CSC meets the press for its HAP Program by Lizel S. Macatangay NAGA CITY, Jan. 25 (PIA) -- Members of the local media here were invited during a mini press conference held yesterday at the Raul S. Roco Building for the formal launching of the Civil Service Commission’s 2012 Honor Awards Program. This is to officially open the nomination for Outstanding Public Officials and Employees who have done an exemplary deed in the furtherance of their service. Director Jocelyn Marifosque, Director II of Civil Service Commission (CSC) Camarines Sur Field Office said as allies in information dissemination, members of the media can give significant contribution in spreading the good news. “The 2012 Honor Awards Program forms part of the Commission’s advocacy to promote excellence, recognize and reward deserving public servants for their outstanding performance and contribution which serves as a consistent manifestation of exemplary ethical behavior in line with their chosen field of endeavors,” Marifosque said in an interview. This year’s Search for Outstanding Public Officials and employees is being implemented by CSC as mandated in the 1987 Philippine Constitution pursuant to Executive Order Nos. 292 and 502, series of 1992 as amended by Executive Order No. 77 series of 1993 and Republic Act No. 6713. CSC RO5 Regional Director Cecilia R. Nieto also graced the said occasion. In her message, she also acknowledged the media’s role in publicizing the said endeavor through the extensive media campaign on the promotion of the said awards program. Nieto reiterated that the Honor Awards program is one of the strategic agenda of the CSC which recognizes government officials and employees who have displayed outstanding work performance and manifested ethical behavior in rendering their service to the public. She said that it aims to motivate and inspire government employees to improve the quality of their performance and instill deeper involvement in public service. The award has three categories: Awards for Outstanding Work Performance or the Presidential/ Lingkod Bayan Award, CSC Pagasa Award and the Award for Exemplary Conduct and Ethical Behavior or Dangal ng Bayan Award. With only 12 nominations last year, Nieto is encouraging more regional entries this year as part of their goal to increase and surpass the number of nominations every time they launch the said program. Naga City Administrator Florencio “Jun” Mongoso, Jr. and City Council David Casper Nathan A. Sergio, Dangal ng Bayan Awardees in 1999 and 1997 respectively, also shared insights and inspiration as recipients of the said honor. Mongoso said that the simple recipe for achieving the said award is by following the simple adage of creating an impression by what you say, but more so, creating an impact in what you do. Sergio, on the other hand, said that his inspiration to serve propelled him to go beyond his limitations. Following ethical standards is also of primary importance, he added. Naga City Mayor John Bongat also said that their management style sits on a simple premise: good governance, transparency, a conduct guided by law and the dedication to serve. (LSMacatangay/ PIA-Camarines Sur) DA Sec to distribute agri fund to 200 beneficiaries in Sorsogon by Irma A. Guhit SORSOGON CITY, Sorsogon, Jan. 25 (PIA) -- Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary, Proceso J. Alcala will be awarding checks, including agricultural comprehensive scholarships to farmers, fisher folks and irrigators, a total of 200 beneficiaries on Jan. 26 at the Sorsogon Provincial Gymnasium under the "Agrikultura: Kaagapay ng Bayang Pinoy (AKBAY)" program. The beneficiaries were previously identified and have undergone validation by the four different attached agencies of DA as those that need immediate intervention to implement programs here in the province. From the Fiber Development Authority (FIDA), 30 farmers will receive assistance on abaca development. Forty coconut farmers from the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) will be granted funds while 30 fisher folks from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and 100 irrigators from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) shall also benefit. The AKBAY program is a mechanism for poverty alleviation given to identified provinces through the provision of livelihood and employment opportunities and augmenting the source of income of the farm households. It also aims to strengthen the capabilities of marginalized sectors to involve and empower them in decision making processes. This program was conceptualized by the National Agriculture and Fishery Council which is under the DA and will be implemented in tandem with the DA regional offices, the local government units and the local agriculture and fishery councils. Alcala, assisted by Sorsogon Governor Raul Lee, will be handing in checks and award the Agricultural Comprehensive Enhancement Fund (ACEF) Scholarship to farmer beneficiaries. Sorsogon has been identified as one of the AKBAY beneficiaries and was awarded P2.09-million assistance through the implementation of the different programs of the several attached agencies. Ten more beneficiaries identified through the AKBAY will be awarded P10,000 each for agri-business. Together with Alcala are DA-5 regional director Dr. Jose V. Dayao, PCA-5 regional manager Eduardo Allorde, DA-5 regional technical director for Research and Regulations Edgar R. Madrid, who will present the programs and project of DA. Expected to attend are the mayors their municipal agricultural officers and heads of offices of the attached agencies under the DA here. (MAL/IAG/PIA-5) Rice production up by 9% last year in Camarines Norte DAET, Camarines Norte, Jan 19 (PIA) -- Rice production upped by 9 percent in this province last year compared to 5 percent increase in 2010, according to ther Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg). Provincial agriculturist Francia C. Pajares said that more than 100 percent or equivalent to 83,000 metric tons of rice production was noted last year compared to 92 percent or more than 82,000 metric tons in 2010. She said that this was due to their information dissemination to the farmers to increase their harvest and also to the different programs on agriculture technologies implemented by the provincial government. Pajares said that they have encouraged farmers to used compost or organic fertilizer in their rice field for better harvest. The compost is an organic fertilizer coming from plants and from different wastes and other organic materials, and using compost can save 50 percent in commercial fertilizer. She added that compost adds nutrients and holds the soil; it also does no harm to humans, animals, and plants; and farmers will become self-sufficient in terms of not relying on imported fertilizer for good production. (MAL/RBM, PIA Camarines Norte) NSO conducts BSP’s January 2012 Consumer Survey VIRAC, Catanduanes, Jan. 24 (PIA) -- The National Statistics Office (NSO), Catanduanes will be conducting the Consumer Expectations Survey (CES) from January 23-31, 2012. In order to collect comprehensive information on the business conditions of the country in the household sector, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas contracted with the National Statistics Office (NSO) to conduct this survey. The NSO will collect the data and encode the questionnaires while the BSP responsibility will generate the tables and analyze the results. The CES is a household-based survey on the consumers’ assessment of their financial situation, the economic condition of the country, and the overall performance of the government. The objectives of the survey are: 1) to provide a quick and regular assessment of the financial condition of the consumers and economic condition of the country at present and in the near future, from the consumers’ own view points; 2) to generate forecasts in the direction of the country’s economic activity based on the consumers’ outlook in the next twelve months; and 3) to provide quick and regular assessment of consumers’ outlook in terms of their income and expenditures. Consumer spending and saving have an important influence in determining the course of the national economy. The core questions cover three broad areas of consumer sentiments: personal finances, business conditions, and buying conditions. The results of the survey will guide planners in forecasting the direction of change of the economy as well as the behavior of key indicators such as inflation rate, interest rates, and exchange rates. The respondent will be the household head or any responsible member of the household present during the time of interview who can provide reliable answers to the questions asked by the enumerator. In the province, one sample barangay will be interviewed, covering 16 sample households in Barangay Icanbato and Barangay Maysuram, Caramoran. (MAL/EAB, PIA Catanduanes) Navy dispatches vessel to rescue cargo ship reported sinking in Catanduanes LEGAZPI CITY, Jan 25 (PIA) -– Naval Forces Southern Luzon (Navforsol) of the Philippine Navy dispatched on Saturday BRP Heneral Antonio Luna (PG141) to help in the search and rescue of M/V Sun Spirit, a Chinese registered vessel reported listing and sinking at vicinity 34 nautical miles off Binorong Pt, Catanduanes. The said vessel is owned by PHILHUA shipping and manned by Chinese crew. The Navy immediately responded to the call for humanitarian assistance and availability of air and floating assets upon the request of Coast Guard District Bicol. Coast Guard District Bicol initially received the distress call and request for assistance, subsequently, Southern Luzon Command also dispatched Sunday two Huey helicopters from Tactical Operations Group 5 to assist in search and rescue operations. "Humanitarian and disaster assistance operations which include search, rescue, and relief are among Hukbong Dagat Ng Pilipinas priority missions apart from our primary role of conducting maritime security operations," said Commodore Abraham F Celzo AFP, Commander of Navforsol. (MAL/DFN, Navforsol)