700 runners vie for the Mayon 360º 2014 (4TH Edition) title on April 5

BY: MARLON A. LOTERTE

LEGAZPI CITY, March 31 (PIA) -- Close to 700 running sports enthusiasts from across the country and abroad are vying for the title of winning this year’s Mayon 360?, an 80-kilometer (50-mile) run around the circumference of the world’s renowned almost perfect cone-shaped Mayon Volcano in Albay, on Saturday, April 5.

Mayon 360º ultra marathon is organized by Legazpi Chapter of the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Legazpi Inc., provincial government of Albay and the Liga ng mga Barangay, Albay chapter.

JCI Legazpi president Martin Reynoso said the 4th edititon of Mayon 360º, in time for this year’s celebration of Albay’s Daragang Magayon Festival, will test the speed and endurance of runners in this most epic race in Bicol and showcase tourist attractions along the course comprising of seven towns and three cities of the province.

Reynoso said runners to watch for include last year’s men category and overall defending champion Mario Maglinao and top contenders former Mayon 360º champ Martin Balaybo; Bong Postrado, who is also an Albayano and king of the recently held Hundred Islands 100K International Ultramarathon; and Kenyan national Philip Ronoh.

He added Janette Agura will also defend her crown in women category from contenders  Melanie Manihan, who won the 2014 Bataan Death March 0r BDM 102; Kenyan national Susan Chepkwony and Peris Poywo.

Maglinao won the race last year by clocking six hours, 10 minutes and 59 seconds, while Agura clocked seven hours, 49 minutes and 56 seconds

Reynoso said last year’s staging of Mayon 360º was participated in by over 210 runners, 169 in 2012 and 69 in 2011 from all over the country and abroad.

“Interestingly, Mayon 360º 2014 edition will feature the oldest runner Vicente Caures, 77 year-old from Laguna province, in the men solo category,” bared race manager Kaloi Garcia.

He added Teddy Botabara, 13 years old from Manila, will be the youngest runner in the men solo category. His mother Elaine Mirabueno, who also hails from Albay, and other members of his family will run along with him

For this 4th edititon of Mayon 360º, the race is divided in three stages, including solo 80k, two-man relay to run 40K each and four-man relay for 20K each.

Up for grabs for the winners of the race include P20,000 each for the champion in the international and local male and female categories plus an additional of P5,000 for the overall champ; P15,000 each to second placers, P10,000 to third, P7,500 to fourth and P5,000 to fifth, P3,000 to sixth to tenth and P2,000 to 11th – 20th placers.

In the senior citizen (mixed) category, prizes include P4,000 for the top finisher, P3,000 and 2,000 each for the second and third placers, respectively.

Almost Php 209,000.00 worth of cash prizes are at stake plus medals, certificates and finishers’ shirts.

The race will start from the Peñaranda Park in front of the city hall and the provincial capitol here, and will go through an all-paved road, with close to 60 percent asphalt and 40 percent concrete, passing along 77 barangays in seven towns and three cities of the province surrounding the Mayon Volcano.

Gun start will be at 4:00 am and the race ends on the same day, with a cut off time of 16 hours or 8:00 pm, at the same park to complete the 360-degree route.

The route showcases Albay’s tourist destinations including Cagsawa Ruins in Daraga town ad the adjacent Camalig town, the home to the popular Albayano dish pinangat, and a good site for heritage tour for having the most number of Spanish houses in the province.

The town of Guinobatan comes next known as the hometown of local hero Gen. Simeon Ola, the last Albayano general to surrender to the American troops during the Filipino-American war, and for its unique Guinobatan longganisa.

While Ligao City features the famous Kawa-Kawa Hill, where pilgrims scale its 236-meter elevation during Holy Week to meditate in its Stations of the Cross featuring life-sized statues, and known for its vast plantation of sunflowers that inspired the city's Sunflower Festival.

Another is in Barangay Buang, Tabaco City, at the junction leading to the Mayon Skyline Park nestled on the slope of the volcano at 2,500 feet elevation.

Tabaco City showcases two churches in Albay that are registered in the National Historical Institute as National Heritage Site--the St. John the Baptist Church--stands.

Malilipot town, known for being home to abaca twine or “lubid” makers, is next.

Next is Sto. Domingo, home of Potenciano Gregorio, the composer of the immortal Bicolano love song “Sarung Banggi” and the unique monument with Gat Andres Bonifacio on top and Dr. Jose Rizal at the base.

Sto. Domingo is also frequently visited by tourists and vacationers for its black sand beaches resorts located at Barangay Kalayukai.

The race ends in Legazpi City, known as the buzzling business hub of the province where tourism has made its mark and contributed much in its social progress and economic expansion.

This city is where tourists, and locales alike, feast thier eyes on a panoramic view of nature at its best, enjoy a buffet of new recipes and creative cuisine with taste that is uniquely Bicolano, avail of well-crafted souvenirs, and experience the warmth its people that is routed in rich culture and embedded in its traditions.

Mayon 360º is only among the various rare and extreme sport events to be highlighted in the 2013 Daragang Magayon Festival that refers to the province’s mythical legend of Daragang Magayon (beautiful lady) from where Mt. Mayon derived its name.

It can be recalled that  the Department of Tourism (DOT) cited in 2011 the Mayon 360º ultramarathon as the Best Tourism Event in the country under the Sports/Wellness Category in the provincial level category.

The race is sanctioned by the Philippine Association of Ultrarunners. (MAL-PIA5/Albay)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=771396234159#sthash.YsZdNzWb.dpuf

Women Summit to recognize strong, resilient women in Albay

LEGAZPI CITY, Mar 28 (PIA) – The Provincial Government of Albay will hold the Women Summit on March 31, 2014 at the Albay Astrodome here in support of the celebration of the Women’s Month this March and considered one of the highlights of this year’s Daragang Magayon Festival.

 Anchored on the theme, “Juana, ang Tatag Mo ay Tatag Natin sa Pagbangon at Pagsulong,” the gathering will be recognizing strong and resilient women in the province and their contribution to progress.

It also aims to enhance their skills to help them handle simple household and financial management and strengthen their coping mechanism during crisis situation by understanding the role of women during disasters.

Albay Gender and Development - Technical Working Group (GAD-TWG) chair Cynthia Samalia said the affair will also recognize Local Government Units (LGUs) who are supportive of initiating the localization of Magna Carta of Women by crafting their GAD Code.

Participants mostly from women’s organization in Albay will also hear success stories of women from all walks of life who have “created change towards better perception on women’s empowerment and gender equality

About a thousand women and men are expected to join the activity which will be an interactive process.

Speakers are invited to discuss gender-related topics.

Motivational speakers Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan, Katherine Villegas and an executive from a business establishment will also be coming.  (MAL/SAA-PIA5/Albay)

JCI Daraga named Philippine Navy’s 2013 Stakeholder of the Year

LEGAZPI CITY, March 28 (PIA) – Never this local organization of the Junior Chamber International (JCI) in Albay wavers to pursue initiatives that  manifests its values that service to humanity is the best work of life… and this time, this local development organization deserved for themselves an accolade from a partner organization.

Recently, the Philippine Navy has cited JCI Daraga, under the stewardship of president Isabel Liganor-Reynoso, as the most active partner and stakeholder of the NOF’s and Civil Military Operation Unit in Southern Luzon in the latter’s humanitarian missions in different parts of the province of Albay.

JCI Daraga was named 2013 Stakeholder of the Year of the Philippine Navy.

“By these achievements of the CMOU’s humanitarian mission, JCI Daraga’s commitment to serve and unrelenting support to community projects and services to create positive impact to the lives of the people in the community have touched the hearts not only of the Albayanos, but also of the officers and soldiers of the naval unit based in Bicol,” remarked Commodore Manuel Natalio A. Abinuman, then commander of the Naval Forces Sothern Luzon.

The naval unit and JCI Daraga partnered in several initiatives, also in collaboration with local government units, national government agencies, private sector and different communities and have since with notable positive implications in changing the lives of the people of local communities and somehow helped uplift their quality of life.

The naval unit has dispatched SCUBA divers to work hand in hand with JCI Daraga as well as the project sponsor organization JCI Legazpi in the deployment of the 70 beads and a 10-foot concrete cross that comprised the Holy Rosary-themed Coral Genesis project off the waters of Sto. Domingo, Albay.

The project is a collaborative effort of JCI Daraga  and Legazpi chapters, municipal government of Sto. Domingo and provincial government of Albay to rehabilitate and protect the coral reefs of Albay Gulf.

The dou organizations also facilitated feeding programs for the NOF's activities for undernourished children, donated school supplies and hosted a funfare in Barangay Rawis in Legazpi City as part of Bayanihan project.

A medical and dental mission was also jointly spearheaded in the island of San Miguel in Tabaco City benefiting some 200 residents provided with consultations of check-ups as well as medicines.  The team also distributed some 100 solar powered lights under the 1 million light project.

The same also facilitated outreach mission to the orphans of the Holy Cross Orphanage, also in Tabaco City benefiting 50 orphans, adopting them for a day, feeding them and giving clothes and school.

Reynoso explained that JCI is a nonprofit organization of young active citizens age 18 to 40 who are engaged and committed to creating positive impact in their communities.

JCI leads and gathers active citizens from all sectors of society to initiate, assist resolve community concerns the will help uplift the people’s quality of life.

“We develop the skills, knowledge and understanding to make informed decisions and take action. As globally minded young people, we all have rights, responsibilities and share goals. We find targeted solutions to local issues benefitting our communities, our world and our future. Embracing new ideas, collaboration and diversity, we have the passion and courage to address the critical challenges of our time,” she said.  (MAL-PIA5/Albay)

CSC Bicol reiterates SALN guidelines for complete, accurate declarations

BY: SALLY A. ATENTO

LEGAZPI CITY, Mar 26(PIA) – The Civil Service Commision (CSC) Bicol has reiterated its call to all public servants in the region for complete and accurate declarations in their Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).

“CSC Chair Francisco Duque has been calling on civil servants to start early so they can fill out their SALN correctly and completely. This gives them ample time to review the completeness and accuracy of their declarations before the April 30 deadline of each year,” CSC Bicol information officer Lynbee Niebla said in the Ugnayan sa Bicol radio program of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) here.

Niebla said the filing of SALN is under the republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees which requires public officials and employees to declare under oath their assets, liabilities, net worth and financial and business interests as of December 31 of the preceeding calendar year.

The prescribed SALN revised form 2013 is downloadable from the CSC website, www.csc.gov.ph, together with the guidelines on how to accomplish the form.

Declarations to be made by public servants in their SALN form include data on basic information, assets including real and personal properties, liabilities, net worth, financial connections and business interests and relatives in the government.

Spouses who are both in the government have the option to file their SALN jointly or separately.

Niebla cites the details to be included under real properties or properties which are immovable by nature.

“Declaration of real properties shall include its description, kind, location, year and mode of acquisition, assessed value, current fair market value, acquisition cost, and improvement to the said properties. Personal properties on the other hand shall include description, mode, year, cost acquisition or value . ” Niebla said.

Liabilities, referring to financial liability or anything that can result to a transfer or disposal of an asset, includes those incurred by the declarant and those of his spouse and unmarried children below 18 years old living in his household.

The outstanding balance will be the amount of money still due as of decemner 31 of the preceeding year.

The networth is the sum of all assets less the total liabilities.

To further ensure transparency, Niebla added, public servants also need to declare their business interests and financial connections.

“Business interests refer to declarants’s existing interest in any business enterprise or entity aside from his income from government. Financial connections on the other hand are the declarants existing connections with any business enterprise or entity wether as consultant, adviser and the like, with an expectations of renumeration for services rendered,” she noted.

Relatives working in government within the fourth civil degree of relationship, either by consanguinity or affinity, must also be disclosed by the declarant.

“Declarant should also declare his bilas (brother-in-law’s wife or sister-in-law’s husband), inso (wife of an elder brother or male cousin), and balae (parent of the declarant’s son-in-law or daughter-in-law) in government,”Niebla said.

Niebla also stressed that the SALN should be taken seriously since it is a declaration of transparency and accountability.

Failure of any public official or employee to submit his SALN or to disclose or misdeclare the required data is punishable by law under RA 6713. (MAL/SAA-PIA5/Albay)

Advocacy forum on women’s rights, livelihood training in CamNorte

BY: ROSALITA B. MANLANGIT

DAET, Camarines Norte, March 25 (PIA) – The Philippine Statistics Authority-National Statistics Office (PSA-NSO) provincial office here has conducted recently a one-day advocacy forum on women’s rights and livelihood training in time for the Women’s Month celebration with the theme “Juana ang Tatag Mo ay Tatag Natin sa Pagbangon at Pagsulong”.

Anabella D. Barquilla, officer-in-charge/advocates of women’s rights said that the activity aims to enlighten women especially those in the government service on their rights in accordance with the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) or Republic Act 9262 and to train them on the alternative sources of livelihood.

She said that the said law was passed by Congress on February 2004 and was signed into law on March 8, 2004.

It seeks to address the widespread acts of violence directed against women and children which acts clearly violate the fundamental human rights and several international human rights instruments of which the Philppines is a signatory.

She explained that violence against women and their children is any act or a series of acts committed by any person against a woman with whom the person has or had a sexual or dating relationship, or with whom he has a common child; the acts committed with our outside the family residence; and which result in physical, sexual, psychological harm or suffering, or economic abuse including threats of such acts, battery, assault, coercion, harassment or arbitrary deprivation of liberty.

She also cited that violence against women includes physical violence or physical harm; sexual violence, which is sexual in nature committed against a woman or her child; psychological violence or emotional suffering of a victim and economic abuse or attempt to make woman financially dependent.

She said that there are many prohibited acts under the law and have their corresponding penalties and imprisonment depending on the case filed in the court.

Lilia P. Avellana, center manager of the Technology Livelihood and Development Center (TLDC) under the local government unit of Daet on the other hand said that they conduct livelihood trainings to the organizations in town and nearby municipalities especially in women.

During the day a demo on siopao making was showed by the representative of Daet Food Producers Association, a group being handled by the TLDC.

On the other hand Ato Samarista, owner of a beauty salon in Daet did the actual demo on make-up, hair style and hair cutting as additional livelihood training during the day.

The activity was attended by representatives from the national government agencies and local government units in the province. (RBM-PIA5/Camarines Norte)

ALAGA KA : Legazpi City Mayor Noel E. Rosal delivers his inspirational message during the launching of ALAGA KA para sa Maayos na Buhay program at Embarcadero de Legazpi, on March 24, 2014. The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and the Department of Health  leads the nationwide simultaneous launching of the program in all 17 regions across the country in order to provide millions indigent families with greater access to primary health care service. (Alex Cal/PIA5)

National and Local Government Officials and stakeholders for health gathered together to sign on the commitment wall to work together to strengthen primary health care of the Philippines to realize the goals of Kalusugan Pangkalahatan,  during the nationwide simultaneous launching of ALAGA KA para sa Maayos na Buhay program at Embarcadero de Legazpi, on March 24, 2014.  

Hundreds benefit from "Alaga Ka" of Philhealth in Legazpi City

BY: MARLON A. LOTERTE

LEGAZPI CITY, March 24 (PIA) -- Close to a thousand residents of this city availed of and benefited from the medical and dental services provided for by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation or Philhealth during the launch Monday, March 24, of the “Alaga Ka” program at the Embarcadero Activity Center here.

Philhealth Bicol regional office information officer Annel San Pablo said the multi-sectoral advocacy and services drive “Alaga Ka” or Alaga Ka para sa Maayos na Buhay, pursues government initiatives and intervention to provide the populace, especially the indigent members of the community, with greater access to primary health care services.

“Philhealth Bicol has partnered with the city government of Legazpi, Philippine Association of Family Physicians (PAFP), Association of Municipal Health Officers of the Philippines (AMHOP), both based in Albay province, among other stakeholders to provide medical consultations and check ups, tooth extractions and dental care as well as free medicines, including antibiotics, for cough and colds, and vitamins, among patients of all ages that trooped to the site as early as 7:00 am until late in the afternoon,” she noted.

San Pablo added that almost 400 city residents earlier enlisted themselves with Philhealth, yet the qualified beneficiaries came along with their children and other members of their families, even relatives, on the day that more than what we have expected were able to avail of the services provided for during the staging of the “Alaga Ka” program.

In the same program launch, Philhealth made sure that indigent members and those from the near poor segment of the population were properly instructed on how to avail of the basic health services at the accredited rural health units and health centers where they are assigned.

The beneficiaries belong to the sponsored members of the Philhealth, either by the city government here, provincial government of Albay, Department of Health (DOH) and other sponsors for their memberships.

“Alaga Ka” clearly manifests anew the government’s continuous caring for the indigent members of the community providing them their much needed primary health care through the various services of DOH, PhilHealth and local government by pursuing the project TSeKaP or Tamang Serbisyo para sa Kalusugan ng Pamilya.

 San Pablo explained that TSeKaP offers consultations on primary health care from health centers and entitles them to a package of preventive and promotive services designed to keep them healthy and to detect as well any illnesses early on.

Services under TSeKap include regular blood pressure monitoring, screening services to detect breast and cervical cancers, counselling on breastfeeding, smoking cessation, assessment of body mass index and lifestyle modification, and digital rectal exam.

Upon the recommendation of the physician, health centers can also provide them with services on diagnostic tests such as complete blood count, urinalysis, fecalysis, sputum microscopy, fasting blood sugar, lipid profile, and chest X-ray.

Medicines for asthma (with nebulisation services), acute gastroenteritis with no or mild dehydration; minimal and low risk pneumonia, and urinary tract infection are also made available.

PhilHealth believes that through TSeKaP, poor families will be more empowered avail of health care and medical services and demand medical attention even without an illness.  (MAL-PIA5/Albay)

MOA SIGNING : Climate Change Academy in Albay is now the Training Institute of National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council when Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed and presents to the public by Secretary of National Defense Voltaire Gazmin, Albay Governor Joey Salceda, Bicol University President  Fay Patria Lauraya, NDRRMC Executive Dir. Eduardo D. Del Rosario and  Office of Civil Defense-5 Reg. Dir. Raffy Alejandro III,  during the  1^st Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill  held at Bicol University on March 19, 2014. (Alex Cal/PIA)

BIR agent banks to open on 2 Saturdays of April, reminds public on out-of-district filing of tax

VIRAC, Catanduanes, March 20, (PIA) - The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has requested all its authorized agent banks (AABs) to open and facilitate transactions on two consecutive Saturdays of April, 2014 to accept tax returns and payments to beef up the bureaus' tax collection efficiency program.

Pursuant to Bank Bulletin 2014-08 issued by Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares, all AABs are directed to undertake interim measures from April 1 to 15, that is, extension of banking hours for tax payments; and assignment of additional personnel and opening of additional counters to ensure servicing of all taxpayers.

The extended banking hours shall be up to 5 p.m. for the period of April 1 to 15, and payments made every Saturday shall be deemed as payment made the following working day.

According to BIR Catanduanes Revenue District Office chief Arturo D. Abenoja, Jr., the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) are the  AABs in the province.

BIR also reminded concerned that out-of-district filing of income tax returns by army and police personnel as well as teachers is no longer allowed pursuant to Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 15-2014 stating that the filing of the Annual Income Tax Returns (BIR Form Nos. 1700 and 1701) as well as the payment of taxes due thereon, anywhere by members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) as well as public school teachers, instructors and professors are no longer allowed.

Revenue Memorandum Circular 29-2013 provided that out-of-district filing with or without payment for CY 2013 and the year thereafter of the aforesaid government officials and employees shall no longer be allowed. Their government employers, as withholding agents, should withhold the correct amount of tax on compensation of the said government officials and employees, and that the taxes withheld should be accordingly remitted on time to the BIR.

The concerned employers are still liable to the fines and penalties imposed for not withholding the correct amount of withholding tax from their income payments to these government officials and employees pursuant to the provision of RR No. 2-98 as amended.

The same circular states that out-of-district returns filed by taxpayers and/or received by BIR personal and agent banks shall constitute prima facie evidence that such returns are fraudulent or spurious. (MALEAB/FOG/PIA5)

JCI World President Bhaskaran meets JCI Legazpi, joins community projects in Albay localities

BY: MARLON A. LOTERTE

LEGAZPI CITY, March 20 (PIA) -- For the first time in 54 years of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Legazpi, Inc., the world top leader of this leadership development organization slates a visit to communities and interfacing with the local organization’s officers and members on Friday, March 21, to this city and neighboring town of Sto. Domingo.

“We are very honored to have JCI World President Shine Bhaskaran with us in our home area proving our organization as one of the country’s most vibrant chapters that interest our world top leader to interface with the members of the local organization and immerse with the communities we have seen been serving,” state JCI Legazpi president Engr. Martin Reynoso.

JCI Legazpi chapter is the only local organization in Southern Luzon area and Palawan regions to host the visit of the JCI World President.

JCI Legazpi chapter will showcase during the visit the Coral Genesis project off the waters of Sto. Domingo wherein Bhaskaran will assemble himself a coral bead that will form part of the set of beads readied for the rehabilitation of the Holy Rosary-themed coral reefs.

Reynoso said that Coral Genesis project uses the technology with a portable micro underwater solar power source, wherein any shape, design, logo, or sculpture can be charged for fast coral reef recovery or even creation of themed sculptures.

He elaborated that that “underwater micro solar electric power” that tickles the corals to grow would require less care as power source is anchored to the sea floor, adding that electric-propagated coral reefs are less prone to algae attacks compared to non-electric propagated ones.

The Coral Genesis project has since it installation on August 3 last year been aiding efforts of the provincial government of Albay, municipal government of Sto. Domingo and other partners, stakeholders  to rehabilitate and protect the coral reefs of Albay Gulf

It can be recalled that Albay governor Joey Salceda has cited the project complementing the measures undertaken by the provincial government for rapid marine assessment survey to check the status of corals in Albay, consequently, come up and implement measures to restore and protect coral reefs in the gulf.

Sto. Domingo Mayor Herbie Aguas ont the other hand said the project is a very welcome development for the town as the novel project will manifest the people’s commitment to environmental protection and care adding the impacts it will give to the tourism industry in this municipality.

Bhaskaran will also lead the launching of the information drive on “Fishes of Albay” in the rich fishing grounds of Albay Gulf with a variety of marine and fish species like malasugi or blue marlin, the bancoles or tuna, the tanguigi and other tropical fishes like the lapu-lapu, talakitok, baulo and of course the “kuwao” which thrives abundantly especially during the onset of the summer season.

Resynoso furthered that Bhaskaran will then proceed to this city to inaugurate the newly completed “JCI LEGAZPI” concrete marker at the Legazpi City Boulevard

The  Boulevard is a coastal road network extending from the city’s central business district and port area to the southern barangays, an area deemed as a new frontier of development.

Mayor Noel Rosal of this city stated the “JCI LEGAZPI” marker in the boulevard has now added to the spectacular view on the picturesque seaside road that has already the excellent view of the Mayon Volcano and the Kapuntukan Hill to the north.

Rosal said the boulevard becomes one of the favorite recreation area for the city due to its fresh see breeze and excellent view with many Legazpeños and tourists that troop to the stretch of road to jog, run, bike and do exercises, adding that, at night colorful streetlights and the buzzling night time entertainment ventures for the whole family make the boulevard a sight to behold.

JCI World President Shine Bhaskaran will also grace the “Mayor’s Lunch with JCI” at the Airport Hotel with JCI Legazpi officers, members and past presidents, including Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal; national officials; presidents and members of the different local organizations in the Bicol region.

Bhaskaran's visit and interfacing with JCI Legazpi also mark the commencement of the JCI Summer Adventure that will showcase innovations and development in the fields of health, environment, academics, and tourism (in d HEAT); family day, community services, and more fun fares.  (MAL-PIA5/Albay)

IN ALBAY : Guest of Honor and Speaker Secretary of National Defense Voltaire Gazmin delivered his message during the 1^st Quarter National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill  which was  successfully conducted and participated by different national and local government agencies, to help determine the level of preparedness and capabilities in response in time of disaster, Bicol University in Legazpi City, is the ceremonial site for the drill. (Alex Cal/PIA5)

Catandunganon tops PNPA graduates

VIRAC, Catanduanes, March 19, (PIA)- A young man from Catanduanes was hailed as the topnotcher of this year’s graduating class of Philippine Nation Police Academy (PNPA).

Police Cadet Glenn Tabo Santelices, 25, is from San Andres, Catanduanes. He is the son of PO3 Heide Santelices and Ma. Gracia Santelices.

The eldest in the brood of four, Santelices said that his achievement is for his family who supported him in anyway.

 Before entering the academy, Santelices attended Claret seminary in Quezon City and finished Philosophy as cum laude.

He will lead the 201 other graduates of Mandilaab Class 2014 during their 35th commencement exercise on March 31, 2014.

Governor Araceli B. Wong will attend the commencement exercises in Silang, Cavite to show her support and to personally congratulate Cadet Santelices and his family.
The Philippine National Police Academy was established under Section 19, Presidential Decree 1184 and became a primary component of the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC) pursuant to Section 67 of Republic Act No. 6975.

It was created to provide preparatory education and training of the three uniformed bureaus of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) namely, Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). (MAL/EAB-PIA5/PIA Catanduanes)
   

Albay, stakeholders all set for the school-based earthquake drill set March 19

BY: MARLON A. LOTERTE

Legazpi City, March 18 (PIA) – Albay and stakeholders’ significant investments over the past years on earthquake risk assessment, reduction, preparedness, response and recovery will be showcased in a school-based drill on Wednesday, March 19, inside the Bicol University here in time for the nationwide simultaneous earthquake (and fire) drill for the first quarter of this year.

OCD Bicol regional director Raffy Alejandro said Bicol University will serve as the ceremonial site for this year’s nationwide drill while other government agencies and local government units are directed to hold similar drill in their respective offices and areas of jurisdiction.

Alejandro explained the conduct of quarterly nationwide earthquake drill is pursuant to Republic Act (RA) 1012 stressing that preparedness and mitigation are key strategies in reducing disaster risk.

“The school-based drill will gauge the efficiency of early warning dissemination, preparedness, response and recovery plans and measures in case an actual earthquake occurs,” he said.

“It thus provides significant information and opportunity among communities to become aware and equipped with capability on disaster preparedness, mitigation and response. At this time, we will assess the capacity level of the schools in the event of earthquakes and other disasters,” he added

Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin of the Department of National Defense, Secretary Mar Roxas of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Usec. Eduardo D. Del Rosario of administrator the Office of the Civil Defense and executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRMC), are expected to grace the earthquake drill in Bicol University here.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro meanwhile has also directed all public and private schools nationwide as well as all offices and attached agencies of the Department of Education (DepEd) to undertake such activity.

The school-based drill in Bicol University here will be comprised of more than 700 “actors” including students, faculties and employees of Bicol University; Team OCD Bicol ; Philippine National Police (PNP); Health and Emergency Management Service (HEMS)  from the Department of Health (DOH) and Bicol Regional Teaching and Training Hospital (BRTTH); Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Legazpi City DRRM Office; Philippine National Red Cross; Philippine Army; Philippine Navy; Philippine Coast Guard; Tactical Operations Group (TOG5); and, Bureau of Fire Protections.

Scenario for the earthquake (and fire) drill describes students, teachers and faculties among others in the Bicol University College of Arts and Letters are holding regular classes around 9:00 am when suddenly disrupted by a loud bang followed by shaking of the grounds, building wobbling, ceiling starting to fall, cracks observed in floors and walls... signs of an earthquake unfolding.

All occupants of the BUCAL building started to evacuate and lined up at the designated safe area followed by the headcount to determine the missing that may have perhaps been trapped and injured.

Within minutes following the incident command system procedures, an incident command post has been established and plan of actions was executed in response to the aftermath of the incident.

Phivolcs, within 5-10 minutes, has informed OCD in Bicol and announced to the public that Legazpi City was hit by a magnitude.7.4 earthquake and advise every one of necessary safety measures for aftershocks that may follow.

OCD Bicol, consequently, informed responders and other stakeholders of the DRRMC for response and rescue measures, psychosocial management procedures for the victims, assessment of the damages, among others measures.

The drill is expected to be completed in an hour.

Albay Governor Joey Salceda and top DRR officials from DND and DILG will serve as the evaluators that will assess the proceedings of the exercise, consequently, recommend learnings to improve policies and plan of actions to address the challenges of disaster, in this case earthquake and related incidents.  (MAL-PIA5/Albay)

Catanduanes readies 4th Summer Barakalan for Holy Week

VIRAC, Catanduanes, March 17 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Catanduanes will be conducting the 4th Summer Barakalan sa Plaza Rizal from April 14-26 that will showcase not only locally-made products but also made from other regionsacross the country.

Heginio Baldano, DTI Catanduanes provincial Director, this year’s event will coincide with the Holy Week break and expected to draw balikbayans and foreign tourists.

Barakalan seeks to provide marketing opportunities for local processors by taking advantage of the influx of vacationers that usually take local products home for souvenirs during the religious observance.

At the same time, the event will promote and showcase flourishing local crafts, delicacies and wares.

Among the products to be sold at the fair are processed food, wearables (bags, slippers and accessories), gifts and decors, home furnishings using rattan, wood and bamboo, crabs, fish and shrimps, as well as services such as massage and traditional “hilot.”

Like the previous Barakalan activities, a special setting will be set up at the skating rink, around which the booths would be installed. Special awards would be given to the best-dressed booth and the most innovative product. (MAL/EAB-PIA5/Catanduanes)

PNP Sorsogon creates Provincial Advisory Council

SORSOGON CITY, March 14 (PIA) – The Philippine National Police (PNP) Sorsogon organized on Friday , March 14, 2014, the Sorsogon Police Provincial Office (PPO) Advisory Council that will serve as consultative body for the  police office in realizing its vision and in guiding its strategic direction.

According to PNP Sorsogon provincial director P/SSupt. Raul Hebreo, the institutionalization of the Performance Governance System (PGS) in the PNP requires the establishment of the PNP Multi-Sectoral Governance Council (MSGC) or the Provincial Advisory Council.

“We have identified personalities in the province of Sorsogon to become members of this advisory council to further the institutionalization of the PGS in the PNP in the provincial level”, said Hebreo.

The Provincial Advisory Council (PAC) shall focus on issues of strategic importance that contribute to the successful accomplishment of the PNP’s mission and the attainment of its vision. It shall likewise provide the needed external perspectives and appropriate guidance on the key issues and concerns pertaining to the plans, programs and activities of Sorsogon PPO, and will act as channel for networks that can help the provincial office personnel find solutions to the pressing issues that confronts them.

However, PSSupt Hebreo cleared that the council shall primarily assume a role that is advisory in nature and it does not have any administrative or operational authority over nor responsibility for specific operational decisions within the PPO.

“This strategic advisory role is limited to the interpretation and analysis of the PNP Integrated Transformation Program – Performance Governance System (ITP-PGS) 2030 or the PNP PATROL Plan 2030. The PNP ITP-PGS 2030 is the governance Roadmap of the PNP.” he added.

The PGS is the Philippine adaptation of the Balanced Scorecard, a management tool used in tracking the organization’s progress in attaining its vision by 2030.

PSSupt Hebreo further said that the strategic assessment and evaluation of Sorsogon PPO programs, projects, activities and policies will be delegated to the Advisory Council to assist them in identifying gaps and provide counsel on the development of measures to fill the gaps identified and address any existing or emerging critical issues in the PNP’s organization.

“Considering the dynamism brought about by globalization and fast-pacing technology, the PNP has to be ready with innovations and enhance further the implementation of its programs, projects and activities,” PSSupt Hebreo said.

The organizational structure of the Provincial Advisory Council is composed of a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Members coming from the various sectors of the community.

It shall also have a Secretariat that will be responsible for maintaining the Advisory Council’s records and documenting the council’s meetings, activities and accomplishments.

Regular meeting of the council is at least once every two months. (MAL/BAR-PIA5/Sorsogon)