DILG to LGUs: Act now to achieve zero-casualty during disasters

With intermittent rain pouring in different parts of the country, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is alerting governors, mayors, and punong barangays to adopt necessary disaster preparedness measures and aim for zero-casualty during typhoons or heavy rainfall.

“The safety of people tomorrow relies on what we do today. Make use of times of sunshine to mitigate risks of times of severe downpour,” says DILG OIC-Secretary Eduardo M. Ano.

He says that achieving zero-casualty or no deaths during natural calamities, as the ultimate barometer of effective disaster preparedness, is possible as proven during tropical storm Jolina last year and typhoon Chedeng in 2015.

“Our country has gone through deadly natural disasters. Whilst we prove to be a resilient nation, it’s time to aim for milestones in disaster preparedness involving the national and local governments, the private sector, and the people,” Ano points out.

While disaster preparedness should be done on a whole-of-nation approach, the DILG Chief emphasizes the critical role of local chief executives in taking the lead in preemptive actions towards making their areas of jurisdiction “listong pamayanan” (disaster-ready community).

In Memorandum Circular No. 2018-73, the DILG Chief prods local government heads to convene their respective Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (LDRRMCs) and conduct pre-disaster risk assessments for areas with high susceptibility to floods, flash floods, rain-induced landslides and debris flow.

He says local government units (LGUs) should also prepare, review, and update their current adopted contingency plans for hydro-meteorological hazards and evaluate if established local preparedness measures are adequate.

“Closely coordinate with the PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, Astronomical Services Administration) for timely weather updates, and with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau for adequate information on the threats of flooding and rainfall-induced landslides within your respective areas of responsibility,” he tells local chief executives.

All Early Warning Systems (EWS) such as automated rain gauges, water level stations and other local EWS within their area of responsibility should also be checked by LGUs in collaboration with Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Regional Offices.

“Always be guided with the DILG Operation Listo manuals that provide set of minimum progressive response actions before, during and after a typhoon,” Ano says.

According to the DILG Chief, local governments may utilize the 70 percent component of the LDRRM Fund for their disaster preparedness and risk management activities.

He also reminds that LGUs must have designated evacuation centers complete with water supply, power, and health and sanitation facilities, and their locations made known or communicated to households.

The DILG is the Vice-Chair for Disaster Preparedness in the National DRRMC as mandated by Republic Act No. 10121 known as the Philippine DRRM Act of 2010.

LGUs may get in touch with the DILG Central Office Disaster Information Coordinating Center (CODIX) at email address dilgopcen@gmail.com or through the concerned DILG Regional Offices or Regional DRRMC for queries.

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Legazpi City wants to become int'l sports tourism center

By Emmanuel Solis

LEGAZPI CITY -- After the successful XTERRA Off-Road Triathlon race held Sunday in this city, Mayor Noel Rosal expressed optimism that this City will become an international sports tourism center.

Rosal, in an interview on Tuesday, said he would make a necessary move to push Legazpi as an international sports tourism center, considering that different sports organizers have conducted their sporting events in this city that included the Mount Mayon Triathlon as well as the national beach volleyball, the dragon boat race, some PBA games and Le tour de Filipinas.

The city chief executive disclosed that some of the XTERRA athletes said “racing under the shadow of Mayon Volcano was very special and memorable” for them and they were also satisfied with the perfect ambiance of the city boulevard and the fresh air coming from the shore of Albay Gulf.

Rosal said the athletes have described Legazpi as stunning place, exciting with a variety of culture and they called this city as the ‘Hot and Spicy’ destination because of the spicy Bicol Express, Pinangat and Chili Ice Cream.

The XTERRA was presented by the city government of Legazpi supported by the provincial government of Albay as well as the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Promotion board of the Philippines.

Rosal pointed out that all the sporting events conducted in this city were the luminous symbol that Legazpi was one of the most safe and exciting places for sporting events and very qualified to become an international sports tourism center.

He noted that Legazpi will host an Asean Cup this coming Ibalong Festival in August, which will be participated by different athletes from Asia.

The city government is also eyeing for possible IRONMAN race next year.

"Organizers of IRONMAN have made already an initial meeting to hold this very exciting event here in Legazpi wherein around 1,000 foreign and local athletes are expected to join in the race," Rosal said.

He said his administration is always promoting sports tourism as one way of improving the number of tourist arrivals that will surely contribute to the economic growth of Legazpi. (PNA)

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2 members of Sta. Ana Criminal Gang killed in Cam Sur

NAGA CITY (Bicol Standard) -- Two members of Sta. Ana Robbery/Hold-up Criminal Gang were killed during the implementation of a search warrant for Republic Act 9165 and 10591 at 2:15 a.m. Friday in Bagacay, Tinambac, Camarines Sur.

They were identified as Enrique Sta. Ana y Lastima and Jonald Llames y Kurasmag, according to the Police Regional Office 5.

Said personalities shot the approaching composite team which prompted the latter to retaliate.

The Scene of the Crime Operatives team is now processing the area.

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Archdiocese of Caceres releases statement re: Rapinan murder

NAGA CITY (Bicol Standard) -- The Archdiocese of Caceres has released a statement in connection with the murder of Jeraldyn Rapinan, a woman who was found dead in San Fernando, Camarines Sur on June 15, 2018.

"We are shocked and saddened by her gruesome death. We sympathize with the family and we are one with them in the search for truth and justice," the statement reads.

"We are deeply troubled that in media reports, a priest has been alluded to as a person of interest," it continues.

"We hold the report very serious. The Archdiocese supports and will fully cooperate with the thorough investigation of the case by the proper authority.

The Archdiocese, at the moment, is conducting its own investigation and will take appropriate action in accordance with the Code of Canon Law.

At this time that we are searching for truth, we ask for prayers and prudence.

We assure the family of the victim of our prayers and support in the search for justice."

The statement was signed by Fr. Darius S. Romualdo, Chancellor.

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204 job seekers hired on Independence Day Job Fair

Legazpi City – At least 204 job seekers in Bicol region have gained employment on June 12, Independence Day.

A total of 1,078 applicants looking for new work and other training opportunities registered in the Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan (TNK) job and business fair at the Ayala Malls Legazpi in celebration of the 120th Declaration of Philippine Independence.

Of this number, 153 were ‘near-hires’ on top of the 51 who were hired on the spot, said OIC Regional Director Rovelinda A. Dela Rosa of DOLE V.

Dela Rosa added that most of the hired-on-the-spot applicants were for the positions of visual inspector, service crew, office staff, finance staff, accounting staff, production operator, management trainee, encoder, IT admin and administrative staff

Meanwhile, ‘near hires’ are job applicants who may be considered as hired but need to submit additional or lacking requirements or may need to attend further interviews or tests.

They may be hired or placed depending on the outcome of their interview and compliance of pre-employment requirements of the hiring company.

HOTS and Near-Hired Applicants

One of the thousand applicants who got a job was Rosenda Decano, 22 of Brgy. Mauraro in Guinobatan town, Albay.

Decano is the eldest among the three siblings of Mr. Roden and Mrs. Violeta Decano. A graduate of a vocational course in Ligao Community College (LCC) in 2016 but found her first local employment as factory worker during the Independence Day TNK Job Fair.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako dahil nagkaroon po ng job fair ngayon. Overwhelmed po ako kasi sa two (2) years po na unemployed ako lagi na lang sinasabihan na ‘tatawagan’ ng employer – ngayon po natanggap na ako at hired-on-the-spot pa,” she shared.

She added that this is good news to her mother, 49 who is working as food vendor.

While requesting for a photo opportunity holding the tag: “I’m H.O.T.S”, Decano said with glee on her voice: “Ipapakita ko po ito kay mama kasi makakatulong na po ako sa pagpapagawa ng bahay namin.”

Decano will start with her job as factory worker on June 16, 2018.

On the other hand, Mr. Santy Barnedo, 52 of this region told DOLE Bicol that he is near hired after applying to an overseas job.

“Ang nakuha ko pong trabaho dito sa Job fair ay Carpenter sa New Zealand. For formality na lang po kasi may experience na po ako sa ibang bansa gaya ng Qatar at Saudi Arabia,” he said.

The TNK Job and Business fair gathered 44 participating employers including local and overseas which brought nearly 7,000 jobs.

DOLE Bicol has also recorded two senior high school graduates who applied during the job fair and currently waiting for the results.

Meanwhile, government agencies who offered jobs were Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Navy, Philippine Statistics Authority, Region V and Department of Trade and Industry RO V.

The Department of Trade and Industry RO V (DTI) offered technical advisory services and seminars on ‘How to Start a Business’, Business Management and Project Management considering entrepreneurship as an alternative to having formal employment in establishments. On the other hand, the Technical Educational Skills and Development Authority V (TESDA) accepted/ initially processed registration of scholars in its accredited schools, and the One-Stop-Shop by the One-Stop Service Center for OFWs (OSSCO) composed of PhilHealth, Social Security System, Pag-Ibig Fund, Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Statistics Authority provided permits/ clearances to job applicants during the job fair.

The 2018 Independence Day was observed with the theme, "Kalayaan 2018 Pagbabagong Ipinaglaban, Alay sa Masaganang Kinabukasan.

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