Cordillera Administrative Region

[allan_dude]

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)

[allan_dude]

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)

[allan_dude]

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)

[allan_dude]

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)

[allan_dude]

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)

[allan_dude]

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)

[allan_dude]

Palace: July 14 a non-working holiday in Cordillera

By Vincent Cabreza
Northern Luzon Bureau
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.

[allan_dude]

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 follows1) 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

[dark_knight_detectve]

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


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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[allan_dude]

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

[dark_knight_detectve]

Kalinga now brewing own exotic civet cat coffee

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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[dark_knight_detectve]

2 Cordillera projects now 93% complete

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)

[dark_knight_detectve]

Gov’t won’t close Baguio airport anymore – Arroyo

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.

[hecky12]

proud to be Abrenians!

sa wakas unti unti ng bumabangon ang aming bayan ha. meron ng jollibee dun sa amin. heheh

[dark_knight_detectve]

‘Calabasa’ no more
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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[dark_knight_detectve]

Accor Hotel to build no-frills hotel
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.

[allan_dude]

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

[allan_dude]

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

[allan_dude]

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

[allan_dude]

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