Grandma, 200 studes finish high school from gov’t free education program
by Lizel S. Macatangay

CAMALIGAN, Camarines Sur, Apr. 13 (PIA) — A 60-year old lad held on to her diploma as she receives the certificate of recognition naming her as one of the successful high school graduates of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) held April 12, 2011 at the Camaligan Municipal Pavillon here.

Cristita Sumpay or fondly called Lola Cristita, now with nine grandchildren, has managed to get her diploma in high school, realizing her dream by enrolling in ALS which offers free education implemented by the Department of Education and (DepEd) under the auspices of the Bureau of Alternative Learning System.

Sumpay, now a barangay councilor of Barangay La Purisima Nuevo, Ocampo, Camarines Sur, stopped schooling in 1967, got married and wedged over her motherly functions, eventually forgetting her desire to go back to school, yet now has pursued her education after all.

Lola Cristita was one of the 200 graduates of ALS coming from different municipalities of Camarines Sur and among those students who have reached past their prime years and unable to pursue formal schooling due to time and financial constraints.

With the program, they were able to avail of, not just of the free education, but also flexible class schedules, a perfect program which provided them a viable alternative to the existing education instruction.

Meanwhile, Ako Bikol (AKB) Party List Rep. Rodel Batocabe lauded in his keynote address the graduates for their perseverance and dedication to pursue their heart’s desire, not taking into account the grey hairs and wrinkled skins that have robbed their youthful years.

Batocabe announced that those who belong to the top ten of the graduating class, composed of more or less 20 students, will automatically receive a scholarship grant from AKB, giving the recipients a Php12,000 cash subsidy every year.

More Lola Cristitas are expected to finish secondary education in the future as the free education program of the government will open more opportunities for other people like her regardless of age, demographic characteristics, socio-economic origins and social status. (MAL/LSM, PIA CamSur)

DPWH Bicol to hire 658 maintenance crew
by Ed de Leon

LEGAZPI CITY, Apr. 13 (PIA)-- Here’S good news to out-of-school youths (OSYs) and other marginalized Bicolanos...

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional office here disclosed that the agency will be hiring some 658 additional maintenance crew to augment the regular maintenance personnel of its 16 district engineering offices in the six provinces of Bicol.

Engr. Antonio Saguinsin, DPWH regional maintenance division chief, said that the authority to hire is contained in Memorandum issued by DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson dated March 21,2011 to all regional directors and district engineers.

He said that priority for employment are OSYs aged between 18 to 24 years old and those coming from the poor sectors of society and residents in the immediate vicinity of the work location.

Saguinsin said that the new workers will be hired under the job order basis with a daily rate of P250 and will be deployed under the roadside maintenance program at one worker per 3.5 kms of national road for the period from April to December this year.

He said these workers will assist the regular maintenance crew of the district engineering offices in performing various roadside maintenance activities involving the cleaning of roadsides; desilting of drainage canals, longitudinal pipes and cross drains; cutting of vegetation along shoulders; manual reshaping of shoulders and carriage way; manual pothole pactching; cleaning of sidewalks and respond to calamities.

For proper identification these workers, according to Saguinsin, will be provided with T-shirts and caps with a common design.

He said that the three engineering districts in Albay will hire 109, while the two districts of Camarines Norte will hire 57, the five districts of Camarines Sur will hire 186, Catanduanes districts will hire 90, the three districts of Masbate will hire 121, and the two districts of Sorsogon will employ 95. (MAL/EDL, PIA V/Albay)

Albay readies red carpet welcome for newly crowned Bb. Pilipinas International Dianne Necio

LEGAZPI CITY, Apr. 13 (PIA) -- Newly crowned Binibining Pilipinas International Dianne Elaine Necio will be given a red carpet welcome in Albay in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the province.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said the provincial government has already passed a special resolution recognizing the recent feat of Necio and is preparing activities to honor the Albayana for giving honor and pride to the province.

“Albayanos rejoice and are really proud of Bb. Pilipinas International Dianne Elaine Necio... Always Albay, Always Magayon (Beuatiful).” Salceda rexcitedly said.

Salceda furthered Necio is Albay’s third national beauty titlist since 1999, with Melody Gersbach crowned Bb. Pilipinas International 2009 and 3rd runner-up Miss International 2009; 2005 Miss International Precious Lara Quigaman from Ligao City; 1999 Miss Universe 1st runner up Miriam Quiambao from Bacacay town.

Last year Venus Raj, who hails from Bato, Camarines Sur and a graduate of Bicol University (BU) in Albay, won the Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2010 and bagged the 4th runner-up Miss Universe.

The governor meanwhile said activities lined up for Necio include motorcade from Legazpi Airport to Daraga town, then around this city's major thoroughfares.

Upon her arrival at the Albay Capitol Building, she will receive a special citation from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Albay.

Necio, a native of Polangui, Albay and town mate of Salceda, will also be given a red carpet welcome in her town with a motorcade and a Sangguniang Pambayan (SP) resolution giving honor to her.

Necio will be representing the Philippines in the Miss International competition to be held in Chengdu, China later this year.

Other Binibining Pilipinas winners are Shamcey Supsup, Bb. Pilipinas-Universe; Isabella Manjon, Bb. Pilipinas-Tourism; Janine Tugonon, 1st runner-up, and Mary Jean Lastimosa, 2nd runner-up. (MAL, PIA V/Albay)

NSO conducts establishments’ survey
by Edna A Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes Apr. 13 (PIA)- The National Statistics Office (NSO) Catanduanes Provincial Office will be conducting the 2010 Annual Survey of Philippine Business and Industry (2010 ASPBI) to collect and generate information on the structure and trends of economic activities in the entire country for the year 2010.

The conduct of 2010 ASPBI is authorized by various legislative acts and presidential directives namely: Commonwealth Act No. 591, Presidential Decree No. 418, Executive Order No. 121, Executive Order No. 352 and Executive Order No. 5.

The data collected from the ASPBI will be the bases upon which the government and the private sector can formulate policies and evolve economic development plans.

It will also be used in constructing national and regional income accounts of the Philippine economy, in formulating development strategies and monitoring plans/policies in the attainment of national and regional goals, in determining and comparing regional economic structures and performance, in valuating conditions of the economy, employment and income perspective in order to make more informed decisions, in evaluating business options, assessing opportunities for new investments and estimating market shares of industries and in providing updates for the frame of establishments.

The reporting unit is the establishment. Commonwealth Act 591 authorizes NSO to conduct censuses and surveys. Pursuant to the provision of Section 4 of this Act, information obtained from the respondents shall be held strictly confidential and shall not be divulged to any person except authorized NSO personnel acting in the performance of their duties. (PIA Catanduanes)

Labor code violations decreased by 24 in 1st quarter
by Rosalita Base-Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, Apr. 13 (PIA) – A decrease of 24 cases on the violations of labor code was recorded for the first quarter of this year or 11 cases as compared to 35 cases of the same period last year filed by workers against their employers at the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) here.

Of the 11 violations against labor code recorded during the first quarter of this year, 4 cases were filed in court and were resolved while the 7 were settled at the DOLE.

On the 35 cases recorded violations during the first quarter of last year, 20 were resolved during the said period while 15 were resolved during the said year.

Chief Labor and Employment Officer Ruben L. Romanillos said that the decreased in number of the violations was attributed to their awareness campaign on Labor Human Relation (LHP) on Productivity particularly given to employer and employees in the different establishments in the towns of Jose Panganiban, Talisay and Mercedes.

He said that violations against labor code recorded include the unpaid salaries, low wages or not in a minimum wage, non payment of 13th month pay and overtime pay and holiday pay in the different establishments in the province.

DOLE Chief Romanillos explained that the way of solving complaints on different violations in DOLE is through the Single Entry Approach (SENA).

She said SENA will not handle the notice of strike and lockouts and these will remain in the National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB).

The DOLE Chief also reminds employees of private establishments that additional P6.00 wage increased has started last month and those who will not receive such payment should inform their office.

The minimum wage in this province effective March 1, 2011 is categorized to non-agriculture (P 206.00 – P241.00/ day ) and agriculture (P200.00- P220.00 per day). (PIA Camarines Norte)

Pili growers seeks support for industry development
by Edna A Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes Apr. 13 (PIA)- The Catanduanes Pili Growers and Processors Association here is seeking the support of the Provincial Government of Catanduanes for the development of the local pili industry thru programs on Pili propagation, trainings, product development, marketing and other interventions and allocation of funds.

In a resolution No. 2011-01, s. of 2011 passed by the said association states that Catanduanes has been identified with pili plantation and number of pili processors.

Pili nut has been declared as "Bicol's Flagship Crop and Industry" and concerted efforts are now being done by various agencies, led by the Department of Agriculture (DA), local government units (LGUs) and non-government organizations to hasten the industry's development throughout the region.

To hasten its development, there is a need to aggressively implement various programs which will result to further increase in pili plantation, increase in pili processing not only of delicacies but also of other products such as manila elemi, pili oil, pili crafts, etc., creation of market niche, improvement of products, establishment of post-harvest facilitites and continuous research and development. (PIA Catanduanes)