Mayoyao creates local housing board

MAYOYAO, Ifugao – The town recently created its local housing board called Mayoyao Municipal Housing Board (MMHB) to provide rural poor communities, people’s organizations (POs), and non-government organizations (NGOs) direct participation in the planning and implementation of local housing programs.

This is in consonance with Republic Act No. 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA) of 1992, spelling out local governments as implementing entities and provides a blueprint for socialized housing and just and humane eviction and demolition processes at the local level.

Lagawe reorganizes Task Force Bantay Karne

LAGAWE, Ifugao - The local government here reorganized its Task Force Bantay Karne (TFBK) in a bid to protect meat consumers and prevent the influx of hot meat in this capital town.

Mayor Ceasario Cabbigat said the reorganization is pursuant to the enacted municipal ordinance requiring all meat to undergo rigid inspection and to be issued meat inspection certificates before it would be disposed or sold to consumers to avoid the widespread of communicable diseases.

Transport of livestock animals, meat allowed

LIVESTOCK farmers, traders and processors can now freely transport their animals and meat products within the country as long as appropriate permits are secured from concerned agencies of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Benguet endorses Hedcor’s Irisan hydropower plant

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet - The Provincial Board endorsed the memorandum of agreement between the Provincial Government and the Hydro Electric Development Corporation (Hedcor) for the development of a hydroelectric power plant in Tuba tapping renewable resources for energy generation.

Hedcor liaison officer Maria Elena Salita said their office requested for endorsement of the project from the province as a requirement needed by the Department of Energy (DOE) for a renewable energy service contract.

Strawberry farmers affected by APTC form cooperative

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Fifty-eight affected swamp strawberry farmers affected by Agri-Pinoy Trading Center (APTC) in the Salad Bowl of the Country recently organized themselves into a cooperative and asked the help of the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Cordillera.

Model dairy farm up for expansion

DAGUPAN CITY - A dairy project put up six years ago in Barangay Maraboc, Laoac town will soon be expanded, according to Fifth District Congresswoman Kimi Cojuangco.

Cojuangco said the project, put up by her husband Mark, whom she replaced as representative of the province’s fifth district, is now a model project not only in Pangasinan but the whole country.

Convergys to hire 5,000 employees

THOUSANDS of jobs will be up for grabs soon, as call center firm Convergys Corp. intends to hire 5,000 new employees this year for its new contact centers in Baguio City and Cebu.

Camp John Hay firm admits P2.6 billion debt

BASES Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) vice president for Business Development and Operations Dean Santiago said Camp John Hay Development Corporation (CJHDevco) has acknowledged its P2.6 billion debt.

Santiago said a statement sent by John Hay Management Corporation belies the recent statement of CJHDevco denying the arrears to BCDA.

SSS vows more benefits with increase in premiums

STATE-run Social Security System is bent on implementing increases in monthly contribution this year for more meaningful benefits for pensioners and members.

SSS president and chief executive officer Emilio de Quiros Jr. said there should be deliberate changes in the pension fund of its more than 29 million members.

Veterans’ bank changes address

A BANK owned by Filipino World War II veterans reaffirmed its commitment to serve veterans, their spouses and heirs and the public in general by inaugurating the new location of their branch.

Philippine Veterans Bank-Baguio recently relocated at the ground floor of West Burnham along Kisad Road.

JHMC helps Trinidad orphans

JOHMN Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) launched its Oplan Pera sa Basura and gained P30,000 in cash for trash last week, which went to Valley orphans.

JHMC sold the contents of its materials recovery facility (MRF) consisting of scrap papers, cartons, empty ink cartridges, plastic and glass bottles, and metal scraps.

SSS to discuss structural changes today

THE Social Security System (SSS) is set to conduct its first Luzon North Division stakeholders meeting today, June 2 at the Pines View hotel, Baguio City to discuss structural changes in the agency.

SSS president and CEO Emilio de Quiros will lead the team to gather proposals coming from at least 200 to 250 employers of Luzon. The meeting will also tackle upgrading members’ benefits.

Aboitiz Power-Benguet tops safety test anew

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Hydroelectric power specialist SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet, Inc. (Snap-Benguet) posted a combined 3.75 million man-hour of zero loss time incidents (LTI) as of April 2011 for its Ambuklao and Binga hydroelectric power plants.

This LTI-free record of both power plants continues despite extensive facility upgrades since it took over the operation of the plants in 2008.

Holcim launches Galing Mason Awards

Holcim Philippines, Technical Education Skills Development Authority together with Association of Construction and Informal Workers, Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers and Philippine Constructors Association, Inc. launched in the region the Galing Mason Awards at Heritage Mansion last May 26.

The event served as venue for informing the interested competitors and the public in the selection process of outstanding masons at the regional and national levels.

Fish kill affected areas now normal

DAGUPAN CITY - The situation in the fish-producing areas of Anda and Bolinao in Pangasinan is now normal after the dissolved oxygen (DO) level in the area has risen to 4 parts per million (ppm), said Dr. Westly Rosario, chief of the National Integrated Fisheries Development Center (NIFTDC)

NIFTDC is monitoring the situation in Anda and Bolinao.

Insurance firm builds momentum for 2011

AIA GROUP Ltd., the largest independent publicly listed pan-Asian life insurance group in the world, has posted US$ 2.7 billion in net profit, jumping by 54 percent year on year in terms of International Financing Reporting Standards (IFRS), according to the Group’s 2010 audited consolidated financial results ending November 30 last year.

The news on AIA’s strong financial performance in 2010 was welcomed by Philam Life, the largest life insurance company in the Philippines, which is part of the AIA Group.

Increase in revenues eyed from Cordillera small-scale mining

NEWLY appointed Bureau of Internal Revenue-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) Regional Director Eduardo Bajador is eyeing increased revenues from small-scale mining this year.

Baguio night market ‘a great shopping experience’

THE night market for small to medium retailers of various Christmas foods and decorations have started to be a huge crowd-drawer based on accounts of vendors.

SN Aboitiz funds Ifugao hog raising project

LAGAWE, Ifugao -- Mike Hosillos, SN Aboitiz Power Vice President for Corporate Services, turned over P732,000 to Ifugao Governor Eugene Balitang, which aimed at helping address poverty in some barangays here.

Kalinga brew sells well in Island Fair

TABUK, Kalinga - Manila coffee lovers taste for the province's renowned brewed coffee - Kalinga Brew - is going strong making it the province's top selling product in the One Town One Product Luzon Island Fair (OLIF) at SM Mega Mall from November 18-22.

Mt. Province abaca seen as potential dollar earner

LOCAL fiber experts have seen the export potential for abaca grown in Natonin town.