Bicol University to conduct biodiversity study on Bulusan volcano natural park
by Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, (PIA) – Fifteen (15) students coming from the Bicol University (BU) through their Professor, Ms. Carina Discaya have requested permission to conduct a Biodiversity Study at the Bulusan Volcano Natural Park (BVNP) this February during the first quarterly meeting of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) last week at the Sorsogon Provincial Management Office (SPMO).

Ms Discaya presented the proposal and time schedule to the PAMB as to when they will conduct the study. She said that this study will provide additional data and information on the current environmental biodiversity status of the park.

She presented a proposal on the scheduled activity to the PAMB members as to what will be the focus and coverage of their research.

Discaya said that they will determine the kind of moss, licken, ferns fungi and other associated flora that can be found in the area especially in the forest. “Hopefully we will be able to find out other life forms present in the forest and the lake,” she said.

An earlier report presented by Discaya was the presence of an endemic bird known as “Brami Kite” that is identified to be with the eagle family.

During the presentation, Action Officer and Head of the Search and Rescue of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and management Council (PDRRMC) Manro L. Jayco aired his concern regarding the safety of the research group since earlier on, there was an abnormal activity recorded on Mt. Bulusan.

“Because of this abnormal situations and heavy rains, the necessary precaution and rules of protocol on safety be observed,” he expressed. He said further that as long as they will not expose themselves within the 4-km permanent danger zone and that they undertake all necessary, then they may go on with their research.

The local government of Bulusan through the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer (MENRO) has given the assurance of providing the group the needed assistance.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Oscar Dominguez expressed that all the necessary permits in the conduct of the study be secured and before the actual on-site visit, the necessary clearance be forwarded to the Protected Area Supervisor of BVNP, Mr. Ubaldo B. Oliquino, Jr. Likewise, the PAMB should also be provided with the results of the study.

The PAMB is the management body created under the National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) responsible for matters relating to the protection, and administration of the protected area. The PAMB is designed to ensure the harmonization of local government plans and policies with implementation of the NIPAS.

The PAMB is composed of representatives coming from the five (5) municipalities covering the area of Mt. Bulusan namely, the local government of Bulusan, Barcelona, Irosin, Juban and Casiguran and other institutional members comprising of heads of office of national government live agencies. (PIA Sorsogon)

Outstanding young leaders to convene on Feb 8-11
by Bennie A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, (PIA) — Eighty one promising youth leaders across the country are expected to participate to this year’s 13th National Ayala Young Leaders Congress which will be held on February 8-11 at the San Miguel Corporation – Management training Center in Alfonso, Cavite.

With the theme, “Leadership: Serving Transforming, Sustaining”, said congress will underscore the need to bring about lasting transformation in the country.

Delegates to the Ayala group’s annual youth leadership were selected from a total of 722 nominees from 138 colleges and universities nationwide not only for their academic excellence but also for the quality and effectiveness of their leadership and involvement in their schools and local community organizations.

One hundred fifty three (153) outstanding student leaders from different schools were interviewed sometime in November last year during the final phase of the selection process and eventually after careful deliberations came up with eighty-one potential youth leaders.

In Sorsogon, John Edward Evano, a senior engineering student of the Sorsogon State College was luckily chosen.

In a letter sent by John Philip S. Orbeta, Program Director, Ayala Young Leaders program and managing director, Ayala Corporation to Sorsogon State College (SSC) president Dr. Antonio E. Fuentes, the corporation commended the SSC for molding Evano to become an outstanding youth leader and at the same time its effort in continuing to build the foundations of the country for the next generation through leadership development.

It also says that beginning this year the school is to nominate an administrator or a faculty member to serve as mentor to the AYLC delegate for one school year to sustain the young leaders’ growth and the impact of their leadership.

Energy Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras, who is also the former president of Manila Water Company, will keynote the congress while notable figures from government, business, and the socio-civic and arts sectors will also be joining the AYLC 2011 delegates.

These include Dr. Chelsea Calcado, rural health physician of the Integrated Provincial Health Office of Negros Oriental, Chris Tiu, TV personality and athlete, who is also a businessman and barangay official in Makati City; and Marites Vitug, co-founder and board member of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. (PIA Sorsogon)

Camarines Sur to launch El Verde movement
by Lizel S. Macatangay

PILI, Camarines Sur, (PIA) — The local government of Camarines Sur, in line with President Benigno Aquino’s directive to promote the sustainable use of our natural resources is all geared up for the launching of El Verde Movement scheduled to take place before the end of this month.

Camarines Sur Governor Luis Raymund Villafuerte is envisioning a greener province by spearheading an extensive planting of 500,000 or half million trees in various part of the provinces come February 23. The activity will cover 1,036 barangays which comprises the 35 municipalities in the province, including the cities of Naga and Iriga.

El Verde Movement aims not just to protect our ecosystem but also to attain food security for its inhabitants. For the past years, the local government has been embarking on various efforts to alleviate poverty, specifically along the coastal areas, where most of the families are living way below the poverty threshold.

The local government is also encouraging other stakeholders to join their environmental campaign until they reach the goal of planting 12 million trees before the end of 2012.

The simultaneous tree planting is expected to mobilize nearly ten (10) million constituents together with members and officers of various government agencies and representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Governor Villafuerte is also encouraging families, individuals and members of the private sectors to join the said project.

Interested companies or establishments can also sign up as corporate sponsors. In exchange, they will be allotted with a planting area which will be named after their company or organization.

The local government is also offering an incentive to families who can introduce the best planting method. Once chosen, they will receive food packs from the province. School subsidy will also be given to the children of lucky recipients.

Aside from this, all participating families will be automatically enlisted as PhilHealth beneficiaries under the agency’s Indigency Program. In exchange, they will be obliged to take good care of the trees and make certain that the tree will live and grow.

Villafuerte pictures a reforested Camarines Sur with teeming flora and fauna. Once realized, special protection zones will be declared to protect the remaining wildlife and maintain the ecosystem for the utilization of the upcoming generations. (PIA Camarines Sur)

DA Holds Accountability Confab
by Lizel S. Macatangay

SAN AGUSTIN, Pili, Camarines Sur, Feb.4 (PIA) ---- As part of their advocacy to equip government employees with the basic know how on public accountability and raise their awareness on how to fight corruption, the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon conducted a discussion on Public Accountability and Whistleblowing here over the weekend.

The said training was participated in by personnel and staff of the Department of Agriculture (DA) who had a chance to gain insights from the discussions concerning the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees otherwise known as Republic Act 6713, and Anti Graft and Corrupt Practices Act ,also known as Republic Act 3019.

Other topics include lectures on Service Excellence in Public Management geared towards improvement of the delivery of services of the concerned personnel, Whistleblowing which includes talks on the risks on exposing a wrongdoing and its direct threat to public interest and the provisions on Anti-Red Tape Act.

Leading the group of the graft investigators who also served as the event’s resource person is Director Wilbert L. Candelaria of the Public Assistance and Prevention Office (PACPO). Candelaria stated that the Bicol sortie is part of their tour schedule in Luzon as part of their campaign to educate government employees on their responsibility as public servants.

Other discussants include Atty. Cynthia V. Vivar, Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer, Atty. Joseph Marion Navarete, Graft Investigation Officer, Maria Juanita G. Caballero, Associate Graft Investigation Officer and Flos Carmeli Batoon, Administrative Officer.

The activity is also in line with President Benigno Aquino’s campaign to eradicate graft and corruption in the country by strengthening measures and lectures on public accountability and imposing strict penalties to those who are found guilty of graft and related offense.

DA Executive Regional Director Jose Dayao said that the training will serve as a reminder that the government is serious in its campaign to go after the crooks and clean the system of unworthy public officials and employees. (PIA Camarines Sur)

DAR CamNorte bares plans and programs for 2011

DAET, Camarines Norte, (PIA) – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in this province has stated their programs, projects and activities for this year specially in Program Beneficiaries Development (PBD).

Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer, Rodrigo Realubit, CESO IV said that activities for PBD to support services for Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) is integrated strategy or service delivery through orientation on RA 9700 and other pertinent Agrarian Reform Laws for ARBs, Landowners and stakeholders.

Also included is the development and distribution of Information Education Communication (IEC) materials on CARPER and other programs, and Landowners and stakeholders orientation on support services delivery.

He said that for organizational building and strengthening they will reorganize the Barangay Agrarian Reform Committee (BARC) and Agrarian Reform (AR) Chan (BARC Chairpersons/Paralegals) and New ARBs Membership in ARC organization.

They will conduct information campaign on Cooperative Development, pre-membership seminar, pineapple production and pineapple processing.

For the support services for ARBs in Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) and Non-ARCs they will have agricultural productivity and enterprise development to include preparation of technical proposal for Agribusiness, provision of Technology-Based Trainings for ARBs and ARBs organizations, trainings on livelihood and income generation and product development and enhancement.

They will also conduct activities to support service for rural women and will facilitate Health Care services for women.

The DAR will also focus on resource mobilization and accessing thru local partnership and coordination for farm to market roads, irrigation project, multi-purpose pavement, briges, post-harvest facilities and other physical infrastructure.

He added that aside from the PBD other component of programs are Land Acquisition Distribution and Delivery of Agrarian Justice. (RBManlangit, PIA CamNorte)

Jail warden in trouble over seizure of 8 sachets of Marijuana leaves
by Ed deLeon

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) – The jail warden of this city is in hot waters after Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA ) agents seized from a cell some eight sachets of dried marijuana during a surprised inspection last Monday, (Jan. 31), according to a high official of the drug enforcement agency.

Gen. Pedrito Magsino (Retired), PDEA Bicol regional director, disclosed yesterday (Feb. 3) that during a surprised inspection of the city jail compound their drug sniffing K9 dogs pointed to the location of the eight sachets dried marijuana leaves.

The dried marijuana leaves were in two plastic bags containing four sachets each and were discovered at a drawer inside cell No. “ 0” occupied by 10 jail trustees.

He said that two of the jail trustees were under detention for illegal drug cases.

He said the inspection was coordinated with Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Regional Director Sr. Supt. Emily Aranas.

He explained that during the inspection all the inmates were ask to attend a meeting at the social hall. After the inmates left their cells, PDEA agents conducted the inspection with the K9 dogs. The city jail has 10 cells.

Magsino said that Jail Warden Sr. Inspector Gerardo Berdin will undergo investigation to find out his culpability and to determine how the marijuana leaves found its way inside the jail compound and who owns it.

The PDEA director said that the surprised inspection was undertaken after persistent report that prohibited drugs is being peddled inside the city jail. (PIA V/Albay/mal)

BFAR BICOL RECOMMENDS LAND-BASED FISHERY PROJECTS
By Aida Alcazar-Naz

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Bicol has estimated the initial losses in fishery livelihood activities affected by the floods in late December 2010 and early January 2011 to less than a million pesos.

Melchor de Ramas, BFAR’s chief of fisheries extension and training division, disclosed the P800,000 valuation in Tuesday’s (Feb. 1) edition of PIA regional radio program Aramon Ta Daw.

De Ramas, too, appealed to fishermen to always listen to weather advisories and caution them not to go out to sea to avoid accidents during inclement weather instead to undertake land-based livelihood activities.

Among the non-sea income generating pursuits recommended by BFAR are production of tilapia fingerlings, seaweed cultivation, and establishing of fish cages.

For those who wish to embark in fingerling production, tilapia varieties are available in the municipal nurseries in the towns of Bula and Buhi both in Camarines Sur and hatcheries located in Minalabac, Canaman, Cabusao, in Camarines Sur; Bacon district in Sorsogon City, Castilla, Sorsogon and soon to open in Gubat town also in Sorsogon.

De Ramas though, alerts those into tilapia fingerling production that reproduction of tilapia during cold season is smaller in quantity but substantial during warmer days.

The current price per fingerling ranges from 15 to 50 centavos depending on the size of fry.

BFAR’s assisted gulaman project is found in seven areas, Calaguas Island, Mercedes, Camarines Norte; Ragay, Camarines Sur; Bacon district, Sorsogon City, the towns of Gubat, and Bulusan in Sorsogon; Batan Island, Bacacay and Tiwi in Albay.

BFAR continue to manage the Bacon Regional Seaweed Nursery. This year it will rehabilitate the seaweed project in Calintaan Island in Matnog, Sorsogon.

For 2011, BFAR will continue with its fishery projects like aquaculture in collaboration with interested local government units (LGUs). The team-up with LGUs come in the form of counter-parting of an aqua project. Financial assistance of BFAR ranges from P250,000 to P500,000.

On top of the funds support, is the technical assistance provided by BFAR.

Similarly, it awaits the proposal of LGU Buhi on the rehabilitation of Lake Buhi which experienced a massive fish kill last October with estimated losses of P10 million in revenue equivalent to 100 metric tons production losses.

BFAR, too, continue to assist fish farmers through the executive management council of concerned LGU.

The agency uphold the maintenance of four mariculture parks in the region found in Sangay, Camarines Sur; Magallanes, Sorsogon; Bacon district, Sorsogon City; and Masbate City. At present the office is validating the proposal of Matnog town for the establishment of a fish park while a plan to rehabilitate Ragay mariculture park is underway.

It sustains the management of the bangus fry bank located in Baybay, Tiwi, Albay.

De Ramas, likewise announced that it has stopped since 2008 other land-based projects for fisherman like the sasso chicken production. The agency will concentrate on land-based fishery related projects.(PIA V/Albay)

Ochoa says 17 priority bills to be presented to LEDAC

MANILA — The administration will push for 17 priority legislation when President Benigno Aquino III meets leaders of Congress in the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) for the first time this month, Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said on Sunday.

The shortlist, which was finalized last week, was selected from at least 180 proposed measures earlier received by the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office from various departments and the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce of the Philippines.

Ochoa said the priority measures were critical to achieve the priority concerns of the Aquino administration outlined in the 16-point agenda of the government.

“The 17 bills that the President will present to the LEDAC are in the final stages of preparation,” Ochoa said. “We are not just submitting a list of measures, but the bills themselves, which have been studied by the lead agencies involved,” Ochoa said.

Crafting of the proposed measures took time, to accommodate inputs and studies made following consultations between the lead agencies and stakeholders, the Executive Secretary said.

There were also proposals that were dropped from the list pending further study, while some could be implemented with existing government policies and programs, Ochoa said.

“We hope that we can rationalize these priority measures with those of Congress so we can pass these at the soonest possible time,” he said.

The priority bills to be submitted to the LEDAC will not cover new taxes or Charter change, in keeping with the President’s previous pronouncements.

The proposals instead assure human development, infrastructure development, economic development, sovereignty and security, and good governance. (PIA V Release)

Malacanang says Aquino has no intentions to backing off EO 23

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III has no intentions to withdraw his decision in imposing the indefinite and comprehensive nationwide restriction on logging despite the opposition from the wood producers.

“I think there is no intention (for the President) to back off this restriction on logging,” Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) Secretary Ramon Carandang said in a radio interview over Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday.

Carandang stressed that even the President himself is aware that his Executive Order No. 23 which he issued last Thursday will meet opposition from the wood industry but there’s a need to implement it as part of the duty of the State to protect the environment.

“Alam naman natin na may papalag dito sa EO na ito, pero ayon nga kay Pangulong Aquino, this is an investment in the country’s future and in our own environment,” Carandang said adding that the President has a “strong political will” to enforce EO 23.

Carandang reminded the wood industry that the objective of EO 23 is more on restriction on logging and not a total log ban.

He said anybody from the wood industry who has existing permit and no record of illegal logging activities can continue with their operation, as long as their business operation is legal.

On Thursday, the President ordered a nationwide logging moratorium on Philippine national and residual forests to protect and stop the destruction of watersheds and river systems and created a task force to lead the government’s campaign against illegal logging.

Under EO 23, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is instructed to stop logging firms from cutting trees while it is in the process of reviewing all existing logging agreements.

The agency is tasked to immediately cancel the concessions of logging companies that have violated forest laws. The DENR is also prohibited from issuing and renewing logging contracts and tree cutting permits in all natural and residual forests. (PIA V Release)