`WE JUST LONG FOR OUR RURAL WAYS,' MAYON EVACUEES CONFESS
By Cet Dematera
LEGAZPI CITY---Mayon evacuees who openly admit that they prefer to play `cat-and-mouse,' or `hide-and-seek' with the patrolling government troopers as they sneak into the volcano's declared danger zone than stay safe in their evacuation camps confessed here yesterday that they brave to defy order from authorities not for any other reasons but more so because they `long' for the daily routine they are used to in their rural villages.
Even the veteran evacuee, Salvador Agao,62, who had experienced life in the evacuation center since Mayon's 1978 eruption, admitted that he still finds so much difficulty and discomfort whenever he and his family have to evacuate and take temporary shelter outside their home in Matanag, a Legazpi City village with sitios just at the foot of the lava-spewing volcano.
"Aside from gathering some firewood, fetching tap water and feeding our farm animals, we really go back and stay for a few hours to savor fresh air and feel the comfort of a rural life," Agao told The STAR in mixed Bicol dialect and Filipino.
His confession was shared by his villagemates who even added that the artificial (electric fan) ventilation in their evacuation rooms can not equate the rural air, and the chirping of birds and crickets, the blowing of horns and honks by the passing vehicles in the city proper or poblacion.
"Of course we know the danger of a rumbling and exploding volcano. We know our mountain. Most of us here first saw light looking up its smoking mouth. But we also know when to run and where to hide just in case," they boasted, but submitted that they had to follow authorities' order of forced evacuation.
Boy Nuñez,40, of Quirangay, an upper-slope Camalig village; and Lita Pesino,55, of crater's seven-kilometer away Barangay Amtic in Ligao City, both agreed that they feel something is lacking when they do not call to feed and account for their chicken each day in the morning.
"We were born at the footslope of `Mayong' (their local name for Mayon). We cannot explain really why we want to visit and stay in our villages for at least an hour. Maybe, we are just missing our rural ways," they added.
In fact, rural talks have it that the sitio in San Isidro, a Mayon footslope village in Sto. Domingo town, was named `Boring'(derived from English word boredom) by villagers' relatives who reportedly get bored whenever they visit the place to temporarily stay away from their hectic city life.
With this, Albay Gov. Joey Salceda reiterated his order for a stiffer ban of any human activity within Mayon's permanent danger zone (PDZ).
"We will do everything in our disposal to bring them to the evacuation centers in order to achieve our ultimate goal of zero casualty amidst the looming Mayon eruption," Salceda told The STAR.
Salceda said he had already released the initial amount of P4-million for the evacuation and foods of farm animals, as yet another step to keep the evacuees away from danger zone whenever they sneak back their homes to feed them.
The official also ordered yesterday to ration drinking and bath water of 24 liters a day for every evacuee, as he also nodded to start the distribution of firewoods to all the evacuation camps across Albay.
"I really wanted them to stay away from danger. If I need to re-create their rural life, I will do it," the economist governor said.
The restive Mayon volcano had already claimed the lives of about 1,200 people who were buried inside the Cagsawa Chruch in Daraga town during its Feb.1, 1814 eruption.
Again, Feb.2, 1993, Mayon silently spewed the deadly pyroclastic flow which instantaneously killed the 77 farmers tilling their lands at its upper slope. As yet, another close to 1,500 people died with others remained missing when super typhoon Reming's flood waters loosened and plowed villages around the majestic but deadly mountain.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Friday, December 25, 2009
ERUPTING MAYON CONQUERS POLITICAL INTERESTS, IDEOLOGIES
ERUPTING MAYON CONQUERS POLITICAL INTERESTS, IDEOLOGIES
By Cet Dematera
LEGAZPI CITY---It takes a lava-spewing, ash-exploding Mayon Volcano in order for political camps to temporarily set aside political interests, and for soldiers and rebels to forego ideologies if only to extend help of whatever form to over 45,000 evacuees.
Probably anticipating visits of politicians and 2010 general election aspirants to the 28 evacuation centers across Albay, Gov. Joey Salceda had declared three days ago the province as an open city, which allows anybody to distribute relief assistance or spread cheers directly to the evacuees.
Three days ago, Liberal Party standard-bearer Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. and running-mate Sen. Mar Roxas were the first aspirants to visit evacuation centers here. They distributed relief goods and cheered with the displaced Mayon residents.
In fact. Lakas-CMD re-electionist Salceda even hosted a lunch for the two opposition bets.
The other day, Partido ng Masang Pilipino standard bearer former president Joseph Estrada and his running-mate Makati mayor Jijomar Binay handed out assorted relief items to the Mayon evacuees in Tabaco City, Malilipot and Sto. Domingo, all areas in Albay's first district, a bailiwick of the Lagmans, who are members of the administration party. Estrada's coming over also coincided with the unannounced blitzkrieg visit of President Arroyo, also to the evacuation sites.
Yesterday, yet two more presidential and a vice-presidential aspirants distributed noche buena food packs as they tried to give assurance of additional help once asked by Albay officials.
Nationalista Party standard-bearer Sen. Manny Villar was accompanied by Albay's Second Dist. Representative Al Francis Bichara in distributing packs for noche buena to the evacuation centers here and in the adjacent Daraga town. Bichara, a former Lakas member had sworn in to Villar's Nationalista Party.
Independent presidential bet Sen. Richard Gordon and running mate Bayani Fernando also distributed relief goods for noche buena in the same evacuation camps visited by Villar, a situation that had nearly ended up with the two bets giving out goods elbow-to-elbow, if not for the quick maneuvering of their aides and local leaders.
At the Albay Central Central School here, for instance, Gordon's group had to wait Villar's party to finish the relief distribution before they had taken their turn.
Earlier this week, senatorial bets as well as party-list groups had started hopping from one evacuation to another to distribute relief items amidst the erupting volcano.
For their part, Greg Bañares, spokesman in Bicol of the National Democratic Front (NDF), told radio interviews here that they had decided to pull out their combat groups in villages around Mayon Volcano to give way for the government troops in assisting the fleeing residents leave the danger zone.
"We removed our combat groups around Mayon purposely to give soldiers way to help the displaced residents, and also to avoid possible armed confrontation that might compromise the civilians," Bañares told radio interviews here in mixed Filipino and Bicol dialect.
He added that they would continue to stay away from the danger zone as long as Mayon is abnormal and the residents are in the evacuation camps.
Capt. Razaleigh Bansawan, spokesman of joint Task Force Mayon, said on the other hand, that they welcome the pronouncement of the rebel group, saying it would avoid confrontation in the danger zone while policemen and soldiers are closely implementing the no-man's land policy around the erupting volcano.
"We welcome such pronouncement. Anyway, at this point, everybody may partake in avoiding loss of lives in this time of natural disaster," Bansawan told radio interviews, apparently in reponse to Bañares' statement.
On Nov.30., administration-bet Gilbert Teodoro had spent sufficient time in visiting relocation sites and evacuation centers here and in Daraga, as he also accompanied Salceda in filing his certificate of candidacy during the first filing day.
Salceda said they welcome anybody to visit evacuation centers, and to give evacuees at least words of comfort so that they would continue to feel a sort pf psycho-social affirmation and ease their discomfort as they stay in temporary shelters. (cet dematera)
MAYON DISPLAYING A DIFFERENT ERUPTION PATTERN
By Cet Dematera
LEGAZPI CITY---A volcanologist based-here who has actually watched Mayon Volcano erupting since 1978, admitted yesterday that the country's most active volcano is gradually showing yet another eruption pattern that is different from those abnormal episodes it displayed in the recent recorded eruptions, which may result to a prolonged explosion-type or less-violent episode.
Alex Baloloy, who has been watching Mayon erupts in close distance for over two decades already, said that the present eruption is dominated by chain of ash explosions, series of high-magnitude quakes and very audible rumblings and boomings, at least three new characteristics that were not displayed by the volcano elaborately during its eruptions in 1978, 1984, 1993, 2000-2001, and 2006.
He recalled that in 1984, Mayon immediately shifted to a very violent eruption phase merely after a few phreatic or ash explosions, so strong that it resulted to the collapse of the crater rim facing Daraga-Legazpi side, now known as the Bunga gully.
In 1993, it spewed the very hot gas, pyroclastic flow silently and almost without abnormal precursors that at least 77 farmers in its upper slopes were incinerated, Baloloy said, adding that even in the 2000-2001 eruption episodes, Mayon merely had at least five ash explosions and immediately proceeded to strombolian-phase, characterized by lava fountaining and small ash explosions ansd pyroclastic flows, then to vulcanian, the most violent eruptive stage dominated by over five-kilometer above the crater cauli-flower like black ash columns and big pyroclastic flows.
The expert said that in 2006, after a series of mild to strong ash explosions, the 8,080-foot volcano quickly shifted to strombolian, proceeded to vulcanian then culminated to strombolian or lava flow that lasted for more than two months, or from August 7 to September 15.
Baloloy said that Mayon continued to have series of ash explosions of up to 50 events until press time, as he cited an example of recorded the series at 7:22 a.m., 7:29, 7:58, 8:01 a.m, 8:02, 8:07, 8:27, 8:29, and 8:47 a.m. He also said that audible, high-magnitude quakes took place at least 124 times until noon yesterday.
"We did not have these eruption characteristics since 1968. It seems that Mayon is again displaying a new eruption pattern," Baloloy said.
Even Phivolcs director Renato Solidum earlier admitted that it is only in this eruption that they raised Mayon's alert level to four even in the absence of big lava fountaining and explosive pyroclastic flows.
"Our raising of Mayon's alert level to four is an anticipation for a violent eruption," Solidum told a press briefing.
Resident volcanologist Ed Laguerta also admitted that Mayon's presently displayed eruption pattern is a bit different than those it showed in the past eruptions.
"In this eruption, we see the strombolian-phase, characterized by ash explosions taking a longer time. Mayon is supposed to have shifted already to a more explosive phase based on its present abnormal signs," Laguerta said.
While the possibility of Mayon's shifting to an explosive eruption is very high, but if it follows the new pattern, Baloloy said that a prolonged ash-explosion-dominated eruption is seen. (cet dematera)
By Cet Dematera
LEGAZPI CITY---It takes a lava-spewing, ash-exploding Mayon Volcano in order for political camps to temporarily set aside political interests, and for soldiers and rebels to forego ideologies if only to extend help of whatever form to over 45,000 evacuees.
Probably anticipating visits of politicians and 2010 general election aspirants to the 28 evacuation centers across Albay, Gov. Joey Salceda had declared three days ago the province as an open city, which allows anybody to distribute relief assistance or spread cheers directly to the evacuees.
Three days ago, Liberal Party standard-bearer Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. and running-mate Sen. Mar Roxas were the first aspirants to visit evacuation centers here. They distributed relief goods and cheered with the displaced Mayon residents.
In fact. Lakas-CMD re-electionist Salceda even hosted a lunch for the two opposition bets.
The other day, Partido ng Masang Pilipino standard bearer former president Joseph Estrada and his running-mate Makati mayor Jijomar Binay handed out assorted relief items to the Mayon evacuees in Tabaco City, Malilipot and Sto. Domingo, all areas in Albay's first district, a bailiwick of the Lagmans, who are members of the administration party. Estrada's coming over also coincided with the unannounced blitzkrieg visit of President Arroyo, also to the evacuation sites.
Yesterday, yet two more presidential and a vice-presidential aspirants distributed noche buena food packs as they tried to give assurance of additional help once asked by Albay officials.
Nationalista Party standard-bearer Sen. Manny Villar was accompanied by Albay's Second Dist. Representative Al Francis Bichara in distributing packs for noche buena to the evacuation centers here and in the adjacent Daraga town. Bichara, a former Lakas member had sworn in to Villar's Nationalista Party.
Independent presidential bet Sen. Richard Gordon and running mate Bayani Fernando also distributed relief goods for noche buena in the same evacuation camps visited by Villar, a situation that had nearly ended up with the two bets giving out goods elbow-to-elbow, if not for the quick maneuvering of their aides and local leaders.
At the Albay Central Central School here, for instance, Gordon's group had to wait Villar's party to finish the relief distribution before they had taken their turn.
Earlier this week, senatorial bets as well as party-list groups had started hopping from one evacuation to another to distribute relief items amidst the erupting volcano.
For their part, Greg Bañares, spokesman in Bicol of the National Democratic Front (NDF), told radio interviews here that they had decided to pull out their combat groups in villages around Mayon Volcano to give way for the government troops in assisting the fleeing residents leave the danger zone.
"We removed our combat groups around Mayon purposely to give soldiers way to help the displaced residents, and also to avoid possible armed confrontation that might compromise the civilians," Bañares told radio interviews here in mixed Filipino and Bicol dialect.
He added that they would continue to stay away from the danger zone as long as Mayon is abnormal and the residents are in the evacuation camps.
Capt. Razaleigh Bansawan, spokesman of joint Task Force Mayon, said on the other hand, that they welcome the pronouncement of the rebel group, saying it would avoid confrontation in the danger zone while policemen and soldiers are closely implementing the no-man's land policy around the erupting volcano.
"We welcome such pronouncement. Anyway, at this point, everybody may partake in avoiding loss of lives in this time of natural disaster," Bansawan told radio interviews, apparently in reponse to Bañares' statement.
On Nov.30., administration-bet Gilbert Teodoro had spent sufficient time in visiting relocation sites and evacuation centers here and in Daraga, as he also accompanied Salceda in filing his certificate of candidacy during the first filing day.
Salceda said they welcome anybody to visit evacuation centers, and to give evacuees at least words of comfort so that they would continue to feel a sort pf psycho-social affirmation and ease their discomfort as they stay in temporary shelters. (cet dematera)
MAYON DISPLAYING A DIFFERENT ERUPTION PATTERN
By Cet Dematera
LEGAZPI CITY---A volcanologist based-here who has actually watched Mayon Volcano erupting since 1978, admitted yesterday that the country's most active volcano is gradually showing yet another eruption pattern that is different from those abnormal episodes it displayed in the recent recorded eruptions, which may result to a prolonged explosion-type or less-violent episode.
Alex Baloloy, who has been watching Mayon erupts in close distance for over two decades already, said that the present eruption is dominated by chain of ash explosions, series of high-magnitude quakes and very audible rumblings and boomings, at least three new characteristics that were not displayed by the volcano elaborately during its eruptions in 1978, 1984, 1993, 2000-2001, and 2006.
He recalled that in 1984, Mayon immediately shifted to a very violent eruption phase merely after a few phreatic or ash explosions, so strong that it resulted to the collapse of the crater rim facing Daraga-Legazpi side, now known as the Bunga gully.
In 1993, it spewed the very hot gas, pyroclastic flow silently and almost without abnormal precursors that at least 77 farmers in its upper slopes were incinerated, Baloloy said, adding that even in the 2000-2001 eruption episodes, Mayon merely had at least five ash explosions and immediately proceeded to strombolian-phase, characterized by lava fountaining and small ash explosions ansd pyroclastic flows, then to vulcanian, the most violent eruptive stage dominated by over five-kilometer above the crater cauli-flower like black ash columns and big pyroclastic flows.
The expert said that in 2006, after a series of mild to strong ash explosions, the 8,080-foot volcano quickly shifted to strombolian, proceeded to vulcanian then culminated to strombolian or lava flow that lasted for more than two months, or from August 7 to September 15.
Baloloy said that Mayon continued to have series of ash explosions of up to 50 events until press time, as he cited an example of recorded the series at 7:22 a.m., 7:29, 7:58, 8:01 a.m, 8:02, 8:07, 8:27, 8:29, and 8:47 a.m. He also said that audible, high-magnitude quakes took place at least 124 times until noon yesterday.
"We did not have these eruption characteristics since 1968. It seems that Mayon is again displaying a new eruption pattern," Baloloy said.
Even Phivolcs director Renato Solidum earlier admitted that it is only in this eruption that they raised Mayon's alert level to four even in the absence of big lava fountaining and explosive pyroclastic flows.
"Our raising of Mayon's alert level to four is an anticipation for a violent eruption," Solidum told a press briefing.
Resident volcanologist Ed Laguerta also admitted that Mayon's presently displayed eruption pattern is a bit different than those it showed in the past eruptions.
"In this eruption, we see the strombolian-phase, characterized by ash explosions taking a longer time. Mayon is supposed to have shifted already to a more explosive phase based on its present abnormal signs," Laguerta said.
While the possibility of Mayon's shifting to an explosive eruption is very high, but if it follows the new pattern, Baloloy said that a prolonged ash-explosion-dominated eruption is seen. (cet dematera)
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
2 ARRESTED FOR FAKE P1,000 BILLS IN SORSOGON By CET DEMATERA
LEGAZPI CITY---Two persons were arrested last week while 18 pieces of counterfeit P1,000 were seized in their possession by the Sorsogon police while buying in the public market of Bulusan town with the fake bills.
Chief Inspector Fred Nierva, spokesman of the Sorsogon police, identified the suspects as Melchor Ryan Vergara, 30, of Barangay Amoguis, Lagonoy town; and Arjay Abad,22, of Barangay Taytay, Goa town, both in Camarines Sur.
Nierva said the two were arrested while buying in the store owned by a certain Joey Gob in the Bulusan town public market, adding that the suspects were the subject of their long intelligence operations following reports that a syndicate circulating bogus money is operating in the province.
Upon interrogation, the two squelled the name of a certain Jose Tijares alias Manong Joe as the leader of the Tijares Gang of which they were members, Nierva said.
The police spokesman said they were already verifying the identity of the alleged gang leader, while the two suspects were detained at the Bulusan jail while appropriate charges are being redied against them.
Earlier this year, the Central Bank office based in Legazpi City had forewarned the public as well as business establishments against fake peso bills after businessmen in Bicol turned over to them bank at least 37 pieces of bogus P1,000 bills.
Marlyn Paje, Central Bank-Legazpi manager, said that they had already turned over the fake bills to their main office early in January.
She also warned the public against the proliferation of fake peso bills coming from still unknown sources.
Chief Inspector Fred Nierva, spokesman of the Sorsogon police, identified the suspects as Melchor Ryan Vergara, 30, of Barangay Amoguis, Lagonoy town; and Arjay Abad,22, of Barangay Taytay, Goa town, both in Camarines Sur.
Nierva said the two were arrested while buying in the store owned by a certain Joey Gob in the Bulusan town public market, adding that the suspects were the subject of their long intelligence operations following reports that a syndicate circulating bogus money is operating in the province.
Upon interrogation, the two squelled the name of a certain Jose Tijares alias Manong Joe as the leader of the Tijares Gang of which they were members, Nierva said.
The police spokesman said they were already verifying the identity of the alleged gang leader, while the two suspects were detained at the Bulusan jail while appropriate charges are being redied against them.
Earlier this year, the Central Bank office based in Legazpi City had forewarned the public as well as business establishments against fake peso bills after businessmen in Bicol turned over to them bank at least 37 pieces of bogus P1,000 bills.
Marlyn Paje, Central Bank-Legazpi manager, said that they had already turned over the fake bills to their main office early in January.
She also warned the public against the proliferation of fake peso bills coming from still unknown sources.
ALBAY GOVERNOR WANTS PULL OUT OF LBC TV A DS
ALBAY GOVERNOR WANTS PULL OUT OF LBC TV ADS
By CET DEMATERA
LEGAZPI CITY---Albay Gov. Joey Salceda wants an immediate pull out of the advertisement on television of the LBC cargo carrier with the message saying that the spelling of the word `remittance' is `capital L-B-C.," even as he calls the media ad as "an ignominy of the first order."
Salceda is known not only as an economist but also as a staunch advocate of quality education, being the first governor to award P100,000 each to the declared ten outstanding teachers in Albay in December last year, under the province's program on education dubbed as Education Quality for Albay, or EQUAL. He has also hundreds of scholars since he is representative of Albay's third distrct and now a governor.
"It is not funny as it (TV ad) assaults the intelligence of Filipinos and exploits OFWs who already suffer so much social dislocation," Salceda said.
The Albay governor and known economic adviser of President Arroyo also said that "LBC should apologize for the ads, pull out the ads and terminate its ad agency."
Even before Salceda issued the statement, The Bicol SUN gathered mostly negative comments on the LBC ads which was aired several times during the Pacquiao-Hatton boxing match on Sunday and replayed on Wednesday in Solar Sports channel.
However, the regional director of the Department of Education (DepEd) for Bicol Celedonio Layon takes a soft stand on the LBC ad when sought by media here for comment.Layon said he will merely issue instructions to the public school teachers across Bicol region to correct any misconception or misunderstanding that the LBC TV ads on the spelling of the word remittance as capital L-B-C may bring.
"We admit it is wrong. But since it is only an advertisement, probably they (the copy editor or advertiser) merely exercise their artistic license," Layon told Bombo Radyo here in Filipino.
Layon said he will see to it that any possible confusion that the TV ad may create will just be "corrected in the classrooms" of the elementary and secondary schools. He did not elaborate whether he will issue an office memorandum or will just spread the instruction by words of mouth.
As this developed, a number of parents and teachers associations (PTAs) across Bicol have insinuated of bringing formal complaints against the ads before education and advertisement authorities of the government.
Early in 2000, Albay, through its provincial board members, had passed a resolution declaring a TV and radio advertisement of a telephone company depicting Bicol as an undesirable place to go due to bad roads and communist rebels' presence.
By CET DEMATERA
LEGAZPI CITY---Albay Gov. Joey Salceda wants an immediate pull out of the advertisement on television of the LBC cargo carrier with the message saying that the spelling of the word `remittance' is `capital L-B-C.," even as he calls the media ad as "an ignominy of the first order."
Salceda is known not only as an economist but also as a staunch advocate of quality education, being the first governor to award P100,000 each to the declared ten outstanding teachers in Albay in December last year, under the province's program on education dubbed as Education Quality for Albay, or EQUAL. He has also hundreds of scholars since he is representative of Albay's third distrct and now a governor.
"It is not funny as it (TV ad) assaults the intelligence of Filipinos and exploits OFWs who already suffer so much social dislocation," Salceda said.
The Albay governor and known economic adviser of President Arroyo also said that "LBC should apologize for the ads, pull out the ads and terminate its ad agency."
Even before Salceda issued the statement, The Bicol SUN gathered mostly negative comments on the LBC ads which was aired several times during the Pacquiao-Hatton boxing match on Sunday and replayed on Wednesday in Solar Sports channel.
However, the regional director of the Department of Education (DepEd) for Bicol Celedonio Layon takes a soft stand on the LBC ad when sought by media here for comment.Layon said he will merely issue instructions to the public school teachers across Bicol region to correct any misconception or misunderstanding that the LBC TV ads on the spelling of the word remittance as capital L-B-C may bring.
"We admit it is wrong. But since it is only an advertisement, probably they (the copy editor or advertiser) merely exercise their artistic license," Layon told Bombo Radyo here in Filipino.
Layon said he will see to it that any possible confusion that the TV ad may create will just be "corrected in the classrooms" of the elementary and secondary schools. He did not elaborate whether he will issue an office memorandum or will just spread the instruction by words of mouth.
As this developed, a number of parents and teachers associations (PTAs) across Bicol have insinuated of bringing formal complaints against the ads before education and advertisement authorities of the government.
Early in 2000, Albay, through its provincial board members, had passed a resolution declaring a TV and radio advertisement of a telephone company depicting Bicol as an undesirable place to go due to bad roads and communist rebels' presence.
Friday, February 27, 2009
BICOL RDC COMMENDS GLOBE TELECOMS FOR SPARING 'BUTANDING' HABITAT IN SORSOGON By Cet Dematera
Bicol's Regional Development Council (RDC), through its chair Albay Governor Joey Salceda, expressed its gratitude to the management of the Globe Telecoms for sparing from possible destruction the habitat of the giant sea mammals whalesharks, locally known as 'butanding', off the coastal waters of Donsol town in Sorsogon.
Salceda said that Globe management, through its President Gerry Ablaza, acceded to the request of RDC, particularly the Department of Tourism (DOT) office in Bicol not to push through its plan of putting up its submarine fiber optic cables at the Donsol waters as it may drive away whalesharks in the place.
"As RDC chairman, I thank Globe, especially its president Gerry Ablaza for acceding to our request to move the landing of its fiber optic cable away from Donsol town," Salceda told The Bicol SUN.
Salceda said that Globe granted his request despite the fact the such would mean delay and higher cost for the cellular phone company.
"This would preserve the aesthetic and reputational capital of Donsol. Albay is a bigger beneficiary of Donsol tourism," the RDC chair added.
Earlier, Bicol-DOT director Maria Ravanilla expressed apprehension that the Globe project might disturb the habitat of whalesharks there and instead drive them away.
Butanding interactions by local and foreign tourists draw big number of visitors in this part of the Philippines every year.
Salceda said that Globe management, through its President Gerry Ablaza, acceded to the request of RDC, particularly the Department of Tourism (DOT) office in Bicol not to push through its plan of putting up its submarine fiber optic cables at the Donsol waters as it may drive away whalesharks in the place.
"As RDC chairman, I thank Globe, especially its president Gerry Ablaza for acceding to our request to move the landing of its fiber optic cable away from Donsol town," Salceda told The Bicol SUN.
Salceda said that Globe granted his request despite the fact the such would mean delay and higher cost for the cellular phone company.
"This would preserve the aesthetic and reputational capital of Donsol. Albay is a bigger beneficiary of Donsol tourism," the RDC chair added.
Earlier, Bicol-DOT director Maria Ravanilla expressed apprehension that the Globe project might disturb the habitat of whalesharks there and instead drive them away.
Butanding interactions by local and foreign tourists draw big number of visitors in this part of the Philippines every year.
COCNUT FARM DEVELOPMENT PROJECT LAUNCHED IN ALBAY By Cet Dematera
Coconut farmers, officials of the Department of Agriculture and CIIF Oil Mills Group, with the assistance of Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, Vice Gov. Brando Sael and Polangui Mayor Jess Salceda had formally launched today (Feb.27) the government-spearheaded Coconut Farm Development Program at its project site in Barangay Santicon, Polangui, Albay.
Gov. Salceda said that the coconut farm development is one of the special projects of President Gloria Arroyo in order to revitalize the coconut industry in the country, particularly in Bicol which was hardest hit by super typhoons in 2006.
With the program launched, coconut farmers could expect more assistance from the government in the rehabilitation of their coconut plantations which were devastated by super typhoons Melinyo in September 27, and Reming in November 30, in 2006.
President Arroyo had earlier ordered the Department of Agriculture to help coconut farmers and tap the oil millers in reviving the coconut industry in the country.
Gov. Salceda said that the coconut farm development is one of the special projects of President Gloria Arroyo in order to revitalize the coconut industry in the country, particularly in Bicol which was hardest hit by super typhoons in 2006.
With the program launched, coconut farmers could expect more assistance from the government in the rehabilitation of their coconut plantations which were devastated by super typhoons Melinyo in September 27, and Reming in November 30, in 2006.
President Arroyo had earlier ordered the Department of Agriculture to help coconut farmers and tap the oil millers in reviving the coconut industry in the country.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Legazpi City gets P7.6-Million Spanish grant
LEGAZPI CITY GETS P7.6-M Spanish Grant
Here is another good news for the Legazpeños who wish fro the continuous development of the city this year and beyond.
City Mayor Noel E. Rosal through the Social Welfare and Development Office headed by Mrs. Maria Marlene G. Manaya recently/renounced that the Spanish government through the AGENCIA ESPAÑOLA DE COOPERACION INTERNATIONAL PARA EL DESAROLLO (AEID) has extended grant to the City Government of Legazpi to finance the implementation of the PODER Y PROSPERIDAD DE LA COMMUNIDAD (PODER) Phaxe IV projects in the Bicol region.
The CSWDO Chief disclosed that the city was granted a total of P7.6-M grant to find seven (7) priority projects costing an estimated amount of P9.880-M. She said however, that LGU- Legazpi shall provide the counterpart fund of P1.930-M while five (5) strategic barangays located in downtown Legazpi and in the southern portion of the city have already approved in their 2009 budget the amount of P70 K per project or total of P350, 000 for the five villages.
The CSWD officer disclosed that the grant will finance felt-need projects in the following barangays:
Barangay Gogon – Barangay Livelihood Rehabilitation Support Facilities for Vegetable Growers (rehabilitation and improvement of nursery and food terminal.)
Brgy. Taysan – Construction of Taysan Resettlement Site Day Care Center.
Brgy. Homapon – Improvement/Rehabilitation of Farm to Market Road, in Sitio Agna.
Barangay Banquerohan – Reconstruction of Banquerohan Resettlement Site II Day Care Center and Construction of Banquerohan Satellite Integrated Health Service and Rehabilitation Center Serving as lying-in center for pregnant mothers and community based center for person with disabilities.
5. Brgy. Bariis- Bariis livelihood Rehabilitation Support Facility to Farmers (solar)
Manaya said the projects re expected to be completed at the end March, 2009.
The PODER projects are intended to rehabilitate the Bicol region following the devastations brought by two successive super typhoons that worst hit the city of Legazpi in the last quarter of 2006
– BY. VIRGILIO M. LOPEZ LUIS P. BELO
Consultant on Media Editor-in-Chief Affairs
CITY HALL WINDOWS
Official Newsletter of Legazpi City LGU
Here is another good news for the Legazpeños who wish fro the continuous development of the city this year and beyond.
City Mayor Noel E. Rosal through the Social Welfare and Development Office headed by Mrs. Maria Marlene G. Manaya recently/renounced that the Spanish government through the AGENCIA ESPAÑOLA DE COOPERACION INTERNATIONAL PARA EL DESAROLLO (AEID) has extended grant to the City Government of Legazpi to finance the implementation of the PODER Y PROSPERIDAD DE LA COMMUNIDAD (PODER) Phaxe IV projects in the Bicol region.
The CSWDO Chief disclosed that the city was granted a total of P7.6-M grant to find seven (7) priority projects costing an estimated amount of P9.880-M. She said however, that LGU- Legazpi shall provide the counterpart fund of P1.930-M while five (5) strategic barangays located in downtown Legazpi and in the southern portion of the city have already approved in their 2009 budget the amount of P70 K per project or total of P350, 000 for the five villages.
The CSWD officer disclosed that the grant will finance felt-need projects in the following barangays:
Barangay Gogon – Barangay Livelihood Rehabilitation Support Facilities for Vegetable Growers (rehabilitation and improvement of nursery and food terminal.)
Brgy. Taysan – Construction of Taysan Resettlement Site Day Care Center.
Brgy. Homapon – Improvement/Rehabilitation of Farm to Market Road, in Sitio Agna.
Barangay Banquerohan – Reconstruction of Banquerohan Resettlement Site II Day Care Center and Construction of Banquerohan Satellite Integrated Health Service and Rehabilitation Center Serving as lying-in center for pregnant mothers and community based center for person with disabilities.
5. Brgy. Bariis- Bariis livelihood Rehabilitation Support Facility to Farmers (solar)
Manaya said the projects re expected to be completed at the end March, 2009.
The PODER projects are intended to rehabilitate the Bicol region following the devastations brought by two successive super typhoons that worst hit the city of Legazpi in the last quarter of 2006
– BY. VIRGILIO M. LOPEZ LUIS P. BELO
Consultant on Media Editor-in-Chief Affairs
CITY HALL WINDOWS
Official Newsletter of Legazpi City LGU
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