Highland Reports

18/01/2024

19K tourists visit Sagada for yuletide break

SAGADA MOUNTAIN PROVINCE- Tourist arrivals for the Christmas break registered a high of 19,273 records from the municipal tourism Information office reveal.
Tourist arrivals in this tourist town so far peaked up from a low of 4,204 arrivals in September till December with 127,332 visitors for the year. The peak season started with 13,774 arrivals in November on to December.
The Lenten season in March showed 19,140 arrivals recording almost the same December record in 2023.
Tourism here was opened after the pandemic December of 2022 showing arrivals of some 35,000 including the first three months of 2023.
Of the tourist attractions, the most visited is the hanging coffins located at Baw-eng with its way passing through the spacious Mission Compound locating the more than century stone walled Church of St Mary the Virgin (CSMV).
Other attractions popularly visited are Sumaguing Cave, Marlboro Hills, Bomod-ok Falls, Pongas Falls, Balangagan Cave located in public sites and private establishments Sagada Weaving and Sagada Pottery.
Village tours in sites where the cultural ‘dap-ay’ (tribunals) are found are trying to be popularized and so with farm tours in orange orchards and coffee groves.
Tourism is the major source of income of the people here in this tourist town with 144 registered inns, 64 cafes and restaurants, 323 tourist guides though some are not registered, 36 travel and tours, 4 local based travel and tour companies, 21 souvenir shops, 15 weaving firms, and 174 sari sari stores in 2023 the licensing office reveals./HReports

17/01/2024

ECP’s E-CARE help farmers in veggie glut, sell 13K plus kg

QUEZON CITY- With farmers having dumped their cabbage produce along the Halsema Highway due to low prices, the Episcopal Church in the Philippines ECP) bought their harvest and sold these to their church members in its four dioceses found at Kalinga, Isabela, Mountain Province and Quezon City.
The first week of January has seen the dumping of cabbage and radish at Km 21 at Atok, Benguet due to excessively low prices of said vegetables.
Market prices have gone way down to P3 to P5 pesos per kilo of cabbage this yuletide season.
In situations like this, gardeners of the vegetable producing town of Benguet and neighboring veggie growing towns instead dump these along the road sides or bring back the produce from La Trinidad Trading post to rot and serve as fertilizer in their gardens.
Rather than have the veggies rot, the ECP through its Episcopal Church Action for Renewal and Empowerment (E-CARE) program hauled 13,000 plus kilograms of cabbage and Chinese cabbage from the gardens of Buguias and sent this for sale in their church outlets.
ECP Prime Bishop Brent Alawa’s said, “we continue to denounce the manipulative trading system that creates this situation that drives our farmers into penury. In support and as part of this advocacy, may we please invite everyone to participate in a rescue operation that will buy these vegetables at a price that allows the farmers to earn a little and bring these directly to the consumers.”
As of press time, 13,471 kilograms of cabbage and wombok Chinese cabbage were transported for sale to church outlets.
The ECP’s ECARE Foundation purchased the vegetables at P15 per kilo at farm gate rice.
Charlotte Camfili, ECARE staff said ‘we asked the farmers how much their produce cost and that (P15.00) is our basis in buying their produce’.
The top-up cost to P20.00 per kilo sold in Manila, Tabuk City and Santiago answers for transportation expense Camfili said.
The vegetables were sold to church members and the public within the vicinities of the Episcopal dioceses of Northern Luzon at Bulanao, Tabuk City; at the Northern Philippines at All Saints Cathedral at Bontoc, Santiago at Isabela and at Cathedral heights at its national office.
Trucks from the Department of Agriculture transported the vegetables to Manila and to other diocesan centers in Luzon.
Camfili said, E-CARE intends to pursue selling vegetables as part of its mission to support farmers.
E-CARE has also been selling vegetables during the Covid pandemic within the church compound at Cathedral Heights during the pandemic./ by GIna Dizon With reports from Atty Floyd Lalwet, ECP Chancellor and Development Officer//Highland Reports

08/01/2024

Search on for missing Bontoc tribesman

BONTOC, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE - A search and rescue team from Bontoc Ili here met with search voluinteers from Tubo, Abra to look for the whereabouts ofBontoc resident Allan ‘Wangho’ Fagsao, 45, single and reported missing since December 31,2023.
Fagsao was last seen at siioTaron, Mainit, Bontoc.
Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representtive (IPMR) William Aspian of Caluttit barangay reported said incident at the Bontoc Emegercy Operatons Center (BEOC).
Bontoc Mayor Jerome "Chagsen" Tudlong, Jr., presided over a meeting of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) members to locate Fagsao.
Search and Rescue (SAR) teams were organized and proceeded to Dilong, Tubo, Abra. They were met by Tubo Mayor Liberty La-os, Tubo Sangguniang Bayan and the Tubo MDRRMOfficers at Barangay Poblacion, Punong Barangay Osborne Gassil of Poblacion, personnel from Tubo Police Station, and Tubo resident Veronica Camarillo who used to reside in Bontoc.
Barangay Kagawad Fideliz Takayeng of Bontoc Ili performed "khaeb Si malegwatan" at the Municipal Capitol Ato before the deployment of 135 individuals composing SAR teams.
Search and Rescue teams were composed of volunteers from Caluttit and sitios of Bontoc Ili, including Pokisan, Omfeg, Chakchakan, and Foyayeng; and employees from the Bontoc local government uinit.
Another SAR team from Chakalan, Bontoc Ili was deployed to Mainit.
Additional SAR teams including personnel who underwent Land Navigation Training will be dispatched from the Bontoc Emergency Operations Center.
The SAR teams were accompanied by community volunteers from Tubo who are now continuing the search for Fagsao.
Punong Barangay Paterno Bangui of Barangay Tiempo, Tubo guided the SAR teams to Barangay Baclingayan nearest to Mainit.
On any pertinent information, contact the following numbers:
MDRRMO Hotline: 0960-584-3280 / 0936-859-4183
PDRRMO: 0920-946-3373
Bontoc MPS: 0960-584-3280
Ms. Christina Atongan: 0970-774-5238
/Reports and photos from MDRRMO Tubo, Abra and Bontoc EOC as relayed by Bontoc PIO/Bontoc LGU page

08/01/2024

11th Sagada Etag Festival set on February 1-4

SAGADA, MOUNTAN PROVINCE- The 11th Etag festival in twin celebration with the Presentation of Jesus Christ in the temple and Purification of the blessed Virgin Mary shall be held on February 1-4 here.
The Etag Festival started in 2011 by virtue of a Sangguniang Bayan ordinance upholding the cultural ‘etag’ or smoked meat as a way of life in the iSagada and to promote local products.
The town’s constituents and officials from its 19 barangays, the local government unit, government line agencies,six high schools, nine elementary schools, five and more cooperatives, gopvenment line agencies, business eatablishments, sectoral organizations, churches and other religious sects shall be celebrating the four day event.
With theme, “Bridging generations: bringing iSagada closer through fest”, the four day event shall be held with a community parade, ball games, cultural events, search for Mr and Ms Sagada, concerts, other competitions and church mass.
February 2 is the historical celebration of the Presentation of Jesus Chrsit in teh temple and Purification of th blessed Virgin Mary in conjunction with the celebration of the town fiesta through the years.
With the holding of the Etag Festival covering February 2, the town’s fiesta lengthens days of its celebration./HReports

04/01/2024

Sagada’s insurance for tourists questioned

SAGADA, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE- Optional insurance offered to tourists who enter this tourist town here is questioned of its collection site and manner of collection within the registration area of visitors here.

The Sangguniang Bayan in their recent December resolution asked Municipal Mayor Felicito Dula pertinent documents such as contract of lease and charges imposed on Ganduyan Insurance Services in its operations here.

This, in support to an earlier letter of municipal Councilor Kapon Gomgom-o asking for relevant documents and also asking the municipal tourism officer on municipal orders indicating the manner of collecting insurance fees.

Tourists are advised to pay P50 insurance fee indicated as Step 1 before proceeding to the registration desk indicated as Step 2 where they pay the required P100.00 tourist registration fee here.

Visitors registered 123,000 arrivals for the year 2023.

As provided in a memorandum of agreement between Ganduyan Insurance Services and the municipality of Sagada, the LGU allows a portion at the entrance of the old municipal building within the vicinity of the tourism office for the collection of insurance fees for a P3,000 monthly rent.

Said agreement is supported by municipal Ordinance No 14, s 2023 providing that the LGU may at its option “allow space within the tourism office for easy access by target clients”.

Said ordinance prescribes optional protection coverage of tourists coming to the municipality to answer for injuries and/or death that they may incur while on tour and/or during their stay in Sagada.

Called Optional Tourist Insurance Law of the municipality of Sagada, the law provides that only the department of health (DOH) approved local government unit (LGU) accredited and with complete documentation insurance entities are allowed to offer insurance policy to tourists.

Said ordinance also provides that only Sagada based insurance agents shall be allowed to transact the insurance contracts or serve as insurance provider.

Insurance covers accidental death/disablement, unprovoked murder and assault, accidental medical reimbursement, accidental burial reimbursement and medical evacuation as provided in the ordinance dated April 2023.

Also, the presence of the insurance firm within the tourism registration area was questioned during a recent Municipal Tourism Council meeting asking why Ganduyan Insurance Services is privileged to collect insurance fees within the tourism registration area and not in their private office.

The MTC instead suggested that the LGU come up with its own insurance services for tourists.

Dula in an interview said the suggestion would be up to the SB to provide an ordinance for that.

02/01/2024

Baguio councilor wins national Gawad Gabay Karapatan award

QUEZON CITY- Baguio City Councilor Arthur Allad-iw was adjudged winner by the Commission on Human Rights of this year’s Gawad Gabay Karapatan category of the Gawad Karapatan Pantao.
Allad-iw received the plaque of recognition from CHR Commissioner Monina A. Zenaroza during the culminating commemoration of national human rights consciousness week held on December 10,the celebration of International Human Rights Day this year 2023.
Following a search by the national screening committee of the CHR, other three government officials were awarded the honors of being Gawad Bantay Karapatan, Gawad Tanggol Karapatan and Gawad Sulong Karapatan.
In said ceremony, Allad-iw re-echoing Ka Pepe Diokno’s advocacy for human rights said, ‘we aspire for a situation where we stand as human beings enjoying these rights and freedoms whether as individual, sector or as a people”.
Arthur Lapa-an Allad-iw from Sagada Mountain Province has long been an advocate for indigenous people’s rights, human rights and the rights of persons with disabilities.

31/12/2023

Rocknetting hit in Mountain Province

BAGUIO CITY - Anti corruption advocate Juniper Dominguez in his petition to the Office of the Ombudsman charged Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Director Engr. Khadaffy D. Tanggol, Chief Planning & Design Engineer Engr. Angelita Mabitasan, project engineers, materials engineers, project inspectors, and all signatories in the program of works, bidding documents, statement of works accomplished and disbursed.
Charged for alleged dishonesty, grave abuse of authority, falsification of public documents, technical altercation of public funds leading to plunder, Dominguez cited that DPWH CAR officers bidded out five rocknet projects worth Php851,795,562.21.
This while Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonuan forwarded that there shall be no more rocknetting projects.
Dominguez alleged that there was no factual on-sight survey conducted on the rocknet projects sections before programming and conducted table survey only.
Dominguez also alleged that there was no geo-technical testing of the slope sections and no factual materials testing conducted on the metal materials used if they are high tensil galvanized steel.
An open letter to DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, DBM Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, and COA Chairman Mr. Gamaliel Cordoba was forwarded by Dominguez citing rocknetting projects that collapsed after construction.
He stated in his letter that there are environmentally friendly and very much cheaper engineering interventions to secure the safety of passing vehicles and persons from falling rocks like planting Taiwan bamboos along strategic slope sections.
Dominguez also called for shotcreting instead of rocknetting citing 35 years old shotcreting projects along Marcos Highway, constructed along Naguilian Road, Marcos Highway, Kennon Road, Benguet-Viscaya Road, Halsema Highway which withstood yearly typhoon occurrences.
Mt. Province needs improvement of the Paracelis, Barlig and Besao District hospitals; construction of barangay health centers, day care centers, school buildings, potable water systems, pathways from barangays to schools and farms, barangay roads, additional dialysis machines, colonoscopy machines and other cancer prevention equipment’s for Luis Hora Regional Memorial Hospital, Dominguez added.
In an earlier related petition, officials of Kalinga led by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan forwarded a resolution stopping rocknetting projects in the province.
Kalinga’s SP in its petition to stop rock netting in Kalinga directed to DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan seeked the investigation and immediate stoppage of the rock netting projects in the province.
Said petition forwarded their observation that the rock netting projects already completed in Kalinga are not environmentally and economically sound considering that the government would spend about 100 million pesos for a certain section consisting of more or less 100 meters only.
Instead of addressing the problems of erosion and rock slides, the substandard projects have become a threat to life, limb, and property especially during rainy seasons and the occurrence of earthquakes, the petition added. /HReports

Photo Credits from Guru Press. As of presstime, Tabuk- Bontoc road is currently unpassable to motorists due to a rockslide at Sitio Maswa, Basao, Tinglayan. Road clearing is underway.(Guru Press Cordillera, Dec 23,2023)

30/12/2023

30/12/2023

P173 M post disaster projects up for funding – Mayor Dula

SAGADA MOUNTAIN PROVINCE- Post -typhoon Egay disaster preparedness projects located in 14 barangays of this town estimated at P172 million are up for favorable funding from the national Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
This according to Mayor Felicito Dula during the meeting of the municipal disaster risk reduction council (MDRRMC) attended by barangay officials, local government staff and representatives from non-government organizations.
Dula said the municipality shall also be lobbying for other funding from the Department of Local Government and the Department of Agriculture.
Rehabilitation of drainage systems, pathways, farm to market roads, irrigation canals, roads and retaining walls are projects identified in the P173 million project cost.
Sagada resettlement project tops the estimated cost of P50 million followed by rehabilitation of Ato-Engan- farm to market road (FMR) at P30 million.
Ato-Engan FMR collapsed during the height of Egay typhoon last July preventing vehicles from passing the road. This also caused affected resident Janice Borja to petition FMR implementors Department of Agriculture and the Municipal LGU to repair the damaged road.
Rehabilitation of Ambasing- Balugan road costing P25 million was also forwarded for its favorable approval by the OCD.
Said road is prone to landslides during typhoons where disastrous Egay caused massive soil and waters that poured from the mountains of Ampacao down the Ambasing- Balugan road and prevented vehicular access to reach the barangay.
A P5 million rehabilitation was estimated for Atey- Demang road access that also collapsed during typhoon Egay.
Also, P5 million was identified for the damaged Tetep-an road during typhoon Egay.
Too with a P2.5 million Paytokan-Tangeb road and P5 million rehabilitation of slope retaining wall of Sagada Central School here at Patay barangay.
And too with an estimated P10 million Ankileng-Pakil FMR rehabilitation and improvement of a P4.5 million Datil-Nangongan FMR at Patay barangay.
A P5 million rehabilitation was estimated for Pey-asan - Balugan drainage system.
Equally that with Guesang drainage system at Bangaan barangay costing P5 million.
Other rehabilitation projects are found at the barangays of Nacagang, Suyo, Pide, Ambasing, Madongo, Fidelisan, Aguid and Antadao.
Municipal DRRRMC officer Eddie Dapliyan urged barangay officials to report disaster incidents at the LDRRMC office for proper recording and assistance.

14/05/2022

BBM, Sara, Incumbents win in MP; Actor Robin Padilla is top senator
By Gina Dizon

MOUNTAIN PROVINCE- Former senator and presidential candidate Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr (Partido Federal ng Pilipinas) emerged as top choice among 75,705 voters representing 78.6% of the 96,217 who actually voted among 115,925 registered voters of the Province, official records from the Commission on Elections reveal.

Vice president and presidential candidate Leni Robredo (Independent) came in far second with 8,765 votes representing 9.1 percent of the total votes cast followed by fellow presidential aspirants senator Manny Pacquiao (PROMDI- Progressive Movement for the Devolution of Initiatives or Probinsya Muna Development) with 3,693 votes; incumbent senator Panfilo Lacson (PDR- Partido para sa Demokratikong Reporma) with 2,705 votes; incumbent Manila Mayor Domagoso Isko Moreno (Aksyon Demokratiko) with 1,985 votes: labor leader Leody de Guzman (PLM- Partido Lakas ng Masa ) with 176 votes; businessman Ernie Abella (Independent) with 154 votes, DrJose Montemayor (DPP-Democratic Party of the Philippines) with 165 votes; former Defense and national security secretary Norberto Gonzales (PDSP-Philippine Democratic Socialist Party) with 106 votes and businessman Mangondato Faizal (Katipunan ng Kamalayang Kayumanggi) with 57 votes.

Marcos’ running Uniteam mate Davao City Mayor and vice presidential candidate Sara Duterte (Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats) emerged winner as Vice President with 69,970 votes followed by vice presidential aspirants incumbent last termer Senate President and vice presidential candidate Vicente Sotto (National Peoples Coalition) with 10,002 votes; incumbent re-electionist Senator Francis Kiko Pangilinan (Liberal Party) with 6,977 and Doc Willie Ong (Aksyon Demokratiko) with 2,625 votes.
Mountain Province Incumbent Congressman Maximo Dalog Jr (NPC- Nationalist Peoples Coalition) retained his post with 52,927 votes over congressional candidate former Sabangan mayor Engr Jupiter Dominguez (Lakas-CMD) with 41,437 votes.

Incumbent Mountain Province Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan (PDPLaban) also retained his post having secured 76,104 votes against gubernatorial candidate Albert Paday-os (Ind) with 9,121 votes.

Also, incumbent Mtn Province Vice Governor Francis Tauli (PDP Laban) had 43,143 votes against vice gubernatorial candidate Bauko mayor Abraham Akilit (Nationalista Party) with 40,240 votes and Alexandre Claver (+) (Aksyon) with 2,489 votes.

Here in Mountain Province, Number 1 senatorial candidate actor Robin Padilla (PDPLaban) won with overwhelming 52,599 votes followed by broadcaster Ramon Tulfo (Ind) with 45,150 votes; former senator and incumbent Antique congresswoman Loren Legarda with 37,077 votes; former Ifugao congressman Teddy Baguilat (LP) with 34, 446 votes; former department of public works and highway (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar (Nationalista Party) with 34,194 votes; former senator and Taguig-Pateros congressman Allan Peter Cayetano (Ind) with 29,105 votes; re-electionist senator Sherwin Gatchalian( NPC) with 25 591 votes; former senator Jinngoy Esrada ( PMP-Pwersa ng Masang Pillipino) with 25,569 votes; former senator JV Ejercito (NPC) with 24528 votes ; former senator and Sorsogon governor Francis Chiz Escudero, former senator Joel Villanueva and former senator and former vice president Jejomar Binay(UNA-United Nationalist Alliance) with 23,961 votes.

Top five winning party lists in Mountain Province are IWI(Igorot Warriors International) with 9,702 votes, Peace Epanaw with 9,431 votes; ACT-CIS with 3597 votes; Philreca with 3,880 votes and DIWA with 2,416 votes.

Winning Board Members for District 1 composed of Paracelis, Natonin, Barlig, Bontoc and Sadanga are former board member Ezra Gomez (LDP-Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino) with 19,066 votes; incumbent board member Joshua Fronda (PDPLaban) with 18,931; incumbent board member Onsat Federino (PDPLaban) with 18,275 votes and former board member Carino Tamang (+) with 18,233 votes.

Nurse by profession Angel Moises Tamang filed his certificate of candidacy and certificate of nomination and acceptance on April 11 as a substitute to his father board member candidate Cariño Tamang who died of gunshot wounds on March 6 this year.

District 2 composed of Sagada, Besao, Sabangan, Tadian and Sagada recorded winning Board Members incumbent mayor of Besao Johnson Bantog (Ind) who got 24,876 votes followed by Ricardo Masidong (NP) with 23,222 votes; incumbent board member Henry Bastian (PDPLaban) with 19,159 votes and incumbent board member Jose Danglose (PDP Laban) with117,407 votes.

Meantime, unofficial counts from COMELEC data transmitted to Halalan 2022 of ABS-CBN show mostly new mayors of Mountain Province.

The municipality of Bauko has incumbent board member of Mt Province Randy Awisan (PDPLaban) with 10,014 votes who won as Mayor of Bauko; and Vice Mayor Badecao, Bartolo (NP) with 6,367 votes.

The winning councilors of Bauko are Sili, Ashley (PDP Laban) of 8,295 votes, Lumpisa, Gil (Ind) with 7,261 Votes, Tanggacan, Tomas (PDPLbn) of 6,053 votes; Capuyan, Edna (Ind) with 6,035 votes; Patnay, Eduardo (Ind) with 5,858 votes; Gaoken, Mario (Ind) with 5,639 votes; Codod, Jackson (Ind) with 5,548 votes and Taganas, Arcadio (Pdplbn) with 5,466 votes.

Winning Besao mayor is Bryne Butch Bacwaden (IND) with 2,686 votes and winning vice mayor Elizabeth Buyagan (IND) with 2,602 votes.

Winning councilors of Besao are priest Ambucay, Johnny (Ind) with 2,258 votes; Pekas, Arleigh (Ind) with 1,993 Votes; Clemente, Raphael (Ind) 1,883 votes; Lacsigen, Joel (Ind) with 1,738 votes; Mangallay, Marcos (Ind) 1,733 votes; Ballang, Benny (Ind) 1,566 votes; Bosigen, Henry (Pdplbn) with 1,540 votes; and Beyden, Alfredo (Ind) with 1,417 votes.

Incumbent Sabangan Mayor Marcial Lawilao Jr (PFP) retained his post with 4,516 votes and vice mayor elect Rodolfo Mencion (IND) with 2,762 votes.

Winner-Councilors of Sabangan are Bacog, Roman (Ind) with 3,084 votes; Lipawen, Venancio (Ind) with 3,032 votes; Boguilis, Henrico (Ind) with 2,917 votes; Altaki, Crispin (Ind) With 2,876 votes; Litilit, Enrique (Pdplbn) with 2,874 votes; Malamion, Wily (Ind) With 2,672 votes; Bas-Ilen, Roger (NP) with 2,581 votes and Sudicalan, Gabin Rhey (Ind) with 2,572 votes.

In the tourist town of Sagada, incumbent Vice Mayor and contender for mayor Felicito Dula (IND) won with 3,984 votes. And so with incumbent councilor David Tallusen Buyagan (IND) who won 3,514 votes as vice mayor.

Winning Councilors of Sagada are lone woman number one winning councilor candidate Taltala, Andrea (Ind) with 3,270 Votes; Gomgom-o, Kapon (NP) with 2,707 votes; Aclayan, Mokyat (Ind) with 2,546 votes; Dapliyan, Davis (NP) with 2,361 votes; Padawil, Tambol (Ind) with 2,355 votes; Lumbaya, Fermin (Ind) with 2,347 votes; Capuyan, Benjamin (Ind) With 2,310 votes; and Kibatay, Felicito Jr. (Ind) with 2,182 votes.

Tadian with unopposed incumbent mayor Constito Masweng (PDPLBN) with 8,193 votes retained his post and so with unopposed George Bisen Jr. (Ind) with 7,606 votes as vice mayor.
Winning councilors of Tadian are Kidit, Juniper Sr. (NP) with 5,353 votes; Ladiong, William (Ind) with 4,978 Votes; Adeban, Rey (Ind) with 4,806 votes; Malamnao, John Jr. (Ind) with 4,663 votes; Cawalo, Edmund (Ind) with 4,409 votes; Balangoy, Adolf (Ind) with 3,837 votes; Atipen, Laurence (Lakas) with 3,833 votes; and Abadod, James (Ind) With 3,764 votes.

In District 1, incumbent and unopposed Mayor Clark Ngaya of Barlig retained his post with 2,370 votes. Winning vice mayor is Delio Focad (Ind) with1,853 votes.

Winning Barlig councilors are Sapguian, Benjie (NP) with 1,471 votes; Agyao, Rolly (Ind) with 1,376 votes; Awe, Rodrigo (NP) with 1,368 votes; Polec-Eo, Boas (NP) with 1,328 votes; Mad-Eo, Consuelo (Ind) with 1,293 votes; Awingan, Conard (Ind) with 1,186 votes; Sidchayao, Edmundo (Ind) with 1,138 votes and Kumanab, Artimas (Ind) with 1,107 votes.

In the capital town of Bontoc, incumbent Councilor Tudlong, Jerome Chagsen (PRP) won with 3,378 votes with a close fight with incumbent Councilor lawyer Patingan, Alsannyster (Ind) with 3,215 votes and mayoral aspirant Dacyon, Robert (Ind) with 3,063 votes. Unopposed incumbent Vice Mayor Kabluyen, Eusebio (Ind) remained with 9,363 votes.

Winning Councilors for Bontoc Municipality are Sokoken, Dan Evert (Ind) with 5,054 votes; Kalangeg, Jupiter Jule (Ind) with 5,031 votes; Bacala, Glenn (Ind) with 4,765 votes; Pongad, Timothy Jr. (Ind) with 4,632 votes; Kedawen, Peter (Ind) with 4,329 votes; Chumacog, Julian (Ind) with 4,174 votes; Odsey, Benedict Ii (NP) with 3,907 votes and Okko, Viola (NP) with 3,844 votes.

Incumbent Natonin Mayor Jose Agagon (Ind) won with 3,737 votes while Lapasen, Raymundo (Ind) with 4,472 votes won as vice mayor.

Winning Councilors of Natonin are Bulawe, Rafael (Ind) with 3,328 votes; Biangalen,Jose (Ind) with 2,974 votes; Chumilang, Jerry (Ind) with 2,875 votes; Pangsiw, Leon (Ind) with 2,817 votes; Magranga, Fernando Jr. (Ind) with 2,699 votes; Linggayo, Fernandez (Ind) with 2,615 votes; Fangonon, Oscar (Ind) with 2,481 votes and Todco, Jimmy (Ind) with 2,454 votes.

Vote -rich Paracelis’ winning Mayor is Avelino Amangyen (Ind) with 9,220 votes followed by incumbent Mayor Dr. Ayangwa, Marcos (Ind) with 5,185 votes.

As of presstime, Comelec second division has ordered the cancellation of the certificate of candidacy (COC) of Avelino Amangyen for lying about a conviction in a criminal case in an April 19,2022 ruling.

The Comelec division ruled “in view of the Respondent’s conviction by final judgment of an offense which carried with it the accessory penalty of perpetual absolute disqualification, Respondent (Amangyen)is in effect ineligible to run for office pursuant to Section 12 of the OEC (Omnibus Election Code). Such ineligibility, which took effect as soon as the judgment against him attained finality contradicts material representations in his COC.”

Winning Paracelis vice mayor is Djarma Rafael (Ind) with 6,968 votes

Winning Councilors of Paracelis are Basungit, Lito (Pdplbn) with 7,663 votes; Calunnag, Crispin (Ind) with 6,654 votes; Gusimat, Ateneo Sr. (NP) with 5,697 votes; Lappao, Marciano Jr. (Ind) with 5,348 votes; Banggolay, John (Ind) with 5,290 votes; Assud, Alfredo Jr. (Ind) with 4,624 votes; Pudlao, Andrew Sr. (Ind) with 4,334 votes and Sinoli, W***y (Ind) With 4,332 votes.

Sadanga’s candidate for mayor the late Mayor Engr Gabino Ganggangan (NP) won with 2,757 votes; and winning vice mayor Paul Farong-ey (NP) with 3,086 votes.

The late Mayor Ganggangan died due to cardiac arrest January 29 this year and substituted by his son, Engr Adolf “Angili” Ganggangan.

Winning Councilors of Sadanga are Ackut, Geraldo (Ind) with 1,730 votes; Fattit, Alonso (Ind) with 1,582 Votes; Dawadeo, Dongpop (Pdplbn) With 1,543 votes; Ayao-Ao, Albert (Ind) with 1,524 votes; Gayyaman, Jonathan (Ind) with 1,497 votes; Chakiwag, Rufino (Ind) with 1,408 votes; Atiwen, Ruben (Pdplbn) with 1,357 votes; and Terpaken, Jose Jr. (Ind) with 1,346 votes.

06/05/2022

Who Is Jupiter Jup Dominguez

Congressional candidate Engr Jupiter Jup Dominguez, 57 was born in Sabangan from parents Celing Dominguez from Bauko and Sabangan and mother Imelda Coto-ong from Suyo, Sagada. He is married to Janet Zarate of Sabangan and they are blessed with six children-four daughters and two sons. Two of his daughters finished medical course and are now certified doctors having passed the licensure examination for physicians. Jup finished Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at St Loius University in 1986
Multi- awarded candidate for Congressman of the lone district of Mountain Province, Dominguez holds a track record of a performing executive of Sabangan municipality during his leadership as mayor of the town from 2001-2007. JUP’s track record is capped with an award as the Most Outstanding Mayor of the Philippines given by the Philippine Senate, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), University of the Philippines (UP) and La Salle in 2006.
Fondly called JUP by family, friends and townmates from Sabangan, former Mayor Jupiter Dominguez also served as the president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Mountain Province Chapter from 2004 to 2007.
The two public positions meant responsibility, commitment and reliability to a job and positions he held which in parallel manner meant a responsive and reliable constituents of a collective Sabangan which equally received awards for responsive and exemplary performance.
Awards
Awards which talk of exemplary performance that jumpstarts his legislative agenda as Congressman for a Just and Upright Public Service (JUP) on education, health, livelihood, cultural rights, economic livelihood, disaster risk reduction, infrastructure, peace and order and local governance.
These awards talk of an exemplary leader that comes with the full trust and confidence of his own people and his co-workers at the executive and legislative offices of his municipal jurisdiction. Former Mayor Dominguez maintained an exemplary working relationship with the Sangguniang Bayan in a productive manner and integrity guided by his political platform Just and Upright Public (JUP) service. Full community participation in local governance as evidenced by civil society representatives in the Local Development Council and other special bodies.
Participatory and consultative approach in formulation of policies and implementation of programs was done where public and private sector are encouraged to work hand in hand with the LGU toward local development. People are urged to be involved in monitoring and evaluation of LGU programs manifested by an effective financial management system transparent to the public including the Bids and Awards Committee. Besides, the LGU utilizes the equity or counterparting scheme through networking to advance its plans and programs.
Jupiter Dominguez brought fame to his hometown with awards from different agencies and institutions in his six years as mayor of Sabangan. An effective administration responsive to the needs of the e-Sabangan earned Mayor Jupiter Dominguez a Hall of Fame Award from the DILG-sponsored Awards for Partners in Development garnering the recognition in 2003, 2004, and 2005.
This also catapulted him as the Most Outstanding Public Official of Mountain Province (MP) for 2005, an award given during the Lang-ay Festival in April 2006. Mayor Jupiter Dominguez was the Most Outstanding Public Official of MP for excellence in local governance awarded by the Provincial Government of MP. Jup’s leadership from 2001 to 2007 garnered him other awards as one among 10 outstanding citizens of MP awarded by the Provincial Government of MP during the 2007 Lang-ay Festival. The Technical Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) gave him also the Kabalikat Awardee in 2007.
Not only is JUP technically good as an administrator, he is also good in communicating with people and institutions. The Baguio Midland Courier cited him as the Most Friendly Mayor of the Cordilleras for year 2004.
With the efficient administration of former Mayor Jup Dominguez, Sabangan was adjudged the Most Outstanding Municipality of MP for Year 2004 and 2005 for excellence in local governance awarded by the Provincial Government of MP.
In 2005, Sabangan was the Cleanest and Greenest Municipality of MP based on the Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran Program of the national government. Sabangan bested other municipalities on its environmental management program awarded by the Provincial Government of MP in 2006.
Sabangan LGU bagged Second Place for the Cleanest and Greenest Municipality of MP for Year 2003 by the Provincial Awards Committee, Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran. Sabangan LGU also got Third Place, Cleanest and Greenest Municipality of MP for Year 2001 by the Provincial Awards Committee of the Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran. Sabangan is an awardee of the Provincial Gawad Saka Awards in 2003 and Regional Gawad Saka Awards also in 2003. Sabangan got 2nd Place in the National Level for Gawad Saka in 2003. This meant an exemplary accomplishment of the office of the municipal agriculturist during his leadership as mayor of the town.
In DILG’s Awards for Partners in Development, Sabangan Municipal Ecological Solid Waste Management Board was awarded for an active and functional board that effectively manages its ten year ecological solid waste management plan in 2006.
Development
Developmental priorities refer to planning, flagship programs and impact projects and infrastructure. During his term, only Sabangan has an approved Comprehensive Land Use Plan among the ten municipalities of Mountain Province. Responsive infrastructure were built in support of environmental management, social development, and economic development.
Social services on health and nutrition, education, disaster preparedness, youth and sports development, and civil registration was in place which equally saw concrete services and results.
During his term, access to safe water was 86% in 2001 for total number of households. It increased to 100% in 2005. Percentage of households with sanitary toilets was 63% in 2001. It grew to 86% in 2005. In 2001, there was one maternal death. In 2005, there was no maternal death. No epidemic or outbreak of disease occurred from 2001 to 2005. The position of Municipal Health Officer was filled up by the LGU in 2004. Total consultations had a dramatic increase from 1,139 in 2001 to 5,795 in 2005.The number of PHIC indigent enrollees being sponsored by the LGU increased from 263 in 2001 to 461 in 2005.
Keen attention to education services was done with the construction and rehabilitation of elementary and secondary school buildings and day care centers. A functional municipal literacy coordinating council was formed.
Education
As part of JUP’s legislative agenda, education comes as a major legislative program for JUP. From the mind starts everything. For the Mountain Province Polytechnique State College (MPSPC) to increase support to its way to becoming a university and for those who have to study outside of MPSPC to provide scholarships with linkages for job opportunities. Helping students graduate is not enough thus the need to make sure that appropriate jobs are also available for them to make their time in college functional, useful and relevant.
With support to the above, facilities including provision of computers, internet connectivity, laboratory equipment should be upgraded and provision of staff development in schools. Sponsorship of relevant trainings, educational and cultural exchange and furthering the educational and technical capacities of staff is equally a need and included in the legislative agenda.
Establishment of SPED centers for special children and strengthening of indigenous peoples education (IPED)and integration of schools of living traditions is a thrust.
Health
Sustainable public health programs on sanitation, nutrition and health risk management and functional well organized emergency response system is important. Healthy people makes productive force in economic development. Responsive and relevant bills shall be authored to make responsive health services including continuous upgrading of facilities of regional hospital of Luis Hora Regional Memorial hospital. What more to other district general hospitals of Paracelis, Bontoc and Besao. Nationalization of the Bontoc General Hospital is a major agenda.
Improvement of barangay health centers and upgrading of facilities of maternity care package, strengthening of local health zones.
Sports
On youth and sports development saw capability development, an athletic Mayor’s Cup along with aid to athletics, participation in the Palarong Panlalawigan, regional athletic meet and Palarong Pambansa. Sheryl Baldo, Silver Medalist in the 2006 Palarong Pambansa was a product of the LGU’s Program on Youth and Sports Excellence. Sabangan LGU bagged Third Place in the Over all Province-Wide Ranking in the 2005 Provincial Meet, DepEd Mountain Province Division.
In Jup’s legislative agenda, support to an enhanced and strengthened sports program is needed to upgrade our standing in the regional athletic meet and spur inclusion of our athletes in the Palarong Pambansa.
Environment, livelihood and energy
Environmental management was then a main program of Mayor Jupiter Dominguez, an environmentalist by heart and by deed. This covers natural resources management, waste management and pollution control. Through his leadership, a functional municipal ecological solid waste management board spearheaded the feat of Sabangan as the Cleanest and Greenest Municipality of MP for 2005. The Board was also recognized under the “Awards for Partners in Development” for Year 2006.
A Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) was established in 15 barangays of Sabangan with the allocation of a solid waste management fund and an aggressive drive for the construction of sanitary toilet in every household.
There is also the need for a legislative measure to address the concern of how Mountain Province benefit from being the caretaker of the Chico River and other major river watersheds in the Cordillera.
Legislative Agenda
With a sound track record, JUP in his legislative agenda aims for location-specific laws on cultural rights enacted and practice of sound and tested indigenous practices based on the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) that supports indigenous peoples rights including customs, beliefs and ways on land, livelihood, and natural resources including property and family and community relations to effect environmental integrity.
For one, the batangan system sets cultural practises on protecting forests in the Province such as setting limits on how many trees shall be cut and setting rules on protecting forests from fires.
PD 705 which prevents the people of MP from accessing forest products, the very trees they have planted and nurtured being located in what is classified as public land and forest reserve needs to be amended to suit indigenous forest management practices.
On culture and tradition therefore, bills shall be authored and sponsored to retain and respect these. As noted, there is yet the need to codify particular and location specific indigenous land and forest management practices on ownership and management. This to include innovation of indigenous ways to promote cooperation and peace relevant to the communities we are in.
Promotion on the integration of culture and traditional craftsmanship in the current education system to fuel local livelihood is a need. Identification of potentials and opportunities in local materials and rich culture is a need. For one, pine cones and other forest products profuse in the mountains which could be of use for livelihood opportunities. But first and foremost the amendment of PD705 to enable people from Mountain Province to practice their indigenous forest management practices and freely access their very own forest products.
Equally, the environment is crucial to be promoted and safeguard optimal but sustainable use of natural resources to spur economic growth. For one, rivers pose potential sources of energy for micro and mini hydro sources to spur local industries such as weaving where energy is needed to run sewing machines.
Natural resources including falls, rice terraces, mountains pose rich potential for eco and adventure tourism as source of livelihood. Yet at the same time tourism along the way should be mindful of the people’s culture, that is to promote immersion and not just “come and go” tourism.
Bills to author in the preservation of rice terraces is a must where some rice terraces are noted to be eroding. Funds to be allocated is important so that these natural sources shall not continually erode and the people denied of their sources for livelihood. And more facilities and trainings needing appropriation in the preservation of cultural and environmental sites including the preservation of artifacts.
With the environment a vulnerable target for destruction due to insensitive ways of man can result to environmental ruin. While it is forwarded that indigenous ways and practices are promoted to be retained including the need for trainings, education and advocacy, actual and post disaster be addressed.
Disaster risk reduction and mitigation comes in strengthening implementation of proper land use utilization. Sponsorship of bills as part of the legislative agenda is then forwarded on the provision of facilities, trainings, and comprehensive land use with protection measures included such as the planting of anti-erosion plants, tree planting and subsidies on soil fertility, strengthening implementation of proper land use utilization for disaster risk reduction and mitigation. Infrastructure equipment and trainings come in to support the agricultural sector.
Economic development refers to agriculture and fisheries development, business and industrial promotion, increase in annual income, tourism, one town one product program, livelihood programs and investment incentives that need a legislative agenda to address this crucial factor in community development.
Supporting livelihood opportunities is a crucial feature in supporting kaka-ilyan avail of livelihood opportunities. Mountain Province abounds with tourism potentials as source of livelihood. Trainings on souvenir item making where local materials can be availed from, provision of capital, equipment, trainings, marketing opportunities and product development for local industries such as weaving, carpentry, souvenir item making, dressmaking, tailoring, and customer relations in inns, homestays and restaurant business.
Allocation of funds for construction and rehabilitation of farm to market roads to facilitate products reach the market more easily and less laboriously. Establishment of post harvest facilities such as rice mills and processing centers are equally a need.
Sectoral concerns too are direly important on the inclusive management of programs. For one, strict implementation of the Persons With Disability (PWD) law and other existing laws of marginalized sectors. The PWD law if such shall be implemented needs support services such as the provision of facilities as to separate quarters and services including the provision of personnel to take care of their needs to include physical structures, medical staff, facilities and medicine. Of special mention are senior citizens who equally need attention through funding support to their needs and activities.
On Infrastructure development in the barangay, municipal and provincial level, development priorities shall be based on the actual needs of the people as culled out from local development plans through functional representation of the Office of the Congressman in the local development council. This to mention programs and projects such as roads, bridges, public buildings needed by respective communities.
Office administration refers to responsive administration, revenue generation, revenue allocation and utilization, human resource management and development, customer service, decentralized management and management innovations that equally reaped awards for exemplary leadership.
Priority legislative measures is the creation of new municipalities in Paracelis and Bauko and realization of the Cordillera regional autonomy to boost socio-economic development in the region. And amendment of the local government code on exclusion of areas as one basis of national tax allotment (NTA) and replace it with poverty index in addition to income and population. Others to include insurance and other benefits of barangay officials and employees, grant of sick and vacation leave benefits to teachers aside from service credits integration of LGU priorities into the yearly budget proposals of national government agencies and amendment of PD 705 to institutionalize indigenous forest management practices such as batangan.
Jupiter Jup Dominguez has made Sabangan great during his term as Mayor.JUP elected as Congressman,he will make Mountain Province great too as well.