Advocacy campaign for tourism in Catanduanes kicks off
By Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, (PIA) -- A series of tourism awareness campaign for the whole province kicked off late last month at the municipality of Baras which is anchored on spreading culture of tourism among the 11 municipalities of the province.

The advocacy campaign which aims to familiarize the community with the concept of tourism and the whole breadth of tourism industry as well, in order to cope up with the common understanding with what tourism is all about and how its benefits can widen economic opportunities among the stakeholders.

The tourism awareness campaign is a two-day activity designed to enhance participants knowledge on the concept of tourism as a sustainable development strategy; familiarize participants with the whole aspects of tourism industry and promote adoption of tourism as an alternative strategy for development.

The activity shall serve as a prelude to another planning session at the provincial level to be abole to come up with a Tourism Development Plan for the whole province. A bottom-up approach is adopted by going down the municipal level followed by synthesizing and consolidating their Tourism Development Plans which will be the basis of the Provincial Development Plan.

The activity is being spearheaded by the Provincial Government of Catanduanes through the Provincial Tourism Office in close coordination with the Department of Tourism (DOT).

The campaign in other municpalities will be held on the follwing dates: San Andres, March 23-24, 2011; Pandan, April 14-15, 2011; Bagamanoc, APril 28-29, 2011; Viga, May 12-13, 2011; Panganiban May 30-31, 2011; Bato, June 9-10, 2011; Virac, June 23-24, 2011; San Miguel, June 28-29, 2011; Caramoran, July 07-08, 2011 at Gifgmoto will be on July 21-22, 2011.

The activity is expected to generate the following outputs: Elevate the level of appreciation of local chief execuvtives of tourism as a development strategy; Tourism Development Plan for every municipality; Capacity building of LGUs on tourism development through institutionalization of tourism office in every municipality; Inventory, assessment and validation of tourism products for all municipalities and the Provincial Tourism Development plan for Catanduanes. (PIA Catanduanes/mal)

Arroyo launches Feeding Program in Camarines Sur
By Lizel S. Macatangay

PASACAO, Camarines Sur (PIA)--- Camarines Sur 2nd District Representative Diosdado “Dato” Arroyo launched another health program bent on improving the well-being and health condition of his constituents in the Second District of this province, particularly undernourished children from this town.

This will be thru the Supplemental Feeding program which will benefit almost 296 pre school children coming from eight (8) barangays here, namely: barangays Caranan, San Cirilo, Sta. Rosa Del Norte, Balogo, Quitang, Itolan,Bahay, and Barangay Cuco.

Pasacao Mayor Asuncion V. Arceno said that this endeavor will help not only the malnourished children in her town but their families as well. This will be thru the provision of add-ons intertwined in three components: the feeding program itself, parent education and livelihood opportunities for the beneficiaries.

Congressman Diosdado “Dato” Arroyo, has championed the cause of his people thru the aggressive implementation of his platforms and developmental thrusts. Popularly known as T.K.O. which stands for Tubig, Kalye at Oportunidad, this battlecry has benefited many coastal barangays and has won the hearts of Arroyo’s constituents in spite of his being new in the public service arena

Former Lupi Mayor Bobby Matamorosa, now serving as District Officer at the Office of Congressman Arroyo bared that the program was initiated by Arroyo’s office to help alleviate the condition of undernourished children in the town of Pasacao .

“This program is different from the usual supplemental feeding undertaking that most of the barangays are doing. This is not a one shot deal endeavor since its accompanying activities will be continuously implemented within the next six months, from Monday to Saturday, to help arrest malnutrition of pre school children.

Pacacao ranks fourth among the list of municipalities with the biggest number of malnourished children.

The project, funded by the Philippine GoodWork Mission Foundation will be working hand in hand with the Office of Congressman Dato Arroyo, the local government of Pasacao, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office Region V. (PIA Camarines Sur/mal)


Army maintains heightened alert surrounding Mt. Bulusan
By Bennie A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, (PIA) – Rescue personnel of the Philippine Army is still on heightened alert due to the continuous restiveness shown by Mt. Bulusan.

903rd Infantry Brigade Commander Col. Felix J. Castro said following the three volcanic quakes and nine rock fall events felt around Mt. Bulusan on Monday, March 1, the Sorsogon Provincial Disaster Risk Management Office (SPDRMO) coordinated with him prompting him to immediately release heightened alert order to their rescue personnel deployed in the area.

Prior to this, Phivolcs said that confine muddy steam flow occurred, 5:45AM on Monday at the Mombon River in Brgy. San Benon as triggered by the rains which occurred the past two days.

Residents especially farmers although said, the rains until today were advantageous to them specially that it helped washed away the ashes that has almost covered their farmlands during the February 21 ash explosion of Mt. Bulusan, however, they also fear that continuous rains would also trigger lahar flows bringing harm to the lives particularly of those living near valleys and streams.

It can be noted that huge volume of ashfall in Irosin, Juban and Bulan towns have greatly affected the ricefields and vegetable farms, and that, if no rainfall will be observed, ashes will just stick on the plants resulting to a huge loss this coming harvest season.

SPDRMO has also alerted the Municipal DRMOs of Juban and Irosin for the necessary preparations specially that the current weather here in the province is unpredictable.

Meanwhile, Irosin Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer Ghie Martinez said that remaining evacuees at the Gallanosa High School were already allowed to go home on Wednesday last week. However, she gave assurance that anytime unexpected eventualities again occur, and evacuees would go back to the evacuation site, the Local Government of Irosin is prepared. “We have also given the residents proper orientation on what to do not only in case Bulusan Volcano would show activities again but also once lahar flows would yet again be observed. (PIA Sorsogon/mal)


BIR Camarines Norte Tax Information Campaign Kicks off March 15
By Rosalita Base-Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, (PIA) – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) here will start their tax information campaign on the coming March 15.

Assistant RDO Modesto R. Avila Jr. said that activities to be conducted are motorcade in the main streets in Daet followed by a press conference.

He said that they will also invite big tax payers to join during the motorcade and press conference.

He also said that a briefing and orientation to tax payers in the town of Daet will be on the following day and several orientations in the other towns will follow.

Avila also said that they will appeal to the tax payers in every establishments in the town of Daet to pay proper taxes.

They will also remind tax payers to file early their income tax before the deadline on April 15, 2011.

Asst. RDO also bared that they will double their efforts in appealing to the tax payers because three (5) of the big companies paying taxes here will transfer taxes in BIR Manila since their taxes is 1 million and above.

He added that they will appeal also to their Central Office to lower their target goal this year due to the said reason.

It will be recalled that the BIR has conducted the same activity last year that resulted to an increased of 20.28% in the collection versus the target goal. (PIA Camarines Norte/mal)

BFP supports the Cinco Contra Cigarillo campaign
By Eric H. Rivera

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) -- The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Regional Office No. 5 through the leadership of S/Supt. Igmedio V. Bondoc Jr. spearheaded in supporting the advocacy of Albay, Cinco Contra Cigarillo last March 2, 2011.

Some 1,000 firefighters across the region joined the said activity which started by Walk for a Cause from Bicol University oval going to Penaranda Park in the morning.

Together with the provincial directors and personnel, Bondoc emphasized that smoking is not good instead it will shorten one’s life span.

Meanwhile, after the short program, the firemen proceed to the Albay Atrodome to test their camaraderie and sportsmanship through sports and other activities. Presentation of muses and cheerleading competition was also held. It was participated by ten (10) delegates from different cities and provinces in the Bicol region.

“Nakakabigla yung mga preparations na ginawa ng lahat ng participants. Walang matatalo sa araw na’to kasi lahat tayo pantay-pantay, lahat tayo panalo,” the regional director said in his opening speech.

Though some delegates did not attend, Bondoc hopes that next year they will participate. “ I hope na makita ko sila sa susunod na taon. Kumpleto naman sana tayo ngayon kaso yung mga provincial directors lang ang nakarating, yung delegates wala”, he added.

This year, the BFP celebrates the 45th Fire Prevention Awareness Anniversary. On March 31, they will be having the fun shoot to be held at Sarung Banngi Resort in Sto. Domingo, Albay and on April 4, BFP-RO5 will holds the culminating activity. (BUCAL/PIA Albay/mal)

CMAS ties up with CSC in promoting scuba diving in Catanduanes

VIRAC, Catanduanes (PIA)- The World Confederation of Underwater Activities – Philippines (CMAS Philippines) partnered with Catanduanes State Colleges in conducting an orientation on the prospects of establishing scuba diving not only as water sports but also as an avenue for promoting tourism, rescue operations and marine conservation in the province of Catanduanes.

CMAS Philippines initially briefed CSC students and employees on March 1 about the confederation’s services and advocacy and later co-organized with the CSC administration in holding an information dissemination program with key officials from local government units, national and line government offices and NGOs on March 3 at Kemji Resort.

The team is composed of Philip P. Rodriguez, CMAS – Philippines President; Noel L. Pura, CMAS Philippines Course Director; Reymonte Bienes, CMAS Philippines staff.
Rodriguez informed during the briefing that they have already established tie-ups with state colleges and universities in Zamboanga and Sorsogon to run the diving course.

Rodriguez emphasized that they are working directly with the academe, hence they coordinated initially with the Catanduanes State Colleges. Schools can eventually coordinate with local government units in implementing program.

The CMAS president provided the Catanduanes State Colleges and the TESDA-run Cabugao School of Handicraft and Cottage Industries copies of diving course training manual, course syllabus and other information materials.

CMAS Philippines also presented a video presentation of a successful community-based coastal resource management implemented by Apo Island in Negros Oriental.

Apo Island Marine Sanctuary is an area serving as an observatory and laboratory for scientists studying its undisturbed habitat – making it a place of learning as well as of recreation and leisure. It had been the project of Silliman University to convert the island into a protected marine reserve mainly because the mainland itself was fast degrading and its marine resources, also rapidly depleting.

CMAS Philippines is a part of the global Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques recognized by international organizations such as UNESCO, the World Conservation Union and International World Game Association.

CMAS is composed of the following: (1) Scientific Committee which to bring into focus the important issues related to the marine environment such as protection of coastal ecosystems, biodiversity conservation; (2) Technical Committee which provides certification courses for diving instruction, and (3) Sports Committee which oversees the development and promotion of aqua sports.

CMAS Philippines issues diving certification which recognizes a level of ability and knowledge in scuba diving. Divers carry a qualification record or certification card which is required to prove their qualifications when booking a dive trip, hiring scuba equipment or filling diving cylinders. (PIA Catanduanes/ CSC-GSR/mal)

Goa Medical and Dental Mission Kicks off today
By Lizel S. Macatangay

GOA, Camarines Sur (PIA) ---- More than 500 constituents from various barangays in Partido area will benefit from the free medical services and consultation which kicks off today at the Partido State University, Goa Campus here.

Sponsored by the Partido State University Alumni Association and DZRH Operation Tulong, the one-day event will be composed of medical and dental team coming all the way from Metro Manila to extend their services at no cost.

Dr. Diosdado Fuentebella, Goa Municipal Health Officer, will lend a hand to fifteen (15) medical doctors from Metro Manila and doctors and medical aides from the 9th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army during the said activity.

Target recipients are those barangay residents who lived in the far flung barangays of Goa . These less privileged constituents do not have the necessary access to health facilities due to financial constraints. The municipality of Goa , a 2nd class municipality is composed of 34 barangays which are mostly situated on the town’s outskirts and hinterlands.

Coinciding with the medical and dental mission is also the 10th Anniversary celebration of the Partido State University (PSU) after it was granted its university status last March 5, 2001 pursuant to Repulic Act No. 9029. The bill was authored by then Speaker Arnulfo P. Fuentebella and was signed into law by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

PSU Alumni President, Cezar Chavez graced the occasion with his presence together with the association’s s officers and members. The Partido State University is a government-owned institution of higher learning, providing advanced instruction and training to those who wants to take up professional courses. (PIA Camarines Sur/mal)

DENR needs 125 million seedlings for NGP

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) aims to collect 125 million seedlings this year for the National Greening Program (NGP).

“In the span of 10 years, 125 million seedlings can do a lot,” said Ruby Mendones, Science Research Specialist II Regional Public Affairs Office.

The 60 %of these seedlings comprises agroforestry; 30% forest trees; and 10% urban greening.

The division of the seedlings will help achieve the NGP’s three objectives: climate change adaptation, poverty alleviation and biodiversity reservation.

The 75% of the 125 million seedlings will be bought from different sources and the 25% will come from DENR nurseries.

“There is no monopoly in environmental protection. If all of us will move, we’ll make it to protect our environment,” said Mendones.

The department is also encouraging schools, local government units and private sectors to help in seedling production. (BUCAL/PIA Albay/mal)

Staple Food Development Planning Workshop in CamNorte
By Rosalita Base-Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte (PIA) — A two day planning workshop for the preparation of Municipal Staple Food Development Plan for 2011-2016 was conducted here recently.

The workshop was spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture (DA) in cooperation with Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) and attended by representatives from the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) and Municipal Planning and Development Council (MPDC).

Provincial Agriculturist Dr. Helen Abordo said that the workshop served as a guide in making a Municipal Staple Food Development plan for 2011-2016.

She said that included in the training were: planning workshop and discussions of the mechanics and templates of High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP); corn and rice planning workshop; proper situationer; data requirements; and strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis.

The resource persons include: Agri-Pinoy Rice Officer, Mr. Edel Dondonilla of DA Central Office, Regional Agri-Pinoy Crops Coordinator, Mr. Tirso Perlas; Regional Technical Director, Marilyn Sta. Catalina; Regional High Value Crops Development Program Coordinator, Rose Imperial.

This province was the first one given the workshop to be followed by the province of Sorsogon. (PIA Camarines Norte/mal)

Bicol Run unites 15,000+ to build public schools
… EDSA spirit rekindled among Bicolanos
By Aida Alcazar-Naz

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) – Bicol’s celebration of the 25th EDSA I People Power anniversary reached its apex in the Bicol Run that showed the EDSA spirit whose goal is to build classrooms for the education department.

According to Pinoy Power Bicol Coalition of Volunteers (PPBCV) President Ofelia Samar-Sy, M.D., more than 15,000 participants, the highest number outside Metro Manila joined the early morning run.

Such enthusiasm was a positive answer to the call for a new people power, earning some P72,000 funds along the way, Sy disclosed.

Meantime, Sy commented that the Philippine National Police (PNP) has estimated the horde of runners to under 20,000 individuals who filled the two-lane Rizal St., abreast infront the Legazpi City Hall up to the Albay Cathedral winding to the western porition of Peñaranda Park.

This announcement was made during the Monday edition of PIA radio program Aramon Ta Daw.

Mae Paner a.k.a. Juana Change said during the opening program prior to the run, that Bicolanos are really oragon for possessing the EDSA spirit.

Also, National Youth Commissioner Leon Flores III stated that he was delighted to see the young joining the affair although they belong to the post-EDSA generation.

Department of Education (DepEd) Bicol Acting Regional Director Orfelina O. Tuy gave the words of thanks as the education department will be beneficiary of the fund accrued from the run.

The enthusiastic crowd who either ran 5 kilometers or the shorter 3 kilometers converged a big group representing the government sector, Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, local government units, academe, transport, banking community, civic organizations, business, young professionals, senior citizens and even “gay” organization.

Other than that, these groups invited their family members including small children as young as a year-old like Jannir Palaganos who according to the parents was able to finish the 3km jogging and walking and being carried sometimes.

The first placers of the run were gifted with a cellphone plus Bicol Run T-shirt and baller. Rey Añonuevo of Aquinas University of Legazpi was the first finisher for 5 km while Jobert Alcazar of Banquerohan High School was top winner for the 3 km.

Santos Samar, a 75 year-old runner was the first senior citizen to arrive at the finish line. Among the elder set was businessmen couple Ely and Ania Yu. Ely is the former president of the Legazpi Filipino-Chinese Association.

Other top 25 finishers in both courses were awarded certificates plus T-shirt and baller.

All completers of the run received certificates of participation upon arrival at the finish line.

The Bicol Run was also joined by Marian Pastor Roces, director Piunoy Power Institute, Myrna Reblando, spokesperson for the families of Maguindanao massacre victims and Kay Bunagan Pinoy Power New Media head.

The ‘nationwide’ EDSA Run last February 27 was spearheaded by the Ninoy and Cory Foundation (NCAF) I am Ninoy, I am Cory Runners in observance of the 1986 People Power Revolution. The pursuit according to NCAF President Rafael Lopa is a new form of people power that will build classrooms to ease the public schools shortage. (PIA V/Albay/mal)