By CMDacoro, Albay PIO Legazpi City, Albay– Kabilang sa namataang rumagasa sa ilang kabahayan sa bayan ng Guinobatan ang volcanic debris matapos umapaw ang Masarawag-Maninila Channel sa kasagsagan ng pananalasa ni Tropical Storm (TS) Kristine sa lalawigan. Ito ang kinumpirma ni Engr. Dante Baclao, Provincial Engineer, at concurrent Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO) Officer-In-Charge (OIC) kasunod ng isinagawang ocular inspection ng kanilang mga tauhan sa barangay Masarawag. Agad naman itong senegundahan ni Dr. Paul Karson B. Alanis, PHIVOLCS Resident Volcanologist, kasunod ng kanilang nagpapatuloy na balidasyon sa posibleng lahar flow sa mga barangay na nasa palibot ng Bulkang Mayon. Matatandaang nakapagtala ng 49 million cubic meters ng volcanic materials ang PHIVOLCS sa nagdaang pag-alburuto ng Bulkan Mayon. CMDacoro, Albay PIO

By Dante M. Salvana OLONGAPO CITY – In a unified effort to safeguard and sustainability manage the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), in partnership with various national government agencies, provincial and local government units (LGUs), academic institutions, and civil society organizations, launched the Provincial Caravan for the WPS in Zambales on October 22, 2024. The event was held at the SMX Convention Center in Olongapo City, Zambales. Titled “Bayanihan Adhikain, Bayanihang Aksiyon para sa Kaunlarang Dagat ng Pilipinas,” the initiative builds on the memorandum of the first-ever National Summit for the West Philippine Sea, held in August 2023. The summit, which gathered 500 participants from provincial, city and municipal LGUs, as well as national agencies, academia, and environmental organizations, resulted in the creation of comprehensive national and provincial action plans aimed at protecting the WPS, ensuring food security, and promoting inclusive economic growth. Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. was the guest of honor at the gathering. where he gave a report on the preparations being made by the province for the fishermen of the province. In his speech, the governor said that they intend to present the plan of the province in relation to the problems faced by the fishing sectors here. Among his announced program is the formation of a cooperative for more than 27,000 fishermen as well as the establishment of the Zambales Maritime Council that will serve as a guide for the cooperatives to be built. The Zambales Provincial Caravan marks the fifth provincial caravan, following previous ones held in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan (May 02, 2024), Batac, Ilocos Norte (August 19, 2024), Vigan City, Ilocos Sur (August 28, 2024) and La Union (September 18, 2024). These caravans were designed to disseminate the WPS action plans further and encourage their integration inti local development plans and strategies. The program commenced with a situationer and video presentation highlighting the value of WPS, followed by detailed discussions on the national and provincial action plans. As the lead convenor, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) emphasized the importance of collective action in protecting the region and its sustainable management. The event concluded with the signing in the commitment wall and the official launch of the “Bayanihan Adhikain, Bayanihang Aksiyon para sa Kaunlarang Dagat mg Pilipinas (Gawad Bayanihang Aksiyon)” initiative. This initiative is supported by Tanggol Kalikasan’s  project, “Restoring the Resources for Economic Sustainability of the West Philippine Sea (RESTORE-WPS),” under the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) program, facilitated by the Gerry Roxas Foundation.     

By CMDacoro-Albay PIO Legazpi City–  The Albay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and the Philippines Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and Macau (PHCHAM) recently signed a Sister Chamber Agreement to strengthen economic development, trade, and industrial cooperation between Albay, Hong Kong, and Macau,on October 21. In an interview, ACCI President Rosemarie Quinto-Rey highlighted the significance of the partnership in promoting trade and facilitating joint ventures, particularly in energy and industrial development. “This partnership is very important, the last time we have 50 investors, all are willing to make investments here in Legazpi, Albay, for the first batch they intend to invest in solar farms, subdivision for OFWs, yung electronic vehicles, and they also have yung solar bike,” Quinto-Rey said. She added that these investment pledges are just part of the initial proposals for Albay, with ongoing discussions to explore potential projects in water system development. CMDacoro, Albay PI

  LUCENA CITY — Sa pamamagitan ng Department of Agriculture (DA)-Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), pormal nang naipagkaloob sa 14 Farmer Cooperatives and Associations (FCA) sa lalawigan ng Quezon ang mga libreng makabagong makinarya sa ginanap na programa sa Quezon Convention Center, Lucena City, Oktubre 21. Naipamigay ang pang-agrikulturang kagamitan na Four-wheel Tractor at Rice Combine Harvester sa ilalim ng Mechanization Program ng Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) na nabuo dahil sa Republic Act No. 11203 o Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) na isinulong ni Senator Cynthia Aguilar Villar. Labis naman ang pasasalamat ni Governor Doktora Helen Tan, dahil malaki ang maitutulong ng mga makinarya para sa mas magaan at maunlad na pamumuhay ng ating mga kalalawigan na magsasaka. Samantala, nakasama sa nasabing seremonya sina PhilMech FMFOD Chief – Engr. May Ville Castro bilang kinatawan ni PhilMech Director IV – Dr. Dionisio Alvindia, APCO Quezon – John Oliver Sarmiento bilang kinatawan ni DA IV-A Regional Director Fidel Libao, at Provincial Agriculturist – Dr. Liza Mariano.

By Rachel Magday The provincial government of Nueva Vizcaya, under the leadership of Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito, through the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENARO), proudly reported a significant increase in the collection of sand and gravel fees, amounting to ₱46,936,691.62 from January to September 2024. This impressive figure represents a collection efficiency of 144.39%, a testament to the rigorous regulations implemented by PENARO. During the flag-raising ceremony today, PENARO head, Forester Tito Tanguilig shared the positive news, highlighting that the revenue generated from sand and gravel fees is distributed among the barangays (40%) and the municipal and provincial governments, each receiving 30%. The provincial government’s share alone amounts to ₱23,083,244. Forester Tanguilig expressed optimism that, with three months remaining in the year, they could potentially collect an additional ₱10 million. The PENARO has set a target collection of ₱32.5 million for sand and gravel fees this year, and with the current momentum, achieving this goal seems increasingly attainable. Governor Gambito commended the efforts of PENARO in ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources while also maximizing revenue for local development. The ongoing increase in collections not only reflects the effectiveness of their regulatory measures but also underscores the provincial government’s commitment to fostering growth and benefiting local communities.