NSO-Catanduanes leads celebration of Civil Registration Month

By Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Feb. 7 (PIA) -- The National Statistics Office (NSO) has solicited the people's support and cooperation in celebrating the Civil Registration Month this February with the theme: “Civil Registration, Bringing Public Service Closer to the People.”

NSO Catanduanes Provincial Chief Elisa Solares said the observance of Civil Registration Month reminds the citizenry of their duty to register acts and events concerning the status of persons, enhance nationwide awareness and appreciation of the legal, administrative and statistical values of civil registry documents and underscore the necessity for Congress to provide adequate funds for enforcement and administration of laws on civil registration.

Proclamation 682 declares the month of February of every year as Civil Registration Month affirmed by former President Corazon C. Aquino on the 28th of January 1991.

Solares said NSO offices and municipal civil registrars (MCR) will display streamers and posters for the whole month of February to popularize the celebration and the activities lined-up which includes mobile registration, mass wedding and slogan contest.

She added that NSO Catanduanes will also have a radio program on every Saturday of February to discuss matters on civil registration.

The system of civil registration was established in the country on the 27th of February 1931 through the enactment of Act 3753, “An Act to Establish a Civil Register.” It requires the continuous and compulsory recording of births, deaths, marriages and other acts and events concerning the civil status of persons. The civil status of a person starts at birth and ends at death. (MAL/EAB-PIA5, Catanduanes)


NGCP, DepEd tie up on advocacy for education

By Analiza S. Macatangay

LIBMANAN, Camarines Sur, Feb. 7 (PIA) -- Fifty out-of-school youths (OSYs) and out-of-school adults (OSAs) benefited from the Balik Eskwela Program held here over the weekend.

Department of Education, through its Alternative Learning System (ALS) program, and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) partnered spearheading the launching and implementation of the program in several barangays here.

NGCP Corporate Affairs department head Nelson F. Cabangon said that the activity is also in accordance with the company’s advocacy in pursuing accessible education, particularly for children residing in the countryside.

“NGCP is one with the government’s campaign in promoting education for all, most especially for those children and students who were hampered by financial difficulties but are still willing to pursue their dreams by achieving a diploma,” Cabangon said in an interview.

Cabangon added that this community activity is also communes with the promotion of NGCP’s corporate social responsibility.

The Balik Eskwela Program is a joint project between NGCP and DepEd, in cooperation with Camarines Sur Electric I Cooperative (Casureco I) and local officials of barangays Candato and Bagumbayan in this municipality.

Under ALS program, student-beneficiaries can choose from the modules which would best suit their interest under the module-based learning system. After 10 months of attending classes equivalent to 800 hours of classroom hands-on and lecture, the students will be asked to take the Accreditation and Equivalency Test or AET.

Once they passed the test, lucky applicants can pursue their secondary education or decide to take up a college course.

ALS supervisor Pedro Pelonio led the turnover of learning modules, distribution of school supplies, and the ceremonial signing of their partner’s commitment.

“ALS is a free education program offered by government. This will open the door of opportunities especially for those who cannot afford formal schooling," Pelonio said.

NGCP South Luzon Corporate Communication officer Nelson S. Bautista also cited the members of the media who covered the event and for the stakeholders for making NGCP a part of the community.

“We are very thankful for the warm support of the local barangay officials of Libmanan, our media partners and DepEd and Casureco I officials. Through this activity, we want to send a message of hope to every student that its never too late to pursue education,” Bautista said in an interview. (MAL/LSM-PIA5, Camarines Sur)



DOLE urges Bicolanos to register in the skills registration system

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 7 (PIA) -- Twenty officials of Public Employment Services Office (PESO) from the Bicol Region were briefed and trained on the effective implementation of the third phase of the National Skills Registration System (NSRS).

DOLE Bicol regional director Nathaniel V. Lacambra said that the orientation cum training activity, focused on additional knowledge and improving skills of the PESO officials to entice the public to register with the NSRS program.

The NSRS is a registry of not only individuals but also their respective skills placed in a database of every city or municipality.

Lacambra explained that, “When we have a database of skills in every city or municipality, then it will be easier for companies, researchers or anybody wanting to find a necessary skill in the area or locality for employment.”

In Bicol, National Statistics Office (NSO) disclosed last year that Bicol region has recorded the second highest incidence of child labor in the country with some 300,000 next to Central Luzon that tops the list of areas with 316,000.

NSRS database will also become a benchmark data in determining the intervention of DOLE to those localities identified by the NSO with high incidence of child labor.

Lacambra furthered that third phase of NSRS will open avenues for jobseekers and data which could be utilized to sustain concrete intervention necessary in combating child labor, human trafficking and illegal recruitment.

“We, then, encourage all Bicolanos to be part of the program, not only will it become their first move in getting a appropriate job but it will also help them in further developing their skills,’” he said. (MAL-PIA5, Albay)


Training on disaster awareness, preparedness benefits LGU


By Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Feb. 7 (PIA) -- A training-workshop on disaster risk reduction and management was conducted last January 14-26 by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Virac town here.

The 12-day activity was aimed at institutionalizing disaster awareness and preparedness of the LGUs in times of calamity and as well as the formulation of Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee as mandated by law under RA 10121 also known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.

According to the Regional Civil Defense Office of Bicol representative Florito Dapena, the training is part of their office’s programs to reach out to every barangay in Bicol to train and educate officials in mapping out their locality’s susceptibility to disaster as well as improving their capacity to respond under the given situation.

The training was a joint activity of the MDRRMC of Virac lead by Mayor Jose U. Alberto II and Office of Civil Defense Bicol Region headed by Dir. Bernardo R. Alejandro IV.

The participating barangays were clustered according to their topographical location and based on historical events involving 63 barangays of Virac.

The participants were engaged in a series of workshops on disaster mitigation, reaction and rehabilitation in times of disaster. The partakers were also guided on creation of contingency plan, utilization of the calamity funds and the organizational structure of the BDRRMC.

The training was expected to help the participants develop their abilities to mitigate, prepare, respond and recover from any kinds of disasters. (EAB-PIA 5, Catanduanes)

Papet at Maskara: Celebrating Women and Puppetry

QUEZON CITY, Feb. 6 -- The UP Center for International Studies takes pride in marrying the theatrical traditions of Philippines and Japan.

From February 10-17, 2013, UPCIS takes the center stage for the week-long Papet at Maskara: Celebrating 40 Years of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation through Intercultural Collaboration as Dialogue.

Papet: the face of intercultural dialogue

Recognized as both a tangible and intangible heritage, the Naoshima Onna Bunraku is the only all-female puppetry tradition of its kind after conquering what used to be an all-male theatre. This February, the troupe interacts with the homegrown UPCIS Bunraku Ensemble and other puppet groups for a workshop, public lecture, demonstration and performance of several Bunraku pieces which include Dango Uri (The Dumpling Peddlers), Keisei Awa no Naruto Junreika no Dan (The Song of a Pilgrim scene from The Courtesan at Awa) and Ebisu Mai (The Dance of Ebisu).

Maskara: a new face for Sisa

Notable for its deliberate and disciplined movements, Noh was designated by UNESCO as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.” Staying true to these words, the UPCIS Noh Theatre Ensemble re-stages Professor Emeritus Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio’s prize-winning play Ang Paglalakbay ni Sisa, Isang Noh sa Laguna, as a shinsaku (newly-created) Noh. This reinterpretation showcases the redemption of Jose Rizal’s Sisa. Here, she confronts Padre Salvi, gets to reunite with her two sons Crispin and Basilio, and eventually regains her sanity and peace of mind.

Tease your theatrical taste buds and enjoy Japanese theatre with an all-Filipino storyline in Papet at Maskara performances on Feb. 10, 1pm in Aldaba Hall, UP Diliman, Feb. 12, 3pm at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Feb. 15, 3 and 6pm in UP Los Baños, and Feb. 17, 3 and 7pm at the UP Diliman Theater.

For tickets, contact UPCIS at 426-7573 or through upcis.aseanjapan2013@gmail.com. (UPCIS)

LTFRB orders phase out of 13-year-old or older UV vans

By Analiza S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, Feb. 6 (PIA) -- Operators and drivers of utility vehicle express in Camarines will have to stop conveying passengers if they are still using old-model passenger vehicles. Pursuant to the latest ruling of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), it prohibits passenger vehicles aged 13-years-old and more from operating.

LTFRB Memorandum Circular No. 2012-0217 and 2012-030 reiterate the mandatory phase out of old UV Express units in all parts of country to ensure the road-worthiness of the vehicles and the safety of passengers.

Tamban Van Operators and Drivers Association Treasurer Leous Andal said that they will follow the LTFRB order since they were already informed that the said regulation will take effect on January this year.

She further said that it is already stipulated in the circular that they have to acquire new units of van in their next renewal.

But like other van organizations in the province, Andal said that they would also like to request for a one or two-year extension before LTFRB decides to fully implement the order. She said that not all operators can afford to buy new units and dispose their old vehicles quickly.

But, since 2007, operators and van owners already knew about the substitution of units and the discharge of the old ones as public conveyance system, stated Arnel Sebillo,engineer and LTFRB OIC.

He said that this year, they will already refuse renewal of franchise of operators still using old-models.

Based on the records of LTRFRB, there are 291 utility vehicle express plying the routes of Naga, Balatan, Bula, Del Gallego, Goa, Iriga, Lagonoy, Libmanan, Nabua, Pasacao, Ragay, Sabang, Sipocot, and Tamban in Tinambac.

Goa to Naga routes has the highest count of UV Express numbering 42 units, followed by Iriga City with 36 and Pasacao with 34.

There are 256 UV Express units traversing the Daet-Naga, Daraga-Naga, Iriga-Legaspi, Legaspi-Nabua, Legazpi –Naga and Naga to Tabaco City via Sabloyon, with the Daet-Naga route having the highest number of said vehicles numbering to 98 units. (MAL/LSM-PIA5, Camarines Sur)


Comelec in CamSur conducts mock elections, generally successful

By Analiza S. Macatangay

 IRIGA CITY, Feb. 6 (PIA) -- Signal interference and lack of enough power supply were only two of the glitches observed yet generally successful, mock elections conducted in the four precincts here in Camarines Sur over the weekend, according to the Commission on Election (Comelec).

Comelec Camarines Sur Spokesman Alex Marpuri said Iriga Central School and Iriga City North Central School served as voting polls for four precincts in Iriga City covering barangays San Roque- Sta. Teresita and San Nicolas with 200 respondents while in Bato, barangays San Juan and Tres Reyes served as polling places for a hundred respondents.

Marpuri observed that generally the activity was successful with only few problems in receiving the signal from the communication networks and the lack of electricity particularly in the municipality of Bato.

"Almost 91 respondents from Iriga City were able to participate in the mock elections while in Bato, we had 58 percent response from our chosen respondents. We can attribute the low turnout in Bato since the place is actually far, with a mountainous terrain and the electricity was out even before started the exercises," Marpuri said in an interview.

The mock elections started at 7 a.m. and wrapped up at around 10 a.m. Marpuri said they were able to transmit the results at the provincial and Central Office at around 2 p.m.

The exercise endeavors to check the accuracy of the Precinct Count Optical Scan or PCOS machines in transmitting the actual data encoded and fed by the voters in the said machine.

Respondents were also entertained when they saw the names of foreign celebrities written as their choices for senatorial line up and name of various bands to represent the choices for party lists.

Marpuri added that the mock political exercise gave them significant learning that would be beneficial during the actual polls. For one, the problem in communication signal should be addressed now to avoid delayed in transmittal during the actual elections which could mar the timeliness of the results. The lack of electricity can be backed up by stand by batteries or generators.

Camarines Sur is one of the 10 areas in the country and the venue identified for Luzon where the mock election will be conducted to test the capability of the PCOS machines, most especially its accuracy and efficiency in transmitting the data. Formerly owned by Smartmatic, the PCOS machines are now owned by the Commission on Elections. (LSM-PIA 5, Camarines Sur)

Naga River Revitalization Project gets support from foreign community

By Analiza S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, Feb. 4 (PIA) -- The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, international financing community and international non-government organizations have given their support to the Naga River Integrated Revitalization Project.

Mayor John Bongat of this city arrived last week from Basel, Switzerland assured of the international organizations' support to the program, basically the core of Bongat's visit in Switzerland whose trip was sponsored by the Cities Development Initiative for Asia (CDIA) in exchange of his presentation of the Naga River's program and its concept to potential investors who will be willing to finance the project.

Based on CDIA's pre-feasibility study, the project's cost is estimated at $65 million.

Bongat's presentation was lauded by representatives from several countries for its integrated approach and his inclusion of the city's historic, cultural and religious prospective to the implementation of the project.

"We now included the word integrated in our project to emphasize that we will be applying a multi-faceted approach in bringing the Naga River blueprint into reality, not just to all the Nagueños but for all the Bicolanos, particularly Ina's devotees," Bongat said in an interview.

Bongat said the project will not only focus on the protection of the environment but will also include disaster risk reduction management, conversion of the riverside into an economic zone, its preservation as their heritage and as a tourism initiative which will bring to the fore the city's potential for growth and development.

Part of the big picture is the construction of 6 mini-ports or wharfs along the riverside where small bancas will fetch and embark their passengers. This is one of the components of turning the riverbanks into economic zones through the river transport system and will give barangay residents an alternative livelihood source. The docks or landing stages will be built from Barangay Sabang going to Magsaysay area and will benefit constituents of the 11 barangays located along the Naga River.

Dubbed as the Naga River Rehabilitation Project then when the late Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo first presented the study in Singapore in 2010, the venture is now elevated in its revitalization status, with the inclusion of making it not just as one of the city's tourism attractions, but also an economic center where economic growth will be its centerpiece.

The project will cover three phases: the physical rehabilitation of the riverbanks by building green river walks in both sides, the construction and operation of waste water treatment facilities and a greenway development scheme which will interconnect the public road leading to the central business areas, government entities and educational facilities. (LSM-PIA 5, Camarines Sur)



Army intensifies internal security operations to avoid ‘permit-to-campaign fees’

By Rosalita B. Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, Feb. 4 (PIA) -- The Philippine Army (PA) unit based here has intensified internal security operations to eliminate an armed group’s modus of collecting fees for "permit-to-campaign" to candidates of this province and ensure peace and order in the May 2013 elections.

Lt. Col. Michael M. Buhat, commanding officer of the Army's 49th Infantry Battalion, said during the Philippine Information Agency's "Talakayan" held here recently, that the army unit has initiated internal security operations in 61 villages out of 70 rebel-infested barangays.

Camarines Norte is comprised of 282 barangays.

Buhat said out of the 61 bayanihan activities conducted last year, 41 were declared cleared barangays while 20 have on going operations.

He said the army will deploy personnel in these barangays while conducting nine bayanihan activities in the towns of Labo with four and Sta. Elena with five infested with the armed New People’s Army (NPA).

Buhat said the unit will also conduct clearing operations in the barangay according to the request of the candidates on the campaign period.

He added that they were in pursuit of the armed group after the encounter which happened on January 23 in the town of San Lorenzo Ruiz where there were no casualty on both sides.

Police Senior Supt. Moises Pagaduan, provincial director of the Camarines Norte Police Provincial Office (CNPPO), on the other hand, said the police is strictly implementing the gun ban and Commission on Elections (Comelec) checkpoint in the province.

He said they also plan to conduct anti-gambling operations regarding the virtual game if it is legal or jueteng as previously ordered by the PNP Regional Director Police Chief Supt. Clarence Guinto. (MAL/RBM-PIA5, Camarines Norte)


Bayanihan IPSP humanitarian mission benefits Sorsogon, Cam Sur residents

LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 4 (PIA) -- The Team Naval Forces of Southern Luzon (Navforsol) of the Philippine Navy based here held two consecutive medical and dental missions last Jan. 26 and 27 in Barangay Dangcalan, Donsol, Sorsogon and in Barangay Ombao Polpog, Bula, Camarines Sur.

Navforsol provided the outreach program with medical, dental and EENT (eyes, ears, nose and throat) check-ups, giving out free eyeglasses, haircuts and therapeutic massages to more than 945 beneficiaries.

Command surgeon Maj. Renato Esmabe MC of the Navy led the Team Navforsol contingent composed of medical-dental teams and civil affairs team from Naval Station Julhasan Arasain, based in this city.

The humanitarian mission was also supported by the Tulong Mo, Kinabukasan Ko Foundation Inc., the 903rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, the Donsol District Hospital, the rural health unit of Pilar, Philippine National Police, St. Vincent Ferrer Parish, medical volunteers and the local government of the recipient areas.

Commodore Manuel Natalio A. Abinuman, commander of the Navforsol, said search and rescue, disaster relief and evacuation operations are just among the many administrative functions that the major units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the Bicol region have been doing to help the Bicolanos.

Abinuman said these activities are far from the common experiences of the uniformed men and women who usually carry guns and go after the enemy of the state.

He explained that these types of operations are classified as non-traditional roles of the AFP but vital in the pursuit of public peace and order and welfare especially in the Bicol region.

“These activities are just a fragment of the numerous socio-economic and environmental development programs of the Navy being conducted jointly with other stakeholders in line with the Armed Forces of the Philippines Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) “Bayanihan,” Abinuman said.

“Such activity highlights the role of the sailors, marines and soldiers not just as defenders of peace but also as good ambassadors for socio-economic development and we in the Navforsol will continue our commitment to support inter-agency initiatives towards the achievement of lasting peace and development in the region,” Abinuman said. (MAL/Ens. EJRDuruin-Navforsol/PIA5)

DOLE to transport operators: secure DOLE clearance 2 months before franchise lapse

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 1 (PIA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional office here has advised bus operators in the region to secure clearance from the agency at least two months before expiration of the franchises.

DOLE Bicol regional director Nathaniel V. Lacambra said that the measure will help expedite the issuance of clearance, avoiding delays and penalties as DOLE strictly adheres to the procedural guidelines in securing the clearance and that there will be “no shortcuts” to such.

The pronouncement came, after several bus operators complained over their late renewal of franchise from LTFRB and the delay of issuance of DOLE clearance.

DOLE 5, however, strongly denied the allegations saying that several bus operators went to their agency urging them to release their DOLE clearance two days before the lapse of their franchise.

DOLE 5 emphasized that two days is not enough for the agency to issue a clearance since a routine inspection of the premises and facilities of the venture or operator is necessary and a requirement before they can issue a clearance.

“We cannot just issue a DOLE Clearance. We have to examine their records thru routine inspection to determine whether or not they are complying with labor standards. They can’t come and order us to give clearance for reasons that they will incur penalties due to delay. They should have applied to us (DOLE) earlier instead,” Lacambra said.

Lacambra explained that securing a DOLE clearance, bus operators must first submit to the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) a part fixed and productivity based compensation scheme. After evaluation, RTWPB will then issue a certification which will endorse the same to the DOLE Regional Office. Upon receipt, the DOLE shall conduct an inspection of the bus company, its premises, workers and safety standards set.

If found with violation, the bus company is given one month to correct the violation and comply with the requirements of the DOLE.

It is only after these are complied before DOLE regional office can issue the Labor Standards Clearance.

DOLE- 5 has already processed, with no delays, about seven DOLE clearances while some 25 requests were already received by the office. Of the 25 requests, about four applied two days before the lapse of their franchise.

DOLE 5 advised the operators of these 4 bus companies to seek extension from the LTFRB pending the issuance of the DOLE clearance.

Lacambrahas reiterated that DOLE Department Order (DO) No. 118-12 was created to ensure road safety by making a more conducive and more ‘relax’ environment for drivers and conductors of buses.

The measure was implemented following an increasing incidence of road accidents brought about by buses racing for passengers were noted. (MAL-PIA5/DOLE/Albay)