Albay, Palarong Bikol 2011 Champ
By Aida Alcazar-Naz

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) – For garnering a total of 489.1 points, Albay romped away the championship honors in the recently concluded Palarong Bikol 2011 held February 13-18 at Albay Provincial Sports Center in Travesia, Guinobatan town.

Albay, which was host of this year’s athletic meet, ruled over 12 other delegations of 5 provinces and 7 cities with last year’s champion, Camarines Norte finishing first runner-up with 434.5 points.

Perennial winner Camarines Sur was named second runner-up with 432.5 points. The winning streak of Camarines Sur ended starting last year.

The other declared winners in the sport competition were Legazpi City, third runner-up with 257.2 points; Naga City fourth runner-up, 242.6 points; and Masbate province, firth runner-up 205.6 points.

Department of Education Assistant Secretary Tonisito M.C. Umali, officer-in-charge of the School Sports Development Program (SSDP) led in awarding trophies to winners during the closing program in the afternoon of February 18.

Joining him in presenting trophies were DepEd Bicol Acting Regional Director Orfelina O. Tuy and other education department officials along with third district Rep. Fernando V. Gonzalez and Guinobatan town mayor Juan M. Garcia III.

Umali disclosed DepEd’s plan to use SSDP funds to finance the training of gifted and indigent athletes. He intends to incorporate changes in the curriculum by adding instructional time for physical education both in the elementary and secondary levels.

Albay was champion in 13 events. These were for arnis double, athletics, boxing, tennis, and volleyball for elementary boys’ division; arnis single, athletics, table tennis and volleyball for elementary girls’ division; baseball, boxing for secondary boys’ division and badminton, softball for secondary girls’ division. The delegation, too, earned 12 first runner-up and 4 second runner-up finish.

Camarines Norte, on the other hand, was victorious in eight events – sepak takraw for elementary boys’ division; archery, athletics, badminton, tennis, volleyball for secondary boys’ division; athletics, and volleyball for secondary girls’ division. The group earned the first runner-up trophy for finishing first runner-up in 14 events and 2nd runner-up in 11 events.

Recurrent winner for almost two decades, Camarines Sur, won the championship in 10 sports events – badminton, baseball for elementary boys’ division; badminton, softball for elementary girls’ division; gymnastics. Swimming, table tennis, for secondary boys’ division; archery, badminton, tennis for secondary girls’ division plus 11 first runner-up and 8 runner-up finish in other events.

Albay head of delegation Supt. Alice I. Terrel, Ed.D., said the secrets of Albay for topping the sports race was due to intensive training coupled with unity and harmonious relationship with everybody.

Meantime, Umali confirmed that the Palarong Pambansa 2011 will be held in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Sur on May 8-14. He said that preparations for the event are underway and added that everything will be ready by April 18. (PIA V/Albay)

Search for sustainable and eco-friendly schools in Bicol on

LEGAZPI CITY (PIA) —The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Bicol has invited schools and universities in the region to join as the 2011 Regional Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools continues.

The contest is open to academic institutions in the elementary, secondary and tertiary levels and aims to encourage academic institutions to become more actively involved in environmental issues at practical and local levels.

Furthermore, the contest aims to develop skills and understanding in initiating active responses and increasing community awareness and participation on environmental concerns among students, faculty and school administrators. With the search, environmental initiatives and other multi-faceted programs of the schools are also recognized.

The participating schools will be selected based on the following criteria: Environment-related aspects of the school’s policy (20 points), Environmental dimensions of school operations (30 points), Environmental-related features of the school curriculum (30 points), Presence of vibrant eco-organizations in campus (10 points), and Presence of environmental partners and linkages in various programs/projects (10 points).

Interested schools may submit their official contest entry forms and supporting documents in both printed and digital copies on or before April 29, 2011. Schools in the elementary and high school categories must submit their entries to the Department of Education (DepEd) Division Office while schools in the college category may submit their entries directly to the EMB Regional Office.

One school will be selected as regional finalist. Each finalist will be awarded a Certificate of Recognition as well as a prize of P10,000 in cheque. The finalists will also compete in the National Search which will be held in Manila.

The Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools is a partnership program among the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), DepEd, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and SMART Communications Inc. The said agencies will also handle the screening and actual assessment of the participating schools.

For inquiries, kindly visit the EMB V Regional Office at the Regional Center Site, Rawis, Legazpi City, or call (052) 482-0197, (052) 482-0197 or visit our website www.sustainableschools.ph. (DENR V/PIA Albay/mal)


Women’s Health and Safe Motherhood Project Phase 2 bares accomplishments
By Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY (PIA) – A team assessment on the World Bank (WB) health-funded programs in the province of Sorsogon implemented under the Women’s Health and Safe Motherhood Project Phase 2 (WHSMP2) covering a 4-year period from 2006-2010 was conducted by the World Bank Supervision Mission Team here last week.

The World Bank Supervision Mission Team comprised of Dr. Eduardo Banza, WB Health Team Leader, Mr. Tomas Sta. Maria and Mr. Stephen, both WB funding specialists and Mr. Buddy Destura, WB project assistant. They were assisted by WHSMP2 regional coordinator Ms. Divine Dawal of the Department of Health Region 5.

Dr. Edgar Garcia, Sorsogon Provincial Health Officer, presented to the WB Supervision Mission Team the official document of the 2nd Phase of the four-year program implemented from 2006-2010 through the WHSMP2. The accomplishment focused on health facility upgrade primarily hospital buildings, purchase of needed hospital equipments, capacity building and enhancement of health personnel, summary of fund utilization report and the summary of Payments of Performance-Based Grant. The end goal of the WB Health Funded Program is the attainment of a reliable-sustainable support system for public health.

Under the WHSMP2, the province was able to renovate the Donsol District Hospital and Pilar Rural Health Unit thru the LOGOFIND and Provincial Local Government initiatives.

The construction of Casiguran, Irosin, Gubat and Bacon Rural Health Units were local initiatives derived from Performance-Based Grant and enrolment to Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) or PhilHealth.

Thru the AECID Fund, the construction of the Rural Health Units of Castilla, Juban, Barcelona, Bulusan and Sta. Magdalena were accomplished while one Barangay Health Unit in Pilar is still on the process of construction.

The seven Basic Emergency Obstetric Newborn Care (BEmONC) hospitals were provided with necessary health equipments.

Part of the highlights of the 4-year WHSMP2 program implementation was the organization of Service Delivery Teams. Eight hundred seventy one (871) Women’s Health Teams were organized and trained from five hundred forty one (541) barangays. A total of one thousand and fifty (1,050) Barangay Recruitment Teams were organized and oriented which included some members coming from the Women Health Team.

BEmONC teams were also organized comprising of twenty four (24) properly oriented and trained health workers teams with six (6) more teams of health providers to be trained at the Bicol Regional Teaching and Training Hospital (BRTTH).

Two Social Hygiene teams were also organized and made functional. One (1) Provincial Itinerant Team was reactivated with members comprising of representatives from the Inter-Local Health Zones and one Provincial Maternal Review Team was also organized.

Under the WHSMP2 Environmental Safeguard Implementation program, two (2) Environmental Management Units were established in compliance of Environmental Certificate requirements, and for Waste Management Focal Persons in BEmONCs twenty four (24) waste management focal persons were designated.

For Capacity Enhancement for Personnel, twenty four (24) BEmONC teams were trained, a Maternal Death Review Protocol (MDRP) was also formed with two (2) Maternal Death Review (MDR) and Neo-natal Death Review (NDR) conducted for 2010. Under Data Management, seventeen (17) nurses were trained last 2009 on data encoding with nineteen (19) more nurses for training. Seven hundred forty one (741) Women‘s Health Team Functions (WHTF) were oriented on the amended provincial ordinance and its related functions.

Gender Sensitivity and Health Training were also provided to thirty nine (39) health personnel last Nov. 18-20, 2009 and eighty nine (89) health workers underwent capability enhancement training on Team Capacity Building last Nov. 16-17, 2009.

Under the Performance-Based Grant for facility-Based Childbirth, for the first tranche of funding received out of Php3,374,119.00 per Fund Utilization Resource (FUR) Php7577,000.00 and 2nd tranche Php746,199.01 both were liquidated.
The third tranche in the amount of Php6,091,000 was deposited last August 3, 2010. The amount of Php2,717,280.00 was already disbursed and the balance as of December 2010 for FUR was Php3,374,119.00.

Under the Philhealth Universal Insurance coverage, PHIC’s total reimbursement from 2006-2009 amounted to Php16,151,917.51.

Ensuring a reliable sustainable support system, the accomplishments undertaken by the WHSMP2 showed nine (9) out of the fifteen (15) Rural Health Units were MCP-Accredited by PHIC; for MCP Accreditation of BEmONC, hospitals were also accredited by PHIC and two (2) Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric Newborn Care (CEmonc) hospitals were also accredited by PHIC.

Under the Safe Blood Supply Network Support System, twelve (12) LGUs through an Executive Order created their Municipal Blood Councils (MBC) and fifteen (15) LGUs conducted blood collection. Blood donations with 299 units of blood were collected in 2009 while 2,677 units of blood collected in 2010. (PIA Sorsogon)

DOST-ITDI announces training course offerings for CY 2011

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) — The Department of Science and Technology-Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) would like to announce its Training Course Offerings for CY 2011 to be held at ITDI, DOST Compound, Bicutan, Taguig City.

Hereunder are the schedules and fees:
First Quarter
1) Formulation of Liquid Detergent ad Fabric Conditioner (P2,750) - February 23-24, 2011
2) Calibration of Volumetric Wares (P3,600) – March 16-17, 2011
3) Introduction to Pressure Measurements and Calibration of Pressure Gauge (P2,900)
March 28-29, 2011

Second Quarter
1) Introduction to Mass Metrology (P1,600) – April 5, 2011
2) Calibration of Analytical/Precision Balances (P3,600) – April 6-7, 2011
3) Mango Processing (P3,700) – April 12-15, 2011
4) Mushroom Culture and Spawn Production (P3,400) – May 4-6, 2011
5) Specialty Soap (P3,000) – May 18-20, 2011
6) Business Plan for Starting Entrepreneurs (P4,000) – June 1-3, 2011
7) Integrated Root Crops Processing (P2,700) – June 22-23, 2011

Third Quarter
1) Calibration of Volumetric Wares (P3,600) – July 7-8, 2011
2) Fish Processing (P2,800) – July 27-28, 2011
3) Introduction to Mass Metrology (P1,600) – August 3, 2011
4) Calibration of Analytical/Precision Balances (P3,600) – August 4-5, 2011
5) Integrated Vegetable Processing (P2,800) – August 23-24, 2011
6) Determining the Shelf-Life of Foods (P1,600) – September 14, 2011
7) Calibration of Digital Multimeters (P2,200) – September 28, 2011

Fourth Quarter
1) Seminar on Food Additives (P1,600) – October 12, 2011
2) Herbal Processing (P2,900) – October 26-27, 2011
3) Introduction to Mass Metrology (P1,600) – November 9, 2011
4) Calibration of Analytical/Precision Balances (P3,600) – November 10-11, 2011
5) Production of Alternative Sugar (Fee to be announced)
November 23-24, 2011

Other Training Courses Offered Upon Request:
1) Accelerated Vinegar Production
2) Calibrating of Vemeir.Micrometer Calipers
3) Cleaner Production Assessment
4) Coconut Mini-Oil Milling and Refining
5) Energy Audit: An Effective Energy Management Tool for SMEs
6) Food Packaging and Package Design
7) GMP-HHCP Food Manufacturing
8) Plastic Waste Recycling and Processing
9) Thermal Processing of Food Production in Glass Jars
10) Production of Essential Oil
11) VCO-Based Personal Care Products
12) Verification of Fuel Dispenses (Diesel/Gasoline/LPG)
13) Verification of Price Computing Scales (digital balance)
14) Verification of Weighing Scales (Spring Scales)

DOST-ITDI invites participants who are entrepreneurs/would-be entrepreneurs and program planners/implementers of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), local government units (LGUs), academe, national government agencies (NGAs), non-government/private organizations (NGOs/Pos) to attend the said training in line with business establishment and expansion in the region.

For further details please visit or call DOST V, Rawis, Legazpi City at tel. nos. (052) 820-5385/5388 or ITDI, Bicutan, Taguig City at tel. nos. (02) 837-6156 and (02) 837-6156 . (DOST-ITDI/POLucena, DOST V/PIA V/mal)


Feature:
Naga city, DSWD's National Gapas awardee

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) — The Naga City Government was vested as Gawad Paglilingkod sa Sambayanan (GAPAS) Award for the Best LGU Implementing Day Care Service last January 26, 2011 during the DSWD 60th Anniversary Foundation held at the DSWD Central Office.

A trophy and a cash prize of P50,000 was awarded by Sec. Corazon Juliano Soliman to Naga City Mayor John Bongat. With Mayor Bongat were CSWDO Jim Reblando, Elsie Romano, EduCare Supervisor and Director Remia Tapispisan. Secretary Soliman was assisted by Undersecretary Celia Capadocia-Yangco and Asst. Secretary Vilma Cabrera.

The implementation of the Day Care Service through the Naga City’s EduCare Program came about in the early 90’s when the city government recognized the need for the provision of daily care as a substitute for mothering children ages 3 to 6 years old. The program which was initiated by then Mayor Jesse Robredo, now the DILE Secretary was actually designed for working mother who has difficulty to attend to their job while being mom to their young children.

Mr. Jim Reblando bared that the EduCare Service aims to provide pre-school quality education for the poor. It also provides for the greater involvement of parents and other family members by giving them opportunity to know and appreciate their children’s need and how to satisfy them.

The EduCare Program is now a pride and a best practice in Naga City. It is now known locally and internationally through its dedicated and committed teachers who are highly trained using the Montessori and the ECCD Approach.

Through the effective implementation of the program, Naga City has received prestigious awards and recognition as follows:

• Naga Early Education and Development (NEED) Program
“Galing Pook” Trailblazing Award, 1996
• Runner-up, Most Child-Friendly Component Cities, 2003
• Naga Early Education and Development (NEED) Program
“Continuing Excellence Award, 2003
• National Winner, Most Child-Friendly Highly Urbanized Cities, 2006
• National Winner and Hall of Famer, Most Child-Friendly Independent Chartered Cities, 2008. (EEJerusalem, DSWD/PIA Albay/mal)

Cam Sur's El Verde Movement gains support
By Lizel S. Macatangay

PILI, Camarines Sur, (PIA) — While trying to beat a slot for the Guinness World Book of World Records by overpowering India for its record of 50 million trees, the local government of Camarines Sur also wants to send a message of hope for a greener province by showcasing the importance of flora and more vegetation to our environment.

This message did not only capture the support of the local constituents of Camarines Sur but other organizations as well who have already pledged their support and commitment to simultaneously plant trees on February 23.

Camarines Sur Governor Luis Raymond Villafuerte launched the El Verde Movement specifically to encourage his constituents in curbing the ill effects of climate change and regain the green panoramic site that Bicol once enjoyed. The movement will focus on a continuous undertaking to plant tress, commercial or fruit-bearing in various strategic sites in the province, aiming to hit a total of 12 million trees until 2012.

A total of 768 government agencies already pledged their participation and guaranteed an active participation of their employees during the planting activity. Members of the academe, representatives from socio and civic organizations, not to mention private individuals also showed their willingness to be a part of this historic event.

One of the participating groups is the Sarong Banggui Organization, Intl. (SBOI) a non profit socio-cultural organization composed of thousands of Bikolanos all over the world, committed to respond to the calls and needs of its community and directs its initiative in carrying out programs for the development of its members and the society, particularly promoting themselves as stewards of the environment.

The Philippine Judges Association also gave their word of commitment to look for a lot where they will nurture the seedlings for the next two years after it was planted. The Archdiocese of Caceres, under the headship of His Excellence, Most Rev. Leonardo Z. Legaspi and the Archdiocese of Libmanan also pledged their support along with other parishes in their district. (PIA Camarines Sur)

NYC opens Search for youth ambassadors

LEGAZPI CITY (PIA) — The National Youth Commission (NYC) invites anew young people to join the 38th Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP).

Nydia Delfin, coordinator of NYC in Bicol, said the NYC SSEAYP is an annual cultural exchange program aims to promote and strengthen friendship among the young people of the participating ASEAN countries and Japan by providing them the opportunity to live together on board the luxury vessel M/S Fuji Maru.

“Participants visit ASEAN participating countries and engage in various activities such as institutional visits and goodwill exchanges with local youth,” she said.

Delfin explained that participating youth should be: Filipino citizen, single, between 18-30 years old as of April 1, 2011; of good moral character, residing for at least 2 years in the region to be represented; physically and mentally fit to travel; preferably a first time traveler and not a recipient of NYC or Japanese government funded international program; with strong background of Philippine history, geography, culture and arts; knowledgeable of the current issues of the Philippines, Japan and ASEAN countries; must have been serving the youth sector as an active officer/member of any youth or youth organization for at least 2 years and must be willing to be an NYC volunteer after the program.

She said that interested applicants must also be willing to take a leave of absence from school or work and complete the trainings and activities before, during and after the program on the following schedules: Pre-Departure Training – July 17-28; Pre-Departure Activities – September 24-Oct. 24; Cruise – October 25-December 16; and Post Program Evaluation – December 16-18, 2011.

The Japanese government as the primary sponsor of the program, shoulders the round trip airfare of the participants, expenses for meals and accommodation on-board the ship, transportation and admission fees required for the study tours.

Application requirementa include application letter, notarized application form with passport size picture; resume; certificate of good moral character; resident certificate; police or NBI clearance and 2 self-addressed mailing envelopes with P20.00 worth of stamp.

Delfin said that the deadline for application is on April 15, 2011 at the NYC offices. Application form could be downloaded at the NYC website: www.nyc.gov.ph. (NYC/MALoterte, PIA V/Albay)

Chiz wants prisoner-exchange treaties with other countries

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) — Senator Chiz Escudero is urging the Philippine government to initiate a prisoner exchange treaties with countries hosting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Escudero, chairman of the Senate committee on justice and human rights, reiterated this call in the light of the case of Ramon Credo, Sally Villanueva and Elizabeth Batain – Filipinos condemned to die for drug trafficking in China. Their executions were temporarily suspended after China’s Supreme Court extended a “special arrangement” regarding their cases.

The senator said the government could work out a prisoner-exchange arrangement with other countries similar to the RP-Spain Transfer of Sentenced Persons Agreement, which aims to ensure the effective reformation and rehabilitation of Filipinos serving sentences in Spain since they will be afforded the opportunity to serve their sentences in the Philippines.

“We have OFWs serving long sentences and are awaiting death sentences in countries where no family can visit them. This is already a scourge to both the convicted and their families. The anguish of not being able to talk to or see their families forever is already a sentence that amounts to death,” Escudero said.

Escudero said the prisoner-exchange agreement should be pursued through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) by way of a bilateral treaty.

The senator also said that the agreement should not be on a quid-pro-quo-basis, which means that all prisoners should be transferred to their country of origin regardless of the number of foreign nationals in Philippine prisons.

“We should pursue this treaty especially since we have more citizens in foreign jails rather than the other way around. We pursue this move not because we condone their deeds but because it is the government’s duty to look after the welfare of its citizens no matter if they are guilty or not,” Escudero said. “Let all available remedies and steps be exhausted to afford our fellows the services of their government.”

Records from the DFA show that there are more than 3,000 Filipinos abroad who are either in detention or facing criminal prosecution. Of these, 70 percent are embroiled in immigration-related offenses and will be deported after serving brief sentences. The rest are in custody for crimes such as theft and drug trafficking.

In China, 78 Filipinos are convicted for drug charges and awaiting death sentences.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency has recorded 630 Filipinos currently serving jail sentences worldwide for transporting drugs, mostly as mules for drug lords. Sixty-two percent of this number are female. (Office of Sen. Francis Escudero/PIA Albay/mal)