President’s Sis Viel leads Bicol celebration of 100th International Women’s Day
…salutes Filipinas from homes to board rooms
By Aida Alcazar-Naz >

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) – Some 5,000 Bicolanas and women advocates observed the 100th International Women’s Day through a series of activities with Presidential Sister and Women’s Rights Advocates Victoria Eliza “Viel” Aquino-Dee as guest of honor.

Ms. Aquino-Dee led the morning Marcha Bicolana (women’s march) from the airport site after she lands from the earliest flight to Legazpi. Two more groups from other points in the city converge at Albay Astrodome beside the Albay provincial capitol for the solidarity mass and program.

At the program held after the solidarity mass, Ms. Aquino-Dee exhorts everyone to pay tribute to the Filipina in all her facets “the charming beauty known the world over, the generous mother, the staunch advocate taking a stand and demanding her rights are heard”.

She particularly enumerated women who have to be acknowledged, from the women “in schools, in marketplaces, in homes all over the country in the world, in hospitals and nursing homes, in board rooms and in NGOs, in convents and in factories”.

Quoting her mother, President Cory Aquino, she extolled “every woman who in the words of my mother made the world a kinder, gentler place for humanity to live in”.

She further urged the womenfolk in attendance to uphold the Magna Carta for Women especially the roles of Filipinas in the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which is the theme for this year’s celebration of Women’s Month.

Just before the solidarity mass, Ms. Aquino-Dee was at the forefront in the releasing of thousands of yellow and purple balloons as a gesture and acknowledgement of the role of women in the homes and community as well.

Purple is the color associated with women concerns.

The Marcha Bikolana was participated in by government employees; local government units; academe; banking community; pro-women groups like the PNP Men Opposed to Violence Everywhere (MOVE); women’s organizations like the Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI); the non-government organization Pinoy Power Bicol Coalition of Bicol Volunteers (PPBCV), and a gay-lesbian group GAYON.

Inauguration and turn-over of pre-school building

After the program Ms. Aquino-Dee rushed to Daraga North Central School (DNCS) and presided over the inauguration and turn-over of the already 60 per cent finished Aklat, Gabay at Aruga Tungo sa Pag-angat at Pag-asa (AGAPP) Foundation, Inc. pre-school project for indigent communities.

When finished, the two-room school building will include a library including books, cabinets and tables and chairs. She announced during the turn-over to the Department of Education (DepEd) and Daraga local government that the main donors for the DNCS AGAPP are Letty Tan, Uratex and National Book Store for the books.

Ms. Aquino-Dee recognized the effort of elder sister Pinky Aquino-Abellada who personally led the turn-over of two AGAPP schools in Albay last January 14 this year.

Ms. Aquino-Abellada is at the forefront in the AGAPP projects while Ms. Aquino-Dee, an AGAPP honorary trustee is at the helm of the Assisi Development Foundation working closely for indigenous groups and church assistance projects. She was responsible for sending medicines and stuffs for the January 22 medical mission to barangays affected b y the tail-end of the cold front flooding in Albay. The recipients of the donation were the barangays of Bacacay town which benefited 700 residents.

Each AGAPP two-room building costs some P600,000. This typhoon-proof 104 sq. m. school building can be constructed in a month’s time barring weather constraints.

Presscon with Ms. Aquino-Dee

The day’s schedule ended with a luncheon presscon with the media-shy Ms. Aquino-Dee held at the People’s Hall of the Albay provincial capitol.

She promised to convey to President Bengno S. Aquino III the inclusion of the Right to Information Bill in the priority bills as requested by mediamen.

As the advocate for Indigenous Peoples, she disclosed that she joins the fight for ancestral domain but in many instances she learned that some elders have made agreements with private individuals.

When asked about her opinion over the raging controversial reproductive health bill, she said that it is up to couples to be responsible parents and to support and provide better education for their children.

She stressed that “people must be responsible parents, support and provide better education for their children while the government does not demand nor compel couples to use contraceptives.”

Ms. Aquin-Dee was then asked as many won’t to, if she wanted a sister-in-law, to which the Presidential Sis smiled and said that it has been a long time since she along with her three other sisters Pinky Aquino-Abellada, Ballsy Aquino-Cruz and Kris Aquino wish that the bachelor President bring home a wife before 2016 and to have a niece and a nephew from their only brother.

“It’s our long-held wish for him (President Aquino) to marry before 2016 and to have a niece and a nephew from him.”

She added that it is up to President Aquino to choose the girl he loves.

The celebration of International Women’s Day is among the activities lined-up for the celebration of Women’s Month this March.

The 2011 Women’s Month celebration is commemorated with the theme Magna Carta of Women, Philippine CEDAW: In support of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The month-long celebration is led by the Regional Gender and Development Council (RGDC) headed by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence of Women and Children (RIACAT-VAWC) chaired by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). (PIA V/Albay/mal)

DENR Bicol bans logging tools in natural and residual forests

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Bicol will implement all stringent measures to ensure 100 percent compliance with Executive Order No. 23, after Environment Sec. Ramon Paje’s order to prohibit chainsaws, bulldozers, graders and all other logging paraphernalia in natural and residual forests.

“All DENR Bicol field officials are ordered to supervise the pull out of all logging/cutting and hauling equipment from all natural and residual forests to make certain that no further timber harvesting shall be done” says Regional Executive Director Joselin Marcus Fragada.

“Environment Secretary Paje made clear in his deadline to all regional executive directors that logging tools and implements are off limits to natural and residual forests by February 28, 2011 following the imposition of logging moratorium by President Aquino” Fragada maintained.

According to the RED, Sec. Paje said the pull out of all logging and cutting paraphernalia is in consonance with E.O. 23, which provides for the declaration of a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in the natural and residual forests, and the creation of an anti-illegal logging task force.

Director Fragada further asserted that Sec. Paje’s issuance of DENR memorandum No. 52 likewise suspended the acceptance and processing of new, as well as the renewal or extension of, integrated operations plans, annual work plans or resource use permits in all natural and residual forests.

“We will see to it that every field office will abide by the EO and monitor rigorously activities in identified natural and residual forests in the region” he further emphasized.

Fragada earlier said that in Bicol Region logging/tree cutting operation is inconsequential since there are no Industrial Forest Management Agreement (IFMA) holders. The last known logging contract in Bicol was cancelled during the seventies. (JEBasanta, DENR V/PIA Albay/mal)
Sorsogon City shares experience on solid waste best practices
By Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, (PIA) — Mayor Leovic R. Dioneda, in the presentation given to the Provincial Solid Waste Management Board here during their last quarter meeting, said that the city of Sorsogon is now considered one of the best implementers of the solid waste management program in the region.

He said that he had represented and presented Sorsogon City in his travels to several countries, and now, he is being invited through their international funding agency partners like the USAID, CIDA and AUSAID, to present the city's solid waste management program best practices.

"We have intensified our IEC in the barangays, in schools especially here in offices within the Sorsogon City Hall. Its proper implementation is regularly being monitored from within not only by the CENRO-LGU office but in all offices through their department heads." Dioneda explained.

The city Material Recovery Facilities PI (MRF -Phase I) to be situated in Barangay Buhatan is likely to be replicated after its completion this 2011 according to Dioneda.

A yearly search for model barangays and schools implementing the SWMP properly has been on going and the city gives commendation and cash incentives awarded in time with their Sosogon Festival every December.

The city has also implemented the banning of the use of styrofoam as packaging especially in the City Hall during activities or occasions.were food is served.

Mayor Dioneda also presented the public waste treatment plant facility at the Sorsogon City public market which has been operational for almost two years now.

The city government is also now on its plan to only collect the residual waste and its recommendation to implement more the materials' recovery facility program since this will also generate livelihood in terms of those who are operating junk shops in the city.

He said the people now saw the need to really cooperate and be involved in the program of the city. Household segregation is now practiced especially in Barangay Tugos. Trashes are brought out of the house only on scheduled days for collection. Disciple now is seen in some barangays and these are best practices where the city's SWM program now is known for.

"Our best practice in the implementation of the SWMP really is more on the people's awareness now that our trash is one of the causes of climate change and that proper management should start from every household if we want to save our planet" , Dioneda said. (PIA Sorsogon/mal)

Solid waste board updated on sanitary landfill clustering
By Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, (PIA) In the last quarterly meeting conducted by the Provincial Solid Waste Management Board (PSWMB) at the Sorsogon City Sanggunian Hall, City Mayor Leovic R. Dioneda presented Sorsogon City’s best practices on solid waste management.

Mayor Dioneda said that sanitary landfill clustering in the province is an issue and an option to be considered as some municipalities identified are without an ideal area for a landfill operation based on the criteria set by RA-9003 and promulgated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Jose Marcel S. Laud, senior geologist of DENR- Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau (MGB) said their findings showed some proposed sanitary landfill areas in the municipalities of Magallanes, Bulusan, Gubat, Prieto Diaz and Juban were found to be geo-hazardous and cannot be considered as sites.

While sanitary landfill clustering can be considered, Engr. Maribeth Fruto, PENRO-LGU head of the province said that the clustering is only an option for those LGUs who don't have qualified disposal sites based on RA 9003.

Mayor Jimmy Fragata of Juban, meanwhile, requested the provincial government through the Sanggunian Panlalawigan to provide financial assistance in the conduct of assessment of the proposed sanitary landfill areas.

Meanwhile Mayor Alejandro Gamos of Matnog suggested that MGB should also come up with a provincial plan as to which municipalities should be clustered. He added that climate change and the volume of waste now being generated by areas considered urbanized need t be clustered.

The issue on the proposed clustering of identified municipalities without ideal and qualified disposal sites will be treated and discussed this coming 1st quarter meeting of the PSWMB this March 18 at Magallanes Municipal Hall. (PIA Sorsogon/mal)

LGU, DeEd and PRC ink MOA on Disaster Preparedness
By Lizel S. Macatangay

PILI, Camarines Sur, (PIA) --- In strengthening their resolve to lessen if not eradicate casualties and damage to properties caused by natural disasters, the local government of Camarines Sur, thru Governor LRay Villafuerte recently inked a Memorandum of Agreement with the Philippine Red Cross- (PRC) Camarines Sur Chapter to formalize another convergence of forces, this time in equipping the community with disaster preparedness.

In this campaign, the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education (DepEd) and the local government and barangay units will be working hand in hand in implementing the principles of the Community Health Management and Disaster Risk Reduction Program aimed at improving the community’s vigilance during the occurrence of natural disasters and the constituent’s health condition as well.

PRC’s main responsibility will be to closely coordinate with other partners/stakeholders to ensure that the project will be properly and efficiently implemented. It is also the task of PRC to maintain the partnership with project partners even beyond the project period to ensure its sustainability.

The provincial government unit on their part is also tasked to ensure coordination effort and provide assistance, technical support and services as its counterpart component. It is also their obligation to guarantee its sustained promotion and support to community health and disaster risk reduction program by providing manpower support.

The local government units of Lagonoy, Siruma,Garchitorena , Buhi and the city of Iriga will each provide a cash equity of 10% for the construction of facilities in line with health and disaster program.

Selected barangay recipients should also assist the project staff in the identification and recruitment of Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) and Barangay Disaster Action Teams (BDATS). They should also see to it that the staff and Red Cross workers are safe and protected in the course of implementing the project. A cash equity equivalent to 5% for construction and rehabilitation of health and water facilities shall also be shouldered by the barangay.

Added to the project component is the participation of DepEd who is also responsible for the creation of school disaster management plan and its similar replication in other schools.

The project’s recipients includes barangays Tambo, Salvacion, Iraya, Ipil, San Ramon, Antipolo, Igbac, Cabatuan and Ibayugan, all from the town of Buhi and barangays Santiago, Cristo Del Rey, Sta. Teresita, San Pedro, Perpetual Help, Santo Nino and Sta. Maria from the city of Iriga. These barangays are mostly inhabited by Indigenous People or IPs.

Other barangays include Himanag, Bocogan, Sta.Cruz,Del Carmen,Olas, Guibahoy, San Isidro, Sipaco, Mangogon and Mapid , all from Lagonoy; Barangays Butawanan, San Ramon, Malaconini, Sulpa, San Andres, Vito, Cabugao, Tandoc, Mabuhay, Fundado, Penitan and Nalayahan; and barangays Danrica, Tamiawon, Burabod, Dangca, Cagamutan and Sagrada from the town of Garchitorena. (PIA Camarines Sur/mal)

Agri Training Intitute to conduct two-day Regional Workshop
By Edna A Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes (PIA)---The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI)- Regional Training Center 5 will conduct a two(2)-day Regional Workshop on "Pagabbago Tungo sa Matuwid na Daan: Building a More Responsive and Dynamic Agriculture and Fisheries (AF) Extension in the Region, to be held on April 26-28, 2011 at Villa Caceres Hotel, Naga City.

The said activity aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of the participants in building a more responsive and dynamic agriculture and fisheries extension in the region and will be attended by DA Program Coordinators; the Extension Heads or representatives of agencies who are members of the Agriculture and Fishery Extension Network (AFEN); Provincial Agriculturists and Program Coordinators; and representatives of private sectors.

Ms. Nelia V. Teves, Dr. Jane C. Rubio and five (5) Program Coordinators (rice, corn, HVCC, livestock, and fishery), and one (1) farner of chosen commodity will be Catanduanes' delegates and representatives during the activity.

Dr. Eliseo Ponce, former Director of the Bureau of Agricultural Research will be the main facilitator of the workshop. (PIA/Catanduanes/mal)

Countrywide national greening program convergence project launched in Camarines Sur
By Aida Alcazar-Naz

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) – Parallel to the call of President Benigno S. Aquino III to reduce poverty in the countryside while ensuring food security, biodiversity conservation and address climate change, the countrywide national greening program (NGP) convergence project took off in Camarines Sur last March 11.

The cabinet secretaries of departments of Environment and Natural Resources, Agriculture and Agrarian Reform led the launching of the said convergence project in Bula town in Camarines Sur, said DENR Regional Information Officer Ruby Mendones at PIA’s radio program Aramon Ta Daw last Monday.

DENR Sec. Ramon Paje, DA Sec. Proceso Alcala and DAR Sec. Virgilio de los Reyes signed a memorandum of agreement signaling the union of these departments to implement the country’s greening program.

In Executive Order No. 26 issued February 24, 2011, President Aquino has tasked the DENR to lead the implementation of NGP, with DA and DAR to constitute the program’s oversight committee.

The national greening program’s goal is to plant 1.5 billion trees in some 1.5 million hectares from 2011 to 2016, which is more than twice the government’s accomplishment of 730,000 hectares for the past 25 years.

Paje said that the NGP is a priority program of President Aquino in an effort to bring back the lost forest cover of the country.

Among the areas targeted for planting under the program are forestlands, mangrove and protected areas, ancestral domains, civil and military reservations, urban area under the greening plan of local government units, inactive and abandoned mines and other suitable lands.

Mendones explained that said greening program is divided into agroforestry, forest trees and urban greening.

In Bicol, 60 per cent of the effort goes to agroforestry where the implementation will help arrest erosion. Some suggested specie are narra, molave, coconut for its 100 uses, including ipil-ipil and kakawate.

Thirty per cent of the greening effort is to plant forest trees with focus on endemic specie like lauan, bigtikan apitong, almacige and kamagong and exotic trees like mahogany, gmelina.

Meantime, 10 per cent of the greening effort will go to urban greening. DENR Bicol recommends banaba, which according to studies filters the air aside from its herbal benefits.

Palms too, are suggested as it does not require daily sweeping. Mendones mentioned the propagation of the black palm specie native in Mt. Isarog per the study of UP Prof. Edwin Fernandez.

NGP will mobilize people’s participation through social mobilization harnessing participation of national government agencies, LGUs, government owned and controlled corporations, including state colleges and universities.

Likewise, some 14 million students across the country will be tapped to participate in the program, as well as the 20 million residents in upland communities in an effort to provide them additional livelihood opportunities and reduce poverty. (PIA V/Albay/mal)