Baguio City News September 2011 (2024)

'Pedring' leaves P191 million in damages'

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/local-news/2011/09/30/pedring-leaves-p191-million-damages-182256
• Friday, September 30, 2011

By JM Agreda

AGRICULTURAL damages continue to rise in the aftermath of Typhoon Pedring (international codename: Nesat) as it moves outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the Department of Agriculture in Cordillera Administrative Region reported that damages in rice, corn and livestock already reached P191.553 million, resulting in losses to farmers and livestock raisers in the region.

The hardest hit among the Cordillera provinces is Mt. Province with more than P61 million in reported agricultural damages mostly in rice and corn plantations.

Close in terms of amount of damage is Ifugao, which also suffered more than P60 million in damages because of “Pedring”.

Kalinga also suffered P54.7 million in agricultural losses, followed by Apayao with P10 million reported damage to standing crops, and Benguet with more than P4 million in highland vegetables affected by the typhoon.

In Wednesday's Cordillera Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council meeting, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa)-Baguio head Salvador Olinares said typhoons are often expected to make landfall over Northern Luzon this last quarter of the year because of the Amihan or northeasterly winds.

After Pedring, Tropical Storm Quiel Wednesday entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility Wednesday night and is now located east of Northern Luzon.

The new storm is moving westward at 10 kilometers per hour and has maximum sustained winds of 105 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 135 kilometers per hour, said Pagasa.

OCD reports 3 deaths, 3 missing, 3 injured in CAR due to 'Pedring

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=375740
• September 29, 2011, 12:33 pm

By (PNA) DCT/FFC/AAG

BAGUIO CITY, Sept. 29 (PNA) -- Government assistance is now underway for the families of three residents of Hingyon, Ifugao who died in a landslide Tuesday at the height of Typhoon "Pedring."

This was reported by Office of Civil Defense (OCD) regional director Olive Luces who said that, aside from the three dead, search and rescue efforts continue for one reported missing person in Benguet and two in Abra.

Witnesses saw the three carried away by river currents in their respective provinces.

OCD reports identified the dead landslide victims in Ifugao as Ryan Nangela, Shirley Gano and Linda Humiding.

Luces said that preparations are again taken in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) for the possible adverse effects of the approaching Tropical Depression "Quiel", which reported have entered the Philippine area of responsibility.

She said preemptive measures will be implemented in preparation for "Quiel."

Tuba asks Baguio to fix trash slide effects

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/local-news/2011/09/28/tuba-asks-baguio-fix-trash-slide-effects-181873
• Wednesday, September 28, 2011

By JM Agreda

OFFICIALS of Tuba town appeared before the Baguio City Council, calling on the City Government to address the effects of the Irisan trash slide which killed at least six people, injured several others and destroyed millions worth of properties.

With the wrath of Typhoon Pedring being experienced by the region this week, Tuba officials aired the fear of their constituents, clamoring for the Baguio City Government to act promptly on their request.

Tuba Vice Mayor Clarita Sal-ongan, with other councilors, said they are expecting immediate action from the Baguio City since heavy rains brought by Pedring might cause another trash slide or contaminate their water sources.

Tuba officials also aired recent plans of residents to file a Writ of Kalikasan against Baguio City. The writ is a legal remedy to assert one’s constitutional right to a healthy environment.

In a resolution forwarded to the Baguio City Council, local legislators of Tuba called on the Baguio City to provide health services and medical help for affected residents.

Tuba town officials have also asked Baguio City to construct a water treatment facility to address the contamination of water supply of Sitios Palasiw, Simon and Upper Tadiangan, after the trash slide.

With this, the Council asked the Baguio City Engineers Office to promptly submit cost estimates for the pipes and tubes needed for rehabilitation of the town’s water system to be taken from the P93 million calamity fund of the city.

What worries the town officials the most is the continuous dumping in the Irisan dumpsite, since they have received reports the Baguio City continues to use it as a dumping and transfer facility for the City’s wastes.

Vice Mayor Daniel Fariñas said they will ask the Baguio City Environment Parks Management Office if they are still using the area as dumping grounds, as earlier reports from the department showed they are already using Purok 12 in the barangay as dumping grounds.

In an answer to the request of Tuba officials, the City Council also moved for an executive-legislative meeting with officials of both local governments to further discuss the problem and for the city to submit reports on its actions particularly the status of the retaining wall.

Tuba officials also asked the Baguio City to provide screens or covering for the inert trash and prevent residual wastes from sliding down into the homes of residents.

The City Council, meanwhile, answered this request by claiming they have already allocated P2 million for the provision of tarpaulin or canvas by the City Engineers Office.

Earlier, the City Engineers Office and the City Environment and Parks Management Office have been fast tracking the acquisition of 50 rolls of sack lining, 8,000 sacks and 50 rolls of strings, to be used in containing the inert trash, while plans for the construction of another retaining wall is being undertaken.

With these requests, the Council on approved motions reiterated the city to conduct the technical investigation since a separate technical probe on the incident has not yet taken place.

Baguio prepares for 'Pedring

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/local-news/2011/09/27/baguio-prepares-pedring-181686
• Tuesday, September 27, 2011

By JM Agreda

BAGUIO City officials have called on the public to prepare, as Typhoon "Pedring" is set to make landfall in the city Tuesday morning.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has placed all Cordillera provinces under public storm signal number 1 Monday noon.

Classes at the preschool level were suspended.

Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan called on the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council to prepare for the typhoon to prevent the loss of lives and damage to property.

The mayor said evacuation centers were readied and is available once classes are suspended for families living in Asin Road, Irisan, City Camp Lagoon and Crystal Cave.

The mayor added that those living in the areas near the Irisan dumpsite, whose retaining wall collapsed due to heavy rains spawned by Typhoon Mina last August, have already relocated.

The mayor directed the City Engineers Office (CEO) and the City Environment Parks Management Office (Cepmo) to assess the areas around the Irisan dumpsite for risk of another trash slide due to heavy rains spawned by Typhoon Pedring.

Last week, Cepmo and CEO officials said there is a need for a large canvas to be placed on top of the piles of old garbage for run-off water not to saturate the trash that might cause another slide.

At the department heads meeting Monday, the mayor instructed Cepmo head Corderlia Lacsamana to advise small-scale miners to stop operations while the storm is raging.

The mayor also ordered department heads to coordinate with nearby Tuba Municipal Health Office to assess the effects of run-off water coming from the dumpsite to the water supply of residents in the nearby barangays.

Baguio not taking any chances on possible adverse effects of 'Pedring

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=375091
• September 26, 2011, 1:56 pm

By (PNA) FFC/AAG

BAGUIO CITY, Sept. 26 (PNA) - Vice mayor Daniel Farinas Monday said all preparations are being made in view of any adverse effects of Tropical Storm "Pedring" might bring although this mountain resort which is still under the state of calamity is not one of the charted path of the latest howler.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) through weatherman Wilson Locando said Baguio and suburbs will continue to have overcast skies with rainshowers and thunderstorms.

Farinas said that the precautionary stance of Baguio against any eventuality was taken considering that the city was only placed under storm signal number one during the height of typhoon "Mina" which killed six persons and damaged millions worth of properties and infrastructures here last August 27.

He said that two days ago, the local disaster coordinating councils have been placed on alert to properly respond to the needs of the people.

Baguio HPG recovers 2 cars stolen in 1990s

• Source: http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/news/provincial/14025-baguio-hpg-recovers-2-cars-stolen-in-1990s
• Sunday, September 25, 2011

By Alfred Dalizon

NEARLY 20 years after they were separately stolen, two motor vehicles were recovered by the Cordillera Regional Highway Patrol Unit in Baguio City this week, Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group director Chief Supt. Leonardo A. Espina said yesterday.

Espina said the possessors of the two stolen vehicles, one of them Japanese national Kent Koyanagi, are now undergoing investigation by the Cordillera RHPU.

Koyanagi was flagged down 4:30 p.m. last Thursday along Tamawan Village in Pinsao, Baguio while driving a Mercedes Benz with plate no. PHF-111.

A check showed that the Benz originally registered under the name of Estelita Hipolito of Agno Street, Quezon City was stolen while parked unattended at SM City North EDSA on June 3, 1996.

Last Friday, the RHPU Cordillera also impounded a Toyota Tamaraw FX with no plate during an anti-carnapping operation at Kisad Road in Baguio City.

Mayor asks dumpsite residents to relocate

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/local-news/2011/09/24/mayor-asks-dumpsite-residents-relocate-181194
• Saturday, September 24, 2011

By JM Agreda

DUE to unstable nature of the inert garbage at the dumpsite, which has the tendency to collapse, the Baguio City mayor recently urged residents in the affected areas to transfer to a safer location.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan said residents who are still in danger from possible trash slide should no longer occupy the area. He said the City will rehabilitate it, with no worries of another slide affecting residents.

Domogan said the city has arranged with the owner of a housing project in Cypress, Irisan, for a relocation site for the affected residents.

He said the lot owner of the housing project there has opened several vacant lots for the affected families.

However, these lots will not be given for free as it would cost P40,000 for down-payment. Monthly premiums are affordable and at reasonable payment schemes, Domogan said.

Meanwhile, Domogan said financial assistance worth P25,000 was already given to family members of the six casualties during the incident.

The financial assistance from the city is an additional aid to affected families, as the city gave an initial assistance to families of casualties worth P20,000.

The City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) also gave P25,000 each to 10 families whose homes have been totally damaged.

CSWD Officer Betty Fangasan added they also gave P10,000 assistance to families whose houses have been partially damaged by the trash slide.

Since the day after the slide, Fangasan said they have been delivering relief goods to affected families in the form of rice.

Shabu tiangge king convicted

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/local-news/2011/09/23/shabu-tiangge-king-convicted-181002
• Friday, September 23, 2011

By Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper

THE most wanted drug personality in the Cordillera, who is also included in the order of battle of organized crime groups at the time of his last arrest on August 25, 2009, was convicted, just a little over two years later.

Teodulo Villareal y Arnaiz alias “Teddy” was recently apprehended by virtue of a warrant of arrest and bench warrant served against him and his live-in partner, respectively, by a composite team from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (Cidu) and Highway Patrol Group in Cordillera.

The couple was pinned down at the Baguio General Hospital rotunda in Baguio City around 12 p.m., where Villareal was nabbed anew with a sachet of .44 gram of shabu.

Earlier, on Aug. 2, 2008, a search warrant was jointly implemented by Cidu and PDEA at No. 46 Siapno Rd., Pacdal, Baguio City, the residence of Villareal, which he allegedly operates as a drug den or shabu tiangge with his live-in partner, the first of such case in the region.

Found in the house during the anti-drug operation were shabu and marijuana, chemical precursors of shabu, laboratory tools for mixing essential chemicals to produce shabu, numerous assorted paraphernalia for pot sessions, equipment for and records of drug transactions, empty shells and a live bullet, and deadly weapons.

Villareal was able to escape the raid. But his co-operator was caught with nine others, including five minors and two women, most of them are relatives of the couple. Two of those apprehended are kids of Villareal and one belongs to his live-in partner.

Last Sept. 5, Villareal was meted with 12 years and a day to 20 years jail time, and ordered to pay a fine of P400,000.

Villareal, 47, Civil Engineering undergraduate, native of Baguio is likewise associated with a notorious local drug syndicate and a dreaded organized crime group operating on a national scale. (PR)

Envi exec: Only 50% of villages segregate trash

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/local-news/2011/09/22/envi-exec-only-50-villages-segregate-trash-180743
• Thursday, September 22, 2011

By JM Agreda

BAGUIO City Environment and Parks Management Office head Cordelia Lacsamana told members of the City Council Monday that only 50 percent of the 128 barangays are compliant with the waste segregation policy.

Lacsamana said segregation in the barangays continue only at collection points and not at source or in the households.

The City Government urged barangays to help in the implementation of the ‘No Segregation, No Collection’ policy and the introduction of the two-truck system where a separate truck will collect recyclables-residuals and biodegradables.

She said collection has improved slowly, as shown in the biodegradable collection increase from 14 to 30 tons per day, since the implementation of the two-truck system.

As to Protech’s hauling of residual garbage, Lacsamana backed the company’s vice president Luis Lu Jr.’s statement that they have been hauling residual wastes and processing biodegradables on a daily basis.

Lacsamana also said the Irisan facility continues to be a transfer and holding area of the city’s 166 tons on average daily trash. In the dumpsite, 62 waste pickers are accredited by the agency to collect recyclables.

She added that Protech has also contracted trucks in Subic to be used in the hauling of garbage aside from the dump trucks they rent from the City Government.

Baguio vice mayor apologizes to Team Pacquiao for Baguio traffic mess

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=374046
• September 21, 2011, 12:17 pm

By (PNA) DCT/FFC/AAG

BAGUIO CITY, Sept. 21 (PNA) -- City vice mayor Daniel Farinas Wednesday apologized to "Team Pacquiao" for the daily traffic bottlenecks they experience here, especially with the on-going repairs of sections of Naguilian Road.

The team of Sarangani congressman is staying at a hotel along that road where an average of more than 3,000 vehicles pass through daily despite the wide gaping holes from an intersection of Ferguzon road.

"I hope Congressman Pacquiao and his team will adjust their schedules to avoid the heavy traffic flow along Naguilian Road and other areas in and around the city. We are doing everything we can to alleviate the hardship of our commuters," he said.

Boxing champion Manny Pacquiao had his second day of training at nearby subdivision area where he had to undergo uphill and downhill run in preparation to his bout against Mexican boxing champion Juan Manuel Marquez in Nevada, U.S.A. in November this year.

The team is expected to be in a lot of movements during their month-long training in the area that Farinas has called especially the contractor along Naguilian Road to hasten the construction project in that area.

Likewise, many motorists noted that at nighttime, long trucks often violate the one way route which often result to traffic snarls.

It should be recalled that during the last visit of Baguio congressman Bernardo Vergara, he warned that contractors who unduly delay the completion of their projects would be "blacklisted" in their future attempt to get projects from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Compared to how the Naguilian Road repairs, many motorists find it to be "slow" as many motorists had earlier praised the fast completion of the Boka*wkan Road which is connected to the route to La Trinidad, Benguet.

The contractor of the Naguilian Road repairs had pledged to complete the project next month and that the delay of the repairs was due to the recent rainy periods.

Councilor reminds parents to give time for kids

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/local-news/2011/09/20/councilor-reminds-parents-give-time-kids-180361
• Tuesday, September 20, 2011

By Lito Dar

BAGUIO City Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda reminded parents during Wednesday’s Kapihan forum to value and give time to their children, as Davao City celebrates the Family Week this September.

“Keeping a strong family is very important as being the basic unit of a society; strong families bring about strong communities, so let us pay attention to our families,” she said.

Children, especially of overseas workers, are having a hard time coping with the consequences of lack of parental attention, she added.

Tabanda said this is one reason why the City Government focuses its programs on children or youth to prevent them from getting involved in violence.

She said her office and the Balikatan, a city women’s group where is also a member, is actively co-sponsoring forums geared toward enhancing close family relationships and parenting effectiveness.

In line with the celebration, Tabanda said Balikatan already talked with the Youth Council for a forum that will involve both the youths and their parents.

Baguio transportation remains normal as most transport groups refuse to join strike

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=373584
• September 19, 2011, 2:06 pm

By (PNA) LAP/AAGalacgac

BAGUIO CITY, Sept. 19 (PNA) - The leader of the militant transport group Pinag-isang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) on Monday confirmed that not a single route in this mountain resort was affected by any transport strike as all other groups refused to join the supposed mass action.

Carlito Wayas, president of the local chapter of PISTON said with the refusal, "we just went ahead with a peaceful noise barrage and rally."

In the rally at at the heart of the central business district, PISTON leaders denounced the Oil Deregulation Law and implementation of the 12-percent expanded value added tax on oil which has allegedly caused oil prices in the country to continue to rise.

Wayas said "we hope the President would listen to our predicament of shouldering the burden imposed by the overpricing oil cartels."

To date, the Federation of Jeepney Drivers and Operators of Baguio, Benguet and La Union (FEJODABLU) has the most number of members from the jeepney and taxi groups with more than an estimated 10,000 members.

Weeklong Baguio-QC anti-smoking run starts today

• Source: http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=65&articleId=728287
• September 18, 2011 12:00 AM

By Sheila Crisostomo

MANILA, Philippines - A weeklong run from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in Baguio City to the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) office in Quezon City starts today to drum up support for healthy lifestyles and smoke-free communities.

“We hope to promote healthy lifestyle. It is cheaper for anyone to do that than to suffer from illnesses. Through this campaign, we hope to achieve smoke-free communities,” PMA governor Dr. Leo Olarte said.

Some 10,000 runners are expected to participate in the nine-leg “PMA2PMA Smoke-Free Philippines Health Advocacy Run,” which ends on Sept. 24.

Running priest Fr. Robert Reyes, who will lead a core group, said runners will stop in the communities along the way to meet with local government officials and Church leaders to discuss the need for them to initiate efforts toward healthy living.

He added that they will encourage local officials to come up with or implement ordinances to regulate smoking.

“My brother died of lung cancer due to smoking. I am a volunteer of the PMA in this smoke-free crusade. I am running with them around the nation to make people realize the clear and present danger of tobacco smoke,” Reyes said.

Dr. Elizabeth Ifurung-Gonzales, president of the PMA-Makati Medical Society, said they intend to “show to the entire nation that non-smokers are indeed the majority of the Filipino population and that same majority would want a smoke-free Philippines for the greater good of the Filipino people.”

Cinematheque opens in city

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/feature/2011/09/17/cinematheque-opens-city-179884
• Saturday, September 17, 2011

By Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper

A SEVENTY-five-seater Cinematheque housed at the newly restored Casa Vallejo in Baguio City, summer capital of the Philippines, is set to open on Saturday, September 17, under the auspices of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).

FDCP Chairman Briccio G. Santos said Casa Vallejo was chosen as the site for the Cinematheque because of its central location and its heritage status as one of Baguio City’s landmarks.

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The formal inauguration ceremonies rites will start at 4:30 p.m. with the blessing of the Cinematheque, followed by co*cktails and a special screening at 7 p.m. of the 1956 classic film Anak Dalita, directed by National Artist for Film Lamberto Avellana, and starring some of Philippine filmdom’s greatest stars of the post-war period—Tony Santos, Rosa Rosal, and Vic Silayan.

Santos said cultural attachés of European embassies, Baguio City officials, and members of media and the press have been invited to attend the launch of the country’s first Cinematheque.

The Cinematheque will showcase a range of classic and contemporary Filipino films -- from the Golden Age of Philippine cinema from the pre-war period up to the early Sixties, as well as mainstream, animation and independent films of the present era. It will also be a venue for workshops and symposiums on directing, scriptwriting, editing, cinematography, and other aspects of filmmaking.

After the inaugural screening on September 17, five other rarely seen Filipino movies -- all produced before the Second World War -- will be shown during the rest of the week. These are Zamboanga (1937), directed by Eduardo de Castro, starring Fernando Poe Sr. and Rosa del Rosario; Giliw Ko (1939), directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa, starring Fernando Poe Sr., Ely Ramos, Mila del Sol and Fleur de Lis (Mona Lisa); Tunay na Ina (1939) and Pakiusap (1940), both directed by Octavio Silos, starring Rudy Concepcion and Rosario Moreno; and Ibong Adarna (1941), directed by Vicente Salumbides, starring Fred Cortes and Mila del Sol.

Art Tibaldo, a veteran practitioner in Baguio’s media and art community, has been designated as the local coordinator for the FDCP’s cinematheque project. For the rest of 2011, other cinematheques will be set up in the cities of Davao, Iloilo and Marawi. It is envisioned that by next year, there will be one in each of the sixteen regions of the Philippines.

Originally, the French word cinémathèque referred to a building that housed both a film archive and a small cinema, or cinemas, that screened classic and art-house movies. The first cinematheque appeared in France in 1936, and began life as a film club to show old films.

The Philippine Cinematheque project is part of the FDCP’s Sineng Pambansa (National Cinema) program, whose mission is to “bring Filipino films to Filipinos”, in its effort to revitalize and raise the standards of the Philippine motion picture industry, and to make quality films accessible to as wide an audience as possible.

Under this program, film festivals were held this year in the cities of Iloilo, Zamboanga, Baguio, San Fernando in Pampanga, and Marawi. Filipino movies were shown in regular cinema houses and other venues, and also by means of a mobile Sine ng Masa truck with LCD screens that served the villages.

Local government units are the FDCP’s partners in organizing the Sineng Pambansa Film Festivals in various sites in the country. Earlier in March this year, FDCP and the office of Mayor Mauricio Domogan cooperated in holding the first Filipino film festival in Baguio City. (PR)

Baguio police probing death of pupil allegedly mauled by classmates

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=373063
• September 16, 2011, 1:41 pm

By (PNA) scs/FFC/AAG

BAGUIO CITY, Sept. 16 (PNA) - The Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) is investigating the death of a Grade VI pupil who was allegedly mauled by four of his classmates in their classroom at the Baguio Central Elementary school Friday.

Relatives of the victim, identified as Angelo Estrellado, 12, expressed shock and extreme disbelief over the crime perpetrated by the young suspects, whose names were withheld by the police.

Luis Estrellado, Angelo's grandfather, said his family decided to file appropriate charges against the suspects after the interment of the victim.

"We learned from accounts of witnesses that four of his classmates mauled him to death as Angelo was writing on the blackboard relative to their ongoing lesson," he said.

He described his grandson as a good and industrious child.

Meanwhile, the BCPO led by Senior Superintendent David Lacdan vowed to fully investigate the boy's death with the help of witnesses and the school authorities.

Despite the relatively peaceful situation of this mountain resort 250 kilometers north of Manila, children in conflict of the law or minor offenders sometimes commit here crimes which range from murder, rape and other capital offenses.

Cops arrest CPLA faction head

• Source: ww.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/local-news/2011/09/15/cops-arrest-cpla-faction-head-179441
• Thursday, September 15, 2011

By Ma. Elena Catajan

THE head of a faction of the Cordillera People's Liberation Army (CPLA) was arrested Tuesday around 1 p.m. in Baguio City for grave threats.

Miguel “Mike” Sugguiyao heads the faction of the CPLA against the leadership of government-recognized CPLA chairman Arsenio Humiding.

With a warrant of arrest issued by Municipal Trial Court Judge Roberto Mabalot, joint operatives of the Philippine National Police Intelligence Division arrested Sugguiyao.

Sugguiyao, with Cordillera Bodong Administration (CBA) president Andres Ngao-i, filed before the Regional Trial Court in Tabuk, Kalinga a petition to nullify the closure agreement disproving the presidential pact signed in July at Malacañang.

Both have the backing of the Regional Development Council (RDC) against the present Humiding CPLA leadership, forcing the RDC to file a resolution requesting President Benigno Aquino III to suspend implementation of Executive Order 49 sealing the CPLA road to closure and transformation to becoming an economic force.

The 49-year-old Sugguiyao reportedly was able to immediately post bail and enjoyed temporary liberty, paying the prescribed P6,000 bond for each of the two cases of grave threats.

The Humiding group dispelled the leadership of Sugguiyao as well, saying he is not fit to lead the organization.

The arrest of Sugguiyao coincided with the 25th anniversary of the CPLA, which was celebrated by all factions in separate areas all claiming authenticity.

The government-recognized group was at the historic Mt. Data in Bauko Mountain Province.

14 regional Gawad Saka winners compete for national awards

• Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=car&id=54205
• Wednesday, September 14, 2011

by Joseph B. Zambrano

BAGUIO CITY, Sept 14. (PIA) -- A total of 14 regional Gawad Saka winners are contenders to the National Gawad Saka Search for Outstanding Farmers and Fisher folks this year. According to Department of Agriculture Cordillera regional executive director Marilyn V. Sta. Catalina, the winners will represent the region in the national search on October this year in Malacanang. The outstanding farmers who made it to the national search are Genise Dalisdis of Tadiangan, Tuba, Benguet who is a small livestock raiser adapting integrated farming; Francisco Ching of Cada, Mankayan, Benguet for outstanding high value commercial crops farmer. Other contenders include Renato Antonio of Alfonso Lista for outstanding corn farmer; Romeao Kimbungan of Ambiong, La Trinidad, Benguet for outstanding agri-entrepreneur; Felix Tan of Longlong, La Trinidad, Benguet for outstanding organic agriculture farmer and Arturo Yongyong of Halag, Aguinaldo, Ifugao for outstanding large animal raiser. Teodoro Kub-ao and Joseph Dacio both from Tabuk, Kalinga are up for outstanding rice farmers. For Barangay Food Terminal (BFT) category, the entries of Caba, Lagawe, Ifugao and of Sayapot, Tadian, Benguet made it to the national search. Green Thumb 4H Club of Binglo, Paoay, Atok is running for outstanding young farmers organization. Provincial Agriculture and Fishery Council (PAFC) of Mt. Province vies for outstanding PAFC while Municipal Agriculture and Fishery Council (MAFC) of La Trinidad, Benguet for outstanding MAFC. Kalinga province is competing for outstanding rice-based integrated farming system category while the Abra province is vying for outstanding fisherfolk. Last year, four national winners came from the Cordillera region. The Gawad Saka is an annual award giving body of the DA which acknowledges the outstanding efforts of farmers and fisher folks. *(JDP/JBZ PIA CAR)

Sky Pasada pours in P50M in Baguio

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/local-news/2011/09/13/sky-pasada-pours-p50m-baguio-179029
• Tuesday, September 13, 2011

by Ma. Elena Catajan

SKY Pasada manager Richard Tanglao said additional investment fueled the resumption of flights in Baguio City.

Tanglao said flights officially resume September 23, opening the airline’s “Jeepney of the skies” motto for the city and the region with over P50 million in additional investments.

Sky Pasada received their slot at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to begin Baguio flights with endorsem*nt of the Department of Tourism (DOT) as well as the City Mayor’s Office.

Tourism Regional Director Purification Molintas said the resumption of flights’ accessibility to the city for tourists has now improved, explaining without an airline servicing visitors, DOT standards deem the area inaccessible.

Sky Pasada will bring passengers to Manila, Tuguegarao, Laoag, Batanes and Katiklan on a twice-a-week basis when flights resume.

Tanglao said Sky Pasada suspended to upgrade its aircrafts, as directed by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. The aircrafts were taken to its Czechoslovakia plant for upgrade and will take more than a month to be airborne again. “We added emergency exits to comply with the set standards,” Tanglao said.

Tanglao added the company owned by chief executive officer Ramon Guico III opted to buy an additional plane. “There are now three aircrafts for the Baguio leg,” Tanglao said.

Tanglao said the company still aims to become a “rural airline” catering to the needs of key destinations. Airfare available for as low as P1,995.

Baguio imports more meat, meat products in view of Christmas season

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=372010
• Monday, September 12, 2011

by (PNA)DCT/AAG

BAGUIO CITY, Sept. 12 (PNA) -- The city veterinary office on Monday confirmed that a greater volume of fresh meat and meat products are imported here as the Christmas season draws near.Dr. Brigitte Piok, city veterinarian, said that with the development their office has fielded more personnel to strictly check on the products to safeguard the consumers.This country's tourism capital since the start of the "ber months" has noted the revived interest of both local and foreign tourists mainly due to its weather getting cooler.The average temperature of this city even without the usual effects of the rainy weather due to southwest monsoon or tail end of the cold front is at 14 to 24 degrees Celsius.Piok said that foremost consideration of their office's strict quarantine requirements is the monitoring of any harmful disease in the meat and meat products which could jeopardize health."We always want our city to be outstanding in sanitation and cleanliness. This is the reason why we are strict in the implementation of our laws," she said.

Waste segregation, answer to garbage problem - Baguio city govt.

• Source:http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=53589
• Sunday, September 11, 2011

by Aileen Refuerzo & Paul Rillorta

BAGUIO CITY, Sept. 11 (PIA) - - The city government will intensify the implementation of waste segregation policy all over the city to make the city’s waste management plan effective.Mayor Mauricio Domogan on Monday ordered barangay officials here to pinpoint an area in their barangays to serve as pick-up point for segregated wastes.He said biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes must be positioned separately in said pick-up points to facilitate easier collection by waste workers as per the established collection schedules.The mayor said the city will now use two trucks, each designated for the two types of wastes, to pick up the wastes in the barangays.“Also please report to us those who do not comply with our obligation to segregate for this is punishable under Republic Act No. 9003,” the mayor said.The move is backed by barangay captains and barangay sanitation committee members in the city to better systematize garbage collection at source.Association of Barangay Councils President Councilor Joel Alangsab said barangay captains here welcome the move for the two truck collection scheme to remind residents to segregate.The scheme will follow the same collection schedule being implemented city wide with both trucks going to collect on the different barangays of the city at the same barangay collection schedule.Some barangay officials, however, suggested that biodegradable wastes should be collected more frequently as rotting wastes tend to emit a foul smell.The mayor earlier identified the improper segregation practice or the lack of it as a major stumbling block in the city’s waste management efforts.The city’s waste management scheme is presently anchored on the operation of the Environmental Recycling System (ERS) machines which employ the mechanical conversion of large amounts of biodegradable wastes into high-grade fertilizer.But up to this time, the operation of the machines can not be maximized due to poor segregation practice in the barangay level.The two machines can process 48 tons of biodegradable wastes daily but the output has continually fallen short of the maximum requirement.The haphazard segregation practice of the residents also snagged the implementation of the city’s deal with the ERS supplier, Pro Tech Machinery Corporation, to haul out the residual wastes to their waste processing facility at no cost to the city.The mayor said the first haul-out operation failed because half of the load turned out to be biodegradable refuse prompting the company to suspend hauling operations until the city can assure that the wastes are properly segregated.“So once again the bottomline is for us to segregate our wastes so I appeal again to our constituents to comply to make our waste management program work,” the mayor said.“Let us help each other to make our waste management program work,” the mayor reiterated. (PR &AR- PIO Baguio City/PIA CAR)

PDEA nabs drug lord in Baguio City

• Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=53519
• Saturday, September 10, 2011

By PIA Press Release

BAGUIO CITY, Sept. 10 (PIA) - - The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)finally caught a drug lord here last September 6 in a buy-bust operation following a betrayal by one of the local drug groups he has been supplying.Bernardo Oliveros y Cabonitalla alias “Bernie,” married, elementary graduate, businessman, native of Baguio City, resident of No. 38 San Carlos Heights, Irisan, Baguio City was arrested with two sachets, or about .9 gram of shabu, with overall approximate street cost of P10,000.Criminal cases for violations of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs) and Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs) of Republic Act 9165 (The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) will be filed in court against him. Sale of Dangerous Drugs is non-bailable and punishable by life imprisonment to death and P500,000 to P1 million fine.A “godfather” of organized local drug groups, the 56-year old notorious leader of the wide-ranging and deep-seated Oliveros drug group in the Cordillera Region is now languishing in jail.The elusive Oliveros is the number one in the Target List of Drug Personalities in the region and is key player in the shabu trade in Baguio City since late 1990s. Likewise, he had long been the subject of various drug law enforcement operations in the region even before the birth of the PDEA – Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).The big-time Oliveros drug group leader was arrested in 2004 in a buy-bust operation at Lower Rock Quarry, Baguio City. But the criminal cases filed against him were dismissed shortly. He has been, subsequently, so hard to pin down, until now.His son, Federico Oliveros y Bayuga alias “Eric” was nabbed with 9.09 grams of shabu at Maria Basa, Pacdal, Baguio City during a buy-bust operation by the Drug Enforcement Unit of the Baguio City Police Office on November 10, 2007. The cases against him were also dismissed on January 6, 2009. The younger Oliveros got busted again last June 11 by members of the Police Regional Office – Cordillera’s Regional Anti-illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group.Now, the Oliveros father and son are reunited at the Baguio City Jail.At least three other close relatives or drug group members of Bernie Oliveros who were apprehended by PDEA – CAR agents, had been convicted.“With the neutralization of Bernie (Oliveros), we expect a notable reduction of shabu supply in the Cordillera Region, and the spectacular disbanding of the Oliveros drug group,” said PDEA – CAR regional director Gil Cesario P. Castro.Undersecretary Jose S. Gutierrez Jr.,PDEA director general, commended the PDEA – CAR for its relentless efforts of living up to its commitment to significantly reduce the supply of illegal drugs in the Cordillera.(PDEA-CAR/PIA CAR)

City councilor warns against ‘land fixers’

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/local-news/2011/09/09/city-councilor-warns-against-land-fixers-178310
• Friday, September 9, 2011

By JM Agreda

COUNCILOR Isabelo Cosalan recently warned residents of the city of a recent modus of fixers who roam barangays claiming they can survey lands for a fee.

Cosalan stressed the Cadastral Survey of Lands being conducted in the city remains free as it will help those who cannot afford to pay costly surveying services.

He added even if those offering these surveying services are from the government much more should residents become wary and report this immediately to City authorities.

Vice Mayor Daniel Fariñas echoed this warning from Cosalan claiming the city has been streamlining its programs and services to address concerns of clients transacting business with government offices.

As the city celebrates the Philippine Civil Service month, Fariñas assured residents frontline services are open even during lunch break to assist clients in paying business permits and payment of taxes and other transactions at City Hall in accordance with the Anti-Red Tape Act.

As an added measure, he said the city has placed a public assistance desk in the lobby of City Hall to provide assistance and guide clients transacting business with different departments.

City Human Resource Management Officer Estrella Bisquera likewise assured transactions in City Hall are now easier with the provision of the Citizen’s Charter that when placed in conspicuous places, clients will be informed through a checklist, flow and time frame for every transaction entered with the City Government.

She added a steady decrease of complaints was noticed against City Hall employees now numbering at least 1,436 from clients through the years but stressed acts like arrogance and other illegal acts by city government employees are investigated once a formal complaint is filed through their Bilis Aksyon program.

This year only three administrative complaints have been filed against city employees for arrogance and neglect of duty among other violations.

Appropriate administrative charges are likewise meted to violators of existing civil service rules, she added.

Committee on Ethics and Governmental Affairs chair Councilor Philian Weygan-Allan, meanwhile, stressed the importance of good governance in a resolution she filed before the council by adhering to the three signatory requirements in processing documents as stated in Republic Act 6713 or the Civil Service law.

Police ask parents to keep their kids safe

• Source: http://209.59.190.9/baguio/local-news/2011/09/08/police-ask-parents-keep-their-kids-safe-178039
• Thursday, September 8, 2011

By Ma. Elena Catajan

THE Baguio City police advised parents to keep a tighter watch over their children following the accidental death of a 17-year-old girl in the hands of a friend.

Baguio City Police Director David Lacdan said parents who are overseas contract workers should take extra effort to monitor the activities of their children as well as those who are taking care of them.

The girl, identified as Irish, was reported missing since on June 3 and was found dead on Monday. She died accidentally in the hands of a friend, 20-year-old Emerson Labayog.

A search warrant has been issued Wednesday afternoon in a bid to find evidence of the shooting incident, which killed the girl, the warrant enables police and the National Bureau of Investigation agents to search the suspect's house at Upper Rock Quarry.

Authorities will be searching the home of Labayog including the septic tank where the alleged weapon was dumped.

The victim's personal effects like her cellular phones, a brown shoulder bag and other evidences are believed to be hidden in the suspect's home.

Friends of the victim who were present during her accidental death on Monday to sign written affidavits to confirm the accident.

Statements of two friends of the victim completed evidence required to get a search warrant as well as a confession from the suspect.

After the shooting, friends said the suspect disposed of the body of Irish in a bid cover up the crime. They said fear stopped them from coming out earlier.

Lacdan said the case of Irish is not gang related like other incidents in the city and dispelled speculation a serial killer or a syndicate is behind cases of other missing children.

Stinking garbage crisis still stalks Baguio streets

• Source: http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/regions/6714-stinking-garbage-crisis-still-stalks-baguio-streets
• Wednesday, September 07, 2011

By THOM F. PICAÑA

BAGUIO CITY: Mayor Mauricio Domogan yesterday urged Baguio residents to properly segregate their garbage because by doing this, they are helping the city in their campaign in garbage proper disposal.

However, despite the “garbage crisis” Domogan assured the city residents that garbage collection will continue to make the city clean and orderly.

In his regular media forum , Domogan said the city will continue collecting non-segregated wastes in the barangays lest another garbage crisis occur on the streets of the city.

He said more than 1,500 tons of trash composed of old garbage, which spilled over the Irisan dumpsite last August 27, will be sent off to Capas, Tarlac after several government-owned dumpsites refused the city’s residual wastes.

The garbage problem arose when tropical storm “ Mina” rooted out the retaining wall of the 30-year-old dumpsite last week that left at least six person dead and destroyed millions of pesos worth of properties.

Domogan sorting out solutions to the garbage problem assured residents down Tuba, Benguet that they will immediately fix the retaining wall after the garbage hauling.

He announced that Urdaneta City, Rosales town in Pangasinan and in Capas, Tarlac are much willing to accept as dumping ground of the city’s trash.

Domogan is facing another crisis because Urdaneta now declined to accept the city’s garbage contrary to earlier reports that it is willing to accept part of the Irisan trash at P1,000 per ton as tipping fee.

The reason was Baguio City’s trash remained unsorted. And Urdaneta reportedly

Has reached their garbage collection threshold of 40 tons a day.

Domogan said the city had an agreement with a private garbage hauler owned by Mark Anthony Agsalod, who pledged to haul Baguio’s garbage to a dumpsite in Malasiqui, Pangasinan.

The mayor said the private hauler was given a license to operate by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau.

Domogan explained that the city acquired a P128-million Environmental Recycling System, which will help decrease the city’s wastes by as much as 50 percent.

Earlier reports noted that the City Solid Waste Management Board will conduct an intensive information per barangay as well as business establishment to remind them to do their part in segregating their trash as provided for by the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

Garbage collection continues sans proper segregation

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/local-news/2011/09/06/garbage-collection-continues-sans-proper-segregation-177605
• Tuesday, September 6, 2011

By JM Agreda

GARBAGE collection in the barangays will still push through even without proper segregation, Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan said.

Domogan said the city will continue collecting non-segregated wastes in the barangays for fear another garbage crisis will occur on the streets of the city.

According to Domogan, the more than 1,500 tons of trash composed of old garbage, which spilled over the Irisan dumpsite last August 27, will be sent off to Capas, Tarlac after several government-owned dumpsites refused the city’s residual wastes.

Typhoon Mina toppled the retaining wall of the 30-year-old dumpsite last week that left at least six dead and destroyed millions of pesos worth of properties.

Baguio City remains under state of calamity.

Urdaneta City Government, which accepted part of the Irisan trash at P1,000 per ton as tipping fee, on Friday declined to accept the trash as it remained unsorted.

Urdaneta Mayor Amadeo Perez IV also said they could no longer accept Baguio’s trash, as they have already reached their garbage collection threshold of 40 tons a day.

Domogan said the city had an agreement with a private garbage hauler owned by Mark Anthony Agsalod, who pledged to haul Baguio’s garbage to a dumpsite in Malasiqui, Pangasinan.

The mayor said the private hauler was given a license to operate by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau.

Domogan revealed the city acquired a P128-million Environmental Recycling System, which will help decrease the city’s wastes by as much as 50 percent.

Domogan called on the public to segregate their trash to help the government address the city’s problem while it is still planning for a sanitary landfill.

Meanwhile, the City Solid Waste Management Board will conduct an intensive information campaign in the following weeks to remind residents anew to do their part in segregating their trash as provided for by the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

DSWD studies cash transfer for homeless

• Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/53127/dswd-studies-cash-transfer-for-homeless
• Monday, September 5th, 2011

By Vincent Cabreza

BAGUIO CITY—The success of the government’s conditional cash transfer (CCT) program will always draw suspicion from people who meet homeless families living in Metro Manila’s streets or the mentally ill drenched and shivering in Baguio’s rains.This is a sector of the very poor who could not be included in national household surveys that help the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) identify its CCT beneficiaries, said Leonardo Reynoso, DSWD Cordillera director.Reynoso said the agency was designing a version of the CCT for this sector of the poor, but planning had been slowed down because the homeless of many cities, such as Baguio, are usually transient and have no permanent residence.He cited Badjao families, who shuttle between Dagupan City, Pampanga and Baguio, making it difficult for social workers to track them down.Different designCoralie Dulnuan, a Baguio social worker, said this sector does not qualify for the CCT with the way the program is designed.The CCT is a transactional aid program because it requires the mothers of a beneficiary family to ensure their children are enrolled and are present in class and that the family members avail themselves of medical examinations at the nearest government health facility.In exchange, the government provides them up to P1,400 monthly, representing a P500 monthly stipend and P300 for each of the beneficiary family’s first three children who are in elementary school.No known familiesDulnuan said the composition of Baguio’s homeless, for example, are individuals with no known families or those suffering from a form of mental illness and have resisted help from government social workers.Reynoso said the DSWD might try a new program for families living in the streets of Metro Manila, but it had yet to design a program for individual street dwellers because their profiles were too different to fall under a uniform program.Even the basic livelihood training projects of the agency will not lure some of the homeless off the streets, he said.Not invisibleBut these people are not invisible to the government, said Dulnuan, who has served as social worker for three years.Dulnuan said the DSWD and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), where she works, had already compiled information on street people, dating back to the early 1990s.That was the decade when residents began to observe the rise in mentally ill people living in the streets.The advisory council of Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center tried to address the problem by providing a mechanism for assessing the conditions or these people.The same protocol guides law enforcers as to how to deal with the homeless, documents showed.Diverse, colorfulBaguio’s street people are as diverse and as colorful as the homeless living in other cities, said Dulnuan.One of the oldest street people known to them is a blind man who stays on the sidewalk of Session Road even during heavy rains.Dulnuan said the man had been seen begging on Session Road for about 45 years. “But [he] is not strictly categorized here as homeless because he actually lives with his relatives and takes a jeepney home when night sets,” she said.But even the blind man would not be qualified for the CCT. “He is not married,” Dulnuan said.She said about 20 people sleep in the streets and parks here but “good detective work and patient interaction” helped social workers bring that figure down this month to 15.RejectedMany of these people have been rejected by family members or have wandered into Baguio from other provinces, DSWD records showed.A woman, with whom social workers tried to interact for months, turned out to be a resident of Cebu City who was reported missing.“She refused to speak. But one time, she spoke in Cebuano, so we painstakingly dug through records and coordinated with Cebu officials until we were able to contact her family. She is back in Cebu today,” Dulnuan said.She said the easiest solution was for the government or a church foundation to set up a shelter and hire social workers and nurses to take care of them.

GRANDMA FOUND AFTER 5 DAYS UNDER TRASH SLIDE

• Source: http://www.baguiocity.com/news_article/grandma-found-after-5-days-under-trash-slide
• Sunday, September 4, 2011

By: REDJIE MELVIC CAWIS / PIA

BAGUIO CITY - The Cordillera Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center reportedthat the sixth victim of the collapsed retaining wall of the Irisan dumpsite , was recovered Thursday morning after five days under the trash slide.

The body of Antonia Tacio, the 68 year old grandmother, was found by operatives of the Philippine Air Force – Tactical Operations Group, the Philippine Military Academy and the CDRRMC.

Office of Civil Defense regional director Olive Luces said that after five days of search and recovery operations under the tons of garbage that fell along the community in Asin Road, the joint efforts of these teams located the Tacio at last.

The OCD identified the other casualties in the trashslide as siblings – Revuller , Apolinario, and Frando Flores aged13, 10 and 15 respectively, and Jeffonie Cael,18 and sister and 21 years old Noemi.

Luces reported that the six perished when the retaining wall of the Irisan dumpsite collapsed Saturday during the height of typhoon Mina and tons of garbage covered their houses .

She added that clearing operation at Km. 5, Asin Road where the garbage cascaded, is still ongoing and a Command Post is now established there to fully supervise the garbage clearing operation. The command post is headed and manned by Baguio CDRRMC.

The Cordillera Region is one of the hardest hit during the onslaught of the typhoon. At least 14 died in the region, eight in Baguio City, four in Abra and two in Benguet.

Two more people are reported missing in the province of Abra and kalinga while 17 were reported injured.

The city of Baguio and the province of Benguet have been declared under state of calamity by the city council and the Sanguniang Panlalawigan respectively.

Meantime, Social Security System (SSS) Assistant Vice President for North Luzon Luis V. Olais, during the Kapihan sa Baguio forum at SSS office Wednesday, affirmed that a declaration of state of calamity would be a basis of his recommendation to SSS President and Corporate Executive Officer Emilio De Quiros Jr. for the approval of giving calamity loans to its SSS members in Baguio and Benguet areas.(JDP/RC- PIA CAR)

A garbage crisis looms in Baguio City?

• Source: http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=67&articleId=723144
• Saturday, September 3, 2011

by Artemo Dumlao

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Is a garbage crisis looming in this city?

This question cropped up after Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan ordered the Irisan dump shut down following the trash slide at the height of super typhoon “Mina” that buried five villagers alive.

Lawyer Carlos Canilao, city administrator, said flak received by the local government from different sectors, including the environment department, prompted Domogan to close down the collapsed dump.

Canilao admitted that the Irisan dump had been operating illegally since Republic Act 9003 took effect in 2001.

He said Baguio’s garbage will be brought to the lowlands after Urdaneta City in Pangasinan rejected the dumping of tons of trash in its sanitary landfill.

Three drivers were detained in Urdaneta City after they were caught unloading several trucks of garbage from Baguio City without the consent of Mayor Gregory Perez IV.

Rey Quinto, caretaker of the modern engineered sanitary landfill in Urdaneta City, told The STAR that they had stopped accommodating Baguio’s trash since Monday.

He said Perez earlier granted Domogan’s request to dump trash from the Irisan dump to the city’s landfill for humanitarian reasons.

On Thursday, Quinto said at least eight trucks of garbage from Baguio were brought to the Urdaneta landfill without their approval though.

Perez tightened security at the sanitary landfill after the three drivers were allegedly caught dumping truckloads of garbage without clearance.

Police will file charges against the arrested drivers.

The town of Malasiqui, also in Pangasinan, earlier said it would not allow Baguio City to dispose off its garbage in its 16-hectare controlled dump.

With this development, the city government has to look for towns willing to accommodate its hundreds of tons of garbage.

The impending garbage problem in the city came at the heels of Baguio’s 102nd Charter Day rites on Thursday.

Although the stretch of Asin Road in Tuba town, Benguet where the avalanche occurred had already been cleared, Baguio’s garbage woes are far from over.

Presidential Adviser on Environment Neric Acosta said the incident should be looked into.

Lawyer Jose Molintas, a scion of an old Baguio Ibaloi clan and a United Nations expert on indigenous people’s mechanisms, said environment officials who allowed the use of the open dump should be held liable for its collapse.

The city government disclosed it has acquired P180 million worth of Japan-made machines that can recycle biodegradable materials into fertilizer.

Vital Baguio-Asin Road reopens, all six dumpsite avalanche victims recovered

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=370117
• Friday, September 2, 2011, 12:34

by NPA News

BAGUIO CITY, Sept. 2 (PNA) -- The 10-kilometer Asin Road here leading to the world-famous Asin Hotsprings and where hundreds of Tuba, Benguet residents pass through daily was opened to traffic Thursday night.

The road, vital to economy, industry and tourism for both this city and Benguet Province was closed to traffic last August 27 (Saturday) at the height of typhoon "Mina" due to an estimated 50 tons of garbage which blocked the road's section in Barangay Tadiangan, Tuba, Benguet.

City vice mayor Daniel Farinas said that, although only one lane was re-opened in that former closed portion, "it had somehow normalized transportation in the area."

Besides, he said, the clearing of more than 40 truckloads of garbage led to the recovery of all the six bodies of the victims who died when they were swept away by the avalanche of garbage of the open dumpsite of this city located in Barangay Irisan here.

The last body to be recovered was identified as the late Antonia Tacio, 68, grandmother of the three children who were among those dead in that so-called "Irisan dumpsite tragedy."

The burial of the six fatalities in that tragedy was reportedly to take place Saturday, or one week after the calamitous super typhoon struck the city and suburbs.

"Life must go on. Let us help one another in this calamity. We will overcome all these hardships," said Farinas. (PNA) DCT/FFC/AAG

Residents urged to file raps vs officials over trash slide

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/baguio/local-news/2011/09/01/residents-urged-file-raps-vs-officials-over-trash-slide-176613
• Thursday, September 1, 2011

By JM Agreda and Ma. Elena Catajan

BAGUIO CITY -- A former city councilor called on residents affected by the August 27 dumpsite tragedy in this city to join in the snowballing outrage against what he calls a man-made disaster.

Jose Molintas, a former city councilor here, said it is clear there was negligence on the part of the City Government on its implementation of the Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

Local officials concerned must be held liable for the tragedy that claimed three lives. He said people will never accept the incident as a force majeure or an "Act of God."

"It could have been foreseen from the beginning that once you pile up a lot of garbage it will eventually fall down," Molintas said.

Even with a reinforced retaining wall, several thousand tons of garbage accumulated through the years could still endanger people residing below, he added.

Heavy rains brought about by Typhoon Mina caused the mound of garbage at the Irisan dumpsite to loosen and later destroy a retaining wall. The ensuing avalanche of trash killed three people, destroyed three homes and damaged many others.

Molintas called on the City Council and other agencies such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to investigate flaws in the engineering design of the dumpsite and what laws were violated despite the closure order.

"When somebody dies, you cannot leave things as they are, as a protocol there should be criminal investigation," he said.

Molintas, a lawyer, said a case of reckless imprudence or negligence may be filed against concerned officials who will be made accountable for the collapse of the wall based on the results of the investigation.

His group is also calling on incumbent officials and those directly involved in the tragedy to resign or file a leave of absence while the investigation is ongoing.

This, he stressed, is important in ensuring transparency and for results of the investigation to be tainted or covered up.

He explained that although the investigation would trickle down to the previous administrations who administered the operations of the dumpsite, he believes former Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr.'s closure order of the site in 2009 should have been continued by the present administration.

However, he claimed the current administration under Mayor Mauricio Domogan did not totally close the dumpsite but instead continued hauling residual waste in the area.

He said instead of reinforcing the retaining wall, the stabilization process conducted by the city under monitoring of the DENR should have been continued instead of the resumption of the dumping of residual garbage in the already dangerous dump site.

Molintas said he will not yet file the criminal case against erring officials until the investigation on the man-made calamity is completed.

He added the executive department or the local government officials who did not close the dumpsite despite DENR’s order should be made accountable for their acts, which caused millions worth of damages and loss of lives.

Meanwhile, DENR-Environmental Management Bureau Director Paquito Moreno said the agency is assisting the City Environment Parks Management Office in conducting damage control in the affected area.

The area near Irisan dumpsite has already been cleared of the garbage and opened to one way traffic as of 11 a.m. Wednesday, said City Engineer Leo Bernardez.

Clearing operations in other risk areas in the dumpsite is still ongoing. Trash are hauled to a temporary hauling facility before being moved to Capas, Tarlac and Urdaneta, Pangasinan as only four trucks are allowed to enter the dumpsite.

"Additional hauling trucks would further cause delay and exacerbate the situation," Moreno said.

Bernardez, based on initial assessment reported to CEPMO, said the designers assured the retaining wall constructed included drainage tunnels for the leachate water to pass through but strong rains over the weekend brought by Typhoon Mina proved it was not enough.

Earlier, the DENR based on initial assessment claimed there was infrastructure failure on the design of the retaining wall.

The city engineer, meanwhile, added the construction of a new retaining wall after the spillover trash has been cleared is important to prevent similar incidents from happening.

But DENR Regional Executive Director Clarence Baguilat claimed the Mines and Geosciences Bureau discovered a creek near the retaining wall where water coming from Naguilian Road accumulates.

This according to residents might have been what they saw as the huge concentration of water which weakened the structure of the retaining wall.

Meanwhile, Benguet Governor Nestor Fongwan is seriously asking Baguio City to study how to solve its waste problem.

He said the local government of Baguio should take the garbage problem more seriously before any more damage is brought to the Benguet side.

He added sentiments of the protestors at the Tuba side were correct in their fears on the collapse of tons of garbage from the Baguio side.

Fongwan said talks on real measures to solve the problem should begin before it is too late and before another tragedy happens in a bigger magnitude.