DPWH 5 celebrates 114th Anniversary

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, June 27 (PIA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) celebrated its 114th Anniversary last June 23 with the theme, “DPWH: Katiwalian ay Labanan, para sa Bayan.”

Consistent with the policy direction of the present national leadership, DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson ordered this year the change going into developmental activities.

“Our Secretary called for a week-long Nationwide Operation Clean-up and Maintenance on all our national roads and flood control structures for the period June 18-23,” said DPWH 5 regional director Danilo Dequito during a radio interview.

Dequito added that among the activities that were conducted by the regional and district engineering offices included cleaning of the road right-of-way of all illegal structures and informal settlers; cleaning and beautification of roadsides through planting green plants and ornamentals’ and vegetation control; clearing all flood control structures, esteros, rivers, creeks, and open waterways from obstructions; installation of correct directional signs in strategic areas of the national roads; and repainting of all pedestrian lanes, guardrails, centerline and edge line.

The week-long activity in the agency’s regional office here started with the launching of operation clean-up led by DPWH 5 key officials at the office compound and at the nearby "estero."

Painting of guardrails on the approaches of Yawa Bridge, Rawis, Legazpi City was also included.

Last Friday, DPWH 5 officials and employees likewise staged a two-kilometer “Run Against Corruption” from the national road of Lidong, Sto. Domingo, Albay all the way to Mayon Volcano Natural Park.

Tree planting was also held by the group on the designated area by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

“We have encountered many problems on the road going to the desired transformation program of His Excellency, President Benigno S. Aquino III. But in my opinion, we are on the right track. As our Honorable Secretary said in his anniversary message: we are now reaping significant milestones in terms of good governance, transparency and accountability,” Dequito concluded. (MAL/LVC-DPWH 5)

CSC to spearhead choral competition

By Analiza S. Macatangay

PILI, Camarines Sur, June 27 (PIA) -- The Civil Service Commission (CSC), in line with the observance of the 112th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary, enjoins interested participants to take part in the 2012 Government Choral Competition slated to have its final round at the UP Theatre at Osmeña Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, on September 17, 2012.

CSC Camarines Sur Director II Jocelyn L. Marifosque said that although the event will be spearheaded by CSC RO4, all field offices are directed to participate by inviting interested choral groups from various government agencies in their respective areas of jurisdiction to try their luck and showcase their singing prowess in the said competition.

“We are inviting our government workers, particularly those who have a penchant for singing to register and be counted as a participant. They will be representing Bicol which will be a great honor just in case they fortunately made it through,” Marifosque said in an interview.

Under the theme "Kawani: Ikaw ay isang lingkod Bayani," CSC strives to showcase the musical creativity and talent of government employees and promote the unique heritage and culture of the Filipinos, especially in the field of singing. Competing choral groups will come from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and NCR. Elimination will cover two phases, the selection of semi finalists to represent the aforementioned clusters and the grand finals of the eight semifinalists.

Interested participants still have until July 31 to register, including the submission of the list of singers, conductor and accompanist, group photo and audio video recording of their group. The organizers strictly prohibit non-government employees to join. Misrepresentation will be a ground for disqualification.

Songs to be rendered must be centered on the theme, may be accompanied or a cappella, one freely chosen a cappella choral work and one original a cappella arrangement of the competition song. Maximum duration of performance must be 12 minutes. Those who fail to meet the time requirement will be subjected to a point penalty that shall be subtracted from the points of the group.

Lucky winners will take home P250,000: P30,000 for the third runner up, P50,000 for the 2nd runner up, P70,000 for the 1st runner up and P100,000 for the grand prize and a plaque for each winning contenders. The four finalists will receive P15,000 each and a framed certificate.

Special awards include Best Arrangement of the competition song, Best Conductor and a certificate of participation to all participating choirs. (MAL/ASM, PIA 5-Camarines Sur)