OWWA-Bicol asks families of OFWs in Syria, Libya to help trace whereabouts of kins

by Aida Alcazar-Naz

LEGAZPI CITY, September 07 (PIA) -- The Overseas Workers Welfare Office (OWWA) in Bicol has appealed to families of Bicolano Overseas Filipino Workers to help the agency locate their kins in strife-torn countries especially those undocumented workers in Syria.

OWWA Bicol Regionsl Director Jocelyn Hapal made the appeal in yesterday’s PIA radio program Aramon Ta Daw stating that Syria is still under alert level 3 or voluntary repatriation. It will depend on the Filipinos if they want to return home but are enjoined by the government to be repatriated. If they so decide necessary assistance back to the country will be provided.

Hapal said that most of the OFWs are domestic helpers who seem to be adamant whether to come home or not with only 135 individuals signifying to be repatriated.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has placed the number of Filipinos in Syria at 17,000 but OWWA said there are only 700 documented OFWs 20 of whom are from Bicol.

To be able to locate these OFWs especially the undocumented workers, the DILG has organized a task force to inventory even up to the barangay level to by obtaining specific information like names of residents who are OFWs, their location and even date of departure.

Hapal, meantime disclosed that the situation in Libya is different as alert level 4 has been raised by the DFA which means forced repatriation or mandatory evacuation is in order for some 1,600 Filipinos as Libyan rebels are in its final push to squash loyal forces of beleaguered strongman Moammar Gadhafi.

She said that many of the OFWs in said country are nurses and medical workers and engineers.

The OWWA official stated that of the 30 repatriated Libya OFWS who arrived during the week-end, no one is a Bicolano. The agency believes there are still 123 Bicolano workers in Libya since 129 of the 252 workers went home during the repatriation in February and March this year.

Hapal reiterated that free call or libreng tawag which started August 17 is still in place 24/7 including week-ends and holidays. Families of OFWs working in conflict areas are encouraged to visit the regional office at Legazpi City or its satellite office in Naga City.

If they can not come personally to the offices, they can call telephone numbers 4814562 or 4814503 in Legazpi or 4734341 in Naga or cellphone number 09277996223 for similar assistance.

OWWA also warns the public that a deployment ban is in placed in both countries in coordination the department of Labor and Employment. OFWs on vacation from these areas are advised not to return. In same manner, Filipinos are notified not to travel to these countries. (MAL/AAN, PIA V)

DOLE Sec. Baldoz to lead distribution of checks to re-integration grantees

LEGAZPI CITY, Sept. 7 (PIA) -- Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is set to distribute today during her working visit here the checks to five livelihood grantees and a business loan check to an OFW, according to the regional official of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Bicol.

OWWA Bicol director Joceleyn Hapal has announced that the assistance program form part of a nationwide re-integration program worth P2 billion for OFWs.

The distribution according to Hapal is token representation of 25 grantees for livelihood who are set to receive starter kits and funds equivalent to P10,000 each whose business ranges from meat processing, food processing, and cosmieoly.

One of the 15 business loans granted is embarking into a transport business via a bus loan.

Under the assistance program, according to the director, an OFW may select whether he will avail of the livelihood grant of P10,000 or take advantage of a business loan minimum of P300,000.

The loan can be gained from the Land Bank of the Philippines or Development Bank of the Philippines at low interest rates of 7.5 per cent per annum as against commercial loans with interest from 9 to 12 per cent.

Hapal further said that the P2 billion reintegration program is can be replenished anytime as soon as funds have been used up.

Hapal said OWWA has been organizing trainings for returning OFWs the latest of which is attendance of 1,000 OFWs in the 7th Bicol Business Week in Naga City last August 20. At the gathering, the OFWs were taught how to spot opportunities. (MAL/AANaz, PIA V)

40 pili growers trained on scientific tapping of pili resin

by Rosalita Base-Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, September 7 (PIA) -- Some 40 pili growers have participated in the “Training/Workshop on Scientific Tapping of Pili Resin” spearheaded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) here recently.

Jorge Pedro V. Villanea, Provincial Science and Technology director of DOST said that the training aimed pili growers to learn on the proper tapping of pili tree to produced resin so that the tree will not be affected or die.

The removing of the bark of pili tree where resin comes from have the right measurement to avoid tree to die and resin can be harvested 5 to 6 days after or within a week.

The resin is also known as manila elemi is an ingredient in making varnish, perfume, paint and other products which can be sold at P30.00 per kilo that would be the source of an additional income for pili growers.

The scientific tapping of pili resin was explained by Scientist III Forester Dr. Arsenio B. Ella of the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI), University of the Philippines, Los Baños and the situation of pili industry was discussed by Melchor Briñas, Chairman of Camarines Norte Pili Growers and Processors Inc.

An actual tapping of pili tree was conducted after the one day training at the Briñas farm at barangay Matnog in the town of Basud.

The training was also in partnership with the provincial government, Camarines Norte Pili Growers and Processors Association (CNPGPA), DOST Region V and FPDRI - UPLB. (MAL/RBM, PIA Camarines Norte).

Naga City Councilor Sergio, 26th Mabini‘s Disabled Filipino of the Year Awardee

by Lizel S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, September 7 (PIA) -- The Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled (PFRD), Inc. through the 2011 Apolinario Mabini Awards Committee has confirmed the inclusion of Naga City Councilor David Casper Nathan A. Sergio as one of this year’s awardees after competently passing the standards of a Disabled Filipino who did not use his physical disability as a hindrance to serve his fellowmen and be a role model to his community.

Sergio, currently the Executive Director of the Naga City Blood Program is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) -Camarines Sur Chapter and the Chairman of Persons with Disability. He pursued programs on Urban Poor Development and has established the Urban Poor Affairs Office (UPAO) which he headed for a decade. He has also extended his indefatigable vigor in enhancing the lives of other people while sending off a positive atmosphere of inspiration to a lot of his colleagues and constituents, particularly the youth.

Sergio pushed for the creation and establishment of the Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (PDAO) which aims to increase the assistance given to people with disabilities. He paved the way for the approval of the city and barangay’s budget for people with disabilities and senior citizens from 1 tom 2 per cent, giving an equal one percent share with PWDs and senior citizens- a feat which has never been done anywhere else in the Philippines.

With his dedication, coupled with his persevering mind-set, Sergio has also earned various national awards in the past as recognition of his unrelenting desire to make a difference and be of service to his people. He was GMA’s 1997 Public Servant of the Year and Dangal ng Bayan Awardee conferred by Kilosbayan Foundation, GMA 7 and Civil Service Commission respectively. He was also a recipient of the 2009 Philippine Eagles Outstanding Leadership Award given by The Fraternal Order of Eagles, Inc.

Also in 2009, Sergio was chosen as one of the two Bicol Region nominees to the 2009 Ten Outstanding Councilors of the Philippines (TOCP) Awards. He was also a “Pamuntugan Golden Bell” and a “Gantimpala Agad” Awardee as cited by LGU-Buhi and the Civil Service Commission respectively.

These and his other accomplishments were given credit by the 2011 Mabini Awards, a biennial program of PFRD that seeks to honor persons with disabilities (PWDs) who have excelled in their chosen professions as individuals, groups and entities and have contributed to the welfare of disabled individuals.

Sergio was conferred with the Disabled Filipino of the Year Award. Other awardees were Sister Ma. Paula Valeriana Baerts, ICM- recipient of the much coveted Mabini Award for her 59 years of pioneering work to help disabled Filipinos; Lauro C. Purcil in recognition of his PWD-rights based advocacy and strong working role with the UNCRPD and Captain Oscar J. Taleon, a retired Philippine Navy , for his commendable leadership in PWD sector unification.

Sergio and the other awardees, will continuously serve as an inspiration to the aspirations of the disabled sector. They will shine as torches of light in reminding their fellow that physical disability is too small an obstacle to achieve one’s goal in life.

The nominees are still waiting for the formal and official schedule of the conferment of their awards by no less than His Excellency Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino. (LSM, PIA Camarines Sur)

CENRO to spearhead coastal clean-up drive in Catanduanes

VIRAC, Catanduanes, September 7 (PIA)-- The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) provincial office here will lead the coastal clean-up activities on September 9 in connection with the 11th Philippine Civil Service anniversary celebration.

Coastal clean-up sites include Marinawa-Cabugao, Bato; San Vicente, Virac; Francis-Rawis, Virac; Sta. Cruz-Concepcion, Virac; Palnab, Virac; Antipolo, Virac; Igang-Talisoy, Virac; Magnesia-Balite, Virac; Mamangal, Virac; Marilima, Virac and Palawig, Yocti, Bon-ot, San Andres, Catanduanes.

CENRO has confirmed participation of Vice Governor's Office/Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), National Food Authority (NFA), TESDA, Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Interior and Local Govenrment (DILG), Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), Natioanl Irrigation Administration (NIA), Virac Water District (VIWAD) Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC),

Department of Agriculture (DA), CAAP, PNP Virac, Philippine Army 83rd ID, PPA, LTO, MTC, GSIS, ROD, BIR, CSC, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), AES, FIDA, LGU-Virac, DAR, DTI, Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Department of Education (DEpEd), CSCFO, PhilHealth, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and all Provincial Offices.

The theme for the 2011 anniversary celebration is:"Championing R.A.C.E.: Public Service Excellence at Full Speed." (MAL/EABagadiong, PIA Catanduanes)