outstanding local newspaper

For Five Consecutive Years

St. Peter Baptist Catholic Mass Media Awards
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regional exponent for progress
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( 473-8888
Gov. salceda
Assessment of Manila-Legazpi
railway project
starts
leGaZPI cITY The canadian consultancy
frm contracted by the government to prepare
the feasibility study for the proposed Philippine
National Railways Integrated Luzon
Railway project is set to start with
its works on the Bicol section of
the project before the end
of this month.
(Turn to page 6)
NABUNTULAN FALLS
With the team from the City Engineers Offce and City Environment and Natural Resources
Offce, Mayor John G. Bongat ended his inspection of city government infra and tourism
projects in Panicuason by having a trek to Nabuntulan Falls in Mt. Isarog.
Aleco interim board
approves SMEC bid
LEGAZPI CITY -- Two weeks after the public
bidding for the operational management of the debt-
ridden Albay Electric Power Cooperative, its interim
board has approved the bid of San Miguel Energy
Corp., an Aleco offcial said.
In a text message to the PNA on Sunday, Alvie Boral,
Aleco public information offcer, said the Aleco interim
board has informed SMEC in its Aug. 23 letter that the
company won the bidding for the concession to operate
and manage Aleco.
The letter of the board led by Bishop Jose Baylon of
the Diocese of Legazpi said SMEC had been considered
and approved as the single highest rated and responsive
bidder.
The issuance of the notice of award, however, will
(Turn to page 7)
(Turn to page 7)
Archdiocese of Caceres leads
prayer rally vs pork barrel
By ANA-LIzA S. MACAtANGAy

NAGA CITY (Aug.
27) --- More or less 2,000
protesters marched off
the streets of this city yes-
terday to call for the total
abolition of the Priority
Development Assistance
Fund (PDAF) and admon-
ish the government to be
vigilant in spending the peo-
ples hard earned money.
Caceres Archbishop Ro-
lando J. Tria Tirona led the
protesters in a peaceful pro-
test Monday, dubbed Prayer
Rally for the Restoration of
Integrity as the church calls
for a unifed stance to con-
demn the use of the tax pay-
ers money under the pork
barrel scheme.
In a pastoral letter read in
various churches in the Arch-
diocese Sunday, Tirona called
on the public to demand for
speedy and fair investigation
of those people behind the
scam and make them amena-
ble for using the government
fund in their own personal
whims and caprices.
The lawful conviction
of those guilty will signal the
commitment of our govern-
ment to truth and justice,
Tirona said to the churchs
faithfuls.
Yesterday, members of
various non-government or-
ganizations, civil society or-
ganizations, private offces
and concerned individuals
composed of nuns, priests,
naga.gov.ph
bikol reporter 2
august 25-31, 2013
oPinion

went to the allocation holders.

Since powerful legislators are at the
receiving end of the brickbats versus the
PDAF, the resolutions in both houses for
the total abolition of the pork barrel may
not be passed in its original version. It
is very likely knowing our scheming
politicians that alternative measures
will be passed, better-packaged and with
security components. Malacanang will be
the author of this new system (pogi points)
but the effect is the same our legislators
will have their cake and eat it, too!
BANKING SYSTEM: As of May 31,
2013 the Phl banking industry had total
resources aggregating to P8.639 trillion.
The growth came from steady increases in
loans, securities and equities. The much
bigger universal and commercial banks
accounted for P7.754 trillion, followed by
the 70 thrift banks with P695.3 billion, and
the 544 rural banks with P190 billion. The
quasi-banks including fnance companies
had total resources of P2.231 trillion.
The main sources of bank funds are time
and savings deposits, while investments
are mostly in loans. Experts say that
the robust credit expansion achieved
by banks provided solid support to
our economy in the midst of subdued
global growth. As consequence of
the government push for continuing
increase in banking activities the
smaller rural banks are being forced
to go into mergers for their own good,
and to enable them to compete with the
big banks. Go big or die!
BAD FLASHES: After three
continuing days of rains and fooding,
investors woke up last Thursday to the
shocking news that their stockholdings
have shrunk in value to the tune of 6.0%.
Ironically, the downtrend was triggered by
the declaration by US fnance authorities
that they will soon start easing efforts to
stimulate the worlds biggest economy.
The big losers were the holding frms
and property sectors, registering 7%
losses.
At the other end of the spectrum, the
exchange rate of the domestic currency
fell by more than 1%, so the US dollar is
now worth P44! There are hopes that the
USD rate will return to the P43 level, what
with our increased gross international
reserves and the positive results of our
balance of payments. Running against
this hope is the continuing depreciation
of the currency exchange rates in the
Far East and Southeast Asia. Let us see
how the cookie crumbles!
WISDOM: From what proft comes
to mortals from all toil and anxiety with
which they toil under the sun?
(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).
FLOODS: Despite the loud complaints
of the urban informal settlers, there is no
denying that the main causes of the Metro-
Manila fooding are the barong-barongs
(or even concrete houses) that are built
on erstwhile esteros. The problem is
compounded by the mountains of solid
thrash that said occupants throw away into
the waterways. The recent devastating
foods are enough reasons for the
government to take decisive action no
matter how cruel it could be!
Going upstream the other cause of the
fooding is the inability of the former forest
areas to hold the rushing rainwaters within
the earths bosom. The areas where the
big trees used to be are now covered by
loose gravel and sand (object of mining).
Mans greed and carelessness in dealing
with nature are delivering to all and sundry
the seasonal disasters that kill and maim
people, and destroy billions worth of
properties, crops and infrastructures.
PDAF SYSTEM: The prioritization for
the use of funds released to congressmen
and senators is left with said legislators
discretion on the assumption that they
know what their constituents really need.
Unfortunately as recent developments
reveal many of the legislators simply
relied on fund managers to handle the
disbursement of the PDAF. The system
was indeed faulty regardless of whether
there were some back remittances that
lee g. dullesco ii
Head, Advertising Associates
0920-533-7766
Well, he is only one month in offce
and knowing him, I believe he can do a
lot more.
What is important is not the number of
bills fled by legislators, but the quality of
bills fled. I learned he is preparing several
bills of national importance.
Il write about it when it is already fled.
The taxpayers should know what our
government offcials are doing since they
are public servants.
* * * * *
Front pages of national newspapers
report about pork barrel of legislators
only. Heres an excerpt from the column
of Ninez Cacho Olivares in the Daily
Tribune dated August 13, 2013 about
presidential pork entitled Pork by any
other name for balanced information.
With reports on former National
Treasurer Leonor Briones pointing to the
gargantuan P1 trillion in pork barrel that
is at the disposal of Noynoy, there went
Noy spokesman Abigail Valte, quickly
denying that this was untrue, as she said
there is no executive counterpart to the
Priority Development Assistance Fund
(PDAF), more commonly referred to as
pork that members of Congress have.
Cmon. Abigail, surely even you
must have come across Shakespeares
Romeo and Juliet where Juliet says to
Cong. Felix William Wimpy Fuentebella
fled House Bill 1551 proposing the creation
of the Department of Housing and Urban
Development Defning Mandates, Powers
and Functi ons and provi di ng funds
therefore.
Shelter is one of the three basic needs
of man. Considering our ever increasing
population, so many informal settlers,
calamity victims throughout the country
whose homes had been destroyed, this
Bill is not only timely but very much needed
in order to consolidate efforts of different
offcerds for faster delivery of service to
the people.
He also fled House Bill 1558 creating
Philippine High School for Sports for national
interest and providing funds therefore.
He fled six local bills for the conversion
of schools to national high schools to be
able to secure funds from the national
government.
No wonder, because education is one of
his greatest concern.

(Turn to page 6)

IF you were to look back at the fnest

traits of our forefathers and compare them
with the traits of present-day Filipinos,
you would discover that our people today
sorely lack our ancestors nobility of
character.
Our forefathers were freedom-loving,
adventurous, their honesty beyond
question, hardy, industrious, more after
the welfare of their people than their
own.
How the sturdy thread that connected
us to our ancestors got severed, the over
300 years of Spanish colonial rule and the
years immediately following the end of the
Pacifc War must have much to do with it.
In that period, the long years of
subjugation, could be blamed. The years
had clouded our memory and made us
forget our roots and our glorious past.
Filipinos tried to live the ways of the
conquerors, believing they could be
like them, superior, arrogant, powerful,
wealthy. They lost their ability to fght
and win. They became subservient to the
white man or anybody with money.
Conquered peoples tend to absorb
the faults of their former masters. Sionel
Jose, a Ramon Magsaysay awardee for
journalism, said that Filipinos inherited
the worst from the colonial masters. You
can see this human failing in almost every
wealthy Filipino, indeed.
Well-off Filipinos are matapobre. We
got this attitude from the Spaniards. Like
the old rulers, we look down on people
who work with their hands
Immediately after the war ended, many
Filipino offcials fattened themselves
with American goods , mostly war
materials abandoned by the Americans.
The Yankees would not take the goods
back to the US
It was a time when almost everybody
had to do something to survive.
Anything they could lay their hands on,
anything that could be turned to cash,
they would do it
What Filipinos had learned during
the Spanish era and during the years
following the war seemingly got frmly
etched in the soul. Some described it as
the origin of the culture of corruption
Before the Spaniards touched our
shores Chinese and Arab traders
were here to do business with Filipino
merchants in what could be dubbed as
on consignment basis The foreigners
entrusted their goods to the locals and
came back after a year to collect the
money.
Not one of the local traders failed to
pay for the goods.
rubenbabar_br@yahoo.com
(Turn to page 6)
For a long time, National Heroes Day was
commemorated each year on November
30, the birth date of Andres Bonifacio, the
hero of the Philippine Revolution of 1896.
Perhaps to give emphasis to heroes other
than Andres Bonifacio, the commemoration
of the days of all our national heroes was
moved to the last Sunday of August, which
this year, falls on the 25
th
.
Asi de from Boni faci o, we wi l l be
commemorating on August 25 all our heroes,
which include Dr. Jose P. Rizal, our national
hero; Apolinario Mabini, the Sublime
Paralytic; Gregorio H. del Pilar, hero of the
Battle of tirad Pass; Gen. Emilio F. Aguinaldo,
president of the First Philippine Republic;
Emilio D. Jacinto, Brains of the Katipunan;
Gen. Antonio Luna, the Greatest Soldier
of the Revolution; Marcelo H. del Pilar, the
leading propagandist of the Revolution and
editor of La Solidaridad; Melchora Aquino,
aka tandang Sora who was already 84 years
old when she joined the Revolution; Diego
Silang, the revolutionary leader of the Ilocos
Region and his wife Gabriela; and the three
priest martyrs Fathers Gomez, Burgos
and zamora.
this is a time for heroes for peace,
not for violence; for unity, not division, for
sincerity and truth, not mental reservation.
PP/MB
bikol reporter 3
august 25-31, 2013
(Turn to page 6)
RALLY AGAINST PORK BARREL
AvItO C. DALAN
thousands gather against the alleged misuse of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel of lawmakers
in front of the Quirino grandstand at Rizal Park, Manila on Monday (August 26).
CLIFF JUMPING
GBC/JvILLAREAL/MMEC
Way down from atop the towering height of a cliff of unique rock formation to plunge into
the depths of a serene azure sea as captured above by a multi-exposure technique of Capitol
lensman Jovi villareal in Cagliliog is just one of the varied types of adventure thrills offered
by CamSur Gov. Migz villafuerte at the Caramoan Peninsula that could titillate the most daring
of nature enthusiasts. Such exciting adventures form part of the nature-based attractions that
have contributed to placing CamSur in a prominent sport of the tourism map of the world.
By MARLON A. LOtERtE
leGaZPI cITY -- The
Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI) Bicol re-
gional offce has awarded a
total of P1.5 million to fund
projects under the bottom-
Up budgeting (BUB) sys-
tem for Matnog and Prieto
Diaz town in the province
of Sorsogon
Mayor Emilio G. Ubaldo
received in behalf of the mu-
nicipal government of Mat-
nog the P1 million check and
Mayor Benito L. Doma re-
ceived P500,000 for the mu-
nicipal government of Prieto
Diaz .
DTI Bicol regional direc-
tor Jocelyn Blanco said the
allotment were intended to
improve the food and handi-
craft industries localities by
providing stakeholders skills
and capability training pro-
gram on entrepreneurship
that will prepare the local
producers and processors to
be competitive in the local
or even national and interna-
tional markets.
Matnog municipal gov-
ernment will allot the fund to
improve the eco-tourism ser-
vice providers and the food
and handicraft industries.
Prieto Diaz, on the other
hand, will focus on the devel-
opment of its processed food
that includes coconut and its
by-products, danggit and
other marine products.
She said that the agency
will also be assisting stake-
holders in product develop-
ment that will enhance the
products functionality, qual-
ity, design and visual impact.
She furthered that market-
ing support programs will
also be provided to complete
the package of government
interventions in the local in-
dustry.
Bottom-up budgeting
meanwhile is a modern ap-
proach to planning the use
of a governments fnancial
resources.
It can be recalled that the
Department of the Interior and
Local Government (DILG)
considers bottom-up budget-
ing and planning among local
government units as an en-
abling strategy of the Aquino
administration in realizing
governance reforms.
DILG Bicol regional Di-
rector Blandino Maceda ex-
plained that, The concept is
simple: it is the opposite of
the top-to-bottom planning
and budgeting,
The new approach on bud-
geting, according to Maceda,
provides the opportunity for
leGaZPI cITY --Hun-
dreds of students, farmers,
transport group represen-
tatives and militant group
members braved the inter-
mittent rains on Monday
morning (Aug. 26) and held
a march rally calling for the
abolition of the corrupt-rid-
den Priority Development
assistance Fund (PdaF)
or pork barrel of lawmak-
ers at the Pearanda Park
here.
Despite the rains, the pro-
testers marched along the
three-kilometer stretch of the
J. P. Rizal St. from Pearanda
Park in Old Albay District to
the Pinaglabanan Park at the
Legazpi Port District -- bear-
ing streamers with anti-pork
barrel slogans, according to
Vince Casilihan, Karapatan
Albay spokesperson.
A short rally was held at
10:30 a.m. at the Pinagla-
banan monument where pro-
testers called for the aboli-
tion of the PDAF and urged
the Aquino administration to
transfer the fund to a more
productive use that would
improve the delivery of so-
cial, health, education and
economic services.
They also sought for an
independent body to inves-
tigate the people behind the
pork barrel scam and prose-
cute and convict those found
guilty.
Casilihan said in a phone
interview that about 300
joined the march dubbed as
Lakaw Kontra Pork Bar-
rel. -PNA
By EDNA A. BAGADIONG
VIRAC, Catanduanes --
The provincial government of
Catanduanes has reorganized
and reconstituted the Provin-
cial Rabies Control Commit-
tee (PRCC) as initiatl step in
its intensifed campaign to
fght rabies in the province.
Catanduances Governor Ar-
aceli B. Wong already signed
Executive Order No. 24 dated
August 13, authorizing the re-
organization of the local com-
mittee and pursuant to memo-
randum of agreement (MOA)
signed by the different depart-
ment secretries and represen-
tative from non-govenrment
organizations.
Wong said that the PRCC
will provide a forum for an
inter-ageny coordination on
rabies control and prevention
program, mechanism for link-
ages with the different Rabies
Control Consultative Commit-
tee and formulate and imple-
ment immediate and long-term
policies, plans and programs
for the control of rabies;
It is also expected to pro-
vide a medium for the involve-
ment of all local government
units in the control of rabies in
the province, collate, consoli-
date and submit all necessary
reports as required by higher
authorities, and perform such
other functions as may be nec-
essary in the prevention and
control of rabies in the whole
province.
PRCC will be composed
of Gov. Wong (Chairman); Dr.
Jane C. Rubio, Provincial Vet-
erinary Offce (Co-Chairman);
and Dr. Lubella M. Sanchez,
Provincial Health Offce (Co-
Chairman).
Members include Atty. Ar-
naldo E. Escober, Jr. (DILG);
Mr. Jose L. Doncillo (DepEd);
Po. Sr. Supt. Eduardo Chavez
(PNP); Mr. Edgar V. Ollet (DA);
Mr. Joaquin Ed Guerrero (PEN-
RO); Ms. Soledad S. Eugenio
(DOH); Dr. Minerva I. Morales
(CSU); Hon. Nel B. Asanza
(SP); Hon. Jorge C. Reyes (SP);
Hon. Gregorio E. Angeles (SP);
Engr. Fernan A. Gianan (Print
Media-Catanduanes Tribune);
Ms. Edna A. Bagadiong (PIA);
Ms. Arlene O. Bagadiong (Ra-
dyo ng Bayan); Dr. Viatrez Vey
Abella (Rotary Club- Virac);
and Ms. Zeng S. Vargas (Peo-
ples Organization).
According to Wong, her ad-
ministration will give attention
and will continue to support
campaigns that will make the
province rabies-free.
Rabies continue to be a pub-
lic health problem in the Phil-
ippines. The country is one of
the top 10 countries with rabies
problem. It is responsible for
the deaths of 200 to 300 Filipi-
nos per year. In 2011, 202 died
of rabies, and in 2010, there
were 257 deaths.
bikol reporter 4
august 25-31, 2013
etCeterA
inner chess
By J. HENRy DANICAN
vISIt OuR WEBSItE:
www.bikolreporter.webs.com
Gospel reading: Lk 13:22-30
Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching
as He went and making His way to Jerusalem. Someone
asked Him, Lord, will only a few people be saved?
He answered them, Strive to enter through the narrow
gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will
not be strong enough. After the master of the house
has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand
outside knocking and saying, Lord, open the door for
us. He will say to you in reply, I do not know where
you are from. And you will say, We ate and drank in
your company and you taught in our streets. Then he
will say to you, I do not know where [you] are from.
Depart from me, all you evildoers! And there will be
wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of
God and you yourselves cast out. And people will come
from the east and the west and from the north and the
south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God.
For behold, some are last who will be frst, and some
are frst who will be last.
REFLECtIONS
Lord, will only a few people be saved? Jesus is asked
this question, which He considers irrelevant. To answer
such a question is to satisfy curiosity, but is not helpful
to anyone. Instead, Jesus answers, Strive to enter
through the narrow gate. What really matters is for us
to be saved and for us to help save others. And that
means entering through the narrow gate, what the Lord
refers to elsewhere as denying ourselves, carrying our
cross daily, and following Him. In practice, this means
living selfessly in love of God and our fellow human
beings. This is to do what Christ says (cf Lk 6:46) and
what God wills (cf Mt 7:21).
Jesus points out to His fellow Jews that it is not
enough for them to say, We ate and drank in your
company and you taught in our streets. Even they
will be rejected if they turn out to be evildoers. Jesus
also predicts the coming into the kingdom of God of
non-Jews, while the Jews who did wrong will be cast
outside. Today we can say that attaining salvation is
not a matter of belonging to a certain religion or having
been associated with Christ in some way. It is a matter
of doing good and not doing evil. Many non-Christians
will be saved if they follow their consciences and do
good, while many Christians will be rejected if they do
not do good.
Our Christian religion is a great help to know what
Christ says and what God wills, but our belonging to
the Christian religion is not a guarantee that we will be
saved.
Be thankful to God that you are a Christian, but be
a Christian in deeds!
SOURCE: 366 Days with the Lord 2012, ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708
St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.,); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail:
books@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
sunday reflection
In a bid to fast-track the
implementation of the Na-
tional Greening Program
(NGP) in catanduanes the
Department of Environ-
ment and Natural Resourc-
es (DENR) Bicol held a two-
day Geo-tagging workshop
in the capital town of Virac
last weekend.
We are introducing to our
forestry personnel the latest
technology in project moni-
toring which is Geo-tagging.
It will help us in generating
real time data from the feld,
PENRO Joaquin Ed Guerrero
said.
PENRO Guerrero ex-
plained that Geo-tagging is
a technology that allows the
user to generate real-time
feld data, meaning we can
derive frst-hand data from
above the mountains where
reforestation efforts are un-
derway.
He expressed confdence
that the new technology
would not only enhance the
implementation of the NGP
but also improve the enforce-
ment of forestry laws in the
province.
This two-day workshop
is also timely since it will
help to identify potential
obstacles in the implementa-
tion of the project and devise
ways to hurdle them he em-
phasized.
A practicum, facilitated
by Foresters Juliet Araojo
and Angelito Rutaquio was
also conducted to allow the
participants to fgure out the
procedures and many ways of
using the Geo-Camera.
PENRO Guerreros mes-
sage to his personnel is clear:
engage the public as support
which is vital to the success
of the NGP, and strengthen
documentation processes to
establish transparency and
accountability.
He also presented to them
the new Barangay Forest Pro-
gram, an additional feature of
the NGP that every DENR
personnel should be familiar
with as a banner program.
-Jessel Basanta/Marianito
Donato
QUEZON CITY -- Pres-
ident aquino called on all
Filipinos to keep a close
watch on government proj-
ects to ensure that peoples
money are spent properly.
In his speech, Monday, in
commemoration of National
Heroes Day, Aquino said the
abolition of the Priority De-
velopment Assistance Fund
(PDAF) is part of continu-
ously fnding and forming a
mechanism that ensures that
the peoples money should
only be used for the people.
Nito nga pong Biyernes
nang ihayag natin ang pag-
abolish ng PDAF, bahagi ito
ng paghahanap at pagbuo ng
mekanismo upang siguruh-
ing ang pera ng taumbayan
ay mapupunta sa taumbayan
lamang, the President said.
He added that the system
only becomes truly effective
if the people will keep a vigi-
lant watch of each project
that will be funded.
Ngunit upang tuluyang
maging epektibo ang bagong
sistemang ating ilalatag,
kailangan ang pakikiisa
ng mamamayan sa masus-
ing pagbabantay ng bawat
proyektong ating pinopondo-
han, Aquino said.
He also vowed to make ac-
countable those who abused
President Benigno S. Aquino III calls for the abolition of the
Priority Development Assistance Fund at the Presidents Hall of
Malacanang Palace on Friday, (August 23). the announcement
was made in the aftermath of the alleged Php10B pork barrel
scam. (Photo by Gil Nartea/ Lauro Montellano Jr./ Malacanang
Photo Bureau)
the PDAF.
The President also chal-
lenged the people not to be
content with waiting for and
receiving help from others
but instead fulfll each ones
responsibilities to fellowmen
and society.
Ang hamon po sa atin:
Huwag sana tayong makun-
tento na mag-abang o tu-
manggap lamang ng tulong
at biyaya mula sa kabutihan
ng iba; sa halip, gawin natin
ang lahat nang makakaya sa
bawat pagkakataon upang
gampanan ang tungkulin sa
kapwa at lipunan, the Presi-
dent said.
On Monday, thousands of
Filipinos trooped to Quirino
grandstand in Manila to
protest against abuse of the
pork barrel fund.
Presidential Spokesper-
son Edwin Lacierda assured
the people that the Aquino
administration is on the
same side with the public in
the fght against corruption,
especially on the misuse and
abuse of public funds, a PNA
report said.
The same report added
that the President was not
bothered by the Million
March protest against the
pork barrel. On this Lacierda
said, Were on the same
side. Laban po tayo sa cor-
ruption. Sabi ng pangulo,
bakit tayo mababahala, ano
ba pinaglalaban nila? Galit
sila sa maling gamit ng pera
ng taumbayan, di ba yan
ang nilalaban natin?
President Aquino on Fri-
day, August 23 called for the
abolition of the Priority De-
velopment Assistance Fund
(PDAF) amid allegations of
misuse of some P10 billion
public funds.
Aquino directed the De-
partment of Justice , together
with all the agencies of the
executive government under
the Inter-Agency Anti-Graft
Coordinating Council, or
IAAGCC, to exact account-
ability to those who abused
the system.
He also spelled out spe-
cifc safeguards in budgetary
releases to prevent corrup-
tion.
He directed Budget Sec-
retary Florencio Abad to con-
sult with Senate President
Franklin Drilon and House
Speaker Feliciano Belmonte
Jr. regarding the removal of
the PDAF and the crafting
of a new system. -PIA News
Desk
BIKOL REPORTER 4
AUGUST 18 - 24, 2013
ETCETERA
INNER CHESS
BY J. HENRY DANICAN
(Turn to page 6)
Tours and Travel In Focus

'50$5,/,66$-$038$1
President, Bicol Association of Tourism
and Hospitality Educators (BATHE)
Recent devel opments rel ati ve to
the Metro Naga Development Council
composed of 16 local government units
with Naga City as its fagship unit is now
gaining ground in tourism emphasizing
the on-going NAGA X brand of choice
destinations. The experiences that are
being offered to tourists foreign or domestic
are diverse, satisfying and economy-
wise. Varied adventures with nature,
islands hopping, beaches caves and
river cruises including journey to century
old churches with exploration of various
places known for its heritage and culture
awaits well meaning tourists. Naga City
and its adjacent municipalities are rich
in natural resources with incomparable
tourists destinations which are even better
than other popular sites in the country.
Many tourists who come to Bicol most
particularly Metro Naga keep on coming
back after experiencing fun-flled activities
which can only be found in this part of our
country. Summing it up Metro-Naga is
indeed colorful, vibrant and innovative. A
case in point is its biggest Marian festivity
being celebrated every 3rd week of the
month of September. It can be said that
the colors of Bicolano life-spicy, diverse
and expressive are in itself the very reason
why tourists have learned to love Metro
Naga and its environs. In the city alone
its nightlife throbs with music and good
clean fun making it as one of the most
progressive city in the country today. Its
breath taking nearness to nature ensures
an environment that is devoid of noise and
pollution. Naga X brand of tourist sites
and destinations are in itself accessible,
strategically located with varied options for
going out on excursions within and beyond
its areas of coverage.
Among its target tourist clientele are
tourists both domestic and foreign, OFW's
and balikbayans. Included are group of
friends, families and relatives looking for
fun-flled adventures and a meaningful
time to spend their vacations experiencing
wholesome nature as its best and a diverse
culture which can only be found in this
southern part of the island of Luzon. With
the Marian devotees flocking to Naga
City come September other professional,
civic and religious organizations are most
welcome in the City of Naga where they
can hold their meetings and conventions
in a place that is peaceful and secure.
With it goes popular recreation sites plus
comfortable accommodations as part of
the amenities in coming to Metro-Naga.
Surely, the lure of endless possibilities
are in itself an assurance for visitors to
experience boundless adventures awaiting
intrepid travelers and tourists.
The highlands of Metro-Naga are in
itself a breathtaking panorama, with its
fora and fauna at its best. What is more
relaxing is the fact that waterfalls and cool
streams abound in this part of Metro-Naga.
With Mt. sarog being the highest forested
peak in South Luzon tourists will fnd this
dormant volcano as a haven for mountain
climbers because of its challenging moss
and cloud covered trails. What's more
important is the fact that many visitors will
be happy and delighted by the wonderful
adventures which are in store for them like
zip lining, wall climbing, rappelling, wave
pool, helmet diving, horseback riding,
biking, ATV rides, driving range and a
golf course. All of these sports and fun
flled activities would not be enough not
unless visitors would dip and swim in
the therapeutic geothermal hot springs
of Mt. isarog Among the sites and
destinations which are must see places
are the following, to wit:
1. Haciendas de Naga- This tourists
site offers a wide array of activities
with a 2, 000 square meters wave pool
overlooking the city. Here you can enjoy
fshing, horseback riding with a driving
range and golf course. You can also
experience pili nut picking.
2. Consocep Mountain Resort- This
is located at the eastern portion of Mt.
Isarog Travelers to this mountain, retreat
can experience frst hand local custom
like eating the age old betel nut which in
local dialect is known as "nganga. Here
you will be treated to a deer farm and
swim into the cool waters of Mt. sarog
waterfalls.
3. Malabsay Falls-This tourists site
is a 40 feet high of cascading pristine
cool waters from the slopes of Mt.
sarog which is barely 10 minutes ride
by car from Panicuason Hot Springs. It
is a refreshing delight for visitors after a
half hour trek through rain forest with a
breathtaking view of Naga City and the
greenery surrounding it.
4. Panicuason Hot Springs Resort-
This resort offers a number of natural
pools with temperatures ranging from a
refreshing 20 to a relaxing 39 degrees
Celsius. This prime tourists spot in Metro
Naga is tucked away at the bottom of
one of Mt. Isarog river ravines in Naga
City East Highland Tourism zone. Other
fun-flled activities awaiting visitors in
this tourism zone are as follows, to wit:
1. Water Falls Hopping Metro Naga
in its majestic setting s blessed with
more than 40 known waterfalls. n Metro
Naga X Brand of tourists zones, the 40
meters high Nalalata Falls is found in
Bula, Camarines Sur, the Engkanto
Falls is in Libmanan, Camarines Sur
including the giant waterfalls in Pili,
Camarines Sur.
2. Hiking-Tourists who are hike
Role of Schools in
Disaster Risk Reduction
By MARITES P. VALENCIA
School Head, Visita de Salog High School
Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is one of the main issues
included for discussion in the enhanced curriculum of the K-12
education program. This aims to raise awareness and provide a
better understanding of disaster management for children, teachers
and communities.
The Philippines is prone to hazard due to typhoons, volcanic
activity, foods and earthquakes. The start of the rainy season signals
the need to be prepared for possible disaster especially the typhoons
that hit the country not just once but around 19 tropical cyclones or
storms enter the Philippine area of Responsibility in a typical year
and these, usually 6 to 9 make landfall in one year.
This impacts the education sector: school buildings are damaged,
regular teaching is disrupted for long periods, teachers and students
are killed and injured and students drop out. School activities are
disrupted during disasters because schools are used as emergency
or evacuation centers.
Generally, children are the most vulnerable group during
disasters, but teaching DRR in schools helps to raise awareness
and understanding of not only chidren and teachers but of their
families and communities as well.
Losses from disasters can be reduced by children knowing about
disaster risk. Another is investing more in strengthening school-
building structures before disasters take place would help reduce
long term costs, protect children and ensure education continuity
after disaster.
There are 242 secondary schools in Camarines Sur while there
are 7,683 secondary schools in the Philippines but there is an
absence of the documents on how many schools are naturally at
risk based on location.
The available data is on damages and losses from earthquakes
and volcanic eruptions from 2000 to 2006 to school buildings as a
result of these disasters was 1,279 million USS.
To provide the risk disaster, educating children is the best
approach in minimizing risk, Studying keenly and actively the safety
of their own schools with the help of the reacher and community
members can be possibly reduced and protect them. They can
also tap the stakeholders to come up with festivities that well help
in preparing them during disaster.
Next is, raising consciousness inside the school. Conducting
earthquake and fre drills with the teachers and students, conducting
disaster quake contest, school contest on disaster reduction
knowledge; information dissemination disaster safety, and turning
school students into promoters and initiators of risk reduction.
Prevention is better than cure. To reduce the risk, develop
disaster education materials; using alternative or innovative ways
to educate children, youth, teachers, and parents about disaster
risk reduction issues; involve the chidren in varied activites so they
know what to do in times of disaster.
There is need to ensure that the buildings are safe. School
buidings must be built strongly to minimize vulnerabilty. A standard
earthquake-resistant schools in high risk areas to low risk area is a
must to save the lives of the children.
Public awareness and education for disaster risks reduction
turn human knowledge into action. People are mobilized if they
know what specifc moves can be done to reduce the risks; they
are convinced that these actions will be effective and they believe
in their own ability to carry out the tasks.
This is where the role of the school comes in. nform and involve
the public!
(Turn to page 6)
BRTTH opens rst digitaI
radiography facility
By SALLY A. ATENTO
LEGAZPI CITY, - The
Bicol Regional Training
and Teaching Hospital
(BRTTH) here is now con-
ducting ~lm-less radiol-
ogy procedure with the
inauguration Thursday last
week of the digital radiol-
ogy department.
Instead oI traditional pho-
tographic flm, this procedure
uses digital x-ray sensors to
generate digital images that
can be transmitted Ior easier
and Iaster results.
It is currently used Ior X-
ray and CT scan and will be
applied soon to ultrasound
and mammogram. The Iacil-
ity can load 100 images oI X-
ray and 10 images oI CT scan
in a day and can generate re-
sults within 30 minutes with
the internet reading support
oI radiologists Irom Manila
or even abroad.
We lack radiologist in the
region who can read and in-
terpret test results but with the
new digital radiography Iacil-
ity, we can cater to the needs
oI Bicolanos Ior state oI the
art health Iacilities that can
provide Iaster and cheaper
services, BRTTH medical
proIessional chieI Dr. Salva-
cion Macenas said.
'Operators oI traditional
procedures also know how to
read results but legally they
are not authorized to do it. We
only have a Iew radiologists
in the region leading to de-
lays in results. Since we can
now generate digital images
we can transmit it to doctors
and hospitals outside the re-
gion accredited to read and
give results within 24 hours,
Macenas explained.
Traditional procedures
typically take fve days read-
ing time.
Aside Irom time eIfciency,
Macenas said digital proce-
dures are more environment
and health Iriendly since it
doesn`t involve chemical pro-
cessing and radiation expo-
sure to generate images.
Processing techniques can
also be used to enhance the
overall display and clarity oI
the image.
The Iacility is under the
public private partnership
program oI the government
between the BRTTH and the
bikol reporter 5
august 25-31, 2013
GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT
JMtS/MMEC&CAMSuRPGAD
the women leaders of the towns of Pasacao, Libmanan, Lupi, and Del Gallego participated
in gender sensitivity trainings (GSt) as well as women economic empowerment (WEE) in
compliance with RA 9710 with hopes of strengthening and empowering this sector to be viable
instruments and conveyors of change and development in their local communities. CamSur
Gov. Migz villafuerte fully supports this national initiative as this will help push forward his
own advocacies of creating economic opportunities for capable constituents molding them as
advocates of social and economic progress and development in the province.
GUBAT, Sorsogon --
The municipal government
here and the Philippine
Center for Civic Education
and Democracy (PCCED)
launched the bottom up
budgeting (BUB) system
project for the local gov-
ernment here to encourage
civic society participate in
planning programs and
projects and in the budget-
ing process.
PCCED executive direc-
tor Reynald Trillana said
BUB, also known as par-
ticipatory budgeting is one
of the two components of
PCCEDs program in Gubat
town that aims to make the
municipal budgeting process
more inclusive and partici-
patory by allowing ordinary
citizens to deliberate and
propose spending ideas to
the local government unit
(LGU) so that the budget
refects the real need of the
community
PCCED is pursuing the
Promoting Democratic Val-
ues in the Barangays of Gu-
bat program in Gubat.
While there are other
models of participatory bud-
geting, what we are doing
here in Sorsogon is a pro-
gram that is as close as pos-
sible to direct democracy.
Here the people themselves
decide how to spend their
money, he said.
He added that the program
also hopes to educate people
on the intricacies of public
budgeting and make them
meaningful participants in
governance.
Gubat Mayor Roderick
Nonong Co meanwhile
said that the local govern-
ment has aspired to become
a model and center of par-
ticipatory leadership or gov-
ernnance in the country.
We aim to inspire the
people to work together for
the community, especially
those who, in one way or an-
other, faced obstacles to par-
ticipation and disillusioned
by politics, he said.
Participatory budgeting
is a program developed in
Porto Alegre, Spain that has
been adopted by many lo-
cal governments all over the
President Benigno S.
Aquino III has declared
September 2, which falls on
a Monday, as a special (non-
working) day in the province
of Albay to mark the 148th
birth anniversary of the late
General Simeon A. Ola, the
last revolutionary general to
surrender at the end of the
Philippine-American War.
The Chief Executive is-
sued the declaration through
Proclamation No. 635 signed
by Executive Secretary Paqui-
to N. Ochoa Jr. on August 22,
to give the people of Albay the
full opportunity to celebrate
and participate in the occasion
with appropriate ceremonies.
Born on September 2,
1865 to ordinary citizens Vi-
cente Ola and Apolonia Ar-
boleda, Ola was a hero of the
Philippine Revolution and the
last general to surrender to
American forces during the
Philippine-American War.
In 1896, he stopped his
studies in Naga City and
joined the local branch of the
Katipunan in his hometown,
the province of Albay.
Ola was promoted to the
rank of captain after the battle
of Camalig in Albay in 1898
and again promoted to the
rank of major after a daring
ambush mission that led to the
capture of three Americans.
He was also the leader of
the subsequent valiant attacks
on Albay towns namely, Oas,
Ligao and Jovellar. He later
surrendered to Americans on
the condition that his men
would be granted amnesty.
Ola was put on trial and
was proven guilty of sedition
and was sentenced to 30 years
in prison. In 1904, he was
given a pardon and returned
to his place of birth.
In 1910, he entered poli-
tics and won a town mayor of
Guinobatan, which he served
until 1913. He was again
elected as mayor in 1916 and
served the term until 1919.
The regional police com-
mand in Legazpi City was
named after him.
Ola died on February 14,
1952 and was interred at the
Roman Catholic Cemetery of
Guinobatan. -PND
An aggregate 95 coun-
tryside womenfolk coming
from the towns of Pasacao,
Libmanan, Lupi, and Del
Gallego, Camarines Sur
availed a series of trainings
on gender sensitivity (GST)
and Women Economic
Empowerment (WEE) for
Women in Micro Enter-
prise (WME) last August
8, 12, 13 & 14, 2013 con-
ducted by the Provincial
Gender and Development
Bringing quality edu-
cation to the fore requires
an updated knowledge and
application of the highest
standards required by the
higher institutions of learn-
ing. This has always been
the premise of every en-
deavor that the University
of Northeastern Philippines
(UNEP) is doing as part of
their academic blueprint.
Recently, UNEP President
Atty. Remelisa Alfelor-Mo-
raleda attended the IRCA-ap-
proved ISO 9001: 2008 Lead
Auditor Course in Manila.
The 4-day activity spear-
headed by AJA Registrars
Limited, a global network
of offces for Certifcation
for Quality and Environment
aims to partake to the par-
ticipants the knowledge and
understanding of the applica-
tion and implementation of
the ISO 9001: 2008 Standard
requirements.
Moreledas participation
to the said confab is also
anchored on UNEPs vision
towards the realization of at-
taining world-class education,
attuned in the development of
global and competitive UN-
EPians. The inputs will also
help the university attain its
stature as a highly-regarded
academic institution, at par
with other universities in the
region.
The confab has given me
an insight and understanding
on the application and imple-
mentation of Quality Manage-
ment Principles which I think
will be very signifcant if we
really intend to put UNEP
on the rosters of ISO accred-
ited and certifed universities.
Cross-checking and verifca-
tion of details was also given
emphasis during the discus-
sions, Moraleda said in an
interview.
In a re-echo activity, Mo-
raleda shared the valuable in-
sights she has learned in the
seminar to all the Deans of
Colleges, Department Heads,
Principals and top manage-
ment offcials of UNEP.
The young prexy empha-
sized that there should be
a continuous improvement
in all aspects of learning as
UNEP aspires to get the en-
titlement as an ISO-certifed
university. She have also
shared how to effectively au-
dit the Quality Management
System (QMS) standard, us-
ing the process approach and
the pointers on the proper,
practical and cost effective
approaches with the adoption
of the QMS Standard in their
institution for constant learn-
ing and upgrading.
UNEP has its Maritime
Department as a certifed
ISO 9001:2008 passer. This
means that the programs de-
sign and provision of Mari-
time Educational Courses is
in accordance with the Qual-
ity System Standards of the
Philippines Commission on
Higher Education (CHED)
and has achieved the excel-
lence set by the Technical
Education and Skills Devel-
opment Authority (TESDA).
UNEP will continuously
innovate as it aspires to be
one of the leading academic
institutions in the country and
make UNEP truly the Home
of Global Achievers.
council (PGad) of the
province of Camarines Sur
with the end view of mold-
ing and organizing these
women to become empow-
ered advocates of the many
causes and concerns cur-
rently faced by modern
women especially on issues
affecting their growth and
development in their own
communities.
Governor Migz Villa-
fuerte approved the conduct
of said trainings in support of
RA 9710 otherwise known as
the Magna Carta of Women
of 2009 as well as in compli-
ance with the Joint Memo-
randum Circular 2001-01
dated December 19, 2001
setting guidelines for in-
tegrating gender and devel-
opment (GAD) in the local
planning and budgeting sys-
tem through the formulation
of GAD plans.
By ANA-LIzA S. MACAtANGAy

PILI, Camarines Sur ---
Gawad Kalinga (GK) ben-
efciaries from all over the
region trooped Saturday at
the Camarines Sur Conven-
tion Center, Cadlan, town
of Pili, to share their re-
spective communitys best
practices and to showcase
the convergence of coop-
eration, camaraderie and
solidarity as a powerful tool
to alleviate poverty in the
1st ever Bikol GK Kapitba-
hayan Congress, held here.
Around 1,500 participants
representing the GK Area
Coordination Team and Man-
agement teams from South
Luzon, Camarines Norte,
Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorso-
gon, and Masbate converged
to share their stories of hope
and stir the spirit of harmony
and sharing. They partake
of the chance to listen to
inspirational and empower-
ment talks from GK national
speakers.
GK Site Mayors and rep-
resentatives also showed
their support by personally
gracing the said occasion.
One of the events high-
lights is the awarding of cash
prizes to best GK communi-
ties who shared their best
experiences and learning
leading to an improved life
and harmonious co-existence
with their neighbors through
their presentation or perfor-
mance dubbed as GK Village
People Competition.
Garnering the judges nod
for the 1st place is GK Bala-
tas in Camarines Sur, GK Bi-
birao in Camarines Norte as
2nd placer and GK Aroroy in
the province of Masbate on
the 3rd slot. They will receive
a cash prize of P50,000.00,
P30,000.00 and P20,000.00
respectively.
Bai Linda Eman, GK Area
Coordinator for South Lu-
zon said that the cash prizes
will not be taken home im-
mediately as the winners still
have to comply with their set
requirements. Eman said that
the winners cannot take home
the cash prize until they have
an approved project proposal
from GK.
The said GK communi-
ties have to submit a liveli-
(Turn to page 7)
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bikol reporter 6
august 25-31, 2013
EXtRAJuDICIAL SEttLEMENt OF EStAtE WItH WAIvER
Notice is hereby given that the named parties are the
surviving heirs being the wife and children of the late
DEOGRACIAS D. BASCuA, who died intestate on August
3, 1994 at Pili, Camarines Sur, left an estate consisting
of one-half (1/2) share on a parcel of land together with
improvements thereon, located at Villa Corazon Subd.,
Del Rosario, Naga City, the parties all of legal age hereby
divide, partition and adjudicate unto themselves said parcel
of land; that the heirs REMY BIANCA G. BASCUNA and
ALTON G. BASCUNA, hereby waive, convey and transfer
by Waiver unto their mother, EMERLINA G. BASCUNA,
her heirs and assigns, their share, rights and interest in
the described parcel of land with improvements thereon,
as acknowledged before Notary Public Attorney Jose T.
Rojas, Doc. No. 121, Page No. 25, Book No. 14, Series of
2013.
BIKOL REPORtER
Published: August 11, 18 and 25, 2013
AFFIDAvIt OF ADJuDICAtION WItH SALE
Notice is hereby given that Andres Samar is the only
surviving brother of the late MARCELA SAMAR who
died on June 12, 2011 without any Will or Testament and
with no known debts, left a parcel of land with TCT No.
315218 situated at Capucnasan. Milaor,Camarines Sur;
that pursuant to Rule 74, Sec. 1 of the Rules of Court, the
party adjudicate unto himself the described real property
by means of this Affdavit; that for and in consideration of
the sum of FIFTEEN THOUSAND (P15,000.00) pesos,
in hand paid by John Pornelosa and Jubail Pornelosa of
Capucnasan, Milaor, Camarines Sur, the heir do hereby
SELL, CEDE, CONVEY and TRANSFER unto John
Pornelosa and Jubail Pornelosa, their heirs, assigns and
successors-in-interest a portion of the property containing
an area of Two Hundred Forty (240) square meters more
or less; as acknowledged before Notary Public Atty. Arheen
Alain B. Gomez, Doc. No. 091, Page No. 19, Book No. IV,
Series of 2012.
BIKOL REPORtER
Published: August 18, 25 and Sept. 1, 2013
DEED OF EXtRAJuDICIAL SEttLEMENt OF EStAtE
Notice is hereby given that the named parties are the
legal heirs of the late Spouses MAGNO B. tOSCANO
and MERCEDES M. tOSCANO who died on August 2,
2000 in Bgy. Carolina, Naga City and n February 1, 2002
in Clairemont, San Mateo, California, U.S.A., respectively,
without any Will or Testament and with no known debts,
left a parcel of land with TCT No. 28355 (Registry of
Deeds, Naga City), situated at Bgy. Carolina, City of
Naga; that pursuant to Rule 74, Sec. 1 of the Rules of
Court, the named heirs adjudicate unto themselves the
described real property in the manner set forth in the Deed
of Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate duly signed by the
parties, as acknowledged before Notary Public Atty. Mart
R. Rabelas, Jr., Doc. No. 521, Page No. 125, Book No.
XXV, Series of 2013.
BIKOL REPORtER
Published: August 18, 25 and Sept. 1, 2013
Romeo: O, be some other name! Whats in a name? That which
we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.
In similar fashion, albeit less poetic, whats in a name? That
which we call pork by any other name would stink, such as what is
stated in the budget bill of Malacaang, to wit: budgetary support,
intelligence, special purpose fund and unprogrammed funds, not
to mention Noynoy more than P2-billion funds in his presidential
social fund, all of which hardly undergo audit, plus the fact that
these are all in lump sums and projects are not identifed at all.
Even more telling and smelling of presidential pork is the fact
that at least P1 trillion out of the 2.3 or so trillion, the budgeted
pork is all hidden in the national budget and is at the sole disposal
of Noynoy as these funds can only be released with the approval
of Noynoy.
As explained by Briones and opposition legislators, the
National Expenditure Program shows that Noynoy has sole
discretion over P1 trillion in the budget that includes budgetary
support to government corporations, P45.7 billion; Allocation to
local government units P19.7 billion; Calamity Fund, P7.5 billion;
Contingent Fund, P1 billion; Department of Education School
Building Program, P1 billion; e-Government Fund, P2.479 billion;
International Commitments P4.8 billion; Miscellaneous Personnel
Benefts Fund, P80.7 billion; Pension and Gratuity Fund, P120.5
billion.
Under the unprogrammed funds, Briones said, several
budgetary support funds were earmarked to agencies that also
did not have details as to where the money will be spent.
And yet Noynoy and his aides claim to be honest and
transparent?
The unprogrammed fund includes budgetary support to
government-owned and -controlled corporations at P36.268
million; Support to Foreign Assisted Projects, P16.124 billion;
General Fund Adjustments, P1 billion; Support for Infrastructure
Projects and Social Programs, P56.349 billion; AFP Modernization
Program, P10.349 billion; Debt Management Program, P10.894
billion; Risk Management Program, P30 billion and Peoples
Survival Fund at P500 million or a total of P139.904 billion.
That still does not smell and stink like presidential pork, Abigail
Valte?
Strictly speaking, the pork barrel of each of the members
of Congress, whether in the Senate or in the House of
Representatives, is released, if it is not wihdrawn, by the
Budget secretary, not to congressmen and senators, but to the
local government units that in turn, give the funds to the non-
government organization (NGO) that now takes charge of the
project as identifed by the legislators.
Strictly speaking, no pork funds go directly to the legislators.
Not even the pork is at the sole disposal of the legislators, because
it is Noynoy and his Budget secretary who make the decision on
whether to grant or withhold the legislators PDAF, or pork. No
release from the Executive, no pork funds.
The numerous cases of big-time graft attributed to
government men and their powerful protectors are manifestation
of a people transformed into despecable individuals. The
transformation is slow but sure.
The Daan Matuwid campaign of the Aquino government
points to the social disease as the most malignant. The
presidential attention gives a clear picture of how serious is the
problem. No less than the chief executive has taken a hand.
Unless something drastic is done, efforts to rid the
government of crooks, will amount to nothing. Corruption is
in our blood and embedded in our soul. It has been there for
decades.
What we need is one who knows exorcism. Or one who has
the guts. Once you start stepping on the toes of the powerful,
you are a dead man walking.
In my years as a crusading journalist, I learned that fghting
the windmills of corruption was a risky business. It still is.
Many journalists have been murdered. In many instances,
the perpetrators and their masterminds have not been brought
to justice. This has resulted in a culture of impunity.
Today, whistle blowers have gained very few supporters
despite their heroic acts. Their lives are in great peril. The
government offers little protection.
When you expose big-time crooks, you face terrible
consequence. You do it for the country. What does the country
do for you except to put you in a safehouse.
After the accused is convicted and you are no longer in a
safehouse our nightmare begins. If you are not gunned down
you will fnd yourself in jail.
All because the grafters do not want their misdeeds exposed.
The bad news is that the crooks are getting numerous.-
Albay Gov. Joey Salceda,
who chairs the Regional De-
velopment Council, over the
week said Edna Rodriguez-
Gaon, the social development
specialist of the Public-Private
Partnership Center of the Phil-
ippines, will be in Bicol area
between Aug. 27 and 30 to
gather data required for the
feasibility assessment of the
project.
The PPP Center, through
its director Feriosa Francisca
Concordia, is seeking help
from the RDC over this mat-
ter by way of allowing Gaon
to have access to related infor-
mation and data that the coun-
cil has.
We are very much willing
to be of help, Salceda said.
It is the PPP Center that
engaged Canadas CPCS
Transcom Ltd. to provide con-
sulting services for the rail-
way project, which has been
tagged among the ambitious
PPP proposals of the govern-
ment under the administration
of Pres. Benigno Aquino III.
This is a proposed $ 2.5-
billion PPP project that is
meant to further develop and
upgrade Luzons railway sys-
tem, whose largest operator is
the state-run Philippine Na-
tional Railways, Salceda said.
As learned from the PPP
Center, he said, the feasibil-
ity -- study to cover the entire
PNRs north and south main-
line networks of 700 kilome-
ters -- is expected to be com-
pleted by December, this year.
This includes the main-
line north from Manila to La
Union, covering a distance of
217 kilometers, as well as a
branch line from Tarlac to San
Jose, Nueva Ecija, and a pos-
sible extension to Cagayan.
The mainline south refers to
the branch line from Calamba
City to Batangas City and the
483- kilometer Manila-Legaz-
pi route, the center said.
The feasibility study for
the proposed PNR Integrated
Luzon Railway project is
meant to rehabilitate and ex-
pand Luzons train system
when proven to be feasible
in reviving freight operations
and in providing a convenient,
affordable and environment-
friendly alternative transpor-
tation for people and their
goods, it added.
This will come even as the
rehabilitation of the south rail
track is currently on its fnish-
ing touches, making PNR con-
fdent that it can resume train
trips between here and Manila
soon.
A recent test run on the
Naga-Legazpi route proved
successful and PNR general-
manager Junio Ragrario said
in a recent statement that con-
struction crews are fast track-
ing the works so that south-
bound trips ending here are
resumed by next month.
Apart from the Legazpi-
Manila operations, Ragrario
said the PNR is considering
the felding of train trips be-
tween Naga and this city for
the beneft of the burgeoning
volume of local commuters
being generated by the fast-
growing trade, commerce and
tourism relations between
these two cities of Bicol.
We are felding two ordi-
nary three-coach trains each
with a seating capacity of 240
and well-ventilated seats de-
signed for comfortable trav-
el, he said.
The recent test run, he said,
established that a one-way
train trip between Naga and
Legazpi takes one and half
hour, which is more than an
hour faster than an ordinary
bus plying the same route
through the Maharlika High-
way.
Besides, according to Ra-
grario, local ordinary train
trips will charge only P 82 in
fare for a complete trip, which
is cheaper by about P 50 than
bus fares.
We are doing all these
pursuant to the governments
commitment to the total reha-
bilitation of the railways and
provision of safe, cheaper and
convenient alternative to the
riding public, he stressed.
Rehabilitation of the PNR
south facilities from Calamba,
Laguna, to this city covering
a distance of 483 kilometers,
which was allotted an amount
of P 35.15 billion, was started
in 2005 and is scheduled for
completion by 2011.
The project, however, suf-
fered a major setback when
super typhoons Milenyo
and Reming successively
battered Bicol in 2006, render-
ing crippling damages on the
railways between Naga City
and here.
Plans then to restore the
Legazpi trips were shelved
even as the Naga City-Manila
trips were maintained inter-
mittently.
In 2011, the Aquino ad-
ministration pushed for the re-
sumption of the rehabilitation
of the damaged Bicol section
of the railways, which eventu-
ally was completed up to Li-
gao City, Albay, a year after.
Manila-Ligao trips were re-
stored in early December last
year with Salceda expressing
optimism that rehabilitation
works for the railway line
down to this city will be com-
pleted at once so that trains
would be once more seen
traversing its original route
deep into the central point of
Albay.
Train trips, famously called
Bicol Express, have been an
important component of the
regional economy because of
its contributions to trade, tour-
ism and transportation, Sal-
ceda noted.
The governor said that
with the imminent restoration
of train trips to Legazpi, trade
activities would greatly im-
prove as products from Albay
and manufacturers from Cala-
barzon and Manila will use the
railways, thus, this will result
in cheaper products, freight
cost and fast travel time.
For tourism, Bicol Ex-
press also offers a different
and distinctive perspective
of the countryside to tourists,
both domestic and foreign, as
communities to be involved
in setting their own goals and
expectations for a given f-
nancial period while it gives
them ownership of the deci-
sions, motivating them to
meet budgetary constraints
that otherwise might seem
unattainable or unrealistic if
they were delivered by some-
one without as much under-
standing of their day-to-day
operations.
Maceda furthered that
along with this increased par-
ticipation, bottom-up budget-
ing creates a more accurate
picture of how much each
department needs in order to
function effectively.
Bottom-up budgeting
approach is guided by thee
principles: convergence, par-
ticipation, and empowerment,
that is why, you would notice
the DILG and DTI are work-
ing here in this undertaking,
Maceda noted.
it gives unrestricted view of
Mayon Volcano surrounded
by the greenery of Bicol farm-
lands, he said.
With Bicol Express, pas-
sengers have all travel op-
tions... rail, road or air options
between Albay and Manila
and the rest of Luzon, Salce-
da added. -Danny O. Calleja
bikol reporter 7
august 25-31, 2013
students and teachers, heeded
the call of the Archbishop and
gathered at the Plaza Quezon
amidst the pouring rain to at-
tend the peaceful assembly.
In a fused sentiment, the Co-
alition for Bicol Development,
CamSur Net, COPE Founda-
tion, Volunteers Against Crime
and Corruption (VACC), Scrap
the Pork Movement, Robredo
Movement and other groups
expressed their gripe by show-
ing off placards calling for the
abolition of PDAF.
During the prayer vigil, the
CBCP Statement and the Pas-
toral letter were read by heads
of various organizations and
later explained by Archbishop
Tirona. Candles were lighted
and after the fnal prayer and
blessing of the Archbishop,
Bayan Ko was sang by the
participants. The protesters
ended the activity by singing
Resuene Vibrante hymn as
Inas image exited the prayer
site.
The Himno a la Nues-
tra Seora de Peafrancia or
Resuene Vibrante as Bicola-
nos call it is the offcial hymn
of the devotees to our Lady of
Nuestra Seora de Peafran-
cia.
In the morning, Bayan
archdiocese of caceres . . .
Muna also led members of the
militant groups in response to
an FB call to gather at the Plaza
Rizal and denounce the use of
the port barrel. The informal
gathering dubbed as Scrap the
Pork Barrel movement was
participated by people from
all walks of life who signifed
their presence by signing on the
commitment wall and counting
their names on the signature
campaign to totally scrap the
pork barrel in the country.
Meanwhile, the Palace also
reiterated that they are on the
peoples side on scrapping the
pork barrel after President Be-
nigno Aquino III unceremo-
niously abolished the PDAF,
Friday.
Despite the reforms we
have implemented, we have
seen, as the events of the past
weeks have shown, that great-
er change is necessary to fght
against those who are deter-
mined to abuse the system. It
is time to abolish PDAF. Now,
we will create a new mecha-
nism to address the needs of
your constituents and sectors,
in a manner that is transpar-
ent, methodical and rational,
and not susceptible to abuse
or corruption, the President
stated.
still depend on the outcome
of the Sept. 14 referendum
to determine whether the
Aleco member-consumers
will choose the private-sec-
tor-partnership (PSP) option
or the coop-to-coop (C2C)
scheme, Boral said.
The boards letter was sent
to SMEC for its information
and conformation only, she
clarifed.
Last Aug. 7, the Aleco bids
and awards committee con-
ducted bidding at the Venezia
Hotel for the cooperatives
management and operation
but only the SMEC joined it.
The Manila Electric Co.,
Aboitiz Power and Renew-
able Energy Corp. and Lopez
group of companies, which
had earlier signifed inten-
tion to join, backed out of the
bidding as they did not agree
with the terms of reference.
SMEC agreed to shoul-
der the P4-billion total debts
of Aleco to several entities
that include the Philippine
Electricity Market Corp., P
1.4 billion; Power Sector As-
sets and Liabilities Manage-
aleco . . .
ment Corp., P 2.0 billion;
Transmission Corp. of the
Philippines, P 104.6 million;
National Grid Corp. of the
Philippines, P 55.8 million;
and National Electrifcation
Administration, P 200.6 mil-
lion.
The privatization scheme
for the power coop here was
strongly opposed by a multi-
sectoral alliance and leftist
groups as they are pushing
for a C2C management but
the Aleco interim board is
supporting the PSP option.
The PSP scheme is also
supported by Albay Gov-
ernor Joey Salceda, Albay
representatives Grecon Lag-
man (1st District), Al Fran-
cis Bichara (2nd District),
Fernando Gonzalez (3rd Dis-
trict) and Ako Bicol paty-list
congressmen Rodel Batocabe
and Christopher Co.
Whichever option wins in
the Sept. 14 referendum will
be adopted by the Aleco.
Lawyer Veronica Briones,
Aleco project supervisor, said
the selection process will be
administered by PhilRica and
One Care.
No background was given
on the two entities. -PNA
The trainings intend to
promote (of) gender sen-
sitivity and responsiveness
in the four (4) municipali-
ties wherein the GAD Fo-
cal Group of the provincial
government tapped the full
support and participation of
active womens organiza-
tions such as the Kalipunan
ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI)
in coordination with the local
government units (LGUs) in
the identifed communities.
With funding support
from the Philippine Com-
mission on Women (PCW)
and Great Women Project
(GWP) matched with coun-
terpart resources provided
by the provincial govern-
ment, it is hoped that at the
end of a days training, the
participants have been able
to understand the meanings
and differences between sex
and gender, and the concepts
of gender and development;
identify the manifestations of
gender biases in their family,
work, and community envi-
ronment and be able to identi-
fy their roots; and appreciate
the successes and the roots of
successes that women have
attained in efforts to gain ac-
cess to resource, to manage
and control such resources,
individually or collectively.
Thus, it is expected that
the full understanding of the
various concepts concerning
gender and development will
lay the foundation for wom-
en economic empowerment
(WEE) with the end goal of
making the women a viable
and productive sector in de-
veloping and evolving com-
munities. -JMTS
gender sensitivity . . .
67TH ANNIVERSARY SCOUTS JAMBORETTE
GBC/ARCILLA/MMEC
the spirit of the centuries-old worldwide scouting movement is very much alive and going strong
in the province of CamSur as shown by the hundreds of Boy Scouts from all over the province
who converge during the jamborette held to mark the 67th Anniversary of the BSP CamSur
Council last thursday, July 15 at Camp Rodriguez-Santos in barangays Cadlan and Palestina of
Pili capital town where Governor Migz villafuerte, the youngest elected governor of the country
and just a tad older than most of the attending scouts, was guest of honor, represented during
the activity by former National youth Commission director Apolonio Pol B. Maleniza II (inset).
hood or productivity project
that is suited to the economic
viability of their respective
communities. This should
also signifcantly include the
community members as re-
cipients and benefciaries of
whatever project they intend
to push for implementation.
The programs objective is
also in consonance with GKs
mission to restore the honor
and dignity of the people,
particularly of the poor by
providing them with a safe
and decent haven, in a com-
munity nurtured by the cul-
ture of sharing and giving. It
endeavors to build communi-
ties and end poverty of the
camsur hosts ist bicol . . .
5million families by 2024,
give land to the landless, pro-
vide home for the homeless
and food for the hungry.
GK offcially known as
Gawad Kalinga Community
Development Foundation is a
Philippine-based poverty al-
leviation and nation-building
movement that envisions to
empower people with faith
and patriotism and pictures a
nation of caring and sharing
communities. It was founded
by Antonio Meloto or Tito
Tony who believes that be-
ing heroes to one another
through bayanihan will help
us realize a slum-free, word
class Philippines.
world including New York,
Chicago, New Zealand, Sen-
egal, and South Korea.
The program is support-
ed by the Spanish Agency
for International Develop-
ment Cooperation (AECID)
through Asociacion Zabalke-
ta, a Spain based NGO.
Over the past years, AE-
CID has been supporting
projects that would strength-
en democracy and its institu-
tions in the Philippines.
On the same event, Globe
Telecom Inc. distributed
communication equipment
and insurance to the baran-
gays as part of its program
to strengthen local govern-
ments Sagot Ka ni Kap!.
Sagot Ka Ni Kap! is
part of Globe BridgeComs
nationwide initiative to help
communities prevent crime
in their areas by providing
communication and relevant
law enforcement equipment
including mobile phones and
gubat, pcced launch . . .
SIMs, hand-held radios, uni-
form shirts, tear gas, boots,
fashlights, raincoats, and
handcuffs to the local com-
munity police auxiliary units
or barangay tanods.
PCCED and Globe Bridg-
ing Communities have part-
nered for Barangay Rule of
Law Program and Project
Citizen.
The Barangay Rule of
Law Program of PCCED
is anchored on the belief
that the barangay, the basic
political component in the
country, should function as
a school for citizenship in-
corporating democratic val-
ues, skills, habits and dispo-
sitions as they perform their
task as peacekeepers of the
community.
Project Citizen teaches
young people how democ-
racy actually works by train-
ing high school students in
seeking public policy inter-
ventions to solve community
problems. It is an interna-
tional program for increas-
ing the democratic participa-
tion, political effcacy, and
civic engagement levels of
students at the middle and
high school levels. -PIA5
bikol reporter 8
august 25-31, 2013
24K PAWNSHOP
General Luna St., Naga City
AUCTION SALE on JuNE 14, 2013 of all
unredeemed articles pledged from NOvEMBER-
DECEMBER 2012 at 8:30 a.m.
BIKOL REPORtER
Published: JuNE 2, 2013
R. GUINHAWA PAWNSHOP
General Luna St., Naga City
AUCTION SALE on JuNE 28, 2013 of all
unredeemed articles pledged from NOvEMBER -
DECEMBER 2012 at 8:30 a.m.
BIKOL REPORtER
Published: JuNE 2, 2013
BIKOL REPORTER
REgIOnaL ExPOnEnT fOR PROgREss
outstanding local newspaper
for five consecutive years by the st. peter
baptist catholic mass media awards
8 august 25-31, 2013
DENR launches cadastral
survey project in Catduanes
By EDNA A. BAGADIONG
VIRAC, Catanduanes
--Department of Envi-
ronment and Natural
Resources (DENR) here
launched the frst Ca-
dastral Survey Project
in the province last Au-
gust 14, in Baras town
as one of the agencys
banner program under
the the National Green-
ing Program.
Regional technical direc-
tor for Land Management
Services Pedro Noble said the
survey will serve as the mu-
nicipalitys basis in the settle-
ment of land disputes, titling
of private lots, and fnalization
of political boundaries.
According to Noble, the
municipal government can
expect his full support as it
will beneft not only the pri-
vate lot owners but as well
as the entire municipality of
Baras.
Meanwhile, PENRO Ed
Joaquin Guerrero said that he
is confdent that the project
will be successful with the
support of the towns offcials
and as well as their offce.
The Cadastral Survey
Project in the country started
in 1913, with the enactment
of Commonwealth Act No.
2259, otherwise known as the
Cadastral Act. But through
the years, the project has not
been given enough resources
for its implementation.
In 1992, with the passage
of Republic Act No. 7160,
also known as the Local
Government Code of 1991,
the functions to conduct ca-
dastral survey, lot survey, and
isolated and special surveys
were among the functions of
the DENR that were devolved
to the local government units
(LGUs).
Ten years later, in 2012,
it was found out that not
a single municipality had
completed its cadastral
survey due to lack of man-
power and fnancial re-
sources.
This prompted the
DENR, through DENR
Administrative Order No.
2001-23, to get back from
the LGUs the devolved
functions to execute, su-
pervise and manage land
surveys.
P-Noy declares
Sept. 2 special
holiday in Albay
(See story on page 5)