RDC endorses P1.484B  infra projects to hasten tourism development in Bicol

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 28 (PIA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), regional office here has included in its priority projects for 2013 the Convergence Program on Enhancing Tourism Access in Bicol amounting to P1.484 billion.

DPWH 5 regional director Danilo Dequito said in an interview that the Regional Development Council (RDC) had already endorsed the DPWH and Department of Tourism (DOT) convergence program through Resolution No. 35, series of 2012

Projects under the program include the improvement of Tabaco-Malinao-Buhi Road in Albay amounting to P591 million; President Cory Aquino Boulevard, inclusive of the construction of two bridges in Camarines Norte, with P450M allocation; Iriga-Buhi Road in Camarines Sur, with P368M; and, Virac-Pajo-Antipolo-Igang Road in Catanduanes, amounting to P75M.

These road projects, according to Dequito, will provide safe, efficient, convenient and easy access to tourism identified areas fortifying Bicol’s tourism roadmap for development.

Bicol RDC chair and Albay Gov. Jose Salceda has initiated and been pursuing the strategic approach, through the Albay Masbate Sorsogon Tourism Alliance (AlMaSorTA) and the Catanduanes-Camarines Sur-Camarines Norte Tourism Link (CCTL), to accelerate tourism development and enhance the attractiveness of Bicol as a tourist destination.

Salceda further cited that the clusters need the completion of several priority projects with the likes of infrastructure development to make the region fully accessible for its external market access.

DPWH, and DOT has since been pushing for an aggressive program on providing quality roads and bridges that will encourage tourist influx in Bicol.

“Increase in tourist arrivals will certainly step up economic opportunities not only in rural areas but also in urban centers,” RD Dequito said.

For the current year, P849.728M is allotted for roads leading to tourist destinations wherein P409.460M is allocated for the province of Camarines Norte, P250.268M for Camarines Sur and P190M for Sorsogon. (MAL/LVC-DPWH5/PIA5)


Bicol Consortium for Agriculture lauds DENR-ERDS research

By Sally A. Atento

LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 28 (PIA) -- The Bicol Consortium for Agriculture Resources Research and Development (BCARRD) lauded the research conducted by the Ecosystem Research and Development Service (ERDS) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Bicol. 

The project entitled, “Stabilization Strategies for Riverbank and Floodplain Areas in Guinobatan, Albay” by Alejo Balaguer and ERDS OIC regional technical director Lida Borboran, landed third among the best studies chosen by the BCARRD during the Regional Research and Development Symposium held on November 5 this year. 

The study suggests bio-physical assessment and study of impending dangers, study of disaster vulnerability and livelihood improvement of communities along the riverbanks and flood plain areas of San Francisco, Guinobatan Albay through a sustainable disaster risk management (DRR) program. 

Part of the study is the establishment of 150-meter bioengineering riverbank slope and flood control structure. Three designs, each measuring 30 meters long, have been constructed. 

Borboran added that the said project will serve as an initial study that can be conducted by other communities in the region as defense against calamaties especially against flooding. (MAL/SAA-PIA5, Albay)

Young writers vie for the regional champion of the essay writing competition on the legacy of Sec. Robredo on Dec. 8

By Rosalita Base-Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, Nov. 28 (PIA) -- Young writers from the six provinces of Bicol region will compete for the regional championships of the Bicol 2012 essay writing competition on the legacy of Secretary Jesse M. Robredo on December 8 in Naga City.

Among the themes that the writers will develop is leadership, taking off from a quote attributed to the late interior and local government secretary: “The most important ingredient of leadership is character. Most of the proficiencies can be learned, but what’s inside you is something that’s difficult to change.”

The young writers are the 12 provincial first placers who will compete for the regional champion in category I (6 secondary winners) and category II (6 tertiary winners) coming from the six provinces of the region.

Daet Mayor Tito Sarte-Sarion, Publisher of the Bicol Harvest Magazine and proponent of the essay writing competition, said that Harvey Keh, founder of the Kaya Natin Movement, will also lead the activity being one of the stakeholders of the contest.

He said that members of the board of judges will include Bam Aquino; Atty. Leni Robredo, widow of Sec. Robredo; Mark Yu, President of Seaoil, one of the sponsors; Mayor John Bongat, Vice Mayor Gabby Bordado and Councilors of Naga City; Regional Directors and heads of the different government agencies concerned and private institutions.

Sarion said winners of the regional competition in both categories will receive a trophy and cash prize of P10,000; P7,000 and P5,000 for the first, second and third placer respectively and 3 consolation prizes of P1,000.

The provincial winners will also be awarded on the same day in both categories of a trophy and cash prize of P5,000 for first place, P3,000 for second place and P2,000 for third place. Seven consolation prices amounting to P500 will be also be given.

The co-proponent of the competition are the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Local Government of Daet, Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), SM Naga and ABS-CBN Naga.

This is also in support of the Local Government Units of Naga City, Iriga City, Legaspi City, Albay, Tabaco City, Ligao City, Casiguran of Sorsogon, Catanduanes and Masbate City. (MAL/RBM-PIA5/Camarines Norte).


UNFPA donates anew medical equipment, supplies to Albay

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay Nov. 28 (PIA) -- Albay's program to ensure women’s health got another boost as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is set to distribute to the province anew medical equipment and supplies.

Albay AIDS Council focal person Mike de la Rama said the turn-over of the second set of medical equipment and supplies is set on November 29 to coincide with the province’s earlier observance of December 1 World AIDS Day.

The donations, including drugs and medicines for sexually transmitted infections or STI, form part of the 5-year implementation in the province of the 7th country programme of the UNFPA.

Also included in the equipment are adult scale, instrument trolley, stretchers, midwifery kits, and intravenous stands.

UNFPA also donated 27 items of Reproductive Health Kit Number 5, composed of different STI medicines, information materials, condoms, antibiotics, syringes, needles and other medical supplies.

This is the second batch of commodities under the program donated to the province to prevent and control the spread of STI, HIV/AIDS.

Earlier this year UNFPA also turned-over midwifery kits, obstetric equipment and medicines for the use of health workers in the province to safeguard maternal health, promote family planning as well as adolescent reproductive health and gender equality.

The program covers maternal health, family planning, prevention of sexually transmitted infection and HIV, adolescent reproductive health and gender equality, as well as family-planning assistance.

Meanwhile, the UNFPA assistance will augment anew the provincial government’s resources and capability in its continued pursuit of zero deaths among mothers and infant, also in consonance with the zero casualty (deaths) goal of the province.

In Bicol region, Albay and Camarines Norte are the only remaining provinces to benefit from assistance to implement programs on reproductive health under the UNFPA 7th country programme. (MAL-PIA5/Albay)