PNP leads ‘Unity Walk’ for peaceful elections

By Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Jan 15 (PIA) -- Philippine National Police (PNP) Catanduanes Police Provincial Office (CATPPO) yesterday led a “Unity Walk and Prayer Rally for Secure and Fair Elections (SAFE) 2013.

The activity was conducted to drumbeat the significance of the elections and marked the start of the election period targeting the humane and spiritual side of the electorate.

It kicked-off at 6:30 am at Virac Town Plaza to CATPPO, Camp Francisco Camacho where a short program and an interfaith prayer was held.

In his message, PNP Provincial Director Eduardo Chavez urge the different sectors of the society to cooperate with PNP for the safe conduct of elections. According to him, the support of public as well as divine intercession is very significant in achieving their goal.

Among those who were present during the activity were officials of PNP Catanduanes, employees of Commission on Elections, DILG, PIA, BJMP, Bureau of Fire as well as non-government organizations and local media in the province.

The activity also coincides with the start of the election gun-ban.(EAB/ PIA Catanduanes)

9ID scores high in 2012

By Maj. Angelo Guzman, DPAO-9ID PA

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur, Jan. 14 -- The Philippine Army, led by the 9th Infantry (Spear) Division, operating in the Bicol has scored high in doing counterinsurgency campaign in the region.

Maj. Gen. Romeo V. Calizo, commanding general of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division, in his 2012 year-end report asserted that the Army is on the right track of significantly degrading the armed capability of the NPA.

“The Philippine Army is successful in breaking the will to fight of many rebels compelling a significant number of them to abandon the armed struggle and creating a peaceful environment conducive to sustainable development in Bicol Region,” Calizo said.

From January to December last year, the division recorded a total of 46 government-initiated encounters compared to 27NPA-initiated encounters that left 23 NPA rebels killed while 12 soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice of dying in the line of duty.

“The Army and the PNP reduced the rebel organization in Bicol by 69 for the year 2012. 23 rebels were slain during skirmishes while 17 were either captured or apprehended during combat operations. 29 others took the wise decision of returning to their families and live a peaceful life,” said Major General Romeo V Calizo, Commander of the 9th Infantry Division.

Military operations last year also yielded 36 high powered firearms, 31 low powered firearms, and 33 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) used as anti personnel and anti tank landmines from the rebels while the Army lost seven high powered firearms.

Early December last year, the 9th ID cleared 18 barangays in Camarines Norte free from NPA influence.

“There are 23 more barangays in Camarines Norte for validation this January for clearing, and I believe that these 23 barangays will satisfy all the parameters for an NPA influence free barangay,” said Lieutenant Colonel Michael Buhat, commanding officer of the 49th IB in Labo, Camarines Norte.

“We endeavor to reduce human rights violations as we abide by the law, rule of law and international humanitarian law. Being sincere to this, there was a significant decrease of human rights complaints against 9ID soldiers with just one (1) last year compared to 12 in 2011,” said Colonel Felix J Castro Jr, asst division commander and Human Rights Officer of 9ID.

“Our accomplishments for CY 2012 are testaments that the 9ID gained the upper hand in confrontations with the NPA in the region. Despite the death of some of our men in combat, relentless pursuit operations against the NPA have been exhausting their armed capabilities which diminish their will to fight,” said Calizo.

According to Calizo, the IPSP “Bayanihan” gives the same weight to combat and non combat means in pursuit of peace. In its perspective, winning the peace or preserving the relatively peaceful environment is the objective and not merely defeating the enemy.

“Our efforts on stakeholders engagement have been gaining more and more support from other sectors. As we continue to pursue the efforts to link with all agencies in the region, continued support towards improvement and development of communities are being felt by the people and there is a higher chance of success,” said Calizo, referring to the reduction of NPA’s mass support and prevention resource generation activities.

The implementation of stricter campaigns against insurgency in the countryside, helped in the decrease of the number of rebels operating there. The active presence of the Army and the incessant operations drove most of the rebels to voluntarily surrender because they are no longer able to move freely among the masses which they used to get support from by way of revolutionary taxes and other insurgent tactics.

The small community of rebel returnees is among the main focus of the Social Integration Program (SIP) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, particularly the 9th Infantry Division, in Bicol.

“Before, the rebels can freely go to the barangays in two’s, and the people already feel afraid,” said Major General Calizo. “But if they do that now, the people in the barangay will apprehend them and turn them over to the proper authorities.”

With the 9th ID’s significant accomplishments in Internal Peace & Security Operations, the NPA have been weakened. However, they have been effective in their recovery effort on their previously lost grounds. They managed to conduct several terror activities to convey their continued existence.

Due to the Division’s IPSO, the NPA’s extortion efforts and their influence on the masses have been significantly reduced.

Overall, 9ID campaign is on track towards the attainment of our objectives of “Winning the Peace” in Bicol region, Calizo said, the Division has been able to perform exceedingly well in our combat and non-combat operations. This could be attributed to a pool of well-motivated, well-trained and experienced personnel of the command who get the job done. (MAL/Maj. AGuzman-DPAO-9ID PA/PIA5)


DENR urges Bicolano foresters to support environmental initiatives

This includes simple acts as planting trees

LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 14 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) urges foresters and agriculture professionals in the Bicol region to support initiatives to safeguard the environment such as its National Greening and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) programs.

DENR Secretary Ramon J. Paje made the said call during the 100th year foundation anniversary of the Bicol University College of Agriculture and Forestry (BU-CAF) Guinobatan campus.

The Philippines, Paje said, is vulnerable to the effects of climate change wherein what we can only do is to adapt or mitigate initiatives to prevent the disastrous outcome of calamities citing in particular the destruction brought by typhoons Reming and Pablo which were five times worst than what Albay went through in 2006.

Taking part in the greening program of the department by planting trees along with other simple acts of showing concern for the environment are needed the most these days according to the official. (MAL/SAA-PIA5, ALbay)

DOLE, UNEP links for YES Program

By Analiza S. Macatangay

IRIGA City, Jan 12 (PIA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Bicol has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) today with the University of Northeastern Philippines (UNEP) for the full implementation of its Youth Enterprising Support or YES Program to reduce unemployment problem among the youth.

The measure also communes with the DOLE’s Working Youth Center program which endeavors to create more livelihood opportunities for the youth in consonance with its commitment to the Philippine Youth Development and Employment Agenda.

DOLE Bicol regional director Nathaniel Lacambra personally handed the Certificate of Accreditation to Atty. Remelisa Alfelor-Moraleda, UNEP president, in recognition of its capacity as co-partner to the different livelihood components of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Programs (DILP).

Lacambra said that he will aptly call the covenant as a” partnership of trust” since the DOLE will be entrusting a government fund to a private entity.

“We share the benefit of the government to able and willing partners who have showed their interest to partake of the government’s services. This is also the essence of the Public-Private Partnership that our present government is pursuing. This is a challenge for our students to pursue, persevere and insist in succeeding so that the government’s effort will not be wasted,” Lacambra said.

Moraleda welcomed the partnership with the excitement of giving another opportunity to UNEP students to explore other financial endeavors through the said partnership.

“UNEP has been exploring partnership with various government entities in the past. We have the office of the National Statistics Office (NSO) here inside the campus, partnership with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) , and DOLE has been a long time partner in some of the orientations that we are conducting inside the university. YES program, in addition is a welcome development since this will empower our students to boost their entrepreneurial skills and be their own managers in the future,” Moraleda said in an interview.

DOLE has approved the student’s business plans on Banana Chips enterprise, Choco Cup Phoria, Street Food vending, Emerald Cupcake Collection and HealhTea. These projects are worth P500,000.00. An equity of P100,000.00 will be coming from UNEP as its counterpart. (MAL/LSM-PIA5/Camarines Sur)


News Feature: Go Green Daet 2013, an environmental protection advocacy

By Rosalita B. Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, Jan 12 (PIA) –- Daet will feature its new environmental protection advocacy dubbed Go Green Daet (G2D). This is part of the local government's campaign under its slogan Daet On The Go launched last January 6.

Mayor Tito Sarte-Sarion said after promoting Daet via Visit Daet (V2D) 2012, the G2D will support and sustain the reason why the Balikbayans and tourists will go back to Daet more often.

The G2D has a 13 points agenda or plan of action for the protection of the environment which is also in line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to ensure environmental sustainability among the eight targets.

The first agenda is the 365 days tree planting activities wherein they will establish a municipal seedbank for tree planting; propagation of fruit bearing seedlings, bamboo and other ornamental trees in 25 barangays; and tree planting along river banks and public lands targetting 4,000-6,000 seedlings.

The Green Bridage as 2nd agenda will be having an education campaign on RA 9003 or ecological solid waste management program; strengthening of the 4H club, Rural Improvement Club (RIC) and environmental related non government organizations; and the celebration of the Green Brigade Achievement Day on November.

“Gulayan sa barangay at paaralan”, the 3rd agenda will be having a contest from February to July the “Magtanim upang hindi magutom”, a distribution of seed capital will be this month of January. Also included is the Brigada Eskuwela before and after class and the celebration of Nutrition Month.

The LGU will also adopt the environmental code at the barangay and municipal level as their 4th agenda together with the 5th agenda which is the mangrove plantation and coastal management with rehabilitation of 30 hectares mangrove in 5 coastal barangays, ecological tour, establishment of marine protected area and fish sanctuary, regular beach cleaning and sanctuary month.

An incentive program for environmental initiative as 6th agenda will conduct Search and Award for the “Special Environmental Initiative” in barangay level, school level, business level, NGO/private level.

They will also continue their clean and green program specially the monthly evaluation of clean and green activities and awarding of cleanest and greenest barangay as well as school landscaping and beautification as 7th agenda.

The Eco-House, a pilot project to serve as display area, training area and demo area as 8th agenda, a one week exhibit of recycled materials and selection and awarding of best recycled product will be conducted.

A pollution control and clean air-anti smoke belching as 9th agenda will have an strict implementation of smoking area in the office, no selling of cigarettes to minors, no smoking and oplan baklas of smoking promotional materials, its integration to health lesson, monitoring and banning of smoke belching vehicles and campaign against burning of rice straw and other garbages through the tri-media.

The other four remaining agenda include the anti-illegal logging advocacy, climate change adaptation, healthy lifestyle campaign and pro-Daet River Day campaign.

The said 13 points plan of action was an offshoot of the planning activity held December 18-20 last year by the different departments of the LGU-Daet.

The G2D program will be spearheaded by the LGU through the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR) as well as other concerned national government agencies.

Earlier in December 20 last year, a Resolution No. 250-2012 has been passed to support the G2D entitled “Resolution taking cognizance of the implementation of Go Green Daet program in the municipality of Daet, province of Camarines Norte by year 2013”.

The resolution states that solid waste became the most visible environmental problem of many local government units, including Daet and recognizing the need to address the environmental and social menace that is why the LGU-Daet prioritized proper solid waste management and environmental protection advocacy.

The G2D will likewise support economic growth in the municipality, the presence of clean and green community with a developing economy is one of the significant reasons for the visitors and balikbayans to come to Daet. (RBM/PIA Camarines Norte). -

10 CSU graduates among LET Top 10 regional placers

By Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Jan. 11 (PIA) -- Ten Catanduanes State University (CSU) students were cited by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) for being among the top 10 placers in the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) in Region V.

The LET regional placers from CSU are Carlito T. Gelito, 3rd placer (and 10th placer in National level); Joan S. Guerrero, 4th placer with 85.80 percent; Jinky Lou T. Sarmiento, 4th placer with 85.80 percent; Ronald A. Teves, 4th placer with 85.80 percent; Ian Lopez, 5th placer with 85.60 percent; Eddie Cadag, 6th placer with 85.40 percent; Donna Nerisse Sapico, 6th placer with 85.40 percent; Aizel Cerillo, 7th placer with 85.20 percent; Melvin Fernandez, 8th placer with 85 percent and Daniel L. Alfaro, 9th placer with 84.80 percent.

PRC, through its Board for Professional Teachers, also honors top 10 placers in LET regional levels aside from the top 10 national LET placers.

The awarding was the highlight of the oath taking ceremony of the LET placers and passers in Bicol.

Dr. Mila D. Vela, dean of the College of Education, led the CSU delegation in the conferment of the LET Regional Award.

The CSU College of Education is a Commission on Higher Education Center of Development in Teacher Education. (MAL/EAB/GSRubio-CSU/PIA5)


Evacuation center up for construction in Malilipot

By Sally Atento

LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 11 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the provincial government of Albay recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the construction of an evacuation center at San Jose Elementary School in Malilipot, Albay worth P10 million.

Evelyn Jerusalem, DSWD regional information officer, said that the project will benefit around 1,000 families from barangays San Roque, Canauay, Calbayog and San Jose.

“These barangays have been affected by flooding, lahar flow and landslides and remains susceptible and prone to the same hazards,” she said.

Jeruslaem added that the project is a multi-purpose center complete with facilities that can be used as evacuation center during disasters and calamities and as classroom during normal situations.

The project is part of the relentless campaign of the provincial government to achieve “zero casualty” during disasters where affected residents can take shelter in time when pre-emptive evacuation is advised. (MAL-SAA-PIA5/Albay)


Livelihood program under CRABS kicks off in 14 island village in Albay

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 11 (PIA) – Fourteen coastal villages in the islands of Cagraray in Bacacay and Batan in Rapurapu will benefit from the provincial government’s programs on poverty alleviation, hunger mitigation and population management.

Jeresha San Jose, program officer of the Albay Millennium Development Goals Office, said Batan and Cagraray (located in eastern seaboard of Bacacay and Rapu-Rapu towns ) are areas that the provincial government will be providing livelihood project comprising of training, production of specific raw material, product development and marketing.

The two villages were areas identified for economic development growth under the Cagraray, Rapu-Rapu, Batan and San Miguel Islands or CRABS program.

San Jose observed that for long time residents of these areas who depend their livelihood from producing and processing “Karagumoy” were never introduced innovation on technology or product development to improve their crafts and products.

Karagumoy, with scientific name Chlorophora Excels Calso), is also known as “screw pine” because of its pineapple-like leaves in corkscrew pattern and belongs to the specie of Pandan.

Products that can be derived from Karagumoy, which have been well-received both in the local and international market, vary from bags, organizers, baskets, wine holders to home décor like floor lamps, dividers, mirrors and even furniture.

Weaving of baskets from natural fibers like Karagumoy is the answer to reduce the proliferation of plastics that are non-biodegradable.

“The idea also conforms with the province’s policy and relentless drive to do away with plastic and “Balik Bayong” program of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) also to reduce to reduce garbage and pollution from plastic,” San Jose noted.

Karagumoy baskets have great potentials for export because other countries are also conscious of their environment and developing these baskets for export would mean livelihood and added income for the rural folks.

San Jose said that upon completion of training program, the community will be divided into cluster and each is entitled to receive P50,000 to P100,000 capital from, with zero interest payment to the provincial government.

CRABS program covers 60 barangays, including the island areas of Cagraray and Batan, that aims to transform the coastal and island areas of Albay into investment and eco-medical tourism destinations.

Aside from community empowerment through the provision of livelihood, the PHP program also aims to pursue community-based tourism in the CRABS areas.

Batan and Cagraray have common resources that can serve as a converging project for the coastal barangays. (MAL-PIA5/Albay)


MGB urges LGUs to take heed on geohazards warnings

LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 11 (PIA) -- With the recent spates of typhoons and continuous heavy rains, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has called on local chief executives in Bicol to take heed the warnings on the likelihood of geological hazard occurrence in their respective areas.

MGB OIC regional director Theodore Rommel E. Pestaño in a statement said, “on the on-set of the rainy season during the last quarter of 2012 which normally continues until the month of February, more landslides and flashfloods are expected in identified disaster prone areas in Albay, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon and Camarines Norte.

Pestaño noted that the bureau has already completed the geohazard mapping and assessment of the region in 2010 leading to the production of 1:50,000 scale geohazard maps.

“We have distributed these maps to most disaster prone LGUs down to barangay level in Bicol to integrate preparedness and mitigation, including possible relocation or evacuation, into their local disaster risk reduction planning” Pestaño explained.

“All 113 municipalities and cities region wide were covered in the MGB’s 1:50,000 scale geohazard mapping program” he said. This is to broaden public access to the geohazard maps which have become an important tool in disaster risk reduction and management, Pestaño added.

Pestaño also said the geohazard mapping program of the DENR is continuing with the launching two years ago of another major project to produce 1:10,000 scale geohazard maps for flood and landslide-prone areas nationwide.

”This project is called the densification of geohazard and climate change maps which aims to produce geohazard maps with scale of 1:10,000 covering critical areas to show more details of the area covered by the map and we have started the densification or enlarging of these maps.” Pestaño further explained.

Among the details that can be found in a 1:10,000 scale geohazard maps include location of populations at risk, parameters or features in the area that may affect ground stability and the type of landslides that can possibly occur. Relocation sites can now also be plotted in the 1:10,000.

“Selected municipalities and or cities in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon and Masbate in Bicol were covered in the densification project” Pestaño said.pointed out.

These 1:10,000 scale geohazards maps will be available by 2014.

“The geohazard mapping and assessment program of the DENR-MGB is an important component of the government’s risk reduction and disaster management program. The program involves the identification of areas in the country prone to various geologic hazards like rain-induced landslides, floods, ground subsidence or sinking, coastal degradation and other forms slope instabilities” Pestaño further said. (LDValdez-MGB5/MAL/PIA 5)

Daet to join the first Sister Cities International Inaugural Gala in the U.S.

By Rosalita B. Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, Jan. 10 (PIA) -- The municipal government of Daet has been invited to join the first Sister Cities International Inaugural Gala on January 17 at the United States Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C.

Mayor Tito Sarte-Sarion will represent the town together with other mayors in several cities and municipalities and other national officials as delegates of this country.

Mary D. Kane, president of Sister Cities International in his letter to Mayor Tito Sarion said as their national family does every four years, they will embrace the uniquely American tradition of the inauguration of the President of the United States, their honorary chairperson, this time for President Barack Obama.

She added that to celebrate the important day in the life cycle of their nation, the first Sister Cities International Inaugural Gala will showcase the important role of everyday citizen diplomats in their national efforts to promote peace and prosperity around the world.

She said Daet has been an essential partner and advocate in spreading the message of citizen diplomacy around the globe.

The participation in the said event will afford the participants the opportunity to be recognized their commitment to international diplomacy, celebrating the powerful impact of relationships formed across borders by citizens. (MAL/RBM-PIA5/Camarines Norte)


No reason to re-impose death penalty – Sen. Escudero
By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 10 (PIA) -- A Bicolano senator sees no reason to reinstate the death penalty, supporting President Aquino’s position amid calls for its re-imposition following a series of gun-related incidents in the country.

Senator Francis Escudero, chair of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, said that the death penalty will not stop criminals from carrying out their crimes.

“I have always said that it is still the certainty of punishment, not its severity, that will deter crimes,” Escudero said in a statement.

The senator, who voted to remove the death penalty from the country’s statute books in 1990, said strict implementation of the law, proper application of the justice system and protection by government law enforcement agents carrying out the law will deter crime.

Escudero added that even if the death penalty is in place, criminals, especially the wealthy ones, will still find ways to escape the arms of the law.

He cited the likes of Jovito Palparan, charged with a non-bailable offense, the Reyes brothers of Palawan accused as master minds in the death of a journalist and environmental advocate and Delfin Lee, accused of exploiting thousands of poor housing aspirants.

“Where are they? They can afford to hire good, expensive lawyers to keep them out of jail and outside the reach of the law,” Escudero said.

While acknowledging that criminals have become emboldened to perpetuate heinous crimes, it is still the certainty of punishment and not the kind and nature of punishment that will deter the commission of crimes.

“Let no one go above or around the law. No sacred cows, apply the law to those who are guilty, have been found guilty. We have to improve and perfect our country’s criminal justice system, it should be strictly applied to make it valid and credible,” Escudero said. (MAL-PIA5/Albay/Office of Sen. Escudero)