Sorsogon Province News December 2011

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Philippine News

No firecracker victim in Sorsogon on Christmas; celebrations peaceful

by (PNA)

RMA/LAP/DOC/cbd


SORSOGON CITY, Dec. 27 (PNA) – The police here recorded no untoward incident nor firecracker injury during the celebration of Christmas.

Sr. Supt. Edgardo Ardales, Sorsogon City police chief, on Tuesday said the favorable holiday situation was due to the cooperation among all sectors, including government agencies in the campaign for a peaceful and joyful Christmas celebration.

The entire commercial district and centers of the celebrations in the city were effectively covered by the “uniform system” of police deployment in all areas that were potential of street crimes and other untoward incidents. The “Oplan Bantay Paputok” also worked well in regulating the use of hazardous fireworks, Ardales said.

Since the first week of December, he said that stores were already inspected to ensure that regulations related to the selling of firecrackers were religiously being observed and “we found no violator, so far”, he said.

Policemen in the city were also closely monitored against firing their firearms during the celebration. They were also watched against entering business establishments bearing firearms while not in uniform, Ardales said.

The City Health Office (CHO) had also been successful in implementing the Department of Health’s (DOH) Aksyon: Paputok, Injury Reduction (APIR) drive, the reason that use of firecrackers has been significantly reduced.

Also dubbed “Give Me Five,” the APIR campaign hopes reduce the number of 62 firecracker-injury cases reported in 2010, which was more than double than 2009’s 28 cases, she said.

The APIR campaign emphasizes five reminders that the community must remember: these fireworks cause injuries and endanger health; children should not use any fireworks; keep away from exploding fireworks; never pick used nor unspent fireworks; and for all fireworks injuries, seek immediate medical treatment.

“So far, this Christmas, no firecracker related injury was reported to our office since the start of the Yuletide Season and what we are anticipating now is the New Year’s Day celebration which has been traditionally met with jubilations with the use of fireworks,” according to CHO’s Health Education Promotion Officer (HEPO) Sophie Dematera.

To welcome the New Year, Dematera said families must remember APIR to avoid accidents brought about by firecrackers.

Meanwhile in Castilla town, which is among the hotbeds of insurgency, Col. Felix Castro, the commander of the 903rd Infantry Brigade (IB) of the Philippine Army (PA), said the effective community defense system mounted in most of the province’s “guerrilla zones” proved effective in curtailing insurgency-related atrocities in the municipality.

Castilla is a good example of this defense mechanism as all its 34 barangays are being manned by Barangay Defense System (BDS) volunteers that serve as “community watchdogs” against the presence of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, Castro said.Italic text

Feature Story: Pili shells, not just something to crack, now it's Bicol’s best fashion jewelry export

by Irma A. Guhi


SORSOGON CITY, Dec 25 (PIA) -- “Wearing the pili shell necklace whenever I attend formal occasions with our native attire has gained some fashion statement in this "eco-conscious world" we are in now today. It also gives us a sense of pride as a Bicolano,” Dr. Ma. Teresa V. Destura, assistant department head of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) said during an interview. “Almost in all occasions now here and especially in Bicol, the pili shell necklace has exchanged the usual flower corsage we use to honor our guests.” "The pili shell has gained an entrance in the global market now and has provided the best opportunities for women in the barangays to make use of the shell with more economic returns. Before, these were only used to become the alternative for firewood used in cooking or just thrown away if their volume becomes so much," Destura expressed. In the just concluded 178th Provincial Agricultural and Fisheries Council (PAFC) meeting held here last week at the PAFC- Livelihood Technology Training Center (LTTC), Godofredo D. Ditan PAFC chair thanked the Department of Agriculture (DA) ROV through its regional executive director, Dr. Jose Dayao, for the formal turn-over of five sets of pili shellcraft production equipment to five recipient organizations. “We have seen how the pili shells evolved in terms of its usage and now DA has seen a very big potential in the pili shell craft industy. These equipment will make pili shell craft production here in the province more easy as this will lessen the time for making the shells into the desired designs. The usual way they did it is manual and tedious. With this equipment, production of pili shell craft will be faster and refined in terms of its craftsmanship as right polishing is done by the machine,” Dayao said. “Volume in production will also be enhanced as the equipment can produce the desired pieces immediately,” he said. Sorsogon is considered as Bicols' number two producer of pili in the region, and the shell has been creatively produced by the different women organization here as fashion jewelry and as add on local material that goes with beautifully crafted home products displayed in malls specially in tiangges. "Pili fashion jewelries-making here has opened a livelihood opportunity, it’s very saleable as it is cheap but so artistically made and usually worn now even with casual attire, with office uniform, and for women who would like to don a little bit of elan in their daily wear," Destura also explained. In the just concluded 3rd Regional Pili Congress held in Legaspi last year, one of the best sellers was the necklaces made out of the pili shell and according to Dr. Teresa V. Destura, the women organization here through the Rural Improvement Club was the regular distributor of these products. Looking into the viability of the use of the pili shell, the pili shell craft has now entered the market of innovative fashion jewelries as one of the best exportable biodegradable products. Dayao also said that the ingenuity of the peopleand specially women in the barangays using pili into different fashion jewelries has now gained some global recognition based on the different demand for this product as reported by the Department of Trade Industry based on their exhibits in tiangge, malls, and on several activities in the national exhibits popularizing pili as the high value crop of the Bicol region. Dayao expressed that DA has thought of this intervention to facilitate the production of shell craft in the province now becoming a home-based agri-entrepreneuer business. The formal turn-over was spearheaded by RED Dayao assisted by PAFC chair Ditan, Rose M. Imperial, High Value Crop DA reg’l. coordinator, RAFC chair Alfredo Rillo, and Dr. Ma. Teresa V. Destura. "Hopefully with these equipment, the pili shell craft industry will become one of Sorsogon's women source of livelihood and will also be a sustainable source of income. From just being used as firewood, the pili shell now is more an export product," Destura said.(MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

Refrain eating fatty, salty, and sweet foods this holiday season - local health office

by Irma A. Guhi


SORSOGON CITY, Dec 21 (PIA) -- With the holiday season, people are more likely to take in too much of fatty, salty, and sweet foods, which are bad for the health, said Dr. Edgar Garcia, provincial health officer here said. It is during this season that the provincial health office registers an alarming increase in non-communicable diseases. Garcia said that people should be aware of the effects of consuming fatty, salty, and sweet foods that if cumulatively consumed, may affect the heart, blood pressure, and blood sugar that will ultimately cause some health problems. The rainy season had also resulted in the increase of people, especially children, catching colds. “We should enhance our immune system by eating more fruits, vegetables, and by drinking lots of juice and water," Garcia explained. Garcia also reminds families to be more aware in food preparation where children will be conscious of consuming only healthy foods and avoid junk foods that are high in salt, additives, and preservatives. He also reminded the public to refrain from getting wet since the erratic weather now the province has been experiencing for the past two months has made everyone susceptible to water and air borne diseases. “Admitted here now here in the hospital are cases of people with high fever, colds that may lead to pneumonia if not properly treated,” Garcia explained. The provincial office through its Health Education Management System (HEMS) has been conducting information drives regularly in their barangay health clinics , municipal and district hospitals so that health consciousness should be one of the best awareness to mitigate health problems. Fliers and information materials have also been distributed in health centers where mothers are provided interpersonal education especially those who are under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) who regularly visit health center. "The provincial office as part of the holiday season’scelebration IEC has been intensified and regular reminders to the public health tips especially these Christmas and New Year when consuming food as a culture of the Filipinos is a way of celebrating the season and where abundance of food served in our table has been part of our tradition,let us celebrate it in more of a healthy way," Garcia reiterated. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)





Newly Trained Philippine Army Battalion scores against New Peoples Army in Sorsogon ,Southern Philippines

by bossa_galyahoo.com


Philippines - Just two months after the completion of the battatlion re-training program , the 31st Infantry Battalion scored a big blow agains New Peoples Army ( NPA ) rebels in its new area of operations ( AO ) was in the province of Sorsogon recently. Prior to the re-training the battalion's AO was in the province of Camarines Norte , Southern Tagalog Philippine. Last November this year nine man squad of the said battalion recovered a total of eight (8) high powerd fire arms consisting of 5 M16 Rifles , 1 cal. 30 M1 Garand Rifle , 1 M1 Carbine Rifle and 1 shotgun during an inspection of an abandoned marine vessel . After an encounter agains 10 NPA rebels near the mangrove sandbar area of Brgy. Poblacion Norte in Barcelona Sorsogon this said province. Also recovered were various types of ammunition , subversives documents and personal belongings of the NPA rebels. ( New Peoples Army local terrorist of the Philippines) Colporal Jeffrey N Balajadia , the squad leader said, that during the inspection , his squad and elements from Barcelona Municipal Police Station recovered 1 M1 carbine , i shotgun and various ammunition at the abandoned vessel with marking MAS 15.0002 BA. We are allerted when we saw fire arms and ammunition in the abandoned vessel , said Balajadia. Four hours later, while scouring the area , his squad encountered some 10 NPA rebels about half a kilometer from the abandoned vessel and had a ten minutes firefight ensued after which the NPA rebels fled towards the northwest direction leaving behind five (5) M16 rifles and 1 Cal.30 M1 Garand rifle. No casualty on the goverment side while the troops of 31IB are still determining casualties from the NPA rebels as bloodstain were seen in the encounter site. Firepower wise, my squad is far more equipped and powerful , thats why the NPA decided to run and some even left behind their firearms ., said Balajadia in his local dialect. LTCOL Teody Toribio, Commanding Officer of 31st IB stationed in Juban , Sorsogon , directed A company of 31st IB to send a squad to check on a report that an abandoned white maritime vessel was reportedly aground at the coastal water of Brgy. Poblacion Norte Barcelona Sorsogon . According to Toribio the tipster saw armed man disembark from the said vessel. SOLCOM Commander Lt.Gen. Roland Detabali who has oprational jurisdiction in the provinces of the Southern Tagalog , Philippines directed 31st IB for pursuit oprations agains NPA rebels . He also cmmented CPL Balajadia and his squad for job well done.

Police rescue US boy from kidnappers in Sorsogon

by philstar.com


MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine police say they've rescued a 4-year-old American boy who was held for ransom for eight days and that five suspects have been arrested.

Isagani Nerez, head of the police anti-crime unit, said Friday that the boy was seized by three gunmen Dec. 6 in the Philippine capital while traveling in a car with his Filipino mother. A ransom was paid three days later but the kidnappers demanded more money before releasing the boy.

Nerez said police feared the boy would be harmed and traced his location with the help of FBI agents to the kidnappers' hideout in Prieto Diaz town in eastern Sorsogon province. On Wednesday, police stormed the site and rescued the boy unharmed.

Nerez said the boy was in good health and reunited with his family.

Army's 903rd Infantry Brigade celebrates 2nd founding anniversary, honors civilian and military personnel

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, December 12 (PIA) -- A colorful celebration which started with a thanksgiving mass officiated by Fr. Benny Furo , parish priest of the Parish of San Juan Bautista, marked the 2nd founding anniversary of the 903rd Infantry Brigade, 9th Infantry Batallion Philippine Army (PA) based in Barangay Poblacion, Castilla, Saturday, December 8 Deputy Brigade Commander, Col. Audie Delizo GSC (INF) PA welcomed the participants, guests and awardees during the opening program. The occasion according to him was a celebration of the brigade for the attainment of peace and development along the countryside and a gesture to extend honor to the awardees, the people who supported the brigade attain its mandate. Col. Felix J. Castro ,Jr. INF (GSC) PA Brigade Commander assisted by Col Deliso presented and awarded the plaque of appreciation to the 15 civilian awardees comprising of Governor Raul R. Lee of the province of Sorsogon; Gov. Rizalina Seachon Lanete of Masbate ; Ms. Tina Monzon-Palma of ABS-CBN Foundation Inc., Sagip Kapamilya; Mayor Olivia Bermillo of Castilla ; Mayor Enrico Z. Capinig of Aroroy , Masbate ; PSSupt. John Cornelius A. Jambora, Philippione National Police provincial director of Sorsogon; PSSupt. Heriberto O. Olitoquit, PNP provincial director of Masbate; Municipal Councilors Jesus M. Agarap and Joey Bitancur and Barangay Captain Antoino Ortiz, all of the local government of Castilla. Other awardees included Dir. Maria Eileen A. Jose, PAMANA Coordinating Unit for Luzon and Visayas, Vince Nato, chief of staff, Office of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, Ms Irma A. Guhit, information center manager, Philippine Information Agency; Mr.Andy Espinar, president, Kapisanan ng mga Broadcasters sa Pilipinas , Sorsogon Chapter and Mrs. Cristina J. Racelis, provincial tourism officer, province of Sorsogon. Col Castro expressed his gratitutde to the awardees who he said were instrumental in supporting the brigade become the 2nd top troop in the country last year and for this year based on their community involvement and overall performance specially in promoting peace and development in their area of assignment. He also presented the military awardees with Sgt. Gerardo A. Timple as this year's recipient of the Sagisag ng Ulirang Kawal with eight others ; TSG Luisito C. Rodriguez and 80 others receiving the Military Merit Medal (MMM) and SSg. Jose Sincua and 41 others together with SSg Rico S. Guban of the 74 6606 (Inf) PA and 7 others of the 96 MICO receiving the Military Commendation Medal (MCM). In his inspirational message Col. Castro said the brigade intends to pursue the peace and development goals of the government under the "bayanihan spirit" enjoining everyone especially the community to become relentless in the pursuit of attaining peace and extending peace through development programs and projects. He thanked all partner agencies, local governments and the community in the realization of several programs and projects which were implemented and now providing the community the benefits of a better quality of life from schools, roads, scholarships and medical missions that he said will help secure the future of the people in the community. He also stressed the importance of shared partnership and the support of the local government of Castilla through Mayor Bermillo for the lot donation given to the brigade. The celebration was also graced by the Himig Kapitolyo who provided the Christmas serenade during lunch entertaining, guests and the people in the community. A Christmas party was also held in the evening for the brigade which was graced by members of the media community here and people from the nearby barangays of Castilla town. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

Sorsogon general new military chief

by Christine O. Avendaño, Dona Z. Pazzibugan

Philippine Daily Inquirer


Major General Jessie D. Dellosa, a former aide-de-camp to the late former President Corazon Aquino, has been named chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, replacing General Eduardo Oban Jr., who retires Tuesday at the age of 56, three Cabinet officials and two senior military officers disclosed Sunday. It was Dellosa who implemented “Oplan Daybreak” that led to the rescue of American missionary Gracia Burnham and the killing of Abu Sayyaf leader Abu Sabaya nine years ago in Mindanao. President Benigno Aquino III is expected to announce Monday the appointment of Dellosa, the head of the Northern Luzon (Nolcom) Command, to the top AFP post when the Commander in Chief addresses the troops during turnover rites at the AFP general headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. Both Dellosa, who was born in Bacon, Sorsogon, and Oban, who is also from Sorsogon, belong to the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1979. “It’s Dellosa. He’s been the choice for some time now as far as I know,” a key Cabinet official said, speaking on condition that he not be identified as he was not authorized to discuss the matter with the media. The official said Dellosa was a great choice because of his reputation for “righting the wrongs” in the units he had led. Another Cabinet official on Sunday night confirmed that Dellosa, described as mild-mannered and quiet, was the next AFP chief of staff. “That’s what I hear unless there are changes at the last minute,” said the Cabinet official, who also did not want to be named for lack of authority to speak about the matter. Still another Cabinet official, who is known to be close to the President, said Dellosa’s new appointment was “actually an open secret now within the AFP.” Two military sources, both officers who serve under Dellosa’s command, said reports about the assumption of their commander to the top AFP post reached them on Sunday. They, however, declined to say how they got the report or who circulated the information. 43rd chief Dellosa becomes the 43rd chief of staff of the 130,000-strong military in a formal change of command ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo Monday. Malacañang deferred announcing the incoming AFP chief of staff until the day itself of the turnover ceremony, keeping most of those in the AFP in suspense. When Mr. Aquino appointed then General Ricardo David in July 2010 and Oban on March 7, Malacañang made the announcement before the formal turnover. A decorated Army Scout Ranger officer, Dellosa is a recipient of numerous awards topped by a Distinguished Service Star, two Wounded Personnel Medals, two Gold Cross Medals, 39 Military Merit Medals, six Bronze Cross Medal, Long Service Medal, Marksmanship Badge Expert and Outstanding Achievement Medal. Dellosa was appointed chief of Nolcom, which is based in Camp Servillano Aquino in Tarlac City, on July 22. As Nolcom chief, he commands all the military forces in northern and central areas of Luzon. Before that, he was the commander of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division based in Tanay, Rizal, that was responsible for the capture of top New People’s Army commander, Tirso Alcantara, on July 28, 2010. He also served as deputy commander of the AFP Central Command based in Cebu City, among his many command posts. Special commander From 1988 to 1992, Dellosa was group commander of the special reaction unit of the Presidential Security Group that defended Malacañang from a series of deadly coups d’etat. He later became junior aide-de-camp to then President Corazon Aquino. The democracy icon took him as personal escort on critical occasions, including her peace pact with the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army on Mt. Data in 1987. Dellosa served as commanding officer of the 16th and 14th Scout Ranger (SR) Company, commandant of the SR Training School and commander of Task Group “Panther” from 1992 to 1997. He was commander of the 1st SR battalion in Basilan from 1997 to 1999. As deputy task force commander and operations officer of Joint Task Force “Comet,” he implemented “Oplan Daybreak” that led to the rescue of Burnham from Abu Sayyaf bandits and the killing of Sabaya. According to an officer, Dellosa sees “no victory” when the enemy suffers fatalities because in the aftermath, the killings “do more harm than good.” The officer said Dellosa believed that using arms should be the last resort of any soldier. “He’s a soldier of peace,” the officer said. From 2004 to 2007, Dellosa was the chief of staff of the 4th Infantry Division. Then he served as deputy commander of the First Scout Ranger Regiment and concurrently group commander of special Task Group Sulu that was instrumental in the neutralization of Abu Sayyaf leader Abu Solaiman in January 2007. Dellosa was named the PMA commandant of cadets in August 2007. He underwent extensive military training as an infantry officer, intelligence officer, scuba diver, hostage rescuer, Scout Ranger and in airborne and antiterrorism courses. First assignment After graduation from the PMA, Dellosa was assigned in Jolo, Sulu, where he fought Moro rebels for three years and earned the coveted Outstanding Achievement Award for Military Operations awarded by the PMA Alumni Association in 1988. Dellosa was born in Sorsogon on Jan. 20, 1957, but grew up in Lucena City. Oban will step down a day ahead of his mandatory retirement on Dec. 13. Only the fifth Air Force general to be the AFP chief of staff, Oban assumed office on March 7 at the height of the pabaon scandal that exposed multimillion peso slush fund enjoyed by former top military officials. He vowed to stamp out corruption in the military and made fiscal and logistics reforms the cornerstone of his term. He also promised to hold himself and all officials accountable for the proper use of funds in light of allegation that funds were diverted for cash gifts or pabaon of retiring top officials. His focus was on reforms, peace, modernization and morale and welfare. Conversion In a recent interview, Oban said he stopped the practice of “conversion” in which funds meant for certain supplies had been allowed to be converted to cash for exigency. Asked if Oban would be appointed to a government post, Mr. Aquino’s spokesperson, Edwin Lacierda, said he had not asked the President about it but acknowledged that Oban had “served very well” and he was “still young.” “One of the biggest contributions of General Oban was being able to push through reforms in the AFP, especially in the use of their budget,” Lacierda said in an interview over state radio dzRB. He also cited Oban’s “emphasis” on accountability and transparency in his nine-month stint as chief of staff which was “consistent with the President’s line.” “But certainly his contributions to the AFP are very important, especially at a time when there was a scandal that preceded him. It was his leadership that allowed the AFP to recover its standing among the public,”’ Lacierda said. With reports from DJ Yap and Cathy Yamsuan in Manila; Ana Roa, Inquirer Research, and Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon

Govt., private sector step up protection, conservation measures for whalesharks

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, Dec 6 (PIA) -- Protection and conservation efforts for the whalesharks or butanding in Sorsogon got another boost from the government and private sector following the gathering of all national government agencies, allied organizations, and other concerned stakeholders. The plan is to draw out plans of action to ensure the protection of the gentle giants of the sea being "vulnerable to extinction" as declared by the International Conservation of Nature. Department of Tourism (DOT) V regional director, Maria Nini O. Ravanilla, said a three-day National Technical Conference on the Protection and Conservation of WhaleSharks in the Philippines will be held December 6-8 at Villa Isabel here that will primarily draw out the standard of operating protocol (SOP) on responding to stranded or beached whalesharks. Nonie Enolva, team leader of Fisheries Regional Emergency Stranding Response Team under the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) V will also present the latest researches on whalesharks conducted by non-governmental organizations. Raul B. Burce of the WWF-Philippines based in Donsol will zero in on the Introduction to WhaleSharks in the Philippines. Photo identification of whalesharks; genetic/DNA testing ; tagging; reconnaissance of physio-chemical characteristics of the waters in Donsol; and IEC on whalesharks Bantay Butanding (The Butanding Network: A Database System) will also be expounded by the agency. A visit to the Sorsogon Provincial Museum and Heritage Center Inc. to view the replica of the whale shark vertebrae will end the first day activity. The second day will provide the participants knowledge on the Philippine and International laws and agreements on the protection and conservation of the whalesharks; the economic impact of whalesharks eco-tourism; Whale Shark Code of Conduct; the whalesharks eco-tourism; roles of the local governments on the protection and conservation of the whalesharks; and roles of the MFARMC . Meanwhile the Regional Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Council will present the Regional Whalesharks Stranding Response Activities and Initiatives to provide the participants the proper handling of stranded whalesharks. Ravanilla explained that the third day will focus on the formulation of the action plan for the protection and conservation of the whaleshark in the Philippines drafted by the national agencies concerned and other participants and this will be observed as SOP in the implementation on responding to stranded and beached whale sharks. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)

World Vision, media partner to reduce TB stigma

by Irma A. Guhit


SORSOGON CITY, Dec 5 (PIA) -- A two-day training for the members of the broadcast media from Sorsogon dubbed "Accelerating Media's Role in reducing TB Stigma" was held last week at Hotel Venezia, Legaspi City to beef up media’s role in helping reduce the stigma of persons afflicted with tuberculosis by providing them right information on air. Andy Espinar, KBP Sorsogon chapter president and station manager of DZMS-AM here, said the training is primarily focused to equip media practitioners an in-depth understanding on how the sector can help eradicate the stigma and fear of this dreaded disease as perceived by the public According to Espinar the training they have undergone will make them responsible and well-informed broadcasters specially in explaining that a person afflicted with the disease should develop health-seeking behavior and avoid such incident as the “case of Clarita.” “Media has a major role to play in reducing the stigma of TB by creating informed awareness on tuberculosis. As broadcasters, let us partner with agencies like World Vision to improve the health situation here in our province," Espinar also said. The training program is a partnership project of the World Vision and KBP Sorsogon Chapter. Meanwhile, World Vision, which has a project of TB case detection and control here said that despite the long fight against TB in Sorsogon City, there remains a stigma that is an obstacle to improve the health seeking behavior of the populace specially people afflicted with this disease based on their findings. “Clarita Detera, 54, from Brgy. San Pascual here died of TB last June 2011. Her death reminds us that tuberculosis stigma is still rampant despite the absence of research about facts and impact of discrimination and TB stigma in Sorsogon City,” according to Leo Legaspi, Wold Vision Community Development officer. “Before she was diagnosed, Clarita showed symptoms of TB for more than a year already, according to the midwife who noticed her condition. The midwife encouraged her to visit the health center but Clarita dismissed the suggestion and said, “ubo lang ito (this is only colds/coughs),” “wala akong TB (I don't have TB),” “bigyan mo ako ng anti-biotics (just give me antibiotics).” Over the years, this was how Aling Clarita made excuses to hide her disease until she can no longer bear the pain. That was when she finally submitted her sputum for examination.But it was too late. She died soon after. Legaspi explained that stigma can be experienced internally (self-stigma) or externally (discrimination). Internal stigma can lead to a person’s unwillingness to seek help or access resources. He said that external stigma can lead to discrimination based on one’s perception. It can be seen through negative reactions that prejudices seriously to the sick person. Stigma according to Legaspi as scientifically defined, is the process by which the reaction of others spoil normal identity and this is the usual behavior displayed by persons afflicted by tuberculosis as in the case of Clarita. Legaspi said that with this challenge, they have to seek the strong assistance of media and their role is to campaign and articulate to the community that TB is a sickness that is curable and reducing stigma of persons afflicted with this disease should be well understood by the person him/her self and develop a health seeking behavior for its cure. Legaspi said that the two - day training for media have provided them the needed skills and information in their crucial function in reducing TB stigma by creating informed awareness on tuberculosis to the public through broadcast. "The question that the media asked World Vision on how they can help in our program, is through this training that will enable them to be partners with WV, and by accelerating their role in reducing the stigma of TB. A total of 18 participants coming from different broadcast outlets attended the said training and committed to start providing the public the right awareness in eradicating the stigma of tuberculosis. (MAL/IAG-PIA Sorsogon)

Sorsogon "got talent" festival to showcase talents of farmers, fishermen

by (PNA)

RMA/LAM/LQ/DOC/cbd


SORSOGON CITY, Dec. 2 (PNA) -– Farmers and fishermen here are not only good in food production but many of them could sing, dance and gracefully recite a “rawit-dawit” (local term for native poems) and this is what they will prove in the “Farmers and Fishermen Got Talent Show" this December.

The talent show is part of the Sorsogon Festival, a two-week Christmas Season funfare in this city, as they celebrate the foundation day anniversary under Republic Act 8806 on December 2000.

City Agriculture Office (CAO) chief Adelaida Detera said the fishermen and farmers will strut their talents in singing, playing musical instrument, dancing, rawit-dawit and even quiz bee under the festival's theme, “How do I Help Adapt and Mitigate the Bad Effects of Climate Change.”

"Here they will not be using their nets and farm tools but their innate God-given gifts that these sectors will demonstrate in a different light," she said.

Sorsogon Festival, now on its 5th year of celebration, has lined up varied activities to highlight the different sectors of society in a more "Christmas-based spirit", Detera said.

“We arrived at this activity with fervent hopes that giving opportunities to these sectors in showcasing their talents is also a way of recognizing in a different manner their vital contributions to the city in particular and to the nation in general,” she said.

Valuable prizes will be at stake in this talent competition which surely will add color to this year’s Sorsogon Festival celebration.

“Masaya ito. Sasali kami (This is fun. We are going to join),” said a group of tahong (green mussel) farmers in Barangay Cambulaga here as they take turn in honing their singing voices and dancing abilities in front of a “video-singko” machine at the village’s fishermen’s lounge.

In the next barangay of Bitano, Barangay Chairman Blandino Diaz said among the village’s would-be entries to the competition would be an 86-year old hook-and-line fisherman who got an inherent talent of reciting at any given time rawit-dawits of his spontaneous creation.

“This competition is really an interesting involvement for our farmers and fishermen. Everybody in the farm and fishing ground is excited about”, Diaz said.

LGUs, NGOs, residents march against Irosin geothermal exploration

by AMANDA LAGO, GMA News


Protesters marched to Irosin, Sorsogon Thursday morning against the proposed Bulusan Geothermal Exploration Project (BGEP), a five-year exploration program in the 350,000-hectare Bulusan Volcano Natural Park (BVNP).

Arze Glipo, Intergrated Rural Development Foundation (IRDF) executive director, said in a telephone interview with GMA News Online that the protest march concluded with local officials signing a covenant with the people on their commitment to stop the BGEP.

According to a media advisory released Wednesday by the Irosin Coalitin Against Geothermal (ICAG) and IRDF, the project is being proposed by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the service contractor SKI Construction Group.

The project “intends to generate steam energy from the foot of active Mt. Bulusan,” as well as “produce some 40 megawatts of geothermal power from the BVNP,” noted the advisory.

Glipo told GMA News Online the project involves surface exploration, which entails observation and reconnaissance, and subsurface drilling explorations.

“The people don’t like the project because they know that in similar cases in other areas, water was affected, and of course, the forest and environment as well,” she added, saying that aside from being a watershed that supplies water to many households and farmlands, the BVNP is also a natural park and a tourist attraction.

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