PGMA SCHOLARSHIP TO BOOST EMPLOYMENT

SORSOGON Province — More than 2,000 slots were given by the national government to Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) provincial office under the President Gloria Scholarship Program to boost further the employability of Sorsoganons.

According to Dante Desuyo, TESDA provincial officer, P24 million was released by the national government for the extensive implementation of PGMA’s scholarship or the PGMA-Training for Work Scholarship Program। Some 1,345 slots were allotted for the 1st district and 1,307 slots for the 2nd district of the प्रोविंस.

Desuyo said the program aims at reducing the unemployment and underemployment rate in the country by helping students and the local populace get immediate employment not only in their localities but also abroad। “That is why we really encourage high school graduates to avail of this free skills training under the Pangulong Gloria Scholarship Program,” he added.

In Sorsogon, some 20 tertiary institutions are accredited by TESDA and are accepting PGMA scholars for more than three years now। “In fact, several Sorsoganons were already helped by the said scholarship specifically in metal craft where majority are now gaining sure income,” Desuyo said.

Priority courses identified by TESDA are shielded metal arc welding, automotive servicing, construction services, bar tending, electronics, agriculture and fishery, health and community development, information technology, tourism, and maritime।

Training package includes the training cost, institutional incentive package, training allowance and assessment fees.

“Availment of scholarship is on ‘first come, first serve’ basis that is why we encourage interested Sorsoganon to visit right away the TESDA office or its accredited institutions in the province,” he said.

Interested applicants shall be at least 18 years old, with birth certificate preferably issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO), and should be physically and mentally fit.

He also explained that the government wants to help not only the academic institution but primarily the poor and deserving Filipinos to enroll in job-directed training programs and earn the corresponding qualification that will enhance their employability, without much cost on their part.(BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)

DA LAUNCH “MANOKAN” PROJECT

CAMARINES SUR Province — Some 200 farmers in 9 towns of the 2nd district of Camarines Sur will benefit from a livelihood project that will promote food security and increase farmers' income in the rural communities।

Dubbed as "Manokan sa Segundo Distrito kan Camarines Sur," the P250,000।00 project, which is a joint undertaking of the Department of Agriculture under the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) Livestock Program and Cam. Sur 2nd district Congressman Luis R. Villafuerte, will be formally launched on March 6, 2009 at the Cam. Sur State Agricultural College (CSSAC), this municipality.

According to Dr। Edgar Madrid, (OIC) regional technical director for research and development of DA, the funding of the project will be sourced-out from DA's Bicol Calamity Assistance and Rehabilitation Efforts (BCARE), P90,000.00 and from Cong. Villafuerte's Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), P160,000.00.

Madrid said that under the "Manokan" project 2,000 heads of sasso chicken will be distributed to 200 families in 20 barangays: Bombon, Calabanga, Canaman, Magarao, Ocampo, Pili, Gainza, Milaor, and Camaligan। Each recipient family will be given 10 heads of Sasso।

Expected to grace the launching of the project and distribution of the sasso chickens are: Cong। Villafuerte, DA Bicol Regional Executive Director Jose V। Dayao, RTD Madrid, CSSAC President Marito Bernales, the 9 municipal mayors and the farmer-beneficiaries.(DA V/PIA)

NFA RICE AVAILABLE IN BARANGAYS

CAMARINES NORTE Province — The Provincial Agriculture Office here continues to support farmers in this province thru distribution of certified palay seeds for free।

Provincial Agriculturist Francia Pajares said that they have already started to distribute the additional 1,250 bags of palay certified seeds to the qualified farmers in the province.
She said that they have already distributed last November some 8,384 bags of palay certified seeds to farmers।

The palay certified seeds were provided by the national government through the Department of Agriculture (DA)।

She added that they also distributed some 11,888 pockets of bio-fertilizer for palay, vegetables and pineapple also for free।

Meanwhile, Provincial Manager Eliseo Caliwag of the National Food Authority (NFA) assures public of the availability of rice in their barangay to help avert the rising prices of rice in the markets।

He said that the rice at P18।25 per kilo is available at the Tindahan Natin outlets and parokya in the barangay using access card.

He said that rice at P25।00 and P30.00 (commercial rice) are also available in the authorized retailers outlets in the markets of the province.

Manager Caliwag said that the province has 53,000 bags of palay, 15,000 bags of imported rice and 13,000 bags of local rice।

The NFA continues their milling of the palay bought at P17.00 per kilo at the barangay.
He added that the national government program of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo continues the rice subsidy in order for the public to avail of cheaper rice.(RB Manlangit/PIA Cam. Norte)

A HEART FOR PWDs

TINAMBAC, CAMARINES SUR — About 956 individuals with multi-disabilities trooped to the covered court here for the 2nd General Assembly for Persons with Disability held February 14 this year.

Having a heart for this sector Tinambac Mayor Ruel Velarde set the Valentine’s Day for the Annual General Assembly for Persons with Disability. Dubbed as “Pagkalinga ni Mayor Owie sa mga Taong may K”, the event through Velarde ensures that the PWDs particularly those physically handicapped, will move easily through the provision of wheelchairs and crutches.

“If these persons can move easily through these prosthetic devices, then they have all the reasons to go out, have access to different institutions where they can find opportunities to learn, develop skills, and finally earn for their living,” Velarde beamed with pride.

This activity which is in its 2nd year of implementation, aims to enable persons with disability attain their maximum social and economic development within the level of their mental and physical capability, for them to be able to realize their aspiration and become assets to their families and communities.

Different activities were undertaken like Orientation on Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, Program Orientation on NCWDA and the distribution of food packs, wheelchairs and crutches.
DSWD Bicol regional director Remia T। Tapispisan led the distribution of 56 wheelchairs and 24 crutches. She was assisted by Mr. Mat Lee, the executive director of the National Council for the Welfare of Disability Affairs (NCWDA), Mayor Ruel Velarde and the members of the Sangguniang Bayan of Tinambac.

In her message, Tapispisan expressed her gratitude and appreciation to the local government unit for having a heart for the PWDs। She mentioned that this sector is given least attention. She bared that this activity is a joint effort of the LGU of Tinambac, the NCWDA and the DSWD to gain public appreciation and support for the cause of the PWDs.(EEJerusalem, DSWD/PIA)

35 FORMER NPA REBELS GIVEN P700,000 IN CASH ASSISTANCE

NAGA CITY – The government’s Social-Integration Program (SIP) for former rebels has distributed last February 12 cash assistance to 35 beneficiaries P20,000 each or a total of P700,000 as immediate cash assistance।

Atty। Reuben Lingating, SIP program manager, who represented Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Avelino I। Razon Jr।, said the cash grant will enable the former rebels to have their own livelihood that would generate income for their families and make them productive citizens again.

Lingating led the awarding ceremony held in the Camarines Sur State Agricultural College। Also in attendance were Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Sodusta; Chief Supt Cecilio B. Calleja Jr. representing Chief Supt Paterno P. Bangui; Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Director Blandino M. Maceda representing Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Raymond F. Villafuerte, Fred Perdon representing Asec. Chito Monzon of the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Bicol and SIP Action Officer for Regions IV and V Charleston Tan.

The former rebels, 30 men and five women, came from Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Albay, Masbate, and Sorsogon.

They have undergone four-day orientation during which a seminar-workshop was conducted to brief them on other opportunities such as livelihood, employment, training, and education assistance.

Aside from the P20,000 cash, the SIP will also give each rebel returnee capital assistance of P50,000 in the form of farm implements, working animals, and sari-sari store goods.

Likewise, access to basic social services and payment for surrendered firearms, explosives, and ammunition will be provided under the program.

A rebel returnee who surrenders an M-16 or M-14 rifle, for example, will receive P50,000.

A scheme by which the former rebels and their dependents are provided a set of interventions to facilitate their integration into the mainstream of society, the SIP is guided by the principle of convergence and cooperation among local government units (LGUs), government agencies, non-government organizations (NGOs), and the community.

OPAPP’s partners in the multi-sectoral program include the Department of Education (DepEd), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), National Food Authority (NFA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Science and Technology (DoST), Department of Health (DoH), Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE), Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), DILG and PIA.(OPPAP Release/PIA)

DPWH HOLDS NATIONWIDE JOB FAIRS

LEGAZPI CITY — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will conduct nationwide job fairs in support of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s desire to provide gainful employment to Filipinos through investment in infrastructure programs.

Dubbed “Programang Pangtrabaho ni Pangulong Gloria”, DPWH Bicol will launch its job fair at its regional office compound in Rawis, here on Monday, February 23, 1009. This affair is in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); the National Constructors Association of the Philippines (NACAP); and the Philippine Constructors Association, Inc. (PCA).

“Acting as ‘Matching Conduit’, our office will receive applications for employment from prospective workers then we will match the workers’ capability and their preference as to work destination with the available infrastructure project,” said DPWH Bicol regional director Orlando Roces. “:When these are all satisfied, we will make recommendation for their placement to contractors undertaking projects for our office,” the director added.

“Jobs for screening are for civil engineers and construction workers such as foreman, heavy equipment operators, steel man, etc.” said Dra. Flor Azotea, chief, Administrative Officer of the said office. “Applicants must bring with them their latest pictures, barangays or police clearance and other credentials to be attached to the registration form that will be provided by our office, free of charge,” she further explained.(LVCastañeda, DPWH/PIA)

GOVERNMENT TROOPS ENCOUNTER NPA in BGY. BALANAC; CIVILIANS HURT BY ESCAPING ENEMY FIRE

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, PILI, Cam. Sur — A group of rebels conducting a meeting with some civilians in Barangay Balanac, Ligao City were encountered by the 2nd Infantry Battalion led by 2Lt Tancio of the Philippine Army, Wednesday, February 18 this year.

9th Infantry Division PIO Maj. Christopher Morales narrated “the rebels, caught by surprise by the patrolling military operatives, scampered and withdrew in different directions to evade the approaching government troops.”

“They were firing indiscriminately as they fled and two civilians were hit and wounded during the ensuing gunfire. The victims were later brought to the nearest hospital by barangays officials assisted by government troops,” he added.

Follow-on operations were conducted to track down the fleeing enemy. There is no reported casualty from the government forces.

In a statement, Morales said that the involvement of civilian casualties in this encounter is a blatant disregard for human rights by the rebel group.

“This is not the first time that civilians were drawn between the corssfires of the government and its enemies, and unfortunately, this may not be the last. Our enemies obviously have very low regard for other people’s lives and welfare,” remarked Morales.

Furthermore, he asserted in a message addressed to residents in rural areas frequented nby these communist terrorist groups that they should be wary and cautious in dealing with the renegades in order to avoid untoward incidents like what happened in Barangay Balanac.(PA Release/PIA)