NVizcaya to Launch Tree Planting Project
by Ben Moses Ebreo
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (December 2) — The provincial government here will be embarking on a massive tree planting project designed to reforest denuded areas of this province which is considered as a critical watershed for Cagayan Valley.
“It is already within the sangguniang panlalawigan and we hope that this will be acted soon so that we can start with this project,” he said during the last quarter meeting of the Multi-Sectoral Forest Protection Committee (MFPC) at the Ammungan hall here.
Tabora said the massive reforestation project involves the planting of some 50,000 hectares where its sustainability will be hinged on the non-government organizations and local government units of the 15 municipalities here.
He said the project revolves on the following factors: planting, protection of the environment, cooperation of LGUs and memorandum of agreement with NGOs.
The tree planting project was conceived, he said due to the continuing denudation of the province’s forest cover which serves as a vital watershed for the Cagayan Valley region and neighboring provinces in Central Luzon.
Nueva Vizcaya’s forest cover started to decrease since the 1960s due to the influx of upland dwellers, illegal logging and the practice of slash and burn system of farming specially in the upland areas. (PIA NVizcaya)
PGMA formally files CoC as House Representative of Pampanga’s 2nd District
City of San Fernando, Pampanga (2 December) — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday formally filed her certificate of candidacy (CoC) with the Commission of Elections (Comelec) provincial office in Barangay Poblacion as representative of Pampanga’s second district.
The second district is comprised of the towns of Sasmuan, Porac, Floridablanca, Sta Rita, Guagua and Lubao.
Accompanied by First Gentleman First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, her son, incumbent second district Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo, some Cabinet members and local officials, the Chief Executive submitted her CoC before the provincial poll office here at 10:35 a.m.
On Monday, the President heeded the overwhelming clamor of her Cabalens (province mates) as she formally announced her intention to run in the province’s second congressional district.
In her taped statement aired over government radio station dzRB, the President said “after much soul searching, I have decided to respond affirmatively to their call. To that end, I will file my candidacy for Congress in order to serve the hard working people of my home province.”
The Chief Executive said that after much contemplation, she realized that she is not ready to step down completely from public service.
“As President, my first commitment is to the nation we all love. My bid for Congress will be spirited but secondary to my duties as President,” President Arroyo said as she assured that she will be firmly in control of the national government until her last day in office. (PIA)
PGMA Ensures Smooth Transition with Successor
Lubao, Pampanga (2 December) — “I will keep a steady hand on the tiller of the ship of state and will work to ensure a smooth transition to my successor.”
“As president, my first commitment is to the nation we all love,” Mrs. Arroyo told thousands of admiring provincemates who applauded and shouted her name at every turn.
She then asked her loyal supporters-from all walks of life, including the priests that concelebrated the mass at St. Augustine Parish here-”to campaign hard for me and ensure my victory as I continue performing my tasks as president.”
“We have gone far, and too much is at stake for me to waver now in my commitment to the people of the nation,” she declared.
The President said that under her leadership, the country’s economy survived the global recession. She said her most important task now in the executive department is to support the Commission on Elections in its goal of ensuring clean, honest and orderly elections.
The president said she is deeply honored for the privilege to serve the Filipino people. It is for them, she added, that great strides were made in the economy, healthcare, education, global engagement and job generation by her administration.
After her speech, the presidential convoy, which was joined in by mayors of the different districts of Pampanga, motored to the Comelec regional office in San Fernando.
The president said she thought of going back to teaching or working with an NGO to advance the cause of education, environment, and women’s rights.
“I realized I am not ready to step down completely from public service,” she explained. “That is why I responded affirmatively to your pleas for me to be your representative in Congress.” (PIA)
DENR-EMB Bicol, SIS Stage Enviro Exhibit
Daraga, Albay (2 December) — In observance of the National Clean Air and Environmental Awareness Month last November, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) in Bicol and Sunshine International School (SIS) staged an environmental exhibit with a read-along session held at SIS campus here.
DENR-EMB, through its Environmental Education and Information Section (EEIS), showcased the bureau’s programs and initiatives on awareness on climate change and global warming phenomenon, solid waste management and other timely environmental issues that would shape the students knowledge and views on ecosystem conservation.
The two-day activity, held November 12-13, was participated in by representatives from local government units, government agencies, students and faculty members of the different academic institutions in Albay province.
Dr. Eva S. Ocfemia, DENR-EMB Bicol Pollution Control Division chief, has consistently acknowledged the collaborative efforts of the different stakeholders to utilize information education strategy to the academe, especially to the young students, in stressing the responsibility of every individual in caring for the environment. (DENR-EMB V/PIA)
BPAT Orientation and Crime Prevention Seminar Held
by RB Manlangit
Daet, Camarines Norte (2 December) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) municipal police office here has recently conducted the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATs) Orientation and Crime Prevention Seminar.
P/Supt. Marlon C. Tejada, PNP Daet acting chief, said that the orientation seminar was participated in by Barangay Public Safety Officers and Non-Government Organizations or Kabayan Action Group.
Tejada said that the first of the series of seminar was held last November 18 and the second one was held November 27.
The activity was spearheaded by the PNP and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Topic discussed include duties and responsibilities of BPATs, citizens arrest, crime prevention and control, disaster preparedness and risk reduction, presidential decree 1908 or katarungang pambarangay, crime prevention tips, enforcement of special laws, basic report writing and traffic management and control.
Similar orientation seminar will also be conducted by the police in the different parts of the country.
The BPATs will help the police in the peace and order in the barangays. (PIA CamNorte)
