Rebel returnee avails of government’s integration program

SORSOGON CITY, Sept 19 (PIA) – The 903^rd (Fight and Defend) Infantry Brigade, 9^th Infantry (SPEAR) Division, Philippine Army facilitated yesterday the formal surrender and presentation of one New People’s Army (NPA) Amazon through the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) to Provincial Administrator Robert Rodrigueza who represented Governor Raul Lee of the Province of Sorsogon.

Loradel Esquilon also known as Ka Sisa/ Ka Megan in the underground movement, logistics and finance staff (S4) of Komiteng Probinsyal (KOMPROB) Sorsogon, voluntarily surrendered to the elements of 31^st Infantry Battalion of Philippine Army in Juban town earlier this month.

During the initial interview conducted, Loradel the only daughter of farmer parents “Ime” and “Ter” claimed that she was persuaded to join the NPA, the armed component of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), sometime in 2005 after she was promised of monetary support and alleviation from poverty.  She then revealed that the repeated sexual advances towards her by top NPA leaders while she was inside the organization and the difficult life she constantly experienced while operating in the hinterlands of Sorsogon, which were contrary to everything she was first promised were the circumstances that prompted her to finally make the decision to leave the movement sometime in 2009.  However, she only decided to formally come out into the mainstream society only this year after she was convinced of the good programs of the government for NPA surrenderees.

Loradel further revealed that upon her entry in the movement she underwent several training and teaching (Aralin) and eventually became a trusted follower of their leader, Andres Hubilla also known as Ka Magno, Secretary, KOMPROB, Sorsogon.  She was later entrusted with the vital designation as Finance and Logistics Officer of the Central Committee covering the province of Sorsogon.

Voluntarily, she declared that as the S4, she received more or less P3,000,000.00 every month as collection money from businessmen, construction companies implementing road and other infrastructure projects and even from government officials. They were able to collect more money during election period from the imposition of Permit to Campaign (PTC).

Ka Sisa further claimed that aside from her, only two personalities from their group namely Ka Magno and Ka Anton have knowledge as to how much money they really get from the revolutionary tax. She also personally witnessed the extensive corruption of their top leaders pocketing millions of pesos for themselves at the expense of the ordinary red fighters who were suffering from lack of food and support for their personal needs. Additionally, she bitterly recalled how Ka Magno tried to rape her several times but was fortunate enough to avoid the lascivious advances. However, there were other female NPA members who were unfortunately succumbed to Ka Magno’s bestial desires.

Colonel Joselito Kakilala, Commander of the 903rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army, who exercises operational control over the 31st Infantry Battalion, criticized the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) for violating the rights of the female NPA members. “First, they promised the people with good life while recruiting them.  These communist leaders not only pocketed (corrupted) the millions of pesos collected from extortions for their own vested interests but also sexually abused/rape their female recruits.  They are worst and inhuman,” Col Kakilala pathetically said.

Loradel yielded her one (1) M16 Rifle with magazines, ammo and subversive documents with high intelligence value.  Under the AFP Guns for Peace Program, the surrenderee received the amount of P50,000.00 as part of the firearms remuneration package and other existing government assistance coming from the line government agencies.

Following the giving of cash reward, Brigadier General Yerson Depayso, Commander of the Philippine Army’s 9th Infantry Division assured her of the AFP’s protection as he called on her former comrades to respect her decision to live in peace. Gen. Depayso further encouraged the Local Government Units, the National Government Agencies, and the civil society organizations to work together in reaching to other members of the NPAs and convince them to return to their families.

“Naniniwala ako na ang mga NPA ay mga biktima lamang ng maling paniniwala dahil sa kanilang mahirap na kalagayan kaya sila ay dapat na iligtas at tulungan upang mailayo sa tiyak na kapahamakan (I believe that NPA members are victims of misguided belief due to their disadvantaged condition so we must save and help them before they face sure destruction),” he said. (BAR, PIA-5/Sorsogon/ALEamiguel, PA)

DSWD-5 launches the First Regional Profile of Poor Households in Sorsogon

Sorsogon LCEs receives Profile of Poor Households from DSWD

SORSOGON CITY, September 13 (PIA) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office-5 launched its first Profile of Poor Households in the Province of Sorsogon on September 6, this year.

The launching aims to promote and provide better appreciation to the data utilization of the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) or the “Listahanan”.

The profile was the output of the 2009 enumeration in which 461,242 households in Bicol region were identified as poor. It contains statistical data about the actual scenarios of the poor households in the region which will serve as basis of different agencies and organizations in formulating programs and projects intended to the vulnerable and disadvantaged sector of the community.

The launching was highlighted by a simple turnover of the Regional Profile Booklet Replica by Regional Focal Person Mr. Don B. Abejuro Jr. to the Local Chief Executives and the distribution of the booklets to the respective LGU representatives.

“DSWD is politically and ideologically blind, with the “Listahanan”, we are assured that only the real poor benefits on the poverty reduction interventions of the department and other agencies/organizations which make use of our database,” said Mr. Abejuro in his message during the launching.

He also announced that the 2^nd nationwide assessment will be conducted in the last quarter of this year. “Once again we will ask your full support for the 2^nd round of assessment in finding WHO and WHERE the poor are in Bicol region,” he said.

The provincial launching forms part of the department’s Programs Orientation to Local Chief Executives which aims to strengthen information and partnership with the stakeholders.  It likewise encourages LGU partners in the effective implementation of the social services being carried out in their respective areas.

In attendance were DSWD representatives Ms. Malou Palacio, Regional Convergence Coordinator, Regional Focal Person Mr. Don B. Abejuro Jr. & other technical staff from different programs, Local Chief Executives, Provincial/City/Municipal Social Welfare and Municipal Planning & Development Officers of the 14 municipalities and one city of Sorsogon.

An open forum was done at the end of the activity where issues and concerns were entertained and clarified.

Meanwhile, similar activities will also be conducted this month in the provinces of Camarines Sur and Catanduanes. (BARecebido, PIA-5/Sorsogon/CRBarrameda, DSWD)

PNP confers Retirement Honors to Sorsogon Police Provincial Director

SORSOGON CITY, Sept 19 (PIA) – PSSupt Ramon Sopeña Ranara (DSC), Officer-In-Charge of the Sorsogon Police Provincial Office turns 56 on September 17, 2013 that paved way for his compulsory retirement in the government service.

PSSupt Ranara is a native of Pili, Camarines Sur and a graduate of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA). He served in the government for thirty three years in various assignments and successfully finished his meritorious and laudable service in the Philippine National Police as he celebrated his birthday on Sept 17.

In recognition of PD Ranara’s 30 commendable years in service, a Retirement Honors was bestowed on him at Camp Salvador C. Escudero Sr. in Sorsogon City on Monday, Sept 16.

Regional Director PCSupt Clarence V. Guinto VI of Police Regional Office 5, graced the occasion conveying a congratulatory and fortuity message to PSSupt Ranara, and likewise installed the new Officer-In Charge, PSSupt Raul Pardo Hebreo, PESE.  

PSSupt Hebreo, meanwhile, is not new to Sorsogon because he has been assigned in different places in the province in the late 80’s and early 90’s.

The simple, yet memorable ceremony started with the arrival honors for PCSupt Guinto and his Party, followed by the Thanks Giving Mass at the Post Chapel in Camp Salvador C Escudero Sr., Sorsogon City. 

The Retirement Honors culminated with the Pass-In-Review of the Sorsogon Police Provincial Office PNP personnel.

Among the guests who graced the occasion are Brigade Commander of 903^rd Philippine Army, Col. Joselito Kakilala; Sorsogon City Mayor Sally A Lee, who represented Sorsogon Governor Raul R. Lee; Bishop Emeritus Jesus Y. Varela; Bishop Arturo M. Bastes; Provincial Administrator Robert Lee Rodrigueza; Provincial Chairman of the Council of Community Elders, Mr. Fernando O. Duran Jr.; and the tri-media practitioners in the province of Sorsogon. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon/NFMarquez, SPPO)

NSWMC, EMB-V conducts Writeshop for Sorsogon’s Provincial SWM Technical Working Group

By: Bennie A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, September 9 (PIA) – The National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) in partnership with the Environmental Management Bureau-Bicol conducts starting today, September 9 until September 11, 2013 a Provincial Level Writeshop on the Development of the 10-Year Solid Waste Management (SWM) Plan for the Province of Sorsogon.

Held in Legazpi City, the 3-day writeshop aims to strengthen the capabilities of the provincial-LGU in implementing fully the Republic Act 9003 or the Philippine Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

EMB-V Regional Director Roberto Sheen said the writeshop on the development of the SWM Plan is one of the assistance offered by EMB and the NSWMC to its partners to carry out the government’s environmental programs specifically those relative to the implementation of RA 9003.

“This activity is another phase of the technical assistance being extended to the Local Government Units (LGUs). It aims to help the province and its Technical Working Group to compile the strategies and plans developed by each municipalities/cities and create a more comprehensive plan for the province that will address the issue(s) on solid waste management,” Dir. Sheen explained.

Prior to the conduct of this provincial activity, a writeshop entitled “Workshop  Design: Capability Building of Pilot Provinces on the Preparation of Provincial SWM Plan” was also conducted on July 11-13, this year, in Bacon District, Sorsogon City by the Solid Waste Management Section of the EMB-V of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

It was participated by the 14 municipalities and one component city of the pprovince of Sorsogon.  

The output of the SWM plan made by the respective LGUs of Sorsogon will serve as the basis in the preparation of the Provincial Solid Waste Management Plan.

Rule 6 section 2(a) of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 9003 mandates the PSWMB to develop a Provincial Solid Waste Management Plan from the submitted SWM Plans of the respective city and municipal SWMBs.

According to the IRR, PSWMB shall review and integrate the submitted plans of all its component cities and municipalities and ensure that the various plans complement each other, and have the requisite components. The PSWMB shall be submitted to the NSWMC for approval.

The Provincial Plan shall reflect the general program of action and initiatives of the provincial government in implementing a solid waste management program that would support the various initiatives of its component cities and municipalities.

Dir. Sheen said that the role of the province to work towards fulfilling their tasks as provided for by the RA 9003 is very significant, and at the end of the 3-day writeshop, it is expected that a Provincial SWM Plan will be crafted for approval by the NSWMC and eventually for implementation in Sorsogon. (BARecebido, PIA-5/Sorsogon)

LGU-Gubat, PCCED empower local residents through Participatory Budgeting Process

Gubat's Participatory Budgeting General Assembly

By: Bennie A. Recebido

GUBAT, SORSOGON, September 8 (PIA) – The Local Government of Gubat in Sorsogon through Mayor Roderick Co, and the Philippine Center for Civic Education and Democracy (www.pcced.org.ph) partnered in empowering the community to partake in the public budget expenditure through the Municipal Participatory Budgeting General Assembly conducted on September 1, 2013 in Gubat, Sorsogon.

Some 300 participants from various sectors including women, farmers, fishermen, senior citizen, youth and persons with disabilities (PWDs) attended the General Assembly.

“In the midst of controversies on spending public funds, LGU-Gubat in Sorsogon sees to it that their public funds will be spent judiciously in response to the needs of its constituents,” said in a press statement sent to PIA by Jospeh Emmanuel Lansang, PCCED Project Manager.

Through the Participatory Budgeting, ordinary citizens directly decide how to spend the public budget. Participatory Budgeting aims to make the Municipal Budgeting Process more inclusive and participatory by allowing ordinary citizens to deliberate and propose spending ideas to the Local Government Unit so that the Municipal Budget reflects the real need of the community.

During the breakout sessions, different sectors identified issues and projects that can help address these issues through deliberation. Following this, each sector prioritized the projects through consensus building. A core group whose members were chosen by the sectors will then research on the projects and make proposals.

A show of active involvement and participation

"In a significant way, participatory budgeting is an attempt to recover what direct democracy is about. Here, ordinary folks represent and argue for their own welfare,” Mr. Reynald Trillana, PCCED executive director said.

Participatory Budgeting builds on the existing structure provided for by the 1991 Local Government Code (LGC). The LGC mandates that the Municipal Development Council composed of the Mayor, Sanggunian Representative, Congressman, Punong Barangays and sector representatives (members of not less than ¼ of the fully organized council) deliberate and plan the social and economic direction of the municipality.

Participatory Budgeting brings the deliberation and planning closer to the people by letting them directly identify community problems and recommend projects that can address the problems they raise. These projects will then be a part of the Annual Investment Plan of the Municipality.

While the LGC provides for sectoral representation in the Local Development Council, Participatory Budgeting focuses on ordinary citizens including those who are not members of Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) or People’s Organizations (POs), and those who may have been marginalized with the recent focus on civil society organizations.

Participants listen attentively during the break-out session

The participants openly expressed that through this, they feel that they become closer to the government because they are given direct voice in public governance. "This process of participatory budgeting promotes transparency as everyone is aware of the projects of the municipality," another attendee expressed during the plenary.

Likewise, one community volunteer for PWD named Aida said that if their project gets approved, the PWDs would have medical equipments needed so they can be more productive in the community.

Participatory Budgeting started in Porto Alegre in Brazil in 1989. It has resulted to vast improvement in the delivery of social and economic projects in the country and is now being adapted in many cities around the world including those in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy and Germany.

The participatory budgeting process in Gubat is being facilitated by the PCCED, and is supported by the Spanish Agency for International Development and Cooperation (AECID) through Zabalketa, a Spanish NGO. PCCED has been promoting civic education, student and youth empowerment, democratic values, and supporting grassroots democracy since 2007. Over the past years, AECID has been supporting projects that would strengthen democracy and its institutions in the Philippines. (BARecebido, PIA-5/Sorsogon)