Plastic bag ban campaign gaining grounds in Albay

LEGAZPI CITY, May 31 (PIA) -- Albay’s drive to eliminate the use of plastic bags starts tomorrow focusing initially on informing the various sectors of the provisions of the ordinance leading to the full implementation of the program and enforcement of policies by March 2012.

Albay Governor Joey Salceda said that full enforcement of the prohibition of plastic bags in the province will take effect on March 2012, as board member Arnold Embestro, Sangguniang Panlalawigan chair of the Committee on Environment, leads and starts the massive information campaigns starting June 2011.”

“Learning from the China experience, 'white pollution', refering to plastic bags, bookstores and pharmacies are forbidden to give out free plastic bags, while supermarkets have to charge for shopping bags since June 1, 2008. China also banned the production, sale and use of ultra-thin plastic bags, becoming one of only a few nations around the world to take such tough measures,” Salceda said.

Salceda believes that the Albay version is positively welcomed by his constituents.

Donnaven Arizapa, a daughter of a sari-sari store operator in this city, commented “what my mom does is to reuse plastic bags as container for retailing charcoal which she has done for long even before the inception of the ordinance.”

Embestro meanwhile explained that the Albay local government encourages the use of alternative packaging materials in its desire to reduce if not totally eliminate the use of plastic bags

“One can use woven native bags (bayong), reusable cloth shopping bags (katsa), paper bags and other similar materials (banana leaves, taro leaves, etc.) and at the same time enjoying the promotion of the “Magdara nin sadiring kaagan (bring your own bag) program” or MSKP,” he elaborated.

The ordinance aims to lessen volume of plastic pollutants and beef up environment protection measures in the interest of public health and safety.

The provincial government has since been rallying to adopt measures prohibiting the use of plastics and other non-biodegradable materials in all business establishments, groceries, department stores, supermarkets, chain retailers and sari-sari stores in Albay.

Any establishment found violating the provisions of this ordinance shall be penalized with Written Notice of Warning for the first offense; fine of P2,000 and recommendation for 15 days temporary suspension of business permit for second offense; fine of P3,000 and recommendation for 30 days temporary suspension of business permit for third; and recommendation for cancellation of business permit for fourth. (MAL, PIA Albay)

CSC to stir Filipino patriotism thru “Kuwentong Kabayanihan” video contest

by Joyce M. Mejillano

LEGAZPI CITY, May 31 (PIA) — In an effort to bring out the hero in very Filipino and move the spirit of patriotism within their hearts, Civil Service Commission, in partnership with the Kabayanihan Foundation, a non-stock profit organization launches a video contest dubbed as “Kuwentong Kabayanihan: The CSC-Kabayanihan Foundation Video Contest.”

With the theme “Every Filipino is a hero. Every Filipino is part of the solution,” the contest emphasizes the SCS’s R.A.C.E (Responsive, Accessible, Courteous and Effective) public service.

CSC is looking for videos “that will move ordinary Filipinos to act on the most pressing concerns in their immediate fields/circles/areas of influence.” It should also “stir every Filipino to do something concrete for the country.”

The contest is open to amateur groups and individual filmmakers. There is no limit as to the number of entries per individual or group and there will be no registration fee required.

The video, according to CSC, should be strictly 30-40 seconds long and must be the contestant’s original material. The entry may be an animation, documentary or commercial video and should be clear, intelligible and not offensive to common law decency.

The entries will be judged according to subject relevance, video quality and audience impact.

There are corresponding amount of cash prizes for winners. First prize will get P20,000; second prize is P10,000 and P7,000 for the third prize. There are also special awards to be given

Submission of entries will be on May 18 to October 15, 2011. CSC advised interested individuals or groups to contact their office at (02) 358-3333, 0917-842-7111 or through email at info@kabayanihan.org. (JMM, PIA V)

DENR fine tunes key posts in Bicol
by Jessel S. Basanta

LEGAZPI CITY, May 31 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Bicol has implemented organizational changes to improve further the services of the agency's different provincial offices and line services.

DENR Regional Executive Director Joselin Marcus Fragada re-assigned Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Elpidio Z. Orata, from his previous post at Camarines Norte to Sorsogon replacing PENRO Oscar Dominguez who will be reporting as the new Regional Technical Director for Land Management Service in DENR Region IV-B.

The Community Environment and Natural Resources Officers affected by the revamp were Rene P. Camacho formerly OIC CENRO Iriga City now designated as OIC PENRO Camarines Norte; Vivencio M. Cabanayan Jr. Previously CENRO officer of Sorsogon is currently assigned as OIC CENRO Naga City and Imelda D. Baltazar foremost OIC CENRO Naga City now OIC CENRO Iriga City.

Further, the newly named official, Forester Krisanta Marlene P. Rodriguez from the office of the Regional Executive Director, has been reassigned to CENRO Sorsogon City as an office-in-charge in lieu of Forester Cabanayan.

The special order dated May 24, 2011 took effect for the next 30 days that will automatically be renewed for the same period until a new special order is issued by DENR Secretary Ramon Paje. (MAL/JSB, DENR V)

Jobs overseas offered in CamSur fair today
by Lizel S. Macatangay

PILI, Camarines Sur, May 31 (PIA) -- In response to the needs of locales looking for employment opportunities, the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) in Camarines Sur holds a recruitment activity today at the Capitol Convention Center lobby here.

Representatives from 1st Northern International Placement, Inc. with POEA license number 039-LB 122309-R will be conducting the interview to interested applicants from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm today. Available slots await female nurses, domestic helpers, private midwives, private lady and male drivers.

The Al Salam Labour Supply will take the lucky applicants to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Age requirement of qualified applicants ranges from 20 to 40 years old. She must have completed his or her secondary schooling.

For those who wish to work at Doha , Qatar and Kuwait, Al Waleed Manpower Recruitment Co. and Al Rehayi Office for Manpower Recruitment respectively are also in need of fifty (50) domestic helpers. Qatar needs 50 while Kuwait needs 100 domestic workers. Qualified applicants should be at least high school level.

Applicants who will be chosen will have free accommodation in Manila and free air fare from the Philippines to their point of destination.

Aside from the interview, there will also be free processing of passporti for those who have not secured their passports yet, and free visa stamping for Kuwait and Qatar applicants only.

The recruitment agency is also pleased to announce that there will be no salary deduction, no placement fee and no processing fee for domestic helper applicants.

Interested job hunters may get in touch with Mr. Roger or Ms. Nhe at cp numbers 09296760947 or 09493451204. Or they may call or visit the Camarines Sur PESO, 2nd Floor, Capitol Main Building , Capitol Complex, Cadlan, Pili, Camarines Sur or call tel 477-5858 – 4777468. (MAL/LSM, PIA Camarines Sur)

Bulan town inaugurates 2nd of its museums

by Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, May 31 (PIA) -- “The local government of Bulan, as part of its 210th town fiesta celebration has, for one of its grand events, the inauguration, blessing , opening and unveiling of the Bulan Heritage Museum", Mayor Helen de Castro revealed during the blessing last week of the second of two museums in the province of Sorsogon.

The 210th celebration of the town fiesta of Bulan, scheduled May 30-31 of this year, has several significant activities, one of which is the blessing and inauguration of its museum converted from the Old Residencia building which used to be the seat of government or the old munisipyo.

The museum, according to Mayor de Castro, will serve as a reminder of who they are as a people, as a community and what they aspire to become in the future. It will also serve as a repository of Bulan's rich historical and cultural heritage, she said.

"We also take pride to open and have this museum in support of the International Museum Day celebration. This is one of my thrusts as a local government official -- to show the next generation our historical past so that they will be able to see where they come from, relate with their past and at the same time appreciate their own history", De Castro further explained in her message.

“In time for this 210th town fiesta celebration, we are promoting our museum as one of the sites that our visitors should visit as it showcases of our collection of artifacts and diggings that have been donated and collected, books significant to the municipality and historical records of some important the people, pictures of significant events and accomplishment of our leaders and other contributions by private individuals", added De Castro.

She also stated that the museum will also serve as a repository for the local government's thrusts in preserving their rich marine and environmental resource records where students can access for their research and studies.

"In the evening of May 30, the local government, in partnership with schools in Bulan , will showcase cultural groups and the best talents from both the young and old people in a historical-cultural presentation called Bulanenos Heritage Night at the Bulan Freedom Park” De Castro announced. (IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

Bicolano DOST scholar is 2011 electrical engineering board topnotcher

LEGAZPI CITY, May 31 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) regional office here prides the topnotcher of the recent electrical engineers licensure examination being one of the agency’s scholars.

Engr. Jhonrey Layosa Aguirre, a DOST scholar and graduate of Sorsogon State College (SSC) in Sorsogon City topped board examination obtaining a rating of 89.65% besting the other 624 board passers out of 1,546 examinees.

Prior to being a DOST scholar, Aguirre, a hardworking and diligent third year BS Electrical Engineering student passed and qualified for the Junior Level Assistance Program (DOST JLAP-RA S&T scholarship).

JLAP examination is an aptitude test covering physics, engineering, sciences, mathematics and English for students willing and able to pursue priority S&T courses in identified higher education institutions.

As a DOST scholar, Aguirre enjoyed full scholarship privileges for three years and was provided with tuition and other school fees, book allowance, monthly stipend, transportation allowance and accident insurance, among others.

DOST scholarship gave him a great opportunity and a big help in overcoming his financial difficulties as a son of poor local fisherman.

Engr. Aguirre will lead the oath taking ceremonies of new registered electrical engineers on June 4, 2011 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City.

DOST through the Science Education Institute (SEI) continues its efforts to create a pool of quality S&T human resources through its various scholarship program. (MAL/POL/DAP DOST V)