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Sorsogon Province News October 2011

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Army troops recover firearms in Sorsogon

by Villamor Visaya Jr., Inquirer Northern Luzon and Juan Escandor Jr. and Rey Nasol, Inquirer Southern Luzon


Suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and Army troops clashed early morning Sunday in the remote village of Tinampo in Bulan, Sorsogon, according to Col. Felix Castro, commander of the Army’s 903rd Infantry Brigade based in Castilla town in Sorsogon. The Army was tipped off about the presence of some 10 NPA rebels in that village, who were in the area to allegedly extort from villagers, Castro told the Inquirer. He said he ordered Lt. Col. Epimaco Macalisang of the 49th Infantry Battalion, the unit covering the second district of Sorsogon where the encounter happened, to dispatch a team to pursue the NPA rebels. He said a seven-man team led by Lt. Jerry Colago caught up with the NPA rebels at about 7 a.m. Sunday, and a 10-minute firefight ensued and the rebels fled. Castro said the Army troops recovered one M16 rifle, Garand rifle, caliber 45 pistol and an improvised detonating device left behind by the fleeing rebels. He said no one was hurt on the side of the Army but suspected there were injured rebels based on the bloodstains found in the clash site. He said a hot pursuit operation was being conducted even as he assured residents that they could have a safe and peaceful All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day in the area. In Cagayan province, four suspected NPA rebels were killed in a gunbattle with the government soldiers at 5:30 a.m. on Oct. 27 in Sitio Barang in Barangay San Miguel in Baggao town, said Col. Loreto Magundayao, battalion chief of the 5th Infantry Division’s (ID) civil-military operations. Magundayao said an Army platoon from the 5th ID reconnaissance team encountered 10 armed men, who were believed to be part of the NPA’s Danilo Ben Command operating in the area. He said the 30-minute gunbattle left no government casualties. Recovered from the encounter site were two M-16 Armalite rifles and a shotgun.

Army, TV5 spearhead medical mission, relief operations in Matnog, Sorsogon

by (PNA)

LAP/LQ/DOC/cbd/


SORSOGON CITY, Oct. 28 (PNA) – The Philippine Army (PA) and TV5 along with several other volunteer groups over the week spearheaded a medical mission and relief goods distribution for hundreds of families in Matnog, Sorsogon.

Col. Felix Castro, the commanding officer of the PA’s 903rd Infantry Brigade that operates in the province on Friday said more than 700 families in at least four coastal barangays of the municipality benefited from the humanitarian mission arranged by TV5 Resource Mobilization Officer Chay Dionco in cooperation with the PA and Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC).

The Kapisanan ng mga Kababaihan para sa Kaunlaran ng Matnog, Inc. (KABALIKAT), the Matnog municipal government along with its Municipal Health Office (MHO) and Rural Health Units (RHUs) assisted the medical mission which offered free consultations, treatments and medicines to sick residences, Castro said.

Free haircut services were also offered by Army barbers while relief goods provided by the TV5 were distributed to the beneficiaries. A feeding program was also initiated for school children in Grades I to III in the villages’ public schools, the Army commander said.

Mrs. Marie Ubaldo, who represented her husband, town Mayor Emilio Ubaldo in the mission, expressed gratitude to the attention given by the PA, TV5 and PRC to the villages of Matnog, one of the poorest municipalities of Sorsogon province.

Meanwhile, the PNRC said it is intensifying its Pledge 25 and RC 143 campaign being initiated to help victims of dengue not only in the province but elsewhere in the country.

PNRC Sorsogon Chapter manager Salvacion Abotanatin said they have been mobilizing volunteers from local schools and local government units (LGUs) in the campaign’s blood donation program for dengue patients who may need blood transfusion.

“Although dengue cases in the province are not alarming as no outbreak has been reported by the Provincial Health Office (PHO), so far, we are continuously enlisting blood donation volunteers in anticipation of possible needs and to help the PRC national office in its blood stocking program under its Pledge 25 and RC 143 campaign,” Abotanatin said.

PRC Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang had earlier issued a memorandum addressed to all its chapters nationwide calling for the intensification of the campaign in their respective areas of jurisdiction to maintain vigilance against dengue.

Abotanatin said the PNRC is also helping in the information campaign of the Department of Health (DOH) on the prevention of dengue outbreaks like controlling the spread of dengue carrying mosquitoes in the communities.

“We have organized our RC 143 Community Health Teams and Pledge 25 volunteers for these purposes and they are readily on call in emergency cases,” she added.

PNRC national office records, Abotanatin said posted 38,000 dengue cases nationwide from January to July this year with 200 deaths. In Sorsogon province, Abotanatin said only nine dengue cases were recorded during the same period.

Protection council holds forum on Managing Children’s Concern

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, October 27 (PIA) -- Mayor Liecel Seville of Lucena City will share the success story of the Lucena City’s program of the Council for the Protection of Children (CPC), in today’s provincial forum to be held at Paradise Hotel , it being one of those nationally recognized implementer of the Most Child Friendly Municipality for 2011. Her topic 'Building Child Friendly Communities: Sharing of Best Practices' will be one of the highlights of shared knowledge to members of the Sorsogon Provincial Council for the Protection of Children (SPCPC). The SPCPC is the organizing body of this one day provincial forum on Managing Children’s Concern: Investment for the Future, another Kasanggayahan Festival 2011 activity that brings to the front the theme of “Going Beyond” Myra Relativo, assistant department head of the Sorsogon Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), focal person for the activity said, that Sorsogon has been also one of those provinces who had been nationally acclaimed as best implementer of the Most Child Friendly Municipalities, Irosin town being the first national winner in this category for two successive years followed by the municipality of Casiguran. Today’s forum will include the topic of Child Friendly Governance to be shared by Ms Remia Tapispisan, regional director, of the Department of Social Welfare and Development RO V. Regional Director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), ROV, Blandino Maceda will discuss on the topic Strengthening Local Councils for the Protection of Children: Institutionalizing Children’s Program. The topic on Seeing the Best Interest of the Child: Laws on Children will be explained by Atty. O. Nibungco, Associate Prosecution Attorney, Chief Operating Officer, Regional Anti-Trafficking Task Force. Meanwhile , Irma S. Valiente, assistant regional director of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) ROV will also talk on the topic Philippine Program Against Child Labor Implementation at all LGU Levels. In the previous meeting of the SPCPC, during its deliberations, these concerns were the pressing issues surfaced by the council that needs to be clarified and to be learned in particular as part of the strengthening and enhancing of the knowledge skills and attitudes of members working in the municipal, city and provincial councils as it will aid them in the fast and easy facilitation of providing interventions for children’s concern. Expected to attend in this forum are local chief executives, women organization , participants from the academe and in particular the members of the SCPC. (IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

Sorsogon hosts 2011 Regional Cooperative Congress

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, October 26 (PIA) -- Sorsogon province hosts and kicks off today the three-day Regional Cooperative Congress at the Sorsogon State College here Senator Francis Joseph ”Chiz” G. Escudero will deliver an inspirational message in support to the activity while Congressman Jose R. Ping-ay, Coop-National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO) Partylist representative will discuss on the topic , Coop Governance and Ethical Standards. Provincial Board Member Eric C. Dioneda, chairman of the Sorsogon Provincial Cooperative Development Council said that this activity is an enhancement to the celebration of the Kasanggayahan Festival 2011 particularly to highlight the role of the cooperatives in the development of the nation specifically along the countryside, a fitting tribute to the theme of this year’s festival on the role of the public private partnership or 3 Ps. Cooperative Development Administrator, Nelon B. Alindogan will deliver the solidarity message, a call for cooperatives to unite and forge a bond to strongly make the cooperative spirit a mainstreamed strategy for both national and local mechanism for development. Cooperative Development Authority Chairman, Emmanuel M. Santiaguel, Ph.D. will be the keynote speaker in this occasion according to Antonio Dionela, department head of the Sorsogon Provincial Development Cooperative Authority. Several topics to provide knowledge sharing to the participants will also be discussed like Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation ; Electronic Consumers Rights; CLIMBS, the grassroots insurance and the Philippine Federation of Credit Cooperative (PFCCO) program and services. On the evening of the 1st day, the presentation of candidates for Ms Cooperative will be conducted before dinner hand in hand with the awarding and recognition of the Most Outstanding Coops, Community Development Cooperatives and Cooperative Development Offices. To end the evening’s activity will be the canvassing of votes of the Ms Cooperative 2011. On the second day, participants will be provided with high caliber speakers delving on sessions topics such as Food Supply Chain (Financing and Linkaging) ; Enhancing Financial Intermediation; Local Government Units Coop, Investing in Cooperative Education: A Must!; Government Program on Product Development and Marketing and Entrepreneurship. The NATCCO programs and Services will be presented by Ms Sylvia O. Paraguya, Chief Executive Officer of NATCCO, while the Cooperative Insurance System of the Philippines Programs and Services will be discussed by Mr. Benedicto C. Torres, Area Manager of the CISP. Mr. Anthony M. Bravo, chairman, Bicol Region Cooperative Development Council will preside the plenary session to give way to the congress’ resolutions while the last topic, International Year of Cooperatives will be explained by CDA Executive Director Orlando R. Ravanera. A solidarity night on the second day will provide participants the chance to hobnob with each other to be followed by a raffle bonanza. To take center stage will be the coronation of the Ms Cooperative 2011. According to Dioneda,and the third day will usher a tour of the city of Sorsogon, the participants to be treated to its scenic and historical spots to include its native delicious dishes. (IAG, PIA SORSOGON)

Law Enforcement Coordinating Council reconvened in Sorsogon

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, October 25 (PIA) -– The Police provincial office here has reconvened the Sorsogon Provincial Law Enforcement Coordinating Council (LECC) to synergize anew efforts of agencies in government to ensure unified direction and integration of efforts throughout the country in suppressing criminal activities on a day to day basis, particularly in the operating levels. Police Senior Superintendent John CA Jambora, Police provincial director of Sorsogon, said the reactivation of the council is pursuant to the Executive Order No. 727 series of 1981 for the implementation of an effective law enforcement functions. In a conference held here recently, Jambora said that the LECC will be part of the Provincial Peace and Order Council initiatives in the proper coordination and integration for the implementation and enforcement of general and special laws in particular. The reconvening of the LECC provided the member agencies a reorientation of the authority, mission, functions, organizational relationships, and sub-committee tasks of the LECC. Jambora furthered that provincial law enforcement council will continuously coordinate with member agencies in the procedures and policies as stipulated within the guidelines to facilitate cooperation and integration of efforts in the suppression of criminal activities. PNP Sorsogon, according to him, has provided and will regularly provide provincial situationer on the peace and order situation identifying priority areas for coordination particularly in joint law enforcement activities. The member agencies were also requested to submit to the chairman of the PPOC their respective strategies for consideration that may help in the suppression of criminal acts given the culture and location of the province and other law enforcement facet that could provide facility for easy coordination. With province’s peace and order situation, member- agencies suggested that every meeting members shall tender a sharing of information for updates on certain policies, issues and concern to better the organizational knowledge of situations in the province so that right recommendations can be provided. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

Kasanggayahan Children’s Day highlights storytelling, visual art workshop

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, October 24 (PIA) -- Tomas Leonor, advocate for cancer stricken children through his famous one-man walk all over the country, was one of the key storytellers in the Read Along Program for kids here, an advocacy program for literacy awareness through reading of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. With Leonor was Councilor Rosalia Laganzo Enerio from Sorsogon as main story tellers. The children’s day activity included the Doodle Earth Visual Arts Workshop where children were exposed to the opportunity of creativity using water color and and water soluble paints for mask making, face painting, environmental art and basic painting for kids know-how. The read-along event formed part of the Kasanggayahan Festival 2011 Children’s Day (KFCD) Visual Arts Fair which held at the Aemilianum Gymnasium here last Saturday, Oct. 22, according to Sorsogon Arts Council spokesperson Joseph John Perez . Isabel Gile, events coordinator of the KFCD explained that the facilitators in the activity were Sorsoganon Fine Arts students of the University of the Philippines together with the Sorsogon State College architecture students. Gile said that these students would also like to share their talents to the children to signify the enhancement of visual arts appreciation for children. Performances from pre-school pupils were also shown while food chain mascots here performed magical tricks for children. Gile and Perez said that this year’s KFCD will promote the literacy campaign of PDI, Eugenia Duran-Apostol, founder of PDI being a true blue Sorsoganon and would like to make Sorsogon a province that will spearhead this advocacy. Meanwhile, the Red Roots Artist Cooperative’s Doodle Earth Workshop according to Perez is more on the enhancement of environmental awareness for children expressed through visual art. Hundreds of children from the province participated in the activity. Parents lauded the organizers while observing the transfer of knowledge the children gained from the fun activities presented. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

Bishop condemns ill effects of mining in Sorsogon

by SONNY SALES


SORSOGON CITY (Oct. 21, 2011) – Outspoken Sorsogon bishop, Arturo Bastes told local news group “Media Solutions” how Iron ore mining is slowly destroying the environment in Matnog, Sorsogon, as he also opposed a planned geothermal exploration around Bulusan volcano that poses risks to communities.

During the “Ecumenical Bishop’s Forum” held in Legazpi City, the effects of mining in the Bicol region was discussed and Bastes dared pro-mining officials in Sorsogon to live with the poor people in the mining areas.

The Bishop lamented at the forum that “only the poor are at a disadvantage as the environment is ravaged, while officials who profit from mining are safe in the comforts of their mansions.”

Bastes added, “the poor have no other choice but to stay in their localities destroyed by mining.”

The Bishop also expressed strong support to the case filed by anti-mining advocates in Sorsogon against the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and local officials related to the destructive mining ventures in Matnog, Sorsogon, still pending before the sala of executive judge Victor Gella in Sorsogon City.

Named respondents in the said case are Environment Sec. Ramon Paje, Sorsogon, Gov. Raul Lee, Mines and Geosciences Bureau Director Reynulfo Juan and officials of the concerned mining firms.

Bishop Bastes also supports the residents of Barcelona, Bulusan, Irosin, Juban and Casiguran towns in Sorsogon in their opposition to the geothermal exploration that has recently been given a go-ahead by the Department of Energy under Geothermal Resource Energy Service Contract (GRESCO) no. 2010 – 01– 015 granting SKI Construction Group the permit to explore geothermal source at the base of the active volcano.

The Bishop’s Ecumenical forum questioned the sufficiency of studies of the Department of Energy on the safety of residents at the base of Mt. Bulusan and possible ill of extracting geothermal energy from an active volcano. (SONNY SALES)

MOA of 350 million loan ratified

by Felix ‘Boy’ Espineda, Jr


SORSOGON CITY (Oct. 21, 2011/BicolToday.com) – The Sanggunian Panlalawigan of Sorsogon today in a special session called for the purpose, ratified unanimously the Memorandum of Agreement entered with the Land Bank of the Philippines and LGU Sorsogon Province the 350 million loan the province will use for infrastructure and other omnibus projects which according to the remarks of Board Member Angelo Escandor will fast track economic development of the province. In less than 30 minutes the measure as requested through a letter by Governor Lee to Vice-Governor Antonio Escudero, Jr. was approved. The ratified loan agreement is in two tranche, 100 million for term loan financing the road opening, rehabilitation of farm to market roads, rechanneling and construction of river control and bank protection walls and 250 million for omnibus term loan fund (OTLF) meaning all other special funding projects that are included in the annual investment plan of the province can be source out from the fund. In the OTLF 50 million was earmarked for tourism promotion. Documents circulated to the members of the board prior to the MOA signing in LBP, Legaspi City, revealed that the first district funding is 111,900 million and the second district will receive 188,100 million worth of projects. This document bear the marginal note of the governor, it reads; “final, subject to change if need arises.” signed by him. The ratification signals the preparation of a board resolution and subsequent appropriation ordinance detailing the project and its cost to be submitted to LBP to perfect the agreement. The lone oppositor , Member Vladimir Frivaldo was absent, instead he circulated a letter opposing the ratification of the MOA addressed to Vice-Governor Escudero, Jr. which was property noted after the motion to approve the agreement was done. In attendance are Members Hao, Ravanilla, Maraña, Rodrigueza, Perete, Frivaldo F. Duran, Aquino, Doma, Dioneda and Escandor, all known political allies of the governor. The term loan 13 for 100 million mode of payment is 10 years with 1 year grace period, the principal payment will be in 108 equal monthly amortization at the prevailing prime rate at the time of availment. Its mode of release per project is 15% of the approved amount upon execution of the loan documents and compliance with pre-release requirements, then succeeding release s is based on percentage of completion. The final release is at 10% of the approved amount after 100 percent completion of the project. In the package it is allowed to change or substitute of submitted, approved projects subjects to conditions of LBP. The loan is available to province within 1 year from the date of execution of the loan agreement. The Omnibus Term Loan Fund of 250 million mode of payment is up to 15 years maximum if funded under special financing, if internally funded up to 10years. It carries the banks prevailing prime rate at the time of availment or applicable special financing rate, its availability is three years from date of approval with a colatilla that at least one project is started within the first year of approval. When reached for comment Board Member Vladimir Frivaldo said that never in the records of the Sanggunian Panlalawigan that Gobvernor Lee requested the Body for review the evaluation made by the Land Bank of the Philippines of the proposed 350 million loan of Sorsogon province, per certification of Otilla Marifosque, Records Officer III which was duly noted by William Delgado, SP Secretary. He was questioning the manner why such relevant documents were not accorded to the members of the legislative board and why if attachment were submitted to LBP such attachments are not made available to the members for a thorough evaluation. In his information, the program of works, name of projects and other details were submitted to LBP and its only him among the members who is interested in finding out the final listings of projects attached to the loan package. He lamented the indifference of certain provincial engineering personnel whom he did not identified for they are so beholden to the governor for their extra income and promotion. BicolToday.com

VP Binay inaugurates typhoon-resistant housing units in Sorsogon

by Danny O. Calleja


SORSOGON CITY, Oct. 20 (PNA) – Vice President Jejomar Binay Sr. on Wednesday led the inauguration ceremonies for the typhoon-resistant housing units built by the city government for homeless indigent families in a calamity-vulnerable village here.

The housing project is located in Barangay Talisay, one of the city’s villages that usually suffer severe impacts of typhoons and storm surge due to its proximity to Sorsogon Bay.

City Mayor Leovic Dioneda said the housing units inaugurated will also be replicated in other barangays here that are also considered highly vulnerable to natural calamities.

His coming to the city, according to Binay, was part of his role as the chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) that implements and oversees the government's housing thrust in line with the standards being instituted under its climate change mitigation and adaptation (CCMA) mechanisms across the country.

“I also wanted to experience for myself the merrymakings of the Sorsogueños as they celebrate Kasanggayahan Festival being held this year in time with the 117th founding anniversary of the province,” said the Vice President who was welcomed by thousands of people including school children who lined up the city’s main street on his arrival Wednesday afternoon.

The children waved colorful flags while chanting “NoyBi” the campaign slogan coined by political campaigners in the 2010 presidential elections that supported then senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III for president and Binay for vice-president. The two ran under separate political camps and voters here gave them overwhelming approvals over their respective rivals.

After the inauguration rites, Binay was ushered by Dioneda to the five School Mitigating, Adapting and Resilient to Typhoons (SMART) school buildings, water treatment facility and several other housing units newly constructed by the city government through funding provided by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

The Vice President also met with other local chief executives in the province with whom he discussed concerns on instituting quality housing provisions for those who are usually affected by severe weather disturbances, identify relocation areas and provide housing that can withstand adverse effects of the change in weather conditions.

Important issues that include comprehensive land use plan, inventory of lands, housing regulation and land use planning, national drive against professional squatters and squatting syndicates, group housing loan program, community mortgage program and disposition of acquired assets, were also discussed.

Binay stayed overnight in the city and early in the morning of Thursday, he joined hundreds of runners in the five-kilometer Kasanggayahan Fun Run organized by his Bicol-based fraternity brothers in the Alpha Phi Omega.

The Vice President’s two-day stay here was part of the Bicol leg of the Pabahay Caravan, the second to the last of the series of forum in all 17 regions in the country to hasten the shelter program of the government in partnership with local government units (LGUs) being initiated by the HUDCC.

HUDCC regional director for Bicol Cristina Abaño said that the Pabahay Caravan launches the granting of financial support to LGUs so that they will be able to implement their own housing projects. Under Republic Act 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992, LGUs have important roles in pursuing housing programs for their constituents.

Abaño said that the Pabahay Caravan is expected to ease the housing backlog in Bicol which is about 46,000 per year. Based on the HUDCC inventory, the housing backlog in the country is estimated to 3.7 million units. (PNA) LAP/LQ/DOC/cbd/

VP Binay inaugurates Sorsogon City housing units; to join Kasanggayahan Festival 2011 Fun Run tomorrow

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY ,October 19 (PIA) -- Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, Sr. will be the guest of honor in the inauguration of several housing units in Barangay Talisay, here in Sorsogon City today upon his arrival , this is in line with the celebration of this year's Kasanggayahan Festival (KF) 2011 with the theme : Going Beyond and an inspiration to local chief executives to go beyond in rendering service to the people, especially on the issue of Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation (CCMA)." Sorsogon City Mayor Leovic R. Dioneda said in a briefing to the city officials and employees yesterday. The Vice President's presence here is part of his role as the chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) to implement and oversee the government's thrust to coordinate activities of government housing agencies specially in line with the standards to be instituted as a CCMA mechanisms across the country according to Dioneda. In a press statement this morning, he said that as the local chief executive of the the city of Sorsogon he has seen the need to seek for the assistance and support of the vice president, he being appointed as the Housing Czar by no less than President Aquino and that the thrusts of the city government is to make their housing units more resistant to the adverse effects of bad weather conditions and at the same time serve as housing models for CCAM. It can be recalled that Barangay Talisay is one of the areas usually severely affected during typhoons and storm surge aside from several other barangays here due to its proximity to Sorsogon Bay. Mayor Dioneda said that the housing units to be inaugurated in barangay Talisay will also be replicated in other barangays here also considered highly vulnerable to natural calamities. During today's visit, the vice president is also expected to inspect the five school mitigating, adapting and resilient to typhoons (SMART) here in the city , a project of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Water Treatment Facility and several housing units initiated by other local governments in the province. VP Binay will also meet with other local chief executives here whose areas are usually affected by natural calamities and to discuss some concerns regarding ways to institute a quality housing provisions for those who are usually affected by severe weather disturbance, identify relocation areas and provide housing that can withstand such adverse effects of the change in weather conditions. Mayor Dioneda also said that he will be visiting the "All Weather Station" of the city that has been installed to help in the 24 hour monitoring activity of the weather condition here and a mitigating measure in creating a resilient community. The vice president will also meet with other agencies that work in disaster management to discuss concerns how to improve the housing situation in the province become a CCMA houses. His presence today and tomorrow will be an added attraction also to the celebration of the KF 2011 as he will spearhead tomorrow's fun run as organized by his fraternity brothers in the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

Little-known college tops engineering exams

by Juan Escandor Jr.


SORSOGON CITY—Wanting in laboratory facilities but blessed with dedicated teachers, a little-known state college here has proven it can equal the finest engineering schools in the country. Its recent graduates have topped successive engineering board exams. Sorsogon State College (SSC), some 500 kilometers south of Manila, has produced the likes of Joseph Cyril R. Gredoña and Daniel E. Forteza, who ranked first and second, respectively, in the mechanical engineering board exams last month. Gredoña—a son of a tricycle driver—garnered a grade of 92.70 percent, while Forteza—a son of a farmer/fisherman—got 92.65 percent in the exams. In April, another SSC graduate and a son of a shellfish vendor, Jhonrey Aguirre, topped the electrical engineering board exams with a grade of 89.65 percent. A college mate, Leandro Salamatin placed 10th with a grade of 87.05 percent. SSC first made its mark among engineering schools in 2006 when its graduate, Emmanuel Liwag, placed eighth in the electrical engineering board exams. One of the oldest trade schools in the country, SSC became a state college in December 1993 with three national vocational high schools in the province integrated to it. “We don’t have Ph.D.s in our faculty, which we still dream of until now. But we could say our instructors are good teachers while we see a high number of students with talents,” says Felino S. Jasmin, SSC director of branding and communications. He says most of the college instructors have at least 20 years of teaching experience. Jasmin points out that the school’s performance is measured by its passing rate in board exams, which must not go below the national passing rate. Against the national passing rate of 62 percent, SSC’s feat in the mechanical engineering board exams has become more meaningful because of the school’s 79 percent passing rate. Nineteen out of its 24 mechanical engineering graduates last school year passed the board exam. P150 per unit He says SSC only charges P150 per unit and a student here needs at least P5,000 for one semester. The state college received a budget of P93.64 million from the national government in 2010 while the fees collected from 8,570 students totaled P44 million. Jasmin says 260 personnel are paid from the budget given by the national government, while 147 personnel are subsidized by the income SSC derives from the fees it collects. Noel Benavides, program chair of the engineering and architecture department, says SSC is still wanting in laboratory facilities, which are shared by 40 to 45 students in every class session. He says the ideal class size in a laboratory is 25 to 30 students but the students have to make do with what they have. This limitation, however, did not prevent the students from delivering very satisfactory performance in the board exams. Jasmin says SSC caters to students from low-income groups whose parents cannot send their children to universities outside of Sorsogon, like Legazpi City, Naga City or Metro Manila. Although SSC charges the lowest rate compared with those collected by other engineering schools, many students still have difficulty paying tuition and other fees. Jasmin cites Gredoña and Aguirre who both struggled hard financially before topping the mechanical and electrical engineering board exams, respectively. From Aroroy, Juban The eldest among six siblings, Gredoña hails from the far-flung village of Aroroy in Juban, Sorsogon. His parents were able to ask a landowner in Sorsogon City to allow them to build a small house in the city while Gredoña was in college. Gredoña recalls that when he was in elementary school, he walked 2 kilometers to reach the school from their house. Forteza, who placed second to Gredoña, also comes from a low-income family. His father, the only breadwinner, makes a living from farming and fishing in the village of Macabari in Barcelona town. He was a consistent honor student from elementary to high school and found the questions in the board exams familiar. Still, he was surprised he made it to the top two. Forteza says he hopes that his achievement will be a life-changing experience for his family, especially since a big company has offered him a job.

Water district to supply water 24/7 beginning October 15

by PIA Press Release



SORSOGON CITY, October 14 (PIA/SCWD) -- Locales in this city have something to smile about and enjoy before the semestral vacation and Christmas season. Truthful to its commitment to provide 24-hour water supply for consumers, Sorsogon City Water District (SCWD) will begin round–the-clock water production operation starting October 15 this year. The directive was issued in a Memorandum dated October 10, 2011 by Engr. Ronaldo G. Barboño, SCWD general manager to Engr. Jonathan G. Fortades, Production Division head to schedule the said 24-hour water supply operation this coming Sunday to promote good water quality and services for the consuming public. Prior to the memorandum, a meeting with the Division Heads was held to know the status of the District’s operations especially along the intensive leak detection and repair, pipeline replacements and water meter replacements in some areas. Three months after the 24-hour water production test-run last June this year, it has been reported that old and deteriorating pipelines have already been replaced in Barangay Sirangan and in the Subdivisions of Pang-Pang and BLISS Macabog. Water meter replacement is almost complete in Sea-brezee Homes Subdivision in Cabid-An. These identified areas showed a remarkable drop in water usage as reflected in the billed water data during the said test-run. Leak detection and repair has been made more intensive with the commissioning of a team headed by a newly-hired engineer. And this will be made more effective with the use of high-end leak detection equipment with its procurement now already in process. These updates and the installation of a variable frequency drive (VFD) in Bibincahan Pumping Station are just good reasons to finally go into a 24-hour water supply operation. The Bibincahan Pumping station is the fourth pumping facility to be installed with a VFD this year. Meanwhile, Fortades stated that water production will be to the fullest, from 18 hours to 24 hours operation. He further added that aside from the continuous supply of water, added benefits are quality water with sand pumping minimized, air gush when water supply resumes eliminated and possible intrusion of water contaminants prevented. As the prayer of Sorsogueños is answered for the need of water with the round-the clock water supply, the District also hopes that its maximum production shall also be put into good use while the wet season has not yet left the region. (MAL/MJumamil, SCWD)

Volatile condition of Mt. Bulusan baffles Phivolcs

by Danny O. Calleja



SORSOGON CITY, Oct. 12 (PNA) -– Volcanology experts are studying deeper the condition of Mt. Bulusan as local watchdogs are baffled by its unusual attitude that has become extremely unpredictable.

Crispulo Diolata, resident volcanologist of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) based at the Mt. Bulusan Observatory in Barangay Cabid-an here, said the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is fielding a team of experts to conduct more in-depth studies to determine “what really this active volcano wants to prove”.

For the meantime, Diolata said they are maintaining alert level number one over the volcano based on the steaming activities being exhibited by at least two of its seven craters located at its northwestern shoulder fronting this city and the municipalities of Casiguran, Juban and Magallanes. Low and high frequency volcanic tremors are also being constantly monitored.

The alert level means that the volcano remains restive and may erupt anytime although major explosions are not likely to take place given the “non-explosive” character of Mt. Bulusan based on its past eruptions, the first one in 1885, he said.

Nonetheless, Diolata said, under alert level one, human activities are being forbidden within the four-kilometer permanent danger zone (PDZ) as sudden intense activities dangerous to life may occur.

Mt. Bulusan, which has an elevation of 5,135 feet above sea level, last erupted in May 13 this year. Residents near its foot described the eruption as thunderous rumbling sounds accompanied by a massive discharge of volcanic ash that reached as high as five kilometers.

Heavily affected by the ash fall were 12 barangays in the municipalities of Irosin, Juban and Casiguran, all located within the northwest quadrant of the volcano where 10 high frequency volcanic quakes were also felt before the explosion, Phivolcs records show.

Diolata said it was a phreatic type of eruption, the 12th of the same type since the volcano was declared abnormal following observations of severe volcanic activities over five years ago.

The Phivolcs declared alert level one on March 19, 2006 after it recorded increased seismic unrest that was followed by an explosion in June 8 of the same year. This prompted volcanologists to raise alert level two which means the volcano has erupted although major eruptions of vulcanian or any other explosive types were ruled out to be imminent.

Another eruption took place on April 8, 2007 and on the morning of July 31, a loud explosion described by local residents as bomb-like rocked the volcano. Six months later, on October 4, two episodes of ash explosions followed and after that, series of ash emissions accompanied by mild explosions were recorded until November that year.

After months of less significant activities, the volcano suddenly erupted last February and sent a plume of ash two kilometers high. Volcanologists said that eruption was triggered by the reaction of hot magma with water brought about by a heavy downpour. A lull again occurred until May 13.

Most of the 12 eruptions that took place within the span of more than five years came in near surprise as signs could hardly be monitored or would appear very close to the major activities giving the Phivolcs very limited time to issue warnings. Each eruption occurred after lulls in significant activities lasting within an average of four months.

Diolata said the present condition of Mt. Bulusan is considered the longest running period of abnormality in its recorded history or that of any other active volcanoes in the country and this is the matter that makes it very unpredictable this time.

Bulusan is generally known for its sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions and considered as the fourth most active volcano in the Philippines after Mayon, Taal, and Kanlaon.

Mt. Mayon in Albay, its neighbor separated by only about 70 kilometers does not have the same attitude as well as Taal or Kanlaon and even Mt. Pinatubo as all of these, when calm really rest and when restive, really act up intensely, he explained.

The experts coming to conduct the in-depth study would perhaps find out how Mt. Bulusan gathers pressure to suddenly stage short-duration eruptions within the average of only four months lull or why it cannot arrive at a normal condition within the span of more than five years unlike its past that took it decades to regain restiveness following eruptions, Diolata said. (PNA) DCT/LAM/LQ/DOC/cbd

Oragon cops' recognized during Sorsogon's Kasanggayahan Festival

by Danny O. Calleja


SORSOGON CITY, Oct 11 (PNA) – “Oragon” is a Bicolano idiom that is used to describe a person as smart or exceptionally good and this was tagged on eight members of the local police force during the province’s 117th founding anniversary being celebrated through the ongoing Kasanggayahan Festival at the provincial capital here.

The eight non-commission police officers were awarded the tag “Oragon na Pulis kan Sorsogon (Outstanding Policemen of Sorsogon)” for making a difference in carrying out their duties and responsibilities, according to Msgr. Francisco Monje, the executive officer of the Kasanggayahan Foundation Inc. (KFI) that spearheaded the awards.

Monje said all the about 500 other policemen and women assigned in the province were qualified candidates for the awards but the eight bested them all to become the first Oragon na Pulis awardees after they were chosen from 13 finalists.

Monje identified the awardees as PO1 Arlinnette Ocampo, SPO2 Edgar Calupit, PO2 Arnold Estrellado, PO2 Darwin Villanueva, PO1 Virgil Bibat, SPO2 Restituto Lorejo, SPO1 Arnel Doloiras and PO2 Jerson Giba.

The awarding ceremonies were held over the weekend during the opening of the two-week long celebration of the province’s foundation day that falls on October 17.

Starting this year, Monje said the search will become a yearly undertaking to become an important part of the Foundation Day and Kasanggayahan Festival celebrations aimed at recognizing exemplary achievements and accomplishment of Sorsoganons in their respective fields of endeavor.

On October 18, other Sorsogueños who have excelled in business, education, agriculture, medicine and other fields here and anywhere in the country and abroad will also be added to the hall of fame of “oragons”.

In his keynote message during the awarding rites, Rep. Salvador Escudero III of the province’s first congressional district, cited the affair as a “fitting gesture for us people here in Sorsogon to show to the whole nation and to the world that we can perform well in our way of life and become role models for the next generations”.

He also lauded the organizers for coming up with the idea of honoring public servants who did well in their fields as he cited the importance of the founding anniversary and the Kasanggayahan Festival to be a venue for honoring outstanding Sorsogueños. Sorsogon became a province following its separation from Albay on October 17, 1894.

Kasanggayahan which means a life of prosperity is the province's biggest festival listed by the Department of Tourism (DOT) as one of the Philippine’s annual celebration characterized by series of religious, cultural, historical, economic and agro-industrial activities geared towards showcasing its abundant year-round harvest.

The highlights of the festival include Pantomina sa Tinampo that gathers together numerous dancers in colorful native attires from all over the province to perform around major streets here the traditional dance called pantomina that mimic the love and courtship of doves.

The dance was originally called the “sinalampati” but the Spanish colonizers changed it to its present name as the dancers were actually pantomiming the doves’ movements. It is usually danced during occasions like wedding receptions, fiestas and even ordinary social gatherings in almost all barangays in the province.

The first Kasanggayahan Festival was held in 1974, the 80th foundation anniversary of the province upon the initiative of then governor Juan Frivaldo. (PNA) LAP/LAM/LQ/DOC/cbd

PAMANA allots P30M to finance peace-building projects in Sorsogon

by Danny O. Calleja


SORSOGON CITY, Oct. 10 (PNA) – The government has earmarked an amount of P30 million as start up fund to finance peace-building projects in seven municipalities of Sorsogon province identified as among the focus areas of the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA), a peace and development framework program of the administration of President Benigno Aquino III.

Placed under the stewardship of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), PAMANA, which underscores the resilient communities program is one of the two tracks of the administration in pursuit of a just and lasting peace, the first being the negotiated political settlement of all armed conflicts through formal peace talks.

The second and equally important track to peace, seeks to close the gap between what happens on the negotiating table and the realities on the ground as it also serves as a guide for national and local government agencies, international donors and non-government organizations in providing various interventions to address conditions that create unpeace.

It is being piloted in the province where the Sorsogon PAMANA Convergence Unit (SPCU) has been created to carry out peace building projects focused on the development of conflict-affected areas.

Under the SPCU, OPAPP has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the province of Sorsogon and its seven municipalities for the release of funds for the projects to be implemented by the local government units (LGUs) of Casiguran, Juban, Irosin, Prieto Diaz, Gubat, Magallanes and Barcelona until December 2011.

The SPCU will ensure that government line agencies in environment, agriculture, agrarian reform, social welfare and development, peace and security agencies and communication will effectively contribute their services and funds focusing on the peace building initiatives of government, address poverty reduction and manifest development in areas affected by conflict.

While the bane to peace and development being borne by insurgency has been waning in most part of Bicol, Sorsogon, one of the country’s underdeveloped provinces until these days is constantly being disturbed by atrocities arising from the presence of the communist’s New People’s Army (NPA) insurgents, according to OPAPP coordinator Aileen Jose.

OPAPP has allocated a P30-million fund for 2011 and another P30 million for next year to the same municipalities to develop the barangays identified to be needing infrastructure, livelihood programs and peace development, Jose said here over the weekend.

The need to communicate these initiatives of government for the awareness of the constituency, according to Jose should be highlighted and well-articulated as the primary tool to build the culture of peace and development in communities that are resilient against the anti-government whims of the NPAs.

To build resilient communities in Sorsogon, PAMANA, Jose said is also focusing on empowering households and communities to include delivery of basic services at the community level through conditional cash transfer approaches, community driven reconstruction and development and community livelihood interventions.

Casiguran Mayor Ester Hamor said the P3-million PAMANA fund allocated for her municipality will be used in the improvement of the one-kilometer farm-to-market road covering four far-flung barangays considered as “critical areas”.

The Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will assist the LGU in the implementation of the project that will provide a convenient access for villagers in the four villages in transporting their farm products to the market, Hamor said.

The municipality of Irosin which is given P4.5 million will spend the fund for the establishment of an eco-tourism center costing P2 million and the concreting of a vital barangay road for P2.5 million.

Magallanes town will use the P5 million PAMANA allocation for the improvement of the Parola Beach, Bucal-Bucalan Spring, Sta. Lourdes Grotto that are all tourism facilities in the area while the Juban LGU will receive P4 million for its marine reserve sanctuary development project and the concreting of a barangay road.

Prieto Diaz will receive P3 million for the concreting of a barangay road; Barcelona, P2.8 million, also for a barangay road and; Gubat, P4 million for a tourism building. (PNA) LAP/LQ/DOC/cbd/

First 'Oragon na Pulis Kan Sorsogon Awards’ honors 8 outstanding policemen

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, October 8 (PIA) -- The Sorsoganon Kita Inc. (SKI), Rotary Club of Metro Sorsogon (RCMS) and the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP), in cooperation with the Kasanggayahan Foundation Inc (KFI) and the Provincial Government of Sorsogon, held the first awarding ceremony of the “Oragon Na Pulis Kan Sorsogon” (Outstanding Policemen of Sorsogon ) at Casa Dominga last October 6. Representative Salvador H. Escudero III of the 1st congressional district of Sorsogon, in his keynote message, lauded the organizers the for coming up with the idea of honoring public servants who did well in their chosen field and underscored the importance of the founding anniversary of the province celebrated through the Kasanggayahan Festival yearly to be a venue for honoring outstanding Sorsoganons. “The awarding of these policemen is a fitting gesture for us people here in Sorsogon to show to the whole nation and to the world that we can be real excellent and that be disciplined in our way of life and become role models to the next generation,” he said. Eight outstanding policemen were selected out of the thirteen finalists who were recommended by the different police station from the province. These eight policemen were honored, given plaque of recognition and cash incentives. Awarded werePO1 Arlinnette J, Ocampo from Sorsogon City Police Station ; SPO2 Edgar A. Calupit of Bulan Municipal Police Station; PO2 Arnold E. Estrellado from the Sorsogon Provincial Public Safety Company ; PO2 Darwin V. Villanueva of the Sorsogon Police Station; PO1 Virgil B. Bibat, Sorsogon Police Station; SPO2 Restituto M. Lojero of Castilla Municipal Police Station; SPO1 Arnel D. Dolorais Sorsogon Police Provincial Station; and PO2 Jerson D. Giba of the Sorsogon Police Station. Escudero stressed the need to really become best in what we intend to become as a nation and as a people. He also lauded the president for really trying to make a difference in his governance by eradicating graft and corruption. The outstanding policemen were joined by their families in a dinner tendered by the organizers attended by several guests to include PNP Provincial Director, PSSupt John CA Jambora, PSupt. Robert Morico II, OIC-CPS , Michael B. Sulit, SKI President, Msgr. Francisco P. Monje of KFI, Col Ireneo Manaois and members of the BCBP, SKI and RCMS. Members of the Board of Judges in the selection of this year’s Kasanggayahan Festval 2011 outstanding policemen were Reynaldo Hababag of Bayan Muna; Dr Teresita M. Borromeo from the academe; Col. Ireneo Manaois, administrator of Sorsogon City; Mr. Hermes Diaz of BCBP and Dr. Humilde Baranda-Janaban, charter president RCMS. The “Oragon na Pulis Kan Sorsogon” will now become an award giving body to honor outstanding policemen in the province and will be a yearly activity of the Kasanggayahan Festival according to Msgr. Monje. “This will set the tone of inspiring people to become best here in the province and people will be our best pride to celebrate the Kasanggayahan Festival, he said. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

Sorsogon PAMANA Convergence Unit, a bridge towards peace and development

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, October 7 (PIA) -- The Regional Development Council (RDC) of Bicol, chaired by Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, has approved and endorsed last August this year Resolution No 28 S of 2011, known as ‘creating the Sorsogon PaMaNa Convergence Unit (SPCU), to mainstream the peace and development initiatives of government, particularly in the province of Sorsogon. In the meeting held here this week, Aileen P. Jose of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), explained the essence of the SPCU in consonance with the programs and projects to be implemented by OPAPP under the PaMaNa program as spelled out in the resolution. To underscore the Resilient Communities Program or Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PaMaNa), Jose said that programs and projects of the OPAPP within the PaMaNa framework has been piloted in the province of Sorsogon. The PaMaNa serves as the peace building program of government focused on the development of conflict-affected areas under the OPAPP. Under the SPCU, OPAPP has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the province of Sorsogon and the seven identified municipalities in the province for the release of funds already provided last August and the projects to be implemented by the local government units until December 2011. The OPAPP has allocated a P30 million fund for calendar year 2011 and another P30 million for the succeeding year, 2012 to the same municipalities to develop the barangays identified needing infrastructure, livelihood programs and peace development. The SPCU will ensure that government line agencies in environment, agriculture, agrarian reform, social welfare and development, peace and security agencies and communication will effectively contribute their services and funds focusing on the peace building initiatives of government, address poverty reduction and manifest development in areas affected by conflict. The need to communicate these initiatives of government for the awareness of the constituency, according to Jose should be highlighted and well-articulated as the primary tool to build the culture of peace and development. Members of the SPCU Provincial Technical Working Group composed of the Provincial Planning and Development Office, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, PENRO-LGU, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Department of Agrarian Reform, Philippine Army, Philippine National Police and the Philippine Information Agency met last October 3 to synergize mandates and functions for the implementation of the PaMaNa. OPAPP will serve as lead agency while RDC to provide secretariat support to the SPCU. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

Pamana Convergence Unit reviews framework draft policy

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, October 6 (PIA) -- The provincial government of Sorsogon has enjoined all members of the regional technical working group composed of the identified member agencies together with its provincial counterpart to become a convergent group who will provide the essence and synergy for the implementation of the projects and programs converging their mandated functions. Aileen P. Jose, coordinator for Luzon of the Office of the Presidential Advisory for the Peace Process (OPAPP) in a meeting held here yesterday at the Sorsogon Provincial Management Office (SPMO) presented the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PaMaNa) Sorsogon Convergence Unit Framework Draft Policy and presented the programs and projects under this program, an agenda for peace and development of the province, specifically for the members to review comment and finalize. National Economic Development Authority RO V representative Rosemarie O. Buan, presented the Regional Development Council (RDC) Resolution No. 26, S of 2011, drafted last August 26, 2011 at Legaspi City during the RDC meeting creating a Sorsogon PaMaNa Convergence Unit (SPCU) as the peace building initiative of the province, serve as development arm for conflict affected areas and to develop resilient communities According to Buan, the RDC sees the need for convergence interventions of the different agencies in environment, agriculture, agrarian reform, social welfare, peace and security agencies to effectively complement and harness services and funds in the implementation of the peace agenda of the government. Through the resolution, OPAPP and the Provincial Government of Sorsogon have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) together with the seven identified municipalities namely: Pto. Diaz, Gubat, Barcelona, Irosin, Juban, Magallanes and Casiguran, recipients of the programs and projects under the PaMaNa to insure its effective implementation. The SPCU according to Col. Felix Castro, Jr. of the 903rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army will hopefully become a model for peace and development building strategy in conflict affected areas and ensure that programs and projects under the peace keeping efforts of government be properly implemented. Under the draft policy of the SPCU, beneficiaries should be better served and assisted. Converging agencies identified under the program should complement, cooperate and facilitate for the easy implementation of the programs and projects with OPAPP to serve as the team leader. A total of P30M will be released to the province through the different identified agencies implementing the program for the PaMaNa 2011 projects. For Casiguran , approved project under PaMaNa is the improvement of the Farm to Market Road (FMR) in far flung barangays considered critical areas with 1,000 m concrete paving to cover the Bgys. Of Tiris, Bactolan, San Ramon and Burgos to be implemented by the Casiguran LGU. Department of Agriculture , Departement of Agrarian Reform(DAR) and the Department of Public Works and Highways in the amount of P3M. For the local government of Irosin is the Establishment of Eco-tourism Center costing P2M and the concreting of the Buenavista-San Isidro Batang Road in the amount of P2.5M to be implemented by Irosin LGU, Department of Tourism(DOT) and DPWH. For Magallanes will be the Improvement of the Parola Beach, Improvement of Bucal-Bucalan Spring, improvement of Sta. Lourdes Grotto costing P5M to be implemented by the LGU of Magallanes, DOT and DPWH. Juban will receive P4M for the Marine Reserve Sanctuary Development Project,(PhaseI) and the concrete paving of Brgy. Tublijon-Sipaya road. Pto Diaz will receive P3M for the concreting of the 560M x4M FMR for Bry. Cogon to San Rafael to be implemented by DA, DPWH and the local government of Pto. Diaz. For the LGU of Barcelona a P2.8M of the FMR for Brgy. San Isidro will also be implemented through the DPWH, DA and Barcelona LGU. The LGU of Gubat will also receive a P4M for the FMR, a tourism building to be implemented by the DOT,DPWH and the LGU of Gubat. A proposed livelihood project for the whole province is still being considered in the amount of P3.7 to benefit the tourism development and Bayong making project specially for the out of school youth and identified marginalized sectors in the province. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

209 beneficiaries in Sorsogon get ‘Kaagapay’ livelihood assistance

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, October 4 (PIA) -- A total of 209 identified and confirmed beneficiaries by the Agrikultura: ng Bayang Pinoy Program (AKBAY) will receive a P10,000 livelihood assistance funded by the government of Japan through the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC). This was learned last week during the meeting held here attended by heads of national government line agencies involved in the program particularly the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) and former governor Sally Ante-Lee , executive director of the Sorsogon Provincial Management Office (SPMO). A P4M livelihood assistance fund to run for 2011-2013 will be given by the Japanese government to 4th and 5th class municipalities in the province of Sorsogon. The first tranche of recipients are the local governments of Barcelona, Bulusan, Casiguran and Juban and while the second tranche are the municipalities of Prieto Diaz and Sta Magdalena. The livelihood assistance is envisioned to help the poorest of the poor in the agriculture and fishery sectors in the whole Philippines with a P150M livelihood assistance for Luzon and Visayas while a bigger amount was earmarked for the provinces in Mindanao, according to the representative of the NAPC. OPA assistant provincial government head ,Maria Theresa V. Destura, said that the assistance is interest and collateral free. Before the distribution of the financial assistance, beneficiaries will undergo training, orientation and reorientation on entrepreneurial enhancement with the assistance of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Equity of the beneficiaries will be land, labor cost and available facilities. Destura said that the beneficiaries were pre-evaluated on site, their farm household profile validated together with their project proposals and including a certification from the barangay captain being residents for the past 3 years. Project launch of the AKBAY will be this October 28 at the Sorsogon Provincial Gymnasium and will form part of the Kasanggayahan Festival 2011 celebration . (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

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