1st Philippine Tourism Conference on Climate Change Adaptation slated

LEGAZPI CITY, Aug 17 (PIA) -- Lessons learned from the recent monsoon-wrought flooding in Manila and other parts of the country will provide a great opportunity for brainstorming among tourism industry stakeholders in the upcoming 1st Philippine Tourism Conference on Climate Change Adaptation (PTCCA) scheduled on August 23-25 at the Oriental Hotel, here.

The first of its kind in the country, the PTCCCA is a convergence of decision makers, key government officials, policy makers and planning officers in the business sector and private entities according to conference director Manuel C. Rangasa, also the chairman and president of the Local Climate Change Adaptation for Development (LCCAD, Inc.), the initiator of this national conference.

Legazpi City Mayor Carmen Geraldine Rosal, co-convenor, also explained that the PTCCCA is a timely conference where fresh experiences and lessons learned (from “Hagupit ng Habagat”) can be shared by those who were directly affected by the flood from the torrential rains and help other areas of the country avoid the same plight from the effects of climate change.

Some dos and don’ts before, during and after floods may be discussed and given due reflections, assessments and corresponding policies may be recommended during the conference to make the tourism sector more resilient to calamities, particularly floods.

Contingency plans, vulnerability assessment tools, strategic pre-emptive adaptation and the quickest possible means of responding to emergencies such as rescue operations will lead to a pliant and productive tourism sector as a major boost to the economy from the countryside to the urban areas particularly Manila.

The PTCCCA is a national project spearheaded by the LCCCAD, a community adaptation practitioners (CAP) and national non-governmental organization (NGO) focused on climate change adaptation in partnership with the city government of Legazpi, Department of Tourism, the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Office of the President-Climate Change Commission, Senate of the Philippines-Committee on Climate Change, the Philippine Information Agency, the Provincial Government of Albay, the Ako Bicol Party List, University of the Philippines Los Banos and among others. (MAL/LCCAD-PIA5 Albay)


CSC lines up activities for 112th anniv

By Analiza S. Macatangay

PILI, Camarines Sur, Aug 17 (PIA) -- Civil Service Commission (CSC) Camarines Sur office has lined up various activities in line with the celebration of its 112th anniversary on September.

Under the theme “Kawani Ikaw ay isang Lingkod Bayani,” CSC hopes to promote, showcase and celebrate heroism in public service and give recognition to government workers who have displayed commendable acts of delivering their services to the people.

The activity also aims to underscore stories of triumph and sacrifice among the men and women as significant part of the government workforce.

The month-long celebration will be capped with various endeavors that include fun run and fun walk, kick-off activity, bloodletting, tree planting and medical and dental mission.

CSC Camarines Sur Director II Jocelyn L. Marifosque hopes to encourage members of the community, particularly government employees and other stakeholders to take part in the said endeavor and be counted as one of the heroes in their respective line of professions.

“We want to instill in the hearts of every government worker, particularly those in frontline services, that their great deeds are being recognized by our government. No longer will they be called the unsung heroes. Their dedication and adherence to honesty and public service will surely be rewarded,” Marifosque said in an interview.

Pursuant to CSC Memorandum Circular (MC) No.8 series of 2012, the celebration will have its kick off activity on September 4. This will be marked by a fun run/walk activity starting off at 5 a.m. at SM City Naga.

CSC will collect P200 from the runners, which will cover the registration fee and singlet of the participant. This will be followed by a mass and the formal opening of the said event.

On September 11, CSC has also lined up a bloodletting activity at the Bureau of Fire Protection office in support of the blood program of the government.

“We are inviting all our voluntary blood donors to help us raise our target blood collection so that we can also help other members of our community who are in dire need of blood during times of urgent situations, specifically during the onset of a disaster,” Marifosque added.

Environmentalists and green enthusiasts are also invited to partake of the tree planting activity happening at Barangay Curry, in Pili on September 21. Capping the celebration is a medical and dental mission, feeding program and gift giving at San Ramon Tribal Community at San Ramon, Buhi, this province on September 26.

Interested participants may visit the Civil Service Commission Office at the Capitol Complex, Cadlan, this town or they may call telephone number 475-3429 for further inquiries. (MAL/LSM-PIA5 Camarines Sur)