THROWBACK: First Assignment

THROWBACK: First Assignment

My team and I just can't forget our first time -- covering the day's news events as a reporter for the LGU (local government unit), that is. I don't know why, but we realized this after someone among us suddenly resigned and a 'newbie' took over her post. Let me recount how I myself started.

As I remember it, my very first event happened on August 18, 2016, according to a photo stamp. It was a distribution of free galvanized iron roofing materials by the DSWD for residents whose homes were badly damaged by a recent typhoon. The distribution was held at the old municipal covered court, in front of which was a stage that strangely didn't match the position of the covered court. It was a hot and humid day, and there was a huge and noisy crowd, but I braved the scene, going right in the middle of the action, at the center of which was the first department head I would get to know. I learned that she was Ma'am Lerma Padagas, the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer. She was often referred to as the Mother Teresa of Bayambang.

Common sense dictated that I could not interview her while in the middle of things, so I backed off and observed the goings-on instead. But Ma'am Lerma was so kind she told me to interview her instead at her office when I dared anyway to ask her a question or two.

A few moments later...

It was quite humid inside her cramped office -- I don't know why, but she said it had been a problem for a long time. Looking around her, I saw nothing but mostly female strangers, except for someone I knew from childhood: Grace! What a pleasant surprise! I said to her something like, "Hi, hello, how are you, why are you here!?" In no time, I was able to get all the data I needed this way.

I went back to my borrowed desk at the Municipal Library, a space I borrowed together with the Media Affairs Officer, Dr. Letty Ursua, and other consultants, and Tourism Officer Chris Gozum, the one who, just the day before, tipped me about a vacant position that fit my experience and professional qualifications. As I was settling down and I was not yet even finished writing down my draft, what would I learn from my fellow new hire, Lilia, who was to serve as my informant, but that there was another thing going on, so I went, but I can't remember this part for now.

In the afternoon, I found out that another department head was holding a dialogue with Brgy. Magsaysay residents at the Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall. It was the Municipal Assessor, Ma'am Annie de Leon, facing an audience among whom was someone I knew: Mrs. Lim. To get to the venue, I had to climb a flight of stairs that looked too steep it made me palpitate a bit at the first step.

I had to wait for her meeting to finish before I was able to gather some helpful information. And what an uncomfortable information it was, I was to learn, because it involved something about untitled land parcels that reportedly belonged to the municipal government, according to records, that the residents had been occupying for years for free.

It was after this moment that I had an anxiety attack upon reaching the lobby of the Municipal Hall. Looking back, I think I got overwhelmed by my first day assignments: all so sudden, without warning, and coming in threes. I thought, "If this is a typical day at the LGU, I am not sure if I could survive here."

Fortunately, the municipal administrator, Atty Raj., who recommended me to the mayor for hiring must have been tipped about what happened. Soon, she told me to look for another reporter "kasi mapapagod ka." And that is how I was able to hire Darwin Magalong, a Journ graduate of UP Baguio, as news reporter (who is now a fire officer at BFP).

Anyway, that news story was the very first article that I was able to submit to our ICT people for publication in both our new official website and Facebook page.

I'm not sure how I got by, how I have been surviving each challenging day on my tenth year at LGU-Bayambang. I know I couldn't have pulled it off without the assistance of a dozen talented people: overall manager, thinkers, creatives, visionaries, media point person, deputies, fellow writer-editors, layout artists, ICT people, videographers, video editors, photographers, runners... and an army of informants. There indeed must be a God who is considerate to me despite my inadequacies, faults, and failings.

***

Most Unforgettable Assignment

As for the most unforgettable event, I, another writer (Verna), and our assigned photographer (JV) that day were surprisingly unanimous in saying that an event thrown for local young PWDs was the one event that shocked us in a way that we had never predicted. (It topped my interview with an OFW from Jordan who was treated like a slave by her haughty female Muslim Arab employers who fancied themselves to be princesses, and was raped by the man in that evil family, and another interview I had with a woman who was jailed in China and was able to come back home with a bald head as among her punishments.)

We can't quite forget the scene which was held at the now fully air-conditioned Balon Bayambang Events Center. It was supposedly a surprise birthday party thrown by Ms. Babet, a nurse at the Rural Health Unit I together with the church she belonged to, Victory, and the Nutrition Office. The target beneficiaries soon arrived at the venue one by one, and the event started in no time.

The moment we saw the kids, especially the most disabled ones with tubes attached to their noses, either on wheelchair or in the arms of their parents, we found out how we couldn't stand the sight of each. Even without talking to each other, we found ourselves feeling so stressed fighting back our tears while witnessing the whole affair. In the middle of the event, just when things were about to heat up, we left one by one without saying a word after we got enough details.

Now with the three of us back in the office, that was when all hell broke loose, as we were able to unload our feelings and verbally exclaim the pangs of pity and sadness that we felt but tried to bottle deep inside.

(Raw, unedited, unfiltered photos by JV. I am not in any of the photos because incorrigibly introverted me studiously avoid getting photographed in events I cover, haha.)

MONDAY REPORT – AUGUST 4, 2025

 

MONDAY REPORT – AUGUST 4, 2025

 

[INTRO]

 

NEWSCASTER 1: Isang masaya at produktibong umaga, Bayambang! Ako po si Valentine Garcia dela Cruz.

 

NEWSCASTER 2: At ako naman po si Drey Galsim, at kami ay mula sa Tanggapan ng Tagapangasiwa ng Bayan.  Handog namin ang mga balitang sumasalamin sa bayang progresibo.

 

NEWSCASTER 1: Sama-sama nating sulyapan ang mga kwentong nagpapakita ng malasakit at aksyon.

 

NEWSCASTER 2: Ito ang inyong lingguhang ka-partner sa impormasyon…

 

SABAY: Ang… BayambangueNews!

 

***

 

[SALITAN NA KAYO RITO]

 

1.     Relief Operations, Nagpatuloy

A. Naging puspusan ang rescue and relief operations ng MDRRMC-Bayambang sa gitna na malawakang pagbaha, lalo na sa mga mabababang barangay. Nagtulung-tulong ang miyembro ng Quick Response Team upang makapaghatid ng relief goods sa mga binuksang evacuation center.

 

B. Nagmigay naman ng libreng checkup, prophylaxis, at bitamina ang mga RHU sa mga apektadong indibidwal.

 

C. Nagkusang-loob naman ang lahat ng mga opisyal at iba't ibang pribadong grupo sa paghahatid ng karagdagang tulong sa mga lubhang nasalanta, kaya’t buhay na buhay ang bayanihan at pagiging madiskarte sa bayan ng Bayambang.

 

2.     Pamilyang Nasunugan sa Bical Sur, Tinulungan

Isang pamilyang nasunugan sa Brgy. Bical Sur noong July 20 ang hinatiran ng tulong ng LGU. Matapos apulain ng BFP ang sunog, nagtungo ang MDRRMO para mag-rapid damage assessment, at namigay naman ang MSWDO ng relief packs at financial aid. Inaabisuhan ang publiko na patuloy na mag-ingat at maging mapagmatyag, dahil hindi komo maulan o may bagyo ay hindi na masusunugan.

 

3.     Declogging Operation, Isinagawa sa Zone IV

Matapos mag-ulat ang isang insidente ng oil spill sa drainage ng Zone IV, agad itong pinuntahan ng ESWMO at agad ding nagsagawa ng declogging operation ang Engineering Office at ang barangay council, kasama ang BFP noong July 26. Patuloy na mino-monitor ng mga kinauukulan ang lugar. Tinitiyak na pananagutin sa batas ang sinumang may kagagawan nito. Pinaalalahanan naman ang lahat na labag sa batas ang di maayos na pagtatapon ng hazardous waste.    

 

4.     Mayor Niña, May Pasabog sa Flag Ceremony!

 

A. Noong July, sinurpresa ni Mayor Niña ang mga kawani ng LGU-Bayambang sa kanyang unang personal na pagdalo sa flag ceremony matapos ang ilang buwan. Sa kanyang talumpati, inanunsyo niya ang pagdodonate ng pamilya ng isang milyong pisong tulong sa mga nasalantang magsasaka.

 

B. Matapos siyang magpasalamat sa lahat ng naging responders at volunteers na tumulong sa rescue and relief operations, siya ay nanawagan sa publiko na pairalin ang disiplina, partikular na sa tamang pagtatapon ng basura upang maiwasan ang pagbara sa mga imburnal.

 

C. Inanunsyo rin niya ang pagsasampa ng kaso laban sa mga may illegal jumper connections sa 17 barangays at tulong para sa reconnection fees ng mga naputulang streetlights.

 

5.     Mga Kapitan, Pinulong ukol sa Calamity Fund

Noong July 24, pinulong ng LGU ang mga Punong Barangay sa Pinoy Workers Center upang talakayin ang tamang proseso ng paglalabas ng Calamity Fund at Quick Response Fund, kasunod ng deklarasyon ng State of Calamity. Nilinaw rin sa pulong ang mga isyu sa ayuda mula sa MSWDO at replacement project ng MDRRMO para sa mga barangay na may generator set.

 

6.     Korean Volunteers, Nakipag-ugnayan sa LGU

Noong July 28, bumisita ang Asez Wao, isang international youth volunteer group, sa LGU-Bayambang upang mag-alok ng kanilang mga serbisyo para sa mga programang pangkalinisan at iba pang aktibidad. Bitbit nila ang kanilang “Plastic Free Challenge 2040” campaign at nagpasimula rin ang mga ito ng isang signature drive para sa kalikasan.

 

7.     Task Force Disiplina Members, Nag-seminar

Noong July 28, sumabak sa isang orientation-seminar ang lahat ng miyembro ng Task Force Disiplina, sa pangunguna ni Dr. Cezar Quiambao. Bahagi ng seminar ang mga lektyur sa courtesy, discipline, at physical conditioning bilang paghahanda sa implementasyon ng Disiplina Zones sa Agosto 1.

 

8.     TODA Members, Pinulong ukol sa Disiplina Zone

Noong July 28, pinulong ang mga miyembro ng TODA bilang bahagi ng paghahanda sa pagpapatupad ng Disiplina Zones sa bayan. Dito ay tinalakay ang mga patakaran at dininig ang mga saloobin ng mga tsuper. Inanunsyo rin ang pamamahagi ng libreng uniporme para sa mga TODA members mula kina SATOM Cezar Quiambao, Board Member Raul Sabangan, at Concilor Zerex Terrado.

 

9.     ₱1M Donasyon, Inihandog sa mga Magsasaka

Nagbigay ng isang milyong pisong tulong noong Julyo 28 ang pamilya Quiambao-Jose para sa mga nasalantang magsasaka ng Bayambang, sa pamamagitan ng Niña Cares Foundation. Ang MAO ang mangunguna sa pagtukoy ng mga benepisyaryo ng ayuda.

 

10. 51st Nutrition Month Celebration, Naging Matagumpay

 

A.    Senior Citizens, Sumali sa Nutri-Bingo

Noong July 28, nagdaos ang mga RHU at ng MNAO ng isang katuwaang bingo game para sa mga senior citizen at PWD bilang parte ng Nutrition Month celebration. Bukod sa kasiyahan, tampok dito ang mga lektyur sa tamang nutrisyon at kausugan at libreng lab tests para sa kalusugan.

 

B.     Mayor Niña, Nagbigay ng Bigas

Kasabay nito, namigay si Mayor Niña ng surpresang tig-sampung kilong bigas sa lahat ng mga lumahok sa nasabing aktibidad.

 

C.   MNAO, May Healthy Food Treats Muli

Tuwing Lunes sa buwan ng Hulyo, nagpamahagi ng libreng healthy food treats ang MNAO sa mga kawani ng munisipyo bilang bahagi ng Nutrition Month celebration. Layunin nitong hikayatin ang pagkain ng masusustansyang pagkain sa LGU sa halip na mga junk food.

 

D.    Mga Barangay, Paaralan at CDC, Nakiisa sa Nutrition Month

Sa buong buwan ng Hulyo, nakiisa ang mga barangay at mga paaralan, kabilang ang mga Child Development Center, sa selebrasyon ng 51st National Nutrition Month sa pamamagitan ng iba't ibang aktibidad. May mga nagsagawa ng pagrampa ng mga buntis, Mother's Class graduation, at pamamahagi ng food packs at vitamins, lecture, slogan and poster making contest, nutri-quiz, at cookfest, at iba pa.

 

E.     Culmination Day, Punung-Puno ng Aktibidad

Ang Culmination Day noong July 31 sa Events Center ay naging punung-puno ng masasayang aktibidad. Kabilang dito ang awarding of winners sa Amazing Race Season 2, Search for Nutrition A1 Child, at Search for Most Outstanding BNS; recognition of active donors and sponsors; at ukay-ukay for a cause with live selling and fashion show ng BPRAT; at mayroon pang food fair bilang fund-raising activity.

 

 

11. PNP-Bayambang, Binigyan ng Bahay Kubo

Noong July 25, ipinagkaloob ng Office of the Mayor ang isang bahay kubo na nagkakahalaga ng ₱75,000 sa PNP-Bayambang bilang pansamantalang opisina at pahingahan sa checkpoint sa Brgy. Nalsian Sur. Layunin nitong suportahan ang kapulisan sa kanilang tungkulin lalo na sa panahon ng matinding panahon.

 

12. MDRRMC, Nagsagawa ng RDANA

Isinagawa ng MDRRMC ang Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis o RDANA noong Hulyo 28 upang agad na matukoy ang lawak ng pinsalang dulot ng mga bagyong Crising, Dante, at Emong kasabay ng habagat. Aabot sa 2,948 na sambahayan o 15,080 na katao ang apektado ng pagbaha sa iba’t ibang barangay.

 

13.  Regional at Provincial RDANA Team, Bumisita

 

Kasunod nito ay ang pagbisita naman ng Region I at probinsya upang magsagawa ng sariling RDANA noong July 29. Kasama ang MDRRMO, sinuri ang lawak ng pinsala at tinukoy ang mga agarang pangangailangan ng mga apektadong barangay upang magsilbing batayan ng mga isusunod na tulong at aksyon ng gobyerno. ‎

 

14. 2 Pasyente, Naipagamot ng MAC

 

Dalawang pasyente ang tinulungan ng Mayor's Action Center at Bayambang Public Safety Office upang maoperahan ng libre. Sila ay sina Aljohn Aquino ng Brgy. Langiran na nagpaopera ng hemorroid sa Region I Medical Center at Samuel Mendoza ng Manambong Norte na nagpa-opera sa puso sa Philippine Heart Center. Patuloy silang inaasistehan ng MAC at BPSO sa kanilang mga follow-up check-up.

 

15. Economic and Infra Sector, Nag-update para sa 2^nd Quarter

 

Noong July 29, pinulong ang lahat ng miyembro ng Economic and Infrastructure Development sector kaugnay ng Bayambang Poverty Reduction Plan 2018-2028 upang mag-update at magmonitor ng mga proyekto at aktibidad na nakahanay para sa naturang sektor para sa second quarter.

 

16. P5M Financial Aid, Tulong sa Nasalantang Farmers

Ang LGU ay nagbigay ng apat na milyong piso bilang tulong sa mga magsasakang naapektuhan ng matinding pag-ulan at pagbaha. Ang apat na milyon ay nagmula sa Calamity Fund, habang ang isang milyon naman ay personal na donasyon ng pamilya Quiambao-Jose. Dumaan sa maingat na assessment at verification process ang 2,500 qualified farmers mula sa Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture.

 

17. Budget Forum, Isinagawa

Sa Budget Forum na idinaos ng Municipal Budget Office noong July 30, tinalakay ang hinggil sa pampinansyal na direksyon ng bayan. Binigyang-diin ang kahalagahan ng maayos na budget preparation process, kabilang ang timeline ng key activities, at ang paghahanda para sa nakatakdang budget hearing, upang masiguro ang organisado at transparent na pamamahala ng pondo ng bayan.

 

18. Iba’t Ibang Isyu, Tinutukan sa ManCom Meeting

Sa ginanap na Management Committee Meeting noong July 30, tinalakay ang mga mahahalagang isyu kaugnay ng operasyon, programa, at serbisyong ibinibigay ng lokal na pamahalaan. Tinukoy sa pulong ang mga suliraning nangangailangan ng agarang aksyon, at mga hakbang tungo sa maayos na paglilikod sa mga Bayambangueño.

 

19.  Task Force Disiplina, Pormal nang Ipatutupad ang Disiplina Zones!

 

Sa unang araw ng Agosto, inilunsad ng LGU ang pagpapatupad ng Disiplina Zones sa bayan ng Bayambang. Sa ilalim ng bagong programang ito, ibayong paiigtingin ng Task Force ang pagpapatupad ng lahat ng mga batas na dapat ay matagal nang sinusunod ng lahat. Dumalo sa formal launching ang lahat ng empleyado ng LGU na na-deputize upang maghuli ng sinumang lumalabag nang walang kinikilingan, bukod pa sa PNP, mga sundalo, at ang Bayambang Public Safety Office. Inaasahan ang pakikiisa ng lahat, dahil sa disiplinadong mamamayan, uunlad ang bayan ng Bayambang!

 

***

 

[OUTRO]

 

NEWSCASTER 1: Dito sa Bayambang, bawat proyekto ay may layuning makapaglingkod nang tapat at may puso.

 

NEWSCASTER 2: At bawat kwento, tagumpay nating lahat bilang isang komunidad.

 

NEWSCASTER 1: Ako pong muli si Valentine dela Cruz Garcia, kasama sa paglalahad ng mga kaganapan sa bayan.

 

NEWSCASTER 2: At ako si Drey Galsim, mula sa Tanggapan ng Tagapangasiwa ng Bayan. Magsama-sama tayong muli para sa susunod na ulat!

 

SABAY: Ito ang… BayambangueNews!

 

 

 

Turning into Amphibian (A quick survey of lessons from the recent flood)

Turning into Amphibian

(A quick survey of lessons from the recent flood)

Widespread flooding, such as the one we have seen lately, though rare, will recur as they historically have, after a stretch of years.

It will probably be helpful to learn from other people who have survived the riverbank, seashore, and open sea environments through the centuries through various methods and strategies.

1. Someone posted an idea that went viral: that we should start to relearn our old way of life as people of the river, noting that Tagalog originally means taga-ilog (of the river), Pampanga taga-pampang (of the shore), etc. In our case, barrios named like Nibaliw has the river as etymology, with old words such as panagbaliw (crossing the river) a part of everyday life. I remember historian Ambeth Ocampo harping on in his column how water used to connect us instead of separate us, how rivers used to be highways instead of territorial boundaries.

2. In this regard, it is probably helpful to revisit cultures that do survive today with this in mind. The Badjaos, for instance, still build stilt houses to this day to deal with their semi-aquatic existence; the Samals still live in longhouses, Tawi-Tawi and Sulu have entire 'floating' villages, the Thais are fond of floating markets and floating restos to get by with their waterborne and waterlogged ways of life, etc.

In a way, the residents of the low-lying barangays in our town have learned to adjust through the years by building houses with second and third floors, owning a boat, etc. They could further stretch their state of resiliency by learning how to create a 'floating' community in the event of a great flood. They must learn how to survive without wading in flood and contracting leptospirosis for failure of taking doxycycline as prophylaxis. I know turning amphibian by buying an amphibious vehicle is a long shot, feasibility wise, but they could perhaps further invest in motorboats, jet skis, surfboards, rafts, lifesavers, etc. Remember how actors' surfboards helped saved lives during 'Ondoy.'

It would probably pay to have a ready boat-based transport system in place of trikes and motorbikes, to sustain village life back to nearly normal levels in the event of serious inundation.

Since my mind right now is working double-time, I am also wondering whether building convertible and adjustable homes is possible using age-old origami techniques or pulley-and-winch methods to raise floors and roofs in the event of fast-rising floodwaters, or globular homes that roll with the punches like water lilies and water hyacinths?

3. Okay, back to reality and what's actually doable. If funding and cost-effectiveness are not a problem, maybe we could explore the construction of catchment or impounding areas or underground "water detention tanks" for floodwaters at the lowest points of town, such as Sitio Lagare, Brgy. Paragos.

4. Maybe we should start investing in pumps and pumping stations? In Pasig City, it is reported, the usual widespread flooding was averted due to a water-pumping station or stations that suction floodwaters inland and down to Pasig River. If true and appropriate for our context, then this is one of the infrastructure solutions we need ASAP. But, first, like our town is pursuing lately, a thorough hydrological study must be conducted to determine how best to position this flood control system.

5. A local media man pointed out that we should learn from the Dutch instead. It's indeed a marvel how the Dutch people have survived all these years living below sea level through their masterful system of dikes and windmill-driven pumping system! Let's be like the Dutch. Cc: Dagupan City.

5. I have read recently that among those being studied by the provincial government is the massive dredging of our heavily silted rivers, after identifying heavy siltation as the root cause of the problem.

6. It looks like it is, indeed, and I hope they really pursue it, but isn't precipitation per se a big factor? Reports of months' worth of rainwater falling down in one go within one day is very unsettling. Is this an incontrovertible proof of climate change? But if you study history, great destructive flooding is nothing new. So when exactly did the climate change?

7. Speaking of, haven't we heard of Noah's ark during the biblical 'great deluge'? Shouldn't we have something like it in the event of a great flood?

8. Clogged drains are also an obvious cause of flash floods in urban areas. Maybe we could add our antiquated drainage systems (built in, what, the early 1900s) as among the root causes, apart from the fact that some traditional waterways and catch basins have been erroneously built upon with concrete streets and residences and the rest of us are paying the consequences. Aside from the sheer amount of water, garbage is another culprit, of course, especially rot-proof plastic trash. Among my pet peeves is seeing folks throwing plastic trash anywhere they want; I believe we should send Filipinos to benchmark on personal discipline in Japan or something.

9. At this point, I wonder if we could procure that plastic-eating bacteria in the news as novel solution? Called Ideonella sakaiensis, "this microbe produces special enzymes that latch onto the plastic’s surface and chemically dismantle its structure, turning" [what used to be called nonbiodegradable plastic] "into simpler, eco-safe components." I want that bacterium species mass-produced, please, provided it doesn't turn into a big headache someday.

10. Now let's adjust our sails a bit. Noah's ark-strength flooding almost always means a wholesale declaration of suspension of school days and work. This reflex reaction, however, has tremendous effect on the local economy. The ones hardest hit are those who have 'arawan' (by the day) jobs: trike drivers, ambulant vendors, small-scale canteens, public market vendors, job order government employees, temp job and other contractual workers, etc. To avoid the problem of having these workers and small entrepreneurs among the economic casualties on top of the humongous agro-enterprise casualties, I humbly submit that those who are physically able to report for work better show up, if strong winds, transport, flooding in the area of residence up to the place of work, and outages (power, water, and internet connection) are not a problem. Instead of getting stuck at home being nonproductive, some able workers must continue working. Of course, those who can work from home better stay put, so as not to add to the potential casualty count.

Getting stuck at home and being economically unproductive for one week is not fun at all; for people who have a family to feed, it is so frustrating. Now for overworked workers and employees who are assured of pay through paid leaves, however, it's a different story; the hiatus is also a golden opportunity to take some much-needed rest.

***

We should learn from amphibians---like frogs, toads, caecilians, salamanders, newts, and axolotls---which sing along with the rain and laugh their way out of both land and water if they please, come hell or high water. During floods, short of growing gills and fins and webbed feet, we should master the art of resilient, because ambidextrous, existence by turning into amphibians. I am not sure if we could ever turn rampaging floodwaters into friend, but at least we won't always end up with a death sentence.

(photo borrowed from: Bayambang MDRRMO)

Bayambang, Dapat Alam Mo! - Disiplina Zones, Ipatutupad

Bayambang, Dapat Alam Mo!

Bayambang, dapat alam mo na, sa disiplinadong mamamayan, uunlad ang bayan.

Simula Agosto 1 (uno), sa taong kasalukuyan, mahigpit nang ipinatutupad ng mga pamunuang bayan, kapulisan, at pamunuang barangay ang mga sumusunod:

1. Ilegal na pagparada

2. Ilegal na pagtitinda

3. Paninigarilyo sa pampublikong lugar

4. Pagmamaneho habang nakainom

5. Hindi maayos na pagsesegregate ng basura

6. Hindi wastong pagtatapon ng basura

7. Pag-inom ng alak sa pampublikong lugar

8. Paggamit ng plastic bags

9. Pagmamaneho ng motor nang walang helmet

10. Binagong tambutso o modified muffler

11. Pagala-galang aso o anumang hayop

1.       Una, ipinapatupad natin ang batas sa ilegal na pagpaparada, at pati na ang pag-counterflow, ayon sa Municipal Ordinance No. 8 series of 2010.

Mga penalty:

1st offense: ₱200.00

2nd offense: ₱300.00

3rd offense: ₱500.00

4th offense: ₱1000.00

2.       Pangalawa, bawal ang walang pahintulot na pagtitinda ayon sa ating Market Code o Tax Ordinance No. 01-2017.

Penalty: Fine of not less than five hundred pesos (₱500.00) but not more than two thousand five hundred pesos (₱2,500.00), or imprisonment of not more than six (6) months, or both at the discretion of the court.

          If the violation is committed by any juridical entity, the president, general manager, or any individual entrusted with the administration thereof at the time of commission of the violation shall be held responsible or liable therefor.

          Punishment by a fine or imprisonment as herein provided for, shall not relieve the offender from the payment of the tax, fee or charge imposed under this Ordinance.

3.       Bawal ang paninigarilyo sa pampublikong lugar, ayon sa Municipal Ordinance No. 26 series of 2017

Mga Penalty:

1st offense: ₱500.00 or one (1) month imprisonment or both at the discretion of the court

2nd offense: ₱1,500.00 or two (2) months imprisonment or both at the discretion of the court

3rd offense: ₱2,500.00 or four (4) months imprisonment or both at the discretion of the court

4.       Siyempre, bawal na bawal din ang pagmamaneho habang nakainom – ito ay nakamamatay! Ito ay ayon naman sa Municipal Ordinance No. 8, series of 2010.

Mga Penalty:

1st offense: ₱200.00

2nd offense: ₱300.00

3rd offense: ₱500.00

4th offense: ₱1000.00

5.       Bawal din ang hindi maayos na pagsesegregate ng basura, batay sa Municipal Ordinance No. 18 series of 2017.

Mga Penalty:

1st offense: ₱500.00 fine and/or imprisonment of not less than five (5) days but not more than thirty (30) days, or both, at the discretion of the court

2nd offense: ₱1,500.00 fine and/or imprisonment of not less than one (1) month nor more than three (3) months, or both, at the discretion of the court

3rd offense: ₱2,500.00 fine and/or imprisonment of not less than three (3) months nor more than six (6) months, or both, at the discretion of the court

6.       Bawal ang hindi wastong pagtatapon ng basura, ayon naman sa Municipal Ordinance No. 18. series of 2017

Mga Penalty:

1st offense: ₱500.00 fine and/or imprisonment of not less than five (5) days but not more than thirty (30) days, or both, at the discretion of the court

2nd offense: ₱1,500.00 fine and/or imprisonment of not less than one (1) month nor more than three (3) months, or both, at the discretion of the court

3rd offense: ₱2,500.00 fine and/or imprisonment of not less than three (3) months nor more than six (6) months, or both, at the discretion of the court

7.       Bawal ang pag-inom ng alak sa pampublikong lugar, ayon sa Article 155 of the Philippine Revised Penal Code: "Alarms and Scandals"

Penalty: Arresto menor or a fine not exceeding Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000)

8.       Bawal ang paggamit ng single-use plastic bags, ayon sa Municipal Ordinance No. 19 series of 2017.

Mga Penalty:

1st offense: ₱500.00 fine and/or imprisonment of not less than one (1) month nor more than six (6) months, or both, at the discretion of the court.

2nd offense: ₱1,000.00 fine and/or imprisonment of not less than one (1) month nor more than six (6) months, or both, at the discretion of the court.

3rd offense: ₱2,500.00 fine and/or imprisonment of not less than one (1) month nor more than six (6) months, or both, at the discretion of the court.

9.       Bawal ang pagmamaneho ng motor ng walang helmet, ayon sa Republic Act. No. 10054. pursuant to Municipal Ordinance No. 8, Series of 2010 (other violation)

Mga Penalty:

1st offense: ₱200.00

2nd offense: ₱300.00

3rd offense: ₱500.00

4th offense: ₱1000.00

 

10.     Bawal din ang binagong tambutso o modified muffler, ayon sa LTO Memorandum Circular No. 2020-2240. pursuant to Municipal Ordinance No. 5, Series of 2016

Mga Penalty:

1st offense: fine of two hundred pesos (₱200.00)

2nd offense: fine of five hundred pesos (₱500.00)

3rd offense: fine of one thousand pesos (₱1,000.00) and a recommendation to the proper authorities (LTO) for the suspension of license for one (1) year.

4th Offense: fine of two thousand five hundred pesos (₱2,500.00) or an imprisonment for period not exceeding six months, or both in the discretion of the court.

11.     Bawal ang pagala-galang aso o anumang hayop, batay sa Municipal Ordinance No. 20 series of 2020.

Mga Penalty:

1st offense: fine of ₱300.00 pesos or imprisonment of not more than ten (10) days or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.

2nd offense: fine of ₱500.00 pesos or imprisonment of not more than twenty (20) days or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.

3rd offense: fine of ₱1,000.00 pesos or imprisonment of not more than thirty (30) days or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.

12.     Truck Ban

Mayroon ding umiiral na truck ban sa mga oras na ito upang iwasan ang pagbigat ng trapiko:

7:00 AM-9:00 AM

3:00 PM-7:00 PM

13.     Mayroon tayong curfew hours para sa mga menor de edad:

10:00 PM - 4:00 AM

14.     Nireregula rin po natin ang paggamit ng videoke machine sa mga oras na ito, batay sa Municipal Ordinance No. 17, Series of 2021:

11:00 PM - 4:00 AM

Mga Penalty:

1st Offense: fine of One Thousand Five Hundred Pesos (₱1,500.00)

2nd Offense: fine of Two Thousand Pesos (₱2,000.00) or imprisonment of twenty (20) days or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.

3rd Offense and Succeeding Offenses: fine of Two Thousand Five Hundred Pesos (₱2,500.00) and imprisonment of not more than one (1) month or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.

BAYAMBANG, DAPAT ALAM MO! ‎ - Ang Paggamit ng Jumper ay Pagnanakaw

BAYAMBANG, DAPAT ALAM MO! - Ang Paggamit ng Jumper ay Pagnanakaw

‎Bayambang, dapat alam mo na umabot sa ₱1,662,094.47 ang kabuuang binayaran ng ating LGU para lang sa kuryente noong buwan ng Mayo 2025. Oo, buwan lamang ng Mayo! At sa halagang ‘yan, halos ₱299,000.00 ay napunta lang sa streetlights!

‎Dapat, alam mo rin na ayon sa pagsusuri, 17.99% ng total na bayarin sa kuryente ay galing lamang sa mga streetlight na dapat ay gabi lang bukas—pero bakit parang 24/7 ang saksak? Hmm… may somethingggggg...

‎Bayambang, dapat alam mo na natuklasan sa joint inspection ng CENPELCO, Internal Audit Service, Accounting, at Engineering Office na maraming barangay ang nagkaroon ng ilegal na koneksyon o jumper sa mga poste ng streetlight sa Poblacion. Ibig sabihin, may mga kumakabit nang palihim at nagpapakuryente na hindi naman authorized. Kaloka no? May mga “naka-free trial” ng kuryente!

Dapat alam mo rin na agad itong inaksyunan ng LGU. Isinagawa ang malawakang disconnection sa bawat barangay para tuldukan ang ilegal na koneksyon. Hindi na ito palalampasin—simula ngayon, pananagutan na ng bawat barangay ang sarili nilang electric consumption.

Bayambang, dapat alam mo na ang pondong matitipid ng LGU mula sa pagtanggal ng mga jumper ay mapupunta na ngayon sa mga mas kapaki-pakinabang na proyekto—gaya ng edukasyon, kalusugan, imprastraktura, at serbisyo sa mamamayan.

Dapat alam mo na ang kuryente ay hindi libre, at ang pondo ng bayan ay hindi dapat abusuhin. Kung may jumper sa kuryente, may tagas din sa tiwala ng taumbayan. Damay din tayong lahat na nagbabayad ng tapat, dahil ang mga tagas mula sa paggamit ng jumper ay sasagutin natin bilang paying consumer-members.

Dapat alam mo rin na upang siguraduhin na may ilaw ang lahat ng kalsada na pinutulan ay sinagot muna ng LGU ang reconnection fee dahil hindi pa ito kasama sa budget ng barangay. Sasagutin ang mga ito ng LGU upang masigurong maliwanag ang mga daan.

Dapat alam mo rin na ang jumper ay isang uri ng pagnanakaw, at mariing kinukundina ito ng LGU.

Dapat maging matapat at disiplinado tayo. Kung may mga ganitong mga bagay na alam kayo, maaari itong ireport sa #4357. Magmensahe lamang sa mga official Facebook page ng LGU.

‎Kaya mga kababayan, ‘wag mag-jumper, ‘wag kumabit at magnakaw ng kuryente. Tandaan mo, Bayambang, ang lahat ng ito, ay Dapat Alam Mo!

MONDAY REPORT – JULY 28, 2025

 

MONDAY REPORT – JULY 28, 2025

 

[INTRO]

NEWSCASTER 1: Naimbag nga aldaw kadakayo amin, Bayambang! Ako po si ___.

NEWSCASTER 2: Ang inyong katuwang sa paghahatid ng mga napapanahong balita.

NEWSCASTER 1: Mga balitang tungo sa pagbabago at patunay ng sama-samang pagkilos para sa kinabukasan.

NEWSCASTER 2: Ito ang tinig ng bayan, tinig ng serbisyo...

SABAY: …BayambangueNews!

 

***

1. Watsons Pharmacy, NOW OPEN in BAYAMBANG!

Ang Watsons Pharmacy ay nag-grand opening noong July 18 sa pinakabagong branch nito, ang Quadricentennial Market ng Bayambang. Ngayon ay maaari nang makapamili ang kanilang mga suki ng mga health and wellness products nang hindi na kailangang bumiyahe pa sa malayo.

 

2. PESO-Bayambang, May Special Recruitment Activity

 

Ang PESO-Bayambang ay nagsagawa ng Special Recruitment Activity sa harap ng kanilang tanggapan noong July 15 at 16. Ang Alcare Manpowers Services Corp. ang naging recruiter.

 

3. SPES Beneficiaries, Tumanggap ng Sahod

 

Tinanggap noong July 16 ang 14 na benepisyaryo ng DOLE-Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) ang kanilang sahod sa tulong ng PESO-Bayambang. Bawat benepisyaryo ay tumanggap ng halagang P6,642 mula sa LGU at nakatakdang tumanggap din ng P4,428 mula sa DOLE bilang kabuuang sahod para sa dalampung araw ng pagtatrabaho sa iba’t ibang tanggapan ng LGU.

 

4. 11 GIP Beneficiaries, Tumanggap din ng Sahod mula DOLE

 

Noong July 17, sa tulong ng PESO-Bayambang, tinanggap ng 11 interns ng Department of Labor and Employment-Government Internship Program ang kanilang sahod. Nagbayad ang DOLE ng P468/day kada GIP worker bilang bayad sa kanilang tatlong buwang pagtatrabaho.

 

5. Publiko, Pinag-iingat ukol sa Pagkain ng Ligaw na Kabute

 

Nagtungo ang mga RHU nurse noong July 16 sa Brgy. Tambac upang kumpirmahin at imbestigahan ang naiulat na kaso ng mushroom poisoning doon. Ito ay matapos isugod sa Bayambang District Hospital sa araw ding iyon ang pitong residente nang sila ay makaranas ng pananakit ng tiyan, pagsusuka, at diarrhea matapos kumain ng mga kabuteng tumubo sa ilalim ng puno ng kawayan. Inaabisuhan ang publiko na umiwas sa pagkain ng mga ligaw na kabute lalo na't kung hindi kilala kung anong uri ang mga ito.

 

6. Grupong BTS, Tumulong sa Isang PWD

 

Ang diwa ng bayanihan ay buhay na buhay sa bayan ng Bayambang, sapagkat patuloy ang iba't ibang grupo sa pakikiisa sa Rebolusyon Laban sa Kahirapan. Noong July 18, ang grupong Born to Serve (BTS) naman, kasama ng kanilang Bayambang National High School Batch ‘90 President, ay nag-sponsor ng mga grocery at food items para sa isang indigent na PWD sa Brgy. Hermoza.

 

7. Barangay Officials, Dumalo sa Training-Seminar

 

Ang mga Punong Barangay, Barangay Kagawad, Sangguniang Kabataan Chairperson, Barangay Secretary, at Barangay Treasurer ay dumalo sa isang training-seminar noong July 17 to 19 sa Pampanga upang matuto ng mga bagong kaalaman sa Strengthening Institutional Capacities of Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council, Gender and Development, at Seal of Good Local Government for Barangays.

 

8. Liga Vice-President, Nagdonate sa BPSO

 

Noong July 21, nagdonate si Liga ng mga Barangay Vice-President at OIC Rodelito Bautista ng 10,000 pesos sa Bayambang Public Safety Office upang pandagdag ng tanggapan sa pambili ng mga protective gear laban sa ulan ng mga BPSO traffic enforcer. Ang halaga ay malugod na tinanggap ni BPSO Chief.

 

9. CSO Re-accreditation Conference, Isinagawa

 

Ang Municipal Administrator’s Office ay nagdaos ng Civil Society Organization Conference noong July 21 bilang bahagi ng proseso ng reaccreditation para sa representasyon sa local special bodies ng LGU. Dumalo rito ang ng kinatawan ng mga people's organization, non-government organization, at civil society organization na nagnanais maging bahagi ng mga local special body at maging katuwang ng LGU sa implementasyon at monitoring ng iba’t ibang development plans, projects, at activities.

 

 

10. Assistive Devices, Tinanggap ng Limang PWD

 

Limang Bayambangueño ang tumanggap ng bagong adult wheelchair at walker mula sa Persons with Disability Affairs Office noong July 21. Gamit ang pondo ng PDAO at Senior Citizens’ Fund, ipinamahagi ang mga assistive device sa mga kwalipikadong benepisyaryo.

 

 

11. MVAT Team, Muling Naglilibot

 

Muling nagsimula noong July 21 ang tatlong araw na validation at assessment sa mga barangay ang Municipal Validation and Assessment Task Team para sa "Kalinisan sa Bagong Pilipinas Program" ng Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Masusing tiningnan sa aktibidad kung maayos na naipatutupad sa mga barangay ang mga programa tulad ng Barangay Road Clearing Operations, Halina't Magtanim ng Prutas at Gulay, at ang Quarterly Assessment for Cleanest Barangays.

 

 

12. PhilHealth Konsulta Caravan, Nagtungo sa Carungay

 

Ang Local Health Insurance Office - Central Pangasinan ng PhilHealth, katuwang ang RHU III, ay nagsagawa ng Konsulta Caravan sa Brgy. Carungay noong July 22. Ang aktibidad ay may 725 na kliyente, kung saan 565 ang nagkapag-avail ng Konsulta Package Provider registration, 725 ng First Patient Encounter registration, 98 ng consultation, 13 ng laboratory o diagnostic services, at 98 ng mga gamot.

 

 

13. TODA Members, Pinulong ukol sa Disiplina Zone

 

Ang mga miyembro ng TODA ay pinulong ng LGU noong July 18 sa mismong Tricyle Central Terminal upang pag-usapan ang implementasyon ng Disiplina Zone, and pagkakaroon ng temporary TODA Terminal sa lumang Bayambang Central School, ang pagkakaroon ng TODA uniform, at iba pang kaugnay na issues at concerns. Ang pulong ay pinangunahan ng Traffic Management Task Force.

 

 

14. MDRRMC, Dagliang Umaksyon sa Pagbaha

 

Dahil sa mga naging pagbaha dulot ng bagyong 'Crising' at habagat, na-activate ang mga Quick Response Team ng MDRRM Council upang maghatid ng sari-saring serbisyo, kabilang ang:

 

- pagpupulong,

- mga anunsyo sa social media, [RJ: SHOW SCREENSHOTS FROM BALON BYB]

- pakikipagkomunikasyon at koordinasyon sa mga barangay DRRM council, [SHOW MATCHING PHOTOS FOR EACH BULLET IF POSSIBLE]

- paghahanda sa mga evacuation center,

- actual rescue operations,

- paghatid ng food packs,

- medical checkup at pamimigay ng gamot, prophylaxis, at vitamins,

- pag-monitor ng Agno River at tubig baha sa mga apektadong barangay,

- at iba pa.

 

 

15. Mga OFW, Sumabak sa Visual Graphics Training

 

Isang libreng 2-day training sa visual graphics ang inorganisa ng OWWA Regional Office sa pakikipagtulungan ng PESO-Bayambang, upang mabigyan ng teknikal na kapasidad ang mga OFW para magkaroon ng iba pang livelihood skills para sa trabaho o negosyo man. Ito ay dinaluhan ng 25 local OFWs at kanilang mga pamilya sa Bayambang Polytechnic College.

 

 

16. Ilang Punong Barangay, Pinulong ukol sa Jumper Issue

 

Pinulong noong July 23 ng LGU ang mga Punong Barangay mula sa ilang barangay matapos matukoy ang presensya ng mga ilegal na koneksyon o "jumpers" sa kuryente sa kanilang area of responsibility. Ipinaalam sa kanila ang ginawang imbestigasyon, pagtanggal ng mga naturang jumper, paglipat sa barangay ng mga linya ng kuryente, pagsampa ng kaso sa mga lumabag, at pagtulong ng LGU sa pagbabalik ng mga apektadong streetlight at pagsagot sa re-connection fees.

 

 

17. Bahay Kubo, Tinanggap ng PNP

 

Isang bahay kubo ang opisyal na ipinagkaloob sa PNP Bayambang bilang karagdagang pasilidad sa kanilang checkpoint area sa Brgy. Nalsian Sur  noong July 23. Ang unit ng naturang kubo ay nagkakahalaga ng P75,000 na pinondohan ng tanggapan ni Mayor Niña Jose-Quiambao. Ito ay magsisilbing pahingahan at pansamantalang opisina ng mga pulis na naka-duty sa naturang checkpoint.

 

 

 

 

BAYAMBANG, DAPAT ALAM MO!

‎Bayambang, dapat alam mo na umabot sa ₱1,662,094.47 ang kabuuang binayaran ng ating LGU para lang sa kuryente noong buwan ng Mayo 2025. Oo, buwan lamang ng Mayo! At sa halagang ‘yan, halos ₱299,000.00 ay napunta lang sa streetlights!

‎

‎Dapat, alam mo rin na ayon sa pagsusuri, 17.99% ng total na bayarin sa kuryente ay galing lamang sa mga streetlight na dapat ay gabi lang bukas—pero bakit parang 24/7 ang saksak? Hmm… may somethingggggg...

‎

‎Bayambang, dapat alam mo na natuklasan sa joint inspection ng CENPELCO, Internal Audit Service, Accounting, at Engineering Office na maraming barangay ang nagkaroon ng ilegal na koneksyon o jumper sa mga poste ng streetlight sa Poblacion. Ibig sabihin, may mga kumakabit nang palihim at nagpapakuryente na hindi naman authorized. Kaloka no? May mga “naka-free trial” ng kuryente!

‎

Dapat alam mo rin na agad itong inaksyunan ng LGU. Isinagawa ang malawakang disconnection sa bawat barangay para tuldukan ang ilegal na koneksyon. Hindi na ito palalampasin—simula ngayon, pananagutan na ng bawat barangay ang sarili nilang electric consumption.

‎

Bayambang, dapat alam mo na ang pondong matitipid ng LGU mula sa pagtanggal ng mga jumper ay mapupunta na ngayon sa mga mas kapaki-pakinabang na proyekto—gaya ng edukasyon, kalusugan, imprastraktura, at serbisyo sa mamamayan.

 

Dapat alam mo na ang kuryente ay hindi libre, at ang pondo ng bayan ay hindi dapat abusuhin. Kung may jumper sa kuryente, may tagas din sa tiwala ng taumbayan. Damay din tayong lahat na nagbabayad ng tapat, dahil ang mga tagas mula sa paggamit ng jumper ay sasagutin natin bilang paying consumer-members.

 

Dapat alam mo rin na upang siguraduhin na may ilaw ang lahat ng kalsada na pinutulan ay sinagot muna ng LGU ang reconnection fee dahil hindi pa ito kasama sa budget ng barangay. Sasagutin ang mga ito ng LGU upang masigurong maliwanag ang mga daan.

 

Dapat alam mo rin na ang jumper ay isang uri ng pagnanakaw, at mariing kinukundina ito ng LGU.

 

Dapat maging matapat at disiplinado tayo. Kung may mga ganitong mga bagay na alam kayo, maaari itong ireport sa #4357. Magmensahe lamang sa mga official Facebook page ng LGU.

 

‎Kaya mga kababayan, ‘wag mag-jumper, ‘wag kumabit at magnakaw ng kuryente. Tandaan mo, Bayambang, ang lahat ng ito, ay Dapat Alam Mo!

 

[OUTRO]

NEWSCASTER 1: Sa bayan nating may puso, may direksyon, at may malasakit, ang serbisyo ay tuluy-tuloy.

NEWSCASTER 2: At sa bawat ulat na aming hatid, nariyan ang pangakong hindi kayo pababayaan.

NEWSCASTER 1: Ako po si ___, kaisa ninyo sa pagpapatuloy ng tunay na pagbabago.

NEWSCASTER 2: Patuloy na naglilingkod sa inyo, sa ngalan ng LGU-Bayambang. Hanggang sa susunod na linggo.

SABAY: Ito ang.... BayambangueNews!