EBMC Nurse is ‘09 Bb. Catanduanes

Nurses do have the "IT" factor as a 20-year old casual nurse at the Eastern Bicol Medical Center walked away with the Bb. Catanduanes crown during the pageant night at the Virac Sports Center Oct. 23.

Five-foot-six Mae Geraldine V. Samar of Virac, who represented Essensual Ellen Salon, wowed the judges with her 36-26-36 figure and overall performance during the centerpiece event of the three-day Catandungan Festival.

Best in Gown Ma. Fatima G. Velchez of Bagamanoc, 17, was chosen Bb. Catandungan Festival while 16-year old high school student Amylou B. Buendia, who was Bimasanca’s bet, got the Bb. Catanduanes Tourism title aside from Ms. Photogenic. Tall at 5’6" and just 16 years old, Mary Antonette L. Rodriguez of Cabugao, Bato, was first-runner-up while reigning Mutya ng Virac Ma. Amabelle A. Macabia, 17, took the second runner-up honors.

Velchez, Rodriguez and Macabia are all nursing students at the Catanduanes State Colleges along with two other candidates.

Aside from the crown and the trophy, Samar won P25,000 cash while Velchez and Buendia received P20,000 and P15,000 cash prizes, respectively. The two runners-up won P10,000 each. Round-trip airline tickets were also given to the winners.

The other candidates were: Elizabeth C. Vargas, 19, of Virac; Maraley T. Timbal, 16, representing Passer’s Buy; Charmain V. Isidoro, 19, of Virac; Adelle Monique C. Rima, 17, of Pandan, who was named Ms. Talent; Crisanta P. Benitez, 16, of Baras; Best in Swimsuit Gretchen C. Arcilla, 17, of San Miguel; Aileen E. Chavez, 17, of Gigmoto; Novelyn O. Sanchez, 18, of Viga; Margarette T. Basister, 18, of Bato; and, Camela Bianca C. Borbe, 16, of Baras/Petron.

Source: Catanduanes Tribune - 30 October 2009

RELATED LINKS:

• Mutya ng Magayon Festival 2009 - Catandungan Festival of the Province of Catanduanes in Magayon Festival of Festivals 2009 held last April 21, 2009 in Legaspi City, Albay.
• Miss Bicolandia 2009 - Winner of this year's Miss Bicolandia beauty pageant title held at Sports Palace in University of Nueva Caceres last September 6, 2009 is, Patricia Shirley Santos from Daraga, Albay.

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Energy to Sign 5 Coal Exploration Contracts - MST

The Energy Department will sign five more coal operating contracts within the week, bringing the total to 16, an official said.

“We will have 16 contracts awarded out of the 30 areas offered,” Energy Undersecretary Ramon Oca told reporters.

Oca said the five contracts covered “areas that had multiple proponents or applicants so we just had to be very careful in evaluating the application.”

The department awarded last month 11 coal exploration contracts that could generate investments of around P580 million in the next two years.

The government on April 14 launched the energy contract rounds to promote and offer prospective coal areas to both local and private investors for l exploration, development and production.

Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes earlier said the promotion of local coal exploration and development would boost energy security and generate savings from imports.

Reyes said coal might be seen as a “dirty fuel” but cited clean coal technologies that would minimize the impact on the environment.

“We can produce clean coal through clean coal technologies,” Reyes said.

The department awarded the coal contracts to Oriental Energy and Power Generation Corp., Titan Exploration and Development Corp., MS-SK Coal Corp., Lebach Mining Corp., 3 Kings Sunrise Mining Corp., Eoil and Gas Co. Inc. and ASK Mining and Exploration Corp.

Reyes said the Philippines had an undeveloped coal resource potential of 2.5 billion metric tons.

Source: Manila Standard Today - 28 October 2009

RELATED LINKS:

• We Have Abandoned Coal Project - Monte Oro Resources & Energy Inc. abandoned its search for coal in Catanduanes province as early as last year, the company said Tuesday.
• DoE Awarding 25 Coal Contracts Soon - The Department of Energy is considering awarding to investors all the 25 contract proposals it received for the exploration and development of 18 prospective coal areas in the country, according to a senior government official.
• Area 10: Coal Block - The 2009 Philippine Energy Contracting Round (PECR) offered 30 new coal areas including Catanduanes coal district, designated as Area 10, covering 8,000 hectares in the town of Caramoran, Panganiban and Viga.

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Trade Fair Showcases Bicol's Agri-Based Products - Philstar

MANILA, Philippines - The best of Bicol products and tourist hotspots are showcased anew in the OK Bikol-Gayon Bikol, the annual trade and tourism fair of the Department of Tourism and the Department of Trade and Industry Region V, which will runs until today at SM Megamall’s Megatrade Hall 2.

According to DOT V Regional Director Maria Ravanilla, the fair is promoting market linkages with the players in the travel industry, trade buyers and investors to further boost Bicol’s tourism, trade and investment potentials.

She said the region is highlighting its best travel destinations and festivals, as well as native products under the DTI’s “One Town, One Product (OTOP)” program.

On display are Bicol’s signature products such as exquisite native furniture, abaca decors and accessories, gold jewelry, pottery, chili- and pili-based food items, among others.

Bicol is composed of the provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Catanduanes and Masbate.

Source: (The Philippine Star) Updated October 25, 2009 12:00 AM

RELATED LINKS:

• 13th OK Bikol Opens October 22 at SM Megamall - The 13th Orgullo kan Bikol regional trade fair will showcase anew Bicol's best products on October 22-25 at the SM Mega Mall in Mandaluyong City.
• World-Class Transport Terminal Up and Running in Bicol - The Metro Integrated Transport Terminal (MITT) here has started operations providing commuters between the city and all destinations within Albay and the rest of the Bicol region the experience of a world-class public-transport facility.
• Making Catanduanes a Tourism Destination - Suggestions to Catanduanes tourism development.

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Climate Change Law Signed - BW

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday signed into law a measure that will institutionalize a climate change policy, particularly on mitigating its impact.

Republic Act 9729 or the Philippine Climate Change Act of 2009 comes in the aftermath of destruction caused by tropical storm Ondoy (international name: Ketsana), typhoon Pepeng (international name: Parma) and typhoon Ramil (international name: Lupit) which is currently pounding storm-battered Northern Luzon.

Ondoy and Pepeng have ravaged Metro Manila and North Luzon, respectively, with damage reaching P30.986 billion and the death toll at 929, according to the National Disaster Coordinating Council’s Friday update.

Under the new law, a national climate change action plan would be crafted that would include roadmap for mitigation with emphasis on voluntary reduction of local carbon emissions, and adaptation with focus on disaster risk reduction.

The law created a Climate Change Commission, an autonomous policy-making body attached to the Office of the President tasked with coordinating, monitoring and evaluating programs and action plans, and will represent the country in international fora.

Malacañang said the commission’s advisory board will be composed of secretaries of concerned departments as well as representatives from the academe, the business sector, nongovernmental organizations and those involved in disaster risk reduction management. Its advisory board would include the heads of the League of Provinces, League of Cities, League of Municipalities and Liga ng mga Barangay.

The commission will assume the functions of the Presidential Task Force on climate change and the inter-agency committee on climate change under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, both of which would be abolished once the law is implemented.

The signing of the new law comes amid calls on Friday by concerned private groups to come up with a policy on mitigating the impact of climate change. In a forum, Helen N. Mendoza, president of the Philippine Network on Climate Change, said since the industrialized countries’ "consumption habit" is the culprit in the emission of greenhouse gases that trap warm air, rich nations should help provide funding for vulnerable countries in their drive for mitigation and disaster risk reduction.

"To do adaptation, developing countries would need adequate, reliable and consistent funding support from developed countries that are responsible for what happened to the climate... The financial help is an obligation of the rich and the help that they would give is not a charity," she said in a forum organized by the University of the Philippines (UP)-Manila titled "Global Climate Change Conference: The Science and Social Impact of Global Climate Change-A Philippine Setting."

Anna Theresa A. Santiago, overall organizer of the forum and biology professor at UP-Manila, said governments need "political will" to implement disaster risk reduction measures.

"Do we need to wait for another catastrophic event?" she asked, referring to the impact of Ondoy and Pepeng. — B. S. Sto. Domingo and B. U. Allauigan

Source: BusinessWorld Online - October 24, 2009

RELATED LINKS:

• To Mitigate Effects of Climate Change: Virac LGU Shifts Focus to Mangrove Reforestation - The municipality of Virac has planted 35,000 propagules on 7.5 hectares of mangrove areas in five coastal barangays so far this year as it shifted its regular tree planting activity to mangrove reforestation and coastal management.
• What is Ecotourism? - Ecotourism is: "Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people."
• Climate Change - Climate change is any long-term change in the statistics of weather over durations ranging from decades to millions of years.

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WFP Josette Sheeran: Philippines Storm Aftermath

The head of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) pledge the agency's full support to the government and people of the Philippines as they seek to deal with the effects of the violent storms that devastated parts of the country last month.

Following tropical storm Ketsana and typhoon Parma which hit the Philippines in late September, the World Food Programs (WFP) Executive Director Josette Sheeran visited the country for three days and toured the areas worst affected by flooding with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and WFPs goodwill ambassador, actress KC Conception.

WFP said that the two storms cut off basic necessities for up to eight million people and that the agency was providing food for about a million, besides providing the logistics operation for the entire UN effort.

WFP is distributing rice and High Energy Biscuits (HEBs) to the affected people around Manila and the northern Luzon Island. The biscuits are ideal for emergencies such as the current one in the Philippines because they do not need to be cooked and they are rich in vitamins and minerals.

President Arroyo thanked the WFP for its valuable assistance in the flooded areas and for its assistance to peace and development in Mindanao.

On September 26 Tropical Storm Ketsana dumped the heaviest single day of rains in more than four decades on Manila and surrounding areas, killing 420. Typhoon Parma hit northern Luzon exactly a week later, triggering landslides and floods that left at least 438 people dead.

According to the Government Ketsana affected 4.3 million people and Parma 3.1 million. The two storms hit the rice-growing areas of Luzon particularly hard. The government reports that 839,000 metric tons of yet-to-be-harvested paddy rice was ruined.

MaximsNewsNetwork: News Network for the UN and the International Community.

RELATED LINKS:

• UN Gears Up Relief Operations for Asian-Pacific Disasters - U.N. Humanitarian Chief John Holmes says the world body is gearing up relief efforts and deploying teams to help the millions of people affected by severe tropical storms, earthquakes and tsunamis in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Typhoon Pepeng Aftermath - Google maps with embedded youtube videos taken by private individuals during and after Typhoon Pepeng (Parma).
• Ondoy's Flood Worst in History PAGASA - A total of 341.3 mm amount of rainfall had been dumped in Quezon City from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. last Saturday, just six hours following the actual landfall of Tropical Storm "Ondoy" in Central and Southern Luzon provinces.

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Respite from Typhoons a Time for PDCC to Plan and Prepare - CT

The province of Catanduanes has yet to be hit by a big storm this year, with "Lupit" detouring to the north and the previous two storms just slipping by, leaving only minor flooding and easily removed landslides.

It is also fortunate that for "Ondoy" and "Pepeng", the province’s leadership convened the PDCC and sent out warnings to the 11 municipalities ahead of time in case the two storms moved closer.

The respite we are getting should give the disaster body enough time to complete the work the unlamented Provincial Disaster Management Office failed to do, particularly in gathering the data needed in disaster preparedness especially communications linkages and inventory of resources.

Despite the experience with the PDMO, there remains the need to create or reinvent the same body with the view of entrusting it not only with the responsibility of ensuring that the MDCCs and BDCCs are on their toes before, during and after calamities, but also with the job of seeing to it that the networks and needed resources are ready to be mobilized.

Source: Inside Page - Catanduanes Tribune - 21 October 2009

RELATED LINKS:

• Heavy Rains Trigger Floods in Albay and Sorsogon - Heavy rains spawned by a Low Pressure in the eastern part of Visayas triggered flooding and lahar to cascade down from the slopes of Mt. Mayon rendering some major roads in Albay and Sorsogon provinces temporarily impassable to both heavy and light vehicles.
• Majestic Surfing Cup Postponed - Typhoon "Pepeng" left minor damages to infrastructure as it skirted the province last week, with its biggest impact the postponement of the 7th Governor’s Majestic Surfing Cup set Oct. 7-11 in Puraran, Baras.
• Floods, Landslide Isolate 3 Towns in Catanduanes - Three towns on the western side of the island province has been cut off from this capital town by a big landslide and a flooded spillway along the national highway.

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PAFC Catanduanes Wins Nat’l Gawad Saka Award

The Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council (PAFC) of Catanduanes has been adjudged as this year’s National Gawad Saka Outstanding PAFC, entitling it to receive a project grant of P250,000.00.

The PAFC chairperson, Ulysses Tabelin of Virac, will personally receive the award tomorrow, Oct. 15, during the awarding ceremony at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, with Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to also hand over a presidential trophy and citation.

Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Executive Director Jose V. Dayao delivered the good news to Governor Joseph C. Cua through a letter last week. He invited the governor to join him in attending the affair together with Provincial Agriculturist Herbert Evangelista and PAFC Coordinator Nelia B. Teves.

The award comes four months after the the National Technical Committee of the GAWAD SAKA validated the Catanduanes PAFC’s accomplishments as one of the three grand finalists for the national award as outstanding PAFC.

Among the major accomplishments of the Catanduanes PAFC that merited its entry as grand finalist in the search is the conduct of the NAFC-funded Abaca Business Plan Participatory Workshop in April 2008 which led to the crafting of the three-year Catanduanes Unlad Abakamasa (CUA) Development Plan to benefit 14,000 farming families.

The Council also worked for the conduct of Farmers’ Forum in various agricultural programs of the government and institutionalized the celebration of the annual Farmers and Fisherfolks Month in May in the province.

Because of PAFC’s aggressive advocacy for LGU support for the DA’s Fertilizer Subsidy Program, the provincial government approved P1.5 million as its counterpart to the program until 2010. The Cua administration also provides annual funding for the Council with the integration of PAFC’s program of work in the province’s Annual Investment Plan.

In 2007, the PAFC was given P100,000 for its operations and another P150,000 as equity for the construction of the Provincial Multipurpose Training Center, the ground floor of which would be for the use of the Council as office, conference hall and showroom for the island’s main products like abaca, tiger grass and handicraft.

In 2008, its funding for operations and enterprise development was increased to P200,000 while the completion of the first phase of the training center was allocated P1.2 million. Aside from actively promoting agricultural programs and services and improved technologies, the PAFC assisted non-government organizations and local government units in accessing funds for 11 LEAD projects amounting to P1.367-million in 2007-2008.

It was able to obtain P750,000 from the NAPC for the Livelihood Assistance Program (LAP) for typhoon Reming victims. But, instead of giving it away for free, the Council adopted the roll-over scheme whereby the amounts were repaid, with the money lent out anew to help more families and dispel the dole-out mentality. Already, 11 beneficiaries from Virac and Bato have been awarded funding for small businesses under the scheme.

Aside from supporting the RP-Spain SAIS-BC Abaca Fiber Extraction and Marketing Projects, the PAFC provided the Dororian Farmers Producers Cooperative a capital of P25,000 from the rolled-over LEAD fund for the latter’s abaca fiber "tinagak" making project.

In support of the DTI’s One Town, One Product program, the Council provided additional capital to the Caramoran Lasa Processors Association engaged in Lasa softbroom making project. Out of three projects it endorsed to DOLE, two were approved: P178,000 for the abaca twine making project of Macutal Farmers Producers Cooperative and P103,000 for the muscovado production project of Alinawan Small Sugarcane Processors.

Since 2007, the Council has approved 21 resolutions in support of its own activities and projects and also of other NGOs and rural-based organizations, and supported the establishment of the Catanduanes Crab Center and the enactment of an ordinance to curb the illegal trade in crablets sold outside the province.

The GAWAD SAKA is a yearly undertaking of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in cooperation with other government institutions, non-government offices and the private sector. This project aims to give due recognition and pay tribute to dedicated individuals ad institutions whose exemplary accomplishments in their respective fields of endeavor and contribution to the country's agricultural development are deemed worthy of emulation. It is a tribute to farmers, fisherfolk, and institutions in recognition of their significant contributions towards a modernized and equitable agriculture.

Source: Catanduanes Tribune - 17 October 2009

RELATED LINKS:

• Exploring the Beneficial Uses of Wood Vinegar - For more than 30 years now, Japanese farmers have been using wood vinegar to improve crop and livestock production.
• Forest Waste to Fuel - The DENR charcoal is a solid fuel that is produced using leaves, twigs, stems and other cellulosic forest wastes.
• An Island Without Salt - One of the pressing concern of our province is the issue of food security.

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Heavy Rains Trigger Floods in Albay and Sorsogon - PIA

Legazpi City (14 October) -- Heavy rains spawned by a Low Pressure in the eastern part of Visayas triggered flooding and lahar to cascade down from the slopes of Mt. Mayon rendering some major roads in Albay and Sorsogon provinces temporarily impassable to both heavy and light vehicles.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Bicol reported flooding in the towns of Camalig, Guinobatan, Pioduran, Libon including the cities in Ligao and Legazpi, all in Albay, and in the towns of Gubat, Prieto Diaz including Sorsogon City following a 12 hour rains pelting these places Wednesday.

OCD reports said flooding affected portions of road networks along Camalig-Guinobatan Maharlika Highway, Tagaytay road in Camalig, Libon-pantao Road in Libon. Ligao-Pioduran Road in Ligao City, Padang road in this city.

Flash floods also affected the Gubat-Prieto Diaz road and Gogon-San Isidro Sorsogon road in Sorsogon City.

Except for the Padang road in this city which was covered by heavy volume of lahar that cascaded down the slopes of Mayon volcano all these road network were now cleared by government engineers and are now open to traffic.

In Albay, Gov. Joey Sarte Salceda directed various disaster councils with flood and landslide prone areas to be on high alert and prepare for selective evacuation in case heavy rains might further trigger flooding and landslides.

He said villages prone to flooding and landslides are the towns of s Libon, Sto Domingo, Malinao, Manito, the cities of Ligao and Legazpi.

Salceda quoting PDCC report said some 172 families or 897 people from the villages in low lying areas Camalig and Guinobatan were evacuated to safer grounds on Wednesday.

Army Col. Marlou Salazar, commanding officer of the 901st Army Brigade said he has dispatch 10 Army trucks prepositioned for preemptive evacuation measures of residents threatened by flooding and landslides.

Lt. Darwin Nieva Philippine Navy, OCD Bicol spokesman, said the navy, police and DPWH Bicol have also deployed additional six trucks for evacuation purposes.

Salceda also suspended classes in the elementary and secondary level across the province as a preemptive disaster measure.

He also cancelled the Provincial Boy Scout Jamboree set on Wednesday in Manito, Albay because of the bad weather prevailing in the province. Scouters from across the province were sent home via Army trucks.

Disaster managers here, meanwhile, said flood waters submerged the main road networks leading to the town in the 1st district of Albay in barangay Padang, here.

Salceda said as a precautionary measure to prevent loss of lives he directed the various town disaster councils affected by flooding to set up holding areas as temporary evacuation sites for residents affected by flooding and landslide.

Elsewhere in Bicol, roads traversing the Maharlika Highways in the provinces of Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur, and Camarines Norte are passable to light and heavy vehicles. (PIA V)

RELATED LINKS:

• Natural Hazards - An interactive page containing videos of typhoon Pepeng, latest weather satellite update, recent earthquakes and latest weekly rainfall accumulation.
• Typhoon Pepeng Aftermath - In any rescue and relief operations, map plays a key role in identifying areas that requires immediate attention.
• Typhoon Ondoy's Heavy Rainfall Explained - Here is the analysis of the Tropical Rain Measuring Mission (TRMM), a joint NASA and JAXA mission to monitor and study tropical rainfall.

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13th OK Bikol Opens October 22 at SM Megamall - PIA

Legazpi City (13 October) -- The 13th Orgullo kan Bikol regional trade fair will showcase anew Bicol's best products on October 22-25 at the SM Mega Mall in Mandaluyong City.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) Bicol regional offices will also bring "Gayon Bikol sa OK Bikol" featuring the best tourist destinations in the region, giving the event an appealing socio-cultural touch.

"Featured products for this year's Orgullo kan Bikol include wearables, home furnishings, gifts and holiday decors, and food with special setting on "bayong", creative handicrafts, and OTOP", Jocelyn L.B. Blanco, DTI Bicol regional director said.

Blanco said amidst the many challenges that we are facing right now, we are still confident to generate sales of P10 million for the four-day trade fair.

A total of 134 Bicolano entrepreneurs will be selling their products to institutional buyers and the general public as well.

Among the six provinces Albay has the biggest number of exhibitors with 33 MSMEs, followed by Camarines Sur with 24, Sorsogon with 14, Catanduanes 9, Camarines Norte 6, and Masbate 5.

Aside from the regular MSMEs assisted by DTI, 43 Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) beneficiaries/entrepreneurs will be joining OKB. All these beneficiaries are assisted by DTI through the livelihood program under CARP.

Albay Governor Joey Sarte Salceda, also the Bicol Regional Development Council chair, is expected to keynote the opening program at 10:00 a.m. on October 22, 1009 at SM Mega Mall.

OK Bikol is a project of the DTI-Region V, Department of Tourism (DOT)-Region V, OK Bikol Association, PhilExport Bicol and local government units (LGUs). (DTI/PIA)

by AC Belleza - PIA Press Release - 2009/10/13

RELATED LINKS:

• Catanduanes to Reclaim "Crab Capital" Title - Catanduanes would be able to reclaim the title of “crab capital” of the Philippines, which it lost to Negros province about three decades ago.
• Catanduanes Remains Top Abaca Producing Province - Abaca-fiber production in the country’s top abaca-producing province from January to May 2009 went up by 22 percent to 8,646.32 metric tons (MT).
• A Fresh Look at Siling Labuyo - Siling labuyo (Capsicum frutescens) has the potential to reduce the risk of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, cataract, and macular degeneration.

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Catanduanes to Reclaim "Crab Capital" Title - BM

VIRAC, Catanduanes—Provincial Gov. Joseph Cua has given his assurance that with the local crab-development program now in place, Catanduanes would be able to reclaim the title of “crab capital” of the Philippines, which it lost to Negros province about three decades ago.

He gave the optimistic outlook in a recent provincial One Town, One Product (Otop) assembly at the Capitol Dome, where he said the Catanduanes Crab Center (CCC) established last year has been able to address the rampant poaching and illegal transport of crablets out of the island.

Crabmeat processing has been considered as among the Otop choices of at least three municipalities of the province known for the abundance of mud crabs in its coastal and swampy areas.

The CCC was also able to standardize the operations of the crab nursery and the culture of crab larvae to crablet sizes for local grow-out production, Cua said.

The establishment of the CCC was under a provincial ordinance that prescribes more severe penalties for crablet poaching and smuggling.

For decades, enterprising Catandunganons, in cahoots with buyers from Luzon and the Visayas, have been into poaching and selling of crablets despite prohibitions on these activities, the governor said.

The CCC, with its nursery in barangay Palnab here, serves as the bagsakan or buying station for crablets gathered by residents from all over the province, mostly from the municipalities of the crab-rich Bagamanoc, Panganiban and Viga towns.

In 2006 the province of Camarines Norte first gained popularity when an organized group of crab growers started marketing crabmeat to other parts of the country. It was discovered later that the province derived its supply of raw materials from these three Catanduanes towns.

“We see to it now that all crablets gathered from all our producing areas go to the CCC that the provincial government buys at prices higher than those offered by unscrupulous traders illegally exporting them outside the province,” he said.

While these traders pay P6 for a crablet, the governor said the province buys them at P8 to P10, providing the gatherers a collective income of about P5 million since the start of the operation of the CCC as a bagsakan barely nine months ago.

“We are now in control of the flow of crablets out of the province, giving local crab growers all the opportunities not only to engage in fattening, but also in raising high quality crablets for the provincial government that facilitates its marketing to other provinces or regions,” Cua stressed.

In its function as the marketing arm of crablets for growers and aquaculture operators outside the province, he said the CCC was able to generate over P1 million this year, an amount set aside for the expansion of its operations and fund assistance to other crab-production ventures in the province, both of local governments or private-sector entrepreneurs.

To further protect the industry from illegal activities, the province has created a task force that apprehends on sight crablets found in the hands of poachers. However, Cua said he is not enforcing the penalty. Instead, money received by those caught selling will be confiscated.

“No confiscation [of products], no imprisonment for the time being,” the governor said, guaranteeing that the policy will gradually teach the people that it is also important to cooperate and work with their government for a change.

“We are also in close coordination with various government agencies in our efforts to regain our lost glory of being the crab center of the country. The Department of Labor and Employment [DOLE] has provided a fund grant to the Panganiban town crab center as part of our joint undertaking of creating more jobs out of our crab industry,” he said.

DOLE gave P120,000 which was used in the purchase of equipment now being used in the modernization of the crab-production facility, the governor said.

The Department of Science and Technology also had its crab-fattening program in the province being implemented with the Pagkasararo Multipurpose Cooperative Inc. in barangay Cabuyoan, Panganiban town.

The program facilitates the transfer of technology on the method and techniques in crab management and feeding, crab-cage construction, and efficient handling and packaging of fattened crabs for marketing. Crabs produced under this technology command higher prices, he pointed out.

The provincial government is allocating funds for the purchase of three backhoes to be used in developing fishponds not only for growing crabs, but also for the polyculture of bangus and tilapia, which he said substitute for marine products in times of rough seas and inclement weather.

The governor said he encourages Catandunganons to engage in the crab business, which ultimately will prove to be a much better and bigger revenue producer than the abaca industry that is currently the main money earner for the province. (PNA)

Source: Business Mirror - Monday, 12 October 2009 20:32

RELATED LINKS:

• Austere Start for Payo's Crab Fest - The 1st Crab (Kinis) Festival was considered by organizers a "success" even if the original one-day event was squeezed into two hours of street dancing and an hour of eating delicious sea food.
• Mud Crab Culture Technology - Studies conducted at SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department, some in collaboration with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.
• One Town One Product (OTOP) - Matured mud crabs are very expensive at high-end restaurants in Manila, either flaked or live crabs. There should be effort to curb crablet smuggling and put an end to it by promoting mud crab culture and eventually a hatchery.

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World-Class Transport Terminal Up and Running in Bicol - BM

LEGAZPI CITY—The Metro Integrated Transport Terminal (MITT) here has started operations providing commuters between the city and all destinations within Albay and the rest of the Bicol region the experience of a world-class public-transport facility.

City Mayor Noel Rosal led the formal opening of the state-of-the-art terminal last week at the corner of Tahao and alternate roads in a simple ceremony attended by top executives of the province.

“This terminal will raise the confidence of investors in Legazpi as a highly commercialized city that serves as the regional government center of Bicol,” Rosal said.

He labeled the P300-million facility put up by private company LKY Group under a 25-year build-operate-and-transfer arrangement as a “futuristic terminal” that will spur economic development in the whole of Bicol.

“Everyone is excited over this futuristic terminal. Even those living in far-flung villages believe that this terminal will bring progress to them,” the mayor said.

The new city terminal will centralize all forms of land transportation that pass through here, including buses plying the routes between Manila and the Visayas-Mindanao regions.  It has also been made the convergence place of all jeepneys and air-conditioned vans that bring commuters to and from various cities and towns of practically the whole Bicol region.

Since the 3.9-hectare facility expects human traffic of more than 80,000 every day, Rosal said the commercial area now being completed to house restaurants, bars and malls will definitely bustle the area with economic activities.

This early, fast-food giant Jollibee and sister company Chowking are preparing to construct a restaurant in the terminal. Jollibee is expected to put up its biggest store at the terminal complex, which will be its fourth in the city.

SM Group’s Save More had also signified its intention to become the operator of the new terminal’s supermarket, a major development that made Rosal ecstatic.

“MITT will be the new center of business in the city,” he said.

Rosal said the formal opening of the terminal was just in time for the arrival of tourists for the region’s Ibalong Festival.

The three-term mayor added that MITT “will beef up the perception of an organized government” in the city.

“People from all walks of life coming in or going out of the city by land will pass through this terminal. As they first see and experience the convenience offered by a modern facility like this, they will surely be surprised and highly impressed,” Rosal said.

“Now the people are saying Legazpi is making a lot of difference with this terminal. Iba talaga ang Legazpi [Legazpi is really different],” Augusto Cubias, an executive officer of the LKY Group that constructed the terminal, said.

As this facility came to operations, discussions of possible investments among investors have started.

“This terminal will do a lot in showing the people what kind of governance Legazpi has,” Cubias said.

Rosal clarified that the project to modernize Legazpi’s antiquated terminal was first offered to local business groups, but it was the LKY Group, a company from Sorsogon City, which responded to the challenge.

He said because of the vision of the LKY Group, what used to be a flood-prone area populated by squatters is now becoming the new central business district of the city.

“We look forward to the coming of more business owners and we wholeheartedly welcome them,” Rosal said.

The mayor also expressed optimism over the future of the Ibalong Center for Recreation, the only convention center in Legazpi, which he said will be rehabilitated soon. The Ibalong Center which has been damaged by past floods is a stone throw away from MITT.

Written by Danny O. Calleja / Correspondent
Sunday, 11 October 2009 20:20
Source: Business Mirror

RELATED LINKS:

• DOT-5 Sets Aside P2-M for Tourist Facilities in Catanduanes - A total of two million pesos has been earmarked by the Department of Tourism (DOT) regional office in Bicol for the construction of tourist facilities and acquisition of equipment.
• Virac Domestic Airport Expansion - The national government has reportedly secured a US$3 million grant for the expansion of Virac airport as a key component of the tourism development program of the Camarines Sur provincial government.
• The Road Going to North - Travelling from Virac to northern towns of Viga, Panganiban and Bagamanoc is much better off now compared to 4 years ago.

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US Soldiers Help 'Pepeng'’ Victims

US forces bringing aid to flooded areas around Metro Manila were deploying troops to the northern part of the country on Friday to help people devastated by Typhoon Parma (local name Pepeng), officials said Friday.

At least four heavy-lift helicopters along with 18 teams of water-borne rescue units are moving to help Filipino forces with rescue efforts in the Ilocos and Cordillera regions on the north of the main island of Luzon, according to the Philippine military.

The Japan-based dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry was bringing two of the aircraft along with other rescue equipment to the area, Gen. Victor Ibrado, the chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, announced on local television.

US forces have been helping Filipino troops bring emergency relief as well as conducting medical missions and clearing rubble from floods caused by tropical storm Ketsana (local name Ondoy), which killed 337 people in and around Manila and displaced more than four million on September 26.

Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, the spokesman for the Philippines’ National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), told reporters that the US government had “pledged or offered the use of its resources in the Northern Luzon area.”
He said that the Americans had offered helicopters along with 18 watercrafts.

“Based on the agreement last night, they will start the deployment of their personnel this morning [Friday],” Torres added.

Source: The Manila Times

RELATED LINKS:

• Ondoy's Flood Worst in History - Dr. Nathaniel Cruz, PAGASA director, said that yesterday's flood was the worst in history.
• UN Gears Up Relief Operations for Asian-Pacific Disasters - The world body is gearing up relief efforts and deploying teams to help the millions of people affected by severe tropical storms, earthquakes and tsunamis in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Typhoon Pepeng Spares Catanduanes - latest satellite imagery, weather bulletin and animations from NASA, TRMM, Kochi University and PAGASA on Typhoon Pepeng (International Code: Parma).

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Majestic Surfing Cup Postponed - CT

Typhoon "Pepeng" left minor damages to infrastructure as it skirted the province last week, with its biggest impact the postponement of the 7th Governor’s Majestic Surfing Cup set Oct. 7-11 in Puraran, Baras.

A preview of an upcoming Adventure/Surfing Documentary called 'The Philippine Dream'.

Mayor Jose "Bong" Teves, Jr. announced Saturday morning that the event was postponed indefinitely due to the effects of "Pepeng" and storm "Ondoy" the week before. The decision was made in consultation with Governor Joseph C. Cua, who went to his office early that day to monitor reports from various towns on the damage wrought by the typhoon’s fringe winds and rains.

The event, which would have heralded the Catandungan Festival scheduled this Oct. 19-24, consisted of the main event of surfing and other activities such as wall climbing, skim boarding, island tour, beach volleyball, boating, marathon, "tupada," beach parties and bingo socials.

Funded by the provincial government, Congressman Joseph A. Santiago, the municipal government of Baras, and the mayor himself, the competition’s chances of being realized grew dim when half of the projected 80 participants withdrew after ‘Ondoy" flooded Metro Manila and surrounding provinces.

Mayor Teves said that the effect of "Pepeng" on the surfing grounds of Baler in Aurora and La Union as well as the possibility that other storms would follow in its wake would certainly discourage the rest of the participants from coming over to the island.

Source: Catanduanes Tribune - 07 October 2009

RELATED LINKS:

• Floods, Landslides Isolates 3 Towns in Catanduanes - The Paturok spillway in San Andres along the circumferential road was also flooded and impassable to all kinds of vehicles, cutting off traffic between Virac and San Andres, the second biggest town.
• A Trek to Remember IV - K.I.D.S Foundation Inc. - Trek with K.I.D.S along the coastal barangays of Baras and gain newfound friendship, breathtaking scenery and the high that you feel when you share.
• Puraran Beach - Probably the most popular tourist destination in the island is Puraran in Baras Catanduanes.

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The Fall of the Maya: "They Did it to Themselves"

Here's an interesting read about the Mayan civilization and environment. This ancient civilization never ceased to fascinate me when I was a kid because of their unique architecture and superior learning. They produced a calendar called, Mayan calendar and was produced into a movie only recently, but that's another story.

For 1200 years, the Maya dominated Central America. At their peak around 900 A.D., Maya cities teemed with more than 2,000 people per square mile -- comparable to modern Los Angeles County. Even in rural areas the Maya numbered 200 to 400 people per square mile. But suddenly, all was quiet. And the profound silence testified to one of the greatest demographic disasters in human prehistory -- the demise of the once vibrant Maya society.

What happened? Some NASA-funded researchers think they have a pretty good idea.

"They did it to themselves," says veteran archeologist Tom Sever.

"The Maya are often depicted as people who lived in complete harmony with their environment,' says PhD student Robert Griffin. "But like many other cultures before and after them, they ended up deforesting and destroying their landscape in efforts to eke out a living in hard times."

A major drought occurred about the time the Maya began to disappear. And at the time of their collapse, the Maya had cut down most of the trees across large swaths of the land to clear fields for growing corn to feed their burgeoning population. They also cut trees for firewood and for making building materials.

"They had to burn 20 trees to heat the limestone for making just 1 square meter of the lime plaster they used to build their tremendous temples, reservoirs, and monuments," explains Sever.

He and his team used computer simulations to reconstruct how the deforestation could have played a role in worsening the drought. They isolated the effects of deforestation using a pair of proven computer climate models: the PSU/NCAR mesoscale atmospheric circulation model, known as MM5, and the Community Climate System Model, or CCSM.

"We modeled the worst and best case scenarios: 100 percent deforestation in the Maya area and no deforestation," says Sever. "The results were eye opening. Loss of all the trees caused a 3-5 degree rise in temperature and a 20-30 percent decrease in rainfall."

The results are telling, but more research is needed to completely explain the mechanisms of Mayan decline. Archeological records reveal that while some Maya city-states did fall during drought periods, some survived and even thrived.

"We believe that drought was realized differently in different areas," explains Griffin. "We propose that increases in temperature and decreases in rainfall brought on by localized deforestation caused serious enough problems to push some but not all city-states over the edge."

The Maya deforested through the use of slash-and-burn agriculture – a method still used in their old stomping grounds today, so the researchers understand how it works.

"We know that for every 1 to 3 years you farm a piece of land, you need to let it lay fallow for 15 years to recover. In that time, trees and vegetation can grow back there while you slash and burn another area to plant in."

But what if you don't let the land lay fallow long enough to replenish itself? And what if you clear more and more fields to meet growing demands for food?

"We believe that's what happened," says Griffin. "The Maya stripped large areas of their landscape bare by over-farming."

Not only did drought make it difficult to grow enough food, it also would have been harder for the Maya to store enough water to survive the dry season.

"The cities tried to keep an 18-month supply of water in their reservoirs," says Sever. "For example, in Tikal there was a system of reservoirs that held millions of gallons of water. Without sufficient rain, the reservoirs ran dry." Thirst and famine don't do much for keeping a populace happy. The rest, as the saying goes, is history.

"In some of the Maya city-states, mass graves have been found containing groups of skeletons with jade inlays in their teeth – something they reserved for Maya elites – perhaps in this case murdered aristocracy," he speculates.

No single factor brings a civilization to its knees, but the deforestation that helped bring on drought could easily have exacerbated other problems such as civil unrest, war, starvation and disease.

Many of these insights are a result of space-based imaging, notes Sever. "By interpreting infrared satellite data, we've located hundreds of old and abandoned cities not previously known to exist. The Maya used lime plaster as foundations to build their great cities filled with ornate temples, observatories, and pyramids. Over hundreds of years, the lime seeped into the soil. As a result, the vegetation around the ruins looks distinctive in infrared to this day."

"Space technology is revolutionizing archeology," he concludes. "We're using it to learn about the plight of ancients in order to avoid a similar fate today."

Author: Dauna Coulter | Editor: Dr. Tony Phillips | Credit: Science@NASA

RELATED LINKS:

• Ondoy's Flood Worst in History - The level of rainfall is also expected to even surpass 391.7 mm average rainfall in Quezon City for the entire month of September.
• Clearings at Catanduanes Watershed Forest Reserve Viewable on Google Earth - Clearings at the forest reserve visible on Google Earth.
• Saving our Mangroves for Future Generations - A handful of private organizations and local government units have taken it upon themselves to augment the national government’s woeful effort in preserving and protecting mangroves in this island paradise.

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UN Gears Up Relief Operations for Asian-Pacific Disasters - VOA

U.N. Humanitarian Chief John Holmes says the world body is gearing up relief efforts and deploying teams to help the millions of people affected by severe tropical storms, earthquakes and tsunamis in the Asia-Pacific region.

At least six Asian-Pacific countries have been struck by natural disasters in the last week.

John Holmes says about three million people, mostly in the Philippines, have been impacted by Tropical Storm Ketsana. Nearly 300 were killed when Ketsana made landfall on Saturday dropping a month's worth of rainfall in 24 hours.

Vietnam and Cambodia were also in Ketsana's deadly path. The storm caused tens of millions of dollars in damage to homes and infrastructure.

"An eight-member U.N. disaster assessment and coordination [UNDAC] team is already in Manila assisting the government of the Philippines, and of course the U.N. country team and agencies who are already on the spot. The priorities are the ones you would expect: clean water, sanitation, hygiene, food, other non-food items, health and protection," he said.

He said the United Nations is very worried about Tropical Storm Parma, which could reach hurricane strength, causing more devastation and hindering current relief operations.

Parma could make landfall in the Philippines in the next 24 to 48 hours. Holmes warns that 8.5 million people are in the storm's path.

He said the U.N. plans a flash appeal for the Philippines early next week in the tens of millions of dollars.

The world body is also working to assist victims of four major tsunamis that were triggered by an 8.0-magnitude undersea earthquake in the South Pacific this week.

Nearly 150 people were killed when the tsunamis drove six meter high waves ashore, wiping out scores of villages and tourist retreats on the neighboring islands of Samoa and American Samoa and nearby Tonga.

Holmes said there is a U.N. team in the region, in addition to international support, in particular from Australia and New Zealand, which have been mobilizing supplies and medical teams to the affected areas.

And in Indonesia, the United Nations says casualties are rising from the 7.6-magnitude earthquake that shook Western Sumatra on Wednesday, trapping people under flattened buildings.

"Telecommunications are very difficult. Electricity and water supplies are mostly not functioning. Roads are cut off also due to damage and landslides, and there are concerns about - obviously very heavy concerns - about the welfare of the population," he said.

He said that relief efforts are also being hampered by heavy rainfall.

A second strong quake shook the province of Jambi Thursday. Holmes said so far there are only reports of damage but not casualties.

He said Indonesia has welcomed international assistance coordinated through its government.

By Margaret Besheer
The United Nations
01 October 2009

Satellite photo, animation & hydrological models: NASA Earth Observatory, Kochi University and TRMM

RELATED LINKS:

• Typhoon Pepeng's Aftermath - Relief of areas affected by Typhoon Pepeng (Parma) in Luzon.
• Typhoon Ondoy's Heavy Rainfall Explained - Ketsana's counterclockwise circulation enhanced the effect, which resulted in the torrential rains.
• Ondoy's Flood Worst Flood in History PAGASA - The 24-hour amount of rainfall is expected to overtake the 344 mm level recorded on a 24-hour period on June 7, 1967.

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Typhoon Pepeng Aftermath

In any rescue and relief operations, map plays a key role in identifying areas that requires immediate attention. The map below was created exclusively to highlight the areas that needed immediate assistance to help our local authorities and aid agencies expedite their relief efforts in the aftermath of typhoon Pepeng.

View Typhoon Pepeng in the Philippines on googlepages

You can collaborate on this map by updating the placemarks, data, add photos and videos.

RELATED LINKS:

• Floods, Landslides Isolate 3 Towns in Catanduanes - Three towns on the western side of the island province has been cut off from this capital town by a big landslide and a flooded spillway.
• Typhoon Pepeng Spares Catanduanes - The eye of the typhoon missed Catanduanes by a hundred kilometer.
  
• Ondoy's Flood Worst in History PAGASA - The unexpected flood in Metro Manila was the worst one ever recorded in history.

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Flood, Landslide Isolate 3 Towns in Catanduanes - INQ

VIRAC, Catanduanes, Philippines—Three towns on the western side of the island province has been cut off from this capital town by a big landslide and a flooded spillway along the national highway, the Department of Public Works and Highways said Friday.

DPWH District Engineer Ignacio Odiaman said a landslide, triggered by rains due to typhoon “Pepeng,” at Barangay Dariao in Caramoran rendered impassable the national road to the town as well as neighboring Pandan, 95 km from Virac.

He also reported that the Paturok spillway in San Andres along the circumferential road was also flooded and impassable to all kinds of vehicles, cutting off traffic between Virac and San Andres, the second biggest town.

Despite the bad weather, at least two buses bound for the northern towns of Gigmoto and Bagamanoc on the eastern side of the province picked up passengers at the flooded terminal near the Virac port.

Gov. Joseph Cua was in his office as early as 7 a.m. to monitor the situation.

Five families from a flood-prone area of Barangay Francia have taken shelter at the provincial capitol lobby.

Government offices remained closed while some business establishments, especially bakeries and grocery stores, opened shop in the capital town. Streets near the Catanduanes National High School and the Catanduanes State Colleges are partly ankle-deep in flood water.

By Fernan Gianan
Inquirer Southern Luzon
First Posted 16:30:00 10/02/2009

Source: Inquirer.Net

RELATED LINKS:

• Typhoon Pepeng Spares Catanduanes - A powerful storm, with wind speeds of 120 knots (220 kilometers per hour) and gusts up to 145 knots (270 kilometers per hour).
• Philippines Feels the Effects of Kujira (Dante) - Kujira became the first typhoon of the year in the northern West Pacific as it pulled away from the east-central Philippines early on the afternoon (local time) of the 4th of May 2009.
• A Trek to Remember IV - K.I.D.S Foundation Inc. - K.I.D.S will conduct a medical mission to two (2) clustered coastal barangays of Baras Catanduanes: Ginitligan, Benticayan, Agban, JMA, Abihao, Guinsaanan, Puraran and San Miguel. Serving more or less, 2,000 children ages from 0-17.

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Typhoon Pepeng Spares Catanduanes

Here are the latest satellite imagery, weather bulletin and animations from NASA, TRMM, Kochi University and PAGASA on Typhoon Pepeng (International Code: Parma).

Typhoon Parma (Pepeng)

As the death toll from Tropical Storm Ketsana continued to climb, residents of the Philippines braced for Typhoon Parma, which continued its westward path across the Pacific Ocean on October 1, 2009. The same day, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite captured this true-color image. Coastlines of the Philippines appear in black, and storm clouds hide the satellite’s view of most of the land areas. Clouds actually fill most of this image, with the eye of the storm appearing in the right half of the picture and long arms extending westward over land.

According to Reuters, early in the day on October 1, the Philippines’ chief weather forecaster characterized Parma as a category 4 typhoon with wind speeds of 95 knots (175 kilometers per hour), and predicted that the storm could become a category 5 typhoon by October 3. According to a report from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center several hours later (15:00 UTC, 11:00 p.m. Manila time), the storm had encountered dry air associated with an upper-level anticyclone and had weakened somewhat. At the time of that bulletin, however, Typhoon Parma remained a powerful storm, with wind speeds of 120 knots (220 kilometers per hour) and gusts up to 145 knots (270 kilometers per hour).

The high-resolution image provided above is at MODIS’ full spatial resolution (level of detail) of 250 meters per pixel. The MODIS Rapid Response System provides this image at additional resolutions.

Source: Earth Observatory

RELATED LINKS:

• Typhoon Ondoy's Heavy Rainfall Explained - Ketsana's counterclockwise circulation enhanced the effect, which resulted in the torrential rains.
• Ondoy's Flood Worst in History PAGASA - The amount of rainfall dumped yesterday is expected to surpass the 1967 record and this month's average.
• PAGASA Urges Concerned Gov't Agencies to Prepare vs El Niño - The state weather bureau urged yesterday concerned government agencies to come up with appropriate measures that can mitigate the possible effects of the developing El Niño phenomenon.

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