COMELEC proclaims candidates for provincial posts


By Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, May 17 (PIA) -- The Provincial Board of Canvassers in Catanudanes province has proclaimed candidates for provincial posts yesterday, May 16, 2013 at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall.

The proclamation occurred after Commission on Elections (Comelec) has transmitted the results of election to the national office in Manila yesterday.

Proclaimed as the province’s new governor is Araceli B. Wong with a total votes of 67,252 against the incumbent governor Joseph C. Cua who garnered 60,831 votes.

Wong, a businesswoman, was a three-time poll underdog for the Congressman position since 2004 and is a native of Pandan town.

Meanwhile, proclaimed as vice-governor is unopposed candidate Jose J. Teves Jr. with a total vote of 68,267.

Incumbent Congressman Cesar V. Sarmiento was reelected garnering a total vote of 101,156.

Candidates for Sangguniang Panlalawigan posts were also proclaimed.

In the west district, proclaimed were: Engr. Jorge Reyes with 38,168 votes; Jose Romeo Francisco with 34,286 votes; Giovanni Balmadrid with 27,720 votes; and reelectionist Nel Asanza with 27,116 votes.

In the East district, the following were proclaimed: Edwin Tanael, 29, 711; Lorenzo Templonuevo Jr., 26, 682; Arnel Turado, 22, 571; and Marilyn Tatel, 21, 633.

Candidates for municipal posts were already proclaimed earlier by Comelec through its municipal board of canvassers. (MAL/EAB-PIA Catanduanes)



DAR to turn over P1.4-M muscovado sugar processing facility to farmers group in Albay

By Joseph John J. Perez

LEGAZPI CITY, May 17 (PIA) -- Life will be sweeter for Albay farmers especially for the Maysua Farmers Association (MFA) in Polangui town for being the beneficiary of the P1.4-million Muscovado sugar processing facility. This is expected to create employment and increase income of farmers by providing and adopting new technologies in producing muscovado sugar.

The project is carried out by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) under the Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity & Economic Support Services (Arccess) supported by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).

Muscovado sugar is known for its healthy benefits. Unlike sugar, it retains all the natural ingredients of sugarcane because it does not undergo additional heating, filtering and bleaching process which removes most of its nutrients, DAR Bicol said.

The sugar processing facility was constructed through the collaboration of Paz y Desarollo (PyD), Local Government Unit (LGU) of Polangui, Third District Congressman Fernando Gonzalez, Aquinas University Foundation Inc. (AQFI), and MFA, DAR Bicol said.

The project is managed by MFA under the monitoring and supervision of AQFI and Project Management Board (PMB) of Polangui, Albay. The project promotes participatory community development towards reducing poverty nationwide, DAR Bicol said.

DAR Albay chief agrarian reform program officer (CARPO) Estreluna G. Ante said that the 4-wheeled drive tractor intended for MFA is now ready for turnover to support sugarcane production.

“There are trainings that will be conducted for MFA as part of the partnership for sugarcane production in Albay,” Ante said. She further added that proposed rehabilitation of farm to market roads in Purok 3 to 7 of Barangay Maysua was already validated by the province.

According to DAR Bicol, Polangui municipal government hopes to provide this year the hauling truck being requested by MFA under Arccess to facilitate the supply of raw materials in the processing plant.

The local government earlier pledged to donate additional P100,000 for the construction of extension building and water tank for the newly turned-over processing plant.

In addition, Congressman Gonzales has also pledged to donate P300,000 for the procurement of multicabs for MFA in the delivery of their muscovado sugar, DAR Bicol said.

The facility is also in relation to the project of strengthening the productive sectors in the rural areas and improving sexual and reproductive health in the regions of Bicol and CARAGA, DAR Bicol said. (MAL/JJJPerez/DAR5/PIA5/Albay)


Additional classrooms in Bicol ready for school opening -- DPWH Bicol

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, May 17 (PIA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional office here is now stepping up efforts toward the completion of all school building projects in the Bicol region.

DPWH 5 Regional Director Danilo Dequito said the projects are now substantially completed and will be ready in time of the school opening for school year 2013-2014.

Dequito said the agency has completed the 73 school buildings, comprised of a total of 98 classrooms, with funding release of P48.2 million under the DepEd CY 2012 Regular School Building Program (RSBP).

Construction and rehabilitation of school buildings has a funding allocation of P2.567 million. Ninety percent of the projects are already completed including Sto Cristo Elementary School (ES) in Tiwi, with program fund of P640,000; San Francisco High School (HS) in Malilipot with P270,000: San Pablo HS in Bacacay with P664,000; and San Miguel HS in Tabaco with P393,000

Another project worth P3.190 million covers 6 classrooms. This includes the Cagbacong HS and Maslog HS in this city with a program fund of P727,000 each, and completed last January 15, 2013; Panoypoy ES in Camalig with P420,000, completed last January 11, 2013; Villahermosa NHS and Bogtong HS in RApu-rapu, with combined funds of P676,000; and Panoypoy ES in Camalig, P 640,000, completed last January 12, 2013.

The same province’s third engineering district meanwhile has completed the project with a total budget of P3,522,000 covering 5 classrooms in Niño Jesus ES in Libon with P670,00) completed last December 26, 2013; Cadawag ES in Oas and Salvacion ES in Pioduran with P670,000 allocation each, both completed last January 18, 2013. The project also included Mauraro ES in Guinubatan with P651,00completed last December 26, 2012; and Pandan ES (Macael Ext.) in Ligao City with P861,000, completed last January 18, 2013.

DPWH Camarines Sur first engineering district implemented a total fund of P2, 486,000 covering 4 classrooms, completed last January 8, 2013 from Padlos ES, Libmanan North, Ca. Sur with P336,000, Dalupaon Es, Pasacao, Cam. Sur with P800,000 and Marangi ES, San Fernando, Cam. Sur with P1,350,000.

Camarines Sur second engineering district carried out a P3,880,000 worth of projects for 6 classrooms from Salvacion-Baybay Es, Calabanga, Cam Sur and Manuel Y. Garza Sr. ES, (Frm: Paolbo-Belen ES, Calabanga, Cam. Sur with P670,000 each, both completed last December 26, 2012, Sua ES, Camaligan, Cam. Sur with P670,000, completed last January 3, 2013, Pili NHS, Pili, Cam. Sur (Rep.) with P479,000, completed last November 19, 2012 and Cam. Sur NHS (Tabuco CS), Naga City with P139,000, completed last January 8, 2013.

Camarines Sur third engineering district allocated P4,150,000 covering 8 classrooms from Maligaya HS, Caramoan Cam Sur with P700,000, Harrison PS, Garchitorena, Cam Sur having a fund of P1,400,000, Binagasbasan NHS, Garchitorena, Cam Sur with P515,000, Burabod NHS, Garchitorena, Cam Sur and Denrica Annex HS, Garchitorena, Cam Sur, both have a P700,000 program fund, completed last January 21, 2013.

Camarines Sur fourth engineering district was given a budget of P3, 801,000 covering 8 CL from Duran ES, Balatan, Cam Sur with P1,300,000, Inoyonan ES, Bula, Cam. Sur and La Victoria ES, Bula, Cam. Sur both have a fund of P650,000, Tambo NHS, Buhi, Cam Sur (rep) with P478,000, Iriga CS, Sn. Roque, Iriga City with P640,000 and Sta teresita Es, Teresita Iriga City (rep) with P83,000, completed last December 17, 2013.

The project also included 3 schools in Camarines Sur 5th DEO with P1,828,000 covering 4 classrooms from Agao-ao, Ragay Cam Sur with P690,000, Patalunan ES, Ragay, Cam Sur with P670,000 and Lubigan Jr. ES, Sipocot South, Cam Sur (rep) with P468,000 which is already completed.

On the other hand, Camarines Norte implemented projects amounting to P4,613,000 including 5 schools covering 8 classrooms from Gumuas Es, Paracela, Cam Norte having a program fund of P815,000, batobalani NHS, Paracale, Cam Sur with P1,500,000, Lalawigan Es, Mercedes, Cam Norte with P798,000, Mercedes Hs, Mercedes Cam norte and San Lorenzo Ruiz NHS, (Matacong NHS)(Imelda) Cam. Norte both have P750,000.

In Catanduanes, a total of p1,808,000 of program fund covering 4 classrooms from San Pedro ES, Gigmoto Cat. With P700,000 and Mavil Es, Bagamanok, Cat. With P750,000 both completed last February 22, 2013 and Supang Es, Caramoan, Cat. (rep) with P358,000 accomplished last January 10, 2013.

From Masbate 1st DEO, Cabitan HS, Mandoan, Masbate, Puro PS, Aroroy west, Masbate, Eartern Capsay ES, Baleno, Masbate, Macabug ES, Aroroy West, Masbate having a fund of P685,000 each, while Calumpong CS, South Balud, Masbate (rep) with P263,000, Masbate NCHS, Masbate City (rep) withP 431,000, completed last January 11, 2013 and Electo l. Verano ES, (Ubongan ES),Dacu, Masbate City (rep) with P150,000, completed last January 2, 2013, a total of P3,584,000 program fund was allocated for the 7 schools from the said District covering 16 classrooms.

In Masbate 2nd DEO the allotted budget is P3,770,000 covering 6 classrooms from tan-awan ES, Placer West, Masbate and Liong ES, Cataingan, Masbate with P625,000 each and P630,000 each for Losco-an ES, Placer West, Masbate, Manlot-od ES, Placer East, Masbate, Verdida-Sabrido NHS, Placer West, Masbate and Del Carmen NHS, Uson, Masbate.

In Masbate 3rd DEO, the budget allocated was P1,977,000 for 3 classrooms from Iniwaran Int. San Pascual , Masbate with P660,000, Malaking Ilog NHS, San Pascual, Masbate with P655,000 both completed last January 24, 2013 and Monreal NHS, Monreal, Masbate with P662,000, accomplished last December 21, 2012.

Sorsogon 1st DEO, with P3,558,000 subdivided in 6 schools covering 6 classrooms, these are: Banaban ES, Donsol East, Sorsogon with P684,000, Burabod ES, Castilla West, Sorsogon P653,000, Cagbolo ES, Castilla East, Sorsogon with 751,000, La Union ES, Castilla East, Sorsogon with P170,000 and Panlayaan NHS, West District, Sorsogon with P1,300,000.

In Sorsogon 2nd DEO with P3,630,000 divided into 7 schools covering 7 classrooms, the total amount is P3,630,000 wherein Carriedo ES, Irosin, Sorsogon given a P650,000 program fund, Bentuco ES, Gubat South, Sorsogon and Jose Frencillo PS, Bariis, Matnog with P657,070 each, Patag ES, Gubat, Sorsogon with P652,540, Tigkiw ES, Gubat, Sorsogon with P666,790, Gubat North CS and Gubat South CS both located at Gubat, Sorsogon have P172,970 program fund, accomplished last January 21, 2013.

He added that for DepEd CY 2013 Basic Educational Facilities Fund (BEFF) and RSBP, some 357 school buildings, with 852 classrooms and budget allocation of P629.2 million, will be implemented as soon as an exemption from Resolution No. 9585, series of 2012 will be granted by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“The government is really bent on addressing the shortage of classrooms in the country now estimated at 66,000 that is why there is an undeniable increase in the budget and hopefully, more on the coming years,” the director said.

Breakdown of total number of school building projects with its corresponding number of classrooms for six provinces of Bicol region for SY 2012 and 2013 include Albay, 50 school buildings/85 classrooms; Camarines Sur, 143/319, Camarines Norte, 46/83; Catanduanes, 20/37; Masbate, 98/237; and Sorsogon, 73/189.

On top of these 950 classrooms targeted for completion this year, DPWH 5 is also monitoring the construction of 28 school building projects totaling 60 classrooms implemented by private entities through the sponsorship of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. under the Operation Barrio School Program. (MAL/LVC-DPWH5/PIA5)



RDC to highlight "Bicol Express" modernization in railway summit

By Joseph John J. Perez

LEGAZPI CITY, May 17 (PIA) -- It will take only a travel time of six hours from Legaspi City to Manila with a railway service extending up to Matnog in Sorsogon where a roll-on, roll-off (RORO) sea port is located.

These and more recommendations will be presented by the Regional Development Council (RDC) of the Bicol Region during the Railway Development Summit which will be held on June 21 in Metro Manila.

According to RDC secretariat, the Philippine Development Plan and the Bicol Regional Development Plan identified the revival, rehabilitation and modernization of the railway system as a priority infrastructure development program.

The train stations will also be developed as mix use commercial zones to spur economic growth in its environs. Amenities in trains and stations will also be provided such as internet connections, security cameras, clean toilets, medical services, amusement centers, online booking, inter-modal tickets, and modern passenger coaches that are senior citizen, women and person with disability (PWD) friendly, RDC secretariat said.

There is also a recommendation for the revival of spur lines to Legaspi and Tabaco ports, construction of spur lines to Daet, Caramoan and other major towns in Bicol for passenger and multi-purpose freight services.

National and Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Bicol assistant regional director Luis Banua said that Luzon regions including Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) signified interest on the railway development initiative of RDC for the interconnection of the north and south railways and the Metro Manila railway system.

The RDC proposed a railway development summit on December 7 last year through a resolution to promote the revival, expansion and modernization of the railway system in Bicol. The summit hopes to gain strong support from President Benigno Aquino III who will be invited as its keynote speaker, RDC secretariat said.

Provincial consultations were held in Camarines Sur on January 30, Sorsogon on February 27, and Camarines Norte on March 20.

A regional consultation was also held in Legaspi City On April 25 participated in by RDC members, local government units (LGU) representatives, academe, media, chambers of commerce and industry and non-government organizations. Technical consultations were also held from December to April to discuss railways technologies in terms of speed, services, capability, investment and maintenance costs, RDC secretariat said.

The business community emphasized that cargo and passenger train services will propel trade and industry in Bicol. Proposals were also discussed to deal with issues and concerns on squatting along railroad tracks, , illegal railroad crossings, Philippine National Railways (PNR)’s role, privatization and establishment of world class railways system that is fully integrated with other modes of transportation, RDC secretariat said.

“These recommendations will be submitted to the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) for discussion and adoption during the summit,” Development Administration Committee (DAC) Chairman Rev. Fr. Ramoncito Segubiense said.

Known as “Bicol Express” in the past decades due to its role as Bicol’s most popular mode of transportation, the railway industry had an observable slowdown and off-track direction in recent years that was overtaken by other reliable and efficient modes of transportation in the region.

The summit is expected to fuel anew the engines of the “Bicol Express” back to its tracks to regain its past glory as the region’s favorite mode of transportation. (MAL/JJJP/PIA5-Albay)