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.

Read More

Igorota Policewoman is one of Most Influential Women in Asia

Photo Courtesy || PCI Kimberly E. Molitas

Cordillera - The Spokesperson and Chief of the Public Information Office of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is a policewoman and a proud, full blooded Igorota. 

Police Lt. Col. Kimberly E. Molitas who held the position as the PNP deputy spokesperson was a graduate of the 220-strong Magilas Class of 2000. 

She has worked with the Philippine National Police for 20 years in various capacities, and has also served abroad with the United Nation's Stabilization Mission in Haiti. 

She also trained in the PNP Special Action Force (SAF) to enhance her combat skills, develop a special kind of discipline, train her body to be physically fit and strong. 

Molitas was also one of the "12 emerging leaders of Asia" which was selected by the Asia Foundation from among 650 applicants representing 53 Asian countries. 

In 2015, Molitas became the first Filipino policewoman to complete a Fulbright year as a Hubert Humphrey Fellow at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

She also remains a resource person for the Center for Democracy and Citizenship in the US and speaks in different in different forums cybercrime, human trafficking, and crimes against women and children.

According to Molitas, her great achievements in the police work were attributed to her family and her roots as an indigenous woman. 

"My family and my roots as an indigenous woman are my greatest inspirations. Coming from a country where most people think that Igorots like me are uneducated, I told myself that I should be an example or inspiration for the younger Igorots to excel," Molitas said. 

In line with his profession as a policewoman, Molitas had specialized in Advance Surveillance & Investigations training at the Australian School of Security and Investigation. 

She earned the distinction of being the youngest of the Ten Outstanding Policewoman of the Philippines (TOPWP) at 25 years old and the Distinguished Service Medal from the Philippine Defense Secretary.

source || asiafoundation.org || globalnation.inquirer.net

Read More

Miss Boliney Charlyn Dulawen crowned Miss Abra 2020

Photo Courtesy || Miss Charlyn Dulawen

Cordillera - Boliney candidate Miss Charlyn Dulawen was crowned Miss Abra during the recently concluded Search for Miss Abra 2020 last night (March 7, 2020).

Dulawan bested 27 candidates from the 27 different municipalities of Abra.

Meanwhile, Angela May Respicio of Bangued Abra was crowned the 1st runner up winner; Franch Therez J. Nelson of Lacub was the 2nd runner up; Wynne Gaebrielle B. Cabanilla of Pidigan was the third runner up while Khanaica Jade P. Pe Benito of Tubo was the 4th runner up. 

The Search for Miss Abra 2020 is among the activities lined up for the province celebration of the annual Kawayan Festival.

Congratulations to all the winners, organizers, handlers, families and sponsors for the success of this year's Search for Miss Abra 2020. 

Read More

Thousands came out to buy fresh and affordable Cordilleran vegetable in QC.

Photo Courtesy || Jim Meer Libiran

Cordillera - Fresh vegetables from Benguet were on display at the Fresh Market at Quezon Memorial Circle today (March 7, 2020) and tomorrow (March 8, 2020). 

Vegetables came directly from farmers in Cordillera, so the price is much lower compared to vegetables sold in Supermarkets. 

Starting at 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, buyers can buy fresh vegetables from Cordilleran farmers. 

Around 16 tons of vegetables were available at the Fresh Market with prices currently at P80 for a kilo of broccoli, P150 for kale, and P80 for spinach, according to a post by The Veggie Drop Off, which is a group of volunteers who organized the two day event. 

Photo Courtesy ||Jim Meer Libiran

On Saturday, thousands of buyers came out at the Fresh Market to buy cheap vegetables from the Cordilleran farmers.

Some buyers have become volunteers to help the farmers and organizers in conducting the smooth flow of selling vegetables.

Read More

LOOK: New flower farm with 20,000 roses opens in Alapang, La Trinidad

Photo Courtesy || Chrisel Biase FB

Cordillera - The Alapang flower garden in the town of La Trinidad, Benguet is the newest attraction in the province with over 20,000 roses ready to provide Instragram-worthy photos for visitors and tourists. 

This astounding flower garden is found in Ettong, Alapang, La Trinidad just eight kilometers away from Baguio city. 

You don't need to fly to Bali, Indonesia to have this luxurious experience.

Be the first to visit the place on its soft opening today, March 7, 2020. There is a 60 pesos entrance fee per head but it's free for your children if they are 0-7 years old.

Going for an adventure or photo shoot at the Rose Garden is easy  to find. 

If you are driving, take the Alapang route. But if you are commuting, take the Camp Dangwa or Upper Tomay jeepney to Alapang Junction.

Here is a short video instruction on how to get there. Courtesy  to justmedonna YT channel. 

Do a race with your buddies going down the path ahead to add more fun in your adventure. Enjoy the walking exercise, appreciate the nature and benefit from the fresh air. 

If you  want to reach the place right away, take a taxi and you'll get there in no time.

Read More

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.

Read More

General Guillermo Eleazar praised Cordilleran police being 'tough as rock' and 'strong as steel'

Photo Courtesy || General Guillermo Eleazar & Cordillera Pnp

Cordillera - Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar has been named the new Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP). 

Eleazar was chosen by President Duterte based on seniority, merit, service reputation and competence to lead the police force," according to Interior Secretary Eduardo Año who confirmed the appointment Wednesday.

Prior to his appointment, Gen. Eleazar is the current PNP deputy chief for administration. He had also served as the commander of Joint Task Force Covid Shield and served as the head of the National Capital Region Police Office.

READ ALSO: Multi-awarded Igorota cop promoted Regional Chief of Cordillera Highway Patrol Group

Gen. Eleazar was among the PNP's top officers who praised Cordilleran police for being the most disciplined cop in the country. 

Congratulations! General Eleazar.

 

Read More

Cordillera's Men and Women in Uniform tie the knot in uniform

Photo Courtesy || Pro-Cor

Cordillera - Nine Philippine National Police officers in Cordillera and their fiancees tied the knot on Friday (February 28, 2020) at a mass wedding ceremony sponsored by the Police Regional Office - Cordillera (PRO-COR).

Among the couples who finally said their 'I do's to their partners are both police officers working in the PNP. 

Instead of wearing the usual couple's wedding dress, both officers wore their police uniforms which is decent, practical and even economical.

READ ALSO: Igorot soldier working in US Marine Cops received 1st Marine Aircraft Wing's Sailor of the year

The ceremony, which took place at the Saint Paul Church at the Camp Bado Dangwa in La Trinidad, Benguet is part of the PRO-COR program to legitimize the status of policemen with their partners.

According to Maj. Carolina Lacuata, PRO-COR information officer, the mass wedding is a good practice of the PNP organization to establish a healthy family life of the police officers.

READ ALSO: Cordilleran Marine officer honored as Best Officer 2019 of the 23rd Marine Company

"The purpose of this [mass wedding] is to show police officers are not all work but also looking at their spiritual and marriage dimension," Maj. Lacuata said via PNA.

"We believe that when a policeman is healthy and has a good family, he will also be providing  a good service for the public," she added. 

The mass wedding is part of the Philippine National Police' internal cleansing program. 

Congratulations to all the newly wed officers of the PNP.

Read More

WATCH: Igorot Idol Roque Belino sings at Showtime's Tawag ng Tanghalan

Cordillera - Roque Daligan Belino, a local talent from Cordillera proudly represents Mt.Province in a national singing competition of ABS-CBN's Tawag ng Tanghalan. 

With his natural country-inspired voice, the 21-year old Belino from Besao and Tadian Mt.Province sings his own rendition of 'Anghel Sa Lupa' by Filipino local band Stonefree. 

Belino, who had once worked as a miner received unexpected popularity when he joined Idol Philippines last year. 

Although he wasn't lucky enough to win in that competition, Belino was introduced to many Igorots in the country and overseas and was invited to perform on a number of occasions. 

For the second time, Belino was given a chance to perform in a national television to showcase his talent and introduce about the culture of the Igorots to the Filipino people.

The Tawag ng Tanghalan is an amateur singing competition aired as part of ABS-CBN's popular noontime show, 'It's Showtime'. 

The competition aims to search for the ultimate Filipino amateur talents from Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and overseas. 

Read More

Malasakit Center soon to be opened in Benguet General Hospital

Photo Courtesy || St. Louis Review Centre

Cordillera - To make it easier for the people of Benguet and nearby provinces to seek financial assistance from the different agencies of the government, a Malasakit Center was being proposed to be established at Benguet General Hospital (BeGH). 

Department of Health (DOH) undersecretary Roger P. Tong-an said that DOH is planning to put up Malasakit Center in BeGH like what the Baguio General Medical Center (BGHMC) has.

"We are planning to put up Malasakit Center in BeGH. So kayong mga nangangailangan ng tulong, hindi na kayo pupunta at pipila sa DSWD, Pagcor, Philhealth, pupunta na lang kayo sa Malasakit Center ng BeGH," DOH undersecretary Tong-an said during the public consultation on the proposed bill for the transfer of BeGH to DOH. 

The Malasakit center is a one-stop shop where poor and indigent patients in need of medical assistance will go to avail of medical help from the government. 

The center is usually manned by representative of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

The center eases the burden being experienced by relatives of patients who have no enough finances to pay for hospital bills including medicines.

The funds of the Malasakit Center  for medical and financial assistance would come from the budget of concerned agencies with programs for the poor and indigents patients.

Read More