Sorsogon water firm preserves watershed areas, pursues contour agricultural farming

By Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, Feb.21 (PIA) -- Watershed areas need to be cared for, preserved and protected as these sustain the source of water, said Engr. Ronaldo G. Borbono, manager of the Sorsogon City Water District (SCWD).

According to Borbono, the watershed areas now being maintained by SCWD are very well preserved and protected by farmers themselves and now home to several endemic flora and fauna. It is envisioned to become a tourism visitation site.

The local water district continues to advocate to the public to be appreciative of its importance.

He also said that employees regularly conduct tree planting activities as their firm support of the government's environmental thrusts and to articulate collectively the National Greening Program as trees preserve the sources of water.

Borbono said that Barangay San Jose of Bacon district is one of their watershed areas and now being developed to showcase the Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) program, a banner project under the Water District Assistance to Environment and Resources as highlighted in their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program.

As an environmental preservation tool, the SALT project is also an alternative source of livelihood for people living in the slopes in the watershed and are taught contour farming according to Barbono.

The water district is assisting these farmers to adapt this kind of farming to abolish the practice of kaingin system or slash and burn that destroy the forest.

The prevalent livelihood source in forests is the illegal cutting of trees made into charcoal but with this assistance, Borbono said that farmers will avoid this practice since they will now have a source of livelihood and the watershed will be preserved as they are also taught the importance of protecting the land from erosion due to incorrect upland farming practices.(MAL/IAG-PIA Sorsogon))


Travel and Tour Expo promotes Bicol tourism

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay, Feb. 20 (PIA) -- Bicol tourism stakeholders joined the bigger and better ‘Travel Tour Expo’ held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on February 17 to 18 with bright prospects on pursuing tourism industry in the country, especially on the countryside.

With this year’s theme “One Stop Shop to the World,” the exposition is spearheaded by the Philippine Tourism Agency Association (PTAA), in cooperation with the Department of Tourism (DOT), promising an even wider variety of travel options and special packages.

PTAA believes that this is a way of helping international relations and tourism.

Now on its 19th edition, the expo does its best to deliver an even more special show every year, presenting local and international destinations, cultural presentations and discounted travel packages from the exhibitors.

DOT V meanwhile brought several tourism oriented establishments accredited by the agency, especially the travel agents, to promote the place, during the Expo according to Amy Z. Detera, supervising tourism operation officer of the agency.

She also said that 16 Russian agents visited on Saturday, February 18, the different tourist spots in Bicol, which include Butanding Interaction in Donsol, Sorsogon, Misibis Bay Resorts in Cagraray Island, Bacacay, Albay and the sports facilities in Lignon Hill in Legazpi and CamSur Watersports Complex in Pili Camarines Sur.

A marketing strategy like this is a big help to the promotion of tourism in the Bicol region and for the region to be known not just in the country but in Russia as well, she added.

“Sa bawat isang turista bumibisita sa bansa, trabaho na rin naibibigay sa bawat mamamayang Pilipino (For every tourist who visits the country, a job is granted to a Filipino),” Detera said. (MAL/ADA-PIA5/Albay)


PDA-Catanduanes celebrates Dental Health Month

By Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Feb. 20 (PIA) -- The Philippine Dental Association (PDA) in Catanduanes conducted an oral health promotion and lecture on February 17 at Brgy. Ibong Sapa, San Vicente, Virac.

The lecture is in celebration of the eighth National Dental Health Month with the theme, “Ngiting Matamis, Ngiping Malilinis, Dala ay Pagasa, Tunay na Ligaya.”

Prior to the lecture, a kick-off celebration and motorcade took place around down town Virac which started at 8:00 a.m.

During the main activity at Brgy.Ibong Sapa, a toothbrush drill and distribution, and fluoride application was also conducted.

Government and private dentists throughout the province comprising the PDA joined hands to give meaning to the said event.

Around 50 school children benefited from the activity. (EAB/ PIA Catanduanes)


Catanduanes health office sets planning workshop for barangay health workers

By Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Feb. 20 (PIA) -- The Catanduanes Provincial Health Office sets a two-day planning workshop on the Performance-Based Grant (PBG), which requires crafting of a Project Proposal and Work and Financial Plan, on February 21 to 22 for barangay health workers (BHW).

The PBG, with the help of the Department of Health, intends to have a responsive plan in carrying their tasks as partners of Rural Health Unit personnel.

President Benigno S. Aquino III’s universal health care program is being monitored using the Monitoring for Equity, Effectiveness and Equity (ME3) tool, which measures the progress on how health care has contributed to the health-related MDGs.

One component of ME3 is the local government unit scorecard incorporated with Local Governance Performance Management System. The health sector has continuously pursued their improvement.

Expected participants in the said event are municipal health officers, public health nurses, barangay health workers and their coordinators and municipal presidents. (MAL/EAB-PIA5)


Sorsogon Police conducts seminar for gender-based violence first responders

By Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, Feb.20 (PIA) -- The Sorsogon Police Provincial Office (SPPO) has organized a two-day seminar for first responders of gender-based violence and trafficking-in-person (TIP) cases on February 16 to 17 at the Philippine National Police (PNP) conference room.

The seminar is in line with the commitment of the PNP to strengthen the promotion and advocacy of the rights of women and children.

Thirty policewomen from Sorsogon City and 14 municipalities, assigned as Women and Children Protection Desk and Family Juvenile Gender Advocacy Development - Police Non-Commissioned Officer, were the participants of the said training.

The police – participants were the identified first responder-personnel in cases of gender-based violence. They were oriented on the protocols and immediate response to be given to victims along the conduct of investigation, filing of cases and in finding solutions to problems being encountered in handling cases involving women and children, particularly on gender-based crimes and TIP cases.

Competent and experienced lecturers comprised the resource persons coming from the Department of Justice, Visayan Forum Foundation, Police Regional Office 5 and Sorsogon Police Provincial Office.

The topics discussed were Legal Framework of Trafficking in Person Under RA 9208; How to Interview a Trafficked Person; Investigation, Evidence Gathering and Rescue Operations in TIP Cases; Legal Frameworks of Gender-Based Violence under RA 9262; Basic Gender Concept; Referral System; and How to Conduct Advocacy Campaign.

SPPO provincial director PSupt. John C. Jambora said the SPPO will continue to enhance the capability of policewomen and personnel assigned in the women's desk and will continue its partnership with agencies and non-governmental organization in the advocacy to address gender-based violence and trafficking in persons.

"Here in the province of Sorsogon, the PNP will continue to advocate partnership and spearhead extending development assistance in human resource development particularly in the education and promotion of women and children’s rights. As partners, we will continue to work together to train and educate our personnel and adhere to rights-based policing towards a citizen-friendly institution mandated to serve and protect everyone,” Jambora said as the seminar ends. (MAL/IAG-PIA Sorsogon)