LGU-Naga spearheads migration forum

by Lizel S. Macatangay

NAGA City, Aug. 12 (PIA) -- The Local government of Naga City thru the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) spearheaded a forum yesterday with the members of the local media here. The forum focused on piloting a process where the local government units (LGUs) could make use of available opportunities and deal with the current challenges concerning international migration.

The activity was done in partnership with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

According to Mr. Wilfredo B. Prilles, Naga City planning and development coordinator, the city is embarking on a new venture of providing a more promising subsistence not just for the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) especially from Naga City but to their families as well who will be left behind in the country.

“In order to harness the potential benefits of migration and mitigate its negative effects, there is a need for local governments to mainstream migration issues in local development plans for a more programmatic and sustainable response,” Prilles added.

Aside from the media, the CPDO has also conducted various consultations with the Naga City People’s Council, Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Urban Poor Spouses, Students who are children of OFWs, Guidance Counselors and remittance sectors.

Mr. Rommel Joseph T. Competente, IOM Conference Management Consultant said that they are also contemplating on conducting another round of consultation with the Banker’s Association, Cooperatives or Micro finance institutions and OFW Returnees to have a better grasp of varied ideas which could help them formulate programs concerning the plights of the OFWs.

“For 2010 alone, total remittances already amounted to $8.6 biilion, accounting for 10 per cent of our Gross National Product (GNP).

Filipino communities living abroad are also sending significant amount of donation for humanitarian and small infrastructure projects in their hometowns. But these benefits have yet to be felt by the wider community, Moreover, migration has social costs to the families of the OFWs left behind,” Prilles said in closing.

Tomorrow, August 13, the result of the sectoral consultation will be discussed at the Avenue Plaza Hotel. A press conference will follow shortly to respond to other queries from members of the local press. (LSM, PIA Camarines Sur)

Philippine Red Cross highlights committees' accomplishments

by Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, Aug. 12 (PIA) -- Philippine Red Cross (PRC) chairman of the board Atty Arnulfo L. Perete lauded the different committees for their accomplishments in a regular monthly board meeting held at the PRC building here this week.

Salvacion L. Abotanation, PRC chapter administrator said that the different committees headed by the different members of the board have provided a lot of assistance to the province in terms of the 6 services extended by the PRC, Sorsogon Chapter.

The committees which submitted their respective accomplishments were the Disaster Management Services, Safety Services, Social Services and Special Events, Nursing Health and Community Services, Youth Committee, and Social Services.

The Disaster Management Services Committee conducted training on disaster risk reduction and management to 44 participants at barangay Pamurayan.

At the height of Typhoon Juaning, the chapter had a standby staff and volunteers conducting regular coordination with the provincial disaster risk reduction office.

The Safety Services Committee served as first aid assistant the Coast Guard search and rescue drill in Matnog last August 9.

The drill was attended by the chapter administrator, Salve Abotanatin and the chair of the Committee on Social Services and Special Events, Mrs. Irma A. Guhit both serving as process observers. Guhit provided the documentation and report to the chapter. Mr. James Paul F. Angeles, Water Safety Instructor of PRC, Sorsogon also participated as a rescuer.

Dr. Cecilia Ortiz, chair of the Nursing Health and Community Services Committee (NHSCC) conducted training to 17 Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) at PRC Training Hall done last week of July 2011.

CHNSC had also conducted a massive information dissemination drive about communicable disease prevention to 44 participants of the 143 Red Cross Youth at barangay Pamurayan last August 6.

She said that the CHNS committee with 10 barangay health workers together with PRC conducted an information dissemination campaign about dengue and tuberculosis prevention in selected barangays and municipalities in coordination with the local government's request.

The Red Cross Youth Committee chair, Mr. Edwin Divina reported that they conducted a leadership training to the following schools with the corresponding number of participants: 31 students from SPEEd Computer College, 34 students from Sorsogon College of Criminology ;and 70 students from Sorsogon State College.

According to Divina they have conducted a tree planting activity at the Casiguran Vocational High School as part of activity of the local government's program on Climate Change mitigation and adaptation.

According to Divina they have also participated in the candle lighting ceremony for a drug free community at the Sorsogon State College with 25 RCY volunteers.

In coordination with the International Community for the Red Cross (ICRC), the Social Services Committee (SSC) assisted in the family visits to two political detainees at the Sorsogon Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) last July 26 and August 1.

Atty Arnulfo Perete graced the occasion of the 903rd Infantry Brigade Philippine Army f headed by Col. Felix J. Castro, Jr. during the flag raising ceremony to administer the Pledge of Commitment and Adherence to the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) to the members of the brigade.

SSC chair Guhit lectured on IHL and Republic Act 9851 to the members of the Philippine Army after the flag raising while Belinda Pelagio explained the 7 services of the PRC. (IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

Bidding for repair, upgrading of medical center, 6 hospitals underway

by Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Aug. 12 (PIA) -- Some P45 million worth of contracts for the upgrading and repair of the Eastern Bicol Medical Center (EBMC) and six district hospitals is set to bid out this month by the provincial government of Catanduanes.

Governor Joseph Cua said the upgrading of EBMC costing P8 million will consist the repair of dormitories, construction of records section building, repair of chief's quarters and repair of doctors' quarters.

He added that Pandan District Hospital will get over 28 percent of the amount with P12.8 million to be used for extension and repair of the existing building.

Cua said allocation of funds for the other hospitals are broken down for Juan M. Alberto Memorial District Hospital, P7.3 million; Caramoran Municipal District Hospital, P 6 million; Viga District Hospital, P4.7 million; Gigmoto District Hospital, P4 million; and Bato Maternity & Children's Hospital, P1.8 million.

The funds for the said projects, according to the governor, will be taken from the 2011 General Fund (20% Economic Development Fund) and Supplemental Budget No. 1.

According to him, the said projects pursue his commitment to improve the delivery of basic health services to the residents in the province.

"If bid will be finished by the August 25, 2011 bidding, it is expected that work will be completed in four to eight months," he concluded. (MAL/Eab, PIA Catanduanes)

Youth Commission names 2 Bicol ambassadors to SE Asian youth program

LEGAZPI CITY, Aug. 12 (PIA) -- Noel S. Armeña and Fae B. Bajamundi are named the Ambassadors of Goodwill to represent the Bicol region to the 38th Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP), according to the National Youth Commission (NYC).

Armeña and Bajamundi were chosen from the 28 finalists screened and interviewed by a panel composed of representatives from NYC, Civil Service Commission (CSC), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and SSEAYP Alumni Association.

Armeña is an Art Teacher of Aquinas University High School Department while Bajamundi is a Science Research Specialist of the Department of Science and Technology regional office both in Legazpi City.

Other delegates of the country, led by Adolf Aguilar as the National Leader, include Mylene V. Velasques, Allan Peejay M. Lappay, Ma. Joana Maritz O. Dagisg, Erlyn Rachelle K. Macarayan, Romeo V. Arahan, Samantha D. Javier, Rey Alan L. De Juan, Adrian P. Del Monte, Regina Clarissa N. Elmaco,Jade A. Acidre, Queenie Ann Grace B. Viennes, Joseph Lou C. Sta. Teresa, Effie Mae M. Ortega, Francis Alain L. Ebardo, Monaifah T. Basir, Jeffrey Jefferson Y. Coronel, Jona D. Alegre, Karl Mike B. Tabingo, Nor-En B. Lambac, Ed Anthony P. Lapay, Leo M. Wallace, Jade D. Balawis, Aliasgar D. Pangsayan, Luis Miguel F. Alcaraz, Celene Grace M. Niguidula and Ma Mchelle Michiko C. Soriano.

The SSEAYP is an annual cultural exchange program among young people from ASEAN member states and Japan.

The program is carried out by the government of Japan with the active participation and cooperation of the ASEAN member states. The greater part of the activities is centered on the Japanese Ocean Liner Fuji Maru as it makes its fifty two-days cruise in Southeast Asia and Japan.

This year, MS Fuji Maru is set to cruise around the Southeast Asia on October 25 to December 16 and the Philippines will be its first port of call. The friendship boat will dock in Manila on November 10-13, 2011 for the Philippine Country Program.

Application for this program starts on the 1st quarter of the year. For more details on the succeeding selection proceedings, please inquire at the NYC office contact nos. 8115804 and 4730435.(MAL, PIA V)

DPWH road clearing operations, in full blast after Juaning

by Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Aug. 12 (PIA) -- Clearing operations by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on damages and obstructions brought by the tropical storm “Juaning” along the province’ national roads and highways are now in full blast.

Tropical storm “Juaning” which struck the province last July 26, 2011 brought massive downpour brought heavy rains that resulted to floods caused destruction to road network and closes some sections of the road.

At least 34 landslides occurred and mostly along Catanduanes Circumferential Road. The Mayngaway bridge approach was scoured and Inalmasinan Spillway was washed-out, while two more culvert approaches were damaged.

The agency maintenance and repair personnel also cleared the destruction and restored normal flow of traffic along National Roads last Friday, July 29, 2011.

According to the DPWH, in the early hours of July 27, DPWH manpower dispersed on different areas of the road and simultaneously undertook clearing operation with equipments support from local governments and local contractors.

It took three days to clear the area of Caramoran-San Andres road while heavy equipments unable to cross Inalmasinan spillway and Mayngaway Bridge. Detour route was constructed first at Inalmasinan spillway and Mayngaway bridge approach was securely reinforced and backfilled.

Final restoration of the damages are still being undertaken by the department. (MAL/EAB, PIA Catanduanes)