From Baguio to 'Bagyo': Albay chieftains cancel Baguio congress due to Chedeng
by Joyce M. Mejillano

LEGAZPI CITY, May 24 (PIA) --- They'd rather be with their constituents instead of being somewhere as Albay braces for typhoon Chedeng's impending arrival that threatens to smash some areas in the country, including Albay province.

This developed as 174 barangay captains from different parts of the province decided to abort their Liga Congress now being held in Baguio City just to return to their respective areas to personally take care of their constituents during this period of uncertainty.

Earlier, Governor Joey Salceda of Albay ordered the village chiefs to put their constituents in their priority as part of the province's aims for a zero casualty in times of calamities.

The congress was sponsored by the Regional Liga and was scheduled way ahead, but due to Chedeng's threat the participating village chieftains are now on the way back to the province.

As early as Monday, the provincial government already laid out plans and measures to prepare for the disaster.

Governor Salceda called for a meeting with concerned government agencies where they tackled contingency measures to be undertaken in order to achieve zero casualty.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) already identified the hazard zones and classified them into two: under alert status and under preparedness status.

Under alert status includes Libon, Oas, Pioduran, Ligao, Jovellar, Guinobatan and Camalig, while areas within eastern seaboard like Tiwi, Malinao, Tabaco, Malilipot, Bacacay, Santo Domingo and places like Daraga, Legazpi, Manito and Rapu-Rapu are under preparedness status.

Meanwhile, DOST-PAGASA said Chedeng is expected to be at 390 km East Southeast of Virac, Catanduanes on Wednesday morning and at 180 km Northeast of Virac or 360 km Southeast of Casiguran, Aurora on Thursday morning. Chedeng has a maximum sustained wind of 105 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 135 kph and moving West Nortwest at 13 km per hour.

Early Tuesday, PAGASA already put Samar Provinces, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay and Sorsogon under typhoon signal number 1 and alerted the public against possible flashfloods and landslides especially in low lying and mountainous areas. (MAL/JMM, PIA V)

Climate change, disaster risk reduction now in education curriculum

LEGAZPI CITY, May 23 (PIA) --- Albay continues to live up as prime mover in the advocacy and mainstreaming climate change adaptation (CCA) in the community following the integration of the concept in the elementary and secondary schools curricula this school years and ahead.

Manuel Rangasa, executive director of the Center for Initiatives and Research on Climate Adaptation (CIRCA), said the center, under the auspices of the provincial government of Albay, and the Department of Education (DepEd) recently spearheaded last May 18-20 the seminar for school mentors laying out preparations and foundation of CCA concepts, thereafter re-echo to the pupils and students.

Rangasa said the integration program fulfils the requirements of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), pursued in cooperation with United Nations Millennium Development Goals Achievement Fund (MDGF), United Nations Development Programme, Spanish Embassy and the Agencia Española de Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarollo (AECID).

He explained that the initial integration program into the curricula has been earlier implemented in pilot schools across the province.

After assessing the results and feedbacks from the pilot areas, Rangasa noted, the lesson exemplars have been updated and enhanced to provide the students full grasp of the climate change issues and its relevance to their studies.

Albay Governor Joey Salceda meanwhile said the integration of climate change adaptation issues in the curricula will instill awareness among young Albayanos in terms of the trends on the changing climate, its effects on health, environment and the day-to-day living.

Albay schools districts were divided into three different clusters, with cluster A holding seminar on May 18 at Malilipot Central School; clusters B, D1, D2 and D3 on May 19 at MORMS in Guinobatan; and cluster C on May 20 at Polangui South Central Elementary School.

Resource speakers of the 3-day seminar include Dr. Alice I. Terrell, schools division superintendent of DepEd Albay, Manuel Rangasa, executive director of CIRCA, and UN Senior Global Champion on Climate Change Adaptation/Disaster Risk Reduction and.

“We are now in full swing and the lessons will be given to all schools across Albay through CIRCA’s supervision in partnership with the DepEd,” Rangasa said. (MAL, PIA V)

Disaster council in Camarines Sur braces for typhoon Chedeng
by Lizel S. Macatangay

CADLAN, Pili, Camarines Sur, May 24 (PIA) --- Disaster preparedness and mitigation managers in Camarines Sur convened yesterday mapping up landslide and flood prone areas within its jurisdiction after confirmation from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) that typhoon Chedeng enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

The move was initiated by members of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), upon the orders from Governor LRay Villafuerte, after Camarines Sur registered the highest number of casualty on the onslaught of typhoon Bebeng which strucked Bicol Region just a few weeks ago.

Che Bermeo, department head of the Environment Disaster Management and Emergency Response Office (EDMERO), also in charge of the PDRRMC Secretariat, said that they will closely monitor coastal and other low lying areas which were seriously submerged in floodwater.

Bermeo also instructed heads of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) to personally check the condition of their constituents, particularly those who have previous records of landslide incidents, particularly the towns of Minalabac and Balatan.

With Typhoon Chedeng now heading its path towards West to West Northwest and expected to affect the Camarines area, local officials are now bracing themselves for the possible evacuation of those living near the coastlines.

Chedeng, with international codename “Songda” is moving with a maximum sustained winds of 110kp and gustiness of up to 140kph, according to the latest post of Mr. Mike Padua aka the “Typhoon Man,” in his T2K Public Advisory at 2am today.

Naga City, with its 22 out of 27 barangays literally under floodwater during Typhoon Bebeng, now gears itself up for a thorough inspection of its drainage system which obviously failed to hold the water down during the continuous downpour of heavy rains, three days before Bebeng finally touches Naga City and the neighboring towns of Camarines Sur.

Naga City Mayor John Bongat directed local barangay officials to take the necessary precaution in anticipation of the said typhoon. In line with this, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council also summoned its members to discuss possible preparations in case Typhoon Chedeng hits Naga anew with its floodwater. (MAL/LSM, PIA Camarines Sur)

Kaogma Fest 2011 rolls down events
by Lizel S. Macatagay

PILI, Camarines Sur, May 24 (PIA) --- Amid precautions in the wake of the expected landfall of Typhoon Chedeng anytime within the week, organizers still manage to work through the hectic preparations for the celebration of the annual Kaogma Festival here in line with the province’s 431st Founding Anniversary.

Major highlight of the festivity is the Opening of the Hot Buys, Hot Food on May 27.

A star-studded opening will be top billed by Jason Gainza who will be the occasion’s main host. Invited guests include Jennilyn Mercado, PGT Finalist Maria Jeline Oliva and the Chain Band.

On the same day at 8pm, Dalan sa Kalangitan Grand Finalists will take center stage with no less than Aiza Seguerra, Jimmy Bondoc and Princess Velasco as guests.

Come May 28, sports enthusiasts will have a chance to watch the opening of Extreme Sports Motocross and 4x4 Challenge at 9am. In the afternoon, the much-awaited parade of beauties will be viewed by thousand of Camarinenses and guests during the selection and coronation of Miss Kaogma 2011 to be hosted by Guji Lorenzana with the night’s special guest Lloyd Zaragoza.

Rock aficionados can jam with Parokya ni Edgar, Kamikaze and Rivermaya during the Music fest event which will took place on May 28 at 9pm.

On the following day, May 29, those wishing to be millionaires will not surely miss the Hot Hot Millions raffle draw which will be hosted by Arnel Ignacio and Ms. Jopay of the all-female group, Sex Bomb.

The said activities are part of Villafuerte’s vision to make Camarines Sur not only as an investment hub but also to showcase the many facets of development that it has to offer.

The Kaogma activities also speak of the province’s versatility when it comes to hosting big and significant events in the province.

Camarines Sur’s transformation, in terms of technology and tourism aspects, not only attracted foreign and local tourists but has also opened the gates of the province in various business potentials. (MAL/LSM, PIA Camarines Sur)

NSO bares consumer price index for all income households in Albay

LEGAZPI CITY, May 24 (PIA) --- The provincial inflation rate of Albay was down by 0.4 percentage point from 3.7 percent in February 2011 and 3.3 percent in March 2011. This is 0.6 percentage point lower than the 3.9 inflation rate posted in March 2010.

The March 2011 level of Albay’s inflation rate was the result of the downtrend in the rate of the food, beverage and tobacco (FBT) index (3.44 percent from 3.79 percent) and non-food commodity/service index (3.08 percent from 3.69 percent). Indices which registered an uptrend in the FBT groups are the indices of cereals and cereal preparation (1.79 percent from 1.18 percent), eggs (7.81 percent from 4.44 percent), and tobacco (4.51 percent from 3.32 percent).

While the beverages index recorded a stationary rate of 0.93 percent, the following indices revealed a decrease: dairy products (1.09 percent from 1.19 percent), fish (5.61 percent from 5.05 percent), fruits and vegetables (10.15 percent from 13.57 percent), meat (0.38 percent from 0.25 percent) and miscellaneous (4.66 percent from 5.61 percent).

In the non-food group, tow of its indices registered a downtrend – clothing (0.52 percent from 0.78 percent) and fuel, light and water (9.05 percent from 17.31 percent). Contradictory to these, an uptrend was recorded in the indices of housing and repairs (0.41 percent from 0.34 percent), services (3.67 percent from 2.46 percent) and miscellaneous (1.40 percent from 1.25 percent).

On a month-on-month basis, the Consumer’s Price Index (CPI) for all income households in Albay was registered at 174.3 percent in March 2011, lower by 0.4 index point over the February 2011 level of 174.7. This indicates a -0.23 percent change in the all-item index, which is the same as the previous month’s percent change.

Across commodities under the heavily-weighted FBT index, higher rates were exhibited in the indices of cereals and cereal preparation (0.66 percent from 0.22 percent), eggs (2.83 percent from -0.67 percent), meat (-0.69 percent from -1.06 percent), beverages (0.14 percent from zero percent) and tobacco (1.24 percent from 0.92 percent). On the other hand, lower rates were posted in the indices of dairy products (zero percent from 0.62 percent), fish (-0.91 percent from -0.11 percent), fruits and vegetables (-5.03 percent from 0.23 percent), and miscellaneous (0.16 percent from 0.43 percent).

Moreover, the over-all rate in the non-food commodity/service group increased to zero percent from -0.57 percent which was attributable to most of the indices in this group-housing and repairs (0.07 percent from zero percent), fuel, light and water (-4.53 percent from -4.63 percent), services (1.68 percent from 0.39 percent) and miscellaneous (0.29 percent from 0.07 percent). Only the index of clothing posted a negative rate (zero percent from 0.06 percent).

As a result of the price changes reflected in the CPI above, the purchasing power of the peso (PPP) in Albay maintained its value at P0.57. (MAL, PIA V/NS0 V)

Roll-Out of OL Trap Project set May 26

LEGAZPI CITY, May 24 (PIA) --- Count out Malaria and Dengue Now!

This is the strong battle cry from the World Health Organization (WHO) particularly for the Philippines in support to the efforts of the Department of Health (DOH) in implementing the National Malaria Strategic Plan got 2011-2016 and strengthening the National Dengue Prevention and Control Programme.

WHO revealed that death from malaria have been declining by 63 percent since 2005. However, it remains a significant problem in the country, now the eight leading cause of illness affecting up to 10.2 million people.

Ninety percent of malaria cases is found in the poorest provinces. Adding to this health threat is the rapidly rising incidence of dengue cases during the last decade.

As a significant initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) in cooperation with the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) developed the “Ovi/Larvicidal (OL) Trap System”, a technology for control of female Aedes Mosquito utilizing natural larvicide that kills eggs and larvae of Aedes mosquitoes as carriers of dengue virus.

With initial significant results, the widespread adoption of the technology will greatly benefit the people in the country.

DOST launched the nationwide action project, Roll-Out of OL Trap System, now on its final phase through the distribution of OL trap kits in identified areas with high prevalence of dengue cases recorded in 2010.

For Bicol, DOST in partnership with DOH-Center for Development Health, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the local government units (LGUs) will conduct the Roll-Out of OL Trap System for Aedes Mosquito in May-November 2011.

OL traps will be distributed to 2,800 households in 28 identified areas in the provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon. In Legazpi City, two barangay, Washington Drive and Bogtong were the identified beneficiaries/recipients where the OL traps will be installed in 100 households.

Kick-off activities (Regional Launching and Orientation cum Training for Focal Persons) for the Roll-Out of OL Trap Project is set on May 26, 2011 at Ibalong Conference Room (ICR) City Hall Compound, Legazpi City.

Considering the importance and impact of this project, DOST, DOH, DILG and LGUs as partner-agencies enjoin the active support and participation of project stakeholders/beneficiaries in identified areas in the Bicol Region. (MAL/POL, DOST V/PIA)

DENR heightens campaign vs. illegal tree cutters, nabs offenders in natural park

LEGAZPI CITY, May 24 (PIA) --- With heightened anti- illegal logging and tree cutting operations, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Albay turned over to police authorities five residents of Sto. Domingo town after apprehension while cutting Agoho trees in Mayon Volcano Natural Park (MVNP) in Barangay Lidong of said municipality.

Edilberto Matusalem, MVNP Protected Area superintendent, led other PENRO Albay personnel in collaring Liluiza Balanta, Ritchie Balanta, Rodel Valenzuela, Aldin Bitara, and Darryl Ayado, all residents of Barangay Fidel Sortida, Sto Domingo, while in the act of cutting agoho trees on May 12, 2011.

PENRO Albay personnel has also confiscated cutting equipment from the suspects which include two axes, two hand saws, and a bolo.

“This will only prove that we are doing our job, and would strive harder to catch big time illegal tree cutters/gatherers that proliferate in the natural park,” Matusalem said.

He also added that illegal tree cutting/gathering is rampant in the natural park with suspects ranging from minors, young adults to senior citizens.

“Just this Friday (May 13) I’ve apprehended four minors that were conveying illegally gathered poles/piles that they are using/selling as firewood,” he cited.

Firewood sells at 200 pesos per stack/bundle.

Further, Matusalem assured that his office will continue to monitor illegal tree cutting activities in MVNP with the composite team deputized composed of local government personnel and police as members.

He said they will also intensify the information dissemination campaign around the communities adjacent to the natural park to promote the importance and the need to conserve the Park.

The natural park has total area of 5,000 hectares.

Despite the large area covered by the park, Matusalem expressed resolve to pursue the mandate to implement the National Integrated Protected Areas Systems (NIPAS) law as well as Executive Order 23 issued by President Aquino that puts moratorium on tree cutting in natural and residual forest. (MAL/JSB, DENR V)

News feature: Rebirth of Albay-Bikol Literature...

Inspired by Sùanoy Bikol literature, the An Banwa: Kultura buda Arte kan Tabaco, Incorporated (ABKAT Inc.) (The Town: Culture and Arts of Tabaco) under the benefaction of National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) held a three-day Albay Writers Workshop to channel an influx of Albay-Bikol literature recently.

Thirteen budding Albayano writers underwent an earnest critiquing of their works in rawit-dawit (poetry), osipon (short story) and dula (play) in Tabaco City last May 20-22, 2011.

Underlining the importance of form, style and imagery, members of the panel led by locally renowned poet-writer Juan Rafael Belgica, literature professor Dr. Paz Verdades Santos, multi-awarded contemporary BikolanowriterJose Jason Chancoco and locally renowned journalist-broadcaster-professor-poet Raffi Banzuela provided their expertise on Bikol literature.

“Magsurat sana, dae magtonong (Always write, and never give up),” Belgica enthused during the colloquium citing that Bikol literature is unique, beautiful so every writer should help in nurturing it.

Professor Banzuela likewise emphasized the need for writers to study Albay literature and should never forget the beautiful legacies of their ancestors.

The locally renowned poet-journalist expressed dismay in the manner that non-Bikolanos were the ones publishing the BikolDictionary with the likes of Malcolm W. Mintz, Jose Del Rosario Britanicoand Jason Lobel.

“Dakulaon tabi ining oportunidad para sa satuya gabos na mamuklat an satuyang mata sa yaman kan satuyang kultura,sa gayon kan satuyang literatura,(This is a huge opportunity for us to see the richness of our culture, the beauty of our literature),” Banzuela said.

He added everyone should provide a lending hand, every Albayano writer should strive to nurture the local literature.

The fellows admitted to the first Albay Writers Workshop were Arlan Alzaga, Jessel Basanta, Marnel Bataller, Juliet Barboza, Vilma Barrameda, Leticia Catalan, Allaine Imperial, Frnaces Jetomo, Saturnino Macasinag, Jr., Sarah Pauline Namia, Ma. Salve Rosal, Frnacis Gerard Toscano, Francis Candaza, Vicente Olavario and Jovert Balunsay.

Workshop director Jimple Borlagdan urged the fellows to sustain the workshop ethos and conduct similar activities in their respective cities and municipalities.

Meanwhile, ABKAT is looking forward to publishing the submitted works of the fellows with the patronage of the local government of Tabaco City. (MAL/JSB, DENR V)