Luis Hora Hospital in Bauko, Mt. Province first Kidney Dialysis Center now Operational

(Updated) The Dialysis Center of Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital has been operational since last year to cater patients suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

The opening of the Dialysis Center will help those patients in the Cordillera region in the treatment of kidney related problems.

(Previous Post)
With the growing number of patients needing kidney dialysis in the Cordillera region, the Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital formerly Mt. Province General Hospital will soon launch its first kidney dialysis center. 

The kidney dialysis building which was constructed as part of the Php45.802 million fixed assets in the 2016 budget of the hospital will house 10 units of hemodialysis machines. 

The dialysis facility is located on the second floor of the newly constructed building on the right side of the hospital. The new building also houses the outpatient department. 

The new machines will cater the needs of patients with chronic and acute kidney diseases in the locality and nearby CAR provinces including Ilocos Sur province. 

Having this kidney dialysis facility in the province would allow kidney patients to undergo dialysis in the hospital thus not needing to go to Baguio City or in the lowlands to seek for treatments. 

During the groundbreaking ceremony last year, Congressman Maximo Dalog spoke on the importance of the dialysis center.

"Our patients in the province will not have to go to Baguio City and the lowlands to seek treatments but will do so here at the Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital near the confines and comforts of their homes and families without incurring much traveling and incidental expenses", Dalog said. 

WowCordillera.com visited the facility last month and had a chance to glimpse on the newly hemodialysis machines inside the building that are ready to be used. 

However, representative of the hospital said the dialysis will open as soon as the nurses and personnel tasked to operate the machines have successfully completed their training.  

The said facility will be added to the more that ten dialysis centers in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)

Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital (LHMRH) is located at Abatan, Bauko Mt. Province, Tagudin - Cervantes Road. 

Read More

Cordilleran MMA fighter Eduard Folayang ready to defend his title tonight.

Cordillera - The Igorot mix-martial arts champion Eduard "The Landslide" Folayang is well prepared and ready to defend his prestigious lightweight title against Ev Ting of Malaysia at the Mall of Asia Arena tonight, 22nd April. 

The boxing word and the millions of MMA fans are anticipating tonight's clash between two artists as they will be given the chance to showcase the result of their intense training in the main event of the ONE: KINGS OF DESTINY. 

According to Mark Siargao, head coach of Eduard, the legendary Igorot is 101 % ready to face the most challenging fight in his career. 

Folayang will be facing the 27-year-old Malaysian-Kiwi challenger Ev Ting (13-3-0) who had admitted Eduard will be tough to beat due to his improved takedown defense and he said he had prepared all the possibilities of defeating him. 

Ting has a record of defeating Eduard's fellow Team Lakay fighter Honorio Banario and some known Filipino fighters in the past. 

Aside from Folayang, there are 4 more Igorot MMA finest fighters who will be fighting tonight such as Danny Kingad, Kevin Belingon, Honorio Banario and the lone female fighter Gina Iniong.

Want to watch the action live? Go to www.onefc.com for more information.

Read More

LTFRB sends a letter to Solid North Transit asking them to explain alleged discrimination towards Igorot passenger

Cordillera - The Land Transportation, Franchising & Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has sent a letter to the management of Solid North Transit Inc. about an alleged discrimination act of their driver and conductor towards a passenger wearing tribal attire that has gone viral on social media.

Dated April 20, 2017, the letter was addressed to Solid North Transit Inc main office in Quezon City.

In the letter, LTFRB is asking the management to come out and tell their side about the alleged refusal of their bus driver and conductor why they disallowed an Igorot man wearing traditional attire to board their bus.

Recently, a post has gone viral on social media about an Igorot man who was refused to board the bus because he was wearing "bahag" an Igorot traditional attire.

Many netizens have lambasted the bus driver for their action and wanted their license taken and the bus company's franchise to be canceled.

However, some netizens who have witnessed the incident have commented that the Igorot man was boarding the wrong bus, so he was declined and was told to look for the right bus.

The management of the bus company has yet to give their statement regarding the matter which according to LTFRB such incident is a franchise violation of "Refusal to Convey/ Discrimination towards passenger".

According to LTFRB, if the alleged discrimination is proven true, the driver and the conductor will be penalized based on Joint Administrative Order No. 2014-001 in relation to Circular No. 2011-004,(2011 Terms and Conditions of CPC and Providing Penalties for Violation Thereof).

Read the complete letter from LTFRB Citizen Enforcer Facebook Page.

Image credits: LTFRB Citizen Enforcer

Read More

DA Secretary Manny Piñol visits John and Kenny Strawberry farm in Balili Mankayan, Benguet

If you thought that only in La - Trinidad, Benguet is the source of strawberries in the country, think again because there is a farm about a hundred of kilometers north of the Philippines which is gaining popularity for its modern methods of farming strawberries.

During the holy week, Department of Agriculture secretary Manny Piñol visited the John and Kenny strawberry farm located in sitio Cada of Barangay Balili in Mankayan and learned interesting stories about the farm.

Here is an excerpt from DA Sec. Piñol's article found on his FB page.

In the mountainous village of Sitio Cada, Brgy Balili, Mangkayan, Benguet, two young men in their early 30s are running one of the most modern and successful strawberry farms in the country.

In fact, the John Kenny Strawberry Farm owned by young farmer Kenny Ching and his father, Francisco, and managed by Kenny's cousin, Marvin Marcos, was chosen as a Gawad Saka Awardee for Outstanding Agricultural Endeavour in 2012.

The maintenance manager of the farm, Mervin Leonsanda, also in his early 40s, is a Davaoeño who married an Igorot lass and has stayed in Benguet for good.

Unlike other strawberry farms, the John Kenny Strawberries are grown not in the open fields but in elevated plots held by long plastic receptacles supported by metal frames.

Irrigation and fertilisation are done by the Drip System where plastic water tubes with perforations run through the whole elevated plots.

The technique has allowed the young agri-preneurs to grow more strawberries in a small area of only 1.5 hectares which produces about 15 tons of the Festival Variety of strawberry.

The plastic roofing of the greenhouse has also protected the farm from inclement weather and heavy rains which usually devastate strawberry farms in the open fields.

At a per kilo price of P100 at farm gate, the farm makes a gross income of P1.5-million monthly.

"We could not keep up with the demand," said Kenny.

The project is so successful that investors have enticed the young men to partner with them and start a similar strawberry farm in other parts of the country.

The two young men, however, have their hands full in the John Kenny Farm.

When I visited the John Kenny Farm on Good Friday, Kenny said he only had one complaint against government and that is the very slow processing of their papers for the importation of good strawberry seeds.

"Strawberries will only give good yield on its first year. After that, you will notice the deterioration in the quality of its fruits and the volume of production," he said.

The variety that the farm uses, the Festival Variety, comes from Florida in the U.S. and it is their preferred variety because of its longer shelf life of 3 days.

"Other strawberry varieties could not be displayed in the shelf for over one day. The Festival Variety could withstand long hauls and remain fresh for up to 3 days," he said.

In response to his complaint, I assured Kenny that the processing of their import documents by the Bureau of Plant Industry would be fast tracked, just like the other documents now being processed by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

I also informed him that loan funds are available for young farmers like him who would like to start a venture in agriculture.

With John Kenny Farms' success and the increasing profitability of farming in the Philippines, it will not be a surprise if a few years from now, young agriculture and fisheries graduates would rather start their own farms than seek employment.

Read More

Farmers in Paoay Atok, Benguet granted Php100 million road project - Piñol

DA Sec Manny Piñol takes a photo shoot in front of a vegetable plantation in Atok, Benguet.
Image credits: Manny Piñol's FB account

Farmers and villagers of Atok, Benguet has received a big blessing  on Good Friday as the Department of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol revealed that the village will be granted P100 million for a road project.

Thanks to the Low Pressure Area in the East Philippine Sea that halted his scheduled expedition to the Benham Rise this week, the DA Sec instead went to a village in Atok, Benguet.

"The people of Paoay will have to thank God for the Low Pressure Area east of Luzon which resulted in the postponement of the Benham Rise expedition and led me to their village." DA Sec. Piñol wrote on his FB account.

According to Piñol, he was informed by Barangay Chairman Leo Cawaing of Paoay the need of the village for a 10 kilometer concrete Farm to Market Road so that farmers can transport their produce to the market.

The village of Paoay has also been known for its Sakura-like park which was planted with hundreds of cherry blossoms from Japan.

The DA Secretary  told the villagers that "the PRDP has sufficient funds provided the local government of Atok will puts a 10 % equity"

Read More

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.

Read More

JOB VACANCY: DepEd Benguet needs 135 teachers

Cordillera - The Department of Education Cordillera (DepEd - CAR), School Division of Benguet will hire 135 teachers for various positions to be deployed to different parts of Benguet. 

In a note published on DepEd Benguet website (http://depedbenguet.com/publication/) vacancy positions to be filled are for Teacher I and Master Teacher II. 


The note also said that "application letter shall be filled at the DepEd CAR, SDO Benguet located in Wangal, La Trinidad, Benguet (see map below) through the Records Section before the [specified] deadline". 

Applicants should bring with them the following documents:

– Personal Data Sheet (PDS)
– Service Records
– Transcript of Records
– Performance Ratings for the last three(3) rating periods 
– Certificates of Trainings/Seminars attended
– Certificate of Eligibility
– Other Pertinent Documents

DepEd-CAR

MAP of DepEd-Car School Division Office Benguet

Click HERE to go direct to Google Map

Read More

Philippine big coffee supplier Henry & Sons to buy local coffee from La-Trinidad, Benguet

Cordillera - A well known coffee manufacturing company based in Manila will be buying large quantities of coffee coming from the town of La Trinidad, Benguet. 

Henry & Sons, a coffee manufacturing company, an end product of the combined Collins Coffee and RICMAS Philippines expertise, has said it will be buying more coffee from local coffee farmers in La Trinidad. 

The company plans to manufacture quality coffee products that were locally produced as they target that 90 % of their product will come from local coffee farmers in Benguet, according to ABS CBN TV Patrol Baguio report.

Henry & Sons president and chief executive Michael Harris Lim has committed to improving the coffee industry in the town during the "Bloom Coffee 2017" Crop of the Year Competition held this week.

The premium coffee producers has been working with the Foundation for Sustainable Coffee Excellence (FSCE) to help the farmers improve their farms and to produce more quality coffee. 

Last year, Henry & Sons launched 5 different special coffee brews called Bloom Coffee that aim to support the foundation's programs  and also to promote coffee from La Trinidad. 

For all coffee lovers out there, you can purchase a can of Bloom Coffee from Henry & Sons' mobile app, Robinson's and Rustan's department stores. You can also order by calling FSCE's numbers 746 2693 or 746 2233 for a price of just Php260 per 250 grams. For every Bloom Coffee you bought, Php50 will go to various causes that benefits coffee farmers and their families according to FSCE's FB page.

There are numerous programs FSCE has been actively implementing today to help coffee farmers and their families. Aside from promoting and selling their products, the foundation is engaged in providing farmers with necessary tools, facilities and training so that they can produce quality coffee that will be at par with leading coffee producing countries. It also provides steady income while waiting for their crops to be sold. Medical assistance is also given to their children against common diseases like dengue and chicken pox.

The coffee in Benguet can be at par with world class coffee, according to television director Lino Cayetano who was one of the judges during the Bloom Coffee 2017 Crop of the Year Competition. 

Read More

Gwendolyn Pascua - First-ever Cordilleran mission controller for astronauts in Europe

Photo Courtesy || Gwendolyn Pascua

Voyage to space is one of the most difficult task of any astronaut. But with the help of a mission controllers such as engineers, experts and engineers here on Earth, the journey to space is possible.

One of the scientist working in a Mission Control Center at the Biotechnology Space Support Center (Biotesc) in Lucerne University in Switzerland is a Cordilleran from Kalinga.    

Her name is Gwendolyn Pascua, who hails from Tabuk, Kalinga and she is the Project Planning and Coordination, Operation Lead Engineer and the Ground Controller at BIOTESC in Switzerland.

READ ALSO: Kalinga pilot, the first Filipina to be in-command of a Philippine Air Force C130

BIOTESC acts on behalf of the European Space Agency that is tasked to guide scientists who are conducting experiments with astronauts and the International Space Station.

International Space Station (ISS) [Photo: pixabay.com]

“We prepare [the astronauts’] experiments and procedures starting from planning their experiments, coordinating with scientists and payload developers. We do all tests necessary on the ground before they are sent to the ISS (International Space Station),” Pascua said. - [Estanislao Albano Jr] via inquirer.net

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

Gwendolyn Pascua was in the Mission Control Center of BIOTESC who successfully flew Thomas Pequet  aboard the Soyuz MS-03 on November 17 of last year.

Thomas Pequet was the first French Astronaut from the European Space Agency (ESA) who was blasted into space aboard the Soyuz spacecraft to the ISS for a six month space tour under the European Proxima mission project.

Soyuz MS-03 [Photo: Spaceref.com

Being an astronaut has been an aspiration for Gwendolyn since she was a kid and now all the efforts and sacrifices she had done to pursue her dream are slowly coming into reality now that she is working with a renowned space agency in Europe.

Congratulations! May you become an inspiration to a lot of Filipinos and Cordillerans to continue pursuing their dreams.

READ ALSO: Battle-tested Igorot Police Officer from Besao promoted the highest rank of PNPA class 1998

Read More

The Cordilleran warrior from Ifugao is back: Kevin "The Silencer" Belingon to fight on April 21

Cordillera - Just a month to wait and the "The Silencer" Kevin Belingon will return into the ring to show once again what a true Cordilleran fighter he is.

The 29-year-old Belingon, a native of Ifugao will return to the cage on April 21st to face Finland's Toni "Dynamite" Tauro in the undercard of ONE: Kings of Destiny.

Under Team Lakay, Belingon is one of the most feared strikers on ONE Championship's bantamweight division. He has a record of five KOs victories on his resume.

Belingon (14-5) will be one of the four Team Lakay fighters on the card who will be fighting alongside Eduard Folayang in the main event in the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila.

Talking about his opponent Tauro who has defeated one of his teammate Geje Eustaquio, Belingon   is confident that he can put a good fight and will win the game.

"I've been a staple of this weight class for a long time. I've fought the best of the best. I know Toni Tauru's caliber as a fighter. I am not taking this fight lightly. My focus is on walking away with my name being announced as the winner," Belingon said.

He also has given a warning to Tauru to be prepared, that although he is taller than him, he is going to come in there with his speed and punching power that definitely will stun him and put a winning advantage on his part.

Belingon is now in full training for his incoming fight. He said that he is training with other Team Lakay's members who are taller than him to get used to Tauru's height and Length.

source: One FC, ABS CBN Sport

Read More

Mt. Province's "Lang-ay Festival 2019": Everything You Need to Know

Photo Courtesy || Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan

The people of Mountain province and the rest of Cordillera are anticipating this year's annual festival that highlights the rich cultural heritage and tradition of the different municipalities of the province. This is a yearly festival wherein each of the participating municipalities will have the chance to showcase their indigenous music, dance, costume and their traditional tools and symbols.

The event will also signify the unity among the many diverse tribes of Mountain province to come together for one purpose, to "Lang-ay".

1. What is Lang-ay? 

The word "Lang-ay" is a native term of the iBontoc which means coming together for sharing which could be anything, from food, happiness, friendship, wisdom, talents and resources. When someone invites you for a "Lang-ay", there is no excuse not to go for everyone has something to share.

2. When is Lang-ay festival 2019?

This year's Lang-ay Festival is the 15th and it will be celebrated from April 1st April 8th.

3. How do people of Mountain Province celebrate Lang-ay Festival?

The festival is participated by the 10 municipalities of Mt. Province which will gather together in Bontoc for numerous activities such as street-dancing parade and competitions, cultural presentations, musical events, sports, exhibits and many others. Please see attached photo for the lists of events.

Lang-ay Festival 2019 Calendar of Activities. Photo Courtesy || Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan

4. Is the festival for just for locals or can anyone get involved. 

The festival is open for anyone and everyone, whether you are local or international tourists, you are very much welcome to watch and learn the culture of Mountain Province.

5. What is the best highlight of the festival that I should not miss?

Every event on the festival would definitely be a must watch for everybody. The street dancing and cultural presentations will get you the chance to see the native costume of the each of the 10 municipalities of Mt. Province. Also, don't miss the chance to watch the indigenous games such as "Khug uyod", Inet-etaan" and "Sangkhor". Please refer to the Lang-ay Calendar of Events.


6. Where to stay in Bontoc to watch the 14th Lang-ay Festival 2019?

Looking for an accommodation in Bontoc would never be a problem for visitors since the town offers great choices of accommodation. Navigating the town to look for hotel is relatively simple due to its size and you can do that on foot.

So, if you're planning to go on a trip for the Lang-ay Festival in Bontoc, then don't cancel it. Ready your backpack, cameras, phones and let's head to Mountain Province. You're almost guaranteed you'll have a lot of fun and you'll end up satisfied after your visit.

Read More

Let's support our Cordilleran candidates who will join BFP Miss National Fire Olympics 2017

Cordillera - The Bureau of Fire Protection-Cordillera in its Facebook Page is asking the people of Cordillera to join the Online Voting in support for the three candidates who will represent the region for the MISS NATIONAL FIRE OLYMPICS 2017.

The online voting has started on March 11 and will end on March 17 (Friday) at 12 noon.

In order to participate, just got to BFP Miss National Fire Olympics 2017 Facebook Page and look for the name of Miss Olivia Lambayong who represent BFP Cordillera, Miss Jenalyn Rodas who will represent Industrial Cordillera and Miss Zeny Rose Gorospe for Barangay Cordillera.

Just Like and Share the Photo of each candidate. One like is equivalent to 1 point while one share is equivalent to 3 points.

Links of each candidates are embedded below from Facebook. Just click on the photo then hit Like and Share.

Read More

WATCH: Joshua Pacio from Benguet comes out victorious in One Warrior Kingdom

It's a grueling, an intense and a non-stop action between Filipino mixed martial artist Joshua Pacio against former world champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke in the ONE: WARRIOR KINGDOM in Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

Joshua Pacio from La-Trinidad, Benguet who trained under Lakay La Trinidad Gym scored a massive split decision win against the Thai Champion on March 11.

Pacio has shown his tremendous skills in two rounds via takedowns and well-executed ground and pound leading the Thai champion looked uncapable of taking a good win.

Pacio's impressive victory has made him improve his record to 9-1 and a possible title rematch againts current ONE Strawweight Champion Yoshitaka "Nobita" Naito who defeated him in their previous bouts.

Joshua Pacio was the only lone Filipino fighter who took home victory after three of his countrymen bowed down to their respective opponents.

Watch the highlight of the fight below.

Video/Photo Credit: One Championship

Read More

Top 3 of PMA Class of 2017 is a proud Cordilleran from Buguias, Benguet

PMA FB page

Cordillera - Cadet First Class Eda Gliss Buansi Marapao of Baguio City is the top 3 of PMA Class "Salaknib" 2017, the only Cordilleran who made it to the top 10 in the graduating class of the Philippine Military Academy.

Marapaom is also among the 8 women in the top 10 graduates of the PMA Salaknib (Sanggalang at Lakas at Bukay Para sa Kalayaan ng Inang Bayan.) led by female valedictorian, Rovi Mairel Valino Martinez of Cabanatuan City.

Marapaom is a proud Cordilleran who came from Buguias, Benguet and residing in La Trinidad. She had studied Civil Engineering course before entering the Academy as she was encouraged by her father who was a retired Army.

She thanked all those who had extended support and help in her studies especially her parents retired Army  Edgar Marapao and Helen Marapao.

The Top 10 graduates of PMA Class 2017 are as follows.

1. Rovi Mairel Valino Martinez, Cabanatuan City
2. Philippine Modesto Viscaya, Ligao City, Albay
3. Eda Glis Marapao, Baguio City
4. Cathleen Jovie Santiano Baybayan, San Fernando, Pampanga
5. Carlo Emmanuel Manalasan, Canlas, Pampanga
6. Shiela Joy Ramiro Jallorina, Balabag, Nueva Viscaya
7.Sheil Marie Calonge De Guzman, Manaoag, Pangasinan
8. Joyzy Mencias Funchia, Butuan City
9. Resie Jezreel Arrocena Hucalla, Compostella, Valley
10. Catherine Mae Emeterio Gonzales, Zamboanga City

Read More

LOOK: First SAF Monument in Lepanto, Mankayan Benguet inaugurated.

The Special Action Force (SAF) monument has been successfully inaugurated today at Lepanto National High School ground in Mankayan Benguet.

The SAF monument was built in honor of the 44 SAF commandos who were killed during an encounter with members of the MILF in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in January 2015 according to PSupt. Mario Mayam-es Jr., of the 2nd Battallion SAF commander.

Three of the SAF troopers were a graduate of Lepanto High School. They were SPO1 Noel Golocan, PO1 Angel Kodiamat and PO2 Noble Kiangan.

The inauguration was attended by widows and family members of the SAF troopers, local government officials, police officers and Lepanto High School alumni.

Also present in the inauguration are two of the SAF survivors PO2 Adolfo Andrada and PO3 Christopher Lalan.


Source: Bombo Radyo, Philippine Information Agency Photo: Kim Amoy

Read More

Japan-Inspired Sakura Park in Atok Benguet slowly attracting tourists

There is a new exciting destination for tourists to visit in the Cordilleran region - the Japan-inspired Sakura Park located in Paoay, Atok Benguet.

The park is the first ever Sakura or cherry blossom park to be established in the Philippines. There are about 30 kinds of cherry blossom trees that are expected to be seen out from the hundred trees that were planted back in 2015.

Although the trees are not yet fully grown up and blossoming, there are now several tourists who are starting to go picnicking in the said Sakura park in Paoay according to Atok Municipal Agricultural technologist Felix Pedro.

The Department of Tourism and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Cordillera (DENR-CAR) is committed to support the park to become a tourist destination for both local and International tourists.

Benguet Representative Ronald Cosalan has proposed the development of the road going to the park for easy accessibility for visitors.

Source: CNN Philippines, BomboRadyo Baguio

Read More

Mountain Province to be declared Drug-Free

By the effort and cooperation of the people, PNP and local officials of Mountain Province to get rid of drugs, the province has now been cleared of illegal drugs and has been set to formally declare as a drug-free. 

All of the ten towns with 144 barangays of Mt. province had been cleared of illegal drugs after they had complied with the 16 parameters set by the Dangerous Drug Board for declaring a barangay as drug-free. 

The recognition as a drug free barangays was validated by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. 

From the report by the Philippine Information Agency website, provincial local police was able to account a total of 459 drug personalities, 441 had surrendered, 17 were arrested and one killed.  

PNP Provincial Director P/SSupt. Tellio Ngis-o said the with the declaration as a drug-free province, local police and officials will intensify information campaign against illegal drugs. He also recommends the creation of  Municipal Drug Action Center that will work on the rehabilitation program for drug victims. 

The success of Mt.province to become drug-free is mainly attributed to the local officials, government officials and other stakeholders in the province, Ngis-o said. 

Read More

Lepanto Mining in Mankayan among mines ordered for suspension by DENR

Photo: lepanto website

Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company located in Mankayan Benguet is among the several mining companies in the country ordered for suspension by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) secretary Gina Lopez.

DENR Sec. Lopez on Thursday said she was suspending and closing operations of several mines due to violations of safety standards.

Among the lists of mining companies with environment certificate ordered for suspension are OceanaGold in Nueva Viscaya, CitiNickel Mines and Development Corporation in Narra, Palawan, Beron Nickle Corporation in Quezon, Palawan, and Ore Asia Mining and Development Corporation in Bulacan.

Meanwhile, Sec. Lopez ordered the closure of four mining operations namely the Benguet Nickel Mines, Eramen Minerals Inc., Zambales Diversified Metals Corporation and LNL Archipelago Mining Corp due to report that these mining operations has destroyed watersheds in the area.

Lepanto Mining which is listed in the Philippine stock exchange suffered a beating today with a price of .20 going down to as low as .17 with a decline of about 14 %.

Read More

Igorot soldier Captain Capio described as the "Tarzan" for his bravery in battle

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte paid his respect to fallen soldier Captain L. Capio at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio yesterday.

Captain Capio was this year's first casualty in the ongoing fight against the bandit group Abu Sayyaf in Cabcaban, Sumisip Basilan on January 12, 2017.

Capt. Clintion Capio was hit during a nine-hour firefight with about 60 to 80 Abu Sayyaf members led by Furuji Indama in the jungle of Basilan.

Capio was the commanding officer of the 1st Special Force Company tasked to provide support to their fellow wounded soldiers who were pinned down. After two hours of intense firefight, Capio was hit by single enemy bullet in his right side temple, just a centimeter from the cover of his Kevlar helmet.

"He was wearing helmet but the angle of the cap might had been in an open position because they were moving in for assault when he was unfortunately hit, according to Western Command spokesperson Maj. Filemon Tan.

Captain Capio, who came from Bugias, Benguet was a member of the Philippine Military Academy class of 2006 under the Mandala Class (Mandirigmang Dangal ng Lahi)

His fellow soldiers has described him as the "Tarzan" for his bravery and for being always on top in ranger course training.

He is a "fighting leader" who "fights from the front' said 1Lt, Ron, JR Villarosa from the 4th Special Forces Battalion. Capio will be remembered as a "fighting leader who never let his troops down."

Remains of Capt. Capio will be flown to Baguio via C-130 and later transported to his hometown in Buguias. He will be given a hero's burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani

- PCG and Philstar

Read More

Endangered Philippine eagle hawk rescued in Wangal, La Trinidad

Cordillera - A man from Benguet rescued a Philippine eagle hawk he found at a barangay hall in Wangal, La Trinidad. 

The Philippine eagle hawk is an endangered species that can be found only in the Philippines. 

The eagle hawk was very weak when a resident Marcelo Carpio from the said barangay found it. The eagle sustained many severe injuries mostly from its head. 

Mr. Carpio immediately turned over it to the authorities of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in La Trinidad. 

According to the DENR, the eagle hawk will be brought to Benguet State University (BSU) for treatment and will be released to Sto. Tomas Forest Reserve after  it recover. 

-abs cbn

Read More