Chiz urges gov’t to tap safe and cheap sources of energy

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA )— Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero cautioned the government against pursuing proposals to revive the mothballed Bataan nuclear power plant, saying it should first focus on exploring other sources of energy that are safe and cheap.

According to Escudero in an email to PIA Bicol News Service, it is high time for government officials to seriously consider tapping natural sources of energy such as geothermal, solar and wind, which are readily available in the country.

The senator made the statement in the wake of the nuclear crisis in Japan brought about by a 9.0-maginitude earthquake and tsunami that completely paralyzed the nuclear power plant in Fukushima last March 11.

Even after the powerful temblor hit the highly-industrialized Japan, which heavily relies on nuclear power, some quarters are still pushing to activate the establishment of nuclear power plants in the country as an alternative source for a reliable and cheap energy.

Escudero, however, explained that any move to resurrect the Bataan nuclear power plant should take a back seat until a comprehensive study and planning had been carried out by experts.

“While the use of this technology should not be totally set aside, it is important that we should go slow, gain expertise and learn from the best practices as well as the shortcomings and mistakes of countries which rely on nuclear energy,” Escudero explained.

“The lesson from the Japan incident should not be a reason for us to totally close our doors on nuclear power, but it should serve as a tipping point to explore better practices in the course of designing and maintaining nuclear power plants,” he added.

This means that further research on the use of this technology and its safety should be done before entertaining proposals to put up nuclear power plants in the country.

“We do acknowledge the fact that we do not possess the technical capability as of yet compared to advanced countries and economies relying on nuclear power, but there are advantages that we think we’ll be able to harness from best practices should we take the path towards nuclear energy,” Escudero said. “In fact, there are no standard operating procedures that exist yet that serve as the bible of nuclear energy operations. It is still a work in progress.”

The use of nuclear energy is common in highly-developed countries, including the United States, because it is more efficient, cheaper and more affordable to concessionaires and power plants owners. (Office of Sen. Escudero/PIA Albay/mal)

DOH sets massive Measles-Rubella immunization drive
… target 95 percent or more children immunized
By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY – Some 1.1 million children aged 9 months to below 8 years old in the Bicol region are targeted for vaccination on Measles-Rubella in a massive immunization drive set April 4 to May 4, this year, according to the top regional official of the Department of Health (DOH) office here.

Dr. Nestor Santiago, DOH regional director, said the agency in coordination with health offices of all local government units in Bicol will implement a month-long “door-to-door” measles immunization campaign for the 1,138, 201 children in the target age group.

Santiago said that health service providers and workers would visit households and immunize children regardless of their immunization status.

He furthered that the implementers will use the door-to-door approach to saturate all households with children of the target age group as compared to the old practice where health workers stationed in villages have to wait for the parents to submit their children for measles immunization.

This approach, according to Santiago, also targets the 18 million children across the country that would be subjected to a door to door Measles-Rubella (MR) immunization.

Santiago said he is hopeful that this approach would work effectively and attain the target of 95 percent or more in all areas of the Bicol region and the entire country as well.

“DOH Bicol intends to achieve among all barangays to pass the Rapid Coverage Assessment (RCA) with 95 percent house marking accuracy or no missed child in the immunization campaign to meet the national standards,” he said.

The immunization activity is also in support of the Millennium Development Goal which calls for the reduction by two-thirds of the mortality rate of children under the age of 5 years by 2015.

Meanwhile, health authorities in Bicol are wary over rising incidence of measles for the past five years due to the failure of local health workers to motivate parent to submit their children to the massive immunization drive to eradicate the disease.

DOH Bicol epidemiology surveillance report cited that outbreak in measles has significantly surge from 2006 to 2010 noting that last year measles cases increase six folds with 664 cases as compared to 2009 with 140 cases.

Five children died due to measles complications during the period, the record also showed.

Dr. Carla Orozco, DOH “Ligtas Tigdas” project officer, said among the Bicol provinces Camarines Sur topped the list of highest measles incidence last year with 348 cases, followed by Albay with 92; Masbate–89; Sorsogon-86; Catanduanes-28; and Camarines Norte-21.

Orozco said children ages eight years old and below once afflicted with measles and not treated at once may suffer or die of complications such as pneumonia, diarrhea, and chronic disabilities including blindness. (PIA V/Albay)


Sorsogon Bay free from red tide
By Bennie A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, (PIA) – After barely eight months of waiting and craving for shellfishes, residents here particularly those dependent to the shellfish industry from Sorsogon Bay now have reason to celebrate following the declaration of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) that Sorsogon Bay is now free of the Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP).

This means, all marine products from the said bay are now safe for human consumption and can already be harvested, transported and sold.

BFAR’s Shellfish Bulletin No. 7 dated March 21, 2011, finally remove Sorsogon Bay from the list of areas positive for red tide toxin.

Shellfih Bulletin says only Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur, Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental and the coastal waters of Bolinao and Anda in Pangasinan are positive of PSP which is beyond the regulatory limit.

It can be noted that on March 2010, Sorsogon Bay was declared negative of PSP but again recorded a high toxicity level beyond the tolerable limit of 60 microgram per 100 grams of shellfish meat in July 2010 prompting authorities to hoist anew a total shellfish ban.

Meanwhile, prior to the declaration of Sorsogon bay as free from red tide toxin, BFAR has declared ahead Juag Lagoon free of the deadly toxin on September 9, 2010 to present. The new declaration now clears all waters of the province from the threats of PSP.

BFAR in its advisory, however, maintains its call to the public in spite of the new declaration to continuously keep an eye and regularly monitor latest development and announcements on the condition of Sorsogon Bay and Juag Lagoon as well.

“The public has also to ensure their own safety by cleaning well the fishes and shellfish before cooking them well and make sure that the sea foods they are going to cook are fresh,” the advisory further says. (PIA Sorsogon/mal)

Ridge runners set out to help fish sanctuary

LEGAZPI CITY—Even the drizzle brought by the wind convergence could not stop 650 runners from showing support for the Ridge Run for Reef, a run for a cause to help Bacacay, Albay’s Uson, Buang, Pongco-Bonga Fish and Marine Sanctuary last Sunday (March 20, 2011).

Kenyan runners made a clean sweep in the 21 kilometer run with the fastest male runner Phillip Rhono finishing at 1:19 while Susan Chepkwony ruled the distaff side. Local runners Mario Maglinao and Cindy Lopez routed their compatriots in the 10 K category. In the 5 K run, Marino Lagyap and Janice Carretas proved to be too swift, while 3 K runners Jeffrey Añonuevo and Gylene Almodiel darted past their rivals.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Executive Director Joselin Marcus Fragada fired the gun start for the Ridge Run 2011 and sends off several hundreds of runners and environmental advocates to their respective race routes.

“We at the DENR, thank the Albay Runners Club and Bicol University High School Batch ’86 for organizing this Ridge Run for Reef to help Uson Fish and Marine Sanctuary” Fragada said before firing the gun start.

Race director Atty. Ritche Regala said the Sunday’s run is all about having fun and helping the environment.

Part of the proceeds of the race will be donated to the Uson, Buang, Pongco-Bonga Fish Sanctuary and Marine Reserve in Bacacay, Albay, one of the largest marine protected areas in Bicol covering some 453 hectares. (JSSBasanta, DENR V/PIA Albay/mal)


Legarda: Telcos have vital role in disaster preparedness

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA ) — Emphasizing that communication is one of the most vital infrastructure during and immediately after disasters, Senator Loren Legarda today called on telecommunication companies (telcos) to see how they can contribute more to prepare for and lessen the impact of natural hazards.

Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, said that, first and foremost, telcos should check the integrity of their communication infrastructure and locations and where their broadcast towers are installed.

“It is important that telecommunication companies ensure that their cables and buildings are safe when disasters occur not only because communication is vital during and immediately after disasters, but also to ensure that their facilities would be able to withstand a 7.2 magnitude earthquake,” she explained.

The Senator noted that telcos already have a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to develop a scientific research and monitoring system to improve disaster preparedness efforts in the country.

Legarda said that aside from this project with PAGASA, the telcos might be willing to be part of the government’s information dissemination campaign.

“We appreciate the telcos’ commitment to their corporate social responsibility. And it is with that commitment that we hope they would take part in the effort to inform the public of how to prepare for and what they must do during disasters,” she said.

Legarda added that telcos can coordinate with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) for timely and accurate messages.

She also said that citizens, on the other hand, should avoid spreading invalidated or hoax messages so as not to create unnecessary worries or panic to the populace.

“One of the biggest challenges in making our country disaster-resilient is communicating risk information to the public. According to the International Union, at least 75% of Filipinos have mobile phones. We can use this area of communication to equip our citizens with the necessary information they would need to be safe against disasters,” Legarda concluded. (Office of Sen. Legarda/PIA Albay/mal)

DILG chief graces UNEP graduation ceremonies in Iriga City

IRIGA CITY, (PIA) -- “Quality Graduates, imbued with compassion for humanity”- a fitting theme for the graduating students of the University of Northeastern Philippines (UNEP) who will soon step out of their classrooms to seek for their own niche under the sun, hopeful for the creation of a career path that will realize their dreams and embody their aspirations.

Believing in his character as a self-made man who had gained the respect of his colleagues not only in the political arena but also in other fields of endeavors as well, UNEP had chosen no less than the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, our very own, Secretary Jesse M. Robredo to be this year’s commencement speaker.

Robredo, UNEP’s 63rd year distinguished guest come April 10, 3 pm at the university’s gymnasium was chosen to share his wisdom which has catapulted Naga City as a hall of famer in its various undertakings and the acumen that brought honors and significant acknowledgment to the city’s accomplishments.

Atty. Remelisa Alfelor-Moraleda, UNEP President believes that Sec. Robredo will inspire their graduates to have higher aspirations in life while emulating the good deeds that he has done to his own community.

“Being in school is not all about excelling in academic endeavors. Here at UNEP, the blueprint of real education is also measured in nurturing a considerate heart, creating a foundation of trust and confidence, molding true leaders not just with pomp but with self esteem and fostering the value of service above all things.”

Moraleda added that education is a failure if it falls short of nourishing a compassionate heart out of the university’s graduates.

Secretary Robredo, she said embodies a respectable man who have shown compassion and sought avenues to make his community a better place to live in.

“UNEP will salute another batch of students who will soon become leaders of the society that’s why we have chosen a respectable man who had earned the many honors and distinctions that he has thru hard work and perseverance to speak before our graduates.”

Robredo’s track record as a public servant is unquestionably exceptional. He was an Edward Mason Fellow and a graduate of Masters of Public Administration at John F. Kennedy School of Government in Cambridge , Massachusetts in 1999. He is the first Filipino Mayor to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service in the year 2000. (PIA Camarines Sur/mal)

Sorsogon PHO warns public to be careful of wet season diseases
By Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, (PIA) -- The Sorsogon Provincial Health Office (PHO) here issued a directives to municipal health officers this week and other health workers for a close monitoring of diseases during wet season

In public health awareness consultation, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Edgar Garcia , said that there is an increase of patient's admittance at the provincial hospital with heavy coughing and cases of high fever due to colds specially among children , adults and old people.

He said that due to the long spell of the wet season, a lot of people are suffering from colds , coughing and that he has warned people to if possible always wear thick clothing, carry an umbrella or protection from rain ,drink a lot of water and also vitamin C intake should be done.

People should be very careful also of wading in water in the streets or from small ponds and flooded areas as this might be contaminated by the urine of rats and contamination to such ,one may be affected by leptospirosis, Garcia explained.

He said rats usually swim in water to go to high places and in that instance might have contaminated the water by their feces or excretion.


Garcia also said people should also consider their diet in this kind of weather.

"During rainy season people become sluggard and usually have kept themselves staying indoors too long either watching television, munching some finger foods. These then might create an added food intake everyday so one will be gaining weight without noticing it. We have to watch our habits too during rainy seasons as his may lead to gaining weight more", Garcia explained.

The wet season also tends to put a person in a sedentary life because seldom that the weather allows people to walk. During this season people will always tend to ride, stay indoors work too long on computers and sometimes does not perspire anymore, according to Garcia

Other wet season diseases are diarrhea, pneumonia, loose vowel movement and the more harmful is dengue that is really quite alarming.

Mosquitoes tend to breed more because of the presence of water everywhere. It is also recommended to check regularly one's surrounding as if there are empty containers, receptacles and plants that are breeding places of mosquitoes, chances are mosquito bites, though might not lead to dengue will also cause skin irritation and rashes.

He reminded everyone to be more careful and aware of any change in what they feel and consult a doctor at earliest possible time when one observes some imbalances in one's condition. (PIA Sorsogon/mal)

CamSur Triathletes wows Zambales folks
By Lizel S. Macatangay

PILI, Camarines Sur, (PIA) -- Adding to the long list of their triumphant feats was another recognition for the Camarines Sur triathletes after occupying a winner’s slot in the recently concluded Black Sands Triathlon held at Dawal Beach Resort in Zambales on March 20.

Bicolano triathlon athletes Benjamin Rana, Mark Anthony Hosana and Philip Atento’s skills and endurance were tested in the combination of various physical and strenuous events which included a half-kilometer swin , 50kms biking stint and a 12-km meter run. Hosana, 19-year old, bagged the first prize under his age bracket while Atento hugged the second place under the age 30-39 age category.

Yet after the over all ranking was formally announced, Rana was declared 3rd placer while Hosana and Atento garnered the 5th and 6th place respectively.

The trio was part of the Camarines Sur Tri-Team organized by Camarines Sur Governor Luis Raymund Villafuerte to promote various athletic endeavours in the province in line with the promotion of Camarines Sur as the ultimate sports hub in the country.

The triathlon event was part of the numerous competitions organized in line with the celebration of Zamba Multi Sports Festival 2011. The jampacked sports event started off with an 120-km cycling race from Uacon to Zambales’ capital in Iba. Other activities include the Black Sands Ultimate Frisbee, Dawal Open Water Swim, Potipot Duathlon, Over the top wall climbing competition and the Black Sands triathlon where our Bicolano competitors.

The trainings and participation in various competitions of Bicolano triathletes is part of Villafuerte’s preparation for the upcoming Ironman 70.3 Triathlon, which will have its third sequel in Camarines Sur comes August 2011. The event will be held again at the spacious Camarines Sur Water Sports Complex (CWC) inside the Camarines Sur provincial capitol compound.

Triathlon is an athletic contest in which participants compete without stopping in three (3) successive events. It usually involves long distance swimming, running and biking. (PIA Camarines Sur/mal)