Climate Change affects water supply in Sorsogon City

Climate Change affects water supply in Sorsogon City

 By: Irma A. Guhit

Sorsogon City- March 7 : In a radio interview here last week  Sylvia Reyes Lao and Atty.Jesus  Fumera, Sorsogon City Water District board of directors presented the plight of the Sorsogon Water Disrtict (SCWD) in terms of the diminishing ground water supply as now a result of the  effects of Climate Change and Global Warming . They said that there is the need now for using surface water for water supply augmentation to service the entire population of Sorsogon City.

Lao said that based on the assessment conducted by the SCWD ground water in Sorsogon has been slowly diminishing due to basically the effects of Climate Change and Global Warming.They said that although the SWD maintains a water shed, still this cannot provide the needed water supply in the next five years in the city.

Last summer of 2010, the City of Sorsogon has suffered inadequate water supply due to El Nino that lasted for almost six months and although today the province is exeriencing a rainy season the supply of water for the residents is still not enough as indicated by the very low supply of ground water source.

Meanwhile Engr. Renato Borbono , SCWD General Manager called on the Sanggunian Panglunsod during their session early this January and  presented to the body the project proposal of the SCWD for water augmentation by using surface water and requested their assistance to pass a local legislation to this effect.

He said that the need to tap surface water for water augmentation in the city of Sorsogon will be sourced out from rivers and dams.

The Hydro Electric Dam which supplies water to the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) for irrigation to ricefields can also be tapped as an add on source for water augmentation to include the Anhaw, Rangas, Pangpang and Cawayan Rivers.

He also coordinated with the Sorsogon City Planning Development Office (SCPDO) so that initial steps to work on water augmentation mechanism be discussed before the coming of the dry season.

Engr. Borbono also said that aside from supplying adequate water, the SCWD sees to it that quality water is provided through filtering and treatment to ensure safe water delivery.

He enjoined everyone to plant more trees. He said that water conservation at home and in their work place be also observed by every consumer.

Atty Fumera on the other hand explained that everyone should be conscious of how to conserve and use water properly. They have to report immediately to the SCWD any pilferage or if the public have seen leaks from pipelines and specially from fire hydrants.

Water is very important specially now that March is  a fire prevention month.Everyone must be aware of how we should use water and conserve it.

  

"It is the SWD's main thrust now to find ways on how to maintain enough water supply for everyone and that the SWD can provide safe, affordable water and efficient water supply delivery", Fumera said.  

In the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) safe and adequate water supply is the number six of the global targets to be accomplished by 2020.(PIA-Sorsogon)

Donsol’s tourist influx increases yearly

Donsol’s tourist influx increases yearly

By: Bennie A. Recebido

Sorsogon City, March 7 (PIA) – Donsol town records some 25 percent increase of tourists that visit the place yearly to interact with world’s renowned “Butanding” (Rhincodon Typus) and at the same time experience other tourism destinations that the town offers.

Donsol Municipal Tourism Office latest record dated July 5, 2010 shows that there are a total of 53, 120 tourist arrivals recorded from 2008 to 2010 wherein 32,361 of these were local tourists while 20,309 were foreigners.

In 2008, 11,414 tourists, both foreign and local, visit Donsol, 17,548 in 2009, while the highest number recorded was last year with 24,158 visitors during the first half of the year. Last semester’s data of 2010 has yet to be consolidated and determined by the personnel of the local tourism office.

Number of boat trips last year, also recorded more or less 6,000 which were used for Butanding interaction. While for boat rentals including regulatory fees and taxes, the local government of Donsol has earned roughly P18,307,365 for 2010 while P73,100 were earned from the firefly watching from  the period of January – June 2010.

“The data is one concrete proof that tourists who wish to interact with the gentle giants of Donsol waters keep increasing yearly,” said municipal councilor Ronald Malilin, chair, Committee on Tourism.

“This has also brought positive effect not only in augmenting the livelihood of the local residents but in increasing ur local economy. That’s why we are really determined to preserve our natural resources that elevated us from being a 4th class municipality to a 1st class municipality,” he added.

“Likewise, we are also eyeing for possible investors that can put in amusement centers and other infrastructures that can help provide tourists with comfortable and worthwhile stay in Donsol,” Councilor Malilin also said.

Meanwhile, Malilin also invited anew the public to visit Donsol especially this time that the peak season for Butanding sightings has already started (March – May). He also assured the public that security of both local and foreign tourists are being taken-cared of by their local authorities to ensure an enjoyable stay while they are in the area. (PIA Sorsogon)

DA to host 3rd Pili Congress in Albay

DA to host 3rd Pili Congress in Albay

By Irma A. Guhit

Sorsogon City - March 3 : The Department of Agriculture (DA) in collaboration with Hon. Edcel C. Lagman of the 1st District of Albay will hold the 3rd Pili Congress this  March 3-4, 2011 at the Concourse Convention Center,Legaspi City with the theme:Bicol Region Taking the Lead for a Sustainable and Globally Competitive Pili Industry.

Secretary Proceso J. Alcala of the Department of Agriculture  will be the keynote speaker in this  2011 launchpad activity for the Bicol Region's pili industry.

Governor Joey Salceda of the province of Albay will deliver the opening message to welcome the participants comprising of industry and business experts,foreign market representtives.technical experts,capital and investment specialists.

This two-day congress will provide policy directions for the pili industry through the different topics to be discussed that will set the Pili Roadmap for Economic Industry Development for Bicol.It will define the competitive edge of the pili in the global markets and provide directions for a sustainable industry.

One of the highlights of this year's congress is the participation of the Sorsogon Pili Festival Street Dancers - Bukawel Theater Group Performing Arts that will provide  the participants another dimension of Bicol's high value product more on its cultural and tourism aspect.

The Philippine Information Agency- Sorsogon Information Center has been tapped last 2010 to provide the cultural dimension of the pili to provide the congress the aesthethic value of the product as a festival.

Benita Tanyag, coordinator of the event said that this 3rd Pili congress will be very different since the pili as the high value product of the Bicol Region will be more showcased not only in its marketability component but also in its tourism value.

The Sorsogon Pili Festival which used to be the festival of Sorsogon City will be incorporated in the opening ceremony of the congress through the performance of the Pili Festival Dancers -Bukawel Theater Group.

Exhibits of pili products and the diversified use of the pili fruit will also be showcased .

Expected to participate in the said congress are municipal agricultural officers, high value crop council coordinators, pili farmers, pili producers, pili traders and pili processors and to include pili business enthusiasts.

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The Bionet Commerce Philippines Advocacy Inc. is the co-organizer of the event. (PIA-Sorsogon)

Rural Bank of Donsol, hinoldap

Rural Bank of Donsol, hinoldap

Ni: BARecebido/FBTumalad,Jr.

Sorsogon City, March 3, (PIA) – Hinoldap kahapon, pasado alas-onse ng umaga ang Rural Bank of Donsol sa bayan ng Donsol dito sa lalawigan ng Sorsogon.

Sa inisyal na ulat, natangay ng mga suspek ang P321,029 na halaga ng pera, pati na rin ang mga cellphones at relos ng mga empleyado ng bangko.

Ayon sa isang tauhan ng bangko na tumanggi nang magpakilala, tatlong kalalakihang nasa 30-35 taong gulang na pawang Tagalog ang salita ang pumasok sa bangko at tinutukan sila ng baril kung kaya’t wala silang nagawa.

Isa diumano ang nagbukas ng vault, isa ang nakatutok sa kanila ng baril habang ang isa pa ay nagsilbi namang look-out.

Matapos umanong makuha ang lahat ng pera sa vault ay sapilitang ipinasok ang anim na mga empleyado ng bangko sa loob nito.

Ang Rural Bank of Donsol ay matatagpuan sa sentro harap ng supermarket, subalit hindi umano gaanong napansin ito ng mga tao lalo pa’t karamihan ay nanananghalian, maliban pa sa napalakas na buhos ng ulan.

Sa mga ulat, lumalabas na walang gwardiya dahilan sa wala pa umanong kapasidad magbayad ng gwardiya ang bangko kung kaya’t tanging sa isang CCTV camera lamang nakasalalay ang seguridad nito.

Hindi na naiulat pa kung may mga kliyenteng naroroon din sa bangko nang mga oras na maganap ang insidente.

Wala ding konkretong detalye kung saang direksyon tumakas ang mga suspek matapos na tangayin nito ang mga ninakaw.

Samantala, sa inisyal na report ng SOCO, naiturn-over na sa kanila ang CCTV camera at nakatakda na rin silang gumawa ng cartographic sketch upang mas madaling matukoy ang pagkakakilalnlan ng mga salarin.

Isasailalim din ngayon sa imbestigasyon ang manager ng Rural Bank of Donsol upang makuha din ang detalyadong ulat ukol sa pangyayari.

Ang Rural Bank of Donsol ang nag-iisang bangko sa Donsol mula pa noong 1957. (PIA Sorsogon)

Rehabilitasyon ng Mariculture Zones sa Sorsogon nasa proseso pa

Tagalog News Release

Rehabilitasyon ng Mariculture Zones sa Sorsogon nasa proseso pa

Ni: Bennie A. Recebido

Sorsogon City, March 3, (PIA) – Sinabi ni Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Sorsogon Field Office chief Gil Ramos na nasa proseso pa rin ang rehabilitasyon ng dalawang Mariculture Zones dito sa Sorsogon habang ang isa naman ay unti-unti nang lumalago.

Sinabi ni Ramos na matapos masira ng nagdaang bagyo ang Mariculture Zone sa Sugut Bay sa Bacon District, Sorsogon City ay nahirapan nang maibalik pa sa dati ito.

Aniya, sa tatlong Mariculture Zones tanging ang sa bayan ng Matnog lamang ang masasabing nagprosper.

Ayon kay Ramos, nakakapagharvest na ngayon ng malalaking lapu-lapu sa Matnog at pinag-aaralan na rin nila ang pagsasagawa ng investment forum para sa Matnog production.

Habang sa Magallanes naman, dahil hindi gaanong malaki ang pinsala ay napilitan na ang mga mangingisda na magshift na lamang sa seaweeds farming, ngunit dapat pa rin aniyang maisaaayos pa ito kung kaya’t on-going ang ginagawa nilang monitoring dito.

Sinabi din ni Ramos na malaki ang pinsalang idinulot ng nagdaang bagyo sa Mariculture Zone sa Sugut Bay. Aniya high-value species na sana ang nasimulan dito, ngunit naging seasonal ang naging operasyon at pag-ani dito dahilan sa kung malakas ang dagat napipilitang itigil na muna upang hindi na lalo pang makapinsala ng buhay ng tao.

Sa ngayon aniya ay inihahanda ang master plan para sa Sugut bay bago ito tuluyang isailalim sa full rehabilitation. Bagong disenyo naman aniya ng mga kulungan ng isda ang ipapakilala nila sa mga mangingisda.

Samantala, muling nanawagan si Ramos sa mga LGUs na ipatupad nito ang kanilang mandato batay sa nakasaad sa RA 7160 na bantayan ng mga ito ang katubigan nila at panatilihin ang kalinisan nito lalo pa’t isa ito sa maituturing na kayaman ng isang lugar. (PIA Sorsogon)