SALCEDA SEES TRILLANES' POTENTIAL FOR ALBAY, RP DEVELOPMENT

LEGAZPI CITY — Albay Governor Joey Salceda, is looking forward to working closely with Senator Antonio Trillanes IV for development policies following President Benigno Aquino’s granting of amnesty to the senators and more than 300 rebel officers and soldiers who took part in three military uprisings against his predecessor.

Salceda said he believes the senator will make the most out of his eagerness to start working for his home province as well as the country.

“While there are four Bicolanos in the Senate, Trillanes solely represents Albay, Joker Arroyo from Camsur and Honasan and Escudero from Sorsogon. Trillanes gives pride to Albay but more than that he will prove to be a big help to P-Noy in leading the country,” Salceda told the Philippines News Agency.

Albayanos are now happy to see their biggest contribution to national leadership and to the task of nation building, he added.

Three weeks ago Trillanes agreed to meet Salceda and Albay Board Members Ramon Alsua and Ireneo Sales, at his detention cell.

He said he noticed that even with access to information constrained by his detention, Trillanes still has robust grasp of national issues and that the latter's policies are quite impressive.

The governor added now that Trillanes is free, he believes the latter would grow in stature and distinguish himself in the Senate and the national scene.

“Surely, his strong views and positions distilled in long contemplation will contribute significantly to the formation of robust consensus on national issues. But what struck me was his filial piety - that eagerness to get out and do his bit for his home province - Albay (being from Ligao City) - he insisted in knowing the priorities of Albay,” Salceda said. (RMNasol, PNA Bicol/PIA/mal)

KASANGGAYAHAN FESTIVAL OFFICIALLY KICKS OFF OCT. 18

PROVINCE OF SORSOGON – This year’s Kasanggayahan Festival will officially kick off October 18 in lieu of the Oct. 17, the original commemoration date of the establishment and founding anniversary of the Province of Sorsogon, which falls on a Sunday.

“In anticipation being that Oct. 17 of this year falls on a Sunday, there is a much expected appeal and request from the different sectors that for the constituents to earnestly and passionately participate in the celebration, aforesaid date be moved on the next working day which is on the 18th of October (Monday),” says Executive Order No. 006 s. 2010 issued by Sorsogon Governor Raul R. Lee.

The kick off activity will be graced by the Department of Tourism Regional Director Maria Ravanilla.

In the morning, a thanksgiving mass will be celebrated followed by the hoisting of the flag, opening program, blessing of the Kasanggayahan Trade Fair and Exhibit at the Capitol Kiosk and ground-breaking activity of Balay Kasanggayahan.

The afternoon’s affair will highlight the Civic, Historico-Cultural and Float Parade, street dance presentation and fireworks display at night.

Kasanggayahan Festival 2010, under the theme “Continuing Commitment to Sorsogon’s Historical, Cultural and Religious Heritage” marks the 116th founding anniversary of Sorsogon province.

The two-week celebration has lined up various activities that include 15 days agro-industrial fair, parade, wellness activities, nightly shows, fora, pilgrimage mass, heritage lectures, street dances highlighting on October 30 the crowd drawer ‘Pantomina sa Tinampo’ and other exciting events.

”With the theme this year, we will see and feel the unrelenting support and partnership of the local government and the Kasanggayahan Foundation Inc. (KFI) to introduce the province of Sorsogon and its attributes especially in the field of tourism to the wider world,” said KFI chair Msgr. Francisco P. Monje.

It can be noted that Donsol town now is included among the top 5 tourist destinations in the Philippines where tourists, local and foreign flock to this small town to see and interact with the largest fish in the world, the whale sharks, locally known as ‘butanding’.

Meanwhile, for a short glimpse of history, Sorsogon became a separate province of Albay on Oct 17, 1894 and 80 years after, the term “Kasanggayahan” coined by the then parish priest of Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Rev. Fr. Jose Ofracio, came into existence and was adopted by the province to be the official name for its festival.

Hence, starting in 1974, the succeeding foundation anniversary of Sorsogon province was called “Kasanggayahan” which means a ‘land of happy, peace-loving people with bountiful harvest’.

Kasanggayahan Festival dubbed as ”The Festival of Festivals” is a celebration of the 14 municipalities and 1 city depicting its historical past and developing its rich cultural and economic aspirations.

October 18 is also declared a special local holiday in the entire province. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon/mal)

ROSAL, CUA INKED MOA ON ETRACS

LEGAZPI CITY — Mayor Carmen Geraldine B. Rosal of this city and Catanduanes Governor
Joseph Cua formally signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the adoption of Enhanced Tax Revenue Assessment and Collection System (ETRACS) of the local government of Catanduanes last October 1, 2010 here.

The adoption of ETRACS by the island province was requested by Cua to the city government here during the term of former Mayor Noel E. Rosal to strengthen the service delivery standard to the people of Catanduanes.

Engr. Joseph Esplana, city planning officer here, pointed out that ETRACS is an Australian Agency International Development (AUSAID) program, under the Local Governance Development Project, and designed to modernize and speed-up the revenue operations of a local government.

Esplana added that one of the commitments of the city government here as principal ETRACS implementer under the original Land Management Program (LAMP) 2 is to cascade the learning process of system installation, provide hands-on training and continuing technical assistance to other interested LGU’s.

He likewise said that AUSAID has declared the city government here is very receptive to implement development programs on computerization and the institution is willing to grant some P4.5 million for the expansion of selected programs of LGU’s.

On the other hand, Rosal averred that ETRACS would further strengthen and promote sustainability, transparency and advancement in local government programs.

“What we have achieved thru ETRACS can be duplicated in other departments for smoother, better monitored and streamlined system of services,” she furthered.

Rosal cited that her administration is very proud to be a model for the program implementation of the provincial government of Catanduanes, adding that this agreement between the city government and the provincial government would be very significant for an effective and improve tax collection system.

In the meantime, Cua has expressed his appreciation and gratitude to Rosal for giving them the full support in the implementation of the said technology.

He also said that this new technology will upgrade the tax revenue collections and other business transactions of the province to lead for more effective and transparent Government.

Furthermore, the LGU’s implementers of ETRACS now includes the cities of Legazpi, Puerto Princesa, Cadiz, Oroquieta, Tayabas, Iriga, Naga, San Carlos and the municipalities of Maribojoc Bohol, Oton Iloilo, Leganes Iloilo, Bayombong NV and Nabunturan CV. (MPSolis, LGU Legazpi City/PIA/mal)

DENR ENDORSES DRAFT BILL FOR FINAL FOREST BOUNDARY OF CAMARINES NORTE

LEGAZPI CITY — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Bicol will be submitting the draft bill for the final forest land boundary of Camarines Norte to the National Assessment and Delineation Committee for evaluation and review, according to the agency’s top regional official.

DENR Bicol Regional Executive Director Joselin Marcus Fragada has ordered the Regional Assessment and Delineation Team to submit the draft proclamation to fast track the enactment of the province’s final forest line.

He pointed out the urgency to lay down protection and sustainable development strategies for the forest resources in Camarines Norte, where Bicol National Park is located.

Under the draft bill, the RADT identified a total forestland of 75, 766 hectares and alienable and disposable land consisting of 46 blocks or 3, 236.9 hectares from the province’s total land area of 214, 346 hectares.

The draft bill was the output of the fast-tracked forestland boundary assessment and delineation (FLBAD) project in the region which targeted to complete Camarines Norte and Masbate’s final forest lines.

The project underpins the government’s sustainable reforestation approaches, comprehensive land use program, resolution on political boundaries and establishment of national forestland database.

Based on the FLBAD process, once the NADC reviewed and evaluated the draft proclamation it will be then endorsed to the DENR Secretary. The Secretary shall endorse the draft bill to the Representatives concerned for sponsorship in Congress. Upon the passage of the law defining the final boundary of the forestlands within a province, the same shall be the basis for the issuance of the certifications of legal status of the land. It shall form part of the control maps and records for all public land applications filed to the Department.

Meanwhile, in a report submitted by the RADT to Fragada, the team assured an on track completion of the assessment and delineation of the forestland in Masbate by October this year and the draft proclamation by first quarter of 2011.

The implementation of the survey was based on DENR Administrative Order 2008-24, which specifically provided for a “comprehensive procedure to facilitate the conduct of assessment and delineation of boundaries between forestlands, national parks and agricultural lands.” (ASAraya, DENR V/PIA/mal)