Camarines Norte State Colleges and Saint Anthony U tops 2011 Military Parade Competition

by Lizel S. Macatangay

NAGA City , Sept. 20 (PIA) -- Camarines Norte State Colleges from the province of Camarines Norte was declared as this year’s over all champion in category 1, University of Saint Anthony from Iriga City in Camarines Sur emerged triumphant over other competing contingents under category 2 of the 3rd Penafrancia Regional Military Parade 2011 competition.

The military parade competition, participated in by 467 schools and universities from all over the region, successfully wrapped up with the winners and non winners alike, feeling fulfilled after executing their salute to Inang Penafrancia.

Perseverance did put Camarines Norte State Colleges above its other competitors as it was also adjudged as the Most Disciplined Unit under Category 1. It also ranked 2nd on both the Drum Lyre Corps and Majorettes Competition and also on the DLC Exhibition and raked again the 2nd place on the Crack Platoon Fancy Drill Competition.

Competing cadets and cadettes, including members of the drum and lyre corps from the University of Saint Anthony (USANT) dominated the Category 2 post, after getting the nod of the board of jurors for their exemplary performance. They were also named as this year’s Most Disciplined Unit under Category 2.

USANT also edged their competitors when their contingent won first place in the following categories: Best Marching Unit for Category 2, CAT Boys, Best Marching Unit, Category A-1 for both CAT Boys and Girls, Best Marching Majorettes-A, Crack Platoon Fancy Drill Competition and Band Majorette Exhibition. USANT CAT Girls and band members ranked second under the Best Marching Unit Category and Band Exhibition Competition, respectively.

Other participating schools and universities who were also cited as Most Disciplined Units include: Category 1: 2nd – Lyceum De Pasacao, 3rd- Malawag High School from Nabua, Camarines Sur, 4th- Rinconada National Technical Vocational High School from Iriga City and Pili Capitol College- 5th placer from Pili, Camarines Sur.

Also included on the list as Most Disciplined Units under Category 2 were: 2nd- Colegio Del Santisimo Rosario from Libmanan, Camarines Sur, 3rd- University of Nueva Caceres and 4th- Naga City Science High School both from Naga City and 5th placer- La Consolacion College from Iriga City.

Mariners Polytechnic Colleges (MPC) from Baras, Canaman, Camarines Sur was also adjudged as Best Marching ROTC while Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges- Nabua Campus was awarded as Best Marching WATC. (MAL/LSM, PIA Camarines Sur)

DILG awards ‘Seal of Good Housekeeping’ to 3 Catanduanes towns

by Edna A Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, September 20 (PIA) -- The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) here bestowed its ‘Seal of Good Housekeeping’ to the towns of Pandan, Viga and San Miguel for passing the agency’s 2011 assessment on good governance and performance.

According to DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo in a letter to the town executives last week, the said achievement was an affirmation of the towns’ commitment to good governance and performance particularly in demonstrating transparency and greater accountability, putting value on the full disclosure policy to encourage constituents’ and stakeholders’ participation in governance, and the practice of sound fiscal management highlighted by the absence of diverse COA opinion in the financial statements and transactions.

He likewise urged the mayors of the towns to continue improving the performance towards excellence in local governance for a more efficient and effective service delivery to the people and continuing improvement in the development outcomes.

The said towns moreover are entitled to access the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF), a subsidy to assist the LGU to jumpstart local development initiatives aligned with the thrusts and priorities of the national government in the form of P1 million according to DILG officials, for 20% Local Development Projects in the annual Investment Program (AIP) and funded out of the 20% Local Development Fund.

The LGUs were given 30 days within which to submit a letter of intent proposal documents, Sanggunian resolution authorizing the LCE to enter into a memorandum of agreement, approving the allocation of counterpart funds to the PCF subsidy, and certifying that the project is included in the 2011 AIP.

According to DILG provincial office, the said towns made the grade during round 1 during the assessment while San Andres and Virac passed the second round which will also be awarded the Seal of Good Housekeeping coming days. (MAL/EAB, PIA Catanduanes)

Cam Sur High, Catanduanes State College hailed most sustainable and eco-friendly schools in Bicol

LEGAZPI CITY, September 20 (PIA) -- Camarines Sur National High School (CSNHS) and Catanduanes State Colleges (CSC) were the chosen winners in the 2011 regional search for sustainable and eco-friendly schools for secondary and tertiary levels, respectively, of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) regional office here.

The schools got the top rank among other participating academic institutions because of their exemplary programs and initiatives, as the contest primarily aims to develop skills and understanding in initiating active responses and increase community awareness and participation on environmental concerns among students, faculty and school administrators.

As the regional winners, CSNHS and CSC will be awarded a Certificate of Recognition and P10,000 in cheque, and will represent the Bicol Region in the national competition to be held at the EMB Central Office. In 2009, both schools battled in the same national search where CSNHS got the second place and third for CSC in their respective levels.

Entries will be rated according to the environment-related aspects of the school's policy (20 points); environmental dimensions of school operations (30 points); environmental-related features of the school curriculum (30 points); presence of vibrant eco-organizations in campus (10 points); and linkages in various programs/projects (10 points).

Each of the national winners in all categories will get the following prizes: P50,000 for the first prize; P40,000 for the second prize; P30,000 for the third prize and plaques of recognition. All winning entries, together with selected entries, will be displayed during the awarding ceremonies on November 2011, coinciding with the National Environmental Awareness Month Celebration.

Launched in 2009, the search is a partnership program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), EMB, Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Smart Communications, Inc.. (MAL/DENR-EMB V)

Construction of new police station building in San Jose town underway

by Lizel S. Macatangay

SAN JOSE, Camarines Sur, Sept. 20 (PIA) -- Mayor Antonio Chavez of San Jose town, in his desire to serve his constituents and strengthen his campaign against criminality, has pushed for the construction of municipal police station here.

Located within the 400- square meter lot in Barangay Tacolod this town, the construction of the three-storey building already started last week after all pertinent permits and documents were finally secured. GRELIPS Construction and Development (GCD) who won the said bidding, is given five (5) months to complete the structure of the said edifice.

Chavez clarified that the Php3.6M cost of the said building has passed through the standard bidding procedures and was conceded by members of the Awards and Bids Committee.

“Seventeen (17) bidders participated in the process which was held at the PNP Regional Office in Legazpi last July 2011. We see to it that all pertinent documents are in place and all the bidders were given a fair chance to present their proposals,” Chavez said in an interview.

Chavez also takes pride in the municipality’s Bids and Awards Committee who conducts their public biddings with religious observers coming from the three (3) parishes of San Jose , a practice which he says, could only be found under his governance.

Mr. Edsel Salvo of the Information and Communication Management Office said that the construction of a new municipal station is part of Chavez’ desire to give the members of the PNP a decent headquarters where they can efficiently and comfortably work while mapping out their campaign to ensure peace and order in their municipality.

LGU San Jose apportioned Php500,000.00 as their counterpart which will be used for putting up border fence around the station’s perimeter while the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) thru DILG Secretary Jesse M. Robredo allocated Php5Million for the completion of the said building.

Chavez vowed to remain transparent in all his programs and activities which aim to boost the morale of his constituents and enjoin their support in the projects being implemented by the local government unit. He believes that good governance should be punctuated with trust coming from his constituents and the electorates.

In line with this, he issued a marching order to all his department heads to publish significant documents in the web and in their bulletin board in the exigency of his campaign to re assure the trust of his constituents. Posted reports include the municipality’s annual budget report, quarterly statement of cash flows, statement of receipt and expenditures, trust fund ( PDAF) Utilization, quarterly report SEF (Special Education fund) utilization, abstract of bids as calculated, among others. (MAL/LSM, PIA Camarines Sur)