A Transformed Society is Built of Renewed Individual Citizens

CBCP Calls for Individual Transformation This Lent
MANILA, Philippines - Church leaders yesterday made a “crucial call to conversion” for the faithful to turn away from “worldly allurements” that would only lead to poverty, graft and corruption, including electoral fraud.

In its Lenten message, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) led by Tandag, Surigao del Sur Bishop Nereo Odchimar said the Holy Week is an opportunity for the faithful to sincerely review their life in the light of the teachings of the Gospel.

He said Holy Week poses a challenge to an individual and collectively to the community to repent and renew their ties with the Lord.

“A transformed society is built of renewed individual citizens,” Odchimar said.

“If we are to examine the very core of our being, we realize that our hearts innately crave for power, are attached to material wealth, content to maintain the status quo, and inclined to worldly allurements and other forms of selfish desires,” he said.

Odchimar pointed out what he called “outward manifestations” of increasing cases of graft and corruption in many institutions, poverty, violation of human rights, vote buying and selling, and other forms of electoral fraud, abuse of natural resources, land grabbing, and all forms of injustices.

But despite these temptations and challenges, Odchimar said the pursuit of good remains a fundamental option for individuals.

“We advocate good governance and seek responsible leaders in view of establishing a just and peaceful society where all may enjoy a fuller life,” Odchimar said.

“But above anything else, we take heed to this crucial call to conversion because God, the Creator and Ultimate Origin of all Good, has drawn us to Himself through His death and resurrection.”

Source: (The Philippine Star) Updated March 31, 2010 12:00 AM

RELATED LINKS:

• Churches in Catanduanes - Catanduanes is composed of 11 municipalities, but there are 18 parishes distributed island wide.

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Cretaceous Ammonite Find Here First in Southeast Asia - CT

Philippine and Japanese scientists have described the 100 million-year old ammonite fossils found deep in the forests of Dugui Wala San Vicente in Virac as the first of its kind found in Southeast Asia.



Dr. Yasunari Shigeta of the National Museum for Nature and Science (NMNS) in Tokyo, Japan told the Tribune that among the nine Ammonite species they found at the Silungan ng Higante site, the Mortoniceras specie is the most important as it is the first found in Southeast Asia. Although the specie is widely distributed in North America, Japan and India, none had been found in the region before, the Japanese scientist said.

"Mortoniceras is an index ammonite, meaning its presence would indicate the age of the rock it is embedded in as about 100 million years old or in the Cretaceous period," Dr. Shigeta said, noting that their team would be the first to study it. He added that the ammonites found in Mansalay, Mindoro is about 160 million years old (Jurassic period) while those found in Comagaycay, San Andres is 110 million years old.

Dr. Shigeta was with his boss, NMNS curator-in-chief Dr. Tomoki Kase, when they joined the exploration team composed of Dr. Yolanda Aguilar, Wenceslao Mago, and Emolyn Azurin of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) as well as geology division chief Roberto de Ocampo and museum curator Priscila Ong of the Philippine National Museum during the trip to the site from Mar. 15 to 18. The trip is in connection with their joint research project on "Collection Building and Natural History Studies in the Philippines: Tracing the Origin of High Marine Biodiversity in the Indo-Pacific through Fossil Studies."

They were joined by Virac personnel officer Oseas Alberto, who found the ammonite site by accident in 2007 while on a trek to get samples of small endemic fishes in mountain streams and rivers for possible breeding purposes. It was the publication of an article in the Tribune that year that drew the attention of the National Museum, which sent a team to the site in April 2009.

Last week, the team also found part of a fossil of a belemnite, an extinct group of marine cephalopods very similar to the squid and closely related to the cuttlefish. The belemnites possessed an ink sac but, unlike the squid, they had 10 arms and no tentacles. The part that remained of the belemnite, which could be as long as three meters or 10 feet, is the back part of the shell and it looks like a slender bullet.

Dr. Kase and Dr. Shigeta said the Dugui ammonites could be found in a one-meter layer of sandstone at the bottom of the Silungan ng Higante rock outcrop, with the belemnite finds in the 20-centimeter thick muddy sandstone just below it.

While the Comagaycay site is older than the Dugui site, Dr. Aguilar said the Silungan site is far more biologically diverse as it has seashells, gastropods, sea urchins, squids, annelids or segmented worms, and rudists, which are bivalves of a strange shape.

The team also went three kilometers up the Comagaycay river to look for ammonite samples but found only a small one embedded in a rocky bank. The site was discovered by a geologist names Sendon from MGB-5 in 1984 while the agency and Japanese expert Dr. Wataro Hashimoto found Protozoan microscopic fossils belonging to the Cretaceous period at Bunag-bunag point in the same town.

The team raised concerns in the Caramoran municipal government when they sought and got permission to go to the Obi coal exploration site. However, Dr. Aguilar said they only wanted to look at the rocks between the coal seams where fossils may be found. They never got there, though, as it was already too late to attempt the three-hour trek to the site.

Dr. Shigeta informed the Tribune that their study’s objectives are to date the enclosing rock of the fossil and study the life habits of the strange marine animals that existed long before they became extinct.

While the team did not find any fossil of a marine reptile, the possibility that there could be remnants of marine dinosaurs in the Silungan site remains. Alberto is still looking for a huge bone that was said to have been stored by an old man in one of the recesses of a labyrinthine cavern at the top of the rock outcrop.

Source: Catanduanes Tribune - 24 March 2010

RELATED LINKS:

• Japanese, RP Scientists in Study of Ammonite Fossils - A team of Japanese and Philippine scientists trekked to the Silungan ng Higante rock outcrop in Dugui Wala, Virac.

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Baras: A Secluded Surf Haven

Baras, one of the poor municipalities of the island-province of Catanduanes, is hoping that its new-found fame as a surfing destination will help in uplifting its farming economy.

Puraran, Catanduanes

It has Puraran Bay, which boasts of white-sand beach and high waves that attract professional and upstart surfers.

“Puraran is unlike the other surfing sites in the Philippines, which are commercialized and very crowded. I came here because the place is secluded and still unspoiled,” said Dante Blutmann, 46, a London-based Argentine surfer, who was among at least 15 Canadian and British tourists who visited the beach on March 9.

Surfers from around the world came to know about the bay through the Internet. “Without us even knowing, our town has been on the world map of tourists, especially surfing enthusiasts, because the word has been spread in the Internet,” said Rogelio Tendencia, municipal planning and development officer.

Tendencia said the surge of visitors had prompted the fifth-class municipality (annual income: P10 million-P20 million) to adopt a plan on how to take advantage of its tourism potential. The plan, implemented through an executive order of the mayor, calls for the creation of a tourism council that will take charge of tourism programs and development.

Through such body, Baras expects everyone involved in the local tourism industry to “work for unity and cooperation … in striving for the common interest,” Tendencia said.

Lack of funds

Puraran, Catanduanes

He, however, lamented the “lack of funds to sustain our tourism programs.”

This has forced the town to tie up with the Department of Tourism, the Philippine Tourism Authority and other concerned agencies, he said. “What we always do is to draft a simple plan and it is for the two agencies to decide how they can help.”

He said the municipality was banking more on longer-staying tourists rather than on more tourist arrivals. “A longer tourist stay has the same effect on the economy as increased tourist arrival without causing much human damage to natural attractions.”

But, Tendencia said the problem was that the residents, especially those living in Barangay Puraran, were still wary about the idea of fully opening their village to tourists.

Puraran, Catanduanes

“In fact, we have asked them to undergo training for home-stay accommodation of tourists, but only few have expressed interest despite telling them that it would add to their income,” he said.

Despite the difficulties, the local government is bent on promoting the Puraran Bay as an alternative surfing destination, its entry on the list of the “One Town One Product” program of the Department of Trade and Industry.

“We have started constructing simple facilities. We will also conduct surfing lessons by inviting professional surfers who can teach those willing to learn. Hopefully, we can start sooner,” Tendencia said.

After the May elections, the municipal government plans to launch full-blast its tourism programs.

But some officials are cautious at what could be the price of development. To allay such fear, the tourism development plan underscores the need for the “preservation of natural environment.”

By Jonas Cabiles Soltes
Source: Inquirer Southern Luzon
First Posted 20:10:00 03/24/2010

Photo credits: Picasa (Public)

RELATED LINKS:

• A Trek to Remember IV - K.I.D.S. Foundation Inc. - The K.I.D.S. Foundation Inc. is inviting everyone, medical practitioners (doctors, nurses, etc), KIDS members, volunteers, trekkers, to fly to the unspoiled beaches of Catanduanes...for the next, "A Trek to Remember IV", on October 23-25 2009.
• 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 that will further boost tourism ventures in the province of Catanduanes.
• Tourism: The Catandungan Way - In less than two months from now, will be the start of year 2009 and in three months, will be the onset of summer in the Philippines.

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Phase 2 of Circum Road Project on Hold Until After 2010 Elections - CT

Formal and official approval of the second phase of the Catanduanes Circumferential Road Improvement Project will have to wait for the new administration to take over in Malacañang by July 2010.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said last week during the 1st quarterly meeting of the Provincial Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council headed by businessman Rene Abella that the project documents are now with the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), which will forward it for the stamp of approval by the new president.

Engr. Rey Bejo of the DPWH Catanduanes Engineering District also informed the Tribune that last February consultation meetings regarding road right-of-way acquisition were held with stakeholders in three municipalities where the project will be implemented.

The consultations, conducted by ESSO-Central Office project manager Engr. Criste Zuniega-Navida, Engineer III Willy Galang of DPWH Central Office, Engineer III Rhines Brutas of DPWH Region V, and Engr. Rosanna Camacho of Catanduanes DEO, were attended by the town mayors, barangay captains and constituents.

According to Engr. Navida, major civil works will commence from Viga proper to Pandan proper, along which 12 to 20-meter road right-of-way would be required to widen the road, construct drainage and other roadside facilities. Private real properties, including improvements and crops, which will be affected and those which cannot be avoided during the construction will be removed with just compensation from the government through DPWH, she said. In contrast to the first phase of the circum road project, it is claimed, the right-of-way payments would be made based on the current market value in the locality prior to the implementation of the project.

"Any extensions and additional structures constructed after the consultation meetings held on Feb. 27, 2010 will not be compensated," Engr. Navida stressed.

The barangays with identified major right-of-way problems are: barangay Peñafrancia in Viga in view of the proposed realignment of Quiambag bridge; barangay San Rafael and Salvacion in Bagamanoc in view of the proposed road widening and road realignment; and, barangays Bagumbayan and Taopon in Panganiban due to the provision for road widening and slope protection structure in the area.

In Peñafrancia, Viga, residents urged the construction of flood control structure, restoration of the original river course and dredging instead of the bridge realignment/reconstruction. However, the DPWH stated that there are no funds for the proposal.

Source: Catanduanes Tribune - 24 March 2010

RELATED LINKS:

• Viga-Pandan Circumferential Road Project Awaits NEDA Okay - Though still years away from implementation, the second phase of the improvement of the Catanduanes Circumferential Road project has nonetheless moved forward and is now undergoing appraisal by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Investment Coordination Committee (ICC).

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Japanese, RP Scientists in Study of Ammonite Fossils - CT

A team of Japanese and Philippine scientists trekked to the Silungan ng Higante rock outcrop in Dugui Wala, Virac last Monday to check out fossils of marine creatures that lived at least 100 million years ago when the country was still underwater.

The seven-man team, which is working under the auspices of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), paid a courtesy call on Virac Mayor Santos V. Zafe last Friday morning (March 12) before embarking on a reconnaissance ride to the Dugui Too area. Mayor Zafe is lending the team a dump truck and a driver to enable them to reach the jump-off point to the site earlier.

The MGB team is composed of Supervising Science Research Specialist Dr. Yolanda Aguilar, Geologic Aide Wenceslao Mago and driver Emolyn Azurin while the Philippine National Museum is represented by Roberto de Ocampo, chief of the Geology Division and museum curator Priscila Ong. They were joined by Dr. Tomoki Kase, curator-in-chief of the National Museum for Nature and Science (NMNS) based in Tokyo, Japan, and Dr. Yasunari Shigeta.

The team will collect fossils in two sites in Catanduanes – the Silungan site in Dugui, which is considered to be at least 100 million years old (late Cretaceous period), and the Comagaycay site in San Andres, which is at least 110 million years old (early Cretaceous). They will likewise proceed to other sites in the Bicol region, particularly Sorsogon province, all in connection with the joint research project of the MGB, PNM and NMNS on "Collection Building and Natural History Studies in the Philippines:Tracing the Origin of High Marine Biodiversity in the Indo-Pacific through Fossil Studies."

Armed with compasses, drill machines, picks, maps and other field equipment, the scientists and geologists would study the huge rock outcropping at Dugui where Virac municipal official Oseas Alberto found ammonites in 2008, including one as big as a car tire. His find, published in the Tribune website, drew the attention of the National Museum, which sent De Ocampo, Ong and Jerry Tabirao to the site in April 2009 for verification and further studies. Alberto’s posting of their video fieldwork on YouTube soon drew the attention of the Japanese scientists.

The MGB geologists will also join the Japanese scientists in looking at the Dugui rivers, especially the limited gold panning activity. De Ocampo said the bureau is undertaking preparations for the establishment of a Philippine Mining Museum.

"There is a possibility that we might find fossils of marine dinosaurs in Catanduanes," Dr. Kase told the Tribune, adding that marine mammals like Icthyosaurs and plesiosaurs roamed the seas during the Cretaceous period. Dr. Aguilar said the presence of ammonite fossils in Catanduanes is evidence that the Philippines was underwater when dinosaurs ruled land masses like Asia and America.

Source: Catanduanes Tribune - 17 March 2010

RELATED LINKS:

• Trek in the Wilderness - Last April 5-7, a group of ten, composed of two geologist from the National Museum and five guides set out to investigate and collect samples of ammonites fossils reported last year by Mr. Osias Alberto in a mountain rock in Catanduanes called Silungan ning Higante.
• Possible Elasmosaurus and Ammonite Fossils Found - There may be fossils of marine monsters in the Silungan ning Higante site north of Dugui Too in Virac.

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Drought Hits Catanduanes Hard - BM

VIRAC, Catanduanes—Even in the island-province of Catanduanes, known as a typhoon path and past scene of heavy rains, over 5,650 hectares of rice land in all of its 11 towns have dried up due to the El Niño phenomenon, according to the local agriculture office.


In a report to Gov. Joseph Cua, provincial agriculturist Herbert Evangelista placed the partial losses in the province’s rice production at 1,976 metric tons worth over P8.5 million. The municipalities covered by the initial report were Bato, Gigmoto, Panganiban, San Andres, Caramoran and Pandan.

The figures are expected to rise when assessment of the drought effects in five other towns covering 4,000 hectares of rice fields is completed, Evangelista said.

The drought has affected 1,656 hectares of standing rice crops tilled by 1,443 farmers in these six towns. Majority of the crops were in the reproductive stage and of the total, 567 hectares have been assessed as having no chance of recovery, Evangelista said.

The lack of rainfall starting in September 2009 has led to the drying up of rice paddies in the areas covered by the report. These farms are either rain-fed or having insufficient irrigation system.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has predicted that the drought will last up to May this year, although rains could fall as early as the second half of March.

Records at the Pagasa Virac Synoptic Station show that rainfall from November 2009 to February 2010 fell by an average of 67.5 percent compared with the same period one year ago.

In December 2009 alone, the weather bureau recorded only 97.8 millimeters (mm) of rainfall, just a fraction of the 596.7 mm in December 2008. Precipitation in January 2010 was slightly better at 217.5 mm, but was still 60 percent less than the 544 mm recorded in January 2009.

Pagasa weather specialist Jun Pantino said that this February alone, it has rained in only eight of the 28 days, with a total volume of 46.5 mm, far from the 279.3 mm recorded a year ago. The last time rain fell in this capital town was on February 17.

Pantino said that while there have been clouds, precipitation is hindered by strong winds and the effects of global warming. Daytime temperatures hover at just over 30 degrees centigrade, with morning temperatures cool at about 19 degrees, while humidity is in the high 80s, he said.

Meanwhile, the Virac Water District (Viwad) has warned that it may resort to rationing if water distribution from its three water sources continuously drops.

Viwad general manager Virgilio Arcilla said that its total water production has fallen by 50 percent from the normal 102 liters per second to about 54 liters per second, forcing the water firm to undertake sandbagging at the water sources to maximize intake of water into its reservoirs.

The water firm advised its 5,800 household consumers to conserve water by shutting off faucets when not in use, reusing water and putting off indiscriminate use of hoses in watering plants and cars.

Arcilla also appealed to consumers to report leakages along its transmission and distribution lines and even in house connections so that repairs are promptly undertaken.

“Right now, the extra water we can use is being wasted in leaks,” he said.

In Sorsogon, reports reaching the Business Mirror said that intermittent rainfall and showers have been taking place in the province daily since Friday last week, lowering the risk for the area from the effects of the prolonged dry spell being experienced in some parts of the country.

Easterly winds bringing in rainclouds had been prevailing in the province maintaining temperatures at normal levels, local weathermen said.

Written by Danny O. Calleja / Correspondent
Monday, 15 March 2010 18:53
Source: Business Mirror

RELATED LINKS:

• 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, particularly in the agriculture sector.
• Water Sources Drying up: El Niño’s Damage to Rice Fields P8.5-M and Rising - The on-going drought triggered by the El Niño phenomenon has already caused P8.5 million in damages to rice fields in six of the province’s 11 towns, according to the Provincial Agriculture Support Office.
• Weather Page - View latest weather related research, observations and updates

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DTI Launches “OTOP Cariton” at Virac Airport - CT

Airline passengers bound for Manila can now buy native food products right at the Virac airport with the opening of the "One-Town, One-Product" (OTOP) Cariton project of the Department of Trade and Industry.

The OTOP Cariton gives the primary beneficiary, the Virac Pili Processors Association Inc., and its 15 members, direct exposure to air commuters, with the project netting sales of more than P4,000 on its first day last Feb. 8. This marketing approach, said DTI provincial director Ireneo Panti, Jr., aims to better introduce the native food products of Catanduanes to visitors, tourists and the flying populace in general.

Among those who attended the launching were Vice Gov. Alfred Aquino representing Gov. Joseph Cua, Councilor Eulogio Talaran representing Virac Mayor Santos Zafe of LGU Virac, ATO Manager Cynthia Tumanut, and Dr. Vey Abella representing Rene Abella of PMSMEDC.

Also witnessing the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between DTI and Virac Pili Processors Association, Inc. (VPPAI) represented by Evelyn Bonifacio were Viga Mayor and Mrs. Abelardo Abundo Sr., Provincial Tourism Officer Carmel Garcia, CSC Director Ma. Guia Garcia and some officials of the Virac local government, the provincial agriculture office and members of the local media.

Food products initially displayed for sale were latik, choco pili (white and dark chocolate), mazapan de pili, crispy and coated pili, banana chips in two flavors, taro chips, rice coffee, coco jam, crispy rice puto, papaya pickles, special polvoron. Most of these products have undergone product development (labeling and packaging designs) which can be easily noticed on the pleasing and eye-catching arrangements.

The OTOP Cariton, to be manned by VPPAI members, will be open whenever there are flights scheduled.

Source: Catanduanes Tribune - February 19,2010

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• PCARRD Project to Develop Model for Abaca Supply Chain - Researchers from the Bicol University Research and Development Center are aiming o develop a business support model of coordination among chain actors in the abaca supply chain.

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