Legazpi City -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has extended capital assistance amounting P860,000 to fund alternative livelihood projects of fisherfolk in the towns of San Pascual and Claveria of Burias Island in Masbate and in Pasacao, Camarines Sur. In a separate simple turn-over ceremonies, Vice President Noli de Castro with DSWD Undersecretary Celia C. Yangco awarded the checks in the amount of P5,000 each to 50 beneficiaries both in San Pascual and Claveria, and 72 beneficiaries in Pasacao. DSWD Bicol regional director Remia T. Tapispisan explained that the fishermen are losing income because of the public's fear to eat fish especially in the areas where there were recovered cadavers of casualties from the M/V Princess of the Stars and other vessels that sunk at the height of Typhoon Frank. Tapispisan said the reason why the department thought of extending capital assistance under the Self-Employment Assistance Program to the families with fishing as their only means of livelihood. She pointed out that the P860,000 is an initial release since the DSWD project development officers are still conducting assessment to other target beneficiaries in other Masbate towns that include Placer, Esperanza, Cawayan and Balud. In other development, DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral had a one-day swing in the province of Masbate for the NDCC meeting and to get an update on the relief and rehabilitation activities for the victims of typhoon Frank which brought heavy damages to 16 towns of the province. In her one-day visit, Cabral released 2,000 family packs for the towns of Placer with 600 packs and Balud and Esperanza for 700 packs each. The DSWD had an initial release of Emergency Shelter Assistance to 50 families whose dwellings were totally destroyed with P5,000 awarded for each qualified beneficiary.

Legazpi City -- Albay Gov. Joey Sarte Salceda, a top economic adviser of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, on Thursday expressed elation over the appointment of former Senator Ralph Rector as head of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA).

"As colleague in the House, Recto was a hardworking chairman of the Committee on Economic Affairs of the 10th Congress. He has excellent credentials in economics and would bring to NEDA his expertise in how policy becomes law, secures budget and get executed," Salceda said on Recto.

The two were former colleagues in the House of Representatives with Salceda for Albay and Recto for Batangas.

"We get two-in-one out of that appointment of Recto with Ate Vi (Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos), Recto's wife spices with LGU perspective. Ate Vi for home economics and Ralph for political economy," Salceda said.

Malacanang on Wednesday announced the appointment of Recto who assumed office Thursday replacing Augusto Santos who took the seat in acting capacity vice Romulo Neri who was named as head of the commission on Higher Education (CHED) and lately president of the Social Security System (SSS). Recto is very much suited to the job, Salceda said adding that as a brilliant economist, at the lower house he chaired the Committee on Economic Affairs and in the Senate he headed the Senate committee on ways and means and authored the Expanded Value-Added Tax Law (E-VAT). Unfortunately, he lost his bid for reelection in the 2007 elections under the administration ticket, the Albay governor added. Apart from the EVAT Law, Recto also authored the Special Economic Zone Law, Comprehensive Tax Reform Law, Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act, Retail Trade Liberalization Law, Lateral Attrition Law, Sin Tax Law and Rent Control Law, among others.

Legazpi City -- The media community in Albay had gone restless after jueteng whistle blower Wilfredo "Boy" Mayor filed two criminal cases of libel against four print journalist. Mayor filed two counts of libel charges against members of the editorial staff Dyaryo Bicol a weekly tabloid publication operating in this city. Charge were Marites A. Nual, publisher on leave of Dyaryo Bikol, Marlyn A. Relingado, associate publisher, Danny Calleja, editor and a correspondent of Business Mirror, Job Belen, associate editor Philippine Daily Inquirer, Souther Luzon Bureau correspondent, Rhaydz Barcia, news editor and correspondent of Manila Times. Lawyer Ireneo M. De Lumen, legal consultant and Elsa A. Malaiba, business manager of the publication were also included in the cmaplaint. The libel cases filed against journalist enraged both print and broadcast networks here, saying " the move is again a manifestation that journalist are always at risk in practicing their honored profession," the Albay Legazpi Press Association (ALPA) said in a statement. Danny Calleja, correspondent of the Business Mirror said the libel case filed against us "are part of the risk of a crusading journalist, we welcome the charges as we prefer being charged in court than getting killed." The libel suits filed at the e the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Albay was triggered by news article which was published on May 19-25 issue and Editorial dated June 16-22, 2008 wherein according to the complainant committed 'injurious" and defamatory articles. Mayor, a self-confessed illegal gambling lord who testified against First Gentleman Mike Arroyo and several other officials of the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in a Senate inquiry on the jueteng payola scandal three years ago that rocked the Arroyo administration claimed that his reputation was maligned and was ridiculed before the bar of public opinion. Mayor, a resident of Dona Maria Subdivision in Tagas village Daraga, town in Albay said in his complaint-affidavit that on May 19-25, 2008 that the story that appeared at the "Dyaryo Bikol" maligned or tarnished his name and reputation. The news published at Dyaryo Bikol bannered the story "notorious con artists behind an illegal gambling ring in Albay are back into their old business defeating a government initiative to stamp out jueteng through the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) sponsored small town lottery. The story also disclosed that the gambling syndicate allegedly headed by the tandem of Nora de Leon ad Wilfredo "Boy" Mayor, both known personalities in the local jueteng circle that took over from the management of Philippine Pacific Rim Corp. (PRC0) the operations of STL in the province last May 5, 2008. The events took place three days after Chief Supt. Paterno Bangui was formally installed as the new regional director of the Philippine National Police. Bangui replaced Senior Supt. Roberto Bondoc who retired from his service last May 9, 2008. 

San Agustin, Pili, Camarines Sur - Three of the Bicol's bet to the 2008 Gawad Saka Outstanding Achievers, the highest awards being conferred by the Department of Agriculture to agriculture and fisheries stakeholders and players bagged national awards. Dr. Justino Arboleda of Juboken Enterprises Inc. of Camalig, Albay is chosen as Outstanding Agri- Entrepreneur; Rosita L. Naje of Burabod, Castilla Sorsogon is adjudged Outstanding Young Farmer and the Provincial Agriculture and Fishery Council (PAFC) of Camarines Norte is this year's outstanding PAFC. Dr. Arboleda and Naje will each receive P120,00 cash prize , presidential trophy and citation. PAFC Caamarines Norte will receive P250,000 Project grant and also a presidential trophy and citation. Dr. Arboleda who was formerly the dean of college of Agriculture and Forestry of the Bicol University earned both his bachelor's and masteral degree in Tokyo, Japan as a scholar and gained national and international recognition for turning coconut wastes into something useful, profitable and environmentally sound. He made several products out of coco-fiber, which have great economic, environmental and industrial uses which is now acknowledged worldwide. One notable product he developed together with his pool of experts is the coco-net which is now being used for erosion control, riverbank and slope rehabilitation and soil surface revegetation. He had also generated employment for many Filipinos. For this he was recipient of prestigious awards such as the BBC World Challenge 2005, the Global Ecotech Award in Japan, The presidential Golden Shall Award and the Agora Award for Marketing. Rosita Naje, 27 years old is an enterprising young lady. A graduate of BS Agricultural Technology major in Animal Husbandry, she ventured into poultry production in 2003. In 2006, she qualified as one of the recipients of the Young Farmer Program , a collaborative project of the National Agriculture and Fisheries Council and the Congressional Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization. Aside from egg layer production she processes duck eggs into salted egg and raises pullets and is into vegetable production . She is also an active youth leader in her locality. Meanwhile the PAFC of Camarines Norte is recognized for its initiative to reach out to its members and other agriculture stakeholders thru its own radio program "Unlad Kabuhayan, Magandang Kinabukasan", anchored by its chairperson Benmjamin Dimaano alongside with another radio program -"Ginintuang Masaganang Ani" where information, technology updates, livelihood opportunities and prospects are discussed. The council is also actively invoilvedin the promotion local products, market linkages and improved production technologies thru its conduct of special events and linkages with various government and non-government organizations.

Del Gallego, Cam. Sur - Another Gulayan sa Simbahan project was launched in this municipality over the week bringing to four the total number of this hunger mitigation project of the Department of Agriculture in partnership with the catholic church in the Bicol region. The vegetable production project in the 2-hectare farm in barangay Comadogcadog in this municipality owned by the Veluz family will be managed by the church-organized Munting Sambayanang Kristiyano of Sta. Rita de Casia Parish. The DA represented by Undersecretary for Special Concerns Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and Regional Executive Director Dr. Jose V. Dayao turned over to the beneficiaries represented by the Bishop Jose R. Rojas, Jr. D.D. of the prelature of Libmanan and Rev. Fr. Ian Trillanes, parish priest of Sta. Rita de Cassia, agricultural inputs consisting of assorted vegetable seeds, garden tools, rain shelter set, seedling trays, plastic mulch and organic fertilizers. The Bureau of Soils and Water Management an attached agency of the DA will also install a drip irrigation system. Meanwhile, the Agricultural Training institute another DA attached agency will provide technical training for the beneficiaries of the project. Also present as special guest during the launching ceremonies was Congressman Diosdado "Dato" Arroyo, representative of the 1st district of Camarines Sur. He promised to support the farmers request to establish a farmer's learning center in the municipality. He also urged the farmers to support the programs of the national and local government especially the hunger mitigation program of the president. Mayor Bayani B. Veluz thanked the DA for choosing his municipality as one of the project sites for this Gulayan Program and welcomed this new initiative of involving the church in the development efforts and acknowledged that the church could indeed be a very effective partner of the LGUs. Dr. Dayao says that vegetable production has bright prospects especially for Del Gallego which is Bicol's gateway to Southern Tagalog and region IV. The municipality could supply vegetables to Metro Manila and thus generate additional income and employment for its people. He also urged the LGU to apply for a Barangay Bagsakan Center which serves as a food depot. Earlier this year, the DA tapped the catholic church through the National Social Action Justice and Peace (NASSA) of the CBCP and the local social action centers.to be its partner in the implementation of agricultural programs. This was launched in Libmanan, Camarines Sur by agriculture secretary. This was followed by the launching of Gulayan sa Simbahan project in Daet, Camarines Norte in May and in Masbate last June.

Minalabac, Camarines Sur - The local government unit of Minalabac is set to start the construction work for its 31.11 kilometers of farm-to-market road worth P78M under the Infrastructure for Rural Productivity Enhancement Sector (InfRES) Project. The ground breaking ceremonies was held on July 16, 2008 at barangay Sagrada Familia and was graced by Congressman Disodado "Dato" Arroyo and officials of the DA led by regional executive director Jose V. Dayao. Local officials and guests include Mayor Gil Basmayor Jr., Vice Mayor Nestor Villegas the municipal councilors and Ariel Peña, manager of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) Naga City branch which provided loan assistance to the LGU for this project. The InfRES Project Management Office was represented by Engineer Rizalino del Socorro. The project includes 9 road sections covering barangay Baliuag Viejo(Sitio Banglad), Baliuag Viejo (Sitio Badang), Baliuag Viejo-San Jose, Sagrada familia, Mataoroc, Manapao, Tariric-Malitbog, Irayang Solong, Baliuag Nievo, Hobo-Magadap, Hamoraon-Bagolatao. Dr. Dayao says the implementation of various InfRES projects particularly he construction of the farm-to-market roads in rural areas is expected to spur the agricultural development and uplift the economic conditions of the people especially the farming sector as delivery of basic services will be hastened and farm products will be made accessible to the markets.

Nabua, Camarines Sur - One of the strategies in the effective implementation of the RP-Spain Joint Cooperation Project SAIS-BC is the strengthening of capabilities of participating cooperatives. In line with this, a 5-day training on Cooperative Strengthening and Integration was conducted last July 14-18 in Macagang Business Center Hotel and Resort Nabua Camarines Sur. Sixteen cooperatives involved in the sub-projects like cassava, coconut, pineapple, pili and abaca production and processing attended the training. The cooperative managers and chairmen of the board who attended the training were required to prepare their business plans and SWOT analysis. Based on their output Jose Luis Collado Cabioch one of the trainers from the Agencia Española de Cooperacion International (AECI) said that the cooperatives has to regularly review and revisit their business plan to make it more realistic and attuned with the times. He added that it is important that cooperatives must take into consideration interconnectivity or use of IT in their marketing and business transactions. They can access information on exporters and suppliers of products from the web. They should also be knowledgeable on the laws on tariffs and trades. He said that going into IT facilitates marketing transactions and activities. Another trainer, Vicente Corona Heredia on the otherhand lauded the efforts of the participants for coming up with excellent outputs. He suggested that the cooperatives must look into their marketing strategies to ensure that their products have regular buyers. During the round table discussion, OIC Director for Planning and Development Service and SAIS-BC project coordinator Zenaida M. Villegas emphasized that cooperatives must consider sustainability of their project based on existing resources. She suggested that they should perfect the technology and come up with quality products because if the project is sustained profitability comes in and this is the appropriate time for them to expand their project. AECI Project Director for Bicol Lidia Hernandez Alonzo on the otherhand informed the group that their business plan is flexible and they can include other activities that would help improve their business activities as long as it is all geared towards attaining increased income and sustainability of the project. She asked the group to know the problems encountered by other cooperatives, the lessons learned for their future reference.

Legazpi City -- The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) is now placed under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) following the issuance of Executive Order (EO) No. 726 issued by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on May 23, 2008. EO No. 726 entitled "Transferring the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) took effect immediately on the date of its issuance. With the integration, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the DENR is expected to simplify further the procedure and processing time in the issuance of mining permits and contracts for mining applications. The NCIP created by Republic Act No. 8371 (Act to Recognize, Protect and Promote the Rights of Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples) is the government agency tasked to lead in the process in the issuance of the Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) or Certification Precondition (CP) or Certificate of Non-Overlap (CNO) for large and small-scale mining applications that involves the development, exploitation, utilization, exploration of mineral resources within ancestral domains and or lands inhabited by Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs). According to MGB Bicol regional director Reynulfo A. Juan, mining applications for Mineral Production Sharing Agreements (MPSA), Exploration Permit (EP) Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) and Industrial Permit (IP) are filed with the MGB regional office and endorsed to the NCIP to determine whether the subject area of the project and or activities fall within an ancestral domain or not. The FPIC is the consent given by the concerned ICCs/IPs to a mining company/applicant allowing the latter to explore, develop, exploit and utilize mineral resources found within their (ICC/IPs) ancestral domains/lands while the CNO is a certificate issued by the NCIP attesting that the area affected by a particular project or activity does not overlap with any ancestral domain. The CP on the other hand is a certificate of compliance issued by the NCIP attesting that the (mining) applicant has complied with the requirements for securing the affected ICCs/IPs FPIC.

Bula, Camarines Sur – Namemeligrong maalang an 400 na ektarya na mga kaoomahan sa Barangay San Ramon, Bula, Camarines Sur makalihis na putulan nin suplay nin kuryente kan Camarines Sur Electric Cooperative (CASURECO) 3 an saindang water pump irrigation system. Ini kasunod na man kan morosidad na nagkakantidad 2.2 milyon de pesos kan Irrigators Association na haloy nang panahon na dae nababayadan. Sosog ki Engr. Bertulfo Delima, an Provincial Operations Officer kan National Irrigation Administration, iyo ini an problema kan irrigation pump system na naggagamit nin kuryente tangani sanang mapabulusan nin tubig an mga kaomahan bakong arog kan gravity sytem na aldaw banggui an bulos kan tubig. Mientras tanto, habo na man daang makiolay an mga direktor kan CASURECO 3 sa mga paraoma kan para mapabulusan liwat sinda nin suplay nin kuryente. Napag-araman pa man sa NIA sa paagui ni Engr. Danilo Renulayan na pinutulan nin kuryente an patubig huli sa dae nabayadan sa nakatalaan na petsa an current bill kan mga paraoma na nagkakantidad nin labi sa P800 mil. Basado man sa kasunduan entre kan kooperatiba kan kuryente asin kan mga paraoma, inkaso magpalya na ma-settle an current bill, obligado na sindang bayadan an P2.2 milyon na 'arrears'.

Pili, Camarines Sur – Nag-aabot sa 54 na mga suldados sa bikol an hinaklas sa serbisyo huli sa pagkakaimbuelto sa man-iba ibang kaso arog kan imoralidad, grave misconduct, AWOL, illegal drugs asin iba pang kaso. Sosog ki Major General Jeffrey Sodusta, an commanding general kan 9th Infantry Division, nagpoon an pagtanggal sa mga ini kan bulan pa kan Setyembre 2007 hasta sa presente kung saen sinda an pinag-dismiss sa serbisyo tanganing linigon an militar. Sa kabilugan na 140ng kaso na pinagdangog kan Army Provo Division, 90 sa mga ini an dagos nang naresolberan. Sa nasambitan na mga kaso, 59 an AWOL, 37 an dapit sa imoralidad, non-support asin abandonment, 5 an kaso sa illegal drugs mantang duwa sa violation on gun ban. Napag-araman na an mga naiimbuelto sa nasambitan na mga kaso iyo an mga enlisted personnel, mga private first class, army corporal asin army staff sgt.