DPWH gets P351.9 M for various infra projects in Bicol

by Ed de Leon

LEGAZPI CITY, November 16 (PIA) - The Department Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional office here has disclosed today that some P351,950.000.00 was released by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to DPWH V for the implementation of various infrastructure projects in the Bicol region.

DPWH regional director Danilo Dequito said that the amount released is part of the P5.5 billion released to the DPWH central office under the P72 billion Accelerated Disbursement Program of the Aquino administration.

Dequito said the amount will be used for 38 projects distributed in the six provinces of Bicol for the construction of roads, bridges and flood control projects.

He furthered that the DPWH district offices in the six provinces will implement 37 of the projects while the regional office will implement one project worth P20 million.

He added that Albay was allocated P163 million for 13 projects, Camarines Sur P45.7 million for eight projects , Catanduanes P1.5 million for three projects , Masbate P2 million for one project and Sorsogon P84.7 million for seven projects.

The DPWH regional director said that he has directed the district engineers to fast track the implementation of the projects without sacrificing the quality of the projects once completed .(MAL/EDL, PIA V)

PILImania leads greening movement in Naga City

by Lizel S. Macatangay

CAROLINA, Naga City, November 16 (PIA) -- More than 1,200 health buffs and environmentalists trekked the mountainous area of Barangay Panicuason, Carolina , this city during the fun walk cum tree planting held over the weekend.

Dubbed as “Pilimania,”it is a city-wide planting, mostly of pili trees in the city outskirts, intended not just to promote the viability of the said nut but also to showcase the Nagueños’ strong resolve to combat the ill-effects of climate change by targeting 40,000 trees to be planted by 2012.

Fara R. Bongat, Naga City ’s First Lady, sits as chairperson of Pilimania 2011 Executive Committee. Bongat has been actively calling for the support of the residents, particularly those from barangay agricultural and residential zones, including those residing in subdivisionS to allot their spaces and vacant lots for the propagation of various tree seedlings.

On Saturday, participants of the activity convened at the Don Bosco College at Carolina, Camarines Sur at 7am bringing with them pili, mahogany and narra tree seedlings and took part in the “Lakadan ta, Pa-Isarog,” (Lakaw, Dalagan saka Tanom Pasiring Mt. Isarog) tree planting.

Started by some local government officials and employees in April 2011 where 12,000 pili trees were planted, Pilimania supporters now include green advocates from various educational institutions, government and private employees and individuals who have been behind the noble cause.

Pilimania, the first ever in the city is the centerpiece project of Mayor John Bongat under

his administration’s Greening Environment Protection, Entrepreneurship and Tourism (GrEET) Program. (MAL/LSM, PIA Camarines SUr)

PLDT's 'Gabay Guro' project benefits Bato
by Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, November 16 (PIA) -- Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) has benefited teachers both form elementary and secondary schools of Bato, Catanduanes in connection with the launching of its "Gabay Guro" project last November 4, 2011 in Bato Rural High School.

PLDT Vice-President Deng Kibanoff said that the project is an advocacy of PLDT Samrt Foundation for the teachers throughout the country. According to him, they will not become PLDT executives if not for their teachers and the project is one way of giving back to their mentors.

The project offers livelihood programs like internet cafe, inetrnet card, cellphone card wherein teachers will be officials dealers of PLDT facilities.

With regards to housing project, the official said that they are still in the process of negotiating with the Local Government Units (LGUs) of the 11 towns in the province. They are also offering scholarship programs for students who wish to take up education in college. At present, they already have 300 student scholars.

According to Bato Mayor Eulogio Rodriguez, when they heared about the project, they went immediately together with his wife Mrs. mely Rodriguez to the office of PLDT here and pledged their support to the project.

Meanwhile, teachers of the said town were thankful since the project is a great help to them. The training conducted by PLDT is according to them very helpful since it gave new knowledge and enabled them to reflect their jobs and duties as teachers.

Around 160 elementary and secondary teachers attended the training. (MAL/EAB, PIA Catanduanes)

Energy company trains host communities in disaster risk reduction

by Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, November 16 (PIA) -- A total of 2,500 participants from the five schools of the host communities of the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) underwent a training on disaster risk reduction early last week to provide them the better preparation should there be natural calamities like typhoons and earthquakes.

According to Eduardo Jimenez, senior supervisor of the Community Partnerships Department CPD) of EDC, the school – based disaster risk reduction orientation activity were participated in by Tublijon Elementary School, Gayong Elementary School, Sto Nino Elementary and High Schoosl, and Osiao Paglingap High School.

The activity was conducted with the team up of ABS-CBN Foundation Sagip Kapamilya Inc., EDC BacMan Safety Management Division, EDC Corporate Social Responsibility Department, Sorsogon City Department of Education and Sorsogon City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office.

Participants from the two barangays here that can only be reach via sea travel, Osiao and Sto Nino were taught on the use and importance of a life jacket when traveling at sea.

The local government has also issued a directive to all motor banca owners used as passenger vessel to have the necessary life jackets to be used by their passengers.

Meanwhile Marsha Alvarado of the EDC- CSR department explained to the participants the emergency preparedness tips contained in the poster calendar prepared by the company and were distributed to the schools, houses in the host communities after the training.

Volunteers from the Alitaptap Storytellers Philippines delighted the pupils and students with their amusing stories emphasizing the importance of disaster risk reduction preparedness during earthquakes and typhoons.

According to Jimenez, this activity is part of their company’s CSP program to enhance the knowledge and know-how of these local communities especially now that natural calamities have been one of the significant concerns here in the province and making communities aware of risk reduction.

According to Jimenez, EDc is committed to assist in providing information and training needs of these host communities and particularly to equip them with this timely training since Sorsogon is most frequented by typhoons.

He also emphasized that taking care of the environment is one of the key component in DRR significantly the planting of trees and avoiding illegal activities like cutting of trees, one of the reasons why some areas experience flooding and landslides.

The training acording to Jimenez has been successful that Barangay Emergency Response Teams (BERTs) have been organized after the three-day training with a composite structure and lists of volunteers coming from the barangays now trained and well equipped. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

1,123 4Ps beneficiaries of 3 towns to receive cash subsidy today

by Rosalita Base-Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, November 16 (PIA) -- Some 1,123 beneficiaries of 4Ps or Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program from the towns of Vinzons, Basud and San Vicente this province will receive today their cash subsidy under the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office (DSWD).

DSWD provincial link Gloren Redrico said that they are conducting today a pre-validation and afterwards the beneficiaries will receive the cash subsidy at the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP).

She said that a family can receive a cash subsidy to a maximum of P1,400 that depend on the qualified beneficiaries with P300.00 for each child (up to 3 children) and P500.00 for the mother.

The 4Ps beneficiaries should submit themselves to conditionalities of the program like the check-up at the health center, regular attendance of their children in school.

The beneficiaries to receive cash today include the 1,065 from the town of Basud, 11 from the town of San Vicente and 47 from the town of Vinzons where some of beneficiaries already received the cash subsidies last October.

The cash subsidy to receive by the beneficiaries today is for the month of July to August and the amount will depend on the qualified members of the family.

There are 24,759 beneficiaries of 4Ps in the province from the ten towns out of 12 namely Capalonga, Sta. Elena, San Lorenzo Ruiz, Mercedes, Basud, Jose Panganiban, Labo, San Vicente, Paracale and Vinzons.

It will be recalled that the 4Ps is an strategy of the government that provides financial assistance to poor families to help improved their health, nutrition and education specially to children 0-14 years old. (RBM/PIA Camarines Norte)

Albay dismisses high school and elementary classes

LEGAZPI CITY, November 15 (PIA) -- The provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) of Albay has directed the early dismissal of classes in both the elementary and high school levels this morning in the wake of the heavy rains that are likely to accelerate until this afternoon.

Albay Governor Joey Salceda, chair of provincial DRRMC, said the early dismissal of classes took effect before noontime today covering all elementary and secondary schools, both private and public schools, in the entire province.

The issuance cites that"even in the absence of signals from Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (Pagasa) further in view of emerging consensus that the rains are likely to accelerate, we hereby order the early dismissal of classes in both in private and public kindergarten, elementary and secondary schools in the entire province of Albay."

Salceda furthered that school administrators and teachers should advise their students to no longer report in the afternoon.

Also due to the classes dismissal, parents were more over advised to fetch their children from school.

"This is an early dismissal, not a suspension, thus classes automatically resume tomorrow without need for an advise," Salceda stressed. (MALoterte, PIA V/Albay)

TESDA-Cam Sur holds skills competition
by Lizel S. Macatangay

NAGA City, Nov. 15 (PIA) -- In preparation for the Regional Skills Competition on November 17 and 18, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)- Camarines Sur conducted the Provincial Skills Competition 2011 at the Naga College Foundation (NCF) this city over the weekend.

Representatives from three competing schools; Naga College Foundation (NCF) , Philippine Computer Foundation College (PCFC) and Word Resources Institute (WRI) wrestled the championship throne to beat their respective opponents in software application, graphics design and web page design categories.

Under the software application competition, Marco O. Ret of PCFC grabbed the top prize after proving to the jurors his expertise in document processing, spreadsheets and data base.

Meanwhile, Raymund T. Villar, another student of PCFC and Bryan B. Orcine of WRI were able to seize the prize under the Graphics Design and Web Page Design Categories respectively.

TESDA Regional Training Center based in San Jose, Camarines Sur also conducted the same exercise where Camarines Sur Institute of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (CASIFMAS) and RTC Pili for Refrigeration Technique both vied for the top plum during the said competition. Jomer W. Olitoquit of CASIFMAS was declared the winner.

Provincial winners from the six provinces in the region will compete in the Regional Skills Competition at the RTC Pili. Contenders will try to beat their opponents on their proficiency on eight trades: Cooking, Restaurant Services, Welding, Electrical Installation, Software Application, Web Design, Smoked Fish and Feed Formulation.

TESDA–Camarines Sur OIC Provincial Director Emmanuel H. Buban said that the activity aims to showcase the expertise of technical vocational students and harness their skills in their chosen fields of endeavor.(LSM, PIA Camarines Sur)

Project 11-11-11 has 118,000 trees planted
by Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, November 15 (PIA) -- The Congressional District Office (CDO) here in Catanduanes recorded a total of 118,883 trees planted during the Project 11-11-11 tree planting activity last November 11, 2011.

The province-wide whole-day activity was participated in by different sectors of the community namely barangay councils, water/energy providers, private offices, government agencies, municipal LGU’s, schools (elementary, secondary, tertiary), various organizations, private individuals and the contractor association.

A large percentage of the planted trees came from municipal LGU’s of the 11 towns in the province that planted a total of 61,500 seedlings province-wide. Those covered by various organizations recorded a total of 17,170, 13,240 from the government offices, 7, 600 from contractor association, 6, 021 from barangay councils, 8,798 from various schools in Virac, 2,050 from water/energy providers, 2,194 from private individuals and 310 planted seedlings from private offices.

According to Congressman Cesar V. Sarmiento, the event was a big success. “The support extended by the many sectors in the province (local government units (provincial government, 11 towns and barangays, schools, students, government agencies, non-government organizations, etc) was overwhelming and impressive” he added.

He likewise extended his gratitude to everyone who supported his initiative.

On the same day, the solon planted a tree with Court Administrator Midas Marquez before the unveiling of the marker for the statue of the Lady Justice in front of the Catanduanes Hall of Justice where the latter is the guest of honor. (EAB, PIA Catanduanes)

COMELEC distributes voter’s ID, urges for registration

by Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, November 15 (PIA) -- According to provincial election supervisor Atty. Ma. Aurea C. Bo-Bonao, registered voters who validated their registration from 2007-2010 can now claim their respective voters ID in COMELEC Offices in their respective municipalities.

Atty. Bo-Bonao also urged those who are not yet registered and would like to vote on the coming election to register now in their respective offices to be able to practice their right to suffrage in the coming election.

To register, any individual with age of 18 and above must bring valid ID like current employee ID, Postal ID, School Id or Library card, senior citizens ID, Driver;s License, Passport, SSS/GSIS ID, PRC, NBIor PNP Clearance.

They must also fill up three copies of application form for the new voters, let the officer get their biometrics (Digital Picture, specimen, signature, finger print) and the office might also asked for their birth certificate. On the other hand, old voters who don't have yet biometrics and who wish to vote on 2013 should go to COMELEC offices for their biometrics.

They likewise advise the public to avoid rush days and go to COMELEC offices as early as possible. (MAL/EAB, PIA Catanduanes)

NFA steps up I-Rice promotion in Masbate

MASBATE CITY, November 15 (PIA) -- The National Food Authority (NFA) has intensified promotion of iron-fortified rice (I-Rice) in Masbate province to address prevalence of chronic malnutrition resulting in anemia among children of preschool age.

NFA Masbate provincial manager Eden Redillas over the weekend said the agency’s regional office based in Legazpi City has augmented the supply of I-Rice in the province sold at P27 per kilo to encourage Masbateños to make use of this iron reinforced grain in preventing anemia among family members, especially children.

“We have launched an intensified campaign to bring I-Rice to as much as possible all the dining tables particularly that of the marginal sector in the province that cannot afford highly nutritious food to balance their diets thus making them highly vulnerable to malnutrition,” Redillas said.

Present in the launching activity held here last week were City Mayor Socrates Tuason and several town mayors, municipal health officers, rural health and school nurses, barangay health workers and town councilors heading the committees on health of their respective local legislative councils.

Redillas said she invited these officials so that she could solicit their support in enjoining their constituents to eat I-Rice that offers great nutritional value in preventing anemia, a blood condition in which red blood cells are deficient in hemoglobin, resulting in poor health.

Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-FNRI) reports showed Masbate ranks fifth among the 25 provinces in the country where chronic malnutrition resulting in anemia is prevalent among children of preschool age.

The most common cause of this condition is lack of dietary iron which I-Rice could address being fortified with iron, Redillas said.

Citing a report of the DOST-FNRI, the provincial NFA chief said chronic malnutrition affects a very high percentage of preschoolers aged 0-5 in the province where the underweight-for-age prevalence was at least 30 percent.

The province had 7.1 percent wasted preschoolers and 14.9 percent are also underweight and 9.1 percent are stunted. In Bicol, Masbate ranks first both in underweight and stunted and comes fourth in wasted preschoolers. (MAL/DOCalleja)

Bicol gets P156 million for repairs of typhoon-damaged infrastructures, roads - DPWH V
by Ed de Leon

LEGAZPI CITY, November 14 (PIA) - President Benigno S. Aquino III has ordered the release of an initial P156,250,000.00 to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional office here for the repair and rehabilitation of vital infrastructures damaged by the series of typhoons that hit Bicol recently, according to top official of DPWH V.

DPWH V regional director Danilo E. Dequito said that the fund release was part of the P1.197 billion calamity fund released nationwide.

He said that DPWH Sec. Rogelio Singson directed them to speed up the implementation of these rehabilitation projects without sacrificing the quality of the restored damaged infrastructures.

He said the amount will be used for the implementation of 32 rehabilitation projects in the six provinces of Bicol.

The DPWH regional director said that Albay was allocated P98 million for the implementation of nine rehabilitation projects in the three districts of the province while Camarines Sur was allocated P35 million for seven projects, Camarines Norte P17 million for four projects, Masbate P2 million for one project , Sorsogon P2 million for three projects and Catanduanes P1.5 million for also three projects.

It may be recalled that Bicol was affected by series of typhoons that hit the country recently namely: typhoons “Juaning,” “Mina,””Pedring,”and “Quiel” which triggered flash floods and landslides in many parts of Bicol that caused damages to roads, bridges, flood control structures and schools buildings and irrigation facilities. (MAL/EDLeon, PIA V)

P500M initial fund for flood pumping system assured

by Manny P. Solis

LEGAZPI CITY, November 14 (PIA) -- Malacañang has assured the city government here of an initial funding of P500 million for the establishment of flood water pumping stations in four strategic sites in the city.

City Administrator Noel Rosal said the allocation has been included in next year’s budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and it will be released as soon as the 2012 National Appropriations Act Act is enacted by Congress and signed into law by Pres. Benigno Aquino III.

“This P500 million fund will just be an initial release which would be used in civil works like the improvement and construction of flood control dikes, drainage systems and seawalls in Barangays San Roque, Bayabay and Victory Village as well as along the Macabalo River,” he said.

Following the construction, pumping stations each in these four sites will be put in place to pump flood waters out into the sea to address the perennial problem of flooding within the city’s commercial and residential areas during heavy downpours, according to Rosal.

“This will be the first of its kind flood mitigation structure which will be put up in the Bicol Region and its design is the same with the pumping stations of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) patterned with the project of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA),” he said.

Each of the four pumping stations, according to Engr. Noel Encarnacion, chief of the Construction Division of the City Engineering Office (CEO), would be equipped with a 1.5 diameter water pump capable of pumping out three cubic meters of water per second.

“Under the guidance of then city mayor now CA Rosal, we completed the study on the flooding problem being experienced by the city in 2009. We then developed a proposed solution which is pumping and after preparing the design of the pumping stations, we submitted it to Malacañang last year and it was approved,” Encarnacion said.

Rosal said the implementation of this project will start in early next year based on the assurance made by the Office of the President and the DPWH Central Office of the funding allocation.

“It will signal the coming of the ultimate solution to the problem on flood that the city had been suffering since time immemorial,” he said.

Since the funding of P500 million is only an initial amount that would finance only the civil works, “we are also assured of additional allocations for the acquisition, installation and operations of the giant water pumps to the tune of over a billion pesos more,” Rosal added. (MAL/MPS, LGU Legazpi City)

Albay girl scouts promotes no smoking campaign via SFAN challenge

by Aida Alcazar-Naz

LEGAZPI CITY, November 11 (PIA) -- Children, girls at that can be effective advocates of no smoking.

Ligao City Vice Mayor Patricia G. Alsua said that when girl scouts throng in government buildings and public places in the city to promote no smoking she found the activity very effective.

Ligao, a no smoking city based on an ordinance passed by the sangguniang panglungsod this year was the exemplar for no smoking campaign by the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) Albay Council and the Smoke-Free Albay Network (SFAN) of the Provincial Government of Albay.

Some 1,200 girl scouts who participated in the Albay encampment on the theme Girl Scouts Save the Planet willingly participated in the SFAN challenge in the afternoon of October 27.

The girls whose ages range from 10 to 16 were divided into four groups and enthusiastically did their tasks.

The S group posted stickers in public utility vehicles particularly, jeepneys and tricycles, while the F cluster visited the city hall and nearby public buildings looking for ashtrays and encouraged the owners to keep them if not throw them away. Ashtrays are prohibited in government offices based on Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 17 series of 2009 and DILG Circular no. 2011-15.

Meantime, the A gang appealed to smokers to stop smoking and if needing help to inform SFAN so that they can be enrolled in a cessation program. The N group posted no smoking sign in public offices.

According to Haidie Rivera of a non-government organization Advantage who accompanied the A group young, girls are effective promoters of no smoking as they were able to convince smokers to kick the habit.

Herbert Mayores, director of AMA College Legazpi described the positive reaction of people when the group he accompanied started posting signages in public buildings.

Each group was accompanied by adult scout leaders, SFAN members, and elements of the Philippine National Police during the SFAN challenge held at the poblacion of Ligao City.

Alma Lozada former GSP Albay executive director now SFAN member representing Bicol University Extension Service Center said that the SFAN challenge was the first ever in any GSP encampment.

The purpose of the activity did not only made the scouters promoters of no smoking but as an approach of educating girls that smoking is not good for the health whether one is a smoker or passive smoker.

The Albay Girl Scouts Encampment wash held October 24-29 at Kawakawa Ligao City, Albay. (MAL/AAN, PIA V)

Training on Community Base Monitoring System in Camarines Norte

by Rosalita Base-Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, Nov. 14 (PIA) -– A four day training on Community Base Monitoring System (CBMS) through map digitizing was conducted November 8-11 at the Audio Visual Production Center (AVPC), provincial capitol spearheaded by Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) of the provincial government.

PPDO Architect Madonna Abular said the CBMS, through the use of computer program installer, will measure the prevalence of poverty and other basic data on health, employment, income, housing and others that will also serve as guide for planning of programs and projects of the government.

The outputs of the training were the graphs, maps and tables of the data coming from the survey that has been conducted previously by the municipalities in their constituents.

She said the training was attended by the Municipal Planning and Development Officers (MPDOs) of the 12 municipalities of the province.

She said topics discussed during the first day of the training include: installation of CBMS tools, producing core indicator using statsim, customizing table using statsim while on the second day were matching of statsim data outputs, digitizing maps and exercises on map digitizing.

Other topics for the 3rd and 4th day include the continuation of map digitizing, matching statsim data outputs, exporting CBMS core indicators data from statsim, importing statsim output in the CBMS database, exploring map layer properties, poverty mapping using the CBMS database, poverty mapping and interpreting indicator maps.

This was the 3rd training conducted on CBMS for MPDOs for updating the data base every 3 years in each municipalities of the province. (RBM, PIA Camarines Norte).

BIR Bicol surpasses anew collection target for September

LEGAZPI CITY, November 11 (PIA) -- The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) regional office here bares that revenue collection in the Bicol region for the month of September 2011 has reached P381,063,411.57 million against its goal of P344,943,000.00, with an increase of P36.1 million or 10.47 percent,

BIR V director Esmeralda M. Tabule, who just warmed her seat as new regional chief for more than a month, has already shown much effort to meet the collection target with the hope of making it until the remaining last quarter of 2011.

Tabule has commended during their regular monthly staff conference last month all the revenue district officers in the region for surpassing their respective collection targets, further urged them to sustain their good performance until the year ends.

Collection from income has registered the highest collection among the different type of taxes with a total of P249.7 million followed by VAT with P97.9 million, percentage tax of 18.2 million, other taxes of P12.7 million and excise tax with 2.3 million.

Among the seven district offices in the Bicol Region, the revenue district office in Masbate City (RDO-70), headed by Melquiades A. Cancela, topped the collection effort with P38.016 million for a 30.86 percent increase over its P29.052 million target; followed by RDO-65 (Naga City), under Socorro R. Lafuente, for attaining a total collection of P109.838 million which is higher by P22.242 million over its P87.596 million goal. RDO-69 (Virac, Catanduanes), under Ma. Teresa Noemi A. Pizon, is the third collection performer collecting some P21.077 million, exceeding its P17.423 million goal by P3.6 million or 20.98 percent.

Other two district offices that surpassed their respective goals are RDO-68 (Sorsogon City), under Ma. Thelma F. Pulhin, which collected P34.827 million for an increase of P5.2 million or 17.90 percent over its P29.540 million target and RDO-64 (Daet, Camarines Norte), led by Nemesia G. Diano got P43.779 million collection against P31.538 million goal for a P3.2 million increase or 10.28 percent.

RD Tabule is optimistic to achieve this year’s last quarter goal, working together as a team with her Assistant Regional Director Elisa B. Pelljera, both of whom have committed to pursue and uphold the thrusts of the Bureau. (MAL/RMPalmiano, BIR)

Project “PRESERVE”, a biodiversity conservation program for Bulusan Volcano park
by Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, November 11 (PIA) -- The Aggrupation of Advocates for Environmental Protection (AGAP) Bulusan, through its president , Philip Bartilet presented recently here at the Bulusan Volcano Natural Park (BVNP) the logical framework of project “PRESERVE”, a mechanism to involve residents within the 6 barangays of the BVNP to take care of its rich biodiversity and eradicate illegal activities within the area.

This project, according to Bartilet will provide an alternative source of livelihood to those persons who have been continuously conducting illegal activities within the area to totally refrain from such activities and eventually become the first persons to take care of the rich biodiversity of the BVNP as they will be trained to become eco-tourism guides and forest rangers with monthly compensation benefits.

They will be called Wildlife Environmental Officers (WEOs) and will be accredited by the Department of Tourism as tourism guides and forest rangers of the BVNP .

Bartilet explained that the project has now been approved and will be funded by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

He said that the general aim of the project is to organize and mobilize communities in the BVNP area as a participatory people’s mechanism to mainstream biodiversity conservation, institute local policies and come up with a resource-based management plans for the BVNP.

The project will harness the efforts of multi-sector representation from the 6 barangays within the BVNP to organize themselves into an environmental biodiversity para-legal protection units.

It will focus on field research, organize monitoring teams that will continue to provide information education campaign dissemination through a regular “Dalaw Turo” within the 6 barangays of the BVNP

Eight courses will be provided that will focus on the environmental biodiversity richness of the BVNP, how it should be conserved and the bright prospects of the BVNP as a prime tourism destination.

The project has also identified the rehabilitation of a 50 -hectare denuded biodiversity habitat and projected to be reforested within 2 years.

The propagation of 20,450 agro-forestry seedlings will be placed in the 6 proposed barangay nurseries within the BVNP. Seedlings to be planted will comprise of pili, cacao, coffee and with 6,000 seedlings more of endemic hardwood and watershed forest trees.

The project will highlight the monthly monitoring of the activities, and a publication of the inventory of the existing flora and fauna as an ecological profile of the BVNP. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

12 Establishments cited in DTI Bagwis Awards

LEGAZPI CITY, November 11 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Bicol regional Office has cited establishments that practice fair business and uphold the rights and welfare of consumers through its Bagwis Program.

Bagwis Program mandates setting up of Consumer Welfare Desks in business places aimed at providing accessible and speedy resolution of complaints to consumers.

For this year, a total of 12 establishments received the DTI Silver and Bronze Bagwis Seal of Excellence after having met the criteria under the said program.

The awards program is recognized by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the ASEAN Committee on Consumer Protection (ACCP) as one of the best practices of the country in Consumer Protection.

DTI Silver Seal of Excellence was conferred to Robertson Department Store (Cam. Sur), Robertson Department Store (Sorsogon), Willy & Son’s Corp. (Catanduanes), Century Family Mall (Catanduanes), MotortradeTopline Inc. (Catanduanes) and Catanduanes Bazaar (Catanduanes).

DTI Bronze Seal of Excellence awardees are Nikki Electronics (Sorsogon), Cler Centro Mart (Albay), Guinobatan Shoprite (Albay), Houseware Plaza(Cam. Norte), Ricasio Hardware (Cam.Norte) and Olivan Builders (Cam.Sur).

The citations were given in time for the Bicol Consumers Assembly last November 8 La Roca Veranda Suites & Restaurant here

DTI V is very much pleased that more and more establishments have recognized the necessity to obtain the Bagwis Seal to not only help the consumers and enterprises, but most importantly, to help themselves grow as model businesses. (MAL/DTI V)


Sarmiento, Justice Marquez lead unveiling of lady justice statue

by Edna A Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, November 11 (PIA) -- Congressman Cesar V. Sarmiento of the Lone District of Catanduanes led the unveiling of the statue of Lady Justice in front of the Hall of Justice, Provincial Capitol Compound, Virac, Catanduanes this morning, November 11, 2011 with Supreme Court of the Philippines' Court Administrator, Hon. Jose Midas P. Marquez as the guest of honor.

The event also coincides with the tree planting activity dubbed as project 11-11-11 which was also initiated and spearheaded by the Congressman.

The construction of statue of the Lady of Justice was commissioned and funded by Congressman Cesar V. Sarmiento amounting P350,000.

In his speech, Rep. Sarmiento said that the statue will serve as the image of the strong belief and confidence in the power and supremacy of the law as well as the trust in the justice system of the people of Catanduanes.

"As the statue shows us, the scales that the lady justice hold represent the impartiality with which the justice is served; the sword signifies the power that is held by those making the decision and the blindfold shows that justice is not subject to influence", he added.

Furthermore, according to the solon, justice is all about caring, sharing and giving what is due and rightful, honest and fair to our fellowmen and the surroundings.

Also present in the occasion is Bishop Manolo A. delos Santos of the Diocese, Hon. Lelu P. Contreras and a representative of Governor Joseph C. Cua. (EAB, PIA Catanduanes)

15 vocational graduates undergo business management training

by Rosalita Base-Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, November 11 (PIA) -- A total of 15 graduates of vocational courses were given a one day Business Management Training aimed to equipped them knowledge on handling business spearheaded by the provincial government through Public Employment Service Office (PESO) recently.

PESO Manager Nida N. Tosoc said that the15 were the graduates of vocational courses from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) subsidized under the program of the Camarines Norte Provincial Government College Education Assistance Program.

She said that they were trained on how to start a small business with meager capital and ways on how to make business become successful.

The trainors include: Trade and Development Specialist Alvin Sayno and Liza Sarical from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

It will be recalled that the 15 graduates also received Kabuhayan Starter Kit from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) last September 21.

Kabuhayan starter kit include equipments/tools/ kit for automotive mechanic, welding, electronics, electrical installation, beauty care and hairdressing and others. (MAL, RBM,PIA Camarines Norte)

DSWD bares anti-poverty gains in Bicol under P-Noy administration

LEGAZPI CITY, November 10 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has strengthened its implementation of various poverty alleviation programs in Bicol under the administration of President Benigno Aquino III that have been showing success in breaking the lingering string of dearth pinning the poor to the vicious cycle dependency.

The approach of working hand in hand with various government agencies, foreign donors, local government units (LGUs) and other stakeholders in the implementation of these programs has been proving effective given the fact that it has involved almost everybody in identifying the root cause of the problem and delivering the solutions.

“Through the processes undertaken by the project, community members became more active in terms of participation. They realize the importance of their contribution to community development and nation building as ordinary members of the community,” Remia Tapispisan, DSWD regional director for Bicol said here on Tuesday.

For one, Tapispisan cited the remarkable achievements of the government’s anti-poverty campaign under the Poder Y Prosperidad dela Comunidad or PODER program which is being implemented through a grant from the Spanish government’s Agencia Española Cooperacion International para El Desarolio (AECID).

PODER has already completed five phases of its project implementation in Bicol where among the beneficiaries are the municipalities of Minalabac and Presentacion in Camarines Sur and Paracale and Sta. Elena in Camarines Norte.

In Minalabac, Tapispisan said 25 barangays with a total of 8,517 households are now benefiting from the school buildings, day care centers, health stations and water systems constructed through PODER funds and a counterpart from the municipal government. Roads were also improved to facilitate easy transport of the farmer’s agricultural produce to the market.

In Presentacion, PODER focused its project implementation in 12 prioritized barangays with about 3,820 households now being benefited by similar facilities given to Minalabac barangays. Flood control systems, sea wall and barangay roads were also constructed in this municipality.

In Paracale, she said 11 minor infrastructures such as school buildings, water systems, day care centers, health centers and barangays roads needed by nearly 3,000 impoverished households have put in place. All these projects cost a total of P15.5 million, P4.7 million of it provided as counterpart by the LGU.

Another program is the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) presently being implemented in Bicol’s six provinces initially covering 65 of the region’s 107 municipalities and seven cities with 140,523 beneficiary families.

Each of these beneficiaries with three qualified children receives a subsidy of P1,400 a month during the school year to be used for educational expenses. A maximum of three children per household is allowed and an additional P500 a month per household is given for health and nutrition expenses.

“So far we can say that the implementation of the CCT in Bicol has provided hope to these marginalized sector of society which under the P-Noy’s administration is a priority so that poverty in the countryside is remedied", Tapispisan said.

Then next year comes the implementation of Makamasang Tugon (MT), a Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) -funded poverty alleviation program of the administration of President Benigno Aquino III that will benefit 18 impoverished municipalities in the region.

With the US$ 120 million funds in grant from the MCC, a US-based funding institution, the MT will be able to serve municipalities previously covered by the Kapit Bisig Laban Sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDDS), a community driven development initiative implemented by the government through a World Bank (WB) loan from 2003 to 2010.

Of this fund, the Bicol was allotted a total of P434 million which would further allow selected local communities to be trained to choose, design and implement sub-projects that address their most pressing need like small-scale infrastructures like farm to market roads, water systems, school buildings, day-care centers, drainage systems, multipurpose hall and seawalls, among others, Tapispisan said.

Once fully realized, she said these projects under the MT, being the national government's framework program for a focused, accelerated, convergent and expanded strategy to reduce poverty by providing interventions on asset reforms, human development services, capacity building and participation in governance, would promote sustainable growth across the region. (MAL/DOCalleja)


Council for the protection of children bares accomplishments

by Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, November 10 (PIA) -- Children’s Month celebration has been a rousing success boosting campaigns and advocacies for the protection of the rights and ensuring the welfare of the children in the province of Sorsogon.

Myra Relativo, assistant provincial head of the Sorsogon Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) and coordinator of the Council for the Protection of Children (PCPC), said the observance was highlighted by hundreds of children and stakeholders from different localities in the province convening in a Children Congress showcasing poster making contest focusing on the theme "Local Council for the Protection of Children para sa Bright Child : Pakilusin, Palakasin, Pagtulungan Natin".

A program highlighting the different skills and talents of children in singing, dancing and drama was also well participated in by children who rendered prepared numbers focusing on their own issues.

Three non-governmental organizations with child focused advocacies convened also at the PSWDO last month to discuss programs and projects and where each can provide areas of complementation and fund sharing in the several activities scheduled next year Relativo explained.

Josephina B. Deri, federation manager of FACE, a non-governmental organization that provides assistance to children spearheaded the Children’s Month celebration and was one of the accomplished activities of the council to celebrate children’s month.

Meanwhile Rico Guarino, Local Government Operations Officer V (LGOO ) of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) also reported that their agency will be conducting a reorientation program to local officials about the utilization of the 1% budget allocation for the council in the barangays.

Part of the PCPC accomplishment this quarter was the inter visitation conducted also in several municipalities to monitor the functionality of the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) with the Department of Education and Green Valley Development Program , both members of the council providing assistance.

Relativo also shared to the members of the council that she attended a meeting on feed backing of the implementation of the Early Childhood and Development held at Manila Hotel last Aug. 31, 2011.

The recommendation during the conference was to construct a Child Development Center here where a paid Child Development Worker will be trained and will be the regular staff of the center.

In the meeting , a team building activity was also scheduled this January to provide all the members of the council added skills in the functionality of the organization to be conducted by the Local Government Academy. (IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

Bicol Competitiveness Committee organized

by Ed de Leon

LEGAZPI CITY, November 10 (PIA) -- To improve the ranking of the country with respect to the “ease of doing business” in the country in general and Bicol in particular, the Bicol Competitiveness Committee (BCC) under the Regional Development Council (RDC) was formally organized the other day during its meeting held last Wednesday (Nov. 9) at the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) regional office here.

The committee was created during the August 26, 2011 RDC regular full council meeting through RDC Resolution No. 25 (Series of 2011) through the prodding of RDC chair Albay Gov. Joey Salceda after the presentation made by Guillermo Luz, national chairman of the National Competiveness Council, when it was shown that the Philippines was ranked 136 out of 183 countries rated in the category of the ease of doing business in the Country.

The committee is composed of the following member agencies DTI, DILG, DOLE, DOST, DOT, NEDA, PIA, six from Provincial Planning and Development Councils (PPDCs), seven from City Planning and Development Councils (CPDCs) and from the Local Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCIs).

During the conference the committee members agreed to immediately map out plans for implementation starting the first quarter of next year to significantly improve the environment in doing business in Bicol more particularly in standardizing the number of steps in the processing of application for the issuance of business permits and licenses issued by Local Governments Units (LGUs), reduced the cost of doing business and how to further improve productivity.

The Committee will also have a Technical Working Group that would meet regularly to tackle issues that could contribute to the easing of doing business in the region.

The meeting was presided by Director Romeo Escandor of NEDA. (MAL/EDL, PIA V)

Catanduanes, all set for 11-11-11 tree planting activity

by Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Nobyembre 10 (PIA) -- The 11-11-11 tree planting project spearheaded by the Congressional District Office under the leadership of Congressman Cesar V. Sarmiento of the lone district of Catanduanes is all set for tomorrow, November 11, 2011.

According to Cong. Sarmiento, the said program targets to plant 111,111 trees throughout the province wherein they would also like to steal the Guinness World Record for the most number of trees planted in a simultaneous tree-planting event under his project.

Local agencies and non-government organizations in the province already received last week 94,300 planting materials which mostly came from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

As a support, almost 3,000 magrove propagules will be planted by the provincial government together with its employees headed by Governor Joseph C. Cua in coastal areas and around 500trees will also be planted to areas affected by kaingin and illegal-logging.

In this connection, Gov. Cua issued a memorandum directing employees of the provincial government to join the one-day province-wide activity wherein employees who would fail to join have to give a formal letter of explanation to justify their reason for not joining the activity.

On the other hand, the 11 towns of Catanduanes have agreed to plant 65,000 trees that will be participated by volunteer schools, offices and private groups in their respective areas.

At present, almost 103,650 tree seedlings have already been distributed by the Congressional District Office which if planted this Friday will be twice the number of trees planted of the current world-record holder in simultaneous tree-planting event.

In Guiness Book of World Record, almost 7,000 participants simultaneously planted 64,096 na trees in 31,000 Hectares of land in the towns of Siruma and Tinambac Camarines Sur last February 23, 2011 sunder Governor LRay Villafuerte.

Meanwhile, Cong. Sarmiento is hoping for the success of the activity through the help of different groups which are expected to join the event.(MAL/EAB, PIA Catanduanes)


Antiques, primary attraction in Moseo de Catanduanes

by Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, November 10 (PIA) -- The newly opened Moseo de Catanduanes located at the Old Capitol Building, Sta. Elena, Virac, Catanduanes features different memorabilia and antique materials which refelect the long history of the province.

The Moseo was inaugurated last October 24, 2011 in line with the 66th Foundation Anniversary of Catanduanes.

According to Provincial Tourism and Promotion Officer Carmel Bonifacio Garcia of the Provincial Tourism, they are glad to introduce the bravery of the island’s ancestors and previous leaders through the materials used during those times.

Also in the moseo are religious artifacts, farm implements, historic memorabilias and other antiques which were donated by local citizens.

Mrs. Garcia also appealed to the public for more donations and encourgaed them to entrust to them the things used by their ancestors.

She also added that the establishment of the said moseo was made possible through the efforts of the Provincial Governor Joseph C. Cua as well as the Catandunganons who are inclined to the culture and heritage presentation like Dr. Estrella Placides of CSC and of the Catanduanes Culture Heritage Inc. (CCHI).

The moseo is open to public from 9-12 and from 1-4 p.m. (MAL/EAB, PIA Catanduanes)