Russian climber rescued from Mayon

By Sally A. Atento

LEGAZPI CITY, May 23 (PIA) -- The search and rescue unit (SRU) teams dispatched yesterday morning by Albay Governor Joey Salceda has found Mark Yuchyugaev, the 28-year old Russian national who was stuck along the Mi-isi Gully off Mayon Volcano.

Salceda said Yuchyugaev reportedly called a certain Gerry Delana of Barangay Busay in Daraga at around 8 p.m. of May 21 asking for assistance as he broke his leg and was suffering from cold temperature at the slope of around 1,700 meters after going for a solo climb.

Delana in turn reported the incident to the Daraga Fire Station.

Yuchyugaev reportedly climbed Mayon on May 19 passing through Mi-isi trail in Daraga.

Cedric Daep, APSEMO director, said the exact location of Yuchyugaev was determined by the SRU teams yesterday morning after establishing visual contact through mirror signal.

Daep said the SRU is composed of four teams led by the PRC and BFP. Highly skilled PRC volunteers and authorized local guides comprise the first team led by Johnny Añonuevo, designated scene commander.

They set out on a critical trail at Camp 2 elevated at 2,500 feet above sea level.

The second team stationed at Camp 1 as augmentation force to the first team is currently moving to join the first team.

Another two teams are on standby at APSEMO and BFP regional headquarters.

Daep said the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) is also currently on standby for ground and air asset support.

Meanwhile all SRUs and volunteer mountaineers are advised to be on stand by pending request for augmentation from the two teams who are currently at the volcano area.

Prohibition to climb Mayon Volcano is likewise strictly enforced.

"Team1 now near that victim but decided to rest and will stay overnight as all were tired and spent as they have been trekking nearly 10 hours already on unfamiliar trail. Team 2 will try to reach location of Team 1 and they will start to assault area where the victim is located early morning tommorrow. All logistics requirement and man power support will be organized tonight to be ready for dispatch early tommorrow. Field command post closely coordinates with barangay officials of Miisi Daraga. Coordination for possible air asset support done through RDRRMC and Office of the Civil Defense V,” Daep added. (MAL/SAA/PIA5-Albay)


Election in Bicol successful and peaceful despite minor glitches – COMELEC

By Joseph John J. Perez

LEGAZPI CITY, May 23 (PIA) -- This year’s midterm national election was generally peaceful and successful in the entire Bicol region, according to the top regional official of the Commission on Election (Comelec) in Bicol.

Comelec regional election director Atty.Romeo Fortes said that with only the provinces of Camarines Sur and Masbate placed entirely under election watchlist by the Philippine National Police (PNP) early January this year, Bicol experienced almost zero-violence incidents.

“Surprisingly, Masbate had only one fatality but only by accident,” Fortes said.

Police Officer 2 Jesus Apostol fell into the sea and suffered from a heart attack while on board a motorized boat when he was detailed to secure the transport of the PCOS machines to the polling places of San Jacinto barely a week before the polls. He was found unconscious and later on declared dead. Apostol was the team leader of the joint elements of the Regional Public Safety Batallion and San Pascual Municipal Police Station in Masbate.

On defective compact flash (CF) cards, Fortes said that they recorded only an average of two per province.

“So out of 4,800 precincts region wide, we only had 12 CF cards that malfunctioned,” Fortes said.

On the reported erroneous deliveries of PCOS machines made by Air 21, the deputized agency for the distribution of PCOS, Fortes confirmed that quite a number of occurrences were noted by their office.

“These were immediately solved since majority of interchanged PCOS occurred only between precincts within the same barangay or municipality. Malfunctioning PCOS were only few that were immediately replaced with contingency PCOS on stand-by," Fortes said.

“Misdeliveries of PCOS is only a minor problem, what is crucial is the prompt delivery of CCS (Consolidation Canvassing System),” Fortes said. The CCS is a computer unit in laptop form used in the canvassing and consolidation of the electronically transmitted election results from the precinct, city, municipal, district, and provincial board of canvassers.

“The CCS for San Jacinto (Masbate) was delivered only in the afternoon of May 17, so the results were only transmitted the following day,” Fortes said.

Fortes noted that Air 21 did not employ locals in the delivery of election paraphernalia that may have caused confusion in locating the exact destinations of deliveries. Further, they only call up the Comelec if they are already encountering problems. “Once you enter any region, coordination must be done with the Comelec regional election director per protocol,” Fortes said.

Long queues at the precincts may not have happened if the Comelec’s proposal of procuring 120,000 PCOS was realized. “Our budget was slashed thus we have only 80,000 PCOS,” Fortes said.

The ideal PCOS and voters ratio is 1:250 and maximum of 500 voters per PCOS, Fortes said. “In some precincts, almost 1,000 voters use a single PCOS,” Fortes said.

Fortes also commended the initial successes of conducting polls at jails which were introduced during May polls this year.

“We will recommend that there must be PCOS for every jail on the next elections,” Fortes said. Ballots from jails were transported to nearest precincts so that it can be scanned by PCOS.

The government can also look into improving some classrooms that can truly fit for polling purposes since elections happen every three years, Fortes said.

Another sector that is vital in every election is power to provide, reliable, uninterrupted and sufficient electricity, Fortes said. “It will ensure protection to PCOS and safety to voters,” Fortes said. (MAL/JJJP/PIA5-Albay)


Prov'l Health Office to lead candle lighting ceremony against AIDS

By Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, May 23 (PIA) -- As part of its campaign to fight the spread of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), the Provincial Health Office (PHO) of Catanduanes will spearhead a candle lighting ceremony on May 28, 2013.

The activity aims to honor lost lives because of AIDS complications and to increase public awareness on the status of the dreaded disease in the country.

According to Dr. Lubelia M. Sanchez, Provincial Health Officer II, now is the best time to increase the public’s knowledge about HIV/AIDS. She said that being aware is being safe and protected.

PHO is likewise inviting the public to participate in the said event on the 28th, 5:00 o’clock in the afternoon at Plaza Rizal, Virac.

AIDS is a disease of the human immune system caused by infection with HIV. In the Philippines, HIV/AIDS continue to increase despite efforts to curb its growth rate in the past.

AIDS remains to post significant threat to public health today. (MAL/EAB/PIA5-Catanduanes)


Comelec-Bicol recommends compensation to family of deceased policeman

By Joseph John J. Perez

LEGAZPI CITY, May 23 (PIA) -- The Commission on Election (Comelec) regional office here has recommended to the commission's headquarters to grant compensation to the family of the policeman from Masbate who died while performing his election duties.

Lawyer Romeo Fortes, Comelec Bicol regional election director, has requested Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes, Jr. to provide monetary benefits to the family of the late Police Officer 2 Jesus Apostol who fell into the sea and suffered from a heart attack while escorting the transport of the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machine and election paraphernalia in Masbate barely a week before the polls.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has cited Apostol who sacrificed his life for the elections and further assured his family of compensation.

“Comelec Resolution No. 9640 only provides insurance and compensation for teachers who sustain accidents or deaths while performing election duties,” Fortes said.

"Elections on every part of the country would have not been successful and peaceful if not for the vigor of our men in uniform," Fortes said.

“Had it not to their unwavering bravery, the security of our Board of Election Inspectors (BEI) would have been compromised, as well as the PCOS machines. Their participation must therefore be highly considered," Fortes said.

“It is only just proper that they be given the same treatment accorded to the teachers,” Fortes said.

Fortes recommends that the same compensation extended to the BEIs should be granted to the family of Apostol considering that his death happened while he was performing his election duties.

Fortes even mentioned that all COMELEC deputized agencies must be given the same benefits in case of death or accident.

Apostol was the team leader of the joint elements of the Regional Public Safety Batallion and San Pascual Municipal Police Station in Masbate. He accidentally fell into the sea while on board a motorized boat when he was detailed to secure the transport of the PCOS machines to the polling places of San Jacinto. He was found unconscious and later on declared dead.

The entire Bicol Region registered only one election-related death in a province which is entirely declared under election watch list by the Philippine National Police (PNP) with no single bullet fired.

Earlier, PNP 5 regional director Chief Superintendent Clarence Guinto wrote a letter to Comelec through the Office of the Regional Election Officer in Bicol requesting for compensation of Apostol’s heirs, Fortes said.

Apostol together with Police Officer 1 Agerico Afable of Borongan, Samar who was shoot to death by unidentified assailants while guarding a PCOS machine in Barangay Calingatngan were recognized as heroes by DILG Secretary Mar Roxas during the Flag Raising Ceremony at Camp Crame in Quezon City early this week. (MAL/JJJP/PIA5-Albay)


Russian scales Mayon, calls for rescue

By Joseph John J. Perez

LEGAZPI CITY, May 23 (PIA) -- Despite existing prohibition from authorities and warnings from locals, a Russian tourist climbed Mayon Volcano alone on May 19 and called for rescue Tuesday evening due to leg injury and physical fatigue caused by cold temperature near the summit.

Mark Yuchyugaev, a 28-year old Russian, made a distress call to Jerry De Lana, a farmer he met in Barangay Busay in Albay at 8:02 pm Tuesday night asking for help.

De Lana coordinated with the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO) which immediately organized search and rescue teams to respond to the situation.

“We organized four teams for this operation composed of personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection, Red Cross, and mountaineers,” APSEMO Chief Dr. Cedric Daep said.

Daep said that Team 1, composed of Red Cross personnel and mountaineers will conduct on-scene operation by locating and rescuing the victim while Team 2, composed of Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)personnel who will be on stand-by at Camp 1 to provide support to Team 1 when required.

Daep added that Team 3 is on stand-by at the Red Cross camp and Team 4 is on-call based at BFP Regional Headquarters.

“This will be a high angle rescue operation. Yuchugaev is believed to be more than 1,000 meters away from the crater and near Camp 2 where he will be given immediate medical attention upon rescue,” Daep said.

“The manner of transporting down Yuchugaev will depend on his physical condition. Further medical treatment will be given to Yuchugaev when he is brought down from Mayon,” he added.

Daep said that at 10:00 pm Tuesday, the team was ready for the rescue operations but upon assessment, they decided to take off yesterday at 6:30 am due to the critical and risky terrain.

“As of 10:00 am yesterday, Team 1 detected mirror signals from the victim emanating from Miisi Gully,” Daep said.

Daep said that they already informed the Department of Foreign Affairs of the situation since this incident involves a foreign national.

According to De Lana, Yuchugaev earlier expressed his intention to scale Mayon while taking some pictures of the Cagsawa ruins despite admonitions of locals informing him of the Mayon explosion incident last May 7.

Yuchyugaev, who reportedly have some difficulty speaking in English, told De Lana through a phone call that he took off for Mayon at 10:30 am Sunday through Miisi Trail in Daraga, a route usually taken by orchid gatherers but seldom by mountaineers.

On May 7, Mayon Volcano had an unexpected phreatic explosion that killed four Germans including a local guide and injured eight others.

The prohibition for mountaineering activities within Mayon’s six-kilometer permanent danger zone is still up in the wake of that recent incident. (MAL/JJJP-PIA5/Albay)#


Brigada Eskwela kicks-off in Catanduanes

By Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, May 23 (PIA) -- Exactly a week after the local polls, Department of Education (DepEd) Catanduanes Division launched Monday, May 20, the Brigada Eskwela in all public elementary and high schools in the province.

Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide voluntary effort that started in 2003, bringing together teachers, parents and the community to do clean-up and repairs in public schools to prepare the facilities for the June school opening,

According to Jose L. Doncillo, DepEd Catanduanes Division officer-in charge, Brigada Eskwela which will last until May 25 is a preparation for the class opening on June 3, 2013.

He is also asking for more support from the public for this year’s Brigada. He said that interested volunteers are so much welcome to help.

Maintenance work such as the repainting of the roof and exterior walls, repair of leaking water pipes, ceiling boards, broken furniture and windows, cleaning of toilets and gardening are just some of the works to be undertaken by the volunteers.

Philippine Army 83rd Infantry Battalion and the Philippine National Police also volunteered and shared their time and efforts as support to the annual activity. (MAL/EAB-PIA5 Catanduanes)


BFP Sorsogon City joins DepEd’s 'Oplan Brigada Eskwela 2013'

By Benilda A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, May 23 (PIA) -- The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Sorsogon City will conduct fire safety inspections to all public schools and establishments utilized as dormitories/boarding houses in support of the Department of Education's (DepEd) "Oplan Brigada Eskwela 2013".

BFP Sorsogon City Fire Marshal Senior Inspector Walter Badong Marcial said the bureau is anticipating the influx of students in different schools as well as those students who will be staying in their boarding houses and to ensure their safety and abate the possible hazards in their respective areas, fire safety inspectors has started conducting this week massive fire safety inspection to all public schools and boarding houses within the city to ensure compliance with the fire safety requirements.

He furthered that he has instructed his personnel to coordinate with the different barangays and the DepEd to make sure that this will be properly implemented in time of their Brigada Eskwela.

Oplan Balik Eskwela is one of the annual programs of the government being supported by the BFP to ensure the smooth opening of the classes and avert any untoward incident and other similar eventualities.

Furthermore, S/Insp Marcial said that the BFP is mandated to promote public safety through the intensification of fire safety campaign and stringent implementation of RA 9514 also known as the Fire Code of the Philippines.

In case of fire incidents or other related emergency situation, BFP-Sorsogon City can be reached at their hotline numbers 421-6320;211-7996/ 0907-2927-215;0907-2927-266. (MGECorral-BFP/MAL/BAR-PIA5 Sorsogon)


PRC sets mobile registration in Catanduanes

By Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, May 23 (PIA) -- The Professional Regulations Commission (PRC)-Region V commenced since yesterday until May 26 a mobile registration for Licensure Examination for Teachers in this province to enable the processing of application without going to their regional office in Legazpi City.

PRC Bicol announced that aside from registration of application, the agency will also render various mobile services such as renewal of PRC ID, release of PRC licensure, initial registration of new board passers and issuance of certificate for new board passers.

The requirements for the issuance of Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card (ID) include duly accomplished Oath Form or Panunumpa ng Propesyonal; Latest Community Tax Certificate (Cedula); metered documentary stamp for the Oath Form; and the Initial Registration Fee of P600 and Annual Registration Fee of P450 for 2013-2016.

Meanwhile, those who wish to renew their PRC ID must bring the following: Duly accomplished priority slip form; Photocopy of latest Professional Identification Card; In case of loss of unexpired PIC, submit duly notarized Affidavit of Loss; One passport-size colored picture in white background and complete name tag (first name, middle name & last name) and Payment of renewal fee.

In partnership with the provincial government, PRC has been conducting mobile registration in the province since 2011. (MAL/EAB/PIA5-Catanduanes)


DTI-Sorsogon conducts 2-day 'Diskwento Caravan-Balik Eskwela Edition'

By Benilda A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, May 23 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) launched a nationwide project dubbed as “Diskwento Caravan” aimed at helping consumers avail of commodities at discounted prices.

DTI Sorsogon information officer Senen Malaya said they are conducting the “Diskwento Caravan” for two days in at least four barangays in the city to give more opportunity for parents and students to avail themselves of school supplies and other commodities at a lower price.

For Sorsogon, the Diskwento Caravan-Balik Eskwela Edition is being conducted in partnership with the Department of Education in time for the “Brigada Eskwela”, the Sorsogon Consumers Association as well as participating establishments.

“School supplies, uniforms, basic commodities and other items at discounted prices will be made available,” Malaya said.

The 2-day event is being held at Bacon District, Sorsogon City with the following schedule:

May 22:
• Bonga integrated school (8-11:30 am)
• Rawis national high school (1-4:30pm)

May 23:
• Gatbo integrated high school (8-11:30 am)
• L. Martinez memorial high school (1-4:30 pm)

Malaya also said that they do not just limit the caravan to residents of the four specific barangays. Neighboring barangays are also invited to proceed to the schools at the date and time indicated to avail of discounted products.

“We are also thankful to the participating establishments like the Centro Department Store, Duka Variety Store, Goodluck Commercial, and Jeanee’s Supermarket who are always supportive every time we have activities as such,” he further said. (DTI/MAL/BAR-PIA5 Sorsogon)