MOA on policy to ensure safety of fishermen in extreme weather

by Ed de Leon

LEGAZPI CITY, July 7 (PIA) -– In order to avoid further loss of lives involving marginalized fishermen during typhoons and other calamities at sea, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) in Bicol will strictly enforced the implementation of an inter agency crafted policy to prevent fishermen from venturing out to sea in times of extreme weather disturbance, especially typhoon.

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed last April 1, 2011 that mandates 10 member-agencies and two LGU leagues to coordinate efforts safeguarding the lives of the fishermen.

During its meeting yesterday, the RDRRMC maps out strategies on how to effectively enforce the no sail policy for marginalized fishermen operating fishing vessels with three (3) gross tons and below during the occurrence of typhoons and other weather disturbances at sea.

RDRRMC chairman and Office of Civil Defense regional director Raffy Alejandro said that part of the strategy is the conduct of an information and education campaign by local disaster councils to orient fishermen on the agreed warning signs that would inform them that it is not safe to venture out to sea.

Second is the setting up of a mechanism to implement the registration of all fishing vessels with three gross tons or below with the local government units including encouraging LGUs to pass an ordinance on the registration and regulating the operations of these fishing boats.

Alejandro said that the implementation will be priorities in provinces where during the past typhoons registered a number of fishermen went missing and lost at sea like Catanduanes, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur. (MAL/EDL, PIA V)

Pantawid Pasada in CamSur benefits 1,580 drivers
by Lizel S. Macatangay

NAGA City, July 7 (PIA) -- Legitimate passenger jeepney drivers and operators here received the fuel discount cards in a simple ceremony held at the Naga City Coliseum under the Pantawid Pasada Program of President Benigno Aquino III,

Director Zenaida Monsada of the Oil Industry Management Bureau of DOE spearheaded the distribution of the pantawid pasada together with Director Neil Sadia, OIC Regional Director of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and representatives from the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Under the said program, 1,580 recipients here in Camarines Sur can purchase fuel from designated petroleum retail outlets or gasoline stations once their cards are fully activated. The recipients though, have to wait for five (5) days before they can utilize the services attached to the Pantawid Pasada cards.

The allotted fuel discount cards will be distributed to the legitimate drivers and operators with vehicles plying the routes of Naga City and Camarines Sur; the 1st District has 35 listed recipients, 3rd district- 750; 4th District- 437 and 5th District – 358.

Naga City Vice Mayor Gabriel Bordado in his welcome address, said that the local government of Naga, thru the headship of Mayor John Bongat will support the government’s initiative to provide a temporary relief to the transport sector.

Last May 2011, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) thru Sec. Jesse M. Robredo, together with the local government of Naga, formally launched the Public Transport Assistance Program (PTAP) here to address the immediate needs of the transport sector primarily due to the unprecedented rise of fuel prices.

The Pantawid Pasada program is part of the wide contingency program of the Aquino government meant to mitigate the impact of oil price hikes. This will form part of the intervention strategy for the transport group as the most convenient relief to the vulnerable sector. (MAL/LSM, PIA Camarines Sur)