No Classes In All School Levels In Benguet On September 30 (Friday)

It's going to be a long weekend for students and teachers in the whole province of Benguet. Governor Cresencio Pacalso has issued an executive order declaring no classes in all school levels on September 30, 2016.

This suspension of classes is part of the province's observance of Teachers' Day. The order affects both public and private educational institutions. Teachers' Day is a special day set aside for the appreciation of teachers and their contributions to society.

The provincial government has activities lined up for the celebrations which include educational talks, presentations, and a pageant dubbed Search for Mr. and Ms. DepEd Benguet.

The Cordilleran Sun file photo.

Here's a part of the executive order by Governor Pacalso dated September 6: "Pursuant to Provincial Ordinance No. 15-170 entitled "An Ordinance Declaring Last Friday of September Every Year as Official teachers' Day in the Province of Benguet and Appropriating Funds Thereof", by the virtue of the powers vested in me as the Provincial Governor of Benguet, I hereby declare that there will be no classes in all levels of public and private schools within the province of Benguet on September 30, 2016, in celebration of Teachers' Day."

Public Advisory: Kennon Road To Be Closed From September 27 To October 3

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has released an advisory stating that Kennon Road will be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic from September 27 (Tuesday) to October 3 (Monday). According to the agency, this is because urgent rehabilitation work needs to be done on the bridge located in Camp 5. 

Kennon Road is among the three major access roads that connect Baguio City and Benguet to the lowlands via the towns of Pugo and Rosario in La Union. With the road's closure, motorists and commuters are being advised to take Marcos Highway instead.

Because of the accidents and landslides that occur on Kennon Road every year, it's considered as one of the most hazardous roads in the Philippines. Majority of these accidents happen during the rainy season.

The DPWH expects the rehabilitation work to be finished on October 3. For motorists or commuters who have further questions, you can contact the regional or provincial offices of the agency.

A portion of Kennon Road. Photo by Ryan Cruz via Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0).

BENECO Notice Of Scheduled Power Interruptions From June 13 To 17

June 13, Monday, 9 am to 5 pm - Purok 7, San Luis Extension, Baguio City; Purok 7, Pinsao Pilot Project, Baguio City; Pleasantville, Guisad Surong, near INC, Baguio City; Upper Ambiong, La Trinidad

June 14, Tuesday, 9 am to 5 pm - Dampingan, Loacan, Itogon; Purok 7, Sunnyside, Fairview, Baguio City; Terry Court, Suello Village, Baguio City

June 15, Wednesday, 9 am to 5 pm - Campo Sioco, Ferdinand Barangay, Baguio City; Acop, Tublay; Delos Reyes Street, Outlook Drive, Baguio City; Corner Military Cut-off, DepEd, SPED, Baguio City

June 16, Thursday, 9 am to 5 pm - Lasong, Nangalisan, Batuan, Penged, Apni, Lumes, San Pascual, Tarong, Tuba, Coplo, Mangi, Sablan

June 17, Friday, 9 am to 5 pm - Parts of Riverside, Central Guisad, Baguio City; Parts of Purok 3, Km. 4 Asin Road, Baguio City

12-Hour Brownout To Hit Several Towns Of Benguet On May 31 (Tuesday)

Eight towns in Benguet will be affected by a scheduled power interruption by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) on May 31, a Tuesday. In a public advisory served by the Benguet Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BENECO), the towns of Atok, Kapangan, Kibungan, Bokod, Kabayan, Buguias, Bakun (except Kayapa Proper), and Mankayan will have no electric power from 6 am to 6 pm on said date.

During the brownout, the following maintenance activities will be implemented: tapping of new disconnect switches along the La Trinidad-Mankayan 69kV lines, replacement of rotten poles and crossarms, and correction of other defects.

For more information about the scheduled power interruption, you may call the cooperative using the following numbers: 442-2295/442-6663/09088657202. Or visit their official website here.

BENECO Notice Of Scheduled Power Interruptions From May 23 To May 27

May 23, Monday, 9 am to 5 pm - Atab, Marcos Highway, Baguio City; parts of Interior A, Balacbac, Baguio City

May 24, Tuesday, 9 am to 5 pm - Bayan Park, Brookspoint, BWD-Busol Pumping Station, Ambiong (Baguio and Trinidad), Mamaga, Balili

May 25, Wednesday, 9 am to 5 pm - parts of Upper Cogcoga, La Trinidad; Quisimbing, Malvar Street, Baguio City; parts of Purok 5, Upper Fairview, Baguio City

May 26, Thursday, 9 am to 5 pm - Holyghost and Holyghost Extension, Baguio City; Purok 7, Camia Street, Fairview

May 27, Friday, 9 am to 5 pm - parts of Legarda Road near Himaya Spa and Pines View Hotel, Baguio City; Pipingew, Lubas, La Trinidad

Reasons for the scheduled power interruptions: Relocation/replacement of poles, rerouting of secondary lines, and rehabilitation of secondary lines.

BENECO Notice Of Scheduled Power Interruptions From April 4 To April 8

April 4, Monday, 9 am to 5 pm - Pocdo, Monticello, Camp 7, Baguio City; Maria Pucay, Guisad Central, Baguio City

April 5, Tuesday, 9 am to 5 pm - Woodsville Subdivision, Camp 7, Baguio City; Mang-os Road, Irisan, Baguio City; parts of Kilometer 5 in Pico (near Summit Bank), La Trinidad; parts of Buyagan, Poblacion, La Trinidad

April 6, Wednesday, 9 am to 5 pm - Binanga Sur, Tuding, Itogon; Lower and Upper Kesbeng, back of Capitol, Poblacion, La Trinidad

April 7, Thursday, 9 am to 5 pm - Bougainville Street, Amparo Heights, Camp 7, Baguio City

April 8, Friday, 9 am to 5 pm - parts of Tawang, parts of Triniville, La Trinidad

BENECO Notice Of Scheduled Power Interruptions From February 22 To February 26

February 22, Monday, 9 am to 5 pm – Parts of Ambuklao and Maria Basa, Baguio City; DPS Compound, Baguio City; Tetep-an Village, Bakakeng, Baguio City; Parts of Lower Brookside, Baguio City

February 23, Tuesday, 9 am to 5 pm – Cresencia Village, Upper Bokawkan Road, Baguio City; Parts of Lower Balacbac, Sto. Tomas Proper, Baguio City; Publacion, Tuba

February 24, Wednesday, 9 am to 5 pm – Supang, Twin River, Mambolo, Tinongdan Proper, Dalupirip, Calew, Cabaritan, Balococ, Cashet, Tabu, Bantic Uling, Lawigen; Inselbeg, Parts of Pines Park, Parts of Tawang-Ambiong crossing, La Trinidad; near Guisad Valley National High School, Baguio City; Brookspoint near barangay hall, Baguio City; BWD, Woodsgate, Camp 7

February 26, Friday, 9 am to 5 pm – Tuding Slide, Itogon; Otek Street near Rizal Park, Baguio City; Lamut Shilan junction, La Trinidad; Cruz going to Mount Kalugong, La Trinidad

Reasons for the scheduled power interruptions:
1. Relocation of secondary pole
2. Rerouting of secondary line
3. Rehabilitation of secondary line
4. Relocation of eroded primary pole
5. Rerouting of primary and secondary line
6. Installation of intermediate poles
7. Correction of primary pole assemblies
8. Correction of primary structure

BENECO Notice Of Scheduled Power Interruption For February 15 To February 19

February 15, Monday, 9 am to 5 pm – Adabong, Caponga, Tublay; parts of Pico, Chinese Village, La Trinidad; parts of Banig, Tawang, La Trinidad; Purok 2, Pinsao Pilot Project and Purok 5, Pinsao Proper, Baguio City; Delia St., Green Valley Subdivision, Dontogan, Baguio City; Monglo, Amocao, Pedawan, Sabdang, Sablan, Palali, Sawali, Sablan

February 16, Tuesday, 9 am to 5 pm – Ucab, Garrison, Malasain, Docut, Baayan, Antamok Trail, Minac, Tram, Canog, Beckel, Antig-in, Tocmo, Labilab, Otso, Loacan, Luneta, Beda, Saldin

February 17, Wednesday, 9 am to 5 pm – Rimando Road, Upper and Lower Brookside to Chinese Hospital DS, Honeymoon Road, Holy Ghost Proper, Laurel St., Bonifacio Street to corner General Luna Road DS, New Lucban, Caguioa Street, T. Alonzo Street Upper Magsaysay Avenue, Center Mall, Dagohoy and Lakandula Street, City Market, Maharlika Building, Tiongsan Harrison, Carantes, Lower Mabini, Diego Silang Street, Calderon Street, Harrison Road, SSS, Governor Pack Road, UC to rotunda, right side of Session Road going up

February 18, Thursday, 9 am to 5 pm – Ampucao, Philex Road, Samoyao, Saddle, Hartwell, Gold Stream, Kias, Lower Liwanag, Loakan Proper, Bubon, EPZA, Pinesville, PMA, Atok Trail, Magsaysay, Apugan, Spring Hills, Loakan, Woodlane Court, Kadaclan Village, VOA, DENR

February 19, Friday, 9 am to 5 pm – Asin Road, Cabluyen, Km 5 Asin Road down to Tadiangan, Asin roads, San Pascual, Tarong; Bengao, Central Bakakeng

As per the BENECO advisory, here are the reasons for the scheduled power interruptions:
1. relocation of primary pole
2. replacement of rotten poles
3. relocation of secondary pole
4. restructuring of primary pole structure
5. replacement of cracked primary pole
6. relocation of sinking primary pole
7. replacement of recloser tank
8. rerouting of primary lines
9. extension of new primary line
10. correction of leaning primary line

12-Hour Brownout To Hit Baguio City And La Trinidad On January 19 (Tuesday)

Charge your phones. Stack up on batteries. Make sure that your electric generator is in working condition. In a public advisory, the Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) has announced that Baguio City, La Trinidad, and Tublay Proper will be experiencing a 12-hour power interruption on January 19 (Tuesday) from six in the morning to six in the afternoon. In the advisory, BENECO cited the energization of a new power transformer and the upgrading of electric poles as the reasons for the 12-hour power interruption.

The whole of Baguio City, La Trinidad, and Tublay Proper will be affected by the scheduled brownout except the following areas:

Upper Ambiong, Ambuklao Road portion, APTS, Sim-sim Compound, Regidor st., Maria Basa, Liteng, Pacdal Circle, Sispno Road, Botanical Garden, Pucsusan, Tavera St., Kneedler St., Poblete Extension, Johnhay, BCC, Country Club Village, Happy Hallow, Lamut, Marlboro Country, DZWT, GMA, RPN, DZBS, Lualhati, Felipe, Moran, Apostol, De Los Reyes, Europa, Modesta, Good Shepperd, Cuneta, Mines View Park areas, Gibraltar, Romulo Drive, Tuding road, Outlook Drive, Mary Hurst, Lucnab, Teachers Camp to Forbes Park DS, Balangabang, DENR Compound

Villamor St., Portion of Outlook Drive, Innsbruck, South Drive, Portion of Paterno St., DPS Compound, Lower Cabinet Hill, Green Water, Wagner Road, Military Cut-off, Sta. Scholastica Village, Dagsian, Hillside, Gabriela Silang, Woodsgate, Camp 8, BWD Dedicated Line, Puliwes, San Vicente, Lower Balsigan, Agpaoa Drive, Milo Subdivision, Woodsville Subdivision, Sarok, Kennon road, Kalinga Pelota Court, Petersville, Amparo Heights, Lexber Heights Phase I, Amistad, Montecello, Richgate Square Phase II, Crest Wood, Eagle Crest Phase I & II

Ciudad Grande Phase I & II, Lexber Heights Phase II, Gumamela, Bakakeng road, New Site SLU-SVP, Forest Gold, Ramsey Pumping, Sto. Nino Subdivision, Camp 7, Kennon road, Pias, Youngland, Mangga, Pongian, Soyuc, Ongasan, Lions Head, Kennon Road,Along Naguilian road, Coca-cola, Yagyagan, Lexber, Camog, Monglo, Amocao, Pedawan, Sabdang, Sablan, Palali, Sawali, La Chesa Subdivision, Blist-Getcha Subdivision, Postalville Subdivision, Genesis Subdivision, Irisan, Cypress, UP Village, Marville Subdivision, CIGI, San Miguel, NPC Subdivision, San Carlos Heights, San Luis Extension, Bermuda Subdivision, Cooyesan, Shangrila Village, San Roque

Lourdes Subdivision, Mirador Hill, Dominican Hill, Hamada Subdivision until St. Vincent DS, Asin Road, Cabluyen, Km 5 Asin Road down to Tadiangan Sectionalizer, Asin roads, San Pascual, Tam-awan Pinsao, Longlong Road, Bato-Longlong to Talingguroy, Bombo Radio, Tacay Road, Pinsao Proper, Araneta/Rainbows End Subdivision, Fairview, Quezon Hill Junction, Quezon Hill 1st and 2nd Road, Easter Road, Manzanillo Subdivision, Richwood Subdivision, Ferguzon Road, Tacay Road-Pinsao, Badihoy St., Dangwa Road, Avelino St., Avelino St. Extension, Rainbow Hills Subdivision, Sepic Road

Photo by Daniel Feliciano (The Cordilleran Sun)

A Call For Help: Girl From La Trinidad, Benguet Has Been Missing Since November 3

Mary-ann Apilado alias Annie, a 14-year-old girl from Tawang, La Trinidad, Benguet, has been reported as missing since November 3. The family of the girl posted flyers around town featuring the girl's face.

If you have seen the girl or if you have information about her whereabouts, your first course of action should be to report it to the authorities. Go to a police station nearest you and report it. If a police precinct isn't near you, get the attention of barangay officials. Or you can call the La Trinidad Municipal Police Station at the following numbers: (074) 422-4344 or 09175857382.

You can also email the station at ltmps@yahoo.com. If you've seen the missing person in municipalities other than La Trinidad, call or get the attention of the police in your town. You can find the list of police contact numbers for Benguet towns here.

Or you can call the number you can see in the poster below circulated by the girl's family: 09481328310.

One of the several posters posted around La Trinidad, Benguet.

A Call For Help: A Pupil From La Trinidad, Benguet Has Been Missing Since October 16

A Grade Five pupil studying at the Tawang Elementary School in La Trinidad, Benguet has been reported missing since October 16 (Friday). According to flyers posted around the town, Cerie Ester Dinoc, a resident of sitio Banig in Tawang was last seen around noon of October 16. The family of the missing girl is appealing to the public for help in bringing her back home.

If you have seen the girl or if you have information about her whereabouts, your first course of action should be to report it to the authorities. Go to a police station nearest you and report it. If a police precinct isn't near you, get the attention of barangay officials. Or you can call the La Trinidad Municipal Police Station at the following numbers: (074) 422-4344 or 09175857382. 

You can also email the station at ltmps@yahoo.com. If you've seen the missing person in municipalities other than La Trinidad, call or get the attention of the police in your town. You can find the list of police contact numbers for Benguet towns here.

Or you can call the numbers you can see in the poster below circulated by the girl's family.

2 Suspects Accused Of Scamming Away 140 Million Pesos From Cordillerans Arrested In Baguio City

Two people who allegedly carted away over 140 million pesos from Cordillerans through a Ponzi investment scheme were arrested last Thursday (September 17) in Baguio City by detectives belonging to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group - North Central Luzon (CIDG-NCL). The two suspects were identified as Villamor Balawag and Genevieve Gantas. Prior to his arrest, Balawag was the 5th most wanted person in the whole province of Benguet.

Balawag was reportedly the manager of PC Wellness, a company with an office that used to be located at the Pettersen Building along Kilometer 4 in La Trinidad, Benguet. Gantas was an employee of the company. CIDG operatives swooped in to take the two into custody after Judge Danilo Camacho issued warrants of arrest for syndicated estafa against the two suspects.

Balawag's investment scheme reportedly divested over 140 million pesos from 130 Cordillerans. Balawag allegedly promised the investors at least 35% interest on the money they push into his company. The company closed in March of this year, just six months after it was established.

For people who aren't familiar with the way a Ponzi scheme works, here's a short overview courtesy of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission:
"A Ponzi scheme is an investment fraud that involves the payment of purported returns to existing investors from funds contributed by new investors. Ponzi scheme organizers often solicit new investors by promising to invest funds in opportunities claimed to generate high returns with little or no risk. In many Ponzi schemes, the fraudsters focus on attracting new money to make promised payments to earlier-stage investors to create the false appearance that investors are profiting from a legitimate business."

Schedule Of BENECO Power Interruption For September 21 To September 24

September 21, Monday, 9 am to 5 pm - Agpaoa Drive, Sarok and Sarok BWD, Camp 7, Petersville Subdivision, Amparo Heights and parts of Lexber Subdivision, Engineers Hill, parts of Marcoville

September 22, Tuesday, 9 am to 5 pm - San Carlos Heights, NPC Subdivision and parts of Irisan, Dagsian, parts of Anteg-in in Loacan, Itogon

September 23, Wednesday, 9 am to 5 pm - Bineng, Sitio Liwliw, Sitio Ud Udan, KIAS, Pinesville Subdivision, PMA, Atok Trail, Bubon

September 24, Thursday, 9 am to 5 pm - Quirino Hill, Dizon Subdivision, Upper/Lower Pinget, Dreamland Subdivision, Baguio Gold in Tuding, Itogon

Huge Parts Of Baguio City, La Trinidad, Sablan, And Tuba To Experience 2-Hour Brownout On July 10

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has served a notice of a scheduled shutdown of some of its transmission facilities in the province of Benguet. Due to this, large parts of Baguio City, La Trinidad, Sablan, and Tuba will experience a two-hour power interruption on Friday (July 10) from 8 am to 10 am.

The Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) divulged that the interruption will allow them to fix and replace damaged insulators that were struck by lightning last month. The areas to be affected by the two-hour power interruption are as follows:

1) The whole town of Sablan.
2) The whole town of La Trinidad except Beckel.
3) The whole of Tuba except Camp 4, Camp 3, Camp 1, Twin Peaks, Tabaan Norte, Tabaan Sur, and Ansagan.
4) The whole of Baguio City except parts of Pacdal, Teachers Camp, Gibraltar, Mines View, Pucsusan, Lualhati, Outlook Drive, South Drive, Country Club, Happy Hallow, Lucnab, Military Cut-Off, Green Water, Sta. Escolastica, Camp 8, BGH Compound, San Vicente, Poliwes, Gabriela Silang, Upper and Lower Dagsian, Scout Barrio, Loakan Proper, Loakan Liwanag, Camp 7, Apugan Loakan, Fort Del Pilar, Atok Trail, and Kias.

Photo by Daniel Feliciano / The Cordilleran Sun

ALERT: Parts Of Itogon And Baguio City To Experience Power Interruption Tomorrow

Residents in Baguio City and in the town of Itogon are being reminded of the scheduled electrical power interruption tomorrow (June 11). In a public advisory, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said that parts of Itogon and Baguio City will have no power from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The affected areas in the municipality of Itogon are as follows - Poblacion, Tinongdan, Dalupirip, Dalicno, Ampucao, and Virac.

The affected areas in Baguio City are as follows - Kias, Pinesville Subdivision, Philippine Military Academy, Fort Del Pilar, Atok Trail, Loakan Proper, Liwanag, Apugan, Voice of America, and DENR Loakan.

Additionally, the following areas in Baguio City will have no power from 10 p.m. of June 11 until 6 a.m. of the next day (June 12) - New Lucban, Teodora Alonzo, ABCR,. Sto. Nino-Slaughter Compound, Kagitingan, Malcolm Square-Perfecto, Bagong Lipunan, Harrison-Claudio Carantes, parts of Session Road (right side going up), and Maharlika Livelihood Center.

The Cordilleran Sun file photo.