By Zaldy Comanda   TINOC,Ifugao – Pormal na binawi ng 44 na tagasuporta ng Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) mula sa Tukocan, Ifugao, ang kanilang suporta sa CTG sa isang seremonya sa Sitio Mugao,Barangay Impugong,Tinoc, Ifugao, noong Setyembre 24. Ang Ifugao, ang tahanan ng Rice Terraces, ay naging kuta ng insurhensya, ngunit ang malawakang pag-alis ng mga tagasuporta ng CTG ay nagpakita ng positibong pag-unlad para sa isang Ifugao na walang insurhensiya. Sinabi ni Ifugao Governor Jerry U. Dalipog na ang gawain ay isang malaking hakbang sa paghahangad ng lalawigan para sa tunay na kapayapaan tungo sa pag-unlad at pag-unlad habang hinihimok niya ang mga CTG, tagasuporta, at mga opisyal na sama-samang magtrabaho para sa kapayapaan. “Hindi namin hahayaan na ipagpatuloy ng CTG ang pagwawalang-bahala sa kapayapaan na aming hinahangad, kaya dapat namin silang kondenahin. Kaya’t hinihimok ko ang lahat ng mga tagasuporta ng CTG na samahan ako at ang aming mga opisyal na maging nakatuon sa pagsulong sa aming paghahanap para sa kapayapaan.” Sa seremonya ng mass withdrawal na sinaksihan ng iba’t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno, kinondena ng mga dating tagasuporta ng CTG ang CTG sa pamamagitan ng pagsunog ng mga banner ng CTG at pumirma ng panunumpa ng suporta sa gobyerno, isang pagpapakita na nasa panig na sila ng gobyerno. at susuportahan ang mga programang pangkapayapaan at pag-unlad nito. Ipinahayag ni Mang Cardo, isa sa mga dating tagasuporta, ang kanyang pasasalamat sa mga programa ng gobyerno para sa kanila. Nag-iwan din siya ng mensahe para sa mga natitirang miyembro ng CTG sa Ifugao na bumalik sa mainstream society at yakapin ang kapayapaan. “Nanawagan ako sa mga NPA na bumaba dahil wala ng pag-asa ang CTG. Ginagawa tayong mga tanga para sirain ang gobyerno. Sa mga pinuno ng NPA, huwag magsinungaling at sirain ang buhay.” Sa panig ng AFP, tiniyak ng 502nd Brigade, 5th Infantry Division Philippine Army na masusustento ang kapayapaan sa lalawigan. “Sa inyong pagkakaisa at pagtitiwala sa gobyerno, masisigurong wala nang masisira pang pamilya dahil sa karahasan, wala nang mga anak na mahihiwalay sa kanilang mga magulang, at wala nang mga kabataang madadamay sa sigalot at maling ideolohiya.” Pahayag ni Lieutenant Colonel Epizo Angalao PA, Commander ng 86th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army. Samantala, sinabi ni Police Regional Director Cordillera, PBGen David K. Peredo Jr., na patuloy silang tutulong at tumugon sa mga pangangailangan ng mga naliligaw ng landas dahil sa ideolohiyang komunista at mas kinilala niya ang tapang ng mga tagasuportang ito sa pagkondena sa CTG. . Ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno na dumalo at nagbigay ng pangako ng suporta sa mga dating tagasuporta ng CTG ay ang OPAPRU, NICA, PRO CAR, 502nd Brigade, Philippine Army, DOLE, DSWD, DILG, Office of the Congressman, Lone District of Ifugao, PLGU, at MLGU . Ang makabuluhang milestone na ito ng RTF-ELCAC ay naging posible sa ilalim ng Project Panag-aywan Iti Kailyan ng Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15.

As the vibrant colors of October approach, excitement is building across the province for one of the most anticipated events of the year—the Say-am Naya Apayao, a grand celebration in honor of Indigenous Peoples (IP) month 2024. This festival is not just a gathering; it’s a heartfelt homage to the rich tapestry of culture and tradition that defines our community. From festival to traditional dances echoing the rhythms of our ancestors to the tantalizing aromas of native cuisine, the Say-am naya Apayao promises to be a feast for the senses and a vibrant celebration of identity. Mark your calendars this October 4 and prepare to be part of something truly special! The Say-am naya Apayao is not merely an event; it is a celebration of resilience, community, and pride. J oin us as we come together to honor our roots and share the beauty of our culture with the world. Let us celebrate our shared history and look towards a future that respects and cherishes our diverse traditions. Don’t miss your chance to witness the heart and soul of Apayao during this remarkable celebration!

By Zaldy Comanda   LUNA,Apayao – Pormal na itinalaga bilang bagong provincial director ng Apayao Police Provincial Office (PPO) si Col. Arnold Razote, kapalit ni Col. Jefferson Cariaga, sa ginanap na Turnover of Command ceremony sa Camp Gov Elias K Bulut Sr. and Training Center, Luna, Apayao noong Setyembre 19. Pinangunahan ni Brig.Gen. Rogelio Raymundo,Jr., deputy regional director for Administration ng Police Regional Office Cordillera Administrative Region (PRO-CAR), samantalang naging pangunahing bisita sina Congresswoman Eleanor C. Bulut-Begtang at Governor Elias C. Bulut, Jr. Ang tradisyunal highlights ng seremonya ay ang symbolic transfer of command, kung saan iniabot ni Cariaga ang command symbol, property book, at equipment inventory sa incoming PD na si Razote.. Nagpahayag ng pasasalamat si Cariga sa mga tauhan ng Apayao PPO sa kanilang walang patid na suporta sa kanyang panunungkulan. Si Cariaga ay itinalaga naman bilang PRO-CAR Chief ng Regional Personnel and Records Management Division. Masayang tinanggap naman ni Razote ang mga hamon sa hinaharap at nanawagan ng pagkakaisa at pagtutulungan ng mga tauhan ng Apayao PPO. Hinikayat naman ni Raymundo ang Pasindayaw Cops na suportahan ang bagong Provincial Director at magtulungan upang matiyak ang kaligtasan at seguridad ng mga taong kanilang pinaglilingkuran. “Sa pagtanggap ng ating bagong direktor, nananawagan kami sa buong tauhan ng Apayao PPO na ipaabot ang kanilang buong suporta at kooperasyon sa pagpapatupad ng kanyang mga plano at programa para sa ikabubuti ng ating lalawigan. kapayapaan, seguridad, at kaunlaran para sa mga mamamayan ng Apayao,” dagdag niya. Ang kaganapang ito ay hindi lamang minarkahan ang pormal na pagbigay ng pamumuno kundi kumakatawan din sa pagpapatuloy ng responsibilidad, tungkulin, at pangako sa kapayapaan at seguridad ng Apayao.          

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — A peace agreement, locally known as Sipat ti Patad, was formally entered into today, between the sub-tribes of Guinaang and Balatoc, both from Pasil, Kalinga facilitated by the Kalinga Bodong Council of Elders chaired by Hon. Johnny Maymaya under the office of Governor James S. Edduba, on September 16. This agreement, witnessed by local officials and tribal leaders, is seen as a significant step toward ending the ongoing conflict between the two tribes caused by a longstanding boundary dispute. The peace pact was signed at Capitol Hills, Bulanao, Tabuk City, Kalinga, with Mr. Martin Liban representing the Guinaang tribe and Mr. Gabriel Busayang representing the Balatoc tribe. The conflict between the two sub-tribes has been an ongoing issue, fueled by disagreements over territorial boundaries. On September 11, 2024, Mr. Busayang, acting on behalf of the Balatoc tribe, extended a bolo as a Sipat, a symbolic gesture of peace, which was accepted by Mr. Liban of the Guinaang tribe. The following day, Mr. Liban reciprocated by offering a P1,000 peso bill (Subalit ti Sipat), which was accepted by Mayor Alfredo Malannag on behalf of the Balatoc tribe. Under the agreement, both parties have pledged to uphold peace within the designated areas covered by the Sipat, which includes Tabuk City, the Municipality of Rizal in Kalinga, and the Municipality of Quezon in Isabela. Residents, workers, and visitors from both tribes in these areas are expected to live without fear of violence or retribution stemming from the boundary dispute. The pact also establishes that any violation of the agreement will be addressed through the Unified Pagta of Kalinga, a customary law that governs tribal conflicts in the province. The agreement, effective immediately upon signing, is expected to usher in a period of peaceful coexistence, with the hope of resolving the dispute and fostering harmony between the two tribes. (PLGU Kalinga)          

In pursuit to expanding the range of Kalingas benefiting social services in a form of financial, educational, and medical assistance, Governor James S. Edduba has again successfully secured an additional P50 million for various social service programs this September. The funding request, submitted to the Office of the House Speaker Congressman Martin Romualdez, has been approved and is now in the process of being allocated to the appropriate implementing agencies. The breakdown of the funds includes P20 million for the Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP) program under the Department of Health – Cordillera Administrative Region (DOH CAR), P20 million for the Tertiary Education Subsidy Program (TDP) under the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and P10 million for the Ayuda Para sa Kapos Ang Kita (AKAP) program under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).  

On September 13, 1986, former President Corazon C. Aquino and top government officials met with representatives of the CBA-CPLA, led by the late rebel priest Conrado Balweg, for a ceremony known as the ‘sipat.’ This event, symbolized by the exchange of peace tokens, marked the end of armed conflict between the government and the rebel group and recognized the group’s pursuit of autonomy. This agreement paved the way for further negotiations, ultimately leading to the issuance of Executive Order No. 220 on July 15, 1987, which established the Cordillera Administrative Region. Today,September 13,2024, OPAPRU Sec. Carlito Galvez arrives at the Mount Data Hotel in Bauko, Mountain Province. He is welcomed with traditional Cordillera gong and dances by the students of the Mountain Province State University Student Cultural Arts Group. Sec. Galvez is the keynote speaker of the 38th Mount Data Peace Accord, or the historic “Sipat,” that led to the creation of the Cordillera Administrative Region. (Mayor Benjie Magalong, (2nd from left) along with members of the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) and the Northern Luzon tactical airwing, present during the historic signing of the SIPAT Peace Agreement.)

ASIPULO,Ifugao — The Provincial Local Government of Ifugao officially broke ground on its new P244-million farm-to-market road with bridge rehabilitation project at a ceremony at Pula, Asipulo, Ifugao, on September 9. Implemented under the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) Scale-Up, the subproject will cover a span of 6.02 kilometers with a 30-linear meter bridge. Once completed, it is expected to benefit 1,847 households, encompassing 8,755 residents (4,655 male and 4,100 female) across the area. The capsule-laying ceremony was led by Ifugao Governor Jerry U. Dalipog, Asipulo Mayor Archie Lee A Quindo, DA-CAR Agricultural Programs Coordinating Officer (APCO) for Ifugao Charlemagne S. Monayao, and ALFALFA Construction representatives. Subproject beneficiaries, DA-PRDP technical staff, and several LGU officials and heads of offices from the provincial and municipal LGU of Ifugao were also present to witness the event. Photo by @Happitan Ifugao

A total of 80 PRO-CAR cops who are set to undergo the Basic Internal Security Operations Course (BISOC) join the Showdown Inspection of Individual Training Equipment conducted at the PRO-CAR Multi-Purpose Center, Camp Major Bado Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet, on September 6, 2024. The activity was spearheaded by the Regional Learning and Doctrine Development Division, along with the Regional Special Training Unit-CAR, wherein the equipment to be used by the participants was inspected to ensure that it met the required standards for effective training and operational readiness. This thorough check is crucial in preparing the BISOC participants for their training, ensuring that they are equipped with reliable, durable, and well-maintained gear.

By Laarni S. Ilagan When it rains, it pours for the Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) in terms of awards! After bagging 17 performance awards from the National Electrification Administration (NEA) and the PHILRECA last week, BENECO again passed its ISO surveillance audit today. The Manila based DQS auditing firm , led by Edgardo Peria and Nelson Bumanglag, gave the electric cooperative a passing mark for its systems audit, the sixth of its ISO certification since 2019. The auditors found no minor or major non-compliance on BENECO’s quality management system after checking documents, validating results and analyzing the cooperative;’s procedures for around 25 processes. “We are doing this (maintaining ISO) not just for the certification, but for us to further improve our services to our member consumer owners (MCOs),” Melchor Licoben, general manager said. The cooperative is due for its third ISO recertification by August next year. Maintaining BENECO’s ISO Certification validates BENECO’s recognition as one of the top performing electric cooperatives in the country in the awarding ceremonies of the National Electrification Administration (NEA), Electric Cooperatives (EC) and Phil. Rural Electric Cooperatives Assn. (PHILRECA) Convergence at the Phil. International Convention Center (PICC) last week. NEA’s Lumen’s awards gave BENECO such distinction while PHILRECA’s Awards from the Wires recognized BENECO as one of the outstanding ECs nationwide. NEA also awarded BENECO with the coveted Single Digit Feeder Loss and Green EC award among others. Passing the ISO audit means that the electric cooperative has strictly observed quality management system standards in performing its mandate as an electric distribution utility under the ISO standard of 9001:2015. The DQS auditors gave high marks to BENECO’s well documented processes and procedures in the various departments as they also recommended several OFIs or opportunities for improvement.