Kalinga, Philippines

GOVERNMENT’S banner projects in the Cordillera recorded 89.34 percent accomplishment, said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

This though does not reflect the physical completion of the works but based on the allocation released, however.

Out of the three major road projects, funded under government’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) projects, or those promised by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during her 2006 Sona, section two of Bontoc-Tabuk-Tuguegarao Road has been totally completed. Phase two of this project starts from Tinglayan (Kalinga) boundary to Tabuk.

The Sona projects are expected to be complete in 2009. These are part of the North Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle program, which aims to interconnect Northern Luzon provinces in a bid to facilitate the transport the agricultural commodities produced by these provinces.

The second phase of the Halsema Highway upgrade, which starts from Mt. Data to Bontoc, is 79.61 percent accomplished based on the P340.35 million initial fund released.

Phase two, with a total cost estimated at P1.09 billion, is divided into 24 contracts. Eight projects are already complete and 16 are still ongoing. By Jane Cadalig

Sun.Star Baguio

Lubuagan, Kalinga — Out of his love and passion for his culture, this simple yet formidable Kalinga established a center for culture and arts out of his own resources. Today, some 10 kilometers away from the Poblacion and 900 meters above sea level stand four traditional houses made of local materials were built on a 30-hectare mountain.

From his own concept to build what he called the “Mampoya-awan Village” (retreat home), Alonzo Saclag, one of the 11 Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) national awardee during the Philippine Centennial Celebration at Clark, plans to put up 24 houses of that type and assign each to keep traditional arts cum museum.

He said he sold some of his properties to raise money to develop the area. From opening of the road to the site, laborers were hired to excavate, landscape the area and riprap it with squarely formed stones transported from down.

Why Awichon was selected as the place, 66 years old Saclag who has 9 children, said he wants it away from the Poblacion to keep it free from any form of disturbances. “It is not a sanctuary confined only for low profiled people seeking seclusion from boredom but for all from different walks of life escaping from the daily routine at home, office or of business and come closer to nature,” he quipped.

Part of the landscaping would be a rice terraces on the upper portion of the hill which was earlier planted with forest tree species and fruit trees.

Having a good foresight of what his project would contribute, he said it will have a domino effect on locals since the center will open the place for more development, generate employment, attract small entrepreneurs to earn income, tourist destination, venue for retreat and seminars and probably a shooting location for movies.

The place could also serve as production center for local products since it is suited for agriculture, Saclag said. It is overlooking Pasil valley and the gold-rich mountains of Batong Batong Buhay Gold Mines complex.

The project is his foremost contribution on building peace in Kalinga as it reminds people of the famous words of Jose Rizal “ang hindi lumingon sa pinangalingan ay hindi makarating sa paroroonan,” if we disregard the preservation of culture and arts.

But still he lamented that he can’t do it alone if no help from government and private donors. “I may partly succeed but to fully accomplish this plan, I need help from government and philanthropists who have the same passion as mine,” he remarked. (PIA-Kalinga)

Tabuk, Kalinga  — Giving new hope for the poor but deserving students in the province, Governor Floydelia Diasen recently announced that the provincial government has just approved the release of one million pesos scholarship fund for those willing to take up technical courses in the province.

In coordination with the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the provincial government is now accepting applicants who are willing to take technical courses in the different TESDA accredited schools in the province for assessment and screening for school year 2008-2009.

Sangguniang Panlalawigan Secretary Mathew Matbagan confirmed that said amount is already included as part of the Annual Investment Plan and budgeted from the 20% Development Fund. This is now ready for fund transfer to TESDA for proper implementation.

With regards to the selection of beneficiaries, he said that the province is expecting that barangay officials should be able to recommend at least one scholar from their respective barangay.

Expressing gratitude on this scholarship program, TESDA Provincial Director Julie Banganan ensured that once the fund is received by the agency, the national government will also be releasing its counterpart of P1 million.

“In partnership with the provincial government, we are expecting that applicants will be able to submit all requirements on or before the May 26 deadline in preparation for their screening on the 28th of May,” she said.

To help promote TVET schools in the province, she informed that the provincial government is only accepting scholars who are willing to study in the province.

At present she said there are nine TESDA accredited TVET institutions in Kalinga. These include the Kalinga Apayao State College (KASC) through their ladderized program; Kalinga Colleges of Science and Technology (KCST); Kalinga Polytechnic School of Rizal; Saint Louis College of Bulanao (SLCB); Cordillera A+ Computer Technology (CACT); Business and Engineering Schools Technology (BEST); Cherwai; Royal Caregiver Inc.; and TESDA Kalinga Provincial Training Center.

The scholarship program according to Banganan is part of the national government’s thrust to provide free scholarship grants for deserving poor students and skilled Filipino workers giving them the advantage to avail of better paying jobs both here and abroad. (ggd/PIA-Kalinga)

Tanudan, Kalinga — The Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) program of the province recently awarded livelihood packages to Supplemental Feeding and Day Care Mother’s Associations of barangays Mabaca and Bawac this municipality.

In a simple ceremony, members of the ECCD Monitoring Team headed by the Provincial Planning and Development and Officer (PPDO) Norma Damian handed a P30,000.00 check to each of the associations through their chairmen.

Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer (PSWDO) Digna Dalutag said that this assistance which is given through the soft loan scheme is part of the ECCD’s plan to provide an additional sustainable livelihood for the mothers of day care children who benefited from the Mother Craft and Supplemental Feeding Program.

This strategy she said will help augment their income to ensure the provision of food and nutrition for their children who were just rehabilitated from malnutrition through the ECCD supplemental feeding program.

In their proposal, both associations planned to come up with buy and sell of rice and agricultural supply as their projects considering that agriculture is source of income in these barangays.

The ECCD Monitoring Team also gathered from recipients who are currently enjoying the benefits of program that though very minimal, the fund afforded the members better chance of providing for their families through loan assistance in times of need aside from earning from it.

During the awarding, recipients were also given a short lecture on their signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the provincial government on the payment process of the soft loan. Said associations are also being provided with technical assistance by the PLGU through the PSWDO in assuring the smooth operation of their income generating projects. (ggd/PIA-Kalinga) ECCD awards livelihood assistance to daycare mothers

Tanudan, Kalinga — 1,500 Free Patent land titles are approved and ready for distribution in this municipality under government’s Handog Titulo program of the Land Registration Authority (LRA).

This is the third round of distribution this year by the Registry of Deeds (ROD) of the province. Last February, 198 beneficiaries in Barangay Cudal of Tabuk City were distributed titles under the program, while another 150 families of Rizal municipality got their land titles last March.

Handog Titulo is part of government’s project in providing land to the landless, through funds from the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

The beneficiaries in Tanudan have applications still dated 1996 and were approved last 2007. Of the total number of beneficiaries, only 86 have so far claimed their titles.

As provided in the program, beneficiaries are able to register their titles with the ROD without payment of the P100 registration fee as it has been waived by the LRA, under this particular program.

Also, beneficiaries are issued land titles without being required to present tax clearances, which is required by law.

However, this provision of Handog Titulo does not exempt recipients from payment of back taxes on the land, if any and current taxes, as well.

Before a beneficiary could qualify for a Free Patent, he should have actual occupancy of the particular lot and have introduced improvements on it.

Under Handog Titulo, applicants can file applications with the Community Environment & Natural Resources Office (CENRO) and can wait for its approval from the PENRO, before they can register their titles with the ROD, in three months.

The processing of applications for Free Patent titles has been shortened, unlike before when approval comes from the regional level.

As provided in the conditions of the title, free patent titles, are not negotiable for loans and sale for a period of five years, upon issuance. (PIA Kalinga) by L. Lopez