Youth Month in Naga full of activities

By Analiza S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, May 17 (PIA) -- The city government here, in collaboration with the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation, city youth officials, and the Naga City Council for Youth Affairs launched various activities in line with the Youth Month Celebration this month.

One of the highlights of the said celebration is the Youth Day: i-Rehistro, a voter’s registration program slated on May 18, Friday, at the SM City Naga Activity center. The activity enjoins the youth to be active partakers in the upcoming political exercise. This will be followed by a youth forum which intends to tackle youth concerns and issues.

Later during the night, an environmental costume: play and fashion show dubbed as E-Cosplay which will showcase various outfits aimed at giving importance to the natural resources around us.

This week, various youth organizations also attended a painting seminar and workshop, essay writing contest, and a film showing on environmental awareness held at the AVR of the Science Centrum at the Naga City Hall Compound.

City Youth Mayor Her Lynn F. Balares said that all the activities they had mapped out for the whole month celebration aims to empower the youth of Naga and promote their well being through worthwhile activities. The venture, she said, will also encourage the youth to take their respective roles in effecting real change in their respective communities.

“Raising awareness among the youth is one thing and stirring them to action is another. Each one complements the other because sole knowledge is empty if there is inaction. Perhaps, the most valuable message that we want to impart to our fellow youth is, "So now, what can I do next for a better me and the future generations to come?" Balares said in an interview.

This year’s theme “Makisumaro, Makiiba, Kulturang Nagueño Satuyang Iorgulyo,” aptly coincides with the campaign being pushed by the city youth officials, particularly in raising national awareness and in the promotion of the rich heritage of Naga particularly its unique culture.

More activities were lined up for the youth in the upcoming weeks. It includes a Craft your Trash, a seminar-workshop on Creative recycling of junkfood wrappers and a youth fair dubbed as Negosyanteens on May 20; Health Check 101- a health workshop for Kids on May 23, a medical mission on May 25, and youth Fun Run for Mother’s Earth on May 27, among others.

The entire celebration is aimed at empowering the youth and make them active partners of the government in nation-building. (MAL/LSM-PIA 5, Camarines Sur)


40,000 seedlings to protect environment in Camarines Norte

By Rosalita B. Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, May 17 (PIA) -- The provincial government, through the Ecosystem and Environmental Resource Management Division (EERMD), will distribute 40,000 forestry seedlings this year as part of the program to protect and preserve the environment.

Last year, the said office distributed 30,837 forestry seedlings to include mahogany, narra, and also additional seedlings like lubas, berva, dangcalan, camagong, anahaw, malig-ang, cacao, and langca.

The distribution will be made through private and public organizations and even individuals who wish to plant trees as their project in their locality.

Supervising Environmental Management Specialist Engr. Leopoldo Badiola said that this program will help preserve the environment and in turn will protect people from the effects of global warming.

Badiola cited that the project is also in partnership with the Bantay Gubat Volunteers assigned in the watershed in the towns of Basud, San Lorenzo Ruiz, and San Vicente that collect the seeds in their areas.

This project of Forestry Seedlings Protection Project and Tree Planting Program is under the Forestry Management Program of the EERMD of the provincial government.(MAL/RBM-PIA 5, Camarines Norte)



DTI’s Diskwento Caravan reels off

By Analiza S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, May 17 (PIA) -- Discounts from a minimum of 5 percent to a maximum of 50 percent will be given to shoppers who will purchase school supplies from the Diskwento Caravan of the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) on May 18-19 at the ABS-CBN Compound here starting 9:00 a.m.

DTI provincial director Edna Tejada said that the activity aims to help the buyers, particularly students and parents, to avail of the discounted price of school supplies in time for the opening of classes this June 2012.

Tejada said that the Balik Eskwela will help consumers in completing the school needs of their children spending within their budget.

“We are expecting at least 10 exhibitors, including dealers, suppliers and wholesalers, and other stakeholders to join the DTI in pursuing this cause."

We have also partnered with ABS–CBN which supports our campaign to help consumers. This is also in consonance with the public-private-partnership being pushed by the Aquino government,” Tejada said in an interview.

Various school supplies, including bags, notebooks, and other basic commodities will be sold in the said caravan.

Jay Ablan, DTI Information Officer, said that aside from the discounted products, their invited exhibitors will also offer some freebies and promos.

“Just like in shopping malls, the Diskwento Caravan will also have various freebies, such as 10 plus one or something to that effect. For example, when you buy 10 notebooks, you might get a free item as part of the offered freebie. So it depends on the promos that our partakers have prepared,” Ablan added.

Tejada also imparted some tips on wise shopping in preparation for the opening of the academic year.

“It is important that we have a shopping list before we go to any particular store. It will be helpful if the buyer consult first the need of the student so that consolidation of volume and products to buy would be easier. It is also of primordial importance that we canvass the goods or supplies that we want to purchase. This enables the consumer to compare prices from different store. It is also important to note that some stores also offer promos and sales.”

And most of all, Tejada reminded the buyers to always ask for the Official Receipt. “If there are product defects, an official receipt will be the best evidence that you purchased a particular product in that store.”

Consumers can also go to the nearest Consumer Welfare Desk for any complaints or inquiry.

“If there are any defects on the products you had bought, go to the CWD for a change or refund. If the store doesn’t have any CWD, go to the office of DTI or call 473-8111 or 09196192227. The DTI will be happy to hear your concerns,” Tejada said in closing. (MAL/LSM-PIA 5, Camarines Sur)

Cloning technology to boost Bicol greening program

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, May 17 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional office here is currently constructing the new clonal nursery on the grounds of the Ecosystem Research and Development Service (ERDS) at Barangay 2, EM’s Barrio to reinforce the implementation of the National Greening Program (NGP) in the region.

According to ERDS Regional Technical Director William Palaypayon, the said facility will be operational by the end of May and is expected to boost the NGP implementation in the region.

Palaypayon added that the seedlings being bred at the clonal facility will have 80 to 90 percent survival rate since they will be taken from a wider genetic base, and selected from the finest mature trees.

Palaypayon explained that breeding will be done through enhanced cloning techniques such as application of rooting hormones, use of an area with controlled environment where newly harvested rooted potted seedlings are placed to allow gradual recovery and development of roots and shoots.

A mini-hedge garden will also be added to complement the cloning process.

Among the forest seedlings that will undergo the said techniques are sacat, batino, sambulawan, and dipterocarp trees, like white and red lauan, guijo, and guisoc, along with other seedlings suited for coastal areas and urban greening. (MAL/SAA-PIA V/Albay)