Off-duty Benguet cop given award after foiling armed robbery in La-Trinidad

Photo Courtesy: Pro-cor Rpio

Cordillera - Senior Police Officer 2 Noren Bandao was awarded with the “Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting” or the Wounded Personnel Medal by

Police Regional Office – Cordillera Regional Director Police Chief Superintendent Rolando Nana on Tuesday, July 17. Bandao was honored for his courageous act and bravery for risking his own life despite being off duty.

According to police reports, Bandao, a resident of  Windy Hill in Buyagan La Trinidad, Benguet responded to a call for police assistance early morning of July 14. A robbery on the neighborhood was reported so Bandao immediately responded. He was about to make an arrest when the suspect shot him on the face. But before losing consciousness, he was able to fire back and shot the suspect.

The suspect was identified as Jonathan Mayangao Cabradilla. He was the leader of Cabradilla Robbery Group, a notorious crime group operating nationwide. He was previously arrested in Cotabato, Bambang Nueva Vizcaya and La Trinidad for robbery. Further investigations revealed that he had been using fictitious names as Jemark Isong Lipangen “aka” Jomar Pagang Mayangao. He is a resident of Irisan, Baguio City but his remains was brought to his hometown in Bauko, Mountain Province.

Bandao was initially brought to Benguet General Hospital by concerned citizens and was later transferred to Pines City Hospital for further treatment where he received his award while waiting for his operation. 

Aside from the medal, Bandao also received cash incentive awards while Nana assured that the PNP will take care of his hospital bills.

Likewise, Benguet Police Provincial Office PSSupt. Lyndon Mencio committed to provide security and ensure Bandao and his family’s safety given the suspect’s background.

source || PIA CAR

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8 Young Benguet Farmers Off to Japan to Learn New Farming Techniques

Cordillera - Eight young Benguet farmers were off to Japan on Wednesday for a three-year intensive on-farm training to learn new farming techniques, modern agricultural management skills and join in farm youth activities at the Farmers Cooperative of Ehime Prefecture and in Kochi Prefecture in Japan. 

According to Philippine News Agency the participants came from different municipalities of Benguet. They are Rufino Budoyan Jr. of Bokod; Francis Galuten and Gentar Manicawa, both of Mankayan; Rico Wakat of Sablan; Hardy Bua-eg of Bugias; Vincent Comila of Bakun; Arman Caris of Kapangan; and Febie Ann Mayames of Kibungan. 

The trainees will take the course that is part of the Young Filipino Farmers Training in Japan (YFFTPJ) Program which is conceived to provide training opportunities for young men and women engaged in agriculture to help improve Benguet's agriculture through exchanges in technology and farming methods. 

Read Also: Two towns in Japan need 32 farmers from Benguet

Office of the Provincial Agriculture (OPAG) supervising agriculturist Delinia Juan said the program will encourage young farmers into agriculture by helping them acquire new agricultural techniques, experience life in a foreign country, and strengthen their foreign language skills. 

When they return home, the trainees are expected to bring a new level of expertise that will assist them in their work and share with their fellow farmers in the provinces. 

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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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New fossil discovery in Kalinga suggests early humans lived in the Philippines 700,000 years ago

Cordillera - A new discovery by a team of Filipino, French and Dutch scientists have shown evidence suggesting the presence of the so-called archaic humans in the island of Southeast Asia 700,000 years ago before our known species Homo Sapiens even existed.

The new evidence which was excavated in Kalinga of the Cagayan valley of Northern Luzon shows  rhino bones and stone tools. 

Scientists found marks on the bones that indicates sharp-edge tools were used in butchering rhinos and removing flesh and fats from the bones. 

Mike Morley, an archaeologist from the University of Wollongong in Australia said that the marks on the bones were signs of butchery by unknown species of hominins. 

"The stones tools and the cut marks on the bones certainly point to a butchery site, with the bone being fractured and scored presumably during the dismembering of the animal, leaving characteristics signs of this butchery on the bones; the hominins who did this remain unknown, however, as there are no hominins bones associated with the archaeological material and fossils", Morley said.

But researchers were not able to determine what species  of rhino hunters and tool-makers had inhabited Luzon long time ago due to the lack of hominin fossils in the site.

If the age of the fossils which is around 700,000 years ago would be the basis, Thomas Ingicco who lead the Kalinga site discovery said Homo Erectus who seems to have been present on those years may be the tool-makers because these species were present all over those years in Asia. 

Where did these hominins come from and how did they come to Luzon? The teams conclude that hominins of some kind must have come originally from Borneo to the southwest or from Taiwan to the north and they could have used some sort of watercraft.

Scientists also uncovered different bones belonging to a species of brown deer, monitor lizards, freshwater turtles and stegodons - a kind of extinct mammal similar to elephants and mammoths.

Using different dating techniques like the electron-spin resonance methods, archaeologists were able to date the bones to be around 777,000 to 631,000 years ago. 

source || theConversation || Gizmodo.com

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Cordillera records fastest economic growth in 2017 according to PSA

Baguio City - The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) has recorded the fastest among the 17 Philippines region in 2017 in terms of economic growth, the Philippine Statistic Authority (PSA) said. 

According to a data from the PSA, CAR showed a growth of 12.1 percent last year in terms of economic expansion. 

Main contributor of the positive growth are the provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Kalinga, Ifugao, Mountain Province including Baguio City. 

In a news published by BusinessWorld on Friday, it says the CAR's growing economy last year was lifted by the industry sector which is the region's main source of revenue output accounting for 52.1% of its gross regional domestic product (GRDP). 

Another driver to the growth last year was the infrastructure development, according the Union Bank of the Philippines chief economist Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion.

"Current trends indicate that real estate developments are growing in non-traditional economic centers," Asuncion said. 

Asuncion also added that CAR and Central Luzon are host of recent game-changing infrastructure projects like the SCTEX (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway), NLEX(North Luzon Expressway), and TPLEX (Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway), which he believes have direct impact on local economies.

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Igorot from Bakun, Benguet, number 8 in 2017 Bar Exam top 10 passers

Cordillera - A student of San Beda - Manila, Algie Kwillon Mariacos, is among the top 10 of the 2017 Bar examination passers with a grade of 88.90 percent. 

Photo Courtesy || PTV Cordillera FB

Algie Kwillon Mariacos is from Bakun, Benguet. He was number 8 of the top 10 in the 2017 Bar examination together with Krizza Alcantara-Bagni, having the same grade of 88.90% . 

The results of the 2017 Bar examinations were released on Thursday, with Simondo, Mark John of the University of St. La Salle taking the top spot with a grade of 91.05 percent. 

Committee Chairman Associate Justice Lucas Bersamin announced the results together with the copy of the list of successful examinees  of the 116th bar exam held in November last year. 

The supreme court announced that only 1,724 of the 6,728 examiness had successfully passed the bar. 

Also among the top 10 scorers were: 

2. Balili, Christianne Mae C - University of San Carlos = 90.80%

3. Remoroza, Camille B, - Ateneo De Davao = 90.70%

4. Hisilor, Ivanne D'Laureil I. - University of San Carlos = 89.55%

5. Yap, Monica Anne T. - San Beda College - Manila = 89.45%

6. Gayya, Lorenzo Luigi T. - University of Santo Tomas = 89.10%

7. Servacio, Rheland S. - University of San Carlos =89.00%

8. Alcantara-Bagni, Krizza Fe P. - St. Mary's University = 88.90%

9. Torralba, Klinton M. - University of Santo Tomas = 88.40%

10. Aguilar, Emma Ruby J. - University of Santo Tomas = 88.35%

Photo Courtesy || Supreme Court of The Philippines

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Mankayan Mayor Luspian named 'Gawad Parangal' most oustanding mayor in 2018

Mankayan Mayor Materno Luspian received recognition at this year's Gawad Parangal Most Oustanding Mayor by the Association of Local Social Welfare and Development Officers of the Philippines, Inc (ALSWDOPI). Photo Courtesy || Ronald Allan Comila FB

Cordillera - Mayor Materno Luspian of Mankayan, Benguet was conferred by the Association of Local Social Welfare and Development Officers of the Philippines, Incorporated (ALSWDOPI) as this year's Gawad Parangal Most Oustanding Mayor (1st to 3rd class municipality).

The award was formally received by Luspian during 22nd LSWDO's National Development Forum and General Assembly held at Crown Legacy Hotel, Baguio City on18th of April 2018.

The said award is given to local chief executives in the country who have excelled in the implementation of their social welfare and development programs. 

Luspian is among the 13 local chief executive chosen for the prestigious award including Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan and other mayors and governors from different provinces and municipalities in the country.

Among Luspian's notable policies is the strict implementation of the 'No Segregation, No Collection Policy' and waste segregation at source ordinance.

The new ordinance prohibits littering or throwing of waste in public places, dumping of garbage in public and private areas, non-segregation of solid waste at source, unscheduled bringing out of waste, unauthorized dumping of solid waste at disposal facility (MRF), transport of solid waste without nets or covering materials on the collection vehicles, opening burning or solid wastes, and burning of agricultural wastes.

The ordinance also stipulates the proper segregation of wastes before it will be brought out for collection otherwise it will not be collected. 

Failure to follow the ordinance will have fines and penalties ranging from P500 to P2,500 and one month imprisonment.

Luspian was joined by Gawad Parangal 2018 Commitee Chairperson Florita Lachica and ALSWDOPI National President Betty Fangasan. 

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

Mr Jimmer Denson driver and his passenger Erwil Agyapas surrendered to this office an envelop of US dollars. Owner a certain "Mark" who is a former OFW. Photo Courtesy || TublayPNP 

Baguio City - An honest passenger and a jeepney driver from Tublay have made another reason to believe and trust that when you lost valuable things inside a passenger jeepney for whatever reason, you'll expect you can recover it if the passenger and driver have a good heart like Mr. Erwil Payangdo Agyapas and Jimmer Antos Denson.

Mr. Agyapas found  a bundle of money in U.S dollar worth P421, 791 inside a jeepney and immediately informed Mr. Denson (the jeepney driver). They knew exactly what to do, they surrendered the cash to the Tublay Municipal Police Station.

Agyapas said this is not the first time he returned a lost money and said it was a natural thing for him to return the money because it is not his and he had experienced to lost something and it's painful. 

Mr. Agyapas found  a bundle of money in U.S dollar worth P421, 791 inside a jeepney. Photo Courtesy || TublayPNP

"Isublik ah ta saan ko met nga bagi ken napadas ko met nga napukawan ket nasakit," Agyapas from Barangay Basil, Tublay said. 

Read Also: OWWA restores hope of an OFW from Mt. Province by giving livelihood and college scholarship to kid

The owner of the money who is an OFW from Kapangan was very happy and relieved from worrying when he learned that his money was surrendered to the Police Station and still intact. 

Meanwhile Tublay Mayor Armand Lauro commended the honest acts of the two and said both of them will be included in the list of individuals who will receive  plaque of commendation on November this year, during the town's foundation day celebration. 

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Lauro offered a small cash reward to the two and thanked them for their honesty because they resisted temptation and returned the money without hesitation.

"With what you did, it made me believe that there are indeed people like you who return money without second thoughts. This is a good reflection for our constituents this Lenten season that there are still good and honest people in this world, worthy to be emulated," Mayor Lauro commended to Agyapas and Denson. 

Read Also: Proud Igorot from Tublay, Benguet named Youth Mayor of Frankston, Victoria, Australia

source || Baguio Midland Courier

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Three Sons of Cordillera in Top 10 of PNPA Maragtas Class 2018

Police Cadet Francis Pang-ay of Sadanga, Mountain Province is ranked top 2 of the graduating class. Photo from || Harley Palangchao FB.

Cordillera - Three Cordillerans ranked among the top 10 graduates of Philippine National Academy's PNPA Maragtas Class of 2018.

Police Cadet Francis Pang-ay of Sadanga, Mountain Province is ranked top 2 of the graduating class. He is  the class salutatorian of the PNPA Maragatas Class of 2018. Prior to his current place, he was also ranked fourth place in the 2014 Criminology Board Exam. 

The other two sons of Cordillera in top 10 are Police Cadet Jess Torres Agustin of Kabayan Benguet in rank 3 and Fire Cadet Myrick Aquino Paldingan of Mankayan Benguet in rank 5. 

On Monday, PNP Chief Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa presented to the media the top 10 graduates as he urged them to join the elite Special Action Forces (SAF) to help the government's fight against terrorism. 

READ ALSO: Two Cordilleran cadets among Top 10 of PMA's 2018 graduating class

"Isasabak natin ito sa Special Action Force lahat. Giyera muna kayo, giyera. "Wag muna kayo pahayahay," Bato said. 

There are a total of 106 cadets, composed of 97 males and 27 females who will graduate on March at the PNPA in Silang Cavite. 

The top 10 cadets are led by Police Cadet Fritz John Napalinga Vallador from Negros Occidental, as the class valedictorian. 

Others in the top 10 are:

Police Cadet Jestony Fabro Asanon from Sta Cruz, Zambales (ranked 4th)

Police Cadet Christian Villacarlos Juego from Dasmarinas. Cavity  (ranked 6th)

Police Cadet Cherry Mae Lumogda Montano from General Santos City (ranked 7th)

Police Cadet Stephen Torrevelas Abrica from San Nicolas, Cebu City (ranked 8th)

Police Cadet Arjay Marcaida Cuasay from Paranaque City (ranked 9th)

Police Cadet Marica Sison Ansus from Baco, Sorsogon City (ranked 10th)

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House OKs bill requiring hospitals to provide Free Dialysis

The House committee on health approved a substitute bill requiring government hospitals to provide free dialysis treatment to indigent patients.

The bill substituted House Bills 621, 2466, 3924, 4391 and 5503 and HR 244.

The bill mandates all government hospitals to establish, operate, and maintain a dialysis service facility in their respective hospitals.

It further provides for the establishment of affordable and accessible kidney transplant facilities in strategic areas across the country, as kidney transplantation has been shown to provide the highest quality of life for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients.

“The measure was crafted to adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health developments. Specifically, to improve the delivery of healthcare services to patients with ESRD and encourage them to have a kidney transplant,” said committee chair Rep. Angelina Tan.

Moreover, the bill seeks to assist patients who pursue first peritoneal dialysis, and hemodialysis should there be contra-indications.

It also provides a screening policy for indigents, and establishes kidney disease prevention activities to benefit ESRD patients and their families.

Its provisions qualify an indigent as a patient with no or insufficient source of income or family subsistence, an indigent as identified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development National Household Targeting System-Poverty Reduction (DSWD NHTS-PR), or an indigent but not listed in the NHTS as assessed by a municipal development officer.

Moreover, the bill recognizes the “catastrophic” financial drain caused by fighting kidney diseases.

The measure includes the expansion of the PhilHealth benefit package for kidney transplantation of renal replacement therapy for both the living and deceased donors.

It also expands the PhilHealth coverage for the processes involved in kidney transplantation—from assessment, evaluation, and screening-- to treatment procedures and remedies, and even rehabilitation of donors and recipients.

The bill is authored by Reps. Joseph Stephen Paduano, Arthur Yap, Alfredo Vargas III, Tan, Mark Go, and Carlos Isagani Zarate.

Among those present during the meeting were Tan, Go, Reps. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Estrelita Suansing, Lourdes Aggabao Elisa Kho, and Peter John Calderon. | CMBE

source || congress.gov.ph

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Ilocos Governor Imee Marcos - Adopted Daughter of Kalinga, named "Laggunawa"

Governor Imee Marcos wears traditional Kalinga attire during Kalinga's second Bodong Festival. Photo Courtesy||L Rose Cheo FB Page.

Cordillera - Ilocos Norte Governor Imee R. Marcos was honored by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Kalinga as a "daugther of the province of the province during the gracing of Kalinga's second Bodong Festival and 23rd founding anniversary. 

Governor Marcos was given the name "Laggunawa" which means, "a beautiful and strong daughter of a tribal leader".

"Sakto yung pangalan ko, anak daw ng chief, kaya I'll have to live up to that name. Sabi nila, This ideal is what you should grow up to, so I must become Laggunawa. I am deeply honored by this endowment and I will treasure this resolution" Marcos said.

According to provincial tradition of Kalinga, being named a daughter of Kalinga is a customary ethnic practices which is a way of recognizing a person "who have singularly endeared themselves and contributed outstanding services to the people.

Sons and daughters of the province are granted certain privileges, including protection under the umbrella of the Kalinga Peace Pact institution of the Bodong Justice System "Pro-Pagta.

Governor Marcos also urged the opening of tourism routes from Ilocos Norte to the Cordilleran Region.

"Sapagkat ang nakikita lagi ay yung coastal - La Union hanggang Ilocos Norte. There's a very, very rich culture here at kitang-kita na iisa ang ating kultura whether upland, midland, or lowland," Marcos said.

She also supports the call for Apo Whang-od, the aging traditional mambabatok (tattooist) of Tinglayan Kalinga to be included as a National Living Treasure.

source: BBM

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Presidential Spokesman Roque says he is a 'proud Cordilleran' ; first house located in Baguio

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque shakes hand with Baguio residents. Photo Courtesy || PIA Cordillera

Baguio City - Speaking before thousands of Baguioans at the newly refurbished Baguio Athletic Bowl on Thursday (February 1), presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said he is a 'proud Cordilleran' and revealed the near completion of his first residential house somewhere in Baguio, according to Philippine News Agency. 

The 23rd year celebration of Baguio's Panagbenga Festival formally opened Thursday morning with a parade that started from upper Session Road down to Magsaysay Avenue going to Harrison Road then to the Athletic Bowl. 

The Panagbenga Festival highlights the deep cultural roots and creativity of the people of Baguio and nearby provinces of Cordillera. 

Roque was the guest speaker during opening ceremony of the festival at the Baguio Athletic Bowl. He also held a 30-minute press briefing where he told the media that he will try to convince the president to be the guest speaker during Panagbenga's grand street dancing parade on February 24. 

"I will convince (President Rodrigo Duterte) to attend the highlights of the celebration. Talagang kukumbinsihin ko siya na umakyat." Roque said in  an statement before thousands of Panagbenga opening revelers. 

The city government of Baguio had sent an invitation to Malacanang inviting President Duterte to be the guest speaker during the program of the grand street dancing parade on the 24th February. 

Baguio residents are expecting Duterte to heed to the invitation. 

"Asahan niyo po na kukulitin ko siya, para makabalik ako ng Baguio. Sa ngayon wala pa sa schedule," Presidential Spokesperson Roque reiterated during the press briefing. 

source || PNA website

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Duterte appoints 2 Cordillerans to consultative committee to review the 1987 constitution

Photo Courtesy || PNA.

Cordillera - Two Cordilleran lawmakers are among the chosen advisers by President Duterte as member of the consultative body to review the 1987 Constitution. 

On January 23, the president appointed 19 advisers for the consultative commission including former Kalinga representative Laurence Wacnang and former University of Baguio president Virgillio Bautista. 

Dr. Gil Bautista is the son of University of Baguio founder Fernando Bautista. He was a former member of the Cordillera Regional Development Council (RDC) under former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. 

"We hope we can come up with a Filipino model of federalism, one which is more applicable to us as a nation," Wacnang said in an interview with PNA. 

Wacnang was the first governor of the province of Kalinga after it separated from the province of Apayao in 1995. He had started the Kalinga Bodong Council, which was later adapted as a traditional practice in settling disputes among the Kalinga warring tribes. 

Former Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno, an advocate of federalism was appointed to head the body. 

Former Senator Aquilino Pimentel, Jr., father of Senate President Koko Pimentel was also chosen as part of the committee. 

Others appointed to the post were former SC Associal Justice Bienvenido Reyes, Radio Mindanao Network founder Atty. Reuben Canoy, former Justice and Solicitor General Antonio Nachura Jr. Julio Cabral Teehankee, former dean of the De La Salle University's College of Liberal Art and Father Ranhilio Aquino, dean of San Beda's Graduate School of Law. 

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No Dengvaxia vaccine recipient in Cordillera - DOH-CAR

Cordillera - Parents, students and concerned citizens in the Cordillera region has nothing to worry about the controversial Dengvaxia vaccine as the Department of Health Cordillera Administrative Region (DOH-CAR) said it has not conducted mass vaccination to children with Dengvaxia.

Dr. Alexie Marrero, DOH-CAR Medical Officer IV expressed confidence the region will not be faced with problems because it has not conduct mass vaccination among the students due to low incidence of dengue in the region.

The mass vaccination program by the Department of Health only qualifies those regions with the higher incidence of dengue, according to Dr. Marrero.

The Department of Health has created a task force to manage problems caused by the controversial Dengvaxia vaccines which recently been found out to be harmful if given to  those without a history of dengue. 

On November 29, Sanofi Pasteur, the pharmaceutical company that manufacture the vaccines admitted that Dengvaxia is not recommended for people who have no prior dengue infection. Otherwise, they may develop more severe forms of dengue after the cycle of vaccines shots runs its course, according to PhilStar.

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III yesterday said, they are demanding the refund of the P3.5 billion spent by the Philippine government for the purchase of Dengvaxia vaccine to be used to "cover the hospitalization and medical treatment for all children who might have severe dengue".

Duque III also said PhilHealth is ready to cover the expenses of any child who may have been hospitalized for severe dengue. Under PhilHealth's Medical Case Program, dengue case rate can cover up to P16,000 which includes hospitalization and doctor's fee.

"We will continue to be vigilant in monitoring our children for any adverse event following immunization and will strengthen the readiness of our public hospitals in attending to any severe dengue cases that my occur," Duque said.

Photo: AFP pic

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Biggest Bendian Dance of Benguet attempts Guinness World Record

The grand Bendian Dance performed by some 1,500 students targets Guinness World Record. Photo Courtesy || Darwin Pitlongay.

Cordillera, - Some 1,500 students participated in the traditional Benguet dance  in an attempt to set

a Guinness World Record for the largest and longest Bendian Dance ever held during the celebration of the Adivay Festival 2017 at the Wangal Stadium in La Trinidad Benguet.

The Bendian Dance, some called it Bendayan or Bindiyan is a circle dance that is long known as a dance to celebrate the arrival of successful headhunters. It is a part of every Benguet festivity with the circles slowly giving way to other formations and interpretations.  The circular movements of the dance symbolizes unity and harmony among the people of Benguet.

11th and 12th - grader students of the Benguet National High School performed the dance. 

In this year's celebration of the Adivay Festival and Benguet Foundation Day, the Bendian Dance has taken a new face as thousand of participants converged at the Wangal Stadium for the first time.

The local government of Benguet plans to enter the said event in the Guinnes Book of World Records as the longest and largest Bendian Dance Circle.

The Kaikottikali dance of India currently holds the largest line dance which involved around 5,211 dancers performed to an audience of over 55,000 people.

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Discovery World Corporation to build world-class hotel in La Trinidad, Benguet

Cordillera, - Property firm Discovery World Corporation (DWC) is raising funds to finance the construction of two new hotels, one in Palawan and another in La Trinidad, Benguet.

BusinessWorld reports that Discovery World has signed a subscription agreement with International Finance Corp. (IFC) to get funding for the projects for as much as Php650 million "to meet the growing demand for hospitality infrastructure in the Philippines.

The leisure property developer said, the accumulated funds will be used for the planned building of two hotels to be located in Palawan and in Benguet.

La Trinidad is a growing tourism spot in the country, known for its sweet strawberry and variety of fresh vegetables coming from different municipalities of Benguet. Discovery World has seen this spot in the north as another perfect area for its hotel and resort business to grow.

This will be the first time for DWC to invest in Benguet, expanding its foothold from the Visayas Region into the northern region.

Discovery World develops, operates and manages hotels and resorts in the Philippines. The company also develops, invests in, owns, constructs and operates hotels, resorts condominium, buildings and other tourist-related structures. It currently operates the Discovery Shores, Club Paradise and Discovery Fleet.

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Cordillera now the safest place in the country - Crime rate hits all time low

Cordillera - The Police Regional Office - Cordillera Plans and Operations Division has presented report on the average monthly crime index rate of Cordillera that has decreased compared to last year making Cordillera one of the safest place in the Philippines. 

In the police report, the average monthly  crime rate decreased by 36.72 percent with only eight incidents per 100,000 population compared to last year with 19 incidents per 100,000 population.

READ ALSO: 6 individuals awarded for their noble and selfless love rescuing French family trapped in an ambush site in Abra

Police Regional Office - Cordillera Plans and Operations Division head Superintendent Homer Penecilla said that "the number of incidents in the region did not only decrease, but the solution of these cases had also increased".

Mauricio Domogan, Regional Peace and Order Council and Regional Development Council Chairman regards the decrease of crimes to the successful effort and teamwork of the Philippine National Police Cordillera (PNP), Philippine Armed Forces (AFP) together with the cooperation of the people in the community who work closely with authorities in maintaining peace and order in the region. 

READ ALSO: Abra Police officers act of kindness help struggling woman harvest 'palay' in her field

Domogan also said that this marvelous accomplishment will serve as motivation and inspiration to all concerned citizens living in the region to keep working with the authorities especially the police and the Armed forces to continue improving the peace and order situation.

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source || Sunstar Baguio

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