'Paskonswelo sa K-Village' runs until Dec. 29

By: Bennie A. Recebido SORSOGON CITY, December 22 (PIA) – It is not yet late for Sorsoganons to enjoy the fun and cost-saving December Market at the Kasanggayahan Village at the Capitol Compound. The 'Paskonswelo sa Kasanggayahan Village' will last until Dec. 29, 2013, and Sorsoganons who haven’t visited yet can still enjoy the fun and buy locally produced products and gifts for the new year. “Even late Christmas gift-givers can still find best presents for their loved ones,” said Provincial Tourism Officer Cris Racelis. The “Paskonswelo sa Kasanggayahan Village” is a week-end activity for the whole month of December that started on Dec. 13 set to end on Dec. 29. It starts every Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon. Included in the activities to be enjoyed by the Sorsoganons is the “Saud sa K-Village” where various locally farm produced and other goods are sold on an affordable price. One can also find different uniquely crafted handicrafts which are best used at home or as gifts. Series of “Project Angel Smile” sponsored by various sectors are also held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday where children enjoy the gifts from the sponsoring group. The Sorsogon Chamber of Commerce, Media and Capitol Employees are the daily sponsors respectively for the last week-end of December. Other activities scheduled on December 27 are Handicraft Making Demo, Fireworks and firecrackers Bazaar until December 31. On December 28, there will be Recycling Demo on Eco-Bricks, Finals of Vocal Solo, and “Pasine-sine” film showing. While on December 29, there will be another Handicraft Making Demo, Hip-Pasko Dance Showdown and Final Round of the Singing Duet. There is also a nightly band concert and food fest that will surely be enjoyed by night trippers and music lovers. The “Paskonswelo sa Kasanggayahan Village”, which is on its second year, is an initiative of the Provincial Government under the auspices of Governor Raul R. Lee through the Provincial Tourism Office. (AAN/BARecebido-PIA-5/Sorsogon)

Sorsogon’s mentor is Saceda’s Most Inspiring Teacher of the Philippines for 2013

By: Bennie A. Recebido SORSOGON CITY, Dec 23 (PIA) – Six seems to be a lucky number for Teacher Chona B. Reyes, Saceda’s one of the Ten Most Inspiring Teacher of the Philippines this year. Reyes, a faculty member of Sorsogon National High School (SNHS) in Sorsogon City, received the recognition together with nine others from the different parts of the country as the 2013 Saceda Youth Lead (SYL) Most Inspiring Teacher of the Philippines on December 6. “Why did I say six is my lucky number? I started as a full time teacher in one private school here in Sorsogon, the St. Louise de Marillac College of Sorsogon formerly Colegio de la Milagrosa in 1996, then transferred to public school where I am now connected and became permanent in 2006. And have received such this prestigious national award in December 6,” said Reyes who is still elated of the award she got. Saceda Youth Lead, a youth serving institution of the Philippines under the auspices of the National Youth Commission NYC), builds leadership through education and action for 16 years now. It empowers students in all levels and professionals, as well, to become most effective citizens in the Philippines and in the ASEAN region. Reyes said there were 28 nominees in all from the Philippines and two others from Singapore. “Sorsogon is lucky to have two nominees coming from the City Schools Division of Sorsogon, Mrs. Divina Diaz, our Social Studies Education supervisor and me" she said. Reyes who was the last to be called from among the list of Top 10 winners said the award speaks a new beginning in her life to inspire more what she called her VIPs (Very Important Persons) – her family, students, co-workers and parents of her students – whom she also considers her inspiration as a teacher. “I feel proud having received the award on behalf of the people I serve and deal with. I may have inspired others, and I owe this recognition most to the parents of my students who are ‘my inspiring others’. When I reprimand students and their parents take side on me and support me, I become more inspired because it is an affirmation that the discipline I give my students has real meaning and better impact on them,” she said. “When I was informed I am nominated and is invited to the awarding, I wasn’t able to decide right away and had second thoughts of attending the affair,” said Reyes. The schedule coincides with the City Meet whom she serves as the Softball Team Coach aside from her being coach to school’s regional contests and attendance to seminars. “Besides, super typhoon Yolanda has just ravaged the Visayas area where the awarding ceremony will be held,” she also added. Reyes, the only unmarried in the family, is also a caregiver to her mother with Alzheimer’s disease. But perhaps, it was really her destiny to be chosen as Most Inspiring Teacher of the Philippines for 2013 just as she considers her being a teacher as “destiny”. According to her she never dreamt she would become a teacher someday, but destiny brought her to the field. “My presence during the convergence of nominees in Dumaguete City was a destiny. Having lot of concerns in mind, I decided not to attend anymore, but my supportive co-teachers, Ms Aurora Caguia, who voluntarily rushed my 10-slide power point presentation, Mr. Dundee Lanuza and Mrs. Pamela Abecia, from SNHS English Department who patiently edited my narrative portfolio, and our softball trainer, Mr. Jose Credo, who persuaded me up to the last hour to attend the affair assuring me of the safety of my softball players, are more than enough inspiration to change my mind in the end,” Reyes recalled. “Along the process of screening the nominees for the final awards, I really got too emotional thinking of my sick mother and the city meet which I left worried about the welfare and safety of people under my care. Despite the assurance of our trainer, still being their coach, I have the full responsibility over my player’s welfare. This maybe the reason why I was called by the judges as the ‘emotional’ nominee,” Reyes narrated. Asked by the panel of judges about the principles she hold on in life, she answered without hesitation that the Spirit of Volunteerism is her principle. Being a volunteer herself, she could easily inspire others to become volunteers themselves. Considered highlight of her achievement was her passion for the care of the environment and Solid Waste Management applied not only inside SNHS but also seen in her actions wherever she is. Reyes got knowledge about the SYL in April of 2010 when she was still the adviser of SNHS Supreme Student Government (SSG) in Mindanao when she participated upon invitation the SYL’s sponsored international leadership training. In 2012, for the second time, she again got the chance to attend the SYL sponsored leadership training in Legazpi City bringing along with her the SNHS students. In 2013, SYL was invited by DepEd Sorsogon to conduct the Division Leadership Training for SSG and Supreme Pupil Government (SPG) in Sorsogon. “An inspiring teacher is rare to find and this award is a symbolic commitment to meet aside from  develop Inspiring Teachers of the Philippines who do not only teach but guide and navigate our kids for stronger families, safer Filipino communities and a more robust Filipino nation,” said Dave Saceda, chair and founder of SYL. This year’s Search for SYL Most Inspiring Teachers of the Philippines was held in Dumaguete City, Negros Occidental with the theme: “Through our Teachers We See the Future of our Country and through their Good Deeds We Prosper as a Nation.” (AAN/BARecebido-PIA-5/Sorsogon)

DENR Photo Releases

Road safety training of DENR Leatherback Riders. P/Senior Insp. Edgardo Nuñes shows to the members of the DENR Leatherback Riders proper techniques on motorcycle riding the one-day road safety training held in DENR Regional Office Rawis, Legazpi City. The Leatherback Riders is a group of DENR field personnel which will serve as the regional office’s auxiliary in the enforcement  of environmental laws as well as information dissemination. (Photo by Jessel Basanta, DENR/PIA-5/Sorsogon)

Nailing arm chairs accord. Camarines Sur Governor Migz Villafuerte (3^rd from left) formalizes agreement with DENR Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Cam. Sur Atty. Arnel Rodriguez (2^nd from left) to fabricate arm chairs for school children using confiscated logs and lumber in keeping with the DENR Secretary’s Order to help the Department of Education repair school buildings and improve school facilities. (Photo: Daisy Terciano/PIA-5/Sorsogon)

Sorsogon Educators mentored on Leadership, Peace and Security Talk

Inspiring the Mentors.  During his lecture on AFP’s Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) “Bayanihan”, Colonel Joselito E. Kakilala, Commander of the 903^rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army exhorts the participants of the 2-day Training on Leadership Enhancement initiated by DepEd Sorsogon to collaborate and partner with the Army in working towards the attainment of lasting peace and development in Sorsogon. (BQCadungan, Phil Army/PIA-5/Sorsogon)

Mentoring the Mentors. Sorsogon Public and Elementary and Highschool Heads, Supervisors and Superintendents listen attentively as Colonel Joselito E. Kakilala, Commander of the 903^rd Infantry Brigade lectures about Leadership Enhancement and AFP’s IPSP “Bayanihan”. (BQCadungan, Phil Army/PIA-5/Sorsogon)

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SORSOGON CITY, Dec 16 (PIA) – A total of 600 public elementary and high school heads, teacher-in-charge, supervisors and superintendents from all over the Province of Sorsogon took the time out of their hectic schedule to participate in the 2-day Division Training on Leadership Enhancement.

Said training was conducted in four batches at the Department of Education (DepEd) Division Office Conference Hall, Sorsogon City on November 19-21, 22-23 and December 3-4, 5-6, this year.

According to Mrs. Ruby S. Abundanar, Sorsogon Schools Division Superintendent, the leadership training which was one of the Gender and Development (GAD) programs of DepEd Sorsogon aimed to impart additional leadership skills and knowledge to the participants from credible resource speakers who are classic examples of leadership themselves just like Colonel Joselito E. Kakilala, Commander of the 903^rd Infantry (Fight and Defend) Brigade, Philippine Army.

She further added that they always look forward to working with the Armed Forces Philippines (AFP) in building community and livelihood projects. “I share with the AFP’s vision that a self-sustained community means an educated society with wise voters which will eventually bring about reformed justice system,” said Mrs. Abundabar.

Colonel Kakilala, who served as one of the resource speakers, said that he is always grateful to all stakeholders such as the academe who give the military the opportunity to be a part of their various training programs and activities as resource speakers.

“This is one of the opportunities that we would not want to miss because through this kind of engagement we are able to forge a strong partnership and collaboration with other stakeholders apart from being able to share with them our knowledge,” he added.

“This is also a chance for us to educate our teachers about the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) ‘Bayanihan’, in line with our continuing information awareness programs”, said Colonel Kakilala.

Mrs Annalyn F. Hibo-Gamboa, President/Founder Organization of Private Schools and Administrators of Sorsogon (OPSAS) said the lecture of Colonel Kakilala was very informative and inspiring. 

“It gave us, educators, a different perspective on leadership and he also reminded us of the crucial role that we play in our quest for a better Philippines,” she said.

“His lecture encouraged and challenged us to think outside the four corners of the classroom and that, through collaborative efforts, we can overcome developmental obstacles that we are now facing”, she further said. (BARecebido, PIA-5/Sorsogon/ BQCadungan, PA)

Sorsogon PNP, DSWD conducts ToT on Family Dev’t Session Crime Prevention

By: Bennie A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, Dec 16 (PIA) – To strengthen partnership of the local police and social welfare workers here especially in dealing with families under their respective areas of concern, a Training of Trainer’s (ToT) on the Family Development Session (FDS) Crime Prevention was recently conducted in this city.

Public Information Officer PCI Nonito F. Marquez of Sorsogon Police Provincial Office (SPPO) Police Community Relations said their office headed by PSSupt Raul Hebreo deemed it necessary to conduct FDS in order to establish cooperation and arrangement for the empowerment and strengthening of the capabilities of families in effecting their roles and responsibilities in advocating human rights and welfare among their members and the community as well.

“The FDS encourages active participation and involvement of family members to community activities making them empowered, thus, contributes to the crime reduction in their respective communities,” said PCI Marquez.

He also said that the modules discussed during the ToT provided various strategies that can be applied by the enforcers and those in the frontline in order to attain an effective crime prevention rate. 

Personnel from the Women and Children Protection Division (WCPD) and Family Juvenile Gender Advocacy and Development (FJGAD) coming from the different subordinate units of SPPO together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) municipal links of the province were the primary participants in the said training.

Participants were also given opportunity to raise queries and clarifications regarding their usual encounters in their respective fields through an open forum.

The ToT was organized by the SPPO in partnership with the DSWD 4Ps Provincial Office. (BARecebido, PIA-5/Sorsogon)

BFP ‘Oplan Paalala’ for 2013 Yuletide Season rolls-on

Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)

SORSOGON CITY, December 16 (PIA) – To ensure that Sorsoganons would enjoy this year’s celebration of the Yuletide Season, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Sorsogon City spearheaded by City Fire Marshal Senior Inspector Walter B. Marcial continues its fire safety inspection to all establishments selling Christmas lights and other Christmas decors.

According to SInsp Marcial, they have started their “Oplan Paalala” for this year’s Yuletide Season since December 4 especially in stores selling Christmas lights and other Christmas decors so as to avert occurrence of electrical combustion. “Aside from this, we also formed a team that conducts thorough inspection in establishments that deal with the manufacture, distribution and sale of pyrotechnics/firecrackers,” he added.

“Considering the distressing rate of fire incidents and accidents during this season due to the usage of Christmas lights and decors, the BFP is determined to really inspect all types of similar products,” SInsp Marcial said.

He also said that the BFP personnel conducts fire safety inspection to all establishments selling Christmas lights to make sure that their goods passed the standard set by the Department of Trade and industry (DTI) and that the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) seal are marked on their products.

“I have ordered our fire safety inspectors to make sure that the products being sold are absolutely safe, while the BFP operation duty personnel were assigned to conduct information drive within their respective area of responsibility through fire truck visibility and leaflets dissemination,” he further said.

Prior to the conduct of the inspection, Sorsogon City BFP coordinated with other government agencies to effectively carry out their “Oplan Paalala” which aims to promote public safety as well as to avoid any untoward incidents during the celebration of Christmas season.

The BFP, meanwhile, appeals to the public to be more cautious and vigilant in choosing Christmas decors. “In case of fire incidents or other related emergency situation, the BFP can be reach at their hotline nos. 421-6320; 211-7996/09072927215 or 160,” SInsp Marcial added. (BARecebido, PIA-5/Sorsogon/MGECorral, BFP)

DA Secretary Alcala graced 1st Bicol Coop-NATCCO Consultative Meeting

DA Secretary Proceso Alcala (photo: Sorsogon City-LGU)

By: Bennie A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, Dec. 16 (PIA) – For the first time, organized agri-based cooperatives in Bicol region gathered together during the 1st Coop-NATCCO (National Confederation of Cooperatives) Regional Consultative Meeting held at the Sorsogon Provincial Gymnasium on Dec. 12, 2013.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala graced the occasion and encouraged farmers to try the intercropping scheme being pushed by the national government as a strategy to vastly increase the income of those in the agriculture sector.

It can be recalled that President Benigno Aquino III, in his fourth State of the Nation Address, underscored intercropping as a solution to the very low income of farmers especially those in the coco industry. “It only needs to foster a culture that truly encourages hard work and productivity,” the President said.

Intercropping is the practice of growing more than one crop in the same field, especially in an alternating rows or sections to produce a greater yield on a given piece of land by making use of resources that would otherwise not be utilized by a single crop.

The regional gathering was attended by cooperative members from across the Bicol region composed of farmers, fishermen, irrigators and other agriculture-based members of various associations.  Local Chief Executives of Sorsogon and of other Bicol provinces as well as head of agriculture-related government agencies were present and showed support to the said regional affair of the Coop NATCCO.

Secretary Alcala was personally invited by Coop-Natco Partylist Representative Anthony Bravo who also took the lead in order to realize the first regional meeting of members of the Coop-NATCCO in Bicol region.

During the consultation dialogue, Secretary Alcala suggested planting of coffee in their farm yard but the farmer-participants keyed up to venture instead on the production of cacao for their intercropping planting system as they have proven it to be more productive and provides better opportunity for a higher income.

Considering the farmer’s recommendation, Secretary Alcala assured the farmers that the Department of Agriculture will help them by providing the needed planting materials.

He likewise boost confidence of farmers and fishermen saying they have to take pride in what they do because they are the primary providers of foodstuff found on every man’s table.

Meanwhile, Secretary Alcala spearheaded the distribution of farming and fishing implements such as hand tractors, threshers, knapsack sprayer, gill nets and other fishing equipment, including hundred sacks of certified palay seeds. (BARecebido, PIA 5/SORSOGON)

Nanay Evie: Abolition of PDAF not a hindrance

Sorsogon 2nd District Rep. Nanay Evie Escudero

SORSOGON CITY, Dec 13 – Assistance to barangays and municipalities will continue despite the abolition of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) which was recently declared illegal by the Supreme Court.

This was the assurance made by Congw. Evie Escudero as she met some 255 new and re-elected barangay captains from the first district of the province last December 6, 2013 for the orientation and briefing conducted by two government agencies.

In her message, Escudero said the abolition of the PDAF, also known as pork barrel fund, would not hinder her efforts to extend assistance to her constituents through programs and projects that are responsive to the needs of the people.

“Let it not be said that my ability to fulfil my duty depends solely on the PDAF,” she stressed, adding that she had been coordinating with various government agencies to source out funds or to tap their existing programs for the need of the people.

“Even before I assumed office, the PDAF had already been suspended so I had never experienced how to utilize it and yet I continue to deliver programs and projects to the barangays,” she pointed out.

As proof, Escudero said several school buildings in Castilla, Donsol and Pilar are due for implementation before the year ends.

The briefing and orientation held at the Escudero residence in Barangay Buhatan was part of the initiatives to tap existing programs and projects and direct these to specific barangays and municipalities where it would suit the needs of the people.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) conducted lecture and forum relative to their programs and projects which directly involve the participation of barangay officials and their constituents like the Solid Waste Management Program (SWMP), land titling, National Greening Program (NGP) and many more.

The labor department, meanwhile, explained the processes and procedures that have to be followed in availing livelihood programs for marginalized sectors.

Simultaneous with the activity, a separate orientation was also being held that day by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) for the Municipal Solid Waste Management Councils of Casiguran and Castilla at Fritz Homestay in Barangay Tugos, Sorsogon City.

The solid waste orientation, which was also an initiative of Escudero, aimed to expedite the implementation of the solid waste program in the two municipalities as pilot areas.

Escudero requested the DENR through Regional Executive Director Gilbert Gonzales to provide shredder for the processing of wastes.

The lady solon stressed that the solid waste program is a potential source of livelihood especially in the barangays.### (PIA-5/Sorsogon)