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BICOL, THE PHILIPPINES JANUARY 19-25, 2014 P5.00
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VOL. XXI, NO. 22

DOH urges LGUs to step up drive vs Tigdas

LEGAZPI CITY The Department of Health (DOH) regional officer here has urged local government units across Bicol to intensify and fast track active immunization drive to prevent infection and spread of diseases, particularly measles that has stricken mostly infants and children already.
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Daet cites 2013 top performing business establishments

By ROSALITA B. MANLANGIT DAET, Camarines Norte - Some 18 top performing business establishments in 2013 here were recently cited by the local government unit for their high gross sales and corresponding business taxes paid last year. Mayor Tito Sarte Sarion of this town said that at the beginning of every year, business establishments were recognized for their high gross sales that captured the market in their particular industry, much as business owners renewed their business permits and pay corresponding tax early or on time. Sarion, who led the awarding of plaque of recognition to
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Naga BOSS attracts investors

By ANA-LIZA S. MACATANGAY NAGA CITY --- In a matter of less than an hour or two a businessman with a complete requirements in his hands can already get his business permit or renewal without the laborious hours of waiting. This ease and comfort was attributed by Naga City Mayor John Bongat to the speedy business permit renewal process reduced from the usual five steps down to four steps this year. This move, he said, also reduced the time and money spent for the usual and tedious process of securing clearances and permits for a businessman to operate his commerce. City public information officer Allen Lucre Reondanga said the city government also instituted value entitlements to those establishments who will renew their permits early serving such as a come-on to encourage more business owners to support the said campaign. Mayor Bongat also thought of fueling our businessmens interest to either renew or register their new business through the Business One Stop Shop (BOSS) program by giving out freebies such as mugs and umbrella. These items are given to the first 300 clients who obtained Mayor's Permit, Reondanga said in an interview. Naga Citys BOSS campaign aims to give businessmen a positive take to renew their business and to renew the registration of close to 6,000 business establishments in the city. The BOSS will be run from January 1 to 31, 2014 at the People's hall. However, paying Business and Mayor's Permit taxes, fees

Mayor SARION

IMMUNIZATION DRIVE

Ms. Elvira Bulao, Program Coordinator of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) under the Provincial Health Office (PHO) conducted a one-day free pneumococcal and influenza vaccination amongst the Provincial Capitol employees and other senior citizens.

3rd Floor, GERONIMO BLDG., BARLIN ST., NAGA CITY TELEFAX: (054) 475-62-62 CP 0921-3183720 / 0919-2822901 / 0920-5337766

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JMTS/DANREY/MMEC

BIKOL REPORTER

OPINION

JANUARY 19-25, 2014

PH Peso Depreciating
(Atty. APA chairs Acyatan & Co., CPAs-DFK International is past chair of ASEAN Federation of CPAs, PICPA past president and Hall-of-Famer, and ACPAPP Lifetime Achievement Awardee). STRONG US$: The peso-dollar rate now stands at Php45=US$1.00. There are signs that the exchange rate will continue to deteriorate due to the perceived disturbances in our economic performance. Our economic weakness is being related to the continuing calamities befalling our country. The inflows of foreign funds from OFW remittances and global aid (for Yolanda victims) seem inadequate to counter the negative tide. It is not just the damages we have suffered that are turning off foreigners who are would-be investors in our country. The image that our country is geographically located in the disasterpathway dampens our invitations for business operations. Universal positive perception of the Filipinos sturdy disposition and resilience appears to be insufficient to counter the observation that the pearl of the orient seas is going deeper and deeper into hopelessness. EFFECTS: A weaker peso will mean our imports will be costlier peso-wise, but our exports will earn more in terms of local exchange. Among the items that will now be more expensive are fuel and oil, motor vehicles and appliances. Imported commodities including rice and corn will require bigger peso outlays and as a consequence, this might encourage smuggling. The most critical

issue is on the pump prices of diesel and gasoline. The stronger US dollar will provide added bonanza to our OFWs and their beneficiaries. This is on the assumption that the foreign exchange they are earning are dollar-based. There are other currencies against which the Phl peso is still standing strong a proof that indeed our economy is showing positive progress. At the sidelines interest rates are expected to rise but not towards prohibitive levels that may disrupt business expansion. PRAYERS: Faith can indeed move mountains! Our attitude of looking up and praying to our dear Lord for strength and succor is a positive step in the right direction. People should never arrogate unto themselves that whatever good things have happened to them were attributable to their own talents and hard work. Every activity that happened including the things we now have, were provided to us by the Almighty. We can cite here the case of our

The Santo Nio de Ceb (Spanish: Holy Child of Cebu) is a celebrated Roman Catholic religious vested statue of the Child Jesus venerated by many Filipino Catholics who believe it to be miraculous. Claiming to be the oldest religious image in the Philippines, the statue was originally given in 1521 as a baptismal gift by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan via Antonio Pigafetta, who physically handed it to Lady Humamay, the principal wife of Rajah Humabon, along with a statue of the Our Lady of Guidance and a Cross. The image merited a Papal blessing on April 28, 1965, the 400th centennial anniversary, when Pope Paul VI issued a papal bull for the Canonical Coronation and Pontifical High Mass via the papal legate to the Philippines, Cardinal Amleto Giovanni Cicognani. The Santo Nio image is replicated in many homes and business establishments, with different titles reinterpreted in various areas of the country. The image's feast is liturgically celebrated every third Sunday of January, during which devotees carry a portable Santo Nio image onto the street fiesta dancing celebrations. The image is one of the most beloved and recognizable cultural icons in the Philippines, found in both religious and secular areas. Description measuring approximately twelve inches tall, the statue is believed to be originally made in Flanders, Belgium, and is highly similar in iconography to the Infant Jesus of Prague. The statue is clothed in its distinctive and expensive red manto, and bears regalia that include a gold crown, globus cruciger, and sceptre mostly donated from devotees in the Philippines and abroad. It is permanently housed encased in bulletproof glass at the Basilica Minore del Santo Nio in Cebu City. Its feast is celebrated every Third Sunday of January.

supposed self-sufficiency in rice. Our Department of Agriculture has bragged some three years ago, that we will no longer import rice by year 2013. Look at us now we have personalities being accused of illegally importing (smuggling) rice all because there is that perceived staple shortage in the country. In the process, whether intended or not - the inutile role of NFA has also surfaced. RETURNS: Its now January and so businessmen and taxpayers are busy trying to comply with their reportorial compliances for the government. At the LGU fronts business owners are having problems in securing their barangay and municipal or city permits. It is commendable that some LGU offices are open even during Saturdays and Sundays in order to meet the deadline for permits by month-end. For the BIR the report for ending inventories is due on January 30 while the alphabetical lists (or alphalist) of payments to employees and other income-payees (expanded) are due by January 31st. Please be alerted that there is a new revenue regulation that makes the preparation and submission of the alphalist stricter as even those employees who are not subject to withholding must be individually listed. The report form has likewise been amended. Watch out to avoid penalties! PROVERBS: A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

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What is sea-grabbing which China is being accused of? This action of China affects our security and economy. Hence, its just right for us to support the Philippines claim of territorial right and sovereignty over our exclusive economic zone under the United Nations Convention on the law of the Sea (Unclos) This does not prevent us also from using other diplomatic approaches. The following column of Fr. Joaquin G. Bernas, SJ, a legal luminary in the Philippine Daily Inquirer dated Jan. 13, 2014 is very informative: By sea-grabbing I refer to what China is trying to do over wide swathes of sea. Earlier we had controversy over airspace. This remains unresolved. Now China has started another controversy, this time over sea space. Claiming police powers in the disputed South China Sea, China is requiring foreign fishermen to ask Beijings permission to operate within the vast strategic area. The affected areas include waters claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam and others. Historically, the sea has performed two very important functions: first, as a medium of communication between states; and second, as a vast reservoir of wealth resources living and nonliving. For that reason laws have been developed to govern the use of the seas. In the 17th century, there arose the claim that a state could dominate the high seas, but this was countered by Grotius who developed the doctrine on freedom of the high seas. Little by little the body of laws grew, and now the prevailing law is the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos). China is a signatory to this convention. We would therefore expect China to honor it. Briefly, coastal states have a claim of control, in varying degrees, over portions of the seas. Each state is entitled to territorial waters, a contiguous sea, and the exclusive economic zone. The territorial sea is a belt of sea outwards from the baseline. The baseline is an imaginary line drawn around the shallow water edge of a land area. We recently amended our baseline law in order to conform to the requirements of the 1982 Unclos.

The width of this territorial belt of water has been the subject of much disagreement. The original rule was the cannon shot rule, that is, the width of water was measured in terms of the range of shore-based artillery. Later this became the three-mile rule. The threemile rule has now been discarded in favor of the 12-mile rule now found in Article 3 of the Unclos. The authority of the coastal state over its territorial sea and the airspace above it, as well as the seabed under, is the same as its sovereignty over its land territory. However, the sea is subject to the right of innocent passage by other states. The rule on innocent passage applies to ships and aircraft. Submarines, moreover, must surface. Innocent passage is passage that is not prejudicial to the peace, good order or security of the coastal state. The contiguous zone is an area of water not exceeding 24 nautical miles from the baseline. It thus extends 12 nautical miles from the edge of the territorial sea. The coastal state exercises authority over that area to the extent necessary to prevent infringement of its customs, fiscal, immigration or sanitation authority over its territorial waters or territory; and to punish such infringement. The doctrine on the exclusive economic zone is a recent development. Prior to the acceptance of this doctrine, all waters beyond the contiguous zone were considered high seas, over which no state had control. The doctrine developed owing to the desire of coastal states for

better conservation and management of coastal fisheries. The exclusive economic zone is an area extending not more than 200 nautical miles beyond the baseline. The coastal state has rights over the economic resources of the sea, seabed and subsoilbut the rights do not affect the right of navigation and overflight of other states. This is a compromise between those who wanted a 200-mile territorial sea and those who wanted to reduce the powers of coastal states. The provisions on the exclusive economic zone are both a grant of rights to and an imposition of obligations on coastal states relative to the exploitation, management and preservation of the resources found within the zone. The two primary obligations: First, coastal states must ensure, through proper conservation and management measures, that the living resources of the exclusive economic zone are not subjected to overexploitation. This includes the duty to maintain and restore populations of harvested fisheries at levels which produce a maximum sustainable yield. Second, they must promote the objective of optimum utilization of the living resources. They therefore should determine the allowable catch of living resources. If the coastal state does not have the capacity to harvest the allowable catch, it must grant access to other states. The details on this matter are found in Articles 55 to 75 of the Unclos. The United States, although it does not take sides in the dispute over the South China Sea, insists on the freedom of navigation in the area. Quiet obviously, when the measurements prescribed by Unclos are applied, the territorial waters of neighboring countries can overlap. China has resolved possible overlap by asserting its power unilaterally, requiring fishing vessels to ask Beijings permission. Manila, for its part, is seeking clarification of what the new Chinese rules are demanding.

P8 wage hike in Bicol takes effect

LEGAZPI CITY -- The P8 increase in minimum wage in the region, as specified under Wage Order No. RBV-16 had taken effect this January 10 and the additional pay must be reflected in the next payroll salaries of minimum wage earners.

JANUARY 19-25, 2014

BIKOL REPORTER

Bicolana trader named Carlos P. Romulo awardee

By JOSEPH JOHN J. PEREZ LEGAZPI CITY -- Bicolanas continue to bring honors to the region with the conferment of Carlos P. Romulo (CPR) Award for International Achievement to Sorsogon-born American businesswoman-lawyer Loida Nicolas-Lewis last January 14. Lewis joined international boxer and Saranggani representative Manny Pacquiao, Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) Chair Patricia Licuanan, and Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario as recent awardees of the said honors organized by the United Nations Association of the Philippines (UNAP) and conferred by President Benigno Aquino III during the awarding rites at Malacaang early this week. New York-based Lewis is the chairperson and chief executive officer (CEO) of The Lewis Corporation (TLC) Beatrice LLC, a family investment firm and multinational company established by her late black American

Atty. LEWIS husband Reginald Lewis which she has taken over after his death. She also leads a foundation named after her husband and is a known figure in the US Asian-American community and considered as one of the most influential persons in the field of business. Lewis established The Lewis College (TLC) in Sorsogon City in 1999 which is now one of the leading private schools in the province of Sorsogon that offers scholarships to needy students. The idea of starting a school was something that I was excited about, It has always been my belief that the

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The pronouncement was made by DOLE-Bicol over the media yesterday after queries regarding the implementation of the minimum wage law have been slowly surfacing from both workers and employers from the 6-provinces. Actually we have already announced the increase as early as December even before its publication to set the minds of our employers. Some sort of mind conditioning for a smooth implementation of the new wage law, DOLE-Bicol regional director and Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) Chairman Nathaniel V. Lacambra said. The January 10 effectivity of the new wage law took effect following the mandatory 15-day publication period of the wage order. Based on RTWPBs records, Wage Order No. RBV-16 was signed on December 5 and was published at a local newspaper last December 26, 2013 thus having its full effectivity last January 10. Wage Order No. RBV-16 specifies the new minimum wage rate in Bicol as P260/ day for establishments with more than 10 workers and P236/day for establishments with less than 10 workers in agriculture and non-agriculture sector. Copies of Wage Order No. RBV-16 is available for free at the RTWPB office. For more inquiries you may call 481-9824.

CASHLESS PURCHASE CARD

President Benigno S. Aquino lll receives from Citibank Corporate and Investment Banking Vice Chairman Jay Collins and Citibank CEO Philippines Batara Siantun an enlarged cashless purchase card, during the ceremonial turn-over of the Cashless Purchase Card System at the Good Governance Summit 2014 with the theme of "Good Governance through Open Government and Sustainable Procurement " at the Philippine International Convention Center, CCP Complex in Pasay City on Wednesday (January 15). (Photo by Benhur Arcayan/Rey Baniquet/ Malacaang Photo Bureau)

P-Noy says Cashless Purchase Card prog addresses corruption

President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Wednesday that the newly-launched administrations Cashless Purchase Card (CPC) program will address the alleged misuses of funds in the government. "Our goal is to institutionalize reforms that make it very difficult for unscrupulous individuals to steal from the peopleregardless of who sits in office. This is where the introduction of cashless transactions comes in," the Chief Executive said in his speech during the Good Governance Summit held at the Philippine International Convention Center, CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City. President Aquino led the ceremonial turnover of the Cashless Purchase Card during the 3-day summit which has for its theme "Good Governance through Open Government and Sustainable Procurement." The program, which is a joint effort between the Aquino administration and Citibank, enables the government agencies to make financial transactions entirely through electronic means instead of cash or checks. "A recent study identified that one of the major financial risks remaining is the high volume of cash advances in agencies. The risks of this kind of system are obvious: the
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UNEP FRONTLINE artist edges opponent in Literary Graphics

IRIGA CITY - Sande C. Nacario, 2nd year Bachelor of Science in Architecture and FRONTLINE artist of the University of Northeastern Philippines (UNEP) edged his opponents during the recently concluded 14th Region V Tertiary Schools Press Conference (RTSPC) held from January 9 to 11 at the Bagasbas Light House in Daet, Camarines Norte. Nacario bagged the 1st place in the Literary Graphics competition Filipino category. He, together with other 2 Frontliners brought home honors as winners in their respective competing fields. Maria Jela M. Moran, a 4th Year Political Science Student was awarded 2nd in the Editorial Writing competition, English category while Jerome S. Berina, a 2nd Year Architectural student made it on the 5th place in the Literary GraphicsEnglish Category competition. Both Moran and Berina are Frontliners occupying the posts as column editor and artist respectively. FRONTLINE is the official student publication of UNEP. The successful holding of the event was spearheaded by no less than the Bicol Association of Tertiary Schools Publication Advisers, Inc. through the Bicol Association of Tertiary School Campus Writers in coordination with the Commission on Higher Education Region V. This years theme: Webbing accountability and influence to Nationalistic Fervor aims to solicit the ideas of the budding writers on facts concerning development and how it will contribute to nation building. As members of the young generation, part of shaping their future would also depend on how they view certain values given the strong influence of societal factors. The press conference is being held annually to also promote the ideals of campus journalism. It seeks to identify the best campus writers and outstanding campus papers in the entire Bicol Region. Nacario, Moran and Berina were among the 247 student/ writers from 32 schools in the Bicol Region who joined and competed in various individual categories both in English and Filpino in News Writing, Feature Writing, Editorial Writing, Devcom Writing, Opinion/Column Writing, Editorial Cartooning, Literary Graphics, Photo Journalism, Comic Strip, Copy reading and Headline Writing. They, together with other winners from Bicol universities and colleges, will again face another round of writing challenge as they set another step higher in the Luzonwide Competition comes February 12 to 14 at Lucban, Quezon. The best campus newspapers were also adjudged under the Group Category. Under the Tabloid Category were: The CSPC SPARK - Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges-Nabua CS, The HELM Mariners' Polytechnic College Foundation-Legazpi City; The Naga Collegian - Naga College Foundation-Naga City ; The Bicol Universitarian - Bicol University-Legazpi City; Budyong - Bicol University College of Arts and LettersLegazpi City; and Aquinian Herald - Aquinas University of Legazpi-Legazpi City. Twelve schools also competed under the school magazine category, four (4) for the Newsletter and only one in the Broadsheet category.

BAGWIS-BICOL

The Department of Agriculture together with thirteen government agencies entered into a memorandum of understanding for the launching of the convergence program Banig at Walis Tingting Pamilyang Bikolnon BAGWIS Bicol. The program aims to provide livelihood on a long term basis for pantawid pamilya Pilipino program beneficiaries, rural women organizations, farmers organization and other marginalized and vulnerable sector of the society. On the part of the Department of Agriculture the Rural Improvement Clubs shall be tapped to venture in banig and walis tingting production. DA shall assist selected RICs in the preparation of project proposal and other required documents to facilitate immediate release of DOLEs financial assistance; conduct capability enhancement and entrepreneurial trainings for the beneficiaries and assist in product marketing. The agencies involved in this project are: DA, DTI, ATI, FIDA, PCA, CDA, DAR, TESDA, DENR, DOST, CBRED and the DSWD is the chair of the inter-agency committee.

BIKOL REPORTER

ETCETERA

JANUARY 19-25, 2014

PELLMELL
jokee BOTOR-REYES
Christian
At 9 and in Grade IV, he still bears the natural foolishness of a very young boy. But I have found him unusually intelligent for his age. He speaks and writes English with the fluency expected of a boy who has only four years of Grammar classes. He has lots of things at the back of his mind. He wants to be a fireman so he can save lives. He dotes on his pet Dogey and cherishes the military watch his Tita Trix gave him this Christmas. He tells me he and Dominic, 5, his younger brother, quarrel a lot but they have a lot more time laughing together. He also thinks a lot of his Lola Lucy in Libon, Albay whom he visits on Christmas and on her birthday. But Mom Gemma and Dad Neal are his dear parents who proudly constructed a home for his happy family. He was a bet in the Feature Writing contest in the recently concluded Elementary presscon in Parina, Iriga. He felt well he did well because he was able to come up with a feature on The Presscon, the Road to Success. Not very likely the topic the elementary kids were expecting if they understood pretty well the lecture given before the contest. He could not understand the topic very well,. Maybe thats how everyone felt about thwe topic. Or maybe, he was alone in that predicament. How can the presscon be a road to success. Whose success? His? But he was joining the press con only this time. How can it lead to his success? He could not comprehend how success can be had if he is going the experience it for the first time and he is is just in an elementary fourth grader. At any rate, he was able to write his feature pambato. He wrote about thinking positively. He even wrote about eating chocolatesgood for the brain. Write alone, nobody was there to help him write. At any despite his limited knowledge of press con, a road to success. He wrote a full length manuscript, the feature article of his kind. Joining the contest was an experience. Maybe hell do better in Grade V, next year and in Grade VI, the following year. Christian Neil Se. Grade IV, Iriga Central School. He is my little friend. I am dreaming with optimism, he will be a accomplished feature writer in the future.

CARD shares exceptional womenfocused services in a global confab

Featuring global and regional experts, Ms. Dolores M. Torres, President and CEO of CARD Bank, Inc. recently took part as one of the panelists in the global conference initiated by Womens World Banking (WWB) and hosted by Microfund for Women/Jordan (MfW) under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Rania in Amman, Jordan. The global conference aims to promote financial inclusion for low-income women with sessions focused on how financial institutions can expand their market by developing suite of products to meet the specific needs of women clients; and innovative approaches to reach three segments of the underserved population: youth, salaried workers and rural women. Ms. Torres, voicing out the Philippines (CARD) exceptional challenges, approaches, and perspective on financial inclusion in a session titled What do womenfocused products and services look like? where more than 250 microfinance practitioners, commercial bankers, investors, donors and regulators from over 40 countries attendees. Her Majesty Queen Rania took particular interest in the said session. Ms. Flordeliza L. Sarmiento, President and CEO of Rizal Rural Bank, Inc., which is the newest addition to the CARD MRI, also participated in the conference. According to World Bank, Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has the lowest percentage of women participating in the formal finance sector in the world. The venue suits as the participants

Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President and CEO of Women's World Banking (left) and Dolores M. Torres, President and CEO of CARD Bank, Inc. (right)

are also exploring the landscape of financial needs and services of the region. During the event, WWB conferred to Jordans Microfund for Women the 2013 Excellence in Leadership Award. CARD Bank too is one of the

Security for School Children

By ROMMEL H. BELONIO DepEd, Iriga City
The participants and the organizers of the global conference in Jordan.

finalists for such award. The award annually recognizes a microfinance institution committed to developing womens leadership and gender diversity in order to prove that investing in women makes business sense, WWB said. CARD is the first rural bank in the Philippines granted by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to have evolved from microfinance NGO, with the purpose of turning poor women, who were once considered non-bankable, financially inclusive. As October 2013, CARD reached almost 2.2 Million sociallyand-economically challenged women across the country. In July, this year, BSP awarded CARD as Hall of Famer for Financial Inclusion Champion after winning such since 2011.

Danger lurks everywhere. Especially among children. In the street, in public places, in big shopping malls, in churches just about anywhere. Even at home where children are watched closely by their parents. Anything can happen and could prove fatal. But in schools particularly where children are more than in any other place. This in not just a seeming. It is a fact, There is every reason to fear what could happen anytime where there are children, especially school children who comprise a big percent of our young population.. There have been many instances when children hurt fellow children. At play children may hurt one another. Not intentionally but if the hurt is deep, it is really hurting. Sometime children hurt other children even in the presence of elders, like their teachers. This is not actually a very rosy atmosphere in the educational institutions in the country. Elsewhere, we have read stories in the newspapers of children being kidnapped, young girls raped and mutilated and killed, robbed of their precious material possessions or even just verbally assaulted. Still elsewhere, children can be run over by speeding vehicles hit and run way and left by erring motorists. Children too, whether male or female. may fall under the influence of bad guys and made to join them in pot sessions. Or else, they might be peddled. . What do we do to curb these dangers, natural or man made? Who should watch over our children? The presence of security officers is a welcome sight in many establishments, schools included. Schools, among other places, need to be secured and pupils, more than any other people, need to be given security, Young that they are, they can be so playful, careless to the point of being responsible even to themselves. But they are young and should not be condemned for such neglect of care. We are happy to see policemen cross children (and also adults, especially senior citizens) across the streets. It is quite disgusting, however, that many motorists, do not understand the use of the zebra lines in the streets. These lines are not just white lines but they are lines that pedestrians cross aware that they are crossing safely with those zebra lines in place. In some countries, the moment a pedestrian steps on the zebra line, no motorist should not dare continue driving until the queue of pedestrians have negotiated safely to the other side of the street. Sometimes, motorists would compete with pedestrians in using the zebra line. This is quite very common in our midst. Security should not just be left to security officers or policemen on the beat or civilian security unit guys who are very visible in this city. Guarding oneself should be taught in schools where children listen and in many instance listen attentively more to their teachers than their parents. Parents too have all the responsibility to educate their children on security whether at home or elsewhere.

INNER CHESS
BY J. HENRY DANICAN

JANUARY 19-25, 2014

BIKOL REPORTER

BLT, Creating a New Future for our Children

By SHEILA I. ALCANTARA Nurse II, DepEd Iriga City

There is no progressive country without healthy citizens. No war can ever be won unless the ones fielded in the battlefield are healthy and are in the best physical condition to fight for their country. But a battle is not necessarily waged by armed forces to get back at another country doing it military or political harms. Battles can be waged against hunger and poverty as well as of women and children. This is how the wide is the mileage of war. In the Philippines, if there is a serious war to wage it is a war against hunger and poverty. We are all aware of the increasing number of Filipinos who barely have rice on their table. Must we expect viand? That is too much. It is enough to have the staple food to stop the rumblings in their stomach. Maybe, adults can stand these rumblings but can children?. If they do not a full stomach, how can they be expected to be in school?. But school is a must. Our free elementary education is a big leap towards our childrens dream of a better tomorrow, a small success that starts with having breakfast before they start off to school which could again parading their poverty and hunger because they have to walk miles and go barefooted. It is very admirable that some well-meaning business establishments have tied up with local government units and joined the fray against hunger and malnutrition of our elementary public school children. The Jolibee Group Foundations truly laudable program is LTB (Busog, Lusog, Talino) School feeding Program and brings together schools, parents, local government units (LGUs), donors, civil society and Jolibee employee-volunteers to address hunger among pupils, helping them to stay in school and learn better. In DepEd Iriga City, five (5) elementary schools with 40 pupils are the beneficiaries of the BLT program. These are Grades I and 2 pupils of the elementary schools of San Nicolas, San Francisco, Francia, San Pedro and San Antonio. For 136 school days, the children beneficiaries are provided on their school days with an P11 lunch or hot meal. It is every ones optimism that the Jolibee program will spark similar attention from other public and private sector representatives to collaborate so that the issue of hunger among school children is addressed by the school and by affected families on a long-term basis. A regular monitoring of the program by DepEd Iriga has proved a remarkable improvement among the children who, as everybody with much optimism, likely sayd that the LBT program is gaining ground.

QUEZON CITY A young and brilliant Bicolano agricultural economist was recently appointed Director III (deputy director) of the Philippine Fiber Industry Authority (PhilFIDA) at its main office in this city. Shandy Marfilla Hubilla, who hails from Sipocot, Camarines Sur was appointed by President Simeon Benigno S. Aquino III last November 13 and DA Secretary Prospero J. Alcala administered his oath of office last November 21. Hubilla, who is only 35 years old, finished his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Agricultural Economics from the University of the Philippines, Los Baos, Laguna. Prior to his appointment to thePhilFIDA post, Hubilla was working with the Department of Agriculture as Special Technical Assistant of the Office of the Secretary. Even with his recent appointment as deputy director of PhilFIDA, he was issued a Special Order by Secretary Alcala assigning him as Director of the Program Support Office of the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), Luzon Cluster B which covers Region IV-A, IVB, and Region V

NEW BICOLANO DIRECTOR

DA PHOTO

DA Secretary Prospero Alcala administering oath of office to Shandy M. Hubilla (right) as Deputy Director of Philippine Fiber Industry Authority.

The young Hubilla started his work with the Department of Agriculture in 2008 when he was taken in as agricultural production specialist under the Infrastructure for Rural Productivity Enhancement Sector (InfRES) Project, a collaborative project of the Asian Development Bank, the Department of Agriculture, the Oriental Consultants Co., Ltd, and the Orient Integrated Development Consultants. In 2011, he was hired Special

Technical Assistant at the Office of the Secretary with the task of coordinating with the DBM, NEDA, and other members and representatives of the Rural Development Cabinet Sub-Cluster on the coconut- and fisheryfocused convergence programs and the World Bank on matters pertaining to the Philippine Rural Development Program; and overseeing the preparation and finalization of the PRDP Feasibility Studies and the Manuals of

Operations . From January to November last year, he was designated Program Coordinator for the Luzon B Program Support Office of the PRDP. His main function was to assist the PRDP Program Director and the Deputy Program Director in overseeing the preparatory and pre-implementation activities of the Philippine Rural Development Program. Before joining the DA, he worked at the UPLB and SEARCA as a researcher, research associate, and research supervisor where he honed his skills in research work, planning and project development, designing, and packaging. He was among the board topnotchers in the 2004 Licensure Examination for Agriculturists placing 9th out of over 2,520 examinees. He is an alumnus of St. Joseph School in Naga City and is the youngest child of Sandy D. Hubilla (Former Municipal Treasurer of Pili, Camarines Sur and President of the Municipal Treasurers Association of the Philippines) and the late Melburga M. Hubilla, former municipal councilor and municipal treasurer of Sipocot, Camarines Sur. -EMILY BORDADO ACS-DA5

By JAM MADRID NAGA CITY --- A one-day free advocacy seminar was conducted by the Employees Compensation Commission (ECC) Thursday, 16 January at the Avenue Plaza Hotel in Naga City, in keeping with their continuing efforts to make ECCs presence felt in the regions. The seminar was attended by more than 150 workers from the

Organizational Change: Towards a Brighter Tomorrow

By SHARON A. CORPORAL Administrative Officer II, (HRMO I) DepEd, Iriga City

different public and private sectors in Bicol Region, who were informed on the programs and benefits under the Employees Compensation Program (ECP). Nathaniel V. Lacambra, Regional Director of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Region 5 who gave the Welcome Remarks during the Opening Ceremony of the Seminar was thankful for the large turnout of participants. He was joined by Atty. Jonathan T.

Change is constant. It is something that is imbedded in every mans system as well as in any organization. As the world becomes more complicated and we are now living in an age of technology where everything is happening so fast and so easy, that a click can connect us to the whole world, change is not an expectation any more. It is there. Organizations, whatever their lines are, and cognizant of their nature are aware how members can be affected, how they affect one another and look at everything to see the big picture. People fear change. That is a common contention. We prefer routines and even accumulate habits easily. We are all accustomed to what is known as regularity. But change is fundamental to success. The success of an organization can come with change and harness its energy which will be vitally effective. In fact, change can create a powerful impact on society. These days, the subject of so much talks (and also speculations) is DepEd Order No. r53, s 2013, Approval and Implementation of the 2013 DepEd Rationalization, Program, Executive Order 366, a Strategic Review of the Operations of the Executive Branch and Providing Options and Incentives to Government Employees who may be affected by the Rationalization of the Department of Education. The program is geared towards change, no less. Maybe the less said of it, the better to quote Bret Harte. There is no doubt, the program is meant to improve the quality and efficiency of government offices and this is certainly a laudable move. In the Department of Education, the ones affected by the rationalization program may not have to worry because they are given options. Regular employees holding plantilla status will not lose their rank or privileges and will not be forced out or retrenched from the organization. Causal and contractual employees are extended beyond December 15, with approval form the Department of Budget and Management. There are many other items that could merit attention but the thing now is program has all the good reasons to be considered. So, why fret? The Philippine educational system has, ever since, taken big leaps towards its improvement and in some instances, it has taken a road less tread and in many, if not, in all instances, it has proven to be well underway. Organizational change. This is a fact of life. To state a very familiar saying(also philosophical?) there is nothing in this world that is permanent. Only change is.

The National Youth Commission (NYC) urges the 42,027 barangays all over the archipelago to comply with Republic Act 10632 which allocates budget solely for youth development at the barangay level. This follows the postponement of the Sangguniang Kabataan elections with the passage of Republic Act 10632,According to Section 4 of the Republic Act 10632 known as the Act Postponing the Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on October 28, 2013, the Sangguniang Barangay shall use the SK fund solely for youth development programs until the new set of officials have been duly elected and qualified. NYC has taken notice of recent news concerning the budget allocation for youth activitiies at the barangay level. It came to our attention that some barangays have already passed their respective budget plans without allocations for youth and youth-related programs, says Undersecretary Leon Flores III, Chairman of the NYC. While the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) has yet to be signed by COMELEC and DILG, we would like to remind all barangays that the law clearly earmarks budget for the youth. Those who so violate or intend to violate such provision should be forewarned., adds Chairman Flores. It is clearly stated in the law that Barangays are compelled to apportion certain percentage of its budget and income to fund activities that will train, capacitate and enhance the youth.

Temporarily even without the SK, it is still the governments mandate to provide avenues for youth participation and development. We would like to highly encourage youth organizations to engage their barangays ac(Turn to page 7)

Villasoto, Officer-in-Charge and Deputy Executive Director of the Employees Compensation Commission (ECC) who gave the Opening Remarks. The other speakers of the Seminar includes; Dr. Raymond C. Banaga, Medical Officer III of ECC who discussed on the Prevention and Rehabilitation services; and Ms. Alicia S. Borres, Information Officer III of ECC, who discussed the Compensation Benefits of the program, and Ms. Ma. Cecilia E. Maulion, Chief of the Information and Public Assistance Division of the ECC. It is our mission to ensure at all times that workers are informed of their rights, benefits and privileges under the Employees Compensation Program, this was stressed by Ms. Maulion, who gave the introduction and overview of the ECP. Ms. Maulion also discussed the coverage of the EC Program. She said that, while all private sector workers who are regis-

tered members of the Social Security System (SSS) and all government sector employees who are registered member of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) are covered by the Program, she also emphasized that uniformed personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), including the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (PJMP) are also covered under the ECP. The Employees Compensation Program (ECP) is a government program designed to provide a compensation package to public and private employees or their dependents in the event of work-related sickness, injury or death. It aims to provide meaningful and appropriate compensation package to workers in the event of work-related contingencies; and to formulate policies and guidelines for the improvement of the Employees Compensation Program.

BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING

GBC/ARCILLA/MMEC

A dozen underprivileged students from selected colleges and universities in the province who were complacent enough to think the educational assistance doled out to them by the province stops there, had another thought coming when Governor Miguel Luis Migz Villafuerte called them to a brief dialogue Friday morning, January 10 at the conference hall of the Provincial Capitol where the governor, a strong advocate of globally-competitive education and youth empowerment, approved their educational grants for the current semester and assured them the province will continue to subsidize their schooling provided they exert more efforts on their studies. The Governor also distributed checks for infrastructure support to schools and medical assistance (lower photos).

BIKOL REPORTER
Republic of the Philippines Office of the President Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council
DOH Bicol regional director Gloria J. Balboa said today that the health department is mulling to carry out the door-to-door immunization against measles, in addition to the fixed site strategy the local governments are doing now, to minimize missing an eligible child for vaccination and track down children who missed immunizations the previous years,. Balboa said children who are eligible for vaccination are those who did not receive their measles vaccines at the age of 6 months to less than 5 years old They form part of a pool of susceptible where cases of measles may originate. And that is where an outbreak may occur, she said. For 2014, DOH Bicol has recorded 28 suspected cases of measles and laboratory tests have yet to determine if the patients are afflicted the highly communicable disease. DOH Bicol records show that Albay province, 12; Camarines Sur 14, and 2 suspects in Sorsogon province. Masbate reported a single case while none were reported from Catanduanes and Camarines Norte. The health department furthered since stepped up information campaigns among health workers and the general public on prevention, detection and medication on complications of measles to prevent spread of the disease in communities The advisory cited that the first sign of measles is usually high fever, which begins about 10 to 12 days after exposure to the virus, and lasts four to seven days. Runny nose, cough, red and watery eyes, and small white spots inside the cheeks can develop in the initial stage. After several days, a red rash erupts, usually on the face and upper neck. Over about three days, the rash spreads, eventually reaching the hands and feet. The rash lasts for five to six days, and then fades. On average, the rash occurs 14 days after exposure to the virus (within a range of seven to 18 days). Severe measles is more likely among poorly nourished young children, especially those with insufficient vitamin A, or whose immune systems have been weakened by HIV/AIDS or other diseases. It also stated that complications can occur if not given immediate necessary medical attention. Most measles-related deaths are caused by complications associated with the disease. Complications are more common in children under the age of five, or

JANUARY 19-25, 2014

DOH URGES LGUS TO STEP . . .
adults over the age of 20. The most serious complications include severe respiratory infections such as pneumonia, severe diarrhea and related dehydration, encephalitis (an infection that causes brain swelling), ear infections and blindness As high as 10 percent of measles cases result in death among populations with high levels of malnutrition and a lack of adequate health care. Women infected while pregnant are also at risk of severe complications and the pregnancy may end in miscarriage or preterm delivery. People who recover from measles are immune for the rest of their lives. Most at risk to measles and its complications, including death, are unvaccinated infants and young children; unvaccinated pregnant women; any non-immune person (who has not been vaccinated or was vaccinated but did not develop immunity) can become infected. Measles outbreaks can be particularly deadly in countries experiencing or recovering from a natural disaster or conflict. Damage to health infrastructure and health services interrupts routine immunization, and overcrowding in residential camps greatly increases the risk of infection. The virus is spread by coughing and sneezing, through close personal contact or direct contact with infected nasal or throat secretions. The virus remains active and contagious in the air or on infected surfaces for up to two hours. It can be transmitted by an infected person from four days prior to the onset of the rash to four days after the rash erupts. No specific antiviral treatment, however, exists for measles virus. Severe complications from measles can be avoided though supportive care that ensures good nutrition, adequate fluid intake and treatment of dehydration with WHO-recommended oral rehydration solution. This solution replaces fluids and other essential elements that are lost through diarrhoea or vomiting. Antibiotics should be prescribed to treat eye and ear infections, and pneumonia. All children in developing countries diagnosed with measles should receive two doses of vitamin A supplements, given 24 hours apart. This treatment restores low vitamin A levels during measles that occur even in well-nourished children and can help prevent eye damage and blindness. Vitamin A supplements have been shown to reduce the number of deaths from measles by 50%. DOH reiterated that in order to prevent infection and spread of measles, routine vaccination for children, combined with mass immunization campaigns in countries with high case and death rates, are key public health strategies to reduce global measles deaths. The measles vaccine has been in use for over 40 years. It is safe, effective and inexpensive. The measles vaccine is often incorporated with rubella and/ or mumps vaccines in countries where these illnesses are problems. It is equally effective in the single or combined form. mal/jng-doh Bicolandia Drug Corporation of the Mercury Drug Daet, Gov. Panotes Branch and South Star Drug Vinzons Ave. ranked first and second, respectively, for pharmaceutical while Family Merchant Project Development Corporation and Emmanuel A. Lo of Great Wall Engineering were top contractors and developers. Meanwhile, PMTC Inc. and Coca Cola Bottlers Phils. Inc. topped in the manufacturing industry. Jack Trading Inc. of HP Supermart and Tanzo Prime Goods Source were performers for retailing while Danny Ong of New Helen Trading and RT Montana Distributor Corp. for wholesaling industry. The StarHarvest Food Inc. of Jollibee Pimentel and RNM Food Corporation of Jollibee Bayan topped the food chain industry; and on the other hand Leon Hernandez Memorial Hospital and Central Hospital Corporation of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital were awardees for hospital and medical services.

Bicol Region, 2/F Insular Life Bldg., Rizal St., 4500 Legazpi City Tel./Fax No.: (052) 481.-1622 Tel/fax: (052) 480-6678 website: www.hlurb.gov.ph email add: br@hlurb.goy.ph

HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD

NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that RAMON M. BAUTISTA, Attorney-in-Fact for the Heirs of Celedonia Mariano has filed with the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, Regional Field Office No. 5, an application for Change of Name of Owner and Developer of CELEDONIA HOMES situated at Bgy Del Rosario, Naga City indicating HEIRS OF CELEDONIA MARIANO as the "owner and developer". That the application and papers attached thereto are available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon and upon proper application, and that copies thereof shall be furnished to said person upon payment of the proper fee. Any person with valid objection to the registration of the project may file his objection in writing with the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, Regional Field Office No. 5, 2nd Floor Insular Life Building, Rizal Street, Legazpi City, Tel. Nos. (052)481-1622 or 480-6678 (BAYANTEL) not later than ten (10) days from the date of the last publication. LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines, 27th December 2013.
\

JESSE A OBLIGACION, CESO V Director II/Regional Officer By:

BIKOL REPORTER Published: January 19, 2014

Republic of the Philippines Office of the President Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council
Bicol Region, 2/F Insular Life Bldg., Rizal St., 4500 Legazpi City Tel./Fax No.: (052) 481.-1622 Tel/fax: (052) 480-6678 website: www.hlurb.gov.ph email add: br@hlurb.goy.ph

DAET CITES . . .
the establishments, said that the citation is one way of encouraging the business sector to report their actual gross income and pay corresponding taxes to help the local government in its revenue collection efforts utilized to fund the various government program, projects, initiatives and activities.. He said that the municipal government unit has collected more than P39.6 million last year from business related taxes and fees, that is P1.3 million higher compared to P38.3 million in 2012. Among the top performing business establishments in banking industry were Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) and Catherine Torres of Rural Bank of San Vicente, Camarines Norte, ranked first and secondrespectively, uperlines Transportation Inc. and Narciso Morales of D.L.T.B.Company topped the transportation sector.

HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD

PAUNAWA
Ipinauunawa na si RAMON M. BAUTISTA, Attorney-in-Fact ng Heirs of Celedonia Mariano ay nagharap ng isang pahayag sa Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, Regional Field Office No. 5, para sa Pagpapalit ng pangalan ng may-ari at developer ng CELEDONIA HOMES na matatagpuan sa Bgy Del Rosario, Naga City City na nagsasaad kay HEIRS OF CELEDONIA MARIANO bilang "may-ari at developer". Na ang nakatalang pahayag at ang lahat ng kasulatang nakakabit doon ay nakahanda sa pagsusuri ng sinumang tao na nagtataglay ng legal na interes doon pagkaraan ng wastong aplikasyon, at ang mga kasulatan ay ibibigay sa nabanggit na tao pagkatapos ng kaukulang bayad. Sinumang tao na may kapani-paniwalang pagtutol sa pagkakatala ng proyekto ay maaring magbigay ng nilagdaang pagtutol sa Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, Regional Field Office No. 5, 2nd Floor, Insular Life Building, Rizal Street, Legazpi City, Tel. No. (052)481-1622 o 480-6678 (BAYANTEL) na hindi hihigit sa sampung (10) araw mula sa pinakahuling pagkalathala. LUNGSOD NG LEGAZPI, Pilipinas, Ika-27 ng Desyembre 2013. JESSE A OBLIGACION, CESO V Director II/Regional Officer By: BIKOL REPORTER Published: January 19, 2014

For DECEMBER
NAME OF DECEASED 1. AMPARO F. CREO 2. GENARA E. REGANIT 3. PRUDENCIO A. RODRIGUEZ 4. AURORA P. BELANGEL 5. JONATHAN V. TRAJANAO 6. ALEXANDER C. BORROMEO 7. ELENA L. MORENO 8. EULOGIA D. LAURETA 9. AMPARO S. SAN ANTONIO 10. FRANCISCA O. BARROSA 11. CRYSTAL JANE B. LLOREN 12. JULIETA D. EVANGELISTA 13. EDGARDO C. QUINTO 14. ANGELINA P. BACHINICHA 15. JAIME C. CATANEO DATE OF INTERMENT December 1, 2013 December 7, 2013 December 9, 2013 December 10, 2013 December 7, 2013 December 10, 2013 December 16, 2013 December 16, 2013 December 18, 2013 December 20, 2013 December 22, 2013 December 21, 2013 December 26, 2013 December 23, 2013 December 24, 2013

JANUARY 19-25, 2014

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS
Notice is hereby given that the named parties are the children and sole heirs of the late JUAN A. INFANTE, who died in Iriga City on December 20, 2013 leaving no Will or Testament and with no known debts left a PNB Savings Account No. 219102900010, Iriga Branch with a certain deposit plus interest; the parties mentioned hereby WAIVE & RENOUNCE all their rights, interest and participation in the described savings account in favor of ARLENE INFANTE-MORANDARTE who shall have the right to close/withdraw the said account; as acknowledged before Notary Public Atty. Julio A. Arcilla, Jr., Doc. No. 2931, Page No. 130, Book No. 21, Series of 2013. BIKOL REPORTER Published: Jan. 19, 26 and Feb. 2, 2014

BIKOL REPORTER
P-NOY SAYS CASHLESS . . .
presence of large sums of cash in offices can pose a temptation to even the most honest employeenot to mention those who would willingly take advantage of such a situation," President Aquino said. "It is only appropriate that we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Procurement Reform Act by introducing a mechanism that modernizes government procurement: the launch of the Cashless Purchase Card or CPC Program. Cashless purchase cards will be issued to agencies, for lowvalue payments of a restricted number and type of goods and services," the President said. The turnover ceremony signaled the launch of the pilot phase of the Cashless Purchase Card system, which will be implemented in the three agencies, namely the Department of Budget and Management, the Department of National Defense, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. "We are far from being a cashless society: 98 percent of all retail financial transactions in our country are still made in cash. The government seems to be ahead of the market, with 54 percent of its financial transactions already done through a cashless system. And, for the sake of accountability and efficiency, we are pushing the envelope further," the President stressed. The President said the cashless card will resemble ordinary credit cards, but will have additional restrictions more suited to the needs of government.

BIR ISSUES NEW ALPHA . . .

tion Returns (BIR Form No 1604CF/1604E) and Monthly Remittance Returns (BIR Form No 1601C, etc.). The amended Revenue Regulation has the following highlights: 1. The BIR mandates the transmission of alphalists, which are required to be attached to the annual information returns and monthly remittance returns, through electronic means using either the EFPS or Email. For those without internet connection the BIR offers the use of its e-lounge in the nearest RDO or Revenue Region. 2) Lumping of amount under a single various line is NOT ALLOWED. Non-compliance with the prescribed
format, which will result to unsuccessful uploading into the BIR system, shall be deemed by BIR as NOT RECEIVED and will result to expense disallowance for income tax purposes. 3) MANUAL submission of alphalists of less than 10 employees/agents for the annual information returns shall NO LONGER BE ALLOWED. Acyatan & Co., CPAs reminds that the deadline for the annual submission to BIR of the alphalists now in the new proper form, is on JANUARY 31, 2014. The firm added that taxpayers compliance of reportorial deadlines helps to avoid unnecessary penalties and charges.

Through the Cashless Purchase Cards and other similar reforms, the President said the government financial transactions should be 100 percent checkless and 80 percent cashless before the end of this year. "The cashless purchase cards will allow them to procure the necessary materials immediatelyand, given that accounting for transactions is automatically done, suspicious use of the card can be tracked easily. On top of that, this system also allows us to capture and collate the correct data, which redounds to real benefits," he said. -PND (js)

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE

Notice is hereby given that the named parties are the children and sole heirs of the late FELIX A. FUENTEBELLA and EULALIA FUENTEBELLA CHANCO, who died on May 29, 2000 and August 28, 1997 in Quezon City and Naga City, respectively, leaving certain real property situated in Brgy. Sabang, Naga City, Camarines Sur, with TCT No. 106700, that for and in consideration of the sum of ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY THOUSAND (P180,000.00) pesos, Philippine currency, the receipt is hereby acknowledged from the LYRR REALTY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, represented by RICHARD T. ROCHA, of legal age, single, Filipino citizen, the mentioned Heirs as VENDORS does hereby SELL, CEDE, TRANSFER and CONVEY, in a manner absolute and irrevocable, in favor of the VENDEE, together with all the improvements existing on the described parcel of land; as acknowledged before Notary Public Atty. Carlo C. Villanueva, Jr., Doc. No. 47, Page No. 10, Book No. 81, Series of 2014. BIKOL REPORTER Published: Jan. 19, 26 and Feb. 2, 2014

NYC URGES BRGYS TO . . .

tively so that youth programs can be implemented strategically and effectively. For now, it is encouraged that the barangays create a Committee on Youth Affairs to be headed by a Barangay Councilor and a Barangay Youth Development Task Force that enjoins youth organizations., Chairman Flores further implores. The NYC also clarifies that the SK has NOT been abolished. There will be an election late this year or until early next year to give time for Congress to pass a legislation that will reform the institution. Should Congress fail to enact such reform law, according to RA 10632, SK elections will still be held using the old system. There is no truth that the SK has been abolished. Flores adds The NYC has an SK Empowerment Desk that will still allow the youth and barangays to send their clarifications, questions or even complaints on the implementation of RA 10632. The SK Empowerment Desk will also ensure that the filed concerns will be directed to the proper authorities for their response. For further queries or clarifications, you may reach the SK Empowerment Desk at the email address: skempowermentdesk@nyc.gov.ph or through mobile number: 0908867-4964 within office hours. The National Youth Commission as the voice and advocate of the youth is the government agency mandated to craft and recommend policies on youth development pursuant to Republic Act 8044 or the Youth in Nation-Building Act.

BICOLANA TRADER NAMED . . .

best way out of poverty is education Lewis said. Earlier this month, Lewis made a homecoming to her home province to grace the induction of the new set officers of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Sorsogon Chapter. The conferment of the award coincided with the 115th birthday of the late Filipino statesman and former UN Secretary General Carlos P. Romulo who was known for his celebrated speech I Am a Filipino. In a statement, UNAP said that the awardees were chosen for their contribution to development and world peace through their diverse personal and professional achievements which brought pride to the Filipinos. Founded in 1947, UNAP is an organization that helps the country meet the ideals of the UN and has been organizing educational activities with regard to UN days and observances, and environmental protection projects. Past awardees included Lea Salonga, former Sen. Leticia Ramos Shahani and former President Fidel V. Ramos, the late Senators Jose W. Diokno and Lorenzo Taada, and the late Chief Justice Claudio Teehankee. The selection of the awardees was approved on December 15, 2013 coinciding with the death anniversary of Romulo.

CAMSUR PESO TO HOLDS . . .

sual basic, Assembly or TCP/ IP programming is an added advantage. JITSE/PhilNITs certification and skills in the Japanese language will be a decisive edge and advantage to the candidate. Those who would like to venture into IT employment must bring their comprehensive resume with 1 piece 2x2 picture, 1 piece 1x1 picture, and copy of grades or transcript of records when they submit themselves to the recruitment pool. Successful applicants will be part of ACTION AWS Center Technology Incubation. For referral and details, please visit the CamSur Employment Center (CamSur PESO), 2nd Floor Provincial Capitol Complex, Cadlan, Pili or they may call at Telephone No. 054-4775858/4777468/ 09198775952. -JMTS/MMEC with reports from CamSur PESO

NAGA BOSS . . .
and charges after January 20 will already be subject to penalty and surcharges, Reondanga aded. BOSS offers the customer the convenience of not running from one department or sections to another just to finish the requirements needed to operate or start up their business. Its primary purpose is to cut red tape and make life easier for those who are willing to have their business venture in the city. Joining the BOSS are participating offices or departments like the Business permits and Licensing Office, office of the building official for building clearance, City Health Office for Sanitary permit and health cards, City Planning and Development Office for zoning clearance, the Bureau of Fire Protection for fire safety inspection certificate and PAG IBIG office to accept payments. Last year during the BOSS drive, the local government of Naga was able to generate Php 145,121,018.47 from the business taxes. Proceeds of this went to the financing of economic and social services and the implementation of various development projects that contributed to the economic growth of the city. The overwhelming response of the business community in this endeavor shows the taxpayers assurance that their hard-earned money goes back to them in the form of other social services. It also shows the business communitys confidence that commerce and trade in the city will also gain a positive stance.

Balatas Road, Brgy. Balatas, Naga City

8REGIONAL BIKOLEXPONENT REPORTER FOR PROGRESS

CamSur PESO to hold recruitment activity for IT programmers

IT jobs available in Phl, Japan and China
Camarines Sur Governor Migz Villafuerte through the CamSur Employment Center holds a recruitment activity for various IT programmers with posts available in the Philippines, Japan, and China. The said recruitment is scheduled on January 30, 2014 starting at 8:00 AM at the CamSur Trade & Investment Center, BMC Road, Panganiban Drive, Naga City. AWS group of companies, a leading offshore IT outsourcing services provider centering on software development services with operations based in Japan, Philippines, and recently in China, is in need graduating students or graduates of any BS Computer-related courses such as CS, CoE, MIS, IT, ECE, etc. or graduating students and graduates of Engineering and other Science courses such as Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, etc. but preferably not older than 25 years old. Interested applicants must also be very knowledgeable in C/C++ or Java programming; knowledgeable in Open Source Technologies, Web programming, MS.Net, Vi(Turn to page 7)

JANUARY 19-25, 2014

OUTSTANDING LOCAL NEWSPAPER

BIKOL REPORTER

For Five Consecutive Years by the St. Peter Baptist Catholic Mass Media Awards

JANUARY 19-25, 2014

BIR issues new alpha list rules

The Bureau of Internal Revenue has issued a revenue regulation that urgently amends the rules on the preparation and submission of alphabetical listings by taxpayers of their payments to employees and other income payees (expanded). Tax consultant Antonio P. Acyatan chair of the accounting firm bearing his name which is the Philippine member of the London-based DFK International Accountants and Consultants issued the periodic tax alert. He said Revenue Regulations No. 012014 amends RR No. 2-98, and requires stricter rules in the submission of alphalists. The new requirement covers all withholding agents, regardless of number of employees and payees, and whether the employees/payees are exempt or not. The list of employees and payees subject to creditable and final withholding taxes are required to be attached as integral part of the Annual Informa(Turn to page 7)

EMPOWERING THE YOUTH

Atty. ACYATAN

True to his commitment to give education and youth empowerment priority focus in the provincial development agenda, youthful Governor Miguel Luis Migz Villafuerte is making good his promise to provide students of CamSur public schools with internet access. Twenty (20) top-of-theline computers for such purpose were presented by provincial executive assistant Apolonio Maleniza (second from right, top photo) to the students of the CamSur Sports Academy (CSSA), the first and thus far the only such provincially-run educational facility in the country offering DepEd accredited sports-oriented curriculum headed by director Dr. Lucita L. Ao (right, bottom inset). gbc/danrey/mmec