Gen. Baclig’s 117th bday remembered

Cabugao, Ilocos Sur – Last September 16, a short program commemorating the 117th birthday of the late General Eustaquio Baclig was held at 7 am at Barangay Baclig hall, which was named in his honor.
As a tradition, flower offering was laid on his monument located just beside the Municipal Hall. The highlight of the celebration was a mass officiated by Fr. Mario Baclig, the grandson of the general.
Fr. Baclig narrated a short story about the greatness and bravery of the late general. He then encouraged the audience to emulate the good examples imparted by his grandfather. The priest also added to continue the legacy and keep the spirit of nationalism, service and loyalty alive.
The event was attended by several municipal official and residents of the said Barangay. Its success was due to the concerted effort of the Barangay officials headed by Punong Barangay Ely Savella

ISAVE continues their green advocacy

ISAVE in action! On photo were Ivy Campos (in blue rain coat) and Ryan Paet (in green shirt)

Sta Maria Ilocos Sur - Finally, last September 17, 2011, the Lingkod Alay sa Kalikasang Ating Dakila (LAKAD) Part 3 was successfully conducted after it was reschedule because of typhoon Mina last August. The tree planting activity was held at the UNESCO heritage site of the Parish church of Sta. Maria de Assunta, of said municipality.
This time, only 5 alumni members of Ilocos Students as Vanguards of the Environment (ISAVE) have joined the said activity. They were Christopher Valmoja, Llamier Iloreta, Ivy Campos, Ryan Paet and Regimar Balcobero.
Campos said during an encounter, that despite of their number, the tree planting activity still turned out to be successful wherein they managed to plant 100 mahogany seedlings. “… We’re only five, but, despite that we were not disappointed and still continue the activity since we were already in the site. We understand our fellow ISAVEs who were not able to come because of some priorities…”
The first two part of the leg was both held in Salcedo, Ilocos Sur last June of the same year. The ISAVE aimed to plant more trees in order to protect and preserve Mother Nature.

NTA Conducts Consultation and Massive IEC with Farmers

Benjamin Sarmiento looks on with the participants while listening to the discussion of Jose Taclas

The participants and even the NTA officials listen attentively during the sharing of Former Mayor Benjamin Sarmiento.

Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur – Due to the declining numbers of tobacco farmers in said municipality, the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) conducted a consultation and information education campaign regarding tobacco production.
“…Panagpasubli ti panagmula ti tabako…” Minerva Mizal, branch manager of the NTA Vigan emphasized as the main aim of the said campaign. She encouraged the farmers to reconsider planting tobacco because aside from the provision of a new technology, production assistance extended by the agency and the partner trader/buyer firms, she assured that tobacco is the crop that can give them higher income.
In order to inspire the farmers, Benjamin Sarmiento, formers San Juan Mayor and National President of Federated Tobacco Farmers’ Association, shared their tobacco production experiences in his own hometown which has now 600+ hectares for tobacco planting. He added that because of tobacco planting, their town share for RA 7171 has increased to 55 million this year. It is an open book, that the previous town shares have been used for the improvement of their infrastructures such as the new municipal hall and new public market. Aside from economic improvement in his town, he also boasted that the living condition of individual tobacco farmers have been uplifted because of tobacco farming.
Likewise, Jose Taclas, NTA Technician, discussed to the farmers the new improved tobacco variety or the so called “TOP Tobacco”. The advantage of this is its guaranteed higher yield due to the use of hybrid variety such as NC-2326, K326, PBO-3, and PBH-2295. Aside from high nicotine content which is more than 2%, these varieties were also identified to be resistant from drought and attacks of insects. The TOP requires a desired distance 1.2 by .5 meters for each plant. As recommended, in 1ha, the ideal number of seedlings to be planted is exactly 16,666 only. This allows the plant to grow at maximum and avoid nutrient competition. Based on their calculation, this will provide an average yield of 2,600 kg for the farmers. It is also recommended to remove the top layer leaf in order to have the desired number of leaves which ranges from 12-16 only. The use of fertilizer was also based on the recommended quantity of the agency and the buying firm in order to attain highest quality of tobacco. He also advised the farmers to choose only those fertilizers/pesticides that are yellow or green labeled and avoid the red label ones because these have high toxicity which is both harmful to human and the environment.
After the discussion, an open forum consultation was also conducted to allow farmers to air their issues and concerns on tobacco production. The farmers frankly admitted that they lost interest in planting tobacco because they were stymied with the low buying price wherein they cannot gain back their high production cost. Another was the lack of technical and financial assistance from concerned agencies.
As an address to these problems, Mizal said that the agency through the collaboration of several buying/trading firms was extending assistance to all the tobacco farmers in the province. However, they can only avail the said assistance through farmer’s cooperative or association. The assistance will include financial assistance for the production costs and construction of curing barn. The agency will also extend technical assistance such as soil analysis, and periodic visitation during the production. Another concern that has been noted in this Municipality has been that funds for RA 7171 were used for infrastructure projects such as the so-called “night market” currently used as parking space for tricycles, seen as nothing to do with farmers.

Baro a pasdek ti Hustisia, nainaguraran

Cabugao, Ilocos Sur – Itay maika-23 ti Agosto, pormalen a nailukat ti baro a pasdek ti Departamento ti Hustisia daytoy nga Ili. Indauluan daytoy da Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson, Vice Gov. DV Savellano, Mayor Ediboy Cobangbang, Cong. Ryan Singson, MTC Judge Mario Domingo ken RTC Judge Nida Alejandro. Ti nasao a pasdek ket agserbi a kas opisina ken courtroom ti Cabugao Municipal Trial Court ken Regional Trial Court Branch 24. (Photo Credit: LGU-Cabugao)

Turod MPC receives 150K for swine fattening

(The Turod Multi-Purpose Cooperative headed by Punong Barangay Inocencio Sadac (center: in pink shirt) receives their project fund from the DA-Regional Office.)

Recently, the Turod Multi-Purpose Cooperative (TMPC) of Cabugao, Ilocos Sur had received the amount of Php 150,000 for their swine fattening project. The said project was funded by Department of Agriculture-Regional Office under the Livelihood Enhancement for Agricultural Development (LEAD) 2000 Phase II program.

The project fund was awarded during the second quarter Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council Meeting, held at ORT Cooperative Training Center, Guerrero Road, San Fernando City, La Union.

Said event were attended by Mrs. Dionisia Seatriz, representative of Cabugao Municipal Agriculture Office, Mr. Rogelio Barlolong, MAFC Chairperson, Punong Barangay Inocencio Sadac, authorized representative of Turod MPC and 3 other members of the said cooperative.

The said project was started with 43 piglets as reported during the initial site visit and inspection by DA-Regional Office. The first beneficiaries are: Edgardo Garcia, Miranda Garcia, Marlon and Emilda Raciles, Marciano Raciles, Jr. and Melvin Raciles, Benjamin and Crsitina Aquino, Mario and Elmie Soto, Loreto Sadac, Sarturnino and Marylene Soller, Elmer Ragon, Sr. and Elmer Ragon, Jr. Edmund and Imelda Pacnis, Ferdinand and Leonarda Sadac, Andy Sadac, and Joey Soller.

The concept of the program is a roll-over scheme because it aims to benefit all the members of the cooperative who wanted to acquire the said livelihood program. The capital borrowed through the cooperative is payable within 2 years, which gives enough time for the recipient to gain some profit in order to have his/her own capital.

Likewise, technical support and assistance were continuously provided by DA-LGU of Cabugao in order to maintain and assure the success of the project. ###

Vigan City Councilor Ranches appears in Pulso ti Ilocandia

(L-R: Piomar Reoliquio, host, Ben Pacris, panelist, and City Councilor Franz Ranches, Jr, guest)
On the appearance of Vigan City Councilor Honorable Franz Ranches, Jr in Pulso ti Ilocandia, he valiantly strewed all the public issues and concerns asked from him. Without reservation, he stated that their “word war” with City Councilor George Villanueva was rooted from several issues due to individual contradiction of ideas. One of which, was related to the resignation of Councilor Jun Figuerres. Another reason was regarded to the 46 million City Convention Center project. He clarified that their invitation to the project contractor and city engineer to attend their session was natural and very basic regarding of a very important project. He emphasized that they just wanted to have an update about the program of works of the project as preparation for the coming allocation of budget this October. And to explain the alleged issues for not following some of the construction procedures in order to avoid confusion by the public and the media. And he was very vocal to exhibit his disappointment for the twice “no show” response of the people involved. Nonetheless, he said that the explanation of the city government engineer was acceptable and valid because that they did not secure permission from the City Mayor to attend the sessions. While he said that as far as he knew the project contractors have no response at all, even a single phone call.
With regards to his support to Congressman Ryan Singson in his candidacy on the special election, he said that it was a personal endorsement and not from the Liberal Party where he is affiliated. He boldly told that he supported Cong. Singson because of his exemplary leadership and good standing while serving as City Vice Mayor. Likewise, he vocally admitted that he applied for a national position with his aim to serve the people at large. But while waiting for the result of his application, he said that he is contented serving as Councilor. And he assured that if ever it will happen, he is ready to face off the challenges.
Councilor Ranches dynamically envisioned Vigan as a place with total human development. A place not only livable but also a place wherein the people have the freedom to talk, freedom to earn a living, freedom from poverty, and freedom from ignorance.
As from the Liberal Party, he also informed the public that they are forming the “Young Liberal of Ilocos” which is open to all young blood citizens of Ilocos Sur but must be a qualified voter, and aged 18-35years old.
Councilor Ranches was a Political Science graduate of the University of Santo Tomas. He was a three termed City Vice Mayor of Vigan. At present, he is a city councilor and holds the Committee on Information and Communication Technology of the Sangguniang Panglungsod. He is also a district chairman of the Liberal Party.

Pulso expose multi-million projects on energy, water and agrifacilities

(L-R: Ben Pacris, panelist Engr. Santiago Gorospe, Jr, (Manager, NIA 1st District); Engr. George Yorobi (Technical Consultant, Gorban Industry Phils.); Dr. Henry Mendoza, co-host; Engr. Felipe Mateo (Consultant, Tomato Paste Plant) and Eddie Lontoc, show executive producer)

Recently, three agencies have exposed to Pulso ti Ilocandia the importance and contribution of multi-million projects on energy, water and agricultural facilities in the economic growth of the province of Ilocos Sur. The keynote sources of information were Engr. George Yorobi, Technical Consultant of Gorban Industry Philippines, Engr. Santiago Gorospe, Jr, Manager of National Irrigation Administration, 1st District and Engr. Felipe Mateo, Consultant of Tomato Paste Plant.
Engr. Yorobi tackled the “waste energy project,” of the Department of Energy (DOE), which he made mention as the prime reason of his presence in Ilocos Sur. He said that he is “eyeing” the potential of the province particularly Metro Vigan for the implementation of this very good project under the Clean Air Act of 1999. The holistic view of the said project is to convert biodegradable waste materials into energy in order to lower the cost of electricity in the Philippines. He described the project as cheap source of energy, environment-friendly and the solution to widespread waste problem in the country. The benefits derived from the plant also includes methane which can be collected for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), hydrogen gas, which can be used as fuel for hydrogen cars and asphalt which can be used to improve farm-to market roads. He also revealed that they push through the implementation of the project because it has significant effect on the economic progress of the province. However, in order for this project to be realized it must meet the most important requirement. Yorobi said that the project needs at least 80 tons of garbage per day to make it operational and sustainable.
“Addatan ta danum, rumbeng laeng nga aywanantayo…” said Engr. Gorospe as he detailed the highlights of the 2.4 multi-billion Banaoang Pump Irrigation System project in Ilocos Sur. He clarified that the said project started its operation since last year. Gorospe told to Pulso that in the project plan it targeted to provide service to 7000 hectares of agricultural lands. But, at present it has irrigated 5,200 hectares of farmlands. He added that the project will be expanded to accomplish its lacking target area. Said project covers agricultural lands from the 1st district towns of the province: Bantay, Vigan, San Ildefonso, Santo Domingo, Caoayan, San Vicente and Magsingal, which primary aim to enhance productivity and boost the income of farmers.
On the other hand, Engr. Mateo construed that tomato production is a good source of income for farmers. In order to encourage the farmers to plant tomato they have implemented a program extending assistance from planting up to the transport of the products in the plant. They have also imposed reasonable price of the product which is Php 2.50/ kilo. And an incentive of additional 20 centavos per kilo will be given if the farmer produces 50 tons of tomato per hectare. #

Pulso puts Cabugao Mayor on the hot seat

(L-R: Ben Pacris, panelist, Margaret Crus, show host, Mayor Ediboy Cobangbang, guest and Eddie Lontoc, panelist and executive show producer )

Newcomer politicain and Cabugao Mayor Edgardo "Ediboy" S. Cobangbang, Jr, was the launching guest of Pulso ti Ilocandia, a public affair show of Around Ilocandia Channel 14, held at Bigaa Restaurant, Vigan Plaza Hotel last June 18.

Current public issues and concerns on the municipality of Cabugao were asked from the Mayor by the program show hosts and panelist most interesting of which was the Commission on Audit (COA) findings. Cobangbang straightforwardly told that they have filed a case against some of the municipal employees/officials found out to have a hand on the irregularities on the use of public funds and properties. The Mayor and many locals hope that the said move will prosper to positive results in order for the public to put their trust back to government offices like the COA. Cobangbang also highlighted the empowerment of Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) to correct and check the "unacceptable" conduct of municipal employees especially the elected officials.

Mayor Cobangbang candidly admitted that the present administration prioritizes the farmers and senior citizens, two of the most neglected sectors of the Philippine society. He called them as "first class citizens" of Cabugao. Various agricultural projects and programs such as trainings, seminars, technical and financial support were extended to the farmers to improve and make them adopt new techniques on farming that may result to better yield production and higher income. Cobangbang hopes to improve their purchasing power and living. He informed that the Local Government Unit (LGU) has " Tulong para Mannalon ti Tabako" program with the assistance of Philip Morris and Fortune Tobacco. He also announced the re-opening of the "Dayo" - a livestock auction market in Cabugao assisted by the provincial government of Ilocos Sur. He hopes that this administration will be able to device a system to ensure the sustainability of the implemented projects.

The young local chief executive shared an experience about "turning down" the voluntary donations of the balikbayans for the development of the town and instead encouraged them to implement their own projects in the municipality as he proposed some projects such as the lying-in clinic, street lights and children's park in partnership with the LGU. He insisted that he will only accept donations as items with the assurance that whatever organization it comes from will be mentioned and acknowledged.

Cobangbang affirmed that the Executive Legislative Agenda (ELA) for 2010-2013 was a result of bonding and sharing of all involved sectors of the locality during its 3-day formulation last September 6-8, 2010 held at Ilocos Norte Convention Center.

In response to oil price hike, he said that through the initiatives of Vice Mayor Danilo Gazmen and the SBMs, the LGU has appropriated funds as counterpart for the Pantawid Pasada program, which recently was distributed to the tricycle operators as gasoline subsidy to at least lessen their burden. He then took the opportunity to ask favor from operators to be more responsible by following road rules. He cited proper parking rules, because he believed that their attitude reflect the town to tourists or visitors. Likewise, he said that they also strengthened and enforced strictly the parameters imposed by the DSWD for the Conditional Cash Transfer to safeguard the program from advantages.

"I am pro-life..." Cobangbang said to the controversial RH Bill issue and that he believes that there are natural ways or methods to control the explosion of population. " It's just a matter of educating the people; the church should do some massive information program to inform the people how the natural method is conducted. The government should push through (the Bill)... and find new approach to get it across with the people..." he ended.

As "ama ti ili," Cobangbang is known to always remind municipal employees, "Awan ti paser-serbi kadagiti ordinary citizenry, datayo ti agserbi..." because he considers himself and all the officials and employees as public servants. He also exercises his policy that "governing is prioritizing."

As a family man, Cobangbang instilled traditional values to his children but when asked how he is as a husband, the smart Mayor answered with a smile to "better ask her wife Jerlie."

Mayor Cobangbang or Ediboy as he much preferred, is a true-blood Cabuganean. He is the eldest and only son of Edgardo Cobangbang, Sr. and Herminia Salamanca-Cobangbang. He is happily married to former Jerlie Seguban with whom he has four children: Endrei Justin, Josh Edward, Jan Maxine and Edgardo Ninos. He graduated with a BS Biology degree from the Far Eastern University. Before entering politics, he was a businessman and was actively involved in civic and church organizations.