14 island villages get services, facilities from Team Albay caravan

By Sally Atento-Altea

LEGAZPI CITY, June 13 (PIA) – Hundreds of residents of at least 14 villages in Cagraray Island availed of various services, programs and facilities given by the Team Albay Countryside Development Caravan (TACDEC) Friday last week at Cabasan, Elementary School.

"Salamat na nakaabot kamo digdi samu. Dakulang ginhawa ini samuya. (We’re thankful that you came. It’s a big relief for us), “said Nanay Alice, a nearby school vendor.

Erlinda Serrano, one of the barangay tanods assisting the caravan, added “Maray ngani nakadigdi kamo. Sana magbalik pa kamo giraray. (It’s good that you were able to come. We’re looking forward to your next visit).”

Some 35 government agencies, departments and private partners joined the last leg of the caravan under Governor Joey Salceda providing information services and humanitarian care and facilities.

The village recipients are Cabasan, Napao, Vinisitahan, Buang, Uson, Pongco, San Pablo, Langatan, Tanagan, Pigcobohan, Busdac, Tambilagao, Cawayan and Cagraray.

Hon. Roger B. Barrameda, Cabasan barangay captain, likewise expressed his gratitude to the organizers and members of the TACDEC citing the effort of the provincial government in uniting government and private partners to bring their services closer to Albayanos particularly those in far flung barangays such as Cagraray Island.

Each barangay recipient received hygiene kits from the Red Cross, trash cans from the Philippine Navy Tactical Operations Group 5, farming tools and seedlings of cacao, palay and pili from the Department of Agriculture and boxes of medicines from the Department of Health (DOH) and Albay Provincial health Office.

The Philippine Information Agency Albay led the information services facilitating the opening program and presentation of government agencies, private stakeholders and the programs and services they render.

Also among the services rendered are medical and dental mission including blood pressure screening, consultation and dispensing of medicines.

The Provincial Veterinary office led the animal health services such as anti-rabies vaccination, deworming, pregnancy diagnosis and vitamin supplementation.

Pregnant mothers and babies until 2 years old were given vitamins and fortified “Manna” food packs by the Dios Mabalos Po Foundation.

Skills demonstration, livelihood training and first aid training, umbrella and appliance repair, hair cutting and lectures on personality development and disaster risk reduction and preparedness were also given.

Salceda created the TACDEC Task Force through an executive order on July 2, 2013 as a strategy of effectively and efficiently providing the basic services and facilities. It evolves on the dynamism of convergence and synergy of local government units, national government agencies, civil society organizations and other stakeholders.

Its top aim is to smoothly and closely deliver the basic services and facilities, setting a stage of reaching out a strong linkage in delivering the needs on health, education, livelihood and vital economic programs with the infusion of adequate information leading to the attainment of peace and development.(MAL/SAA-PIA5/Albay)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2571465796027/14-island-villages-get-services-facilities-from-team-albay-caravan#sthash.zq5iD7Mo.dpuf

DTI-5 to MSMEs: “Dream Big!”

By Julius Embile

LEGAZPI CITY, June 13 (PIA) – “Dream big!” was the rallying call of the Department of Trade and Industry-Bicol Region (DTI-5) for the up-start entrepreneurs attending the Bicol Food Conference, held yesterday at Legazpi City,

Themed: “Promoting the Taste of Bicolandia”, the said conference was organized by DTI-5’s Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Development Commission in order to empower existing and potential micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) owners by sharing business knowledge and inspiration.

During the gathering, successful entrepreneurs who were once humble MSME owners rose to the occasion as keynote speakers. One of these speakers is Eufracio Ocampo, owner of the famous pasalubong-business “Sitsirya Sari-Sari”.

Firing-up the determination of the newbie business-folks in attendance, Ocampo shared his story on how he elevated his business from lowly beginnings to the thriving status it has today. In 1983, Ocampo and his wife found themselves jobless, but fears working abroad as it may tear their family apart. As a solution, the couple started a confectionary business with a meager Php 10,000.

The product that the Ocampos sold was an array of traditional delicacies from different regions of the country. Ingeniously packaged as great choice for gifts or giveaways, their products drew appeal from a wide and diverse market like tourists and OFWs.

Through hard work, the business grew in succeeding years. As of June 2015, “Sitsirya Sari-Sari” has a total of 17 company-owned outlets across the country, prompting the business towards franchising.

“We (DTI) have always encouraged them (the MSMEs) to dream big. We want them to prosper, not only in Bicol, but throughout the country, until they are ready to export”, said DTI-5 regional director Jocelyn Blanco.

Encouraging the Bicolano MSMEs to prosper as Ocampo did, DTI-5 has continuously promoted food business ventures across the region since 2007 through their Business Development Program.

Throughout the years, the program expanded from a handful of MSME beneficiaries to a large organization, devoted to the development of the food manufacture industry in Bicol. Surprised by how positive the region’s food industry stands, DTI-5 was commended by Undersecretary Zenaida T. Maglaya of DTI’s Regional Operations Group.

“I did not expect that Bicol has a food industry and community as large and interactive as this.” said Maglaya, who was also a guest of the Bicol Food Conference. (MAL/JBE/PIA5)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/3301465542028/dti-5-to-msmes-dream-big-#sthash.UlGmnHdH.dpuf

Tabaco City honors heroes for Independence Day 2016

By Julius Embile

TABACO CITY, June 13 (PIA) – Tabaco City Mayor Marie Demetriou has called on the citizenry to commemorate the independence our country crediting the heroes who fought and sacrificed to make it possible.

Today, in celebration of the Philippines’ 118th Independence Day, the city government of Tabaco has paid homage to the veterans and modern-day unsung heroes.

In accordance to this year’s theme: “Kalayaan 2016: Pagkakaisa, Pag-aambagan, Pagsulong”, Tabaco City’s celebration of the country’s day of independence implores to reflect on the teachings of the past in addressing modern day concerns.

The celebration program in Tabaco is highlighted by a wreath laying ceremony at the statue of the statue of the national hero, Jose P. Rizal, at the city’s central plaza. The event was headed by heads of Tabaco City’s LGU alongside representatives of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines.

“Our forefathers had paid the supreme sacrifice with their blood in order for us to reap the cherished fruits of unfettered freedom“, said Demetriou, as the veterans present on the occasion.

During her speech, Demetriou likened the battle for freedom in the olden days to the present-days’ struggle against poverty, ignorance, ecological abuse and criminality. She said it is a battle being fought today by unsung heroes like responsible parents, righteous and dutiful government employees, and vigilant citizens.

“Every day, there are unsung heroes in our government, in the private sector, and even at home, contributing greatly in our society,” said the Demetriou. “Let’s not neglect this opportunity for growth, not only for ourselves but for future generations”, she added.

To cap the celebration, blue and white balloons were released to the skies as a symbol of solidarity, care for freedom, and to honor all heroes both old and new. (MAL/JBE/PIA5)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/3301465867887/tabaco-city-honors-heroes-for-independence-day-2016#sthash.EDdAZwwx.dpuf

Bicol U targets SUC Level-5 status

By Julius Embile

LEGAZPI CITY, June 9 (PIA) – Aiming to be amongst the country’s world-class universities, the Bicol University (BU) now sets it sights in attaining a ‘State University and College’ (SUC) Level-5 status by 2018.

Fresh from having three of the university’s departments as ‘center of developments and excellence’, BU president Arnulfo Mascariñas plans to keep the momentum of achievements going by baring the administration’s plans of SUC Level-5 accreditation.

 The plan underpins the university’s performance targets along key result areas (KRA) specified on the recently released Department of Budget and Management-Commission of Higher Education (DBM-CHED) Joint Circular No.1 series 2016, also known as the revised FY 2016 SUC Leveling Instrument and Guidelines. Jointly formulated by CHED and DBM, along with the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC), the circular categorizes SUCs into five levels.

In accordance with the law, the SUC’s leveling is guided by principles of alignment with ASEAN standards, typology-based quality standards, and movement towards outcomes. SUC leveling will be along quality and relevance of instructions, research capability and output, community service, and resource management.

Based on the 2013 to 2015 statistics, BU was categorized as a Level-4 SUC. With this, Mascariñas is now rallying the faculty and staff of the university to push for the Level-5 status to “realize BU’s vision of a world-class university”.

To achieve this goal, Mascariñas said the school would be setting-up mechanisms ensuring collaborative work from the whole university. One of these is gearing the individual and office performance commitment review (IPCR/OPCR) towards the KRAs. The new IPCR and OPCR would be uniquely designed, as individual performance would affect college and department performance, and vise-versa.

“If we want to build a world-class university, it should start from our faculty members. I believe that the faculty members, our personnel, and our non-teaching staff, they are the best resources we ever have”, said Mascariñas

BU is also plans to send qualified applicants to top universities of the ASEAN region, such as the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University. Should BU achieve the said target, they would comparatively be one of the best universities in Asia. (MAL/JBE-PIA5)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/3301465456303/bicol-u-targets-suc-level-5-status#sthash.S2TjlWVs.dpuf

Catanduanes population growth rate decreases, Virac town most populated

VIRAC, Catanduanes, June 10 (PIA) - Based on the 2015 Census of Population, the average annual population growth rate (PGR) of Catanduanes is 1.11 percent for the period 2010 to 2015 which is slightly lower by 0.24 percent than the 2000 to 2010 PGR of 1.35 percent.

According to Ms. Anavi F. Camacho, Provincial Statistics Officer, the total population of the province of Catanduanes as of August 1, 2015 is 260,964 which is higher by 14,664 compared to the 2010 population of 246,300.  In 2000, the total population was 215,356.

Virac had the largest population with 73,650, followed by San Andres with 36,779 and Caramoran with 30,056.  The combined population of these three areas comprised  53.8 percent of the province of Catanduanes population.

Four municipalities had an average annual PGR which is higher than the provincial average for the period 2010 to 2015.  These are Caramoran (1.31 percent), Bato (1.20 percent), Virac (1.83 percent), and San Miguel (1.18 percent).

Among the top five barangays with largest population are San Isidro Village (4,905), Cavinitan (4,514), Cabugao (3,418), Bigaa (3,193), and Calatagan Proper (3,075).  On the other hand, the top five barangays with the least population are Sagrada, Baras (159), Quezon, Baras (131), Sta. Isabel, Bato (124), San Jose Pob, Virac (122), and P. Teston, Baras (85).

The POPCEN 2015 was undertaken by the Philippine Statistics Authority in August 2015 pursuant to Republic Act No. 10625, also known as the Philippine Statistical Act of 2013 and Executive Order No. 352 – Designation of Statistical Activities That Will Generate Critical Data for Decision-Making of the Government and the Private Sector, which stipulates the conduct of a mid-decade census primarily to update the population count in all barangays nationwide.

His Excellency President Benigno S. Aquino III declared as official for all purposes the population counts by province, city/municipality, and barangay, based on the POPCEN 2015 under Proclamation No. 1269 dated 18 May 2016.

The population counts were based on census questionnaires accomplished by about 386 enumerators deployed during the census taking in the province.

The successful completion of the census-taking was made possible with the support of the local and national officials, government agencies, local government units, media, private agencies, and non-government organizations. (MAL/EAB-PIA5/Catanduanes)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/841465799198/catanduanes-population-growth-rate-decreases-virac-town-most-populated-#sthash.mHJNGfgJ.dpuf