Kalinga ready to go green by building a minihydro

TABUK CITY, KALINGA – While most Cordillera provinces are wasting a lot of time and saliva discussing prospects of clean energy projects which will at the same time result in additional income, Kalinga is ready to construct and operate one.

This developed as there are no more hitches to the implementation of the 400 kilowatt minihydro project of the Kalinga provincial government after the junking of the new feasibility study in favor of the old one.

Sangguniang Panlalawigan Secretary Mathew Matbagan said that the project which will be constructed along the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) lateral canal in Bulanao, this city, was proposed by former governor Dominador Belac to supply the electricity needs of provincial government offices including the provincial hospital and national government offices located in Bulanao with the excess to be sold to the Kalinga-Apayao Electric Cooperative (KAELCO).

The provincial government applied for a loan of P42M, the projected cost stated in the feasibility study prepared by the Oriental Planners, Builders and Consultants, but only P36.9M was approved by the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) on the reason that the balance should be funded by the provincial government.

Matbagan said that the project did not materialize then as time ran out due to the elections in 2007.

Matbagan said that Gov. Floydelia Diasen who succeeded Belac was able to have the loan approved by the DBP which was ratified by the new members of the SP. The problem however was the sharp increase in the prices of construction materials which made the borrowed amount inadequate.

The DBP had cancelled the loan because it was not implemented within one year.

Matbagan said that in November 28, 2008, Diasen requested the SP for a new authority to contract a loan of P65M from the DBP to finance the project on the basis of a feasibility study prepared by Travis Fruitt Design Services, Inc. (TFDSI) which took into consideration the escalation of the prices of construction materials.

Matbagan said that the new feasibility study sparked opposition to the project from two members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) and the Provincial Employees’ Association of Kalinga (PEAK).

SP members Efraim Orodio and Antonio Bakilan questioned the new feasibility study because not only was it submitted unsigned but it failed to provide details such as how the project will pay for itself, source of financing, management and operation of the project and even the qualifications of TFDSI.

The PEAK said that the new cost was not justified because of the rollback in the prices of construction materials which took place while the feasibility study was being prepared.

TFDSI then amended the feasibility study recommending P46M as cost of the construction but before the SP could act on the amended feasibility study, Diasen requested the DBP for an extension of time to implement the old approved loan of P36.9M on condition that if it is not enough to pursue the project, the bank will conduct a reevaluation for purposes of extension of an augmentation loan.

Matbagan said that although the thinking of the SP is that no additional loan will be taken out for the project and for provincial government loans to cover the balance of the construction cost, the action of Diasen had the effect of clearing all obstacles to the implementation of the project.

“The amended feasibility study has been set aside in favor of the old feasibility study,” Matbagan said.

With regards to the question as to what happens during the time of the year when the NIA cuts off the water for the annual rehabilitation of the system, Matbagan said that the provincial government has entered into a memorandum of agreement with the NIA to allow enough water to support the minihydro.

“The provincial government has also made a sales agreement with the KAELCO to buy generated by the minihydro,” Matbagan said. **By Estanislao Albano Jr., ZZW

Anti-fencing policy in Kalinga

TABUK CITY, KALINGA – If the Matagoan Bodong Consultative Council (MBCC), this city’s equivalent of the local peace and order council, will have its way, the oppressive practice among some Kalinga natives of making immigrants “ransom” goods stolen from them will be a thing of the past.

This developed after the MBCC recently passed a policy compelling proven fences to return the stolen goods to the owner or pay him the value thereof and also to pay a corresponding fine.

Community Affairs Officer Heriberto Barila said that the policy outlaws the practice among some native Kalingas of forcing immigrants to “redeem” their stolen properties from the fences adding that the passage of the policy is in response to the mounting complaints of immigrant victims against the practice.

According to Barila, the policies being enacted by the MBCC takes the place of the pagta or laws of the bodong (peace pact) in the center of the city which is called the Matagoan Zone or peace zone consisting of the barangays of Dagupan Centro, Dagupan Weste, Magsaysay, Appas, San Juan, Bulanao Norte and Bulanao.

“These barangays are not covered by the bodong so the policies of the MBCC takes the place of the pagta,” Barila said. All Kalinga native tribes practice the bodong.

Foremost of the policies passed by the MBCC is the “no gopas” policy which outlaws the practice of tribal wars in the Matagoan Zone.

Also passed recently by MBCC are the policies prohibiting kulligong, threat, grave threat, and theft.

Barila defined the kulligong as the principle of treating the domiciles of members of Kalinga tribes outside their ancestral domain as an extension of the territory of the tribe.

He said that the prohibition on the application of the kulligong principle in the Matagoan Zone is to help in law enforcement it being that policemen belonging to Kalinga native tribed often stop on their tracks when their quarries take refuge in residences of Kalinga natives in the Matagoan Zone for fear of complicating the relations of their tribes with those of the suspects.

In recent years, some law enforcers have been haled before the bodong for acts committed while in pursuit of Kalinga native suspects and that such acts have been known to put on the line the good relations between the tribes of the law enforcers and the suspects. The MBCC which forerunner Matagoan Bodong Council was created in 2001 to breathe life to the Matagoan Declaration for Tabuk made by the Kalinga Bodong Congress sometime in the 80s but remained a mere declaration in the following years is using the indigenous conflict resolution process specifically the areglo or amicable settlement system in dispensing justice and restoring peace among tribes, families and individuals who are in conflict.

The MBCC policies of which there are already 15 anchor the council’s dispute resolution system. **By Estanislao Albano Jr., ZZW

Tabuk seed coops hit DA for delay in payment of P12M

TABUK CITY, KALINGA – The three rice seed growers’ cooperatives in this city are up in arms against the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera Administrative Region Field Unit (DA-CARFU) for the delay in the payment of P12M worth of rice certified seeds they delivered in December and January under the government’s seed subsidy program.

Members of the Kalinga Hybrid Rice Seed Growers’ Multi-purpose Cooperative (KHRSGMPC), the Tabuk Hybrid Rice Seed Growers’ Multi-purpose Cooperative (THRSGMPC) and the Sumyaan Organic Farmers’ Multi-purpose Cooperative (SOFMPC) could not understand why the DA-CARFU is taking too long to pay when the deliveries were under the seed subsidy program of the government.

“We are assuming that since there is a program, there is a fund. In reality, we are having a hard time collecting. The DA-CARFU Accounting Division is now saying that there is no cash,” said Jesse Rey Cuaresma, manager of the KHRSGMPC which still has to collect the payment for 5,013 bags amounting to P6M.

So far, the DA-CARFU has only paid the KHRSGMPC for the first purchase order dated March 6 P1.3M for 966 bags of rice certified seeds. It has also made initial payments to the other two cooperatives.

The cooperatives are wondering how come the payments are being made in installments when the procurement was done through the bidding process.

“Since it was done through bidding, there should only be one purchase order,” Cuaresma said adding that following up the POs cost money as the DA-CARFU is located in Baguio City.

A member of the SOFMPC who does not want to be identified is also angry that the DA-CARFU Accounting Division is saying it cannot as yet pay the deliveries because the documents for the distribution of the certified seeds to farmer beneficiaries by their LGUs are not in order. The cooperative still has to collect P2.4M from the DA.

“Why should we suffer for the mistakes or shortcomings of others? We have delivered our seeds and the delivery is duly acknowledged by the end users. We have already submitted the delivery receipt, the seed analysis and the bill of collection for the whole delivery and that should be enough for them to pay the whole amount,” the member said.

He added that if the DA-CARFU does not improve its system, the cooperative may choose to do business with Regions 1 and 2 in the coming seasons.

The major reason why the area for the growing of F1 or hybrid rice seed in the city has steadily gone down from 800 hectares in 2004 to a mere 130 hectares this cropping season is the delay in the payment of the seed deliveries which sometimes lasted as long as one year.

This did not happen while the funds for the F1 procurement program of the government was still in the hands of the Philrice. The procurement responsibility was transferred to the DA-CARFU in 2004.

THRSGMPC President Eusebio Orprecio agrees that it is much better to do business with the DA in Regions 1 and 2 than with the DA-CARFU saying that it only takes a month to collect from the two regional offices.

“We really cannot understand what’s the matter with DA-CARFU since the DA is using only one set of procurement guidelines,” Orprecio said.

Orprecio is also wondering how come at this point when the harvest is just around the corner, DA-CARFU still has not conducted seed matching sessions ”so we will know if they will buy our seeds or not.”

“DA Region 1 has already called me to go sign a MOA with them,” Orprecio informed. **By Estanislao Albano Jr., ZZW

Tabuk chief agriculturist bats for equal subsidy for rice seeds

TABUK CITY, KALINGA – City Agriculturist Gilbert Cawis rued the decision of the leadership of the Department of Agriculture of giving 50 percent subsidy for hybrid rice seeds and 100 percent subsidy for inbred seeds this current cropping saying that with the decision, the government has missed a golden opportunity to promote hybrid rice.

This, according to him, is rather ironic because hybrid rice is being touted as the salvation of the country from its chronic rice shortage.

“Had they consulted us in the grassroots level, we would have told them that the percentage of the subsidy should be equal. What happened was that because the inbred seeds were given free, the farmers opted to plant inbred varieties instead of the better yielding hybrid varieties. They should listen to us because we directly deal with the clientele doing the actual planting,” Cawis said.

Cawis said that although local farmers usually get 10-15 percent higher yield by planting hybrid rice, they chose the inbred varieties not only because they were free but because they also get good harvest with certified inbred rice seeds.

“What could have tipped the balance in favor of hybrid seeds is if the percentage of subsidy were equal,” Cawis said.

In the same token, Cawis is not in favor of the DA’s plan of giving P1,500.00 and P600.00 subsidy for hybrid and inbred seeds, respectively, this next cropping. He said that amounts to 50 percent subsidy for inbred seeds. On the other hand, while it may also be 50 percent for hybrid seeds produced by the government, it could only be 33 percent in the event farmers choose hybrid seeds produced by private companies.

Cawis also expressed his vehement disapproval of the practice of importing rice saying that instead of importing, the government should increase palay support price because the higher price will have the effect of increasing domestic production.

He cited the time in 2007 when palay prices went beyond P20.00 per kilo in the market and P17.00 in the NFA saying that many farmers in the city immediately cultivated their ricefields after harvesting and even planted rice in areas previously used for other crops.

He said the farmers were disappointed because the following harvest, the price went down due to factors foremost of which is importation of rice.

“It’s not bad to import but the volume should be limited to what we really need and should not be stocked. What is important is when farmers sell their palay, they should gain and not lose,” Cawis said. **By Estanislao Albano Jr., ZZW

Kalinga PNP neutralizes 8 wanted persons

TABUK CITY, KALINGA – In an intensified drive against criminal elements in the province, local police killed one person wanted by the courts and collared eight others in the last six weeks.

Among the nine was the alleged triggerman in the murder of Indonesian Roman Catholic priest Franciscus Madhu. The police said that Nestor Wailan, farmer and resident of Dugnac, Lubuagan, was killed in Canao, Lubuagan midnight of February 9 when he allegedly shot it out with members of the Regional Mobile Group and the Kalinga Provincial Police Office who were out to serve his warrant of arrest.

Last to be nabbed was Pidi Addum, 47, farmer and resident of Bulo, this city. Wanted by the Regional Trial Court Branch 25 for the crimes of murder and frustrated murder, he was arrested by elements of the Provincial Mobile Group at Battikin Village, Bulanao, this city, on March 10.

The others who were arrested in separate operations during the period were the following: Calsiman Pag-et (attempted parricide), Peter Malinao (robbery), Jerry Diascon (homicide), Benjamin Bannacas (theft of large cattle), Jerry Ambona (theft of large cattle), Gaspar Edduba (robbery and double frustrated murder), and Christopher Dangangao (acts of lasciviousness).

“We are working harder. We are communicating to the criminal elements in Kalinga that sooner or later the long arm of the law will catch up with them. We are giving would-be criminals something to think about,” Senior Supt. Arni Dean Emock who took over as police provincial director last October told the media.

Emock also said that they are negotiating for the surrender of other wanted persons so that they could face trial instead of continuing to be on the run. He also warned wanted persons who are still at large not to resist arrest “because our officers will defend themselves.”

Emock also told would-be criminals to engage in honest and dignified labor instead of thinking of shortcuts.

“If poverty is the cause why they commit crimes, they could work. There is a lot of work to be had in the locality. Labor is dignified for so long as it is legal. If one is industrious, he could earn for his family eliminating the need for him to commit crimes to gain something,” Emock said.

Meanwhile, a policeman from this province was killed and another one was injured when one of the tires of the service vehicle they were riding in burst as they were negotiating the Aragaag Bridge in Asingan, Pangasinan 1 AM of March 12.

Citing initial investigation of the Asingan police, Emock informed the media that SPO1 Ignacio Padilla who was riding at the back of the back to back Toyota Hilux fell from the vehicle and off the bridge when the vehicle swerved after its left rear tire burst.

Emock said that PO1 Rocky Pacao who was also seated at the back of the vehicle also fell but was kept from falling off the bridge by the railings. He was injured, however.

Emock said that the other occupants of the vehicle namely SPO1s George Acob, Odilon Pagudpud and Randell Lacuesta, PO3 Carina Castillo and Theresita Emock, Emock’s wife, were unhurt.

Emock said that group was bound for Camp Bado Dangwa in La Trinidad, Benguet to attend a finance seminar and conference when the accident took place adding that his wife was riding with the group to Baguio City.

Emock said that it took some 30 minutes for the Asingan police to locate the body of Padilla. **By Estanislao Albano Jr., ZZW

Naked truth!

Dreadful naked truth indeed! Oh when shall we ever learn...DEMAND FOR CHANGE!

Tabuk irrigation steel parts gone to China

TABUK CITY, KALINGA – The construction boom in China preceding the Beijing Olympics last year had affected the life of this city.

According to Engr. John Socalo, superintendent of the Chico River Irrigation System (CRIS) of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), the demand for steel materials occasioned by the construction boom in the neighboring country caused the price of steel scrap in this city to skyrocket from P2.00 to more than P10.00 per kilo.

He said that with the price in Isabela where scrap from Kalinga find their way at as high as P18.00 per kilo, the CRIS was soon stripped of most of its exposed steel parts.

Socalo mentioned the guard rails of the siphon and wasteway in barangay Calanan and the lifting mechanism of the head gate of Tabuk Supply Canal No. 1 in Bulanao as among those sawed off and spirited away by pilferers during the night.

He related that the thieves were armed. Some people in barangay Bulo informed that when they noticed some movements in a control gate there during the night and attempted to investigate, they heard gunshots. They found out the following day that the trolley of the gate was gone.

With the pilferage of the steel parts, controlling the flow of the water in the CRIS during emergencies now takes more time and energy.

Socalo said that while before, the operation of the gate of Tabuk Supply Canal No. 1 only needed two persons, now it takes five persons to shut the gate and a crane to open it.

With the condition of the gate now, if there are emergencies along the canal which passes through the population center of Bulanao and where most drowning cases in the CRIS take place, the NIA has to shut the main gate of the system at the diversion dam which is around five kilometers away.

“With the volume of water accumulated in the canal, it will take hours before the water in Tabuk Supply Canal No. 1 subsides. Had the lifting mechanism not been stolen, it would take less than an hour for the water in the canal to subside,” Socalo said.

He continued that had not the gate been ruined, it is possible that the two children who drowned along the Tabuk Supply Canal No. 1 last year may have been saved.

Socalo blames the unregulated business on steel materials being carried out by junk shops and ambulant junk buyers as the culprit for the lose of the steel parts of the CRIS “because if there are no buyers, there would be no thieves.”

Socalo called on the junk buyers to see to it that they only buy junk and not usable materials.

“We should protect the irrigation system because it is for us all. Who knows if the next drowning victim is your child?” Socalo said.

Socalo said that the replacement of the stolen parts is programmed but they are worried that when replaced, the parts might be stolen again.

“The very sad part is that the lost lifting mechanism is only 100 kilos and could have been sold to the junk buyer at P500.00 but it causes P80,000.00 to have one manufactured,” Socalo said. **By Estanislao Albano Jr., ZZW

Tabuk seed seller calms farmers

TABUK CITY, KALINGA – Representatives of the SL8 Agritech, a private hybrid rice seed producer, blamed the media for the uproar over SL8 hybrid rice seeds imported from China which it sold to local farmers this cropping season.

Farmers in many parts of Luzon complained that the seeds flowered prematurely and contained a lot of impurities.

Jade Pedres, SL8 technical sales representative, claimed that the misinformation on the imported seeds took place when mediamen in Nueva Ecija where the news first broke out relied on second hand information and did not conduct their own investigation.

Pedres said that the issue has since died down in Nueva Ecija when one farmer who planted the seed harvested 174 cavans from his one hectare farm.

“Farmers here in Tabuk and other places may not have noticed the difference with the seeds had not the media blown up the story,” Pedres told the media here.

Pedres together with two SL8 technicians came to Tabuk City March 6 to meet for the second time with farmers belonging to the Balong Norte Irrigators’ Association (BNIA) who have also been alarmed by the premature flowering of some hills of their SL8 rice stands.

Last March 2, BNIA President Nelson Lagaso informed the local media that after only 37 days, some of the plants have flowered and what was worse was that the grains are sterile.

He said that when SL 8 Agritech people came two weeks earlier, they told the farmers not to worry because the flowering plants are only two percent of the crop but as of March 2 the percentage has gone up to seven percent and each day, more flowers continue to appear.

He said that they are worried just in case the second wave of flowers will not also be filled and that some of their members were already on the verge of giving up on their crops.

Lagaso informed the company representatives during the March 6 meeting that if their crops will not yield at least 60 cavans per hectare, the BNIA is determined to take legal action against the SL8 Agritech to recover their losses.

He said that they will include City Agriculturist Gilbert Cawis in the charges so that he will help pressure the SL8 Agritech to compensate them for their losses because it was him who offered them the China-produced SL8 seeds.

Pedres responded that the farmers should take care of their crops because the company is confident that there is nothing wrong with the seeds except for the little impurities.

“We are the No. 1 hybrid rice seed producer in the country and we are not about to allow our name to be ruined,” he said even as he assured the farmers that the remaining plants that still have to boot will catch up with the booting plants.

To prove the confidence of the company in the imported seeds, Pedres said that they have set a farmers’ field day in the BNIA came harvest time.

A farmers’ field day is intended to show farmers in the locality the good performance of a certain rice variety and encourage more farmers to plant the variety.

During the meeting, Cawis denied the allegation of Lagaso that he forced the BNIA to plant the China-produced SL8 variety saying that it was the only available seeds when the BNIA members were looking for hybrid seeds.

The BNIA members were compelled to plant hybrid rice because that is one of the requirements for their agricultural loans from the Land Bank of the Philippines.

Cawis expressed the confidence that based on the present stand of the BNIA rice crops, the members will have a good harvest.

He acknowledged, however, that during the previous seasons when Tabuk City farmers planted SL8 seeds, they had no problems with impurities.

BNIA member Jerry Doctolero said that so that local farmers will feel secure over their rice crops, the SL8 Agritech and the Office of City Agricultural Services should make available SL8 seeds produced in the country and not those imported from China.

Cawis said that during this cropping season, the SL8 Agritech was unable to produce in its Davao and Tabuk City production areas the needed volume to answer the demand for its seeds and that was the reason it imported seeds from China. **By Estanislao Albano Jr., ZZW