Fiesta ti Bantay ( feast of the forest) in Candon

City’s watershed rehabilitation project: Fruit Bowl of Ilocos Region

Candon City’s Watershed Rehabiltation and Development Project has another high aim.

To be the Fruit Bowl of Ilocos Region.

This is the main goal in this year’s Fiesta ti Bantay (Feast of the forest) celebration along the mountains of Palacapac and San Andres.

“The watershed rehabilitation and Development Project is one of the flagship program on my administration and from what I see we are reaping now the fruits,” City Mayor Allen Singson told the media as he personally led the annual planting.

More than one thousand people joined the city mayor including other city officials, city employees, other government officials from different agencies and students.

Other were barangay officials particularly from Palacapac and San Andres, village folks ,private sectors and non-governmental organizations.

This is the fourth straight year that the city government led such undertaking over the sprawling government owned 132 hectares.

In 2006, the city government had led the signing of Memorandum of Agreement with other government offices, agencies, NGOs and other sectors for the 10-year CCWRDP.

In has so far done reforestation on about 70 percent of the whole projected area.

Singson said that they are targeting the Fruit Bowl center of the region as the area has practically all kinds of fruit bearing trees and some are beginning to bear fruits.

In the approved project proposal, it requested 2, 850 seedlings of different kinds of fruit bearing trees this year that was planted in 18 hectares.

The proposal was prepared by Eric Gacutan, Agricultural Technologist of the City Agriculture office and was endorsed and submitted by City Agriculturist Elmor Leano.

It was recommended by City Councilors Francisco Bona, Jr and Oseas Diasen and approved by Singson.

Among fruit bearing trees planted were lanzones (duko), Rambutan (rongrein), durian, mangosteen, marang, Davao pummelo, latext-less jack fruit, sweet tamarind and Guimaras mango.

Other previously planted were mahogany, rambutan, Bangkok santol, coconut and pineapple.

The CCWRDP’s project’s vision is to be “ a sustainable water and livelihood source that is managed, protected and conserved by an empowered, culturally distinct and enterprising people as a showcase of responsible convergence.”

Its mission is for all to be “committed to organize a functional structure that will mobilize advocate, advance the continuing rehabilitation and development of the Candon Watershed through researched based technology.”

The project aims to transform and develop a total of 132-hectare marginal area into viable agro-forestry area in for the period of 10 years.

Its other objects are:

To conserve and maintain 132- hectare watershed system; to enhance and promote ecological balance and introduce appropriate technologies for watershed management.

To minimize siltation and flash flooding in the adjacent communities and to generate employment opportunities for the people of Palacapac and San Andres.

In relation to fiesta ti Bantay (Feast of the Forest), the land fill area of the city situated in Balingaoan was also including in the tree planting activities.

Supervised by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office led by Officer- In Charge Engr Ishmael Ganaban, they were able to plant to about 1,500 mahogany trees.

The City employees led the tree planting in the area together with faculty and staff and students of Candon National High School, Saint Joseph Institute, Department of Education Candon Division, ISECO and other agencies (LBJ).

photos relief operations by candon city government

The City Government of Candon waste no time and immediately dispatched relief goods and implemented other measures to ease the effects of Typhoon Karen that hit hard the city.

The city was practically under water and many lives were in endanger as result of the typhoon.

The city government led by City Mayor Allen Singson worked round the clock to patrol the whole city and look at the situation of the Candonians.

The City Social Welfare and Development Office was the lead department in the distribution of relief goods.

addtional photos relief operations candon city government

Additional photos of the relief operations done by the city government of Candon for the victims of Typhoon Karen

City Government works for immediate relief operations

The City Government of Candon waste no time and immediately dispatched relief goods and implemented other measures to ease the effects of Typhoon Karen that hit hard the city.

The city was practically under water and many lives were in endanger as result of the typhoon.

The city government led by City Mayor Allen Singson worked round the clock to patrol the whole city and look at the situation of the Candonians.

The City Social Welfare and Development Office was the lead department in the distribution of relief goods.

Additional photos of Candon City at the height of Typhoon Karen

Additional photographs of Candon City, Ilocos Sur at the height of super Typhoon Karen.

Candon City at the height of Typhoon Karen

The City of Candon was one of the hardest hit by super Typhoon Karen on Aug 18-19, 2008.
The whole city was under the mercy of the said typhoon as flood practically put the whole city under water.

the main roads were almost not passable with only heavy or huge vehicles like dump trucks can fly the routes.

The city government led by City Mayor Allen Singson immediately made actions ensure the safety of all its residents and those passing by.

Deputy Speaker Eric Singson ordered the different construction companies to lend their dump trucks to carry people from the endangered area to evacuation centers.

the city dump trucks were used to carry goods to be delivered to the people and transport people especially those stranded.

Thanks GOD the storm calm down after Aug 20.

Senate President led Deputy Speaker’s birthday guests

2008 birthday bash:

Senate President led Deputy Speaker’s guests

Like in his previous birthday celebration, Deputy Speaker Eric Singson’s celebration was done simple but meaningful and array of top guests.

Heading the list of Singson’s birthday wishers was Senate President and close friend Manuel “Manny” Villar who squeezed from his busy schedule just to be able to greet personally the deputy speaker.

Others were former Ilocos Sur Gov Luis “Chavit” Singson, Ilocos Sur Gov. Deogracias Victor “DV” Savellano, Quezon City Congressman Vincent “Bingbong” Crisologo, Abra Gov. Eustaquio “Takit” Bersamin.

Different mayors all over the province led by his eldest son, Candon City Mayor Allen Singson with his wife Freda Luz and League of Municipalities of the Philippines- Ilocos Sur Chapter President Narvacan town Mayor Edgardo Zaragoza.

As traditional, it started with the Holy Mass led by Nueva Segovia Archbishop Ernesto Salgado assisted by other priest headed by Candon City Parish Priest Msgr. Vicente “Vet” Avila.

Villar in his message assured his full support to the deputy speaker’s projects and programs for the people of his district and the whole province.

The birthday celebrant in his short remarks expressed his full appreciation of the people who came to greet and join him in birthday bash.

Throngs of people all over the province came like in previous years to greet and enjoy his celebration.

Singson also distributed scholarship grants to deserving students, hand over checks to priority programs and projects to the different recipients.

The Deputy Speaker, once the youngest elected mayor in the region, serving his third consecutive term and seventh over-all as representative dating back to the Batasan days is acknowledged as the most loved and respected public servant in the district.

He is well-respected by his peers in Congress as he was able to get elected in his post and also in Northern Luzon as he is the incumbent President of the Northern Luzon Alliance, the association of representatives from Ilocos, Cordillera and Cagayan Regions.

( LBJ)