PRC Chair wowed by the Kasanggayahan Trade Fair exhibits

Photo: Von Labalan

SORSOGON CITY, October 15 (PIA) – Philippine Red Cross Chair Richard “Dick” Gordon was the distinct guest at the outset of Sorsogon’s Kasanggayahan Festival this year.

The PRC chairman was completely impressed by the agricultural and industrial exhibits at the Trade Fair, and even more as he took the rounds at the Kasanggayahan Village where a landscape of the Sorsogon map was set, using each municipality’s natural resources. These were all given an exceptional opportunity when right there he was put live on air in his radio program via mobile phone.

Photo: 903rd Phil Army

The visiting official likewise huddled with home-grown farmers and fisher folks, and was more enthused to sponsor another carabao to be given away in addition to the four farmer-winners in a raffle draw conducted during the Kasanggayahan Festival’s kick-off activity.

In an intervening meeting with the local press, Gordon disclosed that he was very pleased that he came to Sorsogon. “Every minute I enjoyed the vibrant tourism and the agricultural products that I’m seeing here,” he said.

In his dialogue with the group, he stressed on the significance of one’s vision in life, diligence and good relationship with others.

He shared his thoughts on domestic tourism and said that all opportunities must be accompanied with better education because through this, there will be jobs in the future. 

Gordon was a former Senator (2004-2010) and Secretary of Tourism (2001-2004) is vying for the senatorial post comes 2012.

Photo: 903rd Phil Army

He placed the Philippines in the international tourism map by actively marketing the Philippines in several tourism expositions and road shows with the WOW Philippines campaign strategy winning awards at ITB and WTM.

From 2002, after four years of negative growth and in spite of threats of terror post 9-11, Abu Sayyaf kidnappings, SARS, Oakwood Mutiny, tourism arrival increased heavily.

He also encouraged domestic tourism by holding regional events and having provincial destinations showcased at Intramuros and the rationalization of Holiday Economics.

Since 1986, Gordon was elected as governor of the Philippine National Red Cross, taking active roles in rescue, relief and rehabilitation in various disasters from shipwrecks, typhoons, 1990 earthquake in Cabanatuan, 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo, 2004 landslides in Aurora, Quezon and 2006 Ginsaugun, Southern Leyte mudslide and the PhilSports Arena stampede. He is currently the chairman of Philippine Red Cross.

Apart from his current position in the Red Cross, Gordon also works as a broadcaster for News5. He presently hosts the radio show “Aksyon Solusyon” with Amelyn Veloso on Radyo5 92.3 News FM and the television show “Duelo: Barilan ng Opinyon” on AksyonTV. (VAELabalan, PIO/BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)

Oct 17, a non-working holiday for Sorsogon

By: Bennie A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, Oct 15 (PIA) – The province of Sorsogon will be turning 118 years on Wednesday, October 17.

In observance of this, Sorsogon Governor Raul R. Lee issued Executive Order No. 012 series of 2012 declaring October 17as a special non-working holiday in the province and enjoining government officials and employees to actively participate in all activities of the Kasanggayahan Festival.

Kasanggayahan Festival is an annual festivity celebrated every month of October to symbolize Sorsogon’s establishment as a separate province of Albay. Sorsogon was formerly part of Albay that originally comprised the Bicol region historically known as Tierra de Ibalon.

It can be noted that Sorsogon became a separate province of Albay on October 17, 1894.

According to the EO issued by the governor, Republic Act 7380 says that a special holiday be observed on Oct 17 of every year in the entire province in commemoration of the establishment and founding anniversary of Sorsogon as a province.

RA 7380 was signed into law by then President Corazon C. Aquino on April 10, 1992.

“In compliance with the spirit and intent of the provisions of the said law, all national and local government officials and employees are hereby enjoined to observe, attend and participate in the closing ceremonies and activities of the Kasanggayahan Festival on Wednesday, Oct 17, 2012 starting at seven o’clock in the morning at the Capitol Grounds,” said the Executive Order.

Highlighting this year’s concluding activities of the Kasanggayahan Festival is the “Pantomina sa Tinampo”, known as a dance of love and courtship performed in the street.

Following the famous street dance is “Kaogmahan sa Kasanggayahan” (Kasanggayahan Bliss) where Pantomina revelers will partake of native delicacies.

In the evening will be the “Gab-I nin Kasanggayahan” (Kasanggayahan Night) where there will be display of fireworks and “Orgolyo San Sorsogon” or the Recognition of Outstanding Sorsoganons during the closing program. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)

Aktibidad ng Kasanggayahan Festival nagpapatuloy, Parada ng mga Kalabaw tampok ngayong araw

Ni: Bennie A. Recebido

LUNGSOD NG SORSOGON, Oktubre 15 (PIA) – Nagpapauloy pa rin ang mga aktibidad kaugnay ng pagdiriwang ng Kasanggayahan Festival tampok ang pagpapakilala sa industriya ng agrikultura ng Sorsogon.

Pasado alas-syete kaninang umaga nang isagawa ang masayang parada ng mga naggagandahang kalabaw kung saan piniturahan at nilagyan ng iba’t-ibang disenyo ang mga kalabaw at ipinarada mula sa kahabaan ng Magsaysay Street patungo sa Balogo Sports Complex.

Tinanghal na “Most Attractive and Artistic Carabao” ang may pinakamagandang bihis at nanalo ito ng dalawang libong piso.

Ilan pa sa mga inaabangan ngayong araw na tiyak na magbibigay ng ibayong kasiyahan sa mga manonood ay ang Carabao Racing o pabilisan sa takbuhan ng mga kalabaw mamayang alas-tres ng hapon.

Makakatanggap ang unang tatlong pinakamabilis na mga kalabaw ng premyo kung saan tatlong-libong piso ang para sa unang pwesto, dalawang-libo para sa pangalawang pwesto at isang-libong piso para sa pangatlong pwesto.

Makikita sa mga magsasaka ang kasiyahan at ayon sa isang magsasaka, magiging inspirasyon nila ang pagdiriwang ng Kasanggayahan Festival ngayong taon lalo pa’t sa kanila nakatutok ang halos lahat ng mg aktibidad na ginanap.

Nagpapasalamat din umano sila sapagkat naramdaman nila na sa kabila ng mga modernong teknolohiya ngayon ay napapahalagahan pa rin ang mga orihinal na pamamaraan ng pagsasaka gamit ang kalabaw at muling ibinabalik sa isipan ng mga kabataan ngayon ang kontribusyon nito sa larangan ng pag-unlad ng lalawigan ng Sorsogon.

Ang kalabaw ang tinaguriang Pambansang Hayop ng Pilipinas. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)

Business establishments urged to renew permits; BFP starts inspection

SORSOGON CITY, October 14 (PIA) – The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Sorsogon City spearheaded by City Fire Marshal Senior Inspector Walter Badong Marcial has started inspection to all establishments in anticipation for the yearly One Stop Shop Program for business permits renewal at the city hall comes January 2013.

Marcial said the BFP together with the city employees started their joint inspection on October 1, 2012, where team members are composed of personnel from the offices of Permits and Licenses Section, City Treasurer’s Office, City health Office, City Engineering Office, City Environmental and Natural Resources Office, City Zoning Administrators Office and the City Veterinary Office.

As a pre-requisite for the issuance of business permits and licenses, each business owners must first secure their Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC) which is being issued by the BFP.

“Business owners should comply with recommendations given by our fire safety inspectors. It is not merely about their permits and licenses but more on public safety to avert fire incidents,” SINP Marcial said as he directed his personnel to strictly observe the implementing rules and regulations of RA 9514 otherwise known as the “Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008”.

Marcial further said that they are strict in implementing the law to guarantee public safety and promote economic development through the prevention and suppression of all kinds of destructive fires and promote the professionalization of the fire service as a profession.

Under the said law the BFP shall enforce all laws, and regulations to ensure adherence to standard fire prevention and safety measures, and promote accountability in the fire protection and prevention services.

Marcial also reminded the applicants to strictly conform to the fire safety standard and regulations of the BFP.

”Once an establishment violated the Fire Code of the Philippines, a notice to correct violation at a given grace period is conferred. On the other hand, if the owner failed to comply with the recommendations of the fire safety inspector, then they will be penalized with a corresponding amount of fine stipulated in the fire code and this will be paid to the authorized collecting officer of the BFP,” he stressed out.

Meanwhile, the Fire Safety Enforcement Section (FSES) of the BFP Sorsogon City recorded more or less 2000 establishments which are expected to renew their business permits.

The official also enumerated the list of requirements needed for FSIC issuance for the benefit of the applicants as follows: Photocopy of Electrical Inspection Certificate (City Engineering Office), Fire Code Fees (City Treasurer’s Office), Fire Code Fees Payment (Collecting Officer of BFP), Photocopy of Insurance Policy Contract (if there is), and 1 piece Documentary Stamp.

Moreover, Marcial said that the BFP will continue to strictly enforce the fire code thus, bestowed by law, it has the authority to revoke the permit of any establishment to operate up to the extent of closing it if found to be a fire hazard and mainly violating the fire safety rules and regulations. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon/MGECorral, BFP)