DENR to launch regional summit for the National Greening Program

by Joyce M. Mejillano

LEGAZPI CITY, July 14 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will be holding a regional summit scheduled on July 21 to discuss the regional implementation plan of the National Greening Program (NGP) of the government and its mainstreaming activities of all agencies.

Expected guests during the summit are DENR Sec. Ramon Paje, Assistant Sec. Marlo Mendoza, Sen. Francis Escudero, Albay Gov. Joey Salceda and Legazpi City Mayor Geraldine Rosal.

The program will take off through a ceremonial tree planting at 7 a.m. at the Aquinas University Compound in this city. DENR Officials, LGUs Executives and Directors of national government agencies will lead the tree planting activity.

During the program proper, Mayor Rosal will give her opening message, to be followed by Gov. Salceda and Sec. Paje’s messages.

Regional Executive Director of DENR V Joselin Marcus Fragada will introduce the keynote speaker, which is Sen. Escudero, while ASEC Mendoza will give the overview of the NGP.

The NGP initiatives will be presented by RED Fragada, which will be followed by the expression of support to NGP by different government agencies like Department of Agriculture, through Dir. Jose Dayao, Department of Agrarian Reform through Dir Ma. Celestina Tam, Department of Education headed by Dir. Orfelina Tuy, Department of Interior and Local Government through Dir. Blandino Maceda, Regional Development Council, through RDC Chair Gov. Salceda and Commission on Higher Education headed by Dir. Freddie Bernal.

The NGP Advocacy and Social Mobilization Roadmap will be presented by Dr. Ramon Razal of University of the Philippine, Los Baños.

On February this year, President Aquino issued an Executive Order No. 26, which consolidates all greening efforts of government and private sectors under the NGP. (MAL/JMM, PIA V)

Motorcycle accidents top vehicular casualties – Bicol Medical Center

by Lizel S. Macatangay

NAGA City, July 14 (PIA) -- Some 176 out of 187 road accidents involved a motorcycle. These were most of the cases admitted at the Bicol Medical Center (BMC) where all of its patients were treated for severe wound injuries and bruises. Period covered was from May 15 to June 27, 2011.

Aside from motorcycle-related collisions, other vehicular accidents involved trucks, tricycle, jeepneys, ambulance, owner type jeep, bicycle and pedicabs. Out of 243 patients admitted at the BMC, 77 percent or 187 cases were male while 23 percent or 56 of it are female. Age range with the most number of recorded cases is from 21-30 years old.

The said census was disclosed by Bicol Medical Center (BMC) Chief Dr. Efren Nerva during one of his appearances with members of the media.

“We are specially revealing this statistics not to foster fear to our community but to give them a warning that we only have one life to live, and that life is so precious that we have to dearly protect it by following the basic rules while driving,” Nerva added.

Dr. Jensy Ong of the Department of Orthopedics said that most of the drivers seem to forget the basic principles while they are in control of their vehicles.

“If we will only follow the basic rules of driving, we can avoid fatal accidents which will either kill our own life, or the lives of our victims. We just have to remember that once we are in front of the steering wheel, we have to protect our life and of those innocent individual along the way.”

Ong left a few reminders to the drivers before finally parting off with the media: Don’t drink and drive, keep vehicle in good condition, obey traffic rules, don’t drive if tired or if one lacks sleep, give allowance for delay so the driver don’t have to rush, keep cool and avoid road rage and keep the children out of the way.

Ong specifically reminded motorcycle drivers to use the appropriate and prescribed helmet while on the road.

Out of 243 patients rushed at the BMC during the aforementioned period, 37 were admitted, 202 were treated and released, 2 were pronounced dead on arrival while two eventually expired while being treated.

Forty-eight percent or 89 cases of these mishaps happened between 6am to 6pm, while 52% or 95 cases of these accidents occurred between 6pm to 6am. In the first district, the town of Ragay holds the highest record of vehicular accident with 5 cases recorded during the past months, followed by Sipocot with 4 recorded accidents, and Del Gallego with one.

The towns of Libmanan and Minalabac also posted 9 cases of vehicular accidents, followed by San Fernando , Pamplona, Pasacao and Gainza , all comprising the 2nd District.

Occupying the highest slot is Naga City , with a total entry of 45 recorded accidents. Other areas in the 3rd district with most number of road accidents include Pili – 12 cases; Calabanga- 10; Bombon – 8; Ocampo and Canaman with 7 and Magarao with 3 cases.

Summing it up, 50% of these road accidents happened within the vicinity of 3rd district, 21 % from the 2nd District, while 5th, 4th and first districts documented 13, 7 and 5% of the accident occurrence respectively. (PIA Camarines Sur)