Senator Pimentel's visit in Albay Province

Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III delivered his message during the blessing and inauguration of Dap-Dap bridge at Puro, Legazpi City. The Senators visit is part of the Bicol Region Summit on Disaster Risk Reduction & Multi-Hazard Awareness, held at Magayon hall Aquinas University, Legazpi  City.

Dap-Dap bridge inauguration and blessing

A message delivered by Legazpi City Mayor Geraldine Rosal during the blessing and inauguration of Dap-Dap bridge, at Puro Legazpi City.

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III with Legazpi City Administrator Noel Rosal.

Natural resources office awards 100-ha land for mangrove development

By Benilda A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, May 3 (PIA) -- One hundred hectares of tidal mudflat were awarded by the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) here to the Seaweed Grower and Aquaculture Association of Sorsogon, Inc. (SEAGRASS) in Brgy. Gimaloto, Sorsogon City.

The SEAGRASS, a people’s organization composed of fisher folks and farmers in Brgy Gimaloto, West District, in this city, was chosen by the CENRO in coordination with the Sorsogon City Agriculture Office as beneficiary in line with the National Greening Program being implemented by the national government.

According to SEAGRASS president Redentor Lasay, the 100 ha. mudflat is currently dominated by mangrove species like bakawan, pagatpat, miyapi, lapis-lapis, and nipa, among others.

“As per the initial agreement, the SEAGRASS will serve as the steward of the site for mangrove development for 25 years starting on signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). Inclusive of the agreement is for the SEAGRASS to protect and develop, as well as, benefit from the said area. Members will be allowed to harvest pruned branches of mangroves and nipa shingles as well as aquasilvi culture yields, under the supervision of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR),” Lasay explained.

CENR Officer Krisanta Marlene P. Rodriguez said the MOA is underway and will immediately be signed upon compliance of the prescribed requirements by the concerned parties.

She also added that this week, BFAR, in coordination with CENRO will conduct assessment and survey of the said mangrove project to determine the type of mangrove species suitable to the 50 ha. out of the awarded 100 ha. mudflat.

Propagules to be planted in the site will be bought directly from the SEAGRASS members, and the growing of mangroves will be monitored and taken good care of by the members for the span of six months as per the agreement.

City Agriculturist Adeline Detera said the City Agriculture Office is set to establish a one-hectare Mangro-vetum, a mangrove propagule nursery in Barangay Gimaloto for sustainability of the mangrove project and to showcase at the same time a rare package of mangrove species both for tourism and educational enhancement.

Meanwhile, SEAGRASS is currently a beneficiary of aquasilvi culture project grant of BFAR which includes seaweed farming and green mussel (tahong) production which is soon to harvest anytime in May this year; the project amounted to P150,000.

Aside from this, BFAR has also established “hilay," a fish-breeding and shelter area which, at the same time, serve as protection against trawl and dynamite fishing and any other form of illegal fishing activities.

SEAGRASS was also granted by BFAR with 6.5 horse power motorized banca and a nipa hut for the convenience and smooth management of the members of the organization. (BAR-PIA 5, Sorsogon)

DSWD-5 identifies Bicol provinces as PAMANA recipients

LEGAZPI CITY, May 1 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has identified three provinces with barangays affected by conflict under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Pamana) in Bicol region as recipients for development interventions.

The three provinces identified by the Office of the Presidential on the Peace Process (OPAPP) as eligible areas for Pamana are Camarines Norte, Sorsogon and Masbate.

Pamana is the peace and development framework adopted by the government in strengthening peacebuilding, reconstruction and development in conflict affected areas (CAAs), vulnerable communities and peace agreement areas identified by the OPAPP and monitored by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

As the implementing agency for the said project, DSWD will facilitate the delivery of basic services at the community level through community-driven development and community livelihood interventions. This aspect shapes families and communities by concentrating on health, education, and livelihood programs, said Jesseshan Marbella, KALAHI-CIDDS regional social marketing officer of DSWD.

The program will be adopting the same Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach utilized for the implementation of the Kalahi-CIDSS (Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services) project which provides micro-level interventions in promoting convergent delivery of services and goods on households and communities.

The Community Empowerment Activity Cycle (CEAC) used for Kalahi-CIDSS will likewise be adopted to ensure mechanisms for participation, transparency, and accountability in the implementation of community-based development projects.

A total of 44 provinces and 699 municipalities have been included in the national coverage of the PAMANA. Along with Bicol are Calabarzon, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga, Northern Mindanao, Davao, Socsargen and Caraga. (MAL/SAA-PIA5 Albay)