DPWH Bicol chief orders review of engineering design for Rehab

by Ed de Leon

LEGAZPI CITY, Aug. 10 (PIA)- Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional director Danilo Dequito has ordered Monday this week his engineers to review the plans that will be submitted for funding for the rehabilitation of infrastructures damaged by typhoon Juaning.

Dequito said the review of the designs and specifications is necessary to conform with climate change realities of more rainfalls, flood waters and stronger winds during typhoons.

He said that many of the damaged infrastructures, like flood control structures and bridges, were built without considering the heavier rainfalls and stronger destructive winds brought about by the climate change global phenomenon.

Dequito said that a paradigm shift in engineering design should now be taken into consideration in rebuilding damage roads, bridges and flood control structures so that they can withstand the onslaught of abnormal rainfall and stronger winds.

He said a total of P2.2 billion worth of infrastructures were damaged by rampaging flood waters of typhoon Juaning which need to be rehabilitated.

He said they are now preparing the work program for these structures and prioritizing which will first be rehabilitated.

He said that they are guided by DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson’s 3- R policy which means it is the right project, with the right cost and the right quality. (MAL/EDL, PIA V)

Army re-affirms commitment, adherence to int’l humanitarian law

by Bennie A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, Aug. 10 (PIA) -- “IHL: The International Criminal Court and RA 9851: Protecting Against Impunity as an Instrument of Peace,” was the theme to the recently concluded re-affirmation of commitment of the officers and men of 903rd Brigade, Philippine Army and their adherence to the International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

In a simple ceremony on Monday, August 8, held at the 903rd Infantry Brigade (IB) 9th Infantry Division (ID), Philippine Army based in Brgy. Poblacion, Castilla, Sorsogon, Atty. Arnulfo Perete, as Provincial Chairman of the IHL Committee, Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Sorsogon Chapter led the Pledge of Commitment and Adherence to IHL and likewise delivered a message to inspire the military men and officers in continuously protecting the country and the sovereignty of the Filipino people in their fight to achieve lasting peace.

903rd Brigade Commander Col. Felix J. Castro, Jr. also delivered a message before his men challenging them to do its best to be faithful to the provisions contained in the International Humanitarian Law.

Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Sorsogon Infocenter Manager Irma Guhit, meanwhile, graced the activity and discussed the salient points provided in the International Humanitarian Law and Republic Act 9851 to the men of 903rd IB.

Guhit underscored the meaning of IHL, why is it important, how does it protect, when does it apply and who does IHL protect. She likewise delved on the International Community of the Red Cross’ role in IHL.

She said that as combatant soldiers, they must have the basic know-how of IHL and other corresponding law in the Philippines that penalizes crimes against it, genocide and against humanity as stipulated in RA 9851 so that all the efforts they exerted in combat will not be wasted.

“IHL is one of the most powerful tools that the international community has at its disposal to ensure the safety and dignity of people in times of war since it provides set of rules which place restrictions on the use of weapons and methods of warfare. It also prohibits or limits the use of strong and cruel weapons or those which do not distinguish between combatants and civilians,” said Guhit.

Also known as the law of war or the law of armed conflict, IHL protects people who are not, or no longer, participating in hostilities. Guhit also stressed out that in every battle, both parties must see to it that there is no collateral damage and civilians must never be used as human shield.

Likewise, insurgents wounded in an encounter must be regarded as wounded person and therefore must be given proper medication.

The ICRC on the other hand, serves as the “guardian” of IHL, basing its work on the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their two Additional Protocols of 1977.

“These instruments of IHL give the ICRC the right to carry out activities such as bringing relief to the wounded, sick or stranded military personnel, visiting prisoners of war, restoring contact between members of families separated by conflict, aiding civilians and ensuring that those protected by humanitarian law are treated accordingly.

International Humanitarian Law Day is celebrated on the 12th of August every year. (MAL/BAR, PIA Sorsogon)

Albay, CIRCA encourage inventions to lessen impacts of climate change
…DOST inventions exhibit set next month

by Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, Aug. 10 (PIA) -- The Center for Initiatives and Research on Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) is anticipating invention entries that could help adapt to or lessen the possible impacts and find practical solutions to the challenges of global warming and climate change.

CIRCA Executive Director Manuel C. Rangasa said the center encourages inventions of the likes following this year’s Bicol Regional Invention Contest and Exhibits (BRICE), sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) regional office here.

Now on its third year, BRICE will be held on September 27-29 at the Entertainment Plaze, 3rd floor of Pacific Mall, this city, whose winners will represent the region to the national tilt. Hence, prizes are at stakes at various categories.

Albay Governor Joey Sarte Salceda, meanwhile, said “Climate change is real and individual's concern and the young scientist or inventors play a crucial role in the advocacies, the adaptation and securing new sciences that help reduce our carbon footprints."

Salceda furthered that critical thinking is needed by our community when dealing with global warming cum climate change. The issue is not whether or not climate change or global warming exists, or whether it is mostly or partly a natural occurrence or human induced or anthropogenic activities. The issue is what to do about it. Something very serious should not be taken so lightly.

DOST Bicol regional director Tomas B. Briñas, on the other hand, said both the 2009 and 2010 BRICE were successfully implemented with Bicolano inventors as winners during the national Invention Contest and Exhibits (NICE).

“We hope to continue reaping honors for Bicol with quality and meaningful entries this year,” Briñas said.

Submission of entries, in accordance to contest rules and criteria with prescribed forms to DOST V, at the Regional Center Site, Barangay Rawis here not later than the August 29.

Interested contestants are encouraged to seek details of the tilt from the DOST with telephone Nos. (052) 820-5385 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (052) 820-5385 end_of_the_skype_highlighting; 820-5388; 820-5039; 821-7930 and at httbp://region5.dost.gov.ph and email:dost-ro5@yahoo.com. (MAL, PIA V)

Feature Story:

BEAT “D” Risk Program for disaster preparedness

by Rosalita Base-Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, Aug. 10 (PIA) -- A multi-layered capability building projects and activities for disaster preparedness through the BEAT “D” Risk Program is being pushed by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) of the provincial government to establish a culture of safety with the ultimate goal of zero casualty and a resilient community.

The BEAT “D” Risk Program stands for Building an Environment of Awareness and Trust through Disaster Risk Reduction Initiatives, Safety and Knowledge Management which was launched in February through the effort of the new PDRRM Officer Carlos Galvez with the approval of the PDRRM Chairman Governor Edgardo Tallado.

He said that the first level of the program is to strengthen the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) wherein out of 12 towns 11 have already conducted the disaster preparedness trainings.

The level II of the program is to strengthen the Barangay Development Councils (BDCs) particularly the Barangay Disaster Coordinating Councils (BDCCs) as stipulated in the PD 1566 and Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils (BDRRMC) under RA 10121 or an act strengthening the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management System.

For level III, there will be an organization, training and accreditation of the Barangay Emergency Action Teams, community emergency volunteers and civic communicators.

A training for the academe and other school safety initiatives will be conducted as level IV of the program to include in- school youth volunteers or the Super Batang Kalasag.

There will be a mandated public sector employees training under RA 10121 as level V of the BEAT “D” Risk Program to be conducted to the employees of government.

The last level is the family wherein they will train at least one member of a family on disaster preparedness.

It will be recalled that they have already given recognition to the 11 MDRRMC for their support to the BEAT”D” Risk Program during the closing of the National Disaster Consciousness Month last month.

They also give due recognition to the 2 schools the Camarines Norte State College and Panganiban National High School; and 2 banks the Land Bank of the Philippines- Labo Branch, and the Development Bank of the Philippines-Daet Branch and other institutions and individuals who are supportive of the said program.

As support to this endeavor the provincial government also will renovate the Multi-Purpose Training Center this coming October in order to become a DRR/CCA Training Institute with funding allocation of P5 million as a venue for training equipped with facilities needed which is located at the Barangay Sto. Domingo Sitio Mat-I Vinzons.

All the efforts for the BEAT “D” Risk Program is in partnership with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) composed of different line government agencies and non-government organizations concerned in the province. (MAL/RBM/PIA Camarines Norte)

DOLE reminds employers of P6 additional daily wage of workers

by Rosalita Base-Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, Aug. 10 (PIA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) provincial office here reminds employers of the P6 additional daily wage of workers based on the minimum wage rate per wage order No. RB V-14 effective August, Chief Labor and Employment Officer Ruben L. Romanillos said.

He said workers in the business establishments whose employees are more than 15 should receive P247.00 per day, P234.00 wage per day for employees with 11-15 workers and P216.00 per day for workers not more than 10.

For the cottage industry, P222.00 per day for workers with more than 20 laborers while P212.00 per day for workers of 20 or less.

Agricultural workers in plantation with 24 hectares or with 30 laborers should receive P225.00 per day while P205 for the non-plantation with 24 hectares or less with not more than 30 laborers.

Romanillos explained that employers and employees can visit their office for other information on the additional wage rate per day which started last November 2010, March of this year and this month of August.

He added that the additional wage for workers will be a big help in the day to day expenses of their family. (MAL/RBM, PIA Camarines Norte)

Unexpected windfall for flag heroine of Malinao, Albay
… Presidential Sis Pinky among donors

by Aida Alcazar-Naz

LEGAZPI CITY, Aug. 10 (PIA) -- Janela Lelis, the girl made famous by You Tube showing her rescuing the Philippine National Flag at the height of typhoon Juaning never dreamed for fame nor benefits from strangers.

That is exactly what is happening to her. Last Thursday the Pinoy Power Coalition of Volunteers (PPBCV) accompanied the 13 year old Janela nicknamed Janelle shopping for basic needs with the “insistence” of Presidential Sister Pinky Aquino-Abelleda who sent money.

PPBCV President Dr. Ofelia Samar-Sy M.D. said they bought for Janelle’s family basic things such as foodstuffs, clothes including uniform and school supplies to replace lost properties when the house they lived in was washed out by raging flood.

Janelle’s family is Kuya Edcel, 19 years old and a fourth year student at Malinao High School and a sickly lola who has cared for them after the father died when she was nine months old. Janelle ad Edcel are missing their mother who left with two other siblings when they were young. As the grandmother’s house was among those destroyed by the typhoon the family is now staying with a kind aunt.

Edcel was the Kuya Ed who instructed her to take care of the Philippine flag while he rescued their grandmother.

“When I saw Janelle, she was shy and seemed to have not realized why we were going crazy over what she did,” Sy disclosed at PIA’s radio program Aramon Ta Daw yesterday. She also said that Janelle was very frank exclaiming that it was her first time to shop in the mall in Legazpi city.

Janelle went home Thursday afternoon with foodstuffs, clothes and other basic needs plus relief goods courtesy of Mariel Tolentino, Senator Franklin Drilon’s wife Mila, Baby Teoseco-Cruz and Emma Nieto.

Sy revealed that Janelle enjoyed her shopping as she went home with a yellow slipper, a baller, and a headband that she selected herself.

Philanthropist Mariel Tolentino has promised to provide for the family for at least a year, through the provision of monthly stipend placed at P200 per day equivalent to P6,000 a month.

At first Ms. Tolentino wanted to adopt the brave girl but she would not leave behind Kuya Ed and lola.

Sy also told PIA that Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman has instructed Bicol Regional Director Remia Tapispisan to help the family especially provide livelihood as Edcel earns a living during the week-ends as padyak or non-motorized tricycle driver.

Meantime, Dr. Anton Lim of Tsu Tzi Foundation Davao another fan of Jenelle has informed PPBCV that the Tsu Tzi chapter in Tabaco City through Tony Tan and wife Therese will go shopping with Janelle this week at the family-owned Liberty Commercial Center (LCC) mall chain in Bicol.

Lim also urged members of the foundation to help clean Malinao town which was submerged by water, mud and fallen trees brought about by typhoon Juaning.

Reports also reached PPBCV that boxing icon and Sranggani Rep. Manny Pacquiao has sent assistance.

Dr. Sy herself promised the girl to give the lola a check-up and related work-up upon knowing that the old woman is complaining of hypertension.

Atty. Alex Lacson known for his book 12 little things we can do for the country is encouraging people to emulate Janelle’s deed. “We must tell her story to our people especially the youth,” he said.

Dr. Sy also said that Jay Jaboneta was one of those very insistent that PPBCV locate Janelle because people in Manila have been looking for her after FB got crazy over that picture of her saving the flag in the middle of raging typhoon and flood.

PPBCV was able to trace Janelle through the assistance of Department of Education (DepEd) officials, Bicol Regional Director Orfelina Tuy and Albay Division Superintendent Alice Terrel who were able to locate the Grade 6 pupil of Malinao Central School. She was presented to the group of Dr. Sy by DepEd Administrative Officer Antero Buiza along with teachers Maritess Kallos and Eleonor Casin. (MAL/AAN, PIA V)