Sunday, May 12, 2019

Choose the best leader


On this momentous day on May 13, 2019  we shall be choosing our municipal, provincial and national leaders. And so set the tone of leadership of our country particularly our very own Mountain Province in accordance with law, order, justice, peace and our conscience.

For on this fateful day shall indicate what and who we are as a people who equally value justice, peace and order that we shall live amongst men  in accordance with law and shun evil, injustice, chaos and disorder. And be able to choose who our leaders will be to make a good, righteous and people-based community happen.

Here in Mountain Province, we shall be choosing our senators, congressman, governor, vice-governor, board members  mayor, vice-mayor and municipal councilors. We shall be guided with the words of our Lord, for He is the Most High and the Most Holy, Omnipotent Good Lord who guides us best in choosing our leaders.

It is good to look at the Bible and see the qualities of good leader. And so the Bible says,  “Choose for your tribes wise, understanding, and experienced men, and I will appoint them as your heads.’ (Deuteronomy 1:13).

Experience in leading men and communities is necessary. So with this comes wisdom and understanding in dealing with people, their temperaments, their needs, and wants.  

The character of a candidate is equally necessary to see in choosing one. Values the candidate has so that he is credible whom people will look up to as their leader.

1Timothy 3:2 says “an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach.”

With the many philosophies of man and inclinations of what to follow be this material or intellectual shall bring forth a diverse community. Respect amongst plurality for the other’s ideas and culture is necessary while discerning what system or policy is most just for humankind to live amongst humankind. So the Bible talks about an overseer being self-controlled, sober minded and respectable and with this shall then be able to teach, the leader being a good and model example.

For great is the leader who fears the Lord and thinks of the people.

Exodus 18:21   says, “Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.”

Leaders who shall place the interest of the people first much as he is a leader who leads a community, relied on by the people who feel confident and safe  in him.  Philippians 2:4 says, “not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

“For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain (Titus 1:7

Because when the people feel cheated and are not seeing a just and good leader, but who instead corrupts and takes advantage of the helplessness of people, the people shall get exasperated, angry, frustrated.  As Proverbs 29:2 says, “when the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.”

Guided with the Lord’s teachings, let us go in peace and contemplation having chosen the best candidate to vote freely,peacefully and righteously in our respective municipalities and beloved Mountain Province as one..


Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Multi-awarded JUPITER ‘JUP’ DOMINGUEZ for Just and Upright Public service


Multi- awarded candidate for Congressman of the lone district of Mountain Province  Engr JUPITER ‘JUP’ COTO-ONG DOMINGUEZ, 54  holds a track record of a performing executive of Sabangan municipality during his leadership as mayor of the town from 2001-2007.  JUP’s track record is capped with an award as the Most Outstanding Mayor of the Philippines given by the Philippine Senate, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), University of the Philippines (UP) and La Salle in 2006.
Fondly called JUP by his constituents from Sabangan and friends, former Mayor Jupiter Dominguez also served as the president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Mountain Province Chapter from 2004 to 2007.
The two public positions meant responsibility, commitment and reliability to a job and positions he held which in parallel manner meant a responsive and reliable constituents of a collective Sabangan which equally received awards for responsive and exemplary performance.
Awards which talk of exemplary performance that jumpstarts his legislative agenda as Congressman for a Just and Upright Public Service (JUP) on education, health, livelihood, cultural rights, economic livelihood, disaster risk reduction, infrastructure and peace and order. 
 Jupiter Dominguez brought fame to his hometown  with awards from different agencies and institutions in his six years as mayor of  Sabangan. An effective administration responsive to the needs of the e-Sabangan  earned Mayor Jupiter Dominguez a Hall of Fame Award from the DILG-sponsored Awards for Partners in Development  garnering the recognition in 2003, 2004, and 2005. This also catapulted him as the Most Outstanding Public Official of Mountain Province (MP) for 2005, an award given during the Lang-ay Festival in April 2006. Mayor Jupiter Dominguez was the Most Outstanding Public Official of MP for excellence in local governance awarded by the Provincial Government of MP. Jup’s leadership from 2001 to 2007 garnered him other awards as one among 10 outstanding citizens of MP awarded by the Provincial Government of MP during the 2007 Lang-ay Festival. The Technical Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) gave him also the Kabalikat Awardee in 2007.                                                                                 
Not only is JUP technically good as an administrator, he is also good in communicating with people and institutions. The  Baguio Midland Courier cited him as the Most Friendly Mayor of the Cordilleras for year 2004.
These awards talk of an exemplary leader that comes with the full trust and confidence of his own people and his co-workers at the executive and legislative offices of his municipal jurisdiction. Former Mayor Jup Dominguez maintained an exemplary working relationship with the  Sangguniang Bayan in a productive manner and integrity guided by his guidelines on GODSPEED- Good governance, Office administration, Development priorities, Social services, Peace and order, Environmental management and economic Development- of an executive-legislative agenda.
His motto on GODSPEED e-Sabangan executive-legislative agenda refers to a dynamic development roadmap that focuses on strategic leadership, participatory governance and convergence. A guideline which finds a strong and credible basis for his slogan JUP- Just and Upright Public Service- slogan in his legislative agenda in his bid as Congressman for Mountain Province. 
Governance
Governance refers to an executive and legislative agenda, local legislation, transparency, citizen participation, financial accountability, equity, public-private sector and Non Government Organization (NGO) partnership thus a local government-citizen interaction. With good governance, a Code of General Ordinance was enacted and included all existing and relevant administrative and non-revenue ordinances of the municipality. A legislative tracking system was  established that allows users to access available information about the LGU’s legislative process. Along with relevant legislation, an SB Member was recognized under the “Awards for Partners in Development” of the DILG. Sangguniang Bayan member Juliet Palicos was an awardee on Awards for Partners in Development by the DILG  in 2006.
The LGU’s Performance Billboard was also set up which provides information on the LGU’s plans, projects, targets, and accomplishment and LGU activities. A public information desk was in placed at the lobby properly identified and manned eight hours a day to provide information on office operations. Full community participation in local governance as evidenced by civil society representatives in the Local Development Council and other special bodies.
Participatory and consultative approach in formulation of policies and implementation of programs was done where public and private sector are encouraged to work hand in hand with the LGU toward local development. People are urged to be involved in monitoring and evaluation of LGU programs manifested by an effective financial management system transparent to the public including the  Bids and Awards Committee. Besides, the LGU utilizes the equity or counterparting scheme through networking to advance its plans and programs.
With the efficient administration of former Mayor Jup Dominguez, Sabangan was adjudged the Most Outstanding Municipality of MP for Year 2004 and 2005 for excellence in local governance awarded by the Provincial Government of MP.
In 2005, Sabangan was the Cleanest and Greenest Municipality of MP based on the Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran Program of the national government. Sabangan bested other municipalities on its environmental management program awarded by the Provincial Government of MP in 2006.
Sabangan LGU bagged Second Place for the Cleanest and Greenest Municipality of MP for Year 2003 by the Provincial Awards Committee, Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran. Sabangan LGU also got Third Place, Cleanest and Greenest Municipality of MP for Year 2001 by the Provincial Awards Committee of the Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran. Sabangan is an awardee of the Provincial Gawad Saka Awards in 2003 and  Regional Gawad Saka Awards also in  2003. Sabangan got 2nd Place in the  National Level for Gawad Saka in 2003. This meant an exemplary accomplishment of the office of the municipal agriculturist during his leadership as mayor of the town.
In  DILG’s Awards for Partners in Development, Sabangan Municipal Ecological Solid Waste Management Board was awarded for an active and functional board that effectively manages its ten year ecological solid waste management plan in 2006.
Also, barangay Supang of barangay Sabangan was the Most Outstanding Barangay of MP for excellence in local governance in the barangay level given by the Provincial Government of MP in 2006.
The Rural Improvement Club of Maggon, Supang was  awarded the Most Outstanding NGO of MP in 2005 by the Provincial Government.  And in the education sector, Namatec Elementary School, Sabangan was adjudged the  Most Outstanding Elementary School of MP in 2005 awarded by the Provincial Government.
Development Priorities
Developmental priorities refer to planning, flagship programs and impact projects and infrastructure. During his term, only Sabangan has an approved Comprehensive Land Use Plan among the ten municipalities of Mountain Province. Responsive infrastructure were built in support of environmental management, social development, and economic development.
Social services on health and nutrition, education, disaster preparedness, youth and sports development, and civil registration was in place which equally saw concrete services and results.
During his term, access to safe water was 86% in 2001 for total number of households. It increased to 100% in 2005.  Percentage of households with sanitary toilets was 63% in 2001. It grew to 86% in 2005. In 2001, there was one maternal death. In 2005, there was no maternal death. No epidemic or outbreak of disease occurred from 2001 to 2005. The position of Municipal Health Officer was filled up by the LGU in 2004. Total consultations had a dramatic increase from 1,139 in 2001 to 5,795 in 2005.The number of PHIC indigent enrollees being sponsored by the LGU increased from 263 in 2001 to 461 in 2005.
Keen attention to education services was done with the construction and rehabilitation of elementary and secondary school buildings and day care centers. A functional municipal literacy coordinating council was formed. A  Special Education Fund was utilized for priority programs on student development. This to include networking with DepEd on the Third Elementary Education Project (TEEP), School Improvement Innovation Facility (SIIF)and Adopt a Child Program.
Education
As part of JUP’s  legislative agenda, education comes as a major legislative program for JUP. From the mind starts everything. For the Mountain Province Polytechnique State College  (MPSPC) for one, expansion of college programs to include relevant  courses  in order to  improve access to education without the  need to leave Mountain Province. For those who have to study outside of MPSPC to provide scholarships with linkages for job opportunities. Helping students graduate is not enough thus the need to make sure that appropriate jobs are also available for them to make their time in college functional, useful and relevant.   
With support to the above, facilities including provision of computers, internet connectivity, laboratory   equipment should be upgraded and provision of staff development in schools. Sponsorship of relevant  trainings, educational and cultural exchange  and furthering the educational and technical capacities of staff is equally a need and included in the legislative agenda.   
Health
Sustainable public health programs on sanitation, nutrition and health risk management  and functional well organized emergency response system is important. Healthy people makes productive force in economic development. Responsive and relevant bills shall be authored to make responsive health services including the provision of equipment such as EEG  equipment which is not even present at the regional hospital of Luis Hora Regional Memorial hospital. What more to other district and general hospitals of Paracelis, Bontoc and Besao where other equipment such as  EEG or CT Scan machine is needed.
Sports
On youth and sports development  saw capability development, an athletic  Mayor’s Cup along with aid to athletics, participation in the Palarong Panlalawigan, regional athletic meet and Palarong Pambansa. Sheryl Baldo, Silver Medalist in the 2006 Palarong Pambansa was a product of the LGU’s Program on Youth and Sports Excellence. Sabangan LGU bagged Third Place in the Over all Province-Wide Ranking in the 2005 Provincial Meet, DepEd Mountain Province Division.
In Jup’s legislative agenda, support to an enhanced and strengthened sports program is needed to  upgrade our  standing in the regional athletic meet and spur inclusion of our athletes in the Palarong Pambansa.
Environment, livelihood and energy
Environmental management  was then a main program of  Mayor Jupiter Dominguez, an environmentalist by heart and by deed. This covers natural resources management, waste management and pollution control.  Through his leadership, a functional municipal ecological solid waste management board spearheaded the feat of Sabangan as the Cleanest and Greenest Municipality of MP for 2005. The Board was also recognized under the “Awards for Partners in Development” for Year 2006.
With good legislative-executive working relations, formulation of an ecological solid waste management ten-year plan was done with a Solid Waste Management Ordinance and the Municipal Environment Code enacted which  set guidelines to follow. A monthly “operation linis” was done which led to the  Annual Search for Cleanest and Greenest Barangays of Sabangan. An  active participation in the “One Million Trees” project of the Provincial government was observed 
A Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) was established in 15 barangays of Sabangan  with the allocation of a solid waste management fund and an aggressive drive for the construction of sanitary toilet in every household.
With a sound track record,  JUP in his legislative agenda aims for location-specific  laws on cultural rights enacted and practice of sound and tested indigenous practices based on the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) that supports indigenous peoples rights including customs, beliefs and ways on land, livelihood, and natural resources including property and family and community relations to effect environmental integrity.
For one, the batangan system sets cultural practises on protecting  forests in the Province such as  setting limits on how many trees shall be cut and setting rules on protecting forests from fires.
PD 705 which prevents the people of MP from accessing forest products, the very trees they have planted and nurtured being located in what is classified as public land and forest reserve needs to be amended to suit indigenous forest management practices.
On culture and tradition therefore, bills shall be authored and sponsored to retain and respect  these. As noted, there is yet the need to codify particular and location specific indigenous land and forest management practices on ownership and management. This to include innovation of  indigenous ways to promote cooperation and peace relevant to the communities we are in. 
Promotion on the integration of culture and traditional craftsmanship in the current education system to fuel local livelihood is a need. Identification of potentials and opportunities in local materials and rich culture is a need. For one, pine cones and other forest products profuse in the mountains which could be of use for livelihood opportunities. But first and foremost the amendment of  PD705 to enable people  from Mountain  Province to practice their  indigenous forest management practices and  freely access their very own forest products.
Equally, the environment is crucial to be promoted and safeguard  optimal but sustainable  use of natural resources to spur economic growth. For one, rivers pose potential sources of  energy for micro and mini hydro sources to spur local industries such as  weaving where energy is needed to run sewing machines.  
Natural resources including  falls, rice terraces,  mountains pose  rich potential for eco and adventure tourism as source of livelihood. Yet at the same time tourism along the way  should be mindful of the people’s culture, that is  to promote  immersion and not just “come and go”  tourism. 
Bills worth authoring and sponsoring are  provision of facilities such as rails to protect sites of cultural and environmental  value  from the  physical  touch of humans. For example, the burial caves of Sagada and Bauko and the many falls not to be swam in where such is the case should be protected. Bills to author in the preservation of rice terraces is a must where some  rice terraces are noted to be  eroding.  Funds  to be allocated is important  so that these natural sources shall not continually erode and the people denied of their  sources for livelihood.  And more  facilities and trainings needing appropriation  in the preservation of cultural and environmental sites  including the preservation of artifacts.
With the environment  a vulnerable target for destruction due to insensitive ways of man can result to environmental ruin. While it is forwarded that indigenous ways and practices are promoted to be retained including the need for trainings, education and advocacy, actual and post disaster be addressed.   
Disaster risk reduction and mitigation comes in strengthening implementation of proper land use utilization. Sponsorship of bills as part of the legislative agenda is then forwarded on the provision of facilities, trainings, and comprehensive land use with protection measures included such as the planting of anti-erosion plants, tree planting and subsidies on soil fertility, strengthening implementation of proper land use utilization for disaster risk reduction and mitigation. Infrastructure equipment and trainings come in to support  the agricultural sector.
  Economic development refers to agriculture and fisheries development, business and industrial promotion, increase in annual income, one town one product program, livelihood programs and investment incentives that need a legislative agenda to  address this crucial factor in community development.
The reintegration of programs for migrant worker- returnees equally need  attention. If possible, people from Mountain Province shall not leave the Province to work in other countries where their contribution to economic livelihood and their nearness to their families shall be kept. Supporting livelihood opportunities is a crucial  feature in  supporting kaka-ilyan avail of livelihood opportunities. Mountain Province abounds with tourism potentials as source of livelihood. Trainings on souvenir item making where local materials can be availed from, provision of capital, equipment, trainings, marketing  opportunities and product development for  local industries such as weaving, carpentry, souvenir item making, dressmaking, tailoring, and customer relations  in inns, homestays and restaurant business. 
Sectoral concerns too are direly important on the inclusive management of programs. For one, strict implementation of  the Persons With Disability (PWD)  law and other existing laws of  marginalized sectors. The PWD law if such shall be implemented needs support services such as the provision of facilities as to separate quarters  and services including the provision of  personnel to take care of their needs to include physical structures, medical staff,  facilities and medicine.   
Peace and order
Peace and order refers to public safety and rule of law made manifest by the effective building safe communities program, effective local peace and order council, functional public safety plan, effective networking that resulted to the construction of a municipal police station and the grant of police car, professionalization of barangay tanods and professionalization of the members of the Lupong Tagapamayama.
As part of  JUP’s legislative agenda, the necessary equipment shall form part of resolutions and bills  to effect peace and order to include patrol cars, and peace and order systems to be in place in the barangay, municipal and provincial levels. 
Office administration refers to responsive administration, revenue generation, revenue allocation and utilization, human resource management and development, customer service, decentralized management  and  management innovations that equally reaped awards for exemplary leadership.
During his leadership a New Municipal Revenue Code was enacted that set an efficient system for real tax assessment and collection as evidenced by the accomplishment of the LGU in generating funds to support delivery of public services. A participatory and responsive annual budget as evidenced by budget hearings and effective allocation and utilization of LGU funds congruent with its programs.
Decentralized management guided by the Code of Conduct for e-Sabangan officials and employees, a work program, and performance evaluation and management innovations set Dominguez to supervise his staff.
A supportive chief executive meant competent and professional local government personnel evidenced by the selection of one of its employee as the Most Outstanding Employee of MP, Theodore Velasco  for the Year 2005  awarded during the 2006 Lang-ay festival for excellence in conceptualizing, launching, and managing flagship programs for the municipality of Sabangan. Velasco is a recipient of the DILG-sponsored APD for two consecutive years, 2005 and 2006.
Also, Camen L. Lardizabal was adjudged the Most Outstanding Literacy Worker of the Philippines by the National Literacy Coordinating Council on September 2005. Virginia G. Mangay-at was awarded Most Outstanding Day Care Worker of MP in 2006  by the Provincial Government of MP.
MPDO Salvador O. Decoy was also an awardee on Awards for Partners in Development awarded by the DILG Provincial Office in May 2005. Too, Eveline L. Dalog was adjudged Most Outstanding Agricultural Extension Worker of MP in the Gawad Saka Awards in 2003.
Jup was born in Sabangan from parents Celing Dominguez, former vice governor of Mountain Province and mother Imelda Coto-ong from Taccong, Sagada. He is married to Janet Zarate of Sabangan and they are blessed with six children-four daughters and two sons. He finished Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at St Loius University in 1986.

Friday, April 26, 2019

Natonin's Sas-aliwa festival and propping up abaca


The Sas-aliwa  Festival of  Natonin  is celebrated every  fourth week of April. And  for this year, the  festival is held from  April 22-25 with theme “ Strengthening our cultural heritage and values”
Sas-aliwa  means  getting together, home coming, meeting people and merriment. With this  cultural festival, people from Natonin come together and enjoy the spirit of being one. During this  event, visitors are also welcome to share  the cultural bounty of the people from Natonin- the Balangaos and the Madjukayons.
During this event, local arts and crafts especially products from the profusely grown abaca is  displayed during the event. Abaca  in vast  production is naturally grown in the  hills of  temperate  weathered Natonin. For some time, abaca had been supported by the Department of   Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Fiber Industry Development Authority  (FIDA).  The abaca industry in Natonin still needs support to encourage its industry potential and enhance livelihood of the people.  
Natonin is located between its neighboring  towns corn producing  Paracelis on the eastern side and  the mossy watershed section of the Province at Barlig municipality. Peopled by friendly  and industrious  Balangoas and Madjukayons, local products are raised including  the staple rice, sweet potatoes, corn, legumes and bananas.

Photo credit to jjlandingin


Monday, April 1, 2019

Reaffirming our culture in the 15th Lang-ay Festival


The Lang-ay festival since its inception in 2004 emphasized that culture is a significant facet on the life of people from Mountain Province.  Themes through the festival years has reaffirmed that culture shall be cherished, nurtured, sustained and continued as a way of life among the people of this Province. We refer to the five major ethnolinguistic tribes- Kankanaey and Applai from western Mt Province, Bontoc, and the Balangao and the Baliwon from eastern Mt Province.
              Diverse as we are in costumes, norms and cultural practices, basic values of industry, respect for elders, uprightness,  ‘inayan’ and ‘lawa’, are common among our indigenous tribes. It is something that we cherish and serve as moral guidelines in our dealings with ourselves and with others as well.
             The very theme of the 15th Lang-ay festival this year, “Nurturing our cultural traditions  through indigenous people’s education” aptly calls for the children, the youth and the community to re-affirm and practice our cultural values and practices.
               Very much needed  that the youth, the children, and the community are exposed to social media, the internet and to all kinds of information we are exposed to. And to include tourists and the presence of other people with different cultures who enter our communities. With varied and diverse information and outside culture that influence our very indigenous beliefs and practices, comes a relevant necessity to reinforce the very cultural, age old and time tested values and customary practises that we have.
               With our parents, teachers and leaders in our communities, indigenous people’s education shall come a long way to reaffirm our being as cultural communities and shall never leave us especially the young as they tread the path of their respective careers and vocations conscious of their contributions to their very communities and the whole Mountain Province as one as we celebrate our 15th Lang-ay Festival and festivals more to come. 



Friday, March 22, 2019

Happy Gagayam festival, Sabangan


Sabangan with its Gagayam festival coincides with the annual fiesta in honor of the town’s patron Saint Joseph the Worker. Gagayam as the word connotes refers to a coming together of friends, of neighbors, of clans, of families, of the members of the community to enjoy the camaraderie and belonging to each other. So the festival theme “Sinang -adum ay dinatngan, wanden ta sumyaan” is much emphasized in the Gagayam festival come March 27-30 this year that the people of Sabangan with neighbors and friends come together to celebrate the event and a culture that cements each other for progress, sustainable livelihood  and unity.  For one, Sabangan abounds with coffee Arabica and bananas. From its natural form need processing and packaging when these come in large volumes. Further technical and capital aid to support peoples’ initiatives and effort is needed to market quality products. A support that people, community-based organizations, institutions, and government can collaboratively give.  

Choose the best leader

On this momentous day on May 13, 2019  we shall be choosing our municipal, provincial and national leaders. And so set the tone of lead...