By WENDY ATUBAN and IRENE CEBA
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — Rep. Mauricio Domogan says the speed-up in the economic, socio, and infrastructure development is what he sees in the autonomy bid that the Cordillera Administrative Region’ pursues.

He expressed his dismay over the two failed autonomy laws due to lack of information dissemination and time constraints which caused the region’s failed bid for an autonomous region. Read the rest of this entry →

DOT promotes trekking in Benguet

Baguio City — For this summer vacation, the Department of Tourism (DOT-CAR) is promoting two trekking – the Mount Santo Tomas, Tuba, and the Fun Trek at Atok, BenguetProvince.

The Mount Santo Tomas Climb, “A Trek to the Cradle of Nature”, is on May 1 -2. The trek aims to promote Santo Tomas for spiritual pilgrimage, to showcase the breathtaking beauty of nature Tuba can offer and to promote its vegetable industry. Visit to the Mummy Cave, view of Mt. Pulag, Mt. Ugog, Baguio, La Union, Pangasinan.

The Atok Fun Trek May 22 to 24; will showcase native products, showcase the recovered tourist spots of Atok, like the tremendous views include Osocan Tunnel as the Spanish trail before, the Half Tunnel, Naguey Rice Terraces, mountain climbing at the Highest Point and a pilgrimage at the Grotto. # Lanie Pontillas and Alma B. Sicomen/PIA

Bangued MHO implements Garantisadong Pambata Program

BANGUED, Abra — The Municipal Health Office here implemented the Department of Health’s Garantisadong Pambata (GP) program, long before the DOH launched its nationwide campaign on Wednesday last week.

The GP Program is a twice-a-year health campaign of the DOH where a package of services such as immunization, Vitamin A capsules and de-worming drugs are given to children below 5 years old as well as the improvement of maternal health in the country which is very closely linked with the health and welfare of children. The team wil also give oral vitamins and tetanus toxoid to pregnant women who have not been administered the immunization yet. This is to ensure the health and safety of the pregnant women during child birth. # Maritess Beñas/PIA-Abra

PHEMS established in Kalinga

TABUK, Kalinga — The province formed its Provincial Health Emergency Management System (PHEMS) based at the Provincial Health Office here to ensure round-the-clock watch over emergency cases. This is the provincial counterpart of the Public Health Emergency Management System of the national government. As partners in assuring health care to victims of natural and manmade disasters, the national government provides needed equipments, medicines and fund for the center, while the province takes charge of its operation and maintenance.

The center is headed by Dr. Bernard Wandaga, a surgeon, assisted by nurses and other medical staff. Provincial Epidemics Surveillance Unit (PESU) Officer Jose Pardito serves as co-head. # L. Lopez/PIA-Kalinga

By KATHLEEN T. OKUBO
www.nordis.net

This would be the twenty fifth year Cordillera Day (CD) is commemorated in recognition of the all the people’s — indigenous peoples, advocates and friends — efforts to uphold, defend and promote their rights as peoples to their land, resources, and to self-determination.

BAKUN MOUNTAINS. Villagers oppose large scale mining in these mountains of Bakun. Gambang, Bakun is the host community for the commemoration of Cordillera Day in Benguet. Photo by Lyn V. Ramo/nordis.net

In commemoration of this day and what it stands for the people of the Cordillera, Northern Dispatch Weekly dedicates this supplemental pages to features, stories and photographs about their continuing struggle as peoples here in the region. Read the rest of this entry →

By PHYLYN A. CAMFILI
www.nordis.net

Found in the heart of the Cordillera mountain ranges, Mountain Province takes your breath away. Beautiful and breath taking sights. You get to do some heavy gasping and panting as you trek to see the most of them. The province has the effect of making story tellers gush and ramble on — despite attempts to calm them. But one has to try and this is why I decided to write my story of the province.

Mountain Province is approximately six hours ride by bus from Baguio City. A popular destination among many because it affords visitors peace and calm. The place is largely untouched, boasts of crystal-clear falls and natural forests. A result of their indigenous practices on forest management and agriculture, and of course the brave defense of their homeland. Remember the opposition against the World Bank-funded Chico River dam of then Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos. It could have submerged riverside towns and villages if it were not for the cooperation and united stand of the people to stop the project at all cost. Read the rest of this entry →