BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — At least 88 percent of the roads in the province of Apayao are unpaved, which makes travel to the different parts of the province inconvenient, especially among foreign and domestic tourists, thus, the need for the Cordillera to achieve self-rule so that it will be able to equitably utilize its available resources, Dr. Virgilio C. Bautista, co-chairman of the Regional Development Council (RDC) in the Cordillera said here Tuesday.

Illustrating how the region is being deprived of national government support to enhance economic development in the countryside, Bautista informed regional line agency directors and other stakeholders during another round of consultation on the renewed pursuit for regional autonomy that only 41.14 of the region’s roads are paved, which is way behind Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) with over 50 percent of its roads paved and the national average of 75 percent.

Records show Kalinga has 79 percent of its roads unpaved followed by Mountain Province with 71 percent. Ifugao has 50.8 percent unpaved roads; Abra, 46 percent; Benguet, 38 percent and Baguio City with no unpaved national roads. (Dexter A. See)

BAGUIO UPGRADES WASTE DISPOSAL

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The management of the Protech Machinery Corp., the sole distributor of the Environmental Recycling System (ERS) machine, predicted a much improved solid waste disposal in this mountain resort city following the installation of two multi-million Japanese-made units purposely aimed at converting tons of biodegradable waste into high grade compost fertilizer.

The 2 ERS machines are now in place in a portion of the city’s 5.2-hectare Irisan dumpsite so that the transfer of biodegradable wastes will be much easier to manage. Luis Lu, Jr., president and chief executive officer of the supplier, informed members of the local media and residents living within the vicinity of the dumpsite that the full operation of the ERS machines will eventually result to the removal of the obnoxious odor being emitted by the garbage dumped daily in the facility as well as the implementation of landscaping around the dumpsite so that it will serve as an eco-park and an added tourist destination. (Dexter A. See)

BULACAN COPS PLAY SANTAS

CAMP GENERAL ALEJO SANTOS, Bulacan, Philippines — Senior Supt. Fernando S. Villanueva, Bulacan police director, together with his police personnel and members of the Quota International-Pampanga Chapter played Santa Clauses at the Northville Resettlement area in Barangay Bangkal, City of Malolos wherein some 200 indigent children received assorted packs of Christmas gifts and foods the other day.

Villanueva said aside from the gifts, the kids were also treated to snacks and chicken meals by members of the Bulacan Police Community Relations branch and Quota officials. (Freddie C. Velez)

TRIKE DRIVERS GET TAX EXEMPTION

PILAR, Bataan, Philippines — Low income-earning tricycle drivers and operators heaved a sigh of relief after they were exempted from paying yearly tax clearance even as they lauded the chief of the Land Transportation Office for approving their tax exemptions.

Newsmen based here learned that in the past several years, operators and drivers of motorcycles were made to pay tax clearance before securing their permits.

They lauded LTO chief Manny “Bong” Da Jose of the Registration division here for his concern to them. (Mar T. Supnad)