Planet Virac

P1-B Mall Soon to Rise in Legazpi; SM, Robinson's to Follow

2013-07-29T06:43:00.003+08:00

LEGAZPI CITY, July 25 (PNA) -– Another mall costing P1 billion will soon rise in the 1.5-hectare area formerly occupied by the burned old public market in the city’s central business district.

The new business building will be put up by the LCC chain of malls owned and managed by the Tan family headed by Antonio Tan as president.

This new investment will greatly help us generate more jobs for the Bicolanos and additional income for the local government’s coffer,

Mayor Noel Rosal said.

The LCC chain of malls in Bicol is owned by Filipino-Chinese Tan family who originated from Tabaco City and pioneered in the establishment of malls in the region’s key cities of Tabaco, Legazpi and Naga.

Aside from these cities, LCC has express marts in various municipalities in the region to cater to the needs of the people in the rural area who do not have to go to these cities to buy cheap but quality goods.

Aside from this P1-billion mall to be put up by the LCC here, the SM and the Robinson groups of companies are also eyeing to put up their own investments in this city before the opening of the Southern Luzon International Airport in Barangay Anobo, Daraga, Albay, in 2015.

The Asian Institute of Management (AIM) has described Legazpi as a fast-rising city in terms of infrastructure development, business growth and notable peace and order condition as a result of good governance.

Currently business and hotel constructions are booming in this city to cater to the growing number of visiting tourists as well as year-round convention activities.

Legazpi is the center of education, trade and commerce in the Bicol region and is fast tracking the implementation of numerous infrastructure projects under the Aquino administration, which include the P500-million Legazpi City Urban Drainage Project that involves the 24/7 construction of pumping stations at Tibu and Baybay rivers to resolve the city’s perennial flooding problem during the rainy season.

Legazpi is ranked fifth as fast-rising city in the Philippines in terms of infrastructure, business development and peace and order situation based on an AIM study, that’s why we want to build proper infrastructures in Legazpi, like the all-weather flood system funded by the administration of President Benigno Aquino,

Rosal said. (PNA) LAP/FGS/RBB/CBD/

Work on Viga-Pandan Road Project Begins this August

2013-07-24T06:18:00.002+08:00

The winning contractor for the initial phase of the Japanese-funded rehabilitation of the Viga-Pandan section of the Catanduanes Circumferential Road will start this August, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) disclosed last week.

Newly-designated Catanduanes District Engineer Romeo Doloiras told local media that the upgrading and improvement of the 5.42 kilometer road section (with exceptions) comprising Contract Package II and II-A will be undertaken by Cavite Ideal International Construction & Development Corporation at a contract cost of P316.9 million.

To be completed in January 2015, the contract consists of construction of new concrete pavement of 5,42 kilometers of intermittent sections from Viga to barangay Bacak in Bagamanoc, reconstruction of one bridge with a length of 30.80 lineal meters, widening of one bridge with a length of 132.60 lineal meters, earthworks, drainage structures and slope protection works.

Presumably still undergoing procurement process is Contract Package III-B covering the Bacak-Minaile road section in Bagamanoc with a road length of 15.99 kilometers. With an estimated cost of P1,000,680,000.00, the package includes construction of 15.905 kilometers of new concrete pavement; reconstruction, widening and preventive maintenance of one bridge with a length of 45 lineal meters; earthworks; and, drainage structures and slope protection works. The DPWH targets a start date of October 2013 and a completion date of May 2015.

On the other hand, the Minaile-Pandan road section with a length of 32.95 kilometers (with exception) is covered by Contract Package III-C worth P1,285,550,000.00. Aside from earthworks, drainage structures and slope protection works, this contract will involve the construction of 32.95 kilometers of new concrete pavement, the reconstruction of eight bridges, and reconstruction, widening and preventive maintenance of one bridge. The DPWH has yet to determine the target start and completion dates.

The entire road and bridge rehabilitation project is funded under the Road Upgrading and Preservation Project (RUPP) being undertaken by the Philippine government with financial assistance from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). It aims to improve existing roads with all-weather type of pavement so that a more reliable, safe, comfortable and fast means of land transport can be provided to road users.

If completed, the project will strengthen the economic linkage among the 11 municipalities of the province and promote inter-island development in agriculture, fishery and tourism. The Viga-Bagamanoc-Pandan route will traverse through four towns and pass through flat and rolling terrain consisting mainly of rice fields, coconut plantations, residential areas, swampy areas and mountains.

The entire P2.6-billion project is being managed by a joint venture between Nippon Engineering Consultants Co. Ltd., Egis International and Renardet S.A. Consulting Engineers (RSA), with Katahira & Engineers International (KEI) as the lead firm. Its three local consultants are DCCD Enginerring Corporation, Engineering & Development Corp. of the Philippines, and Perk Technical Consultants Corporation. - CT

A Proposed Catanduanes Power Sector Development Plan

2013-06-30T08:36:00.004+08:00

Strategic planning is an organization's way of defining its strategy, or direction, and making decisions on allocating its resources to pursue this strategy. In order to determine where it is going, the organization needs to know exactly where it stands, then determine where it wants to go and how it will get there.

Section 2 of Republic Act (RA) No. 9136, otherwise known as the “Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001” or EPIRA, declared, among others, the policy of the State to ensure quality, reliability, security and affordability of the supply of electric power;

Thus, one of the major mandate of FICELCO under DOE Circular No. 2003-12-11 , as an electric cooperative or a distribution utility is to supply adequate, affordable, quality and reliable electricity, which states among other that an abstract of the terms and conditions of power supply contracts with private power producers to augment the power supply in their franchise areas is assured that power interruptions are minimized;

However, in the implementation of these Policies and Guidelines, the Local Government have no hands in the identification, selection of Power producers assigned or contracted to augment the power supply, and the direction to which the Power Industry is heading for or its vision in the long-term. The Development of the power sector is solely left to the Distribution Utilities who in turn assigns or identify Power producers (NPPs) that contributes to the inefficiency of providing quality, reliable, and affordable electricity in the province and for varied reasons.

To ensure that the interest of the people of Catanduanes is protected, taking into consideration that electric power is a key factor for sustainable growth and economic development of an area. A proposed Power Sector Development Plan is imperative, that will allow the Local Goverment and its people chart the direction of Power Development in the Province that could give rise to the Electric Cooperative a comprehensive understanding and view of the people’s expectations as provided for in the EPIRA law and the provisions of the NPC-SPUG of which the Catanduanes is a First Wave member. The Office of the Governor through the Committee on Energy in coordination with PPDO and MPDOs shall spearhead the Development Planning stages and related processes to come up with a Provincial Power Development Plan with a planning horizon of 5 to 10 years, a medium-term planning horizon.

Catanduanes Tribune

DMCI Offers to Put Up Coal Power Plant Here

2013-06-27T11:02:00.002+08:00

One of the country’s power industry big players, DMCI Power Corporation, has reportedly offered to establish a coal-fired power plant in Catanduanes, with coal to be sourced from its parent company’s mine in Semirara island.

First Catanduanes Electric Cooperative, Inc. (FICELCO) General Manager Engr. Samuel Laynes confirmed in a press conference last week that DMCI-PC officials communicated to the cooperative its intention to join the Catanduanes grid as a new power provider and to put up a 7.5-megawatt coal-fired power plant using coal mined from the country’s largest coal mine in Semirara island in Antique. Another 7.5-MW coal-fired plant would also be installed in the next few years once the first is on line.

The press briefing was conducted following a spate of power outages caused by yet another breakdown of the 3.6-megawatt bunker-fuel power plant of Catanduanes Power Generation, Inc. (CPGI).

GM Laynes disclosed that DMCI has assured that brand-new equipment would be installed and that only coal from Semirara would be used, to allay fears that the company would eventually bid for coal blocks in Catanduanes.

FICELCO, he said, is not engaging in a blame game with regards to CPGI’s failure to supply its contracted power of 22.6 million kilowatt-hours but the co-op is working on concrete steps to address a forecast increase in demand.

The cooperative is contemplating an invitation to other IPPs to augment existing plants in order to provide adequate supply of electricity in the next 20 years,

Laynes said. He added that it has proven very expensive to run diesel plants while the three hydro-electric power plants’ production is often hampered by lack of rain during summer.

On the other hand, he said, while solar power is promising, there are reservations as to where the solar farm could be located so as to prevent any damage to expensive solar panels due to strong winds generated by frequent typhoons.

CPGI’s bunker-fuel plant is cheaper to run, Laynes pointed out, but the engine, rented from National Power Corporation by the co-op which in turn leased it to CPGI, is already old. “The capability is there, but the reliability is no longer there,” he stressed, citing CPGI’s frequent breakdowns.

Records show that, compared to its contracted load of 22.6 million kWh under its Electricity Supply Agreement (ESA) with FICELCO, CPGI has performed below par, delivering 11.362 million kWh in 2009, 15.806 million kWH in 2010, 5.723 millon kWh in 2011, and 9.745 million kWh last year. The CPGI contract runs for 10 years until 2021, with the co-op apparently not waiting for it to end before entertaining other interested power producers.

With actual demand in 2012 reaching a record 38.5 million kWh, FICELCO estimates power demand would rise by seven percent in the next five years to 57.8 million kWh. NPC is set to install three 1-megawatt diesel gensets by June next year while Sunwest Water & Electric Co. is set to go full-blast in the construction of its proposed 2.4-mW Kapipian mini-hydro power plant to be completed in two to three years. No other power plant is being planned in the next foreseeable future, thus FICELCO’s desire to ensure there will be enough supply in the next decade.

GM Laynes said that while DMCI has yet to submit a formal proposal to FICELCO, he hopes its terms of reference would be mutually beneficial to both companies. DMCI reportedly plans to use a helicopter to scout for possible sites along the coast.

The Consunji company would also like to debunk the popular notion that coal is dirty as it would be using new equipment and technology effective at reducing ash emissions. During the administration of then Gov. Hector Sanchez, Laynes recalled, there was a plan to put up a coal power plant. But the fact that the plant facility was a secondhand one, with huge costs to be incurred in bringing the plant from the United States of America to Catanduanes, doomed the proposal.

The possibility of this coal-fired power plant being established would depend much on the consensus of various sectors and our political leaders,

he said. The GM has already aired the DMCI proposal during the recently clergy meeting of the Diocese of Virac led by Bishop Manolo delos Santos, a known anti-mining advocate.

Laynes informed that once approved, the DMCI coal power plant could be up and running in a short time, probably before the end of 2014.

Weighing in on the development, NPC plant superintendent Engr. Edwin Tatel said there is a possibility for cheaper power if DMCI bids for a lower generation cost. He advised that consumers be vigilant and focus on the proposed contract during the selection process to be conducted by FICELCO.

Catanduanes Tribune

DENR Rues Lack of Space for Storing Seized Lumber

2013-06-09T11:42:00.003+08:00

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here is sorely lacking space for storing seized lumber and vehicles, forcing it to delay retrieval of confiscated materials.

OIC-CENRO Luvimindo Chioco told the Tribune last week that the lot their office is currently occupying is nearly overflowing with lumber and transport vehicles seized from past anti-illegal cutting operations that it has no longer space for the new ones.

He made the disclosure after a concerned citizen of Viga inquired through the Tribune why a lumber-carrying truck seized by policemen last April has yet to be brought to Virac for proper disposition.

Text messages sent by citizens informed the police last April 14 that a white six-wheeler truck loaded with lumber was sighted in Ananong and bound for the poblacion. Thirty minutes later, a team led by PO3 Romeo Ogalesco was patrolling barangay San Vicente when it saw a white Mitsubishi Canter truck (RBD-879) with its head just jutting out of the gate of the residence of Pantaleon Tongo.

The policemen caught Ruben Turreda, 45, and a male minor companion unloading 53 pieces of red lauan and “manay-banay” lumber of different sizes from the truck. The duo were arrested and detained at the police station.

Illegal cutting of trees in the town has been rampant lately, according to a local official. Last week, at 2 A.M. of May 27, a team led by PO1 Joseph Teope was conducting Oplan Sangyaman in barangay Sta. Rosa when it chanced upon three men trying to smuggle lumber using two motorcycles.

With Jeson Pertis as backrider, Santiago Morales was driving a black Euro 150 motorcycle loaded with 36 pieces of “apnit” lumber when they were apprehended along with designated look-out Jiland Menizabal, who was using a black Kawasaki Bajaj motorcycle.

Catanduanes Tribune

NEDA V Trains CSU, LGU Staff on Project Development Preparation

2013-06-06T11:44:00.001+08:00

As part of the technical assistance of the National Economic and Development Authority Regional Office V (NEDA V) - Bicol Project Development Committee (BPDC) to state universities and colleges and local government units (LGUs), 40 employees from Catanduanes State University (CSU), municipal and provincial government units, and non government organization in the province, were trained on Project Development and Feasibility Study Preparation on May 22-24, 2013 at the CSU Little Theater.

NEDA taught basic concepts and principles of project feasibility study preparation such as market, technical, institutional, financial, economic, environmental, and social aspects.

According to NEDA V, the capability building activity was crafted for the teaching personnel, including the staff involved in project planning and preparation activities from the different departments and colleges and local government units, to enhance skills in preparing feasibility study and project proposals.

The participants were required to have a project concept or idea before the training. The project concepts were developed into a detailed project proposal. Consequently, each department or college and LGUs presented project proposals for possible funding in their budget or from other sources.

Four staff from NEDA V— Engr. Bert Abion, chief economic development specialist; Ms. Yole A. Palmiano, senior economic development specialist; Engr. Ellezer P. Adan, senior economic development specialist, and Ms. Agnes May B. Alta, senior economic development specialist—serve as trainers in this BPDC capability building activity.

The Project Development and Feasibility Study Preparation training is one of the joint undertakings of NEDA V, headed by Director Romeo C. Escandor, in cooperation with CSU, led by President Minerva I. Morales, in pursuing social development programs.

Catanduanes Tribune

A Meeting of Minds at Marem’s

2013-05-31T15:51:00.002+08:00

Newly-elected mayors as well as the three reelectionists had the chance of airing what was on their minds during the meeting with Congressman Cesar Sarmiento and Governor-elect Cely Wong at Marem’s Pension House.

Save for Bagamanoc’s Remegio Villaluna and San Andres’ Peter Cua who had traveled to Manila after the elections, the rest of the nine reelected and newly-elected chief executives expressed support for the two political leaders beginning June 30, aside from vowing to provide dedicated service to their constituents.

The number of women mayors remain at two (Flerida Alberto of Virac and Salvacion Isuela of Caramoran) while bachelor mayors increased to four (Mayor Obet Fernandez of Payo was joined by Gordon Olfindo of Viga, Johnny Rodulfo of Bato and Rodel Abichuela of Baras).

Of the 11 mayors, nine belong to the Liberal Party while the two others are from the Nationalist People’s Coalition, which joined LP in a coalition in Virac, and Lakas (in Bato). Bato constituents of Rodulfo should be glad that Cong CS has vowed that he would treat all towns equally in the apportioning of projects regardless of their mayors’ political affiliation.

Mayor-elect Isuela of Caramoran, who was benefited by the unified “warding” of Governor Joseph Cua and Cong CS prior to May 13, vowed to repay the trust given her and at the same time assured Wong that she would be working with the new governor.

Viga’s Olfindo said his first task would be to persuade everybody in his town to forget the politics of the 2013 elections and to focus on what needs to be done.

Pandan’s mayor-elect Joseph Wong had more to say, disclosing that a milk production project intended to provide milk for school children to address malnutrition in his town would be a pilot propject that could be replicated in the rest of Catanduanes. He asked fellow chief executives to exchange ideas on how they could best they could uplift life in the barangays.

DAP: Soft Projects

With regards to the outgoing administration of Mayor Restituto de Quiroz, who was barely seen in town in the last six months, Wong was more blunt. “The local administration in Pandan is a tragedy,” he said. “Walang nangyari from 2010 to 2013.”

Johnny Rodulfo, who became mayor of Bato on his third try, said his administration will venture into the development of value-added abaca production, converting raw fiber into saleable products.

Now on her third and last term, San Miguel’s Edna Bernal first apologized to Cong. Sarmiento for her being supportive of Wong in the last few years but assured she would work with him and Cely.

Atty. Abichuela hopes to make Baras into a center of fishery in Catanduanes through the establishment of a cold storage in town. Aside from hoping that other provincial roads in his town could be converted into national roads, he also wished the LGU could acquire a new ambulance to transport patients to Virac.

Gigmoto’s Edgar Tayam and Panganiban’s Obet Fernandez had more substantive things in mind, notable their request that the congressman and incoming governor consider all towns as equally deserving of assistance and projects regardless of population.

Tayam sought an increase in the allocation of funding for the LGUs’ Assistance to Indigents in Crisis Situation (AICS), especially those still not covered by PhilHealth. He also asked the solon for the completion of the road concreting to Sicmil as the number one hindrance to the development of Gigmoto.

On the other hand, Mayor Fernandez expressed confidence that Wong would address the deficiencies of the Cua administration along with continuing its good programs and projects.

Inside Page

Catanduanes as Haven for Eco-Tourism?

2013-05-20T06:48:00.001+08:00

An article in the Tribune 20 March 2013 mentions Congressman Sarmiento’s strong opposition to coal mining in Catanduanes, which would run counter to his dream to see Catanduanes as a haven for eco-tourism.

Very commendable but this will never happen until the trashing of the beaches, creeks and streets with garbage, which turns tourists off, is addressed and figures show the result. Palawan, with its strict environmental laws, 10 years ago had one flight a day; it now has around 9 flights daily with a large amount of passengers being tourists. Here previously, we had 3 flights a day; now we are lucky to get 1 flight a day, The congressman needs to follow the lead of Mayor Hagedorn of Puerto Princesa and his concern for the environment.

One glaring example is a barangay litter collection point that collapsed months ago between the governor’s hardware store and house, at the edge of the creek with piles of plastic bags leaching into the creek. In our barangay, some people treat the creek as a garbage tip, walk to the bridge and throw full bags of rubbish into San Andres creek, while barangay officials do nothing to prevent it.

All these plastic bags wash out to sea, eaten by dolphins, whales, sharks and turtles, mistaking it for jelly fish that is part of their diet, and die a slow and agonizing death due to starvation, with their stomachs strangled by plastic.

We can only hope that at the barangay elections, new officials will be elected who care about the people and their security (much thieving here) and care of the environment in the barangay.

Despite anti-littering laws and pro-environmental laws, the problem is chronic. Strict policing of the laws needs to be enforced, with fines and jail for repeat offenders for littering which includes throwing cigarette butts on the ground. Legaspi City is another place which has enacted good environmental laws. In Catanduanes it should be island wide, zero littering in land and marine areas.

Many others share this view, too, so we hope the congressman can use his influence to fix this problem, hard as it might be, so he can realize his dream for eco-tourism, otherwise, it will be only just a dream.

Graham Scott

San Andres, Bato

‘K-to-12’ Education Now a Law

2013-05-16T08:04:00.004+08:00

MANILA, Philippines—President Aquino signed a law on Wednesday adding three extra years to the country’s 10-year basic education curriculum in a bid to make Filipino students at par with their peers in other countries.

This lays the foundations for a better future for every Filipino child,

President Aquino said Wednesday after signing the law which makes enrollment in kindergarten compulsory before children can begin the traditional six years of primary school and adds two more years to high school.

The Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, or the K-to-12 Act, establishes a “universal kindergarten” and introduces Grades 11 and 12 to high school education in public and private schools.

Students will have to complete the extra education to qualify for university.

Until this law’s enactment, the Philippines was the only country in Asia and one of only three countries worldwide, together with Angola and Djibouti, with a 10-year preuniversity cycle.

We now know that our traditional 10-year basic education cycle is deficient,

Aquino said at the signing ceremony.

Given that our young people are at a disadvantage in terms of basic education, how can we expect them to compete for employment and other higher pursuits?

Aquino said Republic Act No. 10533 institutionalizes a system of education that

truly imbues our youth with the skills they need to pursue their dreams.

By signing this bill into law, we are not just adding two years of additional learning for our students; we are making certain that the coming generations are empowered to strengthen the very fabric of our society, as well as our economy,

he told lawmakers, Cabinet officials, diplomats and students.

The law, Aquino stressed, was crafted to plug the shortcomings of the 10-year basic education cycle in which students had less time to understand their lessons, and had to compete with better-prepared graduates from other countries.

If our youth are forced to shoulder such an educational handicap from the beginning, how can they possibly compete for employment in the long run.

he said.

The enhanced basic education program covers at least one year of kindergarten, six years of elementary education and six years of secondary education, broken down into four years of junior high school and two years of senior high school.

The last two years of senior high school are the new Grades 11 and 12 that will be introduced in 2016. To refine the old curriculum, the law mandates the teaching of basic education in languages understood by the students.—With a report from AFP - Inquirer

SC Rules LGU's Power Over Small-Scale Mining Deals Not Absolute

2013-05-01T08:26:00.002+08:00

MANILA, April 29 (PNA) -- The Supreme Court has ruled local government's power over small-scale mining contracts in their areas is not absolute.

In a 20-page ruling, the SC en banc said the enforcement of the small-scale mining law to the provincial government is subject to the supervision, control and review of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The SC, through Associate Justice Diosdado M. Peralta, said under the Administrative Code of 1987, the DENR is empowered to carry out the constitutional mandate of controlling and supervising the exploration, development, utilization, and conservation of the country's natural resources.

Hence, the enforcement of small-scale mining law in the provinces is made subject to the supervision, control and review of the DENR under the Local Government Code of 1991, while the People's Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991 provides that the People's Small-Scale Mining Program is to be implemented by the DENR Secretary in coordination with other local government agencies,

the SC said.

Under the Small-Scale Mining Act of 1991, small-scale mining is defined as the mining activities which rely heavily on manual labor using simple implements and methods and do not use explosives or heavy mining equipment.

The case arose from the petition filed by the League of the Provinces of the Philippines asking the SC the nullify Section 17 of the Local Government Code and Section 24 of the Small-Scale Mining Act.

The LPP also asked the SC to nullify the cancellation of small-scale mining permits which was issued by the province of Bulacan.

Then DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes, in cancelling permits issued by the province of Bulacan, said the Bulacan governor went beyond its authority when it issued the small-scale mining permits.

The decision of the DENR Secretary was rendered in accordance with the power of review granted to the DENR Secretary in the resolution of disputes, which is provided for in Section 24 of R.A. No. 7076 and Section 22 of its Implementing Rules and Regulations,

the SC said.

DOLE Seeks to Rid More CamNorte Barangays of Child Labor

2013-04-17T13:58:00.002+08:00

LEGAZPI CITY, April 16 (PNA) -- Six barangays covering gold-panning areas in Paracale, Camarines Norte, have been identified as initial targets of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for the implementation of its Child Labor Free Barangays’ Program in Bicol.

This is a new program launched in Camarines Norte early this month as another serious government step toward curbing child labor in Bicol, especially in gold mining areas like Paracale,

DOLE Bicol Regional Director Nathaniel Lacambra said here on Tuesday.

The six barangays are Gumaos, Tugos, Palanas, Tawig, Malaguit and Casalugan--all within the remote areas of Paracale, a poor coastal town in Camarines Norte that is considered the province’s “gold capital.”

Proven as a gold mining area with significant resource potential, Paracale is a third class municipality around 250 kilometers southeast of Manila and home to 53,243 people listed by the National Census Office during its 2010 population survey.

The six barangays were chosen by the Camarines Norte Child Labor Committee, which Lacambra himself heads, after it was noted that the use of children in gold-panning activities in the area was rampant.

beneficiaries of the Child Labor Free Barangay program,” Lacambra told the PNA.

These barangays would be a perfect area for the program, considering the urgency of taking away these children from hazardous labor, he said.

A survey by the National Statistics Office (NSO) has indicated that some 300,000 children in Bicol have been engaged in hazardous work. Around 10,000 of them are in Camarines Norte, with about 2,000 into mining and fishing.

The NSO, along with the International Labor Organization, last year listed Bicol as second in the rank of child labor cases in the country, next to Central Luzon.

Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao and Central Visayas followed third, fourth and fifth, respectively.

Nationwide, Lacambra said, the government is addressing the child labor issue that involves a total of about 5.4 million children with ages ranging between seven and 17 years old.

Lacambra said DOLE’s intervention in Camarines Norte will not only focus on the child laborers or their parents but also to the entire community, which includes the barangay and the elementary schools in the area.

He urges barangay officials and community heads to actively participate in the program and monitor the status of the child laborers while school teachers oversee the school performance and attendance of the listed child laborers.

There is a livelihood grant totaling more than P.5 million for the families of these listed child laborers that will be used in livelihood undertaking to lift their living conditions and dissuade the parent from allowing their children to work in the mining sites or go fishing, Lacambra said.

We, however, have to wait for the election ban on fund releases to be lifted in order to award it as promised,

he said.

The DOLE, he explained, is working with partners, such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health, Department of Interior and Local Government and local government units (LGUs) in this program.

Earlier, the Camarines Norte Provincial Sagip Batang Manggagawa-Quick Action Team (SBM-QAT) had intensified its anti-child labor program to transform the lives of child laborers, their families and communities towards their sense of self-worth, empowerment and development.

The move is in line with the Philippine Program Against Child Labor strategic framework for 2007-2015 vision to make this country a child labor-free.

SBM-QAT, formed as early as 2004, has since then rescued a total of 904 minors from child labor administrative cases were filed against their employers for violation of labor standards.

Most of the rescued child laborers have been reintegrated with their respective families and communities with the help of DSWD and some were provided with educational assistance, skills training and livelihood assistance. (PNA) LAP/FGS/DOC/CBD/PNABicol

NNC Conducts Hands-On Training for New Nutriskwela Community Radio Stations

2013-04-12T07:53:00.002+08:00

It’s full speed ahead for the new Nutriskwela Community Radio Stations! After the conduct of the hands-on training on community radio broadcasting, the ten new radio stations will immediately have their inaugural broadcast as the National Telecommunications Commission has granted the NNC the necessary licenses to operate the stations. To date, seven of the ten radio stations are now on air and broadcasting. These are:

Radyo Kauswagan, DYNF-FM 91.3, Eastern Samar State University, Borongan City, Eastern Samar
Radyo Kalamboan, DXNE-FM 94.3, Tubod, Lanao del Norte
Radyo Kaunlaran, DZNI-FM 99.7, Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Bansud Campus, Bansud, Oriental Mindoro
Radyo Kasannangan, DXNH-FM 94.1, MSU-Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi
Radyo Kahimsog, DYNE-FM 97.5, Cebu Technological University, Barili, Cebu
Radyo Kasadya, DXNF-FM 99.9, President Roxas, Cotabato
Radyo Kaamigo, DZNJ-FM 98.9, Catanduanes State University, Panganiban, Catanduanes on 1-5 April

The other three radio stations are also scheduled to conduct the hands-on training followed immediately by inaugural broadcasts. These are:

Basco, Batanes on 8-12 April
Lagangilang, Abra on 15-18 April
Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte on 21-26 April

The hands-on training on community radio broadcasting is part of the capacity building aspect of the Nutriskwela Community Radio Network Program. The NNC provides the equipment and training while the partner local government unit or state university and college manages and maintains the station and provides the broadcast personnel as well. During the training, the community radio council is also organized. The multi-sectoral radio council is expected to manage the station in coordination with the station personnel.

The Nutriskwela Community Radio Network Program is a strategy of the National Nutrition Council that aims to empower communities through the establishment of community radio stations to disseminate nutrition, health and development-oriented information. The program has established 15 Nutriskwela Community radio stations the first five in 2008 and the second ten in 2010.

Source: National Nutrition Council

BOI Official: Use Coal for Cheap Electricity

2013-04-08T11:43:00.004+08:00

A ranking official of the Bureau of Investments (BOI) personally believes that known mineral resources in the province of Catanduanes should be extracted and utilized for the benefit of its people, particularly in mining coal to provide cheap electricity.

Atty. Raul Angeles, executive director of the BOI Investments Servicing Group who is a native of San Pedro, Panganiban, said an enlightened and informed decision should be made jointly by the national and local governments on the issue of commercial mining. The official made the comments in reference to recent issues of the Tribune concerning the issuance by the Department of Energy of a Coal Operating Contract covering 7,000 hectares in Caramoran, Bagamanoc, Panganiban and Viga to a Philippine subsidiary of Australia-based Altura Mining Limited.

Discussions, he added, should be conducted without resorting to emotions as he challenged local chief executives and concerned groups to decide the future of Catanduanes.

We have to face the issue and have a consensus,

he stressed.

Angeles, however, clarified that as far as the BOI is concerned, it would not promote commercial mining in Catanduanes if the local government units do not want it.

We will not invite investors here if they will only be hounded by protests,

the new lawyer said.

Personally, he disclosed, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) under which the BOI operates has to review the mining laws.

What the government is getting from the mining industry is too small,

he pointed out, adding that the 2% excise tax on extracted minerals has to be divided among the national, provincial, municipal and barangay governments.

There should be more benefits for the people,

the BOI director stated, as long as the mining companies comply with mitigating requirements under existing environmental and mining laws, rules and regulations.

Angeles noted that for the island province to attract investments, it has to offer adequate and affordable power. While Sunwest Water & Electricity Co. is now operating two hydroelectric power plants, he underscored that hydro power cannot serve as the base load of the island grid.

Coal in abundance in the central part of the island can be used to produce 50 megawatts of electricity, without damaging the environment, through the use of clean-coal technology,” Angeles said. A coal-fired thermal power plant would be able to produce 100 megawatts, enough to bring down the cost of electricity on the island to at least P7.50 per kilowatt-hour, compared to the existing P11 per kWh, he emphasized.

On the other hand, he reminded businessmen and some local officials during the Investment Promotion Seminar held by the DTI last March 26 at the capitol tome that a typical two-year exploration project to be conducted by a mining company would cost US$2 million, with only a small chance of unearthing a world-class mineral reserve.

Exploration will not damage the environment, Dir. Angeles stressed, as only a small portion of the 7,000 hectares granted to Altura will be actually used. The LGUs will come in only after exploration is completed as the mining firm would have to decide whether to proceed to the extraction stage, he bared, with consultations with affected groups and the issuance of the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC), as well as the payment for the Environmental Guarantee Fund, to be required by the government.

Angeles’ statements came in the midst of his presentation on Investment Priority Areas of the Philippines, in which he said that Catanduanes could be a little Taiwan with a lot of manufacturing activities

Viable projects in the island that could attract investors under the IPA include energy development, including renewable energy and coal-bed methane power plants; agri-fisheries, particularly deep-sea fishing to take advantage of the so-called “Tuna Highway” in the Pacific Ocean that passes close to the island; Ship-Building, which Gov. Joseph Cua would like to revive in Panganiban town and which could likewise service small boats from Japan and other countries where the labor cost is high; mineral resource development, focusing on coal and the large deposits of limestone that could be used to produce cement; and, tourism, with the island’s huge potential as a tourist destination although a lot needs to be done to improve transport facilities, accommodations and historical sites. Catanduanes Tribune

Oppositions Mount up Anew vs Catanduanes Coal Mining

2013-03-21T11:35:00.001+08:00

LEGAZPI CITY, March 19 (PNA) -– The new government-approved coal mining plan for Catanduanes is facing stern opposition from various local sectors that consider the venture a big setback to the Bicol island province’s remaining forests and agriculture-based economy.

Allowing coal mining in Catanduanes would be a double whammy for the province,

claimed a report recently tendered to the provincial government by an environmental expert who studied the impact of coal mining in the province.

The report boosted up the “no mining” stance mounted by the Katandungan Kontra Mina (KKM), a local Catholic church-backed pro-environment group that in 2009 was able to ward off an attempt by a coal mining firm to operate in the province.

In March last year, the Department of Energy awarded mining rights to Altura Mining Philippines Inc. (AMPI), a local subsidiary of Australian-owned Altura Mining Limited (ASX: AJM), following its successful bid for the Coal Operating Contract under the Philippine Energy Contracting Round 4 (PECR4).

The mining site covers 7,000 hectares identified as “Area 3 Catanduanes,” the same site covered by a contract earlier awarded by the DOE under the PECR of 2009 to Monte Oro Resources and Energy Inc., which backed out amid strong opposition mounted by local environmentalists led by KKM.

AMPI recently announced that it will soon start exploration activities in the area in line with the approved work program and stakeholder consultation process.

Following this announcement, Catanduanes Bishop Manolo de los Santos over the weekend called on Catanduanons to reunite once more, this time against the AMPI operations, said a report of the Catanduanes Tribune, a local weekly.

In his report submitted to Gov. Joseph Cua, engineer Manuel Mapa, a former chief of the Bureau of Design of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) who conducted studies on the impacts of coal mining in the province, said the 60,000 hectares of forests on the island--the largest green patch in Bicol--could disappear once the AMPI operation is allowed.

In a statement here Tuesday, Cua said Mapa’s report revealed that the five-year project timeline on the 7,000 hectares extracting 1.2 million tons of coal would provide a share to the province of around P76 million, with at least 500 local mining laborers to be hired.

The same report said, on the other hand, that the about 1,400-hectare portion of the mining site devoted to abaca that could churn out at least P26 million per year worth of abaca products, benefitting some 9,000 farmers, would be lost to the mining venture, according to Cua.

This means that in five years, an amount of P132 million in abaca production would be lost by the province in exchange for the P76-million share from the mining operations.

The Catanduanes Tribune said the island has a vast forest reserve estimated at 60,000 hectares of timberland and second-growth that could be obliterated by massive cutting of trees and destruction of the water sources due to the mining operations.

Mapa’s study, according to Cua, does not see any reason why Catanduanes should seek for miners for its rich land to be exploited by destructive mining.(PNA) DSP/FGS/DOC/CBD/UTB/PnaBicol

Aussie Firm to Operate Coal Mining in Catanduanes

2013-03-14T17:51:00.001+08:00

LEGAZPI CITY, March 14 (PNA) – An Australian company has announced that it will soon start its coal mining operations within the island province of Catanduanes in Bicol.

In a statement reaching here over the week, Altura Mining Philippines Inc. (AMPI), a local subsidiary of Australian-owned Altura Mining Limited (ASX: AJM). said the exploration activities are in line with the approved work program and stakeholder consultation process.

The Department of Energy (DOE) awarded the mining rights to AMPI in March 2012 following its successful bid for the first of three coal operating contracts under the Philippine Energy Contracting Round 4 (PECR4).

The mining site initially covers 7,000 hectares identified as “Area 3 Catanduanes,” the same site covered by a contract earlier awarded by the DOE under the PECR of 2009 to Monte Oro Resources and Energy, Inc. which backed out amid strong opposition mounted by local environmentalists some three years ago.

Altura said it is awaiting confirmation of the results of its two remaining bids but did not mention if the areas it is targeting are also in Catanduanes.

The island province, sitting at the eastern seaboard of the Philippines, is gifted with over 1.2 million metric tons of high-quality coal deposits within an 8,000-hectare land area.

When converted into cash based on the prevailing world market price, this volume would be worth P9.4 billion, a recent report citing a US geological survey said.

Area 3 Catanduanes straddles the municipalities of Caramoran, Bagamanoc, Panganiban and Viga--all major abaca and coconut-producing municipalities that sit at the heart of the 1,511.5-square-kilometer island.

The acquisition of Area 3 brings Altura’s total Southeast Asian coal exploration holdings to over 24,000 hectares.

None of the coal to be produced by the firm in the country will be exported, with its Philippine investment geared towards the domestic power supply.(PNA) DSP/FGS/DOC/CBD/ABB

Keeping our Forests Better than Mining Coal

2013-03-13T09:22:00.002+08:00

To get a better picture of how our island province of Catanduanes will fare even under conditions of the so-called responsible mining espoused by giant companies like the newcomer Altura Mining Limited, let us take a look at the present operation of Rapu-Rapu Minerals, Inc. (RRMI) and Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project (RRPP).

With its avowed commitment to responsible mining and processing towards sustainable development, both firms presented to the small Albay island’s people the following diagram:

Readers should note that the mining and processing operation is spread out over at least 100 hectares of the mountain above existing residential areas. Imagine 100 hectares of forest in Caramoran, Bagamanoc and Panganiban cleared of trees for Altura’s coal-mining project.

For all the promises of the project proponents and supporters both in the national and local governments, there is little to show that the mining project has actually benefited Rapu-Rapu residents and lifted their lives from poverty. From 2005 to 2011, the island’s mining firm reportedly produced over P43 billion, or exactly P43,360,623.47, worth of precious minerals. From this stupendous sum, RRPP and RRMI paid the national government around P798 million in taxes Under the law, local government units – Albay and Rapu-Rapu – are supposed to get a share of 75 percent or P598 million. The mining oppositors ask: where did all this money go when Rapu-Rapu remains poor as ever?

The very same question could very well be asked of Altura, assuming it begins operation without vehement objections from Catandunganons, and its local supporters five years hence.

In the case of the high-grade sub-bituminous coal from Catanduanes favored by power plants, our reserve of 1.2 million tons of coal could be worth P5 billion today at the present price of US$100 per metric ton. That would be a lot of money, not only for Altura and its partners, but also for LGU officials whose coffers could be stuffed with their P75 million share in the excise taxes for just five years. And this does not even include the potential income they can get from the precious narra and other hardwood to be felled during the mining operation.

Indeed, there is money to be had in the proposed Altura mining project, but only for the operator, its investors, certain local businessmen who would deal with the company, and the usual shady characters in government, not to mention armed men on both sides of the ideological divide.

Rapu-rapu mine site

Catanduanes is a mountainous island ecosystem listed among the 20 provinces most susceptible to landslides, and anything bad that happens to its 60,000 hectares of forest land, including the 5,000 hectares that remain of its virgin forest, will seriously affect its people, flora and fauna. A hundred hectares in the forested boundaries of Caramoran, Bagamanoc and Panganiban, shorn of trees, mined for its coal and with mine tailings possibly contaminating rivers, streams and other water sources, will not be representative of the island paradise that we Catandunganons boast of to the rest of the world.

In the country’s experience, responsible mining does not guarantee that mining firms would be responsible for anything bad that could happen. We only need to see what happened in Marinduque in 1996, when a mine tailings spill led to the death of Boac river and the poisoning of both land and sea, to know the truth.

Seventy-five million pesos over five years cannot pay for the destruction of even a hundred hectares of life-sustaining forest, even if the people makes sure the money will not be stolen by thieves in government.

Source: Editorial, Catanduanes Tribune

P1B Investments for Coal Projects

2013-02-16T09:02:00.001+08:00

The Department of Energy yesterday reported that it expects P1 billion in fresh investments from eight local companies which it will give two-year coal exploration contracts this week.

Some 11 blocks were offered under the fourth Philippine Energy Contracting Round (PECR 4).

Energy Undersecretary Ramon Allan Oca yesterday said the eight firms are Altura Mining Philippines Inc. for Area 3 in Catanduanes; Semirara Mining Corp. for Areas 9 and 25-B in Oriental Mindoro and Sarangani, respectively; Empire Asia Mining Corp. for Area 18-B in Surigao del Sur; SKI Mining Corp. for Area 19-A in Surigao del Sur; Philippine National Oil Company-Exploration Corp. for Areas 19-B, 29 and 30-A in Surigao del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay, respectively; South Davao Development Corp., Inc. for Area 8 in Occidental Mindoro; Blackstone Mineral Resources Inc. for Area 27 in Zamboanga Sibugay; and Mega Philippines Inc. for Area 23 in South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani.

Oca said that the contracts are “(in) the process of signing” and will be officially awarded to the winning firms this week.

Meanwhile, Oca said that the DOE has already referred to Malacañang the application of five companies for the petroleum blocks.

The companies are Planet Gas Pty Ltd for Area 1 in Cagayan Basin; the consortium of Philex Petroleum Corp., Philippine National Oil Company-Exploration Corp. and PetroEnergy Resources Corp for Area 4 in Northwest Palawan Basin; the consortium of Pitkin Petroleum Plc and Philodrill Corp. for Area 5 in Northwest Palawan Basin; NorAsian Energy Philippines Inc. for Area 7 in Mindoro Basin-Cuyo Platform; and Loyz Oil Pte Ltd for Area 14 in East Palawan Basin.

Because some of the petroleum areas being offered are considered as “disputed,” the DOE said that Malacañang has to have the final say on the applications.

According to Oca, the coal service contracts are offered for a period of two years and are extendable for another two years. The petroleum contracts, meanwhile, are for seven years extendable for three years.

He noted that a minimum of $5 million is needed to conduct a 3D seismic study on the petroleum blocks.

Coal exploration, on the other hand, is less expensive compared to petroleum,

Oca said. Under the PECR rules, the DOE allows 100 percent foreign ownership for the petroleum contracts but only a maximum of 40 percent stake on the coal blocks.
Source: Malaya

Probe of RORO Vessels’ Seaworthiness Needed

2013-02-14T09:19:00.001+08:00

Last Feb. 5, passengers aboard the M/V Sta. Clara, which left Virac port on or about 1:30 P.M., had an unpleasant experience when the roll-on, roll-off vessel arrived at Tabaco after more than four hours at sea.

According to Gerry Rubio of the Catanduanes State University, who vented his displeasure on facebook, the ferry’s main ramp failed to open. When all else failed for the ship’s officers, the captain apparently ordered the maneuvering of the boat so that its rear was now abutting the port.

After waiting for more than two hours, the passengers were made to pass through the narrow spaces between the trucks and container vans, exiting through the shorter emergency ramp.

He quoted a DTI employee as lamenting the ferry crew’s lack of concern for the welfare of the passengers, who were not advised of the ramp failure. “We were made to guess what was happening,” Rubio rued. “This RORO must be dry-docked and its seaworthiness checked.”

Under Memorandum Circular No. 65 issued by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) in 1991 for Category 1 ships (with travel time of four hours or less), the vessel is supposed to have a minimum of two embarkation/disembarkation points separate from the loading ramp for moving cargo. The gangway, which is the metal stairs used by passengers in leaving the ship, must be at least 3.28 feet, or one meter, in width. MC No. 65-A and 150 also provide additional service standards for different ship categories.

Every sea-going passenger knows that all RORO vessels plying the Virac-Tabaco and Virac-San Andres routes do not have separate embarkation/disembarkation points for passengers. MARINA officials in its regional office in Legaspi City who are tasked to regularly inspect passenger vessels in Bicol must all be suffering from selective blindness.

Since this is election season, candidates for provincial posts should seize the opportunity and call on the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to launch an investigation of MARINA and ferry operators serving Catanduanes ports vis-a-vis their compliance with the provisions of MARINA Memorandum Circular No. 65, 65-A and 150 that sets minimum service standards for Philippine-registered interisland passenger vessels.

In the same vein, if MARINA and the provincial board would not dare touch the issue, somebody at the Catanduanes State University should follow the example of researchers in Iloilo which conducted a qualitative-descriptive research to determine the compliance of eight (8) RORO vessels plying the Dumangas-Bacolod and Iloilo-Guimaras routes. The 2011 research used the MARINA’s standard inspection report as a tool to conduct an inspection of the vessels to determine their compliance with MARINA circulars on the six areas of concern: passenger accommodation, public spaces, serving spaces, embarkation/disembarkation, conditions for the service standards and compliance with Batas Pambansa Blg. 344 or the Accessibility Law.

For years now, both ferry companies have been largely allowed to raise their rates pursuant to MARINA Memorandum Circular No. 153. Of interest to sea commuters is a provision in said MC stating that rates for first and second-class accommodations (aircon) remains deregulated (at the instance of the ferry operator) provided that such accommodations meet the MARINA-prescribed service standards.

It is just proper that our leaders and legislators, who last year led the opposition to the excessive terminal fee proposed by Philippine Ports Authority, to take the cudgels for sea commuters who brave rough seas even on board rusty and rickety vessels.

Catanduanes Tribune

NSO Conducts 2012 Census of Agriculture and Fisheries

2013-01-27T09:39:00.003+08:00

The National Statistics Office (NSO), Catanduanes will be undertaking the 2012 Census of Agriculture and Fisheries (2012 CAF) beginning this February.

The 2012 Census of Agriculture and Fisheries (2012 CAF) is a large-scale government undertaking that is geared towards the collection and compilation of basic information on the agricultural and fishery sectors in the Philippines. The data collected in this census shall constitute the bases from which policymakers and planners formulate their plans and programs for the socio-economic development of the country.

The 2012 CAF is envisioned to achieve the following objectives: determine the structural characteristics of agriculture and fishery sectors; provide sampling frame for the conduct of supplementary modules on irrigation and cropping pattern, livestock and poultry, aquaculture and fisheries, and other statistical undertakings; provide basic data for use in national as well as subnational development planning ; and, provide data on agricultural, aquacultural, and fishery facilities and services in the barangay.

Over the years, the CAF has been a source of comprehensive statistics on agriculture and fisheries for the use of the general public, government, business industry, and research and academic institutions.

All households will be listed and interviewed to determine the presence of household members who operated a farm, aquafarm, and/or fishing activity for the period, January to December 2012. These households’ members will be interviewed to collect data on the details of his/her agricultural, aquacultural and/or fishing activity.

Moreover, the Punong Barangay or any incumbent barangay official will be interviewed to gather information on the presence/availability of facilities, input dealers and service providers related to agriculture, aquaculture, and fisheries in the barangay.

The 2012 CAF enumeration will be conducted from February 25 to April 13, 2013. Training for the 3rd and 4th Level will be conducted on January 28 to February 23, 2013. Authority for the survey is Section 2(c) of Commonwealth Act 591 which authorizes NSO to conduct censuses and surveys. Pursuant to the provision of Section 4 of this Act, information obtained from the respondents shall be held strictly confidential and shall not be divulged to any person except authorized NSO personnel acting in the performance of their duties.

Catanduanes Tribune

Puraran Surfing Needs Private Sector Participation

2013-01-26T13:31:00.001+08:00

For years now, some sectors including the Commission on Audit have been wondering why the provincial government and its municipal counterpart continues to insist on holding the yearly surfing competition in Puraran, Baras.

While there is certainly merit in promoting the Majestic waves off the coastal barangay to the whole world, there is little sense in funding a surfing competition that, with its decidedly small budget, attracts only surfers from other surfing spots in the country like Bagasbas in Camarines Norte, Siargao, La Union and Baler. From the budget of P609,000.00 in 2011, the COA said, the Baras LGU spent about P200,000 as cash prizes for the surfing contest and another P51,000 for the Bikini Open, plus P30,000 for the hiring of a band for a beach party. The kitty includes allocations for accommodation of the competing surfers, whose transportation expenses may have been likewise shouldered by the sponsoring LGUs.

The agency’s finding, contained in the 2011 Annual Audit Report on the local government’s transactions, noted that the LGU has been spending financial and human resources for such an activity for a long time, but apparently no income has been generated.

Generally speaking, tourism promotion is an investment activity..., thus return of investment in the form of income or at least improved living condition of the people is expected,

the report said.

If there was no positive return on investment or any sign of economic gains, such activity must be discontinued because expenditures related thereto can be considered as unnecessary expenditures...

For such an activity of the local government to generate income, it has to attract corporate sponsorships as well as generate considerable spending from visitors who will come to watch the tournament. Apparently, the town’s report on the surfing competition does not even list whether indeed Manila-based corporations gave cash for the right to display their banners as sponsors. There is also no data on how many visitors from outside the island came to watch the action on the waves and spend their money for food, accommodation and souvenirs. For the town to claim that there is a return on investment on its expense, there must be verifiable data that the business establishments at Puraran beach earned a substantial amount from sources other than the LGU’s event expenses. The report has not even touched the operation of the LGU guesthouse at the beach.

Since the very start, the choice of Puraran surfing as Baras One-Town, One-Product (OTOP) project has been a difficult one. The surfing season lasts only three months from July to September, when the prevailing “habagat” wind blows offshore and creates three-meter waves and up. The Majestic waves are said to be suited for professional surfers, not for amateurs, as they break on a dangerous coral reef. While the other 10 towns have products like pili or mud crab that grow or is available the entire year, Baras has to lie idle for nine months.

In the absence of any economic gains for the people of Baras from the surfing competition in the past decade, the municipal government and the provincial government would be well advised to heed the auditors’ recommendation that the management of the event be turned over to the private sector. An even more palatable option would be to convince one of the country’s hotel chains or tourism operators to establish a foothold in Puraran. That would be a real achievement.

Editorial, Catanduanes Tribune

CIA Medical Mission to Push Through in 2014

2013-01-25T09:07:00.001+08:00

It appears this corner spoke too soon on the issue that the stringent guidelines approved by the Department of Health regarding Foreign Surgical and Medical Missions (FSMMs) has discouraged US-based missioners from pushing through with their missions.

The Catanduanes International Association (CIA) has scheduled its medical mission to this province in 2014, not this year. According to California-based Myrna Rodriguez-Walsh, CIA president for 2012-2015, the CIA medical mession is scheduled to be held on February 10 -14, 2014, at the Eastern Bicol Medical Center in Virac. Long-time Christmas Cheers backer Dr. Oscar Enriquez, is the chairman and Dr. Erlinda Velasco and Dr. Santos Zafe are the co-chairs of the mission. The CIA president said the medical mission is usually held every three years.

Inside Page

10 CSU Graduates Top Bicol Placers in Teachers Exams

2013-01-16T14:52:00.001+08:00

LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 16 (PNA) -- The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced here Wednesday that 10 graduates of the Catanduanes State University (CSU) landed at the top 10 among those who passed the recent Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) in Bicol.

The PRC identified the top 10 passers as Carlito T. Gelito, Joan S. Guerrero, Jinky Lou T. Sarmiento, Ronald A. Teves, Ian Lopez, Eddie Cadag, Donna Nerisse Sapico, Aizel Cerillo, Melvin Fernandez and Daniel L. Alfaro.

Gelito placed 3rd in the regional and 10th in the national levels; Guerrero, 4th with 85.80 percent; Sarmiento, 4th with 85.80 percent; Teves, 4th placer with 85.80 percent; Lopez, 5th with 85.60 percent; Cadag, 6th with 85.40 percent; Sapico, 6th with 85.40 percent; Cerillo, 7th with 85.20 percent; Fernandez, 8th with 85 percent and; Alfaro, 9th with 84.80 percent.

The PRC, through its Board for Professional Teachers, also honors top 10 placers in the regional level of the LET examinations separately from the top 10 national placers.

Dr. Mila D. Vela, the dean of the CSU College of Education, escorted the 10 topnotchers to the conferment of the LET Regional Award here over the week.

The CSU College of Education is the Commission on Higher Education's (CHED) Center of Development in Teacher Education for the island province of Catanduanes. (PNA) FPV/FGS/CBD/ABB

CIDG-CIS Van Found Loaded with Narra

2012-12-23T11:29:00.002+08:00

The Catanduanes police is still confirming a report that an abandoned van loaded with sawn narra lumber in San Miguel town belonged to the PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Region 4.

PNP provincial director Senior Superintendent Eduardo Chavez said that a team led by Senior Inspector James Ronatay was conducting a checkpoint at District 3 in San Miguel at 5 A.M. of Dec. 11 when they signalled an oncoming van to stop. Instead of approaching the checkpoint, the van stopped some distance away and two men were seen coming out of the vehicle and escaping in the dark.

The lawmen discovered later that the silver gray Mitsubishi L300 van (PMP-346) bearing a CIDG-CIS sticker was loaded with sawn narra lumber with a volume of 415 board feet. Inside, the police recovered a CIDG-CIS commemorative plate, an ID card with the markings “Delegate Nat’l CIS Summit 2012, Cebu City” and “CIS De Vera AV,” and important documents.

Two days earlier, in San Miguel, Panganiban, a team led by PO3 Ronnie Agawin came upon 20 pieces of 2x4 lumber allegedly abandoned at the back of a vulcanizing shop owned by Nina Burgos.

In Bagawang, Pandan on Dec. 7, Inspector Millard Bongalon and his men arrested Mariano Eubra, 53, and Ronald Aguilar, 35, while in the act of cutting logs. The lawmen confiscated from the duo a chainsaw without serial number and 12 pieces of red lauaan lumber.

Catanduanes Tribune

Viga Mayor Partners with 31 Schools on Food Production

2012-12-12T07:40:00.001+08:00

Thirty-one schools in the municipality of Viga have entered into a partnership with Mayor Emeterio “Bong’ Tarin in the Gulayan sa Paaralan program mandated by the Department of Agriculture.

Last Nov. 5-9, Mayor Tarin and wife Ma. Theresa Lorraine made the rounds of the four high schools, 26 elementary schools and one primary school to distribute seeds as the municipal government’s assistance to the schools in said program.

This assistance is intended to uplift the livelihood and life of my fellow Viganons,

Tarin stated, adding that the effort is being coordinated with the recipient schools and its officials, particularly Viga West district supervisor Rosario Peña and Viga East district supervisor Henry Marin, barangay captains and officials, and the DA.

Tarin initiated the grant of the assistance upon learning of the Gulayan sa Paaralan program of DA Sec. Proceso Alcala who sought to promote self-help food production activities and values among children that will emphasize agriculture as a life support system.

The program specifically seeks to promote vegetable production through natural farming in public elementary and high schools as well as establish and maintain school gardens to serve as food basket and main source of vegetables to sustain supplementary feeding. The small-scale food production model in the schools will be showcased for households and communities to replicate.

Under the Memorandum of Agreement signed by DA with the Department of Education, each school shall have garden on a 200-square meter lot or adopt the container-gardening technology. The Parents-Teachers Associations shall be active partners in the program. All harvests will be owned by the school and may be sold or used in its supplementary feeding program.

The 31 recipient schools are: Villa Aurora ES, Tinago ES, Tinago NHS, Botinagan ES, Soboc ES. Buenavista ES. Tambongon Central ES, Tambongon NHS, Batohonan ES, Begonia ES, Quirino ES, Magsaysay ES, Mabini ES, Ananong ES, Ogbong ES, Sta. Rosa ES, Viga Central ES, Rizal ES, Del Pilar ES, Osmeña PS, San Jose (Oco) ES, San Jose (Oco) NHS, Burgos ES, Almojuela ES, San Roque ES, Sagrada ES, Roxas ES, P. Vera (Summit) ES, and P. Vera (Kanlangka) ES.

Mayor Tarin said that his administration will extend the same assistance to the barangays beginning in January next year as part of his commitment to push food production among Viganons.

Catanduanes Tribune

DAR Signs MOA with Farmer PO for Rice Production in Panganiban

2012-12-10T08:33:00.000+08:00

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) led by PARO Alexander T. Teves recently signed a memorandum of agreement with a conduit Peoples’ Organization (PO), the CASAMA Farmer Irrigators’ Association, Inc. (CFISA) based in San Miguel, Panganiban town.

Agustin Vicente Jr., CFISA Chairperson, signed the MOA with PARO Teves in a simple ceremony Oct. 10 witnessed by other officials and employees of the Department, specifically those from Beneficiaries Development and Coordinating Division (BDCD) led by its chief, CARPO Nelia V. Tadoy.

The activity signaled the full blown implementation of the flagship project of the province under Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) where Panganiban qualified as its pilot area for Improved Rice Production with provisions of farm mechanization in barangay San Miguel. The latter is one among the DAR’s Agrarian Reform Community (ARC) in Catanduanes where its dominant land use is either devoted to coconut or rice land. In a DAR survey, about 591.23 hectares are currently used up for riceland farming in San Miguel ARC where majority of its CFISA benefactors are actually engaged.

In the project, DAR will shoulder the provision of common service facilities to CFISA, and these include mechanical transplanter, four-wheeled tractor, jeep type thresher, seed tray, seed nursery and conveyor. They were pipelined on top of other support services that maybe needed in the course of project implementation such as warehouse and trucking facilities.

“These range of assistance,” PARO Teves, said, “ will surely help improve the economic standing of our ARB’s in the area which may usher agri-enterprise and increased income.” On his part, CFISA Chairman Vicente thanked the DAR for this initiative and vowed all time support to achieve maximum returns of the project..

Aside from equipment and machineries, CARPO Nel Tadoy revealed that professional services in the form of training, agricultural extension, and business development through an out-sourced Community –Based Enterprise Organizer (CBEO) who will be hired for the project, form part of the package. Meanwhile, a 15% equity from CFISA as conduit PO for the project either in cash or in kind shall be required, as PARO Teves bared during the MOA signing.

Source: Catanduanes Tribune