Tourist arrival in Albay up by 44%

by Sally A. Atento

LEGAZPI CITY, Jan 9 (PIA) -- Tourism Bicol regional director Susan Ravanilla has affirmed the impressive growth rate of tourist arrivals in Albay from January to June 2011 which so far is the highest in the past years.

Tourist arrivals in Albay has considerably increased to 234,081 tourists in 2011 compared to 162,506 in the same period in 2010, a 44 percent growth rate compared to the previous year.

Tied up with the 44 percent boost in the number of tourist arrivals is the 51 percent growth in foreign revenue for the first and second quarter of 2011, from P122 million revenues for 2010 to P180 million generated.

This growth also generated 836,623 jobs for the 1st quarter of 2011.

According to Ravanilla, tourist arrivals peak during the first two quarters of the year.

"The people are the direct beneficiaries of this tourism boost,” the director furthered.

The tourists' countries of origin included the United States and the United Kingdom which also comprised the biggest tourist arrival rate in Sorsogon.

Ravanilla also said that Donsol contributed a lot to the tourism growth rate in Albay since their foreign visitors usually stayed in this city for accommodation, bar hopping, shopping and other stuff that they can try and enjoy.

Also boosting the number of tourist arrivals in Albay is Albay’s month long Magayon Festival in April, including the nightly beer plaza and presentations at Albay Park and other festivities and events that appealed to both domestic and foreign tourists.

Tourist arrival target for 2012 is 2 million which was already achieved in 2010 and is expected to be surpassed in 2011. The challenge then for 2012 is to go beyond the said target, the DOT Bicol director said. (MAL/SAA, PIA V/Albay)

Local gov't. re-constitutes steering committee, technical working group for Linggo ng Kalikasan

by Edna A Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Jan 9 (PIA) -- Catanduanes Governor Joseph C. Cua issued Executive Order No. 001 series of 2012 signed last January 2, 2012 indicating the re-constitution of the Steering Committee and Technical Working Group (TWG) for the celebration of Linggo ng Kalikasan every month of June.

The said ordinance is also known as the “Ordinance Institutionalizing the annual celebration of the Linggo ng Kalikasan every 3rd week of June in Catanduanes" shall serve as a mechanism to effect positive behavioral change among Catandunganons and rally them towards the protection of the fragile ecosystems of the Province.

The steering committee shall be tasked to provide guidance and exercise general supervision in the conduct of the Linggo ng Kalikasan celebration. The committee shall meet at least once a month starting February of every year until the celebration shall have been concluded.

Thus, the steering committee shall be composed of the following: the provincial governor as the chairman, PENR officer, DENR-PENRO as the vice-chairman, and the members are the Congressional District Office, chairman, SP Committee on Environment, president of the Catanduanes State Colleges, Battalion Commander of the 83rd IB of the Philippine Army, provincial director of the Philippine National Police, Squadron Commander of the 905th Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary and the station manager of the Radyo ng Bayan.

On the other, Special Environment Projects Coordinating Office (SEPCO) will act as the Technical Working Group (TWG).

All expenditures relative to the conduct of the Linggo ng Kalikasan celebration shall be charged against the annual appropriation approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for the purpose, subject to usual accounting, and auditing rules and regulations.

It was also in pursuant with the policy of the provincial government to address various environmental issues through the productive collaboration, consensus-building, and people empowerment. (MAL/EAB-PIA Catanduanes)

DOLE resolves 82 cases of violation of Labor Code in 2011

by Rosalita B. Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, Jan 9 (PIA) – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) provincial office here has resolved a total of 82 cases of violation of labor code filed by workers against their employers for 2011.

Chief labor and employment officer Ruben L. Romanillos said that of the 82 cases, 13 were not pushed through by workers, five were endorsed at the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), and 64 were resolved through the Single Entry Approach (SENA).

Romanillos added that some 91 workers were also given monetary benefits based on the cases filed at the DOLE.

He said that there was only one decrease in the cases of violation of labor code last year with 82 compared to 83 violation cases in 2010.

The SENA is a new technique in solving labor dispute by the DOLE within 30 days through conciliation and mediation.

The notice of strikes and lockouts are still in the hands of National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) and not through SENA, he clarified.

He cited that those violations against labor code include the non-payment of separation pay, illegal deductions, non-payment/underpayment of wages, refund of cash bond, non-payment of overtime, illegal dismissal and the non-payment of 13th month pay.

For the first days of January this year they were able to record three violations against labor code filed by workers against their employers.

The three cases were the non-payment of 13th month pay and bonus which are required under Presidential Decree No. 851 or the 13th Month Pay Law where all employees or workers who work for at least one month of the calendar year should received the said benefits. (MAL/RBM, PIA Camarines Norte)

CIRCA ends 2011 with a blast

LEGAZPI CITY, Jan 7 (PIA) –- The Center for Initiatives and Research on Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) bids goodbye to a fruitful 2011 as they release their Top 25 achievements for the year.

Considered as one of the biggest projects ever launched is the inauguration of the Climate Change Academy last November 25 beside the BU Graduate School which, according to CIRCA director Nong Rangasa, is the prize of unwavering belief to deliver service amidst drawbacks, meager wages, and lots of frustrations especially when they lack the needed logistical support.

“Looking at the academy, we can proudly say that this is the product of the sweat of our brows,” Rangasa added.

Together with the inauguration of the CCA building is the 1st National Media Conference on Climate Change Adaptation, with both events graced by President Benigno Aquino III.

Officials of 100 barangays comprising the municipalities of Manito, Bacacay, and Rapu-Rapu were taught on how to come up with barangay contingency plans. Likewise, the trainers themselves received training from the Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in preparation for the mainstreaming of climate change integration into the school curriculum of Albay and Bicol Region.

Partnership with various government and non-government units in both local and international levels such as the United Nations System and League of provinces, cities, and municipalities of the Philippines were also established through summits, assemblies, and fora conducted in 2011.

Nevertheless, Rangasa said that the challenge now is how to surpass their 2011 achievements. Following this, plans are being laid down for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.

Motivated by CIRCA’s renewed hope and enthusiasm, Albay can continue to be of service not only to the province but to the entire country as well, Rangasa furthered. (MAL/SAA-PIA V/Albay)