Heightened campaign vs illegal drugs nets daily arrest--PDEA

by Aida Alcazar-Naz

LEGAZPI CITY, November 28 (PIA) -- Law enforcement authorities have been making numerous arrests of persons linked with illegal drug activities in the past months that cases of violation of Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 have already been filed against 168 persons.

Atty. Teodoro Caparroso, regional information officer of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Bicol, disclosed that PDEA, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), have apprehended drug pushers and users in almost daily basis.

The PDEA official also revealed that shabu or methamphetamine, a powerful addictive stimulant, is now the drug choice of users based on the apprehensions made. Marijuana is second most abused drug.

Kalampunay or talampunay in Filipino, also called angel’s trumpet, is being abused by some, said Caparroso. He cautioned parents to monitor their children as the use and abuse of the plant leads to mental problems if not death.

Based on PDEA statistics most of the users came from the provinces of Camarines Sur, Albay and Camarines Norte.

Bicol’s PDEA spokesman stated that highlight of the celebration of Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week on November 13-19, 2011 was the destruction of illegal drugs used as evidence in Sorsogon City last November 15.

The disposal of illegal drugs was to guarantee the public that seized items do not fall into the wrong hands, explained Caparroso.

The public disposal of illegal drugs has been carried out this year in various areas like this city, Naga City, Daet, Camarines Norte and soon Ligao City. This activity was witnessed by court representative representing the judge, representatives from the Department of Justice, counsel of the accused, Department of Health, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, socio-civic organization like the Rotary Club and members of the media.

Drug Abuse and Prevention and Control Week is observed each year pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 124 dated November 26, 2001. This year’s theme was Global Action for Healthy Communities Without Drugs.

Caparroso said that schools and local officials observed the event through drug abuse forum and symposium. P/Supt Nilo Berdin, chief of police of Daraga, Albay organized a one-day seminar at Anislag National High School last November 17.

Local officials, schools who wish to conduct seminars on campaign against drug abuse and any information about existence of drug activities including requests for rehabilitation are advised to call PDEA hotline 480-7712 or 09086760884.

At present there are 26 individuals undergoing rehabilitation in two centers in Bicol. This year the highest number of persons that underwent drug rehabilitation reached 72. (MAL/AAN, PIA V)

Catanduanes State College grads top CE Board Exam

by Edna A Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, November 28 (PIA) -- Three graduate students of the Catanduanes State Colleges (CSC) top the November 2011 Civil Engineer Licensure Examination administered by the Professional Regulation Commission.

Benjie T. Pantino, Benjames T. Go and Jerwin DL. Rendon slammed the Top 1-2-3 ranks in the CE Board Exam with a rating of 98.05%, 97.35% and 97% respectively. They all have been CSC’s award-winning contestants in different regional and national CE quizzes and were consistent dean’s listers.

Benjie who hails from Marilima, Virac and is a son of a farmer and housekeeper was a valedictorian in his Elementary and High School years.

Benjames, second placer was a Salutatorian in Elementary and 7th Honorable Mention in High School. His father is a foreman and his mother is a housekeeper.

Jerwin, third placer whose father is a tricycle driver and whose mother is a housekeeper was a valedictorian in elementary.

The said accomplishment brings the number of topnotchers produced by CSC to 24 in Civil Engineer and Junior Geodetic Engineer LicensureExminations.

Pantino is also the third graduate of CSC who bagged the First Place in CE.

Thelist of CE passers is as follows: Aguilar, Fuschia May T.; Agunday, Noel P.; Aldea, Jaypee T.; Alejandro, Richmonilyn T.; Arcega, Arjay C.; Bagadiong, Alfredo Jr. Z.; Borja, Edrey C; Borja, Jan Rassel M.; Bronola, Evelyn T.; Caballero, Benjie T.; Dela Cruz, Jeremy M.; Delos Santos, Daisy T.; Dolores, Famino Paul J.; Gianan, Arjen M.; Gomenez, Jonathan S.; Go, Benjames T.; Lanon, Mark Laurence M.; Ligsay, Rogelio Jr. C.; Lizaso, Jessel T.; Magdaraog, Sonia Richelle B.; Magtangob, Rosalyn; Magtangob, SSherwin C.; Molod, Dexter C.; Nakpil, Renalyn Erika P.; Panti, Marife T.; Pantino, Benjie T.; Pantino, Michelle T.; Pinlac Ronnie V.; Quintal, Lorenzo Miguel T.; Rodriguez, Inoue Philip L,; Rendon, Jerwin D.; Samonte, Anna Vanessa O.; Santos Henry Jr. T.; Santos, Jayson T.; Tabinas, Janny G.; Tabuzo, Ervin T.; Tanael, Ronnel T.; Tapia, Raymond T.; Taway, Danilo V.; Tejada, Joseph E.; Tindugan, Xylene Kristel T.; Torrente, Dave T.; Torrente,Kelly T.; Villanueva, Archie T.

CSC has a passing rate of 69.84% which is above the national passing rate of 34.28%.

A recognition ceremony for the topnotchers, passers and their parents as well as faculty members and staff of College of Technology Department of Engineering will be held by CSC. (MAL/EAB, PIA Catanduanes)

Catanduanes State Colleges, Gender and Development committee lead campaign against violence on women

by Edna A Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, November 28 (PIA)-- The Catanduanes State Colleges (CSC) Gender and Development (GAD) Committee spearheads the 18-day Campaign to End Violence Agianst Women (VAW) which started last November 25, 2011 and will end on December 12.

In 1999, the UN General Assembly designated 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Violence against women and girls is a problem of pandemic proportions.

Women's activists have marked 25 November as a day against violence since 1981. The date commemorates the brutal assassination of the three Mirabal sisters, political activists in the Dominican Republic, in 1960 on orders of Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo (1930-1961).

As a support to the campaign, Dr. Minerva I. Morales, SUC President III of CSC issued a memorandum requiring all teaching, non-teaching personnel and students, except Grades I to IV to participate in the parade and mass held last November 25.

In connection, a Seminar for CSC employees on VAW was held on the same day at the CSC Little Theater from 1:00-5:00 p.m. A whole-day training for Security Guards on Gender Sensitization is also being held today, Nov. 28 and on December 13 at the CSC Little Theater.

Moreover, a Gender Awareness Seminar for Student leaders will also be conducted on December 14 at the audio-visual room for the whole day.

Students from the different college of CSC also joined the activity. (MAL/EAB, PIA Catanduanes)