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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.

(Weather) Low pressure area churns off Palawan -- PAGASA

by (PNA)

scs/CLTC


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






“Flavors of Science” savored at the 11th Philippine Food Expo

by Eunice Charis B. Mendoza, S&T Media Service


Flavors of Science, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development’s (PCAARRD) brand of its TechnoMart-supported products, was once again sampled by the public at the 11th Philippine Food Expo on February 23─26 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

This time, the TechnoMart products showcased were bongulan banana chips, coconut sugar, organic Arabica coffee, and pili nut pulp and kernel oils.

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

Through the expo, Magsasaka Siyentistas (MS)/entrepreneurs of the exhibited products were able to meet and talk with interested producers, retailers, and exporters. Inquiries, booked orders, and deals were closed during the four-day event.

Participating MS included Victoria Motril of the Cotabato Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium and Ben Lao of the Southern Mindanao Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium. Also, Sorsogon City entrepreneur Minda Yee represented the Bicol Consortium for Agriculture and Resources Research and Development, while the San Ramon Cooperative represented the Western Mindanao Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium. Finally, representing the Highland Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium and the Arabica coffee, the Council brought the Cordillera Heirloom Coffee, Benguet Coffee Arabica, Tuba Coffee, Sagada Gold, and Benguet State University Green Mountain.

The Philippine Food Expo is an annual event organized by the Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization, Inc.






Sorsogon mourns homegrown journalist, cultural worker, artist, activist, 66

by (PNA)

hbc/LQ/DOC/cbd/


SORSOGON CITY, March 19 (PNA) – At age 66 and after a long bout with paralysis due to a stroke, Reynaldo Jamoralin has succumbed to multiple internal organ malfunctions.

Survived by his wife Ella, sisters Mercia and Millet, daughter Suyin, adopted son Ian and grandson CJ, Jamoralin died in a local hospital last March 12.

His body was laid to rest at the Sorsogon Memorial Park last Saturday.

Founder and president of the Sorsogon Arts Council, Jamoralin was a journalist, artist, book writer and activist rolled into one.

The appelations have helped make him one of the few respected key media personalities in Sorsogon.

He was the editor and writer of the two editions of the book “Tracing: From Solsogon to Sorsogon,” published by the SAC and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in 1994.

He was a member of the board of editors of Letra, a Bicol magazine, the first regional cultural and literary magazine and Centro, another local magazine.

A playwright and folklorist, Jamoralin wrote the dance-drama in the Bikol language, Si Bulusan nan si Agingay, based on the local legend of Lakes Bulusan and Agingay, which received several production and tour grants from the Cultural Center of the Philippines and NCCA.

He was also author of Kantada ni Daragang Magayon and Mandirigma, adopted from Bicolano artist Merlinda Bobis’ epic poetry of the same title.

This was brought around the country and presented at the CCP Little Theater in 2000.

Jamoralin also rewrote, revised, and adapted Sorsogon Sarswelista Asisclo Jimenez’s Pagkamoot sa Banuang Tinoboan, under a production and tour grant from the NCCA in 1994.

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

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

Jamoralin was also a member of Sorsogon Heritage Society chaired by PDI Founder Eugenia Duran-Apostol and publisher of Sarabihon, a journal of Sorsogon studies where he wrote several articles.

As a member of the Kapisanan ng Mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP), Jamoralin co-anchored the public affairs program “Damayan” over DZGN-FM during the late 80s till early 90s.

A journalist from the 1970s, he edited local weekly community newspapers including the Sentro Sorsogon, which he himself published.

For a time he was correspondent and feature writer for the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) and credited for exposing the slaughter of whale sharks in Donsol and initiated an early advocacy for its protection even before the giant sea mammals were discovered to be a tourism treasure.

He was also one of the organizers of Pagsurat, the first gathering of Bicolano writers in 2000 at the Aquinas University of Legaspi attended by over 100 participants including a septuagenarian chanter from Albay and New York-based poet Luis Cabalquinto.

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

He edited and co-authored Pulang Hamtik, a collection of biographical sketches of Bicolano youth martyrs during the Martial Law years up to 1990s, published by the Bicol Agency for Nationalist and Human Initiatives, Inc. (BANHI).

He earned his academic degree from the University of Santo Tomas, B.S. Major in Psychology.

He taught at the Mass Communications Department of the Aemilianum College, Inc. in Sorsogon City.

Bill Addressing Cable Tapping Approved

by CHARISSA M. LUCI


MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives Thursday approved on third and final reading a bill seeking to address the snowballing cases of signal or service theft of cable television (CATV) and Internet connections.

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

The House Committee on Rules, chaired by Majority Leader and Mandaluyong Rep. Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales, said HB 709 or "The Anti-Cable Television and Cable Internet Pilferage Act of 2012 was approved on March 5.

Rodriguez said the approved measure seeks to protect the general public and legitimate operators of CATV systems and/or networks and cable Internet services from unauthorized connection or tapping into existing facilities through wire or electromagnetic means.

"Unfortunately, providers of CATV and Internet are threatened by high incidence of theft through unauthorized interception of CATV programming or Internet services. This has become a serious issue that cable television and Internet providers face today," he said.

HB 709 provides that only subscribers duly authorized and/or registered with the CATV and/or cable Internet service operator shall be allowed to receive any service or benefit offered and/or operated over a CATV or Internet system or network.

Another author of the bill, Sorsogon Rep. Salvador Escudero III, expressed confidence that passage of the bill would address the “growing problem” of CATV or cable Internet pilferage

He said the measure also prohibits the introduction of unauthorized importation, sale, lease, distribution or possession of electronic equipment that will be used to access or decode unencrypted or encrypted satellite program signals or other electromagnetic signals.

Those who wantonly, maliciously or willfully destroy or remove CATV and cable Internet facilities and accessories of authorized CATV and cable Internet service operators that results in the disruption of system or network degradation shall be slapped with penalties under the measure.

Bantay Dagat steps up preservation, pursues sustainable development of local tourism

by (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)


SORSOGON CITY, March 14 (PIA) -- Bantay Dagat adhoc committee in Donsol town has organized the Bantay Dagat Federation to preserve and develop the rich marine resources and sustain ecotourism industry of their municipality.

In a meeting Tueday (March 13), Salvador P. Adrao Jr., former tourism officer of Donsol, now a councilor and lead convenor of the Donsol Bantay Daga, said that the measure is an offshoot of the Bantay Dagat’s previous meetings to come up with the different strategies to protect and conserve the whale shark , thus improving the existing guidelines in its protection and their other rich marine resource.

"The whale shark is our 'money- generating provider' ” that even led to the tremendous development in our municipality in terms of world exposure, and which change our life in our once before unknown town, Donsol,"Adrao said.

"Our town is now truly famous because of the whale shark ( rhincodon typus) the biggest known fish in the world, that thrives here in our municipal waters and have made Donsol as one of the world’s best ecotourism destinations today in our country," he said. 

Adrao also  said starting January of this year, although there were rains, this situation did not stop the coming of tourists in Donsol from different places the world over.

“The whale shark of Donsol is now a world renown phenomena in terms of tourism destinations, and tourists who go for adventure for an up close and personal thrill have made Donsol the prime ecotourism destination here in the Philippines,”Adrao said.

The plan in preserving the Donsol marine resources with organizational structures involving other agencies mandated to assist in the conservation of the environment and promotion of tourism.

"Now that the summer season is on, we have to be more vigilant in implementing the presrvation of our marine resources and adherence to our tourism rules," Adrao underscored.

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

SORSOGON MOURNS DEATH OF CULTURAL WORKER, ARTIST

by (JJPerez, SAC/PIA Sorsogon)


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He earned his academic degree from the University of Santo Tomas, B.S. Major in Psychology. He taught at the Mass Communications Department of the Aemilianum College, Inc. in Sorsogon City.

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

Sorsogon's Liga ng mga Barangay commits to "Good Housekeeping"

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, March12 (PIA) -- A series of trainings will be conducted by the Sorsogon provincial Liga ng Mga Barangay to assist the 541 barangays of the province to come up with a program for good governance in the implementation of the social basic services.

According to Nelson Marana, provincial president of the Liga, this traning for barangay officials will provide them development in forging effective partnership with the national government in the attainment of the national goals and policies, and the Liga’s advocacy to strengthen gradually the barangay governance and administration.

Marana also explained that these officials will be trained along in the key areas of transparency, accountability and efficient performance, particularly in implementing the programs in the barangays especially in the delivery of basic social services like health,education, infrastructure development, environmental protection and others.

The "Seal of Barangay Good Housekeeping" will be the standard of services to be delivered and will also guage each municipal Liga chapter on their capability and performance in four recognized areas of local governance namely 1) good planning and participatory governance; 2) sound fiscal management; 3) transparency and accountability; and 4) valuing of performance monitoring, and ultimately, the recognition and giving of awards for those Liga Chapters and barangays found to have excelled in these areas.

He also explained that the call of the national government through the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is for full disclosure and accountability of the local government units and the firm intent to be involved and to support the "Daang Matuwid" campaign of the present administration of President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino.

The training further will enhance the improve delivery of services by the barangays to their constituency, Marana explained. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

3 drug dealers arrested in Sorsogon, Davao

by ABS-CBNnews.com


MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has arrested a member of a notorious drug group in Bulan, Sorsogon, and two other drug dealers in Davao City this week.

PDEA Director General Undersecretary Jose Gutierrez Jr. said 41-year-old Ruel Servando of the Sumalinog drug group was arrested after selling one plastic sachet of shabu to a poseur buyer in Purok Lukban, Zone 2, Bulan on March 7.

His arrest came months after authorities nabbed another member of Sumalinog, identified as Lemuel Gayoso, in Zambales.

"The arrest of Servando is a clear message to the public that PDEA is determined to arrest drug personalities and to cripple the operations of the local drug syndicates as part of our mandate to rid our communities of dangerous drugs and their ill-effects," Gutierrez said.

"For the year 2011, PDEA was able to neutralize a total of 227 drug groups nationwide," he added.

In Davao City, meanwhile, two drug personalities were arrested by PDEA during a buy-bust operation.

They were identified as Carlos Sumaylo, 35, and Oliver Rodrigeuz, 29.

Recovered from the suspects were two plastic sachets of shabu and the marked money that was used during the illegal transaction.

DOLE Sorsogon holds Career Coaching Seminar

by (MAL-PIA V/DOLE V)


LEGAZPI CITY, March 6 (PIA) — Sorsogueños are looking forward to better employability and career path in the coming years after the field office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) here led the Capability Training in Career Coaching for stakeholders held last week.

DOLE V was able to train 18 managers of Public Employment Services Office and 11 guidance counselors from Sorsogon province; they will eventually guide graduating students in deciding what career path to take.

DOLE V was assisted by the Bicol Career Guidance Network (BCGN) and PESO Federation of Sorsogon (PESO Sorsogon) in holding said training event.

DOLE V regional director Nathaniel V. Lacambra explained that career coach is a well trained officer responsible in determining the talents and skills of a client, whether a student, a job seeker, or an employee, needing advice in choosing a career or helping students in trying to figure out the right college course.

The two-day training equipped the participants to become career coaches on career pathing, latest employment trends, recruitment and placement, illegal recruitment, overseas opportunities, cultural employment attitude orientation, entrepreneurship skills, and personality development.

“ Career coaches are very much needed since the region has a high 38.4 percent underemployment rate,” he noted.

Lacambra said the unemployment rate in the region entails that the career choices or the courses being taken by Bicolanos do not match the skills needed by the local industries here.

He added that in the U.S. and other developed countries, career coaches are employed by the government to align the skills demand of that country and this has given these countries an edge in placing workers to specific jobs.

In Sorsogon, concerns on skills mismatch and unemployment incidence of four-year courses graduates have prompted DOLE Sorsogon, headed by provincial director Imelda E. Romanillos, to intensify its campaign in establishing more career coaches in order to guide high schools and college students, in choosing their college courses or career paths so to speak.

“We have seen youngster in Sorsogon taking up courses because their friend took it or because their parents wanted them to take it. Later these youngsters would realize that they are nor really inclined to it and this is the reason why they perform poor and more often drop out from school. Waste of time, money, effort,” Romanillos said.

The training is the first BCGN activity this year and is in-line with the Project Jobs Fit (PJF) and Skills Registration System (SRS).

10 hurt as quake jolts Masbate

by Cet Dematera


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

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) director Renato Solidum said the quake was felt at intensity 6 in Masbate City; intensity 4 in Roxas City and in Irosin, Cabid-an and Sorsogon City in Sorsogon; intensity 3 in Sigma, Capiz; Catarman and Capul Island, Northern Samar; Almagro and Tagapul-an, Western Samar; intensity 2 in Iloilo and Legaspi City; and intensity 1 in Kalibo and Numancia, Aklan.

Classes were suspended in all levels in Masbate and portions of the province were plunged into darkness, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) at Camp General Simeon Ola here.

OCD-Bicol director Raffy Alejandro identified the injured as Rex Devida, 8, of Barangay Bantique; Jinky Azares, 16, and Cesar Garapan, 31, of Barangay Nursery; Leonard Dimetellar, 3, and Christine Decos, 17, of Barangay Centro; Jeho Emilio Antonio, 2, of Barangay Bagumbayan; Liza Tidon, 34, of Barangay Tugbo; Victoria Dumas, 10, and Andrew Mortega, 3, of Barangay Batuhan; Jamnor Boungan, 2, of Barangay Bapor.

The 10 sustained injuries mostly in their hands and feet and were taken to the Masbate Provincial Hospital.

Senior Superintendent Heriberto Olitoquit, Masbate police director, reported cracks in some portions of the provincial police office as well as in the perimeter fence of Camp Boni Serrano.

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

Amy Danao, Masbate Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer, reported that the old house of one Vicente Lim partially collapsed after the tremor.

Bicol resident geologist Ed Laguerta said that the tremor’s epicenter was traced at 12.04 degrees north, 123.63 degrees east, or three kilometers north of Masbate City, with a depth of 23 kilometers.

At least five aftershocks were recorded until 8:30 a.m.

“But this earthquake is unlikely to generate tsunami because the shake was horizontal,” Laguerta told The STAR.

The earthquake occurred exactly one month after the deadly magnitude 6.9 tremor in Negros Oriental, which killed over 50 people.

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

“It is not related to the Feb. 6 earthquake in Negros,” he stressed.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said it has activated its emergency operations center to respond to the needs of the affected areas. Disaster management personnel have also been placed on blue alert to ensure the availability of manpower in case of emergency.

Regional disaster management councils have been directed to alert residents living in coastal areas for possible evacuation.

They have also been ordered to spread earthquake advisories and to monitor developments in their area.

The OCD has requested an Air Force aircraft to assess the damage as well as meet requirements in affected areas.

“Our disaster response units are prepared for any task,” said Maj. Angelo Guzman, spokesman of the Army’s 9th Division.

Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) Undersecretary Romeo Momo said they are checking government buildings affected by the earthquake, but reported no major damage. – With Helen Flores, Celso Amo, Alexis Romero, Evelyn Macairan, AP

DOLE Sorsogon holds Career Coaching Seminar

by (MAL-PIA V/DOLE V)


LEGAZPI CITY, March 6 (PIA) -- Sorsogueños are looking forward to better employability and career path in the coming years after the field office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) here led the Capability Training in Career Coaching for stakeholders held last week.

DOLE V was able to train 18 managers of Public Employment Services Office and 11 guidance counselors from Sorsogon province; they will eventually guide graduating students in deciding what career path to take.

DOLE V was assisted by the Bicol Career Guidance Network (BCGN) and PESO Federation of Sorsogon (PESO Sorsogon) in holding said training event.

DOLE V regional director Nathaniel V. Lacambra explained that career coach is a well trained officer responsible in determining the talents and skills of a client, whether a student, a job seeker, or an employee, needing advice in choosing a career or helping students in trying to figure out the right college course.

The two-day training equipped the participants to become career coaches on career pathing, latest employment trends, recruitment and placement, illegal recruitment, overseas opportunities, cultural employment attitude orientation, entrepreneurship skills, and personality development.

“ Career coaches are very much needed since the region has a high 38.4 percent underemployment rate,” he noted.

Lacambra said the unemployment rate in the region entails that the career choices or the courses being taken by Bicolanos do not match the skills needed by the local industries here.

LGUs, PAGASA to set up local weather station

by RRD/VS, GMA News


The local government units (LGUs) of Gerona in Tarlac, Irosin in Sorsogon, and Tubigon in Bohol on Monday signed a deal with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to set up their respective Automatic Weather Station (AWS).

Rice Watch and Action Network (R1) said in a report Monday the initiative will give farmers sufficient warning on extreme weather conditions so they can mitigate the impact of climate change on their lives and properties.

PAGASA will provide technical assistance in the operation of local weather instruments and relay climate information for the LGUs. The state weather forecaster will help install, maintain and calibrate weather instruments once the agro-meteorological stations are in place. It will also train people to man the stations.

The will set up the agro-meteorological stations based on World Meteorological standards, and shoulder the maintenance of the buildings and instruments, and salaries of observation and ground personnel.

Under the memorandum of understanding between the LGUs and PAGASA, the local governments of Gerona, Irosin and Tubigon must sustain the agriculture sector’s Climate Field School program for climate change mitigation.

R1 is urging other local governments to take on the example started by the three LGUs.

“With extreme weather conditions creating unimaginable damage to lives and properties in different parts of the country, we encourage other local governments to follow this example and put matters into their hands through planning of interventions,” said R1 convenor Jessica Cantos.

“We only need to tap the appropriate government agencies, break some of the bureaucratic layers, and identify ways of working together,” she added.

Sorsogon Initiatives beneficiaries urged to ‘own’ projects

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)


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