Albay News October 2016

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Albay - Archived News
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Seal of the Province of Albay
Interactive Google Satellite Map 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.

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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 ‘s poverty dips to 17.6%

(Philippines News Agency)

LEGAZPI CITY — Albay’s poverty incidence has dipped to 17.6% in 2015, a significant 16.3%, drop from 33.9% in 2012, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported recently.

The 16.3% reduction, as shown in PSA’s annual per capita family threshold, makes Albay the least poor among Bicol’s six provinces

Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda said the unprecedented unity of purpose among Albayanos accounted for the substantial poverty reduction and will “sustain the record, now only 1.1% below the national average of 16.5%, but while the national poverty fell by 3.2%, Albay posted a 16.3% drop.”

In population terms, the PSA report shows Albay poverty fell by 15.8% from 41% in 2012 to 25.2% in 2015. The national average for the same period was just 3.6% from 25.2% to 21.6%.”

Thus, Salceda noted, large family size among poor people remains a challenge.

The PSA report placed Albay among five provinces of the country with best 2012-2015 poverty reduction performance, along with Apayao, Batanes, Eastern Samar and Davao Oriental. Trailing Albay’s 17.6% record in Bicol are Camarines Sur, with 27.15%; Masbate, 40.6% to 35.5%, down by 5.0%; Sorsogon, 31. 3% to 31.7%, +0.4%; Catanduanes, 27.1% to 33.6%, up by 6.5%; and Camarines Norte, from 21.7% to 29.3%, up by 7.6%.

Salceda, who was Albay governor for nine years before rejoining Congress, where he is now currently senior vice chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, and vice chair of three other committees — Appropriations, Economic Affairs and Local Government — pushed hard to elevate the local economy, particularly through tourism, its most potent and promising industry.

He expressed confidence Albay’s tourism will continue to prosper and hit its goal of five million tourists, USD1 billion investments and 235,000 jobs created in ten years, after the completion of the Bicol International Airport in 2019, and faster modern train system to Legazpi by 2023.

Tourism is decidedly Albay’s economic development driver. Under his stewardship as governor, Salceda pushed the industry’s steady growth. From 8,700 foreign tourist arrivals in 2006, the number surged to 374,949 in 2015. The figures become even more impressive with domestic tourists accounted for. From a mere 124, 675 in 2006, it exponentially increased to 1,042,646 in 2015, for a total of 1,417,646 arrivals.

What these figures don’t expressly show, he noted “is how the huge increase in the influx of tourist arrivals contribute significantly to the growth of Albay’s local economy.”

Economic growth finds expressions in various forms. Albay’s rank in DepEd;s National Achievement Test (NAT) has jumped from 177th in 2007 to 35th in 2016. On record, the pioneering Albay Higher Education Contribution Scheme and EQUAL grants benefited 88,444 college scholars in the past nine years, many of whom have already graduated and are now either thriving entrepreneurs or are gainfully employed locally and abroad.

Salceda is also behind the ALMASOR (Albay, Masbate, Sorsogon) tourism alliance program launched in 2012, which has boosted tourist flow to these three Bicol provinces. The alliance in now known in global tourism.

Under the Albay Green Economy program he also pioneered, he steadily expanded his province’s forest cover from 6,300 hectares in 2003 to 53,000 has. in 2015. Its mangrove forests grew four times from 700 has. in 2009 to 2,800 hectares.

Together with Palawan and Puert Gaslera in Mindoro, Albay is now also a UNESCO-declared World Biosphere Reserve where sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, and rational use of natural resources are reconciled

His other ambitious development plan — the GUICADALE (Guinobatan -Camalig-Daraga-Legazpi) Economic Township, is now considered a model. Initially a geostrategic intervention to move people from harm’s way in risk areas to safer grounds, the township is a sprawling 64,000 hectares of viable and promising space for commercial, residential and light industrial development.

The area hosts 40 relocation communities with 10,076 new housing units, new commercial establishments, and the Bicol International Airport.

DOH Bicol releases health safety tips, readies response team for Undas

By Sally Atento-Altea (MAL/SAA/DOH5/PIA5/Albay)

LEGAZPI CITY (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) Bicol reminded the public not to forget health and safety concerns amidst the usual traditions done to celebrate Undas such as visiting the cemeteries or bringing and sharing food with friends and families to remember departed loved ones.

Kenn S. Nuyda, DOH Bicol health education and promotion officer, said they are currently on intensified advocacy and information campaign to ensure safety of the public particularly against accidents, food and water borne diseases, mosquito carried diseases and other ailments.

“We will be having a long vacation to celebrate Undas with our family to remember our departed loved ones but let us not forget our health and safety especially those who will be travelling to and from the Bicol region,” Nuyda said.

DOH Bicol, added Nuyda, is currently on close coordination with other concerned agencies and health facilities in the region in disseminating information noting that they are preparing their emergency response team for the declaration of Code White Alert from October 30 until November 2 in time for the country’s observance of All Saints and All Souls Day.

“A Code White Alert is declared when there is a mass gathering or national event and there is a possibility of emergency conditions that may need immediate medical attention. All medical teams are on standby for immediate mobilization,” he said.

Meanwhile, DOH Secretary Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial has earlier appealed to transport owners to deploy more buses to bring people to provinces and avoid overcrowding and overloading of passengers, which oftentimes are causes of accidents.

Commuters are also urged to plan their trips, bring water to avoid dehydration, and be more patient as there will be more passengers going to the province to pay their respects to their dearly departed loved ones.

“It would be better not to bring along babies and small children to cemeteries/memorial parks as they are vulnerable to contracting diseases due to their low resistance to infection, heat, and congestion. The elderly are advised to stay at home especially if they have medical conditions or are visiting alone,” she noted.

DOH also reminded local government units (LGUs) and ambulant vendors to ensure food safety through proper preparation and sanitation when selling food.

Food-borne illnesses are usually caused by food produced for mass catering which were not cooked, stored, or handled properly. Establishments that prepare, serve, and distribute food for mass catering should guarantee the safety of the food for prevention of food borne illnesses and outbreaks,” Ubial added.

DOH also advised communities to include Search and Destroy of mosquito breeding sites in their preparation for All Saints’ Day. Insect repellants should be used to avoid mosquito bites.

In the Bicol region, Nuyda said that dengue cases along with other mosquito-carried diseases are manageable and are not that alarming as local government units and communities are in close coordination to implement and ensure cleanliness and control of possible breeding sites.

The public is also advised to bring umbrellas for protection from the rain or too much sun.

People visiting cemeteries should also beware of animal bites. Medical services are available for first aid treatment by health volunteers.

For further concerns and queries, DOH Hotlines are established 24/7 to respond to citizens who may need assistance. They may be reached thru (02) 711-1001 or (02) 711-1002.

The DOH Bicol Health Emergency Management Service (HEMS) is likewise on standby and may be reached at 48300935 local 508.

DA Bicol urges Albay corn farmers to augment income thru cassava production

(MAL/SAA/DA5/PIA5/Albay)

LEGAZPI CITY (PIA) -- Over 40 corn farmers and agricultural technicians from Ligao City and Polangui, Albay participated in the recently held Training on Cassava Production and Processing in Barangay Alnay, Polangui conducted by the Department of Agriculture (DA) Bicol.

DA Bicol corn program staff Aileen Breboneria said this training aims to capacitate and help augment the income of farmers by intercropping cassava in their corn farms further citing that farmers from corn areas in Masbate and Camarines Sur will also undergo training.

DA Bicol senior science research specialist Nympha Autos said that at present there are 48 cassava varieties that were accredited by the Regional Varietal Improvement Group on Rootcrops from Visayas State University, University of the Philippines-Los Baños and other plant breeding institutions and stations of the Department of Agriculture.

Autos added that in the Bicol Region, there are cassava varieties identified as Orbase, Lanuza and Laysa.

Although there is no new technology or practice introduced during the training, Autos encouraged the farmers to have their soil tested or analyzed before applying fertilizers.

“They should also limit the use of fertilizers for their cassava since there are fertilizer residues from their corn farms,” she said.

She futher advised the farmers to plant Tuba-tuba (jatropha) in their fields as an alternate host to the pests and diseases attacking cassava plants

The participants in the said training likewise shared practices that can adopted and concerns that call for intervention from the DA and other concerned agencies.

Farmer Rodrigo Bañadera of Sitio Garayon, Barangay Balinad, Polangui shared that they plant cassava a month after they plant corn which is normally in December.

He said that after harvesting their cassava, he would lay the stalks in the field and leave it for several days from which new shoots will grow. He would again cut the stalks with new shoots and re-plant it. He then noticed that its tubers are larger compared to the first harvested tubers.

LGU Polangui agricultural technician for corn Cesar Sandro Jr. related that although there are a number of farmers engaged in cassava production, there is no stable market compared to corn.

Sandro hoped that through this training, the farmers will be organized into a farmers’ association for them to synchronize their efforts and ventilate their needs to the DA and other institutions.

“Barato an bakal sa saod kan balinghoy, a-singko kada kilo (Cassava is brought at a low price in the market, P5.00 per kilo),” said Donna Bazar of Balinad, Polangui.

Bazar said that in her 27 years as farmer, the cheap price of their cassava has always been their complaint.

At present, LGU-Polangui has no marketing support to their cassava produce except promotion and trainings.

Legazpi gets 'Seal of Good Local Governance' award from DILG

By Emmanuel P. Solis [(PNA), LAP/EPS/RSM]

LEGAZPI CITY, Oct. 28 (PNA) -- Legazpi City was among 306 local government units (LGUs) across the country which received the “2016 Seal of Good Local Governance Award” (SGLG) award from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for its good governance practices.

Mayor Noel E. Rosal announced Friday that DILG Secretary Ismael Sueno and Senator Sonny Angara handed a plaque of recognition and P3 million check to him and DILG-Legazpi Director Elmer Villanueva during the awards ceremonies Thursday in Manila.

Rosal said the SGLG award is the highest recognition given by DILG to an LGU in its performance in the areas of financial administration, social protection and disaster preparedness.

He said the three other criteria in the award include business friendliness and competitiveness, peace and order, and environmental management.

“The SGLG award will inspire our investors to do more business in the city,” Rosal said.

He said the Php 3 million that came with the award can be used to implement important projects and programs of the city administration.

Rosal said the award would also help the city hurdle one of the requirements for securing approval of loans in the bank.

In the Bicol region, the LGUs that received the 2016 SGLG award were the provinces of Catanduanes, Camarines Norte and Sorsogon; the four cities of Legazpi, Ligao, Masbate and Sorsogon; and in the municipalities category - Tigaon, Camarines Sur; Virac, Catanduanes; and Mobo, Masbate.

Nationwide, the 2016 SGLG award produced 306 winners — 43 in the provinces level, 51 cities and 212 municipalities.

The SGLG was launched by DILG in January 2014 to challenge LGUs to continue good governance practices while providing better services. It originated from the “Seal of Good Housekeeping” program that was introduced in 2010.

DOLE spearheads career guidance engagements for studes in Albay

By Julius B. Embile (MAL/JBE-PIA5)

LEGAZPI CITY (PIA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) provincial office here spearheaded a “Career Guidance” Seminar for graduating high school students from different parts of Albay province with the goal of improving the professional capacity of the Bicolano youth.

According to DOLE Albay officer in charge Ma. Ella E. Verano, a total of 1,460 high school students were given career guidance sessions about the professional path they should consider and about ‘jobs mismatch’.

The seminar focused on the theme “Our Skills and Passion Today; Our Career Tomorrow”.

Verano noted that Albay is considered as Bicol region’s “key province”, being home to the government’s regional offices and major universities and production facilities.

The province also serves as a human resource hub for Metro Manila and Laguna-based companies as Albay often host the region’s biggest job fairs.

Albay’s promising human resource potential is the reason why the labor department invested great effort giving career guidance for students in the province.

Verano further explained that our youth must be advised properly, not only in order to avoid having their time wasted by “shifting” college courses, but also to have them choose a proper professional course that will still be available in the future.

"Career Guidance programs are the solution to the long-time problem of ‘job mismatch’ especially for the province of Albay, being only second from Camarines Sur in terms of number of high graduates," she said.

The Career Guidance engagements have since commenced on the first week of October participated in by students and parents from 10 secondary schools in Albay.

“Not only students, but parents were also invited to attend the the Career Guidance seminar, in order for parents to know the effect of pressuring their children in choosing a specific college course. That is the kind of mind set we need to change,” said Verano.

Verano explained that, aside from ENDO (end of contract) issue, it is also the focus of DOLE to provide assistance to high school graduates when it comes to choosing a college course so that they would be able to become productive professionals at the soonest possible time.

“Of course we want our high school graduates to finish college and have proper jobs. But how are they suppose to work if jobs available are not suitable to their respective education, whether locally or abroad?” said DOLE-Bicol OIC regional director Atty. Ma. Karina Perida-Trayvilla during a media conference.

Albay techno demo-farm shows hybrid rice thrives even on rainy season

(SAA/DA5-PIA5/Albay)

LEGAZPI CITY, Oct. 26 (PIA) -- Unmindful of the drizzle and the distance to walk the 20-hectare technology-farm here, 74-year old Alberto Rivera of Labo, Camarines Norte said “kailangan namin ito kasi malaking tulong na makita namin ang mga hybrid rice varieties na maganda ang tubo kasi ang lugar namin ay apektado ng El Niño (we need this because it is a big help for us to see the hybrid rice varieties that are growing well since our rice fields were affected by El Niño).”

Rivera is one of the more than 1500 rice farmers, agricultural technicians and municipal/city agricultural officers all over the Bicol Region who visited the compact farm in Balangibang, Polangui Albay which was cited by the National Rice Board (NRB) as the biggest techno-demo farm in the Philippines.

“This is the first hybrid rice demo-farm for wet season and the first in the Bicol Region,” said Dr. Frisco Malabanan, spokesperson of the National Rice Board (NRB).

Edgar Pesebre, farm owner and local farmer technician designated by Department of Agriculture (DA) Bicol, welcomed the visitors in his “Palayamanon ni Tiyo Edgar” learning center which was also the orientation site before the field tour.

According to Pesebre, 25 farmer participants in the techno-demo started sowing seeds on June 13, 2016. The seed varieties include 14 hybrid rice and 11 inbred (300 series) varieties.

“The hybrid rice varieties include TH 82 of US Agri-Seeds; Bigante Plus of Bayer- Philippines; SL 12 and SL 18 of SL Agritek; PhD 77 and 79 of Pioneer-Dupont; S6003 and NK5017 of Syngenta; Mestiso 19 of PhilRice; and Chinese Hybrid Rice Lomping of PhilScat, “ he said.

Other rice varieties include submergence varieties being developed by Bayer-Philippines and Inbred Variety-300 series for saline and submergence ecosystem. Bayer and Pioneer companies also provided farm machineries.

Although the documented farms were affected by flood and attacked by rats, Pesebre assured the farmers that all the rice varieties were not significantly damaged due to proper cultural management and technology introduced by assisting technicians of LGU-Polangui and private companies.

The techno farm thus showed the resiliency of hybrid rice in withstanding extreme weather conditions such as during rainy and wet season.

Junnel V. Llagas, one of the assisting agricultural technicians of Polangui attributed the success of the program to the close coordination of the DA, farmer-cooperators, and technicians from LGU-Polangui and private agricultural companies.

Product Agronomist of Pioneer Herson Arcilla shared how they managed their assigned rice fields which were affected by flood, rats and brownhopper.

"Because of proper planning and strategy and the willingness of the farmer-cooperator to adopt the specific technology, the rice plants did not lodge and performed well. His estimated harvest is 11-13 metric tons in one hectare," he said.

Outstanding Young Farmer Ulysses Salvino said he was impressed with the growth and performance of Syngenta’s NK5017 and SL varieties stressing that he will be using SL hybrid rice varieties in his farm in Magarao, Camarines Sur.

NRB President Recher Ondap further encouraged the participants to practice and adopt the learnings they gained during the field tour.

“Now that you have seen the technology, use it so that we can be competitive in the world market,” said Ondap.

Also done aside from the field tour are discussions on “The Rice Program” by Rodel Tornilla; Hybrid Rice Production Technology by PhilRice Science Research Specialist Leo C. Javier; and Policy Options on the Expiration of the Waiver Relating to Special Treatment on Rice by DA-Central Office Policy Research Service staff Pia De La Rosa.

DSWD, LGUs push for timely completion of community projects in Bicol

(MAL/SAA-PIA5/Albay)

LEGAZPI CITY (PIA) – To ensure full commitment of local government units in the completion of ongoing community sub-project constructions, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Bicol regional office has hosted regular forums in all provinces in the region.

“The LGUs are vital partners of DSWD on the timely completion of community sub-projects so that poor villages can profit from these. LGUs assist the elected residents who directly manage the implementation of these interventions,” DSWD Bicol social marketing officer Jesseshan Marbella said.

The projects are under the Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) programs of the DSWD which seeks to help alleviate poverty through community-driven development (CDD) approach.

“The operations of the CDD approach expanded into a national scale, which was tried and proven effective by Kalahi-CIDSS,” Marbella said.

She cited that 101 poor municipalities in Bicol are under its expansion from 2014 to 2019 with a total grant of P4,497,448,178.00.

To date, there are 1, 403 funded community sub-projects, of which 655 are completed while the rest are to be targeted at the end of the year.

The DSWD has conducted the forum earlier this month in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes. It was done in Albay and Sorsogon on October 19 and in Masbate on October 25, 2016.

Through the forum, DSWD would like to ensure that the LGUs are doing their commitment such as delivery of local counterpart contribution and provision of technical assistance to village beneficiaries.

Also in the forum, LGU performances and accomplishments are reported, action plans crafted, issues and concerns addressed and good practices discussed.

DOLE-Albay holds career guidance talks to address 'jobs-skills mismatch'

(PNA), FPV/GVR/GINA V. RODRIGUEZ/EBP

LEGAZPI CITY, Oct. 24 (PNA) -- Nearly 1,500 high schools students have benefited from the career guidance seminars which are being conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Albay in various parts of the province since early this month to address the “jobs-skills mismatch.”

“Our records showed 1,460 high school students in Albay have been given counseling on the courses they should choose in college,” said Ma. Karina Perida-Trayvilla, DOLE-Bicol officer-in-charge regional director.

Trayvilla, in a news release issued Monday, said the seminars, which focus on the topic “Our Skills and Passion Today; Our Career Tomorrow,” seek to help the students on their choice of courses so they could easily land jobs after they graduate.

She said the career guidance program is DOLE’s answer to the long-term problem of “jobs-skills mismatch” so that the courses taken by the students will later fit the job requirements of hiring firms.

Trayvilla said the program aims to provide a ‘trending’ of available jobs in both local and international markets and serve as a guide to the high school students, their parents, officials of local government units or villages, and even the company owners.

“Naturally, we want our college graduates to have decent jobs. But how can they get jobs if their courses do not match the available jobs whether here in the Philippines or overseas,” she said.

DOLE Albay OIC-Ma. Ella E. Verano said the career guidance seminar is one way of helping the students avoid shifting of courses so they can make the most of their time in college and be assured of job placements later on.

She said the career seminar is a continuing project that has started early in October with Mary Jane Secretario, DOLE-Albay officer, as a main speaker.

Verano said the 1,460 students come from 10 secondary schools in various towns in the province, namely, Vinisitahan National High School and Pili National High School, both in Bacacay town; Virgin of Carmel High School, Naga National High School, Tiwi Agro-Industrial School, all in Tiwi town; Kilicao National High School in Daraga; Homapon National High School and Cagbacong National High School, both in Legazpi City; Bantayan National High School in Tabaco City; and Malinao National High School in Malinao town.

She said DOLE also enjoins the parents to attend the career talks so they would know the ill effects of forcing their children to take certain courses which offer little job opportunities later on.

“This is the kind of mentality that we would like to change,” (Ang kaisipang ito ang nais nateng baguhin) said Verano.

DOLE-Bicol records showed Albay is next to Camarines Sur with the most number of high school graduates.

Albay province is also the site of regional offices of national government offices, big companies and the biggest university in the Bicol region--the Bicol University,

"Albay serves as the hub of companies in Metro Manila and Laguna who are looking for job applicants. It is always the center of the biggest job fairs in the Bicol region,” said Verano.

Weavemanila connects Philippine weavers to international market through Manila FAME

(BusinessMirror)

ANN Hernandez’s abaca carpets are not for the stingy. Their creations, all handmade and transported straight from the Philippines’s abaca capital, Albay, are sold almost twice as expensive as most of the natural floor coverings in the market, like sisal or jute.

Now who would buy such luxury from a two-year-old start-up enterprise?

A lot of people, apparently.

Hernandez’s brand, Weavemanila, has earned the trust and admiration of a good number of buyers in the Philippines and in the United States. “Ours is a small, new company, but we’ve been getting great feedback since we started in 2013 and clients are steadily learning about what we can bring to the market. We’ve surprised ourselves and we feel so blessed,” she happily tells Center for International Trade Exposition and Missions (Citem).

It is love at first sight that makes many clients invest in a Weavemanila carpet. With outstanding quality that is distinguishable to the trained eye, the handwoven home furnishings are easily a must-have if one wants to add a distinct elegance, comfort and class into a room.

But what makes these abaca products truly adored by patrons in many countries around the globe is the company behind it who values the hard work and craftsmanship of the weavers at the base of its production line. The owners care for and improve the lives of the carpet makers as the brand grows and prospers.

“Weavemanila’s first priority is the weavers,” Hernandez says. “It’s important to us that our weavers are always paid on time and that they are well compensated for their hard work,” Hernandez adds.

One of the company’s plans for the welfare of its weavers is to hire a professional who could coach them on personal finance and investment. “One of our biggest dreams is to get insurance and investment plans for each of them,” she tells Citem. “For us, it’s not enough that their livelihood provides for what they need today. We want them to earn and save for their future,” she emphasizes.

Weavemanila also conducts programs and activities that teach values and useful, marketable skills. They hold weekly Bible studies and enroll their workers in classes for new weaving and dyeing techniques, and, just like an extended family, Weavemanila takes them to unwind in vacation spots or celebrate at favorite restaurants on special occasions.

The weavers believe that the company cares for their needs—putting them first before anything else. In return, they dedicate themselves to their craft. They work better, strive for excellence and focus on creating the best products for the clients who support their handiwork and art.

The company’s generosity extends beyond their workers and their home province of Albay.

Two years ago, the company supported one of the communities in Bohol affected by the 2013 earthquake, the deadliest since 1990, and Supertyphoon Haiyan (local code name Yolanda), which struck the region only a mere three weeks after the earthquake.

Thinking about the sorry plight of Bohol’s seaweed farmers, whose crops were destroyed by the two consecutive natural calamities, Weavemanila donated the company’s earnings to enable the farmers to purchase new crops and reestablish their livelihood.

Weavemanila has also initiated several outreach programs helping out students, orphans and poverty-stricken families by donating cash, canned goods, rice and school supplies. And just in February they purchased the first of three wheelchairs they will give to elderly patients in their community in Santo Domingo, Albay.

“We are blessed to be a blessing to others,” Hernandez says. Weavemanila recently launched their new designs at the Manila FAME held from October 20 to 22 at the World Trade Center and the Philippine Trade Training Center, Pasay City.

Albay chorale group bags grand prix award in South Korea

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

LIGAO CITY – A chorale group from Ligao National High School (LNHS) in Ligao City, Albay won the grand prix award during the 2016 Busan choral festival and competition held in South Korea, besting nine other chorale groups representing various Asian countries.

Maria Theresa Surwes Serrano, choir coordinator, said the grand prix award also came with prize money worth $12,000 and several trophies.

“Our students competed [against] youth and ethnic categories with 9 competitors from Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Taiwan and another singing group from the Philippines,” Serrano said. The three-day singing competition on October 18 to 20 was held at Haneulyeon Theater Busan Cinema Center.

She said the winning musical pieces sung by LNHS chorale group were “Cantane Domino” by Josu Elberdin, “Ayug Ti Aminan” by Fidel G. Calalang Jr., “My Soul’s Been Anchored With the Lord” by Moses Hogan, “Salidummay” and “Banwar iti Cordillera” by Normita Bing Rio-Pablico. Their conductor was Celger Villacampa Venzon.

Carmelita Singson, LNHS principal, said the success of the group was due to hard work, constant practice coupled with prayer to God through the intercession of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, the Bicol Patroness.

Serrano said they would not have bagged the grand prix award if not for the passion, cooperation and love for music among everyone in the group.

She said they also offer the award to all Filipinos and stakeholders, particularly the local government officials who supported them.

Work on septage treatment facility in Legazpi City begins 1st quarter of 2017

By Emmanuel P. Solis [(PNA), LAP/GVR/EPS/RSM]

LEGAZPI CITY, Oct. 21 (PNA) -- The Legazpi City government will start construction of a septage treatment facility (STF) in the first quarter of 2017 to comply with national laws aiming to protect and preserve the country’s marine waters.

“The project will serve as an effective tool to protect water resources and prevent contamination and pollution from the wastes of septic tanks,” Mayor Noel Rosal said Friday.

He said the STF will be located at the upper portion of the southern side of the city--in Sitio (sub-village) Caridad, Barangay (village) Banquerohan.

The facility will occupy a two-hectare land adjacent to the city’s “Engineered Sanitary Landfill” that was funded by the AECID (Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation).

Rosal said the treatment facility project falls under the city’s Comprehensive Septage and Waste Water Treatment Facility program.

He said the program complies with the implementation of Republic Act 9275 or the Philippine Clean Air Act of 2004, PD 198 or the Water District Law, PD 856 or the Sanitation Code of the Philippines and RA 7160 or the Local Government Code of the Philippines.

“All local government units are mandated to pursue a policy for the protection and preservation of marine waters,” said Rosal.

He said the STF project was conceived after the city Legislative Council enacted Ordinance No. 0025-2015 in 2015 that provides for a septage management program to ensure the “right to a balanced ecology and safe health” of the people in the community.

The ordinance requires all households, subdivisions, establishments and government offices to have their own septic tanks with a water tank that has “no leaching compartment.”

Rosal said the septic tank must be located at least 25 meters from any well with an access port for de-sludging.

He said the city administration will require all septic tank owners to de-sludge their own septic tanks every three to five years with the waste removed from the septic tanks to be transported to the STF.

The city administration and the Legazpi City Water District (LCWD) will enter into a memorandum of agreement for an additional P80 monthly to be included in the water billing of its residential consumers while P250 will be collected from establishments.

Rosal said the sludge and septage collected from the septic tanks will undergo a process using the STF with the treated waste deposited to the nearby sanitary landfill or applied to agricultural and forest lands as organic fertilizer.

The ordinance said violators will be penalized with fines ranging from P1,000 to P5,000 and prison terms of five days to 30 days.

SSS loan restucturing program put on high gear

(MSA)

LEGAZPI CITY —- The Social Security System (SSS) announced on Wednesday that the ongoing SSS Loan Restructuring Program (LRP), a program granting delinquent member borrowers to settle their overdue loan obligations, went on high gear since its launch on April last year. More than 265,000 borrowers of SSS short-term loans have benefited from affordable payment terms and conditional condonation of loan penalties under the ongoing SSS LRP.

SSS Assistant Vice President for Member Loans Department Boobie Angela A. Ocay in an emailed statement said that the LRP, which opened its one-year availment period last April 28, already helped 265,705 member-borrowers settle their overdue loan obligations of P4.28 billion based on figures as of end-September 2016.

“We encourage other delinquent borrowers to apply for LRP now to avoid the stress of filing last-minute applications. While their penalties may be condoned, if they don’t avail of the LRP right away, the loan interest which they’ll have to pay will continue to accrue with every month of delay,” Ocay said.

The LRP offers delinquent SSS borrowers the rare opportunity to settle their overdue loans by only paying their loan principal and interest, and incur significant savings from the conditional condonation of loan penalties once their obligation has been paid in full. The deadline for availment falls on April 27, 2017.

Members with unpaid SSS loans will also incur deductions in their final benefit claims for retirement, total disability and death. For example, a retiring member who failed to settle his SSS loan will have his loan principal, continuing interest and accumulated penalties deducted from his retirement benefit.

Ocay said the total availments include borrowers who took advantage of the special weekend schedule offered by SSS last month as part of the 59th SSS anniversary celebration, which enabled a total of 10,021 members to conveniently file their LRP applications in any of the four Saturdays of September.

“From an initial 1,300 applications on September 3, the LRP transaction volume grew to over 2,000 in the next two Saturdays of that month. SSS recorded the highest number of applications under the special Saturday schedule on September 24, with over 4,000 members filing for the LRP that day,” she said.

During the four Saturdays of September, thousands of borrowers applied for the LRP at participating SSS branches and foreign representative offices to settle a total of P168.64 million in overdue short-term loans.

The LRP aims to provide financial relief to borrowers affected by any of the covered calamities and disasters who struggle to pay their SSS loans. To qualify, the borrower should be residing or employed in any of the calamity areas declared by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) or the national government.

The SSS loan must also be overdue for at least six months as of April 28, 2016 to qualify for the LRP. Members can pay their delinquent loan in full within 30 days with no additional interest, or apply for an installment payment term of up to five years with a minimal three percent annual interest.

“Members who benefited from the LRP are already excluded from future restructuring or condonation programs as part of our terms and conditions. The good news is that they can apply for another SSS loan six months after they have fully paid their obligation under the LRP,” Ocay said.

For their convenience, members are advised to open a My.SSS account at the SSS website (www.sss.gov.ph) so that they can view their loan statement of account and other SSS data through the Internet. LRP application forms are also downloadable from the SSS website.

Albay, Sorsogon ink MOA to bolster economic, emergency partnership

By Nino Luces

Sorsogon City, Sorsogon — The provinces of Albay and Sorsogon signed last Monday an agreement to further bolster their economic partnership, especially in the areas of tourism and agriculture, and disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM).

The memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed at the opening ceremony for the week-long celebration of the “Kasanggayahan Festival,” here, attended by Governors Alfrancis Bichara of Albay and Robert Lee Rodreguiza of this province.

Coming out to witness and support the fortified partnership were officials of both provinces’ local governments, DRRM officers, representatives of the church, other stakeholders, and Department of Tourism (DOT) Undersecretary Benito C. Bengzon, Jr.

“We – Albay Governor Alfrancis Bichara and I – saw the potential of this partnership, especially in agriculture where we can focus on cacao and pili as the main product of Bicol and expand the market,” Rodrigueza said.

“In tourism, Albay has the facilities for international and national conventions. They offer travel packages that have included “butanding” (whaleshark) sighting tours in Sorsogon, but our province has so much more to offer… I told them we could offer three days in Albay and two days in Sorsogon as a complete tour,” he added.

In terms of DRRM, Albay is known for its reputation of “zero casualty” disaster management and since both provinces host active volcanoes – Mt. Mayon in Albay and Mt. Bulusan in Sorsogon – sharing of strategies and good practices in ensuring the safety of residents during emergency situations will be strengthened under the MOA.

“I am very happy and excited that Governor Bichara and I were talking about the economic partnership between Sorsogon and Albay. This is unprecedented; a model that I hope many provinces and LGUs will follow because we see greater benefits out of this kind of synergy,” Bengzon said.

ALMASOR tourism partners train on front office services, operations

By Sally Atento-Altea (MAL/SAA-PIA5/Albay)

LEGAZPI CITY (PIA) – The Department of Tourism (DOT) Bicol conducted a free training on front office services and operations for accredited tourism establishments from Albay, Masbate and Sorsogon (ALMASOR) to further strengthen their role in the growth of tourism industry in these provinces.

DOT Bicol admin officer Bobby Guigantone said the training course aims to give proper skills and knowledge to owners and personnel of primary establishments such as hotels, inns and lodging houses, particularly on labor operations of their front-liners, to help them cater to the needs of both local and foreign tourists.

He added that the training is part of the preparations for ASEAN Integration which poses a challenge on the capacity of local tourism providers to comply with international standards and compete with other foreign countries.

The three-day training program was held October 10 -12 at the St. Ellis Hotel in this city with DOT certified and national master trainer Dr. Freddie A. Quinito.

The first day of the training focused on socio-cultural interaction for host and guest which include meeting and greeting guests, responding to their questions or requests and participating in short, informal conversations with guests along with proper provision of accommodation reception services such as reception and check-in and out functions.

The speaker further discussed the international standard on process reservations, resolution of customer complaints and maintenance of quality customer service in front office operations on the remaining days.

Guigantone said the same training has been conducted for tourism partners in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes also known as the Triple C tourism areas. Further trainings to step up capacities and competencies of tourism service providers in the region will likewise be conducted in the coming months this year.

Miss World Philippines Catriona Gray celebrates victory in Albay

By Rhaydz B. Barcia [(PNA), RMA/RBB/EDS]

LEGAZPI CITY, Oct. 17 (PNA) -- Newly crowned Miss World Philippines 2016 Catriona Elisa Magnayon Gray trooped to her hometown in Oas, Albay, on Monday for a victory celebration before leaving for the international pageant in Washington D.C.

Gray’s mother, Normita Ragas Magnayon, a native of Barangay Ilaor, Oas town, comes from a family of musicians.

Here in Albay for a four-day visit, Gray arrived on Friday in this city where she made courtesy calls to Mayor Noel Rosal and Albay Governor Al Francis Bichara.

Albay Rep. Jose Salceda (second district) and Rep. Fernando Gonzalez (third district) lined up several events for Gray in the course of her visit to Albay that ends Monday.

Gray said while representing the country in the global arena, she would showcase the country’s economic gains in Southeast Asia, tourism destinations and rich culture and traditions.

“We have postcard-worthy destinations. We have a beautiful country and Filipinos are loving and very welcoming,” she said.

When asked to comment on President Robrigo Duterte’s rejection of the Paris climate agreement inked last December on the need to cut greenhouse gas emissions, Gray said that climate change needed long term action and the “President as a leader needs to focus on pressing issues right now.”

She said every Filipino could lessen his carbon foot prints by saving water and properly disposing of his garbage.

Gray said she had an advocacy to help raise funds to build a school in a slum area in Tondo so poor children could have access to education.

Cory Quirino, national director of Miss World Philippines, who flew in to Legazpi City along with Gray, has predicted that Gray will bring home the crown as Miss World.

She said within four hours of Gray’s winning her photo was uploaded by Miss World in its social media account, “which is an indication that Gray is an early favorite among the candidates.”

Quirino said they needed the support of Filipinos around the world to like and vote for her on social media.

“That’s why we’re so excited… grateful and we need Congressman Joey Salceda because he’s number one in social media…and helping Catriona,” she said.

Quirino called on Filipinos in the US, Canada and all over the world to go to Washington D.C. to be part of the Philippine contingent in supporting Miss Philippines in the Miss World pageant in December.

Miss World is the oldest and biggest beauty pageant in the world with 120 countries joining it. It was established in 1951 in London or one year ahead of the Miss Universe pageant.

Legazpi, 2 Albay towns get ₧915-M calamity funds

By Manly Ugalde

LEGAZPI CITY—At least two towns in Albay and this city received almost a billion pesos in calamity funds, as a result of a typhoon last year that was barely felt in the region.

In a letter dated August 15 to Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana, chairman of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea informed the provincial government of Albay that its request for calamity funds, totaling P915.11 million, for the province of Albay, had been approved and released to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 5 Office in Legazpi for the implementation of 10 flood-control projects in Legazpi City and neighboring towns of Camalig and Daraga as a result of Typhoon Nona (international code name Melor) in December 2015.

The release of the P915 million for Albay was reportedly worked out before the election ban for the May 2016 election, a knowledgeable source told the BusinessMirror.

The calamity-fund release came after Nona, packing center winds of 150 kph, was supposed to hit Legazpi on December 13, 2015. The typhoon, however, broke before its landfall in Beri, Northern Samar, and hit Legazpi, with sustained winds of only 56 kph under Signal Nos. 2 and 3. Sorsogon, Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte also were placed under Signal Nos. 2 and 3. Minimal damage was incurred in the area.

DPWH officials, however, were mum as to who was behind the release of the whopping P915-million calamity funds.

DPWH 5 Regional Director Reynaldo G. Tagudando could not be reached for comment, but his legal officer Oliver Rodulfo confirmed the P915-million release for Albay, saying the funds could be from the efforts of former Albay Gov. and now Rep. Joey S. Salceda of the Second District.

Texted for comment, Salceda’s chief of staff Carolina Sabio denied the P915-million calamity funds for Albay resulted from the efforts of Salceda. She said the request merely passed the Regional Development Council (RDC) early in January, when Salceda was still the RDC chairman.

It was learned later the P915-million calamity funds were worked out by then-Second District representative and now Gov. Al Francis Bichara and the city of Legazpi.

In his letter follow-up in April to then-Defense Secretary and NDRRMC Chairman Voltaire T. Gazmin, Bichara sought to facilitate the approval of his calamity- fund request for P432 million for the towns of Camalig and Daraga for five flood-control projects as a result of the damage rendered by Nona. The Legazpi City government, under Mayor Noel Rosal, also sought for a fund release of P438 million for five damaged flood-control projects in the city.

Bichara and Rosal could not be reached for comment.

Documents showed the five Legazpi flood-control projects included the construction, rehabilitation of Arimbay River flood control, Legazpi, P96.37 million; construction, rehabilitation of Yawa reverse flood-control system, Barangay Mabinit Legazpi, P96,.4 million; construction, rehabilitation of Padang River flood control, Legazpi, P97.356 million; construction, rehabilitation of Pawa Burabod flood control, Legazpi, P94.91 million; and construction, rehabilitation of Yawa River flood control, Legazpi section, P93.93 million.

Bicol readies for ‘Karen’

(PNA)

LEGAZPI CITY (PNA) – Some 10 families or 50 persons living along river channels near Mount Bulusan in Irosin, Sorsogon were evacuated on Friday due to threats of possible lahar flows spawned by rains brought by tropical storm Karen, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) said Friday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical, Services Administration (Pagasa) placed the Bicol provinces of Catanduanes under tropical cyclone warning signal (TCWS) number 2 and Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay and Sorsogon under TCWS signal number 1 due to Karen.

The evacuation was a preemptive and precautionary measure carried out at 7 a.m. Friday by the Irosin MDRRMC to keep villagers along river channels safe from flooding and lahar flows, according to Bernardo Alejandro, Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Bicol director and RDRRMC chair.

He said some 360 passengers were stranded while 37 buses, trucks, cars and six sea vessels were put on hold in the ports of Tabaco in Albay; Virac, Catanduanes;and Pilar in Sorsogon.

The Philippine Coast Guard suspended sailing of all types of sea vessels following the hoisting of storm signals in the Bicol provinces.

Alejandro, quoting a PCG report, said as of 5 a.m. Friday, most of the stranded passengers were bound for Catanduanes while 134 passengers were bound for Samar and Leyte provinces.

Classes were suspended in all levels in Bicol’s six provinces, he said.

The OCD reactivated its Operation Center and placed it under “blue” alert status, which means disaster agencies and assets are on standby 24/7.

Alejandro said he issued a disaster bulletin to the six Provincial DRRMC’s to likewise be on blue alert and closely monitor the weather situation and immediately coordinate with the RDRRMC once the weather condition worsens.

Albay PDRRMC issued on Thursday an advisory to the 15 Municipal DRRMCs and three city DRRMCs to be on 24/7 alert for possible flooding, lahar flows and landslides.

Villagers living near Mt. Mayon were warned not to enter the six-kilometer designated Permanent Danger Zone. They were also advised not to cross swollen rivers should rain intensifies.

Proposed anti-discrimination bill wins support from Bicol multisectoral groups

By Mike de la Rama [(PNA), FPV/GVR/MIKE DE LA RAMA/SGP]

LEGAZPI CITY, Oct. 14 (PNA)— Multisectoral groups from various Bicol provinces, who joined a regional workshop and forum organized by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), expressed full support for the passage in Congress of the proposed Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Act of 2016.

Representatives from the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, indigenous people, youth and student organizations, who attended the forum held here Thursday, pledged to urge Congress to fast track the deliberations on the proposed bill.

The measure will prohibit discrimination for various reasons such as age, race, religious belief, political inclination, social class, gender, sexual orientation, marital status and disability.

CHR Bicol Director Arlene Alangco said several suggestions and issues were tackled during the forum, that aimed to get the support of all sectors for the enactment of the proposed bill.

She said the participants presented concerns such as discrimination in the employment of elders, person with disabilities and women who are ex-convicts.

“Bullying among indigenous people, the giving of scholarships only to bright individuals, non-involvement of the youth in government planning, poor compliance to giving access to the disabled in buildings and gender inequality were also raised,” Alangco said.

“The recommendations of the participants will be forwarded by the CHR regional office to the House of Representatives and considered for inclusion in the draft proposed bill,” she said.

Ako Bikol Rep. Rodel Batocabe told participants that as co-author of the bill he wants to introduce a gender sensitive curriculum so there will be a “culture of change.”

“If we want to eradicate discrimination, we should start from the young and the venue for this is the educational institution,” he said.

Edith Manila, vice president of Bicol Senior Federation, said they will pass a resolution supporting the bill’s approval.

She said the elders should help re-fashion the future of the young people since “we were born first so we should be able to do something for them” (tayo ang naunang ipinanganak, kaya dapat may magawa tayo para sa kanila).

Albay Board Member Job Belen said he will pass a separate provincial resolution supporting the enactment of the bill.

Rosalie Maestrado, the only indigenous person elected as council woman in the village of Santiago, Iriga City, told participants that she used to cry over the discrimination that they experienced.

“Before, I was afraid to ask help from the village chief because we were being ignored. Even my child was bullied in school,” (Dati kahit paghingi ng tulong sa barangay official natatakot ako kasi hindi naman kami pinapansin, at pati mga anak ko na bully sa school) she said.

Maestrado said, however, that they will continue to fight for their rights and “the bill has offered big hopes of ending the discrimination against indigenous people (pero itong bill na ito malaking bagay para matigil na ang discrimination sa mga minorya).”

Parole, Probation Office cites DOLE Bicol’s livelihood program

(MAL/DOLE5/PIA5/Albay)

LEGAZPI CITY (PIA) -- The Parole and Probation Administration (PPA) main office has cited the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Bicol in recognition of the latter's invaluable support especially in the continuous provision of livelihood program to countless parolees in Bicol.

DOLE Bicol officer in charge Atty. Ma. Karina Perida-Trayvilla said," we, officials and personnel of DOLE in Bicol is greatly pleased, humbled and honoured after receiving such accolade for the agency's livelihood program provided for parolees across Bicol that will help prepare them inside the facility while ready them for mainstreaming in the society.

“We received the recognition with much gratitude. We never expected to be appreciated for we are merely doing our job. The plaque is on display so that our staff will continuously be inspired,” Trayvilla said.

On record, DOLE and PPA in Bicol have a standing agreement on the grant of alternative livelihood to parolees under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Emplloyment Program (DILEEP.

More than P2 M livelihood grant has been given by DOLE Bicol to hundreds of parolees from all over the region in which the recent was in the province of Camarines Norte and Albay.

“We have really prioritized our parolees since we want to give them a chance in life. We all know how hard it is for parolees to reintegrate into society much less in finding a job. But with our livelihood program, we knew that once they go out, they will have a livelihood to feed their family and be productive citizens,” Trayvilla explained.

As of press time, DOLE Bicol is also arranging talks with PDEA Bicol for the possibility of granting livelihood assistance to rehabilitated drug users depending on the availability of funds.

It can be recalled that DOLE and PDEA Bicol have a standing agreement for said purpose and DOLE Bicol has actually assisted at least two rehabilitated user about 2 years ago.

“The concept is similar to the livelihood program we have given the parolees,” Trayvilla ended.

New business hubs soon to rise in Legazpi City

(SAA/EPS-CGL/PIA5/Albay)

LEGAZPI CITY, Oct 12 (PIA) – More business groups have committed to invest and create more employment opportunities in Legazpi City.

Mayor Noel Rosal said these include giant business companies such as SM Prime Holdings and Gokongwei Group of Companies.

“The entry of giant business groups in Legazpi City signifies the city as a center of investment in Bicol with the city’s neighboring municipalities and provinces also expected to be a strong market for these groups,” Rosal said.

He noted that these businesses will create more employment opportunities for the community and contribute to the city’s local coffers by way of business taxes that the city can use for health and social services, infrastructure and environmental projects for its constituents.

The mall is expected to provide around 3,000 jobs to Legazpeños and residents from neighboring municipalities.

Rosal bared that SM Prime Holdings, owner of the country’s premier shopping malls, will have the groundbreaking ceremony of its P1.5-billion SM City Legazpi on January 2017. The company, which is one of the biggest shopping mall operators in Southeast Asia, is in the last stage of processing the necessary documents and permits to prepare for the construction.

He furthered that the city administration and SM management are now looking for a temporary transport terminal before starting civil works for the project.

The mall will be located within the 4.5-hectare area adjacent to the City Central Terminal complex and Ibalong Centrum for Recreation, which is at the heart of the city’s commercial district in Barangay Bitano.

The developer said the SM City Legazpi will be a four-level structure that will house a department store, supermarket, cyberzone, appliance center and a five-level car parking area which will be considered as among other world class lifestyle amenities.

Rosal said the Gokongwei Group of Companies is also planning to construct the Robinson’s Galleria de Legazpi at the adjacent area of the city’s grand terminal in Barangay Bitano.

The four-level shopping mall will be patterned after the Robinsons Galleria de Cebu and will house the Summit Hotel, Go Hotel and a Business Process Outsourcing center along with a multi-level parking area.

Currently, there are five malls operating in the city, including the Gaisano Mall owned by Cebu City-based Gaisano family and the LCC (Liberty Commercial Center)-Ayala twin malls co-managed by Tan Familyand the Ayala Group of Companies.

Recently opened in the city are Yashano Mall owned by the Hong Family and 101 Mall which is owned by a local businessman.

Construction of SM City Legazpi mall starts January 2017

By Emmanuel P. Solis [(PNA), LAP/GVR/EPS/EDS]

LEGAZPI CITY, Oct. 11 (PNA) -- SM Prime Holdings, owner of the country’s premier shopping malls, will break the ground on the P1.5-billion SM City Legazpi in January 2017, Mayor Noel Rosal said Tuesday.

He said the company, which is one of the biggest shopping mall operators in Southeast Asia, is in the last stage of processing the necessary documents and permits to prepare for the construction.

Rosal said the city administration and SM management are now looking for a temporary transport terminal before civil works for the project could start.

The mall will be located within the 4.5-hectare area adjacent to the City Central Terminal complex and Ibalong Centrum for Recreation, which is at the heart of the city’s commercial district in Barangay Bitano.

SM City Legazpi, a four-level structure, will house a department store, supermarket, cyberzone, appliance center and a five-level car park, “among other world class lifestyle amenities,” said the developer.

Rosal said the mall is expected to provide around 3,000 jobs to Legazpeños and residents from neighboring municipalities.

He said the Gokongwei Group of Companies is also planning to construct in the city the Robinson’s Galleria de Legazpi, which is patterned after the Robinsons Galleria de Cebu.

Rosal said this will also be located at the adjacent area of the city’s grand terminal in Barangay Bitano.

The four-level shopping mall, which will have a multi-level parking area will house the Summit Hotel, Go Hotel and a Business Process Outsourcing center.

There are now five malls operating in Legazpi City, including the Gaisano Mall owned by the Cebu City-based Gaisano family and the LCC (Liberty Commercial Center)-Ayala twin malls being managed by the Tan Family with the Ayala Group of Companies as its partner.

The other malls that also recently opened in the city include Yashano Mall that is owned by the Hong Family and 101 mall which is owned by a local businessman.

Expected to open in December is the Gregorian Mall, a public-private partnership of the city government and WholeGrain Land Inc. that is located at Old Albay District across the provincial capitol. It will house a city museum and a sports activity center.

Rosal said the entry of giant business groups in Legazpi signifies the city as a center of investment in Bicol with the city’s neighboring municipalities and provinces expected to be a strong market for these groups.

He said these businesses will create more employment opportunities for the community and contribute to the city’s local coffers by way of business taxes that the city can use for health and social services, infrastructure and environmental projects for its constituents.

Salceda elected chairman of Bicol police advisory panel

(Philippines News Agency)

LEGAZPI CITY—The Bicol Regional Advisory Council on the PNP (National Police) Transformation and Development (RACPTD) has elected Rep. Joey S. Salceda of Albay Second District as chairman during its 10th meeting held last week.

RACPTD focuses on the National Police’s road map toward its long-term and lasting reforms aimed at resolving organizational dysfunctions and improving quality of service, strengthening law enforcement, and enhancing the welfare and benefits of personnel and their dependents.

Salceda took over from Vice President Maria Leonor G. Robredo, who chaired the council when she was a Camarines Sur congresswoman. In accepting the post, he vowed to work for the welfare of policemen along President Duterte’s objective of reforming and strengthening the organization, a vital requirement in the country’s war against drugs and criminality.

The Albay lawmaker said he will help pursue the activation of the police emergency assistance 911 scheme in Bicol, another priority under Mr. Duterte’s peace-and-order drive. He also donated P1 million for the force’s stalled research on the incidence of rapes in the region, low number of successful police trainees, and performance evaluation of the Kasurog Cop Program of the Bicol police command.

Salceda also expounded on the “whole-in-a-nation” doctrine, the guiding principle of Oplan Double Barrel—Oplan High Value Targets and Oplan Tokhang, which he said is designed “to ensure the inter-generational welfare of a drug-free society.”

As senior vice chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, and vice chairmab of the Committees on Appropriations, on Local Government and on Economic Affairs of the House, Salceda has committed to help formulate the financial programs of the National Police and the Armed Forces, to realize Duterte’s pledge of doubling the salaries of uniformed men in six years.

She won’t let a day pass without chess

By Mar S. Arguelles, Rey Anthony Ostria (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

LEGAZPI CITY — In 2009, then 12-year-old Janelle Mae Frayna went to the public market of Tabaco City in Albay province to play chess.

Janelle, a resident of this city and a student of Divine Word College of Legazpi (DWCL), was in Tabaco to compete in a sports writing contest during the Bicol Regional Secondary Schools Press Conference. With time to spare, she asked her school paper’s adviser for permission to leave so she could look for a place to play chess.

Eventually, she found the market, where men of all ages spent their idle time playing the board game. She played and mesmerized onlookers after she won several games. Soon, potential opponents waited in queue for their turn to face the girl.

Geraldine Barrun, adviser of DWCL High School’s The Divinian newsletter, still remembers that day when Janelle sought her permission in Tabaco. “She won’t let a day pass without playing chess,” she says.

“She’s weird, but in a positive way,” says Lon Meyanne Abad, a friend of Janelle. “Those who don’t know her will get intimidated because she looks serious.”

Abad says Janelle has aspired to become a grandmaster since she was 12.

Balance

Adelaida Perez, another teacher, says the girl was able to balance her passion for chess and school work, and managed to excel at both.

“Sometimes, she would look at me while I was teaching and [unwittingly display an expression showing] she’s unconvinced [by what I was saying],” says Amalia Rito, the school principal and Janelle’s former science teacher. “But you could see it in her eyes that she knew things.”

Rito says Janelle, on many occasions, got perfect scores in her exams. She has been a consistent honor student ever since.

Ma. Cecilia Arbo, a former classroom adviser, says she knew early on that her student “has an analytical mind.”

“She always joined competitions outside [our school], but she never neglected her studies. She was determined in class,” Arbo says.

Her mother, Corazon Sonia, says she’s not a bit surprised with her daughter’s achievement because of her determination and focus every time she competes, Corazon says.

Fighter

“I see her as a fighter. That time, when she played chess [with grown men] at the Tabaco public market, she proved that,” Perez says.

Janelle joined the Magayon Chess Club in 2008 on the encouragement of Dante Magno, the group’s public information officer. She beat the club’s best players, say Cyril Bongalon, one of her mentors, and Marvid Zuniega, club president.

“She was never afraid. She would play and beat anyone,” Zuniega says.

DOST puts up 57th “library in a box” called Starbooks in Bicol

By Gina V. Rodriguez (PNA), RMA/GVR/CBD

LEGAZPI CITY (PNA)—-The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Bicol has now installed 57 so-called “libraries in a box,” known as STARBOOKS (Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosk Station), in the Bicol Region since it was conceived five years ago, an agency official said.

“The last eight STARBOOKS, which were installed in September in Iriga City, Camarines Sur, had added up to the 49 previously installed in the Bicol region, for a total of 57,” said Rafaelita Lucena, public information officer of DOST-Bicol, in a news release Saturday.

The digital science and technology library is a computer server which was developed in 2011 by the DOST-Science and Technology Information Institute (STII). Lucena said that as of July the agency has installed 965 STARBOOKS in various parts of the country.

Accessible even if there is no internet, STARBOOKS has rich materials sourced from local and foreign linkages, subscriptions, archive collections and in-house publications.

Browsing of its contents, which are in various formats--text and video/audio, are easy because of their user-friendly interfaces.

It has Encyclopedia Britannica in its collection with its contents categorized into elementary, high school and college levels.

The server, pegged as a “stand-alone information kiosk” by the agency, also has how-to videos on livelihood opportunities called “Tamang DOSTkarte Livelihood Videos” that were produced by DOST’s Technology Resource Center.

STII said that STARBOOKS sought to stimulate curious minds into developing new ideas and inspire their entrepreneurial and research spirit.

In Iriga City, the setting up of STARBOOKS in eight schools was initiated by Gerson Cepe, current state auditor of the DOST-National Research Council of the Philippines and formerly with DOST-STII.

Lucena said this was part of Cepe’s “social and humanitarian advocacy.”

The Iriga City schools who benefited from the project were Iriga Central School (ICS), University of Northeastern Philippines, La Anunciacion Elementary School, Sta. Justina East Elementary School, La Medalla Elementary School, Iriga South Central School (ISCS), Iriga North Central School, and Cawayan Elementary School (CES).

Lucena said Lloyd Frederick Mandapat and Legee Boy Valmoria of DOST-STII provided the “hands-on session and demonstration and one-on-one administration training” to 40 participants during the orientation and installation of the computer servers held on September 7 at ICS.

Pamela Dreo and Mirasol Fernandez, the team from DOST-Bicol in charge of STARBOOKS, assisted in the training and demonstration while the ceremonial signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOU) with the schools was witnessed by Patrocinio Felizmenio, director of the Provincial Science and Technology Center of Camarines Sur.

Dreo emphasized the roles of the STARBOOKS base schools while Felizmenio stressed how the schools could “have their kind of science and technology service extended to the community.”

Crestito Morillo, schools division superintendent, Department of Education-Schools Division of Iriga City, along with school principals and teachers from the eight schools graced the orientation session.

During the Iriga event DOST-Bicol Regional Director Tomas Briñas cited the importance of STARBOOKS in the “pursuit of quality education towards a science and technology career in the future and for the country’s human resource development and nation building.”

Bicol trade fair opens

(Manila Standard)

The 20th Orgullo Kan Bikol-Gayon Bicol Trade and Tourism Fair will open today at the SM Megamall Megatrade Hall with Vice President Leni Robredo as the guest of honor.

The event presented by the OK Bikol Association Inc., the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Tourism will run until October 9.

Robredo, a former congresswoman of Camarines Sur, is the highest Bicolano government official of the country.

Other guests of honor are Undersecretaries Zenaida Maglaya of the DTI and Alma Rita Jimenez of the DOT.

In 1996 the DTI launched Orgullo Kan Bikol (Pride of Bicol), which displayed the region’s cottage industries and generated some P200 million in actual receipts, excluding business transactions signed after the show.

The expo is Bicol region’s vehicle for developing home-grown entrepreneurs, especially those who will join the Manila market for the first time.

A total of 108 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and seven institutional exhibitors take part in this year’s show.

The DTI helped producers developed world-class packaging for export-quality processed food products. The DTI also aids micro, small and medium enterprises develop their products under the guidance of local designers who teach them new designs.

OKB-Gayon Bicol is supported by the various provincial, city and municipal local government units which display their One Town, One Product specialties such as abaca products, home furnishings, fashion accessories, health and wellness concoctions, pili-based candies and novelty items.

The expo will feature processed food and beverage products which have been certified Halal by the Islamic Da’wah Council of the Philippines to make them more competitive in the global market.

The expo also promotes Bicol’s popular and new travel destinations. In recent years, Bicol recorded the highest tourist arrivals among all the regions due to its diverse natural attractions, festivals and accessibility from Manila and the Visayas.

With Albay province as gateway and anchor destination, the region has been clustered with the Almasor (Albay, Masbate and Sorsogon) Tourism Alliance and the Camarines Norte-Camarines Sur-Catanduanes (3C) Tourism Link.

Spicing up the four-day fair are performances by the CamSur Cultural Dancers, the All Star Band of Legazpi City, MAG Dancers of Iriga City, and surprise entertainment numbers and guest appearances from Bicolano artists and celebrities.

DOLE-Bicol notes increase in local firms absorbing contract workers as regular employees

By Connie B. Destura [(PNA), FPV/GVR/CBD]

LEGAZPI CITY, Oct. 6 (PNA)—-The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Bicol reported an increase in the number of private companies in Bicol voluntarily absorbing their contract workers as regular employees in response to the government’s call for an end to contractualization.

DOLE Regional Director Ma. Karina Perida-Trayvilla said they have recorded 285 contract workers who were absorbed by 24 local firms or principals from all over the region as regular employees.

She said the move of the private firms to regularize their employees is a positive response to the call of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte to put a stop to contractualization or “endo” (end-of-contract).

“Actually, we were expecting this to happen. We know that our local firms would understand the context of ‘endo’ and will positively react to it,” Trayvilla said.

She said the number of local companies voluntarily absorbing their contract employees “have at least doubled” after DOLE Bicol publicly announced the first three companies which voluntarily absorbed their employees after a regional consultation with DOLE.

DOLE Bicol earlier announced that at least 50 percent of the recorded contract workers must be absorbed by the principals before the end of 2016. The agency, however, has yet to release official figures on the number of these workers.

Trayvilla said the newly absorbed contract workers were from shopping malls, restaurants, manufacturing, distribution and sales sectors, an electric cooperative, and even from a national government agency,”

She said she hopes other establishments would follow in voluntarily absorbing their workers.

“As I always say, we are all Bicolanos and I am appealing to the principals as a Bicolano so that they (principal) would absorb workers voluntarily,” she added.

DOLE-Bicol reiterated that it will be more beneficial to both the manpower agency and the principal to voluntarily absorb workers rather than wait for DOLE Bicol to rule a “Labor-Only-Contracting (LOC),” which means the firms will be obliged to hire the workers on a permanent basis.

Trayvilla said if the principal voluntarily absorbs its workers, DOLE-Bicol may even give some incentives like giving monetary benefits to the firms.

“This is better compared to issuing a compliance order in which the process would have to be followed,” she said.

Meanwhile, some 10 manpower agencies went to DOLE Bicol early last week to seek clarification on the “endo.”

DOLE Bicol pursues a drug-free agency, employee

(MAL/DOLE5/PIA5)

LEGAZPI CITY (PIA) -- To show all-out unity and support to the government’s on-going campaign against illegal drug abuse, official anf employees of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Bicol has underwent a Drugs and Substance Abuse Orientation recently.

On the said orientation, DOLE Bicol proved that their office is indeed a drug-free workplace, with none of its personnel branded as “drug or substance abusers”.

The department conducted the said orientation in consonance with the Anti-Drug and Substance Abuse Free Workplace policy, issued by the DOLE head office and locally adopted and implemented by DOLE Bicol.

The orientation took place at DOLE-5’s regional office and was attended by all regional office employees, including their off-duty security personnel. The activity was handled by experts from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Department of Health (DOH).

For DOLE-5 the orientation is just the first of many anti-illegal drug measures to be implemented by the department, not just to its personnel but also to its eleven attached agency.

The department also takes pride at being the first government office to have issued a concrete anti-drug and substance abuse policy, and one of the first to have successfully implemented the same in all of its regional offices.

Proving that DOLE can lead by example, DOLE Bicol officer in charge Atty. Ma. Karina Perida-Trayvilla said: “Our aim is more than info campaign but rather to prove to Bicolanos that we are true to our mandate in advocating a substance and drug abuse free work place by submitting ourselves, our office, and our personnel to this kind of orientation.”

It can be recalled that DOLE has been strict in the implementation of DOLE Department Order 53-03, which requires private business firms to implement anti-drug abuse programs in their respective workplaces. The move done by DOLE Bicol shows that they too can comply with the rules that they themselves enforce.

Oas town prepares victory homecoming for 2016 Miss World Philippines

By Rhaydz B. Barcia [(PNA), LAP/GVR/RBB/CBD]

LEGAZPI CITY (PNA) -- The local government of Oas town in Albay is preparing a victory homecoming for Miss World Philippines 2016 Catriona Elisa Magnayon Gray, said Oas Mayor Domingo Escoto.

He said they are preparing the special homecoming for the Albayana beauty titlist while the Sangguniang Bayan (Municipal Council) will pass a resolution commending Gray for bringing honor to her hometown.

Gray, a 22-year-old Filipino-Australian from Oas town was crowned Miss World Philippines 2016 on Sunday when she bested more than 20 contestants at the finals at Manila Hotel Tent.

Domingo said Gray’s family stayed in Oas town before migrating to another country. Her mother, Normita Ragas Magnayon is from Ilaor, Oas while members of her clan are musicians.

He said they will invite Gray to visit their town before competing in the Miss World pageant in Washington D.C. in December.

Gray received also several special awards such as Miss Manila Hotel, best in fashion runway and in the swimsuit and evening gown portions.

Aside from Gray, another Albayana, Mara Muñoz from Pantao, Libon town was named Miss World third runner-up.

Albay second district Representative Joey Sarte Salceda also commended Gray and Muñoz for their triumphs and said a victory welcome awaits them here.

Several Albayanas were winners in past international beauty pageants. Among them was Yvethe Marie Avisado Santiago of Daraga town, an accountancy graduate of Bicol University who was crowned Miss Supranational 2014.

Santiago who passed the licensure examination for certified of public accountants (CPA), won in the local Daragang Magayon festival beauty pageant before joining the Binibining Pilipinas competition.

Albay province through the Pageant Academy led by former Board Member Glenda Ong-Bongao has been producing several beauty titlists in national and international competitions.

Among the notable Albayana beauty queens were Miss Universe fourth runner up Miriam Quiambao of Cagraray Island, Bacacay town, Miss International Precious Lara Guigaman of Ligao City, Miss Universe fourth runner up Venus Raj and Miss International 2013 Bea Rose Santiago.

Raj and Santiago were both adopted daughters of Albay.

New mall housing museum, activity center soon to rise in Legazpi City

By Emmanuel P. Solis [(PNA), LAP/GVR/EPS/CBD]

LEGAZPI CITY, Oct. 3 (PNA) -- A new mall that will house the city museum and a sports activity center, is expected to open in this city any time before the year ends, Legazpi City Mayor Noel E. Rosal said.

The three-in-one Gregorian Mall project, a public- private partnership of the city government and WholeGrain Land Inc. (WGLI), is located within the 2,855-square-meter Locsin Park in Old Albay District.

“It is now on its final touches,” the mayor said in an interview on Monday.

Rosal said a 200-square-meter section of the mall building will be allotted for the new city museum which promises to be “the best and most advanced in Bicol.”

He said the museum would give more character to the locality aside from being an additional attraction to tourists and visitors.

Rosal said a 500-square-meter portion of the mall, which will be called the Locsin Activity Center, will be equipped with a basketball court, mini grandstand and covered court.

Aside from sports activities, the activity center can also be used for special public gatherings.

He said construction of the project is at no cost to the city administration with expenses for the civil works of the commercial arcade to be shouldered by WGLI.

Rosal said the mall will contribute to the continuing development of the city, provide around 500 jobs to Legazpeños and generate additional income for the city in terms of rentals and business taxes of establishment owners.

DA Sec cites agri, fishery agenda for the country

By Julius B. Embile (MAL/JBE-PIA5)

POLANGUI, ALBAY (PIA) – To address the recent agricultural decline this year, Department of Agriculture (DA) secretary Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol has bared the administration’s plans in resolving the drop of the agriculture industry.

During the opening National Rice Technology Forum 2016 held in Polangui Albay last September 27, the secretary conveyed in a message relayed by Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) acting executive director Sailila Abdula that the department’s concern on the reduction of the country’s agricultural performance by 4.4 percent between January and March of this year.

Citing the data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), secretary Piñol said that this is already the agricultural sector’s fourth consecutive quarterly decline since the second quarter of 2016. He further stated that this has raised the administration’s concern, considering that the agriculture is one of the keys in realizing the Philippines’ economic goals.

“What are we doing to arrest this decline? We, and President Duterte, came up with a simple solution. Agriculture and fisheries must go back to the basics, which are to produce food and address poverty,” the statement cited.

Specifically, according to the secretary, the DA would be focusing its efforts on food sustainability by improved production of staple food commodities, and generate jobs and foreign earnings by developed high value crops production.

This plan, as per the secretary, will be implemented in accordance to the DA’s 10-point agricultural agenda, which includes agricultural and fisheries mapping and food consumption quantification study, a massive institutional restructuring of the DA, intensive technology updating and agricultural credit review for lower interest rates.

The goal of the 10-point agenda is to forge a more forceful, comprehensive, efficient and transparent management and delivery of services to farmers, specially the poor smallholders.

To address food sufficiency, DA looks to initiate a comprehensive technological upgrade for staple food farming, like that of rice and corn.

By the orders of President Rodrigo Duterte to free the farmers of irrigation fees, the department is now thoroughly study of the country’s water management, irrigation and soil analysis. DA, as well, reviewing the adoption of solar irrigation technologies, in order to sustain water systems and preserve watersheds.

The DA also envisions a more productive land-use policy, due to the declared two-year moratorium on land conversion. He added that agricultural losses is also expected to be minimized through effective soil rehabilitation and fertilizer programs, coupled with modern post-harvest facilities.

To improve on high value crop production, like that of coconut and livestock farming, the DA promises to give focus on the elimination of pestilence that has caused considerable agricultural damage.

Regarding the directive of President Duterte concerning the Coco Levy Fund distribution, Piñol expressed the DA’s full support on the president’s decision as the funding is to be utilized in extending assistance to coconut farmers by giving scholarships to their children, elimination of coconut pests, and replacement of old coconut trees.

The department also aims to promote urban farming in cities, in order to provide sustained vegetable production, through modern green house technology.

DA also plans to cleanse itself internally and ensure that there is no corruption within their ranks, in accordance to the orders of the president. In close cooperation with the Bureau of Customs and other line agencies, the department is also eyes putting an end to illegal trade and smuggling of agricultural products.

DOLE on ENDO: 285 contract workers in Bicol are now regular employees

(MAL/SAA/DOLE5-PIA5/Albay)

LEGAZPI CITY (PIA) – The number of contract workers being absorbed as regular employees by their companies has been increasing since, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Bicol.

DOLE Bicol officer in charge Atty. Ma Karina Perida-Trayvilla stated that more local firms in the region have voluntarily absorb their contract workers fourteen days after attending the End of Contractualization (ENDO) Regional Consultation conducted by DOLE Bicol on September 1.

“Actually we were expecting this to happen. We know that our local firms would understand the context of ENDO and will positively react about it,” Trayvilla said.

She furthered that the increase in the number of local companies voluntarily absorbing their contract employees has at least doubled after DOLE Bicol publicly announced the first three companies which voluntarily absorbed employees right after said regional consultation.

Based on recent records, some 285 contract workers were absorbed as regular employees by 24 local firms or principals, referring to the main business firm or establishment that hired the services of a manpower agency, from all over the region.

The absorbed contract workers were from shopping malls, restaurant, manufacturing, distribution, Electric Cooperative, sales and even from a national government agency.

“This is a very positive development at least the absorption of the workers were voluntary. We hope that other establishments would follow. As I always say, we are all Bicolanos and I am appealing to the principals as a Bicolano so that they would absorb workers voluntarily,” the DOLE chief said.

During the regional consultation, Trayvilla reiterated that it will be more beneficial to both the manpower agency and the principal to voluntarily absorb workers rather than wait for DOLE Bicol to rule a Labor-Only-Contracting (LOC) order as the office may even give some sort of a lee-way, in terms of the monetary benefits, which is better compared to issuing a Compliance Order.

“If we issue a compliance order then there the process would have to be followed. What the order says then it shall be upheld. So we really suggest that we do it the voluntary way,” she said.

Furthermore, some ten manpower agencies have set meeting with DOLE to clarify ENDO issues and concerns.

“Again we welcome this development. At least they (agencies) are the ones coming to us already. “ Trayvilla noted.

DOLE Bicol has publicly announced that at least 50% of the recorded contract workers must be absorbed by the principals before the end of 2016 in adherence to the directives of President Rodrigo Duterte and DOLE Secretary Silvestre H. Bello, III.

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