By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — Three pocket miners died of suffocation inside the small-scale mining tunnels in separate towns of Abra and here in Benguet.

On June 11 in Mt. Bumurayok, Barangay Buneg, Lacub in Abra, miners identified as Junie Lingbaoan and Felix Rosario, both locals of Lacub and Federico Lang-odan of Bauko, Mt. Province failed to exit the tunnel they were working on before they fell unconscious due to the lack of oxygen. The next shift of miners found them dead some hours later.

By cellphone call Nordis informant also reported around the same time that another unidentified miner also died from suffocation in a tunnel in Mt. Capcapo, Baay-Licuan.

More and more people in these areas engage in small-scale mining activities despite warnings from the provincial government of Abra and the Provincial Environmental and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) that pocket mining is illegal but the people opt to take the risk because of the high grade of gold here, the promising price of gold in the world market, the lack of gainful employment and poverty. People from different provinces, especially from the Cordillera region flock to the mines here.

Ernie Anton of PENRO-Abra said that these small scale miners are illegal and that Lacub is under investigation regarding the incident. Still many reported and unreported accidents and untoward incidents in the small-scale mining areas of the said barangays including Bucay face the local community without mittigating programs in sight.

Gas posoning and suffocation are frequent in the small-mining tunnels due to lack of appropriate gadgets and safety measures.

On the other hand, inside the level 404 at Loacan, Antamok, Itogon, Benguet, miner Orlan Luis died also of suffocation due to gas poisoning inside the mining tunnel last June 12. The area was a former site of mining operations of Benguet corporation. It was abandoned supposedly because it was mined-out but later opened again by the company to small scale miners who are required to sell their produce to the company.

There are many cases of death among pocket miners in the barangay and most of them were not actually attributed to gas poisoning or were trapped or drowned the flooded tunnels. Last March 29 this year, six miners were trapped inside the tunnels being operated by the Benguet Corporation after the walls collapsed because of flooding, only three of them were rescued.# nordis.net

By ALDWIN QUITASOL with reports from LEILANIE ADRIANO
www.nordis.net

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte — Hit in an ambush around 9:45 pm along the national highway a radioman here succumbed to four gunshot wounds three hours later at the nearby Gov. Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial hospital.

The victim was Joselito “Lito” Agustin, 37, married, radio reporter and anchorman of DZJC Aksyon Radyo-Laoag.

Based on initial police report, the victim was on a motorcycle with his nephew, Joseph Agustin on their way home to Bacarra, Ilocos after his regular evening program when unidentified gunmen followed them along the Bacarra national highway and fired at the victims at close range.
Joseph, his nephew who regularly accompanies the victim in his radio commentary program entitled “Ilocos Norte, Laoag City by night” also suffered slight injuries on his feet, arms and legs.
Investigators recovered empty shells of a .45 caliber pistol at the crime scene.

Earlier, On May 7, the victim’s compound in Brgy. Natba, Bacarra, Ilocos Norte was peppered with bullets from an armalite rifle. After which Diomedes Lorenzo, station manager of DZJC Aksyon Radyo said in a radio interview that he warned the victim to tone down his radio commentaries and take extra precaution.

His media colleagues in Ilocos Norte describe Agustin as a “jolly” person and fearless in his job and was also an identified supporter of a politician in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte in the last May elections.  

When asked for comment, Bishop Sergio L. Utleg told newsmen in the province to be united and do not be afraid to bring out and tell the truth. He said Agustin was a “hero” for assuming his job without fear. The bishop likewise enjoined media men in Ilocos Norte including other concerned authorities to help and give justice to Agustin’s killing.

The National Union of Journalist of the Philippines (NUJP), strongly condemned the killing of Agustin and Radio anchorman Desiderio Camangyan of Davao who was also shot a day earlier. The killings, NUJP stated, barely half a month before a new administration takes the reins of government, clearly indicate that the enemies of press freedom remain confident that they can continue to escape accountability even under a new dispensation.

The NUJP challenged the incoming administration of President-elect Benigno Aquino III to take action against the killings of journalists. “If he is to make good on his campaign promise of good governance, he should take the murders of Davao Oriental’s Desiderio Camangyan and Ilocos Norte’s Joselito Agustin as a personal challenge to end the culture of impunity that has for so long emboldened those who seek to silence the independent Philippine press, making a mockery of our claims to being a democracy,” the NUJP said.

Meanshile, Philippine National Police Jesus Versoza ordered the creation of special investigation team to investigate the killing of Agustin days after the ambush.

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Senior Supt. Benito Estipona and head of the task force claimed they already identified the killer of Agustin. Estipona identified the suspect as a certain Leonardo Banaag Jr., alias Uno, a resident of Barangay 7 in Bacarra town, Ilocos Norte, as the alleged hitman as reported to the police by a credible witness.

According to Estipona, manhunt operations to locate the gunman and other suspects is on going. He also said that the Ilocos Norte CIDG team is preparing to file charges of murder and frustrated murder against Banaag and his cohorts before the province’s prosecutor’s office. #nordis.net

By ALLIANCE OF CONCERNED TEACHERS
www.nordis.net

Phto Courtesy of ACT

QUEZON CITY — Budget cuts in education due to an increasing debt payments are at the root of the worsening education crisis. This message was highlighted by the Alliance of Concerned Teachers as it led a protest march and rally in Mendiola on the day before the opening of the new school year. 

ACT national chairperson Antonio Tinio pointed out that in spite of the critical shortage of resources in basic education, the Arroyo administration has imposed cuts in this year’s budget of the Department of Education. “The 2010 Deped budget is lower than last year’s. Malacañang imposed a Php 1.62 billion reduction, from Php 174.46 billion in 2009 to Php 172.84 this year. This is the last thing our ailing public education system needs.”

 Tinio noted that for the incoming school year 2010-2011, there will be a shortage of 54,060 teachers, 4,538 principals, and 6,473 headteachers; 61,343 classrooms, 816,291 seats, and 113,051 water and sanitation facilities. The Department of Education will also need an additional Php 400 million to address the textbook shortage.  

Tinio noted that while there was an increase in the budget for salaries and benefits of teachers (Personal Services), this was offset by significant cuts in Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) and Capital Outlay (CO) in particular, which includes the budget for classroom construction and the acquisition of new school equipment. 

“The Arroyo government allocated Php 3.78 billion less for Capital Outlay this year. That’s equivalent to 6,311 additional classrooms that could have been built. Malacañang also cut Php 729 million from the daily operations fund of schools,” said Tinio.

Tinio noted that a huge portion of the national government’s funds continues to be allocated to debt payment. “The appropriation for debt servicing or the payment of interest on debt alone has grown by a staggering Php 68.5 billion from 2008 to 2010. The Arroyo administration’s prioritization of debt payment above everything else throughout  its 9 years in office has been the main cause of the worsening crisis in education.”

Tinio challenged the incoming administration of President-elect Noynoy Aquino to “The only way out of the education crisis is through the adoption of bold new measures. President-elect Aquino must turn his back on the current policy of debt payment above all else, which has had devastating consequences for our public education system. We urge him to implement a policy of reducing debt payments and rechanneling of funds to education and other social services.” # nordis.net

By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

Benjamin Galap Yango

BAGUIO CITY — A petition letter is being circulated in the net asking the concerned Philippine government agencies to extend assistance to bring home the body of Benjamin Galap Yango believed to have died of a heart attack in his apartment in Harbin, China.

According to the letter, Yango, 33, is from Bontoc, Mountain Province and Benguet. He is married to Fely Tomino of Kabayan, Benguet and they have two children.

The letter further stated that Yango has been an English teacher at Longdi Prinary School in A’cheng, Harbin, China since 2007 until he met his death. Yango was believed to have succumbed to a heart attack 2 or 3 days before the Chinese police found his body inside his apartment.

The letter stated that the remains of Yango is still in a morgue in Harbin, China.

“In pursuit of protecting the rights of overseas migrant workers who continue to provide millions of remittances to the coffers of the government, respectfully asking your immediate action for the release of financial assistance to expedite release of the body of Yango, and to enable repatriation as soon as possible to the deceased’s hometown in Bontoc, Mountain Province,” the letter appealed.

The said letter was addressed to the consul of Philippine embassy in China Pablito Mendoza, the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, Overseas Welfare Workers Administration (OWWA) administrator Carmelita Dimzon and Labor Secretary Marianito Roque.

The amount needed for the repatriation of Yango is RMB 86,000 or P544, 800. The letter said the longer the body stays in the morgue, the higher the cost.

“Concerned government agencies including the Philippine Embassy in China have been repeatedly asked by Benjamin Yango’s widow to provide assistance to facilitate the repatriation of her husband’s remains to the Philippines, only to be met by a negative response,” the letter stated.

The petition letter now with 46 signatories is requesting concerned government offices to provide the necessary monetary assistance for the repatriation of the body. “Especially, we call on OWWA to provide and/or facilitate financial assistance for the human remains of Benjamin Yango to be repatriated to Philippine soil as part of its responsibility and duty to provide services for migrant workers and their families who continue to provide a big part of the economic backbone of the country.”

The petition also reiterated that one of the responsibilitties of the Philippine Embassy is to protect and promote the welfare of Filipino Overseas Workers.

The petition letter also stated their support to Benguet Province’ Governor Nestor Fongwan’s appeal to the DFA to follow-up the Philippine Embassy in China to facillitate the repatriation of the body as soon as possible.”

The petitioners have also urged Mt. Province Governor Maximo Dalog for his help. The petitioners apppealed as well to the OWWA, DFA, the Philippine Embassy in China and to the employer of Yango, Ms. Wang Ying to help in the repatriation. #nordis.net

By OFELIA EMPIAN
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — The Aglipayan Church or the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (Philippine Independent Church or IFI) held its Luzon Clergy Seminar last June 14-18 at the Teachers’ Camp.

The Luzon wide activity gathered all the priests from Luzon, from up North to as far as Marinduque, Bicol, Mindoro and Romblon. Three hundred newly ordained priests, priests, bishops, and church leaders gathered in the said event.

With their theme “The Threefold Task of Ministry: Priest/Pastor, Prophet and Kingly”, the whole clergy goes back to the basic meaning of their calling as priests in the church. According to Bishop Godofredo J. David, Obispo Maximo of IFI, the event is aimed at “going back to the basic meaning of priesthood”, reminding the social involvement and responsibilities of priests, and in continuing the development of their skills to be utilized in serving the community.

In his keynote address to the men and women priests, Bishop David talked about the various circumstances and concrete situations that challenge their ministry as clergy of the church. He spoke of the need for renewal within the church and within the inner self of a clergy.
“We do not come to pass judgment upon ourselves. We are here to study and seek to understand our situation, hoping to resolve the contradictions that characterize our ministry…Our responsibility as bishops and priests demand that we must be adequately prepared for our ministry and equipped with attitudes and skills that will enable us to better understand ourselves and others,” he said.

Moreover, Father Antonio “Tony” Tayco, Parish Priest of the Greater Manila Area (GMA), said that part of the mission of IFI is to “speak in behalf of the Filipino people.”
“We proclaim the good news and condemn the evil scheme… (because) Christ wants justice to reign,” he said.

The IFI was formed in the beginning of the twentieth century as part of the broad nationalist struggle against Spanish colonialism and American imperialism. It traces its origin from the struggle of the Filipino clergy against racial discrimination and friar domination within the Roman Church in the 19th century, which, consequently, was transformed into a nationalist crusade for the absolute Filipinization of the Church in the twilight years of the 20th century.

The church was established by Fr. Gregorio Aglipay who became its first Obispo Maximo (Supreme Bishop) in 1902. Today IFI is the second largest Christian denomination in the Philippines after the Roman Catholic Church. The bulk of the Aglipayans come from the northern part of the island of Luzon, especially from the Ilocandia region, home of the first supreme bishop. At present, the church has 36 Dioceses in the Philippines and already has established dioceses in Canada and the US. #nordis.net

By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — The militant labor organization Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) in its website slammed President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for claiming that it has surpassed the previous three Presidents in terms of accomplishments.

This is in reaction to the political Television Advertisement claiming that Arroyo has done more that the three previous presidents combined that helped a lot of Filipinos in terms of providing jobs and building infrastructures.

“Sa totoo lang (the truth is), PGMA pushed more Filipinos into joblessness than the past three presidents combined,” stated the KMU.

KMU also hit the release of the National Statistic’s Office (NSO) revealing an 8 percent unemployment rate for April. The statistics of the independent think tank Ibon Foundation points out that jobless people already number at 4.3 million in January of this year, correcting the government’s effort of erasing those not looking for jobs from the labor force.

In the said TV ad, there are around 47, 733 kilometers of major roads and highways, 289, 944 lineal meters of bridges, 102, 033 classrooms, 294, 995 government housing units and 1, 056, 152 families resettled. “Si Gloria, higit sa sino mang presidente, ang nakapagpagawa ng mas maraming daan at tulay, mas maraming paliparan at daungan, at mas maraming eskwelahan at pabahay para sa mahihirap (Gloria, more than any of the presidents, had constructed more roads and highways, more airports and seaports and more schools and housing projects),” claimed the ad.

But according to Ibon, the administration of Arroyo will not be forgotten for its poor performance on measures of development and progress. According to Ibon, the situation of the Filipino people turned into worst than when Arroyo first came into power nine years ago.
“Unemployment is at record sustained highs, household real income declined, poverty increased, inequality worsened, and Filipinos were forced abroad in unprecedented numbers.

Prospects have been undermined by the steady erosion of domestic manufacturing and agriculture, a rapidly deepening fiscal crisis, and defeatist international trade and investment policies. In contrast, the profits of the country’s biggest corporations and the wealth of its richest families have continued to improve substantially,” the foundation stated in its website.

Ibon added that the number of the country’s poor rose up even basing it on the government’s low official poverty line. “The number of poor families increased by 530,642 or 13% since 2000 to reach 4.7 million in 2006. The number of poor Filipinos increased by 2.1 million over that same period to reach 27.6 million.

The official poverty line is only P42 per person per day in 2006 which buys just a kilo of rice and a chicken egg; a higher threshold of P86 more than doubles the number of Filipinos classified as poor,” added Ibon.

KMU criticized the April data of the NSO showing that the total labor force was reduced by 300 thousand from January to April of this year. KMU chairperson Elmer Labog said the Arroyo administration twisted data in order to boost its claim of leaving a legacy of a strong and stable nation.

“How can the labor force be reduced by hundreds of thousands in that period when hundreds of thousands of new graduates also entered the labor force? “ asked Labog.

According to Labog, with an average of 4 million jobless people a year under the Arroyo administration, her record is still higher compared to those of presidents Joseph Estrada with 3.17 a year, Fidel Ramos with 2.58 million and Corazon Aquino with 2. 28 million.

Labog added that Arroyo implemented policies consistently that favor big businesses shoving aside the rights of workers. Labog said that these policies legitimize massive lay-offs, contractualization and other violations to the workers’ rights and welfare.

The labor leader challenged the incoming administration of Senator Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III to enact real changes in terms of job security.

“While it is good that Noynoy was able to recite specific employment data in his first press conference, his stand on job generation is ‘dangerously safe.’ He said he must study data further before making any decisions,” Labog stated.

Labog said, “the problem however is so clear for him to reverse Arroyo’s policies on labor and economy.”#nordis.net

By RODA TAJON
www.nordis.net

CANDON CITY, Ilocos Sur — A convoy composed of more than one hundred individuals, including a municipal mayor, vice mayor and local government officials were harassed after they were alleged by elements of Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) of carrying firearms during their thanksgiving motorcade.

Ilocos Human Rights Alliance (IHRA-KARAPATAN), a human rights organization in the Ilocos Region, narrated that last May 11, two unidentified elements of CAFGU and a certain Lt. Zarate, their commanding officer from 77th IBPA stopped the convoy of Galimuyod Mayor Jessie Balingsat, Vice Mayor Florence Bugarin, several Sangguniang Bayan Members and some one hundred volunteers and supporters, including children at around 5:00 PM after receiving a report that the convoy was carrying firearms.

The CAFGU insisted on conducting a search on the vehicles despite the supporters’ assertion that they were just conducting a motorcade and that the Mayor and other local government officials were behind them. Several motorcycles were searched by CAFGU personnel.

One of the witnesses narrated that the CAFGU personnel even said, “walang mayor mayor!” while conducting the search. After minutes of negotiations, Mayor Balingsat’s convoy was able to push through with the motorcade. The convoy just came from a motorcade in Barangays Abaya and Bitong, Galimuyod, Ilocos Sur to express their gratitude over their victory in the elections.

The CAFGU, led by Lt. Zarate from 77th IBPA, and is currently based in Brgy. Bitong, is about a hundred meters away from households of Bitong, Abaya and San Vicente, in Galimuyod. According to IHRA-KARAPATAN, the CAFGU camp was set up in 2008 after the 503rd Brigade announced their victory in Oplan Bantay Laya (OBL) in Ilocos provinces. Communities during that time expressed their alarm over the establishment and recruitment of CAFGU personnel and despite resistance, the AFP pushed through with CAFGU detachment.

The CAFGU detachment in Galimuyod is among the detachments set up by the military in the provinces of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur to ensure their victory in OBL, according to IHRA-KARAPATAN.

IHRA-KARAPATAN expressed its condemnation over the recent human rights violation committed by the CAFGU personnel. “They could even do it to government officials, how much more to civilians and ordinary citizens?” IHRA-KARAPATAN said in a statement.

The incident is a glaring proof of the total disregard of military personnel to civilian authority as part of the counter-insurgency program Oplan Bantay Laya.

“The CAFGU detachment should be closed and abandoned for the civilian population in Galimuyod to live peacefully and be free from fear of security and threat.” IHRA-KARAPATAN stressed. IHRA already filed a complaint at the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Region 1 and will be filing a complaint at the Joint Monitoring Committee of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP). # nordis.net

By NORTHERN DISPATCH with reports from AREVELLE KATTER
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — The Baguio Health Department (BHD) gave the public information on measures at preventing infection by dengue.

In relation to this, BHD released its statistics on dengue cases in the city in 2009 comparing it to the number of cases turned over by the Baguio General Hospital this year. This is in accordance to Repulic Act 3573 wich require health instituions as well as individuals to report communicable and modifiable diseases to local and national health authorities for immediate and appropriate actions in the prevention these diseases.

According to the statistics, there are 305 cases of dengue from which 166 are male and 139 female.

BGH records meanwhile show that there are already dengue cases since January of this year but according to BGH authorities, they cannot yet compare the said cases as 2010 is not yet over.

The BHD and the Department of Health showed media a poster of the World Health Organization in the campaign against dengue. In the poster titled “Beware Dengue Kills! Mag 4 S kontra dengue, the public was asked to observe 4 measures.

The first observance is to search and destroy possible areas where mosquitoes lay their eggs, the second is observe Self-protection measures like wearing long pants and shorts with long sleeves and use insect repellant everyday. Third is to seek early consultation with the doctor if suffering from fever for two days and the last is to say no to indiscriminate fogging. Fogging is only advised if there is a dengue outbreak.

Meanwhile, City Camp Barangay nutritionist Josie Soriano said that the campaign against dengue will be one of the highlights of the coming celebration of nutrition month next month. Soriano said mothers and children will be oriented with dengue awareness. Soriano also advised the public to always clean the surroundings and prevent dirty water as mosquitoes do not lay their eggs in clean water.#nordis.net

by CEGP-CORDILLERA
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — Different youth groups headed by Kabataan Partylist and National Union of Students of the Philippines held a noise barrage today calling for systematic reforms for quality and accesible education. They said that they are still holding outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo accountable for the chronic problems that our education system faces today.

“The Arroyo administration will leave behind an education system with a massive deficiency of teachers, classrooms, and other vital education resources amounting to Php 91.54 billion. Under PGMA, the students, teachers and parents experienced the worst tuition increases and the pitiable quality of our education”, said Finela Mejia, Chairperson of National Union of Students of the Philippines Baguio-Benguet chapter.

Mejia elaborated that PGMA legacy on education is more of a burden, citing how little her administration has spent on improving Philippine education. “It is a shame that despite her statements to make education a government priority, statistics show otherwise. Contrary to the Arroyo administration’s claims of enacting more education reforms than the other regimes before her, PGMA administration spent only 2.7 percent average of the gross domestic product (GDP) for education while Estrada and Ramos administration spent at least 3.1% GDP”. Therefore Arroyo’s 2.7% GDP translates to spending P6.85 pesos per Filipino per day on education while paying the equivalent of P22 on debt service.

In addition, Kabataan Partylist Cordillera Coordinator Kristoffer John Panem reported the number of out-of-school youth and children aged between 7-12 years old has reached its all-time peak of 4.69 million. He said “The Filipino youth under PGMA has suffered a traumatic education system. The average tuition rate increased by 89 percent since 2004. This resulted into an increase of drop outs and participation rate among elementary and high school students.” In the Cordillera alone, the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) reported that nine universities have increased their tuition by at least five percent for school year 2010-11.

With the tuition rate increasing every year, a tertiary student must spend at least Php22,000 pesos for tuition alone and there is no way that minimum wage earner parents can afford that without borrowing money with high interest rate or going abroad. 

According to the Alliance of Concerned Teachers just for this incoming school year there will be a shortage of 54,060 teachers, 4,538 principals, 816,291 seats. This will result into the worse situation of already jam-packed classrooms and very poor teacher-student ratio. This is just one of the many indicators that the Arroyo administration’s promise of promoting accessible and quality education has failed.”

In the case of private schools where students get less of what they pay, student leaders who are against yearly fee increases were not exempted from red tagging and red baiting. One reported incident was during a lecture in NSTP class in Saint Louis University last March 7, 2010, wherein a certain 2nd Lt Adriano dela Cruz Jr told the students that Mr. Joseph Oconner, ANAKBAYAN SLU spokesperson is a member of the New People’s Army (NPA) and he should not be recognized as a legitimate student leader. During that time, SLU is proposing a 7% increase in tuition and Oconner is one of the students condemning the increase. 

Cielo Marie Bayson, chairperson of College Editors Guild of the Philippines Cordillera said that student organizations fighting for quality and accessible education along with its active participation in battling corruption in the government, became easy targets of OBL II (Oplan Bantay Laya, a counter insurgency program of Arroyo government that hardly distinguishes armed combatants from civilians). “For nine years under PGMA, we have monitored numerous reports of military presence and harassment in universities here in the Cordillera particularly in Abra and Kalinga where military personnel and officers roam around the campuses in their full battle gear causing fear and paranoia among the students.”

Clearly, the Philippine education is in crisis and therefore poses a big challenge to the next administration. Representing the youth in congress, Kabataan Partylist’s Raymond Palatino is presenting the eight point education agenda wherein higher budget allocation and tuition freeze tops the list. “What the youth and the country needs is an ‘education president.’ one who will decisively implement concrete changes and who has the political will to instill fundamental educational reforms,” Palatino said. # nordis.net

By OFELIA EMPIAN
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — Almost 60,000 students are currently enrolled in all the major universities and colleges here in the city according to the Commission on Higer Education-Cordillera Administrative Region (CHED-CAR).

According to CHED, among the educational institutions in Baguio, Saint Louis University (SLU) remains the tertiary school that has the highest number of enrollees with 27,661 students this semester.

SLU is followed by the University of the Cordilleras (UC) with 13,490 students; University of Baguio (UB) with 12,200 students; Pines City Colleges with 2,119 students; Baguio Central University (BCU) with 1,904 enrollees; Baguio College of Technology-BETI College with 900 enrollees; Easter College with 659 students; National University (NU) Baguio with 690 enrollees and AMA Computer College with 611 enrollees.
On the other hand, CHED also warned nursing schools across the region to make it good in their performance in order for them not to be closed. There are already nursing schools that are issued with notices for closure if their performance will not improve. CHED identified three nursing schools in Baguio, two in the province of Abra and one school in the province of Benguet who were issued notices.

Meanwhile, Department of Education-CAR head Dr. Josefina Tamondong admitted additional teachers are needed in Baguio City. Tamondong said the city government helps in hiring new teachers to be mobilized in different schools. According to Tamondong, they are asking for additional 388 teachers but they can only hire 48.

The principal of the Baguio National High School Dr. Elma Donaal meanwhile said that they are the biggest high school in the Cordilleras with 10,642 enrollees. Donaal said that there is actually a slight decrease in the number of students this year but she said they are still enrolling as of the time being.

Donaal advised other students who did not yet enroll to go to the BNHS annexes. This according to Donaal is to decongest the main school. As of today, there is approximately 75 students in one classroom at the said school#nordis.net

www.nordis.net

As parents and students struggle through the opening days of schoolyear 2010-11, we cannot help but take note of the almost criminal neglect that public education in the country has fallen into over the years.

What struck us most was the state of disrepair of several school-buildings here in the Cordillera, living testimony to the massive destruction wrought by typhoon Pepeng more than 8 months ago in this part of the country. As a result students eager to go on with their formal education have to endure the elements in temporary shelters, while their elders are still figuring out how to repair those damaged school-buildings.

But the poor state of school-buildings is just one indication of the neglect that education has suffered in the country over recent decades. As usual there is the perennial litany of lack of teachers, lack classrooms, books and similar educational facilities that would have made learning an enjoyable experience for the youth of the land.

While these were the complaints over at the public school system, those enrolling in the private school system has again raised the issue of never-ending increases in tuition and other miscellaneous fees – making tertiary education in the country one of the most profitable enterprises hereabouts. This “commercialization” of education has made a college degree beyond the reach of the majority of our youth thus forfeiting their chance to improve their opportunities for a better life.

As usual, there were also complaints from parents enrollling their children in public schools being made to pay various fees despite the repeated announcements from DepEd about its zero collection policy. Some public school administrators simply cannot resist the temptation to make a quick buck or two from impoverished parents.

None of the above-mentioned complaints is new. It simply shows that despite repeated assurances from the national goveernment and other concerned agencies, there is no serious attempt to address the problems plaguing the Philippine educational system.

From one administration to another, parents and their children are made to suffer the neglect that our educational system has fallen victim to. Teachers have tried to address the problems affecting them and they have formed various organizations to pool their talents and resources towards this end. But they have been hardly successful when new problems crop up to challenge their commitment to their profession.

Students have similarly formed organizations of their own to ventilate their problems and desire to improve the educational system they are in. Again, little progress has been made as shown by the continuing neglect of the public educational system on one hand, and the commercialization of the private educational system on the other hand.

Perhaps, it is about time that parents as major stakeholders of the educational system of the country get into the fray and have their voices heard, too. This is but a logical step since it is the parents’ taxes and salaries that fuel the entire educational system to get moving.
Education is too important to be left entirely in the hands of education bureaucrats and school-owners alone. The other major stakeholders – teachers, parents and students – should joined hands and influence the course of education policies and programs of the country. Only this way can the people truly participate in shaping the educational system that has long been neglected by government at the expense of the citizenry.# nordis.net

By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

The poverty of our century is unlike that of any other. It is not, as poverty was before,
the result of natural scarcity, but of a set of priorities imposed upon the rest of the world by the rich. Consequently, the modern poor are not pitied…but written off as trash.
The twentieth-century consumer economy has produced the first culture for which
a beggar is a reminder of nothing. — John Berger

I was walking one day along one of the sidewalks of the city when I saw a familiar face. He does not know me but I remember him. He was a neighbor when I was a kid. I remember him as a working man with a family. He did not have a high salary but it can be said that it was quite enough to feed them. His kids were among my playmates and I used to envy their toys as well as the clothes that their father bought for them.

I remember the man waiting for a ride everyday to go to his place of work. And every afternoon, his kids and wife waiting for him. Everytime he arrived home, he carried paper bags full of grocery items. Everytime his kids would meet him at the road, he gives them a paper bag full of bread.

But when I saw him that day many years after, I wondered why his clothes were much different from those he wore before. It seemed he did not take a bath for a long time and his clothes were worn out. He was carrying a sack full of plastics and other junk while picking for more recyclables in the trash cans.

I followed him and I was stunned as he went thru one trash can to another. When he found something wrapped in a foil, he opened it and his eyes seemed to glow as it was a piece of fried chicken with a small bite on it. He put it in his pocket and continued to search inside the trash.

I wanted to talk with him but I hesitated. I wanted to ask him what happened. But I knew he lost his job as the company I knew he was working for was a run-away shop. When they started to form a union, the company management declared that they were bankrupt and they closed their building. The workers were left unpaid of benefits and wages. It was bad luck that their organizers were from a yellow union notorious for collaborating with management and setting aside the rights of the workers, especially after collecting union fees or dues from them.

Many workers everyday of the year in all places not only in this country but the entire world fall jobless by the second. According to the data of the International Labour Organization in its Global Employment Trends, the number of jobless worldwide reached as big as 212 million following a 34 million increase since 2007 because of the world global crisis. The data also shows the number of unemployed youths rose by 10.2 million compared to that of 2007 and it is the largest since 1991.

Here in the Philippines, according to the Ibon Foundation, jobless Filipinos rose to 4.3 million in January of this year. The government’s National Statistics Office meanwhile claim that 3.1 million Filipinos have no jobs.

But whatever the number is, many people are going hungry everyday, degraded every day of their life because of poverty. I remember the man who wore decent clothes before but now, he is garbed in dirty and torn clothes. Yet he is not the only one. Many workers are trapped in extreme poverty because of the lack of jobs. So many people are being forced to search every trash can if only to find junk food or objects others threw away just to feed himself and his family. # nordis.net

By JOYCE CHEDIAC/WWW.WORKERSWORLD.ORG
www.nordis.net

The heroes and heroines of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, so brutally attacked by Israeli commandos on May 31, have transformed the struggle to break the siege of Gaza and raised it to a higher level. They are the new Freedom Riders.

Freedom Riders were Civil Rights activists who rode interstate buses into the southern United States 50 years ago to defy racist segregation practices. Like the Palestinians, the African-American population of the South lived under a separate, apartheid system, called “Jim Crow.”
Merely because these Black and white activists traveled together, ate together and shared facilities together where it was forbidden, they were attacked, beaten and even murdered by racists. Their vehicles were firebombed while the local police looked away. Their willingness to risk their lives exposed the brutality of Jim Crow racism and inspired others, who were appalled by the violence against them.

Freedom Riders transformed the Civil Rights Movement and marked a turning point in that struggle, which then grew throughout the South.

When nine courageous Gaza Freedom Flotilla activists were killed and scores wounded by Israeli commandos on May 31 for merely trying to bring food, medicine and housing materials to the besieged people of Gaza, the world was horrified and outraged. The illusion that Israel had any legitimate case against the people or government of Gaza was shattered and Israeli brutality exposed before the world.

More Freedom Flotillas are now on their way to Gaza, and the worldwide boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign against Israel is growing by leaps and bounds.
Israeli investigation called ‘farce’

Rejecting a United Nations call for an international inquiry into its murderous commando raid, on June 14 Israel’s cabinet approved an Israeli government-appointed commission to investigate its own attack on the aid ship. This “independent public commission” doesn’t seem very independent. Led by retired Israeli Supreme Court Justice Jacob Turkel, it will have two foreign observers, but only as non-voting members.

Israel claims its commission would “examine the legality of Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza and whether the raid on the flotilla conformed with the rules of international law.” (New York Times, June 14)

But Israel’s newspaper of record says that the Israeli government really seeks to investigate its victims. “The truth that Netanyahu wishes to bring out involves the identity of the flotilla’s organizers, its sources of funding and the knives and rods that were brought aboard,” the paper wrote. “He does not intend to probe the decision-making process that preceded the takeover of the ship and the shortcomings that were uncovered.” (Haaretz, June 13)
Even Haaretz calls this investigation a “farce.”

U.S. — A silent partner in Israeli commando raid
Washington, it seems, is a participant in the farce. Just hours after Israel announced its “independent” investigation, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs “welcomed” it as “an important step forward.”

Washington has criticized neither Israel’s commando attack nor its 36-month blockade of Gaza. U.S. officials have said as little as possible about the commando raid, while continuing to funnel funds to Tel Aviv. In fact, Washington’s huge economic and military support for Israel and its political cover for Tel Aviv make it accountable for Israeli actions and a silent partner in the deadly commando raid.

While Washington may disagree with Israeli tactics, the Pentagon has its hands full with the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Israel remains the Pentagon’s most reliable ally to keep the oppressed Palestinians and other peoples in line in that oil-rich and strategic area. There are no splits on this in U.S. ruling circles.

Recently Congress added $205 million to the $3 billion the U.S. already gives the Israeli military each year for a missile system. The additional sum was approved by a bipartisan vote of 401 legislators.

Flotilla forces Egypt, Arab League response
In addition to changing the character of struggle, the Freedom Flotilla is responsible for a chain of political events. On June 7, an Egyptian security official declared the blockade on Gaza a “failure” and opened Egypt’s border with Gaza “indefinitely.”

Egypt is one of the most repressive regimes in the area and a colluder with Israel in the siege of Gaza. Egypt had previously placed every obstacle in the way of Viva Palestina delegations attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza via Egypt’s border. This included physically attacking the delegations, threatening to strand them in the Sinai Desert, confiscating their material aid and deporting their leaders.

Egypt has now opened the Gaza border out of fear of its own population, which has been inspired by the solidarity of the Freedom Flotilla and angered by the Israeli attack.
And on June 13 Secretary General Amr Moussa of the Arab League toured Gaza for the first time since Hamas took control there. Moussa, the highest-ranking Arab diplomat to visit in three years, entered Gaza from Egypt through the newly opened border and immediately called for lifting the blockade.

Where was the Arab League for the last three years? Until the Freedom Flotilla, the 22-member group did not speak out seriously against the siege.

Surely the Arab countries, where the people feel so deeply the 60 years of Palestinian repression and the siege of Gaza, would be the logical place to organize flotillas to break the blockade. However, most Arab regimes are in the vest pocket of Wall Street and fear that any show of mass sentiment in their countries could result in their own overthrow. Flotillas from their countries would not be tolerated.

Turkey’s contradictions
Meanwhile, Turkey’s popularity among the peoples of the Middle East has skyrocketed following its denunciations of Israel’s tactics and because it let the flotilla organize from its shores and provided political support. Turkish flags and posters of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan have been prominent in demonstrations around the world protesting the Israeli commando attack.

When Israel attacked a Turkish ship in the flotilla, eight of the flotilla participants killed by Israeli commandos were Turks and the ninth was a Turkish American. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who called for an international investigation, dismissed Israel’s proposed panel. He said “We have no trust at all that Israel … will conduct an impartial investigation.”
There are contradictions here. Turkey, a key U.S. client, was one of the earliest regimes to recognize the Israeli state after it displaced Palestine. However, the Turkish government is strongly against the siege of Gaza and often speaks out against it.

While this view reflects the strong feelings of the Turkish people and plays well for Turkey’s domestic audience, the Erdogan government is also seeking some international autonomy.
U.S. wars in the Middle East have hurt the Turkish economy. Turkey has not been admitted to the European Union. So Turkey is striking out more on its own, politically and economically, wanting trade and better relations with Middle Eastern neighbors such as Iran and Syria, which Washington has branded “terrorist.”#

Articles copyright 1995-2010 Workers World. Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is preserved. nordis.net

By COLLEGE EDITORS’ GUILD OF THE PHILIPPINES
www.nordis.net

We are not asking for justice within the first 100 days. We want justice NOW! 

The College Editors Guild of the Philippines condemns the killings of Desidario Camangyan, radio anchor of Sunrise FM in Mindanao, and Joselito Agustin of dzJC Aksyon Radyo Laoag. They were on the nights of Monday and Tuesday, respectively.

The killings occured during the transition between two governments: Arroyo’s filthy regime, and President-Elect Benigno Aquino III’s government of high hopes. With only days left before the end, it seems as if the regime is not content with leaving quietly. It seems as if it wants to impress upon us its legacy of human rights violations.

We call on Aquino to resolve media killings and other human rights violations in the soonest possible time, and to reverse the policies Arroyo sustained throughout her term that ensured the violation of freedom of expression and other human rights. 

If Aquino is truly the people’s president, then he must ensure the people’s freedom to expression and prosecute the number one human rights violator, his predecessor— Ms. Arroyo.

We call on freedom-loving citizens all over the world to be militant in seeking for justice, and condemn the killings. Apathy only helps the oppressor and embraces the culture of impunity.# nordis.net

By ILOCOS HUMAN RIGHTS ALLIANCE (IHRA)
www.nordis.net

June 18, 2010 
Ilocos Human Rights Alliance (IHRA-KARAPATAN) condemns in strongest possible terms the murder of Laoag City radio commentator Joselito Agustin, barely twenty four (24) hours after the death of another journalist in Davao Oriental. We extend our condolences and deepest sympathy to his family from the loss of a loved one.  

IHRA is alarmed by the spate of killings and other gross human rights violations on the remaining days of fascist Arroyo government in power.

Agustin, a radio commentator for the DZJC Aksyon Radio, was on his way home last June 16 when he was shot by unidentified gunmen. He was said to be critical on issues such as graft and corruption. Prior to Agustin’s killing, a journalist from Davao and political activists from Mindanao and Negros were killed. Agustin is the third broadcaster killed in Ilocos Norte for the past six years and 106th killed under the Arroyo regime. 

The culture of impunity evident in the Arroyo administration is indeed a legacy the people would not forget. GMA’s Oplan Bantay Laya which targeted civilians and communities claimed the lives of more than a thousand individuals, including political activists and journalists. And truly, this government continues to cover up its crimes to the people and perpetrate injustice for the past nine years of its rule.   We challenge the upcoming Aquino administration to end the culture of impunity, scrap Arroyo’s Oplan Bantay Laya and serve justice to all victims.  
Aquino should be true to enough to his promises and therefore should make a bold move to stop the killings, disappearances and other gross human rights violations and should prosecute, convict and jail the criminals accountable on their crimes against the people, including the outgoing administration guilty of human rights abuses.   

As fundamental to a government claiming to be in democracy, the forthcoming administration should address the issues of human rights and civil liberties, otherwise his flowery promises during the elections would be judged by history, like his predecessor.  

The people, on the other hand, would remain watchful and vigilant until justice would be served to Agustin and all victimized under a murderous, deceitful and corrupt regime. # nordis.net

By THE MONDAY DEMONSTRATION IN STUTTGART
www.nordis.net

Photo courtesy of the Monday Demonstration group

Stuttgart, 14th of June 2010

Dear family Balao, dear Winston, dear Nonette and dear Joni, dear friends of James Balao – so far from you!

We are very sad about the death of James Balao´s mother. We hope that her death was without harm in spite of all her troubles and diseases. We are very sad about, even if we did not get to know her directly. But we share her sorrow and pain as the mother of James Balao, who was observed and threatened by the secret services and the murders and finally enforced disappeared by them on the 17th of September in 2008. Until her death she never gave up her hope to meet her son again, who was abducted 636 days ago.

We are mourning with the whole family and all friends of Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA). James was one of the founders of CPA. He knew exactly that genuine change in the society will only come true, if we are organized and if we resist together. This fight and power for a liberated future lives in all of our hearts and thoughts worldwide, as well here in Stuttgart.

We demand a complete investigation of James’ disappearance and the punishment for all those who are responsible, above all for the president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her sponsors made in USA. We demand at James Balao’s mother´s burial the immediate stop of that policy of killings of persons who fight for human rights and for the rights of the trade unions.

Only some days ago, on the 2nd of June 2010 the young Edward Panganiban, who was just 27 years old and a member of the militant trade union, was killed in the Barangay Caingin, Santa Rosa City, Laguna by 12 gunshots from killers on motorbikes.

We call on the new President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to investigate and bring to trial Gloria Arroyo, and deliver justice for all victims of her regime.
“They can kill a flower, but not spring”, Pablo Neruda in Canto General.

In this meaning we greet you and hug you as brothers and sisters . . . so close to you!
Your Monday Demonstration in Stuttgart

(The Monday Demonstration in Stuttgart is an advocacy group that rallies people every Monday. They espouse people’s issues and have launched a “Surface James Balao” campaign in Germany.)# nordis.net

By ML MARIGZA
www.nordis.net

Mother Jane Balao with Uncle Art and James

Jane Moy Balao was not only the mother to James, Nonnette, Winston and Jonee. She was also mother to all of us activists, sojourners and friends of their children who came to their home. She and Uncle Art included us into their circle and into their embrace.
She was born June 8, 1933 and died June 10, 2010.

She was so concerned for all of us, always asking if we had eaten and if we had our fill if she fed us. She was a good cook, and she prepared the best pickles and drinks. Most of our meetings in their home revolved around the kitchen table with her preparing food for James’ friends. She loved telling stories of her life, of her family and of the time she was teaching.
She would relate her experiences in the outreach program she handled for food preservation and preparation. She was inventive in teaching since in those times as now, the budget for education was very low but her love for teaching compelled her to sometimes provide for teaching materials for free.

Most of the friends of James who came to their home have fond memories of her preparing food and sharing their bountiful table with all of them. Mother Jane was queen at the kitchen and she knew how to pamper hungry visitors who came to their home. She was also very tolerant of the drunken sprees her extended children had, something that usually happens after long and heated discussions on social issues.

She was very kind. Mother Jane was a mother not only to her children but also to her mother who like her suffered Alzheimer’s disease. We saw how expertly she managed two households as she took care of Lola Moy and her own home. We saw how Mother Jane would clean-up, cook and care for Lola then she goes home to do the same for their family. Despite this tiring daily schedule, she always had time to plant and care for flowers.

In her children, we see this same kindness and mothering. Winston, Nonette and Jonee being parents to their children while they also mother their mother and father and care for each other as they look for James, their missing activist kin. Like their parents, they have also embraced and welcomed us activists who are friends of James into their circle.

It might be a blessing that Mother Jane never knew that James was abducted and to this day is still missing. We rave and rant that we live in a society where young women and men like James are silenced when they speak the truth and spread the need for justice. It is a sad commentary that we have a dispensation that does not provide safety for its citizens who seek to uphold indigenous people’s rights, who propose to provide for a decent meal at the table of every Filipino home, who dare critique corruption and wrongdoings in government. It is a strong indictment to a state that unleashes its full force and might to quell resistance of the people whose only fault is to seek a brighter future and a more peaceful and free environment.

Edith Burgos, mother of Jonas who was also abducted and is still missing wrote: To the Balao family, We are sad to hear about the passing away of Mrs. Balao.
Our sincere condolences. Please be assured of our prayers. We shall have the offering of the Holy Eucharist in the Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Quezon City for the eternal repose of the soul of Mrs. Balao.

Surely Mrs Balao is now home in the Dwelling Place of the Heavenly Father where there is no pain. Thinking of her in the peace of the Lord can assuage the feelings of deep grief of her passing. I have always found solace in the thought that those who go ahead of us will be with us still, though in a different dimension. And soon we would be together in a glorious reunion. Again the condolences of the Burgos family to the Balao family.

Melissa Roxas of Bayan-USA who was abducted, tortured and later surfaced by the AFP writes June 13: To the Balao Family, I want to send my deepest condolences for the loss of your mother, Jane Balao. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. In this difficult time, please know that there are people around the world that support your family.

What saddens me is that Ms Jane Balao did not even get a chance to see her son before she died. I am angry at the military for this, for taking away our loved ones who worked so hard so that all of us could live in a better world. Please know that we have not forgotten James and we carry on the campaign here overseas to call for the government and military to surface James Balao and other victims of enforced disappearances. In the recent tour of the film Dukot in Canada, the documentary about James Balao was shown before the movie played in Vancouver. I personally carry his name with me when I go to my talks. Even though we have never met each other personally, I know we are family in the struggle for truth and for justice.

Thank you for your strength and for your courage. Please know you have a whole community around the world that supports you. My deepest condolences, Melissa Roxas.

Nicole Smith, an intern in 2008 with Cordillera People’s Alliance, from the United Church of Canada emailed: Daddy Art, Jonnie, Winston and Nonette: I am so sorry to hear about Mrs. Balao’s passing. Your family has been in my thoughts and prayers since I heard the news. When I was in Baguio with you everyone spoke so highly of Mommy Jane. I know she will be missed. You have my sincerest condolences.

My grandmother is also suffering from Alzheimers. She used to be vibrant and funny and loving. But she has been wasting away for years and now does not know me anymore. I understand how hard it has been for your family to watch Mommy Jane get sicker and sicker. It is a scary disease to face. And it takes a whole famly, together, to do it. As hard as this time is, I know that you will all be able to lean on each other. Ingat. Nicole.

In the tributes to her as mother not only to James but to all activists who supped at their table, many of those who spoke and shared their memories of Mother Jane, remembered with fondness her deep understanding of the path her children chose, her skills, her loving care.# nordis.net

Ni BRENDA SUBIDO-DACPANO
www.nordis.net

Itay naminsan nga aldaw agiinnangaw kami idiay kusina ti Nordis maipanggep iti buro. Iskedyul ko ti agluto idi nga aldaw isu a naggisaak ti buro a tilapia a ginatang ko idiay tiendaan ti Urdaneta.

Adda met magatang iti tiendaan iti Baguio ngem saan ko a kursunada ti ramanna. Maymaysana nga aglaklako iti tiendaan, saanak pay a nakatumpong ti naimas ti lakona iti Baguio. Kasapulan ngamin a nalinisan nga husto ti lames sakbay a maiburo tapno saan a nalangsi ken adda sabali nga angotna no mayadi. Dimmaw-asak met idiay sukik ti tinuno a paltat imbag la pagsagpaw iti rabong, saluyot ken utong a naggapu iti kasinsin ni lakay manipud iti Caba, La Union.

Kankantiawanmi ‘tay kaupisinanmi a maysa a saan a mangayat ti buro ta ramananna met koma. Pipia kano no buro a karne ta mabalin. Bayat iti panag-research ko iti internet, adda met gayam ti buro a karne ti baboy a nalaukan ti innapuy, bawang ken asin idiay Thailand a maawagan ti nham. Maibalkot daytoy iti bulong ti saba. Mayat a padasen daytoy inton maminsan.

Gaputa naipablaaken ditoy ti panagaramid ti buro (kitaen iti website: http://www.nordis.net/?p=3451) talantanen tay’ itatta ti panangisagana ti buro a pasayan wenno balao-balao.
Ti balao-balao ket delikasi manipud iti dippaar ti Tarlac ken Pampanga. Kas iti buro nga ikan, daytoy ket maiyadi met laeng a malaukan ti innapuy ken asin. Tallo laeng ti ramen ti balao-balao: pasayan, innapuy ken asin.

Preparasyon
1. Bugguan dagiti pasayan, ikkaten dagiti iming/antennae na. Paik-ikan.
2. Laukan ti 20% nga asin (20% a kaadu ti pasayan).
3. Bay-an iti dua nga oras santo paik-ikan.
4. Ilaok ti pasayan iti innapuy iti proporsyon a 1:5 wenno maysa a paset a pasayan iti 5 a paset nga innapuy.
5. Ipenpen iti dakkel a garapon ken kaluban.
6. Iyadi iti room temperature iti 3 agingga 5 nga aldaw.
No nayadin, mabalinen nga igisa iti bawang, sibuyas, laya ken kamatis.# nordis.net

By GERRY ORIBELLO
www.nordis.net

Photo by Brenda S. Dacpano

(The author’s note: A true-to-life hold-your-breath but funny incident happened to brod Speedy and I in 1980 at a remote barangay of Nagulian, La Union. both of us survived this incident by hiding in the shrubs, for the rest of the night and eventually found our way to a friend’s house in another barrio. I intentionally wrote this in Ilocano to preserve the true and real emotions we experienced during this incident.

In this piece, I am telling my fraternity brother, Speedy to run as fast as we can to evade an angry man whom we suspect was threateningly waving a sharp bolo. This happened one early night just when we were about to go to sleep after a lecture-discussion on the last day of a 3-day activist course for an organizing group we were about to set up in that barrio.

The angry man, with some of his relatives suspected brod Speedy and I of being obscene with a group of ladies — their relatives! — inside a room we were using for our teach-ins. The man said later when things were clarified that he could not be blamed for being suspicious because we stayed long hours in the room and spoke in low, soft voices.)

Tol Speedy, taray latta!
Addaytan, pardasam, kamaten data
Dios por santo, nasilap ig-iggemanna
Agpukpukkaw, pirmi ungetna

Speedy kunana:
Tol Gerry, papanan ta?
Nasipnget ‘toy kataltalonan
Naiyunnat a tambak maitibkolan ta
Awan bulan, bituen man la koma
Mangsillag dalan a pagnaan ta
Ania dagitoy madaldalapus bagi ta
Puon mais, tabako, tarong sa
Apay aya bigla timpuak ka
Tawa diay balay nagyanan ta?
Kitaem man itsuraen ta
Naka short pants ak lang, awan naawit ta
Ultimo tsinelas nabati ta
Kabingkolan pay met toy naranaan ta
Sugat-sugaten dapan, saksaka!
Kunak met kaniana:
Diak ammon man, tol
Basta nakitak agiinom da
Paraangan diay balay nagyanan ta
Makaung-unget diay maysa
Bigla laengen a kunana
“ania aya ar-aramiden da
agmalmalem agkulkulong da
uneg dayta a kuwarto kaddua da
babbalasang a kaanakan ta”
Tol, dumalagudog metten idiay baba
Ket umulin idiay agdan, ayna!

Speedy sungbatna:
Pagarup ko man met aya
Adda nakasipot kada ta
Pulis wenno impormer ngata
Mangtiliw aktibista a grupo ta
Isu nga idi nakita ka
Timpuak idiay a tawa
Nakigtotak ket sinaruno ka. # nordis.net

By OFELIA EMPIAN
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — In the regular Kapihan held here, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Officer in charge of 2nd District of Benguet, Dominador Daway said that on the onslaught of typhoon Pepeng, the Halsema Highway or the Baguio- Bontoc Road incurred the most damage compared to the other districts of the region.

According to him, there were 31 road cuts in the district during the typhoon which was restored with the help of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). However, only 10% of the road was restored “because of the disturbing rainy weather.”

For the P422 million reported damage, the district only received P111 million fund for road rehabilitation and they are still waiting for the remaining funds so that they can complete the restoration of the various road cuts.
On the other hand, District engineer, Albert Gahid of the 1st District engineering office of Benguet said that they are concentrating on the rehabilitation of Little Kibungan.

They are now in the process of removing the “hanging slide materials” along the road and constructing the “retaining walls” that will catch the falling slide materials and at the same time stabilize the damaged slope.

He further said that this project is worth P25 million and the budget has been approved by the regional office for the ongoing repair of the road.

Meanwhile, the target deadline for the road construction along Magsaysay is June 30, which is now 60% done. The Kennon Road repairs target deadline is July 31 and 40% of the road is now finished.# nordis.net