On NPA Ambushes in Kalinga

The New People's Army (NPA) in Kalinga staged a series of ambushes against the military during the past few weeks. The latest of which was in barangay Dao-angan, Balbalan, Kalinga that resulted to the death of two men from the military. On November 12, 2011, the military together with the members of the Kalinga Lion's Club, a civic organization, were supposed to conduct a medical mission and at the same time to distribute some goodies in Dao-angan when the ambushed happened. Many individuals  and some sectors condemned the incident simply because such kind of situation is counterproductive to the province of Kalinga.

Below is the official statement of the Lejo Cawilan Command: New People's Army - Kalinga regarding the incident. You can access same copy of this statement at http://tabuk.gov.ph/npa.doc.

Red Salute to the Marcial Daggay Command

Against the Fascist OPlan Bayanihan Forces!

Ka Tipon Gil-ayab, LCC Spokesperson

November 13, 2011

      At 5:10 in the morning of October 19, 2001, an  NPA  unit  from the Marcial Daggay Command (MDC) ambushed the operating platoon of the 21^st IB between Sitio Sassalong and Sitio Kobiil, all in Barangay Poswoy, Balbalan, Kalinga.  Instantly, a certain Corporal Bagasin, the guide of the  fascist troops, was killed.  Some others of the reactionary forces were wounded either by bullets from the people’s  army or by stones and thorns as they fell down the cliff and below  the brook.  After the firefight, the people’s guerrillas disappeared safely and unharmed.

      Another  NPA unit from the same MDC ambushed another combat platoon of the 21^st IB at 9:25 yesterday morning. The successful ambush was staged in a mountain slope in between the two barangays of Daoangan, Balbalan and of Baay, Pinukpuk,  all  in Kalinga.  Two (2) high-powered rifles – M16 and M203 –  were seized by the Red fighters from the 21^st IB.  There were two KIA and several others were wounded from the people’s enemy. Again, there was no casualty on the side of the people’s army.

       The MDC is the Front Operational Command (FOC) of the NPA in the North-West Kalinga Front.  For these two victorious TOs, the LCC, the overall operational command of the whole NPA in Kalinga, gives the  highest  military commendations to the entire MDC!

      It behooves that the fascist AFP formations are the legitimate targets of the NPA military attacks as these OPlan Bayanihan troops are actually the security forces of large-scale mining (LSM) firms, which are  allowed nationwide by the US-Aquino Regime (USAR) under its economic program of Public-Private Partnership that is directed by the US imperialist policy of liberalization and privatization for the sole interests of foreign capitalists and of the big landlord-comprador businessmen in the Philippines.  Here in Kalinga alone, 8 LSM firms – Facets Minerals, Inc.; Cordillera Exploration Co., Inc.; Asia Pacific Basin Mining Corp.; Vegas Exploration & Mining Corp.; Malibato Mining Co., Inc.; Makilala Mining Company; Phil Mining Development Co.; Wolfland Resources, Inc. – have already applied for Exploration Permits (EPs) which cover a total of 110,820 hectares of the ancestral lands in the municipalities of Balbalan, Pasil, Lubuagan, Tinglayan and Tabuk. Two of these  – Wolfland Resources, Inc. and Makilala Mining Company (MMC) – have already been approved.  The MMC has already begun its exploration in Pasil since 2007. Also three LSM firms – Patrick Resources Corp. (Lepanto), Mt. Franz Mining Corp. (also Lepanto) and Newcrest Exploration Phil., Inc. – have already applied for Financial or Technical Assistance Agreements (FTAAs) that will cover more than 140,506 hectares of ancestral lands in the municipalities of Balbalan, Pasil, Lubuagan, Tinglayan, Tanudan, Tabuk and Pinukpuk and in other municipalities of Mt. Province, Abra and Apayao.

      Also under the Public-Private Partnership of the reactionary USAR and the US imperialist policy of liberalization and privatization, a geothermal power plant is to be constructed by the Chevron Corp., the Guidance Management Corp. and the Aragorn Power and Energy Corp.  This project will affect many of the barangays of the towns of Pasil, Tinglayan and Lubuagan. It  would  involve 17,580 hectares in the ancestral domains of the tribes of Balatoc, Dalupa-Ableg, Dangtalan, Guina-ang and Culayo in Pasil;  Uma tribe in Lubuagan; and the tribes of Sumadel, Bangad, Tulgao, Dananao and Tongrayan in Tinglayan.  Under dubious and manipulated processes, the NCIP has claimed that majority of these tribes to be affected have already and fully given their Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC).  Of course, the LSM firms that will operate in these areas will be the main beneficiaries of the hydro-power plant.   These projects are the main reasons why the 5^th ID stationed the 501^st Bde, the 21^st IB, the 53^rd DRC, two companies of the 77^th IB  as well as the CAFGUs, the CPLA remnants and  the PNP in Kalinga, as all of these reactionary troops  would serve as security forces of LSM and hydro-power plant projects that will plunder  wantonly the rich ancestral lands of the indigenous peoples. Thus, it is just to summon all other NPA units and Front operational commands here in Kalinga  and in other provinces to launch more tactical offensives  against these anti-people and fascist security forces of the multi-national and landlord-comprador companies.

      For the people’s war to advance in order to defeat US imperialism, feudalism and bureaucrat capitalism and establish a national-democratic coalition government, it is just and necessary to expose the OPlan Bayanihan and launch more tactical offensives against the OPlan Bayanihan operating forces. It is very clear to the Filipino people that the USAR’s Oplan Bayanihan, the new campaign plan in the counterrevolutionary war of the AFP, has the overall objective to safeguard the semi-colonial and semi-feudal system, maintain the rule of US imperialism and the local puppets of the big comprador bourgeoisie and landlord class, and smash or defeat the armed revolution and other forces fighting against their anti-national, anti-mass and anti-democratic rule.

      While the reactionary USAR makes use of “peace,” “development” and “human rights” as deceitful catch words and as empty slogans of the fascist AFP in its OPlan Bayanihan campaign plan, this has no fundamental or qualitative difference with the OBL I and II under the terrorist US-GMA Regime.  OPlan Bayanihan and its deceptive schemes are based on the 2009 US Counter-Insurgency Guide. Its main focus is the implementation of the Triad Operations, i.e., the synchronization of combat, intelligence and civil military operations in order to crush threats for the security of the puppet state. Meaning, the CMOs as the non-combat aspect of the counterinsurgency primarily serves to strengthen the intelligence network of the fascist AFP and to escalate the combat operations of the people’s enemy.  Thus, the main objective of the non-combat military operations is to deceive the people, demonize the revolutionary movement, widen the mobilization of the civilian agencies and organizations for the unjust and counterrevolutionary war of the reactionary and puppet state, and deodorize the rotten image of the fascist AFP.

            We, therefore, call on all tribes to send their best men and women to the NPA.  Let us continue to expand and consolidate the guerrilla bases, implement the agrarian revolution, and launch more tactical offensives against the people’s enemy in order to contribute for the advancement of the people’s war into the strategic stalemate stage nationwide.

Peace be with you. For God's sake let us move on and work for the development of our country!

Kalinga provincial capitol ransacked

Provincial Capitol employees of Kalinga were shocked when they came to office morning of July 14, 2011 as they saw everywhere a yellow line bearing "POLICE LINE DO NOT CROSS". The provincial capitol was pillaged! The Landbank's ATM machine and the Provincial Treasury's Vault were smashed and destroyed. The perpetrators were not able to open the vaults and no cash amounts were taken. The tools used were left and obviously they are fresh from the hardware. The Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) have already finished investigating area.

Where were the guards on duty?

Here are some of the pictures provided by someone who saw the scene.

Other side of the story

There are two sides of a story. The recent hullaballoo over what happened noontime of June 7, 2011 at the DzRK Radyo ng bayan, Bualnao, Tabuk City, Kalinga is a disturbing one. It even caught the attention of Malacañang. The mainstream media issued left and right statements condemning the incident, particularly the alleged inappropriate action of Gov. Jocel C. Baac. The mainstream media have already said a lot the past few days about the story side of Mr. Jerome Tabanganay. Still, the governor was not given enough space to explain his side. This is acknowledged even by Malacañang hence, it directed the DILG to conduct an impartial and objective investigation.

In the name of fairness, below is the full text of the statement of explanation of Gov. Baac regarding the incident, which was read just this morning over Radyo Natin – Tabuk by no less than the Provincial Administrator, Grace Kidang-Flores.

STATEMENT OF EXPLANATION

At this very moment I assumed that you have heard already about the incident at the DZRK Radyo ng Bayan during the Agenda Program yesterday afternoon. That there is no truth that I intentionally hit Mr. Jerome Tabanganay with a microphone and that he suffered cuts and bruises on his face as reported by him. What happened was that his lips may have been accidentally hit when I got from behind the microphone in front of him for the purpose of stopping him for I could no longer endure his personal attack upon my person and the Kapehan body of which I am the chairman. His uncorrected act of irresponsible broadcasting and unfair way in handling the Agenda Program of the DZRK Radyo ng Bayan, Tabuk is already damaging to the image of the province which the provincial government is trying to uplift through its various development programs. It should be noted that the Provincial Government volunteered to shoulder the cost of repair of the transmitter tower of the DZRK previously destroyed by typhoon in order that the radio station will assist the provincial government in promoting its various programs especially our tourism program.

This irresponsible and unfair way of Mr. Tabanganay in handling the Agenda program and in his indiscriminate act of airing unverified text messages which are damaging in nature was already brought out during the Kapehan sa Kapitolyo last May 2, 2011. The Kapehan members suggested to the Manager that the Anchorman of the agenda program should verify first the veracity of the text messages and to give opportunity to his subjects to explain or give their side to a certain matter or issue before he will air and give comment.

That there were also suggestions to the Manager of DZRK that the Agenda program be abolished but the manager responded that he cannot do it for reason that the Agenda program is patterned after the national program of the Radyo ng Bayan. A member of the Kapehan suggested to the manager to change the anchorman. The manager answered that he requested Mr. Tabanganay to give way to other staff to anchor the Agenda program but the latter insisted that he will continue to be the anchorman. Nevertheless, he informed that if the Kapehan has a problem or question with the agenda program, they can request anytime for a recorded copy of the airings of the agenda program.

That despite the suggestions and comments brought to the manager of the radio ng bayan by the Kapehan body, Mr. Tabanganay continued his irresponsible broadcasting and unfair way of handling the agenda program and the worst on May 24, 2011, Mr. Tabanganay was even convincing the New People's Army (NPA) to open their cellphones so that they could talk relative to the apprehension of jueteng cobradors and so that he can submit the names of these cobradors. His act in acknowledging on air the authority and ability of the NPA to implement government duties and responsibilities has no good effect but only to cause our people to lose faith to the government and it will mislead our people to think that the NPAs are better than the elements of the Government. These should never countenance or tolerate, otherwise the government will lose its standing over its people.

That on June 7, 2011, he was again airing false information that Manager Baluyan of DZRK was scolded and insulted during the June 6, 2011 Kapehan sa Kapitolyo making it appear that the Kapehan is not a credible body.

There was no truth that I or the Kapehan body scolded or insulted Manager Basilio Baluyan of DZRK Radyo ng Bayan during the Kapehan at the Capitol last June 6, 2011 as repeatedly being announced by Mr. Tabanganay in the Agenda Program of the Radyo ng Bayan. What really happened during the Kapehan meeting during the review of the minutes of the May 2, 2011 Kapehan, Mr. Baluyan requested me as chairman of the Kapehan body that his statement on the said minutes be changed because that was not his statement and I replied that the request cannot be granted because it was really his statement but Mr. Baluyan was allowed to explain and correct his statement during the issues arising from the minutes portion because that is the most appropriate part of the meeting that he can explain what he really mean to say during the May Kapehan.

Perhaps there was a time during the course of the said Kapehan meeting that I raised my voice but it was purely for the purpose of emphasizing something important or crucial and not for the purpose of maligning a persons or any other purpose. Those who are present during that Kapehan meeting can attest to what really had happened.

The continued act of Mr. Tabanganay in acknowledging and encouraging the participation of the NPA to implement government duties and responsibilities and airing false information that makes it appear that the Kapehan which is composed by all the department heads of both the Local and National line agencies in the Province of Kalinga is not a credible body is a serious matter which really affects the peace and order situation of the province of which I am responsible being the governor of the province.

All these prompted me to go to the DZRK radio station on June 7, 2011 purposely to talked to Mr. Tabanganay of his irresponsible and unfair attitude and at the same time to talk to him so that he will be more circumspect and balanced in his reporting considering that there was no effort from the DZRK management to check Mr. Tabanganay despite the many complaints brought to the manager.

I do not have any intention to hurt Mr. Tabanganay in any way. My purpose was to sit down with him to answer the issues or text messages being attributed to me but upon entering the booth he arrogantly said “APAY?” which prompted me to get the Mic so that our conversation will not be aired live. He insisted and grabbed the other Mic to continue airing but I got hold of the same and then my companions came to usher me outside the booth.

Mr. Tabanganay should have inquired before hand from Manager Baluyan himself or any members of the Kapehan relative to the truthfulness of the said information or report so that he could have avoided broadcasting false and damaging statements.

I know that my presence in the Radyo Ng Bayan might have caused inconvenience to the people who were there but my purpose in going there was for the good of the Province and our people.

Rest assured that I will stand firm in my advocacy for good governance, true and balanced reporting and fair in bringing information to the people.

Thank you.

Peace be with you! Let us move on...

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Happy birthday to Kenji and Nicolle. God bless!

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When is enough?

A lesson to learn. Whether we are in the media, public office or whatever if we do not know our own boundaries chaos follows. Oh when will we ever learn...

You can follow comments of this video here.

Kalinga governor attacks broadcaster - NUJP

MANILA, Philippines – The governor of Kalinga province allegedly attacked a commentator of a government-run radio station who was hosting his program Tuesday morning, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines reported.

An alert released by the NUJP qyuoted Regie Wacas, president of the Kalinga Media Club, as saying Jerome Tabanganay was five minutes from signing off his program “Agenda” over dzRK Radyo ng Bayan-Kalinga when Governor Jocel Baac allegedly barged into the announcer’s booth and hit the broadcaster in the lip with a microphone. Read more...

Fashioning the youth for peace-building

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Driven by the desire to educate the youth and eventually make them partners in peace advocacy, the Kailian Peace-building Institute (KPI) of the St Louis College of Bulanao conducted a three-day seminar on indigenous peace mechanism last May 4-6, 2011. The sessions were held in one of the spacious classrooms of SLCB.

The seminar zeroed-in the Bodong, which is a social institution and a system of governance between and among the Kalingas, established since time immemorial and has evolved through the years. Topics include the history and origin of the bodong; processes, rites and rituals in forging, restoring and as well as in sustaining the bodong; working principles on which the bodong is based; provisions of the Pagta (Law of the Bodong); factors that may have had influences in the bodong such as religion, education, commerce and technology, politics and governance, migration and marriage, peace and order, and the Indigenous Peoples Right Act (IPRA) - however these were presented in a succinct manner. How the bodong itself affected these phenomenon was briefly discussed as well.

This lecture-type seminar was attended initially by 34 youths coming from the different municipalities. An open-forum was allotted after presentation and discussion of each topic to give the participants an opportunity to ask questions and express their views and observations.

The group is composed of 18 males (52.9%) and 16 females (47%). Majority of the participants came from Tabuk, the capital town; although almost of them have Tinglayan origins (38.2%) followed by Balbalan (23.5%), Tanudan (14.7%), Pasil (5.8%), and 2.9% for each of the other municipalities.

Meanwhile, a quick survey was conducted to determine what they feel about regional autonomy for the Cordillera. It is believed that cultures in the Cordilleras will be further preserved and enhanced under the regional autonomy setup. There were three questions asked from the participants. They were asked whether or not they have heard before about Cordillera Regional Autonomy, and will they vote favorably or not if the third organic act will be presented to them for approval in a plebiscite. Lastly, they were asked to indicate their level of knowledge about Cordillera Regional Autonomy. In this instance however only 25 youths participated in the survey of which 44% (11) are males and 52% (13) are females. There was one who did not reveal his/her sex identity.

Of the 25 youths, 76% (19) said they have heard about the regional autonomy while 20% (5) did not. What is interesting to note is that these 20% are all females. For those who heard about it, according to them they got such information from the school, media, and “tsismis” or from acquaintances. Likewise, asked if they will vote favorably for the third organic act, 60% (15) said “Yes” while 4% (1) said “No”, and 36% (9) were undecided.

In terms of the level of knowledge, the respondents generally have a mean knowledge of 5.7 (based on a scale of 10) about the issue of the Cordillera regional autonomy. The 20% (5) youths who said earlier they have not heard about regional autonomy for the Cordillera are the same individuals who indicated they have zero knowledge about it, and these are all females.

Mercury problem in Kalinga

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Two non-government organizations (NGOs) are embarking on a three-year project to wean away the small-scale miners in the towns of Balbalan and Pasil in this province and in Jose Panganiban in Camarines Sur from dependence on mercury.

The local NGO Ban Toxics (Bantox) and Dialogos of Denmark both of which are involved in environmental protection declared that there is an immediate need to stop the usage of mercury in mining areas in the two provinces to avert disaster.

Medical doctors Rasmus Rasmussen and Marie Brasholt of the Dialogos said that it is already an established fact that mercury is being leaked into the Saltan, Pasil and Chico rivers by the small-scale miners operating there.

They said that what needs to be done now is to immediately stop the use of mercury because persisting with the practice not only put to risk the health and lives of the miners but also those of people in the path of the three rivers.

Ramussen told local mediamen who attended the briefing on the project titled “Reducing mercury pollution in small-scale gold mining in the Philippines 2011-2014” here on May 20 said that aside from inhalation during the process of amalgamation, people could also absorb the poisonous element by eating contaminated food and from a contaminated mother to her fetus.

“The symptoms of mercury poisoning can be as subtle as a fever or body ache, and yet it’s long term negative impact is so pronounced such as lower IQ in children, nerve damage, reproductive disorders, etc. that proper diagnosis is critical,” Rasmussen said.

Leoncio Naoy, a small-scale miner and member of the board of the Bantox, said that they included Kalinga after they were alerted of the mercury pollution in the province by a news item in two regional newspapers last March.

Written by Peter Balocnit of the Philippine Information Agency, the news article detailed the results of the water testing conducted by the Environmental Management Bureau and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Chico, Pasil and Saltan rivers.

According to the story, water samples from the three rivers tested positive of mercury contents ranging from .00 contents ranging from .00287 to .1231 microgram per cubic meter which exceeds the allowable limit of .002.

Asked what the findings of the DENR mean, Rasmussen said that it points to the fact that the toxic element is being released to the environment of the province.

Rasmussen said that conducting an independent testing of the mercury pollution in the province is not a part of their project because the findings of the DENR already suffices and furthermore, mercury testing and measurement is costly and difficult.

“What we will test is if the intervention is working,” Rasmussen said.

The objective of the two NGOs is to stop the small scale miners in the province from using mercury in extracting gold within three years.

They said that they will do this by opening the minds of the miners of the harmful effects of mercury and teaching them mercury-less gold processing particularly the application of borax in place of mercury.

Naoy said that one planned activity is to bring the local small-scale miners to Fidelisan, Sagada and other small scale mining areas in the region which have already discarded mercury from their gold mining technology.

Rasmussen, Brasholt and Naoy made it clear to local mediamen that the intent of the project is to eliminate mercury use and not to stop small-scale mining operations. **By Estanislao Albano, Jr., ZZW

Above Photo: STOP MERCURY POLLUTION-- Medical doctors Marie Brasholt and Rasmus Rasmussen brief local media practitioners on the project of the Danish non-government organization Dialogos and Ban Toxics, a local non-government organization, aimed at reducing mercury pollution in small-scale mining areas in the country. The small-scale mining areas in Pasil and Balbalan towns in this province are covered by the project. **Photo by Estanislao Albano, Jr.

Supreme Court cityhood ruling on 16 towns welcomed

The ruling on the status of the 16 towns came while the SC was holding its summer sessions in Baguio City.

Reports showed that a majority of SC justices denied with finality the appeal of the LCP over the Feb. 15, 2011 decision of the SC declaring the cityhood laws of the 16 new cities as constitutional. Read more

I may not be a religious human being, but I encourage everyone to pray to the Lord Almighty that the imminent nuclear disaster will not happen as an offshoot of the recent devastating earthquake in Japan. The northern Philippines will be affected if ever.

Credit: Photo from Yahoo.

Skirmishing about cityhood laws

IN THE long drawn-out fight about the validity of the cityhood laws which granted cityhood status to 16 municipalities, there were two initial central issues: (1) whether the laws violated the constitutional provision on the requirements for the creation of cities, and (2) whether the laws violated the equal protection clause of the Constitution. The initial decision affirmed that, yes, both provisions of the Constitution were violated.

This was followed by a motion for reconsideration which was denied. A second motion for reconsideration was also denied on the basis of the Rule of Court which says: “No second motion for reconsideration of a judgment or final resolution by the same party shall be entertained.”

The beneficiaries of the cityhood laws, however, persisted in asking for another reconsideration until the Supreme Court eventually relented. Last Feb. 15 the Court finally decided that the cityhood laws were valid after all.

Whether or not the two cited provisions of the Constitution were violated is a question which will continue to be debated by lawyers. But an interesting question is whether another motion for reconsideration might be entertained.

The current attitude of the Court toward the rule against multiple reconsideration was expressed in the Feb. 15 decision thus: “Finally, we should not be restricted by technical rules of procedure at the expense of the transcendental interest of justice and equity. While it is true that litigation must end, even at the expense of errors in judgment, it is nobler rather for this Court of last resort, as vanguard of truth, to toil in order to dispel apprehensions and doubt . . .” A concurring opinion also said: “At any rate, the Court has under extraordinary circumstances reconsidered its ruling despite an entry of judgment. It will not allow the technical rules to hinder it from rendering just and equitable relief.”

We are all forewarned!

But what considerations of justice and equity did the Court say should not be obstructed by a mere Rule of Court? Some of it were folksy wisdom and others simple facts.

For instance, when the new law requiring a higher financial status before a municipality could become a city was deliberated on and passed, the municipalities involved already had a pending application under the old and less demanding requirement. In other words, the game had already started. The Court accepted the view that the rules should not be changed in mid-game or, if they are, the new rule should not be applied to a game already ongoing.

To the claim of petitioner cities that the cityhood laws would mean a reduction of their respective Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) shares, the Court pointed out that what the cities were really saying was not that they would receive less than what they had been currently receiving but that they would not get more if the new cities were created. Wryly the Court observed: “it all boils down to money.”

It was noted in fact that “the feared reduction proved to be false when, after the implementation of the Cityhood Laws, their respective shares increased, not decreased,” as shown by IRA records!

The Court used a cruel analogy. The cities were like older children who would dispose of younger siblings who could reduce their share in the inheritance!

Incidentally, what is the rationale behind the new P100 million income requirement imposed by RA No. 9009 for a municipality to become a city? Senate deliberations clearly indicate that it was intended to put a stop to the mad rush to become cities. The rush, if not stopped, the deliberations said, would end in a nation without municipalities but only cities. I am not sure what difference that would make.

As a means for stopping the rush, RA 9009 was effective. But the amount prescribed seems arbitrary. As the Court said, it “cannot be conclusively said to be the only amount sufficient, based on acceptable standards, to provide for all essential government facilities and services and special functions commensurate with the size of its population. . . It was imposed merely because it is difficult to comply with. While it could be argued that P100 million, being more than the old P20 million requirement, could, of course, provide the essential government facilities, services, and special functions vis-à-vis the population of a municipality wanting to become a component city, it cannot be said that the minimum amount of P20 million would be insufficient. This is evident from the existing cities whose income, up to now, do not comply with the P100 million income requirement, some of which have lower than the P20 million average annual income.”

This last, of course, is no longer a matter of law but already a matter of practical wisdom which belongs to the domain of Congress. But, on the whole, out of the long disquisition of the Court, the complaining League of Cities do not emerge as wronged victims.

Skirmishing about cityhood laws - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

Bright prospects for Kalinga geothermal project

TAUBK CITY, Kalinga, February 18 – Investors of a geothermal project covering three towns in upper Kalinga initially predicted bright prospects for the putting up of a renewable energy plant to help address the shortage of power in the Luzon grid as well as spur the development of rural areas.

Based on studies conducted by the Department of Energy (DOE) which is now being validated by the investors, the towns of Pasil, Tinglayan and some parts of Lubbuagan are capable of producing more or less 80 megawatts of geothermal power which could add up to the energy supply of the Luzon grid now slowly being overtaken by the rapidly growing demand.

Mitch Stark, project manager of the Kalinga geothermal project of Chevron Philippines, said validation work is now underway for the initial findings on the presence of sufficient supply of steam capable of producing geothermal power in the future. Read more, ZZW

‘Domog’ done in Kalinga astrodome rites

Tabuk, Kalinga - A ritual to drive away evil spirits was performed during the inauguration of the provincial astrodome in Tabuk, Kalinga on February 13, the opening day of the 16th Kalinga Foundation day.

The ‘domog’ is one of the ‘must-do’ rituals done in Kalinga. This is conducted before a family occupies a newly built house or a public structure is opened for public use to drive away or appease spirits who are believed to have dwelt in it during its construction stage.

An animal is usually sacrificed and blood is spilled on the four corners or pillars of the structure to appease the spirits.

Families who have more in life butcher carabaos, cow or pig with an indigenous spiritual leader doing the ritual. A celebration follows afterwards.

Old folks say that if the ‘domog’ is not performed, the spirits inflict harm or cause sickness on the members of the family. Or the spirits disturbs the tranquility of the home to the extent of demanding the family to perform other rituals.

In the case of the astrodome ‘domog’, a chicken was sacrificed. Elder Gummuwang of the Dacalan tribe interpreted the bile of the sacrificial animal to mean that the astrodome was clean of evil spirits.

Columbus Sallidao of the Madokayong tribe then pronounced a pact with the spirits that the ‘domog’ is about to commence for them to see the authenticity of the ritual.

Jose Pangsiw also of the Madokayong tribe chanted the words of the ‘domog’ and in a language understood by the spirits simultaneous with the beating of the gongs and the spilling of the chicken blood.

A group of old women in Kalinga costume did the patching of ground rice on the walls of the gymnasium for the spirits to see proof that ‘domog’ was indeed performed. They also spoke to the spirits in chant telling that the ‘domog’ is complied and appealed for them to move out from the building and go to where they belong.

Likewise, chanting, the old women appealed to the spirits not to come back and give the benefit and opportunity for the house or building occupants to live freely in peace and health.

Rice cakes were distributed for everyone to partake of the successful driving of the spirits signaling the safety of the occupants and a fulfillment of the ‘domog’ that everything eaten in the structure is safe. **by Peter Balocnit, ZZW

Cordi leaders boost campaign for autonomy

TABUK, Kalinga – Autonomy will not diminish the powers, functions and benefits already being exercised and enjoyed by the Cordillera region and its local government units under the present administrative set-up.

Instead, autonomy will give the Cordillera greater control of its remaining resources. It will give the national government legal basis to provide greater development support to a naturally rich yet poverty-stricken mountain region, the resources of which were exploited at its expense for the sake of national development. Read more

Oddities

"The LORD is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1

OFWs through the years had become one of the growth drivers of our economy, and they have even been regarded as modern heroes. Yet we have this government the past weeks that says there is still no need to evacuate our nationals from the Arab countries were struggles for freedom are on the spotlight. After the unprecedented events in Tunisia and Egypt, events that occurred swiftly almost without interval, it might have miscalculated how things are unfolding in these Arab countries ruled by despotic regimes. Now when it started to make move it seems a little too late.

Let's hope for the best though and Let us all pray that the Lord Almighty will spare them from harm's way. Amen.

Credit: Photo from Yahoo.

SC upholds 16 new cities

MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court (SC), in a 7-6 vote with two abstentions, has reversed itself anew as it declared constitutional the laws that converted 16 municipalities into cities.

With the ruling, the SC granted the motion for reconsideration filed by the 16 municipalities whose laws had earlier been declared unconstitutional.

Declared as valid and constitutional are Republic Act No. 9389 (Baybay City in Leyte), RA 9390 (Bogo City in Cebu), RA 9391 (Catbalogan City in Samar), RA 9392 (Tandag City in Surigao del Sur), RA 9393 (Lamitan City in Basilan), RA 9394 (Borongan City in Samar), RA 9398 (Tayabas City in Quezon), RA 9404 (Tabuk City in Kalinga), RA 9405 (Bayugan City in Agusan del Sur), RA 9407 (Batac City in Ilocos Norte), RA 9408 (Mati City in Davao Oriental), RA 9409 (Guihulngan City in Negros Oriental), RA 9434 (Cabadbaran City in Agusan del Norte), RA 9435 (El Salvador City in Misamis Oriental), RA 9436 (Carcar City in Cebu), and RA 9491 (Naga City in Cebu). Read more

'Egypt if free'

The rag tag groups of mobs, protesters if you will, won in Egypt. The unprecedented events in Tunisia and Egypt will set a precedence in the Arab countries, which are mostly ruled by authoritarian regimes. Mubarak has resigned. Egypt will not be the same again. The political landscape has changed. Much less the geopolitical landscape in the Arab region has changed, especially in relation to Israel and the U.S. Better watch what will happen in the coming years.

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NPA rebels kill soldier in Kalinga clash

KALINGA, Philippines – Suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels killed a government soldier in a gunbattle in Lubuangan town, Kalinga province, the military said Wednesday.

Troops from the Army’s 21st Infantry Batallion engaged the rebels in an hour-long firefight, according to areport from Col. Loreto Magundayao.

The battle occurred Tuesday afternoon in Sitio Daldalig, Barangay Tanglag, Lubuagan, Magundayao said.

The fatality was identified as Corporal Noel Palliso.

The military has yet to determine if the rebels suffered casualties.

Soldiers have launched pursuit operations against the fleeing NPA guerrillas.

16th Ullalalim Festival Schedules

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DILG: Status quo for 16 new cities

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – There is no error in the dateline of this news article. Tabuk, along with the 15 other new cities, is still a city.

That’s the clarification made by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) through a memorandum dated November 25, 2010 but which only reached the Tabuk LGU this week.

The memorandum signed by Secretary Jessie Robredo cited a letter from the Supreme Court (SC) stating that the August 24, 2010 resolution of the court which reinstated the November 18, 2008 decision declaring unconstitutional the cityhood laws of the 16 erstwhile towns “has not attained finality.”

According to Robredo, the clarification from the SC meant that the latest resolution could not as yet be enforced.

Robredo further said that on that basis, “all the affected local government units shall still be referred to as cities and the two (2) additional members in the Sangguniang Panlungsod may still validly discharge their duties and functions appurtenant to the position.”

During the last elections, the Commission on Elections allowed the 16 new cities to elect 10 councilors because of the December 2009 ruling declaring the constitutionality of the cityhood laws of the 16 erstwhile towns. As towns, they only had eight councilors.

The DILG sought clarification from the SC on the issue due to a lot of queries on the legal implications of the latest resolution of the court on the cityhood case.

The 16 new cities have filed a motion for reconsideration of the August 24, 2010 decision of the SC. This has been set for hearing each Tuesday for months now but for some reasons, the agendum has been deferred up to now. **By Estanislao Albano, Jr., ZigZag Weekly