BANGUED, Abra — The Kakailian Salakniban Tay Amin ti daga a Nagtaudan (KASTAN) criticized the barangay officials for denying them permission to hold a municipal wide mining forum scheduled on March 15 at Barangay Tiempo, Tubo, Abra.

KASTAN spokesperson Irene Timbreza questioned the said denial and found it suspicious because the officials of barangay Tiempo allowed and liasoned a meeting for the representative of the Philippine Metal Corporation (PMC) in the barangay instead. PMC conducted mining exploration tests in barangays Dilong and Tubtuba. Read the rest of this entry →

BAKUN, Benguet ― Six bands and four individual performers figured in the biggest concert for the Environment ever held in this town that is perched on the mountainside.

In a natural mountainside collisuem, rock and roll versions, and folk music renditions of both native and international compositions reverbrated along the mountainsides, down to the town center of Bakun to the ridges along Sinipsip and the Halsema trail above. Treating the villagers, farmers and mobile vegetable traders to superb music with a cause, loaded with information and cause oriented messages on the care and preservation of the environment. Read the rest of this entry →

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet ― “Sustaining our gains and looking beyond,” was the theme of the 2009 Strawberry festival and the topic for the essay writing contest conducted on March 20, 2009 at Lednicky Hall, La Trinidad Benguet.

This was organized by Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) federation La Trinidad headed by SK President Johnrey Miguel. Read the rest of this entry →

NIA Kalinga to forego water cut off this May

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – At times of crisis, there are things, though crucial for development, that must be sacrificed for the sake of addressing present needs. Take for instance the Kalinga Provincial Irrigation Management Office-National Irrigation Administration (KPIMO-NIA) which has to forego with its yearly water cut-off of its irrigation canal.

“The yearly clearing of the irrigation canal and repair of damage structures is scheduled by KPIMO-NIA every May of the year. However, this will be foregone this time so that rice farmers serviced by the Upper Chico River Irrigation System (UCRIS) are given the chance to farm for the third cropping, “ Irrigation Superintendent Engr. John Socalo said.

He assured there are no major damages to repair that can affect the irrigation services or siltation problems along the canal that can disrupt or lessen the volume of water flow.

Socalo said the move of KAPIMO-NIA is to give a chance for farmers belonging to the vulnerable sector and affected by the global crisis to farm from the four -month gap period and to earn income and help their families sustain the basic needs.

It can be recalled that KPIMO-NIA collected surplus of P7.5 million last year from irrigation fees paid by farmers through the help of this city’s government and the office on agriculture services. Socalo said this added cropping serves also as channel for more government support to farmers in terms of certified seed subsidy, fertilizer support and other agricultural inputs assistance.#PIA-Kalinga

DepEd reiterates simple graduation ceremonies

BONTOC, Mt. Province – In line with the government’s austerity program, the Department of Education reiterates its policy on the conduct and collection of fees for graduation rites as contained in DepEd Order No. 8,s. 2005.

The order was issued by DepEd Secretary Jesli A. Lapus addressing to all school authorities reminding them to observe the department’s policy on the conduct of this yearfs graduation rites which are scheduled any day between March 28- April 3.

The policy points out that public schools are not allowed to collect any graduation fees or any kind of contribution for graduation rites; no non-academic project shall be imposed as a requirement for graduation; no extraordinary venue for the ceremonies should be required. Holding the graduation within the school premises is strongly encouraged.

The policy also points out that no special attire for ceremonies should be required. Wearing of togas may be allowed subject to the approval of the Parents-Teacher Association/Parents, Teachers and Community Associations or PTA/PTCA officers and members representing the graduating class and that only the actual cost of rental of togas is borne by the graduating students; and contributions for the annual yearbook shall likewise be on a voluntary basis.

Lapus reiterated that the graduation rites should be conducted in am appropriate solemn ceremony befitting the graduating students and their parents and shall not in anyway be used as a venue for political forum.#Juliet B. Saley/PIA MP

Banaue rice terraces declared GMO-free

BANAUE, Ifugao — Ifugao Governor Teddy Baguilat declares the Ifugao rice terraces as a genetically-modified organism (GMO) – Free Zone in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in the Living Cultural Heritage site of Ifugao Rice Terraces in Banaue last week.

The historic declaration is inline with the commitment of the Provincial Government to preserve the country’s most enduring cultural symbol with the support of the Greenpeace Southeast Asia.

As expression of the said declaration, a giant banner with “GMO-FREE ZONE” is placed in the middle of the historic Banaue rice terraces.#PIA-CAR