Team Albay sends response and humanitarian mission for Manila flood victims

LEGAZPI CITY, August 7 (PIA)  -- Albay’s water and sanitation (WATSAN) and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) 5 water search and rescue teams are set to leave for Manila tonight to assist disaster response units and cater to the needs of the residents affected by severe flooding and related hazards.

Albay Governor Joey Salceda said Team Albay will leave for Manila tonight at around 7:00 pm bringing along one tank lorry and one filtration machine with a capacity of 32,000 liters/hr at its peak.

The equipment and facilities will be deployed and dispatched according to the priorities identified by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) among the affected areas and communities.

“WATSAN team will help provide the communities with available drinking water which is this time very essential to the daily needs of the locales,” Salceda said.

Medical team will also be dispatched to various hospitals or communities to augment medical personnel, capabilities and service in most affected areas.

In a meeting today of Bicol DRRMC and Albay PDRRMC, OCD 5 regional director Raffy Alejandro, meanwhile said WASAR team from the Armed Forces of Philippines (AFP) units in Bicol, Bureau of Fire (BFP), and other uniformed personnel will help the on-going disaster response efforts of Manila-based units dispatched in several areas of the metropolitan.

OCD will also lead the coordination with national government agencies concerned and local governments in affected areas.

Team Albay humanitarian mission will be composed of medical personnel, water sanitation units, search and rescue team, camp management, psycho social and other disaster related management experts. (MAL-PIA5/Albay)


MGB to hold lecture series on Mining Technology and Geosciences

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, Aug 7 (PIA) -- A lecture series on Mining Technology and Geosciences espousing the theme "Could Mining Be Environmentally Sustainable?" will be held on August 14-15 at the Bicol Amphitheater.

Engineer Leo L. Jasareno of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) will deliver the keynote address.

Meanwhile, Theodore Rommel E. Pestaño, regional director of MGB Bicol, said highlights of the lecture series are some topics on the new mining policy, Executive Order 79, to be delivered by notable lecturers from the University of the Philippines, government agencies in Bicol and mining companies.

Expected to attend are industry experts, scientists and government officials which include Dr. Mario A. Aurelio, head of Structural Geology and Tectonics Laboratory, National Institute of Geological Sciences, College of Sciences, UP Diliman; Dr. Eduardo P. Laguerta, head Volcanologist of PHIVOLCS-V; Carmelita Pacis, AVP, Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project Environmental Management Department; Dr. Herman D. Mendoza, professor, Department of Mining, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering of UP Diliman; Dr. Graciano P. Yumul, Jr., executive vice president, Monte De Oro Resources and Energy, Inc; Engr. Gilbert C. Gonzales, regional executive director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Bicol and Engr. Theodore Rommel E. Pestaño, regional director of MGB-V.

Pestaño said an open forum, awarding of plaques to guests and speakers and awarding of certificates to participants are the other activities to be conducted in the forthcoming lecture series.

The lecture series is designed to be a transparent information campaign that would bring across a clear and truthful message about the mining industry and geosciences. (MAL/MGB5/PIA5)


CSC, DILG issue separate directives on tourism conference on climate change adaptation

LEGAZPI CITY, Aug 7 (PIA) -- The three-day Philippine Tourism Conference on Climate Change Adaptation (PTCCCA), the first of its kind in the country, has earned support from lead agencies of the government, private organizations and business entities.

The conference is slated on August 23-25, 2012 at The Oriental Legazpi.

“The first Memorandum Circular was dated June 18, 2012 issued by Secretary Jesse Robredo of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and twinned by a similar directive by Director Cecilia R. Nieto of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Bicol Regional Office,” Conference Director Manuel ‘Nong’ C. Rangasa, of the PTCCCA said.

DILG Memo Circular No. 2012-108 was addressed to all provincial governors, city mayors, their committees on environment, committees on tourism, environment officers, tourism officers, planning officers, and disaster risk reduction and management officers.

It enjoins the local chief executives, select ‘Sanggunian’ members and LGU functionaries to participate in the PTCCCA.

By issuing the circular, Robredo believes the participation of LGU officials and functionaries will be “one step closer to the government’s goal of building awareness, engaging action, advancing legislation and education as well as supporting scientific advancement in the study of climate change and environment and their impacts.”

The CSC memo dated July 10, on the other hand, was addressed to all local chief executives, senior technical staff and Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) also urging them to attend the PTCCCA.

CSC Regional Director Cecilia Nieto said the CSC memo circular supports the President’s priority policy agenda calling for the “urgent mainstreaming of CCA and DRR efforts and the achievement of the MDGs toward building climate-resilient communities."

The PTCCCA is a brainchild of the Rangasa-led Local Climate Change Adaptation for Development (LCCAD) Inc.

LLCAD Inc. is the country’s mobile non-government organization (NGO) that consists of experienced Community Adaptation Practitioners who work with the Philippine Government to strengthen Public-Private Partnership Initiatives and implement President Aquino's agenda towards mainstreaming climate change adaptation. (MAL/LCCAD/PIA5)


DPWH-5 in Sorsogon completes five preventive maintenance projects

By Benilda A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, Aug 7 (PIA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways-District Engineering Office (DPWH-DEO) has conducted strategies on proper handling and implementation of projects following the policy of transparency and efficiency..

These strategies are likewise in line with the department’s dictum: “Right Project, Right Cost, Right Quality and Right Time.”

A large chunk of this year's fund was appropriated for road rehabilitation and improvement, and a fraction of which was set aside for the preventive maintenance of the roads said Jake Alamar, district engineer.

“More than P35 million allocated for the preventive maintenance function was released and used for selected secondary of the second congressional and engineering office,” said Alamar.

The upgrading of the national arterial as well as secondary roads, of which some has critical or serious condition, has been hastily implemented.

The DPWH in Sorsogon reported that five preventive maintenance projects are now fully accomplished, namely, preventive maintenance of Gate-Bulan Airport Road with a P4-million funding awarded to Green Zone Construction and Supply; preventive maintenance of Daang Maharlika in Brgy. Bolos, Irosin, Sorsogon for P7 million; preventive maintenance of Daang Maharlika in Brgy. Pange, Matnog, Sorsogon for P6.756 million; preventive maintenance along Juban-Magallanes Road in Juban, Sorsogon with a funding of P10 million; and the preventive maintenance of Junction Gubat-Pto Diaz Road along Cogon and Gubat with a fund allocation of P8.136 million.The four latter projects were all awarded to Hi-Tone Construction and Development Corp.

“With the completion of said preventive maintenance works for these national roads, commuters and the riding public will surely find ease in travelling and transporting their goods and services,” Alamar added.(MAL/BAR/HADeri-DPWH-S2DEO/PIA 5, Sorsogon)


Legazpi City to host tourism conference on climate change adaptation

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, Aug 7 (PIA) –- The local government of this city will host the country’s first Philippine Tourism Conference on Climate Change Adaptation (PTCCCA) on August 23-25 at The Oriental Legazpi.

Mayor Carmen Geraldine Rosal, who just launched the Ibalong Festival last Tuesday, expressed optimism that PTCCCA will generate tourism development in terms of infrastructures and practices that comply with the mandates of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 (RA 10121) and the Climate Change Act of 2009 (RA 9729).

Rosal is hopeful that this three-day event will enlighten stakeholders, business entities and local government units across the country on scientific adaptation practices to make communities resilient to nature, particularly those engaged in the tourism industry.

“Tourism is one of the growth areas of our economic development because this industry brings about jobs, sustainable livelihood and serves as venue for businessmen who are scouting for their prospective areas of investments,” Rosal said.

The mayor congratulated the Local Climate Change Adaptation for Development, Inc., in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Presidential Communication Operation Office (PCOO), the University of the Philippines Los Banos and the AKO Bicol Party List.

The PTCCCA also earned strong support from President Benigno S. Aquino III and his cabinet secretaries,who are expected to attend the national conference. AMong the secretaries expected to attend are Jesse Robredo of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Ramon Jimenez of DOT, Ramon Paje of DENR, Lucille Sering of the Climate Change Commission, Nereus Acosta of the Presidential Adviser for Climate Change, Elisea Gozun of the Presidential Assistant for Environmental Protection and Sonny Coloma of the Presidential Communication Operation Office. (MAL/LCCAD/PIA5)


Consultation with media on 4Ps’ updates held in Camarines Norte

By Rosalita B. Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, Aug 7 (PIA) –- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional office in Bicol held a dialogue with media practitioners in Camarines Norte to elicit support and commitment on the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

Evelyn Jerusalem, information officer of DSWD 5, said the activity's main objective is to strengthen the partnership with the media to effectively respond to the issues, concerns and problems confronting the 4Ps.

It also aims to lessen negative feedbacks from them by providing information and in-depth knowledge of the program.

She said there are already 28,181 beneficiaries in the province, covering all the 12 municipalities. Of these, 2,191 beneficiaries started in 2010 covering 5 municipalities; 21,784 beneficiaries in 2011 covering 10 municipalities and additional 4,206 this year for the remaining two municipalities.

4Ps is a conditional cash transfer program that provides cash grants to poor families, provided that they invest in their future by ensuring mothers and children to avail of health care services and regular class attendance.

In support to 4Ps, a Sustainable Livelihood Program is also being implemented by the agency. Tthis is a community-based program which provides capacity building to improve the program participants’ socio-economic status through Self-Employment Assistance – Kaunlaran (SEA-K) Program and Guaranteed Employment.

Jerusalem said another support for the beneficiaries is the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), a poverty alleviation program that uses a community driven development approach in the implementation of projects like the construction of health centers, schools and farm to market roads.

The said three program are the DSWD’s convergence strategy to generate greater impact on poverty reduction beyond what each project can accomplish on its own. (MAL/RBM-PIA5, Camarines Norte)


District Engineering Office in Sorsogon beefs up team following RatPlan

By Benilda A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, Aug 7 (PIA) -- The Soil Materials and Quality Control (SMQC) Section of the Department of Public Works and Highways-Sorsogon 2 District Engineering office (DPWH-S2DEO) has beefed up its workforce by employing three new civil engineers in its team.

District Engineer Jake R. Alamar said the need to upgrade its rank is imperative, especially now that the rationalization program of the national government has been implemented.

“It is likewise imperative to strengthen and/or increase the size of our staff given the enormous tasks the office has especially with the number of projects being implemented this year,” Alamar said.

“Aside from implementing the projects, we also have to monitor its implementation and conduct the soil and materials testing as well as other activities related to quality control,” he added.

The district engineer said the Soil and Materials Quality Control (SMQC) Section, which has the authority to conduct quality tests, has to be accurate at all times, meticulous and/or strict in the implementation of all the projects executed by the office.

Engineers Dave Klint B. Almilla and Erwin S. Encinares were the first two appointees to the SMQC section. These two young engineers were formerly connected to private sector before they were hired by the DPWH-S2DEO. Their specialization is on material engineering, the most required qualification sought by SMQC section and the Office Selection Committee.

The third appointee is Engr. Ruzzeluther A. Dionela, who at present is holding a job order position, pending the approval of his permanent appointment.

These three newly employed engineers, together with all the existing staff, compose the so called “strong suit” of the SMQC Section of the DPWH-S2DEO. (MAL/BAR/HADeri-DPWH-S2DEO/PIA Sorsogon)


Camarines Sur Provincial Health Office spearheads 3RD Barangay Nutrition Scholars Congress

By Analiza S. Macatangay

PILI, Camarines Sur, August 7 (PIA) ---More than a thousand barangay nutrition scholars from the 35 municipalities and a city in Camarines Sur Sur participated in the 3rd Barangay Nutrition Scholars Congress held Monday (July 30) at the Pili Capitol Convention Center.

Under the theme “BNS sulong, labanan ang Malnutrisyon,” local government officials, Provincial Nutrition Committee (PNC) members and other stake holders hailed outstanding local government units for their exemplary performance in keeping their respective nutrition programs in place.

Among the municipalities, LGU Ragay notched three of the top awards for its implementation of health and nutrition programs. Ragay was awarded as a High Performing Municipality being one of the most effective and performing nutrition program implementers.

One of its barangays, F.Simeon, was also given credit as High Performing barangay while Ms. Filipinas Aquino, the wife of Ragay Mayor Ricardo Aquino, was also cited as Top Performing Municipal Nutrition Action Officer (MNAO).

Seventeen Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) were also given an Exemplary/ Service Award for rendering more than 24 to 32 years of service to their respective barangays. Among the awardees, Ms. Eugenia Paa of Lupi, San Fernando grabbed the citation as 2011 Provincial Outstanding BNS (POBNS).

The distinction as the municipality with the lowest prevalence rate of malnutrition was also given to LGU Buhi. Certificates of appreciation were also given to the municipalities and barangays for their active participation during the provincial and regional Nutrition evaluation conducted in May 2012.
Catalina M. Austria, Nutrition Program Coordinator in Camarines Sur congratulated the winner and hailed them for their dedication and hard work in spite of the minimal stipend and allowances given to them.

National Nutrition Council (NNC) Nutrition Program Coordinator in Bicol Arlene Reario, who was invited as guest speaker during the said occasion, said that a move was already initiated in the Congress to increase the stipend of the barangay health workers to a minimum of P1,000.00 to compensate the task being shouldered by the said workers.

“We know the struggle of our health workers and the government recognizes the need to increase the incentives. We should not also be dissuaded to fight malnutrition just because Camarines Sur ranked first among the provinces with the highest prevalence of malnutrition, instead let us consider that as a challenge to improve and work harder on our nutrition programs,” Reario said.

Reario also encouraged the BNS to persuade the mothers in their barangay to plant vegetables in their backyards to help sustain their children’s needs in terms of nutritious foods. She said that with proper nutrition, all the malnourished children in the province will find a way to be free from the grasp of malnutrition and eventually achieve a healthier status in the upcoming years.

The BNS Congress aims to exemplify the efforts being extended by barangay health workers to promote proper nutrition in the province. Some of the issues tacked during the congress, which also forms part of the Barangay Nutrition program is the propagation of vegetable gardening in every backyard, sustain sufficient supply of vegetable in every table and encourage members of the family to eat vegetable everyday. It aims to lessen, if not totally eradicate the cases of malnutrition in the province.

Barangay Nutrition Scholars is a barangay-based volunteer worker who delivers basic nutrition and related health related services and links communities with nutrition and related health service providers mandated under Presidential Decree 1569 0f 1978. (MAL/LSM-PIA5/Camarines Sur)