Mt.province, 12 LGUs in Cordillera get RDC’s highest medal of excellence on forwarding local autonomy

Cordillera - Twelve local government units of Cordillera including Mt.Province were recognized by the Cordillera office of the Regional Development Council (RDC-CAR) for their vital contributions in the pursuit for regional autonomy through the coveted Forwarding Local Autonomy Medal of Excellence (FLAME) award during First Quarter RDC Full Council Meeting held in Bangued, Abra.

According to Mt. Province PIO, the province itself was awarded 1st place under the province and highly  urbanized city category. 

Other awardees from Mt. Province are Bontoc LGU, Bauko LGU and Paracelis LGU under the category 2: First to Third Class Municipality/Component City; and Category 3: Fourth to Sixth Class Municipality.

According to RDC-FLAME, the awards aim to recognize the contributions of local governments in upholding the goals of the Regional Development Council (RDC) - CAR towards good governance and sustainable development, and the attainment of an autonomous government. 

The criteria for choosing the top LGU performers include the localized strategies in advancing the cause for the regional autonomy, the support of the concerned local governments to the initiatives of the region's policy-making body in promoting the true essence of autonomy to the grassroots level.

It also includes the existence of various program and projects of LGU that will help in advancing the pursuit for autonomy in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

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Four provinces in Cordillera pass good financial housekeeping standards

Cordillera - Four provinces in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) passed the good financial housekeeping (GFH) standards for the year 2019 as announced by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

In the official list released on January 31, 2020, Abra, Apayao, Benguet and Mountain Province in CAR were among the passers of the GFH standards. 

In the city Category, Baguio city made it to the list and for the municipal category, 22 municipalities of Abra were included. 

All of the local government unit and the provincial government passed the qualification based on COA's audit and compliant to the full disclosure policy (FDP) by posting requirements in three conspicuous places for the last two preceding quarters and compliance with the FDP on the FDP portal for the last two preceding quarters.

Passing the GFH standard will have a bearing in the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) awards. It it the number one criteria in selecting the winner for the SGLG award. 

According to PNA only 89 percent of the total LGUs in the country have passed the GFH. There were total of 1,706 LGUs throughout the country that were assessed, of which only 1,522 have passed.

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WATCH: Biyahe ni Drew goes to Bontoc's Maligcong Rice Terraces

Photo Courtesy || Biyahe Ni Drew YT Channel

Cordillera - Maligcong Rice terraces located in Bontoc, Mt Province, is one of the most scenic view every nature lovers should have in their travel itinerary.

GMA's travel documentary hosted by Drew Arellano featured his journey to the small town of Bontoc and his hike to the summit of Mt, Kupapey just to have a full view of the breathtaking rice terraces.

To get the best glimpse of the sunrise and the sea of clouds over the rice terraces, Drew's team needs to wake up early in the morning and hike Mt. Kupapey for 30 minutes. 

"Makikita mo talaga ang texture ng mismong photograph kapag kukuha kayo ng picture, napakaganda...," Drew commented after seeing the majestic rice terraces. 

Watch Drew video below

Going to Maligcong is very easy. If you are coming from Manila, you can take Coda Lines bus in Cubao going to Bontoc town. The bus only makes trips in the evening from 8:00 pm, 9:00 pm and 10:30 pm. The fare is less than P1,000 only.

If you are coming from Baguio City, you can take the GL trans buses which are stationed at Dangwa Terminal or the Rising Sun buses stationed at Slaughter Compound in Magsaysay. Ticket prices range from P180 to P212. 

Getting to Maligcong from Bontoc can be done by riding a jeepney at the back of the Public Market. Just tell the driver that you are going to Maligcong Rice terraces. The fare is only 20 pesos. Jeepney departure time are 8:00 in the morning, and 12:00 noon, 2:30, 4.30 and 5:00 in the afternoon.

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Honest tricycle driver in Sabangan, Mt. Province turned-over found cash to Police

Photo Courtesy || Sabangan MPS

Cordillera - Netizens commended the honesty of a tricycle driver in Sabangan, Mt. Province for turning over a cash he found to the police station. 

Report from the Sabangan Municipal Station said Mr. Rudy Lamyong Caligtan, a member of the (STODA) from Barangay Losad, Sabangan, Mt. Province turned-over cashed money in different denomination amounting to P14,320. 

Caligtan said he found the money at the Nacagang Junction which he later turned it over to the police station. 

The owner of the said cash later notified and came to the police station to claim the money. 

Photo Courtesy || Sabangan Mps

Netizens meanwhile expressed their commendation to Mr. Caligtan for his honest act of returning the lost cash. 

"What you did is the best, May the Lord bless you and will reward your honesty," one netizen said. 

"Good job, May your good deed inspires others to follow. God Bless You," another commented. 

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Honest man from Mt. Province returns cash he found at Natonin Landslide Ground Zero

Photo Credit: Lyn Kiswong Afig

Cordillera - An  honest man from Mountain Province returns money worth P112,000 he found at the Natonin landslide during the retrieval operation of victims caused by typhoon Rosita. 

Benigno Sayaan Kiswong, a residence of Natonin who volunteered along with policemen, army personnel and government officials in the retrieval operation found the cash and turned it over  to authorities for safekeeping.

In a Facebook post by Lyn Kiswong Afig, daugther of Mr. Kiswong she expressed her commendation and appreciation of her father's noble act. 

"God fearing, honest and trustworthy. I'm proud of you daddy Benigno Sayaan Kiswong," Afig wrote.

"Siya po ay isang nakatulong sa landslide sa Natonin, Paracelis, Mt. Province. Siya po ay nakahanap ng malaking halaga ng pera, worth 112K. I'm proud of you daddy. God be with you and God bless you always," she added.

READ ALSO:  Honest Passenger and Driver from Tublay return Php400,000 lost cash to a former OFW owner

Mr. Kiswong was said to be among those who volunteer their time and energy to help in the retrieval operation of the victims of typhoon Rosita. 

In desperate times when money is involved, people tend to compromise or do unwise decisions then worry about the consequence later. 

Mr. Kiswong however, prove that in life, money is not everything. He is indeed a God fearing, honest and trustworthy man who believes on the "Inayan" principle.

READ ALSO: Honest Baguio taxi driver hands back forgotten cellphone to owner

It can be recalled that at least 15 people lost their lives during the typhon in the different regions of Luzon, including nine in Natonin.

There are still 26 people who are still reported missing in the town.

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President Duterte to visit victims of Typhoon Rosita in Mt. Province

Photo Courtesy: PNA

Cordillera - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is set to visit the victims of Typhoon Rosita in Mt. Province according to his former aide Bong Go. 

According to Bong Go, Duterte's trip was scheduled on November 1 but was halted due to road damages which is impassable right now. 

"Susubukan naming pasukin subalit based on the assessment at advance team na pumunta doon ay hindi talaga accesible yung roads ( We will try to enter, but based on the assessment and the advance team who went there, the roads are impassable)," Go said during an interview in Manila.

"Not passable at talagang gumuho 'yung daan patungo doon at even the landing site pa ay mahihirapan dumaan 'yung ating Pangulo ( It's impassable and the road towards the area already collapsed, it's also difficult on the landing site," he added. 

It can be recalled that President Duterte met with the families of some of the victims of typhoon Ompong in September and offered cash assistance and goods.

The Mountain Province Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said that all three buildings of a DPWH compound located in Natonin town in Moutain Province were buried in the landslide during the onslaught of typhoon Rosita. 

Rescue and retrieval operations started yesterday (Wednesday) morning and 10 bodies were recovered and 14 people were so far rescued as of 4 pm yesterday. 

It was learned that most of the victims were construction workers of the DPWH building that sought refuge during the typhoon. 

Initial reports said around 31 people, most of them are laborers, one project engineer, two to three security guards and six to seven evacuees were in the DPWH building when the landslide occurred. 

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Two boys in Sagada invented an improvised glass and bottle crusher received award

Photo Courtesy || Provincial Government of Mountain Province

Cordillera - They may be only elementary pupils, but these two kids have a brilliant mind of an inventor. 

Nixon L. Labian and Jimber Lee A. Camared of Sagada, Mt. Province just invented a treadle glass and bottle crusher that is capable of crushing bottles and broken glasses which are not usually accepted in most junk shop. The machine can be used to crushed bottle that can be mixed with cement according to Mt. Province PIO.

The crusher that was invented by Labian and Camared even got a nod from the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office. The office found that the crusher is a functional hand operated manual treadle glass and bottle crusher with pedal. The crusher is operated using a discarded bicycle attached to it with brace to make it steady and more durable. 

The machine is capable of crushing medicine bottles, broken glasses and other types of bottles. It can grind bottles that weigh about 2575 grams.  

Using a recycled ball mill, Labiang who was then in grade VI in school year 2016-2017 invented an improvised glass and bottle crusher. Last year, Camared introduced innovations to the prototype glass crusher by attaching a bicycle to function as a treadle. The treadle glass and bottle crusher entry of Banga-an Elementary School was able to garner the first place during last year's Regional Science and Math Festival - Elementary Category of the Department of Education held at La Trinidad, Benguet. 

READ ALSO:

Ibaloi doctor awarded by President Duterte as among the 2016 Outstanding Young Men and Women

Cordillera IT students among the best programmers in the country: Win award at PPC 2017

Labian and Camared are students of Banga-an Elementary School in Sagada. They were recognized by the Provincial Local Government Unit of Mountain Province for their ingenuity and effort in developing an improvised device that can contribute to the reduction of solid waste. 

Read Also: The best bread in the Philippines is found in Sagada

The provincial goverment of Mt. Province awarded them  with Certificates of Commendation and cash incentives of Php 2,500 each. 

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PNP Chief "Bato" Dela Rosa now an adopted son of Mountain Province with an Igorot name "Muling"

PNP Chief Ronald Dela Rosa, adopted son of Mt. Province. Image Credit: PIA CAR

Cordillera - Philippine National Police Chief Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa is now an adopted son of Mountain Province. He was given the Igorot named "Muling" which means "hard, firm and solid leader" reports PIA-CAR.

Dela Rosa was in Mountain Province this week as a guest of honor during the 50th Mt. Province Foundation Anniversary on April 7th.

In his keynote address, he expressed his gratitude to the local government of Mountain Province for supporting President Duterte's war on drugs.

Recently, Mt. Province was among the five provinces of Cordillera declared as Drug-free provinces. Dela Rosa further called for the province to continue working towards eliminating illegal drugs.

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