vol. XXIIi, NO.

31

Bicol, the philippines

may 29-june 4, 2016 P5.00

( 473-8888

Prepare for La Nia, DILG tells LGUs

PASIG CITY
- - As the rainy
season is about
to start, Secretary Mel Senen
S. Sarmiento of
the Department
of the Interior
and Local Government (DILG)
is calling on all local government units (LGUs)
to carry out the disaster preparedness measures
under Operation Listo.

Proclamation of the next Vice President

Avito C. Dalan/PNA

Senate President Franklin Drilon (left) and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. formally proclaim outgoing Camarines Sur
Congresswoman Leni G. Robredo as the country's next Vice President during a joint session of Congress at the House of
Representatives in Quezon City on Monday (May 30, 2016). Also proclaimed in absentia was incoming President Rodrigo
Duterte who was attending to his official duties as outgoing mayor of Davao City. Also in photo are the incoming Vice President's
daughters Jilian, Tricia and Aika.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical

and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the
current El Nino is already in its decaying stage and there is a
possible rise of La Nina during the second half of 2016.
PAGASA particularly warned the provinces of Isabela,
Quezon, Samar, Leyte, Surigao, Agusan and Bicol of the developing La Nina.
In a directive, Sarmiento urged all provincial governors,
city and municipal mayors, and DILG regional directors to
(Turn to page 6)

DepEd-Bicol: Ready
for June 13 class opening
By Jorge Hallare
LEGAZPI CITY -- The
Department of Education
(DepEd) in the Bicol Region
is now well prepared for the
opening of classes on June
13 for both elementary and
Grade 11 of the senior high
school.
This was the assurance
DepEd Bicol Regional Director Ramon Fiel Abcede made
Tuesday as he said his agency

will implement the new curriculum under the K-12 program.

Abcede said he sees no
problem in the implementation as they had been preparing for it for five years.
Aside from their preparation, he said, they have Plan
B and Plan C for any problem
that may crop up during the
opening of classes.
The DepEd Bicol chief
said there are more than

2,000 new school buildings

intended for the senior high
school in the entire Bicol and
50 percent of these are ready
for use by Grade 11 while
those under construction are
20-60 percent completed and
are scheduled to be finished
in the first semester of the
coming school year.
"Also part of the Plan B
and Plan C is to use the excess
and un-utilized classrooms of
(Turn to page 4)

VP - Elect

Leni G. Robredo

Mid-year bonus includes

barangay personnel
New Traffic Light Switch On

pecpio

Mayor John Bongat, Vice Mayor Nelson Legacion, DPWH District Engineer Rebecca Roces,
and the rest of the city officials led the Simultaneous Switch-on Ceremonies of the Naga
City Traffic Lights System along Bagumbayan-Queborac Road Intersection, PenafranciaSan Felipe Road Intersection, Balats-Magsaysay Road Intersection, Peafrancia-Colgante
Intersection, Elias-Angeles St.-Santonja St. Intersection, Panganiban Drive-Ninoy Cory
Avenue Intersection, Panganiban Drive-Mayon St. Intersection, Almeda-Roxas Ave.
Intersection on Thursday May 26, 2016.

PASIG CITY -- In response to the numerous

queries received, the DBM
confirmed that Barangay
personnel are entitled to receive the Mid-Year Bonus.
Barangay
personnel,
whether elective or appointive receiving honoraria, and

charged from their Personnel

Services, are covered by the
guidelines on the grant of the
Mid-Year Bonus.
Sections 7.0 to 7.3 of the
Budget Circular no. 2016-3,
Rules and Regulations on the
Grant of the Mid-Year Bonus
for FY 2016, states that the

grant of the Mid-Year Bonus for Personnel of LGUs

shall be determined by their
respective sanggunian, subject to the following considerations: (i) the provisions
on the entitlement and nonentitlement of personnel to
(Turn to page 7)

3rd Floor, GERONIMO BLDG., BARLIN ST., NAGA CITY TELEPHONE: (054) 884-93-76 CP 0921-3183720 / 0919-2822901 / 0920-5337766

opinion

bikol reporter

editorial
The Margins
at Last, Hopefully
Again, the wait is over.
The reluctant widow and Bicols own
daughter is the countrys new vice president,
the closest now that an oragon can get to the
highest office of the land.
With bated breath we waited for the second
time. First, was when she was deciding on
whether to run or not when the VP slot was
offered to her. The next, when we were
monitoring the results of the count of the
National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) when
she was fighting a neck-to-neck race with
closest rival Bongbong Marcos, the late
dictators son whom we anticipated as the
wild card and possible spoiler of her bid,
ranged as she was also with fellow Bikolnons
Gregorio Honasan and Chiz Escudero.
Yet, indeed all things must come to
pass so on May 27, the birthday of her late
husband DILG Secretary Jesse M. Robredo,
Leonora Gerona Robredo, was declared the
new Vice President of the Republic of the
Philippines, edging out Marcos by 263,473
votes with her total of 14,418,817 as against
Marcos 14,155,344. Pundits would later play
on Marcos initials (whom ) as Biyuda Beats
Marcos!
For Bicol, Lenis win teaches us that our
disunity as a people can spell our disaster
and fall. Her fellow Bicolano candidates may
have been well-intentioned in running, but we
wished they knew the value of self-sacrifice
and read the peoples sentiments as it was
clear the Filipinos wanted a new face and
leadership, as shown by the votes they got,
and even by the votes that President-elect
Rodrigo Duterte received.
Both the Davao mayor and Robredo come
from outside the so-called imperial Manila,
and it is this potential of finally breaking the
century-old poverty of the regions due to the
stranglehold of and Manila-centric unitary
form of government that these newly elected
leaders offer to the country.
Ours is an archipelagic country and
concentrating power in one metropolis is a
surefire formula for unequal development.
Manila is a living proof of that.
With Duterte and Robredo, we hope to see
more inclusive growth and equal development
of those whom the latter called are in the
laylayan ng lipunan.

02082606

Tel. No. (054) 475-6262

ed g. yu
Editor

0939-604-3144

Lee G. Dullesco II

Head, Advertising Associates

0920-533-7766

may 29 - june 4, 2016

Fil-Am Opinions on Phl

(Atty. APA chairs Acyatan & Co.,
CPAs-DFK International is past chair
of ASEAN Federation of CPAs, PICPA
past president and Hall-of-Famer,
and ACPAPP Lifetime Achievement
Awardee).
(Your columnist is currently here in
the USA for an emergency family trip).
PHL ELECTIONS: Many Filipino
voters (dual citizens) here in the USA
chose soon-to-be proclaimed Phl
proclaimed Rody Duterte as next
Philippine president. Theirs are clear
protest votes hoping that the new
chief executive will implement needed
reforms to improve our countrys
future. Duterte is referred to here as
the Filipino Trump referring to his
maverick style and the propensity to
make off-the-cuff remarks coming out
of his mind.
They are hopeful that the proposed
policies being announced by our next
president will be properly implemented
by him and his would-be subalterns.
Among the areas of concern are the
heavy motor vehicle traffic, unstable
peace and order, drug addiction
problem and big-time graft and
corruption.
Duterte gave himself
six months to make things happen.
Filipinos should add prayers to these
ambitious dreams of our new president.
THE LOSERS:
Similar to the
earlier views in Opinions Unlimited
the big reason why Duterte won was
the premature over-ambition of Sen.
Grace Poe who apparently adhered to
the advices of Sen. Francis Escudero
who himself was propping up his own
political ambitions. Their joint turning
down of P-Noys request for Poe to
be Mar Roxas vice president (at the
time Poe was leading the surveys)
eventually led to the candidacy of

opinions
unlimited
Atty. TONY (APA) ACYATAN
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
In the end when the votes were
counted, Duterte beat runner-up
Roxas, with Poe landing in third
place. The only lady candidate for
vice president Leni Robredo narrowly
upended Sen. Bongbong Marcos, even
as Sen. Escudero was in fourth place.
Poe, Escudero and another losing
veep aspirant Alan Cayetano will still
hold on to their Senate seat and may
probably in the thick of the fight for the
upper chambers presidency. Thats
where new ambitions will be launched!
SORRY LOSS:
Former DILG
Secretary Mar Roxas is an unfortunate
politician. As the anointed of Pres.
P-Noy, he had to take the brunt of
the attacks against the outgoing
administration. Many previous issues
ago our column opined that the
weak side of Roxas is his riding on
the coat-tails of Pres. Aquino. There
are also some rumors that his media
personality wife was a heavy baggage
to carry. (The defense by the Liberal
party bets of the administration nearly
caused Leni Robredo to lose the vice
presidency).
Roxas had a long record of graftfree government service. He was
once touted as the favorite Mr.

Palengke for which he landed first

in the senatorial derby. He gave way
to then Senator Benigno Simeon
Aquino in 2010. Makati Mayor
Jejomar Binay narrowly beat him for
the vice presidency. In the recent
presidential race many voters
opine that he was not strong enough
to stand against the personal attacks
of his opponents. The most cruel of
these was the reference to him by
Duterte that he is bayot (whatever
that means).
FIL-AMS: As we went around
in California and Illinois (USA) we
dialogued with our kababayans.
Many of them (especially the older
ones) still look back at their country
of origin. For the younger ones,
more so those born in the USA
their background knowledge of the
Philippines are scanty. But they
relate to the Philippines in terms
of news like Manny Pacquiao and
Typhoon Yolanda.
Many Fil-Am
households subscribe to the TFC
where they get the updates about
the Philippines.
It is interesting to note that the
voters turnout in the USA for the
recent elections was heavier than
before. It means Fil-Ams still have
the Philippine interest in their hearts
and minds. What is yet to be done
(as a necessity) is for Filipinos in
the USA to unite and be a strong,
influential force in US politics. It is
common story here that whenever
Filipinos organize, the losing officeraspirants end up organizing a new
one, so they can still be the leaders.
Is this typical Filipino trait?
LESSONS: Respect for the
opinions of others make us wiser
and more understanding.

Lets study the pros and cons of Federalism, Duterte

bashes the Catholic Church, Duterte admits he is BIPOLAR
In my last weeks column, I favored
President Dutertes plan to call a
Constitutional Convention because it
is best for him to know the sentiments
of the people in the whole country. He
believes that Federalism will solve the
peace and order problem in Mindanao.
But will it be good for the people of
Visayas and Luzon considering the
different cultures, traditions, problems
and aspirations? Delegates to the
convention should be elected by the
people to express the peoples wish.
Federalism has positive points but
has also negative points. There are
different kinds of federal parliamentary
system of government. Theres the
American form of Federal government,
Switzerland federal government, the
German federal system, the Malaysian
federal form, the Japanese federal
parliamentary form. What kind of
federal parliamentary system is Duterte
pushing?
The head of State in a Federal
Parliamentary form of government is
the Prime Minister. He is elected only by
the 200 or 300 members of Parliament.
The people will not elect the Prime
Minister unlike in a presidential system
that we have.Do the people know and
approve this?
More than one half of the members
of parliament can easily be intimidated,
or bribed by drug lords, smuggling lords,

from
my
window
nenita fuentebella-peones
etc., unlike in a presidential system
where fifty four million voters elect the
President.
The Prime Minister has no term of
office. He is a PM as long the members
of Parliament elect him.
Because of the history of the Moro
National Liberation Front (MNLF) and
the Moro Islamic Liberation Front
(MILF) who had been fighting for
independence and separation from
the Philippines, I am forced to ask
what will the government do when the
federal states want to separate from
the Philippines and join Malaysia or
China, or the US, like Hawaii or other
countries or just be independent from
the Philippines.
This is not an objection to the
federal form of government that will be
proposed. I only want to be clarified
and informed on the above-mentioned.

******
Presumptive President Digong
Duterte had been issuing many
statements of what he will do when
he assumed office on June 30,
2016. He bashed Catholic bishops
and priests, who have committed
wrongdoings against their vow
and called the Catholic Church a
hypocritical institution. Dutertes
statement is his personal opinion.
The Catholic Church is like a family.
The fault of some of the members
is not the faut of the entire family or
institution. Bishops and priests are
human beings and are not perfect as
we all are. But the Catholic Church
has its own law and rules on how to
deal with wrongdoings of priests.
******
The Daily Tribune dated May 22,
2016 reported that Duterte said in a
media conference that he is Bipolar.
Let us first understand him. He has
also an ax to grind against some
bishops who campaigned against
him after he cursed the Pope.
******
Its final. Leni Robredo won
the Vice Presidency. She is the
first Vice President from Bicol
region.Congratulations, Leni. I hope
and pray that you will be a unifying
factor in our divided country. Not only
Liberals voted for you. May God bless
and guide you.

Visit our website:

https://thebikolreporter.wordpress.com

may 29 - june 4, 2016

bikol reporter

bikol reporter

brewed
coffee
jahZ tria sf. Endriga

Swordly Words
The Army that had Swords of words.
An army of daggers made of cheating eyes and palms is
behind our beloved screens. Being glued to these screens
are too amusing and addictive that we dont pay attention
much to its own dangers.
This case looks like it is too easy to handle, but
unfortunately differ from what it looks like. Deadly online
risks vary on how you trust in people online. They might
look friendly but never forget that dont judge a book by its
cover. Insults, threats and so-called important meetings
where your attendance is a must, has their own ways by a
bet of which one of us are going to die first.
Layers of cases of sudden child death and suicide
involving this risk, lead to only one main reason.
We all have been insulted online and many of us knows
how it hurts. These actions are called cyber bullying and
its soldiers are cyber bullies, people who care nothing but
protecting their own profile and destroy others.
Cyber bullying had never been much worse. There is a
law where we should feel safe against these cyber bullying
but this feeling is no longer familiar to victims. Call me
overacting but when you ask an experienced person it is
truly a traumatic experience. Being insulted hurts just like
being stabbed a hundred times of a knife of humiliation.
Annoying or whatever you might feel about these online
insults, there are two options. Lose your life or report it and
ignore it. We feel offended of their words because they
poke on peoples personal lives and say lies about it.
In my last words I calm cyber bullying victims including
me. Never be affected by their words because you know
that it isn,t an inch of truth. Dont worry, there is a thing
called karma and it will find its way home.
________
(The writer is an 11 year old pupil of Naga Central School
I, who joined the Regional School Press Conference last
January 2016 held in Sorsogon. She also successfully
finished the Junior Inquirer Writing Workshop held last
April 14-30, 2016 in Philippine Daily Inquirer Makati Office,
and at The Mind Museum in Taguig City.)

Long Live Teachers!

By Maricel Tria Asido

They are like the second parents at school. They continue

teaching through hardships. They are the guiding light and real
inspirations for students like us. , a student once said. As she
expressed those words, my eyes brimmed with tears, and she
continued, I want to be like them someday. I love teachers
and thank you for your never-ending efforts. The audience
clapped, I wiped my tears and clapped along.
As a teacher myself, I had experienced all the hardships
a teacher could go through. The overnight word of checking
papers, preparing lesson plans and quizzes and seatwork. The
headache we always get after a whole day of scolding and
confronting naughty students. But all of those tiring days goes
away as we see our once students graduating, successful
and happy.
Being a teacher requires good attitude and long patience.
The complaints of parents, delayed fees and so many
stressing works are handled by no other than teachers. Any
person with different job could have passed out but teachers
dont give up and work even harder not only for our own
families but were not giving up on our students that they
would finish successfully. We only want our hardwork to be
put in good use.
I never once believe in supernatural people or powers, but
ever since I witnessed a 60- year old teacher on her last term
of work full of dedication and love, from then on it changed
my view and made me believe that superpower does exist.
Teachers are extraordinary people with unbelievable powers,
a businessman said, in the state that he almost wanted to
cry. She died recently and even in her last words her pupils
are still in her mind. She told us TELL MY STUDENTS HOW
MUCH I MISS THEM. I WOULD NOT BE LONG GONE. I
WILL COME BACK., the woman paused and sniffed. She
was my grandmother.
We saw the pain she went through, but her last words
were full of hope. I am thankful to teachers for not giving up ,
continue your good work and strive to be better to your pupils.
Teachers are real superheroes. I praise them.
Stories like this inspires me to do my job better for the
welfare of my pupils.my children. I knew God blessed and
made me His instrument to nurture His children. I am but a
willing servant to bring children to success that is pleasing to
Gods eyes and a good citizen to our country. Being a teacher
entails a lot of work but at the end of the day its rewarding
and fulfilling.

halo-halo

may 29 - june 4, 2016

Mga bisita sa Calaguas mayong pakiaram

Pwera de los buenos, an mga
nagbibirisita sa Calaguas mayong
pakiaram sa saindang pigdumanan
kundi an mag-enjoy lang kan puting
baybayon asin malinaw na tubig
kaini. Sa hiling ko ini an magigin poon
kan pagkaraot kan sadiring yaman
kaini,siring kan pagkaraot kan Boracay
huli sa sobrang daguso nin mga turista.
Mantang turismo an potensyal kan
lugar, mga turista man an sarong
potensyal na kalaban kaini.
Sa hiling ko, mayo kayang klaradong
programa an probinsya o an Vinzons
na nakakasakop kaini manongod sa
turismo sa lugar. Halimbawa, mayong
naglilista o estadistika kan bilang kan
mga nagaarabot na bisita. Mantang
may nakadukot na tarpaulin na
nagbabalangibog kan mga dai dapat
gibohon kan mga turista, kulang an
inpormasyon na ini na sa hiling ko
dapat itatao pagmatake-off pa lang an
mga bisita pasiring sa isla.

Dis*Karte
*Kusyon
*Kurso
frank peones jr.
Isip turista an nakaparaot kan
Manila, bako ninda ining sadiri, kaya
apon digdi, apon duman, maski na
sa mga kanal. Siring man kayan
an mga gibo kan mga turista sa
Calaguas, na may mga dara-dara
nin pighahalian basura: sigarilyo,
styropor, plastic na pamatos kan mga
junk foods. Pagharali ninda, walat
ninda ini sa mga baybayon asin an
mga parasigid kan mga resort owners

an solamenteng nagmamangno
kaini. Malinaw na ini an inaapod
na nimby o not-in-my-backyard
attitude na mayong pakiaram sa
kun ano an babayaan ninda sa
dinumanan nindang lugar.
Malinaw an profile o retrato kan
mga nagbibirisita sa Calaguas.
Naturalmente, may purchasing
power sinda, katubuan mga
yuppies, na sa hiling ko sagom
sa inaapod ni Marx na commodity
fetishism. Kaya an basurang pirme
nindang walat sa Calaguas.
Mientras amay pa, marhay
sigurong pagtarabangan na ini
kan residentes kan Calaguas, kan
gobyerno municipal asin probinsyal
asin kan mga CSOs.
Maray man sigurong makanood
an mga turista duman sa tataramon
kan mga parasakat bulod: Take
nothing but photographs, leave
nothing but footprints.

Are We Ready For Federalism? (Part 1)

President-elect Duterte included
federalism as one of the top agenda of
his administration.
Federalism Advocacy
In the latter half of 2014, before
he even decided to run for president,
Duterte has started going around the
country, consulting local leaders about
his federalism advocacy. He proposed
it as a solution to the economic
woes and ethnic-religious conflicts in
Mindanao.
Federalism was a main part of his
platform of government when he ran
for president. He promised that he
would facilitate the transition from the
current unitary form of government,
which is highly centralized, to a
federal form that will allow regional
autonomies.
Duterte was not the first to propose
federalism. One of its first versions
was put forward by Prof. Jose Abueva
of the University of the Philippines. The
professor argued in his writings that
a federal form of government could
respond more efficiently in taking care
of the needs of the Filipinos within
the context of cultural diversity and
economic inequalities among the
regions.
Various regional movements such
as the Bicol Autonomy movement
also advocated for federalism. These
regional groups argued that many
Early Attempts
Legislators from both the House of
Representatives and the Senate have
proposed several measures in favor
of federalism. It was in 2008 that a
joint resolution was adopted by both
chambers. It was originally authored
and sponsored by Sen. Aquilino
Pimentel. As the recognized father of
the local government code, Pimentel
has a clear understanding of the

tip
of an
ice
berg
homar murillo

Email: homar.murillo@gmail.com

limitations of the local governments

in terms of managing local resources,
budgeting and instituting development
programs.
The Senate resolution was later
modified and adopted by the lower
house. It sought to amend 14 of the
18 Articles of the 1987 Philippine
Constitution.
It proposed to change the unitary
presidential form of government into a
federal presidential bicameral form of
government.
Under the proposed federal
system, the Philippines will be divided
into eleven autonomous regions that
will have their corresponding seats of
government and economic centers.
The National Capital Region will serve
as the federal administrative region
in addition to the eleven autonomous
regions.
Many protested against the
legislative move because it was
seen as part of the ploy of then
president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to
perpetuate herself in power.
According to a survey conducted
by Pulse Asia in the same period,
about 42% of Filipinos were against
constitutional change, 25% were
undecided, and 33% were in favor.
The attempt to change the form of

government into a federal form

failed.
What exactly is federalism?
Federalism, in a nutshell, is
simply the sharing of political power
between the national government
and the state or regional
governments.
The
three
branches
of
government will be decentralized.
Each region-state will have its own
constitution, chief executive or
governor, legislative branch (senate
and lower house), and its own
supreme court. Each region-state
will be allowed to have its own laws,
tax collection and developmental
programs independent of the national
government. The foreign policy and
national defense will still be handled
by the national government.
Under one of the proposed
versions of Philippine federalism,
the form of government will be
converted to a parliamentary
federal system. In this format, the
head of state or prime minister
and the cabinet members or
departmental ministers will come
from the national legislature or
parliament. The members of the
national parliament are elected by
their respective regions rather than
the whole country.
Duterte has proposed a timeline
for the transition but it will only take
effect after his term as president
ends. Delegates to a constitutional
convention will be elected before the
end of his term. The amendments
will be subjected to a plebiscite.
There is plenty of time to prepare
but the question remains whether
federalism will indeed be something
that we could adopt.
(to be continued)

DepEd-Bicol: Ready for June 13 class opening . . .

the junior high school in various parts of the region and
there will be adjustments in
the time of classes," he said.
Abcede said the more than
53,000 teachers in the region
are also ready for the class
opening, of which 2,777 are
newly hired for the senior
high school, courtesy of the
DepEd national office.
"Since 2013, the government has solved the problem

on the lack of about 100,000

teachers in the entire country; in fact, more than 12,000
have been given to Region
5." he said.
Abcede said the ratio now
is 1:38 in every classroom in
the region or one teacher for
every 38 students in the elementary.
"As of now, 75 percent of
the more than 90,000 Grade
10 completers have already

enrolled and are expected to

enter Grade 11. Of this total, about 10,000-15,000 are
private schools and the rest
are from public junior high
school," he said.
The DepEd official called
on those who finished high
school under the old curriculum and are enrolling
for Grade 11 to do so as the
subjects in the first year and
second year in college are the

same.
Abcede said their technical personnel are monitoring
the delivery of the of procured needed items whose
supply has been awarded
to contractors, involving
Php400 million worth of
tools, equipment, materials
and other technical-vocational and livelihood tracks
needed for the entry of senior
high school students. -PNA

may 29 - june 4, 2016

bikol reporter

The Brigada Eskwela

It is Here to Stay
By JAKE T. BARRA
Administrative Officer VI
SDO, Iriga City

One most welcome thing that has caught the interest of both
parents and the community is the Brigada Eskwela. Started in
2009, Brigada Eskwela is also known as Bayanihan Para sa
Paaralan, it is a nationwide voluntary effort of teachers, parents,
students, community members and other organizations to do
minor repairs and clean ups on their schools in preparation for
the start of the school opening.
The move is considered the core of Filipino Bayanihan.
In days, all roads will lead to the public schools and expect
several days of active participation of all education stakeholders
who are encouraged to participate and contribute their time,
effort and resources to the school.
Brigada Eskwela has caught the positive attention of many
especially parents who welcome the idea with open arms. As
in the past, the public school is teeming with activity with the
participants armed with anything meant to teeth to the program.
One can see parents weeding the already neglected ground,
some are painting the rooms, others repairing chairs and tables,
and it seems nobody is idle and it is such a wonderful sight.
Again Brigada Eskwela is a very clear manifestation of the
Filipino Bayanihan, a very positive attitude of the Filipino that
is known far and wide.
In some schools, Brigada Eskwela begins with a mass and
a grand colorful parade around town that signals the beginning
of a hard, tedious but an interesting and truly fulfilled event that
lasts for several days. It is also interesting that a big group of
participants are parents manifest more than willingness to make
the beginning of the school year truly ready for their children
and aware that they will have their wards placed comfortably as
they go back to their classroom which have been fully prepared
for their comfort.
Truly, the Brigada Eskwela is not a maana habit like some
programs are but it is here to stay.

Take the Lead: A Positive Link

of the True Leadership
By GINA T. ATOLE - Teacher - 111
Balaynan Elementary School
Goa District

In todays world, it is common to measure ones personal

growth by ever-greater positions of responsibility in the workplace
or by pay raises that signal increasing personal accomplishment.
We often look at visible positions of responsibility as an indication
that a person is an important contributor. It is not surprising then
that many people struggle to know how the best to measure their
growth. In fact; leadership does not require a position. Some
people who exert the uplifting and encouraging influence that
constitute true leadership do so with no position.
We belong to the DepEd organization, no one can calculate
the tremendous force for good that we can become, we are the
keepers of the hearth, we are the managers of the school stand
tall and be strong and in defense of the great virtues which have
been the backbone of the social progress.
I have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and
disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority,
as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise
unrighteous implementation. Hence many are called but few are
chosen no power or influence can or ought to be maintained
by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by loveunfeigned; by kindness and pure knowledge, which shall greatly
enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and ever without guile.
It is common to confuse leadership with telling people what
to do that can lead to unrighteous disposition. It would not be
appropriate to say you must do what I say because I hold the
power, said so. The most important, is that a true and a positive
leader does not give direction and expect it to be followed simply
because of position. Rather a true leadership is about invitation,
A kind of invitation based in pure knowledge and love unfeigned
will always be a greater motivation than Because I said so.
It is true that leaders who tend toward issuing others can get
a lot of work to be done, but they are not leading in the right way,
and they are not developing independent ability and confidence
that should exist among those they are leading. Notice that true
leadership is not the proper ways to wield power or influence,
rather, the power and influence of a true leader are exerted
through persuasion, long suffering, gentleness, meekness, love
unfeigned, kindness, and pure knowledge. These characteristics
of true leadership can be exhibited by all regardless of position.
Leadership is much like training wheels on a bicycle. The
training wheels allow a child to learn how to balance and ride
with confidence. A true leadership puts people in a position
to learn how to love, be patient, and persuade through pure
knowledge and kindness, they may also learn that any attempt
to compel behavior is accompanied by lowering the morale and
decreased effectiveness.
When we learn how to be an influence for good in a proper
way, we will become people who lift others simply because that
is who we are. Positions will not be the primary reason for our
good influence. Yet, when we asked we will serve well wherever
we assigned.
The role of the school head is indispensable in our educational
system they are the managers and the connecting links of the
School, the District Office, and the Division Office, without them
nobody can manage the school.
However, School Heads is like a ship in a sea it is the
solemn duty and responsibility of the captain or in more real
terms the head of agency to, to make sure that the ship sails to
and reaches its point of destination safe and sound.

CARD Bank, Inc. opens its 71st Branch in Boracay

CARD Bank, Inc., a member institution of CARD Mutually
Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI), a social development
institution with a mission of poverty eradication in the
country, opens its 71st branch in Boracay on Monday, May
23, 2016. Bringing banking services of CARD Bank closer
to the micro-entrepreneurs and residents of Boracay is in
line with its mission of making Filipino families to be coowners of the bank. About 10,500 members from CARD

Bank Culasi branch who are residents of Malay, Nabas,

Ibajay, Caticlan, Boracay and San Jose, Romblon can now
transact in its Boracay Branch making transactions faster
and giving more time for member microentreprenuers
to attend to their businesses. In photos are: (left photo)
members opening savings account during the bank
opening and (right photo) the branch and head office staff
who led the opening of the bank.

CARD Bank opens 71st branch in Boracay

CARD Bank, Inc., a
member institution of social
development organization,
CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD
MRI), is now ready to provide more banking services
in Boracay by opening its
71st bank branch here on
Monday, May 23, 2016.
This is not actually the
first time that CARD Bank's
presence will be felt in Boracay, it has already a micro
banking office since 2007 that
caters to the microfinancing
needs of the residents here,
said Ms. Marivic Austria,
CARD Bank President and
CEO adding that the bank
will provide more accessible
banking services. She also
promised that aside from financial services, a comprehensive community service
together with the other institutions of CARD MRI will be
provided for all members in
Boracay and nearby towns.
Bringing the banking services of CARD Bank closer

to the micro-entrepreneurs
and residents of Boracay is in
line with its mission of making Filipino families to be coowners of the bank.
Dr. Dolores Torres, Senior
Adviser and Vice Chairperson
of CARD Bank said, The
residents here are given more
opportunities to be stockholders of CARD Bank because it
is now closer. She added that
the children of CARD Bank
members will be the next in
line as stockholders. At a
young age, they are given financial literacy through its
CARDEEskwela conducted
in selected areas nationwide
to prepare its savers, particularly children six to 12 years
old, for their future.
Lany Pladin, CARD Bank
member for eight years and
currently a stockholder said
she feels proud now that
CARD Bank opened a branch
in Boracay. As a stockholder,
she is an owner of the bank
and receives additional benefits like dividends and freebies

given yearly by CARD Bank.

She also encouraged most of
her family members to join
CARD Bank to receive the
same benefits she is receiving.
Before the bank branch
in Boracay was opened, its
members have to travel two
to three hours to the nearest
CARD Bank Branch in Culasi to do transactions such as
large savings withdrawal.
The grand opening of the
bank was well attended by
the executive and management committee of CARD
Bank and other institutions of
CARD MRI as well as members in Boracay. Its branch
staff were introduced during
the event and bank transactions immediately started after the program to serve the
numerous clients lining up to
open new accounts.
About 10,500 members
from CARD Bank Culasi
branch who are residents of
Malay, Nabas, Ibajay, Caticlan, Boracay and San Jose
Romblon can now transact in

its Boracay Branch making

transactions faster and giving
more time for member microentreprenuers to attend to
their businesses.
All eight CARD Bank
branches in the Panay Island located in Iloilo, Roxas,
Miag-ao, Passi, Estancia, San
Jose Antique, Culasi, and Boracay are now serving more
than 180,000 clients. CARD
Bank operates nationwide and
has a total of about 1.8 million
clients who are savers and
borrowers.
Dr. Jaime Aristiotle B.
Alip, founder and managing
director of CARD MRI envisions a poverty-free country
through financial inclusive
programs and services implemented with sustainable
community
development
programs. CARD MRI, with
about 3.5 million members
nationwide plans to reach
eight million clients in the
next five years insuring 40
million individuals through its
insurance companies.

DR. MARIMIL BOMBASE IS MOST OUTSTANDING PHYSICIAN FOR 2016

The Philippine Medical Association (PMA), the accredited
national organization of all Physicians, presented the Most
Outstanding Physician Award for 2016 to Dr. Marimil S.
Bombase, a Naguea medical practitioner and community
worker, in fitting ceremonies during the PMA Annual
Convention at the Pacific Grand Ballroom, Waterfront Hotel
in Cebu City7, May 20.
Dr. Bombases Award Citation reads: as public
acknowledgment of her participation in numerous activities
par excellence in compliance with the societys projects and
objectives rendered to the Camarines Sur Medical Society.

She was earlier presented the Bicols Outstanding Physician

Award by PMA Governor for Bicol, Dr. Ramon Echano.
Bombase has been the chairperson of Tomasinong Bicolano,
CamSur chapter engaged in community health programs and
projects in this city and neighboring towns. She has been a
member of the Naga City Nutrition Council.
Shown in photo is the Awardee flanked by PMA officials from
left: PMA Governor for Bicol Dr. Ramon Echano, PMA national
president Dr. Minerva Calimag, the Awardee, the National
Awards Committee Chairman Dr. Jose Sabili and other PMA
officials.

may 29 - june 4, 2016

bikol reporter

Prepare for La Nia, DILG tells LGUs . . .

take precautionary measures
in their respective areas of
responsibility.
LGUs are encouraged
to convene their respective
Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils
to prepare a La Nina Action
Plan; closely coordinate with
PAGASA for timely weather
updates and with the DENRMines and Geosciences Bureau for adequate information on the threat of flooding
and rainfall-induced land-

slides within the respective

LGU, said Sarmiento.
He also directed LGUs to
regularly submit a status report to the DILG, through its
Field and Regional Offices,
on all La Nina related incidents, including planning,
preparations and general assessments.
Operation Listo
Sarmiento also reminds
LGUs to implement the early
preparedness actions listed
in the Operation Listo Manu-

als for hydro-meteorological hazards namely the (1)

Checklist of Critical Preparations for Mayors, (2) Checklist of Early Preparations for
Mayors, and (3) Checklist
for Municipal Local Government Operations Officers,
Chiefs of Police, and Fire
Marshalls.
These manuals lay down
disaster preparedness minimum standards before, during, and after a disaster.
There are four General

Actions to be undertaken
proactively by local chief
executives to be able to carry
out the functions during the
critical period when an advisory or alert is issued by
PAGASA: (1) create the local Disaster Risk Reduction
Management structures and
systems to be mobilized; (2)
institutionalize policies and
plans; (3) build the competency of the created structures through various trainings; and (4) complement the
competency by purchasing
and preparing the needed
hardware and supplies to
equip the actions.
As the Manuals say,
these are done during peace
time or when no immediate
threat of a disaster. Tamang
paghahanda, tamang aksyon.
This is what Operation Listo
reminds everyone that we
must be preemptive instead
of reactive, said Sarmiento.
Operation Listo is an advocacy program of the DILG

which aims to strengthen disaster preparedness of LGUs

using the whole-of-government approach. Its first component called Listong Pamahalaang Lokal was launched
in 2014 which institutionalized local protocols for
disaster preparedness, response and monitoring.
The goal is always zero
casualty. The effectiveness
of implementing Operation
Listo is evident when we had
no casualty in places affected
by Bagyong Chedeng in Regions 2 and 3 including Pampanga last year, Sarmiento
pointed out.
Listong Pamayanan and
Listong Pamilyang Pilipino
Last month, President Benigno S. Aquino III led the
DILGs launching of two
new components of Operation Listo: the Listong Pamayanan and Listong Pamilyang Pilipino.
Listong Pamayanan are
a capacity development in-

terventions that started from

LGUs and to be cascaded
to the community; and the
Listong Pamilyang Pilipino
focuses on the family and
household level preparedness.
In Listong Pamilyang
Pilipino, the DILG partners
with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in distributing
Gabay at Mapa, which is a
family guide to action before,
during and after a disaster. It
requires families to make a
household plan determining
their evacuation routes, family meeting points, and safe
places in their home.
Families are advised to
prepare their e-Balde, or
Emergency Balde, which
contains essential items to be
brought during evacuation,
such as ready-to-eat food,
three gallons of water, medicine, first-aid and hygiene
kits, clothes, flashlights, and
radios. -DILG

DTI welcomes school opening with Balik . . .

tion, powder, beauty soaps,
shampoo, conditioner, dishwashing liquid, pambaon
items like juice drinks and
other basic commodities
were offered by SM Supermarket, RT Montana Distributors, Twin Peak Marketing,
MJ Prilles Enterprise/Gentle
Supreme, ZEST-O Corporation, Power Deals Trade
Haus, MESCO, Prime Seller
marketing and, New Staple
Marketing and Trading Corporation.
Naga Savers Fashion
Mart, Super Metro and New
Master Square Supermarket
offer its discounted school
supplies and uniforms for
fair buyers. Hataw Hardware
products also offered handwoven products like bag,
blanket, pillow cases, towels
and purses.
DTI Camarines Sur Provincial Director Edna Tejada
shared that they encourage
buyers to avail and promote
Bicols homegrown products
like handwoven items from
the weavers of Buhi, Cama-

rines Sur. The said products

are
environment-friendly.
The materials which were
used came from scrap collars
and factory waste materials.
Other companies also
participated to offer their
products and services to the
buyers: Globe Telecoms for
internet, mobile concerns
and related promos; Sheridan
Marketing for focus lightning fixtures; Tupperware
for its branded products and

Lumina for those who intend

to avail of socialized housing
privileges.
Aside from the price discounts, DTI assures the public that all products being
sold at the Diskwento Fair
are of good quality and are
pre-screened by the DTI personnel to protect consumers
from any health hazards on
products sold, such as papers,
notebooks, plastics and crayons. PIA5Camarines Sur

DepEd: Shun costly school . . .

lumang kwaderno na spiral na
may sobrang pahina na hindi
nagamit noong nakaraang
taon ay pwedeng pagsamasamahin at tahiin (All the unused pages of old notebooks
in the previous school year
can still be compiled and
sown together), he added.
The DepEd official recommended the "Gabay sa Pamimili ng School Supplies"
released by the DTI to properly guide consumers in their
purchase of school supplies.

The link is posted on the official website and social media

accounts of DepEd.
The special monitoring
activity for school supplies
was spearheaded by the DTI,
together with representatives
from DepEd, Department of
Health-Food and Drug Administration
(DOH-FDA),
Local Government Unit-Manila and Senator Bam Aquino.
The monitoring team reported stable and reasonable
prices of school supplies.

for april
Name of Deceased

Date of Interment

JEROME S. MAGPANTAY
DOMINICI B. ACOMPAADO
ROSARIO F. LAGUIDAO
TOMAS F. ARCILLA
ROMEO O. LEE
RODRIGO B. CARAAN
ADELINA M. CASIDO
MARY GRACE J. CAPISTRANO
EUGENIA A. ABELINDE
NOEL B. BARJA
SALVADOR O. RUBIANO
ERNESTO F. PIMENTEL
SONIA P. BORRE
SALVACION C. LOPEZ
PATRIA A. PRADO
JOSEFINA C. DADO
CATALINO A. SANTOS SR.

April 2, 2016
April 2, 2016
April 5, 2016
April 7, 2016
April 9, 2016
April 11, 2016
April 14, 2016
April 16, 2016
April 17, 2016
April 19, 2016
April 22, 2016
April 21, 2016
April 23, 2016
April 28, 2016
April 27, 2016
April 30, 2016
April 30, 2016

may 29 - june 4, 2016

The Challenges of an
Administrative Officer

By LEONOR MONTE-ESTEVE
Administrative Aide III
San Antonio National High School, Iriga City
To be given the task of an administrative aide calls for a a
high degree of commitment and versatility. This means that it is
not just easy to become one. But being a part of the education
industry in the country, the commitment is not a question, If
there are employees in the country who could be counted as
committed, there is no other group but those in the education
sector. Teachers and not teachers and being referred to here
is the education support staff who deserve a big tap on their
shoulders. Take the administrative aides who are branded as
stewards, they are tasked to ensure a supportive environment
for effective teaching and learning simultaneously and effectively.
The administrative aide faces various responsibilities and
tasks. They are committed to a variety of essential tasks related
to the administration, supervision od dependable work functions
and assist in carryuing out the administrative functions of a unit
or department.
Their works include word processing, printing and collecting
of documents, attendance, appointments as well as performing
light bookkeeping, coordinating with other departments and
units. This is versatility, no less.
The administrative aide provides support to administrative
and various administrative organizational matters, maintains an
objective records of copies and documents without let up. He
manage and keeps documents including personal, institutional
even historical documents. As a whole, the ever dependable
administrative aide serves aa a liaison officer between the
various departments in the industry.

NCPC highlights . . .
the people councils leaders in
San Fernando; dialogue with
the National Commission on
Indigenous People (NCIP)
regarding IP representation
in barangays in Ocampo and
other leadership training and

seminars in other project sites

among others.
NCPC partnered with 2
major funding agencies for
the realization of various
projects in the Metro Naga
area; the United Democ-

bikol reporter
The Schools Support System
By ELVIE M. MARTINEZ - Disbursing Officer II
San Antonio National High School, Iriga City

Its not all teachers that make a school. Neither all students.
The education industry anywhere and not just in the Philippines
is a composite of people of varied educational attainment,
specialization, skills and all working together for a common
goal and that is to make education meaningful and responsive
to the needs of the time.
The disbursing officer, among many employees who make
up the support staff of teachers as stewards of the resources of
the Department of Education enable and support the educational
environment for effective learning to happen,
Tasked with tasks according to specifications, the disbursing
officer makes it a point to take care of this position and live up
to the desired expectations of the industry who are in the upper
echelon. Among other things, he keeps an adequate record of
the documents within his area of responsibility, he maintains
detailed records of all transactions done in his line of work and
carefully go over them for accuracy and if these documents are
required he is ready with them anytime.
As part of the support system of the education industry, he
performs other duties asked for by his superiors The school
support staff like the clerks, the disbursing officer as all other
who make up the support staff maintain accuracy of records and
keep documents., file them according to a system, receive and
send documents properly, do a wide range of secretarial works,
also making the administrative office function very effectively.
This is no mean work because the support staff makes up what
makes the education industry function very orderly despite the
big population of education iin the country.
Consider it a big responsibility, thats so. Because they who
make up the support system of the education industry in the
country deserves the same level importance as do teachers,
supervisors and superintendents and all other in the higher
level of education.

racy Fund for the 1st batch

of LGU beneficiaries and
USAID Phil-American Fund
which awarded the council
with P6M.
The objective of the two
programs is to promote and
replicate the peoples council concept as a viable model
for the advancement and institutions of greater accountability and transparency in
governance that will lead to
expanded civic engagement
in the municipalities comprising the Metro Naga Area,
Dela Rosa stated.
He also added that very
essence of the program is sustainability. He believed that
assistance from NGOs should
not cease even after the project has been completed. Project areas were picked based
on their accessibility for easier monitoring.
City Mayor John Bongat who has been promoting

participatory governance and

transparency under his administration expounded on
the importance and benefits
of Peoples Councils.
Institutionalization of a
program like the participatory
and inclusive governance,
where decision-making is not
only owned by you leaders,
but owned by everybody. Participatory and inclusive governance makes sense for the
development of community.
The procedure and processes
for decision-making may be
longer, but it is shot cut for
swift and fast implementation.
NCPC reported that at the
end of the project, that one of
the accomplishments of the
peoples councils is their triumph to position themselves
in the Local Poverty Reduction Action team giving them
a voice what projects should
be prioritized under the BUB.

Mid-year bonus includes . . .

Contact No.:

Allan - 0921-999-8888
Fely - 0918-628-7818

willprint ads

the Mid-Year Bonus under

Item 5.0 of the Circular shall
be strictly observed; (ii) the
Personnel Services limitation
in LGU budgets under Sections 325(a) and 331(b) of the
Local Government Code of
1991 shall be complied with;
(iii) if funds are insufficient,
the Mid-Year bonus may be
granted at lower rates but at
a uniform percentage of the
monthly basic pay as of May
15 of the current year.
The Punong Barangay as
the chief executive of the Local Government Unit is given
full flexibility to determine
the satisfactory performance
rating of its appointive personnel. Meanwhile, elective
Barangay officials are entitled
as long as they remain in government service as of May 15,
2016 and has rendered at least
four (4) months of service.
Section 10 of Executive
Order 201, Modifying the
Salary Schedule for Civilian

Government Personnel and

Authorizing the Grant of Additional Benefits for Both Civilian and Military and Uniformed Personnel, states that
the modified salary schedule
and additional benefits for civilian personnel may likewise
be granted to LGU personnel
subject to authorization from
their respective sanggunian
and to compliance with the
PS limitation in LGU budgets.
The basic pay of barangay personnel shall be in
the form of honoraria which
shall not exceed the percentage of the Salary Schedule
corresponding to the income
classification of the LGU.
They may likewise receive
Mid-Year Bonus and YearEnd Bonus based on the
monthly honoraria as of May
15 and October 31 of the
year, respectively, and Cash
Gift of Five Thousand Pesos
(P5,000). -DBM

Classroom Discipline
in the Elementary Grade
By JESTER N. BONA
Master Teacher 1
Iriga Central School, Iriga City

Student discipline is linked to classroom management.

Expect therefore of teachers to maintain an academic
classroom environment.
Discipline is not about getting students to do what the
teachers want them to do. Discipline means providing an
environment in which positive teaching and teacher occur
at the same time.
Maintaining an academic classroom environment is a big
challenge to teachers who are faced with students of different
mental set-up, with some of them are confrontational
students. The effective teacher must think of effective ways
of dealing with these confrontational students.
The following are very practical ways but could be very
effective.
Teachers must have some policies outlined and strictly
implemented. For example, a tardy policy must be created.
Tardiness is one that many ill-practices students are guilty
of. A system must be followed. Every teacher may have
his own way of dealing with students are perennially late
without a valid reason.
At the beginning of the school year, a workable system
must be made very clear which is no less than an example
of positive discipline. But the teacher must have a way of
holding on to anger. Sometimes, things just dont work out
well and a teacher loses him temper. Subsequently, there
is a not a very harmonious relationship between teachers
and students. If unchecked, things could go worst. Verbal
reprimand should never be done in public
Small things but very workable and effective like teachers
greeting the students making the students feel their good.
Interacting with students, converse with them using positive
presence, making them feel that hey are their friends and
you are not just their teacher. They will come to you and
share with you ideas and sometimes confide with you about
problems with their studies, their classmates, their parents
and about home life.
One very effective way of dealing with students, whether
they are confrontational or not confrontational is for the
teacher to become a model in behavior. As the saying goes,
discipline is not taught. It is caught. It follows herevalues
are caught, they are not taught.
. Sometimes it can not be helped that teachers lose their
temper. But students should not be reprimanded in public.
And even if done in private, the reprimand must be brief
and done as immediate ae possible. Students good deeds
must be acknowledged. Positive attitudes such as kindness,
dependability, fairness and other positive attitudes of students
must be acknowledged.
Simple ways but they could pave their way towards
classroom discipline.
Republic of the Philippines
LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE
Province: Camarines Sur
City of Naga

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

In compliance with Section No. 5 of R.A. No. 9048,
a notice is hereby served to the public that CYNTHIA
NIDEA SARMIENTO has filed with this Office, a Petition
for Change of First Name from BELEN to CYNTHIA in
the birth certificate of BELEN ALVAREZ NIDEA who was
born on November 18, 1968 at Naga City, Camarines Sur
and whose parents are CELEDONIO TALISAY NIDEA and
MAGDALENA ZAMUDIO ALVAREZ.
Any person adversely affected by said petition may
file his written opposition with this office not later than
June 3, 2016.

(Sgd.) ALEXANDER M. CAYETANO

City Civil Registrar
Naga City, Camarines Sur

BIKOL REPORTER
Published: May 22 and 29, 2016

VACATION LOTS FOR SALE

AFFORDABLE AREAS FOR VACATION
HOMES ARE NOW ON SALE. LOCATED
ALONG PAVED NATIONAL ROAD TO
CAROLINA, NAGA CITY TOWARD MT.
ISAROG.
ONLY FIVE KMS. FROM CITY
PROPER.
LOTS MEASURE 700 SQ.M. EACH. YOU
CAN HAVE AMPLE AREA FOR ORCHARD,
FLOWER/VEGETABLE
GARDEN
OR
BACKYARD POULTRY.
CALL TONY ACYATAN (CP 0917 852 7391)
FOR DETAILS & DISCOUNTS.

Legazpi starts pre-schoolers'

check-up
By Emmanuel P. Solis

page 8

Bicol, the philippines

may 29-june 4, 2016 P5.00

Vice President-elect Leni Gerona Robredo administered the oath of office of

elected 3rd District Congressman, Gabriel Hidalgo Bordado in Calabanga.

DepEd: Shun costly

school supplies
MANILA -- The Department of Education
(DepEd) is urging all public schools to refrain from
requiring expensive school
supplies for students as
classes begin on June 13.
The DepEd made the call
together with the Department
of Trade and Industry (DTI)

during the special monitoring

activity for school supplies in
bookstores around Recto Avenue, Manila on Tuesday.
DepEd Assistant Secretary for Legal and Legislative
Affairs Atty. Tonisito M.C.
Umali called on the administrators of public schools to
refrain from prescribing any
branded or expensive school
supplies which contribute to
budgetary constraints of parents, especially those with

children studying in public

schools.
"Makakaasa po kayo na
ang ating mga pampublikong
paaralan ay hindi mag-oobliga ng mga mamahaling
school supplies. (Rest assured
that our public schools will
not require expensive school
supplies) No specific type or
brand of school supplies will
be required," said Umali.
"Maski po yung mga
(Turn to page 6)

NCPC highlights participatory, inclusive

governance under the USAID project
By Ana-Liza S.
Macatangay
NAGA CITY --- For the
past 20 years, the Naga City
Peoples Council (NCPC)
has empowered various
people organizations that
paved the way for peoples
participation in local governance, subsequently leading
to an economically and socially sound community as
it replicates the various programs in their own locality.
A by-product of City Ordinance No. 95-092, NCPC
already have 90 members
classified into thirteen (13)

sectors which include the

urban poor, youth and children, business, labor, senior
citizen, women, persons with
disabilities, peasant, transport, barangay peoples council, education, civic, professionals and enthusiasts, and
NGO sectors.
In a press conference on
Thursday, May 26 at Bistro
Roberto, Villa Caceres Hotel
here, Johann Dada Dela Rosa,
NCPC executive director presented their accomplishment
on a project supported by the
USAID Philippine American
Fund.
The project dubbed as

said.
He said Sagip-Kalusugan
was conceptualized in 2007
during which the recorded
malnourished cases were 16
percent of the total population of children in this city.
Through this program, however, malnutrition was reduced to only 6 percent or
less than 1,000 children
posted in the first quarter of
2016. Aside from this yearly
Sagip-Kalusugan project, the
City Health Office has also

conducted a monthly regular

monitoring and holding of
Operation Timbang for preschool children in the community to make sure they are
always in their proper weight,
Gillego said. He said his office also conducts nutrition
education for all mothers as
part of promoting nutritional
guidelines that include proper
way of breast feeding, infant
and child feeding, responsible
parenthood, maternal and
child health care. -PNA

DTI welcomes school opening

with Balik Eskwela Diskwento Fair

HOMETOWN OATH-TAKING

By Filane Mikee Z.
Cervantes

LEGAZPI CITY This

City Health Office has started giving health services to
the pre-school children in
the 70 barangays here. City
Health Officer Fulbert Gillego said in an interview
Wednesday that the citys
professional doctors, pediatricians, medical technologists, dentists, pharmacists
and nutrition officers have
started rendering medical
services to the city villagers
as part of bringing health
care services closer to the
people.
The health services activity is part of the citys yearly
Sagip-Kalusugan Program
with a holistic approach involving free medical checkups, laboratory examinations,
urine examinations, feeding
activities, chest X-ray, deworming and vitamin supplementation which aims to
reduce malnutrition cases in
the community. The medical
services aimed at preventing
children from being victims
of tuberculosis, asthma, skin
disease and other dangerous
infectious illnesses, Gillego

Advancing and Instituting

Greater accountability and
Transparency through Expanded Civic Engagement in
Metro Naga Area was implemented in 7 municipalities,
namely: Pamplona, Pasacao,
San Fernando, Minalabac,
Camaligan. Calabanga and
Ocampo .
Some of the salient activities which were implemented
in line with the realization of
the said project include farmer and fisherfolk consultative
forum, organic rice farming
demo farm and orientation on
local legislation processes to

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By Ana-Liza S.
Macatangay

NAGA CITY --- The

Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI) Provincial
Office here steered another
round of its Balik-Eskwela
Diskwento Fair from May
25 to 27, just in time before
the opening of classes this
coming June.
The three-day activity
held at the DTI Camarines
Sur ground endeavors to help
the consumers, especially the
mothers who usually bear
the brunt of budgeting and
balancing finances inside the
family, to get hold and avail
of the big discount for school
supplies and household items
offered at the fair.
DTI CamSur Senior Trade
and Industry Development
Specialist Jay Ablan stated
that the annual Diskwento
Fair being espoused by their
office regularly, allows consumers to avail of the lowpriced school-stuff, prime
commodities and other basic
necessities like personal care
and hygiene implements and
also food items.
This is one way of helping our consumers, especially mothers and students,
for them to be able to stretch
their budget, because this is
the time when expenses both
in household and school piles
up, such as tuition fees and
purchase of school supplies
and other items needed by
students.
Prices of items like school
uniforms, bags, shoes, crayons, art materials, paper, pens
and other school supplies,
pang baon goodies like

Fair

The DTI Cam. Sur initiated a 3-day Diskwento Fair featuring

school supplies, shoes, bags, uniforms, personal care, and
some basic and prime commodities at the grounds of their
Panganiban Drive office.

biscuits and beverages can be

availed with a 5 % to as high
as 50 % discount rate. There
are also buy one, take one
offerings and other freebies.
Participating stores or
companies also had their own
gimmicks and promos that
enticed more buyers to participate in the said fair.
Twenty-three exhibitors
participated in the 3-day
Diskwento Fair. For those
who want to avail of organic
veggies, herbal products and

supplements, liniments, wellness and beauty products,

Farm Paradise, Goldshine
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Harnnayet Trading and JC Premier
Marketing have this products
with them.
The National Food Authority (NFA) offers its lowpriced rice for consumers.
Grocery needs such as milk,
cookies, noodles, candies,
canned meat, noodles, toothbrush, sanitary napkins, lo(Turn to page 6)