193 participants complete 50-mile run around Mayon Volcano

By Sally B. Atento

LEGAZPI CITY, April 11 (PIA) -- One hundred ninety three local and foreign participants out of 210 race starters completed the 50-mile (80 kilometer) ultra marathon run around the Mayon Volcano.

The participants endured the grueling route along three cities and seven municipalities with over 77 barangays within the 16-hour given time.

The race started 4 am of April 6 at Peñaranda Park, Albay finishing on the same location at 8 pm cut-off time of the same day.

Participants for this year’s event tripled from 69 in 2011 and 169 in 2012.

This growth in number, said Junior Chamber International (JCI) Legazpi president Yves Yu, shows the development of tourism industry and potentials of local runners in the province.

“We started with the Mayon Trail Run five or six years ago. Only a few joined and most of the winners were national athletes but in the recent years we already have local champions. This means that events like these are opportunities for us to discover and develop the potentials of our local runners,” said Yu.

This year’s Mayon 360 ultra marathon is organized by the JCI Legazpi, Liga ng mga Barangay Albay Chapter and provincial government of Albay as part of the 2013 Daragang Magayon festival.

The Bald Runner Jovie Narcise, president of the Philippine Association of Ultra runners (PAU) and this year’s race director, added that such event has been an outlet to discover and develop local runners to compete in international ultra marathon tournaments.

“We have been looking for best runners in the regions to compete abroad and we do it through marathon competitions such as this one. We envision choosing Bicolano runners, developing them and sending them to international competitions. Remember that Manny Pacquiao has been one of our best boxers in the country but he was truly recognized when he won in international boxing tournaments abroad. And that’s what we’re aiming at,” said the Bald runner.

Leading this year’s winners are local runners Mario Maglinao of Rizal Legazpi City crossing the finish line in 6 hours and 10 minutes and Martin Balaybo of Sto Domingo, this year’s first and last year’s third runner-up, in 6 hours and 41 minutes. Following them is Kenyan runner Elijah Kipruto 34 minutes after.

For the female category, Janette Agura of Manila was the first to make it to the finish line in 7 hours and 49 minutes speeding over Kenyan runner Susan Jemutai (8 hours, 45 min) and Melanie Malilan (8 hours, 50 min) of Laguna.

The Mayon 360 Ultra marathon is on its third edition this year. The first edition held April 2, 2011 has been awarded as the 2011 Best Sports Tourism Event (provincial level category) by the Association of Tourist Officers of the Philippines (ATOP). (/MAL/SAA/PIA5)

DOST 5 preps up for PCOS operators accreditation



By Joseph John J. Perez

LEGAZPI CITY, April 11 (PIA) – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Bicol readies for the accreditation process to certify operators on capability to operate the Precinct Count Optical Scanner (PCOS) machine.

“DOST is the government agency responsible for accreditation of PCOS machine operators for the elections on May this year,” DOST regional director Tomas Brinas said during the “Hatol ng Bayan” television program aired over PTV-8 Legaspi Wednesday last week.

Brinas said the examinations were done in every province in batches starting on March 25 with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) determining the dates and the batch.

He said Comelec coordinated with the Department of Education (DepEd) in identifying possible PCOS operators, adding that usually the chairperson of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI) is designated as the PCOS operator.

PCOS is not a complicated machine because it only performs scanning functions and those who know basic PC operations can surely operate it.

The DOST provided the questionnaire for the examination for the PCOS machine operators while the COMELEC provides the training for the BEI PCOS operators.

“DOST has quick response teams on Election Day to perform trouble shooting of PCOS in case of malfunctions,” Brinas said.

The BEI is capable of detecting PCOS malfunctions by performing diagnostics.

“DOST-accredited PCOS operators ensure us of clean and honest elections,” Brinas said.

“Rest assured that the DOST is doing its part for a credible election and we assure that PCOS operators has the knowledge and integrity to operate the machine,” Brinas said.

Brinas remarked that a credible election is brought about by the efficient interaction and preparation of the three elements, the PCOS machine, its operator and finally. (MAL/JJJP/PIA5)


Archbishop Tirona pays tribute to fallen soldiers

By Marlon A. Loterte

CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur, April 11 (PIA) – Bicol's highest ranking church leader paid tribute to the fallen soldiers of Army’s 9th Infantry Division (9ID) at the Heroes Memorial on April 5, this province.

Most Rev. Rolando Octavus J Tria Tirona, Archbishop of Caceres, visited the headquarters of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division here also solemnizing a Holy Mass for the soldiers of the division.

Tirona and Maj. Gen. Romeo V Calizo, commander of the Army’s 9ID, led the wreath laying ceremony at the Heroes Memorial to pay respect to the soldiers of 9ID who have died in combat while performing their duties in protecting the Bicolanos in the region.

Calizo welcomed the visit of Archbishop Tria Tirona as great honour for division.

“His paying respect to our fallen soldiers even made his visit more meaningful,” Calizo said. “It’s also very timely since the Araw ng Kagitingan will be commemorated on April 9,” he added.

The names of three officers and 72 soldiers were engraved on the wall of the Heroes Memorial. 23 more are being deliberated for inclusion the memorial.

The statue of Elias Lakandula Angeles, a local hero during the Spanish – American war, stands at the Heroes Memorial. The camp was named in his honor. Elias Angeles died fighting for the liberation of Caceres from the Spanish regime from the late 1800s to early 1900s

In his homily, Tirona said that the uniformed men have been very close to his heart since many in his family pursued their careers in the uniformed service.

“Men and women in uniform are epitomes of persons highlighting the belief of God, the love for humanity and above all, the sacrifice for freedom,” said the archbishop.

Before the final blessing, Calizo handed Tirona an Army camouflage jacket bearing the archbishop’s name that delighted the church head. In return, the archbishop gave rosaries to the soldiers.

“Strengthening the state of spirituality and morality of our Officers and soldiers is one of our priorities,” said Calizo.

“A spiritually and morally upright soldier is important in the accomplishment of our mission,” he said. (MAL/ASGuzman-PAO, 9ID-PA/PIA5)



Soldiers are bridges of good governance says Albay official

Pili Camarines Sur, Apr 11 (CAMP ELIAS ANGELES)  --- Some wrong beliefs don’t die as easily as most do.

This is what Legazpi City Administrator Noel Rosal seems to believe in when he said soldiers in Albay are being misjudged by a militant group for their immersion projects in seven barangays in his city.

The City Administrator spoke up in defense of the Civil Military Operations unit that was deployed in by 901st Infantry Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Ricardo R Visaya, in Legazpi City to conduct community outreach and education programs in chosen barangays there.

Karapatan – Bicol accused BGen Visaya of ordering the enforcement of a supposed urban militarization in the city.

“Give them a chance,” the former mayor said. “They deserve to be given a chance to prove themselves different from what others think they are.”

Rosal insisted that the presence of the Army in barangays in Legazpi are all permitted by the local government because they are in partnership with city officials in realizing its projects that cater to the common and poor residents who were their chosen beneficiaries. H

He said that he and Legazpi Mayor Carmen Geraldine B. Rosal are grateful for the presence of the Army in the urban areas because they are instrumental in the performance of duties of the LGU to its constituents.

“They serve as our bridges or links to the people because they alert us on the needs of our constituents. We come to know of the people’s complaints and wishes because they work closely with them as beneficiaries of community outreach,” he said.

Rosal added further that the accusations raised by Karapatan-Bicol last month to print media were ‘unfair’ and unfounded since he can very much attest against it. He said that there have been no complaints from the residents regarding any abuses or misbehavior from the military.

Brigadier General Visaya himself that he is not surprised with the negative reactions to their projects in Legazpi, which are all part of the enforcement of the IPSP-Bayanihan.

He said that such actions are to be expected from the militants because their projects, which directly address the causes of insurgency which are poverty and ignorance to the real objectives of government, rob the New People’s Army of recruits.

Meanwhile, Brigadier General Visaya, who recently received recognition from Albay Governor Joey Salceda for his contribution in peace and development in the province last April 3, 2013, is set to leave Bicol to accept the position of Assistant Division Commander of the 6th Infantry Division in Mindanao this coming week. (PIA/9th ID Philippine Army)