Former DA Sec. Manny Piñol admires Cordilleran farmers for 100% repayment of loans

Photo Courtesy || Manny Piñol

Cordillera - Former secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Manny Piñol has admired the Igorot vegetable farmers for the fantastic 100 percent repayment of loans under the Production Loan Easy Access (PLEA) program. 

Piñol said that during his term as DA Secretary, he was amazed with the commitment of the Igorot farmers for the repayment of their loans well ahead of the maturity period. 

"In every opportunity, even now as Chairman of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), I share the story of the Igorot farmers' 100% repayment of loans to serve as an inspiration to other," Piñol said. 

As a result, according to Piñol, some farmers in many other parts of the country has posted high repayment rate for the PLEA loans. 

"If all of our farmers would have the industry, tenacity, honesty and reliability of the Igorot farmers, there is hope that we could achieve security in this country," Piñol added. 

For this reason, Piñol said that he loves the Igorot farmers for being hardworking and industrious. 

Indeed, the Cordilleran farmers are truly amazing, hardworking and reliable Filipino food producers. They are the pride of our beloved country. 

source || Manny Piñol

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'Covid Carrot Man' offers truckloads of fresh high quality carrots to everyone for FREE

Photo Courtesy || Sheila Banagui

Cordillera - The generosity and kindness of the farmers in Cordillera had been demonstrated during this time of crisis. 

Social media has been flooded with remarkable stories and acts of kindness from farmers and other kindhearted individuals who generously offered their resources to people in need. 

On Saturday (April 25, 2020), a farmer who doesn't want to be identified has offered truckloads of fresh carrots to everyone for free, according to the post from Sheila Banagui. 

Banagui said, the generous farmer whom he called 'COVID carrot man' has unloaded truck loads of high quality carrots in front of Epiphany Church in Km 6, La Trinidad and later to the Cathedral of the Resurrection parking lot.

"This morning other farmers followed him. They too are struggling to survive this pandemic but they happily came with truck loads of carrots and other vegetables... For FREE," Banagui said.

Some farmers in the Cordillera region have been struggling to sell their produce specially during this enhanced community quarantine.

Local government units and organizations had came to the rescue by buying tons and tons of produce from the farmers.

Last week, The Philippine Air Force purchased around 13 tons of vegetables from Benguet farmers to be donated to folks in Manila. 

Also the government of Bocaue, Bulacan has bought 13,200 kilos of assorted vegetables from farmers of Bauko in Mountain Province.

The Pasig local government also bought fresh vegetables from Benguet to be cooked and given to front liners in the city.

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WATCH: Baguio's 'Qurantine Jeep' goes viral; Ted Failon interviews owner Mr. Amino

Photo Courtesy || Failon Ngayon & Gideon Amino

Cordillera - A jeepney driver in Baguio City has come up with an extra measure to protect his passengers against the threat of Covid-19. 

A photo from Gideon Amino, the driver who installed a makeshift plastic partition between the passenger's seat is being appreciated on social media. 

"WOW di namin naexpect na mapopost yung ginawa namin kahapon. Maraming salamat sa naka appreciate lalo sa nag post... (Wow! we were not expecting that our work yesterday was posted [on social media]. Thank you so much to those who appreciated especially those who posted it)," Amino said.

Photo Courtesy || Caroline Ann Salon

He said that they just wanted to ensure that their passengers are safe from the Covid-19. 

"Gusto lang naming safe ang mga pasahero. A simple way of preventing NCOV19... stay safe everyone!, Amino added. 

In the photo, the passenger's seat is seen being partitioned with transparent plastic attached to the ceiling down to the seats. 

The idea behind the partition is to maintain physical distancing among the passengers and to add extra protection just in case one passenger is infected with the virus. 

Photo Courtesy || Caroline Ann Salon

Kudos to Mr. Gideon Amino and company for the unique idea in keeping our community safe from the virus. 

Your simple idea is a proof that there are people in our country who take this crisis seriously and take part in preventing the spread of this virus.

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BENECO offers discounts to consumers for April and May through Pantawid Liwanag Program

Cordillera - Member Consumer Owners (MCOs) of the Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) will receive discounts to their bill for April and May according to the latest advisory from the BENECO management. 

"We wish to inform our Member Consumer Owners (MCOs) that BENECO will implement its "Pantawid Liwanag Program" for April and May 2020 as a means to help our MCOs cope with the adverse impact of the enhanced community quarantine," it says.

BENECO will provide the following:

April 2020

• Free electricity for Lifeline residential consumers who consumed 30kWhrs and below
• Php100 discount on the bills of residential consumer who used 31-100kWhrs

May 2020

• Php100 discount on the bill of residential consumers who used 31-100kWhrs

The electric bills for April and May 2020 will be based on actual meter readings. Those who consumed 30kWhrs and below need not pay their bill for April. Those who consumed 31kWhrs to 100kWhrs will have a discount of Php100 on April. Those who consumed 101 to 200kWhrs will also have a discount in May. 

For those who have already paid their bills before the release of the advisory, the amount of subsidy will be credited to their accounts as advance/partial payment for 30kWhrs and below and advance/partial payment for 31kWhrs and above.

source || BENECO

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Kindhearted Fire Officer from Benguet donates 1 month salary (P32,000) to PWDs affected by covid-19 pandemic

Photo Courtesy || FO1 Brian Mader-an

Cordillera - A fire officer from the Baguio City Fire Department has donated his one month salary to the needy who were affected by the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Luzon. 

Fire Officer (FO1) Brian Mader-an has initially donated his one month salary worth P32,000 to buy basic needs to the Person With Disability (PWDs) in Taidangan, Tuba, Benguet.

They also give food packs like rice, can goods and food for the children.

With the help of Jean Kidpalos who organized the charity event, they are also planning to provide another food and financial grants to PWDs including food packs to 50 families, according to a local news outlet.

READ ALSO:  From engineer to farmer: Hardworking farmer from Benguet proves you don't need to go abroad to have a good life

FO1 Mader-an is asking his fellow Fire Officers of the Baguio Fire Department and other individuals who have enough food and money to donate to the less fortunate during this crisis brought by covid-19 pandemic.

The Covid-19 crisis has brought the goodness of us human beings towards our fellowmen. 

READ ALSO: Baguio resident refuses P5,500 SAP from DSWD because his wife was a beneficiary already

Whether big or small, everyone's contributions is very much appreciated. 

Kudos to your sir Brian Mader-an for your donation. May the Lord always keep you safe and your family. Wish you more blessings to come. 

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Ifugao Scout Ranger Officer Ruben Guinolbay recommended AFP Medal of Valor

Photo Courtesy || Youlike Cordillera & Capt. Guinolbay

Cordillera - Captain Ruben Buyucan Guinolbay, who lead the 70 men Scout Rangers in defending the town of Lamitan from the deadly attack of the Abusayaf group back in 2001, was recommended for a Medal of Valor, the country's highest military award. 

He was also responsible for leading his men in the successful rescue of Father Nacorda who was held hostage by the group in 2001. 

The Cordilleran captain who traces his roots from Boliwong, Lagawae, Ifugao was awarded Medal of Valor for displaying courage and leadership in defending and saving the lives of the people of Lamitan, Basilan.

Capt. Guinolbay bravery in battle was never forgotten. 

During the heavy battle in Lamitan, 4 of his Rangers were killed and several were wounded. 

READ ALSO: Cordilleran Captain awarded 'Distinguised Conduct Star' medal by President Duterte

Guinolbay personally dragged many of his men to safety and ministered to the wounded. All 4 of his men died in his shoulder and 3 of them asked his permission to die and the last Ranger who was hit in the head was carried by Capt. Guinolbay and while putting back the spilling brains of the dead Ranger in his own pocket while's he's shouting and giving instructions to his men to gain morale in combat.

Capt. Guinolbay did not order his men to hold the line instead he ordered constant attack to the enemies while standing alone in the battle ground to show his men that the snipers and the mortars of the enemy will not hit him, according to Carlito Pablo or Inquirer.

"Hindi na iba sa akin yung mga tao ko, kapamilya na ang turing ko sa kanila, magkasama na kami sa hirap at ginhawa. Ang pinakamasakit sa lahat at yung mamatay na yung tao mo tapos ang unang tatawagin ay ang opisyal nya tapos sasabihin sayo na: Sir kahit anong mangyari, paparatingin niyo ang katawan ko sa pamilya ko!," said Capt. Guinolbay.

READ ALSO: Heroic story of Herbert D. Dilag - The Cordilleran soldier who received the highest award in the AFP

Capt. Guinolbay was a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 94. 

He completed his Scout Ranger Course and became the Top 1 of his Class. He was later sent to Fort Benning in America to train in one of the best Airborne Rangers School. 

source || Carlito Pablo; Inquirer.

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Cordilleran cop from Barlig, Mt.Province promoted One Star General of the PNP

Photo Courtesy || Montanyosa Unity

Cordillera - A Cordilleran police officer has been promoted One Star General of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Police Brigadier General Oliver Enmodias, who traces his roots from Barlig, Mountain Province will assumed the post as Executive Officer to Directorate for Integrated Police Operation (DIPO-NL).

PBGen. Enmodias is a proud member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1990 and finished his high school at the SLU Boys High in 1984.

Prior to his new assignment, PBGen Enmodias was the head of the recruitment and selection division of PRO-12 Directorate for Personnel Records and Management (DPRM).

He is known for his intelligence in the police work when he headed the two joint task forces that proved the twin bombings in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat in 2018 and the December 31 bombing in front of a mall in Cotabato City.

READ ALSO:  Igorot Cop from La Trinidad, Benguet promoted 1-star PNP General

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Kalinga cop donates P50,000 intended for his wedding to PNP's 'Adopt a Family Program'

Photo Courtesy || PNP Cordillera

Cordillera - A young policeman in Kalinga had decided to donate his hard-earned money that he kept for his wedding day to the Philippine National Police's (PNP) Adopt a Family or Rectang Bayanihan' fund for the people of Kalinga. 

Patrolman John Cleveland A. Pannogan and Ms. Nannete C. Velasco schedule their wedding ceremony this coming June but due to this Covid-19 pandemic, the would be couple canceled the said wedding and the money (P50,000) allotted  was voluntarily and full-heartedly donated to the "Adopt a family" fund.

The "Adopt a Family" program aims to encourage PNP personnel to help families who are in need of basic food commodities and necessary supplies during the Enhanced Community Quarantine period.

The would be couple will be looking forward for a memorable and successful celebration of their love once this crisis will be over. 

The 2nd Kalinga Provincial Mobile Force Company under the leadership of PLTCOL Igan P. Ballangan salute and hailed this young police officer for his generosity.

The Mobile Force Company is encouraging other constituents who have more in life to share God's blessings to help those in need during crisis.

Kudos to sir Pannogan and may the Lord bless you abundantly and guide you through a successful wedding plan in the future.

The people of Kalinga will surely remember your generosity. 

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Couple from Bontoc, Mt. Province celebrated wedding anniversary by donating food to the frontliners

Photo Courtesy || Jen Basco & MDRRM Office

Cordillera-  A couple from Bontoc celebrated their wedding anniversary by making a difference and sharing their blessings to others.

While the whole town is on Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), celebrating especial occasions doesn't necessarily have to be the usual norm. 

The couple Mr. Raymundo Basco and Mrs. Jen Basco decided to celebrate their 18th wedding anniversary with practicality and so much consideration of other people.

Their celebration was complemented with generosity and kindness by providing snacks to the front liners through the Bontoc Operations Center (OpCen). 

They donated a box of pineapple and peanut bread, 12 bottles of local organic honey and three packs of organic muscovado sugar.

For most married couples, celebrating a marriage milestone is something exclusive and considered a very significant occasion.  

It is more than celebrating a win, survival, or achievement that made this occasion extra especial. So, don't wonder why other couples celebrate wedding anniversaries grander than their wedding.

Meanwhile, the kindhearted Mr. and Mrs. Basco,  owner of Rio Chico Marketing, could have just saved their  money or postponed their celebration until this pandemic is over. Then, plan for a  grander celebration with family and friends. 

However, they chose generosity and kindness and made a difference by celebrating their life and union together as a couple by becoming a channel of blessing to other people. 

Our best wishes and greetings for the couple. May you receive more blessings as you both grow old together! 

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People of Mountain Province are industrious and contented with simple living - Former DA Sec. Manny Piñol

Photo Courtesy || Mayor Ganggangan & Manny Pinol

Cordillera - Former Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Manny Piñol has admired the people of Mountain Province following the good deeds of the Mayor of Sadanga, refusing the food packs offered by the government. 

He said that the people of Mountain Province are industrious and contented with simple living, although they are poor. 

"I have been to the Mountain Province several times as Secretary of Agriculture. It is a poor province which was selected to be given additional funding under the Special Area of Agricultural Development (SAAD) program of the Department of Agriculture," Piñol said.

"They are poor but the people of Mountain Province are industrious and contended with simple living," he added.

He compared the attitude of the people of Mountain province to a man he saw on social media who threw a bag of rice in front of his home in a subdivision saying that it was not enough.

Piñol's comment came after reading the story of Sadanga Mayor Ganggangan who waived his municipality's relief packs to be given to other areas who are more needy of food assistance.

Mayor Ganggangan explained that waiving of food packs does not mean that that there are no poor and needy families in their municipality. However, its "built in" and homegrown or indigenous  social structure, values, and practice of taking care of their respective relatives, kins, neighbors, or kailyan in distress will work to sustain the need of the people during crisis.

The former DA Sec. wished the Philippines had more Mayors like Ganggangan and people like the iSadangga who are "poor but proud and self-respecting".

"Imagine this, If all the well-to-do families would just refuse the food aid, then President Rody Duterte and the national government do not need to crack their heads finding funds to sustain the relief efforts," Piñol said.

source || Manny Piñol FB

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