6,182 tricycle drivers in Albay receive “Pantawid Pasada”fuel assistance

by Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, June 10 (PIA) -- Some 6,182 tricycle operators in Albay province have already benefited from the government’s fuel assistance program through their respective city or municipal governments after the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has since released the funds last month.

DILG Bicol regional director Balndino Maceda bared that a total of P927,300 had already been released to 13 local governments of cities and towns in the province as of June 6.

The program targets a total of 9,122 tricycle operators to receive the P150 fuel assistance under the Pantawid Pasada Program (3Ps) - Public Transport Assistance Program (PTAP).

Five more localities in Albay province, though submitted the list of beneficiaries, have yet to claim the fuel assistance fund, including this city, Bacacay, Jovellar, Malilipot and Tiwi.

Rapu-rapu town, according to DILG, has not forwarded to the agency a list of tricycle franchisees in the area.

“Soon as the agreement between DILG and local government has been signed, the agency immediately releases the funds to the LGUs concerned for distribution to the beneficiaries,” Maceda noted.

3Ps - PTAP is a program of the national government under the administration of President Benigno Aquino providing fuel assistance to tricycle operators and jeepney drivers to ease the impact of recent series of oil price hikes in the local transport sector.

Meanwhile, several fuel stations across Albay have been noted to support and take part in the implementation of the “Pantawid Pasada” in the province. (MAL, PIA V)

CSC to conduct 1st Fun-Run 2011

by Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, June 10, (PIA)-- The Catanduanes State Colleges (CSC) will hold its 1st CSC Fun Run 2011 for a cause on June 29, 2011, 5:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m. to mark CSC's 20th Charter Day dubbed as "Run, Walk, Jog with your CSC Family!"

The activity aims to promote health and wellness to the school populace, continuing commitment to the vision and mission of the CSC and raise fund for the Drug Prevention Program of the school.

It will start at the San Vicente (near Alcantara's Residence) for the 5 km. and Virac Fountain for the 3 km. and it will end at the front of the CSC main building.

The registration fee for students is P50 and P150 for non-students.Categories of the fun run are as follows: A.)5km fun-run (San Vicente - CSC Campus)- 16-35 yrs. old B.)3km fun-run (Virac Fountain - CSC Campus)- 36 yrs. old above and 15 years old below.

The event is expected to gather the employees, students, alumni and friends of Catanduanes State Colleges and other participants. (MAL/EAB, PIA Catanduanes)

Steel span necessary for crossing San Andres set

by Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, June 10 (PIA)-- The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) will construct steel span as a replacement for the perenially flooded spillway crossing along the national highway at Paturok river in San Andres, Catanduanes.

According to DILG Regional Director Blandino Maceda, all the proposed projects needs to be started for the allocation of funding for the bridge structure and approaches, estimated at P15 to P20 million.

Materials for the steel deck girder bridge superstructure, costing about P10M, were taken from the uncompleted project started at barangay Almojuela in Viga town under Austrian government-funded President's Bridge Program which began in 2005 and remained unfinished.

The provincial government finally pulled out the steel materials this year, after rehabilitating the spillway crossing in the barangay to ease the concerns of residents and the municipal government.

The provincial chief executive told Dir. Maceda that he has already been assured by Congressman Cesar V. Sarmiento of funding for the steel bridge. (MAL/EAB, PIA Catanduanes)