Home | To bottom

Rabanes says due process observed in demolition procedures

BAGUIO CITY (Nov. 11) — Acting legal officer Melchor Carlos Rabanes assured that the city has been observing due process in the implementation of demolition activities.

Rabanes reacted to claims of unfair demolition practices employed by the city as charged by a homeowners group. The group held a rally in front of the city hall last Wednesday.

The anti-squatting and illegal structure committee sees through structures built on titled properties without consent from the lot owner and those built on public lots covered by entry permits. Otherwise, these will be recommended for demolition based on the provisions of the anti-squatting law.

Rabanes said that since 2002 until October this year, the city has a total of 5,756 squatting cases. # Aileen P. Refuerzo/ PIO

* * *

Anti-meningo free vaccine till Nov. 18

BAGUIO CITY (Nov. 11) — City health officer Dr. Florence Reyes advised city residents to bring their children aged 2-8 years old to the nearest health centers to avail of the free anti-meningococcemia vaccine until November 18.

The 2-8 years age group was selected as a target group because fatality rate is found to be highest for children aged 1-6 years old. They are more susceptible to infection, and that signs and symptoms are relatively more difficult to be identified in young children.

According to City Health Department-CAR, there are a total of 410 cases of meningococcal infections recorded in the region since September 2004- 40% of the cases occurred in Benguet, 30% in Baguio, 16% in Mt. Province and 1% in Ifugao. Of the total, there were 85 fatalities, mostly from Benguet and Baguio.

The activity aims to increase the immunity of identified segment of population, to decrease disease occurrence, and reduce fatality. #Aileen P. Refuerzo/PIO

* * *

Controlled dump facility to rise in Irisan?

BAGUIO CITY (Nov. 11) — The city council is considering approval of the proposed budget to finance the proposed conversion of the dumpsite into a controlled dump facility (CDF) in Brgy. Irisan.

The project is expected at the cost of P18 million, according to acting head Engr. Nazita Banez of the city environment and parks management office.

The conversion work will involve the transformation of a larger portion of the entire centralized materials recovery facility while the slope areas will be converted into an eco-tourism park. The remaining smaller area measuring .72 hectares will be converted into a CDF exclusive for residual wastes. # Aileen P. Refuerzo/PIO

* * *

Dads okay city charter revision

BAGUIO CITY (Nov. 11) — The city council last Monday gave the go signal for the amendment of the 94-year old City Charter, and endorsed House Bill 3617 of Rep. Mauricio Domogan entitled “An Act Revising the Charter of the City of Baguio”.

The body asked Domogan to consider all the suggestions for revision submitted by the aldermen. Domogan is currently soliciting reactions and suggestions from various sectors of Baguio to be considered before making the final version of the bill.

“The bill is expected to settle once and for all the jurisdictional boundary conflict between Baguio City and Tuba, Benguet,” Domogan explains.

Among the proposals under the bill are about management of the alienable and disposable public lands, issuance of ownership to qualified occupants/applicants, and revenue increase due to the building fees, real estate taxes from the ownership of lands. # Aileen P. Refuerzo/PIO

* * *

Bokawkan road declared one-way

BAGUIO CITY (Nov. 11) — Mayor Braulio Yaranon issued in Administrative Order 227 last Tuesday that Bokawkan Road has been declared a one-way from November 7 to December. This is to get rid of the inconvenience for the motorists during the road’s repair.

The contractor of the project also requested to limit the vehicle flow in the area to hasten the completion of the project.

Problems on rerouting or detour should be properly coordinated with the Baguio City Police Office-Traffic Management Bureau and other concerned agencies. # Aileen P. Refuerzo/PIO

* * *

Additional water safety needs

BAGUIO CITY (Nov. 11) — The sanitation division of the City Health Office will start to implement on January 2006 one of its 8-point water agenda, ensuring safe water to the residents. There were new requirements for water safety as prescribed by the Philippine Sanitation Code (P.D. 856).

Water refilling and purifying stations in the city will submit certificates of potability of the water they use. Aside from the usual requirements such as health certificates of employees, laboratory results for bacteriological and chemical analysis of raw and product water, operators shall undergo a 40-hour water operator’s course.

The water operator’s course is scheduled on November 19, 20, 26 and 27. Interested participants are requested to contact the Baguio Association of Purified and Mineral water Refillers with the numbers 446-8159, 444-6182 and 442-7531. # Art Killip/ PIO

* * *

City priority site of early childhood care law

BAGUIO CITY (Nov. 11) — The city has been chosen as a priority area for the implementation of the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Act. The Republic Act 8980 aims to institutionalize the ECCD nationwide within five years.

City social welfare and development officer Betty Fangasan said the ECCD is a convergence of services related to health, nutrition, early education and pyscho-social stimulation that provide for the holistic needs of children (0-6 years old), to promote their health and development.

Fangasan also requested the city council to pass a resolution adopting the ECCD program in the city. #Aileen P. Refuerzo/PIO

* * *

Sleeping rule at the city market

BAGUIO CITY (Nov. 11) — Market division Chief Policarpio Tamayo reported violations of the city rule against sleeping and taking up residence especially along blocks 2 and 4 of the city market.

To correct the situation, Tamayo recommended that the city council must pursue its plan to put up a circumferential fence or wall to secure the market premises. He said, to avoid the violation of the market hours that is only from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m., after which , no person should be allowed within the premises.

Since the fence is not yet constructed, Tamayo suggested that the law enforcers assigned to the market premises must be more vigilant in conducting routine inspections beyond the market hours. The law on vagrancy would be enforced fully he added. # Aileen P. Refuerzo/PIO

* * *

Mayor vetoes Panagbenga ‘06 council resolution

BAGUIO CITY (Nov. 11) — Mayor Braulio Yaranon disapproved the resolution which seeks management of Panagbenga ’06 returned to the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation (BFFF).

Yaranon explains that the Panagbenga ’05 was successfully staged under the management of the Flower Festival Association, a purely private organization. “Funds received and disbursed, all from private sources have been liquidated, accounted for, and duly audited and a matter of public record. Not a single centavo of public funds was spent for Pangbenga ’05,” Yaranon added.

Further, Yaranon assailed the conduct of individuals who are involved in the collection and disbursement of Panagbenga 2004 funds, opening a bank account, depositing and disbursing funds purportedly belonging to the BFFF. In 2004, P2.4 M of public funds was turned over to Panagbenga but expenditure has not been subjected to liquidation and audit by the Commission on Audit,” he stated.

On the other hand, to facilitate monitoring, regulation and cost management, next year’s flower festival activities will be limited according to Yaranon. This would be considered “a strategic marketing and investment promotions support to sustain its component activities,” he concluded. # Julie G. Fianza/PIO

Home | Back to top