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Gov. salceda

Assessment of Manila-Legazpirailway projectstarts

leGaZPI cITY – The canadian consultancy firm contracted by the government to prepare

the feasibility study for the proposed Philippine National Railways Integrated Luzon

Railway project is set to start with its works on the Bicol section of

the project before the end of this month.

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NABUNTULAN FALLSWith the team from the City Engineer’s Offce and City Environment and Natural Resources Office, Mayor John G. Bongat ended his inspection of city government infra and tourism projects in Panicuason by having a trek to Nabuntulan Falls in Mt. Isarog.

Aleco interim board approves SMEC bid

LEGAZPI CITY -- Two weeks after the public bidding for the operational management of the debt-ridden Albay Electric Power Cooperative, its interim board has approved the bid of San Miguel Energy Corp., an Aleco official said.

In a text message to the PNA on Sunday, Alvie Boral, Aleco public information officer, said the Aleco interim board has informed SMEC in its Aug. 23 letter that the company won the bidding for the concession to operate and manage Aleco.

The letter of the board led by Bishop Jose Baylon of the Diocese of Legazpi said SMEC had been considered and approved as the single highest rated and responsive bidder.

The issuance of the notice of award, however, will (Turn to page 7)(Turn to page 7)

Archdiocese of Caceres leads prayer rally vs pork barrel

By ANA-LIzA S. MACAtANGAy NAGA CITY (Aug.

27) --- More or less 2,000 protesters marched off the streets of this city yes-terday to call for the total abolition of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and admon-ish the government to be

vigilant in spending the peo-ple’s hard earned money.

Caceres Archbishop Ro-lando J. Tria Tirona led the protesters in a peaceful pro-test Monday, dubbed “Prayer Rally for the Restoration of Integrity” as the church calls for a unified stance to con-

demn the use of the tax pay-er’s money under the pork barrel scheme.

In a pastoral letter read in various churches in the Arch-diocese Sunday, Tirona called on the public to demand for speedy and fair investigation of those people behind the scam and make them amena-ble for using the government

fund in their own personal whims and caprices.

“The lawful conviction of those guilty will signal the commitment of our govern-ment to truth and justice,” Tirona said to the church’s faithfuls.

Yesterday, members of various non-government or-ganizations, civil society or-ganizations, private offices and concerned individuals composed of nuns, priests,

naga.gov.ph

bikol reporter2 august 25-31, 2013oPinion

went to the allocation holders.

Since powerful legislators are at the receiving end of the brickbats versus the PDAF, the resolutions in both houses for the total abolition of the “pork barrel” may not be passed in its original version. It is very likely – knowing our scheming politicians – that alternative measures will be passed, better-packaged and with security components. Malacanang will be the author of this new system (pogi points) but the effect is the same – our legislators will have their cake and eat it, too!

BANKING SYSTEM: As of May 31, 2013 – the Phl banking industry had total resources aggregating to P8.639 trillion. The growth came from steady increases in loans, securities and equities. The much bigger universal and commercial banks accounted for P7.754 trillion, followed by the 70 thrift banks with P695.3 billion, and the 544 rural banks with P190 billion. The quasi-banks including finance companies had total resources of P2.231 trillion.

The main sources of bank funds are time

and savings deposits, while investments are mostly in loans. Experts say that the robust credit expansion achieved by banks provided solid support to our economy in the midst of subdued global growth. As consequence of the government push for continuing increase in banking activities – the smaller rural banks are being “forced” to go into mergers – for their own good, and to enable them to compete with the big banks. Go big or die!

BAD FLASHES: After three continuing days of rains and flooding, investors woke up last Thursday to the shocking news that their stockholdings have shrunk in value to the tune of 6.0%. Ironically, the downtrend was triggered by the declaration by US finance authorities that they will soon “start easing efforts to stimulate the world’s biggest economy”. The big losers were the holding firms and property sectors, registering 7% losses.

At the other end of the spectrum, the exchange rate of the domestic currency fell by more than 1%, so the US dollar is now worth P44! There are hopes that the USD rate will return to the P43 level, what with our increased gross international reserves and the positive results of our balance of payments. Running against this hope is the continuing depreciation of the currency exchange rates in the Far East and Southeast Asia. Let us see how the cookie crumbles!

WISDOM: From what profit comes to mortals from all toil and anxiety with which they toil under the sun?

(Atty. APA – chairs Acyatan & Co., CPAs-DFK International – is PICPA past president and Hall-of-Famer, past chair of ASEAN Federation of CPAs, and ACPAPP Lifetime Achievement Awardee).

FLOODS: Despite the loud complaints of the urban informal settlers, there is no denying that the main causes of the Metro-Manila flooding are the barong-barongs (or even concrete houses) that are built on erstwhile esteros. The problem is compounded by the mountains of solid thrash that said occupants throw away into the waterways. The recent devastating floods are enough reasons for the government to take decisive action – no matter how “cruel” it could be!

Going upstream – the other cause of the flooding is the inability of the former forest areas to hold the rushing rainwaters within the earth’s bosom. The areas where the big trees used to be are now covered by loose gravel and sand (object of mining). Man’s greed and carelessness in dealing with nature are delivering to all and sundry the seasonal disasters that kill and maim people, and destroy billions worth of properties, crops and infrastructures.

PDAF SYSTEM: The prioritization for the use of funds released to congressmen and senators is left with said legislators’ discretion on the assumption that they know what their constituents really need. Unfortunately as recent developments reveal – many of the legislators simply relied on fund managers to handle the disbursement of the PDAF. The system was indeed faulty – regardless of whether there were some back remittances that

lee g. dullesco iiHead, Advertising Associates

0920-533-7766

Well, he is only one month in office and knowing him, I believe he can do a lot more.

What is important is not the number of bills filed by legislators, but the quality of bills filed. I learned he is preparing several bills of national importance.

I’l’ write about it when it is already filed. The taxpayers should know what our

government officials are doing since they are public servants.

* * * * * Front pages of national newspapers

report about pork barrel of legislators only. Here’s an excerpt from the column of Ninez Cacho Olivares in the Daily Tribune dated August 13, 2013 about presidential pork entitled “Pork by any other name” for balanced information.

With reports on former National Treasurer Leonor Briones pointing to the gargantuan P1 trillion in “pork barrel” that is at the disposal of Noynoy, there went Noy spokesman Abigail Valte, quickly denying that this was untrue, as she said there is no executive counterpart to the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), more commonly referred to as “pork” that members of Congress have.

C’mon. Abigail, surely even you must have come across Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet where Juliet says to

Cong. Felix William “Wimpy” Fuentebella filed House Bill 1551 proposing the creation of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Defining Mandates, Powers and Functions and providing funds therefore.

Shelter is one of the three basic needs of man. Considering our ever increasing population, so many informal settlers, calamity victims throughout the country whose homes had been destroyed, this Bill is not only timely but very much needed in order to consolidate efforts of different officerds for faster delivery of service to the people.

He also filed House Bill 1558 creating Philippine High School for Sports for national interest and providing funds therefore.

He filed six local bills for the conversion of schools to national high schools to be able to secure funds from the national government.

No wonder, because education is one of his greatest concern.

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IF you were to look back at the finest traits of our forefathers and compare them with the traits of present-day Filipinos, you would discover that our people today sorely lack our ancestor’s nobility of character.

Our forefathers were freedom-loving, adventurous, their honesty beyond question, hardy, industrious, more after the welfare of their people than their own.

How the sturdy thread that connected us to our ancestors got severed, the over 300 years of Spanish colonial rule and the years immediately following the end of the Pacific War must have much to do with it.

In that period, the long years of subjugation, could be blamed. The years had clouded our memory and made us forget our roots and our glorious past.

Filipinos tried to live the ways of the conquerors, believing they could be like them, superior, arrogant, powerful, wealthy. They lost their ability to fight and win. They became subservient to the white man or anybody with money.

Conquered peoples tend to absorb the faults of their former masters. Sionel Jose, a Ramon Magsaysay awardee for journalism, said that Filipinos inherited the worst from the colonial masters. You can see this human failing in almost every wealthy Filipino, indeed.

Well-off Filipinos are matapobre. We got this attitude from the Spaniards. Like the old rulers, we look down on people who work with their hands

Immediately after the war ended, many

Filipino officials fattened themselves with American goods , mostly war materials abandoned by the Americans. The Yankees would not take the goods back to the US

It was a time when almost everybody had to do something to survive. Anything they could lay their hands on, anything that could be turned to cash, they would do it

What Filipinos had learned during the Spanish era and during the years following the war seemingly got firmly etched in the soul. Some described it as the origin of the culture of corruption

Before the Spaniards touched our shores Chinese and Arab traders were here to do business with Filipino merchants in what could be dubbed as on consignment basis The foreigners entrusted their goods to the locals and came back after a year to collect the money.

Not one of the local traders failed to pay for the goods.

rubenbabar_br@yahoo.com

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For a long time, National Heroes’ Day was commemorated each year on November 30, the birth date of Andres Bonifacio, the hero of the Philippine Revolution of 1896. Perhaps to give emphasis to heroes other than Andres Bonifacio, the commemoration of the days of all our national heroes was moved to the last Sunday of August, which this year, falls on the 25th.

Aside from Bonifacio, we wil l be commemorating on August 25 all our heroes, which include Dr. Jose P. Rizal, our national hero; Apolinario Mabini, the “Sublime Paralytic”; Gregorio H. del Pilar, hero of the Battle of tirad Pass; Gen. Emilio F. Aguinaldo, president of the First Philippine Republic; Emilio D. Jacinto, “Brains of the Katipunan”; Gen. Antonio Luna, the “Greatest Soldier of the Revolution”; Marcelo H. del Pilar, the leading propagandist of the Revolution and editor of La Solidaridad; Melchora Aquino, aka tandang Sora who was already 84 years old when she joined the Revolution; Diego Silang, the revolutionary leader of the Ilocos Region and his wife Gabriela; and the three priest martyrs – Fathers Gomez, Burgos and zamora.

this is a time for heroes – for peace, not for violence; for unity, not division, for sincerity and truth, not mental reservation. – PP/MB

bikol reporter 3august 25-31, 2013

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RALLY AGAINST PORK BARREL AvItO C. DALAN

thousands gather against the alleged misuse of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel of lawmakers in front of the Quirino grandstand at Rizal Park, Manila on Monday (August 26).

CLIFF JUMPING GBC/JvILLAREAL/MMEC

Way down from atop the towering height of a cliff of unique rock formation to plunge into the depths of a serene azure sea as captured above by a multi-exposure technique of Capitol lensman Jovi villareal in Cagliliog is just one of the varied types of adventure thrills offered by CamSur Gov. Migz villafuerte at the Caramoan Peninsula that could titillate the most daring of nature enthusiasts. Such exciting adventures form part of the nature-based attractions that have contributed to placing CamSur in a prominent sport of the tourism map of the world.

By MARLON A. LOtERtE

leGaZPI cITY -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Bicol re-gional office has awarded a total of P1.5 million to fund projects under the bottom-Up budgeting (BUB) sys-tem for Matnog and Prieto Diaz town in the province of Sorsogon

Mayor Emilio G. Ubaldo received in behalf of the mu-nicipal government of Mat-nog the P1 million check and Mayor Benito L. Doma re-ceived P500,000 for the mu-nicipal government of Prieto Diaz .

DTI Bicol regional direc-tor Jocelyn Blanco said the allotment were intended to improve the food and handi-craft industries localities by providing stakeholders skills and capability training pro-gram on entrepreneurship that will prepare the local producers and processors to be competitive in the local or even national and interna-tional markets.

Matnog municipal gov-ernment will allot the fund to improve the eco-tourism ser-vice providers and the food and handicraft industries.

Prieto Diaz, on the other hand, will focus on the devel-

opment of its processed food that includes coconut and its by-products, “danggit” and other marine products.

She said that the agency will also be assisting stake-holders in product develop-ment that will enhance the products’ functionality, qual-ity, design and visual impact.

She furthered that market-ing support programs will also be provided to complete the package of government interventions in the local in-dustry.

Bottom-up budgeting meanwhile is a modern ap-proach to planning the use of a government’s financial resources.

It can be recalled that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) considers bottom-up budget-ing and planning among local government units as an en-abling strategy of the Aquino administration in realizing governance reforms.

DILG Bicol regional Di-rector Blandino Maceda ex-plained that, “The concept is simple: it is the opposite of the top-to-bottom planning and budgeting,”

The new approach on bud-geting, according to Maceda, provides the opportunity for

leGaZPI cITY --Hun-dreds of students, farmers, transport group represen-tatives and militant group members braved the inter-mittent rains on Monday morning (Aug. 26) and held a march rally calling for the abolition of the corrupt-rid-den Priority Development assistance Fund (PdaF) or pork barrel of lawmak-ers at the Peñaranda Park here.

Despite the rains, the pro-testers marched along the

three-kilometer stretch of the J. P. Rizal St. from Peñaranda Park in Old Albay District to the Pinaglabanan Park at the Legazpi Port District -- bear-ing streamers with anti-pork barrel slogans, according to Vince Casilihan, Karapatan Albay spokesperson.

A short rally was held at

10:30 a.m. at the Pinagla-banan monument where pro-testers called for the aboli-tion of the PDAF and urged the Aquino administration to transfer the fund to a more productive use that would improve the delivery of so-cial, health, education and economic services.

They also sought for an independent body to inves-tigate the people behind the pork barrel scam and prose-cute and convict those found guilty.

Casilihan said in a phone interview that about 300 joined the march dubbed as “Lakaw Kontra Pork Bar-rel.” -PNA

By EDNA A. BAGADIONG

VIRAC, Catanduanes -- The provincial government of Catanduanes has reorganized and reconstituted the Provin-cial Rabies Control Commit-tee (PRCC) as initiatl step in its intensified campaign to fight rabies in the province.

Catanduances Governor Ar-aceli B. Wong already signed Executive Order No. 24 dated August 13, authorizing the re-organization of the local com-mittee and pursuant to memo-randum of agreement (MOA) signed by the different depart-ment secretries and represen-tative from non-govenrment organizations.

Wong said that the PRCC will provide a forum for an inter-ageny coordination on rabies control and prevention program, mechanism for link-ages with the different Rabies Control Consultative Commit-

tee and formulate and imple-ment immediate and long-term policies, plans and programs for the control of rabies;

It is also expected to pro-vide a medium for the involve-ment of all local government units in the control of rabies in the province, collate, consoli-date and submit all necessary reports as required by higher authorities, and perform such other functions as may be nec-essary in the prevention and control of rabies in the whole province.

PRCC will be composed of Gov. Wong (Chairman); Dr. Jane C. Rubio, Provincial Vet-erinary Office (Co-Chairman); and Dr. Lubella M. Sanchez, Provincial Health Office (Co-Chairman).

Members include Atty. Ar-naldo E. Escober, Jr. (DILG); Mr. Jose L. Doncillo (DepEd); Po. Sr. Supt. Eduardo Chavez (PNP); Mr. Edgar V. Ollet (DA);

Mr. Joaquin Ed Guerrero (PEN-RO); Ms. Soledad S. Eugenio (DOH); Dr. Minerva I. Morales (CSU); Hon. Nel B. Asanza (SP); Hon. Jorge C. Reyes (SP); Hon. Gregorio E. Angeles (SP); Engr. Fernan A. Gianan (Print Media-Catanduanes Tribune); Ms. Edna A. Bagadiong (PIA); Ms. Arlene O. Bagadiong (Ra-dyo ng Bayan); Dr. Viatrez Vey Abella (Rotary Club- Virac); and Ms. Zeng S. Vargas (Peo-ple’s Organization).

According to Wong, her ad-ministration will give attention and will continue to support campaigns that will make the province rabies-free.

Rabies continue to be a pub-lic health problem in the Phil-ippines. The country is one of the top 10 countries with rabies problem. It is responsible for the deaths of 200 to 300 Filipi-nos per year. In 2011, 202 died of rabies, and in 2010, there were 257 deaths.

bikol reporter4 august 25-31, 2013etCeterA

inner chessBy J. HENRy DANICAN

vISIt OuR WEBSItE:www.bikolreporter.webs.com

Gospel reading: Lk 13:22-30Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching

as He went and making His way to Jerusalem. Someone asked Him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ He will say to you in reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ And you will say, ‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’ Then he will say to you, ‘I do not know where [you] are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!’ And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out. And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

REFLECtIONSLord, will only a few people be saved? Jesus is asked

this question, which He considers irrelevant. To answer such a question is to satisfy curiosity, but is not helpful to anyone. Instead, Jesus answers, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate.” What really matters is for us to be saved and for us to help save others. And that means entering through the narrow gate, what the Lord refers to elsewhere as denying ourselves, carrying our cross daily, and following Him. In practice, this means living selflessly in love of God and our fellow human beings. This is to do what Christ says (cf Lk 6:46) and what God wills (cf Mt 7:21).

Jesus points out to His fellow Jews that it is not enough for them to say, “We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.” Even they will be rejected if they turn out to be evildoers. Jesus also predicts the coming into the kingdom of God of non-Jews, while the Jews who did wrong will be cast outside. Today we can say that attaining salvation is not a matter of belonging to a certain religion or having been associated with Christ in some way. It is a matter of doing good and not doing evil. Many non-Christians will be saved if they follow their consciences and do good, while many Christians will be rejected if they do not do good.

Our Christian religion is a great help to know what Christ says and what God wills, but our belonging to the Christian religion is not a guarantee that we will be saved.

Be thankful to God that you are a Christian, but be a Christian in deeds!

SOURCE: “366 Days with the Lord 2012,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.,); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: books@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

sunday reflection

In a bid to fast-track the implementation of the Na-tional Greening Program (NGP) in catanduanes the Department of Environ-ment and Natural Resourc-es (DENR) Bicol held a two-day Geo-tagging workshop in the capital town of Virac last weekend.

“We are introducing to our forestry personnel the latest technology in project moni-toring which is Geo-tagging. It will help us in generating real time data from the field,” PENRO Joaquin Ed Guerrero said.

PENRO Guerrero ex-plained that Geo-tagging is a technology that allows the user to generate real-time field data, meaning we can derive first-hand data from above the mountains where reforestation efforts are un-derway.

He expressed confidence that the new technology would not only enhance the implementation of the NGP but also improve the enforce-

ment of forestry laws in the province.

“This two-day workshop is also timely since it will help to identify potential obstacles in the implementa-tion of the project and devise ways to hurdle them” he em-phasized.

A practicum, facilitated by Foresters Juliet Araojo and Angelito Rutaquio was also conducted to allow the participants to figure out the procedures and many ways of using the Geo-Camera.

PENRO Guerrero’s mes-sage to his personnel is clear: engage the public as support which is vital to the success of the NGP, and strengthen documentation processes to establish transparency and accountability.

He also presented to them the new Barangay Forest Pro-gram, an additional feature of the NGP that every DENR personnel should be familiar with as a banner program. -Jessel Basanta/Marianito Donato

QUEZON CITY -- Pres-ident aquino called on all Filipinos to keep a close watch on government proj-ects to ensure that people’s money are spent properly.

In his speech, Monday, in commemoration of National Heroes Day, Aquino said the abolition of the Priority De-velopment Assistance Fund (PDAF) is part of continu-ously finding and forming a mechanism that ensures that the people’s money should only be used for the people.

“Nito nga pong Biyernes nang ihayag natin ang pag-abolish ng PDAF, bahagi ito ng paghahanap at pagbuo ng mekanismo upang siguruh-ing ang pera ng taumbayan ay mapupunta sa taumbayan lamang,” the President said.

He added that the system only becomes truly effective if the people will keep a vigi-lant watch of each project that will be funded.

“Ngunit upang tuluyang maging epektibo ang bagong sistemang ating ilalatag, kailangan ang pakikiisa ng mamamayan sa masus-ing pagbabantay ng bawat proyektong ating pinopondo-han,” Aquino said.

He also vowed to make ac-countable those who abused

President Benigno S. Aquino III calls for the abolition of the Priority Development Assistance Fund at the President’s Hall of Malacanang Palace on Friday, (August 23). the announcement was made in the aftermath of the alleged Php10B pork barrel scam. (Photo by Gil Nartea/ Lauro Montellano Jr./ Malacanang Photo Bureau)

the PDAF.The President also chal-

lenged the people not to be content with waiting for and receiving help from others but instead fulfill each one’s responsibilities to fellowmen and society.

“Ang hamon po sa atin: Huwag sana tayong makun-tento na mag-abang o tu-manggap lamang ng tulong at biyaya mula sa kabutihan ng iba; sa halip, gawin natin ang lahat nang makakaya sa bawat pagkakataon upang gampanan ang tungkulin sa kapwa at lipunan,” the Presi-

dent said.On Monday, thousands of

Filipinos trooped to Quirino grandstand in Manila to protest against abuse of the pork barrel fund.

Presidential Spokesper-son Edwin Lacierda assured the people that the Aquino administration is “on the same side” with the public in the fight against corruption, especially on the misuse and abuse of public funds, a PNA report said.

The same report added that the President was not bothered by the Million

March protest against the pork barrel. On this Lacierda said, “We’re on the same side. Laban po tayo sa cor-ruption. Sabi ng pangulo, bakit tayo mababahala, ano ba pinaglalaban nila? Galit sila sa maling gamit ng pera ng taumbayan, ‘di ba ‘yan ang nilalaban natin?”

President Aquino on Fri-day, August 23 called for the abolition of the Priority De-velopment Assistance Fund (PDAF) amid allegations of misuse of some P10 billion public funds.

Aquino directed the De-partment of Justice , together with all the agencies of the executive government under the Inter-Agency Anti-Graft Coordinating Council, or IAAGCC, to exact account-ability to those who abused the system.

He also spelled out spe-cific safeguards in budgetary releases to prevent corrup-tion.

He directed Budget Sec-retary Florencio Abad to con-sult with Senate President Franklin Drilon and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. regarding the removal of the PDAF and the crafting of a new system. -PIA News Desk

BIKOL REPORTER4 AUGUST 18 - 24, 2013ETCETERA

INNER CHESSBY J. HENRY DANICAN

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Tours and Travel – In Focus

DR. MARILISSA J. AMPUANPresident, Bicol Association of Tourism

and Hospitality Educators (BATHE)

Recent developments relative to the Metro Naga Development Council composed of 16 local government units with Naga City as its agship unit is now gaining ground in tourism emphasizing the on-going NAGA X brand of choice destinations. The experiences that are being offered to tourists foreign or domestic are diverse, satisfying and economy-wise. Varied adventures with nature, islands hopping, beaches caves and river cruises including journey to century old churches with exploration of various places known for its heritage and culture awaits well meaning tourists. Naga City and its adjacent municipalities are rich in natural resources with incomparable tourists destinations which are even better than other popular sites in the country. Many tourists who come to Bicol most particularly Metro Naga keep on coming back after experiencing fun-lled activities which can only be found in this part of our country. Summing it up Metro-Naga is indeed colorful, vibrant and innovative. A case in point is its biggest Marian festivity being celebrated every 3rd week of the month of September. It can be said that the colors of Bicolano life-spicy, diverse and expressive are in itself the very reason why tourists have learned to love Metro Naga and its environs. In the city alone its nightlife throbs with music and good clean fun making it as one of the most progressive city in the country today. Its breath taking nearness to nature ensures an environment that is devoid of noise and pollution. Naga X brand of tourist sites and destinations are in itself accessible, strategically located with varied options for going out on excursions within and beyond its areas of coverage.

Among its target tourist clientele are tourists both domestic and foreign, OFW’s and balikbayans. Included are group of friends, families and relatives looking for fun-lled adventures and a meaningful time to spend their vacations experiencing wholesome nature as its best and a diverse culture which can only be found in this southern part of the island of Luzon. With

the Marian devotees flocking to Naga City come September other professional, civic and religious organizations are most welcome in the City of Naga where they can hold their meetings and conventions in a place that is peaceful and secure. With it goes popular recreation sites plus comfortable accommodations as part of the amenities in coming to Metro-Naga. Surely, the lure of endless possibilities are in itself an assurance for visitors to experience boundless adventures awaiting intrepid travelers and tourists.

The highlands of Metro-Naga are in itself a breathtaking panorama, with its ora and fauna at its best. What is more relaxing is the fact that waterfalls and cool streams abound in this part of Metro-Naga. With Mt. Isarog being the highest forested peak in South Luzon tourists will nd this dormant volcano as a haven for mountain climbers because of its challenging moss and cloud covered trails. What’s more important is the fact that many visitors will be happy and delighted by the wonderful adventures which are in store for them like zip lining, wall climbing, rappelling, wave pool, helmet diving, horseback riding, biking, ATV rides, driving range and a golf course. All of these sports and fun lled activities would not be enough not

unless visitors would dip and swim in the therapeutic geothermal hot springs of Mt. isarog Among the sites and destinations which are must see places are the following, to wit:

1. Haciendas de Naga- This tourists site offers a wide array of activities with a 2, 000 square meters wave pool overlooking the city. Here you can enjoy shing, horseback riding with a driving range and golf course. You can also experience pili nut picking.

2. Consocep Mountain Resort- This is located at the eastern portion of Mt. Isarog Travelers to this mountain, retreat can experience rst hand local custom like eating the age old betel nut which in local dialect is known as “nganga”. Here you will be treated to a deer farm and swim into the cool waters of Mt. Isarog waterfalls.

3. Malabsay Falls-This tourists site is a 40 feet high of cascading pristine cool waters from the slopes of Mt. Isarog which is barely 10 minutes ride by car from Panicuason Hot Springs. It is a refreshing delight for visitors after a half hour trek through rain forest with a breathtaking view of Naga City and the greenery surrounding it.

4. Panicuason Hot Springs Resort-This resort offers a number of natural pools with temperatures ranging from a refreshing 20 to a relaxing 39 degrees Celsius. This prime tourists spot in Metro Naga is tucked away at the bottom of one of Mt. Isarog river ravines in Naga City East Highland Tourism zone. Other fun-lled activities awaiting visitors in this tourism zone are as follows, to wit:1. Water Falls Hopping – Metro Naga

in its majestic setting Is blessed with more than 40 known waterfalls. In Metro Naga X Brand of tourists zones, the 40 meters high Nalalata Falls is found in Bula, Camarines Sur, the Engkanto Falls is in Libmanan, Camarines Sur including the giant waterfalls in Pili, Camarines Sur.2. Hiking-Tourists who are hike

Role of Schools inDisaster Risk Reduction

By MARITES P. VALENCIASchool Head, Visita de Salog High School

Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is one of the main issues included for discussion in the enhanced curriculum of the K-12 education program. This aims to raise awareness and provide a better understanding of disaster management for children, teachers and communities.

The Philippines is prone to hazard due to typhoons, volcanic activity, oods and earthquakes. The start of the rainy season signals the need to be prepared for possible disaster especially the typhoons that hit the country not just once but around 19 tropical cyclones or storms enter the Philippine area of Responsibility in a typical year and these, usually 6 to 9 make landfall in one year.This impacts the education sector: school buildings are damaged,

regular teaching is disrupted for long periods, teachers and students are killed and injured and students drop out. School activities are disrupted during disasters because schools are used as emergency or evacuation centers.

Generally, children are the most vulnerable group during disasters, but teaching DRR in schools helps to raise awareness and understanding of not only chidren and teachers but of their families and communities as well.Losses from disasters can be reduced by children knowing about

disaster risk. Another is investing more in strengthening school-building structures before disasters take place would help reduce long term costs, protect children and ensure education continuity after disaster.There are 242 secondary schools in Camarines Sur while there

are 7,683 secondary schools in the Philippines but there is an absence of the documents on how many schools are naturally at risk based on location.

The available data is on damages and losses from earthquakes and volcanic eruptions from 2000 to 2006 to school buildings as a result of these disasters was 1,279 million USS.

To provide the risk disaster, educating children is the best approach in minimizing risk, Studying keenly and actively the safety of their own schools with the help of the reacher and community members can be possibly reduced and protect them. They can also tap the stakeholders to come up with festivities that well help in preparing them during disaster.

Next is, raising consciousness inside the school. Conducting earthquake and re drills with the teachers and students, conducting disaster quake contest, school contest on disaster reduction knowledge; information dissemination disaster safety, and turning school students into promoters and initiators of risk reduction.

Prevention is better than cure. To reduce the risk, develop disaster education materials; using alternative or innovative ways to educate children, youth, teachers, and parents about disaster risk reduction issues; involve the chidren in varied activites so they know what to do in times of disaster.

There is need to ensure that the buildings are safe. School buidings must be built strongly to minimize vulnerabilty. A standard earthquake-resistant schools in high risk areas to low risk area is a must to save the lives of the children.Public awareness and education for disaster risks reduction

turn human knowledge into action. People are mobilized if they know what specic moves can be done to reduce the risks; they are convinced that these actions will be effective and they believe in their own ability to carry out the tasks.This is where the role of the school comes in. Inform and involve

the public!

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BRTTH opens rst digitalradiography facilityBy SALLY A. ATENTO

LEGAZPI CITY, - The Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH) here is now con-ducting “lm-less radiol-ogy procedure” with the inauguration Thursday last week of the digital radiol-ogy department. Instead of traditional pho-

tographic lm, this procedure uses digital x-ray sensors to generate digital images that can be transmitted for easier and faster results. It is currently used for X-

ray and CT scan and will be applied soon to ultrasound and mammogram. The facil-ity can load 100 images of X-ray and 10 images of CT scan in a day and can generate re-sults within 30 minutes with the internet reading support of radiologists from Manila or even abroad. We lack radiologist in the

region who can read and in-terpret test results but with the new digital radiography facil-ity, we can cater to the needs of Bicolanos for state of the art health facilities that can

provide faster and cheaper services,” BRTTH medical professional chief Dr. Salva-cion Macenas said. “Operators of traditional

procedures also know how to read results but legally they are not authorized to do it. We only have a few radiologists in the region leading to de-lays in results. Since we can now generate digital images we can transmit it to doctors and hospitals outside the re-gion accredited to read and give results within 24 hours,” Macenas explained.

Traditional procedures typically take ve days read-ing time. Aside from time efciency,

Macenas said digital proce-dures are more environment and health friendly since it doesn’t involve chemical pro-cessing and radiation expo-sure to generate images. Processing techniques can

also be used to enhance the overall display and clarity of the image. The facility is under the

public private partnership program of the government between the BRTTH and the

bikol reporter 5august 25-31, 2013

GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT JMtS/MMEC&CAMSuRPGAD

the women leaders of the towns of Pasacao, Libmanan, Lupi, and Del Gallego participated in gender sensitivity trainings (GSt) as well as women economic empowerment (WEE) in compliance with RA 9710 with hopes of strengthening and empowering this sector to be viable instruments and conveyors of change and development in their local communities. CamSur Gov. Migz villafuerte fully supports this national initiative as this will help push forward his own advocacies of creating economic opportunities for capable constituents molding them as advocates of social and economic progress and development in the province.

GUBAT, Sorsogon -- The municipal government here and the Philippine Center for Civic Education and Democracy (PCCED) launched the bottom up budgeting (BUB) system project for the local gov-ernment here to encourage civic society participate in planning programs and projects and in the budget-ing process.

PCCED executive direc-tor Reynald Trillana said BUB, also known as “par-ticipatory budgeting” is one of the two components of PCCED’s program in Gubat town that aims to make the municipal budgeting process more inclusive and partici-patory by allowing ordinary citizens to deliberate and propose spending ideas to the local government unit (LGU) so that the budget reflects the real need of the community

PCCED is pursuing the “Promoting Democratic Val-ues in the Barangays of Gu-bat” program in Gubat.

“While there are other

models of participatory bud-geting, what we are doing here in Sorsogon is a pro-gram that is as close as pos-sible to direct democracy. Here the people themselves decide how to spend their money,” he said.

He added that the program also hopes to educate people on the intricacies of public budgeting and make them meaningful participants in governance.

Gubat Mayor Roderick “Nonong” Co meanwhile said that the local govern-ment has aspired to become a model and center of par-ticipatory leadership or gov-ernnance in the country.

“We aim to inspire the people to work together for the community, especially those who, in one way or an-other, faced obstacles to par-ticipation and disillusioned by politics,” he said.

Participatory budgeting is a program developed in Porto Alegre, Spain that has been adopted by many lo-cal governments all over the

President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared September 2, which falls on a Monday, as a special (non-working) day in the province of Albay to mark the 148th birth anniversary of the late General Simeon A. Ola, the last revolutionary general to surrender at the end of the Philippine-American War.

The Chief Executive is-sued the declaration through Proclamation No. 635 signed by Executive Secretary Paqui-to N. Ochoa Jr. on August 22, to give the people of Albay the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.

Born on September 2, 1865 to ordinary citizens Vi-cente Ola and Apolonia Ar-boleda, Ola was a hero of the Philippine Revolution and the last general to surrender to American forces during the Philippine-American War.

In 1896, he stopped his studies in Naga City and joined the local branch of the Katipunan in his hometown,

the province of Albay. Ola was promoted to the

rank of captain after the battle of Camalig in Albay in 1898 and again promoted to the rank of major after a daring ambush mission that led to the capture of three Americans.

He was also the leader of the subsequent valiant attacks on Albay towns namely, Oas, Ligao and Jovellar. He later surrendered to Americans on the condition that his men would be granted amnesty.

Ola was put on trial and was proven guilty of sedition

and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. In 1904, he was given a pardon and returned to his place of birth.

In 1910, he entered poli-tics and won a town mayor of Guinobatan, which he served until 1913. He was again elected as mayor in 1916 and served the term until 1919.

The regional police com-mand in Legazpi City was named after him.

Ola died on February 14, 1952 and was interred at the Roman Catholic Cemetery of Guinobatan. -PND

An aggregate 95 coun-tryside womenfolk coming from the towns of Pasacao, Libmanan, Lupi, and Del Gallego, Camarines Sur availed a series of trainings on gender sensitivity (GST) and Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) for Women in Micro Enter-prise (WME) last August 8, 12, 13 & 14, 2013 con-ducted by the Provincial Gender and Development

Bringing quality edu-cation to the fore requires an updated knowledge and application of the highest standards required by the higher institutions of learn-ing. This has always been the premise of every en-deavor that the University of Northeastern Philippines (UNEP) is doing as part of their academic blueprint.

Recently, UNEP President Atty. Remelisa Alfelor-Mo-raleda attended the IRCA-ap-proved ISO 9001: 2008 Lead Auditor Course in Manila. The 4-day activity spear-headed by AJA Registrars Limited, a global network of offices for Certification for Quality and Environment aims to partake to the par-ticipants the knowledge and understanding of the applica-tion and implementation of the ISO 9001: 2008 Standard requirements.

Moreleda’s participation to the said confab is also anchored on UNEP’s vision towards the realization of at-taining world-class education,

attuned in the development of global and competitive UN-EPians. The inputs will also help the university attain its stature as a highly-regarded academic institution, at par with other universities in the region.

“The confab has given me an insight and understanding on the application and imple-mentation of Quality Manage-ment Principles which I think will be very significant if we really intend to put UNEP on the rosters of ISO accred-ited and certified universities. Cross-checking and verifica-tion of details was also given emphasis during the discus-sions,” Moraleda said in an interview.

In a re-echo activity, Mo-raleda shared the valuable in-sights she has learned in the seminar to all the Deans of Colleges, Department Heads, Principals and top manage-ment officials of UNEP.

The young prexy empha-sized that there should be a continuous improvement in all aspects of learning as

UNEP aspires to get the en-titlement as an ISO-certified university. She have also shared how to effectively au-dit the Quality Management System (QMS) standard, us-ing the process approach and the pointers on the proper, practical and cost effective approaches with the adoption of the QMS Standard in their institution for constant learn-ing and upgrading.

UNEP has its Maritime Department as a certified ISO 9001:2008 passer. This means that the program’s de-sign and provision of Mari-time Educational Courses is in accordance with the Qual-ity System Standards of the Philippines’ Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and has achieved the excel-lence set by the Technical Education and Skills Devel-opment Authority (TESDA).

UNEP will continuously innovate as it aspires to be one of the leading academic institutions in the country and make UNEP truly the Home of Global Achievers.

council (PGad) of the province of Camarines Sur with the end view of mold-ing and organizing these women to become empow-ered advocates of the many causes and concerns cur-rently faced by modern women especially on issues affecting their growth and development in their own communities.

Governor Migz Villa-fuerte approved the conduct

of said trainings in support of RA 9710 otherwise known as the Magna Carta of Women of 2009 as well as in compli-ance with the Joint Memo-randum Circular 2001-01 dated December 19, 2001 setting “guidelines for in-tegrating gender and devel-opment (GAD) in the local planning and budgeting sys-tem through the formulation of GAD plans.”

By ANA-LIzA S. MACAtANGAy PILI, Camarines Sur ---

Gawad Kalinga (GK) ben-eficiaries from all over the region trooped Saturday at the Camarines Sur Conven-tion Center, Cadlan, town of Pili, to share their re-spective community’s best practices and to showcase the convergence of coop-eration, camaraderie and solidarity as a powerful tool to alleviate poverty in the 1st ever Bikol GK Kapitba-hayan Congress, held here.

Around 1,500 participants representing the GK Area Coordination Team and Man-agement teams from South Luzon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorso-gon, and Masbate converged to share their stories of hope and stir the spirit of harmony and sharing. They partake of the chance to listen to inspirational and empower-ment talks from GK national speakers.

GK Site Mayors and rep-resentatives also showed their support by personally gracing the said occasion.

One of the event’s high-lights is the awarding of cash prizes to best GK communi-ties who shared their best experiences and learning leading to an improved life and harmonious co-existence with their neighbors through their presentation or perfor-mance dubbed as GK Village People Competition.

Garnering the judges’ nod for the 1st place is GK Bala-tas in Camarines Sur, GK Bi-birao in Camarines Norte as

2nd placer and GK Aroroy in the province of Masbate on the 3rd slot. They will receive a cash prize of P50,000.00, P30,000.00 and P20,000.00 respectively.

Bai Linda Eman, GK Area Coordinator for South Lu-zon said that the cash prizes

will not be taken home im-mediately as the winners still have to comply with their set requirements. Eman said that the winners cannot take home the cash prize until they have an approved project proposal from GK.

The said GK communi-ties have to submit a liveli-

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bikol reporter6 august 25-31, 2013

EXtRAJuDICIAL SEttLEMENt OF EStAtE WItH WAIvER Notice is hereby given that the named parties are the surviving heirs being the wife and children of the late DEOGRACIAS D. BASCuÑA, who died intestate on August 3, 1994 at Pili, Camarines Sur, left an estate consisting of one-half (1/2) share on a parcel of land together with improvements thereon, located at Villa Corazon Subd., Del Rosario, Naga City, the parties all of legal age hereby divide, partition and adjudicate unto themselves said parcel of land; that the heirs REMY BIANCA G. BASCUNA and ALTON G. BASCUNA, hereby waive, convey and transfer by Waiver unto their mother, EMERLINA G. BASCUNA, her heirs and assigns, their share, rights and interest in the described parcel of land with improvements thereon, as acknowledged before Notary Public Attorney Jose T. Rojas, Doc. No. 121, Page No. 25, Book No. 14, Series of 2013.BIKOL REPORtERPublished: August 11, 18 and 25, 2013

AFFIDAvIt OF ADJuDICAtION WItH SALENotice is hereby given that Andres Samar is the only surviving brother of the late MARCELA SAMAR who died on June 12, 2011 without any Will or Testament and with no known debts, left a parcel of land with TCT No. 315218 situated at Capucnasan. Milaor,Camarines Sur; that pursuant to Rule 74, Sec. 1 of the Rules of Court, the party adjudicate unto himself the described real property by means of this Affidavit; that for and in consideration of the sum of FIFTEEN THOUSAND (P15,000.00) pesos, in hand paid by John Pornelosa and Jubail Pornelosa of Capucnasan, Milaor, Camarines Sur, the heir do hereby SELL, CEDE, CONVEY and TRANSFER unto John Pornelosa and Jubail Pornelosa, their heirs, assigns and successors-in-interest a portion of the property containing an area of Two Hundred Forty (240) square meters more or less; as acknowledged before Notary Public Atty. Arheen Alain B. Gomez, Doc. No. 091, Page No. 19, Book No. IV, Series of 2012.BIKOL REPORtERPublished: August 18, 25 and Sept. 1, 2013

DEED OF EXtRAJuDICIAL SEttLEMENt OF EStAtENotice is hereby given that the named parties are the legal heirs of the late Spouses MAGNO B. tOSCANO and MERCEDES M. tOSCANO who died on August 2, 2000 in Bgy. Carolina, Naga City and n February 1, 2002 in Clairemont, San Mateo, California, U.S.A., respectively, without any Will or Testament and with no known debts, left a parcel of land with TCT No. 28355 (Registry of Deeds, Naga City), situated at Bgy. Carolina, City of Naga; that pursuant to Rule 74, Sec. 1 of the Rules of Court, the named heirs adjudicate unto themselves the described real property in the manner set forth in the Deed of Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate duly signed by the parties, as acknowledged before Notary Public Atty. Mart R. Rabelas, Jr., Doc. No. 521, Page No. 125, Book No. XXV, Series of 2013.BIKOL REPORtERPublished: August 18, 25 and Sept. 1, 2013

Romeo: “ O, be some other name! What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”

In similar fashion, albeit less poetic, what’s in a name? That which we call pork by any other name would stink, such as what is stated in the budget bill of Malacañang, to wit: budgetary support, intelligence, special purpose fund and unprogrammed funds, not to mention Noynoy more than P2-billion funds in his presidential social fund, all of which hardly undergo audit, plus the fact that these are all in lump sums and projects are not identified at all.

Even more telling and smelling of presidential pork is the fact that at least P1 trillion out of the 2.3 or so trillion, the budgeted pork is all hidden in the national budget and is at the sole disposal of Noynoy as these funds can only be released with the approval of Noynoy.

As explained by Briones and opposition legislators, the National Expenditure Program shows that Noynoy has sole discretion over P1 trillion in the budget that includes budgetary support to government corporations, P45.7 billion; Allocation to local government units P19.7 billion; Calamity Fund, P7.5 billion; Contingent Fund, P1 billion; Department of Education School Building Program, P1 billion; e-Government Fund, P2.479 billion; International Commitments P4.8 billion; Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund, P80.7 billion; Pension and Gratuity Fund, P120.5 billion.

Under the unprogrammed funds, Briones said, several budgetary support funds were earmarked to agencies that also did not have details as to where the money will be spent.

And yet Noynoy and his aides claim to be honest and transparent?

The unprogrammed fund includes budgetary support to government-owned and -controlled corporations at P36.268 million; Support to Foreign Assisted Projects, P16.124 billion; General Fund Adjustments, P1 billion; Support for Infrastructure Projects and Social Programs, P56.349 billion; AFP Modernization Program, P10.349 billion; Debt Management Program, P10.894 billion; Risk Management Program, P30 billion and People’s Survival Fund at P500 million or a total of P139.904 billion.

That still does not smell and stink like presidential pork, Abigail Valte?

Strictly speaking, the pork barrel of each of the members of Congress, whether in the Senate or in the House of Representatives, is released, if it is not wihdrawn, by the Budget secretary, not to congressmen and senators, but to the local government units that in turn, give the funds to the non-government organization (NGO) that now takes charge of the project as identified by the legislators.

Strictly speaking, no pork funds go directly to the legislators. Not even the pork is at the sole disposal of the legislators, because it is Noynoy and his Budget secretary who make the decision on whether to grant or withhold the legislator’s PDAF, or pork. No release from the Executive, no pork funds.

The numerous cases of big-time graft attributed to government men and their powerful protectors are manifestation of a people transformed into despecable individuals. The transformation is slow but sure.

The Daan Matuwid campaign of the Aquino government points to the social disease as the most malignant. The presidential attention gives a clear picture of how serious is the problem. No less than the chief executive has taken a hand.

Unless something drastic is done, efforts to rid the government of crooks, will amount to nothing. Corruption is in our blood and embedded in our soul. It has been there for decades.

What we need is one who knows exorcism. Or one who has the guts. Once you start stepping on the toes of the powerful, you are a dead man walking.

In my years as a crusading journalist, I learned that fighting the windmills of corruption was a risky business. It still is.

Many journalists have been murdered. In many instances, the perpetrators and their masterminds have not been brought to justice. This has resulted in a culture of impunity.

Today, whistle blowers have gained very few supporters despite their heroic acts. Their lives are in great peril. The government offers little protection.

When you expose big-time crooks, you face terrible consequence. You do it for the country. What does the country do for you except to put you in a safehouse.

After the accused is convicted and you are no longer in a safehouse our nightmare begins. If you are not gunned down you will find yourself in jail.

All because the grafters do not want their misdeeds exposed. The bad news is that the crooks are getting numerous.-

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, who chairs the Regional De-velopment Council, over the week said Edna Rodriguez-Gaon, the social development specialist of the Public-Private

Partnership Center of the Phil-ippines, will be in Bicol area between Aug. 27 and 30 to gather data required for the feasibility assessment of the project.

The PPP Center, through its director Feriosa Francisca Concordia, is seeking help from the RDC over this mat-ter by way of allowing Gaon to have access to related infor-mation and data that the coun-cil has.

“We are very much willing to be of help,” Salceda said.

It is the PPP Center that engaged Canada’s CPCS Transcom Ltd. to provide con-sulting services for the rail-way project, which has been tagged among the “ambitious” PPP proposals of the govern-ment under the administration of Pres. Benigno Aquino III.

This is a proposed $ 2.5-billion PPP project that is meant to further develop and upgrade Luzon’s railway sys-tem, whose largest operator is the state-run Philippine Na-tional Railways, Salceda said.

As learned from the PPP Center, he said, the feasibil-ity -- study to cover the entire PNR’s north and south main-line networks of 700 kilome-ters -- is expected to be com-pleted by December, this year.

This includes the main-line north from Manila to La Union, covering a distance of 217 kilometers, as well as a branch line from Tarlac to San Jose, Nueva Ecija, and a pos-sible extension to Cagayan.

The mainline south refers to the branch line from Calamba City to Batangas City and the 483- kilometer Manila-Legaz-pi route, the center said.

The feasibility study for the proposed PNR Integrated Luzon Railway project is meant to rehabilitate and ex-pand Luzon’s train system when proven to be feasible in reviving freight operations and in providing a convenient, affordable and environment-friendly alternative transpor-tation for people and their goods, it added.

This will come even as the rehabilitation of the south rail track is currently on its finish-ing touches, making PNR con-fident that it can resume train trips between here and Manila soon.

A recent test run on the Naga-Legazpi route proved successful and PNR general-manager Junio Ragrario said in a recent statement that con-struction crews are fast track-ing the works so that south-bound trips ending here are resumed by next month.

Apart from the Legazpi-Manila operations, Ragrario said the PNR is considering the fielding of train trips be-tween Naga and this city for the benefit of the burgeoning volume of local commuters being generated by the fast-growing trade, commerce and tourism relations between these two cities of Bicol.

“We are fielding two ordi-nary three-coach trains each with a seating capacity of 240 and well-ventilated seats de-signed for comfortable trav-el,” he said.

The recent test run, he said, established that a one-way train trip between Naga and Legazpi takes one and half hour, which is more than an hour faster than an ordinary bus plying the same route through the Maharlika High-way.

Besides, according to Ra-grario, local ordinary train

trips will charge only P 82 in fare for a complete trip, which is cheaper by about P 50 than bus fares.

“We are doing all these pursuant to the government’s commitment to the total reha-bilitation of the railways and provision of safe, cheaper and convenient alternative to the riding public,” he stressed.

Rehabilitation of the PNR south facilities from Calamba, Laguna, to this city covering a distance of 483 kilometers, which was allotted an amount of P 35.15 billion, was started in 2005 and is scheduled for completion by 2011.

The project, however, suf-fered a major setback when super typhoons “Milenyo” and “Reming” successively battered Bicol in 2006, render-ing crippling damages on the railways between Naga City and here.

Plans then to restore the Legazpi trips were shelved even as the Naga City-Manila trips were maintained inter-mittently.

In 2011, the Aquino ad-ministration pushed for the re-sumption of the rehabilitation of the damaged Bicol section of the railways, which eventu-ally was completed up to Li-gao City, Albay, a year after.

Manila-Ligao trips were re-stored in early December last year with Salceda expressing optimism that rehabilitation works for the railway line down to this city will be com-pleted at once so that trains would be once more seen traversing its original route deep into the central point of Albay.

Train trips, famously called Bicol Express, have been an important component of the regional economy because of its contributions to trade, tour-ism and transportation, Sal-ceda noted.

The governor said that with the imminent restoration of train trips to Legazpi, trade activities would greatly im-prove as products from Albay and manufacturers from Cala-barzon and Manila will use the railways, thus, this will result in cheaper products, freight cost and fast travel time.

For tourism, Bicol Ex-press also offers a different and distinctive perspective of the countryside to tourists, both domestic and foreign, as

communities to be involved in setting their own goals and expectations for a given fi-nancial period while it gives them ownership of the deci-sions, motivating them to meet budgetary constraints that otherwise might seem unattainable or unrealistic if they were delivered by some-one without as much under-standing of their day-to-day operations.

Maceda furthered that

along with this increased par-ticipation, bottom-up budget-ing creates a more accurate picture of how much each department needs in order to function effectively.

“Bottom-up budgeting approach is guided by thee principles: convergence, par-ticipation, and empowerment, that is why, you would notice the DILG and DTI are work-ing here in this undertaking,” Maceda noted.

it gives unrestricted view of Mayon Volcano surrounded by the greenery of Bicol farm-lands, he said.

“With Bicol Express, pas-

sengers have all travel op-tions... rail, road or air options between Albay and Manila and the rest of Luzon,” Salce-da added. -Danny O. Calleja

bikol reporter 7august 25-31, 2013

students and teachers, heeded the call of the Archbishop and gathered at the Plaza Quezon amidst the pouring rain to at-tend the peaceful assembly.

In a fused sentiment, the Co-alition for Bicol Development, CamSur Net, COPE Founda-tion, Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC), Scrap the Pork Movement, Robredo Movement and other groups expressed their gripe by show-ing off placards calling for the abolition of PDAF.

During the prayer vigil, the CBCP Statement and the Pas-toral letter were read by heads of various organizations and later explained by Archbishop Tirona. Candles were lighted and after the final prayer and blessing of the Archbishop, “Bayan Ko” was sang by the participants. The protesters ended the activity by singing “Resuene Vibrante” hymn as Ina’s image exited the prayer site.

The “Himno a la Nues-tra Señora de Peñafrancia” or “Resuene Vibrante” as Bicola-nos call it is the official hymn of the devotees to our Lady of Nuestra Señora de Peñafran-cia.

In the morning, Bayan

archdiocese of caceres . . .Muna also led members of the militant groups in response to an FB call to gather at the Plaza Rizal and denounce the use of the port barrel. The informal gathering dubbed as “Scrap the Pork Barrel” movement was participated by people from all walks of life who signified their presence by signing on the commitment wall and counting their names on the signature campaign to totally scrap the pork barrel in the country.

Meanwhile, the Palace also reiterated that they are on the people’s side on scrapping the pork barrel after President Be-nigno Aquino III unceremo-niously abolished the PDAF, Friday.

“Despite the reforms we have implemented, we have seen, as the events of the past weeks have shown, that great-er change is necessary to fight against those who are deter-mined to abuse the system. It is time to abolish PDAF. Now, we will create a new mecha-nism to address the needs of your constituents and sectors, in a manner that is transpar-ent, methodical and rational, and not susceptible to abuse or corruption,” the President stated.

still depend on the outcome of the Sept. 14 referendum to determine whether the Aleco member-consumers will choose the private-sec-tor-partnership (PSP) option or the coop-to-coop (C2C) scheme, Boral said.

The board’s letter was sent to SMEC for its information and conformation only, she clarified.

Last Aug. 7, the Aleco bids and awards committee con-ducted bidding at the Venezia Hotel for the cooperative’s management and operation but only the SMEC joined it.

The Manila Electric Co., Aboitiz Power and Renew-able Energy Corp. and Lopez group of companies, which had earlier signified inten-tion to join, backed out of the bidding as they did not agree with the terms of reference.

SMEC agreed to shoul-der the P4-billion total debts of Aleco to several entities that include the Philippine Electricity Market Corp., P 1.4 billion; Power Sector As-sets and Liabilities Manage-

aleco . . .

ment Corp., P 2.0 billion; Transmission Corp. of the Philippines, P 104.6 million; National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, P 55.8 million; and National Electrification Administration, P 200.6 mil-lion.

The privatization scheme for the power coop here was strongly opposed by a multi-sectoral alliance and leftist groups as they are pushing for a C2C management but the Aleco interim board is supporting the PSP option.

The PSP scheme is also supported by Albay Gov-ernor Joey Salceda, Albay representatives Grecon Lag-man (1st District), Al Fran-cis Bichara (2nd District), Fernando Gonzalez (3rd Dis-trict) and Ako Bicol paty-list congressmen Rodel Batocabe and Christopher Co.

Whichever option wins in the Sept. 14 referendum will be adopted by the Aleco.

Lawyer Veronica Briones, Aleco project supervisor, said the selection process will be administered by PhilRica and One Care.

No background was given on the two entities. -PNA

The trainings intend to “promote (of) gender sen-sitivity and responsiveness in the four (4) municipali-ties” wherein the GAD Fo-cal Group of the provincial government tapped the full support and participation of active women’s organiza-tions such as the Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI) in coordination with the local government units (LGUs) in

the identified communities. With funding support

from the Philippine Com-mission on Women (PCW) and Great Women Project (GWP) matched with coun-terpart resources provided by the provincial govern-ment, it is hoped that at the end of a day’s training, the participants have been able to “understand the meanings and differences between sex and gender, and the concepts of gender and development; identify the manifestations of gender biases in their family, work, and community envi-ronment and be able to identi-fy their roots; and appreciate the successes and the roots of successes that women have attained in efforts to gain ac-cess to resource, to manage and control such resources, individually or collectively.”

Thus, it is expected that the full understanding of the various concepts concerning gender and development will lay the foundation for wom-en economic empowerment (WEE) with the end goal of making the women a viable and productive sector in de-veloping and evolving com-munities. -JMTS

gender sensitivity . . .

67TH ANNIVERSARY SCOUTS JAMBORETTE GBC/ARCILLA/MMEC

the spirit of the centuries-old worldwide scouting movement is very much alive and going strong in the province of CamSur as shown by the hundreds of Boy Scouts from all over the province who converge during the jamborette held to mark the 67th Anniversary of the BSP CamSur Council last thursday, July 15 at Camp Rodriguez-Santos in barangays Cadlan and Palestina of Pili capital town where Governor Migz villafuerte, the youngest elected governor of the country and just a tad older than most of the attending scouts, was guest of honor, represented during the activity by former National youth Commission director Apolonio “Pol” B. Maleniza II (inset).

hood or productivity project that is suited to the economic viability of their respective communities. This should also significantly include the community members as re-cipients and beneficiaries of whatever project they intend to push for implementation.

The program’s objective is also in consonance with GK’s mission to restore the honor and dignity of the people, particularly of the poor by providing them with a safe and decent haven, in a com-munity nurtured by the cul-ture of sharing and giving. It endeavors to build communi-ties and end poverty of the

camsur hosts ist bicol . . .5million families by 2024, give land to the landless, pro-vide home for the homeless and food for the hungry.

GK officially known as Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation is a Philippine-based poverty al-leviation and nation-building movement that envisions to empower people with faith and patriotism and pictures a nation of caring and sharing communities. It was founded by Antonio Meloto or “Tito Tony” who believes that be-ing heroes to one another through bayanihan will help us realize a slum-free, word class Philippines.

world including New York, Chicago, New Zealand, Sen-egal, and South Korea.

The program is support-ed by the Spanish Agency for International Develop-ment Cooperation (AECID) through Asociacion Zabalke-ta, a Spain based NGO.

Over the past years, AE-CID has been supporting projects that would strength-en democracy and its institu-tions in the Philippines.

On the same event, Globe Telecom Inc. distributed communication equipment and insurance to the baran-gays as part of its program to strengthen local govern-ment’s “Sagot Ka ni Kap!”.

“Sagot Ka Ni Kap!” is part of Globe BridgeCom’s nationwide initiative to help communities prevent crime in their areas by providing communication and relevant law enforcement equipment including mobile phones and

gubat, pcced launch . . .SIMs, hand-held radios, uni-form shirts, tear gas, boots, flashlights, raincoats, and handcuffs to the local com-munity police auxiliary units or barangay tanods.

PCCED and Globe Bridg-ing Communities have part-nered for Barangay Rule of Law Program and Project Citizen.

The Barangay Rule of Law Program of PCCED is anchored on the belief that the barangay, the basic political component in the country, should function as a “school for citizenship” in-corporating democratic val-ues, skills, habits and dispo-sitions as they perform their task as peacekeepers of the community.

Project Citizen teaches young people how democ-racy actually works by train-ing high school students in seeking public policy inter-ventions to solve community

problems. It is an interna-tional program for increas-ing the democratic participa-tion, political efficacy, and civic engagement levels of students at the middle and high school levels. -PIA5

bikol reporter8 august 25-31, 2013

24K PAWNSHOPGeneral Luna St., Naga City

AUCTION SALE on JuNE 14, 2013 of all unredeemed articles pledged from NOvEMBER-DECEMBER 2012 at 8:30 a.m.BIKOL REPORtERPublished: JuNE 2, 2013

R. GUINHAWA PAWNSHOPGeneral Luna St., Naga City

AUCTION SALE on JuNE 28, 2013 of all unredeemed articles pledged from NOvEMBER - DECEMBER 2012 at 8:30 a.m.BIKOL REPORtERPublished: JuNE 2, 2013BIKOL REPORTER

REgIOnaL ExPOnEnT fOR PROgREss

outstanding local newspaperfor five consecutive years by the st. peter

baptist catholic mass media awards

8 august 25-31, 2013

DENR launches cadastralsurvey project in Cat’duanesBy EDNA A. BAGADIONG

VIRAC, Catanduanes --Department of Envi-ronment and Natural Resources (DENR) here launched the first Ca-dastral Survey Project in the province last Au-gust 14, in Baras town as one of the agency’s banner program under the the National Green-ing Program.

Regional technical direc-tor for Land Management Services Pedro Noble said the survey will serve as the mu-nicipality’s basis in the settle-ment of land disputes, titling of private lots, and finalization of political boundaries.

According to Noble, the municipal government can expect his full support as it will benefit not only the pri-vate lot owners but as well as the entire municipality of

Baras.Meanwhile, PENRO Ed

Joaquin Guerrero said that he is confident that the project will be successful with the support of the town’s officials and as well as their office.

The Cadastral Survey Project in the country started in 1913, with the enactment of Commonwealth Act No. 2259, otherwise known as the Cadastral Act. But through the years, the project has not

been given enough resources for its implementation.

In 1992, with the passage of Republic Act No. 7160, also known as the Local Government Code of 1991, the functions to conduct ca-dastral survey, lot survey, and isolated and special surveys were among the functions of the DENR that were devolved to the local government units (LGUs).

Ten years later, in 2012,

it was found out that not a single municipality had completed its cadastral survey due to lack of man-power and financial re-sources.

This prompted the DENR, through DENR Administrative Order No. 2001-23, to get back from the LGUs the devolved functions to execute, su-pervise and manage land surveys.

P-Noy declares Sept. 2 special holiday in Albay

(See story on page 5)