MINES BUREAU AIMS FOR ZERO BACKLOG ON MINING APPLICATIONS THIS YEAR
By Ed de Leon

LEGAZPI CITY – In response to the directive of Environment Secretary Ramon Paje to cleanse the record of the department regarding proliferations 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 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 promulgated by Sec. Paje to enhance the management of the country’s natural resources and remove the source of temptation for graft and corruption in the agency. (PIA V/Albay/mal)

NAVY, LGUS LEAD MEASURES TO COUNTER CLIMATE CHANGE

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) — Lately, Bicol Region experienced torrential rainfall for a long period of time. This phenomenon brought disaster and left a tremendous amount of damage to the province.

Climate change had taken its toll and is up for more. This is the result from our malpractice to mother Earth. The warming of our seas, that caused the ice caps to melt, extreme draught, and heavier rainfalls that affects different parts of the world. The result is inevitable, but we can delay the outcome of consequences and possibly stop it.

The municipality of Malilipot and the Navy recognizes this necessary step to save mother Earth. Naval Forces Southern Luzon together with other stakeholders will conduct a tree planting at Barangay Sta Cruz, Malilipot, Albay on 05 February 2011.

The activity is geared to mitigate the effects of the adverse weather condition in the future. This is part of the preventive measures to minimize the effects of climate change.

The contingent is composed of 270 students from academe and Local Government Units of the said Municipality. Naval Reserve Center- SL will also provide reservist or ROTC cadets to participate in the activity

“What is happening now is the long term result from generations of destroying our environment. This is how we are going to pay from our mistakes, but we can’t let this to happen over and over again.

The Navy along with its partners will eagerly initiate activities to help rehabilitate our planet. We, in the Navy are advocates to the preservation and restoration of mother Earth.” Commodore Babas said, the commander of Naval Forces Southern Luzon. (CRBullos PN/NAVFORSOL/PIA Albay/mal)

BFAR BICOL RECOMMENDS ALTERNATIVE FISHERY PROJECTS
FOR FISHERFOLKS DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER
by Aida Alcazar-Naz

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Bicol 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)

LEGAZPI CITY HOLDS TRAINING FOR NEWLY ELECTED BARANGAY OFFICIALS
By Manny P. Solis

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) — The city government here held recently a barangay administration training for all newly elected barangay officials aimed at improving relationships between barangay and city officials and open more opportunities for continuing development of the city.

The said activity was divided into four batches held last February 2 to 4 and participated in by barangays one to eighteen at the Ibalong Conference Room here.

Among the trainers included city administrator Noel E. Rosal who shared his experiences on barangay governance. He urged the barangay officials to use their budget judiciously for important projects and facilities and make it beneficial to their constituents.

On hand as resource person was mayor Carmen Geraldine B. Rosal who labeled this training program as very important for all the newly elected officials as learning is the main factor for the success not only in the government but also to benefit the people themselves.

Another resource person was vice mayor Vittorio Roces who said that this training program will result to strengthen relationship between the barangay and city officials and serve as a guide for effective governance. (LGU Legazpi City/PIA Albay/mal)

AGAP BULUSAN LAYS DOWN 2011 TOURISM PLANS FOR BULUSAN NATIONAL PARK
by Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, (PIA) –The detailed activities of the Tourism Plan that the Aggrupation of Advocates for Environment Protection (AGAP) Bulusan, Inc. will be implementing inside the Bulusan Volcano Natural Park (BVNP) this 2011 was formally presented by Philip Bartillet, its president, during the monthly meeting of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) held here.

The AGAP-Bulusan has been officially designated to manage the tourism activity inside the BVNP through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed between and amongst the provincial government represented by the former Sorsogon governor Sally Ante-Lee, Department of Tourism (DOT) V regional director Maria O. Ravanilla and former Bulusan municipal mayor Juan Gusayko during the Earth Day celebration last year at the board walk area inside the BVNP.

During the said signing 20 units of Kayak were turned over to the association to initialize tourism activities within the lake.

It was also spelled out in the agreement that proceeds from the activity will be given to the association as a source of resource mobilization fund for the daily maintenance, cleanliness and expenses undertaken for daily operations.

“Our 8-month supervision and management of the tourism activity in the BVNP has propelled us to present the plan of putting up additional features of tourism activity which is the construction of 15 units of canoes that will cater to group of 10 persons who would like to have a boat ride around the lake. Each canoe will measure up to 15 feet made of fiber glass with a square stern for electric outboard attachment. The 15-footer canoe will amount to Php35,000.00,”explained AGAP president Philip Bartilet.

The provincial government through Gov. Raul R. Lee has already earmarked the amount to be spent for these canoes,” he further said.

“The influx of tourists coming in daily is quite interesting and boating inside the lake turns out to be just one big activity that will provide us more income. Tourists enjoy the leisure ride inside the lake as one of the favorites based on the remarks registered in our records,” Bartilet expressed.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Oscar Dominguez has proposed in the next meeting to lay the rules and guidelines governing resource-generation sharing from the tourism activity in the BVNP. (PIA Sorsogon)

DISASTER RISK REDUCTION SEMINAR CONDUCTED
By Lizel S. Macatangay

PILI, Camarines Sur , (PIA) — In line with the strategic positioning of disaster services to be lead by the provincial disaster risk reduction management team of Camarines Sur,a three-day Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) orientation and mainstreaming seminar was conducted over the weekend at the Villa Del Rey, CWC, Capitol Complex, Cadlan, here.

The seminar was attended by personnel coming from various government agencies, academe, media practitioners, Philippine Red Cross personnel in Camarines Sur thru Ms. Zorne Abada, RCY coordinator and representatives from the private sector.

The participants were given lectures on the different kinds of vulnerability, including meteorological hazards which discussed the effects of weather conditions in our daily lives; hydrologic hazard which includes flood, drought and related phenomena and volcanic hazards which is a familiar occurrence to Bicolanos.

Mr. Alexander Mandac, one of the invited resource speakers also tackled various concerns of the complex emergencies and basic concept on disaster risk management (DRM), and the DRM System both in the national and regional context.

Other discussions include hazards on Fire, Health, and Agriculture and Fisheries related hazards.
On the second day of the training, Mr. Juan Blenn I. Huelgas, UNDP National Recovery Advisor talked on the salient provisions of Republic Act 10121 otherwise known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction Act of 2010 and update on the national framework, plan and policies with regards to its implementation.

On the last day, the participants were given an overview of the DRR Mainstreaming in development planning.

Being one of the most vulnerable communities when it comes to disaster, Camarines Sur sees to it that it equips itself with the necessary trainings to set off an effective implementation of disaster preparedness plan to reduce, if not totally eradicate, casualties during disasters. (PIA Camarines Sur)

REBEL KSPN ISLACOM PUSA HARASSES AUXILIARY DETACHMENT

VIRAC, Catanduanes, (PIA) — The 3RD Catanduanes CAFGU Active Auxiliary Company Detachment based at Brgy. Buyo, Virac was fired upon by undetermined number of heavily armed communists identified under KSPN ISLACOM Pusa last February 5, 2011 at around 07:00 p.m.

A firefight ensued later that lasted for about 20 minutes. After which, the enemy withdrew towards the direction of Brgy. Dugui, San Isidro, Virac.

No incident of casualty from the government side was reported while on the enemy side was undetermined. (EA Bagadiong, PIA Catanduanes)

SEMINAR ON PARLIAMENTARY RULES AND PROCEDURES SET

VIRAC, Catanduanes (PIA) — A one-day seminar on Parliamentary Rules and Procedures will be held on February 12, 2011 at the Twin Rock Beach Resort, to be participated in by all the members of the sangguniang panlalawigan of Catanduanes.

Topics for discussion are : performance challenge fund benchmarking to be discussed by Engr. Luis L. Surtida, provincial administrator and Atty. Arnaldo E. Escober, Jr., department of interior and local government (DILG) provincial director of Catanduanes.

There will be a revisit of the internal house rules and SP’s standing committees wherein Vice-Governor Jose J. Teves, Jr., SP chairman, committee on rules and Hon. Shirley A. Abundo, provincial board member will serve as moderators. (EABagadiong, PIA Catanduanes)

DOST GRANTS P83,000 EQUIPMENT TO BAKIAD

DAET, Camarines Norte, (PIA) — More than 83,000 worth of equipments were given as grant to the Barangay Council of Bakiad, Labo and Bakiad Vegetable Growers Association recently as part of the comprehensive livelihood emergency employment program (CLEEP) of the government.

Provincial science and technology director Jorge Pedro Villanea said that the funds came from the department of science and technology (DOST) Region V and the provincial science and technology Center (PSTC) Camarines Norte is in support to the training conducted on the production of bakery and other food supplemented with squash last November 23-24, 2010.

Included in the equipment are ovens, dough rollers, bread racks, planchas, trays, weighing scales, scrappers, measuring cups, measuring spoons and a stainless working table.

The trainors on how to make bread and noodles with squash or using squash technology were Nora A. Lobos and Rodrigo Sergio.

Malou Belgado, Science Research Specialist II and Coordinator of the training, said that the co-sponsored in the training were the barangay Council of Bakiad of Labo town and the Bakiad Vegetable Growers Association. (RBManlangit, PIA CamNorte)

"Now is the time for peace" - Aquino

MANILA — Saying the Filipino is weary of all the fighting, discord, and senseless armed combat characteristic of the growing gap between the government and members of the rebel groups, President Benigno S. Aquino III called on all the stakeholders and concerned citizens to rally behind his administration and support the resumption of peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) which will take place this month in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The President made the call during the “Ilaw ng Kapayapaan” (Light of Peace) candle lighting ceremonies held at the Quezon Memorial Circle Tuesday (Feb. 8) night.

The event is a run up for the upcoming resumption of peace negotiation with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the National Democratic Front (NDF).

“Many parts of our country have been covered in the darkness of armed conflict. For the longest time, this has brought about pain, fear, divisiveness and hatred between Filipinos,” the President said.

“Sawa na ang Pilipino sa bangayan. Sawa na ang Pilipino sa walang-katuturang bakbakan. Sawa na ang Pilipinong makita ang kapwa nilang Pilipinong nadadamay sa madugong sagupaan na wala namang kinahahantungan. Sawa na ang Pilipino sa gulo; kapayapaan naman(The Filipino is tired of conflict. The Filipino is tired of senseless armed combat. The Filipino is tired of seeing his fellow Filipino caught between this bloody conflict that is going nowhere. The Filipino is tired of discord; now is the time for peace),” he added.

The President described the ceremonial candle lighting as a “symbol of our oneness and our single desire to fan the flames of true peace.”

“Ang liwanag na hatid ng tangan nating kandila ay magsisilbing gabay upang hindi na muli pang maligaw sa marahas at madugong landas ang ating bayan (The light from the candle we hold this evening will be our guide to ensure that our path towards peace for our country will not stray again towards a bloody end),” the President said.

“Now is the time to fan the flames of peace. Now is the time to set aside our differences, anxieties and doubt. Now is the time for renewed peace talks which should yield a meaningful agreement between the government and rebel groups,” he stressed.

The President announced that the government will hold exploratory talks with the MILF from February 9 to 10 and formal talks with the NDF from February 15 to 21 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

He noted that the tripartite meeting between the government, the MNLF and the Organization of Islamic Countries to study the implementation of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement will be held from February 19 to 20 in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. (PIA V Release)

Aquino exhorts Filipinos to play active part in peace process

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III enjoined all Filipinos to play an active part in the government’s quest for lasting peace to forge for a meaningful peace accord with the rebel groups .

The Chief Executive issued the call during the “Ilaw ng Kapayapaan” (Light of Peace) candle lighting ceremonies held at the Quezon Memorial Circle on Tuesday (Feb. 8).

“Bawa’t Pilipino ay apektado ng peace talks. At simula’t sapul, hinikayat ko na ang lahat na makiisa, makibahagi sa solusyon sa halip na dumagdag sa problema (All Filipinos are affected (by the outcome) of the peace talks. And since the beginning, I have enjoined everyone to join and be part of the solution instead of adding to the problem),” the President said.

“Makibalita, magbantay at makilahok sa usapang pangkapayapaan (Be informed, be alert and participate actively in the peace talks),” he stressed.

The President said that aside from getting news updates on the status of the peace process from the website of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (www.opapp.gov.ph), their Facebook and Twitter accounts are equally accessible.

“Maipapaalam ninyo dito ang inyong mga saloobin at mungkahi upang sama-sama natin itaguyod ang peace process,” the President said.

“Sa mga simpleng paraan na ito, makakatulong na tayo sa pagpapakalat sa adbokasiya ng kapayapaan, maipaparamdam pa natin sa lahat na ang kanilang paglalaan ng oras at talento ay may makabuluhang ambag sa katuparan ng hangaring ito,” he added. (PIA V Release)

Aquino extends his condolences to the family of Reyes

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III extended his condolences to the family of former Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes, saying he was shocked by reports of the latter’s apparent suicide.

“Nagulat tayo sa pangyayari at nakikiramay tayo sa pamilya ni Secretary Reyes,” the President said in an ambush interview when he visited the medical and dental missions organized by the Office of the President’s attached agencies in honor of his 51st birthday celebration at the Mendiola parking area on Tuesday (Feb. 8).

“I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family of former Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes,” the President said.

Earlier, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, likewise expressing his condolences to the family of retired General Reyes, asked the public to “allow his loved ones their grief and privacy.”

Reyes was 65.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona, in a press conference at the Quirino Memorial Hospital, confirmed Reyes died from a gunshot wound to the heart. Reyes was proclaimed dead on arrival at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City.

Ona said Reyes was brought to the hospital at 7:30 a.m. from the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City where he visited the grave of his parents.

Reyes, a graduate of Philippine Military Academy Class ’66, was the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines under President Joseph Estrada, and Secretary of Defense, Interior and Local Government, and Energy during the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from 2001 to 2003.

He graduated as class valedictorian in high school and was among the top ten graduates of the PMA.

Reyes obtained two masteral degrees, namely, Masters in Business Administration from Asian Institute of Management in 1973 and a Masters of Public Administration from Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government in 1991. He also took up International Defense Management Course in Monterey, California in 1983.

In 1987, he graduated No. 1 in Trust Operations Management Course conducted by the Trust Institutes Foundation of the Philippines at the Ateneo Business School which eventually earned him a scholarship to the Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois. (PIA V Release)

Aquino birthday wish: Jumpstart upliftment of Filipinos’ lives

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III has a simple wish for his 51st birthday: Work doubly hard for the betterment of Filipinos’ lives in the soonest possible time.

In an ambush interview during a visit to the medical and dental missions at the Mendiola parking area organized by the Office of the President, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Presidential Security Group (PSG) in honor of his birthday, the President said his interest is in the transformation of society for the betterment of our people’s lives “at a faster pace than what we have so far managed to achieved.”

The President interacted with the indigent residents and medical teams and observed the distribution of gift packs to the beneficiaries coming from 22 Malacanang League of Barangays.

Earlier, the President went to the Land Transportation Office main office along East Avenue in Quezon City to renew his driver’s license. Driver’s licenses usually expire on the occasion of a driver’s birthday every three years.

After the LTO visit, the President attended a Thanksgiving Mass at Malacanang’s Heroes Hall. (PIA V Release)