Feature:

OKB-Gayon Bicol 2011
Promoting Green Trade and Creating Markets

LEGAZPI CITY, October 21 (PIA) -- On its 15th year, OKB-Gayon Bicol, the longest running regional trade fair in the entire country, joined the world in promoting green trade.

With the theme, "GREEN! Naturally, Responsibly, Sustainably," it showcased distinct products which were naturally pro-environment; responsibly using indigenous and organic materials for sustainable industry.

Products include wearables, processed food, houseware, furniture and health and wellness.

"Orgullo Kan Bikol" has since evolved into "OKB" - a fitting name to a project which has transformed Bicolano MSMEs into direct and indirect exporters, contributing significantly to the region's socio-economic growth.


The OKB-Gayon Bicol Regional Trade Fair indeed has gone a long, long way. And every step of the way it has made its over-reaching goal to market the distinct products of our homegrown entrepreneurs in the national and international market.

Reaping the fruits

OKB-Gayon Bicol is now reaping its fruits.

In terms of sales, some P131.2 million pesos were generated since its inception which in many ways perked up the business transactions in the region. This figure only includes the sales generated during the staging of the fair. It has also contributed much to job generation in the countryside.

For this year alone, OKB-Gayon Bicol earned total sales of P17M, the highest sales so far in the history of OKB. This is considered to be remarkable since sales jumped up by 70% of our target, first time that happened, also in the history of OKB.

It is worth mentioning that we have developed a world-class packaging of our processed food products which are now more competitive and thus, reached as far as the United States of America for its market. DTI also endeavors to support MSMEs in areas of product development by tapping the services of local designers to assist OKB participants in developing new designs for their handcrafted products.

OKB partners and sponsors

To keep pace with the changing times, DTI Region V had been tapping both the private and public sector as its partners. The fair, being an example of a public-private partnership had the OKB Association for its private sector partner. Registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) last September 15, 2006, this association will eventually become the frontrunners of OKB Regional Trade Fair in the next years, although DTI will still be very much around to support this activity.

The officers and members of the organization together with DTI are working synergistically to continually improve Bicol products despite difficult times. The organization is still open to other MSMEs who are willing to be members and avail of the benefits derived from the association.

From 2007 to 2009, the Department of Tourism (DOT) has become a partner of the DTI. It was just last year that DOT was not able to partner with DTI due to lack of funds. This year, the tandem is back and it showed that the tandem really works considering the sales which the fair earned. Tourist destinations and the rich cultural heritage of Bicolandia were highlighted which indeed brought to the fore the beauty and bounty of the region. With this tandem, "OKB back to back with Gayon Bikol" has drawn a lot of people to the fair and brought in excellent sales.

We also mention the ever undying support of our sponsors, the PhilExport, the Local Government Units (LGUs) other Line Departments and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and the Rural Micro Enterprise Promotion Program (RuMEPP). Albay Governor and RDC Chair Joey Salceda who was present during the opening program and in his speech, he suggested to expand DTI-DOT partnership to include DOLE, TESDA and DOST.


Much remains to be done

Much still has to be done for Bicol to move steadily forward on the road to progress. A continuing partnership of all concerned sectors is much needed. It is heartening to note that our partners in development have taken worthy steps to strengthen the collaboration. As the partnership moves toward more substantial outcomes, we remain optimistic that the gains of our Orgullo will remain to be our pride, the tradition continues and our heritage goes on.

Mabuhay an OKB! (PIA Bicol)

Feature: Kasanggayahan Festival 2011: There are more reasons to celebrate

by Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, October 21 (PIA) -- "People should celebrate when we can see that in governance, we envision ourselves as a people working together to achieve a common goal, specially through the leaders that we have given our trust to run our government --providing what the constituency expect of them in terms of development and provisions of right services."

In a keynote message in his native dialect, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary, Jessie Robredo stressed reasons why people should celebrate specially in an occasion like the Kasanggayahan Festival 2011, the event that commemorates the separation of the province of Sorsogon to become independent from the province of Albay 117 years ago.

"Nata ta kinakaipuhan kita mag selebrar kan fiesta kapareho kan Kasanggayahan Festival 2011? Ano an dapat na ipagselebrar sa saro na fiesta?

(Why do we have to celebrate in a fiesta like Kasanggayahan Festival 2011? What is there about to celebrate in a fiesta?," the secretary stressed in his plain Bicol words.

He said that the good reason to celebrate a fiesta like this festival is when these effective good leaders can institute the right mechanisms in governance thereby making the people happy because they are well served and people in the same manner become responsible citizens.

Robredo said, "An kinakaipuhan kan satuyang pag gogobyerno sa Pilipinas iyo so mga lideres na matitibay. Mga lideres na mga tultul.Ta may mga lideres na matitibay pero bako tultul asin may mga lideres man na mga tultul pero bako man na matitibay. An kinakaipuhan ta su mga lideres na mga matitibay asin tultul, na nag seserbisyo para sa ikaka asenso kan lugar asin mga tawo."

(What we need in government are leaders who are efficient. Leaders who are righteous. Because there are leaders who are efficient but are not righteous and leaders who are righteous but not efficient. What we really need are public servants who are righteous and effective, who serve for the development of the place and its people.)

He also underscored the need to unify and work towards what the current administration of President Aquino hopes to achieve and that all should do their share for the country.

The significance of a celebration is also a form of thanksgiving, according to Robredo, and hopefully all festivals should really show the right reasons to celebrate. It should not just be for entertainment but an avenue where development can be showcased as achieved and felt and where leadership is better valued, and where these leaders can provide the right reasons to celebrate. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

Air in areas affected by coal barge’s emission probed

LEGAZPI CITY, October 21 (PIA/EMB) -- The air in the areas affected by the foul odor from a barge that stayed near Barangays San Roque and Baybay are currently being examined, said Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Deparment of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The bureau had a team investigate last October 17-18 the complaint of residents in said barangays regarding the foul odor noted in their areas, described as similar to burning asphalt.

The odor was found to be coming from smoke emitted from a barge in the Albay Gulf, about a mile from the shore of Baybay. However, it was not able to dock at this city’s port due to alleged lack of documents.

The barge contained Indonesian steam coal to be delivered to Goodfound Cement Corporation in Palanog, Camalig, Albay.

Another barge which contained similar material, however, was already docked at the port as of the date of investigation and was examined as well. The team found that this other barge had no foul-smelling emission.

According to the Philippine Ports Authority 5 (PPA 5), the foul odor in the barge was due to a burning caused by spontaneous combustion which occurred in the piles of moist coal where heat was generated. Oxygen from the air combined with the coal stocks, raising the coal’s temperature. The moisture of the coal then evaporated while other matter with distinct odor was released.

On October 19, the odor-emitting barge was already docked at the port and the unloading of its coal stocks was completed. As of date, the foul odor is diminished.

On the date of investigation, EMB 5 got air samples in the affected areas to determine the levels of total suspended particulates (TSP) and sulfur dioxide (SO2). To ensure that the air in said areas is within the permissible ambient air quality for TSP and SO2, another sampling is scheduled tomorrow, October 21.

The material involved is coal, which is not considered a regulated substance under RA 6969 otherwise known as the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act.

However, under the requirements of Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is also known as Presidential Decree No. 1586, the company will be called for a technical conference to fully determine the appropriate and necessary sanctions against the company. (MAL/EMB-DENR)

Seed growers ask gov’t subsidy to rice farmers

by Edna A Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, October 21 (PIA)-- A group of seed growers in Catanduanes asked the provincial government to grant subsidy to rice farmers who want to use certified seeds amid fears that local rice harvests would drop next year.

According to the Eastern Island Seed Growers Association, rice farmers would find it difficult to use certified seeds for the next cropping season that would start this November, 2011 since the national government already removed the P600 subsidy from ach bag of certified seed that farmers used to purchase under the Rapid Seed Supply Financing Program (RASSFIP).

Under the RASSFIP, farmers were given a total subsidy of P600 per bag and they only pay P600 as equity for each 40-kilogram bag of certified seeds sold by the Department of Agriculture through the National Food Authority.

The association added that if local farmers do not buy certified seeds due to financial restrictions, they would be forced to use old seeds or the palay seeds from their previous harvest resulting in lower harvests.

While his administration may be able to accommodate the request, Governor Joseph C. Cua in response advised the seed growers to consult Congressman Cesar V. Sarmiento if he would be amenable for the same proposal. (MAL/EAB, PIA Catanduanes)

Catanduanes exhibitor bags best dressed booth at trade fair

by Edna A Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, October 21 (PIA) -- An exhibitor from Catanduanes, Sudsea Products Company Limited won the Best Dressed Booth award in the recent Orgullo Kan Bikol (OKB) 2011 Regional Trade Fair held at SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City last October 6-9, 2011.

The said company is based in Valencia Virac owned and managed by Mrs. Nena Schwalb. It produces fashion accessories made from recycled paper, carabao horn and coco shells.

The distinction was on top of the P1.7 million in combined gross sales recorded by the nine participating exhibitors from Catanduanes: Belen’s Pinahamis na Pili, Virac Pili Processors Association, Fiberart Handicraft Enterprises, Glow Arts and Crafts, JERDLMS, Nizacch Crafts, Terestian Craft, ETBal Enterprises, DTI-CARP, RuMEPP and Sudsea Products Co., Ltd.

In line with the said activity, officials from the province have provided financial assistance for the participating exhibitors.

The theme of this year’s OKB fair was: “Naturally, Responsibly, Sustainably.” (MAL/EAB, PIA Catanduanes)