Press Release No.1
RP -US Balikatan Exercises '04 Conduct Civic Military Operations in Batanes
by Mrs. Necitas G. Alconis - Philippine Information Agency - Batanes

Gov. Gato acknowledged 39 RP - US Military on March 1, 2004 on a 3-day mission to conduct civic military operations, which focused on medical services.

Advanced party of 3 were welcome by Gov. Gato over DWBT on February 29, which informed the whole province of the medical mission.

The Batanes National Science High School hosted the CMO, with its staff joining the PHO, DEPED medical staff and civilian volunteers assisting the military in these area of services: general check-up, dental services and EE&T from 8:00 am- 4:00 pm.

There were 859 patients served in Basco on March 1, 2004; 637 patients served in Ivana on March 2; and 460 patients in Mahatao on March 3. Sabtang and Itbayat patients were advised to come to any of the centres if possible. A long line of patients waiting to avail of the medical serviced remain unserved due to time cut off and time element strictly followed.

Vitamins, medicines, strollers and toys were giver to patients and children. The CMO shall be conducted again next year however the focus was not pronounced.

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Press Release No. 2
1ST COMPREHENSIVE POTTERY WORKSHOP INTRODUCED TO IVATANS
by Mrs. Necitas G. Alconis - Philippine Information Agency - Batanes

Congressional District Office, NCIP and DTI at the Batanes Heritage Centre from March 1-10, 2004 jointly sponsored the first comprehensive pottery workshop conducted in Batanes.

The resource person / lecturers Ms. Lanelle Fernando and Ms. Elizabeth Garubillo introduced to 46 Ivatan pottery enthusiasts miniature pottery and sculpture out of clay. Materials as clay and glaze were brought by the lecturers fro mainland Luzon; and will turned over to the newly organized Itbud Potters Association after the association president shall have returned from a training hosted by the trainers in the mainland sometime in June 2004.

The kiln "pugon" costs P60, 000 while the potters' wheel is P15, 000 each.

The cooking of the finished sculptures and miniature potteries of around 350 pieces had to be scheduled with cooperative weather for better results. Cooking took 8hours; and another 8 hours to cool the kiln closed to avoid cracks or breakage that might be caused by sudden change of temperature. The normal duration of drying the potteries before glazing 2-3 weeks but due to time constraint drying here took only 2-3 days under very uncooperative weather: thus the glaze didn't dry as quick as 5 seconds.

On day 12 the finished products paid-off, they are smooth and shimmy like the commercial chinawares/potterywares as the teacups. They are now displayed at the Batanes Heritage Centre.

The challenge is how to re-condition the Ivatan clay to make it workable on the potter's wheel. The resource persons remarked that the native clay is hard and durable. A sample of our clay was taken by the trainers for further study, for re-conditioning so that the potter's wheel could be of use.

Top secret in pottery making also introduced to Ivatans were ingredients needed in the mixture for better results; thus making the material smoother and easier to shape is by adding yeast, beer, vinegar and little urine.

The traditional Itbud potters and pottery enthusiasts province wide have heightened their interest all the more in pottery and will promote pottery to the younger generation thru skills transfer.

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Press Release No. 3
2 IVATAN FARMERS GRAB REGIONAL GAWAD SAKA AWARD
by Mrs. Necitas G. Alconis - Philippine Information Agency - Batanes

Two of the three entries to the regional search for GAWAD SAKA AWARDEES were declared regional winners in large animal raising and small animal raising practicing integrated system: while the provincial winner in Fish Capture Category placed second during the final screening held on February 23, 2004.

Hermilo Binalon of Basco large animal raising winner produces root crops, vegetables, rice and corn as main source of income. He slaughtered the largest bull ever of 417 kilos dressed cow last December 2003.

Alberto Calagui of Basco, small animal raising winner takes care of pigs, goats, ducks, chickens, backyard tilapia pond, and cow along with raising vegetables, corn and root crops. He initiated the goat-in confinement in a 500 sq. meters of land with 10 heads of goat.

Cesar Cariz of Sumnanga, regional 2nd placer in Fish Captures Category engages in varied forms of legal fishing as main source of income.

Regional awarding is indefinite as of date but Calagui and Binalon are region 2's entries to the national level.

In preparation for the national competition, ocular inspection and videoing the products, the area and activities had been conduct to support documents. The entries will also be interviewed by the regional team.

LGU Basco Municipal Agriculturist Josephine Castillo monitored and assisted the documentations to support the nomination of Calagui and Binalon in the regional level.

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Press Release No. 4
CSC Chair David Dialogues with NGAs and NGOs
by Mrs. Necitas G. Alconis - Philippine Information Agency - Batanes

The highest CSC official Karina Constantino David and region 2 CSC directors and party arrived March 31 to dialogue with government employees, elective officials and women sector of Batanes.

The visit is a re-set of cancelled February 25, 2004 due to inclement weather.

Chair David discussed CSC policies on job orders and contracts, step increment with government employees and elective officials. The consultative meeting continued to discuss public sector unionism: A Boon or Bane.

She visited the Islands of Itbayat and Sabtang and met with the same sectors. Chair David is the first CSC national chief to visit Batanes Islands.

The women sector was her last audience in Basco whom she refreshed women's multi-faceted roles in the government, in the society and in the family. Hon David had sufficient training and particularly in national and international workshop / conference in Gender and Development.

Her future visit would cover issued and concerns that were not materialized in her 3-day stay in Batanes. Weather did not cooperate well during her stay; besides transportation was a bit of problem that delayed the itinerary. Hon. David said, "My visit to Batanes taught me the lesson of patience and time management".

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Press Release No. 5
Basco PAYUHUAN in House making Launched
by Mrs. Necitas G. Alconis - Philippine Information Agency - Batanes

The newly organized (a revival of the traditional Payuhuan) association of payuhuan in Basco called KAYVAYVANAN nu IVATAN du KAPAYVAHAY was launched March 27, 2004. The payuhuan or kayvayvanan is the local tern for cooperative system. NCIP, BDFI and Congressional District Office organized the 100-members of the payuhuan cooperatively.

The traditional cooperative system still thrives in the municipalities of Itbayat, Sabtang and Uyugan. But Basco a semi-metropolitan place (people by most number of dayuhan from other municipalities and provinces) experience the deterioration of true and pure Ivatan cooperativism.

The association will assistance for materials while labour shall be the counter part of the members. Witnessing actual house making/home construction of indigenous materials highlighted the launching. The kayvayvanan will provide opportunities for tourists/visitors to witness Ivatan house making anytime of the year with its members projecting his turn to be served under the payuhuan camaraderie.

The revival of payhuhuan ensures the value of cooperative labour while they get free materials. Counter parting is felt to be more effective in instilling the Ivatan culture of industry, cooperation and perseverance rather than all-out assistance to the needy.

Services among members are scheduled on Saturdays. This project preserves the Ivatan cooperativism and the traditional Ivatan architecture.

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Press Release No. 6
IBAMRA Gets Assistance for Community Service Centre
by Mrs. Necitas G. Alconis - Philippine Information Agency - Batanes

A community service centre for transient Itbayat in Basco was negotiated for IBAMRA use. CDO responds.

The IBAMRA (Itbayat Batan and Mainland Residents Association) in Basco had conceived of a community centre 4-5 years earlier to cater to the official and social needs of Itbayat natives who are temporarily residing in Basco.

IBAMRA, active association of Itbayat residents in Basco has been squatting and hopping from one site to another to hold official meetings and annual reunion in December.

Behind the official purpose, people of Itbayat who get stranded without relatives here, those who come for medication and those who unexpectedly die amidst travel back to Itbayat or to Manila find and admit themselves much of a burden. A dependent for weeks to non-relatives begets inferiority.

Through the office of Congressman Abad, a community service centre for transient Itbayat in Basco was negotiated with the Amboy family to construct a traditional house in its vacant lot under certain conditions stated in the MOA. The MOA signing was done during the groundbreaking rites on April 17, 2004 at Brgy. Kaychanarianan, Basco. The service centre shall be managed by the IBAMRA, Itbayat Monitoring Association, Itbayat Tribal / Elderly Group, Itbayat Youth Club and to be monitored by the Congressional District Office and BDFI.

Congressman Abad disclosed that P1M assistance in the construction is funding thru the support of Senate President Franklin Drillon. IBAMRA Association will counterpart with its labour in the construction and maintenance of the Ivatan house as a community service centre.