Disaster risk reduction office beefs up action in preparation for La Nina

By Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, Feb.1 (PIA) -- El Nino was felt in 2011; it will be La Nina's turn this year and provinces have been instructed to prepare for any eventuality. The Sorsogon Provincial Disaster Risk Management Office (SPDRMO), in its continuing effort to heighten awareness about La Nina, is urging its members to intensify activities in support of La Nina awareness.

SPDRMO spokesperson Vhon Andre Labalan, explained the needed harmonization of efforts of member agencies especially in its preparations being done for the coming La Nina.

SPDRMO has also engaged the assistance of different non-governmental organizations working in information dissemination particularly in the identified areas with peculiar vulnerabilities like Juban, Irosin, Casiguran, and Bulan.

The effects of the Mt. Bulusan explosion also made these four municipalities vulnerable to ash transmitted by wind; the municipalities of Juban and Irosin to mudflow siltation, and other municipalities highly vulnerable to erosion and landslides as in the case of Magallanes , Donsol,and the city of Sorsogon particularly the West and Bacon districts.

According to Labalan, SPDRMO head Jose Lopez has collated all the documents and reports submitted by all local government units particularly in the implementation of their contingency plan.

The disaster risk reduction efforts of Sorsogon has been lauded by the different international funding agencies.

Labalan explained that SPDRMO continuously monitors the rainfall situation through rain gauges that have been installed and proper documentation is being forwarded regularly to their office.

SPDRMO, in collaboration with the Sorsogon Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Council (SPDRRC), has also provided all local governments the list of equipments that can be handy for evacuation and rescue. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

8 LGUs in Bicol cited as best eco-waste management implementers

SORSOGON CITY, Feb 1 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through the National Solid Waste Management Council (NSWMC), recognized eight local government units (LGUs) in Bicol for its effective implementation of solid waste management as specified in the mandate of Republic Act 9003 otherwise known as “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.”

The awarding was done yesterday, January 30, at the DENR office in Rawis, Legazpi City.

Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) regional director Eva Ocfemia said that the recognition was divided into two categories where Category 1 refers to LGUs that have the most materials recovery facility (MRF) in every barangay or group of barangays in its area of coverage, while Category 2 refers to LGUs implementing effective strategies in terms of waste reduction and segregation, has a functional MRF, and successfulin managing its bio-degradable wastes.

The cities of Naga and Sorsogon, the town of Magarao in Camarines Sur ,and Pilar in Sorsogon bagged the award for the first category, while the city of Legazpi and the towns of Bulan, Irosin, and Magallanes in the province of Sorsogon were chosen winners for Category 2.

Meanwhile, DENR executive director Joselin Marcus Fragada reminded anew LGUs across the region that have not yet implemented the proper waste management and disposal to put it into practice the soonest possible time so as not to face penalties once the law on Ecological Solid Waste Management is strictly enforced.(DENR News/BR-PIA Sorsogon)

751 beneficiaries receive livelihood support in 2011 from DOLE

By Rosalinda B. Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, Feb 1 (PIA) -- Some 751 beneficiaries received livelihood support last year from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) provincial office here that helped augment their meager income and sustain their everyday needs.

Beneficiaries included the child laborer parents, informal sectors, food processors, pineapple growers/processors, and six Libya repatriates.

DOLE Camarines Norte provincial chief Ruben L. Romanillos said that livelihood projects included: DOLE Kabuhayan Starter Kit (DKSK), Kabuhayan sa Magulang ng Mga Batang Manggagawa (KASAMA), DOLE Integrated Livelihood Project Workers Income Augmentation Program (DILPWINAP), Emergency Wage Employment Assistance (EWEA), and the Nego Kart.

Of the 751 beneficiaries, 146 received kits, 42 KASAMA, 40 DILPWINAP, 30 EWEA, 40 Nego Kart, 417 informal sectors received equipments and supplies for the production of processed meat, and equipment to 36 pineapple growers/producers of pineapple by-products.

The said equipment and supplies were funded by DOLE with a total amount of more than P2.8 million last year.

Last 2010 the said agency was able to provide livelihood assistance to some 85 beneficiaries with the total amount of P500,000 for the pineapple growers and Kabuhayan starter kit for the informal sectors. (MAL/RBM-PIA Camarines Norte)