Northern Dispatch (nordis) Weekly

Makabayan candidate ranks 2nd in Kalinga town polls

By CAROLYN A. MAMBA www.nordis.net PINUKPUK, Kalinga — Makabayan (Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamayan)...

May 13 poll winners proclaimed

By KIMBERLIE NGABIT-QUITASOL www.nordis.net BAGUIO CITY — Commission on Elections (Comelec) Cordil...

Anakpawis remembers Ka Bel

By ALDWIN QUITASOL www.nordis.net BAGUIO CITY — Anakpawis Cordillera like their compatriots togeth...

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 →

Makan a la Pinoy: Vigan pipian manok

May 19, 2013 in Featured, food

Ni BRENDA S. DACPANO
www.nordis.net

Pipian, maysa a tradisyunal a resipi ti Vigan a gagangay a kanen a kas merienda ngem mabalin met nga ipangan iti innapuy. Nalabit nga impluwensya ti Mexican pipian manipud iti galleon trade idi umuna a panawen. Ti kangrunaan a ramen ti Mexican pipian sauce ket giniling a bukel ti karabasa, kamatis, chiles ken herbs. Mabalin nga usaren ditoy ti karne ti baka/baboy imbes a manok.

Ramen:

2 kutsara a mantika
1 sibuyas
4 a ngipen a bawang
1 bukel a manok, naiwa iti serving size
2 kutsara a patis
Asin ken paminta a pangtimpla
½ tasa nga asuete, naiyuper iti 2 tasa a napudot a danum
4 a tasa a chicken broth
½ tasa a tostado a bagas, giniling Read the rest of this entry →

Weekly Reflections: Post-Election reflections

May 18, 2013 in columns, Featured, opinion

By REV. LUNA DINGAYAN
www.nordis.net

“The LORD has firmly established me on the throne of my father David; he has kept his promise and given his kingdom to me and my descendants. I swear by the living LORD that Adonijah will die this very day!” — I Kings 2:24

Moral and Political Maturity

Mid-term elections 2013 is almost over and it is but proper and fitting to reflect on what happened. Government authorities described the elections as generally peaceful and orderly. Yet, the Philippine National Police reported 81 incidents that ranged from shootings, ambushes, explosions and strafing in the four-month period from January 13 to May 13. Sixty-seven of those were shooting incidents. A total of 51 persons were killed and 65 were wounded while 33 went missing from those incidents. More than half of those killed were local politicians. Well, we may have peaceful revolutions in our country, yet very violent elections. Read the rest of this entry →

2 soldiers killed in Balbalan, Army not part of Comelec convoy

May 12, 2013 in Cordillera, Featured, insurgency

By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — In a statement sent to the media, Spokesperson Ka Tipon Gil-ayab of the Lejo Cawilan Command of the New Peoples Army – Kalinga admitted they were responsible for the ambush at a military convoy of the 17th IB of the Philippine Army on May 9 which resulted to the death of two government troopers and wounding of six others.

Through the statement though, Gil-ayab clarifies that their latest tactical offensive was not aimed to sabotage the transport of the Precinct Optical Count Scan (PCOS) machines to the municipalities of Tinglayan and Lubuagan in Kalinga. The NPA spokesperson stated that the vehicle carrying the machines passed first in line and was not targeted. He added that the PCOS arrived safely to their destinations. Read the rest of this entry →

Despite protest, CEXCI forces mine operation in Kalinga

May 12, 2013 in Cordillera, Featured, mining

By ALMA SINUMLAG
www.nordis.net

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Angered and disgusted with the recent intrusion of Cordillera Exploration Company Inc. (CEXCI) in their hometown, residents of Barangay Tawang, Balbalan sought help from the office of Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) Kalinga to stop the mining activities of CEXCI in the barangay. This after their protest action in Tawang on April 16 this year.

STANDING THEIR GROUND. Kalinga folk protest the mining operation of the Cordillera Exploration COmpany Inc. in Balbalan, kalinga. Photo courtesy of CPA Kalinga

STANDING THEIR GROUND. Kalinga folk protest the mining operation of the Cordillera Exploration COmpany Inc. in Balbalan, kalinga. Photo courtesy of CPA Kalinga

The residents brought with them a report of their inspection in the mine site and a petition to stop CEXCI’s mine operation in their barangay. They told CPA-Kalinga and this writer that they desperately want the mine firm out of their land because its operation is already polluting their water sources and killing their environment.

The Timpuyog Dagiti Mannalon iti Tawang (TIMTA), a group of 62 men and women from the mine affected communities of Barangays Aciga, Bassao, Mabnawag, and Tawang Proper who trooped to the mine site and made an actual inspection in the ongoing exploration activities of the said mine firm “in the watershed of Kanagsian Brook” prepared a brief inspection report. Read the rest of this entry →

From develpoment to destruction

May 12, 2013 in Ilocos, mining

By ANNALYN EISMA
www.nordis.net

(An Investigative Report on the Black Sand Mining in Pangasinan)

Pangasinan is a province in the Ilocos region known for its abundant marine resources and its rich culture. Aside from the Hundred Islands in Alaminos, the province also cradles the Lingayen Gulf.

Just last 2012 when the issue of black sand mining in barangays Estanza, Capandanan, Malimpuec and Sabangan shocked the Northern Luzon if not the whole nation. These barangays are all part of the coastal area of the infamous Lingayen Gulf. Read the rest of this entry →

KMU hits impending increase on SSS member contribution

May 12, 2013 in national, workers

By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — Anakpawis Regional Coordinator Michael Cabangon said that as it is poor workers cannot feed their families due to meager wages and here comes the impending hike on the member’s premium contribution to the Social Security System (SSS) that will surely add up to their burden.

Cabangon stressed that many employers in the region like in other parts of country are not even paying their worker’s SSS premiums. He cited the case of the workers of the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company where the company did not pay their SSS contributions for years. Read the rest of this entry →

The untold stories of small people

May 12, 2013 in Cordillera, Featured, human rights

By JUDE BAGGO
www.nordis.net

Unlike Ama Macliing Dulag and other famous martyrs whose stories were written and published there are also other similar stories of sacrifice and heroism by ordinary people and communities during the Martial Law that are not yet heard.

Martial Law stories are characterized by gory pictures, torture, enforced disappearances, rape, extrajudicial killings and many more committed against innocent individuals and communities by state security and their paramilitary forces. Read the rest of this entry →

Wanted Bangued mayor still at large

May 12, 2013 in Cordillera, criminality

By KIMBERLIE NGABIT-QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — As of press time, Ryan Luna the mayor of Abra’s capital town remains at large despite earlier pronouncements of Cordillera’s top cop General Benjamin Magalong that Luna will turn himself in before the elections.

During the weekly Kapihan last May 8, Magalong reiterated that he is in constant communication with the Lunas. However, the police has yet to arrest him. Earlier, Magalong said Luna will surrender before the May 13 polls. Read the rest of this entry →

Ifugao joins 29th Cordi Day celebrations

May 12, 2013 in Cordillera

By JUDE BAGGO
www.nordis.net

LAGAWE, Ifugao — The 29th Cordillera Day Celebration in Ifugao was simple yet full of sharing of experiences, issues and lessons from the participants. It also showcased the growing mass movement in Ifugao. More people’s organizations and advocates are joining the Cordillera Day celebration from the two districts of Ifugao unlike in the past celebrations.

CORDILLERA DAY. Ifugao folk takes part of the decentralized 29th Cordillera Day celebrations with over 300 participants from all over the province, region and nation. Photo by Jude Baggo

CORDILLERA DAY. Ifugao folk takes part of the decentralized 29th Cordillera Day celebrations with over 300 participants from all over the province, region and nation. Photo by Jude Baggo

In total, at least 300 participants attended the 29th Cordillera Day Celebration at Ifugao State University (IFSU) Lagawe, Ifugao on April 24. The participants are representatives and chapters of the Ifugao Peasant Movement (IPM) and Katribu Indigenous Peoples Party list from the different municipalities of Ifugao.

Support groups and institutions also joined the celebration such as the Center for Development Programs in the Cordillera (CDPC), Cordillera Women Action Education and Research Center (CWAERC), Migrante-Hongkong, Alliance of Concern Teachers (ACT), Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA), Montañosa Research and Development Center (MRDC). There is also a significant number of first time participants to the Cordillera Day. Read the rest of this entry →

DOST identifies landslide prone areas in Benguet

May 12, 2013 in Cordillera, environment

By DELIA BAGNI with reports from PIA Cordillera
www.nordis.net

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — Three municipalities of the province were identified as the biggest areas prone to landslide in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-CAR) during the regular Kapihan at DOST Regional Office on May 2.

According to DOST Regional Director, Julius Caesar Sicat, municipalities of Tublay, Buguias and Bokod are the biggest areas prone to landslide. He said landslide sensors were installed in the said areas. Read the rest of this entry →

DKK slams politicians for use of Salidummay songs

May 12, 2013 in Cordillera

By KIMBERLIE NGABIT-QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — The Dapayan ti Kultura ti Kordilyera (DKK) condemn the use of Salidummay songs in political campaign jingles.

“We outrightly condemn the use of Salidummay songs by politicians as part of their jingles in their campaigns to seek position in the government in Baguio City,” DKK Deputy Secretary General Julius Daguitan said in a statement. Read the rest of this entry →

Cancer patient appeals for another patient

May 12, 2013 in people

By RAMON DACAWI

BAGUIO CITY — Fifty-nine year old Pacita Depagon, a farmer’s wife and mother of five from Bantay, Paracelis, Mt. Province, said she doesn’t know the extent of the cancer afflicting Rudy, her 69-year old husband.

What was clear to her early last week was that the mutant cells had already affected his eyes and that she was P2,000 short of the P7,000 needed for his chemotherapy set last week. Although delayed for long, it was supposed to be his third session, the first and second having been done in 2011 yet, when Rudy was diagnosed for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of blood cancer. Read the rest of this entry →

4th Tam-awan Int’l Arts Fest on May 15-19

May 12, 2013 in Cordillera, the arts

By CARLITO DAR/PIA Cordillera and JANE FLORENDO/PIA intern

BAGUIO CITY — Cordillera heritage, culture and traditions will once again be on the centerstage as the Chanum Foundation, in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), hold the 4th Tam-Awan International Arts Festival (TIAF) this May 15 to 19.

The festival with its theme, “Jewels of the Cordillera”, will feature Cordillera heirloom jewelries, accessories and traditional tattoo artistry. This is in line with the celebration of National Heritage Month this May. Read the rest of this entry →

DOT, DPWH present tourism road criteria

May 12, 2013 in Cordillera, public works, tourism

By RACHEL ANNE V. BACONAWA
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — The Department of Tourism (DOT-CAR) and the Department of Public Works and Highways of the Cordillera Administrative Region (DPWH-CAR) presented the revised Tourism Road Infrastructure Project Prioritization Criteria (TRIPPC) in line with the DOT-DPWH Convergence Project on Enhancing Tourism Access at a meeting of the Association of the Government Information Officers of the Cordillera (ASGIOCO) held at the DOT-CAR office on Thursday, May 2.

The TRIPPC is the criteria set on prioritization of road rehabilitation projects that is connected to routes from one tourist destination to the other. Its main goal is to enhance access to tourist sites—its review and evaluation—to further provide assistance to the tourism feat in the affected area. It has three stages namely the pre-qualification, prioritization and readiness. Read the rest of this entry →

Poetry: A Slave’s Hope

May 12, 2013 in Featured, literary

By OLMAYA NGABIT
www.nordis.net

Who does not long for that golden age
Where all men are equals as a people
Sharing the riches of the world
Each one taking only what he needs
Where power is not held by a few
But is truly in the hands of the people Read the rest of this entry →

Crossroads: More political prisoners

May 12, 2013 in columns, Featured, opinion

By MARY LOU MARIGZA
www.nordis.net

Families and friends of the Lagawe political detainees staged a picket at the plaza of Lagawe fronting the Justice Hall during the hearing of their case last Tuesday, May 7. The case stemmed from the ambush of soldiers of the 86th IB in Tinoc, Ifugao in April last year. The relatives called for the freedom of all falsely accused political detainees not only in Ifugao but also the whole country.

The accused are not even members of the New People’s Army to be charged with the ambush and murder of soldiers but are legal activists and development workers who are faced with trumped up charges involving military men in a blatant effort to pin the blame on activists. Read the rest of this entry →

Dakami Ti Umili: Feeling normal in an abnormal world

May 12, 2013 in columns, Featured, opinion

By JUDE BAGGO
www.nordis.net

This is one paradox in life that I came to realize. How could it be that feeling insecure is normal? How could it be that working for the advancement of peoples’ rights is wrong? How could it be that providing human rights services to the oppressed and exploited is wrong? How could it be that speaking for human rights victims is wrong?

When is extrajudicial killings met by silence? When is enforced disappearance met by indifference? When is torture accepted as a tool to get information? When does human rights violations become the order of the day? Read the rest of this entry →

Labor Watch: The end of the road for now

May 12, 2013 in columns, Featured, opinion

By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable… Every step to ward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering and struggle; tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals. — Martin Luther King, Jr.

At the final testing and sealing of the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines four days before the much awaited elections, the teachers are the busiest workers of that day. They arrived at the polling center hours before the testing starts. One is overheard telling her co-teachers “saanak pay a nangagsapa” (I did not yet eat breakfast). Their head teacher with the assistance of the technical person provided by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gave instructions and some reminders. Read the rest of this entry →

Letters: The Degradation of Burnham Lake and the coming Elections

May 12, 2013 in Featured, letters, opinion

By RUDY D. LIPORADA

I am not writing this like an emperor descending from a high horse and being high handed on a criticism. I am not a snooty Balik Bayan. I am just writing because of a concern on the Baguio City Burnham Lake and how resources maybe being mishandled or not being properly allocated. I am also concerned because The Lake is one of the reflections of what of Baguio City is all about.

If I am wrong in my observations, may the powers that be accept my apologies.

I was in Baguio from April 26 to May 3 in my last leg of a three week vacation to the Philippines from California. One of the items I was excited to see was the Burnham Lake. Following the news, Facebook postings, and emails from friends, I wanted to see how the dredging of Burnham Lake really changed the Lake. Read the rest of this entry →

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