PNP arrests 7 for illegal fishing

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Sept 14 (PIA) -- Elements of Philippine National Police (PNP) arrested seven residents of Barangay Moning, Baras on September 4 after being caught using air compressors to catch fish.

A team composed of SPO1 Renato Acuna, PO3 Warren Obal, and PO2 Roland Tejerero arrested the seven, including two brothers at around 4 p.m. while fishing.

A motorized banca, two spear guns, an air compressor tank and motor, a 25-meter long hose, and a fish net were confiscated from the arrested persons.

On the same day, another fisher, 42, was also arrested while using the same illegal fishing method. A motorized banca, an oxygen tank with a 25-meter hose and fingerlings inside a transparent plastic were confiscated from him.

PNP said using compressor in catching fish is strictly prohibited. They added that their campaign against illegal fishing continues to intensify in order to promote sea conservation and protection.

Arrested individuals were charged with violation of Municipal Ordinance No.01-2005. (MAL/EAB-PIA 5, Catanduanes)



DOLE field office in Camarines Norte has a permanent home now

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, September 14 (PIA) -- It is an every organization’s dream to have a permanent place to call home.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Bicol regional office's dream of a permanent provincial field office in Camarines Norte is now a reality.

A 224 sq. m. lot in the government center was donated by the local government of Daet through Sangguniang Bayan Resolution No. 155-2012 for the sole purpose of erecting a permanent ‘home’ of the provincial field office.

Exequiel Ronnie A. Guzman, DOLE – Bicol assistant regional director and Daet Mayor Tito S. Sarion led the groundbreaking ceremony last September 1.

“We will indeed build our ‘home’ office here. It shall be realized completely perhaps in 1-2 years time. Our deepest gratitude to Daet for giving this (lot) to us,” Guzman said.

For years, the provincial field office has been renting office spaces in Daet, Camarines Norte.

The office had to transfer several times due to factors like increasing rent, poor accessibility and proximity to an unconducive working environment.

“Lalo na kaito, dipisilunun mag-anap ki maray na arkilahan digdi. Kaya ma tyaga ka talaga sa kung ano ang ugwa (Especially before, it is very hard to find a conducive office space for rent here. The reason why you have to make do of what is available),” Field Officer Ruben L. Romanillos said.

Initially, the DOLE regional leadership plans to put up a single storey office complete with a holding area, like an international airport.

It is also planned to have an active electronic mid-sized billboard to play continuously the programs and projects of DOLE, an all-in-one conference-hearing room, work cubicles, space for DOLE attached agencies wanting to hold office in the province, a garage and a living quarter for its staff.

The building plan will be designed to provide a cozy-accommodating ambience for the clienteles – the Daeteños.

“We want an office that is very inviting to our clients yung bang hindi sila mahihirapan. Kasi nga sabi ng ating mahal na president Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III , sila, ang taumbayan, ang Boss namin. Para sa kanila talaga ang opisinang ito… (We want an office that is inviting to our clients – something that wouldn’t be uncomfortable to them. Because Pres. Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III said the people are our boss. The office is really for them),” Regional Director Nathaniel Lacambra said.

A living quarter for staff was included in the design to save the government from spending hotel charges whenever a visitor form the region or the national office comes in Camarines Norte.

With the dorm, the DOLE is expecting at least a 30 percent savings on travel expenses, which is in accordance with the President’s austerity agenda. This is aside from the sure savings from rent, which to date, amounts to some P16,000 per month.

Under the contract signed by DOLE and Daet LGU, DOLE-Bicol is expected to facilitate improvements on the lot in a span of one year.

“Matatapos natin ito ng pa unti-unti (We will finish this bit by bit) with the help of our Central Office and other allied government agencies. It is not a very ambitious plan anyway. It is doable.” Guzman said.

With the new lot, a new hope of a faster, more reliable, more convenient government services are expected by Daeteños.

Aside from the groundbreaking, DOLE Camarines Norte also released a livelihood grant of P540,861 under the Community Enterprise Development (CED) program.
The grant benefitted 101 Daeteños with their project business, which is the commercialization of pineapple and pili based products.

The livelihood grant of DOLE is said to boost the income of the beneficiaries as well as increase the tourism and export industry of the province. (MAL/RPE-DOLE5/PIA5)