Task Force arrests 42 for human trafficking in Bicol from Jan-Nov

by Ed de Leon

LEGAZPI CITY, December 2 (PIA) -- At least 42 persons were arrested for human trafficking in Bicol during the period from January to November this year, according to the Regional Anti-Trafficking in Persons Task Force (RATTF) 5.

In a joint meeting of the Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (RLECC) Sub-Committees on Human Trafficking and Sub-Committee on Crimes Against Public Morals of the RATTF 5 held last November 29, Atty. Remiel O. Nibungco, operations officer of the task force, reported that Camarines Sur has the highest number of arrested persons with 17 cases and 33 victims, while Sorsogon has the second highest number with seven persons arrested.

He also reported that the cities of Tabaco and Legazpi had four each while Iriga City, Camarines Norte, and Catanduanes had two each and Albay with one.

Nibungco said that cases were already filed against the arrested persons and they are in the various stages of prosecution.

Meanwhile, Police Senior Supt Michel Amos Filart, regional officer of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) and Sub-Committee on Crimes Against Public Morals head, reported that a 155 persons were arrested by his men for illegal gambling during 31 operations were 22 cases were filed during the same period under review .

He said that on human trafficking the unit spearheaded 20 operations which resulted in the arrest of 15 persons and filed four cases.

While their campaign on pornography they were able to arrest two persons and filed two cases while on child abuse they were able to arrest six persons.

RLECC Human Trafficking Sub-Committee chair and Bicol Regional State Prosecutor Atty. May De Ledoz who also presided the joint meeting said that the committee intends to conduct an intensified advocacy campaign among local government officials and other stake holders to be able to further reduce if not eliminate human trafficking in Bicol. (MAL/EDL, PIA V)

Dev't council pushes for tourism development

by Lizel S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, December 2 (PIA) -- Members of the Metro Naga Development Council (MNDC) convened Tuesday to come up with strategic development plans as part of their ongoing preparation for their upcoming “Tooling Up for Tourism” Project.

This is part of the Local Economic Development (LED) Strategy of MNDC geared to promote local tourism of its member-local government units (LGUs) and partner agencies.

Stakeholders were tasked to participate in the Strategic Planning Workshop, specifically the group who were involved in coming up with enabling mechanisms that will aid the Council in identifying short and long term LED initiatives by its alliance.

Before proceeding to the workshop proper, Sieg Bulaong, MNDC Executive Director, identified various concerns hampering the growth and promotion of tourism in Naga City and also to the other fourteen (14) municipalities which include Bula, Calabanga, Camaligan, Canaman, Gainza, Magarao, Milaor, Minalabac, Ocampo, Pamplona and Pasacao.

Some of the identified impediments hampering the total promotion of the desired tourism development within the MNDC areas include the lack of cultural activities beyond Naga City ’s annual and historic Peñafrancia celebration, underdeveloped ecotourism and heritage sites, and lack of accredited or qualified local guides who will accompany foreign and domestic tourists.

Metro Naga, based on the previous discussions, was not actively sold as a destination emerging from poor linkage with travel agencies outside Bicol, few inbound travel agents and tour operators and weak tourism-related competence of front liners.

The team has also identified lack of market diversity where most of the local and foreign tourists flock at the Camarines Sur Water Sports Complex (CWC) being one of the limited places where they spend their spare times and recreation.

Seeing these impediments, the team came up with various suggestions on how to raise the competitiveness of Metro Naga in terms of Eco-Cultural Tourism. One of the identified solutions is to strengthen the Metro Naga Integrated Tourism Value Chain which would include, among others, product development of member-LGUs, human resource development and institutional strengthening, destination marketing and infrastructure development.

The team also focused on the stimulation of investments and entrepreneurship among its members; organizing and mobilization of business groups and entrepreneurs; expanding the scope of availability of financing and technical support from the national government agencies (NGAs) and private sector; and the promotion of women’s participation in entrepreneurship which has already taken root in some local government units.

MNDC will continue to lead the pursuit of development and contribute in spearheading progress initiatives to alleviate poverty in the province. (MAL/LSM, PIA Camarines Sur)

Media declares support to implementation of CCA National Framework

LEGAZPI CITY, December 2 (PIA)-- Various national media organizations reaffirmed their commitment of support Friday last week to the government's pursuit of mainstreaming Climate Change Adaptation programs and strategies in the country.

Herminio “Sonny” Coloma, Jr. Secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) read and subsequently turned over the four page Philippine Media Declaration on Climate Change to President Benigno C. Aquino III pledging concerted action to effect public awareness and pursue a nationwide advocacy for Climate Change Adaptation and mitigation.

The statement emphasizes that access to relevant information on climate change is vital to sustain a living planet and for the survival of human beings

Vital information concerning climate change would significantly acknowledge social, economic and environmental benefits in taking action to combat the effects of climate change phenomemon.

He said media institutions recognizes that the information provided by media plays a critical role in stimulating policy debate and in mobilizing knowledge to empower societies to make informed decisions on options for mitigation and adaptation.

The media declaration was signed by officials of the National Press Club of the Philippines (NPC), Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP) Publishers Association of the Philippines (PAPI), Foreign Correspondent Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) and the Philippine Network of Environmental Journalist (PNEJ)at the First National Media Conference on Climate Change Adaptation held at the Bicol University Amphi-theater where hundreds of media representatives from across the country attended the three day conference.

At the conference, print and broadcast journalist agreed to share and disseminate climate change information and hold training sessions on Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) for media.

Promotion of regional and international collaboration among all media organizations for the enrichment of climate change reporting and skills enhancement of media practitioners through training, exchange of knowledge, best practices. (MAL, PIA V/Albay)

PDRRMO conducts five-day training on Water Search and Rescue

by Edna A Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, December 2(PIA)-- The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) here conducted a five-day training on Water Search and Rescue from November 21-25, 2011 at Twin Rock Beach Resort, Virac, Catanduanes.

The said training was organized by PDRRMO pursuant to the memorandum agreement between the provincial government and the Coast Guard in view of the growing number of local fishermen lost at sea during typhoons and bad weather conditions.

Around 57 individuals from five towns of the province participated the said training where only 54 finished the rigorous training conducted by six instructors under the command of LTJG. Jimmy Naisod of the Philippine Coast Guard Bicol Special Operations UNit.

Municipalities of Pandan, Panganiban, Gigmoto and Baras have nine (9) participants each and twelve (12) trainees from the town of Viga.

The fund for the said activity came from Governor Joseph C. Cua's administration with counterpart funding of the participating LGUs. (MAL/EAB, PIA Catanduanes)

Pili Kulinarya showcases Pili as premium nut

by Lizel S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, December 2 ( PIA) --- Recognizing Pili as Bicol’s flagship commodity, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) regional office V recently launched Pili nut recipes at Villa Caceres Hotel here in “Pili Kulinarya”.

The launching of Pili Kulinarya, attended by local chefs, patron, local entrepreneurs, food services owners, caterers and members of the local media, aims to promote Pili as Bicolandia’s prime regional brand in both the medium market and high-end consumers as main dish ingredient and not just a sweet delicacy.

Glenda Barreto, president and chief executive officer of Via Mare Corporation, keynoted the event sharing her cooking expertise to selected hotel and restaurant chiefs, introducing Pili Nut as their menu’s special ingredient.

The Pili tree, which easily propagates itself under tropical temperature and well drained soil, can be mostly found in various parts of the Bicol Region. Its fruit contains essential amino acids responsible for the development of the muscles, provides healthy bones and skin and support healthy blood sugar levels.

The Pili nut has also a rich concentration of magnesium which is responsible for the development of healthy nerves, muscles and bones.

Seeing its market and health potential, various promotional projects have already been spearheaded by local DTI branches in the region. The program is also widely supported by local government units.

In Naga City, Mayor John Bongat has also launched PiliMania to push for a collective planting of Pili trees in the main thoroughfare of the city.

Naga also earned its name as the pasalubong center due to the influx of foreign and domestic tourists buying various Pili Sweet delicacies as “pasalubong”.

During the recently concluded 22nd Advertsing Congress held at the Camarines Sur Water Sports Complex (CWC) in Pili, Camarines Sur, a double-decker pili nut cookies was a scene-stealer and became the crowd’s favorite. It was created by J. Emmanuel Pastries, Bicol’s top exporter of Pili nut products.

DTI Camarines Sur information officer Jay Ablan said that the event will serve as a great push for food experts to come up with new innovations in food preparation using Pili Nut as the chief ingredient in their main dish. Provincial Director Edna Tejada said, he is also been very supportive of various endeavors promoting Pili Nut as Bicol’s premium commodity.

Pili Kulinarya is under the agency’s continuing Food Business Development (BizDev) program which aims to create a business focus network and jumpstart long-term promotional program for the emerging market in the food industry. (MAL/LSM, PIA CamSur)