SORSOGANONS NOW MORE INTO MICRO-SMALL BUSINESS VENTURES

SORSOGON CITY— Sorsoganons are now venturing into micro and small business as an engine of generating jobs, new industries and more opportunities for better growth and development for themselves and of their family members.

Senen Malaya, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial office senior trade specialist, said more locals are frequenting their office for inquiry on how they could start a business.

With the interest and enthusiasm in establishing business enterprise now being shown by the locals here, DTI is now doubling-up its efforts to assist prospective and budding entrepreneurs even more on the technical aspect as well as enhancing their entrepreneurial and business skills.

“Aside from the regular assistance provided by DTI, the Asenso Negosyo, an inter-agency training program, has been a success in becoming a very significant tool in raising business and entrepreneurial consciousness among the locals here,” he said.

Asenso Negosyo: How to Start A Business is a training program that offers a package of inter-linked services that aims to provide Sorsoganons, especially those who are unemployed and affected by global financial crisis.

Malaya also said the program targets fresh graduates from high school or college who can avail of technical assistance and trainings as well as opportunities for enterprise development.

Since Asenso Negosyo’s inception last February, the program has conducted 51 trainings divided into 20 skills trainings including bag making, food processing, weaving, drying, bead works, sewing, among others and 31 managerial trainings, with around 1,021 trainees.

“Successful entrepreneurs here, on the other hand, urge other locals to keep an eye on the materials available in the locality and transform them into products with high commercial value,” he noted.

“We utilized their successes in the field of business as best testimonials for the rest of Sorsoganons to emulate,” he added.

Meanwhile, Zenaida Galoso, owner-manager of Galoso Handicrafts and one of the successful business oriented persons here, said she is more than willing to train interested individuals or groups so that they will learn to do handcrafted materials and link them with markets outside of the country. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)


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 P386 million.

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)


PODER PROJECTS COMPLETED IN LEGAZPI CITY

LEGAZPI CITY – Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional director Remia T. Tapispisan and Legazpi City mayor Noel E. Rosal led the blessing and inauguration of the maternity lying-in clinic in barangay Banquerohan and the Day Care Center in barangay Sula here.

Dr. Fulbert Gillego, Local Health Office chief here, welcomed Tapispisan and Rosal, along with representatives from NGOs, national government agencies and media partners.

The projects were completed through a grant subsidy from the Agencia Española de Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarollo (AECID) under the DSWD PODER (Poder y Prosperidad de la Comunidad-Bicol Rehabilitation Project).

PODER rehabilitation projects cover Tiwi, Malilipot, Sto. Domingo and Bacacay towns, Tabaco City and Legazpi City.

The projects cost a total of P4.2 million, with P70,000 counterpart from the local government and workforce from the members of the community.

“The maternity lying-in clinic is a big help to us,” said Punong Barangay Crispin Botin, while accepting the mutual partnership agreement and his pledge commitment to sustain the project.

“The new facility will cater to the needs of the more than 300 families in our barangay, as well as residents of the neighboring barangays, in improving their living condition with a very accessible health and medical services including maternal and child health care, regular immunization, breastfeeding counseling and the rehabilitation for persons with disabilities. Thanks to PODER,” Gillego said.

The day care center in barangay Sula, on the other hand, will cater to the early childhood care and development of the children, providing them an ideal and safe place for learning, and other services intended for them.

Meanwhile, a total of 53 sub-projects were inaugurated and completed in all covered municipalities under the PODER-Bicol Rehabilitation Program, amounting to P68 million, with P53 million coming from the PODER grant.

PODER has been adopted as one of the government’s poverty reduction program that empowers communities, improve local governance and reduce poverty. (CLMartinez, DSWD V/PIA)


CAMSUR INTEGRATES WASTE MANAGEMENT COURSE IN NSTP

PILI, Camarines Sur — The Basic Solid Waste Management Training (BSWMT) program is now an option that students may enlist, particularly those in Camarines Sur, in lieu of the ROTC and other training courses under the National Service Training Program (NSTP) as provided under Republic Act 9163.

RA 9163 mandates that students, male and female, of any baccalaureate degree course or of at least two (2) year technical vocational courses in public and private educational institutions shall complete at least one (1) of the NSTP components as requisite for graduation, namely the Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC), Literacy Training Service and Civic Welfare Training Service.

Along this line, Gov. LRay Villafuerte wants waste management to be an integral part of NSTP course under its Civic Welfare Training Service component, in furtherance of its advocacy towards Solid Waste Management Program (SWMP) within its jurisdiction particularly inside the provincial capitol complex.

The SWM technical working group, in collaboration with the Camarines Sur Information Technology Center (CSITC) – the educational arm of the provincial government - has submitted the BSWMT course outline to TESDA, consequently, was approved as an NSTP course.

Camarines Sur now is the very first province integrating the course in its school curricula.

BSWMT has since been implemented this semester as an official NSTP course at the CSITC and would afford students a more meaningful use of the time allotted for said course in learning invaluable knowledge and skills.

The training is conducted every Saturday and will last for two semesters.
(DCAbad, PIA CamSur)

CHARGES READIED AGAINST VILLAGE CHIEF’s KILLERS

VIRAC, Catanduanes — Suitable charges will be filed against some members of the New People’s Army for the killing of a barangay chairman in San Andres town.

PSSupt. Rodegelio Gerero, Catanduanes PNP provincial director, said criminal charges are being readied against the communist rebels, whose identities were withheld for the meantime, before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office, on the other hand, a case for human rights violations will be filed before the Commission on Human Rights.

Gerero bared on the accounts of some witnesses two unidentified men armed with long firearms shot to death Barihay Punong Barangay Amador Bautista last June 17 around 6:40 a.m.

The victim, according to the police, was in the NPA hot list for alleged wrongdoings against the people.

The police have since been closely coordinating with Bravo Company of the 49th Infantry Battalion (PA) based in nearby barangay Mayngaway for the arrest of the suspects. (EABagadiong, PIA Catanduanes)


SEARCH FOR 7th TAYO AWARDS ON

LEGAZPI CITY — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) Bicol enjoins Bicolano youth organizations to the Search for the 7th Ten Accomplished Youth Awards (TAYO).

The awards program encourages pro-active youth organizations to showcase their contributions to the community.

TAYO 2009 is open to all youth organizations with projects conducted between mid 2008 and before the TAYO deadline on July 15, 2009.

TAYO Awards Foundation stressed that youth groups don’t have to be a school organization or affiliated with a national organization to join the contest.

In the past years, TAYO secretariat received entries from various youth groups: student councils, religious groups, volunteer groups, cause-oriented groups, etc.

TAYO 2009 mechanics and entry forms can be downloaded from www.tayoawards.net and www.youth.net.ph. Also, interested organizations may text the TAYO Secretariat at 09178988296 or text TAO and send to 2948.

The deadline for submission of entries is on July 15, 2009. (DENR-EMB V/PIA)


PNR TO SHUTTLE VISITORS, DEVOTEES IN TIME FOR THE PEñAFRANCIA FIESTA

NAGA CITY--- The Philippine National Railways (PNR) Tagkawayan-Naga stretch will soon be operational in time for the forthcoming Peñafrancia fiesta here.

The assurance came from Naga City-based PNR consultant Nicolas Beda Priela who told media practitioners that the rehabilitation works in the area are being rushed for the celebration of the regional fiesta in September this year.

President Arroyo, in her latest visit to Naga, said “by the time of Peñafrancia fiesta in September, this year, commuter train travel between Iriga City, Camarines Sur and Tagkawayan, Quezon will already be in place.”

The upgrading of the PNR facilities in the area is an integral part of the larger Tagkawayan (Quezon)-Guinobatan (Albay) South-rail rehabilitation program amounting to P1.8 billion.

He said the P500 million Tagkawayan-Naga City rehabilitation works are expected to be completed in August this year, while the Naga-Guinobatan componen before the end of 2009.

According to Priela, the route will initially be served by two units of PNR three-coach commuters train now also undergoing test runs within the area of PNR Naga Central Station.

“Commuters will initially serve the Tagkawayan-Naga stretch next month to augment the number of transport facilities which will shuttle passengers to and from the city during the Peñafrancia fiesta,” he said.

Priela added among the important facilities that were badly damaged by the super typhoons include San Cristobal Bridge in Calamba, Laguna that links Tagkawayan and other municipalities in Quezon province to Metro Manila.

The administration of President Arroyo is bent on modernizing the operations of the government-owned railway company to spur economic development. It is estimated that around 20,000 passengers daily will benefit from the resumption of PNR operations in south Luzon area.

The rehabilitation of PNR’s existing lines and other facilities is seen as a tool in bringing development in Central and Southern Luzon provinces by providing the public with effective and efficient transport services. (JBNeola, PNA/PIA)

PGMA BACK FROM FRUITFUL TRIPS TO JAPAN, BRAZIL AND HONGKONG

MANILA— President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has returned from a two-day working visit to Hong Kong following her fruitful official visit to Japan and state visit to Brazil.

The President and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo and members of her party underwent thermal scanning and registered neither signs nor symptoms of A H1N1 infection.

The President was accorded military honors with Armed Forces Chief of Staff Victor Ibrado escorting her as she trooped the line and saluted the colors.

Looking into the probable motivations behind the criticisms of her foreign trips, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said they no longer come as a surprise.

“Well, these things never surprise us anymore. We could see that since day one of her presidency they (critics) have been attacking the President especially now that the 2010 election is fast approaching,” Remonde said in an interview.

He said some politicians are now trying to build their political career out of habitually attacking the President, with or without good reasons.

Remonde said that in today’s globalizing economy, the President’s trips abroad are deemed essential to mitigate, if not avert, the impact of the worldwide economic meltdown.

“We would like to stress that in today’s globalizing economy a President of any country must always be active in global engagements. It will be a serious mistake for the President of our country not to engage in diplomatic initiatives and exercise her diplomatic skills to place the Philippines in the international economic radar,” he said.

Remonde divulged that the President’s visits to Tokyo (Japan), Los Angeles, Cartagena in Colombia, Pernambuco, Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro Brazil and Hong Kong have accomplished many things beyond expectations.

“It was a very successful marketing trip for the country’s top salesperson, who is the President, to secure job placements abroad for Filipinos and additional investment to the country, and open trade ties with friendly neighbouring countries,” he revealed.

He said that in Japan, around $500 million Official Development Assistance (ODA) had been granted to the Philippines and over $2 billion worth of investment have been secured from the private sector.

In Brazil, the President had witnessed the signing of the memoranda of understanding and agreement for the expansion of trade ties between the two countries. Under the agreements, the Brazilian government will open its market to Philippine products, assist Filipinos in the production of bio-energy, give donation of genetic material for the development of the Philippines cattle sector.

Remonde said the President dropped by Hong Kong to meet top executives of the Kuok Group, Shangrila Group of resorts and hotels, the Filipino community, and meet anti-graft consultant Tony Kwok Wan Mai to review the government’s anti-corruption program.

Tony Kwok, was a former deputy commissioner and head of operations for Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), and now the special advisor on anti-graft and corruption drive of the President.

Remonde said Kwok cited the President on the gains and development of the administration’s anti-graft and corruption crusade.

Among the anti-graft programs that Kwok cited are the institutionalization of the integrity watch officers in every government agencies, the periodic assessment of the integrity watch officers, and the hiring of additional 200 investigators/prosecutors in the Office of the Ombudsman.

Kwok also noted the dramatic increase in the conviction rate accomplishment of the Ombudsman in its drive to curb, if not eliminate, corruption in government. (PIA V Release)


PALACE STILL HOPEFUL 2010 POLL AUTOMATION WILL PUSH THROUGH

MANILA — Malacanang expressed optimism that the automation of the 2010 elections will push through even after the Filipino partner of the winning bidder reported to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) its intention to back out from the project.

In a media briefing yesterday afternoon (June 30), Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said Malacanang is really concerned on this development as President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has long been pushing for poll modernization, one of her priority programs to ensure the conduct of honest, orderly, peaceful and credible elections next year.

“The President is for full poll automation. We said that from the very beginning and we are happy that Congress passed the bill and Comelec did its best to ensure its implementation,” Remonde said.
Remonde appealed to the Total Information Management Corp. (TIM) and winning bidder Smartmatic International to reconcile their differences in the interest of the successful implementation of the poll automation.
Remonde is hoping the issue can still be resolved by the Comelec, an independent Constitutional body, trusting that whatever decision it may take will be good for the country’s electoral system. (PIA V Release)


COMELEC STILL HOPEFUL ON 2010 POLL AUTOMATION

MANILA — In a last-ditch effort to automate the 2010 national and local elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has scheduled a meeting with top officials of Smartmatic Corporation and Total Information Management (TIM) on Tuesday afternoon to discuss matters and issues surrounding what they described as a “forestalled” partnership.

According to Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, the parties are set to meet at 2:30 pm to "hopefully" iron things out on their differences, if any, and other issues regarding P11.3 billion poll automation project. TIM earlier announced its withdrawal on its partnership with the Netherlands-based Smartmatic.

“Makikinig kami (Comelec will listen to) know the facts and hopefully do something about it,” he said.

Asked if they have given up on poll automation, Sarmiento said: “We are not giving up on poll automation. As a matter of fact we received text messages by a lot of people that they are saddened by the news that’s why we have to be pro-active.”

The Comelec official did not answer directly when asked if there is a chance that TIM would change its mind regarding its withdrawal from the consortium.

“Well, hope springs eternal. We want to save the automation that’s why we are doing this pro active role,” he said.

Smartmatic and TIM are currently holding dialogue to reconcile their differences to push through the automation of the May 2010 polls.

The Comelec earlier issued an ultimatum to both companies to submit their incorporation documents before the Comelec until July 3.

“We’ve discussed that they are given until July 3 so why not between today and July 3 make the most out of it,” added the poll official. (PIA V Release)


OVER 100 NPA REBELS INTEGRATED TO MAINSTREAM SOCIETY

MANILA— A new set of former New People's Army (NPA) rebels were assisted by the government to be incorporated to mainstream society.

The Army's 2nd Infantry Division said 109 were given cash assistance and remuneration of surrendered firearms Monday, at Sta. Cruz town in Laguna province.

2nd ID spokesman Lt. Celeste Frank Sayson said the former rebels belonged to the NPA operating in the provinces of CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon).

"They are now called KR (Kasama sa Reporma) and are incorporated to the Social Integration Program of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process," said Sayson.

The immediate cash assistance was handed over by Laguna Governor Teresa Lazaro, Defense Undersecretary Alberto Valenzuela, acting 2nd ID commander Brig. Gen. Florante Martinez and local government unit representatives of Laguna and other representatives of various line government agencies.

"The former rebels are scheduled to undergo medical and physical check–up, psycho-social profiling interview by the DSWD and orientation seminars on the different socio-economic interventions of the government," said Sayson.

To date, there are already 210 former rebels who received assistance from Social Integration Program in the whole province of Laguna.

The Social Integration Program is a process whereby former rebels and their dependents are provided a set of interventions to facilitate their integration into mainstream society.

"To be able to achieve this objective, the program is guided by the principle of convergence and cooperation primarily between the different national and local agencies of the government, national and local government units, non-government institutions and organizations and the community as well. Each stakeholder plays a unique role in the integration process," said Sayson. (PIA V Release)