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==Sorsoganons peacefully celebrate “Semana Santa” 2012==
==Sorsogon hosts 3rd Bicol Prosecutors Convention==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=801334042257
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=801336609913
*Tuesday 10th of April 2012
*Friday, May 11, 2012
:by  (MAL/BARecebido-PIA Sorsogon)
 
 
SORSOGON CITY, May 11 (PIA) -- Around 115 participants and guests composed of national officers from the National Prosecutors League of the Philippines and prosecutors from across the Bicol region register to the 3rd Bicol Prosecutors Convention, which started Tuesday and to last until today, May 11.
 
Provincial Prosecutor Regina Coeli Gabito said participants, visitors and guests were warmly welcomed by Sorsogon Governor Raul R. Lee himself along with other high-ranking officials in the province.
 
“The convention is actually an annual activity of the prosecutors, specifically here in Bicol where we have an active and well-organized group, the Bicol League of Prosecutors, and for this year, our province serves as the host,” said Fiscal Gabito.
 
She also said that the primary purpose of the convention is to update the prosecutors of the current issuances of the Department of Justice (DoJ), brainstorming on their works as prosecutors, and at the same time socializing and harmonizing with their co-prosecutors in the whole Bicol region.
 
DOJ Sec. De Lima and Prosecutor General Claro M. Arellano of the National Prosecution Service are among the expected guest in the event but due to hectic schedules, they were not able to make it. De Lima is set to testify in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona from May 9 and 10, while the latter left for Hongkong to present a paper on anti-corruption in the international justice community, Gabito added.
 
The first day was highlighted by the Corporate Planning and Management Conference as per the Memorandum of the DoJ Secretary dated March 2, 2012 and a dinner, fellowship and socials with Gov. Lee and wife former governor Sally A. Lee.
 
Gabito said that she also took the opportunity to introduce the province of Sorsogon to the prosecutors who are also appreciable of the different tourism sites and products which place offers and among the areas to be visited on the second day, May 10, are Barcelona for its ruins and world heritage site, Bulusan for Bulusan Lake, and Gubat for its beaches and resorts.
 
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Sorsogon has also put up a stall at the lobby of the Bulwagan ng Katarungan for the entire duration of the activity displaying the local products to give way for the local traders and business establishments to earn during the event.
 
A fellowship through a short program with City Mayor Leovic Dioneda and city officials at the Sorsogon City Hall in Brgy. Cabid-an will be held today. Also, submission to the members and ratification of the Proposed Constitution and By-Laws of the Bicol Prosecutors League will be made with Deputy Regional Prosecutor Jose Demosthenes at the forefront.
 
The convention will be culminated with a visit to the residence of Senator Francis Escudero in Brgy. Buhatan, Sorsogon City, wherein the senator is expected to deliver a message to the prosecutors.
 
Fiscal Gabito also expressed her appreciation and thanks to the local leaders here specifically mentioning Sorsogon Gov. Raul R. Lee, former governor and now Executive Director of Sorsogon Provincial Management Office Sally A. Lee, City Mayor Dioneda, Sen. Escudero, Sorsogon’s 1st District Congressman Salvador H. Escudero II and 2nd District Congressman Dogracias Ramos, Jr., Barcelona Mayor and League of Municipalities of the Phils. Sorsogon Chapter president Mayor Romeo Fortes, Jr., Bulusan Mayor Michael Guysayko and Gubat Mayor Ronnel Lim for the full support extended to them and also for making her work easy.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
==Fish dealer nabbed over drugs in Masbate==
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationsubcategoryid=200&articleid=805620
*Thursday, May 10, 2012
:by Dennis Carcamo
 
 
MANILA, Philippines - Anti-narcotics agents nabbed a fish dealer, who is a suspected member of a known drug ring operating in Albay, after he was caught selling illegal substance in Masbate City.
 
Director General Jose Gutierrez Jr. of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said PDEA agents and local police arrested Jesus Solla, 38, of Brgy. 28, Victor Village Legazpi City, Albay, at the Masbate port area.
 
"Solla is aware that his drug-dealing activities in Legazpi have generated...attention from authorities. So, he is starting to test the viability of Masbate as a new market while he temporarily scales down his operation in Legazpi City," Gutierrez said.
 
Acting on a tip from a confidential agent that Solla will be leaving the Port of Pilar, Sorsogon, authorities waited for the suspect’s arrival at the Masbate Port Area in Barangay Bapor, Masbate City on May 4, 2012. Solla arrived at the port at around 9:30 a.m. onboard a motor boat.
 
Authorities were able to recover three sachets of shabu and the motorcycle (PN 8981) which is believed to be stolen, brought along by Solla onboard the motorized banca.
 
Solla, who faces charges for transporting dangerous drugs, is now detained at the Masbate City Police Station.
 
==Transport leader among the dead NPA rebels in Sorsogon clash==
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/190589/transport-leader-among-the-dead-npa-rebels-in-sorsogon-clash
*Wednesday, May 9, 2012
:by Juan Escandor Jr.
 
 
 
DONSOL, Sorsogon — A transport leader in Bicol was among the three New People’s Army (NPA) rebels killed in an encounter in Barangay Pinamanaan of this town on Tuesday, the NPA in Sorsogon said in a statement released Wednesday morning.
NPA’s Celso Minguez Command operating in Sorsogon province identified Joel Ascutia, who headed the Concerned Drivers and Operators-Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator (Condor-Piston), was one of the slain rebels. The two others were identified by military officials as Christian Llagas and Leopoldo Nebres.
The statement said Ascutia, alias “Ka Pepe,” joined the communist rebels after seeking refuge from them last year. Ascutia was president of Condor-Piston from 2005 until last year.
The rebel command “saluted the three slain NPA rebels for their revolutionary work in organizing the masses and hailed them as martyrs.”
“Ascutia survived harassment and attempt on his life while still in the open mass movement,” added their statement.
On July 13, 2009 Ascutia, a resident of Legazpi City, survived an attack by motorcycle-riding assailants in Daraga, Albay while the transport group joined the nationwide strike to protest oil prices. He survived the attack but was shot five times and hit in the leg and abdomen.
Colonel Felix Castro Jr., commander of the 903rd Brigade in Castilla, Sorsogon, told the INQUIRER that Army soldiers chanced upon a group of some 15 NPA leaders at around 6 a.m. on Tuesday.
The scene of encounter was around a half kilometer away from the village center of Pinamanaan, a remote village in Donsol, Sorsogon that is also in the boundary of Jovellar town in Albay.
Castro said the Army soldiers of the 31st Infantry Battalion recovered from one of the NPA rebels an identification card with Ascutia’s name on it and an M16 rifle, 9 mm pistol, personal belongings and documents of “high intelligence value.”
 
==3 suspected Reds killed in Sorsogon==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R05&article=801336370475
*Tuesday, May 8, 2012
:by Edwin Sevidal and Noel Alamar, dzMM
 
 
 
MANILA, Philippines – Three suspected New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in an encounter with the military in Sorsogon, Bicol region on Tuesday morning.
 
Philippine Army Spokesperson Major Harold Cabunoc said members of the 31st Infantry Battalion clashed with an undetermined number of NPA guerillas in a remote village in Donsol town.
 
Three unidentified rebels were killed.
 
No casualties were reported on the side of the government.
 
==BFP Sorsogon City intensifies “Ugnayan sa Barangay”==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R05&article=801336370475
*Monday, May 7, 2012
:by Benilda A. Recebido
:by Benilda A. Recebido




SORSOGON CITY, April 10 (PIA) -- Assessment of the Philippine National Police Sorsogon Provincial Office (PNP-SPPO) bared that aside from the electrocuted 16-year-old male in one of the beach cottages in Bacon District, Sorsogon City, the celebration of “Semana Santa,” a Spanish term for the Holy Week, was generally peaceful.


Devotees and Catholics in general were in their prayerful mood especially during the Visita Iglesia and processions on Good Friday. Priests in their Lenten homilies reiterated Pope Benedict XVI’s call for Charity which is the very heart of Christian Life.  
SORSOGON CITY, May 7 (PIA) -- Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Sorsogon City Fire Marshal SInsp Walter Marcial said that BFP’s campaign on fire prevention is going-on even if the Fire Prevention Month in March is over.
 
SInsp Marcial said that as part of the BFP’s mandate stated in RA 9514 or the Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008, Sorsogon City Fire Station has intensified its Fire Prevention Program through the Ugnayan sa Barangay.
 
Ugnayan sa Barangay is one among the many programs of the BFP that aims in educating residents of barangays in fire prevention and basic fire suppression techniques.
 
“Ugnayan sa Barangay is one of the strategies that our office implement citywide to help educate the constituents, Barangay Fire Safety Officers and barangay officials about our advocacy on fire safety awareness,” Marcial said.
 
“We also believe that through this strategy, we can cut the growing statistic of destructive fires particularly in fire prone areas or large residential areas within the city,” he added.
 
Just three days ago, personnel of BFP Sorsogon City conducted said Ugnayan activity in Brgy. Talisay drawing 20 participants from different households.
 
They were given introduction and overview of the activity and lectured on how to prevent fires, what to do in case of fire, how to use fire extinguishers, and fire safety tips.
 
How to apply first aid was also demonstrated, followed by the conduct of the pre-fire planning strategies.
 
 
Marcial encouraged barangay residents to constantly hold the same activity to make them updated on whatever information there is related to fire and disaster preparedness.
 
“Since January to April this year, we had already conducted Ugnayan sa Barangay in 10 barangays out of the 64 total number of barangays in the city. We had already distributed letters to the remaining barangays to inform them of their schedule hoping to conduct the same activity, of course, through the support and cooperation of its officials and residents as well, before the year ends,” he said. (MAL/BAR-PIA 5, Sorsogon)
 
==Crablet mentality stalks young earners in Sorsogon==
*Source: http://manilastandardtoday.com/2012/05/05/crablet-mentality-stalks-young-earners-in-sorsogon/
*Saturday, May 5, 2012
:by  Oliver Samson
 
 
BARCELONA — Children in this seaside town brave sun and rain to gather day-old crabs to eke out a living.
 
At low tide, they gather crablets that sell for 75 centavos to P3 a piece to local buyers in Sorsogon for delivery to Pampanga and other regions where they are processed and sold as a gourmet food.
 
Imelda Romanillos, Labor provincial officer, said state policy prohibited child labor.
 
“No person below 15 of age is allowed to work,” she told Manila Standard. “If these minors collect crablets in the seaside only, there is no serious problem. The possible negative effect on children is loss of interest to go to school because they are earning.”
 
In case the children failed to attend their classes, will the parents face criminal charges?
 
“We will go to the place, not to reprimand, but assess the situation to base the safety nets on and offer help,” Romanilos said.
 
Chief Insp. Roque Merdegia, also a lawyer, agreed with the labor office.
 
“There is no violation of the labor law except when parents use coercion and expose the lives of children to danger,” he said.
 
Darzy Gacosta, a resident, commended the self-supporting kids doing a decent job.
 
“They would rather (work) than steal for food,” she said, noting that a crablet gatherer averaged about 30 pieces in summer and as many as a hundred during the cold months.
 
Aldrin, 11, said the fruits of his labor went to good use.
 
“I can provide my own allowance in school and save part of my earnings for a new pair of pants and T-shirt,” he said. “We are able to help our parents serve enough rice on the table.”
 
Elementary schools Principal Liza Salonga said work could distort priorities for the young.
 
“It can cause dropping out because if they get used to earning money they will become lazy to attend classes,” she said, adding that a suitable arrangement is needed. “It’s good if they do it only during weekend because they can help their parents.”
 
==Bulusan Volcano Alert Level 1 status lowered==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=801336099380
*Friday, May 4, 2012
:by  (MAL/BAR-PIA 5, Sorsogon)
 
 
SORSOGON PROVINCE, May 4 (PIA) -- Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has finally lowered the alert level status of Mt. Bulusan from Alert level 1 or abnormal to Alert Level 0 or normal. This means that no eruption is foreseen in the immediate future.
 
Phivolcs Bulusan Volcano Observatory resident volcanologist Crispulo Diolata said that the lowering of the alert level status as stated in Bulusan Volcano Bulletin dated April 24, 2012, was due the overall decline of the monitoring parameters after the volcano’s last phreatic (steam-driven) eruption on May 13, 2011 as supported by the following observations:
 
(1) The frequency of volcanic earthquake occurrences has declined to baseline levels (0-2 events/day), indicating quiescence in the magmatic or hydrothermal system. Short-lived swarms (9-21 events/day) on 25 May, 10 August, 11 September and December of 2011, and 22 January of 2012, have been ascribed to crustal readjustments in the volcanic edifice after the May 2011 phreatic eruption.
 
(2) Results of precise leveling at both Inlagadian line on the north-northeastern slope and Mapaso line on the south-southeastern slope indicate that the volcano edifice has deflated since late November 2011. This suggests that no substantial pressure source in the subsurface, which could potentially trigger another eruption, can be detected.
 
(3) Steaming activity from the crater and known thermal vents has been frequently weak or wispy compared to the more moderate steam emissions during periods of unrest.
 
He also said that the bulletin issued on April 24, 2012 will be the last bulletin to be issued for Bulusan Volcano until new developments in monitoring parameters occur.
 
Meanwhile, in the light of the declaration, Diolata still remind the public to avoid entry into the 4-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) due to the perennial threat of sudden phreatic eruptions and rockfalls on the upper slopes. Furthermore, people living in valleys and along active river channels are cautioned to remain vigilant against sediment-laden streamflows and lahars in the event of heavy and prolonged rainfall.
 
Ha also said that tourists and mountain climbing enthusiasts are allowed to climb Mt. Bulusan, however, cautioned them to take extra caution against rock falls especially this time that there are barren spots along the mountain’s slope.
 
==Natural resources office awards 100-ha land for mangrove development==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R05&article=801335834792
*Thursday, May 3, 2012
:by  Benilda A. Recebido
 
 
SORSOGON CITY, May 3 (PIA) -- One hundred hectares of tidal mudflat was 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)
 
==Aquino inaugurates state-of-the-art Doppler radar station in Virac==
*Source: http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/nation/26625-aquino-inaugurates-state-of-the-art-doppler-radar-station-in-virac
*Wednesday, May 2, 2012
:by MIA M. GONZALEZ / REPORTER
 
 
BATO, Catanduanes—President Aquino on Wednesday inaugurated a state-of-the-art Doppler radar station of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) in this typhoon-prone province, which will help improve government response to potential disasters.
 
The Virac Doppler Radar is under the P174-billion project for the improvement of the meteorological radar system in the Philippines funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), with two more to be set up in Aparri, Cagayan, in October and in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, next year.
 
The project seeks to effectively mitigate the devastation caused by tropical cyclones and other severe weather phenomena, and enhance the capability of Pagasa in monitoring tropical cyclones monitoring, especially those coming from the Pacific Ocean to protecting lives and property.
 
“This will give us more information and will help us predict more accurately the direction, the impact and the intensity of weather disturbances approaching our country. This means that we’ll be better prepared—that fewer Filipinos will be victimized by the vagaries of weather,” the President said in his speech.
 
Mr. Aquino said that with the new system in place, the public can be assured that the government “is readier than ever to respond to these threats, and to help our people recover from potential damages.”
 
Science Secretary Mario Montejo said the new facility “is the most vital and strategic Doppler radar installation facility” as it faces the Pacific Ocean.  “We made a rough estimate—95 percent of all typhoons coming from the Pacific Ocean can be seen here. This can cover the whole Bicol region, including Masbate and parts of Samar,” Montejo said.
 
He noted that the Doppler radar station in Virac has a 95-percent accuracy, based on tests that his department conducted.
 
“This will really give advance information for Bicol region and also give advance information for Metro Manila,” he said.
 
Montejo said on Tuesday afternoon, the Virac Doppler Radar indicated rainfall in Guiuan to measure 37 millimeters in three hours, which was the exact same measurement shown by the rain gauge in that town, and that two other tests conducted in Legazpi City and Sorsogon showed the same level of accuracy.
 
The Philippines has seven other Doppler radars that were funded by the national government.
 
He said that with the type of sophisticated Doppler radar in use, the government can see, in real time, the rainfall in the covered area, and would help the Department of Science and Technology fulfill the President’s directive of giving flood forecasts at least six hours in advance, especially in places along major river systems all over the country.
 
“It will help eliminate the element of surprise because we would know for sure where the rainfall is,” Montejo said.
 
The President thanked the Japanese government and Jica for supporting the country’s disaster-mitigation efforts, and committed that the Philippines “will always be ready to do what it can to return your kindness.”
 
Motohiko Kato, deputy chief of mission and consul general of the Japanese Embassy, said that Japan, like the Philippines, has suffered from natural disasters “so as an important neighbor to each other, we decided to construct this facility so the Filipino people can prevent the occurrence of such disasters to this country.”
 
An improved meteorological radar system in the Philippines would enable Pagasa  to conduct round-the-clock monitoring of severe weather phenomena and associated hazards such as intense rainfall, destructive winds, and transmit these information on real-time, and processed/ analyzed more efficiently, the project briefer said.
 
It would also allow Pagasa to detect localized severe systems such as thunderstorms and tornadoes affecting the Bicol region, and heavy rainfall event vital for flood and landslide monitoring and warning system.
 
The President also switched on the Solong and Hitoma 1 mini-hydropower plants, which will augment power supply in Catanduanes.
 
The mini-hydroplants are the first to be developed by Sunwest Water and Electricity Inc. (Suweco) in the small island grids covered by the Special Power Utilities Group (Spug) of the National Power Corporation.
 
Suweco president Elizaldy Co said his company spent P540 million to construct the plants, and that it will invest another P500 for expansion plans, “to complete the needs of Catanduanes of another three megaWatts.
 
In Photo: President Aquino converses with Catanduanes Gov. Joseph Cua and Catanduanes Rep. Cesar Sarmiento of the lone district of the province after he inaugurated the Solong and Hitoma 1 Hydroelectric Power Plants and the Pagasa new radar tower station in Barangay Buenavista, Bato, Catanduanes. The Solong and Hitoma mini-hydro plants are the first-ever to be developed by a private entity—Sunwest Water and Electricity Inc.—in the small island grids covered by the Special Power Utilities Group of the National Power Corp. Pagasa’s new Doppler radar station is expected to mitigate impacts of devastating typhoons in the country. (Jay Morales Malacañang Photo Bureau)
 
==Albay governor to seek reelection==
*Source: http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/regions/26553-albay-governor-to-seek-reelection
*Tuesday, May 1, 2012
:by MANLY M. UGALDE 
 
 
LEGAZPI CITY – Amid speculations that he will abandon the Capitol and seek a Senate seat in next year’s election, Albay Gov. Joey Sarte Salceda said he would seek reelection to complete his three terms in office as governor of Albay province.
The announcement was made following the playing of the governor’s jingles on local air lanes.
 
Salceda said he was inclined to run for a Senate post but frankly said he will not win in the 2013 senatorial election, citing the number of Bicolanos identified as candidates.
 
He counted Justice Sec. Leila de Lima of Iriga City and former Sen. Migz Zubiri whose mother is from Libon, Albay. Salceda said three incumbent senators are also running for reelection such as Chiz Escudero of Sorsogon, Antonio Trillanes of Albay and Peter Alan Cayetano whose wife Taguig City Mayor Ma. Laarni L. Cayetano, is also from Tiwi, Albay.
 
“With six Bicolanos identified as running in the Senate including me, I am certain I may not have the space to win. The five names for the Senate posts are no joking bets,” Salceda said.  He added he needs to seek reelection to finish his many projects, among them the Southern Luzon International Airport located in Daraga town which President Aquino had given the go signal to proceed after 18 months of review.
 
Tourism Sec. Ramon Jimenez said the Southern Luzon Airport project should be completed by 2014, saying it has ready funding.
 
“You need an airport 24/7 to cater to the expected big influx of both foreign and local tourists,” Jimenez told local reporters during his recent visit in Legazpi City.
 
Local officials are queuing as to who would dare fight Salceda for governorship. Speculations in the political circle showed no name for the governorship has cropped up yet to fit against Salceda who may end up running unopposed.
 
==Villar still the 'richest' senator==
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=802246&publicationSubCategoryId=200
*Monday, April 30, 2012
:by Christina Mendez
 
 
MANILA, Philippines - Senator Manny Villar Jr. and wife, former Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar seemed to have retained their hold onto their titles as the richest among the country’s legislators.
 
Villar’s statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) for 2011 showed that his and his wife's combined net worth was P854,213,716.
 
A comparison of Villar’s SALN in 2010 showed that his assets increased from P 725,221,964 to 2011’s P 854,213,716. In 2009, Villar’s assets were higher at P 947,883,619.
 
As in their previous SALN, the Villar couple listed business interests in Fine Properties, Inc., M.B. Villar Co, Inc., Macys Inc, Mooncrest Property, Hollinger Holdings, and the latest one acquired in 2011, which is the Manuela Corporation. The Villars are involved in the real estate business, which vast companies include the Vista Land residences.
 
Meanwhile, the SALNs of all 23 senators, who are sitting as judges in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona, remained scarce at the Senate as of Monday, the deadline imposed by the Civil Service Commission for the submission of the document. Corona is facing impeachment for three articles, among these is his alleged failure to truthfully declare some of his alleged properties and dollar accounts in his previous SALNs.
 
Some members of the Senate media tried to ask certified true copies of the 2011 SALN of all THE senators, but a staff member at the Office of the Senate Secretary said they WEre still collating all the submitted documents, and the release of documents will likely be made within 15 days.
 
As of press time, four senators have been transparent about their SALN. They include Villar, Senators Panfilo Lacson, Antonio Trillanes IV and Francis Escudero.
 
In Villar’s SALN, he listed at least six residential houses acquired from various dates mostly in Las Piñas City. The couple listed purchase as mode of acquisition. They also placed both the assessed and fair market values of the properties which totaled to P4.588.619.
 
 
The Villar power couple also listed investments in shares of stocks amounting to P 219,228,941 and other real and personal properties pegged at P 630,396,156 or a total of P 849,625.097 in personal and other properties.
 
The Villars did not have any liabilities as reflected in the 2011 SALN. Their two relatives are in the public office: Villars’ son, Rep. Mark Villar, and Mayor Vergel Aguilar, the senator’s brother-in-law.
 
Meanwhile, initial figures from Sen. Pia Cayetano’s staff showed that her assets decreased at to P72,058,846.58 in 2011 from P76,775,628.71 in 2010.
 
Sen. Panfilo Lacson also filed his SALN with a total net worth of P22,637,612.46 for 2011. His net worth in 2010 was pegged at P 24.729-million, indicating a dip in his 2011’s net worth.
 
The former police chief’s assets include a lot acquired in 1989 in Silang, Cavite with current fair market value of P 800,000 and building acquisition cost at P 160,000. Lacson has placed the amount of P 23,208,028.71 under cash on hand/bank; P 3.5-million in jewelry; P 1.2-million in furniture and antiques; stocks and investments, P 9,217,500; motor vehicles, P 1.5-million and assorted firearms at P 800,000.
 
Lacson’s liabilities include an income tax payable at P 1,597,916.25; and P 15-million in loans. There is a note in the SALN, saying that the senator was a co-borrower/guarantor for Megastar Realty on a bank loan of P 100-million.
 
Chiz confirms 'separation' in SALN
 
Sen. Francis Joseph “Chiz” Escudero’s total net worth was pegged at P 9,867,082.09. He listed two residential units in New Manila, Quezon City which were acquired in 2005 and 2008, respectively. The first one had an assessed value of P570,860 and current market value of P1,631,030; while the second unit was pegged at an assessed value of P431,960 and a current fair market value of P1,234,180.
 
The two units had acquisition values of P3.6 million, and P3 million.


According to PNP Sorsogon Director PSupt John CA Jambora, they attribute the success of the activity to the full support and cooperation shown by Sorsoganons, “that is why we are thankful to them that no untoward incidences were noted all throughout the entire observance of the Holy Week,” he added.  
Escudero listed P 1.2-million in cash assets; jewelry acquired from 1979 to 2000 now totaling to P 1.37-million, Partnership Int. worth P 213,441.29; and three cars acquired in 2011.


Meanwhile, passengers bound for Manila and Legazpi City were irritated with the insufficient number of bus and vans. According to some commuters departing for Manila, they had to wait for about six hours or more to be accommodated.  
The vehicles include a 1995 Range Rover Classic worth P 1 million; 1969 BMW worth P333,640.80; and a 1996 Toyota Land Cruiser worth P650,000.


Philippine Coast Guard Sorsogon Station through PO2 Rico Gabion reported that their assessment of the observance of “Semana Santa” in Sorsogon this year was very successful since there were no problems and negative incidences noted. He admitted however, that fewer passengers in three major ports here were recorded compared to that of last year.  
All accounts for Escudero’s total assets at P11,367,08.09 while he has a personal loan amounting to P 1.5 million.


Latest data reported from Matnog station stated that there were 1,535 passengers in Matnog port. There were no reports yet from Pilar and Bulan stations as to the number of their passengers during Holy Week.  
Escudero also made known his business interest with EMSA VVIL Law since 1994.


However, PCG and PNP both said that they will keep on strictly monitoring major ports and terminals in the province as part of their “Oplan Summer Vacation” since tourists and vacationers will continue to flock for the summer season.  
The senator also listed six relatives in government service, including his father, Sorsogon Rep. Salvador Escudero III; and his paternal uncles, Sorsogon Vice Gov. Antontio Escudero Jr, Casiguran vice mayor Ramon Escudero, Casiguran councilors Rico Hatoc and Dennis Escudero; and a cousin, Krunimar Escudero, a legal officer.


Aside from terminals, the PNP has also deployed their personnel including police trainees to areas frequently visited by tourists such as the town of Donsol for the whale shark inter-action, Bulusan for Bulusan Lake activities, Sorsogon City for its Paguriran Island, Pto. Diaz for mangrove tour, Casiguran for the famous freezing Orok Spring, Barcelona for its breathtaking and huge corals, as well as the province’s prime beach resorts in Bacon District, Sorsogon City, Gubat, Sta. Magdalena and Matnog towns, among others. (MAL/BAR-PIA 5, Sorsogon)
In his two-page SALN, Escudero confirmed his separation with his wife, Cristine, when he filed yesterday SALN before the Office of the Senate Secretary. Escudero indicated that he and his estranged wife, Cristine, with whom he had twins, are already “separated-in-fact”.


'Poorest' senator


Meanwhile, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV’s net worth for 2011 showed a bit of increase compared to 2010. Trillanes pegged his total net worth at P3,897,121.50.


Dubbed as the “poorest” among the senators last year, Trillanes listed three properties including a 240 square meter residential lot in Gen. Trias, Cavite; a 308-meter residential lot in Antipolo City and a 60 square meter residential condominium with a parking lot in Paranaque City. In all the three properties, Trillanes listed both the assessed and fair market values as well as acquisition costs which equates to P 5.092-million in his real property assets.


A total of P 4.780-million was reflected in Trillanes’ personal property and other assets which include cash on hand/bank accounts including AFPSLAI, PNSLAI and PAFCPIC at P 1.520-million; jewelry, furniture and antiques etc at P475,000; investments (private insurance and premium PD) at P220,000; a Kia Rio and Toyota Grandia, both acquired through loans in 2011. The two vehicles had acquisition costs of P 675,000 and P 1.89-million respectively.


Trillanes filed his SALN on March 20 this year, way ahead the April 30 deadline.


Trillanes, former renegade soldier turned senator also listed a total of P 6,784,878.50 in liabilities, which include two housing loans and two car loans.


He acquired a P1,753,696.01 housing loan with Pag-ibig Fund, and another one with the Bank of the Philippine Islands at P2,574,049.49. The two car loans with PS Bank were pegged at P 2,457,133.


In his 2010 SALN, Trillanes listed assets totaling P3.836 million, which included a 120-square meter residential lot in General Trias, Cavite; a 308-square meter lot in Antipolo; and a residential condominium in Parañaque worth P3 million. He had P3.880 million in loans as liabilities.






==Sorsogon Police Office bags major award in “Takbokasyon 2012”==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R05&article=771333873727
*Monday 9th of April 2012
:by Marlon A. Loterte




SORSOGON CITY, April 9 (PIA) -- Personnel of the Sorsogon Police Provincial Office has proven anew their agility and prowess, garnering the major award in two categories during the fun run activity dubbed as “VAMOS SEMINARIO: TAKBOKASYON 2012” held in Sorsogon City in March 31, 2012.


Topping the five-kilometer(km) fun run were PO2 Jayie Encinares, PO1 Geraldine Dave, and PO1 Kwencie Ann Fortuno, while PO1 Mariel Esquiros bagged the first place for the 10-km run.


Said fun run activity was sponsored by Batch 1987 Seminarians of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Seminary in Sorsogon City.


Meanwhile, SPPO Provincial Director PSupt John CA Jambora said that SPPO personnel does not only excel in running but even in dancing competition where policewomen of SPPO also got the second place award in the Ballroom Dance Competition during the Women’s Night, a culminating activity of this year’s women’s month celebration with the theme: “Women Weathering Climate Change: Governance and Accountability Everyone’s Responsibility,” held at the Multi-Purpose Building at Camp Simeon Ola in Legazpi City last March 30, 2012.


Ten contestants from different Provincial and City Police Offices of the Police Regional Office V (PRO5) were bested by the women of SPPO during the said dance competition.


Likewise, on March 26-30 members of the SWAT TEAM of Sorsogon Police Provincial Office got the second place during the SWAT competition and Hand Gun Classification Marksmanship Test at the PRO5 Grandstand in Villa Hermosa, Daraga, Albay and in Brgy. Padang, Legaspi City. (MAL/BAR/PCI NFMarquez-PPO-PIA 5, Sorsogon)


==Confessions of a materialist==
==Summer heat driving whale sharks deeper into sea waters==
*Source: http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/42385/confessions-of-a-materialist
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/184393/summer-heat-driving-whale-sharks-deeper-into-sea-waters
*5:15 am | Sunday, April 8th, 2012
*Sunday, April 29, 2012
:by Elmer A. Ordoñez
:by TJ Burgonio
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Philippine Daily Inquirer




At UP High in Padre Faura, after the war, we read Shakespeare, notably Hamlet, which, like all the bard’s plays, teems with memorable passages like the soliloquies and lines from the dialogue, as when Hamlet tells his stoic friend, “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” This, after the ghost scene.
MANILA, Philippines–Even the sizzling temperatures could be scaring away the Butanding in Donsol Bay, Sorsogon.
It has become a favorite comeback, albeit hoary with age, to doubting Thomases, and one feels smug at having quoted Shakespeare in the face of a non-believer.
 
Sometimes, though, I, a professed materialist, have been on the receiving end of this repartee, but I would say, “What philosophy?” and thereby engage the person in a friendly debate.
While more tourists are hitting Donsol’s beaches this summer, there are fewer sightings of the main draw: the gentle whale sharks, the World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines (WWF) said Saturday.
I wonder, however, why lately (the past 15 years or so) I have lost my fascination for antiquaria, like old houses and furniture. I still like to visit the bahay-na-bato in cities and towns, and marvel at the antique tables, chairs, cabinets made in the last two centuries here and abroad, and acquired by the ilustrado families, the nouveau riche at the time.
Donsol’s surface water temperature averages 28.3 degrees Celsius, 2 degrees hotter than the average of 26.1 degrees Celsius recorded in the 2010 summer, WWF said.
I remember my childhood vacations in the town of Juban, where I was born. I didn’t grow up there, so I missed the steady company of the elders who had lived in bahay-na-bato built for managers of the Ynchausti company tending the abaca and coconut plantations in Sorsogon.
“Our initial findings seem to indicate that the whale sharks are staying in deep water, possibly to avoid the heat,’’ WWF whale shark expert Dave David said in a statement. “They are also highly migratory creatures, so it is not easy to regularly predict their whereabouts.’’
My maternal grandfather (Capitan Lino Alindogan) himself owned tracts of these lands, including a portion of friar lands in the foothills of Mt. Bulusan, and lived in a house whose ruins (mainly stone and huge rotting logs) could still be seen in his poblacion compound before the war. The other old houses can still be seen along Maharlika highway.
In the summer of 2001, there were also very “few sightings’’ of the whale sharks. On top of the warm sea surface temperatures, the human factor might have something to do with it, too, the international conservation group said.
Turn of the century
“Donsol now has far more visitors than it can handle. Coupled with the fact that sightings are decreasing, more and more interaction violations are being reported,” WWF Donsol project manager Raul Burce said.
My memories are of the vacations spent with tio Miguel (half Andalusian) and tia Loleng in the house built at the turn of the century. It was finally blown down by a typhoon.
Quoting tourist Anton Lim, WWF said some swimmers touched the sharks, and bancas raced to where a shark was spotted.
Juban is noted province-wide as an aswang town. Why so, I asked historian Luis Dery (who comes from Gubat). He said that Juban in pre-Spanish times was a center of babaylan. It seems that with the coming of the Spaniards, the friars demonized the faith healers and shamans as witches or mangkukulam, as the Church did to the “pagan” priests and priestesses in Europe.
Under the rules, only a single boat of six swimmers is allowed per shark; swimmers should be 3 meters away from its body, and 4 meters away from its tail; they can only interact for 10 minutes, and they can neither touch nor resort to flash photography. Boats are allowed to tour for three hours.
I have since associated old houses with dark rooms lit at night with a candle or petro-max lamp, and the call of the resident tuko. When the lamp hissed out at night at my tio Miguel’s house in Juban, my brothers and I would huddle or snuggle together with pillows (abrazador) on a large mat under a mosquito net in the sala, where we boys were banished at bedtime. Dead ancestors in ornately framed pictures looked at us from the walls of the living room.
WWF called on tourists, boatmen and guides to stick to the rules.
One morning after, older brother Jim swore that he woke up at night because he heard our tio Miguel talking to some people in the camarin below, where bales of abaca were stored. Jim ventured down the staircase and saw no one in the darkened bodega. He ran back to us as fast as he could.
“The policies were designed not just to protect the whale sharks, but tourists as well. A 30-foot shark can accidentally swat a swimmer straying too close to its tail,’’ Burce said. “By respecting the rules, we’re minimizing our impacts on the ecosystem, especially the sharks.’’
On a trip to Ilocos not too long ago, a friend, Emily Tiongco from the National Commission on Culture and the Arts, offered her ancestral house, Villa Fernandez, for us to stay in while in Vigan. The caretaker told us the big chalet-type house, with its stairs dividing in two in the patio, had been used earlier for the shooting of a film with Tom Cruise.
With fewer sightings, Donsol operators are also offering firefly and mangrove tours.
We were given the master bedroom, and had the run of the living room, like the one in Juban with fading black and white pictures of the family on the walls .
The WWF is attempting to track shark movements through state-of-the-art tracking monitors, instead of relying solely on the trained eyes of spotters.
The four-poster bed had a capacious mosquito net hung from the canopy and cascading down the other end of the bed. We kept the light on in the adjoining toilet so we wouldn’t trip on the way to it in the middle of the night, in spite a street light filtering into the bedroom. My wife Elenita said the next morning that she felt presence in both the bedroom and bathroom. I said I felt the same way.
 
Back in Manila, Emily asked if we had met her grandmother. We could only smile weakly and thank her for the hospitality, but we vowed to ourselves never again to sleep in an ancient house doubling as a pension.
==CSC modified suspension of Sorsogon prov’l employee==
Original owners
*Source: http://bicoltoday.com/?p=5505
Now, long empty houses give us the creeps. I even suspect the old table sold to us by antique dealer/writer Pete Daroy may be visited by wraiths of its original owners.
*Saturday, April 28, 2012
At the UP writers workshop in Baguio in the mid-’90s, we housed three resource persons/writers—Sedfrey Ordonez, Gemino Abad and Roger Sikat—at a prewar chalet on Quezon Hill. The UP Baguio dormitory was already full of loud writing fellows, and not suitable for our distinguished latecomers.
:by Felix ‘Boy’ Espineda, Jr.
We had stayed a night in the chalet (owned by Elenita’s relatives) earlier, and we experienced what we later had in the Vigan house, so I told Sedfrey if he didn’t mind staying in a haunted house. Oh no, he said.
 
The following day we learned that sleeping arrangements for two rooms were changed into one room. One workshop wit suggested that all three be commended for valor. Another writer, rumored to be clairvoyant, claimed the “presence” in the house by pointing them out to our group, taking turns to visit the john.
 
We didn’t see a thing, but I did have again that eerie feeling as I walked along a narrow corridor. The caretaker living in the basement with his family said that skeletal remains had been dug up below the house, which was used by the Japanese before the war.
SORSOGON CITY (BicolToday.com/28-April-2012) – The decision of the commission proper of the Civil Service modifying the suspension order of CSC Region V against provincial employee Tiere Dagñalan of the accounting department was a relief for the fiscal examiner who was initially suspended for one year without pay for infraction of RA 6713.
Nowadays Elenita and I can no longer savor new travel experiences. The last one in October last year was a China/Vietnam cruise from Hong Kong. The immediate members of the family were with us on this sea voyage. But my wife and I spend much more time together in our sylvan retreat in Cavite, with well-wishers visiting her in bed.
The promulgation of March 12 this year signed by CSC Chairman Francisco Duque III granted the arguments in the appeal of Dagñalan to the regional commission when it meted the suspension on October 10, 2011. The administrative case was filed against him by former City Councilor Fulton Baylon for simple neglect of duty for his failure to provide public records requested by the councilor in the performance of his duty as an elected official of the City of Sorsogon.
A few weeks ago, a healing priest came and gave solace to both of us. One of the healing rites that he performed was a procedure that has kept me in deep thought.
Baylon on several instances failed to secure the documents because of delays attributed to the fiscal examiner specifically compliance to furnished the latter of Executive Order 05-002 issued by then City Mayor Sally Lee. As a public record, Baylon argued that he being a member of the city council is not subject of the executive order for he is requesting the document in aid of legislation. Inspite of this, Dagñalan failed to release the record on time.
The young Redemptorist priest asked me to cup my hands behind me. He pressed down hard on my cupped hands and I fell on my knees. As I stood up, he put in my shirt pocket what he calls a healing patch, a square-inch cloth patch in blue with a red cross on it. He asked me again to cup my hands behind me.
Using RA 6713 as a last resort, Baylon charged Dagnalan for violation of Sec.5, paragraph (a) and (c) which provides the obligations of public officials and employees to act promptly on letters/request within fifteen working days from receipt thereof requiring action taken on the request received. Failing to appropriately act on it, Dagnalan was found to commit a simple neglect of duty.. The one year suspension without pay was opposed by the suspended employee when he filed a petition for review saying that the violation is a first offense and his length of service were considered by the commission proper to modified the decision of its regional office.
He bore down hard on them this time, with his 75 kilos of weight. I saw him lift his feet for a second or so, and I, at 82, held, panting a bit. He then did the procedure on Elenita, who already wore the healing patch pinned on her front blouse, and she did not fall. Not his full weight was used, but in her frail condition, how could she do it?
“The meaning of ‘acting promptly’ on letters and request, in contemplation of the law does not always mean automatic approval of the request of the public. It could mean disapproval or even withholding of any action depending on whether the request or letter complies with the requirements provided for by the law and office policies and procedures”, the Commission pointed out.
But it did not totally convince the commission en banc that an act of simple neglect of duty was not committed;.
The modified order lessened the period of suspension form one year without pay to one month and one day without pay was received by the suspended employee on April 19, copies were furnished to the Provincial Human Resource Management office and the Office of the City Mayor for the act was committed by the employee when he was detailed at the city government in 2002 as officer-in-charge of the city accounting department. The modified decision was release by the CSC secretariat and liaison office on March 22 of this year. BicolToday.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
==Ex-Bull May Join SanMig Staff==
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/358204/exbull-may-join-sanmig-staff
*Friday, April 27, 2012
:by WAYLON GALVEZ
 
 
MANILA, Philippines — Craig Hodges, who played with Michael Jordan and won two NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls, is in the country to hold basketball clinics although he may find himself working for San Miguel Corporation (SMC), owner of three teams in the PBA.
 
Hodges, 51, who played 10 seasons in the NBA with four different teams and was part of the Bulls team that won the 1991 and 1992 championships, arrived a week ago and had conducted clinics in Sorsogon and in Naga City. He plans to hold several more in Manila until May 1.
 
Although he is here to teach basketball, he is open to work as coach, or as consultant. He already has a scheduled meeting with officials of SMC, owner of PBA teams Petron Blaze, Barangay Ginebra and B-Meg, and Asean Basketball League’s San Miguel Beer, to explore employment opportunities.
 
“I was invited to come over to try and take a look at basketball opportunities over here, as far as possibly coaching and possibly doing some consultant work,” said the 6-foot-2 Hodges who was a three-time Three Point Shootout champion in the NBA All-Star Weekend (1990-1992).
 
“For me it’s an opportunity,” said Hodges, who will meet SMC official Noli Eala, consultant and former PH team coach Rajko Toroman, and B-Meg mentor Tim Cone today.
 
Eala said they are meeting with Hodges to see if he can help the SMC teams.
 
“We’re always open to improve our teams,” Eala told the Bulletin in a phone interview yesterday. “All are exploratory talks, no specific or exact detail yet. We’ll also have to see his time table, his availability, and what he can do for us.”
 
Hodges, a native of Park Forest, Illinois, was invited to observe the B-Meg coaches’ meeting prior to Game 2 arranged by assistant coach Koy Banal. He later chatted with Cone, a disciple of the ‘triangle’ offense.
 
Hodges is very familiar with the system as he played college ball at Long Beach State under coach Tex Winters who devised the ‘triangle’ offense which Phil Jackson used to win six NBA titles for Chicago and five with the Los Angeles Lakers.
 
Hodges was also guest of the PBA during Game 2 of the current title series.
 
Hodges’ last NBA job was as shooting coach of the Lakers, a job he held from 2005 until last year.
 
For now, however, it’s teaching kids the game’s fundamentals.
 
“That’s my passion. I just want to make sure that young players understand the game,” said Hodges, whose trip here was financed by his US-based group Upper Echelon with partner Kevin Gray.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


==Cebu Pacific shells out P798.8M for new aircraft, adds more summer flights==
==903rd Brigade chosen as 9ID’s Best for 2011==
*Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/253867/economy/companies/cebu-pacific-shells-out-p798-8m-for-new-aircraft-adds-more-summer-flights
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R05&article=801334650768
*April 4, 2012 6:26pm
*Thursday, April 26, 2012  
:by gmanetwork.com
:by MAL/BAR-PIA5/903rd Bgde, PA)




Cebu Air Inc. drew P798.84 million from the proceeds of its initial public offering (IPO) to make pre-delivery payments for seven aircraft last January and February, the operator of the Cebu Pacific airline revealed to the investing public Wednesday.
SORSOGON CITY, April 26 (PIA) -- The 903rd Infantry (Fight and Defend) Brigade was recently chosen by Philippine Army headquarters as the best Infantry Brigade (Inf Bgde) of the 9th Infantry (Spear) Division for the year 2011 receiving the Award of Merit by the Commanding General of the Philippine Army and the Command Plaque by Commander, 9ID.  
In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), Cebu Air said the net balance of proceeds from the IPO stood at P380.09 million on March 31 as per accounting procedures applied by SGV & Co.
The pre-delivery payments, in dollar terms, amounted to $18.32 million. The payments were channeled through Citibank N.A. and Banco de Oro.


More summer flights
Commanding Officer of 903rd Inf Bgde Col. Felix Castro Jr. said that considering the imperatives of IPSP “Bayanihan” and its emphasis on both combat and non-combat dimensions of military operations, the Brigade pursued efforts to link with agencies that could help in the development of the communities in Sorsogon and Masbate. It has opted to focus its efforts in a certain area rather than have projects in many dispersed barangays.  
In an earlier disclosure, Cebu Air said it will add 22 percent more Cebu Pacific flights in the summer months of April and May.
"Because of this increased seat capacity, passengers can take advantage of CEB's trademark low fares for travel this April and May. Plan your family or friends' exciting summer vacation by checking out the low-fare options on www.cebupacificair.com," said Candice Iyog, Cebu Air vice president for marketing and distribution.


Cebu Pacific will have more flights on these routes:
"By pouring in development projects in a selected focus area, the improvement could easily be felt by the people and there is a higher chance of success. Neighboring communities will eventually also benefit from the improvement economic environment," he said.  
Cebu-Dipolog, Cebu-Legazpi and Cebu-Pagadian (daily flights, February 8 to June 15);
Cebu-Puerto Princesa (3 added flights to raise total to 10 flights, March 17 to June 4);
Manila-Legazpi and Manila-Puerto Princesa (total of 4 daily flights each);
Cebu-Bacolod (total of 17 weekly flights);
Cebu-Caticlan (3 daily flights), Cebu-Davao (5 daily flights); and
Cebu-Siargao (4 weekly flights).
“Legazpi is the gateway to whale shark encounters in Donsol, Sorsogon,” the airline noted.
“CEB remains the largest airline operating to and from Puerto Princesa, which is world-renowned for its Underground River. CEB is the only airline flying direct to Siargao, an international surfing destination,” the flag carrier also said.
The airline also decided to extend to June 4 its flight frequency additions for Manila-Cebu (total of 99 weekly flights), Manila-Bacolod (40 weekly flights) and Manila-Iloilo (7 daily flights).


==Joint venture of LGU Sorsogon City with LKY Dev’t. Corp. to create 500 jobs==
The first Brigade focused area is Brgy Pandan in Castilla, Sorsogon which used to be influenced by the NPAs before the area was cleared in 2009. The “Tarabangan sa Brgy Pandan” Project started with the construction of a two-classroom building sponsored by ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. Sagip Kapamilya for Pandan High School.  
*Source: http://bicoltoday.com/?p=5333
*3-April-2012
:by Felix  ‘Boy’ Espineda, Jr.


Other projects soon followed after the initiative of ABS-CBN: one classroom building funded by Cong. Salvador Escudero III; another classroom building funded by DepEd; two-classroom (two-storey) building funded by DepEd; 5 road improvement projects programmed for this year; ongoing cementing of the irrigation canal (P30M) funded by DA; the recently concluded six-month feeding program by ABS-CBN; and the introduction of abaca growing by FIDA. The Brigade also has six Bayanihan Iskolars sponsored by ABS-CBN and The Lewis College in Sorsogon City.


Another two-classroom building in Cabancalan Elementary School in Aroroy, Masbate also sponsored by Sagip Kapamilya was inaugurated last January.


SORSOGON CITY (BicolToday.com/3-April-2012) – The agreement and understanding of LGU Sorsogon City with LKY Development Corporation is expected to create five hundred jobs for Sorsoganons.
Mayor Enrico Z. Capinig of Aroroy, Masbate committed funds for the cooperatives of the women’s organization and the Barangay Defense System or BDS. He also promised to build a high school next year. Two scholarship slots will also be given by ABS-CBN aside from the feeding program. Funds are now being sourced for the concreting of the road.  
It will materialize after the completion and full occupancy of the renovated Sorsogon Shopping Center now in its finishing stage of construction and the on-going Sorsogon Bay City project. The projects are hubs for fast food chains, drugstores, supermart, gas station and the Bay City will host condotels and marinas offering the view of the sunset of Sorsogon Bay. Both offer commercial leasing spaces.
The renovation of the old shopping center became one of the focal points during the first term of Mayor Leovic Dioneda, to attract and create job opportunities, doubled-up by the investment of Wilbert Lee, Chief Executive Officer of LKY Development Corporation, the biggest construction concern in Sorsogon, who foot the bill for the renovation.
When the project was tossed to the Sorsogon Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Wilbert Lee took the opportunity and the challenge to prove that Sorsogon City is a good investment area, thus a roadmap for domestic investors was created.


This is not the first time that LKY took a giant step, back in the late eighties, the construction firm responded to the offer of then Municipality of Sorsogon when it built a commercial building in a government lot fronting the public market, then another foothold when the diocesan leadership offered the development of the back portion of the cathedral lot which now stands as a landmark in the city proper.
Col. Castro further said that the Brigade has been active in the programs of the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA). The two provinces in its area have received funds for development- Sorsogon got P30 million for its seven focus municipalities and Masbate received P50 million for its three focus municipalities.  
This time, the response of Lee’s firm was a class act for Sorsogon City. It was a silent statement that private-public partnership can design, build and offer new landscape for business opportunities.
It started way back in 2009 during Dioneda’s first term, when the third city council was challenged by him to come-up with a resolution to attract investors for built-operate, built-lease, and built transfer scheme offering safety nets for investors.
LKY responded with a grand proposal not only to boost Sorsogon economy but put on record that the traffic problem of the city center be corrected. Thus the renovated Sorsogon Shopping Center when completed will host the tricycle integrated terminal and the Sorsogon Bay City project at Barangay Balogo will house the integrated bus, jeepney and van terminal. Rolling up its sleeves when the projects were given the green lights, LKY never look back. It was committed and it was proving to all that it is not lost in Sorsogon after all.
Both Mayor Dioneda and Wilbert Lee of LKY are sort of visionaries, they have the knack of what can be done and how can it be done. Dioneda created an investment climate, Lee responded in ways never imagined by Sorsoganons.
Simultaneously starting the project created employment to skilled workers and tap the labor force not only of the city but from the other towns of the province. Masons, carpenters, plumbers, welders, pipe fitters, steel fabricators and many more who for sometimes were not employed are now having a week pay to look-up. At its peak LKY was employing close to three hundred workers in the two projects pumping a large sum of money in the local economy. This was an indirect contribution of the construction firm in prime-pumping the local economy. The construction lessened the number of employment seekers at city hall.
The two projects are now the center piece of construction in the city. It’s because, Mayor Dioneda made a big difference and LKY of Wilbert Lee nurtured the big difference. BicolToday.com


==Firms vie for 38 coal prospects==
The PAMANA Convergence Unit for Sorsogon which involves representatives from the different government agencies has been a good venue for us to recommend projects and target areas for development.  
*Source: http://sorsogoncity.wordpress.com/2012/04/02/firms-vie-for-38-coal-prospects/
* April 2, 2012
:by  Amy R. Remo


"Also, we have been able to bring medical services to far-flung barangays. Worth mentioning is a medical mission conducted by the Spanish NGO Asociacion Valenciana de Asistencia Sanitaria y Social Voluntarios (AVASSV) in Barangays Pandan and Amomonting of Castilla and San Pascual in Casiguran, Sorsogon. The television program Alagang Kapatid of TV5 also had a medical mission in Brgy Calintaan, Matnog, Sorsogon," explained Col. Castro.


"We support the School of Peace Program of the Bicol Consortium for Peace Education and Development (BCPED) which is funded by OPAPP. Soldiers are always involved in the activities of San Isidro Elementary School in Castilla which is a pilot School of Peace. We have convinced Dr Herbert Rosana Ph.D, BCPED Director and Head of the Department of Peace Studies of Bicol University, to include the public schools in the municipality of Castilla in the School of Peace Program. A proposal has been made for this to happen," he further said.


The Department of Energy on Friday received 69 bids for contracts to explore and develop 38 highly prospective coal blocks across the country, considered an “overwhelming” number that proved investors’ unwavering confidence in the Philippines.
The official also said that in addition to their active partnership with the stakeholders towards the development of these provinces, the Brigade also gave equal efforts in meeting the threats posed by those who hinder development. "Last year, we were able to recover 68 assorted firearms in several encounters including a cal .30 light machine gun, two AK47 rifles, and M16 rifles. Sixty-seven improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were also recovered. We were able to repulse the attack by the NPAs against some police stations and military detachment," he said.  


At the sidelines of the opening of bid offers Friday, Energy Undersecretary Jose M. Layug Jr. said the Philippine Energy Contracting Round 4 for coal attracted a lot of potential investors, of which about half were new players in the local coal industry.
The exemplary performance of the 903rd Infantry se accomplishments have led to Looking back, the Brigade has been able to perform exceedingly well in its combat and non-combat operations. This could be attributed to a pool of well-motivated, well-trained and experienced personnel who gets the job done.  


Among the companies that submitted bids were Benguet Corp., Semirara Mining Corp., PNOC Exploration Corp., South Davao Development Co. Inc., SKI Mining and Empire Asia Mining Corp.
Meanwhile, the municipality of Castilla led by Mayor Olive Bermillo has recently donated a 2-hectare lot for the brigade headquarters. Another hectare will be given this year. The Deed of Donation was signed last 17 November by Gen Eduardo SL Oban Jr, CSAFP, and Mayor Bermillo. "We intend to build a “green camp” where our soldiers could contribute to the environment," said Col. Castro.


Layug said the DOE was targeting to award contracts within 150 days from the bid opening date yesterday, or by August 2012 at the latest. The coal blocks that had only one bidder will be processed faster than those that had six to eight bidders. For the coal blocks that did not have bidders, the DOE is set to re-offer these areas in future PECRs.
==Poor folks in Sorsogon taught how to make a living from ‘hilot’==
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/182473/poor-folks-in-sorsogon-taught-how-to-make-a-living-from-%E2%80%98hilo%E2%80%99
*3:40 pm | Wednesday, April 25th, 2012
:by  Tarra Quismundo
Philippine Daily Inquirer


The offered coal blocks were in Quezon, Camarines Norte, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Negros Occidental, Cebu, Bohol, Agusan del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga Sibugay.


Initially, the DOE offered 30 coal blocks when it launched the PECR 4 for coal in December last year. Should all the 30 contracts be awarded, the DOE is expecting initial investments to run up to P2.4 billion within a two-year exploration period.
MANILA, Philippines—For a poor community in Sorsogon, the traditional “hilot” home remedy will soon become a source of livelihood.
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) is introducing the old-school Filipino massage method as a career option to residents of Prieto Diaz town in Sorsogon, a community raring to venture into eco-tourism and wellness services.
Tesda partnered with the local government to train selected residents in several courses, including food and beverage services, hairdressing, cooking and the traditional Filipino tough therapy in efforts to “mainstream” hilot and develop it into a means of living.
A total of 100 students—25 in each course—started training on April 20 at Sorsogon’s Bulusan Vocational Technical School.  Tesda Director General Joel Villanueva said the agency would shoulder the training cost.
“Through this partnership with the local government, we hope Tesda can breathe life into this town by tapping its human resources for the development of its wellness and eco-tourism potentials,” Villanueva said in a statement.
Tesda said that while the fifth-class town is rich in potential tourist attractions, most of some 20,000 residents in Prieto Diaz have an average P100 daily income from fishing and farming.
Through the program, Tesda and the local government aim to give Prieto Diaz residents a break at the health and wellness and food and beverage industries, where skilled workers are of high demand, said the agency.
“The people recognize the urgent need to get its acts together with national agencies and indigenous communities to develop significant market niche in beauty and wellness of body, mind and spirit, to create new jobs, alternative employment and business opportunities for its people particularly the new entrants to the labor force,” the agreement said.
Those who will graduate from the program will undergo Tesda assessment for certification.


The number of areas, however, were increased to 38 blocks in anticipation of a huge number of bidders.


Layug stressed the need for the country to harness its own coal resources given an increasing demand for the commodity, which now stood at about 12 million metric tons a year. Local production averaged 7 million MT, of which 3 million tons are exported to various Asian markets. Coal imports remained huge at 7 million tons a year, he added.


It is expected that over the next 20 years, coal will remain the major fuel for power generation and the government continues to encourage the private sector to explore and develop the country’s prospective coal blocks to find additional reserves that can be used to address growing local demand.


By harnessing its own resources, the government believes that it will be able to push for energy independence that will allow it to reduce its fuel imports as well as lessen its vulnerability to global price fluctuations.


==TEAM ASIA TAKES 4-3 SERIES LEAD OVER TEAM PHILIPPINES AS CHANG BEATS ALCANO==
*Source: http://philboxing.com/news/story-68282.html
*Sun, 01 Apr 2012
:by  Marlon Bernardino






TAIWANESE cue artist Chang Yu Long defeated Filipino Ronato "Volcano" Alcano bagging the top prize of the Philippine Bigtime Billiards Face-Off series on Saturday at the Airport Pagcor Casino in Paranaque City.


Chang won two straight racks to edged Alcano, 9-7, in the race-to-9 event backed up by Sorsogon Province Sports Patron Philip Escudero, Malungai Life Oil, Mandarin Sky Sea Food Restaurant, Servo Marketing, Hermes Sports Bar, Golden Leaf Restaurant, Bugsy Promotions, Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP), Airport Casino Filipino and The Philippine Star as official media partner.


The win was worth $5,000 for Chang while Alcano settled for $2,500 in the winner's break format, dubbed as Philippines versus Asia, jointly organized by the Mega Sports World and BRKHRD Corp and aired live over Solar Sports, Sky Channel 70 and Destiny Channel 34, and also aired worldwide through the Internet, live streaming at www.megasportsworld.com and www.philippinebigtimebilliards.com. The win allowed Team Asia takes 4-3 series lead against Team Philippines.


Chang saw his big lead, 5-2, by winning three straight racks before Alcano fought back from the grave to cut the lead at 5-4 in favor of the former (Chang).
==‘Manghihilot’ to go mainstream==
*Source: http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/news/national/28569-manghihilot-to-go-mainstream
*Tuesday, April 24, 2012
:by Alvin Murcia


However, Chang won two of the three racks to go up, 7-5. Alcano managed to level the match at 7 in the 14th frame but the Taiwanese took the last two racks for the win.


“Luck played a part in my victory." said Chang through an interpreter. " Ronato (Alcano) is a very tough opponent." he added.  
THE traditional masseurs will become go  mainstream  once the training of those practicing it in the neighborhood is finished.  


It shall be recalled that last March 24, Filipino Francisco "Django" Bustamante toppled Taiwanese Yang Ching-shun, 9-3, to lift Team Philippines series tied 3-3 against Team Asia.  
This was the assurance of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director General Joel Villanueva.  


Earlier, Ko Pin-yi of Chinese-Taipei downed Filipino pool maestro Efren "Bata" Reyes, 9-4, last February 18. However, Bustamante pull off a come-from-behind win against Ko, 9-7, last February 25 to avenged the loss of his fellow Puyat Sports player Reyes. Chang Jung-lin of Chinese-Taipei, on the other hand beat Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza, 9-7, last March 3, then edged Dennis "Robocop" Orollo, 9-8, last March 10. But Carlo " The Black Tiger" Biado downed Taiwanese Yang Ching-shun, 9-3, last March 17 to cut the lead of Team Asia into a 3-2 score against Team Philippines in the Philippine Bigtime Billiards introduces a fresh new format for 2012.  
He said at present training of masseurs is being held in the town of Prieto Diaz in Sorsogon.  


Meanwhile, the PBB Face Off series resumes with a match pitting Liu Hai Tao of China against Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan on April 14, Liu then face Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo on April 21 and Fong Pang Chao of Chinese-Taipei opposite Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza on April 28.
Aside from the masseurs, training for food and beverage services, commercial cooking and hairdressing started last April 20.  


==March 31st: Firms vie for 38 coal prospects…………March 31st: Nowhere in the mining map…………..March 31st: New Philippine Mining Rules Likely This Summer..==
"Through this partnership with the local government, we hope TESDA can breathe life into this town by tapping its human resources for the development of its wellness and eco-tourism potentials," said Villanueva.  
*Source: http://philippineminingclub.com/news/march-31st-firms-vie-for-38-coal-prospects-march-31st-nowhere-in-the-mining-map-march-31st-new-philippine-mining-rules-likely-this-summer/
*MARCH 31, 2012
:by  Amy R. Remo, Philippine Daily Inquirer.


He explained that the training pushed through after an agreement was signed with Sorsogon Governor Raul Lee.


Under the agreement, TESDA will conduct the training in Bulusan Vocational Technical School  along with the assessment.


The Department of Energy on Friday received 69 bids for contracts to explore and develop 38 highly prospective coal blocks across the country, considered an “overwhelming” number that proved investors’ unwavering confidence in the Philippines.
The program was implemented in consonance with the aim of giving job opportunity in Sorsogon because of its growing eco-tourism.        
At the sidelines of the opening of bid offers Friday, Energy Undersecretary Jose M. Layug Jr. said the Philippine Energy Contracting Round 4 for coal attracted a lot of potential investors, of which about half were new players in the local coal industry.
Among the companies that submitted bids were Benguet Corp., Semirara Mining Corp., PNOC Exploration Corp., South Davao Development Co. Inc., SKI Mining and Empire Asia Mining Corp.
Layug said the DOE was targeting to award contracts within 150 days from the bid opening date yesterday, or by August 2012 at the latest. The coal blocks that had only one bidder will be processed faster than those that had six to eight bidders. For the coal blocks that did not have bidders, the DOE is set to re-offer these areas in future PECRs.
The offered coal blocks were in Quezon, Camarines Norte, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Negros Occidental, Cebu, Bohol, Agusan del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga Sibugay.
Initially, the DOE offered 30 coal blocks when it launched the PECR 4 for coal in December last year. Should all the 30 contracts be awarded, the DOE is expecting initial investments to run up to P2.4 billion within a two-year exploration period.
The number of areas, however, were increased to 38 blocks in anticipation of a huge number of bidders.
Layug stressed the need for the country to harness its own coal resources given an increasing demand for the commodity, which now stood at about 12 million metric tons a year. Local production averaged 7 million MT, of which 3 million tons are exported to various Asian markets. Coal imports remained huge at 7 million tons a year, he added.
It is expected that over the next 20 years, coal will remain the major fuel for power generation and the government continues to encourage the private sector to explore and develop the country’s prospective coal blocks to find additional reserves that can be used to address growing local demand.
By harnessing its own resources, the government believes that it will be able to push for energy independence that will allow it to reduce its fuel imports as well as lessen its vulnerability to global price fluctuations.




Line 256: Line 565:




==DOLE gives Sorsogon ex-cons a break in livelihood==
*Source: http://pnabicol.blogspot.com/2012/03/dole-gives-sorsogon-ex-cons-break-in.html
*FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 2012
:by  Danny O. Calle




==Gubat town launches reading program for kids==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=801335147598
*Monday 23rd of April 2012
:by  (MAL/BAR-PIA5 Sorsogon)


SORSOGON CITY, March 29 (PNA) – After walking back to freedom, 10 former inmates from the city jail here are now back to the mainstream of the society gainfully earning a decent living out of the assistance especially provided to them by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).


These 10 are among the parolees and probationers selected for the Kabuhayan Starter Kit (KSK) project being implemented by the DOLE as part of the Aquino administration’s desire to make every Filipino, regardless of his or her standing in life a productive and self-sustaining member of the community.
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.  


“Reborn”. This is how these people commonly called ex-convicts describe themselves now as one of them, Eugenio Canal Jr. of Barangay Bibincahan here on Thursday told the PNA in dialect, “this livelihood assistance awarded to us by the DOLE gave us an opportunity to start a new life after practically losing it behind bars”.
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.  


Canal said he tried to get employed after his release from the jail on parole two months ago but every employer he approached turned him down on knowing that he is an ex-convict. He was convicted of illegal gambling and meted a six-month to six-year jail term but was granted parole after his good character showing inside prison.
“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.  


“I really wanted to start a new life and rise again as a man of dignity but it seemed no one would open a door for me to get into it until the DOLE came in and placed me under its KSK project. That made me realized that in times of social seclusion, the government under President Noynoy is there to help me,” he added.
“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.  


Under the project, Canal, a certified aluminum and glass fabricator, was awarded by the DOLE a set of tools including an electric drill that he is now using in accepting small work contracts in line with his skill.
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.  


Each of the other nine beneficiaries has his own skills like in carpentry, plumbing, mobile phone repair and troubleshooting, furniture making and house painting, among others and they were given the appropriate tools and portable equipments.
“The municipality provided the training and instructional materials to be used for the program,” he added.  


One of them, Rose Pamaloy, a lady “ex-con” who was once a beautician was given a steamer ceramic iron and other related paraphernalia while Roberto Francisco was awarded with a sewing machine for his sandal making venture.
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.  


The livelihood kits were personally awarded to them by DOLE regional director Nathaniel Lacambra during a simple rite done here over the week in coordination with the Provincial Parole and Pardon Office (PPPO) under the Department of Justice (DOJ).
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.  


During the affair, the DOLE regional chief said the 10 parolees and probationers who were carefully selected from among the hundreds of other ex-convicts in the city were given kits of tools in-line with their skills which they will use to put up their own source of livelihood without having to beg for mercy from local employers who are not really inclined to hire ex-convicts.
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.  


“Being an ex-con is very difficult. My driver before is an ex-con and nobody, even my wife, wanted to hire him as she found it hard to trust a criminal. But still, I gave him a chance in life so I still hired him. Well, I have proven most people, including her wrong as we found that driver the most trustworthy person we have ever met in our entire life,” Lacambra narrated.
Mayor Lim further said that they still welcome more volunteers and that interested Gubatnons may just visit his office at the Gubat Municipal Building.


“That fellow formally left us recently, more than eight years after serving us because he was able to save out of salary some amount to buy a passenger jeepney that he now drives. From time to time, that guy would drop by us to repeatedly express his gratitude for giving him the chance for the dignified life he and his family is now enjoying,” he said.


The livelihood kits given to the 10 ex-cons here, were worth a total of P65,000, according to Lacambra.


“These wares will save them from suffering the pain of rejection that often times ends to depression until they come to a point of committing another crime just to survive or out of anguish,” he said.


Case records of PPPO disclosed that the feeling of hopelessness and helplessness in dealing with daily life after being released from prison is the main reason why ex-convicts re-commit crimes.


The KSK intervention of the DOLE regional office will serve the backbone in realizing the full correction and re-integration of the convicts to the community as it will give instant hope in reclaiming their lost lives and livelihood, Lacambra said.


This goes through in partnership with the parole and probation office as “while we provided the funding and materials, the PPPO on the other hand will provide a simple business training to the beneficiaries and conduct regular guidance, monitoring and assessment to ensure that the tools given are put to good use”, he added.


The DOLE KSK project is a livelihood formation strategy that brings about improved socio-economic well-being of workers in the informal economy, in groups or sectors with special concerns and displaced local and overseas workers and their families by providing a package of services that enable them to start quickly a livelihood undertaking and become self-employed. (PNA)
dct/RSV/LQ/DOC/cbd


==Seek Enlightenment, Bishop Urges President==
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/355479/seek-enlightenment-bishop-urges-president
*March 27, 2012, 12:48am
:by  LESLIE ANN G. AQUINO






Manila, Philippines - President Benigno S. Aquino III has been advised by an official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to go on retreat this coming Holy Week for him to be “enlightened.”
==Nora, Vilma Rivalry Dividing Bishops==
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/357640/nora-vilma-rivalry-dividing-bishops
*April 21, 2012, 4:04pm
:by LESLIE ANN G. AQUINO


Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes, member of the CBCP Permanent Council, advised the Chief Executive, following a report that Aquino and his Cabinet’s annual Lenten retreat has been scrapped due to their busy working schedules.


Catholics will mark the start of the observance of Holy Week on April 1, Palm Sunday.
MANILA, Philippines - Catholic prelates are split on the proposal to make Nora Aunor or Vilma Santos as national artist.


Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the President and Cabinet members are likely to hold separately their Lenten recollections this year since the Chief Executive is set to travel to Cambodia for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit early this month.
Out of the six prelates that were informally sur¬veyed, one bishop – Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes – vot¬ed for “Nora.”
“I select and en¬dorse Nora as na¬tional artist now!” he said in a text message.


“He should take time to be with the Lord especially this Holy Week so that he will get more enlightenment,” said Bastes over Church-run Radyo Veritas yesterday.
Bastes, mem¬ber of the Perma¬nent Council of the Catholic Bish¬ops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said he was particularly impressed with the performance of the “superstar” in the movie “Himala”.


“They should not only rely on their intelligence or prudence, but as leaders of the nation, they have to ask the guidance of the Holy Spirit to enlighten their minds because it is not easy to govern the Philippines,” he added.
He said “Vilma” could be declared as national artist years later.


Bastes said there is no reason for the President and his Cabinet not to go on retreat since they can do it even after the Holy Week.
Two prelates, on the other hand, are in favor of making both as national art¬ists.


“If he can't do it during Holy Week, he can do it after Easter, because Easter is also a time for rejoicing as Our Lord has risen.
“Honor them both. They repre¬sent the divide be¬tween the Filipino crowd. The ‘bakya’ and the ‘sapatos’ crowds,” Baguio Bishop Carlito Cen¬zon said.


==Sorsogon City Central Fire Station conducts Tree Planting activity==
Malolos Bish¬op Jose Oliveros agreed with Cen¬zon, saying both artists are deserv¬ing of such title.
*Source: http://pia-sorsogon.blogspot.com/2012/03/sorsogon-city-central-fire-station.html
*MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2012
:by  (BFP/BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)


“Both can be made as national artist. Perhaps, this will not require an act of Congress. An Executive Order would do should President Aquino agree with it,” he said.


Personnel of Bureau of Fire protection Sorsogon City headed by City Fire Marshal SInsp Walter Marcial conducts tree planting activity together with the pupils of Bacon East Central School as a way of mitigating effects of climate change as well as raising the public’s awareness of protecting water sources. The activity is part of the observance of this year's Fire Prevention Month.  
The three re¬maining bishops, however, chose not to comment on the matter, saying it is not their expertise.


The three bish¬ops were retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco, and Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Gutier¬rez.


Earlier, House Deputy Speaker Lorenzo “Erin” Ta¬ñada initiated calls to declare Vilma Santos as a national artist after Bacolod City Rep. Anthony Golez filed a reso¬lution seeking the proclamation of Nora Aunor of the same title.


Tañada said Santos equally deserves to be a national artist for her contribution in lifting the film in¬dustry by captur-ing the hearts of Filipino moviegoers when she competed against Aunor dur¬ing the 1970s.


==Donsol's Butanding Festival reels off May 18==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=771334901236
*Friday 20th of April 2012
:by  (MAL/DCA, Legazpi City)




DONSOL, Sorsogon, April 20 (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.


==2 drown in Sorsogon amid rains==
“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.”
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/166367/2-drown-in-sorsogon-amid-rains
*1:46 am | Saturday, March 24th, 2012
:by  Mar Arguelles, Inquirer Southern Luzon


“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.


LEGAZPI CITY—Two people died in separate drowning incidents on Wednesday and Thursday in Sorsogon amid heavy rains in Bicol, the Office of Civil Defense in Bicol said Friday.
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.  
Bernardo Alejandro, Bicol OCD director, identified the victims as Jomar Gordolo, 19, of Barangay Obrero in Bulan town, and Aida Fusana, 61, of Barangay San Francisco in Bulusan town.
Alejandro said Gordolo was swimming with his friend at around 3:10 p.m. Wednesday at Sabang Beach when he suffered muscle cramps and was carried away by strong sea currents  and drowned.
The town’s search and rescue team recovered Gordolo’s body and brought it to the Pantaleon Gutladera Memorial  Hospital in the town on the same day but was pronounced dead on arrival by attending physicians.
Fusana drowned while trying to cross a flooded spillway in their village at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, said Alejandro.
Rains also triggered a landslide at Barangay G. del Pilar in Bulan on Thursday burying in a mudflow a house owned by a village councilman, Alejandro said.
No casualty was reported, he said.
A low pressure area forecast east of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan brought low to moderate rainfall in Albay and Sorsogon over the past four days, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.


==Matnog imitates CCT scheme to preserve environment==
Also part of the fiesta activity is a civic-military parade.  
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=414926
*March 23, 2012, 10:44 pm
:by  Danny O. Calleja


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.


MATNOG, Sorsogon, March 23 (PNA) – The local government here is adopting a conditional cash transfer (CCT) scheme of preserving the municipality’s remaining forest and marine resources that are vital to its tourism and investments.
It will be participated in by an armada of outrigger boats decorated with whale shark replicas and festive colorful buntings.  


Under the scheme, residents who derive their income from cutting forest trees and illegal fishing will be given cash subsidies by the municipal government to provide them an alternative source of income.
In the evening after the holy procession, ballroom and disco dancing will be held at the sprawling town plaza.  


“This scheme will draw them away from further destroying the town’s remaining forest and spoiling its rich marine resources,” Mayor Emilio Ulbaldo on Friday said.
Tourists will be offered tours along the Donsol River for firefly watching, which serves as another spectacular attraction.  


Ulbado said the municipality had some 5,000 hectares of land classified as forest but only about 1,000 hectares of this remains forested.
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.  


“The status is alarming that is why we arrived at this CCT pattern given the fact that the municipality urgently needs its natural resources for its development anchored on tourism and trade investments,” the mayor explained
“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.


Under the scheme, he said local upland and coastal dwellers engaged in activities that are disastrous to the ecology will be given regular compensations by the local government on condition that they stop with their illegal sources of livelihood.
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.  


“These upland people cut trees for charcoal making, timber poaching and kaingin (slash and burn) farming while those in the coastal villages oftentimes use trawl, cyanide, dynamites and fine-meshed nets in their fishing activities. They are our target in this CCT program”, the mayor said.
This wrong notion changed when in January 1998, a group of scuba divers discovered its presence and interacted with the whale sharks.  


While implementing the compensation scheme, Ulbado said those who would be caught violating laws on forest and marine resources conservation will be harshly penalized.
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 penalties, apart from those provided under the law, Ubaldo said violators would be required to plant a thousand new trees for every cut full-grown tree while illegal fishers would be banned from the local waters and made to perform community services like coastal cleanup and mangrove planting.
The municipality then was categorized only as fourth class for being very poor and known only a part of the geography and national statistics.  


“Preserving what is left of our forest and restoring what have been lost is our ultimate intention because we have investors putting up huge capital to establish ecology-based projects that would help our town become fully developed in terms of trade and commerce,” Ubaldo said, referring to the “Ecological Model City” a Japanese consortium is establishing here.
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.  


The US$ 100-million model city will be constructed on a 20-hectare land that would provide a retirement village for Japanese retirees with a hospital and clinic, hotel, resort, fish port, agro-tourism and marine parks and an international airport, according to Ubaldo.
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”.  


“Undoubtedly, this sleepy town is blessed with ecological wonders just waiting to be discovered while being continually protected and nurtured. We hope that preserving and protecting its environment though our CCT scheme of preventing more man-made destruction will help its boost its ailing economy,” he said.
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.  


CCT is a banner program of the national government with P34 billion budget to promoting health and social upliftment of the poor by subsidizing the indigent families on condition that they avail of health and basic education services being provided by the government. (PNA)
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.  
RMA/ jfm/DOC/cbd


==(Weather) Low pressure area churns off Palawan -- PAGASA==
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.  
*Source: http://www.zambotimes.com/archives/45335-Weather-Low-pressure-area-churns-off-Palawan-PAGASA.html
*Thursday, March 22. 2012
:by  (PNA)
scs/CLTC


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


MANILA — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has warned the people of Palawan of possible flashfloods and landslides due to the low pressure area (LPA) churning off Puerto Princesa City.
“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.
In its synopsis issued on Thursday, PAGASA said that as of 2 a.m., the LPA was estimated to be at 160 kilometers east-southeast of Puerto Princesa City (9.5°N, 120.3°E).
Weathermen said they expect the LPA to be over Palawan within Thursday, causing widespread rains, including in some areas in the Bicol region, where Sorsogon had experienced heavy rains in the past days.
In it 5 a.m. weather forecast, PAGASA said that Southern Luzon and the Visayas will experience cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms, becoming widespread rains over Palawan, Central and Western Visayas which may trigger flashfloods and landslides.
The rest of Luzon and Western Mindanao will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms.
The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.
Some portions of Metro Manila may also experience light to moderate rains, PAGASA said.
Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast to east will prevail over Luzon and the Visayas and coming from the southeast over Mindanao.
Coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be moderate to rough.
The weather agency also advised owners of fishing boats and other small seacraft not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves.


==“Flavors of Science” savored at the 11th Philippine Food Expo==
==Oslob’s tuki tour operators to visit Donsol==
*Source: http://www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph/ssentinel/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2006:flavors-of-science-savored-at-the-11th-philippine-food-expo&catid=1:latest-news
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/179133/oslobs-tuki-tour-operators-to-visit-donsol
*Wednesday, 21 March 2012  
*7:52 am | Thursday, April 19th, 2012
:by  Eunice Charis B. Mendoza, S&T Media Service
:by  Carmel Loise Matus
Cebu Daily News




Flavors of Science, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development’s (PCAARRD) brand of its TechnoMart-supported products, was once again sampled by the public at the 11th Philippine Food Expo on February 23─26 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.  
Oslob and Cebu tourism officials will go to  Donsol in Sorsogon province next month to see for themselves “best practices” in whale shark tourism.
“Although they have different activities in Donsol, the  operators here will learn something from the procedures there. What is common for Donsol and Oslob will be seen,” said Rowena Montecillo, regional director of the Department of Tourism.
Oslob is now calling their boat paddlers “interaction officers,” like Donsol that has “Butanding Interaction Officers”.
An increase in visitor rates  that took effect April 15 in Oslob, especially for diving and snorkeling, has not affected sales much, said Oslob  tourism officer Elizabeth Tabasa-Benologa. But she said they are still monitoring the trend.
About 200 to 300 visitors came on weekdays for whale shark watching, the usual crowd, but there were fewer divers and swimmers, said Oslob Mayor Ronald Guaren.
Guaren said  this was the purpose of  the price increase—to control the influx of visitors and reduce  chances of  direct contact with the whale sharks.
“People who want to go snorkeling and diving have decreased,” said Guaren.
The DOT conducted a week-long training for boatmen and Bantay Dagat personnel for 50 participants.


This time, the TechnoMart products showcased were bongulan banana chips, coconut sugar, organic Arabica coffee, and pili nut pulp and kernel oils.
==NGCP Launches Line Safety Campaign, Announces 10-hour Brownout In Tarlac==
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/357194/ngcp-launches-line-safety-campaign-announces-10hour-brownout-in-tarlac
*April 16, 2012, 5:07pm
:by  ELLSON QUISMORIO and MARK ANTHONY MANUEL


TechnoMart is PCAARRD’s program that bridges research and development results from the lab to the market. Participating in trade fairs is one of the Council’s strategies in bringing agro-based products from the community to a wider market. Incidentally, PCAARRD’s participation to the expo is its fourth already.


Through the expo, Magsasaka Siyentistas (MS)/entrepreneurs of the exhibited products were able to meet and talk with interested producers, retailers, and exporters. Inquiries, booked orders, and deals were closed during the four-day event.
MANILA, Philippines — The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has begun enlisting the help of local media in various provinces particularly in southern Luzon to disseminate information on its transmission line safety and security campaign.


Participating MS included Victoria Motril of the Cotabato Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium and Ben Lao of the Southern Mindanao Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium. Also, Sorsogon City entrepreneur Minda Yee represented the Bicol Consortium for Agriculture and Resources Research and Development, while the San Ramon Cooperative represented the Western Mindanao Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium. Finally, representing the Highland Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium and the Arabica coffee, the Council brought the Cordillera Heirloom Coffee, Benguet Coffee Arabica, Tuba Coffee, Sagada Gold, and Benguet State University Green Mountain.
The line safety campaign is aimed at achieving public awareness and cooperation in curbing pilferage of tower parts and avoiding damage to life and properties as a result of unsafe and unscrupulous practices.
The Philippine Food Expo is an annual event organized by the Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization, Inc.  


Regional Corporate Communication and Public Affairs Officer Nelson Bautista said up to 60 local radio stations in Quezon, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Albay, and Sorsogon pledged support to NGCP’s advocacy for safe and secure power lines.


Bautista already started the information campaign by being a guest on radio shows and discussing NGCP’s anti-pilferage law and anti-electrocution initiatives.


The hazards of kite flying, installation of antennas, hanging of flaglets and construction of buildings underneath the transmission lines were also highlighted in the interviews. He also cited safety tips to avoid electrocution from highvoltage lines.


NGCP also appealed to all listeners and residents to cooperate with the company in protecting the transmission facilities, which remain under government properties.


The power transmission company likewise reminded the listeners that as Filipinos, it is their inherent duty and responsibility to take care of the properties of the state.


It was further stated that violation of Republic Act 7832 is punishable by 12 to 20 years of imprisonment or a fine of 50,000 to 100,000 pesos.


Meanwhile, the NGCP announced that the first and second districts of the province of Tarlac will go through a 10-hour power interruption tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Affected towns are Anao, Camiling, Mayantoc, Moncada, Paniqui, San Manuel, Gerona, Moncada, Pura, Santa Ignacia, San Clemente and Ramos.


The North Luzon Corporate Communication Division of the NGCP disclosed that “affected distribution utility are the Tarlac Electric Cooperative I (TERELCO I) and Tarlac Electric Incorporated (TEI).”


==NFA told to open buying stations, start purchasing farmers’ fresh palay==
*Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2012/04/15/nfa-told-open-buying-stations-start-purchasing-farmers-fresh-palay-216372
*Sunday, April 15, 2012
:by  Virgil Lopez/Sunnex


==Sorsogon mourns homegrown journalist, cultural worker, artist, activist, 66==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=413670
*March 19, 2012, 9:08 pm
:by  (PNA)
hbc/LQ/DOC/cbd/


MANILA -- Farmers' organizations in various parts of the country said that local traders are manipulating the market price of freshly harvested palay as they called on the government to immediately open its buying stations to stop the said practice.


SORSOGON CITY, March 19 (PNA) – At age 66 and after a long bout with paralysis due to a stroke, Reynaldo Jamoralin has succumbed to multiple internal organ malfunctions.
According to watchdog Task Force Food Sovereignty (TFFS), the National Food Authority must also start purchasing fresh palay from marginalized farmers and let them access the NFA Procurement Program without the farmers' passbook requirements.


Survived by his wife Ella, sisters Mercia and Millet, daughter Suyin, adopted son Ian and grandson CJ, Jamoralin died in a local hospital last March 12.
In Irosin, Sorsogon, TFFS lead convenor Arze Glipo said farm gate price of fresh palay was pegged between P13 and P14 per kilogram but this has declined to P11 per kilogram.


His body was laid to rest at the Sorsogon Memorial Park last Saturday.
The lower price is said to be a result of heavy rains that battered the province recently.


Founder and president of the Sorsogon Arts Council, Jamoralin was a journalist, artist, book writer and activist rolled into one.
"This is also happening in areas which experienced heavy rains in the past days. Local traders know that there is not enough time to dry the grains and farmers need the money badly, hence they are delaying procurement which reduced the price of fresh palay," Glipo said.


The appelations have helped make him one of the few respected key media personalities in Sorsogon.
To arrest the further decline of farmer's income, TFFS asked the NFA to expand their buying stations in remote areas to save transportation cost for farmers who have to travel to key cities and municipalities just to avail of the service.


He was the editor and writer of the two editions of the book “Tracing: From Solsogon to Sorsogon,” published by the SAC and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in 1994.
"One way that government can help farmers build resiliency and recover from the worsening impacts of climate change is to ensure that they get a fair price for their produce. In this case, NFA should step in and buy fresh palay from farmers at P14 per kilogram and dried palay at P17 per kilogram," Glipo noted.


He was a member of the board of editors of Letra, a Bicol magazine, the first regional cultural and literary magazine and Centro, another local magazine.
Moreover, the group urged the NFA to relax or, if possible, cancel the requirements for revalidation of accredited individual farmers who own or does not own the land they till.


A playwright and folklorist, Jamoralin wrote the dance-drama in the Bikol language, Si Bulusan nan si Agingay, based on the local legend of Lakes Bulusan and Agingay, which received several production and tour grants from the Cultural Center of the Philippines and NCCA.
For instance, if the farmer is a land owner, he only needs to submit a certified photocopy of the transfer certificate of title (TCT) from Register of Deeds and certificate of land ownership award (CLOA) from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), among others.


He was also author of Kantada ni Daragang Magayon and Mandirigma, adopted from Bicolano artist Merlinda Bobis’ epic poetry of the same title.
By comparison, a farmer who is not a land owner will have to present numerous documents such as the management take-over contract, written proof indicating farm/lot possession, leaseholder agreement/contract, barangay chairman or barangay agrarian reform council (BARC) chairman certification, and location of map.


This was brought around the country and presented at the CCP Little Theater in 2000.
With so many requirements, the NFA, Glipo said, is already denying the right of smallholder farmers, especially those who are not land owners, to sell their produce to the agency.


Jamoralin also rewrote, revised, and adapted Sorsogon Sarswelista Asisclo Jimenez’s Pagkamoot sa Banuang Tinoboan, under a production and tour grant from the NCCA in 1994.
==NFA told to establish more buying stations==
*Source: http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/2012/04/14/nfa-told-to-establish-more-buying-stations/
*Saturday, 14 April, 2012
:by  Othel V. Campos


A long-time cultural worker, he was a founding member of the Kasanggayahan Foundation, Inc. and responsible for the institutionalization of Pantomina sa Tinampo every Kasanggayahan Festival in October.


He was the brains behind the establishment of the Sorsogon Museum and Heritage Center which involves the adaptive re-use and restoration of the old Sorsogon Provincial Hospital building built during the American occupation in the 1920s.
A group of food security advocates on Friday urged the state-run National Food Authority to open more buying stations nationwide and lift the tedious documentary requirements in purchasing palay or unmilled rice from marginalized farmers.


Jamoralin was also a member of Sorsogon Heritage Society chaired by PDI Founder Eugenia Duran-Apostol and publisher of Sarabihon, a journal of Sorsogon studies where he wrote several articles.
Task Force Food Sovereignty lead convenor Arze Glipo said they had received reports from farmers’ organizations in various parts of the country that local traders were manipulating market prices of freshly harvested palay.


As a member of the Kapisanan ng Mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP), Jamoralin co-anchored the public affairs program “Damayan” over DZGN-FM during the late 80s till early 90s.
“In Irosin, Sorsogon, farmers told us that local traders are manipulating the market price of fresh palay. At the onset of harvest, farm gate price of fresh palay was pegged between P13 and P14 per kilogram. Now, it has declined to P11 per kilogram,” said Glipo.


A journalist from the 1970s, he edited local weekly community newspapers including the Sentro Sorsogon, which he himself published.
She said local traders had stopped buying palay from farmers after heavy rains battered the province of Sorsogon, pulling down the buying price to P11 per kilogram.


For a time he was correspondent and feature writer for the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) and credited for exposing the slaughter of whale sharks in Donsol and initiated an early advocacy for its protection even before the giant sea mammals were discovered to be a tourism treasure.
“This is also happening in areas which experienced heavy rains in the past days. Local traders know that there is not enough time to dry the grains and farmers need the money badly, hence they are delaying procurement which reduced the price of fresh palay,” said Glipo.


He was also one of the organizers of Pagsurat, the first gathering of Bicolano writers in 2000 at the Aquinas University of Legaspi attended by over 100 participants including a septuagenarian chanter from Albay and New York-based poet Luis Cabalquinto.
==Prelates happy with failure of North Korea rocket launch==
*Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2012/04/13/prelates-happy-failure-north-korea-rocket-launch-216109
*Friday, April 13, 2012
:by (FP/Sunnex)


As an activist, Jamoralin was among the local key personalities that organized groups against the Marcos administration.


He edited and co-authored Pulang Hamtik, a collection of biographical sketches of Bicolano youth martyrs during the Martial Law years up to 1990s, published by the Bicol Agency for Nationalist and Human Initiatives, Inc. (BANHI).
SEVERAL bishops were happy that the rocket launched by North Korea (NoKor) has failed.


He earned his academic degree from the University of Santo Tomas, B.S. Major in Psychology.
Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes said he is glad to hear reports that the launching was not successful.


He taught at the Mass Communications Department of the Aemilianum College, Inc. in Sorsogon City.
“I am happy. Our prayers to the Lord are heard,” he said.


==Bill Addressing Cable Tapping Approved==
However, he is also saddened that the money used by North Korean government for the launch was wasted.
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/354402/bill-addressing-cable-tapping-approved
*March 15, 2012, 8:34pm
:by CHARISSA M. LUCI


“I pity the NoKor people because their leaders wasted millions of dollars for a failed project while millions are hungry,” Bastes said.


MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives Thursday approved on third and final reading a bill seeking to address the snowballing cases of signal or service theft of cable television (CATV) and Internet connections.
Marbel (South Cotabato) Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez also expressed the same concern as the money should have been given to hungry people.


Under House Bill 709, principally authored by Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and his brother Abante Mindanao party-list Rep. Maximo Rodriguez Jr., individuals who are found to be illegally tapping CATV systems shall face imprisonment of not more than five years or a fine ranging from P50,000 to P100,000 or both.
“The money should be spent to feed the people,” the prelate added.


The House Committee on Rules, chaired by Majority Leader and Mandaluyong Rep. Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales, said HB 709 or "The Anti-Cable Television and Cable Internet Pilferage Act of 2012 was approved on March 5.
Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco said what happened should serve as a reminder that man does not have complete control of everything.


Rodriguez said the approved measure seeks to protect the general public and legitimate operators of CATV systems and/or networks and cable Internet services from unauthorized connection or tapping into existing facilities through wire or electromagnetic means.
“Man is only a steward. Let us ask the Lord that we may always be good stewards,” he said.


"Unfortunately, providers of CATV and Internet are threatened by high incidence of theft through unauthorized interception of CATV programming or Internet services. This has become a serious issue that cable television and Internet providers face today," he said.
Earlier, bishops urged the people to pray that the rocket launch will not push through.


HB 709 provides that only subscribers duly authorized and/or registered with the CATV and/or cable Internet service operator shall be allowed to receive any service or benefit offered and/or operated over a CATV or Internet system or network.
On Friday, it was reported that Unha-3 rocket failed to reach the orbit.


Another author of the bill, Sorsogon Rep. Salvador Escudero III, expressed confidence that passage of the bill would address the “growing problem” of CATV or cable Internet pilferage
With this, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) lifted the no-fly, sail and fish zones off Northern Luzon.


He said the measure also prohibits the introduction of unauthorized importation, sale, lease, distribution or possession of electronic equipment that will be used to access or decode unencrypted or encrypted satellite program signals or other electromagnetic signals.
The rocket was launched before 7 a.m. Manila time but crashed into the Yellow Sea after about five minutes in flight.


Those who wantonly, maliciously or willfully destroy or remove CATV and cable Internet facilities and accessories of authorized CATV and cable Internet service operators that results in the disruption of system or network degradation shall be slapped with penalties under the measure.
==Awareness sought on whale shark interaction in Cebu==
*Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2012/04/12/awareness-sought-whale-shark-interaction-cebu-215957
*Thursday, April 12, 2012
:by  Virgil Lopez/Sunnex


==Bantay Dagat steps up preservation, pursues sustainable development of local tourism==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R05&article=791331675236
*Wednesday 14th of March 2012
:by  (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)




SORSOGON CITY, March 14 (PIA) -- Bantay Dagat adhoc committee in Donsol town has  organized the Bantay Dagat Federation to preserve and develop the rich marine resources and sustain ecotourism industry of their municipality.
SAYING tourism should co-exist with the protection and conservation of marine animals, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said local government units must undergo awareness training on whale shark interaction at the increasingly popular town of Oslob, Cebu.


In a meeting Tueday (March 13), Salvador P. Adrao Jr., former tourism officer of Donsol, now a councilor and lead convenor of the Donsol Bantay Daga, said that the measure is an offshoot of the Bantay Dagat’s previous meetings to come up with the different strategies to protect and conserve the whale shark , thus improving the existing guidelines in its protection and their other rich marine resource.
Tourism Director Rowena Montecillo said they have partnered with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Central Visayas in conducting an "Awareness Caravan" in May aimed at raising consciousness on marine protection and conservation, and promoting a culture of tourism.


"The whale shark is our 'money- generating provider' ” that even led to the tremendous development in our municipality in terms of world exposure, and which change our life in our once before unknown town, Donsol,"Adrao said.
The photo of a girl riding a whale shark along the shoreline of Granada village in Boljoon, Cebu suffered an online backlash last week, prompting the Municipal Government to hike fees for swimming or diving with the marine creatures.


"Our town is now truly famous because of the whale shark ( rhincodon typus) the biggest known fish in the world, that thrives here in our municipal waters and have made Donsol as one of the world’s best ecotourism destinations today in our country," he said.
Reports said the whale shark was trapped in the net of local fishermen. It was brought near the shore because the fishermen had difficulty in freeing the endangered animal while in deeper waters.


Adrao also  said starting January of this year, although there were rains, this situation did not stop the coming of tourists in Donsol from different places the world over.
Those involved in the incident were already reprimanded and warned of being penalized if caught again while the whale shark was later released into the open sea.


“The whale shark of Donsol is now a world renown phenomena in terms of tourism destinations, and tourists who go for adventure for an up close and personal thrill have made Donsol the prime ecotourism destination here in the Philippines,”Adrao said.
"We need to heighten people's awareness and capacitate the community to effectively manage the interaction, so that it will not cause undue harm or disturbance to the normal behavior of the sharks," Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez said.


The plan in preserving the Donsol marine resources with organizational structures involving other agencies mandated to assist in the conservation of the environment and promotion of tourism.
Last February, the DOT said local officials in Oslob will be invited to an observation visit to the popular whale-shark viewing destination in Donsol, Sorsogon to learn about best practices in handling whale shark interaction and community organization.


"Now that the summer season is on, we have to be more vigilant in implementing the presrvation of our marine resources and adherence to our tourism rules," Adrao underscored.
The DOT is part of the technical working group, created by Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, which is in charge of formulating guidelines and monitoring systems to ensure that the budding eco-tourism enterprise remains beneficial to the communities.


The Bantay Dagat Municipal Federation zeroed in on the commitment to have a sense of urgency in showing how tourism in their locality should be valued with discipline, how tourists should be provided security, treated with respect, and how the implementation of tourism rules, particularly in the conservation and preservation of their marine resources, will be given importance to sustain their place as a prime ecotourism destination.
Measures are also being undertaken to conduct further research on the migratory pattern of the whale sharks.


==SORSOGON MOURNS DEATH OF CULTURAL WORKER, ARTIST==
*Source: http://pia-sorsogon.blogspot.com/
*TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012
:by  (JJPerez, SAC/PIA Sorsogon)




SORSOGON CITY, March 13, 2012 – After more than four years bout with paralysis due to stroke, Reynaldo “Tootsie” Jamoralin died past four o’clock in the afternoon of March 12, 2012 at the age of 66. Founder and President of the Sorsogon Arts Council (SAC), he is considered as one of Sorsogon’s “Provincial” artists. His body lies in state at their residence in Monreal corner Rizal streets in Sorsogon City.


Jamoralin was the editor and writer of the two editions of the book ‘Tracing: from Solsogon to Sorsogon’, published by the SAC and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in 1994. He also edited and co-wrote Pulang Hamtik, a collection of biographical sketches, of Bikolano youth martyrs during the Martial Law years up to 1990s, published by the Bikol Agency for Nationalist and Human Initiatives, Inc. (BANHI).


As a member of the Kapisanan ng Mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas, he co-anchored the public affairs program “Damayan” over DZGN-FM during the late 80s till early 90s. A long-time journalist from the 1970s, he edited several local weekly community newspapers, notably the Sorsogon Times, Balangibog and Sorsogon News Service including Sentro Sorsogon, which he himself published.


For a time he was correspondent and feature writer for the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) and credited for exposing the slaughter of whalesharks in Donsol popularly known locally as Butanding that initiated the advocacy for its protection in his front page article on March 23, 1998. He was a member of the board of editors of letra, a bikol magazine, the first regional cultural and literary magazine and Centro, a Bikol magazine.


A playwright and folklorist, he wrote the dance-drama in the Bikol dialect, Si Bulusan nan si Agingay, based on the local legend of Lakes Bulusan and Agingay, which received several production and tour grants from the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and NCCA, and Kantada ni Daragang Magayon, Mandirigma, adopted from Bikolano artist Merlinda Bobis’ epic poetry of the same title, which was toured around the country and presented at the CCP Little Theater in 2000. He also rewrote, revised and adapted Sorsogon Sarswelista Asisclo Jimenez’s Pagkamoot sa Banuang Tinoboan, under a production and tour grant from the NCCA in 1994.


A long-time cultural worker, he was a founding member of the Kasanggayahan Foundation, Inc. and responsible for the institutionalization of Pantomina sa Tinampo every Kasanggayahan Festival in October. He was also a member of Sorsogon Heritage Society chaired by PDI Founder Eugenio Duran-Apostol, the publisher of Sarabihon, a journal of Sorsogon studies where he wrote several articles. He was also one of the organizers of Pagsurat, the first gathering of Bikol writers in 2000 at the Aquinas University of Legaspi attended by over a hundred participants including a septuagenarian chanter from Albay and New York-based poet Luis Cabalquinto.


He was the brains behind the establishment of the Sorsogon Museum and Heritage Center which involves the adaptive re-use and restoration of the old Sorsogon Provincial Hospital building built during the American occupation in the 1920s.


He earned his academic degree from the University of Santo Tomas, B.S. Major in Psychology. He taught at the Mass Communications Department of the Aemilianum College, Inc. in Sorsogon City.
==Do Not Panic==
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/356732/do-not-panic
*April 11, 2012, 12:53am
:by  MADEL R. SABATER and LESLIE ANN G. AQUINO


He is survived by his wife Ella, sisters Mercia and Millet, daughter Suyin, adopted son Ian and grandson CJ.


==Sorsogon's Liga ng mga Barangay commits to "Good Housekeeping"==
Malacañang and an official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) yesterday called on the public to stay calm and not to panic amid the rocket launch of North Korea scheduled between April 12 and April 16.
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R05&article=771331514102
* Monday, 12th of March 2012
:by  Irma A. Guhit


This developed as the United States urged anew North Korea not to conduct a nuclear test or launch a satellite and called on China to exert its influence over its neighbor to try to ward off such "provocative actions."


SORSOGON CITY, March12 (PIA) -- A series of trainings will be conducted by the Sorsogon provincial Liga ng Mga Barangay to assist the 541 barangays of the province to come up with a program for good governance in the implementation of the social basic services.
But Ryu Kum Chol, deputy director of the Space Development Department of the Korean Committee for Space Technology, said, "All the assembly and preparations of the satellite launch are done," including fueling of the rocket.
According to Nelson Marana, provincial president of the Liga, this traning for barangay officials will provide them development in forging effective partnership with the national government in the attainment of the national goals and policies, and the Liga’s advocacy  to strengthen gradually  the barangay governance  and administration. 
Marana also explained that these officials will be trained along in the key areas of transparency, accountability and efficient performance, particularly in implementing the programs in the barangays especially in the delivery of basic social services like health,education, infrastructure development, environmental protection and others.
The "Seal of Barangay Good Housekeeping" will be the standard of services to be delivered and will also guage each municipal Liga chapter on their capability and performance in four recognized areas of local governance namely 1)  good planning and participatory governance; 2) sound fiscal management; 3) transparency and accountability; and 4) valuing of performance monitoring, and ultimately, the recognition and giving of awards for those Liga Chapters and barangays found to have excelled in these areas.
He also explained that the call of the national government  through the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is for full disclosure and accountability of the local government units and the firm intent to be involved and to support the "Daang Matuwid" campaign of the present administration of President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino.
The training further will enhance the improve delivery of services by the barangays to their constituency, Marana explained. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)


==3 drug dealers arrested in Sorsogon, Davao==
Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda assured that preparations are being made should North Korea push through with the satellite launch.
*Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/03/10/12/3-drug-dealers-arrested-sorsogon-davao
* 03/10/2012 12:25 PM | Updated as of 03/10/2012 12:27 PM
:by  ABS-CBNnews.com


"We are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best and it will be irresponsible for the government not to take the necessary precautions," Lacierda said in a press briefing yesterday.


MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has arrested a member of a notorious drug group in Bulan, Sorsogon, and two other drug dealers in Davao City this week.
Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes, member of the CBCP Permanent Council, said people should pray instead of panicking, saying it’s still possible that the launch will not affect the country such as what happened during the 1970’s when the US satellite Skylab disintegrated in space with its debris falling in Western Australia.


PDEA Director General Undersecretary Jose Gutierrez Jr. said 41-year-old Ruel Servando of the Sumalinog drug group was arrested after selling one plastic sachet of shabu to a poseur buyer in Purok Lukban, Zone 2, Bulan on March 7.
At that time, people panicked because everybody thought that the debris from the Skylab was going to fall on their backyard.


His arrest came months after authorities nabbed another member of Sumalinog, identified as Lemuel Gayoso, in Zambales.
"Many times such fears are not founded. Remember the Skylab many years ago? Nothing fell," he said in an interview.


"The arrest of Servando is a clear message to the public that PDEA is determined to arrest drug personalities and to cripple the operations of the local drug syndicates as part of our mandate to rid our communities of dangerous drugs and their ill-effects," Gutierrez said.
Still, Bastes urged the people to pray that North Korea will change its mind about the launch and instead focus on feeding their hungry people.


"For the year 2011, PDEA was able to neutralize a total of 227 drug groups nationwide," he added.
"Pray that the leaders of North Korea will rather feed their hungry people than show a false military might," he said.


In Davao City, meanwhile, two drug personalities were arrested by PDEA during a buy-bust operation.
Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo also appealed for prayers from the people.


They were identified as Carlos Sumaylo, 35, and Oliver Rodrigeuz, 29.
"Let us pray that North Korea would change its mind because we don’t really know what damage it will bring to us – we don’t know where it will hit that’s why we should be careful and we should pray to prevent a crisis in the world," he said over Church-run Radyo Veritas yesterday.


Recovered from the suspects were two plastic sachets of shabu and the marked money that was used during the illegal transaction.
Lacierda said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has already been directed to make the necessary preparations for the launch.


==DOLE Sorsogon holds Career Coaching Seminar==
Notices, Lacierda said, have already been sent, particularly on the no-fly zone while the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
*Source: https://sorsogonunited.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/dole-sorsogon-holds-career-coaching-seminar/
*MARCH 8, 2012 • 10:32 AM
:by  (MAL-PIA V/DOLE V)


(NDRRMC) will monitor probable sites where rocket debris may fall.


LEGAZPI CITY, March 6 (PIA) — Sorsogueños are looking forward to better employability and career path in the coming years after the field office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) here led the Capability Training in Career Coaching for stakeholders held last week.
Earlier, the NDRRMC warned parts of the rocket may fall on Philippine territory after the launch between April 12 and April 16.


DOLE V was able to train 18 managers of Public Employment Services Office and 11 guidance counselors from Sorsogon province; they will eventually guide graduating students in deciding what career path to take.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government already instructed officials in six regions – Regions 1 (Ilocos), 2 (Cagayan Valley), 3 (Central Luzon), 4-A (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), 5 (Bicol), and Cordillera – to implement contingency plans for the rocket launch.


DOLE V was assisted by the Bicol Career Guidance Network (BCGN) and PESO Federation of Sorsogon (PESO Sorsogon) in holding said training event.
North Korea, which is pressing ahead with plans for a satellite launch despite US and regional appeals that it desist, is also preparing a third nuclear test, South Korean news reports said Sunday.


DOLE V regional director Nathaniel V. Lacambra explained that career coach is a well trained officer responsible in determining the talents and skills of a client, whether a student, a job seeker, or an employee, needing advice in choosing a career or helping students in trying to figure out the right college course.
Another nuclear test is bound to scare neighbors and infuriate the West, which has long sought to curb the North’s nuclear ambitions.


The two-day training equipped the participants to become career coaches on career pathing, latest employment trends, recruitment and placement, illegal recruitment, overseas opportunities, cultural employment attitude orientation, entrepreneurship skills, and personality development.
South Korea’s Yonhap news agency quoted an unidentified intelligence source as saying North Korea was "clandestinely preparing a nuclear test" at the same location as the first two.


“ Career coaches are very much needed since the region has a high 38.4 percent underemployment rate,” he noted.
The State Department repeated its advice to the North not to launch a satellite, saying this would violate UN Security Council resolutions and a February 29 denuclearization agreement.


Lacambra said the unemployment rate in the region entails that the career choices or the courses being taken by Bicolanos do not match the skills needed by the local industries here.
"Our position remains: don’t do it," said spokeswoman Victoria Nuland. "North Korea’s launch of a missile would be highly provocative, it would pose a threat to regional security and it would be inconsistent with its recent undertakings to refrain from any kind of long-range missile launches."


He added that in the U.S. and other developed countries, career coaches are employed by the government to align the skills demand of that country and this has given these countries an edge in placing workers to specific jobs.
Nuland told reporters a third North Korean nuclear test "would be equally bad if not worse."


In Sorsogon, concerns on skills mismatch and unemployment incidence of four-year courses graduates have prompted DOLE Sorsogon, headed by provincial director Imelda E. Romanillos, to intensify its campaign in establishing more career coaches in order to guide high schools and college students, in choosing their college courses or career paths so to speak.
She declined comment on whether the United States also had reason to believe that the North might be preparing a nuclear test, saying she could not discuss intelligence matters.


“We have seen youngster in Sorsogon taking up courses because their friend took it or because their parents wanted them to take it. Later these youngsters would realize that they are nor really inclined to it and this is the reason why they perform poor and more often drop out from school. Waste of time, money, effort,” Romanillos said.
North Korea, which three years ago pulled out of six-party disarmament talks on its nuclear program, agreed in February to stop nuclear tests, uranium enrichment and long-range missile launches in return for food aid, opening the way to a possible resumption of the negotiations.


The training is the first BCGN activity this year and is in-line with the Project Jobs Fit (PJF) and Skills Registration System (SRS).
But that has all unraveled with the North’s rocket launch planned for this month, probably between Thursday and the following Monday. The North says it is merely sending a weather satellite into space, but South Korea and the United States say it is a ballistic missile test.


==10 hurt as quake jolts Masbate==
The United States has called on China, the closest that North Korea has to an ally, to exert such influence as it has with Pyongyang, a point Nuland made again on Monday.
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=63&articleId=784530
*March 07, 2012 12:00 AM
:by  Cet Dematera


"We believe, in particular, that China joins us in its interest in seeing a denuclearized Korean Peninsula and we are continuing to encourage China to act more effectively in that interest," she said.


LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – At least 10 people – mostly minors – were injured when a 5.2-magnitude earthquake hit Masbate and the nearby provinces of Albay and Sorsogon in Bicol at 7:06 a.m. yesterday.
20 Flights Rerouted


Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) director Renato Solidum said the quake was felt at intensity 6 in Masbate City; intensity 4 in Roxas City and in Irosin, Cabid-an and Sorsogon City in Sorsogon; intensity 3 in Sigma, Capiz; Catarman and Capul Island, Northern Samar; Almagro and Tagapul-an, Western Samar; intensity 2 in Iloilo and Legaspi City; and intensity 1 in Kalibo and Numancia, Aklan.
With the scheduled rocket launch, several airlines will reroute flights over the Philippines, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said yesterday.


Classes were suspended in all levels in Masbate and portions of the province were plunged into darkness, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) at Camp General Simeon Ola here.
About 20 flights including Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, Korean Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, and Delta Airlines will be rerouted between Thursday and Monday, when North Korea says it will launch a satellite. The exact timing depends on weather.


OCD-Bicol director Raffy Alejandro identified the injured as Rex Devida, 8, of Barangay Bantique; Jinky Azares, 16, and Cesar Garapan, 31, of Barangay Nursery; Leonard Dimetellar, 3, and Christine Decos, 17, of Barangay Centro; Jeho Emilio Antonio, 2, of Barangay Bagumbayan; Liza Tidon, 34, of Barangay Tugbo; Victoria Dumas, 10, and Andrew Mortega, 3, of Barangay Batuhan; Jamnor Boungan, 2, of Barangay Bapor.                            
Floramel Joy Songsong, spokeswoman for the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, said the agency will temporarily close three northeastern air corridors, which will result in an additional 20 minutes of travel time for the airlines.


The 10 sustained injuries mostly in their hands and feet and were taken to the Masbate Provincial Hospital.
Japanese carriers JAL and ANA will change flight paths on routes connecting Tokyo to Manila, Jakarta and Singapore, while domestic flights will not be affected.


Senior Superintendent Heriberto Olitoquit, Masbate police director, reported cracks in some portions of the provincial police office as well as in the perimeter fence of Camp Boni Serrano.
JAL has four flights a day on the expected rocket launch dates. Airline official Norio Higashimine said each flight will carry more fuel in case of an unexpected route change.


Two buildings of the Kinamaligan Elementary School, the Masbate City Hall concrete perimeter wall, a pawnshop, a food chain outlet, and at least four private establishments in the city’s commercial district were also damaged, according to Alejandro.
ANA is making similar route changes on five flights.


Amy Danao, Masbate Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer, reported that the old house of one Vicente Lim partially collapsed after the tremor.
Philippine officials also told ships and fishing boats to avoid northeastern territorial waters where rocket debris may fall.


Bicol resident geologist Ed Laguerta said that the tremor’s epicenter was traced at 12.04 degrees north, 123.63 degrees east, or three kilometers north of Masbate City, with a depth of 23 kilometers.
Meanwhile, Aurora province is now preparing for the rocket launch as the towns of Casiguran, Dilasag, Dinalungan, Baler, and Dingalan are among the places identified by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) as "spots" where debris may fall.


At least five aftershocks were recorded until 8:30 a.m.
Other places include Bugey, Gonzaga, and Santa Ana towns in Cagayan; Palanan, Maconacon, Divilacan, and Dinapigue towns in Isabela; Real, Infanta, and General Nakar in Quezon.


“But this earthquake is unlikely to generate tsunami because the shake was horizontal,” Laguerta told The STAR.
People in Batanes, Camarines Sur, and Camarines Norte are also advised to take precautionary measures. (With reports from Reuters, AP, and Mark Anthony N. Manuel)


The earthquake occurred exactly one month after the deadly magnitude 6.9 tremor in Negros Oriental, which killed over 50 people.
==Sorsoganons peacefully celebrate “Semana Santa” 2012==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=801334042257
*Tuesday 10th of April 2012
:by Benilda A. Recebido


Solidum said the earthquake was caused by a movement along the Philippine Fault Zone.


“It is not related to the Feb. 6 earthquake in Negros,” he stressed.
SORSOGON CITY, April 10 (PIA) -- Assessment of the Philippine National Police Sorsogon Provincial Office (PNP-SPPO) bared that aside from the electrocuted 16-year-old male in one of the beach cottages in Bacon District, Sorsogon City, the celebration of “Semana Santa,” a Spanish term for the Holy Week, was generally peaceful.  


The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said it has activated its emergency operations center to respond to the needs of the affected areas. Disaster management personnel have also been placed on blue alert to ensure the availability of manpower in case of emergency.
Devotees and Catholics in general were in their prayerful mood especially during the Visita Iglesia and processions on Good Friday. Priests in their Lenten homilies reiterated Pope Benedict XVI’s call for Charity which is the very heart of Christian Life.  


Regional disaster management councils have been directed to alert residents living in coastal areas for possible evacuation.
According to PNP Sorsogon Director PSupt John CA Jambora, they attribute the success of the activity to the full support and cooperation shown by Sorsoganons, “that is why we are thankful to them that no untoward incidences were noted all throughout the entire observance of the Holy Week,” he added.  


They have also been ordered to spread earthquake advisories and to monitor developments in their area.
Meanwhile, passengers bound for Manila and Legazpi City were irritated with the insufficient number of bus and vans. According to some commuters departing for Manila, they had to wait for about six hours or more to be accommodated.  


The OCD has requested an Air Force aircraft to assess the damage as well as meet requirements in affected areas.
Philippine Coast Guard Sorsogon Station through PO2 Rico Gabion reported that their assessment of the observance of “Semana Santa” in Sorsogon this year was very successful since there were no problems and negative incidences noted. He admitted however, that fewer passengers in three major ports here were recorded compared to that of last year.  


“Our disaster response units are prepared for any task,” said Maj. Angelo Guzman, spokesman of the Army’s 9th Division.
Latest data reported from Matnog station stated that there were 1,535 passengers in Matnog port. There were no reports yet from Pilar and Bulan stations as to the number of their passengers during Holy Week.  


Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) Undersecretary Romeo Momo said they are checking government buildings affected by the earthquake, but reported no major damage. – With Helen Flores, Celso Amo, Alexis Romero, Evelyn Macairan, AP
However, PCG and PNP both said that they will keep on strictly monitoring major ports and terminals in the province as part of their “Oplan Summer Vacation” since tourists and vacationers will continue to flock for the summer season.  


==DOLE Sorsogon holds Career Coaching Seminar==
Aside from terminals, the PNP has also deployed their personnel including police trainees to areas frequently visited by tourists such as the town of Donsol for the whale shark inter-action, Bulusan for Bulusan Lake activities, Sorsogon City for its Paguriran Island, Pto. Diaz for mangrove tour, Casiguran for the famous freezing Orok Spring, Barcelona for its breathtaking and huge corals, as well as the province’s prime beach resorts in Bacon District, Sorsogon City, Gubat, Sta. Magdalena and Matnog towns, among others. (MAL/BAR-PIA 5, Sorsogon)
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R05&article=771330999814
*Tuesday 6th of March 2012
:by  (MAL-PIA V/DOLE V)


==Sorsogon Police Office bags major award in “Takbokasyon 2012”==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R05&article=771333873727
*Monday 9th of April 2012
:by Marlon A. Loterte


LEGAZPI CITY, March 6 (PIA) -- Sorsogueños are looking forward to better employability and career path in the coming years after the field office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) here led the Capability Training in Career Coaching for stakeholders held last week.
DOLE V was able to train 18 managers of Public Employment Services Office and 11 guidance counselors from Sorsogon province; they will eventually guide graduating students in deciding what career path to take.
DOLE V was assisted by the Bicol Career Guidance Network (BCGN) and PESO Federation of Sorsogon (PESO Sorsogon) in holding said training event.
DOLE V regional director Nathaniel V. Lacambra explained that career coach is a well trained officer responsible in determining the talents and skills of a client, whether a student, a job seeker, or an employee, needing advice in choosing a career or helping students in trying to figure out the right college course. 
The two-day training equipped  the participants to become career coaches on career pathing, latest employment trends, recruitment and placement, illegal recruitment, overseas opportunities, cultural employment attitude orientation, entrepreneurship skills, and personality development.
“ Career coaches are very much needed since the region has a high 38.4 percent underemployment rate,” he noted.
Lacambra said the unemployment rate in the region entails that the career choices or the courses being taken by Bicolanos do not match the skills needed by the local industries here.


==LGUs, PAGASA to set up local weather station==
SORSOGON CITY, April 9 (PIA) -- Personnel of the Sorsogon Police Provincial Office has proven anew their agility and prowess, garnering the major award in two categories during the fun run activity dubbed as “VAMOS SEMINARIO: TAKBOKASYON 2012” held in Sorsogon City in March 31, 2012.
*Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/250396/news/regions/lgus-pagasa-to-set-up-local-weather-station
*March 5, 2012 7:55pm
:by  RRD/VS, GMA News


Topping the five-kilometer(km) fun run were PO2 Jayie Encinares, PO1 Geraldine Dave, and PO1 Kwencie Ann Fortuno, while PO1 Mariel Esquiros bagged the first place for the 10-km run.


The local government units (LGUs) of Gerona in Tarlac, Irosin in Sorsogon, and Tubigon in Bohol on Monday signed a deal with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to set up their respective Automatic Weather Station (AWS).
Said fun run activity was sponsored by Batch 1987 Seminarians of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Seminary in Sorsogon City.  
Rice Watch and Action Network (R1) said in a report Monday the initiative will give farmers sufficient warning on extreme weather conditions so they can mitigate the impact of climate change on their lives and properties.
PAGASA will provide technical assistance in the operation of local weather instruments and relay climate information for the LGUs. The state weather forecaster will help install, maintain and calibrate weather instruments once the agro-meteorological stations are in place. It will also train people to man the stations.
The will set up the agro-meteorological stations based on World Meteorological standards, and shoulder the maintenance of the buildings and instruments, and salaries of observation and ground personnel.
Under the memorandum of understanding between the LGUs and PAGASA, the local governments of Gerona, Irosin and Tubigon must sustain the agriculture sector’s Climate Field School program for climate change mitigation.
R1 is urging other local governments to take on the example started by the three LGUs.
“With extreme weather conditions creating unimaginable damage to lives and properties in different parts of the country, we encourage other local governments to follow this example and put matters into their hands through planning of interventions,” said R1 convenor Jessica Cantos.
“We only need to tap the appropriate government agencies, break some of the bureaucratic layers, and identify ways of working together,” she added.


==Sorsogon Initiatives beneficiaries urged to ‘own’ projects==
Meanwhile, SPPO Provincial Director PSupt John CA Jambora said that SPPO personnel does not only excel in running but even in dancing competition where policewomen of SPPO also got the second place award in the Ballroom Dance Competition during the Women’s Night, a culminating activity of this year’s women’s month celebration with the theme: “Women Weathering Climate Change: Governance and Accountability Everyone’s Responsibility,” held at the Multi-Purpose Building at Camp Simeon Ola in Legazpi City last March 30, 2012.  
*Source: http://www.opapp.gov.ph/news/sorsogon-initiatives-beneficiaries-urged-%E2%80%98own%E2%80%99-projects
*Sunday, 4 March, 2012 - 10:59
:by  opapp.gov.ph/news


Ten contestants from different Provincial and City Police Offices of the Police Regional Office V (PRO5) were bested by the women of SPPO during the said dance competition.


Gubat, Sorsogon, Mar. 4 – Local officials in this province urged communities to exert ownership and responsibility over development projects to ensure success in their implementation.
Likewise, on March 26-30 members of the SWAT TEAM of Sorsogon Police Provincial Office got the second place during the SWAT competition and Hand Gun Classification Marksmanship Test at the PRO5 Grandstand in Villa Hermosa, Daraga, Albay and in Brgy. Padang, Legaspi City. (MAL/BAR/PCI NFMarquez-PPO-PIA 5, Sorsogon)


Sorsogon Congressman Deogracias Ramos, Jr. called on the beneficiaries of the Sorsogon Initiatives to treat the projects as their own. “Many projects have been provided by the government but some don’t take care of them. I hope you will not ignore your responsibility,” he said during the recent inauguration of several infrastructure projects held at the Sta. Ana Elementary School in Sta. Ana, Gubat, and at the Barcelona Development Cooperative (BADECO) Operation Center for Peace and Development in Poblacion, Barcelona.
==Confessions of a materialist==
*Source: http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/42385/confessions-of-a-materialist
*5:15 am | Sunday, April 8th, 2012
:by  Elmer A. Ordoñez
Philippine Daily Inquirer


Also present were Barcelona Mayor Manuel Fortes, Jr., Gubat Vice Mayor Sixto Estareja, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Assistant Secretary for Programs Howard Cafugauan, Agencia Española Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarollo (AECID) Deputy Coordinator General Norberto Gomez De Liaño, OPAPP Director Eileen Jose and Colonel Felix Castro, commander of the 903rd Brigade, among others.


Fortes, on the other hand, stressed the importance of partnership in the success of the projects that aim to boost peace and development conditions. “These will not be successful without the participation of the people."
At UP High in Padre Faura, after the war, we read Shakespeare, notably Hamlet, which, like all the bard’s plays, teems with memorable passages like the soliloquies and lines from the dialogue, as when Hamlet tells his stoic friend, “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” This, after the ghost scene.
It has become a favorite comeback, albeit hoary with age, to doubting Thomases, and one feels smug at having quoted Shakespeare in the face of a non-believer.
Sometimes, though, I, a professed materialist, have been on the receiving end of this repartee, but I would say, “What philosophy?” and thereby engage the person in a friendly debate.
I wonder, however, why lately (the past 15 years or so) I have lost my fascination for antiquaria, like old houses and furniture. I still like to visit the bahay-na-bato in cities and towns, and marvel at the antique tables, chairs, cabinets made in the last two centuries here and abroad, and acquired by the ilustrado families, the nouveau riche at the time.
I remember my childhood vacations in the town of Juban, where I was born. I didn’t grow up there, so I missed the steady company of the elders who had lived in bahay-na-bato built for managers of the Ynchausti company tending the abaca and coconut plantations in Sorsogon.
My maternal grandfather (Capitan Lino Alindogan) himself owned tracts of these lands, including a portion of friar lands in the foothills of Mt. Bulusan, and lived in a house whose ruins (mainly stone and huge rotting logs) could still be seen in his poblacion compound before the war. The other old houses can still be seen along Maharlika highway.
Turn of the century
My memories are of the vacations spent with tio Miguel (half Andalusian) and tia Loleng in the house built at the turn of the century. It was finally blown down by a typhoon.
Juban is noted province-wide as an aswang town. Why so, I asked historian Luis Dery (who comes from Gubat). He said that Juban in pre-Spanish times was a center of babaylan. It seems that with the coming of the Spaniards, the friars demonized the faith healers and shamans as witches or mangkukulam, as the Church did to the “pagan” priests and priestesses in Europe.
I have since associated old houses with dark rooms lit at night with a candle or petro-max lamp, and the call of the resident tuko. When the lamp hissed out at night at my tio Miguel’s house in Juban, my brothers and I would huddle or snuggle together with pillows (abrazador) on a large mat under a mosquito net in the sala, where we boys were banished at bedtime. Dead ancestors in ornately framed pictures looked at us from the walls of the living room.
One morning after, older brother Jim swore that he woke up at night because he heard our tio Miguel talking to some people in the camarin below, where bales of abaca were stored. Jim ventured down the staircase and saw no one in the darkened bodega. He ran back to us as fast as he could.
On a trip to Ilocos not too long ago, a friend, Emily Tiongco from the National Commission on Culture and the Arts, offered her ancestral house, Villa Fernandez, for us to stay in while in Vigan. The caretaker told us the big chalet-type house, with its stairs dividing in two in the patio, had been used earlier for the shooting of a film with Tom Cruise.
We were given the master bedroom, and had the run of the living room, like the one in Juban with fading black and white pictures of the family on the walls .
The four-poster bed had a capacious mosquito net hung from the canopy and cascading down the other end of the bed. We kept the light on in the adjoining toilet so we wouldn’t trip on the way to it in the middle of the night, in spite a street light filtering into the bedroom. My wife Elenita said the next morning that she felt presence in both the bedroom and bathroom. I said I felt the same way.
Back in Manila, Emily asked if we had met her grandmother. We could only smile weakly and thank her for the hospitality, but we vowed to ourselves never again to sleep in an ancient house doubling as a pension.
Original owners
Now, long empty houses give us the creeps. I even suspect the old table sold to us by antique dealer/writer Pete Daroy may be visited by wraiths of its original owners.
At the UP writers workshop in Baguio in the mid-’90s, we housed three resource persons/writers—Sedfrey Ordonez, Gemino Abad and Roger Sikat—at a prewar chalet on Quezon Hill. The UP Baguio dormitory was already full of loud writing fellows, and not suitable for our distinguished latecomers.
We had stayed a night in the chalet (owned by Elenita’s relatives) earlier, and we experienced what we later had in the Vigan house, so I told Sedfrey if he didn’t mind staying in a haunted house. Oh no, he said.
The following day we learned that sleeping arrangements for two rooms were changed into one room. One workshop wit suggested that all three be commended for valor. Another writer, rumored to be clairvoyant, claimed the “presence” in the house by pointing them out to our group, taking turns to visit the john.
We didn’t see a thing, but I did have again that eerie feeling as I walked along a narrow corridor. The caretaker living in the basement with his family said that skeletal remains had been dug up below the house, which was used by the Japanese before the war.
Nowadays Elenita and I can no longer savor new travel experiences. The last one in October last year was a China/Vietnam cruise from Hong Kong. The immediate members of the family were with us on this sea voyage. But my wife and I spend much more time together in our sylvan retreat in Cavite, with well-wishers visiting her in bed.
A few weeks ago, a healing priest came and gave solace to both of us. One of the healing rites that he performed was a procedure that has kept me in deep thought.
The young Redemptorist priest asked me to cup my hands behind me. He pressed down hard on my cupped hands and I fell on my knees. As I stood up, he put in my shirt pocket what he calls a healing patch, a square-inch cloth patch in blue with a red cross on it. He asked me again to cup my hands behind me.
He bore down hard on them this time, with his 75 kilos of weight. I saw him lift his feet for a second or so, and I, at 82, held, panting a bit. He then did the procedure on Elenita, who already wore the healing patch pinned on her front blouse, and she did not fall. Not his full weight was used, but in her frail condition, how could she do it?


The role of beneficiaries was also emphasized by Jose. “Since the projects are community-driven, the labor force comes from the barangay. In fact, the farmers themselves worked on the rehabilitation of the irrigation system, while others were hired for the road construction.”
==Cebu Pacific shells out P798.8M for new aircraft, adds more summer flights==
*Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/253867/economy/companies/cebu-pacific-shells-out-p798-8m-for-new-aircraft-adds-more-summer-flights
*April 4, 2012 6:26pm
:by gmanetwork.com


A joint effort of OPAPP and the Department of Interior and Local Government-Local Government Agency (DILG-LGA), Sorsogon Initiatives aims to empower local communities through enhancing participation in local governance, and involving them in the preparation and implementation of peace and development projects. It is funded by Spain’s AECID.


Among the newly-completed projects in Gubat include the widening and concreting of road in Sitio Apgo, and rehabilitation and expansion of 1.5-km Sitio Puro communal irrigation system. In Barcelona, projects include banana production sustainable agri-based enterprise program and construction of the BADECO Operation Center for Peace and Development, among others.
Cebu Air Inc. drew P798.84 million from the proceeds of its initial public offering (IPO) to make pre-delivery payments for seven aircraft last January and February, the operator of the Cebu Pacific airline revealed to the investing public Wednesday.
In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), Cebu Air said the net balance of proceeds from the IPO stood at P380.09 million on March 31 as per accounting procedures applied by SGV & Co.
The pre-delivery payments, in dollar terms, amounted to $18.32 million. The payments were channeled through Citibank N.A. and Banco de Oro.


Peace and development
More summer flights
In an earlier disclosure, Cebu Air said it will add 22 percent more Cebu Pacific flights in the summer months of April and May.
"Because of this increased seat capacity, passengers can take advantage of CEB's trademark low fares for travel this April and May. Plan your family or friends' exciting summer vacation by checking out the low-fare options on www.cebupacificair.com," said Candice Iyog, Cebu Air vice president for marketing and distribution.


Underlining the P-Noy administration’s efforts of negotiating a political settlement with rebel groups while addressing poverty and poor governance, Cafugauan stated that “peace and development should go together.”
Cebu Pacific will have more flights on these routes:
Cebu-Dipolog, Cebu-Legazpi and Cebu-Pagadian (daily flights, February 8 to June 15);
Cebu-Puerto Princesa (3 added flights to raise total to 10 flights, March 17 to June 4);
Manila-Legazpi and Manila-Puerto Princesa (total of 4 daily flights each);
Cebu-Bacolod (total of 17 weekly flights);
Cebu-Caticlan (3 daily flights), Cebu-Davao (5 daily flights); and
Cebu-Siargao (4 weekly flights).
“Legazpi is the gateway to whale shark encounters in Donsol, Sorsogon,” the airline noted.
“CEB remains the largest airline operating to and from Puerto Princesa, which is world-renowned for its Underground River. CEB is the only airline flying direct to Siargao, an international surfing destination,” the flag carrier also said.
The airline also decided to extend to June 4 its flight frequency additions for Manila-Cebu (total of 99 weekly flights), Manila-Bacolod (40 weekly flights) and Manila-Iloilo (7 daily flights).


“They should go hand-in-hand. We cannot separate one from the other,” he added.
==Joint venture of LGU Sorsogon City with LKY Dev’t. Corp. to create 500 jobs==
*Source: http://bicoltoday.com/?p=5333
*3-April-2012
:by Felix  ‘Boy’ Espineda, Jr.


Cafugauan expressed hope that the projects will serve as a legacy for the next generation. On this, he mentioned the government’s PAMANA or Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Peaceful and Resilient Communities) program which is being implemented in conflict areas, as well as communities covered by existing peace agreements.


Big difference


Fortes said he believes that the Sorsogon Initiatives projects, which cost P 20.5 million, have made a big difference in the lives of the beneficiaries. He added that somehow it has also restored the faith of the people in the government
SORSOGON CITY (BicolToday.com/3-April-2012) – The agreement and understanding of LGU Sorsogon City with LKY Development Corporation is expected to create five hundred jobs for Sorsoganons.
It will materialize after the completion and full occupancy of the renovated Sorsogon Shopping Center now in its finishing stage of construction and the on-going Sorsogon Bay City project. The projects are hubs for fast food chains, drugstores, supermart, gas station and the Bay City will host condotels and marinas offering the view of the sunset of Sorsogon Bay. Both offer commercial leasing spaces.
The renovation of the old shopping center became one of the focal points during the first term of Mayor Leovic Dioneda, to attract and create job opportunities, doubled-up by the investment of Wilbert Lee, Chief Executive Officer of LKY Development Corporation, the biggest construction concern in Sorsogon, who foot the bill for the renovation.
When the project was tossed to the Sorsogon Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Wilbert Lee took the opportunity and the challenge to prove that Sorsogon City is a good investment area, thus a roadmap for domestic investors was created.


“The projects have given the people hope that the government is there to help. There is hope. Why should we fight the government?” he said, while touching on the longstanding problem of insurgency in their town.
This is not the first time that LKY took a giant step, back in the late eighties, the construction firm responded to the offer of then Municipality of Sorsogon when it built a commercial building in a government lot fronting the public market, then another foothold when the diocesan leadership offered the development of the back portion of the cathedral lot which now stands as a landmark in the city proper.
This time, the response of Lee’s firm was a class act for Sorsogon City. It was a silent statement that private-public partnership can design, build and offer new landscape for business opportunities.
It started way back in 2009 during Dioneda’s first term, when the third city council was challenged by him to come-up with a resolution to attract investors for built-operate, built-lease, and built transfer scheme offering safety nets for investors.
LKY responded with a grand proposal not only to boost Sorsogon economy but put on record that the traffic problem of the city center be corrected. Thus the renovated Sorsogon Shopping Center when completed will host the tricycle integrated terminal and the Sorsogon Bay City project at Barangay Balogo will house the integrated bus, jeepney and van terminal. Rolling up its sleeves when the projects were given the green lights, LKY never look back. It was committed and it was proving to all that it is not lost in Sorsogon after all.
Both Mayor Dioneda and Wilbert Lee of LKY are sort of visionaries, they have the knack of what can be done and how can it be done. Dioneda created an investment climate, Lee responded in ways never imagined by Sorsoganons.
Simultaneously starting the project created employment to skilled workers and tap the labor force not only of the city but from the other towns of the province. Masons, carpenters, plumbers, welders, pipe fitters, steel fabricators and many more who for sometimes were not employed are now having a week pay to look-up. At its peak LKY was employing close to three hundred workers in the two projects pumping a large sum of money in the local economy. This was an indirect contribution of the construction firm in prime-pumping the local economy. The construction lessened the number of employment seekers at city hall.
The two projects are now the center piece of construction in the city. It’s because, Mayor Dioneda made a big difference and LKY of Wilbert Lee nurtured the big difference. BicolToday.com


In Sta. Ana, 84-year-old Rodrigo Felicia related that farming has become more convenient now that the irrigation canals have been concreted and individuals have been assigned as water tenders.
==Firms vie for 38 coal prospects==
*Source: http://sorsogoncity.wordpress.com/2012/04/02/firms-vie-for-38-coal-prospects/
* April 2, 2012
:by  Amy R. Remo


Councilor Vilma Espinida also said that the rehabilitated irrigation system has enhanced the relationship among community members. “There was too much water being wasted when the canals were not yet concreted. Due to the water shortage, people would get into dispute with each other. But now, everybody is happy because each has their own share.”


Sta. Ana Barangay Captain Romulo Epino, on the other hand, shared how the newly-developed concrete road in Sitio Apgo provided convenience to many residents, particularly students, who used to walk kilometers to reach the town center. “Travel time is much shorter now. Farmers are able to bring their produce to the market without having to spend big when commuting.”


In Barcelona, BADECO chair Lucy Bailon said that the construction of their operation center has freed them from the hassles of looking for a venue to accommodate 250 members during meetings and trainings. “Because of the project, we are able to hold meetings regularly,” she added.
The Department of Energy on Friday received 69 bids for contracts to explore and develop 38 highly prospective coal blocks across the country, considered an “overwhelming” number that proved investors’ unwavering confidence in the Philippines.


Rodrigo Estipona, a 25-year-old beneficiary of the community-based training on motorcycle and small engine servicing, related how the project gave out-of-school youths opportunity to improve their financial lives. “In the past, I would ask money from my parents. But now that I use my skills to earn, I’m the one who gives,” he said. #
At the sidelines of the opening of bid offers Friday, Energy Undersecretary Jose M. Layug Jr. said the Philippine Energy Contracting Round 4 for coal attracted a lot of potential investors, of which about half were new players in the local coal industry.


Among the companies that submitted bids were Benguet Corp., Semirara Mining Corp., PNOC Exploration Corp., South Davao Development Co. Inc., SKI Mining and Empire Asia Mining Corp.


Layug said the DOE was targeting to award contracts within 150 days from the bid opening date yesterday, or by August 2012 at the latest. The coal blocks that had only one bidder will be processed faster than those that had six to eight bidders. For the coal blocks that did not have bidders, the DOE is set to re-offer these areas in future PECRs.


The offered coal blocks were in Quezon, Camarines Norte, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Negros Occidental, Cebu, Bohol, Agusan del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga Sibugay.


Initially, the DOE offered 30 coal blocks when it launched the PECR 4 for coal in December last year. Should all the 30 contracts be awarded, the DOE is expecting initial investments to run up to P2.4 billion within a two-year exploration period.


The number of areas, however, were increased to 38 blocks in anticipation of a huge number of bidders.


Layug stressed the need for the country to harness its own coal resources given an increasing demand for the commodity, which now stood at about 12 million metric tons a year. Local production averaged 7 million MT, of which 3 million tons are exported to various Asian markets. Coal imports remained huge at 7 million tons a year, he added.


It is expected that over the next 20 years, coal will remain the major fuel for power generation and the government continues to encourage the private sector to explore and develop the country’s prospective coal blocks to find additional reserves that can be used to address growing local demand.


By harnessing its own resources, the government believes that it will be able to push for energy independence that will allow it to reduce its fuel imports as well as lessen its vulnerability to global price fluctuations.


==TEAM ASIA TAKES 4-3 SERIES LEAD OVER TEAM PHILIPPINES AS CHANG BEATS ALCANO==
*Source: http://philboxing.com/news/story-68282.html
*Sun, 01 Apr 2012
:by  Marlon Bernardino


==Gov’t inaugurates Spanish-backed peace & dev’t projects in Sorsogon==
*Source: http://opapp.gov.ph/news/gov%E2%80%99t-inaugurates-spanish-backed-peace-dev%E2%80%99t-projects-sorsogon
*Friday, 2 March, 2012 - 13:07
:by  opapp.gov.ph/news




Gubat, Sorsogon, March 2 - Several infrastructure projects that aim to boost peace and development conditions in the province were launched recently in Gubat and Barcelona towns, under the Sorsogon Initiatives Project, a joint effort of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and the Department of Interior and Local Government-Local Government Agency (DILG-LGA).
TAIWANESE cue artist Chang Yu Long defeated Filipino Ronato "Volcano" Alcano bagging the top prize of the Philippine Bigtime Billiards Face-Off series on Saturday at the Airport Pagcor Casino in Paranaque City.  


The completed projects, funded by the Agencia Espanola de Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarollo (AECID), were symbolically turned over to the beneficiaries through a simple program at the Sta. Ana Elementary School in Sta. Ana, Gubat, and at the Barcelona Development Cooperative (BADECO) Operation Center for Peace and Development in Poblacion, Barcelona.
Chang won two straight racks to edged Alcano, 9-7, in the race-to-9 event backed up by Sorsogon Province Sports Patron Philip Escudero, Malungai Life Oil, Mandarin Sky Sea Food Restaurant, Servo Marketing, Hermes Sports Bar, Golden Leaf Restaurant, Bugsy Promotions, Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP), Airport Casino Filipino and The Philippine Star as official media partner.


Present during the turn-over were Sorsogon Congressman Deogracias Ramos, Jr., Barcelona Mayor Manuel Fortes, Jr., Gubat Vice Mayor Sixto Estareja, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Assistant Secretary for Programs Howard Cafugauan, Agencia Española Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarollo (AECID) Deputy Coordinator General Norberto Gomez De Liaño, OPAPP Director Eileen Jose and Colonel Felix Castro, commander of the 903rd Brigade, among others.
The win was worth $5,000 for Chang while Alcano settled for $2,500 in the winner's break format, dubbed as Philippines versus Asia, jointly organized by the Mega Sports World and BRKHRD Corp and aired live over Solar Sports, Sky Channel 70 and Destiny Channel 34, and also aired worldwide through the Internet, live streaming at www.megasportsworld.com and www.philippinebigtimebilliards.com. The win allowed Team Asia takes 4-3 series lead against Team Philippines.  


The Sorsogon Initiatives Project aims to empower local communities through enhancing participation in local governance, and involving them in the preparation and implementation of peace and development projects.
Chang saw his big lead, 5-2, by winning three straight racks before Alcano fought back from the grave to cut the lead at 5-4 in favor of the former (Chang).  


In Sta. Ana, Gubat, the newly-completed projects include the widening and concreting of road in Sitio Apgo; construction of 1.5-kilometer Sta. Ana access road from Barangay Beriran to Carriedo; rehabilitation and expansion of 1.5-km Sitio Puro communal irrigation system; and repair of Sta. Ana Elementary School building. Ongoing is the cassava production livelihood project that will also benefit women and youth in four other neighboring barangays.
However, Chang won two of the three racks to go up, 7-5. Alcano managed to level the match at 7 in the 14th frame but the Taiwanese took the last two racks for the win.  


Barcelona, on the other hand, has four finished projects which include banana production sustainable agri-based enterprise program; rehabilitation of the Layug communal irrigation system; community-based training for out-of-school youth; and construction of the BADECO Operation Center for Peace and Development. Ongoing is the expansion of existing marine reserve and fish sanctuary in Brgy. Macabari to cover Brgys. Layug and Bangate.
“Luck played a part in my victory." said Chang through an interpreter. " Ronato (Alcano) is a very tough opponent." he added.  


Other efforts completed as of December last year are peace and conflict sensitivity training, human rights and peace education seminar-workshop, among others.
It shall be recalled that last March 24, Filipino Francisco "Django" Bustamante toppled Taiwanese Yang Ching-shun, 9-3, to lift Team Philippines series tied 3-3 against Team Asia.  


The inaugurated projects were undertaken through collaboration with the National Irrigation Association, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Municipal Agriculture Office, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office and Municipal Planning and Development Office of the local government units. #
Earlier, Ko Pin-yi of Chinese-Taipei downed Filipino pool maestro Efren "Bata" Reyes, 9-4, last February 18. However, Bustamante pull off a come-from-behind win against Ko, 9-7, last February 25 to avenged the loss of his fellow Puyat Sports player Reyes. Chang Jung-lin of Chinese-Taipei, on the other hand beat Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza, 9-7, last March 3, then edged Dennis "Robocop" Orollo, 9-8, last March 10. But Carlo " The Black Tiger" Biado downed Taiwanese Yang Ching-shun, 9-3, last March 17 to cut the lead of Team Asia into a 3-2 score against Team Philippines in the Philippine Bigtime Billiards introduces a fresh new format for 2012.  


Meanwhile, the PBB Face Off series resumes with a match pitting Liu Hai Tao of China against Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan on April 14, Liu then face Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo on April 21 and Fong Pang Chao of Chinese-Taipei opposite Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza on April 28.


==[[Sorsogon_Archived_News]]==
==[[Sorsogon_Archived_News]]==
The older news reports are kept [[Sorsogon Archived News|here]]
The older news reports are kept [[Sorsogon Archived News|here]]

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Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

Sorsogon hosts 3rd Bicol Prosecutors Convention

by (MAL/BARecebido-PIA Sorsogon)


SORSOGON CITY, May 11 (PIA) -- Around 115 participants and guests composed of national officers from the National Prosecutors League of the Philippines and prosecutors from across the Bicol region register to the 3rd Bicol Prosecutors Convention, which started Tuesday and to last until today, May 11.

Provincial Prosecutor Regina Coeli Gabito said participants, visitors and guests were warmly welcomed by Sorsogon Governor Raul R. Lee himself along with other high-ranking officials in the province.

“The convention is actually an annual activity of the prosecutors, specifically here in Bicol where we have an active and well-organized group, the Bicol League of Prosecutors, and for this year, our province serves as the host,” said Fiscal Gabito.

She also said that the primary purpose of the convention is to update the prosecutors of the current issuances of the Department of Justice (DoJ), brainstorming on their works as prosecutors, and at the same time socializing and harmonizing with their co-prosecutors in the whole Bicol region.

DOJ Sec. De Lima and Prosecutor General Claro M. Arellano of the National Prosecution Service are among the expected guest in the event but due to hectic schedules, they were not able to make it. De Lima is set to testify in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona from May 9 and 10, while the latter left for Hongkong to present a paper on anti-corruption in the international justice community, Gabito added.

The first day was highlighted by the Corporate Planning and Management Conference as per the Memorandum of the DoJ Secretary dated March 2, 2012 and a dinner, fellowship and socials with Gov. Lee and wife former governor Sally A. Lee.

Gabito said that she also took the opportunity to introduce the province of Sorsogon to the prosecutors who are also appreciable of the different tourism sites and products which place offers and among the areas to be visited on the second day, May 10, are Barcelona for its ruins and world heritage site, Bulusan for Bulusan Lake, and Gubat for its beaches and resorts.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Sorsogon has also put up a stall at the lobby of the Bulwagan ng Katarungan for the entire duration of the activity displaying the local products to give way for the local traders and business establishments to earn during the event.

A fellowship through a short program with City Mayor Leovic Dioneda and city officials at the Sorsogon City Hall in Brgy. Cabid-an will be held today. Also, submission to the members and ratification of the Proposed Constitution and By-Laws of the Bicol Prosecutors League will be made with Deputy Regional Prosecutor Jose Demosthenes at the forefront.

The convention will be culminated with a visit to the residence of Senator Francis Escudero in Brgy. Buhatan, Sorsogon City, wherein the senator is expected to deliver a message to the prosecutors.

Fiscal Gabito also expressed her appreciation and thanks to the local leaders here specifically mentioning Sorsogon Gov. Raul R. Lee, former governor and now Executive Director of Sorsogon Provincial Management Office Sally A. Lee, City Mayor Dioneda, Sen. Escudero, Sorsogon’s 1st District Congressman Salvador H. Escudero II and 2nd District Congressman Dogracias Ramos, Jr., Barcelona Mayor and League of Municipalities of the Phils. Sorsogon Chapter president Mayor Romeo Fortes, Jr., Bulusan Mayor Michael Guysayko and Gubat Mayor Ronnel Lim for the full support extended to them and also for making her work easy.






Fish dealer nabbed over drugs in Masbate

by Dennis Carcamo


MANILA, Philippines - Anti-narcotics agents nabbed a fish dealer, who is a suspected member of a known drug ring operating in Albay, after he was caught selling illegal substance in Masbate City.

Director General Jose Gutierrez Jr. of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said PDEA agents and local police arrested Jesus Solla, 38, of Brgy. 28, Victor Village Legazpi City, Albay, at the Masbate port area.

"Solla is aware that his drug-dealing activities in Legazpi have generated...attention from authorities. So, he is starting to test the viability of Masbate as a new market while he temporarily scales down his operation in Legazpi City," Gutierrez said.

Acting on a tip from a confidential agent that Solla will be leaving the Port of Pilar, Sorsogon, authorities waited for the suspect’s arrival at the Masbate Port Area in Barangay Bapor, Masbate City on May 4, 2012. Solla arrived at the port at around 9:30 a.m. onboard a motor boat.

Authorities were able to recover three sachets of shabu and the motorcycle (PN 8981) which is believed to be stolen, brought along by Solla onboard the motorized banca.

Solla, who faces charges for transporting dangerous drugs, is now detained at the Masbate City Police Station.

Transport leader among the dead NPA rebels in Sorsogon clash

by Juan Escandor Jr.


DONSOL, Sorsogon — A transport leader in Bicol was among the three New People’s Army (NPA) rebels killed in an encounter in Barangay Pinamanaan of this town on Tuesday, the NPA in Sorsogon said in a statement released Wednesday morning. NPA’s Celso Minguez Command operating in Sorsogon province identified Joel Ascutia, who headed the Concerned Drivers and Operators-Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator (Condor-Piston), was one of the slain rebels. The two others were identified by military officials as Christian Llagas and Leopoldo Nebres. The statement said Ascutia, alias “Ka Pepe,” joined the communist rebels after seeking refuge from them last year. Ascutia was president of Condor-Piston from 2005 until last year. The rebel command “saluted the three slain NPA rebels for their revolutionary work in organizing the masses and hailed them as martyrs.” “Ascutia survived harassment and attempt on his life while still in the open mass movement,” added their statement. On July 13, 2009 Ascutia, a resident of Legazpi City, survived an attack by motorcycle-riding assailants in Daraga, Albay while the transport group joined the nationwide strike to protest oil prices. He survived the attack but was shot five times and hit in the leg and abdomen. Colonel Felix Castro Jr., commander of the 903rd Brigade in Castilla, Sorsogon, told the INQUIRER that Army soldiers chanced upon a group of some 15 NPA leaders at around 6 a.m. on Tuesday. The scene of encounter was around a half kilometer away from the village center of Pinamanaan, a remote village in Donsol, Sorsogon that is also in the boundary of Jovellar town in Albay. Castro said the Army soldiers of the 31st Infantry Battalion recovered from one of the NPA rebels an identification card with Ascutia’s name on it and an M16 rifle, 9 mm pistol, personal belongings and documents of “high intelligence value.”

3 suspected Reds killed in Sorsogon

by Edwin Sevidal and Noel Alamar, dzMM


MANILA, Philippines – Three suspected New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in an encounter with the military in Sorsogon, Bicol region on Tuesday morning.

Philippine Army Spokesperson Major Harold Cabunoc said members of the 31st Infantry Battalion clashed with an undetermined number of NPA guerillas in a remote village in Donsol town.

Three unidentified rebels were killed.

No casualties were reported on the side of the government.

BFP Sorsogon City intensifies “Ugnayan sa Barangay”

by Benilda A. Recebido


SORSOGON CITY, May 7 (PIA) -- Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Sorsogon City Fire Marshal SInsp Walter Marcial said that BFP’s campaign on fire prevention is going-on even if the Fire Prevention Month in March is over.

SInsp Marcial said that as part of the BFP’s mandate stated in RA 9514 or the Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008, Sorsogon City Fire Station has intensified its Fire Prevention Program through the Ugnayan sa Barangay.

Ugnayan sa Barangay is one among the many programs of the BFP that aims in educating residents of barangays in fire prevention and basic fire suppression techniques.

“Ugnayan sa Barangay is one of the strategies that our office implement citywide to help educate the constituents, Barangay Fire Safety Officers and barangay officials about our advocacy on fire safety awareness,” Marcial said.

“We also believe that through this strategy, we can cut the growing statistic of destructive fires particularly in fire prone areas or large residential areas within the city,” he added.

Just three days ago, personnel of BFP Sorsogon City conducted said Ugnayan activity in Brgy. Talisay drawing 20 participants from different households.

They were given introduction and overview of the activity and lectured on how to prevent fires, what to do in case of fire, how to use fire extinguishers, and fire safety tips.

How to apply first aid was also demonstrated, followed by the conduct of the pre-fire planning strategies.


Marcial encouraged barangay residents to constantly hold the same activity to make them updated on whatever information there is related to fire and disaster preparedness.

“Since January to April this year, we had already conducted Ugnayan sa Barangay in 10 barangays out of the 64 total number of barangays in the city. We had already distributed letters to the remaining barangays to inform them of their schedule hoping to conduct the same activity, of course, through the support and cooperation of its officials and residents as well, before the year ends,” he said. (MAL/BAR-PIA 5, Sorsogon)

Crablet mentality stalks young earners in Sorsogon

by Oliver Samson


BARCELONA — Children in this seaside town brave sun and rain to gather day-old crabs to eke out a living.

At low tide, they gather crablets that sell for 75 centavos to P3 a piece to local buyers in Sorsogon for delivery to Pampanga and other regions where they are processed and sold as a gourmet food.

Imelda Romanillos, Labor provincial officer, said state policy prohibited child labor.

“No person below 15 of age is allowed to work,” she told Manila Standard. “If these minors collect crablets in the seaside only, there is no serious problem. The possible negative effect on children is loss of interest to go to school because they are earning.”

In case the children failed to attend their classes, will the parents face criminal charges?

“We will go to the place, not to reprimand, but assess the situation to base the safety nets on and offer help,” Romanilos said.

Chief Insp. Roque Merdegia, also a lawyer, agreed with the labor office.

“There is no violation of the labor law except when parents use coercion and expose the lives of children to danger,” he said.

Darzy Gacosta, a resident, commended the self-supporting kids doing a decent job.

“They would rather (work) than steal for food,” she said, noting that a crablet gatherer averaged about 30 pieces in summer and as many as a hundred during the cold months.

Aldrin, 11, said the fruits of his labor went to good use.

“I can provide my own allowance in school and save part of my earnings for a new pair of pants and T-shirt,” he said. “We are able to help our parents serve enough rice on the table.”

Elementary schools Principal Liza Salonga said work could distort priorities for the young.

“It can cause dropping out because if they get used to earning money they will become lazy to attend classes,” she said, adding that a suitable arrangement is needed. “It’s good if they do it only during weekend because they can help their parents.”

Bulusan Volcano Alert Level 1 status lowered

by (MAL/BAR-PIA 5, Sorsogon)


SORSOGON PROVINCE, May 4 (PIA) -- Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has finally lowered the alert level status of Mt. Bulusan from Alert level 1 or abnormal to Alert Level 0 or normal. This means that no eruption is foreseen in the immediate future.

Phivolcs Bulusan Volcano Observatory resident volcanologist Crispulo Diolata said that the lowering of the alert level status as stated in Bulusan Volcano Bulletin dated April 24, 2012, was due the overall decline of the monitoring parameters after the volcano’s last phreatic (steam-driven) eruption on May 13, 2011 as supported by the following observations:

(1) The frequency of volcanic earthquake occurrences has declined to baseline levels (0-2 events/day), indicating quiescence in the magmatic or hydrothermal system. Short-lived swarms (9-21 events/day) on 25 May, 10 August, 11 September and December of 2011, and 22 January of 2012, have been ascribed to crustal readjustments in the volcanic edifice after the May 2011 phreatic eruption.

(2) Results of precise leveling at both Inlagadian line on the north-northeastern slope and Mapaso line on the south-southeastern slope indicate that the volcano edifice has deflated since late November 2011. This suggests that no substantial pressure source in the subsurface, which could potentially trigger another eruption, can be detected.

(3) Steaming activity from the crater and known thermal vents has been frequently weak or wispy compared to the more moderate steam emissions during periods of unrest.

He also said that the bulletin issued on April 24, 2012 will be the last bulletin to be issued for Bulusan Volcano until new developments in monitoring parameters occur.

Meanwhile, in the light of the declaration, Diolata still remind the public to avoid entry into the 4-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) due to the perennial threat of sudden phreatic eruptions and rockfalls on the upper slopes. Furthermore, people living in valleys and along active river channels are cautioned to remain vigilant against sediment-laden streamflows and lahars in the event of heavy and prolonged rainfall.

Ha also said that tourists and mountain climbing enthusiasts are allowed to climb Mt. Bulusan, however, cautioned them to take extra caution against rock falls especially this time that there are barren spots along the mountain’s slope.

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 was 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)

Aquino inaugurates state-of-the-art Doppler radar station in Virac

by MIA M. GONZALEZ / REPORTER


BATO, Catanduanes—President Aquino on Wednesday inaugurated a state-of-the-art Doppler radar station of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) in this typhoon-prone province, which will help improve government response to potential disasters.

The Virac Doppler Radar is under the P174-billion project for the improvement of the meteorological radar system in the Philippines funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), with two more to be set up in Aparri, Cagayan, in October and in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, next year.

The project seeks to effectively mitigate the devastation caused by tropical cyclones and other severe weather phenomena, and enhance the capability of Pagasa in monitoring tropical cyclones monitoring, especially those coming from the Pacific Ocean to protecting lives and property.

“This will give us more information and will help us predict more accurately the direction, the impact and the intensity of weather disturbances approaching our country. This means that we’ll be better prepared—that fewer Filipinos will be victimized by the vagaries of weather,” the President said in his speech.

Mr. Aquino said that with the new system in place, the public can be assured that the government “is readier than ever to respond to these threats, and to help our people recover from potential damages.”

Science Secretary Mario Montejo said the new facility “is the most vital and strategic Doppler radar installation facility” as it faces the Pacific Ocean. “We made a rough estimate—95 percent of all typhoons coming from the Pacific Ocean can be seen here. This can cover the whole Bicol region, including Masbate and parts of Samar,” Montejo said.

He noted that the Doppler radar station in Virac has a 95-percent accuracy, based on tests that his department conducted.

“This will really give advance information for Bicol region and also give advance information for Metro Manila,” he said.

Montejo said on Tuesday afternoon, the Virac Doppler Radar indicated rainfall in Guiuan to measure 37 millimeters in three hours, which was the exact same measurement shown by the rain gauge in that town, and that two other tests conducted in Legazpi City and Sorsogon showed the same level of accuracy.

The Philippines has seven other Doppler radars that were funded by the national government.

He said that with the type of sophisticated Doppler radar in use, the government can see, in real time, the rainfall in the covered area, and would help the Department of Science and Technology fulfill the President’s directive of giving flood forecasts at least six hours in advance, especially in places along major river systems all over the country.

“It will help eliminate the element of surprise because we would know for sure where the rainfall is,” Montejo said.

The President thanked the Japanese government and Jica for supporting the country’s disaster-mitigation efforts, and committed that the Philippines “will always be ready to do what it can to return your kindness.”

Motohiko Kato, deputy chief of mission and consul general of the Japanese Embassy, said that Japan, like the Philippines, has suffered from natural disasters “so as an important neighbor to each other, we decided to construct this facility so the Filipino people can prevent the occurrence of such disasters to this country.”

An improved meteorological radar system in the Philippines would enable Pagasa to conduct round-the-clock monitoring of severe weather phenomena and associated hazards such as intense rainfall, destructive winds, and transmit these information on real-time, and processed/ analyzed more efficiently, the project briefer said.

It would also allow Pagasa to detect localized severe systems such as thunderstorms and tornadoes affecting the Bicol region, and heavy rainfall event vital for flood and landslide monitoring and warning system.

The President also switched on the Solong and Hitoma 1 mini-hydropower plants, which will augment power supply in Catanduanes.

The mini-hydroplants are the first to be developed by Sunwest Water and Electricity Inc. (Suweco) in the small island grids covered by the Special Power Utilities Group (Spug) of the National Power Corporation.

Suweco president Elizaldy Co said his company spent P540 million to construct the plants, and that it will invest another P500 for expansion plans, “to complete the needs of Catanduanes of another three megaWatts.

In Photo: President Aquino converses with Catanduanes Gov. Joseph Cua and Catanduanes Rep. Cesar Sarmiento of the lone district of the province after he inaugurated the Solong and Hitoma 1 Hydroelectric Power Plants and the Pagasa new radar tower station in Barangay Buenavista, Bato, Catanduanes. The Solong and Hitoma mini-hydro plants are the first-ever to be developed by a private entity—Sunwest Water and Electricity Inc.—in the small island grids covered by the Special Power Utilities Group of the National Power Corp. Pagasa’s new Doppler radar station is expected to mitigate impacts of devastating typhoons in the country. (Jay Morales Malacañang Photo Bureau)

Albay governor to seek reelection

by MANLY M. UGALDE 


LEGAZPI CITY – Amid speculations that he will abandon the Capitol and seek a Senate seat in next year’s election, Albay Gov. Joey Sarte Salceda said he would seek reelection to complete his three terms in office as governor of Albay province. The announcement was made following the playing of the governor’s jingles on local air lanes.

Salceda said he was inclined to run for a Senate post but frankly said he will not win in the 2013 senatorial election, citing the number of Bicolanos identified as candidates.

He counted Justice Sec. Leila de Lima of Iriga City and former Sen. Migz Zubiri whose mother is from Libon, Albay. Salceda said three incumbent senators are also running for reelection such as Chiz Escudero of Sorsogon, Antonio Trillanes of Albay and Peter Alan Cayetano whose wife Taguig City Mayor Ma. Laarni L. Cayetano, is also from Tiwi, Albay.

“With six Bicolanos identified as running in the Senate including me, I am certain I may not have the space to win. The five names for the Senate posts are no joking bets,” Salceda said.  He added he needs to seek reelection to finish his many projects, among them the Southern Luzon International Airport located in Daraga town which President Aquino had given the go signal to proceed after 18 months of review.

Tourism Sec. Ramon Jimenez said the Southern Luzon Airport project should be completed by 2014, saying it has ready funding.

“You need an airport 24/7 to cater to the expected big influx of both foreign and local tourists,” Jimenez told local reporters during his recent visit in Legazpi City.

Local officials are queuing as to who would dare fight Salceda for governorship. Speculations in the political circle showed no name for the governorship has cropped up yet to fit against Salceda who may end up running unopposed.

Villar still the 'richest' senator

by Christina Mendez


MANILA, Philippines - Senator Manny Villar Jr. and wife, former Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar seemed to have retained their hold onto their titles as the richest among the country’s legislators.

Villar’s statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) for 2011 showed that his and his wife's combined net worth was P854,213,716.

A comparison of Villar’s SALN in 2010 showed that his assets increased from P 725,221,964 to 2011’s P 854,213,716. In 2009, Villar’s assets were higher at P 947,883,619.

As in their previous SALN, the Villar couple listed business interests in Fine Properties, Inc., M.B. Villar Co, Inc., Macys Inc, Mooncrest Property, Hollinger Holdings, and the latest one acquired in 2011, which is the Manuela Corporation. The Villars are involved in the real estate business, which vast companies include the Vista Land residences.

Meanwhile, the SALNs of all 23 senators, who are sitting as judges in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona, remained scarce at the Senate as of Monday, the deadline imposed by the Civil Service Commission for the submission of the document. Corona is facing impeachment for three articles, among these is his alleged failure to truthfully declare some of his alleged properties and dollar accounts in his previous SALNs.

Some members of the Senate media tried to ask certified true copies of the 2011 SALN of all THE senators, but a staff member at the Office of the Senate Secretary said they WEre still collating all the submitted documents, and the release of documents will likely be made within 15 days.

As of press time, four senators have been transparent about their SALN. They include Villar, Senators Panfilo Lacson, Antonio Trillanes IV and Francis Escudero.

In Villar’s SALN, he listed at least six residential houses acquired from various dates mostly in Las Piñas City. The couple listed purchase as mode of acquisition. They also placed both the assessed and fair market values of the properties which totaled to P4.588.619.


The Villar power couple also listed investments in shares of stocks amounting to P 219,228,941 and other real and personal properties pegged at P 630,396,156 or a total of P 849,625.097 in personal and other properties.

The Villars did not have any liabilities as reflected in the 2011 SALN. Their two relatives are in the public office: Villars’ son, Rep. Mark Villar, and Mayor Vergel Aguilar, the senator’s brother-in-law.

Meanwhile, initial figures from Sen. Pia Cayetano’s staff showed that her assets decreased at to P72,058,846.58 in 2011 from P76,775,628.71 in 2010.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson also filed his SALN with a total net worth of P22,637,612.46 for 2011. His net worth in 2010 was pegged at P 24.729-million, indicating a dip in his 2011’s net worth.

The former police chief’s assets include a lot acquired in 1989 in Silang, Cavite with current fair market value of P 800,000 and building acquisition cost at P 160,000. Lacson has placed the amount of P 23,208,028.71 under cash on hand/bank; P 3.5-million in jewelry; P 1.2-million in furniture and antiques; stocks and investments, P 9,217,500; motor vehicles, P 1.5-million and assorted firearms at P 800,000.

Lacson’s liabilities include an income tax payable at P 1,597,916.25; and P 15-million in loans. There is a note in the SALN, saying that the senator was a co-borrower/guarantor for Megastar Realty on a bank loan of P 100-million.

Chiz confirms 'separation' in SALN

Sen. Francis Joseph “Chiz” Escudero’s total net worth was pegged at P 9,867,082.09. He listed two residential units in New Manila, Quezon City which were acquired in 2005 and 2008, respectively. The first one had an assessed value of P570,860 and current market value of P1,631,030; while the second unit was pegged at an assessed value of P431,960 and a current fair market value of P1,234,180.

The two units had acquisition values of P3.6 million, and P3 million.

Escudero listed P 1.2-million in cash assets; jewelry acquired from 1979 to 2000 now totaling to P 1.37-million, Partnership Int. worth P 213,441.29; and three cars acquired in 2011.

The vehicles include a 1995 Range Rover Classic worth P 1 million; 1969 BMW worth P333,640.80; and a 1996 Toyota Land Cruiser worth P650,000.

All accounts for Escudero’s total assets at P11,367,08.09 while he has a personal loan amounting to P 1.5 million.

Escudero also made known his business interest with EMSA VVIL Law since 1994.

The senator also listed six relatives in government service, including his father, Sorsogon Rep. Salvador Escudero III; and his paternal uncles, Sorsogon Vice Gov. Antontio Escudero Jr, Casiguran vice mayor Ramon Escudero, Casiguran councilors Rico Hatoc and Dennis Escudero; and a cousin, Krunimar Escudero, a legal officer.

In his two-page SALN, Escudero confirmed his separation with his wife, Cristine, when he filed yesterday SALN before the Office of the Senate Secretary. Escudero indicated that he and his estranged wife, Cristine, with whom he had twins, are already “separated-in-fact”.

'Poorest' senator

Meanwhile, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV’s net worth for 2011 showed a bit of increase compared to 2010. Trillanes pegged his total net worth at P3,897,121.50.

Dubbed as the “poorest” among the senators last year, Trillanes listed three properties including a 240 square meter residential lot in Gen. Trias, Cavite; a 308-meter residential lot in Antipolo City and a 60 square meter residential condominium with a parking lot in Paranaque City. In all the three properties, Trillanes listed both the assessed and fair market values as well as acquisition costs which equates to P 5.092-million in his real property assets.

A total of P 4.780-million was reflected in Trillanes’ personal property and other assets which include cash on hand/bank accounts including AFPSLAI, PNSLAI and PAFCPIC at P 1.520-million; jewelry, furniture and antiques etc at P475,000; investments (private insurance and premium PD) at P220,000; a Kia Rio and Toyota Grandia, both acquired through loans in 2011. The two vehicles had acquisition costs of P 675,000 and P 1.89-million respectively.

Trillanes filed his SALN on March 20 this year, way ahead the April 30 deadline.

Trillanes, former renegade soldier turned senator also listed a total of P 6,784,878.50 in liabilities, which include two housing loans and two car loans.

He acquired a P1,753,696.01 housing loan with Pag-ibig Fund, and another one with the Bank of the Philippine Islands at P2,574,049.49. The two car loans with PS Bank were pegged at P 2,457,133.

In his 2010 SALN, Trillanes listed assets totaling P3.836 million, which included a 120-square meter residential lot in General Trias, Cavite; a 308-square meter lot in Antipolo; and a residential condominium in Parañaque worth P3 million. He had P3.880 million in loans as liabilities.






Summer heat driving whale sharks deeper into sea waters

by TJ Burgonio

Philippine Daily Inquirer


MANILA, Philippines–Even the sizzling temperatures could be scaring away the Butanding in Donsol Bay, Sorsogon.

While more tourists are hitting Donsol’s beaches this summer, there are fewer sightings of the main draw: the gentle whale sharks, the World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines (WWF) said Saturday. Donsol’s surface water temperature averages 28.3 degrees Celsius, 2 degrees hotter than the average of 26.1 degrees Celsius recorded in the 2010 summer, WWF said. “Our initial findings seem to indicate that the whale sharks are staying in deep water, possibly to avoid the heat,’’ WWF whale shark expert Dave David said in a statement. “They are also highly migratory creatures, so it is not easy to regularly predict their whereabouts.’’ In the summer of 2001, there were also very “few sightings’’ of the whale sharks. On top of the warm sea surface temperatures, the human factor might have something to do with it, too, the international conservation group said. “Donsol now has far more visitors than it can handle. Coupled with the fact that sightings are decreasing, more and more interaction violations are being reported,” WWF Donsol project manager Raul Burce said. Quoting tourist Anton Lim, WWF said some swimmers touched the sharks, and bancas raced to where a shark was spotted. Under the rules, only a single boat of six swimmers is allowed per shark; swimmers should be 3 meters away from its body, and 4 meters away from its tail; they can only interact for 10 minutes, and they can neither touch nor resort to flash photography. Boats are allowed to tour for three hours. WWF called on tourists, boatmen and guides to stick to the rules. “The policies were designed not just to protect the whale sharks, but tourists as well. A 30-foot shark can accidentally swat a swimmer straying too close to its tail,’’ Burce said. “By respecting the rules, we’re minimizing our impacts on the ecosystem, especially the sharks.’’ With fewer sightings, Donsol operators are also offering firefly and mangrove tours. The WWF is attempting to track shark movements through state-of-the-art tracking monitors, instead of relying solely on the trained eyes of spotters.

CSC modified suspension of Sorsogon prov’l employee

by Felix ‘Boy’ Espineda, Jr.


SORSOGON CITY (BicolToday.com/28-April-2012) – The decision of the commission proper of the Civil Service modifying the suspension order of CSC Region V against provincial employee Tiere Dagñalan of the accounting department was a relief for the fiscal examiner who was initially suspended for one year without pay for infraction of RA 6713. The promulgation of March 12 this year signed by CSC Chairman Francisco Duque III granted the arguments in the appeal of Dagñalan to the regional commission when it meted the suspension on October 10, 2011. The administrative case was filed against him by former City Councilor Fulton Baylon for simple neglect of duty for his failure to provide public records requested by the councilor in the performance of his duty as an elected official of the City of Sorsogon. Baylon on several instances failed to secure the documents because of delays attributed to the fiscal examiner specifically compliance to furnished the latter of Executive Order 05-002 issued by then City Mayor Sally Lee. As a public record, Baylon argued that he being a member of the city council is not subject of the executive order for he is requesting the document in aid of legislation. Inspite of this, Dagñalan failed to release the record on time. Using RA 6713 as a last resort, Baylon charged Dagnalan for violation of Sec.5, paragraph (a) and (c) which provides the obligations of public officials and employees to act promptly on letters/request within fifteen working days from receipt thereof requiring action taken on the request received. Failing to appropriately act on it, Dagnalan was found to commit a simple neglect of duty.. The one year suspension without pay was opposed by the suspended employee when he filed a petition for review saying that the violation is a first offense and his length of service were considered by the commission proper to modified the decision of its regional office. “The meaning of ‘acting promptly’ on letters and request, in contemplation of the law does not always mean automatic approval of the request of the public. It could mean disapproval or even withholding of any action depending on whether the request or letter complies with the requirements provided for by the law and office policies and procedures”, the Commission pointed out. But it did not totally convince the commission en banc that an act of simple neglect of duty was not committed;. The modified order lessened the period of suspension form one year without pay to one month and one day without pay was received by the suspended employee on April 19, copies were furnished to the Provincial Human Resource Management office and the Office of the City Mayor for the act was committed by the employee when he was detailed at the city government in 2002 as officer-in-charge of the city accounting department. The modified decision was release by the CSC secretariat and liaison office on March 22 of this year. BicolToday.com






Ex-Bull May Join SanMig Staff

by WAYLON GALVEZ


MANILA, Philippines — Craig Hodges, who played with Michael Jordan and won two NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls, is in the country to hold basketball clinics although he may find himself working for San Miguel Corporation (SMC), owner of three teams in the PBA.

Hodges, 51, who played 10 seasons in the NBA with four different teams and was part of the Bulls team that won the 1991 and 1992 championships, arrived a week ago and had conducted clinics in Sorsogon and in Naga City. He plans to hold several more in Manila until May 1.

Although he is here to teach basketball, he is open to work as coach, or as consultant. He already has a scheduled meeting with officials of SMC, owner of PBA teams Petron Blaze, Barangay Ginebra and B-Meg, and Asean Basketball League’s San Miguel Beer, to explore employment opportunities.

“I was invited to come over to try and take a look at basketball opportunities over here, as far as possibly coaching and possibly doing some consultant work,” said the 6-foot-2 Hodges who was a three-time Three Point Shootout champion in the NBA All-Star Weekend (1990-1992).

“For me it’s an opportunity,” said Hodges, who will meet SMC official Noli Eala, consultant and former PH team coach Rajko Toroman, and B-Meg mentor Tim Cone today.

Eala said they are meeting with Hodges to see if he can help the SMC teams.

“We’re always open to improve our teams,” Eala told the Bulletin in a phone interview yesterday. “All are exploratory talks, no specific or exact detail yet. We’ll also have to see his time table, his availability, and what he can do for us.”

Hodges, a native of Park Forest, Illinois, was invited to observe the B-Meg coaches’ meeting prior to Game 2 arranged by assistant coach Koy Banal. He later chatted with Cone, a disciple of the ‘triangle’ offense.

Hodges is very familiar with the system as he played college ball at Long Beach State under coach Tex Winters who devised the ‘triangle’ offense which Phil Jackson used to win six NBA titles for Chicago and five with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Hodges was also guest of the PBA during Game 2 of the current title series.

Hodges’ last NBA job was as shooting coach of the Lakers, a job he held from 2005 until last year.

For now, however, it’s teaching kids the game’s fundamentals.

“That’s my passion. I just want to make sure that young players understand the game,” said Hodges, whose trip here was financed by his US-based group Upper Echelon with partner Kevin Gray.






903rd Brigade chosen as 9ID’s Best for 2011

by MAL/BAR-PIA5/903rd Bgde, PA)


SORSOGON CITY, April 26 (PIA) -- The 903rd Infantry (Fight and Defend) Brigade was recently chosen by Philippine Army headquarters as the best Infantry Brigade (Inf Bgde) of the 9th Infantry (Spear) Division for the year 2011 receiving the Award of Merit by the Commanding General of the Philippine Army and the Command Plaque by Commander, 9ID.

Commanding Officer of 903rd Inf Bgde Col. Felix Castro Jr. said that considering the imperatives of IPSP “Bayanihan” and its emphasis on both combat and non-combat dimensions of military operations, the Brigade pursued efforts to link with agencies that could help in the development of the communities in Sorsogon and Masbate. It has opted to focus its efforts in a certain area rather than have projects in many dispersed barangays.

"By pouring in development projects in a selected focus area, the improvement could easily be felt by the people and there is a higher chance of success. Neighboring communities will eventually also benefit from the improvement economic environment," he said.

The first Brigade focused area is Brgy Pandan in Castilla, Sorsogon which used to be influenced by the NPAs before the area was cleared in 2009. The “Tarabangan sa Brgy Pandan” Project started with the construction of a two-classroom building sponsored by ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. Sagip Kapamilya for Pandan High School.

Other projects soon followed after the initiative of ABS-CBN: one classroom building funded by Cong. Salvador Escudero III; another classroom building funded by DepEd; two-classroom (two-storey) building funded by DepEd; 5 road improvement projects programmed for this year; ongoing cementing of the irrigation canal (P30M) funded by DA; the recently concluded six-month feeding program by ABS-CBN; and the introduction of abaca growing by FIDA. The Brigade also has six Bayanihan Iskolars sponsored by ABS-CBN and The Lewis College in Sorsogon City.

Another two-classroom building in Cabancalan Elementary School in Aroroy, Masbate also sponsored by Sagip Kapamilya was inaugurated last January.

Mayor Enrico Z. Capinig of Aroroy, Masbate committed funds for the cooperatives of the women’s organization and the Barangay Defense System or BDS. He also promised to build a high school next year. Two scholarship slots will also be given by ABS-CBN aside from the feeding program. Funds are now being sourced for the concreting of the road.

Col. Castro further said that the Brigade has been active in the programs of the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA). The two provinces in its area have received funds for development- Sorsogon got P30 million for its seven focus municipalities and Masbate received P50 million for its three focus municipalities.

The PAMANA Convergence Unit for Sorsogon which involves representatives from the different government agencies has been a good venue for us to recommend projects and target areas for development.

"Also, we have been able to bring medical services to far-flung barangays. Worth mentioning is a medical mission conducted by the Spanish NGO Asociacion Valenciana de Asistencia Sanitaria y Social Voluntarios (AVASSV) in Barangays Pandan and Amomonting of Castilla and San Pascual in Casiguran, Sorsogon. The television program Alagang Kapatid of TV5 also had a medical mission in Brgy Calintaan, Matnog, Sorsogon," explained Col. Castro.

"We support the School of Peace Program of the Bicol Consortium for Peace Education and Development (BCPED) which is funded by OPAPP. Soldiers are always involved in the activities of San Isidro Elementary School in Castilla which is a pilot School of Peace. We have convinced Dr Herbert Rosana Ph.D, BCPED Director and Head of the Department of Peace Studies of Bicol University, to include the public schools in the municipality of Castilla in the School of Peace Program. A proposal has been made for this to happen," he further said.

The official also said that in addition to their active partnership with the stakeholders towards the development of these provinces, the Brigade also gave equal efforts in meeting the threats posed by those who hinder development. "Last year, we were able to recover 68 assorted firearms in several encounters including a cal .30 light machine gun, two AK47 rifles, and M16 rifles. Sixty-seven improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were also recovered. We were able to repulse the attack by the NPAs against some police stations and military detachment," he said.

The exemplary performance of the 903rd Infantry se accomplishments have led to Looking back, the Brigade has been able to perform exceedingly well in its combat and non-combat operations. This could be attributed to a pool of well-motivated, well-trained and experienced personnel who gets the job done.

Meanwhile, the municipality of Castilla led by Mayor Olive Bermillo has recently donated a 2-hectare lot for the brigade headquarters. Another hectare will be given this year. The Deed of Donation was signed last 17 November by Gen Eduardo SL Oban Jr, CSAFP, and Mayor Bermillo. "We intend to build a “green camp” where our soldiers could contribute to the environment," said Col. Castro.

Poor folks in Sorsogon taught how to make a living from ‘hilot’

by Tarra Quismundo

Philippine Daily Inquirer


MANILA, Philippines—For a poor community in Sorsogon, the traditional “hilot” home remedy will soon become a source of livelihood. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) is introducing the old-school Filipino massage method as a career option to residents of Prieto Diaz town in Sorsogon, a community raring to venture into eco-tourism and wellness services. Tesda partnered with the local government to train selected residents in several courses, including food and beverage services, hairdressing, cooking and the traditional Filipino tough therapy in efforts to “mainstream” hilot and develop it into a means of living. A total of 100 students—25 in each course—started training on April 20 at Sorsogon’s Bulusan Vocational Technical School. Tesda Director General Joel Villanueva said the agency would shoulder the training cost. “Through this partnership with the local government, we hope Tesda can breathe life into this town by tapping its human resources for the development of its wellness and eco-tourism potentials,” Villanueva said in a statement. Tesda said that while the fifth-class town is rich in potential tourist attractions, most of some 20,000 residents in Prieto Diaz have an average P100 daily income from fishing and farming. Through the program, Tesda and the local government aim to give Prieto Diaz residents a break at the health and wellness and food and beverage industries, where skilled workers are of high demand, said the agency. “The people recognize the urgent need to get its acts together with national agencies and indigenous communities to develop significant market niche in beauty and wellness of body, mind and spirit, to create new jobs, alternative employment and business opportunities for its people particularly the new entrants to the labor force,” the agreement said. Those who will graduate from the program will undergo Tesda assessment for certification.






‘Manghihilot’ to go mainstream

by Alvin Murcia


THE traditional masseurs will become go mainstream once the training of those practicing it in the neighborhood is finished.

This was the assurance of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director General Joel Villanueva.

He said at present training of masseurs is being held in the town of Prieto Diaz in Sorsogon.

Aside from the masseurs, training for food and beverage services, commercial cooking and hairdressing started last April 20.

"Through this partnership with the local government, we hope TESDA can breathe life into this town by tapping its human resources for the development of its wellness and eco-tourism potentials," said Villanueva.

He explained that the training pushed through after an agreement was signed with Sorsogon Governor Raul Lee.

Under the agreement, TESDA will conduct the training in Bulusan Vocational Technical School along with the assessment.

The program was implemented in consonance with the aim of giving job opportunity in Sorsogon because of its growing eco-tourism.






Gubat town launches reading program for kids

by (MAL/BAR-PIA5 Sorsogon)


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.






Nora, Vilma Rivalry Dividing Bishops

by LESLIE ANN G. AQUINO


MANILA, Philippines - Catholic prelates are split on the proposal to make Nora Aunor or Vilma Santos as national artist.

Out of the six prelates that were informally sur¬veyed, one bishop – Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes – vot¬ed for “Nora.” “I select and en¬dorse Nora as na¬tional artist now!” he said in a text message.

Bastes, mem¬ber of the Perma¬nent Council of the Catholic Bish¬ops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said he was particularly impressed with the performance of the “superstar” in the movie “Himala”.

He said “Vilma” could be declared as national artist years later.

Two prelates, on the other hand, are in favor of making both as national art¬ists.

“Honor them both. They repre¬sent the divide be¬tween the Filipino crowd. The ‘bakya’ and the ‘sapatos’ crowds,” Baguio Bishop Carlito Cen¬zon said.

Malolos Bish¬op Jose Oliveros agreed with Cen¬zon, saying both artists are deserv¬ing of such title.

“Both can be made as national artist. Perhaps, this will not require an act of Congress. An Executive Order would do should President Aquino agree with it,” he said.

The three re¬maining bishops, however, chose not to comment on the matter, saying it is not their expertise.

The three bish¬ops were retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco, and Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Gutier¬rez.

Earlier, House Deputy Speaker Lorenzo “Erin” Ta¬ñada initiated calls to declare Vilma Santos as a national artist after Bacolod City Rep. Anthony Golez filed a reso¬lution seeking the proclamation of Nora Aunor of the same title.

Tañada said Santos equally deserves to be a national artist for her contribution in lifting the film in¬dustry by captur-ing the hearts of Filipino moviegoers when she competed against Aunor dur¬ing the 1970s.

Donsol's Butanding Festival reels off May 18

by (MAL/DCA, Legazpi City)


DONSOL, Sorsogon, April 20 (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.

Oslob’s tuki tour operators to visit Donsol

by Carmel Loise Matus

Cebu Daily News


Oslob and Cebu tourism officials will go to Donsol in Sorsogon province next month to see for themselves “best practices” in whale shark tourism. “Although they have different activities in Donsol, the operators here will learn something from the procedures there. What is common for Donsol and Oslob will be seen,” said Rowena Montecillo, regional director of the Department of Tourism. Oslob is now calling their boat paddlers “interaction officers,” like Donsol that has “Butanding Interaction Officers”. An increase in visitor rates that took effect April 15 in Oslob, especially for diving and snorkeling, has not affected sales much, said Oslob tourism officer Elizabeth Tabasa-Benologa. But she said they are still monitoring the trend. About 200 to 300 visitors came on weekdays for whale shark watching, the usual crowd, but there were fewer divers and swimmers, said Oslob Mayor Ronald Guaren. Guaren said this was the purpose of the price increase—to control the influx of visitors and reduce chances of direct contact with the whale sharks. “People who want to go snorkeling and diving have decreased,” said Guaren. The DOT conducted a week-long training for boatmen and Bantay Dagat personnel for 50 participants.

NGCP Launches Line Safety Campaign, Announces 10-hour Brownout In Tarlac

by ELLSON QUISMORIO and MARK ANTHONY MANUEL


MANILA, Philippines — The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) has begun enlisting the help of local media in various provinces particularly in southern Luzon to disseminate information on its transmission line safety and security campaign.

The line safety campaign is aimed at achieving public awareness and cooperation in curbing pilferage of tower parts and avoiding damage to life and properties as a result of unsafe and unscrupulous practices.

Regional Corporate Communication and Public Affairs Officer Nelson Bautista said up to 60 local radio stations in Quezon, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Albay, and Sorsogon pledged support to NGCP’s advocacy for safe and secure power lines.

Bautista already started the information campaign by being a guest on radio shows and discussing NGCP’s anti-pilferage law and anti-electrocution initiatives.

The hazards of kite flying, installation of antennas, hanging of flaglets and construction of buildings underneath the transmission lines were also highlighted in the interviews. He also cited safety tips to avoid electrocution from highvoltage lines.

NGCP also appealed to all listeners and residents to cooperate with the company in protecting the transmission facilities, which remain under government properties.

The power transmission company likewise reminded the listeners that as Filipinos, it is their inherent duty and responsibility to take care of the properties of the state.

It was further stated that violation of Republic Act 7832 is punishable by 12 to 20 years of imprisonment or a fine of 50,000 to 100,000 pesos.

Meanwhile, the NGCP announced that the first and second districts of the province of Tarlac will go through a 10-hour power interruption tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Affected towns are Anao, Camiling, Mayantoc, Moncada, Paniqui, San Manuel, Gerona, Moncada, Pura, Santa Ignacia, San Clemente and Ramos.

The North Luzon Corporate Communication Division of the NGCP disclosed that “affected distribution utility are the Tarlac Electric Cooperative I (TERELCO I) and Tarlac Electric Incorporated (TEI).”

NFA told to open buying stations, start purchasing farmers’ fresh palay

by Virgil Lopez/Sunnex


MANILA -- Farmers' organizations in various parts of the country said that local traders are manipulating the market price of freshly harvested palay as they called on the government to immediately open its buying stations to stop the said practice.

According to watchdog Task Force Food Sovereignty (TFFS), the National Food Authority must also start purchasing fresh palay from marginalized farmers and let them access the NFA Procurement Program without the farmers' passbook requirements.

In Irosin, Sorsogon, TFFS lead convenor Arze Glipo said farm gate price of fresh palay was pegged between P13 and P14 per kilogram but this has declined to P11 per kilogram.

The lower price is said to be a result of heavy rains that battered the province recently.

"This is also happening in areas which experienced heavy rains in the past days. Local traders know that there is not enough time to dry the grains and farmers need the money badly, hence they are delaying procurement which reduced the price of fresh palay," Glipo said.

To arrest the further decline of farmer's income, TFFS asked the NFA to expand their buying stations in remote areas to save transportation cost for farmers who have to travel to key cities and municipalities just to avail of the service.

"One way that government can help farmers build resiliency and recover from the worsening impacts of climate change is to ensure that they get a fair price for their produce. In this case, NFA should step in and buy fresh palay from farmers at P14 per kilogram and dried palay at P17 per kilogram," Glipo noted.

Moreover, the group urged the NFA to relax or, if possible, cancel the requirements for revalidation of accredited individual farmers who own or does not own the land they till.

For instance, if the farmer is a land owner, he only needs to submit a certified photocopy of the transfer certificate of title (TCT) from Register of Deeds and certificate of land ownership award (CLOA) from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), among others.

By comparison, a farmer who is not a land owner will have to present numerous documents such as the management take-over contract, written proof indicating farm/lot possession, leaseholder agreement/contract, barangay chairman or barangay agrarian reform council (BARC) chairman certification, and location of map.

With so many requirements, the NFA, Glipo said, is already denying the right of smallholder farmers, especially those who are not land owners, to sell their produce to the agency.

NFA told to establish more buying stations

by Othel V. Campos


A group of food security advocates on Friday urged the state-run National Food Authority to open more buying stations nationwide and lift the tedious documentary requirements in purchasing palay or unmilled rice from marginalized farmers.

Task Force Food Sovereignty lead convenor Arze Glipo said they had received reports from farmers’ organizations in various parts of the country that local traders were manipulating market prices of freshly harvested palay.

“In Irosin, Sorsogon, farmers told us that local traders are manipulating the market price of fresh palay. At the onset of harvest, farm gate price of fresh palay was pegged between P13 and P14 per kilogram. Now, it has declined to P11 per kilogram,” said Glipo.

She said local traders had stopped buying palay from farmers after heavy rains battered the province of Sorsogon, pulling down the buying price to P11 per kilogram.

“This is also happening in areas which experienced heavy rains in the past days. Local traders know that there is not enough time to dry the grains and farmers need the money badly, hence they are delaying procurement which reduced the price of fresh palay,” said Glipo.

Prelates happy with failure of North Korea rocket launch

by (FP/Sunnex)


SEVERAL bishops were happy that the rocket launched by North Korea (NoKor) has failed.

Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes said he is glad to hear reports that the launching was not successful.

“I am happy. Our prayers to the Lord are heard,” he said.

However, he is also saddened that the money used by North Korean government for the launch was wasted.

“I pity the NoKor people because their leaders wasted millions of dollars for a failed project while millions are hungry,” Bastes said.

Marbel (South Cotabato) Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez also expressed the same concern as the money should have been given to hungry people.

“The money should be spent to feed the people,” the prelate added.

Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco said what happened should serve as a reminder that man does not have complete control of everything.

“Man is only a steward. Let us ask the Lord that we may always be good stewards,” he said.

Earlier, bishops urged the people to pray that the rocket launch will not push through.

On Friday, it was reported that Unha-3 rocket failed to reach the orbit.

With this, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) lifted the no-fly, sail and fish zones off Northern Luzon.

The rocket was launched before 7 a.m. Manila time but crashed into the Yellow Sea after about five minutes in flight.

Awareness sought on whale shark interaction in Cebu

by Virgil Lopez/Sunnex


SAYING tourism should co-exist with the protection and conservation of marine animals, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said local government units must undergo awareness training on whale shark interaction at the increasingly popular town of Oslob, Cebu.

Tourism Director Rowena Montecillo said they have partnered with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Central Visayas in conducting an "Awareness Caravan" in May aimed at raising consciousness on marine protection and conservation, and promoting a culture of tourism.

The photo of a girl riding a whale shark along the shoreline of Granada village in Boljoon, Cebu suffered an online backlash last week, prompting the Municipal Government to hike fees for swimming or diving with the marine creatures.

Reports said the whale shark was trapped in the net of local fishermen. It was brought near the shore because the fishermen had difficulty in freeing the endangered animal while in deeper waters.

Those involved in the incident were already reprimanded and warned of being penalized if caught again while the whale shark was later released into the open sea.

"We need to heighten people's awareness and capacitate the community to effectively manage the interaction, so that it will not cause undue harm or disturbance to the normal behavior of the sharks," Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez said.

Last February, the DOT said local officials in Oslob will be invited to an observation visit to the popular whale-shark viewing destination in Donsol, Sorsogon to learn about best practices in handling whale shark interaction and community organization.

The DOT is part of the technical working group, created by Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, which is in charge of formulating guidelines and monitoring systems to ensure that the budding eco-tourism enterprise remains beneficial to the communities.

Measures are also being undertaken to conduct further research on the migratory pattern of the whale sharks.






Do Not Panic

by MADEL R. SABATER and LESLIE ANN G. AQUINO


Malacañang and an official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) yesterday called on the public to stay calm and not to panic amid the rocket launch of North Korea scheduled between April 12 and April 16.

This developed as the United States urged anew North Korea not to conduct a nuclear test or launch a satellite and called on China to exert its influence over its neighbor to try to ward off such "provocative actions."

But Ryu Kum Chol, deputy director of the Space Development Department of the Korean Committee for Space Technology, said, "All the assembly and preparations of the satellite launch are done," including fueling of the rocket.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda assured that preparations are being made should North Korea push through with the satellite launch.

"We are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best and it will be irresponsible for the government not to take the necessary precautions," Lacierda said in a press briefing yesterday.

Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes, member of the CBCP Permanent Council, said people should pray instead of panicking, saying it’s still possible that the launch will not affect the country such as what happened during the 1970’s when the US satellite Skylab disintegrated in space with its debris falling in Western Australia.

At that time, people panicked because everybody thought that the debris from the Skylab was going to fall on their backyard.

"Many times such fears are not founded. Remember the Skylab many years ago? Nothing fell," he said in an interview.

Still, Bastes urged the people to pray that North Korea will change its mind about the launch and instead focus on feeding their hungry people.

"Pray that the leaders of North Korea will rather feed their hungry people than show a false military might," he said.

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo also appealed for prayers from the people.

"Let us pray that North Korea would change its mind because we don’t really know what damage it will bring to us – we don’t know where it will hit that’s why we should be careful and we should pray to prevent a crisis in the world," he said over Church-run Radyo Veritas yesterday.

Lacierda said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has already been directed to make the necessary preparations for the launch.

Notices, Lacierda said, have already been sent, particularly on the no-fly zone while the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council

(NDRRMC) will monitor probable sites where rocket debris may fall.

Earlier, the NDRRMC warned parts of the rocket may fall on Philippine territory after the launch between April 12 and April 16.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government already instructed officials in six regions – Regions 1 (Ilocos), 2 (Cagayan Valley), 3 (Central Luzon), 4-A (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), 5 (Bicol), and Cordillera – to implement contingency plans for the rocket launch.

North Korea, which is pressing ahead with plans for a satellite launch despite US and regional appeals that it desist, is also preparing a third nuclear test, South Korean news reports said Sunday.

Another nuclear test is bound to scare neighbors and infuriate the West, which has long sought to curb the North’s nuclear ambitions.

South Korea’s Yonhap news agency quoted an unidentified intelligence source as saying North Korea was "clandestinely preparing a nuclear test" at the same location as the first two.

The State Department repeated its advice to the North not to launch a satellite, saying this would violate UN Security Council resolutions and a February 29 denuclearization agreement.

"Our position remains: don’t do it," said spokeswoman Victoria Nuland. "North Korea’s launch of a missile would be highly provocative, it would pose a threat to regional security and it would be inconsistent with its recent undertakings to refrain from any kind of long-range missile launches."

Nuland told reporters a third North Korean nuclear test "would be equally bad if not worse."

She declined comment on whether the United States also had reason to believe that the North might be preparing a nuclear test, saying she could not discuss intelligence matters.

North Korea, which three years ago pulled out of six-party disarmament talks on its nuclear program, agreed in February to stop nuclear tests, uranium enrichment and long-range missile launches in return for food aid, opening the way to a possible resumption of the negotiations.

But that has all unraveled with the North’s rocket launch planned for this month, probably between Thursday and the following Monday. The North says it is merely sending a weather satellite into space, but South Korea and the United States say it is a ballistic missile test.

The United States has called on China, the closest that North Korea has to an ally, to exert such influence as it has with Pyongyang, a point Nuland made again on Monday.

"We believe, in particular, that China joins us in its interest in seeing a denuclearized Korean Peninsula and we are continuing to encourage China to act more effectively in that interest," she said.

20 Flights Rerouted

With the scheduled rocket launch, several airlines will reroute flights over the Philippines, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said yesterday.

About 20 flights including Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, Korean Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, and Delta Airlines will be rerouted between Thursday and Monday, when North Korea says it will launch a satellite. The exact timing depends on weather.

Floramel Joy Songsong, spokeswoman for the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, said the agency will temporarily close three northeastern air corridors, which will result in an additional 20 minutes of travel time for the airlines.

Japanese carriers JAL and ANA will change flight paths on routes connecting Tokyo to Manila, Jakarta and Singapore, while domestic flights will not be affected.

JAL has four flights a day on the expected rocket launch dates. Airline official Norio Higashimine said each flight will carry more fuel in case of an unexpected route change.

ANA is making similar route changes on five flights.

Philippine officials also told ships and fishing boats to avoid northeastern territorial waters where rocket debris may fall.

Meanwhile, Aurora province is now preparing for the rocket launch as the towns of Casiguran, Dilasag, Dinalungan, Baler, and Dingalan are among the places identified by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) as "spots" where debris may fall.

Other places include Bugey, Gonzaga, and Santa Ana towns in Cagayan; Palanan, Maconacon, Divilacan, and Dinapigue towns in Isabela; Real, Infanta, and General Nakar in Quezon.

People in Batanes, Camarines Sur, and Camarines Norte are also advised to take precautionary measures. (With reports from Reuters, AP, and Mark Anthony N. Manuel)

Sorsoganons peacefully celebrate “Semana Santa” 2012

by Benilda A. Recebido


SORSOGON CITY, April 10 (PIA) -- Assessment of the Philippine National Police Sorsogon Provincial Office (PNP-SPPO) bared that aside from the electrocuted 16-year-old male in one of the beach cottages in Bacon District, Sorsogon City, the celebration of “Semana Santa,” a Spanish term for the Holy Week, was generally peaceful.

Devotees and Catholics in general were in their prayerful mood especially during the Visita Iglesia and processions on Good Friday. Priests in their Lenten homilies reiterated Pope Benedict XVI’s call for Charity which is the very heart of Christian Life.

According to PNP Sorsogon Director PSupt John CA Jambora, they attribute the success of the activity to the full support and cooperation shown by Sorsoganons, “that is why we are thankful to them that no untoward incidences were noted all throughout the entire observance of the Holy Week,” he added.

Meanwhile, passengers bound for Manila and Legazpi City were irritated with the insufficient number of bus and vans. According to some commuters departing for Manila, they had to wait for about six hours or more to be accommodated.

Philippine Coast Guard Sorsogon Station through PO2 Rico Gabion reported that their assessment of the observance of “Semana Santa” in Sorsogon this year was very successful since there were no problems and negative incidences noted. He admitted however, that fewer passengers in three major ports here were recorded compared to that of last year.

Latest data reported from Matnog station stated that there were 1,535 passengers in Matnog port. There were no reports yet from Pilar and Bulan stations as to the number of their passengers during Holy Week.

However, PCG and PNP both said that they will keep on strictly monitoring major ports and terminals in the province as part of their “Oplan Summer Vacation” since tourists and vacationers will continue to flock for the summer season.

Aside from terminals, the PNP has also deployed their personnel including police trainees to areas frequently visited by tourists such as the town of Donsol for the whale shark inter-action, Bulusan for Bulusan Lake activities, Sorsogon City for its Paguriran Island, Pto. Diaz for mangrove tour, Casiguran for the famous freezing Orok Spring, Barcelona for its breathtaking and huge corals, as well as the province’s prime beach resorts in Bacon District, Sorsogon City, Gubat, Sta. Magdalena and Matnog towns, among others. (MAL/BAR-PIA 5, Sorsogon)

Sorsogon Police Office bags major award in “Takbokasyon 2012”

by Marlon A. Loterte


SORSOGON CITY, April 9 (PIA) -- Personnel of the Sorsogon Police Provincial Office has proven anew their agility and prowess, garnering the major award in two categories during the fun run activity dubbed as “VAMOS SEMINARIO: TAKBOKASYON 2012” held in Sorsogon City in March 31, 2012.

Topping the five-kilometer(km) fun run were PO2 Jayie Encinares, PO1 Geraldine Dave, and PO1 Kwencie Ann Fortuno, while PO1 Mariel Esquiros bagged the first place for the 10-km run.

Said fun run activity was sponsored by Batch 1987 Seminarians of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia Seminary in Sorsogon City.

Meanwhile, SPPO Provincial Director PSupt John CA Jambora said that SPPO personnel does not only excel in running but even in dancing competition where policewomen of SPPO also got the second place award in the Ballroom Dance Competition during the Women’s Night, a culminating activity of this year’s women’s month celebration with the theme: “Women Weathering Climate Change: Governance and Accountability Everyone’s Responsibility,” held at the Multi-Purpose Building at Camp Simeon Ola in Legazpi City last March 30, 2012.

Ten contestants from different Provincial and City Police Offices of the Police Regional Office V (PRO5) were bested by the women of SPPO during the said dance competition.

Likewise, on March 26-30 members of the SWAT TEAM of Sorsogon Police Provincial Office got the second place during the SWAT competition and Hand Gun Classification Marksmanship Test at the PRO5 Grandstand in Villa Hermosa, Daraga, Albay and in Brgy. Padang, Legaspi City. (MAL/BAR/PCI NFMarquez-PPO-PIA 5, Sorsogon)

Confessions of a materialist

by Elmer A. Ordoñez

Philippine Daily Inquirer


At UP High in Padre Faura, after the war, we read Shakespeare, notably Hamlet, which, like all the bard’s plays, teems with memorable passages like the soliloquies and lines from the dialogue, as when Hamlet tells his stoic friend, “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” This, after the ghost scene. It has become a favorite comeback, albeit hoary with age, to doubting Thomases, and one feels smug at having quoted Shakespeare in the face of a non-believer. Sometimes, though, I, a professed materialist, have been on the receiving end of this repartee, but I would say, “What philosophy?” and thereby engage the person in a friendly debate. I wonder, however, why lately (the past 15 years or so) I have lost my fascination for antiquaria, like old houses and furniture. I still like to visit the bahay-na-bato in cities and towns, and marvel at the antique tables, chairs, cabinets made in the last two centuries here and abroad, and acquired by the ilustrado families, the nouveau riche at the time. I remember my childhood vacations in the town of Juban, where I was born. I didn’t grow up there, so I missed the steady company of the elders who had lived in bahay-na-bato built for managers of the Ynchausti company tending the abaca and coconut plantations in Sorsogon. My maternal grandfather (Capitan Lino Alindogan) himself owned tracts of these lands, including a portion of friar lands in the foothills of Mt. Bulusan, and lived in a house whose ruins (mainly stone and huge rotting logs) could still be seen in his poblacion compound before the war. The other old houses can still be seen along Maharlika highway. Turn of the century My memories are of the vacations spent with tio Miguel (half Andalusian) and tia Loleng in the house built at the turn of the century. It was finally blown down by a typhoon. Juban is noted province-wide as an aswang town. Why so, I asked historian Luis Dery (who comes from Gubat). He said that Juban in pre-Spanish times was a center of babaylan. It seems that with the coming of the Spaniards, the friars demonized the faith healers and shamans as witches or mangkukulam, as the Church did to the “pagan” priests and priestesses in Europe. I have since associated old houses with dark rooms lit at night with a candle or petro-max lamp, and the call of the resident tuko. When the lamp hissed out at night at my tio Miguel’s house in Juban, my brothers and I would huddle or snuggle together with pillows (abrazador) on a large mat under a mosquito net in the sala, where we boys were banished at bedtime. Dead ancestors in ornately framed pictures looked at us from the walls of the living room. One morning after, older brother Jim swore that he woke up at night because he heard our tio Miguel talking to some people in the camarin below, where bales of abaca were stored. Jim ventured down the staircase and saw no one in the darkened bodega. He ran back to us as fast as he could. On a trip to Ilocos not too long ago, a friend, Emily Tiongco from the National Commission on Culture and the Arts, offered her ancestral house, Villa Fernandez, for us to stay in while in Vigan. The caretaker told us the big chalet-type house, with its stairs dividing in two in the patio, had been used earlier for the shooting of a film with Tom Cruise. We were given the master bedroom, and had the run of the living room, like the one in Juban with fading black and white pictures of the family on the walls . The four-poster bed had a capacious mosquito net hung from the canopy and cascading down the other end of the bed. We kept the light on in the adjoining toilet so we wouldn’t trip on the way to it in the middle of the night, in spite a street light filtering into the bedroom. My wife Elenita said the next morning that she felt presence in both the bedroom and bathroom. I said I felt the same way. Back in Manila, Emily asked if we had met her grandmother. We could only smile weakly and thank her for the hospitality, but we vowed to ourselves never again to sleep in an ancient house doubling as a pension. Original owners Now, long empty houses give us the creeps. I even suspect the old table sold to us by antique dealer/writer Pete Daroy may be visited by wraiths of its original owners. At the UP writers workshop in Baguio in the mid-’90s, we housed three resource persons/writers—Sedfrey Ordonez, Gemino Abad and Roger Sikat—at a prewar chalet on Quezon Hill. The UP Baguio dormitory was already full of loud writing fellows, and not suitable for our distinguished latecomers. We had stayed a night in the chalet (owned by Elenita’s relatives) earlier, and we experienced what we later had in the Vigan house, so I told Sedfrey if he didn’t mind staying in a haunted house. Oh no, he said. The following day we learned that sleeping arrangements for two rooms were changed into one room. One workshop wit suggested that all three be commended for valor. Another writer, rumored to be clairvoyant, claimed the “presence” in the house by pointing them out to our group, taking turns to visit the john. We didn’t see a thing, but I did have again that eerie feeling as I walked along a narrow corridor. The caretaker living in the basement with his family said that skeletal remains had been dug up below the house, which was used by the Japanese before the war. Nowadays Elenita and I can no longer savor new travel experiences. The last one in October last year was a China/Vietnam cruise from Hong Kong. The immediate members of the family were with us on this sea voyage. But my wife and I spend much more time together in our sylvan retreat in Cavite, with well-wishers visiting her in bed. A few weeks ago, a healing priest came and gave solace to both of us. One of the healing rites that he performed was a procedure that has kept me in deep thought. The young Redemptorist priest asked me to cup my hands behind me. He pressed down hard on my cupped hands and I fell on my knees. As I stood up, he put in my shirt pocket what he calls a healing patch, a square-inch cloth patch in blue with a red cross on it. He asked me again to cup my hands behind me. He bore down hard on them this time, with his 75 kilos of weight. I saw him lift his feet for a second or so, and I, at 82, held, panting a bit. He then did the procedure on Elenita, who already wore the healing patch pinned on her front blouse, and she did not fall. Not his full weight was used, but in her frail condition, how could she do it?

Cebu Pacific shells out P798.8M for new aircraft, adds more summer flights

by gmanetwork.com


Cebu Air Inc. drew P798.84 million from the proceeds of its initial public offering (IPO) to make pre-delivery payments for seven aircraft last January and February, the operator of the Cebu Pacific airline revealed to the investing public Wednesday.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), Cebu Air said the net balance of proceeds from the IPO stood at P380.09 million on March 31 as per accounting procedures applied by SGV & Co.

The pre-delivery payments, in dollar terms, amounted to $18.32 million. The payments were channeled through Citibank N.A. and Banco de Oro.

More summer flights

In an earlier disclosure, Cebu Air said it will add 22 percent more Cebu Pacific flights in the summer months of April and May.

"Because of this increased seat capacity, passengers can take advantage of CEB's trademark low fares for travel this April and May. Plan your family or friends' exciting summer vacation by checking out the low-fare options on www.cebupacificair.com," said Candice Iyog, Cebu Air vice president for marketing and distribution.

Cebu Pacific will have more flights on these routes: Cebu-Dipolog, Cebu-Legazpi and Cebu-Pagadian (daily flights, February 8 to June 15); Cebu-Puerto Princesa (3 added flights to raise total to 10 flights, March 17 to June 4); Manila-Legazpi and Manila-Puerto Princesa (total of 4 daily flights each); Cebu-Bacolod (total of 17 weekly flights); Cebu-Caticlan (3 daily flights), Cebu-Davao (5 daily flights); and Cebu-Siargao (4 weekly flights).

“Legazpi is the gateway to whale shark encounters in Donsol, Sorsogon,” the airline noted.

“CEB remains the largest airline operating to and from Puerto Princesa, which is world-renowned for its Underground River. CEB is the only airline flying direct to Siargao, an international surfing destination,” the flag carrier also said.

The airline also decided to extend to June 4 its flight frequency additions for Manila-Cebu (total of 99 weekly flights), Manila-Bacolod (40 weekly flights) and Manila-Iloilo (7 daily flights).

Joint venture of LGU Sorsogon City with LKY Dev’t. Corp. to create 500 jobs

by Felix ‘Boy’ Espineda, Jr.


SORSOGON CITY (BicolToday.com/3-April-2012) – The agreement and understanding of LGU Sorsogon City with LKY Development Corporation is expected to create five hundred jobs for Sorsoganons. It will materialize after the completion and full occupancy of the renovated Sorsogon Shopping Center now in its finishing stage of construction and the on-going Sorsogon Bay City project. The projects are hubs for fast food chains, drugstores, supermart, gas station and the Bay City will host condotels and marinas offering the view of the sunset of Sorsogon Bay. Both offer commercial leasing spaces. The renovation of the old shopping center became one of the focal points during the first term of Mayor Leovic Dioneda, to attract and create job opportunities, doubled-up by the investment of Wilbert Lee, Chief Executive Officer of LKY Development Corporation, the biggest construction concern in Sorsogon, who foot the bill for the renovation. When the project was tossed to the Sorsogon Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Wilbert Lee took the opportunity and the challenge to prove that Sorsogon City is a good investment area, thus a roadmap for domestic investors was created.

This is not the first time that LKY took a giant step, back in the late eighties, the construction firm responded to the offer of then Municipality of Sorsogon when it built a commercial building in a government lot fronting the public market, then another foothold when the diocesan leadership offered the development of the back portion of the cathedral lot which now stands as a landmark in the city proper. This time, the response of Lee’s firm was a class act for Sorsogon City. It was a silent statement that private-public partnership can design, build and offer new landscape for business opportunities. It started way back in 2009 during Dioneda’s first term, when the third city council was challenged by him to come-up with a resolution to attract investors for built-operate, built-lease, and built transfer scheme offering safety nets for investors. LKY responded with a grand proposal not only to boost Sorsogon economy but put on record that the traffic problem of the city center be corrected. Thus the renovated Sorsogon Shopping Center when completed will host the tricycle integrated terminal and the Sorsogon Bay City project at Barangay Balogo will house the integrated bus, jeepney and van terminal. Rolling up its sleeves when the projects were given the green lights, LKY never look back. It was committed and it was proving to all that it is not lost in Sorsogon after all. Both Mayor Dioneda and Wilbert Lee of LKY are sort of visionaries, they have the knack of what can be done and how can it be done. Dioneda created an investment climate, Lee responded in ways never imagined by Sorsoganons. Simultaneously starting the project created employment to skilled workers and tap the labor force not only of the city but from the other towns of the province. Masons, carpenters, plumbers, welders, pipe fitters, steel fabricators and many more who for sometimes were not employed are now having a week pay to look-up. At its peak LKY was employing close to three hundred workers in the two projects pumping a large sum of money in the local economy. This was an indirect contribution of the construction firm in prime-pumping the local economy. The construction lessened the number of employment seekers at city hall. The two projects are now the center piece of construction in the city. It’s because, Mayor Dioneda made a big difference and LKY of Wilbert Lee nurtured the big difference. BicolToday.com

Firms vie for 38 coal prospects

by Amy R. Remo


The Department of Energy on Friday received 69 bids for contracts to explore and develop 38 highly prospective coal blocks across the country, considered an “overwhelming” number that proved investors’ unwavering confidence in the Philippines.

At the sidelines of the opening of bid offers Friday, Energy Undersecretary Jose M. Layug Jr. said the Philippine Energy Contracting Round 4 for coal attracted a lot of potential investors, of which about half were new players in the local coal industry.

Among the companies that submitted bids were Benguet Corp., Semirara Mining Corp., PNOC Exploration Corp., South Davao Development Co. Inc., SKI Mining and Empire Asia Mining Corp.

Layug said the DOE was targeting to award contracts within 150 days from the bid opening date yesterday, or by August 2012 at the latest. The coal blocks that had only one bidder will be processed faster than those that had six to eight bidders. For the coal blocks that did not have bidders, the DOE is set to re-offer these areas in future PECRs.

The offered coal blocks were in Quezon, Camarines Norte, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Negros Occidental, Cebu, Bohol, Agusan del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga Sibugay.

Initially, the DOE offered 30 coal blocks when it launched the PECR 4 for coal in December last year. Should all the 30 contracts be awarded, the DOE is expecting initial investments to run up to P2.4 billion within a two-year exploration period.

The number of areas, however, were increased to 38 blocks in anticipation of a huge number of bidders.

Layug stressed the need for the country to harness its own coal resources given an increasing demand for the commodity, which now stood at about 12 million metric tons a year. Local production averaged 7 million MT, of which 3 million tons are exported to various Asian markets. Coal imports remained huge at 7 million tons a year, he added.

It is expected that over the next 20 years, coal will remain the major fuel for power generation and the government continues to encourage the private sector to explore and develop the country’s prospective coal blocks to find additional reserves that can be used to address growing local demand.

By harnessing its own resources, the government believes that it will be able to push for energy independence that will allow it to reduce its fuel imports as well as lessen its vulnerability to global price fluctuations.

TEAM ASIA TAKES 4-3 SERIES LEAD OVER TEAM PHILIPPINES AS CHANG BEATS ALCANO

by Marlon Bernardino


TAIWANESE cue artist Chang Yu Long defeated Filipino Ronato "Volcano" Alcano bagging the top prize of the Philippine Bigtime Billiards Face-Off series on Saturday at the Airport Pagcor Casino in Paranaque City.

Chang won two straight racks to edged Alcano, 9-7, in the race-to-9 event backed up by Sorsogon Province Sports Patron Philip Escudero, Malungai Life Oil, Mandarin Sky Sea Food Restaurant, Servo Marketing, Hermes Sports Bar, Golden Leaf Restaurant, Bugsy Promotions, Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP), Airport Casino Filipino and The Philippine Star as official media partner.

The win was worth $5,000 for Chang while Alcano settled for $2,500 in the winner's break format, dubbed as Philippines versus Asia, jointly organized by the Mega Sports World and BRKHRD Corp and aired live over Solar Sports, Sky Channel 70 and Destiny Channel 34, and also aired worldwide through the Internet, live streaming at www.megasportsworld.com and www.philippinebigtimebilliards.com. The win allowed Team Asia takes 4-3 series lead against Team Philippines.

Chang saw his big lead, 5-2, by winning three straight racks before Alcano fought back from the grave to cut the lead at 5-4 in favor of the former (Chang).

However, Chang won two of the three racks to go up, 7-5. Alcano managed to level the match at 7 in the 14th frame but the Taiwanese took the last two racks for the win.

“Luck played a part in my victory." said Chang through an interpreter. " Ronato (Alcano) is a very tough opponent." he added.

It shall be recalled that last March 24, Filipino Francisco "Django" Bustamante toppled Taiwanese Yang Ching-shun, 9-3, to lift Team Philippines series tied 3-3 against Team Asia.

Earlier, Ko Pin-yi of Chinese-Taipei downed Filipino pool maestro Efren "Bata" Reyes, 9-4, last February 18. However, Bustamante pull off a come-from-behind win against Ko, 9-7, last February 25 to avenged the loss of his fellow Puyat Sports player Reyes. Chang Jung-lin of Chinese-Taipei, on the other hand beat Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza, 9-7, last March 3, then edged Dennis "Robocop" Orollo, 9-8, last March 10. But Carlo " The Black Tiger" Biado downed Taiwanese Yang Ching-shun, 9-3, last March 17 to cut the lead of Team Asia into a 3-2 score against Team Philippines in the Philippine Bigtime Billiards introduces a fresh new format for 2012.

Meanwhile, the PBB Face Off series resumes with a match pitting Liu Hai Tao of China against Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan on April 14, Liu then face Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo on April 21 and Fong Pang Chao of Chinese-Taipei opposite Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza on April 28.

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