BFAR leads celebration of Farmers Fisher folks and Month of the Ocean
by Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, April 29 (PIA) --- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) regional office in Bicol will once again lead the celebration of the the Farmers, Fisher folks and Month of the Ocean this May 2011.

One of the highlights of this event is the installation and ceremonial turn-over of key to this year's Mangingisdang Direktor, Mr. Jesus V. Sumayang, the MFARMC Chair of San Andres and the concurrent Provincial Fisherfolk Representative of Catanduanes.

Mr. Sumayang shall sit as the Regional Fisher folk Director for the whole month of May 2011.

To add color to this event, there will be a motorcade along Virac main streets on May 3, 2011 at 7:00 a.m. to be participated in by the provincial fisherfolk leaders regionwide, BFAR5 personnel and inivited guests.

This will be followed immediately by the opening program of the Farmers, Fisher folks and Month of the Ocean then the installation of Mangingisdang Direktor 2011 at 9:30 a.m. to be held at the Capitol Dome, Virac, Catanduanes.

In the afternoon, there will be a launching of Provincial Tilapia Hatchery and the Ceremonial turn-over of office space for the Provincial Fishery Office of the Catanduanes provided by the Provincial Government of Catanduanes.

On May 4-5, 2011, there will be a Technology Caravan and trun-over of Seaweeds Input Assistance to the local fisher folks. (MAL/EAB, PIA Catanduanes)

World Vision-GVDP prepares for fun run for a cause
by Irma A. Guhit

Rembrandt Hotel, QC, April 27 (PIA)--- In an initial meeting with the World Vision Philippines and Green Valley Development Foundation (WVP-GVDP), last week, Leo C. Legaspi, City Development Officer of WV said that in preparation with the Lung Month Celebration this August 2011,preparations to launch a fun run for a cause has been discussed with some of the technical working group of the World Vision Philippines and other invited agencies who will support the activity.

Through its social arm which is the WV Social Mobilization on Tuberculosis Project, Legaspi said that the fun run proceeds will definitely fund the sustainability project of the WV-GVDP in acquiring a lot and constructing its own building since its program is to end this 2013.

The fun run that is being scheduled this August 2011 will have for its guest Derek Ramsey to be the one to spearhead the fun run according to Legaspi.

Several programs in the province of Sorsogon are being assisted by the WV-GVDP specially sending to school children of indigent families in the municipalities of Juban, Casiguran and the city of Sorsogon.

"We have also been in partnership with United Nation Development Program in implementing the health initiatives in the province of Sorsogon and in the elimination of tuberculosis through the WV- Social Mobilization Tuberculosis Project ", Legaspi said.

"This is a very crucial year for us to really pursue our roadmap for susutainability and one of these projects were we can generate funds to reach our goal of putting up our building is also through this fun run", Legaspi explained.

According to Legaspi they have requested the assistance of the provincial and city government here, the Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, Provincial Health Office, Philippine Army and other partners who have been very supportive of this cause.

In the initial meeting with Legaspi the fun run for a cause is targetting quite an amount in the tune of Php 2 M for the start of the project.

The next meeting was slated early this May so that all the plans and suggestions of the partner agencies will be taken according to Legaspi.(MAL/IAG, PIA -Sorsogon)

2nd CS medical, dental, surgical mission to cater 200 surgical cases
by Edna A Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, April 27 (PIA) --- The 2nd Cesar Sarmiento "CS" medical-dental-surgical mission scheduled this April 30, 2011 at the Eastern Bicol Medical Center is expected to benefit around 200 individuals with surgical cases.

The activity was sponsored by Congressman Cesar V. Sarmiento in cooperation with GMA Kapuso Foundation, San Francisco del Monte Rotary Club of Quezon City, Provincial Government, Catanduanes Medical and Dental Associations, AKO Bikol and Alpha Beta Fraternity.

The mission aims to cater 200 surgical cases, broken down into 10 cases each for hernia and cleft palate while the remaining 180 cases will be for operations for harelip, any forms of lumps including non-malignant tumor, benign malformations, boils, cysts and other growth that can be treated thru surgery.

Dental and medical services will be provided by local doctors and dentists together with health workers and PSWDO staff. Only those patients from age 13 to 60, preferably indigent are qualified for surgery.

Qualified beneficiaries will be pre-screened by the Out-Patient Department of EBMC from Monday to Saturday at 8:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Congressional District Office is expecting another successful mission after the previous CS medical-dental-optical mission held at EBMC which benefited around 3,000 recipients from Virac and other neighboring towns. (MAL/EAB, PIA Catanduanes)


BFP, Army reservists to maintain order this summer
by Aida Alcazar-Naz

LEGAZPI CITY, April 26 (PIA)--- The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Bicol is on heightened alert status not only during the Holy Week but the remaining weeks of summer.

According to its regional information officer SF02 Archimedes Balde, BFP Bicol will provide prompt delivery of first aid and rescue services in cases of accidents and assure safety of establishments.

Standby medical stations in its offices will be maintained by the corps of medical personnel of doctors, nurses and medical technologists.

Firefighters are on hand to protect establishments particularly hotels and resorts as they are also expected to provide information and direction to tourists and visitors.

Aside from these activities, BFP still continues its advocacy by reminding the public of good housekeeping as negligence is normally the cause of fire incidents. This is in line with the agency’s campaign for Kahandaan sa Sunog, Daan sa Kaunlaran.

Meantime, Army reservists and ROTC forces have set up assistance units in the region to help in the maintenance of peace and order as the region observed Holy Week and to continue during the entire summer season.

This was announced in today’s PIA radio program Ugnayan sa Bicol by Col. Nestor Lucas, chief regional community defense group of the Army Reserve Command.(MAL/AAN, PIA V)