LEGAZPI CITY – At least seven Chinese media practitioners from Shanghai, China have visited Albay for a briefing on climate and disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation through the Centre for Initiatives and Research on Climate Adaptation (CIRCA), Thursday.
The Chinese nationals are Xu Jin Gen, Chen Q, Qui Fangfang, Qian Zheng, Dajian Zhu, Wang Haiyan and and Yiqi Yang who came from CBN, British Consulate, General Shanghai, Tongji University, Jiangsu Modern Express and Wenhui Daily, respectively.
Manuel Nong C. Rangasa, executive director of CIRCA said that the foreign guests who came from different media networks in Shanghai, China will be getting video footages of the worst places hit by the Super Typhoon Reming last 2006. They will be touring them in Maipon, Guinobatan and Padang, Legazpi City.
He added that the CIRCA will be sharing output on recent studies on climate-related risks in Albay and other areas in the Philippines, introducing concrete disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation options for the most vulnerable communities in the Philippines.
Albay as the most vulnerable province to extreme weather impacts and climate change in the country is the first to launch and initiate the Albay in Action on Climate Change (A2C2) in coping with climate adaptation.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
US troop quarter parties arrive in Albay
LEGAZPI CITY -- The first batch of the American advance quarter parties that include support personnel of the US military professionals in the 2009 RP-US joint exercises has arrived at the Legazpi City Airport aboard Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines, Tuesday.
“There are now advance US quarter parties who came in this third week of March. Tuesday (March 25) was the last quarter party to prepare for the US military accommodation,” said Col. Ariel Bernardo, commander of the Philippine Army’s 901st Infantry Brigade.
As of press time, Bernardo added that they could not yet give any number of the soldiers who came in Bicol this week, “unless, they are all here already – the whole of them (US servicemen).”
However, he confirmed that there will be a total of 350 American doctors, dentists, engineers and other support personnel who belong to the US military soldiers are expected to arrive on the first week of April in the three provinces of Bicol: Albay, Masbate and Sorsogon.
According to Brigade Executive Officer Neneveigh Alcovindas, the US advance party who arrived yesterday was temporarily accommodated in the Pepperland, Alicia and Venesia hotels in Legazpi City.
Alcovindas said that these advance troop s belong to the support personnel who will survey and visit the designated sites for the Medical, Dental Civic Actions Programs (MEDCAP) and Engineering Civic Actions Programs (ENCAP). “Some of them will provide foods and prepare the accommodation of the American military doctors and engineers.”
The entry port of the US vessels will be at the Tabaco City port that will bring US military soldiers, construction materials and other equipment to be utilized in the ENCAP and MEDCAP.
MEDCAP and ENCAP
“The RP-US Balikatan military exercises shall only comprise humanitarian projects through medical and dental missions and engineering works,” Bernardo explained.
There will be 13 MEDCAP sites in Bicol including six (6) area sites in Albay, two (2) in Sorsogon and five (5) in Masbate.
“We will also be servicing about five to six nearby barangays from the proposed MEDCAP 13 sites,” he added.
On the other hand, to spur economic development, the humanitarian mission of the RP and US soldiers shall include the ENCAP involving the construction of roads, school buildings and water system repairs.
He said that at least five engineering works are expected to be completed this April in about six ENCAP sites in the three provinces.
Among these physical infrastructures are the 3-km road in Makalidong, Pioduran Albay; road repairs and school building in Juban, Sorsogon; school rooms in Dapdap, Masbate; and a water system projects in Dapdap, Masbate.
‘Being Fooled’
Amid massive preparations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and military soldiers for the upcoming Balikatan exercises here, the Anti-Balikatan militant groups have also beefed up their protest for the halt of the exercises.
A loaded jeepney of banners and protest materials expressing condemnation of the coming US troops traversed the Daraga-Legazpi road, Wednesday.
Led by the KMP group, the protest dubbed “Call of the Peasants” (Bandilyo kan mga Paraoma) was just a continuation of their outraged demonstrations since January.
On Tuesday, some militant groups marched to the Legazpi City Airport and protested against the arrival of the US servicemen that day.
“We welcomed the US soldiers with a small protest here. But when the Philippine military saw us bearing slogans slamming the Balikatan exercise, the American soldiers were led to backdoors, so they could not see us,” Felix Paz, spokesperson of the KMP Bicol recounted in Tagalog.
He said that they have monitored 29 American soldiers aboard the plane Tuesday.
Paz added: “They were in their civilian clothes just like tourist. Why not directly told us they were the American troops? Why did they hide them from us?”
“Dini- deny pa nila. Para ba kaming niloloko, nagkukunwari at tinatago pa sa amin ng mga military,” he added.
Succeeding protests and rallies of the Anti-Balikatan groups are expected to follow this week. Johana Vi Gasga/Inquirer Southern Luzon
“There are now advance US quarter parties who came in this third week of March. Tuesday (March 25) was the last quarter party to prepare for the US military accommodation,” said Col. Ariel Bernardo, commander of the Philippine Army’s 901st Infantry Brigade.
As of press time, Bernardo added that they could not yet give any number of the soldiers who came in Bicol this week, “unless, they are all here already – the whole of them (US servicemen).”
However, he confirmed that there will be a total of 350 American doctors, dentists, engineers and other support personnel who belong to the US military soldiers are expected to arrive on the first week of April in the three provinces of Bicol: Albay, Masbate and Sorsogon.
According to Brigade Executive Officer Neneveigh Alcovindas, the US advance party who arrived yesterday was temporarily accommodated in the Pepperland, Alicia and Venesia hotels in Legazpi City.
Alcovindas said that these advance troop s belong to the support personnel who will survey and visit the designated sites for the Medical, Dental Civic Actions Programs (MEDCAP) and Engineering Civic Actions Programs (ENCAP). “Some of them will provide foods and prepare the accommodation of the American military doctors and engineers.”
The entry port of the US vessels will be at the Tabaco City port that will bring US military soldiers, construction materials and other equipment to be utilized in the ENCAP and MEDCAP.
MEDCAP and ENCAP
“The RP-US Balikatan military exercises shall only comprise humanitarian projects through medical and dental missions and engineering works,” Bernardo explained.
There will be 13 MEDCAP sites in Bicol including six (6) area sites in Albay, two (2) in Sorsogon and five (5) in Masbate.
“We will also be servicing about five to six nearby barangays from the proposed MEDCAP 13 sites,” he added.
On the other hand, to spur economic development, the humanitarian mission of the RP and US soldiers shall include the ENCAP involving the construction of roads, school buildings and water system repairs.
He said that at least five engineering works are expected to be completed this April in about six ENCAP sites in the three provinces.
Among these physical infrastructures are the 3-km road in Makalidong, Pioduran Albay; road repairs and school building in Juban, Sorsogon; school rooms in Dapdap, Masbate; and a water system projects in Dapdap, Masbate.
‘Being Fooled’
Amid massive preparations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and military soldiers for the upcoming Balikatan exercises here, the Anti-Balikatan militant groups have also beefed up their protest for the halt of the exercises.
A loaded jeepney of banners and protest materials expressing condemnation of the coming US troops traversed the Daraga-Legazpi road, Wednesday.
Led by the KMP group, the protest dubbed “Call of the Peasants” (Bandilyo kan mga Paraoma) was just a continuation of their outraged demonstrations since January.
On Tuesday, some militant groups marched to the Legazpi City Airport and protested against the arrival of the US servicemen that day.
“We welcomed the US soldiers with a small protest here. But when the Philippine military saw us bearing slogans slamming the Balikatan exercise, the American soldiers were led to backdoors, so they could not see us,” Felix Paz, spokesperson of the KMP Bicol recounted in Tagalog.
He said that they have monitored 29 American soldiers aboard the plane Tuesday.
Paz added: “They were in their civilian clothes just like tourist. Why not directly told us they were the American troops? Why did they hide them from us?”
“Dini- deny pa nila. Para ba kaming niloloko, nagkukunwari at tinatago pa sa amin ng mga military,” he added.
Succeeding protests and rallies of the Anti-Balikatan groups are expected to follow this week. Johana Vi Gasga/Inquirer Southern Luzon
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Postal employee shot dead in drinking brawl
By Johana Vi E. Gasga
Inquirer Southern Luzon
First Posted 15:35:00 03/23/2009
Filed Under: Crime, Police
LEGAZPI CITY–An employee of the Philippine Postal Office in Bicol was shot dead by a drunk co-employee in a squabble at Tamaoyan Sunday night, police said Monday.
Police said the victim, Rodolfo Panganiban, 35, was shot at around 9:30 p.m. by co-employee Joseph Caballero.
Initial investigation showed that Panganiban, Caballero and other four co-workers in the postal office had a get-together at the victim’s residence when an argument ensued.
Caballero left the scene but returned with a .45-caliber pistol and shot Panganiban, the police added.
Nena, the victim’s wife, said she heard three gunshots and saw her wounded husband slumped on the floor, the police said.
The victim, who sustained two gunshot wounds in his shoulders, was rushed to a hospital in the city but was declared dead on arrival.
Inquirer Southern Luzon
First Posted 15:35:00 03/23/2009
Filed Under: Crime, Police
LEGAZPI CITY–An employee of the Philippine Postal Office in Bicol was shot dead by a drunk co-employee in a squabble at Tamaoyan Sunday night, police said Monday.
Police said the victim, Rodolfo Panganiban, 35, was shot at around 9:30 p.m. by co-employee Joseph Caballero.
Initial investigation showed that Panganiban, Caballero and other four co-workers in the postal office had a get-together at the victim’s residence when an argument ensued.
Caballero left the scene but returned with a .45-caliber pistol and shot Panganiban, the police added.
Nena, the victim’s wife, said she heard three gunshots and saw her wounded husband slumped on the floor, the police said.
The victim, who sustained two gunshot wounds in his shoulders, was rushed to a hospital in the city but was declared dead on arrival.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Airport janitor killed in road accident
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 15:05:00 03/20/2009
Filed Under: Road Accidents, Police, Transport
LEGAZPI CITY--A janitor of the Air Transport Office was killed when a van hit him while riding a bicycle on the way to work in Daraga, Albay, police said Friday.
Police said that a fellow police officer, SPO1 Ramon Riolo, was driving the van.
Police investigator PO3 Eric Lomibao has identified the victim as Elioterio Loarez, 63, of Salvacion St., Doña Maria Subdivision, Daraga.
Riolo, who surrendered after the incident, said he was driving his van to report for duty when the victim suddenly crossed his path.
A tricycle driver rushed Loarez to the hospital in Legazpi City but was later declared dead on arrival.-- Johana Vi E. Gasga, Inquirer Southern Luzon
First Posted 15:05:00 03/20/2009
Filed Under: Road Accidents, Police, Transport
LEGAZPI CITY--A janitor of the Air Transport Office was killed when a van hit him while riding a bicycle on the way to work in Daraga, Albay, police said Friday.
Police said that a fellow police officer, SPO1 Ramon Riolo, was driving the van.
Police investigator PO3 Eric Lomibao has identified the victim as Elioterio Loarez, 63, of Salvacion St., Doña Maria Subdivision, Daraga.
Riolo, who surrendered after the incident, said he was driving his van to report for duty when the victim suddenly crossed his path.
A tricycle driver rushed Loarez to the hospital in Legazpi City but was later declared dead on arrival.-- Johana Vi E. Gasga, Inquirer Southern Luzon
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Slim job opportunities for graduating studes
Statistics show .03% employment rate drop in Bicol
LEGAZPI CITY - It would be a vigorous job-hunting for the fresh graduates this summer of 2009, as the number of jobless Filipinos grew bigger and hit the highest unemployment rate at 7.7 percent compared to last year, based from the National Statistics Office (NSO) latest survey.
In the Bicol region, the recent economic situation was recorded the highest underemployment rate at 31.2 percent in the second quarter (October 2008) among other regions of the country. However, the number of underemployed Bicolanos declined about 4.6 percent this year, a survey conducted by NSO-Region V show.
The global economic downturn is now choking Bicolanos, as the unemployment rate (2nd quarter, 2008) rose by one (1) percent point from last year’s rate.
The Labor Force Data released by the NSO regional office reveal that for December 2008, the unemployment rate of the region was placed at 5.2 percent, showing an increase from 4.4 last quarter (July 2008).
With more than 109,000 Bicolanos who are still waiting for job opportunities, Director Alex E. Maraan of the DOLE's Region 5 Office said that this could be the effect of the job layoffs in some companies in the region and resulted to the close of some small businesses in Legazpi City due to debts and bankruptcy.
On the other hand, the Regional Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics (BLES)showed that 2.004 million workers in Bicol are employed in the December 2008 survey conducted by the BLES.
Further, a drop by .08 percent was recorded by the NSO in the employment rate of December 2008 (95.6%) from 94.8 percent in April 2008 which is not surprising in Sothern Tagalog(including Bicol region) because these regions were hosting large export-oriented industries adversely affected by the global downturn.
The NSO defines the unemployed as those aged 15 years and over, who have no jobs or are not running a business and are actively looking for jobs but can not find any.
The unemployed also include those who at the time of the survey were not looking for jobs because they believed there were none available, or because of temporary disability or sickness or bad weather, or because they had pending job applications or interviews.
The underemployed are those who want to have additional hours of work in their present job or to have an additional job, or to have a new job with longer working hours.
Meanwhile, the DOLE, in cooperation with colleges and universities is offering a job fair to all the graduating students for job-matching opportunities.
A job fair was held last March 9 (2nd week of March) at the Students’ Lounge of Bicol University, College of Arts and Letters which was opened to all seniors and job hunters.
Johana Vi E. Gasga
Basic data source:
DOLE regional office
Legazpi City
LEGAZPI CITY - It would be a vigorous job-hunting for the fresh graduates this summer of 2009, as the number of jobless Filipinos grew bigger and hit the highest unemployment rate at 7.7 percent compared to last year, based from the National Statistics Office (NSO) latest survey.
In the Bicol region, the recent economic situation was recorded the highest underemployment rate at 31.2 percent in the second quarter (October 2008) among other regions of the country. However, the number of underemployed Bicolanos declined about 4.6 percent this year, a survey conducted by NSO-Region V show.
The global economic downturn is now choking Bicolanos, as the unemployment rate (2nd quarter, 2008) rose by one (1) percent point from last year’s rate.
The Labor Force Data released by the NSO regional office reveal that for December 2008, the unemployment rate of the region was placed at 5.2 percent, showing an increase from 4.4 last quarter (July 2008).
With more than 109,000 Bicolanos who are still waiting for job opportunities, Director Alex E. Maraan of the DOLE's Region 5 Office said that this could be the effect of the job layoffs in some companies in the region and resulted to the close of some small businesses in Legazpi City due to debts and bankruptcy.
On the other hand, the Regional Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics (BLES)showed that 2.004 million workers in Bicol are employed in the December 2008 survey conducted by the BLES.
Further, a drop by .08 percent was recorded by the NSO in the employment rate of December 2008 (95.6%) from 94.8 percent in April 2008 which is not surprising in Sothern Tagalog(including Bicol region) because these regions were hosting large export-oriented industries adversely affected by the global downturn.
The NSO defines the unemployed as those aged 15 years and over, who have no jobs or are not running a business and are actively looking for jobs but can not find any.
The unemployed also include those who at the time of the survey were not looking for jobs because they believed there were none available, or because of temporary disability or sickness or bad weather, or because they had pending job applications or interviews.
The underemployed are those who want to have additional hours of work in their present job or to have an additional job, or to have a new job with longer working hours.
Meanwhile, the DOLE, in cooperation with colleges and universities is offering a job fair to all the graduating students for job-matching opportunities.
A job fair was held last March 9 (2nd week of March) at the Students’ Lounge of Bicol University, College of Arts and Letters which was opened to all seniors and job hunters.
Johana Vi E. Gasga
Basic data source:
DOLE regional office
Legazpi City
Monday, March 16, 2009
Relief of ATO official sought
LEGAZPI CITY -- Albay Gov. Joey Salceda has called for the relief of the Air Transport Office chief in Bicol, saying the negligence of the officer put the lives of 88 plane passengers, including Tourism Secretary Ace Durano and his family, at risk here on Saturday.
Salceda sain in a text message that he had also advised Frisco Sto. Domingo, ATO Bicol director, to file for early retirement.
A Cebu Pacific Air plane had a close call on March 14 when it almost hit a vehicle crossing the airport runway here as it was about to land.
The pilot, Capt. Christophe Nowicki, a French flight instructor, averted a crash by taking the plane up again.
Tourism Bicol Regional Director Nini Ravanilla urged Transportation Secretary Leandro R. Mendoza to launch an investigation and slap a preventive suspension on Sto. Domingo, whose son, also named Frisco, was driving the van.
Johana Vi E. Gasga/Inquirer Southern Luzon
Published article in PDI, March 17, 2009
Salceda sain in a text message that he had also advised Frisco Sto. Domingo, ATO Bicol director, to file for early retirement.
A Cebu Pacific Air plane had a close call on March 14 when it almost hit a vehicle crossing the airport runway here as it was about to land.
The pilot, Capt. Christophe Nowicki, a French flight instructor, averted a crash by taking the plane up again.
Tourism Bicol Regional Director Nini Ravanilla urged Transportation Secretary Leandro R. Mendoza to launch an investigation and slap a preventive suspension on Sto. Domingo, whose son, also named Frisco, was driving the van.
Johana Vi E. Gasga/Inquirer Southern Luzon
Published article in PDI, March 17, 2009
Outraged.
Salvador France, spokesperson of the Lakas ng Maliliit na Mangingisda sa Bicol (LAMBAT-BIKOL) initiates the torching of the US flag during the fluvial protest against the Balikatan exercise today, March 16 at the Legazpi Port, Albay. Photo by Johana Vi E. Gasga
Gearing-up
Local fisherfolks prepare the boats despite the big waves in the sea for the fluvial protest against US military exercise in Bicol at the shore of Brgy. San Roque,Legazpi City, Monday. Photo by Johana Vi Gasga
Saturday, March 14, 2009
16 hurt in Masbate NPA ambuscades
Legazpi City -- Twelve policemen, including two officers, two militiamen and two civilians were wounded in successive ambuscades by suspected New People’s Army (NPA) guerillas in Masbate province on Thursday, consolidated police reports said on Friday.
Personnel of the 506th provincial police mobile group were patrolling in Barangay (village) Pinamangkaan, Mandaon town at around 11:30 a.m. around 40 rebels, led by Luis Gonzaga, alias Jaypee, ambushed them, triggering a two-hour firefight, Chief Superintendent Paterno Bangui, Bicol regional police director, said.
Seven policemen -- Chief Inspector Ronald Fulo, the leader of the provincial mobile group; Police Officers 2 Menard Danao, Darius Capili, and Rogelio Bolante; Police Officers 1 Ian Mark Antiporda, Juvy Llunar, and Ronel Paac -- and civilians Editha Race and Gilbert Leonor Don, were wounded.
Police from Balud town led by Senior Inspector Eduardo Regalario, on their way to reinforce their ambushed comrades, were themselves waylaid by 20 rebels in Panguiranan village, wounding the police chief, Senior Police Officer 3 Onesimo Santiago, Police Officer 3 Rico Figuera, Police Officers 1 Alberto Totanes and Elmer Miguel, and civilian volunteers Alfredo Vilaruel and Allen Cabarles, Bangui said.
The Army’s 9th Infantry Brigade dispatched two helicopters to evacuate the wounded. Antiporda and Llanar, who sustained serious injuries, were brought to Legaspi City for medical treatment.
By Johana Vi Gasga, Inquirer Southern Luzon/
Abigail Kwok INQUIRER.net
First Posted 18:37:00 03/12/2009
INQUIRER.net
Filed Under: Armed conflict, Police
Personnel of the 506th provincial police mobile group were patrolling in Barangay (village) Pinamangkaan, Mandaon town at around 11:30 a.m. around 40 rebels, led by Luis Gonzaga, alias Jaypee, ambushed them, triggering a two-hour firefight, Chief Superintendent Paterno Bangui, Bicol regional police director, said.
Seven policemen -- Chief Inspector Ronald Fulo, the leader of the provincial mobile group; Police Officers 2 Menard Danao, Darius Capili, and Rogelio Bolante; Police Officers 1 Ian Mark Antiporda, Juvy Llunar, and Ronel Paac -- and civilians Editha Race and Gilbert Leonor Don, were wounded.
Police from Balud town led by Senior Inspector Eduardo Regalario, on their way to reinforce their ambushed comrades, were themselves waylaid by 20 rebels in Panguiranan village, wounding the police chief, Senior Police Officer 3 Onesimo Santiago, Police Officer 3 Rico Figuera, Police Officers 1 Alberto Totanes and Elmer Miguel, and civilian volunteers Alfredo Vilaruel and Allen Cabarles, Bangui said.
The Army’s 9th Infantry Brigade dispatched two helicopters to evacuate the wounded. Antiporda and Llanar, who sustained serious injuries, were brought to Legaspi City for medical treatment.
By Johana Vi Gasga, Inquirer Southern Luzon/
Abigail Kwok INQUIRER.net
First Posted 18:37:00 03/12/2009
INQUIRER.net
Filed Under: Armed conflict, Police
Rosal grants all-out assistance
March 13, 2009
P 2.6-M budget for Legazpi team delegates released
Legazpi City – The city government of Legazpi has allocated P2.6 million fund as an all-out assistance for the success of the Team Legazpi athletes in the 2009 Palarong Bikol to be held in Catanduanes on March 22-28, 2009.
City Mayor Noel E. Rosal, the honorary head of delegation has approved the P2.6 million budget from the Special Education Fund (SEF) to support the team in the said sports event.
With 439 athletes, trainers/coaches and other officials who will be participating, Mr. Eddie M. Rangel, PE and Sports supervisor confided that their delegates will set a better record in the Bicol Meet.
“I’m looking at a better team this time. The players are in good shape and all set for the game,” he said.
Rangel added that the Team Legazpi will edge the other competing delegations from the six provinces and six other cities in the region. “We are playing not only for the division but for the whole Legazpi as well.”
Dr. Epifanio B. Buela, Schools Division superintendent has given instructions that rigid practice of the athletes should be ensured in order to win the Palarong Bikol ’09.
Meanwhile, the provincial government of Catanduanes, as the host province of this year’s ‘Palaro’ is now gearing-up for the schools to be utilized as headquarters of the participating delegates from six provinces of Bicol. Sports facilities, equipment and athletic grounds are also being prepared.
The government of Catanduanes has allotted P 9 million budget for the said sports event.
Johana Vi E. Gasga
Info. Source:
Press release/Flashes
Department of Education- Region V
P 2.6-M budget for Legazpi team delegates released
Legazpi City – The city government of Legazpi has allocated P2.6 million fund as an all-out assistance for the success of the Team Legazpi athletes in the 2009 Palarong Bikol to be held in Catanduanes on March 22-28, 2009.
City Mayor Noel E. Rosal, the honorary head of delegation has approved the P2.6 million budget from the Special Education Fund (SEF) to support the team in the said sports event.
With 439 athletes, trainers/coaches and other officials who will be participating, Mr. Eddie M. Rangel, PE and Sports supervisor confided that their delegates will set a better record in the Bicol Meet.
“I’m looking at a better team this time. The players are in good shape and all set for the game,” he said.
Rangel added that the Team Legazpi will edge the other competing delegations from the six provinces and six other cities in the region. “We are playing not only for the division but for the whole Legazpi as well.”
Dr. Epifanio B. Buela, Schools Division superintendent has given instructions that rigid practice of the athletes should be ensured in order to win the Palarong Bikol ’09.
Meanwhile, the provincial government of Catanduanes, as the host province of this year’s ‘Palaro’ is now gearing-up for the schools to be utilized as headquarters of the participating delegates from six provinces of Bicol. Sports facilities, equipment and athletic grounds are also being prepared.
The government of Catanduanes has allotted P 9 million budget for the said sports event.
Johana Vi E. Gasga
Info. Source:
Press release/Flashes
Department of Education- Region V
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