Cordillera trivia radio quiz this July
Posted on | Sunday, 7 July 2013 | No Comments
By Susan Aro
BAGUIO CITY, July 5 (PIA) -- A contest on Cordillera Trivia over Kapisanan ng mga Brodkasters ng Pilipinas (KBP) member stations in the city will be launched on July 8 in line with the 26th anniversary of the Cordillera Administrative Region this July.
The Cordillera trivia contest will run daily from July 8 – 27, 2013 except Sunday. Daily winners will receive a P100 cellphone load of their choice as prize.
For the contest mechanics, the participating stations will float one question per day and answers will be entertained thru text. For proper identification, contestants are required to indicate full name then their response. Text response format - Name space Response;
The first texter to give the correct answer will be declared the winner for the day.
The radio host will forward the name and cellphone number of the winner to the Philippine Information Agency regional office. Each winner will be called for validation. The prize will be forwarded to the winner thru text.
In a day, a texter who wins in a radio station cannot join the radio quiz in another station.
The trivia contest is a project under the Regional Development Council-Information Education and Communications Committee on Regional Development and Autonomy for the General Public spearheaded by PIA in coordination with the KBP. (PIA-CAR)
Unity Gong relay kicks off July 9
By Joseph Zambrano
BAGUIO CITY, July 5 (PIA) -- As part of the 26th anniversary celebration of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), the Unity Gong will go around the different provinces in the region next week.
With the gong as an inherent instrument practically in all the celebrations, rituals and gatherings of the Cordillera provinces, it is a fitting symbol of regional unity.
The Unity Gong relay will send-off at the Baguio City hall on July 9 with a ritual and “uggayam” by Mayor Maurico Domogan.
From Baguio, the team led by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Cordillera Director Edilberto Carabbacan and chair of the Infrastructure and Development Committee of the Regional Development Council (RDC), which is spearheading this year’s celebration, will bring the gong to Bontoc, Mountain Province and will be received by Gov. Leonard Mayaen.
On January 10, the caravan proceeds to Ifugao and newly elected governor Denis Habawel, will receive the Unity Gong in the capital town of Lagawe.
The following day, July 11, the Unity Gong will proceed to Tabuk, Kalinga and will be received by Gov. Jocel Baac.
On July 12, it will be in Apayao and Gov. Elias Bulut Jr. will receive it in Luna. On July 13 it will travel to Bangued, Abra and will be accommodated by Gov. Eustaquio Bersamin.
The concluding journey of the Unity Gong is in La Trinidad, Benguet. Gov. Nestor Fongwan will hand it over finally to the RDC on July 15, the Commemoration Day.
A symbolic tree planting within the provincial capitol grounds and signing of memorandum of agreement between the Department of Interior and Local Government-Cordillera and concerned local government units relative to Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA), Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig Para sa Lahat (SALINTUBIG), Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) and other DILG implemented programs will be conducted as part of the turn-over program in all the provinces.
The theme of this year’s CAR Day commemoration is “Bridging ONE Green Cordillera”. ( JDP/JBZ- PIA-CAR)
Short film contest on Cordillera autonomy and development set
BAGUIO CITY, July 5(PIA)--The search is on for the best short films that highlight efforts for Cordillera autonomy and development.
The contest is open to amateur filmmakers who are willing to independently produce a short film focusing on the Cordillera Autonomy and Development (based on House Bill 5595/Senate Bill 3115) and how the two concepts apply to the day-to-day lives of the Cordillerans.
The contest has two categories: the Student Category and the Open Category. The Student Category is open to college students nationwide who may work individually or as a team. The Open Category is open to Cordillerans as defined in House Bill 5595 (to quote: “The term Cordilleran shall apply to all citizens of the Philippines who are domiciled within the territory of the Cordillera Autonomous Region”).
Film entries must be 5 to 7 minutes long. Entries exceeding 7 minutes will be disqualified.
Entries must be independently produced and must not contain clips or segments from copyrighted works.
Entries may be done in, but not limited to, the following formats: documentary, animation, short fictional film, or experimental.
Dialogue can be in Filipino, English, or any Cordilleran vernacular. Subtitle must be provided for entries whose dialogue is in Cordillera vernacular or dialect.
Interested applicants must submit the following: A) A DVD copy of their entry (one entry per disc for those who intend to submit multiple entries) in .AVI, .MOV, or .MP4 (highest resolution) format labeled with the film title, name/s of participant/s, address, email, and contact number/s. B) A printed copy of a narrative description or synopsis (2 to 3 sentences) of the film. C) Duly accomplished entry form.
Form for the open category can be downloaded athttp://www.scribd.com/doc/151818094/Cordillera-Autonomy-and-Development-Short-Film-Contest-Entry-Form-Open-Category and the student category at http://www.scribd.com/doc/151818646/Cordillera-Autonomy-and-Development-Short-Film-Contest-Entry-Form-Student-Category.
Deadline of submission of entries is on August 31, 2013 at 12:00 noon.
Participants may submit their entries either personally or through mail to the Philippine Information Agency - CAR office at Romulo Drive, Barangay Lualhati, Baguio City 2600.
Ten entries (five per category) will be shortlisted by a panel of judges. The shortlisted entries will be uploaded on YouTube and the Top 5 videos with the most “likes” and comments will be selected. Those found manipulating the "likes" based on applications and programs would be disqualified. The judges would then choose from the shortlist.
There will be one winning entry per category. Awarding of winners will be on October 2013.
Winning entries will be used for Cordillera Autonomy and Development IEC purposes.
For queries, interested participants may contact (074) 442-8240 or 09175088534 and look for Pryce E. Quintos.
For more information on Cordillera autonomy and development, visit http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/opinion/2012/05/11/dacawi-5-principles-autonomy-draft-221031.
The contest is a project under the Regional Development Council IEC on Regional Development and Autonomy for the General Public. (JDP/Pryce Quintos-PIA CAR)
Guidelines for "Gotad" tourism promotion and agro-industrial fair released
Posted on | Tuesday, 11 June 2013 | No Comments
By Marcelo L. Lihgawon
LAGAWE, Ifugao, June 11 (PIA) -- The guidelines for tourism promotion and agro-industrial - fair has been released for better preparation and active participation of the municipalities in the “Ifugao Gotad 2013” celebrations.
The fair, which will open on June 17 and lasts for five days, intends to give more emphasis on tourism and promotion of local agro-industrial products of the province. The municipalities will also showcase their respective best tourist attraction sites.
The Department of Trade and Industry, Provincial Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Office, Provincial Veterinary Office, and Provincial Tourism Office are in- charge of the event.
The guidelines provide that there should be three display booth components that include food and agricultural based products, non-food and agricultural-based products and tourism that showcase the tourism spots and products.
Each municipality shall work with the space provided for which shall be the main focus of judging. Other small medium enterprises (SMEs) will be accommodated within the premises but shall not part of the judging.
Tourism booth shall be handled by the municipal local government unit while the mayor or tourism office for the tourism booth, barangay food terminal operators for the agro-booth and the industrial component booth shall be manned by entrepreneurs with mayor’s permit and registered under DTI.
All products must be properly labeled with the name of the product, price and producer. Judging shall be done any time during the duration of the agro-industrial fair. (JDP/MBL-PIA CAR, Ifugao)
Pag-IBIG Fund to bring anew mobile services in Ifugao
By Marcelo L. Lihgawon
LAGAWE, Ifugao, June 11 (PIA) -- The Pag-IBIG Fund is set to bring anew its mobile services in this municipality on June 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the municipal government building here.
Among the services offered are acceptance of application for membership contribution, multi-purpose loans, and housing loan payments.
They will also accept applications for membership, provident claims, multipurpose and housing loans. Pag-IBIG will also conduct verifications of memberships and loan status, specimen signature and consolidation of forms, and counseling of their different programs and services.
The mobile service started last March 2012 and continued this year for the benefit of Pag-IBIG Fund members in the province. (JDP/MBL- PIA CAR,Ifugao)
Ifugao Disaster Council submits plan to SP for approval, budget allocation
Posted on | Friday, 24 June 2011 | No Comments
LAGAWE, Ifugao- The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) here recently submitted its Disaster Plan for the year 2011-2014 to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) for approval and budget allocation.
This is in compliance with the mandate of Republic Act 10121 also known as “The Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010” that says for local government units to develop, promote, and implement a comprehensive disaster plan that aims to strengthen their capacity to institutionalize arrangements and measures for reducing disaster risk and enhancing disaster preparedness and response capabilities at all times.
The PDRRMC Plan is a mitigating and preparedness tool in dealing with the perceived consequences before and after a calamity strikes.
The Plan describes Ifugao as highly vulnerable to natural hazards such as tropical cyclones and complex weather systems as well as human-induced hazards resulting to landslides, mudslides, and flashfloods.
About 37 percent or 96,860 hectares of its land are severely prone to erosion and 19 percent or 48,893 hectares are moderately prone to erosion making more than half (56 percent) of the province land area as having problems on erosion.
The areas prone to eorsion are the municipalities of Aguinaldo,Mayoyao, Lagawe, Hingyon, Banaue, Hungduan, Kiangan, Tinoc, and Lamut.
Many typhoons in the past years have brought damages to lives and properties in the province such as the landslide in 2008 during typhoon “Hana” which buried eight people alive in Pitawan, HIngyon and typhoon “Emong” in 2009 that killed 16 people, injured 19, and damaged properties, crops, and infrastructures worth millions of pesos.
Flood is not a major threat in Ifugao as it occurs only during heavy rains and are concentrated in rivers and in low base stream valleys; there is also flood as a result of local run-off of water coming from the surrounding higher landscape.
Municipalities prone to flooding include Aguinaldo, Kiangan, Lagawe, Lamut, and Alfonso Lista.
The PDRRMC Plan aims to reduce the occurrence of morbidity, mortality, and damage to property due to disaster and to ensure public safety and security.
It will try to sustain a zero death occurrence due to disaster; maintain zero incidence of water and environment-related disease; conduct regular information, education, and campaign to all stakeholders; implement projects that involve civil and military cooperation that builds trust and confidence and supportive of peace and order. It will also comply with building and fire prevention codes to secure properties.
Under the Plan, the implementation and management of disaster shall now be dealt in four phases - the first and second phases are considered pre-disaster phases better known as Mitigation and Preparedness which constitute mitigating disaster effects and preparing for the imminent onslaught of disaster which were not done in recent times.
The last phases are the more common and traditional Response and Rehabilitation where actions are executed during and after a calamity.
These will address the five major issues and concerns on the occurrence of injuries and deaths due to disaster, disruption of delivery of social services, increase morbidity on water and environment-related diseases, disruption of way of life due to arm conflict and increase damage to personal properties. *(JDP/DBC-PIA CAR,Ifugao)
PNoy hails Ifugao on its 45th anniversary
Posted on | Wednesday, 22 June 2011 | No Comments
Ifugao turns 45; grateful for all the blessings
Posted on | Wednesday, 15 June 2011 | No Comments
LAGAWE, Ifugao - Elected officials here believe that there is much to be grateful as the province turns 45 on June 18, 2011.
Congressman Teddy Baguilat Jr, cited three points why the Ifugaos should be thankful, “The first thing that we should be thankful for is having good leaders who are united in working hard for the good of the province,” he said.
The other reasons he mentioned are the good achievements of the youth, and that there was no disaster that struck the province last year and the first semester of this year.
Baguilat also mentioned that the province is now number 55 in the whole country in terms of poverty. “About 10 years ago, we were number four thus we have all the reasons to celebrate,” he said.
Governor Eugene Balitang averred that the occasion shows how the province has grown to be what it is now, “May it be an inspiration for the next 45 years,” he said.
Attended by folks all over the province, the first day started with a street dancing which was participated by nine municipalities followed by the opening program.
Other activities included the opening of the photo exhibit of the Ifugao and an agro-industrial, an interfaith prayer rally, and battle of the bands in the evening. (VDB PIA CAR,Ifugao)
Voters, register now - COMELEC
Posted on | Wednesday, 25 May 2011 | No Comments
by Vency D. Bulayungan
LAGAWE, Ifugao- The Commission on Elections is reminding the public that registration of voters is now ongoing in the different municipal Comelec offices.
Speaking in the daily program “Humangan with PIA,” election officer Jerome Bantiyan is encouraging those who are qualified to vote especially students, to visit their COMELEC offices now as it is still vacation time to avoid overcrowding on the last minute of registration.
He cited past registrations where registrants come at the last minute or request for extension because they were not able to register during the given period.
Bantiyan said those who are qualified to register are Filipino citizens who are 18 years of age; residents of the Philippines for at least one year, and in the place wherein he proposes to vote, for at least six months immediately preceding the election; and those no disqualified by law.
On the other hand, Bantiyan said that those who are disqualified from registering are those: persons who had been imprisoned for not less than one year and have not been removed by plenary pardon or amnesty; any person who had been adjudged of having committed any crime involving disloyalty to the duly constituted government, such as rebellion or any crime against national security unless restored to his full civil and political rights in accordance with law; and the insane or incompetent persons as declared by competent authority that such person is no longer insane or incompetent.
“Any person disqualified to register due to imprisonment shall automatically reacquire the right to vote upon expiration of five years after service of sentence,” Bantiyan said.
Applicants must personally appear before the election officer, Bantiyan said. *(JDP/VDB-PIA CAR, Ifugao)
Asipulo town of Ifugao has own RH Ordinance
Posted on | Tuesday, 24 May 2011 | No Comments
ASIPULO, Ifugao - You’ve got to hand it to the Ifugaons to rise above issues and squabbles. While debates on the controversial reproductive health bill have been raging in the country, this young town of Ifugao is happily implementing its own Reproductive Health and Responsible Parenthood Ordinance.
Passed and approved in 2007, the local officials deemed the ordinance necessary, as it is responsive to the needs of the modern family and community setting in order to achieve sustainable development.
Mayor Eladio Bang-ud said the ordinance is an integrated and comprehensive reproductive health care and responsible parenthood focused on the time-honored value of respect for human dignity, people’s rights, and their families.
It is founded on the principle upholding the right of every person including the right to equality and equity, the right to development, right to reproductive health, right to education, and the right to choose and make independent decisions on the number, spacing, and timing of their children in accordance with one’s religious convictions, cultural beliefs, and demands of responsible parenthood, Bang-ud added.
Among the specific objectives that the Ordinance seek to address are the provision of maternal, pre-natal, infant and children nutrition and health care, family planning information and services, prevention of abortion among women of reproductive ages, and management of complications related to it, provide for the elimination of violence against women, provide for male involvement in reproductive health, prevention and management of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmittable infectious diseases and education and counseling on sexuality and sexual health.
To ensure the effective implementation of the local law, a Reproductive Health and Responsible Parenthood Council was created. Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) and Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) were also tapped to assist in the provision of reproductive health information and organize responsible parenthood classes and special counseling sessions. *(JDP/DBC-PIA CAR, Ifugao)
PAG-ASA sets up automatic weather station in Ifugao
LAGAWE, Ifugao, May 24 (PIA) - - People in this municipality can now be better prepared in times of calamities with the installation of an early warning device here.
An Automatic Weather Station (AWS) set up by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA) was formally launched May 20 to cater to the needs of the community especially farmers.
The establishment of the PAG-ASA AWS at the Ifugao State University (IFSU) Lagawe campus is a project under the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) funded by the Spanish government in coordination with the university administration.
According to Dr. Vicente Malano, PAG-ASA’s acting deputy administrator for Operations and Services, the AWS is a part of their goal to provide timely and accurate forecast warning to the people.
“The MDG project has set up a series of AWS in four project sites namely Lagawe, Albay, Sorsogon, and Butuan to provide a platform for real-time data communication to the PAG-ASA forecast centers.
Malano said that real-time data transmission of precipitation and other weather parameters are required in order to produce timely and accurate flood warning and advisories.
He also disclosed that the installation of AWS in the project sites are now part of PAG-ASA’s existing network of around 40 AWS all over the country.
With the automatic weather stations, Malano hopes that the capacity of the different local government units (LGUs) in disaster procedures would be enhanced since data gathered can be accord in real-time via internet.
Meanwhile, Dr. Camilo Pimentel, IFSU vice-president for administration and finance, thanked the government particularly PAG-ASA for selecting their university as one of the sites of the AWS.
“We are very fortunate to have this very important gadget that would help not only IFSU but also the community especially the farmers,” Pimentel said. *(JDP/MBL-PIA CAR,Ifugao)
Young Ifugao rebel surrenders
Posted on | Tuesday, 10 May 2011 | No Comments
ASIPULO, Ifugao-Tired of a grueling life in the underground movement, a young rebel recently surrendered to authorities here.
Mayor Eladio Bang-ud of this town said that the 20-year-old elementary graduate was accompanied by his uncle when he surrendered. He narrated that in his young age, he was easily recruited by the members of the New Peoples Army (NPA) since their ideology looked good. However, after experiencing hardships in staying in remote places and running from government forces, he opted to go back to the fold of the law.
Bang-ud further disclosed that another reason why he surrendered is that one of his siblings just finished his training course in the Philippine Army. “His brother was instrumental in convincing him to surrender,” the mayor said.
Bang-ud said the local officials are trying their best to convince a number of the residents who have joined the underground movement to follow suit in going mainstream.
The mayor said the local government unit will conduct a free medical mission and an information/education campaign regarding the terrorist movements in Cawayan, Camandag, and Namal. An encounter between soldiers and the NPA had just occurred in February in the favorite dwelling place of the NPAs. (VDB/PIA CAR-Ifugao)
Task Force confiscates 120 kilos hot meat
Posted on | Thursday, 28 April 2011 | No Comments
Lagawe, Ifugao - The municipal “Task Force Karne” yesterday sent a strong warning to the smuggler of uninspected meat when it intercepted more than a hundred kilos of butchered meat brought here from a nearby municipality.
According to police report, the task force was able to confiscate 120 kilos of hot meat during an operation at around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday on board a van without a plate number.
The hot meat was placed in sacks ready to be delivered to prospective meat dealers in the public market of the municipality.
Police said that the confiscated meat was turned-over to the local government unit (LGU) for proper disposal while the vehicle used in transporting had been temporarily impounded.
Meanwhile, LGU officials stated that prior to the confiscation of said hot meat, the municipal government has issued a warning to the concerned trader to stop the illegal activity however the warning was ignored.
The officials further disclosed that the municipal government is stepping-up its operation against the illegal entry of hot meat to protect the welfare of all consumers as stipulated in the “meat ordinance” of the municipality. *(MBL-PIA CAR,Ifugao)
Ifugao govt donates search, rescue equipment to the BFP
Posted on | Monday, 25 April 2011 | No Comments
LAGAWE, Ifugao- - The provincial local government unit (PLGU) through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Center (PDRRMC) donated recently search and rescue equipments to the Bureau of Fire Protection in the province to help the firemen in performing their job efficiently.
“These equipments could be used in times of calamities and emergencies in the province,” said provincial disaster action officer Gerry Gano.
Gano disclosed that the search and rescue equipments include one set of rescue basket with accessories, one unit steel chainsaw and portable generator, rope rapelling, hand held radios, medical kits, and other accessories all worth P211,100.
During the turnover ceremony, BFP – Cordillera regional director FSSupt. Samuel Jamias thanked the provincial government for the said donation. He reiterated that the search and rescue equipments would help the agency in performing its mandate to serve the people effectively and efficiently.
Meanwhile, the PDRRMC recently conducted a one day orientation on the process of risk assessment to disaster council representatives in the municipalities of Kiangan, Lagawe, and Lamut as one way of providing more capability to respond in cases of disasters or calamities.
PDRRMC staff Marcela Cortez stated that disaster risk assessment is very important in order that members of the various disaster councils can effectively and efficiently do their respective duties and responsibilities. She stressed that the disaster risk assessments include hazard characterization frequency analysis, consequence analysis, risk estimation, and risk evaluation.
Hazard characterization frequency analysis involves identifying and characterizing the hazards that threaten the area while consequence analysis is the determination of the consequences of these potential hazards to exposed population and land uses.
On the other hand, risk estimation involves estimating the risk expressed as the expected annual numbers of lives lost and damage to property and risk evaluation involves prioritizing areas by comparing the risk estimates to the acceptability criteria and assigned score. *(JDP/JBS-PIA CAR,Ifugao)
DFA to conduct mobile passporting in Ifugao
LAGAWE, Ifugao -- Soon, people from this province need not travel far to get their travel papers. The provincial local government unit (PLGU)of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), will conduct mobile passporting at the provincial capitol lobby here on May 28 to help minimize expenses of people in processing their passports by traveling to distant places such as Tuguegarao, Baguio, Manila, or La Union.
Governor Eugene Balitang announced in the daily radio program “PIA Hour” that application forms for passports will be distributed starting today. Application forms are available in the governor’s office and all the municipal local government units in the 11 towns here.
Balitang is inviting all interested persons to avail of this opportunity to get their passports processed which is part of the DFA's program to bring its services closer to the people.
On the other hand, Claire Calingayan, the information officer of the governor’s office said that applicants must bring their applications together with the required such as birth certificates, National Bureau of Investigation clearance, two valid Ids, marriage contract, and others for verification during the pre screening which is scheduled on May 9-13, 2011.
Calingayan said applicants must bring the filled up forms and documents personally for screening. She added that a pre numbered stub will be given to the applicants so they will be accommodated on a first come first serve basis.
“The processing proper will be on May 28. DFA Manila can accommodate up to 600 applications,” she added. The services offered in the mobile passporting include passport for first time applicants, renewal of passports, and replacement of lost passport.
She disclosed that DFA will bring along the biometrics machine thus passport IDs are not necessary .
Calingayan said that the regular fees and replacement of passports is P1,200.00.
The processed passports will be distributed during the celebration of Ifugao Day on June 14-18, 2011.
The mobile passport service has proven very helpful in the past because applicants from the provinces no longer have to process their forms at the regional office thus saving them time and money. What they do is to wait for the DFA personnel to visit their locality upon the request of their LGU and submit their applications.(JDP/VDB – PIA CAR,Ifugao)
Ifugao town bans smoking in public places
Posted on | Sunday, 24 April 2011 | No Comments
by Mhars B. LIhgawon
LAMUT, Ifugao - Smokers would now have to be more restrained and self-disciplined as the municipal government has imposed a ban on smoking in government offices, public schools premises, and public utility vehicles in this town.
The passage of the municipal ordinance banning smoking in public places is in support of the anti-smoking campaign and the unrelenting effort of the local government unit (LGU) to protect non-smokers from the harmful effects of tobacco products.
This is also in line with Republic Act No. 9211 or the "Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003" whose salient points include smoking ban in all schools and health facilities (including outdoor premises) and in all enclosed or confined public places and all public transportation.
According to the ordinance, it would be unlawful for any person to smoke cigarettes or any items of the same effect inside the municipal and national offices, public school premises, restaurants, public utility passenger vehicles, and other similar places in the municipality.
However, the municipal mayor may designate a smoking area which shall not be located in or near areas where people usually gather.
Any person found guilty of violating the ordinance would be penalized P200 or four hours community service for first offense; P300 or eight hours community service for second offense; and P500 or 12-hour community service for third offense; and P1,500 for subsequent offenses or imprisonment upon the discretion of the court.
For owners and operators of businesses, a fine of P500 and warning for first offense; P1,500 and suspension of mayor’s permit for second offense; and revocation of mayor’s permit or imprisonment of 30 days or both upon the discretion of the court for third offense.
The municipal mayor has directed the local police, barangay officials, heads of national agencies and schools administrators, including drivers of public utility vehicles for the full implementation of this anti-smoking campaign. * (JDP/MBL-PIA CAR, Ifugao)
Lagawe folks aims for peace, unity in homegrown festival
LAGAWE, Ifugao-With the theme, "Kulpi . . . . . Pun-o-o-haan ta waday linggop ya kiphodan di nunboblayan (Unity for peace and progress)," people here will gather at the town center on April 27-29 for the “Kulpi ad Lagawe” to take a rest after the harvest season and to offer thanksgiving to Maknongan (God) for all the blessings bestowed upon this municipality.
Mayor Ceasario Cabbigat encouraged every Lagawean to join in working for a successful community festival. “Like in the early days of our forebears, we celebrate the tradition of “kulpi” with good will and sincerest prayers that the hard work and endeavors of people in our community may be blessed by Maknongan that more may share in our good fortune as a developing community,” he said.
The three days festival will showcase the best facets of the evolving culture. Cabbigat conveyed the message of hope that whatever the gains and developments established as a team in the community during his administration may continue, notwithstanding changes that are bound to happen.
On the other hand, Vice Mayor Martin Habawel said that the theme is very appropriate and relevant in the current conditions of the time. “The political and economic upheaval in the other countries is causing a vicious repercussion to other countries like ours that has an economy that is relying on it,” he said.
Moreover, Habawel said that with the blessings of the municipality such as the rich natural resources, an able populace and a rich cultural heritage, he believes that the municipality is capable to face the challenges of the times.
“The continuity of our unity and cooperation is really the essential element for achieving peace and progress of a certain community,” Habawel said. The common aspiration for a progressive Lagawe can be achieved by our individual’s commitment to do our own part as a vital member of the municipality,he added.
He disclosed that the participation of everybody in the various programs and activities of the Kulpi is a manifestation that the people here care for the municipality. He therefore urged everyone to let the essence of the kulpi reign in every citizen here which will serve as energy to propel everyone to a better and progressive town. (VDB-PIA CAR,Ifugao)
Saying yes to autonomy gives CAR permanent identity- Ifugao guv
Posted on | Tuesday, 19 April 2011 | No Comments
LAGAWE, Ifugao - Citing permanent identity as one of the best benefits that autonomy can give to Cordillerans, the provincial chief executive here enjoined his constituents to say "yes" to autonomy.
In an interview over the daily “PIA Hour” program aired in a community radio station here, Governor Eugene Balitang said one of the best reasons why Cordillerans should opt for autonomy is permanent identity.
“We had been clamoring for this opportunity in the past so we should not oppose it this time because we might not have any opportunity again in the future,” Balitang said.
With the on going information dissemination by the provincial advocacy team, Balitang said that the third organic act will be drafted before 2011 ends. “Actually, while we are conducting the information drive, we are also gathering inputs from the grassroots to be incorporated in the organic act to be drafted,” he said. All inputs will be submitted to the third autonomy act drafting committee by May 31.
Balitang averred that after conducting information campaign in the different towns which were clustered, the provincial advocacy team will conduct the same activity in the capital town and will also be participated by government officials and employees.
“We will involve our official families so they can also understand autonomy and may even add some inputs to be considered in the organic act, he added. (JDP/VDB-PIA CAR,Ifugao)
BIR targets P16M for April, allows no extension
Posted on | Thursday, 14 April 2011 | No Comments
LAGAWE, Ifugao - The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) here is reminding all taxpayers to beat the April 15 deadline set for the filing of ITR or Income Tax Return.
BIR assistant district revenue officer, Jojo Gorospe, in a radio interview emphasized that government will not be granting any extension for ITR filing.
Thus, all taxpayers must file on or before the deadline set so as to avoid any penalty and pay the right amount of taxes, said Gorospe.
This month the Revenue District Office here targeted the collection of P16 million. Gorospe said their office was able to surpass their target for the first quarter of the year by P1.8 M.
He said their office did not encounter problems in the province such as tax evasion. “We would like to thank all taxpayers in the province of Ifugao for adhering to our call for all concerned to pay their taxes honestly and on time,” he further said.
Gorospe also disclosed that in order to facilitate filing of taxes, they have extended services to big government agencies in the province such as the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Education (DepED deploying some of their staff to the provincial offices of the said agencies.
He also urged taxpayers to pay their dues at the Land Bank of the Philippines which will extend services until 5:00 PM on April 15 to accommodate late payers. (VDB-PIA-CAR/Ifugao)
Banaue Imbayah festival promises culture and fun
Posted on | Saturday, 9 April 2011 | No Comments
“Come and visit our Imbayah festival in Banaue, Ifugao this April 26 to 29 and experience our culture, native games, songs, and native products, in addition to our rice terraces.”
This was the invitation extended by Mayor Jerry Dalipog to the public as well as to the people of Banaue, who are now residing in Baguio or elsewhere in the country, during a media forum at the Department of Tourism Regional Office here, last week.
According to Banaue Ifugao Councilor Jun Dumar, the Imbayah festivities will kick-off on April 17, with the “nabah” - a nine consecutive nights of Imbayah merry making, dancing, and chanting.
On April 23 to 25, Banaue will also offer local and foreign tourists alike with an Eco-tour Trekking Challenge, which will bring participants to cultural villages of the municipality, wherein aside from the adventure and great view of the rice terraces, local communities are also preparing different ethnic activities such as rice wine making and stone walling for visitors to witness and experience.
Dumar also announced that the Imbayah ritual “baki” will be performed on the 25th, as the festivity highlights will be celebrated from April 26 to 29.
Dumar also stressed that the Imbayah festival usually showcases the indigenous sports of Banaue, but now more activities and events are added to ensure that local and visitors alike would surely enjoy the festivity.
Scheduled activities for April 26 are ethnic parade with street dancing followed by a program at the Market Plaza, a rice wine tasting contest, “hicha” (public lunch), backstrap weaving, and the start of the ethnic games competition.
On the 27th, there will be a street dancing completion, shooting competition, wood carving presentation, and a cultural dance, music, and instruments presentation.
For the 28th, a new game – “buttuan,” a marathon in g-string will be held, as well as the amateur boxing and taekwondo tournament, an exhibition game of volleyball in g-string and another cultural dance, music, instrument presentation. To highlight this festive day is the wooden scooter race which can only be seen in Banaue.
Closing the festivity on the 29th will be the catching of a greased native pig and the closing program and the awarding ceremony for the winners of the ethnic games. *(LD -PIA CAR)