Nine NPA rebels abandon armed struggle in Catanduanes

By Maj. Angelo Guzman, DPAO 9ID PA

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur, Jan. 30 (PIA/PA) -- The Army unit in the island province of Catanduanes continues to win the peace as a significant number of NPA rebels abandoned the armed struggle and joined the main stream of the society this January.

“Nine NPA rebels made the right decision to go down the mountains from the period Jan 17-27 this year,” said Lieutenant Colonel Rodolfo Batang, commanding officer of the 83rd Infantry Battalion based in San Andres town in Catanduanes.

Batang said the primary activities the unit is focusing now is the enrichment of knowledge of the former rebels through livelihood programs and seminars that they hope would enable them to support themselves when they are taken back to the mainstream society.

In 2012, also eight NPA rebels surrendered to the 83rd Infantry Battalion under the leadership of Batang.

“Through our Bayanihan Teams (BTs) which are deployed in insurgency influenced areas in Catanduanes, the citizens are educated on the importance of the IPSP 'Bayanihan' campaign of the AFP against insurgency,” said Brigadier General Ricardo R Visaya AFP, commander of the 901st Infantry Brigade in Daraga, Albay.

The brigade has operational jurisdiction of Army units in Albay and Catanduanes.

“The active presence of our BTs and the continuous operations drove them to voluntarily go down the mountains because they are no longer able to move freely among the masses from whom they used extortion money and other insurgency tactics,” Visaya said.

He also said that these surrenderees should set as examples for other rebels to follow.

Aside from the “snowball” of surrenders, Visaya said that through the efforts of the Bayanihan Teams, an M16 rifle, an M203 grenade launcher and 46 pieces of 40mm grenade launcher ammunition were also surrendered last January 20, 2013 in San Vicente, Virac, Catanduanes. (MAL/Maj. AGuzman- DPAO 9ID PA/PIA5)


DOH issues advisory against chikungunya virus

By Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Jan. 30 (PIA) -- The Provincial Health Office (PHO) here has issued a health advisory warning the public against the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus after recording at least eight cases in Barangay Bagatabao, Bagamanoc.

The PHO team visited the area last January 24 and took samples from patients for evaluation and confirmation by the Department of Health-Legazpi to address the growing concern in the affected community.

Provincial Health Officer II Lubella M. Sanchez said there is no vaccine available in the country to cure chikungunya. However, preventive measures can be done to avoid it, mainly by maintaining the surroundings clean and by practicing 4S: Search and destroy; Self protection; Seek early treatment and Say no to indiscriminate fogging.

According to the World Health Organization, chikungunya is a viral disease (genus Alphavirus) which is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes-including Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.

The name chikungunya originates from a verb in the Kimakonde language, meaning 'to become contorted.' This refers to the 'stooped' appearance of those suffering with joint pain which is a symptom of the disease. (MAL/EAB-PIA5/Catanduanes)


DepEd Catanduanes all set for Palarong Bicol 2013

By Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Jan. 30 (PIA) -- The Department of Education (DepEd) Catanduanes Division is all set for the 2013 Palarong Bicol to be held on February 23-28.

DepEd Catanduanes Officer-In-Charge Jose Doncillo said last week that DepEd Catanduanes is ready for the big event. He added that the billeting schools in Virac and Bato have affirmed their preparedness and readiness for the games.

Around 5,000 athletes from 13 participating delegations from Albay, Camarines Sur, Ligao City, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Iriga City, Legazpi City, Masbate, Masbate City, Naga City, Sorsogon, Sorsogon City and Tabaco City will compete for several sports events.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) Provincial Office headed by Police Senior Supt. Eduardo Chavez said around 100 police personnel will be deployed in several sports venues, aside from the regular checkpoint being done by their office.

A media center will be set up at the event for local and national media coverage.

The winners in the 2013 Palarong Bicol will represent the region during the Palarong Pambansa 2013 at Negros Oriental in April. (MAL/EAB-PIA5/Catanduanes)


DTI, LTO and PNP join forces on implementing Motorcycle Helmet Act

By Analiza S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, Jan. 30 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are working together to ensure the compliance of motorists to the Motorcycle Helmet Act.

LTO and PNP formed 3 groups which were deployed in barangays Concepcion, Pequena, Mabolo and San Felipe.

DTI Camarines Sur spokesman Jay Ablan said back riders are not exempted from wearing helmets. He added that most of the violations noted on the first day of the ordinance’s enforcement were from back riders, either wearing their helmet without the import commodity clearance (ICC) sticker or from not wearing a helmet.

“We started reminding the motorists since the last quarters of 2012 and even extended the deadline to ensure that information is properly disseminated, including the ample time given to motorcycle owners to register their helmets at the DTI office. DTI even made rounds in various municipalities just to ensure that everybody will take heed and comply with the law,” Ablan said.

Based on their records, DTI was able to certify 14, 811 ICC certified helmets in the province. Some 25,000 registered motorists in the province might have brought a new helmet which already came with an ICC sticker.

Meanwhile, DTI Provincial Director Edna Tejada commended the collaborating agencies for their active participation in this endeavor.

“The joint forces of DTI, LTO and PNP signalled the public that indeed we are serious on the implementation of the Helmet Law. However, more than compliance of the law, we are after for the safety of our motorists, and at DTI, we believe that it can happen if quality helmets will be used,” Tejada said in an interview.

The Motorcycle Helmet Act or Republic Act 10054 now being implemented nationwide mandates that riders should wear appropriate helmets that have passed the standards and specifications issued by DTI. (LSMacatangay/ PIA-Camarines Sur)