Civil-military experts, stakeholders meet in interfacing on DRRM
… PHL-US Pacific Angel 12-1 humanitarian mission commences today


Legazpi City, March 5 (PIA) – Civil-military cooperation plays a key role not only in disaster response but also on various risk reduction initiatives, proving its efficiency not only in the Albay but also in other areas in the country and abroad.

Roderick Mendoza of the Albay Public Safety and Management Office has cited the critical role of the military and other men-in-uniform in assisting civil authorities in building disaster resilient communities especially in remote and high risk areas.

Mendoza noted “their understanding of their respective areas of responsibilities has also been important in developing contingency plans.”

He also said Albay, one with the national thrusts, has given equal importance on preparedness measure and the uniformed services should also be able to adapt to this paradigm shift being an integral component of the country’s disaster risk reduction management plans and strategies.

Disaster capability building component of Phl-US Pacific Angel 12-1“Bayanihan” kicked off today with lectures and interfacing among DRRM authorities of Albay, military and police personnel, and other stakeholders.

Meanwhile. Col. Arthur Ang, commander of the Army’s 901st Brigade, said Albay has given new meaning to “civil-military cooperation” as we saw how effective DRRM efforts of the province have evolved with the cooperation of the uniformed service.

“Our technically challenged equipment has been preceded by active and complementing efforts of civil-military cooperation. Adjudged as a Hall of Fame awardee of Gawad Kalasag affirms this good practice that we do and advocate in the province,” he added.

PSupt. Loi Solomon Garcia, chief of the Preventive Medicine, on the other hand, revisited in their discussions the medical responses done during typhoon “Ondoy” in 2009 and typhoon “Sendong” in 2011 dubbed “Saklolo”.

1Lt. Mark Jay Dagat also emphasized on the roles played by different sectors including the government and non-government agencies to respond on the immediate needs of disaster victims.

For their part, US Personnel Capt. Michael Roberts and Lt. Col. Allan Delos Santos provided inputs on Humanitarian Assistance and Rapid Response Team focusing on Contingency Report Group and Medical Component.

“We are extremely happy for the assistance accorded to us by Bicol University for facilitating a Cultural Sensitivity lecture to our visitors especially to Dr. Herbert D. Rosana. His lecture indeed will help our counterpart from the US Pacific Air Force on how to properly deal with our kababayans in this 5-day humanitarian mission,” said Lt. Col. Augusto Gaite, Commander of Humanitarian Assistance Task Group.

Last week two US Air Force C-17 Globemaster Cargo planes already flew in to this city from Guam ferrying medical supplies, and military and civilian experts on CCA and DRR who will train Filipinos and lecture on their fields of expertise.

Operation Pacific Angel is a recurring joint/combined humanitarian assistance mission sponsored by US Pacific Command (USPACOM) designed to bring humanitarian civic assistance (HCA) and civil-military operations (CMO) to areas in need in the Pacific region.

The mission is conducted in locations throughout the Pacific theater to support the U.S. military charter of capacity building in partner nations.

US military participates in these operations to enhance relations with partner nations, build medical and civil assistance capacity in those nations, and to prove a commitment to support the nation’s efforts to assist their population in a time of need. (MAL, PIA V/DFN, Navforsol)

DepEd calls for austere, meaningful graduation
…commencement rites in Albay set through March 30 to April 3

LEGAZPI CITY, March 5 (PIA) – With just a month before Grade 6 and 4th year high school students receive their gradation diplomas, the Department of Education (DepEd) reiterates the need for austere but meaningful and solemn commencement rites.

The reaffirmation for the simple and significant graduation is based on DepEd Order No. 8 was made by Acting Albay Division Superintendent Marilet Almayda during PIA’s radio program Aramon Ta Daw.

Supt. Almayda said that such graduation rites must not necessitate nor entail big expenses thus “no fees nor any graduation requirements will be expected from students and parents”.

Likewise, non-academic requirements must not be imposed on graduating students, even yearbook is on voluntary basis, stressed Almayda.

The education official announced though that the office has not received any complaints regarding graduation expenses and issues. However, if students or parents encounter such constraints or has knowledge of such practice, Almayda encouraged them to call the attention of education authorities, officials and teachers.

Any donation in cash or in kind in connection with graduation activities may be accepted by the school or parents association as long as parents agree to the resolution or as concurred in a meeting of the Parents-Teachers Association or the graduating parents’ organization, Almayda explained.

Extravagant ceremonies and venues are frowned upon by DepEd. Instead authorities suggest the use of school uniforms or renting of togas as attire during the rites. “This way, parents will not spend on new dresses”, said Almayda. Also schools are recommended as setting of commencement ceremonies.

Meantime, although the school calendar for public schools declares March 30 as the last day of classes so that graduation day is set either March 28 or 29, commencement day in Albay, though, will be held anytime for the period between March 30 until April 3.

The extension is due to the bad weather conditions that beset Albay province which resulted to the suspension of classes. To be able to meet the maximum total number of schooldays, teachers have been conducting classes on Saturdays.

The extension of date of graduation day, was decided during a management committee meeting attended by Albay DepEd officials last February 20. Education officials come to an agreement that graduation in the province be held after March 30. (MAL/AAN, PIA V)