ALBAY SOLIDARITY MISSION GOES TO ISABELA

LEGAZPI CITY— Bringing along a team of paramedics, medicines, water purifying machine, a water tank lorry, and ambulances, the Albay Solidarity Mission on Sunday evening move out for Isabela province in Cagayan Valley to assist disaster authorities there in their relief efforts.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda on Sunday send off the 76-man disaster response team from Albay together a fleet composed of two Army trucks loaded with water purifying machine , medicines, a bus, three ambulances, a Communication vehicle and a water tank lorry.

Salceda in his send off message said “This is Albay’s response to Isabela crisis, it is our turn to help,” he pointed out.

Salceda said the solidarity mission is in line with President Benigno Aquino III call for bayanihan spirit in responding to disaster issues and making these areas resilient communities, the President even cited Albay’s best practices in responding to disaster .

According to Salceda the mission would stay in Isabela for two weeks and assist in relief operation in the form of health services, provision of water sanitation and hygiene to residents of Isabela .

The team along with WASH specialist (Water, Sanitation and Hygine) would operate the water purifying machine that can produce 33,000 liters per hour of potable water and with the water tank lorry it will distribute drinking water to various evacuation camps in Isabela.

The water purification system can provide the potable water needs of some 51,000 families affected by the flooding that hit the towns of Cabagan, Inagas and San Marcelino in Isabela province .

The solidarity response team are composed of paramedics and nurses from the Albay Health and Emergency Management (AHEM) a disaster emergency group organize by the province to respond in times of disasters and emergencies.

“Going to Isabela is one way of responding to our partners at the same way thanking that Bicol had been spared this year from any disaster ,” Salceda pointed out, as he cited other regions that assisted Albay when two super typhoons Milenyo and Reming hit Bicol in2006 where thousands of residents have died due to floods and mud flow and billions worth of public and private infrastructure were lost including agricultural crops and other products.

The province has also assisted in relief operation in 2008 when Typhoon Frank hit Iloilo province and in 2009 when Ondoy ravaged Metro Manila.

The team will also deliver P250,000 cash assistance to provincial government, a similar cash donation of P250,000 was given by Salceda on Friday to the Cagayan Governor who attended along with the 36 Governors in 56 provinces across the country the 3-day LGU Summit on Climate Change Adaptation +3 held here on Thursday.

Aside from the half a million in donation given to two provinces in Northern Luzon largely hit by flooding , the province has also spent some P3 million from its calamity funds for carrying out the solidarity mission.

Salceda said the funds that financed the mission represent only 10 percent of the P42 million calamity funds the province still has. Giving assistance to other areas is one way in using the calamity fund, “best use (CDF) and the best interest” for the development of Albay and in building partnership with other provinces.

He said supporting other provinces in need is a new disaster protocol designed to build an “Inter Local support mechanism in times of disaster.”

Salceda said that from the disaster protocol, the province would also learn new experiences in disaster operation this are: good practices, new skills, and solidarity. (LGU Albay/PIA/mal)

MT. BULUSAN'S SEISMIC ACTIVITIES CONTINUE -- PHIVOLCS

LEGAZPI CITY -- Mount Bulusan in Sorsogon continued to show signs of increasing volcanic activities on Sunday, recording explosion-type quakes and belching a 200-meter high white steam clouds above the crater rim, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Volcanologists, however, said there was no visual observation of the ash explosions as thick clouds covered the volcano’s summit since Saturday afternoon up to Sunday morning.

Phivolcs seismic instruments recorded 10 volcanic quakes and four ash explosion-type events taking place during the past 24 hours.

Field investigations by Phivolcs showed that despite the strong emission of white steam clouds, there were no traces of ash falls in areas surrounding the volcano.

Alert level 1 remains in effect, as Phivolcs reiterates its warning to the public to keep-out of the four-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) as sudden hazardous explosions are likely to affect the area.

Residents living beyond the PDZ that are downwind of the crater are likely to be affected by ash falls during explosions, while residents living near river channels around the volcano are warned against volcanic mudflows during heavy rains.

The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) said they advised the provincial and five town disaster councils affected by Mt. Bulusan's increasing restlessness to be on heightened alert for any eventualities.

PDRRMC Sorsogon has been advised to revisit their contingency plan in case the alert level is further raised.

Possible areas to be affected once the volcano goes on full eruptions are the towns of Juban, Irosin, Casiguran, Gubat, Barcelona and Busulan covering around 70 barangays.

Meanwhile, Sorsogon Governor Raul R. Lee immediately alerted the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) who in turn also alerted all the nearby barangays through their respective Municipal DRRC to take necessary action so as not to further damages to life and properties, particularly among the directly affected residents.

The Philippine Army, likewise, immediately responded for possible rescue and assistance necessary.

As of press time, no casualties and evacuees have been reported.

In other development, prior to the explosion, a magnitude 4 earthquake rocks Sorsogon City and Irosin town at 12:41 also this morning, Nov. 6.

Earthquake Information No. 2 released by DOST-Phivolcs reveals that the epicenter with magnitude of 6 was noted at 36 kms of San Pascual Burias Island with 021 (shallow) depth of focus. Possible source was at Sibuyan Sea Fault, tectonic in origin.
Reported intensities were: 5 in Lignon Hill, Legazpi City in Albay; 4 in Sorsogon City and Irosin town in Sorsogon, Masbate City in Masbate and the town of Sto. Domingo in Albay; and 3 in Cebu City.

It can also be noted that Sorsogon has also experienced a magnitude 3 earthquake on November 4, virtually two-day interval of this morning’s quake.

But Phivolcs Sorsogon tells the public not to panic and that the tremors felt were all tectonic in origin and has nothing to do with any volcanic activities.

However he warned the public not to lay back but instead be prepared all the time for any untoward and anticipate the worse scenarios every time an earthquake occurs particularly that no instrument yet was discovered to determine when an earthquake will happen. (PNA Bicol/BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon/mal)

DPWH BICOL ACTIVATES DISASTER TEAM AS BULUSAN BECOMES RESTIVE

LEGAZPI CITY— The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Sorsogon 2nd District Engineering Office has activated its disaster team in an effort to contribute to respond to emergency and attain a zero casualty in the event of a full-blown eruption of Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon province, according to the agency’s regional official here.

“This team is ready for any eventuality, upon coordination with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) in Sorsogon as well as the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO)” said DPWH Bicol Assistant Director Jesus E. Salmo.

“Maintenance equipment to clear the road of volcanic debris and vehicles to help in the evacuation of affected residents to safer grounds are on standby and will be dispatched as the need arises,” he added.

Alternate routes were identified for guidance of the traveling public, viz: A. If massive lahar flow at Daan Maharlika Highway (DMH), Cogon Section , Irosin, Sorsogon; 1) Traffic from Manila to Matnog (DMH), vice versa, will take the East Coast Road from: a) Abuyog (Jc t. DMH, Sorsogon) to Gubat-Barcelona-Bulusan Road (National Secondary Road), b) Bulusan-Irosin Road (National Secondary Road) and, c) Irosin-Matnog Road (DMH);

2) Traffic from Bulan, Sorsogon (travelers from Masbate) will take the West Coast Road from: a) Bulan-Magallanes Road (provincial road), b) Magallanes-Juban Road (provincial road) and, c) Juban-Sorsogon (DMH); B. Massive Ash Fall (if Irosin is impassable), traffic from Matnog to Manila and vice versa may use the following road sections: a) Bulusan-Barcelona-Gubat (National Secondary Road) and b) Gubat-Abuyog Road (Jct. DMH, Sorsogon). (LVCastañeda, DPWH V/PIA/mal)

DENR CONDUCTS ASSESSMENT OF COUNTRY’S IRON DEPOSITS

LEGAZPI CITY — Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje has directed the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to conduct an assessment of local iron deposits as possible raw material feeds to an integrated iron and steel facility that the government is planning to establish in the country, according to the agency’s regional official here.

MGB Bicol Director Reynulfo Juan said Paje has ordered the assessment if the country has sufficient iron ore reserves for the production of pig iron, which will serve as feeds in case we put up our own integrated iron and steel facility, adding that being self-sufficient in iron ore raw materials will enable the government to save millions of dollars it is now spending in the importation of semi-finished steel raw materials for the government’s steel industry.

Juan said the move to establish an integrated iron and steel facility is intended to protect the country’s economy from being drained of its dollar reserves resulting from the importation of semi-finished steel as raw materials for the country’s steel industry.

MGB study showed that the current consumption of the country’s steel industry is approximately 4 million tons per year, and is expected to increase to 8 million to 10 million annually. Current price of imported iron ore is $70 per ton.

The study further showed that steel imports today, mostly in the form of semi-finished steels, represent the second highest importations, next only to oil and petroleum products.

Juan furthered that Paje has tasked MGB not only to evaluate the quantity of local iron ore reserve but also to determine if the grade of the iron deposits is sufficient for the production of steel in an integrated iron and steel facility.

MGB metallurgical study revealed that iron ores must have a grade of at least 60% iron (Fe) in order to be eligible as raw material for the production of steel.

As of 2009, MGB National Director Leo Jasareno said the country’s iron reserve is placed at 493.5 million tons. The iron reserves are located in the following regions: Region I, 6.07 million tons; Region II, 25.1 million tons; Region III, 15.23 million tons; Region IV-A, 34.92 tons; Region IV-B, 10.7 million tons; Region V, 318.6 million tons; Region VI, Region VI, 44,190 tons; Region VII, 17.9 million tons; Region VIII, 44.4 million tons; Region IX, 309,310 tons; Region XII, 4 million tons; and Region XIII, 17.04 million tons. (DENR-MGB V/PIA/mal)

DOT CHIEF BATS FOR A SPEEDY COMPLETION OF SOUTH LUZON INT’L. AIRPORT IN ALBAY

LEGAZPI CITY— Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Alberto Lim said he wants a speedy completion of the Southern Luzon International Airport (SLIA) in Barangay Alobo in Daraga, Albay to make Bicol a top tourist destinations in the country as well as support DOT’s target to double the number of foreign tourist arrivals.

“I will strongly recommend it to Department of Transportation and Communication as one of the top priority airports in the country,” said Lim during a forum of local government officials and public sector representatives at the St. Ellis Hotel over the weekend.

Lim said “Bicol is now third fastest growing tourism destination in the country today second only to Cebu and Boracay with new tourism come-ons like Camarines Sur Water Sports Complex,Caramoan Peninsula, Misibis Bay Resort and Donsol, Sorsogon”.

“No amount of selling will work with a good product like Mayon Volcano whose tourism attraction is limited to its eruption compared to developing new tourism products where tourists enjoy while engaging in an activity like whale shark interaction, wake boarding or riding an MTV to view the lava trail at the footsteps of Mayon Volcano,” Lim told the participants which include Donsol mayor Jerome Alcantara,Legazpi City mayor Geraldine Rosal, Tony Tan of Albay Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Henry Buban of Albay Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

With the new international airport, tourists anywhere in the world can fly easily to Albay to enjoy their time with less travel time in commuting.

“Our target is to double the number of foreign tourist coming to the country in 2016,” said Lim who lamented that the country is now ranked sixth compared to Malaysia,Thailand, Singapore,Indonesia and Vietnam.

The DOT said country’s annual foreign tourist arrivals is just three million despite its bid as a tourism destination since the `70s.

Although the DOT’s role is recommendatory, Lim said government agencies which implements large government infrastructure projects such as the DOTC in its impact assessment also “get points or inputs from us.”

For his part, Albay Govenor Joey Salceda said the government has already bought 82 percent of the private agricultural lands in Alobo and neighboring barangays for the 3.4-billion Southern Luzon International Airport (SLIA) in Barangay Alobo.

Salceda said 32 percent of the construction of the runway and offices under Phase I has already been completed including 35 percent of P hase II has also been completed.

Salceda said P780 has already been released by the DOTC September this year for the on-going construction.

“ This new, modern international airport can boost tourism which is Bicol’s biggest potential where it enjoys comparative advantages,” Salceda said.

To be viable, Salceda the SLIA is now connected by a road network to and commercial centers and tourist destinations as far as Donsol. He said that more than 80 percent of the road network including bridges around the international airport has already been completed.

“Our Guicadale Economic Platform now is drawing private investments,” said Salceda, adding that with the threat of climate change intensifies as the years move on the private sector is now responding positively to our development guidance and should significantly lift the prospects of safe development in Albay.

Guicadale which stands for Guinobatan, Daraga, and Legazpi City where residents at risk in this areas will eventually settle at the new, safe and elevated economic hub of Albay with the airport’s completion.

“This is other half of adaptation mainstreaming- the first half is the integration of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) into public investments program and the other half is the participation of the private sector in disaster-proofed/climate-proofed development.”

Property developments have sprouted with Jaucian Village in Daraga reporting near 100 percent take-up and similarly in adjacent areas in Legazpi City.

“ Raw land prices have leapt 10-fold from P50 per square meters,” said the Governor, adding that Bicol College will be establishing its campus in Anislag partly helped by the cash flows from our Albay Higher Education Contribution Scheme (AHECS) scholarship program.

The international airport sits on a 300-hectare land area and is slated for completion two years from now. (LGU Albay/PIA/mal)

2010 LGU COMMITTMENTS in Mainstreaming Climate Change Adaptation to Development Processes in the Philippines
(agreed upon and isgned during the LGU SUMMIT +3i (LUZON) in ALbay Province)



As primary duty bearers in addressing the impacts of climate change, we, Provincial Officials of the Philippines, declare the following premises as basis for common ground and collective action:

The Philippines, due to its location and geographic landscape, is highly vulnerable to climate change, with over 90 million people facing threats from more intense tropical cyclones, extreme rainfall patterns, sea level rise, and increasing temperatures, which will seriously affect most aspects of livelihood, continue to hinder socio-economic development and limit their options for the future;

It is unequivocal that climate change will have serious implications on the country’s efforts to address poverty and realize sustainable development for current and future generations-ultimately making climate change an issue of intergenerational equity;

These projected impacts will heavily affect local populations and their physical and socio-economic support systems;

The local governments and their constituents are front liners in the efforts to attain the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), but face challenges in terms of inadequate investment, unresponsive government policies, lack of commitment, disaster and climate change risks;

Increasing the country’s local capacity to implement adaptation measures to ensure attainment of local development agenda is vital for meeting the MDG targets by 2015;

The recently adopted National Framework Strategy on Climate Change (NFSCC) needs to be translated into a National Action Plan, the implementation of which should cascade to the local levels;

The Local Government Code of 1991 provides for the powerful role of LGUs in implementing critical local actions such as disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.

These tasks require the development and strengthening of LGU capacities as frontliners in the struggle against climate change and meeting the challenge of achieving the MDGs; and

Many development partners such as the United Nations System have committed to support the Philippines in its efforts to strengthen its capacities to address disaster and climate change risks.
Therefore, we, the Provincial Government Officials, hereby commit ourselves to developing the resilience and adaptive capacities of our peoples to the adverse impacts of climate change, using the precautionary principle, by:

Determining our provinces’ vulnerabilities to the multi-hazards, including those brought on by climate change through a risk-based approach;

Systematically mainstreaming climate change and disaster risk reduction measures resulting from our vulnerability and adaptation (V and A) assessments into our policies, plans, programmes and regulatory processes;

Supporting capacity building programmes for local staff to increase their competencies in assessing vulnerabilities, and socioeconomic impacts, and identifying adaptation measures that would increase resilience of their local development interventions;

Participating in the formulation and implementation of the National Action Plan on Climate Change pursuant to the Climate Change Framework

Ensuring that the mainstreaming process will result in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) targets by 2015;

Raising the awareness of our peoples on climate change and disaster risk issues;

Improving our peoples’ competencies on climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction through continuing education in centers of excellence like the Climate Change Academy and learning by doing initiatives;

Facilitating the sharing of experiences and indigenous knowledge on climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction approaches and their impacts on the attainment of MDGs among our constituents;

Providing leadership in decision-making and implementation of critical inter-sectoral disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation measures; and

Establishing the enabling environment for inclusive partnerships among LGUs and their respective constituents, as well as, development partners who would promote anticipatory climate change adaptation and facilitate MDG achievement by 2015.

Eligible civil servants assured of government positions

MANILA — Civil Servants who are currently undergoing the process of attaining Career Executive Service Officer (CESO) eligibility are assured of worthy positions in the government upon completion of the process.

In an interview over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Monday, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma assured that all government employees with CESO eligibility will be considered to occupy key positions in the government.

“Binibigyan naman po ng due recognition ang ating mga kapatid sa civil service na nagsisikap na mag-attain ng CESO rank”, Coloma said.

Coloma added that Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. has already issued a memorandum last week directing all Cabinet Secretaries to consider CESO eligible employees to assume vital positions in the government that require such eligibility.

He further said that the memorandum covers all departments of the government and without discrimination, allaying fears from civil servants in the provinces that they are not given proper attention.
“Iyon naman pong mga memorandum circulars natin ay para sa buong pamahalaan po yan at sakop ang Luzon, Visayas at Mindanao”, Coloma noted.

“Kaya nga po noong nakaraang lingo ay nag-issue din po ng memorandum si Executive Secretary Ochoa sa lahat ng mga Cabinet Secretaries at mga departamento na nagtatadhana na bigyan ng konsiderasyon iyong mga career executive service officer or CESO”, he added.

Earlier, the President has issued Memorandum Circulars (MC) No. 1 declaring third level position vacant and directing all non-CESO occupying Career Executive Service positions to continue to perform their duties and responsibilities until July 31. This was followed by Memorandum Circular No. 2, amending the MC No. 1 extending the tenure of Non-CESO officials until October 31.

Coloma said the extension gave ample time for the heads of agencies to review and study those deserving officials to stay in their positions under the new administration. He said that it also emphasized the professionalization of the Civil Service.

“Hindi po naging padaskul-daskul ang ating administrasyon sa pagtanggal o pagpapalit ng maramihan o lahatan sa mga nakapuwesto sa ating pamahalaan”, Coloma stressed.

Coloma said that the Palace has given the department heads the authority to recommend based on their assessment on who shall stay in their positions.

“Kaya po noong malapit na ang October 31, iyong araw na itinakda ng MC No. 2 ay tinawagan po ang mga iba’t-ibang pinuno ng departamento at tanggapan at ipinaalala sa kanila na meron pong deadline na ganyan at binigyan naman po ng laya sila na mag-reappoint nitong mga affected na civil servants natin kung sa palagay nila ay karapat-dapat na manatili” he said. (PIA V)

Malacañang elated over release of Pinoy sailors

MANILA — Malacañang today welcomed reports that Filipino seafarers held hostage by Somali pirates have been released.

In a press briefing at Malacañang, Presidential Deputy Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the government is very happy over the release of the 19 Filipino seafarers who were abducted with five other South Korean seamen in April.

“We are very happy that they are safe,” “she said (adding that) they will go into a sort of debriefing.”

In a related development, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Sunday commended the parties responsible for the successful release of the South Korean supertanker Samho Dream.

The DFA said it was happy that these courageous Filipinos will soon be in the company of their loved ones.

“The Philippine government will continue to closely coordinate and work with ship principals, manning agencies and other parties in securing the release of the other seafarers who are still in the hands of Somali pirates,” it added.

Ninety-two Filipino seamen are being held captive by pirates in the east African state.

The 300,000-ton Samho Dream was seized in the Indian Ocean in April as it was heading fully laden from Iraq to the US state of Louisiana with a crew of 19 Filipinos and five South Koreans.

Officials of Samho Shipping and the South Korean foreign ministry declined to disclose exactly how much ransom was paid. But South Korean media, including the Yonhap news agency, reported that a ransom of $9 million to $9.5 million was paid for the ship’s release.

Yonhap said the amount was the largest ever to be given to Somali pirates. The news agency cited Andrew Mwangura, coordinator of the East African Seafarers Assistance Program, as saying the pirates earlier demanded $20 million. (PIA V)

PNP to provide tight security for Clinton visit, says Palace

MANILA — The Philippine National Police is ready to provide airfight security for former United States President Bill Clinton who is set to arrive Wednesday in the wake of a global terror alert.

In an interview this afternoon, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the PNP National Capital Regional Police Office is now coordinating closely with the US Embassy to provide appropriate security for Clinton, who will be a resource person at a Manila Hotel event entitled “Embracing Our Common Humanity.”

“Of course, we will provide the best security for former president Bill Clinton,” Valte said noting that the upcoming visit of the former US president shows that the Philippines is still safe despite the recent travel advisories issued by some countries.

Valte said the recently-concluded Robot Olympiad where 22 representatives from different countries and the upcoming visit of Clinton are signs that the Philippine government is “very committed” and “very resolved” in protecting them

“We have a beautiful country. We have taken measures to tighten security and we assure everyone that everybody not only our citizens are amply protected,” Valte added.

Meanwhile, PNP NCRPO Director Chief Supt. Nicanor Bartolome reported to Malacanang that policemen including covert personnel, will be stationed in the venue.
Route security, according to Bartolome, will be provided while K-9 units will also be deployed to detect any bombs.
Metro Manila has been on full alert since the annual celebration of the All Souls and All Saints Day, and will remain so up to December. (PIA V)

Clinton visit a sign of confidence in PHL – Aquino

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III said today that the upcoming visit of former US President Bill Clinton is a sign of confidence in the Philippines despite the spate of travel advisories issued by several countries due to the global terror threat.

“I would assume that it would be a vote of confidence,” the President said referring to Clinton’s visit on Wednesday.

The President pointed out that Clinton has a secret service detailed to him and, in case, there was a realistic and imminent terrorist threat, his security will object to the visit.

On a possible meeting with Clinton, the President said that due to his hectic schedules, it would be impossible for him to meet Clinton.

“There is no such meeting at this time, I’m preparing for APEC (to be held in Japan),” the President said.

He expects to be discussed during the APEC meeting the issue on the volatility of the international financial market especially the instability of exchange rates affecting the entire global community.

Before his departure for Japan on Thursday, the President is scheduled to visit Cebu on Wednesday to inaugurate a hotel and to launch a ship that would further enhance tourism and job generation in the Central Visayas region. (PIA V)

Palace asks public to remain calm amid impending fuel shortage in metropolis

MANILA — Malacanang asked the public to remain calm amid reports an impending fuel shortage in Metro Manila due to the closure 10 days ago of an oil pipeline that transports around 60 percent of the city’s fuel needs from Batangas province to the Pandacan oil depot in Manila.

In press briefing on Monday at Malacanang, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte, there is no cause for panic even as she made an assurance that the Department of Energy (DOE) is on top of the situation.

“Contingency measures are in place,” she stressed.

Valte said the DOE has asked the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to exempt oil tankers from the number coding scheme and truck ban to prevent a possible fuel shortage in the metropolis with the closure of the country’s biggest commercial pipeline in Makati City.

The 40-year old pipeline, owned by the First Philippine Industrial Corporation (FPIC), transports crude and refined petroleum needs of Metro Manila. It was shutdown due to gas leakage.

Several gas stations in Metro Manila have reported a fuel supply shortage since the oil pipeline was shutdown.

The FPIC has two main pipelines transporting petroleum products from oil refineries in Batangas to terminals in Pandacan, Manila. The damaged pipeline is FPIC's 117-kilometer “white line" that carries gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and aviation fuel and other refined petroleum products. Its other pipeline, called the “black line," transports heavier petroleum products. (PIA V)