2M Bicol students back to school today
By Marlon A. Loterte
LEGAZPI CITY, Albay, June 4 (PIA) -- Around two million students in Bicol troop back to schools today for the start of the school year 2012-2013, according to the Department of Education (DepEd) regional office.
Dr. Jose Bonto, DepEd Bicol administrative officer, the number is comprised of more than 200,000 kindergarten pupils, 1.5 million elementary students and almost 400,000 secondary students.
Bonto also said that enrollees, both in public elementary and secondary schools increased by two percent, which is attributed to the transfer of some students from private schools due to high or recent tuition fees.
Bonto reiterated the free basic education policy of the state which is provided by the constitution.
Dr. Regina Vibar, DepEd Bicol Elementary Division head, meanwhile said the teacher per pupil ratio in the region is 1:40, but for big schools such may reach 1:60 ratio, adding that the book per pupil ratio for the first grade is 1:1 and for Grades 2 to 6 is 1:2.
Vibar mentioned Bicol’s ranking in last year National Achievement Test went up by three steps.
Among the regions in the country, Bicol placed eighth, with 62 percent achievement.
Vibar is very optimistic to achieve the 75 percent rating this school year.
Bonto reminded the teachers during the opening of classes today, “Teachers should always wear a smile, being the students’ second parents.”
Furthermore Bonto mentioned, it takes a community to educate a child. (MAL/NIMediavillo RNB-PIA5)
Albay anti-plastic ordinance takes effect this June
Total ban on cigarette smoking also in effect
By Marlon A. Loterte
LEGAZPI CITY, Albay, June 4 (PIA) -- The ordinance banning the use of plastic bags, polystyrene, and other synthetic packaging materials took effect last Friday, June 1, in the entire province of Albay.
The anti-plastic ordinance or Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Ordinance 2011-3 was passed and signed by Albay governor Joey Salceda last February 21, 2011, prohibiting the use of plastic bags, polystyrene, and other synthetic fabrics as packaging materials for goods sold by supermarkets, groceries, stores, and other commercial establishments in Albay.
Albay is the first province in Bicol to pass an ordinance banning the use of plastic bags and other synthetic packaging materials that is harmful to the environment.
The anti-plastic ordinance would be strictly enforced starting this June, said Board Member Arnold Embestro, the Committee on Environment chairperson.
He said the ban on plastic would be strictly enforced after the SP gave a one-year moratorium to commercial establishments in the 15 towns and three cities of the province.
The ordinance directs owners of groceries, department stores, supermarkets, chain retailers, including sari-sari stores not to use plastic, Styrofoam, and synthetic materials as packaging bags for goods sold to customers.
Embestro said they also appealed to the public to use or bring along during their shopping alternative bags made of paper, cloth, abaca, buri, and other recyclable and environment-friendly materials.
The ordinance carries a fine ranging from P1,000 to P5,000 including the cancellation of the business permit.
Embestro expects that the ordinance would be carried out smoothly after holding a series information drives, dialogues, consultation with the public, stakeholders, and law enforcement agencies.
Environmentalists claim that the use of plastic bags and other synthetic materials, although convenient, are responsible for causing pollution and harmful effects to the environment.
Plastic bags end up as litters. These find their ways into waterways, river channels, parks, beaches, and streets. Once burned, they infuse the air with toxic fumes.
One of the worst environmental effects of plastic bags is that they are non-biodegradable, decomposition of plastic bags takes about 400 years.
Plastic bags kill animals. Many animals ingest plastic bags, mistaking them for food, the toxic materials remain intact that it kills them.
As this developed, another milestone environment ordinance signed by Salceda this month was the Albay Smoke Free Ordinance, authored by Provincial Board Members Herbert Borja and Niel Montallana.
Salceda signed Provincial Ordinance 10-2012, otherwise known as “An ordinance regulating the use, sale, distribution and advertisement of cigarettes and other tabacco products, imposing penalties therefore in the province of Albay.”
The ordinance would take effect on the last quarter of this year, Borja chairman of the SP committee on health.
Borja said the legislative measure aims to protect and promote the right to health of the people in doing so the ordinance prohibits smoking in public, private places whether enclosed or outdoor.
It also prohibits the purchase and sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products to minors. It also imposes restrictions on advertising, promotion, and sponsorship activities of tobacco companies.
Borja in an interview, said the Albay Smoke Free Ordinance is a “model ordinance,” the first anti-smoking ordinance to be passed in the Bicol region and the third province in the country to implement a total ban on cigarette smoking.
He said before the provincial ordinance was crafted and passed, similar Smoke Free Ordinances were passed and enforced in the cities of Legazpi, Tabaco, and Ligao, and the towns of Daraga and Guinobatan. (MAL/MSA-PIA 5, Albay)
DILG secretary pushes for full disclosure of SALN of local chief execs
By Marlon A. Loterte
LEGAZPI CITY, Albay, June 4 (PIA) -- Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Jesse Robredo said on Friday here that he strongly favors the disclosure of local chief executives (LCEs) of their Assets, Liabilities and Net worth (SALN) as a gesture of transparency and accountability as elective officials.
Robredo said he encourages LCEs to sign waivers for the opening of their SALN but the agency cannot compel local officials because the DILG does not have the mandate as the SALNs of LCEs are submitted directly to the Office of the Ombudsman.
“We have no mandate to require them to submit and disclose their SALN. It’s up to them whether they would like to show this to the public, for transparency purposes,” Robredo said.
Robredo pointed out that the voluntary signing of waivers disclosing SALNs would be a good practice in complying with the Department of Interior Local Government (DILG) search for a “Seal of Good House Keeping” of various Local Government Units (LGUs) across the country.
At a press conference, Robredo explained that the search for LGUs Seal of Good House Keeping involves transparency, accountability, and full disclosure of financial and operational aspects in carrying out and delivering the mandated services to the public.
Robredo launched on Friday the third leg of the DILG Tapatan Roadshow focusing on Disaster Preparedness that was attended by the governors, town and city mayors in Bicol; and members of the Regional/Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils.
At the forum, majority of the LCEs interviewed by this reporter reacted positively to the call of Robredo for a full disclosure of the respective SALN.
Masbate governor Rizalina S. Lanete said, “This had been already my practice since I was still in Congress, my SALN is open to anybody who wishes to see it.”
Naga City vice mayor Gabriel Bordado said he favors the proposal since the move would be a breakthrough in showing the public that elected officials are transparent and accountable.
City mayor Geraldine Rosal, Tiwi mayor Ammie Villanueva, Pioduran mayor Dante Arandia and Canaman mayor Gil Basmayor, were meanwhile one in favoring the proposal of Robredo for the waiver signing on SALN.
Guinobatan mayor Juaning Garcia said the signing of waivers for the SALN should apply first to impeachable officials, although he has nothing to hide in his SALN. (MAL/MSA-PIA 5, Albay)
Bicol unemployment rate down by 5%, says DOLE V
LEGAZPI CITY, June 4 (PIA) -- The number of unemployed in the Bicol region declined by 5 percent as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the region conducted series of major job fairs in Legazpi City on April 28 and Naga City on May 1 this year.
“The result of these two major jobs fairs is a testament that we are on the right track in helping lower down the unemployment rate of the region thereby improving the life of the bicolanos.” DOLE Bicol Director Nathaniel V Lacambra said.
Lacambra added that the said job fairs which recorded 3,000 qualified applicants of which 609 are hired-on-the-spot (HOTS), is among the department’s counter measures to the increase in number of the unemployed particularly this March.
“The unemployment rate really increases in March due to the newly grads which are now part of the labor force, Lacambra confirmed.
DOLE Bicol believes that these measures can reduce unemployment rate in the region as proven by the number of applicants hired in last year’s jobs fair wherein 4,000 Bicolanos were placed in various jobs and 1,800 of which were HOTS applicants.
Lacambra disclosed that 37 jobs fairs will be conducted throughout the year which started this April to meet the target of job placement of at least 50 percent of the total number of graduates this school year. (MAL/SAA-PIA V/Albay)
By Marlon A. Loterte
LEGAZPI CITY, Albay, June 4 (PIA) -- Around two million students in Bicol troop back to schools today for the start of the school year 2012-2013, according to the Department of Education (DepEd) regional office.
Dr. Jose Bonto, DepEd Bicol administrative officer, the number is comprised of more than 200,000 kindergarten pupils, 1.5 million elementary students and almost 400,000 secondary students.
Bonto also said that enrollees, both in public elementary and secondary schools increased by two percent, which is attributed to the transfer of some students from private schools due to high or recent tuition fees.
Bonto reiterated the free basic education policy of the state which is provided by the constitution.
Dr. Regina Vibar, DepEd Bicol Elementary Division head, meanwhile said the teacher per pupil ratio in the region is 1:40, but for big schools such may reach 1:60 ratio, adding that the book per pupil ratio for the first grade is 1:1 and for Grades 2 to 6 is 1:2.
Vibar mentioned Bicol’s ranking in last year National Achievement Test went up by three steps.
Among the regions in the country, Bicol placed eighth, with 62 percent achievement.
Vibar is very optimistic to achieve the 75 percent rating this school year.
Bonto reminded the teachers during the opening of classes today, “Teachers should always wear a smile, being the students’ second parents.”
Furthermore Bonto mentioned, it takes a community to educate a child. (MAL/NIMediavillo RNB-PIA5)
Albay anti-plastic ordinance takes effect this June
Total ban on cigarette smoking also in effect
By Marlon A. Loterte
LEGAZPI CITY, Albay, June 4 (PIA) -- The ordinance banning the use of plastic bags, polystyrene, and other synthetic packaging materials took effect last Friday, June 1, in the entire province of Albay.
The anti-plastic ordinance or Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Ordinance 2011-3 was passed and signed by Albay governor Joey Salceda last February 21, 2011, prohibiting the use of plastic bags, polystyrene, and other synthetic fabrics as packaging materials for goods sold by supermarkets, groceries, stores, and other commercial establishments in Albay.
Albay is the first province in Bicol to pass an ordinance banning the use of plastic bags and other synthetic packaging materials that is harmful to the environment.
The anti-plastic ordinance would be strictly enforced starting this June, said Board Member Arnold Embestro, the Committee on Environment chairperson.
He said the ban on plastic would be strictly enforced after the SP gave a one-year moratorium to commercial establishments in the 15 towns and three cities of the province.
The ordinance directs owners of groceries, department stores, supermarkets, chain retailers, including sari-sari stores not to use plastic, Styrofoam, and synthetic materials as packaging bags for goods sold to customers.
Embestro said they also appealed to the public to use or bring along during their shopping alternative bags made of paper, cloth, abaca, buri, and other recyclable and environment-friendly materials.
The ordinance carries a fine ranging from P1,000 to P5,000 including the cancellation of the business permit.
Embestro expects that the ordinance would be carried out smoothly after holding a series information drives, dialogues, consultation with the public, stakeholders, and law enforcement agencies.
Environmentalists claim that the use of plastic bags and other synthetic materials, although convenient, are responsible for causing pollution and harmful effects to the environment.
Plastic bags end up as litters. These find their ways into waterways, river channels, parks, beaches, and streets. Once burned, they infuse the air with toxic fumes.
One of the worst environmental effects of plastic bags is that they are non-biodegradable, decomposition of plastic bags takes about 400 years.
Plastic bags kill animals. Many animals ingest plastic bags, mistaking them for food, the toxic materials remain intact that it kills them.
As this developed, another milestone environment ordinance signed by Salceda this month was the Albay Smoke Free Ordinance, authored by Provincial Board Members Herbert Borja and Niel Montallana.
Salceda signed Provincial Ordinance 10-2012, otherwise known as “An ordinance regulating the use, sale, distribution and advertisement of cigarettes and other tabacco products, imposing penalties therefore in the province of Albay.”
The ordinance would take effect on the last quarter of this year, Borja chairman of the SP committee on health.
Borja said the legislative measure aims to protect and promote the right to health of the people in doing so the ordinance prohibits smoking in public, private places whether enclosed or outdoor.
It also prohibits the purchase and sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products to minors. It also imposes restrictions on advertising, promotion, and sponsorship activities of tobacco companies.
Borja in an interview, said the Albay Smoke Free Ordinance is a “model ordinance,” the first anti-smoking ordinance to be passed in the Bicol region and the third province in the country to implement a total ban on cigarette smoking.
He said before the provincial ordinance was crafted and passed, similar Smoke Free Ordinances were passed and enforced in the cities of Legazpi, Tabaco, and Ligao, and the towns of Daraga and Guinobatan. (MAL/MSA-PIA 5, Albay)
DILG secretary pushes for full disclosure of SALN of local chief execs
By Marlon A. Loterte
LEGAZPI CITY, Albay, June 4 (PIA) -- Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Jesse Robredo said on Friday here that he strongly favors the disclosure of local chief executives (LCEs) of their Assets, Liabilities and Net worth (SALN) as a gesture of transparency and accountability as elective officials.
Robredo said he encourages LCEs to sign waivers for the opening of their SALN but the agency cannot compel local officials because the DILG does not have the mandate as the SALNs of LCEs are submitted directly to the Office of the Ombudsman.
“We have no mandate to require them to submit and disclose their SALN. It’s up to them whether they would like to show this to the public, for transparency purposes,” Robredo said.
Robredo pointed out that the voluntary signing of waivers disclosing SALNs would be a good practice in complying with the Department of Interior Local Government (DILG) search for a “Seal of Good House Keeping” of various Local Government Units (LGUs) across the country.
At a press conference, Robredo explained that the search for LGUs Seal of Good House Keeping involves transparency, accountability, and full disclosure of financial and operational aspects in carrying out and delivering the mandated services to the public.
Robredo launched on Friday the third leg of the DILG Tapatan Roadshow focusing on Disaster Preparedness that was attended by the governors, town and city mayors in Bicol; and members of the Regional/Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils.
At the forum, majority of the LCEs interviewed by this reporter reacted positively to the call of Robredo for a full disclosure of the respective SALN.
Masbate governor Rizalina S. Lanete said, “This had been already my practice since I was still in Congress, my SALN is open to anybody who wishes to see it.”
Naga City vice mayor Gabriel Bordado said he favors the proposal since the move would be a breakthrough in showing the public that elected officials are transparent and accountable.
City mayor Geraldine Rosal, Tiwi mayor Ammie Villanueva, Pioduran mayor Dante Arandia and Canaman mayor Gil Basmayor, were meanwhile one in favoring the proposal of Robredo for the waiver signing on SALN.
Guinobatan mayor Juaning Garcia said the signing of waivers for the SALN should apply first to impeachable officials, although he has nothing to hide in his SALN. (MAL/MSA-PIA 5, Albay)
Bicol unemployment rate down by 5%, says DOLE V
LEGAZPI CITY, June 4 (PIA) -- The number of unemployed in the Bicol region declined by 5 percent as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the region conducted series of major job fairs in Legazpi City on April 28 and Naga City on May 1 this year.
“The result of these two major jobs fairs is a testament that we are on the right track in helping lower down the unemployment rate of the region thereby improving the life of the bicolanos.” DOLE Bicol Director Nathaniel V Lacambra said.
Lacambra added that the said job fairs which recorded 3,000 qualified applicants of which 609 are hired-on-the-spot (HOTS), is among the department’s counter measures to the increase in number of the unemployed particularly this March.
“The unemployment rate really increases in March due to the newly grads which are now part of the labor force, Lacambra confirmed.
DOLE Bicol believes that these measures can reduce unemployment rate in the region as proven by the number of applicants hired in last year’s jobs fair wherein 4,000 Bicolanos were placed in various jobs and 1,800 of which were HOTS applicants.
Lacambra disclosed that 37 jobs fairs will be conducted throughout the year which started this April to meet the target of job placement of at least 50 percent of the total number of graduates this school year. (MAL/SAA-PIA V/Albay)
