Legazpi City -- The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) turned-over to Cocoline Network Multi-Purpose Cooperative the second set of equipments for coco coir processing on September 22 at the coop plant site in Barangay Lomacao, Guinobatan, Albay. Coop chairman Florante Siapno received the package composed of one unit each of revolving screener/sieve, carding machine, manual twining machine and manual weaving machine/loom from PCA Region IV-A manager Dennis J. Calub, NFDP project leader and PARO Salve P. Tongco of DAR. Personnel of Juboken Enterprises of Gapo, Camalig, Albay demonstrated to the recipient farmers the basic machine operation and maintenance after the turn-over ceremonies. In the same activity, PCA, DAR and Cocoline Network Multi-Purpose Cooperative formalized the participation of Juboken Enterprises as the market integrator and technology provider under the Nucleus Farm Development Project (NFDP). The equipment complete the assistance package of the two agencies under its Nucleus Farm Development Project. The first release was a jeepney/animal-drawn decorticating machine given to the cooperative on June 26, 2007. In addition to these physical provisions were the trainings provided in the previous year to 42 coconut farmer members of the Cooperative on decortication of coconut husk, coco coir twining, looming and doormat making and the utilization of coco dust or peat as soil conditioner or organic fertilizer. The plant can serve up to 2,000 hectares of coconut land and will provide jobs to 15 persons.

Legazpi City -- September 22-28 marks this year's observance of the National Family Week aimed at focusing public attention on family concerns. The theme of this year's NFW celebration "Father and their Families: Responsibilities and Challenges" was chosen to highlight the important role fathers play in strengthening family unity and solidarity. This annual celebration is pursuant to Executive Order No. 221 dated June 9, 1995 and Proclamation No. 60 dated September 28, 1992 declaring the observance of the National Family Week on the last week of September every year. A foot parade from the police regional command at Camp Gen. Simeon Ola to the Legazpi City Hall signaled the start of NFW celebration. This was joined by members of the Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Family, ERPAT Organization of Legazpi, Inter-Faith Group, the City Government of Legazpi and the Philippine National Police (PNP). An opening program held at Ibalong Conference Hall, City Hall Compound immediately followed after the parade. The program was highlighted by the giving of award and recognition to this year's two finalist and the 2008 winner for the search of the Huwarang Pamilya of Legazpi City. This year's winner who received a plaque of recognition and P10,000 cash from the city government is Mr. and Mrs. Adriano Azupardo and family of Arimbay, Legazpi City. The two finalists given a plaque of recognition and a consolation prize of P1,500 each were Mr. and Mrs. Erlim Azotea of Brgy. 15, and Mr. and Mrs. Reynaldo Ador of Barangay Pawa. Another activity was the Information Caravan to Minto Resettlement Site in Guinobatan, Albay on September 25 participated by the members of the RIAC on Family.

Legazpi City -- In line with the observance of the 23rd International Coastal Cleanup, the Naval Forces Southern Luzon (NAVFORSOL) participated in the coastal cleanup drive in the shoreline of Brgy. Rawis this city last Saturday. NFSL participants in cooperation with the employees of DENR RO5, barangay council/SK officials of Barangay Rawis and Legazpi City Rotary Club collected 75 bags of assorted garbage at the cleanup area. The river cleanup at the mouth of Sagumayon River in Brgy. Dapdap which collected 45 bags of biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes. The NAVFORSOL command's active participation in the coastal cleanup manifests its sincere concern for the preservation and rehabilitation of the environment and further strengthens public awareness that the Philippine Navy is not only service-oriented but also a pro-environment organization.

Legazpi City -- As the "Death Clock" continues to tick for people addicted to tobacco with thousands of lives lost every year due to cigarette smoking, health advocates in Bicol yesterday joined a nationwide movement calling for the immediate passage of the Graphic Health Warning Bill, a measure believed to cut down tens of thousands of death and billions of pesos in public health spending caused by smoking-related diseases. Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, Mayor Noel Rosal led hundreds of health advocates in unveiling a "Death Clock" at the Peñaranda Park this city. The event was attended by Dr. Maricar Limpin of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines (FCAP), the Department of Health regional office and multi sectoral and religious leaders. The "Death Clock" is a visual countdown on the number of smoking-related deaths since House bill 3364 or the Picture Based Helath Warning Bill was filed in December last year. The visual countdown yesterday indicated that 66,960 Filipinos have already died due to smoking-related diseases as of September 24. At least 1,680 are expected to die within the next seven days. DOH statistics shoed that at least 240 Filipinos die every day or 87,600 every year due to smoking-related diseases. Data from 2005-2006 Tobacco and Poverty Study in the Philippine by the UP College of Public Health, National Epidemiology Center of DOH, and the World Health Organization, indicated that public health spending on four major diseases related to smoking amount to P276-billion, this diseases are: lung cancer, heart attacks, stroke, chronic obstructive lung diseases. While the Bureau of Internal Revenue figures in 2005 found that government revenues from tobacco only reached P92-billion. City Mayor Noel Rosal said that his administration fully support the Death Clock Campaign in fact, he said that he already put in place the Smoke Free Committee tasked to formulate plans, policies and pursue projects that would make the city a smoke free area in Bicol. He said "we support this bill calling for the picture-based warnings on cigarette packs. To our congressmen and senators – Legazpi City appeals to you, pass the graphic health warning bill now." Rosal said the city had religiously enfdsorced the local ordinance banning smoking in enclosed areas including public places. Character actor Paquito Diaz, 76, who suffered a stroke and has undergone brain surgery, shared his personal battle with a disease caused by his addiction to smoking. Diaz cited his smoking days with his buddies the late Fernando Poe Jr., and his brother Romy Diaz, saying that "Si FPJ nauna pa sa akin, yong kapatid ko namatay ng kanser, lahat ng yon ah dahil sa paninigarilyo." Dr. Maricar Limpin FCAP executive director took the task some lawmakers who have staunchly attacked the Picture based Warning Bill for the rising death toll caused by cigarette smoking.
"These legislators are virtually condoning the death of thousands of Filipinos. The picture-based warnings on cigarette packs have been found to be highly effective in bringing down smoking incidence. Don't they want Filipinos to be healthy?" Limpin asked.
Countries that have implemented picture-based health warnings on cigarette packs have reported drastic decline in smoking prevalence and smoking-related deaths. A studies revealed that 96 percent of smokers had admitted that picture-based warnings against smoking would mostly make them quit when compared to text only health warnings. Picture warnings have been implemented in countries including Canada, Brazil, Uruguay, Thailand and Singapore. Ironically, some Philippine made cigarette brands exported to Thailand and Singapore carry picture-based warnings.

Legazpi City -- By virtue of Sanggunian Panglungsod Resolution No. 031-2008, the City Government of Legazpi thru Mayor Noel E. Rosal donated the 1,927 sq. meter lot where the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office is presently located. Situated at PBN project in Bgy. Buraguis here, the lot has been occupied by the DSWD Field Office since 1969 when the late City Mayor Gregorio Imperial transferred and conveyed by the way of usufruct the lot. According to incumbent Mayor Rosal, the donation of the lot is in recognition and consideration of the DSWD's indispensable role not only in times of disaster but its long impressive and dedicated service to the marginalized sector. In another development, in line with a purpose to provide better facilities which will lead to a better life for children in conflict with the law, the Provincial Government of Albay represented by Gov. Joey Sarte Salceda also donated a 24,800 sq. m. lot at Barangay Parapote, Estancia, Malinao, Albay as a permanent site of the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth. Held at Alicia Hotel last September 19, the signing and turn-over ceremony was graced by DSWD Secretary Esperanza I. Cabral and Gov. Joey Sarte Salceda. Also in attendance during the activity were DSWD Asst. Secretaries Parisya Hashim Taradji and Vilma Cabrera, Asst. Bureau Director Paz Sarina, Dir. Remia Tapispisan and staff of DSWD Field Office 5.

Albay -- The National Food Authority is targetting to buy 800,000 bags of palay harvested by local farmers in Bicol up to December. NFA Bicol assistant regional director for operations Jose Guevarra said the procurement target is a self-imposed task after traders in the region have lowered the buying price to P14 per kilo for dried and P11 for wet palay. Guevarra said the NFA's buying price for dry palay is pegged at P17 per kilo. "The NFA has bought 170,000 bags of palay since July." The agency is now operating 19 warehouses all over the region to accommodate the expected surge of palay sellers. Six of them are in Camarines Sur and nine in Albay. Under the Department of Agriculture's procurement program, 58,000 bags of palay was initially targeted, but this was raised to 166,000 then to 340,000 until the target was raised to 800,000 bags.

Catanduanes-- Police and military authorities nabbed on Sunday one of Catanduanes most wanted person and a leader of the communist movement operating in the island province eastern part of Bicol. Joint elements of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Army (PA) nabbed Raymond Pelagio, 26, single and a native of barangay Salvacion Virac town in Catanduanes. Police Supt. Eliciar Bron, Bicol PNP spokesman said yesterday, the raiding team armed with a warrant of arrest issued by a local court swooped down the suspects house at about 12:00AM Sunday at said village, Pelagio tried to elude the police dragnet but was prevailed over by the raiding team. Police Senior Supt. Frank Peñaflor Catanduanes provincial director in his report said the arrest was a result of two weeks surveillance operations on the suspect following a tip from residents about Pelagio's presence in said village. Peñaflor said the suspect ranks 5th in the province most wanted people for murder and carries a P100,000 bounty on his head, his name is also included in the police and military order of battle for being a leader of an New People's Army (NPA) unit under the Nerissa San Juan "Ka Pusa" command operating in the island province of Catanduanes. The suspects is currently detained at the Bagamanok town jail.

Legazpi City -- The provincial government of Albay has infused P4.5 million funding to finance the creation and training of some 400 paramedics for disaster response and risk reducing in times of emergencies in the province. Albay Governor Joey Sarte Salceda said he will tap the services of the Albay Public Safety Management Emergency Office and enter into a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Health (DOH), the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH) and the Bicol University (BU) to train at least 400 paramedics who will be mobilized during times of disaster. The BU Department of Nursing will serve as host emergency paramedic academy while the BRTTH and DOH regional office will share their resources and expertise. The Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council in Albay led by Governor Salceda is now preparing a disaster mitigation and action plan in times of volcanic eruptions, typhoons, earthquakes and other calamities. Cedric Daep, APSEMO chief, said that the Albay provincial health office led by Dr. Luis Mendoza is now in the process of recruiting volunteers to be trained as paramedics in times of emergencies and disaster operations. Earlier, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) conducted the Rapid Earthquake Damage Assessment System (REDAS) training among the municipal planning and disaster managers in Albay for them to familiarize and study the rapid estimation of hazard and risk for making prompt decision for quick deployment of rescue and relief operations. The municipal planners and disaster officials who took the REDAS training came from the towns of Tiwi, Malilipot, Polangui, Libon and the cities of Tabaco and Legazpi. Dr. Bartolome Bautista, Phivolcs deputy administrator, said Albay is exposed to a year-round occurrence of calamities but this could be transformed into a positive action by educating the people. "Albay is a best laboratory to study and mitigate disaster through the years and the people should learn from this hazard." Bicol is situated in the typhoon-belt area traditionally hit by typhoons during the months of October until December.

Naga City – Tambak na ngonian pa sana an mga deboto ni Nuestra Señora Virgen de Peñafrancia kasumpay kan gigibuhon na fluvial procession atiyan na pagkahapon. Amay pa sana kansubago, nakapila na an kadacol na mga deboto na gustong maghadok sa Ina kan Kabikulan na gikan pa sa man-iba ibang parte kan bicol region asin gikan sa ibang parte kan nacion asin mga dayuhan. Mientras tanto, gikan sa Naga Metropolitan Cathedral, ipo-procession an imahe kan Virgen de Peñafrancia kaibahan an El Divino Rostro pasiring sa “Dalhugan ni Ina” asin ini an i-aagui sa sa Bicol River nganing darahon ini liwat sa Basilica Minore na saiyang orihinal na istaran. Pag-abot dudman atiyan na hapon magsasagibo man nin banal na misa sa compound kan simbahan na papangenotan ni Bishop Salvatore J. Cordelloni, an auxillary bishop kan San Diego, California. Kasumpay kani, liwat man na nangapudan an Simbahan na Katolika sa mga voyadores asin debotos na liokayan na magpasimuno kan kariribukan sa procession lalo na an mga burat. Matatandaan na kan nakalihis na Traslacion Procession, napasa an salming kan Divino Rostro makalihis na daklagon nin gapo asin pinag-babaklas pa an mga samno kani siring man kan Birhen de Peñafrancia.

Naga City -- Following a rock-throwing incident and a rumble here,, Church and local government officials have agreed to take steps to make sure the Peñafrancia festival would be both safe and solemn. The Caceres Archdiocese and the Naga City government joined hands as they expect more than a million pilgrims to join the Peñafrancia festivities highlighted by the Fluvial Provcession on Saturday, Sep't. 20. Earlier, Caceres Archbishop Leonardo Legazpi wrote Mayor Jesse Robredo objecting to the planned street parties while the feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is celebrated. Legazpi said drinking liquor in the streets do not augur well with the optimum respect for the feast and does not give any meaning to the spiritual wellbeing of pilgrims and devotees. Parties and drinking sprees had led to rumbles, disrupting the otherwise tranquil atmosphere in honoring "Ina," he added. Also, the Church objected to promotional billboards featuring scantily clad models along the Peñafrancia and Divino Rostro procession route. In response, Robredo rejected seven applications for street parties except for one where only half of the road will be closed, and had the controversial billboards removed.