PDEA urges stakeholders support for 2012 Drug Abuse Prevention Control week

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, Nov 9 (PIA) -- Government agencies, private organizations and residents are enjoined to support and cooperate with the government campaign to eradicate the use, trade and proliferation of illegal drugs.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has solicited the assistance of all the stakeholders in this drive in time for the observance of the Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week (DAPC Week) on November 11-17, Teodoro Caparozo said in an interview at PIA regional office’s radio program “Ugnayan sa Bikol.”

“Yet, we must always ensure that the campaign against illegal drugs will and must continue and remain unyielding everyday,” he said.

Archie Grande, PDEA 5 regional director, said there is need for concerned groups to promote drug-free lifestyle and intensify drug-demand reduction activities in line with the said observance.

The yearly observance of the Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week on the third week of November is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 124 issued on November 26, 2011.

The observance aims to increase awareness among Filipinos about the negative effects of drug and substance abuse not only on the health but also on the social, economic, and even the political development of the country.

The government believes that a systematically coordinated information drive about the evils of drug abuse can greatly help in preventing the rising numbers of drug dependents in the country, Grande said.

The activities in the region for this year’s DAPC week are anchored on the theme “Kalusugan ay kayamanan, Droga ay iwasan.”

Among the activities slated by government and non-government agencies nationwide in the observance of this event are poster/slogan-making contest, motorcade, and lecture forums to support the government’s crusade against illegal drugs. (MAL/SAA-PIA5 Albay)


CSU accountancy student 1st RU in Bicol SGV Cup

By Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Nov. 9 (PIA) -- Arjay C. Tayas, a fifth year BS Accountancy student of the Catanduanes State University (CSU), was declared first runner-up in the SGV Cup Level Up Regional quiz competition besting some 32 contestants from various colleges and universities in the region.

The event highlighted the National Federation of the Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (NFJPIA) Regional Mid-year Convention held recently in Legazpi City.

An oral elimination round was made to determine the top 10 qualifiers for the final round of the competition. Due to a tie, a clincher round for the 10th place was held where Tayas managed to win.

During the final round, easy, average, and difficult questions were given per area, randomly arranged on the screen with corresponding points depending on the level of difficulty.

Contestants raced to form a pattern based on their answers to get the championship.

Moreover, Mark Alfred T. Santillan, JPIA CSC Chapter President emerged as Champion in the Executive Officer Encounter Quiz contest.

Tayas was coached by CBA Accountancy Instructor Eliseo M. Somido,

He also represented the Bicol Region in the National SGV and Co. Cup Level Up during the 15th NFJPIA National Mid-year Convention held on October 23-26, 2012 at D’Leonor Hotel - Inland Resort and Wavepool, in Davao City.

Delegates in the convention were representatives from different local chapters, advisers, school deans and faculty members across the archipelago.

The Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (JPIA) is the only legitimate counterpart of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) with more than 60,000 constituents nationwide with 270 accredited local chapters from 13 different regions. (MAL/EAB/ CSU/PIA5)


DOLE assures no minors working in Camarines Norte night spots

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 9 (PIA) -- There are no more minors working in entertainment bars and other night spots in Camarines Norte.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Bicol has totally banned the hiring and admittance of minors in these places to curb the incidence of children engaged in prostitution. The policy was crafted in consultation with night club owners, local government units, government social welfare and enforcement agencies as well as people’s organizations, DOLE Regional Director Nathaniel V. Lacambra said.

He said entertainment establishments owners and the town executives of Paracale, Camarines Norte have jointly launched an anti-child labor campaign dubbed "Dikit-Paalala” in time for the DOLE’s annual Project Angel Tree-Gift Giving and Feeding.

Under the campaign, DOLE posts permanent signs inside night establishments reminding management and costumers that minors are not allowed in the area.

"It is a simple but effective advocacy program," Lacambra said.

The program took effect in February 2011. It was initiated by the Provincial Anti-Child Labor Council (PPACL) of Camarines Norte of the DOLE provincial office.

Dikit-Paalala stickers have been posted in at least 15 entertainment establishments in Daet, Camarines Norte.

Meanwhile, DOLE 5 Assistant Regional Director Exequiel Ronnie A. Guzman said other provinces are may replicate the ‘Dikit Paalala’ campaign.

“We are more than happy and open to share this initiative to other provinces or even regions. They can just modify it to the needs of their province or municipality like here in Paracale,” Guzman said. (MAL-PIA5/Albay)

NSO conducts 2012 Survey on Domestic Visitors

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Nov 9 (PIA) -- The National Statistics Office (NSO), Catanduanes will be undertaking the 2012 Household Survey on Domestic Visitors (2012 HSDV) from November 8 until 30.

The 2012 Household Survey on Domestic Visitors (2012 HSDV) is a nationwide survey of households conducted regularly to gather data on household information on domestic tourism that are vital to the effective and efficient development and implementation of tourism plans and programs. The data shall provide a comprehensive data on domestic tourism for policy-making purposes.

Specifically, the survey aims to:1) Update baseline data to measure the volume of domestic and international tourism; 2)Update the profile and travel characteristics of domestic and outbound visitors; 3)Identify the travel patterns of the Filipino households; and 4)Estimate the extent and economic contribution of domestic and international tourism in the country.

In the province, two (2) sample barangays will be visited. The municipalities with sample barangays to be visited are San Andres (1 barangay), and Virac (1 barangay).

The reporting units are the household and household members 15 years old and over, that means that the statistics emanating from the survey will refer to the characteristics of the population residing in private households.

Actual interview of sample households will take twenty days. Authority for the survey is Commonwealth Act 591 which authorizes NSO to conduct censuses and surveys.

Pursuant to the provision of Section 4 of this Act, information obtained from the respondents shall be held strictly confidential and shall not be divulged to any person except authorized NSO personnel acting in the performance of their duties. (MAL/EAB/NSO/PIA5/Catanduanes)