Disaster risk reduction, climate change up in development confab
by Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, Apr. 12 (PIA) -- The Center for Initiatives and Research on Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) and Climate Change Academy (CCA) of the Provincial Government of ALbay, led by Gov. Joey Salceda will spearhead a Capacity Development Conference to craft the Bicol Regional Framework and Action Plan on climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.

CIRCA executive director Manuel "Nong" Rangasa, in a text message to PIA Bicol News Service, said the interfacing will the first in the country on this particular concerns and will be participated in by the six provinces of Bicol region, Albay, Camarines Norte and Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon.

The activity, set on April 26-28, will be held in cooperation with the Bicol Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC), led by Director Raffy Alejandro of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) regional office here.

Meanwhile, Albay, since April 1 has been conducting briefings and trainings on DRR and CCA as an integral part of the Magayon Festival 2011 celebrations on a weekly basis for the different sectors of the community.

"We give high priorities to vulnerable sectors, like women and children, person with disabilities, elderly, and communities in areas highly prone to natural disasters, among others for this activity," said Rangasa.

Albay has been in the front line in mainstreaming climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction program in the country and abroad, with the United Nations adopting the Albay model for replication in other countries, while for local government units in the Philippines. (MAL, PIA V/Albay)

DENR eyes successful convergence implementation in Bicol

LEGAZPI CITY, Apr. 12 (PIA) —Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon Paje declared recently that the key to a flourishing agro- economic cluster program is proper use of natural resources. Paje, who keynoted the launching of local convergence initiatives in Sorsogon City Friday, maintained that the convergence initiative led by President Aquino is robustly filled with tangible and thematic projects that will benefit local communities by empowering them to utilize well their scarce resources.

“I believe the resources are there, I believe the funding of the three departments is there, and the programs are thereby defined, we just have to do it properly,” he pointed out.

He also lauded the local executives that signified support to the program while assuring that the DENR, Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) will be aiding them to fast track logistical assistance.

In the presentation of the convergence investment plan, Sorsogon Provincial Management Office executive director Sally Lee, called on the constituents to support NCI to reduce poverty, stabilize food security and promote a sustainable environment.

Lee stated that under the plan, a total investment of 795.8 million pesos will be drawn from the coffers of the province which will then translate to a 1.15 billion projected revenue or an almost 45 percent return of investment in just five years.

She cited seven commodities that they will develop in three pilot areas – Casiguran, Castilla and Sorsogon City.

Lee envisions the Sorsogon Agro Economic Cluster focusing on merchandise such as coconut, pili, livestock, pineapple, forest and forest trees, mariculture zone project, and organic farming.

The convergence initiative in the province could only spell success as the three government agencies already signified commitment with pledges of tenurial instruments, seedlings, fingerlings, infra projects like water impounding system, irrigation, farm to market roads and post harvest facilities, she explained.

“If this is implemented well, I can see its fruition soon, if each and every one of us will make a commitment to make a difference in the lives of the future generation” Lee further said.

Last March, the NCI was introduced in the region in Pili, Camarines Sur amid a thousand farmers, fisher folks and upland dwellers who wanted a tangible solution to poverty. (MAL/RLMendones, DENR V)


Sorsogon to intensify complementation on convergence initiatives
by Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, April 12 (PIA)”When a community shares a common vision, a higher level of hope is generated that can propel people to establish a helping attitude that they express concern for the well-being of all. This is what convergence is all about", Governor Raul R. Lee stated as he vowed to promote the province of Sorsogon as a model for complementation of resources, expertise and partnership.

According to Lee, the local governments are now more aware on really transforming farmers and fishers from mere producers to agri-entrepreneurs, from mere job hunters to job creators and teaching them the value added technique by linking them to the global markets.

The convergence goals that the province will focus on is food security, job generation, poverty reduction, and sustainable development all these encompass the general objective of uplifting the economic life of the farming and fishing communities here in the province which almost all municipalities are identified as fishing industry generators and Irosin as one potential farming municipality.

Governor Lee explained that the Location-Specific Technology Development (LSTD) program of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PHILRICE) for instance has three pilot local governments here in the province : Gubat, Sorsogon City and Bulan and is provided a "personal touch " of assistance by PHILRICE starting from seeds to nutrient management and to pest management.

"We are committed to expand this program of PHILRICE to other areas in the province through the Office of the Provincial Agriculture (OPA).

The local government of Sorsogon, according to Governor Lee heed the invitation of Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and he participated to the meeting in pursuing rice sufficiency by 2013 under the Rapid Seed Supply Financing Project (RaSSFIP)

"I immediately responded to Secretary Alcala's call by providing assistance worth to 1.5 million pesos as additional subsidy of the program", Lee explained.

Lee stated that all the local chief executives responded to the program and that the farmers' equity will only amount to Php300.00 per bag for the fertilizers.

He further explained that after this convergence initiative, all local programs will be prepared in consultation with partner agencies,providing the corresponding budgetary allocations, instituting the necessary policy and structural reforms and putting the interest of the constituents above anything else.

"Let us become a more convergent province by pulling together our resources, expertise and commitment to achieve our goal and that is poverty alleviation." Lee stated. (PIA Sorsogon)