Northern Dispatch (nordis) Weekly

Comelec proclaims top Benguet officials despite transmission glitch

By KIMBERLIE NGABIT-QUITASOL www.nordis.net LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — Even when the municipality of A...

Baguio May poll winners proclaimed

By CARMELA BALCITA www.nordis.net BAGUIO CITY — Commission on Election-Cordillera Administrative R...

PNP says Cordi polls ‘generally peaceful’

By KIMBERLIE NGABIT-QUITASOL www.nordis.net BAGUIO CITY — “I wish there is another term but clic...

Comelec all ready for polls despite PCOS glitches

May 12, 2013 in Cordillera, elections

By KIMBERLIE NGABIT-QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — Commission on Election (Comelec) Cordillera maintains that all is set for the May 13 political exercises despite the glitches recorded during the final testing and sealing (FTS) of precinct count optical scanner (PCOS) machines last My 9 and 10.

Seal it. Teachers and technicians showed how they have sealed perfectly the PCOS machine in order to protect it from any interlopers. Photo by Edselle Mae Ramat

Seal it. Teachers and technicians showed how they have sealed perfectly the PCOS machine in order to protect it from any interlopers. Photo by Edselle Mae Ramat

Task Force Poll Watch Makabayan (TFPW Makabayan) on the other hand urge the public to be vigilant and guard their votes to make them count. TFPW Makabayan is formed by the progressive bloc of partylist groups, candidates and allies as part of their bid for a clean and honest elections.

In an emailed statement, TFPW Makabayan said the group already expected the glitches and irregularities recorded during the FTS. Among the glitches recoded by the group include PCOS machines accepting bollots that were improperly shaded, folded or with over votes. The group also said many of the board of election inspectors (BEI) and PCOS technicians lack the technical know how to operate the PCOS machines. Read the rest of this entry →

Makan a la Pinoy: Pinakbet Ilokano

May 11, 2013 in Featured, food

Ni BRENDA S. DACPANO
www.nordis.net

Pinakbet ti paborito ni Cong. Teddy Casiño ken ti adu nga agbasbasa daytoy a diaryo. Luto dagiti Ilokano, gagangay ken nanumo a makan ngem kayat ti kaaduan isu nga inadaptaren dagiti nadumaduma a probinsya/rehiyon iti pagilian ken nagtauden ti nadumaduma a bersyon. Kunada a pinakbet Tagalog no ginisa iti karne ti baboy, natimplaan ti bugguong nga aramang ken nalaokan ti utong ken karabasa. Adda met ti ginettaan a bersyon kano ti Bicol. Uray ti bersyon ti Ilokano ket adu ngem ti kasimplean ti iluto tayo itatta.

Ramen:

¼ kilo a kamatis
Sanga-tangan a laya
Lasona
¼ kilo a paria bonito
4 a sili a berde (optional)
¼ kilo a tarong, naganos
Pasayan wenno bagnet
3 kutsara a bugguong a munamon Read the rest of this entry →

Editorial Cartoon

May 11, 2013 in editorials, Featured, opinion

Editorial: Go out vote & watch that it is counted

May 11, 2013 in editorials, Featured, opinion

www.nordis.net

It is the midterm national elections tomorrow (May 13), go out and make your vote count. The news in the past week covered preparation activities for this election as coordinated by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) with other agencies and accredited non-government groups concerned for the sanctity of the voters’ choice.

While the preparations seem to be going as planned, there are aspects that hinder the success of the political exercise. The testing and delivery of the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machine has generally gone well but issues remain regarding the machine’s reliability to properly read and record the votes mainly due to the late release and review of the source code. Something the Comelec here are seen working hard at, 24/7. Read the rest of this entry →

Weekly Reflections: Mary the Mother of Jesus

May 11, 2013 in columns, Featured, opinion

By REV. LUNA DINGAYAN
www.nordis.net

“He has stretched out his mighty arm and scattered the proud with all their plans. He has brought down mighty kings from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away with empty hands.” — Luke 1:51-53

Mary and Human Liberation

As we celebrate Mother’s Day on May 12, we are reminded of Mary the Mother of Jesus Christ our Lord. Sometime in early 1990’s Bishop Tissa Balasuriya of Colombo, Sri Lanka, wrote a very controversial book entitled Mary and Human Liberation that caught the ire of then Cardinal Ratzinger, who later on became Pope Benedict XVI.

In his book, Bishop Balasuriya criticized the traditional Marian doctrines of the church, like the Immaculate Conception, the perpetual virginity, the divine motherhood, and the assumption to heaven. Vatican defrocked his ordination as bishop for refusing to recant what he wrote, but his ordination was restored later due to worldwide protests. Read the rest of this entry →

Tinoc folk want soldiers out

May 5, 2013 in Cordillera, Featured, human rights

By KIMBERLIE NGABIT-QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — Convenors of the Ulnoh ni Kalanguyan Tinek (Unity of Kalanguyas of Tinoc), a municipal wide alliance of peoples organizations went to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) regional office to submit a petition calling for the pull out of military troops in their municipality, May 2.

According to Ulnoh convenors, James Tiway and Modesto Hanggoy their petition was received personally by CHR Regional Director Atty. Harold Kubaron. Hanggoy disclosed that Kubaron interviewed them and advised them to encourage other complainants to submit a sworn statement to help the CHR in the resolution of the complaints. Read the rest of this entry →

Ifugao folk petitions NCIP to revoke FPIC for geothermal project

May 5, 2013 in Cordillera, energy, Featured

By KIMBERLIE NGABIT-QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — Representatives of concerned community folk of Tinoc, Ifugao went to the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Cordillera regional office for a dialogue with NCIP officials, and to file their petitions for the revocation of certificate preconditions issued for hydro power projects and against a geothermal project covering their municipalities but the officials were not there to meet them.

The Ulnoh ni Kalanguyan Tinek (Unity of Kalanguyas in Tinoc), a municipal wide alliance of people organizations, filed two petitions with the NCIP. One is urging the NCIP to revoke the certification preconditions issued to Sta. Clara Power Corporation for six minihydro power projects on the grounds that the free prior and informed consent (FPIC) process was railroaded. Read the rest of this entry →

NPA-Benguet claims torching Lepanto machinery

May 5, 2013 in Cordillera, Featured, insurgency

By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — In a statement sent to media, the Jennifer “Maria” Cariñ}o Command of the New Peoples Army-Benguet claimed responsibility to the torching of a drilling machine of the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company (LCMC) at Barangay Colalo of Mankayan, Benguet on April 25, 2013.

According to the release of the NPA command, the punitive action is a punishment of the mining company, and it is in support and solidarity with the people of Mankayan and with people of other places against the destructive mining operations of LCMC and other giant mining companies in the country. Read the rest of this entry →

Bangued mayor to surrender before elections — Magalong

May 5, 2013 in Cordillera, criminality

By KIMBERLIE NGABIT-QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — The Bangued Regional Trial Court has issued a warrant of arrest for Bangued Mayor Ryan Luna, who as of press time is allegedly still in hiding, for the murder of then Tineg mayoralty bet Brenda Crisologo in 2007.

However, Police Regional Office Cordillera (PROCor) Regional Director General Benjamin Magalong disclosed in an interview at the 2nd Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (RLECC) meeting at the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) last May 2 that the young mayor is set to surrender before the May elections. Read the rest of this entry →

Itogon urge NCIP to present FBI results

May 5, 2013 in Cordillera, energy

By DELIA BAGNI
www.nordis.net

LA TRINIDAD – Municipality of Itogon urged the National Commission on Indigenous People Cordillera Administrative Region (NCIP-CAR) to present the result of the Field Base Investigation (FBI) conducted in the affected barangays and indigenous communities in the proposed Ambuklao-Binga 230 KV transmission line upgrading Project stage 2 of National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

The Sanguniang Bayan of Itogon request NCIP-CAR Regional Director Engineer. Sancho S. Baguing to present to the SB the consolidated result of the FBI conducted in the affected barangays through resolution number 062-A series 2013. Read the rest of this entry →

Court rebukes failed Task Force Balao

May 5, 2013 in Cordillera, human rights

By KIMBERLIE NGABIT-QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — “The ultimate measure of success of the investigative efforts is to recover James M. Balao, and to establish the identities of those responsible for his abduction. In a democracy, the uncertainty of his life, liberty and security bode ill for ours, as well. It is a looming threat to our collective security and safety.”

The 13 page final report penned by Branch 63 Regional Trial Court Judge Jennifer Humiding read. The said report was submitted to the Supreme Court (SC) pursuant to the directive of the SC December 13, 2011 decision directing the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to conduct impartial and substantial investigation and submit periodic reports to the RTC. Read the rest of this entry →

Kalinga commemorates a history of honor

May 5, 2013 in Cordillera

By ALMA SINUMLAG
www.nordis.net

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Cordillera Day to the people of Kalinga is not just a day to celebrate, it is most especially to commemorate the “Nadayaw a Pakaugudan” (history of honour). Also, this year, it was a way to unite the Kalingas and make their vote matter as a catalyst of change this coming May 13, 2013 midterm elections.

More or less 800 delegates from different municipalities of the province, national and international representatives drum rolled the theme; “Irupir ti Karbengan iti Bukod a Panangikeddeng ken ti Pulitika ti Panagbalbaliw” (Assert the Right to Self Determination and the Politics of Change) in the Peoples Gymnasium at Dagupan Centro, this city. Read the rest of this entry →

Weaving Perspectives among IP youth

May 5, 2013 in international

By MARIFEL MACALANDA
www.nordis.net

Indigenous youth from grassroots groups convened in Baguio City from April 18-25 to hold the Asia-Pacific Indigenous Youth preparatory meeting for the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples (WCIP) to be organized in September 2014.

In the spirit of solidarity, brothers and sisters from Latin America and Africa joined them for this significant event to build actions and positions to advance the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which will be presented to the states and at the WCIP. The participants were from Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, New Zealand, Panama and Botswana. This gathering was organized by the Asia Pacific Indigenous Youth Network (APIYN) and Land is Life. 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 →

Editorial: Press is all of Us

May 5, 2013 in editorials, Featured, opinion

www.nordis.net

May 3 was declared World Press Freedom Day by the United Nations General Assembly to draw recognition to the importance of freedom of the press and call the attention of governments to their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression as enshrined under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

This year’s press freedom day adds Nigeria to the list of most dangerous countries for journalists and still puts the Philippines on the top of the list along with the war torn nations of Iraq, Somalia, and Sri Lanka. The Philippine government insists it is a democratic country and in a state of peace. Read the rest of this entry →

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