Pansit na gawa sa gulaman nagsisimula nang makilala

Ni: Bennie A. Recebido

Sorsogon City, August 11 (PIA) – Nagiging mabili na ngayon sa mga lokal na pamilihan ang pansit na gawa sa gulaman o seaweeds noodles na ginagawa ng mga kasapi ng Gawad Kalinga Tarabang Village Association sa bayan ng Pto. Diaz.

Kaugnay nito, higit pang pinaiigting ngayon ng pamahalaang bayan ng Pto. Diaz ang kanilang seaweeds noodles production na maliban sa nagbibigay ng sustansya at nutrisyon sa mga nakakakain nito ay nakapagbibigay pa ng trabaho sa mga lokal na residente.

Matatandaang mahigpit na sinusuportahan ng iba’t-ibang mga ahensya ng pamahalaan dito ang hakbang na ito ng kung saan ang Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) ay nagbigay ng P284,000 para sa mga kagamitang kailangan sa produksyon ng seaweeds habang ang Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) ay nagbigay naman ng tulong teknikal na makakatulong sa paggawa at pagbebenta ng seaweeds noodles.

Maging ang Department of Agriculture Regional Fishery Training Center ay nagbigay suporta din kung saan ito ang naging responsable sa pagtukoy sa mga indigenous resources ng mga lokal na komunidad.

Ayon kay DOLE Provincial Field Officer Imelda Romanillos, bilang isa sa mga instumento ng pamahalaan sa pagtugon sa isyu ng kahirapan sa bansa, pinangungunahan ng DOLE ang pagbibigay tulong pinansyal sa mga local na komunidad at binibigyang oportunidad ang mga ito na gamitin bilang pagkakakitaan ang mga yamang makukuha sa kanilang lokalidad.

Ipinagmamalaki naman ng DTI ang pagkakatuklas ng paggawa ng masustansyang pansit na ito bilang isa sa mga tugon sa suliranin sa malnutrisyon dahilan sa mayaman ito sa iron, calcium at iba pang mga mineral.

Ang nasabing pansit na gawa sa gulaman na ipinamamahagi ngayon hindi lamang sa mga tindahan kundi maging sa mga paaralan ay mabibili sa halagang sampung piso bawat isangdaang gramo.

Ang mga bayan ng Pto. Diaz, Baecelona, Bulusan, Matnog at Sta. Magdalena ang mga pangunahing pinagmumulan ng gulaman sa lalawigan ng Sorsogon. (PIA Sorsogon)

P 8,185,626.79 amount of damage to crops by Typhoon Juaning in Sorsogon province, 1,630 farmers affected

by Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, AUGUST 11 (PIA) ..... P 8,185,626.79  was the actual amount of production loss and cost of damage, mainly to rice crop  by Typhoon Juaning to the province of Sorsogon, with 1,630 farmers affected in 9 municipalities.

These were  the figures contained on a report submitted to the Sorsogon Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Office (SPDRRMO)  by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist,  through its provincial department head, provincial agriculturist, Mr. David P. Gillego here this week.

Stated in the report of the OPA, with the  municipality of Donsol having the highest amount of production loss amounting to P2,514.239.00 to  rice crop  with a volume in Metric Tons (MT) of 789.40 to a total area of 725.6 has  planted to standing crops and with 584 farmers affected.

This report was also confirmed by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) through a submitted report to their office by the Donsol Disaster Risk Reduction Management  Council (DDRRMC), as Donsol specifically the Barangay of Banwang Gurang has been declared in a state of Calamity after the typhoon.

According to the Municipal Agriculturist Officer (MAO) of Donsol, the heavy rains has caused unprecedented  flooding in 14 barangays and  almost all of the rice plantation  in those areas already in its vegetative stage were soaked in water with a very nil chance for recovery.

The municipality of Bulan ranked second on the lists of areas affected by Typhoon Juaning with P1,910.883.40 amount of rice production loss (RPL), 673.74 volume of metric tons for gross harvest (VMG*H) ; with  a total area of 1,932.00 are planted to standing crop (APSC) and 337 farmers affected  (FA) according to the report.

The municipality of Pilar reported a RPL of  P1, 343.947.94, 821.22 has of area planted to standing crops damaged and 378 farmers affected.

Meanwhile the municipality of Irosin  RPL was P1,060.108.06., 17 barangays affected,  558.19 has APSC and 214  FA. and the stage of crops were also mostly in their vegetative stage with a few on their seedling stage.

Juban also reported a RPL of P532,887.41, with 411.01 AP/SC; 159  FA;and the municipality of  Gubat RPL was  P407.826.19 PL, 605 AP/SC and 180 FA.

Sorsogon City's  RPL  was P333.826.22, VMT of 96.75 , 15 has APSC with 87  FA ; while the municipality of Matnog has a RPL of P48,893.55, a minimal 6.08 VMT  (G*H) , 52  FA and the last,  the municipality of Castilla having just a minimal damage RPL of  P33,015 , 12 FA and 15 has APSC also damaged.

"We also have submitted the first  copy of this report to the office of the governor, Raul R. Lee. The province has already instructed our office to ascertain the interventions to be implemented by each local government with the aid from the provincial fund coming from the calamity fund", Gillego explained. (PIA-SORSOGON)

Coast Guard Sorsogon conducts search and rescue exercise, a show of capability and mettle

by Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, AUGUST 11 (PIA)....Anchored on the theme:Ensuring Maritime Safety through Partnerships and Unity of Action, the Coast Guard Station Sorsogon (CGSS) conducted a  simultaneous exercise on how to implement a search and rescue operation  at sea with member agencies working on disaster risk reduction and management last Tuesday, August 9  at the vicinity waters of Matnog.

With a scenario involving  a collision of two ferry vessels, one vessel caught fire , and where passengers of both vessels panicked and jumped at sea, members of the group working in disaster risk reduction management were given a full view and observed how the Philippine Coast Guard implements its full capability in a search and rescue operation together with partner agencies.

"The Operational Plan for the Search and Rescue was prepared by the CGSS in cooperation with the Matnog Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Office (MMDRRO) together with the  5 owners of the ferry vessels operating at Matnog Port,  the Philippine Ports Authority and the Philippine Coast Guard Auxillary Squadron", Lt. JG Jose Ronnie T. Ong , Jr. Station commander of the Coast Guard  Station Sorsogon here, said in an interview.

"The aim of this exercise is  to cohesively enjoin the different member agencies harmonize efforts of stakeholders working in assisting search and rescue operations at sea,  to find out how ready and capable we are and what still are the areas  to be improved should their assistance be required in such emergency events or if such calamity occurs", he explained.

The actual scenario that  implemented the exercise comprised of  ,the CGSS headed by Capt. Steven James Dino,  the Operation Command Unit 904th Philippine Coast Guard  Auxillary Squadron ; LCDR James Paul Angeles PCGA ; officers and Crew of MV Grand Star Roro 3, vessel Jobbet, MV Mac Bryan and MV Maria Ursula..

Also. members of the Matnog Bantay Dagat; the CG Medical Team , volunteer members of the Phlilippine Red Cross, Sorsogon Chapter ; and Matnog MDRRMC were participants to the exercise.;

At exactly 10:00 AM, the narrator of the CGSS, Capt Dino  instructed the guests identified as observers  to board the MV Montenegro. while those personnel who will do the critiquing on the implementation of the drill were aboard the MV HANSEL JOBBET, MV MAC BRYAN AND MV URSULA.

The three vessels were  the performers in the scenario for the drill.

The observers comprising of invited guests from the National Telecommunication Network (NTC) , Provincial Government of Sorsogon, Philippine Information Agency,  representatives from the Local Government of Matnog , Philippine Red Cross, Sorsogon Chapter, members of the  media community comprising of DZGN-Spirit FM, UNTV and ABS-CBN aboard the MV Montenegroonserved the undertaking and did the documentation of the process.

Capt.Steven James Dino of the PCGAS acted as the narrator. He read the script of the actual scenario and how the CGSS Search and Rescue Operation Contingency Plan and Emergency Readiness of the participating team will be actualized.

According to Dino, the capability of the PCGAS in providing the right information and instructions to those who would perform the search and rescue was very vital in an event such as to be witnessed.

He very clearly announced the proceedings on a public address system to make  everyone aware of what was happening at sea.and repeatedly said that the event was just a drill and a CGSS exercise.
 
The actual exercise took almost an hour and a half after which the performers involved in the drill, personnel who were to provide the critiquing  together with  the observer were made to converge  to the lounge of the MV Montenegro for the actual reporting, comments, suggestions and recommendation.

The whole activity was rated very satisfactorily with some suggestions, like :one rescuer was wearing a tucked in shirt and this should not be as it will impede speed in a rescue operation . The need to have a good heavy duty and durable ladder was also recommended instead of a wooden ladder used in the rescue. According to the suggestion, it will create a problem should it break.during usage.

According to , Capt. Tranquilino G.Paiton of the Philippine Coast Guard (GSC) who was the main lead for the critiquing session, rated the whole event with a very satisfactory result and congratulated those participating agencies in the conduct of the drill.

"It was note worthy to see that the CGSS here was fully knowledgeable of the processes from communication to action and to the final rescue operation and the putting out of fire in the vessel was very calmly and efficiently conducted", Paiton said.

After the critiquing, the signing of a  Memorandum of Agreement  (MOA) was  entered into by the Philippine Coast Guard  represented by Capt Paiton, the Provincial Government of Sorsogon represented by Mr. Daniel Jasmin , the  Bicol RORO Operators as represented by their different managers and the local government of Matnog.

The MOA primarily stated on agreements of complementation  efforts and partnership of agencies involved  in implementing search and rescue operations and protocols to be followed.

Participating agencies in the exercise where also handed a plaque of appreciation by the CGSS.. (PIA-SORSOGON)

903rd Brigade of Phil. Army re-affirms commitment and adherence to IHL

By: Bennie A. Recebido

Sorsogon City, August 10 (PIA) – “IHL: The International Criminal Court and RA 9851: Protecting Against Impunity as an Instrument of Peace,” was the theme to the recently concluded re-affirmation of commitment of the officers and men of 903^rd Brigade, Philippine Army and their adherence to the International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

In a simple ceremony on Monday, August 8, held at the 903^rd Infantry Brigade (IB) 9^th Infantry Division (ID), Philippine Army based in Brgy. Poblacion, Castilla, Sorsogon, Atty. Arnulfo Perete, as Provincial Chairman of the IHL Committee, Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Sorsogon Chapter led the Pledge of Commitment and Adherence to IHL and likewise delivered a message to inspire the military men and officers in continuously protecting the country and the sovereignty of the Filipino people in their fight to achieve lasting peace.

903^rd Brigade Commander Col. Felix J. Castro, Jr. also delivered a message before his men challenging them to do its best to be faithful to the provisions contained in the International Humanitarian Law.

Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Sorsogon Infocenter Manager Irma Guhit, meanwhile, graced the activity and discussed the salient points provided in the International Humanitarian Law and Republic Act 9851 to the men of 903^rd IB.

Guhit underscored the meaning of IHL, why is it important, how does it protect, when does it apply and who does IHL protect. She likewise delved on the International Community of the Red Cross’ role in IHL.

She said that as combatant soldiers, they must have the basic know-how of IHL and other corresponding law in the Philippines that penalizes crimes against it, genocide and against humanity as stipulated in RA 9851 so that all the efforts they exerted in combat will not be wasted.

 “IHL is one of the most powerful tools that the international community has at its disposal to ensure the safety and dignity of people in times of war since it provides set of rules which place restrictions on the use of weapons and methods of warfare. It also prohibits or limits the use of strong and cruel weapons or those which do not distinguish between combatants and civilians,” said Guhit.

Also known as the law of war or the law of armed conflict, IHL protects people who are not, or no longer, participating in hostilities. Guhit also stressed out that in every battle, both parties must see to it that there is no collateral damage and civilians must never be used as human shield. Likewise, insurgents wounded in an encounter must be regarded as wounded person and therefore must be given proper medication.

The ICRC on the other hand, serves as the “guardian” of IHL, basing its work on the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their two Additional Protocols of 1977.

“These instruments of IHL give the ICRC the right to carry out activities such as bringing relief to the wounded, sick or stranded military personnel, visiting prisoners of war, restoring contact between members of families separated by conflict, aiding civilians and ensuring that those protected by humanitarian law are treated accordingly.

International Humanitarian Law Day is celebrated on the 12^th of August every year. (PIA Sorsogon)

Operasyon ng Bac-Man Power Plant maibabalik na sa Setyembre, royalty share ng lungsod binigyang-linaw ng DOE

Ni: Bennie A. Recebido

Sorsogon City, August 10 (PIA) – Inaasahang maibabalik na sa susunod na buwan ang operasyon ng Bacon-Manito Geothermal Power Plant. Ito ang kinumpirma ng Energy Development Corporation (EDC) sa mga stakeholders nito, matapos na ihayag ni EDC Vice-Presiden Agnes de Jesus na nasa final phase na ang rehabilitasyon ng tatlong planta dito sa lungsod ng Sorsogon.

Matatandaang taong 2006 nang matigil ang operasyon ng planta dahilan sa pagdaan ng sunud-sunod na mga kalamidad at tuluyang hindi na ito nakapagpalabas pa ng kuryente.

Tiniyak naman ng Department of Energy (DOE) na regular na binabayaran ng EDC ang buwis ng mga makina at iba pang kagamitan ng EDC na nakalagay sa lugar para sa kanilang geothermal operation.

Ayon kay DOE Renewable Energy Bureau Director Mario Marasigan, ang pagbabayad ng buwis ng EDC ay alinsunod sa pagkakabuo at pagkakarehistro ng EDC sa renewable energy.

Matatandaang naging mainit ang naging isyu ukol sa pagkaantala ng royalty share na dapat ay matanggap ng LGU-Sorsogon City at ng siyam na host barangay nito mula sa operasyon ng Bac-Man Geothermal Power Plant.

Ayon kay City Budget Officer Roberto Jamoralin, nakakatanggap ng P10-M royalty share ang lungsod taon-taon kung saan 80 porsyento nito ay napupunta sa P50.00 power subsidy sa kunsumo ng bawat kwalipikadong kunsumidor, habang ang natitirang dalawampung porsyento ay napupunta naman sa public utilization development. Subalit sinabi ni Jamoralin na ngayong taon ay P69,422 royalty share lamang ang natanggap ng lungsod.

Sa isang dayalogo sa Sangguniang Panlungsod kamakailan, ipinaliwanag ni Marasigan ang bawat detalye sa royalty share at realty tax na dapat bayaran ng EDC. Aniya, taliwas sa nakagawian, simula nang maisa-pribado ang EDC ay nagre-remit na ito ng tax sa DOE, at ang DOE na ang magiging responsable sa pagpapalabas ng royalty share sa mga host Local Government Units (LGUs).

Sinabi din ni Marasigan na dahilan sa nasa rehabilitasyon ang planta, hindi ito ‘operational’, kung kaya’t walang matatanggap na royalty share mula dito. Subalit tiniyak naman niya na sa oras na bumalik ang operasyon ng planta ay makakatanggap uli ang lungsod ng kanilang royalty share.

Inilatag din ni Marasigan ang mga patakaran sa ilalim ng RA 9513 o ang Renewable Act Promoting the Development, Utilization and Commercialization of Renewable Energy Resources upang maging ‘energy self-reliant’ ang buong bansa. (PIA Sorsogon)