Ifugao, Philippines

 ALFONSO LISTA, Ifugao – Authorities on Tuesday arrested three alleged highway robbers in sitio Namnama here after a nine-day police manhunt.

Those arrested were identified as Julius Luguna, Arsenio Licnachan and Rene Guinomon Gaawon. A certain Ronald Cadiente is still at large.

The suspects allegedly ambushed a group of businessmen on May 5 in sitio Namnama, Alfonso Lista.

The victims were on their way to Halag, Aguinaldo, Ifugao.

Two of the victims, Jayson Watangen from sitio Namillangan and Benny Vinoya from San Mateo, Isaebla, died due to gunshot wounds, while their two companions, Leomar Cacal Cadiz and Ronald Cacal Cadiz, both of San Mateo, Isabela, were injured.

GMANews.TV

Lagawe, Ifugao — About 370 took advantage of the Mobile Passport Services of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) here last May 10.

Dir. Florencio Franco Jr, DFA Regional Director in Tuguegarao, Cagayan said that the activity will lessen the expenses of applicants in processing their passports. “We are trying to reach out to the nearby provinces so that they will not be hard up in traveling and spending money just to apply for a passport,” he said.

Conducted in close coordination with the provincial government here, the activity which served 370 applicants was lauded by Ifugao Gov. Teddy Baguilat Jr. saying this is the assistance of the local government to the people here who wish to work or travel overseas.

“Our manpower program with TESDA (Technical Education Skills Development Authority (DFA) is geared towards overseas employment and we have our cultural experts who are frequently invited abroad, so this gives them less effort in securing passport,” Baguilat said.

The provincial government did the coordination, shouldered the food, transportation of the DFA employees and the streamer.

On the other hand, Dr. Alexander Gumabol, head of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) here also appreciated the activity pointing out that securing passport is always the problem of applicants who wish to work abroad. It is also timely because our office will be conducting a jobs fair during the Ifugao Day celebration, he added.

Ifugao Day which falls on June 18 will be a week long celebration which starts on June 16-20, 2008. “The passport is a basic requirement so its good that the DFA adhered to our request of conducted the mobile passporting,” Gumabol said.

The first to be conducted in the province this year, Franco said most of the applicants are applying to work abroad as domestic helpers. The DFA conducted three mobile services last year. (PIA-Ifugao)by Vency D. Bulayungan

Lamut, Ifugao  — Heeding to the call of the provincial government to train Out of School Youth to enhance their skills on Information Technology (IT), the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) was able to graduate 31 OSYs in a computer training.

Ms. Virginia Kimayong, Social Welfare Officer I (SWO I) of the DSWD here said that this is a joint project with the Engineers’ Without Borders in Canada since August 2004. The program aims to equip the OSYs with computer skills and to enhance their personality.

The program which targeted Ifugao and Baguio in Luzon trained the OSYs on computer literacy for two months and one month On the Job Training (OJT) for a total of three months.

Kimayong said that since 2004, there were already 343 graduates of the said program and 22 enrollees in the ongoing computer hands on classes.

“The said program will also help inculcate in the minds of the OSYs to decide to go back to school,” Kimayong said adding that 94% of the graduates went back to school and about 20% were employed.

Kimayong said that the program which is open to indigent OSYs and unemployed has the following requirements: Case study from the MSWDO; barangay clearance; birth certificate and certificate of indigency. (PIA-Ifugao) by Vency D. Builayungan

Alfonso Lista, Ifugao — Elated with the result of the long time struggle for a share in the operation of Magat Dam here, the Provincial Chief Executive announced that the share will be used for development projects here.

Governor Teddy Baguilat Jr. in his speech during the 2008 Ammung and 53rd Founding Anniversary held recently said the province has finally able to get a share of P57M. The province of Isabela and Ifugao had finally come to terms of 50/50 sharing in the transfer tax.

Baguilat also disclosed that the real property tax is still being processed alongside the business tax which will go to this municipality. “This would not have been realized without the unity and good working relations of our elected leaders and the people of Ifugao as a whole, he said.

The governor also said that the province has a long way to go to battle out poverty and unemployment especially with the looming global rice crisis. He said that the role of our province as a rice producer is very important in the sustenance of food for the Ifugao populace and outside the province should there be an excess in production.

Taking into consideration the effects of climate change, Baguilat reminded his constituents on their role which according to him is very vital specifically in the maintenance of the watersheds especially that this is the lifeblood of the Magat Dam, irrigation systems, and regular water supply for people both in the upland and lowland areas.

“We can work our way through with the crisis we are facing right now with the right attitude and positive outlook in life,” Baguilat said. May this event be the binding factor for everyone as we move on to prosperity and progress for Ifugao, he added.

Baguilat mentioned a list of projects for the municipality which were funded under the 20% Development of the provincial government such as farm to market roads, bridge, watersystem and deep well construction. (PIA-Ifugao) by Vency D. Bulayungan

Banaue, Ifugao  — Heeding to the call of the Department of Education on the proper handling of the Philippine Flag, education officials and Commandants of Citizen Army Training (CAT) from Regions I, II, III and CAR participated recently in a Flag Advocacy Campaign Seminar at the Banaue Hotel here.

The activity which aims to promote history, uses and importance of the national symbol and its significance in the development of the country would like also to instill in the hearts and minds of all Filipino especially the youth the pride in their native land.

Marcelina K. Puguon, Principal I of O-Ong Elementary School who is one of the participants said the activity will promote public awareness instilling values like love of country, respect for the flag and elderly.

“It also aims to imbibe in the minds of the participants a sense of patriotism and nationalism and to foster continuing respect for the flag and anthem implanting it deeply into their national consciousness,” Puguon said.

Puguon further said that it was reiterated during the said seminar that the original time signature of the national anthem was 2/4 hence, it should be followed and sung properly in all agencies. The singing of the national anthem should also be finished in 53-55 seconds, she added. (PIA-Ifugao) by Vency D. Bulayungan