A BLESSED CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!

REGIONAL EXPONENT FOR PROGRESS

Divers discover damaged coral reefs in Albay Gulf

LEGAZPI CITY At least three coral reefs in Albay Gulf were found damaged by blast fishing, officials and staff of the Pacific Blue Dive Center, an organization of marine environmentalists and scuba divers based here reported.
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outstandinG local newspaper

vol. XX, no. 26 dec. 23-29, 2012 p 5.00

BIKOL REPORTER
jV estrada urges govt to pour more aids to Pablos victims

for five consecutive years by the st. peter baptist catholic mass media awards

12-23-12 <carbon-based-ghg.blogspot.com>

San Juan Representative JV Ejercito Estrada appealed to the government to provide more help and support to the victims of typhoon Pablo in Mindanao this Christmas. Ejercito Estrada said that aside from giving victims relief goods, the government should also consider providing them with farm inputs and post harvest-facilities since areas that were badly hit by typhoon Pablo were mostly farming communities. As we celebrate Christmas, let us not forget our

Denr plants 1.2M trees, seizes illegal lumber in Cn

By DANNY O. CALLEJA Camarines Norte, a small Bicol province whose geographical territory is dominated by forest lands is performing well in the implementation of the National Greening Program (NGP) but cannot totally stop the illegal cutting of trees under the governments total log ban policy. The NGP which was launched February last year by President Benigno Aquino III through his Executive Order No. 26 targets to plant 1.5

rep. eSTrada brothers in Mindanao who have lost their own homes and their loved ones, he said. The young lawmaker noted that the provision of farm in(Turn to page 9)

GSIS hikes monthly pension

It is going to be a happy new year for pensioners of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) as their minimum monthly pension will be raised to P5,000 starting next month. GSIS chairman Daniel Lacson, Jr., made the announcement during the forum held in Bacolod City recently. Lacson said that those presently receiving between P5,000 and P8,000 will also get staggered hikes. There are still pensioners who retired with monthly salaries getting as low as P200 to P300 per month, he said.
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billion tree seedlings in 1.5 million hectares all over the country from 2011 to 2016. In Bicol, about four million tree seedlings were planted last year through the participation of about 22,000 volunteers from both the government and private sectors, inspiring the Department of

Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional office here to come up with a target of around eight million this year. The target does not look like a tall order as for Camarines Norte alone, over 1.2 million assorted tree seedlings were planted in some 2,448

hectares established for the months of January to November this year, according to a report of the provinces Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer Ponciano Mabeza received by the DENR regional office over the week.
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CHristMAs CHeers

DOBIAS

The doctors and staff of Caramoan Community Hospital, one of the first provincially administered hospitals rehabilitated and modernized under Gov. Lray Villafuertes invigorated social service development program, express their gratitude and contribute their share towards radiating the spirit and cheers of the yuletide by erecting a giant christmas tree and nativity scene right at the rooftop of the hospital. made of bamboo, recycled plastic cogon and other indigenous grasses, the 35-foot christmas tree perched atop the 10foot edifice is visible from all parts of the town when lighted brightly at night.

3/f, GerONiMO blDG., bArliN sT., NAGA CiTY eMAil: bikol_reporter@yahoo.com TelefAX: (054) 475-62-62 CP 0921-3183720 / 0919-2822901 / 0920-5337766

December 23-29 issue.indd 1

12/27/2012 4:15:18 PM

bikol reporter

opinion

december 23-29, 2012

editorial

Landmark Legislations
(Atty. APA chairs Acyatan & Co., CPAs-DFK International is PICPA past president and Hall-of-Famer, past chair of ASEAN Federation of CPAs, and ACPAPP Lifetime Achievement Awardee). POLITICAL WILL: We witnessed in the last two weeks the speedy congressional passage of the Sin Tax Law and the Reproductive Health Law. The bills were certified as urgent by Malacanang which paved the way for the rush congressional approval. Left hanging in the wings is an equally clamored bill the proposed law on Freedom on Information. The Senate has reportedly passed its version, but The new laws and the pending FOI will impact on the Administration chances in the mid-term elections results of which will serve as barometer for the 2016 presidential race. Opposition and powerful lobbies against the upgraded taxing of tobacco and alcoholic drinks lost to the determined might of the coalition power. The bitter debate over the RH Law may prove costly to Pres. Aquino depending on the strength of the Catholic Church adverse campaign. CHURCH: Unlike the solid Iglesia vote the unity of the Catholic Church voters is yet to be tested. Ranged against the pork-barrel envelopes, the declarations of the RC bishops sounded like voices in the wilderness with the laity failing to heed the call of their shepherds. The sorry impact of the law will be known only later. The dominant church should explain the law to their faithful, including the listing of politicians who supported the new law.

opinions unlimited
Atty. TONY (APA) ACYATAN
As a Catholic lay minister opposed to RH, I compared the population control measures available to Catholics (in the name of sexual enjoyment) with the norms for observance by our brother Muslims. I projected that soon there will be more non-Christian Filipinos as against the followers of Christ. The Catholic Church has reasons to be worried. . And now comes the proposal to legislate divorce in the Philippines. The Filipino family is on the rocks! PACQUIAO: The honors and record purses of Cong. Manny Pacquiao came crushing down on the holy day of Immaculate Conception of Mama Mary (December 8). His loss to Mexican Marquez was not an ordinary defeat, it was a huge downfall (falling on the canvas face down). His ranking as best poundfor-pound boxer is just 7th now. Above him is the new boxer-darling Fil-Am Nonito Donaire. The devout Mommy Dionisia shouted

Maogmang Pasko sa Gabos!!!

her analysis to her beloved son. Sa dalawa mong magkasunod na talo, hindi ka na nagdasal sa iyong corner. At inalis mo sa leeg mo ang Holy Rosary. Di ka na rin nagpamisa the night before you fought. Nagpupuyat ka kasama ng mga pastor ng bago mong sekta. No offense intended I once again proclaim sincerely that in times of successes and aplenty we must never forget the real source of our graces and windfall! Alleluia. SUCCOR: If you cannot afford to send material help to our suffering brethren in Mindanao - let us just pray that they may find the strength to survive and to start new meaningful lives. We must also stand guard against the political and socio-civic leaders in whose hands the global charitable assistance are passing through. Our government and society in general should learn from that sorry experience from the wrath of nature. Most Filipinos were spared from the vengeance of nature which cost the lives, livelihood and properties of the people in the affected areas. The big banana plantation owners can recover fast using their stashed wealth. The ones needing immediate support are the small farmers and fishermen. Let us not just give them fish (to eat). We have to teach them to improve their fishing techniques and fund their restart of operations. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL! PROVERB: Evil men do not understand justice; but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.

The Real Joy of Christmas

The following column of Fr. Bel R. San Luis, SVD in the Tempo entitled The Real Joy of Christmas in the Dec. 22, 2012 issue is worth sharing at this time. Its a good reminder and it made me also laugh. A christmas quip goes: Dont get so preoccupied in what the world has to sell that you miss what God has to give. The fourth and last Sunday of Advent relates about the personages surrounding WHOM God has given us specifically about Mary, who was pregnant, visiting her cousin Elizabeth. *** I had visited that Biblical hill country called Ein Karem, the village of Zacariah and Elizabeth. Ein Karem is 90 kilometers away from Nazareth and, by foot, it took a week to travel. So you can just imagine how difficult it was for Joseph and the pregnant Mary riding on a donkey to travel at a time when paved roads, cars, buses, and trains were unknown. Despite the difficulty, Mary and Joseph took the trouble. This is Christianity at its best caring, committed to the welfare of others. ***

from my window
NeNiTA fueNTebellA-PeONes
I once took a bus bound for the North. In Carmen, Pangasinan, an old, feeble lady boarded the bus, dragging a lot of personal belongings. When the conductor came to collect her fare, the woman handed P80 but the ticket man said, Lola, thats not enough; remember this is an aircon bus. *** The elderly woman replied: But thats all I have. Then Ill let you off the next bus stop, said the conductor, because I would have to pay for the balance. When the bus halted at next bus stop and the feeble woman struggled to

go down with her belongings, one of the passengers asked what was the problem. The conductor told him of her problem. To which the man replied: Ako na ang bahala sa balanse (Ill take care of the balance). Let her return. *** The quick response of the kind man was very inspiring. I, a priest, who was two seats away, felt guilty (nakonsyensiya). I should have been the first to rescue the poor woman! The inspiring gesture of the man is just one of numerous forms of compassion we can do, which Mary and Joseph exemplified in todays gospel. *** Theres another message of the gospel. When Mary greets Elizabeth, she is filled with the Holy Spirit and cries out: Why should I be honored with a visit from the mother of my Lord? For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Luke, who narrates the story, intends the babys movement to be caused by something else. He intends the movement to be a JOYFUL RESPONSE to the presence of Jesus in Marys own
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Ungrateful
MODERN-DAY heroes. This is what people say of the overseas Filipino workers who are mostly domestic helpers, caregivers, construction workers, entertainers with a sprinkling of highly skilled professionals, these exiles from a country slumped in poverty. It is never too easy to leave hearth and home for a strange distant land to work. But these exiles brave the uncertain fate that awaits them with a heart of steel. In an earlier era, the era of Jose Rizal and Marcelo H. del Pilar and the other heroes of their generation, exiles were honored with an expatriate title. Now they are simply called OFWs or overseas Filipino workers. In Rizals time, Filipino exiles were mostly students from well-to-do families in the Philippines and those who escaped persecution at home. Lowly as the DHs, caregivers, laborers, dancers compared to the early exiles, they have done their country great things.They are adventurous, hardworking, unafraid.

A Question of privilege

salvador d. flor
They show they are no inferior people. They have the qualities of the Roman conquerors of the olden times. Their only failing is that they are not well off. Without their hard-earned dollars which they regularly send home, saan tayo pupulutin, sa kangkongan? Their remittances have kept the country from economic coma.

Head, Advertising Associates 0920-533-7766

lee G. dullesco ii

Whether you admit it or not, this is their greatest contribution at a time when our economy was at its knees. And yet many of them believe they are paid with ingratitude by their government. Wala daw utang na loob and pamahalaan. The few dollars they earned with sweat and blood have steadily shrunk. The peso strengthens but it has done them more harm than good. And very little is done, they said, to arrest the peso growth which chips away at their dollar .They are not murmuring their protests. They are howling them in defeaning silence. Some have kept their dollars with them, unhappy with the shrinking value. The peso? Curse its steady climb. It is making life difficult for the contract workers and their families. The contract workers number about l0 million if government figures are
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12/27/2012 4:15:18 PM

december 23-29, 2012

bikol reporter

May the light of Christmas shine upon you throughout the New Year!

December 23-29 issue.indd 3

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bikol reporter

etcetera
Sometime last 3rd week of January 2012 while I was reading a national newspaper about the 1,075 survivors from the storm Sendong who have undergone psychosocial process by the Department of Social Welfare and Devt. (DSWD), I must have pitied every victim of the flash flood caused by the typhoon in Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City. It was followed by more storms this year. The latest is the super typhoon Pablo that have displaced families and killed over 300 people and 400 missing in Campostela Valley and Davao Oriental as of December 7. That I thought.. all catastrophes not only in our nation but the whole world, are all signs that nobody knows when our time will end. Nobody can predict about anything! No one would know what, where, and how it will happen. The only thing I know is that we are all survivors! The past years were described as years of overall tragedies wrought by typhoon Ondoy 3 years away, and Sendong a year ago, now its Pablo the killer typhoon. Weve been through these years of confusion, anxiety and devastation. December 26, 2011 at 7:00 in the evening: Inside the clubhouse of Ciudad Grande in Pasig City, the hall was dark, filled with silence and heartfelt moment. Everyone were holding candles so do I, that casts some glimpse of light towards the poolside as surprises awaits the diamond lady to celebrate the apex of a life lived well. Mrs. Sidney SF Sison, a Sagaynon, marked a diamond milestone in a surprise birthday party sumptuously offered by her husband Mr.

december 23-29, 2012

pellmell
jokee bOTOr-reyeS

Beyond Uncertainties

a PieCe of wiT
MAriz TriA sAN feliPe
Edgar Sison, a kgd. of Sto. Domingo, and children, with the support of the TRES MARIAS of Villarica Subdivision, Cainta Rizal. After waiting for the celebrator, in few minutes the lights were opened. Silence was broken by the band as we welcomed her with a HAPPY BIRTHDAY song. Surprised!.. she entered in tears, dressed in stunningly blue, elegant wear towards the main entrance of the clubhouse where the over 70 guests awaits for the special mother and a special wife. To fill more fun to the compleao, the tres marias: Baby, Gema, Precy prepared 18 roses for the 60 year old lady in her gorgeous, maintained timeless beauty! Im just being honest, she really was coz I suppose shes the elder sister of this writer. Hehe.. The finale part of the party..words of a mother struck a chord with me when she tearfully said: I thought we will go to Eastwood City and meet my family, not in a party like this. Id be happier if I can help others. I didnt want an expensive birthday, that I warned my children to get

Maogmang Pasko Saindo Gabos!

Need I say more?
books for Tots Program: an effective reading intervention
by FLOrenia c. TOraLde Principal I cawayan elementary School, iriga city Love for reading is what Books for Tots is all about. This program engages pupils to develop a unique interest in reading through picture story books and activities that make reading fun and enjoyable. Books for Tots program is along the quest to promote an environment where all individiuals love to read; improve the pupils reading comprehension, Mathematics and Science skills; provide good quality educational materials needed in innovating creative teaching-learning techniques among teachers and pupils: encouraged active participation of Iriga Citys Stakeholders in molding school children such as Local Government Unit of Iriga, Parents-Teachers Association is another DepEd Iriga Citys partners with the United Irigueos, Inc. (UII) in partnership with the National Bookstore Foundation, Inc. (NBSFI) and Rotary Club of Iriga launched the Books for Tots Program with the primary aim of distributing story books and other reading materials to public school pupils. These school materials are now being used by the pupils as their reading journals during Project DEAR (Drop Everything are Read) and other intervention activities in reading. The reading materials are being kept at the principals office/LRC. School Heads make sure that these reading materials are maintained accessible and available to the pupils by providing class borrower and logbook distribution to each class advisers for easy access and facilitation. Indeed, DepEd Iriga City is very blessed having been provided with numerous story books for children. Pupils were given the opportunity to explore some words which they didnt know because of their socio-economic status. In the absence of television sets and internet they have the chance to meet Cinderella, Mickey Mouse and other characters. They came to know that books are not just for grammar lessons, nor computation or memorization but stories to enjoy and explore. Pupils benefit much from this program because they provided them not only enjoyment but also inprovement in their vocabulary, reading and listening comprehension skills and life-learned lessons through values learned from the stories. In the results of the Phil-IRI there was a marked improvement in the reading performance of the pupils. The increase in the instructional and independent levels could be attributed to the effective implementation of all reading interven- tions and Books for Tots Program of United Irigueos and National Book Store Foundation, Inc.

away from the thought of spending more money for my 60th year. I just wanted a simple celebration coz its difficult to feel happy nowadays when more people are working tirelessly for some food to eat. Madaming naghihirap, madaming nasasalanta ng bagyo at may mga kamaganak din akong gustong matulungan at nangangailangan. To a mother who celebrates her birthday on Christmas day, whose family was once a victim of a flash flood caused by Ondoy 3 years away, the feeling was not easy. When almost everything inside their house at Villarica subdivision in Cainta Rizal were all flooded and destroyed, except for one..an image of the VIRGIN MARY which was steadily hanged unbroken on the wall. I understand how she wished there would be no more flash floods. How she wished that Ondoy would be the last storm to make them survivors for life! Yes, its so difficult to rejoice at the middle of any celebration in these trying times. Its so difficult to be happy as we look back to the tragedy and ruins wrought by every typhoon and storms. Yes, this is another year about to leave us with audacity to hope for more certaintiesBEYOND UNCERTAINTIES. ****** Ate SidHappy, happy birthday and Merry Christmas to everyone... sa lahat ng mg ka sis ko sa Villarica Subdivision, Cainta Rizal.. MALIGAYANG PASKO sa inyong lahat! Sis Yselmwah! mwah!

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December 23-29 issue.indd 4

12/27/2012 4:15:22 PM

december 23-29, 2012

bikol reporter

UneP cca joins other delegates to dayaw Fest 2012

The University of Northeastern Philippines Circle of Consummate Artists (UNEP CCA) joined more than 400 partakers from various indigenous communities in the country for the annual convergence of cultural performers, national artists and ethnic players in the National Indigenous Peoples Festival: DAYAW 2012 held November at the City of Malolos , Bulacan. Headed by Mr. Rudyard Pesimo, UNEP CCA Artistic Director, UNEP CCA performers were commended for their laudable performance as they engrossed the audience with their exceptional rendition of cultural dances depicting the heritage of the Bicolanos. The cultural group was invited by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) as one of the official delegates to the Indigenous Peoples Festival, the biggest celebration of indigenous culture in the Philippines . A project of the NCCAs Sub commission on Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts (SCCTA) , DAYAW aims to showcase the best cultural practices while it endeavors to keep the heritage alive for the next generation. It is headed by NCCA Chairman Felipe de Leon, Jr and Executive Director Emelita V. Almosara, CESO IV. Under the theme : Katutubong Pamumuhay, Halawan ng Aral sa Buhay, the activity showcased the indigenous culture and the IPs cultural lifestyle. Various cultural performances depicting the lives of different minorities were also presented. The event served as a venue to unite all the existing cultural minority groups in the country and give recognition to the IPs for their contribution to our rich cultural heritage. Ms. Deli Alfelor-Tibi, UNEP Executive Vice President and VP For Finance also lauded the group for their notable and well-acclaimed participation in the said national event. UNEP joins other organizations in the advocacy of keeping and preserving our cultural heritage even in this modern era. We have to be an instrument for others to realize that without our ancestors, we will not have gone this far. This is a matter of giving back the gratitude and taking pride in what our forefathers have accomplished, Miss Deli said in an interview.

Pdea-bicol praises Quezon cops on seizure of 10 kilos of shabu

By ALFREDO L. VARGAS JR. LEGAZPI CITY -- Officials from the Bicol Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) regional office based in this city have altogether praised the efforts of the Quezon Provincial Philippine National Police Office in immediately responding at the ambush site and its subsequent seizure of 10 kilos of high grade shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) with an estimated street value of P20 million Monday morning. Its something to celebrate and be grateful of for the whole Bicol. If not with the timely police presence, the whole volume of drug cargo could end up in the hands of the suspects and a big portion of them could have been distributed in the region, said PDEA Bicol Director Archie Grande. It will be recalled that at least three persons - two females and one male were killed in an ambush staged by motorcycle-riding men along Quirino Highway in Barangay Santa Monica in Tagkawayan, Quezon Monday morning. Later that day, it was discovered the victims were members of a big-time drug syndicate after their bullet-riddled car yielded 10
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tHY WoMB

aViTO c. daLan/Pna

multi-awardee actress nora aunor, clad in muslim dress aboard a ship-like oat Thy womb, waves to crowd that lined up from

Quirino Grandstand in manila to mall of asia during oat parade at the 38th metro manila Film Festival on Sunday (dec. 21).

December 23-29 issue.indd 5

12/27/2012 4:15:24 PM

2 young bicolano envoys join SSeayP

Two young Bicolanos represented the Philippines as cultural ambassadors in the Japanese Governmentsponsored Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP), October 24 to December 14 this year. Rodolfo SB. Virtus Jr. (Naga City) and Apple Allison B. Perez (Camarines Sur) were selected by the National Youth Commission (NYC) because of their community and work leadership experiences and advocacies. Virtus works as Deputy Director of Student Affairs at the Ateneo de Naga University and facilitates an anti-corruption training in the province. Last year, he received the Mayoral Award for Community Youth Leadership. Perez, on the other hand, is the Brand Manager of Avenue Plaza Hotel and part-time Media Studies teacher. She handles leadership and teambuilding processes, and organizes special events. Now on its 39th year, the said diplomatic and cultural exchange program was sponsored by the Cabinet Office of the Japanese Government and supported by ASEAN. The NYC, with the SSEAYP international Philippines, facilitated the 29-member Philippine delegations orientation and training in diplomatic affairs, culture and arts, among others. On board Japanese liner Fuji Maru, the Philippine contingent joined their counterparts from ASEAN members and Japan for the 53-day cruise and country program. They stopped by six countries: Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei, where they experienced courtesy calls with government officials, among them the Prime Minister of Japan, institutional visits, and homestay/ immersion. On board the youth ambassadors had various activities like teambuilding, sports and recreation, showcasing of certain traditions and other interactions. But the core of the program was the small group discussion of local and global youth issues. At the end, the discussion groups came up with plans for post-program collaboration. But even before the end of the program, the entire SSEAYP delegation had carried out a fundraising project for the Yellow Boat Foundation in the Philippines. About P48,000 was collected out of the change (sukli) of different currencies that the youth

bikol reporter

december 23-29, 2012

delegates saved during the program. The project was a response to the Philippine contingents presentation of the Yellow Boat of Hope, which showed the struggles of children who risk swimming just to reach school.

According to the SSEAYP administration said that it was the first time in SSEAYPs history that an entire delegation implemented a project onboard. To complement this breakthrough project, the Filipino

delegates shall implement in 2013 activities that would improve the quality of education in the area where the boat shall be donated. They shall raise educational materials and conduct capacitybuilding activities for teach-

ers and students. Further, the Filipino ambassadors showcased Filipino traditional dances, songs, martial arts and games onboard and in the port-of-call presentations. Virtus, who
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December 23-29 issue.indd 6

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december 23-29, 2012

bikol reporter

deped holds natl confab dOh-bicol hospitals on alert on K-12 in naga city for holiday-related injuries
By ANALIZA S. MACATANGAY NAGA CITY -- The Department of Education (DepEd) regional office in Bicol conducted a 3-day National Research Conference on K to 12 Education (NRCKE) from Dec. 12 to 14 at Villa Caceres Hotel, here. This is to acknowledge the significant contribution of research and related studies to the success of the Philippine educational program. The president of the Bicol Association of Schools Superintendent Emma Cornejo, also DepEd School Division superintendent of this city, said the event aims to provide a forum where participants can enhance their skills, share their thoughts and eventually come up with the best educational researches in the country. Under the theme, Nurturing a Culture of Research for effective K to 12 Education Outcomes, the event aims to recognize and eventually utilize best educational projects and researches and update stakeholders on the current innovations on studies concerning various educational issues. Cornejo said that the concept of K to 12 came from the collaborative effort of the members of the steering committee composed of DepEd, Commision on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and other stakeholders. It is designed to develop a learner to have a solid moral and spiritual grounding. One of its main feature is the strengthening of early childhood education otherwise known as the universal kindergarten. Topics raised and shared by the participants during the activity include Common Problems on the implementation of Grade Seven Component of K+12 program in Payatan HS and factors affecting teachers perception and attitude towards K+12 implementation at the Camarines Sur National High School. The two concerns were raised by DepEd Camarines Sur researchers Ronald P. Enciso and Liberato M. Dimaiwat respectively. The activity was also supported by the Philippine Public School Teachers Association, Philippine School Teachers Association and the National Educators Academy of the Philippines. The interfacing communes with Republic Act No. 10157 or the Kindergarten Educational Act which institutionalizes kindergarten as the part of the basic education system and as a prerequisite for admission to Grade 1. Cooperating agencies for the event were the Association of DepEd Directors and the Bicol Association of Schools Superintendents has enjoined the participation of DepEd Bureau Directors, Directors of Services, Center and Heads of Units, Regional Directors, Schools Division/ City Superintendents, Heads of Public and Private Elementary and Secondary Schools, among others.

LEGAZPI CITY -The Department of Health (DOH) Bicol regional office based in this city is optimistic that a zero-casualty can be achieved during Christmas and New Year celebrations this year even as the department raises Code White Alert nationwide from Dec. 21, 2012 until Jan. 5, 2013. DOH-hospitals under Code White Alert in the region are the Bicol Regional Teaching and Training Hospital (BRTTH) in Legazpi City, the Bicol Medical Center (BMC) in Naga City and the Bicol Sanitarium (BS) in Cabusao, Camarines Sur. Code White is a state of alertness wherein hospitals are anticipating 50 holiday-related injuries especially firecracker-related casualties. Logistics and manpower should be made ready during said period,

said DOH Bicol Director Gloria J. Balboa. The Bicol Health Emergency Management Staff (HEMS) Operations Center has been on 24/7 since Friday morning to constantly monitor events related to the observance of the holidays. Balboa said DOH personnel who are on leave may be recalled to render duty on such days if there is a need. Dr. Rosa Maria B. Rempillo, medical specialist III and HEMS coordinator for Bicol, said that medical facilities under local government units (LGU) such as municipal, district or provincial hospitals are also enjoined to follow the Code White status. Existing regulations require an integrated response when it comes to health emergencies. LGUs that enacted anti-firecracker ordinances

or have designated areas for firecracker activities have been commended by DOH and HEMS. Such ordinances helped reduce the number of firecrackerrelated casualties. From a recorded number of 62 casualties in year 2010, it decreased to 52 in 2011. We hope for a ZERO casualty this year, Rempillo said. In Albay province, Gov. Joey Salceda launched Iwas Paputok 2012 program in an effort to achieve zero-casualty during holiday celebrations this year and early days of 2013. A caravan of fire trucks, ambulances, and military and police vehicles went around the province early Friday morning encouraging full public support emphasizing that the dangers of mishandling pyrotechnics usually cause damages to health, properties and even lives.

December 23-29 issue.indd 7

12/27/2012 4:15:30 PM

bikol reporter
One of the sites was believed blasted hours before their dive and the others were damaged about two to three days ago, the group composed of former Legazpi City Vice Mayor Jess Enrico Salazar and his brother, Noel, a corporate manager, scuba diving trainers George Nakano, Jin Masuda and Almar Buid and a local Fisherman, Enel Cagawan said. In their report submitted to the city government, they

december 23-29, 2012

divers discover damaGed . . .
identified the three reef areas as Itom na Buya (Black Bouy), Pulang Buya (Red Bouy) and Dakulang Masulog (Large and with strong current). The group requested for the immediate implementation of national laws and ordinances against various forms of illegal fishing. At Itom na Buya, the group discovered the wrecked coral reef and dead fish species at around 5-meter depth. The site was believed blasted few hours before their arrival as evidenced by the fishes collected that remained fresh and bore no signs of predator and scavenger attacks. Two hours later the group reached the reef at Pulang Buya where at less than 5-meter depth,damaged corals and dead fish species were already deteriorating and feasted upon by crabs and other scavenger. Pieces of shattered rockshape corrals were seen lying along the dead fishes and nearby, at about seven meters deep a thick brunch corral was also crumbed. Within the site the group also documented several table and brunch corals grown with moss that is a proof they are already dead most probably from poison fishing, The same reef situation and presence of dead fish species were documented at the Dakula na Masulog later that day. - Alfredo L. Vargas Jr.

pdea-bicol praises quezon . . .

kilos of shabu contained in at least five gift boxes. Tagkawayan, particularly the immediate periphery of the crime scene is situated between the towns of Santa Elena in Camarines Norte and Ragay in Camarines Sur both in Bicol and the possible areas the suspects may opt as escape routes, said Senior Supt. Renato Bataller, Bicol regional police spokesperson. The victims, residents of San Pablo, Laguna, Muntinlupa City and Candelaria, Quezon, were reportedly traveling toward Bicol on board a Nissan Cefiro when attacked by the suspects who were on board two motorcycles and one car. The motorcycleriding suspects opened fire at the unsuspecting victims. The fleeing suspects, minutes later, chanced upon a member of the police Highway Patrol Group (HPG) along Barangay Tabugon in Santa Elena and deliberately shot the latter twice. The policeman sustained gunshot wounds on the arm but was able to request help and alerted nearby police offices and Army detachments for conduct of immediate checkpoints.

a question of . . .
correct. Multiply this with six, the average Filipino family, and you have 60 million dependent on the dollar. An economist, if I get him correctly, said that the over 7 percent growth of the economy if sustained in l5 years may brighten the lives of todays suffering Filipinos. You have to wait for l5 years to feel the economic miracle. In the meantime, tighten your belt. Days ago, it was reported that 9 out of l0 Filipinos expect the coming 20l3 to be a good year. Hope, this is one saving grace of our people. They do not easily get desperate despite the gloomy atmosphere. Hope sustained the Filipinos during the dark days of WW II and during the 20-year Marcos martial law. Hope is sustaining us today. ***** You do not need to wait for the Mayan doomsday prediction to come true to experience it. The people in Compostela Valley have gone through the nightmare.They described it as almost the end of the world. In Albay province, Reming brought doomsday to hundreds of Padang residents and Cagsawa inhabitants. Over a thousand died in its rampaging floodwaters from Mt. Mayon. What is it like to be there during doomsday? Let the Biblical account of Sodom and Gomorrah give us a picture of the twin cities last breath. The Lord decided to destroy the wicked inhabitants but allowed Lot and his family to leave, warning them not to look back. Lots wife turned her head. Instantly, she became a human salt. Some scholars said the twin cities were destroyed by a magnitude 6 earthquake. The tremor triggered a landslide and turned the loosely packed city area into water called liquefaction. The Compostela Valley deluge is probably a grim hint of what is to come. But the US space agency, NASA, said there will be no earths collision with another planet. The most likely, it said, is a doomsday of earth-shaking disaster. A re-enactment of the Noah flood is a possibility. But if it comes, man will have the biggest contribution to his planet demise. Mans greed, his destruction of wooded mountains, has gone largely unpunished. The failure to hold loggers accountable has resulted in death and destruction of severe magnitude. Again in Albay, the slopes of Mt. Mayon are almost bare. Every year, the slopes crawl with hundreds of tree planters. But the slopes are still without forest cover. If I get it right, the Mayan civilization vanished because its inhabitants destroyed their mountains. They hastened their doom by cutting their trees.

DAlAn sA KAlAngitAn goes to CArAMoAn

The search for singing talents continues under Gov. Lray Villafuertes dalan sa Kalangitan. in the town of caramoan, residents jam-packed the plaza in bgy. Solnopan, to cheer for their favorites. young Liezel banas (3rd from right, top photo and inset) of bgy. Solnopan was adjudged the champion and will represent caramoan in the district finals. if she wins this stage she will represent the district in the Grand Finals. mviLLadares

from my window . . .
womb. *** Lets ask ourselves: Does the coming of Christ make us leap for joy like the baby in Elizabeths womb? Of course, many will say. But what kind of joy is it? Is it the joy of receiving Christmas gifts, having Christmas parties and making merry? If this is just the kind of joy we experience, it is incomplete and superficial. The source of our real and ultimate joy should be the historical fact that Jesus Christ came to our world. *** LAFF ONE, ANOTHER. Ladys Prayers at Simbang Gabi: At 20 years: Lord, I want the best man. At 25: lord, I want a good man. At 30: Lord, I want any man. At 45: Lord, why na-man?

denr plants...
In the report, Mabesa recalled that under the NGP, more than 400,000 assorted tree seedlings were planted to 614 hectares established for the whole year in 2011. There have also been other programs and projects implemented for the conservation, protection programs and continuous development of various ecosystems within the province, he said. Included in the program

is the continuing implementation and monitoring of Bicol River Basin Watershed Management Program (BRBWMP) that contribute to the restoration of the denuded forest lands. This was through different rehabilitation approaches like upland reforestation and assisted natural regeneration and agro-forestry by contract with non-government organization (NGOs), peoples organizations (POs), and local government units (LGUs). The developed areas are being maintained and protected by selected organizations with the continued assistance of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO).

Gsis hikes . . .
Lacson said old-age pensioners receiving below P5,000 comprised some 35 percent of the 220,000 GSIS retirees. The 15 to 20 percent pensioners who received P5,000 but below P8,000 will have staggered increases until their pension reach P8,000. Lacson said the new policy was designed to help our pensioners who had worked for the government long time ago whose pay can be considered very low while the standard of living is so high. The forum was the first the GSIS chairman had held exclusively for old-age pensioners. It was part of a continuing consultation program that the new board launched all over the country since 2010, he said. Some 150 pensioners attended the forum.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17.

name OF deceaSed SaLVadOr b. FernandO maLbe r. TadUran enriQUe h. cadaciO aQUiLinO dc. riOS jr Trinidad S. TaLay hOmer j. reLaTiVO Sr. eVeLyn a. FebreS demeTriO b. brOFaS jr dULce Sj. UndecimO aLeX c. nerO nOrma j. ParcO adeLina m. caPrichO waLFridO P. daVid Lydia r. SaynO amadO r. STa.rOSa meLina b. diaZ GLOria a. SandicO

daTe OF inTermenT december 1, 2012 december 2, 2012 december 1, 2012 december 1, 2012 december 6, 2012 december 8, 2012 december 11, 2012 december 9, 2012 december 11, 2012 december 11, 2012 december 15, 2012 december 19, 2012 december 21, 2012 december 20, 2012 december 24, 2012 december 23, 2012 december 27, 2012

deed OF SaLe OF mOTOr VehicLe Notice is hereby given that Maximina A. Belleza is the widow of the late PRUDENTE BELLEZA of Sta. Lucia, Magarao, Camarines Sur, the lawful owner of motor vehicle described as follows: MAKE: Rebuilt; Motor No. 527076; Chassis No. MAR20116488C; Plate No. VBR 401; that for and in consideration of the sum of TWO HUNDRED SIXTY FIVE THOUSAND pesos (P265,000.00), receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged by way of Absolute Sale unto NERIZA B. PUNZALAN married to Roland F. Punzalan, of San Benito, Goa, Camarines Sur, as acknowledged before Notary Public Atty. Edman B. Pares, Doc. No. 79, Page No, 17, Book No. 2, Series of 2012.
biKOL rePOrTer Published: december 9, 16 and 23, 2012

December 23-29 issue.indd 8

12/27/2012 4:15:30 PM

december 23-29, 2012

bikol reporter

Jv estrada urGes Govt . . .

puts will be a good initial step to help farmers immediately rehabilitate their farm lands. Ejercito Estrada revealed that banana farmers from Compostela Valley informed their barangay captains that they are keen on planting corn and other quick-maturing crops and vegetables. Corn can be harvested 58 to 90 days after planting depending on the seed variety, soil type, and the weather. In contrast, banana farmers have to wait nine months before they can harvest their crop. The young lawmaker said banana and coconut farmers can practice inter-cropping and plant fast-maturing crops so they can have an alternative source of income. The banana subsector bore the brunt of the typhoon, destroying an estimated P8 billion worth of bananas. Coconut farmers also lost more than P700 million of crops due to strong winds. ASEAN counterparts to experience the Filipino brand of hospitality and friendship, and youth activism through their advocacies or leadership/volunteer involvement. Perez, a regular local and international traveler, told her

Without intervention, Ejercito Estrada expressed apprehension that affected residents in Mindanao would soon go hungry. There is a limit to the relief goods and other forms of assistance we could give to typhoon victims. We need to help the victims stand on their own two feet, he said. Total damage to agriculture due to typhoon Pablo is expected to top P12 billion. The storms death toll climbed to more than 1,000 while more than 900 others are missing. fellow international youth her plan to roam her own country 100 days, and spread her advocacy of encouraging Filipinos to travel and appreciate the beauty and culture of the Philippines. -Bugkos Lahi39th SSEAYP Secretariat paign compliments Albays Zero Casualty goal during disasters, and the low carbon emission drive to protect the environment. He has recently issued guidelines and reminders on the handling of pyrotechnics, specifically warning children from using firecrackers. The guidelines stress that aside from injuries, firecrackers cause noise pollution which can trigger stress, anxiety and high blood pressure. Firecrackers are among the most common causes of fire during revelries and the trash they leave behind is an environmental threat too, he added. For those who cannot be dissuaded and still insist on risking life and limbs by using and exploding firecrackers, the guidelines contain safety tips in handling them and instructions on what to do when injuries happen. Johnny Nuez

2 younG bicolano envoys Join sseayp . . .

led the delegations choir in singing the nationalistic song Bayan Ko during the delegations cultural night, described his performance as one of his proudest moments as a Filipino. They also allowed their

albay tarGets zero . . .

ficials and partner agenciesPNP, DOH, BFP, AFP who signed their commitments to the program. Salcedas executive order on the subject was read during the assembly at the start of the Karangahan Festival last month that was attended by heads of the Iwas Paputok program coordinating offices of the Albay Provincial Health Office, the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Fire Protection. The order bans the explosion and use of firecrackers by local government and barangay officials. Salceda said the drive was a huge success in 2011, with only five minor injuries reported throughout the province. The figure showed an 82 percent reduction in injuries compared to the 27 cases in 2010. The 2011 Iwas Paputok campaign results also translated to about 47% firecracker use reduction and a P14-million savings in medical expenses. The 5-minorinjury result was considered incredible for a province of 15 towns and three cities, and over two million residents. Salceda said the cam-

XMAs BAsH At tHe CApitol

abearciLLa

Games, rafes, a sumptuous lunch, a virtual cascade of gifts and prizes and entertainment galore were the highlights of the christmas party of capitol employees held monday, december 17 at the giant aircon tent at cwc. The whole day merry-making was capped by Gov. Lray Villafuertes announcement of this years additional cash gift, on top of the regular 13th month pay and cash bonus, that was distributed the day after.

December 23-29 issue.indd 9

12/27/2012 4:15:32 PM

Seasons Greetings!

10

Albay targets zero recrackers casualty

LEGAZPI CITY -Albay has embarked anew on a vigorous campaign for Zero Casualty and minimal carbon emission through its Iwas Paputok drive which encourages the use of safe and environment friendly materials in lieu of dangerous, pollutant firecrackers and plastics during the holiday revelries.
The campaign was initiated by Albay Gov. Joey Salceda three years ago when he launched the month-long Karangahan sa Pasko: Albay Green Christmas celebration. It invokes public awareness and commitment. Spearheaded by the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office, Iwas Paputok was relaunched recently at the Penaranda Park here during an assembly of Albay capitol employees, local government leaders, barangay of-

december 23-29, 2012

litson for pinoYs Dining tABle

aViTO c.daLan

a store attendant at Ping Ping Litson outlet along a. bonifacio, Quezon city readies a litson (roasted pig) for delivery to customers Tuesday (dec. 25).

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December 23-29 issue.indd 10

12/27/2012 4:15:34 PM