DSWD proposes establishtment of “Bahay Pag-Asa” in all local governments of Bicol

By Julius Embile

Legazpi City, Albay – In the wake of increasing number of ‘children in conflict with the law’ (CICL) in the Bicol region, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Regional Juvenile Justice and Welfare Committee (RJJWC) are now urging the local governments of Bicol to establish a “Bahay Pag-Asa” in their respective communities.

 “DSWD urges the local governments for the establishment of Bahay Pag-Asa in their localities in reference to Republic Act (RA) 9344 and amended by RA 10630, mandating operations of ‘Bahay Pag-Asa’ in every province and highly urbanized city.”, stated DSWD Bicol assistant regional director for administration Victoria Tagum.

The ‘Bahay Pag-Asa’ is a 24-hour child caring institution established, funded and managed by the local government units (LGU) and/or licensed non-government outfits (NGO). To date, there are twenty-one ‘Bahay Pag-Asa’ in nine regions across the country.

Its purpose is to provide short-term residential care for CICL’s between fifteen and eighteen years of age, while waiting for court disposition of their cases or transfer to other agencies. It is also a place where these youths, especially those below the criminal responsibility, are given necessary intensive interventions.

The establishments of ‘Bahay Pag-Asa’ also have the legislative backing.

Last April 21, DSWD and RJJWC held an orientation in Legazpi City, with the Provincial and City Social Welfare Officers, Budget Officers, and their committee members within Bicol, to discuss the guidelines on the operation of ‘Bahay Pag-Asa’.

The ‘Bahay Pag-Asa’ institutions have been given a nationwide budget of Php 400 million, and Php 5 million is to be allocated to the Bicol region. However, the program requires staffing and man-power composed of social workers, psychologists, medical doctors, nurses, and houseparent.

The provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur have been recommended to be prioritized for the said program due to high CICL incidences, as per the Social Welfare Office and RJJWC. Though there is already an existing Comprehensive Intervention Social Juvenile Program Plan in Naga City, the province is still in-need of the ‘Bahay Pag-Asa’, according to situational reports submitted to DSWD.

 DSWD stated that they will continue their efforts in pursuing ‘Bahay Pag-Asa’s realization. The department also affirmed that more orientations and meetings will be held for this program after the National Elections this May.  (MAL/LBE-PIA5)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/3241461808914/dswd-proposes-establishtment-of-bahay-pag-asa-in-all-local-governments-of-bicol#sthash.wTUCESM0.dpuf

BFP warns on unauthorized selling of flammable liquids in Sorsogon City

SORSOGON CITY, May 2 (PIA) – The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) central station here has warned the public of rampant selling of flammable/combustible liquids in this city with several complaints already lodged to the office of the fire marshal

Fire C/Insp. Walter Marcial of BFP Sorsogon City said his office has since last month received complaint that a private tricycle bearing plate number EA22182 was selling bottled gasoline at the tricycle terminal located at the lower level of former Sorsogon Shopping Center (Savemore) in Barangay Sulucan in this city.

“I am calling the attention of the public to be more vigilant and not to patronize the selling of flammable liquids without proper storage that is starting to be rampant in the city,” Marcial said.

According to him, this act is strictly prohibited by their bureau as it violates Section 10.3.4.2.1 of the Fire Code of the Philippines which states that “All flammable and combustible liquids shall be stored, handled, transported, used and manufactured properly”.

He further added that such practice is hazardous particularly in residential areas where loss of lives and properties may possibly happen.

Following notice of the rampant selling, Marcial took immediate and appropriate action on the matter and made proper coordination with the Local Government Units concerned and with the Philippine National Police.

“We had already informed the barangay official of identified location regarding this perilous act and we further advised them to report immediately any individual who illegally stores and sells flammable liquids”, said CINSP Marcial reminding intensely the public to be more cautious and intuitive to avert untoward circumstances.

In case of fire and other related emergency cases the BFP can be reached at their hotline numbers 421-6320 and 09094567636. (MAL/BAR/BFP-PIA5/Sorsogon)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/801462143566/bfp-warns-on-unauthorized-selling-of-flammable-liquids-in-sorsogon-city#sthash.gjwAgPUO.dpuf

Feature: Omar and the Gems of Donsol

SORSOGON CITY, April 30 (PIA) – One sunny Saturday morning in the middle of March, four Canadian tourists landed on the shores of Donsol in the province of Sorsogon, Philippines.

From the looks on their faces, one could guess that they just had an exciting interaction with the gentle whale sharks, a popular activity for visitors in the area. They were ecstatic and animatedly talked about their latest marine adventure.

Alighting from the white motorized boat too was Omar Nepomuceno, one of the very first marine tour guides in Donsol.

It was in 1998 when the bounty of marine resources of Donsol was unraveled. A sleeping town in the northwestern part in the province of Sorsogon, the municipality of Donsol was reported to be rebel-infested locality during the 70s, affecting economic growth in the area.

Little did the people of Donsol know that their waters were inhabited with giant mammoth fish or whale sharks (scientific name is Rhincodon Typus), locally known as butanding. They did not expect that these gentle giant sea creatures would eventually open up tourism and bring Donsol to the international scene, boost economy, and provide employment and livelihood to the people.

Seeing these opportunities, the Provincial Government of Sorsogon forged a tripartite agreement among the Municipal Government of Donsol, the Department of Tourism (DOT), and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in 1999. DOT was to lead tourism promotion and marketing and training of marine eco tour guides. WWF would do research and monitoring. And, the Donsol municipal government was in charge of managing of tourism products and day-to-day operations.

Through this agreement, the tourism program of Donsol was conceptualized, planned, and implemented. Butanding Interaction Officers (BIOs) or marine tour guides in the area were also organized.

Omar, a marine guide and dive master, took to his advantage the rich marine resources in his hometown. Born in Donsol, he was among the pioneer BIOs. He knew that the Donsol’s natural resources would bring him personal and economic wealth.

As a BIO, Omar was able to build a house for his family. He sent his only child to a private Catholic secondary school in Legazpi City who is now on her third year in the University of the Philippines Baguio Campus. Simplicity, frugality, and proper financial management were his guiding principles. “Live within your means and always save from your earning,” Omar remarks.

Omar’s career as a BIO was further strengthened with the implementation of the joint Canadian and Philippine Governments’ Local Governance Support Program for Local Economic Development (LGSP LED) program. LGSP-LED sought to help local governments become more business-friendly and competitive to attract new investments that create more local jobs.

Through LGSP-LED, the Provincial Government of Sorsogon and local businesses came together and identified that Donsol needed refresher trainings to upgrade the skills of its local workforce in order to appeal to more tourists and businesses alike.

Training participants treading water during the Training on Marine Eco-Guiding and Enhanced Training for Butanding Interaction Officers (BIOs) held in Donsol, Sorsogon from November 26 to 28, 2014. The training was attended by forty two (42) participants, mostly men.

Omar attended various capacity building programs implemented through the LGSP-LED project in Albay-Sorsogon and gained new and enhanced skills on rescue, safety, foreign guest relations, and local history, among others.

Since then Omar has been more confident doing tours. Once, he performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR to a foreign tourist during an actual butanding interaction. He also echoes new knowledge and skills to fellow BIOs who have yet to undergo formal marine guiding training.

Omar believes that continuous training should be conducted for the forty one (41) registered BIOs during off-season. He expressed desire to learn more about care, preservation, and conservation of marine natural resources, tourism promotion, as well as the butanding that is providing livelihood to the local community.

He is thankful to DILG that even after the closure of the LGSP-LED project, financial resources through the Training for Better Access to Jobs and Opportunities (TraBAJO) program are still on the pipeline for capacity building interventions for the marine tour guides of Donsol.

“I no longer dream of anything for my future. I find fulfillment in my work as BIO. Seeing my customers happily swimming along with the butanding bring so much joy to me,” says Omar. He had turned down job opportunities as a dive master abroad before. For him, this is only because he finds fulfillment working in his hometown, but for Donsol, Sorsogon, and the Philippines as a whole, Omar’s story is so much more than Omar. It is about keeping jobs in local communities, attracting more business to go local because competent people like Omar are there and they attract more tourists.

Between 2013 and 2016, Albay-Sorsogon reported an increase of 200,000 in annual visitor arrivals. At the same time, businesses made new investments in tourism worth PHP 65 million. LGSP-LED estimates that about 1500 jobs were created through recent efforts of the government and the private sector in developing tourism. (MAL/BAR/PTO/PIA5/Sorsogon)



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ProGED Financing Forum encourages Donsol MSMEs to promote Green Business Initiatives

SORSOGON CITY, April 30 (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Sorsogon provincial office, in partnership with Donsol Entrepreneurs Association, successfully conducted a Promotion of Green Economic Development (ProGED) Financing Forum recently in Dancalan, Donsol.

The event provided the participants an awareness on various loan programs and credit facilities available to entrepreneurs and likewise promote awareness on “Green Economic Development” (GED) and its relevance to the business sector.

Evelyn Mateo, manager of Producer’s Bank-Sorsogon Branch, Christian Jamorabo, Account Officer of Bank of Makati, Legazpi Branch and Edena Diez, Naga Desk Officer of Small Business Corporation discussed their respective loan programs and other products available to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs) particularly in support to “green initiatives”.

They also explained the requirements and eligibility including rates and amortizations in availing the loan. They encouraged the participants to visit their banks for detailed presentation of their services.

Donsol Mayor Josephine Alcantara-Cruz in her welcome remarks emphasized her gratitude to the DTI for having organized and gathered the entrepreneurs in Donsol. She claimed that one of her advocacies as Donsol administrator is to strengthen the business group in order to promote the development of industries as a way to generate job opportunities.

Provincial director Leah A. Pagao of DTI-Sorsogon complemented the words of Mayor Alcantara saying it is indeed important to develop and strengthen the local business sector in Donsol especially that the town caters to both local and foreign tourists that visit the place it being a host to the world renowned gentle giants, the whale shark or locally known as the “Butanding”.

Supplier of greening technologies, Engr. Ding Camara, owner of the Sorsogon Solar Hub oriented the participants about the relevance, of solar panels, how it can minimize the cost of electricity and other environmental benefits. The participants were amazed with the technologies presented and got interested on the mechanics relative to its installation, usage, and preference.

A one-on-one encounter of participants to the different speakers were provided after the discussions raising their queries and clarification about the credit facilities, loan packages and matters related to their intention of applying for loans and on the installation of green technologies.

Dr. Rollo C. Milante, president of Legazpi Eye Center delivered his topic not as an ophthalmology practitioner but more of an environmentalist. He pointed out that the new challenge in the modern world of Business today is the advocacy for greener Environment. Aside from commendations as one of the top five successful companies in the industry, the Legazpi Eye Center is also noted for their commitment to practice Greener Initiatives to respond to this challenge by practicing Energy Efficiency and conservation, Water Efficiency, Waste Segregation System, and use of Environmentally Friendly Transportation.

Milante also challenged other companies to do their best to adapt greener initiatives so as to promote the green planet and healthy people.

Meanwhile, Delia M. Sergio, President of Donsol Entrepreneurs Association strongly and enthusiastically assured DTI that they are ready and on behalf of the association members’, committed to improve local products and services and likewise be an active practitioner and advocate of “Green Economic Development”. (MAL/BAR/RBL-DTI/PIA5/Sorsogon)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/801462012883/proged-financing-forum-encourages-donsol-msmes-to-promote-green-business-initiatives#sthash.Y0Td9Z3d.dpuf

“Technology on wheels” rolls on in Albay

LEGAZPI CITY, Apr 29 (PIA) – The province of Albay is one of the chosen pilot sites for the “Technology Commercialization on Wheels” (TCOW) project launched yesterday in this city.

The project is a collaborative undertaking of the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR), University of the Philippines Los Baños Foundation, Inc. (UPLB-FI) and College of Development Communication (UPLB-CDC).

Designed to establish a sustained agricultural enterprise among rural communities, the project is an initiative to ensure that package of technologies are strategically transferred to communities that most need them using a mobile exhibit vehicle.

Program partners and developers hope that through this project, innovative technologies will be delivered to areas that need them the most making the available technology a vital tool for developing enterprises.

TCOW was launched earlier this month in Quezon province, also one of the pilot sites.

Four municipalities and one city in Albay will be the beneficiaries of the TCOW project. These include Legazpi City, Guinobatan, Malilipot, Manito, and Tiwi.

Albay Governor Joey Sarte Salceda hopes that with the success of the project, the whole of Albay will soon reap its benefits noting that the province is fortunate to have been chosen as one of the two pilot sites of the TCOW program.

 “I know the importance of doing research to achieve development for our society, through research we can develop new and innovative ways to increase production and empower our farmers and livelihood, but what happens to the results of research if they are not properly delivered to end users? Thankfully, TCOW will be able to laser-target recipients that can make the most of these results,” Salceda said.

The governor furthered that through TCOW, Albay farmers will be given a new avenue for development, and in time they will be proud of saying that they are “Agri-Preneurs!”

“Through this program, Albayano farmers will not be simply planting produce or grow livestock, they may soon process their products themselves, do their own packaging, and market their products as well,” Salceda said.

Salceda likewise pledged the full support and cooperation of the provincial government and expressed hope that more programs such as TCOW will be in the works in the future for the benefit of the Albayano farmers.

The provincial government of Albay, as part of the developmental partners of the TCOW project will provide critical technical assistance delivering and disseminating information on production, processing, packaging, financing, and marketing of products.(MAL/SAA-PIA5/Albay)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2571461911357/-technology-on-wheels-rolls-on-in-albay#sthash.Sa9NvhGv.dpuf