ALBAY DRR PROGRAM AND A2C2 CITED IN UN CONFERENCE

LEGAZPI CITY— Albay province has received another accolade from the United Nation Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Conference held recently in Geneva, Switzerland citing the provincial government’s programs on disaster risk reduction and adaptation to climate change.

Albay Governor Joey Salceda, who attended the conference last June 16-19, said the province has been cited for its preemptive evacuation, which has since achieved a “zero casualty” in times of disaster, and mangrove plantation program as deterrent to climate change.

The governor, pioneering the climate change research and adaptation in the province and perhaps in the country as well, represented the country’s local government unit (LGU) sector in said four-day conference.

Salceda said Senator Loren Legarda in her plenary keynote address hailed Albay as LGU model for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, referring to the programs of the province in pursuing preparedness and management operations in times of natural disasters and other calamities.

Legarda cited in her discussion the creation and institutionalization of the Albay Provincial Safety, Emergency Management Office (APSEMO) pursuing preemptive evacuation procedures during calamities, and mangrove plantation as deterrent to climate change.

APSEMO is the first of its kind in the country to serve as the technical and administrative arm of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) due to the geographic and geologic location of the province highly vulnerable to various types of natural hazards like typhoons, flood, mud/debris flows, storm surges, tsunami, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.

“The province has also recently entered to a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the P2 million joint projects on mangrove plantations and development in hundreds of hectares of swamp areas in various provincial coastlines,” Salceda said.

Meanwhile, OxFam GB of the United Kingdom also featured Albay’s disaster management program in a documentary and information materials on its best practices on disaster risk reduction.

It can be recalled Albay has been chosen as one of the Top 10 Outstanding Governance Programs in the Search for Galing Pook 2008 for its innovative approaches in institutionalizing the APSEMO. (MALoterte, PIA V)


SORSOGON CHOSEN PILOT AREA FOR RA 9003 REVIEW

SORSOGON CITY— Sorsogon province will be the venue for the Omnibus Review of the provisions of Republic Act 9003, otherwise known as “The Solid Waste Management Act of 2003, according to Gov. Sally Lee.

Lee said the Southeast Asia Urban Environment Management Application (SEA-UEMA), under the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), has identified Sorsogon as learning resource center and pilot province for the assessment of RA 2003.

“Sorsogon was chosen among the 81 provinces all over the country. Being chosen as venue for the one-year policy review is an offshoot of our continuous networking efforts with other local and foreign organizations,” she averred.

Lee added a Flagship Project Inception Workshop was recently conducted in the province as part of the policy advocacy component of the SEA-UEMA project.

”We also launched the project and signed the Tripartite Memorandum of Agreement among the Provincial Government, Local Government Academy (LGA) and La Salle Institute of Governance (LISG) last March, this year. These activities were all part of the preparation stage before the project will be fully implemented,” she said.

”Dr. Francisco Magno, LISG director, and Mr. Marlon Era, also of La Salle-Manila, facilitated a consultation dialogue for the creation of the technical working group that will review RA 9003,” she also said.

Lee noted the policy review is necessary because some provisions in RA 9003 were found out difficult for local government to comply with or implement.

RA 9003 mandates waste segregation in every household, recycling and composting of wastes in the barangay level, and the collection of wastes which are un-recyclable or which cannot be composted by the municipal or city government to be dumped in a sanitary landfill.

Barangays Pangpang here and Zone 2 in Bulan town will be the venues for the assessment projects on the Solid Waste Management Program.

Following the 1-year policy review, the technical working group will submit a proposal to the national government on amendments, including issues and concerns on the non-compliance of some provisions in RA 9003, particularly the implementation of sanitary landfill. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)


PCSO MEDICAL AND DENTAL MISSION IN DAET

DAET, Camarines Norte— At least 1,000 patients benefited from the free medical and dental services conducted by the Philippine Charity and Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) at the Agro Sports Center here.

Estrella Abasolo, PCSO provincial district officer, said more than 900 patients availed of the medical services, some 150 patients benefited from the dental services

“Patients were also provided with free medicines and vitamin supplements,” she added.

She said volunteers from the “Kaibigan ng PCSO”, especially doctors, nurses and barangay health workers, assisted PCSO medical team during the mission
.
She said “Kaibigan ng PCSO” volunteers were recruited during the first day of PCSO charity caravan wherein more than 300 registered.

“Kaibigan ng PCSO” volunteers also pledged to help in the nationwide dental and medical mission set on September 6, highlighting the PCSO’s 75th diamond anniversary celebration.

PCSO celebrates its Diamond Jubilee year on September 8.

Abasolo said that the nationwide medical and dental mission targets at least 30 percent (42,000) of the total number of barangays in the country.

The PCSO Charity Caravan is being held in some 20 towns and cities across the country, including one in Daet town held in time for the week-long celebration of th Pinyasan Festival 2009. (RBManlangit, PIA CamNorte)


DOH, TEAM NAVY, JCI LEAD AWARENESS DRIVE ON AH1N1

DARAGA, Albay — Team Navy, Department of Health (DOH) Bicol and the Junior Chamber of Commerce (JCI) Daraga Chapter spearheaded various awareness campaign in various schools here intensifying campaign on prevention and mitigation of Influenza AH1N1.

The one-day information drive is part of the series of campaigns lined-up by the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) Bicol to inform and educate school administrators, teachers, parents and students on basic concepts about the dreaded Influenza AH1N1, proper hygiene, handling of “case under observation”, among others.

Among those visited were elementary schools of barangays Penafrancia, Gapo, Inarado, Alubo, Tabon-tabon, and Bascaran with a total number of 2,057 participants.

The team also distributed posters and alcohol-based sanitizers for the use of the schools.

The awareness campaign complements the effort of DOH increasing awareness among the local residents, providing venue for a synergy and cohesive efforts of all concerned agencies, organizations and other stakeholders in order to prevent the spread and mitigate the implications of Influenza AH1N1in the region.

It can be recalled RDCC Bicol launched the Influenza AH1N1 Awareness Caravan last June 6. (DFNieva. NAVFORSOL)


DTI TRAINS FPFA ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP

DAET, Camarines Norte — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial office here will be conducting a Basic Skills Training on Record Keeping for the Fabrica Pineapple Farmers Association (FPFA) of San Vicente, Camarines Norte.

Ernesto Pardo, DTI provincial director here, said this is part of DTI’s series of trainings on skills development and technology transfer on managing or operating a small business.

He said the training program will enlist some 40 participants from the FPFA and the beneficiaries of the Self-Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran (SEA-K) program, under the auspices of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The training program is being implemented under the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. (RBManlangit/PIA CamNorte)


DSWD BICOL EMBRACES A ‘’KALAHI’’ IN IZA CALZADO

LEGAZPI CITY — Officials and employees of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Bicol Field Office here felt profoundly grateful to former Q-TV At Your Service host Iza Calzado for acceding to be the official endorser and spokesperson of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services-Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay or KALAHI-CIDSS: KKB.

Calzado, who is a half-Bicolana and already included Breast Cancer Awareness and Gawad Kalinga as her advocacies, said she is pleased to be part of the project.

Remia Tapispisan, DSWD Bicol director, has expressed support to Calzado in her advocacy to fight poverty in the country.

“This is a very good example of successful partnership. We are very proud that Calzado was chosen as the spokesperson for KALAHI-CIDSS because she has a heart for the Bicolanos. Her late mother is a Bicolana,” she said.

“We are all united in this endeavor because we want to continue to make progress in achieving the overall development objective of the KALAHI-CIDSS: KKB,” she added.

With the KALAHI-CIDSS: KKB, Calzado crusades for the empowerment of the poor from all walks of life – women, children and men alike.

According to her, she was impressed with the project methodology of teaching the poor to be responsible because she herself learned to stand on her own by taking on responsibilities.

The project empowers the poor to make decisions among themselves and identify the problems in their community.

KALAHI-CIDSS provides grant for the needs of communities that range from water systems, Day Care centers and school buildings, etc.

“By becoming the celebrity spokesperson of project, I am hoping to become a source of inspiration,” she said.

Meanwhile, at least 491 community sub-projects or 81 per cent of the total project under the KALAHI-CIDSS were already completed in the Bicol region.

Community projects implemented included roads, water system, school buildings, irrigation system and health stations, with total project cost amounting to P565-M, while the KALAHI-CIDSS grant amounted to some ___.

KALAHI-CIDSS is a poverty alleviation project implemented by the DSWD and funded by the World Bank. The Project covers 184 of the poorest municipalities in 12 regions nationwide.

In Bicol, the areas covered are the municipalities of Pilar and Juban in Sorsogon; Sta. Elena and Del Gallego in Camarines Norte; Presentacion, Siruma, Sangay, Minalabac, Balatan and Pasacao in Camarines Sur and Bagamanoc in Catanduanes. (CLMartinez, DSWD v/PIA)


LGU EXECS AIDING NPA FACE SANCTIONS

MASBATE CITY – A new Executive Order by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo authorizes peace and order councils (POCs) to recommend sanctions on top officials of local government units providing material and political support to communist rebels.

The implementation of EO 739, which reorganized the POCs, was being pushed by government forces at the forefront of counter-insurgency drive. The need to apply the directive became apparent after the military and police noted that the campaign against the communist insurgency required the cooperation of various sectors.

It seems, however, that EO 739 was not enough to rouse POCs in Masbate that have been inoperative. Most POCs have yet to convene themselves in order to carry out the reorganization.

With EO 739, the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) as well as the City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) and Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) will be a bit leaner than their predecessor.

Besides three representatives of the private sector and one from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, those who will sit in the new PPOC are the provincial counterparts of heads of national departments, offices and agencies that have offices in Masbate.

They are the Department of Justice (DOJ), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The CPOC and MPOC are composed of the counterparts of these offices in the city and municipalities.

As in the old PPOC, the governor and vice governor will sit in the PPOC as chairperson and vice chairperson, respectively, while mayors and vice mayors will be the presiding officers and vice presiding officers of the CPOC or MPOCs.

The Arroyo administration, which aims to obliterate the communist insurgency by the end of the term of Ms. Arroyo in 2010, is optimistic that EO 739 will serve its purpose in the run-up to the 2010 elections when the New People’s Army (NPA) asks candidates for money or firearms in exchange for permits to campaign in areas where the underground movement operates.

Under EO 739, the POCs would need to develop a process of investigation and cull evidence before imposing sanctions on officials suspected to be helping NPA.

The 6,000-member NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and has been waging a Maoist insurgency since 1968.

It is in Washington’s list of international terror groups. (EADelegado, PIA Masbate)


Palace cites need to bolster democratic processes

MANILA — Malacañang rallied the people behind government efforts to strengthen “our democratic processes and institutions, including the election process.”

The appeal was made by Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, in a phone-patch interview over dzRB from Hong Kong where President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is set to dialogue with the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Today, the President will meet with top executives of the Kuok Group, which operates the Shangri-La Global Hotel and resort chain, and anti-graft consultant Anthony Kwok.

Reacting to concerns over the first-ever automation of the Philippine election, Remonde said: “We really have to work together in order to strengthen our democratic processes and institutions, including the election process.”

A priority program of the Arroyo administration, Remonde said the President was grateful to both houses of Congress for the passage of the election automation measure.

She also commended the Commission on Election (Comelec) for doing everything possible to implement the poll automation program.

Remonde was pleased that the Comelec has issued a statement that it will prepare for the worst, referring to possible snags in the poll automation, “because after all that we hope for the best we also must prepare for the worst,” Remonde said.

At this stage, “we should all help to strengthen our democratic processes and institutions if we truly love our country,” Remonde said.

In another phone-patch interview from Hong Kong, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Anthony Golez allayed the apprehensions of Sen. Francisco Escudero that the automation could lead to a failure of the 2010 election.

“Let us not jump the gun on the work of Comelec because they know what they are doing .They will not push through with their mandate if they do not know what they are doing,” Golez said.

“Let us wait and make the Comelec explain, if something needs to be explained. Everybody is waiting and very anxious for our elections to be automated which is what Comelec is doing to reform our election system,” Golez added. (PIA V Release)


Benefits of PGMA Japan, Brazil visit cited

MANILA — When President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo arrives today (June 29) from her weeklong trip to Japan and Brazil, she will be bringing with her the proverbial bacon to Juan de la Cruz.

The four-day, three-city state visit to Brazil, netted five bilateral agreements and a joint statement between the Department of Agriculture and the Brazilian Association of Girlondo Breeders.

Two of the accords focus on agricultural and commercial cooperation. The others are on Bioenergy Cooperation between the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Ministry of Mines and Energy of Brazil; employment remuneration for dependents of diplomatic, administrative and technical personnel; and biofuel development between the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and Brazil’s National Confederation of Industry.

In Brasilia, Brazil’s capital city, she met with her Brazilian counterpart, President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva and discussed ways and means to enhance bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and Brazil, and people-to-people linkages.

In Japan, Trade and Industry Minister Toshiro Nikai expressed satisfaction over the implementation of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), saying he is optimistic about its smooth implementation. He added that Japan will support the promotion of tourism exchanges between Filipino and Japanese youths.

Nikai said study grants from Japan, to be sourced from ODA funds, will be provided for four-year courses, the graduates of which will be allowed to work in Japanese companies.

Other gains from the four-day trip to Japan include:

A Y1,013,000,000.00-Grant Agreement between the Philippine Government and JICA for the Flood Disaster Mitigation Project in Camiguin Island.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was also signed by Finance Secretary Margarito Teves and Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) President Hiroshi Watanabe under which JBIC guarantees the floatation of up to $1 billion yen-dominated foreign (Samurai) bonds in the Japanese capital market in the next two years through the Philippines’ Department of Finance (DOF).

Japanese companies, including Toshiba, Marubeni and Tokyo Electric, Toyota, Sumitomo, and Mitsubishi UFJ also made firm commitments to invest and/or increase their investments in the Philippines.

Marubeni Corporation, one of Japan’s largest trading companies, has committed $500 million for the expansion of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 2; and $100 million for the Air Traffic Control Project Package 1 that will provide new communications, navigation, and surveillance/air traffic management systems to Philippine airports.

MRT 7, a private-sector project of Universal LRT Corporation (ULC), was awarded the contract for the build-operate-transfer (BOT) project by the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC). The project cost, which was estimated to reach $1.5 billion, will be funded by JBIC buyer’s credit.

Other commitments reached during the President’s visit include the supply of high performance construction and machinery for large-scale infrastructure development and mining operations; supply of agricultural machinery for increased agricultural productivity and improvement of food self-sufficiency.

Toyota Tsusho Corporation has committed to develop five jathropa plantations, each with an area of 20,000 hectares, to produce 300,000 tons of biodiesel fuel annually and generate some 12,000 new jobs. A&nnu7al sales from the project was estimated to hit about $200 million.

The corporation also said it would put up 40 windmills in Burgos, Ilocos Sur.

Aruze Corporation, the world leader in the manufacture of gaming machines, has committed $4 billion to $6 billion for the construction of a hotel resort and convention complex in the Philippines

During his meeting with President Arroyo, Japan’s Trade and Industry Minister Nikai sought the cooperation of the Philippines in the implementation of Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) under the Comprehensive Asian Development Plan as part of Japan’s stimulus plan for Asia.

The stimulus plan includes infrastructure and industrial development. (PIA V Release)


PGMA top salesperson for RP in globalized world

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is the top salesperson of the Philippines who must actively engage in international cooperation and other bilateral affairs to bolster the economy.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde stressed this during a phone-patch interview over state-run Radyo ng Bayan DZRB from Hongkong where he is accompanying the President in a working visit.

Remonde said well-meaning critics including the opposition should fully understand that the world has now been reduced to a global village and our economy has become globalized.

“No nation can exist on its own and therefore any responsible leader, any responsible head of any government must engage actively in international affairs because the global engagement is the key for our economy to be strong at home,” Remonde said.

“It has been said that today we live in a very complex and interconnected world and it is critical that the leader of any nation ensure that their economy and their people are fully integrated into the opportunities and benefits that come from active participation in the global arena,” he said.

“It is therefore, the responsibility of the President to be the top salesman of the country,” he added.

Remonde assured the President’s working visit to Japan and state visit to Brazil have reaped huge benefits for the country that include more trade, investments, development assistance, tourism promotion, new job opportunities and improvement of the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as part of our overall strategy to shore up the economy.

Remonde said the President’s working visit to Hong Kong is primarily to check on the welfare of our OFWs, and to give recognition to their remittances that contribute to increased domestic consumption, one of our firewalls against the global financial crisis. (PIA V Release)


PGMA gives marching order to DOH and DA on influenza AH1N1 problem


MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) to strengthen the country’s response to the milder type of Influenza A H1N1 cases.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde bared this during a phone patch interview from Hong Kong over the state-run Radyo ng Bayan (DZRB) over the weekend.

Remonde, who accompanies the President in her working visit to Hong Kong said the Chief Executive has directed the DOH to undertake the following:

1. Organize quick reaction teams with mobile clinics that can be easily deployed in areas affected by the virus;

2. Prepare well-equipped isolation wards in all state-run hospitals and health facilities for the treatment of A H1N1 influenza cases;

3. Raise the alert level for AH1N1 influenza to the World Health Organization (WHO) level for increased alertness and preparedness; and

4. Tap the pool of still to be employed nurses in helping organize information and education teams to elevate public awareness on proper hygiene and mitigation efforts against the disease.

Aside from the DOH, Remonde said the President also directed the Department of Agriculture (DA) “to help the tens of thousands of silent but hurting victims whose plight have been largely ignored.”

Remonde said these are the hog raisers – backyard, medium-sized and commercial -- whose farm gate prices have dropped because of baseless fears about the alleged unsafe pork.

“The DA should inform consumers that there is no swine flu infestation of local hog farms. Local pork is safe to eat,” Remonde said

Remonde said there is no report of local swine flu infestation from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and the National Meat Inspection Commission (NMIC).

On top of properly informing the public, Remonde said the DA should carry out all preparations necessary to prevent swine flu from infecting local hog farms.

Remonde said the President issued her directive while constantly monitoring the A H1N1 problem in the country.

After a hectic official working visit to Japan and state visit to Brazil, Remonde said the President is currently on a working visit to Hong Kong to check on the plight of the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). (PIA V Release)

SORSOGON REMAINS INFLUENZA AH1N1--FREE

SORSOGON Province — This province remains free of the Influenza AH1N1 virus, amidst the first recorded death of a 49-year old woman caused by the dreaded virus.

Dr. Edgar Garcia, provincial health officer here, assures the general public that the province remains AH1N1 free following rumors that a patient here turned out positive of Influenza A.

Garcia, however, admitted they referred a patient to the Bicol Regional Teaching and Training Hospital (BRTTH) in Albay but it is because they would like to make sure of other illnesses of said patient, and he can assure that the patient has only experience mild symptoms due to the changing climate and is negative of the virus.

“PHO closely monitors situations related and that the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PESU), along with MHO/RHU and BHERT, continues to make rounds to disseminate correct information related to AH1N1 flu including how to handle patients,” he said.

Meanwhile, Influenza AH1N1 Flu Disaster Coordinating Council Crisis Managers for Sorsogon have already been organized, with Dr. Edgar Garcia as the Provincial DCC chief.

Garcia said the move was in consonance with the directives of Dr. Nestor F. Santiago, Director of Center for Health Development Region V and Regional Crisis Manager for Influenza AH1N1, by virtue of the National DCC Memorandum No. 27 s. 2009 dated June 5, 2009.

“The coordinating council shall ensure the implementation of our respective plan of action and shall manage all matters relating to the effects of Influenza AH1N1 flu in our respective areas of concerns,” he added.

With the efforts jointly exerted, Garcia appeals to the public that there is no cause to panic, adding that increasing number of AH1N1 diagnosis in the country is expected since our health workers all over the country have been doing aggressive surveillance, good reporting and intensive contact tracing.

However, he also said that the public should never be too complacent.

“We should continue to be vigilant as we, in the government, continue to monitor if there are any changes in its trends and patterns,” he stressed. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)


PNP LATERAL ENTRY PROGRAM 2009 COMMENCES

SORSOGON Province — Sorsogon Police Provincial Office (SPPO) announces that the Philippine National Police (PNP) Lateral Entry Program for calendar year 2009 has already started and that they encourage qualified PNP personnel with PO3 rank to submit the following requirements:

a.) Unit Endorsement
b.) Duly Accomplished CSC PDS (Revised 2005)
c.) NSO Birth Certificate
d.) Training Certificate/Final Order of Merit/Declaration of Graduate
e.) Transcript of Records and Diploma
f.) Certificate of Eligibility/Board rating
g.) Clearances (Barangay, police, NBI, PLEB, RIAS, Legal ervice, Mayor, Prosecutor, MTC and RTC)

”Interested civilians particularly lawyers, doctors and clergies are also encouraged to join the PNP forces,” said PCI Alfredo A. Nierva, Public Information Officer, SPPO.

For further details, interested civilians and qualified PNP members may visit Sorsogon Police Provincial Office, Administrative Section, Camp Salvador C. Escudero, Sorsogon City. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon with report from PNP-SPPO)


CAMNORTE RESIDENTS BENEFIT FROM CLEEP

DAET, Camarines Norte – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial office here has conducted Basic Skills Training on Pineapple Juice Wine and Vinegar Making in San Lorenzo Ruiz town.

DTI Provincial Director Ernesto Pardo said the training program supports the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

He said some 40 participants from the Women’s Matacong Empowement Now and Women’s Incorporated of San Lorenzo Ruiz, Caayunan Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Basud, Labo Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Labo and 3 starting entrepreneurs of Daet town participated to the training.

Resource speakers and training specialists were provided by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Bicol.

Pardo said DTI has since January 2009 conducted at least 41 trainings on different livelihood programs and technology transfer benefiting some 271 locals who are now engaged in small enterprise.

Seven displaced overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) also underwent training on Basic Business Planning,” he said. (RBManlangit, PIA CamNorte)


RDCC BICOL ALL SET FOR NDCM 2009

LEGAZPI CITY, June 18, 2009 – Regional Director Bernardo Alejandro IV of Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Bicol has urged members of the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) to pool manpower and resource in carrying out the plans and activities for the National Disaster Consciousness Month this July.

This year’s National Disaster Consciousness Month evolves on the theme “Pag Alerto, Malayo sa Peligro”.

The month-long observance will commence on July 1 with the launching program at PNP Bicol Regional Office at Camp Simeon Ola here, followed by a parade from the police headquarters to Peñaranda Park in Albay district, and static display of new state of the art equipment for Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, disaster response and emergency drills.

RDCC’s IEC committee has slated series of awareness campaigns on disaster preparedness and response in various hospitals, schools, business establishments, government offices, among others, across the region.

The Philippine Navy Team, Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Air Force will jointly conduct on July 15 a Maritime Disaster Response Drill off the coast of barangay Rawis, this city, which intends to enhance interoperability and response to maritime disaster of the trio emergency response team.

NavForSol Commodore Joel E Babas, meanwhile, said the naval command strongly supports a multi-sectoral approach on disaster awareness, prevention, response and mitigation.

In a command briefing at the navy’s station, Babas stressed that “those with the capacity and wherewithal to help themselves must do so in advance, so that in the event of an emergency, responders can first assist those who are unable to tend to themselves.”

From typhoons and flashfloods to volcanic eruption and landslide, recent events remind us more than ever that we must prepare ourselves and our families for a disaster. This is the time, each year, when every Bicolanos should ask the question, ‘Am I ready?’”

NavForSol also reiterates the need for a year round preparation on disaster response and mitigation.

“We encourage every individual to take important preparedness steps that will greatly improve his or her ability to survive and recover from all types of emergencies, whether natural or man-made,” Babas said.

He added that these steps include getting an emergency supply kit, making a family emergency plan, becoming informed about the different emergencies that may affect them, and getting involved in community preparedness and response efforts.
(DFNieva, NAVFORSOL/PIA)


1,440 HAS. BICOL UPLANDS PLANTED WITH TREES

LEGAZPI CITY – Some 1,440 hectares of uplands within the Bicol River Basin area are now planted with trees.

This was gleaned from a report (as of June 12, 2009) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Bicol regional office, a copy of which was sent to Presidential Assistant Tomasito B. Monzon, Project Manager of the Bicol River Basin and Watershed Management Project (BRBWMP) based in Naga City.

The upland reforestation projects were carried out in 13 different areas in Camarines Sur, including barangays Tible, San Rafael Norte, Buenasuerte, Sooc and Napolidan in Lupi town; Panoytayan, Cabadisan and Samay in Ragay; Tigman in Sipocot; Del Socorro in Minalabac; Tanag and Bagamelon in Libmanan; Pamplona; and Minalabac.

Seven of these projects will be implemented within a year, while the rest will be carried out for a period of three years.

According to the same report, the 1,440 hectares planted comprised 90 percent of the target 1,608 hectares.

The upland reforestation project has a total allocation amounting to P37,679,730.90. Some P20,401,886.80 or 54 percent of the total fund has already been utilized.

DENR handles the watershed management and development component (WMD) of the BRBWMP. Other components, like irrigation modernization, flood and hazard mitigation and institutional development, are being implemented by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and Project Management Office.

Under the WMD component, there are also two components, such as plantation and infrastructure. Under plantation, there are six activities, namely, upland reforestation, agro-forestry, bamboo riverbank stabilization, mangrove rehabilitation, assisted natural regeneration (ANR), and protection and maintenance. Under infrastructure, the activities are gabion check dams, SWIS or (small water impounding system), and eco-blocks construction.

For agro-forestry areas, 186 hectares have already been planted with forest trees, fruit bearing trees and other agricultural crops, the DENR report said.

It entails 77 percent of the target area of 243 hectares has already been accomplished. The project cost some P3,288,200.00 wherein 74 percent of the total fund, amounting to P2,429,691.00, were already utilized.

The five agro-forestry projects are located in barangays Tible in Sipocot; San Ramon in Pamplona; Del Socorro in Minalabac; Sigamot in Libmanan; and San Ramon in Pamplona, all in Camarines Sur.

Other activities included riverbank stabilization covering a 32 kilometer stretch in Lupi, Sipocot and Libmanan towns, mangrove forest rehabilitation covering 45 hectares in barangays Biong, Pandan and Barcelonita in Cabusao.

DENR Bicol also assisted natural regeneration activities within the 50 hectares area in barangay Alana, Lupi; protection and maintenance of the 250 hectares of forests in Napolidan, Lupi; and Tanag, Libmanan.

Under infrastructure component, the report states the following accomplishments:

1. Setting up of gabion check dams with a total of 382 cubic meters in Pag-oring, Libmanan; Bulawan Sr., Kabutagan and Tapi in Lupi; Lubigan in Sipocot; Del Socorro, Minalabac; and another area in Minalabac.
2. Construction of seven (7) units of SWIS in Tible, Sipocot; San Ramon, Pamplona; Bagong Sikat, Lupi; Pag-oring, Libmanan; Irayang Sulong, Minalabac; and two other areas in San Ramon, Pamplona.
3. Construction of 500 linear meters of ecoblocks in Barangays San Felipe, Santiago and Del Carmen in Minalabac, Camarines Sur.

All activities under the watershed component of the BRBWMP are intended to restore, sustain and enhance the productive potentials of Alienable and Disposable (A&D) and timber lands, and to enhance the protection functions of the watershed of the Bicol River Basin towards the ultimate goal of reducing poverty. (ASAraya, DENR V/PIA)


POLICE NABS NOTORIOUS BONNET GANG

San Andres, Catanduanes—Elements of the Municipal Police Office here, led by PInsp. Darwin A. Asejo, apprehended three members of the notorious Bonnet Gang while trying to evade a police checkpoint along barangay Belmonte, this municipality, around 8:45 p.m. Thursday (June 18).

Asejo bared arrested were gang leader Leo Bagadiong y Gino, 26, married; Vincent Tario y Lerios, 23, single; Jomar Magtangob y De la Cruz, 23, single, all residents of barangay Antipolo in Virac town.

Police recovered from Bagadiong one (1) cal. 38 revolver trademark ARMSCOR SN# 822180 loaded with 6 live ammos, 13 live ammos for shotgun, 1 short magazine of M16 rifle loaded with 6 live ammos, 1 Nokia Cp Model 1112, 1 brown wallet containing P 160.00 and several receipts and personal identifications, 1military flashlight, 1 black leather wallet containing several receipts and personal identifications, 1white pouch with markings Mercury Drugs, 1military snipers veil, 1duplicate key for Yamaha Motorcycle, and 1 Motorstar motorcycle with Plate # 6591 NJ.

Lerios was in possession of 1 Cal. 45 pistol Model COLT 1911, w/o serial nos. inserted with 1magazine containing four 4 live ammo with black holster, 1 Nokia Cp Model 6600, 1brown wallet with Prof. Driver’s License, and 1 black wig.

Police also recovered from De la Cruz 1 Cal. 22 revolver Model Sentinel loaded with eight live ammos with Serial #. P-6875, 1Nokia Cp Model 3310, 1 baseball cap (black), and 1 black bonnet.

All apprehended suspects were involved in various robbery hold up within Virac and San Andres of this province at present subject persons were now detained in this station and a case for PD 1866 Sec. 1 for Illegal Possession of FAS and Ammunition is being prepared for inquest filing. (EABagadiong, PIA Catanduanes)


PGMA, Brazil’s Lula de Silva share one thing in common

RECIFE CITY, Brazil — When President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo meets Brazilian counterpart Luis Inacio Lula de Silva at the highlight of her three-day State Visit in Brazil today (Wednesday, June 24) she will have one thing in common with the Latin American head of state. They are the first two recipients of the prestigious Don Quixote de la Mancha International Award.

The award, which recognizes the work of institutional and individual personalities who contribute the most to the promotion and knowledge of Spanish culture and language, was won by Lula de Silva (institutional category) in its initial edition last year.

This year, it was the turn of President Arroyo to be given the honors for her initiative of promoting the teaching and learning of the Spanish language in the Philippines.

It will be recalled that in November 2007, President Arroyo signed Memorandum Order No. 276 directing the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to encourage the teaching and learning of the Spanish language.

The initiative was warmly welcomed by the Spanish government during the President’s State Visit to Spain in December of the same year.

The president of the Castilla-La Mancha province and president of the jury, Jose Maria Barreda, said the award is in recognition of President Arroyo’s “educational initiative in introducing the Spanish language in national study plans, which amplify areas of political, institutional and economic cooperation in developing the Spanish language.”

Peruvian-Spanish writer Mario Vargas Llosa is this year’s recipient for the individual category. Last year’s winner was Mexican novelist and essayist Carlos Fuentes.

The announcement of President Arroyo’s award is auspicious as the Philippines is re-introducing Spanish into the curriculum in selected schools beginning this month.

The awarding ceremony is tentatively scheduled to take place during the celebration of Dia de la Hispanidad, or Spanish National Day, on Oct. 12 in Toledo. His Majesty King Juan Carlos will confer the awards in the presence of Spanish President Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero. (PIA V Release)


PGMA must be supported and commended instead of being condemned for her trips overseas

RECIFE CITY, Brazil — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo deserves commendation instead of condemnation for embarking on trips overseas that have brought untold benefits to the Filipino people especially in these times of global economic uncertainties.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde today (Wednesday, June 24) stressed the President’s trips abroad are “not vacations nor fun” but hard work aimed at finding solutions to the problems of the Filipino people.

“We are today living in a global village. We cannot be insular in our attitude and in our thinking that is why we have to appreciate the fact that we have a president who is actively promoting and protecting the interests of the Filipinos and Philippines abroad,” Remonde said.

“It is important and necessary for our president to be active in the international scene in order to open job markets abroad for Filipinos, to promote international trade, to secure more development assistance for the Philippines,” the Press Secretary added.

He pointed out that the President’s trips abroad are “worth every penny” as these trips have helped the Philippines breeze through the global economic crunch.

At the same time, the Press Secretary stressed that the President’s trips overseas are “not one of things that we are defensive about” as he expressed Malacanang’s readiness to face any Senate investigation. (PIA V Release)


PGMA reiterates order to Health Dep’t on flu virus

RECIFE CITY, Brazil — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo today (Wednesday, June 24) reiterated her order to the Department of Health (DOH) and other concerned agencies to do everything possible to protect the people from the influenza AH1N1 virus.
In a radio interview over RMN-DZXL, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was informed about the AH1N1-related death of a 49-year-old woman in Metro Manila.
The DOH said the woman died of “congestive heart failure secondary to acute myocardial infarction” and other complications, including the A H1N1 virus.
Remonde is with the President who is now in Brazil on a state visit upon the invitation of Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula de Silva.
He said the virus reported in the country is not the virulent type. He added that the President is calling on the public and private health sectors to team up in the fight against the virus. (PIA V Release)


Remonde cites benefits to RP of PGMA's travels abroad

RECIFE CITY, Brazil — While welcoming the planned investigation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's travels abroad, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde today expressed confidence that the senators will discover that the presidential trips are necessary and beneficial to the country.

In a press conference in Brazil monitored by a local radio station, Remonde said, "Malacanang welcomes the Senate's plan to investigate the travels of the President abroad even as we want to remind the people that these are all public records, being audited by the Commission on Audit."

"I assure the Filipino people that her travels are all hectic, working travels. They are not vacations. She brings home so many benefits to the country in terms of more trade, investments, jobs for overseas-based Filipinos, loans and better diplomatic relations," Remonde said.

The President’s foreign trips also enable her to get in touch and dialogue with the OFWs, find out first-hand what their problems are and decide on them on the spot, he added.

"What else is new,” Remonde said, referring to the proposed Senate investigation. “That is the job of the Senate. So let the Senators do their job. But I assure them that they will find out that the travels are necessary and bring home more bounties for the country that would not otherwise be realized if she stayed home," he added. (PIA V Release)

CITY COUNCIL GIVES NOD TO EDC’s GEOTHERMAL ENERGY EXPANSION PROJECT

SORSOGON CITY — The city council here has endorsed the operations of th Rangas–Tanawon Geothermal Project, an expansion of the Bacon-Manito Geothermal Production Project of the Energy Development Corporation (EDC).

EDC’s production field here supplies at least 80% of power needed for the Luzon Grid.

With the endorsement of the Sangguniang Panlungsod on the request of the EDC to continue with the operations of the expansion project, the city government thinks likely investors will be coming in to venture in business not only in this city but also in different business centers across the province.

Mayor Leovic Dioneda said after thorough deliberations with series of committee hearings conducted among members the city council and the community, the productive side of the project in terms of investment, employment and increase in royalty has ruled over.

“I am convinced that this project will certainly improve the lives of the Sorsoganons, that is why I am optimistic in pursuing this kind of developmental effort,” Dioneda assures.

Moreover, he also said that the opening of Rangas – Tanawon Geothermal Project also promises sufficient power supply for the region that is clean, renewable and sustainable.

Governor Sally A. Lee meanwhile has stated that the project can be one of the reasons of pushing through charter change, which is one idea for a new kind of governance that can better propel the economy of Sorsogon.

“Whatever economic gains this project has for investment, it can be used in the operations and development of the province,” Lee also said. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)


MINING CONTRACT FOR COAL AREA IN MASBATE SOUGHT

MASBATE CITY – Because of its coal deposits, a town in Masbate is one of the sites in the country being sought out for exploration and development by mining companies.

The Department of Energy (DOE) said Cataingan, 80 kilometers from the capital city of Masbate, is among 18 areas in the country which are subjects of 25 contract proposals to explore and develop prospective coal sites.

Energy Undersecretary Ramon Allan Oca said the proposals were submitted under the fourth Philippine Energy Contracting Round (PECR) 2009 for coal.

At least 13 local companies submitted the proposals, Oca said in a statement quoted by the energy department website www.doe.gov.ph.

It was reported that the DOE intended to finish the technical, legal and financial evaluation of the proposal within a month.

“I don’t want to take this long to avoid any doubts as to what we’re doing,” Oca added.
PECR is a public bidding round aimed at encouraging companies to invest in the country’s energy sector. These contracting rounds, which showcase the country’s potential areas for exploration and development, are expected to spur investments and help cut costly oil imports as well.

Coal block system that was offered under PECR 2009 was in the municipality of Cataingan. Five other areas in Bicol that were offered under the same PECR were Caramoran, Panganiban and Viga, all in Catanduanes; Gubat in Sorsogon and Rapu-Rapu in Albay.

The DOE had earlier assured prospective investors that the government had “undertaken a thorough process of resource evaluation to yield high exploration success that is in line with our shared goal of efficient development and production of the coal area.” (EADelgado, PIA Masbate)


VILLAFUERTE LEADS GK VISION 2024 UNVEILING IN BOSTON, USA

PILI, Camarines Sur — Governor LRay Villafuerte joined the “prime movers and shakers” who graced the unveiling of the Gawad Kalinga’s 2024 vision held in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, last June 12, in time for the celebration of the Philippine 111th Philippine Independence Day.

The vision presented by GK founder Tony Meloto at the Boston summit focused on putting an end to poverty some 5 million poorest Filipino families are going through, furthermore, building a First World Philippines.

“Our target is to take the Philippines out of the third world status by 2024. We want to share the GK way with like-minded global citizens to help expand our work,” Meloto explained.

Gawad Kalinga (“to give care”), organized in 1995 by Meloto with the help of Couples For Christ (CFC) volunteers initially to make life better for slum dwellers and now diversified into education, livelihood and other development ventures, is conceded to be the biggest nation-building volunteer movement in the Philippines nowadays.

Meloto said GK selected Camarines Sur way back October 2008 as the country’s first “designer province’ and cited Villafuerte recognizing the broad-based community development activities initiated by the province’s chief executive among GK communities.

He added there is at least one GK village in every town of the province.

During the Boston summit, Meloto urged everyone not only to put their stakes in reducing poverty incidence among Filipinos but also to build a first-world Philippines

In a related development, GK earned another world recognition as a genuine model of poverty alleviation vehicle when an article about GK and Meloto published by Jeepney magazine recently won the Best Interview category at the 2nd Annual International Street Paper awards in Bergen, Norway.

The International Network of Street Papers is a global network addressing poverty, unemployment and homelessness by connecting 101 street papers from 37 countries worldwide.

“We will showcase the best practices of GK in the Philippines and abroad recognizing partners from the government, business and civil society. Outstanding governors and mayors will present their development plans to build trust, attract grants and investments, and encourage tourism in their respective areas,” Meloto said. (DCAbad, PIA CamSur)


TESDA AWARDS 150 PGSP SCHOLARSHIPS

DAET, Camarines Norte – A total of 150 student-beneficiaries were awarded with the Pangulong Gloria Scholarship Program (PGSP) during the 111th Independence Day, (June 12) here.

Technical Education Skills Development and Authority (TESDA) awarded the certificates to 100 scholars at the provincial capitol compound, while the 50 others were distributed in a similar ceremony in Labo town.

Elizabeth L. Bornas, TESDA Camariens Norte provincial director, said the 100 scholars are now enrolled in different TESDA accredited schools across the province and the 50 others signed up at TESDA Training Center in Labo

She noted the scholarship program is being distributed to all barangays in the province.
She said the PGSP has since started in 2006, and for this year’s programs or courses included those in demand not only for employment locally but also for job overseas.

She added after finishing the technical-vocational courses, scholars will go through skills assessment. If they passed, the will be given the National Certificate Level II making them eligible to work in the Asia Pacific region.

The Provincial Government meanwhile lead several activities marking the celebration of the Freedom Day more productive and meaningful, commencing with a Holy Mass, flag raising ceremony, civic parade, and poster-making contest, among others.

The PIA provincial office here, led by ICM Rose Manlangit, also spearheaded a series of radio guestings and radio program dubbed “Ugnayang Camarines Norte” expounding on the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in the wake of the present global economic meltdown.

DTI Provincial Director Ernesto Pardo, Engr. Rodrigo Z. Jalimao and Engr. Efren Regondola of DPWH District Office and Eliseo O. Gabalfin of TESDA also joined the media promotion activities. (RBManlangit/PIA CamNorte)


LEGAZPI CITY VIES FOR 2009 NDCC GAWAD KALASAG AWARD

LEGAZPI CITY — The City Disaster Coordinating Council (CDCC) here has qualified among the top three nominees for the 2009 Gawad Kalasag Best CDCC category, sponsored by the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC)

Mayor Noel Rosal said that he was informed last June 15 through a letter by Office of the Civil Defense Regional Director Bernardo R. Alejandro on the inclusion of Legazpi City to the top three CDCCs vying for the Gawad Kalasag awards program.

He said that a validating team from the NDCC arrived last Friday assessing the programs, projects and activities related to disaster risk reduction and mitigation, preparedness and response of the city government.

Rosal said that the disaster councils of Makati City and Olongapo City are the two other competing CDCCs for the top spot.

He said being nominated to the top three contenders is already a great honor for the city government and winning the top place in the Gawag Kalasag-Best CDCC is now our main goal. (EAdeLeon, PIA V)


NAVFORSOL HIRES 27 WORKERS

LEGAZPI CITY— Twenty seven (27) workers received last Tuesday (June 16) their job certificates and are now employed at the Naval Forces Southern Luzon (NAVFORSOL) Headquarters here

Commodore Joel E Babas, NAVFORSOL commander, said the job generation program is part of the Navy’s commitment to help displaced OFW’s and unemployed workers who were affected by present global financial crisis.

Babas said NAVFORSOL hired 1 Computer Maintenance Technologist, 2 Bookkeepers, 4 Utility Foremen, 4 Electricians, 4 Mechanics, 4 Mason, 4 Carpenters, and 4 Plumber

A total of eight hundred twenty nine (829) identified positions were offered consistent to the navy’s nationwide hiring program under the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Director Bihis said CLEEP focuses on jobs creation to address the immediate concerns of workers who lost their jobs or who remain unemployed because of the global economic meltdown.

“Additional jobs means enhance spending which is desirable for the economy,” he added.

More than 9,000 employment contracts in addition to livelihood funding checks and certificates of training were awarded during the launching of the said program which was the integral component of the of this year’s Independence Day commemoration.

Barely two months ago, two hundred (200) young Bicolanos were also sworn in to the Philippine Marines as part of the Navy’s recruitment in the region. (DFNieva NAVFORSOL/PIA)


NPA COMMANDER KILLED IN SORSOGON CLASH

SORSOGON CITY__ Two NPA rebels were killed following an encounter on Saturday, June 20, around 7:00AM barangay Sugud, Bacon District here.

According to Pfc. Vince Mercado, 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion PIO, his team was conducting patrol operations when they chanced upon some 15 rebels resulting to exchange of gun fires which lasted for 30 minutes.

No casualty was reported on the side of the government but two rebels were killed from the enemy’s side, where one believed to be an NPA commander.

Mercado identified the fatalities on the rebel side as Raul Halum, aka “Ka Reboy”, an NPA commander, 35 years old and resident of barangay Sangat, Gubat town, while one Amado Gabat aka “Ka Tomas” and “Ka Jepoy”, 25 years old and resident of barangay Carohayon, Juban town.

Recovered on the scene were personal belongings and subversive documents with high intelligence value, 1 M-635 rifle with serial number 193613, 1 cal 45 pistol with serial number 136312, 3 civilian backpacks and one CD containing document of NPA’s brutality which the government troops are still reviewing by now.

Meanwhile, in a monitored report, the corpses of the two fatalities were already claimed by their families from one funeral home here. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)


PGMA's four-day state visit to Brazil focuses on deepening bilateral relations

RECIFE CITY, Pernambuco, Brazil---President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is scheduled to arrive tonight (7p.m. Brazil time) in this northeastern city of Brazil, on the first leg of her four-day, three-city visit to the world’s 10th largest economy.

The President will also visit Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro.

The President’s state visit is expected to deepen further 49 years of diplomatic and bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and Brazil. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1960.

Before she left the Philippines for Japan en route to Brazil last Wednesday (June 17), the President expressed hopes that her visit here will “provide impetus for enhanced relations with Brazil, the largest economy in Latin America and an emerging major global player.”

The President said that her mission to Brazil -- one of the four new economic giants after Russia, India and China -- “represents the full breadth of our nation’s interests in the world.”

“Brazil is a developing nation that has burst onto the international scene the last decade. Brazil has become a voice for the special challenges of a developing nation as well as an innovator in biofuels. Brazil also faces many of the same challenges experienced by the Philippines, so developing a closer relationship with this South American powerhouse affords our two nations a chance to learn from each other’s experiences,” the President said.

The President hopes to establish greater alliances with Brazil in the areas of bio-fuel production and agri-business during her visit.

“I am confident we will return with new alliances that will benefit both our public and private sectors and support our efforts to promote food and fuel self-sufficiency,” the President added.

Pernambuco Governor Eduardo Henrique Accioly Campos will host a dinner for the President at the Governor’s Palace upon her arrival. (PIA V Release)


PGMA's foreign trips are in search of solutions to RP problems – Remonde

MANILA — Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said today President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s foreign travels are all part of her search for solutions to the country’s problems such as unemployment, enhance trade and encourage foreign investments to grow the economy.

In a radio interview this morning in Manila (7:45 p.m. in North America), Remonde said the President’s travels are not meant to avoid or escape from the problems in the country as her detractors claim, but rather to search for solutions to those problems.

“Ang pagbibiyahe niya ay pag-aasikaso pa rin sa mga pangangailangan ng bayan, pagtugon pa rin ng mga problema ng ating bayan. (Her trips are in search of solutions to problems nagging our country),” Remonde explained.

He said the President’s foreign trips are all documented and audited by the Commission on Audit (COA).

He pointed out that all heads of state, not only President Arroyo, travel frequently to meet the leaders of other countries.

“This is the reality. Its not only President Arroyo who frequently travels. Other heads of states, even in ASEAN do the same -- all in search of solutions to domestic and global problems,” he said.

Remonde said the President’s travels are meant to create trade and development opportunities and perk up the labor market, and she has accomplished a lot to help our country survive the global crisis.

He said the benefits that President Arroyo brings home from her travels more than compensate for the cost of her trips. For instance, in Japan, she was able to obtain $500 million worth of official development assistance aside from several other private-sector investment agreements.

“We were able to secure jobs for our nurses, caregivers and other professionals in Japan. These are just examples. I can assure our countrymen that all the travels of our President are official and working visits, not junkets or vacations,” he stressed. (PIA V Release)


DOH maps out plans for A H1N1 strain

MANILA — With 445 cases, including the 17 new ones and 84 percent of them recovered and discharged from hospitals, the Department of Health (DOH) today said it is preparing for an expected “second wave” of the influenza A (H1N1) mutant virus which can be “more virulent and more fatal.”

“We are not headed for a second wave yet but we have to be prepared,” DOH Director Yolanda Oliveros said.

Oliveros added that the threat of a second wave of A H1N1 virus may not really be serious and DOH does not see the need to suspend classes at response levels 1 and 2 but only at level 3 where there are confirmed case in the school.

“In the revised DOH guidelines for schools, there would be some characterization and evaluation of schools (to determine) whether we need to suspend only a class, a building or a department, if it is a college or university,” she explained.

There will be some evaluation by the local health authorities and the regional health officials . . . . so they (school officials) may be guided accordingly,” Oliveros told Palace reporters.

The DOH official said the increasing number of schools reporting flu cases is due to the heightened awareness of the virus. “They report the cases to us and we examine the students,” she said.

On whether the DoH will support the bill filed by Sen. Rodolfo Biazon proposing a public health emergency, she said there are now scheduled public hearings on the bill.

She explained, however that declaring public health emergency requires a thorough study of the implications of such declaration. “The DOH will support anything that will strengthen the response of the country to public health emergency,” she said.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo pointed out that even without a public health emergency declaration, LGUs can use their calamity funds for such purpose based on approved resolutions by their Sanggunians or legislative councils.

“So as of now, if the LGU thinks it is necessary to declare a state of calamity or emergency, they may do so as long as mandated by a Sanggunian Resolution,” explained Fajardo, a former city mayor of Palayan City in Nueva Ecija.

The Department of Education, meanwhile, has come up with measures to ensure that students are able to catch up with their lessons, if classes are suspended due to health emergencies.

Schools are allowed to use “modified planner,” in or out-of-school modules, extension of the hours that student can stay at school when classes resume, and they can hold classes during Saturdays, Fajardo added.

Oliveros said the DOH is now preparing its health facilities and conducting simulation exercises in preparation for any second wave of the virus.

“Our most important response, however, is risk communication to reduce panic, and sound health infrastructure to make sure all hospitals and health facilities will be prepared to address the severely-ill cases that will be brought to hospitals,” she said. (PIA V Release)

CITY COUNCIL GIVE A NOD TO EDC’s GEOTHERMAL ENERGY EXPANSION PROJECT

SORSOGON CITY — The city council here has endorsed the operations of th Rangas–Tanawon Geothermal Project, an expansion of the Bacon-Manito Geothermal Production Project of the Energy Development Corporation (EDC).

EDC’s production field here supplies at least 80% of power needed for the Luzon Grid.

With the endorsement of the Sangguniang Panlungsod on the request of the EDC to continue with the operations of the expansion project, the city government thinks likely investors will be coming in to venture in business not only in this city but also in different business centers across the province.

Mayor Leovic Dioneda said after thorough deliberations with series of committee hearings conducted among members the city council and the community, the productive side of the project in terms of investment, employment and increase in royalty has ruled over.

“I am convinced that this project will certainly improve the lives of the Sorsoganons, that is why I am optimistic in pursuing this kind of developmental effort,” Dioneda assures.

Moreover, he also said that the opening of Rangas – Tanawon Geothermal Project also promises sufficient power supply for the region that is clean, renewable and sustainable.

Governor Sally A. Lee meanwhile has stated that the project can be one of the reasons of pushing through charter change, which is one idea for a new kind of governance that can better propel the economy of Sorsogon.

“Whatever economic gains this project has for investment, it can be used in the operations and development of the province,” Lee also said. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)


MINING CONTRACT FOR COAL AREA IN MASBATE SOUGHT

MASBATE CITY – Because of its coal deposits, a town in Masbate is one of the sites in the country being sought out for exploration and development by mining companies.

The Department of Energy (DOE) said Cataingan, 80 kilometers from the capital city of Masbate, is among 18 areas in the country which are subjects of 25 contract proposals to explore and develop prospective coal sites.

Energy Undersecretary Ramon Allan Oca said the proposals were submitted under the fourth Philippine Energy Contracting Round (PECR) 2009 for coal.

At least 13 local companies submitted the proposals, Oca said in a statement quoted by the energy department website www.doe.gov.ph.

It was reported that the DOE intended to finish the technical, legal and financial evaluation of the proposal within a month.

“I don’t want to take this long to avoid any doubts as to what we’re doing,” Oca added.
PECR is a public bidding round aimed at encouraging companies to invest in the country’s energy sector. These contracting rounds, which showcase the country’s potential areas for exploration and development, are expected to spur investments and help cut costly oil imports as well.

Coal block system that was offered under PECR 2009 was in the municipality of Cataingan. Five other areas in Bicol that were offered under the same PECR were Caramoran, Panganiban and Viga, all in Catanduanes; Gubat in Sorsogon and Rapu-Rapu in Albay.

The DOE had earlier assured prospective investors that the government had “undertaken a thorough process of resource evaluation to yield high exploration success that is in line with our shared goal of efficient development and production of the coal area.” (EADelgado, PIA Masbate)


VILLAFUERTE LEADS GK VISION 2024 UNVEILING IN BOSTON, USA

PILI, Camarines Sur — Governor LRay Villafuerte joined the “prime movers and shakers” who graced the unveiling of the Gawad Kalinga’s 2024 vision held in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, last June 12, in time for the celebration of the Philippine 111th Philippine Independence Day.

The vision presented by GK founder Tony Meloto at the Boston summit focused on putting an end to poverty some 5 million poorest Filipino families are going through, furthermore, building a First World Philippines.

“Our target is to take the Philippines out of the third world status by 2024. We want to share the GK way with like-minded global citizens to help expand our work,” Meloto explained.

Gawad Kalinga (“to give care”), organized in 1995 by Meloto with the help of Couples For Christ (CFC) volunteers initially to make life better for slum dwellers and now diversified into education, livelihood and other development ventures, is conceded to be the biggest nation-building volunteer movement in the Philippines nowadays.

Meloto said GK selected Camarines Sur way back October 2008 as the country’s first “designer province’ and cited Villafuerte recognizing the broad-based community development activities initiated by the province’s chief executive among GK communities.

He added there is at least one GK village in every town of the province.

During the Boston summit, Meloto urged everyone not only to put their stakes in reducing poverty incidence among Filipinos but also to build a first-world Philippines

In a related development, GK earned another world recognition as a genuine model of poverty alleviation vehicle when an article about GK and Meloto published by Jeepney magazine recently won the Best Interview category at the 2nd Annual International Street Paper awards in Bergen, Norway.

The International Network of Street Papers is a global network addressing poverty, unemployment and homelessness by connecting 101 street papers from 37 countries worldwide.

“We will showcase the best practices of GK in the Philippines and abroad recognizing partners from the government, business and civil society. Outstanding governors and mayors will present their development plans to build trust, attract grants and investments, and encourage tourism in their respective areas,” Meloto said. (DCAbad, PIA CamSur)


TESDA AWARDS 150 PGSP SCHOLARSHIPS

DAET, Camarines Norte – A total of 150 student-beneficiaries were awarded with the Pangulong Gloria Scholarship Program (PGSP) during the 111th Independence Day, (June 12) here.

Technical Education Skills Development and Authority (TESDA) awarded the certificates to 100 scholars at the provincial capitol compound, while the 50 others were distributed in a similar ceremony in Labo town.

Elizabeth L. Bornas, TESDA Camariens Norte provincial director, said the 100 scholars are now enrolled in different TESDA accredited schools across the province and the 50 others signed up at TESDA Training Center in Labo

She noted the scholarship program is being distributed to all barangays in the province.
She said the PGSP has since started in 2006, and for this year’s programs or courses included those in demand not only for employment locally but also for job overseas.

She added after finishing the technical-vocational courses, scholars will go through skills assessment. If they passed, the will be given the National Certificate Level II making them eligible to work in the Asia Pacific region.

The Provincial Government meanwhile lead several activities marking the celebration of the Freedom Day more productive and meaningful, commencing with a Holy Mass, flag raising ceremony, civic parade, and poster-making contest, among others.

The PIA provincial office here, led by ICM Rose Manlangit, also spearheaded a series of radio guestings and radio program dubbed “Ugnayang Camarines Norte” expounding on the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in the wake of the present global economic meltdown.

DTI Provincial Director Ernesto Pardo, Engr. Rodrigo Z. Jalimao and Engr. Efren Regondola of DPWH District Office and Eliseo O. Gabalfin of TESDA also joined the media promotion activities. (RBManlangit/PIA CamNorte)


LEGAZPI CITY VIES FOR 2009 NDCC GAWAD KALASAG AWARD

LEGAZPI CITY — The City Disaster Coordinating Council (CDCC) here has qualified among the top three nominees for the 2009 Gawad Kalasag Best CDCC category, sponsored by the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC)

Mayor Noel Rosal said that he was informed last June 15 through a letter by Office of the Civil Defense Regional Director Bernardo R. Alejandro on the inclusion of Legazpi City to the top three CDCCs vying for the Gawad Kalasag awards program.

He said that a validating team from the NDCC arrived last Friday assessing the programs, projects and activities related to disaster risk reduction and mitigation, preparedness and response of the city government.

Rosal said that the disaster councils of Makati City and Olongapo City are the two other competing CDCCs for the top spot.

He said being nominated to the top three contenders is already a great honor for the city government and winning the top place in the Gawag Kalasag-Best CDCC is now our main goal. (EAdeLeon, PIA V)


NAVFORSOL HIRES 27 WORKERS

LEGAZPI CITY— Twenty seven (27) workers received last Tuesday (June 16) their job certificates and are now employed at the Naval Forces Southern Luzon (NAVFORSOL) Headquarters here

Commodore Joel E Babas, NAVFORSOL commander, said the job generation program is part of the Navy’s commitment to help displaced OFW’s and unemployed workers who were affected by present global financial crisis.

Babas said NAVFORSOL hired 1 Computer Maintenance Technologist, 2 Bookkeepers, 4 Utility Foremen, 4 Electricians, 4 Mechanics, 4 Mason, 4 Carpenters, and 4 Plumber

A total of eight hundred twenty nine (829) identified positions were offered consistent to the navy’s nationwide hiring program under the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Director Bihis said CLEEP focuses on jobs creation to address the immediate concerns of workers who lost their jobs or who remain unemployed because of the global economic meltdown.

“Additional jobs means enhance spending which is desirable for the economy,” he added.

More than 9,000 employment contracts in addition to livelihood funding checks and certificates of training were awarded during the launching of the said program which was the integral component of the of this year’s Independence Day commemoration.

Barely two months ago, two hundred (200) young Bicolanos were also sworn in to the Philippine Marines as part of the Navy’s recruitment in the region. (DFNieva NAVFORSOL/PIA)


NPA COMMANDER KILLED IN SORSOGON CLASH

SORSOGON CITY__ Two NPA rebels were killed following an encounter on Saturday, June 20, around 7:00AM barangay Sugud, Bacon District here.

According to Pfc. Vince Mercado, 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion PIO, his team was conducting patrol operations when they chanced upon some 15 rebels resulting to exchange of gun fires which lasted for 30 minutes.

No casualty was reported on the side of the government but two rebels were killed from the enemy’s side, where one believed to be an NPA commander.

Mercado identified the fatalities on the rebel side as Raul Halum, aka “Ka Reboy”, an NPA commander, 35 years old and resident of barangay Sangat, Gubat town, while one Amado Gabat aka “Ka Tomas” and “Ka Jepoy”, 25 years old and resident of barangay Carohayon, Juban town.

Recovered on the scene were personal belongings and subversive documents with high intelligence value, 1 M-635 rifle with serial number 193613, 1 cal 45 pistol with serial number 136312, 3 civilian backpacks and one CD containing document of NPA’s brutality which the government troops are still reviewing by now.

Meanwhile, in a monitored report, the corpses of the two fatalities were already claimed by their families from one funeral home here. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)


PGMA's four-day state visit to Brazil focuses on deepening bilateral relations

RECIFE CITY, Pernambuco, Brazil---President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is scheduled to arrive tonight (7p.m. Brazil time) in this northeastern city of Brazil, on the first leg of her four-day, three-city visit to the world’s 10th largest economy.

The President will also visit Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro.

The President’s state visit is expected to deepen further 49 years of diplomatic and bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and Brazil. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1960.

Before she left the Philippines for Japan en route to Brazil last Wednesday (June 17), the President expressed hopes that her visit here will “provide impetus for enhanced relations with Brazil, the largest economy in Latin America and an emerging major global player.”

The President said that her mission to Brazil -- one of the four new economic giants after Russia, India and China -- “represents the full breadth of our nation’s interests in the world.”

“Brazil is a developing nation that has burst onto the international scene the last decade. Brazil has become a voice for the special challenges of a developing nation as well as an innovator in biofuels. Brazil also faces many of the same challenges experienced by the Philippines, so developing a closer relationship with this South American powerhouse affords our two nations a chance to learn from each other’s experiences,” the President said.

The President hopes to establish greater alliances with Brazil in the areas of bio-fuel production and agri-business during her visit.

“I am confident we will return with new alliances that will benefit both our public and private sectors and support our efforts to promote food and fuel self-sufficiency,” the President added.

Pernambuco Governor Eduardo Henrique Accioly Campos will host a dinner for the President at the Governor’s Palace upon her arrival. (PIA V Release)


PGMA's foreign trips are in search of solutions to RP problems – Remonde

MANILA — Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said today President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s foreign travels are all part of her search for solutions to the country’s problems such as unemployment, enhance trade and encourage foreign investments to grow the economy.

In a radio interview this morning in Manila (7:45 p.m. in North America), Remonde said the President’s travels are not meant to avoid or escape from the problems in the country as her detractors claim, but rather to search for solutions to those problems.

“Ang pagbibiyahe niya ay pag-aasikaso pa rin sa mga pangangailangan ng bayan, pagtugon pa rin ng mga problema ng ating bayan. (Her trips are in search of solutions to problems nagging our country),” Remonde explained.

He said the President’s foreign trips are all documented and audited by the Commission on Audit (COA).

He pointed out that all heads of state, not only President Arroyo, travel frequently to meet the leaders of other countries.

“This is the reality. Its not only President Arroyo who frequently travels. Other heads of states, even in ASEAN do the same -- all in search of solutions to domestic and global problems,” he said.

Remonde said the President’s travels are meant to create trade and development opportunities and perk up the labor market, and she has accomplished a lot to help our country survive the global crisis.

He said the benefits that President Arroyo brings home from her travels more than compensate for the cost of her trips. For instance, in Japan, she was able to obtain $500 million worth of official development assistance aside from several other private-sector investment agreements.

“We were able to secure jobs for our nurses, caregivers and other professionals in Japan. These are just examples. I can assure our countrymen that all the travels of our President are official and working visits, not junkets or vacations,” he stressed. (PIA V Release)


DOH maps out plans for A H1N1 strain

MANILA — With 445 cases, including the 17 new ones and 84 percent of them recovered and discharged from hospitals, the Department of Health (DOH) today said it is preparing for an expected “second wave” of the influenza A (H1N1) mutant virus which can be “more virulent and more fatal.”

“We are not headed for a second wave yet but we have to be prepared,” DOH Director Yolanda Oliveros said.

Oliveros added that the threat of a second wave of A H1N1 virus may not really be serious and DOH does not see the need to suspend classes at response levels 1 and 2 but only at level 3 where there are confirmed case in the school.

“In the revised DOH guidelines for schools, there would be some characterization and evaluation of schools (to determine) whether we need to suspend only a class, a building or a department, if it is a college or university,” she explained.

There will be some evaluation by the local health authorities and the regional health officials . . . . so they (school officials) may be guided accordingly,” Oliveros told Palace reporters.

The DOH official said the increasing number of schools reporting flu cases is due to the heightened awareness of the virus. “They report the cases to us and we examine the students,” she said.

On whether the DoH will support the bill filed by Sen. Rodolfo Biazon proposing a public health emergency, she said there are now scheduled public hearings on the bill.

She explained, however that declaring public health emergency requires a thorough study of the implications of such declaration. “The DOH will support anything that will strengthen the response of the country to public health emergency,” she said.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo pointed out that even without a public health emergency declaration, LGUs can use their calamity funds for such purpose based on approved resolutions by their Sanggunians or legislative councils.

“So as of now, if the LGU thinks it is necessary to declare a state of calamity or emergency, they may do so as long as mandated by a Sanggunian Resolution,” explained Fajardo, a former city mayor of Palayan City in Nueva Ecija.

The Department of Education, meanwhile, has come up with measures to ensure that students are able to catch up with their lessons, if classes are suspended due to health emergencies.

Schools are allowed to use “modified planner,” in or out-of-school modules, extension of the hours that student can stay at school when classes resume, and they can hold classes during Saturdays, Fajardo added.

Oliveros said the DOH is now preparing its health facilities and conducting simulation exercises in preparation for any second wave of the virus.

“Our most important response, however, is risk communication to reduce panic, and sound health infrastructure to make sure all hospitals and health facilities will be prepared to address the severely-ill cases that will be brought to hospitals,” she said. (PIA V Release)

MORE JOBS UP FOR GRAB IN TESDA’s JOBS BRIDGING AND INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

LEGAZPI CITY — Thousands of jobseekers are expected to join the Jobs Bridging and Internship Program of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) today (June19) at the Albay Astrodome here.

Conrado Bares, TESDA Bicol regional director, told PIA Ugnayan sa Bikol the program hopes to assist overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), displaced workers and the unemployed to find suitable jobs by bringing in government institutions, private companies, and recruitment agencies that offer job opportunities and could possible hire workers on the spot.

The activity will be open to jobseekers from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

He said TESDA's Jobs Bridging and Internship Program is the government's response to generate jobs to cushion the effects of the global economic crisis among the country's labor force.

He added that it is TESDA's response to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's economic resiliency program to address the present global economic crisis.

Tomorrow’s event will provide a venue for the displaced workers to find employment opportunities or a chance to undergo internship program under the Pangulong Gloria Scholarship program. It will also be a venue for new graduates to find employment without going through the rigors of applying for a job.

Bares explained that the jobs bridging and internship activity is a one of its kind jobs fair and greatly varies from the other jobs fairs that have been carried out by other national government agencies (NGAs) and local government units (LGUs).

"This program is a unique activity because it will be a technology-based job-matching encounter. Job applicants will be engaging with employers both local and overseas through the web," he elaborated.

Bares also averred another unique feature of the program is that all applicants to the job bridging and internship activity will go home with a gold card, which will enable the applicant to have a worldwide access to employers. Through the gold card, the applicants profile will be made available through the web.

Other services to be provided include PGMA skills retraining, Career Guidance Services under Youth Profiling for Starting Career (YP4SC), and manpower pooling for future job assistance.

For those who lack the competencies required for workers, TESDA will offer free training under the PGS program which is a platform to that links job training directly to job recruiters, displaced workers and overseas Filipino workers.

Other government agencies that will participate to the one-day event include DOLE, OWWA, POEA, DA, DENR, DOT and DPWH who are the front liners in the implementation of the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP); while the BIR, DFA, NBI, SSS and NSO will process and issue required documents for employment. (MALoterte, PIA V)


NAVFORSOL BEEFS UP DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

LEGAZPI CITY — The Naval Forces Southern Luzon based here is taking an active role in a bid to beef-up preparations to respond to any emergency and calamity that may affect the Bicol region.

In a command briefing, Commodore Joel E Babas, NAVFORSOL commander, said that “those with the capacity and wherewithal to help themselves must do so in advance, so that in the event of an emergency, responders can first assist those who are unable to tend to themselves.

“Typhoons, flashfloods, volcanic eruption and mudflows, landslides, and recent calamities remind us more than ever that we must prepare ourselves and our families for a disaster. This is the time, each year, when every Bicolanos should ask the question, Am I ready?,” he stressed.

Babas noted NAVFORSOL maintains that preparation on disaster response and mitigation should be year round.

“We encourage all individuals to take important preparedness steps that will improve their ability to survive and recover from all kinds of emergencies or disasters, may they bee natural or man-made. These steps include getting an emergency supply kit, making a family emergency plan, becoming informed about the different emergencies that may affect them, and getting involved in community preparedness and response efforts,” he said.

Meanwhile, NAVFORSOL has recently acquired additional equipments from navy headquarters that will augment the resources and capability of the navy’s disaster response and rescue team.

The naval command has also spearheaded regular trainings, seminars, and other disaster risk reduction and response forum for its DRRU personnel.

It can also be recalled the naval command, in coordination with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Bicol, government line agencies, LGU’s, non-government institution, and the media, led a multi-sectoral Awareness Caravan on A(H1-N1) in preventing the spread and mitigating the effects of Influenza A(H1-N1) virus.

NAVFORSOL and other AFP units in the Bicol region have also forged partnership with the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) in combining efforts to encourage support and cooperation of the populace on disaster preparedness as the country observes National Disaster Preparedness Month this coming July. (DFNieva, NAVFORSOL/PIA)


FIRST BPO PRODUCTION FACILITY OPENS IN DAET

DAET, Camarines Norte — The first Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) production facility in the province of Camarines Norte opens here today (June 19), in time for celebration of the Pinyasan Festival.

Software Ventures, Inc. (SVI) has already established and committed to pursue the BPO project here, one of the pioneer municipalities to host such project in the country.

The production facility is expected to initially hire 150 personnel for the operation of the BPO project and targets to generate jobs at least 450 within the year.

SVI will start the training program today for the 330 pre-qualified personnel.

It can be recalled that Monchito Ibrahim, chief of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT), expressed optimism towards the project and lauded the same for providing employment opportunities not only among Daet locals but also to the provincial residents.

Mayor Tito Sarion meanwhile said the impact of the SVI BPO production facility, operating in a 24-hour basis, may be ten folds in propelling economic progress in Daet.

The project has been realized through the support and assistance of Cong. Liwayway Vinzons-Chato of the province’s lone district.

With the project, Sarion is confident that Daet will be globally known as one of the most competitive LGUs in the country. (RCYu, LGU Daet/PIA)


MODERNIZATION OF PAGASA LEGAZPI STATION UNDERWAY

LEGAZPI CITY — Upgrading of the equipment and facilities of the weather station of Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) is expected to be completed within the year for the establishment of the Southern Luzon PAGASA Regional Services Division here.

Mr. Nathaniel Cruz, OIC of the Office of the Deputy Administrator for Operation and Services, averred the modernization of the weather station here entails that SL-PRSD will be equipped with similar equipment and facilities of PAGASA Central Office that will certainly improve weather forecasting in times of typhoons and other weather disturbances.

Cruz, along with other officials of PAGASA central office, was in this city for the Typhoon and Flood Awareness two-day road show holding dialogue with the local media and local disaster coordinating councils on June14-15.

He said PAGASA synoptic station here will be equipped with the necessary instruments for accurate severe weather forecasting, adding that communications equipment will also be enhanced to facilitate timely dissemination of severe weather bulletins.

He also disclosed one Doppler radar, acquired through Japan International Cooperation Agency grant-aid, will also be installed in Virac, Catanduanes to serve the Bicol region, on the other hand, the present installation in Virac will be transferred to Daet station in Camarines Norte.

He explained unlike the conventional radar used presently by PAGASA, the US and Japan-made Doppler radar is very capable of detecting incoming thunderstorm, rainfall intensity and wind speed.

Bicol will now have 10 weather stations and will be reporting to the SL-PRSD once the project is completed.

Earlier in a media conference, Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, who also chairs the Regional Development Council (RDC) in Bicol, said that the establishment of a regional forecasting center is a very welcome development for Bicol region that will provide the public accurate, relevant, and time information concerning weather disturbances. (MALoterte, PIA V)


“DISKUWENTO PARA SA MAMAMAYANG FILIPINO” ON FREEDOM DAY

VIRAC, Catanduanes — Four business establishments here join the “Diskuwento para sa Mamamayang Filipino” project of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) offering varying discounts on selected consumer items that locals can avail.

The project was carried out to provide some relief, though temporarily, to consumers in time for the celebration of the country’s 111th Independence Day (June 12).

Among the participating business establishments her were Antares Commercial, Catanduanes Bazaar, Catanduanes Shoppers Center and Century Family Mall.

Consumers were able to avail of up to 20% discount on school uniform and supplies, bags, slippers, t-shirts, and other consumer items.

While establishments in other Bicol provinces offer discounts for only four days, participating stores in Catanduanes opted to run the project for the whole month of June 2009 to give their consumers more time to avail of the discounts. (DTI Catanduanes/PIA)

































AMMOS RECOVERED; GOVT. TROOPS,
REBELS CLASH IN SORSOGON CITY

STA. MAGDALENA, Sorsogon — Assorted ammunitions were recovered Monday (June 15) in a remote barangay of this municipality following an Internal Security Operations (ISO) conducted by the operatives of Municipal Police Station here.

PSInsp. Romeo Gallinera, deputy chief of police here, said MPS operatives were conducting operations in sitio San Lorenzo of barangay San Rafael when they chanced upon a sack of assorted ammunitions and other materials.

Recovered materials include 1 rifle grenade, 316 rounds of ammunitions for M-16, 60 rounds of ammunition for M-14, 21 rounds of ammunitions for carbine rifle, 2 magazines for carbine rifle, 2 bandoliers, 1 steel box, 1 wooden box, 1 set of cleaner for M-16 rifle and assorted notebooks.

”The items are now in the custody of MPS here for proper disposition and exploitations,” said Gallinera.

Meanwhile, elements of Scout Ranger of the 3rd Infantry Batallion based in Juban, Sorsogon clashed with at least 10 suspected NPA rebels Tuesday (June 16), around 8:30 in the morning in barangay Marinas in Sorsogon City.

No injury or fatality was reported on the part of the government troop, while undetermined number of casualties on the rebel side was noted as evidenced by blood stains along the route of rebel’s withdrawal.

”The encounter resulted to the recovery of 1 M-16 rifle with serial number 167424, 1 military backpack, 1 civilian backpack, an NPA flag, 10 flashlights, telescope, personal belongings and subversive documents,” said Vince Mercado, PIO of the 3rd Infantry Batallion.

However, in a follow-up message, a certain Ramil Estorninof y Escolano, resident of the said barangay, was reported wounded as a result of said encounter.

Follow-up investigation of Escolano’s presence in the encounter site is still in progress. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)

















CSC CELEBRATES 38TH CHARTER DAY

VIRAC, Catanduanes- An array of academic-literary competitions and trade-techno fair marked the 38th foundation anniversary of the Catanduanes Sate Colleges starting June 18 until today.

The celebration commenced with a parade around downtown, followed by the Techno Fair showcasing the agricultural and knowledge-based products of CSC, including researches presented in international events and other programs of the extension services department.

Academic and literally competitions as well as skills highlighted the opening day, while the Search for Mr. and Miss CSC was held in the evning.

The CSC also conferred awards of recognition to the Dean’s listers, government and private scholarship benefactors, partners in extension linkages, as well as retirees and outstanding employees and alumni.

The late congressman of the province, Jose M. Alberto, is the founder of the CSC. He authored and sponsored RA 6341 which converted the former Virac National Agricultural and Trade School into the state college now.

Today, the CSC is enjoying the prestige of being the only public institution of higher learning in Catanduanes with its graduates topping various national licensure examinations.

The CSC, s now categorized as Level III SUC (State University and College), is now comprehensive higher education institution offering complete academic degree programs.

The accreditation of academic programs by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities of the Philippines, Inc. of its almost curricular programs were achieved in 2008 and this has concretized the goal of the CSC administration under the stewardship of President Asuncion V. Asetre, to ensure that the entire programs of the institution are fully accredited. (EABagadiong, PIA Catanduanes)