Salceda reiterates need for Pagasa modernization
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY -- Albay Gov. Joey Salceda reiterated his call for the modernization of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) and the institutionalization of disaster management operations in the whole country to prevent onslaughts of catastrophes during typhoons.
Salceda said that as Super Typhoon Pepeng (PARMA) lingers on Bicol provinces and nearby areas with sustained winds of 195 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph, the apparent lack of warning instruments of the government weather agency and an institutionalized disaster management program of local disaster councils would be the major cause of deaths and destruction of infrastructure wrought by storms every time it hits the country.
In his analysis on how disaster authorities cope with Tropical storm 'Ondoy' (International name Ketsana), Salceda, said the crux of over 200 deaths and people in various parts of Metro Manila and neighboring regions is failure in warning.
The pagasa has no Doppler radar to forecast short-run rainfall content of incoming typhoons or other weather disturbances.
Salceda exposed earlier that the agency is using manual rain gauges that capture data too late and the access of disaster authorities to the system is not direct and not on real time, the governor pointed out.
As a top administration economic adviser, Salceda, is also a climate change advocate and is known worldwide for his “pre-emptive” evacuation procedures in times of calamities.
He deplored that with the currect setup, typhoon warnings are limited only to wind – no flood warning or landslide warning system to activate evacuation.
Salceda said “with no, little or late warning and no institutionalized disaster management system, the National Capital Region (NCR) and other regions were caught flat-footed at the sudden on-set of the flood.”
“They failed to issue advisories on what to do, no evacuation order was issued prior to the flood event, and these advisories must be scientifically done,” he said.
For this reasons, Salceda recommended that the weather agency should expedite acquisition of Doppler radars, develop a flood warning system to activate evacuation procedures by disaster authorities.
He also urged local disaster councils to institutionalize disaster preparedness at the local governments level.
He also highly recommended the implementation of a pre-emptive evacuation procedures to prevent further the loss of lives. “Rescue is not needed if people are already evacuated,” he pointed out.
Dam water discharge warning should also be integrated into Pagasa warning and forecast.
He also urged representatives of the Lower House to immediately pass its version of the proposed Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) bill to institutionalize DRR in the regional, provincial and local levels. The Senate version has already been approved, Salceda said.
The Philippines should start to adapt measures to the escalating impacts of climate change as manifested by recent extreme weather events, he said.
Albay was able to attain zero-casualty because of the above strategies and therefore the rest of the country and the world, for that matter, can. (RMN)
Quake surges rock Mayon anew
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY – Mayon Volcano’s restive activity caught new attention even as disaster authorities are busy manning residents for their safety against super typhoon ‘Pepeng’.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) had reported Friday morning that at least 35 volcanic earthquakes jolted Mayon Volcano on Thursday, the highest recorded seismic event since July when the volcano showed intense signs of restiveness.
The surge started as the month of October entered with 14 volcanic quakes on Wednesday observation up to Thursday this week while only one was recorded on Tuesday.
Dr. Eduardo Laguerta, Phivolcs resident volcanologist said the agency seismic networks has recorded a total of 82 earthquakes that rocked the volcano since Sept. 27.
Scientists monitoring the volcano still do not discount the possibility of explosive eruption because of the fluctuating seismic precursors such as quakes, ground swelling and gas emissions that indicate the dangers.
Phivolcs Friday’s advisory said high and low frequency harmonic quakes were detected by seismic instruments signifying that magma intrusion is developing in the volcano’s crater vent
Sulfur Dioxide disgorge from Mt Mayon indicated a fluctuating trend ranging from 392 tons per day to 445 tons per day for the past three days. No reading was recorded yesterday because of bad weather.
Laguerta said the fluctuating rates of gas emission is indicative that magma is building up to the crater in preparation for an imminent eruption.
Laguerta said the agency is still assessing the abnormal state of the volcano based on given parameters like ground deformation, volcanic quakes and gas emission, and crater glow.
Precise Leveling result indicate a 6.0 mm swelling on the volcano edifice was noted bulging at the Buang while Lidong lines posted a 1.0 mm inflation.
The volcano’s crater glow was obscured by the prevailing bad weather in Albay
Alert level 2 remains hoisted over Mayon volcano, Phivolcs strongly recommend that the 6-km Permanent Danger Zone including the 7-km extended danger zones should be off limits to any human activity due to threat from sudden explosions and rockfalls from the upper slopes of the volcano.
Lahar flows were also warned against the residents living along river channels, gullies and the low lying areas. (RMN)
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Albay ready to evacuate close to 1 million residents
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY – The province of Albay is preparing all resources as some 884,041 Albayanos will be evacuated to safer grounds in case Super Typhoon (pepeng ba or Peping?) changes course to directly hit the province, Albay Governor Joey Salceda said at a press conference here this morning.
The reiteration of the zero casualty measures has been aired by Salceda “Is aimed at reminding all concerned disaster coordinating councils (DCCs) to implement response preparedness in their respective area of responsibility and to prepare their consitituents for the next typhoon (Pepeng),” Salceda said at the press conference.
Response preparedness, among others, prepositioning of response assets, stock piling of foods and non-food items (NFI), identification of evacuation centers and the implementation of ‘pre-emptive evuation.’
Salceda also thanked the Albay media for its expertise that blend with the overall disaster risk reduction strategy of the province in terms of reporting, proper analysis and prompt cascading of information to the residents at the shortest possible time.
He also called for an Executive Meeting with the members of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) to discuss the possible impact of approaching typhoon Pepeng.
Salceda called all municipal, barangay officials as well as private organization to review, if necessary their evacuation plans.
Salceda explained that the pre-emptive evacuation of Albay shall only start if the typhoon is at least as strong as 120 kilometers per hour and if the province is identified by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administrator (Pagasa) as direct hit of the path.
“It is our strict policy to implement pre-emptive measure during calamity to ensure the safety of the people,” the governor said.
“For this Pepeng which is now a ximum sustained winds of 175 kph and whose gustiness of 210 kph, that is more than enough to order pre-emptive evacuation however, the issue here is still wheter it will hit albay or not, so the two parameters are needed: the wind speed and the direction, or if Albay is already under signal number 2, and that is the time for the evacuation,” Salceda explained.
Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office director Cedric Daep said that the Pagasa weather bulletin as of 11 am today.
Daep explained that the current direction does not directly hit Albay but in case it changes to downward direction and threatens Albay, it might severely affect the province. “So we are preparing for storm surges, wind strength, possible landslides, heavy rains and lahar flash floods.”
Daep assured that the 24 rain gauges across the province have already been activated to monitor the rain density and the APSEMO has given lead time of only 2 hours for the relay of information to the residents and the respective DCCs.
The preparation, just in case Peping threatens Albay, would be the same as the scenario for past typhoons such as Reming and Rosing, according to Daep.
“What we are anticipating is the heavy rains brought by typhoon because our focus would be in the highly risk areas,” the governor added.
While the provincial disaster management team of Albay is in the process of preparation for the possible impact of approaching typhoon Pepeng, the provincial government was able to deployed water and emergency paramedics teams in Metro Manila as part of the Ondoy Mission.
“We already deployed our teams to help Ondoy’s victims in major areas in metro Manila,” Salceda said.
Pagasa’s 11 am bulletin showed that Pepeng is 520 kms East of Borongan, Eastern Samar, with coordinates 12.0°north , 130.7° east.
Peping Maximum sustained winds of 175 kph near center and gustiness of up to 210 kph. It is moving West Northwest at 24 kph.
Its forecast position, according to Pagasa by Friday morning is: 220 kms East of Virac, Catanduanes
Saturday morning: 80 kms East of Casiguran, Aurora or 160 kms Southeast of Tuguegarao City
Sunday morning: 60 kms Northwest of Laoag City.
The provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes (all in Bicol) are now under signal number 1 which means it is already experiencing winds of 30 to 60 kph.
Residents in low lying areas and near mountain slopes under signal #1 are advised to take all the necessary precautionary measures against possible flashfloods and landslides.
Pagasa said the public and the disaster coordinating councils concerned are advised to take appropriate actions and watch for the next bulletin to be issued at 5 pm today.
Arroyo visits Albay's vital projects
By Rey M. Nasol
CAMALIG, Albay -- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has slated a visit here and two other sites in Albay province for inaugural rites for various government projects, including housing, water system, sea wall and coastal road network, as the province rouses Albay into centerstage of development from both ends.
President Arroyo was met upon her arrival at the Legazpi City airport by Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, Mayor Noel Rosal, Cong. Al Francis Bichara of Albay’s second congressional district, Presidential Assistant for Bicol Tomasito Monzon, 9th ID commander Maj. Gen. Ruperto Pabustan, and PNP Bicol Regional Director, Police Chief Supt. Ruben Padua.
The President then proceeded to Polangui town to lead the ground breaking and capsule laying ceremony of the rehabilitation of the Polangui Water System in barangay Napo.
The President was assisted by Gov. Salceda, LWUA administrator Prospero Pichay Cong. Reno Lim of Albay’s third congressional district, and Polangui Mayor Jesus Salceda, during the groundbreaking.
The rehabilitation of the Polangui Water System will entail a cost of P140,710,000. P12.5 million is pure grant; P12.5 million loan without interest while the remaining balance of P115,710,000 will be paid at an interest rate of 9.2-10 percent per year. The Local Water Utilities Adminstration (LWUA) shall be the source of fund to be granted to the Polangui Water District which is the implementing agency.
“The need for sufficient supply of potable water was felt as soon as this town soared into progress that business establishments are on the rise here such as fast food chains, offices, and the upcoming Land Bank’s full branch here to cater for the nearby towns of the third district of Albay,” Albay Gov. Joey Salceda explained.
Rehabilitation works will include the setting-up of two separate systems. System 1 will cover the upper barangays of Balinad, Napo, Ponso, Alnay, Mendez and Magurang. System 2, on the other hand, will cover the lower barangays of Centro Oriental, Centro Occidental, Ubaliw, Basud, Gabon, Alomon, Kinale and Balangibang.
Scope of works will include; rehabilitation of two existing reservoirs; installation of a 24,148 linear meters of pipelines; power line extension; installation of 5,000 service connections; provision of a treatment facility; improvement of the existing Higiba spring intake; and construction of a pumping station.
From Polangui, Arroyo led the turn-over of Certificates of Ownership to 240 families displaced by typhoon Reming in 2006 as part of the CORE Shelter ‘30,000th’ milestone at a resettlement site in barangay Tagaytay, of this town.
The President was assisted by Sec. Esperanza Cabral of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Cong. Bichara and Camalig Mayor Carlos Baldo during the turn-over ceremony.
The Tagaytay Resettlement site is home to some 840 displaced families from the 16 barangays of the municipality located within the high-risk areas and the 6-kilometer Permanent Danger Zones (PDZ) near Mayon Volcano namely, barangays Anoling, Ilawod, Bariw, Cabanagan, Gapo, Ligban, Libod, Quirangay, Salugan, Sua, Tagaytay, Tinago, Tumpa and Barangays 1, 2, 3 and 4.
A total of 840 housing units – each built on 80 square meter lots – are spread over 145,185 square meter area of the resettlement site purchased by the Municipality Government of Camalig and developed by the National Housing Authority (NHA).
These housing units are the results of government and private sector collaboration as funds poured in from the DSWD-CSAP (114 units); DSWD-Habitat for Humanity, Philippines (136 units); Italian Cooperation, Philippines (115 units); International Organization for Migration (350 units) and Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri thorugh the OCD (125 units).
To conclude her provincial sorties, the President inaugurated the seawall project (phase I and II) in Barangay Puro in Legazpi City.
Upon arrival at the site, the President, together with Gov. Salceda, Mayor Rosal, Cong. Bichara and Sec. Hermogenes Ebdane of the Department of Public Works and Higways (DPWH), boarded an open-top vehicle for the inaugural drive thru along the coastal road network.
The Puro Seawall Phase I and II project was implemented by the DPWH with the Sunwest Construction and Development Corporation, as the contractor.
The project covers the construction of 360 linear meters of seawall and a corresponding 360 linear meters of road to include a walkway and jogging cum bicycle lane in the total amount of P70 million.
The coastal road network, which stretches some 4.095 kilometers, is envisioned to be the “Roxas Boulevard” of Legazpi City.
Several projects are simultaneously undertaken with the road project that once completed it will serve as an alternate route to decongest traffic in the city’s business center, provide commuters safe access and easy transport of agricultural and marine products, and develop tourism potentials in the area.
Albay Gov seeks P86 billion moratorium for GSIS, SSS membersBy Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY – President Gloria Arroyo’s top economic adviser Tuesday proposed a one-year moratorium for repayment of Government Services Insurance System (GSIS) and the Social Security Service to offset sufferings among the victims of devastating ‘Ondoy’ floods in Metro Manila and across the 27 other provinces of the Luzon Island.
The same strategy had eased the burden of coping up with the brunt from series of super typhoons that brought Bicolanos down to the ground and even killed thousands, thus survivors were supposedly haunted with extreme difficulty paying their loans.
A one-year loan repayment moratorium for GSIS and SSS members to provide widespread relief is necessary for Metro Manila especially that the population is composed of working class, according to Albay gov. Joey Salceda.
“Once supply chains have been restored and survival needs have been provided, cash is the best form of social and economic relief after a disaster since victims know better their need, beneficiaries would be more judicious in their procurement, benefit is direct and immediate,”,” Albay Governor Joey Salceda said in proposing a comprehensive package of demand-side measures as a decisive response to mitigate the widespread social damage and overturn the potential economic drag of Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) as he cited the role of four major measures in succeeding to lift Albay from the ravages of two supertyphoons (Reming and Milenyo) and Mayon eruption in 2006 to economic recovery 2007 onwards.
These four measures are designed to inject liquidity into the system that has sustained both temporary disruption in their incomes and permanent damages to capital assets.
These would be directly targeted at impacted households, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and critical entities in the National Capital Region (NCR) and the 27 provinces covered by the declaration of state of calamity included one-year repayment moratorium in all salary and housing loans of GSIS.
Salceda said that there are 700,000 GSIS members in the affected area while SSS members composes 4.8m members in the affected areas out of 8 million members with outstanding live accounts nationwide.
“At a concessional 5 percent imputed interest thereafter easily worth almost P4 billion for GSIS and P28 billion for a total P32 billion,” Salceda said.
SSS members pay a monthly average of P600-P800 or P7,000 to 9,000 per year. This is in lieu of current proposals by the two Government Financial Institutions (GFIs) since Salceda argued that a global repayment moratorium is more pervasive and direct in impact- more take home pay, easier to execute- less effort for members and less paper work for SSS and GSIS and would allow the two institutions to keep within legislative ceilings on exposures to individual loans.
“Both are now slightly above the ceiling and without unduly decreasing their actuarial viability. SSS currently proposes an option of incremental P24,000 salary loans payable in 24 months worth P4.8 billion assuming 200,000 members avail or a housing improvement loan for members with damaged houses of up to P300,000 worth P15 billion if 50,000 members avail. GSIS, meanwhile, proposes an emergency loan of P20,000 payable in 24 months worth P5billion assuming 350,000 members avail.
An incremental home loan improvement of P150,000 for loan-eligible members of Pag-ibig which suffered damages to their homes which could reach P15 billion if 100,000 members avail.
Three-month advance of monthly average reimbursement by Philheath to its accredited outlets including DOH-retained hospitals, provincial hospitals, city health offices and Rural Health Units (RHUs) which could reach P4 billion.
“This helped Albay respond effectively to a surge in a morbidity rates after the disasters even while health facilities also sustained damages,” Salceda explained.
The Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has to set up a P35 billion 5-year special rediscounting window for banks to refinance loan exposures to individuals, entrepreneurs and SMEs at 91-day T-bill plus 2 percent.
“Summing up, GSIS- P4 billion, SSS- P28 billion, Pagibig- P15 billion, Philhealth- P4 billion and BSP – P35 billion for a total of P73 billion. Of these, P34 billion will benefit households directly, P4 billion for health institutions and P35 billion for SMEs. And, all these would have minimal impact on deficit of the national government,” Salceda explained.
Bicol workers leave asap during typhoonsBy Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY – Learning from devastating rains, Bicolanos won’t have to wait for Pagasa’s advice to leave their workplaces, if only to help attain zero casualty during and after calamities.
“Let them go home early” The Department of Labor and Employment-Bicol suggested in order to protect the lives and properties of both labor and management advises companies and individual workers here, to take necessary pre-cautions by sending home workers early on before the on-set of calamities such as typhoons.
DOLE-Bicol Regional Director Ernesto C. Bihis said that loss of life and limb can very well be prevented if employers would release their workers ‘early’ or even before the on-set of calamities. “Let us learn from typhoon Reming. Hundreds of employees were stranded in a mall in Legazpi for about two days,” Bihis explained.
It will be much safer and cheaper for management, if their employees are dismissed early and are in the comforts of their homes during typhoons rather that be stranded at the workplace. If employees are stranded within the confines of the workplace, it will be the responsibility of the management to care for them. “They (employers) must provide the basic needs during that time, including food,” Bihis reminded.
Records show that after Typhoon Reming, about 90 percent of establishments in Legazpi City are closing their shops even on a mere Signal No. 2 advisory of Pagasa, the best practice, according to DOLE Information Officer Raymond P. Escalante.
“Legazpeños were traumatized by Reming. Nobody wanted to be caught off-guard again, no establishment here wanted to have additional burden on their shoulders. As they say, prevention is always better than a cure” Bihis pointed out.
The DOLE-Bicol official suggested that establishments nationwide must also adopt the practice of Legazpi City based establishments. The office also urged companies to have a Calamity-Emergency Response Plan (CERP) to ensure workplace safety, secure properties, ready first aid kits, and for worst scenario cases identify escape routes, and if possible have a stand-by vehicle for evacuation purposes.
However, DOLE-Bicol clarified that it has no power to order a closure during a calamity. Sending employees home during calamities or typhoons is the discretion of the establishment’s owners.
“We cannot force establishments to close down or tell them to let their employees go but we can try to convince them that it is probably the best and the cheapest way to survive a calamity. If and only if establishments in Legazpi have released their employees sooner during Reming, then perhaps nobody was stranded.” Bihis explained.
6 approved bridges boost GUICADALE business platform
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY – A new fund worth P212 million from the French Protocol is seen to boost the implementation of the new business platform away from the hazards of Mayon Volcano, under a joint venture between the provincial government of Albay and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Albay governor and concurrent Regional Development Council Chairman Joey Salceda believes the development of the western part of Albay and the unexplored areas of the Bicol region will give rise to attainment of permanent solutions to bugging hazards of Mayon eruptions, lahar flows, and strong typhoons usually originating from the eastern part of the country that passes through the province.
The bridge projects will be implemented by the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO) by Salceda and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) by Under Secretary Emil Sadain starting October 9, this year under a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the joint undertaking.
Counting on the rise of an international airport and the massive road opening efforts, Salceda said the provincial government of Albay pursues gradual expansion of the main thoroughfare towards safer grounds where permanent developments are worth the investment both by the government and other funding institutions.
“These bridges will interconnect critical roads surrounding the South Luzon International Airport and many relocation sites. It will also connect Sorsogon to Albay via new road openings traversing Donsol town,” Salceda said.
Salceda claimed that the budget was made possible through persistent follow-ups and the persuasive power as RDC chairman and his long time friendship with Sadain.
The bridges named to be put up are for Albay; Cagbacung Bridge (Legazpi City), Gabawan-Kiwalo Bridge (Daraga town), Ligban Bridge (Camalig), Rawis-Tamaoyan Bridge (Legazpi City), Homapon-Mariawa Bridge (Leazpi City), Taysan-Malangka Bridge (Legazpi City) and Donsol Bridge (Pioduran).
Salceda’s help was critical in securing funding from the French Protocol facility.
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY – The province of Albay is preparing all resources as some 884,041 Albayanos will be evacuated to safer grounds in case Super Typhoon (pepeng ba or Peping?) changes course to directly hit the province, Albay Governor Joey Salceda said at a press conference here this morning.
The reiteration of the zero casualty measures has been aired by Salceda “Is aimed at reminding all concerned disaster coordinating councils (DCCs) to implement response preparedness in their respective area of responsibility and to prepare their consitituents for the next typhoon (Pepeng),” Salceda said at the press conference.
Response preparedness, among others, prepositioning of response assets, stock piling of foods and non-food items (NFI), identification of evacuation centers and the implementation of ‘pre-emptive evuation.’
Salceda also thanked the Albay media for its expertise that blend with the overall disaster risk reduction strategy of the province in terms of reporting, proper analysis and prompt cascading of information to the residents at the shortest possible time.
He also called for an Executive Meeting with the members of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) to discuss the possible impact of approaching typhoon Pepeng.
Salceda called all municipal, barangay officials as well as private organization to review, if necessary their evacuation plans.
Salceda explained that the pre-emptive evacuation of Albay shall only start if the typhoon is at least as strong as 120 kilometers per hour and if the province is identified by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administrator (Pagasa) as direct hit of the path.
“It is our strict policy to implement pre-emptive measure during calamity to ensure the safety of the people,” the governor said.
“For this Pepeng which is now a ximum sustained winds of 175 kph and whose gustiness of 210 kph, that is more than enough to order pre-emptive evacuation however, the issue here is still wheter it will hit albay or not, so the two parameters are needed: the wind speed and the direction, or if Albay is already under signal number 2, and that is the time for the evacuation,” Salceda explained.
Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office director Cedric Daep said that the Pagasa weather bulletin as of 11 am today.
Daep explained that the current direction does not directly hit Albay but in case it changes to downward direction and threatens Albay, it might severely affect the province. “So we are preparing for storm surges, wind strength, possible landslides, heavy rains and lahar flash floods.”
Daep assured that the 24 rain gauges across the province have already been activated to monitor the rain density and the APSEMO has given lead time of only 2 hours for the relay of information to the residents and the respective DCCs.
The preparation, just in case Peping threatens Albay, would be the same as the scenario for past typhoons such as Reming and Rosing, according to Daep.
“What we are anticipating is the heavy rains brought by typhoon because our focus would be in the highly risk areas,” the governor added.
While the provincial disaster management team of Albay is in the process of preparation for the possible impact of approaching typhoon Pepeng, the provincial government was able to deployed water and emergency paramedics teams in Metro Manila as part of the Ondoy Mission.
“We already deployed our teams to help Ondoy’s victims in major areas in metro Manila,” Salceda said.
Pagasa’s 11 am bulletin showed that Pepeng is 520 kms East of Borongan, Eastern Samar, with coordinates 12.0°north , 130.7° east.
Peping Maximum sustained winds of 175 kph near center and gustiness of up to 210 kph. It is moving West Northwest at 24 kph.
Its forecast position, according to Pagasa by Friday morning is: 220 kms East of Virac, Catanduanes
Saturday morning: 80 kms East of Casiguran, Aurora or 160 kms Southeast of Tuguegarao City
Sunday morning: 60 kms Northwest of Laoag City.
The provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes (all in Bicol) are now under signal number 1 which means it is already experiencing winds of 30 to 60 kph.
Residents in low lying areas and near mountain slopes under signal #1 are advised to take all the necessary precautionary measures against possible flashfloods and landslides.
Pagasa said the public and the disaster coordinating councils concerned are advised to take appropriate actions and watch for the next bulletin to be issued at 5 pm today.
Arroyo visits Albay's vital projects
By Rey M. Nasol
CAMALIG, Albay -- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has slated a visit here and two other sites in Albay province for inaugural rites for various government projects, including housing, water system, sea wall and coastal road network, as the province rouses Albay into centerstage of development from both ends.
President Arroyo was met upon her arrival at the Legazpi City airport by Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, Mayor Noel Rosal, Cong. Al Francis Bichara of Albay’s second congressional district, Presidential Assistant for Bicol Tomasito Monzon, 9th ID commander Maj. Gen. Ruperto Pabustan, and PNP Bicol Regional Director, Police Chief Supt. Ruben Padua.
The President then proceeded to Polangui town to lead the ground breaking and capsule laying ceremony of the rehabilitation of the Polangui Water System in barangay Napo.
The President was assisted by Gov. Salceda, LWUA administrator Prospero Pichay Cong. Reno Lim of Albay’s third congressional district, and Polangui Mayor Jesus Salceda, during the groundbreaking.
The rehabilitation of the Polangui Water System will entail a cost of P140,710,000. P12.5 million is pure grant; P12.5 million loan without interest while the remaining balance of P115,710,000 will be paid at an interest rate of 9.2-10 percent per year. The Local Water Utilities Adminstration (LWUA) shall be the source of fund to be granted to the Polangui Water District which is the implementing agency.
“The need for sufficient supply of potable water was felt as soon as this town soared into progress that business establishments are on the rise here such as fast food chains, offices, and the upcoming Land Bank’s full branch here to cater for the nearby towns of the third district of Albay,” Albay Gov. Joey Salceda explained.
Rehabilitation works will include the setting-up of two separate systems. System 1 will cover the upper barangays of Balinad, Napo, Ponso, Alnay, Mendez and Magurang. System 2, on the other hand, will cover the lower barangays of Centro Oriental, Centro Occidental, Ubaliw, Basud, Gabon, Alomon, Kinale and Balangibang.
Scope of works will include; rehabilitation of two existing reservoirs; installation of a 24,148 linear meters of pipelines; power line extension; installation of 5,000 service connections; provision of a treatment facility; improvement of the existing Higiba spring intake; and construction of a pumping station.
From Polangui, Arroyo led the turn-over of Certificates of Ownership to 240 families displaced by typhoon Reming in 2006 as part of the CORE Shelter ‘30,000th’ milestone at a resettlement site in barangay Tagaytay, of this town.
The President was assisted by Sec. Esperanza Cabral of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Cong. Bichara and Camalig Mayor Carlos Baldo during the turn-over ceremony.
The Tagaytay Resettlement site is home to some 840 displaced families from the 16 barangays of the municipality located within the high-risk areas and the 6-kilometer Permanent Danger Zones (PDZ) near Mayon Volcano namely, barangays Anoling, Ilawod, Bariw, Cabanagan, Gapo, Ligban, Libod, Quirangay, Salugan, Sua, Tagaytay, Tinago, Tumpa and Barangays 1, 2, 3 and 4.
A total of 840 housing units – each built on 80 square meter lots – are spread over 145,185 square meter area of the resettlement site purchased by the Municipality Government of Camalig and developed by the National Housing Authority (NHA).
These housing units are the results of government and private sector collaboration as funds poured in from the DSWD-CSAP (114 units); DSWD-Habitat for Humanity, Philippines (136 units); Italian Cooperation, Philippines (115 units); International Organization for Migration (350 units) and Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri thorugh the OCD (125 units).
To conclude her provincial sorties, the President inaugurated the seawall project (phase I and II) in Barangay Puro in Legazpi City.
Upon arrival at the site, the President, together with Gov. Salceda, Mayor Rosal, Cong. Bichara and Sec. Hermogenes Ebdane of the Department of Public Works and Higways (DPWH), boarded an open-top vehicle for the inaugural drive thru along the coastal road network.
The Puro Seawall Phase I and II project was implemented by the DPWH with the Sunwest Construction and Development Corporation, as the contractor.
The project covers the construction of 360 linear meters of seawall and a corresponding 360 linear meters of road to include a walkway and jogging cum bicycle lane in the total amount of P70 million.
The coastal road network, which stretches some 4.095 kilometers, is envisioned to be the “Roxas Boulevard” of Legazpi City.
Several projects are simultaneously undertaken with the road project that once completed it will serve as an alternate route to decongest traffic in the city’s business center, provide commuters safe access and easy transport of agricultural and marine products, and develop tourism potentials in the area.
Albay Gov seeks P86 billion moratorium for GSIS, SSS membersBy Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY – President Gloria Arroyo’s top economic adviser Tuesday proposed a one-year moratorium for repayment of Government Services Insurance System (GSIS) and the Social Security Service to offset sufferings among the victims of devastating ‘Ondoy’ floods in Metro Manila and across the 27 other provinces of the Luzon Island.
The same strategy had eased the burden of coping up with the brunt from series of super typhoons that brought Bicolanos down to the ground and even killed thousands, thus survivors were supposedly haunted with extreme difficulty paying their loans.
A one-year loan repayment moratorium for GSIS and SSS members to provide widespread relief is necessary for Metro Manila especially that the population is composed of working class, according to Albay gov. Joey Salceda.
“Once supply chains have been restored and survival needs have been provided, cash is the best form of social and economic relief after a disaster since victims know better their need, beneficiaries would be more judicious in their procurement, benefit is direct and immediate,”,” Albay Governor Joey Salceda said in proposing a comprehensive package of demand-side measures as a decisive response to mitigate the widespread social damage and overturn the potential economic drag of Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) as he cited the role of four major measures in succeeding to lift Albay from the ravages of two supertyphoons (Reming and Milenyo) and Mayon eruption in 2006 to economic recovery 2007 onwards.
These four measures are designed to inject liquidity into the system that has sustained both temporary disruption in their incomes and permanent damages to capital assets.
These would be directly targeted at impacted households, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and critical entities in the National Capital Region (NCR) and the 27 provinces covered by the declaration of state of calamity included one-year repayment moratorium in all salary and housing loans of GSIS.
Salceda said that there are 700,000 GSIS members in the affected area while SSS members composes 4.8m members in the affected areas out of 8 million members with outstanding live accounts nationwide.
“At a concessional 5 percent imputed interest thereafter easily worth almost P4 billion for GSIS and P28 billion for a total P32 billion,” Salceda said.
SSS members pay a monthly average of P600-P800 or P7,000 to 9,000 per year. This is in lieu of current proposals by the two Government Financial Institutions (GFIs) since Salceda argued that a global repayment moratorium is more pervasive and direct in impact- more take home pay, easier to execute- less effort for members and less paper work for SSS and GSIS and would allow the two institutions to keep within legislative ceilings on exposures to individual loans.
“Both are now slightly above the ceiling and without unduly decreasing their actuarial viability. SSS currently proposes an option of incremental P24,000 salary loans payable in 24 months worth P4.8 billion assuming 200,000 members avail or a housing improvement loan for members with damaged houses of up to P300,000 worth P15 billion if 50,000 members avail. GSIS, meanwhile, proposes an emergency loan of P20,000 payable in 24 months worth P5billion assuming 350,000 members avail.
An incremental home loan improvement of P150,000 for loan-eligible members of Pag-ibig which suffered damages to their homes which could reach P15 billion if 100,000 members avail.
Three-month advance of monthly average reimbursement by Philheath to its accredited outlets including DOH-retained hospitals, provincial hospitals, city health offices and Rural Health Units (RHUs) which could reach P4 billion.
“This helped Albay respond effectively to a surge in a morbidity rates after the disasters even while health facilities also sustained damages,” Salceda explained.
The Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has to set up a P35 billion 5-year special rediscounting window for banks to refinance loan exposures to individuals, entrepreneurs and SMEs at 91-day T-bill plus 2 percent.
“Summing up, GSIS- P4 billion, SSS- P28 billion, Pagibig- P15 billion, Philhealth- P4 billion and BSP – P35 billion for a total of P73 billion. Of these, P34 billion will benefit households directly, P4 billion for health institutions and P35 billion for SMEs. And, all these would have minimal impact on deficit of the national government,” Salceda explained.
Bicol workers leave asap during typhoonsBy Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY – Learning from devastating rains, Bicolanos won’t have to wait for Pagasa’s advice to leave their workplaces, if only to help attain zero casualty during and after calamities.
“Let them go home early” The Department of Labor and Employment-Bicol suggested in order to protect the lives and properties of both labor and management advises companies and individual workers here, to take necessary pre-cautions by sending home workers early on before the on-set of calamities such as typhoons.
DOLE-Bicol Regional Director Ernesto C. Bihis said that loss of life and limb can very well be prevented if employers would release their workers ‘early’ or even before the on-set of calamities. “Let us learn from typhoon Reming. Hundreds of employees were stranded in a mall in Legazpi for about two days,” Bihis explained.
It will be much safer and cheaper for management, if their employees are dismissed early and are in the comforts of their homes during typhoons rather that be stranded at the workplace. If employees are stranded within the confines of the workplace, it will be the responsibility of the management to care for them. “They (employers) must provide the basic needs during that time, including food,” Bihis reminded.
Records show that after Typhoon Reming, about 90 percent of establishments in Legazpi City are closing their shops even on a mere Signal No. 2 advisory of Pagasa, the best practice, according to DOLE Information Officer Raymond P. Escalante.
“Legazpeños were traumatized by Reming. Nobody wanted to be caught off-guard again, no establishment here wanted to have additional burden on their shoulders. As they say, prevention is always better than a cure” Bihis pointed out.
The DOLE-Bicol official suggested that establishments nationwide must also adopt the practice of Legazpi City based establishments. The office also urged companies to have a Calamity-Emergency Response Plan (CERP) to ensure workplace safety, secure properties, ready first aid kits, and for worst scenario cases identify escape routes, and if possible have a stand-by vehicle for evacuation purposes.
However, DOLE-Bicol clarified that it has no power to order a closure during a calamity. Sending employees home during calamities or typhoons is the discretion of the establishment’s owners.
“We cannot force establishments to close down or tell them to let their employees go but we can try to convince them that it is probably the best and the cheapest way to survive a calamity. If and only if establishments in Legazpi have released their employees sooner during Reming, then perhaps nobody was stranded.” Bihis explained.
6 approved bridges boost GUICADALE business platform
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY – A new fund worth P212 million from the French Protocol is seen to boost the implementation of the new business platform away from the hazards of Mayon Volcano, under a joint venture between the provincial government of Albay and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Albay governor and concurrent Regional Development Council Chairman Joey Salceda believes the development of the western part of Albay and the unexplored areas of the Bicol region will give rise to attainment of permanent solutions to bugging hazards of Mayon eruptions, lahar flows, and strong typhoons usually originating from the eastern part of the country that passes through the province.
The bridge projects will be implemented by the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO) by Salceda and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) by Under Secretary Emil Sadain starting October 9, this year under a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the joint undertaking.
Counting on the rise of an international airport and the massive road opening efforts, Salceda said the provincial government of Albay pursues gradual expansion of the main thoroughfare towards safer grounds where permanent developments are worth the investment both by the government and other funding institutions.
“These bridges will interconnect critical roads surrounding the South Luzon International Airport and many relocation sites. It will also connect Sorsogon to Albay via new road openings traversing Donsol town,” Salceda said.
Salceda claimed that the budget was made possible through persistent follow-ups and the persuasive power as RDC chairman and his long time friendship with Sadain.
The bridges named to be put up are for Albay; Cagbacung Bridge (Legazpi City), Gabawan-Kiwalo Bridge (Daraga town), Ligban Bridge (Camalig), Rawis-Tamaoyan Bridge (Legazpi City), Homapon-Mariawa Bridge (Leazpi City), Taysan-Malangka Bridge (Legazpi City) and Donsol Bridge (Pioduran).
Salceda’s help was critical in securing funding from the French Protocol facility.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Albay bishop opposes casino plan
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines -- Invoking public morals, the Diocese of Legazpi supported the move of a multisectoral coalition in Albay to oppose the operation of a casino within the entertainment, food, and shopping complex here known as the Embarcadero de Legazpi.
In a press conference over the weekend, Legazpi Bishop Lucilo Quiambao said he would not allow a gambling den to rise within the so-called "lifestyle mall" envisioned to house as well a P1.8-billion Information Technology Park.
Sitting on 2.6 hectares of reclaimed land, the complex, which overlooks the Albay Gulf, was designed by Australian engineers and inspired by the Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, California.
The letter signed by the multisectoral coalition led by Quiambao stated that "gambling is not a solution to our economic problems. We are for progress but we can achieve it through means that are proactive and do not destroy the moral fiber of our community."
The statement added that "gambling even damages the economy by wasting man hours and materials on activities that do not produce goods and services, which are required to satisfy basic human needs."
Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal has been asked by the coalition to disapprove the proposed casino project while public officials were reminded to uphold public morals while promoting progress.
Legazpi’s Sangguniang Panglunsod (city council), through a majority vote of nine councilors, had passed a resolution which posed no objection to the operation of the controversial casino.
Last week, the city government of Legazpi conducted a public forum to consult various stakeholders on the proposed casino operation, a first in Bicol.
The opposing multisectoral group, however, complained that many of the concerned stakeholders were not consulted during the initial public hearing here.
They said the city government should push for other alternatives to promote economic growth such as tourism, sports development and livelihood program, food production, shelter and education.
Ironically, the Legazpi bishop was among those behind the group that pushed for the construction of the Embarcadero as it would help provide jobs and uplift the socio-economic status of the people in the Bicol Region.
The Albay Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Inc. and the Legazpi City Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry expressed their support to the planned casino operation, saying that it would help shore up the economy and the city's tourism industry.
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines -- Invoking public morals, the Diocese of Legazpi supported the move of a multisectoral coalition in Albay to oppose the operation of a casino within the entertainment, food, and shopping complex here known as the Embarcadero de Legazpi.
In a press conference over the weekend, Legazpi Bishop Lucilo Quiambao said he would not allow a gambling den to rise within the so-called "lifestyle mall" envisioned to house as well a P1.8-billion Information Technology Park.
Sitting on 2.6 hectares of reclaimed land, the complex, which overlooks the Albay Gulf, was designed by Australian engineers and inspired by the Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, California.
The letter signed by the multisectoral coalition led by Quiambao stated that "gambling is not a solution to our economic problems. We are for progress but we can achieve it through means that are proactive and do not destroy the moral fiber of our community."
The statement added that "gambling even damages the economy by wasting man hours and materials on activities that do not produce goods and services, which are required to satisfy basic human needs."
Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal has been asked by the coalition to disapprove the proposed casino project while public officials were reminded to uphold public morals while promoting progress.
Legazpi’s Sangguniang Panglunsod (city council), through a majority vote of nine councilors, had passed a resolution which posed no objection to the operation of the controversial casino.
Last week, the city government of Legazpi conducted a public forum to consult various stakeholders on the proposed casino operation, a first in Bicol.
The opposing multisectoral group, however, complained that many of the concerned stakeholders were not consulted during the initial public hearing here.
They said the city government should push for other alternatives to promote economic growth such as tourism, sports development and livelihood program, food production, shelter and education.
Ironically, the Legazpi bishop was among those behind the group that pushed for the construction of the Embarcadero as it would help provide jobs and uplift the socio-economic status of the people in the Bicol Region.
The Albay Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Inc. and the Legazpi City Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry expressed their support to the planned casino operation, saying that it would help shore up the economy and the city's tourism industry.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
August 19, 2009
Livelihood keeps farmers coming back to danger zones
By Rey M. Nasol
GUINOBATAN, Albay – Farmers tending their crops near the danger zones can’t easily give up their source of livelihood amidst the confusing state of unrest of Mayon Volcano as reported by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.
Gemma Orcena, a market vendor here said that her commodities are harvested from Barangay Mabalod, a village along the slope of Mayon Volcano some 8 kilometers away from the crater. “If we will leave our farms, our crops might be stolen and we would lose our livelihood and it would be very difficult unless an alert level 3 is raised where assistance from the government or other donors would start to compensate for our sources of income,” Orcena explained.
Orcena said that her family tends to their crop which is within the 7 kilometer extended danger zone which is some 30 minutes walking distance from their village there on the slope of Mayon.
In Camalig town, Mayor Carlos Baldo also told reporters in a brief discussion over the weekend that it is true that even in the villages within the Camalig area, there are farmers who won’t just easily give up farming and assured that they are given warnings and are encouraged to be very vigilant and constantly heed warnings from the disaster officials through the mass media.
Joey Manzilla, a 37 year old farmer of Barangay Sua, Camalig town said his farm is near the boundary of Miisi and Anoling, both within the 6-kilometer permanent danger zones “Because there is apparently no signs of immediate eruption, I see to it that I have a new set of batteries in my transistor radio and listen to the news all throughout the farming hour which we usually spend early morning until around 10 am and in the afternoon from 3 pm till dusk,” he said.
Manzilla said his livelihood is helping him send his two sons to the elementary school and give his family ample income for food and other needs. “Based on previous eruptions, we don’t keep a hard head heeding the warning especially when an evacuation is ordered because we are assured of relief assistance during stay at the evacuation centers while those earlier residing in Miisi and anoling were transferred to their relocation site at Barangay Tagaytay and our village (Sua) is outside the danger zones.
Another resident from Barangay Miisi who sought not to be named said “We are very used to the abnormalities of Mayon and we are confident of the disaster officials warning us and constant vigilance is our strategy for our lives and limited stay at our farms save us from hunger.”
Mayon is under alert level 2 for more than one month since July 3 which means the condition is alarming although no definite prediction as to when it will blow its top.
Governor Joey Salceda reiterated the warning that the 6-kilometer permanent danger zones and the 7-kilometer extended danger zones are hazardous to lives in case of an eruption based on the recommendation from the Phivolcs.
Bid for wage increase pushed in Bicol
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY -- Hot debates for the long awaited increase in the minimum wage rates are still being conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Bicol and the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productiveity Board (RTWPB).
Bicol RTWPB chairman and concurrent DOLE-Bicol regional director Ernesto Bihis said “Series of wage consultation conferences in provinces of Masbate, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte and Albay are being undertaken to determine whether or not an increase is due this year.”
“We conduct this wage hearings yearly to assess if a wage increase is necessary or if the existing wage order will stand,” Bihis explained.
Workers here are speculating of the amount that may be added in the increase but the DOLE & RTWPB will remain silent until the study is finished.
DOLE Asst. Reg. Dir. Irma S. Valiente ensured Bicolanos that deliberations on the issue of wage increase is the priority of DOLE and its Wage Board.
Valiente added that this is not an easy matter and should be studied thoroughly since the fate of the workers will depend on these talks.
“We would like to let the public know that this is not a simple job and a lot of factors must be considered.
“The matter of wage increase entails a delicate balancing act of weighing the needs of workers against the employer’s capacity/ability to pay,” Valiente added.
Scientists fear collapse of Mayon crater
By Rey M. Nasol, Inquirer Southern Luzon
LEGAZPI CITY—Scientists fear a collapse of a portion of Mount Mayon’s crater, which holds an estimated 200,000 cubic feet of rocks, could cascade hazardous materials toward a barangay lying in the southeast sector of the volcano even without a major eruption.
Eduardo Laguerta, resident volcanologist of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, said Thursday that residents and farmers in Barangay Buyuan in this city could be put to danger once this part of the crater collapses.
He said that during the past 24-hour observation period on Thursday, there has been a resurgence of volcanic quakes from an apparent lull during the past few days. The number of quakes increased to 20 on Thursday compared to four recorded on Wednesday.
“There were 20 volcanic quakes and 14 of them are of low frequency characterizing the presence of magma and the high frequency quakes that tell us of possible small rock collapses or the degassing process,” he added.
He explained that the presence of magmatic movement toward the crater could cause a sideward force that would trigger the collapse of this portion of the crater.
The seismic data obtained from Mayon has been accompanied by intensified crater glow and sulfur dioxide emission measured at 210 tons per day on Thursday. Emissions were recorded at 287 tons per day on Wednesday.
Result of the latest ground and aerial surveys showed there is still cause to maintain the alert level 2 status.
“Definitely there is no chance to lower the alert status to level 1 because Mayon is in a very abnormal condition and the crater glow manifests not just convective heat from the gases from beneath but heat from magma that is moving upwards,” said Laguerta.
Alert level 2 means a state of unrest that could lead to ash explosions or eventually to hazardous magmatic eruption.
The Phivolcs strongly recommends that the 6-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around the volcano and the 7-km Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the southeast flank of the volcano are off-limits due to the threat from sudden explosions and rockfalls from the upper slopes.
Active river channels and those areas perennially identified as lahar prone in the southeast sector should also be avoided especially during bad weather conditions or when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall, added the bulletin from Phivolcs.
Climate change awareness pushed for LGU development plans
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY – The spreading of awareness on climate change issues are now being pushed down the local levels to mitigate its impact and incorporate this important issue into development planning efforts in Albay province.
“A worksop is going on here until Thursday which focuses on climate proofing the development plans of partner local government units to come up with a preliminary analysis of climate change risks as well as initial adaptation strategies to adjust the local plans,” Manuel Rangasa, Project director of the Center for Initiatives on Climate Change Adaptation (CIRCA) in Albay said.
Albay governor Joey Salceda also told media here that the technical planning of LGUs on climate check platforms should focus on adaptation and mitigation in the community and in homes. “There is a need to translate the burst cliate change into technical and technology and people to respond. As early as possible all planning officers must be knowledgeable on these issues so that they can give proper advice on the matter.”
The governor said that climate change the biggest obstacle in the attainment of the Medium Development Goal (MDG) and needs prompt action by stakeholders.
The Climate Check for Local Platforms being held from Aug. 18 to 19 at the PDCC conference hall with officials of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety from Germany is a program developed that can be modified for partners to integrate climate change aspects in their works.
“Representatives from the 15 towns and 3 cities of Albay are expected to become aware of the issues in relation to their respective localities and be able to understand concepts on proofing mechanisms and its tools as well as to develop ideas of how to apply climate proofing tools to their work reality,” said Ilona Porsche, environment and climate change technical advisor of the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ).
On the other hand, Jojo Elvira said that the climate change has taken its toll to the agriculture sector with its big blow on crops and even on livestock which has not fuly recovered since Reming in 2006.
Elvira explained in a press conference Monday afternoon that Agriculture is the main industry in Albay, which produces such crops as coconut, rice, sugar and abaca. “The effects of climate change can drastically affect our local farmers if the issue would not be addressed promptly particularly on its impact to agriculture.”
Handicrafts is the major source of income to rural communities which contributes fairly large share in the small-scale industries of the province. Forestry and papermaking are another source of livelihood.
The manufacture of abaca products such as Manila Hemp, hats, bags, mats and slippers is one of the main sources of income in the rural areas. Fishing is also done along both shores of the province. Tourism, primarily because of Mayon Volcano, also draws income for Albay. “You see the climate change as a very wide effect to our province and that includes infrastructures that need to adapt to new designs that would withstand stronger typhoons and calamities. But the most directly hit by calamities is the agriculture,” Elvira explained.
Elvira particularly cited the case of swine production in Albay that has no longer been able to recover yet since Reming. “Another hindrance is the swine flu that has driven the fear among farmers to pursue their businesses,” he said adding that the Albay Agriculture Rehabilitation Task Force is doing measures to help the farmers cope with their problems.
Elvira said that his office will slate a National Livestock Summit in albay Astrodome on September 16 to 18 “there is a need to address issues such as food security, intersectoral linkages, international trade, emerging diseases, animal welfare, rural development, research and Biotechnology that is why we are pushing for the summit.”
By Rey M. Nasol
GUINOBATAN, Albay – Farmers tending their crops near the danger zones can’t easily give up their source of livelihood amidst the confusing state of unrest of Mayon Volcano as reported by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.
Gemma Orcena, a market vendor here said that her commodities are harvested from Barangay Mabalod, a village along the slope of Mayon Volcano some 8 kilometers away from the crater. “If we will leave our farms, our crops might be stolen and we would lose our livelihood and it would be very difficult unless an alert level 3 is raised where assistance from the government or other donors would start to compensate for our sources of income,” Orcena explained.
Orcena said that her family tends to their crop which is within the 7 kilometer extended danger zone which is some 30 minutes walking distance from their village there on the slope of Mayon.
In Camalig town, Mayor Carlos Baldo also told reporters in a brief discussion over the weekend that it is true that even in the villages within the Camalig area, there are farmers who won’t just easily give up farming and assured that they are given warnings and are encouraged to be very vigilant and constantly heed warnings from the disaster officials through the mass media.
Joey Manzilla, a 37 year old farmer of Barangay Sua, Camalig town said his farm is near the boundary of Miisi and Anoling, both within the 6-kilometer permanent danger zones “Because there is apparently no signs of immediate eruption, I see to it that I have a new set of batteries in my transistor radio and listen to the news all throughout the farming hour which we usually spend early morning until around 10 am and in the afternoon from 3 pm till dusk,” he said.
Manzilla said his livelihood is helping him send his two sons to the elementary school and give his family ample income for food and other needs. “Based on previous eruptions, we don’t keep a hard head heeding the warning especially when an evacuation is ordered because we are assured of relief assistance during stay at the evacuation centers while those earlier residing in Miisi and anoling were transferred to their relocation site at Barangay Tagaytay and our village (Sua) is outside the danger zones.
Another resident from Barangay Miisi who sought not to be named said “We are very used to the abnormalities of Mayon and we are confident of the disaster officials warning us and constant vigilance is our strategy for our lives and limited stay at our farms save us from hunger.”
Mayon is under alert level 2 for more than one month since July 3 which means the condition is alarming although no definite prediction as to when it will blow its top.
Governor Joey Salceda reiterated the warning that the 6-kilometer permanent danger zones and the 7-kilometer extended danger zones are hazardous to lives in case of an eruption based on the recommendation from the Phivolcs.
Bid for wage increase pushed in Bicol
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY -- Hot debates for the long awaited increase in the minimum wage rates are still being conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Bicol and the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productiveity Board (RTWPB).
Bicol RTWPB chairman and concurrent DOLE-Bicol regional director Ernesto Bihis said “Series of wage consultation conferences in provinces of Masbate, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte and Albay are being undertaken to determine whether or not an increase is due this year.”
“We conduct this wage hearings yearly to assess if a wage increase is necessary or if the existing wage order will stand,” Bihis explained.
Workers here are speculating of the amount that may be added in the increase but the DOLE & RTWPB will remain silent until the study is finished.
DOLE Asst. Reg. Dir. Irma S. Valiente ensured Bicolanos that deliberations on the issue of wage increase is the priority of DOLE and its Wage Board.
Valiente added that this is not an easy matter and should be studied thoroughly since the fate of the workers will depend on these talks.
“We would like to let the public know that this is not a simple job and a lot of factors must be considered.
“The matter of wage increase entails a delicate balancing act of weighing the needs of workers against the employer’s capacity/ability to pay,” Valiente added.
Scientists fear collapse of Mayon crater
By Rey M. Nasol, Inquirer Southern Luzon
LEGAZPI CITY—Scientists fear a collapse of a portion of Mount Mayon’s crater, which holds an estimated 200,000 cubic feet of rocks, could cascade hazardous materials toward a barangay lying in the southeast sector of the volcano even without a major eruption.
Eduardo Laguerta, resident volcanologist of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, said Thursday that residents and farmers in Barangay Buyuan in this city could be put to danger once this part of the crater collapses.
He said that during the past 24-hour observation period on Thursday, there has been a resurgence of volcanic quakes from an apparent lull during the past few days. The number of quakes increased to 20 on Thursday compared to four recorded on Wednesday.
“There were 20 volcanic quakes and 14 of them are of low frequency characterizing the presence of magma and the high frequency quakes that tell us of possible small rock collapses or the degassing process,” he added.
He explained that the presence of magmatic movement toward the crater could cause a sideward force that would trigger the collapse of this portion of the crater.
The seismic data obtained from Mayon has been accompanied by intensified crater glow and sulfur dioxide emission measured at 210 tons per day on Thursday. Emissions were recorded at 287 tons per day on Wednesday.
Result of the latest ground and aerial surveys showed there is still cause to maintain the alert level 2 status.
“Definitely there is no chance to lower the alert status to level 1 because Mayon is in a very abnormal condition and the crater glow manifests not just convective heat from the gases from beneath but heat from magma that is moving upwards,” said Laguerta.
Alert level 2 means a state of unrest that could lead to ash explosions or eventually to hazardous magmatic eruption.
The Phivolcs strongly recommends that the 6-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around the volcano and the 7-km Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the southeast flank of the volcano are off-limits due to the threat from sudden explosions and rockfalls from the upper slopes.
Active river channels and those areas perennially identified as lahar prone in the southeast sector should also be avoided especially during bad weather conditions or when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall, added the bulletin from Phivolcs.
Climate change awareness pushed for LGU development plans
By Rey M. Nasol
LEGAZPI CITY – The spreading of awareness on climate change issues are now being pushed down the local levels to mitigate its impact and incorporate this important issue into development planning efforts in Albay province.
“A worksop is going on here until Thursday which focuses on climate proofing the development plans of partner local government units to come up with a preliminary analysis of climate change risks as well as initial adaptation strategies to adjust the local plans,” Manuel Rangasa, Project director of the Center for Initiatives on Climate Change Adaptation (CIRCA) in Albay said.
Albay governor Joey Salceda also told media here that the technical planning of LGUs on climate check platforms should focus on adaptation and mitigation in the community and in homes. “There is a need to translate the burst cliate change into technical and technology and people to respond. As early as possible all planning officers must be knowledgeable on these issues so that they can give proper advice on the matter.”
The governor said that climate change the biggest obstacle in the attainment of the Medium Development Goal (MDG) and needs prompt action by stakeholders.
The Climate Check for Local Platforms being held from Aug. 18 to 19 at the PDCC conference hall with officials of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety from Germany is a program developed that can be modified for partners to integrate climate change aspects in their works.
“Representatives from the 15 towns and 3 cities of Albay are expected to become aware of the issues in relation to their respective localities and be able to understand concepts on proofing mechanisms and its tools as well as to develop ideas of how to apply climate proofing tools to their work reality,” said Ilona Porsche, environment and climate change technical advisor of the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ).
On the other hand, Jojo Elvira said that the climate change has taken its toll to the agriculture sector with its big blow on crops and even on livestock which has not fuly recovered since Reming in 2006.
Elvira explained in a press conference Monday afternoon that Agriculture is the main industry in Albay, which produces such crops as coconut, rice, sugar and abaca. “The effects of climate change can drastically affect our local farmers if the issue would not be addressed promptly particularly on its impact to agriculture.”
Handicrafts is the major source of income to rural communities which contributes fairly large share in the small-scale industries of the province. Forestry and papermaking are another source of livelihood.
The manufacture of abaca products such as Manila Hemp, hats, bags, mats and slippers is one of the main sources of income in the rural areas. Fishing is also done along both shores of the province. Tourism, primarily because of Mayon Volcano, also draws income for Albay. “You see the climate change as a very wide effect to our province and that includes infrastructures that need to adapt to new designs that would withstand stronger typhoons and calamities. But the most directly hit by calamities is the agriculture,” Elvira explained.
Elvira particularly cited the case of swine production in Albay that has no longer been able to recover yet since Reming. “Another hindrance is the swine flu that has driven the fear among farmers to pursue their businesses,” he said adding that the Albay Agriculture Rehabilitation Task Force is doing measures to help the farmers cope with their problems.
Elvira said that his office will slate a National Livestock Summit in albay Astrodome on September 16 to 18 “there is a need to address issues such as food security, intersectoral linkages, international trade, emerging diseases, animal welfare, rural development, research and Biotechnology that is why we are pushing for the summit.”
Sunday, August 9, 2009
These boys are assured they could go on with their past times along the break-water near the Legazpi City Pier site even as high rise buildings for the Lifestyle Mall (Embarcadero de Legazpi) emerge at the nearby foot of the Kapuntukan Hill.
Roderick Mendoza, of the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO) unwraps one of the Basic Life Support Kits given to 56 barangays around Mayon Volcano together with other emergency equipment and mountain bikes in preparation for possible evacuation of some 127,000 residents in case of an eruption.
The Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) has provided two mountain bikes for each of the 56 villages around Mayon Volcano’s hazard zones. Mr. Abundio Nuñez Jr. poses with them before the turnover ceremonies last Tuesday.
EMBARCADERO:Home of a lifestyle mall by the sea, the Embarcadero de Legazpi sits on top of solid foundation along the reclaimed portion of the Legazpi City Port area beside the Kapuntukan Hill known as ‘Sleeping Lion’. This area comes alive especially at night with bars, restaurants, shopping centers, celebration hall and other amenities inspired by the Fisherman’s Wharf of California.
___________________________________________________________________________________
LCWD to desalinate seawater for homes
LEGAZPI CITY - The city government of Legazpi is planning to boost its water supply by tapping another raw source aside from the Yawa River.
"The residents of Legazpi had suffered months, if not years of inadequate supply of potable water which prompted the local government unit to look for alternative sources for the growing demand," Engineer Rafael A. Villar said.
Villar said that the plan which is now at the committee on laws and rules of the Sangguniang Panlungaod chaired by City Councilor Alfredo A. Garbin, requests a passage of a resolution authorizing Mayor Noel E. Rosal to apply for and or avail of he Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) grant facility for a Seawater Desalination Plant Project with an estimated cost of some US$5 million.
Villar, spokesman of the Albay Consumers Association (Alconas) who was also invited by Garbin to the committee hearing Tuesday said the city said that Legazpi water consumers have been dependent on the natural springs along the slopes of Mayon Volcano particularly at Barangay Buyuan and Mabinit but have earlier been provided with purified tap water from the Yawa River by the Phil Hydro systems and the Legazpi City Water District (LCWD).
The said planned project although not yet clear which country will provide grant through the ODA will get water from the sea to be desalinated and purified and introduced into the existing LCWD pipelines to meet the demand of the consumers.
Villar said he would insist on proposing to the city to avail of the desalination technology which could maximize the by-products of the process such as the collection of salt, and electricity that might be produced in the process of steam and condensation stage. "There are four methods of water desalination plants that I know and these are 1) Electrodialysis 2) Vacuum Freezing 3) Flash Distillation and 4) Reverse Osmosis. And whichever they employ, must maximize the byproducts and resources," Villar said.
Phivolcs urges creation of Mayon watch volunteer groups
SCIENTISTS urge disaster councils to be on close watch and warn tourists to keep away from the Mayon Resthouse Resort in Tabaco City and the Lava Front, both within the danger zones, as Mayon volcano's signs of abnormal seismicity may lead to an explosive eruptions similar to that in previous eruptions.
Renato Solidum, Philippine Institute of Volcano and Seismology (Phivolcs) director on Tuesday came here and asked disaster authorities to strictly enforce their respective disaster preparedness plan in view of the complex abnormal condition of the volcano.
Solidum, also urged disaster authorities to organize a volunteer observer's network to be composed of ordinary residents and even the media practitioners designed to give information to Phivolcs concerning unusual occurrences in their respective areas related to the seismic abnormality of the volcano.
He said the community observation network would supplement the agency's seismic instruments put up to monitor Mayon volcano's condition with what is considered as physical observations
"Community observation reports such as animal behaviors, drying of wells, unusual sounds, increase in ground temperature would help the agency in assessing the seismic condition of the volcano," Solidum said.
Solidum who personally assessed the preparedness plan of the Phivolcs in relative to the Mount Mayon's restiveness said four Seismograph instruments, a Correlation Spectrometer (COSPEC), Global Positioning Satellites (GPS), Precise Leveling survey including visual observation instruments and the Fly Spectrometer are at work in harmony with each others to adequately provide scientific measurements of the activities of Mayon.
But he said the residents' physical observations are also essential and helpful just the same.
The Mayon Volcano crater taken by Roderick Mendoza during the first aerial survey sometime in July, this year that confirmed the need to raise the alert level 2.
He said these instruments would predict volcanic eruptions by recording earthquakes on the geological aspect, measuring Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) emissions on the geochemical aspect, as well as ground deformation for the Geodetic aspect and other precursors.
Solidum urged disaster authorities to be on full alert and be prepared for the complex condition with a possibility for an explosive eruptions manifested by previous eruptions.
Although tourism is inevitable, Solidum suggested to Tabaco City Mayon Krisel Lagman-Luistro that it is best to designate a temporary viewing deck for tourists from a safer distance as the Mayon Resthouse is very near the crater and poses great hazards. "It is even more beautiful to view Mayon from a distance because you would have a full view of it rather than when you are up there," Solidum said.
Solidum citing previous eruptions records said in 1814 and 1897 Mayon volcano exhibited a Plinian eruption (the most violent type such as that of Pinatubo in 1991) that buried the Cagsawa church in Camalig town, 1984 had a Strombolian eruption displayed by lava flow followed later by ash explosion; 1993 was a steam driven explosion that triggered a crater collapsed in the southeastern part of the crater that killed close to a hundred villagers farming at the slopes the volcano.
In 2001, the volcano exhibited a moderate eruption while in 2006 was a Strombolian type of eruption where it exhibited a lava flow that cascaded 6.2 kilometers down the Mabinit channel.
As masbate sleeps one ‘purok’ is born
MASBATE CITY-Every time Masbateños rise to a new day, there are 23 more of them, the equivalent of a new purok.
Each time a month ends, there are 713 more Masbateños, the equivalent of a new barangay.
And each time a new budget of the provincial government of Masbate is approved every year, 8,556 more people are counting on getting something from it.
By the time Governor Elisa Kho finishes his three-year term next year, another 7,843 Masbateños will have been added to around 780,000 constituents today, the equivalent of more than half of the population of the municipality of Batuan.
This is the speed by which the province's population-768,939 as counted in the 2007 census-is growing, posing a heavy burden on government.
With more than one baby being born every hour, the local governments-including one city, 20 towns and 550 barangays-should be racing against time to be able to provide the social services required by its growing constituency.
Surveys have shown that most of the province's residents rely on the government for health, education and security because they cannot afford private services.
The province's dependency ratio shows that one Masbateño is providing for four others, a burden that many poor people are unable to take up and eventually pass on to local governments.
Cash subsidies
There was no available data on how much the provincial government and its counterparts in the lower government units are spending for the social service requirements of every Masbateño.
The national government, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development, has been providing monthly cash subsidies to at least 33,000 households in Masbate.
Missing LGU support
A recent United Nations-sponsored study reported that Masbate has conditions already approximating those in impoverished, often famine-stricken African countries.
In view of the UN report, two questions beg for answers: Will Masbateño families have enough means to feed their children and provide for their development as productive adults? Will the LGUs' social system for delivering health, nutrition and education become more efficient and faster than the additional children they will need to serve?
LGUs that have been failing low-income families by not helping them to plan their size, which drives them into poverty, ought to answer the questions. (EADelgado, PIA Masbate)
Stakeholders review Abaca Dev’t Program
VIRAC, Catanduanes -- The Catanduanes Unlad Abaca (CUA) Program, a joint of project of the Provincial Government of Catanduanes, Catanduanes State Colleges (CSC), Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA) and the Department of Science and Technology, sponsored an in-house research and development review recently and covered ten (10) completed and on-going research projects.
The panel, composed of Dr. Elena de los Santos of the Bicol Integrated Research Council, Catanduanes Colleges President Ephraim Antonio Garcia, DOST Provincial Director Jimmy Cabrera and PPDO planning and evaluation officer Romeo Aquino, reviewed the presentation of the researchers at the CSC Little Theater last July 22, 2009.
The CUA program was launched to address the challenges and concerns in an effort to bring about sustainability and stability of the abaca industry in Catanduanes. It has four major concerns: rehabilitation and densitification, production and mechanization, research and development and monitoring of evaluation.
It was funded for the period 2008-2010 a total project cost of P16.3 million. It also seeks to increase abaca production in the province through improved farming and techniques ensuring the province's dominance in abaca industry in the country. (EABagadiong, PIA Catanduanes)
7 vie for Friendly Schools Search
SEVEN educational institutions in Bicol are competing for the National Search for Sustainable and Eco Friendly Schools, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Bicol Tuesday said.
The national search is a joint activity of the DENR through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Edeucation (CHED), and Smart Communication.
Gibert Gonzales, EMB regional director, said based on the selection criteria set by contest regional evaluators, the schools qualified to vie for the search are: Catanduanes State College in Virac, Catanduanes;
The Partido State University in Goa town; Camarines Sur State Agricultural College in Pili; Camarines Sur National High School in Naga City, all in Camarines Sur;
The Cawayan Exterior Elementary School in Masbate; the San Lorenzo National High School in Tabaco City and the Sunshine International School in this city.
Gonzales said the regional evaluation of outstanding eco-friendly schools from elementary to tertiary levels will select winners according to their physical accomplished projects committed on pro-environmental advocacy.
Evaluators would select among the qualifiers three of the regions finest schools exemplifying sustainable and eco-friendly programs which will represent Bicol to the National Search on November this year.
All winning regional entries will receive cash prizes and plaques of recognition for outstanding environmental friendly and sustainable programs and will qualify to the national search this November.
For the national level prizes include College, High School and Elementary levels: P50,000 for 1st Prize, P40,000-2nd Prize, P30,000-3rd Prize and plaques of recognition. (MSA)
Nutrition Day celebration held at Barangay Binitayan, Daraga, Albay with the theme "Wastong Nutrition Kailangan: Lifestyle Disease Iwasan" was held on July 31. In photo are pupils including Audi Jay Ante, his classmates and teacher Orly Marigondon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)