P7.8-M fund for Malcolm rehab ready

A VENUE for many public gatherings, political rallies, concerts and programs, the Malcolm Square will be rehabilitated next month to cater to more activities and other public gatherings in the heart of Baguio City.

Councilor Elmer Datuin, Committee on Tourism, Special Events, Parks and Playgrounds chairman, said some P7.8 million fund is available for the renovation of Malcolm Square.

Public urged to calm down on Taiwan issue

PRESIDENTIAL Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Sonny Coloma urged Filipinos who have relatives working in Taiwan to calm down and let the government do its job.

“We will protect our citizens because that is our duty and obligation. We will not just stand idly and allow our citizens to be harmed. Our government is committed to ensure that our citizens are safe; they are protected from harm, injury or from any threat to their well–being. The government is doing everything for the protection of all Filipino workers abroad,” he said.

Cops destroy marijuana plants

CAMP DANGWA -- Cordillera policemen and drug agents destroyed millions in illegal drugs here.

Marijuana plantations were destroyed in 16 plantation sites with a land area of 2,658 square meters in the villages of Tacadang, Kibungan and Kayapa, Bakun, both in Benguet.

Aliping bares legislative agenda in Congress

NEWLY elected Baguio Representative Nicasio Aliping is serious in advancing Cordillera people’s rights.

Representative-elect Aliping, in an interview after his proclamation Tuesday, said among his priorities upon entering the House of Representatives is to address the social needs of the people.

Energy savings seen in DOE’s Peep

ENERGY savings are expected from the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Philippine Energy Efficiency Projects (Peep) in the country.

DOE undersecretary Loreta Ayson said they will be wrapping up the project, which started in 2009, in key cities in the country to curb the country’s growing energy demand.

Tublay hosts 1st trek

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Tublay town hosts its first-ever Mt. Pokkong trek, giving nature lovers a new challenge.

Dubbed as “Am-am ni Itubday: Visiting the Hidden Treasures of Tublay,” the activity aims to promote the town’s potential for eco-tourism adventure and spelunking on may 25 and 26.

Instructors allay fear on K+12 program

SEVERAL teachers of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) allayed their fears on the effects of the K+12 new educational curriculum.

Saint Louis University dean of the School of Accountancy and Business Management Reynaldo Bautista said they are now on a dilemma on how to shift their school program in order not to be affected by the K+12 system once the first batch of the system will be enrolled.

BCDA pursues CJHDevCo

JOHN Hay Management Corporation (JHMC), Bases Conversion Development Authority’s (BCDA) estate manager in the former American base, maintained it is submitting to arbitration proceedings.

The management, however, stressed this does not stop them from filing and pursuing criminal cases against its lessee Camp John Hay Development Corporation (CJHDevCo).

Fongwan: Shun dirty politics

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Governor Nestor Fongwan reminded councilmen here of the lessons learned during the recent elections.  

Fongwan said dirty politics has no place in the province, but added “it turns out that we have been infected by dirty tactics here.”

Youth’s role in the arts stressed

CORDILLERA tourism director Purificacion Molintas said technology and culture and the arts could go hand in hand.

She underscored the role of the younger generation in preserving the best cultural practices and traditional art.

Baguilat proclaimed Ifugao representative

PROVINCIAL canvassers proclaimed Ifugao representative-elect Teodoro Baguilat Jr. despite early rumors his proclamation will be halted due to a case filed for his disqualification from a pending Ombudsman decision of his dismissal.

Commission on Elections–Ifugao provincial election supervisor Elenita Tabangin-Capuyan said there is no reason for them to suspend the proclamation of Baguilat as the Comelec En Banc has not barred them and the provincial Board of Canvassers from declaring Baguilat as winner of the congressional race in the province.

Forum set to discuss Chinese culture, globalization

“THE Role of Chinese Culture in a Globalized World” will be discussed by a German authority on the issue in a symposium set on Wednesday (May 23) at 1:00 p.m. at the multi-purpose hall of the City Hall. 

Dr. Peter Kupfer, formerly of the Chinese Language and Culture Department of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz in Germany, will be the launching speaker in a series of symposia being organized by the Society of Outstanding Citizens of Baguio, in coordination with the Baguio-Filipino Chinese Community.

DevCo exec barred to fly to US

A TOP official of Camp John Hay Development Corporation (CJHDevCo) was prevented to leave the country Saturday amid malversation charges filed by the Department of Justice.

CJHDevCo chairman and Chief Executive Officer Robert John Sobrepeña was asked to disembark a Philippine Airlines flight bound for the United States prior to take off last May 11.

PNP dubs CAR polls 'peaceful'

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Regional cops have certified elections to be peaceful here.

Cordillera chief Benjamin Magalong said, "The success of the elections can be attributed to the peacekeeping strategy of PRO COR that started since last year."

Sabsabong ti Mayo launches wedding expo

BAGUIO celebrates the flower month of May with a wedding expo at the SM City Baguio on May 29.

The event will highlight the best and latest in the wedding industry in North Luzon. It also aims to promote Baguio City and other parts of the region as the perfect wedding destination.

DOE full blast on electrification program

THE Departmnet of Energy (DOH) aims to energize 90 percent of the households in the country by 2017 under the electrification program implemented by the National Electrification Administration (NEA).

Energy Research and Testing Laboratory Services Director Racquel Huliganga revealed the department is continuously looking for sitios without electricity and the search will be until 2017.

Fariñas couple wins mayor, vice mayor posts in Laoag

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte - Incumbent Mayor Michael Fariñas and Association of Barangay Councils president Chevylle Fariñas on Thursday proved they are the couple to beat as they were proclaimed mayor and vice mayor respectively.

Chevylle won the position over former mayor Roger Fariñas, her husband's uncle. Chevylle obtained 37,530 votes while Roger got 15,381 votes.

Baguio Convention Center to get facelift

THE 35-year-old Baguio Convention Center (BCC), plagued by leaking roofs, smelly carpets and comfort rooms, falling seats and problematic water supply, will soon get its much deserved rehabilitation.

Councilor Elmer Datuin, chairman of Committee on Tourism, Events, Parks and Playgrounds, said some P15 million is allocated by the City Government to repair the said structure.

Cosalan, Fongwan, Dangwa proclaimed

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) proclaimed Wednesday Ronald Cosalan, Nestor Fongwan, and Nelson Dangwa as provincial winners for political positions here.

Incumbent representative Ronald Cosalan retained his seat in the second district of Benguet. Nestor Fongwan was proclaimed provincial governor, while Nelson Dangwa retained his seat as provincial vice governor.

NEA dismisses case vs Beneco execs

THE National Electrification Administration (NEA) has dismissed the case filed against Benguet Electric Cooperative (Beneco) officials due to some technicalities in the complaints.

In a decision dated May 8, NEA claimed only nine out of 12 complainants from the National Association of Electricity Consumer for Reform (Nasecore) signed the needed certification and verification of non-forum shopping in the administrative case they filed against Beneco officials including board of directors and general manager Gerardo Verzosa.

Tourism task force top priority

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez is giving a year for a tourism master plan in Baguio City and its neighboring towns to happen.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Director Purificacion Molintas said Task Force BLISST will now be in full swing after a meeting with Secretary Jimenez and line agencies last week.

Comelec thanks police for peaceful polls

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Cordillera extended its gratitude to the Philippine National Police (PNP) in keeping the May 13 elections in the region orderly.

Comelec Regional Director Jose Nick Mendros expressed his sincere appreciation to the PNP-Cordillera headed by its Regional Director Benjamin Magalong for a job well done.

M/V Logos Hope to visit North Luzon

THE Logos Hope international ship will soon visit the seaport of San Fernando, La Union on May 24 for a series of exhibits which aim to provide access to high-quality knowledge to the communities of Northern Luzon.

San Fernando visit team leader and Taiwan national Joanne Li said the exhibit starts on May 24 with several shows onboard like cultural events, books fair, cafe conferences, and youth events.

Beads work kicks off Tam-awan fest

MAKING of Cordilleran bling kicked off the 4th Tam-awan International Arts Festival (TIAF 4).

A workshop for Cordilleran bead making by the Concepcion Chaong Bead Makers Team from Karao, Bokod and the Abra contingent of Ruby Bersamin commenced Wednesday at the Artist village starting the five-day festival.

Tabanda vows environment protection policies

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (PNA) -- Newly-elected Municipal Mayor Edna Tabanda vowed Wednesday to adopt the good programs of the past administration especially in environment protection to ensure the maintenance of the famous strawberry fields and improve water quality of the Balili River.

BCDA, CJHDevCo word war persists

THE word war between the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) and its lessee Camp John Hay Development Corporation (CJHDevCo) continues despite ongoing arbitration at the Philippine Dispute Resolution Center.

BCDA, in a press statement, recently praised the decision of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to file malversation charges against officials of CJHDevCo for allegedly refusing to account for the 26 BCDA-owned hotel units located in Camp John Hay Manor and Camp John Hay Suites (now Forest Lodge) claiming their lessee retained earnings generated from its operations.

Old names, faces define local polls

ALL elected officials in Baguio are either incumbent or returning local government officials.

Results of this year’s elections show all of the elected officials in the May13 midterm polls in Baguio either served once as a councilor, vice-mayor, mayor, and congressman.

Fongwan, Dangwa lead in Benguet

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Partial unofficial results for the province showed a deafening lead by incumbent governor Nestor Fongwan who garnered 69,488 electoral votes against contender Jerome Selmo who so far has mustered 22,836 votes.  

Four municipalities in the province had fully submitted the election returns.

Tabanda unseats Abalos

FORMER mayor Edna Tabanda made a successful comeback into local politics by coming in strong with 11,726 votes unseating incumbent Mayor Greg Abalos, who garnered 9,263 votes, while denying neophyte Nestor Fongwan Jr. who came in last with 7,174 votes.

A jubilant Tabanda, however declined to give official statement Wednesday afternoon saying the official proclamation has to be awaited before any words are to be said.

Bentrez remains Tuba mayor

TUBA, Benguet – Incumbent Mayor Florencio Ventura Bentrez of the National Unity Party (NUP) retained his seat by overwhelming his rivals based on official results from the local election office.

Bentrez garnered 11,999 votes against Crescencio Akia with 4,378 votes while, incumbent Vice Mayor Clarita Sal–ongan of NUP was given a fresh three year term with a total vote of 10,400 against his opponent Dick Piso Balting who incurred 5,428 votes.