Home | To bottom

‘Army operatives’ abduct Abra hunter

BAGUIO CITY (Mar. 4) — A resident of Sitio Lawigan, Poblacion in Boliney, Abra province was allegedly abducted by army operatives on his way to nighttime hunting on Feb. 26 in neighboring Sitio Mabuaan.

At around 9 pm, Timoteo was abducted, said a certain Bramit Bigot, who was with the victim at that time. Seeing that his companion was already being handcuffed, Bigot fled to Sitio Ampangalan. Bigot reportedly saw an M-16 taken from Timoteo.

The following day, Bigot relayed the incident to Ampangalan folk, where a search team was immediately organized. The said team proceeded to nearby mountains and forests, and reaching as far as the Manabo Headquarters. Still , Timoteo was not seen.

The community then sought help from Dacligan barangay officials in Bucloc town where a fact sheet was filed through Sangguniang Bayan (SB) member Pastor Ferdinand Balao-as, who also heads the SB’s human rights committee. Balao-as later asked the local police to assist in the search.

On Feb. 28, Dacligan residents allegedly found out that Timoteo was “turned over” at Sitio Lawigan between 2 pm to 3 pm.

Timoteo relayed that he was made to sign a document that he was released “safe and unhurt, without physical injuries”. He was allegedly intimidated by his abductors, that if anything happens to them, they will come back for Timoteo and hold him liable. # via NORDIS

* * * * * * * * * *

NSO-CAR tops civil registration quiz

BAGUIO CITY (Mar. 3) — The National Statistics Office – CAR topped the Civil Registration Quiz held Feb. 28at the Hotel Supreme Convention Plaza.

NSO Benguet Provincial Officer-in-Charge Villafe Alibuyog and Benguet District Statistics Officer Delano Bolislis and Mt. Province Statistician Jones Songuitan who represented the Cordillera Region topped the 1st NSO-Luzon Civil Registration Quiz under the team category.

Adjudged as runner-up was the group of Region I composed of La Union Provincial Statistics Officer Gloria Miguel, Statistician Edgar Norberte of Pangasinan and Stat Aide Lordines Dela Cruz of Ilocos Norte.

On the other hand, the individual winners were Rosenda Bagay of Region 1V-A, first place; Glenn Arieta of Region IV-B (MIMAROPA), second place; and Delano Bolislis of CAR, third place.

NSO-CAR Regional Director Olivia Gulla said the tilt was a brainchild of NSO Luzon Regional Directors which was one of the activities in celebration of February as Civil Registration Month and a rider to the Launching of the Birth Registration Project of IP Luzon. # NSO-CAR

* * * * * * * * * *

BIR Ifugao conducts tax symposium

LAGAWE, Ifugao (Mar. 3) — The Ifugao Revenue District Office here held a tax symposium aimed at enlightening medical practitioners, lawyers and other professionals on how better to prepare and file income, business and withholding taxes.

Atty. Elena Rillera, OIC Revenue Office lectured on the need to keep and preserve a book of accounts and other relevant records.

She said it is important for business establishments to issue receipts, adding that they are given only three years to dispose of their receipts.

Rillera reiterated the call for those present to avoid committing tax evasion and other violations as there are serious sanctions to these. She said the BIR has been conducting regular inspection of business establishments in the different municipalities in the province to verify compliance with the requirements provided for under existing internal revenue laws, rules and regulations.

She added that these inspections found several violations such as failure to duly register with the BIR, issue registered receipts, display permits in establishments, and use of unauthorized cash register. She said their office is not being strict, but is only implementing the provisions of the tax laws and so will not hesitate to sanction those found to have not complied. # Shirley Dacmay # PIA-Ifugao

* * * * * * * * * *

Baguio's anti-drugs body strengthened

BAGUIO CITY (Mar.3 ) —A secretariat was created by the City Council last week to reinforce the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC).

“The present set-up of only one staff... and with the increasing day-to-day tasks and responsibilities of the Council due to the full implementation of the Anti-Illegal Drugs Abuse Program (AIDAP)... has made it mandatory for the undersigned to strengthen the CADAC secretariat,” Mayor Braulio Yaranon said.

He said creation of the CADAC secretariat is mandated under Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) memorandum mandating the mayor to enjoin the city council to enact an ordinance creating a full-time secretariat for the council.

He said that his order will be in effect in the mean time that the city council has not passed an ordinance for said purpose “so as not to delay or hamper the deliver” of the necessary public service by the CADAC.”

The council coordinator will take on the following tasks: coordinate with all members, project partners, agencies and groups for the implementation of the AIDAP; link the CADAC with other agencies or groups, for inter-agency coordination; coordinate with other possible sources of funds to be used in the implementation of the AIDAP; represent the CADAC in various city, regional and national activities on illegal drugs; prepare proposed ordinances and resolutions and administrative orders for the program for approval by the CADAC and the city council; intervene in drug-related cases in coordination with concerned agencies; and does counseling for patients/clients as needed. # Aileen P. Refuerzo/PIO

* * * * * * * * * *

Bulk water project, institutionalized graft & corruption?

BAGUIO CITY (Mar.3 ) — Mayor Braulio Yaranon said this week that the Baguio Water District’s bulk water supply project has the makings of an “institutionalized form of graft and corruption” like the ballyhooed payparking business of the Jadewell Parking Systems Corporation.

“We can say that this institutionalized form of graft and corruption has pervaded our system in the levels of the executive, legislative and the judiciary and the Baguio Water District is not exempted,” said the mayor during last Thursday’s Ulat ng Bayan.

The mayor said he has filed his formal objection to the project in behalf of the city constituents on account that it will double the existing water rates and concerns on the potability of the water to be sourced.

“The public welfare and interest should be the prime consideration in any proposal to improve the city’s water supply. Certainly, practically doubling existing water charges would be patently prejudicial, disadvantageous and unduly burdensome to the citizenry,” the mayor noted in a letter to the BWD board of directors.

The mayor said he has not received any reply from the BWD board on the matter.

During the press briefing, the mayor expressed confidence that the city is prepared to parry the effects of the El Niño phenomenon as the BWD pursues the well-drilling project. # Aileen P. Refuerzo/PIO

* * * * * * * * * *

Baguio Dads summon transpo chiefs to explain rise of taxi cabs

BAGUIO CITY (Mar.3 ) —The city council will invite the heads of the local offices of the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) in its regular session on Mar. 14 to shed light on the alleged proliferation of taxi units in the city despite an existing moratorium on the issuance of franchises to these public utility vehicles (PUVs).

Councilors Leandro Yangot Jr. and Rocky Thomas Balisong proposed the dialogue to clarify the reported mushrooming of taxicabs plying the city’s routes despite the existence of city resolutions.

They noted that the city through Resolution No. 292 series of 1998 had recommended to the LTFRB the “immediate amendment of its memorandum circular No. 26-002 so as to include in clear and unmistakable language the suspension of acceptance of applications or issuance of franchises to operate (PUVs) in or touching Baguio City, whether it be along intra-City and intra-Regional Routes and whether it be for new applications for franchises or mere petitions for amendment of line.”

Another resolution, Resolution No. 317-2001 “interposed strong objections on the application of (new) franchises.”

They said the dialogue with the LTFRB and DOTC chiefs is needed so that the “allegations against (them) be clarified and the truth should prevail so as not to create further problems on the worsening traffic condition in the City,” they noted. # Aileen P. Refuerzo/PIO

* * * * * * * * * *

Reso hinggil sa cell site, binuo ng Benguet SP

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (Mar. 3) — Hiniling ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) ng Benguet sa kumpanyang Globe, Smart, at iba pang telecommunications companies na kumuha ng certificate of social acceptability mula sa apektadong komunidad bago simulan ang konstruksyon ng kanilang pasilidad.

Hinikayat din nito ang mga LGU na huwag pahintulutan ang anumang proyektong walang social acceptability.

Layunin ng naturang resolusyon na di maulit ang mga insidente sa lungsod ng Baguio kung saan maraming residente ang umalma sa pagpapatayo ng mga tower sa kabila ng kawalang konsultasyon sa kanila.

Bagamat wala pang siyentipikong pag-aaral sa epekto ng cell sites sa kalusugan, sinabi ng SP na kailangan pa rin ng pag-iingat upang mapangalagaan ang kapakanan ng mamamayan. # DzEQ

Home | Back to top