Feature:

Hats off to "Sombrero Island"
... emerging top tourist destination in Masbate

by Connie B. Destura

SOMBRERO Island, Masbate, Dec. 16 (PIA)— Nothing in the local tourism circle had been said yet about this quaint, hat-shaped (thus the name) islet at the middle of Burias Pass that belongs to the political jurisdiction of the town of San Pascual, Masbate.

But San Pascual town Mayor Job Willard Rivera is hopeful and optimistic that the initiative over the weekend of the Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) regional office based at Camp Gen. Simeon Ola in Legazpi City in introducing the place to tourists would reveal its exotic secret.

The RPSB First Maneuver Company, led by its company commander Senior Inspector Ebuenga Dipad Jr,. with over a dozen of tourists from Manila and several local journalists in tow, explored the islet comprised with a land area of about 10 hectares enclosed by a coastline of glittering white sand and crystal clear beach water.

Sombrero Island belongs to a six group of islets at the western tip of the Burias Island covering San Pascual and Claveria towns is one of the three major islands of Masbate province.
The nearby islets of Arena, Templo, Taguingui, Tinalisayan and Busing that bare fantastic rock formations are exciting places for island hopping.

Sombrero Island, with a latitude of 13.14 (13° 8' 32 N) and a longitude of 122.85 (122° 50' 43 E), is a hypsographic (island) situated 93 kilometers west of Legazpi City, Bicol’s regional government center and and 259 kilometers south east of Manila.

San Pascual is a 4th class municipality of over 8,000 households representing a population of nearly 40,000 residents that rely mainly on farming and fishing for their livelihood.

The exploration expedition started with an over two hour boat trip from Pasacao, Camarines Sur. From San Pascual town, another one-hour boat ride took the group to Sombrero Island.

The exhaustive boat ride vanished to the sumptuous meal of heavy seafood for lunch—grilled tuna, kilawing posit squid), calamares, stewed vegetables and fresh fruits. A fullfilling feeling after heavy meal drew everyone to a nap under a relaxing wind blowing mildly from the surrounding waters of Alimang Bay.

At near dusk, the group frolicked around the fine white sand around the island while watching the beautiful view of the sun setting and being sent off by skin soothing cool wind that at the same time welcomed the rising of the full moon whose bright glare illuminated the clear and meekly tamed sea water.

At nighttime, the fishing lanterns used by fishermen off the island’s coast provided the sea with flickering lights. The tourist group joined by Dipad’s security group set a bonfire and music from group singing accompanied by guitars broke the silence of the night.

“The biggest lure of the island is the fact that it is quaint. It remains uncongested, affordable, very private and secluded,” Police Inspector Domingo Tapel, Assistant company commander of the RPSB’s First Manuever Company said.

“You should visit Sombrero because its rich biodiversity of marine ecosystem offers a once in a lifetime experience to those who love to commune with nature. The secrets Sombrero and its neighboring islets are exciting to discover,” he added.

Tapel said that aside public safety and eco-tourism makes Sombrero Island a stand out. He also assures travelers that a trip here will not burn a hole in the pocket.

Mayor Rivera said the municipal government is mulling on offering tour packages to tourist that could as low as P3,000 to P5,000 for them to be able to visit the islet.

“The food is fresh and affordable, the area is clean and crime is almost non-existent. It is very safe and convenient for tourists,” Tapel added. (MAL/CBD, PIA V)


Disaster managers on assessment of plans of action due to Bulusan volcano's restiveness

by Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, Dec. 17 (PIA) -- A joint year-end assessment/workshop on measures in the wake of Bulusan volcano's restiveness, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) and the Sorsogon Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (SPDRRMC) convened Thursday (December 15) to thresh out the current state and threat of the volcano and people dwelling within and outside the danger zone of Mt. Bulusan.

Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) V regional director Bernardo Raffy Alejandro has assisted facilitate and present the tools to be used for assessment, while resident volcanologist of the Phivolcs RO V, regional director Ed Laguerta will input the needed data of the explosion for assessment.

Sorsogon Governor Raul R. Lee meanwhile said that the provincial government, with the participation of all the concerned agencies, have prepared already an action plan way back in 2006 and said action plan was appraised, updated and emerged as the new 2010 Bulusan Volcano Action Plan/ contingency plan.

Lee stressed the need for local government units especially the six municipalities that has been affected for the past several explosions to evaluate and institute an enhanced capability mechanisms specially in the effective and efficient implementation of the contingency plans that has been reviewed.

According to Vhon Andre Labalan, Sorsogon provincial information officer, the workshop is similarly to recapitulate the steps which the six municipalities near the Bulusan Volcano made to forward and stimulate the DRRM plans established to make out interconnecting issues, gaps and other efforts with reference to the volcano's restive condition.

Expected in the activity will be the enhancement of initiatives of each municipality together with support agencies and how this will be harmonized for a whole provincial plan that will form part of the Bulusan Volcano Annual Operation Plan for 2012.

It can be recalled that the Bulusan Volcano in disaster Risk Reduction Management, the OCD/RDRRMC spearheaded the Bulusan Summit in March 2011 and LGU coaching session for the establishment of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction management Office. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)


NGCP announces scheduled temporary shutdown in Iriga

by Lizel S. Macatangay

IRIGA CITY, Dec. 16 (PIA)-- To improve its operations and ensure utmost utilization of its service lines, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has scheduled the shutdown of some of its transmission facilities in areas covered by Camarines Sur Electric Cooperative (CASURECO) 3 today.

In a press statement, NGCP Communications Office bared that the temporary stoppage of operation will be devoted in the replacement of crossarms, insulators, and hardware along the Naga-Iriga 69KV lines and is scheduled to take place December 16, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Nelson Bautista, NGCP Regional Corporate Communication Officer South Luzon Region said that this part of their office’s program to ensure that all their service lines are passing routine check up for the efficient use of its consumers. Affected populace will be end-users from the Rinconada area or the households comprising the 5th District of Camarines Sur.

This is also in line with the NGCP’s concern to upgrade and strengthen its transmission facilities using the latest innovations in technology.

“We are committed in ensuring that we follow the strict guidelines in our maintenance practice and guarantee the safety and satisfaction of our customers,“ Bautista said in an interview.

Recently, NGCP spearheaded a comprehensive lineman’s training to its distribution utilities (DUs). The activity endeavors to bring unswerving service to power consumers.

The training modules were given free of charge to private DUs and electric cooperative nationwide. One of its recipients were linemen from CASURECO II who took the opportunity to further their knowledge and skills in maintenance activities, among others.

NGCP president and CEO Henry T. Sy Jr reiterated NGCP’s commitment to provide its consumers with a sustainable and environment-friendly energy system pursuant to its battle cry: “Stronger transmission for a stronger nation."

Since its incorporation in 2008, NGCP has taken the lead in the safe and reliable distribution of electricity in various parts of the country and has dedicated its service to its power-customers immediately after it won the franchise to operate and maintain the country’s transmission network. (MAL/LSM-PIA Camarines Sur)