Escudero cites gov't data showing Sorsogon has less poor in 2012

LEGAZPI CITY, April 29 (PIA) -- Sorsogon province has shown significant improvement in the poverty incidence among its households as it registered among the lowest poverty figure in the Bicol region for 2012 based on latest government data.

Bicolano Sen. Francis Escudero said that the National Statistical Coordination Board’s (NSCB) latest survey on the state of poverty in the country showed that Sorsogon province in Bicol region had a poverty incidence of 32.1 percent, below the 34.1 percent average in the region.

Escudero noted that The figure for Sorsogon was also an improvement from the figure in 2006 of a 34.3 percent poverty incidence.

The NSCB survey, however, showed the poverty incidence for the whole country was estimated at 27.9 percent in the first semester of 2012. The NSCB said the figure was not much of an improvement compared with the 2006 and 2009 first semester figures estimated at 28.8 percent and 28.6 percent, respectively.

Escudero said that the latest NSCB survey did not reflect the claims of his critics that he did nothing to uplift the economic condition in Sorsogon which he and his father, Salvador Escudero III represented at the House of Representatives, while at the same time labeling Sorsogon as being “one of the poorest provinces” in the country.

The 2012 survey showed that the poorest provinces in the country were Apayao, Bukidnon, Cotabato City, Davao Oriental, Eastern Samar, Ifugao, Lanao del Norte, lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Masbate, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato, Northern Samar, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat and Zamboanga del Norte.

Escudero had made it a policy to spread the use of his PDAF to cover the entire country, or about P500,000 for each municipality that went mostly to the putting up of public markets and the provision of medical assistance.

He said the practice of even distribution of his PDAF will continue in the next Congress but this time the funds will be used to set up and refurbish school buildings.

The re-electionist senator said that while he is not new to black propaganda being peddled against him and his family, the efforts insult the intellect of voters.

"For me, my records stand clear in so far as my 15 years in public service is concern. One of my objectives is clean governance and honest service,” Escudero said.

Escudero can only surmise that half-truths and outright lies hurled against him were all aimed at pulling down his survey rankings.

“I am wondering why they have to drag me and my father’s name in their muckraking, they should think of a better issue than peddle lies against my family,” Escudero said. (MAL/Office of Sen. Escudero/PIA5)


US District Attorney honors Catandunganon OFW for heroism

VIRAC, Catanduanes, April 29 (PIA) -- “I felt happy because, as a Catandunganon, I was able to show to America that even if we come from a small province, we do have big hearts to help others; that it is an instinct on our part to help because God is always with us.”

Still brimming with gratitude from her kababayan’s online praises for the recognition she got from the Unites States of America Los Angeles District Court Attorney, Nida Arjona Tapel, 52, of San Miguel, Catanduanes, Philippines, counts her resolute faith for foiling a criminal in defense of her 95-year-old client who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. She has been working in the United States for five years now as a teacher and a part time home-care provider.

An alumna of the Catanduanes State Colleges, now Catanduanes State University (from undergraduate to post graduate studies) Tapel was honored by the Los Angeles District Attorney, USA, with the Courageous Citizens Award on April 12, 2013. She, along with three other equally valiant citizens of Los Angeles, USA, respectively received the honor from District Attorney Jackie Lacey.

The District Attorney's Courageous Citizen Award was created to commend those individuals who have acted with courage and at considerable personal risk to help a victim of crime, assisted in the capture of a suspect, or testified in the face of extraordinary pressures.

In the online portal information of the LA District Court, Tapel received the citation for her presence of mind, bravery and heroic act in thwarting a kidnapping incident in Los Angeles.

In its press statement, the Los Angeles District County Attorney hailed the awardees “who have taken extraordinary steps to assist others when they were most vulnerable. They stopped a crime. They made sure that a criminal was prosecuted. They helped a crime victim during a terrifying moment of need. They are vital to the pursuit of justice and our community is a safer place because of them."

Jean Guccione, Director of Communications of the Los Angeles District County reported that Tapel endured a painful pepper spray attack in an effort to prevent the kidnapping of her frail, elderly client in Los Angeles on Dec.19, 2011. "With her eyes and face burning after being pepper sprayed by her client’s daughter, Tapel ran outside, yelled for help and got a passerby to call 911. Tapel then jumped into the suspect’s SUV to protect her client."

The same account revealed that Tapel remained in the vehicle as the suspect took off and led police on a wild chase for several miles before being captured.

The defendant pleaded no contest to charges of attempted kidnap, battery and evading an officer and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 2, the report said.

When asked by this writer what insights she can share with fellow OFW’s, Tapel singled out prayer as her only protection. “As an OFW, my only weapon is prayer. God made me strong all the time, because it is really very hard to be in a foreign land. [There are] plenty of challenges along the way, so embrace God tightly.”

She acknowledges the nurturing she got from her aunt, Dr. Cleofe Buen Reyes, for her resilient spirit. “I was raised by my aunt to call God all the time; nothing is impossible with Him. I did not do it alone; I am just an instrument of Him.”

Tapel dedicates her award to her fellow Catandunganons and to the Filipinos as a whole. “Let us show to the world that our purpose in life is to help others, not to hurt them. We only live once in this earth; let us make it significant. Let us not be afraid of death for God will be always there for us.”

She counts her school, the Catanduanes State Colleges (now CSU) for imbibing in her the value of humility. “The school taught me to be humble; that the higher you get, the more humble you must be. “Saan mang sulok ng mundo tayo mapadpad, alalahanin natin na dapat ang ating mga paa ay sa lupa pa din nakatapak." And if you are to do something, you must ensure it will bring you up, not put you down, Tapel concluded. (MAL/Gerry S. Rubio, CSU/PIA5)



DOLE to conduct Mega Jobs Fair, highlights event with a Fun Run event

By Ana-Liza S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, April 29 (PIA) -- In line with the celebration of World Safety Day on April 28 and the observance of Labor Day comes May 1, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office V will be launching two (2) major events to be held here and in Legazpi City on May 1 and 2 respectively.

Slated on May 1 is the Mega Jobs Fair to be held at SM City Naga in cooperation with the local government unit of Naga through the Naga City Public Employment Office (METROPESO), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), ABS CBN Regional Network Group and SM City Naga.

The Labor Day Mega Jobs Fair will be simultaneously held in all SM-City branches and DOLE Regional Offices in the country. It aims to provide employment opportunities particularly to fresh graduates and job seekers who want to try their luck in other companies.

DOLE Public Information Officer Raymond P. Escalante said that thousands of job offers, both domestic and outside of the country are at stake during the May 1 event.

“This is an opportunity not only for our fresh graduates but also to returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who want to stay in the country for good and even to Out-of-school youths (OSYs) who might found companies who need their skills,” Escalante said in an interview.

Escalante added that the career exposition will also give the participating companies a chance to look for qualified employees and future personnel. The event will also encourage future companies to join the fair and contribute to the pool of job opportunity sources in response to the growing number of students in search of employment after graduation.

On May 2, the Labor Day celebration in Legaspi City will be highlighted by a Fun Run dubbed “ Obrerong Bikolano, Oragon Ka! Dalagan para sa Salud asin Kaligtasan. It aims to showcase the positive features of every Bicolano worker who toils hard every day just to bring food on their tables.

DOLE Regional Director Nathaniel Lacambra will also conduct radio hopping in various local radio and television stations in Naga to hype the said celebration. (LSMacatangay/ PIA-Camarines Sur)


DILG to establish sub-regional resource center in Cat’nes

By Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, April 29 (PIA) -- The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Bicol has selected the province of Catanduanes for the establishment of sub-regional Local Governance Resource Center (LGRRC) of the agency.

DILG Bicol regional director Blandino M. Maceda said the establishment of LGRRC in the province came after Local Government Academy (LGA) has cited DILG 5 as best performing LGRC among the 17 centers in the country.

Maceda said LGRRC has the purpose of bringing the DILG’s services closer to the local government.

LGRRC, a physical structure composed of a library, reading area, conference room and an internet section, shall be constructed within the premises of the DILG provincial office here.

With the aid of the European Union (EU) and the LGA under the strengthening LGRRCs in the Philippines project, the center will be manned by a technical staff of the DILG provincial office.

Hand in hand with the activity, DILG will also lead the organization of the Multi-Stakeholders Advisory Committee (MSAC) here tomorrow, April 30, at Rakdell Hotel, Virac.

MSAC is an organization composed of National Government Agencies, non-government organizations, academe, leagues and private sector that will partner DILG in the implementation of various capacity development projects.

It will also serve as the advisory committee of DILG in further strengthening the LGUs. (MAL/EAB-PIA5/Catanduanes)