Bulusan belches 3-km high ash columns Monday
…Phivolcs warns restiveness to continue

LEGAZPI CITY(PIA) — Bulusan has spewed an ash column reaching some three kilometers high from the crater summit today around 9:12 am sending anew residents from their home to safer grounds.
Resident Volcanologist Ed Laguerta of Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the ash explosion indicates that steam driven pressure is building up anew at the volcano’s vent.

Laguerta said that the agency recorded a explosion type earthquake lasting for about 19 minutes with rumbling sound heard up to 10 kilometers away in the town of Juban in Sorsogon.

The ash column that shoot up into the air drifted to the southwest of the volcano flank as preliminary filed investigation by the agency traced the presence of ash deposits in barangay (village) Monbon and Irosin town proper.

In Irosin town, at least 75 families or 319 individuals were evacuated from three barangays that are now housed in Gallanosa National High School in Barangay San Pedro, also in the said town.

Irosin Mayor Eduardo Ong, Jr said the evacuees are from Barangays Tinampo, Monbon, and Cogon located just down the slopes of the volcano that are most affected by the ash falls.

At least 17 barangays in Irosin town encountered from light to heavy ash falls.

The municipal government of Irosin has also mobilized response teams and dispatched vehicles to survey other areas and evacuate residents if necessary.

“We have also distributed face masks and conduct close monitoring of the evacuees for their immediate needs,” adding that, ”we need additional medicines for respiratory ailments, relief assistance,” he said.

“The Department of Public Works and Highways and Bureau of Fire Protection, and other groups already helped out for the clearing of national highways and other major roads from volcanic ash,” he added.

Lt. Col Santiago Enginco, commanding officer of the 49th Infantry Battalion, meanwhile said that the army unit has immediately deployed 5 military vehicles and were able to transport some 50 families or 150 individuals people from Puting Sapa village in Juban town to the evacuation center in Cogon Elementary School in the same town.

In Bulan town, initial reports show that at least 18 students suffered suffocation due to the thick ash falls, including 10 in Bulan National High School and 8 in Alcova Elementary School.

Mayor Helen Rose De Castro said the municipal government has already distributed facemasks this morning, especially to school children, adding that “we need additional of these masks as ashes from the volcano still pose danger to my constituents.

Classes in the affected areas in Juban, Irosin and Bulan towns were already suspended by the DepEd, with the presence of evacuees who took shelter in the elementary school grounds and facilities.

Meanwhile, reports from PIA Masbate said the ash falls from Mt. Bulusan recent eruption reached as far as Masbate City, as traces were evident on the roofs of houses and buildings, vehicles and main thoroughfares of the city.

PIA Masbate chief Ernie Delgado said the disaster management office has observed much heavier ash fall in Ticao Island perhaps because of the prevailing wind direction and the proximity of the area to Sorsogon province.

Masbate City Health Office has also distributed dust mask to prevent suffocation among the locals in the wake of the ash fall that until press time is noted in the area.

Phivolcs, furthermore, warned that Alert Level 1 remains hoisted over Bulusan Volcano and entry to the 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) is strictly prohibited, since the area is at risk to sudden steam and ash explosions.

Furthermore, people living near valleys and river/stream channels should be vigilant against sediment-laden stream flows and lahars in the event of heavy and prolonged rainfall.

Civil aviation authorities here advised pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano's summit as ejected ash and volcanic fragments from sudden explosions may be hazardous to aircraft.

Senator Francis Escudero, who hails from Casiguran town, has asked concerned government agencies through the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) to coordinate efforts to mitigate the effects of the eruption. (MALoterte, BARecebido, EADelgado, PIA V)

PNoy leads in massive tree planting
By Lizel S. Macatangay

PILI, Camarines Sur , (PIA) — President Benigno Simeon Aquino III joined thousands of Camarines Sur folks in a momentous attempt to defy the effects of climate change by spearheading the ceremonial tree planting of seedlings at the hilly portion of Barangay Sto. Nino, here as the province aims a place at the prestigious Guinness World Record list.

Before the dawn breaks this morning, members of the academe, LGU officials, representatives from socio and civic organizations and private individuals were already in full planting gear, as they prepared to plant an approximate 35,000 seedlings in a 17-hectare planting site.

The President’s arrival further boosted the participant’s enthusiasm to partake of the chance to be active stewards of environment by joining their community in the simultaneous planting.

In his speech, President Aquino lauded the initiative of the local government of Camarines Sur thru Governor Luis Raymond Villafuerte in spearheading a gargantuan project of creating not just a name in history but also of launching public awareness on how important trees are in our fight against climate change.

“The government is now addressing our war against poverty, but we are still facing a lot of battles and one of them is our struggle to fight off global warming. Our country has gone through typhoons and widespread flooding that did not only damage our infrastructure and properties but also have lost the lives of many.”

President Aquino said that his administration thru the national government’s greening program strongly supports environment endeavors like the EL Verde Movement to address the declining situation of our environment.

“Five hundred thousand seedlings could transform to five hundred opportunities for our people. Not just in terms of shade, but in terms of livelihood as well,” Aquino added.

In support of this, Aquino also reiterated several government efforts like the issuance of Executive Order 23 which specifically orders logging ban all over the country. (PIA Camarines Sur)


PNoy to strengthen social reintegration program for ex rebels
By Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, (PIA) — "It is one of the main thrusts in the six-year term of President Benigno Simeon 'Noynoy' Aquino III to leave a lasting imprint of simple but effective local based-approach and nationally-led programs; this is especially true in the case of former rebels who will be mainstreamed in society.

It is also his desire to give local chief executives more room to analyse, review government policies, recommend solutions, draw programs and projects so that the social reintegration program will be the government's legacy in the call for peace," Rolly B. Asuncion, director, Peace and Development Office under the Office of the Presidential Peace Process (OPPAP) said during the meeting held here last week at the training hall of the Office of the Governor.

In attendance during the meeting were representatives from different offices and agencies involved in the program.

The legal basis of the reintegration program is Executive Order No. 03, which is the implementation of the Social Integration Program (SIP) to address the legal status and security of former rebels.It provides community-based programs that will address their economic, social, psychological, and rehabilitation needs.

Under Sec. 17 (b) (3) of the Local Government Code of 1991 which is the basic services and facilities component, the province is tasked to provide social welfare service which also includes programs and projects on rebel returnes and evacuees relief operation and population development services of rebel returnees.

Director Asuncion explained that under OPPAP, three guiding principles are recommended for implementation in the social reintegration program. First, that program be locally-driven but nationally-led; second, that these programs be based on broad partnerships; and third, that these programs be time-bounded with clear exit strategy.

Sorsogon is one of the provinces in the Philippines that had provided rebel returnees with the SIP package and are now successfully mainstreamed in society.

"With the new scheme of the social reintegration program after it has been thoroughly reviewed and enhanced under the PNoy administration where society and government will play their best in the healing process , OPPAP is hopeful that all these efforts will find significant meaning in our pursuit to lasting peace." Director Asuncion stressed. (PIA Sorsogon)

NGO urges PNoy to convert watershed forest into a natural park

VIRAC, Catanduanes, (PIA) — The Catanduanes Sustainable Development Inc., a non-government environment petition letter recently petitioned President Noynoy Quino His Excellency President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III to convert a watershed reservation in the province of Catanduanes intoa Natural Park.
The petition paper states the alarming scenario affecting the vast flora and fauna, the life support system which are now in degenerative state due to uncontrolled human activities to the gradual decline in the quality and quantity of the ground water, surface water, and other essential ecosystem services.
The group also appealed to Gov. Joseph C. Cua and Rep. Cesar V. Sarmiento, for the immediate establishment of a natural park in the Island province.

The members of the ECODEVI advocates the establishment of the Catanduanes Natural Park through the expansion of the Catanduanes Watershed Forest Reserve (CWFR) under Presidential Proclamation 123 date June 23, 1997, to include large portion of Catanduanes Wilderness area with the ultimate goal of preserving vast habitats for biodiversity conservation in accordance with the National Integrated Protected Areas (NIPAS) and therefore ensuring human survival.

They also commit to keep the spirit of environmentalism alive as they intend to consistently be at the forefront in the crusade for biodiversity protection. The likewise commit to promote good governance as their gesture of support to Pres. Aquino. The chairman of the Board of ECODEVI is Luis L. Surtida, provincial administrator, Province of Catanduanes. (EABagadiong, PIA Catanduanes)

Coconut farmers are now enjoying good price for their products-PCA
By Ed de Leon

LEGAZPI CITY- Coconut farmers in Bicol produced a total of 430,054 metric tons of Copra in 2010 valued at P11.9 billion and are enjoying a good price for their produce because of the effect of climate change in other countries producing substitute products according the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) regional office.

PCA regional director Eduardo Allorde said that the farm gate price of copra last year averaged at P46.75 per kilogram up from P18.00 for the same period in 2009 or a price differential of P28.25/per kilogram.

Moreover he said that price of matured coconut (Niyog) used for cooking vegetable has reached P25 pesos each and young coconut or Buko also at P25 pesos each.

He said that the province of Camarines Sur produced the highest volume of Copra in 2010 with 93,833 metric tons harvested from 119,045 hectares of land planted to coconut while Sorsogon is second with 97,738 metric tons from harvested from 97,692 hectares, third is Masbate with 87,478 metric tons harvested from 91,076 hectares and fourth is Camarines Norte with 82,002 metric tons harvested from 85,375 hectares, fifth is Albay with 38,593 metric tons harevested from 40,180 hectares and sixth is is the island province of Catanduanes with 13,807 metric tons harvested from 14,375 hectares for total of 447,764 hectares.

Allorde said that there are a more than 300,000 coconut farmers in Bicol dependent on the coconut farming while 2.1 million Bicolanos are directly or indirectly dependent on the Coconut industry.
The PCA regional director explained that the rise in the price of coconut products is due to the climate change pervading in the World today like the snows and blizzard in the United States and Europe and flooding in other areas because of La Nina.

He said that because of this abnormal weather condition brought about by climate change the supply of competing product like soya bean oil, sunflower and kernel oil has been reduced making our coconut based products more in demand in the world market forcing the price to shoot up.

He added that last year some $1.5 billion dollar worth of coconut products were exported to the world market.

He disclosed that the agency is now implementing for this year several projects to increase the production of coconut farmers to take advantage of the good prevailing price in the world market.
He disclosed that these projects are under the National Coconut Productivity Program (NCCP) which includes the Participatory Planting Project (PCPP), The Salt Fertilization Project (SFP) and the Coconut intercropping Project (CIP). (PIA V/Albay)




Enhanced Tax Revenue Assessment and Collection Training held

VIRAC, Catanduanes, (PIA) — A Province-wide Real Property Tax Administration Computerization Training is being conducted in the province of Catanduanes which started last February 14 until February 25, 2011 at the Office of the Provincial Assessor, Capitol Building, Virac, Catanduanes.

The activity is a ten-day training attended by Municipal Assessors, Municipal Treasurers and Information Technology Administrators of the 11 municipalities in the province.

This is one of the Policy Reform Agenda of the Administration of Governor Joseph C. Cua with the following objectives: To provide a consistent and accurate computation of real property assessment for land, plants and trees, building and machineries; To provide better delivery of service through fast and efficient processing of real property transactions and efficient decision-making and problem solving through accurate, timely and relevant real property information and to increase collection through updated tax payer records.

Included in the program description are the following: The Real Property Tax Enhanced Program shall install a computerized system for assessment and treasury; it shall consist of the computerization of real property assessment and tax records through the establishment of IT system; it shall consists of the acquisition of servers and terminal stations for assessment and treasury at the provincial and municipal level; the project shall designate personnel both at the provincial and municipal level; it shall conduct trainers of personnel involved in the said project and the project shall establish a link through a Local Area Network (LAN).

All the 11 municipalities in the province will be given free network server for interconnectivity between the assessors and treasurers. In short, the program's service is revenue generation through real property tax administration, real property tax appraisal and assessment and real property tax collection. ### (EABagadiong, PIA Catanduanes)

OWWA BICOL OPENS DESKS FOR FAMILIES
OF OFWs IN STRIFE TORN COUNTRIES
By Aida Alcazar-Naz

LEGAZPI CITY, FEB. 22 (PIA) – The Office of Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) regional office here and its satellite office located in Naga City continue to assist relatives of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who wish to know how their loved ones are coping with the unrest in their adopted countries of workplaces.

Regional Director Jocelyn Hapal disclosed in yesterday’s Aramon Ta Daw radio program of PIA that said offices are becoming intermediaries by accepting calls from kins of OFWs, while they in turn contact their offices in concerned countries to determine how Filipino workers fare.

The system has worked out since the turmoil in Egypt started.

Today, according to Hapal, they are ready to do the same arrangement for relatives of OFWs working in Bahrain, Libya and Yemen in close coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Hapal said that there are scores of Filipinos working in Malama, Bahrain and Bengzali, Libya.

Likewise, she announced that voluntary repatriation from Egypt is still open after a three wave of groups went home at their own accord. So far of the 97 individuals who came home, no Bicolano was among those who turned up because they want to hang on to their jobs.

Interested relatives are advised to visit the OWWA offices or call 473-4341 in Naga City or 481-4503, this city during office hours. They can also call CP#09277962223 anytime of the day.

Meantime, OWWA Bicol will partake of the P1 billion livelihood fund for returning OFWs who went home starting August 2010 due to unpleasant causes like unfinished contract, illness, objectionable workplace or cases of maltreatment.

A grant of P15,000 await returning OFW as a start-up capital.

Groups or organizations will likewise, be given a grant of P150,000 to P250,000 depending on the proposal submitted.

Unlike before, where livelihood assistance program was in the form of loan, this time according to Hapal the assistance is an endowment because OFWs are hard-up in paying loans.

OWWA will provide orientation on how to start a business and related information including preparation of documents for submission to accredited banks. The new livelihood assistance scheme will be coursed through Land Bank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines, added Hapal. (PIA V/Albay)


PNP Bicol hiring 340 new cops in the region

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) regional office here has commenced accepting applications for Police Officer 1 (PO1) Attrition Recruitment Program Phase 1 for 2011, according to the agency’s Public Information Office.

Police Sr. Insp. Ayn Espinas Natuel of the regional police PIO said this year’s recruitment intends to fill up the regional and provincial offices with the lacking number of police personnel to be more responsive to the demands of an efficient and effective police office in the region.

Espinas said the applicants will undergo the rigid six months Public Safety Basic Recruit Course (PSBRC) training upon passing all the mandatory processing requirements for appointment.

Espinas elaborated that qualifications include applicants must be a natural born citizen, of good moral character, must possess a formal Baccalaureate Degree from a recognized learning institution, must be eligible in accordance with the standards set by the Commission, must have passed the psychiatric/psychological, physical, medical, dental and drug test to be administered by the PNP Health Service and Crime Laboratory or any NAPOLCOM accredited government hospital for the purpose of determining the appointee’s physical and mental health.

He or she must have no pending criminal case in any court, including the Office of the Ombudsman or administrative case if he/she is already an employee of the government, must not be dishonorably discharged from military employment or on AWOL or Dropped from Rolls from the PNP service, or dismissed for cause from any civilian position in the government, must not have been convicted by final judgment of an offense or crime involving moral turpitude

The applicant must also be at least 1 meter and 62 centimeters (1.62cm) in height for male and 1 meter and 57 centimeters (1.52cm) for female, must weight not more or less than 5 kilograms (5.0 kg) from the standard weight corresponding to his/her height, age and se, and must not be less than 21 nor more than 30 years of age

The applicant shall be considered to be 21 years of age on his/her 21 birth date and shall be considered more than 30 years of age on his/her 31st birth date.

The should also submit the following requirements in a white folder with white tabbing, duly accomplished CSC Form 212 (Revise 205) Handwritten (Black Ball Pen), birth certificate authenticated by the NSO, eligibility authenticated by the issuing authority (NAPOLCOM, PRC RA 65060), 2 pcs 2”x2” black and white picture indicating applicant’s name, 1piece bust picture, 1 piece whole body picture, Transcript of Records and Diploma (authenticated by the school registrar), clearances from Barangay, Local Police Station, RTC/MTC/NBI, medical certificate issued by local health office and ECG result fingerprints and handwriting specimen from NAPOLCOM.

The applicants must directly submit their application folders to their respective Police Provincial Offices, who in turn will endorse the same to the Regional Selection Board/Committee at the regional office in Camp Gen. Simeon A. Ola here.

For inquiries and more details, interested applicants may visit RPHRDD, (R1) of Bicol PRO or call
this office at 481-1449, 820-0537.

Applicants will be carefully screened and subjected to battery of tests, purposely to determine their physical, mental and psychological fitness to undergo the PSBRC training, and ensure that only those best qualified are accepted to the PNP service.(MALoterte, PIA V/Albay)