BUY ICC-MARKED CHRISTMAS LIGHTS - DTI

LEGAZPI CITY — With Christmas season just around the corner, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Bicol has reminded anew consumers to only buy Christmas lights that bear the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) mark to ensure a hazard-free holiday festivity.

DTI Bicol Director Jocelyn L.B. Blanco states, “DTI alerts the public to be vigilant and extra cautious in choosing the Christmas lights they buy and adorn in their homes so as not to put the lives of their loved ones in danger.”

“Only those sets of Christmas lights with the ICC mark sticker have passed DTI’s mandatory safety tests, thus these products are safe and reliable to use,” stressed Director Blanco.

DTI regulates the sale of Christmas lights in the local market to protect consumers from the hazards posed by substandard products such as electric shock and overheating that often lead to fire, property damages and even loss of lives.

Under the DTI-Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) Product Certification Scheme that is based on the Department Administrative Order (DAO) 05:2008, all importers of Christmas lights shall secure an ICC certificate, prior to the sale and distribution of their products in the local market.

Only those whose products have complied with the requirements based on the Philippine National Standard on Christmas lights (PNS 189:2000) are appropriately issued with the ICC Certificate and are allowed to affix the ICC stickers on their products or product packages.

Blanco has emphasized, “The ICC mark is in sticker form and comes with a unique serial number. Those sets of Christmas lights with pre-printed ICC mark on its package are definitely uncertified and did not undergo proper tests and inspections of the Department.

Consumers may report stores selling Christmas lights without ICC marks to DTI Regional Office at Tel. No. 4805721 or to the nearest DTI Provincial Office. (DTI V/PIA/mal)

DENR-EMB MONITORING OF MT. BULUSAN CONTINUES

LEGAZPI CITY — After series of ash explosions of Mt. Bulusan in Sorsogon, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon Paje has instructed Bicol Regional Executive Director Joselin Marcus E. Fragada and Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) chief Fernando P. Quililan to dispatch a technical team and continue monitoring the state of the surrounding environment of the restive volcano.

Quililan said that the bureau has already dispatched a Quick Response Team to conduct a round the clock monitoring of the air and water quality in the affected areas in Irosin, Sorsogon.

He assured that any adverse changes in air and water quality will be coordinated and immediately relayed to the Local Government Units for their information and guidance in making appropriate decisions.

The team, headed by Air Quality management Section chief Mr. Romel R. Gapayao, is expected to assess the ambient air quality on total suspended particulates (TSP) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) to determine the levels of the specified air pollutants spewed into the air.

Likewise, water quality monitoring of the total suspended solids (TSS) is being conducted to determine the level of contamination in the possible affected bodies of water in the area. (EMB V/PIA/mal)

DENR-EMB SETS SEMINAR ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES AND POLLUTION CONTROL TECHNIQUES

LEGAZPI CITY — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Bicol has slated a seminar on Environmental Policies and Pollution Control Techniques to strengthen and develop the skills and capabilities of pollution control and environmental management managers of the different government agencies.

DENR Environment Management Bureau (EMB) chief Fernando P. Quililan said that his office, in partnership with the Pollution Control Association of the Philippines, Inc. Bicol Chapter (PCAPI) is spearheading the three-day seminar for on December 7-9, 2010 at Casablanca Hotel here.

Quililan explained that the seminar intends to update pollution control and environmental management officers in the Bicol Region on policies and programs of the agency relative to the performance of its duties and functions.

During the seminar, the oath taking ceremony for newly accredited PCOs will also be held on December 8 at 6:00 p.m.

For interested participants, EMB Bicol advised that they can confirm their attendance by submitting the accomplished registration form to the PCO Desk, at EMB Bicol, Regional Center Site in Barangay Rawis here or thru telefax nos. (052) 482-0197, 482-0326, or thru the training coordinators: Ms. Ligaya V. Nitura @ landline (054) 470-4168/CP # 09219707095 and Ms. Charito V. Milañez @ CP # 09077762197. (EMB V/PIA/mal)

FPOP, UNAIDS, PARTNERS LEAD AIDS DAY OBSERVANCE IN CAMSUR

NAGA CITY — The Family Planning Organizations of the Philippines (FPOP)-Camarines Sur Chapter, in cooperation with UNAIDS, www.worldaidscampaign.org and www.lightforlights.org. joins the entire world in the celebration of World Aids Day thru a candle lighting ceremony at the Plaza Quince Martires, here.

Dubbed as Light for Rights: World Aids Day 2010 with its theme: Universal Access and Human Rights,” AIDS and other health advocates will commemorate thousands of people who fell victim to the deadly virus of AIDS. It aims to raise the awareness of the fatal effect of HIV infection that has claimed many lives all over the world.

World Aids Day is being observed every 1st day of December each year. It is dedicated to raising the understanding of the community on the aids virus known as the most destructive epidemic in recorded history. It has already killed an estimated 2.5million people between 1981 and 2007.

Mrs. Zeny Bien. Chapter Program Manager of FPOP- Camarine Sur Chapter said that the event seeks to disseminate the information that proper education and know how on the AIDS pandemic will lead to a better understanding of their role as health provider.

“Our main task is not just to provide health services to our clients but also to educate them on matters concerning their safety or inform them of any threats to their health and well being, but also to actively participate in the advocacy program concerning health trends affecting our people.”

Before the candle lighting ceremony, a motorcade was done along the main thoroughfares of the city. An exhibit depicting an image of the current situation of AIDS was simultaneously mounted at the Plaza Quince Martires.

Dave Isidore Plopinio, FPOP-Camarines Sur Counselor has also invited students and peer educators from different universities in the province to participate in the said event. Out of school youths also attended the said activity.

“We have to start the campaign with the youth so that even at their young age, they will already be armed with useful information that will help them protect themselves and for them to also inform other people, perhaps their peers, or family members about it. Awareness is very important in understanding HIV-AIDS.”

HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. It can be passed on through infected blood, sement, vaginal fluids or breast milk. Most commonly, the AIDS virus is being passed thru sex without a condom with someone already affected with the disease, sharing infected needles, syringes or other injecting drug equipment, and from an HIV-Positive mother(to her child) during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding.

Ms. Bien said that as far as FPOP Camarines Sur Chapter is concerned, there is no recorded case of HIV or AIDS in the province. (LSMacatangay/ PIA CamSur/mal)

BARANGAY AND SK OFFICIALS IN LEGAZPI CITY TAKE OATH OF OFFICE

LEGAZPI CITY — After the peaceful local elections last October 25, 2010, the newly elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan oficials were formally installed in office on November 30 administered by Mayor Carmen Geraldine B. Rosal and Albay 2nd District Congressman Al Francis Bichara.

The oath-taking ceremony commenced with a Thanksgiving Mass presided by Msgr. Crispin Bernate and attended by the newly elected village officials themselves, LGU officials and employees, among others.

Mayor Rosal, in her keynote message, has cited that barangay officials are one of the most important toes to walk in the passable road going to the continues success of the city and they are now the government to govern and to deliver their sacred obligations through square and honest delivery of public service to the people at their own respective places

Rosal further called on the newly installed officials to focus on the most important matters for the incremental benefits of the barangays and eschew everything tumultuous activities and political turmoil, the lady chief executive pointed out.

On the other hand, Congressman Al Francis Bichara averred that the most important thing in government is the delivery of good governance and the trust and confidence of the people to the government leaders, he compelled all the newly elected officials to cooperate and work together for all the long term development program of the present administration of Mayor Rosal.

Moreover, the solon likewise said that he will give a full support to all the programs of Rosal administration particularly to the continues road opening projects in order to maximize the development of the city and to attract more heavyweights investors to invest business here.

Furthermore, the short nine-year term in public service of former Mayor Noel E. Rosal and now sits as city administrator of his wife had made headway after string of successful implementation of the development program of Legazpi, he pointed out.

Bichara likewise also stressed that the three congressmen here in Albay, Ako Bicol (AKB), Provincial Government of Albay and the Department of Energy (DOE) will study an effective option to address the pinch situation of Albay Electric Cooperative (ALECO).

However, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) city office chief Elmer Pecson said that this oath-taking rite is a culminating activity of the barangay and SK elections conducted on October 25 and this event will obliges them to perform their functions and responsibilities vested in authority pursuant of the Law, the said event was a successful overwhelming by 69 barangays composed of all barangay and a total of which are more than 1,000 newly elected barangay and SK leaders, he added. (MPSolis, LGU Legazpi City/PIA/mal)

SHOOTING INCIDENT IN DONSOL LEAVES 2 DEAD, 2 WOUNDED

SORSOGON CITY — Two were left dead involving one elected local official and two others wounded following the shooting incident at Brgy. Cristo, Donsol town, 10:30 PM Wednesday, December 1.

Dead on the spot were identified as Oro Mirabueno y Cadag, of legal age, married, a former brgy. Captain of Punta Waling-waling and ABC president, and Danilo Razo y Querona, of legal age, married and a resident of Brgy. Waling-Waling, Donsol, Sorsogon.

Brgy. Poso Captain Andro Hernandez y Luna, legal age, married, sustained gunshot wounds on left ankle while Argel Hernandez, of legal age, married and resident of Brgy. Tres Marias also in Donsol, sustained wounds on the left portion of his back and left elbow.

Report from the Sorsogon Police Provincial Office disclosed that the group of Brgy.

Captain Hernandez while on board in three motorcycles going back to Donsol town proper from Brgy. Alin campaigning for ABC president position when fired upon by two unidentified armed men riding in tandem in a red Bajal Kawasaki motorcycle.

Wounded persons were rushed to Donsol District Hospital while the cadavers of Mirabueno and Razo now lie in one funeral home in Donsol town.

Elements of Donsol Municipal Police Station are still conducting an on-going investigation of the incident. (BARecebido/PIA Sorsogon/mal)

DOLE BICOL MARKS ANNIVERSARY WITH ‘SINGKO SA SINGKO’ EVENT

LEGAZPI CITY — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Bicol, in an attempt to cut down expenses based on the directive of Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, will celebrate the 77th anniversary of the DOLE combined with the observance of the National Human Rights Consciousness Week in a 5-in-1 activity package on December 6, 10:00 a.m. at the agency’s regional office building here.

The event will be highlighted by the annual “Ulat sa Bicol” press conference to be attended by some 50 media men from across the region.

The 5-in-1 activity dubbed as “Singko sa Singko” will be held is in cooperation with the 7-attached agencies of the DOLE Regional Coordinating Council or RCC-V.

The first part will be the nationwide simultaneous flag raising ceremony and airing of the message of DOLE Secretary Baldoz followed by the awarding ceremonies. The second part will be the annual “Ulat sa Bicol”.

The awarding ceremonies will showcase the release of the P400,000 emergency employment program and 1,000 pieces dust mask for the victims of Mt. Bulusan eruption, release of Kabuhayan Starter Kit 25-blind masseurs, actual turn-over of 30 Nego-Karts beneficiaries of Camalig, Albay, the awarding of Energy Development Corporation (EDC) as the regional winner of the search for the Best Family Welfare Program with P50,000 cash prize, release of the remaining livelihood funds to complete the P7.5 million grant, awarding of 20 OWWA scholars, and the recognition of NCMB’s TIPC 3-regional winners.

“This is the best time to showcase the accomplishment of every DOLE office. We are expecting about 50 press people and about 300 beneficiaries from all provinces to come in one-setting. Let them witness how DOLE Family works hand-in-hand for the region’s prosperity,” said DOLE Bicol regional director and RCC Chairman Atty. Alvin M. Villamor,

Expected to attend the event include TESDA Director Conrado Bares, OWWA Director Jocelyn O. Hapal, NCMB Director Susana A. Quimpo, NLRC Executive Labor Arbiter Atty. Jose Del Valle, Jr., PRC Director Dr. Elenita D. Tan, RTWPB Board Secretary Rosendo D. Belo, along with Albay Provincial Board Member Ralph Andes, Legazpi City Mayor Geraldine Rosal, Juban Sorsogon Mayor Jimmy Fragata and Sorsogon City Mayor Llovic Dioneda as recipient-beneficiaries during the awarding ceremonies.

“But let me make it clear that the celebration on December 6 is only the beginning. We still have a lot of activities for the month-long anniversary celebration. Let us celebrate DOLE’S anniversary with the people,” Villamor stressed

DOLE Bicol’s 77th anniversary month-long package includes: Project Angel Tree-Gift Giving and Feeding Program for the children of displaced families at San Andres Resettlement Site, San Andres, Sto. Domingo, Albay on December 7; Orientation on Wage Order No. 14 and Anti-Human Trafficking, Anti-Child Labor and Anti-Illegal Recruitment to the 57 members of the Regional Development Council (RDC) Regional Information Advocacy Committee (RIAC) at NEDA V and a mass offering for the Bulusan victims and Bicolano workforce on December 8;

Advocacy workshops of Anti-Human Trafficking, Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Anti-Child Labor in schools regionwide and Family Day celebration for OFW Family and Family Circle on December 12, and soft-opening of OWWA-POEA One-Stop-Shop in 3rd floor, Naga City Hall on December 15. (RPEscalante, DOLE-V/PIA/mal)

AQUINO UNDERSCORES ROLE OF MEDIA AS WATCHDOG OF DEMOCRACY

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III underscored the role of mass media in effectively safeguarding freedom from an irresponsible government.

Quoting his late father and icon of people power, Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., the President said that “a free media is indispensable if a democracy is to function efficiently, if it is to be real. The people, who are sovereign, must be adequately informed all the time.”

Speaking at the silver anniversary of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and the launching of the commemorative book entitled “From Ninoy to Noynoy: 25 years of the Philippine Daily Inquirer” Wednesday night (December 1) at the Rizal Ballroom of Makati Shangri-la in Makati City, he stressed the active role of media in protecting the well-being of the people.

“There is no doubt that media plays an active role in guarding our freedoms and making the powerful accountable,” the Chief Executive said, stressing that when our institutions were weak, “the media put truth to power for the well-being of our citizenry.”

The President went on to underscore that media does not operate in a vacuum or was it not immune from the pressures heaped by influential people in the government, he urged all journalists and broadcasters to watch their own ranks and condemn their colleagues who try to exert a corrupt influence on the government.

“It would be a disservice to our journalists and broadcasters, and especially to our countrymen, if it were to be terminally afflicted with the disease of corruption and deceit,” he said. “Every journalist must focus his or her efforts to ensure that there is a trustworthy, transparent relationship between the government, the media, and, most importantly, the Filipino people.”

He also asked the assistance of media to help the government in maintaining the highest form of professionalism, integrity, and truth-telling.

“Together, it is vital for us to raise the level of public discourse so that important issues are distinguished from vulgar personalities and trivial stories,” he added.

In his speech, the President acknowledged the contribution of Inquirer for igniting and catalyzing professionalism through its fair reporting and exposes against the government, having started before martial rule and continuing to the present.

He assured the men and women of the country’s leading broadsheet that his government is not after fame but to protect the meaning of democracy which the Filipino people had recovered from 20 years of dictatorial rule of former President Ferdinand R. Marcos.

“This is the path the Filipino people have committed to, and we all have a role to play in defending it,” he said and admitted that he will personally proudly claim and inform his late parents, Senator Ninoy and former President Corazon Aquino, if his administration succeeds in defending democracy during his term which would be ending in 2016.

During the program, the President thanked the founding chairman of PDI, Eugenia Duran Apostol, for pioneering responsible, honest and accurate newspaper reporting since she established Inquirer 25 years ago.

He also thanked the people behind the timely publication of the coffee table book: “From Ninoy to Noynoy: 25 years of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.”

“The experiences and lessons (of this book) will push me to tighten our guards and continue to fight the real essence of democracy,” he stressed. (PIA V)

AQUINO CALLS ON PRIVATE SECTOR FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY PARTNERSHIP

MANILA — Stressing that the sustainable access and use of renewable energy is a vital cornerstone of the country’s overarching agenda of success, President Benigno S. Aquino III on Thursday called on the private sector to be government’s partner in bringing renewable energy to isolated communities.

In his keynote address at the Renewable Energy Conference and Expo Manila 2010 held at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City, the President said that renewable energy projects in rural areas can be tools of development in far-flung communities.

“Your genuine support furthers our optimism in our initiatives towards renewable energy development in our country. The key to success in any venture is sufficient cooperation and seeing all of you here reassures us that the government and the private sector have a mutual interest in pursuing sustainable access to and the use of renewable energy in the country,” he said.

The Chief Executive stressed that the government needs the help of the private sector in improving the lives of the poor, especially those in isolated communities.

“We will give you incentives and guarantees as needed within a framework that takes in consideration our mutual desire for a win-win solution for all parties,” the President assured.

He said the public-private partnership projects on renewable energy will realize this goal.

The President bared that as of March this year, a total of 205 renewable energy contracts were awarded to renewable energy developers; 33 are operating, nine are developed and 163 are in pre- development stage.

“We will not stop working until the operation of all these projects is ensured. We will continue making opportunities for similar renewable energy projects that ultimately pay more dividends to the Filipino people,” he said.

The President pointed out that energy is central to sustainable development and that the lack of access to modern energy services is a drawback to economic and social development.

He said providing energy to households is vital to meeting the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. “Without energy government is hampered from delivering services for basic human needs such as clean water, health, shelter and education.”

Moreover, the President noted that the National Renewable Energy Program was instituted by government to achieve 100 percent increase in the country’s renewable energy capacity within 20 years. It also aims to increase the non- power contribution of renewable energy to the energy mix equivalent to 10 million barrels of fuel oil in the next 10 years.

The President noted that the goals are for the Philippines to be the number one geothermal energy producer in the world, to double the countryside power capacity and to expand the respective contribution of biomass, solar and wind energy to the energy mix.

He made an assurance that his administration’s initiatives on the development of renewable energy is consistent with the three goals as well as ensured the protection of the environment.

The President added that the development of the country’s renewable energy remains a collective objective even as he noted that the Philippines has vast resources of renewable energy---among them geothermal, hydropower, biomass, wind and solar.

“The challenge before us is to aggressively pursue the benefits from increasing the percentage of energy from renewable sources. The natural potential bestowed upon our country is impressive but there is work to be done so that these resources can be harnessed well,“ he said. (PIA V)

PALACE OPTIMISTIC ON SIGNING OF 2011 BUDGET BEFORE YEAREND

MANILA — Malacanang is hoping President Benigno S. Aquino III can sign the proposed P1.645-trillion national budget for 2011 before yearend to immediately implement vital infrastructure and social investment programs and other reform thrusts of the government.

This, after the Senate approved on Wednesday night the 2011 national budget without cuts, including the budget for the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and the P21-billion allocation for the conditional cash transfer (CCT) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

In a media briefing in Malacanang on Thursday (December 2), Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte thanked Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile and the other senators for their efficient work in passing the proposed 2011 budget on time.

Last month, the House of Representatives also approved the proposed 2011 budget, keeping intact the increased investments in social services such as the CCT program and special provisions promoting transparency and accountability.

Valte said it is now up to the bicameral committee of Congress to further scrutinize and deliberate on the proposed 2011 budget and endorse it for the President’s signature before the start of the fiscal year.

“We are hoping that the President can sign the budget around the last week of December,” Valte said. (PIA V)

PRESIDENT AQUINO SWEARS IN 11 NEW GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

MANILA — President Benigno S. Aquino III on Thursday (December 2) inducted 11 new government officials during ceremonies held at Malacañang’s Premiere Guest House.

The President, who had just come from a private meeting with Ryoki Sugita, chairman of Japanese publishing giant Nikkei, Inc. first swore in officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Inducted were Merceditas Tuason, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Holy See; Manuel Lopez, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Japan; and Wilfredo Villacorta, Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Philippines to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The other officials who took their oaths of office were: Imelda Nicolas, chairman, Commission on Filipino Overseas; Edgar Galavante, Acting Executive Director, Dangerous Drugs Board; Felix William Fuentebella, commissioner of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board;

Nariman Ambolodto, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government; Herminio Alcasid, member and chairman, Board of Directors, Philippine National Oil Company – Development and Management Corporation; and,

Officials of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process: Zenaida Brigida Hamada-Pawid, commissioner (representing Island Groups and the rest of the Visayas region); Dionesia Banua, commissioner (representing Island Groups and the rest of the Visayas region); and Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman, Executive Director of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos. (PIA V)

THOUSANDS OF YOUTHS JOIN PH'S FIRST-EVER VIDEO CONFERENCE ON PEACE

MANILA -– About 2,000 students and out-of-school youths participated in the first-ever video-conference on peace in the country that tackled issues such as the armed conflict in Mindanao and religious intolerance.

Organized by PeaceTech, the event was aimed at bringing technology at the forefront of the peace process by using video-conferencing to facilitate dialogues between groups separated by issues, controversy, or conflict.

The video-conference was held at the De La Salle University in Manila on Wednesday and was beamed live to the Western Mindanao State University in Zamboanga City.

Actress-singer KC Concepcion hosted the event in Manila while Baicon Macaraya was the host in Zamboanga City. High school students and representatives from the out-of-school youth sector were the main participants.

Undersecretary Luisito Montalbo of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) answered the questions posed by participants that focused on topics on discrimination of Muslims and stereotyping that prejudice against them.

He also discussed how the armed conflict in southern Philippines affects every Filipino, stressing that peace is the road every Filipino should traverse for the country to attain economic development.

To encourage lively interaction, PeaceTech used a combination of skits, videos, group discussions, panel discussions and a continuous, interactive idea exchange between the Manila participants and Zamboanga, and vice versa.

Two giant screens beamed images of the two locations in real-time.

Participating schools in Manila included Esteban Abada High School, Antonio J. Villegas Vocational High School, Lakandula High School, FEU-FERN College, Araullo High School and college students from the university belt.

From Zamboanga were Basilan State College, Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Western Mindanao State University, and Zamboanga National High School, among some 45 other schools.

The mass video-conferencing is a project of PeaceTech, a non-profit organization that intends to build peace among the youths throughout the country by promoting an understanding of the causes and consequences of conflicts in the Philippines and the common challenges young Filipinos face.

It was funded by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).

Also present were Prof. Jamael Kamlian of Mindanao State University (MSU)–Iligan Institute of Technology; Prof. Jane Ruby Asperin of MSU Marawi City; and Dr. Grace J. Rebollos, president of Western Mindanao State University and former member of the government panel for Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace talks.

Those who shared their stories on the consequences of the violent conflict in Mindanao were Abubakar Tayuan and Taguig City barangay councilor Khalid A. Husain. (PIA V)