Team Albay, OCD bags 11 disaster council awards

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay, Sept 13 (PIA) -- The joint Team Albay and Office of the Civil Defense (OCD-5) have notched 11 citations under the awards program “Bakas or Bayaning Likas (born hero)” of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

President Benigno S. Aquino III led the awarding rites yesterday at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, recognizing the heroes who responded in times of calamities especially those who helped during the onslaught of the southwest monsoon and in the search operations for the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo.

Albay Governor Joey Salceda cited that Team Albay-OCD-5 were conferred of the Bakas Parangal ng Kadakilaan for the Provincial Government of Albay OCD-5, Regional Director Raffy Alejandro of OCD 5, Naval Forces of Southern Luzon (Navforsol), Capt. Jason Galang of Navforsol Tactical Operations Group (TOG) 5 of the Philippine Air Force, Col. Augusto Gaite of TOG 5, Water and Sanitation (WatSan) Team and Health and Emergency Management Services (HEMS) of Albay Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Search and Rescue Unit, and including himself.

Salceda said Team Albay-OCD5 were among those units, which helped during the onslaught of the massive flooding due to heavy rains brought about the southwest monsoon in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces, furthermore, in the search, rescue and retrieval operations for the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo.

The President has also presented the Bakas Parangal ng Kagitingan to the members of Task Force Kalihim, including the divers who helped in locating and retrieving the bodies of Robredo and pilot Jessup Bahinting from the wreckage of the ill-fated Piper Seneca plane.

“Bakas Parangal,” is an award institutionalized and given by the NDRRMC to those who showed exemplary and extraordinary acts of selflessness in reaching out to those who are in urgent need of assistance in times of calamities and disasters.

NDRRMC Executive Director Benito Ramos explained that the Bakas Parangal awards would serve as a reminder that the selfless acts during times of need would not remain unrecognized for what they have done is not only to save lives but also to change lives of many.

“Bakas,” which roughly means “imprint” and an acronym of the words “Bayaning Likas” has three categories for both individuals and organizations namely:

Category I or the Bakas Parangal ng Kadakilaan is given to honor the noble service of units or groups and organizations who participated in rescue efforts despite the hardship of the situations. Awardees will be given plaque of recognition.

Category II or the Bakas Parangal ng Kabayanihan is given to the leader of a unit or group that “exhibited exemplary acts of heroism beyond their call of duty.” Awardees will be given plaque of recognition for the leader of the unit or group accompanied by certificate of recognition for the members.

Category III or the Bakas Parangal ng Kagitingan is given to individuals who “exhibited extraordinary acts of bravery by extending assistance to those in need in times of disaster beyond the call of duty. Awardees will be bestowed with the bronze “Medalyon ng Kagitingan” accompanied by certificate of recognition. (MAL-PIA5 Albay)



Good Governance signature campaign launched in the 1st Jesse Robredo Youth Leadership Seminar

DAET, Camarines Norte, Sept 13 (PIA) -- The local initiative “A call for transparency, accountability and good governance” signature campaign was launched during the 1st Jesse Robredo Youth Leadership Seminar.

It was held September 9 by the Mabini Colleges-College of Business Administration and Accountancy Central Council at the Daet Heritage Center here.

Professor Rex Bernardo said it is their appeal, being conscientious citizens of Camarines Norte, that they have deeply reflected to take action and preserve the legacy of good local governance of Jesse Robredo.

“We have unanimously made the moral calling to demand transparency, accountability and good governance to our leaders,” he said.

He said they will demand to the local leaders of local government units here to immediately enact and pass proposed legislations that promote accountability, transparency and citizen’s engagement – all necessary ingredients that nurture and sustain good governance.

The proposed legislative measures are Productivity Improvement Program, Municipal/Provincial People’s Council, i-Govern “power of information” and Municipal/provincial citizen’s charter.

He said they demand that said proposed legislations be passed in the municipalities and province, since these have long been institutionalized and working in Naga City.

“It is only through these actions that we may be able to follow Jesse Robredo’s legacy in good local governance” he said.

Meanwhile, topics discussed during the seminar were the “Tsinelas Leadership: Robredo’s Brand of People Empowered Leadership” presented by Bernardo, 2011 Young Global Leader Fellow; “Robredo’s Legacy: A Trasformative Style of Servant Leadership” by Elmer Edgar Sto. Domingo, motivational doach; and “A call for Volunteerism: Nation Building the GK Way” by Mary Adelyn Tecson, RN GK regional volunteer coordinator.

An audio visual presentation of “Dare to Dream: Triumphs of Human Spirit” and group presentations on “Parables of Authentic Leadership” were also included in the seminar.

The activity was attended by some 250 college students of the said school. (MAL/RBM-PIA5/Camarines Norte).