JUN'S B-DAY

TAMANG PAGLAGAY NG ADDRESS SA MGA SULAT AT CARGO IPINANAWAGAN NG PHILPOST SORSOGON

Tagalog News

SORSOGON PROVINCE (Dec. 9) – Nanawagan sa publiko si Sorsogon Postal District Manager Emma Borrero hindi lamang ngayong panahon ng kapaskuhan kundi sa lahat ng panahong magpapadala sa pamamagitan ng koreo, na tiyaking nailalagay ang tamang address ng sinumang padadalhan ng kanilang mga sulat o cargo.

Ayon kay Borrero, karamihan sa mga suliraning kinakaharap nila sa post office ay ang hindi malinaw o maling pagkakasulat ng pangalan ng mga addressee, mali o di kaya’y mahirap matuntong mga address kung kaya’t kadalasan ay hindi nadedeliver, return to sender o kaya’y nagkakaroon ng pagkaantala sa mga postal deliveries.

Tiniyak din ni Borrero sa publiko na napapangalagaan nila ang mga itinitiwala sa kanilang sulat at cargo at mahihirapan din aniyang makalusot ang mga mapanakot, mapanggulo at mapanirang mga padala.

Sinabi din niyang lahat ng mga sulat ay subject to inspection upon posting at hindi rin nila diumano tinatanggap ang mga cargong selyado.

Nilinaw din niyang walang direct dispatch ng sulat ang central post office sa Sorsogon kung kaya’t lahat ng sulat ay dumadaan sa mail distribution center sa Legazpi City Post Office.

Samantala, mariin ding sinabi ni Borrero na hindi sila nababahala sa pagdating ng mga makabagong teknolohiya, sapagkat sa kasalukuyan ay hindi pa naman aniya consummated ng mga modern technology ang buong kapuluan at maging ang buong mundo, dahilan sa may mga lugar pa rin na walang signal o walang akses, maliban pa sa mga limitasyon ng mga makabagong kagamitang ito.

Hinikayat din niya ang publiko na patuloy pa ring tangkilikin ang mga post offices sa bansa sapagkat higit na mas napapahalagahan, naitatago at nababalik-balikan ng mga indibidwal ang mga sulat na idinadaan sa koreo. (Bennie A. Recebido, PIA Sorsogon)

DENR finalizes forest boundary of three provinces

News Release
 

Raring to beat the deadline for the forest land boundary assessment and delineation (FBAD) by year 2011, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Bicol fast tracks the finalization of timberland border of three more provinces.

Jose Flores, chief of the Regional Assessment and Delineation Team (RADT) reported to DENR Regional Executive Director Joselin Marcus Fragada that they finished the assessment and delineation of forest land boundary of Masbate and Sorsogon while, Catanduanes’ timberland border is underway.

“The RADT is set to submit to the National Assessment and Delineation Committee (NADC) the draft bill for the forest land boundary of Sorsogon by year end,” Flores said during the Regional Assessment and Delineation Committee (RADC) meeting presided by Fragada.

Fragada ordered the RADT to gather the necessary documents to back up the draft bill for Sorsogon’s timberland boundary to avert unnecessary issues during the NADC deliberation.

            Flores said the assessment and delineation of Masbate’s forest land boundary is already completed and the RADT is preparing the draft promulgation which will be endorsed on the first quarter of 2011. He reiterated that the timberland borders of Catanduanes will be completed this month and the draft bill will be endorsed on the second quarter of next year.

            He maintained that the RADT is on track with its assessment and delineation targets that would see fruition by year 2011. Last October, the RADT submitted the draft bill for the final forest boundary of Camarines Norte.

            Fragada lauded the RADT for being commended by the NADC as one with the best FBAD practices, and the only region that passed the committee’s assessment.

            Among the RADC’s remaining targets are the assessment and delineation of the forest land boundary of Albay and Camarines Sur with its subsequent draft bills by the third and fourth quarter of 2011.

Based on the FBAD process, once the NADC reviewed and evaluated the draft proclamation it will be then endorsed to the DENR Secretary. The Secretary shall endorse the draft bill to the Representatives concerned for sponsorship in Congress. Upon the passage of the law defining the final boundary of the forestlands within a province, the same shall be the basis for the issuance of the certifications of legal status of the land. It shall form part of the control maps and records for all public land applications filed to the Department.

The implementation of the survey was based on DENR Administrative Order 2008-24, which specifically provided for a “comprehensive procedure to facilitate the conduct of assessment and delineation of boundaries between forestlands, national parks and agricultural lands.” (ASAraya, DENRV)

DENR to hold global forum on artisanal and small-scale gold mining

News Release

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is holding a global forum that will tackle issues arising from the use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) on December 7-9, 2010 at the Sofitel Hotel in Manila.

According to DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje, the forum will play a significant role in the preparation of a globally binding instrument on the use of mercury in small-scale gold mining.

“The use of mercury in the extraction of gold may be well-suited for small-scale operations but its impact on human health and the environment can be quite devastating. Constant exposure to mercury affects brain functions and damages the nervous system, particularly of babies and young children. And since mercury is often released into water bodies, it can disperse into other areas contaminating food supplies,” Paje explained.

Paje added that the forum will serve as an opportunity to consider how to best address mercury-related issues.

“ASGM is a source of livelihood for many families all over the world. The challenge lies in finding and promoting low-mercury or mercury-free production techniques that are low-cost and easy for small-scale miners to use,” he said.

The forum aims to achieve the following: identify and discuss the challenges and opportunities surrounding ASGM and how mercury relates to them; identify potential solutions through replicable case studies and explore the lessons learned; explore how policy, legal, technical and financial considerations play a role in how ASGM issues can be addressed within the context of the global treaty on mercury; discuss what other mechanisms can play a role in addressing ASGM issues; strengthen the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)-ASGM partnership; enhance global collaboration and coordination of actions; and identify examples of what the partnership has done to date and its limitations.

Expected to deliver his message during the forum is Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.

International and local experts from UNEP, Artisanal Gold Council, Alliance for Responsible Mining, BAN Toxics Philippines, and Natural Resources Defense Council were invited to discuss various issues on mercury use and ASGM during the forum organized by the DENR-Environmental Management Bureau, in collaboration with the UNEP in Geneva.

Among the topics that will be presented are case studies demonstrating simple mercury reduction solutions; Trade, Gold and Economics of ASGM; Legal and Regulatory Issues; Financing the Transition Way from Mercury; and Negotiation of the Global Mercury Instrument.

As one of the largest users of mercury in the world, the ASGM sector received special attention from the UNEP Governing Council in its Decision 25/5, which called on governments to enhance efforts on “conducting awareness-raising and pilot projects in key countries to reduce mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining,” among others.(DENR)

New EMB Assistant Director is a Bicolano

News Release

            LEGAZPI CITY – A true blooded Bicolano is designated as the officer-in-charge to the office of the Assistant Director at the Environmental Management Bureau head office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. In a special order signed by Environment Sec. Ramon Paje, Engr. Gilbert Gonzales, CESO IV is designated as OIC Assistant Director.

            Prior to his designation to the office of the Assistant Director, Gonzales led the EMB V as the Regional Director for a span of eleven years.

            Under his watch at the regional office, Gonzales implemented a comprehensive water quality management program highlighted by a public-private partnership dubbed “Clean Bicol Rivers” (CBR). The EMB identified urban rivers in the region for its rehabilitation and conservation efforts, through a multi-stakeholders synergy embodied in six river management councils. As per EMB V’s assessment, all of the CBR rivers posted significant improvement on its water quality and a decreasing trend on garbage thrown at the streams.

            His resolute campaign for industry compliance to clean water act led to prompt and comprehensive resolution to the worst water pollution case in the region, when the Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project spilled their cyanide-laden wastewater off the Albay Gulf due to an overflowing tailings pond in October 2005. The Bureau slapped the erring mining company with 10.4 million pesos in fines and penalty.

            Eco-waste management is also AD Gonzales’ priority, providing technical assistance to every local government for their effective implementation and compliance to Republic Act 9003 also known as the Ecological solid Waste Management Act. Under his guidance, two local governments received national recognition for their effective eco-waste management as epitomized by Brgy. Lubiano, Pilar, Sorsogon and the latest national champion in zero basura campaign – the town of Magarao in Camarines Sur.

            To put emphasis on segregation and recycling, the new Assistant Director initiated Waste to Cash Market (W2CM) project in Legazpi and Naga City to urge private and public partnership in solid waste management. W2CM underpins DENR commitment to the climate change campaign to lower waste consumption, generation and advocate for recycling.

            With Gonzales’ guidance, Bicol is able to maintain a fair level of air quality as compared to other regions. He established three air sampling stations in the region’s key cities, Iriga, Legazpi and Naga City. He urged colleges and universities to support the government’s anti-smoke belching campaign with their participation to “Bantay Tambutso sa Eskwelahan”, provided technical assistance to local governments in the creation of Anti-Smoke Belching Unit and passing ordinances aimed at banning garbage burning or “Bantay Sunog Basura” moreover, enjoining LGUs to set up “Green Spaces” or greening of identified open spaces to serve as carbon sink/buffer zones to air pollution.

            Alongside these accomplishments, Gonzales was also instrumental to the signing of the memorandum of understanding among hospitals and healthcare providers in Albay to regulate their healthcare wastes and enforce compliance to the Republic Act 6969 or the Toxic Chemicals and Hazardous Waste Management Act. Currently the EMB is monitoring 118 healthcare facilities, 8 transporters, 5 temporary storage and disposal facilities and strictly overseeing small scale gold processing plants in Paracale, Camarines Norte and Aroroy, Masbate.

            Meanwhile, the steadfast resolution of the Balocawe Iron Ore mining dispute in Irosin, Sorsogon earned Gonzales a commendation from DENR Undersecretary Jeremias Dolino as he imposed fines and penalty to the mining project’s proponent and implemented a strict compliance to environmental laws.

            A civil and sanitary engineer by profession, Gonzales rose from the ranks, as a pollution control technician to OIC, Assistant Director of EMB head office. He obtained his master’s degree in Environmental Studies at the University of New South Wales in Australia, his bachelor’s degree in civil and sanitary engineering at the Mapua Institute of Technology. (ASAraya, DENR V)

MDRRMC ACTION OFFICERS PINULONG NI SORSOGON GOV. LEE

Tagalog News

SORSOGON CITY – Pinulong ni Governor Raul R. Lee sa kanyang tanggapan noong nakaraang Sabado ang mga action officers mula sa mga bayan ng Irosin, Juban, Casiguran at Gubat, Sorsogon kaugnay pa rin ng patuloy na paghahanda at pagsusubaybay ng mga ito sa aktibidad ng Bulkang Bulusan.

Binigyang diin ni Lee sa pulong ang tamang pagpapalabas ng mga balita kung saan aniya’y responsibilidad ito ng mga municipal action at information officers na mabigyan ng tamang impormasyon ang media upang hindi magkaroon ng mga maling espekulasyon ang publiko.

Ayon kay Lee, dapat ding malaman ng mga kinauukulan kung gaano kahanda ang sangkot na mga ahensya ng pamahalaan sa pagharap sa mga ganitong uri ng kalamidad, lalo na tuwing magbibigay ng pahayag ang Phivolcs sa media nang sa gayon ay hindi ito magdulot ng pangamba sa mga residente at kamag-anak ng mga apektadong lugar at pati na rin sa mga nagnanais mag-invest sa lalawigan.

Inilahad din ng gobernador ang kanyang mga balak tulad ng paglalaan ng 5, 000 face towels para sa mga residenteng apektado, paigtingin pa ang communication network ng mga MDRRMCs sa pamamagitan ng pamamahagi ng wireless radio communication ditto, paglalaan ng gamit sa paghahanda sa paglilikas tulad ng pick-up at motor vehicle, chainsaw, computer unit at video cameras.

Mayroon pa rin aniyang natitirang 23 million pesos mula sa nakalaang calamity fund para sa lalawigan at ayon sa bagong batas, maaaring gamitin ang 70% nito para sa paghahanda sa ano mang uri ng kalamidad.

Binigyang-diin din ng gobernador ang tamang pagsunod sa protocol lalo na sa pagtanggap ng relief assistance mula sa mga pribadong sector. Aniya, mahalagang nakararating ng wasto ang bawat tulong na ibibigay para sa mga biktima ng kalamidad.

Nilinaw din niya ang kahalagahan ng koordinasyon sa lokal na pamahalaan ng lahat ng pribadong sektor at mga pulitiko, kung saan sa paraang ganito ay mabibigyan ang lahat nang mga nangangailangan at hindi yaong mga pinili lamang. (Von Labalan, PIO Sor/BAR, PIA)