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Meanwhile, the PBB Face Off series resumes with a match pitting Liu Hai Tao of China against Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan on April 14, Liu then face Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo on April 21 and Fong Pang Chao of Chinese-Taipei opposite Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza on April 28.
Meanwhile, the PBB Face Off series resumes with a match pitting Liu Hai Tao of China against Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan on April 14, Liu then face Dennis "Robocop" Orcollo on April 21 and Fong Pang Chao of Chinese-Taipei opposite Lee Vann "The Slayer" Corteza on April 28.
==March 31st: Firms vie for 38 coal prospects…………March 31st: Nowhere in the mining map…………..March 31st: New Philippine Mining Rules Likely This Summer..==
*Source: http://philippineminingclub.com/news/march-31st-firms-vie-for-38-coal-prospects-march-31st-nowhere-in-the-mining-map-march-31st-new-philippine-mining-rules-likely-this-summer/
*MARCH 31, 2012
:by  Amy R. Remo, Philippine Daily Inquirer.
The Department of Energy on Friday received 69 bids for contracts to explore and develop 38 highly prospective coal blocks across the country, considered an “overwhelming” number that proved investors’ unwavering confidence in the Philippines.
At the sidelines of the opening of bid offers Friday, Energy Undersecretary Jose M. Layug Jr. said the Philippine Energy Contracting Round 4 for coal attracted a lot of potential investors, of which about half were new players in the local coal industry.
Among the companies that submitted bids were Benguet Corp., Semirara Mining Corp., PNOC Exploration Corp., South Davao Development Co. Inc., SKI Mining and Empire Asia Mining Corp.
Layug said the DOE was targeting to award contracts within 150 days from the bid opening date yesterday, or by August 2012 at the latest. The coal blocks that had only one bidder will be processed faster than those that had six to eight bidders. For the coal blocks that did not have bidders, the DOE is set to re-offer these areas in future PECRs.
The offered coal blocks were in Quezon, Camarines Norte, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Negros Occidental, Cebu, Bohol, Agusan del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga Sibugay.
Initially, the DOE offered 30 coal blocks when it launched the PECR 4 for coal in December last year. Should all the 30 contracts be awarded, the DOE is expecting initial investments to run up to P2.4 billion within a two-year exploration period.
The number of areas, however, were increased to 38 blocks in anticipation of a huge number of bidders.
Layug stressed the need for the country to harness its own coal resources given an increasing demand for the commodity, which now stood at about 12 million metric tons a year. Local production averaged 7 million MT, of which 3 million tons are exported to various Asian markets. Coal imports remained huge at 7 million tons a year, he added.
It is expected that over the next 20 years, coal will remain the major fuel for power generation and the government continues to encourage the private sector to explore and develop the country’s prospective coal blocks to find additional reserves that can be used to address growing local demand.
By harnessing its own resources, the government believes that it will be able to push for energy independence that will allow it to reduce its fuel imports as well as lessen its vulnerability to global price fluctuations.
==DOLE gives Sorsogon ex-cons a break in livelihood==
*Source: http://pnabicol.blogspot.com/2012/03/dole-gives-sorsogon-ex-cons-break-in.html
*FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 2012
:by  Danny O. Calle
SORSOGON CITY, March 29 (PNA) – After walking back to freedom, 10 former inmates from the city jail here are now back to the mainstream of the society gainfully earning a decent living out of the assistance especially provided to them by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
These 10 are among the parolees and probationers selected for the Kabuhayan Starter Kit (KSK) project being implemented by the DOLE as part of the Aquino administration’s desire to make every Filipino, regardless of his or her standing in life a productive and self-sustaining member of the community.
“Reborn”. This is how these people commonly called ex-convicts describe themselves now as one of them, Eugenio Canal Jr. of Barangay Bibincahan here on Thursday told the PNA in dialect, “this livelihood assistance awarded to us by the DOLE gave us an opportunity to start a new life after practically losing it behind bars”.
Canal said he tried to get employed after his release from the jail on parole two months ago but every employer he approached turned him down on knowing that he is an ex-convict. He was convicted of illegal gambling and meted a six-month to six-year jail term but was granted parole after his good character showing inside prison.
“I really wanted to start a new life and rise again as a man of dignity but it seemed no one would open a door for me to get into it until the DOLE came in and placed me under its KSK project. That made me realized that in times of social seclusion, the government under President Noynoy is there to help me,” he added.
Under the project, Canal, a certified aluminum and glass fabricator, was awarded by the DOLE a set of tools including an electric drill that he is now using in accepting small work contracts in line with his skill.
Each of the other nine beneficiaries has his own skills like in carpentry, plumbing, mobile phone repair and troubleshooting, furniture making and house painting, among others and they were given the appropriate tools and portable equipments.
One of them, Rose Pamaloy, a lady “ex-con” who was once a beautician was given a steamer ceramic iron and other related paraphernalia while Roberto Francisco was awarded with a sewing machine for his sandal making venture.
The livelihood kits were personally awarded to them by DOLE regional director Nathaniel Lacambra during a simple rite done here over the week in coordination with the Provincial Parole and Pardon Office (PPPO) under the Department of Justice (DOJ).
During the affair, the DOLE regional chief said the 10 parolees and probationers who were carefully selected from among the hundreds of other ex-convicts in the city were given kits of tools in-line with their skills which they will use to put up their own source of livelihood without having to beg for mercy from local employers who are not really inclined to hire ex-convicts.
“Being an ex-con is very difficult. My driver before is an ex-con and nobody, even my wife, wanted to hire him as she found it hard to trust a criminal. But still, I gave him a chance in life so I still hired him. Well, I have proven most people, including her wrong as we found that driver the most trustworthy person we have ever met in our entire life,” Lacambra narrated.
“That fellow formally left us recently, more than eight years after serving us because he was able to save out of salary some amount to buy a passenger jeepney that he now drives. From time to time, that guy would drop by us to repeatedly express his gratitude for giving him the chance for the dignified life he and his family is now enjoying,” he said.
The livelihood kits given to the 10 ex-cons here, were worth a total of P65,000, according to Lacambra.
“These wares will save them from suffering the pain of rejection that often times ends to depression until they come to a point of committing another crime just to survive or out of anguish,” he said.
Case records of PPPO disclosed that the feeling of hopelessness and helplessness in dealing with daily life after being released from prison is the main reason why ex-convicts re-commit crimes.
The KSK intervention of the DOLE regional office will serve the backbone in realizing the full correction and re-integration of the convicts to the community as it will give instant hope in reclaiming their lost lives and livelihood, Lacambra said.
This goes through in partnership with the parole and probation office as “while we provided the funding and materials, the PPPO on the other hand will provide a simple business training to the beneficiaries and conduct regular guidance, monitoring and assessment to ensure that the tools given are put to good use”, he added.
The DOLE KSK project is a livelihood formation strategy that brings about improved socio-economic well-being of workers in the informal economy, in groups or sectors with special concerns and displaced local and overseas workers and their families by providing a package of services that enable them to start quickly a livelihood undertaking and become self-employed. (PNA)
dct/RSV/LQ/DOC/cbd
==Seek Enlightenment, Bishop Urges President==
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/355479/seek-enlightenment-bishop-urges-president
*March 27, 2012, 12:48am
:by  LESLIE ANN G. AQUINO
Manila, Philippines - President Benigno S. Aquino III has been advised by an official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to go on retreat this coming Holy Week for him to be “enlightened.”
Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes, member of the CBCP Permanent Council, advised the Chief Executive, following a report that Aquino and his Cabinet’s annual Lenten retreat has been scrapped due to their busy working schedules.
Catholics will mark the start of the observance of Holy Week on April 1, Palm Sunday.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the President and Cabinet members are likely to hold separately their Lenten recollections this year since the Chief Executive is set to travel to Cambodia for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit early this month.
“He should take time to be with the Lord especially this Holy Week so that he will get more enlightenment,” said Bastes over Church-run Radyo Veritas yesterday.
“They should not only rely on their intelligence or prudence, but as leaders of the nation, they have to ask the guidance of the Holy Spirit to enlighten their minds because it is not easy to govern the Philippines,” he added.
Bastes said there is no reason for the President and his Cabinet not to go on retreat since they can do it even after the Holy Week.
“If he can't do it during Holy Week, he can do it after Easter, because Easter is also a time for rejoicing as Our Lord has risen.
==Sorsogon City Central Fire Station conducts Tree Planting activity==
*Source: http://pia-sorsogon.blogspot.com/2012/03/sorsogon-city-central-fire-station.html
*MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2012
:by  (BFP/BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)
Personnel of Bureau of Fire protection Sorsogon City headed by City Fire Marshal SInsp Walter Marcial conducts tree planting activity together with the pupils of Bacon East Central School as a way of mitigating effects of climate change as well as raising the public’s awareness of protecting water sources. The activity is part of the observance of this year's Fire Prevention Month.
==2 drown in Sorsogon amid rains==
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/166367/2-drown-in-sorsogon-amid-rains
*1:46 am | Saturday, March 24th, 2012
:by  Mar Arguelles, Inquirer Southern Luzon
LEGAZPI CITY—Two people died in separate drowning incidents on Wednesday and Thursday in Sorsogon amid heavy rains in Bicol, the Office of Civil Defense in Bicol said Friday.
Bernardo Alejandro, Bicol OCD director, identified the victims as Jomar Gordolo, 19, of Barangay Obrero in Bulan town, and Aida Fusana, 61, of Barangay San Francisco in Bulusan town.
Alejandro said Gordolo was swimming with his friend at around 3:10 p.m. Wednesday at Sabang Beach when he suffered muscle cramps and was carried away by strong sea currents  and drowned.
The town’s search and rescue team recovered Gordolo’s body and brought it to the Pantaleon Gutladera Memorial  Hospital in the town on the same day but was pronounced dead on arrival by attending physicians.
Fusana drowned while trying to cross a flooded spillway in their village at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, said Alejandro.
Rains also triggered a landslide at Barangay G. del Pilar in Bulan on Thursday burying in a mudflow a house owned by a village councilman, Alejandro said.
No casualty was reported, he said.
A low pressure area forecast east of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan brought low to moderate rainfall in Albay and Sorsogon over the past four days, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
==Matnog imitates CCT scheme to preserve environment==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=414926
*March 23, 2012, 10:44 pm
:by  Danny O. Calleja
MATNOG, Sorsogon, March 23 (PNA) – The local government here is adopting a conditional cash transfer (CCT) scheme of preserving the municipality’s remaining forest and marine resources that are vital to its tourism and investments.
Under the scheme, residents who derive their income from cutting forest trees and illegal fishing will be given cash subsidies by the municipal government to provide them an alternative source of income.
“This scheme will draw them away from further destroying the town’s remaining forest and spoiling its rich marine resources,” Mayor Emilio Ulbaldo on Friday said.
Ulbado said the municipality had some 5,000 hectares of land classified as forest but only about 1,000 hectares of this remains forested.
“The status is alarming that is why we arrived at this CCT pattern given the fact that the municipality urgently needs its natural resources for its development anchored on tourism and trade investments,” the mayor explained
Under the scheme, he said local upland and coastal dwellers engaged in activities that are disastrous to the ecology will be given regular compensations by the local government on condition that they stop with their illegal sources of livelihood.
“These upland people cut trees for charcoal making, timber poaching and kaingin (slash and burn) farming while those in the coastal villages oftentimes use trawl, cyanide, dynamites and fine-meshed nets in their fishing activities. They are our target in this CCT program”, the mayor said.
While implementing the compensation scheme, Ulbado said those who would be caught violating laws on forest and marine resources conservation will be harshly penalized.
The penalties, apart from those provided under the law, Ubaldo said violators would be required to plant a thousand new trees for every cut full-grown tree while illegal fishers would be banned from the local waters and made to perform community services like coastal cleanup and mangrove planting.
“Preserving what is left of our forest and restoring what have been lost is our ultimate intention because we have investors putting up huge capital to establish ecology-based projects that would help our town become fully developed in terms of trade and commerce,” Ubaldo said, referring to the “Ecological Model City” a Japanese consortium is establishing here.
The US$ 100-million model city will be constructed on a 20-hectare land that would provide a retirement village for Japanese retirees with a hospital and clinic, hotel, resort, fish port, agro-tourism and marine parks and an international airport, according to Ubaldo.
“Undoubtedly, this sleepy town is blessed with ecological wonders just waiting to be discovered while being continually protected and nurtured. We hope that preserving and protecting its environment though our CCT scheme of preventing more man-made destruction will help its boost its ailing economy,” he said.
CCT is a banner program of the national government with P34 billion budget to promoting health and social upliftment of the poor by subsidizing the indigent families on condition that they avail of health and basic education services being provided by the government. (PNA)
RMA/ jfm/DOC/cbd
==(Weather) Low pressure area churns off Palawan -- PAGASA==
*Source: http://www.zambotimes.com/archives/45335-Weather-Low-pressure-area-churns-off-Palawan-PAGASA.html
*Thursday, March 22. 2012
:by  (PNA)
scs/CLTC
MANILA — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has warned the people of Palawan of possible flashfloods and landslides due to the low pressure area (LPA) churning off Puerto Princesa City.
In its synopsis issued on Thursday, PAGASA said that as of 2 a.m., the LPA was estimated to be at 160 kilometers east-southeast of Puerto Princesa City (9.5°N, 120.3°E).
Weathermen said they expect the LPA to be over Palawan within Thursday, causing widespread rains, including in some areas in the Bicol region, where Sorsogon had experienced heavy rains in the past days.
In it 5 a.m. weather forecast, PAGASA said that Southern Luzon and the Visayas will experience cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms, becoming widespread rains over Palawan, Central and Western Visayas which may trigger flashfloods and landslides.
The rest of Luzon and Western Mindanao will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms.
The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.
Some portions of Metro Manila may also experience light to moderate rains, PAGASA said.
Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast to east will prevail over Luzon and the Visayas and coming from the southeast over Mindanao.
Coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be moderate to rough.
The weather agency also advised owners of fishing boats and other small seacraft not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves.
==“Flavors of Science” savored at the 11th Philippine Food Expo==
*Source: http://www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph/ssentinel/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2006:flavors-of-science-savored-at-the-11th-philippine-food-expo&catid=1:latest-news
*Wednesday, 21 March 2012
:by  Eunice Charis B. Mendoza, S&T Media Service
Flavors of Science, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development’s (PCAARRD) brand of its TechnoMart-supported products, was once again sampled by the public at the 11th Philippine Food Expo on February 23─26 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.
This time, the TechnoMart products showcased were bongulan banana chips, coconut sugar, organic Arabica coffee, and pili nut pulp and kernel oils.
TechnoMart is PCAARRD’s program that bridges research and development results from the lab to the market. Participating in trade fairs is one of the Council’s strategies in bringing agro-based products from the community to a wider market. Incidentally, PCAARRD’s participation to the expo is its fourth already.
Through the expo, Magsasaka Siyentistas (MS)/entrepreneurs of the exhibited products were able to meet and talk with interested producers, retailers, and exporters. Inquiries, booked orders, and deals were closed during the four-day event.
Participating MS included Victoria Motril of the Cotabato Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium and Ben Lao of the Southern Mindanao Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium. Also, Sorsogon City entrepreneur Minda Yee represented the Bicol Consortium for Agriculture and Resources Research and Development, while the San Ramon Cooperative represented the Western Mindanao Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium. Finally, representing the Highland Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium and the Arabica coffee, the Council brought the Cordillera Heirloom Coffee, Benguet Coffee Arabica, Tuba Coffee, Sagada Gold, and Benguet State University Green Mountain.
The Philippine Food Expo is an annual event organized by the Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization, Inc.
==Sorsogon mourns homegrown journalist, cultural worker, artist, activist, 66==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=413670
*March 19, 2012, 9:08 pm
:by  (PNA)
hbc/LQ/DOC/cbd/
SORSOGON CITY, March 19 (PNA) – At age 66 and after a long bout with paralysis due to a stroke, Reynaldo Jamoralin has succumbed to multiple internal organ malfunctions.
Survived by his wife Ella, sisters Mercia and Millet, daughter Suyin, adopted son Ian and grandson CJ, Jamoralin died in a local hospital last March 12.
His body was laid to rest at the Sorsogon Memorial Park last Saturday.
Founder and president of the Sorsogon Arts Council, Jamoralin was a journalist, artist, book writer and activist rolled into one.
The appelations have helped make him one of the few respected key media personalities in Sorsogon.
He was the editor and writer of the two editions of the book “Tracing: From Solsogon to Sorsogon,” published by the SAC and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in 1994.
He was a member of the board of editors of Letra, a Bicol magazine, the first regional cultural and literary magazine and Centro, another local magazine.
A playwright and folklorist, Jamoralin wrote the dance-drama in the Bikol language, Si Bulusan nan si Agingay, based on the local legend of Lakes Bulusan and Agingay, which received several production and tour grants from the Cultural Center of the Philippines and NCCA.
He was also author of Kantada ni Daragang Magayon and Mandirigma, adopted from Bicolano artist Merlinda Bobis’ epic poetry of the same title.
This was brought around the country and presented at the CCP Little Theater in 2000.
Jamoralin also rewrote, revised, and adapted Sorsogon Sarswelista Asisclo Jimenez’s Pagkamoot sa Banuang Tinoboan, under a production and tour grant from the NCCA in 1994.
A long-time cultural worker, he was a founding member of the Kasanggayahan Foundation, Inc. and responsible for the institutionalization of Pantomina sa Tinampo every Kasanggayahan Festival in October.
He was the brains behind the establishment of the Sorsogon Museum and Heritage Center which involves the adaptive re-use and restoration of the old Sorsogon Provincial Hospital building built during the American occupation in the 1920s.
Jamoralin was also a member of Sorsogon Heritage Society chaired by PDI Founder Eugenia Duran-Apostol and publisher of Sarabihon, a journal of Sorsogon studies where he wrote several articles.
As a member of the Kapisanan ng Mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP), Jamoralin co-anchored the public affairs program “Damayan” over DZGN-FM during the late 80s till early 90s.
A journalist from the 1970s, he edited local weekly community newspapers including the Sentro Sorsogon, which he himself published.
For a time he was correspondent and feature writer for the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) and credited for exposing the slaughter of whale sharks in Donsol and initiated an early advocacy for its protection even before the giant sea mammals were discovered to be a tourism treasure.
He was also one of the organizers of Pagsurat, the first gathering of Bicolano writers in 2000 at the Aquinas University of Legaspi attended by over 100 participants including a septuagenarian chanter from Albay and New York-based poet Luis Cabalquinto.
As an activist, Jamoralin was among the local key personalities that organized groups against the Marcos administration.
He edited and co-authored Pulang Hamtik, a collection of biographical sketches of Bicolano youth martyrs during the Martial Law years up to 1990s, published by the Bicol Agency for Nationalist and Human Initiatives, Inc. (BANHI).
He earned his academic degree from the University of Santo Tomas, B.S. Major in Psychology.
He taught at the Mass Communications Department of the Aemilianum College, Inc. in Sorsogon City.
==Bill Addressing Cable Tapping Approved==
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/354402/bill-addressing-cable-tapping-approved
*March 15, 2012, 8:34pm
:by  CHARISSA M. LUCI
MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives Thursday approved on third and final reading a bill seeking to address the snowballing cases of signal or service theft of cable television (CATV) and Internet connections.
Under House Bill 709, principally authored by Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and his brother Abante Mindanao party-list Rep. Maximo Rodriguez Jr., individuals who are found to be illegally tapping CATV systems shall face imprisonment of not more than five years or a fine ranging from P50,000 to P100,000 or both.
The House Committee on Rules, chaired by Majority Leader and Mandaluyong Rep. Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales, said HB 709 or "The Anti-Cable Television and Cable Internet Pilferage Act of 2012 was approved on March 5.
Rodriguez said the approved measure seeks to protect the general public and legitimate operators of CATV systems and/or networks and cable Internet services from unauthorized connection or tapping into existing facilities through wire or electromagnetic means.
"Unfortunately, providers of CATV and Internet are threatened by high incidence of theft through unauthorized interception of CATV programming or Internet services. This has become a serious issue that cable television and Internet providers face today," he said.
HB 709 provides that only subscribers duly authorized and/or registered with the CATV and/or cable Internet service operator shall be allowed to receive any service or benefit offered and/or operated over a CATV or Internet system or network.
Another author of the bill, Sorsogon Rep. Salvador Escudero III, expressed confidence that passage of the bill would address the “growing problem” of CATV or cable Internet pilferage
He said the measure also prohibits the introduction of unauthorized importation, sale, lease, distribution or possession of electronic equipment that will be used to access or decode unencrypted or encrypted satellite program signals or other electromagnetic signals.
Those who wantonly, maliciously or willfully destroy or remove CATV and cable Internet facilities and accessories of authorized CATV and cable Internet service operators that results in the disruption of system or network degradation shall be slapped with penalties under the measure.
==Bantay Dagat steps up preservation, pursues sustainable development of local tourism==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R05&article=791331675236
*Wednesday 14th of March 2012
:by  (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)
SORSOGON CITY, March 14 (PIA) -- Bantay Dagat adhoc committee in Donsol town has  organized the Bantay Dagat Federation to preserve and develop the rich marine resources and sustain ecotourism industry of their municipality.
In a meeting Tueday (March 13), Salvador P. Adrao Jr., former tourism officer of Donsol, now a councilor and lead convenor of the Donsol Bantay Daga, said that the measure is an offshoot of the Bantay Dagat’s previous meetings to come up with the different strategies to protect and conserve the whale shark , thus improving the existing guidelines in its protection and their other rich marine resource.
"The whale shark is our 'money- generating provider' ” that even led to the tremendous development in our municipality in terms of world exposure, and which change our life in our once before unknown town, Donsol,"Adrao said.
"Our town is now truly famous because of the whale shark ( rhincodon typus) the biggest known fish in the world, that thrives here in our municipal waters and have made Donsol as one of the world’s best ecotourism destinations today in our country," he said.
Adrao also  said starting January of this year, although there were rains, this situation did not stop the coming of tourists in Donsol from different places the world over.
“The whale shark of Donsol is now a world renown phenomena in terms of tourism destinations, and tourists who go for adventure for an up close and personal thrill have made Donsol the prime ecotourism destination here in the Philippines,”Adrao said.
The plan in preserving the Donsol marine resources with organizational structures involving other agencies mandated to assist in the conservation of the environment and promotion of tourism.
"Now that the summer season is on, we have to be more vigilant in implementing the presrvation of our marine resources and adherence to our tourism rules," Adrao underscored.
The Bantay Dagat Municipal Federation zeroed in on the commitment to have a sense of urgency in showing how tourism in their locality should be valued with discipline, how tourists should be provided security, treated with respect, and how the implementation of tourism rules, particularly in the conservation and preservation of their marine resources, will be given importance to sustain their place as a prime ecotourism destination.
==SORSOGON MOURNS DEATH OF CULTURAL WORKER, ARTIST==
*Source: http://pia-sorsogon.blogspot.com/
*TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2012
:by  (JJPerez, SAC/PIA Sorsogon)
SORSOGON CITY, March 13, 2012 – After more than four years bout with paralysis due to stroke, Reynaldo “Tootsie” Jamoralin died past four o’clock in the afternoon of March 12, 2012 at the age of 66. Founder and President of the Sorsogon Arts Council (SAC), he is considered as one of Sorsogon’s “Provincial” artists. His body lies in state at their residence in Monreal corner Rizal streets in Sorsogon City.
Jamoralin was the editor and writer of the two editions of the book ‘Tracing: from Solsogon to Sorsogon’, published by the SAC and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in 1994. He also edited and co-wrote Pulang Hamtik, a collection of biographical sketches, of Bikolano youth martyrs during the Martial Law years up to 1990s, published by the Bikol Agency for Nationalist and Human Initiatives, Inc. (BANHI).
As a member of the Kapisanan ng Mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas, he co-anchored the public affairs program “Damayan” over DZGN-FM during the late 80s till early 90s. A long-time journalist from the 1970s, he edited several local weekly community newspapers, notably the Sorsogon Times, Balangibog and Sorsogon News Service including Sentro Sorsogon, which he himself published.
For a time he was correspondent and feature writer for the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) and credited for exposing the slaughter of whalesharks in Donsol popularly known locally as Butanding that initiated the advocacy for its protection in his front page article on March 23, 1998. He was a member of the board of editors of letra, a bikol magazine, the first regional cultural and literary magazine and Centro, a Bikol magazine.
A playwright and folklorist, he wrote the dance-drama in the Bikol dialect, Si Bulusan nan si Agingay, based on the local legend of Lakes Bulusan and Agingay, which received several production and tour grants from the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and NCCA, and Kantada ni Daragang Magayon, Mandirigma, adopted from Bikolano artist Merlinda Bobis’ epic poetry of the same title, which was toured around the country and presented at the CCP Little Theater in 2000. He also rewrote, revised and adapted Sorsogon Sarswelista Asisclo Jimenez’s Pagkamoot sa Banuang Tinoboan, under a production and tour grant from the NCCA in 1994.
A long-time cultural worker, he was a founding member of the Kasanggayahan Foundation, Inc. and responsible for the institutionalization of Pantomina sa Tinampo every Kasanggayahan Festival in October. He was also a member of Sorsogon Heritage Society chaired by PDI Founder Eugenio Duran-Apostol, the publisher of Sarabihon, a journal of Sorsogon studies where he wrote several articles. He was also one of the organizers of Pagsurat, the first gathering of Bikol writers in 2000 at the Aquinas University of Legaspi attended by over a hundred participants including a septuagenarian chanter from Albay and New York-based poet Luis Cabalquinto.
He was the brains behind the establishment of the Sorsogon Museum and Heritage Center which involves the adaptive re-use and restoration of the old Sorsogon Provincial Hospital building built during the American occupation in the 1920s.
He earned his academic degree from the University of Santo Tomas, B.S. Major in Psychology. He taught at the Mass Communications Department of the Aemilianum College, Inc. in Sorsogon City.
He is survived by his wife Ella, sisters Mercia and Millet, daughter Suyin, adopted son Ian and grandson CJ.
==Sorsogon's Liga ng mga Barangay commits to "Good Housekeeping"==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R05&article=771331514102
* Monday, 12th of March 2012
:by  Irma A. Guhit
SORSOGON CITY, March12 (PIA) -- A series of trainings will be conducted by the Sorsogon provincial Liga ng Mga Barangay to assist the 541 barangays of the province to come up with a program for good governance in the implementation of the social basic services.
According to Nelson Marana, provincial president of the Liga, this traning for barangay officials will provide them development in forging effective partnership with the national government in the attainment of the national goals and policies, and the Liga’s advocacy  to strengthen gradually  the barangay governance  and administration. 
Marana also explained that these officials will be trained along in the key areas of transparency, accountability and efficient performance, particularly in implementing the programs in the barangays especially in the delivery of basic social services like health,education, infrastructure development, environmental protection and others.
The "Seal of Barangay Good Housekeeping" will be the standard of services to be delivered and will also guage each municipal Liga chapter on their capability and performance in four recognized areas of local governance namely 1)  good planning and participatory governance; 2) sound fiscal management; 3) transparency and accountability; and 4) valuing of performance monitoring, and ultimately, the recognition and giving of awards for those Liga Chapters and barangays found to have excelled in these areas.
He also explained that the call of the national government  through the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is for full disclosure and accountability of the local government units and the firm intent to be involved and to support the "Daang Matuwid" campaign of the present administration of President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino.
The training further will enhance the improve delivery of services by the barangays to their constituency, Marana explained. (MAL/IAG, PIA Sorsogon)
==3 drug dealers arrested in Sorsogon, Davao==
*Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/03/10/12/3-drug-dealers-arrested-sorsogon-davao
* 03/10/2012 12:25 PM | Updated as of 03/10/2012 12:27 PM
:by  ABS-CBNnews.com
MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has arrested a member of a notorious drug group in Bulan, Sorsogon, and two other drug dealers in Davao City this week.
PDEA Director General Undersecretary Jose Gutierrez Jr. said 41-year-old Ruel Servando of the Sumalinog drug group was arrested after selling one plastic sachet of shabu to a poseur buyer in Purok Lukban, Zone 2, Bulan on March 7.
His arrest came months after authorities nabbed another member of Sumalinog, identified as Lemuel Gayoso, in Zambales.
"The arrest of Servando is a clear message to the public that PDEA is determined to arrest drug personalities and to cripple the operations of the local drug syndicates as part of our mandate to rid our communities of dangerous drugs and their ill-effects," Gutierrez said.
"For the year 2011, PDEA was able to neutralize a total of 227 drug groups nationwide," he added.
In Davao City, meanwhile, two drug personalities were arrested by PDEA during a buy-bust operation.
They were identified as Carlos Sumaylo, 35, and Oliver Rodrigeuz, 29.
Recovered from the suspects were two plastic sachets of shabu and the marked money that was used during the illegal transaction.
==DOLE Sorsogon holds Career Coaching Seminar==
*Source: https://sorsogonunited.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/dole-sorsogon-holds-career-coaching-seminar/
*MARCH 8, 2012 • 10:32 AM
:by  (MAL-PIA V/DOLE V)
LEGAZPI CITY, March 6 (PIA) — Sorsogueños are looking forward to better employability and career path in the coming years after the field office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) here led the Capability Training in Career Coaching for stakeholders held last week.
DOLE V was able to train 18 managers of Public Employment Services Office and 11 guidance counselors from Sorsogon province; they will eventually guide graduating students in deciding what career path to take.
DOLE V was assisted by the Bicol Career Guidance Network (BCGN) and PESO Federation of Sorsogon (PESO Sorsogon) in holding said training event.
DOLE V regional director Nathaniel V. Lacambra explained that career coach is a well trained officer responsible in determining the talents and skills of a client, whether a student, a job seeker, or an employee, needing advice in choosing a career or helping students in trying to figure out the right college course.
The two-day training equipped the participants to become career coaches on career pathing, latest employment trends, recruitment and placement, illegal recruitment, overseas opportunities, cultural employment attitude orientation, entrepreneurship skills, and personality development.
“ Career coaches are very much needed since the region has a high 38.4 percent underemployment rate,” he noted.
Lacambra said the unemployment rate in the region entails that the career choices or the courses being taken by Bicolanos do not match the skills needed by the local industries here.
He added that in the U.S. and other developed countries, career coaches are employed by the government to align the skills demand of that country and this has given these countries an edge in placing workers to specific jobs.
In Sorsogon, concerns on skills mismatch and unemployment incidence of four-year courses graduates have prompted DOLE Sorsogon, headed by provincial director Imelda E. Romanillos, to intensify its campaign in establishing more career coaches in order to guide high schools and college students, in choosing their college courses or career paths so to speak.
“We have seen youngster in Sorsogon taking up courses because their friend took it or because their parents wanted them to take it. Later these youngsters would realize that they are nor really inclined to it and this is the reason why they perform poor and more often drop out from school. Waste of time, money, effort,” Romanillos said.
The training is the first BCGN activity this year and is in-line with the Project Jobs Fit (PJF) and Skills Registration System (SRS).
==10 hurt as quake jolts Masbate==
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=63&articleId=784530
*March 07, 2012 12:00 AM
:by  Cet Dematera
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – At least 10 people – mostly minors – were injured when a 5.2-magnitude earthquake hit Masbate and the nearby provinces of Albay and Sorsogon in Bicol at 7:06 a.m. yesterday.
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) director Renato Solidum said the quake was felt at intensity 6 in Masbate City; intensity 4 in Roxas City and in Irosin, Cabid-an and Sorsogon City in Sorsogon; intensity 3 in Sigma, Capiz; Catarman and Capul Island, Northern Samar; Almagro and Tagapul-an, Western Samar; intensity 2 in Iloilo and Legaspi City; and intensity 1 in Kalibo and Numancia, Aklan.
Classes were suspended in all levels in Masbate and portions of the province were plunged into darkness, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) at Camp General Simeon Ola here.
OCD-Bicol director Raffy Alejandro identified the injured as Rex Devida, 8, of Barangay Bantique; Jinky Azares, 16, and Cesar Garapan, 31, of Barangay Nursery; Leonard Dimetellar, 3, and Christine Decos, 17, of Barangay Centro; Jeho Emilio Antonio, 2, of Barangay Bagumbayan; Liza Tidon, 34, of Barangay Tugbo; Victoria Dumas, 10, and Andrew Mortega, 3, of Barangay Batuhan; Jamnor Boungan, 2, of Barangay Bapor.                             
The 10 sustained injuries mostly in their hands and feet and were taken to the Masbate Provincial Hospital.
Senior Superintendent Heriberto Olitoquit, Masbate police director, reported cracks in some portions of the provincial police office as well as in the perimeter fence of Camp Boni Serrano.
Two buildings of the Kinamaligan Elementary School, the Masbate City Hall concrete perimeter wall, a pawnshop, a food chain outlet, and at least four private establishments in the city’s commercial district were also damaged, according to Alejandro.
Amy Danao, Masbate Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer, reported that the old house of one Vicente Lim partially collapsed after the tremor.
Bicol resident geologist Ed Laguerta said that the tremor’s epicenter was traced at 12.04 degrees north, 123.63 degrees east, or three kilometers north of Masbate City, with a depth of 23 kilometers.
At least five aftershocks were recorded until 8:30 a.m.
“But this earthquake is unlikely to generate tsunami because the shake was horizontal,” Laguerta told The STAR.
The earthquake occurred exactly one month after the deadly magnitude 6.9 tremor in Negros Oriental, which killed over 50 people.
Solidum said the earthquake was caused by a movement along the Philippine Fault Zone.
“It is not related to the Feb. 6 earthquake in Negros,” he stressed.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said it has activated its emergency operations center to respond to the needs of the affected areas. Disaster management personnel have also been placed on blue alert to ensure the availability of manpower in case of emergency.
Regional disaster management councils have been directed to alert residents living in coastal areas for possible evacuation.
They have also been ordered to spread earthquake advisories and to monitor developments in their area.
The OCD has requested an Air Force aircraft to assess the damage as well as meet requirements in affected areas.
“Our disaster response units are prepared for any task,” said Maj. Angelo Guzman, spokesman of the Army’s 9th Division.
Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) Undersecretary Romeo Momo said they are checking government buildings affected by the earthquake, but reported no major damage. – With Helen Flores, Celso Amo, Alexis Romero, Evelyn Macairan, AP
==DOLE Sorsogon holds Career Coaching Seminar==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R05&article=771330999814
*Tuesday 6th of March 2012
:by  (MAL-PIA V/DOLE V)
LEGAZPI CITY, March 6 (PIA) -- Sorsogueños are looking forward to better employability and career path in the coming years after the field office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) here led the Capability Training in Career Coaching for stakeholders held last week.
DOLE V was able to train 18 managers of Public Employment Services Office and 11 guidance counselors from Sorsogon province; they will eventually guide graduating students in deciding what career path to take.
DOLE V was assisted by the Bicol Career Guidance Network (BCGN) and PESO Federation of Sorsogon (PESO Sorsogon) in holding said training event.
DOLE V regional director Nathaniel V. Lacambra explained that career coach is a well trained officer responsible in determining the talents and skills of a client, whether a student, a job seeker, or an employee, needing advice in choosing a career or helping students in trying to figure out the right college course. 
The two-day training equipped  the participants to become career coaches on career pathing, latest employment trends, recruitment and placement, illegal recruitment, overseas opportunities, cultural employment attitude orientation, entrepreneurship skills, and personality development.
“ Career coaches are very much needed since the region has a high 38.4 percent underemployment rate,” he noted.
Lacambra said the unemployment rate in the region entails that the career choices or the courses being taken by Bicolanos do not match the skills needed by the local industries here.
==LGUs, PAGASA to set up local weather station==
*Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/250396/news/regions/lgus-pagasa-to-set-up-local-weather-station
*March 5, 2012 7:55pm
:by  RRD/VS, GMA News
The local government units (LGUs) of Gerona in Tarlac, Irosin in Sorsogon, and Tubigon in Bohol on Monday signed a deal with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to set up their respective Automatic Weather Station (AWS).
Rice Watch and Action Network (R1) said in a report Monday the initiative will give farmers sufficient warning on extreme weather conditions so they can mitigate the impact of climate change on their lives and properties.
PAGASA will provide technical assistance in the operation of local weather instruments and relay climate information for the LGUs. The state weather forecaster will help install, maintain and calibrate weather instruments once the agro-meteorological stations are in place. It will also train people to man the stations.
The will set up the agro-meteorological stations based on World Meteorological standards, and shoulder the maintenance of the buildings and instruments, and salaries of observation and ground personnel.
Under the memorandum of understanding between the LGUs and PAGASA, the local governments of Gerona, Irosin and Tubigon must sustain the agriculture sector’s Climate Field School program for climate change mitigation.
R1 is urging other local governments to take on the example started by the three LGUs.
“With extreme weather conditions creating unimaginable damage to lives and properties in different parts of the country, we encourage other local governments to follow this example and put matters into their hands through planning of interventions,” said R1 convenor Jessica Cantos.
“We only need to tap the appropriate government agencies, break some of the bureaucratic layers, and identify ways of working together,” she added.
==Sorsogon Initiatives beneficiaries urged to ‘own’ projects==
*Source: http://www.opapp.gov.ph/news/sorsogon-initiatives-beneficiaries-urged-%E2%80%98own%E2%80%99-projects
*Sunday, 4 March, 2012 - 10:59
:by  opapp.gov.ph/news
Gubat, Sorsogon, Mar. 4 – Local officials in this province urged communities to exert ownership and responsibility over development projects to ensure success in their implementation.
Sorsogon Congressman Deogracias Ramos, Jr. called on the beneficiaries of the Sorsogon Initiatives to treat the projects as their own. “Many projects have been provided by the government but some don’t take care of them. I hope you will not ignore your responsibility,” he said during the recent inauguration of several infrastructure projects held at the Sta. Ana Elementary School in Sta. Ana, Gubat, and at the Barcelona Development Cooperative (BADECO) Operation Center for Peace and Development in Poblacion, Barcelona.
Also present were Barcelona Mayor Manuel Fortes, Jr., Gubat Vice Mayor Sixto Estareja, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Assistant Secretary for Programs Howard Cafugauan, Agencia Española Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarollo (AECID) Deputy Coordinator General Norberto Gomez De Liaño, OPAPP Director Eileen Jose and Colonel Felix Castro, commander of the 903rd Brigade, among others.
Fortes, on the other hand, stressed the importance of partnership in the success of the projects that aim to boost peace and development conditions. “These will not be successful without the participation of the people."
The role of beneficiaries was also emphasized by Jose. “Since the projects are community-driven, the labor force comes from the barangay. In fact, the farmers themselves worked on the rehabilitation of the irrigation system, while others were hired for the road construction.”
A joint effort of OPAPP and the Department of Interior and Local Government-Local Government Agency (DILG-LGA), Sorsogon Initiatives aims to empower local communities through enhancing participation in local governance, and involving them in the preparation and implementation of peace and development projects. It is funded by Spain’s AECID.
Among the newly-completed projects in Gubat include the widening and concreting of road in Sitio Apgo, and rehabilitation and expansion of 1.5-km Sitio Puro communal irrigation system. In Barcelona, projects include banana production sustainable agri-based enterprise program and construction of the BADECO Operation Center for Peace and Development, among others.
Peace and development
Underlining the P-Noy administration’s efforts of negotiating a political settlement with rebel groups while addressing poverty and poor governance, Cafugauan stated that “peace and development should go together.”
“They should go hand-in-hand. We cannot separate one from the other,” he added.
Cafugauan expressed hope that the projects will serve as a legacy for the next generation. On this, he mentioned the government’s PAMANA or Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Peaceful and Resilient Communities) program which is being implemented in conflict areas, as well as communities covered by existing peace agreements.
Big difference
Fortes said he believes that the Sorsogon Initiatives projects, which cost P 20.5 million, have made a big difference in the lives of the beneficiaries. He added that somehow it has also restored the faith of the people in the government
“The projects have given the people hope that the government is there to help. There is hope. Why should we fight the government?” he said, while touching on the longstanding problem of insurgency in their town.
In Sta. Ana, 84-year-old Rodrigo Felicia related that farming has become more convenient now that the irrigation canals have been concreted and individuals have been assigned as water tenders.
Councilor Vilma Espinida also said that the rehabilitated irrigation system has enhanced the relationship among community members. “There was too much water being wasted when the canals were not yet concreted. Due to the water shortage, people would get into dispute with each other. But now, everybody is happy because each has their own share.”
Sta. Ana Barangay Captain Romulo Epino, on the other hand, shared how the newly-developed concrete road in Sitio Apgo provided convenience to many residents, particularly students, who used to walk kilometers to reach the town center. “Travel time is much shorter now. Farmers are able to bring their produce to the market without having to spend big when commuting.”
In Barcelona, BADECO chair Lucy Bailon said that the construction of their operation center has freed them from the hassles of looking for a venue to accommodate 250 members during meetings and trainings. “Because of the project, we are able to hold meetings regularly,” she added.
Rodrigo Estipona, a 25-year-old beneficiary of the community-based training on motorcycle and small engine servicing, related how the project gave out-of-school youths opportunity to improve their financial lives. “In the past, I would ask money from my parents. But now that I use my skills to earn, I’m the one who gives,” he said. #
==Gov’t inaugurates Spanish-backed peace & dev’t projects in Sorsogon==
*Source: http://opapp.gov.ph/news/gov%E2%80%99t-inaugurates-spanish-backed-peace-dev%E2%80%99t-projects-sorsogon
*Friday, 2 March, 2012 - 13:07
:by  opapp.gov.ph/news
Gubat, Sorsogon, March 2 - Several infrastructure projects that aim to boost peace and development conditions in the province were launched recently in Gubat and Barcelona towns, under the Sorsogon Initiatives Project, a joint effort of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and the Department of Interior and Local Government-Local Government Agency (DILG-LGA).
The completed projects, funded by the Agencia Espanola de Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarollo (AECID), were symbolically turned over to the beneficiaries through a simple program at the Sta. Ana Elementary School in Sta. Ana, Gubat, and at the Barcelona Development Cooperative (BADECO) Operation Center for Peace and Development in Poblacion, Barcelona.
Present during the turn-over were Sorsogon Congressman Deogracias Ramos, Jr., Barcelona Mayor Manuel Fortes, Jr., Gubat Vice Mayor Sixto Estareja, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Assistant Secretary for Programs Howard Cafugauan, Agencia Española Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarollo (AECID) Deputy Coordinator General Norberto Gomez De Liaño, OPAPP Director Eileen Jose and Colonel Felix Castro, commander of the 903rd Brigade, among others.
The Sorsogon Initiatives Project aims to empower local communities through enhancing participation in local governance, and involving them in the preparation and implementation of peace and development projects.
In Sta. Ana, Gubat, the newly-completed projects include the widening and concreting of road in Sitio Apgo; construction of 1.5-kilometer Sta. Ana access road from Barangay Beriran to Carriedo; rehabilitation and expansion of 1.5-km Sitio Puro communal irrigation system; and repair of Sta. Ana Elementary School building. Ongoing is the cassava production livelihood project that will also benefit women and youth in four other neighboring barangays.
Barcelona, on the other hand, has four finished projects which include banana production sustainable agri-based enterprise program; rehabilitation of the Layug communal irrigation system; community-based training for out-of-school youth; and construction of the BADECO Operation Center for Peace and Development. Ongoing is the expansion of existing marine reserve and fish sanctuary in Brgy. Macabari to cover Brgys. Layug and Bangate.
Other efforts completed as of December last year are peace and conflict sensitivity training, human rights and peace education seminar-workshop, among others.
The inaugurated projects were undertaken through collaboration with the National Irrigation Association, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Municipal Agriculture Office, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office and Municipal Planning and Development Office of the local government units. #


==[[Sorsogon_Archived_News]]==
==[[Sorsogon_Archived_News]]==
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