First Gitlangan Market Day

June 8, 2011 had been another milestone in the history of Cervantes, particularly for the three southern barangays of the municipality because the market day was launched at Gitlangan.

Mayor Benjamin N. Maggay established the Comillas Market Day every Wednesday. While the market day was just on its weaning period, it was agreed that the first day would sponsored by Barangay Comillas North, while Barangay Comillas South would be sponsoring the second market day and Barangay Pilipil, the third, until the same shall be fully established and institutionalized.

Mayor Benjamin N. Maggay, during his speech, disclosed that the idea had been conceptualized nine months ago, after series of consultations with the concerned barangay officials, and it was on this day that the dream materialized. He further explained that this would be very beneficial to the three barangays as their fifty pesos could be used to buy their needs, whereas marketing in Poblacion would cost them additional expenses for their fares.

The affair had also been attended by ADFI Representatives, DTI Officials, Vice Mayor Paterno Dacanay of Mankayan, Benguet and the local elected officials, including the other Punong Barangays of the municipality.

Community Organizing at Barangay Aluling

The elected officials, project officers, department heads and selected personnel of the Local Government of Cervantes had conducted community organizing in the thirteen barangays for the past two weeks. The group was divided into three teams to attend to the barangays. The first barangay to be organized under the watchful eye of Assisi Development Foundation, Inc. (ADFI) was Barangay Dinwede West, which was held on May 20, 2011 and it was attended jointly by the three teams.

BPMH had also undergone the community organizing Assisi-style and the personnel had the occasion assessing themselves too, determining their needs and their expectations through series of workshops done in one day.

The community organizing, the baby step towards community development had been a fruitful success yielding positive results.

Another highlight of the conference was the signing of pledge of commitment from the different invited stakeholders involving the NCIP, CBM/CBR, DILG, DepEd, DPWH, DOH, ISPSC, the different Punong Barangay, and some heads of offices who are directly involved in the mainstream of Cervantes PADRE (Poverty Alleviation for Development and Rural Economy) a pet program of Mayor Benjamin N. Maggay, which is also supported by the members of the Sangguniang Bayan of Cervantes.

Mr. and Miss Valentine 2011, crowned.

On February 14, 2011 the Local Government of Cervantes, Ilocos Sur celebrated Valentine’s Day and it was highlighted by the Search for Mr. and Miss Valentine 2011.  Mr. Daryll C. Bondad of the Municipal Treasury Office and Miss Leni Galuzo of the Municipal Accounting Office were crowned Mr. and Miss Valentine by the Honorable Mayor Benjamin N. Maggay and his better half, Mrs. Cresencia P. Maggay.

The search had been through an impromptu casting of votes with one peso per vote. Mr. Rosito G. Rafael chaired the search while Councilor Abraham D. Octaviano was the Master of Ceremonies, with the activity held at the Lepanto Hall of the Municipal Building.

The Winners of Bessang Fun Run 2011.

On the early cold morning of January 29, 2011, some two hundred and fifty (250) men and women, runners and volunteers, chose to meet with history, re-live history and make history as they ventured into the first fun run dubbed as: Bessang Fun Run 2011.

The event started at six minutes past seven from Bessang Pass National Shrine after a short ceremony thereat. It ended before eleven thirty with the arrival of Steven H. Baron, MD, Internal Medicine and Diabetologist at 11:15 in the morning, together with his brother-in-law Nonie Almachar.

The Champion of the race though, in the person of Mr. Reynaldo Pascua, clocked 56 minutes arriving at the municipal plaza at 8:02, after running around the town proper. The Second Placer was Mr. Edison Melchor of Laoag City, arriving a minute behind, followed by Mr. Modesto Madalang, another minute later. They bagged the amount of $300.00; $200.00 and $100.00 respectively. Ten consolation prizes amounting $50.00 each were given to Richard Cuplang; Arthur Garidan; Allan Robin; Jay Lomyong; Jay Viloria; Zaldy Juan; Jayson Melchor; Javier Robin; Edwin Galimba and Ricky Gagarin.

On February 1 and 2, 2011 medical and dental mission shall also be conducted at the municipal gym. Those who need surgery shall be admitted at Bessang Pass Memorial Hospital (BPMH) and will be administered by top doctors who are sons of Cervantes. Those who will have to undergo surgery would be assessed by Gaudencio T. Bustillo, MD, MHO of Cervantes.

All these activities were made possible through the kind sponsorship of Cervantes Association, USA (CAUSA) and Cervantes Global Organization (C->GO) in coordination with the Local Government of Cervantes.

The highlight of the occasion was the selection of best lantern from recycled office supplies and materials, the exchange of gifts and distribution of Christmas gifts by Mayor Benjamin N. Maggay, followed by a luncheon.

Meanwhile, Punong Barangay Zosimo N. Ningala of Barangay Rosario was also elected as Vice President; Punong Barangay Elmer V. Galula of Barangay Concepcion elected as Auditor; and elected as members of the Board of Directors were:
Francisco C. Pil-o    – Comillas North
Severino A. Cualan – Pilipil
Mario D. Malinias    – Dinwede East
Arthur A. Oliseo      – Comillas South
Juanito G. Inigo      – San Juan
Carlos D. Cayabas   – Dinwede West

The Secretary and the Treasurer will be appointed by the Liga President later on at her discretion.