Camarines Sur plants a million trees in an hour

By Analiza S. Macatangay

PILI, Camarines Sur, Mar 13 (PIA) -- Determined to surpass its own record capped during the successful launching of El Verde Movement last year, Camarines Sur instead set another being the first local government unit to plant a million mangroves in a span of one hour in an unprecedented tree planting stint participated in by more than 7,000 stakeholders.

The result was officially announced by Ms. Seyda Subasi Gemici at the press conference held Thursday last week at Villa Del Rey, Capitol Compound here hours after the historic mass planting of mangrove propagules in the coastline of Barangay San Rafael, Ragay, Camarines Sur.

Per official count, a total of 1,009,029 mangroves were simultaneously planted in a 60-hectare planting site.

This, according to Gemici is more than enough considering that only 10,000 mangrove are needed to open a new category. Instead of thousands, Camarines Sur produced over a million, way beyond the minimum standard set by Guinness.

Camarines Sur Governor Luis Raymond Villafuerte who was obviously elated with another world record said that it would probably take more years before any municipality can replicate or surpass the history of this activity.

“We are in full support of President Benigno Aquino’s program for the environment, particularly the National Greening Program which aims to fill our lands with trees to help combat the ill effects of climate change. We envision to transform Camarines Sur into the Green Capital of Asia.”

Mangrove, aside from its big contribution in balancing our ecosystem, also provides breeding, nursery, and feeding areas for many varieties of life that find solace under the sturdy roots of mangroves. It also helps in combating erosion since it also filters upland run off. They also serve as seawalls and provide protection to the costal residents in times of water surge.

Villafuerte also said that the massive planting was also a tribute to all women in line with the celebration of the International Women’s day.

Under the theme, “Million Mangroves for Women, Environment and the Future,” the activity endeavors to give recognition to the significant contribution of women in nurturing the environment.

To date, more or less 5.3 million new trees had been planted in various parts of the province, particularly in its coastal and barangay outskirts. This is already close to the targeted 12 million trees which the province aims to achieve. Governor Villafuerte aims to hit the mark before the end of 2012. (MAL/LSM-PIA Camarines Sur)

BFP Bicol observes month-long fire prevention month

By Aida Alcazar-Naz

LEGAZPI CITY, March 13 (PIA) -- To emphasize the need for fire safety as summer heat intensifies, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Bicol observes the annual fire prevention month through heightened advocacies via various activities.

F/Sr. Supt Leonardo O. Prades Jr., BFP Bicol regional director, explained during PIA’s radio program Aramon Ta Daw that the observance of fire safety is held March as statistics show that the hot season usually starts in March. Many fire incidents are recorded during summertime as the hot days contribute to fire occurrence.

Almost a thousand participants from government agencies employees and non-government organizations joined the March 1 kick-off activities in Legazpi City. The day started with an early Eucharistic Mass followed by the program proper at Peñaranda Park in front of the Albay Provincial Capitol.

This opening program was highlighted with the signing of memorandum of agreement between the BFP and the Kabalikat Civicom.

According to Prades, there is a need to collaborate with the Kabalikat as almost half or 48 of the 114 towns in Bicol have no fire stations.

“Kabalikat Civicom has members in every town who can make a radio call to the nearest BFP during fire incidents, calamities, even vehicular accidents, so response is fast, ” Prades stated.

The Kabalikat was represented by the Regional Commissioner Rencio Rendor who said that, “Kabalikat utilizes all means of communication system from among the members as its motivation is for public welfare.”

“Every Kabalikat member who is a radio enthusiast is expected to care and serve for the welfare of others so that others may live, ensure public comfort and convenience” stressed Rendor.

Other kick-off activities last March 1 were the motorcade in the main thoroughfare of Legazpi City and Daraga, Albay which was joined by 28 agencies and blowing of horn to signal the opening of the observance of the Fire Prevention Month.

Underscoring the theme Makiisa, Makialam, Makipagtulungan upang Sunog ay Maiwasan, all BFP stations in the region will have an open house to show visitors the numerous demanding and tough fire suppression jobs of the firefighters.

In addition, ugnayan sa barangay programs will be conducted to remind the community the need for fire-safe homes. A parallel activity will be effected in schools to inculcate among the young the negative consequences of fire incidents in the lives of families. TV and radio exposures during the celebration will also be carried out through media hopping. Information materials such as leaflets and brochures will be distributed to complement the campaign.

The region’s entries in the national poster/drawing, slogan-making and essay writing contests with elementary pupils and high school students as participants will be selected from among the provincial winners on March 13.

National winners will be awarded trophies and cash prizes of P15,000, P10,000 and P750 for first, second and third placers, respectively. Top winners in the region receive P2,000.

On March 26, firefighters will conduct tree-planting, river clean-up drive, and feeding activities in Barangay Dapdap, Legazpi City.

The 4th RDs Cup shootfest will be held on March 29. Prades said this contest will give BFP personnel an occasion to show or practice their firing skills. He stated there may be incidents when the security task of BFP may come in handy. This is also the time to remind personnel who possess licenses of their safety gun holding responsibilities, added Prades.

In Bicol, the Fire prevention Month officially ends April 17 not March 31. On that date is the BFD Day at the Albay Magayon Festival calendar. While Albay BFP take charge of the Barangay Volunteer Fire Brigade Competition in the morning, the regional office will spearhead the Inter-BFP Firefighters Amazing Challenge for men and women firefighters. (MAL/AAN-PIA V)

Palarong Bikol kicks off in Camarines Sur

By Analiza S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, March 13 (PIA) -- A grand parade around the main thoroughfares of this city yesterday afternoon marked the opening of Palarong Bikol 2012 as the regional sports competition signaled the official start of various sports events happening from March 12-17 at the Metro Naga Sports Complex and other designated playing areas in the city.

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse M. Robredo, guest of honor, led local city officials, Department of Education superintendents, coaches, and athletes in welcoming more or less 6,000 competing players who hailed from various parts of the Bicol Region.

In his speech, Robredo cited the importance of this sports event in honing the physical and mental ability of an individual. He mentioned the rigorous training undertaken by athletes and its impact on instilling discipline in them, eventually making them an improved and regimented person.

“My daughters are very much into sports and I do give them my full support in that endeavor. They also participate in sporting events like this, so I know that a great part of their self-discipline was molded through the trainings and experiences that brought them were they are now. Palarong Bikol is also a great venue to pick the best athletes who will represent our region in national and international sports competition,” Robredo added.

Meanwhile, Naga City Mayor John Bongat assured the participants that all security plans are in place to guarantee the safety of the delegates. Bongat has directed the creation of Task Force “Karawat Sa Bikol” under the supervision and control of OIC Naga Chief Police Senior Superintendent Antonio N. Gardiola Jr , designated to be in the front line of the security and public safety requirements of Palarong Bikol 2012.

In line with this, the task force institutionalized sub task force groups to ensure that all areas of concern will be taken care of. It includes sub task force groups in billeting area security, sports area security, traffic and route security, and support group which will man 14 billeting areas / schools consisting of more or less 459 classrooms.

There are 13 delegations from the six provinces and seven cities that will vie in the week-long competition. There will be 17 sporting events during the Palarong Bikol 2012 as part of the Basic Education Curriculum of the Department of Education. (MAL/LSM-PIA Camarines Sur)

Legazpi City hosts Councilor's League national confab this March

LEGAZPI CITY, March 13 (PIA) -- The city government here will host the National Convention of Philippine Councilor’s League at La Piazza Hotel here on March 15 – 17 with some 3,000 councilors from all over the country expected to attend the said convention.

Mayor Geraldine Rosal of this city said that with bigger and better hotels and convention venues to choose from, participants can be easily accommodated unlike before when venues were lacking. Today, there are the Oriental hotel, St Ellis, and La Piazza that can handle a large number of participants.

Rosal expressed her gratitude to the efforts of local government units (LGUs) and city councilors responsible for making the event possible.

The city mayor likewise asks the Legazpeños to be one with the local government’s aim of promoting the city as a tourism destination.

She added that the transport sector in particular must not to take advantage by asking for overpriced fare rates so our visitors will not hesitate in going back to the city. (MAL/SAA, PIA V/Albay)

1, 884 upland farmers in Bicol benefit from forest management program

LEGAZPI CITY, March 13 (PIA) -- A total of 1, 884 upland farmers from the Bicol region are continuously benefiting from the Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources according to the 2011 accomplishment report of the DENR Forest Management Service (FMS).

The report discloses the implementation of 33 livelihood and agro-forestry CBFM projects regionwide covering a total of 1, 849 hectares, seven of which have already been turned over to the regional office; the others are on its project phase.

Among the project’s accomplishments for 2011 are the establishment of agro-forestry plantations, setting-up of nursery propagation and composting, and purchase and distribution of carabaos to members of organized groups. Agro-forestry farm development is the planting of forest trees combined with agricultural crops.

Anchored on the core objectives of poverty alleviation and hunger mitigation, the projects under CBFM carry out this objective by improving the productivity of upland communities by generating additional income and promoting food security.

Since 2007, the CBFM has been supporting the upland development initiatives in Bicol by providing financial assistance from the Agrarian Reform Fund (ARF) under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

According to Joselin Marcus Fragada, DENR Bicol regional executive director, the multi-faceted goal and results espoused by CBFM – CARP program have enticed more people’s organizations (POs) to join the project and become forest stewards.

In reply, the foresters involved in the said program expressed their expectation for more projects to come in 2012 as more POs have signified their intent to enter into agreement with the DENR.

The CBFM program was adopted in the Bicol region in 1994 pursuant of Executive Order No. 263 adopting CBFM as a national strategy to ensure the sustainable development of the country's forest resources.

Through this program, the DENR aims to empower and train people or communities become effective partners in the sustainable management of forest resources.

Included in the project are areas classified as forest lands and other allowable zones within protected areas not covered by prior vested rights.

Qualified beneficiaries are people actually residing within or adjacent to forest lands who are tilling portions of the area or traditionally using the forest resources for livelihood. They are then organized into people’s organization to represent the interest of members and protect and maintain forest land entrusted to their stewardship.

According to the latest DENR report, 117 Community-Based Forest Management Agreements (CBFMAs) in the Bicol region cover 49, 140.33 hectares of land with 117 people’s organization benefiting 9, 327 individual household members from the provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon. (MAL/SAA-PIA V/Albay)

Trike operators taught the intricacies of managing

VIRAC, Catanduanes, March 12 (PIA) -- The Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Office of Transport Cooperatives, in cooperation with the Congressional District Office (CDO), conducted a seminar-workshop for trike operators and drivers from March 7-9, 2012 at Rackdell Inn, Virac, Catanduanes with the theme, “Traffic Rules, Franchising and Cooperative Development.”

The activity was aimed at disseminating and supplementing sufficient knowledge to tricycle drivers and operators in terms of legalities regarding franschising, traffic rules, road signs, and to tackle group potentials as a significant sector of the community.

According to Congressman Cesar V. Sarmiento, said seminar is very important because of the concerns and important things that are beyond the knowledge of the transport groups.

Officials from the DOTC-Office of Transport Cooperative headed by Rommel Laurena visited the province last February 8, 2012 to finalize plans regarding the said activity.

During the duration of activity several topics were discussed such as: issues and concerns related to tricycle drivers, development of standard tricycle sidecar design prototyping, human values, motorcycle engine and preventive maintenance, legal mandates and role of local government units in Development of Transport Infra and Traffic Management, DOTC clean air initiatives, and road safety initiatives in the Philippines.

Ways of reducing air pollution, basic traffic and Land Transportation Rules and Regulations, Techniques on Defensive Driving, Road Markings and formation and conversion of TODA into transport cooperatives.

Only seven provinces in the entire country are recipients of the said program of DOTC. (MAL/EAB-PIA Catanduanes)