PRO-COR Ranked NO 1 nationwide for LOI Kontra and Bilang Boga

Camp Dangwa, Benguet: In line with the LOI Kontra and Bilang Boga of the Philippine National Police, Police Regional Office Cordillera ranked number one (1) nationwide besting other Regions in its accomplishment on the national firearms control program or the implementation of the gun amnesty.

Since July of this year, PRO-COR has been in the forefront of its information drive within Cordillera for all firearm holders to renew and legalize their ownership under the gun amnesty through the tri-media, Barangay visitation, ugnayan with the community and coordination with other line agencies. As a result, PRO-COR accomplished its three (3) percent monthly target with a total of 131.96 percent accomplishment for the period of July to September 2009 and was ranked number one among the seventeen Police Regional Offices for the period under review.

Psupt Ramil Saculles, Chief of the Regional Operations and Plans Division reported a total of 1, 451 renewed firearms covering the period of July to October 31, 2009. Baguio City Police Office has the highest number of renewal with a total of 326. On the other hand, a total of 766 registered their firearms for the same period covered. Abra PPO has the highest number with a total of 355 registered firearms.

As a result of police operations conducted relative to the kontra boga, a total of 245 were recovered, surrendered and confiscated from July to October 2009. Abra PPO has the most number with a total of 91.

Regional Director Pcsupt Orlando L Pestano lauded the Cordillera Police for their joined efforts making the Cordillera’s finest number one in the implementation of the PNP programs, mission and function. He likewise hailed the active role of the PIA-CAR, the tri-media and other stakeholders for their cooperation and support with regards to the information campaign of PRO-COR for the awareness of the general populace. (Pro-Cor )

BURNING OF MARIJUANA BRICKS ORDERED BY BENGUET JUDGE

BENGUET - Pursuant to pertinent laws and decrees, the Honorable Marybelle Demot-Mariñas, the Presiding Judge of the First Judicial Region’s Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 8 in La Trinidad, Benguet, ordered the burning of 30 bricks of marijuana dried leaves, which she had also led in a very simple ceremony at Justice Hill, Provincial Capitol Compound, Poblacion, La Trinidad, Benguet yesterday, October 20, 2009, at 1:30 in the afternoon.

The immediate burning or destruction by the Court, through the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), of confiscated, seized and/or surrendered dangerous drugs, plant sources of dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals, instruments or paraphernalia and/or laboratory equipment is being mandated primarily by Section 21 of Republic Act (RA) Number 9165 (The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).

Moreover, aforesaid destruction of dangerous drugs yesterday was participated in or carried out in the presence of Prosecutor Jurgenson Lagdao of the Benguet Office of the Provincial Prosecutor and the one in-charge of the drug case, as representative from the Department of Justice; Mr. Rizaldy Comanda, a photo journalist, as representative from the mass media; Belban Sic-open, the accused or person from whom the contrabands were seized; Mr. Esteban Gayados, as representative from a civil society group active in the campaign against dangerous drugs in Benguet; Punong Barangay Robert Namoro of Poblacion, La Trinidad, Benguet, as an elected-public-official witness; Police Senior Inspector Alex Biadang and Police Officer 1 Dennis De Los Reyes of the Regional Crime Laboratory Office (RCLO) – Cordillera who took charge of the taking, weighing and recording of representative samples from the subject dangerous drug evidence, as crime lab representatives; Senior Police Officer 4 Romeo Abordo Sr., Chief Evidence Custodian of PDEA – Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), as PDEA representative; and Atty. Rubie Lorraine Bogya-Lictao, Intelligence Officer 4 of PDEA – CAR, as Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) representative. Such key witnesses are also being required under Section 21 of RA 9165. The destruction was furthermore certified by Prosecutor Mark Maranes.

Earlier, as likewise provided by RA 9165 and related resolutions of DDB, an ocular inspection on the evidence seized was made by Branch 8, RTC, First Judicial Region, La Trinidad, Benguet after the criminal case was filed on March 2, 2009; and representative samples from the evidence were taken, weighed and recorded, just a few hours before the destruction, by forensic chemists from RCLO – Cordillera of the Philippine National Police in Camp Bado Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet, which is the forensic laboratory that conducted the chemical analysis or examination of the cannabis evidence just after their confiscation. Meanwhile, the representative samples taken are being kept by the court as evidence. For marijuana dried leaves, the law provides as well that the maximum quantity of representative sample to be retained as evidence must only be 510 grams.

Sic-open, 23, single, high school graduate, farmer, native and resident of Legab, Kayapa, Bakun, Benguet, and a suspected marijuana cultivator was busted with the PhP750,000.00 worth of marijuana upon selling these to a PDEA – CAR agent acting as poseur-buyer in an entrapment operation at 3:40 dawn last February 4 in Poblacion, Kibungan, Benguet. He is in the Watch List of Drug Personalities in the Cordillera Region and allegedly, he collects marijuana bricks from other cultivators and sells these to middlemen.Subsequently, Sic-open was charged in court for Violation of Section 5 (Sale, Trading, Administration, Dispensation, Delivery, Distribution and Transportation of Dangerous Drugs and/or Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals) of RA 9165, docketed under Criminal Case Number 09-CR7596, which is still being heard at the RTC Branch 8.

Kayapa is the only barangay in Bakun, Benguet listed under the Drug-affected Barangays in the Cordillera Region, specifically classified as Seriously Affected; and Legab, the place of birth and residence of the nabbed suspect, is one of the sitios of Kayapa identified with marijuana plantations. ( PIO PDEA-CAR )

TYPHOON “PEPENG” AFFECTED PRO-COR PNP PERSONNEL RECEIVED RELIEF GOODS AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM PSMBFI

CAMP DANGWA, BENGUET: The Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund Inc. (PSMBFI), the only insurance company of the Philippine National Police extends assistance to the typhoon “PEPENG” affected PNP personnel of PRO-COR on October 21, 2009 at the Grandstand of Camp Bado Dangwa La Trinidad, Benguet.

Atty Washington Javier, General Manager of PSMBFI and Pssupt Frederick Oconer, Marketing Head distributed the relief goods and financial assistance to the affected personnel. Two PNP personnel from Benguet PPO whose parents, brother, relatives, wife and children were not spared at Twin Peaks Tuba Benguet due to landslide at the height of typhoon “pepeng”. Most of the typhoon affected personnel resides in City Camp Lagoon, Puguis La Trinidad, Cresencia Village, Twin peaks and other parts of Benguet, Baguio City and Pangasinan. They either lost their loved ones due to landslide or their houses and other properties were wrecked and flooded.

In his message, Pssupt Oconer said that PSMBFI is doing its nationwide assistance to all personnel of the PNP who have not spared by the wrath of the two recent typhoons that hit the Philippines. He said, “PSMBFI ay handang tumulong sa lahat ng pagkakataon”.

Thirty seven (37) PNP personnel from Baguio, Benguet and the Regional Headquarters were the beneficiaries of the financial assistance and relief goods extended by the PSMBFI. Pcsupt Orlando L Pestano, Regional Director said that “PSMBFI uphold its social responsibility to help those in need and gave his words of wisdom to the affected personnel to move forward with their life.” He also advised everybody to be prepared and be vigilant for the natural calamities as another typhoon is coming in the Philippine areas of responsibility.( PRO-COR)

Donors re-tool rescuers for typhoon ramil

Baguio City - Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr.has found relief as chair of the city disaster coordinating council after donors converted their cash support into shovels, axes and other much-needed rescue tools as Baguio and the rest Northern Luzon prepared Friday for typhoon Ramil.

The mayor Wednesday inspected the tools, some of which city administrator and CDCC action officer Peter Fianza assigned to the 10 police precincts for faster distribution during rescue operations.

The mayor Monday met with city police director, Sr. Supt. Agrifino Javier and the precinct commanders to upgrade the capability of police officers in rescue work, in tandem CDCC personnel and other volunteers

The local chapter of the Association for Philippine-China Understanding headed by Tony Lee led the donors who upgraded the CDCC’s rescue tools and equipment.

E-power, a Manila-based power company, through Andy Payoyo and Jerry Isican, also handed over to the CDCC 25 shovels, 25 hard hats, 12 flashlights and six pieces nylon rope.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ALLEGED NPA’S BURNED THE RUA CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENTS AT MALITEP, BONTOC

Camp Dangwa, Benguet: The equipments of RUA Construction Field Office located at Sitio Malitep Balili Bontoc, Mt Province were burned by still unidentified perpetrators on September 29, 2009.

The policemen led by Pcinsp Julio Lizardo, Chief of Police of Bontoc Municipal Police Station who responded to the crime scene discovered that six (6) transit mixers and three (3) Komatsu Back Hoes was burned on site. Their investigation disclosed that the suspects were about twenty to thirty heavily armed men with three female companions armed with M16 and M14 rifles. They wake up the employees and gathered them in front of the main office of the said company and identified themselves as members of the New People’s Army (NPA).

The team leader of the suspects started lecturing the laborers and the employees about the delay of wages, low salary and corruption allegedly committed by the contractors while his companions begin to torch the equipment with gasoline they brought with them. They also discussed to the employees about their mission of recruitment, fight for the poor and democracy, and change the government. After the lecture, the employees were brought inside the drivers/operators quarters and the suspects withdrew towards Barangay Alab, Bontoc.

The damages estimated were more or less 25.2 million pesos. Hot pursuit operation by police personnel is still on going as of press time. Pcsupt Orlando L Pestano, Regional Director ordered the police personnel of Mt Province and its operating Units to intensify their manhunt operation for the identification of the suspects who committed the arson and to strengthen their security measures in all vital installations and project sites of the government to prevent similar occurrence.

Dumagas Folks Hold “Panagsisinaranay-Isu’t Ramut ti Panagdur-as”

Bangued, Abra- Amidst stormy weather, troops belonging to the 41st Infantry (Partner for Peace) Battalion under LTC Ignacio B Madriaga successfully initiated a General Assembly entitled “Panagsisinaranay- Isu’t Ramut ti Panagrang-ay” with the people of Brgy Dumagas, Boliney, Abra yesterday, 26 September 2009. The General Assembly was highlighted by the conduct of Free Medical and Dental Mission. At least two hundred fifty seven (257) persons benefited from the free medical while thirty seven (37) persons availed of the free dental services. In addition, the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPVET) led by Dr. Diosdado Taverner provided free Animal Services like Anti-Rabies Vaccination benefiting 25 dog owners and 5 cattle owners.
This General Assembly served as the culminating activity for the Community Relations Activities of the 41st IB in the barangay. Its aim was to bring the much needed Government Social Services to the people which were found out to be the most needed by the people, based on the studies conducted by the troops who lived among the people for seven (7) weeks. As such, several agencies answered the call and readily provided services such as the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist led by Mrs Marlita Basingan, Provincial Health Office represented by Dr. Antonio Valera, and the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian led by Dr. Diosdado Taverner. These agencies also disseminated the government’s programs and answered some issues raised by the populace. Several Medical Doctors and Dentists volunteered for this event namely; Dr Antonio Valera, Dr Felino Burgos, Dr Maynarda Yamat- the Head Dentist of APH, Dr Cindy Rose Stimson, all from Abra Provincial Hospital, and Dr Joel Beleno- private doctor from Santa Monica Hospital at Manabo.
Through the activity, the people of Dumagas led by their Brgy Chairman, Mr Manuel S. Molina Jr., heartily expressed their gratitude especially to the Philippine Army for facilitating the assembly and medical mission, which according to him is what the people need. In his speech, Brgy Chairman Molina, stated that their barangay has long been deprived of social services such as medical care. Obviously the access road towards the barangay is very difficult such that ordinary vehicles cannot enter the barangay especially during rainy season. In addition, transportation service for the barangay is only limited to one (1) trip per week adding to the hardship of the people in bringing their produce to the market. Furthermore, the municipal LGU seldom visit the area to witness the plight of the people which aggravates their perception as being neglected by the government. All these conditions add to the plight of the people thus with the services provided by the aforementioned agencies, a great relief was finally experienced by the populace.

Kids pay tribute to paraan in urban walk

On the fourth day of the watch for war hero and former city mayor Francisco Paraan, some 40 pupils moved down Session Rd., the city’s main street, to the Veterans Park along Harrison Rd. to know what the monument is all about.

They swept clean the monument and the surrounding grounds, lined up for prayers and, one after the other, offered flowers at the base of the shrine, They then swept their palms on the marble wall of heroes.

“We looked for the name of (1Lt.) Francisco Paraan,” fifth-grader Larkha Flores of the Siloam Christian Academy later wrote. “I am 10 years old turning 11 on October 5,” she also wrote.

“Fabian (Cuilan, her classmate) found his grandfather’s name (2nd Lt. Rafael Cuilan), and we also offered flowers for the veteran who just died, “ Larkha added.

One kid who did not write his or her name did research and added, “We should be praying for the soldiers who fought for Baguio, especially Francisco “Ping” Paraan who passed away last Sept. 14 (Mon.) and was buried last Sept. 23, 09 (Wed.)”.

Paraan, who also served as Baguio ’s chief of police, was a survivor of the infamous “Death March”. He passed on in Bataan , while trying to refresh memory, for a memoir of the war and his city he was writing. He was 92.

The kids’ hike to the city’s historical buildings and landmarks is part of the “Children’s Urban Heritage Walk” launched three years ago by the YMCA of Baguio and the city government as contribution towards the city’s centennial this year.

Back in his fifth-grade class, Justine Caram wrote: “I learned the history of Baguio City , about Francisco Paraan (and) the soldiers who fought during the World War II against the Japanese.”

“In this place, I learned a lot of heroes died for our peace,” 10-year old Aika Vien Dayrit said.

“I felt tired but happy because every sweat that falls has a meaning,” recalled fourth-grader Zhareema Martin.

“During the Heritage Walk, I observed that there are few trees nowadays,” scribbled Jalen Rose Pascua. “I observed that there are lots of buildings. There are lots of people in Baguio City .”

“When we cleaned Session Rd., most of the trash we found were cigarette butts,” said Deevann Shrestha. “This shows that there are many smokers. When I grow up, I will not smoke.”

“While we were picking up trash, I felt the need to call the people of Session Road to join us in this cause, to clean up Baguio , magnificent Baguio that my Mom used to tell me,” wrote John Mark Baguuindoc.

“All garbage should be put in the garbage bags so that we can help the street sweepers in cleaning the road,” advised Guia Jobelle Orduna of the fifth grade.

Krystall Slkye Guzman offered more information on the Casa Vallejo, the only remaining building built by the American colonial government below what is now SM-Baguio:

“According to my mother, who used to be the general manager of Cas Vallejo, it was originally called Dormitory 4, built for the employees of the Bureau of Public Works. In 1923, Mr. Salvador Vallejo, a Spanish soldier, rented the place to start a hotel business. After World War II, it became the favorite destination of foreigners and tourists. Justina Vallejo Garcia, or “Lola Nena” took over the hotel management when her father died in 1953.”

Earlier, children from the Baguio Pines Family Learning Center , undertook the walk and then wrote President Gloria Arroyo, thanking her for saving the tree park beside the Baguio Convention Center .

The President advised the Government Service Insurance System to forego with its plan of converting tree stand into a four-building high-rise condotel and business complex in a joint venture with Shoemart.

Schools which feel the need for their kids to explore the urban landscape may call the YMCA (442-4766) of the public information division of the city mayor’s office (442=-2502). – Ramon Dacawi.

Use of deceiving lights on market goods now penalized

BAGUIO CITY – The city government will penalize vendors using “deceiving lights” to make their commodities like meat, fish, vegetables and fruits look fresh.
Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. signed Ordinance No. 71 series of 2009 setting penalties for persons guilty of said violation as follows: P500 fine for first offense; P1,000 for second offense; and P2,000 fine and revocation of permit to operate for the third offense.
The measure which was introduced by Vice Mayor Daniel Farinas mandates the adoption of a “lighting standard” in shops and stalls to support the ordinance.
The Baguio City Market Authority through the market superintendent’s office in cooperation with the city veterinary office was tasked to recommend the best lighting condition to set the said standard.
Farinas said the measure aims to stop the nefarious practice of some market vendors to mask the quality of their products.
Farinas said consumers commonly complain that the fish or meat they meticulously buy from market stalls particularly those that use lights over mounds of their products but the goods turned out to be not as fresh the moment these were brought home.
“It has been noticed that unscrupulous stall tenders and owners in the Baguio City Public Market have been surreptitiously installing lights that when illuminated especially onto meats and fishes tend to make them appear fresh and a whole lot more appealing to the unsuspecting buyer. Albeit it may also be claimed by innocent stall tenders and owners that they may just have simply installed these deceiving lights without malicious intent, however, this Ordinance intends to put a check to and prevent such sinister practice from persisting once and for all,” Farinas noted. – aileen p. refuerzo

Mayor says only legal stallholders entitled to market spaces

BAGUIO CITY – Only legitimate stallholders are entitled to spaces at the newly built structures at the city market.
Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. stressed this as he announced Thursday the completion of the new market structures that replaced the burnt area particularly the vegetable proper buildings 1 and 2, sari-sari and tobacco sections.
The mayor said the city will allow only those with existing and binding contracts with the city government to occupy the stall spaces starting next week.
The legitimate occupants are properly listed in the master list being kept by the city treasurer’s office.
Many vendors have reportedly complained claiming they were displaced or unceremoniously stripped of their right to stalls they claimed to have occupied for many years before the fire.
The mayor said the subject persons who claim to have occupied stalls but are not included in the list may have just been sub-lessees of the spaces rented out by the original stallholders or just plain illegal occupants.
He said it is not the city’s responsibility to accommodate them as they have no contracts with the city government.
He said on advantage gained from the market improvement project was that it gave the city the chance to purge the said area of illegal vendors and stem the practice of sub-leasing which is also not allowed by the city government. The project also ensured fairness as all stalls were constructed in uniform sizes.
The stalls – numbering 200 at the vegetable section, 56 at the sari-sari section and 20 at the tobacco section – will be distributed equitably to the legitimate grantees, the mayor said.
The project amounting P12 million was undertaken by administration to rebuild the burned area where 238 stalls were razed by the fire and improve the façade of the market.
Mayor Bautista earlier assured that the structures to be built will all be temporary or collapsible so these can be easily dismantled should the full-blown market development project be implemented. in deference to the contract with the Uniwide Sales Realty and Resources Corporation (Uniwide) which had been declared binding by the courts.
CBAO head Engr. Oscar Flores earlier assured that the space allotment for the vendors in the structuren was made equitably based on the original area allotted for said sections.
He said the spaces allotted to the vendors are of equal size and that the number of stalls in the plan corresponds to the number of legitimate vendors affected by the fire thus nobody will be displaced.
He said the space extensions made by the vendors themselves were removed in the new structures thus the area of the stalls was inevitably reduced.
Bautista said that in the new building, the city will prohibit the vendors from putting up additional constructions like mezzanines or space extensions. – aileen p. refuerzo

City ready to accept offers on asin hydro privatization

BAGUIO CITY – The city government is now ready to accept offers for the privatization of the operation of the Asin minihydroelectric plants.
Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. Thursday said the city will soon issue notices to prospective companies who have the capability to operate and manage the facilities based on the terms of reference adopted for the purpose.
The mayor said the city council through Resolution No. 104-2009 granted him the authority to negotiate for the operation of the power plants to maximize the facilities’ income-generating potentials.
The mayor said the offers to be received by the city will be referred again to the city council for confirmation.
The city’s confidence on the facilities was boosted by the encouraging results of the feasibility study conducted by experts from Czech Republic on the rehabilitation of the city’s mini-hydroelectric plants.
Based on the result of the study, the facilities if totally rehabilitated can generate a total of 24,680,000 kWh of power annually which if computed based on the “redemption value of electric energy” will be equivalent to $2,307,580 per year.
The mayor said the positive result gave the city more leverage in its privatization plan.
The study was conducted by the PS PROFI Ltd. Firm and funded by the Embassy of the Czech Republic in the Philippines in the amount of $28,000.
A summary of the study results indicated that the rehabilitation of the facilities would require a total investment cost computed based on “turnkey basis with using of first-class equipment” of $11,602,952. This is divided into civil works rehabilitation which would cost $6,252,545 and technological part including services at $5,350,407.
The expected revenue was calculated from the annual energy general of 24,680,000kWh and redemption value of electric energy. – aileen p. refuerzo