DENR backs 2011 Freedom Climb

by Jessel S. Basanta

LEGAZPI CITY, June 1 (PIA) -- In support of the National Greening Program (NGP) the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is espousing the 2011 Freedom Climb aims to set a new Guinness World Record largest ascent on a mountain (multiple locations) on June 11–12, 2011 in time for the Philippine Independence Day celebration.

DENR Undersecretary Ernesto Adobo directed the Regional Executive Directors of different regions save the National Capital Region, IX, XIII to support the event through the provision of the necessary seedlings, designation of a focal person for each site to coordinate, validate and sign the needed certification of the organizers, close coordination by the concerned PENROs with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and local governments and submission of progress report of compliance and coordination.

DENR personnel will require all registered participants to sign a waiver citing among others their strict adherence to the rules of event particularly their active participation in the tree-planting and garbage cleanup activities.

“All participants must adhere to the mountaineering principle of “LEAVE NO TRACE”.

In the Bicol region, four provinces will be hosting the Freedom Climb with six mountains to summit. DENR Regional Executive Director Joselin Marcus Fragada urged Bicolano mountaineers to join the Annual Freedom Climb. “We will be having simultaneous ascent at Mt. Mayon and Mt. Malinao in Albay; Mt. Labo in Camarines Norte; Mt. Iriga/Asog and Mt. Isarog in Camarines Sur and Mt. Howayon/Owayon in Catanduanes” he said.

Director Fragada advised the mountaineers to contact Emon Reginaldo of the Phil. National Red Cross if they are joining this momentous event.

The event conducted a pre-registration period which started last March 15, 2011 and is still open for interested backpackers. Certificate of Achievement will only be given to registrants authorized by Guinness World Records.

Pinoy Global Mountaineering

Ten countries outside the Philippines will be joining in this year’s freedom climb with overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) taking the lead to show solidarity in honoring Independence Day and its heroes.

Filipino climbers overseas will be summiting mountains in United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK), Canada, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Japan, Papua New Guinea, China, New Zealand and South Korea.

The current Guinness World Record for the largest number of people climbing mountains at the same time was snatched during the "Big Event" on September 10, 2000 when 600 people simultaneously made an ascent to 112 mountains in the United Kingdom and Ireland in a day period.

According to FIMOinc’s media release, the organization and its partners is drawing the final touches for the ANNUAL FREEDOM CLIMB where mountaineers from all over the country and some parts of the world will attempt to set a new world record (documented, adjudicated & certified by the Guinness World Records & other media affiliates) as the most number of mountaineers to summit within a 24 hour period (domestic and international).

FIMOinc is optimistic that through this massive undertaking they will be able to achieve their goals to set a new world record of the most number of mountaineers summiting within a 24 hour period; planting as many trees as possible on most climb destinations; promoting tourism through mountaineering; uplifting the Filipino spirit and inspire people to achieve, believe, and to be proud; celebrating Philippine Independence and to honor national heroes; and uniting the mountaineering community through synergism.

Organized by the Alliance of Filipino Mountaineers Inc. (FIMOinc), the Freedom Climb is also backing DENR’s NGP initiative wherein an estimated 100,000 seedlings will be planted simultaneously in 109 mountains in 46 provinces or 87 cities and municipalities nationwide. (MAL/JSB, DENR V)

DPWH bids road upgrading projects under the CY 2011 regular infrastructure program

by Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, June 1, (PIA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Catanduanes Engineering District recently concluded the bidding of Road Upgrading projects (gravel to paved) along 13 road sections provincewide under the FY 2011 Regular Infrastructure Program last May 24, 30 and 31, 2011.

The infrastructure projects bidded involves the upgrading/concreting of roads at different road sections along Catanduanes national road network which was advertised last April 25, May 2 and May 4 thru local/national newspaper, DPWH website, Philgeps and on the conspicuous places within the province with contract ID No’s. 11FH0012-24.

Unexpected number of contractors participated and submitted their bids with significant variances and more favorable for the government. Invited observers and representatives from Bantay Lansangan, Office of the Provincial Governor, COA Resident Auditor, Catanduanes Contractor’s Association and other concerned NGO’s witnessed the procurement proceedings.

The allotment for these projects were already made available in this office with the subsequent awarding of contract perfected as scheduled for its consequent immediate project implementation availing of the present prevailing good weather condition.

The approved FY 2011 Regular Infra Program for Catanduanes consists of 16 upgrading projects, one (1) road rehabilitation and one (1) bridge construction all along national roads. (EAB, PIACatanduanes/RCamacho)

Training on care of psychotic cases for local health personnel set

by Edan A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, June 01 (PIA)-- A training on the care of psychotic cases for municipal health officers and other selected health personnel from 11 towns of Catanduanes will be held on the second week of June.

The training is a part of the commitment of the Department of health (DOH) to help the provincial government in addressing the need to care for an estimated 300 mentally-ill persons in the province. The Philippine Health Incurance Corporation required all accredited hospitals to provide care for psychiatric cases.

The province has also requested DOH for the establishment of a five-bed facility for such patients as Catanduanes does not have a mental health institution and all diagnosed patients are just sent to the facility at Cadlan, Pili, Camarines Sur for proper management.

The proposed training is an offshoot of Governor Joseph Cua's request to DOH Undersecretary Dave Lozada Jr during his recent visit for the department to send a visiting psychiatrist to the province.

Last May 2-5, DOH central office delivered on its pledge, sending a mental health mission team headed by Dr. Agueda Sunga to visit psychiatric patients in Catanduanes. She was accompanied by Dr. Ruth Bordado and Dr. Mark Pascual of NCMH.

The DOH team will be back to the province on August 8-12, 2011 to monitor and follow-up the patients every three months in its bid to render their lives functional. (PIA/Catanduanes)

Rehabilitation of road sections along Catanduanes Circumferential Road completed

by Edna A Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, June 1 (PIA) -- The repair and rehabilitation of the damaged portions of the national road along San Andres to Virac and Virac to Viga Section under the Catanduanes Circumferential Road Improvement Project- Contract Package I and under the expenses of China Road and Bridge Corporation which was recently undertaken was finally completed.

Department of Public Works and Highways Project Director Virgilio C. Castillo of PJHL-PMO (Philippine Japan Highway Loan –Project Management Office) issued a letter directing China Road and Bridge Corporation to commence the repair works at the defective portion of Catanduanes Circumferential road last March 30, 2011.

The repair works as recommended consisted of six (6) locations of the Catanduanes Circumferential Road at Km. 28+300 (Binagasbasan, San Miguel), Km. 33+500 (Sumit, Viga), Km. 34+026 (Sumit, Viga), km. 45+300 (Sagrada, Viga) and km. 191+280 (Lictin, San Andres).

DPWH Catanduanes District Office express its sincere gratitude to Secretary Singson for the immediate action undertaken which will now provide along those road sections a safe, convenient and unhampered travel. (EAB, PIA Catanduanes/DPWH)

DILG conducts orientation on governance performance

by Edna A Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, June 1 (PIA)-- The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Catanduanes Provincial Office conducted a one-day orientation on Local Government Performance Management System Version 2.1 which also includes integration of LGU Scorecard on Health and Local Tourism Statistics in LGPMS held at Provincial Capitol Dome last May 30, 2011.

The purpose of the said activity is to equip the participants with necessary information for the implementation of the LGU scorecard on Health and Local Tourism.

Through this activity, participants are expected to be familiar with functionalities of LGPMS Version 2.1 web-data base.

Participants during the orientation were the municipal treasurers, budget officers, accountants, health officers, chiefs of hospitals, DILG officers and planning officers of the 11 municipalities of the province.

Topics discussed include an overview on LGU scorecard; navigating the LGU scorecard online; implementation process with familiarization on Indicators and Data Capture; Overview on Local Tourism Statistics; Navigating the Local Tourism Statistics as integrated in LGPMS and Familiarization on Local Tourism Statistics indicators and Data Capture Forms. (MAL/AEB, PIA Catanduanes)

Search is on for child friendly barangay in Camarines Norte

by Rosalita Base-Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, June 1 (PIA) -- To ensure that children’s program is being implemented and sustained down to the barangay level the Search for Child Friendly Barangay 2011 is now open in this province through the effort of the provincial government and concerned government agencies.

The search is a yearly activity that started way back in 2003 under the Country Programme for Children (CPC) that promotes Child Friendly Movement (CFM) here.

Architect Madonna A. Abular of the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) said that the search is open to all barangays except for those which won the major awards for three consecutive years and are required for assessment for special citation.

She said that datas for evaluation are based on accomplishments for the period covered from January to December 2010 except for education which shall cover school year 2010-2011.

She said programs to be evaluated and validated include service delivery on child health, maternal health, education, child protection, child participation and family practices.

The major awards are: first prize of P100,000 which was increased by Governor Edgardo Tallado from P60,000 last year ; second prize of P50,000 was P40,000 before; P30,000; P20,000 and P10,000 for the 3rd, 4th and 5th prizes respectively and plaque for all the winners.

The non winning barangay will receive a cash incentive of P5,000 and plaque of recognition while special awards for the Hall of Fame.

She explained that deadline for submission of barangay entry to Municipal Council for the Protection of Children (MCPC) is on July 31, 2011 ; the deadline for the municipal nominees to the Provincial Selection Committee will be on August 31,2011 while the review of documents and validation visits will be on the whole month of September and the awarding of winners on October 2011 during the children’s month celebration.

The Provincial Search Committee include: PPDO Architect Abular as Chairperson, Provincial Administrator Jose Boma as Co-Chairperson, DILG Provincial Director Robin Mercado as Vice Chairperson and members are the chief of office of the PSWDO, PHO, PIA, PNP, OPAg, NSO, CAO-GO, AFP and DepEd.

For the Technical Evaluation Committee include the representativies of the PHO, DepEd, PSWDO, DILG and PPDO.

Earlier Governor Edgardo Tallado issued an Executive Order re-organizing the Provincial Committee on the Search for Child-Friendly Barangay in this province. (RBM/PIA Camarines Norte)