Solons grace First Katribo Ka Festival in CamSur

by Lizel S. Macatangay

BAAO, Camarines Sur, October 26 (PIA) -- With seven (7) tribal communities accounting to more than 300 individuals, the local government of Baao, Camarines Sur, together with House Deputy Speaker Lorenzo “Erin” Tanada and Congressman Teddy Baguilat, House Committee Chairman on National Cultural Minorities welcomed the first ever celebration of Katribo Ka Festival, here.

Kaburunyugan nin mga Tribong Agta-Tabangnon para sa Kauswagan kan Baao (KATRIBO Ka) is a federation of indigenous peoples in Baao, Camarines Sur comprised of the tribal communities from barangays Antipolo, Caranday, Sta. Teresa, Nababarera, CristoRey, Tapol and Iyagan. The festival aims to recognize the rights and privileges of the IPs and ensure their participation in the affairs of the local government.

Tañada said that indigenous peoples (IPs) should also be recognized as an important facet of local governance. “We will push for the recognition of these indigenous groups and we would like them to feel that the government is also doing something to address their appeals, particularly their needs in terms of education, livelihood and their need for a safe sanctuary, “ Tanada said in an interview.

Tanada also said that the festival can serve as a venue where lawmakers can evaluate whether the existing state rules are still appropriate to the IPs’ present condition.

“This celebration can lead us in reviewing some mechanisms to ensure that the rights of indigenous people are respected and fulfilled. We want to check various legislations that will justify their participation in governance and fine tune problems that will lead the creation of better and appropriate programs for them.”

Baguilat on the other hand, lamented on the poor state of the IPs nationwide. He said that the IPs played a significant role in addressing problems of the country concerning the environment and peace process, yet these concerns are still in the fringes of the government’s attention.

The said celebration is the culminating activity of the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PPRM) and Unity for the Advancement of Sustainable Development and Good Governance (USWAG)- Camarines Sur Project, in partnership with the European Commission . USWAG cam Sur is a local Citizen’s Movement for Good Governance organized by PRRM. It works with different social institutions and government bodies which aim, among others to push people’s agenda on human development and ecological sustainability.

PRRM President Isagani Serrano expressed his full support in addressing the plights of the IPs. “ Our support for the rights of the indigenous people will continue with our programs and advocacies at the local and national level. We, along with other stakeholders are working hard together in order to increase their participation in elections and governance for sustainable development.”

With the strong expression of support coming from the two solons, including a push from the local government unit of Baao, Camarines Sur, PRRM, KATRIBO KA and other stakeholders, this year’s theme: Karapatan, Kapayapaan at Kasarinlan ng Katutubong Pilipino,” will just be within the reach of our dear IPs. (MAL/LSM, PIA Ca,Sur)

Kasanggayahan Business Forum zeroes in on agri-tourism in Sorsogon

by Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, October 26 (PIA) -- Synchronizing with the theme of this year’s festivity ‘Going Beyond”, the Kasanggayahan Business Forum will zero in to the potentials of the province, looking beyond not just with the beautiful tourism destinations but as a prime agri-tourism place, Sorsogon being an agricultural province.

Leah A. Pagao, provincial director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial office here, said that the idea of opening the agri-tourism potential of the province was brought out as suggested by the Department of Tourism Region V director Maria ‘Nini” Ravanilla, hence this one day forum was conceived.

The forum is held at Paradise Hotel today, Oct. 26, with invited participants comprising of owners of developed farm lots , local officials and spearheaded by the Sorsogon Provincial Small and Medium Scale Enterprise Development Council through DTI.

This one day activity will provide opportunity to farm lot owners who can open their area as a tourism destination providing students, local and international tourists how local farm animals are raised, how farm foods and other agri-products are grown which will include the simple daily farm life away from the city life.

The forum hopes to achieve opportunities to learn how people in the farm thou not so visually seen but are very significant contributors to the country’s development.

This forum will also open doors to more public and public partnership as government will provide the trainings, technical know -how and how agri-tourism can be marketed online to private owners of farms whose farm potential for tourism will also propel local communities’ development.

Expected to grace the occasion are Reps. Salvador H. Escudero III and Diogracias B. Ramos of the first and second congressional district respectively.

A formal turn-over of the One Town One Product DBR Production Tool /Equipment will be done by Congressman Ramos.

Narciso H. Cayetano, supervising agriculturist of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist together with Nilo Consuelo, aquaculturist of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources will share in the Agri-Marine Industry Situationer of the province of Sorsogon,

The bright prospects of the coconut industry, its contribution to agri-tourism potentials and opportunities will be discussed by Mr. Alejandro O. Olaguera , provincial manager of the Philippine Coconut Authority here.

Meanwhile Mr. Danilo Intong, Tourism Consultant of the Department of Tourism RO V will be the resource speaker to disscuss the Agri-Tourism Industry Challenges and Awareness.

An Open Forum will follow after the discussion of the topics shared and a video presentation on successful tourism related stakeholders/ operators will be shown to add more insight on the topics presented.

The Business Permits and Licensing System (BPLS) implementation updates will be discussed by Mr. Rico Guarino of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), a tie up program with DTI.

The highlight of the forum will be the awarding of BPLS implementers and to give the award will be Governor Raul R. Lee, PD Leah Pagao and PD Ruben Esq. Baldeo. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

Sorsogon hosts 2011 Regional Cooperative Congress

by Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, October 26 (PIA) -- Sorsogon province hosts and kicks off today the three-day Regional Cooperative Congress at the Sorsogon State College here

Senator Francis Joseph ”Chiz” G. Escudero will deliver an inspirational message in support to the activity while Congressman Jose R. Ping-ay, Coop-National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO) Partylist representative will discuss on the topic , Coop Governance and Ethical Standards.

Provincial Board Member Eric C. Dioneda, chairman of the Sorsogon Provincial Cooperative Development Council said that this activity is an enhancement to the celebration of the Kasanggayahan Festival 2011 particularly to highlight the role of the cooperatives in the development of the nation specifically along the countryside, a fitting tribute to the theme of this year’s festival on the role of the public private partnership or 3 Ps.

Cooperative Development Administrator, Nelon B. Alindogan will deliver the solidarity message, a call for cooperatives to unite and forge a bond to strongly make the cooperative spirit a mainstreamed strategy for both national and local mechanism for development.

Cooperative Development Authority Chairman, Emmanuel M. Santiaguel, Ph.D. will be the keynote speaker in this occasion according to Antonio Dionela, department head of the Sorsogon Provincial Development Cooperative Authority.

Several topics to provide knowledge sharing to the participants will also be discussed like Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation ; Electronic Consumers Rights; CLIMBS, the grassroots insurance and the Philippine Federation of Credit Cooperative (PFCCO) program and services.

On the evening of the 1st day, the presentation of candidates for Ms Cooperative will be conducted before dinner hand in hand with the awarding and recognition of the Most Outstanding Coops, Community Development Cooperatives and Cooperative Development Offices.

To end the evening’s activity will be the canvassing of votes of the Ms Cooperative 2011.

On the second day, participants will be provided with high caliber speakers delving on sessions topics such as Food Supply Chain (Financing and Linkaging) ; Enhancing Financial Intermediation; Local Government Units Coop, Investing in Cooperative Education: A Must!; Government Program on Product Development and Marketing and Entrepreneurship.

The NATCCO programs and Services will be presented by Ms Sylvia O. Paraguya, Chief Executive Officer of NATCCO, while the Cooperative Insurance System of the Philippines Programs and Services will be discussed by Mr. Benedicto C. Torres, Area Manager of the CISP.

Mr. Anthony M. Bravo, chairman, Bicol Region Cooperative Development Council will preside the plenary session to give way to the congress’ resolutions while the last topic, International Year of Cooperatives will be explained by CDA Executive Director Orlando R. Ravanera.

A solidarity night on the second day will provide participants the chance to hobnob with each other to be followed by a raffle bonanza.

To take center stage will be the coronation of the Ms Cooperative 2011.

According to Dioneda,and the third day will usher a tour of the city of Sorsogon, the participants to be treated to its scenic and historical spots to include its native delicious dishes. (IAG, PIA SORSOGON)