082604000 BORONGAN Eastern Samar, Reg. VIII
10 104307000 EL SALVADOR Misamis Oriental, Reg. X
11 112509000 MATI Davao Oriental, Reg. XI
12 143213000 TABUK Kalinga, CAR
13 150702000 LAMITAN Basilan, ARMM
14 160203000 CABADBARAN Agusan del Norte, Caraga
15 160301000 BAYUGAN Agusan del Sur, Caraga
16 166819000 TANDAG Surigao del Sur, Caraga

Note: Change from municipality status into a city will not affect and will retain the present municipality code.

The exemption accorded the 16 municipalities is based on the fact that each had pending cityhood bills long before the enactment of RA 9009 that substantially distinguished them from other municipalities aiming for cityhood. On top of this, each of the 16 municipalities also met the PhP 20 million income level exacted under the original provisions of Sec. 450 of the 1991 Local Government Code. (GR No. 176951).

III. Two newly-created barangays, Barangay Macalag (PSGC-153835010) and Barangay Tuntungan (PSGC- 153835011) shall be included in the Municipality of Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, in the province of Maguindanao pursuant to Muslim Mindanao Autonomy (MMA) Act No. 220 and which was ratified through a plebiscite conducted by the COMELEC on July 30, 2009.

The number of cities increased from 120 cities as of September 2009 to 137 cities as of December 2009 while the number of barangays increased from 42,021 in September 2009 to 42,023 in December 2009. Subsequently, the number of municipalities decreased during the period from 1,514 to 1,497. With these updates, the latest number of regions, provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays as of December 31, 2009 are as follows:

December 31, 2009 September 30, 2009

Regions 17 17
Provinces 80 80
Cities 137 120
Municipalities 1,497 1,514
Barangays 42,023 42,021


LINA V. CASTRO
Officer in Charge
Office of the Secretary General

source (http://www.nscb.gov.ph/pressreleases/2010/PR-201002-PP2-01_PSGC.asp)

'Gibo' vows improvements in Baguio, Cordillera’s infrastructures (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=13&sid=&nid=13&rid=261490)

BAGUIO CITY, Feb. 28 (PNA) -- If elected to the presidency this May, Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard bearer Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. on Sunday vowed to upgrade and modernize the roads and other communications infrastructures of Baguio and nearby Cordillera province to spur further economic and tourism development in the region.

"Modern road networks, and especially airports, are needed to further improve the economies of the two provinces," Teodoro said when asked by reporters about his plan to improve Baguio and the Cordilleras.

The 1989 Philippine Bar Examinations topnotcher said that first in the list of his priority programs for Baguio is the modernization of the Baguio International Airport so it can accommodate more aircraft and thus increase its capability to transport tourists and materials needed in transforming the city’s economy.

"Aside from expediting economic growth, the modernized Baguio International Airport can also be used as facility in bringing about relief should a major catastrophe similar to 'Ondoy’ and ‘Pepeng’ isolate the region by flood again," Teodoro said in Filipino.

The former Defense secretary was referring to the fact that airports were the only communication infrastructure operating and providing relief assistance via helicopters and military aircraft to the thousands displaced by the twin typhoons.

Aside from this, Teodoro also vowed to construct more rain catchment facilities in the Cordilleras so that drought will not destroy or damage its billion peso cutflower and vegetable industries.

“These catchment facilities will also help our farmers to combat El Nino or prolonged dry spell," the Lakas-Kampi-CMD standard bearer stressed. (PNA)

DA asks farmers to exercise self-help in saving livestocks and crops (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=262611)

BAGUIO CITY, March 5 (PNA) -- Department of Agriculture (DA) executive director Cesar Rodriguez Friday asked farmers in the Cordilleras, especially in Ifugao province to take more measures to save their livestocks, poultry and crops as the region is reeling with the prolonged drought or the El Nino phenomenon.

Although P2.5 millions has already been released for the DA's cloud seeding program, the process has not succeeded to produce the rains which could ease the fast decrease of water level in the local water reservoirs.

With no rainfall since January this year in the area and the highest temperatures now ranging from 25 to 27 degrees, many small river tributaries have dried up.

Last week, the DA has already estimated more than P50 million worth of damages to corn, chickens, cows and carabaos in Ifugao, Kalinga and Mountain Province due to the ongoing long dry spell.

DA technicians have reported that some of the dead cattle had not enough fresh grass and water and exposed to extreme heat in unshaded areas.

Many farmers have already built makeshift shades to ease the heat which affects the animals. DA has also determined that various ailments and pests which normally occur during summer season have started to affect some livestocks. The agency has already ordered the implementation of quarantine.

Rodriguez said that the DA will continue its cloud-seeding operations to prolong the availability of water in farming areas around the dams and other water reservoirs.

He also said that some local government units in the area had already declared state of calamity in order to use their local calamity funds to help solve the on-going lack of water crisis. (PNA)

More Cordillera LGUs expected to declare state of calamity to help affected farmers - DA (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=263296)

BAGUIO CITY, March 9 (PNA) -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) has confirmed that local government units (LGUs) in the Cordillera region have basis in declaring state of calamity in their respective areas after losing great volume of agricultural crops and animals due to the prolonged drought due to El Nino phenomenon.

This was confirmed by DA Executive Regional Director Cesar Rodriguez who said that declaration of state of calamity is a requisite in the local government's use of their calamity funds.

DA records show that first to declare state of calamity was Alfonso Lista town in Ifugao province after the destruction of hectares of corn in the area.

It was followed by Lagawe and other towns with rice terraces which were also affected by the drought.

Dozens of cows, poultry and a number of carabaos in that province have already been reported to have died due to the effects of the drought like lack of potable water and hectares of grasslands have already dried up.

Media reports on the actual number of heads of livestocks lost due to drought vary as some reports are still to be verified by municipal agriculturists.

Rodriguez said that Ifugao and Mountain Province are the worst hit by the drought in the area, especially those within boundary with Cagayan province which is experiencing extreme high temperature of more than 36 degrees celsius.

In Baguio City, the rise of highest temperature to 26 and 27 degrees celsius is "abnormal" considering that even during summer, the highest temperature level does not exceed 25 degrees celsius.

Even this mountain resort is feeling the effects of the extreme heat that its grass and forest lands have become vulnerable in the past two weeks as shown by grass and forest fires. (PNA)

Rains brought relief to Cordilleras affected by drought (http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=8&sid=&nid=8&rid=264124)

BAGUIO CITY, March 13 (PNA) -- the tail end of the coldfront, which affected Northern Luzon in the past two days, brought brief rains for 10 minutes Friday night and the continued drizzles towards the morning on Saturday moistened the drought affected mountains and valleys of this City and Benguet province.

Local weatherman Wilson Locando of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the weather condition would prevail up to early Sunday morning.

Early this month, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has confirmed the loss of vegetation of several hectares of grasslands resulting in the lack of fresh grasses in ranches, which led to the death of a hundred of livestocks mostly cattle.

To date, the exact figures of the area, especially in Ifugao Province, are still being verified but the loss in agriculture due to "El Nino" phenomenon already ran in few millions of pesos.

Some quarters admit that the brief rains and continued drizzles were not enough to increase the level of water in various water reservoir like Binga, Ambuklao, and San Roque but were enough to give moisture to razed grasslands for new grasses to grow.

It also moistened the fuel woods and other dried materials to lessen the vulnerability of many areas from sporadic grass and forest fires.

Even at Burnham Park in this mountain resort, 250 kilometers north of Manila, now exude freshness as the rains and drizzles already halted what could have been a fishkill at the unique boating lagoon similar to what happened sometime in year 1996.

Many believe that the unexpected cloudy periods since Wednesday and the eventual rains and drizzles were blessings from above after concerted prayers for rain were done by the natives. (PNA)

I need some info. I will be in Tuguegarao next month and want to take a side trip to Sagada. Is there a bus or transport company that can take me there?

From Sagada is there a route going to Vigan? From Sagada I thought of going down to Vigan. PM me if you have any info. Thanks.

Organic farming, inter-cropping cushion impact of drought in Cordillera areas
BAGUIO CITY, March 17 (PNA) - Organic farming, inter-cropping and use of planting calendars helped in the sustenance of agricultural production of Benguet and other Cordillera areas even with the adverse effects of past typhoons and the ongoing prolonged drought.

This was learned from Joseph Zambrano, moderator of the "Kapehan sa Baguio" where the guests were composed of technical officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

It was explained in the weekly forum that the use of organic fertilizers or decayed vegetative parts of plants had greatly improved the water holding capacity of terraces and plants that even cabbages and strawberries which need periodic watering can survive with just one watering in a week.

Besides, both vegetables and regular crops like rice and corn were planted at a time that when the drought hit the area late last month and the plants had already achieved their matured growth which make them resistant to either the heat or minimal amount of moisture in the soil.

Other enterprising farmers in areas where river tributaries usually dry up during summer have inter-cropped legumes like beans and monggo with corn and upland rice in order that with an eventual loss of the main crop, there are other crops which could be harvested.

The DA is in constant monitoring of the effects of the "El Nino" phenomenon in the area in order to sustain agricultural and inland fishery production which already gave many families in the rural areas viable livelihood under the One Town, One Product national livelihood program launched years back by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. (PNA)
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=11&sid=&nid=11&rid=264853

may boys' trip kami sa SAGADA on
Apr 30 - May 2

sino gusto sumama? :D
5 pa lang kami..

sama na boys..
text niyo ko

0927.215.9988
0923.467.8787

Cordillera Month activities slated in July
Baguio City (26 June) -- As the quest for autonomy lives on, the Cordillera Administrative Region is there to exist and is now turning 23 on July 15, 2010.

The celebration will not just be one day but for a month as institutionalized through Regional Development Council(RDC) - CAR ExCom Resolution No. 25 signed on July 14, 2005 declaring July of every year as Cordillera Month to commemorate the signing of Executive Order 220.

President Corazon C. Aquino signed Executive Order 220 creating CAR composed of the provinces of Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga-Apayao (still one province then), Mountain Province and the City of Baguio. Kalinga-Apayao was later divided into two provinces on February 14, 1995 through RA 7878.

The RDC thru the Regional Social Development Committee is spearheading this year's celebration with the theme, "CAR at 23: Celebrating the Richness of the Cordillera Heritage as we move towards Autonomy and Development."

The region celebrates Cordillera Month to commemorate the creation of the region and instill continuing and deepening awareness and appreciation of the region's rich history and culture. This will also instill the unwavering commitment to the aspirations of CAR for regional autonomy.

Several activities have been lined up for the whole month of July. To kick off and drumbeat the activities is a kapihan forum with RDC officials on June 30, 2010 at the SM Baguio Atrium.

Audio-visual presentations on Cordillera will be shown over local cable stations in the region for the whole month. These canned productions promote tourism and investments in the region and also on Cordillera history and the current efforts being undertaken by the RDC on the renewed pursuit for autonomy. These AVPs will also be shown at SM Baguio Atrium on July 15-17, 2010.

Daily radio quiz on the Cordillera region and autonomy will also run the whole month of July over DZWT in Baguio, DWRL in Ifugao, DWGF Hot FM in Abra, DZRK in Kalinga. This is also l being worked out with a radio station in Mt. Province.

An inter-collegiate debate on autonomy will be held at the Easter College on July 9, 2010 to be participated in by students of the University of Baguio, University of the Cordilleras, Saint Louis University, and the University of the Philippines Baguio.

Ethnic Hataw will be another activity among government entities and participating private and non-government organizations slated July 5 and the succeeding Mondays of July.

On the day itself on July 15, will be a parade to be followed by a program at the Baguio Convention Center.

There will also be a two-day trade fair and exhibit from July 15-16, 2010 at the Convention center. Components of the trade fair and exhibit will be on CAR history and milestones, success stories, disaster risk management, medical health boot and local products.

To heighten awareness on the celebration, government offices and schools are encouraged to hang streamers and the sing the Cordillera Hymn for the whole month duration.

Another activity slated, which is also in line with the observance of Disaster Awareness Month, is a tree planting activity. http://pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p100626.htm&no=41

DoH warns public on unregistered food supplements
By DEXTER A. SEE
July 3, 2010, 2:35pm

BAGUIO CITY – The Cordillera Administrative Region office of the Department of Health (DoH) here warned the public on the proliferation of unregistered and smuggled food supplements and products from other countries that could have adverse effects on their health once the said products are taken in.

The agency’s licensure and enforcement division said the public should be wary of buying unregistered food supplements and other imported products such as cosmetics because of alleged dangers that they pose to the health of the people, considering that their chemical contents might be harmful and could put to risk the health of the consumers.

According to Dr. Myrna Cabotaje, CHD-CAR regional director, consumers of food supplements and cosmetics must first check the label of the products where it indicates the product’s expiration date and contents so that they will be properly guided in using the said items.

If the products have the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) seal, Cabotaje said they are safe, otherwise they could be detrimental to the person’s health.

More importantly, she explained any product labelled as food supplement has no therapeutic value, which means they cannot be used to cure illnesses.

With the Philippines being an archipelago with numerous entry and exit points, the CHD-CAR official explained that authorities cannot completely guard the smuggling of imported products that are dangerous to people's health.

In the region alone, the CHD-CAR and the FDA-CAR have confiscated many smuggled food supplements from various establishments in the different provinces to show the community that they are doing something to prevent the entry of smuggled food supplements that are being patronized by the people even if they are unaware of their serious negative effects to their health.

Aside from the confiscation of the Zhen de Zhou capsules and tea bags that are designed for slimming purposes, the FDA recently confiscated hundreds of Jiaoli, a Chinese whitening cosmetic product, which was found to have high mercury and lead contents that are dangerous to the skin.

Cabotaje said the public should not be misled that the smuggled food supplements and cosmetics could heal or cure any illness. She advised that the best way to heal one’s sickness is to consult a doctor so that they will be prescribed with the right kind of medicine.

Due to the proliferation of smuggled food supplements coming from Vietnam and China, the health department has doubled its efforts in confiscating the smuggled products being widely sold in many establishments in the region as part of its mandate to ensure the protection of people from the unscrupulous use of smuggled food supplements, slimming products, and cosmetics

going to sagada solo this coming july 16 - 20.
anyone who has the number of Cable Tours? i want to make reservations for a bus trip from manila to bontoc, kaso hindi updated yung number na nakuha ko. thanks!

La Trinidad
Benguet

http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af58/_r_o_i_2_3_/39770_142918115736617_111375368890892_301327_8341198_n.jpg

http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af58/_r_o_i_2_3_/35115_139748206053608_111375368890892_284344_128590_n.jpg

http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af58/_r_o_i_2_3_/35115_139748202720275_111375368890892_284343_1249847_n.jpg

http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af58/_r_o_i_2_3_/35115_139748196053609_111375368890892_284342_7410184_n.jpg

http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af58/_r_o_i_2_3_/35115_139748192720276_111375368890892_284341_6378463_n.jpg

http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af58/_r_o_i_2_3_/35115_139748189386943_111375368890892_284340_8065841_n.jpg

http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af58/_r_o_i_2_3_/25707_116195525075543_111375368890892_176030_3083041_n.jpg

ano to??:D
http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af58/_r_o_i_2_3_/24897_116794418348987_111375368890892_178477_44991_n.jpg


credits to the owner. (http://www.facebook.com/pages/I-LOVE-LA-TRINIDAD-BENGUET/111375368890892?v=photos&ref=search#!/pages/I-LOVE-LA-TRINIDAD-BENGUET/111375368890892)

La Trinidad
Benguet


http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af58/_r_o_i_2_3_/24897_116794418348987_111375368890892_178477_44991_n.jpg


credits to the owner. (http://www.facebook.com/pages/I-LOVE-LA-TRINIDAD-BENGUET/111375368890892?v=photos&ref=search#!/pages/I-LOVE-LA-TRINIDAD-BENGUET/111375368890892)


malamang karne ng baboy yan na pinapausukan. tingnan mo yung buto sa left side na nakabitin. but pero di ako sure ha :nuts::nuts::nuts:

malamang karne ng baboy yan na pinapausukan. tingnan mo yung buto sa left side na nakabitin. but pero di ako sure ha :nuts::nuts::nuts:

ahh.hhaha,sabe kasi sa napagkunan ko nabasa ko sabe ewwww daw. :D

ahh.hhaha,sabe kasi sa napagkunan ko nabasa ko sabe ewwww daw. :D

ewww? bakit? dahil sa pagprepare o dahil sa karne?:lol::lol::lol:

ewww? bakit? dahil sa pagprepare o dahil sa karne?:lol::lol::lol:

haha.ewan ko po don.baka akala niya aso yan kaya eeeeww daw. ;)

Repost
http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af58/_r_o_i_2_3_/25707_116195525075543_111375368890892_176030_3083041_n.jpg
Huh!!! E bakit naman kasi walang gulong sa harap yang cart. Duhh!!! :nuts:

________________________


http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/3599/bff125193a709bb8ccf9579.gif

Repost
http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af58/_r_o_i_2_3_/25707_116195525075543_111375368890892_176030_3083041_n.jpg
Huh!!! E bakit naman kasi walang gulong sa harap yang cart. Duhh!!! :nuts:


http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/3599/bff125193a709bb8ccf9579.gif

baka ganon talaga gusto nila mangyari kasi para kapag nagbababa at naghahakot ng gulay hindi umandar.tsaka baka trip lang nila.haha, :lol:

baka ganon talaga gusto nila mangyari kasi para kapag nagbababa at naghahakot ng gulay hindi umandar.tsaka baka trip lang nila.haha, :lol:

ambigat nyan:nuts::nuts::nuts:

sa palagay ko, safety measure yung walang gulong sa harap. sabi nga ni william, para hindi umandar, kasi nga uphill at downhill karamihan nyan

ambigat nyan:nuts::nuts::nuts:

sa palagay ko, safety measure yung walang gulong sa harap. sabi nga ni william, para hindi umandar, kasi nga uphill at downhill karamihan nyan

oo nga.mabigat talaga yan.haha, dalawang plastic lang non di ko na siguro kayang buhatin.hahaha ;)

La Trinidad
Benguet

http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af58/_r_o_i_2_3_/39770_142918115736617_111375368890892_301327_8341198_n.jpg

http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af58/_r_o_i_2_3_/35115_139748206053608_111375368890892_284344_128590_n.jpg

http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af58/_r_o_i_2_3_/35115_139748202720275_111375368890892_284343_1249847_n.jpg

http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af58/_r_o_i_2_3_/35115_139748196053609_111375368890892_284342_7410184_n.jpg

http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af58/_r_o_i_2_3_/35115_139748192720276_111375368890892_284341_6378463_n.jpg

http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af58/_r_o_i_2_3_/35115_139748189386943_111375368890892_284340_8065841_n.jpg

http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af58/_r_o_i_2_3_/25707_116195525075543_111375368890892_176030_3083041_n.jpg

ano to??:D
http://i993.photobucket.com/albums/af58/_r_o_i_2_3_/24897_116794418348987_111375368890892_178477_44991_n.jpg


credits to the owner. (http://www.facebook.com/pages/I-LOVE-LA-TRINIDAD-BENGUET/111375368890892?v=photos&ref=search#%21/pages/I-LOVE-LA-TRINIDAD-BENGUET/111375368890892)




Wow... daming gulay... sarap kumain...
yung last pic... karne nga yan... pag nagpaparte yung tito ko, ganan din ginagawa niya, sinasabit ung buto o yung buntot... at pinauusukan... :):):)^^

Wow... daming gulay... sarap kumain...
yung last pic... karne nga yan... pag nagpaparte yung tito ko, ganan din ginagawa niya, sinasabit ung buto o yung buntot... at pinauusukan... :):):)^^

oo nga daming gulay.haha, alam ko isa ang north sa pinagkukuhanan namin ng supply ng gulay eh...esp baguio,la trinidad, pangasinan... :)

ahaha.gara naman jan, parang binibilad ang karne..hehe:cheers:

baka ganon talaga gusto nila mangyari kasi para kapag nagbababa at naghahakot ng gulay hindi umandar.tsaka baka trip lang nila.haha, :lol:

:lol: ha,ha,ha... hindi dahil sa trip lang nila kaya ganyan ang cart nila...:lol:Tama si Kapitan Pekto, safety measure yan para makontrol nila ang cart dahil nga naman paakyat, pababa ang daan. Kapag may gulong sa harap at likod, mas mahirap conrtolin, wala pa namang preno..

:lol: ha,ha,ha... hindi dahil sa trip lang nila kaya ganyan ang cart nila...:lol:

Tama si Kapitan Pekto, safety measure yan para makontrol nila ang cart dahil nga naman paakyat, pababa ang daan. Kapag may gulong sa harap at likod, mas mahirap conrtolin, wala pa namang preno..

Chris Linag's Photos - UP HIGH IN SAGADA: A SOJOURN TO THE SUBLIME!^^

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs993.snc4/76654_459910858805_649628805_5548711_2474064_n.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5548685&id=649628805)

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs973.snc4/76654_459910853805_649628805_5548710_582224_n.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5548685&id=649628805)

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs975.snc4/76800_459920668805_649628805_5548807_6098131_n.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5548808&id=649628805)

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1225.snc4/155737_459909438805_649628805_5548687_3142403_n.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5548708&id=649628805)

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http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs947.snc4/74043_459927948805_649628805_5548866_5487277_n.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5548872&id=649628805)

BAGUIO
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Photo credit: AlvinBarrientos (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvinbarrientos/page2/)

BURNHAM PARK - BAGUIO
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Photo credit: ricmaniquis (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricmaniquis/)

HARRISON ROAD - BAGUIO
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Photo credit: ricmaniquis

ABANAO SQUARE - BAGUIO
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Photo credit: ricmaniquis

HARRISON ROAD - BAGUIO
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by ricmaniquis

BAGUIO - THE ONLY HUC IN NORTHERN LUZON
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Photo credit: david_john (http://www.flickr.com/photos/david_john/)

HAIL TO THE QUEEN CITY OF THE NORTH
:banana::banana::banana:

SM CITY - BAGUIO
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Photo credit: patrcksexy (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42843399@N04/)

BONTOC, MT. PROVINCE
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Photo credit: pink_cheek (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jacs_24/)

BURNHAM PARK - BAGUIO
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Photo credit: mjcalub (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjcalub/)

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Municipality of La Trinidad, Benguet
located in Km. 5, Pico, La Trinidad, Benguet (in front of Rang-ay Bank La Trinidad branch)

http://www.rangaybank.com/archives/news%20pics/4(2009)/711.gif

By DEXTER A. SEE
January 1, 2011, 6:38pm

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – He may be on vacation, but President Benigno S. Aquino III made it known over the weekend that he wants priority given to tourism development in this city and the protection of watersheds in the Cordillera region.

Aquino’s concerns came out when he visited Bishop Carlito Cenzon of the Diocese of Baguio and then surprised city hall officials when he walked unannounced into the office of Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan last Friday.

Local media monitored the two visits made by the President even though they were meant to be a “secret” since his trip here was earlier announced as a “private visit.”

It was learned, though, that when he met Cenzon and Domogan separately, Aquino told them that he wanted Baguio to take the limelight in the Department of Tourism’s program to promote tourist spots in the country.

He said the promotion of the city’s tourist spots, like Burnham Park, in order to further attract more foreign and domestic tourists must be given priority by the DoT.

He wants an aggressive promotional campaign by showing the old and new features of Burnham Park and other major tourist spots in the city, similar to the ads that promoted his advocacy for a “Tuwid na Daan” campaign that helped him win support of the electorate.

Accompanied by Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, the President’s visit drew a positive feedback, particularly in city hall.

Domogan said Aquino’s visit was a good sign of having direct linkages with the Office of the President in the coming months so that they could bring to his attention pressing concerns of the city government that need presidential intervention.

Before ending their one-on-one discussion, Aquino and Domogan exchanged mobile phone numbers to allow
them to have direct access to each other.

The mayor said he will comply with the President’s instructions to write him about the needed concerted effort to preserve and protect not only the city’s, but also the Cordillera region’s watersheds and forests which serve as the watershed cradle of Northern Luzon.

He said Aquino recognizes that Cordillera’s watersheds give life to the lucrative agriculture and energy sector through the water used for domestic, irrigation, and industrial purposes.

He also appreciated fact that the President visited him to discuss the development and progress of this city despite the mayor’s affiliation with the Lakas-Kampi-CMD political coalition associated with the Chief Executive’s predecessor.

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/295982/aquino-prioritizes-baguio-tourism-car-watersheds

:banana::banana::banana::cheers:

http://i51.tinypic.com/16a3bpz.jpg
from DPWH

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from DPWH

http://i53.tinypic.com/2vaz0x5.jpg
from DPWH

do you have the picture if any (ABRA-ILOCOS NORTE ROAD)

Cordillera revenue bureau misses 2010 targets

Monday, January 10, 2011

Eduardo Bajador, director of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), said this is mainly due to enhanced local tax mapping and collections from income taxes.

For 2010, BIR-CAR posted a tentative collection of more than P3.111 billion, or 5.57 percent short of their supposed target of more than P3.294 billion.

However, Bajador said this is only temporary as the tentative report could be attributed to a lower shortfall in collection.

He claimed the region still posted higher in terms of tax collections despite not hitting the target set by their central office in Manila.

Major industries based in the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, industries and businesses in Baguio remain as top contributors to the overall collection of the region, with over P1.905 billion in revenues generated last year.

Meanwhile, several industries like malls and power corporations still based in the region continue to remit their taxes to their head offices in Metro Manila despite conducting business here, he added.

Collections from La Trinidad, Benguet revenue district office came far second in terms of yearly collections with P462,705,875 million in collected taxes while Tabuk, Kalinga-Apayao revenue district office came third with P268, 528, 267 million worth in revenues for the government.

Revenue district offices in Bangued Abra ranked fourth with over P199,615,920 in collections; Bontoc, Mountain Province, came fifth with P150,207,677 in collections while Lagawe, Ifugao, posted only P124,381,225 in collections for 2010.

Mountain Province revenue district office posted the highest shortfall in terms of collection with a negative 15.62 percent collection worth more than P27 million.

Bajador said as he assumed office early in the year that the agency will focus more on enhanced collections in small-scale mining and other industries to generate more income for the use of the government in various services it delivers to the people. (JM Agreda)

Autonomy heats up in Mountain Province

Monday, January 10, 2011

THE FRESH push for Cordillera autonomy has stirred discussions on how this mountain region can finally take stock and control of its dwindling natural and mineral resources for its own development instead of these being continuously exploited for national progress.

The "development-for-whom" issue anchored initial dialogues especially in Mountain Province where its task force on regional development and autonomy conducted initial consultations in the 10 towns.

At the meeting Wednesday of the regional committee tasked to get inputs for the drafting of a new autonomy charter, provincial task force chair Franklin Odsey reported the questions raised included the following:

Will the people of the region be able to have titles to their lands vis-à-vis restrictive national government policies and laws proclaiming wide areas as parks, watersheds or claims of mining firms? Will the regional government have the power to issue mining and other permits for the exploitation of Cordillera's resources and directly collect taxes from their operations?

Among the issues raised in Sagada, Sabangan and Tadian towns were: What should be done with national laws that prevent us from utilizing our forest resources like trees planted by our forefathers? What about the tapping of our water resources for dams which are now in private hands?

Other issues raised were the preservation of the region's culture and identity, security of tenure of national government officials and employees and what happens should autonomy be rejected for the third time.

The focus of discussions was triggered by five "core principles" prepared by a special committee tasked by the Regional Development Council to draft a working document on Cordillera autonomy.

Committee chair and Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan said the following principles were designed to guide discussions on the substance of autonomy that may be fleshed out through the charter to be presented to Congress and later subjected to a plebiscite:

1. Permanent regional identity. The autonomous region is a corporate entity with jurisdiction in all matters devolved to it - administrative organization; creation of revenue sources; ancestral domain and natural resources; personal, family and property relations; regional urban and rural planning development; economic, social and tourism development; educational policies; preservation and development of cultural heritage; powers, functions and responsibilities now being exercised by the departments of the national government, except with respect to certain areas; patents, trademarks, trade names and copyrights; and such other matters for the promotion of the general welfare of the people and the region.

This means that "the exploitation, exploration, development, enjoyment and utilization of natural resources found in the (Cordillera) shall be under the control, permission and supervision of the regional government".

2. Non-diminution of existing benefits and powers. The powers and benefits of the region, including the different units within it, shall not be diminished. Local government units shall enjoy autonomy and continue to exercise powers granted under the local government code and to continue receiving their respective internal revenue allotments.

3. Nationally paid officials and employees will continue to be paid by the national government. They will, however, be under the direct control and supervision of the regional governor who will perform the supervisory functions of their respective department secretaries.

4. National government subsidy. The national government shall provide the region P10 billion per year for the first five years and another P5 billion per year for the next five years. The reason behind the provision for regional autonomy under the 1987 Constitution is the reality that the development of the Cordillera (and Muslim Mindanao) has been neglected and the legal justification to allocate more funding to speed up their development is through autonomy.

5. Continuing support. After the period of subsidy, the national government shall continue to provide sufficient budgetary allocation to the region to ensure its financial stability and sustenance.

In last Wednesday's forum, Kalinga Gov. Jocel Baac, who was recently appointed by President Aquino as chair of the RDC, asked Domogan and other Cordillera leaders to spearhead the autonomy information campaign during the next RDC meeting set on Feb. 14 in Tabuk. The date coincides with the founding anniversary of Kalinga and Apayao provinces. (Ramon Dacawi)

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on January 11, 2011.

BONTOC, MT. PROVINCE
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Photo credit: pink_cheek (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jacs_24/) wow!!!

BONTOC, MT. PROVINCE
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Photo credit: pink_cheek (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jacs_24/)

nice shot. how many hours is bontoc from baguio?

Autonomy heats up in Mountain Province

Monday, January 10, 2011

THE FRESH push for Cordillera autonomy has stirred discussions on how this mountain region can finally take stock and control of its dwindling natural and mineral resources for its own development instead of these being continuously exploited for national progress.

The "development-for-whom" issue anchored initial dialogues especially in Mountain Province where its task force on regional development and autonomy conducted initial consultations in the 10 towns.

At the meeting Wednesday of the regional committee tasked to get inputs for the drafting of a new autonomy charter, provincial task force chair Franklin Odsey reported the questions raised included the following:

Will the people of the region be able to have titles to their lands vis-à-vis restrictive national government policies and laws proclaiming wide areas as parks, watersheds or claims of mining firms? Will the regional government have the power to issue mining and other permits for the exploitation of Cordillera's resources and directly collect taxes from their operations?

Among the issues raised in Sagada, Sabangan and Tadian towns were: What should be done with national laws that prevent us from utilizing our forest resources like trees planted by our forefathers? What about the tapping of our water resources for dams which are now in private hands?

Other issues raised were the preservation of the region's culture and identity, security of tenure of national government officials and employees and what happens should autonomy be rejected for the third time.

The focus of discussions was triggered by five "core principles" prepared by a special committee tasked by the Regional Development Council to draft a working document on Cordillera autonomy.

Committee chair and Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan said the following principles were designed to guide discussions on the substance of autonomy that may be fleshed out through the charter to be presented to Congress and later subjected to a plebiscite:

1. Permanent regional identity. The autonomous region is a corporate entity with jurisdiction in all matters devolved to it - administrative organization; creation of revenue sources; ancestral domain and natural resources; personal, family and property relations; regional urban and rural planning development; economic, social and tourism development; educational policies; preservation and development of cultural heritage; powers, functions and responsibilities now being exercised by the departments of the national government, except with respect to certain areas; patents, trademarks, trade names and copyrights; and such other matters for the promotion of the general welfare of the people and the region.

This means that "the exploitation, exploration, development, enjoyment and utilization of natural resources found in the (Cordillera) shall be under the control, permission and supervision of the regional government".

2. Non-diminution of existing benefits and powers. The powers and benefits of the region, including the different units within it, shall not be diminished. Local government units shall enjoy autonomy and continue to exercise powers granted under the local government code and to continue receiving their respective internal revenue allotments.

3. Nationally paid officials and employees will continue to be paid by the national government. They will, however, be under the direct control and supervision of the regional governor who will perform the supervisory functions of their respective department secretaries.

4. National government subsidy. The national government shall provide the region P10 billion per year for the first five years and another P5 billion per year for the next five years. The reason behind the provision for regional autonomy under the 1987 Constitution is the reality that the development of the Cordillera (and Muslim Mindanao) has been neglected and the legal justification to allocate more funding to speed up their development is through autonomy.

5. Continuing support. After the period of subsidy, the national government shall continue to provide sufficient budgetary allocation to the region to ensure its financial stability and sustenance.

In last Wednesday's forum, Kalinga Gov. Jocel Baac, who was recently appointed by President Aquino as chair of the RDC, asked Domogan and other Cordillera leaders to spearhead the autonomy information campaign during the next RDC meeting set on Feb. 14 in Tabuk. The date coincides with the founding anniversary of Kalinga and Apayao provinces. (Ramon Dacawi)

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on January 11, 2011.

twice already that there are plebiscites held in cordillera for its autonomy. only ifugao had voted yes which is not viable to be autonomous (only one province). would there be a third time?

http://i51.tinypic.com/214drt2.jpg
from DPWH

nice view :)

twice already that there are plebiscites held in cordillera for its autonomy. only ifugao had voted yes which is not viable to be autonomous (only one province). would there be a third time?



the first one, Ifugao favored it, the second time only Apayao favored it.

The reason that's why those two previous plebiscites didn't pass because they are not united. They are not united as Cordillerans with one thing in common which is to make Cordillera an autonomous region. Instead, they see themselves as Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao, iBontoc, iBenguet, etc, with having doubts from each other. A Kalinga might be having problem being governed by an Ifugao, or an iBontoc or an Apayao being governed by iBenguet.

But I do hope they will be united this time.

http://i53.tinypic.com/34g2akg.jpg

^^thanks for posting! the true QUEEN CITY NORTH OF MANILA!:banana::banana::banana: love it!;)

^^
CORRECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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The road to Paktil... by Chris...^^^^^^

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Baguio - Summer Capital since 1901! - by Chris:cheers:^^

By DEXTER SEE
February 2, 2011, 7:09pm

BAGUIO CITY — The Upland Development Project (UDP) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has already benefited at least 7,000 poor families who are living in identified critical watersheds in the different parts of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) over the past two years of the program’s implementation.

This was disclosed by DENR-CAR Director Clarence Baguilat who added the upland development program is an approach devised by the agency to empower people living in identified critical watersheds to actively participate in the bid of the Regional Development Council (RDC) in the Cordillera to rehabilitate and appropriately manage the region’s rapidly deteriorating watersheds that supply water to the 13 major river systems flowing into the lowland communities.

He said more than 7,000 farmer-beneficiaries were able to avail of the financial assistance extended under the UDP in support of the government’s hunger mitigation program but the said number is expected to increase by over 5,000 this year following the allocation of increased funding for the region which will be concentrated in sustaining its implementation in the next three years.

Under the UDP, the government provides farm inputs including tree seedlings, organic fertilizers, and other implements.

The farmers’ contribution is labor, for which they are paid.

This strategy enables people in the uplands to devote their time and energies wholly to the rehabilitation of the environment while earning in the process.

The UDP was launched in February, 2009 to cushion the impact of the global financial crisis on the Filipino people.

It aims to improve the income in upland areas and mitigate hunger, while enhancing the country’s capacity to adapt to climate change.

“In previous years, we were able to get the highest budget in UDP that’s why we got the very high target of 7,000 families wherein one hectare was allotted for every family,” he said.

For this year, the expected budget is about P70 million for UDP to cover more than 1,000 hectares of new plantations as well as about 500 hectares of bamboo plantations especially along our river banks, Baguilat said.

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/302141/upland-project-benefits-7000-families

^^thanks for posting! the true QUEEN CITY NORTH OF MANILA!:banana::banana::banana: love it!;)


^^
CORRECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Duh! Oo naman syempre! Ito ang educational at business district ng Northern Luzon! May airport, economic zone, mga BPO companies, malalaking universities, maraming hotels, malawak na CBD at malaking urban population ang Baguio!:cheers::cheers::cheers::banana:

Mt. Province generates P6.7M in real property tax

by Juliet B. Saley
BONTOC, Mt.Province, Feb.4 (PIA) – The province generated a net amount of P6,706,367 on the annual real property tax collected by the local government units in the 10 municipalities in the province.
The amount represents the annual tax of one percent on the assessed value of real property such as lands, buildings, machinery, and other improvements affixed or attached to real property within the territorial jurisdiction of the province and an additional annual tax of one percent on the assessed of real property for the Special Education Fund (SEF).
Based on the record of the Provincial Treasurer’s Office here, of the total amount collected, P3,354,442.00 was for the 1 percent basic real property tax and the remaining P3,351,926.00 for the SEF.
For 2010, the municipality of Bauko had the highest total collection of P1,624,870 (basic real property tax and SEF) followed by the municipality of Bontoc with total collection of P1,614,485. The municipalities of Paracelis collected P919,043; Tadian - P852,732.00; Sagada – P463,501; Besao – P356,168; Sabangan – P350,636; Natonin – P220,727; Sadanga – P159,445; and Barlig – P143,860.
Provincial treasurer Cawed Gamonnac said real property tax is a provincial imposition and its proceeds are shared by the three levels of the local government units wherein the provincial share is 35 percent. The municipality where the property is located gets a share of 40 percent and the barangay where the property is has a share of 25 percent.
Proceeds of the additional one percent for SEF is equally shared between the provincial and municipal school boards in support to public schools programs and activities approved by the local school board.*(PIA CAR -MP)

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'Cool weather ends this month' (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=657116&publicationSubCategoryId=200)
MANILA, Philippines - The state weather bureau suggested that Filipinos enjoy the cool weather this month while it lasts as higher temperatures are expected by March.

Robert Sawi, weather branch chief of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), said the northeast monsoon – the system that brings rain and cool weather to the country – is expected to end this February.

Sawi said the public can expect gradually increasing temperatures in the coming days.

“Normally it (northeast monsoon) ends in February and since we are in the middle of February I think it (cool weather) is the last hurrah,” Sawi said in a text message to The STAR.

Sawi, meanwhile, said Pagasa expects a normal onset of the summer season for the areas under Type I climate.

It includes Metro Manila Ilocos Region, western part of Mountain Province, western part of Nueva Ecija, Central Luzon, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan , Bataan, Zambales, Occidental Mindoro, southern parts of Antique and Iloilo, northwestern part of Palawan, and the southern parts of Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental.

Areas under Type I climate have two pronounced seasons – dry from November to April and wet during the rest of the year. Its maximum rain period is from June to September.

Although there will be rains during the dry season due to lingering La Nina phenomenon, high temperatures are still expected during summer, Sawi said.

Meanwhile, Sawi said rains would continue to prevail over southern Luzon, eastern Visayas and Mindanao in the next few days.

However, he said, no tropical cyclone is likely to affect the country this week.
malapit na ang summer!!! :banana::banana::banana:

PIA Press Release
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Feature: Pinakbet, king of Ilocano cuisine
By Oliver Baccay

Have you ever wondered what is the best dish from your place? Have you ever tried exploring gastronomic delights from other areas? Let me share with you a recipe, or let me reintroduce to you, the ever-famous, and indisputably King of Ilocano cuisine, the Pinakbet.


Pinakbet or pakbet is the most popular Ilocano dish (as if you didn’t know) in the Northern Philippines and has become another symbol of the Filipinos’ culinary art. The word is contracted from the Ilocano “pakbet” meaning “shrunk” or “shriveled”.


The original Pakbet uses bagoong, a concoction of fragmented monamon (a specie of fish) or any other fish, but down south, bagoong alamang (shrimp paste) is used. The basic vegetables used in this dish include the native bitter gourd, eggplant (smaller ones are preferred), okra, string beans, lime beans, chili peppers, parda and winged beans mixed with tomatoes, ginger and garlic.


The Tagalog and Ibanag pakbet, however, add the kalabasa. Most of these vegetables are readily available in the market or are abundantly grown in backyard gardens. As its name suggests, it is usually cooked until almost dry and shrived and until all the flavors of the vegetables reach its aromatic hilt.


In some cases, lechon, chicharon or any red meat is added to improve its flavor. Pinakbet for all its worth is a guaranteed healthy and nutritious food.


Since cooking is the secret weapon of a woman to capture the heart of her man, cooking pinakbet would surely be the shortest way to a man’s heart.


Among the Ilocanos, any occasion is incomplete without the usual serving of the Pakbet. The dish is also cooked abroad where there are Filipinos- either as OFWs or as immigrants. Once, a Pinay domestic cooked pakbet for her foreign employer, the boss tried and savored the dish and requested more of the dish in his next meals.


Since the early days of the Ilocanos, Pakbet has always been served up to this day. It has remained unscathed from the onslaught of other dishes, be it in the country or elsewhere. Truly, Ilocanos have left their mark with their irresistibly Pinoy Pakbet.
Root (http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r02&id=17953)

Jollibee Bangued, Abra
by: Fernando Mendoza (http://fernandomendoza.blogspot.com/2010_03_01_archive.html)

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ou95lwkXJVI/S6xu9_ab17I/AAAAAAAABMw/ZL_AQaIEAUE/s1600/08330031.jpg

Calaba Bridge
Bangued, Abra
by: by: Fernando Mendoza (http://fernandomendoza.blogspot.com/2010_03_01_archive.html)

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ou95lwkXJVI/TCJD5HThC2I/AAAAAAAABSo/Ko7i87royTM/s1600/DSC04467.JPG

February 23, 2011, 3:30pm

BAGUIO CITY — The Cordillera office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) here disclosed the P5.2 billion State of the Nation Address (SoNA) projects in the Cordillera are already 93 percent complete and are now being utilized by the motoring public for convenient travel in and out of the region.

The projects include the P1.9 billion rehabilitation of the phases two and three of the Halsema highway, particularly from Bauko to Bontoc Mountain Province and Bontoc to Banaue, Ifugao and the P3.3 billion upgrading of the Bontoc-Tabuk-Tuguegarao road which inter-connects the central Cordillera to the Cagayan Valley.

Engr. Edilberto Carabbacan, Department of Public Works and Highways-CAR regional director, revealed phases two and three of the Halsema highway are already competed while works along the Bontoc-Tabuk-Tuguegarao road is only 73 percent completed because of its impending road-right-of-way problems in the Tinglayan and Lubuagan towns in Kalinga.

However, municipal officials of Tinglayan and Lubuagan are now actively involved in the negotiations of the road-right-of-way claims by some of their constituents to allow the improvement of the road to push through which will result to enhanced economic activities in the said upland towns.

According to Carabbacan, negotiations to settle the road-right-of-way problems along the road is expected to be completed by April this year so that project implementers will be able to pursue the concreting, road widening and slope protection works before the rainy season so that local residents will enjoy the benefits of good roads.

But Carabbacan warned that if the negotiations being undertaken by the agency and local officials fail by the end of April, he revealed the Department of Public Works and Highways will be forced to terminate the contract and leave the unfinished work behind until such time that the people will realize the effects of their failure to cooperate to improve their road conditions.

Considering the numerous benefits of good roads to the improvement of living condition of people in the countryside, the DPWH-car official stressed road-right-of-way claimants should consider that it took two decades for local officials and the Regional Development Council (RDC) in the Cordillera to lobby for the release of the funds to ensure the improvement of roads, thus, they should learn to give in for the benefit of the greater majority of the population. (Dexter See)

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/305911/p52-billion-road-projects-cordillera-are-93-percent-complete

nice view :) - Benguet

http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu4/rhodel2000/Baguio%202010/100_3871.jpg

La Trinidad, Benguet
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu4/rhodel2000/Baguio%202010/100_3877.jpg

NCR, kampeon sa katatapos na 2011 SCUAA National Olympics

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Friday, 25 February 2011 20:51

CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela - Overall champion ang National Capital Region (NCR) sa katatapos na 2011 State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) National Olympics na ginanap sa Isabela Sports Complex sa Ilagan, Isabela.

Narito ang medal standings:

1. NCR - 61 golds, 32 silvers at 40 bronze.

2. Region 4 - 22 golds, 10 silvers at 28 bronze.

3. Region 3 - 21 golds, 37 silvers at 8 bronze.

4. Region 5 - 15 golds, 9 silvers at 13 bronze.

5. CARAGA Region - 11 golds, 10 silvers at 8 bronze

6. Region 6 - 8 golds, 25 silvers at 17 bronze.

7. Region 2 - 7 golds, 3 silvers at 10 bronze.

8. Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) - 2 golds, 1 silver at 2 bronze

9. Region I - 1 gold, 6 silver at 8 bronze.

10. Region 12 - 1 gold, 1 silver at 3 bronze.

11. Region 9 - 1 gold lamang.

12. Region 8 - 17 silver at 11 bronze.

13. Region 10 - 5 silver at 7 bronze.

14. Region 7 - 4 bronze.



http://www.bomboradyo.com/index.php/news/sports-news/42093-ncr-kampeon-sa-katatapos-na-2011-scuaa-national-olympics

originally posted in Isabela Thread by sir 296619.:cheers:

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/220038/regions/phivolcs-6-quakes-hit-abra-within-12-hr-period

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/untitled-21.jpg

Average Income and Expenditure of Families by Region, at 2000 Prices:
2006 and 2009
(in thousand PhP)

Philippine National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) (http://www.nscb.gov.ph/secstat/d_income.asp)

http://cl.cooltext.com/rendered/cooltext529649617.gif

http://flags.redpixart.com/img/1129/flag_256.jpg

...sa dibdib mo'y buhay...

Ipagdiwang, Araw ng Kalayaan, Hunyo 12, 2011

http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af8/williamroi/untitled-21.jpg

Average Income and Expenditure of Families by Region, at 2000 Prices:
2006 and 2009
(in thousand PhP)

Philippine National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) (http://www.nscb.gov.ph/secstat/d_income.asp)

Given its small size and population, CAR did rather surprisingly high

Given its small size and population, CAR did rather surprisingly high

marami naman kasing pwedeng pagkakitaan sa bundok lalo na sa CAR. Sa farming, sa mining, dams, tourism, etc. farming ang pinaka cash crop ng rehiyon. Major exporter ang rehiyon ng upland vegetables sa bansa

BAGUIO'S 3RD STARBUCKS NOW OPEN - BAGUIO TECHNOHUB CJH
http://i53.tinypic.com/ric2n6.jpghttp://i55.tinypic.com/ht9yqq.jpg

source:Starbucks Philippines facebook (http://m.facebook.com/StarbucksPhilippines?view=feed&filter=14)

BAGUIO'S 3RD YELLOW CAB PIZZA BRANCH NOW OPEN - BAGUIO TECHNOHUB CJH
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f6/Yellow_Cab_Pizza_Logo.svg/200px-Yellow_Cab_Pizza_Logo.svg.png

ARMY NAVY NOW OPEN! - BAGUIO TECHNOHUB - CAMP JOHN HAY
http://www.armynavyshop.com/Merchant2/graphics/army.jpg

BAGUIO'S 3RD MANG INASAL - SOON TO OPEN GEN. LUNA ROAD

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRf8hjYa7Kpf5O6VqAyDfRvjJ-eVRB7BW3_do8pNQ2bRdlARgpb&t=1

please tell me about this

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/318993_104197863019717_100002885116452_20038_3341645_n.jpg
Abra

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/294821_104197876353049_100002885116452_20039_7975613_n.jpg
Apayao

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/298608_104197899686380_100002885116452_20040_6441433_n.jpg
Benguet

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/302066_104197949686375_100002885116452_20042_7749212_n.jpg
Ifugao

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/300642_104205566352280_100002885116452_20060_8335179_n.jpg
Kalinga

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/315377_104198086353028_100002885116452_20048_1350099_n.jpg
Mountain Province

From: Ginoong Northern Luzon Candidates Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=104198086353028&set=a.104197839686386.4755.100002885116452&type=1&permPage=1)

Cordillera Regional Office awarded as DOLE’s Best Regional Office for 2010
BAGUIO CITY,Oct. 2(PIA)- - The Department of Labor and Employment Office- Cordillera Regional Office (DOLE-CAR) was awarded as the best regional office for its exemplary physical and financial performance in 2010 among level-three DOLE regional offices.

DOLE-CAR was conferred as a ‘Lingkod Mangagawa’ awardee for its remarkable overall efforts in successfully implementing the primary services of the labor department in a simple awarding ceremony during a unified flag raising ceremony at the Blas Ople Hall of DOLE’s Intramuros, Manila Office last September 26.More: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=57084

Fish farming viable, profitable business in Cordillera
BAGUIO CITY, Oct. 3 (PIA) - - It may cool to cold in the Cordillera, but it has been found out that fish farming is possible in the region.

Aquaculture such as fish farming is viable, sustainable, and profitable business here in Cordillera.

This was affirmed by Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) assistant regional director Lilibeth Signey, in an interview over PIA Hour radio program over DZWT, Thursday. More: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=57213

46 LGUs get P91-M incentive for good governance

Some 46 local government units (LGUs) throughout the country received on Tuesday a total of P91 million as incentives for good governance under the government’s "Gawad Pamana ng Lahi" program.

In a news release, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said the funds came from the department's P500 million Performance Challenge Fund (PCF).

The DILG said the fund serves as incentives for the country’s LGUs to adopt transparent, accountable and participatory governance.

The awards consisted of a trophy and a check amounting to:
P3-million for each provincial winner,
P2-million for each of the city awardees, and
P1-million for each municipal winner.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo said the LGUs were chosen based on the following criteria:
scores in the development indices from the Local Governance Performance Management System,
the Seal of Good Housekeeping,
organization of national government bestowed awards, and
acknowledged innovations.

“We expect the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi awardees to sustain their outstanding performance and serve as shining exemplars of good governance," Robredo said.

“Through this awards program, we aim to recognize the invaluable contribution of LGUs that have continuously adhered to the good governance principles of transparency, accountability and inclusivity in local administration and development," he said.

The awards were handed out as part of the DILG's "Biyaheng Pinoy" program, a yearlong celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Local Government Code.

Of the 46 regional winners, 15 were provinces, 15 were cities and 16 were municipalities.

The provincial awardees include the provinces of La Union, Quirino, Bulacan, Cavite, Marinduque, Albay, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Leyte, Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Compostela Valley, Cotabato, Agusan del Norte and Benguet.

The city awardees were: San Fernando, Santiago, San Fernando, Antipolo, Puerto Princesa, Ligao, Iloilo, Cebu, Ormoc, Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, Tagum, Kidapawan, Surigao, and Tabuk.

Meanwhile, the municipal awardees were: Tagudin (Ilocos Sur); Ilagan (Isabela); Llanera (Nueva Ecija); Carmona (Cavite); Odiongan (Romblon); Tiwi (Albay); New Lucena (Iloilo); Amlan (Negros Oriental); Naval (Biliran); Labason (Zamboanga del Norte); Opol (Misamis Oriental); Laak (Compostela Valley); Surallah (South Cotabato); Cagwait (Surigao del Sur); Sta. Marcela (Apayao); and Sultan Mastura (Maguindanao). - VVP, GMA News

gmanews.tv (http://www.gmanews.tv/story/235246/nation/46-lgus-get-p91-m-incentive-for-good-governance)

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to all

:cheers::banana::cheers::banana::cheers::banana::cheers:

NARAGSAK NGA PASKUA!
[MERRY CHRISTMAS]

From the World Heritage City of Vigan and Heritage Province of Ilocos Sur

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wala bang infra projecs update?!!