Pilar, Korean firm team up to establish sanitary land fill and material recovery facility

by Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY , September 12 (PIA) -- A memorandum of agreement (MOA) is now on the process of review and consultation, submitted by the Local Government of Pilar to the Department of Environment and Natural Resource (DENR) V for the proposed integrated sanitary landfill (ISL) and material recovery facility (MRF) with a Korean firm, the Pilar Jeong Sol Green Technology Limited (PJSGTL).

In a dialogue with Mayor Dennis Reyes of Pilar town, during the 3rd quarterly meeting of the Provincial Solid Waste Management Board last week, along with Vice Mayor Celso Lao Jr. and several members of the Sanggunian Bayan, the desire to push through this project , according to them is borne out of the requirement of the DENR that each local government unit must have a sanitary landfill and material recovery facility under the RA 9003 of 2000 otherwise known as Philippine Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

“For a local government like Pilar, whose internal revenue allotment is not enough to finance the establishment of a sanitary landfill since it is very expensive and like us with our budget so meager, it will be very difficult to comply with this RA 9003,” Reyes said.

“In consultation with the members of the Sanggunian Bayan we have to look for alternative source on who can assist us finance this kind of requirement and at the same time generate jobs and add on income for Pilar,” he said.

The proponent, PJSGTL will undertake the design, finance construction and management of the ISL and MRF according to Mayor Reyes.

According to Reyes, a 30 ha lot will be purchased by the proponent for the establishment of the ISL. In the MOA all stipulated agreements between PILAR LGU and the proponent will be reviewed by DENR.

The ISL and MRF as Pilar LGU intends to pursue will also provide the proponent shipment of scrap materials that can be processed within the MRF and will again be shipped for export to other countries.

Some issues on the agreement where already raised to the several persons concerned during the meeting with Mayor Reyes.

A very clear provision on the MOA is that no prohibited wastes as stated in article 5 of the MOA be allowed especially pathological wastes, wastes and by products from clinics, laboratories, hospital and other similar sources.

It was also stipulated in the MOA that industrial waste especially those that are toxic and containing hazardous substances will not be allowed and there will be strict inspection on what kind of wastes will be brought to the ISL.

The materials to be processed in the MRF were well identified in Article 4 of the MOA and according to Mayor Dennis all provisions of the DENR will be strictly followed.

In the Moa the MRF will only be operating on the following: as paper bailing press that will serve as the scraps paper bonding press, pelletizer of the recyclables plastics, injection molding machines, can compactor for beer, soft drink cans and other similar items, food waste composting facility, enactor and sanitary landfill.

According to Mayor Reyes the agreement will be valid within 25 years and the economic benefit will have a 15% of the gross income for the LGU and the continuous development within the area including employment and infrastructure development that will ensure environmental protection. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

Albay coastal villages identified for Agri-Biodiversity System

LEGAZPI CITY, Sept.12 (PIA) -- The Provincial government of Albay has identified 10 coastal villages in the municipalities of Bacacay and island Rapu-rapu for the implementation of Coastal Resource Agri-Biodiversity System (CRABS) program strategy.

Albay governor Joey Salceda said that starting September 19 to December this year the Albay Millennium Development Goals Office (AMDGO) will deploy 12 community development workers to start the community preparation.

He explained that CRABS program is a development approach of the provincial government of Albay for the reduction of poverty in the coastal and island communities in the eastern and western seaboards of Albay.

Albay ha adopted the Millennium Development Goals as its roadmap in the alleviation of poverty in accordance with the United nations Declaration 2000.

Governor Salceda also said that CRABS program vision is to transform the identified areas (for development ) in a vibrant investment, and eco-medical tourism destinations by bringing into play cutting edge technologies, environment conscious management leadership and progressive corporate culture.

CRABS component projects are sustainable agriculture; coastal resource management fishery development; eco- tourism and marine development; human capital development ; and research development.

The local government of Albay released the initial P1 million fund for the social preparation alone. (MAL/MDR/LGU Albay)

Crime situation in Bagamnoc town remains manageable

by Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, September 12 (PIA) -- The municipal police station of Bagamnoc in Catanduanes bared recently that crime situation in the municipality remains manageable due to the continuous conduct and implementation of police integrated patrol system at all crime prone areas such as government and private vital installations, business establishments, school and church premises.

Likewise, internal security operations as well as dialogue/pulong-pulong in both upper and coastal barangays are being conducted to preempt presence of rebels within the office's area of responsibility.

The current peace and order situation in the locality remains manageable and under control.

For the period covered, no cases have been filed regarding peace and order as simple cases and other light offenses are endorsed to the Barangay Justice for mediation, conciliation and settlement at the barangay Level.

As part of its community relations activities, the town’s police station conducts school visitations, organizes ‘Cops in the School, Pulis Ko Titser Ko,’ project and sit-in dialogues with the different school administrators, student government and security guards.

The Bagamanoc police station plans to continue its previously implemented programs and projects and contribute to the development and welfare of the town. (MAL/EAB, PIA Catanduanes)

2011 Kasanggayahan Festival activities bared

by Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, Sept. 12 (PIA) -- A press conference was held here September 9 at the Sorsogon City Muti-Purpose Hall for the presentation of activities lined-up for the Kasanggayahan Festival 2011 spearheaded by Sorsoganon Kita Inc.

Attended by both the national and local media, among those present were Msgr. Francisco P. Monje, president, Kasanggayahan Foundation Inc(KFI) , Maria Nini O. Ravanilla, regional director RO V, Department of Tourism, Michael Sulit, president of Sorsoganon Kita Inc. Sorsogon City Mayor Leovic R. Dioneda and Atty Antonio Huab, representing governor Raul R. Lee.

Sorsoganon Kita Inc. president Michael Sulit presented all the activities for this month long celebration of the 117th founding anniversary of the province of Sorsogon and what to expect from a public-private partnership undertaking.

Msgr. Francisco P. Monje, president of the Kasanggayahan Foundation Inc.(KFI) stated that it was really an answered call for the KFI's long desire that private organization should run the activities of the festival while the KFI still remains as the organic body overseeing that the activities are alined to what the festival intends to portray, that of popularizing the history, culture and aspirations of the province of Sorsogon in a festive celebration.

Sulit bared that the events are classified include sports, culture and arts, music and dance, socials, special interest, conventions/ congress and the economic side which is trade and industry.

Sulit explained that the festival this year is more of a public -private partnership, all officials from the national and local and private individuals contributing their share in terms of logistics and sponsored activities to show unity of action and to ensure the success of the festival.

The cultural dance, Pantomina sa Tinampo reflective of the Bicolano's culture for merriment expressed in a dance will be done in the evening. It will be the original Sorsoganon pantomina called "Sinakiki" popularized in Gubat town and will be adapted in the festival.

One big highlights of this year's festival is giving recognition to outstanding Sorsoganons who have made the province proud in terms of their different contribution not only in the local scene but more on the national scope like the four Sorsoganons and only Bicolanos conferred the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) of the Philippines.

The award to be conferred dubbed "Oragon Award" will show the mettle and exemplary traits and achievements of certain Sorsoganons in the fields of education, public service, governance, education, media, cinema and one special award is highlighting a family's endeavor and success.

Sulit also disclosed that there will be the competition of the singing councilors, tree planting activity, the regional competition for bands and majorette and an inter- municipal drum and lyre competition.

Questions during the presscon how the festival will advertise and promote tourism were answered by Sulit and director Ravanilla while Msgr. Monje also explained that the working budget for this year for the festival is P more than 3 M.

Sulit also disclosed that there were several activities sponsored by Senator Chiz Escudero like the shootfest, the basketball game to be played by Adamson vs All Sorsoganon Star Cast.

A first time Mardi Gras will also be seen participated in and performed by the Bukawel Cultural Dancers on the evening of the last day of October to end the event.

Sulit said that this year's Kasanggayahan Festival 2011 will usher in a more participative endeavor and expect activities that are of unusual interesting flavor. (IAG, PIA Sorsogon)