Classes in all levels suspended in some areas in Albay due to transport strike

LEGAZPI CITY, Aug. 31 (PIA) -- Albay Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) has declared suspension of classes in all levels today in two cities and nine other municipalities in the wake of the transport strike staged by organized transport groups in the province.

Albay PDRRMC chair Gov. Joey Salceda has issued advisory noting that following the assessment of the situation of their respective chief executives, many mayors specifically in this city, Tabaco City, and municipalities of Daraga, Malinao, Pioduran, Manito, Jovellar, Polangui, Camalig, Bacacay, Sto Domingo, have decided or recommended to suspend classes.

Based on our assessment made together with each and all mayors, according to Salceda, the main impact of a mass transport strike on public welfare is that it would compromise the mobility of teachers in both rural and urban areas and students in urban areas in going to school, especially given a very low private vehicle ownership with only 54,000 out of 247,000 families own vehicles including motorcycles.

Classes in the elementary, high school and college for both public and private schools are hereby suspended except in the Ligao City and municipalities of Libon, Tiwi and Rapu-rapu.

In Libon, Tiwi and Rapurapu and Ligao City and in such other areas with classes still not suspended by local governments, their respective local chief executives as chairmen of local DRRMCs and DepEd authorities have assured that they have their local contingency plans ready.

The Albay PDRRMC and its partner-military and police forces have limited capacity to institute systematic countermeasures like “libreng sakay” to mitigate such inconvenience to normal way of life and the risks to public welfare.

The same advisory directed in order not to impede the access to health services during the transport strike, that maybe undermined by the transport strike, ambulances of local government, are on stand-by pre-positioned for disposition by the chief executive.

Residents are also advised to make household requirements ready this afternoon to avoid unnecessary movement by tomorrow.

Government offices and private companies’ operations are not suspended, however, employees who cannot report being affected are considered excused but must file leave within reasonable time.

Police, fire fighters and other offices involved in emergency response are also directed to be on alert, on action in the interest of public safety. (MAL, PIA V/LGU Albay)

Thrill on a trail:Dalagan sa Kadlagan 2011, a success
by Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, Aug. 29 (PIA) -- A total of 187 runners joined the fun and adventure, thrill on a trail in the just concluded National Bulusan Eco Trail Running Cup 2011 dubbed locally, "Dalagan sa Kadlagan 2011" held at the municipality of Bulusan last Sunday, August 28.

This locally initiated activity was in support of the celebration of the International Year of the Forest back to back with the National Greening Program of the government.

The activity offered sports enthusiasts with walking, running, climbing, river crossing and planting trees to save lives and save the forest as its goal.

Mayor Michael Guysayco was overwhelmed by the turn out of events and the participation of runners coming from different places in the Philippines including two runners from the country of Kenya and two very young male and female runners both 11 years old for the 21 km run.

As early as August 25, some of the participants to the said event were already billeted by the local government of Bulusan in several lodging places in their area. Those who came earlier from other places for ocular inspection of the route were also provided proper accommodation.

"The participants who made some ocular inspection of the area of the run were very thrilled of this event,” Gusayco said.

"They were awed by the very scenic places we have here in Bulusan aside from the trail that they have to pass. We have welcomed them with an explanation that this event will usher now more incoming events and other tourism activities that the local government has planned yearly to boost our tourism industry,” he added.

Meanwhile Tourism Officer and president of AGAP BULUSAN, Philip Bartilet, who spearheaded the event with the full participation of their organization said the cooperation of the different sponsors and other entities like the provincial government, Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Education, Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army, Land Transportation Commission, Bicol University, communication sponsors and media partners made the event successful.

He said facilitation of the event was made easy through their assistance and support.

"The local government of Bulusan will now be well known not only because of its tourism attractions but this reality activity which is more thrilling, adventurous and environmentally focused as the run is a call to save our forest by the culmination of tree planting by the heads of the different invited guests, the Girl Scout of the Philippines, the DepEd and other local government representatives,” Bartilet expressed.

Former governor Sally Ante Lee participated in the 5 km fun walk with members of the local media here while Department of Tourism RO V regional director, Maria Nini Ravanilla was also present together with Cristina Racelis, provincial tourism officer of the province to provide support for the activity.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council headed by Manuel Ramon Jayco assisted in the safe conduct of the run providing posts for some risk areas where runners have to tread and hurdle.

Winners for the male and female individual categories were Fritz Handig and Luisa Raterta, respectively. Both bagged the 15, 000 first prize for the 21 km run.

The group category first prize was awarded to the Runners Circles; composed of Ram Lacson, Rolan Anonuevo and Susan Jemutai. They received P50,000.

Eugene Pastrado emerged victorious for the 5 km run and bagged the P8,000 cash prize.

Second and third runner ups also received cash incentives while all winners received gift certificates from Toby's, one of their major sponsors.

The two very young runners for the 21km Threshia Reginaldo and Mark were awarded as the youngest runners and finishers and were given gift packages from Toby’s as well. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

Naga City policeman, NGO lead 19 awardees in PNP Bicol 110th Police Service Anniversary celebration
by Aida Alcazar-Naz

LEGAZPI CITY, Aug. 31 (PIA) -- A national police awardee from Naga City and a peace group in Masbate will lead today’s 110th Police Service Anniversary celebration at Camp Gen. Simeon Ola headquarters of the Philippine National Police in Bicol.

Similarly, the Police Regional Office 5 will pay tribute to the heroic deeds of policemen who died during duty through the blessing of a memorial shrine in their honor.

Police Chief Inspector Benigno F. Albao Sr., chief of Naga City Police Station 2, winner of the 2010 Lead PNP Award and the Masbate Advocates for Peace are at the forefront of the roster of six special awardees, six individual honorees and seven unit awardees.

Supt. Renato Battaler, chief of the PNP Bicol community relations department, announced in yesterday’s PIA radio program Aramon Ta Daw, the recognition of outstanding police and units is the highlight of the 110th Police Servce Anniversary in Bicol. The award-giving activity is an annual undertaking of PNP Bicol since 1978.

Awards will be bestowed to different units who excelled in their performance. Sorsogon police units will receive three awards: best police provincial police office, best provincial public safety company and best city police station.

Meanwhile, Daraga Municipal Police station was named vest MPS, the 5th Regional Public Safety Batallion as best RPSB, the Regional Finance Service Office 5 as best regional administrative support unit and the Regional Intelligence Unit 5 as best regional operations support unit.

Individual awardees, on the other hand, are PSupt Oscar R. Regala as best senior police commissioned officer (PCO) for operations; P/SInsp Dennis B. Balla, best junior PCO; SP04 Elmer B. Antang, best senior police non-commissioned officer (PNCO); P02 Michelle H. Morales, best junior PNCO; Josephine A. Oliquino, best non-uniformed personnel (NUP) supervisory level; and Charwen B. Buenafe, best NUP non-supervisory level.

Special awardees include Legazpi City Mayor Carmen Geraldine B. Rosal, P/CSupt Victor P. Deona, P/SSupt Henry S. Rañola Jr., and SP01 Asuncion C. San Juan.

Before the awarding ceremony, Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo will head the blessing of PRO 5 Memorial Shrine and female quarters.

This year’s 110th police anniversary is being commemorated with the theme Sandaang Taon at Sandekadang Paglilingkod ng Kapulisan Kaagapay ang Sambayanan Tungo sa Matuwid na Daan.(MAL/AAN, PIA V)