DTI, DILG IN BICOL WORK TOGETHER TO STREAMLINE BUSINESS LICENSING IN LGUS

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) regional offices here are working in unison to streamline business licensing in the region.

DTI Bicol Regional Director Jocelyn L.B. Blanco said that the partnership is an offshoot of the government’s initiative to implement the Business Processing and Licensing System (BPLS) as contained in the DILG-DTI Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1 series of 2010.

Blanco said that the implementation of the project is also pursuant to RA 9485, otherwise known as the Anti-Red Tape Act, which mandates all government institutions to reduce the cost of doing business and simplify business registration.

She added that it also provides fast, convenient and efficient delivery of services to business operators by reducing bureaucratic red tape and preventing graft and corruption.

In a meeting on Jan. 28, Blanco and DILG Bicol Regional Director Blandino Maceda agreed to target full implementation of BPLS in LGUs foreseeing a vibrant economy and potential growth of business sector in the next five years.

The regional directors of both the agencies declared that there is a need for each city/municipality to come up with an enhanced investment and promotion program in order to entice potential investors.
The dou are also looking forward to come up with awards program for deserving BPLS compliant LGUs in order to encourage others to adopt the system.

Blanco said that “with the full implementation of the system, business permits and licensing will be made easy and thereby should attract more investors. It will also bring more money to the government and create more jobs.” (JRBerango, DTI V/PIA Albay/mal)

DPWH CHIEF ORDERS ROAD REHAB AND UPGRADE IN BICOL

LEGAZPI CITY— Secretary, Honorable Rogelio Singson of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has ordered the 100 percent of completion of national and arterial roads, paved and in good condition by 2016, while 80 percent of should be in the same condition on the same target year.

This was stressed by the DPWH secretary in his first staff meeting with Bicol’s key officials of DPWH regional office here forming part of his policies and programs to achieve a common direction towards the efficient and effective delivery of services to the public.

“Priority will not be given on road opening and new road construction projects, but on solutions to water related problems and improvement of the existing roads,” Singson added.

DPWH Bicol Regional Director Danilo Dequito meanwhile said that some P3.9 billion worth of projects are up for implementation this 2011 for Bicol region. Some P1.2 billion of this allocation is earmarked to Camarines Sur, wherein P500 million is allotted for critical roads and bridges, P334.6 million for rehabilitation of damaged national roads, P353.3 million for the upgrading from gravel to paved roads, and P55.3 million for preventives maintenance.”

“To comply with one of the 3 Rs advocacy of our Secretary, all projects for implementation will undergo transparent and honest to goodness bidding”, said Assistant Regional Director Jesus Salmo who also chairs the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) in the said office.

RD Dequito explained that the 3 Rs refer to first, it should be the right project, second, at the right price and third, project should be constructed with the right quality to ensure its durability.

The arrival of the Secretary with DPWH Undersecretary for Regional Operations, Romeo Momo of Legazpi on January 4, 2011, was prompted by the experienced calamity in the Region particularly, Albay province wherein a State of Calamity was declared by Governor Joey Sarte Salceda due to the incessant rainfall resulting to flashfloods and landslides in some areas of Albay. (LVCastañeda, DPWH/PIA Albay/mal)

PPBCV LEADS BICOL CAMPAIGN FOR PEACE
By Aida Alcazar-Naz

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) – Support for the peace panels of the Government of the Philippines (GPH) tasked for the talks with Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and Communist Party of the Philippines/National Democratic Front/New People’s Army (CNN) is gaining ground not only in Metro Manila but in the regions as well, particularly the Bicol region.

The civil society, Pinoy Power Bicol Coalition of Volunteers (PPBCV) based in Legazpi has taken the lead to support the administration’s peace process through a series of events which has started yesterday.

PPBCV president Dr. Ofelia Samar-Sy said these activities are the peace mass, ringing of church bells dubbed bells for peace, reading of President Benigno S. Aquino III’s call for people power for peace, light up for peace, signature campaign and peace wall, and fun run for the construction of new public school buildings.

Sy, made the announcement of said activities in yesterday’s (Feb. 7) episode of PIA Bicol radio program Aramon Ta Daw.

These series of events is a “Call for People Power for Peace”, where the civil society links with government to back up the administration’s peace agenda, Sy added.

This call for peace has started February 6, with the 11 a.m. mass for peace held at the Albay Cathedral where a pastoral message on reconciliation and peace was the topic during the sermon. Two hours later, at 1 p.m. a synchronized ringing of church bells dubbed bells for peace was rung just like in other places across the country.

In today’s Monday morning flag ceremonies in government offices, the President’s Call for people power for peace particularly President Benigno S. Aquino III’s memorandum on support for peace process dated February 4, 2011 was read.

Today, the mass candle lighting “light up for peace” will cover both sides of the stretch of Rizal Street from Camp Gen. Simeon Ola to the Albay Provincial Capitol grounds and around the Peñaranda Park.

As of this morning, about 2,500 conglomeration of youths, academe, religious groups, employees, the police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines have already signify their participation and promised to wear yellow shirt and will light yellow candles, yellow being a color that signifies peace.

In same gathering 50 peace wish lanterns will be released by heads of different participating organizations.

The candle lighting activity is meant to show that symbolically the populace support peace and above all taking a stand that peace should prevail.

Sy, suggested to those who can not join the candle-lighting in Legazpi due to distance from homes or for other reasons, to light a candle in front of their homes at 6 p.m. tomorrow.

In Manila, the candle-light trail is from Katipunan Avenue to Quezon Memorial Circle with President Aquino as guest honoree who will ring the peace bell.

A similar ringing of peace bell will be carried out during the candle lighting activity here.

The candle lights represent the silent majority making a stand for peace, the ringing of peace bell symbolizes the triumphant character of a people united for a common purpose – peace, while the flying wish lanterns represent the prayer intention of the people.

On Valentine’s day, February 14, “peace wall” or tarpaulins attached to walls located in schools, malls, facades of government buildings will be put up for a signature campaign. After a person signs the campaign in support of peace called petition for peace, he or she will be given a peace sign sticker where he writes his name and will be posted on the peace wall.

On the peace wall employees, students, youths, the general public can write their messages on peace.

Finally, on February 27 at 6 a.m. Pinoy Power Bicol Run will commence from Peñaranda Park to Embarcadero. A runner may select whether he will join the 3-kilometer or 5 kilometer run.

They are expected to wear yellow shirts preferably the specially – designed shirt for the event which they can order from PPBCV. A percentage of the sale will go to the building of public schools in the region. Donations are also welcome and encouraged from the runners and from their friends and supporters.

At least 5,000 participants have signified their intention to join.

The pursuit of just and lasting peace is a priority agenda of the GPH under the Aquino administration. The GPH-MILF informal talks is set February 9-10 while the GPH-CNN formal talks is on February 15-21.

According to the Office of the Presidential Adviser of the Peace Process (OPAPP), the peace talks scheduled this month are crucial as its formally breaks the impasse with the MILF caused by the controversial memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain (MOA-AD), and resumes the talks with the CNN which has been stalled since 2005.

These events aim to show support for the forthcoming peace talks, a symbolic send-off of GPH to both government and the rebel negotiating panels as they hope to arrive at common grounds for the political settlement of their struggles. (PIA V/Albay)

LUBI- LUBI NOODLES CAN COMPETE IN THE MARKET- STUDY
by Felino S. Jazmin, Jr.

SORSOGON CITY, (PIA) – A study, conducted in Sorsogon State College (SSC) on the noodles, developed and enriched using Lubi-lubi leaves, has highly recommended that the product can compete with other veggie noodles in the market.

SSC researchers dealt with the development and acceptability of the enriched Lubi-lubi (Ficus pseudopalma) noodle utilizing its puree as indigenous ingredient.

Based on the study’s abstract, the level of acceptability was determined to find out the degree of acceptance of the noodles among consumers. The study also found out that based on acceptability level, trial 2 was rated as much acceptable as to taste and color and acceptable as to texture and color.

Experimental method was used by extracting the puree of Lubi-lubi leaves, used as flavor, and packed/stored in polythekyne bag. Of the three trials conducted the enriched Lubi-lubi noodles with ingredients of 250g of Lubi-lubi leaves puree, 325gAPF, 10 g salt, 150 g eggs and 2 g vegetable oil, 187.5 water was rated much acceptable. The researchers concluded that Lubi-lubi leaves are potential flavoring in the preparation of enriched Lubi- lubi noodles and accepted among consumers.

The good thing about Lubi-lubi is that it is practically found around us,” said Mrs. Geraldine de Jesus, lead researcher of the study in an interview. “The next step for us to take would be chemical analysis and production,” added Mrs. Fely Habla.

The paper was presented in the National Congress of International Society for Southeast Asian Agricultural Sciences on September 28-30, 2010 in Bicol University Legazpi City. Researchers Fely A. Habla, Concepcion J. Cambaliza, Tarcela F. Detera, Mateo Luis G. Janer, and Geraldine De Jesus attended the event. (SSC/PIA Sorsogon)

SORSOGON PRESS CLUB TO HOLD EMPOWERMENT FORUM
by Bennie A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, (PIA) – As part of the Sorsogon Provincial Press Club’s celebration of its 2nd founding anniversary, an empowerment forum is slated on heart’s day, February 14, 2011 at the Casa Dominga, in Balogo, this city.

With the theme: “Unleashing the Power of Mass Media”, the half-day forum, which is one of the major activities of the anniversary celebration wants to put across a clear definition of the role of mass media and encourage media practitioners and individuals as well, who have inclinations in the field of media industry to promote the mass media as a tool in empowering communities.

“We have invited and open the forum to media practitioners, educators, campus journalists and advisers, local government units and private agencies’ community relation officers, teachers and other individuals who are interested in mass media practices and profession to participate in the activity not only to orient or refresh them of the role of the media in community development but at the same time to strengthen the relationships of the media sector in the province of Sorsogon,” said Redentor Lasay, president of the Sorsogon Provincial Press Club, Inc. (SPPCI).

Renowned speakers are also invited to share their expertise as well as discuss relevant and current issues pertaining to the ethical standards and practices of mass media in Sorsogon.

Each participant will also be given a certificate attesting their participation in the activity.

Lasay also said that interested participants are to confirm their participation on or before February 11, 2011 to the SPPCI secretariat: 09285318415/09083231382 or email at sorpressclub@yahoo.com.

Other activities lined up for the anniversary celebration on February 14 includes motorcade around Sorsogon City’s main thoroughfare and a “Raffle Draw on Media and Barangay Empowerment” in partnership with the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas – Sorsogon Provincial Chapter where big prizes are at stake. (PIA Sorsogon)

TESDA GRANTS P 1-M SCHOLARSHIP TO CAM SUR IT CENTER
by Lizel S. Macatangay

PILI, Camarines Sur, (PIA) — The Camarines Sur Information Technology Center (CSITC), the first IT Park in the Bicol Region being run by the local government of Camarines Sur will receive One Million worth of scholarship grant from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) under its Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP).

This is in line with TESDA’s objective to provide the necessary skills and competencies to deserving but poor students. The training also serves as the agency’s response to the growing demand for skilled workers here and abroad.

The said program is also consistent with Camarines Sur Governor Luis Raymond Villafuerte’s agenda to give his constituents various avenues for job opportunities by providing them with necessary trainings. Target recipients are high school graduates and those who wish to take up the training to equip themselves with the basic requirements for overseas employment.

Governor VIllafuerte has already reserved 57 slots for the English Proficiency Program (EPP), 33 for the 2D Animation and allocated 35 slots for Medical Transcriptionists.

Overseas opportunities abound in the Agribusiness Sector, Cyber Services, Aviation, Metals Engineering, Health and Social Services. Other support and specials programs, including Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) are also in dire need of personnel who can man various establishments not just in the Philippines but also in other parts of the archipelago.

The CSITC has been providing foreign investors, particularly Japanese employers with skilled manpower. Located at the 5-hectare park within the Provincial Capitol Complex, the said establishment is also home to a Call Center Building which is also being manned by competent personnel. (PIA Camarines Sur)

PDEA, POLICE NAB SUSPECTED SHABU PUSHER

MASBATE CITY (PIA)—Anti-narcotics operatives arrested a 38-year-old man who drives a passenger van here for allegedly selling and keeping several sachets of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu in his house.

The team leader, Police Inspector Reynulfo Glodovista, identified the suspect as Orlando B. Alvarez, owner-driver of a passenger van that plies the Masbate city—Mandaon town route.

Glodovista said Alvarez was arrested in a raid on his home on Bagong Sirang st. last Wednesday by virtue of a search warrant issued by Masbate Executive Judge Maximino R. Ables. Teams from the Masbate City Police, Provincial Police Office and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency confiscated from the suspect were five sachets of shabu.

Intelligence sources said the raid was undertaken after information relayed to their office by a tipster who claimed Alvarez was the source of shabu sold in the area.

Glodovista said his unit conducted a month-long surveillance on the van driver and before they conducted the operation.

Alvarez denied involvement in the trafficking of shabu. (EDelgado, PIA Masbate)

BIR CAMNORTE OVERSHOOT TARGET GOAL BY 20 PERCENT IN 2010

DAET, Camarines Norte, (PIA) - The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) RDO 64 here has collected more than 20 percent of the collection target last year.

Asst. RDO Modesto R. Avila Jr. said that they have collected more than 493.6 million as compared to 410.4 million collection goal last year or a total of 83.2 million increased in collection.

He also said that more than 38 percent was collected in 2010 or 493.6 million as compared to 355.6 million in 2009 or an increased of 138 million.

He explained that this was attributed to their intensified tax campaign and appeal to taxpayers, monitoring of project of local government units, national government agencies and government offices and controlled corporations.

He added that they have also collections from divident (MONACOR), collection from Project RIP, collection from stop filer, monitoring of private withholding agents, the Project Iboto Mo for Candidates of 2010 elections, deficientcy tax and the ONETT transaction. (RB Manlangit, PIA CamNorte)


MGB BICOL TARGETS ZERO BACKLOG IN MINING APPLICATIONS THIS YEAR
By Ed de Leon

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) — In response to the directive of Environment Secretary Ramon Paje to cleanse the record of the department regarding proliferation of all pending and inactive mining applications the Mines Geosciences Bureau (MGB) regional office here said the other day that it will be able to attain zero backlog this year.

Reynulfo Juan, MGB Bicol regional director, said that last year there were 242 mining applications submitted to the office and that 40 of these were recommended for denial while 6 were recommended for approval to the central officer.

He said that the remaining 176 mining applications will be acted
expeditiously so that even before the end of the year there will no longer be any pending applications.

It may be recalled that Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon Paje has ordered all regional offices of MGB to also cleanse the record of the bureau of previously approved mining claims but no actual investments or operations are made in accordance with the new policy of the secretary of “use it or lose it”.

This means according to the MGB director that the agency will be cancelling not only mining applications that are unable to comply with all the requirements set by the government but also mining tenements that have remained inactive and unproductive for a long time.

He said the new directive is one of the reforms in the mining sector promulgate by Sec. Paje to enhance the management of the country’s natural resources and remove the source of temptation to graft and corruption in the agency. (PIA V/Albay/mal)