3 mining firms contribute P9.2 billion to Bicol’s economy in first 6 months of 2011

by Ed De Leon

LEGAZPI CITY, October 7 (PIA) -- Mining operations in Bicol continue to contribute significantly to the Bicol economy when it was able to produce P9,232,524,597.82 worth of metallic and non metallic products during the first six months of 2011 according to reports obtained from the Mines and Geo Science Bureau (MGB) regional office here.

MGB regional director Reynulfo Juan has disclosed that from January to June 2011, Filminera Resources Corporation (FRC) operating the Masbate Gold Project in the town of Aroroy, Masbate produced a total of 2,770.921 kilograms of gold valued at P5,608,036,465.10 and 2,166.787 kilograms of silver valued at P105,398,024.69 for a total of P5,713,434,489.79.

While the Rapu-Rapu Mineral Inc. (RRMI), operator of the Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project in the island town of Rapu-Rapu, Albay produced a 15,612.74 Dry Metric Tons (DMT) of copper with estimated value of P1,135,501,537.71.

RRMI also produced a total of 15,659.37 troy oz of gold valued at P937,577,704.31, 15,412.55 DMT of Zinc valued at P398,946594.87 and 238,444.91 troy oz of silver valued at P309,640,230.24,Juan said.

He said that the Ibalong Resources Development Corporation (IRDC) operator of the Palanog Cement Plant in Camalig Albay produced during the period under review a total of 4,266,103.00 of cement bags valued at P737,423,305.00.

Juan said the three mining firms paid a total of P647,285,526.85 in taxes to the national government and P90,482,840.52 in local taxes to the host local government units.

He added the total investment made by these three mining companies so far have reached $424.34 million dollars or equivalent to P18.23 billion pesos and is currently employing 3,598 employees, mostly Bicolanos.

He said during the first semester of 2011, the three leading mining firms in Bicol also implemented a total P21,428,466.44 worth of Social Development programs in host communities which include livelihood, infrastructure, environmental and health programs as part of their social corporate responsibility programs.

The three major mining companies in the region, on the other hand, have been relentless pushing and implementing responsible mining practices since starting operations, according to the MGB director. (MAL/EDL, PIA V)

Sorsogon PAMANA Convergence Unit, a bridge towards peace and development

by Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, October 7 (PIA) -- The Regional Development Council (RDC) of Bicol, chaired by Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, has approved and endorsed last August this year Resolution No 28 S of 2011, known as ‘creating the Sorsogon PaMaNa Convergence Unit (SPCU), to mainstream the peace and development initiatives of government, particularly in the province of Sorsogon.

In the meeting held here this week, Aileen P. Jose of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), explained the essence of the SPCU in consonance with the programs and projects to be implemented by OPAPP under the PaMaNa program as spelled out in the resolution.

To underscore the Resilient Communities Program or Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PaMaNa), Jose said that programs and projects of the OPAPP within the PaMaNa framework has been piloted in the province of Sorsogon.

The PaMaNa serves as the peace building program of government focused on the development of conflict-affected areas under the OPAPP.

Under the SPCU, OPAPP has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the province of Sorsogon and the seven identified municipalities in the province for the release of funds already provided last August and the projects to be implemented by the local government units until December 2011.

The OPAPP has allocated a P30 million fund for calendar year 2011 and another P30 million for the succeeding year, 2012 to the same municipalities to develop the barangays identified needing infrastructure, livelihood programs and peace development.

The SPCU will ensure that government line agencies in environment, agriculture, agrarian reform, social welfare and development, peace and security agencies and communication will effectively contribute their services and funds focusing on the peace building initiatives of government, address poverty reduction and manifest development in areas affected by conflict.

The need to communicate these initiatives of government for the awareness of the constituency, according to Jose should be highlighted and well-articulated as the primary tool to build the culture of peace and development.

Members of the SPCU Provincial Technical Working Group composed of the Provincial Planning and Development Office, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, PENRO-LGU, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Department of Agrarian Reform, Philippine Army, Philippine National Police and the Philippine Information Agency met last October 3 to synergize mandates and functions for the implementation of the PaMaNa.

OPAPP will serve as lead agency while RDC to provide secretariat support to the SPCU. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

OKB, Gayon Bicol '11 to showcase Bicol’s bests, investment opportunities

by Aida Alcazar-Naz

LEGAZPI CITY, October 7 (PIA) -- Bicol’s bests will be showcased anew in a four-day event dubbed 2011 Orgulyop Kan Bicol (OKB)-Gayon Bicol at the SM Megamall, Madaluyong City on October 6- 9.

OKB (Pride of Bicol) features a trade fair while Gayon Bicol (Beautiful Bicol) highlights the region’s major tourist destinations. The four-day event presents facets of Bicolandia’s arts and crafts, culture and cuisines and rendezvous with festivals and destinations.

On its 15th year, the longest regional trade fair in the Philippines has adopted the catch phrase Naturally. Responsibly. Sustainability., to join the world in promoting green trade.

Jocelyn Berango, trade and industry public information officers explained that long before the world started going green, Bicol small business enterprises (SMEs) and tourism have been naturally pro-environment responsibly using indigenous and organic materials and promoting eco-tourist destinations for sustainable industry.

She announced that 96 exhibitors will display from 10 in the morning til 9 p.m. improved food products and labeling and new designs of handicrafts including abaca bags, bayong, furniture, holiday décor. A new pili product called pili piyaya will be introduced.

At 10 a.m. yesterday, the ceremonial opening of OKB Gayon Bicol reeled off with the Camarines Sur Cultural Group. In the afternoon Visit Daet 2012 Roadshow featured celebrities of Bicol ancestry like Eula Valdez, Sid Lucero, Bing Pimentel and basketball great Atoy Co.

Today, October 7, a cooking demo on recipes of taro leaves (katnga, natong) with coconut milk or gata will be conducted by the Iriga City Tourism Office. The day will be capped by the cultural presentation of the Camarines Sur Cultural Group followed by a Bicol Artists Variety Show with singers Lou Bonnevie, Gino Padilla and Nyoy Volante.

On the third day, Oct. 8, Dad’s Pinangat cooking demo on laing preparation and Jeline Oliva Musical Show, a Pilipinas Got Talent finalist and Bicol Band Explosion with acoustic trio Pure Sound and Color It Red with Cookie Chua are must see.

The last day of the event, Oct. 9, a musical number with Marlon Serrano and cultural presentation by Karangahan Philippine Dance Company is featured prior to the closing program at 8.

According to the Department of Tourism through its public information Officer Milo Oropesa each province of Bicol will be presented to tourists foreign and domestic alike major destinations like Albay’s Mayon Volcano including the all terrain vehicles (ATVs) ride at the foot of Mt. Mayon, old churches and Ligñon Hill zipline and rappelling;

Camarines Sur Watersports Complex (CWC) with its cable park designed for wakeboarding and wakeskating, Caramoan islands including Gota Beach, and the devotion to the regional patroness Our lady of Peñafrancia; spectacular surfing experience at Puraran Beach in Baras, Catanduanes and Bagasbas Beach in Daet, Camarines Norte;

Rodeo Masbateño and Manta Ray Bowl breathtaking dive off Ticao Pass, Masbate Island and the gentle giant whaleshark called butanding and Bulusan Volcano in Sorsgon.

Oropesa said that tourism educators and students like the Institute of Tourism of the University of the Philippines led by a Professor Real have already asked for a walk thorough on the tourism industry of Bicol during the event.

DTI on the other hand targets P10 million sales from said event. Last year sales totaled to P11 million.

DTI and DOT are the lead agencies of the affair. (MAL/AAN, PIA V)

1,000 coconut farmer beneficiaries to receive free salt fertilizer

by Rosalita Base-Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, October 7 (PIA) -- Some 1,000 coconut farmers will receive for free 4,000 bags of salt fertilizer from the office of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) in this province for their coconut plantation.

PCA Camarines Norte division chief Bobbie M. Jacob, said that the free salt fertilizer to be given to coconut farmers will help increase their production and at the same time not spend money to buy fertilizer.

The salt fertilizer will be given to farmer beneficiaries province-wide who are engaged in coconut plantation.

The 4,000 bags are now in the process of weighing and markings before its distribution to the farmer beneficiaries, Jacob said.

He reminded the coconut farmers that the salt fertilizers can only be used for coconut and not for other trees, plants, palay, vegetables or even as ingredients for cooking because it is harmful to human and animals.

The said salt fertilizers are now in the warehouse of PCA in Daet and Sta. Elena and will be ready for distribution after the required process.

The distribution of salt fertilizer is a yearly activity of the PCA wherein they provide free salt fertilizer to a beneficiary in a maximum of three years.

This project is through the Salt Fertilization Project under the National Coconut Productivity Program of the PCA. (RBM/PIA Cam. Norte)