ZIPLINE NOW IN LEGAZPI CITY'S LIGÑON HILLThursday, January 8, 2009
GRP-US Balikatan set in Bicol BY MAR ARGUELLES
LEGAZPI CITY --- Preparations are all in place for the holding of RP-US joint Balikatan exercise finally set on April this year, a ranking officer of the Philippine Army (PA) in Bicol said yesterday.
Unlike other Balikatan exercises held in the Philppines for the past 15 years, this years Balikatan will be purely a humanitarian mission involving medical service, and infrastructure development, Col. Ariel Bernardo PA 901st Brigade Commander said.
Bernardo said Balikatan survey team composed of US Navy and AFP personnel have finally drew up the RP-US joint military exercise to be held in the provinces of Albay, Sorsogon , and the island province of Masbate.
The survey team have pinpointed the six towns and Ligao City in the third District of Albay, the towns of Juban and Irosin in Sorsogon and M Uson and Mobo in Masbate.
These areas where considered by military intelligence report indicates that as insurgency hotbeds.
Bernardo at a press conference held on Thursday said “this is a welcome move, this campaign is a very important aspect in our Insurgency Special Operation (ISO) especially in waging a war for peace and development.”
He pointed out that the 16 Balikatan exercise will be absolutely humanitarian as he emphasize that “there will be no war games.”
The exercise is an annual bi-lateral military exercise between the AFP and the US aimed at improving the inter-operability of both forces for mutual defense in accordance with the RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty.
US Navy Captain Kelly Schmader commander of the Civilian Military Operations (CMO) said his contingent will be bringing along 400 Navy personnel composed of engineers, doctors and medicines.
Schmader said the uniqueness of this exercise is that it endeavors to help communities in Bicol that where hard hit by disaster in 2006 where thousands live where lost and 30,000 families were displaced due to the two super typhoons that struck the region.
He said the joint military exercise would focus on rendering medical, dental, veterinary and other assistance to poor families in the selected areas. Itr will also conduct repair and building of schools, water systems and farm to market roads.
He said the US government has earmarked some $450,000 for this activity.
The joint military contingents would maximize the use f local resources including labor and materials to spur local economic activities in the area.
During its implementation in April, medical and engineering units of both forces will stay in designated areas. There will be no activity of military nature except to ensure the security of those involved in the humanitarian mission.
Unlike other Balikatan exercises held in the Philppines for the past 15 years, this years Balikatan will be purely a humanitarian mission involving medical service, and infrastructure development, Col. Ariel Bernardo PA 901st Brigade Commander said.
Bernardo said Balikatan survey team composed of US Navy and AFP personnel have finally drew up the RP-US joint military exercise to be held in the provinces of Albay, Sorsogon , and the island province of Masbate.
The survey team have pinpointed the six towns and Ligao City in the third District of Albay, the towns of Juban and Irosin in Sorsogon and M Uson and Mobo in Masbate.
These areas where considered by military intelligence report indicates that as insurgency hotbeds.
Bernardo at a press conference held on Thursday said “this is a welcome move, this campaign is a very important aspect in our Insurgency Special Operation (ISO) especially in waging a war for peace and development.”
He pointed out that the 16 Balikatan exercise will be absolutely humanitarian as he emphasize that “there will be no war games.”
The exercise is an annual bi-lateral military exercise between the AFP and the US aimed at improving the inter-operability of both forces for mutual defense in accordance with the RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty.
US Navy Captain Kelly Schmader commander of the Civilian Military Operations (CMO) said his contingent will be bringing along 400 Navy personnel composed of engineers, doctors and medicines.
Schmader said the uniqueness of this exercise is that it endeavors to help communities in Bicol that where hard hit by disaster in 2006 where thousands live where lost and 30,000 families were displaced due to the two super typhoons that struck the region.
He said the joint military exercise would focus on rendering medical, dental, veterinary and other assistance to poor families in the selected areas. Itr will also conduct repair and building of schools, water systems and farm to market roads.
He said the US government has earmarked some $450,000 for this activity.
The joint military contingents would maximize the use f local resources including labor and materials to spur local economic activities in the area.
During its implementation in April, medical and engineering units of both forces will stay in designated areas. There will be no activity of military nature except to ensure the security of those involved in the humanitarian mission.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
In the aftermath of the Maogmang Lugar Market Fire BY DAN M. DIAZ
I was in Naga City last Saturday and instinctively I headed for the burned supermarket that prominently figured in the local and national news recently. I knew the location as well as the market’s general lay-out having visited it or passed around it several times in the past. I was curious on the extent of the damage and how things are different now. Knapsack and camera in tow, I just walked my way towards the market oblivious to the slight drizzle and the sky that is turning dark. I could have easily taken a jeepney or tricycle but there is something about walking the streets of familiar and not-so-familiar places that fascinates me. The few pesos that I would save wouldn’t hurt as recession lurks just behind the corner.
The first thing that caught my attention was the blackened 2nd floor and the crowd of vendors that occupies the street beneath it. The traffic was beginning to build up as tricycles and jeepneys slow down trying to avoid the various obstacles that used to be minimal in the past. Looking at the market from end to end, I realized it’s really huge occupying two big blocks.
The fire that destroyed the Naga Public Market has displaced hundreds of vendors that used to occupy the 2nd and 3rd floors. They are mostly those occupying stalls in the wet market selling meat, fish, fruits and vegetables. They now occupy both sides of J. Hernandez street housed in makeshift tents selling their wares. Both the vendors and the buyers are exposed to the sun and the rain with only their flimsy trapal and umbrellas to protect them. They are also exposed to the carbon monoxide and pollution that are ever present in the street as jeepneys, tricycles and other motorized vehicles inch their way through the narrowed and crowded streets made worse by the rain.
When I asked the vendors how long they will be back to their previous stalls, nobody can give a definite answer. Looking at their faces, I experienced a surge of emotions. I was happy to know that they are still able to sell and earn a living for their children and family. At the same time I felt sad because they have to endure harsh conditions and nobody’s sure for how long this will last. These are simple people with simple dreams, honest and hardworking who deserve every hard-earned peso they earn. I felt great admiration for them but words weren’t coming out.
Those occupying the ground floor of the supermarket were not as affected. It’s business as usual for them except for the fact that they now have to share their frontage with the hordes of displaced vendors that are also trying to make a living in the aftermath of the tragedy. A significant portion of the second floor housing ukay-ukay stalls was spared from the fire. In the inner portions of the ground floor, the beauty and barber shops are still intact. I did not find those barbers whom I used to play chess with many years ago. I wasn’t even sure if they are still there or if I can remember their faces. The row of carinderias still serve snacks and meals, each one trying to entice customers to try out their menus. After a light snack I exited through the rows of stalls selling clothes, dropped by the newsstand and bought a copy of my favorite local newspaper. I used to browse the headlines in this particular newsstand and somehow it felt reassuring that they are still there.
With the commitment of several high ranking Bicolano government officials to reconstruct the damaged Supermarket, I’m optimistic that in no time the Maogmang Lugar public market with its myriad of native attractions and local charm will be back to its feet and will continue to serve the people of Naga City and the surrounding towns as well as continue to fascinate simple travelers like me.
The first thing that caught my attention was the blackened 2nd floor and the crowd of vendors that occupies the street beneath it. The traffic was beginning to build up as tricycles and jeepneys slow down trying to avoid the various obstacles that used to be minimal in the past. Looking at the market from end to end, I realized it’s really huge occupying two big blocks.
The fire that destroyed the Naga Public Market has displaced hundreds of vendors that used to occupy the 2nd and 3rd floors. They are mostly those occupying stalls in the wet market selling meat, fish, fruits and vegetables. They now occupy both sides of J. Hernandez street housed in makeshift tents selling their wares. Both the vendors and the buyers are exposed to the sun and the rain with only their flimsy trapal and umbrellas to protect them. They are also exposed to the carbon monoxide and pollution that are ever present in the street as jeepneys, tricycles and other motorized vehicles inch their way through the narrowed and crowded streets made worse by the rain.
When I asked the vendors how long they will be back to their previous stalls, nobody can give a definite answer. Looking at their faces, I experienced a surge of emotions. I was happy to know that they are still able to sell and earn a living for their children and family. At the same time I felt sad because they have to endure harsh conditions and nobody’s sure for how long this will last. These are simple people with simple dreams, honest and hardworking who deserve every hard-earned peso they earn. I felt great admiration for them but words weren’t coming out.
Those occupying the ground floor of the supermarket were not as affected. It’s business as usual for them except for the fact that they now have to share their frontage with the hordes of displaced vendors that are also trying to make a living in the aftermath of the tragedy. A significant portion of the second floor housing ukay-ukay stalls was spared from the fire. In the inner portions of the ground floor, the beauty and barber shops are still intact. I did not find those barbers whom I used to play chess with many years ago. I wasn’t even sure if they are still there or if I can remember their faces. The row of carinderias still serve snacks and meals, each one trying to entice customers to try out their menus. After a light snack I exited through the rows of stalls selling clothes, dropped by the newsstand and bought a copy of my favorite local newspaper. I used to browse the headlines in this particular newsstand and somehow it felt reassuring that they are still there.
With the commitment of several high ranking Bicolano government officials to reconstruct the damaged Supermarket, I’m optimistic that in no time the Maogmang Lugar public market with its myriad of native attractions and local charm will be back to its feet and will continue to serve the people of Naga City and the surrounding towns as well as continue to fascinate simple travelers like me.
Awards night
AWARDS NIGHT. BU Pres. Dr. Fay Lauraya (above photo), Albay Disbursing Div. Chief Yolanda Apinado, Vice Gov. Brando Sael and Gov. Salceda congratulate awardee Ms. Presyl Alondra Bello, from Albay Central School, as she ceremonially receives the facsimile checque representing the cash prize of P100,000. (Bottom left photo are the awardees as they perform a song number. Photo By Fred RosarosAbout Bicol Sun News
We know that today is difficult times. To venture into an undertaking such as newspaper business is almost suicide. In fact, latest data show that local newspapers can hardly survive if only to rely on local advertisements. Worse, most of the local businesses as well as readers are not keen to place ads or read Bicol-circulated publications. Of course no one deserves the blame, as everybody has his share of it, so to speak.
The Bicol Sun staff, however, decided to gamble in the name of public service. This newspaper believes that businessmen as well as Bicolano readers don’t yet shut their doors to patronizing local publications if they see they deserve a try.
With our slogan `The region’s relevant news publisher,’ we aim to highlight news and other articles that are deemed to contribute in making the quest of Bicolanos for that elusive dream for “progress” comes true. We pledge to be fair, honest and discerning at all times and in all published articles. When in doubt, however, we will always take the side of the underprivileged. When confronted with a situation that we need to be part of the news, we will always champion the general welfare. As the famous philosopher Victor Hugo once said: We may disagree with what you say, but I will fight to death your right to say it.” We will prefer to let the dull ideas be printed, than to suppress the brilliant ones.
Yes, we have this resolve with us as we dare to go where many failed. We firmly believe that you, whom we want to serve, deserve our courage as we exhort your wholehearted support.
Let this be a challenge for all of us, Bicolanos!
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