Inciong On-call January 2009

1

December 2008 – January 15, 2009 Issue

email : [email protected]

Official Newsletter of SPLAUD

========================================================================

The Honorable Vice Mayor Allan Nalupta, and the Honorable Members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod; our co-workers in the city government; good morning. First of all, let me greet each and everyone of you happy new year. The holiday break had been too long, I hope all of you had spent all those free time productively, with more quality time spent with your family, relatives and friends. As we enter the year 2009, year of the ox, you may ask, what is going to be the general outlook for the year? And what is to be expected in this not so auspicious year? To begin with, the world economy is sick. The biggest economy of the world, the United States, is now under recession, a fact that was hidden for many months until the collapse of financial institutions, in the 3rd quarter of 2008. Japan, Singapore and Hongkong are similarly situated, and are also under recession. Economies of Europe are also affected by this big chill. And on the whole, no single nation is spared of this problem. As they say, when the United States has colds, the rest of the world gets flu. Economists and financial experts say, that the worse is yet to come. And so, the picture looks gloomy, in most of the countries around the world. The Philippines is not scot-free from this development; although it may not be as worse as the bigger economies. Definitely, there will be a slowdown in our domestic economy, and in our balance of payments position, in relation to our trade activities with the rest of the world. In the City of Batac, you may ask, are we headed also for the worse? The answer will be more of a qualified “no”. There is not going to be a big effect on us, of what is happening in the world economies, and the Philippine economy. Here in Batac, we are essentially an agricultural economy; and it is this industry which will spur growth for our country. For as long as we have good weather, good amount of rains, declining prices of farm inputs, and good farm-gate pricing, the city government, with the help of the Department of Agriculture, can help sustain our farmers productivity.

We don’t have manufacturing facilities here, which may be affected by weakening demands, so we are not expecting massive retrenchment of workers. And our service industries are more on the small-scale types of enterprises, so that the effect may be minimal as well. However, if the growth prospects of the Philippine economy is not good, there may be shrinking in the collection of taxes by the national government. In which case, the IRA share of local government units may not be increased. At the same time, with lesser national revenues, the national government may not be as generous in releasing funds, for nationallyfunded projects in the countryside. So the fear on us, people of Batac, is not the recession. The greater fear on us, would be as to whether or not, we shall win the case in the Supreme Court. We have already filed our motion for reconsideration in the Supreme Court, together with the other 15 similarly situated new cities. Although we feel very confidently of winning the case, the time it will take to wait for the Supreme Court decision, will be agonizing, and full of anxiety for all of us. And the 2nd problem we need to contend with, would be the great possibility for the League of Cities to apply, for a temporary restraining order, against further releases of our IRA as a city. In which case, the effects would be just as great; not only to the city government as an institution, but as well to our barangays, and most especially, to our people. Just after Christmas, we had finalized the Executive Budget for 2009, based on the IRA share as a city. In another meeting, the City Development Council approved the proposed 20% Development Fund for 2009, which in reality, is more of a 59% Development Fund. So we have a budget based on a best case scenario, in keeping with the great optimism and high spirits in us, and our complete faith and trust in God. On the city organizational structure, we have already requested for the creation of the mandatory positions, as embodied in the Republic Act that created the City of Batac. The positions include the Office of the City Administrator, the Office of the City Building Official; the Office of the City Veterinarian; Office of the City Legal Officer; the position of General Services Officer, the Assistant Assessor, and the upgrading of the City Agriculture Office to the level of a department. Likewise, we have proposed for the creation of the 2 Medical Technologist positions, which are long overdue. Hopefully, in the next months to follow, we shall have a review of the need for the restructuring of the plantilla of personnel in keeping with our new status as a city. Thereafter, we could adopt new salary rates for all the city employees. The proposed Executive Budget for 2009 will support the program of government of your city officials, under this administration; to include newly-minted programs that were planned and crafted, in our efforts to make fully prepared and functional our new city.

2

…continuation of New Year’s Message of Mayor Jeffrey As much as we are again going to be very strong on infrastructure development, we have strengthened even more our programs for social development and economic development. At the same time, we continue to implement programs, which have already been institutionalized in our yearly appropriations. I had stated on many occasions that on the average, we have fast-tracked the development of all the barangays, by an average of 8 years, on account of the P1M funded projects out of our city funds. 2009 is going to be the 2nd year that we are appropriating P43M for the 43 barangays in our city, for all of the brgy officials, to continue realizing the aspirations of their respective brgys. In addition to that, the Tulong ti Brgy and the Brgy Development Funds will complement further the P43M, for the other needs of our barangays and our constituents. We are hoping to start construction of the Nagbacalan Small Water Imponding Project this year; and we have already initially allocated an amount of P18.5M for the next SWIP after that. This year, we shall already be starting the re-development of the Government Center, by putting the necessary road network, constructing the drainage system, and backfilling the other portions of the estate. Hopefully, we will be able to design soon, our proposed City Inn & Dorm, so that the first phase of construction can be started just as soon. This is one facility that is very much lacking in our city, which we need very badly. We shall also start the first phase in the construction of the posts and beams, of the 2nd floor area of the 6 permanent public market buildings, for the future space requirement in the market. The drainage canal works at the back of the meat and fish sections will continue. The re-wiring of the electrical systems in the main building at the back will be done this year. And the perimeter fence at the front section of the market along Washington St. will also start this year; together with the main gates. We hope to complete anytime soon the new building north of the Imee Building in the public market. We also endeavor to complete the construction of the Lying-in Clinic in the 1st half of the year. And we are confident to build the Mariit Day Care Center in Dariwdiw, in time of the opening of classes in June. We shall also be rehabilitating the collapsed walls of the Quiaoit River; and a number of destroyed agricultural infrastructure projects, destroyed by the series of typhoons which struck our city last year. On the social services side, we shall begin enrolling more beneficiaries to the Philhealth program. A total of P3.5M is available for this project. About 1000 tricycle drivers will be benefited; the rest to be distributed proportionately to all of the brgys. in our city. This is in keeping with the Team Aramid Pakakitaan’s commitment to enroll as many constituents as possible to the Philhealth. We shall continue to maintain our city scholars in the university and high school, as well as our fast-pace program scholars at

MEET OUR NEW DILG OFFICER

Local Government Operations Officer V City of Batac

the MMSU; spending about P2.4M for this program of helping deserving students in their educational needs. Our barangay medical missions will continue, having allocated P1M for the purchase of medicines for this purpose, aside from the regular services extended to clients in our city health office, which already cost millions. On the economic side, this year, we shall help for the establishment of more livelihood projects for our barangays, with the hope that eventually, each brgy will have its distinct product, similar to that of the one town one project of the DTI; of which the empanada is our OTOP as a city. Many skills trainings will be conducted this year to optimize use of the Kalipi Training Center. Start-up capitals may also be extended. And assistance in packaging and marketing shall also be extended. Truth is, the one stop shop for Batac’s products is now ready at the ground floor of the Riverside Empanadaan. P1.5M has been allocated this year for the livelihood development program; P300,000 for the promotion of high value crops; and P100,000 for the livestock development program. We have also allocated an initial amount of P3M for the purchase of our own fire truck, to complement the ageing fire trucks of the BFP. We have so many more projects, all equally important, which are lined-up for implementation, and/or completion this year. Henceforth, all of us city officials and city employees, should double or triple our dedication, commitment and hardwork, as public servants in our city. In this organization of our city government, it would be a shame and total embarrassment, if we are not going to do and perform our work dedicatedly and seriously, even under minimum supervision. Each one of us should know, our role and contribution in the attainment of the goals, objectives, and vision of our city; because if we do not know our worth in this organization, no way, will we be able, to do our roles effectively. Time is very important, so we should value and use our time wisely, productively, and efficiently. At the same time, we should always adhere to the maxim of revenue maximization, and cost minimization, for optimum utilization of available resources. All of these and much more we can do, if we work as a team; and if you play your roles to the fullest in your respective departments. Don’t be accused as a non-performing asset in your respective offices; otherwise, the most honorable thing to do is to move out of this organization. The moment I started serving the then municipal government in July 2001, I gave it all my best in knowledge and dedication. The moment I started serving as your city mayor in June 2007, I doubled giving my best in knowledge, dedication, compassion and generosity. I am proud to be a city official of the City Government. We should all be proud to be called public servants of the City Government of Batac. Thank you very much; and once again I hope for you all, the best this new year brings, to you and your families.

3

AGBALIN A ( Pinoy Responsible Owner of Dog ),

Taraknen a husto dagiti aso, tapnon rabis ket maliklikan. Ti rabis ket maysa a makapatay a sakit a gapuanan iti kagat wenno katay ti animal nga addaan iti rabis. Amin a maapektaran iti rabis ket 100% a matay. Ti rabis ket adda iti sibubukel a Filipinas. Nailista nga ti insidente ti rabis iti tao ket maysa kadagiti kaaduan iti intero a lubong. Basar iti World Health Organization (WHO), ti kaso ti tao a naapektaran iti rabis ket 340-450 iti kada million. Ditoy Filipinas, adda 300-400 a Filipino a natay gapu iti rabis iti kada tawen. No ti maysa a tao ket mangipakita iti senyales nga addaanen daytoy iti rabis, awanen iti agasna tapnon aglaing pay. Ti sakit a rabis ket sigurado a makapatay.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 1. 2. 3.

4. 5.

DAGITI PAGILASINAN TI ASO NGA ADDAAN ITI RABIS BIGLAAN AKINATANGSIT WENNO KINAUNGET. AGKAGAT-KAGAT ITI URAY ANIA BANAG. AGTARTARAY A DINA AMMO TI TURTURUNGENNA. AGLABLABUTAB TI NGIWATNA GAPU ITI SOBRA A PANAGKATAY. MARIGATAN A MANGAN WENNO UMINOM ITI DANUM. SAAN A MAKAIDNA, AGTAKKI, KEN DADDUMA PAY. DAGITI REBBENGNA NGA ARAMIDEN ITI ASO A KIMMAGAT Igalut wenno ikulong ti aso tapno maobserbar iti uneg ti maysa ingganat 14 nga aldaw. Liklikan a patayen ti aso kas iti panangpaltog, panangpang-or iti ulo wenno aniaman a wagas. No matay ti aso iti uneg ti 14 nga aldaw, umawag iti beterinaryo tapno ikonsulta ti panangputol ti ulo ti aso. Ikabil ti ulo ti aso iti plastic nga awan ti butbotna wenno Styrofoam sa ikkan iti yelo. Ipan a dagus iti laboratorio. Kumunsulta iti beterinario tapno malawlawagan kadagiti dadduma pay a banag maipanggep iti rabis. Ipan ti ulo ti aniaman kadagiti sumaganad nga oficina tapnon maamiris ti utek ti aso: a. Rabies Diagnostic Laboratory Philippine Animal Health Center Bureau of Animal Industry

b. c. d. e. f.

Visayas Ave., Diliman Quezon City Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab. Dept. of Agriculture (I-XIII & ARMM) Research Institute for Tropical Medicine Department of Health Alabang, Metro Manila Van Houwelling Laboratory Siliman University Dumaguete City SLH Animal Diagnostic Laboratory San Lazaro Hospital Provincial Veterinary Office Gomburza St, Laoag City Ilocos Norte

DAGITI REBBENGNA NGA ARAMIDEN TI TAO A KINAGAT TI ASO WENNO ANIAMAN NGA AYUP NGA ADDAAN ITI RABIS 1. PAGDARAEN KABAYATAN NGA UG-UGASAN ITI SABON KEN DANUM TI SUGAT A MAKAIGAPU ITI PANNAKAKAGAT. 2. SAPSAPUAN ITI ALKOHOL, IODINE WENNO ANIAMAN NGA AGAS ITI SUGAT. 3. AGPAKONSULTA ITI DOKTOR WENNO ITI KAASITGAN NGA ANIMAL BITE TREATMENT CENTER. TI HUSTO A PANAGTARAKEN ITI ASO 1. Pabakunaan ti taraken nga aso iti kontra rabis. 2. ikkan iti makaanay ken husto a kanenna. 3. igalut ken saan a bay-an nga agwalay iti ruar ti balay wenno arubayan. 4. sigaradoen a nadalus ken naurnos ti kulunganna. 5. Bumisita iti beterinario no kasapulan. Naadaw manipud iti babasaen nga inrakurak ti Departamento ti Agrikultura, Bureau of Animal Industry, babaen iti National Rabies Committee a naipan iti Batac FITS Center ken impatarus iti iluko ni Erlinda Cabuyadao.

4

THE NIGHT IS DARKEST BEFORE THE DAWN Roderick G. Narciso, Division ALS Coordinator, DepEd, Batac City

November 19, 2008, Wednesday, I woke up feeling tired and lightheaded from the previous night’s wrangle with dengue. I’m persistently perturbed of my daughter’s apparent vulnerability to this malady that has ravaged lives as quietly as the wings of Aedes Aegypti. She was infected by HFever when she was 4 years old and now again after 12 years? I’m suffused with emotions muddled up inside me. Haven’t I just used my MDR (Member Data Record – a requisite of Philhealth accredited hospitals before patients are discharge) last week when my second child got sick due to respiratory track infection brought about by his having too much playing time with his cousins he came to know and meet at the wake of my mother who died three weeks ago?! I went out of the hospital’s premises to get some air. I felt a certain pressure building up inside my chest and it felt like it’s about to explode.

It was a gloomy day so it didn’t help at all what I was feeling. I was in the verge of bursting into tears. The air helped a lot though. Soon, I was back my senses, a bit mushy but quiet fine – ‘til my cellular phone’s SMS alert sounded off and as if to further torment me came the news from my beer buddy and best friend the words “bro, bad news. Batac is back to being a Municipality according to Supreme Court’s decision. Watch “Umagang Kay Ganda”. If I hadn’t been so psychologically sound for the past 37 years of life’s perennial challenges, I would have snapped. But, no looney tunes for me – thank God! I’ve never liked fruitcakes anyway so no worries – but what a disaster! Oh, for crying out loud! I can’t believe all these – as if I am in a problem-fishing spree and caught them all in one bait. What will happen to Batac City and DepEd Division now? What will happen to my designation as OIC ES I for ALS, of which first group of acronym I make every effort to erase? What will the future hold for Batac City and our newly installed DepEd Division? What will our fellow Ilocos Nortenean say about us Bataqueños? Will Carlos Juan’s mock advices in PRANKAHAN in the November 17-23, 2008 issue of Ilocos Times work? Will stuffing ourselves with our best seller delicacy make us forget the quandary we’re in as Mr. Juan implied? But, I tell to all those who might have the urge to mock and despise us that there is a delicate balance of good and bad karma that is present in this world we live in. Right now, just like my family’s present dilemma, our status as a City and DepEd Division hang in the Balance, but that’s life’s reality. We all experience ups and downs to a certain degree at varied times. The night is darkest before the dawn and soon we’ll see that bright sunrise again that represents God’s love and warmth. And like a phoenix born from its ashes – we shall soar again. For we believe in our leaders and we love Batac –the City of our Dreams!

4-H CLUB CANDIDATES CLEANING THE QUIAOIT RIVERBANK

PICTURES TAKEN BY BY JOEMAR ORDONIA

5 EDITORIAL

PANAGTRATAR TI PROBLEMA KAS BENDISYON Amin a tao ket addaan iti problema, dakkel man wenno bassit, dagitoy a problema ket mabalin a manguloy wenno mangpadur-as kenka depende no kasano ti panangawatmo kadagitoy. Kaaduan na ti saan a makakita no kasano a kayat ni Apo Dios nga usaren dagitoy a problema para iti pagsayaatan ti biagda. Masuron ken babalawenda unay dagiti problema a sumangbay iti biagda. Saan ket koma a mangibilang kadagitoy a mangipaay iti pagsayaatan met laeng. Manipud iti biblia, kayat mi man nga iburay kadakayo dagiti lima a wagas no kasano a kayat ti Dios nga usaren dagiti problema iti biag para iti pagsayaatan ken kas parabor. Napintas dagitoy a kas pagpampanunotan iti itatapog tayo manen iti sabali a tawen: 1. Ni Apo Dios usarenna dagiti problema tapno addaan tayo iti direksion.. Kaaduanna a ti isasangbay dagiti problema ket iturongnatayo iti baro a direksion, guyuguyennatayo nga agbalbaliw, wenno itundana ti panangalisar iti bukod a bagi. Apay nga ipalubos ni Apo Dios a maaddaaanak iti kastoy a problema? Kayatnak kadi a palagipan? No dadduma, kasapulan a maikkan tayo iti nasakit a sitwasyon tapnon baliwan tayo laeng dagiti wagas tayo. “Kuna ti proverbs 20:30, Blows and wounds cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the inner most being”. 2. Ti Apo usarenna dagiti problema a mangamisir (inspection) masao a “Dagiti tao ket kasla Tea Bags, no kayatmo a maammoan no ania ti nagunegna, itabnawmo dagitoy iti napudot a danum, “Pina0das kadin ni Apo Dios ti Pammatim kenkuana babaen iti problema? Kuna ti James 1:2-3, “Ibilang mo a kas panagragragsak, kakabsat, no sumangbay

kenka dagiti agduduma a pannubok, gapu ta ammom a ti pannakasubok ti pammatim ti nangpadur-as wenno mangpatibker kenka” 3. Ti Apo usarenna dagiti problema kas pangkoreher kenka. No dadduma, satayo lang maadalan no masaktan ken maabaktayo. Kas no idi ubingka, ibaga ni nanangmo a dimo sagsagiden ti beggang ngem dimo met dinengeg ket sinagidmo latta. Ania ti naadalmo? Naammoamon idi nasinitka. No dadduma, satayo lang maadalan no kasano ti kinapateg ti salun-at, kuarta, relasion ken dadduma pay no mapukaw tayon dagitoy. 4. Ti Apo usarenna dagiti problema a pangsaluad kadatayo (Protection) dagiti problema ket bendisyon a manglimlimo. Naikkat iti trabahona ti maysa a mangmangged gapu ta dina kayat nga inaramid ti pangiubaonan ti boss na a saan a maiparbeng. Problemanan ti kaawan ti trabahona ngem nailisi met iti pannakaipisokna koma iti pagbaludan kalpasan a naduktaklan ti dakes nga aramid ti boss na iti dayta met la a tawen. 5. Usaren ti Apo dagiti problema para iti “Perfection”. No husto ti panangsungbat tayo kadagiti parikut; dagiti problema ket papintasenna ti kinataotayo, mas interesado ti Dios iti kinapintas ti ugalitayo ngem ti kinanam-ay. Ti pannaki relasion tayo kenkuana ken ti ugalitayo ket isu laeng ti maitugot tayo inton mataytayo. Kas kuna iti Romans 5:3-4, “agragsak tayo no maaddaan tayo kadagiti problema…dagitoy ti mangtulong kadatyao nga agbalin a naanus. Ti kinaanus idur-asna ti kinapigsa ti

napintas a kababalin ken pammati it namarsua iginggana a ti namnama ken panagtalek tay kenkuana ket agnanayon.” Ni Apo Dios ket agtrabtrabaho iti biagtayo, gagayyem, uray no ditayo makita wenno ditayo maawatan. E.D.C

HAPP Y BIRTHDAY

Editor-in-chief FROM IoC Staff

Happy Birthday

6

FROM IoC Staff

ITI FIESTA TI BATAC: PANGSANGAILI KADAGITI KAILIAN A BALIKBAYAN Ni Edibert Bareng

Kada tawen ken kada panagfiesta

ti

Batac,

mailatangan latta ti maysa a

Balikbayans. met

dagiti

pangpadayaw

kadagiti

timmabuno

a

Napangayed naparagsak

ti

Jeff, dinayawna dagiti kailian a nagbakasion gapu iti ayatda a

Balikbayan kadagiti umili.

rabii kas “Balikbayan Night” a

Iti mensahe ni Mayor

naiyam-ammo

ken

“Balikbayan

makita

ti

familia

ken

ti

nagbaliwan ti ili a nagbalinen a

iti

ciudad nga inar-arapaap ti

ken

kaaduan a taga Batac, iti

ti

laksid ti pagpaspasaran a krisis

tiempo ti Paskua, Fiesta ken

Empanada Dance, ken dagiti

ti ekonomia iti intero a lubong

Baro a Tawen.

napili a mannala iti Secondary

iti agdama.

Kannawidan a ti karabiyan ti

Schools

nakikompasan

Adda talaga a rason ti

Disiembre 25 ti nailatang a

metten dagiti City officials ken

panagsubli iti pagilian, tiempo

Balikbayan Night.

Employees ti Batac, ken kasta

a

met dagiti Balikbayans.

pannakayanak ni Hesuskristo,

kakailian manipud iti ballasiw-

Night”

taaw nga immay nagbakasion

pannakaipabuya

ken

pannakaisuro

makipagragragsak

iti

Iti daytoy a panagfiesta ti

ciudad,

naragsak

nangayed ti

a

ti

a

steps

Naduma-duma pay a

ken

naaramid

babaen

pangragragsak

a

grupo

familia ken kas kuna ni Apo

ken

Mayor, “Batac is always great

impabuya

panangidaulo ti nadayaw a

manipud

Mayor ti Ciudad Jeffrey Jubal

dadduma pay nga asosasion.

eskuela

panagawid iti Ciudad dagiti maingel a lideres, panangiliw iti

Balikbayan Night babaen iti

iti

ti

ti

sala

dagiti

panangselebrar

and its people are Great.”…

Dua met a Balikbayan ti

C. Nalupta.

nangisagut iti kanta kadagiti

P.S.

kadagiti

umili nga isuda Ms. Aurora

www.batac.gov.ph

agdama nga Ofisial iti Ciudad,

Tagudin ti Portugal ken Mr.

updates/news & events of the

Barangay Chairmen

SK

Stanley Rosario, ti London ken

City of our Dreams: BATAC.

Chairmen iti 43 a Barangay ken

dati nga empleado ti Gobierno

Junior

Municipal ti Batac.

Paset ti selebrasion ti pannakaiyam-ammo

Officials

ken

kadagiti

Log

on

to for

EDITORIAL STAFF ERLINDA D. CABUYADAO

JOEMAR S. ORDONIA

Editor-in-Chief

Managing Editor & Lay-out Artist

MICHAEL JHON SOLIGUEN

HAROLD AGUIBITIN

Typist

Circulation Manager

DOMINIC B. DELA CRUZ

RODERICK G. NARCISO

EDIBERT BARENG News & Feature Editor INAUGURATION STAC CENTER

DECEMBER 10, 2008 RIZALINA P. DEMDEM Barangay San Julian, Batac City Critic

Contributors: SUSAN M. ASPILI ROSARIO A. BINGAYEN

MELANIE C. CALLANGA