“ULTIMO NGA MADMADI,” this is how this farm-to-market road (FMR) was used to be described before by locals when it was not yet improved.
Palintaang-Balintag FMR is serving over 100 individuals composed of farmers, students, and other people passing through sitio Abbao in Baculongan Sur, Buguias.
In a bid to provide comfort to the residents of this community, Governor Dr. Melchor DaguinesDiclas approved the funding of the road’s enhancement.
Three portions of the road with very poor condition having a total length of over 400 meters were finally paved to provide comfort to travelers especially farmers who are transporting their produce to the market.
This P2 million project which was completed last January is just one among the many road development projects funded and implemented by the Provincial Government of Benguet under the HEALTHIER Benguet framework of Governor Diclas.
Barangay Bagong in Sablan, Benguet was among the areas heavily affected during the onslaught of tropical storm Ondoy and typhoon Pepeng in 2009 which triggered flash floods leaving the community with damaged rice fields including several houses. This horrifying event had created fear among the residents that they would worry whenever they heard news about a strong typhoon barreling down on the region.With this, a flood control project was implemented at the area during the time of former Governor Nestor Fongwan Sr., which at least reduced the worries of the locals. But with several super typhoons that had been striking the region in the past few years, locals were still considering the further development of the flood control a need. Heeding the concerns of the constituents and to ensure their safety and protection, Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas allotted funds amounting to P2 million for the construction of a flood control as an extension of the existing one. The project has recently been implemented by the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO). Renato B. Pacheco, Brgy. Bagong chairperson, thanked Governor Diclas for the successful implementation of the project saying it will protect over 50 households in barangays Bagong and Balluay from flooding during heavy rains.
Some 50 farmers in Baculongan Sur, Buguias are glad to receive a new communal irrigation system which will supply water to their farmland with an aggregate area of seven hectares.
The project was funded by the National Irrigation Administration with counter-part funds from the Provincial Government of Benguet.
Governor Dr. Melchor DaguinesDiclas said the Provincial LGU has released an amount of over P1.8 million as additional funds to the P3.6 million which came from NIA for the realization of the project.
Governor Diclas thanked NIA for their continued support to the government’s agricultural programs most especially during the pandemic.
He said the project will surely enhance the productivity of highland vegetables in the locality.
The project will also benefit residents within the area as one of the tanks will supply water for domestic use.
IN PHOTOS: Representatives from NIA and Provincial Government of Benguet conduct inspection of the recently completed Communal Irrigation System project in Baculongan Sur, Buguias, Benguet on February 17, 2022.
VACCINATION ROLLOUT FOR 5-11 YO. Over 300 children are expected to be vaccinated against CoVID-19 during the launching of pediatric vaccination for 5-11 years old in the province today, February 16, at the Benguet State University gymnasium.
The launching is spearheaded by the Provincial Government of Benguet headed by Governor Dr. Melchor DaguinesDiclas and the Municipal Government of La Trinidad headed by Mayor Romeo Salda together with the Department of Health-Cordillera, the Philippine Pediatric Society, the Benguet General Hospital, Cordillera Hospital of the Divine Grace and other partners.
Governor Diclas is encouraging parents to have their children vaccinated against the virus for their protection in preparation for the conduct of face-to-face classes.
As of December last year almost 300 basic education schools in the province have applied for the opening of their schools for limited face-to-face classes.
Governor Diclas said the education of the children should not be sacrificed and that the vaccination program is part of the government’s effort to bring back the old normal where children learn in schools.
The conduct of face-to-face classes is still a huge challenge for the government as the health of the learners are still the priority. Children are among the vulnerable group who are at risk for CoVID-19.
Governor Diclas reported that 1,227 or 4.4% of the total CoVID-19 cases as of February 15 in the province are aged 5-11 years. Of the number, two have died.
Meanwhile, based on the PHO’s report, the province targets to inoculate 60,754 children 5 to 11 years old.
The DOH and the LGUs continue to remind those who have not yet received a dose of the vaccine to have themselves inoculated for their protection. The agencies also keep reiterating that the vaccines are safe and effective
Local Officials, Stakeholders Continue to Work Against Vegetable Smuggling
Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas and Congressman Eric Go Yap have been actively coordinating with the Department of Agriculture (DA) up to the national government regarding the issue on smuggling of vegetables. In response, DA-CAR Regional Executive Director Cameron Odsey has recently written to the office of the Governor to report their actions over the matter.
In his letter, RED Odsey said DA has already crafted major policies against agricultural smuggling since 2016. It can be recalled that Republic Act 10845 or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act was signed into law in May 2016 “declaring large-scale agricultural smuggling as economic sabotage.” This aims to protect Filipino farmers and agricultural enterprises from illegal traders and importers.
RED Odsey said DA has done its part by investigating the “so-called smuggling of cabbage and carrots.” He said the agency through its Bureau of Plant Industry conducted an emergency meeting with all Plant Quarantine Services Regional and area managers to provide instruction to conduct monitoring of Plant Quarantine (PQ) Central Office any suspected smuggled commodities and to coordinate with Bureau of Customs (BOC) at their respective jurisdictions.
“PQ Stations have been communicating with their respective BOC for request for hold order / alert (warrant for seizure and detention) and 100% inspection in cases of suspected smuggled or misdeclared plants and plant products,” RED Odsey added.
The Bureau of Plant Industry, according to RED Odsey, has also requested dialogue with BOC to emphasize the “operationalization of the Customs Memorandum Order No. 04-2007” which talks about the implementation of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of Finance and Department of Agriculture on anti-smuggling.
Further, RED Odsey said a directive from the BOC Commissioner was also requested to instruct district collectors to allow PQ officers in all ports to gain access to X-ray monitor control rooms to ensure “veracity of the shipment and likewise deter unscrupulous importers to bring in undocumented shipments in the country.” Several memoranda were also issued to address the issue.
Recently, Secretary William Dar has ordered attached units of DA to implement intensified and stricter first border inspection and control of all imported food items and other agri-fishery-related products, according to the Regional Executive Director.
Meantime, the BOC has recently lauded Benguet local officials for their effort in curbing the smuggling of vegetables. Baguio Herald Express, in one of their recent articles, reported that Atty. Vincent Philip Maronilla, Customs Assistant Commissioner, said that Congressman “Yap, local officials and agriculture industry stakeholders had been constantly providing the bureau with vital information that led to the conduct of successful operations that resulted in their seizure and eventual destruction of smuggled vegetables in various parts of Metro Manila, Subic, Cebu and other strategic ports in the country over the past several months.”
On the other hand, Governor Diclas said he together with Congressman Yap and other local officials and stakeholders will continuously work hand-in-hand to address the issue on smuggling.
Courtesy visit of the new Regional Forensic Unit - Cordillera chief, PCol. Nerino B Daciego, MD
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Courtesy visit of the new Regional Forensic Unit – Cordillera chief, PCol. Nerino B Daciego, MD, to Governor Dr. Melchor DaguinesDiclas early this morning.
The two exchanged words of support to each other’s endeavors for the welfare of the people of Benguet.
The office also donated a set of computer in support of the RFU’s operation.
February is a celebration of love not only between couples, but more so among us all. Let this month be a reminder for everyone to keep showing compassion and care toward one another especially as we pursue to end this pandemic.
Always love your health by staying safe from illnesses especially CoVID-19. Always wear your facemask observe physical distancing and get vaccinated.
Oath-taking of the officers of Cacao Growers Processors of Benguet-Baguio Federation
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Governor Dr. Melchor DaguinesDiclas administers the oath-taking of the officers of Cacao Growers Processors of Benguet-Baguio Federation at the Governor’s Office on Monday morning. Gov. Diclas committed support to the federation for their future projects and activities.
Also present during the oath-taking ceremony was DTI Provincial Director Atty. Samuel Gallardo.
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Some food packs and family kits were delivered by our personnel from the PDRRMO sent by Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas to a family affected by a house fire last January in Anopo, Beleng-Belis, Kapangan.
