Provincial-LGU nanawagan ng suporta sa mga Sorsoganon kaugnay ng Earth Hour 2012

Ni: Bennie A. Recebido

LUNGSOD NG SORSOGON, Marso 27 (PIA) – Matapos ang halos ay apat na taon nang pagsasagawa ng aktibidad kaugnay ng Earth Hour, muli na namang makikiisa ang Plipinas sa paglulunsad ng Earth Hour 2012 kasama ng mga bayan at lungsod sa buong mundo sa isang oras boluntaryong pagpatay ng ilaw sa darating na ika-31 ng Marso, ngayong taon, alas otso y medya hanggang alas nueve y medya ng gabi.

Tema ngayong taon ang “I will, if you will” kung saan ipinahihiwatig nito na hindi makakamit ng iisang indibidwal lamang ang adhikain bagkus ay hinihikayat nito ang publiko na magkaroon ng tulungang pagsisikap upang makamit ang layuning mabawasan ang epekto ng global warming.

Kaugnay nito, nananawagan sa mga Sorsoganon ang pamahalaang lalawigan ng Sorsogon sa pamamagitan ng Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa World Wildlife Fund (WWF) at Provincial Tourism Office (PTO) na makilahok sa gagawing aktibidad bilang suporta sa Earth Hour 2012 at sa pagbabawas ng gamit sa enerhiya lalo na ang elektrisidad.

Ayon kay PENR Officer Engr. Maribeth Fruto, alas sais y medya ng gabi ay magkakaroon ng Film Showing na tatampok sa panganagalaga sa kapaligiran at mahahalagang impormasyon ukol sa Climate Change Adaptation at Disaster Risk Reduction Management.

Susundan ito ng maikling programa na kapalolooban ng Covenant Signing ng iba’t-ibang mga ahensya ng pamahalaan, non-government organization, mga kabataan at iba pang sektor ng lipunan.

Bago ang tuluyang pagpatay ng ilaw alas-otso y medya ng gabi ay magkakaroon ng countdown at magpapalipad ng malaking globo at pagpapaputok ng mga kwitis.

Pinakatampok sa obserbasyon ng Earth Hour ang Torch Parade sa kahabaan ng lansangan ng lungsod gamit ang kandila at flashlight na may Light Emitting Diode (LED) sa pangunguna naman ng Philippine National Police Marshal at mga siklistang kasapi ng Alpha Phi Omega (APO). Sa paggamit ng bisikletang may mga ilaw, nais ng APO na maiparating sa publiko ang mensahe ng pagtitipid sa gasolina at pagtitipid sa paggamit ng elektrisidad.

Kasabay naman sa torch parade ay ang pag-awit ng kantang “Heal the World” upang higit pang mapukaw ang pansin at damdamin ng publiko ukol sa pangangalaga sa mundo.

Mamamahagi din ang WWF at Department of Energy (DOE) ng poster at flyers ukol sa tamang pagtititpid sa enerhiya.

Layunin ng aktibidad na ito na maiparating sa bawat mamamayan ang mas makapangyarihang mensahe na dapat nang umaksyon ang bawat isa upang mabawasan ang epekto ng pag-iinit ng mundo. Kasabay din nito ang pagbibigay inspirasyon sa publiko upang maisapuso ang pagmamahal sa mundo at ipagpatuloy ang pagtitipid sa paggamit ng enerhiya kahit pa tapos na ang aktibidad ng Earth Hour sa Marso 31.

At upang lubusang maipaabot sa publiko ang mga mahahalagang mensahe ng obserbasyon ng Earth Hour, binigyan din ng mahalagang papel na gagampanan ang mga nasa sektor ng lokal na tri-media sa pangunguna ng Philippine Information Ageny Sorsogon Information Center, kung saan sa pamamagitan ng press briefing alas nuebe ng umaga bukas ay ibabahagi din sa mga ito ang mahahalagang impormasyong maaari nilang maisulat o matalakay sa kanilang mga programa sa radyo.

Mamamahagi din ang PIA Sorsogon ng mga babasahing makakatulong sa mga media sa pagsulat ng artikulo at pagtalakay sa himpapawid ng paksang may kaugnayan sa Earth Hour. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)

Biodiversity Talk

Biodiversity Talk. Myrna Bailon, of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Division of DENR Bicol imparts her expertise on Biodiversity and Biodiversity Conservation using the DENR’s School Book Guide to the environment. The activity is part of the two-day Dalaw Turo IEC advocacy for the Uson Buang Pongco Bonga Fish Sanctuary and Marine Reserve. (Photo by RUBY MENDONES, DENR/PIA Sorsogon)

DENR Bicol donates 24,563 bd. ft. of wood to DepEd

LEGAZPI CITY, March 26 – Consistent with its policy to support the government’s efforts of improving the educational facilities of public schools, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Bicol donated some 24,563 board feet (bd. ft.) of undocumented and confiscated logs and lumbers to the Department of Education (DepEd) Regional Office 5.

DENR Regional Executive Director Joselin Marcus Fragada revealed that 40 public schools in the province of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes and Sorsogon have benefitted from the donation made in CY 2011.

All the confiscated wood will be used in making chairs and desks, and with the repairs of school buildings.

“The DENR Bicol turned over all these confiscated logs and lumbers since November 2011, and furnished with the deeds of donation were the recipient schools and the DepEd Regional Office,” Director Fragada said.

Earlier, Environment Sec. Ramon Paje revealed that some 54,303 pieces of essential school furniture and facilities have so far been produced from undocumented logs and lumber. The output involved the conversion of some seven million bd. ft. of wood into 48,620 school chairs; 4,777 school desks; 660 tables; 132 cabinets; 98 benches and 16 bookshelves.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) which, under the “PNoy Bayanihan Project”, also turned over some 21,000 school chairs to DepEd from the 761,538 bd. ft. of wood that the DENR has supplied to TESDA, which in turn, manufactured it into school chairs with funding support from Philippine Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).

Another 27,620 school chairs were turned over to public schools through other outlets that sponsored the conversion into school chairs such as local government units (18,404) the Philippine National Police (20) and even the DENR (589). Part of the donated wood also went into the repair of 334 school buildings and public facilities.

Since 2010, a total of 12.06 million bd. ft.of undocumented forest products has been confiscated by the DENR, of which some 7 million bd. ft. have already been donated.  The remaining balance of 5 million bd. ft. are either undergoing litigation procedures or awaiting clearance for donation, according to him. (RFuby Mendones, DENR/PIA Sorsogon)

DENR campaign vs. illegal logging gains ground

LEGAZPI CITY, March 26 – With a considerable outcome on its anti-illegal logging campaign, the Department of Environment and natural Resources (DENR) scored against illegal loggers at the outset of the creation of the Regional Anti-illegal Logging Task Force (RAILTF).

In its 2011 report, the Forest Management Service (FMS) revealed that 192 anti-illegal logging operations resulted in an apprehension of 476.2253 cubic meters (m³) or 201,812.853 board feet (bd. ft.) valuated at 2,531,657.80 Pesos which stemmed to the filing of nine cases against illegal logging suspects.

DENR Bicol Regional Executive Director Joselin Marcus Fragada attributed the significant anti-illegal logging operations to the creation of the RAILTF last May 17, 2011 which complements the regional office with manpower and firepower through the Armed Forces of the Phils. (air force, navy and army), Phil. National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Phil. Coast Gurad, Dept. of Justice (DOJ) among others.

“We sure are hoping to sustain this campaign with the help of our partners at the RAILTF,” Director Fragada said.

According to foresters and field personnel of the FMS, a pro-active campaign is a deterrent to illegal logging operations in Bicol’s natural and secondary forests which the DENR is trying to rehabilitate under the National Greening Program (NGP).

FMS report disclosed that along with confiscated woods, various field offices sequestered 68 conveyances used in the transport of illegal logs, 6 animals, 2 carts, 5 logging tools and 11 chainsaws.

Meanwhile, 40 public schools under the Department of Education (DepEd) benefitted from the donation of 24,563 bd. ft. of confiscated wood by the DENR. Under the memorandum of agreement by the DENR and DepEd confiscated woods will be used in making chairs and desks, and with the repairs of school buildings. (Ruby Mendones, DENR/PIA Sorsogon)

Sorsogon City Central Fire Station conducts Tree Planting activity

Personnel of Bureau of Fire protection Sorsogon City headed by City Fire Marshal SInsp Walter Marcial conducts tree planting activity together with the pupils of Bacon East Central School as a way of mitigating effects of climate change as well as raising the public’s awareness of protecting water sources. The activity is part of the observance of this year's Fire Prevention Month. (BFP/BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)

Photos by: BFP Sorsogon City

Earthquake and Fire Exit Drill at LCC Department Store

Fire prevention Month 2012. Earthquake and Fire Exit Drill conducted by the personnel of the Sorsogon City Central Fire Station at the LCC Department Store in Magsaysay St., Sorsogon City on March 21, 2012 participated by some 40 employees of said establishment. The activity aimed at ensuring efficient and safe use of the exit facilities available in case of emergencies and at the same time enhances emergency response capabilities of the LCC employees. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon/Photos by BFP Sorsogon City)

BFP Sorsogon City strengthens capacities of various sectors on disaster preparedness

By: Bennie A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, March 26 – The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Sorsogon City, as part of its observance of the Fire Prevention Month this year, conducted various activities that would strengthen capacities of personnel in the business sector and company as well, specifically in terms of disaster preparedness.

Among which is the conduct of the Earthquake and Fire Exit Drill at the LCC Department Store in Magsaysay St., Sorsogon City on March 21, 2012. City Fire Marshal Senior Inspector Walter B. Marcial said that the activity aimed at ensuring efficient and safe use of the exit facilities available in case of emergencies and at the same time enhance emergency response capabilities of the LCC employees.

The activity started with an orientation conducted by FO3 Lolito F. Canares to more or less 40 participants followed thereafter by a drill.

“The sounding alarm signified the shaking/earthquake and as a response, participants do the ‘Duck, Cover and Hold’ activity. An evacuation to the designated safe area of refuge followed right away, observing the proper execution as taught by the BFP personnel during the orientation,” said Marcial.

While in the assembly area, the participants were instructed to make an orderly formation for the headcount. Evaluation and giving of critique ended the activity.

Meanwhile, on March 19 and 20, 2012, personnel of BFP Sorsogon City also conducted a two-day Fire Prevention and Control Seminar and Firefighting Techniques Training to employees of BacMan Geothermal Power Plant Complex (BGPPC).

The activity is in response to the management’s request in their desire to enhance BGPPC personnel’s response capability in fire emergencies considering the grave hazard where they are exposed into, especially when fire strikes.

The team of instructors on the first day was headed by Sorsogon City Fire Station Chief Operation SFO1 Gene H. Mendoza, while the second day was headed by Provincial Fire Marshal CInsp Achilles M. Santiago.

Other members who joined the team were personnel from the Fire Safety Enforcement Section and Operations Section who respectively discussed and demonstrated fire safety awareness, use and classes of fire extinguishers and topics in fire operation like firefighting apparatus, personal protective equipment, phases of firefighting, safety measures and techniques in firefighting.

Prior to these activities, BFP Sorsogon City also conducted fire and earthquake drills in schools, fire prevention seminar in some identified barangays, fire safety inspections of different business establishments within the city, open house and radio hopping.

“We have also conducted tree planting activity as a way of mitigating effects of climate change as well as raising the public’s awareness of protecting water sources,” said Marcial.

Further, Marcial said, other activities they have lined-up this week include inspection and re-painting of fire hydrants, blood letting, and clean-up drive in Brgy. Caricaran, Bacon District. (BFP/BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)

FIRE PREVENTION AND CONTROL SEMINAR AND

FIREFIGHTING TECHNIQUES TRAINING

BACMAN Geothermal Power Plant

March 19-20, 2012

(Photos by: BFP Sorsogon City)