Monday, September 30, 2019

STATEMENT OF THE DILG ON THE STATUS OF THE ROAD CLEARING OPERATIONS NATIONWIDE

Two (2) days before the deadline set by this Department, we urge all Local Government Units (LGUs) to fast-track the road clearing operations in their respective jurisdictions. While we observe significant progress in many parts of the country, much remains to be done.

As previously announced by Secretary Eduardo M. Año, there will be no extension of the 60-day deadline set under DILG Memorandum Circular (MC) 121-2019, which is in compliance with the directive of the President for all LGUs to return to public use all roads and sidewalks that have been appropriated for private ends.

We wish to remind all city and municipal mayors that the power to discipline negligent or uncooperative barangay captains is in your hands. Under the Local Government Code, you are the primary disciplining authority over your Punong Barangays, therefore, we urge you to utilize your powers – without fear or favor – whenever necessary and make them accountable for their performance.

Starting Monday, the DILG Validation Teams will be visiting all LGUs for an assessment. Composed of a Local Government Operations Officer and representatives from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), a DILG-accredited non-government organization (NGO), and the media, the said validation teams will make the assessment based on an LGU’s compliance with the criteria and parameters set forth in DILG MC 121-2019. Those who are found to be non-compliant will be issued Show Cause Orders by Secretary Año before their names are submitted to the President.

We urge the public to support your respective LGU officials and to immediately self-demolish structures that have encroached on a public street or road. The success of this program also depends on the cooperation of the general public.

We hope that this program starts a culture of discipline that our country desperately needs. Let our battle cry be #DisplinaMuna in order to sustain the gains that we have achieved for the long run. #  Source – www.dilg.gov.ph

DILG TO PNP: UPHOLD HIGHEST STANDARD IN HIRING 10,000 NEW COPS

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) directed the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to be strict and uphold the highest standard in hiring new police officers in its ranks following the go signal to recruit 10,000 additional new police officers.

DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año said that “the best time to weed out undesirables is during the recruitment process, therefore the NAPOLCOM and the PNP must only hire those with the necessary skills, are morally upright, and will enforce the law without fear or favor.”

"Let's raise the bar and be stringent as we are potentially taking in individuals who are either going to be heroes or bad eggs. We should uphold the highest standard possible," he adds.

The NAPOLCOM chaired by the DILG Chief recently approved the recruitment of 10,000 Patrolmen and Patrolwomen through Resolution No. 2019-707, 7,895 of which will be assigned in the PNP Mobile Forces under the 17 Police Regional Offices (PROs) nationwide while 2,105 of the new recruits will be assigned to the National Support Units (NSUs) and other PNP offices.

Año says that 10,000 additional police officers is no easy task, thus the PNP must only hire individuals who will contribute to the fulfillment of its mandate and will be assets of the police organization.

He explains that as the PNP continues to clean its own ranks, choosing individuals who fit the DILG mantra of “matino, mahusay, at maaasahan” will ensure that internal cleansing will be a thing of the past for the PNP. "Piliin na ang mga aplikanteng may tunay na pagmamahal sa bayan para hindi na kailangang magsagawa pa ng internal cleansing sa kanila."

Requirements

The DILG Chief adds that now that uniformed personnel, including the police officers, have received a substantial pay hike under the current administration, it is expected that the 10,000 new law enforcers must also double their efforts in protecting and serving the people.

"Hindi din po biro ang salary at compensation na matatanggap ng mga magiging bagong pulis na ito kaya kailangan piliin natin ang mga nararapat at tapat na mga lingkod bayan," he says.

Interested applicants may apply online through the NAPOLCOM Directorate for Personnel and Records Management website. Basic requirements are: a citizen of the Philippines; a person of good moral character; must have passed the psychiatric/psychological, drug and physical tests to be administered by the PNP; and must possess a formal baccalaureate degree from a recognized learning institution. Aspiring law enforcers must also pass the PNP Entrance Examination to be administered by the NAPOLCOM.

He says that background checks will be administered to ensure that applicants meet all requirements, including: must not have been dishonorably discharged from military employment or dismissed for cause from any civilian position in the government; and must not have been convicted by final judgment of an offense or crime involving moral turpitude.

Applicants must be at least one meter and sixty-two centimeters (1.62m) in height for male and one meter and fifty-seven centimeters (1.57m) and must weigh not more or less than five kilograms (5kg) from the standard weight corresponding to his/her weight, age, and sex.

They must not be less than twenty-one (21) nor more than thirty (30) years of age and must submit the following documentary requirements: Civil Service Personal Data Sheet; Philippine Statistics Office-authenticated Birth Certificate; authenticated Certificate of Eligibility; two (2) pieces 2x2 black and white picture with name tag, one (1) bust-size picture, and one (1) whole body picture; authenticated Transcript of Records/Diploma; local clearances such as Barangay, Police, RTC/MTC and NBI; Medical Certificate; and fingerprint and handwriting specimen.

The 7,895 new cops will be distributed to the following Police Regional Offices: PRO1- 450; PRO2- 350; PRO3- 300; PRO4A- 295; PRO4B- 600; PRO5- 750; PRO6- 400; PRO7- 300; PRO8- 450; PRO9- 350; PRO10- 700; PRO11- 400; PRO12- 350; PRO13- 500; PRO COR- 600; PRO ARMM- 800; and NCRPO- 300.

Meanwhile, the remaining 2,105 will be under the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG)- 100; Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG)- 50; Aviation Security Group (AVSEGROUP)- 200; Communications and Electronics Service (CES)- 50; Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)- 300; Crime Laboratory (CL)- 250; Drug Enforcement Group (DEG)- 200; Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management/ Women and Children’s Protection Center (DIDM/WCPC)- 80; Explosive Ordnance Disposal/K9 Group (EOD/K9)- 75; Health Service (HS)- 100; Headquarters Support Service (HSS)/PNP BAND- 200; Intelligence Group (IG)- 100; Information Technology Management Service (ITMS)- 50; Logistics Support Service (LSS)- 50; Maritime Group (MG)- 75; Training Service (TS)- 100; Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG)- 75; and Police Retirement Benefits Service (PRBS)- 50. # Source – www.dilg.gov.ph

INFO CAMPAIGN CRUCIAL TO PHIL ID MASS REGISTRATION ON JULY 2020

The Philippine Statistics Authority XI officer-in-charge Pepito Amoyen bared that making everyone understand and appreciate the importance of registration for a Philippine ID System is crucial to the mass registration scheduled to start on July 2020 and will end until 2022.

Speaking at the Kapihan sa PIA at NCCC today, the PSA official sought the help of the media in influencing the public and disseminating the information about the PhilSys.

PhilSys is the government’s central identification platform for all citizen and resident aliens of the Philippines.

It is a foundational identification system to provide a valid proof of identity for all citizens and resident aliens as a means of simplifying public and private transactions; a social and economic platform which shall serve as the link in the promotion of seamless service delivery, enhancing administrative governance, reducing corruption, strengthening financial inclusion, and promoting ease of doing business.

Amoyen said PSA had its kick-off of the pilot registration last September 2, 2019 and it will end on June 2020.

“The pilot registration is intended for the government to test the system in preparation for the mass registration,” he said.

The PSA XI started to hold pilot registration for selected employees of the PSA while the Davao Region is awaiting for the list of targeted pilot areas to be determined by the PSA Central Office.

Amoyen stressed that the PhilSys has the component of privacy inclusion, guided by the Data Privacy Act.

“The information of a person cannot easily be used or asked from us by anyone; unless ordered by the court,” he added.

PhilSys registration does not just cover Filipino citizens but also those with dual or multiple citizenships and even resident aliens or those who are not citizens of the Philippines but have established residence in the Philippines for an aggregate period of more than one hundred eighty (180) days.

Upon registration, an individual gets a PhilSys Number (PSN) or a randomly generated, unique, and permanent identification number that will be assigned to every citizen or resident alien upon birth or registration by the PSA.

Amoyen said registration is free but if one seeks for another card after the lost of the first one, that will have a corresponding fee.

“It is important to keep in mind and memorize your PSN to easily retrieve your record if your card is lost,” he said.

Registration would need the demographic data of an individual such as name, birthdate, birthplace among other and biometric information such as front facing photograph, full set of fingerprints, and iris scan.

The Philippine ID can then be used in all government transactions may be used to access social welfare and benefits granted by the government, tax-related transactions, opening of bank accounts, registration and voting purposes, among others. # Source - (PIA/Frances Mae Macapagat)

DISTRICT ESCODA CELEBRATION 2019, NAANGAY ITI CABUGAO COMPLEX

Cabugao, Ilocos Sur – Naaramid ti District Escoda Celebration babaen kadagiti kameng ti Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP), Cabugao District idi Setiembre 22, 2019 iti Cabugao Cultural and Sports Complex, Brgy. Rizal, Cabugao, Ilocos Sur a nagatendaran dagiti GSP Members a naggapu kadagiti   pageskuelaan ti ili a Cabugao, Ilocos Sur.

Iti Program proper, naaramid ti Re-dedication to the GS Promise and Law, naibasa ti Star Scout Promise and Law, Star Scout Law ken Twinkler Promise and Law.


Nangipaay ti Welcome Talk  ti Field Adviser ti Girl Scout. Inawisna  ti kaaduan a makikaysada  iti pannakaseremonia ti kabibiag ni Josefa Llanes Escoda, kangrunaan a pundador ti Girl Scouting ken maysa isuna nga Ilokana.

Simmaruno ti Presentation of Participants thru Yells by school sa naisaganad a naangay iti ESCODA CEREMONY.

Nangipaay ti mensahe ni  SBM Josh Edward S. Cobangbang, Committee Chair on Education.  Dinayaw ti Konsehal ti napintas a panagkakammayet dagiti Teachers  a nangtarabay kadaytoy a programa. Dinakamatna ti pagwadan a kabibiag ni Josefa Llanes Escoda.

Naisaruno ti Introduction of the Guest of Honor and Speaker.

Nagpaay a Guest of Honor ken Speaker ni Reah Golden P. Savella, RN, MAN ti Suero General Hospital. 

Kimmablaaw ken nagyaman ti naited kenkuana a gundaway a mangipaneknek ti pateg ti Girl Scout a pakasanayan ken pakasursuruan kadagiti napapateg a galad dagiti agad-adal a babbai.


Pinadayawan  ti Guest Speaker dagiti ubbing, estudiante, nagannak, Guardians, Teachers, GSP Officers ken Municipal Official kadaytoy a naballigi a pannakaseremonia  iti kabibiag ni Josefa Llanes Escoda, Ilokana a Founder ti Girl Scouting.

Naipaayan  ti Certificate of Appreciation iti Guest Speaker iti pannakaawisna a nagsarita.

Naisaganad a nagpabuya dagiti ubbing a mangibagi iti Zone 1; Zone II; Zone III ken Zone IV.

Nagyaman dagiti mangiturturong iti GSP Cabugao iti amin a nakipartisipar ken iti naballigi a resulta ti selebrasion iti Girl Scouting iti ili. # 

LINGGO NG KASUOTANG PILIPINO

The third week of September is celebrated as Linggo ng Kasuotang Pilipino. During this period, our people's various native dresses and costumes are highlighted.

Philippine history and culture were recorded not only in documents but also in the material culture of our people. The varied names, uses, meanings and motifs of our people's dresses suggest the rich history and culture of our country.

The "Barong Tagalog," "Balintawak," and "Baro't Saya" are the prominent Filipino attire but our people have many other native dresses - the Ilonggo jusi and pina, the Moro malong, the Bicol sinamay, nipis, and patadyong, the Ilocano abel, the Visayan tapis pintados, the Bagobo dagmay, Bilaan tandayon, and the Mandaya ikat. Among our foreign-influenced dresses are the Camisa de Chino, Kamisa, Maria Clara, Traje de Mestiza Terno, and Mantones de Manila.

Our dresses and costumes are beautiful expressions of our many national traits. They express the various foreign influences that entered our country as well as our taste, artistry, and sensibilities to life's various moods and demands. # Source – www.dilg.gov.ph

DISTRICT ESCODA CELEBRATION 2019, NAANGAY ITI CABUGAO COMPLEX

Cabugao, Ilocos Sur – Naaramid ti District Escoda Celebration babaen kadagiti kameng ti Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP), Cabugao District idi Setiembre 22, 2019 iti Cabugao Cultural and Sports Complex, Brgy. Rizal, Cabugao, Ilocos Sur a nagatendaran dagiti GSP Members a naggapu kadagiti   pageskuelaan ti ili a Cabugao, Ilocos Sur.

Iti Program proper, naaramid ti Re-dedication to the GS Promise and Law, naibasa ti Star Scout Promise and Law, Star Scout Law ken Twinkler Promise and Law.

Nangipaay ti Welcome Talk  ti Field Adviser ti Girl Scout. Inawisna  ti kaaduan a makikaysada  iti pannakaseremonia ti kabibiag ni Josefa Llanes Escoda, kangrunaan a pundador ti Girl Scouting ken maysa isuna nga Ilokana.

Simmaruno ti Presentation of Participants thru Yells by school sa naisaganad a naangay iti ESCODA CEREMONY.

Nangipaay ti mensahe ni  SBM Josh Edward S. Cobangbang, Committee Chair on Education.  Dinayaw ti Konsehal ti napintas a panagkakammayet dagiti Teachers  a nangtarabay kadaytoy a programa. Dinakamatna ti pagwadan a kabibiag ni Josefa Llanes Escoda.

Naisaruno ti Introduction of the Guest of Honor and Speaker.

Nagpaay a Guest of Honor ken Speaker ni Reah Golden P. Savella, RN, MAN ti Suero General Hospital. 

Kimmablaaw ken nagyaman ti naited kenkuana a gundaway a mangipaneknek ti pateg ti Girl Scout a pakasanayan ken pakasursuruan kadagiti napapateg a galad dagiti agad-adal a babbai.

Pinadayawan  ti Guest Speaker dagiti ubbing, estudiante, nagannak, Guardians, Teachers, GSP Officers ken Municipal Official kadaytoy a naballigi a pannakaseremonia  iti kabibiag ni Josefa Llanes Escoda, Ilokana a Founder ti Girl Scouting.

Naipaayan  ti Certificate of Appreciation iti Guest Speaker iti pannakaawisna a nagsarita.

Naisaganad a nagpabuya dagiti ubbing a mangibagi iti Zone 1; Zone II; Zone III ken Zone IV.

Nagyaman dagiti mangiturturong iti GSP Cabugao iti amin a nakipartisipar ken iti naballigi a resulta ti selebrasion iti Girl Scouting iti ili. # 

DILG CHIEF: ROAD CLEARING PROCEEDING SMOOTHLY BUT MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE

Less than a month before the deadline set for all local government units (LGUs) to clear roads, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo M. Año says he is satisfied with the performance of Metro Manila mayors in complying with the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to clear roads from illegal structures and constructions but he says that “more needs to be done.”

“We are pleased with the support, cooperation, and compliance of Metro mayors to the presidential directive but we need to do more and we expect them to sustain their efforts in order to help clear the streets of Metro Manila of traffic,” says Año.

Based on the latest compliance report submitted to the DILG’s Bureau of Local Government Supervision, all road clearing operations are proceeding smoothly in all 17 local government units in Metro Manila in compliance with DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2019-121issued on July 29, 2019 that had set the 60-day deadline for LGUs.

“As of today, a total of 139,959 meters of roads and 52,831 meters of sidewalk in Metro Manila have been reportedly cleared of obstructions and illegal structures. Our operations further resulted to 1,444 illegal vendors, 49 terminals (tricycle, jeepney, pedicab, etc), 1,292 illegally parked vehicles, and 813 obstructions (booth, monoblocks, etc) displaced from our roads. Further, a sizeable portion of all LGUs nationwide or 43.3% have reported conducting road-clearing operations in their localities,” says the DILG Secretary.

Under the DILG directive, aside from conducting road clearing operations, local governments must enact or revisit ordinances related to road clearing and banning of illegal construction; prepare an inventory of roads within their jurisdiction; develop and implement displacement strategies; and cause the rehabilitation of recovered public roads.

“Notwithstanding the hardwork put in by the LGUs in this effort, we also have to give credit to the close monitoring made by our DILG Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries who have been assigned to assist LGUs in Metro Manila,” says the DILG chief.

He also urges all national government agencies and Barangays to self-demolish their structures encroaching on public sidewalks. “Please do not wait for the DILG to call your attention. National government agencies are also covered by the Presidential directive,” he says.

According to the BLGS report, as of September 2, 2019, 13 LGUs have ordinances on road clearing operations, while four LGUs — Makati City, Malabon City, San Juan City, and Pateros — issued Executive Orders and established task forces to carry out the road clearing operations. All LGUs in the Metropolitan have also completed an inventory of roads and conducted road clearing operations.

The DILG Secretary says the most common obstructions cleared in Metro Manila include illegally-parked vehicles, sidewalk vendors, street dwellers, and barangay outposts, among others.

Sustainability

Amid the progress of road clearing in the capital region, Añoprods all mayors nationwide to sustain the clearing of the roads for the benefit of the general public.

He says that the real test of the performance of the local chief executives lies in their consistency of maintaining the cleared roads beyond the September 29 deadline with the support of the police and the Barangays.

Best Practices

Año further enjoins mayors to emulate the best practices of some LGUs.

“In Marikina City, for example, obstructions are largely absent and the clearing of roads has been deemed as a non-issue due to the strict implementation of city ordinances regulating the use of sidewalks and roads. The city, then, focuses on area cleaning usually done through communities and barangays,” he says.

Road clearing has been institutionalized in Marikina through the regular provision of resources to the assigned task force and the inculcation of values to communities and students. “Marikina’s experience reveals how effective the Memorandum can be in reclaiming roads and public areas once fully adopted and sustained by the LGU,”Año remarks.

Similarly, Valenzuela City’s strategy centers mainly on involving punong barangays not just in the conduct of the operations, but in information, education, and communication initiatives relating to the Memorandum. Reporting of obstructions can be coursed through the barangays, and progress updates are regularly posted in their social media channels.

Sanctions

The DILG Chief warns that the sanctions on local government officials who are unable to comply with the order of the President would range from a reprimand, suspension, to dismissal from the service. After the 60-day deadline on September 29, Año assures that he would review the accomplishments of all LGUs.

He also says that all road clearing operations in the country apply to all, regardless of political affiliation and that illegally constructed structures on government lots will be dismantled whether they are government or private entities.

Regional performance

Meanwhile, DILG Undersecretary and Spokesperson Jonathan E. Malaya divulges the top complying regions to the road clearing memo.

Metro Manila is the highest followed by Cagayan Valley with 77.5% of its LGUs complying, Central Luzon with 62.3%, Central Visayas with 58.3%, CALABARZON with 53.5%, and Western Visayas with 52.6%.

Malaya says that BLGS data show that 707 LGUs in the country reported having conducted road clearing operations; 397 LGUs reported having enacted or revisited their ordinance relating to road clearing and banning of illegal construction; 931 reported to have completed an inventory of roads within their jurisdiction; 668 reported having displacement strategies in place for those affected by the clearing operations; and 609 reported to have rehabilitation efforts on recovered public roads.

He shares that the DILG will also be shifting to an impact and progress based reporting mechanism about the road clearing efforts of LGUs.

“Just like what was done here in Metro Manila, the Secretary will also assign all Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries to all regions of the country to monitor compliance of all LGUs in the provinces,” he says. # Source – www.dilg.gov.ph

MC 121-2019 IS FOR REMOVAL OF ROAD OBSTRUCTIONS NOT ROAD WIDENING - DILG

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) emphasized Thursday that its Memorandum Circular 121-2019 is only for purposes of removal of road obstructions and cannot be used for road widening purposes.

DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año said that they received reports from La Union, Northern Samar, and other parts of the country that MC 121-2019 was allegedly being used by contractors of the DPWH and some Local Government Units (LGUs) to remove century-old trees, demolish waiting sheds that do not obstruct sidewalks, and even demolish structures in private lots without notice and just compensation.

“We wish to emphasize that the purpose of MC 121-2019, in compliance with the directive of the President, is to ‘return to public use, all public roads and sidewalks that have been appropriated for private use.’ In other words, it is for purposes of returning to the public the use of all public roads and it should never be used for road-widening purposes,”he said.

He emphasized that MC 121-2019 cannot be used to justify road widening projects because that is covered by a different set of rules.“For example, the taking by government of private property for road widening purposes requires expropriation proceedings and the payment of just compensation after due notice and hearing,”he said.

The DILG Chief urged all Local Government and DPWH District Engineers to advise their respective contractors of the purpose and coverage of MC 121-2019 and not to interpret it in another way.

Meanwhile, with 10 days to go before the end of the 60-day deadline, Año also created validation teams to ensure that local government units (LGUs) in the country are"on the same page in implementing DILG MC No.2019-121."

DILG Undersecretary and Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said that the validation teams will assess the compliance of the various LGUs with the Presidential directive.

"This is another effort of the DILG to reach out to all LGUs nationwide and make certain that they are complying with the President's orders. We are inching towards the 60-day deadline and, of course, we want to yield a 100 percent compliance,"said Malaya.

Malaya said that the DILG validation team will be composed of: a DILG officer cross-posted from a different LGU, a representative from the local Philippine National Police unit; a representative from the local Bureau of Fire Protection Station; representatives from accredited civil society organizations; and a representative from the Media.

"Within 60 calendar days, significant results must be achieved, documented, and reported together with the efforts of the LGUs to sustain the same,”he said.

All DILG DILG Regional Directors (RDs) were also directed to"personally meet and interface with local chief executives (LCEs) of all towns and cities within their jurisdiction"for the smooth implementation of MC 121-2019.

"As we have expressed before, we do not want to make the impression that this road-clearing operation is exclusive to the LGUs in Metro Manila, and now that the message was clearly received, we want to follow through by going down and see the progress made by these LGUs in their respective jurisdictions,”said Malaya.

He said that all DILG RDs are expected to discuss with their respective LGUs the status of the implementation of the DILG MC 2019-121; determine the actions undertaken and to be undertaken by the LGUs; and provide assistance to the LGUs particularly on the remaining measures to be taken such as road-clearing, reclaiming roads, and road rehabilitation.

They must also profile the various obstructions identified based on the road inventory and report the number and kind of obstruction for the information and action of concerned DILG Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries designated in their region.

The DILG Secretary also assigned all his Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries to all cities in Metro Manila together with all of the regions in the country to monitor compliance with the Presidential directive. # Source – www.dilg.gov.ph

CABUGAO BFP, PERFORMS BEST AT LGU-CABUGAO!

Cabugao, Ilocos Sur – Inspector  Eldie Vincent DC Pascua, newly designated Acting Municipal Fire Marshal of Cabugao Fire Station rendered a courtesy call to Honorable Mayor, Edgardo “Ediboy”  S. Cobangbang,  Jr. inside the Mayor’s Office, Cabugao Municipal Hall recently.


The activities conducted by this office recently  are as follows:




1. The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program is a program to uplift the condition of the poor households. Through the Family Development Session (FDS), BFP Cabugao Personnel conducted lecture on Fire Safety and Disaster Preparedness among the beneficiaries of Barangay Pug-os, Turod-Patac, Cuancabal, Lipit, Sagayaden, Pila, Sabang, Daclapan, Namruangan, Turod, Cacadiran, Nagsingcaoan, Carusipan, Cuantacla, Arnap, Caellayan, Bato, Nagsantaan, Reppa-ac, Dardarat, Salomague, Baclig, Rizal, Bonifacio, and Rizal recently..



2. Prior to the conduct of Simulation Drill, one of the phases of the OPLAN LIGTAS NA PAMAYANAN, INSP ELDIE VINCENT DC PASCUA together with SFO2 Charlie C. Tugade and FO1 Joanna Marie V. de Jesus attended meeting at Barangay Baclig for the preparation of the said activity wherein members of Community Fire Auxiliary Group of Baclig participated.



3. The Integrated Bar of the Philippines celebrated September 19 as Law Day, with a theme: "JUSTICE BILIS NOT JUSTICE TIIS". BFP Cabugao Personnel headed by INSP ELDIE VINCENT DC PASCUA participated on the ringing of sirens and a minute of prayer for all victims of injustice and for the Filipino lawyers.


4. In the implementation of DILG Memorandum Circular 2019-121 relative to road clearing, BFP Cabugao headed by INSP ELDIE VINCENT DC Pascua convened with the DILG, Philippine National Police and Municipal Engineering Office of Cabugao in conducting clearing operations of Illegal structures and constructions along the public roads/ highways of Cabugao,Ilocos Sur.


5. BFP Cabugao Personnel conducted Troops Information and Education headed by the newly designated Municipal Fire Marshal of this station INSP ELDIE VINCENT DC PASCUA.



6. The BFP and PNP of Cabugao received four (4) units of handheld radio from the Local Government Unit of Cabugao through the support of the Local Chief Executive Hon. Mayor Edgardo “Ediboy” S. Cobangbang,  Jr. and members of the Sangguniang Bayan of this Municipality. 




7. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Cabugao, invited the Cabugao Fire Station Personnel headed by SRINSP EDDIE P TABUNO, to be their Resource Speaker to the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries . Hence, Fire Safety and Disaster Preparedness lecture was conducted among the beneficiaries of Barangay Aragan, Quezon,  Maradodon, Catucdaan, Sisim, Alinaay, Salapasap, Bungro and Marga-ay.

8. BFP Cabugao headed by SRINSP EDDIE P. TABUNO conducted Fire Suppression and Basic First Aid Training to the Community Fire Auxiliary Group of Barangay Baclig and Rizal of this municipality.


9. BFP Cabugao Personnel under the supervision of SR INSP EDDIE P TABUNO together with the MDRRMC and PNP of Cabugao convened for the 3rd Quarter National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) at Cabugao National High School Brgy. Turod, Cabugao, Ilocos Sur.



10. BFP-Cabugao Personnel under the supervision of Municipal Fire Marshal SINSP EDDIE P. TABUNO joined the celebration of National Disaster Resilience Month with the theme: "Kahandaan sa Sakuna't Peligro para sa Tunay na Pagbabago”, through an active lectures regarding Disasters such as Flood, Typhoons, Tsunamis, Earthquakes and Fire and it was catered to BPAT’s, BHW’s and Barangay Council of  Lipit, Cabugao, Ilocos Sur.




11. Municipal Fire Marshal SRINSP EDDIE P. TABUNO and SFO2 Charlie C. Tugade attended the Pre- ELA (Executive-Legislative Agenda) Workshop held at the New Municipal Building of Cabugao. 



12. INSP ELDIE VINCENT DC PASCUA, Acting Municipal Fire Marshal of this station, as part of the Municipal Road Clearing Monitoring and Validation Team of the Municipalitty of Cabugao, attended a meeting regarding ROAD CLEARING and secure the new forms needed for the validation of LGU accomplishment. # Source - Cabugao IlocosSur Bfp RegionOne

Thursday, September 26, 2019

THE RICE TARIFFICATION LAW, EXPLAINED

With the Rice Tariffication Bill (Senate Bill No. 1998) recently enacted into law by President Rodrigo Duterte, as confirmed by Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, the rice economy and its local farmers are expected to be affected, for better or worse, and they’re bracing for the impact.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Rice Tariffication Law or Republic Act 11203.

When was it signed? Duterte signed the bill into law on Feb. 15, according to the Official Gazette, and the law will take effect on Mar. 5, according to the Department of Finance. The law’s implementing rules and regulations will be enacted on Mar. 3.

Why was it signed? Since October 2018, Duterte declared the issue as “urgent” due to price hikes that caused rice to hit P70 per kilo last year. Finance Undersecretary Tony Lambino predicts that the law will cut rice prices by P7 per kilo. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas projects that this will also cut inflation by 0.6 percent.

What does Duterte have to say? There is a need “to address the urgent need to improve availability of rice in the country, to prevent artificial rice shortage, reduce the prices of rice in the market, and curtail the prevalence of corruption and cartel domination in the rice industry.”

What will the law do? The law essentially allows for the liberalization of rice imports. It will remove the previously placed quota on rice imports, permitting traders to import a near-unlimited quantity of rice.

How will it work? In the basic rules of economy, the law of supply and demand will dictate market prices. By allowing more competitors to enter the rice market, the law will lower the price of rice by increasing supply.

How much are the tariffs? Thirty-five percent from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN); 40 percent from non-ASEAN countries if imports are below 350,000 metric tons; and 180 percent if imports are from non-ASEAN countries and above 350,000 metric tons.

Where will the tariffs go? The taxes will go to a Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), which will allocate the revenue to programs for mass irrigation, rice storage, and research initiatives.

Who will it impact? Local farmers are expected to be impacted the most as the removal of quantitative restrictions will pit them against foreign competitors. The National Food Authority (NFA) will also be directly affected as the law will remove various functions from their role in food importation and distribution.

How will local farmers be compensated? The RCEF is expected to allocate P10 billion annually to the support of Filipino rice farmers over a six-year period. This will be done through the following fund allocations: 50 percent on rice farm machinery and equipment, rice cooperatives, and local government units; 30 percent on rice seed development, propagation, and promotion; 10 percent on rice credit assistance; and 10 percent to rice extension services.

Is it a good move in the long run? Technically, it will prevent price hikes in the future as competition is a healthy component for the economy. Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food Chairperson Cynthia Villar concurs, “With the expiration of the quantitative restriction on rice importation, this is a very important piece of legislation, which will help our farmers improve their profitability and competitiveness.”

Also in favor of competition, Panelo insists the liberalization of the rice market will promote production. “Well, ‘pag ni-liberalize mo naman eh magkakaroon ng competition in the market. So magpapababaan sila ng presyo, otherwise hindi sila mabibili, hindi ba? Kaya nga—law of supply and demand iyan eh,” he said.

What do the farmers have to say? Kilusan ng Magbubukid ng Pilipinas considers the law as a “death warrant” to the local rice industry as it would open the floodgates to foreign industries that would overpower or “wipe out” local rice farmers. KMP estimates that 500,000 of a total of 2.4 million rice farmers will be negatively impacted by the law. The organization states that only through investing and boosting local production will the Philippines achieve stable rice prices and supply.

What does NFA have to say? With restrictions removed, NFA will lose its power and functions in rice importation. Their role will now be limited to maintaining a buffer stock of rice for emergency situations. They will not be permitted to manage the licensing of importers and traders. Some 400 NFA employees are expected to be laid off as the law will also move NFA under the Department of Agriculture.

What does this mean for the agriculture industry now? Now that it has been rendered a law, expect the aftermath of its implementation to come in the following months. Local farmers will be affected by the introduction of more foreign competitors and how they fare in the face of that competition will depend on the RCEF that the law has put into place. # ADAPTED

UN CHIEF URGES LEADERS TO AVOID 'NEW COAL' AFTER 2020

Tensions ran high at the UN Climate Summit in New York when United Nations Secretary (UN) General Antonio Guterres challenged leaders to no longer invest in new coal projects after 2020, followed by young climate activist Greta Thunberg’s impassioned speech on how these same leaders have failed her and her generation in taking climate action.

However, the summit did witness many leaders announcing concrete climate action plans by 2020, 2030 and 2050.

One of the most important developments at the summit was that Russia ratified the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, leaving Turkey the only remaining G20 country not to do so.

Countries including France, the U.K., Argentina, Costa Rica, Finland, New Zealand, and Sweden announced a new Climate Ambition Alliance bringing the number of nations to 59 which also promised to submit a stronger action plan in 2020.

Another 11 countries, including India, China, and some European Union countries, signed up to start exploring national commitments towards climate plans while Austria, Chile, Italy, Japan and Timor-Leste declared membership to the Carbon Neutrality Coalition.

The coalition helps countries develop plans to move towards net zero emissions by 2050.

Another 66 countries started to work on net zero-emission targets.

A remarkable announcement came from Greece, which committed to ending coal use by 2028, with a plan to start dismantling coal plants in 2020.

Coal plants account for around a quarter of the country's total installed capacity.

Germany’s performance was considered disappointing at the summit as German Chancellor Angela Merkel repeated the country's current plans to phase out coal plants by 2038 without further concrete plans.

Above all the declarations and determination plans, the angry but touching voice of sixteen-year-old Thurnberg during her speech at the opening summit will be remembered for berating those assembled.

"My message is that we will be watching you. This is all wrong. I shouldn’t be up here. I should be back in school on the other side of the ocean," she said.

"You have come to us young people for hope. How dare you? You have stolen my childhood with empty words.

Yet, I'm one of the lucky ones. People are suffering, people are dying. All you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth. For more than 30 years, the science has been crystal clear," she said.

U.S. President Donald Trump who already decided to withdraw from Paris Climate Agreement left the summit after he listened to Thunberg's speech and later tweeted in a mocking tone “She seems very happy!”

The question "How dare you?" began to trend on Twitter during the day while cameras captured Thunberg's angry stare at Trump just before the summit started.

Guterres's closing remarks at the summit concluded that the world has a long way to go to keep the temperature rise to 1.5 degrees by the end of the century, echoing Thurnberg's message.

Funding for climate action increases

Several institutions and banks announced commitments to aligning to 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold.

Qatar pledged USD100 million to fund climate action and resilience in small island states and least developed countries.

The Green Climate Fund reached USD7.4 billion with eight countries, including Iceland, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Norway, the United Kingdom, Germany, and South Korea pledging to the fund.

The target for the fund in support of climate action in developing countries is to reach USD10 billion.

100 banks to set corporate-level business

One hundred banks, worth USD35 trillion, committed to setting corporate-level business targets.

Eighty-seven companies with a total value ofUSD$2.3 trillion, and annual climate impact equivalent to 73 coal-fired power plants agreed to reduce emissions.

Following this announcement, the UN-convened Asset Owner Alliance committed to transitioning to carbon-neutral investment portfolios by 2050.

The alliance, a group of the world’s largest pension funds and insurers, is responsible for directing more than USD2 trillion in investments. #  Source -  (Anadolu)/PNA)

TOBACCO FARMERS AGREE ON JOINT STAND FOR PRICE INCREASE NEGOTIATIONS

Two of the largest farmers’ organizations cultivating the crop announced a unified position a day before the biennial negotiations for the floor price of tobacco take place in this city.

In a joint statement, the Solidarity of Peasants Against Exploitation (Stop Exploitation) and the National Federation of Tobacco Farmers Association and Cooperatives (NAFTAC) vowed to push for “right and just” price for tobacco.

“This coming Tobacco Tripartite Consultative Conference (TTCC), we should unite and with all our might assert until we achieve the right and just price of tobacco,” said the statement.

Stop Exploitation secretary-general Zaldy Alfiler explained they agreed with NAFTAC to “push for the highest possible demand while ensuring that increase will not be lower than the amount from the workshop result.”



He said that at least for the Virginia type, his group’s demand for P128 per kilo would be the highest while the minimum is P28.00; the amount arrived during the workshop last August 29 in Candon City.

According to him, since 2003, the average increase on the floor price of tobacco is only P3.00 while the cost of production has almost doubled in the same period.

Based on the data provided by Stop Exploitation, the cost of production for a hectare of tobacco is about P273,600. The amount was four times the production expenses of P67,230.00 in 2003.

Both groups also assailed the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) for calling a clandestine meeting between traders and NAFTAC leaders headed by Mario Cabasal. They said NTA allowed Rudolfo Salanga, the representative from the corporate sector, to facilitate and coerce farmers to accept the meager increase during the last tripartite negotiations.

“We don’t want this to happen again,” they said

The statement signaled the first time the two organizations came up with a united position to put forward across the negotiating table.

Before this, NAFTAC president Bernard Vicente scored the proposed increase on the floor price of tobacco for being “very far” from the consolidated results of the pre-tripartite workshop of farmers. The technical working group, who consolidated the results, recommended P7.00 across all grade of tobacco.

They also questioned NTA for selling fertilizer to farmers at a higher price compared to agricultural stores.

According to the statement, the10-20-121 fertilizer in the local stores only cost P1,500.00 but NTA is selling it at P2,900.00 while 21-0-25 priced at P550.00-650.00 but sold at P710 by the agency.

“This is contrary to NTA’s mandate to provide support to [tobacco farmers],” the statement said.

The statement added: “the assertion to increase the price of tobacco is urgent and just with the steep rise of prices of basic needs and productions inputs.” The group attributed this to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law (TRAIN Law) implementation.

Based on the data provided by the groups, chemical pesticides used in growing tobacco increased by P20.00 when the government implemented the TRAIN Law.

They called on other farmers organizations’ to “harness the exceptional strength” of the sector to attain a reasonable price for their product. #  Source - Sherwin de Vera/TAWIDNEWS

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

WHO URGES COUNTRIES TO ADD 1% PLUS OF GDP ON HEALTH CARE

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Sunday urged all countries to increase spending on primary healthcare by at least 1% of their GDP, so as to close glaring coverage gaps and meet health targets agreed in 2015.

In its latest Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Monitoring Report, the WHO warns that the world will have to double health coverage between now and 2030, the deadline world leaders have set for achieving the UHC, otherwise up to 5 billion people will still be unable to access health care by then.

The report estimates that spending an additional USD200 billion a year on scaling up primary health care across low and middle-income countries would potentially save 60 million lives, increase average life expectancy by 3.7 years by 2030, and contribute significantly to socio-economic development.

Countries can do so by either increasing public spending on health in general, or reallocating spending towards primary health care, or by doing both, the report says, given that most countries are under-investing in primary health care at the present.

However, the poorest countries will continue to require assistance from outside and target a lasting improvement to health systems and services countrywide, it adds.

Meanwhile, the WHO calls on countries to scale up service coverage countrywide, especially for lower income countries and rural areas that are still lagging behind in health infrastructure, health workers, supply systems, and the quality of care.

The report also highlights the need to protect people from falling into poverty to pay for essential health care, as more people are suffering the consequences of paying for services out of their own pockets than 15 years ago.

According to the WHO, about 925 million people spend more than 10% of their household income on healthcare; 200 million people spend more than 25% of their income on health; and impoverishment due to paying for health care increased except among the extremely poor.

"If we are really serious about achieving universal health coverage and improving people's lives, we must get serious about primary health care," said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

"That means providing essential health services like immunization, antenatal care, healthy lifestyle advice as close to home as possible -- and making sure people do not have to pay for this care out of their own pockets.”

The report came on the eve of a UN General Assembly high-level meeting on the UHC in New York on Monday, when world leaders are supposed to discuss a far-reaching Declaration on Universal Health Coverage.

The declaration will list a number of steps to advance progress towards the UHC, including WHO's recommendations relating to primary health care, such as the allocation of an additional one percent GDP to primary health care through additional investments or reallocation. #  Source -  (Xinhua)/PNA

WORLD RABIES DAY

World Rabies Day is the first and only global day of action and awareness for rabies prevention. It is an opportunity to unite as a community and for individuals, NGOs and governments to connect and share their work.

September 28th 2019 will be the 13th World Rabies Day, and this year’s theme focuses on vaccination, the foundation of all rabies control efforts.

The theme, Rabies: Vaccinate to Eliminate, can be used to raise awareness at many levels, for example –

To ensure that dogs are kept vaccinated - as a reminder to dog owners, animal health professionals and local governments

To help ?people in need to seek and obtain PEP – through human health professionals and educators

To commit to the 2030 goal of eliminating rabies deaths –with national governments putting resources into rabies elimination. # Source: https://rabiesalliance.org/world-rabies-day

SIERRA MADRE DAY

Presidential Proclamation 413 declares September 26 of every year as Sierra Madre Day. This declaration is observed annually and spearheaded by the Save Sierra Madre Network Alliance, Inc. (SMNAI), a network of Indigenous Peoples and Non-Indigenous, People’s Organizations, Government Organizations, Civil Society Schools, Churches and Individuals committed to the protection and preservation of the Sierra Madre.

This is in response to the immense flooding in Metro Manila and the nearby LGUs caused by the Typhoon Ondoy, which were attributed to the continuous deforestation, degradation and destruction of the Sierra Madre Mountains.

This celebration is also in line with the Presidential pronouncement in his 2018 State of the Nation Address (SONA), earnestly encouraging initiatives of reducing vulnerabilities to hazards, and bolsters resilience on the impact of natural disasters and climate change.

This years’s theme is Buhay na Sierra Madre ay Buhay Nating Lahat” and Buhay na Kabundukan, Kaligtasan nating Lahat!” # Source: DILG MC 2019 - 135

GOV. SINGSON WARNS KOTONG COPS AT TF BANTAY-KALSADA RE-LAUNCHING

True to his commitment in eradicating corruption in this Heritage Province, Gov. Ryan Luis Singson issued a stern warning against mulcting policemen (kotong cops) during the Re-Launching of Task Force Bantay-Kalsada.

Speaking during the ceremonies at the People’s Hall, Provincial Capitol, Vigan City, Singson reiterated his tough stance against policemen involved in illegal activities while doing their functions in implementing the national, provincial and municipal ordinances on traffic laws.

The president of the National League of Governors of the Philippines said that he will unceremoniously remove anyone who is involved in extortion activities.

He said, he will not tolerate nor allow any uniformed authority to be involved in any illegal activity citing the unceremonious termination of CIDG agents in the province.

The governor recently sought the overhaul of the entire provincial CIDG unit including the removal of the provincial director of the Ilocos Sur Police Provincial Office (ISPPO) due to several complaints from businessmen about agents who allegedly demanded money from their establishments.

Provincial Legal Officer, Atty. Gigi Tesoro, during a press conference said this led to the filing of eight criminal cases against erring CIDG personnel while Gov. Singson called on the public to come out and file complaints as there maybe others who were victims of the extortion activities.

“Dayta ti maysa nga orderko kadagiti kapulisantayo, nagbalinda a Task Force haanda koma nga abusaren ti naited kaniada,” Singson added.

“Dayta extortion, never a kayatko a mangngeg wenno maammuan kadagitoy Task Force-tayo,” the governor said during the Re-Orientation Seminar for the Deputized Transportation Regulation Officers. The governor warned that one-strike policy will be meted against uniformed officers involved in extortion activities.

With the re-launching of Task Force Bantay-Kalsada, the governor expects that it will minimize road accidents especially in Vigan City. However, he clarified that the provincial government will not assist erring motorists if they get caught or figure in an accident.

“Ipakaammok tatta, apo, a no adda man maaksidente ken dumawat iti tulong ditoy Kapitolyo, no maammuantayo a nabartek, awan helmet na, pasensia apo, haantayo tulungan. Daytoy ti aramidentayo tapno maikkanda ti disiplina,” he clarified.

With the launching, stricter and tighter implementation of traffic laws are expected on all major cities and towns in the province.

Priorities for implementation are RA 10054 or the Motorcycle Helmet Act adopted by various municipalities through the No Helmet, No Travel ordinance; RA 10913 or the Anti-Distracted Driving Act; RA 8750 or the Seatbelt Law; the Anti-Overloading ordinance and other related ordinances.● #  Source -Tawidnews

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

SPECIAL AWARD ON OFW COMMUNITY ORGANIZING, INYALAT TI LGU-CABUGAO!

Cabugao, Ilocos Sur – Impaay  ti Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Regional Office 1, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)  ti Special Award on OFW Community Organizing  iti Municipal Government ti ili a Cabugao, Ilocos Sur nga idauluan ni Mayor Edgardo “Ediboy” S. Cobangbang, Jr.


Naited daytoy a pammadayaw idi Setiembre 12, 2019 babaen iti naangay a Region 1 MDO Congress 2019 a nagatendaran ti pannakabagi ti nadakamat a Munisipio babaen ken ni Miss Teresita Maximina “Mimie” S. Sison, Section Chief, Human Resource Management Office/PESO and MDO Designate ti Local Government Unit (LGU)-Cabugao, Ilocos Sur.

Ita a Setiembre 23, 2019, inawat ni Mayor Ediboy ti nadakamat a Pammadayaw ken binayabay ni Vice Mayor Jemaima S. Tan-Yee ken dagiti Opisiales ti Ili nga isuda SBM Josh Edward S. Cobangbang; SBM Mariedes D. Soller; SBM Jeremy A. Seguban, Jr. manipud ken ni HRM Officer Miss Teresita Maximina “Mimie” S. Sison ti pakabuklan ti Pammadayaw.  

Nakalanad iti naited a pammadayaw iti napasnek a  serbisio ken trabaho nga   inaramid   ti LGU-Cabugao iti pannakaitandudo ti kasasaad dagiti OFWs ken dagiti Pamiliada ditoy a lokalidad.

Sakbayna, maipalagip a nagatendar ti HRM Officer ti LGU-Cabugao iti OFW Mapping and Database System : Basis for Local Migration and Development Initiatives a naangay  idiay Calasiao, Pangasinan idi Hunio 24-25, 2019.


Daytoy a panagsanay/aktibidad  nga inatendaran ni Miss Sison ket parte iti pagrebbenganna a kas Human  Resources Management Officer (HRMO)/PESO/MDO  ken pannakanayon ken pannakapapintas metten iti pannakatarawidwid ti nasao nga Opisina ti Gobierno Lokal ti ili a Cabugao, Ilocos Sur ken iti pannakatulong pay dagiti kakailiantayo ken  karamanan metten dagiti OFWs ken iti pamiliada. # (Web In-Action)