Bicol

Volume X Number 1
March 2015

Development Updates
Quarterly publication of the Bicol Regional Development Council

Bicol youth stands up against poverty

Photo credit: NYC Bicol

NYC Commissioner Percival Cendea and NEDA Regional Director Agnes Espinas talk to youth leaders during the 1st Bicol Youth Conference on Poverty Alleviation
held on January 24 at the Ibalong Conference Room in Legazpi City.

Youth participants all over the Bicol Region

gathered in the 1st Bicol Youth Conference on
Poverty Alleviation held last January 23 to 24, 2015
at the Ibalong Conference Hall, Legazpi City. The
theme was Youth as Empowered, Efficient, and
Effective Partners in Eradicating Poverty.

Assistant Secretary Percival Cendea, National

Youth Commissioner representing Luzon, was the
keynote speaker during the opening program. He
presented the youth status in the Bicol Region and
cited the dilemmas faced by the youth, such as risk
in contracting HIV-AIDS and societal deterrence.

The two-day conference was initiated by the

10th National Youth Parliament - Bicol Chapter. The
activity was endorsed by the Department of
Education, Commission on Higher Education, and
Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority to provide a venue for the active
participation of the youth in addressing poverty.

NEDA Regional Director Agnes M. Espinas

discussed the poverty situation in the Bicol Region
and how the Bicol Regional Development Plan
seeks to address the situation.

The conference was attended by various youth

organizations and universities throughout the
region. The event was graced by personalities at the
local and national level.

In this issue

2 Committee 5

Quality Employment
Through ASEAN
Integration

on Migration and
Development

The plan envisions Bicol as the most livable

region in 2020. She stressed that the youth can
participate in alleviating poverty by being advocates,
supporters and followers of policies, and by being
active partners in programs, projects and activities
that
promote
youth
development
and
poverty alleviation.

Features
Identifying
with the poor

12

Rights-based
approach to address
poverty

Bicol Development Updates

Editorial:

March 2015

Quality employment through ASEAN integration

The Bicol Regional Development Plan envisions

Bicol as the most livable region in the country by
2020. To achieve this, one of the main strategies is to
create more high paying jobs in the region to provide
for all the needs of the family.
However, quality employment has been a
recurring challenge. Improvements in employment
and underemployment rates are not significant
enough to reduce poverty.
The latest labor force survey results released by
the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that the
regions employment rate improved to 95.1 percent in
October 2014 from 93.5 percent in July and from 93.8
in the same period last year. Unemployment rate
decreased from 6.5 percent in July to 4.9 percent in
October 2014. Across regions, Bicol ranked third to
Regions 8 and 10 with the highest underemployment
rate or the proportion of employed persons wanting
more hours of work to total employed persons.
Questions on the readiness of our manpower and
working environment arise with the coming of the
ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) integration in
2015. According to a joint study by the Asian
Development Bank (ADB) and the International Labor
Organization, ASEAN integration in 2015 will spur
greater demand for both skilled and unskilled workers
and help create up to 14 million additional jobs by
2025. About three million jobs will be found in
the Philippines.
As NEDA Director General Arsenio Balisacan
puts it, the AEC integration underscores the urgency
of badly needed reforms in opening up investments,
accelerating infrastructure development and
generating high quality jobs in the Philippines.
Reforms and effective implementation of
programs, projects and activities should be done in
order to prepare for AEC integration. Investments in
education and skills training should be one of the
priorities of the government. Although there have
been initial educational reforms such as the K to 12

basic education and mandatory pre-school

enrollment, the World Bank said that the Philippines
has been under investing in education and skills
training for decades and Filipino unskilled workers are
also among the least productive in the world.
To attract foreign investments and employers,
some laws and policies may need to be adjusted to
define company rules on employer and employee
rights. Policies on licensure examinations and
registration of foreign professionals and employers
should also be considered and aligned with the
standards of the ASEAN.
The Philippine Constitution generally limits the
practice of all professions in the Philippines to Filipino
citizens. However, some of the professional
regulatory laws provide for reciprocity.
Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam are
some of the ASEAN member countries which were
reported by ADB to have significant changes in the
economy because of AEC integration.
The AEC integration can either be a boon or a
bane for our labor market and for the whole economy
as well. Ensuring the employability of our graduates,
improving competitiveness, and instituting policy
reforms can give us high hopes of achieving the
desired results of the AEC integration.

BICOL
Development Updates
The Bicol Development Updates is published quarterly by
the Regional Development Council.
NEDA Regional Office 5, Arimbay, Legazpi City
Telephone No.

(052) 482-0498

Fax. No.

(052) 482-0504

E-mail Address:

nedabicol@gmail.com

Publisher

Agnes M. Espinas
RDC Vice-Chairperson

Editor-in-Chief
Associate Editors

Edna Cynthia S. Berces

Jasmin C. Zantua
Gilberto A. Abion
Felix M. Lositao
Ma. Teresa T. Chong
Rosemarie O. Buan
Annaliz B. Bellen

Production Coordinator
and Layout Artist

March 2015

Bicol Development Updates

Contents
Feature Stories

RDC 5 at work
RDC okays BFP
projects for inclusion
in the RDIP

Albay is man and

biosphere reserve

RDC creates
Committee on
Migration and
Development

NEDA 5 conducts

Identifying with
the poor

Poverty in the
Bicol Region

Pantawid
program gets
more fund

A Bright Future
Ahead

RDC pushes

adoption of
POPDEVED modules

BU to house Bicol

RDC approves
partnership on
Local GAD
Resource Program

briefings on Bicol
RDP

Food Innovation &

Commercialization
Center

RDC approves the

Busay-PandanLacag-Mina-TinagoSumlang-Salvacion
Road

A Life
Changing
Experience

10
11

Index measures
youth devt

Rights-based
approach to
address poverty

12

Breaking the
Cycle of
Poverty

13

12

4th Quarter 2014

Economic
Situationer

14

4th Quarter 2014

RPMC Report

18

Bicol Development Updates

March 2015

RDC 5 at work
RDC okays BFP projects to be included in the RDIP
The RDC approved the Bureau of Fire Protection
(BFP) projects for inclusion in the Regional
Development Investment Program (RDIP) 2015-2017
through RDC Resolution No. 58 (S. 2014).
The projects, with a total cost of P763 million, are:
(a) construction of two-storey Bureau of Fire
Protection Regional Office 5 building (P22 M) and (b)
procurement of 43 fire trucks (P741 M).
The two-storey BFP regional office building, which
will be located in Rawis, Legazpi City, will serve as
regional headquarters and central base of all field
units in the region. This will enable BFP Region 5 to
provide more efficient and reliable services.
The procurement of fire trucks will enhance the
capabilities of 43 recipient municipal governments
regionwide in providing efficient and effective fire
prevention and suppression services to protect the
lives and properties of their constituents. This will
contribute to disaster risk reduction and management
efforts in the region.
The RDIP is the basis of agency annual budget
proposals for funding under the General
Appropriations Act.

Proposed Recipient Municipalities of Fire Trucks

Albay

Malinao, Manito, Rapu-Rapu

Cam. Norte

Imelda, San Vicente, Talisay

Cam. Sur

Bombon, Calabanga,
Canaman, Gainza, Magarao,
Garchitorena, Lagonoy,
Presentacion, Sangay,
San Jose, Siruma

Catanduanes

Bagamanoc, Baras,
Caramoran, Gigmoto,
Pandan, San Miguel, Viga

Masbate

Batuan, Claveria, Placer

San Fernando, San Jacinto,
Baleno, Balud, Mandaon,
Milagros, Mobo, Cawayan,
Dimasalang, Esperanza,
Palanas, Pio V. Corpuz,

Sorsogon

Casiguran, Castilla,
Barcelona, Bulusan

Albay is nominated man and biosphere reserve

The RDC endorsed the nomination of Albay as
man and biosphere reserve to UNESCO through
RDC Resolution No. 54 (S. 2014).

productive activities are engaged by more people,

and adequate and quality services are availed by
more people.

Once declared a biosphere reserve, Albay will

be included in the World Network of Biosphere
Reserves where there is international cooperation
through sharing of knowledge, exchanging
experiences, building capacities and promoting best
practices on conservation and development issues.

These sector outcomes will in turn contribute to

the attainment of the regional development
outcome where majority of the population especially
the poor and marginalized, enjoy the benefits of
social development and economic growth.

The province of Albay will be able to establish

its connections and business partnerships, promote
tourism, and gain international support on its
programs and projects.
The mission of the UNESCO Man and
Biosphere Programme to ensure environmental,
economic and socio-cultural sustainability is
consistent with the updated Bicol Regional
Development Plan (RDP).
Albay as a biosphere reserve will contribute to
the achievement of the sector outcomes of the
updated RDP, to wit: good governance and
sustainable development are being practiced,

Biosphere reserves are established by countries

and recognized under the UNESCO Man and
Biosphere Programme.
A biosphere reserve will be a place of
cooperation, education, and experimentation where
scientists and managers will have an advanced
understanding of the interaction of people and
nature and where local communities, environmental
groups, economic interests can work collaboratively
on conservation and development issues.
A biosphere reserve is where sustainable
development is promoted based on local
community efforts and sound science.

March 2015

Bicol Development Updates

RDC creates Committee on Migration and Development

The RDC approved the creation of the
Committee on Migration and Development (CMD)
as a special committee of the RDC through
Resolution No. 55 (S. 2014).

one representative from the regional network of

Public Employment Service Offices) and nine from
overseas Filipino worker associations and nongovernment organizations.

The primary function of the CMD is to facilitate

the provision of services to overseas Filipino
workers (OFWs) and their families and promote
the complementation of interventions to address
all concerns arising from pre-departure to
reintegration of OFWs.

The body elected Director Jocelyn Hapal of

OWWA Region 5 as the chairperson and Mr. Yco
M. Tan, Jr. of TanVera Corporation, a former
OFW, as the co-chairperson of the CMD.

The CMD shall also provide assistance in the

capacity building of local government units in
mainstreaming migration and development (M&D)
in local plans, conduct advocacy activities, and
monitor the implementation of M&D programs and
projects at the local level.

NEDA Regional Director Agnes Espinas is the

ex-officio vice-chairperson and the NEDA regional
office serves as the committee secretariat.

NEDA Region 5 as the principal technical

secretariat of the Regional Development Council
(RDC) led the organizational meeting of the
committee on January 20, 2015 at the NEDA
regional office in Arimbay, Legazpi City.
The organizational meeting refined the scope
and composition of the committee. The CMD is
composed of 35 members: 26 from the
government sector (12 regional line agency heads,
six provincial governors, seven city mayors, and

Director Jocelyn Hapal of OWWA Region 5 presents the profile of

Bicolano migrant workers.

RDC approves partnership on

Local GAD Resource Program
The partnership agreement between the RDC
and the Philippine Commission for Women (PCW)
on the Local Gender and Development Resource
Program (LGRP) was approved through RDC
Resolution No. 57 (S. 2014).

committed to advocate the review and issuance of

policy guidelines for the strengthening of regional
GAD mechanisms and institutional linkages and to
maximize the existing mechanisms to monitor and
evaluate regional and local GAD efforts.

The LGRP has three components: (a)

partnership and convergence; (b) replication
mechanisms; and (c) provision of direct technical
assistance on demand basis and development of
gender and development (GAD) tools.

The PCW recognizes the RDC as the primary

mechanism and partner through which gender
mainstreaming efforts shall be coordinated.

It seeks to increase the number of local

government units (LGUs) with gender-responsive
policies, plans, programs, and institutional
mechanisms that will promote gender equality and
empower women as a marginalized group to
participate in the development process.

(a) strengthening the regional GAD mechanism

through the creation of a new regional GAD
committee under the RDC;

In the first Regional Gender and Development

Council (RGADC) summit held on August 14 to 15,
2014 in Manila, 43 participants from all regions

The partnership agreement with RDC 5 will be

on the following areas:

(b) capacity building of GAD focal persons in

regional line agencies, LGUs, and other
regional entities; and
(c) monitoring and documentation of GAD activities
for replication and assessment.

Bicol Development Updates

March 2015

NEDA 5 conducts briefings on the Bicol RDP

NEDA 5 Assistant Regional Director Cynthia S. Berces and Ms. Jasmin C. Zantua present the Bicol regional development plan to stakeholders.

NEDA Region 5 conducted a series of briefings

on the Bicol regional development plan (RDP) to
representatives of civil society organizations
(CSOs) in the region on October 23, 2014 at the
NEDA regional office in Legazpi City.
The Bicol RDP was presented to 17
representatives of 13 CSOs in the region. The CSO
representatives appreciated the plan and
expressed support to plan implementation and
monitoring to ensure that the sectoral and regional
development outcomes are achieved.
Ms. Aurora de Guzman, a private sector
representative in the Regional Development
Council, also presented the CSOs poverty
reduction agenda in behalf of the Coalition for
Bicol Development.
The briefing is the third of a series of
stakeholders briefings on the Bicol RDP that NEDA
Region 5 scheduled in 2014. The first was for the

private sector representing the chambers of

commerce and industry regionwide that was held in
August. The second was for members of the print
and broadcast media from different provinces in the
region that was held in September. Two more
briefings were done for local government planners
and the academe in October and November.
The Bicol RDP is an accompanying document
of the Philippine Development Plan. It provides the
spatial dimension to the national plan by identifying
the regions contributions to the goal of inclusive
growth and poverty reduction.
The briefings aimed to encourage support for
the RDP, disseminate development information and
activities, and emphasize the role of different
stakeholders in plan implementation and
monitoring. The stakeholders appreciated the
information and advocacy efforts of the RDC and
affirmed their role in regional development.

RDC pushes adoption of POPDEVED modules

RDC Resolution No. 56 (S. 2014) endorsed the
population
and
development
education
(POPDEVED) teaching modules to the Department
of Education (DepEd) and Commission on Higher
Education (CHED) for adoption in basic and higher
education curricula. The modules are designed to
give teachers coherent guides and appropriate
reference materials on the interrelationships of
population and development, as well as human
sexuality and responsible parenthood. The
Philippine Center for Population and Development
formulated the modules in consultation with private
schools in the country, including Divine Word
College of Legazpi City, Aquinas University of
Legazpi, and Dominican School of Camalig.

March 2015

Bicol Development Updates

BU to house Bicol Food Innovation

and Commercialization Center
The Department of Science and Technology
Region 5 (DOST 5), Bicol University (BU) and the
Provincial Government of Albay entered into a
memorandum of agreement (MOA) on the
establishment of the first Bicol Food Innovation
and Commercialization Center. The MOA signing
was held during the RDC full council meeting on
December 12, 2014 at the Oriental Hotel, Legazpi
City. The MOA marked the commitment of the
three government entities to pool expertise and
resources in establishing the first center of its kind
in the Bicol Region.
DOST will provide technical support in the form
of technologies, processing techniques and
technical know-how for the smooth operation of
the project. The project forms part of the DOSTs
High Impact Technology Solutions program of
establishing food innovation centers in every
region. BU will provide the building structure that is
compliant with the Current Good Manufacturing

Practices, together with basic facilities and

required space and manpower complement for the
management and sustainable operation of the
center. It will be housed within the Bicol University
College of Industrial Technology campus and will
serve as a leading hub for food processing
innovation in the region.
The project envisions to transform concepts
into products, thereby promoting product
innovation and maximizing value addition to
resource-based agricultural and marine products.
It will contribute to the attainment of the
updated Bicol Regional Development Plans
sector outcome on productive activities engaged
by more people through the provision of adequate
and quality technical assistance, promotion
services and infrastructure support facilities
provided to micro, small and medium enterprises.
(Article contributed by DOST Region 5)

DOST Regional Director Tomas Brias, Albay Governor Joey Salceda and Bicol University President Fay Lea Patria Lauraya sign the
memorandum of agreement on the establishment of the Bicol Food Innovation and Commercialization Center.

RDC approves the Busay-Pandan-Lacag-Mina-TinagoSumlang-Salvacion Road

The RDC approved the Busay-PandanLacag-Mina-Tinago-Sumlang-Salvacion road in
the province of Albay to be included in the
regional development investment program
through RDC Resolution No. 59 (S. 2014). The
project involves the concreting of a 12.63
kilometer road with an estimated cost of
P100.40 million. The project will directly benefit
the communities within the road influence area
and the tourists who will visit the province. It
aims to provide safe, accessible and
comfortable transportation facility to commuters
and travelers.

Bicol Development Updates

March 2015

Feature Stories
Identifying with the poor
Pope Francis visited the Philippines
from
January 15 to 19, 2015. It was his
first state and pastoral visit to the country.
He declared "Mercy and Compassion" as
the theme of his visit.
During his mass at the Manila
Cathedral, he called the attention of the
Filipinos to embrace and help the poor. He
also asked his religious brothers and sisters
to reject materialism and to live a good and
simple life.
His advocacies focused on improving
and addressing issues on the welfare of the
marginalized populations of the society.
Pope Francis asked the people to help
the people who are broken and lost,
particularly those who lack the means to
continue to live. He mentioned the young
people who may be thinking of leaving
school to live on the streets.
Be present to those who, living in the
midst of a society burdened by poverty and
corruption, are broken in spirit, tempted to
give up, to leave school and to live on the
streets. Proclaim the beauty and truth of the
Christian message to a society which is
tempted by confusing presentations of
sexuality, marriage and the family, he
exhorted the crowd.
The great danger is a certain materialism
which can creep into our lives and
compromise the witness we offer.
Only by becoming poor ourselves, by
stripping away our complacency, will we be
able to identify with the least of our brothers
and sisters.
We will see things in a new light and thus
respond with honesty and integrity to the
challenge of proclaiming the radicalism of
the Gospel in a society which has grown
comfortable with social exclusion,
polarization and scandalous inequality.

Pope Francis
Mass at the Manila Cathedral
January 16, 2015

Photo credit: philstar.com

Pope Francis shows his compassion for the marginalized groups during his visit in the
Philippines last January 15 to 19, 2015.

Pope Francis called the attention of political leaders to

work hard to avoid scandalous social inequalities in the
country. Reforming the social structures which perpetuate
poverty and the exclusion of the poor first requires a
conversion of mind and heart, said Pope Francis.
He urged the people to reject every form of corruption
which diverts resources from the poor, and to make
concerted efforts to ensure the inclusion of every man and
woman and child in the community.
Poverty and social inequality are critical issues in the
Philippines. Statistics show that about 24 million people,
which is more than 24 percent of the population, live
below the poverty line.
Supporters of political prisoners and victims of
extrajudicial killings showed their letters addressed to
Pope Francis urging the pontiff to join them in their pursuit
for justice. The countrys farmers are among the poorest
citizens. Some lands targeted for agrarian reform have not
been distributed. Most Filipino farmers do not own the
lands they till and are usually targets for
extra-judicial killings.
More than ever, the visit of Pope Francis highlighted
the need to always be mindful of the welfare of the poor
and marginalized sectors in all development efforts being
undertaken. Any development undertaking should always
contribute to the upliftment of the lives of the poor.
It is only when their lives become better that
development becomes more meaningful and fulfilling.

March 2015

Bicol Development Updates

Poverty in the Bicol Region

Poverty
Threshold
(2012)

Proportion of
Poor Families

Proportion
of Poor
Population

Philippines

P 18,935

19.7 %

25.2 %

Bicol Region

P 18,257

32.3 %

41.1 %

Albay

P 18,610

33.9 %

41.0 %

Cam Norte

P 18,390

21.7 %

28.7 %

CamSur

P 18,717

31.7 %

41.2 %

Catanduanes

P 18,303

27.1 %

33.8 %

Masbate

P 17,487

40.6 %

51.3 %

Sorsogon

P 17,535

31.3 %

40.7 %

Source: PSA Region 5

The latest poverty estimates released by

the National Statistical Coordination Board
show that poverty situation in the Bicol
Region improved from 35.3 percent in 2009
to 32.3 percent in 2012. This means that in
2012, about 32 in every 100 families
were poor.
Average annual per capita poverty
threshold in Bicol was P18,257 in 2012. In
order not to be considered poor, a Bicolano
family of five needs at least P7,607 monthly
or about P91,285 (P18,257 multiplied by 5
family members) annually. Thus, a Bicolano
minimum wage earner of P196 can support a
family of at most three members to be

considered non-poor.
Among the provinces, poverty threshold in
Camarines Sur in 2012 was the highest. This means
that cost of living in Camarines Sur was higher
compared to the other provinces.
The cost of living in Masbate and Sorsogon was
lower with poverty threshold at P17,487 and P17,535,
respectively. Based on the poverty threshold,
Camarines Norte had the lowest poverty incidence of
families at 21.7 percent and incidence of poor
population at 28.7 percent.
Masbate had the highest incidence of poor
families and population at 40.6 percent and 51.3
percent, respectively.

Pantawid program gets more fund

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino
Program or 4Ps, the countrys major social
protection and anti-poverty program, has
been allotted with more funds in 2015.
More than half of the P108.88 billion
budget of the Department of Social Welfare
and Development (DSWD) for 2015 will go to
the program. According to a report from the
Philippine Star, a total of P64.73 billion was
allocated for the implementation of 4Ps for
this year to cover 4,436,732 poor households.
The Sustainable Livelihood Program that
will allow 4Ps household beneficiaries to avail
of micro-loans under the programs SelfEmployment Assistance Para sa Kaunlaran
was allocated P4.9 billion.

Moreover, a total of P2.3 billion will be used as

assistance to victims of disasters and
natural calamities.
In the Bicol Region, a total of 308,493 households
benefited from the conditional cash transfer program
from 2008 to 2012. The initial number of 4Ps
beneficiaries in 2008 was 32,515. This ballooned to
148,725 in 2011, the highest number of registered
beneficiaries so far. The program had additional
household beneficiaries of 52,737 in 2012 due to the
expansion of the program covering 100 percent of
the barangays.
The 4Ps contribute to the attainment of the
Millennium Development Goals in the Bicol Region on
increasing enrollment rate in primary and secondary
schools and decreasing malnutrition prevalence.

10

Bicol Development Updates

March 2015

A Bright Future Ahead

For Jocelyn Caparoso and her family, the
past 33 years have not been easy. The couple
of Barangay Tabuc in Cawayan, Masbate,
together with their five children went through a
lot of struggles to survive.
Jocelyn and her husband Roque work as
farmers and earn P3,000 a month, not enough
for their needs. They grow vegetables and raise
pigs to augment the household income.
They live simply and devoid of luxuries. They
persevere in earning and saving money for the
future of their children. However, their income is
simply not enough to sustain the needs of
the family.
Changing lives
Over the past decade, the couples life has
been a hand to mouth existence. Both of them
were not able to finish college education because
their parents were poor and could not afford to
send them to school.
At present, the family is one among the
368,576 beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang
Pilipino Program (4Ps) in the Bicol Region who
were
provided
with
health
and
educational assistance.
The 4Ps is a program that invests in human
capital that will contribute to breaking the cycle of
poverty in the family.
The program provides cash grants of P500 in
health and P300 in education for a family that has
three children, ages 0 to 14, enrolled in
the program.
Before enrollment to the program, the couple
was unable to sustain the basic needs of the
family. With the help of the program, the couple is
able to send their children to school and clinics for
regular health check-ups.
There is increased school attendance and
weight gain among their children. The couple is
able to acquire knowledge on livelihood trainings,
i.e., food processing and technology.
Like thousands of poor but determined families
in the Bicol Region, the Caparoso family has
proven that the ticket out of their financial
inadequacy lies in sacrifice, determination, hard
work, prayers and ensuring a good education for
their children.

Jocelyn Caparoso and her family is one of the many households who receive
cash grants from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program .

Giving Back
By way of giving back, Jocelyn serves her
barangay through voluntary work. She is a barangay
health worker, parent leader, a member of the
operation and maintenance team of the newly
constructed health center project of the Kapit-Bisig
Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated
Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS), and the
president of Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).
Kalahi-CIDSS and the SLP are anti-poverty
programs of the national government being
implemented under the Department of Social
Welfare and Development.
Kalahi-CIDSS focuses on providing
infrastructure and facility projects to poor
communities. Projects include health and day care
centers, sea-walls, farm to market roads, cable
bridges, elementary and high school buildings.
The SLP provides livelihood training programs
and capital assistance to poor families.
As a parent leader, Jocelyn leads her coPantawid beneficiaries and helps address their
needs, queries, and problems. She also encourages
them to pray before the start of family development
sessions a monthly activity that empowers and
strengthens the relationship and ties among family
members and the community.
The Pantawid program has given Jocelyn and
her family a chance to break out of the vicious cycle
of poverty. Because of this, the future looks bright
for the family, especially the children for whom the
Pantawid program holds much promise.
Article contributed by DSWD Region 5

March 2015

Bicol Development Updates

11

A Life Changing Experience

The Arsolons reside in Barangay Del
Carmen, Uson, Masbate. Diana earns a living
by rendering manicure and pedicure services
in the neighborhood. Danny is a contractual
construction worker. The P8,000 monthly
income of the family is not enough. Life has
been very hard for the couple when Danny
met an accident while at work.
In September 2009, a blessing came. The
DSWD started implementing the Pantawid
Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Uson,
Masbate. With the financial grant amounting to
P1,400 provided by the program, the couple
was aided with the needs of their children in
school. Before enrollment to the program, the
couple resorted to borrowing money from
loan sharks to cope with the familys growing
needs. But paying their debts has been hard
and the familys financial status was unchanged.
The Sustainable Livelihood Program
(SLP) develops the entrepreneurial and
technical skills of the poor households
identified through the National Household
Targeting System for Poverty Reduction. The
program enables them to manage sustainable
microenterprises and link them to locally
available jobs in order to enhance their access
to basic social services and uplift their
standard of living.
Another poverty alleviation program was
introduced to the Arsolon couple. It was the
Self-Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran (SEAK), a scheme of the department under the
SLP. 4Ps beneficiaries are the priority
recipients of the program. They were able to
borrow P10,000.
The couples daily routine involves getting
up as early as four oclock in the morning,
boarding a rented tricycle to go to Dimasalang
and Cawayan, Masbate to buy fresh fish. Diana
sells them in the public market of Del
Carmen, while Danny delivers the products
to their suki.
Before receiving capital assistance, Diana
and her fellow SEA-K Association members

Diana Arsolon makes the most of the assistance provided by the Sustainable
Livelihood Program under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

were trained on basic business management. They

were also given tips on handling business and finances.
The project also gave them the capacity to acquire a
motorcycle of their own. Now, the couple does not
need to rent a tricycle. They have their own service
vehicle that enables them to reach more clients.
In less than a year, Diana was able to pay in full
the capital assistance provided to them. Looking for
food is not anymore a problem. The couple is also
assured of the education of the children and the
provision of the health needs of the family.
From the couples monthly savings, they are now
able to start constructing their new house. Diana is
now able to manage her time. She has time for her
children, guide them in their studies, attend meetings
and do the domestic chores at home.
What is noteworthy is that from a timid
housewife, Diana is an active parent leader and an
officer of the SEA-K association.
Diana shared that the program, through the
family development sessions, brought a lot of changes
in their lives. Her husband has refrained from
gambling and drinking, and is focused on earning a
living for the family.
Through the SLP, Diana is on her way to making
her dreams come true and reaching success in her
own little way.
Article contributed by DSWD Region 5

12

Bicol Development Updates

March 2015

Index measures youth development

The National Youth Commission, together with
the United Nations Population Fund and the Institute
for Development and Econometric Analysis, Inc. have
developed a Youth Development Index that provides
a measure to describe youth development in the
areas of education, health, employment and
participation. The measurement seeks to improve
planning, policy implementation, and data collection
on youth development.
Youth development is defined as the expansion of
opportunities and choices for the youth towards a
successful transition into adulthood. In 2010, almost
28 percent of the population belonged to the youth,
with ages 15-30 years old. For 2013, Albay ranked
first among the six provinces in terms of Youth
Development Index (YDI), followed by Catanduanes
and Sorsogon. Catanduanes ranked first for
education, Albay for employment and participation
and Camarines Norte for health.
Workshops were conducted in November 2014
in Albay, Masbate, and Camarines Norte to validate

the national and regional data gathered from different

economic, social and demographic data sources which had
been the basis of the 2013 YDI estimation. The workshops
also aimed to gather information on best practices on
youth development. National line agencies, local
government units and youth organizations sent participants
to the workshops.
Article contributed by NYC Bicol

Rights-based approach to address poverty

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR)
conducted an assessment and evaluation of the
activities to institutionalize the CHR-AECID
Fortaleza Project, Human Rights Action Centers
(HRACs) and the Rule of Law (RoL) on
December 19, 2014 in Legazpi City.

Photo credit: CHR Region 5

CHR Chairperson Loretta Ann Rosales urged

the rights-based approach to development and
governance. One such right is the right to health,
the core content of which includes availability,
accessibility, affordability and good quality.
To promote womens rights, the Philippine
Government passed a gender equality law,
Republic Act 9710 in 2009, and more recently a

comprehensive reproductive health and rights law,

Republic Act 10354 in 2012.
The enactment of the Responsible Parenthood
and Reproductive Health Act of 2012, according to
the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population &
Development, is a huge leap for the Philippines
towards achieving its commitment to the International
Conference on Population and Development Program
of Action. In view of the questions as to its
constitutionality, however, the Supreme Court
delayed its implementation until April 8, 2014, when it
finally ruled that Republic Act 10354 was not
unconstitutional.
The CHR conducted a forum on December 10,
2014 in Naga City to bring its advocacy on womens
right to reproductive health to the United Nations
Population Fund (UNFPA) program areas in the
provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur and Camarines
Norte. The activity brought together municipal health
officers, rural health physicians, nurses, midwives,
social welfare & development officers, and a city
councilor from three cities and 14 municipalities.
The UNFPA 7th Country Program for the
Philippines 2011-2016 has three components,
namely: (1) reproductive health and rights; (2)
population and development; and (3) gender equality.
Article contributed by CHR 5

March 2015

Bicol Development Updates

13

Breaking the Cycle of Poverty

Aiming for the moon
At 17 years old, Connie Barranda moved to the
city from Rapu-rapu island to pursue college. She
enrolled in a university and decided to take up a course
in nursing. It was a bold move, considering the fact that
she did not have the means to live far from home while
studying. But all her life, she dreamed only of earning a
college diploma. She believed education was the only
possible way for her to get out of poverty. She felt she
had to do something brave, even something foolish, to
change her life for the better.
Receiving HOPE
She went to the community centre of Children
International. She got the information that the agency
was providing college scholarship to deserving but
needy students. It was an opportunity that she could
not afford to miss.
The money in her pocket was only enough for the
bus fare. She could not even spare a single peso for
food, and so she arrived very hungry at the community
centre. My hands were shaking while I was filling up
the application form. The staff thought that I was
nervous. He told me to relax. But I said that I was
shaking because I was hungry. So he made me a hot
bowl of oatmeal. I felt suddenly embarrassed while I ate
the food he offered, she smilingly recalled.
After a few days, she was asked to appear again in
the community centre for the interview. She knew that
the interview could make or break her application, so
she gathered all her confidence in order to convince
the panel about her academic abilities and her needs
for financial support. I think that, most of all, the panel
saw my sheer determination. When I received the
news that I was awarded with a slot in HOPE
Scholarship, my determination to get a college diploma
only grew stronger, Connie said.
As a HOPE scholar, she received substantial
monetary support to help her get through the first two
years in college. Her tuition fees, including food,
lodging and transportation expenses were covered by
the scholarship. I was overwhelmed. My dream of
earning a college diploma became so near that I could
almost see myself wearing a graduation robe, she said.
True enough, after four years in college, she finally
graduated with a degree in nursing. But her plans did
not really work out as intended. She found herself
falling in endless lines of nurses applying for work.
Apparently, the country had been producing countless
nurses in the previous years. The number continued
rising until the local industry couldnt absorb them all
for employment. Worse, the excessive supply of
nurses made the salary low.

Most were left with no choice but to accept

nursing work with very low compensation.
Taking on a new opportunity
I went back to our island and found a job as a
nurse. But the pay was barely enough to sustain basic
needs such as food. If I continued, there was definitely
no chance for me to break away from the cycle of
poverty. I was seriously thinking about changing career
path. I have a college diploma, and so I have the
capabilities to take on other careers, Connie said.
She applied as a police officer. For ten months,
Connie endured the rigorous training. Each day was
intense, both physically and mentally. I felt as if I always
shed tears of blood each day at the training field. We
were taught to have the strength and stamina of beasts.
We would jog non-stop for 15 kilometers carrying 10
kilos of sand. We were even trained to go hungry. I
was a nurse, and I knew that all we did was not good
for the body. But I did not complain. I knew I had to
endure all of it if I want to get the job, Connie said.
On a new mission
Now at 25 years old, Connie is one of the newest
police officers in their island. Everyday, she puts her life
at risk to fulfil her oath of protecting the people. Its
the same as being a nurse, because I also protect and
save the lives of people, she said. She is also in charge
of facilitating the cases related to crime and violence
against women. Women are more vulnerable, and we
need to have more protection from the law. I find it a
great honour to be able to serve and protect the
women in our community, she added.
The new career is much more fulfilling to her. In
this profession, I can say that I have now broken the
cycle of poverty that used to run in our family. I could
not have made it without the support of HOPE
scholarship. It provided me with the opportunity to
finish college. I am forever grateful to the program for
changing my life for the better, she said.
Article contributed by Children International-Bicol

14

Bicol Development Updates

Regional Economic Situationer

March 2015

Fourth Quarter 2014

A QUICK LOOK AT THE ECONOMY

Lower inflation rate at 4.7%

Average quarterly CPI of all

consumer items at 146.13

Higher employment rate of 95.1%

Lower underemployment rate of

30.4%

Increased production in palay,

pilinut, livestock, poultry, and
commercial fishery

Decrease in total estimated value

of investments

Increased volume and value of

gold and silver production

Photo credit: albay.gov.ph

Photo credit: ati.da.gov.ph

Photo credit: www.skyscrapercity.com

Photo credit: bicoltoday.com

Period

Prices
In the fourth quarter of 2014, the
average consumer price index of all
commodity items in the Bicol Region was
146.13, higher by 0.63 point than the
previous quarter and also higher by 6.63
points compared to the same period last
year. Among the consumer items, food and
non-alcoholic beverages registered the
highest increase in CPI by 2.23 index points,
brought about by elevated prices of fruits
during the holiday season in December.
Transport and housing, water,
electricity, gas and other fuel commodities
registered decreased CPIs, which may be
attributed to the decline in the value of fuel in
the global market. The other items had zero
to less than one index point increase.
As a result of a slower rate of increase
in price indeces in the fourth quarter, the
year-on-year regional inflation rate declined
to 4.7 percent from 6 percent in the previous
quarter. Bicol regions purchasing power of
peso stood at an average of P0.68 in the
fourth quarter.

Indicator

4th Qtr
2014

3rd Qtr
2014

4th Qtr
2013

Ave. Consumer Price Index

Food and Non-Alcoholic

146.13
164.03

145.50
161.80

139.50
152.10

169.0

168.20

162.80

Clothing

123.33

123.00

121.20

Housing, Water, Elect.,

125.13

126.80

124.30

Gas and Other Fuels

Furnishings, HH Eqpt. &

132.47

131.90

127.90

Health
Transport

125.80
138.83

125.60
140.10

124.10
140.30

Communication
Recreation and Culture

94.00
110.40

94.00
110.20

93.80
109.10

Education

145.30

145.30

140.10

Restaurants and Misc.

137.50

137.00

132.70

6.03
0.69

4.50
0.70

Beverages
Alcoholic Beverages and
Tobacco

Routine Maintenance

Goods and Services

Ave. Inflation Rate (%)
Ave. Purchasing Power of
the Peso (in Pesos)

4.73
0.68

Source: PSA Region 5

March 2015

Bicol Development Updates

15

Labor and Employment

Total population 15 years old and above was
estimated at 3.92 million persons in October
2014, with 62.4 percent of which is estimated
to be in the labor force or those who are either
employed or unemployed.
Employment rate improved to 95.1 percent
from 93.5 percent in July, and from 93.8 in the
same period last year. The increasing number
of business process outsourcing companies
and public and private construction projects
being implemented regionwide contributed in
boosting employment opportunities in Bicol.
Conversely, unemployment rate decreased
from 6.5 percent in July to 4.9 percent in
October 2014. Compared to the same period
last year, unemployment rate was lower by 1.3
percentage points.
The regions underemployment rate or the
proportion of employed persons wanting more
hours of work to total employed persons
decreased from 37.7 percent in October 2013
and 31.2 percent in July 2014 to 30.4 percent
in October 2014. For the first time in many
years, Bicol was dislodged from first to third

Indicator

Jul 2014

Period
Oct 2014

Oct 2013

Population 15 years &

above (in thousands)

3,885

3,919

3.850

LF Participation Rate

62.0

62.4

64.3

Employment Rate

93.5

95.1

93.8

6.5

4.9

6.2

31.2

30.4

37.7

Unemployment Rate
Underemployment Rate

Source: PSA Region 5

place among the 17 regions in the country with the

highest underemployment rate. Regions 8 and 10
ranked first and second, respectively.
Though employment rate grew higher, still the
challenge is how to sustain the improvement in jobs
creation in the region since hiring rate is largely
driven by the seasonality factor. If the unemployment
rate continues to drop and the employment rate in
the first quarter 2015 remains, then real improvement
can be felt. But still, high underemployment rate of
the region remains a challenge to be addressed by
all sectors.

Agriculture and Fishery

Photo credit: ati.gov.ph

Palay and corn production exhibited positive

growths in October to December 2014
compared to same period last year. Higher
output was due to sufficient water supply and
use of improved seed varieties coupled with
increased application of fertilizer in most
provinces in the region. More plantings were
observed as rehabilitation seeds became
available from the local government units
(LGUs) and Department of Agriculture 5 (DA).
As to coconut farms, areas adversely
affected by typhoon Glenda have not fully
recovered. The increment in the production of
abaca was attributed to the increase in
harvesting and stripping due to good price and
higher demand for abaca in Catanduanes.
However, output of said crop in some provinces
in the region was affected by typhoon Glenda
and the occurrence of succeeding typhoons

during the last semester of the year. The reduced

production of major fruit crops such as banana,
calamansi, mango and pineapple were due to
decrease in bearing trees.
Total production of priority fruit crops including
papaya and lanzones recorded a downward trend.
Although provinces in Bicol Region were placed
under typhoon signal warning on December 4-7,
2014 due to typhoon Ruby, recorded crop damages
were only minimal. On the other hand, production of
major vegetables like mongo, peanut, tomato,
cabbage, camote and cassava registered negative
growths this quarter.
The stable increase in total production of priority
vegetables was due to improved production of
pechay, stringbeans, gourd, okra, squash fruit, and
pepper. Vegetable seeds dispersed by the DA
helped in stabilizing production of priority
vegetables.

16

Bicol Development Updates

March 2015

Agricultural Production Indicators

4th Q 2013

3rd Q 2014

4th Q
2014*

Palay

390,076.00

180,296.00

433,336.00

140.35

Corn

39,605.00

81,417.00

49,173.00

(39.60)

349,738.70

307,357.00

307,332.39

(0.01)

Abaca (dried raw fiber)

4,316.05

5,652.72

4,493.90

(20.50)

PiliNut

2,103.35

1,578.60

1,841.80

16.67

Carabao (live wt.)

1,899.00

1,751.00

1,901

8.57

Cattle (live wt.)

4,840.00

3,360.00

5,011

49.14

810.00

898.00

873

(2.78)

28,420.00

28,409.00

29,647

4.36

9,114.00

7,187.00

9,055

25.99

Commercial

18,629.43

16,556.13

18,194.56

9.90

Municipal

33,561.34

35,203.56

32,367.62

(8.06)

Aquaculture

15,234.17

19,901.49

15,409.47

(22.57)

Product

%
Change

I. Crops (MT)

Coconut (with husk)

II. Livestock (MT)

Goat (live wt.)

Swine (live wt.)
Chicken (live wt.)
III. Fisheries (MT)

Source: PSA Region 5

For the livestock and poultry

subsector, higher disposal rate of hog
was observed due to good price.
Chicken meat remained in demand
especially during the long holiday
season thus, many commercial poultry
raisers sold their stocks.
For the fisheries subsector, the
decrease in municipal and aquaculture
fishery production was attributed to
rough seas and frequent gale warnings
issued by PAGASA that prevented
fishing operations and unloading
activities especially in the provinces of
Camarines
Norte,
Catanduanes,
Masbate and Sorsogon. Meanwhile,
commercial
fishery
production
remained stable.
Growth in production and harvest
area for crops are expected in the first
quarter of 2015. Palay and corn
production for the period January to
March 2015 are expected to register
positive growths based on available
standing crops ready to be harvested
within the first quarter of the year. Some
permanent crops are expected to
continue to recover from its losses.

* - Preliminary Data

Tourism
The volume of passengers increased during
the months of November and December for the
celebration of Undas and the Christmas season.
The Department of Transportation and
Communication (DOTC) conducted Oplan Ligtas
Byahe: Undas 2014 and Oplan Ligtas Byahe.
Online advisories were issued by the Philippine
National Police, National Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Council, DOTC,
and other agencies to ensure safety.
Legazpi City, one of the main gateways of
the region, posted an increase in tourist arrival
during the fourth quarter. Preliminary data from
the Department of Tourism showed that
domestic and foreign tourist arrivals increased
by 17 and 13 percent, respectively. There were
suspensions in flights and ferry trips due to
tropical storm Ruby that hit the region in
December. The celebration of Catandungan
Festival in Catanduanes, Karangahan Festival in
Albay, and Kasanggayahan Festival in
Sorsogon attracted more domestic and foreign
tourists to these provinces.

The Bicol Regional Tourism Committee, a

special committee under the Regional Development
Council, conducted activities during the quarter to
promote the Albay-Masbate-Sorsogon and Triple C
tourism area development plans (ADPs).
A series of provincial consultations and site
validations were conducted. The programs, projects
and activities in the tourism ADPs include
enhancement of products and destinations,
improvement of access and connectivity, human
resource development and local governance, and
tourism promotion and marketing.
According to the DOTC, the Bicol International
Airport with total project cost amounting to P4.798
billion is already 44 percent completed.
Moreover, the New Naga Airport Development
project amounting to P4.53 billion was approved by
the Investment Coordination Committee during the
quarter. The development of these airports is
expected to boost tourist arrival in the region by
increasing the capacities of these airports to
accommodate more passengers.

March 2015

Bicol Development Updates

17

Investments
Data from the Securities and Exchange
Commission showed a decrease in paid-up capital
and contribution from stock corporations and
partnership firms registered in the region.
Total investments in the region for the quarter
were valued at P59 million, which represents a
decrease of 71 percent in the value of investments
from the 3rd quarter. The total registered
corporations and partnerships in the Bicol region
numbered 123 for this quarter broken down as
follows: 27 stock corporations; 90 non-stock
corporations; and six partnerships.
The decrease in the number of registered stock
corporations and partnerships resulted in the
decrease in the value of investments. The number
of partnership firms also decreased, but the value
of investments increased by 46 percent. Non-stock
firms increased in number. The value of
investments also increased from P5.8 million to
P13.3 million accounting for 56.2 percent.

Type of Firm

4th Q 2014

%
Change

32

27

-18.5

P94,485,000

44,504,000

-112.3

3rd Q 2014
Stock

No. of Firms
Paid-up capital

Non-Stock
No. of Firms

79

90

12.2

Contribution

P5,844,088

13,330,017

56.2

Partnership
No. of Firms

10

-66.7

Contribution

1,990,000

1,795,000

-10.9

121

123

1.6

P102,319,088

59,629,017

-71.6

Total number of
firms
Total value of
investments

Source: SEC Legazpi Extension Office

Mining
The estimated value of mineral production
(metallic and non-metallic) in the region totaled
P3.1 billion, with gold and silver production in
Masbate accounting for the most part.

the value of gold and silver production increased

by 20 percent and six percent, respectively.

The total value in mineral production

increased by 20.16 percent from the previous
quarter. The province of Masbate remains to be
the sole contributor in gold and silver production.

There was a significant decrease in the

production of non-metals. The province of
Camarines Sur produced 370 metric tons of perlite
in the last quarter. The production of cement
decreased by eight percent with 3.7 million bags
and an estimated value of P745 million.

Gold and silver production increased by 24

percent and 19 percent, respectively. Likewise,

Total value of non-metallic production

decreased to P1.9 million in the fourth quarter.

3rd Quarter
Quantity
Value in Pesos

4th Quarter
Quantity
Value in Pesos

TOTAL (Metallic & Non-Metallic)

2,484,163,273

3,111,568,048

METALLIC (kg)

2,476,142,773

3,109,667,648

Province

Mineral

Masbate

Gold

Masbate

Silver

Perlite
Shale Clay

Cam Sur
Albay

2,451,895,923

1,784

3,083,959,850

23.74

20.50

875

24,246,851

1,083

25,707,799

19.23

5.68

8,020,500

1,900,400

(322.04)

13,350

8,010,000

2,425

1,455,000

(450.52)

(450.52)

1,050

10,500

140

1,400

(650.00)

(650.00)

370

444,000

3,769,965

745,165,877

(8.15)

(6.56)

Perlite
Cement

20.37

1,360

NON-METALLIC (MT)
Albay

Percent Change
Quantity
Value in
Pesos
20.16

4,077,110

794,044,938

Source: MGB Region 5

18

Bicol Development Updates

March 2015

Highlights of 4th Quarter 2014 RPMC Report

Project Monitoring
The Regional Project Monitoring Committee
(RPMC) secretariat requests quarterly project status
reports from line agencies, state universities and
colleges, government owned and controlled
corporations and local government units. For the
fourth quarter of CY 2014, 21 entities out of 74
submitted their reports. This represents a 24
percent submission rate. From the submitted
reports, 33 percent are infrastructure projects, 29
percent are economic sector projects, 26 percent
are social sector projects, and 12 percent are
development administration sector projects.
The Regional Project Monitoring Team (RPMT)
inspected a total of 10 projects in Camarines Sur
and Sorsogon provinces for the fourth quarter.

The whole stretch of PNRs Quilbay bridge in Del Gallego,

Camarines Sur

Mr.Russel Pangkaliwangan of PNR Hondagua area office

orients the RPMT members

Retrofitting of PNR Pier No. 2 and Pier No. 3 of

Quilbay Bridge
The Quilbay railway bridge project is a
component of the PNR mainline south. It is located
in Del Gallego, Camarines Sur. The project involves
strengthening/retrofitting of the bridge through the
installation of metal sheet piles; excavation works
(around bridge substructure); reinforced concreting
of bridge substructure (wide flange) and
dewatering works.
The monitoring team observed the preparatory
concreting activities around the two piers. Metal
sheet piles were installed around the bridge
substructure and the H piles were used to support
the bridge superstructure. There was no signage
under the bridge superstructure indicating the
vertical clearance during low and high tide of
Quilbay river, posing danger to small vessels that
transport sand and agricultural products (e.g.,
bananas) from Bgy. Sta. Rita to Bgy. Sabang. The
project implementation is delayed due to
unfavourable weather condition and delays in the
provision of power supply in the area, the reason
given by the contractor why they cannot operate
their equipment. The local residents of Del Gallego
use skates to transport passengers locally. Mayor
Lydia Abarientos believed that when the train is fully
operational, it will provide a comfortable and
cheaper means of transport to her constituents.
The team recommended for the PNR Central
Office to instruct the contractor to expedite the
completion of the project. PNR-Hondagua area
office shall follow up request for transformers with
the Tagkawayan Electric Cooperative. The PNR

central office shall coordinate with PNR field office

on all aspects of project implementation and
provide them with the program of work to aid in
monitoring the timeliness of project completion.
The RPMT shall regularly monitor the status of the
project and to subject the PNR to problem solving
session, when necessary.
Sagrada Communal Irrigation System (CIS)
The Sagrada CIS in Iriga City, Camarines Sur
is a P2.7 million communal irrigation system
project. It involves two components, namely: the
construction of main canal with concrete hollow
blocks lining (3m x 606.6 m) and the institutional
development of the Sagmonrey-an Communal
Irrigation Association, Inc.
With the project, the service area increased
from 110 hectares to 141 hectares. Cropping
intensity increased from two to three and the yield
increased to an average of 80-120 (from 50-70)
cavans per hectare. The irrigation service fee
(ISF) of P1,125/ha./cropping that is being
collected is affordable, according to the
beneficiaries. However, about 5 to 10 percent of
members fail to pay their ISF.

March 2015

Bicol Development Updates

It was observed that portions of the canal at

Sagrada-Cristo Rey section need repair and
rehabilitation. The monitoring team recommended
for NIA Region 5 to allocate funds for its
rehabilitation to improve the irrigation services.
Another recommendation is to intensify collection
of ISF to lower delinquency ratio. This project is
being piloted for the development of outcome
indicators using the Managing for Development
Results (MfDR) framework.

19

Bacon Manito Road Project

The Bacon-Manito road section is the missing
link of two national secondary roads: (a) LegazpiPunta de Jesus Road (51.60 km) in Albay; and (b)
Junction Sorsogon-Bacon-Manito Road (12.93 km)
in Sorsogon.

Integrated Naga River Revitalization Project

It is one of the priority projects under the DOTDPWH Convergence Program on Enhancing
Tourism Access evaluated under the Tourism Road
Infrastructure Project Prioritization Criteria.

The project is a city-level initiative on climate

change adaptation which was identified by the
RDC as regional priority. The project components
are: (a) riverwalk; (b) flood management and
drainage; (c) sanitation and sewerage; (d) Isla
Sison redevelopment; and (e) river transport.

The benefits that will be derived from the project

include the reduced travel time of commuters,
improved mobility of goods and services between
the provinces of Albay and Sorsogon, and opening
of new tourism development sites along the road
influence area.

The project will strengthen the resilience of the

city in the face of climate change and improve its
disaster preparedness. Exposure to hazards will
be reduced and vulnerability of people and
properties will be lessened. The river transport
system provides an alternative means of
transportation to jeepneys and tricycles, thus
lowering carbon dioxide emission into the air. It
provides faster travel time compared to land travel
from Magsaysay to public market, from 15 minutes
to 5 minutes by boat.

The present means of transport of residents in

the three upland barangays of Bacon district (Osiao,
Sto.Nino, Gajo) is by boat. It takes 45 minutes to
travel to Bacon poblacion.

The monitoring team inspected only two subcomponents of the project, namely: the River
Transport, which include the purchase of boats
(P1.1 million) and construction of five wharves
(P18.9 million) and the construction/rehabilitation of
the Naga City flood control system (P200 million).
The five wharves constructed were: Magsaysay
Bridge Wharf Station; Colgante Bridge Wharf
Station; Panganiban Bridge Wharf Station; Naga
City Peoples Mall Wharf Station, and Sabang
Bridge Wharf Station.
The team observed that the easement is
occupied by informal settlers, thus making the civil
works difficult. Households and institutions located
near the riverbanks dump untreated wastes into
the river.
It was recommended that through this project,
the informal settlers be relocated by the city
government so as to provide them a decent shelter.
This will provide solution to encroachment along
river easement. The Naga City engineering office
should submit the completion report and fund
utilization on the river transport component to the
DBM and DILG.

The team observed about 14 kilometers of road

(Bacon side 8 kms. and Manito side 6 kms.) that
need to be opened.
The grade of earth road is too steep (about 18%)
and lack slope protection works at Barangay Osiao,
Bacon, Sorsogon (road opening). The projects
physical accomplishment is 25 percent which is
ahead of schedule.
The team recommended that DPWH should
reduce the road grade to at least 14 percent
(standard) and to provide slope protection works at
the road section at barangay Osiao, Bacon,
Sorsogon. DPWH shall also coordinate with LGU
concerned on this project and other projects
implemented in the area.

Ongoing concreting works (Manito side)

20

Bicol Development Updates

RPMES Training
The local project monitoring committees in
Masbate were oriented on the Regional Project
Monitoring and Evaluation System (RPMES) last
November 27, 2014. The training provided
information on monitoring and evaluation, reporting
processes, and the specific functions of the project
monitoring committees (PMCs) as contained in the
RPMES manual of operations. Actual field
monitoring of one project was conducted to
familiarize the participants on what to look for
during project visits.

Project Facilitation Session

The Regional Project Monitoring Committee
(RPMC) conducted a project facilitation session for
the Kinamaligan Resettlement Project in Masbate
City on November 18, 2014. The participants were
officials of the NHA, representatives from the
Masbate City government, and members of the
RPMC and RPMT. This was an offshoot of the field
inspection of the project on September 11, 2014.
The RPMT reported site development issues
such as: (1) very steep road grade in some areas in
the resettlement site which is not suitable for
building houses; (2) absence of slope protection
causing severe erosion; (3) revised site
development plan is still for approval by National
Housing Authority (NHA) central office; (4)
requirements in securing building permit not yet
complied; (5) substandard materials used; (6) the
spillway made of reinforced concrete pipe culvert
cannot accommodate huge amount of water during
heavy rains; and (7) no coordination between the
NHA Region 5 and the city government of Masbate.
The recommendations to address the above
issues were discussed. The status of actions taken
are: (1) the NHA Region 5 informed that the
preparation of a proposal for additional funding is
ongoing and the revised subdivision plan was
submitted to NHA Central Office for approval;

March 2015

(2) the Presidential Management Staff (PMS)

Region 5 reported that the matter was brought to
the attention of the PMS Central Office whereby it
was suggested that the Committee should come up
with the appropriate resolution to be forwarded to
the Office of the President.

RPMES Year- End Assessment and Planning

A year-end assessment and planning workshop
was conducted on December 19, 2014. The
participants were members of the RPMC and the
RPMT. The objective of the activity was to
strengthen the RPMES towards the continual
improvement of the implementation of development
programs, projects and activities in the region.
Lessons learned, challenges, facilitating and
hindering factors in the implementation of the
RPMES were drawn out to further improve
its operation.
Improvements in the implementation of the
RPMES instituted in 2014 include: (1) more
participation from LPMCs in project field monitoring
and reporting during RPMC meetings where
LPMCs present projects that require intervention
from the RPMC; (2) greater participation of RDCPSRs in project monitoring, as they were invited to
join project monitoring visits in their provinces.
To address issues and further improve RPMES
implementation, the following were recommended:
(1) conduct orientation workshops for LPMCs; (2)
push for the amendment of the RPMES Manual of
Operations; (3) more pro-active monitoring and
inclusion of more non-infra projects; (4) for the DBM
to reiterate to the implementers the need to report
on financial accomplishments; and (5) capacity
building of PSRs on the preparation of project
exception reports.
Other recommendations were: (1) conduct of
inspection;
roving
RPMC
meeting-cum-field
(2) piloting of monitoring for development results;
(3) enhancement of the project tracking system by
geotagging projects.

NEXT ISSUE
Second Quarter 2015
Theme: Health
Article contributions related to the theme may be
submitted to nedabicol@gmail.com or contact
Gieza R. Esparraguerra at (052) 482-0498.

Bicol Development Updates

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