By Zaldy Comanda   ITOGON, Benguet — Thousands of individuals may experience hunger and poverty following the stoppage order issued against Dontog Manganese Pocket Miners (Domapma) in Sitio Dalicno, Barangay Ampucao, Itogon,Benguet. Dozens of  college students from the said mining community may not be able to enroll due to financial difficulties felt by  their parents-a number are pocket miners who were displaced by the closure order. Phoebe Manuel, representing the youth sector, expressed  fear that she and her fellow students in their community may not be able to enroll this school year due to financial problems being felt by her parents brought by the stoppage and since the latter have no other source of livelihood except working in small scale mining.   Last June 20, officials of Benguet Federation of Small Scale Miners, Inc. (BFSSMI), together with more than 50 small scale mining associations have gathered and urged  the  Mines Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to lift the stoppage order against Domapma mining operations in Sitio Dalicno, Barangay Ampucao here. They claimed that the area being mined by DOMAPMA is outside the patented claims of Benguet Corporation and they appealing to talk to DOMAPMA and the affected communities to resolve the mining issue. On June 13, MGB Regional Director Fay Apil, who is also the chairperson of the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) of Benguet, issued a stoppage order against DOMAPMA and it was enforced by the Benguet police force.   ‘We are appealing to our local government leaders, government agencies, Indigenous leaders and other stakeholders to find ways and means in finding a concrete solution to this longstanding problem of the small-scale mining sector,” BFSSMI  states ‘We are so concerned on the impact of the stoppage of the livelihood of our brethren in Dalicno, taking into consideration that such displacement and injection of small scale miners will result to hunger, poverty, financial difficulties in terms of health and education and other social problems that may arise,’ BFSSMI states. The BFSSM  statement, signed by Norberto Cobaldes, the group, and member of Benguet’s  provincial mining regulatory board, representing ssm, was  presented and read by Rudyrick Pao-eng,president of Garrison Small Scale Miners Association. DOMAPMA, led by its president Nicholas Tibangwa, and several pocket miners led by Allan Sabiano, and affected individuals, elders, women, youth sectors, among others were also present, and aired their side.

By Jessica Fernando DAR Regional Information Officer   The Department of Agrarian Reform – Cordillera Administrative Region, Benguet Provincial Office, distributed 131 Certificate of Land Ownership Awards (CLOA) with a total of 83.2823 hectares of land to 130 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) covered under Executive Order 75. Additionally, 380 e-Titles covering 234.7606 hectares were given to 293 ARBs from Atok, Itogon, Kapangan, Kibungan, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay Municipalities on June 18, 2024, at the Closed Gym, Benguet State University, La Trinidad. The distribution of e-Titles and CLOAs mark a significant milestone in empowering local farmers and advancing agrarian reform in the region. This event not only provides legal land ownership to ARBs, enabling them to secure a stable future for their families, but also highlights the collaborative efforts of government agencies and local officials in promoting sustainable agriculture and community development. The support from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and other stakeholders underscores the ongoing commitment to improving the lives of farmers through comprehensive agrarian reform initiatives. During the distribution, DAR Regional Director Samuel S. Solomero emphasized the significance of these titles, stating that they are provided at no cost to the ARBs, thanks to the support from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos and DAR Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III. He also assured ARBs receiving their titles from the Project Support to the Parcelization of the Land for the Individual Titling (SPLIT) that the New Agrarian Emancipation Act will absolve their debts accumulated under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). Additionally, more support services and programs, including farm machineries, equipment, and training, will be provided to all ARBs. Hon. Elpedia Alos, also an ARB from the municipality of Atok expressed her community’s gratitude, noting the positive impact of legal land ownership on farmers’ lives. “Gusto ko pong magpasalamat sa mga staff na nagpupunta sa amin maski anong mga hindrance, hindi sila nagsusurender, sa lahat ng staff ng DAR. Buong puso po ako nagpapasalamat para sa mga kapwa magsasaka ng Benguet. Nawa po sa mga darating pang araw ay mas marami pa pong mga katulad naming magsasaka ang mabigyan ninyo ng ganitong pagkakataong mapasakanila rin ang buong buo ang mga lupa na kanilang sinasaka.” Alos said. She has also echoed the message of RD Solomero about the support services to come their way as ARBs to give better opportunities for them and continue innovation in their livelihood. Kapangan ARB Gretchen Alunes expressed gratitude for finally legally owning the land farmed by their forefathers, stating, “With this project, you have truly [allowed us] to farm our own legacy.” ARB recipient of CLOA covered by EO 75 Jose G. Bayas Jr. thanked for the opportunity and requested help with processing their other lands, highlighting the ongoing need for support and collaboration. He discussed the broader benefits of land ownership for ARBs, including economic growth and community development. DAR Legal Affairs Office OIC-Assistant Secretary Atty. Eugene P. Follante explained DAR’s process in acquiring these titles for ARBs and emphasized that DAR’s support services will continue as long as ARBs establish their ARB Organization for improved services. He encouraged ARBs not to sell their land but to become successful farmers. Benguet Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Lailani A. Cortez highlighted the importance of collaboration with Local Government Units and partner agencies, stating, “Today, we reap the fruits of our efforts. When individuals work together, support each other, remarkable things happen.” DAR-CAR Assistant Regional Director for Administration Virginia D. Aycud encouraged ARBs to safeguard their land titles as a proud achievement in their livelihood as landowners, adding that there is more to look forward to as ARBs. The event was further supported by the attendance of several Local Government Units and representatives, including Tublay Mayor Hon. Armando I. Lauro, Councilor Jayson Dangwa of La Trinidad, President of La Trinidad IPO Marcos L. Anod, Barangay Captain Alfredo Agmaliw Jr. of Barangay Wangal, IPMR Teodora H. Esteban of Wangal, PARCCOM representatives, Mayor of Atok representative and officials from the Department of Environment and Resources. Their presence underscored the remarkable unity and collaboration in creating opportunities for ARBs, ensuring their livelihoods, and contributing to the community’s development.

Bontoc, Mountain Province – Adhering to the principles of merit, competence, fitness, accountability, transparency, and equal opportunity, the members of the Human Resource Merit Promotion and Selection Board (HRM PSB) and the Recruitment, Selection and Promotion (RSP) Technical Working Group (TWG) of the Bontoc Local Government Unit (LGU) convened for the reorientation and deliberation of the competency – based Merit Selection Plan (MSP) of the Bontoc LGU on June 11, 2024, at the Sangguniang Bayan Conference Hall of the Municipal Capitol. Sangguniang Bayan Member Dan Evert Sokoken who presided over the meeting remarked that it is but proper to review the agency’s MSP which serves as a guide in the selection, hiring, appointment, and promotion of individuals/ applicants in the first and second level positions. Sokoken added that the through the MSP, it creates equal opportunities for employment to all qualified applicants to enter the government service and for career advancement in the agency/ institution. With this, Human Resource Management Officer III Arleen Eickmee Gasmeña, presented the MSP before the members of the HRM PSB and the RSP TWG the MSP of the Bontoc LGU. Gasmeña explained that the policy aligns and contextualizes Bontoc LGU’s internal system on application, evaluation, selection, and appointment with the provisions of the Civil Service Commission (CSC)’s Omnibus Rules on Appointments and Other Human Resource Actions (ORAOHRA). She added that the Bontoc LGU adheres to the principles of merit, fitness and equality, of which the selection of employees shall be based on their relative qualifications and competence to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. Gasmeña further elaborated in her presentation that there shall be no discrimination in the selection of employees on account of age, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity,civil status, disability, religion, ethnicity, or political affiliation. The issuance of the MSP is one of interventions of the Bontoc LGU to improve the human resource policies and processes in order to better serve stakeholders/clients. It is to be noted that under the provisions of the 2017 ORA OHRA, Rule IX (Agency Merit Selection Plan and Human Resource Merit Promotion and Selection Board) it was stipulated in Section 85 that the HRMPSB shall assist the appointing officer/authority in the judicious and objective selection of candidates for appointment in the agency in accordance with the approved Agency MSP. Likewise, the HRMPSB shall be primarily responsible for the judicious and objective selection of candidates for appointment in the agency in accordance with the approved Agency MSP and shall submit to the appointing officer/authority the top five (5) ranking candidates deemed most qualified for appointment to the vacant position. Further, it was stated under Section 86 that the appointing officer/authority shall be guided by the report of the HRMPSB’s assessment of candidates and in the exercise of sound discretion, select, insofar as practicable, from among the top five (5) candidates or less, deemed most qualified for appointment to the vacant position, depending on the number of candidates. By Alpine L. Killa, Bontoc LGU

Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas led the distribution of P385,000 financial assistance to at least 40 beneficiaries under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program of the Office of Provincial Social Welfare and Development (OPSWD), spearheaded by Acting PSWDO Melba M. Motio. Held at the covered court of the provincial capitol on monday, June 10, this program aims to alleviate the financial struggle of socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals. Benguet residents who want to avail themselves of the services of the said program are advised to proceed to their respective Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices (MSWDOs) or to the OPSWD on the 1st floor of the provincial capitol.

The PRO-CAR Regional Director, BRIG.GEN.DAVID PEREDO,Jr., warmly welcomed the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, Atty. Benjamin “Benhur” C. Abalos, Jr, upon his arrival at Camp Capt. Juan M Duyan, Brgy Bulanao, Tabuk City, Kalinga on June 14, 2024.