CamSur pushes community-based livelihood projects

by Lizel S. Macatangay

OCAMPO, Camarines Sur, October 20 (PIA) -- The provincial government of Camarines Sur launched recently community livelihood projects in various towns aimed at eradicating poverty and providing its constituents with sustainable means of livelihood.

Project recipients are selected members of the community-based organizations or CBOs coming from the towns of Ocampo, Buhi, Sangay and Tigaon. Under the project, selected barangay folks will be given native chickens to be raised, grown and bred in their backyards as future sources of income.

Barangay residents from Del Rosario, New Moriones, San Antonio and Gatbo of Ocampo town, will implement the first phase of the project with the first batch of native chickens, while CBOs from the towns of Buhi, Sangay and Tigaon will receive their share before the end of October.

The endeavor is part of the projects which were lined up by the provincial government of Camarines Sur led by Gov. LRay Villafuerte, in close coordination with the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture or SEARCA.

SEARCA was tapped by the province as an active partner in promoting programs that will enhance the economic lives of its constituents, particularly those from the rural areas.

The livelihood project is a component of the European Union-Focused Food Production Assistance to Vulnerable Sectors (EU-PFAVAS) program. (MAL/LSM, PIA Camarines Sur)

Two young Bicolanos in top ten accountancy board exam

by Aida Alcazar-Naz

LEGAZPI CITY, October 20 (PIA) -- Two newly graduated students from universities in the Bicol region placed in the top ten of the Certified Public Accountant Board Exams administered by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) last October 8 and 9.

The Bicol academe, including the administration of Ateneo de Naga University (AdeNU), a Jesuit-run institution in Naga City, Camarines Sur are jubilant of Jerome Mariscal Austria’s topping the board exams.

In the same mood is the College of Business, Economics and Management (BUCBEM) of the Bicol University as Ronnel Ajero Nuñez ranked fourth along with a University of St. La Salle graduate with a grade of 93.00.

Both Austria and Ajero joined 19 others who landed in the top ten of the board exams, 12 of whom were graduates of Metro Manila universities while the remaining 9 placers were from other areas of the country.

According to Dr. Devi Adriano, dean College of Business and Accountancy of AdeNU, Mariscal bested all the 8,525 examinees and as topnotcher in the exams got a grade of 94.00. He hails from Sagñay, Camarines Sur and graduated cum laude for his Bachelor of Science and Accountancy course last March this year. Mariscal finished his secondary education with honors at the St. Andrew Academy, a Dominican school in Sagñay town in 2007.

Dean Adriano also disclosed that Ateneo de Naga’s passing rate for the board exams is 53.30 percent which is higher than the national passing rate of 47.69.

Meantime, Mark Ng, department chair for accountancy of BUCBEM said that the feat of Ajero is the fifth for the university since the creation of the program in the 90’s.

Ajero, who is currently in Manila from calls of accountancy firms for possible employment was the President of the BU Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants. A resident of Tagas, Daraga, Albay, he finished his high school at St. Agnes Academy of Legazpi City.

Ng stated that Ajero is the fifth from BU who were placers in past board exams since 1996. Last year, 2010 Andrei Nico Laguna who now works at the Isla, Lipana and Company placed fifth in the board exams; the 2009 board exams had Ivan Macadeo in number 1 plus Caiser Ballaercer who took the fifth slot. Both are now connected with the SGV accounting firm. Hazel Abenoja who is currently enrolled at the UP College of Law was also fifth placer in the 2008 board while Janelle Mujar was topnotcher in the 1996 exams. She is now the Vice President of the Abenson Company.

Per the PRC record for the October CPA board exams, some 4,066 successfully passed the board from 8,525 examinees or 47.70 passing rate. The examinations were administered seven testing centers in located in Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Legazpi.

The next CPA board test is on May 2012. Per the policy of the agency, filing of application with necessary documents is not later than 20 days before the first day of examination at the central and regional PRC offices. (MAL/AAN, PIA V)

Provincial government to spearhead unveiling and blessing of historical marker

by Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, October 20 (PIA) -- The provincial government of Catanduanes will lead the unveiling and blessing of a historical marker commemorating the foundation of the province of Catanduanes on October 26, 2011, 8:00 a.m. at the provincial capitol grounds.

The historical marker was erected by virtue of Resolution No. 007-2011/ Provincial Ordinance No. 001-2011 sponsored by Hon. PBM Jose Romeo R. Francisco, passed and approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on its 3rd Regular Session held on January 18, 2011 to commemorate the proclamation of independence of Catanduanes.

Catanduanes became a separate and independent province from Albay, during the First Congress of the Philippines- Second Special Session through House Bill No. 301 sponsored by Congressman Francisco Perfecto on OCtober 26, 1945, the thirtieth day after President Sergio Osmena signed into law Commonwealth Act No. 687 on September 26, 1945.

In line with the said activity, a short program will be held with Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)) Secretary Jesse M. Robredo expected to grace the ceremony together with Bishop Manolo A. Delos Santos of the Diocese of Virac, Provincial Governor Joseph C. Cua, Vice-Governor Jose J. Teves Jr. and all Provincial Board Members. (MAL/EAB, PIA Catanduanes)

Public urged to join Project 11-11-11

VIRAC, Catanduanes, October 20 (PIA) -- Congressman Cesar V. Sarmiento of the lone district of Catanduanes is asking the support of the public for his "Project 11-11-11".

Project 11-11-11 is a tree-planting activity which aims to plant 111,111 trees on November 11, 2011 in the 11 towns of the province.

The solon has started the same project last January 11, 2011 which targeted 11 thousand trees in the 11 towns of Catanduanes. The province-wide activity resulted in the planting of about 34,000 trees.

"We have done that before, we can make things happen again this time" said Sarmiento as he asked for support from his constituents to make the event successful.

"Paging all Catandunganons, let's get together writing HISTORY in the field of environmental protection" he added. (MAL/EAB, PIA Catanduanes)