Intervida turns over community center to Sorsogon province

by Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, September 15 (PIA) -- In a simple ceremony held here this month at the Sorsogon Community Center, country delegate of Intervida, Restituto Ramos, formally turned over the management of this edifice to the provincial government represented by former governor Sally Ante-Lee.

The Sorsogon Community Center was an extension of the old Sorsogon Provincial Hospital which has been unoccupied for so long that Intervida through the initiative of former Board Member Rosario"Cherry" Diaz was renovated, refurbished and made as a skills and development center catering to grassroots communities and have been managed by the Intervida staff for almost 5 years.

"Now that Intervida is focusing more of its programs and projects in the municipalities of Castilla, Donsol and Pilar specifically along education and nutrition, we have made agreements with the provincial government of Sorsogon to formally turn over the management of the Sorsogon community Center to them ", Ramos explained in his message during the turn over ceremony rites.

Receiving the key of responsibility from Ramos, Lee explained that the center will be a training ground for culture and arts development which she believes should be an extension of the enrichment and enhancement activity of the Sorsogon Provincial Heritage Museum.

She explained that the provincial government has already provided the center with musical instruments, like guitars, electric organs , drums, percussion instruments, books and other materials that can be accessed by students or those interested individuals who would like to hone their skills in music, poetry , drama and the like.

The center according to Lee will be under the direct supervision of the provincial government with the assistance of the Department of Education, provincial schools division and counter-parting in the overseeing of the daily activities will be the Bukawel Performing Group Community Based Theater Group (CBTG) under the supervision of Dan Razo.

A special dance number was performed by the CBTG to provide entertainment in the ceremony called "Alay" which according to Razo is a dance that expresses gratitude specially offered to the Intervida to show appreciation for the assistance they have extended to the province of Sorsogon.

Meanwhile, Lee also expressed during the turn over ceremony that she hopes to see more culturally inclined individuals pursue their artistic inclinations through this center.

"Those who are willing to access the services of the center will just schedule their time to use the center and its basic amenities with the current management", Lee explained.

She also said that arrangements will be done to have skilled mentors in the center who can share their expertise and will also provide the center their spare time especially those retired teachers and other individuals willing to voluntarily share their time and knowledge in contributing to the popularization and enhancement of local songs, music and dances truly Sorsoganon or reflective of the Sorsoganon's culture and arts.

Department of Education assistant schools division superintendent, Danilo Despi who graced the occasion for and in behalf of Dr. Marilen Dimaano, provincial school division superintendent who is on official leave, said that the DepEd provincial office will also coordinate with the Sorsogon City DepEd so that both can access programs provided by the center and at the same time contribute to its sustainable development.

Despi had also expressed appreciation to Intervida for the feeding programs provided to school children in their three pilot municipalities, Castilla, Donsol and Pilar which is under the provincial schools division areas.

With special participation, Lee also requested the Philippine Information Agency office here, together with the Kapisanan ng mga Broadcasters sa Pilipinas, Sorsogon Chapter, represented by its president Andy Espinar to assist in training kids to do broadcast and other individuals who also like to undergo the same training.

Lee said that communication is the best form of art to better understanding and a culture that should be instilled in everyone to attain the culture of peace.

"In a positive note let us also provide the people of Sorsogon, the media mileage of the positive traits of the people of Sorsogon both in broadcast and in print', she said.

Present during the formal turn-over were members of the print and broadcast media in the province, DepEd personnel, staff from Intervida in Legaspi City and the head and staff of the Sorsogon Provincial Tourism Council.

Agnes Nan-Habla, Intervida Field Officer closed the ceremony by saying that ,"As adults teach children all about life and children should teach their elders what life is all about". (IAG, PIA Sorsogon)


Rep. Sarmiento calls to care for the environment

by Edna A Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, September 15 (PIA) -- Amid reports from local tabloids in the province regarding the rampant illegal cutting of trees in Catanduanes, Cong. Cesar V. Sarmiento has called on his constituents to show care to the environment.

"Illegal cutting of trees in our place is getting rampant (again) according to newspaper reports. This is alarming and disturbing because if these activities remain unabated - that will lead to great destruction of our island", Sarmiento said.

Moreover, the congressman said that everyone must take part in solving such problem and it can be done by reporting any incident of illegal cutting of trees to the concerned authorities.

He also urged the (multi-agency) Task Force Anti-Illegal Logging to be more aggressive in tracking down these illegal activities via filing of charges against the violators and making your accomplishments known to the public.

"Do your share in saving our province from landslides, floods and disasters - in doing so you are protecting the lives and properties of our kababayans (who may be your relative and/or friend)", he added.

It can be noted that the government has implemented total log ban to reduce forest and other environmental destruction. (MAL/EAB, PIA Catanduanes)

Enterprise development project to benefit 1,111 women in Catanduanes

by Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, September 15 (PIA) -- A total of 1,111 women from Bato town, who are members of the World-Kalipunan ng mga Pilipina (WOW-KALIPI), will be the primary beneficiaries of the Community Enterprise Development (CED) program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and its partner agencies.

DOLE has allocated over a million pesos for the group's "Abaca Catanduanes" abaca-weaving project while its partners are contributing a similar amount.

The program seeks to organize and focus the delivery of services of various government agencies and private organizations to achieve systematic and rational convergence of services and assistance to the community.

It is also in line with the thrust of the Aquino administration of creating employment in the community and transforming Philippine society so that very Filipino can enjoy a better and dignified quality of life.

Under the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), DOLE will take the lead role in the implementation, provide, funds, equipment, raw materials, services and others and extend assistance int he promotion of the products.

The project proponent and accredited co-partner, TESDA-Cabugao School of Handicraft and Cottage Industries, will act as conduit and provide the venue, facilities, shelter for equipment to be used in the training, skills development and preliminary activities including a product showroom, among others

On the other hand, the beneficiaries, headed by Lolita Tapas, will implement the project and receive the equipment, tools, suuplies and raw materials from TESDA-CSHCI. It shall render periodic reports and ensure the quality, target and standards are reasonably complied.

Among the cooperating agencies in the project include the local government of Bato, the provincial government, the congressional office, Catanduanes State Colleges, DOST, TESDA, DTI, FIDA, Saint Anthony of Padua Parish of Cabugao, ARDCI, Group of NGOs, Carpel Trading, and Solid Future Foundation, Inc. (MAL/EAB, PIA Catanduanes)