CORDILLERA TERRACES

In JAPAN, our SSEAYP Sponsor (The JASEAN Connection)

2011-11-15T08:49:00.001+08:00

MEJDic English Japanese
Are you o.k? / I’m o.k. Daijyoubu desu ka / Daijyoubu
Breakfast Asa gohan
Dinner Ban gohan
Excuse me Sumimasen
Etto...(when you are still thinking) Well, hmmm, what should i say, etc..
Good morning Ohayo gozaimasu
Good night Oyasumi nasai
Good-bye Sayounara
Hello Konnichi wa
Hello (on the telephone) Moshi moshi
How are you? Ogenki desu ka
How much is it? Ikura desu ka
I am seasick Funeyoi desu
I am sleepy Nemui desu
I am sorry Gomen nasai
I am tired Tsukaremashita
I can’t speak Japanese Nihongo ga dekimasen
I don’t understand Wakarimasen
Left (handside) Hidari (te)
Lunch Hiru gohan
My name is Tim Tim to mou shimasu
Majide! (very casual) Really!
Nice to meet you (for the first time) Hajimemashite
Nice to meet you (please be nice to me) Douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu
No Iie
Please wait a minute Chotto matte kudasai
Right (handside) Migi (te)
See you later (very casual) Mata ne / Jaa ne
Ship for World Youth Sekai seinen no fune
Sugoi (very casual) Wow! That's great
Thank you Arigatou gozaimasu
Thank you for the food(said after eating) Gochisou sama deshita
Thank you for the food(said before eating) Itadakimasu
Well done / nice job! Otsukare sama deshita
What is the time now? Ima nanji desu ka
Where is the bathroom? O te arai wa doko ni arimasu ka
Yes Hai
If you know any other useful Japanese phrases that you commonly use on board,
please post it here by click at the comment.

About SSEAYP

The Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Programme (SSEAYP) is an annual programme sponsored by the Japanese Government and supported by the member-countries of ASEAN. The programme brings together more than 300 youth from ASEAN countries and Japan, providing them with the unique opportunity to live together on board the ship Nippon Maru.

SSEAYP started in January 1974 based on Joint Statements issued between Japan and the five ASEAN countries, namely, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei Darussalam joined in 1985. Vietnam participated in the programme in 1996 while Laos and Myanmar participated in 1998, and Cambodia in 2000.

The aim of SSEAYP is to foster friendship and greater understanding among youths from Japan and ASEAN. It also seeks to broaden their international outlook.

A series of activities are lined up for the selected participants. The programme during voyages includes discussions on social and youth matters, cultural introductions, sports, recreation and club activities. While activities at each port-of-call include interaction with the local youth, courtesy calls on dignitaries and institutional visits, as well as community service and homestay experience.

Study, homestay visits in Japan

@ TOKYO

To Nara-shi

Todai-ji Temple, worlds largest wooden building

Rice/Garden Terraces in Asuka

Nara Rice Terrace

Tea Plantation

Great
Buddha
of
Todaiji

Memoir pix

On Board Nippon Maru

Waiting for the next Port of Call

National Day presentation on Board

@ KOCHI PREFECTURE Sister Province of Benguet

Sekkeiji Temple

Clean forested streams

Rice fields

"Sayonara 'Till we meet again" Arigatou gozaimasu...

Ship for Southeast Asian Youth and Japan Program Memoirs

2011-11-08T09:20:00.002+08:00

Every year, since 1974, the Ship for the South East Asian Youth and Japan Program take
place to promote mutual friendship and understanding.
The exchange of peoples especially the youth will carry the future of their countries on their shoulders while cooperating in political and economic affairs.

The participants carry out lively exchanges and activities on culture, government, economics, and technology on-board or at-port-of-calls. They also study and discuss common issues from a global perspective and participate in other various activities that involve multi-cultural and multi-national exchange opportunities.
The SSEAYP is under the sponsorship of the Japanese Government while the selection and orientation is shouldered by each participating country contingent.

Preamble

We, the Alumni Associations of each country, being aware of the existence of the ties established among the countries through the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP) that began in 1974, do hereby declare:

Our common intention to foster deeper friendship and mutual understanding;

Our common commitment to abide by the spirit and accomplishments fostered during the first Information Secretariat Conference and the subsequent General Assemblies held in the past years;

Our common confidence that the mutual cooperation so fostered shall make a significant contribution to the development of each country and their respective Alumni Associations as well as to the well being of former participants, members and people of all the nations concerned;

Our common awareness for the need to reinforce mutual cooperation linked to the SSEAYP International General Assembly (SIGA); and

Our common desire that our activities contribute to developing ties and understanding for co-existence among nations and to strengthening peace, harmony and prosperity in the world.

Now therefore, we the Alumni Associations together agree to establish the following Charter for the establishment of an international organization of Alumni Associations.

From my origin;

My Municipality

Province

City

Our Ethnos

Principles

Vocation

Advocacy

OUR SHIP

	M.S.Nippon Maru The M.S.Nippon Maru has served for the SSEAYP since 1974. Although they are different 3 ships. But they can make the same feeling of friendship and mutual understanding among SSEAYP people as well. There are 3 ships to bear the name "Nippon Maru" that is serving the SSEAYP until now (and forever). For identification, we would like to call them as "Nippon Maru-A" ,"Nippon Maru-B" and "Nippon Maru-C".
SSEAYP's Nippon Maru Song
Lyric and Music by Augusto Francisco Jasmin Meyer

Nippon Maru , sailing the blue , blue ocean.

Riding the waves over the deep blue sea.

Can you tell me how much you can cover a day?

Can you tell me how long you have gone

with the purpose of bringing together

young heart and mind?

Nippon Maru , sailing the blue , blue ocean

chasing the wind over the deep blue sea.

Can you take me with you to the ports of the world

with the message of love and peace?

Can you take me to the nations where caring

is only a word to say?

If you carry us over and out to the world

There's a chance we can speak to them all.

There's a chance we can tell them the world's but home

and all people's family!

(repeat first two verses , then fade away

TO:

1st Port-Of-Call, THAILAND

Wat-Phra-Kaew

Thai Elephant riding

Thai floating market

Chiang Mai Rice Terraces

2nd POC; SINGAPORE

Merlion Park

Giant Durian structure

Marina Bay Sands

Jurong Birdpark

3rd POC; MALAYSIA

Sultan Abdul Samad Buiding

Kek lok si

Koget, most popular dance in Malaysia

4rth POC: INDONESIA

National Museum of Indonesia

Tongkonan Houses

Borobudur Temple, one of Asians Wonder

Indonesian Batch Johnson Saragih

Jany Nuriawaty Qasim

Bali Island Rice Terraces

5th POC: BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

Sultan Ali Omar Saifuddin Mosque

Billion Barrel Monument

Water Taxi

6th POC: VIETNAM

Hoian Ancient Town

Saigon Reunification Palace

Non la Dance

OTHER ASEAN PARTNERS

7th POC; MYANMAR (BURMA)

Mandalay Palace

Bagan

Swedagon Pagoda

8th POC; LAOS People's Democratic Republic

That Luang

Patuxay (Viotory Gate)

Wat Xeing Tong Temple

9th POC; The Kingdom of CAMBODIA

Cambodia Royal Palace

Angkor Wat Temple-The National Symbol of Cambodia

Victory Monument-Phnom Penh Capital

Aspara Dancer

PREPARING FOR JAPAN POC
Prospect places for homestay

Tokyo by night, ridin' the bullet train

Mt. Fuji

Narra shi

Camp Utopia-Manpey-as Reforestation Project

2011-10-19T10:55:00.000+08:00

Camp Utopia Mountain lies atop Barangay Sagubo with its scenic waterfalls trickling down Toplac sitio of Barangay Pudong both in the municipality of Kapangan. Manpey-as is where the waterfalls trickle down and is the area targeted for reforestation. This mighty Camp Utopia mountain used to be the general headquarters of the 66^th Infantry Regiment of the USAFIP NL and the feared Igorot Guerrillas who took part in the liberation of Baguio-Benguet and Besang Pass led by Majors Bado Dangwa and Dennis Molintas during the 2^nd World War. It was the 66^th Infantry Guerillas who annihilated the enemy strongholds at Hill 99W and at Lepanto, Mankayan which were in a strategic position and built with formidable bankers but was outwitted and captured by the courageous Igorot Guerillas. Other areas which were tough to surmount and held by the enemy, the 66^th Infantry Igorot Guerillas were there to take charge.

American Soldiers shelling enemy positions guarding Camp Utopia

During the 2^nd WW in 1940 to 1945, this mountain was covered with big Pine trees that shielded the American Officers and the Guerrillas from enemy spy planes and markings. As early as 10 o’clock in the morning fogs start to cover this mountain adding more screens to the headquarters and the guerrillas.

The American soldiers and the Igorot guerrillas built a micro hydroelectric plant using the Camp Utopia waterfalls to generate power. This plant provided electricity and powered their radio telecommunication with their Allies overseas. Communications was established to this mountain top headquarters with the US Command which received messages and was relayed to the other units by the guerilla runners. This communications enabled the US Command to ship arms and food supplies to the Igorot Guerillas via submarine from Australia to the beach of Darigayos, Luna, La Union and was carried at night time by the guerrillas up to the mountains of Camp Utopia.

In August 1941, Colonel Volckmann received specific instructions from the Southeast Pacific Command wherein this camp monitors liberation maneuvers as well as transmit enemy positions. The 3 major composite units of the 43rd, 12th and 11th Infantries forms the 66th Infantry USAFE-NL under the direct command of Col. Parker Culvert.

As the war escalated, the Chinese, other foreign nationals and Filipino lowlanders hiding around Baguio’s suburbs came to seek cover to this place and other safe areas around Kapangan where the Guerillas were on guard. The civilians of this place also helped in sheltering these people and hiding them from the dreaded Kempeitai Police Force so much so that even the civilians were suspected as guerillas including the leaves of some trees that inflict soreness when swiped by the enemies passing it. The civilians also contributed food supplies to the guerrillas and making rations to their guest. Luckily, the fruits of their wild camotes, taros, bananas and other edible vines were available making them survive. After the war in 1946 and the years later, numerous Chinese and other people who retreated to this place intermarried with the natives and to other people then went back to Baguio and made business of their own.

Perhaps the trees and the good environment gave abundant help to 66^th Infantry Regiments operation during the war. But after the war, these trees were gone. Maybe gone with the winds but for sure, gone for buildings, furnitures, to the mines and to the corrupt officials. The practice of replanting trees after cutting a tree for housing or for livelihood was disregarded thus the mountains were denuded. Never the less, some families and land stake holders preserved and reforested part of this mountain with pine and native trees.

Every year, the LGUs, NGOs and the civil society groups plant trees in open areas or communal forests but up to this time no forest or just a tree park is visible. What is lacking here is the maintenance and protection of the trees planted. The planted areas encounter many disturbances such as mountain fires and astray animals including humans.

Top of this Camp Utopia mountain is where the humming radio of the 66th Infantry Guerrillas was installed

Camp Utopia plateau is good for eco tourism. It overlooks the lowland provinces of La Union and Ilocos Sur. It is historical and is good for hiking, camping and for eco walk. So it is suggested that only a foot trail be constructed to this area. Building a road would destroy its ecosystem. A three hectare was donated to the boy/girl scouts, the Veterans Federation and the Tourism Council of Kapangan. This area if preserved and developed will a be good site for forest park and outdoor activities.

This area of about 36 hectares is targeted for reforestation

At the mountainside of this Camp Utopia where the water falls down, an area of about 36 hectares was considered for reforestation. Another 20 hectares will also be reforested down Toplac sitio.

Land owners, the IPOs, the community and the Local Government Units together with the Department of Agriculture with CHARMP2 reprocessed their programs and agreed in a commitment to safeguard our environment. The signatories agreed to plant trees and the forest taken cared. This shall be the living evidence to this undertaking, now and in the future. The aim of this project and the agency concerned rest on the improvement and protection of highland forests, watersheds and the improvement of the Indigenous Peoples lives.

A work and financial plan was undertaken in a seminar jointly prepared by the IPOs, LGUs, and the concerned Agencies. A fund assistance from the DA-CHARMP2 was allocated for the planting, maintenance and the protection of the reforestation project. The project will commence this October 2011.

It is essential therefore that this project be monitored and supported. One request of the Peoples Organization was the construction of farm to market road as part of the refo project. A reason for the road construction is access to health and for emergencies. Transport of farm products to market is also very much needed. But it is also suggested by the POs that this road project be directed to the farms and residential areas. It is an observation that if a road passes to the forested areas, the trees are nowhere to be seen.

Toplac rice terraces down Camp Utopia-Manpey-as planted with rice whole year round

BOLINSAK ECOPUROK CLUB REFORESTATION FUND RAISING PROJECT

This association is involved in the reforestation and conservation of our forest projects in our community. Our group started the propagation of mulberry trees including some indigenous trees in Bolinsak, Kapangan, Benguet, Ph way back in the 1970s. The group generated cuttings out from the 12 mulberry trees found in Bolinsak. These cuttings or seedlings then found its way to the nearby municipalities of Benguet and parts of Mt. Province, Ifugao and La Union Provinces used for their mulberry tree farms or seri culture projects.

This organization is registered with the Department of Labor and Employment, CAR, Ph with DOLE Reg. No. CAR-Benguet 2010-007.

As of now, our target reforestation project is in Camp Utopia-Manpey-as Mountain located at the boundary of Sagubo and Pudong Barangays of the Municipality of Kapangan. It is about 50 hectares upland to be planted with Pine and local trees adaptable to the area. This area is a watershed to the rice terraces down Toplac sitio and the Amburayan River which flows down to the Ilocos Region.

The sub-projects to be undertaken under the reforestation project are the following;

1. Construction of a nursery……………………………..P 150,000.00

2. Construction of a tool house………….……...….. 250,000.00

3. Construction of a waterworks system and…... 110,000.00

4. Construction of a foot trail………………………….. 90,000.00

Total: P 600,000.00

The other activity this group will undertake which is the counterpart are the following:

Potting, sowing, watering, transplanting, root pruning, weeding and fertilizing at the nursery
Strip brushing, hole digging 20x20 cm, planting and staking and hauling
Ring weeding and replanting, watering, fireline construction and monitoring

Tree planting will be undertaken by May 2012 when the rainy season starts. The project will take 8 to 10 years to maintain. As observed by our monitoring team, trees planted every year by the LGUs, POs and volunteers on communal or open grounds without proper care went to waste. So monitoring, tracking and safeguarding of the trees until it is fully grown will mean the project is on its right course.

Contact Persons: LEVY CATANES RUBEN SALVE

Bolinsak, Kapangan

Benguet Province Ph

"If you build roads, the roads will build you"

2011-09-20T14:52:00.000+08:00

"If you build roads, the road will build you," this is a comment I heard from our Japanese friends working at the Japan International Cooperative Agency who are helping us in our cooperative network.

Since the invention of the wheel and eventually the motor vehicle, roads and bridges have to be constructed for a faster and easier transport. Both road networks and transport system transformed commerce and trade.

During the early times in this cool mountain resort called Kafagway, walking or hiking is a sport and a means of travel. The natives travel to this place for hunting and use it as their watering hole. Later on the Ibaloi natives made it as their ranch. This haven known today as Baguio or Bagiw to the Ibalois which refers to the green mossy plant found around the plateau and at pine trees is as good as a nature park.

It was in 1982 when a young American zoologist from Michigan named Dean Conant Worcester, heard about this wonderful place from one Domingo Sanchez, a member of the Spanish Forestry Bureau. In July 1900, he led a group of Americans on an expedition to the Benguet region and that trip resulted to the beginning of Baguio.

The first American explorers found Baguio an ideal site for a future city and summer retreat because of its cool pleasant climate. In November 1900, the Americans established the first civil government in Benguet and Baguio became its capital. One of the problems that the highlanders and the Americans encountered was an access road that will connect them from the lowlands and to the country’s capital, Manila.

Before the Americans came, the highland people who travel to the lowlands to barter their products and get salt or clothe constructed a trail along the mountain sides that could be traversed by animal drawn wagons. The trail will take hours or days to travel going to the lowlands and coming back.

As Baguio grew and developed, roads had to be constructed to pave way for its development. The Americans then saw a possibility of constructing a wagon road through the Bued River canyon following some of the natives trail.

In December 1900, Captain Charles W. Meade, then the City engineer of Manila, was hired to undertake the project. There were many problems encountered during the construction and other technical and experienced people were tapped to help in building the road. N.M. Holmes took over and then Colonel Lyman Kennon was solicited to take charge in supervising the Bued mountain road and to connect it to Manila. By 1905, the road was finished. This Benguet road is now known as the Kennon Road and is one of the Citys tourist attractions aside from the Lion Head and some other attractions to see along the way.

In September 1, 1909, Baguio then became a chartered city. In 1910, the first water supply system for the city was operated. Then in 1911, the first automobile travel from Manila to Baguio via Kennon Road began. In 1919, the first plane landed in Baguio City airport. In 1924, the hydroelectric plant for Baguio became operational and the construction of the Baguio Central School was completed.

By the year 1920, the so called Mountain Trail was to be constructed. The Americans Commissioners instructed Engineer Eusebious J. Halsema to survey and make plans for this mountainous area that could connect Baguio towards the north, the Mt. Province and to the 8^th wonder of the World, the famous Banawe Rice Terraces and to the Sagada waving tribes. Like the Kennon road construction, the mountain trail ridges were difficult and dangerous to construct. Aside from these problems, Engr. Halsema got opposition from the American high officials regarding its appropriations. However, Engr. Halsema refused to give up and tapped the Igorot labor that undertook trainings on mucking, drilling, blasting and explosive specialists at the Balatoc gold mines and move on to work on the mountain road. He sidelined funding coming from the savings of the Kennon and Naguilian Highway projects. With tremendous difficulties, lost lives, and hard work, the 146 kilometer Baguio-Bontoc road was finally completed in 1930. After World War II, the Mountain Trail Road was renamed Eusebious J. Halsema Highway in honor of the American engineer instrumental for carving the mountains of the Cordilleras.

Transportation was one of the necessities that was needed to move people and goods. One transport outfit that was organized in May 1928 encouraged by an American school principal named James Wright was the North Garage now known as the Dangwa Transportation Company. This Igorot transportation was initiated by a graduate student of the La Trinidad Farm School who comes from Kapangan, Benguet. This transportation provided the much needed services that helped transform what is Cordillera today. During the time Baguio was into progress, this transportation company expanded its business with the incorporation of freight trucking that hauled goods from Manila to Baguio and vice versa, to the mining districts, sawmills and farms transporting their needed materials and laborers.

With roads constructed, people from the lowlands and from the far north migrated to Baguio. Others came to make business, study, find work or as missionaries and tourists. Others came to squat, some were brought in by politicians to support their political campaigns and votes. Even government officials participated in the squatting of lands around Baguio. Of course the Filipinos would say that the first squatters were the colonizers. The Ibaloi natives then who had rancherias and camote plantations of this place overlook or had no access to the government as to how their ancestral lands should have been given land titles. As of now, the population of this city now tripled and more people are coming in causing problems on water supply, housing, pollution, traffic, environment degradation, congestion, health and many more.

Baguio City seems it is losing its appeal in terms of new investments are concerned. The past surveys of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) of Baguio alongside with its counterpart medium sized cities have steadily been slipping in terms of business competitiveness. The survey showed that Baguio consistently outranked in competitive drivers like dynamism of local economy, cost of doing business, infrastructure, human resources and training, responsiveness of the local government to business needs ant the quality of life.

By the year 1920, the so called Mountain Trail was to be constructed. The Americans Commissioners instructed Engineer Eusebious J. Halsema to survey and make plans for this mountainous area that could connect Baguio towards the north, the Mt. Province and to the 8^th wonder of the World, the famous Banawe Rice Terraces and to the Sagada waving tribes. Like the Kennon road construction, the mountain trail ridges was difficult and dangerous to construct. Aside from these problems, Engr. Halsema got opposition from the American high officials regarding its appropriations. However, Engr. Halsema refused to give up and tapped the Igorot labor that undertook trainings on mucking, drilling, blasting and explosive specialists at the Balatoc gold mines and move on to work on the mountain road. He sidelined funding coming from the savings of the Kennon and Naguilian Highway projects. With tremendous difficulties, lost lives, and hard work, the 146 kilometer Baguio-Bontoc road was finally completed in 1930. After World War II, the Mountain Trail Road was renamed Eusebious J. Halsema Highway in honor of the American engineer instrumental for carving the mountains of the Cordilleras.

Transportation was one of the necessities that was needed to move people and goods. One transport outfit that was organized in May 1928 encouraged by an American school principal named James Wright was the North Garage now known as the Dangwa Transportation Company. This Igorot transportation was initiated by a student of the La Trinidad Farm School who comes from Kapangan, Benguet. This transportation provided the much needed services that helped transformed what is Cordillera today. During the time Baguio was into progress, this transportation company expanded its business with the incorporation of freight trucking that hauled goods from Manila to Baguio and vice versa, to the mining districts, sawmills and farms transporting their needed materials and laborers.

With roads constructed, people from the lowlands and from the far north migrated to Baguio. Others came to make business, study, find work or as missionaries and tourists. Others came to squat and some were brought in by politicians to support their political campaigns and votes. Even government officials participated in the squatting of lands around Baguio. Of course the Filipinos would say that the first squatters are the colonizers. The Ibaloi natives then who had rancherias and camote plantations of this place overlook or had no access to the government as to how their ancestral lands should have been given their land titles. As of now, the population of this city now tripled and more people are coming in causing problems on water supply, housing, pollution, traffic, environment degradation, congestion, health and many more.

For now, Baguio may utilize and define its Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Craft policies like the Investment and Incentive Code, find new growth nodes such as the BLIST expansion concept since the Province of Benguet is willing to be a partner for growth to host the vibrant BPO industry, go to Green investments and Eco conservation for a sustainable tourism industry. ()

Baguio City as of 2011

Burnham Lake

Kennon Road also known as Zigzag Road

On The Road Again

2011-08-13T13:52:00.012+08:00

Public Works

As the schools started classes coupled by the onset of rainy season last June 2011, residents of this City and the nearby municipalities of Benguet were greatly disturbed by the daily traffic and delay it created. Concerned citizens, students, employees and businessmen urged the government agencies to investigate those who recommended the destruction of the good and newly constructed or still in good condition roads.

The rehabilitation projects by the DPWH are along the Bokawkan and the Loakan Roads. Daily commuters say that the styles of implementing these projects are a waste time and of taxpayers’ money. The Bokawkan and the Loakan projects are among the DPWH projects in the city worth P348 million.

A source in the local DPWH office explained that there is an annual budget for the maintenance of national roads or highways. Quality standards for national roads are a bit higher than provincial roads so it receives more attention especially from private contractors who watch out for these.

Most observers say that these projects were unnecessary to rehabilitate it now. Ever since the government started developing the roads, it seems there are no improvements since every time a road project is finished, rehabilitation is undertaken and seems coordination was evaded with the other agencies so that these projects should have been a onetime project. It is observed that after the rehab of these projects, one entity like a water utility will layout their projects within the said road. One would suspect that this is a means of a professional highway robbery.

On the asphalting of the cemented roads, this is again a waist of a taxpayer’s money. Since the road is already cemented, the destroyed portions should only be repaired. Asphalting in this highland city is not always favorable. Every time the highland roads are asphalted, it is easily destroyed because of the cool climate and the monsoon rains or typhoons that come yearly. The asphalt materials erode during the rainy season which clog canals and create siltation to waterways. The public works department should have noted this problem but are not keen to it much that they might loss livelihood which includes politicians, contractors, businessmen and fixers.

One concerned community leader commented on a local newspaper, wrote that it is senseless to destroy a good road. Common sense will let you realize that if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.

So as I travel along this road, I sing the song On the Road Again…sing it and you know it.

Another good cemented road destroyed so as to fix a defective substandard canal.

ONE SIDED DEVELOPMENT

2011-03-04T15:05:00.075+08:00

Bolalacao Road Widening along the Acop-Kapangan-Kibungan National Secondary Road

This is the Bolalacao road section being drilled for blasting and widening as of October 2010. Below this road lies the Bolalacao Caves also known as Dangwa Cave and Waterfalls which will be destroyed if not properly undertaken

These trees were cut down. The contractor and the agencies concerned should replant new trees to revive the trees to its original tree park form.

Bolalacao View. The Amburayan river at Gambang.

Bolalacao Caves, Hideout of the 66 Infantry Guerrillas

On the route going to Tublay, Kapangan and Kibungan towns of Benguet, Philippines, various tourism spots abound along this National Secondary road. One of which is the Bolalacao cave at Bolinsak, Taba-ao, Kapangan.

During the Japanese Invasion of the Philippines in 1941 to 1945, the famous 66 Infantry Guerrillas who did not surrender to the dreaded Japanese Imperial Army used the Bolalacao caves as one of their secret meeting place. Major Bado Dangwa who heads the Guerrillas comes in and out of this den to give and get information for his runners. With this den, the guerrillas were able to evade, rattle and eliminate the Japanese intelligence unit in the area. The cave which is hidden down the Bolinsak creek was not only a refuge to humans but is also a sanctuary to birds, bats, wild cats, bees and a variety of rock orchids.

To date, the Bolalacao road is being widened for concreting. This project is implemented by the Benguet Engineering District II and the Regional Office of the Department of Public Works and Highways. The contract was awarded to Domingo Gonzalo Construction.

However, the road widening which needs blasting and clearing of the mountainside rocks cause destruction to the Bolalacao cave biodiversity. The blasting of the rocks runs towards the caves and down into the Bolinsak creek. The blasted rocks have to be bulldozed down damaging anything it passes. Most of the flora and fauna were damaged.

Along this road section, there is an existing irrigation and two domestic water works system which supplies Barangay Taba-ao. These water works projects were severely damaged and disrupted the livelihood of the farmers in the community.

There is a need to upgrade our road system but our natural resources should not be sacrificed. There should be a balanced development as commented by the concerned community leaders. The concerned Governments agencies and the Local Government units who are supposed to coordinate these projects should act without more ado.

These resources are the last remaining natural and historical potential ecotourism sites. The contractor and the concerned agency should not look only on the envelopmental aspect but for the total development of all.

The rocks and other clearings should be deposited to a secure area. The environment should be protected at all cost. The agencies concerned and the contracting party should be responsible in restoring the damages incurred during the road construction on properties and the environment appropriately.

At the north part of this Bolalacao road, a proposed view deck is to be constructed with funds coming from the Provincial Government. The view deck was requested by the Bolinsak Ecopurok Club for visitors and tourists alike coming to this area. A footpath constructed by the community going to the cave destroyed during the road widening should be repaired by the contractor and the DPWH. The landscapes, rice terraces are viewed from this view deck like the following sceneries.

Mt Calokasog

Dontog, Daclan Rice Terraces

Santa Clause View

Ongong Rice Terraces

Bolalacao pools destroyed by the road widening and blasting