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DENR Bicol targets 1.2 M native trees for 2013 greening program

HIKE AND PLANTDENR Bicol Regional Executive Director Gilbert Gonzales deepens a burrow where he will lodge a sapling along with thousand others partaking in the 6th Lakad, Tanim Kahoy project of the City Government of Legazpi. Close to 5,000 seedlings are provided by the DENR which will complement the National Greening Program. (Photo by Jessel Basanta)

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Bicol Regional Executive Director Gilbert Gonzales has tasked the Ecosystem Research and Development Service (ERDS) to produce some 1.2 million indigenous tree seedlings for the National Greening Program’s (NGP) thereby complementing on the national target of 25 million native trees.

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SUMMITING HIGHEST PEAK IN BICOL KEN ARBOLEDA/TGMC

Mountaineers from Tribu Guinobateño Mountaineering Club enjoy the breathtaking view atop the summit of Mayon Volcano, a natural park and a protected landscape declared by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the year 2000. Rising as a giant with an elevation of 2,421 meters above sea level it is also touted as one of the most challenging peaks to summit and the country’s most active volcano. The DENR Bicol along with the Department of Tourism and Albay Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office promote the MVNP as a fine tourist site in the region.

Fire Prevention Monthcelebration kicks off in Naga

Salceda bats for tourist homestay program

By ANALIZA S. MACATANGAY

NAGA CITY -- The simultaneous blow-ing of horns of all the fire-fighting equip-ment of the Bureau of Fire Protection-Na-ga early this morning (March 1) signalled the beginning of the celebration of the Fire Prevention Month this March.

With the theme “Sunog at Sakuna, Pa-ghandaan, Kalikasan Pangalagaan nang Matamasa ang Pag-Unlad ng Bayan, BFP Naga Fire Chief Inspector Rachel R. Verbo led BFP personnel in a unity walk dubbed

“Lakad Tungo sa Kahandaan upang Sunog ay Maiwasan” during this morning’s kick off activity.

The walk was also participated in by LGU-Naga officials and barangay officials, Public Safety Office (PSO) personnel, rep-resentatives from the Naga City Central Fire Station, Naga White Fil-Chinese Vol-unteer Firefighters, Chin Po Tong Volun-teer Fire Brigade and other stakeholders.

Verbo said that BFP Naga will continu-ously drumbeat fire safety campaign this

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By REY M. NASOL LEGAZPI CITY – Al-

bay Gov. Joey Sarte Sal-ceda bats for a new kind of accommodation to secure sufficient shelters for tour-

ists both foreign and locals, especially those who opt for a ‘local’ feel of living in var-ious areas of the province around Mayon Volcano and the compendium of the AL-MASORTA or the Albany-

Masbate-Sorsogon Tour-ism Alliance.

“The jury is in. The tourists have spoken,” Sal-ceda told this writer as he revealed that with an ad-

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BIKOL REPORTER2 MARCH 3 - 9, 2013OPINION

OPINIONSUNLIMITED

Atty. TONY (APA) ACYATAN

deceased and heirs must be shown, more so in intestate succession. Certified true copies of realty titles and tax declarations must be submitted. The estate values of lands are based on zonal valuation – while taxable amounts of improvements are based on market values per tax declaration. Estate tax must be paid upon filing, within the period provided. Late filings subject the estate to surcharges (25%), interest (20 %. p.a.) and compromise penalties.

HOT MONEY: Our financial authorities are keenly watching the inflow of foreign investment funds and are trying to know their final destinations. This rare phenomenon is paired with our inflation rate and domestic money supply. We should be wary of our economic statistics as foreign portfolio holders might suddenly withdraw funds once they suspect that our economic “miracle” is based on shallow, unreliable bases.

For its part, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is reviewing a new liquidity

management tool called “interest rate corridor” that will provide both deposit and lending facilities to banks to ensure that the markets have sufficient money supply. The current BSP liquidity management tool is the Special Deposit Account being availed of by banks. As “idle” funds of banks are “parked” with BSP’s SDA, the central bank unnecessarily incurs deposit interest costs!

DYNASTIES: There is a group of independent voters campaigning versus political dynasties. They blame well-entrenched families for closing political opportunities for other potential candidates.

The situation in Quezon Province and Lucena City is typical. Former mayor Ramon Y. Talaga (RYT) is trying to regain the post which he lent to his wife. The latter is now running for congressman of Quezon’s second district. Their “bokal” son is aspiring to be vice governor, even as the youngest son is vying for vice-mayor of Lucena City. An older brother of RYT is a candidate for Lucena councilor.

The opposite side is headed by DA secretary Proceso Alcala. His only son is vying to be governor of Quezon, while his former vice governor brother is aspiring to be Quezon second district solon. Nephew Dondon Alcala is fighting to retain the Lucena mayorship. Another Alcala is running for Lucena councilor, and one other family member is wanting to be Quezon board member!

PROVERB: Our family pictures what God’s family is to be. Let’s aspire to make our families a foretaste of heaven.

(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).

GOV’T DRIVE: The government is taking a closer look at its collection of estate taxes, especially from wealthy Filipinos. Inheritance taxes are no longer being levied on recipients of legacies from parents or other relatives. The tax assessments are due from the “transmitter” of wealth which is the estate itself. Estate taxes are graduated based on the total value of the estate of the deceased. Recent amendments of the Tax Code set rates that are kinder to those leaving smaller estates.

Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima noted that estate tax collections are very low – averaging only P800 million to P1 billion per year. This is despite the escalation of zonal values of realties, which serve as basis for estate tax computation. For net estates with values of P10 million and above, the tax rate is 20%. For estates worth P15 million – the tax rate is 15%. Family homes worth P1 million are exempt – and the first P1 million of the estate is also exempt.

FORMALITIES: Within sixty (60) days from the death of a taxpayer, his heirs or administrator must file with the Revenue District of his last residence, a Notice of Death. Counting from said date of death, the Estate Tax Return must be filed within six (6) months. The return must be accompanied by certificates of residence and total landholdings of the decedent in every given local government unit.

Proofs of relationship between the

Inheritance Taxes

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SALVADOR D. FLOR

A QUESTION

OFPRIVILEGE

Those who seek public office have a dependable ally. But I think this is more true in this country. The ally? Your image as a crook or your reputation as a murderous politico. The publicity generated by the expose’ is more than enough to catapult you to Congress or to the provincial capitol.

Publicity, good or bad, is publicity, it is often said. And it is free, walang bayad. People rarely remember the good deeds. It is the evil deeds that cling to the mind like a tuko.

There is little need for expensive TV or newspaper ads. Many have tried this but failed. People have the bad habit of ignoring political ads that describe a person as almost a saint.

If you want your name permanently etched in the public mind, steal millions of government funds or get involved in hanging crimes and make it known that you are the suspect. But if you are a nobody, you won’t attract public attention. Only those high in the perches of government are mobbed by the media.

That is the advantage of the wealthy crook over ordinary men and women. Even a minor sneeze from an influential grafter causes commotion. The commotion attracts the media which are perennially on the lookout for scope.

The publicity won’t fail to send you to the office of your heart’s desire. You are notorious

but well-remembered.Is it not exciting, painless and expense-

free?I do not have to name people who started

out as nobody but who got into the limelight by their misdeeds and on to elective posts.

This is the same strategy employed by people in showbiz. When people are beginning to commit them to oblivion, they resort to means, fair or foul, to stay in the limelight.

They create controversies around their persons. The controversies keep them the talk of the town and the recipients of movie offers. Frequently, you hear news about a

movie siren suddenly going abroad to visit a relative. It is actually to deliver a love child.

The laos heartthrob gets involved with an old wealthy matron and makes the liaison public.

The rumor mill starts to churn talks of all sorts about the actress misfortune. The male actor becomes bankable again. The rumor has injected freshness into his image.

Politics and showbiz have many things in common. They are not good role models, I mean the politicos and the movie stars. Another common attributes is, they both love the limelight. They will do anything to have it in their hands. It is their life.

Today’s politicos, the many who belong to political dynasties, have found a determined foe in those against the system. But whether Filipinos are ready to let go of the political dynasty is still unanswered.

With the Fil ipino’s penchant for supporting popular grafters who become a Robin Hood every election season, the belief is that they will be around for many more years.

To be a crook and be denounced in the media is to stay in public consciousness and to remain in public office.

How to get into public office

to Congress and leaving the choice to the people in an election. The Constitutional Commission passed on the responsibility to Congress.

But why did not the Constitutional Commission itself formulate a meaningful antidynasty law? I can recall two reasons. First, it was thought that leaving the choice of government officials to the voters rather than limiting the choice of voters would be the more democratic option. Second, nobody proposed what an antidynasty provision with teeth would look like.

Hence, the anti-dynasty provision was buried in the Article of the Constitution whose provisions are generally non-self-executing, thereby leaving it to Congress to do the dirty job. “The State shall prohibit political dynasties … as may be provided by law.”

The power to do something about political dynasties has been in the hands of a series of Congresses since 1987. Nothing significant on the subject has taken place. Why is this so? Aside from selfish motives that might indeed exist, what has prevailed to this day is the reasoning that leaving the choice of government officials to the voters rather than limiting the choice of voters would be the more democratic option.

If Congress were to provide for an antidynasty law, what would it look like? One draft which has been languishing in Congress reads something like this: “Political Dynasty shall exist when a person who is the spouse of an incumbent elective official or relative within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity of an incumbent elective official holds or

I have been wondering why the Constitutional Convention composed of Commissioners appointed by former President Corazon C. Aquino that drafted the 1987 Constitution did not put an anti-dynasty provision in the Constitution. It is just stated in the Declaration of Principles and State Policies. The following column of Fr. Joaquin G. Bernas, SJ, in the Philippine Daily Inquirer dated February 18, 2013 has answered me and probably do the same to other readers. Fr. Bernas was a former member of the Constitutional Convention.

People get the government they deserve. What people deserve is expressed through their preferences in an election. We have been having elections since 1987 when the antidynasty provision in the Constitution first appeared, and the people have chosen, administration after administration, their preferences, dynasties and all.

Indeed, there is an antidynasty provision in the Constitution. It was first proposed in the Committee on Local Governments but was rejected there. It was revived during the debates on the Declaration of Principles and State Policies. In those debates, the choice was between passing on the responsibility for laying down an antidynasty provision

The antidynasty campaign

NENITA FUENTEBELLA-PEÑONES

FROMMY

WINDOW

MATTERS OFCONSEQUENCE

RODOLFO ‘Sonny’SB. VIRTUS JR.

Letter from Fuji Maru

LEE G. DULLESCO IIHead, Advertising Associates

0920-533-7766

December 13, 2012, 6:00 a.m. My phone’s alarm clock woke me up and reminded me of the ‘ceremonial act’ that I had planned to carry out at the end of this journey. The brown stationery, with neatly- written notes, lay on the top rail of the couch. The bottle of wine, with its lip on the carpeted floor and its heel leaning against the sofa’s arm for support, was emptied of whatever was left in it from last night. I hurriedly put on my black suit and grey scarf and went out of the cabin without a sound so as not to disturb my cabinmates who were still asleep.

As I reached the deck and promenaded towards the bow, what greeted me was the biting coldness of early December winter, which confirmed that MS Fuji Maru was already slicing through the waters of Japan. Not far from the ship was the contour of Yokohama and, behind it, the snow-capped Fujiyama that finally separated the sea from the sky after some days. I remember seeing the same picturesque scene when Fuji Maru left Yokohama in November to begin the SSEAYP cruise. As the sky became lighter and scattered a deep blue hue on the waters, I took some time to read again the letter that I had written. After doing so, I rolled the brown stationery, put it inside the bottle, and capped the bottle with its crown. Then, I said a little prayer, kissed the bottle, an, carried out a final act: I set adrift a message ensconced in a bottle. My eyes followed the bottle as it plummeted into the waves, surfaced briefly, and then quickly vanished into the vastness of Tokyo Bay.

My thin suit could no longer protect me from the coldness, so I went up the right veranda covered by glass windows. From there, I embarked on a little trip around the ship and carefully examined every nook and detail of it as if simply taking photopgraphs of it was not enough – the vending machine area, the store, the Emerald Lounge, the elevator, sun deck, Sky Lounge, the sports deck, the starboard, the stern, the amidships, the laundry room, the Emerald Lounge, the saloon, the golden stairs, the theater, the Pacific Hall, and finally the dining area where I settled for breakfast. At 11 a.m., Fuji Maru berthed in Tokyo, culminating the 39th Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP). It was to be Fuji Maru’s last voyage for the SSEAYP. In June of 2013, it would already be sold to a Hongkong shipping company. Meanwhile, the Nippon Maru, SSEAYP’s old home which alumni often describe as a better-looking cruise ship than Fuji Maru, was said to be the next host of the 40th delegation of the program.

Fast forward to February 2013. I wonder where my message in a bottle may now be. From the map of currents which I found on a website, I imagine that the bottle may have been carried by Nihon Kairyu towards other currents going to California or Alaska, become trapped in the North Pacific Gyre not knowing where to go, or have easily settled on a Japanese shore. I am really ignorant of ocean physics, so I can only imagine. For all I know, it may have already been plucked by some fisherman’s net. But wherever it may be today, I hope that the message and the memories ensconced in my heart would sail with the winds and the tides of the world. And, like a journey back home, I hope that it will find me again one day soon.

Dear Sonny,Tomorrow is the fifty-third and final day of your SSEAYP journey.

This should give you some relief as you have often felt seasick while sailing non-stop for almost seven days from Muara, the cruise’s last port-of-call. At one point, when you had to stay in bed for one day because of seasickness, you even wished that this ship

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BIKOL REPORTER 3MARCH 3 - 9, 2013

Red Cross pushes for a ‘Zero NewHIV Infection, Zero-Death for AIDS’

Daet hosts 1st Int’l paragliding,hang gliding towing competition

MAYOR TITO S. SARION’S U.S. TRIPMayor Tito S. Sarion of Daet, Cam. Norte with Hon. Michael Gray, City Mayor of Washington D.C.

Mayor Tito S. Sarion of Daet with Philippine Ambassador to US Jose Cuisia and other Phil. Delegates to the SCI Inaugural Gala January 15 at Washington D.C.

Host Filipino-American Family of Czarina Jackson and Moki Pimentel in Alexandria, Virginia near D.C.

By ROSALITA B. MANLANGIT

DAET, Camarines Norte -- Bagasbas Beach in this town will be the venue for a bigger aerosports event, the first In-ternational paragliding and hang gliding towing competi-tion and kite boarding exhibi-tion and clinic where 18 pilots of nine countries including the Philippines are expected to join on March 1-7 here.

Mayor Tito Sarte Sarion said that he is excited that the paragliding and hang gliding aerosports show will be the new brand of Daet in tourism promotion and development.

He said that Daet Aeros-ports Show is a joint effort of this municipal government, Bagasbas Beach Development Council, Philippine Paragliding and Hang gliding Association (PPHGA), Department of Tour-ism (DOT), and Mikes Kites - a local kiteboarding school in Daet.

Paragliding enthusiasts in the country, Asia, and Europe has met for an exhibition/clinic and lunch in November 8-11 last year after a winch (equip-ment) was tested at the Bagas-bas Airport. The winch is said to be the only one in Southeast Asia.

Sarion cited that highlights of the event on March 1-4 is para-gliding and hang gliding which include the opening program, beach party, fun walk with Daet Press Corps participation at Bagasbas Beach, exhibition fly-ing for PG/PPG and Ultralight, paramotor flyby winch towing by cloudstreet for 1 round ac-curacy landing competition at Daet Airport, round 2-3 of ac-curacy landing competition,

PPG/PG exhibition, paraglid-ing Tandem Towing, round 4-5 accuracy landing competition, ultralight/paramotor fun flying, round 5 accuracy landing and exhibition flying for PG/PPG and Ultralight and Awarding of winner in the 1st Daet paraglid-ing accuracy competition.

On March 5-7 will be the kite boarding exhibition and clinic, he said.

The participants and guests are Alastair Hopper of Canada; Karl Kreipl of Austria; Cecilia Maqueira of Argentina; Mike Gambril of USA; Jose Maria

Costa and David Graupera of Spain; Raphael De Colnet of France; Masaya Nakome of Japan; Beat Hangartner and Thomas Belz of Switzerland; and Randel Raymundo, Car-los Montero, Joseph Oncada, Christopher, Jerson Pinongcos, Beng Pascual, Andrew Chainal-pan and Albert Mendoza –ultra-light of the Philippines.

Aside from the paragliding exhibition and clinic launch last year, Daet has already spon-sored three international kite boarding competitions in 2009, 2010, and 2011.

NAGA CITY -- Enthused with the theme “Getting Zero to New HIV Infection, Zero Deaths from AIDS-related ill-ness, Zero Discrimination,” the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Camarines Sur chap-ter spearheaded a three-day HIV Prevention Training for community volunteers at the PRC Training Hall here.

This is in line with the PRC’s effort to increase awareness on the prevention of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or HIV –AIDS. The training, which commenced on February 26 and ended Thurs-day, also aims to increase the reach of the PRC in line with its information dissemination ad-vocacy and develop its capac-ity in pursuing HIV prevention activities.

By ANALIZA S. MACATANGAYPartakers included PRC

Blood and Safety Service staff, PRC Safety Instructor and Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP) vol-unteers, members of the Philip-pine Army (PA), Philippine Na-tional Police (PNP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and from the Depart-ment of Education (DepEd).

Mariem C. Nedia, PRC Chapter Service Representa-tive said PRC intends to seek the help of the members of the community though the Com-munity Health Volunteers (CHV) in widely disseminating the information to curtail the rising incident of HIV AIDS in the country.

“We want to equip and pro-vide our CHVs with relevant

knowledge, attitude, and skills capabilities required to assist and support community-based HIV prevention activities,” Nidea said in an interview.

PRC-Camarines Sur Chap-ter Administrator Nanette Ro-drigazo also said PRC is closely working with the community to ensure that they have at least a basic know-how on the preven-tion, care and support for HIV-related cases.

“It is important that mem-bers of the community under-stand the core of HIV care and prevention. This training also aims to enhance their attitude which they should exhibit to-wards dealing with HIV AIDS,” Rodrigazo added.

The STI coordinator from the rural health unit of Milaor and Person in Prostitution also attended the said training.

MANAPAO FOOTBRIDGEManapao Barangay Captain Gaspar Valenzuela (3rd from left) receives the turnover certificate from Agustin III Z. Villadares (4th from left), president of the Libmanan-Pulantuna Planters Federation, Inc. (LPPFI) during the blessing and turnover of the footbridge last Feb. 13, 2013. The 24 meter x 1.2 meter footbridge is funded by a grant from the LPPFI in the amount of P 529,199.12. Others in photo are (left to right) LPPFI officials: France Fullante; Roberto Arroyo; Minalabac Councilors Pedro Benamera and Arnold Lipa; Silverio Tingilon, president of SMMM; Herculano Alberto Aguilar; and Melinda Bobis.

File income tax returns, pay correct taxes

Atty. ACYATAN

All Filipinos and resident foreigners receiving income must file their income tax returns on time and pay the correct income tax. This was the call of a be-medalled CPA-lawyer and popular fi-nancial consultant during a Bicol tri-media interview last week over GNN Naga (“Ini ang Totoo” hosted by Ernie Verdadero).

Atty. Antonio P. Acyatan, chairman of Acyatan & Co., CPAs-DFK International, aired his advisory to all businessmen and other income recipients. His firm is the external auditor of many business entities and service establishments in the Bicol Region including rural banks and electric cooperatives (CASURECO and SORECO).

He advised all taxpayers not only to file their income tax returns early, but also to pay the correct taxes. He warned that the BIR is now capable of tracking financial transactions by way of the Third Party In-formation System. The Reports of Sales and Purchases submit-ted periodically by taxpayers’ suppliers and buyers serve as source of transaction informa-tion and their equivalent tax-

carry.The tax expert explained

that income tax returns of both business individuals and corpo-rations must be supported by financial statements certified by accredited external auditors. Computed gross receipts (from sales of goods and services) are reduced by cost of sales/ser-vices to arrive at gross income. To compute for net income, al-lowable deductions are availed of, consisting of operating and administrative expenses.

Taxpayers may adopt the simpler Optional Standard De-duction system (OSD) whereby

UNEP news editortops Luzonwidenews writing tilt

Raymond T. Toralde, News Editor of FRONT-LINE- the official publication of the University of North-eastern Philippines (UNEP), grabbed the top plum dur-ing the recently concluded 12th Luzonwide Higher Education Press Conference (LHEPC) held from Febru-ary 10 to 12 at the Oriental Hotel, Legazpi City.

The annual activity was spearheaded by the Association of Luzonwide Tertiary Press Advisers (ALTSPA) together with the Bicol Association of Tertiary Schools Publication Advisers Inc. (BATSPA), in close coordination with the Commission on Higher Educa-tion (CHED) Region V.

In the said competition, Moralde took home three (3) awards – topping the Writing English Category by outshin-ing his competitors in the First Place. He also landed 3rd in the Copyreading Filipino cat-egory and was adjudged as the over-all 2nd place individual highest pointer in the said na-tional competition.

FRONTLINER Adviser Dr. Regina A. Gonzales, also the current internal Vice Presi-dent of BATSPA congratulated Moralde and other members of the team for the job well done.

“I have nothing but good words for Moralde and the rest of the UNEP writers who gave their best shot during this com-petition. All of them did well. Having reached this level is al-ready a feat. Congratulations to every one”, Gonzales said in an interview.

Other FRONTLINER writ-ers who participated in the

confab include Kevin A. De Los Santos, Editor in Chief; Jerome S. Beriña and Sande C. Nacario who also competed in the following categories: Photojournalism (English) , Literary Graphics English and Editorial Cartooning Filipino respectively.

With this year’s theme: “Responsible Journalism in the New Media Technology”, campus journalists from differ-ent colleges and universities in the county tried to outdo each other by putting their best foot forward in their respective ar-eas of expertise.

Gonzales also congratu-lated the organizers for the successful holding of the Press Conference.

“Activities like this, opens a wide range of opportunities and experiences for the cam-pus writers. It does not only aim to contribute in the devel-opment and promotion of cam-pus journalism but also aspires to inculcate consciousness among young, budding writers of the significance of freely ex-pressing their thoughts for the development of the society,” Gonzales added.

The occasion was graced by Dr. Ma. Teresa De Alban of CHED Region V, Dr. Pau-lito Nisperos, President of the Association of Luzonwide Ter-tiary Press Advisers Inc. (ALT-PA), Prof. Arvy N. Osma, Pres-ident of the Bicol Association of Tertiary Schools Publication Advisers Inc. (BATSPA), Di-rector Maria Nini O. Ravanilla of the Dep’t of Tourism Re-gion V, Dr. Jean Salalima-GO (BATSPA Advisers), ALTPA and BATSPA officers.

itemized deductions are re-placed by a certain percent off the computed gross income. BIR audits of OSD tax filers are last priority. OSD compu-tations for taxable income of individuals are based on Total Receipts or Sales, but for cor-porations, the OSD basis is the gross income.

Expanding his treatise, the tax consultant said income from abroad of Overseas Fili-pino Workers and seamen are exempt from Phl income tax. If they have local income – say from property harvests and

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BIKOL REPORTER4 MARCH 3 - 9, 2013ETCETERA

INNER CHESSBY J. HENRY DANICAN

jokee BOTOR-REYES

PELL-MELL

My Pride…Brgy. San Juan and its Officials

It does not come as a surprise to me if Barangay San Juan will be adjudged Outstanding Barangay of Iriga City if not in the Bicol Region. The way the barangay is moving forward I have doubts if there is another barangay which can equal its many accomplishments that are all very visible and admirable if not enviable.

Kudos should be given to Punong Barangay Elfren R. Turiano and his kagawads who are not leaving any stone unturned to make the barangay the pride of San Juan folks. PB Turiano is supported by kagawad Francia M. Lopez, Maria Carlota N. Taday, Tomasa Filipina H. Olea, Richard T. Gascon, Eduardo Alteza and Danilo Villareal. Of course, there’s no skipping Anabella H. Frondozo, barangay secretary and Trinidad B. Salcedo, barangay treasurer. They are the moving spirits behind the many accomplishments that never were done in the past.

December 2012 saw the construction of a tanod outpost and installation of a safety fence in front. The barangay hall terrace was likewise constructed. Very much admired and welcomed by basketball buffs is the fiberglass basketball board. The constituents can now use to their comfort the Material Recovery Facility popularly known as MRF which, I believe, is mandatory in all barangays throughout the country in support of the government waste management program. A rostrum is now available and a concrete electrical post was installed beside the barangay office.

What appears very commendable is the concreting of the 34-meter Dona Aurora St., the 46-meter Tinago road, the 33-meter Dona Luz road, the 27-meter Lilac St. cor. Dona Trining St, and the 145 meter Lilac St. Where residents in other barangays like San Miguel are complaining of very bad roads which they believe is the punong barangay’s inability to have these bad roads repaired, barangay San Juan has practically all its roads concreted. Ask my kumare who is badly disappointed with her barangay. Barangay San has now a detention hall and it is keeping unruly constituents from doing misdemeanors for fear of being detained. Its lying-in clinic has been given an extension.

Can you beat all these? It is not easy putting a barangay in shape. But Barangay San Juan in Iriga City, my barangay is a model barangay in the making, a candidate for that title, even if it just only in my mind right now. It won’t be very soon, PB Elfren Turiano’s secret is It is People’s Participation.

Barangay San Juan can also be cited for its continuous cleanliness drive made through quarterly disselting and grasscutting of barangay roads. One day, all roads will lead to Barangay San Juan and many will consider the trip an exciting experience.

Before I miss it, It would do them injustice if I do not mention the SK people. Vanessa Nacario, chairman, kagawads Mykhel Franciz Aurellano, Jonalyn de Villa, Michelle Icaranom, Jenezza Cortina and Diana Grace Ramos. Could they be the next barangay leaders. Just thinking aloud.

“Colonial” visits UNEPThe production staff of

the celebrated “Colonial” visited the University of Northeastern Philippines in Iriga City over the weekend with the intent of showing the excerpts of the dance project to the members of the Circle of Consummate Artists (UNEP CCA) and arts enthusiasts.

“Colonial” is a trans-con-tinental and co- production dance project between Canada and the Philippines dubbed “Moving Forward, Colonial”. The project was in collabo-ration with the Roundhouse Community Arts and Recre-ation Center, Montreal Arts

Interculture (MAI) and Uni-versity of the Philippines Los Banos, Laguna (UPLB).

UNEP CCA Artistic Di-rector Rudyard Pesimo said that the show will equip CCA members with additional in-puts on how to effectively convey their emotions to their audience during their perfor-mance.

“Dancing does not only re-quire that you know the steps and that you sway in perfect harmony with the music. It also involves your emotion and the challenge is for you to effectively convey it to your target audience,” Pesimo said in an interview.

Pesimo has also invited the production gurus who are behind the making of “Colo-nial” to give the UNEP CCA members a talk and share their notes through a workshop. He said that the timing was per-fect since we are also celebrat-ing the National Art’s Month this February pursuant to Pres-idential Proclamation 683. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) was the county’s prime agency for the arts and culture and is primarily in charge of cultural related activities.

“UNEP joins the entire country in its celebration of the National Arts Month, and this

activity is our way of showing our support to the campaign of preserving our rich cultural heritage and enriching our stu-dent’s talents,” Pesimo added. One of the highlights of the workshop is the discussion on Contemporary Dance where the partakers were given lec-tures on the elements of vari-ous dance genres like modern, jazz, lyrical and even classi-cal ballet. The lecturers also gave some pointers on how the participants can effectively deliver their message to the audience by the utilization of movements, gestures, speech, song, music or through the rendition of dances.

Assistance to Low-Performing High SchoolStudents to Minimize Failures and Dropouts

By ELIAS B. ALADANOHead Teacher III/School Head

Haluban High School, Lupi District, Lupi, Camarines Sur

If there is any one teacher’s dream in school, it is being able to make his students pass (and with good grades) and also prevent failures and drop-outs. The teacher may consider it a personal mandamus to himself….make the students do well in all their subjects, minimize failures if not totally eradicate it and prevent dropouts. But this is almost an impossibility. Not simply because they are stupid or what. They are not just probably well oriented ore even inspired.. Although dropouts may be caused by other factors primarily of which may be the lack of financial resources to sustain their studies or maybe they are not getting the support of their parents.

Failures and for that matter, dropouts, may be prevented and this is something us, teachers, can do a lot. The teacher is the moving spirit in school and could even be the considered the biggest factor in making the students learn eventually get good grades and pass on to the next higher level.

How do teacher do it? Since the teacher is not seemingly the best factor in minimizing failures and preventing dropouts which is a perennial problem especially in the public schools, , it therefore dawns on the teacher to do everything possible to solve the problem. No teacher is not serious with his work. But it seems, many students are not as serious as he is. Primarily,

the problem can be solved with the teacher’ s ’iron hand’ to put it that way. In all strictness, he must impose upon his students first and foremost, the student’s personal responsibility to take his own studies seriously. This will probably need a lot of teacher’s persuasion. Many times, a student who has passed his course would be heard some heralding stsatement for his teacher like “utang ko ki teacher and pagpasa ko sa school’ or ‘kung ano na ako ngayon.” Very inspiring.

So, it is that the teacher’s very important role in inspiring his students to study their lessons and do their share in making good is the meat of the matter. The teacher’s seriousness in teaching is challenged to no end. He can make his teaching very interesting to keep his students glued not to him but on the lesson. Then, the student will always look forward to coming to school because it is evident, he is deriving benefits from it. This is a prevention of failure and eventually dropping out. The teacher must conduct reviews for examination since examinations are the measure of one’s absorption of the lessons taught. Every teacher must have seen how students react with certainly and favorably if they pass an examination and oftentimes brag about it.

Other than just teach, the teacher must consider other factors toward making the students take going to school seriously. It should not come as a s surprise to hear and see students deriving fun in going to school. it is not unusual to hear students talk of dreams like being able to finish school, get a good job, raise a family, help at home and most importantly, be contributory to nation building.

rentals, these are subject to our income tax laws. So also, em-ployees whose periodic income were already subjected to cor-rect withholding tax by their employers – need not file any ITR nor pay additional tax.

Acyatan is an honor gradu-ate of BS-Accountancy of the University of Nueva Caceres. His Alma Mater has recognized him with various awards, being a global accounting and audit-ing professional leader as ASE-AN Federation of Accountants (AFA) chairman/president, and Executive Board member of the Asia-Pacific Confederation of Accountants (CAPA). Both in-ternational accountancy bodies honored him with their Global Accountancy Leadership tro-phies.

The first national president of the Philippine Institute of

FILE INCOME TAX RETURNS . . .CPAs coming from the prov-inces, he has been installed to the Accountancy Hall of Fame by PICPA. The prestigious As-sociation of CPAs in Public Practice gave him the Lifetime Achievement Award (for 2011). As Philippine Bar’s 1969 11th Placer, he missed the Top Ten by a measly 0.05%.

Though quite active in his professional consultancy chores, Acyatan has accepted a most-exacting job as Opera-tions Manager (pro-bono) of the now famous pilgrim church in Lucban, Quezon. He serves in the healing masses of the “healing priest” of Quezon dur-ing Wednesday and Saturday mornings at the Kamay ni He-sus Healing Church in Lucban, and over television (ABS-CBN and NBN-Ch4) in the mornings of odd-numbered Sundays.

BIKOL REPORTER 5MARCH 3 - 9, 2013

BIKOL REPORTER6 MARCH 3 - 9, 2013

Republic of the PhilippinesSANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN

Legislative Building, Provincial Capitol ComplexCadlan, Pili, Camarines Sur

EXCERPTS FROM THE JOURNALS OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF THE SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN OF CAMARINES SUR HELD AT THE SESSION HALL, LEGISLATIVE BUILDING, PROVINCIAL CAPITOL COMPLEX, CADLAN, PILI, CAMARINES SUR ON DECEMBER 14, 2012

Present: Hon. Fortunato C. Peña - Vice Governor & Presiding Officer Hon. Ruperto R. Alfelor - Board Member Hon. Emmanuel F. Llaguno - Board Member Hon. Warren A. Señar - Board Member Hon. Charina F. Pante - Board Member Hon. Darius S. Nopra - Board Member Hon. Wilfredo Rex C. Oliva - Board Member Hon. Angel G. Naval - Board Member Hon. Rudito P. Espiritu, Jr.- Board Member Hon. Alexander James D. Jaucian - Board Member, Ex-Officio(PCL Pres.)On Official Business: Hon. Romulo O. Hernandez - Board Member Hon. Rosito T. Velarde - Board Member Hon. Domingo U. Briones - Board Member, Ex-Officio(LnB Pres) On Leave: Hon. Ronnel C. Estampa - Board Member, Ex-Officio(SK Pres.)

ORDINANCE NO. 033Series of 2012

AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE USE AND DISPOSAL OF PLASTIC BAGS, PLASTIC BOTTLES, STYROFOAM AND STYROPOR MATERIALS IN COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS, STALLS AND WET MARKETS AND IN HOUSEHOLDS WITHIN THE TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION OF THE PROVINCE OF CAMARINES SUR, PROMOTING THE USE OF ALTERNATIVE AND ECO-FRIENDLY SHOPPING BAGS OR PACKAGING MATERIALS, PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES THEREOF AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

WHEREAS, Article II, Section 16 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides, that, “the state shall advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature”;

WHEREAS, Section 3 (i) of R. A. 7160 provides that, “the Local Government Units shall share with the national government the responsibility in the management and maintenance of ecological balance within their territorial jurisdiction”;

WHEREAS, Section 16 of R. A. 7160 provides that, “xxx...local government units shall ensure and support, among other things, the preservation and enrichment of culture, promote health and safety, enhance the right of the people to a balanced ecology...xxx”;

WHEREAS, Section 468 (vi) of R. A. 7160 empowers the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to “protect the environment and impose appropriate penalties for acts which endanger the environment to include activities which result in pollution, acceleration of eutrophication of rivers and lakes or of ecological imbalance”;

WHEREAS, plastic bags, plastic bottles, styrofoam, styropor and other plastic-made containers are extensively used as primary bagging or packaging receptacles in commercial establishments and in households within the territorial jurisdiction of the Province of Camarines Sur;

WHEREAS, when non-biodegradable materials such as plastic bags, plastic bottles, styrofoam, styropor and other plastic-made containers are disposed of indiscriminately, it can cause deadly pollution with ill-effects that are irreversible and capable of reaching out to numerous generations to come;

WHEREAS, notwithstanding the existence of Republic Act No. 9003, otherwise known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, plastic garbage or refuse continue to litter and poses danger to the environment, mankind and animals;

WHEREAS, in order to curtail the proliferation of plastic garbage or refuse and to avert harm to the environment, there is a need to reduce if not totally stop the use of plastic bags, plastic bottles, styrofoam, styropor and other plastic-made containers as bagging or packaging receptacles in commercial establishments and in households within the territorial jurisdiction of Camarines Sur and forthwith promote the use of alternative and eco-friendly bagging or packaging materials;

NOW, THEREFORE, on motion of Honorable Angel G. Naval and Honorable Wilfredo Rex C. Oliva, and which was duly seconded by Honorable Rudito P. Espiritu, Jr.,

BE IT ORDAINED, AS IT IS HEREBY ORDAINED, by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Camarines Sur in session assembled, that:

I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. TITLE. – This ordinance shall be known and cited as “THE ANTI-PLASTIC ORDINANCE OF 2012 OF THE PROVINCE OF CAMARINES SUR”.

Section 2. AUTHORITY. – This ordinance is enacted pursuant to Article II, Section 16 of the 1987 Constitution, Sections 3 (i), 16 and 468 (vi) of R. A. 7160 and other allied laws.

Section 3. OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSES. – This ordinance is enacted for the following objectives and purposes:

a. To effectively regulate the use and disposal of plastic bags, plastic bottles, styrofoam and styropor and other plastic receptacles in commercial establishments, stalls and wet markets and in households in municipalities within the territorial jurisdiction of the province of Camarines Sur, to prevent or minimize the following:

a.1. dumping of plastic wastes into the rivers, creeks, streams, other waterways and seas that pollute and contaminate the water, soil, marine life and also the very air we breathe;

a.2. death of land and marine animals that mistakenly ingest plastics or become entangled in plastic bags;

a.3. contamination of the food chain when polyethylene, the main plastic component, breaks down and seeps into the soil. Apart from toxic seepage from the landfill, resulting in the contamination of precious water sources, the waste mass impedes the flow of ground water as well and obstructs the movement of roots thereby badly affecting the soil’s biological balance and organic processes;

a.4. burning of plastic that results toxic fumes and releases a host of poisonous chemicals into the air, including dioxin, the most toxic substance known to science;

a.5. the emission of noxious substances during the production and recycling of plastic which are synthetic chemicals like ethylene oxide, benzene and xylenes that can hit hard the eco-system, which is already fragile, and can cause an array of maladies ranging from birth defects to cancer, damage the nervous system and the immune system and also adversely

affect the blood and the kidneys.b. To reduce the proliferation of plastic bags and other receptacles made of plastic

littering the environment;c. To promote the use of alternative and eco-friendly packing or bagging receptacles;

and d. To supplement all existing reasonable and practicable measures undertaken for the

protection of the environment. Section 4. DEFINITION OF TERMS. – As used in this Ordinance, the following words

and phrases shall be defined as follows:Benzene - a colorless volatile toxic liquid with a distinctive odor. Use: manufacture of

dyes, polymers, and industrial chemicals.Biodegradable materials/wastes - substances that will decay relatively quickly as

a result of the action of bacteria and break down into elements such as carbon that are recycled naturally.

Cellophane - is a thin, transparent sheet made of regenerated cellulose. Its low permeability to air, oils, greases, and bacteria makes it useful for food packaging.

Cloth bag (a.k.a Katsa) - a reusable bagging material made of cloth used in the packaging of flour, wheat and such other similar goods.

Dioxin - a heterocyclic hydrocarbon that is a carcinogen and toxic environmental pollutant.

Eco-friendly – recyclable, environmental, ecologicalEthylene Oxide - a soluble colorless gas. Use: synthesis of ethylene glycol and other

chemicals, fumigant, sterilant.LGU (Local Government Unit) – as used in this ordinance shall mean all the

Municipalities and the City of Iriga within the territorial jurisdiction of the Province of Camarines Sur.

Non-biodegradable materials/wastes - waste that cannot be broken down by other living organisms.

Polyethylene - a plastic polymer of ethylene. Use: manufacture of containers, packaging, and electrical insulation.

Plastic - any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids used in the manufacture of industrial products. Plastics are typically polymers of high molecular mass, and may contain other substances to improve performance and/or reduce costs. Monomers of plastic are either natural or synthetic organic compounds.

Plastic bags – commonly known as sando bags, pouch, plastic shopping bags and plastic film bags that are flexible packaging materials made of thin, plastic film used for containing and transporting food and other products (commercial or industrial).

Plastic garbage/waste/refuse – refers to any plastic bagging or packaging material disposed of as wastes.

Styrofoam – a trademark for a light plastic material used to make disposable items, insulation, and packing materials usually as food containers, disposable cups, plates, etc.

Styropor – a synthetic material made of crude oil that can be used as insulation material (houses, helms), but also as packaging material. It is not biodegradable and has to be recycled.

II. REGULATORY PROVISIONS

Section 5. DUTY OF PERSONS ENGAGED IN BUSINESS. All persons, whether natural or juridical, engaged in business, operating commercial establishments, stalls, or in wet markets within the territorial jurisdiction of the Province of Camarines Sur are hereby mandated to minimize the use of plastic bags/cellophane, styrofoam or styropor for wrapping, covering, packaging or bagging of goods bought from any branch of their commercial establishment and encouraged to use alternative and eco-friendly packing or bagging materials for the purpose of curtailing the proliferation of plastic garbage or refuse that litter the environment and bring about harmful effects to the environment, the human beings and animals.

Section 6. EXCEPTIONS TO THE REDUCTION AND PROHIBITION ON THE USE OF PLASTIC PACKING OR BAGGING RECEPTACLES.

First Exception - Only products like ice, ice candy, ice water, sugar, salt, coffee, powdered milk, cooking oil, soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, butter and such other perishable products may be packed with plastic bag/wrapper, cellophane or bottle for the preservation thereof.

Considering that rice, corn, and mongo are perishable products and the plastic sacks used for its packaging or bagging is the most effective material for the preservation thereof, the use of the same packing or bagging receptacle may be allowed, however, in order to control the indiscriminate proliferation of such material as plastic waste or refuse, the same should be recycled by a manner favorable to the rice millers, corn and mongo producers/dealers and the consumers. The rice millers and the corn and mongo producers/dealers may buy-back at a reasonable price used plastic sacks from the consumers or may grant reasonable discount to consumers who will bring their own plastic sacks upon buying rice, corn or mongo on a per sack or by bulk purchases. Only plastic sacks fit for reuse shall be bought back by the rice millers and the corn and mongo producers/dealers. The buy-back price of the plastic sacks as determined by the Department of Trade and Industry shall be considered reasonable for the purpose of this provision.

Second Exception - Only cooked food with sauce or soup bought from restaurants, food chains, and eateries may be packed with regular size cellophane or Styrofoam or styropor for proper handling thereof when taken out of the establishment. All other food and drink products for dine-in orders shall be served only in regular plates, bowls and drinking glasses or other appropriate reusable containers. Styrofoam or styropor containers, disposable plastic cups/bottles, disposable plastic spoons and forks and other non-biodegradable containers shall not be used for dining customers.

Third Exception - In the event that paper bags, paper pouch, or cloth bags will run out of stock, plastic bags may be used for packing or bagging items bought from department stores, grocery stores, boutiques and sari-sari stores provided that it shall be limited to only one (1) plastic bag per customer per one-time shopping; provided that in order to prevent the proliferation of plastic shopping bags, commercial establishments may buy-back at a special cheap price, such plastic shopping bags that originated from their stores for reuse by other customers. Business owners and the DTI will decide on the buy-back price of plastic bags.

For the purpose of the effective implementation of this provision, plastic shopping bags shall not be sealed with the use of plastic bag sealer or staple wire that would render the receptacle unfit for reuse.

Section 7. DUTY OF OWNERS OF DEPARTMENT STORES, GROCERY STORES AND BOUTIQUES. Owners of department stores, grocery stores, and boutiques shall use sturdy yet less costly reusable paper bags or cloth bags (katsa) and provide the same for free to their customers who shall purchase five (5) items or more in one-time shopping. Only paper pouch shall be provided for free to customers who will purchase less than five (5) items in one-time shopping. In the event that the customer shall purchase in bulk, canned or bottled goods and other goods or grocery items, the same shall be packed only in durable box or boxes of adequate size and no items inside the box shall be wrapped or packed with plastic bag or cellophane except for items or products stipulated in

BIKOL REPORTER 7MARCH 3 - 9, 2013

Section 6 of this Ordinance. All other products that need to be packed separately from the goods but inside the box such as toiletries, meat, fish, fruits and vegetables shall only be wrapped with wax paper bags or sturdy paper pouch.

Section 8. ALTERNATIVE AND ECO-FRIENDLY PACKING OR BAGGING MATERIALS. The following alternative and eco-friendly packing or bagging materials are recommended for use by the business owners or vendors and consumers, to wit: bayong (woven native bags), native baskets, cloth bags (katsa), paper bags or pouches, non-plastic sacks, sturdy reusable shopping bags and biodegradable bags or containers made of buri, banana leaves and other durable native materials.

Section 9. DUTY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS, DTI, AND LOCAL BUSINESS SECTORS. All Local Government Units, in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry and local business sector from the different municipalities within the territorial jurisdiction of the Province of Camarines Sur, shall endeavor to determine appropriate alternative and eco-friendly packing or bagging receptacles that will be used within their localities and subsequently tag the same for proper monitoring and regulation. Only the alternative and eco-friendly packing or bagging materials properly tagged by the local government units concerned shall be allowed in all commercial establishments and public markets. A law enforcement team shall be created by the Municipalities in Camarines Sur with representation from the business Sector that will be responsible for the effective implementation of this provision.

Section 10. COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION OF LGUS, DTI, DENR, DOST AND OWNERS OF COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS, STALL OWNERS AND VENDORS. Owners of commercial establishments, stall owners, and the market, sidewalk and ambulant vendors, as well as the public, shall coordinate with the local government units having jurisdiction over their localities to be apprised on what alternative and eco-friendly packing or bagging materials or containers may be used during shopping and marketing. For this purpose, the LGUs shall collaborate with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for technical assistance and adequate information dissemination. It shall be the duty of all LGUs concerned to effectively implement this activity.

Section 11. BRING-OWN-BAG (BOB) POLICY IN BUYING GOODS FROM THE MARKET. Unless otherwise provided in Section 6 hereof, market vendors, sidewalk vendors, and ambulant vendors in wet markets and in other designated business areas in different localities such as those selling meat and poultry products, fresh and dried fish and other marine products, vegetables, fruits and spices, native delicacies and such other products or goods of the same classification, shall not use cellophane or plastic bags (sando bags) for packing or packaging their products being bought by consumers. Only paper bags or pouch, or other biodegradable materials such as banana leaves shall be used for the purpose, provided however that consumers shall bring their own native baskets or bayong (woven native bags) or other alternative and eco-friendly bagging or packing materials when buying goods from the market.

Section 12. USE OF APPROPRIATE REUSABLE PACKING OR BAGGING RECEPTACLES. Consumers are encouraged to use or carry only containers and reusable packing or bagging receptacles that are identified, tagged and prescribed by the law enforcement team created under Section 9 of this Ordinance.

Section 13. LOCAL PRODUCTION OF ALTERNATIVE AND ECO-FRIENDLY PACKING OR BAGGING RECEPTACLES. Local entrepreneurs are encouraged to locally produce alternative and eco-friendly packing or bagging materials that will sustain the supply and demand of end users.

Section 14. COORDINATION OF LGUS, DTI AND LOCAL PRODUCERS FOR THE APPROPRIATE SELLING PRICE OF ECO-FRIENDLY BAGGING RECEPTACLES. Manufacturers or producers of eco-friendly packing or bagging materials and the LGUs concerned shall coordinate with the provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry for the determination of the appropriate price/s of their finished products to preclude anyone from selling or retailing the same in exorbitant price. The recommended reasonable price/cost shall be the market price of locally produced alternative and eco-friendly packing or bagging materials/receptacles.

Section 15. ESTABLISHMENT OF LOCAL PRODUCTION CENTERS FOR ALTERNATIVE AND ECO-FRIENDLY PACKING OR BAGGING RECEPTACLES BY THE LGUS. The local government units may opt to establish centers for the local production of alternative and eco-friendly packing or bagging materials to meet the supply and demand of end users and to create local employment for their constituents. It will be the sole discretion of the LGUs on how such production centers will be established and to formulate the guidelines for its operation and compensation of workers. The establishment of such public production centers shall not be a hindrance to the opening of privately-owned production centers as long as the latter operates with legal personality. Healthy competition for the production of alternative and eco-friendly packing or bagging materials shall be promoted.

Section 16. PROPER DISPOSAL OF PLASTIC GARBAGE OR REFUSE. The proper disposal of plastic garbage or refuse shall be in accordance with the provisions of R. A. 9003, (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000).

Section 17. DUTY OF THE LGUS TO CONDUCT INFORMATION DISSEMINATION OF THE ORDINANCE AND THE PROMOTION OF ALTERNATIVE AND ECO-FRIENDLY PACKING OR BAGGING RECEPTACLES. Upon approval of this ordinance, all LGUs within the territorial jurisdiction of the Province of Camarines Sur shall conduct massive information dissemination and campaigns within their localities to properly apprise their constituents about this ordinance and shall include as well, the promotion of alternative and eco-friendly packaging, packing or bagging receptacles/materials.

Section 18. LIVELIHOOD PROGRAMS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF PRODUCTS MADE OF RECYCLED PLASTIC REFUSE. Programs may be formulated by the respective local government units whereby livelihood projects will be implemented for the manufacture of products made of recycled plastic garbage or refuse (fashion jewelry, household items, pillow cases, bags, construction materials, etc.). It shall be the sole initiative of the LGUs on how to effectively implement this provision.

The livelihood projects may be implemented in collaboration with the provincial government with the participation of the Sangguniang Kabataan, private organizations and socio-civic groups recognized by the LGUs concerned.

The out-of-school youths and their parents without permanent income, the handicapped, members of indigent families, and the orphaned, abandoned, neglected and street children as determined by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) shall be the priority beneficiaries of the project.

III. PROHIBITED AND PUNISHABLE ACTS

Section 19. PROHIBITED AND PUNISHABLE ACTS. Prohibited and punishable acts under this ordinance shall include, but not limited to, the following:

a. Burning of any plastic waste or materials whether in private or public areas that results in toxic fumes and releases a host of poisonous chemicals into the air, including dioxin;

b. Dumping of plastic wastes into the rivers, creeks, streams, other waterways and seas that pollute and contaminate the water, soil, marine life and also the very air we breathe;

c. Littering of plastic garbage whether in private-owned lots or in public places and

thoroughfares within the territorial jurisdiction of the province of Camarines Sur;d. Littering of plastic garbage inside or outside public utility vehicles and buses whether

stationary or traveling within the territorial jurisdiction of the province;e. Littering of plastic garbage inside or outside a vessel or small sea craft whether

stationary or navigating within the fluvial domain of the Province of Camarines Sur;f. Using plastic bags and other plastic materials, styrofoam and styropor as primary

packing or bagging materials in commercial establishments such as malls, grocery stores, department stores, restaurants, boutiques, sari-sari stores, stalls and in wet markets operating within the territorial jurisdiction of the province of Camarines Sur;

g. Using alternative and eco-friendly packing or bagging materials not prescribed by the local government units concerned;

h. Selling at exorbitant price locally produced alternative and eco-friendly packing or bagging materials to the prejudice of consumers/public and the business sector as well;

i. Selling at exorbitant price, used plastic bags to stores of origin;j. Sealing of plastic shopping bags with plastic bag sealer or staple wire that would

render the receptacle unfit for reuse;k. Any person who willfully induces or encourages anyone to commit any act in violation

of any of the provisions of this ordinance shall also suffer the same penalty as if the act has been done by him;

IV. PENALTIES

Section 20. PENALTIES. Acts violating the provisions of this Ordinance shall be penalized in the following manner, to wit:

Any person violating any of the provisions of this ordinance shall be meted out with a fine of Php500.00 pesos or community service equivalent to four (4) hours for the first offense, a fine of Php1,000.00 pesos or community service for a period of six (6) hours for the second offense, and a fine of Php1,500.00, community service of eight (8) hours and/or imprisonment not exceeding two (2) months at the discretion of the court, for the third offense.

For violators engaged in business, there shall be added in the penalty a suspension of business permit for a period of one (1) month for the second offense and revocation of business permit for the third offense. If the violation is committed in the name of a corporation, the responsible officers shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment.

Minor offenders (persons below 18 years old) shall be subjected only to mandatory guidance counseling with the MSWDO or COWDEN or any of his/her designated personnel in the presence of either or both of the parents of the minor.

Any public officer or employee who shall violate the provisions of this Ordinance shall be punished by a fine of Php1,500.00 and shall be subject to administrative disciplinary action, without prejudice to the filing of the appropriate civil or criminal action.

The LGUs will be responsible for the apprehension of anyone violating the provisions of this ordinance and to collect the fine which shall accrue exclusively to the account of the LGU and shall form part of the operating fund of the Law Enforcement Team created under Section 9 of this ordinance. It shall be the sole discretion of the LGU on how such fund will be expended taking into full consideration the effective implementation of this ordinance.

V. FINAL PROVISIONS

Section 21. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. – If any part or provision of this Ordinance shall be declared unconstitutional or unlawful by the court, or suspended or revoked by competent authorities, all other provisions not otherwise affected thereby shall remain valid and effective.

Section 22. REPEALING CLAUSE. – Any ordinances, executive orders, proclamations and administrative regulations, or parts thereof, which are contrary or inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Ordinance, are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 23. EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. – In order to provide adequate time for owners of malls, grocery stores, department stores, restaurants, boutiques, sari-sari stores, stalls and owners of other commercial establishments, market vendors, sidewalk vendors, and ambulant vendors in wet and dry markets and all concerned to prepare for the changes brought about by the provisions herein stipulated, this Ordinance shall take effect immediately one (1) year after the posting and publication requirements prescribed under Republic Act No. 7160 has been complied with.

Immediately after three (3) years from the effectivity of this Ordinance, the selling and usage of plastic bags, styrofoam and styropor receptacles for containing food and other products (commercial or industrial) shall be prohibited in all business or commercial establishments including but not limited to market vendors, sidewalk vendors and ambulant vendors within the territorial jurisdiction of the Province of Camarines Sur.

ENACTED. December 14, 2012

CERTIFIED BY:

(Sgd.) NIMFA B. CAS Acting Provincial Secretary

AUTHORED/SPONSORED BY: (Sgd.) CHARINA F. PANTE Board Member

CO-SPONSORED BY:

(Sgd.) ANGEL G. NAVAL (Sgd.) WILFREDO REX C. OLIVA Board Member Board Member

NOTED:

(Sgd.) WILFREDO REX C. OLIVA Chairman- Comm. on Rules, Internal Government and Public AccountabilityATTESTED BY:

(Sgd.) FORTUNATO C. PEÑA Vice Governor & Presiding Officer

APPROVED:

(Sgd.) LUIS RAYMUND F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. Governor

BIKOL REPORTERPublished: March 3 and 10, 2013

BIKOL REPORTER8 MARCH 3 - 9, 2013

NAME OF DECEASED DATE OF INTERMENT1. Michelle P. Ronda February 2, 20132. Rosario S. Requejo February 3, 20133. Salvacion C. Efondo February 6, 20134. Silverio M. Begino February 13, 20135. Temoteo A. Navales February 12, 20136. Jimmy C. Anecito February 12, 20137. Marina V. Vda. De Jacob February 12, 20138. Maria Lourdes L. Abala February 14, 20139. Araceli T. Tavera February 13, 201310. Felisa R. Prades February 17, 201311. Jose A. Gonzaga February 20, 201312. Leticia N. Vidal February 24, 201313. Reynaldo S. Ramos February 27, 2013

cd

cd

MESSAGE OF THANKSWe, the bereaved family

of the late

ALFREDO ANGELO PARPAN CALLEJAMay 31, 1950-February 27, 2013

would like to express our deepest gratitude and appreciation for all the love, kindness

and thoughtful gestures you have bestowed upon us during our time of bereavement.

Words cannot express how much we thank you for the expressions of sympathy,

and all your support.

GOD BLESS YOU!

SELF ADJUDICATION OF ESTATE WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE

Notice is hereby given that the named person is the surviving spouse and only heir of the late HAIDE NAZ SALON who died last November 10, 2011 without leaving any debts, at the time of her death left a parcel of land all situated in San Fernando, Camarines Sur; that pursuant to Rule 74, Sec. 1 of the Revised Rules of Court, being with full capacity to contract, said person adjudicate unto himself the land described, and by reason of said ownershipe do hereby SELL, CONVEY and CEDE said lot in favor of SALVE D. ARIAS of San Fernando, Camarines Sur, in the amount of FIFTY THOUSAND pesos (P50,000.00), acknowledge before Notary Public Attorney Junnel M. Relativo, Doc. No. 169, Page No. 3, Book No. II, Series of 2013.

BIKOL REPORTERPublished: March 3, 10 and 17, 2013

Republic of the PhilippinesLOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE

Province: Camarines SurCity/Municipality: Libmanan

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

CCE - CCE-0008-2013 R.A. 10172 In Compliance with the publication requirement and

pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1 Guidelines in the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1 Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), Notice is hereby served to the public that MARIFE CENA PENDOR has filed with this Office a Petition for correction of entry in sex from “Male” to “Female” the certificate of live birth of MARIFE CENA PENDOR at LIbmanan, Camarines Sur and whose parents are ANTONIO PENDOR and FELIPA CENA.

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this office not later than March 17, 2013. (Sgd.) EMILIE S. AGNES-DAIRAO Municipal Civil RegistrarBIKOL REPORTERPublished: March 3 and 10, 2013

SUPPLEMENTAL TO THE EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTSNotice is hereby given that the named parties are the legitimate surviving, sole and exclusive heirs of the late MANUEL A. BAYLON, who died intestate and without any will and with no known debts, on January 11, 2011, three (3) parcels of land with TCT Nos. 16735, 23391 and 21934, all situated in Naga City; that the parties executed an Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate with Waiver of Rights dated August 3, 2011 notarized by Atty. Florencio Rosales with Doc. No. 1265; Page No. 253, Book No. 25; Series of 2011; that the parties all of legal age and with full capacity to contract agree to divide and adjudicate among themselves, pro-indiviso share the described real property, as acknowledge before Notary Public Attorney Carlo C. Villanueva, Jr., Doc. No. 488, Page No. 98, Book No. xxxv, Series of 2013.BIKOL REPORTERPublished: March 3, 10 and 17, 2013

“We are abiding with the directive of Environment Sec. Ramon Paje to up the ante on shifting to indigenous or na-tive species instead of exotic ones to give the program a tru-ly Filipino Character,” RED Gonzales averred.

Director Gonzales empha-sized that this pivotal role that the ERDS is now taking would be beneficial to Bicol forests to reinstate it, wherein native tree species thrive in it.

Based on the regional tar-get 750,000 indigenous tree seedlings will be allotted to protection forests, 113,000 native species allocated to protected areas, and 337,000 seedlings to timberlands.

An ERDS report stated that indigenous species of seedlings may include any of the following species sam-bulauan, kupang, bagras, kalumpit, bagalunga, mala-papaya, banaba, molave, bi-taog, narra, batino, dao, la-mio, akleng parang, lumbang, baguilumbang, white lauan, bagtikan, red lauan, almon, mayapis species and other dipterocarps/indigenous spe-cies whose seeds are available for collection.

Last year, native trees raised by DENR-ERDS to-taled 807,000 indigenous spe-cies, a significant part of the NGP accomplishment pegged at 5,901,432 seedlings.

Meanwhile, in keeping abreast with the government’s greening program, the De-partment of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

DENR BICOL TARGETS P1.2 M . . .

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH SALE OF THE LATE CRISANTA SAN AGUSTIN

Notice is hereby given that the named parties are the legtimate and surviving heirs of the late CRISANTA SAN AGUSTIN AGA who died intestate on December 29, 1982, without leaving any debts, at the time of her death left a parcel of land all situated in Barrio Taban, Libmanan, Camarines Sur; invoking the provisions of Sec. 1, Rule 74 of the Rules of Court, the parties agreed to divide, partition and adjudicate said estate among themselves in pro indiviso equal shares, that for and in consideration of the sum of ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P100,000.00), in hand paid by FLORENCIO SA. AGA, said heirs do hereby SELL, CEDE, TRANSFER and CONVEY by way of Absolute Sale that certain parcel of land including the residential house erected thereon, as acknowledged before Notary Public Attorney Rodrigo Refe, Doc. No. 490, Book No. 98, Page No. XVI, Series of 2004.BIKOL REPORTERPublished: March 3, 10 and 17, 2013

ditional 49 percent arrival growth in 2012, Albay is the fastest tourist destination - almost doubling in domestic tourism and plus 23 percent in foreign tourism.

The exciting news is just the first salvo of a ‘united people’, to whom Salceda attributes the success story. “With our target of 500,000 foreign tourists by 2017, we need to double our room ca-pacity in the next two years. For 2013, we are looking to homestay program to fill the gap,” Salceda explained.

Carl Balita, a TV-Radio host for Radyo Negosyo

SALCEDA BATS FOR TOURIST . . .

Bicol joined the 6th Lakad, Tanim Kahoy event of the City Government of Legazpi last February 14.

“We strongly support pro-grams where you get to plant trees on urban setting just as what the top management of the department is espousing currently through the National Greening Program (NGP) un-der Executive Order No. 26,” DENR Bicol Regional Execu-tive Director Gilbert Gonzales said.

Dir. Gonzales led at least 200 employees of the DENR from its various services to show accord with the LGU in their Valentine’s Day Event, where thousands of partici-pants have hiked to the tree planting site at Bonga Gul-ley Brgy, Pawa, Legazpi City. Each one will plant a tree or two along the levee of the gul-ley.

City Mayor Geraldine Ro-sal alluded in her remark that tens of thousands of trees were planted by the local govern-ment and will continue to do so as part of their mitigation efforts and climate change ad-aptation.

At least 5,000 seedlings were provided for by the DENR which will be listed as among NGP urban green-ing sites in 2013 according to Forester Concepcion Men-doza, chief, Forest Resources Development Division of the Forest Management Service (FMS).

The FMS will be monitor-ing the mortality of seedlings planted to assure at least 80-90 percent of survival of the saplings as mandated by the E.O. 26.

Among the institutions, or-ganizations, and government offices which partook in the endeavor are Department of Education, Phil. National Po-lice, Phil. Army, Phil. Navy, Phil. Air Force, Bureau of Jail Management and Penol-ogy, Land Transportation Of-fice, Guardians, Pacific Mall, S.L. Technology, Legazpi City High School, Genecom School, and others.

earlier revealed that the cur-rent trend in eco-tourism is the necessity for ordinary ‘homestay’ accommodation for tourists who are ‘out-of-the box’ which means that there are now plenty of tour-ists that don’t settle for hotels and high-end accommodation because of their eagerness to ‘immerse’ in the life and the day-to-day activities of the local residents for these tour-ists to experience first-hand what it takes say to live at the foot of Mayon Volcano, and many other interesting beauty as well as the rich eco-desti-nations here.

A comparative report from Director Maria Nini Ong-Ra-vanilla of the Bicol Tourism Office (DOT) showed that for Albany province alone, there was a growth rate of 49 percent from 350,629 tourists in 2011 to as high as 523,832 for 2012 foreign and domes-tic tourists combined.

Ravanilla also revealed

that among the components of the Almasorta, the prov-ince of Sorsogon also posted a 31 percent growth rate in its tourist arrivals for both for-eign and locals from 132,696 to 173,700.

Camarines Norte, though not part of the Almasorta also followed suit with 23 percent growth rate in tourist arriv-

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTSNotice is hereby given that the named individuals are the direct and surviving heirs of the late CYRELITA ULPINA-DOMINGO, who died intestate and without any known debts and any other personal properties anywhere in the country. Whereas at the time of her death, she left a certain real property registered and declared under her husband’s name per ARP No. GR-2011-GG-03-020-00659 and PIN No. 025-03-020-08-021; said parties are the direct and compulsory heirs have extrajudicially adjudicate among themselves the mentioned property; that the parties all of legal age and with full capacity to contract agree to waive their rights to the described real property in favor of co-heir JUANITO P. DOMINGO making him now its sole and absolute owner; as acknowledge before Notary Public Attorney Raymundo R. Aquino, Doc. No. 029, Page No. 06, Book No. VI, Series of 2013.BIKOL REPORTERPublished: March 3, 10 and 17, 2013

als, foreign and locals com-bined from 155,106 in 2011 to 190,918 in 2012.

Masbate, among others, posted a modest growth rate but still a positive sign ac-cording to both Salceda and Ravanilla with 3 percent from 172,446 in 2011 to 176,967 both foreign and locals com-bined.

Ravanilla explained that although local tourists com-prise significantly higher than the foreign tourist arrivals in

Bicol and Albany majority of the Bicol provinces including Albany, Camarines Norte, Masbate and Sorsogon posted their respective growth rates from foreign tourist arrivals.

However, the DOT records showed that the provinces of Camarines Sur and the island of Catanduanes both notched down in terms of foreign tourist arrival although both have compensated in their respective growths in local tourist arrivals.

BIKOL REPORTER 9MARCH 3 - 9, 2013

could fly to Tokyo instead. But here you are, fighting seasickness as you write this letter while getting ready to sleep one more last night in this cabin. Tomorrow, you will be sleepless as the day shall be filled with farewell ceremonies, parties, and after-parties. After exchanging souvenirs and making promises of seeing each other again very soon, it shall all be over. You shall be going home again after months of having been away from family and work.

It must be difficult for you to put closure to this most exciting episode in your life. Every day of the next few weeks will probably be spent reminiscing your SSEAYP life on board and during country programs while endlessly scanning the close to 80 gigabytes of pictures and videos taken on your Nikon camera and browsing through photo albums and notes on Facebook on which you were tagged by your new friends from ASEAN and Japan. Each replay of memories that these evoke shall result into mixed emotions within you. It is fortunate that when you go home in Naga, it shall already be Christmas vacation time so you will be able to deal with the ‘hangover’ and the ‘SSEAYP-sickness’ without the intrusion of the usual Christmas parties or the necessity of meeting your friends whom you are unsure can relate with your stories which, to you, are sacred.

In solitude, you will begin your reflection. You will feel happy upon realizing that you have fulfilled your dream of being in this program and of representing your country. You had dreamed of joining SSEAYP since your college days. You applied for it after graduation but ended up frustrated. So you promised yourself that you would reapply before your 30th birthday, which is the age limit to be accepted into this program. Had you not been selected this time around, you would have lost the opportunity of being part of this forever. After all your personal preparations, however, there was no doubt that you deserved to be one of the Filipino delegates to this Japan-ASEAN diplomatic and cultural program. You will recall how you managed to jog at the Basilica grounds after office hours and maintain a “no-rice” diet so as to lose your unwanted pounds for four months; how your back suffered due to the “No Slouching Policy;” how you resisted the comfort of the swivel chair and slept while undergoing the pre-departure training because you just had 4 or 5 hours of sleep the night before. You did all these and more just to fit the profile of a true diplomatic and cultural ambassador of the country.

And now that Fuji Maru is almost finished and moving towards the final stretch of its route, you realize as you packed your things this morning that you had bought and received a lot of souvenirs to give and to keep and, because of this, you expect your luggage to exceed the 23-kilo allowance by as much as 20 kilos. From the notes you collected from the message board and the name cards you exchanged, it seems that you had gained new friends with whom you shared this journey. You feel heavy, partly because of the tiredness which you had accumulated over the past months but also because your memory is full of new experiences that you intend to keep for a lifetime.

You cannot describe what you are feeling right now. You do not understand why many of your fellow participants are crying and openly expressing sadness over the thought that the program is about to end while you are not -- at least, not yet. Maybe, this disposition has something to do with your maturity in handling certain emotions or your immaturity for not recognizing as basic an emotion as sadness and your lack of spontaneity in expressing it when you do. Maybe, too, these experiences touched different layers and aspects of your life in a way that you still need to self-process across a period of time. Still maybe, you may be thinking that there were things that you could have done but did not do or things you did which you should not have done. All these might become clearer as you process your own experiences later on.

Whatever the reason for this lack of feeling at this point, deep inside you, you know that something in you is never the same again. You will draw certain parallelisms in this experience with one of your favorite films, “The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King.” Towards the end of the film, Frodo, upon his return to the Shire after his successful mission, realized that there is no way to really go back to the Shire. At first you might interpret this as referring to

MATTERS OF CONSEQUENCE . . . the literal departure from your old place or old work as you might the fact that Frodo decided to leave again the Shire, boarded a ship at The Grey Havens, left the Middle Earth, and never came back. After some thoughtful reflection, you might think of it instead as a recognition if the fact that it is actually you yourself who is never the same again. The experiences that you had had already changed you. Still maybe you would be convinced that both interpretations apply to you. But right now, you are not sure yet.

And as you reflect, you will go back to the experiences of SSEAYP. You will begin by recalling your motivations, how they had changed and found you unchanged at the same time, how they influenced and not influenced your participation and experiences in the program as well as your relationships with fellow participants. You will then remember the many ‘beginnings’ of this journey – the moment you met the “Bugkos Lahi” [the Philippine delegation] and the first time you had a glimpse of Fuji Maru’s daunting presence in Yokohama, to name a few.

You will try to understand which of your experiences have had impact on you, which aspects of your self have been touched, and what values, perspectives and plans have been changed, affirmed, broadened or challenged. You will realize who have come to truly be your friends and who were just acquaintances, and with whom you would more likely develop a long-lasting friendship. Given these, how would you then draw the new self and distinguish it from your old self? Would you be able to see a more positive self-image and world-view?

After your reflection on the journey’s personal impact, you will then be challenged to continue reflecting on how such personal fruits and the program’s goals would challenge your personal mission-vision and your relationship with the world. After SSEAYP and all its personal benefits to you, what now, Sonny? With all the resources spent on you by the Philippine and Japanese governments, how would the world benefit from you? How would you transfer the

technology and share in the challenge of nation-building as the National Youth Commission put it?

Big questions, are they not? But you knew from the start that this would happen. You knew the goals of this program and the desired return of investment (RoI). You will recall the big statements and commitments you made during the interview as well as in the small group discussions and debriefing sessions. You will reflect and even share the burden of contemplating on these questions with your friends and mentors.

Sonny, do you remember the first time that you dropped a message in the bottle into the sea? You set it adrift on Atulayan Bay on your boat ride back to Nato Port, Sagnay. Do you remember the message? It was a hope that someday, you would find your matter of great consequence - what you were created for, your purpose. And it has been a recurrent theme in your previous retreats at the Cenacle House, at the Sacred Heart Novitiate, in Jesuit Mirador Villa, and in many other venues of discernment. It will take you a long and arduous journey to be able to know it, but I hope that you will be patient and mindful of your interior movements and of the meanings behind the events that happen and the people you meet in your life.

Where are you now, Sonny? Where has Fuji Maru led you to be? And from there, where are you going?

I wish you well and I hope that you will find answers -FromYour Self(To be continued, but not in the next issue. For your feedback or

questions, please email me at sonny.virtus@gmail.com.)

runs for an elective office simultaneously with the incumbent elective official within the same province or occupies the same office immediately after the term of office of the incumbent elective official. It shall also be deemed to exist where two (2) or more persons who are spouses or are related within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity run simultaneously for elective public office within the same province, even if neither is so related to an incumbent elective official.”

Unfortunately the people who would be asked to approve a bill like this would themselves come under the definition of dynasts. Look at the list of candidates running for office now.

If Congress, either as a legislative body or as a constituent body, cannot propose a meaningful antidynasty amendment, can a Constitutional Convention do it? There is no clamor for a Constitutional Convention for this or for anything, for that matter.

Realizing perhaps that the desired amendment will not come from Congress or even from a Constitutional Convention, the antidynasty proponents now are asking for amendment directly passed by the people through initiative and referendum. What are the chances of success?

First of all, a definition of what a political dynasty means has to be formulated. Who will do it? The Constitution does not say who will do that for the purpose of the initiative. The conclusion is that anybody can do it. Can the campaigners against political dynasty succeed in agreeing on one formula to be presented to the people? Not very likely.

Let us suppose, however, that the usually independent great minds can agree on a formula, what else is needed.?First, lest we forget, Congress must first pass a law authorizing constitutional amendment by initiative and referendum. In 1997 the Supreme Court ruled that the current Initiative and Referendum Law does not authorize constitutional amendments yet. A contrary Court majority opinion in 2006 was an obiter dictum, that is, not a binding rule.

Second, if and when constitutional amendment by initiative and referendum is finally passed, the approved common formula must be submitted to the people in a referendum. What percentage of the votes cast is needed to bring the matter to a referendum? “Amendments to this Constitution may likewise be directly proposed by the people through initiative upon a petition of at least twelve per centum of the total number of registered voters, of which every legislative district must be represented by at least three per centum of the registered voters therein.”

Finally, if there is a successful call for a referendum, what percentage of the voting population is needed to ratify the proposal? The Constitution says “a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite.”

FROM MY WINDOW . . .

month to ensure that the com-munity is given and disseminated with the proper information, par-ticularly regarding fire safety.

“We have an exhibit, as part of our Open house activity at the Naga City Central Fire Station this morning. We will also hang various streamers in different es-tablishments here in Naga City and we will be emphasizing the importance of fire safety through various TV and radio exposures,” Verbo said in an interview.

Meanwhile, BFP Naga is set to jumpstart its Barangay Fire Brigade Training and Pre-Fire Planning with the 27 barangays in Naga City these coming weeks. This activity aims to emphasize the role of Barangay Fire Bri-gade Member. The participants will also undergo fire suppres-sion drill using bucket relay, hose throw, hose carries and coupling connections technique.

The bureau will also closely collaborate with the Naga City Price Coordinating Council (NCPCC) to monitor Fire Extin-

FIRE PREVENTION MONTH . . .guisher dealers and Fire Protec-tion Installers in the city area.

As a deviation to its usual inspection tasks, BFP has sched-uled Drawing, poster and es-say writing contests on the 3rd week of March, targeting Class, Grade, School, District and divi-sion levels as categories for the participating stakeholders. They are also scheduled to conduct fire and earthquake drills in different schools and re-inspection of vari-ous schools, colleges and univer-sities in Naga City .

On the 4th week of the month, BFP is set to conduct a meeting among the Company Fire Brigade team leaders, training of Compa-ny Fire Brigade and re-inspection of hotels, hospitals, restaurants and mercantile occupancies.

The month-long affair will culminate on March 27 with the conduct of Company Fire Bri-gade Fire Fighting Olympics which will be participated in by competing teams coming from private companies and organiza-tions.

Gloria J. Balboa said Provin-cial Health Teams (PHTs) of the DOH-CHD Bicol are doing rounds reminding local chief executives and health officials to take action based on the sur-veillance data on dengue which are being provided to them by the DOH.

Through the surveillance data done on a weekly basis, according to Balboa, they can deduce or infer trends or pat-terns, if there are any, on the frequency of occurrence of dengue and take action.

“Hotspots or clustering of cases can be inferred from data including the possibility of an outbreak. Whatever action they take, the DOH-CHD Bicol will

DOH ALERTS LGUS, HEALTH . . .always extend assistance when-ever necessary,” she added.

Arnel Santiago of the DOH-CHD RESU explained that identification of hotspots and clustering of cases are used in dengue monitoring and re-sponse.

“There is clustering when there are two or more cases in a barangay during a specific mor-bidity week,” he explained.

A hotspot on the other hand, he furthered, is one where there are two or more suspected den-gue cases for two successive weeks also in one barangay whereas an outbreak is one where there is an excess num-ber of cases in a given period than what is expected.

BIKOL REPORTER

REGIONAL EXPONENT FOR PROGRESS

OUTSTANDING LOCAL NEWSPAPERFor Five Consecutive Years by the St. Peter

Baptist Catholic Mass Media Awards

10 MARCH 3 - 9, 2013

(Turn to page 9)

In an advisory, DOH Bicol urged local govern-ments to keep watch of areas in their respective lo-calities with suspected den-gue cases.

The agency also cau-tioned the same authorities against classifying diseases with dengue-like symptoms as dengue, the likes of “chi-kungunya,” which is also a mosquito-borne disease that has symptoms similar to dengue.

Dengue can cause death while Chikungunya is not fatal.

DOH Bicol reported that at least 330 dengue case suspects were monitored by the Regional Epidemio-

CHICKUNGUYA

logical and Surveillance Unit (RESU) of the DOH-CHD (Center for Health and De-velopment) from its sentinel site.

Health records indicate that during the period January to February 27 this year, at least 522 dengue cases were reported by various provin-cial health offices in Bicol.

Albay had 308 cases; fol-lowed by Camarines Sur with 92; Catanduanes, 68; Sorso-gon, 27; Masbate, 23, and Ca-marines Norte, four cases.

There are no reported out-breaks, according to DOH Bi-col, and the number excludes those from private hospitals.

DOH 5 regional director

The Department of Health (DOH) regional office in Legazpi City has alerted local governments in the Bicol Region on the rising cases of dengue and urged them to take prevention and control measures.

DOH alertsLGUs, healthofficials vsdengue

By MARLON A. LOTERTE

www.doh.gov.ph