ALBAY, MO, CHEVRON TO INK MOA TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE PROBLEMS

LEGAZPI CITY---Albay would become the first province in the country to pioneer a tool to battle climate change, address disaster risks, and achieve sustainable development when a tripartite agreement on the creation of the Albay Sustainable Development Guidebook would be finally signed next week.

Albay provincial government, the Manila Observatory (MO) and Chevron Geothermanl Philippines (CGPHI) is expected to sign the Memorandum of Agreement on Thursday (February 24)

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said that the Guidebook is a response to the need to proactively address key issues of climate change and disaster preparedness in a local setting.

”This is the first time a study of this kind has been undertaken at the provincial scale, and we plan to make this a part of the accountability process in our land use planning,” Salceda noted.

“I am proud that Albay will not only be the first province to take the lead in creating a comprehensive program for this critical issue, but also to serve as a model for other provinces and communities to follow,” he said.

He added that MO is the Philippines’ leading scientific research institution on climate change and has been appointed to manage this 20-month program to study the geological, climate, disaster risks, and socio-economic indicators specific to the province, and to provide effective recommendations to address these risks.

Salceda explained that study would be focusing on the area spanning the critical Malinao watershed and Tiwi coast within the province.

"MO, in coordination with the provincial government and CGPHI, will undertake and analyze extensive satellite, climate, and technical analysis and field work to fully determine these risks and recommendations which can, in turn, serve as a planning and development tool for the province," he explained.

For their part, Antonia Loyzaga, MO executive director, said that “their group believes that public-private partnerships between a scientific institution like MO, a proactive government such as Albay, and a private investor and corporate citizen in the form of Chevron, are among the most effective ways to confront the complexities of climate and disaster risks which can be replicated in other provinces.

“The ultimate goal is to build the capacities of provinces like Albay and others around the country so they can not only manage risks within their own communities, but together plan for the future by laying the foundation for the Philippines’ response to climate change and sustainable development," she explained.

Tony Yee, president and general manager of CGPHI, which pioneered geothermal development in the country beginning in Tiwi, Albay, said that they partnered with MO and the Albay LGU by commissioning and funding the Guidebook as part of its Corporate Responsibility and Community Engagement Program.

“As a long-term partner to our host community, CGPHI believes this Guidebook will both sustain the watershed that supports our geothermal operations, while building the capacity and collaboration with our community stakeholders to improve disaster preparedness and mitigate the effects of climate change for now and the future,"Yee said.

Salceda expressed confidence that once the Sustainable Development Guidebook is completed in June 2011, the findings will be utilized by the Albay LGU and shared with other municipalities for their development planning purposes. (CTDematera, BUCAL/PIA)

BEST PRACTICES ON HEALTH FETED AT THE 2ND ANNUAL SULONG SALUD SORSOGANON AWARD

SORSOGON PROVINCE (February 17) – The provincial government of Sorsogon recognizes for the second consecutive year Local Government Unit’s (LGUs) best community health initiatives during the recently concluded 2nd Sulong Salud Sorsoganon Awards.

Through the Provincial Health Office (PHO) in partnership with the Center for Health Development – Department of Health Region V and the Lingap Para sa Kalusugan ng Sambayanan (LIKAS), the 2nd Sulong Salud Sorsoganon Awards feted LGUs with best health programs, projects and practices in the barangay, municipal, inter-local health zone and hospital level.

Dr. Gladys D. Escote, Formula1 program pocal person of the PHO – Technical Services Department said that of the eight entries from five LGUs and one Inter-Local Health Zone from across the province received by the screening committee, the following top three best health practices were chosen:
• Barangay Health Worker’s Association Community Pharmacy of Sta. Magdalena town – First Place
• “Sa Buntis na Handa at Ligtas, Pamilya’y May Maligayang Bukas” of Casiguran Rural Health Unit (RHU) in Casiguran town – Second Place
• Animal Bite Treatment Center: Bringing Services Closer to the Community of the Bulan, Irosin, Matnog and Sta. Magdalena (BIMS) Inter-Local Health Zone – Third Place

Included in the finalists are: Improving RHU Performance through Effective Supervisory System of Barcelona RHU, “Kalusugan ng Ina at Sanggol… Pag sa RHU Inaruga, Syurbol!” of Matnog RHU, and the Social Mobilization on TB Project of the Sorsogon City Health Office.

Top three winners received each a trophy and cash award from the Sulong Salud Sorsoganon while the finalists received each a plaque of recognition.

“Winners and finalists will also be given the opportunity to be nominated to other award-giving bodies of similar interest at the regional, national and international level aside from the opportunity for best health LGU initiatives to be published in local and global circulation,” said Escote.

Meanwhile, the 2nd Sulong Salud Sorsoganon Sustainability Award are also received by the Casiguran Birthing Home of the municipality of Casiguran, “Safe Pregnancy Towards a Healthy and Progressive Community” of Bulan-RHU, and the “Barangay Health Station (BHS) Padaba Ko, Kumpleto Records Ko” of Sapnangan BHS in Bulusan town, the three were also the top winners of the 1st Sulong Salud Sorsoganon the past year.

Other sustainability award recipients are Networking Towards Alleviation of Suffering of Patient with Disability Associated with Lymphatic Filariasis project of Bulusan RHU, Irosin Controlled Dumpsite: Ecological Park of Irosin RHU and the Proficient Health Personnel Towards Quality Health Service Delivery of Gubat, Prieto Diaz, Bulusan and Barcelona (GuPriBBar) Inter-Local Health Zone.

The Sulong Salud Sorsoganon Awards is an award-giving body that recognizes and documents LGUs best health initiatives that are people-centered, doable, sustainable and replicable and have not yet been recognized by any award-giving body. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)

SORSOGON ARTS COUNCIL CELEBRATES 20th ANNIVERSARY

SORSOGON CITY — Twenty years and counting.

The Sorsogon Arts Council (SAC) is celebrating its 20th Foundation Anniversary this February coinciding with the observance of the National Arts Month.

Mr. Dan Razo of the Community-based Theater Group (CBTG)-Bukawel Performing Arts, a member organization under the umbrella of SAC, revealed that they are gearing for short performances and excerpts of some of the plays written by SAC founding Chairman Reynaldo “Tootsie” Jamoralin as a tribute for his great contributions in the field of arts.

Razo said that the performances will be the highlight of the general assembly of SAC in the afternoon of February 26, 2010 at the Sorsogon Museum and Heritage Center here.

“Our local artists will discuss, share and propose strategies, activities, programs and projects, including emergent concerns, for the promotion of local or Bikolnon arts and culture, in particular, and the true Filipino arts and culture, in general,” Ella Grajo-Jamoralin said.

The SAC ad-hoc committee/convenor’s group is regularly convening on Saturdays since January this year to pursue the initiatives of its founding chairman.

It can be recalled that Jamoralin was instrumental in the realization of the Sorsogon Museum and Heritage Center which the SAC is a member organization. (JJJPerez, SAC-Sorsogon/PIA)

PASO, BFAR HOLD INTERFACING WITH FISHERY SECTOR IN CATANDUANES

CATANDUANES Province — The Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)in Bicol and the Provincial Agricultural and Services Office (PASO) in this province have slated a series of interfacings with concerned sectors on the different programs and projects of the government on the sectors’ development.

The duo agencies also intend to strengthen the organization of the Fisheries Aquatic Resource Management Councils (FARMCs) in the 11 municipalities to identify common predicaments of the involved sectors, consequently, address them through the agency’s intervention and community cooperation.

Among the projects and programs are BFAR and PASO need to intensify among FARMC’s include fishery law enforcement, formulation of municipal fish ordinances, coastal resource management and new trends on mud crab culture, seaweed culture, and post harvest technology.

Other activities will be the harvesting of grouper cultured in fish cage in Caramoran, test planting of seaweeds in Pandan, and launching of aquasilviculture in Magnesia del Sur in Virac.

The 24-day event will start in Caramoran, then Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga, Gigmoto, Baras, Bato, Virac, San Andres, San Miguel and Pandan.

This routinary activity of PASO and BFAR will be held from February 10 until March 5. (OAPrivaldos, BUCAL/PIA)

IEC, DEMO ON PCOS MACHINES HELD IN CAMARINES NORTE

DAET, Camarines Norte – The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) here has recently conducted a demonstration on the use of Precinct Count Optical Scan or PCOS machine in preparation for the May 10, 2010 automated national and local elections.

Local politicians, COMELEC-deputized agencies, heads of agencies and local government units (LGUs) across the province took their time to test and scrutinize the capability and credibility of the equipment all vying for clean and honest elections.

Atty. Annie A. Romero-Cortez, provincial elections supervisor, meanwhile disclosed that the number of registered voters per municipality in the first district totaling to 138,078 and 123, 956 in the second district or a total of 262,034 registered voters in the whole province.

Smartmatic-TIM representatives, on the other hand, demonstrated the use of PCOS machines, from insertion of the ballots, to counting, and transmission of results.

COMELEC Assistant Regional Director Atty. Romeo B. Fortes, clarified that the agency is doing its best to speed up preparations for the coming elections, specially on demonstration of the PCOS machine and educating voters and the general populace on the poll automation.

He added that similar activities were held in the first congressional district. (RBManlangit, PIA CamNorte)

BICOLANO YOUTH CITED IN DOST-YES AWARD

LEGAZPI CITY — seven Bicolanos youth who have outstanding achievements in Science and Mathematics were honored as national awardees for the Department of Science and Technology-Youth Excellence in Science (DOST-YES).

DOST Bicol Regional Director Romas B. Briñas said that the awards program is in consonance with the Science Education Institute’s (DOST-SEI) thrust to develop Science culture among the citizenry.

The YES national awardees are:

John Reinier B. Bulaong Ateneo de Naga (Bronze) 2009 China Junior High School Math Olympiad, Tianjin, China;

Joseph Ma. Francis C. de Leon, Blessed International Christian Academy (Bronze) - 2009 China Primary Math Olympiad, Tianjin, China; (Silver/Team) - 2009 Wizards at Mathematics International Competition, Luknow, India; (Bronze) – 2009 Philippine International Mathematics Competition, Philippines;

Christian Rey Notario, Marcial O. Rañola Memorial School (Bronze) – 2009 China Primary Math Olympiad, Tiankin, China;

Brian James T. Masalunga, Naga Hope Christian School (Silver) – 2009 Wizards of Mathematics International Competition, Luknow, India; (Bronze) – 2009 Philippine International Mathematics Competition, Luknow, India;

Trisha Nicole T. Aman, Naga Hope Christian School (Silver and Silver/Team) – 2009 China Junior High School Math Olympiad, Tianjin, China; (Bronze, Merit/Team, Gold/Group, Gold/Puzzle) – 2009 Philippine International Mathematics Competition, Philippines;

Gio Eledao, Philippine Science High School (Bronze) – 3rd International Earth Science Olympiad, Taipei, Taiwan;

Jillian Therese G. Robredo, Universidad de Sta. Isabel (Silver) – 5th International Mathematics Competition (IMC) in Singapore.

The awarding of DOST-YES Medals to Region V Student-Achievers was held last February 12, 2010, at the DOST Bicol regional office here.

DOST, through the YES Award, has institutionalized the recognition system for international young achievers in Science and Mathematics competition in the elementary, secondary and collegiate levels. YES is a national award was undertaken by the Science Education Institute (SEI) under DOST. (POLucena, DOSTV/PIA)

DOLE RECORDS 18 EMPLOYERS FOR VIOLATION OF LABOR CODE IN TWO MONTHS TIME

DAET, Camarines Norte – The Department of Labor and Employment Office (DOLE) here has revealed at least 18 cases on violation of Labor Code of the Philippines covering January to February this year.

Ruben L. Romanillos, chief of DOLE Camarines Norte, said 7 violators were charged in January and 6 were already resolved, a case still pending in court; 11 cases were recorded this month and now being heard in court.

He said that majority of cases violated the Labor Code, including non-payment of separation pay, underpayment and other problems of employees from their employers in private establishments.

He said that last year they recorded some 62 cases as compared to 60 cases in 2008.

Romanillos reminded employers that the 13th month pay among private sectors is mandatory under Presidential Decree No. 851.

He explained that all employees in the private sectors aside from the government sectors having any positions and designations should receive said benefits even if they just work for one month of the calendar year. (RBManlangit, PIA CamNorte)

DOT chief to LGUs: Develop more tourism products

MANILA — Tourism Secretary Ace Durano today called on local government units (LGUs) nationwide to develop more tourism products to make their respective localities key tourist destinations.

At the same time, Durano urged media and other stakeholders to vigorously support the campaign to muster international acceptance of the famous underground river in Puerto Princesa, Palawan as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

Durano told reporters from the Visayas, Palawan and Bicol regions attending a media briefing and open forum at the Heroes Hall of Malacañang that tourist attractions are all over the country, but only a few are considered destinations that bring in tourists the whole year round.

Other resource speakers at the forum were Press Secretary Crispulo Icban Jr., Director Dennis Arroyo of the National Economic and Development Authority, and Presidential Management Staff Undersecretary Andy Cui.

The Tourism chief explained that such festivals as Dinagyang in Iloilo, Sinulog in Cebu and Ati-Atihan in Aklan are held only once a year and do not attract a continuous flow of visitors unlike beaches and other ecotourism magnets.

The visit to the Palace by the regional journalists ushers in President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s weeklong sortie around the Central Philippines Tourism Super Region, one of five growth areas identified by the government under its Super Regions development strategy.

In his remarks, Icban said the President’s Super Regions travels were meant to underscore her milestone achievements over the past nine years which she intends to turn over to the next President “who will build on them further.”

Central Philippines Tourism Super Region is composed of Regions 4B, Regions 5 to 8, as well as the provinces of Romblon, Palawan, Camiguin and the island of Siargao “whose natural wonders and cultural heritage, complemented by the extraordinary hospitality and warmth of the people, make these places potential world-class tourist detinations.”

“Central Philippines accounts for more than 50 percent of the country’s tourism industry,” Durano said. He added that the Philippines’ tourism sector remained afloat, while other countries suffered setbacks.

Government records showed that the country’s tourism industry remained resilient, posting a 6-percent growth in foreign tourist arrivals in the first half of 2009 amidst an 8.5-percent decline worldwide.

A total of 3.14 million foreigners visited the country in 2008, compared to only 869,665 in 2000. Local and foreign tourists in the country’s top destinations totaled 5.2 million from January to September 2009, representing a 17-percent increase from the 4.5 million in 2008.

Cebu topped the list of 14 leading tourist destinations in the Philippines, followed by Camarines Sur and Metro Manila in that order.

Camarines Sur, however, posted the highest growth last year with a hefty 117.25 percent, or from 721,024 local and foreign visitors in 2008 to 1,566,447 last year. Cebu had only 1.24 percent improvement, or from 1,596,238 in 2008 to 1,615,982 in 2009.

Palawan’s capital city of Puerto Princesa, ranked 10th on the Department of Tourism list, posted the second highest growth with 21.29 percent.

President Arroyo will fly to Puerto Princesa on Tuesday for the second stop of Central Philippines Tourism travel, next to Donsol, Sorsogon which has made its mark on the world map of tourist spots because of the awesome whale sharks that habituate its coastal waters.

Puerto Princesa boasts of the subterranean or underground river and the world-renowned Tubbataha diving reef, among other natural wonders.

The slight growth of the tourism sector despite global economic slump was traced in part to massive investments in tourism-related infrastructures in the Central Philippines Super Region since 2001. These included 42 airport projects, costing P27.31 billion; 108 ports constructed by the PPA, costing P8.76 billion, and 145 municipal ports, costing P1.23 billion; 8,783.07 kms of roads and 18,741 meters of bridges constructed, improved , and rehabilitated, costing P54.14 billion; and the P52.44-billion Southrail Project.

Complementing these was the development of other tourism support infrastructures and services including communications, banks and hospitals and health facilities. To address the energy requirements of Visayas, five power plants were commissioned in Central Philippines, providing power to almost all of the16,690 barangays in the region.

Private sector investment in tourism facilities in Central Philippines increased by 50 percent from P389.2 million in 2000 to P658.72 million in 2008. From 2001 to January 2009, 20 projects, mostly resorts and hotels, were registered with the BOI, costing P6.6 billion. At the same time, hotel rooms capacity in the Central Philippines increased by 16 percent from 8,046 in 2006 to 9,361 in 2007 while resort rooms increased by 41 percent from 2,780 rooms in 2006 to 3,917 in 2007. (PIA V Release)

PGMA orders use of bamboo desks in public schools

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo launched Friday (February 19) during her sorties in Binalona, Pangasinan the Engineered Bamboo Project, which may require about 25 percent of all public schools to use environment-friendly bamboo desks.

“Makakatulong sa edukasyon at sa kalikasan ang isang proyektong ilulunsad natin ngayon, ang Engineered Bamboo Project ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) at Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Inaasahan natin na 25 percent sa mga kinakailangang mesa ng Department of Education (DepEd) ay manggagaling sa kawayan at hindi sa punong gubat,” the President said during the launching of the Aeronautical Highway of Northern Luzon at the Binalonan Airfield in Barangay Linmansangan here.

Under the project, DENR will establish bamboo nurseries and distribute the shoots to farmers for the project while the DTI will manufacture the bamboo desks through the Cottage Industry Technology Center.

As part of the project launch, DTI will provide Binalonan with a bamboo desk-making machine, which costs P185,000, by next month.

After her speech, the President launched the Ilocano translation of Carlos Bulosan’s semi-autobiographical book “America is in the Heart.” Entitled “Adda Iti Puso Ti America”, the book and mini exhibit followed Bulosan’s immigrant journey from Binalonan to the United States, where he lived most of his adult life.

Aside from Favila, the President was accompanied by Senator Ramon Revilla Jr., Presidential Adviser on Climate Change Secretary Heherson Alvarez, DENR Secretary Horacio Ramos, and Cabinet Officer for Regional Development (CORD) Hermogenes Esperon Jr. (PIA V Release)

PGMA has best scorecard for industrial peace -- Planas

MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has the best scorecard in promoting industrial peace, compared to previous administrations, said Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Charito Planas at a press briefing in Malacanang Frida (February 19)..

“The adoption and establishment of labor-friendly measures paved the way to bringing down the number of incidence of labor strikes and achieving a harmonious employee-employer relationship during the Arroyo administration,” said Planas, who has a long record of public service that spanned the terms of several presidents.

Planas said a remarkable change in the country’s labor scene happened in the last three years, as the number of strikes dropped to single-digit levels. Last year, only four strikes were recorded.

Data from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) showed that labor and management relations were at low levels from 1886 to 1992, during the Aquino presidency, with a total of 1,846 strikes that involved 345,765 workers.

President Fidel Ramos was able to cut by two-thirds the number of strikes during his term, with only 573 strikes involving 256,711 workers. During President Joseph Estrada’s two-and-a-half years in office, 139 strikes occurred affecting 40,919 workers.

“Such stability in the industrial front (during the Arroyo administration) was due to the vigilance of the Labor Secretaries in mending differences between labor and management at an early stage, thus averting the occurrence of strikes,” Planas said.

During the Arroyo administration, the foundation of dispute resolution mechanism was set up via grievance machinery in various firm: a non-traditional approach in resolving labor disputes through human relations seminars was introduced and local government units and private sector were tapped in creating a more dynamic system for dispute resolution.

SENA or single entry approach, an option in resolving labor disputes by giving non-unionized employees an option to avail of conciliation proceedings, was also introduced.

“The creation of a more stable environment wherein labor and management would be able to work harmoniously together contributed to the positive employment growth figure registered despite last year’s global economic crisis,” Planas said.

Planas cited data from DOLE that showed employment rose by 2.7 percent from 34.53 million in 2008 to 35.47 million last year, translating to almost a million jobs generated in just one year.

Moreover, out of the 222 wage orders issued since 1989, when the minimum wage was set through the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board, almost half or 100 wage orders, mostly motu propio, were issued in the last nine years of the Arroyo administration.

“Maintaining industrial peace is not only conducive to both labor and management but is a scenario that will definitely invite more and more investors to the country,” Planas added. (PIA V Release)

Anti-private armies body steps up action plans; PNP lists 117 armed groups

MANILA — The seven-man Independent Commission Against Private Armies, also known as the Zenarosa Commission, has stepped up meetings and liaison with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforcement groups to firm up urgent action plans against private armed groups, which now number 117 nationwide.

“Just like candidates and political parties, we too are in a race with time because the private armed groups (PAGs), by their nature and intentions, are principally election accessories and are very disruptive ones,” said Commissioner Herman Z. Basbaño, spokesman of the presidential body. President Arroyo created the Commission last December 8.

Basbaño said that upon directives issued by Commission chairman, retired Justice Monina Arevalo Zenarosa, the Commission has been holding daily meetings and consultations to coordinate its action plans with law enforcement agencies, including the military, the prosecution arm of government and anti-crime groups and non-governmental organizations.

He said the Commission has been briefed by PNP Intelligence about the existence of 117 PAGs in all the regions, with members running close to 5,000 many of them with arms.

The PNP said the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), which includes Maguindanao province, scene of the gruesome massacre of 58 persons last November, accounts for 25 PAGs, the biggest for any of the country’s 13 regions..

Although individually operating and not exactly linked to each other, the PAGS constitute a significant threat to peace and order, especially during the election period.

He said the Commission, whose members are Bishop Juan de Dios M. Pueblos, Mahmod L. Adilao of the Ulama League of the Philippines, Army Gen. Jaime Echeverria (ret), Dante L. Jimenez of the Volunteer Against Crime and Corruption, and Police Director General Virtus V. Gil (ret), met again Monday through Wednesday this week to receive intelligence updates from PNP and to assess the reports.

PNP Intelligence officials said that while a number of PAGs have already been neutralized, and its members disarmed and charged in court, many of these groups remain active and at the sides, waiting for possible election engagements.

PNP officials said 117 special police task forces, one for every active PAG, have been formed to intensify monitoring of PAG movements, checkpoint operations, and intelligence build up.

Former Armed Forces General Edilberto Adan, a permanent adviser to the Commission, said the body will press for the detailed inventory of PAGs, a sort of an “order of battle” to enable the commission to determine PAG profiles, membership, and capability. Adan said it is not remote that some PAGs could be employing not only private bodyguards of politicians, but also retired, inactive, and even active policemen and soldiers.

According to Basbaño, the whole Commission is slated again to go to another Mindanao province for another consultative dialogue with various sectors.

Zenarosa declared earlier that Commission was bent on exhausting all means so that none of the reported PAGs can possibly disrupt the forthcoming elections. (PIA V Release)