BIR Bicol surpasses anew collection target for September

LEGAZPI CITY, November 11 (PIA) -- The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) regional office here bares that revenue collection in the Bicol region for the month of September 2011 has reached P381,063,411.57 million against its goal of P344,943,000.00, with an increase of P36.1 million or 10.47 percent,

BIR V director Esmeralda M. Tabule, who just warmed her seat as new regional chief for more than a month, has already shown much effort to meet the collection target with the hope of making it until the remaining last quarter of 2011.

Tabule has commended during their regular monthly staff conference last month all the revenue district officers in the region for surpassing their respective collection targets, further urged them to sustain their good performance until the year ends.

Collection from income has registered the highest collection among the different type of taxes with a total of P249.7 million followed by VAT with P97.9 million, percentage tax of 18.2 million, other taxes of P12.7 million and excise tax with 2.3 million.

Among the seven district offices in the Bicol Region, the revenue district office in Masbate City (RDO-70), headed by Melquiades A. Cancela, topped the collection effort with P38.016 million for a 30.86 percent increase over its P29.052 million target; followed by RDO-65 (Naga City), under Socorro R. Lafuente, for attaining a total collection of P109.838 million which is higher by P22.242 million over its P87.596 million goal. RDO-69 (Virac, Catanduanes), under Ma. Teresa Noemi A. Pizon, is the third collection performer collecting some P21.077 million, exceeding its P17.423 million goal by P3.6 million or 20.98 percent.

Other two district offices that surpassed their respective goals are RDO-68 (Sorsogon City), under Ma. Thelma F. Pulhin, which collected P34.827 million for an increase of P5.2 million or 17.90 percent over its P29.540 million target and RDO-64 (Daet, Camarines Norte), led by Nemesia G. Diano got P43.779 million collection against P31.538 million goal for a P3.2 million increase or 10.28 percent.

RD Tabule is optimistic to achieve this year’s last quarter goal, working together as a team with her Assistant Regional Director Elisa B. Pelljera, both of whom have committed to pursue and uphold the thrusts of the Bureau. (MAL/RMPalmiano, BIR)

Project “PRESERVE”, a biodiversity conservation program for Bulusan Volcano park
by Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, November 11 (PIA) -- The Aggrupation of Advocates for Environmental Protection (AGAP) Bulusan, through its president , Philip Bartilet presented recently here at the Bulusan Volcano Natural Park (BVNP) the logical framework of project “PRESERVE”, a mechanism to involve residents within the 6 barangays of the BVNP to take care of its rich biodiversity and eradicate illegal activities within the area.

This project, according to Bartilet will provide an alternative source of livelihood to those persons who have been continuously conducting illegal activities within the area to totally refrain from such activities and eventually become the first persons to take care of the rich biodiversity of the BVNP as they will be trained to become eco-tourism guides and forest rangers with monthly compensation benefits.

They will be called Wildlife Environmental Officers (WEOs) and will be accredited by the Department of Tourism as tourism guides and forest rangers of the BVNP .

Bartilet explained that the project has now been approved and will be funded by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

He said that the general aim of the project is to organize and mobilize communities in the BVNP area as a participatory people’s mechanism to mainstream biodiversity conservation, institute local policies and come up with a resource-based management plans for the BVNP.

The project will harness the efforts of multi-sector representation from the 6 barangays within the BVNP to organize themselves into an environmental biodiversity para-legal protection units.

It will focus on field research, organize monitoring teams that will continue to provide information education campaign dissemination through a regular “Dalaw Turo” within the 6 barangays of the BVNP

Eight courses will be provided that will focus on the environmental biodiversity richness of the BVNP, how it should be conserved and the bright prospects of the BVNP as a prime tourism destination.

The project has also identified the rehabilitation of a 50 -hectare denuded biodiversity habitat and projected to be reforested within 2 years.

The propagation of 20,450 agro-forestry seedlings will be placed in the 6 proposed barangay nurseries within the BVNP. Seedlings to be planted will comprise of pili, cacao, coffee and with 6,000 seedlings more of endemic hardwood and watershed forest trees.

The project will highlight the monthly monitoring of the activities, and a publication of the inventory of the existing flora and fauna as an ecological profile of the BVNP. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

12 Establishments cited in DTI Bagwis Awards

LEGAZPI CITY, November 11 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Bicol regional Office has cited establishments that practice fair business and uphold the rights and welfare of consumers through its Bagwis Program.

Bagwis Program mandates setting up of Consumer Welfare Desks in business places aimed at providing accessible and speedy resolution of complaints to consumers.

For this year, a total of 12 establishments received the DTI Silver and Bronze Bagwis Seal of Excellence after having met the criteria under the said program.

The awards program is recognized by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the ASEAN Committee on Consumer Protection (ACCP) as one of the best practices of the country in Consumer Protection.

DTI Silver Seal of Excellence was conferred to Robertson Department Store (Cam. Sur), Robertson Department Store (Sorsogon), Willy & Son’s Corp. (Catanduanes), Century Family Mall (Catanduanes), MotortradeTopline Inc. (Catanduanes) and Catanduanes Bazaar (Catanduanes).

DTI Bronze Seal of Excellence awardees are Nikki Electronics (Sorsogon), Cler Centro Mart (Albay), Guinobatan Shoprite (Albay), Houseware Plaza(Cam. Norte), Ricasio Hardware (Cam.Norte) and Olivan Builders (Cam.Sur).

The citations were given in time for the Bicol Consumers Assembly last November 8 La Roca Veranda Suites & Restaurant here

DTI V is very much pleased that more and more establishments have recognized the necessity to obtain the Bagwis Seal to not only help the consumers and enterprises, but most importantly, to help themselves grow as model businesses. (MAL/DTI V)


Sarmiento, Justice Marquez lead unveiling of lady justice statue

by Edna A Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, November 11 (PIA) -- Congressman Cesar V. Sarmiento of the Lone District of Catanduanes led the unveiling of the statue of Lady Justice in front of the Hall of Justice, Provincial Capitol Compound, Virac, Catanduanes this morning, November 11, 2011 with Supreme Court of the Philippines' Court Administrator, Hon. Jose Midas P. Marquez as the guest of honor.

The event also coincides with the tree planting activity dubbed as project 11-11-11 which was also initiated and spearheaded by the Congressman.

The construction of statue of the Lady of Justice was commissioned and funded by Congressman Cesar V. Sarmiento amounting P350,000.

In his speech, Rep. Sarmiento said that the statue will serve as the image of the strong belief and confidence in the power and supremacy of the law as well as the trust in the justice system of the people of Catanduanes.

"As the statue shows us, the scales that the lady justice hold represent the impartiality with which the justice is served; the sword signifies the power that is held by those making the decision and the blindfold shows that justice is not subject to influence", he added.

Furthermore, according to the solon, justice is all about caring, sharing and giving what is due and rightful, honest and fair to our fellowmen and the surroundings.

Also present in the occasion is Bishop Manolo A. delos Santos of the Diocese, Hon. Lelu P. Contreras and a representative of Governor Joseph C. Cua. (EAB, PIA Catanduanes)

15 vocational graduates undergo business management training

by Rosalita Base-Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, November 11 (PIA) -- A total of 15 graduates of vocational courses were given a one day Business Management Training aimed to equipped them knowledge on handling business spearheaded by the provincial government through Public Employment Service Office (PESO) recently.

PESO Manager Nida N. Tosoc said that the15 were the graduates of vocational courses from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) subsidized under the program of the Camarines Norte Provincial Government College Education Assistance Program.

She said that they were trained on how to start a small business with meager capital and ways on how to make business become successful.

The trainors include: Trade and Development Specialist Alvin Sayno and Liza Sarical from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

It will be recalled that the 15 graduates also received Kabuhayan Starter Kit from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) last September 21.

Kabuhayan starter kit include equipments/tools/ kit for automotive mechanic, welding, electronics, electrical installation, beauty care and hairdressing and others. (MAL, RBM,PIA Camarines Norte)