Cordillera this week: 30 march 2008

2 MIN READ

Ifugao creates Magat Task Force

LAGAWE, Ifugao (Mar. 28) — The Sangguniang Panlalawigan here passed a resolution creating the Ifugao Magat Provincial Task Force.

Vice Governor Nora Dinamling explained that with the creation of the task force, the provincial government hopes that it will usher in the immediate resolution of the boundary dispute so as to protect and preserve the rights of the province and its people over the taxes and other benefits that have been long due them.

As a host to the Magat Dam and the major facilities of the hydro-electric power generating system, the province and all LGUs within it that are directly affected are by law entitled to benefits, financial or otherwise, from the national government and the private firm that own and operate the power generating facility, and are also legally entitled to collect local taxes including but not limited to business taxes of employees thereat.

Over a span of 16 years and several leadership and administration changes later, the province failed to collect the taxes due and benefits availed of were minimal.

Dubbed as Ifugao Magat Provincial Task force, it will be composed of the Provincial Governor and Vice Governor as Co-Chairpersons; the provincial President of the league of municipalities as vice chairperson and all SP members , all mayors and a representative of the Congressman of Ifugao as members. # Vency D. Bulayungan/PIA-Ifugao

No rice crisis , only price crisis says NFA-Ifugao

LAGAWE, Ifugao (Mar. 28) — Edmundo B. Primicias, NFA Manager here said that there is no supply crisis, only price crisis as far as rice is concerned . Though the price of NFA rice remains at P18.25 a kilogram, the prices of commercial rice increased thus the demand for NFA rice, he said. Commercial rice is being sold at P27-29 a kilogram here.

Primicias made it clear that NFA rice is intended for the flagship programs of the government such as the Tindahan Natin Outlets (TNO) and the Food for School Program of the government wherein the intended beneficiaries are the farflung areas and depressed areas or both and NFA outlets.

Primicias said that NFA is providing 12-15% of the rice supply of the province while 8o% comes from the adjoining provinces of Nueva Vizcaya and Isabela.

Primicias, who just assumed as manager here last February 22, said he is lucky because he did have much problem like in dealing with the NFA’s retailers regarding their allocation , or hoarding or other concerns being encountered in other places outside Ifugao. # Vency D. Bulayungan/PIA-Ifugao

MP town awards its cleanest, greenest barangays

SABANGAN, Mt. Province (Mar. 28) — Adjudged as this year’s cleanest and greenest municipality during the Gagayam Festival is barangay Namatec defeating the Hall of Fame barangay Supang who was awarded as the cleanest and greenest barangay for three consecutive years from 2005 to 2007.

According to Theodore Velasco, Municipal Solid Waste Management Action Officer, barangay Supang failed to maintain its title since it has incurred forest fire in the area which has affected its rating. Absence of forest fire is one of the criteria in the assessment having the highest point score of 12.

Barangay Namatec received a cash prize of P30,000. It has also received another cash prize of P5,000, a plaque and a trophy for having the most functional material recovery facility (MRF). Another plaque was also given for having the highest rating of 97 percent of its total households with sanitary toilet. # Juliet B. Saley/PIA-MP