The joint research project of the UP-D and UC Berkeley enables basic
calls and text at a fraction of the cost versus traditional commercial
cellular networks.
The initiative entitled “Village Base
Station-Connecting Communities through Mobile Networks” or
VBTS-CoCoMoNets bested 236 other entries from 28 countries across Asia
to grab the ISIF Asia Awards 2018, a program supporting creative
internet solutions to development needs in the Asia Pacific to achieve
positive social and economic development.
VBTS-CoCoMoNets’ project leader Dr. Cedric Angelo Festin from UP
College of Engineering’s Department of Computer Science and project
investigator Dr. Eric Brewer from UC Berkeley’s Electrical Engineering
and Computer Sciences, together with their team, will receive a cash
prize amounting to USD3,500 or PhP185,500.
The VBTS-CoCoMoNets addresses the lack of mobile phone access by
establishing community cellular networks (CCNs) in rural sites in the
Philippines. The CCNs is a low-power, low-cost 2G base station that
enables users to make basic calls and text in areas that traditional
commercial cellular networks cannot reach.
To date, the following remote barangays in the Aurora province are
benefiting from the VBTS-CoCoMoNets: barangay Dikapinisan, sitio
Diotorin in barangay Dibayabay, barangay Dibut, and sitio Limbok Sabang
in barangay Umiray These sites, nestled in the Sierra Madre mountains
facing the Pacific Ocean, are home to some members of the indigenous
peoples of the province. Two more CCNs are expected to be established by
the end of the year.
Aside from the cash prize, the winners also bagged a travel grant to
the 2018 Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Paris, France on November 12
to 14, 2018. The project will also be featured as part of the Seed
Alliance Awards ceremony on November 13, 2018.(Merlina Hernando-Malipot)
Source of News and photo: Manila Bulletin/PCARI
Some 19 barangay captains all from Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental met with officers and
enlisted personnel of the 62nd Infantry Battalion of the 3rd Army Infantry
Division yesterday at the City Hall.
Lieutenant Colonel Egberto O. Dacoscos, Commanding Officer of the unit,
together with Lt. Col. Antonio Tumnog (INF) PA-Bde Ex-O, 1Lt. Maria Allein U.
Veluz (FS)- AS7, 1Lt. Dexter N. Seragon (FA) PA-CO, BCoy, 1Lt. Raymond D.
Jmaisal- CO, CCoy attended the Association of Brgy. Captains (ABC) meeting.
President of the ABC, Brgy. Captain Benjamin Jose Sian of Brgy. III-
Poblacion presided the meeting.
Topic discussed was about the ongoing CSP deployment in Brgy. Buenavista,
Brgy. Carabalan and Brgy. Mahalang.
Prior to the discussion proper, Lt. Col. Tumnog gave a background to all
brgy. captains about the propaganda of the terrorists group CPP-NPA and how they
exploit issues to influence and create an organization that will go against the
government.
In addition, a video about the Peace Rally in Negros Occidental was presented
to show that the NPA group already succeeded in organizing sympathizers.
Company commanders of Bravo and Charlie companies presented an update
regarding their CSP effort in the areas of Buenavista, Carabalan and Mahalang.
Such presentation gave emphasis to the insurgency of the terrorist group that
was being traced up from history.
After the update, an open forum was conducted wherein Brgy. Captain Cherrie
Hope M. Belarga of Su-ay suggested to all other brgy. captains that they should
give their full support through giving information to the law enforcement
agencies and investigate if necessary whenever there are suspicious groups in
their areas.
Other barangay leaders also showed their active participation by asking
questions.
Lt. Col. Dacoscos highlighted and shared about the incident that happened at
Panciao, Manjuyod showing the merciless acts done by the CPP-NPA Terrorist group
wherein the barangay captain was killed in the midst of his service and loyalty
to his people. In order to prevent same incident to happen again, all barangay
leaders present in the meeting were reminded that they should give their full
support to the government.
They should not be deceived by the issues being propagated by the anti-people
and anti-peace terrorist group. They should be reminded who are the real enemies
and that the legitimate soldiers are always ready to bring peace and progress,
he said.
Dacoscos added that, “We are of peace and not on threatening others. It is
our dedication to service and duty that push us to do risky things like this.
Your full support is highly needed in order to meet the objective of winning
peace because we cannot succeed if only our organization puts endeavor for this.
This is a collaborative effort.”(62IB)
Source of news and photo: Negros Daily Bulletin
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
Officer-In-Charge Secretary Eduardo M. Año enjoined barangays to
utilize the social media, particularly Facebook and Twitter, to inform
and remind residents of the barangay activities.
Barangay officials are urged as early as now to drumbeat
public awareness and generate participation of their constituents particularly to the
upcoming Barangay Assembly in all 42,044 barangays in the country on
October 14.
“Social media is
far-reaching and nowadays most Filipinos get news and public advisory
online. Use this platform as we now embrace e-governance,” he said in a
news release issued Monday.
He also urged the public to attend Barangay Assembly in their communities as their “right and responsibility.”
The
conduct of Barangay Assembly is mandated by Republic Act No. 7160 or
the Local Government Code which states that it should be conducted “at
least twice a year to hear and discuss the semestral report of the
barangay concerning its activities and finances as well as problems
affecting the barangay.”
Año reminded that barangay officials’
failure to hold a Barangay Assembly can be a case for administrative
complaint that may be filed by a concerned citizen or governmental or
non-governmental entity before the Sangguniang Panlungsod or Sangguniang
Bayan or to the Office of the Ombudsman.
“To the public, make use
of your right to have an interface with your barangay officials on
issues that affect your community. To barangay officials, ensure maximum
participation and meaningful discussion with your constituents,” he
said.
Aside from using social media, Año encourages barangays to
do medical or dental mission and cultural presentations to garner higher
attendance in Barangay Assembly.
Barangay executives are also
told to post or hang Barangay Assembly posters or banners in conspicuous
places in the barangay like the barangay hall, plaza, main streets,
transport terminals and market or talipapa.
As for DILG field
officers, Año directed them to urge barangays to live stream their
Barangay Assembly through Facebook Live and post pictures and videos of
the assembly in various social media platforms such as Facebook,
Twitter, and Instagram using the hashtag #barangayassembly2018 on
October 14.
Recognizing exemplary barangays
Meanwhile,
DILG spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Jonathan E. Malaya, disclosed
that the DILG through its National Barangay Operations Office (NBOO)
will be showcasing exemplary barangays.
DILG field offices have
been directed to identify before October 5 a barangay in their
jurisdiction that is not included in the list of drug affected barangays
of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and has created or
reorganized its Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC).
Its
BADAC must particularly have a Committee on Operations and Advocacy and
an Auxiliary Team. It should have also allocated a substantial portion
of barangay's annual budget for anti-illegal drugs programs, projects
and activities. It must have established Referral Rehabilitation Desk
with a designated duty officer.
“The DILG recognizes that in the
exercise of general supervision over local governments, acknowledgment
of good performing local government units have a multiplying and
motivational effect for others to do the same or do better,” Malaya
said.
The theme of the Barangay Assembly on October 14 is
“Nagkakaisang komunidad tungo sa Mapayapa, Maunlad at Matiwasay na
Barangay”.
Barangay Assembly is held every last Saturday of March and second Sunday of October based on Proclamation No. 260. (DILG PR)
Source of news and photo: Philippine News Agency
A groundbreaking ceremony was held recently at Barangay Goin, Liloy
town by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) for the construction of a
peanut processing center.
This will be implemented through the Village Level Farm-focused
Enterprise Development (VLFED) Project which will benefit some 85
members of Goin Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative
(GARBEMCO).
The groundbreaking ceremony was led by Regional Director Julita A.
Ragandang, Assistant Regional Directors lawyer Ramon Madronal, Jr. and
Engr Agnes Maata with Mayor Roberto L. Uy, Jr. of Liloy town.
The total project cost is about P439,200 with a counterpart from the
local government unit of Liloy. 68% of the total amount will be
shouldered by DAR while the remaining 32% will come from the LGU-Liloy.
The VLFED Project aims to produce peanut products compliant with the
Food and Drug Administration-Licensed to Operate (FDA-LTO) and create
additional livelihood opportunities for the farmer beneficiaries who
have limited capital and don’t have sufficient income.
As a manifestation of their total commitment of support for the
implementation of the project, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing
also took place during the ground-breaking.
Among the signatories of the MOA are DAR-9 Regional Director Julita
Ragandang, Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Agrarian Reform Program
Officer II Arturo Soria, DTI-Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Director
Maridel Dengal, DOST-Zamboanga del Norte head Merilyn Cadag, VLFED
Point Person Eva Soropia, GARBEMCO Chairman Roberto Callao, Liloy Mayor
Roberto L. Uy Jr., and Goin Barangay Chairman Hilario Años.
The MOA signing was witnessed by other DAR regional and provincial
employees, DTI and DOST employees, municipal and barangay officials,
employees and GARBEMCO members. (Alfonso T. Ruda)
Source of news and photo: Philippine Information Agency
A brawl and reports of vote-buying marred the barangay
and Sangguniang Kabataan elections here on Saturday, as the polls
finally pushed through after a postponement in May.
In a polling center in Barangay Lumbac Madaya, police had to fire
warning shots to break up a fight among supporters of competing
candidates.
Voting was momentarily suspended as authorities addressed the
situation and was resumed immediately after those involved were
arrested.
A group of election observers called Citizens Coalition for ARMM
Electoral Reforms said the incident was nothing compared to past
election violence in the area.
"Now, at least we are sure the shots were all coming from the authorities and none from the civilians," an observer said.
A civilian was also, meanwhile, held for questioning after he was
found with campaign flyers with P20 bills attached to them. The civilian
denied buying votes but has yet to explain to Commission on Elections
(COMELEC) officials.
The Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) and authorities hope to
finish the voting before nightfall as there are no lights inside the
polling place.
Elections for areas most affected by last year's siege were held in
the Sagonsongan Elementary School, a temporary learning center inside
the shelter for internally displaced persons (IDP).
Police and military personnel were deployed at the entrance and exit points of the school, and near the voting centers.
Marawi is currently under rehabilitation after the five-month siege
between state forces and Islamic State-linked terrorists in the area
left the city in shambles and thousands of residents displaced.
Source of news: abs-cbn news. Photo credit: Philippine Information Agency
The orientation of newly-elected barangay officials is now completed
in five municipalities of Antique, the Department of the Interior and
Local Government (DILG) reported.
Cherryl P. Tacda, DILG-Antique
director, said in an interview on Friday, that the three-day program
began in different venues in the province last Sept. 15. These are the
towns of Barbaza, Laua-an, Sibalom, Culasi, and Tobias Fornier.
She
said the participants were organized in batches and composed of 100 to
120 barangay officials, including their secretaries and treasurers.
The DILG targets to finish the orientation by October or November in the province’s 18 municipalities.
She
said the activity is very important for barangay officials as it
orients them how to come up with their own internal rules and
procedures, to reorganize and make functional the different councils and
committees, such as the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council, how to
appropriate their budget, and to activate their advocacies and
information gathering.
The output, she said, is also the plans and programs for the first 100 days of the barangay captain and other officials.
The
barangay officials, who assumed their posts last June 30, are expected
to report their accomplishments for the first 100 days during the
synchronized barangay assembly on October 14.
She said she is expecting a 100-percent participation of the province’s 590 barangays in the assembly.
Tacda
said they have already informed the newly elected barangay officials to
prepare for the assembly after receiving Memorandum Circular (MC)
2018-151 for the conduct of the assembly this second semester of 2018.
“We
hope all the barangays in the province would participate in this
synchronized activity nationwide,” Tacda said, adding that barangay
assembly is held twice a year.
“We also encourage the constituents
to take time to participate because it would be an opportunity for them
to hear the plans, ongoing projects, and even the financial statement
of the barangay,” she added.
Meanwhile, if it is not really
feasible for the barangays to join the synchronized assembly, they can
have it after a day or two.
Source of news: Philippine News Agency. Photo Credit: Annabele Petinglay
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Voters in war-torn Marawi City will finally get to elect their village and youth leaders tomorrow, September 22.
The Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls will be held in Marawi
City nearly five months after the holding of the nationwide village and
youth polls in May.
The
Commission on Elections earlier deferred the village and youth polls in
Marawi City owing to prevailing conditions there following the conduct
of three public consultations in Mindanao whether or not to postpone
said polls in the entirety of the region.
Despite the poll postponement and the destruction caused by the
hostilities last year, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez believes this
will not discourage voters from voting.
“I don’t think it will dampen their enthusiasm… our belief is that we will have a healthy voter turnout,” he said.
“In the south, it has always been a high voter turnout. They are politically active and very motivated to vote,” added Jimenez.
The Comelec said casting of votes in the different voting centers is from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
But if at 3 pm, there are still voters within 30 meters in front of
the polling place, who have not yet cast their votes, voting shall
continue but only to allow said voters to cast their votes as long their
names have been listed by the Poll Clerk.
Voters will vote for one barangay chairman, seven barangay kagawad, one SK chairman, and seven SK kagawad.
According to Comelec, there were a total of 234, who filed their
certificates of candidacy (COC) for barangay chairman; while another 862
filed COC for barangay kagawad.
There were also 162 COC filed for SK chairman, and 193 COC filed for SK Kagawad.
Counting and canvassing of votes, as well as the proclamation of
winning candidates, shall immediately be done after the closing of
polls.
Prohibited acts on Election Day include campaigning, selling, buying,
offering, or taking intoxicating liquor; and opening of booths or
stalls for the sale of merchandise or refreshments within 30 meters of
the polling places.
Also prohibited are giving or accepting free transportation, food, or
anything of value; and holding of fairs, cockfights, boxing, or horse
races.
Violators of the prohibited acts could be held liable for committing
an election offense, which is punishable by one to six years
imprisonment, removal of right to vote, and disqualification from public
office.
There are a total of 50,893 registered voters for the barangay elections.
On the other hand, a total of 25,491 SK voters are eligible to cast their votes.
Source of news: Manila Bulletin. Photo credit: Philippine Star
