Bicol on heightened alert for S. Korea satellite launch

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 29 (PIA) -- The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) in Bicol is on heightened alert Tuesday, Nov. 27, in the wake of the third attempt of South Korea to launch the Korea Space Launch Vehicle-1 (KSLV1) today, Nov. 29.

OCD 5 regional director Raffy Alejandro and Bicol RDRRMC chairperson, has since activated the operation center and directed all local disaster councils in the region to be on Blue Alert (on stand-by) effective 8:00 am today and on Red Alert (24 hour operations) effective 8:00 am on Thursday.

Bicol RDRRMC, according to Alejandro, has also reactivated and placed on stand-by two Quick Response Teams comprised of military, police, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel in case rocket debris fall on Bicol waters and covered areas.

Alejandro said he has advised the Civil Aeronautics Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to enforce the “no fly zones”, while the PCG to ensure “no sail and no fishing” policies in the eastern part of Bicol, including the provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes and Sorsogon.

NDRRMC meanwhile also imposes similar policies in Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Weastern Samar, CARAGA region, Dinagat Island and Siargao.

In Albay, Governor and PDRRMC chair Joey Salceda meanwhile has advised the public to be vigilant, monitor official announcements and advisories from OCD 5, DRRMCs, respective local governments through radio and television and the province’s infoboard.

The governor has also directed PDRRMC member agencies and organizations to observed Red Alert status on the launch date starting 8:00 am.

Salceda furthered that commercial plane flights from Manila to this city and vice versa will not be suspended on Thursday since airways in the region are not included in the flight path of the rocket launch.

PDRRMC also advised that there will be no suspension of work and classes on Thursday in the wake of the rocket launch.

The council, on the other hand, has urged the cooperation of the public to report to the nearest authorities sightings of falling debris and related eventualities.

No contact should be made with the debris as same may be harmful to one’s health and only designated QRRT will recover and secure the debris, the advisory also stated. (MAL-PIA5/Albay)


CSC: Public officials, employees running for 2013 polls are considered resigned

By Sally A. Atento

LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 29 (PIA) – The Civil Service Commision (CSC) regional office in Bicol issued a provision on the deemed-resigned rule for public officials and employees who filed their Certificates of Candidacy (COC) for the coming May 2013 elections.

“An employee who files a certificate of candidacy, even if later on disqualified or has withdrawn, is still considered resigned,” said CSC V public information officer Yoyie Jalmanzar during the Ugnayan sa Bicol radio program of the Philipine Information Agency here.

The said provision is in consonance with the guidelines issued by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) on the filing of COCs for the 2013 elections dated September 2012.

Jalmanzar said Section 4 of the said COMELEC resolution states the effects of filing the COCs.

“Any person holding a public appointive office or position, including active members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other officers and employees in government-owned or controlled corporations, shall be considered ipso facto resigned from his office and must vacate the same at the start of the day of the filing of his certificate of candidacy,” Jalmanzar stated.

The same ruling, said Jalmanzar, also applies to government workers under job order contract.

“While job order employees are not considered government employees due to the absence of employer-employee relationship, we cannot discount the fact that they work, though indirectly, for the government,” explained Jalmanzar.

Jalmanzar also stressed that government employee who lost in an election, shall not be eligible for appointment or re-employment to any office in the government within one year after the election.

“However, this policy exempts barangay elections so candidates for officials in the barangay level can automatically re-apply right after the election,” Jalmanzar said. (MAL/SAA-PIA5/Albay)

Bayanihan Music Video Launch
November 28, 2012
Philippine Army Officers' Club, Fort Bonifacio

The Armed Forces of the Philippines in cooperation with the Presidential Communications Operations Office, Optical Media Board, MTRCB, National Telecommunications Commission, OPAPP, and MMDA launches a music video entitled "Bayanihan" performed by Sarah Geronimo.

 It is an inspiring video encouraging Filipinos to work together to attain just and lasting peace. It captures the message that the Bayanihan IPSP wants to convey.

The Bayanihan Internal Peace and Security Plan is a comprehensive plan that aims “to reduce internal armed threats to a level that they can no longer threaten the stability of the state, and civil authorities can ensure the safety and well-being of the Filipino people.”

Col. Boyet Burgos, spokesperson of the AFP shared that Bayanihan IPSP is different from the previous plans because it focuses on winning the peace and highlights the role of the different stakeholders in society.

The Presidential Communications Office partners with KBP, private media organizations, and OAAP to show the new music video and air the song.

During the Nov. 28 launch at Fort Bonifacio, PCOO Undersecretary Lesley Cordero said that "it is not enough to tap the government mass media channels only for the showing of the video, we need to be able to reach out to more people and inspire them to contribute and get involved in the Bayanihan peace advocacy. Kailangan mapanood ng mga nasa iba't-ibang probinsya ang MTV.

This is a powerful and inspiring video that should go viral. We urge people who have seen the video to share it." We will use television, radio, LED boards, and social media platforms to share this video and encourage more young people to take part in the Bayanihan, she added.

The Optical Media Board and Movie Television Review and Classifications Board are also one with the AFP in promoting this advocacy.

" It is very reassuring to know that we have more artists who are willing to be part of the Bayanihan para sa Kapayapaan advocacy. Ms. Sarah Geronimo is a very talented and popular. She can inspire more people to be part of this," OMB Chair Ronnie Ricketts added.

MTRCB is also encouraging cinema and theatre owners to show the music video in cinemas all over the Philippines.

The Bayanihan Music Video launch was spearheaded by the AFP Major Services Commanding Generals, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Jesse Dellosa and the DND Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.

 Officials from other government agencies were also present together with the NGOs and other civil society stakeholders to take part in the launch of the video.

Atty. Christine Lovely E. Red