ALBAY'S OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS, STUDENTS FETED

LEGAZPI CITY — Educators and students who have shown exemplary performance in their respective fields manifesting the advancement of the education system in the province were cited in Albay’s Gawad Edukasyon awarding ceremonies Friday (December 17) held at the Albay Astrodome here

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, who pioneered the education enhancement program in the province in 2008 under the program Education Quality for Albayanos (EQUAL), said that over 70 awardees and qualifiers were nominated to this year’s awards program making it with the most number of participants since the program inception.

Salceda bared that some 27 awardees and 49 qualifiers received each a certificate and plaque of recognition as well as cash incentives ranging from P3,000 to P200,000 each, depending on the categories, totaling to P2.1 million cash incentives.

"With these numbers, both of educators and students, our main objective of providing Albayanos with quality education is gradually gaining more support from the various sectors of our society," Salceda observed.

Dr. Rowena Ondiz, chief of Albay's Research and Planning Division and Awards Committee in-charge, said the awards program has four categories, including Student Excellence in Academics and Leadership (SEAL); Ten Outstanding Teachers of Albay (TOTAL); Three Outstanding Principals in the Countryside of Albay (TROPICAL); and Kadunong LGU, for LGUs with best practices in education development.

Albay’s Gawad Edukasyon has cited Rhod Jeran Sabater, of Polangui Comprehensive High School(PGCHS); John Eulo Bas, of Tabaco National High School(TNHS); Jessa Marie Monzon, of Marcial O. Rañola Memorial School (MORMS); Micah Madrelejos, PGCHS; Andre Nico Belen, of Ligao National High School (LNHS); Kimberly Rapirap, of St. Michael Academy; Roland Francis Dacillo, TNHS; Antonette Reburiano, PGCHS; Shaira Orogo, MORMS; and Aaron Castillo, of Legazpi City Science High School LCSHS), in the student category wherein each received P20,000 and plaque of recognition.

Michelle M. Damiel, LCSHS; Diana L. Desuyo, of Bicol Regional Science High School (BRSHS); Sixto O. Orzales, of Albay Central School (ACS); Leopoldo C. Brizuela Jr., LNHS; Nora J. Laguda, MORMS; Shirley M. Rustria, of Oas North Central School (ONCS); Hazel C. Asejo, of Aquinas University of Legazpi Science High School (AUL-LSHS; Ruben B. Cenita, AUL-LSHS; Roger B. Bañal, TNHS; and Nancy M. Aguda, ACS composed the list of TOTAL who each received P100,000.

Three school principals namely Dr. Norma B. Orozco, of Pagasa National High School (PNHS); Rhodie H. Quirab, of Ligao East Central Elementary School (LECES); and Carmen J. Beldad, ACS topped the list in the TROPICAL awardees each also receiving some P100,000.

Most outstanding LGU cited was Tiwi, lead by Mayor Jaime C. Villanueva; Outstanding LGU was Libon, under the headship of Mayor Agnes Dycoco and Tabaco City Mayor Krisel Lagman-Luistro. Manito Mayor Caesar Daep was conferred with a special mention award. Kadunong LGU's most outstanding bagged P200,000; outstanding, P100,000; and special recognition, P75,000.

Ondiz furthered that aside from the major awards, at finalists also received P5,000 to P10,000 each; and qualifiers P3,000 to P5,000 each, depending on the categories they were nominees.

"Gov. Salceda wants that all those who signified interest in joining the education enhancement contests receive prize," Ondiz said.

With its expanded education programs and activities, Albay has created the Provincial Education Department (PET) and initially funded it with some P170-million. (MALoterte, PIA V/Albay)

EMB TO FILE CASES AGAINST LGUs WHO FAIL TO CLOSE DUMPSITE
By Ed De Leon

LEGAZPI CITY – Newly installed Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) regional director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said here yesterday that the agency will be forced to file a case against local government units (LGUs) who failed to close their open dumpsite in violation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Law also otherwise known as Republic Act No. 9003.

In a media briefing conducted at the EMB regional office Tuesday (December 14), Director Fernando Quililan said that there are still about 60 LGUs or 55 per cent who have not close their open dumps as required by law.

He said that Section 37 of the law requires that no open dumpsite shall be operated by LGUs after five years following the affectivity of the law in 2001.

Quililan said that under the three-strike policy contained in the National Solid Waste Management Commission Resolution (NSWMC) No. 17 series of 2009, the Council issued the first notice of strike to 69 LGUs in the Bicol Region in August 27, 2008 who were still operating an open or controlled dumpsite despite the lapse of time for them to close the dumpsite.

While the second notice of strike according to the EMB director was issued by the NSWMC last January 26, 2010 to LGUs concerned who still failed to close their open dumpsite and failed to set up a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF).

Meanwhile three LGUs from Masbate were issued the 3rd and final strike notice middle of this year because of the failure to these concerned LGUs to comply with the law and a case will be filed against these LGU officials for failing to comply with the Ecological Solid Waste Management Law.

Quililan said that the penalties imposed by the law for still operating an open dumpsite is P500,000 plus 5 percent of net annual income of the LGU found guilty and 1 to 3 years imprisonment for the LGU official involved.

The EMB director stressed the importance for the LGUs to seriously give importance to the setting up of sanitary landfills in their area of jurisdiction considering that in the Bicol region alone a total of 1,532 metric tons of garbage is generated every day which is equivalent to at least 255 truck loads of waste.

He praised Legazpi City government for being the first LGU to establish a Sanitary landfill facility located in Barangay Banquerohan. (PIA/mal)

USAID CITES SORSOGON DISASTER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
By Bennie A. Recebido

SORSOGON Province — Officials of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) – Philippines have recently visited and cited this province’s preparedness and disaster management system carried out by the Provincial Disaster Risk Management Office (PDRRMO) in the wake of Mt. Bulusan’s restiveness since Nov. 6, this year.

PDRRMO Head Jose Lopez said that USAID representatives came to his office to assess and conduct initial exploration of concerned municipal LGUs and the province as well in terms of disaster preparedness, management and response.

“For the meantime now, they have not committed any specific support but assured us that they are ready to provide the province any assistance should the condition of Mt. Bulusan worsens,” said Lopez.

Allan Dwyer of USAID, meanwhile, said that the protocols and system implemented by the PDRRMC in the management of Bulusan volcano’s activities and its impact to residents and livelihood, as well as the capability of concerned agencies in responding to said natural disaster, were commendable according to the agency’s mandates.

“I have heard a lot about Bulusan Volcano that is why from Indonesia, where Mt. Merapi also devastated hundreds of local residents there, I decided to fly to the Philippines so I could personally visit Sorsogon and find out where our agency could come in,” Dwyer said.

Justin Sherman, also from USAID, said that they have visited the affected areas particularly Brgy. Cogon in Irosin town, the nearest barangay to Mt. Bulusan, to find out the condition of residents directly affected by the volcano’s series of ash ejections as well as the evacuation centers used by the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

“We likewise met Dir. Ed Laguerta of Philippine Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to get updates of the present condition of Mt. Bulusan and learned that Alert level 1 remains hoisted since Mt. Bulusan’s restiveness is not yet over based from the signs they see at the volcano’s crater,” he added.

USAID is an agency known for its active support to victims of various calamities and internally-displaced persons in armed conflict affected areas. It provides United States’ economic and humanitarian assistance for more than 40 years now. It is also popular because of their disaster preparedness and mitigation programs using their civilian and humanitarian resources to strengthen disaster preparedness and response capability efforts in calamity-stricken areas worldwide.

Together with the USAID in visiting here were representatives from World Vision, a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization that has long been a partner of the local government in providing relief assistance to victims of both man-made and natural calamities that hit the province of Sorsogon. (with reports from VLabalan, PIO LGU Sorsogon/PIA/mal)

DPWH CHIEF CHALLENGES RO V EMPLOYEES
TO BUILD QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURES

LEGAZPI CITY — Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio L. Singson urged Wednesday (December 15) employees of the department to continue improving the quality of life and future of Bicolanos by constructing the right projects at the right price with the right quality.

In his Christmas message read for him by DPWH regional director Danilo E. Dequito during the Christmas program of the regional office, Singson said “As we celebrate this season of hope, let us seriously reflect on what we have done in the past years, and ponder on what we must change to restore integrity and dignity in public service.”

“We must collectively continue to respond to commit ourselves to the call of President Benigno Aquino III to walk the straight path or “Tuwid na Landas!” program.” Singson added.

The DPWH Secretary also challenge the DPWH work force to look beyond their current methods and practices and adopt better standards and methodologies, thus producing well-defined proactive role in the implementation of President Aquino’s vision of full transparency and accountability to the people.

“There will be difficult challenges as well as opportunities ahead for all of us. Indeed the dawning of “daylight” has begun.” Singson stressed.

Secretary Singson according to director Dequito was confirmed by the Commission on Appointments yesterday. (Ed de Leon/PIA)

PNRC NAGA, INT’L. RED CROSS, AECID LAUNCH COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTH DEVT., DRR PROJECT IN CAMSUR

NAGA CITY — The Philippine Red Cross local chapter here, in cooperation with the Agencia Española Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarollo (AECID), Spanish Red Cross and Australian Red Cross, has recently launched a new project in the province of Camarines Sur to reduce the vulnerabilities of communities to health risks and natural disasters

The project, dubbed as Convenio 10-C01-033 is a community-based health development and disaster risk reduction project will soon be implemented in selected communities in the province to reinforce the capacity of the communities and local structures to improve their basic health management. Aside from the project’s health component, it also aspires to strengthen the community’s capacity in disaster preparedness.

Target areas for project implementation are the municipalities of Siruma, Lagonoy and Garchitorena. The municipalities of Buhi and Iriga were also added but the direct beneficiaries would be the Indigenous People in its respective selected barangays.

IPs in the two aforementioned municipalities are considered the most vulnerable and tagged as marginalized communities as they live along the slopes of Mount Asog and its many tributaries.

Nanette Rodrigazo, PRC Camarines Sur chapter administrator, said that the province is indeed lucky for having been chosen as recipients of several projects funded by AECID, particularly the Spanish Red Cross.

“The Spanish Red Cross in particular , and of course AECID and now the Australian Red Cross have been our constant ally in alleviating and uplifting the condition of our constituents here in Camarines Sur, particularly those communities which we consider vulnerable and prone to natural disasters. We are indeed thankful that they never grow tired in supporting our chapter’s endeavors.”

The project will have the following components: capacity building for the staff, volunteers and local special bodies, organization, training and mobilization of volunteers on Health, disaster, water and sanitation , provision of equipment and supplies to health and disaster volunteers, repair and rehabilitation of health and water facilities including the provision of basic medical equipment to BEMONC (Basic Emergency Maternal, Obstetric and Neonatal Care) including establishment of Botika ng Barangay.

Information-education-communication campaigns, drills and collaboration meetings with key stakeholders and other project partners and the development of mechanisms for project monitoring, evaluation, and reporting will also be undertaken.

The project is a partnership between the Provincial Government, the LGUs of the municipalities aforementioned, the Philippine Red Cross-Camarines Sur Chapter, Spanish Red Cross and Australian Red Cross. (LSMacatangay, PIA CamSur/MAL)

DRR IN VILLAGES IN LABO TOWN STRENGTHENED
DAET, Camarines Norte — The local government of Labo spearheaded a series of trainings on Strengthening of Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Committee (BDRRC) on December 14-15 and 17-18.

Dr. Carlos Galvez, Municipal Information Officer and Deputized Coordinator of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (MDRRMC), said that the activity aimed to orient the participants on R.A. 10121 or Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.

He said that topics discussed were: R.A. 10121, risk assessment, Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (BDRRMC) contingency planning for emergency and damaged assessment and needs analysis.

Dr. Galvez said that there were 152 attended coming from the 52 barangays of Labo which include the barangay captains, Sanguniang Bayan Committee on Peace and Order and secretaries.

He explained that starting January the new set up will be the Barangay Development Council and will create BDRRMC to make policies in disaster management. (RBManlangit/PIA CamNorte)

DPWH EXECS VISIT AREAS HIT BY MT. BULUSAN ERUPTIONS,
VOW SUPPORT FOR REHAB

LEGAZPI CITY — Chief executives of towns hit by the series of ash explosions of Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon province expressed their appreciative and were thankful of the measures carried out by the Department of Public Works Highways (DPWH) in Bicol that somehow eased the hardship the populace had been into.

“I am grateful for the fast action of the DPWH on the removal of volcanic debris from Cogon gully that could have overflowed to the barangays at the foot of Mount Bulusan,” said Municipal Mayor Eduardo Ong, Jr. of Irosin, Sorsogon.

Ong has confided his appreciation and gratefulness to DPWH Undersecretary for Regional Operations Romeo Momo, following the latter’s a field inspection of areas affected by Mt. Bulusan. Momo was joined by Assistant Secretary Roy Manao, Bicol Regional Director Danilo Dequito and Assistant Regional Director Jesus Salmo, Sorsogon District Engineer Edgar Curativo and other key officials of the DPWH Bicol last December 14, 2010.

It will be recalled that the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvocs) hoisted Alert Level 1 over Mt. Bulusan when a minor eruption transpired last November 6, 2010. Since then, intermittent explosions were observed resulting to a large volume of volcanic materials deposited along its slopes.

“Continuous and heavy downpours in this area will likely cause flashfloods that would endanger the lives and properties of the residents in the nearby Barangays of the Municipalities of Irosin and Juban,” said Salmo.

Pre-emptive measures were recommended by DPWH Bicol to its Central Office to immediately mitigate the effects of lahar and other debris cascading down the slopes of the volcano.

“A total of P122 M was requested for the dredging and construction of flood control facilities for Cogon gully and Rangas River in Juban,” said RD Dequito.

“Inasmuch as our agency is now geared towards solutions to water related problems, I am confident that our project proposal related to Mt. Bulusan will be funded,” he concluded. (LVCastañeda, PIO DPWH V/PIA/mal)