Daet town receives ambulance from PCSO

By Rosalita B. Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, Feb. 8 (PIA) -- The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has approved the release of an ambulance for the municipal government here.

Mayor Tito Sarte-Sarion said the ambulance cost P2 million with a P400,000-counterpart from the municipal government being a first class municipality.

He said the town has two ambulances in bad condition and the new one would help the three rural health units (RHUs) during emergencies.

Sarion added that with the ambulance, better service will be delivered to the indigent patients of the town.

The local government has constructed two RHUs worth P4 million. Two million came from the prize money given to them as winner of the seal of housekeeping millennium challenge of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) last year and the P2 million was the local government's counterpart. (RBM/PIA5, Camarines Norte)


Prov’l gov’t prepares for Linggo ng Kalikasan 2013

By Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Feb. 8 (PIA) -- The provincial government of Catanduanes is all set for the celebration of the Linggo ng Kalikasan this year.

The activity is in accordance with Provincial Ordinance No. 003-2010 institutionalizing Catanduanes' annual celebration in support of the DENR's Environment Month. It also recognizes the need to mobilize every sector of society towards good environmental stewardship.

This year’s theme is: “Basura: Pangasiwaan para sa Kalikasan at Kabuhayan”. The theme focuses on the collective efforts to address solid waste management problems with emphasis on its environmental and economic dimensions.

The first day of the activity on June 17 will have an eco-run dubbed “Takbo para sa Kalikasan”. This is a fund-raising event to support Solid Waste Management project of a pre-selected barangay to be spearheaded by the 83rd IB of the Philippine Army.

An opening program shall be held at the Provincial Capitol grounds where a Pledge of Allegiance to the Environment shall be conducted along with the launching of the Catanduanes Center for Mangrove Conservation at Palnab Mangrove Area.

Mangrove and upland tree planting will also be held and shall eventually become a tradition in the province.

Other activities lined-up for the celebration are: Pauragan 2013, Poster-making contest, Tagisan sa Paglikha and Kalinga sa Kalikasan Dance Competition.

This year’s celebration will also feature the second Dangal ng Kalikasan award to give recognition to individuals who are selflessly dedicated in promoting the preservation of the environment.

Dangal ng Kalikasan award was institutionalized through Executive Order No. 5, series of 2012 issued by Governor Joseph C. Cua of the province of Catanduanes.

The award, which will be in the form of a plaque of recognition or monetary incentive or both, shall be conferred to the recipient after thorough evaluation by the search committee establishes that the awardee had exhibited such unquestionable commitment.

The organizer of the program is the Provincial Government of Catanduanes through a steering committee headed by Gov. Cua. (MAL/EAB-PIA5/Catanduanes)


DENR Camarines Sur intensifies “Operation Baklas”

By Analiza S. Macatangay

PILI, Camarines Sur, Feb. 8 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources office here is bent on protecting the trees from campaign posters and paraphernalia through the implementation of its Operation Baklas.

Camarines Sur Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Atty. Arnel P. Rodriguez said that in Operation Baklas, they will immediately start removing nailed posters on trees and warn violators that they are going to impose stern penalties to those who will be caught nailing posters, billboards, tarpaulins, and steamers on trees.

Rodriguez also reminded the candidates not to allow their supporters to use nail and staple wires in hanging their campaign paraphernalia.

He said that the move is to ensure free, orderly, honest and credible elections without harming our environment.

He added that he has already seen campaign posters nailed on trees along the roads in different municipalities.

“It is part of our mandate to ensure clean and trash-free elections from the start of the mid-term polls up to the time that this political exercise is already concluded,” said Rodriguez in an interview.

“We are particularly concerned with the sight and presence of posters nailed in trees in various parts of the province and we know that we have to do something about this, this early,” he added. (MAL/LSM-PIA5/Camarines Sur)



Red Cross Camarines Sur to lead runners to Million Volunteer Run2

By Analiza S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, Feb.8 (PIA) -- The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Camarines Sur and Naga Chapter will join million of Red Cross volunteers run for humanity and raise the red flag of volunteerism on Sunday, February 10, here.

PRC-Camarines Sur chapter administrator Nanette Rodrigazo is encouraging members of the community, from the academe to various government agencies and private institutions to enlist themselves and join the 2nd leg of the Million Volunteer Run as they inch their way to another historic feat.

This year's run is a sequel of the Million Volunteer Run first held in December 4, 2011.

“We would like to invite everyone to join us in this activity as we endeavor to raise the awareness of the community in addressing pressing humanitarian challenges. The funds that we can get from this activity, will be used for the Red Cross 143 Volunteers training program on disaster management, including related programs on disaster preparedness that Red Cross is pursuing," Rodrigazo said in an interview.

Volunteers and runners for the MVR2 here will converge at SM City to also serve as starting point of the run. Gun start will be at 5:30am.

Route will go all the way to St. Joseph School, Panganiban Drive, Circle Rotonda, Magsaysay Avenue going to Villa Caceres Hotel as the turn around point and back at SM Naga parking area as the finishing area.

PRC chairman of the Board of Directors (BOD) Pete Servano is hopeful that just like the MVR1, this sports event would encourage more runners, not just to save themselves, but also to save others.

“The spirit of volunteerism is innate in each and every one of us. The very essence of this run is to empower ourselves and our nation against the dangers of disasters. Red Cross has always been in the forefront of this campaign, with the help of our selfless volunteers, “ Servano added.

To encourage more runners, Rodrigazo has announced that a prize awaits the biggest delegation. For those who were not able to register with a singlet, they are encouraged to run with their red shirts or sports sando during the run.

For more details, please drop by at PRC Camarines Sur Office located at Panganiban Drive, Naga City or they may call (054) 473-9431. (LSMacatangay/ PIA-Camarines Sur)