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Philippine News

Fiber Development Authority launches abaca disease management project cum training in Irosin town

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, November 25 (PIA) -- The Fiber Development Authority (FIDA) in close tandem with the local government of Irosin launched yesterday the Abaca Disease Management Project cum Training at the Patag Eco Park with 80 participants in attendance from its several identified abaca potential producing barangays. Irosin municipal mayor Eduardo F. Ong, Jr in his message said that the local government of Irosin has seen the best opportunity in the abaca as an industry, it being one of the best plants that can be propagated in their town given the topography, land classification and weather conditions within the areas identified as planting sites based on FIDA’s assessment. Mr. Daniel L. Lachica, FIDA Development Officer here in the province said that the training was more on the identification of the “three deadly trio” disease of abaca namely; Bunchy Top, Bract Mosaic, and Abaca Mosaic and how can these be treated, controlled and finally eradicated given the new technologies discovered by FIDA and the opportunity for its massive plantation in the town of Irosin. The province of Sorsogon, according to Dr. Editha O. Lomero, Ph.D., regional director and officer-in-charge, has been one of the biggest suppliers of abaca fiber of good quality and since the time that abaca was affected with these three diseases, abaca production here has deteriorated. The current administration under President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino according to her has pushed to revitalize and rehabilitate certain endemic industries within specific regions and here in Sorsogon, Irosin town has been for the past years one of the volume quality suppliers of hemp. The farmers yesterday during the training were taught on the disease identification, application of chemicals and the right monitoring on how the abaca plant can be cultivated again to become an economic base of people in the countryside as major livelihood source. FIDA will also provide job order for personnel who will conduct and assist in the treatment according to Lachica and these will be the abaca propagators themselves who will be tapped. Mayor Ong has forged commitment with FIDA to start the project and initial funding to the barangays of Bagsangan, Mapaso, Bolos, Carriedo, Cogon, Santo Domingo, Monbon , Cawayan and Patag and will soon be provided. (PIA-SORSOGON)

DTI, DAR partner for “Plant a Tree Program”

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, November 23 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) have forged partnership for the massive planting of the pili trees here in support to the National Greening Program (NGP) of the government. Pili, considered as a high value crop of of Sorsogon has been also identified as one of the natural environmental trees to be planted to ensure adaptation and mitigation to the ill effects of climate change. DTI Sorsogon through the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council (SMEDC), also coordinated with local officials in the propagation of the said high value crop. Leah Pagao, provincial director of DTI Sorsogon, said that pili has already gained a niche in trade fairs as Bicol's best commodity champion in sales, truly marketable and an export earner for the region. Under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Program (CARP), beneficiaries here were also trained and tapped to plant throughout the province with seedlings supplied by the Department of Agriculture. Alleviation of poverty, according to Pagao is one of the main objectives in the massive planting of pili hand in hand with environmental conservation and economic development enterprise. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) thrusts’ and the provincial government of Sorsogon’s initiative to harmonize efforts in climate change adaptation and mitigation through pili planting will be one of the continuous activities of the province to be undertaken. Resource speakers from DA have also been tapped to provide more information to CARP beneficiaries in the proper propagation of the pili tree. Meanwhile, seedlings were also distributed to 100 beneficiaries region-wide and proper validation of areas for pili plantation has been identified already. The" Plant a Tree Program" has already been recommended by DENR as Secretary Ramon Paje of DENR during his visit here.(MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon

Convicted mayor to be transferred to Bilibid

by Sonny Sales


SORSOGON City – A former mayor of Matnog, Sorsogon convicted by the Sandiganbayan of graft charges is set to be transferred from the local Bureau of Jail Management and Penology district jail to the National Bilibid Prison, in Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila this month.

A local news group in Sorsogon, “the Media Solutions,” reported, that former Matnog Mayor Guillermo “Guaming” Gacis So, 67, is detained in a separate cell away from the hardened criminals.

His family visits him regularly since his detention on Oct. 21.

So was convicted for ordering the suspension of Barangay Laboy chairman Ernesto Gile based on a spurious Sangguniang Bayan resolution.

Resolution 31–03, series of 2002 was spuriously made to show it was approved by the Sangguniang Bayan recommending the suspension of Gile who was accused of abuse of authority and malversation of public funds.

Based on the Anti–Graft court resolution promulgated Aug. 24 and penned by Associate Justice Roland Jurado, So was sentenced to eight years imprisonment and fined P5,000.

Aquamarine project in Casiguran town under National Convergence Initiatives underway

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, November 21 (PIA) -- Programs for the fishing industry sector in Casiguran town, including an on-going training on aquamarine culture, are underway through the National Convergence Initiative (NCI), according to Mayor Maria Esther Hamor in an interview here last week. Hamor said the careful selection of the beneficiaries was a big consideration since the success of the project depends on their attitude, active participation and commitment to make the project profitable, sustainable and the full cooperation to follow the local government’s fishery rules and policies should be addressed. “As local chief executive it is my desire to alleviate poverty in our town but at the same time fully implement the sustainable conservation of our environment from land to sea and inland water resources”, she said. Benigno Bejison, municipal agriculture officer of Casiguran, and Gil B. Ramos of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) have conducted the trainings and the identified fishermen from Barangay Somal-ot were provided the needed materials to include 5 fishnets, 4 bundles of nylon rope, 150 bamboo poles for their crab production. According to Ramos, BFAR has provided the hands on training to on aqua-silvi culture technology to 61 fisherfolks in the said barangay. It has also conducted the validation of the site selection process and most of the areas identified were mangrove area sites, a very good potential for the sustainability of the project. Demonstration on the actual preparation of the area was done according to Bejison while the construction of crab cages were shown and process of harvesting were also explained. The topics that were discussed included feeding management of crabs, record keeping, harvesting and post harvest activities, marketing and the continuous monitoring and evaluation of the project. Ramos said that mud crab production will only take four months to wait and that proper management should be followed so that the quality, quantity and price of the produce will be competitive in the market. Mayor Hamor explained that the LGU in partnership with the three converging agencies, the Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Department of Agrarian Reform will continually coordinate in the implementation of the NCI projects in their municipality. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

SCWD co-opting with environment agencies, plans to develop an eco-tourism park

by Felix ‘Boy’ Espineda, Jr.


SORSOGON CITY – After the installations of water pumping stations and the construction of water impounding structures, the Sorsogon City Water District is focusing to develop an eco-tourism park in their 631 hectare watershed area along the Macabog Pangpang Mountain Range that traverses the barangays of Capuy, Ticol, Basud, Guinlajon, Pangpang, Macabog, San Juan (Roro) and Bibincahan.

The plan was conceptualized back in 1994 when the Sorsogon Watershed Development Council, a multi-partite group formulated plans and programs to develop and protect the watershed area.

But unforseen events overcome the implementation of the project which according to Engineer Ronaldo Barboño, SCWD general manager,they hope to implement with the assistance of the provincial government of Sorsogon. They are readying the blue print of the eco-tourism park including the detailed plans they will present to Governor Raul Lee estimated to cost 2 million pesos covering basic infrastructure expenditures and operational expenses.

Funding constraint limited SCWD watershed protection programs to develop portion of the area as eco-tourism park showcasing the flora and fauna endemics in the area intended primarily for rest and education tours. It will include a botanical and animal zoo which are in-demand by nature enthusiast. Upon its completion, a management council will oversee the eco-tourism park aiming for self-liquidation through package tours and similar strategies of eco-tourism parks.

To protect the watershed, it initiated a proposal for the inclusion of the Sorsogon City Watershed in the Billion Trees Program for a three year period seeking funding from local and international environmental sources. They have likewise appealed to the city government of Sorsogon to spearhead the finalization of the Memorandum of Agreement among concerned agencies and the covered barangays regarding watershed development and protection.

Philippine Red Cross Sorsogon campaigns support to the Million Volunteer Run

by Irma A. Guhit


Philippine Red Cross Sorsogon campaigns support to the Million Volunteer Run

SORSOGON CITY, November 17, (PIA) — The province of Sorsogon will lend support to the international statement vision of of the Philippine Red Cross in making the Philippines as the Red Cross Volunteer Capital of the World. This was the agenda taken up by the members of the board of the PRC Sorsogon chapter here during their regular monthly meeting held last week to highlight the Red Cross 143 program in the campaign for support to the Million Volunteer Run scheduled this December 4.

The Philippines in 2009 was identified as the top ranking highly vulnerable disaster prone country and in 2010, it ranked third among countries frequently hit by disasters and natural calamities, thus, PRC to address this concern has engaged the mobilization of millions of RC volunteers through the RC 143 program here in the Philippines. Atty. Arnulfo Perete, chair of PRC Sorsogon explained that the Philippine has a highly organized PRC 143 program where 44 volunteers (1 leader and 43 members) in each of the 42,000 barangays in the country who are now highly trained to cope with and reduce the risks of disasters, enabling them to respond accordingly to any catastrophic event in their respective communities.

With the declaration of the United Nations of the year 2011 as the International Year of Volunteers via Resolution 52/17, the PRC seeks to awaken the spirit of volunteerism in every Filipino through the Red Cross Million Volunteer Run. This ground breaking event will be held in all key cities and 1,494 municipalities nationwide on December 4.

Here in Sorsogon, the approved plan is a 5km fun run around the city on the said date at 5:30 a.m., assembly will be at the Provincial Capitol Park and at exactly 6 a.m. the fun run starts.

A registration fee of P500.00 is required and funds derived from this activity will be given to countries as assistance specially those areas affected by natural calamities. The Red Cross vision is to engage all first aiders, blood donors, health and welfare volunteers in every home school, business and community all over the Philippines to join in this event to make a statement of making the Philippines as the Volunteer Capital of the World through this activity. In the meeting, the board committed to show solidarity in this PRC vision and will campaign here for various sectors to join and support this undertaking. Dr. Alfred Adrian O. Lopez was designated as chair of the activity while Zita D. Hababag was chosen as chair of the Fund General Committee. (PIA Sorsogon)

Philippine Red Cross Sorsogon campaigns support to the Million Volunteer Run

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, November 17, (PIA) -- The province of Sorsogon will lend support to the international statement vision of of the Philippine Red Cross in making the Philippines as the Red Cross Volunteer Capital of the World. This was the agenda taken up by the members of the board of the PRC Sorsogon chapter here during their regular monthly meeting held last week to highlight the Red Cross 143 program in the campaign for support to the Million Volunteer Run scheduled this December 4. The Philippines in 2009 was identified as the top ranking highly vulnerable disaster prone country and in 2010, it ranked third among countries frequently hit by disasters and natural calamities, thus, PRC to address this concern has engaged the mobilization of millions of RC volunteers through the RC 143 program here in the Philippines. Atty. Arnulfo Perete, chair of PRC Sorsogon explained that the Philippine has a highly organized PRC 143 program where 44 volunteers (1 leader and 43 members) in each of the 42,000 barangays in the country who are now highly trained to cope with and reduce the risks of disasters, enabling them to respond accordingly to any catastrophic event in their respective communities. With the declaration of the United Nations of the year 2011 as the International Year of Volunteers via Resolution 52/17, the PRC seeks to awaken the spirit of volunteerism in every Filipino through the Red Cross Million Volunteer Run. This ground breaking event will be held in all key cities and 1,494 municipalities nationwide on December 4. Here in Sorsogon, the approved plan is a 5km fun run around the city on the said date at 5:30 a.m., assembly will be at the Provincial Capitol Park and at exactly 6 a.m. the fun run starts. A registration fee of P500.00 is required and funds derived from this activity will be given to countries as assistance specially those areas affected by natural calamities. The Red Cross vision is to engage all first aiders, blood donors, health and welfare volunteers in every home school, business and community all over the Philippines to join in this event to make a statement of making the Philippines as the Volunteer Capital of the World through this activity. In the meeting, the board committed to show solidarity in this PRC vision and will campaign here for various sectors to join and support this undertaking. Dr. Alfred Adrian O. Lopez was designated as chair of the activity while Zita D. Hababag was chosen as chair of the Fund General Committee. (PIA Sorsogon)

Energy company trains host communities in disaster risk reduction

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, November 16 (PIA) -- A total of 2,500 participants from the five schools of the host communities of the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) underwent a training on disaster risk reduction early last week to provide them the better preparation should there be natural calamities like typhoons and earthquakes. According to Eduardo Jimenez, senior supervisor of the Community Partnerships Department CPD) of EDC, the school – based disaster risk reduction orientation activity were participated in by Tublijon Elementary School, Gayong Elementary School, Sto Nino Elementary and High Schoosl, and Osiao Paglingap High School. The activity was conducted with the team up of ABS-CBN Foundation Sagip Kapamilya Inc., EDC BacMan Safety Management Division, EDC Corporate Social Responsibility Department, Sorsogon City Department of Education and Sorsogon City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office. Participants from the two barangays here that can only be reach via sea travel, Osiao and Sto Nino were taught on the use and importance of a life jacket when traveling at sea. The local government has also issued a directive to all motor banca owners used as passenger vessel to have the necessary life jackets to be used by their passengers. Meanwhile Marsha Alvarado of the EDC- CSR department explained to the participants the emergency preparedness tips contained in the poster calendar prepared by the company and were distributed to the schools, houses in the host communities after the training. Volunteers from the Alitaptap Storytellers Philippines delighted the pupils and students with their amusing stories emphasizing the importance of disaster risk reduction preparedness during earthquakes and typhoons. According to Jimenez, this activity is part of their company’s CSP program to enhance the knowledge and know-how of these local communities especially now that natural calamities have been one of the significant concerns here in the province and making communities aware of risk reduction. According to Jimenez, EDc is committed to assist in providing information and training needs of these host communities and particularly to equip them with this timely training since Sorsogon is most frequented by typhoons. He also emphasized that taking care of the environment is one of the key component in DRR significantly the planting of trees and avoiding illegal activities like cutting of trees, one of the reasons why some areas experience flooding and landslides. The training acording to Jimenez has been successful that Barangay Emergency Response Teams (BERTs) have been organized after the three-day training with a composite structure and lists of volunteers coming from the barangays now trained and well equipped. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

Sorsogon gets $300,000 for a 3-year anti-rabies program

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, November 15 (PIA) -- The Sorsogon Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) here will be a recipient of a 3-year program on Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC), a program under the Communities Against Rabies Exposure (CARE), according to provincial veterinarian Dr. Enrique Espiritu. Espiritu said that the program under the GARC of the American government will be funded by the UBS Optimus Foundation with $300,000 prorated on a $100,000 yearly. "It will facilitate the coordination of surveillance, molecular epidemiology, dog population model control, participation in health economics group and consultation for rabies prevention and control models," he said. Espiritu also said that this undertaking has been an offshoot of the Bohol success story that demonstrated that rabies can be eliminated and children can be saved by empowering communities to take responsibility, develop and share adequate tools for sustainability provided by global assistance and expertise. Using the Bohol model, Espiritu said that the proposal of Sorsogon is to replicate this experience and make the province a sustainable rabies free area. He said that based on studies conducted, rabies is a disease of poverty that mainly affects children living in marginalized communities. Over 99 percent of human rabies deaths today occur in Africa and Asia as a result of being bitten by an infected dog and up to 60 percent of all dog bites and rabies deaths occur in children under 15 years of age. Rabies, according to world statistics, is a life-threatening risk for over 1 billion people living in poverty across Asia and Africa. Espiritu said that with this program, the local government will strengthen awareness to prevent exposure to this disease by eliminating or controlling the source of infection in dog populations. “Massive dog vaccination is cost effective to control rabies and sustainable than interventions aimed at humans only," he said. The program will also recommend the reduction of dog population to be supported by local communities and that by reducing the reproduction rate of dogs, the cost of rabies control programs will also be significantly reduced as would the incidence of public health problems associated with dogs as vectors. Espiritu also expressed that this proposal to the GARC was made possible through the recommendation of former governor Sally Ante Lee and was submitted in 2009 during her incumbency but was only approved this year. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

Bishop concerned over obscenities in FM radio

by abs-cbnNEWS.com


MANILA, Philippines - Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes is asking concerned agencies to act against FM radio stations using profane and obscene languages on their shows.

In a report from the CBCP News, Bastes said: “Dapat talagang i-monitor at parusahan ng KBP (Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas) ang mga anchor-DJ’s (disc jockeys) sa radyo na malaswa magsalita.”

“Nakakahiya yan. We should use good words on air na makakatulong upang maiangat ang pagkatao at moralidad ng mga Filipino,” he said.

He is referring to radio programs that accept calls from the public. The DJ then gives them advice on relationships, including sex matters.

“Some of the DJs, especially in midnight programs, are using indecent language and vulgar language, which is not good,” said Bastes.

Other programs even discuss sexually-oriented topics, he said. DJs even use “double-meaning” words, he noted.

More centers for evacuees set up in Sorsogon

by Jaime Aude


MANILA, Philippines – Disaster officials have set up additional evacuation centers in Sorsogon to accommodate thousands of evacuees in an event of a major explosion of the restive Mt. Bulusan.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) executive officer and retired Army general, Benito Ramos reported as of yesterday, there are already a total of 52 evacuation areas that have been put up from a safe distance of Mt. Bulusan.

These evacuation centers – 15 in the town of Juban; 15 in Gubat, five in Casiguran; five in Irosin; 11 in Bulusan; four in Barcelona; and eight in Sorsogon City – can accommodate a total of 49,218 persons at one given time, Ramos said.

Ramos said the putting up of the evacuation centers is in line with the ongoing preparation being undertaken both by the national, regional, provincial and municipal-attached disaster units due to the continuing abnormal behavior of Mt. Bulusan.

Disaster officials in coordination with the country’s volcanologists installed signages around Mt. Bulusan, warning the public not to venture within the four-kilometer danger zones.

“Bulusan siesmic monitoring network has detected 41 volcanic earthquakes during the past 24-hour observation period,” Ramos said as he reminded residents around the area to be alert and be ready to move to safe grounds if the need arises.

Sorsogon City Mayor’s staff tagged as syndicate mastermind of fake franchise

by BicolToday.com


SORSOGON CITY (BicolToday.com/11 Nov. 2011)- In a jampacked session, the fourth City Council last Tuesday, opened the pandora box full of fake franchises issued to tricycle owners that pinpointed to Jose Pura Jr., chief of the permit and licensing section of the Office of the City Mayor here, as the official responsible for the invalid transactions. The atmosphere was tense and unforgiving as seen in the faces of the 230 victims who paid to middlemen in contact with the permit official as high as forty thousand pesos to secure a Motorized Tricycle Operators Permit without the corresponding city sidecar plate that identifies the granting of franchise. Taking the complaint in the plenary, East District Councilor Victorino Daria III who exposed the anomalous transaction presented fifteen victims who delivered a coup de grace against Jose Pura Jr., Randy Reales a smart than you think tricycle driver and Jose “Toots” Desunia, president of Poblacion Tricycle Operators Drivers Association (PTODA) as the persons who allegedly connived with one another in processing the transactions. Desunia, taking the stand as if a harass lamb, received commission for every transaction he entered with Pura. At the session, also presented was Ruel Jintalan a subordinate of Pura who denied any participation in the issuance of MTOP’s. After their testimonies, Randy Reales when queried by this writer, revealed that he received not less than two thousand pesos per transaction and admitted that Jintalan, aside from Pura, is one of those whom they transacted to facilitate issuance of MTOP. Jintalan on his part denied personally to Bicol Today.com that he did not receive any amount to secure an MTOP among the victims of the syndicate. Jose ‘Toots’ Desunia’s PTODA group was allocated 160 MTOPs and likewise admitted that he facilitated the issuance of the same through Jose Pura, Jr. and received a fat commission of not less than two thousand pesos per MTOP released by the permits and licensing section. The illegal activity was brought in the open when Daria III in his privilege speech two sessions ago promising to present witnesses and that his allegation is not a mere hearsay cracks the wall of silence last Tuesday. Witness after witness points the paper trail to the desk of Pura that most were facilitated either by Reales and Desunia. The illegal transaction as estimated netted the operators close to two million pesos and the dealers earned more than two hundred thousand each. The problem now is how to rectify the wrongs created by the swindling act of Jose Pura. When treated by the plenary, Councilor Pedro Ravanilla in a show of a real politico offered solution that they plan to open the franchise application giving priority to the victims of the franchise syndicate, which was nip in the bud by Councilor Daria, reminding his West District counterpart that he authored an ordinance during the third city council limiting the number of allowable franchise and it carries a moratorium of five years from date of approval before additional franchises can be allocated. The MTOP issued by Pura and his cohorts are without authority from the city council thus considered null and void and illegal thereby classifying the units as colorums.Unverified information revealed that Pura is living way beyond his means. The fate of Pura and the others who might be involved hinge this Friday, in a special session for the purpose. Pura’s request for an executive session to spare him and his family from further ridicule was opposed by Councilor Daria noting that the public has the right to know the extent of the influence of the permits and license syndicate at the city hall. (BicolToday.com)

Council for the protection of children bares accomplishments

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, November 10 (PIA) -- Children’s Month celebration has been a rousing success boosting campaigns and advocacies for the protection of the rights and ensuring the welfare of the children in the province of Sorsogon. Myra Relativo, assistant provincial head of the Sorsogon Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) and coordinator of the Council for the Protection of Children (PCPC), said the observance was highlighted by hundreds of children and stakeholders from different localities in the province convening in a Children Congress showcasing poster making contest focusing on the theme "Local Council for the Protection of Children para sa Bright Child : Pakilusin, Palakasin, Pagtulungan Natin". A program highlighting the different skills and talents of children in singing, dancing and drama was also well participated in by children who rendered prepared numbers focusing on their own issues. Three non-governmental organizations with child focused advocacies convened also at the PSWDO last month to discuss programs and projects and where each can provide areas of complementation and fund sharing in the several activities scheduled next year Relativo explained. Josephina B. Deri, federation manager of FACE, a non-governmental organization that provides assistance to children spearheaded the Children’s Month celebration and was one of the accomplished activities of the council to celebrate children’s month. Meanwhile Rico Guarino, Local Government Operations Officer V (LGOO ) of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) also reported that their agency will be conducting a reorientation program to local officials about the utilization of the 1% budget allocation for the council in the barangays. Part of the PCPC accomplishment this quarter was the inter visitation conducted also in several municipalities to monitor the functionality of the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) with the Department of Education and Green Valley Development Program , both members of the council providing assistance. Relativo also shared to the members of the council that she attended a meeting on feed backing of the implementation of the Early Childhood and Development held at Manila Hotel last Aug. 31, 2011. The recommendation during the conference was to construct a Child Development Center here where a paid Child Development Worker will be trained and will be the regular staff of the center. In the meeting , a team building activity was also scheduled this January to provide all the members of the council added skills in the functionality of the organization to be conducted by the Local Government Academy. (IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

DAR discloses national convergence accomplishments in Sorsogon

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, November 9 (PIA) -- The National Convergence Initiative (NCI) launched April this year has implemented several development projects in Sorsogon City, Castilla, and Casiguran, the three selected pilot areas of Sorsogon, according to Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Provincial agrarian reform officer (PARO) Roseller R. Olayres. The proposed projects presented during the launch as part of the Sorsogon Development Investment Plan for the three pilot areas for 2011-2015, were organic farming, coconut, pili and pineapple production, livestock raising, forest and fruit trees planting, and aquamarine production and will be implemented by the three lead agencies, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Department of Agriculture (DA) and DAR. In the municipality of Castilla, the targeted local agrarian reform communities have already undertaken participatory coconut planting, establishment of coconut nursery, livestock integration, salt fertilization, intercropping, seaweed input assistance and agro-forestry. In the local agrarian communities of the municipality of Casiguran, the three lead agencies have already implemented the following projects: participatory coconut planting, inter-cropping, livestock production, establishment of tilapia hatchery, seaweed culture production, aqua silvi-production and establishment of the pili nursery. Meanwhile in the city of Sorsogon agrarian reform areas, according to Olayres projects such as participatory coconut planting, intercropping, livestock production and establishment of tilapia hatchery were already implemented. The assistance provided also by the Philippine Coconut Authority, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, together with DA ,DENR, DAR and the three LGUs concerned made the implementation successful according to Olayres. The national convergence initiative is the government’s strategy for poverty alleviation that will eventually better the quality of life of people along the countryside and appreciate the value of their land as a a best source of opportunity for development. (PIA-SORSOGON)

DTI reports bright opportunities for “bayong” production in Sorsogon

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, November 8 (PIA) -- Bayong production has been intensified as Sorsogon’s emerging best export product through convergence efforts by the different local governments, government line agencies, private sectors and local manufacturers, according to Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial director Leah Pagao. Marinella Hernandez, division chief of DTI Sorsogon product division, confirmed that there was a voluminous demand for bayong in both the local and international markets as reflected in the sales from the just concluded Orgulyo nin Bicol held in Manila. Export sales generated P33,867 and 1,206 jobs. Bayong is a local product made here out of the local materials such as karagumoy, buri pandan, seagrass (locally named agas), abaca, water hyacinth, bamboo and rattan. It has also been recommended by almost all local governments here as the alternative biodegradable material instead of plastic shopping bags. DTI Sorsogon,explained that bayong production requires only low investment and light technology as this can be mass produced in homes. At the recent Kasanggayahan Festival, trendy bayongs were sold to promote tourism in the province.(PIA-SORSOGON)

Energy company, DOE to brief Irosin sanggunian and stakeholders on exploration activities

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, November 4 (PIA) -- The Summa Kumagai Industries (SKI) Construction Group, Inc. Geothermal Exploration Division will brief the members of the Sanggunian Bayan of the municipality of Irosin today, November 4 , regarding the geothermal exploration activity they are to conduct in the municipality of Irosin. According to Irosin Mayor Eduardo E. Ong, the Department of Energy together with the SKI requested an audience with the members of the Sanggunian Bayan together with the Barangay Captains of Mapaso, San Benon,Gulang-Gulang, Cogon, Patag, Tinampo, Bagsangan, Bolos and barangay Guruyan of the municipality of Juban particularly to explain the benefits of renewable energy through the establishment of geothermal power plant,first undergoing the exploratory phase for which their area has been identified for such activity. In a letter sent by SKI president, Albert D Altura to the local officials of Irosin, he expressed that this activity is a joint effort of the SKI and the Department of Energy (DOE) , particularly to provide the various stakeholders with the right knowledge regarding geothermal operations and gain first hand scientific insights regarding the project. According to Engr. Benjamin Monzon of SKI, they hope that this meeting will open positive avenues to stakeholders to find out the importance of geothermal operation, as the cleanest source of energy. Monzon said that they have primarily considered with utmost importance the appropriate and most convenient time of the local officials to sit down with the proponents so that both parties will be given the chance to see how government answers to people's needs through public and private partnership. Altura's letter explained that SKI will present the activities they will undertake in the study and the areas to be covered by the scientific activities such as geological and geophysical investigations that will mainly involve site inspections and using instrumentations to measure the earth’s natural current without surface damage to property nor vegetation. Expected to attend also are representatives from the office of the provincial government, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office -Local Government Unit, Community Environment and Natural Resources Office, Phillipine National Police, Protected Areas Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management System ,Philippine Information Agency, Phillipine Army and PhilVocs. (PIA-SORSOGON)

Band of Mercy, Sorsogon gov’t to conduct mission for children with cleft palate

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, NOVEMBER 4 (PIA) -- A two-day medical mission will be conducted here from November 4-5 by the Philippine Band of Mercy (PBM) and the provincial government of Sorsogon at the Fernando S. Duran Sr. Memorial Hospital (FSDMH) to operate on children ages 10 months to 15 years old with cleft palate. Last January 29-30, 2011, the PBM in partnership with the provincial government of Sorsogon had conducted an operation to 40 patients with cleft palate deformities at the same hospital. According to Mr. Fernando Hugo, FSDMH OIC hospital administrator said there are still patients who have not been operated on and suggested continuing the on the above dates. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the PBM and the province of Sorsogon has been signed by PBM president and trustee, Jesus Perez Cardenas and governor Raul R. Lee. The MOU spells out the role of both parties especially in providing treatment and rehabilitation to the qualified indigent with complete medical services. The PBM is a non-stock non-profit organization under the Republic of the Philippines established in 1937 and serves as a foundation for children that conducts surgical and provide curative medicine and supplies to children with cleft palate deformities. (PIA-SORSOGON)

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