Albay News June 2017

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Albay - Archived News
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Seal of the Province of Albay
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Location of Albay within the Philippines
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Provincial Capitol Building of Albay, in Legazpi City

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.

Mayon volcano albay province.jpg

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.

Albay farmers get flood-resistant ‘palay’ seeds

By Michael B. Jaucian (Correspondent, Inquirer Southern Luzon)

OAS, Albay – Hundreds of farmers here received free hybrid “palay” seeds from the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday.

“The palay seed is not just an ordinary variety but it is also considered as flood and typhoon resistant,” said Marcial Bustarga, hybrid rice program coordinator of DA.

He said these hybrid palay seeds, once planted, could boost farm produce or yield.

“The reason why we are distributing this kind of variety of palay seed is that we would like to showcase the hybrid techno demo and we would like the farmers to have a very good and abundant harvest,” he said.

Oas Mayor Domingo Escoto Jr. said the distribution is just in time for the rainy season.

“This kind of program will surely benefit our farmers (because) if their produce is good, it’s also a reflection of a good economy,” he said. Oas town is the rice granary in Albay province.

“It’s a big help for us especially to us poor farmers, particularly (since) the seed is both good for dry and wet seasons,” farmer Felix Mediavillo said.

Aside from palay seeds, fertilizers were also given to farmers.

DOST sets June 30 as deadline for Regional Invention Contests and Exhibits

(SAA/DOST5/PIA5/Albay)

LEGAZPI CITY (PIA) – The regional office of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has set the deadline for submission of entries to the Bicol Regional Invention Contest and Exhibits (BRICE) on June 30, 2017.

DOST Regional Director Tomas Briñas said this year’s BRICE will be one of the major highlights in celebrating the Regional Science and Technology Week (RSTW) on 26-28 September 2017 in Legazpi City.

“Through the RSTW celebration, outstanding Science and Technology programs and projects are showcased and recognized for their contribution to S&T advancement and regional growth and development. Likewise, innovation and creative breakthroughs and other milestones are featured in the fair,” Briñas said.

The contest, which will serve as the qualifying round for the 2018 National Invention Contest and Exhibits (NICE), is open to researchers and inventors from the public and private sectors within the region.

BRICE has six categories where talented Bicolanos can compete. These are the Tuklas Award (Invention), Outstanding Utility Model (UM), Outstanding Industrial Design (ID), Likha Award (Creative Researches) and Sibol Award for high school and college levels.

Three regional winners will be selected per category. The first prize winner on each category will be the automatic qualifier for the National Invention Contest.

Winners will receive a cash incentive and certificate of recognition.

Applicants must submit complete requirements together with duly accomplished forms at DOST Regional Office, Rawis Legazpi City not later than June 20, 2017.

The Regional Invention Contest and Exhibits is a nationwide activity conducted in different regions to recognize the indispensability of the Filipino inventors in the Philippine society and in the landscape of national economic development.

The invention contest seeks to encourage inventors to use their inventive capability by competing for cash rewards.

ASEAN info caravan by PCOO, DILG, DFA set June 30 in Albay

By Connie B. Destura (PNA)

LEGAZPI CITY -- The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Bicol in partnership with the Presidential Communication Operations Office (PCOO) and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will be hosting the Bicol regional leg of the information dissemination caravan on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN.

An activity to increase the people’s awareness on the concept of the “ASEAN integration,” the information caravan will also focus on the theme of the ASEAN conferences being hosted by the Philippines this year, which is “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World.”

Ma. Grace Joy Tango, DILG-Bicol information officer, in an interview Tuesday, said the caravan aims to orient the participants on what is ASEAN and the benefits that could be derived by the Philippines and its citizens by being a part of the regional group of nations.

She said around 300 participants are expected to the whole-day event on June 30 at the Legazpi City Convention Center wherein a forum and press conference will follow the talk of the various speakers.

Tango said the series of activities for the day will be attended by local government executives, national and local government representatives, heads of state universities and colleges, various other stakeholders and media practitioners.

Tango said PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar is expected to deliver a short message while DILG Regional Director Eloisa Pastor will welcome the participants.

DFA-ASEAN Executive Director Zaldy Patron will discuss the hosting of the ASEAN by the Philippines, an original member of the 50-year-old regional organization.

Tango added that other topics to be discussed in the event are updates on the declaration of martial rule in Mindanao in the aftermath of the Marawi crisis, ways to counter violent extremism and federalism.

Aside from the Philippines, the other members of the ASEAN Community are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao, PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

PIA holds ASEAN campus tour in Albay town

By Connie B. Destura (PNA)

POLANGUI, Albay -- To promote awareness among the youth about benefits of being a citizen of ASEAN member country, campus tours will be held in the Bicol region.

Around a hundred high school students attended a forum on the Association of South East Asian Nation (ASEAN) initiated by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Bicol on Friday at the Polangui General Comprehensive High School (PGCHS) in Barangay Poblacion, Polangui, Albay.

“We are conducting different campus tours in the Bicol region to involve students in becoming partners for change and being part of empowered communities,” said Marlon Loterte, assistant regional director of PIA- Bicol.

He said the youth should know the benefits that would come for the citizens of the Philippines which is a member-nation of the ASEAN group.

Loterte said the youth should be involved as they would become part of the nation’s future.

“We really want them to share and promote our advocacy on the ASEAN to communities in various barangays," he said.

Loterte and his group discussed the history of the 50-year-old ASEAN and gave an overview on how the so-called ASEAN “integration” would benefit the 10-member countries of the regional group.

Miguel dela Rama, focal person for ASEAN concerns in Bicol, told the students that the regional group offers prospects for learning in higher educational institutions in the ASEAN member countries.

He said job opportunities would also be enhanced among the citizens of the ASEAN.

Dela Rama said it would also be easier to travel to ASEAN countries when member-states adopt a common visa and open sky policy.

He said the economic benefits that would come from ASEAN integration include lower tariffs for the goods coming from the Philippines and a “regulatory structure that would attract more investments.”

Dela Rama said PIA’s campus tour highlights the importance of ASEAN in the Filipinos’ daily lives and how each citizen in the country can help achieve the goals of ASEAN.

Juvince Vher Echon, a Grade 12 student from Libon, Albay, who joined the forum said he feels “proud to be a Filipino and to become part of ASEAN.”

He said that after hearing about the benefits of ASEAN integration he felt excited to graduate. “I want to contribute (my efforts) in achieving the ASEAN goal,” said Echon.

Paulene Ced, a Grade 10 student from Polangui, said she could help achieve the goals of ASEAN by disseminating information about it.

Police exec says crime index in Bicol down by 20.5%

By Jorge Hallare (PNA)

LEGAZPI CITY —- A ranking official of the Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO5) said the crime index in the Bicol region went down by 20.52 percent during the first five months of this year compared to the same period last year.

This was disclosed by Sr. Supt. Cirilo Trilles, chief of operation division of PRO5, who presented the data during a meeting of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC).

Legazpi City Mayor Noel E. Rosal, RPOC head, convened the second quarter meeting of the council that was attended by heads of key local government units, government agencies and units of the Philippine National Police.

Trilles said the help of various government agencies, Armed Forces of the Philippines and the people in the communities themselves contributed to the decrease in the index crime.

He said that for the period January to May 2017, there was a decrease in the index crime to 3,235 cases from the 4,070 cases for the same period in 2016.

He said there was a downtrend in the incidence of most crimes cases such as theft-31.4 percent; cattle rustling-27.7 percent; robbery-25.6 percent; rape-25.6 percent; homicide-17.6 percent; and physical injury-2.1 percent.

Trilles, however, said their data showed that for the period compared there was 3 percent increase in the murder cases this year compared to last year.

He said PRO5 recorded 171 cases from January to May 2017 compared to 166 for the same period in 2016 for a 3.01 percent increase.

Trilles noted also that there was a very minimal decrease in the incidence of theft of cars and motorcycles, which went down by just “.86 percent.”

PRO5 records showed there were 116 cases of cars and motorcycles that were lost to theft or “carnapping and motornapping” from January to May in 2016 compared to 115 cases for the same period this year.

Bicol church declared as national treasure

By RHAYDZ B. BARCIA (TMT)

CAMALIG, Albay: A century-old church in Camalig, Albay, has been declared by the National Museum as a national treasure.

The declaration was made on Saturday during the town fiesta of St. John the Baptist parish in Camalig over the weekend here.

Camalig Mayor Maria Ahrdail Baldo said the almost 500-year old St. John the Baptist Church built by Franciscan missionaries is an important and historical place of worship.

St. John the Baptist Church was a mute witness to World War 11 as a garrison of Japanese soldiers was located at the back of the church.

Baldo said the declaration of the church as a national treasure will boost tourism here.

Camalig is known as the country’s pinangat (a native fish) capital and home to cultural and historical sites in the Bicol Region.

Jeremy Barnes, National Museum director, in a letter to the local government unit of Camalig said St. John the Baptist Parish Church was declared as one of the significant structures of the Philippines for 2016 under the category of important cultural property.

“It is with pride and commitment that we affirm as National Museum the inclusion of this important cultural property as among the significant built heritage [sites]of the country,” Barnes added in a letter.

Construction of the church started in 1605, resumed in 1837 and was completed in 1845.

Its bell tower served as a lookout post during World War 11.

The church serves as refuge of the people of Camalig during the Spanish, Japanese and American occupations and as evacuation center during eruptions of Mayon Volcano.

St. John the Baptist Church was destroyed during the eruption in 1814.

Christianity was brought to Camalig by Capt. Luis de Guzman together with Father Alonzo Jimenez, an Augustinian priest who arrived with the Miguel Lopez de Legazpi expedition.

Evangelization was begun in 1578 by Augustinian missionaries.

When the Augustinians left, Franciscan priests Pablo de Jesus and Bartolome Ruiz continued their work.

In 1579, Camalig was formally inaugurated as a town and as a parish.

The Franciscan missionaries ran the church for over 400 years, from 1579-1983.

At first, the church was made from wood and nipa from 1579 to 1580.

The second church was made from Mayon Volcano rocks and stones and built by prisoners in 1605.

The church was destroyed by successive eruptions of Mayon from 1766 to 1814, when the strongest eruption was recorded.

Two priests, Francisco Latoba and Manuel Brihuega, helped rebuild the church in 1837.

Construction of the facade, bell tower and Escuela Catolica was supervised by Fr. Miguel Barcela in 1845.

The existing church, which was made from lava rocks cut by hundreds of stonecutters, has survived several typhoons.

It is touted by the Department of Tourism as one of the strongest churches in the Bicol Region.

Fr. Jose Maria Barrulo, a Spanish Franciscan assigned to Camalig after the liberation of the Philippines from the Japanese in 1945, said the church could compare to any of the cathedrals in Europe.

DOH-Bicol releases PHP5.9-M fund for poor drug users

By Mar S. Arguelles and Jorge Hallare (PNA)

LEGAZPI CITY —- A ranking official of the Department of Health (DOH) in Bicol said DOH has released a PHP5.95-million fund that would be used to finance the expenses for the laboratory examinations of indigent drug dependents.

Dr. Ernie Vera, DOH-Bicol assistant regional director, made the disclosure during the second quarter meeting on Tuesday (June 20) of the Regional Peace and Order Council or RPOC.

The meeting of the RPOC, which is headed by Legazpi City Mayor Noel E. Rosal, was attended by heads of local government units or LGUs, various government agencies and units of the Philippine National Police.

Vera said the PHP5.95 million fund has been released to five hospitals and treatment rehabilitation centers or TRCs in the region.

He said the Bicol Regional Teaching Hospital in Albay was allotted PHP500,000; Bicol Medical Center in Naga City, Camarines Sur–PHP500,000; Bicol Sanitarium in Camarines Sur-PHP250,000; Camarines Sur Rehabilitation Center-PHP 2.6 million; and Malinao Rehab Center-PHP2.1 million.

Vera reported before the RPOC meeting that as of June 19, they have also referred 179 persons, deemed as “severe” users of illegal drugs, to TRCs in the region.

He said the 179 were among the 557 in the region who were categorized as “severe” users.

“DOH-Bicol also has in its list 2,561 who were deemed as of moderate risk, 4,301 as mild risk and 4,332 as low risk users of illegal drugs,” said Vera.

The moderate risk cases are accommodated as outpatients in TRCs for four to six months while those deemed as “mild” have to undergo community based intervention in seminars sponsored by the local government units or LGUs for a three-month period.

Vera said the “severe cases” are required to submit a court order, physical examination from a DOH-accredited physician and a psychiatrist's clearance before their admission to any TRC.

He added that DOH also has in its list 72 persons, whom they refer to as PWUDs or “persons who used drugs,” 32 of whom were classified as “intensive out-patient” while the 40 others were clustered under “residential” treatment.

Vera said they are undergoing “interventions” at the TRC in Malinao, Albay and San Fernando, Camarines Sur.

Both TRCs, which have a 150-bed capacity, require a patient to spend PHP3,000 monthly or PHP18,000 for a six-month treatment period.

DOH-Bicol records showed its health personnel have validated and assessed a total of 38,234 users of illegal drugs who had voluntarily surrendered to the police.

In the course of the illegal drug campaign, the drug surrenderers who underwent screening and documentation were allowed to return home. Their names, which were compiled by the police, were turned over to their respective LGUs which formed a core team to make the assessment and classification as to level of drug dependency of the drug users.

Vera told the RPOC meeting that in July it is possible to complete their assessment of those in the severe risk category so that all those in this listing could be admitted to TRCs.

Albay Governor Al Francis Bichara said they have yet to start construction of a planned treatment facility in Barangay Tula Tula in Ligao City as they are still awaiting word from the LGU for a complete list of severe drug users from DOH.

“We have to know the number of patients as this will be the basis for the size of the facility to be built,” he said.

Rosal has earlier offered a site in Barangay Bnaquerohan in Legazpi City for an additional TRC in the region.

During the same RPOC meeting, Bichara submitted a resolution asking PhilHealth and the LGUs to help the enrollment of indigent drug dependents in PhilHealth so that their expenses in the TRCs could be defrayed by the state health insurance fund.

The resolution was immediately approved by the RPOC members.

BU allots PHP39M for free tuition of medical students

By Edgar Isidro Alejo (PNA)

LEGAZPI CITY, June 22 (PNA) -- Qualified and deserving medical students who desire to pursue their dream of becoming doctors can now enjoy free tuition at the Bicol University (BU) here which has allocated a PHP 39-million budget for the program this year.

Commission on Higher Education (CHED)-Bicol Director George Colorado on Wednesday said that BU was among the eight state universities and colleges (SUCs) nationwide which were selected to provide free tuition for medical students.

“About PHP39 million will be disbursed under BU’s general appropriations budget allocation until December 31, 2017 for this grant,” he said.

Colorado said that a total of P317.1 million has been allotted from CHED’s 2017 budget for academic year 2017-2018 under its “Cash Grants to Medical Students Enrolled in State Universities and Colleges (CGMS-SUCs)” program.

He added that the implementing rules and regulations or IRR for the said student assistance fund were already finalized with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

In a joint memorandum circular of CHED and DBM, qualified student-grantees shall be entitled to receive 100 percent tuition subsidy based on the actual tuition of their respective SUCs.

It was learned from Colorado that this initiative was in response to the continuing lack of doctors in the country due to the high cost of medical education, overseas migration and brain drain.

“To address the problem, the Duterte administration decided to subsidize the tuition of medical students and facilitate their residency and practice in different parts of the country,” he said.

Colorado said to qualify for CGMS-SUCs, a student must pass the admission requirement and should also enroll in an authorized Doctor of Medicine program of the SUC.

Grantees are also required to maintain a general weighted average of at least a passing grade, carry a regular academic load and complete the degree within the period allowed in school.

“Student-grantees of CGMS-SUCs will have to render a one-year ‘return service’ in the Philippines for every year of cash grant received as part of their public service responsibility,” said Colorado.

Grantees can serve as doctors in government or private hospitals, local government facilities or become doctors to the barrios, he added.

P285B South Railways project pushes thru under Duterte admin

By Johnny C. Nunez (PNA)

MANILA (PNA) -- President Rodrigo Duterte is set to officially approve by the end of this month the PHP285 billion South line of the North-South Railway Project (NSRP) that will provide reliable rail system between Bicol and Manila.

After several hitches in the past, and reportedly stricken out of the Department of Transportation’s Public Private Partnership (PPP) list due to funding and investment problems, Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda said the project will finally push through under the Duterte administration.

Salceda said the project will start this year, this time under a different procurement method, since it “remains a priority investment project of the national government” and a vitally urgent infrastructure for Southern Luzon.

It was reclassified under direct expenditure scheme, which means the national government and Congress “would find ways to look for the needed financing to implement it, said Salceda, senior vice chair of the House ways and means committee.

The project which will be completed by 2021, within the term of President Duterte, involves new sets of railway tracks from Tutuban to Legazpi City in Albay, then to Matnog in Sorsogon, crossing the Southern Tagalog region and mainland Bicol.

He said Japan and China have both recently pledged commitments to the project.

“As I have been advised, the Tutuban-Los Banos line would be financed (and therefore implemented) by Japan and the Los Banos-Matnog would be financed by China. This is a critical and central project of President Duterte,” said Salceda who recently had consultation meetings with Socio Economic Planning Sec. Ernesto Pernia, Budget Sec. Benjamin Diokno and National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Deputy Director General Rolando G. Tungpalan.

The NSRP south line was one of three railway projects approved by the NEDA-Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) during the joint technical board and Cabinet Committee meeting last June 1. It was approved in 2015 by the Bicol Regional Development Council which Salceda chaired, and endorsed to the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Inter-agency Coordinating Committee for PPP. It was approved by the NEDA Board on February 16, 2015.

Salceda said the South Railway Line, when completed, will vastly improve connectivity and efficiency among urban centers and regional growth hubs and thus enhance productivity in the industry, services and agriculture sectors, and will further boost Bicol’s tourism by as much as 30 percent which forms part of the predicted 24% economic returns it will bring to the countryside when fully operationalized.

The lawmaker, one of the most ardent proponents of the project, said the NRSP South Line completes Albay’s multi-modal transport model -- air, sea, road and rails – and is expected to unlock the huge potentials of Bicol, particularly Albay, Bicol’s regional center and hub.

It is also expected to cut by half the present 12-hour Manila-Legazpi travel time and at the same time provide commuters a comfortable and reliable transport system. Its proposed PHP1,300 fare per passenger is deemed reasonable enough.

“The project will likewise expand trade and open more investment opportunities that will make Bicol’s agricultural and processed products more competitive in the markets of Divisoria, and in bringing in needed inputs to our industries, and basic commodities to our households. Tourism will receive the biggest boost from it, hiking tourist flow -- domestic tourism by 30% and foreign arrivals by 10% -- since a train ride from Manila to Legazpi is an attraction by itself,” Salceda added.

The new railways system involves seven train sets, 66 stations and 10 daily trips that will ferry some 316,000 passengers per day, when it opens in 2020.

Rail transport between Manila and Bicol is considered practical and convenient for students, vacationists, traders and workers.

In Bicol, military spearheads relief drive for Marawi

By Rhaydz B. Barcia (Rappler.com)

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is knocking on the doors of Bicolanos to gather aid for evacuees affected by the crisis in Marawi City.

Army Colonel Alden Juan Masagca, commanding officer of the Philippine Army's 901st Infantry Brigade, personally appealed over local radio for donations of used clothing, cash, kitchen utensils, food, and school supplies for Marawi evacuees in temporary government shelters.

"To our kababayans (countrymen) in Bicol, we are knocking on your doors to solicit any assistance you can share to our brothers in Marawi City in Mindanao affected by the ongoing conflict," he said.

Masagca, who hails from Catanduanes, said the aid would not be for soldiers, but for civilians.

"We might be sleeping soundly here but our brothers in Marawi City are in miserable condition. [Their] houses were destroyed. They don't have a home to return to when the conflict is over. For our soldiers, we are asking for your prayers for their safety fighting against the terrorists," Masagca said.

He said they will wait until June 30 to collect assistance from the Bicolanos. The donations will then be sent to Marawi City through the Philippine Air Force, which will distribute it to the evacuees.

On Monday, June 19, the AFP launched the "Pagmakulog sa Sadiring Lahi (Compassion for our Fellowmen)" project, an initiative to lend a hand to the evacuees.

The launch was done in Bicol's 6 provinces, appealing for help from everyone willing to send aid to Marawi. Soon after the launch, the AFP in Bicol also tapped social media to appeal for help from netizens.

The Tactical Operations Group 5 of the Philippine Air Force, led by Colonel Rover Sobrino, appealed on its Facebook page for help for the evacuees.

The program aims to encourage Bicolanos to give any form of assistance they can, including moral and spiritual support, to boost the morale of the displaced families.

The AFP in Bicol earlier sent at least 3 battalions to Mindanao before the Marawi City clashes erupted to go after terrorists sowing fear in various parts of the region.

In Masbate City, different stakeholders, including the Muslim community, businesses, students, non-governmental organizations, and government agencies participated in the military's kick-off ceremony.

In Sorsogon, Governor Bobet Lee Rodrigueza invoked the "bayanihan" spirit to encourage provincemates to help the affected civilians, and asked for prayers for the military and police fighting in the conflict.

Since the Marawi siege started on May 23, at least 3 Bicolano Marines and an army soldier have been killed in action. The fallen heroes were given military honors here.

Ubial wants sustained fight vs dengue despite 32% drop in cases this year

By Connie B. Destura (PNA)

LEGAZPI CITY —- The Philippines has shown a nearly one-third decrease in dengue cases this year compared to the previous year but there should be no let up in the country’s efforts to reduce the number of cases, according to Health Secretary Dr. Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial.

"We need to work together and join in the campaign to eradicate dengue cases in our society,” said Ubial who was here today for the 7th ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Dengue Day.

Citing DOH data, she said there was a 31.8-percent decrease in dengue cases this year compared to last year, from 211,000 cases in 2016 to 143,902 cases in 2017.

Ubial said the call of the World Health Organization (WHO) is to have a 50-percent reduction in dengue cases by 2020.

She said the Philippines is among the countries in Asia and the Pacific which have a high prevalence of dengue cases.

“We bear nearly 75 percent of the global burden of dengue,” Ubial said.

She said with WHO’s help, the country has developed a dengue and prevention control program, a strategic plan covering 2017 to 2022, that will be rolled out to all areas of the country.

Ubial said the plan uses the 4S strategy against dengue or what is referred to as --“Search and Destroy,” “Seek Early Consultation,” “Self-Protection” and “Say No to indiscriminate fogging.”

The “ASEAN Dengue Day,” which enjoins the active participation of people in the communities for a more effective anti-dengue response, is an annual advocacy campaign that started in 2011 among the ASEAN countries that are committed to the prevention and control of dengue.

Undersecretary of Health Dr. Gerardo Bayugo and Dr. Guindo Weiler, WHO representative to the Philippines, officials from the Department of Education in Bicol and local government units in Albay graced today’s celebration here along with Ubial.

There was also a display of booths showcasing the good practices of all the provinces in the region with regards to dengue prevention and control while the winning entries in the dengue short film contest were also presented and adjudged.

But the highlight of today’s activities was the blessing of the “Public Health Laboratory and Regional Insectary” within the compound of the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH) located in this city.

During a forum at the DOH-Bicol office on June 8 held as a prelude to today’s celebration, DOH-Bicol Director Napoleon Arevalo said the “insectary” is a facility that seeks to study mosquitoes and other insects that have “medical importance.”

“It will study insects like mosquitoes that bring about such diseases as dengue, malaria and chikungunya,” he said.

He added the goal of DOH is for the laboratory facility to serve as a diagnostic center for these diseases in the same manner as how the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine or RITM is operating for certain types of illnesses.

“Bicol is one of the pilot areas for such a diagnostic center,” said Dr. Arevalo.

In the same June 8 forum, Ma. Cecilia Pan, coordinator of the dengue prevention and control program in Bicol noted a 25 decrease in dengue cases from January 1 to June 3 this year compared to the same period last year.

“There were 738 cases recorded in 2016 compared to 555 cases in 2017,” she said. Pan added that among the six Bicol provinces, Camarines Norte showed the biggest decrease at 57 percent, followed by Albay at 42 percent and Catanduanes at 41 percent.

Arevalo said he would like to believe the decrease could be attributed to the effective partnership of DOH-Bicol with the Department of Science and Technology-Bicol and the local government units in developing and adopting a technology that measures the “density” of dengue cases in various communities in the region.

DOST-Bicol seeks 'research and development proposals' from partners

By Gina V. Rodriguez (PNA)

LEGAZPI CITY -— The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Bicol under its “Science for Change” program is issuing a “call for proposals” from partner institutions who wish to enhance their research and development programs in the region.

Dr. Pilita Lucena, public information officer of DOST-Bicol, said the call has been made through the Office of Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevarra, DOST undersecretary for research and development.

Lucena, in an interview Tuesday, said science and technology networks and partner-institutions of DOST in the region may submit proposals under five “initiatives” defined by Guevarra’s office.

One of the five initiatives cited is the call for proposals for “niche centers in regions for research and development” or NICER.

Lucena said under NICER, an institutional grant will be given by DOST to increase the capacity for “regional research and science and technology infrastructure” of higher education institutions or HEIs in Bicol.

“The NICER grant will enable HEIs to integrate regional development needs with research and development activities and local resources,” she said.

Lucena said Guevarra’s office accepts proposals from the academe, research and development institutions and private industry companies in the region for the other initiatives determined by the office.

“DOST enjoins its science and technology partners to disseminate and facilitate the call for proposals to target stakeholders in the Bicol region,” said Lucena.

She said interested stakeholders may call Guevarra’s Office at telephone nos 837-2930 or 837-2943 or email at s4c.ousecrd@gmail.com or usecrd@dost.gov.ph.

DOH: Bicolanos at risk of getting ‘WILD’

By Sally A. Atento (EAD/SAA/DOH5/PIA5/Albay)

LEGAZPI CITY (PIA)—The Department of Health (DOH) in Bicol is urging the public to take precautions to ward off diseases common at the onset of the rainy season.

DOH Regional Director Napoleon L. Arevalo said the communicable diseases common during the monsoon season go by the acronym WILD, which, as coined by DOH, stands for “water-borne infectious diseases, influenza, leptospirosis and dengue.”

“We should be prepared and well-informed of these health risks for us to prevent them. WILD diseases are usually more prevalent during the wet season,” Arevalo said during a press conference held Thursday at the DOH Daguinsin Hall.

“It is advised for the public to have enough rest, exercise and maintain a healthy diet to boost the body’s resistance (against illnesses),” he added.

To prevent going down with water-borne diseases which result from water contamination, the public is encouraged to practice proper waste disposal. These diseases, transmitted by ingestion or contamination, include diarrheal disorders.

To protect children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those who have weak immune systems who are more susceptible to influenza, Arevalo encouraged their caregivers to take simple preventative measures.

Influenza, or the common flu, is best prevented by frequent hand washing, covering one’s mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, and avoiding crowded places.

“Parents should make sure that their children are protected from rains and flashfloods by providing them with rain gears like umbrella, boots and rancoats. They should always be in tuned with weather forecast and be proactive,” Arevalo said.

Flu is transmitted by droplets that enter the body through the nose or mouth. It is characterized by cold-like symptoms including body aches and headaches.

“Moreover, flu can develop into serious complications like pneumonia,” Arevalo said. For older adults who have weak immune systems, having a flu vaccine is also recommended.

Leptospirosis and dengue are also health risks this season.

Leptospiros is usually acquired through contact with water or soil that has been contaminated with rat urine and feces, which explains why people are advised against wading in flood waters.

“Its symptoms include high fever, headache, muscle aches especially of the calf, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, red eyes and chills. In its severe form, leptospirosis causes kidney damage, liver and respiratory failure and meningitis,” Arevalo said.

Another year-round problem that peaks during the rainy season is dengue, which is transmitted by the bite of aedes mosquito, which breeds in stagnant water.

Although he noted a 25 percent decrease in dengue cases in the region, from 738 in 2016 to 555 in 2017, Arevalo said the incidence is expected to increase during the rainy season because of the increase in the breeding areas for the female Aedes aegypti, the vector-mosquito.

The safety precautions against dengue include searching for and destroying the breeding sites of dengue-carrying mosquitoes, wearing long sleeves, using insect repellants, putting screens on windows and doors, seeking early medical attention for fevers that last more than two days, and consenting to fogging when there is an impending outbreak, he said.

86% of 20-M poor Filipinos availed of DOH's free checkup, says Sec. Ubial

By Jorge Hallare (PNA)

LEGAZPI CITY, June 15 (PNA) —- Some 86 percent of the 20 million poor Filipinos nationwide have availed of free medical consultation and checkup since the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte launched the health program last year and made it accessible to the poor.

This was stated by Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Pauline Jean Ubial during a press conference at noontime today at Daguinsin Hall at the Department of Health Regional Office in Bicol (DOH-5) here in this city where she led the 7th ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Dengue Day celebration.

Ubial said DOH chose the poorest 20 million from among over 105 million total population in the Philippines, who could qualify under the program, because the budget of the government cannot provide for all.

She said out of the 20 million ,over 50,000 with various illnesses are scheduled to undergo free surgical procedures on June 1 in all hospitals owned and run by DOH and local government units.

She added there will be another medical consultation on July 1 which targets to provide for another batch of 20 million poor Filipinos.

Ubial said by which time, the program would have rendered free medical consultation service to a total of 40 million poor Filipinos for the second year of implementation of the program.

The DOH targets to include PhilHealth (Philippine Health Insurance Corp.) in the program so that it will be the latter which will pay for the medical consultation of other people seeking services in various government-run hospitals.

“This is because DOH wants to include the most number of Filipinos, whether rich or poor, who could be given appropriate medical services,” she said.

In Bicol, Dr. Napoleon Arevalo, DOH-Bicol director, reported they have implemented a free medical consultation program for the poorest members of the population in the region.

“Out of the more than five million population in Bicol, DOH-Bicol was able to serve the poorest 1.4 million Bicolanos in various communities,” he said.

Arevalo said the 1.4 million received free medical consultation in various DOH- and LGU-run hospitals in the region with support from some private hospitals.

“Most of them will undergo free surgical procedures, including those with cases of cleft lip and cleft palette,” he said.

DOH-Bicol was honored by DOH as a “topnotcher” among all the regions nationwide because of the “successful implementation” of its free medical check-up campaign.

Ubial said that with regards to the government’s free medicine program, DOH has started giving medicine in the entire country with help from the local health centers, rural health centers and other government-run hospitals.

“The government has allotted nearly PHP3 billion to DOH for free medicines for illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, tuberculosis and others,” she said.

On the other hand, the government gave PHP1 billion to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) so it could help DOH distribute the free medicines for the poor which are in DSWD’s list.

DepEd top exec in Bicol happy with Grade 12 turnout

By Julius B. Embile (EAD/JBE/PIA5/Albay)

LEGAZPI CITY (PIA) – Following the resumption of classes last June 5, the regional office of the Department of Education (DepEd) reported that close to 65,000 Grade 12 students have enrolled in various public schools in the region.

The 65,000 will compose the first batch to graduate from the Senior High School (SHS) program in Bicol, according to DepEd Regional Director Ramon Fiel Abcede.

The DepEd has reformatted the 10-year basic education program into the present K-12 scheme, which spans from kindergarten to grades 1-12.

Speaking at what was dubbed as “Orolay-Olay: Monthly Media Conference” in Legazpi City last June 5, Abcede hailed the student turnout as “historic development” in the region’s educational system, saying it marks the full blown implementation of the K-12 program.

The K-12 program is a revision in the educational structure in the Philippines, wherein the period of basic education has been raised to 13 years. According to DepEd, the reform is necessary for the country to keep up globally as the Philippines is the last country in Asia and one of only three countries worldwide with a 10-year pre-university cycle.

A 12-year program is found to be the best period for learning under basic education. It is also the recognized standard for students and professionals all over the world.

This year marks the full implementation of the K-12. Initially, K-12’s universal kindergarten was done in school year 2011-2012, followed by enhanced curriculum implementation in Grades 1 to 7 in 2012-2013.

In 2013, the K-12 program was enacted into law, and the curricula for Grades 11 and 12 were finished by 2014. In 2016-2017, the implementation of the SHS began as schools in the country welcomed the first batch of Grade 11 students.

Abcede said the tracks offered to SHS students are like college courses that are designed to provide skills in the fields of academic, technical-vocational-livelihood, sports, arts and design.

This is supposed to provide a competitive edge to students who are short of money to enter college.

According to Abcede, a total of 64,754 students are now enrolled in Grade 12 in the six provinces of the region. Camarines Sur registered the most number of enrollees with 20,426.

Albay tallied a total of 12,566 enrollees, followed by Sorsogon with 9,732. Masbate province recorded 9,574 while Camarines Norte had 7,869. Catanduanes had the least with 4,587. In addition, 30,246 of these Grade 12 students are distributed among schools in the six cities in Bicol.

In reply to a reporter’s question, Abcede admitted that certain schools, especially in far-flung areas, still encountered the same old problems such as shortage in textbooks and classrooms.

“Yes, there are still some concerns to be addressed, but we look for positive approaches to meet the demands. We prioritize giving the schools what they need before improving what they already have,” said Abcede.

Albay’s 'pinangat' ranks 22nd in Top 50 World Street Food list

By Johnny C. Nuñez (PNA)

LEGAZPI CITY, June 13 -- 'Pinangat', one of Albay’s outstanding ethnic dishes that have been making waves in world food expos, has bagged the 22nd spot in the Top 50 World Street Food Masters list at the recently concluded World Street Food Congress (WSFC) 2017 in Manila.

The Top 50 eats include Singapore's Hill St. Hwa Pork Noodle, Franklin’s BBQ of Austin, Texas, US and Bangkok's Che Paek Pu Ob Voon Sen.

Aside from its intrinsic savory taste, the pinangat's success is partly credited to Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda's 2D Culinaria initiative that focuses on food and travel, and supports ethnic cuisines and local food producers.

The 2D Culinaria Albay program was derived from the original Culinaria Albay, which significantly enhanced the local food industry and opened new avenues for small and medium food producers and entrepreneurs in the province. On account of its successful participation in past international food expos, the Department of Tourism has tasked 2D Culinaria Albay to represent the Bicol region in the May 31-June 4 WSFC held at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

The WSFC has been acclaimed as a resounding success, and local entrepreneur Zeny’s pinangat of Camalig town in Albay made it to the 22nd spot in the Top 50 World Street Food Masters list. The pinangat is a concoction of pork or fish wrapped in taro leaves, and gently simmered in coconut milk.

Two native Albay dishes were presented during the WSFC -- the Bicol Express risotto and the pinangat burger. Both merited good reviews and were included in the “10 things to try at WSFC” by Spot.ph; the “8 must-try dishes” by interaksyon.com; and the “7 local food picks” by ABS-CBN.

2D Culinaria Albay’s success at the WSFC followed its equally outstanding presentation last month at the IFEX Philippines, one of the country's biggest international trade exhibitions.

The WSFC featured 28 of the world’s best Street Food Masters from 12 countries who dished out authentic mouth-watering heritage street food for five days. Present during the congress were world-class chef and TV host Anthony Bourdain, and WSF organizer Makansutra, a photojournalist-entrepreneur and founder of KF Seetoh of Singapore. Albay’s 2D Culinaria team included Oriental Legazpi's executive chef Andhei Nacion and two sous-chefs.

Salceda has sustained his support for his province’s food industry through the Culinaria Albay brand and has urged Albayanos to patronize local products to support the native industry, and promote their chefs and homegrown restauranteurs in the global food arena.

The 2D Culinaria Albay has also joined the Madrid Fusion Manila food exposition last April 6-8 at the SMX Mall of Asia, after which three international chefs and food writers from Russia, London and the Middle East visited Albay and Sorsogon as their post-expo destination, a validation that Culinaria Albay is on the right track, said Salceda.

The Madrid Fusion food expo was among Albay’s most notable and productive participation in food expos, where buyers — having been familiarized with the Albayano ethnic tastes in previous events — showed astounding interest in Albayano cuisine.

In recent years, Albay has been acknowledged and conferred various awards for its culinary tourism and its notable global tourism assets that have drawn international tourists in droves.

Freedom day rites in Albay show patriotism as 'shared responsibility'

By Connie Destura/Emmanuel Solis/Gina Rodriguez (PNA)

LEGAZPI CITY, June 12 (PNA) —- The people of Albay -- its top officials and the ordinary folk, including the elders and the youth, believe in patriotism as a “shared responsibility.

During Monday’s 119th commemoration of Philippine independence in the province, they said showing unity in the community is one way of sustaining the sacrifices made by the country’s heroes in attaining the country’s freedom.

In parts of the province, a moment of prayer was also said for the “true heroes” today, referring to the fallen soldiers in Marawi City in Lanao del Sur, where clashes between government troops and a terrorist group have caused the death of scores of government soldiers.

“Today, we’ll be honoring everybody, the national leaders, soldiers, teachers and senior citizens who are contributing much to development,” said Albay Governor Al Francis Bichara in his message after the raising of the Philippine flag at the Peñaranda Park, also called “Freedom Park” that is located across the Provincial Capitol here.

He said the day’s event, which has for its theme “Kalayaan 2017: “Pambansang Pagbabago, Sama-Samang Balikatin (change in the nation, a shared responsibility),” is not just a way of “remembering the past but also a way of honoring the present.”

Legazpi City Mayor Noel E. Rosal, in his message, said the true meaning of freedom is unity among the people in the community by way of shared responsibilities.

“Umaasa ako na magsasama-sama ang lahat para di masayang ang ipinaglaban ng ating kababayan (I am hopeful that everyone will come together to honor the sacrifices of our fellowmen),” he said.

Rosal said everyone has a role to play as the country is confronted with “daily battles” against problems such as poverty and peace and order.

So-called “freedom doves and balloons” were released in the air at the close of the flag-raising ceremony.

A Holy Mass at the Albay Cathedral followed by a parade of troops preceeded the flag-raising at the Peñaranda Park.

The participants in the parade included personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, among them those from the Navy, Air Force as well as the Philippine National Police; Bureau of Jail Management and Penology; Bureau of Fire Protection; and Philippine Coast Guard.

After the flag-raising rites, a wreath-laying ceremony led by Bichara and Rosal followed at the Legazpi City Hall compound as the 58th Charter Day of this city is also observed today.

Under the “Integrated Reorganization Plan,” which involved the restructuring of local governments, Legazpi became a city under Republic Act No. 2234 on June 12, 1959.

The day’s events, that were capped with a civic-military parade at 3 p.m. in a major thoroughfare of this city, were witnessed by surviving veterans of World War 2, senior citizens, members of masonic lodges, provincial and city government employees and women’s organizations and ordinary citizens.

Amalia Agarin, 55, a housewife from Barangay Buyuan, Legazpi City, who has a son working at a fast food chain in Kuwait for three years now, said the essence of Independence Day celebration will not be lost on today’s generation.

“We will continue telling our children, the way our own parents did, that we cannot take for granted the sacrifices made by our heroes,” she said.

Agarin said she will impress on her children to teach their own offsprings how the country's heroes fought so that the Filipinos could stand on their own feet and run the affairs of the country on their own.

“Di ko ipagpapalit ang bayan ko. Dito ako ipinanganak, dito ako tatanda at mamamatay sa sariling bayan ko, (I will not swap my country for another. I was born here, I will age here and I will die in my own country)” she said.

Agarin said she will make sure that her OFW-son will return to the country and have the same sense of pride for his country's heroes.

In the geothermal town of Tiwi, also in Albay, local government officials, townspeople and members of the Municipal Police Office (MPO) offered a minute of prayer at the terrace of the municipal city hall for the Filipino soldiers who died in Marawi City as part of the June 12 activities.

"Let us remember our fallen brothers who fought for our country. They are heroes in our hearts,” said Sr. Insp. Jan King Calipay, Tiwi police chief.

Nitzer Dela Cruz, 11, a resident of Barangay Libjo, Tiwi, who attended the ceremony, said he is giving respect to the soldiers in Marawi because “they are truly heroes."

"Being a Filipino citizen I'm doing my part by being a role model to my little sister and by helping her with her assignments,” said Laurence Joy Arcega, 12, whose parents are both police officers.

Members of the MPO in Tiwi watched the students perform an intermission number that showed how patriotism could be practiced even by the young.

Basking at glorious sunset and kissing Daragang Magayon!

By Leony Garcia

Traveling for almost three decades as a journalist, Bicol has always been on my bucket list. I want to see the world-famous perfect-coned Mayon Volcano for myself up-close. But the nearest I could get to Bicol was a travel in Daet, Camarines Norte, more than 10 years ago. Thus, when the chance to travel to Albay finally came last year—through the invitation of the office of then Gov. Joey S. Salceda, the Daragang Magayon Festival Committee, and the local Department of Tourism—I readily grabbed the opportunity. In fact, I willingly shouldered the rebook of my fare ticket at P3,200+ because I came quite late and the Cebu Pacific staff who assisted me wasn’t good enough.

Anyway, I made it to the 12:30 p.m. flight, and that was the first time that I flew on a plane alone. Despite some glitches—including a 30-minute plane standby at Ninoy Aquino International Airport runway due to air traffic—I made it safe and sound at Legazpi airport, which gave me a glimpse of the majestic Mayon. It was broad daylight and the volcano’s cone is shrouded by thick clouds.

The Manila media and tourism team were billeted at Ninong’s and we had a hectic schedule in our itineraries for the next two days. Mayon Volcano is a towering beauty even seeing it only from the fringes of Legaspi City and Tabaco City, and towns of Camalig, Daraga, Malilipot and Santo Domingo.

To cut the story short on my close encounter with Daragang Magayon (beautiful lady in English, to which Mount Mayon has always been alluded to), our group were treated to an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) ride called Bicol ATV, which is near the Cagsawa Ruins.

The ATV is like a bigger version of go-kart but with big and wide tires to traverse boulder-filled river and the uphill climbs of Mount Mayon. Virtually no prior experience on riding four-wheeled ATVs is required. Everything is on the right handle—press a ledge to accelerate and retract another to brake. The engine doesn’t turn off, even at full stop.

Bicol Adventure ATV Manager Efren Gerona and his assistant, John, were on hand to welcome our group. We were all given a short briefing on the safety rules and some of us did a five- to10-minute practice ride and initial lessons on a mock trail along a rocky river track. This was to prepare us for the trail just in case we want to exchange place with the expert ATV driver so we can experience driving it by ourselves on the way to the volcano.

I chose not to practice because I knew I wouldn’t be comfortable driving one. Based on my past experience at Paoay Sand Dunes, it would be more enjoyable riding the ATV than driving it.

The Green Lava Wall Trail

There are countless paths and trails that Mayon Volcano offers and the trail pathfinders of Bicol Adventure ATV are continuously looking for new sites to develop. One of the trails they developed is the challenging Green Lava Trail 3 that is approximately 11 kms from the base and 3,000 feet above sea level of the 8,000 foot high volcano!

So we braced ourselves for a long river, sand, dust and rocks and boulders adventure challenge. It would take us around 2.5 to three hours to and from the 1968 lava wall located 2,500 ft. to 3,000 ft. above sea level in Barangay Miisi, Daraga.

We were informed that Green Lava Trail 3 is the highest trail offered via ATV in Albay. Bicol Adventure’s two competitors only traverse the Black Lava Trail, which reaches only the lava wall at 900 feet above sea level.

Driving from the bleak gray of the dried-up river, the scenery turned green as we entered and drove through a forest. The trees that surrounded us were a welcome relief from the heat and the breeze was cooler. The trail, however, produced more dust. The last part of the trail was the uphill climb to the Green Lava Wall along a much narrower and bumpier road with plenty of sharp curves before finally reaching the end of the trail, the now vegetated bed of lava that Mayon Volcano spewed during its 1968 eruption.

The stretch turned out to be 22-km long, round trip for the group. We started the trip almost at 5 p.m. so our adventure literally became a race against time as our seven or more ATVs ended going up at high speed even in uphill climbs. Apparently, our expert drivers who has been doing the lava trail for three years now, would like us to experience sunset up there at Green Lava Valley, the nearest we can get to Mount Mayon, which is included in the 6-km permanent danger zone radius. So we have the sunset on the left while seeing Mayon right in front of us.

What an exhilarating experience—the adrenaline rush of riding the ATV, a good view of the majestic sunset and close to kissing Daragang Magayon! What more can we ask for? My rebook fare was definitely worth it! (Fortunately, the tourism agency reimbursed my fare.) The scenery at 3,000 ft. above sea level is awesome! We are at a vantage point seeing the view of Albay Gulf, Misibis Bay, Legazpi City, the Third District of Albay in the west and, in the distance, the peak of Mount Bulusan in Sorsogon. I felt humbled and privileged to see God’s glory in his creations at that moment.

The trip going back would take another hour or so and it was getting dark at past 6 p.m. I worried myself, and for sure most of us in the media group worried, too, because it was already dark and there were only the ATV’s headlights to provide light to see the trail going back. The whole trail going back is engulfed by darkness.

To our amazement, the experts drivers still went to driving at fast pace. My group of four (we rode a bigger ATV) just have to stop at the start of the river trail, simply because another ATV’s headlight went out. We waited for a rescue ATV for the tandem rider, and the expert driver did the rest of the river trail, replacing our photographer as driver. Sooner than we think, we were back at the ATV terminal.

It was past 7 p.m. when we arrived at our starting point and, with great relief, we washed away the dust, mud and grime from our skin and hair—all proof of our great, tiring, yet challenging, adventure. We capped the day with a delicious dinner and a dessert of chili ice cream level 3!

Local government keen on the development of coops in Legazpi City

(MAL/EPS-CGL/PIA5/Albay)

LEGAZPI CITY (PIA) -- The Cooperative Development Office of the city government here and the the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) recently spearheaded the capability building sessions for managers and members to help enhance management and operations of local cooperatives in the locality.

Mayor Noel E. Rosal of this city cited that cooperatives have very significan roles in improving the means of livelihood as well as enhancing the economic activities and works for sustainable development in the community.

The two days sessions was participated in by the managers and members of different cooperatives in this city.

The city administration, in cooperation with the CDA, has since prioritized support towards programs and projects of the cooperatives to improve the economic activities in different villages as one way of generating more employments opportunities in order to address the poverty problems in the community, he pointed out.

City Cooperative Development Office chief Gina Marie Belches said at least 70 cooperatives are registered in this city, with 54 of which are operational.

She said that five registered cooperatives operating based in this city such as the Legazpi City Government Employees Welfare Association Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LECIGEWA-MPC), the DILG development cooperative, the Legazpi City Division Credit cooperative, the Cathedral Parish Credit Cooperatives and the Bicol University Multi-purpose Cooperative were given an award by the CDA bicol regional office as the top 5 grosser’s because they recorded an income of P3 million above annually.

Belches noted that different cooperatives operating in this city were categorized into small, medium, large and micro however, those small cooperatives are operating with a capitalization of P3 million and 1pesos up to P15 million while the large cooperatives are operating with P50 million and 1pesos, the large coop has a capitalization of P100 above while the micro cooperatives has a capitalization of P3million below.

All the registered cooperatives here have engaged in the clean and green program in the community as well as they served a feeding program to the students of the city’s Day Care Centers and also rendered social services to the people in the community, she added.

Belches said that her office will also conduct a financial management trainings as well as record management, strategic planning workshop to be participated again by the officers and members of the registered cooperatives as one way of improving their knowledge on how to manage the cooperatives.

WMR turns over another P43 million worth of medical equipment, supplies to Legazpi City hospital

(MAL/EPS-CGL/PIA5/Albay)

LEGAZPI CITY, June 8 (PIA) -- Two containers of medical equipment and supplies worth P43 million from the World Medical Relief inc. (WMR) were delivered in this city to augment the capability of the almost complete state-of-the-art hospital of the city government here.

Dr. David Zarate, a U.S based Filipino doctor and Ambassador of the WMR based in Detroit Michigan U.S.A, has turned-over the costudy of the medical equipment and supplies to Mayor Noel E. Rosal of this city recently in Makati City.

Rosal said the medical equipment donated by the WMR were composed of six containers with the four containers were already turned over to the city government last year that included X-ray machine, CT Scanner, laboratory, dialysis, tables, hospital beds and other medical supplies.

The mayor added these medical equipment and supplies will be used for the operation of the city government-run hospital, noting the final touches on the the civil works are underway and expected to operate on last quarter of this year.

The hospital has been constructed through an agreement between the Department of Health (DOH) which poured in P60 million,while the city government of Legazpi has a share of P20 million. The project is located within a 3,000-square-meter lot owned by the city government inside the eight-hectare central business district at the heart of the city in Barangay Bitano.

Rosal described the project as a state-of-the-art public hospital which will be one of the most modern public health facilities in the entire Bicol and will be manned by professional doctors, nurses, midwives and other medical personnel who will render health care services to the city’s indigent patients and those of neighboring municipalities.

"Upon completion of this project, the hospital will have medical equipment that include dialysis which can be availed at lower charges, it can also offer medical services to less serious cases, simple surgical operations and emergency treatment, among others," he pointed out.

Rosal said, the operation of this health facility would ease up the population at the highly congested Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital that presently caters to the medical needs of patients from the entire province of Albay and neighboring localities.

He noted the city government will shoulder the yearly operational expenses of the hospital that require at least Php50 million for salaries and wages of medical practitioners who will manage the hospital operation.

DSWD-Bicol cites out-of-school youths’ enrollment in formal school

By Connie B. Destura (PNA)

LEGAZPI CITY, June 7 (PNA) —- An officer of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Bicol cited the “positive results” of its pilot project on “youth personality development” held last month that aimed to increase the number of out-of-school youths or OSYs who would enroll in formal school this school year.

Seychelle Jessa Mirabel, Social Welfare Officer III of DSWD-Bicol, said among the 15 OSYs from Pilar, Sorsogon who attended the seminar-workshop, nearly all were able to enroll in different schools in the municipality.

The seminar that was held from May 15 to 18 had the support of the LGU of Pilar,

“As it is a pilot project, we are happy that out of the 15 OSY who joined the four-day seminar, 12 of them had enrolled in different schools when classes opened on June 5,” Mirabel said in an interview Wednesday.

She said their enrollment meant the seminar was able to guide and inspire the former OSYs to consider participating in school and becoming active members of their community.

Mirabel said the sessions also wanted the OSY and other disadvantaged youth to become “self-reliant, economically productive and socially responsible citizens.”

“It is also our way of addressing the habitual absenteeism in school of the children beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps,” she said.

The summer sessions included workshops and lectures on youth involvement in community development.

“There were also focused group discussions on the OSYs’ struggles and problems with their families and in their community,” said Mirabel.

She said on the last day of the workshop for the youth, the parents were invited to give their “commitment and support” so the needs of their children in school could be sustained.

Leslie M. Mallorca, 18, a 4Ps beneficiary who joined the seminar, said the activity had motivated her to enroll this school year.

“Iniisip ko po na dapat hindi ako tumigil sa pag-aaral kahit walang wala kaming pera na panggastos sa mga projects. Magtitinda ako ng sari-saring kakanin para kumita (I thought I should not stop attending classes despite not having enough money to finance my school projects. I will sell various native foodstuff in school so I could earn),” she said.

Mallorca had worked as a sales lady in various stores in Pilar town for nearly two years which helped her save a small amount so she could her enroll this schoolyear.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa 4Ps kasi hindi po sila tumitigil na tulungan kami para makatapos kami ng pag-aaral, [I am thankful to the program because they never stopped helping us to so we could finish our studies],” she said.

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is a poverty alleviation program of the government where the grant of cash to its beneficiaries is “conditional” on their satisfying requirements to improve the status of their health, nutrition and education. Children 0 to 18 years old benefit from the program.

It is patterned after the conditional cash transfer schemes that have uplifted the lives of millions of people mired in poverty in Latin American and African countries.

95,000 Grade 12 students enroll in Bicol public schools

By Mar S. Arguelles (PNA)

LEGAZPI CITY, June 6 —- A top official of the Department of Education (DepEd) in Bicol said public schools across the region admitted 95,000 Grade 12 students, who will be the first graduates under the Department of Education’s (DepEd) K-12 program this school year.

Ramon Fiel Abcede, DepEd regional director, in an interview Tuesday, said the Senior Grade students were among around 1.6 million kindergarten, elementary and high school enrollees accommodated in public schools in Bicol that opened classes on June 5 for school year 2017-2018.

The K to 12 program, which was enacted into law in 2013, mandated that beginning school year 2016-2017, a Filipino student to be considered a high school graduate must go through Grades 11 and 12 or Senior High School (SHS).

In SHS, students go through a core curriculum and subjects under a “track” of their choice.

The tracks, which are similar to college courses, are based on four disciplines—-academic; technical-vocational-livelihood; sports; and arts and design.

DepEd noted that the academic track includes Business; Science and Engineering; Humanities and Social Science; and a general academic strand while the technical-vocational-livelihood track embraces highly specialized subjects with qualifications prescribed by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority or TESDA.

Abcede said around two-thirds of those admitted to Grade 12 this school year are in schools in the six Bicol provinces while the remaining one-third are enrolled in schools in the seven cities in the region.

He said a total of 64,754 are enrolled in Grade 12 in the six provinces.

Camarines Sur topped the list of enrollees with 20,426; followed by Albay-12,566; Sorsogon-9,732; Masbate-9,574; Camarines Norte-7,869; Catanduanes-4,587.

Abcede said the remaining 30,246 Grade 12 students are enrolled in schools in the six cities in Bicol—Legazpi, Tabaco and Ligao, all in Albay; Naga and Iriga, both in Camarines Sur; Sorsogon City; and Masbate City.

He said their data indicated that nearly all public high schools in Bicol are offering SHS with majority admitting students in the academic track.

Abcede said among these schools offering SHS, 60 percent are qualified to enroll students in the academic track, 40 percent in the technical-vocational track and 10 percent in the Arts, Music and Sports track.

“Only a small number of children are enrolled in the Arts, Music and Sports tracks because this requires equipment and facilities that only few schools can offer,” he said.

Abcede cited that in the Arts and Music tracks only 314 students are enrolled because only schools that have musical instruments, facilities and teachers could qualify to offer these tracks.

He said in the sports track there are only 157 students enrolled because only a few schools have complete sports equipment, gymnasium, a vast space for sports such as football, basketball, track and field, baseball, softball and swimming.

The K to 12 Program, which covers 13 years of basic education with the following key stages: Kindergarten to Grade 3; Grades 4 to 6; Grades 7 to 10 or Junior High School; and Grades 11 and 12, Senior High School.

Abcede said despite the continuing issues hounding the school system, “we look for positive approaches to meet the demands.”

The concerns include persistent backlogs in school buildings; and lack of teachers, textbooks, chairs and school facilities.

This school year, he said, there was an additional 100,000 enrollees compared to the 1.5 million elementary and secondary students enrolled in the system last year.

“For this school year, we had employed 5,070 additional teachers for the K-12 program,” said Abcede.

DepEd asserted that the K-12 program follows the recognized standard for students and professionals globally. It said a 12-year period is the best period for learning under basic education.

Legazpi City villagers plant mangroves on World Environment Day

By (PNA) `

LEGAZPI CITY, June 5 —- Children and students joined their elders in a mangrove planting activity in Barangay Puro, Legazpi City, an activity spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Bicol to celebrate World Environment Day, Monday.

Crisanta Marlene P. Rodriguez, DENR-Bicol officer-in-charge/director, in an interview today, said she is heartened by the participation of the children in the activity which kicks off the celebration of June as Environment Month.

“We also want to show to the elders in the community that the mangroves that were planted will also be for the benefit of their children,” she said.

Rodriguez said Puro, a village in the southern part of Legazpi City, was chosen as it is “vulnerable” because of its location across the sea.

She said village officials and residents had also “shown commitment” in efforts to help protect the environment and mitigate the effects of climate change.

“The activity added to the learnings of the barangay officials, residents and youth on climate change and disaster preparedness,” said Nick Barrios, village chief of Puro, in a separate interview.

Rodriguez added that as part of Environment Month, DENR-Bicol will also hold its “5th Biodiversity Challenge” on June 9.

“The challenge is a timed-race that involves mental and physical challenges in various outdoor activities such as running, swimming, boat race and fishing,” she said.

Rodriguez said the challenge will start in Sumlang Lake in Camalig, Albay and end at the Ayala Malls in this city. Sumlang Lake is a wetland that has become a fast-rising tourist-drawer in Camalig town.

Ancie L. Lawenko, DENR-Bicol public information officer, in an interview today, said they expect 25 teams across the region to join the biodiversity challenge.

“They will come from different national government agencies, military personnel, people’s organizations and non-government organizations,” she said.

She added that the competing groups would be strictly composed of two males and female per team, must be between 18 to 50 years old and certified as physically fit.

Rodriguez noted that the Environment Month activities seek to spread awareness on environmental consciousness not only among participants to the events but also to communities serving as venue.

Upcoming city hospital in Legazpi gets PHP43-M worth of equipment

By Emmanuel P. Solis (PNA)

LEGAZPI CITY -- A United States-based Filipino doctor representing World Medical Relief Inc. (WMR) formally turned over on Saturday to Mayor Noel E. Rosal of this city PHP43-million worth of medical supplies and equipment for the new city hospital that is expected to be operational by the last quarter of this year.

Dr. David Zarate, who came in behalf of Detroit, Michigan-based WMR, turned over the two container vans of equipment and supplies to Rosal.

WMR had donated a total of six container vans of equipment with the first four vans turned over last year to the city administration.

The initial four container vans included machines for X-ray, CT Scan, dialysis and laboratory; hospital furniture such as tables and beds; and medical supplies and medicines.

Rosal said the equipment would benefit the city hospital, civil works for which was in its “final touches”.

The city hospital was constructed through a counterpart agreement between the Department of Health DOH which gave PHP60 million and the local government unit of Legazpi City which shared PHP20 million.

Rosal said the hospital would have a level one classification whose design includes space for an operating room, standard equipment and hospital beds.

The project is located within a 3,000-square-meter lot owned by the city administration inside the eight-hectare Central Business District at the heart of the city in Barangay Bitano.

Rosal said the public hospital would be one of the most modern public health facilities in the Bicol to be manned by doctors, nurses, midwives and other health personnel.

“It will primarily cater to the city’s indigent patients and those from neighboring municipalities,” he said.

Rosal said the facility would provide basic hospital care, surgery and emergency treatment with certain machines like the dialysis offered at a lower fee.

He said operation of the city hospital would decongest the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital here that presently accommodates patients from Albay and its neighboring provinces.

Rosal added the city administration would shoulder the yearly operational expenses of the hospital that would require PHP50 million for the salaries and wages of medical practitioners who would manage hospital operations.

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