Difference between revisions of "Sorsogon Province, Philippines"

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==[[Sorsogon News]]==
==[[Sorsogon News]]==
'''Sorsogon Initiatives beneficiaries urged to ‘own’ projects'''
'''LGUs, PAGASA to set up local weather station'''
*Source: http://www.opapp.gov.ph/news/sorsogon-initiatives-beneficiaries-urged-%E2%80%98own%E2%80%99-projects
*Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/250396/news/regions/lgus-pagasa-to-set-up-local-weather-station
*Sunday, 4 March, 2012 - 10:59
*March 5, 2012 7:55pm
:by  opapp.gov.ph/news
:by  RRD/VS, GMA News




Gubat, Sorsogon, Mar. 4 – Local officials in this province urged communities to exert ownership and responsibility over development projects to ensure success in their implementation.
The local government units (LGUs) of Gerona in Tarlac, Irosin in Sorsogon, and Tubigon in Bohol on Monday signed a deal with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to set up their respective Automatic Weather Station (AWS).
 
Sorsogon Congressman Deogracias Ramos, Jr. called on the beneficiaries of the Sorsogon Initiatives to treat the projects as their own. “Many projects have been provided by the government but some don’t take care of them. I hope you will not ignore your responsibility,” he said during the recent inauguration of several infrastructure projects held at the Sta. Ana Elementary School in Sta. Ana, Gubat, and at the Barcelona Development Cooperative (BADECO) Operation Center for Peace and Development in Poblacion, Barcelona.
Rice Watch and Action Network (R1) said in a report Monday the initiative will give farmers sufficient warning on extreme weather conditions so they can mitigate the impact of climate change on their lives and properties.
 
Also present were Barcelona Mayor Manuel Fortes, Jr., Gubat Vice Mayor Sixto Estareja, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Assistant Secretary for Programs Howard Cafugauan, Agencia Española Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarollo (AECID) Deputy Coordinator General Norberto Gomez De Liaño, OPAPP Director Eileen Jose and Colonel Felix Castro, commander of the 903rd Brigade, among others.
PAGASA will provide technical assistance in the operation of local weather instruments and relay climate information for the LGUs. The state weather forecaster will help install, maintain and calibrate weather instruments once the agro-meteorological stations are in place. It will also train people to man the stations.
 
Fortes, on the other hand, stressed the importance of partnership in the success of the projects that aim to boost peace and development conditions. “These will not be successful without the participation of the people."
The will set up the agro-meteorological stations based on World Meteorological standards, and shoulder the maintenance of the buildings and instruments, and salaries of observation and ground personnel.
 
The role of beneficiaries was also emphasized by Jose. “Since the projects are community-driven, the labor force comes from the barangay. In fact, the farmers themselves worked on the rehabilitation of the irrigation system, while others were hired for the road construction.”
Under the memorandum of understanding between the LGUs and PAGASA, the local governments of Gerona, Irosin and Tubigon must sustain the agriculture sector’s Climate Field School program for climate change mitigation.
 
A joint effort of OPAPP and the Department of Interior and Local Government-Local Government Agency (DILG-LGA), Sorsogon Initiatives aims to empower local communities through enhancing participation in local governance, and involving them in the preparation and implementation of peace and development projects. It is funded by Spain’s AECID.
R1 is urging other local governments to take on the example started by the three LGUs.
 
Among the newly-completed projects in Gubat include the widening and concreting of road in Sitio Apgo, and rehabilitation and expansion of 1.5-km Sitio Puro communal irrigation system. In Barcelona, projects include banana production sustainable agri-based enterprise program and construction of the BADECO Operation Center for Peace and Development, among others.
“With extreme weather conditions creating unimaginable damage to lives and properties in different parts of the country, we encourage other local governments to follow this example and put matters into their hands through planning of interventions,” said R1 convenor Jessica Cantos.
 
Peace and development
“We only need to tap the appropriate government agencies, break some of the bureaucratic layers, and identify ways of working together,” she added.
 
Underlining the P-Noy administration’s efforts of negotiating a political settlement with rebel groups while addressing poverty and poor governance, Cafugauan stated that “peace and development should go together.”
 
“They should go hand-in-hand. We cannot separate one from the other,” he added.
 
Cafugauan expressed hope that the projects will serve as a legacy for the next generation. On this, he mentioned the government’s PAMANA or Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Peaceful and Resilient Communities) program which is being implemented in conflict areas, as well as communities covered by existing peace agreements.
 
Big difference
 
Fortes said he believes that the Sorsogon Initiatives projects, which cost P 20.5 million, have made a big difference in the lives of the beneficiaries. He added that somehow it has also restored the faith of the people in the government
 
“The projects have given the people hope that the government is there to help. There is hope. Why should we fight the government?” he said, while touching on the longstanding problem of insurgency in their town.
 
In Sta. Ana, 84-year-old Rodrigo Felicia related that farming has become more convenient now that the irrigation canals have been concreted and individuals have been assigned as water tenders.
 
Councilor Vilma Espinida also said that the rehabilitated irrigation system has enhanced the relationship among community members. “There was too much water being wasted when the canals were not yet concreted. Due to the water shortage, people would get into dispute with each other. But now, everybody is happy because each has their own share.”
 
Sta. Ana Barangay Captain Romulo Epino, on the other hand, shared how the newly-developed concrete road in Sitio Apgo provided convenience to many residents, particularly students, who used to walk kilometers to reach the town center. “Travel time is much shorter now. Farmers are able to bring their produce to the market without having to spend big when commuting.”
 
In Barcelona, BADECO chair Lucy Bailon said that the construction of their operation center has freed them from the hassles of looking for a venue to accommodate 250 members during meetings and trainings. “Because of the project, we are able to hold meetings regularly,” she added.
 
Rodrigo Estipona, a 25-year-old beneficiary of the community-based training on motorcycle and small engine servicing, related how the project gave out-of-school youths opportunity to improve their financial lives. “In the past, I would ask money from my parents. But now that I use my skills to earn, I’m the one who gives,” he said. #


==Photo Gallery of Sorsogon, Philippines==
==Photo Gallery of Sorsogon, Philippines==
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