LGU Summit+3i – Mindanao Leg gathers 800 towns’ chief execs for Climate Change Adaptation advocacy
…Albay sponsors interfacing anew

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) — The Provincial Government of Albay, through the Centre for Initiatives and Research on Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) will embark anew in pursuing the advocacy on climate change adaptation (CCA) cum disaster risk reduction (DRR)… now with chief executives of some 800 towns across the country.

Albay province, acclaimed a key front liner in CCA advocacy in the country and abroad, takes the lead anew in staging the LGU Summit+3i – Mindanao Leg set on March 15-17, 2011 at the Grand Regal Hotel in Davao City.

Manuel “Nong” Rangasa, executive director of CIRCA, told PIA News Service that the Mindanao leg is the third and final of the series of the LGU Summit+3i in the three main islands of the country.

Albay earlier hosted and sponsored the two CCA summits involving the League of Governors of the Philippines held in Albay on November 2010 and League of City Mayors in Iloilo on December, also last year.

Rangasa said the summit evidently manifests that the implementation of direct adaptation measures remains local or lies on the hands of LGUs and residents.

Rangasa added the Mindanao leg also forms part of the unrelenting pursuit and strengthen commitment to mainstream CCA to address climate variability and extremes, moreover, direct adaptation measures among localities in the country.

The CIRCA executive director elaborated further that in the end local governments will increase appreciation on the concept that the “development as usual” approach, without considering climate variability and extremes, may pose as threat in meeting development goals.

The series of interfacing among chief executives and other stakeholders, according to Rangasa, intends to raise the urgent need for a concerted effort to fast track achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) set by the United Nations (UN), especially at the local level, to meet the 2015 target and share experiences of LGUs in tracking their MDGs progress; and

“With provincial and city chief executives across the country earlier demonstrating their commitment to develop resilience and adaptive capacities of communities to the adverse impacts of climate change, the summit will now seek the commitment among towns’ chief executives to accelerate achievement of MDGs through appropriate interventions, including CCA measures,” he noted.

Along the way, according to Rangasa, local governments will be able to determine priority adaptation measures in line with the National Strategic Framework on CCA that would protect and facilitate MDG achievement by target year 2015.


The LGU Summit+3i Mindanao Leg is part of the over-all effort of the Climate Change Commission (CCC), in partnership with the Provincial Government of Albay, CIRCA, Climate Change Academy for LGUs, all under the helm of Gov. Joey Sarte Salceda.

The summit is supported by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Spanish Government Assisted Project MDG-F 1656: Joint Programme on Strengthening the Philippines’ Capacity to Adapt to Climate Change. (MALoterte, PIA Albay)

Donsol’s tourist influx increases yearly
By Bennie A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, March 7 (PIA) – Donsol town records some 25 percent increase of tourists that visit the place yearly to interact with world’s renowned “Butanding” (Rhincodon Typus) and at the same time experience other tourism destinations that the town offers.

Donsol Municipal Tourism Office latest record dated July 5, 2010 shows that there are a total of 53, 120 tourist arrivals recorded from 2008 to 2010 wherein 32,361 of these were local tourists while 20,309 were foreigners.

In 2008, 11,414 tourists, both foreign and local, visit Donsol, 17,548 in 2009, while the highest number recorded was last year with 24,158 visitors during the first half of the year. Last semester’s data of 2010 has yet to be consolidated and determined by the personnel of the local tourism office.

Number of boat trips last year, also recorded more or less 6,000 which was used for Butanding interaction. While for boat rentals including regulatory fees and taxes, the local government of Donsol has earned roughly P18,307,365 for 2010 while P73,100 were earned from the firefly watching from the period of January – June 2010.

“The data is one concrete proof that tourists who wish to interact with the gentle giants of Donsol waters keep increasing yearly,” said municipal councilor Ronald Malilin, chair, Committee on Tourism.

“This has also brought positive effect not only in augmenting the livelihood of the local residents but in increasing ur local economy. That’s why we are really determined to preserve our natural resources that elevated us from being a 4th class municipality to a 1st class municipality,” he added.

“Likewise, we are also eyeing for possible investors that can put in amusement centers and other infrastructures that can help provide tourists with comfortable and worthwhile stay in Donsol,” Councilor Malilin also said.

Meanwhile, Malilin also invited anew the public to visit Donsol especially this time that the peak season for Butanding sightings has already started (March – May). He also assured the public that security of both local and foreign tourists are being taken-cared of by their local authorities to ensure an enjoyable stay while they are in the area. (PIA Sorsogon/mal)

Climate Change affects water supply in Sorsogon City
By Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, (PIA) -- Sorsogon City Water District (SCWD) Directors Sylvia Reyes Lao and Atty.Jesus Fumera shared the same observation that the diminishing ground water supply happens to be a result of the effects of Climate Change and Global Warming.

In a radio interview here last week, both agreed that there is the need now for using surface water for water supply augmentation to service the entire population this city.

Lao said that based on the assessment conducted by the SCWD ground water in this city has been slowly diminishing due to basically the effects of Climate Change and Global Warming.

She said that although the SCWD maintains a water shed, still this can not provide the needed water supply in the next five years in the city.

Last summer of 2010, this city has suffered inadequate water supply due to El Nino that lasted for almost six months and although today the province is experiencing a rainy season the supply of water for the residents is still not enough as indicated by the very low supply of ground water source.

Meanwhile Engr. Renato Borbono , SCWD general manager called on the Sanggunian Panglunsod during their session early this January and presented to the body the project proposal of the SCWD for water augmentation by using surface water and requested their assistance to pass a local legislation to this effect.

He said that the need to tap surface water for water augmentation in the city will be sourced out from rivers and dams.

The Hydro Electric Dam which supplies water to the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) for irrigation to rice fields can also be tapped as an add on source for water augmentation to include the Anahaw, Rangas, Pangpang and Cawayan Rivers.

He also coordinated with the Sorsogon City Planning Development Office (SCPDO) so that initial steps to work on water augmentation mechanism be discussed before the coming of the dry season.

Borbono also said that aside from supplying adequate water, the SCWD sees to it that quality water is provided through filtering and treatment to ensure safe water delivery.

He enjoined everyone to plant more trees. He said that water conservation at home and in their work place be also observed by every consumer.

Fumera on the other hand explained that everyone should be conscious of how to conserve and use water properly. They have to report immediately to the SCWD any pilferage or if the public have seen leaks from pipelines and specially from fire hydrants.

Water is very important specially now that March is a fire prevention month. Everyone must be aware of how we should use water and conserve it.


"It is the SWD's main thrust now to find ways on how to maintain enough water supply for everyone and that the SWD can provide safe, affordable water and efficient water supply delivery", Fumera said.

In the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) safe and adequate water supply is the number six of the global targets to be accomplished by 2020. (PIA Sorsogon/mal)

50 families of kabihug started land preparation in their ancestral domain
By Rosalita Base-Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, (PIA) – Fifty (50) families from the indigenous tribe of local tribe here known as “kabihug” started their land preparation last week in the four (4) hectares of land from ancestral domain in Sitio Kalibigahu, Barangay Osmeña, Jose Panganiban town.

Families from kabihug tribe will be provided with seeds and other planting materials like camote, cassava, pineapple, banana, pili and other root crops by the European Union-South East Asian Regional Center for Graduate Studies and Research in Agriculture (EU-SEARCA) and the provincial government through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg).

Francia C. Pajares, Planning Officer IV of OPAg, said that the kabihug will also be provided with planting equipment, fertilizers and 5 carabaos for them to raise and can also help them in planting.

She said that this will help the kabihug to have sufficient food and will serve as a source of income of their families.

She added that the program is part of the Focus Food Production Assistance to Vulnerable Sector under the EU-SEARCA. (PIA Camarines Norte/mal)

Legarda urges ASEAN leaders to prioritize DRR and CCA

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) -- Senator Loren Legarda, Chairperson of the Philippine Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, called on the member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to prioritize disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) in national development agenda to avert further losses of lives and livelihoods from disasters.

“We cannot content ourselves with merely reacting to disaster events that claim countless of lives, ruin properties, and leave lingering effects on people’s livelihoods and the environment. We need to protect our development gains from the regressive impacts of disasters,” said Legarda in addressing high-level officials of the Government of Vietnam led by Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai at the Second National Forum on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation held today in Hanoi.

“We need to be proactive if we are to win against disaster and climate change,” she added.

She noted that the 3rd ASEAN-UN Summit held in Hanoi, Vietnam last October, the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) and the United Nations Regional Coordinating Mechanism (UN-RCM) agreed to prepare the ASEAN-UN Strategic Plan of Cooperation on Disaster Management for 2011-2015, which shall cover risk and vulnerability assessment, preparedness and early warning, among other disaster risk management activities.

“The rising trend of disaster risk can be stopped if national leaders govern with commitment, responsibility, and accountability to bring about a safer and more resilient society,” challenged Legarda.

“Climate change has already made its presence felt in our region. Extreme weather events, stronger typhoons, heavier rains, severe floods, and devastating droughts have become recurring events, a common concern for many countries in Asia,” she added.

ASEAN member-states, based on what was agreed upon at the ASEAN Summit, must actively collaborate and pursue efforts to build disaster and climate-resilient communities within the region.

“Disasters can be prevented if national leaders consider risk reduction not as a cost but a wise investment,” she explained.

“No conscientious leader would want to see the poor and most vulnerable constantly drawn back by disasters into abject poverty for lack of government action. No responsible politician would want the government to waste millions on public infrastructure that can be instantly destroyed by earthquakes and floods,” Legarda added.

Legarda was in Hanoi on the invitation of the Government of Vietnam to share the Climate Change Act of 2009 and the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, two landmark laws that she authored and sponsored and now considered legislative models by the UNISDR and the Inter-Parliamentary Union for other nations to emulate.

“Asia is the world’s most disaster prone region. Peoples in Asia are four times more likely to be affected by disasters caused by natural hazards than those in Africa; and 25 times more likely than those in Europe or North America, based on a recent UN report,” revealed Legarda who is also UNISDR champion for Asia and the Pacific. (Office of Sen. Legarda/PIA Albay/mal)

COMELEC resumes continuing voters registration starting April, 2011
By Edna A Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes- The Commission on Election (COMELEC) Provincial Office here announced the resumption of continuing voters’ registration starting this April, 2011.

According to COMELEC Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Ma. Aurea C. Bo-Bunao, application for registration, transfer of entries in the registration records, reactivation of registration records, inclusion of registration records and reinstatement of name in the list of voters shall be personally filed from April 01, 2011 to October, 2012 at the office of Election Officer of the municipality where the applicant resides from Monday to Saturday inclusive of holidays during regular office hours at 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The purpose of this registration is to establish a clean, complete, permanent and updated list of voters through the adoption of Biometrics Technology (Photograph, fingerprints and signature) in the registration process.

The applicant shall bring any of the following valid id to COMELEC: current employee’s identification card with the signature of the employer or authorized representative; postal id; student’s id or library card signed by the school authority; senior citizen’s id, driver’s license; NBI/PNP clearance; passport; SSS and GSIS id card or any other valid IDs.

Qualified to register are Filipino citizen who is at least 18 yrs. Old, a resident of the Philippines at least one year in the place wherein he proposes to vote, for at least six months immediately preceding the election and not otherwise disqualified by law.

Any person who has not reached the required voting age or period of residence on the day of registration but will possess such qualification on or before the May 13, 2013 elections may register as a voter not earlier than May 12, 2012.

The Election Officers (Eos) in the 11 municipalities of the Province will adopt a system of processing application to speed up the registration process, minimize queuing and avoid inconvenience.

Atty. Bunao called on to new and old voters in the province to register early in their respective municipal election offices to avoid rush. (PIA Catanduanes/mal)

CamSur inks partnership with DepEd to build classrooms
By Lizel S. Macatangay

PILI, Camarines Sur, (PIA) – After the successful launching of El Verde Movement breaking the Guinness Book of World Records for the most number of trees planted in an hour, the local government of Camarines Sur is setting another first by embarking on a new partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) to build classrooms.

Camarines Sur Governor Luis Raymond Villafuerte said the provincial government and DepEd will launch a joint venture in putting up more classrooms in the province through a counterparting scheme that would benefit schoolchildren here.

Governor Villafuerte and DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro recently inked an agreement to build more than 400 classrooms in various schools located in the five districts of Camarines Sur. The project cost is estimated at P280 million.

Under the said scheme, the local government will initially shoulder the expenses for the construction of the building. Upon certification of DepEd that it has already completed its share, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will then release a corresponding amount to cover the incurred outflow.

This scheme was a brainchild of Gov. Villafuerte putting in mind his constituent’s welfare, specifically the children who have to squeeze themselves in one small classroom just to have a chance to partake of the daily lessons. He has already presented this idea to President Benigno Aquino in Malacanang during one of the meetings of the League of Provinces as the leagues’ executive vice president. (PIA Camarines Sur/mal)

Government, NGO leaders train in addressing child labor
By Ernie A. Delgado

MASBATE CITY, (PIA) — A group of government workers and leaders of non-government organizations will start training in preparation for the resumption of a continuing program to end child labor in Masbate.

“The three-day training that kicks off today is part of our preparations,” Carlos Onding, head of the office here of the Department of Labor and Employment, told the Philippine Information Agency.

DOLE, in collaboration with other line agencies, local governments, and the International Labor Organization (ILO) is implementing the second phase of the program in the island province.
The province was chosen based on the 2001 child labor survey and other data like dropout rate, poverty incidence, number of poor families, and results of a survey on population and family income.

Just recently, an ILO-sponsored survey conducted late in four of the province’s 21 towns recorded 388 children engaged in worst forms of labor like pocket mining and deep-sea fishing.
The Child Labor Act prohibits use of children below 18 years old for slavery, prostitution, pornography, drug trafficking, armed conflicts and work hazardous to health.

Onding said it is expected that participants, who are sent by government agencies and non-government organizations that make up the Masbate Child Labor Committee, will be able to come out with a good on plan on the plight of hundreds of working children in the province.

He said the Philippines has been receiving assistance from the ILO in enforcing ILO Convention 182, an international convention against the worst forms of child labor.

Onding said the ongoing program in the province seeks to send children to school to pull them out of work.

ILO had implemented the first phase of the program to eliminate child labor in the province, he added. (PIA Masbate/mal)

DTI Albay to join National Trade Fair

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Albay has organized local traders in the province to join the National Trade Fair that will held at SM Mall of Asia (MOA), Convention Center on March 17-20, 2011.

According to the Business Development Division Chief of DTI Albay Cynthia Olaguer, the National Trade Fair is an activity organized by the DTI, in partnership with the Center of International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), to promote and showcase the unique products of Albay.

The said activity will showcase the products of Albay like bags, furnishings, and fashion accessories.

DTI clients that will showcase different products are RCB Crafts in Tabaco City, Ness Craft Philippine Industry in Tabaco City, CLDC in Sto. Domingo Albay, and M.O. Rañola Memorial School in Guinobatan, Albay.

Participants on the said activity also include various traders from the different parts of the country. (PPRamos, BUCAL/PIA Albay/mal)

Peace council requests for lot donation for PNP station
By Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, (PIA) -- The Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) of Virac, recently passed a resolution requesting the Catanduanes State Colleges (CSC) through its president, Asuncion V. Astere to donate 400 square meters lot within the colleges' campus for the construction of Philippine National Police (PNP) sub-station.

Based from the report of the PNP Police Provincial Office, Barangay Cavinitan, Calatagan and San Isidro Village posted the highest numbers of theft and robbery incidences in this town.

The continued growth of population and the inexorable expansion of residential areas and business activities within the said barangays, as well as the increasing number of students being enrolled and studying at CSC triggered some criminal elements to commit thefts and robberies and venture into other forms of illegal activities such as drug pushing and addiction which surreptitiously eroding the moral fiber and indisputably destroying the future of the students and residents therein.

To address these looming and deplorable activities and in order to maintain peace and order within the said barangays and to secure the students of CSC and residents from the threats of terrorism and from the outside influences of insurgents and terrorists, the Catanduanes PNP has proposed to construct a PNP Sub-Station at the said place.

The presence of police personnel or officers within the neighboring barangays would ensure greater and easy access to police assistance, provide a quick response to crime scenes and will serve as a deterrent to commission of various forms of criminal activities within the area.

There is already a standung fund allocation amounting to P6 million from the PNP national headquarter for the construction of the said sub-station. (PIA Catanduanes/mal)

Orientation on disaster risk reduction in CamNorte set
By Rosalita Base-Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, (PIA) - A two-day orientation seminar workshop on Republic Act 10121 “An act strengthening the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System” will start tomorrow at the local government of Jose Panganiban.

Dr. Carlos Galves, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office or PDRRMO chief, said that the training will help in formulating plans in the local disaster risk reduction management council in the said municipality and in the different barangays.

He said that the training will be sponsored by the Jose Panganiban Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (MDRRMC) through the effort of Mayor Ricarte Padilla as chairman.

The activity will be held at the Apolonia Hotel Hall in the said town and will be attended by the MDRRMC members and barangay officials.

Topics to be discussed include: Risk Assessment, Disaster Risk Reduction Management, and Republic Act 10121.

The participants will also be informed on how to use their disaster risk reduction management fund and also how to make a contingency plan for the different types of calamities.

Dr. Carlos Galves will be the main resource speaker in the said training.

It will be recalled that same training was already conducted in the municipalities of Labo, Daet, and Mercedes. (PIA, Camarines Norte/mal)