Navy reservists ready for disaster response and mitigation

A total of 150 naval reservists successfully completed the five-day training program on disaster response and mitigation cum humanitarian mission, sponsored by the Philippine Navy - Naval Forces Southern Luzon (NAVFORSOL). The training program, dubbed as “Exercise Pagsasama ”, commenced Monday until Oct. 5, this year at the PN-NAVFORSOL headquarters in barangay Rawis, this city. Lt. Darwin Nieva, PN Southern Luzon spokesman, said the program educated and equipped college students on disaster emergency assistance and rescue training. Nieva said that as part of the program, last Sunday, some 699 residents of barangay Bigaa this city were provided free medical and dental services, while a total of 211 patients benefited from ophthalmology services and each received a pair of eyeglasses. The same contingents also conducted a humanitarian mission in barangay Arimbay, also in this city, offering free medical and dental services and medicines to the residents. Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal, lauded the Philippine Navy in initiating the program designed to train the youth in disaster response and rendering humanitarian works in times of disasters. Commodore Joel Babas, PN-NAVFORSOL commanding officer, said the training exercise would be a start of a regular program of the naval forces in educating the youth concerning the role of the youth in times of disaster. Babas said that aside from the training program, the participants who completed the training program will be recruited as a member of the Naval Network in Disaster Operation. Nieva, meanwhile, said the “Exercise Pagsasama ”, as part of its humanitarian mission repaired two barangay halls and a daycare center here and in the neighboring Daraga town. Repair and rehabilitation works were done at the Market site barangay hall and the Maroroy Daycare Center all in Daraga, and the Barangay Bigaa Multi Purpose Hall, in this city. Nieva said the repaired village facilities were turned over to the concerned local government unit at the program's closing ceremonies.(PNA, Oct. 8, 2009)

302 hectares of public lands in Sorsogon teeming with trees

At least 302 hectares of private lands in Sorsogon are planted with trees, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional office in Bicol based in this city. Some of the trees were planted as early as 1940, like the 39 narra and five dao trees in the 0.75 hectare-lot owned by Domingo Bayan in Barangay Pamurayan, Sorsogon City. Bayan is among the 159 landowners granted certificate of registration for private tree plantation in the province of Sorsogon from 1997 to 2008, records at the Forest Management Service of the DENR here show. The DENR, per Memorandum Circular No. 97-09, has been encouraging since 1997 all private tree plantation owners to have their plantations be documented. This program recognizes the contribution of the private landowners in wood and lumber production. A private tree plantation refers to a private land planted to tree crops primarily for wood production and commercial purposes. Documentation of private tree plantations is needed in order to: 1) determine tree plants established within private lands; 2) facilitate the documentation requirements of future harvests; 3) establish a system for the recognition of the participation of private landowners in the tree plantation development of the government. Meanwhile, DENR Regional Executive Director Joselin Marcus Fragada is inviting other landowners who have not yet registered their plantations to see the DENR Office near their locality. The registrants shall bring with them authenticated copies of land titles where tree plantations are established, Fragada said. Citing the benefits of the DENR private tree plantation registration program, Fragada said holders of certificate of registration are entitled to incentives under Republic Act No. 7161, exempting planted trees from forest charges; the Omnibus Investment Code pertaining to tree farmers, and relevant future laws that may be enacted. The planting and cutting of trees within private lands is in line with DENR Secretary Lito Atienza’s advocacy of “plant and harvest only.” This means that cutting of trees can only be allowed on areas planted a long time ago. In other words, one can only harvest or cut trees where one has planted. (PNA, Mar S. Arguelles Oct.0, 2009)

Re-green the Philippines

Bicolanos and the rest of the Filipinos should at all given opportunity plant trees and crops and make green every island across the Philippine Archipelago. RE-green the Philippines. Now na! No matter how many Typhoon Ondoy, Reming, Harurot, Sisang and other disastrous weather disturbances come planting is a must for every Pinoy — for food security and to battle global warming. Bicolanos can do it. Fortunately for the first semester of 2009, Bicol Region did not experience grave and harsh natural calamities. As revealed by the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics’ survey for the first six months of this year Bicol emerged the top palay producer in the country. More than 50 percent of Bicolandia is devoted to agriculture. Only 30 percent are forestland and the rest are residential and for commercial and industrial purposes. Not less than 1.2 million hectares of the total land area have been classified alienable and disposable. Bicol posted 17.3 percent growth rate in palay production during the period with Camarines Sur province having the most surplus rice harvest. Ilocos Region came next at 13.08 percent while Central Luzon, third at 9.23 percent. Ilocanos and the rest of the Filipino race can do it! Unfortunately, the onslaught of Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng ravaged the farmlands in the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon and Camarines Sur in Bicol Region. Bicolanos and fellow Filipinos are used to typhoons coming at a yearly average of 20 until 2003 and now reaches a maximum of 39 and its disastrous effects ever since. If typhoon intensity and its number on a yearly basis keep on increasing (huwag naman sana), Pinoys should not put a stop to planting and re-greening our environment. What Pinoys should put an end to, especially the influential ones – our beloved and respected government leaders, is graft and corruption. Propagate good governance. Uproot graft and corruption!

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