LEGAZPI CITY — To be able to take advantage of the summer season the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional office here has bid out a total of P2.923 billion worth of pump-priming projects as part of the stimulus program of the government.
Engr. Orlando Roces, DPWH Bicol regional director, said that the amount covers the implementation of a total of 87 projects in the six provinces of the Bicol region.
He said the 13 district engineering offices will implement 56 of the projects worth P836 million while 31 projects worth P2.087 billion will be implemented by the regional office through the construction division.
He said that the bidding was completed last week and construction will start by first week of April.
Roces explained that the bidding was hastened in line with the directive of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo through DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane to fast-track the bidding of the projects in line with the P330 billion stimulus package of the government that would generate some 15,000 jobs nationwide to mitigate the impact of global financial crisis in the country and at the same time improve the infrastructure facilities in the region.
He said that one of the projects involve the construction of the P100 million access road to the new Southern Luzon International Airport being constructed in Barangay Alobo of Daraga, Albay.
He added that P200 million was also allocated for the completion of the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of the 60-kilometer Andaya Highway in the first district of Camarines Sur.(EAdeLeon, PIA)
CAMSUR HOSTS 2009 WWA WAKE PARK WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
PILI, CamSur – Camarines Sur will once again take center stage in the extreme sports limelight when Governor L-Ray Villafuerte partners with the World Wakeboard Association (WWA) to stage the five-day WWA Wake Park World Championships at the Camarines Sur Watersports Complex (CWC) on March 25 to 29 this year.
This will be the second consecutive year Camarines Sur hosts the competitions, unprecedented in the history of the WWA World Championships which have never been played anywhere else outside the United States except last year.
Camarines Sur’s successive selection as venue of this year’s world wakeboard games all the more confirms the reputation of CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC) as the best cable wakeboard park in the world.
No less than a total contingent of foreigners, 300 to 500 of the top riders from all over the world will attend the competitions, the event actually a triple-contest and dubbed by the WWA as the “largest collective wakeboarding event to date”.
Alongside with the 2009 WWA Wake Park World Championship pulled behind the cable, Governor Villafuerte will again open host the first stop of the WWA Wakeboard World Series during the week and the Cam Sur Riders’ Cup will kick off the World Series behind the boat, with all the world’s top riders expected from some 25 countries competing for a chance to become the WWA Wakeboard World Series champion at the end of the season.
With the added Rail Park at the CWC, the five-day event will also include one of the most highly anticipated contests behind the revolutionary Sesitec System 2.0 with three professional and three amateur divisions.
Professional Men Wakeboarders will be collecting points to determine an overall winner of the entire event. The divisions that will be included for the Pro Men Wakeboard category will be the Pro Men Wakeboard division during the Cam Sur Riders’ Cup (boat), the Pro Men division in the WWA Wake Park World Championships (cable), the Obstacles Only division during the WWA WakePark World Championships (cable) and the Pro Men Wakeboard division of the CWC Rail Park Contest (System 2.0).
The rider with the most cumulative points in these four divisions at the end of the event stands to collect US$8,000.
There will also be a similar cumulative race during the week for Professional Wakeskaters as well. They will compete in three divisions to crown an overall winner in the wakeskate category including the Pro Wakeskate division during the CamSur Riders’ Cup (boat), the WWA Wake Park World Championships (cable), and the CWC Rail Park Contest (System 2.0). The Wakeskate Champion will receive US$4,000.
Further inquiries may be entertained directly by the World Wakeboard Association (407) 362-7841 or EventOrganizer@thewwa.com and registration filed via internet at www.thewwa.com/WPWorlds09Pre2.shtml. (GBClaveria, MMEC/PIA)
“TALK CSC: ALL ABOUT WOMEN”
LEGAZPI CITY — In time for the celebration of the Women’s Month, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Bicol regional office will be having a magazine-type talk show dubbed “Talk CSC: All About Women”, on March 25, 2009, 1:30 p.m. at the Bicol University Amphitheatre here.
This years Women’s Month theme is “Babae Yaman Ka ng Bayan”.
In this activity, resource persons were invited from the different government line agencies including personnel from the Civil Service Commission ROV (CSCROV) Legazpi City Health Office, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Technological Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Issues and concerns to be discussed are the Latest Rule on the Administrative Offense of Disgraceful and Immoral Conduct and Sexual Harassment, Women’s Health and Wellness, and business ideas and ideals dubbed as “Go Negosyo for Women”.
The talk show is designed to recognize the significant role of women in the community by way of addressing various issues besetting them.
Mindful of the major roles of the women especially in this time of global financial crisis, Talk CSC will be providing them thoughts and means to expand prospects for better and happier life.
Talk CSC will be hosted by Atty. Daisy P. Bragais and Mr. Raymundo V. Atendido of CSCRO5.(CSC release/PIA)
EMB 5 ENJOINS BICOLANOS FOR EARTH HOUR 2009
LEGAZPI CITY – The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Bicol enjoins the whole Bicolano community to show solidarity on March 28, 2009 at 8:30 p.m. for the Earth our.
As cities and towns across the world will turn off their lights for one hour – Earth Hour – sending a powerful global message that it’s possible to take action on global warming.
World Wildlife Fund (WWF), in collaboration with the Department of Energy (DoE), the Green Army and the SWITCH Movement will turn off lights nationwide – Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao aiming for the participation of at least 10 million Filipinos.
The Bureau urges every Bicolano to support the Earth Hour 2009 through the following ways:
1) switching off your corporate signages and/or the majority of all the lights at your headquarters and all facilities within your control during Earth Hour;
2) mobilizing your networks and communities to participate during Earth Hour event at the Mall of Asia or in your respective communities;
3) organizing your own Earth Hour event in your community or locality to widen the reach of the campaign;
4) encouraging your networks and communities to switch from incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent lamps (CFL5); and
5) using various communication channels to promote Earth Hour, including company websites, community newsletters and blogs.(EMB release/PIA)
MARIKINA MAYOR GRACES DAET ECO-SAVERS MOVEMENT
DAET, Camarines Norte – Marikina City Mayor Marides C. Fernando graced the launching of Daet Eco-Savers Movement on March 13, 2009 at Daet Kalinangan Center.
Mayor Tito S. Sarion said Daet Eco - Savers Movement will adapt the Marikina’s experience and way of recycling garbage of the community, adding that the concept of the project is to tap all the sectors of the community, wherein they will gather and segregate their household garbage and sell it.
Target recyclable garbage are papers, aluminum cans, bottle of mineral water, plastic, copper, aluminum, metal, glass bottle and hard board. They are usually found in household backyard. Segregate and put in one container. Bring the collected garbage in school on the scheduled “Eco-Day”.
The Eco-Solid Waste Management Office (ESWMO), under the municipal government, will initially tap the education sector as major partner in this project. Students from various schools will collect recyclable household garbage and consolidate it in school where the ESWMO will collect and buy them.
The garbage collected by the students will be monitored and accounted thru the passbook as points to be distributed to the students for free. School supplies will be the counterpart of the points they will earn.
Marikina City government donated eco-savers paraphernalia and it was accepted by Daet Mayor Tito S. Sarion and representative from the Department of Education. Mayor Fernando encourages everyone to be part of the eco-savers movement and keep Daet clean just like Marikina City.(RCYu, MPA, MIO Daet)
SM FOUNDATION OFFERS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
NAGA CITY – The SM Foundation offers college scholarship for young Bicolano hopefuls vying to be among its scholars for the year 2009-2010.
Lilibeth P. Azores, public relations officer of SM City Lucena and Naga, said that that the exam and interview schedule for the scholarship program will be on March 31, 2009 at 9 a.m. at the 2nd floor of Regent Hotel, here.
She said that only graduates of public high schools in Camarines Sur and Naga City with Php 150,000 or less household income per year and fourth year GWA of 88% are eligible to apply. Prospective scholars are expected to be in their complete school uniform, armed with ID, ballpen and pencil, and a photocopy of their 4th year report card, BIR Income Tax Return or Certificate of Non-Filing of Income Tax if the student cannot produce the ITR come screening day.
Scholarships are open for the following courses: BS Computer Science, BS Information Technology, BS Information Management, BS Electronics and Communications Engineering, BS Civil Engineering, BS Electrical Engineering, BS Mechanical Engineering, BS Elementary Education, BS Secondary Education (major in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and English) and BS Accountancy BSC / BSBA (major in Accountancy).
SM Foundation partner schools in the Bicol region include the Ateneo de Naga University, University of Nueva Caceres and Universidad de Sta. Isabel-Naga.
In NCR partner schools are Asia Pacific College (APC), FEU, National University (NU), Adamson University, Jose Rizal University, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina, Pamantasan ng Lunsod ng Maynila, Philippine Normal University, UE, at UP Diliman / Manila.
The SM Foundation is the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of SM Group of Companies. (DCAbad, PIA Cam. Sur)
SHELLFISH BAN STILL ON
PILI, Camarines Sur — Based on the latest laboratory results of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), shellfish ban is still imposed on the following areas: Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur; Juag Lagoon in Matnog and Sorsogon Bay, Sorsogon; coastal waters of Milagros in Masbate and Bislig Bay in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur.
All types of shellfish and acetes sp. or alamang gathered from the above banned areas are not safe for human consumption. Fish, squids, shrimps, and crabs are safe for human consumption provided that they are fresh and washed thoroughly, and internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking.
The following areas continue to be free from toxic red tides, coastal waters of Cabite, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Navotas, Bulacan and Bataan in Manila Bay; coastal waters of Alaminos, Anda, Bolinao and Wawa Bays in Pangasinan; Masinloc Bay in Zambales; coastal waters of Mandaon in Masbate; Honda Bay in Puerto Princesa City;
Inner Malampaya Sound in Taytay and El Nido, Palawan; Saplan Bay, Capiz; coastal waters of Pontevedra in Negros Occidental; Irong-irong, Maqueda and Villareal Bays in Samar; Ormoc, San Pedro and Carigara Bays in Leyte; Biliran waters in Biliran Province; Hinatuaan and Lianga Bays in Surigao del Sur; Laguines Lagoon in Camiguin Island; Balite Bay in Mati, Davao Oriental; and coastal waters of Kabasalan in Sibuguey Bay, Zamboanga, Sibugay.(BFAR release/PIA)
PGMA & BLAIR MEET AT MALACAÑANG’s "BAHAY PAG-ASA"
MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today received former British Prime Minister Tony Blair at the ‘Bahay Pag-asa’ and talked peace with him for one and a half hours.
Blair, who arrived at 11:40 a.m., was welcomed by President Arroyo at the entrance steps of the Bahay Pag-asa in Malacañang Park across the Pasig River from the Palace.
The President led Blair to the covered lanai and there exchanged notes for some 20 minutes about keeping the peace in England and the Philippines, and in the Middle East, before proceeding to the dining area for the luncheon prepared for the British leader.
“You have carved a niche for yourself in world affairs,” the President told Blair as media cameras clicked and video cameras whirred during the brief photo opportunity allowed by the Palace.
Blair was accompanied by British Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Beckingham and another embassy official while the President was flanked by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Peace Process Adviser Avelino Razon and Peace Panel Chair Rafael Seguis.
Blair talked about how his former administration had resolved the secessionist movement in Ireland, and shared one of its lessons: “face-to-face talk” brings about better understanding.
To this, President Arroyo talked about the government’s pioneering inter-faith dialogue which has since been institutionalized, telling Blair that the dialogue among various sectors, including the religious sector, has brought “more understanding now."(PIA V Release)
HUNGER DIPS TO 15.5% IN FEBRUARY
MANILA — Numerous interventions by the Arroyo administration in improving supply and access to food resulted in a decline in hunger incidence in the past three months of from 23.7 percent to 15.5 percent based on the independent survey conducted last February by the Social Weather Station.
The SWS reported that the number of Filipinos who experienced severe hunger (respondents experienced it very often) decreased from 5.2 percent (about 940,000 families) to 4.4 percent (down to 810,000 families) while moderate hunger (those that experienced it not that often) declined from 18.5 percent (3.3 mllion) to 11.1 percent (2 million families).
Hunger incidence in Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao declined dramatically, especially in Mindanao by 22 points.
The SWS survey covering 1,200 adult respondents divided into random samples of 300 from Metro Manila, Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao said “the results are heartening and very uplifting in the light of the global financial crisis.”
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said President Arroyo’s Anti Hunger Task Force led by the National Nutrition Council Chair and Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III intensified the anti-hunger projects and programs within the framework of the Accelerated Hunger Mitigation Program (AHMP) to benefit the most vulnerable and the poor.
Initiatives under the AHMP were: increased food supply through the Programang Gulayan Para sa Masa, rice and other crops, livestock and fishery programs; the Tindahan Natin, Barangay Bagsakan centers; improving the delivery of food and services through improved farm to market roads and transport facilities and the Food for School Program in preschools, daycare centers and public elementary schools; improving incomes of the poor and the unemployed through microfinance and income generating and employment opportunities; enhancing the skills of the workforce through trainings and capability building of the community-based nutrition and health implementers on nutrition program management.
Remonde said that for the rest of the year, the Arroyo administration will further hasten construction of ports, farm to market roads, small water impounding projects and diversion dams to increase food production and build post harvest facilities (to ensure against crop wastage).
The government will also augment the number of barangay Bagsakan and Tindahan Natin outlets, particularly in AHMP areas.Likewise, the Gulayan ng Komunidad at Paaralan will be bolstered to ensure food for everyone’s tables, Remonde stressed.
Remonde said he would tap media to promote breastfeeding, “the best anti hunger and anti poverty strategy and to promote nutrition-related laws like mandatory fortification of rice, cooking oil, sugar and wheat flour." (PIA V Release)
PALACE BACKS PRACTICAL WAYS TO FURTHER CUT HUNGER
MANILA — With hunger incidence reported as having declined from 23.7 percent to 15.5 percent in the past three months, Malacanang, though happy about this development, is urging Filipinos to resort to practical ways to cope with the current global financial and food crises contained in Social Weather Stations’ s Feb. 20-23, 2009 survey.
Among these tips are: Encourage mothers to breastfeed their children for better nutrition, accessibility and economical reasons; don’t leave rice on the plate; grow and raise your own food right at your backyards; plan and prepare nutritious, low-cost recipes using alternative and cheap sources of nutrients; practice a healthy lifestyle in spite of the crisis.
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, while showing elation at the declining incidence of hunger, said more needs to be done by everyone to ensure that food access to more people.
“Each one of us can do something to reduce wastage and improve supply by just applying some, if not all, of the tips mentioned,” he said.
According to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, 14 grams of rice per capita per day is lost to plate waste and other wasteful eating habits of the more affluent people and diet-conscious consumers.
Growing and raising nutritious fruits and vegetables and small animals like chicken, goat and swine and fish for protein, vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates will greatly improve food supply and ensure greater access to nutritious food for everyone, Remonde said.
More importantly, spending the limited family resources on food and other basic needs and observing healthy lifestyles will go a long way in improving the quality of life and reducing medical expenses, he added.
A great contributor to the decline in hunger incidence was the daily distribution of one kilo rice for free to over 3.5 million preschool and schoolchildren and their families.
The Gulayan Para sa Masa Program also fed close to 2 million families and the establishment of 70 barangay Bagsakan or food terminals became a source of vegetables, fruits, meat and fish at cheaper prices.
Over 2.4 million poor clients obtained seed capital amounting to P47.21 billion to set up small enterprises.
Still another 200,000 people trained with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority with over 90 percent now gainfully employed.
The Arroyo administration provided emergency employment to 25,000 unemployed individuals.(PIA V Release)
CONTINUING ACCREDITATION OF SUPPLIERS AND ADHERENCE TO PROCUREMENT LAW IN NPO
MANILA — Press Secretary Cerge Remonde today ordered the newly-installed head of the National Printing Office (NPO) to conduct a continuing review and accreditation of suppliers and to adhere to the procurement law.
The NPO is under the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS).
Remonde relayed the orders during the turn-over of the leadership of the NPO from OIC Dionisia Valbuena to newly-retired police general Servando Hizon, former head of the directorate for intelligence of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The Press Secretary presided this morning (March 23) over the turn-over which was held during the Monday flag ceremony at the NPO in Quezon City, congratulating Valbuena for “the efforts and sacrifices that she has done as OIC of the NPO for the past several months.”
Remonde recommended a “periodic annual review” of the “security suppliers” which, he said, should be categorized “according to kakayahan.”
The Press Secretary said Hizon was “personally chosen by Her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, for his sterling record as a police officer.”
“Para sa akin, ‘yan ang pinakamahalaga,” added Remonde about what he dubbed as the “unblemished record” of Hizon, a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1973.
The Press Secretary also called on the new NPO head to follow Republic Act (RA) 9184, the new procurement law, and to “level the playing field” among suppliers.
For his part, Hizon expressed his “deepest gratitude to Her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, for allowing me to serve under her administration again.”
The NPO director vowed to Secretary Remonde that he will be a “staunch ally in trying to forge an alliance between the NPO, on the one hand, and all concerned agencies, on the other, that will address all the perceived woes and concerns relative to our mandate.”
Remonde had also issued the following marching orders to Hizon; to evaluate and review the NPO’s organizational set-up; revive the Legal Department; improve performance by continuing education and training of personnel; improve the quality of printing materials; strictly maintain the sanctity and security of government accountable and standard forms; proper coordination and cooperation among government agencies to maintain the latter’s inventories at reasonable levels. (PIA V Release)
MALACAÑANG WELCOMES PROPOSAL TO TAP BLAIR & ANAN FOR MINDANAO PEACE PROCESS
MANILA — Malacañang welcomes the proposal to enlist the help of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and “all men of peace” in resolving the decades-old Mindanao conflict.“
In the (cause) of peace, all ideas and help of all men of peace, especially yung malawak ang karanasan sa peace process, should be welcome,” Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said in an interview over Radyo ng Bayan this afternoon.
He said Blair’s experience in resolving the secessionist movement in Ireland would be immensely helpful in advancing the cause of peace in Mindanao if he were to help lead efforts to end the conflict in the southern Philippines.
He pointed out that during a meeting with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo when Blair was still Prime Minister, the latter had offered to help push the Mindanao peace process.
“Nagkaka-meeting po ang ating mahal na Pangulo at itong si Tony Blair ay prime minister pa ng Inglatera; (nag-offer) si Prime Minister Blair na tutulong -- kung paano siya makakatulong sa peace process po sa Pilipinas,” Remonde said.
“Yung experience ni Prime Minister Blair kasi – halos magkapareho ang problema natin with the secessionist movement in Ireland (that was resolved) during the time of Mr. Blair -- so yung experience ni Mr. Blair malaking tulong po sa ating problema sa Mindanao,” he concluded.
Aside from Blair, former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Anan is also being touted as another international leader who could help push the Mindanao peace process. Remonde said Blair and Anan are “eminent persons with ample experience in the peace negotiations and peace processes.”(PIA V Release)
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