Resorts in Buguias are emerging destinations

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The resorts in the vegetable-producing town of Buguias in the province of Benguet are emerging destinations that lure local and foreign tourists alike.

Provincial Tourism Operations Officer Clarita Prudencio said their office is on the process of promoting the resorts in Buguias.

Bank hails cash transfer program of government

THE World Bank Group has released its evaluation on the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

In the “Philippines Conditional Cash Transfer Program Impact Evaluation 2012”, the World Bank concluded that the CCT is “on the right direction to achieve the human investment goals of the Program,” the statement said.

Town receives aid for sugarcane production

AGUINALDO, Ifugao -- The local government unit (LGU) received P400,000 from the SN Aboitiz Power Magat, Inc (SNAP-Magat Inc.) as livelihood assistance.

The amount was formally turned-over to the LGU through Mayor Clemente Talusig to fund the sugarcane production of the municipality.

Folk double income with mushrooms

PETER Pablito, an operator of a small-scale mining tunnel in Ucab, Itogon, Benguet has now doubled his family income after venturing into mushroom production introduced by Benguet Corporation.

In an interview, Pablito said the income he is generating from what he first thought to be just a “sideline” is about equal now with what he is deriving from his main livelihood small-scale mining, considering how thriving the industry of mining is at present.

Smart denies network disruption

SMART Communication Inc. has denied any interruption in its operations in Baguio and Benguet and other areas in North Luzon contrary to an early advisory of rival Globe telecom issued in February 27.    “The Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) company interconnection facilities serving Northern Luzon are operating normally. There has not been any reported interruption in its operations at any time,” said Smart External Affairs head Jose Rosete.

Philex advances P1.034 billion payment to government

WHILE it believes that the August 1 incident at its Padcal mines was caused by force majeure, Philex Mining Corp., is set to pay on Monday, or one day before the deadline, the P1.034 billion in fees imposed by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), as it shares government’s concern to protect the environment.

“We believe it was a result of the elements of nature—an event of force majeure,” Michael Toledo, senior vice president for Corporate Affairs at Philex Mining, said. “But even as we are not at fault, we share the concern of government for the environment, thus we are paying the fee, as set by regulators, to cover the costs of remediation and rehabilitation activities.”

Kalinga rafting now booming

WHITE water rafting in the province is on a roll.

Coffee traders benefit from DTI project

TABUK CITY – Coffee producers in Cordillera region are expecting a boost in their production after the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) infused funds for the improvement of equipment and facilities.

Benguet inks pact with Magnolia

A BREAK is soon to enlighten Benguet as a memorandum of agreement (MOA) will be signed between the Provincial Government and Magnolia Inc. for the promotion of the strawberry products nationwide.

Christmas time anew at The Manor at Camp John Hay

THE Christmas spirit fills the crisp mountain air anew at The Manor at Camp John Hay in Baguio City.

More businesses join Christmas sale

BANGUED, Abra -- More than 60 local enterprises participated in this year’s celebration of the Abra Week for Peace.

Arell Bañez, provincial director of the Department of Trade and Industry, which spearheaded the conduct of the AWP 2012 Christmas Sale, said this year’s trade fair is more successful than the past celebration because aside from the more than 60 entrepreneurs who participated, several new groups have also joined the fair.

Market prices remain stable as Christmas nears

THE prices of the basic commodities in Baguio City remain stable as the Yuletide Season gets near, said Mimosa Regis, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) chief trade and industry development specialist.

Bus company launches new service to Manila

BUS company Genesis Transport Service launched on Tuesday its full operation of JoyBus, the executive coach service of the company, cutting travel time to and from Manila to less than five hours.

Online business registry kiosk providing better services

TABUK CITY, Kalinga –- Applicants for business registrations and permits enjoy the improved and speedier transaction with the newly opened on-line business registry kiosk at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), here.

The facility is linked to DTI data bank through the web that paves easier and time-saving transactions compared to the previous manual registration system.

Metals, energy, coffee industry eyed for investment opportunities

OPPORTUNITIES for investments in the Cordillera Region are being primed by the Regional Development Council (RDC) for local and foreign markets.

The sectoral committee on economic development (Secom on EconDev) of the RDC–CAR will initially focus on the four areas of investment -- metals, energy, tourism, and coffee industry -- for promotion due to their potential and there are existing and prospective markets.

Coffee to boost income of Mankayan farmers

MANKAYAN, Benguet -- In a country where no day is complete without coffee, either instant, simply brewed or blended your way, the demand for this product has greatly increased, creating an opportunity for coffee growers in Mankayan.

Romeo San Buenaventura, Corporate Social Development Team program officer of the Far Southeast Gold Resources Inc. (FSE), which is in charge of Agroforestry programs, said “Mankayan is one of the best places where the Arabica variety of coffee can be grown; the high elevation, cool climate, and slightly acidic soil is perfect.”

Dacawi: Wanting of a sense of history

GIVEN the numerous markers installed in his native land and abroad in honor our national hero, respected historian Ambeth Ocampo considered hanging one in his home: “Jose Rizal did not stay or visit this place.”

On the proliferation of such tags, Ocampo quoted his fellow historian Teodoro Agoncillo: “Pati yata eskinitang inihian ni Rizal ibig lagyan ng marker (It seems they want to put a marker even in any alley where Rizal peed).”

Public Works optimistic of early project completion

DEPARTMENT of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Baguio District Engineer Ireneo Gallato is confident that the ongoing road repairs will be finished on time.

More funds needed for agri plans in Cordillera

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has laid down plans for this quarter of 2012, with a focus on its regular agenda including the Rice Program, Corn Program, and the Livestock and High Value Crop Development program.

Robert Domoguen, DA chief information officer, said an estimated P500 million has been allotted by government for the implementation of plans for this fiscal year, the highest amount given compared to previous years.

Balweg: The tribals and tourism

TODAY (Saturday) and tomorrow (Sunday) usher in the Holy Week (semana santa) in earnest. Tomorrow, in particular, commemorates the entry of Christ the Redeemer into the City of Jerusalem. But just as when He came into the world by his birth in Bethlehem, so he came to Jerusalem in a way much contrary to the expectation of many. In Bethlehem, He, the Rex Regum, King of Kings, came to be born in an outskirt stable and not in a grand palace or mansion. In Jerusalem, He, the deliverer of His people, came, riding on a lowly ass and not on a powerful stallion.

Starting a business through govt’s PBR

TODAY, a smart businessman can download a government form, fill up the required information and submit it online for business registration without necessarily going to such offices as SSS, BIR, Pagibig, Philhealth, SEC and DTI. The simplified process under the Philippine Business Registry or PBR is as convenient as going to an internet kiosk with the help of a DTI Teller or user can directly register online based on the briefings conducted by officials of the Department of Trade and Industry-PBR Office.

PhilRice developing ‘golden rice’

EXPERTS at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) are coming up with micronutrient-rich varieties to help lessen hunger.

OFW remittances reach $14.8B

REMITTANCES from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) already reached US$14.8 billion in the first nine months of this year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported.

In September alone, transfer of funds through banks totaled US$1.7 billion, registering an 8.4 percent growth. Remittances from land-based workers, comprising about 78 percent of the total, increased by 5.3 percent or US$11.6 billion, while those of sea-based workers expanded by 14.1 percent or US$3.2 billion.

DTI implements new business name registration fees

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) now implements a more accessible and even faster registration methods for business name (BN) registration for original and renewal, based on the geographical jurisdiction of their businesses effective January 2011.

The amendments are in response to President Benigno Aquino’s marching order in his State of the Nation’s Address in July 2010 to streamline business registration processes to possibly take the processes within 15 minutes.

Revenue doubles from small-scale mining

BUREAU of Internal Revenue (BIR) officials recently reported a significant increase in collections from small-scale mining activities.

MyPhone launches ‘My School House, My Teacher, My Hero’

IN SUPPORT of the Teachers’ Month campaign and World Teachers’ Day celebration, MyPhone launches the first “My School House, My Teacher, My Hero Search” nationwide.

Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro said the search is one of the many activities of the Department of Education, which aims to instill awareness and drum up support for the Teachers’ Month campaign.

P2.3 billion Chico River Pump Irrigation starts 2012

PINUKPUK, Kalinga - Ex-Congressman Manuel Mamba of Cagayan announced the proposed P2.3 billion project to irrigate an estimated 8,700 hectares in Cagayan and Kalinga provinces is expected to be implemented next year.

Mamba, who led a tree planting activity in San Luis, Tuao, Cagayan on August 15, informed the reforestation project is part of the watershed development for the sustainability of the irrigation project.

Doctor gets SME Elite Award

TABUK, Kalinga - Dr. Jaime Almora, practicing surgeon and medical director of the Almora General Hospital (AGH)-Kalinga, bagged the first regional Small Medium Enterprise (SME) Star Elite Award in the Cordillera.

Almora brought home the honor during the regional SME caravan dubbed “Work-on-wheels” (WOW) last August 3 in Bangued, Abra.

Trade office develops Cordillera SMEs

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Cordillera is now focusing on the overall development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the region, DTI-Cordillera director Myrna Pablo said.

Low-cost shelters in Vigan inaugurated

THE Vigan City Government and Rotary Club formally opened and turned over housing units at the 4 C’s village to first 10 beneficiaries in Barangay Capangpangan.

The ceremony was head by Mayor Eva m Marie S. Medina in partnership with Edwin Raquel and his wife.