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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 Initiatives beneficiaries urged to ‘own’ projects

by opapp.gov.ph/news


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.

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.

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."

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.”

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.

Peace and development

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.”

“They should go hand-in-hand. We cannot separate one from the other,” he added.

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

“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.

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.

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.

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. #





Gov’t inaugurates Spanish-backed peace & dev’t projects in Sorsogon

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).

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Other efforts completed as of December last year are peace and conflict sensitivity training, human rights and peace education seminar-workshop, among others.

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. #

3 river control projects construction underway in Sorsogon

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, Feb. 28 (PIA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) first district engineering office in Sorsogon has since been working on the completion of three river control systems in this city and Casiguran town to ensure the projects will be ready in time for the rainy season to mitigate effects of heavy flooding along river banks and neighboring areas.

DPWH I District Engineer Romeo D. Doloiras said that the non-stop rains have caused rivers in some areas in the province of Sorsogon to swell and overflow and the lack of river control structures continues to endanger lives of people living near river banks.

The agency's projects, anchored on DPWH new thrust of the “Right Project, Right Cost, Right Quality,” has earmarked the right funding to construct these river controls so as to abate the effects of flooding and stop soil erosions that usually silt rice fields, flood low lying areas and pose danger to people living within the area.

Doloiras averred that construction is underway for the the Ponong River Control in Casiguran town with a total funding amounting to of P4,146,750 which construction started last Nov. 4, 2011 to be completed on May 22, 2012.

On-going in the same manner is the rehabilitation and upgrading of the Sta Cruz-Storom River Control, also in Casiguran, in the amount of P12,371,151.80 started last Nov. 4, 2011 and to be completed this May 22, 2012.

Meanwhile, the construction of the Buhatan River Control here started last October 28, 2011 and has been completed last Feb 24, 2012 which costed P5,932,165.66.

Doloiras said that these projects would not anymore worry people of their safety aside from under the regular infrastructure program of the DPWH this also falls under the preventive maintenance category program of their agency and as the complementation mechanism of their agency under the Disaster Risk Reduction Program.

"Part of DPHW's mandate is to be highly effective and efficient so that it can provide quality infrastructure support to the National Development Goals as envisioned by President Benigno Simeon C.Aquino III," Doloiras explained. (MAL/IAG-PIA5 Sorsogon)

Inmate killed, two others wounded in Sorsogon jail riot

by (PNA)

DCT/FFC/LQ/MSA/cbd


LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 27 (PNA) -- An inmate was stabbed dead while two others were wounded in a jail riot on Sunday evening between the "Sputnik" and the "Bahala na Gang" (BNG) inside the Sorsogon Provincial Jail in Sorsogon City, the Philippine National Police said on Monday.

Rommel Lanuza, a jail “mayor” and a member of the Sputnik Gang was pronounced dead upon arrival at a nearby hospital in Sorsogon City, according to Police Senior Inspector Jerry Cereno, commander of the PNP Community Police Assistance Center (CPAC) 3, in Sorsogon City.

On the other hand, one Ronaldo de Vera and Jerry Habla, also members of the Sputnik Gang, sustained stab wounds in different parts of their bodies.

Initial autopsy report said Lanuza sustained stab wound in his chest that caused his death while Habla in the armpit and de Vera sustained lacerated wounds in the body.

Police said that at about 8:30 p.m. Sunday while the victim with fellow inmates was celebrating his birthday and having a drinking bout, they were suddenly attacked by members of the rival gang BNG, led by a certain Raffy Bolanyo, reportedly armed with improvised knives.

A source who refused to be named also said the group of Lanuza were dancing and singing while a videoke machine was playing at a cell they were occupying, when they were attacked by the BNG.

The riot was controlled immediately by the Special Disorder and Commotion Unit of the Provincial Jail Guard.

Jail records showed that there are 395 inmates that are under the custody of the Sorsogon Provincial Jail awaiting resolution of their cases in various local courts in Sorsogon.

World Food Program conducts disaster risk preparedness training in 3 municipalities.

by (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)


SORSOGON CITY, Feb. 24 (PIA) -- The World Food Program (WFP) conducted a three-day training on disaster preparedness and risk reduction for three municipalities here in line with technical support it pledged to the country affected by a recent earthquake and floods, a WFP release said.

The training, which started Feb. 21, included participants from the local governments of Juban, Casiguran and Bulan in Sorsogon province, and officials from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (SPDRMO).

The activity will reinforce hardware and financial support and relevant training and planning activities in regional, provincial and local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Offices (DRRMOs), the WFP said.

The three municipalities were identified by the provincial government as areas with high vulnerability and recommended for inclusion in the training.


The WFP is the food arm of the United Nations System and acts in response to urgent situations specifically along disaster stricken areas.

Sorsogon water firm introduces SALT program to abolish 'kaingin'

by Danny O. Calleja


SORSOGON CITY, Feb. 22 – A cure to the terrible headache being given by "kaingin" or slash-and-burn farming to local forest protection advocates has been found and the water utilities firm here has introduced it in water shed areas under its keeping. Kaingin has been practiced by mountain settlers here since time immemorial and the remedy introduced by the Sorsogon City Water District (SCWD) is the Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT), an upland farming method which was first practiced in Mindanao way back in 1978. SALT, otherwise known as contour hedgerow intercropping technology (CHIAT), is a system in which dense hedgerows of fast growing perennial nitrogen-fixing tree or shrub species are planted along contour lines, thus creating a living barrier that traps sediments and gradually transforms the sloping land to terraced land. The nitrogen-fixing hedgerows lining the terrace help improve soil fertility through nitrogen fixation at the roots and incorporation of the hedgerow trimmings into the soil. The hedgerows both markedly reduce soil erosion and contribute to improving and maintaining soil fertility. Many public and private organizations in the country, including the Departments of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform believe in the potential of this technology for upland development and have adopted it for their clientele. SALT farms, established with the help of these organizations, now occupy around 10,000 hectares of upland areas throughout the country. Rolando Barboño, the SCWD general manager on Wednesday said they recently started promoting the SALT program to upland farmers in various watershed areas being maintained by the agency within the Bacon-Manito (BacMan) geothermal energy reservation. BacMan is a 250,000-hectare protected forest area where the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) generates over 110 megawatts of geothermal power for the Luzon Grid. The SALT program, according to Barboño is under the SCWD’s assistance to environment and resources that forms part of its Corporate Social Responsibility program. Apart from being an environmental preservation tool, the SALT project is also an alternative source of livelihood for families living in the slopes of the watershed. “We have experts teaching them contour farming,” Barboño said. SALT is a simple, applicable, low-cost method of upland farming. It is a scheme developed for small farmers with few tools, little capital and little knowledge of modern agriculture. The method forms an alley farming in which field and perennial crops are grown in bands five meters wide between contoured rows of leguminous trees and shrubs. The latter are thickly planted in double rows to form hedgerows. The species used in the hedgerows include Leucaena leucocephala, L. diversifolia, Calliandra calothyrsus, Gliricidia sepium, Flemingia macrophylla and Desmodium rensonii. Farmers are encouraged to use a combination of these species or other fast-growing, fast-coppicing and high-biomass leguminous trees or shrubs found to be suitable on their respective farms. Rows of perennial crops such as coffee, cacao, citrus and banana are planted on every third alley created by contoured hedgerows. The alleys not occupied by permanent crops are planted alternately to cereals such as com, upland rice, sorghum, sweet potato, melon and pineapple and legumes like mungbean, string, soybean and peanut. This cyclical cropping provides a farmer with several harvests throughout the year to earn an average monthly income of P2,500, according to Barboño. The water district, he explained is assisting these farmers to adapt this kind of farming primarily to curtail the practice of kaingin system that severely destroys the forest that the watersheds need. Other than kaingin farming, the most common sources of livelihood for upland dwellers here are timber poaching and charcoal-making that are both illegal. Through the SALT program, he added, these people are taught how to love the trees and refrain from cutting them for their own protection and economic welfare. It would also help the SCWD in preserving its watersheds from where it draws over three million cubic meters of water yearly for its about 10,000 water concessionaires in the city, according to Marlon Galias, the water district’s executive assistant. “We have under our keeping over 1,000 hectares of watershed areas," Galias added. (PNA) LAP/LQ/DOC/cbd/

Sorsogon water firm preserves watershed areas, pursues contour agricultural farming

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, Feb.21 (PIA) -- Watershed areas need to be cared for, preserved and protected as these sustain the source of water, said Engr. Ronaldo G. Borbono, manager of the Sorsogon City Water District (SCWD).

According to Borbono, the watershed areas now being maintained by SCWD are very well preserved and protected by farmers themselves and now home to several endemic flora and fauna. It is envisioned to become a tourism visitation site.

The local water district continues to advocate to the public to be appreciative of its importance.

He also said that employees regularly conduct tree planting activities as their firm support of the government's environmental thrusts and to articulate collectively the National Greening Program as trees preserve the sources of water.

Borbono said that Barangay San Jose of Bacon district is one of their watershed areas and now being developed to showcase the Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) program, a banner project under the Water District Assistance to Environment and Resources as highlighted in their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program.

As an environmental preservation tool, the SALT project is also an alternative source of livelihood for people living in the slopes in the watershed and are taught contour farming according to Barbono.

The water district is assisting these farmers to adapt this kind of farming to abolish the practice of kaingin system or slash and burn that destroy the forest.

The prevalent livelihood source in forests is the illegal cutting of trees made into charcoal but with this assistance, Borbono said that farmers will avoid this practice since they will now have a source of livelihood and the watershed will be preserved as they are also taught the importance of protecting the land from erosion due to incorrect upland farming practices.(MAL/IAG-PIA Sorsogon))

Sorsogon Police conducts seminar for gender-based violence first responders

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, Feb.20 (PIA) -- The Sorsogon Police Provincial Office (SPPO) has organized a two-day seminar for first responders of gender-based violence and trafficking-in-person (TIP) cases on February 16 to 17 at the Philippine National Police (PNP) conference room.

The seminar is in line with the commitment of the PNP to strengthen the promotion and advocacy of the rights of women and children.

Thirty policewomen from Sorsogon City and 14 municipalities, assigned as Women and Children Protection Desk and Family Juvenile Gender Advocacy Development - Police Non-Commissioned Officer, were the participants of the said training.

The police – participants were the identified first responder-personnel in cases of gender-based violence. They were oriented on the protocols and immediate response to be given to victims along the conduct of investigation, filing of cases and in finding solutions to problems being encountered in handling cases involving women and children, particularly on gender-based crimes and TIP cases.

Competent and experienced lecturers comprised the resource persons coming from the Department of Justice, Visayan Forum Foundation, Police Regional Office 5 and Sorsogon Police Provincial Office.

The topics discussed were Legal Framework of Trafficking in Person Under RA 9208; How to Interview a Trafficked Person; Investigation, Evidence Gathering and Rescue Operations in TIP Cases; Legal Frameworks of Gender-Based Violence under RA 9262; Basic Gender Concept; Referral System; and How to Conduct Advocacy Campaign.

SPPO provincial director PSupt. John C. Jambora said the SPPO will continue to enhance the capability of policewomen and personnel assigned in the women's desk and will continue its partnership with agencies and non-governmental organization in the advocacy to address gender-based violence and trafficking in persons.

"Here in the province of Sorsogon, the PNP will continue to advocate partnership and spearhead extending development assistance in human resource development particularly in the education and promotion of women and children’s rights. As partners, we will continue to work together to train and educate our personnel and adhere to rights-based policing towards a citizen-friendly institution mandated to serve and protect everyone,” Jambora said as the seminar ends. (MAL/IAG-PIA Sorsogon)

Sorsogon City advocates "Green Economy Approach" for sustainable development

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY , Feb. 17 (PIA) ..... Guided by the global trend for sustainable development, the city of Sorsogon has anchored their development to harmonize with the environment advocating the "Green Economy Approach".

Sorsogon City Mayor Leovic R. Dioneda has expressed the importance of the natural environment of areas where development will take shape, its natural value to the total landscape and aesthetic view of the community when development will take place that conserving the trees, its topography and overall setting will be taken into great consideration.

According to the global trend of green economy for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, "A green economy approach is essential for sustainable development and climate change adaptation in a world where population growth and consumption of limited resources are generating disaster risk. Human well-being and the resilience of communities will depend on how well local government can make the transition to a greener economy for development."

The guidelines or trend for sustainable development has been the guiding principle of the city now it being the pilot of Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation strategies and whereby it will adhere to the guidelines for sustainable development and human wellness.

Sorsogon City Information Officer Manny Daep explained that the city's Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) will enforce stricter policies for development guided by the policies on Disaster Risk Reduction Management Program and the Green Economy Approach.

According to the Green Economy Approach principle : "A green economy must invest in people and social capital -- through health care, education services and access to social safe nets -- independent of the consideration of individuals as human capital, and should ensure that the benefits of economic growth are equitably shared." (PIA-SORSOGON)

Sorsogon City visualizes itself, "A Magnet for Development"

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, Feb. 16 (PIA) -- The 18-man delegation from Cambodia that visited Sorsogon City for the past two days this week was impressed with Sorsogon City's climate change adaptation and mitigation initiatives and strategies; components of the disaster risk reduction contingency plan like shelter, livelihood, evacuation centers; comprehensive land use plan; and where tourism and wellness were the emerging highlight of the city's development.

Mayor Leovic Dioneda of this city shared with the Cambodian entourage that the key message that they learned in the implementation of the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (CCAM), is that, being the only pilot area of CCAM in Southeast Asia, it is now becoming "a magnet for development" where doors of funding agencies just opened up to provide the city the needed funds for development.

He said that this year, the city is becoming known not only for its fast-paced infrastructure development but is also becoming introduced to the world because of its"complementation-strategy" with funding agencies working for enhancing environmental sustainability programs, and the city now focusing more in its tourism potential and wellness of the constituency.


"For the past several years, the city leaders have become a real unified body; both the legislative and executive have focused their mandate in the development of the city, the security of the people, and harnessing outside source for development that outpouring of resources coming from our representatives and senator have been just easily provided aside from global funding source," Dioneda said.

"Here in the city, Senator Francis Joseph "Chiz" G. Escudero had committed funds for the development of the four-hectare environmental tourism area in Brgy. Cabarbuhan, district of Bacon that will be turned into a zoo where children will be provided the chance to interact with animals and a recreation area for families and for those who simply would like to commune with nature," he said.

He also presented to the visitors the other add-on components of the CCAM that will create livelihood opportunities -- the P 40 million training center and slaughterhouse now being constructed.

The visit was highlighted by the tour of the group to the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) where exposure to geothermal energy featured the essence of technology and environment in harmony. It is now one of the best ecotourism destinations here in the province. (MAL/IAG-PIA Sorsogon)

DOE okays 420-MW Prieto-Diaz wind project in Sorsogon

by (PNA)

RMA/ASF/utb


SORSOGON CITY, Feb. 13 PIA) -- A number of visitors from a neighboring country are in town not to see the sights but to learn how a Philippine province is readying itseIf for any natural disaster. They are representatives from several local governments in Cambodia to immerse and learn the strategies implemented by the local government of Sorsogon in terms of Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (CCAM). Recommended by the UN Habitat as one of the places here in Asia whose strategies for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (CCAMs) are well in place, Sorsogon City is now among those under the CCAM- assisted cities considered as a "Learning Site to Visit" as a local government in Asia. The representatives from Cambodia who arrived yesterday will be exposed to the different CCAMs' human and infrastructure initiatives stategies that had been instituted here in this city, assisted by several global funding agencies working on disaster risk reduction mechanisms and strategies to adapt and mitigate effects of climate change. Sorsogon City Mayor Leovic R. Dioneda said that the representatives from Cambodia will be shown the implementation of programs under the CCAMs starting from the practice of the city's Ecological Solid Waste Management program, the establishment of their Materials Recovery Facilities; the installation of the Light Emitting Diode (LED) using solar energy in the city vicinity and street lights ; the School Mitigating Adapting Risk and Threat (SMART) schools used as evacuation centers; the retrofitting program of houses exposed to highly vulnerable areas and the establishment of the city's CCAM office where equipment and devices are installed to include the automatic weather station. The city will also share the implementation of the Executive Order 3, s 2011 local scheme/policy/programme on the conversion of 2-stroke tricycle motors to the more efficient and emission reducing 4-stroke motors developed and adopted by the city government. He will also explain to them the city's contingency plan in Disaster Risk Reduction Management as he had been usually invited in foreign countries to share the success story of the city in terms of creating an aware and enlightened citizenry when it comes to managing natural calamities and becoming a resilient community. He will expose these visitors to the organizational structure of the CCAM starting from the barangays, the schools, non-governmental organizations and other government entities on how they harmonize efforts to implement a resilient community with regards to disaster risk reduction management. Mayor Dioneda will also share the communication strategies being implemented in the city and the use of the comprehensive land use plan to ensure safety mechanism of infrastructure development following the CCMA scheme. The Cambodian visitors will in the same manner share their experience in the implementation of their CCAM strategies but according to Manny Daep, city information officer, Sorsogon City has been now highlighted as a "Learning site to visit " since last year 2011, a lot of visitors from local and international communities have been here and to see and learn from the city's CCAM strategy projects. ( MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

Sorsogon City now a "Learning Site to Visit," shares success implementation of climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, Feb. 13 PIA) -- A number of visitors from a neighboring country are in town not to see the sights but to learn how a Philippine province is readying itseIf for any natural disaster. They are representatives from several local governments in Cambodia to immerse and learn the strategies implemented by the local government of Sorsogon in terms of Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (CCAM).

Recommended by the UN Habitat as one of the places here in Asia whose strategies for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (CCAMs) are well in place, Sorsogon City is now among those under the CCAM- assisted cities considered as a "Learning Site to Visit" as a local government in Asia.

The representatives from Cambodia who arrived yesterday will be exposed to the different CCAMs' human and infrastructure initiatives stategies that had been instituted here in this city, assisted by several global funding agencies working on disaster risk reduction mechanisms and strategies to adapt and mitigate effects of climate change.

Sorsogon City Mayor Leovic R. Dioneda said that the representatives from Cambodia will be shown the implementation of programs under the CCAMs starting from the practice of the city's Ecological Solid Waste Management program, the establishment of their Materials Recovery Facilities; the installation of the Light Emitting Diode (LED) using solar energy in the city vicinity and street lights ; the School Mitigating Adapting Risk and Threat (SMART) schools used as evacuation centers; the retrofitting program of houses exposed to highly vulnerable areas and the establishment of the city's CCAM office where equipment and devices are installed to include the automatic weather station.

The city will also share the implementation of the Executive Order 3, s 2011 local scheme/policy/programme on the conversion of 2-stroke tricycle motors to the more efficient and emission reducing 4-stroke motors developed and adopted by the city government.

He will also explain to them the city's contingency plan in Disaster Risk Reduction Management as he had been usually invited in foreign countries to share the success story of the city in terms of creating an aware and enlightened citizenry when it comes to managing natural calamities and becoming a resilient community.

He will expose these visitors to the organizational structure of the CCAM starting from the barangays, the schools, non-governmental organizations and other government entities on how they harmonize efforts to implement a resilient community with regards to disaster risk reduction management.

Mayor Dioneda will also share the communication strategies being implemented in the city and the use of the comprehensive land use plan to ensure safety mechanism of infrastructure development following the CCMA scheme.

The Cambodian visitors will in the same manner share their experience in the implementation of their CCAM strategies but according to Manny Daep, city information officer, Sorsogon City has been now highlighted as a "Learning site to visit " since last year 2011, a lot of visitors from local and international communities have been here and to see and learn from the city's CCAM strategy projects. ( MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

Respect Supreme Court TRO, CBCP Urges

by LESLIE ANN G. AQUINO


MANILA, Philippines — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Saturday called on everyone – particularly Malacañang, the Senate, and the prosecution panel – to respect the Supreme Court’s temporary restraining order (TRO) stopping the impeachment court from compelling the Philippine Savings Bank to disclose the foreign currency accounts of Chief Justice Renato C. Corona.

“It is more academic for the Senate to respect the TRO,” Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, CBCP president said over Church-run Radyo Veritas.

“There is a law of secrecy for dollar accounts,” Palma said.

Palma, however, stressed that the CBCP is not siding with anyone on the issue and it is leaving the decision to the Senate impeachment court.

“We leave this matter in the hands of the senator-judges. We are not siding with anyone. The ball is now in the hands of the Senate. Let’s just trust and respect the process,” he said.

Last Thursday, the Supreme Court, in an 8-5 vote, stopped the Senate from compelling the PSBank from revealing the details of Corona’s dollar bank accounts.

Impeachment Splits Church Leaders

But church leaders are split on whether the impeachment trial of the Chief Justice should continue.

Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez and Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes said the trial in the Senate should continue.

“The impeachment must be finished to get the truth,” Iñiguez said. “It must go on to find more truth about Corona,” Bastes said.

Even the national director of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC) favors going ahead with the trial.

“We should proceed with the trial to uphold the rule of law and instill accountability to everyone,” Bishop Efraim Tendero said in a text message.

“Stopping the trial will allow the accused to present his defense and let the senator-judges discharge their duty with probity,” he added.

Lipa City (Batangas) Archbishop Ramon Arguelles has taken the opposite view, and wants the trial stopped “to save the country from institutional disaster.”

“Many leaders should be saved from this embarrassing situation,” Arguelles said. “The charges of corruption must be done in another forum and when proven guilty, then CJ (Chief Justice) should be convicted and barred from government position for good.”

All others similarly guilty, Arguelles said, must be prosecuted, jailed, and kept from further corrupt practices.

He said a person who has sufficient proof should bring anyone guilty to court.

“No one is above the law. This is not only for CJ. This is for any corrupt official. If such is done against CJ as an individual, there’s no way the whole judicial body will be dragged in the issue,” said Arguelles.

Last Thursday, Corona’s camp asked the Supreme Court to stop the impeachment trial as it accused the Senate, sitting as the impeachment court, of grave abuse of discretion.

According to the petitioners, the Senate committed grave abuse of discretion when it granted the prosecution’s motion to subpoena Corona’s bank records to the trial.

They said the Supreme Court should stop the trial, pending the resolution of its request to strike down Section 2.3 of Article II of the Articles of Impeachment, which accuses Corona of not properly declaring all his assets in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).

Aquino names UP regent, MTC judges

by MIA M. GONZALEZ / REPORTER


PRESIDENT Aquino has appointed Evelina Buencamino Guevara-Escudero, the mother of Sen. Francis Joseph Escudero, as a member of the Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines.

Escudero, who replaces Magdaleno Albarracin Jr., will serve a term expiring on February 18, 2014.

Escudero obtained her home economics degree from the University of the Philippines, and later, her Master in Educational Administration and her doctorate in education from the same institution.

She is the wife of Nationalist People’s Coalition Rep. Salvador Escudero III of Sorsogon, a former secretary of Agriculture and dean of the UP College of Veterinary Medicine.

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda also announced the appointment of judges of the Metropolitan Trial Court in Caloocan City.

They are Judge Marlo Campanilla, Branch 83; Judge Dennis Rafa, Branch 84; Judge Michael Francisco, Branch 85; and Judge Lourdes Grace Barrientos Sasondoncillo, Branch 86.

Campanilla was Fourth Assistant City Prosecutor in Manila at the time of his appointment, while Rafa was Prosecutor II of Makati City.

Sasondoncillo had served as graft investigation and Prosecution Officer I of the Office of the Ombudsman at the time of her appointment.

Since July 2011, Francisco served as general counsel of HTT Realty & Recreational Corp., Lionhead Intl Corp., Jomark Food Corp., and Millennium Ocean Star Corp.

Phivolcs to Bulusan geothermal developer: ‘At your own risk’

by Danny O. Calleja


SORSOGON CITY, Feb 8 (PNA) – “At your own risk”.

This was the warning aired on Wednesday by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) addressed to a private industrial firm eying on the development of a geothermal power facility near the foot of the active Bulusan Volcano.

Crispulo Diolata, the resident volcanologist manning the Phivolc’s Mt. Bulusan Observatory in Barangay Cabid-an here said the volcano’s condition remains abnormal and still under alert level one.

Under this alert level, human activities are discouraged within the four-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ) of the volcano as a life threatening eruption may take place anytime, Diolata explained.

In its bulletin issued on Wednesday, the Phivolcs said “Bulusan Volcano’s status remains at Alert Level 1. Entry into the 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) is strictly prohibited due to sudden steam and ash eruptions.

Due to the prevailing wind direction, residents in the northwest and southwest sectors of the volcano are reminded to take precautions against ashfall from sudden eruptions.

Civil aviation authorities must also warn pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ejecta from sudden eruptions may be hazardous to aircraft. If possible, aircraft should avoid airspace west of the volcano as volcanic ash is likely to be dispersed in this direction by prevailing winds.

Furthermore, people living within valleys and along river/stream channels should be vigilant against sediment-laden stream flows and lahars in the event of heavy and prolonged rainfall.”

The Phivolcs is not saying that the developer of the proposed geothermal power project should not go ahead with their planned activities within the area but they should do it at their own risk. Mt. Bulusan eruptions are risky to human lives and may severely damage their equipment, Diolata stressed.

The proposed establishment of the geothermal facility was contracted by the Department of Energy (DOE) with the Summa Kumagai Industries (SKI) that expects to produce some 40 megawatts of geothermal power following a five-year exploration and construction activities that would slash into the Bulusan Volcano Natural Park (BVNP).

BVNP is a 350,000–hectare protected area covered by the municipality of Bulusan and four other adjoining towns sitting near the foot of the volcano. The area is gifted with lush vegetation teeming with exotic flora and fauna.

It serves as home to several endangered species of birds and animals like falcon, monkeys, deer, wild pigs, among other rare ecological properties that contribute to its rich biodiversity.

It is also a watershed area supplying water to thousands of households and irrigating extensive farmlands within the five towns bordering it. It covers the scenic Bulusan Lake Ecological Park, a sprawling virgin forest area that encloses the magnificent Bulusan Lake, Sorsogon province’s main eco-tourism landmark.

BVNP was awarded early last year by the DOE under its Geothermal Resource Energy Service Contract (GRESCO) to the SKI Construction Group Inc., a fully-owned subsidiary of First Philippine Holdings Corporation of the Lopez Group.

Most of the local government units (LGUs) covering the area are opposing the project on ground that it would destroy the ecological wonders of the area that serves a major destination for the growing local tourism industry.

The SKI, on the other hand, said it is determined to pursue the project despite oppositions from the host communities.

The Bulusan Geothermal Energy Project (BGEP) service contract between the DOE and SKI, covers a five-year development arrangement, the first two years for the exploration or pre-development stage and the next three years for the full development stage.

The pre-development stage would involve the conduct of date review, geochemical sampling, geophysical investigations, data evaluation and resource assessment through drilling of exploratory wells down to the earth’s core within the 26,000 portion of the BVNP.

The development stage is for massive constructions, forest clearing and well-drilling activities to put up roads, geothermal plants, power turbines, toxic waste tailing ponds and other installations.

Diolata said the proposed energy project would not affect in anyway the volcano and its natural attitude. “It is the volcano that would affect the project given its abnormal condition that poses danger to the project and the people working in it.”

Mt. Bulusan that stands 5,135 feet in elevation above the ground was declared under abnormal condition in March 19, 2006 after it manifested increased seismic unrest that was followed by an explosion on June 8 of the same year. At least 11 other eruptions took place later and the latest was on May 13, last year. (PNA) DCT/LAM/LQ/DOC/cbd

Quake felt in Albay and Sorsogon

by pia.gov.ph


LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 7 (PIA) -- An earthquake with intensity 3 jolted this city while an intensity 2 rocked Sorsogon City yesterday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

Phivolcs instruments recorded the earthquake at about 11:49 a.m. Monday with a magnitude of 6.9 at the Richter scale with epicenter in Tayasan, Negros Oriental.

Ed Laguerta, Phivolcs resident volcanologist here, said instruments located the earthquake at 9.97 degrees North, 123.14 degrees east or 5 km North, 41 degrees West of Tayasan, Negros Oriental, with depth of 10 km.

The agency said the earthquake was of Tectonic origin, meaning the quake was triggered by the deformation of earth crust.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda has issued an advisory to local disaster council in towns and cities along western seaboards to be on heightened alert for possible tsunami occurrence in the wake of Phivolcs Tsunami alert following the earthquake.

The tsunami advisory warned residents living in shorelines, river banks, and low lying areas to be on alert. The governor however lifted the tsunami alert advisory a couple of hours later after receiving a Phivolcs bulletin and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) lowering tsunami alert status also Monday afternoon. No evacuation was effected in the province, while no damage was reported. (MAL/MSA, ALbay)

Sorsogon gearing for economic high this 2012

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, Feb. 6 (PIA) -- There's a fresh wind blowing across Sorsogon, and it is envigorating everyone. There are new changes and improvements in the landscape that have been observed by almost all who had been in the area.

For one, the Infrastructure has been undergoing a thorough facelift -- there are now well paved roads, new buildings constructed and being constructed, additional banks are being located in the city and in some municipalities, and a new terminal is now being constructed; it shows that the province is gearing up for 2012.

Sorsogon Electric Cooperative II (SORECO)has a new three-story building open to serve its clientele.

On the other hand, the Sorsogon City Water District (SCWD) is upgrading its facilities and equipments with the Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) providing 24/7 water supply and has added a gym for the healthy lifestyle of its employees.

In the local government units, all municipalities have birthing facilities and two district hospitals are being renovated/ rehabilitated, while the provincial hospital is adding 15 more beds.

Just this December, a big supermarket opened for business while two more big supermarkets are being constructed and set to open this semester. People say that business opportunities are now felt here in the province.

According to Leah Pagao, provincial director of the Department of Trade and Industry, Sorsogon has now become a trade center here in the south with people from down Masbate coming to the province via Bulan and Pilar ports to purchase goods in bulk and do trading.

Several eateries have also sprung up from small and medium carenderias, to fast food chains and restaurants catering to the big number of students here studying in the city and people doing business and other economic activities.

The one-stop shop of the city of Sorsogon has recorded a 17 percent mark up in tax collection compared to the previous year even if there was an increase in tax due to the imposition of the new city tax code according to Ireneo Manaois, Sorsogon City administrator.

It has also been observed that the influx of tourists here in the province continue to increase due to tourism marketing strategies of the provincial and municipal tourism offices involving the participation of private partners who have build new hotels and add on bed and breakfast inns.

The improvements and the newly constructed roads leading to Mt. Bulusan are now almost complete making for a fast link to several tourism destinations particularly to both land and island travelers.

Local government initiatives in terms of improving the services of the municipal and provincial employment offices have also made a significant mark in employment locally with the opening of new eateries, supermarkets, and banks as recorded by the provincial and municipal employment officers here.

According to Pagao, Sorsogon has gained impact on the global market not only because of its natural tourism destinations but also because of its local products like pili, abaca, karagumoy, moras now locally produced and assisted in terms of development by the two representatives from the first and second districts through the small and medium enterprise development initiatives as reflected in their congressional fund allocations.

With the new thrust of the national government under President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino's administration, implementation of the Philippine Development Plan, Sorsogon has now become according to most observers here a hub of economic opportunities, its location being the gateway to the south and to the north.(MAL/IAGPIA-Sorsogon)

Provincial health office records 18 deaths of Cholera, advises public to take extra health precautions

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, Feb. 5 (PIA) -- Dr. Edgar Garcia, officer here of the Sorsogon Provincial Hospital reminded the public today to take all the necessary exigent health precautions against cholera; to date, the province has 18 recorded deaths in a span of three months.

According to him, the provincial hospital intensified its campaign against the disease due to the alarming rate of deaths.

He also said that he had made representations with all local chief executives to be aware of this health concern specially here in the city of Sorsogon through their municipal health officers.

He also explained that there were 12 deaths related to this illness recorded in Sorsogon City, 3 deaths in Gubat, one in Castilla and one in Bulusan.

He also explained that the cause of death can also be attributed to the presence of “fecal ecoli “ that may have contaminated river stream in some areas due to poor hygiene and wrong toilet habits.

Garcia also explained that after receiving the results yesterday based on rectal swabs and the findings of the cause of deaths, he immediately went on radio today to give the results of the findings of the several patients who were rushed to the hospital with the same symptoms and immediately conducted emergency meeting with the local health boards.

The PHO, according to Dr. Garcia, had intensively informed the public and issued warnings to the municipal health workers to be vigilant and keep watch of the incidence and remind public to take health precautions especially by boiling their water for drinking. He also had made coordination with the Sorsogon City Water District for water chlorination.

He also said that a total of 200 plus patients for the last three months here had been admitted with the same symptoms and have been provided the immediate medication only those who were not brought immediately to the hospital and were not given the needed first aid treatment by their family died.

Garcia also again reminded the public to rush immediately patients who suffer loose bowel movement as this is one of the symptoms of diarrhea and that if the patient has low resistance as in the case of a lot of people today because of the weather, then vigilance is needed.

He also informed the public that all Rural Health Units have the needed antibiotics and health workers know what to do in this case. Intensive daily and weekly surveillance on the cases according to him should be done not only by health workers but members of the family as well. Children going to school should bring boiled water for drinking and avoid buying street food or food which they think may not be properly and safely prepared. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

Port projects awarded

by Kathleen A. Martin


THE PHILIPPINE Ports Authority (PPA) has issued separate notices of award for P268.42-million worth of port development projects. In a copy of the Notice of Award posted on the government agency’s Web site yesterday, Luck-Well Construction was awarded the P185.81-million expansion project for the Port of Matnog, Sorsogon.

The project involves the construction and development of the port’s back-up area, deck on piles, two roll-on roll-off ramps, and the lighting system, according to the notice.

PPA noted it expects to enter a contract with Luck-Well Construction within 10 days from the receipt of the notice.

The notice was issued by the government agency last Jan. 24, and was received by the winning contractor on Jan. 26.

Meanwhile, PPA also issued a notice of award to Kwan Sing Construction Corp. for the P82.62-million dredging project at the Port of Zamboanga in Zamboanga del Sur.

The project, dubbed as dredging of berths and maneuvering areas at Port of Zamboanga, involves rock breaking, blasting, dredging or removal of broken rock and coral formation, and disposal of dredged or excavated soil materials.

The notice of award was issued by PPA on Jan. 31 and was received by Kwan Sing Construction on Feb. 2.

The government agency expects a contract to be entered into by said parties within 10 days from the receipt of the notice.

Last month, PPA has already sealed P332.1-million worth of port development projects and issued notices of award for another P209.08-million worth of projects.

PPA expects cargo volume to increase 5% to 175.40 million metric tons (MT) in 2012 from a forecast of 167.82 million MT in 2011, the agency previously said.

Because of the expected increase in cargo volume, PPA said continuous port development projects will be undertaken by the government and various private firms.

In 2010, the country’s cargo volume reached 166.4 million MT. The 2011 projected figure of 167.82 million MT is a 1% growth from 2010 levels.

DepEd Sorsogon readies for mother-tongue based instruction this June 2012

by (MAL/IAG, PIA-SORSOGON)


SORSOGON CITY, Feb. 3 (PIA) -- Sorsogon City Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Virgilio S. Real disclosed yesterday that the Department of Education (DepEd) here is now ready to implement the “Mother-tongue-based instruction” in classrooms, meaning, that the language of instruction will use the local dialect in schools starting grade one this school year June 2012.

Real said that the DepEd is now ready with books and other instructional materials that were translated into the local dialects of each town.

Real said that the use of the local dialect as the medium of instruction especially in grade one is a very effective way of teaching a child or pupil because then, they can easily interact with the teacher. He also said that here in Sorsogon, two schools in Sorsogon East Central School have been pilot-tested and have shown a remarkable significant easy communication process where pupils were able to comprehend better and school achievement was remarkably high since the language used is the first language taught and learned at home. He said that teachers did not have difficulty in communication or language barrier and that no interpretation or explanation is done as to unlock difficulties in communication. Real said that the “lengua–franka or mother tongue based instruction” is also a very easy means for teacher-pupil learning process as full participation of pupils is expected since barriers for understanding are removed and teacher can explain better using the local language and examples can be given in more understandable language.






risk reduction office beefs up action in preparation for La Nina

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, Feb.1 (PIA) -- El Nino was felt in 2011; it will be La Nina's turn this year and provinces have been instructed to prepare for any eventuality. The Sorsogon Provincial Disaster Risk Management Office (SPDRMO), in its continuing effort to heighten awareness about La Nina, is urging its members to intensify activities in support of La Nina awareness.

SPDRMO spokesperson Vhon Andre Labalan, explained the needed harmonization of efforts of member agencies especially in its preparations being done for the coming La Nina.

SPDRMO has also engaged the assistance of different non-governmental organizations working in information dissemination particularly in the identified areas with peculiar vulnerabilities like Juban, Irosin, Casiguran, and Bulan.

The effects of the Mt. Bulusan explosion also made these four municipalities vulnerable to ash transmitted by wind; the municipalities of Juban and Irosin to mudflow siltation, and other municipalities highly vulnerable to erosion and landslides as in the case of Magallanes , Donsol,and the city of Sorsogon particularly the West and Bacon districts.

According to Labalan, SPDRMO head Jose Lopez has collated all the documents and reports submitted by all local government units particularly in the implementation of their contingency plan.

The disaster risk reduction efforts of Sorsogon has been lauded by the different international funding agencies.

Labalan explained that SPDRMO continuously monitors the rainfall situation through rain gauges that have been installed and proper documentation is being forwarded regularly to their office.

SPDRMO, in collaboration with the Sorsogon Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Council (SPDRRC), has also provided all local governments the list of equipments that can be handy for evacuation and rescue. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)





8 LGUs in Bicol cited as best eco-waste management implementers

by pia.gov.ph


SORSOGON CITY, Jan 31 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through the National Solid Waste Management Council (NSWMC), recognized eight local government units (LGUs) in Bicol for its effective implementation of solid waste management as specified in the mandate of Republic Act 9003 otherwise known as “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.”

The awarding was done yesterday, January 30, at the DENR office in Rawis, Legazpi City.

Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) regional director Eva Ocfemia said that the recognition was divided into two categories where Category 1 refers to LGUs that have the most materials recovery facility (MRF) in every barangay or group of barangays in its area of coverage, while Category 2 refers to LGUs implementing effective strategies in terms of waste reduction and segregation, has a functional MRF, and successfulin managing its bio-degradable wastes.

The cities of Naga and Sorsogon, the town of Magarao in Camarines Sur ,and Pilar in Sorsogon bagged the award for the first category, while the city of Legazpi and the towns of Bulan, Irosin, and Magallanes in the province of Sorsogon were chosen winners for Category 2.

Meanwhile, DENR executive director Joselin Marcus Fragada reminded anew LGUs across the region that have not yet implemented the proper waste management and disposal to put it into practice the soonest possible time so as not to face penalties once the law on Ecological Solid Waste Management is strictly enforced.(DENR News/BR-PIA Sorsogon)





Casiguran town hosts leadership training for student leaders

by PIA Press Release


SORSOGON CITY, Jan. 30 (PIA) -- The Bicol Region believes in training them young to become upright leaders. A total of 1,750 participants comprising of student leaders across the Bicol Region attended the 4th Bicol Regional Leadership Training for Government Officers on January 27-29 held at the Casiguran Technical Vocational High School and Casiguran Central School. The three-day training, hosted by the local government of Casiguran, aimed to enhance the participants' knowledge, skills, and attitudes as student leaders from their respective schools and local community by inculcating in them the values of cooperation, teamwork, service, responsibility, and accountability. According to Orfelina O. Tuy, Department of Education officer-in-charge, RO 5, the training will also instill in them values which will enable them to actively engage in useful programs and projects in their school and communities. The participants are the duly elected officers of the Supreme Student Government/ School Pupil Government accompanied by their teacher-advisers in Social Studies, Elementary School Pupil Coordinators, and department heads or school principals. The young leaders had a chance to listen to resource speakers like Senator Francis Joseph "Chiz" G. Escudero who talked on Leadership Challenges Towards a Better Philippines; Franco Avelino A. Hilotin, on the mandated programs, projects, and activities; and Jose Doncillo, division coordinator of the Division of Sorsogon, who shared his views on effective leadership. Also on hand were Rev. Fr. Treb Futol, parish priest of Juban who shared his views on Leadership or Servanthood and Dr. Lorna D. Dino of DepEd Region IV-A, who talked on Upgrading Basic Education: K+12 Initiatives.(PIA V)

Magnitude 5.5 quake rocks Bicol

by ELLALYN B. DE VERA


A moderately strong earthquake measuring 5.5-magnitude on the Richter scale jolted parts of Bicol Region yesterday morning. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded the 5.5-magnitude earthquake at 8:17 a.m. Saturday that originated 62 kilometers southeast of Virac, Catanduanes. Phivolcs science research specialist Linda Amin said the earthquake was caused by movements along the Philippine Trench. Intensity 3 was recorded in Virac, Baras and Viga in Catanduanes; Intensity 2 in Sorsogon City; and Intensity 1 in Legaspi City and Irosin in Sorsogon. Phivolcs said there was no reported loss of lives or damage to property due to the earthquake. However, it noted that aftershocks are likely to occur. Amin said earthquakes are normal occurrences in the country, noting that Phivolcs records 20 weak and strong tremors on the average everyday.

NPA Rebels torch down passenger bus in Albay - Vox Bikol

by cebusandman.typepad.com


FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City (Jan 27, 2012) – A Silver Star bus which originated from Bulan town Sorsogon and heading towards Manila was torched down by suspected NPA rebels In Barangay Cagbacong, Legaspi City last night (January 26) at around 07:30 pm. Eyewitnesses claimed that the suspects posing as passengers, boarded the bus at a stopover terminal in Sorsogon City. Upon reaching the area between Cumadcad and Sogoy villages in Castilla town, the armed men drew their pistols and introduced themselves as NPA rebels. At the junction in Barangay Sogoy, Castilla town they commandeered the bus towards Barangay Cagbacong, an interior barangay of Legaspi City where three more rebels with long firearms were waiting. The passengers were forcibly herded out of the bus before the rebels poured gasoline on the bus and razed it to the ground. The passengers fled the scene towards the national hi-way and reported the incident to the police in Barangay Cumadcad. “Extortion is the primary motive in this burning incident. The people have denounced this atrocity wherein the NPA rebels have terrorized not just the business owners but also the innocent passengers,” said Col Felix Castro Jr., 903rd Brigade Commander based in Sorsogon. Castro added that coordination has been made with the PNP to track the rebels.

Rebels torch passenger bus in Legaspi

by Bicol Media Solutions


MANILA, Philippines – Suspected members of the New People's Army torched a Manila-bound passenger bus in Legaspi City late Thursday.

This after the company allegedly failed to pay revolutionary taxes to the rebels.

A Silver Star bus was on its way to Manila when four armed men boarded at the pick-up station in Sorsogon City.

Upon reaching Cumadcad section of the national highway in Castilla town in Legaspi City, the group announced that they were NPA rebels.

They commandeered the vehicle to the interior village of Cagbacong, where three other armed men were waiting, before torching the bus around 7:30 p.m.

The passengers were forced to walk the rough road back to the national highway.

None among the dozens of passengers were hurt as the rebels reiterated that their sole intention was for the bus company to comply with their revolutionary tax requirements.

In a statement, Castilla town police chief Fred Nierva said all the passengers were safe, and their baggage were all intact.

For his part, Col. Felix Castro, commander of the 903rd Brigade Commander in Sorsogon, said: "Extortion is the primary motive."

Sec. Pardo recognized as 2011 Outstanding Filipino

by pia-sorsogon.blogspot.com


SORSOGON CITY, January 26 - The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) congratulates one of its Board Directors, Mr. Jose T. Pardo, for being one of the recipients of the 2011 The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Award given by JCI Senate Philippines and The Insular Life Assurance, Co., Ltd.

The TOFIL Award is given to men and women, 41 years and above, who have significantly contributed to the welfare of the people and the country. Sec. Pardo is cited for his contributions to the business sector.

Pardo is honored for pioneering the franchising model and for being one of the earliest to push for Corporate Social Responsibility. He joins four others in receiving the TOFIL award. These are: Dr. Jesus P. Estanislao for Governance, Dr. Ramon Nery for Government/Public Service, Ms. Sylvia Pendon for Entrepreneurship and Dr. Emerlinda Roman for Education.

The former Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Finance, Sec. Pardo holds key positions in various business entities. He currently serves as Chairman of Electronic Commerce Payment Network, Inc. (ECPay), OOCC General Construction Corp. and Philippine Savings Bank. He sits as Director of ZNN Radio Veritas, Bank of Commerce, San Miguel Pure Foods, Inc., JG Summit Holdings, Inc. and Bank of Commerce Investment Corporation. Sec. Pardo is also engaged in civic organizations such as the PCCI Council of Business Leaders, ECOP Council of Business Leaders, Foundation for Crime Prevention, Assumption (Antipolo), and De La Salle University (Canlubang).

JCI Senate Philippines is an organization of a select group of Junior Chamber International (JCI) members who have been awarded lifetime membership as JCI Senators in recognition of their contributions to JCI.

The Insular Life Assurance Co., Ltd. is the first and largest Filipino life insurance company. Its subsidiaries provide general insurance, health maintenance and investment services. (NGCP News/PIA Sorsogon)

DA Sec to distribute agri fund to 200 beneficiaries in Sorsogon

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, Sorsogon, Jan. 25 (PIA) -- Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary, Proceso J. Alcala will be awarding checks, including agricultural comprehensive scholarships to farmers, fisher folks and irrigators, a total of 200 beneficiaries on Jan. 26 at the Sorsogon Provincial Gymnasium under the "Agrikultura: Kaagapay ng Bayang Pinoy (AKBAY)" program. The beneficiaries were previously identified and have undergone validation by the four different attached agencies of DA as those that need immediate intervention to implement programs here in the province. From the Fiber Development Authority (FIDA), 30 farmers will receive assistance on abaca development. Forty coconut farmers from the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) will be granted funds while 30 fisher folks from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and 100 irrigators from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) shall also benefit. The AKBAY program is a mechanism for poverty alleviation given to identified provinces through the provision of livelihood and employment opportunities and augmenting the source of income of the farm households. It also aims to strengthen the capabilities of marginalized sectors to involve and empower them in decision making processes. This program was conceptualized by the National Agriculture and Fishery Council which is under the DA and will be implemented in tandem with the DA regional offices, the local government units and the local agriculture and fishery councils. Alcala, assisted by Sorsogon Governor Raul Lee, will be handing in checks and award the Agricultural Comprehensive Enhancement Fund (ACEF) Scholarship to farmer beneficiaries. Sorsogon has been identified as one of the AKBAY beneficiaries and was awarded P2.09-million assistance through the implementation of the different programs of the several attached agencies. Ten more beneficiaries identified through the AKBAY will be awarded P10,000 each for agri-business. Together with Alcala are DA-5 regional director Dr. Jose V. Dayao, PCA-5 regional manager Eduardo Allorde, DA-5 regional technical director for Research and Regulations Edgar R. Madrid, who will present the programs and project of DA. Expected to attend are the mayors their municipal agricultural officers and heads of offices of the attached agencies under the DA here. (MAL/IAG/PIA-5)

Imposition of higher city realty tax, alarms landowners

by PIA Press Release


SORSOGON CITY, Jan 20 (PIA) -- Landowners here in the city of Sorsogon are alarmed by the higher imposition of realty taxes that were implemented starting the first day of this year, 2012. According to most of these landowners, the imposition of higher taxes was enacted by the Sanggunian Panlalawigan in the Provincial Ordinance No 01-2011 last July 18, 2011 and once implemented this year, would mean a very high mark up in their payments. Landowners are reacting and would like to request for a dialogue with the local officials since abaca, coconut, and other agricultural products do not provide high profit since there is little value added to these products; also, there is the issue of high cost of farm inputs. A total of 54 landowners who attended the committee hearing said that the increase seems to be high. On top of this, homeowners have to pay the realty tax of their houses, which they consider as non-profit assets thereby making the payment of taxes for agricultural land and for their residences as exhorbitant. The increase in the realty taxes range from 38 percent and above as compared to that of the previous rate of previous years. Sorsogon City councilor Nestor J. Baldon, author of the said ordinance, said that under the local government code of 1991, the city of Sorsogon is mandated to enact an ordinance providing for the fair market value of all real properties based now on its assessed fair market value. He also explained that since the city was established in 2000, it has implemented a tax moratorium, meaning that no increase in realty tax was implemented for the past 11 years. He said that with the current market value of real property here in the city, there is also a need to upgrade the tax increase implementation to enhance the eroding tax base for realty taxes. Baldon explained that the preparation of the tax revenue code is guided by the rules and regulations issued by the Department of Finance and that under the local government code, local government units has to undertake a general revision of property assessment once every three years. The city of Sorsogon is almost on its eleventh year and based on the Local Government Code it should have undergone a three time increase in taxes. The five-year grace period of tax moratorium has been made and according to councilor Baldon, the increase in realty taxes this year will also become an economic mechanism for development since the lifeblood of any local government is the generation of taxes. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

DOST intensifies monitoring of mudflow in Juban and Irosin, recommends intervention

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, Jan 17 (PIA) -- In the report tendered by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) provincial head here, Engr. Gerry Asuncion, he said that the several explosions of Mt. Bulusan have caused the deposit of enormous volume of ashes and other volcanic debris now compounded on the slopes of the volcano and gullys leading to the towns of Irosin and Juban causing mudflows. According to Asuncion, the heavy continuous rains in the province have induced these volcanic debris to flow towards the river system and its tributaries leading to the Cadac-an river that traverses the two towns. All smaller river tributaries in these two municipalities are now heavily silted despite the dredging conducted by the Department of Public Works and Highways together with the engineering department of the provincial government. Asuncion said that the DOST technical report says that the flooding and siltation will greatly affect the water supply of some barangays in Juban dependent on the rivers for household needs. He said that their agency had come up with the river map of these areas for regular monitoring and have also installed a mechanism to find out the volume of mudflow, its increase, and its impact on these certain identified areas. With the heavy siltation of Cadac-an river, the barangays of Tampi, Taboc, Biriran, and Binanuahan in Juban have now become affected by floods. The heavy downpour now overflows to these barangays causing floods and if not given immediate intervention, will create a greater problem in terms of water supply needs. Asuncion also explained that they are now devising a water filter out of clay that can be used to filter water and remove the particles of sand and silt to come up with clear water for immediate needs. He said that with the current situation specifically in these two towns, some highly flood-prone areas in Juban should be given attention especially in terms of clean and potable water supply, especially during emergencies. The water filter made out of clay can also be used to remove particles on water affected by the silting. “This water filter can be used for immediate needs in evacuation centers as part of DOST’s disaster risk reduction mechanism intervention to have access to clear water supply to people in evacuation centers affected by flooding or other calamities,” he said. “Evacuation centers should be able to use alternative means to provide safe drinking water and this water filter made out of clay can be mass produced; what we need is funding so that areas affected by flooding can use these as a means to have clear water supply including for bath and toilet needs,” Asuncion explained. (PIA-Sorsogon)

Forest protection council to intensify info campaign on environmental protection

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, Jan 16 (PIA)-- “We have to intensify the awareness of the people in Sorsogon in terms of environmental protection and conservation given the disasters that struck the country because of man’s total disregard of the environment,” Andy Espinar, Multi-sectoral Forest Protection Council (MFPC) president said. “While we have strengthened the apprehension activities of the MFPC through the active roles provided by the Philippine National Police, Philippine Army, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office, awareness on the mitigation mechanisms to protect and conserve our environment is of utmost importance,” he said. During the meeting, the different sectoral groups were told to come up with their annual work plan to be collated as the provincial MFPC work and financial plan 2012. One of the concerns that surfaced was the provision of a livelihood component so that those engaged in illegal cutting of trees could be identified and given assistance. Provincial Environment and Natural Resources officer, Rene Camacho, said that he will give a copy of the environmental profile of the province as this will be the basis of the MFPC as a baseline data for dissemination. It will also serve as the cue for local officials on what is the true condition of their municipalities in terms of forest cover to come up with their environmental plan and areas for reforestation. The council also emphasized to all members to support the National Greening Program of the government, a strategy for environmental protection. EDC-Environmental Management Department supervisor Henry Roy said that under their BINHI program, the company is pursuing to green the areas especially where geothermal plants were located. An information dissemination campaign was conducted today at PBN-DZMS headed by the Philippine Information Agency, the Department of Education, and the Kapisanan ng Mga Broadcasters sa Pilipinas, Sorsogon chapter. (PIA-SORSOGON)

Gubat town trains health workers for mother and baby care program

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, Jan 12 (PIA) -- A three day essential health training for health workers focused on the implementation of the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) No. 4 - to eradicate maternal and infant mortality - is now ongoing here. According to Dr. Carmen Ramos Bonoan, the need to enable health workers in the proper care of pregnant and lactating mothers is a must since this is one of the most vulnerable group needing health care attention based on report of maternal and infant mortality status nationwide. A group of physicians and lecturers coming from the University of the Philippines headed by Dr. Maria Asuncion is now the one conducting the training. There is indeed a need to provide a continuous skills enhancement for health workers starting from the barangay health centers, municipal, and district hospital personnel so that collegial support system in the implementation of the MDG No. 4 be achieved. According to Ramos, aside from enabling the health personnel, the barangay health centers,and municipal and district hospitals will also be upgraded in terms of facilities and other equipment together with provision of information education materials, fliers and brochures specifically on the maternal and infant health care implementation. Funding for the procurement of health equipment will be shouldered by the office of congressman Deogracias Ramos. It was also learned that the following flagship programs are being provided substantive funding allocation: the strengthening of health development mechanisms, environmental protection and conservation, tourism, and infrastructure development. It is expected that the three-day training program will provide the health workers particularly in the second district the needed skills and knowledge in the assistance and support of the implementation of the MDG goal no. 4.(MAL/IAG-PIA Sorsogon)






Massive mangrove project to bring fireflies to Donsolt

by Kristine L. Alave

Philippine Daily Inquirer


A shower of flying “stars” will soon accompany whale sharks in Donsol, Sorsogon province, thanks to a massive mangrove planting project on the coast of one of the country’s top tourist draws. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-Philippines started to plant 10,000 mangrove seedlings in Donsol’s Sibago village last December to enhance and protect the ecosystem that is shared by whale sharks and tiny organisms like plankton and fireflies. The mangroves enrich nutrients along the coast and in the water, attracting both whale sharks and fireflies, the WWF said. “Whale sharks congregate in Donsol because of the plankton. Plankton consume nutrients discharged by Donsol’s still-healthy rivers, one of the few habitats where fireflies still thrive,” said WWF-Philippines project manager Raul Burce. “Remove mangroves and the fireflies shall be driven off. Without the healthy rivers needed by fireflies, plankton populations cannot bloom and the whale sharks will migrate elsewhere. If one component crashes, the others follow suit. This can be catastrophic for the people of Donsol,” Burce said. The project in Donsol came on the heels of the government’s new tourism campaign with the slogan “It’s more fun in the Philippines.” The WWF said Donsol was an example of how good environmental management and tourism programs could improve the lives of communities. WWF-Philippines CEO Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan said: “The key here is balance. Without it, the productivity of our natural systems will crash. Strike a balance between conservation and development, and we can ensure sustainability.” Donsol’s economy has boomed as tourists flock to its waters to see the whale sharks. A total of 24,191 local and foreign visitors swam with the gentle giants from December to June 2011. Donsol’s municipal tourism office estimated that the 2010 season alone generated more than P100 million from transportation, food, lodging, registration fees, and whale shark, mangrove and firefly tours. Around P20 million was retained by the local government, bolstering incomes and improving lives. Known in Filipino as “bakawan,” mangroves are considered to be one of the most productive of marine habitats—able to generate 500 kilograms of seafood per hectare annually. The roots of the trees provide shelter for marine life, and their fallen leaves are used for food. The roots of the mangroves also absorb heavy trace metals, minimizing coastal erosion and preventing inland saltwater contamination. Mangroves also protect the soil from erosion and the communities from storm surges caused by typhoons. This is important for the residents of Donsol as they live in a region frequented by tropical storms. The importance of mangroves in the Philippines, with its 36,289 kilometers of coastline and a largely shore-borne population, has been recognized by the environment and agriculture departments. Recently, the Department of Agriculture earmarked P237.5 million for the planting of new mangroves and the setting up of “aquasilvi” projects in coastal communities. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources also included mangroves as a priority area in its national greening program.

Local gov't optimistic on Gubat tourism development

by Bennie A. Recebido


SORSOGON CITY, January 10 (PIA) -– The municipal government of Gubat is determined to develop and promote their tourism industry to both domestic and foreign tourists to prove that it is more fun in the coastal town of Gubat. Municipal tourism officer Rebecca Ermino said that they are currently in the process of conducting dialogue to resort owners as well as to local officials of barangays in Gubat with potential tourism sites so as to know their respective tourism development plans and to give them assistance, if needed. Ermino said they have already established resorts and other tourism sites where tourists, local and foreign have frequently visited already, but they wanted to make sure that best services will be offered to them so tourists would get beyond what they have spent. Among the tourism destinations that Gubat takes pride with are Rizal Beach in Brgy. Rizal located 5 kms south of the town, which hosted the 9th edition of Philippine Hobie (PhilHobie) Challenge on February 2009. “It is famous because aside from its fine-off-white and gradually sloping beach along a still very intact coast, its shoreline is also best for campfire and beach games,” she said. Ermino also said that aside from the numerous resorts, they also promote their Liang Caves found in Brgy. Togawe, Kalayukai Beach, Dankalan Beach located at the south eastern cove of the town in between Brgy. Pinotingan and Ariman, Gubat Cadaop Spring in Brgy. Bentuco and Handawan Island in Brgy. Cogon. Gubat town is now also being recognized as the Surfing Capital of Sorsogon gaining positive feedback from local and foreign tourists due to its big surfing waves that could thrill both swimmers and surfers. The sand bottom beach breaks of Brgys. Ariman and Buenavista which produces 2-5 feet waves is also considered as a beginner friendly surfing spot especially during the months of September to May. With the formation of Gubat Bay Surfers by Bidge Villarroya and surfboards donated by the Local Government Unit under Mayor Ding Ramos, surfing is more accessible to the local population and tourists alike. Aside from the invigorating beaches, Gubat town also offers tourists with scrumptious native delicacies such as baked “Timitim”, which is similar to cassava cake made up from grated cassava, mixed with coconut milk, sugar, vanilla and pili nuts and the steamed “Kinagang” made of crayfish meat mixed with strips of young coconut and leaves of mint (herba buena) and wrapped in a very special type of leaves known as “hagikhik” which is believed to be the secret of the delicacy. Gubat is a 2nd class municipality with 42 barangays. (MAL/BAR, PIA Sorsogon)





Sorsogon City children’s park and wellness center in the pipeline

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, Jan 6 (PIA) -- Sorsogon City will be uplifting the landscape of the area by including a Children’s Park and Wellness Center beside the city hall by 2012. According to Sorsogon City Mayor Leovic R. Deoneda, the proposed Children’s Park will have a more environmentally sound feature - the existing trees will be retained, more greenery will be provided, and there will be more open space to allow children to play in a safe area. Deoneda said that the open space in front of the city hall has become a favorite spot for families; it has become one of the best areas most visited. People who love to brisk walk in the mornings and even in the evenings, those who exercise, or just to stroll have been using the open space near the city hall. “I have seen that there is still a need to have more open space to allow people within the city enjoy their morning or afternoon walks and I have also seen the park in front the city hall now become a family bonding place especially during Saturdays and Sundays,” he said. “The need to have additional separate park for the children where they can enjoy and at the same time be safe is now part of the urban planning mechanism to address the need to create safer cities and Sorsogon City is one of the emerging cities now that has heeded this call,” he said. "The Wellness Center will also allow people of all ages to have physical exercise in an area big enough to accommodate people who would like to flex their muscles for stamina and health development and maintenance,” he said. The direction of the city is now towards the human development and environmental conservation so that all facilities and structures that will be constructed will conform to address wellness and the effects of climate change. He also said that there are still other projects in the pipeline for 2012 to include smoother traffic flow, management of solid wastes, creation of safer facilities for work, enjoyment and other activities, and development that conforms to the global needs as a way to implement good governance. He also said that such infrastructure or development like parks and centers will always be in synch with the climate change adaptation and mitigation mechanism as this is now the in thing in developing cities. He also underscored the need for the constituency to help him in becoming aware of how to safeguard these facilities being provided by the city government and take good care of them as if its their own.(MAL/IAG-PIA Sorsogon)

Sorsogon City to implement synchronized barangay patrol system

by Bennie A. Recebido


SORSOGON CITY, January 5 (PIA) – Sorsogon City Police Chief PSupt Edgardo Ardales said that the city police is now on the process of synchronizing the barangay patrol system among barangay tanods and the Philippine National Police (PNP) force to ensure peace, order and security in all barangays here.

“The responsibility of ensuring peace and security in the barangay lies primarily on barangay officials and barangay police (tanod), and men of PNP is at all time available to render service to the general public according to their mandate and ensure that the whole community is secured and free from all forms of harm.

Ardales bared that among his plans and priorities for 2012 is to hold dialogue with all barangay officials across the city to discuss with them some crime mitigation efforts and forge partnership with them in order to make sure that the efforts as planned and implemented will not be put to waste.

“I am planning of entering into an agreement with barangay officials and tanods in terms of a systematic implementation of a patrol system where tanods and policemen assigned in the area will take turns ensuring that no areas will be left unattended to,” the official said.

He also specifically mentioned that electrification in dark areas and the visibility of barangay tanods through the assistance of PNP personnel in the area are a must in all barangays.

He likewise said he wanted to know the difficulties experienced by the barangay police in patrolling or conducting rounds especially that reports have reached his office that some barangays in the city do not really have existing barangay tanods.

Ardales said that majority of the eighty four (84) active policemen and twenty(20) rookies of their force are assigned in sub-station 1 and sub-station 2 at the heart of Sorsogon City, this is why he also appealed to business owners to hire security that would protect their respective establishments and not to fully give to the PNP personnel all the responsibility of safeguarding their lives and properties since that aside from peace and order situation, they also have other responsibilities to attend to and that he admitted they cannot also keep an eye on the residents here individually.

“However in December last year, just after I assumed into office, I have immediately issued directives to my men to ensure that peace and order situation will be sustained not only in times of celebration but also during ordinary days,” he said. (BRecebido/PIA Sorsogon)






One-stop shop for business operators opens in Sorsogon City

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, Jan 4 (PIA) -- "BOSS" or Business Operators Service System is again operational in the city hall of Sorsogon City for 20 days, enough time for business operators to apply/renew their business permits and licenses. According to Sorsogon City Mayor Leovic R. Deoneda, this procedure had been ongoing for several years to facilitate the renewal and application for new permits and licenses. Dioneda assured that all departments involved in the issuance of permits and licenses, together with national agencies whose mandate is the same, had been provided space and personnel in the main hallway so that people transacting business will have easy access to their services. The local government had also informed business owners to bring the needed/necessary papers so that they would not be going back and forth. BOSS will be opened five days a week, including two Saturdays; the system started January 2 to end on the midnight of Jan. 22. A 25 percent interest will be added to the usual fee for late filers. Also, a one-time paying regulation will be observed - that upon filing of permit and license, payment of required dues shall also be paid. "Our taxes will help propel our economy and establish an improved service delivery of the national and local government programs and projects," Deoneda concluded. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

DOH offers free flu vaccine to indigent senior citizens in Sorsogon By Danny O. Calleja

by bulantoday.com


SORSOGON CITY, Jan. 3 (PNA) – The Department of Health (DOH) through the facilities and health service personnel of the Sorsogon Provincial Hospital (SPH) here is providing free vaccine against flu to indigent senior citizens in the province.

Dr. Edgar Garcia, the provincial health officer and SPH chief on Monday said the free medical services and vaccines are under the health department’s Code White Alert being implemented as mitigating health strategy and as part of the disaster risk reduction management mechanism of the Aquino administration.

“The program wants to see to it that public health, as one of the priority concerns is well served in providing early interventions so that mitigation for health concerns is addressed,” Garcia said.

The prolonged rainy season and cold weather call for this preventive intervention as the elderly sector is exposed to flu contamination under this climate conditions, he stressed.

Flu or influenza, according to Garcia is a highly contagious viral infection that affects the respiratory tract. Compared to common colds, flu can cause severe illnesses and can lead to serious complications in all age groups.

While other viral infections carry symptoms that usually are mild and do not prevent most afflicted individuals from doing normal daily activities, flu symptoms are severe and prolonged and can cause the individual to miss days of work or school. The infection stresses the body, he said.

“Flu may cause high fever, cough, sore throat, a runny nose, headache, more malaise and severe body aches. Some people describe the flu as being like the worst cold of their life. Most people feel better after one or two weeks, but for some, the infection leads to serious, even life-threatening diseases, such as pneumonia,” Garcia explained.

Because of its infectiousness, severity of symptoms, time lost for work or other physical activities and the potential to lead to serious complications, it is important to prevent flu and the best way to avoid it is to get the vaccine each year before the flu season.

Each year, he said the influenza virus can change slightly making the vaccine used in previous year ineffective.

A world-wide flu surveillance has been established by the World Health Organization (WHO) to detect and select the most likely strains to circulate in the forthcoming flu season. These selected strains are used to develop the new vaccine formula.

The flu vaccine contains three different strains of the virus which scientists believe are most likely to show up. Flu vaccine is safe and almost all people who received it have no serious problems from it, Garcia said.

The vaccine is generally effective against the flu virus within two weeks of the vaccination. It works by exposing a person’s immune system to the virus as the body is enabled to build up anti bodies to the virus to protect you from getting the flu, he said.

The flu vaccine is 70 to 90 percent effective in preventing the flu in healthy people. Some people who get the vaccine will still get the flu, but they will usually get a milder case than people who were not vaccinated, Garcia said.

He however reminded everyone especially the senior citizens and children that are age groups highly flu vulnerable to maintain a healthy lifestyle with proper diet and exercise to reduce the impact of the infection.

The provincial health chief said indigent old people usually suffer respiratory diseases due to cold weather condition, poor living conditions and poor diet, thus it is exigent that vaccine to fight flu be given to this sector.

Local health workers from the province down to the barangays and local government officials were already informed of this free vaccination campaign and they were requested to advice indigent senior citizens within their areas of responsibility to avail of this services being given at the SPH, he said.

“They will not be charged of any amount for this as the vaccines are provided free by the DOH and the services are from government health works and doctors,” he added. (PNA) LAP/LQ/DOC/cbd

Free flu vaccine to indigent senior citizens in Sorsogon

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, Jan 2 (PIA) -- The provincial health office of Sorsogon has provided indigent senior citizens free flu vaccines to address the respiratory health problems brought about by old age. "Indigent old people usually suffer respiratory diseases due to cold weather condition, poor living conditions, and poor diet, thus it is exigent that vaccine to fight flu be given to this sector," Dr. Liduvina D. Dorion said in her regular radio program Paalalang Pangkalusugan yesterday. Dorion enjoined all workers in the barangay health centers to inform local officials, especially barangay chiefs, that free flu vaccine is available for indigent senior citizens, who, according to the Department of Health (DOH), are vulnerable to influenza and pneumonia. With the continuous rainy season and cold weather conditions, the provincial government and the DOH have joined efforts and focused most of their health priorities on children and the elderly, two of the age group easily prone to diseases and must be given early prevention like vaccination so as to arrest any complications early. “Most have somehow contributed also to their communities but because of financial constraints, most can not avail of the cost of medicines, Dorion said. “Today, the Code White program implementation of the DOH as a mitigating health strategy and as part of the disaster risk reduction management mechanism has seen to it that health is one of the priority concern provided early intervention so that mitigation for health concerns be addressed,” Dorion concluded. (MAL/IAG-PIA Sorsogon)


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