CAMP DANGWA,Benguet — Sa sama-samang pagsisikap na pahusayin ang mga serbisyong pangkalusugan at pagyamanin ang kagalingan ng mga tauhan ng Philippine National Police (PNP) at kanilang mga pamilya, ang Police Regional Office Cordillera Administrative Region (PRO-CAR) at ang PNP Retirement and Benefits Administration Service (PRBS) ay lumagda sa isang Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) kasama ang Cordillera Hospital of the Divine Grace (CHDG) sa multi-purpose gym, Camp Major Bado Dangwa, noong Hulyo 5. Nagsimula ang programa sa paglagda ng MOU nina Regional Director Brig.Gen.David Peredo,Jr.; PRBS Director BGen. Dindo Reyes at CHDG Medical Director Dr. Edgar A. Biteng. Ang seremonya ay sinaksihan ni PRO-CAR Deputy Regional Director for Administration BGen. Rogelio Raymundo,Jr., Chief of the PNP Retirement and Benefits Administration Unit-CAR Capt. Marjorie Tadeo at Chairman ng Cordillera Police Retirees Association Inc. Retired BGen. Joseph Adnol. Sa ilalim ng mga tuntunin ng kasunduan, malapit na makikipagtulungan ang PRO-CAR at PRBS sa CHDG upang matiyak ang paghahatid ng mga serbisyong naa-access, tumutugon, at cost-effective na pangangalagang pangkalusugan sa mga aktibong tauhan, mga pensiyonado, mga pensiyonado, mga nakaligtas, at kanilang mga pamilya. Binibigyang-diin ng partnership na ito ang iisang pangako sa pagbibigay ng komprehensibong solusyon sa pangangalagang pangkalusugan na iniayon sa mga natatanging pangangailangan ng mga tauhan ng PNP at kanilang mga dependent. Bukod pa rito, sa parehong araw, isa pang MOU ang nilagdaan sa pagitan ng Maezelle Psychometier at Diagnostic Center, na kinakatawan ng Pangulo nito na si Jocelyn A. Suello, PRBS Director Reyes CHDG Director Dr. Biteng. Ang kasunduang ito ay naglalayong palakasin ang pakikipagtulungan ng mga ospital sa pagbibigay ng accessible na serbisyong medikal sa mga tauhan ng PNP, mga retirado, at kanilang mga pamilya. Ang partnership na ito ay ipinagdiwang kasabay ng outreach activity kung saan halos 200 retirees, aktibong PNP personnel, at kanilang mga pamilya ang nakatanggap ng libreng medical, dental, at optical check-up at konsultasyon. Binibigyang-diin ng inisyatiba na ito ang patuloy na pangako ng PRO-CAR sa pagtataguyod ng kalusugan at kapakanan ng mga nakatuon sa serbisyo publiko. By Zaldy Comanda

By Christian Andrew Rillorta SSS Luzon North 1 Division   BANGUED, Abra – The Social Security System said that 50 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) will now have social security coverage from the SSS after the SSS Bangued Branch and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) sealed an agreement for the AlkanSSSya Program. SSS Vice President for Luzon North 1 Division Ceasar Saludo and BJMP Acting District Jail Warden Junior Inspector Franz Marc Ganitano led the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for implementing the program in Bucay District Jail on June 11, 2024. Saludo said that the agreement is part of the SSS’ commitment to extend social security coverage to all Filipinos, especially those who belong to vulnerable groups like the PDLs. Under the SSS AlkanSSSya Program, Saludo said that PDLs will be registered as self-employed SSS members, and designated BJMP personnel will collect and remit the PDLs’ monthly contributions to SSS Bangued. “PDLs can set aside P19 per day or a portion of their monthly earnings from handicrafts making and poultry raising to save up for their P570 monthly Social Security (SS) and Employees’ Compensation (EC) contributions. They can also increase their monthly contributions, depending on their income source,” Saludo said. He said that regular contribution remittance will qualify them for SSS benefits such as sickness, maternity for female PDLs, disability, retirement, death and funeral, as well as loan privileges like salary and calamity. Saludo added that in addition to the regular SS benefits, PDLs are also eligible to receive EC benefits in case of work-connected sickness, injury, or death. “While incarcerated, these people still deserve to have social security protection. Hence, SSS extended social security coverage to them through the AlkanSSSya Program, which is part of our mandate to secure the welfare of all Filipino workers in times of contingencies,” Saludo concluded. Aside from PDLs, SSS members from Public Utility Vehicle Operators and Drivers Associations, market vendor associations, cooperatives

The Police Regional Office Cordillera Administrative Region (PRO-CAR) successfully conducts “Pamilya ng Pulis, Family Day,” held today, June 29, 2024, at Camp Major Bado Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet. The event, organized under the leadership of the Regional Director, PBGEN DAVID K PEREDO, JR, featured a day filled with activities and essential services aimed at enhancing the well-being of police officers and their love ones. During the program, PBGEN PEREDO JR. graced the event as the guest of honor and speaker, joined by other members of the Command Group, Regional Staff, Special Staff, Chiefs of the camp-based Regional Supporting Units, and personnel from the Regional Headquarters, along with their families. Highlights of the day included free services such as ID processing and renewal, medical services, legal counseling on VAWC cases, retirement benefits assistance, forensic services, consultation and counseling for weddings, baptisms, and communions, a financial service help desk, an information drive on the PNP recruitment program, and legal counseling on cybercrime. Additionally, officers provided easy access to authorized police uniforms and the new PRO-CAR patch, as well as the National Police Clearance. The event was further enlivened by photo booths capturing joyful moments and parlor games for children, fostering a vibrant and supportive atmosphere for families to participate in various activities together. In his message, the Regional Director emphasized the importance of family support in the effectiveness and resilience of police officers, stating, “Your family serves as your greatest support system. Let us uphold the values of love, respect, and unity within our homes and in our service to the nation.” This initiative by PRO-CAR aligns with Chief PNP PGEN  ROMMEL FRANCISCO D MARBIL’s programs, highlighting the PNP’s steadfast commitment to supporting and uplifting the families of its personnel. It underscores the importance of family cohesion in enhancing police effectiveness and morale, ensuring a stronger and more resilient force dedicated to serving the community

By Zaldy Comanda   TABUK CITY, Kalinga– Operatives of Tabuk City Police Station recovered P3.6 million worth of marijuana bricks and tubular from a motorcycle allegedly involved in an accident along Sitio Nasgueban, Appas, Tabuk City, Kalinga on June 23. Police report said, the discovery of  marijuana occurred when a Red Honda TMX and one black Honda Civic car were apparently involved in an accident at the aforementioned place of incident. Accordingly, the black Honda Civic was traversing towards Barangay Bulanao when the Red Honda TMX from the opposite direction in fast speed side swiped the left rear door panel before it tumbled and skidded more or less 10 meters. The driver of the Honda Civic was calling the Tabuk CPS hotline for assistance, while the driver of the motorcycle immediately ran towards Dagupan Centro on foot to evade police interrogation leaving his backpack and cartoon with suspected marijuana. Upon conducting inspection to the abandoned motorcycle loaded with one backpack and one cartoon, police saw from the torn package a suspicious item. Upon verification, a total of 25 pieces of marijuana bricks weighing 30.2 kilograms  and 3 tubular of suspected marijuana dried leaves and stalks were recovered worth P3,624,000.00 Other recovered items were one blue and black backpack podia adventure, one cartoon of bear brand, and on unit red Honda TMX.

By Zaldy Comanda   ITOGON, Benguet — Thousands of individuals may experience hunger and poverty following the stoppage order issued against Dontog Manganese Pocket Miners (Domapma) in Sitio Dalicno, Barangay Ampucao, Itogon,Benguet. Dozens of  college students from the said mining community may not be able to enroll due to financial difficulties felt by  their parents-a number are pocket miners who were displaced by the closure order. Phoebe Manuel, representing the youth sector, expressed  fear that she and her fellow students in their community may not be able to enroll this school year due to financial problems being felt by her parents brought by the stoppage and since the latter have no other source of livelihood except working in small scale mining.   Last June 20, officials of Benguet Federation of Small Scale Miners, Inc. (BFSSMI), together with more than 50 small scale mining associations have gathered and urged  the  Mines Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to lift the stoppage order against Domapma mining operations in Sitio Dalicno, Barangay Ampucao here. They claimed that the area being mined by DOMAPMA is outside the patented claims of Benguet Corporation and they appealing to talk to DOMAPMA and the affected communities to resolve the mining issue. On June 13, MGB Regional Director Fay Apil, who is also the chairperson of the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) of Benguet, issued a stoppage order against DOMAPMA and it was enforced by the Benguet police force.   ‘We are appealing to our local government leaders, government agencies, Indigenous leaders and other stakeholders to find ways and means in finding a concrete solution to this longstanding problem of the small-scale mining sector,” BFSSMI  states ‘We are so concerned on the impact of the stoppage of the livelihood of our brethren in Dalicno, taking into consideration that such displacement and injection of small scale miners will result to hunger, poverty, financial difficulties in terms of health and education and other social problems that may arise,’ BFSSMI states. The BFSSM  statement, signed by Norberto Cobaldes, the group, and member of Benguet’s  provincial mining regulatory board, representing ssm, was  presented and read by Rudyrick Pao-eng,president of Garrison Small Scale Miners Association. DOMAPMA, led by its president Nicholas Tibangwa, and several pocket miners led by Allan Sabiano, and affected individuals, elders, women, youth sectors, among others were also present, and aired their side.

By Jessica Fernando DAR Regional Information Officer   The Department of Agrarian Reform – Cordillera Administrative Region, Benguet Provincial Office, distributed 131 Certificate of Land Ownership Awards (CLOA) with a total of 83.2823 hectares of land to 130 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) covered under Executive Order 75. Additionally, 380 e-Titles covering 234.7606 hectares were given to 293 ARBs from Atok, Itogon, Kapangan, Kibungan, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay Municipalities on June 18, 2024, at the Closed Gym, Benguet State University, La Trinidad. The distribution of e-Titles and CLOAs mark a significant milestone in empowering local farmers and advancing agrarian reform in the region. This event not only provides legal land ownership to ARBs, enabling them to secure a stable future for their families, but also highlights the collaborative efforts of government agencies and local officials in promoting sustainable agriculture and community development. The support from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and other stakeholders underscores the ongoing commitment to improving the lives of farmers through comprehensive agrarian reform initiatives. During the distribution, DAR Regional Director Samuel S. Solomero emphasized the significance of these titles, stating that they are provided at no cost to the ARBs, thanks to the support from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos and DAR Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III. He also assured ARBs receiving their titles from the Project Support to the Parcelization of the Land for the Individual Titling (SPLIT) that the New Agrarian Emancipation Act will absolve their debts accumulated under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). Additionally, more support services and programs, including farm machineries, equipment, and training, will be provided to all ARBs. Hon. Elpedia Alos, also an ARB from the municipality of Atok expressed her community’s gratitude, noting the positive impact of legal land ownership on farmers’ lives. “Gusto ko pong magpasalamat sa mga staff na nagpupunta sa amin maski anong mga hindrance, hindi sila nagsusurender, sa lahat ng staff ng DAR. Buong puso po ako nagpapasalamat para sa mga kapwa magsasaka ng Benguet. Nawa po sa mga darating pang araw ay mas marami pa pong mga katulad naming magsasaka ang mabigyan ninyo ng ganitong pagkakataong mapasakanila rin ang buong buo ang mga lupa na kanilang sinasaka.” Alos said. She has also echoed the message of RD Solomero about the support services to come their way as ARBs to give better opportunities for them and continue innovation in their livelihood. Kapangan ARB Gretchen Alunes expressed gratitude for finally legally owning the land farmed by their forefathers, stating, “With this project, you have truly [allowed us] to farm our own legacy.” ARB recipient of CLOA covered by EO 75 Jose G. Bayas Jr. thanked for the opportunity and requested help with processing their other lands, highlighting the ongoing need for support and collaboration. He discussed the broader benefits of land ownership for ARBs, including economic growth and community development. DAR Legal Affairs Office OIC-Assistant Secretary Atty. Eugene P. Follante explained DAR’s process in acquiring these titles for ARBs and emphasized that DAR’s support services will continue as long as ARBs establish their ARB Organization for improved services. He encouraged ARBs not to sell their land but to become successful farmers. Benguet Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Lailani A. Cortez highlighted the importance of collaboration with Local Government Units and partner agencies, stating, “Today, we reap the fruits of our efforts. When individuals work together, support each other, remarkable things happen.” DAR-CAR Assistant Regional Director for Administration Virginia D. Aycud encouraged ARBs to safeguard their land titles as a proud achievement in their livelihood as landowners, adding that there is more to look forward to as ARBs. The event was further supported by the attendance of several Local Government Units and representatives, including Tublay Mayor Hon. Armando I. Lauro, Councilor Jayson Dangwa of La Trinidad, President of La Trinidad IPO Marcos L. Anod, Barangay Captain Alfredo Agmaliw Jr. of Barangay Wangal, IPMR Teodora H. Esteban of Wangal, PARCCOM representatives, Mayor of Atok representative and officials from the Department of Environment and Resources. Their presence underscored the remarkable unity and collaboration in creating opportunities for ARBs, ensuring their livelihoods, and contributing to the community’s development.

Bontoc, Mountain Province – Adhering to the principles of merit, competence, fitness, accountability, transparency, and equal opportunity, the members of the Human Resource Merit Promotion and Selection Board (HRM PSB) and the Recruitment, Selection and Promotion (RSP) Technical Working Group (TWG) of the Bontoc Local Government Unit (LGU) convened for the reorientation and deliberation of the competency – based Merit Selection Plan (MSP) of the Bontoc LGU on June 11, 2024, at the Sangguniang Bayan Conference Hall of the Municipal Capitol. Sangguniang Bayan Member Dan Evert Sokoken who presided over the meeting remarked that it is but proper to review the agency’s MSP which serves as a guide in the selection, hiring, appointment, and promotion of individuals/ applicants in the first and second level positions. Sokoken added that the through the MSP, it creates equal opportunities for employment to all qualified applicants to enter the government service and for career advancement in the agency/ institution. With this, Human Resource Management Officer III Arleen Eickmee Gasmeña, presented the MSP before the members of the HRM PSB and the RSP TWG the MSP of the Bontoc LGU. Gasmeña explained that the policy aligns and contextualizes Bontoc LGU’s internal system on application, evaluation, selection, and appointment with the provisions of the Civil Service Commission (CSC)’s Omnibus Rules on Appointments and Other Human Resource Actions (ORAOHRA). She added that the Bontoc LGU adheres to the principles of merit, fitness and equality, of which the selection of employees shall be based on their relative qualifications and competence to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. Gasmeña further elaborated in her presentation that there shall be no discrimination in the selection of employees on account of age, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity,civil status, disability, religion, ethnicity, or political affiliation. The issuance of the MSP is one of interventions of the Bontoc LGU to improve the human resource policies and processes in order to better serve stakeholders/clients. It is to be noted that under the provisions of the 2017 ORA OHRA, Rule IX (Agency Merit Selection Plan and Human Resource Merit Promotion and Selection Board) it was stipulated in Section 85 that the HRMPSB shall assist the appointing officer/authority in the judicious and objective selection of candidates for appointment in the agency in accordance with the approved Agency MSP. Likewise, the HRMPSB shall be primarily responsible for the judicious and objective selection of candidates for appointment in the agency in accordance with the approved Agency MSP and shall submit to the appointing officer/authority the top five (5) ranking candidates deemed most qualified for appointment to the vacant position. Further, it was stated under Section 86 that the appointing officer/authority shall be guided by the report of the HRMPSB’s assessment of candidates and in the exercise of sound discretion, select, insofar as practicable, from among the top five (5) candidates or less, deemed most qualified for appointment to the vacant position, depending on the number of candidates. By Alpine L. Killa, Bontoc LGU

Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas led the distribution of P385,000 financial assistance to at least 40 beneficiaries under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program of the Office of Provincial Social Welfare and Development (OPSWD), spearheaded by Acting PSWDO Melba M. Motio. Held at the covered court of the provincial capitol on monday, June 10, this program aims to alleviate the financial struggle of socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals. Benguet residents who want to avail themselves of the services of the said program are advised to proceed to their respective Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices (MSWDOs) or to the OPSWD on the 1st floor of the provincial capitol.

The PRO-CAR Regional Director, BRIG.GEN.DAVID PEREDO,Jr., warmly welcomed the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, Atty. Benjamin “Benhur” C. Abalos, Jr, upon his arrival at Camp Capt. Juan M Duyan, Brgy Bulanao, Tabuk City, Kalinga on June 14, 2024.