Tribute to Albayano Heroes

Albay Governor Joey Sarte Salceda, guest of honor and speaker shakes hands with Commodore Abraham Celso (PN) during the Wreath Laying Ceremony in honor of General Jose Ignacio Paua, "A Tribute to the Albayano Hero for National Liberation"   (Alex Cal/PIA-V)

NGCP sets power interruption in parts of Albay

LEGAZPI CITY, April 24 (PIA) -- The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has served notice of the scheduled power interruption due to the shutdown of some of its transmission facilities in areas covered by Albay Electric Cooperative (ALECO).

Nelson S. Bautista, NGCP South Luzon Corporation communication officer, said the company has set power interruption in some areas in Albay on April 25, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. to replace some electric poles, insulators and other line hardwares along Tiwi-Cale-Tabaco 69KV Line in Albay’s first congressional district.

NGCP has advised that specific cities and municipalities to be affected by the power interruption are determined by the concerned distribution utility or ALECO, unless the activity affects the entire franchise area.

ALECO allots the available power within its franchise area and implements the power interruption schedule among the end-users.

Bautista said that normal operations will immediately resume after work completion.

“NGCP’s customers and the general public are advised to take the necessary preparations and precautions for this scheduled interruption,” he added. (MAL-PIA5 Albay/NGCP)


Summer trade fair yields P1.6M in gross sales

By Edna A. Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes, April 24 (PIA)-- The 2012 Summer Barakalan sa Plaza Rizal generated the highest gross sales in the history of the event reaching a total of P1.6 million.

The annual event which started last 2010 was held at Virac Plaza Rizal from April 2 to 13 in time for the Holy Week vacationers and tourists, proved to be very profitable for the 52 participating companies.

Local manufacturers/ producers of food, handicraft, and other merchandise provided guests to the trade fair with a variety of products seldom found all in one place.

A local tour operator, Venz Bay Travel and Tours offered a “Visita Iglesia” guided tour package as one of the special features of the event. TESDA for its part took charge of technology demonstrations on hot and cold cooking while its accredited clients provided beauty care and wellness services.

The trade fair will become an annual event as pronounced by Mayor Cito Alberto during the opening program on April 2 – the Virac LGU being the major partner of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Catanduanes Producers Association in this undertaking.

During the closing program on April 13, special awards were presented. Marclo Enterprise (non-food category), Belen’s Pinahamis na Pili, Atbp (food category) won in the Most Innovative Product and in the Best Dressed Booth contest.

Consolation prizes for Best Dressed Booth were also awarded to: Aydz food Products, Nelia’s Food Products, Fiberart Handicraft Enterprise, and to Pandan Women Weavers Association.

Cash awards totalled to P12,000 which was fully sponsored by LGU Virac. (MAL/EAB-PIA 5/DTI Catanduanes)

Gubat town launches reading program for kids

SORSOGON CITY, April 23 (PIA) -- Gubat municipal government, the Sangguniang Kabataan, the Department of Education and the Gubat Parents Teachers Association Federation have launched a reading program for children.

Named after one of Gubat’s famous writers, the Delfin Fresnosa Reading Recovery Program was conceptualized by the local government of Gubat which started on the third week of April and which will end on May this year.

“We would like to make the program sustainable, targeting as our clientele those non-reader children and those children who would want to enhance further their reading skills,” said Gubat Municipal Mayor Ronnel Lim.

“Reading skills are very important. Without a solid ability to read, children will be unable to make use of whatever improvements in our local school system,” he said.

According to Lim, selected incoming Grade 2 pupils will each be assigned a reading partner. The reading partners are volunteer Gubatnons who have intended to spend laudably their vacation in Gubat town this summer by volunteering as tutors to the children in their respective barangays. The reading partner will visit the pupil at his own home three times a week, 30 minutes to one hour per meeting, during the entire duration of summer vacation.

“The municipality provided the training and instructional materials to be used for the program,” he added.

The young local chief executive also said that they have opened the reading recovery and enhancement program not only for Gubatnons who are currently residents of the town, but even to those Gubatnons who plan to spend their summer vacation in the town and are willing to voluntary render their services and tutorial skills for free in order to help develop the reading abilities of children in their respective areas.

Lim said that the program is also part of giving tribute and recognition to the contributions made by one of Gubat famous writers, Delfin fresnosa. Born on May 23, 1915 in Barangay Bulacao, Fresnosa taught at the National Teachers College and at the University of the East, and served as the editor of “Boy's World,” the official organ of the National Council of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines.

Fresnosa was part of the group of thirteen writers who called themselves the Veronicans (named after Veronica who mirrored the true face of Christ). Fresnosa's short stories regularly appear in anthologies of the Best Philippine short stories. He died on December 19, 1988.

Mayor Lim further said that they still welcome more volunteers and that interested Gubatnons may just visit his office at the Gubat Municipal Building. (MAL/BAR-PIA5 Sorsogon)

Bicolano leaders urged to avail of AAD scholarship

LEGAZPI CITY, April 23 (PIA) -- Bicolano leaders are urged to apply for the Australia Awards for Development for 2013 available for Masters and PhD levels in Australia to contribute to the accelerated and equitable growth of the various regions of the country.

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell said, "the Development Awards, through extensive scholarship programs, aim to contribute to the long term development of the Philippines, and to promote knowledge, education links and enduring ties between Australia and the Philippines."

"Through its aid program, the Australian Government places a high premium on improving the human capital of the Philippines by increasing access to quality education and training for people," he added.

Deadline for application is April 30, 2012.

Interested applicants are encouraged to take English proficiency tests immediately with TOEFL or IELTS as passing these tests are prerequisite for the scholarship.

One hundred twenty (120) scholarship slots are available, half of which are allocated to Australia's key partner agencies delivering priority development initiatives, with the remainder open to the public.

Australia Awards for Development covers travel, study and living expenses for study at Australia's world-class universities. Awardees will also join the Philippines Australia Alumni Association upon their return.

Many of the Australia Awards scholars are from various regions of the country who are now undertaking groundbreaking development projects, upgrading educational curricula in universities, pursuing biosecurity and agricultural productivity programs, initiating enterprise building projects for local governments and a host of other outstanding development efforts.

Highly encouraged to apply are people with disabilities, women leaders, ethnic communities, aspiring young leaders, members of the academe and other development pacesetters.

Australia Awards for Development include the Australian Development Scholarships and the Australian Leadership Awards administered by AusAID. These awards aim to develop capacity and leadership skills so that individuals can contribute to development in their home country.

In the Philippines, the Australia Awards for Development is part of the Australia-Philippines development cooperation program and are targeted at priority development needs in the areas of basic education, social protection and welfare, peace and development, public financial management, disaster risk reduction and management, climate change adaptation, organizational development, trade, foreign relations, and pandemics.

Australian Development Scholarship applicants who demonstrate the most potential to impact development in the Philippines will be considered for the additional prestigious Australian Leadership Award.

"Awardees will experience and benefit from cutting-edge and high-quality Australian education. Australian universities are consistently ranked among the top educational institutions in the world for teaching and research, offering a complete range of programs and courses that lead to highly regarded and internationally-recognised qualifications. In 2011, eight Australian Universities were among the world's top 100 Universities." Ambassador Tweddle said. (MAL-PIA V/Albay)

Bicol inflation rate slides down at 0.4% in February

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, April 23 (PIA) -- Annual inflation rate in the Bicol region further decreased at 0.4 percent in February owing to the slowdown registered in six of the 11 major commodity and services groups according to the report released by the National Statistics Office (NSO) on Consumer Price Index for All Income Households in the region for February 2012.

Compared with the 3.2 percent inflation rate in January, the 2.8 percent rate recorded for February is also lower by 1.5 percent alongside with the inflation rate in the same period last year.

Among the six major groups contributing to the slowdown are clothing and footwear from 3.0 percent in January to 1.9 percent in February; food and non-alcoholic beverages from 2.7 percent to 2.0 percent; and furnishings, household equipment, and routine maintenance of the house from 2.2 percent to 1.8 percent. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco also dipped by 0.3 percent along with recreation and culture, restaurants, and other miscellaneous goods and services by 1 percent.

In contrast, increase in prices were registered in housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels from 2.6 percent in January to 3.1 percent in February. The same is true for the health commodities and services from 2.3 percent to 2.6 percent

Retaining the rate for the past two months this year are communication, transport, and education groups.

Across provinces, increase in inflation rate at 4.6 percent from 4.2 percent was recorded in Camarines Sur only. The rest of the provinces posted slower inflation rate with Sorsogon remarkably posting the lowest rate at 2.3 percent from 3.8 percent in January to 1.5 percent in the following month.

In general, average prices of commodities in the region for the first two months remained the same at 130.8 Consumer Price Index (CPI). Average price in food and non-alcoholic beverages, the biggest group comprising the market basket in the region inched down at 0.2 percent along with the 0.1 percent drop in Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and other fuels. Market basket is the total number of goods and services in constant amounts and qualities.

For the non-food category, NSO-5 noted increase in the transport group owing to the surge of prices in operation of personal transport equipment at 0.3 points.

The Purchasing Power of the Peso (PPP) in the region likewise remained at 76 centavos with Catanduanes and Sorsogon with P.01 increase and the rest at the same rate for January and February this year. (MAL/SAA-PIA 5, Albay)

TESDA chief hails CamSur for the promotion of IT

By Analiza S. Macatangay

PILI, CAMARINES SUR, April 22 (PIA) -- “TESDA conveys the vision of bringing its services to the highest degree of quality standard and it has pleased me to know that here in Camarines Sur, the youth are showing off their interest to promote Information Technology (IT) through their expertise in 2D and 3D animation.”

These were the words of inspiration uttered by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Joel Villanueva during a press conference held this Friday at Villa Del Rey, in line with the promotion of the technical and vocational programs of the government.

Villanueva lauded the province of Camarines Sur for coming up with animation program that brings out the best of every student. Its free training program inspires young potential artists in the province to enhance their skills and partake of the opportunity that the government is offering. Villanueva added that these courses are in demand for employment particularly in other countries.

“Employability is high for those who engage in technical-vocational courses, their training under TESDA initiated courses and similar programs are guaranteed to give them their needed skills and expertise that would serve as their passport for a better future.”

Villanueva stated that Bicol now is being dubbed as top-tourism region and as such, it demands skilled workers to assist in its various endeavors, particularly in making use of the great advent of digital technology. He also said that TESDA opens its doors to companies and organizations in their search for skilled workers, the very reason why they are encouraging individuals to avail of the government programs and be its partners in raising the standard of its services as global entrepreneurs.

TESDA also supports the K12 program of the government as its partner in bringing to the fore its curriculums. One of its newest innovations is the launching of TESDA Online this coming May 7. The said program will offer the following short courses: Information Technology, Computer Hardware Servicing, Tourism, Room Attendant Servicing and Guest Room Servicing.

The said courses are open to all interested parties but will particularly benefit Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Since it is internet based, the online tech-voc training will be easily available to interested trainees as an alternative method of learning. (MAL/LSM-PIA 5, Camarines Sur)
 

SSS urges members to avail loan condonation program

VIRAC, Catanduanes, April 21 (PIA) -- The Social Security System (SSS) provincial office here encourages its members to avail of the condonation program for loans from the agency.

SSS Catanduanes branch manager Divina Avila said the amnesty program gives members the chance to settle their unpaid accounts without paying the full penalty that covers overdue salary, calamity, emergency, educational, study-now-pay-later, stock investment and privatization fund loans.

The program, according to Avila, started last April 2, 2012 and is open to all employees, self-employed workers and voluntary members with overdue loans.

She said the terms and requirements for applicants will depend on the type of delinquent borrower.

Avila said that one can avail full condonation of penalties if he or she has at least three contributions within the last six months before the month of application and must have proof of deducted loan amortizations such as pay slips, company certification and notarized affidavits.

The SSS member can pay the loan principal and interest in full or avail the three-year installment payment scheme with an annual interest rate of 3 percent.

Deadline for applications will be on September 30 while beneficiaries of borrowers who passed away without settling their delinquent obligations can apply until March 30, 2013.

SSS office here is also advising the public to avail it now since there is no assurance whether said program will be implemented again in the future. (MAL/EAB-PIA Catanduanes)


Donsol's Butanding Festival reels off May 18

DONSOL, Sorsogon, April 21 (PIA) -- All roads lead to this far-flung coastal municipality as townsfolk celebrate the yearly Butanding Festival and the feast of their patron, St. Joseph the Worker, on May 18.

According to town Mayor Jerome Alcantara, the celebration will be both solemn and ultimately festive this time because they will put together the yearly town fiesta in honor of Sorsogon's patron saint and the Butanding Festival to welcome the reappearance of the whale sharks, which usually come in droves during this time of the year.

The festival used to be held in April but local officials decided to move it to May 18 in time with the town’s fiesta celebration, so that it would be more fun in Donsol during the day, the mayor added.

The town fiesta marks the homecoming of Donsolanos who are now living elsewhere of the country and abroad to take part in the traditional revelries while the festival officially signals the opening of another high adventure season of underwater interactions between humans and the enormous but gentle sea mammal.

“Dual celebrations in a day,” the mayor said. “During the town fiesta, we cater not only to our returning town mates but also to thousands of visitors from nearby places who have been accustomed of celebrating with us.”

“In the butanding season, we play host to another thousands of tourists coming in for whale shark interactions,” Alcantara said.

With two festivities rolled into one, the merrymaking will be certainly fabulous, he added.

There will be holy masses to be capped by mass baptismal of babies at the town’s century-old church in the morning, followed by the traditional food offerings in every house until nighttime and holy procession in the evening, apart from other church activities in honor of the patron saint.

Also part of the fiesta activity is a civic-military parade.

It will be followed by the parade of whale shark replicas to be presented by street dancers in colorful native attires in honor of the butandings in the afternoon.

Another highlight of the festivities is the fluvial procession at the mouth of the long and winding Donsol River where a large pod of butandings usually converge at his time of the year.

It will be participated in by an armada of outrigger boats decorated with whale shark replicas and festive colorful buntings.

In the evening after the holy procession, ballroom and disco dancing will be held at the sprawling town plaza.

Tourists will be offered tours along the Donsol River for firefly watching, which serves as another spectacular attraction.

There will be games and stalls put up at the town plaza all night long while music continually plays until the wee hours of the next morning. People would be in the streets talking with each other and having fun.

“Butanding Festival is the way how we give thanks to the Lord of giving us the gentle butanding. It may not be as glamorous compared to other festivities in the Philippines, but we consider it the most important part of the year as it is the best way we express our thoughts as people and nature-lovers,” Alcantara said.

The presence of whale sharks in the coastal waters here was known to the local residents for over 100 years. But they believed these gentle giants were dangerous.

This wrong notion changed when in January 1998, a group of scuba divers discovered its presence and interacted with the whale sharks.

Even the members of the diving group were having second thoughts if the giant creature was docile, they came in contact with it and found out it is indeed harmless.

The municipality then was categorized only as fourth class for being very poor and known only a part of the geography and national statistics.

Copy of video footage taken by the diving group was passed on to the media, the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF)-Philippines, and the Discovery Channel.

It became a word of mouth passed on to every tourist exploring the Philippines and by March of that same year, the municipality started to become a world-class tourist destination. It is now known as the “Whale Shark Capital of the World”.

Now, this town is officially listed as first class earning an annual revenue of nearly P100 million mostly from its tourism industry that plays host to an average of over 60,000 foreign and local tourist yearly.

These gentle giants arrive from as early as November but the official season starts from February and runs until the end of May, when the local waters is at its clearest and calmest.

Local tourism officials and professional divers have established guidelines on proper whale shark watching intended to maintain safety and to defend the creatures from over exploitation.

“As long as we protect the habitat of these sea creatures and avoid antagonizing them, they will continue to be here." Alcantara said.

“WWF findings say that whale sharks that are migratory in nature do not actually leave Donsol and they stay here all year-round. They just go deeper into the sea during some months of the year,” the mayor added. (MAL/DCA, Legazpi City)