Albay DRRMC issues no sailing policy, urges public preparedness in the wake of 'Ofel'

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, Oct. 24 (PIA) -- Albay’s disaster risk reduction and management council has issued early today an advisory on public preparedness in the wake of the intensification of “Ofel” into a tropical storm based on PAGASA Bulletin No. 6 issued at 5:00am today .

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, DRRMC provincial chair, said the province will be expecting moderate to heavy rainfall today and tomorrow as the tropical storm is now in the vicinity of Siargao Island and has accelerated while moving towards Southern Leyte.

“In response to the Pagasa weather forecast, the provincial DRRMC is implementing counter measures for disaster avoidance including a “no sailing” policy for small passenger sea crafts and fishing boats; no crossing of flooded waters, swelling rivers and artificial pool of waters,” he said.

All cities, municipal and barangay DRRMCs are directed to activate their respective operation Centers for close monitoring of weather bulletins and PDRRMC advisories and preparedness activities.

Pagasa meanwhile reported that at 10:00 a.m. today, 24 October 2012, Tropical Storm "Ofel" was estimated based on satellite and surface data in the vicinity of Siargao, Surigao del Norte (10.1°N, 126.0°E).

Ofel recorded a maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph, while moving West Northwest at 19 kph.

Public Storm Warning Signal 2 is already raised over Bohol, Cebu including Camotes Island, and Leyte provinces, Dinagat Island, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan Del Norte. Northern part of Agusan Del Sur, Camiguin Island.

While PSWS 1 is hoisted over Masbate, Romblon, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Western Samar, Biliran, Capiz, Antique, Aklan including Boracay Island, Iloilo, Guimaras Island, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Siquijor Island, Misamis Oriental and rest of Agusan Del Sur, Northern part of Bukidnon.

Pagasa advised residents living in low lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signal (PSWS) #2 and #1 are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides likewise those living in coastal areas under signal #2 are alerted of possible storm surges.

Estimated rainfall amount, according to the agency, is from 5 - 20 mm per hour (moderate - intense) within the 500 km diameter of the Tropical Storm.

Pagasa also warned fishing boats and other small sea crafts are advised not to venture out into the Eastern Seaboards of Southern Luzon, seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao due to the combined effect of theTropical Storm "Ofel" and the Northeast Monsoon.

The public and the disaster coordinating councils concerned are advised to take appropriate actions and watch for the next bulletin to be issued at 5: 00 pm today. (MAL-PIA5/Albay)


CamSur offers more job opportunities for Camarinenses

By Ana-Liza S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, Oct. 24 (PIA) -- The Camarines Sur Employment Center of the provincial government is opening anew its employment program for employees who want to try their luck in other countries, particularly for those nurses who intend to work in Australia.

Sha Torallo, Camarines Sur Provincial Employment Service Officer, said that the provincial government is continuously conducting employment caravan as its response to unemployment problem besetting most of the Camarines Sur constituents as part of its poverty alleviation program.

Camarines Sur Employment Center now offers its doors to all registered nurses who are passers of the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and also registered to Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

The center also offered free assistance to those who will qualify for the said vacancy."

Qualified applicants should be passers of the National Council Licensure Examination or NCLEX. Torallo added that they are continuously coordinating with legitimate recruiting agency and their Australian counterpart to facilitate the deployment of lucky applicants. Interested applicants may now submit their resume at the CamSur Employment Center at the Provincial Capitol Complex, Cadlan, Camarines Sur.

The Camarines Sur Employment Center is also currently conducting their Special Recruitment Activity (SRA) at the Capitol offering hundreds of international opportunities for job seekers. The SRA started this Monday, October 8 and will be until October 12, Friday.

The First Champion and International Enterprises, Inc. is in need of 10 Camp Supervisors, 14 Camp Foremen, 8 Mess hall and Lead Men, 80 Cleaning foremen, 40 cleaning supervisors, 8 transport officers, 12 Transport foremen, 10 Auto electricians, 12 workshop supervisors/ foremen, 25 diesel mechanics, 20 sweeper drivers, 15 heavy equipment mechanics and 20 heavy duty drivers for a cleaning project.

Aside from the aforementioned vacancies, the said employer who will deploy the manpower at the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) will also hire 15 workshop supervisors,/ foremen, 30 diesel mechanics, 20 heavy equipment mechanics, 8 auto electricians, 8 hydraulic mechanics, 20 mechanic helpers, 10 oilmen, 8 AC Technicians, and 10 tire men for the Workshop Department.

Lead Source Management Corp. (LEAD) is also in need of 100 male crew supervisors who will be willing to work at the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Pre- qualification interview will be today, October 10 , until October 12.

For the abovementioned jobs, scheduled pre qualification interview is set on October 17 and 18 at the Camarines Sur Employment Center, 2nd Floor, Capitol Main Bldg., Provincial Capitol Complex, Cadlan, Pili, Camarines Sur. For more details, interested applicanta may call telephone numbers (054)4775858/4777468/4780109 or they may add CamSur Employment Center on FB Account camsur_peso@yahoo.com. (MAL/LSM-PIA5/Camarines Sur)


Albay notches grand slam anew in Gawad Pamana ng Lahi

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, Oct 24 (PIA) -- Albay hits a grand slam anew after three local governments in the province got the top places in the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi awards program of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

In an awarding ceremony Tuesday, October 23, held in this city, Albay was named “Best Province in Bicol”; Ligao City as “Best City” and Tiwi as “Best Municipality” in the regional level of the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi 2012 for Local Governance.

The awarding rites was led by led by DILG Bureau of Local Government Development director Manny Gotis, Bicol director Blandino Maceda, and Bicol Regional Development Council chair and Albay Gov. Joey Salceda.

The regional winners will compete in their respective categories with others winners in the national level.

Regional Director Blandino Maceda of DILG 5 said the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi is a program of the DILG that seeks to recognize exemplary performance of local government units.

Maceda added that the awards program is also considered as an instrument to scale-up the valuing of accountability, transparency and inclusivity in local administration and development.

Other regional finalists included Camarines Norte and Sorsogon in the provincial category; Naga City (Camarines Sur) and this city in the city category; Sto. Domingo (Albay), Ragay and Calabanga (Camarine Sur) in the municipal category.

DILG 5 meanwhile also conferred the Seal of Good Housekeeping to 74 among the 120 local governments, including provinces, cities and municipalities in the Bicol region.

Also earlier this year, the DILG introduced the bronze, silver and gold standards in its Seal of Good Housekeeping Program to ensure that local government units “really address local issues and become more business friendly and competitive.”

The SGH Silver criteria consists of “unqualified” or “qualified” COA opinion on financial transactions of the immediately preceding year, full compliance to the Full Disclosure Policy of Local Budget and Finances, Bids and Public Offerings, organized and functional Bids and Awards Committee, compliance to online posting requirements for Bid Notice Abstract and Award Notice Abstract under the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System, and excellent or good performance rating as indicated in the Anti-Red Tape Act-Report Card Survey of the Civil Service Commission. (MAL/PIA 5/Albay)



Forum on Philippine Energy Plan 2012-2030 held in Naga City

By Analiza S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, Oct 24 (PIA) -- The provision of a secure, reliable and sustainable supply of energy to its end users and a clear formulation of a comprehensive energy policy framework summed up the Philippine Energy Plan 2012-2030 forum held Thursday last week at the Regent Hotel here.

This is the 2nd leg of a series of information, education and communication campaign being spearheaded by the Department of Energy (DOE) to inform the public and other stakeholders of the energy sector’s targets, strategies, plans and programs to effectively address the concerns of the energy sector.

It also endeavors to look at prevailing challenges and come up with an all inclusive structure to attain energy development in the country.

DOE Energy Policy and Planning Director Jesus T. Tamang during the said forum said their campaign focuses on four significant activities that would boost energy efficiency in the country.

These are Current Energy Situation, Policy Thrusts, Energy Supply and Demand Outlook and Sectoral Targets, including their suggested plans and programs.

First held in Cebu, the said forum was brought to Naga City to inform the city’s constituents and members of various sectors the salient points undertaken under the Philippine Energy Plan 2012-2030.

Tamang said this is part of the continuing efforts of the government to provide energy stakeholders update on energy development.

This is also part of President Benigno Aquino’s reform agenda to provide energy access to every member of the society, especially in the far flung areas in the countryside.

Representatives from various government sectors and agencies, academe, business, electric cooperatives, energy consumers, members of the civic society, head of nongovernment organizations and other stakeholders also graced the said confab.

During the forum, attendees were also given opportunity to share their plans and propose strategies on how to come up with effective measures to conserve energy, develop alternative resources, promote renewable energy sources and support government programs such as power and electrification, resource development, downstream oil, alternative fuels and energy efficiency and conservation.

Also present during the one-day forum were Director Ismael U. Ocampo of the Bureau of Energy Resource Development, Director Evelyn N. Reyes of the Bureau of Energy Utilization Management and Norita C. Froilan DOE-Consumer Welfare and Promotion Office. (MAL/LSM-PIA5/Camarines Sur)


BJMP 5 joins 18th National Correctional Consciousness Week

LEGAZPI CITY, Oct. 24 (PIA) -- The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Regional Office (BJMP) regional office will again have a medical and dental mission, solidarity with detainees, gift-giving activities and talakayan/ugnayan session in observance of the 18th National Correctional Consciousness Week (NACOCOW) on October 22-28.

The observance revolves on the theme “Tao ma’y nakapiit, pagpapala’y makakamit (Grace is received even if a person is detained).”

Ugnayan sessions showcase opportunity for the inmates to talk with lawyers from Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) and BJMP paralegal officers and discuss their respective cases.

For the third quarter of this year, BJMP 5 noted a significant increase in jail population in the Bicol region. Currently, 7,226 inmates are being watched over by only 586 jail personnel in BJMP-manned facilities.

“While it is true that the BJMP has well-designed programs to address every need of its inmates, the BJMP can’t do it alone,” said BJMP 5 Regional Director J/SSupt. Pio B Capistrano.

He further said that the jail bureau’s knowledge in the rehabilitation and reformation remains invaluable.

“We have to draw public awareness and involve the different sectors of society to help make better living conditions for our clients,” he said.

Assistant Regional Director for Operations and concurrent chief of Inmates Welfare and Development Division J/Supt. Elena Manuel said it is also the concern of the jail bureau to ensure that the citizens extend understanding and sympathy to the inmates.

“Public participation is truly significant if we need to ensure the success of the correctional system. We always go beyond the confines of our jail facilities. We have to ensure that our client’s families play an important role in the inmates’ well-being so that they would truly become productive and law-abiding citizens of this country,” she said.

Presidential Proclamation Number 551 by former President Fidel V. Ramos declared every last week of October as NACOCOW.

Aimed to raise the level of consciousness and promote awareness in both the public and private sectors of the plight of persons deprived of liberty, the NACOCOW activities also help strengthen the common understanding between the BJMP personnel and the inmates. (MAL/RMCastor-CRS-BJMP5/PIA5)


Seminar Workshop on Creative Teaching, Learning for Kinder Teacher held

By Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Oct. 24 (PIA) --The Catanduanes State Colleges, through its Extension Unit, conducted the Regional Seminar-Workshop on Creative Teaching and Learning for Kindergarten Teachers on October 17 – 19, 2012 at the HRD Bldg, CSC – Virac, Catanduanes.

The CHED-endorsed activity aims to provide the participants hands-on exercises in creating and developing instructional materials that will enhance the teaching-learning process thus making the classroom experiences enjoyable, interesting and fun for the preschoolers.

Around 100 Grade I teachers and graduating students of Teacher Education programs, particularly BEEd students in both private and state colleges and universities throughout the region attended the seminar-workshop.

Prof. Leonora P. Valera of Philippine Normal University - Center for Teaching and Learning is the trainor. Teacher Cleo, as she is popularly known, has been awarded the Most Outstanding Preschool Teacher by the National Association for Early Childhood Educators and the Super Ma’am Grand Prize Winner awarded by ABS-CBN.

A registration fee of P2,000.00 was charged from each participant which covered the cost of transportation, accommodation, and honorarium of the trainer including lunch, snacks, certificate, and seminar kit for the participants. (EA Bagadiong/ CSC/ PIA Catanduanes)


Daet town celebrates children’s month, state report rendered

By Rosalita B. Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, Oct. 24 (PIA) – The signing and the presentation of Daet Children’s Code on Monday, October 15, as a gift to the children of different ages of this town, highlighted the celebration of the children’s month here this October.

The code emanates from Municipal Ordinance 244-2012 “An Ordinance enacting the children’s rights and welfare code of the municipality of Daet, province of Camarines Norte” and the Sangguniang Bayan Resolution 183-2012 that has been passed also on October 15.

The code intends to ensure the survival, development, protection and participation rights of children; collate all executive orders, issuance, resolutions, ordinances, statutory and universal laws on children’s rights; serve as model for the barangay; and live up to its reputation as Child Friendly Barangay.

Mayor Tito Sarion said that a responsible delivery of the State of the Children’s Report (SCR) is one of the major commitments of the local administration.

He said that through the report they can measure if the vision for the children are being achieved and policies, advocacies and partnership are set and employed for the realization of children’s rights.

The report was also an indicator of the local leadership assuming political accountability for the recognition, protection, promotion and fulfillment of the rights of children in Daet.

He bared that the town got 93 percent rating in the evaluation of the functionality of the Municipal Council for the Protection of Children conducted by the Provincial Inter-Agency Monitoring Team in 2011.

He said that by year 2025, the children of Daet who are living in a financially stable families and child-friendly-communities, are healthy, value oriented, effectively protected, empowered, productive and successful, are receiving strong support from the LGUs and multi-sectoral entities who are providing the impetus for the children’s total growth and development.

A certificate of appreciation was given to program partners Virginia Castro of Avon Foundation, Liza U. Sale and Ofelia S. Auro of Kiwanis Club of Daet, Reyna Daeteña who supported the Search for Child Friendly Barangay here.

This was attended by the children of different ages, barangay captains, councilors, media and other sectors.

This year’s national theme for the celebration is “Bright Child Siguraduhin, Responsableng Pamamahayag ay Palaganapin”.(RBM/PIA Camarines Norte).


CamSur offers more job opportunities for Camarinenses

By Ana-Liza S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, Oct. 24 (PIA) -- The Camarines Sur Employment Center of the provincial government is opening anew its employment program for employees who want to try their luck in other countries, particularly for those nurses who intend to work in Australia.

Sha Torallo, Camarines Sur Provincial Employment Service Officer, said that the provincial government is continuously conducting employment caravan as its response to unemployment problem besetting most of the Camarines Sur constituents as part of its poverty alleviation program.

Camarines Sur Employment Center now offers its doors to all registered nurses who are passers of the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and also registered to Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

The center also offered free assistance to those who will qualify for the said vacancy."

Qualified applicants should be passers of the National Council Licensure Examination or NCLEX. Torallo added that they are continuously coordinating with legitimate recruiting agency and their Australian counterpart to facilitate the deployment of lucky applicants. Interested applicants may now submit their resume at the CamSur Employment Center at the Provincial Capitol Complex, Cadlan, Camarines Sur.

The Camarines Sur Employment Center is also currently conducting their Special Recruitment Activity (SRA) at the Capitol offering hundreds of international opportunities for job seekers. The SRA started this Monday, October 8 and will be until October 12, Friday.

The First Champion and International Enterprises, Inc. is in need of 10 Camp Supervisors, 14 Camp Foremen, 8 Mess hall and Lead Men, 80 Cleaning foremen, 40 cleaning supervisors, 8 transport officers, 12 Transport foremen, 10 Auto electricians, 12 workshop supervisors/ foremen, 25 diesel mechanics, 20 sweeper drivers, 15 heavy equipment mechanics and 20 heavy duty drivers for a cleaning project.

Aside from the aforementioned vacancies, the said employer who will deploy the manpower at the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) will also hire 15 workshop supervisors,/ foremen, 30 diesel mechanics, 20 heavy equipment mechanics, 8 auto electricians, 8 hydraulic mechanics, 20 mechanic helpers, 10 oilmen, 8 AC Technicians, and 10 tire men for the Workshop Department.

Lead Source Management Corp. (LEAD) is also in need of 100 male crew supervisors who will be willing to work at the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Pre- qualification interview will be today, October 10 , until October 12.

For the abovementioned jobs, scheduled pre qualification interview is set on October 17 and 18 at the Camarines Sur Employment Center, 2nd Floor, Capitol Main Bldg., Provincial Capitol Complex, Cadlan, Pili, Camarines Sur. For more details, interested applicanta may call telephone numbers (054)4775858/4777468/4780109 or they may add CamSur Employment Center on FB Account camsur_peso@yahoo.com. (MAL/LSM-PIA5/Camarines Sur)


RDC approves Albay Tres Quinale Watershed management project

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, Oct 24 (PIA) -- The Regional Development Council (RDC) has approved the feasibility study conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional office here for the Albay Tres Quinali Watershed Management Project (ATQWMP).

The said project covers Libon, Polangui, Oas, Guinobatan, Camalig and Ligao City areas in the province of Albay.

In a full council meeting of the RDC, P4.7 billion funding has been proposed for its implementation.

The eight components to be addressed under the project include institutional strengthening, development interventions by ecosystem and appropriate zones, irrigation facility development and support to Quinale rice production areas.

Flood control, development of relocation sites, Oas-Cagmanaba alternate road, integration of ecotourism/agrotourism development zones and pollution control will likewise be addressed.

Part of the scheme in the implementation of the project is the unification of national government agencies such as DENR, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform, National Irrigation Authority, local government units and other stakeholders to attain its objectives. (MAL/SAA-PIA5/ Albay)


Naga celebrates Children’s Month with Sanggawadan beneficiaries

By Analiza S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, Oct. 24 (PIA) -- The city government here spearheaded the 20th Children Month Celebration with an exclusive audience for the the first time - the Sanggawadan beneficiaries, mainly composed of indigent children.

“Sanggwadan,” a native dialect which means to help raise up, is a continuing anti-poverty project of Naga through the City Social Welfare Development Office.

It provide assistance to the poor segment of the community by way of providing free school supplies, rice allowances, educational assistance and other related services to its beneficiaries.

This year, instead of the free-for- all participation of other stakeholders, CSWDO head Jaime Reblando and Sanggawadan Federation officers, composed of 26 barangay presidents, decided to devote the week- long activities to Sanggawadan children. From October 15 until the weekend of October 20, the beneficiaries were given opportunity to join various activities prepared by the organizers.

On top of the preparation is Sanggawadan coordinator Maricar Moralde, who took charge of the activities from day 1 until the culmination activity.

“We have prepared various activities not just for the kids but also for the Sanngawadan parents. I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of the Kingdom Apostolic Youth Ambassador (KAYA) Group who volunteered to help us during our parenting sessions and assisted us with other activities during the entire celebration of the Children’s Month here,” Moraleda quipped.

Under this year’s theme: “Bright Child ay siguruhin, responsableng pamamahayag palaganapin,” the organizers engaged Sanggawadan kids in essay writing, slogan and poster making contests. Others took part in the singing and dancing competition.

“This is the most opportune time for the kids and their parents to bond and take a breather from their usual routine. The film showing and some of the sessions were intended to make them relax and enjoy the day. While the kids are playing, their parents are having their 101 Parenting session with the KAYA volunteers,” Moraleda added.

Sanggawadan saw its birth during the incumbency of the late SILG Jesse M. Robredo as City Mayor. It was then under the Street and Urban Working Children Project (SUWCP) funded by the Australian government. When the program ceased to receive financial assistance, the city adopted it realizing that the incentives merited a positive effect on its beneficiaries particularly in improving the children’s attendance in school.

Currently, it has more or less 2,000 beneficiaries coming from the 26 barangays of Naga City. (MAL/LSM-PIA5/Camarines Sur)