LTFRB adopts taxi numbering system in Bicol to weed out colorum
By Ed de Leon

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) — To insure the easy identification and monitoring of taxi units operating in Bicol, the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) regional office here has issued a memorandum adopting a permanent taxi sequence numbering system to be implemented by all existing taxi operators in Bicol.

Through a memorandum circular dated February 3, 2011, LTFRB Regional Director Porfirio D. Clavel has directed all taxi operators operating in the region to place a permanent number to be painted or by use of sticker to in the middle portion of the left and right of the rear door, and the bottom center portion of the rear back glass.

The number should be in color yellow, six inches in height, three inches in width and one inch in thickness.

Clavel said that taxi operators are required to apply with the LTFRB regional office to get their Assigned numbers for their units after paying the P40 pesos required fee.

He said that the permanent number should be in placed within 30 days from the affectivity of the memorandum.

He added that the permanent number system is part of the scheme to be able ferret out colorum taxis operating in Bicol.

Clavel pointed out that the permanent number will only be given after the operators have complied with all the requirements like having a yellow plate a valid franchise and insurance.

Meanwhile, Clavel said that the agency has started to re-calibrate and the resealing of taxi meters to all taxi units operating in the region yesterday so that they can start charging the additional P10 peso newly approved flag down rate bringing the flag down rate to P40 pesos for the first 500 meters and P3.50 per 300 meters thereafter.

He said the central office has sent accredited technicians to undertake the recalibration and resealing in the region to lessen the cost to the operators.

The LTFRB director said that at present there are already 100 units of taxis operating in the region, 62 are operating in Naga city and 38 units in Legazpi. (PIA V/Albay/mal)

Workers gets almost P1M on claims, benefits from erring employers

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Bicol has enforced orders for the payment of almost P1 million worth of Small Money Claims (SMC) to 218 workers across the region IN 2010.

Atty. Alvin Villamor, DOLE Bicol regional director, said that the total amount of P972,375.87 has been consolidated from the six provinces, including Albay with P172,983.45 for 44 workers; Camarines Norte, P222,660.48 for 82 workers; Camarines Sur P145,515.77, 45 workers; Catanduanes, P141,755 for 19 workers, Sorsogon, P85,800 for 16 workers; and, Catanduanes, P141,755 for 19 workers.

"Actually, I was surprised with the figure. I didn’t know we have helped the Bicolano workers with this much.” Villamor said.


Villamor explained that most of the the money claims came from violations of underpayment of wages and non-payment of benefits, while a fraction was derived from illegal dismissal cases.

DOLE Bicol records show that underpayment of wages and non-payment of benefits, particularly over-time pay, are the most common labor law violations in the region. The same violations were also said to be more ‘difficult’ cases to handle due to lack of documentary evidence and shrewdness of respondent.

Illegal dismissal cases, however, are usually easier to settle ‘amicably’ handed alsreade in the DOLE provincial field offices. Cases that are settled amicably do not require Enforcement Order or Writ of Execution.

“The claims with which we have issued an Order or Writ of Execution are mostly from security agencies with main offices are based in Manila.” Villamor added.

Aside from getting ‘cash’ money, DOLE Bicol has also frozen bank accounts and sequestered real properties, generator sets, computers and vehicles from delinquent employers.

“We sell these sequestered items in an auction sale and use the generated cash to pay the claims of the employees.” assured Villamor.

With the payment of these claims to workers, DOLE Bicol boasts of a 98 percent resoultuion of SMC in 2010, wherein 214 of the 218 cases filed were resolved leaving only 4 pending cases at the start of 2011.

At present, DOLE Bicol has already recorded 17 new cases filed in the various provincial field office of which 40 percent involved security guards.

“Our SMC and 80 percent of NLRC Bicol cases and complaints come from security guards, thus the agency is mulling to create a special task force that will look specifically at the labor complaints of security guards," Villamor explained.

DOLE Bicol will implement the “Oplan-Sikyu” this year that will focus on labor complaints of security guards.

The task force will be composed of DOLE, NLRC, SSS, PAG-IBIG, PhilHealth and PADPAO.
“A similar undertaking was conceptualized two (\ years ago but has not materialized. This time let’s make it happen, for the service of the Bicolanos!” Villamor said. (MALoterte, PIA V/RPEscalante, DOLE Bicol)

MGB Bicol sets deadlines for cleansing of pending, idle mining projects

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) -- Regional Director Reynulfo A. Juan of Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Bicol has ordered the Mine Management Division to cleanse the records of all pending and inactive mining applications this year, setting two deadlines on February and December, this year.

Juan’s recent order follows the latest Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje directing all regional directors of the MGB to cleanse their respective regions of all pending and inactive mining applications this year by implementing the “use it or lose it” policy
Juan said the cleansing aims to institute reforms in the mining sector and is part of the DENR's anti-corruption program.

“We have to decide once and for all on what to do with all these mining applications long pending in our office otherwise the public will continue to perceive us as inefficient and corrupt," he said.

“We will be cancelling not only mining applications that are unable to comply with all the requirements but also mining tenements that have remained inactive and unproductive for a long time” Juan explained.

Juan said mining tenements include Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA), Exploration Permit (EP), Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA), Industrial Sand and Gravel Permit application (ISAG) covering an area of more than five (5) hectares and Mineral Processing Permit (MPP).

As part of the cleansing process, Juan pointed out that the office is strictly implementing the “three letter-notice policy” in exacting compliance with all the requirements by the applicants, with a maximum interval of 30 days between these letters-notices and failure on the part of the applicants to comply shall be a ground for denial of mining permit; non-compliance with the NCIP clearance, publication requirement and LGU consultation within certain prescribed periods.

Mineral Agreements with expired expiration period of five (5) years or more and mining contracts that have not implemented the three-year work program or exploration work program for two consecutive years are also subject of final action, Juan said.

Juan also said the cleansing would deprive MGB personnel of any opportunity for corruption since pending and inactive mining applications maybe a source of temptation in furtherance of committing corruption. (LMValdez, MGB V/PIA Albay/mal)

PCGG sponsors nationwide film, essay, drawing contests on 'What is good government'
by Aida Alcazar-Naz

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) – Youths, whether college, high school or elementary students will have a change to articulate on what good government is via film, essay and drawing, as well as win cash prizes along the way.

The young’s perception on what truly constitutes good government is at the heart of Presidential Commission on Good Government-sponsored contest which has for a general theme, Closing Chapters: Finding a Way Forward.

Three winners will be selected from each category with cash prizes totaling P105,000 will be gained by the best entries.

PCGG calls on college students to unleash their filmmaker potential in celebration of good government and democracy.

They may depict their insight on the theme in their entries for the short film competition through a music video, or a documentary showcasing fight against corruption, or film production on opinions of people whether the youths, their parents and elders on the virtues and values of EDSA ’86.

The short film must have a running time of 4-6 minutes. Shots and music created by other people must be cited at the bottom of the screen.

To submit entry or video, such must be uploaded at vimeo.com or at youtube.com. Email an MS-Word file containing the full name, age, complete address, contact numbers and a scanned copy of the current school I.D. of the entrant along with the link of the video to pcgg25@gmail.com. Deadline of submission is on February 18, 2011.

Criteria for judging shot film entries are, content management and dissemination, 40 per cent; creativity and execution, 35 percent; and technical aspects, 25 percent.

Cash prize of P20,000; P15,000; and P10,000 await the top three winners.

High school students get the chance to test their writing ability through an essay writing contest in English using such skill to push citizenry to protect and promote good government.

Currently enrolled Filipino secondary students are encouraged to submit original and personally written essays, encoded in MS-Word format font size 12, Times New Roman, double-spaced with a minimum of 1,300 words and a maximum of 2,000 words. Deadline for the submission of entries is on February 14, 2011 by email to pcgg25@gmail.com. Attached with the entry is an MS-Word file containing the full name, age, complete address, contact numbers and a scanned copy of the current school I.D of the entrant.

Criteria for judging the writing pieces are – originality & coherence and content, 40 per cent each; and style & presentation 30 per cent.

Prizes at stake is P15,000; P10,000; and P5,000 for the top three best essays.

Elementary Filipino students currently enrolled as Grade Four to Grade Six pupils are being persuaded to submit drawing entries regarding their comprehension on What is Good Government to Me?

Drawing should be made on a sheet of white 8.5 x 11 paper (short bond paper) using pencil and crayons only. Each entry must be original, drawn by the entrant and officially submitted by mail and addressed to Mr. Nicanor V. Suarez, Information Officer IV, Presidential Commission on Good Government, Independent Realty Corporation (IRC) Building, #82 EDSA Mandaluyong City, 1550.

Along with the entry is a paper containing the full name, age, complete address, contact numbers and a photocopy of the current school I.D. of the entrant. Artwork must not be folded. Deadline for the submission of art work is on February 14, 2011.

Winners will be selected based on relevance to the theme, 40 per cent; creativity and presentation, 35 per cent; and originality 25 percent.

Prizes for the three top winners are P15,000; P10,000; and P5,000.

This 2011 PCGG celebrates its 25th anniversary. Its creation was the first official act of President Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino after the successful People Power Revolution in EDSA (Epifanio de los Santos Avenue) in 1986.

The revolution at EDS not only marked the end of the Marcos dictatorship and the restoration of democracy, it also signified the start of a search for what truly constitutes good government.

The PCGG was tasked to adopt safeguards and institute measures to prevent the occurrence of corruption.

This 25th commemoration PCGG acknowledges that the search for good government is still an ongoing quest. (PIA V/Albay)

OPAPP conducts PAMANA consultation and planning in Sorsogon
By Irma A. Guhit

Sorsogon City, (PIA) – Anchored on the acronym “PAMANA” (Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan), the Office of the Presidential Advisory on the Peace Process (OPAPP), presented “Peaceful and Resilient Communities,” its legacy for peace, during the one-day Sorsogon consultation and planning on PAMANA, February 3, 2011.

“Our coming here is to sincerely bring the P-Noy administration by seeking to address the root causes of armed conflict, identified as insurgency. The Philippines is one of the top 5 countries with the longest running recorded conflict in the world. The four others are Myanmar, India, Euthopia and the United Kingdom,” USec Luisito G. Montalbo of OPAPP, explained to the participants during the opening program.

“On the side of the government and through OPAPP, we have negotiated political settlement through peace talks and resumption of peace negotiation,” he further explained.

Two presentations were provided to the participants focusing on local poverty situation given by Mr. Dominador Jardin of the provincial planning and development office (PPDO) and the local eace and security situation provided by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The participants were divided in three groups, each group using the Three Pillars, the PAMANA Framework and Operational Guidelines for the workshop.

The Conflict Analysis Workshop through each group presentation were one in their analysis that the root cause of insurgency is dissent or dissatisfaction in the delivery of the social basic services, implementation of economic policies social injustice and corruption . The other identified issues where either the effects of the root cause.

Two groups were also formed to provide strategic action steps to come up with a plan on how to come up with possible solutions based on the root causes of insurgency in the province.

To address insurgency a need to provide more venues for continued negotiations and peace talk was recommended. Government should also look at the family of rebels as a different form of indigency – that of having dysfunctional families.

Through OPAPP, another form of the 4Ps may be adapted to focus on the needs of the family of the rebels as government’s intervention to start an initiative for peace. (PIA Sorsogon)

Iriguenos From all over the world, meet at Magbinaydan 2011
By Lizel S. Macatangay

IRIGA City, (PIA) — The local government of Iriga City thru the leadership of its chief executive, Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen, will not only be bringing the tradition of Tinagba this year but also brought together all Irigueños from all over the world in a historic reunion dubbed as “Magbinaydan 2011”.

The event, chaired by Architect Melchor Margallo embarked on the noble side of their get together - that of providing social , humanitarian , spiritual and medical services to the less fortunate Irigueños.

Margallo’s group will be conducting various medical and dental activities in the community together with other alumni.

The organizers also took the challenge of responding to the distress call being sent by nature – the need to heal the degrading slopes and cure the balding mountains. In line with this, they are aiming to plant at least 15,000 seedlings with the youth volunteers supporting their cause.

Mayor Gazmen warmly welcomed the guests thru a Thanksgiving Dinner and Cultural Night Presentation which was spearheaded by MMC UNEP High School Batch 1959. On the helm of the big event is Atty. Remelisa Alfelor-Moraleda, President of the University of the Philippines (UNEP) and had been very supportive of the festival’s activities.

Gazmen also thanked the attendees who have travelled all the way from Continental America, Europe and the Middle East just to partake of the Tinagba Celebration.

Tinagba Festival is being celebrated annually in the city of Iriga as Irigueños way of thanking the Almighty for the good harvest that they have received throughout the year. It took its roots from the rituals of the ancient Bicolanos offering their produce to their own gods while they seek for more bountiful harvests for the upcoming seasons.

The celebration also coincides with the Feast of our Lady of Lourdes.

Joining the celebration is Fr. Ed Amata-Dura who also served as the officiating priest during the mass and one of the active organizers of the said event.

Magbinaydan is a local Rinconada dialect which means “see each other again.” With the success of the said event, the organizers hope to continue these worthwhile endeavors in the years to come. (PIA Camarines Sur)

OMB campaigns vs movie, song piracy in Bicol
By Lizel S. Macatangay

IRIGA City, (PIA) — Intensifying its campaign against piracy, Optical Media Board (OMB) Chairman and actor Ronnie Rickets, along with his personnel is on a university and LGU sorties here to promote patronage to original songs and movies being produced by our local artists.

Rickets also visited universities where they conducted an education forum to disseminate information on why pirated materials should not be patronized. Students are one of the sectors who are usually lured in buying pirated materials due to the low or cheap cost of the said merchandise.

Rickets appealed to the students to stop buying pirated CDs while citing its negative effects on the local economy of the movie and music industry. He explained that that a person who buys reproduced software is not only committing a crime of software piracy but is also destroying our local entertainment industry.

Pirated CDs and related materials could also contain virus which could possibly destroy the computer of the user.

Prior to the school tour, Ricket’s group already confiscated numerous sacks of pirated CDs, VCDs and DVDs from various stalls and stores, specifically in Naga City and neighboring provinces of the Bicol Region in a series of raid that they have accomplished.

The raid was conducted in coordination with the local police authorities here in line with the provision of Republic Act 9239 otherwise known as the Optical Media Act of 2003.

Rickets also aired out his intention of putting a satellite office here in Camarines Sur, particularly in Iriga City to immediately respond to other issues being resolved by their agency. Being an Irigueno, Rickets believe that the campaign against piracy can only be obtained if the local government units and its immediate community will support their campaign.

OMB is mandated to formulate policies and programs which would evaluate any individual, establishments or entity who are engaged in the mastering, manufacture or replication of optical media.

Along with this function, they are also directed by law to conduct inspection, identify violators and impose strict penalties to whoever will be found guilty of piracy. (PIA Camarines Sur)

DVSAFI launch Barangay Bagsakan Project

VIRAC, Catanduanes (PIA) — The Diocese of Virac Social Action Foundation (DVSAFI) launched the “Barangay Bagsakan” Project located at Brgy. Bigaa, Virac this Thursday, February 10, 2011.

Governor Joseph C. Cua, representatives of Vice Governor Jose J. Teves, Jr. And Virac Mayor Jose U. Alberto II, SP members and members of the local media attended the launching.

This project is being implemented by the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 5 in the Province of Catanduanes in cooperation with the office of the Provincial Agriculture and Local Government Unit of Virac, through its program “Food Security Alleviation and Scoial Equity”, Income Enhancement and Profitability of Farmers, and Global Competitiveness and Sustainability by providing sufficient, quality and low-priced goods.

Rev. Fr. Laudemer Jose A. Gapaz, DVSAFI Executive Secretary and Barangay Bagsakan Operating Manager Edwin S. Benavidez attended the launching. (EABagadiong, PIA Catandunaes)