May 16 2012

Council asks environment bureau to test firm’s emissions


By Rubyloida Bitog

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

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ITOGON, Benguet — The legislative body of the town requested the Environmental Management Bureau 

(EMB) of the region to conduct air quality tests on Benguet Corporation’s emission.

 

In Resolution 94, series of 2012, the council expressed a need to conduct air quality test in order to ensure the emission which comes from the scrubber of the corporation is free from toxins.

Last December 22, the council received a petition and protest from the residents of Sitios Keymen’s Hill, Riverside–Balatoc, Kiangan Village, Camp Suerte, Camp 6 and Camp 5. The residents objected to the then ongoing Carbon-in-Pulp and refinery of the Benguet Corporation.

Among the concerns alleged was the smog brought out by the operation of the mill. The corporation then installed the scrubber at the mill plant during the 1st quarter of 2012.

However, despite the scrubber, the council wants assurance from the EMB that could declare the emission is free from toxins.

Meanwhile, the councilors also requested the Benguet Electric Cooperative not to install transformers near the residential houses.

The legislative body created Resolution 90, series of 2012 to request the cooperative through General Manager Gerardo Versoza. The resolution states the body noticed some electric transformers installed near residential houses.

The community claimed the transformers installed near residential houses could bring unexpected threats to the lives of the citizens. It could be physical damage when the transformers burst in times of overloading and short circuit.

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on May 16, 2012.

May 15 2012

Proposed solid waste site in Itogon gains support


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By JM Agreda

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

MAYOR Mauricio Domogan expressed his appreciation to the support of Itogon Mayor Oscar Camantiles for the development of a solid waste site.

Camantiles recently signed a manifestation of support for the development of a multipurpose disposal site in Ampucao village in Itogon.

The disposal site will be used by Baguio La Trinidad Itogon Sablan Tuba and Tublay local governments.

Proponents could now work on the requirements needed for the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC), Domogan said.

He hopes the Department of Environment and Natural Resource-Protected Areas and Management Board will issue the necessary permits to enable proponents to move forward in securing an ECC.

The estimated $42 million project will be funded by a South Korean investor, Dohwa Engineering Ltd.

Aside from the city’s Environmental Recycling System, the site in Ampucao is being eyed as the final destination of the residual wastes.

The mayor said hauling residuals in Ampucao village is nearer compared to the private landfill in Capas, Tarlac.

The City Government, he said, may save on fuel with the Ampucao disposal site but he stressed corresponding tipping fees will still be paid to whoever will manage the landfill.

Vice Mayor Daniel Fariñas said aside from pinning hopes on the creation of the Itogon disposal site, he advised the City Government to continue looking for alternative sanitary landfills by acquiring lots.

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on May 15, 2012.

May 15 2012

Itogon seeks to conserve Paedeng


Itogon seeks to conserve Paedang

By Rubyloida Bitog

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

ITOGON, Benguet — The town pushes further on its advocacy to preserve the environment.

The legislative body of the municipality recently passed Resolution 91, series of 2012, which is an enactment of an order on the establishment of a Paedeng Festival.

The presence of wildlife creatures like birds, insects, cloud rats and water creatures is an indication of a well – balanced environment, which the town aims to achieve.

It has a lot of wildlife creatures like the Paedeng, which is a native species of fish.

The ordinance states Paedeng is abundant in most of the water systems in town, which include the Agno River.

However, this kind of fish is now being endangered because of different forms of pollution like uncontrolled and unfriendly practices of humans.

Among these are indiscriminate mining, illegal fishing, and wastes mismanagement. The town wants to raise awareness on environmental concerns in order to protect wild lives like the Paedeng.

The ordinance established the celebration of Paedeng Festival every March. It covers competitions related to fishing, cooking of Paedeng, and poster making.

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on May 15, 2012.

May 10 2012

Cordi Netizens Demand Public Apology for Igorot Slur


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The recent slur against the Igorots by an OFW in Italy has caused a major indignation among Igorots and non-Igorots in cyberspace resulting in massive protests and demand for a public apology.

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Mr. Louie Garcia an OFW based in Italy, in an interview, has recently denied posting several cruel comments on Facebook against the Igorot community like “dapat putulin and mga puno sa Baguio City para magkaroon ng ladsline at mamatay ang mga Igorot.”

Garcia accompanied by his girlfriend, Abegail Cayaban, went to the Philippine Embassy in Rome supposedly to clear his name from the malicious posts. “Pumunta po ako sa ambasciata ng Roma para linawin na hindi ako yun. Humihingi rin po ako ng tulong sa awtoridad sa atin na ma-trace po kung sino man ang gumawa niyon kasi wala po akong idea, wala naman po akong kaaway,” he added.

However, majority of netizens didn’t believe his statements and demanded a public apology instead. Some netizens, due to extreme ire, gave curse and even called on Igorot elders to do native rituals agains him. Below are some online comments posted by readers of Mr. Garcia’s statements.

“What’s done is done!” Hirap na kc maniwala ngaun pang marami nang apektado, Siguro maniniwala lang kami kung mahuhuli tlga ung sinasabi nyo(Louie) at siya mismo aamin… wew.. such a wrong move to make and when such stupid decisions are made….” -TOROGI

Kabayan DAMAGE IS DONE ALREADY.. YOU know the first time I read your curse to us THE IGOROTS, I also cursed you but at the end i take it back coz I know it was very bad for us igorots to curse… Now after weeks of being hunted by peoples words agaisnt you in facebook, you surfaces and want to clean your name claiming it was not you,,, you should have done that the first day reactions cmes out… Kawawa ka Kabayan kng ikaw nga un baka pamilya mo makakalaban mo na din resulta ng ginawa mo. - ALLAN

C’mon just apologize, do not deny! Yan ang hirap sa atin, hindi maingat sa mga binibitawang salita at pag nasa alanganin na saka naghahanap ng scapegoat. Hayy naku!Just own it and be responsible for our own words and actions. Period. - KRISTINA

mr. garci. . . don’t mind about this issue. Just enjoy the fame ika nga. Alam mo naman yung next step, yung ginawa ni Candy P.? hehehehe. - Ooopppsss!

No comment! lesson here is before we speak lalo na like fb we should think a million times - Divina

umiipekto na kasi ang ritwal ng mga kababayang Igorot kaya yan ang mapapala ng isang gaya mong manloloko.. SAPOEN TAKO KAYET C LOUIE GARCIA ingana guminek..- Kalalaydan

 

The damage has been done. Imbes na ideny mo, magpublic apology ka na lang. Kasi hindi lang sa facebook ito lumabas kundi pati sa yahoo thread! At sa facebook, may mga kaibigan ka pa na naglike at nagcocomment. Kasi kung gawa-gawa yung profile, baka wala pa siyang friends.- Xylviane

..i experienced discrimination before that’s i always see to it that i act accordingly especially when im with other races.. ive been to performances and i always see it to it also that i properly wear my g-string(w/o wearing underwear), dance our ethnic dances the proper, play the gongs the right way and speak our language everytime i have to. I am an adopted son of Mankayan, native son of Sagada and Besao Mt, Province, I AM AN IGOROT! and i will be proud to be one! Matago – tago tako! - Dusca13

 

May 5 2012

Benguet learns from Balanga’s eco best practices


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CITY OF BALANGA, Bataan, May 4 (PIA) — Around 100 delegates from Itogon, Benguet visited this city yesterday to learn from the solid waste management programs of an “award-winning local government unit.” 

Balanga City Mayor Jose Enrique Garcia III welcomed the Lakbay Aral participants in Balanga Elementary School and discussed the current advances of the city in terms of infrastructure and environmental development. 

“This Lakbay Aral is a sharing of the best practices and the best ways in developing a community. We shared our vision of a university town to them,” said Garcia. 

According to Itogon municipal administrator Peter Guibac, their visit to Balanga is a part of improving their human development practices. The delegates also learned of the rich history of Mt. Samat. 

Guibac said they have been visiting municipalities which were awarded for their programs on environmental protection. 

“We are visiting award-winning local government units. Balanga is known to our province for its plans and strategies. We learned the value of love and commitment for education,” said Guibac. 

The Department of Health had awarded various citations to Balanga City and its barangays, including the Red Orchid Award in 2011 for a 100 percent tobacco-free environment, Most Outstanding Healthy Lifestyle Advocate in 2009, and the National Search for Barangay with Best Sanitation Practices also in 2009. 

Annie Tuazon, consultant on solid waste management of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, briefed the visitors on the ecological strategies that included the “Junk Shop ng Bayan” program. 

The program, she said, engages all schools in the city which were given passbooks that will serve as their account in collecting plastic garbage. Their accumulated trash will be picked by a truck and the points 

saved in their passbook will be tantamount to rice grants. 

“If you have collected three kilos of dry and clean plastic, you will be rewarded with a kilo of rice. You could then accumulate the points to get more rice,” Tuazon said. (CLJD/JMG-PIA3)

By Jose Mari Garcia

Friday 4th of May 2012

May 5 2012

Sitios in Itogon, Benguet to be energized


ImageBy Susan C. Aro

Friday 4th of May 2012

 
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, May 4 (PIA) — Itogon officials are requesting for the energization of six sitios in Barangay Loacan and Tinongdan due to the clamor of residents who are still without electricity.These sitios are: Apalan, Bingo, Bekneg, Dingey, Kitang, and Bagayao. 

Itogon hosts Binga dam, one of the dams that feed the Northern Luzon power grid. 

The provincial board finds the request acceptable, which reads, “Resolution requesting the management of Benguet Electric Cooperative, through Atty. Jerry Marave, to prioritize the electrification of the unenergized sitios and boundaries of Barangay Loacan and Barangay Tinongdan.” 

The provincial board earlier endorsed resolutions requesting the Department of Energy (DOE) for the electrification of these sitios. 

In a letter to the provincial board, The DOE informed that they have already forwarded the board’s letter to the National Electrification Administration on the said endorsement for their appropriate action. (SCA-PIA CAR, Benguet)