The DENR Region 2 said the activity aims to orient the participants on the legislation process and requirements for the remaining initial component and proposed protected areas in the region, and to introduce new policies and guidelines in protected area management.

Currently, the Cagayan Valley region has eight legislated protected areas, and the DENR is working on the legislation of four additional protected areas, including the five areas under the initial component.

Directed by DENR Regio 2 Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan, the capacity building for PA managers is “integral in achieving the department’s goal to intensify the preservation of protected areas in the region.”

Resource speakers from the Biodiversity Management Bureau and DENR regional and field offices provided the participants knowledge on critical habitat establishment, guidelines on the issuance of Environmental Compliance Certificates in PAs, Biodiversity Assessment and Monitoring System, protocols and identification of flora and fauna monitoring, protected area information system, and basics in photography.

A hands-on session on flora and fauna monitoring and photo documentation was also conducted at Tumauini Watershed Natural Park, a protected area in Isabela province. After the fieldwork, the participants processed and analyzed the data gathered.

“As protected area managers, we should be proactive and be firm in enforcing environmental laws,” Assistant Region 2 Executive Director for Technical Services Ismael Manaligod emphasized during the closing program of the activity.

It was organized and facilitated by the Protected Area Management and Biodiversity Conservation Section of DENR Region 2. DENR REGION 2

MASTERMINDS of Kapa Community Ministry International, Inc. (KAPA), touted as the largest investment scam in Philippine history, have been sentenced to suffer the penalty of life imprisonment for syndicated estafa, following a case build-up by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over its illegal investment-taking activities.

In a decision promulgated on December 12, Branch 33 of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Butuan City found Kapa leaders Joel Apolinario, Cristobal R. Baradad, and Joji A. Jusay guilty beyond reasonable doubt of eight counts of syndicated estafa, as defined and penalized under Article 315 (2)(a) of the Revised Penal Code, in relation to Presidential Decree No. 1689.

Apolinario, also referred to as Pastor Joel, was the founder and president of KAPA, while Baradad and Jusay were among its incorporators. All three were sentenced to suffer the penalty of life imprisonment and to pay eight actual damages amounting to P195,000 to complainants.

Syndicated estafa is committed by any person who shall defraud another by, among others, means of false pretenses or fraudulent acts executed prior to or simultaneously with the commission fraud, by using a fictitious name, or falsely pretending to possess power, influence, qualifications, property, credit, agency, business, or imaginary transactions, or by means of other similar deceits.

The RTC found all elements of estafa present in the case, given that there was false pretense or misrepresentation made by Apolinario and the other accused when they claimed to be authorized to engage in a profit-making venture or business. The case was actively prosecuted by Assistant City Prosecutor Claudine L. Calo and City Prosecutor Aljay O. Go.

“Clearly, [Apolinario] together with [Baradad and Jusay] employed fraud or deceit by falsely pretending or misrepresenting that they are authorized by the SEC to engage in profit-making business when in truth and in fact, they are not authorized to do so being a non-stock corporation,” the RTC held.

The accused promised investors a 30% monthly interest for life on their investments. Relying on this false pretense, the complainants were duped to invest their money. As a result, they suffered damage since nothing was returned from their investments, the RTC held.

The court affirmed the finding of the SEC that the solicitation activities of KAPA were akin to a Ponzi scheme.

“The Court takes credence on the testimony of the witness from SEC, who testified that the means employed by KAPA is akin to a Ponzi scheme,” read the decision.

“In People of the Philippines vs. Rosario Baladjay, which is on all fours with the present cases, a similar ruling was made by the Supreme Court which explained the too-good-to-be-true promises of a Ponzi scheme, wherein the purported investment program offers impossible high returns and pays these returns to early investors out of the capital contributed by later investors,” the court noted.

The decision comes around six years after the SEC found KAPA to have enticed the public to invest P10,000 in the guise of a donation, in exchange for a 30% monthly return for life dubbed as a “blessing.”

Under Section 8(8.1) of the SRC, securities shall not be sold or offered for sale or distribution within the Philippines without a registration statement duly filed and approved by the SEC.

Section 26.1 further provides that it shall be unlawful for any person, directly or indirectly, in connection with the purchase or sale of any securities to employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud.

Section 28 adds that no person shall engage in the business of buying or selling securities in the Philippines as a broker or dealer, or act as a salesman, or an associated person of any broker or dealer unless registered with the SEC.

The SEC issued an advisory against KAPA as early as March 2017, warning investors of its Ponzi-like characteristics. A cease and desist order was later issued on February 14, 2019, followed by an order of revocation of KAPA’s certificate of incorporation on April 3, 2019.

To further protect affected investors, the SEC, through the Anti-Money Laundering Council, obtained a Freeze Order from the Court of Appeals on June 4, 2019 to preserve assets linked to KAPA.

The SEC also continued to remind the general public to exercise more caution and discernment as certain supporters and promoters of KAPA peddled false information about the group’s supposed revival. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO

QUEZON, Nueva Vizcaya (July 5, 2023)—To benchmark the company’s best practices, particularly in the implementation of community development and environmental programs, a delegation from the mineral-rich town of Mankayan in Benguet visited FCF Minerals Corporation’s Runruno Mine here.

The Mankayan delegation from Crescent Mining and Development Corporation (CMDC) was led by CMDC president Ronnie Siapno, CMDC consultant Ian Moller and CMDC country manager Joey Nelson Ayson, who is also the president of the Philippine Mining and Exploration Association

Also with the delegation for the benchmarking were Jay-L Espada, the executive assistant and representative of Mankayan Mayor Dario Banario; Vice Mayor Julio Joey Culliao, and other local government unit staff and employees.

FCF employees headed by the General Manager for Operations Lorne Harvey welcomed the delegation and participants.

FCF Minerals said the first two-day visit of the Mankayan delegation focused on the implementation of the Social Development and Management Program or SDMP of the company in the downstream barangays of Quezon town including those in the municipality.

This town’s mayor Dolores Binwag together with the head of offices of the municipal local government unit and barangay captains welcomed the participants at the mayor’s office.

Binwag said the visitors had the opportunity to learn more about the local government’s programs, projects and activities implemented in their jurisdiction and how it benefited the residents in their barangays, including those assisted by the company.

The Mankayan delegation on the second day was also brought to the active mine area and the Residual Storage Impoundment.

Allan Day, FCF Mine Operations Manager, and his team toured the delegation for them to learn more about the processes in the mines with a community visit in Barangay Runruno, the company’s host community.

Village chief John Babli-ing also shared how the company changed the lives of the residents of Runruno since FCF Minerals operated affirming the company’s responsible mining operation in their area.

The group also visited some of the livelihood programs of Runruno and had the opportunity to talk to the members of the associations about their livelihood.

The participants expressed their appreciation to FCF Minerals and the LGU of Quezon and Runruno village for the learning experience in the Runruno Mine and its surrounding communities.

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO

QUEZON, Nueva Vizcaya (July 1, 2023)—As part of the company’s commitment to enhance the skills, capabilities, and knowledge of its employees, another series of training and workshops was recently conducted by the FCF Minerals Corporation.

According to Lorne Harvey, FCF Minerals Corp. General Manager for Operations, the completed training for May 2023 includes six employees from the Fixed Plant Maintenance Department’s Instrumentation section.

The employees participated in Industrial Process Control Training from May 9 to 11, 2023 conducted by the MFI Polytechnic Institute, Inc.

He said nine employees from the Mine Technical Services of the Mining Department’s Geology, Geotechnical and Hydrogeology section underwent Leapfrog Fundamentals and Edge-Resource Estimation Training from May 16 to 21, 2023 provided by Measured Group Pty Ltd.

From the Community Relations Office, five employees joined the Social Entrepreneurship 101 Training from May 22 to 23, 2023 conducted by the Institute for Social Entrepreneurship in Asia or ISEA.

Furthermore, two process trainers from the Process Plant Operations Department underwent the Training of Trainers from May 29 to 31, 2023 which was spearheaded by the Trainovate.

Harvey said these training programs demonstrate FCF Minerals Corporation’s commitment to the professional development of its workforce.

A London-based mining firm, FCF operates the Runruno Gold-Molybdenum Project under a financial or technical assistance agreement or FTAA with the Philippine government.

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya (August 26)—A provincial board member has told Australian OceanaGold (Philippines) Inc. (OGPI) to respect the independence and right of barangay (village) officials in opposing the firm’s mining operation in their village.

“It is harassment when their (barangay officials) independence becomes a reason for the mining firm not to release funds because they are obliged to release such funds for the development of the community where they operate,” board member Edgardo Balgos said.

Also a lawyer, Balgos said OceanaGold must honor the independence and the right of the village officials of the mining firm’s host, Barangay Didipio in Kasibu town, to state their beliefs on various issues and hassles brought about by the mining operation.

The board member’s reaction stemmed from the stance of the barangay council of Didipio when it withdrew its opposition to OceanaGold or the Didipio Mine operation expressed through the passage of a resolution against OceanaGold’s extension.

“The stance of the barangay officials should not be a reason to prevent or restrict the funds for the barangay and our people. OceanaGold must give what is due them,” Balgos said.

He described it as disheartening to learn that the village council has withdrawn opposition to the extension of the Didipio Mine, which has reportedly failed to become compliant in many aspects in its continuance of operation.

On June 3, 2022, the Didipio barangay council passed Resolution 38, which strongly opposed the approved renewal of OGPI’s financial or technical assistance agreement (FTAA) by the national government.

An FTAA is a permit issued to a multinational company sharing technology and resources to explore and extract minerals in the Philippines.

“[T]hat such FTAA renewal did not undergo prior consultation and no Sanggunian resolution from the local government units concerned was obtained as mandated by Sections 27 and 27 of the Local Government Code of 1991,” the resolution stated.

It also alleged that the renewal and resumption of the OGPI operation did not undergo consultation with the community in Didipio; that the company failed to deliver its services to the community through the social development and management program (SDMP); and that it conducted violent demolition of houses and violated human rights, among others.

The barangay council, however, passed Resolution 61 revoking in its entirety Resolution 38, and thus, withdrawing opposition to the extension and operation of OceanaGold.

Henry Guay, Didipio barangay council member, said the revocation of Resolution 38 is just appropriate.

“Since the OGPI’s [FTAA] has been approved, what needs to be done is for the barangay council and the OGPI to continue working together for the implementation of various programs, projects and activities under the SDMP,” Guay said.

He explained that there are pending commitments under the 2013 community memorandum of agreement (MoA) between the council and the mining firm for the welfare of the whole community.

Citing Resolution 61, Guay said the barangay council and the OGPI must continually work and stand together for good.

“The two must be united as one community to achieve a common goal to complete the implementation of all SDMP and MoA projects, programs and activities before the year 2023 ends,” he added.

Guay said the partnership between the council and the OGPI is important to protect the environment, improve the quality of life in the community, and maintain a peaceful and orderly community, all for the good of the community.

On July 14, 2021, the national government renewed the Didipio Mine’s FTAA for an additional 25 years beginning June 19, 2019.

The initial 25-year FTAA took effect on June 20, 1994 and expired on June 20, 2019, a year after OceanaGold lodged its renewal application.

BY BENJAMIN MOSES M. EBREO

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya (August 12)—The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Cagayan Valley led a multi-sectoral Tree Planting recently in this province as part of the National Disaster Resilience Month celebration.

According to Robert Corpuz, Disaster Risk Reduction Management officer, the tree planting activity was carried out in Barangay Maddiangat Watershed in Quezon town.

It was joined by various government agencies and private organizations in the province and neighboring provinces in Region 2, all members of different municipal disaster risk reduction management councils.

According to Corpuz, the tree planting activity was done in the Maddiangat Watershed because it is a Local Conservation Area for Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Services based on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

He added that the Maddiangat Watershed is part of Mt. Palali, one of the favorite mountaineering attractions in the province.

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO

KASIBU, Nueva Vizcaya (July 15)—A British-based mining firm operating in Barangay Runruno has funded the concreting of two farm-to-market road (FMR) in two municipalities worth more than P2.38 million.

Agnes Rosales, FCF Minerals Corporation Community Relations Office (FCF-CRO) manager, said the concreting of FMR in Purok 1 in Cordon village here worth more than P1.52 will benefit 1,431 residents while the concreting of the FMR in Lower Diayan in Bonifacio village in Quezon town worth more than P855,194 will benefit some 42 households.

Meanwhile, Engr. Nestor Bambalan, FCF-CRO resident engineer recently conducted the final inspection and turned over the two completed infrastructure projects to the concerned municipalities.

James Carmichael, FCF Minerals Corp. country manager, said the company through its CRO is continuously implementing targeted programs, projects and activities under the company’s approved 2022 Annual Social Development and Management Program or SDMP.

Carmichael said these projects are for the benefit of the people of FCF Monerals’ host community and neighboring villages.

SANTA TERESITA, Cagayan (March 8)—A storage of weapons here believed to be owned by the New People’s Army (NPA) has been raided by the Philippine Army’s 77th Infantry Battalion (77IB) with the help of two former rebels.

The Cagayan Provincial Information Office (CPIO) said it received the report on Sunday that the 77IB has recovered several high-caliber firearms from the NPA’s stockpile in Sitio Aboli in Barangay Aridawen in Santa Teresita town.

The CPIO said former rebels identified only as Alias Lawin and Alias Leen revealed the whereabouts of the firearms cache.

The 77IB immediately dispatched its troops to the area and recovered an M16 A1 rifle, an M14 rifle, an M653 rifle, two AK47 rifles, a FAL 4.62mm rifle, a.38 caliber revolver and.45 caliber pistol, two magazines for M14 rifle, tow magazines for AK47, an M16 rifle with a magazine, a.45 caliber with magazine, 34 pieces of ammunition for M14 rifle, ammunition for.45 caliber, M16 rifle, an AK47, and subversive documents.

In the report, Lt. Col. Joeboy Kindipan, 77IB commander, thanked the former rebels and the people of Aridawen village for their help and cooperation to recover the firearms.

“This is a big step to paralyze the possible staging of attacks by the NPA during their upcoming anniversary,” Kindipan said.

Maj. Gen Laurence Mina, Army’s 5th Infantry Division commander, said this only proves that President Rodrigo Duterte’s whole-of-nation approach in fighting the insurgency is successful.

KASIBU, Nueva Vizcaya: Another provincial government-managed hospital in the province has also suspended its outpatient services due to the sudden surge of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in this upland town.

Dr. Lucena Laliray Caldito, Kasibu Municipal Hospital chief, has released an advisory on Thursday afternoon temporarily suspending their outpatient services as a result of this town and neighboring towns racing against time with the surge of the dreaded Covid-19 disease.

“The [Kasibu Municipal Hospital] is beyond its maximum capacity with 30 hospital beds dedicated to Covid-19 positive patients,” Caldito said.

She said the general ward of the hospital is in full occupancy and most of the time with increased admission of ob-gyn cases.

“[However], the emergency services will still be open,” she said advising the public to go directly to other nearest healthcare facilities for outpatient consultation. 

Reportedly having a large number of its population belonging to different religious sects that resist vaccination, this town has been among the 15 municipalities experiencing a surge in the number of confirmed positive cases. 

On Thursday, the town has recorded 78 confirmed Covid cases which doubled the number of active cases to 178.

On Wednesday, the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Hospital (NVPH) and Diadi Emergency Hospital (DEH) have temporarily suspended their outpatient and inpatient services respectively until further announcement.

According to Gov. Carlos Padilla, the provincial government has established five LGU hospitals spread all over this mountainous province to bring closer to the people, particularly to the indigenous peoples, its health services to far-flung and mountainous areas.

These are the NVPH in Bambang town, KMH in this town,  Lt. Tidang Memorial Hospital in Kayapa town, DEH in Diadi town and Dupax District Hospital in Dupax del Norte town.

TUGUEGARAO CITY: The Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) here said on Monday a report from the Department of Health (DOH) central office confirmed an additional 32 Delta variant of Covid cases in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley).

The report said samples analyzed on August 25 and 26 showed that four provinces in Region 2 were the source of the newly recorded cases.

The RESU said there were 10 local cases in Cagayan, 14 local cases and one returning overseas Filipino worker or ROF in the province of Isabela.

In Nueva Vizcaya, five local cases were recorded while two local cases were in the province of Quirino.

The municipalities affected in Isabela province were Santiago City with five cases;  Aurora, Jones and San Mateo towns with two cases each and one case each in Ilagan City and the towns of Roxas, Tumauini and Alicia.

In Cagayan province, there were three municipalities that have Delta variant cases of which seven cases were added in Tuguegarao City, one in Tuao town and two in Allacapan town.

The report also said the Delta cases in Nueva Vizcaya originated in Bagabag town with two cases and one case each in the towns of Quezon, Bambang and Dupax Del Norte.

In Quirino province, two cases were recorded in the capital town of Cabarroguis.

The RESU said all recorded cases are local cases except in Ilagan City where there is a single ROF case.

At present, the RESU said the required isolation period of these cases has already ended and that they are fully recovered from the disease, except for the case recorded in Alicia town in Isabela and one in Cabarroguis town in Quirino who were reported to have died.

The RESU said it is currently conducting a thorough and careful contact tracing through their special action team or SAT.

“We will continue to provide up-to-date information,” RESU officials said adding the DoH is calling on everyone to work together to reduce the number of cases in the region.

“The government cannot fight it alone, so everyone has a responsibility,” it added.

The RESU also urged the public to observe minimum public health standards.

It said vaccination against Covid-19 in the region which comprises the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and the island province of Batanes will continue.