By ANA-LIZA S. MACATANGAY
NAGA CITY – Local businessmen and small entrepreneurs lauded the Night Market Ordinance authored by City Councilor Maria Elizabeth Q. Lavadia when Sangguniang Panlunsod approved it on February 11, this year.
The Ordinance aims to give entrepreneurs a wide opportunity to expose their goods and sell their products to their target clienteles. It also aims to give small and medium enterprises a fair chance to have sufficient venues where they can have additional provision for earnings, just like Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) operating during regular hours in the morning.
Lavadia who is also the Committee on Market Affairs Chairman pushed for the said ordinance after learning that per records of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), MSMEs contributes almost 61 per cent of the total jobs generated by all types of business establishments in 2011.
“This figure translates to about Php 3,872,406 new employment opportunities created in 2011 as against 2,473,336 new jobs coming from big corporations during the same year. MSMEs also accounted for about 99 per cent of the registered businesses in the country,” Lavadia stated.
The Lady Councilor further said that the said figures are highly illustrative of the vital role of the MSMEs in the inclusive socio-economic development of our country.
“This opportunity is being taken advantage of the less privileged sector of our society, giving them a chance to contribute their skills while engaging their participation in the lively economic atmosphere of Naga City. This is a great news for our constituents,” Lavadia added.
The night market will commence at 7:00pm and will cease business transactions at 2:00am, giving market goers six (6) hours to buy their needed wares and goods.
The Ordinance includes provision on stall assignments and maximum area for occupancy. Occupants, who are just allowed to rent a maximum of five (5) square or 2.5x2.5 meter-stall, should be committed to sell their goods during all Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays within the period specified in the contract.
Designated initial area for selling is the General Luna street, starting from Corner Benito Commercial Building to Corner Eurotel Hotel, just across the Naga City People’s Mall in the downtown area of the city. The said street will be closed to traffic for the entire duration of the Night Market and on the stipulated days.
The ordinance further states that occupants can only install and display their goods and other market paraphernalia within their designated area. No goods shall be put in display along the streets, road right of ways and any government sites.
Lavadia believes that the establishment of Night market in Naga City will positively result to the generation of more employment for the poor and the needy.
Naga SP okays Night Market ordinance
DENR renews warning vs wood charcoal making
LEGAZPI CITY – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Bicol has warned anew the public not to engage in charcoal making out of wood and trading for which violate Presidential Decree No. 705 or the Forestry Reform Code of the Philippines.
DENR Bicol regional executive director Gilbert Gonzales said the DENR field offices in the region noted the rampant production of wood charcoal in some areas while many violators of PD 705 have been apprehended by his field personnel and cooperating law enforcers.
Under the decree, anybody caught cutting, gathering, collecting or removing wood from alienable or disposable lands or even private property without the necessary permit or authorization from concerned government entities will be imposed the penalty of qualified theft.
"Those who want to engage in charcoal making and transporting, he advised, may get a permit from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in their respective areas," he said.
The only charcoal material to be allowed is coconut shell which also abounds in the region. Gonzales added that anybody found in possession of the charcoal in sacks will be considered as the guilty person.
He also warned that wood charcoal traders will also face government sanctions if found transacting business.
All confiscated charcoal and the vehicle transporting it will be placed under government custody, undergo administrative confiscation proceedings and face a criminal case in the court.
Gonzales added that wood charcoal production is directly associated with deforestation because of the impression that much of the volume of charcoal used are still sourced from the forests. – MANNY P. SOLIS
Bicol LGUs assured of more funds
LEGAZPI CITY -- At least 79 of the 120 local government units (LGUs) in Bicol are assured of P45 million in extra funding for three years from the national government’s Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Process (GPBP), according to the regional office here of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The fund, which will come in the amount of P15 million yearly, will be used in GPBP-driven initiatives such as projects which include those on agri-livelihood, farm-to-market roads, irrigation and other agri-infra facilities.
Formerly known as the Bottom-Up Budgeting (BuB), GPBP, being applied by the administration of President Benigno Aquino III, is a somewhat modern approach to planning in the use of government’s financial resources that is different from the usual top-down budgeting where the high level executives make all the decisions in fund dispensations.
It seeks to make the national budget more responsive to local needs, provide incentives for local good governance, strengthen the devolution of basic services delivery, create a conducive environment for people’s participation and generate demand for good governance at the local level.
This scheme also provides the opportunity for grantees to be involved in setting their own goals and expectations for a given financial period and gives them ownership of the decisions, motivating them to meet budgetary constraints that otherwise might seem unattainable or unrealistic if they were delivered by someone without as much understanding of their day-to-day operations.
The 79 Bicol LGUs that are considered early qualifiers to the fund are in the region’s six provinces — Albay, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon; six of the seven cities--Naga, Iriga, Legazpi, Tabaco, Ligao and Masbate; and 68 of the 105 municipalities.
Of these municipalities, Albay, Camarines Norte and Catanduanes have 11 each; Camarines Sur, 16; Masbate, 10; and Sorsogon, 9.
These LGUs automatically qualify to the GPBP for having met the requirements, such as being the recipient of DILG’s Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) and implementation of Public Financial Management Improvement Plan (PFMIP) as determined by the Department of Budget and Management, DILG Regional Director Eluisa Pastor on Tuesday said.
Introduced in 2012 by the late DILG secretary Jesse Robredo before his death in a plane accident in August of the same year, SGH is an award system to LGUs that will successfully meet the requirements of full disclosure policy, have exemplary standards of frontline services and procurement and proven to have no adverse or disclaimer audit findings by the Commission on Audit.
Starting this year, the DILG is scaling up the SGH into the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) to cover a much wider LGU performance such as good financial housekeeping, disaster preparedness, social protection for the basic sector, business friendliness and competitiveness, environmental compliance and law and order and public safety.
The Bicol list of early GPBP qualifiers is not final though, as further evaluations are undergoing for others that have not been included in the roster based on the SGH and PFMIP criteria may still be added when results become favorable to them.
The evaluations include the budgeting process and the selection of Local Poverty Reduction Action Teams consisting of both LGUs and civil society organizations and the updating and validation to form the basis for the Local Poverty Reduction Action Plans.
After the consolidated list of projects are validated and reviewed by the Regional Poverty Reduction Action Team through the DILG regional office, it will be submitted to the National Anti-Poverty Commission and the Regional Development Council for endorsement to the GPBP oversight agencies.
The list of approved projects will be downloaded to the respective Sangguniang Bayans for approval, as the LGU are required to provide counterpart funds, Pastor said. -- PNA
Bicol Media vows to uphold Journalist's Ethics Code
By SALLY A. ATENTO
LEGAZPI CITY – At least 80 media practitioners all over the Bicol region have committed to uphold the Journalist’s Code of Ethics in their respective professions and communities.
The commitment was made during the Seminar Workshop on Revisiting Ethical Standards for Mass Media organized by the Albay Press Core in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP), provincial government of Albay and Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Bicol regional office and Albay Information Center held February 22 at the Camp Simeon Ola here.
Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) online radio director and China Radio International correspondent Carmelo Acuña shared his significant experiences and insights on being a media practitioner as guest of honor and speaker “way back when mobile phones and emails were unheard of.”
“Nowadays, you have technology in your hands. However even without gadgets, as long as you are at the right place, at the right time and with the right questions, you can make news,” Acuña said.
He urged the participants to further learn and develop their skills and dedication to face and sustain the difficulties and challenges in the industry.
“Technology will always be changing but your skills and dedication will separate men from the boys. You can meet news personalities anywhere but if you are not prepared you will lose the opportunity,” he said.
Acuña added although speed comes with the recent technology used in gathering and dissemination of information, accuracy might be compromised.
Freedom of expression, use of latest technology, current practices, labor standards and economic conditions and well-being of media practitioners in the region are among the issues raised and discussed.
Acuña said although everyone has the freedom to express his opinion publicly it also comes with the responsibility to respect the rights and dignity of others citing the cybercrime law and the revised penal code of the Philippines which criminalizes libel and slander by act or deed.
“Freedom of expression is not absolute. It ends with the rights of others,” he stressed. “It’s how you say it that will save you from trouble. Be careful with the use of adjectives and play of words.
Know how to say things to be more effective because you might fail to convey the message. It’s not what you say but how you say it that matters,” Acuña further said.
In response to the need of giving due benefits and compensation of station managers and owners to their people, the participants urged their fellow journalists to organize as a group to help elevate their condition after retirement and to address unjust practices such as exploitation of the media which elicits perception of corruption.
“Station owners and managers have the responsibility to take care of their people,” he said.
PH sets new world record in organ donation pledges
By ANA-LIZA S. MACATANGAY
NAGA CITY - This city joined other participants in establishing a new world record in organ donation last month. Under the multiple site category, where Naga City was included, the total donors who signed up unofficially totaled to 17,856 again beating India’s record of 10,450 in an 8-hour time duration.
The donors trooped to the JMR Coliseum here on Friday, February 28 to land a place in the Guinness Book of World Record attempt for Most People to sign up as Organ Donors.
After registering an unofficial record of 3,548 for 30 minutes, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in Sta. Mesa, Manila on Friday now carries the new record for the most number of registrants for organ donors in an hour in a single venue, beating India’s 2,755 organ donor registrants recorded for an hour.
The activity started simultaneously from five (5) sites or locations. Here in Naga City, the venue was at the Jesse M. Robredo Coliseum; In Tuguegarao, at the Mamba Gym; at the Almendras Gym in Davao and two sites in Metro Manila: the Quezon City Memorial Circle and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
Other sites around the country who also joined in this attempt at the same time were La Union at the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center. Dr. Efren B. Nierva, Bicol Medical Center (BMC) Director and City Councilor David Casper Nathan Sergio, main proponent of the Organ for Life Ordinance of Naga City led the registrants during the fi rst hour attempt. It was followed by the City offi cials of Naga headed by Mayor John Bongat and the Staff and personnel of BMC headed by Dr. Freddie Sy, head of the Department of Surgery and Organ Procurement Office and Dr. Mary Jane Guazon-Uy, Chief of Medical and Professional Staff.
Naga City’s registrants during the first 20 minutes, was running more than a thousand when the computer and on screen projector bleeps and rendered a black wall. When it resumed, the number resumed to 0 and stared counting again, ending the registrants for the one hour at 725. The technical glitch was immediately documented for the Guinness’ comments.
Although saddened by the technical error, the event organizers which include the BMC, LGU Naga and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Camarines Sur Provincial and Regional Office, were happy to note that the actual and physical counting resulted to more than 2,000 unofficial registrants.
Guinness has yet to certify the registration forms’ validity and the new records set. “We are very happy with the turn out of the event as it reflects the people’s awareness on organ donation. What we just did is a noble act of leaving a legacy—extending a part of ourselves when we die, so that others may live,” Sergio stated.
ARBOs in Castilla town now has access to potable water, alternative cooking fuel
CASTILLA, SORSOGON – Sixty households in the village of Burabod in Castilla town now benefit from clean and safe water supply following the turn-over by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) of Water and Sanitation (WATSAN) facilities last month to the barangay.
DAR Sorsogon information officer Alura A. Jaso said the Burabod Farmers’ Association (BUFA) and Barangay Water System Association (BAWASA) acquired WATSAN facilities now serves 70 percent of 1,954 population in the said barangay.
“Barangay Burabod is a recognized Agrarian Reform Community (ARC) of DAR which has inadequate supply of potable water. Upon learning the dilemma of the community, DAR offered Community-managed Potable Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (CPWASH) project,” said Jaso.
CPWASH project is a low-cost technology where water from elevated streams and springs passes through pipes and concrete water tank equipped with iron removal and bio sand filters to ensure constant flow of clean and potable water.
“This is very timely for the upcoming summer when everybody will need to quench their thirst. Now, we are sure of safe fresh clean water,” said Ian Leona, the municipal administrative officer who represented Mayor Olivia Bermillo during the turn over rites.
According to Leona, not all of the 34 barangays in Castilla are enjoying potable water.
“Inspired by this project, we will lobby in the local government of Castilla to allocate fund for the establishment of similar projects in other barangays,” he added.
To assure residents that the water is safe for drinking, punong barangay Amado Mirandilla, Jr. and Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Felix E. Fruto tested it by drinking the water coming from the WATSAN facilities.
Along with the potable water supply, the ARC also received Biogas Wastewater Treatment System. This is the use of anaerobic sealed chamber that serves as a primary settling tank, with relatively fast passage of the liquid effluent through the chamber and digestion of much of the settled sludge by anaerobic bacteria.
“It is like a septic tank but its sealed nature allows all of the mixture of methane and carbon dioxide to release from anaerobic digestion which is then captured and used. The ARC uses the swine dung as a source of anaerobic bacteria,” said Mrs. Jaso.
“The project is truly great and beneficial because we can save P12,000.00 a year from buying liquefied petroleum gas. This project would replace the use of wood charcoal in cooking particularly that the use of wood charcoal is being regulated by the government,” said Burabod Brgy. Chairman Mirandilla.
“Also, with biogas, there will be no more stinking messes in piggery because the wastes are sealed in a tank. This would likewise support the campaign for environmental protection of President Benigno Aquino III,” he added.
Officers of BUFA and BAWASA expressed their gratitude by signing the Statement of Commitment.
“DAR is just a facilitator here. Our main objective is in land acquisition and distribution (LAD). Any project is possible with the cooperation of everyone. Own this project and take good care of it for the use of the next generation,” said PARPO Fruto to the members of ARBOs.
He likewise thanked the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) implementing agencies and the Philippine Army for the direct contribution they shared especially in the construction of biogas. (MAL/BAR-PIA5/Sorsogon)
Source: Philippine Information Agency (Bicol)
DOLE, DOST Bicol to implement livelihood project worth P7.3M for Project RAY
LEGAZPI CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional office here has allocated some P7.3 million to fund 12 livelihood projects in Bicol six provinces under the Reconstruction Assistance on Yolanda (RAY) program up for implementation within the first quarter of this year.
Project RAY is a national government effort as a convergence program which implementation is led by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) with close coordination with other national government agencies and local governments.
In Bicol, DOLE and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will pursue special convergence program under Project RAY to create sustainable livelihood for the survivors of typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas region.
DOLE Bicol regional director Nathaniel V. Lacambra said the implementing agencies will employ strategy utilizing the livelihood funds from DOLE and apply the recent existing and available technology for the specific livelihood project in the region in order to increase and simplify production of goods and products.
“Any project developed and proven successful under this program, in any region nationwide, will be duplicated in areas heavily hit by typhoon Yolanda to form part of the livelihood restoration program code named Project RAY,” Lacambra explained.
“The concept is more of an “incubation center”. We implement the projects here in Bicol, use existing technology and resources, make them work then deliver it to Yolanda survivors for their use,” he added.
DOLE and DOST Bicol regional office has identified projects including charcoal briquetting and fish processing for Masbate with P1.6M funding; molasses and citronella processing and production project and fish and food processing for Camarines Sur with P2M funding; handicraft making and shell craft processing for Sorsogon with P1.5M funding; Crab fattening, muscovado processing and handicraft production for Catanduanes with P0.8M funding; upgrading of food processing and citronella oil production for Camarines Norte with P1.25 M funding; and karagumoy processing in Albay with P1M funding.
Lacambra expressed optimism that the special convergence in Bicol under Project RAY will not only help survivors of typhoon Yolanda but will also bolster the development of the region, particularly in the manufacturing sector.
Project RAY, Lacambra noted, will most probably become the benchmark of livelihood restoration projects in areas hardly hit by calamities worldwide.
“If you would note the details of the projects listed, you could see that all raw materials are very common in Tacloban, making which feasible to duplicate such projects there.” Lacambra added.
DOLE Bicol has initially conducted Regional Livelihood and Employment Strategic and Planning Workshop on February 27-28 at the Camarines Sur Water Sports Complex (CWC) participated in by DOLE provincial heads, livelihood focal persons and employment unit of TSSD and selected personnel of the IMSD. (MAL-PIA5/Albay)
Source: Philippine Information Agency (Bicol)