UNDP GIVES ASSISTANCE TO DISASTER-VULNERABLE SECTORS

SORSOGON CITY — The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will be providing water and power connections to 1,000 shelter units in disaster-vulnerable areas in the province of Sorsogon, according to Sorsogon Gov. Sally Lee.

Lee, who attended the briefing at the Office of the Civil Defense (Bicol) in Camp Simeon Ola, Legazpi City, related that assistance is part of the “Early Recovery Program” (ERP) for typhoon-affected provinces of the Bicol region, giving priority to disaster-vulnerable families.

She explained that the program is made possible through a grant from the UNDP in response to the ongoing recovery needs of the Bicol region, which has continually experienced displacements and other disruptions in social and economic life resulting from numerous typhoons that hit the area annually.

She added that ERP also has three other components including livelihood support fro direct beneficiaries and capacity-building and risk reduction enhancement and information management for government, NGOs/CSOs operating in the region involved in disaster management.

Lee elaborated that the livelihood component will complement and build on the assistance already being provided by other organizations.

“It will also include skills profiling to identify dominant skills and shortages in the region and training and possible job placement to meet gaps,” she said

Lee further stressed that the province of Sorsogon has been identified, along with Albay and Camarines Sur, as priority areas, benefiting most from the UNDP grant.

The ERP will be implemented until 2011. (MFDeniega, MAIB Sorsogon/PIA)


DPWH BICOL REPORTS P529M DAMAGE TO INFRASTRUCTURE

LEGAZPI CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional office here reported Wednesday (May 6) that a total of P529.5 million worth of damages to various infrastructures in Bicol by floodwaters spawned by tropical storm Dante.

Engr. Orlando Roces, DPWH Bicol regional director, quoting a report from Engr. Antonio Saguinsin, regional maintenance chief, said that the province of Sorsogon suffered the most damage worth P329 million, consisting of P126 million to roads and bridges and P203 million on flood control.

Engineering District Offices in Catanduanes reported some P64.4 million worth of damages, Camarines Norte estimated some P55 million, Camarines Sur accounted some P45.6 million, Albay 2nd District reported a total of P25 million, and Masbate with P10.2 million, all to roads and bridges.

Roces said that DPWH Bicol has already dispatched a validation team to look into the reports per submitted by the district engineers of affected areas before finalizing the figures to be submitted for funding for rehabilitation of the damaged roads, bridges and flood control structures to DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane.

He also reported that road sections traversing all towns in the island province of Catanduanes, except for the Gigmoto town, are now passable as work crews of the district engineering office have cleared the landslide areas of debris.

Roces added that the Andaya Highway from Sipocot to Sta. Elena in Camarines Norte and the Maharlika Highway traversing Camarines Norte are now all passable.
(EAdeLeon, PIA)


“DANTE” LEAVES P329M DAMAGE TO INFRA;
P44.5M TO AGRICULTURE IN SORSOGON

SORSOGON Province — Torrential rains brought about by tropical storm “Dante” has left Sorsogon with at least P329 million worth of damages on infrastructure, P44.5 million on agriculture, and 19 deaths, according to the Provincial Planning Development Office (PPDO) here.

DPWH Sorsogon I Engineering District Office chief Engr. Romeo B. Doloiras said that Sorsogon province suffered damages from the typhoon worth P329 million, consisting of P126 million to roads and bridges and P203 million to flood control.
On the other hand, Provincial Agriculturist David Gillego here said damages to crops such as rice, vegetables and root crop, reached a total of P33.8 million while the fisheries sector reported damages on aqua and marine cultures worth P10.7 million.
PPDO assistant chief Jose Lopez said that the consolidated initial damage assessment reported by the Sorsogon City and the different municipal disaster coordinating councils shows that a total of 15,348 families or 69,343 persons were directly affected, with 381 families displaced, 19 fatalities and 5 injured.

Sorsogon City Mayor Leovic Dioneda said that an estimated damage worth P200M to infrastructures and agriculture were left by typhoon “Dante” in the city alone.

“Mostly damaged were bridges, river control and sea walls,” he said.

Dioneda meanwhile commended the efforts and immediate action of DPWH Sorsogon I District Engineering Office installing temporary bridge and in no time restoring traffic flow in Maharlika Highway at the road section in sitio Madarag, barangay Guinlajon, Sorsogon City.

The mayor is optimistic the national government, through its concerned agencies, can fast track the the construction of a new bridge to bring the normal flow of traffic in the area.

Magallanes, which was worst hit by tropical storm Dante in the province, is now starting to get on its feet following the government and private organization’s intensified relief operations in the area.

Barangay Hubo, in Magallanes town, suffered 18 deaths, 19 displaced families, 19 totally and 2 partially damageed houses, and 381 households directly affected.

Defense Sec. Gilbert Teodoro, during his visit in the said tow, urged local officials to relocate the residents of barangay Hubo permanently as danger of more landslides in the area is very imminent to occur.

Also present during the aerial inspection and assessment were Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Sec. Esperanza Cabral and National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) Dep. Adm. Anthony Golez, Jr.. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)


86 BICOLANO STUDENTS QUALIFY AS DOST-PSHS SCHOLARS

LEGAZPI CITY — Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Sec. Estrella F. Alabastro has announced and extended her congratulations to 86 Bicolano elementary graduates who qualified for scholarship at the Philippine Science High School (PSHS).

Alabastro was in town Wednesday (May 6) for the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between DOST and Provincial Government of Albay on “Comprehensive Partnership on Climate Change and Countryside Development”.

DOST Bicol regional director Tomas B. Briñas said results of the Freshman Admission Processing System showed that 86 pupils passed the examination administered in six testing centers in Bicol last November 15, 2008 and will be admitted in the DOST-PSHS for school year 2009-2010.

Among the 86 successful examinees, eight may opt to enrol at the PSHS Main Campus in Diliman, Quezon City or at the PSHS Bicol campus in Goa town, Camarines Sur. The 78 other passers qualify at the PSHS Bicol Campus.

The PSHS scholars for SY 2009-2010 include 25 in Albay, 10 in Camarines Norte, 32 in Camarines Sur, 4 in Catanduanes, 4 in Masbate, and 11 in Sorsogon.

The eight successful examinees who qualified at the PSHS Main Campus are Abella, Remo Vittorio David; Bajamundi, Lyon Miguel Baranda; Bascuña, Rosa Silvana Tablizo; Belarmino Amelia Jane Berdan; Brotamonte, Iran Viñas; Del Castillo, Alexis Cheng; Llorin, Lawrence Dave Jacob and Magdaong, Jeremy Jay Beltran.

The PSHS has already notified the qualifiers and their parents through individual notices by mail.

For more inquiries and further details, the qualifiers can visit or call PSHS-Bicol Region Campus at telephone nos. (054) 453-2048/453-1463 or PSHS Main Campus at tel. nos. (02) 924-0614. (POLucena/CLGillego, DOST/PIA)


DA-ATI HOLDS TRAININGS ON AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

GUINOBATAN, Albay — The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) regional training center here, announces the opening of several skills enhancement courses for Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) for Bicolanos commencing this May 2009.

ATI Director Efren Sabualrse said these series of training programs intend to provide updates on the programs, projects and present trends on improving agricultural production among the main agricultural crops of the region, agricultural marketing services, as well as agro-hydrology and dam design.

Lined up training programs this month include the following

• Agro-Hydrology and Dam Design
May 4-16, 2009 at Regent Hotel, Naga City
Co-sponsor: BSWM

• Palay Check System (1 batches of 10-day intensive training for trainers/AEWs)
May 11-21, 2009 at DA-RFU Compound, Pili, Camarines Sur
Participants (AEWs who have not yet attended a training of trainers on rice production) shall be coming from all over Camarines Sur
Co-sponsors: DA-RFU 5 and LGUs

• Agricultural Marketing (focused on cooperatives)
May 13-15, 2009 at ATI, Guinobatan, Albay
Participants shall be coming from all over the Bicol region
Co-sponsors: DA-RFU 5 and LGUs

• Palay Check System (6-day training for trainers/AEWs)
May 18-22, 2009 at DA-RFU Compound, Pili, Camarines Sur
Participants (AEWs who have attended a training of trainers on rice production but needs training on the key checks) shall come from all over Camarines Sur
Co-sponsors: DA-RFU 5 and LGUs

ATI is managing these trainings in partnership with various organizations and local government units (LGUs). (DA ATI-RTC V/PIA)


CAM SUR GEARS UP FOR KAOGMA FESTIVAL 2009

PILI, Camarines Sur — An array of colourful and exciting events will highlight the celebration of the 430th Foundation Day Anniversary of Camarines Sur province on May 23-31, this year.

Dubbed Kaogma Fusions, Governor L-Ray Villafuerte wants to make sure that the festivities will be lively and entertaining with the major events tapping well known entertainment personalities in the country to grace the 9-day celebrations.

On May 23, singer and actress Sarah Geronimo will be the special guest during the Fire and Water Parade Festival and will also stage a solo concert following the parade.

Another top-notch singer, Karylle, will be the special guest during the Grand Finals of the Dalan sa Kalangitan on May 27.

TV host Bobby Yan and matinee idol Dingdong Dantes will also be making a special appearance during the final selection and coronation night of the Miss Kaogma Beauty Pageant on May 29.

Comedians Kitkat and Chocolate will also host the Hot Hot Millions Show on May 31 with a night of fun and laughter as well as lots of cash prizes from the Hot Buys, Hot Food booths

Another sure crowd-drawer during this year’s festivities will be the staging of the Hot Kids Star Quest 2009 Grand Finals featuring the casts of Dayo sa Mundo ng Elementalia, a full-length animated film which garnered four major awards—Best Visual Effects, Best Musical Score, Best Sound and Best Original theme song—during the 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival.

“Dayo” was created by Bicolano animators of the CamSur Animation Studio based at the provincial capitol complex heree..

Extreme sports will again spice the celebration of the Kaogma Festival 2009, including the 4th Philippine Cable Wake Nationals, the 3-lap Tour of Camarines Sur, Motocross Challenge, Practical Shooting, the 4 x 4 Isarog Challenge, the National Skateboarding Competition and the Buruntolan.

Songs and music are expected to fill the air at the provincial capitol complex with the Bicol Jam presentation, featuring Bicolano bands, on May 24 following the sports extravaganza awards night; Urbandub concert after the Buruntolan awarding ceremony on May 26; and a Music Festival, featuring well-known bands from Metro Manila, on May 30. (STNieves, MMEC/PIA)


PGMA APPROVES 2009 INVESTMENT PRIORITIES PLAN

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo approved Thursday (May 7) the 2009 Investment Priorities Plan under Memorandum Order (MO) No. 299. The MO takes effect 15 days upon publication in a nationally-circulated newspaper.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said MO 299 implements Article 29 of the Omnibus Investments Code of 1987 and enjoins all government agencies and entities not to adopt any policy or take any course of action contrary or inconsistent with the IPP.

Article 27 to 31 of the Omnibus Investment Code of 1987 defines the list of investment priorities that are based on long-term comparative advantage, taking into account the value of social objectives and employing economic criteria along with market, technical and financial analysis. (PIA V Release)


PGMA CREATES TASK FORCE ON EMERGENCY EMPLOYMENT

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo created Thursday (May 7) a Presidential Task Force on Emergency Employment under Executive Order No. 794 to create emergency employment during the current global recession.

The seven-member task force is chaired by the President herself with the following members: Labor Secretary Marianito Roque; Administrator Rosalinda Baldoz of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA); Administrator Carmelita Dimzon of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA); and the presidents of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, one organization of recruitment agencies, and a representative of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP).

The President said the generation of employment and livelihood opportunities for targeted income groups is part of the country’s best preparation in thwarting the problems brought about by the global economic crisis. (PIA V Release)


PGMA TO LGUS: SET UP YOUR OWN RAINFALL GAUGES

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo enjoined all local government units (LGUs) to partner with the weather bureau and install their own rainfall measuring instruments that could save lives and mitigate the effects of landslides in their communities.

The President’s directive was relayed by Deputy Spokesman Dr. Anthony Golez who said in a briefing that the devastation wrought by the landslides in Sorsogon could have been avoided had there been rain gauges, proper rainfall monitoring, and the appropriate warnings issued.

The President reiterated the importance of rainfall-measuring instruments because while PAGASA is doing everything to monitor the weather and issue updates, various areas in the country have different rainfall intensity, Golez said.

He added that the President has enjoined LGUs to partner with PAGASA in building up community-based early-warning systems under which rainfall gauges or measuring instruments are installed in various communities to properly monitor rainfall.

A landslide can be triggered if the rainfall level goes beyond 150 millimeters in 24 hours, Golez explained.

The landslide in Sorsogon, for instance, was triggered by heavy rainfall that registered at 300 mm in 24 hours.

If there are rain gauges in different areas of the country, many lives can be saved through prior and appropriate warnings from PAGASA and the National Disaster Coordinating Council, Golez stressed. (PIA V Release)


RP TO INTENSIFY ANTI-TERROR DRIVE

MANILA — Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita Thursday (May 7) said the Philippine government will continue building on the gains of its operations against terrorists even with the “flattering evaluation” of the country’s anti-terrorism initiatives by the US government in its 2008 report.

“We will not sit on our laurels yet in our efforts against the Rajah Solaiman Movement, the Abu Sayyaf Group, the Jemaah Islamiya, the New People’s Army and other armed groups,” Ermita said in a press statement.

“With the combined actions of our military and police forces, the Philippine government will even intensify its efforts to degrade the operational capabilities of these assorted terror groups, deny them safe havens in any part of Mindanao and capture their leaders and their members,” he stressed.

Ermita said the total annihilation of these terror groups will be the over-arching national security objective and towards this end, the Philippine government will be unfailingly relentless and consistently vigilant.

Ermita said the Philippine government’s good showing in its counter terrorism campaign thus far lies in its “effective use of the logistical support and technical assistance the US government has provided the country, “a fact that should reassure the US government and inspire it to continue performing its auxiliary role.”

He said there are good reasons to think that the Philippine government will be able to impress upon the US and the international community, its earnestness as a strategic partner for peace-keeping in response to the threats of terrorism. (PIA V Release)

PGMA ORDERS CONVENING OF SPECIAL PANEL TO IMPLEMENT ‘TOWN SCHOLARS’ PROGRAM

MANILA — Upon the instruction of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) headed by Secretary Hermogenes Esperon Jr. will convene the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to implement her “One Town, One Scholar” (OTOS) program as soon as possible.

The President Wednesday (April 6) awarded certificates of college scholarship to the initial 136 town scholars selected nationwide under her OTOS program which aims to ensure that the best among needy public high school graduates from each municipality will get a college education in a state university or college preferably nearest the scholar’s residence.

The OTOS program is part of the President’s vision of “education for all.”

Under the program, one scholarship shall be provided to each of the 1,500 municipalities/towns in the entire country.

Each “town scholar” will enjoy free tuition and other school and miscellaneous fees for a 4-5-year college degree program in a state university or college, plus stipend for transportation and living allowances from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) not exceeding P15,000 per semester starting SY 2009-2010.

The town scholar, however, must pass the state college or university’s entrance examination.

Each municipal government is also encouraged to augment the scholarship benefits of the town scholar depending on the LGU’s capacity and the need of the beneficiary.

An OTOS scholar should be a natural-born Filipino citizen residing in the municipality/town; one of the top ten of the graduating class of a public school in the municipality/town; of good moral character and in good health; and the scholar’s gross annual family income is below P300,000.

The CHED manages the overall implementation of the program, with the PMS acting as oversight, according to PMS Secretary Esperon.

For Academic Year 2009-2010, the program will use the CHED’s existing funds of about P46.35 million. For the succeeding AYs, the DBM will ensure allocation as recommended in CHED’s Annual National Expenditure Program (NEP).

Interested public high school graduates who are qualified under the OTOS program should submit their letters of application to their respective schools, and undergo the screening and selection process agreed upon by their municipal mayor and the DepEd.

The town mayor endorses to the CHED Regional Office (CHEDRO) the selected town scholar, who will then be validated by CHED in terms of his/her qualification prior to the final issuance of the Scholarship Certificate.

At present, the CHED is validating nominees submitted by the rest of the municipalities until 15 May 2009.

The OTOS program was initiated during the 2007 and 2008 General Assemblies of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP). (PIA V Release)