Baguio City | Northern Dispatch (nordis) Weekly

Comelec blamed for poll glitches

May 19, 2013 in Baguio City, elections, Featured

By DELIA BAGNI
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — The Makabayan Coalition-Cordillera blamed the Commission on Election and stated that it should be held accountable for the glitches during the recently concluded May 13 elections.

DESPERATELY SEEKING FOR A SOLUTION. The Board of Election Inspectors of Clustered Precint 104 and the Smartmatic technician try to solve the mystery of a Precinct Count Optical Scanner (PCOS) that worked perfectly until it was about count the votes.Would the BEI continued trying if they had known that there was a possibility that the voters would be disenfranchised if the votes would not be counted by the PCOS? Photo by Noel Godinez

DESPERATELY SEEKING FOR A SOLUTION. The Board of Election Inspectors of Clustered Precint 104 and the Smartmatic technician try to solve the mystery of a Precinct Count Optical Scanner (PCOS) that worked perfectly until it was about count the votes.Would the BEI continued trying if they had known that there was a possibility that the voters would be disenfranchised if the votes would not be counted by the PCOS? Photo by Noel Godinez

According to Theresa Manglicmot-Panem of Makabayan-Cordillera, the Comelec committed a grave mistake as it did not check the ballots to be used by the voters in Barangay Lualhati here. She said that the residents of the said barangay discovered that their supposed ballots are actually for Compostela Valley. She added that because of this, the voters in the barangay have not been able to exercise their right of suffrage.

According to Comelec Cordillera Administrative Region (Comelec-CAR) Assistant Regional Director Reddy Balarbar during the canvassing of votes at the Baguio Convention Center, a special election is possible yet it may be hard considering the expenses and time needed for such. He said later that it is no longer needed as it will not affect the outcome of the results. Read the rest of this entry →

Ambassador Albert not giving up on mining museum in Baguio

May 19, 2013 in Baguio City

By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — Ambassador Delia Domingo Albert declared during the Kapihan at the Tam-awan Village that they are not giving up with their plans of building and managing a Baguio Historical Mining Museum that she said will house memorabilia among others that will tell how the city of Baguio evolved through the existence of the mines.

NATURE WATCHER. An artist as the art installation himself serves as one of the many attractions in the concluded 4th Tam-awan International Arts Festival. Photo by Aldwin Quitasol

NATURE WATCHER. An artist as the art installation himself serves as one of the many attractions in the concluded 4th Tam-awan International Arts Festival. Photo by Aldwin Quitasol

Albert, who is a distinguished career diplomat who represented the Philippines in many countries said they are proceeding with the said museum but this time with a different concept. This time she added they are thinking of more of a geopark where it will be set-up indoor and at the same time outdoor.

She said that they are designing a geological museum with the University of the Philippines Baguio (UPB). She added that the installation of geopark outdoor meanwhile will be in partnership with the Department of Tourism, Bases and Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).The geopark she explained is the identification of historical sites significant to the development of the city and the setting up of markers explaining the details of each site. Read the rest of this entry →

Baguio May poll winners proclaimed

May 19, 2013 in Baguio City, elections

By CARMELA BALCITA
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — Commission on Election-Cordillera Administrative Region(Comelec-CAR) Assistant Regional Director Atty. Reddy Balarbar proclaimed the winners of the Baguio local elections at the Convention Center, May 14.

SAME FACES AFTER ALL. Familiar names with known reputation dominate Baguio politics. Here, Comelec Assistant Regional Director Reddy Balarbar declare the winners at the Baguio Convention Center. Photo by Aldwin Quitasol

SAME FACES AFTER ALL. Familiar names with known reputation dominate Baguio politics. Here, Comelec Assistant Regional Director Reddy Balarbar declare the winners at the Baguio Convention Center. Photo by Aldwin Quitasol

The proclamation happened after all election results from the 215 precincts in Baguio were received at the canvass area in the Convention Center at around 12 noon. There are a total of 213 barangays canvassed leaving the two other barangays, Kayang Extension and Lualhati with a total of 1,577 registered voters, uncanvassed due to PCOS machine errors and the unintended ballot switch. Read the rest of this entry →

Table tennis training center opens in Baguio

May 19, 2013 in Baguio City

By JANUARY A. TURLA
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — Baguio Table Tennis League (BTTL) urges enthusiasts and beginners to train themselves more for a better and competitive table tennis milieu in the city.

Baguio definitely has someone or some entity from any field of sports to represent the city in the national and international tournaments. BTTL’s goal is to train members and boost their skills to bring them to a more cutthroat table tennis environment around the Philippines and outside the country. Read the rest of this entry →

More BCNHS buildings on CFL bulbs

May 19, 2013 in Baguio City

By KIMBERLIE NGABIT-QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — Fifteen out of the 21 buildings of the Baguio City National High School (BCNHS) are now using compact fluorescent lamp bulbs after receiving 938 CFL bulbs from the Department of Energy’s (DOE) as part of the latter’s power saving program.

BCNHS Principal Elma Donaal disclosed that changing the school bulbs from incandescent to CFLs contributed to the decrease in the schools electric bill payments during the press conference of the DOE on the wrapping up of its Philippine Energy Efficiency Project (PEEP). Read the rest of this entry →

All set for Sabsabong ti Mayo

May 19, 2013 in Baguio City, tourism

By CARMELA BALCITA
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — The Baguio Tourism Office with the Department of Tourism (DOT)- CAR and Region 1, in partnership with the local government of Baguio City, Lingayen, Pangasinan and Bauang, La Union announced the line-up of events for the sixth year of Sabsabong ti Mayo during the weekly Kapihan at Rose Bowl Restaurant last May 15.

The Sabsabong ti Mayo is an annual event in Baguio that could be equated to the Santacruzan of the lowlands. Read the rest of this entry →

From Under This Hat: Remember WAWI, my brother?

May 19, 2013 in Baguio City, Featured, people

By KATHLEEN T. OKUBO
www.nordis.net

Born October 13, 1959, Edward, the fifth child of Ferry Cuilan Tagley and Bernardo Cariño Okubo. When our parents arrived from the hospital with him in tow, we his siblings, gathered around him to introduce ourselves, excited we had a new brother. I remember Patrick asserting his manongship and maybe by way of passing the position of “youngest” to him, he held his hand and directed the question to our watchful mother, “What is his name?!” “Edward,” says mom. “Why Edward?” No answer, and Patrick declares, why not Wowee? Wowee nalang, Mama, let us call him Wowee! Patrick declared when he saw my mom smile amusedly. Whatever which way you say it or spell it, Wowee, or wawi was his name since.

From Guisad (Leonor Rivera) we moved to Belshang, a three hectare piece of land our parents acquired and divided with our late Auntie Cecile, from Lolo Mawini’s (one name) Estancia that spanned then from Coyeesan to the present Sta. Lucia including the Crystal Cave area. Wawi arrived here as a baby and grew up to the ‘wild’ new frontier of Belshang. Read the rest of this entry →

Pokus: On the second automated elections

May 19, 2013 in Baguio City, columns, Featured, opinion

By RACHEL ANNE V. BACONAWA
www.nordis.net

The automated election was first introduced in the Philippines through the presidential elections on 2010 when the 15th head-of-state, Benigno S. Aquino III was proclaimed. This type of election was created via Republic Act 9369, amending Republic Act 8436, which authorizes the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to use an automated election system to encourage transparency, credibility, fairness and accuracy of elections’ on July 2, 2006.

Comelec deemed this year’s mid-term elections successful because the results came in early and the Precinct Count Optical Scanner (PCOS) machines only had minor problems that are quickly fixed and there are only a few incidents declaring failure of elections. Read the rest of this entry →

Need for social change resounds on Labor Day

May 5, 2013 in Baguio City, workers

By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — According to Kilusang Mayo Uno-Cordillera spokesperson Vicente Dilem, the workers will experience true relief only when the anti-labor policies and pro-capitalists government laws be scrapped and laws based on the true needs of the people be implemented.

PORTRAYING THE CULPRIT. Members of Anakpawis Youth Cultural Group show how different classes and sectors of the Philippine society suffer from inequality in the system and how will they overcome it. Photo by Delia Bagni

PORTRAYING THE CULPRIT. Members of Anakpawis Youth Cultural Group show how different classes and sectors of the Philippine society suffer from inequality in the system and how will they overcome it. Photo by Delia Bagni

During the program of the commemoration of the International Workers’ day at the Igorot Park of Baguio City, Dilem said that more and more Filipino workers are losing their jobs everyday and their labor rights are violated everyday while the present administration of President BenignoAquino III remains deaf to its people. He said the Aquino government is anti-labor as it issues and implements repressive measures and policies that favor big businesses making the Filipino workers suffer more. Read the rest of this entry →

KMU-Cordi calls for an end to contractualization

May 5, 2013 in Baguio City, workers

By DELIA BAGNI
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) Cordillera lead workers from workplaces of Baguio City and Benguet Province as well as members of different groups and organizations in a march rally from Post office down to Session road that ended with a short program at Igorot Park calling for an end to contractualization in commemoration of the International Labor Day, May 1.

125. Another Labor Day passes but the bill for P125 across the board wage increase lingers in Congress. Photo by Noel Godinez

125. Another Labor Day passes but the bill for P125 across the board wage increase lingers in Congress. Photo by Noel Godinez

KMU Spokesperson Vicente Dilem pointed out during the program that what people need are permanent and not contractual jobs contrary to what President Benigno Aquino III stated in his pre-labor announcement that the workers should be grateful to the offered contractual employment.

Dilem said that most companies prefer to save labor costs by hiring contractual workers instead maintaining regular employees. He added that the employers can just terminate the contractuals without valid cause and do not have to worry about their separation pays and other legitimate benefits. Read the rest of this entry →

1,545 hired on-the-spot at DOLE job fair

May 5, 2013 in Baguio City

By RACHEL ANNE V. BACONAWA
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — A total of 1,545 hopefuls were hired on-the-spot at the 2013 Job Fair of the Department of Labor and Employment Cordillera Administrative Region (DOLE-CAR) as part of the Labor Day celebration on Wednesday, May 1 simultaneously at the Baguio Convention Center and SM City Baguio.

GETTING READY. Applications forms were filled-out by the applicants who participated at the Job Fair before they continue to seek opportunities with the employers inside the Baguio Convention Center. Photo by Edselle Mae Ramat

GETTING READY. Applications forms were filled-out by the applicants who participated at the Job Fair before they continue to seek opportunities with the employers inside the Baguio Convention Center. Photo by Edselle Mae Ramat

According to the Officer in Charge of the Technical Support and Services Division of DOLE-CAR Emer Narag, the highest rate of employed job seekers from local companies is from the wholesale and retail companies such as SM Supermalls and Tiongasan Supermarket. Also a large percentage also came from BPOs or those companies who engage in business process outsourcing. They offered contractual job vacancies which contracts will expire after six months upon hiring.

In the Kapihan sa Baguio last Wednesday, DOLE-CAR Regional Director Delfina M. Camarillo disclosed that in 2012, 43,000 Cordillerans are currently unemployed and with projects like the Job Fair, the government aims to lessen the percentage of those who are jobless.

Narag said that out of 5,895 who registered in the job fair, 4,716 are qualified and referred to interviews, higher than last year by about 2%. Those who were not hired or did not pass the preliminary screenings of the companies they applied for, their records are uploaded to Philjobs.net for companies hiring to see. Read the rest of this entry →

DOLE holds Labor Day career forum

May 5, 2013 in Baguio City

By JANUARY A. TURLA
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — The Department of Labor and Employment–Cordillera Administrative Region (DOLE-CAR) held the 2013 Labor Day career forum for the graduating students of different colleges and universities of Baguio and Benguet last April 30.

FOR THE ASPIRING WORKERS. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) together with other partner agencies conducted a Career Forum for the different graduates on different universities in Baguio in order to assist them for their job application on Labor Day. Photo by Edselle Mae Ramat

FOR THE ASPIRING WORKERS. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) together with other partner agencies conducted a Career Forum for the different graduates on different universities in Baguio in order to assist them for their job application on Labor Day. Photo by Edselle Mae Ramat

According to DOLE-CAR Regional Director Henry John Jalbuena, the annual career forum is a regular program initiated by DOLE to help job seekers enhance their chances of finding a job.

Jalbuena further said their goal is to lessen the unemployment rate in the region especially in Baguio City. The career forum will be of good help to the unemployed especially to those who do not know their capabilities yet and the specific jobs that match their skills.

There are currently 43,000 unemployed persons in the region and 25,000 are in Baguio. Read the rest of this entry →

UP Baguio grads urged to serve the people

May 5, 2013 in Baguio City, youth

By MA. CARMELA BALCITA
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — “Serve the People.”

Two graduates of the University of the Philippines-Baguio (UPB) raised a banner painted with this phrase while singing the university’s almamater song during the university’s commencement exercise at the Baguio Convention Center last April 26.

The University of the Philippines upholds the promise of serving the people since it was established in 1908. The university is a national university given subsidy by the government for those who cannot afford tertiary education. Read the rest of this entry →

Baguio youth celebrates Earth Day

April 28, 2013 in Baguio City, environment, Featured

By JANUARY A. TURLA
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — Members of Youth for Change Movement (YCM) joined the rest of the world and took part in celebrating the 43rd Earth Day at People’s Park, April 22.

A small call. Little hands painting their advocacy to save the Earth and make a difference. Photo by Carmela Balcita

A small call. Little hands painting their advocacy to save the Earth and make a difference. Photo by Carmela Balcita

According to Mimmie Bagyan of YCM, April 22 is coined as International Mother Earth Day and that the theme for this year is “The Face of Climate Change”.

Lester Edpis, also of YCM, Earth Day is highly connected to Cordillera Day which is celebrated every April 24. He said Macliing Dulag, a Cordillera hero, is a protector of environment himself as he fought for the preservation of ancestral lands in Kalinga and Bontoc in the Martial Law era. Read the rest of this entry →

Baguio Cordi Day focuses on politics of change

April 28, 2013 in Baguio City

By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — Militant peoples organizations and individuals under the banner of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) lead thousands of delegates in resounding the Cordillera people’s resolve to continue the struggle that was started by their ancestors in the defense of the ancestral lands and the right to self-determination.

THE FIGHT CONTINUES. The struggle to defend their land, life and resources from development aggression with the youth taking on the challenge to pick up where their martyrs have fallen. Photo by Noel Godinez

THE FIGHT CONTINUES. The struggle to defend their land, life and resources from development aggression with the youth taking on the challenge to pick up where their martyrs have fallen. Photo by Noel Godinez

The celebration of the 29th Cordillera Day (CD) held at the People’s Park attracted people from the different parts of the city and Benguet provinces, National Capital Region, Palawan and Mindanao and even from different countries. With the theme “Assert Our Right to Self Determination and the Politics of Change”, the delegation vowed to participate in all what they can in the people’s movement of the Cordillera in achieving genuine and lasting change for the people and the future generations. Read the rest of this entry →

KMU observes Labor Day to honor workers

April 28, 2013 in Baguio City, workers

By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) Cordillera Spokesperson Vicente Dilem stressed that the yearly commemoration of the International Labor Day on May 1 is in honor of the workers who sacrificed their lives fighting for their rights and welfare and advancement of the struggle of the working class for better working conditions and social transformation.

“Ti Mayo Uno ket espesyal nga aldaw dagiti mangmangged nga saan laeng a ditoy Pilipinas a maselebraran nu diket pati iti dadduma a pagilyan. Ditoy da nga ipukkaw dagiti dawat dagiti umili para iti nasay-sayaat a panagbiag babaen iti panagrespeto iti karbengan ken pudno a panagbalbaliw. Saan daytoy a sin-sinan nga aldaw a pangiyaramidan laeng kadagiti job fairs nu sadinno ket maiyawis dagiti pangmabiitan weno kontraktuwal a trabaho,” (May 1 is a special day for the workers celebrated not just in the Philippines but also in other countries. It is a time for the workers to reiterate the people’s demand for a decent life through the respect of rights and genuine change. This is not just an ordinary day where job fairs offering temporary or contractual jobs are held) Dilem explained. Read the rest of this entry →

Baguio mayorlaty candidate withdraws

April 28, 2013 in Baguio City, elections

By RACHEL ANNE V. BACONAWA
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — Independent candidate Peter ‘Game-Changer’ Puzon declared his withdrawal from the mayoralty race and pledged allegiance to Liberal Party’s candidate Jose Molintas at the Baguio Leaders’ Forum held at the Multi-purpose Hall of the Baguio Country Club Wednesday, April 24 .

BAGUIO MAYORAL HOPEFULS. Candidates for the top position in the Baguio City government participated in the Baguio leaders’ forum at the Baguio Country Club. Photo by Rachel Baconawa

BAGUIO MAYORAL HOPEFULS. Candidates for the top position in the Baguio City government participated in the Baguio leaders’ forum at the Baguio Country Club. Photo by Rachel Baconawa

During the closing statements, Puzon said that he seeks not to be elected. Instead, he chooses to vote for Molintas. He also said that the people now have the chance to elect a new set of officials so they should pick wisely for the improvement of the city and that there would be no better choice than Molintas.

Puzon’s answer to the questions asked regarding issues in education, SM City Baguio’s expansion and the corporation’s earth balling of 182 trees, to name a few, is the eradication of corruption and to promote good governance. Read the rest of this entry →

Candidates for Representative of Baguio

April 28, 2013 in Baguio City, candidates, Featured

www.nordis.net

Editor’s Note: There are six candidates for Representative of Baguio City namely Nicasio Aliping (Independent), Mike Arvisu (Independent), Mark Go (Liberal Party), Roam Manuel (Independent), Bernardo Vergara (United Nationalist Alliance) and Richard Zarate (Independent). Nordis circulated the same interview questions to all candidates but only Aliping, Arvisu, and Vergara replied.

1. What are your top 3 priority proposed legislation should you win in the 2013 elections? Why?

Nicasio Aliping: We would propose:

1.) Revision of the City Charter to solve the land dispersal and boundary dispute problems of the city and we will ensure the participation of all sectors in the city in the drafting of a new charter. There has to be multi-sectoral consultations to gather the inputs of all sectors.

2.) Revision on the Constitutional provisions on electoral positions, to make it four years per term. We would also propose for every region to have a seat in the Senate to ensure proper representation in the upper house.

3.) We would also propose amendments to the Government Social Insurance System (GSIS) laws to include barangay officials in the retirement benefit packages.

We also have other proposals like the establishment of a Congressman Social Responsibility Foundation to monitor our congress representatives whether they are doing their jobs properly. We will also seek the establishment of a Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Baguio among others.

Mike Arvisu: Top 3 priority proposed legislation:

1. Free Alternative Education Program – to accommodate slow learners and non-academically inclined students (sports, arts, music, vocational).

2. Increase minimum wage law – the current minimum wage is unrealistic to meet decent living standards.

3. Establishment of livelihood centers and trading posts – current top industries cater to the academically proficient sector of society and not enough industries to promote and market cottage industries.

Bernardo Vergara: Two legislative measures are of vital importance for me.

In this present regular session, I am co-author of several legislative measures of national significance, among which are the Freedom of Information Act and the Cybercrime Act (which was actually signed into law, but whose effectivity is pending judicial determination by the Supreme Court).

When Congress resumes sessions this June 2013, I expect the Freedom of Information Act to be acted upon on plenary, having already been reported out by the concerned House committee. In the event of non-passage for lack of material time, and should I earn a renewed mandate from the city electorate, I will initiate to re-file the measure, with the end in view of sponsoring or co-sponsoring this important legislation. Read the rest of this entry →

Tysman’s Photographic Memories at BenCab Museum

April 27, 2013 in Baguio City, Featured, the arts

By BENCAB MUSEUM (PR)

Photographic Memories is Wig Tysmans’ remembrance of the 1980s. Using IR (infrared) film, the photographer captured images of family and friends in Baguio and other sites around the Philippines. The photographs show what we cannot see, as IR photography produces fascinating, sometimes surreal, effects: the skin takes a milky, smooth texture; eyes appear ghostly. Black clothing appears gray or white, and blue skies take on a dramatic appearance. These effects provide the magic of IR photography — just about everything looks different from what we usually observe within the visible light spectrum.

One of Tymans' photos, Bench at Camp John Hay Golf Course 1981, in exhibit at the BenCab Museum. Photo courtesy of BenCab Museum

One of Tymans’ photos, Bench at Camp John Hay Golf Course 1981, in exhibit at the BenCab Museum. Photo courtesy of BenCab Museum

Quoting the artist, “What really attracted me to black and white IR film is that the blue skies become very dark gray to black, and the foliage turns to whitish gray which adds to the stark contrast of the scenery. Which is why I did landscapes – the contrast makes the foliage pop out against the black skies.”

Most of the photographs were taken between November and February, when there are fewer clouds, especially in Baguio. “When I would wake up and see the clear blue skies, I would gather family and friends since they were the most accessible subjects. I always had a camera loaded with IR film, dedicated for these spontaneous shoot opportunities. Many times, I would shoot the Baguio Cathedral, the most imposing piece of architecture then, and the morning sun always hit its façade,” Tysmans adds. Read the rest of this entry →

Journalist contending councilor favors consultation

April 21, 2013 in Baguio City, elections, Featured

By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — Liberal Party bet for the city council and member of the Baguio media Arthur Allad-iw said the people of Baguio should always be consulted and give their consensus on any development plans, projects or legislations to ensure good governance in the honest delivery of public service.

During the Baguio leaders’ forum held at the Baguio Country Club, Allad-iw presented his three focal points if elected as a councilor by the Baguio people. He expounded on his agenda: on the plight of persons with disabilities (PWDs), on the environment and on public accountability and transparency through peoples consultations.

Allad-iw is one of the 11 candidates under the LP banner running for councilor on this mid-year elections. The forum was viewed through live telecast to monitors in strategic public places in Baguio City. Read the rest of this entry →