CAMARINES SUR ISSUES ADVISORY TO LOCAL DRRMCS

PILI, Camarines Sur, Jan. 7 (PIA) -– Camarines Sur Governor Luis Raymund F. VIllafuerte issued early this morning the first Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Managament (PDRRMC) Advisory prompting all the Municipal Disaster Disaster Risk Reduction and Managament Councils to (MDRRMC) take appropriate actions in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

This after the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG ASA) issued their weather advisory of the prevalence of the North East Monsoon or amihan associated with light rains and cooler temperature looming over the Eastern Section.

According to PAG ASA, the tail end of a cold front is also affecting Southern Luzon, Visayas and Northern Mindanao which explains the outpour in some parts of the region. Prolonged rainy condition may trigger flashfloods and landslide, particularly in coastal and mountainous areas in the province.

Residents living in low lying areas, particularly families near the Bicol River Basin are encouraged to do some precaution for possible flashflood.

Those living in the mountainous and land slide prone areas were also being rected to evacuate to spare their lives from the possible threat of mud avalanche.

Governor Vilafuerte specifically alerted the towns of Baao, Buhi, Bula, Iriga City, Libmanan, Lupi, Pamplona, San Fernando, Sipocot, Bato, Canaman, Lupi, Milaor, Nabua, Naga City, Pamplona, Pili, Ragay and San Fernando for possible mudslide in their locality.

Coastal areas such as the towns of Balatan, Minalabac, Sangay, Caramoan, Lagonoy, Garchitorena and Presentacion were also alerted to watch out for possible flash floods due to the continuous rainfall.

Governor Villafuerte also reiterated the concerned MDRRMC's to implement preemptive evacuation to all at risk populations if the situation calls for it. (Lizel S. Macatangay/ PIA Camarines Sur)

SORSOGON RECORDS 19 FIRES IN 2010

SORSOGON CITY, Jan. 7 (PIA) – Nineteen index fire incidences in 2010 are listed in the records of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Sorsogon Provincial Office.

Senior fire officer III Jose Ebdani said that in the past year, Sorsogon’s index fire incidences recorded damages amounting to P6.9 million.

“Of the 19 fire incidents, Sorsogon City recorded 11 incidences, four in Bulan, three in Pilar, and one in Donsol town. All of which were immediately responded to by firefighters,” said Ebdani.

Index fire incident refers to those with damages ranging from P10,000 and above while non-index fire incident refers to those with damages below P10,000.

“Only index fire incidents are forwarded to the provincial BFP by the city and municipalities,” Ebdani said.

Meanwhile, Sorsogon City BFP fire marshall Chief Inspector Renato B. Marcial said that if both index and non-index fires are to be considered, Sorsogon City has recorded a total of 38 fire incidents for the year 2010 with damages amounting to P2.5M.

“Although the fire incident was marked higher than 2009 which has a total of 13 fire incidents, nevertheless, the damage was bigger as it has recorded a total amount of P4.8M,” Marcial said.

With the foregoing reports, Marcial appealed anew to the public not to be complacent when it comes to fire safety and urged everyone to help support the BFP’s advocacy on fire safety. And in case of fire, they can be reached at hotline 160. (Bennie A. Recebido, PIA Sorsogon)

FEATURE: HEARTWARMING STORIES FROM DOLE BICOL

LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 8 (DOLE/PIA) -- The regional office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) here recently released accounts of ordinary citizens whose lives were changed by DOLE programs.

Story 1: The Tools Of Hope.

His excitement grew by the minute. This was the day he had been waiting for. A new chance in life, a new hope, a new dream... He had been praying for this all his life – and finally it came true.

In just a matter of minutes, Henry Felizardo, 36 years old, from the flood torn area of Quirangay, Camalig, Albay, will be receiving, probably, as he said "the best gift" he would have on a Christmas. "Labis po ang aking pasasalamat sa DOLE. Ngayon po magtutuluy-tuloy na ang aking kita para pantawid gutom ng aking pamilya.
Pahahalagahan ko po ang regalong ito mula sa inyo" (Im so thankful to DOLE, I could have more income now to sustain my family. This gift you gave me I will truly value.)

He was drifting into euphoria. His dream of giving his family a better-sustainable life is slowly becoming a reality. He could now picture himself with his kids eating out in the park and finally tasting the foods that were, before, just an imagination to them. "Hindi po ninyo alam kung gaano mababago ang buhay namin dahil dito."

"Henry Felizardo. Henry Felizardo, dito po sa unahan. Pa-picture kay Dir. Alvin" the voice of Spvg. LEO and event's MC Ms. Rosemarie Cleofe roared on the 5,000 watts sound woofer. Everything seemed to stop. He could even hear his heart beat. It was his name that was called. This is it.

He stood up excitedly. His hands were trembling from joyous hope when DOLE-Bicol Reg. Dir. Atty. Alvin M. Villamor, ARD Irma S. Valiente and some other personas, from what they call RCC whom he only saw and heard on TV or radio, personally handed to him the box of cell phone repair kit. "Pagbutihin mo ha. Sabi po saken mismo ni Dir. Alvin. Ang bait nya pala at gwapo sa personal. Sa TV ko lang kase siya nakikita eh."

He hugged the box of the cell phone repair kit as if it was his beloved wife.

Before this December 6 "Singko Sa Singko" DOLE Livelihood Awarding & Anniversary Celebration, Henry's life had been tough. Job was elusive. A penny was a luxury and a bill is but a strange dream. His family could barely make it out on a day. If not for DOLE Albay Chief Engr. Arturo P. Corbe and his'angels' Ma. Ella E. Verano and Olga R. Loduvice, who introduced the Livelihood Starter Kit (DK-SK) or'Trabaho Sa Bag" Program at Henry's barangay, Henry would have quit on life. "Hirap na hirap po talaga kame. Parang gusto ko ng sumuko nun." Henry told LEO II Renalyn Enriquez of Cam. Norte PFO. Rena was tasked to interview the beneficiaries that fateful day.

Upon learning about the programs and services of the DOLE Henry's life's battle were being won day-by-day. He was given technical competency training by TESDA on cell phone repair and a short-financial management course by DOLE as part of the package of the DK-SK program. After taking the TESDA Competency Exam, which he passed, he worked as a cellphone repair and maintenance technician in the city. In a short time, his skills were honed and he became an expert on the field of cp repair. He then decided to go SOLO and do some'home service' stuff. But with a limited income he could only afford to buy cheap tools that wore out easily from the tough repairs his doing. "Syempre po konti lang yung kita kaya po yun mumurahin lang na tools nabibili ko. Eh Isang ikot lang po kung minsan sira na agad. Ito pong bigay ng DOLE siguro habambuhay na to!"

DOLE-Bicol gave Henry a set of sturdy, top-of-the-line cell phone repair kit amounting to 9,830.00. "Ito na ang simula ng pagtupad ng inyong mga pangarap…" Atty. Alvin M. VIllamor said during his speech that day.

*****

Story 2: The Needle Which Sew Life

Mrs. Corazon Madrideo, 67-years old of Brgy. 1 Camalig, Albay, has been a sewer for about 14 years. Her calloused hands and jagged fingers tells the tale of her hardships in life with sewing as her partner in enduring the pains of living. To Corazon, sewing is living…

A widow with two kids, her everyday routine is a struggle. Doing everything she can to let both ends meet. "Maganda naman po sana ang kita sa pagtatahi kaso lang po kulang sa aming tatlo." Sewing alone could not sustain their daily needs. To augment expenses, she needed to do laundry in the morning, sell fish in the afternoon and at night go back to sewing using her old-rusted sewing machine. She endured all this for her two children "Magagawa ko ang lahat para sa aking mga anak." (I Can do everything for my children!)

For a while, this endless routine seemed to work. But, fate sometimes plays unfairly. The worst calamity "Typhoon Reming" struck Albay in 2006. Heavy rains caused the highest ever recorded flood in the province, drenching the huge ash and boulder deposits atop Mayon Volcano causing it to race downhill enveloping Legazpi City and nearby Municipalities with tons of mud, rock and water. Thousands of lives were claimed. Many houses were demolished. Corazon's family was one of the unlucky...

"Ubos po lahat. Nawala lahat ng konting ari-arian naming. Inanod ng baha" (Nothing was left. All vanished. The flood took everything from us).

However, in-spite of this tragedy, upon seeing her two kids, Corazon garnered her strength, stood up and told herself'Life must go on'. For two years, from 2006, she tried to reclaim what was lost hopping from one job to another to survive but never could she forget her sewing skills and her old sewing machine. She knelt every night and prayed for hours for a chance of having a new sewing machine. Dreaming - to start over again. "Sabi ko noon kung magkakaroon lang sana ulet ako ng makina, maigagapang kong muli ang buhay naming tatlo." (If only i were given a chance to have a new sewing machine, our life would be much better).

DOLE Albay Chief Engr. Arturo P. Corbe and her'angels' Sr. LEO Ma. Ella E. Verano and LEO III Olga R. Ludovice upon hearing the heart pinching story of Corazon decided to include Corazon's family in the DK-SK list of beneficiaries.

Corazon was given a sewer's kit consisting of a brand new Singer Sewing Machine, a set of needles, dozens of multi-color threads, a tape measure and other sewing paraphernalia which totaled to about P9,100.00. She was also enrolled on a short-term training course in TESDA and was trained in small business management.

"This is the kind of life story and the kind of people that we must help. Self propelled individuals wanting a chance to change their lives." DOLE-Bicol Reg. Dir. Atty. Alvin M. Villamor said during the'Singko Sa Singko" December 6 awarding.

"Ito na ang kasagutan ng Panginoon sa aking matagal na panalangin. Maraming maraming salamat sa DOLE kayo ang ginawang niyang instrumento upang ipagkaloob ang kanyang biyaya. Kayo ang mga Anghel ngayong pasko " Corazon murmured with tears flowing down her cheeks.

*****

Story 3: The Calming Touch of the Blind

The side streets of DOLE-ROV was held in a traffic. About 25-blind persons were slowly walking, hands patted on the back of the guide and the rest lining like a caterpillar. From the vision of a normal eyed person, they resembled a group of children playing the game cho-cho train. Crossing the street, their line held every jeepney and every person to a halt. Inch by inch they walked like a caterpillar calmly and peacefully with smiles drawn on their lips. Their peacefulness, calmness and patience were contagious. Not anyone hurried. Nobody got annoyed. Everyone waited for the blind to pass.

As early as 8am the 16-blind masseurs and 9-blind members of the Visuallly Impaired Voice of Albay (VIVA) Band– beneficiaries of DOLE Bicol's "Singko Sa Sinko" 5-in1 Awarding Ceremony and Anniversary Celebration were inside the DOLE building sitting patiently. They were the very first to come for the event. Their enthusiasm were unparalleled.

"They are among the best masseurs and masseuses from selected municipalities and cities of Albay. Despite their handicap they don't fail to be a productive citizens of this country. Although all of them were masseurs, some (9) choose to concentrate more on music" DOLE-Bicol Reg. Dir. Atty. Alvin M. Villamor said.

Massaging had been the source of living of the Llona's. They long-stretched, powerful hands were gifted with what they call the'The Blind's Touch'. The Blind's Touch is rumored to be a supernatural gift from God to sense and pin-point the aches and sickness of the human body by a sheer touch of the blind's palm. Husband and wife tandem Abelardo Llona, 61 yrs. old and Ligaya Llona, 45 yrs. old, from Taysan, Legazpi City, both born blind, were said to have this gift. "Pagmamasahe po talaga ang trabaho namen. Noong marinig po namen sa Radyo Veritas yung programa ng DOLE nagbakasakali po kame na matulungan. Mahirap po maging bulag pero hindi ito hadlang para hindi magsumikap" (Massaging is our job. When we heard the program of DOLE at Radyo Veritas we thought we could ask for some help. It is really difficult to be blind but it is not a reason not to try make a living).

Being both blind, the husband and wife tandem, have had enough share of difficulties but they survived life's most insurmountable circumstances with God as their ultimate strength and their children as their 'light'. As a source of living, they both do home service massage earning enough to support the family's basic needs and send their children to a modest school.

Their handicapped trained them to have a positive outlook in life and to never give up. "Basta po magtulungan kame, magkasama makakaraos" (As long as we are together and holding on to each other we can make it) But the responsibilities of being parents are almost taking its toll. Their income, compared to the expenses of schooling and the rising prices of massage oils and paraphernalia, is fast becoming short.

DOLE Albay Chief Engr. Arturo P. Corbe and TULAY Focal Person Ms. Nelly A. Prieto have seen the determination of blind masseurs stationed at Pacific Mall, Legazpi. This determination moved the DOLE to list them as beneficiaries.

As beneficiaries, Abelardo and Ligaya Llona received, literally, a backpack bag, composed of massage kits, special oils, hand towels and other assortments needed for their home massage service amounting to some P10,000.00. "Before they were stationed at the mall here in Legazpi. But now that they have their own tools they said that they will venture more on home service wherein a larger pay awaits them." Engr. Art Corbe stated explained.

"Napakalaking tulong po ang magagawa nito sa aming pamilya. Pagpapalain po kayo ng Diyos at patuloy na palawakin ang ganitong mga uri ng programa para sa mga katulad namin." (this is a great help not only to us but to our families. May God Bless DOLE. We hope that you will have more programs such as this.)

*****

Blind David - Stricken by a serious disease when he was only two (2), David Bueno, 24 yrs old, single, of Baranghawon, Purok 2, tabaco City, was destined to be blind.

Now, after twenty (22) years he was asked if there any grudges or hatred in his heart for this blinded fate? He smiled, "No more, all had been swept away by love and understanding showed by my family and friends even by the people around me Like what DOLE is doing right now for us. You are changing the perception of many among us, that we are worthless. You are encouraging us to be self-reliant. Thank you so much for this gift you are giving us. We will never forget this. Merry Christmas in advance!"

David learned massaging form TESDA and now plans to do more on home service where he earns more than just staying in the confines of the mall and focus on the Visually Impaired Voice of Albay (VIVA) Band wherein he is the conducctor. The DK-SK Massage Kit given by DOLE is enough to start his own business to support his family. (RPEscalante, DOLE V/PIA/mal)