CSC, LGU Legazpi City pursue PRIME-HRM to level up HRM competence

LEGAZPI CITY, July 29 (PIA) -- The Civil Service Commission (CSC) Albay provincial office has briefed Tuesday officials and employees of the city government here on the Prime to Institutionalize Mentocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management (PRIME- HRM) that aims to enhance the HRM competence of work force of government agencies.

CSC Albay provincial director Arpon Ultra Lucero said the briefing on the PRIME HRM thrust of the CSC intends to elevate the maturity level of the HRM Office of the city government to the next higher level.

Lucero said that based on the assessment by the CSC of the regular employees of the City Government of Legazpi, the latter learned that their performance was classified in the transactional level, which is the basic step under the criterion of the commission.

"With this orientation, the gap between the transactional level and the process define will be addressed," he added.

Process define, according to Lucero, is the system of any agency or LGU with complete documentation to be used for their daily transactions.

"This system will also inform the employees who want to apply for higher position. They will undergo the recruitment, selection and placement procedure, which is documented," he pointed out.

The PRIME- HRM is a program comprised of "three point shot" components, that is, Assess, Assist and Award.

Lucero explained the "Assess" component deals on the evaluation of the agency’s HR systems through a Comprehensive HRM Assistance, Review and Monitoring (CHARM).

"This is a detailed appraisal of human resource management systems and standards, management of HR records, and similar systems and programs. Since Human Resource Management Officers play a big role in the program, their competencies will also be assessed to determine developmental opportunities," he explained.

The "Assist" aims at areas for improvement through the Continuing Assistance and Review for Excellent Human Resource Management or CARE-HRM. CARE-HRM provides customized technical assistance and developmental interventions according to the determined needs of the agency.

While the "Award"  focuses on measures carried out following the proper assessment and assistance done for an agency, PRIME-HRM may gear it up for recognition and/or privileges.  Accredited and Deregulated agencies are entitle to certain privileges that would further assist and develop their HR practices, or given awards and special citations. They may also vie for the Center of Excellence in HRM or the Seal of Excellence in HR Award

Lucero furthered that under PRIME-HRM, an agency is classified under the following categories:

Regulated (or Level I) – the agency has not fully complied with the requirements for Accredited Status. It shall be subjected to regular monitoring/assistance by the Commission.

Accredited (or Level II) – the agency meets the basic requirements after having been subjected to the assessment program and/or determined to have complied with the recommendations of the CSCRO/FO. Accredited agencies are granted by the Commission authority to take final action on appointments.

Deregulated (or Level III) – the accredited agency has distinguished itself as Excellent in all or some areas of human resource management and has been given authority to take final action on appointments as well as the establishment and implementation of its own HR mechanisms without the need for prior approval from the Commission.

Mayor Noel E. Rosal meanwhile said the activity was part of enhancing the knowledge of the city’s regular employees in order for them to know their duties and responsibilities as part of the workforce of the city administration.

Rosal urged the employees to always do their jobs in a judicious way of working to maintain transparency in their work in the city administration as, he said, “all of us here -- including the department heads, elective officials and the casual employees -- are all accountable to our own respective jobs.  (MAL-PIA5/Albay)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/771438220892/csc-lgu-legazpi-city-pursue-prime-hrm-to-level-up-hrm-competence#sthash.Xy4nKzZK.dpuf

Albay netizens commend PNoy for his last SONA

LEGAZPI CITY, July 28 (PIA) – The last State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Benigno Aquino III yesterday drew mostly favorable reactions from Albayano netizens.

In his speech lasting two hours and thirteen minutes, Aquino mentioned Bicol University in particular its accountancy students who are already hired by accounting and auditing firms even they are still in their third collegiate year.

In response, Albayanos rejoiced and beamed with pride for citing the university.

Albay governor Joey Salceda, in his Facebook page, stated, “Bida ang BU sa last PNoy SONA. Proud to be BU PhD honoris causa… I witnessed this conversation happened during the inauguration of BU College of Medicine…Well, I want the entire Albay to hear it straight from our beloved President - it is an indirect yet more powerful endorsement of the BU higher education. Never-ending kudos!”

Legazpi City councilor and lawyer Melissa Abadeza also said, “The recognition given by Pnoy to BU makes me so proud, not just because im graduate of the said university but as Bicolana, we can really say that here in the province of Albay we have much capacity to produce competitive students like in metro manila or in any other big universities and cities.”

“Magaling kasi talaga ang BU sa Accountancy. Proud BUENO here,” said BU alumnus Vincent Sunggayan Niez

“Kakaproud kahit d ako graduate ng BU.. Bikolana parin.... Ang pinsan ko graduate ng BU at accountancy now CPA Lawyer na sya," said Badeth Manarang..

The President’s mention of the past administration likewise drew positive remarks considering them as necessary point of comparison to highlight his accomplishments.

Pedro Bernaldez of Legazpi City said,” When you lay down a summative report, you need to compare with previous points of reference. Comparing with the conditions prevailing during the GMA administration was not a blaming game but a scientifically necessary process in the final SONA, which was a SONA to SONA evaluation. Pinoy's final SONA was a very skillfully and intelligently well-crafted research report complete with validated and reliable data as evidences. BU-Accountancy was, in fact, used as a case in point. Congratulations!”

DWZR news director and reporter Susan Balane also agreed that the president needs it in reporting his accomplishments.

“For me hindi yun for blaming the past admin but the president need to have a point of comparison in reporting of his accmplishments..Masasabi niya ang kanyang nagawa lalo na kung ang point of references nya ay ang Arroyo admin na alam naman nating lahat ang nangyari…we have to understand that to be a president of a problematic nation is really so difficult,” she said.

Furthermore the critics who booed the president during his speech including the surprise protesters from the Makabayan bloc inside the hall drew flak from the Albayano netizens.

“Everyone has its own point of view of things but saying booo after the speech of the President with those "placards" doesn't make them better than the President. Let us respect him, after all no matter how small or big he may have done to perform his duty, I strongly believe he did his best,” Melissa Abadeza said.

“Hindi nila alam ang salitang respeto. Oras ng president yun, dapat duman sinda sa luwas nakiiba sa rali. Mga naka barong pa man din. Dai bagay ang sulot sa ugali, “ observed Cynthia Fe Belchez Ras.

"Pnoy is not Superman (even Superman himself is having though time to change d world).. But compared to other presidents Pnoy is way better.. He did serve the country the best way he could, he deserve some respect," Jocelyn Abadeza-Paje reacted.

Albay broadcaster Ariel Ayque also posted, “ hindi na kayo nakuntento sa protest sa labas....pati sa loob ng kongreso nagprotest pa rin kayo....konting disente naman...meron bang naka barong at naka saya na nagpoprotest?” (MAL/SAA-PIA5 Albay)

Upgrading of the Legazpi City Convention Center underway

LEGAZPI CITY, July 28 (PIA) -- Construction of the next phase for the completion of Legazpi City Convention Center will commence soon following the approval of the P50 million loan from the Land Bank of the Philippines.

Mayor Noel E. Rosal of this city said in an interview over the weekend that the Legazpi City Government, which he and city treasurer Carlita de Guzman represented, and LBP,  represented by department manager of Legazpi City Branch and account officer Marissa Rito, have formally signed and entered into a loan agreement on July 14, this year.

Engr. Noel B. Encinares, chief of Legazpi City Construction Division, said that the completion of the convention center will cost some P47.01 million for the civil works while P2.9 million  for the installation of sound system, air conditioning, and other fixtures.

He added that the building has a total floor area of 2,165.55 square meters that can accommodate up to 3,000 people while the compound will also be equipped with a parking area with 104 slots.

The construction project, according to Encinares, will be supervised by the Legazpi City Engineering Office and will start next month.

Encinares recalled that the original design of the building was multi-purpose hall type and was built last year, comprised of the sub-structure (phase 1) which costs some P7 million and roofing works, beams, stage, electrical works, comfort rooms and dressing room which costs P18.8 million.

The new loan from LBP will fund the improvement of the project from original multi-purpose hall type into the proposed convention center.

Rosal further stated that this project is part of the preparations carried out by the city government to cope with the increasing demand for venues for national and even international conventions, seminars and other similar assemblies as this city continue to pursue a spot in the Top 5 convention metropolis by 2020 in the country.

“Based on the records of the Legazpi City Tourism Office, at least 33 conventions and seminars drawing thousands of delegates and visitors were held on 2014 in this city. This year, at least 52 similar events were already held here out of the 63 that organizations booked earlier,” he said.

All the major national and international events hosted by the city, according to the mayor,  were a big factor of improving the generation of indirect taxes and benefited the business sector like restaurants, hotel, bars and other establishments much as the income of transport sector.

“The improvement of business activities in this city will help increase government revenue generation  that may pave the way for a bigger share in the Internal Revenue Allotment from the national government ,” Rosal pointed out.   (MAL/EPS-CGLegazpi/PIA5/Albay)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/771438074839/upgrading-of-the-legazpi-city-convention-center-underway#sthash.2q07pBzh.dpuf

DSWD halfway through household assessment in Bicol

LEGAZPI CITY, July 27 (PIA) – The Department of Social and Development has finished assessing 59% of its target households for the second round of assessment under their Listahanan or National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) program

“As of July 22, we have assessed 642,008 or 59% households out of the 1.08 million target covering the whole Bicol,” said DSWD Bicol regional director Arnel Garcia.

The assessment is under the Listahanan or National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) program of the department which serves as an information management system that identifies who and where the poor are.

Data collected are made available to national government agencies and other social protection stakeholders a socio-economic database as basis for identifying beneficiaries of their programs and services.

Around 2,200 field staffs were deployed in the six provinces of the region to complete the assessment by the end of August with enumerators conducting house to house interviews.

“Since this is the second round of assessment, we will ensure that no one will be left behind especially those in the far flung areas to be included in the new database.” said Garcia

Households in rural areas are interviewed using paper and pen while in urban areas android tablet is used as the mode of data collection. After the interview stickers are posted in areas that can be easily seen as proof of assessment.

DSWD Bicol conducted the first round of assessment in 2009 which resulted to the identification of 461,242 poor households out of the total 775, 014 households assessed.(MAL/SAA-PIA5/Albay)

86.1% of 1,105 establishments, compliant to implementation of regional minimum wage rate -- DOLE Bicol

LEGAZPI CITY, July 25 (PNA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Bicol regional office has recorded an 86.1 percent compliance among establishments in the implementation of minimum wage in the region this July.

DOLE Bicol regional director Nathaniel V. Lacambra said the high compliance record can be credited to the new on-line Labor Laws Compliance System (LLCS) now being carried out by the agency.

“LLCS is an internet-based system which automatically tracks down, rates and reports the accomplishment of the Labor Laws Compliance Officers (LLCOs) not only in the Bicol Region but also in the entire country,” explained Lacambra.

This new LLCS system, according to him, runs on-line that every time our LLCOs logged on to the interface and posted their reports, such are automatically captured and generated.

The LLCOs, formerly called inspectors, are responsible in checking the compliance of establishments in general labor standards and occupational safety and health standards.

“The difference between the LLCOs now and the inspectors before is the use of a developmental rather than a police approach in pushing for compliance,” Lacambra said.

In Bicol region, DOLE targets some 2,210 establishments for assessment this year through the system, broken down to 1,105 targets for every semester.

Consequently, LLCS system records showed that 86.1 percent of the total assessed establishments for the January-July period this year in Bicol are complying with the implementation of Regional Minimum Wage Rate.

The current minimum wage rate in Bicol, as specified in Wage Order No. RBV-16, is P260.00 per day for establishments with more than 10 workers, while Php236.00 per day for establishments with less than 10 workers.

This July, DOLE Bicol has already assessed a total of 971 establishments, wherein 967 were covered by Joint Assessment (JA) and four by Compliance Visits (CV).

JA is a regular assessment conducted by DOLE among establishments while the CV is the assessment initiated by DOLE if a complaint from a worker is received or a Single Entry Approach (SENA) Program Referral is endorsed by a Single Entry Approach Desk Officers (SEADO).

Out of the 971 establishments assessed, the DOLE Bicol recorded 334 violations on General Labor Standards (GLS) and 437 violations on Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS).

Of the 334 GLS violations reported, 135 were underpayment of wages, 14 violations on rest periods, 65 violations on OT pay, 162 violations on holiday and special day pay, 41 violations on service incentive leave (SIL), 72 violations on 13th month pay while 58 violations on records keeping.

Meanwhile, in OSHS, the violations noted were on Safety and Health Organization wherein 135 establishments were not conforming, 112 establishments with no health personnel, 5 with no medical facilities, 10 with no emergency medicines and 9 establishments with other safety and health issues.

“This GLS violations are actually the most common violations. The good part here is that when you compare these violations, especially in minimum wage, the compliance is still high at 86.1 percent,” Lacambra stressed.

Another good news, he said, is that the system reflected a 99.1-percent accomplishment for DOLE Bicol when it comes to establishments with deficiencies provided appropriate assistance leading to compliance.

“In this percentage, we can see the effect of the developmental approach. The establishments, through the help of our LLCOs are voluntarily complying and correcting their violations,” Lacambra said.

Other good indicators that the LLCS system checked for DOLE Bicol is the SSS, with 89.8-percent compliance, Pag-IBIG compliance at 86.1 percent and Philhealth compliance at 88.3 percent.

Lacambra furthered that DOLE Bicol’s labor and management front is still “compliant”, “healthy” and not much an “issue of concern”.

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/771438217676/86-1-of-1-105-establishments-compliant-to-implementation-of-regional-minimum-wage-rate----dole-bicol#sthash.bf5FhCHn.dpuf

Albay leads way in RPRH Law implementation

LEGAZPI CITY, July 24 (PIA) – “Universality of access to health services is an important measure of development. When a poor woman is able to access the same quality of health service from a public facility as a rich woman in a private health institution, then the government is doing its job," summed up Governor Joey Salceda of Albay what for him is key to addressing the poor health status of Filipinos in the country.

National surveys show that the rate of mothers dying due to childbirth and pregnancy complications is still high with 14-15 deaths per day.  The rate of teen pregnancy also doubled in the last six years.

While the Bicol Region has among the lowest rate in teen pregnancy according to the Young Adults Fertility and Sexuality Survey of 2013, the same survey also show that 26,500 girls ages 15-19 years old from Bicol have begun childbearing.

“Here in Albay, we have so many geographically isolated and depressed areas and they should not be left behind.” Albay board member Herbert Borja said.

Borja also commended the health workers who sometimes walk for hours just to reach far-flung barangays and calling them heroes of the community.

The country now has a Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law (RPRH Law). This mandates government and local government units to ensure that RH services are provided and responsive to the needs of the Filipinos.

Working with DOH Bicol, the Provincial Population and Health offices of Albay, Albay AIDS Council, Albay Inter-agency for RH and a consortium of NGOs from Manila led by Forum for Family Planning and Development, Health Action Information Network and Philippine Legislators Committee on Population and Development continued their series of orientation and awareness raising on health issues and the benefits of the RPRH Law in the municipalities of Malinao and Polangui.

“Napakaraming maling impormasyon tungkol sa RH Law. Isa na dito ang maling akala na ang RH ay family planning lamang ngunit isa lang ito sa napakaraming benepisyo na dapat malaman ng taong bayan.” Chi Laigo Vallido of Forum for FP said.

Vallido also said that people don’t know that RH also addresses other issues such as reproductive tract cancers, HIV/AIDS, men’s RH, adolescent RH, expanded PhilHealth benefits, maternal and child health and nutrition among others.

According to Vallido, Albay is also a priority area under their project supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

“Knowledge is power and when people know their rights and benefits under the RPRH Law, they are better able to demand it.  Under the law, no person should be denied access to information and reproductive health service and no elected officials can use his or her position to prohibit or restrict the delivery of legal and medically-safe RH services, including family planning, or refuse to allocate, approve or release any budget for reproductive health services. Vallido said.  (MAL/IARHC/PIA5/Albay)

DTI conducts local study mission for Bantayog ng Camarines Norte Consumedores Inc.

DAET, Camarines Norte, July 24 (PIA) – The Bantayog ng Camarines Norte Consumedores, Incorporated (BCNCI) benefited in the 2 day local study mission conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) early this month in pursuit of continuous improvement to be more effective in their advocacy for consumerism.

Consumer Protection Desk head Elenita B. Avila said that the BCNCI was provided an actual interaction through sharing of best practices with a successful consumer organization and cooperative in Los Baños, Laguna.

She said that they were also exposed and observed the different stores and public markets in the duration of the study mission in the said province.

 It can be recalled that the DTI has organized last year and accredit the BCNCI which is composed of zealous senior citizens who will assist and cooperate with government agencies concerned for the implementation of rules and regulations and formulation of new or mandatory polices for the protection of consumers.

During the study mission, the BCNCI was able to visit the established San Pablo City Consumer Protection Center (SPCCPC), a breakthrough from a project study of UP Los Baños students through the assistance of the DTI. It was organized in 2006 and eventually was adopted by the local government unit of San Pablo.

Avila cited that SPCCPC in its nine (9) years of continuous service to consumers of the locality has been a great assistance to the Consumer Welfare Division of DTI in Laguna.

The BCNCI also stopover in the New Batong Malake Public Market Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Los Baños City which is one of the active and successful coops in the said province that extend livelihood project assistance in terms of skills and technology to its members. The cooperative also provides financial assistance to Small-Medium Enterprises (SME) and farmers in rice production and organic agriculture.

The BCNCI learned various tips on identifying potential business in a specific location and how to attain business success from one of the Board of Directors of the cooperative who is engage in banana chips and corn bits production.

Avila said that they were able to visit the Liliw, which is known as the “Tsinelas” Capital of Laguna wherein the display in the market of vast stylish yet in bargain prices footwear revealed the ingenuity of Liliwenos distinctive creation.

She said that through this activity the participating 14 BCNCI members gained relevant insights on the interchange of ideas, technologies and best practices among other consumer group and multi-purpose cooperative that challenge their traditional thinking.

The experience in Laguna may help the BCNCI develop innovative approaches to solve challenges and identify possible business, she said.

The activity has been a unique and concentrated opportunity for the consumer members of BCNCI to network with other consumer organizations. (MAL/RBM-PIA5/Camarines Norte).

More contenders vie for 2015 Gawad Albay sa Edukasyon

LEGAZPI CITY, July 24 (PIA) – More contenders are vying for the 2015 Gawad Albay sa Edukasyon as reported by the Albay Council on Education (ACE) and Search and Awards Committee (SAC) in a meeting held last week at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan session hall here.

 Albay Provincial Education Department (PED) head Nenita Villalon said their office is still accepting nominations particularly for outstanding students and LGUs categories. She further encourages students, teachers, and communities to band together to give recognition to deserving individuals who have shown excellence in their work and achievements.

The Gawad Albay sa Edukasyon program is an awards system, developed by Governor Joey Sarte Salceda, which aims to boost the educational system in the province by giving recognition and rewards to principals, teachers, students, and local government units (LGUs) who have made significant contribution in boosting quality education.

Achievers and high performers receive cash certificates, trophies, plaques, medals from the provincial government.

 SAC chairpersons for the components of the said program such as Excellence in Academic and Leadership (SEAL), Ten Outstanding Teachers of Albay (TOTAL), Three Outstanding Principals in the Countryside of Albay (TROPICAL), and KADUNONG LGU with Best Practices in Education reported to the council the recent developments of their respective categories.

For the SEAL category, there have been 44 nominations received but this may still increase as the deadline for nomination forms to be submitted to PED is still on July 31, 2015.

Some 57 nominations have been received for the TOTAL category but 4 of which have been disqualified for not meeting the requirements, mostly, for not achieving the minimum 20 teaching hours per week.

As posted in the official TOTAL and TROPICAL page of the province, 31 nominations are for elementary level and 22 are for secondary level.

 The TROPICAL category however is suspended as nominees fell below the minimum ten nominations with only 8 nomination forms received. The committee instead moved that the funds allocated for the program be used instead for the training of the school heads to further develop them in becoming efficient leaders.

 The chairperson for the KADUNONG LGU with Best Practices in Education reported that no nominations have been delivered yet for the said category but they are expected to come in towards the end of the deadline for submission on August this year.(MAL/SAA-PIA5/Albay)

PhilHealth Bicol turns over of P1.1M Fun Run proceeds to beneficiaries

NAGA CITY, July 24 (PIA) -- PhilHealth President and CEO Alexander A. Padilla led the ceremonial turnover of the PhilHealth Run 2015 proceeds amounting to P1,140,000.00 to beneficiaries, including the Naga City Children's Home, and the Agta- Tabangnon Tribe of Buhi, Camarines Sur.

Padilla, together with other high rank officers of the corporation including EVP and COO Ramon Aristoza, Jr., VP for NCR and South Luzon Shirley B. Domingo, MD, and the Regional Vice- President for PRO V, Orlando D. Iñigo, Jr., personally handed over to the beneficiaries the mock checks amounting to Php 400,000 and Php 640,000 to the Naga City Children's Home, and the Agta- Tabangnon Tribe of Buhi, Camarines Sur.

Said funds will be used to improve facilities for the children housed at the NCCH and for the construction of a Lake Ambulance which can transport the tribe members from Sta Cruz to mainland Buhi.

PhilHealth Bicol, in close coordination with the beneficiaries thru its oversight offices: the city government of Naga for the NCCH, and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, took a quick survey and rapid needs assessment to determine how best to provide assistance to these marginalized portion of society.

In line with this, RVP Iñigo takes pride in the PhilHealth Ambulance at the Lake, the first of its kind in the region, which is designed by PRO V employee, Jeric Sumalde.

The Lake Ambulance will help manage health emergencies in the area and further address health related concerns for these Indigenous Groups.

The beneficiaries, represented by Naga City councilor Elmer S. Baldemoro, and the Agta- Tabangnon Tribal Chieftain, Felicitas Alano expressed their heartfelt appreciation for the assistance provided to them by the different sectors who united during the second Simultaneous Nationwide Run (dubbed as SiNaRu, a Bicol term which means one or united) of PhilHealth with the theme: PhilHealth: Ready, TSeKaP, Go.

 RVP Iñigo states that PhilHealth Regional Office V will continue uplifting the morale of these sectors of society, particularly the IPs, thru several other projects addressing health and poverty.  (MAL/PROV-PAU/PIA5)