Cebu Pacific now has daily flight in Catanduanes

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Nov. 30 (PIA)- Cebu Pacific announced that there will now be daily flights to and from Virac beginning December 18, 2016 until March 2017.

According to Roberto L. Jackson, Cebu Pacific station officer in Catanduanes, instead of 4x weekly Airbus Manila-Virac-Manila flight, there will now be an 11x weekly ATR operations.

He likewise bared that aside from daily flights, there will also be days with two flights from and to Manila.

The new schedule is as follows: Daily Manila-Virac, 05:40H-06:50H; Virac-Manila 07:20-08:20H; Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday Manila-Virac 08:20H-09:30H; Virac-Manila 09:50H-11:00H.

The change was also made possible by Congressman Cesar V. Sarmiento, Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation who requested the management of Cebu Pacific President/CEO Lance Gokongwei for additional flights to Virac during their regular meetings with different airline companies to improve their services.

Meanwhile, Provincial Tourism Officer Carmel B. Garcia said that with the implementation of daily flights in Catanduanes, they are expecting a boost in the number of tourist arrivals in the province. (EAB-PIA5/Catanduanes)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/841480478891/cebu-pacific-now-has-daily-flight-in-catanduanes#sthash.uKBzRiOh.dpuf

BNC, JJWC, DSWD hold youth meet vs. lowered MACR

LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 29 (PIA) – To culminate the celebration of this year’s National Children’s Month, the Bicol Network for Children (BNC), in cooperation with the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) of the Bicol region held the #KalingaHindiKulungan Bicol Youth Meet at Legazpi City.

The main purpose of the event is to show solidarity against the lowering of the minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR), as proposed by House Bill 02 which was filed in the 17th Congress of the Republic of the Philippines. According to children rights advocates, making the minors vulnerable to mature criminal punishments, specifically imprisonment, would only expose them to greater criminal influence.

“We do not believe that imprisoning children would lower down the country’s crime rate. Instead, it would be like enrolling children to higher levels of criminality, because of influences they may acquire while inside jails,” said Ms. Victoria Tagum, assistant regional director of DSWD-Bicol.

House Bill 02, also titled as “Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility Act”, was authored and filed by representatives Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez of Davao del Norte and Fredinil Castro of Capiz. The bill seeks to amend Republic Act 9344 or the “Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006”, reducing the MACR from 15 years old to 9 years old.

According to the authors, the bill’s objective is to eliminate criminal activities which use children as accomplices, like drug trafficking. In their explanatory note, the solons argue that, while the protection of children is laudable, the effect is opposite as youth offenders commit crime knowing that they can get away with it.

On the other hand, DSWD and other child welfare organization expressed their strong opposition on the matter. They argue that those within the age of minority cannot yet fully discern what is right from wrong, and their disposition lies with their environment and parental responsibility.

“Imprisoning children is not the solution to criminality. Statistics show that there are drastically more adult offenders than there are children. The solution is intervention, not imprisonment,” argues Tagum.

Since the introduction of the bill this September, DSWD has been open with their disagreement in the lowering of the MACR. During the meet in Legazpi City, DSWD showcased the details and effectiveness of the intervention programs which are already being used throughout the country.

According to DSWD, programs are already being utilized for children in conflict with the law (CICLs) with a wholistic approach, including social, spiritual, and skills development.

In cooperation with concerned agencies like the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), CICLs are given skills training like carpentry, landscaping, and handicrafts while being house in juvenile institutions, so that they may have the ability to be productive citizens after their rehabilitation.

CICLs were also given guidance seminars while being housed at social welfare facilities, while being attended by ‘house parents’.To show how the intervention programs would work, testimonial talks from ‘Arman’, a former CICL, was included in the youth meet in Legazpi.

According to Arman, due to unbearable poverty and lack of parental guidance, he was compelled to commit theft at a very tender age. However, after being given the care and attention by his house parent while serving his time in a juvenile institution, he is now a changed person who shares his story of inspiration.

“(CICLs) do not need to be punished severely in order to change. All we need are people who care to make us realize that we have a chance to change,” said Arman. (MAL/JBE-PIA5)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/3301480400491/bnc-jjwc-dswd-hold-youth-meet-vs-lowered-macr#sthash.HsA90C5d.dpuf

Bicol’s “orange Cagsawa” showcases campaign to end violence vs. women

By Sally Atento-Altea

LEGAZPI CITY., Nov 29 (PIA) -- It may not seem a good start as heavy rain poured on but it didn’t stop the Bicolanos from joining the call to support the advocacy to end violence against women (VAW) through the "Orange Your Icon for 18 days" campaign launched November 25 in the Bicol region at Cagsawa Park in Albay.

Despite the bad weather, representatives from various government agencies, organizations, sectors and stakeholders from the region convened for the kick-off ceremony of the 18-day campaign to end VAW and ceremonial lighting of the Cagsawa ruins led by the Department of Tourism (DOT) Bicol and Philippine Commission for Women.

DOT undersecretary and guest of honor Alma Jimenez noted the potential of everyone to stop VAW citing the need to respect oneself and others especially the women.

Jimenez said VAW victims have the choice to be free and stay away from violent environment that will compromise their safety and well-being, further urging them to speak up and seek help from concerned organizations and government agencies.

“VAW victims have the choice to say no and enough to violence. I am urging them to speak up or else it will become a vicious cycle that can put their life at risk. Our government and various concerned organizations have programs and services readily available to help them be free from violent environment and situations,” Jimenez said.

In the tourism sector, Jimenez furthered that policies and programs are likewise in place to protect welfare of women wherein 60-70% of the workforce are women.

“Although the industry has created economic opportunities especially for women, tourism has also posed negative effects on women’s human rights. Women can be vulnerable and may fall victim to sexual exploitation and trafficking which is part of the larger social issue under VAW,” she said.

Also with Jimenez during the opening program are DOT Bicol director Maria Ravanilla and representatives from various sectors who led the pledge of commitment to support VAW in the workplace and the community.

Ravanilla has earlier called on the communities to find major landmarks or icons in their respective areas, which can be historical places, statues, monuments or buildings and light them up with orange to signify support to the campaign which has shifted to positive advocacy messaging to encourage more people support, participations and commitment.

For Bicol region, the Cagsawa Ruins in Daraga town was decorated with orange spotlight and banners to showcase the said campaign.

The “Orange your Icon” campaign was launched in solidarity with the United Nation’s Unite to End VAW Campaign with the idea to stimulate public’s curiosity about the “orange” landmarks or icons nationwide and be an opportunity to tap new audiences to join the cause.

The color orange was chosen to represent hope and a future free from violence against women and girls. (MAL/SAA-PIA5/Albay)



- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2571480408087/bicol-s-orange-cagsawa-showcases-campaign-to-end-violence-vs-women#sthash.IS9nv9NK.dpuf

CamSur guv strengthens fight against drugs through CASUROG Program

By Ana-Liza S. Macatangay

PILI, CAMARINES SUR, Nov. 28 (PIA) --- Various efforts to curb the ill-effects of illegal drugs have already been implemented by the provincial government of Camarines Sur in response to the directives of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte immediately following his assumption of office in June 30.

Governor Miguel “Migz” Villafuerte recapitulated this commitment during the regional launch of the Department of Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) “Mamamayang Ayaw sa Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw sa Droga” or MASA MASID program Friday, November 25 at the Capitol Convention Center here.

“I mustered enough courage to speak with SILG Ismael Sueno and convince him to hold the MASA MASID regional launch here in the province simply to reiterate that Camarines Sur is 100 per cent in support of President Duterte’s campaign  against illegal drugs,” Villafuerte said

The young governor presented the province’s anti-drug program which is now slowly gaining grounds, particularly in the grassroots level.

Dubbed Camarines Sur Response Operations Group, popularly known as CASUROG program, includes among others the establishment of drug rehabilitation centers, provision of scholarship to the youth and providing supplementary livelihood programs to those previously involved in illegal drug use.

Believing that the youth will play a key role in the success of the campaign, Villafuerte first organized the youth through the Provincial Youth Summit against Prohibited Drugs held September here where he challenged the student-participants to raise their awareness on the ill-effects of drugs and encourage them to have an active role in the fight against illegal drugs.

He was also instrumental in the formation of Task Force KAbarangay Ko, TAtabangan Kong Iwasan ang Droga (KATAID)  in compliance with DILG RMC N0. 2016-015. Part of its commitment is  the provision of the provincial government’s full support to OPLAN Tokhang and Oplan Double Barrel being spearheaded by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Villafuerte also cited the important role of the Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) as frontliners in rehabilitating drug addicts who will avail of the government’s program. He stated that he and his father, 2nd District Congressman LRay Villafuerte are already crafting a bill that would increase the current honorarium of the BHWs in the province.

To ensure that surrenderees will have a place to go, the governor said that a residential rehab center in Iriga City is now being worked on plus ten (10) non-residential rehab centers in the outskirts of the province to serve the out-patients.
“CASUROG is being fully implemented in the 1,03 barangays here in the province where we have designated 5 to 8 volunteers that will serve as the government’s eyes and ears. They will be in every nook and corner of Camarines Sur to safeguard the community against illegal drugs,” Villafuerte said in closing. (MAL/LSM-PIA5/Camarines Sur)



- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/861480333952/camsur-guv-strengthens-fight-against-drugs-through-casurog-program#sthash.Y84LCr3O.dpuf

DILG’s MASA MASID regional launch in Bicol

By Ana-Liza S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, Nov. 28 (PIA) -- With the war on drugs now in full swing across the country, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) inched another step forward to ensure that the campaign will be relentlessly pursued with the help of more stakeholders and volunteers.

DILG BIcol has  spearheaded the regional launch of “Mamamayang Ayaw sa Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw sa Droga, otherwise known under the acronym MASA MASID held Friday, November 25 at the Capitol Convention Center in Pili, Camarines Sur.

 DILG Secretary Ismael D. Sueno keynoted the event with more than 3,000 participants from various local government units, students, heads of national government agencies, law enforcement agencies , members and officers of DILG, government officials, youth,  barangay volunteers and members of the media, among others in attendance.

Sueno reiterated President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s directive to lessen, if not totally eliminate the drug menace in the country.

“President Duterte is very serious in his campaign to free our country from illegal drugs. One of the reasons for adopting MASA MASID is to ensure demand reduction that is, get volunteers from barangays to educate others on the ill-effects of drugs and for them to serve as the eyes and ears of the government. Second, ensure supply and demand reduction by rehabilitating and reforming the community where they live,” Sueno said.

Sueno also enjoined other government agencies, particularly those directly involved in addressing the war on drugs like the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Department of Health (DOH), other attached agencies, particularly the local government units to innovate and pursue programs that would encourage more drug surrenderres to come up in the open and embrace reform.

DILG Bicol officer in chargeELouisa T. Pastor believed that the war on drugs will be won only if every stakeholder will do their part.  She acknowledged the significant role that the volunteers will play in diminishing the supply and demand of illegal drugs in every community.

The event was capped with the pledge of commitment led by the different Liga Presidents representing their respective provinces, Archdiocese of Caceres, League of Municipalities representative, and Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP).

The stakeholders, led by Camarines Sur Governor Miguel “Migz” Villafuerte signed their names at the commitment wall to signify their willingness to help in the fight against illegal drugs.    (MAL/LSM-PIA5/Camarines Sur)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/861480330478/dilg-s-masa-masid-regional-launch-in-bicol#sthash.bmZr9Ykc.dpuf