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OUTSTANDING LOCAL NEWSPAPER
For Five Consecutive Years
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www.bikolreport.blogspot.com e-mail: rubenbabar_br@yahoo.com
REGIONAL EXPONENT FOR PROGRESS
Mayor SARION
Daet, PCA launch Easy Writing Contest
Mayon's Nocturnal Spectacle
4-day work week, optional: Palace
MANILA -- Government
agencies are given the op-
tion to decide whether or
not to implement the Civil
Service Commission (CSC)
circular that paves the way
for the adoption of a four-
day work week for govern-
ment offces.
The particular agency
would be in a better position
to address this... While the
Civil Service Commission
(CSC) provides the guidelines,
the particular implementing
agency has to also look at the
guidelines vis--vis their work
activities and also their inter-
action with the public sector,
Presidential Spokesperson
Edwin Lacierda told reporters
in a press briefng at the Pal-
ace on Friday.
By DANNY O. CALLEJA and MANNY P. SOLIS
At night, the scene is truly magnifcent and unique as
incandescent materials forming like a stream of fre pour
out from Mt. Mayon summit into a large crevice fronting
this city.
People here are out watching, like having a night party,
how the viscid mass bubble quietly but grandly overruns the
border of the crater and descends several hundred feet in a
glowing wave, like red-hot iron.
Gradually fading as the upper surface cools, the fre would
transform into thousands of sparkling rills on the giant crevice
and twinkle like stars or sparks of a dying confagration as it
passes the line of complete vision.
The fascinating scenario illuminates the upper side of the
mountain to the delight of night watchers.
This is how Jose Briones, the former Albay provincial
tourism offcer, describes the ongoing nighttime scenario that
Mayon demonstrates nightly since last Monday.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and
Seismology (Phivolcs), the show is a clear precursor of an
impending major eruption which, considering other scientifc
(Turn to page 7)
DAET, CNorte - The local gov-
ernment of this town and the Phil-
ippine Coconut Authority(PCA)
will launch next month a two-
tiered on-the-spot essay writing
We want to increase the
awareness of the students on
the importance of the coco-
nut to our economy, Sarion
said.
The contest, with the
theme: Coconut Tree: Rec-
contest for high school and col-
lege students, centered on the
coconut; Mayor Tito S. Sarion
bared to the Bikol Reporter over
the weekend.
ognizing the Socio-Economic
Values of the Tree of Life,
will be conducted initially
in the different provinces of
Bicol which will have their
own eliminations, accord-
ing to these schedule: Oct.
24, Catanduanes; Oct. 27,
Sorsogon; Oct. 28, Masbate;
Oct. 29, Albay; Oct. 30, Cam.
Sur; and Cam. Norte. The re-
gional level will be contested
by winners in the provincial
(Turn to page 4)
(Turn to page 6)
LIGHT IN THE DARK
JOHN PHILIP PERALTA
A spelunker from the Protected Areas and Wildlife Division (PAWD)
of DENR-Bicol (PAWD looks up at an opening of one of the caverns
in Banga Caves in Ragay, Camarines Sur, where PAWD personnel
located 26 caves along two other barangays in the town.
BIKOL REPORTER 2
SEPT. 28 - OCT. 4, 2014 OPINION

those in the provinces are alerted on

the new developments in the accounting
and auditing professions including
the (now pending) Quality Assurance
Review espoused by both the Board
of Accountancy and the Securities
and Exchange Commission. Under
this system, external auditors will be
strictly evaluated prior to their periodic
accreditation (needed for practice as
external auditors) by regulatory bodies.
LEGAZPI: This Albay city is now
the most preferred convention site by
national organizations (not necessarily
because of the possible Mayon eruption).
Among the factors positively considered
are modestly-priced and varied food
products, natural sceneries, good
infrastructures, beautiful tourist spots,
and ever-smiling people. There must
be continuing assurance that peace and
order will always be maintained.
Both Albay Gov. Joey Sarte Salceda
and Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal are
zealously proud of the tourist arrivals in
A lifestyle check, according to the
Ombudsman webpage is an investigation
strategy developed by anti-corruption agencies
in the Philippines to determine the existence
of ill-gotten and unexplained wealth of offcials
and employees of the government.
That this strategy is designed at all, is both
a recognition of the fallibility (or weakness)
of government employees to fall into the
temptation of money; and an effort to check this
errant behavior or tendency.
The legal legs of this snooping are of course
the Constitution (i.e. Sec. 27 under the Preamble:
The State shall maintain honesty and integrity in
the public service and take positive and effective
measures against graft and corruption.; and
Art. XI, Sec. 1 which states that: Public offce
is a public trust. Public offcers and employees
must at all times be accountable to the people,
serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity,
loyalty, and effciency, act with patriotism and
justice, and lead modest lives.); and, R.A. 6713
or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards
for Public Offcials and Employees.
The recent calls therefore on Vice President
Binay and PNP Chief Purisima stand on these
grounds; though there are quarters who are
saying, in the case of VP Binay, that it is what
he reaped for announcing early his plans for the
presidency.
A public offce is public trust. We do not
agree therefore with AKO Bicol partylist
representative Batocabe that congressmen
should be spared from lifestyle check as they
are already under close scrutiny by the media
and other government agencies.
The point is not the presence of checks and
balances but the need to uphold the integrity
of the institutions and employees of the
government.
If BIRs Kim Henares exerts all effort to
squeeze taxes from government employees,
down to the lowest rung of the bureaucracy,
the more that the government should also exert
all efforts to show that these squeezed taxes at
source are well-spent on public expenditures
and projects, and not on some government
offcials mansion.
Conducting lifestyle checks for all
government employees (as there are even rank-
and-fle employees in some local government
units in Bicol who are earning more than their
mandated salaries and living a lifestyle for the
rich and infamous); will restore that faith and
confdence eroded by the widespread graft and
corruption by government offcials.
Legazpi. The citys economic records
have upgraded its status in terms of
trade and industry. But there are dark
clouds hanging overhead; the plan
of the city to raise its realty tax rates
is not getting the favorable reaction
of business and industry. Local
businessmen are uniting to object
versus the plan.
POLITICS: There seems to be no
let-up in the political skirmishes among
potential presidential bets and their
allies. VP Jejomar Binays decision
to skip the Senate investigations is
politically right. He is already pre-
judged by the investigators and
no matter what defense he may
offer will certainly be washed away.
Any explanation he provides will be
added fuel to the blistering fre of his
opponents.
The proper forum for Binays
case is the elections to be held in
May 2016. The response to political
charges should also be political
counter charges then just let the
people decide later on as to whose
pronouncements they believe in.
The VPs big error was his early
declaration that he is running for
president. The tirades against him
were spawned by survey results
that he leads everyone in terms of
credibility, popularity. Abangan ang
susunod na kabanata!
WISDOM: Generosity never
diminishes the giver, but makes him
or her more blessed and truly rich.
(PICPA past president and Hall-
of-Famer, and ACPAPP Lifetime
Achievement Awardee).
FREE TRADE: The Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is
considered as the second most cohesive
group of countries, after the European
Union. This global high position will be
further strengthened next year with the
Integration (Unifcation) of the 10-country
aggrupation. This means exchanges of
merchandise and services will be mostly
free via elimination of tariffs and control
even of people traffc.
Filipinos must evaluate their
capability to withstand competition
coming from their neighbors, in terms
of production and costings. Aside
from the banking industry, there may
be complications in key professions
and other service providers. Are our
architects, engineers, medical service
providers, CPAs and other professionals
ready for the competition of their foreign
counterparts? Mutual recognition of
professions will eventually ensue.
AUDITORS: ACPAPP is the national
organization of CPAs in Public Practice
(External Auditors). They held their
3-day national convention in Legazpi
City (Oriental Hotel) on the theme:
Standing Tall in the Midst of Global
Challenges. The CPAs talked about
the forthcoming challenges spawned by
the ASEAN Integration (by Year 2015)
and their capability to compete with
fellow ASEAN CPAs, especially those
from Singapore and Malaysia.
Practicing accountants, more so
ASEAN Integration in 2015
Butch Abad as the PDAF King.
I agree with CBCP President Socrates
Villegas who said, Selective Justice is
not justice at all. The overused Daang
Matuwid is only applied to the opposition
and not to allies of the administration.
*****
The following is an excerpt from the
editorial of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
dated September 27, 2014 for public
information. Director General Alan
Purisima of the Philippine National Police
is one lucky guy.
Consider the run of extraordinary
luck that Purisima has had lately. Even
as he keeps a tight lip, no less than his
boss has come to his defense. Reacting
to reports that Purisima has a hidden
mansion in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija,
and was a benefciary of an allegedly
anomalous P100-million contract involving
the delivery of frearms licenses, President
Aquino said he had never known his close
friend to be maluho (extravagant) or
matakaw (greedy).
But that hidden mansion is on top
of another grand edifice being linked
to Purisimathe ostentatiously named
White House, supposedly the official
residence of the PNP chief, thats being
built in Camp Crame. Housing for select
government officials is an ordinary
enough beneft, but this one is the king
of the hill: a mansion reportedly being
built to the tune of P25 million.
Even i f he wi l l be ensconced
there during his remaining years in
office, the parsimonious Purisima is
spending nothing for it. More than
half of the construction fund is coming
from taxpayer money given that the
mansion is classifed as government
property. And the rest of it, about P11
million? This is where his lucky streak
hits the home run: The money came
from donations by executives of three
construction frmsCarlos Gonzales of
Ulticon Builders Inc., Alexander Lopez of
Pacifc Concrete Corp. and Christopher
Pastrana of CAPP Industries Inc.
Now why woul d such pri vat e
entities donate sums of money for
the construction of the PNP chiefs
quarters?
The more consequential question, of
course, is why Purisima accepted such
donations in the frst place. Republic Act
No. 6713, or the Code of Conduct and
Ethical Standards for Public Offcials
and Employees, not only prohibits the
PNP chief from indulging in extravagant
or ostentatious display of wealth in any
form (and what is living in a P25-million
mansion if not that, while ordinary cops
have to make do with niggardly pay
and substandard equipment?), it also
bans the solicitation or acceptance,
directly or indirectly, of any gift, gratuity,
favor, entertainment, loan or anything of
monetary value in the course of his
offcial duties or in connection with any
operation being regulated by, or any
transaction which may be affected by
the functions of, his offce.
My conclusion is this: Is this Daang
Matuwid?
Heres the good news. President
Benigno Simeon Aquino arrived after his
12 days tour of Europe and the United
States and he announced $2.3 Billion
dollars in investment pledges from foreign
businesses. Even though pledges are just
promises, lets be hopeful.
In a convocation at Boston College,
Massachussets, U.S.A., Pres. Aquino
reportedly claimed that his pursuit of the
straight path had led to putting former
President now Pampanga representative
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo behind bars who
has been charged with plunder.
The President also mentioned three
senators, Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy
Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr., who was
also charged with plunder related to the
Priority Development Fund (PDAF) scam
alleged mastermind Janet Lim Napoles.
He said, We used to think that the
powerful and well connected were beyond
the long arm of the law. That is no longer
the case.
The cases of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo,
Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and
Ramon Revilla, Jr., are all pending in court.
Their trial is not fnished and they are not
convicted in court. The human right of
every citizen in our democratic system is
that an accused is presumed innocent
unless found guilty by a court of justice.
Without conviction of the court, it cannot
be considered as accomplishments.
Names of sixteen senators were
submitted by alleged PDAF scan queen
Janet Lim Napoles to Justice Secretary
Lei l a de Li ma per medi a reports.
Rehabilitation Czar Panflo Lacson said
the same on TV. Why are only three
senators from the opposition being
charged in court? Is it because the thirteen
other senators belong to the Liberal Party
and allies of the administration? Janet Lim
Napoles even identifed DBM Secretary
VISIT OUR WEBSITE:
www.bikolreport.blogspot.com
EDITORIAL
Lifestyle check for all
government employees
LEE G. DULLESCO II
Head, Advertising Associates
0920-533-7766
02082606
Tel. No. (054) 475-6262
ED G. YU
Editor
0939-604-3144
BIKOL REPORTER 3
SEPT. 28 - OCT. 4, 2014
Compliments of:
PENAFRANCIA NEW JERSEY CELEBRATION
Expatriates devotees of Ina, belonging to the Devotees Association (Tri-State) Inc. also held
their own Penafrancia celebration with a procession in Jersey City last Sept. 20.
STARTING EM YOUNG
The Land Transportation Offce and Biggs Diner launched last
week the Students Today, Road Users Tomorrow campaign
at the SM City-Naga Activity Center, to involve and inform
students about road safety.
JAM MADRID
By JOSEPH JOHN J. PEREZ
LEGAZPI CITY It will
be a three-in-one celebration
as the Commission on Elec-
tions (Comelec) declared that
this city will be the venue for
its frst ever national goodwill
games slated on November 28
to December 2 this year.
The event will feature
Comelecs anniversary on De-
cember 2; tribute to the retiring
commissioners led by Chairman
Sixto Brillantes and commis-
sioners Lucinito Tagle and Elias
Yusuph; and the historical host-
ing of the frst national goodwill
games held in Bicol, Comelec
Bicol regional election director
Romeo Fortes told the Philip-
pine Information Agency (PIA)
Bicol in an exclusive nterview.
According to Fortes, the
event will also help boost Al-
bays bid in hosting Palarong
Pambansa next year.
This will be sort of a dry-
run especially for Department
of Education (DepEd) Legazpi
and Albay Divisions who will
offciate the games, Fortes
added.
Aside from DepEd, Comelec
Bicol asked for the assistance
of the Local Government Unit
(LGU) of Legazpi City to man-
age the event, Philippine Na-
tional Police (PNP) to provide
security and PIA to provide
information and media support
for the duration of the sports
event.
Expected participants of
more than 2,000 personnel
coming from Comelec main
offce and its sixteen regional
offces, the event will show-
case not only sports events
(Turn to page 7)
By ANA-LIZA S. MACATANGAY
NAGA CITY --- Land
Transportation Offce (LTO)
Bicol regional director Nor-
een San Luis-Lutey stuck
anew with the latest cam-
paign to improve road safety
during the launching cum
presscon of STRUT- Stu-
dents Today , Road Users
Tomorrow held at SM City
Naga here on Sept. 24.
STRUT is LTOs newest
campaign that seeks to raise
the awareness of students and
youth in their endeavor to low-
er the percentage of road ac-
cidents and go back to the ba-
sic rules on road conduct and
safety through the help of mass
and social media.
A brain child of public in-
formation offcer Carlos Are-
jola of Pili town in Camarines
Sur, STRUT endeavors to raise
the importance of using seat-
belt while driving, the use of
helmet while in transit in pur-
suance of Republic Act 10054
otherwise known as the Mo-
torcycle Act of 2009, the drive
against kolurum vehicles or
vehicles with lapsed or invalid
licenses and the drive against
drunk driving. It also include
private vehicles used illegally
for commercial purposes.
The latter objective is con-
sistence with the latest law
dubbed as the Anti-Drunk and
Drugged Driving Act of 2013
or Republic Act 10586 which
specifcally highlights the pro-
tection of life and property and
the promotion of life in gener-
al. The law covers those who
will be found driving under the
infuence of alcohol, drugs and
other similar substances.
Asked why they decided to
focus on the youth, Lutey be-
lieves that road safety trainings
should begin at an early age.
We want to create future
drivers that are safety con-
scious and we can realize that
if we can inculcate and instill in
the minds of our students road
safety consciousness at their
young age. We also want this
campaign to reach the higher
authorities so that together we
can push this for greater re-
sult, Lutey added.
Together in this campaign
are stakeholders like the De-
partment of Education (DepEd)
which will have a special role
in including road safety lec-
tures in the Kto12 curriculum.
We have also sought the
help of DepEd to include road
safety instructions for kids in
their curriculum. There are ba-
sic rules like stop, look and lis-
ten which we have forgotten in
the midst of this technological
age. These simple instructions
still remains useful to date. If
they are aware of this, then we
will be creating safety con-
scious pedestrians and drivers
in the future.
Aside from DepEd, LTO
have also embarked in a new
partnership by inking an agree-
ment with BIGGS, Inc., a
private Bicolano food chain
whose part of corporate social
responsibility focuses on the
promotion of youths welfare.
BIGGS, Inc. Chief Execu-
tive Offcer Carlo Buenafor
(Turn to page 7)
BIKOL REPORTER 4
SEPT. 28 - OCT. 4, 2014
ETCETERA
INNER CHESS
BY J. HENRY DANICAN

For years Ive always wondered how it feels to be really

surprised. Dont get me wrong, Ive got family members, friends
and girlfriends who surprised me before. But this one is different
yet too special. Fritz, you know weve been through a lot, which
is why you are my best buddy. Mark, how can I ever forget what
you did when I was in a hospital and you sent money for my
hospital bills. Of course there are more than instance when J.R.
rushed me to the hospital. And Nabzi, my Australian friend who
saved me by letting me join in one of the best jobs ever. Guys,
I cannot thank you more than enough. But heres a new person
who left a HUGE mark in my heart [no offense to my girlfriend
Sarah]. This guy traveled 15 kiliometers, wading through the
different levels of food so that he can bring me and my family
some food and water. I could not believe what I heard someone
shouting is this Jabee Sisons place? When I saw him carrying
a 5 gallon bottle of water, a container full of canned food and
bread, slightly pale and shaking because he was submerged in
water for almost 3 hours...tears just rolled down my fat cheeks.
So, without further ado, I would like to present to everyone MY
BESTMAN, Oscar Landrum....
This foregoing was an incident that urged me to put it on
print. One story which moved me when I myself witnessed
during the tropical storm Fung-Wong, the international name
of Mario. I did watch volunteer rescuers and could not describe
how they construct value in their lives through their heroic works
under risks during this typhoon and food. I indeed salute Mayor
Kit Nieto and his troupe, Kgd Rhey Villa and his rescue team
who were out there for the food victims in Cainta. My praises to
Kgd Edgar Sison of Brgy Sto Domingo, the two women of CFC-
FFL Gema Bago & Precy Perez who despite the waters were
onboard a boat only to distribute food to our hungry sisters and
brothers in Christ. But I chose to publish a remarkable story, as
one attributed to Divine Intervention. Without God in the heart of
this young boy in mid 20s, he himself would have not found the
spirit, nor would interrupt his own life to wade miles of fooded
areas in Cainta from his place in Antipolo.
My dear readers, it was is a link from the facebook of my
nephew Jabee Sison who is getting married 2 months from now.
It was shared on social media the night of September 19, 2014
when the rain steadily didnt stop pouring food waters, when the
One act of random kindness
First, because you are seated as you wait for your turn to
be served. I wish another bank would fnd ways to keep its
customers comfortable. Standing on line for some 30 minutes
or even only for 20 for someone my age can be tiresome. At any
rate, the point is, people are happy there are banks to serve our
banking needs. And whether one is seated or standing, thanks
just the same. Now, one can keep his money secured.
Arnel A. Barrion, branch head of the local bank (Iriga
Camarines Sur Branch) deserves my gratitude. I had long
wanted to say dios mabalos but can only say it now. After
typhoon Glenda, Metrobank declared off line, my God, I was in
a helpless. I had only several pesos but hoping to use my ATM.
No service, so I was told by the guards. I was even instructed
to go to Naga so I can avail of Metrobank Naga. God, my last
money was a measly 100 which is not even enough for fare if
I have to go to Naga and take the van which will cost me P118
back and forth. I understand Bayantel which services Metrobank
was experiencing diffculties after the typhoon. I understand Iriga
BDO was in the same situation being serviced by Bayantel too.
There was no assurance the bank will go online the following
day. I could borrow cash from friends, I thought. But the very
accommodating Branch Head Arnel Barrion helped me out
and facilitated the withdrawal of my money. Was I saved! So,
my grandchildren could have their regular allowance for three
days, we would have food on the table for three days too and
obviously, wont starve.
Keeping an ATM account is simply wonderful and thats why
I save my money the ATM way, I could withdraw anytime when
in bad need even at night which means I dont have to borrow
from friends in case of emergency which is most likely to happen
if I save the passbook way. At any rate, because I also have a
Metrobank passbook, I would like to commend the ever cordial
tellers who keep their cool and smile as they wait on customers.
I wish I could have say their names with my high fve.
Still a Metrobank stuff. I got to talk to Eugene S. Regaspi
who handles AXA based inside Metrobank as its fnancial
solutions specialist. Does he help people with fnancial problems
get ready solutions? But how?
Bikollywood?

huring pelikula kan awarding night

ta sa hiling ko pano an mga entries
nin mga gasgas na pormula o kaya
pagkapkap sa diklom kun sain pasiring
o ano an tinutumbok kan istorya,kun
love triangle, horror o manongod sa
kaisugan nin boot asin pagtubod.
Huna ko ta huli may tema an festival,
an mga obra kikiniton ini siring sa
pagkinit nin natong na gugulayon asin
paluluwason an paghiling (ta biswal
na medyum an pelikula) sa kaisugan
o courage. Kaya sabi ko ngani, kun
susumahon, arog kaini an mga istorya
kan limang pelikula: Nawawara o wara
an mga karakter, na pwedeng itay o
Inay (ta nagadan ta naghilang o kaya
OFW), kaya Harayo,dawa Harani.
An dayupot o Kapit na pagtubod
asin pag-Atang sana ki Ina an
nagtataong paglaom sainda. Arog
lang kaiyan. Thats all o something
like that.
Minauyon ako ki Vim na dakul
pang dapat gibohon manongod sa
aspetong teknikal asin sa pagbibilog
kan istorya. Ini an sabi niya: The
technicals and the sense of story
could still be greatly improved.
Technicals-wise, the sound aspect
needs a lot of improvement. All of
the short flms resorted to dubbing
their dialogues. It was obvious the
dialogues were dubbed. Perhaps
the flmmakers could learn the art
of feld sound recording and sound
engineering. Original songs should
be used in the soundtrack. They
also need to learn more about flm
editing.
For the succeeding editions
of the Penafrancia Film Festival,
perhaps more workshops could be
conducted on story and concept
building, acting, and the technical
aspects I mentioned. But we can
already see the talent. Sustained
guidance and training from this
point on.
The End?
Enot kong nadangog an tataramon
na ini ki Vim Yapan sa shooting mi kan
2011 kan Gayuma sa Bombon, kun
sain gamit mi an tataramon na Bikol sa
samong mga dialogo. Pangaturugan ni
Vim na magkaigwa man nin pelikulang
Bikol, manongod sa Bikol asin gibong
Bikol. Garo baga bersyon ta man kan
Bollywood sa India.
Garo luway-luway na ining
nagkakaigwang katotoohan sa
paggibo giraray kan Penafrancia Short
Film Festival na ika-duwang taon na
ngonyan. Sabi ngani ni Vim sako sa
email, Magayon na mamumundag
an Bikollywood sa konteksto kan
Penafrancia Fiesta.
An Simbahan Katoliko sarong
dakulang paradara asin parabayubo
nin kultura sa satong rona (magin sa
satong nasyon); asin an pagpamidbid
asin paggamit kan pelikula para sa
pagpapapusog kan pagtubod sa
paagi kan flm festival sa panahon nin
kapiyestahan ni Ina, saro man nanggad
na marhay, huli ta nakakalunad sa
sulog kan panahon, na lakdang.
Alagad, dai ako bilog na optimistiko
sa kinaagahan kan pelikulang Bikol
kun susukulon sa mga obra na nahiling
sa edisyon kan festival ngonyan na
taon. Naghali tulos ako pakatapos kan
water inside the house of sister was chest-deep and above 5
feet in other areas of the subdivision. The same night, the whole
family of my sister and I, were watching Evan Almighty. God in
the person of Morgan Freeman said to the movie character; that
to change the world...is by doing one act of random kindness.
And that same night I found a memorable opportunity knowing
someone, an exemplary kind person in his own expression
of himself loving a friend. Oscar Landrum, not a Filipino, born
in the United States, was raised in Korea, but working in the
Philippines, perhaps for that mission named Fung-Wong.
To some people who cannot defne him as a hero, well
indeed he was a MESSAGE from heaven telling the world;
that expressing love is regardless of race, regardless of our
position in the society. Its how we SOW REAL KINDNESS to
our brothers. Because true kindness comes from the HEART
of the ALMIGHTY.
elimination on November 29, 2014 in Legazpi City.
Under the contest rules, a school, college or university can
only send one offcial participant per category who is duly en-
dorsed by the head of the institution. The contestants shall
submit the flled out entry forms during the provincial elimina-
tions, with the required endorsement and certifcation by the
head of the school.
Sarion said appropriate cash prizes and certifcates shall be
awarded to winners in both high school and college categories
in the provincial and regional levels of the contest.
The contest is co-sponsored by the Bicol Harvest Maga-
zine, Kaya Natin Movement, the Cities of Legazpi and Naga,
Seaoil, Tai Chi products and ABS-CBN. -fpj
DAET, PCA LAUNCH EASY . . .
BIKOL REPORTER 5
SEPT. 28 - OCT. 4, 2014
Technical Vocational
Education Graduates,
Readying for Employment
By MANUEL O.TABARANGAO
Secondary School Teacher III
Acting Head, TVE Department
Rinconada National Technical
Vocational School
Sto. Domingo, Iriga City
It is very encouraging to know that there
are many opportunities for employment
waiting for technical vocational education
graduates. But it is not enough that the
graduate has the technical know-how,
that he has been conferred a certifcate
of completion. There are still countless
considerations to bear in mind.
Graduates of Technical Vocational
Education? Are you ready for work? That
is the pressing question that the graduate
has to ask himself. Naturally, the answer is
a resounding yes. But let us look at it in a
wider angle.
Looking for a job entails quite a hard
climb. One does not get employed as a
matter of chance. Of course, this could like
some kind of a miracle. But we know very
well that miracles do not happen now. So,
graduates of technical vocational education,
brace yourself.
The interview. No one ever gets into a
job without being interviewed frst. It is an
accepted fact that the interview becomes the
chief determining factor whether one will get
accepted or not. So, prepare for an interview.
True, you might be applying for a technical
vocation job but you have to dress properly
when you come to meet your prospective
employer or his representative. Do make a
good impression. Your manner of dressing
can speak a lot about your personality.
Then you need to be communicative.
You dont have to speak the English like
you know your grammar without fault. Most
often than not, job interviews for applicants
for skilled jobs are done in the language one
is most familiar with and of course, that is, no
less than our Filipino language.
And these courtesies that one has to bear
in mind when one is facing a prospective
employer. Please and Thank You have never
been outmoded. The respectful applicant
easily gets the nod of an employer. Being
humble is an indication that one will do good
in his job and that he will abide by instructions
and policies imposed by the employer.
Always wait for your turn. If there are
things that you know very well and the
interviewer happens to dig into it, well and
good, show your skill, your ability but very
good naturedly.
Answer only as asked. You should not
volunteer information unless asked because
it might create in you a bad image. It might
even get you into trouble because you might
have stepped on somebodys toes. Do not
also ask a lot of question. Of course, you are
not prevented from asking but only on very
important things.
I suppose you are presenting your
application letter. Well, this one must be
prepared very well. Ask somebody to edit
your application letter and curriculum vitae.
(Turn to page 7)
CBSUA WRITERS WORKSHOP
The Central Bicol State University of Agriculture-Calabanga campus recently sponsored a writers
workshop where student-writers who were chosen as writing fellows underwent rigorous workshop
on their submitted ouvres. The frst batch of fellows included Anabie Estrael, Rency Asas, Jett
Gacer, Corazon Gonzales, Roldan Hervera,Rose Ann Nidea, Kristopher Magellan Reyta, Kimberly
Alejandro, Regine Palma, Marlo Jake Pecha, Clinton Caceres, Emmanuel Tabilog, Dominic Asuro,
and Ariane Contreras. The workshop, organized by CBSUA faculty-member, Jerome Hipolito; was
conducted by Irmina Torres, Edna Campana, Eileen Nidea, Jusan Misolas, and Frank Penones Jr.
IRIGA CITY The en-
ergetic and synchronized
moves and the teeming con-
fdence, gave the University
of Northeastern Philippines
Dance Club (UDC) an over-
all win over its opponents
during the GMA 7s Bet
ng Bayan show at SM City
Naga Parking Area, Sep-
tember 22, Sunday.
UDC members did not
just give its jurors a reason to
have a synonymous nod over
their performance but also
amazed their audience with
the breath-taking tweaks and
turns that they incorporated in
their winning piece. Indeed,
UDC gave their competitors a
rightful match during the said
competition.
The dance was choreo-
graphed by UNEP Dance
Club (UDC) Artistic Director
Homer Q. Villareal. He was
also managing the group for
the past 7 years now.
Villareal congratulated
each members of the team for
the effort, teamwork, dedica-
tion and for having that unan-
imous will to bring home the
bacon. They indeed gave
their all to ensure that we will
bring home the honor, and
now they will represent the
Bicol Region in the upcoming
Luzon Semi-fnals in Clark,
Pampanga come November
12, Villareal added.
UDC competed in the
dance category dubbed as
Bet na Dancers. This cat-
egory is open to all Filipino
dancers , professional, non-
professional, can be solo, duo
or group with a maximum of
12 dancers and ages 15 and
above. Other categories in-
clude Bet na Singers and Bet
na Kakaibang Talento.
The new 12 UDC mem-
bers belong to the new gener-
ation of dancers being trained
by Villareal every year. Their
training just started just
months before the competi-
tion, the reason why they
(Turn to page 6)
BIKOL REPORTER 6
SEPT. 28 - OCT. 4, 2014
Balatas Road, Brgy. Balatas, Naga City
By JASON B. NEOLA
If I were to rate in a
scale of 1 to 10 the way
the Bicol Central Station
(formerly Naga Central Bus
Terminal) is being ran today,
I wont hesitate to give it an
eleven or 12.
This was the instant remark
given by jeepney driver Faustino
Teoxon, chairman of a transport
group plying the Del Rosario-
Concepcion route here in Naga
City. He emphasized, however,
that the rating is not solely about
the physical developments that
he sees but more on the deter-
mination and zeal shown by the
city government to improve the
facilitys operations.
The local bus terminal had
been under the management for
more than a decade by a private
corporation as operator until
2013 when the private opera-
tors franchise expired and the
Naga city government of Naga
decided to take over its adminis-
tration and operation and imme-
diately undertook facility repairs,
repainting, beautifcation, and
more importantly, operational
innovations and reforms.
The face-lifting and the
improvements introduced were
anchored on a 4-pronged mis-
sion of the Central Bus Termi-
nal Transition Team-Technical
Working Group (CBTTT-TWG)
which is headed by City Budget
Offcer Frank Mendoza, which
called for the:
promotion of the riding pub-
lics safety and convenience;
projection of the positive
image of the city;
provision of livelihood op-
portunities to Nagueos, and;
generation of more eco-
nomic enterprise revenues.
The city government had
used to receive an annual net
revenue of P15-M for its lease
agreement with the previous
terminal operator. This amount,
however, proved to be lower by
more than 50% when compared
to the gross income of P32-M it
obtained on the frst year that the
terminal was being managed and
operated by the city government
under Budget Offcer Mendoza.
Mendoza said this years
fgure is expected to increase in
2015 and in the following years,
considering the reforms and
other initiatives being adopted
under the guidance of Naga City
Mayor John G. Bongat.
Teoxon said that aside from
physical developments, strict im-
plementation of new house rules
and policies were also observed
inside the facility to ensure more
convenience, safety and security
to the public.
Teresa Bermudo, a stallhold-
er at the Central Bus Station,
said what impresses her most is
the security-conscious City Hall
workers and Public Safety Of-
fce (PSO) personnel assigned
at the terminal who are working
on shifts for a round-the-clock
security cover that signifcantly
reduced to the minimum inci-
dents of theft within and around
the premises.
Before, I cannot just leave
my place even for a brief period
without my helper taking over,
else my store would be attacked
by shoplifters and thieves. But
now, I can take a nap and relax
even during nighttime without
closing my store and without
worrying that something may be
lost when I wake up.
The city government dur-
ing the frst quarter that it took
over the bus terminals opera-
tion had also taken the effort of
organizing all stallholders into
a multipurpose cooperative in
the hope that it could help them
more through other benefts and
windows for loans and fnancial
assistance that they themselves
would help establish as micro
entrepreneurs.
Unlike in the post under the
old terminal operator, the stall-
holders are no longer compelled
to purchase beverages and soft-
drinks from a supplier favored
by former terminal operator.
Stallholders are free to buy sup-
plies and services according to
their own choice, breaking off
the monopoly that had attended
the purchasing and supply deliv-
ery transactions within the termi-
nal for its stallholders for over a
decade.
Mayor Bongat also for-
warded the idea of giving the
stallholders an across-the-board
decrease of 10% from their an-
nual stall rental, Mendoza dis-
closed.
Upon Mayor Bongats instruc-
tions, peddlers and roving vendors
were also organized, allowing
them to have more voice in airing
their concerns to the city manag-
ers and offcials concerned.
Mendoza further disclosed
that the old practice of direct-
ing vendors to conduct periodic
clean-up operations within the
terminal and its perimeter has
been discontinued and the P10
fee collected from them daily in
plying their trade was lowered to
a minimal P5.00.
Jun Lausingco, bus dispatch-
er, volunteered the following ob-
servation: The city government
as terminal operator has come
up with an effective policy on
the utilization of parking spaces
for buses wherein each bus com-
pany is given a designated place
to park their buses. The idea pro-
vides a situation that is totally
different from what was happen-
ing in previous years when buses
have to wrestle against each oth-
er to secure parking spaces.
The policy also cleared the
problem on the distribution of
parking spaces between Manila-
bound buses and the buses op-
erating within the province or
the region, thereby making the
utilization of spaces inside the
terminal more organized.
Aside from that, the CBTTT-
TWG also implements a policy
that prohibits taxis and other pri-
vate vehicles from entering the
terminals interior bay, thereby
allowing bus drivers to maneu-
ver their units without unneces-
sary obstructions.
Lausingco also thanked the
City Hall personnel assigned in
the terminal for their readiness to
help resolve complaints against
rowdy passengers who have
problems with any of the bus
companies. He said that in most
cases the incidents turned into
heated arguments if not acted
upon immediately.
Dan Sare, stallholder, has
this to say: I observe the citys
bus terminal now to be more
customer-friendly than before;
we no longer feel irritated when
we have to pay P5.00 every time
that we have to use the comfort
rooms because now everybody
can use it anytime for free with
maintenance personnel assigned
to keep it clean and orderly.
Sare, like many others, are
generous in commending Mayor
Bongat for the terminals peace
and order situation, clean sur-
roundings, well-lighted areas and
strict implementation of policies
pertaining to the operations of
Manila and provincial buses.
Sare said if theres one thing
that the city government has to
improve on in the terminal: up-
grading the internet connections
to the satisfaction of stallholders,
waiting passengers, especially
busineemen and students who
cant live without their comput-
ers and other IT gadgets.which
do not serve the satisfaction of
computer hobbyists and techy
passengers. The observation
holds true with a handful of stu-
dents who were to travel back to
Manila for their studies.
May the city government
fnd time to improve the internet
connectivity and coverage para
kumpleto na talaga ang improve-
ments, they said.
The CSC Memorandum
Circular No. 22 encourages
government agencies in Met-
ro Manila to carry out a four-
day workweek scheme, which
aims to reduce the volume of
traffc as the Metro Manila
Skyway project enters its third
phase; increase employee ef-
fciency and organizational
performance; promote work-
life balance among employ-
ees; and enhance employee
engagement, morale and pro-
ductivity.
Under the scheme, the nor-
mal workweek is reduced to
four days from Monday to
Thursday or from Tuesday to
Friday but working hours
are increased to 10 hours a
day, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.,
with a one-hour lunch break.
There are requirements
in order for one to use the
four-day workweek, that has
not yet been discussed. Most
likely, magkakaroon ng dis-
cussion diyan, said Lacierda.
Government agencies in
Metro Manila can adopt the
scheme provided their front-
line services can be accessed
by the public online; they
have a one-stop shop; they
have a functional call center/
PABX telephone system that
allows calls to be diverted to
the Offcers-of-the-Day; and
they have baseline data on
their overall performance, as
well as on absenteeism, tardi-
ness, state of health, and turn-
over of employees, and satis-
faction of clients.
As for the Offce of the
President, Lacierda said one
of the deputy executive secre-
taries is studying the scheme.
It will be studied by the
Offce of the Executive Secre-
tary frst before we make any
decision on the matter, he
said. PCOO
4-DAY WORK. . .
have to really put extra efforts
in mastering their steps and
the challenge of memorizing
the dance sequence to qualify
for the regional round.
Villareal said that their vic-
tory was a hard-earned one.
They passed through various
elimination rounds which
started off last August 24 in
Legazpi City.
UNEP Dance Club will
represent the Bicol Region in
the Luzon Semi-fnals under
the Dance Category. Other
areas that will also compete
during the semi- fnals were
Batangas for the Bet na Sing-
ers category and Catanduanes
in the Bet na kakaibang Tal-
ento Category.
UNEP President Remelisa
Alfelor-Moraleda congratu-
lated the group and extended
her gratefulness for adding
another feather to the univer-
sitys cap.
UDC has been in existence
for the past 7 years - changing
dancers every year as others
would graduate from college
and had to leave in pursuit of
their chosen professions. Yet
Villareal never gets tired in
coming up with new talents
and harnessing them to be the
best dancers that they can be.
One of the judges, Mar-
keting Consultant and Event
Manager Eleanor Zuiga
Leanne Montemayor said
in an interview that she al-
ready predicted that UDC is
up for the win.
From the very start, I had
a feeling they will win! As
one of the judges, I gave 98
percent for UNEP. Sobrang
galling nila with all the body
moves and synchronized
movements and the smiles
love it! Plus their hair and
make up awesomely per-
fect!!, Montemayor quips.
UNEP DANCE CLUB WINS GMA 7S BET . . .
BIKOL REPORTER 7
SEPT. 28 - OCT. 4, 2014
ROYAL TRADE
GENERAL MERCHANDISING
CORPORATION - Naga City
Exclusive distributor of Compaero Brandy
By SALLY ATENTO-ALTEA
LEGAZPI CITY Ab-
normal activities of the res-
tive Mayon Volcano slowed
down in the past days but
that might be an indication
of preparation for a strong
eruption said the Philipppine
Institute of Volcanology and
Seismology (Phivolcs) here.
Although the numbers
have lowered in the past days,
still our uptrend tilt data indi-
cates continous infation at the
base of the edifce which sig-
nifes continous replenishment
of magma, Philvolcs science
research specialist Paul Alanis
said.
The volcanos latest seis-
mic network has recorded one
rockfall in the past 24 hours
with lowered Sulfur dioxide
emission at an average of 606
tonnes/day lower than the 1048
tonnes/day average recorded
three days ago.
Elevated ground forma-
tion and continous emission
means an eruption scenario,
Alanis said.
Moreover Alanis said they
could not determine the exact
time or type of eruption al-
though the volcano is exhib-
iting patterns similar to 1984
and 2009 eruption.
Mayon has different types
of eruption. It could be a si-
lent but later effusive emission
of lava like in 2009 or very
strong eruption like1984 with
quiet emission of lava in the
frst phase which became lull
in a few weeks and explosive
in the second phase with vio-
lent explosions and eruptions
of pyroclastic fow.
He added that the presence
of gas in the magma deter-
mines how explosive the erup-
tion will be.
The more gas in the
magma, the more explosive
the eruption. For Mayon, gas
emission has slowed down but
it might be because the vent is
plugged or obstructed by the
lava dome which today is al-
most at the tip of Mayons cra-
ter, he said.
Once strong pressure is
accumulated underneath, erup-
tion will be triggered and py-
roclastic materials will eventu-
ally fow at the lower area of
the crater which is projected
at the southeast portion facing
Legazpi, Alanis added.
Meanwhile the Albay Pro-
vincial Disaster Risk Reduc-
tion and Management Council
(PDRRMC) is gearing up for
Mayons unrest to continue de-
spite the lull in the activities of
the volcano noting their close
coordination with the Phiv-
olcs.
The lull indicates that
we need to further strengthen
preparation of the local and
national DRRMCs and sup-
port to the affected population
for them not to come back.
It could be an indication of a
stronger eruption, Albay Pub-
lic Safety and Emergency Of-
fce (APSEMO) chief Cedric
Daep said.
Daep said a 9 km extended
zone has been identifed as a
buffer zone with designated
safe areas for residents to
convene and be transferred to
safer location.
Registered nurses (RNs)
have likewise been em-
ployed in evacuation centers
to address health and sanita-
tion concerns of evacuees.
-- PIA
parameters, led the agency to
place the volcano under alert
warning level No. 3.
Under such warning level
-- which is critical due to rela-
tively high unrest as manifest-
ed by more frequent quakes
and tremors, further increase
in sulfur dioxide (SO2) fux,
occurrence of rockfalls in
summit area, vigorous steam-
ing, sustained crater glow and
persistent swelling of the vol-
canos edifce -- an eruption
may occur in weeks, accord-
ing to the Phivolcs.
Mayon eruption, Briones
says, is not a destruction but
an attraction as despite lo-
cal authorities rushing up to
evacuate at least 51,625 indi-
viduals representing a total of
10,555 families from within
the six-kilometer-radius per-
manent danger zone (PDZ)
and six to seven kilometers
extended danger zone (EDZ),
tourists have been coming to
enjoy a close-range watch of
the spectacle.
Briones said Mayon's
abnormal condition always
leads to a pre-emptive evacu-
ation declaration.
At any rate, it brings the
nation more sensations, send-
ing actions without interrup-
tions. The vibration moves to
more speculations on whether
it will turn into a wild spec-
tacular illusion, he said.
According to records of
the Albay Public Safety and
MAYON'S NOCTURNAL SPECTACLE . . .
Emergency Management Of-
fce (APSEMO), a total of
133,325 persons representing
28,081 families residing in 66
barangays of three cities and
four municipalities around
the foot of the volcano are
the population at risk should
Mayon come up with a worst-
case-scenario eruption.
Under the prevailing alert
level 3, forced evacuation of
the targeted 51,625 individu-
als from the PDZ and EDZ
was started promptly follow-
ing Mondays announcement
of the warning by the Phiv-
olcs.The last time it brutally
erupted was in Feb. 2, 1993,
killing 77 people, mostly
farmers caught by a wild ava-
lanche of super-hot pyroclas-
tic materials while farming at
its lower slopes.
That eruption came as a
surprise, being not foreseen
despite round-the-clock mon-
itoring by Phivolcs from its
three observatories around the
volcano.
City Mayor Noel Rosal
said that while Phivolcs is say-
ing that an explosive eruption
could be possible, the local
tourism sector considers the
prevailing situation a boom to
the industry.
Mayon is actually famed
world-wide not only for its
marvelous look of a near-per-
fect cone but also for its furi-
ous behavior that is why tour-
ists would come rushing to the
city, especially when possible
eruptions are announced.
He recalled that in its 2006
and 2009 eruptions, increases
in the number of tourist arriv-
als were highly noticeable.
Our hotels and lodging
houses were occupied and
places that offer a good view
of the spectacle were packed
by tourists who arrived daily
in thousands Rosal said.
This time, he said, the same
scenario is being repeated and
more arrivals compared to the
past periods of eruptions are
expected, given that the city
has already added more stra-
tegic locations where Mayon
watching is safe, convenient
and truly exciting.
Among these locations are
the Ligon Hill Natural Park,
Legazpi Boulevard and The
Oriental Hotel and Resort.
Ligon Hill, a historical
peak standing near the Legaz-
pi Airport at 156-meter high,
offers a full view of the entire
edifce of the volcano and the
whole landscape of the city on
the other side while the bou-
levard is a four-kilometer of
fully-lighted wide concreted
roadway along Albay Gulf,
offering a panoramic view of
the volcano.
The Oriental, on the other
hand, is a world-class hotel
located at hillside overlook-
ing the city proper and from
where Mayon could be seen
conspicuously. -PNA
but regional cultures. Nightly
cultural presentations will also
showcase the three main island
groups of Luzon, Visayas and
Mindanaoed.
Featured team and individu-
al sports events are basketball,
bowling, volleyball, swimming,
track events, badminton, table
tennis, lawn tennis, chess, bil-
liards, cycling, fun run, walk-
athon, and traditional games
such as tug of war and sack
race.
The fun run will also serve
as our voters education cam-
paign for our on-going regis-
tration with our slogan, vote
to validate, validate to vote,
Fortes said.
LEGAZPI TO HOST COMELEC'S . . .
Preparations are now peak-
ing up with the recent meet-
ing with partner government
agencies and private groups as
Comelec regional offces al-
ready made reservations with
hotels. Chairman Brillantes
will join the regional offcials
in preparatory conferences here
on October 3 until 5 to fnalize
plans and transact with service
providers, Fortes told the PIA.
All Comelec regional off-
cials are expected to come dur-
ing the three-day conference to
conduct ocular inspections of
hotels, meet with caterers and
transport services, fnalization
of events and rules, and selec-
tion of events logo.
Fortes assures that they
are exerting all efforts for a
perfect hosting alluding to
Mayons perfect cone. We
are focusing on hosting, win-
ning events are just second-
ary, he said. Comelec Bicol
is the defending champion for
basketball, table tennis, track
events and the highlight, the
cultural presentation. This
will be a grand festival in
Legazpi, Fortes said.
Bicol was unanimously cho-
sen to host the First Comelec
National Goodwill Games
during the recent meeting of
the Comelec Regional Direc-
tors Organization (CREDO) of
which Fortes is the incumbent
president. -- PIA5
eagerly accepted the partner-
ship believing that youth will
LTO LAUNCHES STRUT ROAD . . .
If you are citing references, be sure that you had previously
solicited the permission of your references before you present
them in you bio. But really, the most important thing is your
credential. It is hoped that you have presentable grades and
this could speak very well of you.
So, graduates of technical vocational education, with the
many opportunities for you to ge employed, be optimistic.
Trust yourself.
TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL . . .
indeed play a great part in de-
veloping a community of safe-
conscious and responsible
drivers in the future.
BIGGS, Inc. has been
in existence for 31 years
but this is the first time that
we have partnered with a
government office and I be-
lieve its worth the wait. We
believe in the same cause
that they want to promote
and was endeared with how
forward-thinking Director
Lutey is, Buenaflor stated.
-- PIA5