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DENR pushes bamboo gene bank, plantation

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Office seals an accord with Third District of Albay Representative Fernando V. Gonzalez, Sulpicio Bernardo III of Filmenera Resources Corporation, and Ligao City Mayor Patricia G. Alsua that will establish a bamboo gene bank at Kawakawa Hill, and 15-ha bamboo plantation in eight barangays in Ligao City.

Daet cites investments for the childrens future

By ROSALITA B. MANLANGIT DAET, Camarines Norte The local government unit of Daet has since been investing on development projects that will build the foundation for the future of children and towards the realization of aspirations and dreams of the future generations. This was how as Mayor Tito Sarion depicted the plans and programs of the local government during his 7th State of the Children Report in time for the culmination of the Childrens Month celebration held recently at the Heritage Cen- SARION education, violence, abuse ter here. Sarion said that poverty and labor. With the theme Kahievident among families in communities in different rapan Wakasan, Karapatan parts of the country that ng Bata Ipaglaban, this made Filipino children more years celebration highsusceptible to life predica- lighted that poverty reducments regarding their health, (Turn to page 6)

SSS Bicol branches open on Saturdays

LEGAZPI CITY All branches of the Social Security System (SSS) in the Bicol region and the entire country are now open on Saturdays since October 26 this year to serve its members as part of the agencys thrust to make its services more accessible. SSS officer-in-charge Edgar Solilapsi said the approved extended branch schedule of the SSS aims to accommodate members who cannot transact at SSS branch offices during regular business hours on weekdays. Under the new schedule, SSS branches will be open to serve members from 8am to 5pm every Saturday, on top of their regular business hours on Mondays to Fridays. We encourage members, as well as regular and household employers, to take advantage of this special SSS branch schedule, Solilapsi said. SSS service offices
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DENR-LIGAO CITY MOA SIGNING

DENR photo

Ligao City Mayor Patricia G. Alsua, Cong. Fernando V. Gonzalez, DENR Regional Executive Director Gilbert C. Gonzales and Filmenera Resources Corporation Representative Sulpicio Bernardo III signed the Memorandum of Agreement establishing a nursery for various types of bamboo in Kawakawa Hill. Above photo is the aerial view of the site.

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By ANALIZA S. MACATANGAY

NIA holds climate change forum for farmers

and typhoons which the agriculture sector always suffered the brunt of coping up with the losses. "Pag-andam" is a Bicol term for "preparation" which aptly describes the goal of the forum to urged farmers, along with concerned authorities and agencies, and other stakeholders to do st all times. NIA public information officer Ed Yu said areas identified prone to flooding include the towns of Sipocot, Buhi, Bato, Ombao, Camaligan and Balongay, all in Camarines Sur. The towns of Nabua, Bula, Pili, Bombon, Calabanga, Canaman, Gainza, Magarao, Mi(Turn to page 6)

NAGA CITY - The geographical location of several municipalities of Camarines Sur along the Bicol River Basin has brought them under the threat of extreme ooding and has since affected farmers in these areas. This has prompted the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) regional office here to hold a Forum on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction dubbed Pag-andam over the weekend to address the frequent occurrence of weather phenomena such as drought, flashfloods

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BIKOL REPORTER

OPINION

NOVEMBER 3-9, 2013

Fighting graft and corruption is not a sole duty of the government but also requires an active participation of the people, a Palace official said on Thursday. Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Sonny Coloma Jr. said in a press briefing on Thursday that battling corruptions needs public vigilance and participation to be effective in the long term. Kailangan kasi dito ang malawakang kaalaman, kamulatan, at partisipasyon ng pinakamaraming mamamayang Pilipino. Bagamat ang pamahalaan po natin ang nangunguna, kailangan pong sumunod at makiisa ang mga mamamayan, Coloma said on the efforts to fight corruption in government. Kailangan pong manatiling mapagmasid at nakatutok ang ating mga mamamayan. Kailangan po nilang magparamdam at magparating sa kanilang mga hinalal na opisyal na hindi po sila papayag na magkaroon ng anomalya; hindi sila papayag na lustayin nang walang habas ang mga pondo ng bayan, he added. Hard-earned taxpayers money should go into programs that benefit the people, especially the poor, he said. The Aquino administration is also relentless in fighting graft and corruption and will not waver to prevent the resurgence of the old systemic problem on graft and abuse of public money. Kaya kailangan po dito iyong malakas na determinasyon and strong political will, at makatitiyak tayo na iyan ang isinasagawa ng ating Pangulo, he said. The Palace official likewise appealed to the people to actively participate in eradicating graft and corruption in government by using whatever resources they have. President Aquino, Coloma said, wants people to join the crusade against the menace. The public could participate in fighting corruption by making their voices heard using different media such as televisions, radio, newspapers and the internet. Coloma said the executive branch joins the people in its quest for truth and justice with regards to PDAF misuse. The Senate currently is investigating a reported P10-billion pork barrel scam that allegedly involved lawmakers and other government agencies.

(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). ASEAN GDP: Thailand and the Philippines are the star economic performers in Southeast Asia which registered a combined gross domestic product of 5.7% during the first semester of 2013. The so-called ASEAN 5 consisting of the original member-countries, grew by 5.1% from January to June faster than last years 4.9%. ASEAN founders are Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. The brisk ASEAN eco-growth is spurred by the services sector in the light of the regions shying away from agriculture which has decreased its impact on the regional GDP. In the Philippines, the services sector accounted for 57% of the economy second only to Singapores 62%. The per capita income of the Southeast Asians averaged $3,751 in 2012 from $3,591 in 2011. GDP per capita for the Philippines was recorded at $4,339 lowest in the ASEAN-5s $7,010. OUR OFWS: Our Filipino modernday heroes are again being tested to the hilt: in Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong. Those being expelled from Saudi (some were reportedly treated like animals) are mostly undocumented (without formal entry documents or with expired visas or permits). Many of them were hesitant to go home, ashamed to admit that their travel abroad was a costly mistake. They bit the bullet and lost in the process!

The Hong Kong situation is a different story with a lot of politics involved. Just like in the Phl there are politicians in HK who are using the 3-year old Luneta (Manila) accident to bolster their campaign. They propose to ban hiring of Filipino maids and to require Pinoys travelling to Hong Kong to secure visas. We should call the HK bluff, by opening up OFW employment areas elsewhere and asking Pinoys to instead travel (visa-free) to our ASEAN neighbors! DOCTORS: A good friend of ours only 59 years old, got sick of dengue fever. His family brought him to the nearest hospital where his ailment was diagnosed. Despite the findings he was allowed to go home time and again (which his family agreed to due to economic reasons). During his final period of confinement he was already massively excreting blood. The medical attendant gave him five kinds of drugs in addition to the liquid dextrose he was connected to. His wife asked the medical attendant why five at the same time? The reply

was in order to prevent the bleeding adding that it was the hospital doctors advice. During that time of crisis no doctor (or intern) examined the gasping patient. Only a nurse looked at the records, assuring the patients wife that she will consult the doctor. After five hours (still no doctor), the patient went into coma and thereafter passed away. Choose your physicians well and more so your hospital! TAX REMINDERS: The year is about to end so taxpayers must now review their report submissions to check if their compliances are already above board. They must remember that all submitted reports (current and previous periods) may be amended for updating provided the tax returns are not yet covered by LNs or LAs. The last quarter is a good time within which to pre-assess whether what have been reported so far are defensible. Forthcoming deadlines include: quarterly income tax returns for the 3rd quarter (ending September 30) that is, November 15 for individuals and November 29 for corporations. Monthly percentage returns are due every 20th of the month following but the quarterly VAT Returns (which can amend monthly VAT Declarations of previous two months) are due on November 25. Reports and remittances on withholdings must be complied with to qualify the amounts as deductions. PROVERBS: A wise mans heart guides his mouth; and his soft lips promote instructions.

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Former Ambassador Roberto Tiglao wrote the following excerpt in the Biz News Asia dated Oct. 21 Nov. 4, 2013: How did President Aquino use the money he had hijacked from the regular budget and corralled into a fund for what he called the Disbursement Acceleration Plan (DAP)? Other than the P13 billion de facto pork barrel given to members of Congress as reward for taking out Chief Justice Renato Corona, another major use of the DAP Fund would be controversial, even shocking: P10 billion of the DAP kitty that totaled P142 billion from 2011 to 2012 was allocated to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), to the Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army (CPLA), to one faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and for a Reintegration Program of New Peoples Army guerillas. This is according to Malacaang itself. An October 12, 2011 press release of the Budget and Management Department posted in the Office of the Presidents website (www.gov.ph) entitled Aquino government pursues P72.1 billion disbursement acceleration plan lists nine uses of the fund, the seventh of which is as follows: The government will implement a Comprehensive Peace and Development Intervention package, worth P8.59 billion to be disbursed

to the ARMM. .An additional P1.82 billion will be provided for peace and development activities with the Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army and the Moro National Liberation Front and support for the Reintegration Program of former rebels of the New Peoples Army,among others. Did some of those funds end up in the war chest of the MILF, CPLA, MNLF faction and the NPA? I believe there is also a reason why the administration is using the Disbursement Acceleration Plan (DAP) in giving funds to the different rebel groups. It only needs to be explained to the public. ****** I watched Pres. Noynoy Aquino deliver his 12 minutes speech on TV last week where he said, I am not a thief. Nobody said he is a thief, so

why did he need to say it? Now the question being asked by the people is: What about the people that surround him. Are they clean? This may be the reason why the Presidential satisfaction rating has gone down. ****** Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas is reportedly asking his parishioners not to dress their children in outfits that depict demons, witches, vampires, zombies and creatures from local folklore like the tikbalang, aswang and kapre on All Souls Day. He said, Halloween costumes are not Christians. The Christian way of honoring the dead is through remembering the lives of saints. Fr. Alvin Platon, St. John Cathedral parish priest is organizing March of Saints last Oct. 30 to remind the faithful of the supposed real meaning of All Saints Day (Nov. 1) and All Souls Day (Nov 2). Monsters are not our friends so why should we dress like them? Platon said, we should wear outfits that depict saints who are examples of Holiness. All Saints Day is not All Monsters Day. I agree to what Archbishop Villegas and Fr. Platon said and I hope the Catholic church will have the same stand and united action on this matter in all the parishes in the country.

SSS BICOL BRANCHES . . .

are also open on weekends in various malls nationwide. Apart from SSS branches, members who plan to transact during the weekend can also visit SSS service offices in various malls nationwide, which are open from Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 am 6pm, Solilapsi added. The extended work schedule will also benefit Cebu and Bohol-based members affected by the recent earthquake covered by the SSS Calamity Relief Package. The package includes the Salary Loan Early Renewal Program (SLERP) for members with existing salary loans; the waived one percent service fee for new salary loan borrowers; advance release of three-month pensions; and the fixed six percent annual interest rate and waived ap-

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plication fee under the special House Repair and Improvement Loan Program. Solilapsi said a similar calamity relief package is also on-going for members and pensioners affected by Typhoon Santi, which left the town of San Miguel, Bulacan in a state of calamity as declared by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council or NDRRMC.

To further improve service delivery and enhance its accessibility to members and employers, especially with the continuing growth in membership, the agency also plans to create additional ten branches and increase the number of branch personnel. Currently, it has 132 branch offices nationwide serving over 30 million members and about 871,000 registered employers.

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BIKOL REPORTER

LEGAZPI CITY - The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 5 has launched a new brand name for National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) to build a strong trademark and recall for the countrys targeting system. DSWD Regional Director Arnel B. Garcia said Thursday that the DSWD has adopted Listahanan, a combination of two words, namely; listahan(list) and tahanan (house/home) which accurately describes what the tool is all about. The tagline Talaan ng Pamilyang Nangangailangan in the logo defines the project as an initiative to establish a list of poor families in need of assistance from social protection programs. The red check mark in the logo symbolizes accuracy and correctness which describes the data that the project generates through the household assessment, Garcia explained. Although the project has changed its name, Listahanan

Vie for national level honors

By Jane MarIe TrIa SantelIces The Bonggao Family of Barangay San Jose, Pili, Camarines Sur stands as a beacon of hope and a true model family of Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW). Headed by Mr. Rod and Mrs. Fely (Pajarillo) Bonggao, this couple steered their three grown children through the ups and downs of long distance parenthood to become successful adults themselves with their own families as well. Adjudged last October 9, by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and awarded at the Mr. Crab Restaurant in Legazpi City as the Regional Winner for the Search for Model OFW Family of the Year (MOFYA), this distinction earned them a berth to represent Bicol in the national search which will be named on November 27, in Metro Manila. This recent accolade is just another shining testament to this familys journey towards success in life yet even as the destination is already at hand, the road leading to it was not an easy trip. Their family life story started with both Rod and Fely dreaming of a much better life for their three growing children: daughter Hazel and sons Ronald Allan and Rodrigo Jr. Although both employed in government she at the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and he at the Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA), they were just making ends meet and were not satisfied with their fixed earnings. Thus, when an opportunity to work in Paris, France beckoned, Fely immediately jumped at the

garcIa
still aims to identify who and where the poor are, he added. Meanwhile, the agency continuously promotes the database to different stakeholders for them to have access to the list of poor households which will serve as their basis in the implementation of their propoor programs. To date, the DSWD 5 has a total of 16 memoranda of agreements with various organizations, seven local government units, two provincial governments, one congressional district, two non-government organizations and four national government agencies.(PNA)

MODEL OFW FAMILY

The Bonggao Family - (top photo, left to right) son Ronald Allan, mom Fely, dad Rod, and daughter-in-law Dr. Jeejane - of San Jose, Pili, Camarines Sur as accompanied by Ms. Sha Torallo, head of CamSur PESO (extreme left) received their regional recognition as Model OFW Family of the Year (MOFYA) from Ms. Arlene Bartolata of OWWA at Legazpi City (extreme right) last October 9, 2013. As such, they earned the honor to represent Bicol region in the national search which will be named on November 27 in Metro Manila. To CamSur Gov. Migz Villafuerte, this family serves as a source of inspiration to all his constituents as they dream of a much better life for their families too. JMTS-MMEC/with photos courtesy of CamSur PESO.

LEGAZPI CITY - The Department of Agriculture Bicol regional office is leading a multi-agency group in formulating a regional plan for agriculture in anticipation of the observed and projected disaster and climate risk impacts on the agriculture sector in Region 5. The move was the result of a Consultation and Planning Workshop for the Preparation of the Regional Action Plan for Agriculture conducted at the Villa Caceres Hotel, Naga City, on Oct. 31.

Aside from the DA, the planning group consists of other government agencies such as the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture; Bicol University; Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration; and provincial and municipal governments of Albay, Catanduanes and Sorsogon. The Office of Civil Defense Bicol region or OCD5 under director Bernardo R. Alejandro IV will provide technical support
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rare chance only to land jobless and stranded in Europe. But this misfortune did not faze this feisty lady as she fortunately met and befriended a diplomat who offered a work visa for her to work for his family. After two years, Rod followed her and they both worked there too. In retrospect, they were quite aware that their jobs were menial as they are both college graduates at the Camarines Sur State Agricultural College (CSSAC) then and now CBSUA but they did not mind as the pay was good, more than what they were

earning in their home country. They also felt that it was a life and death situation for them as they gambled on leaving their permanent work here in the Philippines and risked their familys future for work abroad. They stayed for 9 years in Paris and decided to transfer to London, England where they worked for a prominent family there as well. At this stage in their lives, their three children were all left behind with trusted relatives to continue with their studies but they made sure that they vacation

together every year to bond with their kids. On one such extended vacation, the children prodded their parents to stay with them until they finish college and handed over P278,000.00 in cash which they collectively saved out of the monthly allowances sent to them by their parents. This selfless act of sacrifice from their children melted their hearts prompting them to stave off returning to London. Instead, Fely opened a small Carinderia from the seed fund courtesy of their responsible
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By Ana-LIZa S. Macatangay NAGA CITY From the campaign period to the eve of the synchronized barangay elections, until the casting and counting of votes, the entire province of Camarines Sur remained peaceful and without notes of grave electionrelated violence. Acting provincial director PS/Supt. Ramiro Bausa of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Camarines Sur provincial office has attributed the generally-peaceful outcome of the political exercise to the collective efforts of its partner agencies specifically the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Philippine Army (PA), local government unit executives, the Archdiocese of Caceres, members of the community, and to the members of the tri-media. We will not reach this triumph without the cooperation of the agencies that equally pushed for the realization of their commitment. We at the PNP guaranteed the safety of our voters and implemented security schemes to ensure that they will exercise their right to suffrage without fear. The members of the media have been very supportive of this campaign too, including the members of the community. This collective effort, brought us this peaceful elections, Bausa added.

Legazpi City The Department of Agriculture in the Bicol region is currently pursuing the activities of the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) which seeks to develop the coco geonets of Albay. In connection with this, a value chain consultation workshop for stakeholders was recently conducted at Alicia Hotel in Legazpi City. Top photo shows VCA Consultant Jonah Nobleza presenting the workshop agenda which include: the VCA findings, validation of the findings, discussion of the competitiveness vision, identification of the underlying causes and the potential solutions. Also present during the consultation are: Shandy Hubilla , Program Support Officer Luzon B Project Coordinator; Carlos Magnaye , OIC DA Planning Services and I-Plan Component Head, Ms. Leny Pecson , I-REAP component Alternate Head, Dr. Elena de los Santos, PRDP V Focal Person, Ernesto Parato, I-Plan Component Head of Bicol, Arnie Ilan , I-Build Component Head, Maribel Bitao, I-Support Component Head and Mary Ann Cuya I-Plan Staff. PRDP is a special foreign assisted project of the Department of Agriculture. - (mabelle roa-ilan)

Before the onset of the actual barangay polls, Bausa and his team were exceptionally watchful of Barangay San Roque in Iriga City after the house of Yulo Alfelor, one of the aspirants for Punong Barangay in the said locality, was sprayed with bullets by still unidentified gunmen, eight days prior to the barangay elections. This has prompted the PNP and the Comelec to put the said barangay in the watch list of Election Areas of Immediate Concern (EAIC), making it the only barangay in the province under the said slant. Other 153 barangays in the province were also listed in the Election Areas of Concern but no election-related violence was recorded after the poll concluded Monday night. Bausa personally visited these barangays and checked if security measures were in place before and during the onset of the voting until the counting was completed. He also attributed the peaceful outcome to police visibility that served as a crime deterrent during the said political exercise. During the 2013 national elections, Camarines Sur was among the most peaceful provinces together with Camarines Norte with a record of only one election-related incident each. Masbate had 3 while Albay, Catanduanes, and Sorsogon had none.

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BIKOL REPORTER

ETCETERA

NOVEMBER 3-9, 2013

By JOSEPH JOHN J. PEREZ LEGAZPI CITY - The Albay-Masbate-Sorsogon (ALMASOR) Tourism Alliance will launch a global campaign for tourism promotions as it joins the annual World Travel Market (WTM), the leading and biggest global event for the travel agency held annually in London. This is the first time that a local government unit (LGU) from the Bicol Region is participating in WTM, Department of Tourism (DOT) Bicol Regional Director Maria OngRavanilla said. WTM was launched at London's Olympia in 1980 before moving to Earls Court in 1992 and then to ExCeL London in 2002. Almost 46,000 senior travel industry professionals, government ministers and representatives of the international media, converge on ExCeL London each year in November to attend WTM which is organized by Reeds Exhibitions. This years WTM will be held from November 4 to 7. According to Ravanilla, the other provinces that will join the WTM 2013 are Bohol, Davao, Cebu and Palawan. This is the right time for Bohol, Cebu and also Davao which is from the Mindanao area to aggressively pursue tourism promotions, Ravanilla said. Both Bohol and Cebu recently suffered a magnitude 7.2 earthquake that damaged historical centuries-old churches that are consistently drawing tourists. Meanwhile, Davao can redeem the tarnished image of Mindanao caused by the recent Zamboanga siege that worsened the peace and order situation in the area, Ravanilla added. Ravanilla revealed that going with her to the United Kingdom (UK) to compose the Bicol entourage are Albay Tourism Officer Dorothy Colle, Mayor Salvadora Sanchez of Uson, Masbate, Sorsogon Provincial Administrator Robert Lee-Rodrigueza, Jessica Wong of Donsol Travel and Tours and representatives from the Oriental and Misibis Hotels which are both located in Albay. Albay Governor Jose Salceda is expected to join the group after his official functions. Salceda is the ALMASOR tourism alliance champion. Work is taking me to the WTM in London, U.K. Albay will be one of the three provinces to be featured in the Philippine Booth during said travel fair, please help me pray for a smooth and safe journey to and from London, Colle said in her social media account. ALMASOR will set up a booth at WTMs 300 square meters Philippine Pavilion which is a virtual tour of the Philippines similar to Nayong Pilipino, Ravanilla said. This is part of DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenezs new program of

ravanIlla
inviting top 10 provinces who are willing to spend for WTM and invest for global tourism promotions, Ravanilla said. UK is among the top five tourism markets of the Bicol Region. Bicol has the chance to showcase its tourism destinations to the entire world in just one venue, Ravanilla said. This years Philippine delegation will be the biggest so far since the country joined the event in 1980. More than 40 exhibitors including the DOT will join the WTM 2013, DOT said. "This is the biggest Philippine participation since joining WTM back in 1980 or any travel fair worldwide. A total of 90 DOT officials led by Sec. Ramon Jimenez will be at WTM, said Susan del Mundo of DOT's Tourism Promotions Board. Almost 5,000 exhibitors from 184 countries are expected to generate more than 1,859 million British pounds in travel industry deals during the fourday event that expected to attract more than 47,000 global travel professionals. The DOT projects European visitors to increase by 65% to about 575,000 this year and the current arrivals to double to around 700,000 in the coming year. "In the first six months of 2013, we had more than 60,000 arrivals from Britain. This elevated the UK to the Philippines top ten visitor markets for the first time the only European nation on the list. With PALs new non-stop flights, we are sure those numbers will increase further, Philippine Airlines (PAL) President Ramon Ang said. Highlighting the country's participation at the WTM 2013 is the return of PAL flights to London also starting on November 4. It is not just tourists who stand to benefit but more importantly our 664,000 Filipino kababayans in Europe, particularly the 250,000 living in the UK, who will now be able to return home more often via the airline that knows them best," Ang said. Ang will lead a delegation of top PAL and government officials on the inaugural flight including the British Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad and Philippine Ambassador to the UK Enrique Manalo will be welcoming the inaugural flight passengers.

Rating affirms BPI is among most defensive and best positioned to withstand cyclical downturn The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) now enjoys the distinction of being the only Philippine bank rated investment-grade by two international rating agencies. On October 3, Moodys Investors Service Moodys raised BPIs baseline credit assessmentor the evaluation of the issuers stand-alone financial strength, excluding extraordinary government support from ba1 to baa3. Moreover, it upgraded the deposit rating of BPI to Baa3/Prime-3 from

Ba1/Not Prime, with a positive outlook in line with the positive outlook of Philippine governments bond rating. Overall, Moodys views the credit profile of BPI ... to be among the most defensive and best positioned to withstand a cyclical downturn among Moodys rated banks in the Philippines, the statement said. Earlier this year, Fitch Ratings raised BPIs LTFC IDR, or long-term foreign currency issuer default rating, to investment grade BBB- from BB+. BBB ratings indicate good credit quality, with low expectation of default risk. The capacity for payment of financial

commitments is considered adequate, Fitch says of institutions with BBB ratings in its website. The LTFC IDR upgrade is in line with the banks LTLC (long-term local currency) IDR rating of BBB-. The outlook on the IDR is stable. BPI's LTFC IDR had been until now constrained by the sovereign's LTFC IDR of BB+, due to the bank's exposure to the financial health of the government, wider domestic economy and local financial markets, Fitch said in its April 1, 2013 statement announcing the upgrade. Of the major Philippine banks rated by Fitch, BPI's

ratings have been the highest, due to its established domestic presence, sound financial metrics and prudent management, Fitch added. In view of the investmentgrade rating received by the Philippines from the three major rating agenciesMoodys in October, Standard & Poors in May, and Fitch in Marchthe country will be top-of-mind among investors and fund managers who are keen on having a stake in the emerging markets growth, says BPI lead economist Emilio S. Neri Jr. BPI being one of the countrys toprated banks will surely benefit from this development.

LEGAZPI CITY - Albay Governor Joey Sarte Salceda said today he believed in the sincerity of President Benigno S. Aquino III on his speech last night and the rightfulness of the use of Development Acceleration Program (DAP). Salceda said he believed that the multibillion-peso DAP is legal and has benefited the economy that became instrumental in pursuit and achieving inclusive growth for the country. The same stand of the Albay chief executive was also shared by most Albayanos, saying that the Presidents use of the Presidential Social Fund is but right especially for calamities and

social services of his office. Observers believed that the President can legally disburse the funds when needed in times of emergency which cannot be foretold. They also agreed that the funds are subject to auditing procedures Commission on Audit (COA). Meanwhile, Albay Rep. Fernando Gonzalez of the third congressional district also came to the defense of President against his critics over the use of the controversial DAP, noting that the President's critics were misinformed and were using inaccurate data about the DAP. The Albay solon said the DAP issue is being muddled

by certain politicians who want to create confusion and put the blame on the President. Gonzales claimed that these critics are just engaging in a black propaganda campaign to destroy the President over the controversial DAP issue and are the ones that were affected by the abolition of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF). He said these critics could not differentiate the DAP issue from the scandal-ridden PDAF. The Albay lawmaker claimed that the DAP was used in pump-priming the economy by accelerating government expenditures. Asked about the alleged unconstitutionality of the DAP

as claimed by critics and that it is illegal to use funds sourced from the saving of various government agencies without the concurrence of Congress, Gonzales said the issue is now at the hands of the Supreme Court. "Let the High Tribunal decide whether the DAP is legal or not," he said. According to him, the President is on the right track in pursuing his campaign against corruption and his Matuwid na Daan (righteous path) drive. President Aquino is strongly resolved to go after people who violated the law notwithstanding their status in society, Gonzales said.

INNER CHESS
by j. henry danIcan

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BIKOL REPORTER

Dr. borja
NAGA CITY - With a P10 million in financial support from the Department of Health and a generous donation from a local good Samaritan, the upland areas of this city will soon be served by a medical facility equipped to handle day-to-day consultations, birthing, and emergencies.

The Our Lady of Lourdes Infirmary, set to rise in Carolina, this city, will also cover the upland barangays of Panicuason, San Isidro, Pacol, and Cararayan and is seen to address a lack in a more immediate access to healthcare services in the area. City Health Officer Dr. Butch Borja said the infirmary will serve as treatment center for patients coming from upland barangays, and will operate 24 hours a day. The facility will be manned on eight-hour shifts by a staff of nurses, midwives, dietician, and a doctor. A complete array of medicines will be put up to be able to treat patients with no need to go to the Naga City Hospital and City Health Office. An ambulance will be permanently assigned to the infirmary in case any patient needs to be rushed to a major

LEGAZPI CITY The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has cited this citys DRRMC in the Gawad Kalasag 2013 Component City category for its outstanding performance and contributions to disaster risk reduction and humanitarian assistance. NDRRMC chair and National Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin and Office of Civil Defense administrator and NDRRMC executive director Eduardo D. Del Rosario conferred the plaque of recognition to the city government of Legazpi on Friday last week at the Armed Forces of the Philippines headquarters in Camp General Aguinaldo in Quezon City. Mayor Noel E. Rosal and city administrator Wilfredo Intia, CDRRMC action man, received the award for and in behalf of the council. Gawad Kalasag program is instituted by NDRRMC to recognize provinces, cities, municipalities, barangays, private volunteers, civil society organizations, government emergency response management units, schools and hospitals for their best practices on disaster risk reduction and humanitarian assistance initiatives in their respective localities.

Kalasag stands for Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan (fight calamity and accidents, self excellence will save us). Other national Gawad Kalasag champions in the province of Albay and in Legazpi City are Barangay Oro Site (Urban Barangay category), Simon of Cyrene Childrens Rehabilitation and Development Foundation, Inc., Legazpi City (Civil Society Organization); and the Municipality of Sto. Domingo (4th to 6th Class Municipality). The CDRRMC in this city was created under the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction Management ACT of 2010, which aims to save the life of every Filipino during calamities and other natural hazards. Rosal said the recognition manifested anew that Legazpi City is a model local government unit in the country in terms of carrying out disaster risk reduction program. The city chief executive said the feat poses a challenge for the LGU to serve more, adding that his administration will continue to work for the safety of every Legazpi resident and maintain zero-casualty during calamities. Intia meanwhile said Legazpi City got the Gawad Kalasag National Award because the

hospital. He said construction of the infirmary is expected to begin soon after the Regional Office of the Department of Health in Bicol approves the building plans and proper biddings are concluded. The project is being pursued under the city governments H2ELP your CiTy under Mayor John G. Bongat. The relative remoteness of Barangays Panicuason, Pacol, Carolina, Cararayan, and San Isidro from the Naga City Hospital and other major health facilities in the commercial centers of Naga exposes their people to higher risk of infection, maternal death, and malnutrition, Mayor Bongat said. With the facility, we are making sure that even residents in these areas have inexpensive and equitable access to quality and extensive health care, he added. Response time to emergencies in the said barangays is also said to be two times higher (10 minutes) compared to the five minute-response period in downtown Naga. Meanwhile, a mini Infirmary will also be constructed at the Divine Mercy Apostolate Center of the Missionaries of the Poor in Bgy. Cararayan which will provide medical and dental consultation and tooth extraction on Wednesdays and Fridays. Operations will formally starts on November 6 under a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed by the city and the mission. Presently, consultations are done every Wednesday and Saturday at the Missionaries of the Poor. The City Government, through the City Health, sought the aid of the Department of Health for possible funding and eventually obtained P10M from the said government agency. This amount will be used for the construction of the infirmarys building which is planned to be a 400-square meter onestorey edifice with facilities for responding to emergency situations, for birthing, and daily consultations with physicians. Antonio O. Pacia of the C. Pacia Realty Inc., donated the 4,000 sq. m. property located in Barangay Carolina, near the Peafrancia Resort, on which the infirmary will be constructed. The Deed of Donation was duly ratified during the 9th Regular
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STUDY TOUR

Government officials from the municipality of Benguet paid a courtesy call to Naga City Mayor John Bongat.

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LEGAZPI CITY - Access to quality higher education is essential for young people to have a bright future. The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), stated in an email to the Bicol regional office of Philippine Information Agency (PIA) that the institute and education experts are mulling on pursuing a new mode of delivering education called Massive Open Online Courses or MOOCS, which capitalizes on modern communications particularly the Internet and interactive learning systems, looks promising in expanding educational opportunities and addressing cost, quality, and time considerations. Education experts observed that quality and cost often go hand in hand, making opportunities more inequitable particularly for the less privileged, while working professionals also need to continuously acquire new knowledge relevant to their jobs and learn new skills to thrive in an increasingly competitive labor market. Apart from quality and cost, time is a major constraint for workers as full-time schooling means a reduction in their income if they are not allowed to go on study leave with pay. In a recent education ex-

perts forum last month, educators from major public and private education institutions in the country examined the potential benefits for the Philippines from MOOCs should they be adopted and scaled up. The forum was organized by the education team of state think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) headed by Senior Research Fellow Aniceto Orbeta and Senior Research Consultant Vicente Paqueo, as part of a joint project between the PIDS and the Commission on Higher Education. A recent development in distance education, MOOCs differ from earlier forms such as correspondence courses, broadcast courses and e-learning with its creative course materials, interactive features, open access policy, and mass distribution scheme. MOOCs are designed in such a way that learners get direct feedback on their answers and can interact with other learners taking the same online course in other parts of the world. Many MOOCs are offered for free by nonprofit providers

such as Coursera which was founded by Stanford University professors. Coursera offers diverse courses in engineering, humanities, medicine, biology, social sciences, mathematics, business, and computer science. Another nonprofit provider is eDx established by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University. Some universities in the Philippines have started to experiment on using MOOCs as an addition to classroom instruction. The blended MOOCs approach has been helpful in enhancing the learners understanding of lessons, said Dr. Alita Roxas of Mindanao State University. Presenting from Washington, D.C. via video conferencing, Dr. Marito Garcia, former lead economist of the World Bank, noted that MOOCs can give someone an edge in the labor market by taking courses that belong to in-demand occupations. Universities and other education providers can develop customized MOOCs on sought-after jobs. Garcia said MOOCs can
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PRIORITY SOCIAL SERVICE

gbc/arcIlla/mmec

Governor Migz R. Villafuerte distributed Tuesday morning, November 5, checks in the total amount of P53,500 representing medical assistance for the treatment of various ailments and afflictions of a group of nine residents from various barangays. Health care assistance is among several people-oriented social services being sustained by the province that have been expanded through funding generated from various profitable economic enterprises launched by the provincial government.

VIRAC, Catanduanes - Some 1, 400 tricycle drivers in Catanduanes province trained on proper handling or treatment of passengers, especially tourists, in line with efforts of the provincial government to tap the transport sector in promoting local tourism. The training held recently, according to provincial tourism officer Carmel B. Garcia, primarily aims to provide a friendly atmosphere for foreign and local tourists during their visit in the province, whom mostly tricycles as well as jeepney drivers are usually the first that meet them once they arrive in the island province. Garcia said the training formed part of the province's tourism development program, tapping all prospective sectors to promote and uplit the industry. She said that the way of handling of tricycle drivers on its passengers particularly

on tourists is a very important factor in promoting the tourism industry of the province since they form part of the impressions made by tourists to the places they are visiting. Department of Tourism (DOT) Bicol consultant Danilo Intong and Land Transportation Office (LTO) representative Apolonio Grienzo tackled the need for basic courtesy, honesty, grooming and hygiene among tricycle drivers, providing the same optional uniforms and stickers for their vehicles indicating that they are Tourist-Friendly drivers. They were also given identification cards to ensure safety of commuters. Meanwhile, Governor Araceli B. Wong encouraged the public to patronize only passenger vehicles with proper identification specifically those with registration adding that the training will help boost the tourism of the province.

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BIKOL REPORTER
schools, a municipal library, has scholarships for tertiary level and has created the Municipal Literacy Coordinating Council (MLCC) to ensure that the out of school children, youth and adults can avail of the functional literacy and livelihood programs. He said that the local government is regularly conducting trainings through the Technology and Livelihood Development Center (TLDC) that helps would be entrepreneurs while the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) assists job seekers. For the protection of children, the Daet Police Station has established the Women and Childrens Desk while the capability building was undertaken by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) and other concerned offices. There were also venues were children participated like the Annual Childrens Congress, the Summer Youth Camp, the Linggo ng Kabataan, The Arts Month, the Pineapple and barangay festivals, school contests and among others. Sarion said that for the institution building, a Municipal Council for the Protection of Children (MCPC) is annually conducting the Search for the Most Child-Friendly Barangay and has adopted the local code for children. Also in the special bodies like the Local School Board, Local Health Board, Peace and Order Council (POC) and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) are being strengthened to address issues and concerns including those of children. The local government unit also focuses on the construction and improvement of access roads, concreting of bridges and drainage system. Almost all settlements have electricity and access to potable water, he said. Daet is now the seat of the Philippine Long Distrance Telephone (PLDT) major communication distribution infrastructure and this will pave way to more investments in Daet that in turn will benefit the future of our children, he said. Meanwhile the MCPC has presented the Barangay V of Daet as the 1st prize winner of the 2013 Provinces Most Child-Friendly Barangay which was awarded recently by the provincial government during the culminating of the Childrens Month Celebration. The Barangay V of Daet headed by Punong Barangay Augusto Magana has received P100 thousand from the provincial government.

NOVEMBER 3-9, 2013

DENR PUSHES BAmBOO . . .
At the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding DENR Regional Executive Director (RED) Gilbert C. Gonzales bares plans to establish 15 hectarekawayang tinik (Bambusa blumeana) in Bgys. Omaoma, Baligang, Busac, Abella, Nabonton, Amtic, Maonon and Tula-tula. Filmenera Resources Corporation (FRC), an industry operating in Masbate, will provide planting materials worth 100,000.00 pesos. The FRC representative expressed the companys agreement with the REDs plan to pursue an area development devoted to bamboo. They were convinced to support the project citing among others that Filmenera, a large scale mining operator in Bicol provides for community development program and environmental programs as responsible miners and as part of its corporate social responsibility. They consider the project part of reaching out to other areasthose outside their mining operation site. Their post mining land use involves exploring the establishment of plantation over mined out areas. Mr. Bernardo explains that Mining areas have final mining rehabilitation and decommissioning plan. In formulating it, the participation of local government is important wherein they discuss with DENR and LGU the interventions after mining operation is concluded. After mine life there ought to be post mining land use, we are required to do post mining rehabilitation, Mr. Bernardo said. The Office of Congressman Gonzales for its part will ity of the people in the upland barangays is also compromised. There will also be fewer savings and, therefore, investments in said locations as our constituents face relatively higher costs in maintaining their health as well as in recuperating from diseases, he said. jbn/www. naga.gov.ph impact of flooding. It include water level station, rain station, warning station, supervisory water level equipment, supervisory rainfall equipment, flood forecasting and warning center, relay station, filed center and control stations. These early warning systems, funded under the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) served as the farmers saving grace in developing risk reduction mechanisms leading to a better equipped and disasterprepared community. help ensure the beneficiaries are well-trained and are able to make a living out of bamboo products sourced at the plantations. Cong. Gonzalez added that his Office will establish a bamboo palace in Kawakawa to promote the importance of bamboo as a cheap substitute to wood. Cong. Gonzales said he is most fortunate to be part of the MOU signing in order to provide livelihood to his constituents and promote environmental awareness by having multi species of bamboo in the City. He also expresed gratefulness to DENR for its assistance. The layout of the site will include 9,652 sq m comprised of kawayang tinik plantation, the gene bank of bambusetum covering 8,525 sq m and a nursery covering 8,463 sq m. According to RED Gonzales, FRC is a pioneering partner in this endeavor. He is optimistic the bamboo plantation will supports the livelihood of locals given its potential in the market today. He is bound to funnel more funds from private sector, introduce the project to local industries and generate greater support for this project. He said last year he discussed this with former Ligao City Mayor Linda Gonzales and promised to bring in private entities to support it. RED Gonzales is able to generate same support for Bicol National Parks reforestation project with Energy Development Corporation.

DAET CITES INVESTmENTS . . .

tion starts with children, thus participation and convergence of efforts at various levels is deemed necessary to address underlying causes of poverty. He said the municipal government shares the same thrust to protect the rights and ensure the welfare of the children pursuing along this line the completion of three Rural Health Units (RHUs) equipped with TB-DOTS facilities and capable health personnel. Along the survival is the campaign Magtanim Upang Wag Magutom Program wherein climate change adaptive crops are being used in the locality. Sarion also said that for the development of children, the town has 25 public elementary schools and 5 secondary

Republic of the Philippines LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE Province: Camarines Sur City/Municipality: Libmanan

LEgAZPI DRRMC NAmEd . . .

council has achieved the national framework for disaster management required by the NDRRMC which includes the areas of mitigation, preparedness, response and rescue and rehabilitation and recovery. Among the recent major accomplishments of the city government included convertion of old culvert canals into wide box-type canals in downtown areas that are now a key factor to prevent and mitigate the flooding problem in this city. The unit had also since conducted several earthquake drill activities, seminars and basic life support on first aid and training on collapse structures participated by government employees, religious groups, NGOs, business sector, senior citizens, womens federation, shopping mall personnel, hospitals, schools, households and members of the community to enhance peoples preparations during calamities. Evacuation centers constructed in different villages of this city with modern facilities and equipment servicing affected families in times of disastrous weather disturbance.

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In compliance with Section No. 5 of R.A. No. 9048, a notice is hereby served to the public that FRANCISCO MIRAFLORES REGINALDO, has filed with this Office a Petition for Change of First Name from FRANCIS to FRANCISCO in the birth certificate of FRANCIS REGINALDO who was born on SEPTEMBER 19, 1954 at Poblacion, Libmanan, Camarines Sur, and whose parents are CRESTETO REGINALDO and ELISA MIRAFLORES. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than NOVEMBER 8, 2013. (Sgd.) EMILIE S. AGNES-DAIRAO Municipal Civil Registrar

BICOL mULTI . . .
and assistance to this very significant regional activity, aimed at ensuring food security in the region, among others. The OCD5 is the over-all responsible agency in disaster risk reduction and management in the Bicolandia. The inter-agency planning group will use DRR mandatory policies as guide in the formulation of a DRR-CCA sensitive regional agriculture action plan. The mapping out of this plan is part of the program on "Enhancing Capacities for Disaster Risk Reduction in Agriculture in Cambodia and the Philippines" with international UN agencies -- Food and Agriculture Organization and Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection -- as partner agencies. The planning group decided to have the semi-final draft of the plan reviewed by the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Region 5 through the RDRRMC5 Technical Working Group to ensure that the same is in conformity with the Regional DRRM Plan, Section 9 (b), RA10121. - (PNA)

BIKOL REPORTER Published: OCT. 27 and NOV. 3, 2013

MEdICAL CENTER TO RISE . . .

Session last Tuesday, September 3. Mr. Pacia contributed 1,000 sq. m. as space for the infirmary itself and the remaining 3,000 sq. m. as road right-of-way going to and around the said health center. His conditions:1) the donated property be only used for the said purpose, 2) the infirmary be named Our Lady of Lourdes Infirmary, and 3) the road that will be constructed be named C. Pacia Drive. Vice Mayor Nelson Legacion said the infirmary will not only address an issue of access to public health, but also a matter of sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development. Without proper and equal access to health care, productiv-

Republic of the Philippines LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE Province: Camarines Sur City/Municipality: Libmanan CCE-0060-2013 R.A. 10172 In Compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1 Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), Notice is hereby served to the public that JUBELE ROXAS DIESTRO has filed with this office a Petition for correction of entry in sex from FEMALE to MALE in the certificate of live birth of JUBELE ROXAS DIESTRO at LIbmanan, Camarines Sur and whose parents are LUIS R. DIESTRO and JOSSIE A. ROXAS. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than NOVEMBER 8, 2013. (Sgd.) EMILIE S. AGNES-DAIRAO Municipal Civil Registrar

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

NIA HOLdS CLImATE CHANgE . . .

laor, Minalabac, Pamplona, Libmanan, San Fernando,
Cabusao an Naga city are also considered flood prone areas. Yu stated that the farmers need to know the courses and occurrences of these phenomenon so that they can anticipate and prepare back up plans for their crops. When there is an overflow of water above the bank of normal confines of a river, lake and other bodies of water flooding occur. It also happen when there is an accumulation of rainwater or other source in relatively low area aggravated clogged or poor drainage system and when there is an overflow of the natural borders along the coastal areas. During typhoons, we also expect these occurrences, Yu said in an interview. These occurrences, Yu added, are the effects of climate change which farmers have to face. He added that there are various government agencies aside from NIA that also address the needs of this sector in terms of giving them proper information and education. It includes the Department of Agriculture (DA) through their program related to climate change and risk mitigation. They also give information to farmers what plants are resilient to typhoons. The Office of the Civil Defense also gave lecture on climate change and actual scenarios, including the disaster risk reduction measures for farmers. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG ASA) through Dr. Alfredo Consulta, Chief Meteorological Officer, also gave lecture on the climate factors affecting agriculture and climate monitoring and prediction. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) also have flood forecasting systems that would aid the farmers in their preparation to mitigate the

BIKOL REPORTER Published: OCT. 27 and NOV. 3, 2013

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.

Name of Deceased Date of Interment FLORENTINA O. VILLADARES October 2, 2013 JOSE R. MIRANDA October 5, 2013 SOLOMON M. TUASON October 3, 2013 GILBERTO P. TAPEL October 6, 2013 ADELINA O. CALAYO October 6, 2013 MARVIN P. LAGODA October 9, 2013 FLORENDA B. BONITA October 11, 2013 NATIVIDAD B. RONCESVALLES October 12, 2013 CESARIO A. NIOSCO October 12, 2013 MENELO B. PATRICIO October 17, 2013 ANTONIO N. GERONA October 15, 2013 ANITA B. YOUNG (NISHIYAMA) October 20, 2013 ROLANDO V. BEGUIA October 23, 2013 DOMINADOR DL. FLOTILDES October 24, 2013 FELIX M. ABAWAG October 26, 2013 CONSTANCIO P. VIDAL October 27, 2013

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NOVEMBER 3-9, 2013

BONGGAOS OF PILI, CAMSUR . . .
kids and it lasted for two years. While Rod decided to open Rodrigo Construction Supply but it lasted for only 5 years due to overdue collections of credit. Yet this initial failure did not dampen their enterprising spirit. Explaining to their understanding children the need to leave both traveled back to London to resume work there again. Through this sacrifice, their children were able to pursue and finish their chosen courses in reputable schools thereby providing them a good future. In fact, eldest daughter Hazel graduated at Ateneo de Naga University with a BS Accountancy degree. She worked for Veterans Bank in Camarines Sur but eventually landed a permanent job as personal assistant to a French billionaire in France. She and her family had been living in Europe for the past 10 years now but they never fail to return home for annual vacations. Second child, Ronald Allan, has finished three courses: BS Economics at Colegio de San Juan de Letran, BS Computer Programming, and BS Nursing. He also worked in London but returned to the Philippines after his contract expired and is currently an authorized dealer of Petrona Gas in Camarines Sur as well as his parents business partner in their bread/bake shop. He is also married with one child. The youngest is Rodrigo Jr. who has a BS Economics degree from Colegio de San Juan de Letran and was the youngest Masters degree graduate from Ateneo de Naga University where he was also recognized as Best in Thesis Writing. He heads a department at Smart Telecommunications in Metro Manila and is married to an OB-GYN doctor and they also have one child. Proud of their childrens individual achievements, Fely and Rods family is a portrait of a happy, contented, and united unit. Grateful for their triumph against all odds, this family does not forget to give back their bountiful blessings through their various charitable works and outreach activities like feeding programs and school supplies distribution to school children at San Jose North Elementary School in Pili, Camarines Sur. Since 2009, youngest son Jun together with his doctorwife initiated such outreach activity and last December 2012, with second son Allan, they distributed snacks to 300 school kids and since Fely opened her bread/ bake shop, some 200 school kids were given aid by the family annually. Aside from these, they are also involved in free circumcision clinics, gift giving, used clothes distribution to prisoners, and other notable community programs such as rabus and village cleaning and beautification. To Fely and Rod, working and living abroad all those years was a bittersweet experience: there is sadness in leaving behind the children in their formative years yet there is joy in knowing that their sacrifices were fruitful as they were rewarded with successful children as well as a comfortable and affluent lifestyle in their retirement years. This comfortable living is the result of painstaking savings and financial savvy that this couple employed in order to attain this kind of lifestyle in their old age. While abroad, they founded the Filipino Savings in France which is an organization of OFWs with the objectives to save, to establish close camaraderie among their kababayan, to assist through micro lending to help fellow OFWs, and to assist in the transition when they repatriate back home. Fely acted as its treasurer. In London, the couple established the Filifriends Limited where they pursued the same goals as when they were still in France. Fely acted as its president and they are still very active in all its activities even until now. They even travel back and forth to London to monitor the activities of the said organization as well as to visit their daughter and her family in Europe. With so many socio-civic and other community involvements, Fely still found time to pass the licensure exams for an American insurance company and was given a Bronze Award for outstanding performance at Metlife in London. Rod has his own active involvement when he became writer and associate editor of Kasandiwa Journal, the official newsletter of the Kasandiwa organization. This avocation helped him control and divert

BIKOL REPORTER

By ROSALITA B. MANLANGIT
DAET, Camarines Norte Some P224 million will be allocated to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for employment and livelihood assistance program in the Bicol region for next year, according to official of the DOLE regional office in Bicol. This was bared by DOLE assistant regional director Ronnie Exequiel Guzman during the Strategic Planning Workshop for Bicol Anti-Child Labor Committee (Bicol-RACLC) held October 22-24 at the Bagasbas LightHouse Hotel, Resort and Restaurant here. Guzman said that with the abolished Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) the decision of the Congress to allocate the previous budget to selected agencies delivering basic social services which includes the DOLE. his homesickness for his children while working abroad. In deciding to settle back home in the Philippines, they brought back their life savings and invested them in different platforms: a 3-storey residential house in San Jose, Pili, Camarines Sur with an adjoining lot as location for their Lucky Bread Shop, the only bread/bake shop in their village; a condo unit at posh DMCI-Rosewood Point near Market, Market at C5 Road, Taguig City in Metro Manila; a 3-hectare farmland at Barangay Caroyroyan, Pili, Camarines Sur where Rod personally supervises the rice fields, fish ponds, tree orchards, and goat raising ventures. The couple and their children have also procured several vehicles utilized for work, for the farm, for the business, and of course, even for family leisure too. With the recognition given them by the DOLE and OWWA, they hope to inspire other families of OFWs who undergo the same struggles as they did and become living testaments to the indomitable spirit of the Filipino overseas worker to endure sacrifices for the ultimate welfare of their beloved families back home. In sharing this success story, Camarines Sur Governor Migz Villafuerte through the CamSur Employment Center hopes that his constituents imbibe the values of this model family and help inspire them to achieve the same level of success as they also pursue their dreams for their families, be it working locally or even overseas. - MMEC with reports from CamSur PESO

He said that the allocation will be based from the P7.7M in the previous budget of each district congressmen in the Bicol region that will be downloaded to DOLE in 2014 for employment and livelihood assistance program. Guzman said that the Bottoms-Up-Budgeting (BUB) system is another source of fund that can be used to combat the problem on child labor, wherein allocation for DOLE Bicol through BUBis P29M in 2013 and P45M for 2014. He said that with more funds, more beneficiaries will be given assistance and accomplishment would be greater. He said that the DOLE Bicol has already forged alliance with the Deparment of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Bicol to provide livelihood package of assistance to the graduating Pantawid Pamilya benefiicaries who have children at risk to child labor aiming to transform their social condition from sustenance to self-sufficiency. He said that it is alarming that the incidence of child labor keeps on increasing wherein Bicol region ranks 2nd to the highest, region 3 being number one (1) in terms of child labor incidence at around 304,000 as indicated in the survey conducted by National Statistics Office (NSO) in 2011. It is in the provisions of our Constitution that the state is mandated to defend the right of children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition and special protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation and other conditions prejudicial to their development, he said. He cited that in pursuing this constitutional mandate, the present administration under its Philippine Program Against Child Labor (PPACL) strategic framework for 2007-2015 which is a network of mutually enabling social partners such as DOLE, DSWD,DepEd, DOH, DILG, DOJ, DA, Council for the Welfare of Children, NEDA, PIA, NSO, National Youth Commission, Labor and Employers Or-

ganizations, NGOs and other allied agencies, shall work towards the prevention, withdrawal, healing and reintegration of child workers into a caring society. He also said that in order to comply with its obligations under the United Nation Conventions on the rights of the child particularly International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention 138 on the minimum age for admission to employment and ILO Convention 182 on the elimination of the worst forms of child labor, our country had enacted RA 9231 otherwise known as an Act providing for the elimination of the

worst forms of child labor and affording stronger protection for the working child, amending RA 7610 also known as the Special protection of children against child abuse, exploitation and discrimination act. He said that reaffirming its vision in the 1990 World Declaration on Education and under the Millenium Development Goals, our country is committed to ensure that by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling. The Phil. Program Against Child Labor (PPACL) envisions a Child Labor Free Philippines.

SCHOOL-BASED MANAGEMENT
Soledad R. Villafuerte Elementary School Sipocot North District Teaching is not all there is to it. Many a teacher can claim that they have had gone through years as effective teachers and you believe it. There is no question to their claim. The products of their long years of stay in the classroom are very obvious. The unruly kids they handled in their primary years are now grown professionals and doing wonderful jobs, raising a family and are very financially stable. Credit everything to their learning are the teachers and the but mostly to the kind of classroom management they were exposed to. Naturally, the primary factor is the teacher. That is why teaching is such a very fulfilling profession because the teacher always get the big chance of getting himself proud because he had seen visibly the fruits of his labor. Classroom-based management could be the best and the biggest challenge to a teacher. A teacher can not dispense all that he has if the management in the classroom is not working effectively, so, how does it work? It takes a leader of a teacher to put management in check. Done, the pupils can boost self control simply by developing as well as motivating the efforts of positive achievement. Classroom-based management organizes an enhanced and motivated education system and establishes a good foundation for the learners. It helps the children focused and on task making learning easy. The teachers personality, his style and preparedness counts a lot in this process known as classroom-based management. The teacher challenges his guidance approaches knowing that every child in the classroom is capable of going both good and evil and the teacher believes that he should not be punished but be kept away from doing wrong. The teacher-catch all role means full knowledge of productive learning environment. Leadership skill is called for. The teacher must likewise has a vision, a determination to achieve a dream by creating a passion of ideas, an essence of contentment. He has his integrity, he is a people person, is positive and an effective communicator. Classroom-based management calls for planning. But the bottom line is the teachers commitment to his profession as a molder of the youth under his care.

By: Mary Ann D. Deluna

PIDS . . .
therefore function not only as additional learning tools and content in the classroom setting but as an avenue to gain professional aptitude. The forum participants felt the concept is a good one but a thorough study is needed to determine its feasibility in the local context. Dr. Emmanuel de Dios of the UP School of Economics noted the still prevailing issues of IT access and connectivity in the Philippines, which clearly is a major deterrent in adopting MOOCs. Other participants noted that as the available MOOCs are designed overseas, they may not be suited to the local context. There is also a need to consider the different learning levels of students, they said. - (MAL/ PMGVineles-PIDS/PIA5)

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reGioNAl eXpoNeNt For proGreSS

OUTSTANdINg LOCAL NEWSPAPER

BIKOL REPORTER

For Five Consecutive Years by the St. Peter Baptist Catholic Mass Media Awards

NOVEMBER 3-9, 2013

Photo from a video grab of DENR.

tHe leatHerBacK turtle BeiNG SlauGHtered.

DENR files for investigation anti-wildlife protection charges at the Camarines Sur Provincial Prosecution Office against Edmar Diaz, and others for the deliberate slaughter of a leatherback turtle in Bgy. Magtang, Tinambac, Camarines Sur. The act violates Sec. 27 paragraph (a) of Republic Act No. 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act which prohibits the killing and destroying of wildlife species. In an affidavit, a resident of said barangay declared that on October 19, 2013 he saw the accused persons pushing a rope tied to the neck of a sea turtle coming out of the water. The turtle was seen to be moving when the accused carried it near the shore. A video footage of the incident was taken by another resident using his own mobile phone. In an investigation DENR Camarines Sur personnel conducted, the Brgy. Chair Gina Bernarte admitted having learned from a text message of a sea turtle entangled in a fish net. She said they thouched the eye of the turtle and found the mouth filled with sand in an effort to determine wheter or not the turtle was alive. When they returned it to the sea they claimed it no longer moved, hence they concluded it was dead. She was later informed that six persons, the accused included, slaughtered it. In the complaint-affidavit of DENR CENRO Goa executed by Vivencio Cabanayan Jr., cited the circumstances leading to the slaughter of the turtle indicated that he has reasons to believe the persons violated RA 9147. The leatherback turtle,Dermochelys coriacea, is an endangered species under DAO 2004-15, hence, covered by RA 9147.

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11/21/2013 10:19:04 AM