109 barangays in Camarines Norte recipients of KALAHI-CIDSS program

By Rosalita B. Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, July 20 (PIA) -- One hundred nine barangays in four municipalities in this province benefited from the Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

DSWD Assistant Regional Dir. Evelyn M. Lontok said more than P49 million worth of programs and projects was funded by the Millennium Challenge Corporation with counterparts from the local government-beneficiaries.

Of the total 109 barangays, KALAHI-CIDSS benefited 19 villages in Sta. Elena, 29 in Basud, 52 in Labo and 9 in San Vicente.

Meanwhile, 11 infrastructure projects with a total funding of P10.8 million were implemented in Sta. Elena town under the MakamasangTugon program of the KALAHI-CIDSS.

She said the projects are ongoing and are targeted to be finished this year. Completion rate of access projects, education and health facilities range from 35 percent to 84.20 percent.

Projects in Basud, Labo and San Vicente towns are in the preparatory phase, and will be completed in 2015. These areas received a grant of P13.05 million, P23.4 million and P4.05 million, respectively.

Said three towns have already conducted municipal information drives and first barangay assemblies.

In Basud, participatory situational analysis and second barangay assemblies were already completed while in the other two towns are on-going.

She added that KALAHI-CIDSS, being a community-driven development project by the DSWD, communities and their LGUs are trained to choose, design and implement sub-projects that address their most pressing need. (MAL/RBM-PIA Camarines Norte)


PNP seizes illegal narra lumber

By Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, July 20 (PIA) -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) here recently seized narra lumber at a seashore in Caramoran town despite the total log ban in the country.

On July 7, Saturday, 3,151 board feet of narra valued at P157, 581 to be transported to mainland Bicol, were recovered at Sitio Sugod, Brgy. Supang.


The confiscated items were brought to the PNP headquarters for proper disposition and subsequent turnover to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

President Aquino issued Executive Order 23 declaring a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in natural and residual forests, and the creation of an anti-illegal logging task force.

In this connection, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced sanctions to be enforced to any local chief executive from the governor, city and municipal mayors, including barangay officials if they fail to comply with the total log ban.

While local chief executives will be held liable for violation of the total log ban under Presidential Executive Order No. 23, Robredo issued a directive to Director Gen. Nicanor Bartolome, police chief, for the inclusion of a “one-strike policy” against concerned police commanders who will defy the order.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, Virac police led by PO2 Dario Gregorio and PO2 Lorenzo Alberto recovered 66 pieces of hot lumber with a total volume of 396 board feet at Brgy. Bigaa of the Capital town.

Senior Supt. Lito Pitallano, provincial director, said the PNP with the help of other agencies will be very strict in implementing total log ban. (MAL/EAB-PIA 5, Catanduanes)