Originally known in the Spanish colonial times as “Volcan de ......Originally known in the Spanish colonial times as “Volcan de Agua” because of its abundant source of spring

RAFAEL RACSO V. V ITAN L a y o u t a n d G r a p h i c s D e s i g n E d i t o r

ARMIE GUNAY L a y o u t a n d D e s i g n A s s i s t a n t

ANSELMO B. MAÑOW e b s i t e A d m i n i s t r a t o r

FLORENCIO T. MONGOSO, JR. REUEL M. OLIVER

E d i t o r i a l C o n s u l t a n t s

This quarterly magazine is published by the

City Government of Naga, thru the City Publications Office

and the City Events, Protocol and Public Information

Office, with editorial office at City Hall Compound,

J. Miranda Avenue, Naga City 4400 Philippines

Tel: +63 54 881-8328+63 54 871-3098

Email: [email protected]: www.naga.gov.ph

JOSE V. COLLERASYLRANJELVIC C. V ILLAFLOR

REYNALDO T. BAYLONXERES RAMON GAGERO

P h o t o g r a p h e r s

IAN MAR P. NEBRES LEED r o n e P i l o t

ALLEN L. REONDANGAALEC FRANCIS A.SANTOSPAUL JOHN F. BARROSA

LILIBETH SANCHEZT e c h n i c a l A d v i s e r s

JOHN G. BONGATC i t y M a y o r

NELSON S. LEGACIONC i t y V i c e M a y o r

JOSE B. PEREZE d i t o r

JASON B. NEOLAM a n a g i n g E d i t o r

A Quarter ly Magaz ine of theCity Government of Naga

Bico l , Ph i l ipp ines

ISSN 2094-9383

Vol. 8, No. 1 | January - March 2017

ARMIE B. GUNAYSHARMAINE ZEN O. MANZANO

W r i t e r s

CHRISTOPHER E . ANTONIORUEL P. SANDUCO

C i r c u l a t i o n

PHOTO BY JOSE COLLERA

NOT A SLEEPING GIANT. Originally known in the Spanish colonial times as “Volcan de Agua” because of its abundant source of spring water that brings life to a wide swath of land below, Mt. Isarog (shown here at dusk with hues of gold and light) that straddles five towns and the City of Naga in Camarines Sur’s Third and Fourth Congressional Districts is rich in bio-diversity. Declared as a natural park by virtue of Republic Act 7586 dated June 1, 1992, this huge mound is about 2,000 meters above sea level and on a bright day displays four major types of natural habitat or vegetation – from farm grasslands and lowland forests to the wet and cool climate of a mountain forest.

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

The “Naga SMILES to the World”

logo is composed of the two

baybayin characters, na and ga.

Na, shaped like a mountain,

provides a strong foundation for the

Narra tree which grew abundantly

along the Naga River while a zigzag

line denotes the majestic Malabsay

Falls.

Ga, shaped like a farmer’s plow,

is symbolic of the Nagueño’s

agricultural roots and hardworking

personality.

The baybayin Naga characters

rest on a wave-like element which

represents the Naga River and the

serpent, which is read in Sanskrit

as naga.

This new branding for Naga,

launched in 2010 by the dynamic

Bongat administration, envisions a

more livable city that is world-class.

The “An Maogmang Lugar” logo is

an attempt to capture Naga as we

want it to be – a city that is progressive

and yet environment-friendly, where

the people freely participate in the

day-to-day affairs of the government,

and where culture and arts are

flourishing.

The stylized design of “NAGA”

represents the city’s aggressive

march towards modernization and

progress. The sky-blue background,

the Narra tree, and the Naga River

represent our people’s desire for an

ecologically-balanced community.

The ring of people surrounding the

entire design shows the Nagueños’

participatory mechanism which is

part and parcel of the city’s way

of doing things. It also shows the

people’s concern and unity in

everything that is good for the city.

Today, the city, as Maogmang Lugar,

aims to portray more than a happy

place but a happy people who are the

true beneficiaries of everything good

that is happening in the city.

JANUARY - MARCH 2017 21 JANUARY - MARCH 2017

28 Czech firm invests in Bicol

29 Avenue Hotel is Travelers’ Choice awardee once more

32 Tagbo

33 CamSur biz chamber partners with city hall to make Naga bicycle friendly

36 Palma is new MNWD Chairman of the Board

37 City Councilor Vidal P. Castillo:

Helping to keep Naga’s brand as ‘Maogmang Lugar’

41 Naga hosts street football festival

45 Naga City football initiative continues to bear fruit

SP HIGHLIGHTS

47 SP’s first six months

50 San Isidro Sanitary Landfill

3 Mayor’s Message

5 31ST EDSA PEOPLE POWER:

A Continued Call for Faith and Devotion in Freedom and

Democracy

7 JOMAPA

10 Naga River Day

12 Feast of Nazareno

14 Chinoy Festival

16 Lights Off

18 Women’s Week

19 Le Tour de Filipinas passes by Naga

21 SARIG Naga: Going Beyond Food Security

25 Bicol Central Station

Happy New Year to all!

IN this year 2017, buoyed by our fast

recovery after a typhoon and inspired

by the resiliency of our people, I am confident

that Naga City will continue to ride the wave

of greater potentials and unwavering sense of

optimism.

Typhoons and other natural disturbances

are not an unusual occurrence in the Bicol

Region, but Naga never falters to move on,

march forward and gain more triumphs while

paving the road to fast recovery.

For us Nagueños, and the Bicolanos in

general, resiliency has become a powerful

word, especially in these times that global

warming continues to spew more destructive

typhoons. We are exposed to at least 10 strong

typhoons every year, its increasing intensity

being matched by the core of our resilient

character.

And while the typhoon moves away and

briefly forgets us, we get up, take the shovel,

and keep our economy going, strengthening

even more our platforms of good governance,

inclusive growth and better services to our

people.

It is therefore heartening to note that

despite the disaster that hit us, we are all back

on our feet with even higher resolve to meet

our targets as the new year comes.

As early as the first days of January

2017, our Business One Stop Shop (BOSS) has

predicted to collect more than P500 Million

to be able to hit the city government’s 2017

budget of over P1 Billion – the biggest and the

first for a Bicol city to breach the P1 Billion

mark that puts us in the elite list of Billionaire

Cities in the country.

It should be recalled that days before

Christmas day that Typhoon Nina buffeted

Bicol, our Sangguniang Panlungsod had

WAVE OF RESILIENCY AND OPTIMISM

M a y o r ' s M e s s a g e

approved the city’s 2017 annual budget in

the amount of P1,11,041,446.30, the city’s

biggest, unsurpassed by any city in Bicol. Our

previous year’s budget was over P900 Million,

still the biggest that a Bicol LGU ever had

during that same previous fiscal year.

Being the country’s Most Competitive

Component City for two consecutive years

2015 and 2016, its more than P1 Billion

budget this year “is definitely on track towards

building a world-class, self-reliant and caring

city,” as Vice Mayor Nelson S. Legacion, the

Sanggunian’s presiding officer, has declared

upon his colleagues’ overwhelming approval

of the new budget.

What is remarkable about the city’s

budget is that the bulk of the funds will

be coming from local taxes, from incomes

generated by economic enterprises, non-

tax revenues, and past year’s surplus due to

City Hall’s prudent fiscal management. All

these make Naga as one of the few cities

in the country that is less

dependent on the national

government’s Internal

Revenue Allotment

(IRA), which in itself is

Naga City’s invaluable

contribution to nation-

building and

development.

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JANUARY - MARCH 2017 4

DRONE SHOT BY IAN MAR NEBRES LEE

EARLY morning of February 25, 2017, students, teachers, civic groups and barangay and city officials crowded the freedom monument along P. Burgos St. to take part in the commemoration of the 31st

anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.Offering flowers at the foot of the monument, the

group came in unity to pray for the gift of freedom, sense of patriotism, truth, justice and peace that are meant to be renewed and remain in the hearts of the Filipino people.

Singing “Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo”, Mayor John Bongat, together with Vice Mayor Nelson Legacion and some members of the academe, led the release of the doves symbolizing the living democracy in the country.

In his message particularly to the youth, Mayor John Bongat encouraged the young generation to stay brave and vigilant, let their voices be heard and protect their regained rights and freedom from being trampled upon by oppression and injustice.

31ST EDSA PEOPLE POWER:

A CONTINUED CALL FOR FAITH IN

AND DEVOTION TO FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY

RAYER OFFERINGS:

For the Gift of Freedom (Mayor John Bongat)

Eternal God, stir in our minds and inspire our hearts with a high sense of patriotism especially on this EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary Commemoration. May all that this day symbolizes renew our faith in freedom, our devotion to democracy and redouble our efforts to keep a government of the people, by the people and for the people truly alive in

our country.

For our Nation’s Leaders (Elementary Student)

Send Your spirit to touch the hearts of our nation’s leaders. May they always remain steadfast in protecting our nation against those attempting to revise our history, tweak the facts and disrespect the truth. Open their minds to the great worth of human life and the responsibilities that accompany human freedom. Remind our people that true happiness is rooted in

seeking and doing Your will.

For the Victims of Injustice (Vice Mayor Nelson Legacion)

Almighty Father, bless the victims of injustice especially those who suffered during the Martial Rule; those who were killed and disappeared, the innocents who languished in prisons, those who were deprived because of the unjust system of the Dictatorship, the human rights victims. May your Divine Glory comfort

their souls with your everlasting peace.

For Filipino Nation (Women Sector)

Grant that we may highly resolve on this great day to dedicate ourselves anew to the task of ushering in an era when good will shall live in the hearts of a free people, justice shall be the light to guide their feet, and peace shall be the goal of humankind: to the glory of Your Holy Name and the good of our nation and of

all mankind.

By ARMIE B. GUNAY


PHOTOS BYJOSE COLLERA

STUDENTS and teachers, along with the City Government of Naga, the Department of Education - Naga City Division, and the unified troops, commemorated

the 154th Birth Anniversary of Jose Ma. Panganiban with a wreath-laying ceremony last February 1, 2017 at the JOMAPA Monument, Naga Central School I.

According to William Gando, Naga City Division Superintendent, “integrating the life, works and achievements of Jose Ma. Panganiban in our lessons in the classroom will help our students realize the essence of education and studying.”

By SHARMAINE ZEN MANZANO

A MAN OF HEROISM AT YOUNG AGE IN CELEBRATION OF 154TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF

JOSE MA. PANGANIBAN

He noted that the great Bicolano hero “graduated at the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary with grades of Sobresaliente (Excellent), the highest ever given to students in those times,” that underscores the young Panganiban’s exemplary brilliance as a brown-skinned Filipino student.

He also recounted that Jomapa, although he died young, made an impact on the Filipino people during his lifetime. He said that “at a very young age of 27, he [Panganiban] learned English, French and German languages.”

Mayor John Bongat recalled how Jomapa was loved and honored by Nagueños, his fellow Bicolanos. “We built landmarks in honor of Jomapa. Aside from this monument in front of us, Panganiban Drive, one of the city’s major roads, was also named after him.”

“His greatest accomplishment is his advocacy in fighting for

educational reforms; a reform to achieve fairness and equality, that education should be universal, and accessible to all,” the mayor added. “Jomapa strongly advocated for fairness and equal opportunities for children because during the Spanish period, only those of Spanish descent were traditionally considered for academic learning over the so-called indios.”

“It was also because of him, that regardless of poverty, he was able to influence today’s children. That with diligence, one can become an excellent student because there is a direct correlation between good performance in school and success in career,” the mayor concluded.

Ian Christopher Alfonso, History Researcher II at the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and author of the newly launched book about Jose Ma. Panganiban: Bansay Bikolnon Biography Series, graced the event as resource speaker.

He spoke of how the city

exerted efforts in recognizing the Bicolano heroes, especially Jose Ma. Panganiban, as part of educating the students. “Quality education in the Bicol Region, is strongly implemented by the government, state universities, and teachers. Prestigious universities, academies and schools here in Naga City are more than enough to provide our students quality education, creating Bicolano personalities to be recognized all over the country.”

Alfonso said that in terms of academic performance, “Jomapa achieved excellence that was seldom given to students during that time. Despite his brilliance, he chose to live in poverty and suffering along with the other heroes such as Graciano Lopez Jaena and Marcelo Del Pilar. They

JOMAPA

PHOTOS BYSYLRANJELVIC VILLAFLOR

A DAY FOR NATURAL

WATERWAYSPRESERVATION


AS part of the city’s commitment to preserve and revitalize its natural waterways, the City Government of Naga

through the City Environment and Natural Resources (ENRO) once more spearheaded the annual celebration of the Naga River Day last March 11, 2017 at Eurotel Centro Naga.

The City ENRO has been promoting environmental conservation through tree planting activities, in cooperation with various public and private organizations and the academe, clean air advocacy by encouraging the use of bicycles as a means of transportation, and the promotion, protection and rehabilitation programs of the natural resources within the city.

Activities such as Bokashi Balls Dispersal, Tilapia Fingerlings Dispersal, Free Boat Ride, Inter-High School Poster and Slogan Making Contest, and River Day Program highlighted the celebration.

City ENRO Chief Oscar Orozco, in an interview said, “this is in accordance with the city ordinance marking Naga River Day to serve as a reminder to stakeholders to help preserve and take good care of the Naga River. Our ultimate goal is to remind everyone that this river is the life of the city,

and we have to take good care of it to upgrade the quality of our waterways.”

“Our remediation projects such as production and dispersal of Bokashi Balls embedded with effective bacteria-consuming organic matters are being pursued to clean water canals, septic tanks and reduce the unnecessary smell coming from polluted bodies of water,” Orozco explained even as he added that “the city government, through our office, coordinated with

Because we need our children to know the truth and discern lies from social media. How can a teacher, not just in history but also in mathematics and other subjects, teach children what is right and wrong when we forcibly remove history from our lives?” Alfonso asked to explain his point.

The resource speaker emphasized that students should learn about heroism at young age; that a young boy or a girl can also be a Rizal or a Panganiban in his or her own way. That excellence is not measured by awards and achievements but how one serves and loves his/her country. That being a good Filipino is equivalent to being a hero.

Jose Ma. Panganiban, widely known as JOMAPA, was a young Bicolano propagandist and writer. He was a native of the town of Mambulao, now named Jose Panganiban (pursuant to Act No. 4155), in Camarines Norte, which was then part of Ambos Camarines, or a single province for both the north and south Camarines. He studied in Naga City, then known as Nueva Caceres, the capital. He went to study further in Spain and campaigned for reform in the

Philippines, including political and educational reforms in the islands, along with fellow propagandists Dr. Jose Rizal and Marcelo H. Del Pilar. His patriotism and quest for knowledge gave birth to inspired generations until his death in 1890 when tuberculosis, an incurable disease during those times, attacked his frail body.

NAGA RIVER DAY

2017:

all lived to fight for our dear Philippines. How we wish that even in just a monument like this, we remember them by making a connection to our heroes, to our history.”

Alfonso further pointed out how history plays an important role in the present generation. “We should teach our children about history, its value, essence, and worth.”

“Why should we invite a speaker to talk about our heroes? Why should the government name our roads and buildings after our heroes? Why should we remember them? Because there are some things in history that are worth remembering and worth learning for.”

“Why should we teach them to our children? Because we want them to know the events and mistakes that happened before so that it will never happen again.


PHOTO BYSYLRANJELVIC VILLAFLOR

DRONE SHOT BY

IAN M

AR NEBRES LEE


the least economically resilient communities to help us produce Bokashi balls as their alternative livelihood.”

The synchronized Bokashi Balls dispersal was conducted along the span of the Naga River from Naga City People’s Mall to Dinaga Barangay Hall. It was participated in by the Youth of Environment in School Organization (Yes-O), and more than a thousand high school students from city’s public schools.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

“The Tilapia Fingerlings Dispersal is done every year during the River Day Celebration and/or Environment Month. We dispersed 30,000 Tilapia fingerlings and we will request 25,000 more of these fingerlings to continuously multiply the number of fish habituating in our river. As of now, our river ’s water quality is safe and we are targeting an upgrade five years from now.”

The fingerling dispersal was spearheaded by the Defenders of Naga River. A free boat ride, on the

other hand, was provided by the Arts, Culture and Tourism Office

(ACTO) to selected high school students. Another highlight of the celebration was the inter-high school poster and slogan making contest, actively participated in by talented students from public schools. A wall signing of commitment was also conducted as a show of support to Naga River Industry Association Partners and Salvar Salog Guardians.

Mayor John Bongat, in an interview, emphasized the significance of Naga River as part of the historical Fluvial procession being observed every September for the annual Peñafrancia Fiesta, “Naga River ’s water quality is classified now as Class C which means that the water is safe enough for marine organisms. These activities, such as the boat rides and bokashi balls dispersal, are aimed to involve the youth in the city’s programs to help us keep Naga River safe and clean.”

The Naga River Watershed-Water Quality Management Area 10-year Action Plan was also presented during the celebration, along with the proposed activities of the Naga River Industry Association and

its future programs, and the City ENRO Adopt A Guardian Program.

There was also the oath taking of officers and members

of the newly-created Salvar Salog Guardians from

the city’s so-called eleven riverine

barangays.

CARLOS CAMBE JR. of Hijos de Nazareno Association gestures in front of the image of the Black Nazarene as it is being lifted to a carriage before the start of the penitential procession.

“NAGUEÑOS’ FAITH IS EDIFYING, ENCOURAGING”

– FR. SUAREZ

FEAST OF THE BLACK NAZARENE

DUE to heavy downpour brought by the northeast monsoon, the number of devotees who joined the penitential procession

has dwindled this year by almost a quarter compared to the number of devotees that participated last year. The penitential procession on January 9 was the highlight of the religious feast day of the Black Nazarene.

The heavy rains began in the early morning until nightfall. But what turned out to be impressive among the multitude that joined the procession was the incessant recitation of the Holy Rosary with much ardor.

In the end, the pouring rain did nothing to dampen the burning faith of the devotees who were dripping wet during the procession. The whiffs of cold wind brought solace to everyone until the trek that lasted for more than an hour had finally reached the Holy Cross Parish church in Barangay Tabuco where it started.

“This is a blessing!” says Bro. Ben Beguia while walking barefoot with his fellow members of Hijos de Nazareno Association unmindful of

MAYOR JOHN G. BONGAT along with the throng of parishioners receives the blessed host from Most Rev. Rolando Tirona, Archbishop of Caceres, during the Liturgy of the Eucharist conducted on the feast day at the Holy Cross Parish church in Barangay Tabuco, Naga City.

the downpour that persisted until the end of the procession.

Their group, the Hijos de Nazareno, collaborated with the church to organize the various activities to celebrate the 28th anniversary of the feast of the Black Nazarene.

Ernesto T. Elcamel, chief of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, placed the number of participating devotees in the procession at 13,000. Last year, the crowd was definitely bigger with around 50,000 devotees joining the procession, based on the estimate of the local television station ABS-CBN Bicol.

“In the 2016 procession of the JANUARY - MARCH 2017 1211 JANUARY - MARCH 2017

By JASON B. NEOLA

Photos by R

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THE YEAR OF THEFIRE ROOSTER!

THE city welcomed the Chinese New Year with a crow!

The City Government of Naga, Filipino-Chinese

Community and St. Joseph School spearheaded the Chinese New Year countdown at 6:00 p.m. last January 28, at downtown’s Plaza Quezon.

The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, falls between January 21 and February 20 in the Gregorian Calendar. The Spring Festival is a national holiday in China for more than 4000 years now and is


also simulatenously observed in cities, countries and territories where there are Chinese communities, such as here in the Philippines.

Traditional practices and customs, such as decorating lanterns in red and gold, wearing lucky charms, lighting firecrackers, and performing the distinct lion and dragon dances signify the most prominent and celebrated festival in the world.

Black Nazarene, we can see the long line of devotees from the streets of San Francisco church to the Holy Cross Parish church in Barangay Tabuco before the procession even started,” says Beguia.

Rev. Fr. Fernando Suarez, a well-known healing priest from the Missionaries of Mary Mother of the Poor, was impressed by the Nagueños’ manifestation of their faith.

“In these days, fiestas in other places, especially in foreign countries are celebrated not by way of healing masses and processions but by way of parades, they are now more of palabas sa mga kalye. But here in Naga, I personally witness the way the feast is celebrated which is very edifying and encouraging. I have seen not only the Nagueños’ deep faith but also ang pagiging matindi ng kanilang paniniwala. I am happy to learn that such kind of faith still exists in this part of the world na dahan dahan kinakain na ng abusadong paggamit ng social media, mga palabas, pakulo, mga variety shows; but here [in Naga], very intact talaga ang faith n’yo,” exclaimed the 50-year old priest who was born in Taal, Batangas.

Traditionally, the feast is being ushered in by a Holy Mass that starts from December 31, 2016 to January 9, 2017. The daily masses are conducted after the novena in honor of Poong Nazareno.

The preparation and conduct of the annual celebration of the feast of the Black Nazarene are being spearheaded by

the Hijos the Nazareno Association with Beguia as president. They work under the guidance and supervision of the Archdiocese of Caceres with Most Reverend Rolando Tirona, Archbishop of Caceres, and the Holy Cross Parish with Rev. Fr. Felix S. Abaño, Jr. as parish priest.

Suarez, a Filipino Catholic priest who performs faith healing in the Philippines and

all over the world, made his remarks on the Nagueños' faith when he led the January 8, 2017 concelebrated mass that was attended by a mammoth crowd of devotees and pilgrims. He blessed the parishioners and conducted healing session during the mass.

On January 9, this year, which is the feast day, the

concelebrated mass was led by Most Rev. Tirona.

A tennis buddy of Abaño, Suarez said that the faith of Nagueños is getting stronger and their sense of devotion is admirable. “It is a gift from God. All races, tribes and natives have that kind of gift. Perhaps, it is the best gift that God has given to the people here in this place,” he said.

The priest has visited Naga twice; the first was last year during the same occasion when he healed a number of people including cancer patients and a blind who had regained his vision.

“Kaya sige lang po tayo. Let’s get going. We should move forward dahil bawat unos ay may karugtong na bukas. Dahil sa ipinakita n’yong pananampalataya sa Panginoon, sa Mahal na Ina, ang bawat unos ay hindi dahilan ng pagbagsak o panghihina natin kundi senyales ng brighter future and a bigger tomorrow, Suarez said.

In Naga City, Chinese New Year is celebrated annually with traditional lion and dragon dances inside business establishments, made even more colorful by Chinese cultural dance presentations by St. Joseph School students. Malls, stores and offices are also filled with Chinese New Year icons and decorations. They also observe cleaning the house/buildings thoroughly to sweep bad luck away.

On the eve of the Chinese New Year celebration, a solemn Eucharistic Mass and Veneration of Ancestors, a sign of paying respect to the family’s

CHINOY FESTIVAL 2017

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JANUARY - MARCH 2017 1413 JANUARY - MARCH 2017 PHOTO BY JOSE COLLERA


ancestors and deities were held at the chapel of St. Joseph School, a Chinese-oriented Catholic school in the city. It was followed by a Lion and Dragon Dance and other colorful cultural presentations performed by the students at the school quadrangle. The students soon brought their Lion and Dragon Dance performances at Avenue Square and SM City Naga for the public to see and enjoy.

The celebration spilled over with a lively parade and a cultural program at Plaza Quezon where more people witnessed and joined the celebration. There were more than 20 performances depicting the rich Chinese culture and way of life. At countdown, bursts of fireworks brightened the night sky, highlighting a joyful event that is being celebrated in every corner of the world.

One of the other interesting parts of the Chinese New Year was the overwhelming support extended by the parents, teachers and the City Government of Naga to the student performers who displayed their utmost best

to make the celebration more festive, colorful and meaningful. The true celebration of New Year is not just about listening to the sound of gongs and drums that ward off bad spirits and attracting good luck but more so about listening to the hearts of every person who is ready to face the challenges of the coming year and having loved ones by their side, which is always more valuable than just being prosperous and lucky.

ALONG with other people in more than 162 countries around the world, Naga City took part in the Global Earth Hour celebration last

March 25, 2017, at exactly 8:30 p.m. in SM City Naga to drive home the point on energy conservation and of sustaining a safer planet.

The celebration was conducted through the efforts of the City Environment and Natural Resources and the Naga City Earth Hour 2017 Executive Committee chaired by First Lady Farah R. Bongat and other sponsoring partners, agencies and organizations.

It started with a showcase of the city’s various environmental programs through visual arts display and exhibits at the SM City Naga Activity Center for people to be aware of the pro-environment efforts being organized and pursued by various public and private organizations.

The 4th Earth Hour Zumba Party added energy and color as Zumba dancers, mostly young people and fitness enthusiasts, wore neon outfits as they danced the beat led by Zumba Instructor Mabel G. Belano. The party reververated throughout the whole Plaza Quezon and SM City Naga open grounds.

“We created Bokashi balls, participated in clean-up drives and tree planting activities, and the more we do it, the more we get inspired to influence others to save energy because some of our resources are

AN HOUR DEDICATED

TO MOTHER EARTH

LIGHTS OFF:

By SHARMAINEZEN MANZANO


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PHOTOS BY

JOSE COLLERA,

SYLRANJELVIC VILLAFLOR &

REYNALDO BAYLON

NCCW, BARANGAYS, PARTNER ENTITIES

CELEBRATE WOMEN’S

WEEK

THIS year’s celebration of the Women’s Week was held sans the usual frills and fanfare but nonetheless gained so much

significance as the Naga City Council for Women (NCCW) pushed for activities that will help raise the level of awareness of its members in various fields like health care, disaster preparedness and household waste management, including approaches and interventions that are necessary to protect women’s rights.

The 5-day event took off last March 13 this year with the celebration of the Holy Mass. It was followed by a ribbon cutting for the opening of the trade fair at the City Hall compound. At the fair, barangay-based women micro-entrepreneurs and beneficiaries of the city government’s GrOW Negosyo program displayed and sold their products.

Mayor John G. Bongat, NCCW chair, and City Councilor Cecilia V. De Asis, his co-chair, organized and spearheaded the conduct of 8 major activities along with NCCW members and advocacy partners from the city’s 27 barangay councils, health

17 OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2016 OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2016 18

entities, farmers, city hall department heads/chiefs of offices and personnel from national government agencies.

Anchored on the theme “We Make Change Work for Women,” the 2017 Women’s Week, the city’s counterpart event of the National Women’s Month celebration, was highlighted by Gender and Urban Waste Management Forum, the discussion and open forum on Gender Issues in Disaster, Buntis Congress (health care/check-up of pregnant women), Urban Gardening and Mushroom Production.

Other events included BCS Supports Breastfeeding in Transit, Induction of LLK officers and Bantay Familia Volunteers, Signing of the memorandum of agreement of Bantay Familia Partners (Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Ateneo de Naga University, and Brigada News FM), and the awarding of the Most Gender Responsive Public Secondary School and Best Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) desk.

The celebration was capped by the awarding of Barangay Sta. Cruz as the Best VAWC Barangay for 2017 followed by Barangay Pacol as 2nd Placer and Barangay Carolina, 3rd Placer.

The search for the Most Gender Responsive Public Secondary School has named the Camarines Sur National High School as 1st Placer with a score of 93.8% followed by Carolina National High School as 2nd Placer with a score of 88.3% and Cararayan National High School as 3rd Placer with a score of 87.6%.

together for the Earth Hour to signify unified action for a cleaner and safer world by fighting the cause and ill effects of climate change.

According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration or NASA, ninety-seven percent of climate scientists agree that climate-warming trends over the past century are due to human activities. Climate change has brought tremendous impact on the planet, such as the rise of sea level and global temperature, decrease in extent and thickness of Arctic glaciers and ice sheets, and intensified natural disasters in various parts of the world.

One of the world’s solutions in combatting climate change is through mitigation approach; reducing the sources of emission of greenhouse gases such as burning of fossil fuels and carbon dioxide for electricity, heat and transport. The City Government of Naga, along with more than 7000 cities in the world, acknowledged their commitment to help save the planet through the Earth Hour.

A Nightcade Activity participated in by more than 300 e-bikes, e-trikes and night bikers passed along business establishments in CBD I and II to encourage everyone to underscore

irreplaceable,” a pro-environment advocate disclosed.

An Advocacy Walk was led and participated in by the city officials, sponsoring agencies, students, and different environmental organizations from Plaza Quezon to SM City Naga.

When asked about how the city government campaigned for Earth Hour, Mayor John Bongat said, “we sent communication letters to business establishments to switch off their appliances and lights at 8:30 p.m. today to participate in the Earth Hour. At least for one hour, we are teaching them that we can make it a habit to save energy.”

The Pre-Earth Hour Activity was highlighted with the presentation and viewing of 5 short movie contest entries documenting last year ’s celebration of the Earth Hour, as well as SM Cares, SM and Global Earth Hour Video before proceeding to the most awaited event, the ceremonial switch-off.

An assembly of VIP guests, SM representatives, students and environmentalists formed the “60” formation, with only the highlighted front of android phones of the participants switched on. More than two thousand people took part in the symbolic event. They held hands

their support to Earth Hour.“We usually start the activity at

5:30 p.m. but this year, we created this as a whole day activity because we added new activities, such as the first ever inter-school movie clip contest,” ENRO’s Coordinator, CJ Zantua revealed. He added, “in this event, we would like to encourage everyone not just about energy conservation but also about saving water, especially this coming summer.”

The Earth Hour ended with participants joining the wall signing as a pledge to continue saving the planet with their own simple ways. Some of them even left encouraging notes along with their affixed name and signature, like Mayor Bongat’s, “Earth hour is every hour!”

The celebration, although it happens every year simultaneously with the rest of the world, creates an impact of motivation that the effects of climate change can be minimized if every people in all walks of life, rich or poor, young or old, will start making the world a better place with eco-friendly lifestyle.

PHOTO BYREYNALDO BAYLON


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SEVENTY-FIVE professional cyclists of different nationalities composing 15 teams pedaled their way through Naga City early morning of February 20 from Legazpi City and hit Lucena City the next day as part of the 8th edition of the Le Tour de Filipinas.

The northward road challenge consisted of four parts with the first stage starting from Legazpi City to Sorsogon City, while the second stage ran from Sorsogon to Naga City. From Naga City, the tour proceeded to Daet, Camarines Norte and ended up in Lucena City for the fourth and final stage.

Started in 1955, the race is being conducted as part of the UCI Asia Tour that aims to promote tourism along the race’s route which spanned the Bicol and Southern Tagalog regions.

By ARMIE B. GUNAY

LE TOUR DE FILIPINAS PASSES BY NAGA

19 JANUARY - MARCH 2017

CYCLISTS of the 8th edition of the Le Tour de Filipinas hittng the roads of Naga City, early morning of February 20 as part of the race route.PHOTOS BY

XERES RAMON GAGERO

PHOTOS BYJOSE COLLERA

GOING BEYOND FOOD SECURITY

IN global context, agriculture as the source of human food, animal feed, fiber and fuel plays a key role in efforts to achieve global sustainable development.

It is a major occupational sector in developing countries, with the poorest countries being those with predominantly agricultural economies and societies.

In promoting agricultural development, Local Government Units (LGUs) participate in different agricultural projects that provide credit to farmers. Under the Local Government Code in 1991, LGUs are empowered to implement its own agriculture-oriented programs.

Unknown to many, Naga City is still considered agricultural, with almost 50 percent of its total land area devoted to agricultural production. Out of the 27 barangays, 10 are into agricultural production. Sustainable Agriculture for Rural Income Growth or simply SARIG is one of the key programs in helping uplift the lives of our city’s farmers. In 1995, started as Direct Input Assistance Project, it had similar mechanism and policy. The name was then changed to SARIG in 2010 with Mr. Francisco M. Mendoza as its main proponent, then the OIC of the City Agriculture Office. The goals of the City Agriculture Office are the following: 1) Farmers earning Php 10,000.00 gross income per month per household per hectare; 2) Reverse land conversion; 3) Produce healthful food thru organic farming; 4) Promote appropriate technology on crop diversification to maximize the utilization of land area; and 5) Conduct training to farm family members with skills capability building on small scale entrepreneurs to increase farm incomes and profitability.

In attaining these goals, the City Agriculture Office follows and executes several strategies. To increase farmers’ production level

or simply farm yield, SARIG adopts high yielding varieties (HYV’s), employ fertilizers and pesticides at the right time and application rate, and focus on irrigated areas by input financing for all areas. Secondly, the program seeks to reduce production cost by employing appropriate cost reduction technologies such as soil analysis to determine actual nutrient requirement, mixed use of organic and synthetic fertilizers, use of seed inoculants to increase fertilizer absorption and thus lower requires fertilizer application and reduced seeding rate. Another strategy which can further contribute to higher crop yield is to reduce post harvest losses by promoting proper post harvest handling to turn this wastage to added income. Considering the market aspect of agricultural produce, it is important to have the highest obtainable price for a commodity by scanning the market at the time of harvest for the best effective price (i.e. price net of cost of compliance with moisture content, cost of handling, drying, etc.) providing farmers with such information in advance so that they can make the best choice possible. Lastly,

there is a strong need to reduce risks and one way of addressing this is to insure all farms under SARIG with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation.

SARIG works with profit formula as its framework, according to Mr. Mendoza, considering income as a function of sales which is simply price times quantity (P X Q). Profit is maximized when there is increased production that fetch a high market price and reduced production cost [(P X Q) - C]. This framework is supported

by other interventions such as reduction of post harvest losses, financing, insurance, marketing support, etc.)

SARIG framework, seeks to improve the lives of farmers and transform rural barangays into vibrant communities thru profitable agriculture. Farming households with higher purchasing power in turn will be a fertile market for Urban Naga’s trade and services sector. The complementation is necessary for real inclusive growth. Debt-free and economically empowered farmers

By ERNESTO E. ASENCE III Agricul tural Technologist

SARIG NAGA:


MRS. LOLIT MARTINEZ HARVESTING naturally-grown lettuce.

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PHOTO BY ERNESTO ASENCE III

of feeds and other inputs.Another project is the Payday

Agrifair, implemented last December 2013, the project is aimed at further supporting SARIG Program’s main goal of increasing farmers’ net income and as an immediate response to farmers’ marketing problems, this program somehow eases inflationary effects to consumers. The current scheme provides a free venue with the necessary facilities and by selling the produce at a much cheaper price. The price is

much cheaper since farmers will not have additional expenses except for transporting their produce from the farm to the venue. The schedule for such activity will be during paydays to promote spending among employees with the benefit of enjoying consumer gains given the cheaper price of the produce.

Lastly, for the 17 urban barangays, the City Agriculture Office continues to implement Urban Container Gardening, this is aimed at producing nutritious foods which are readily available among households even in times of disasters or abnormal time and provide poor families opportunity to increase household income through marketing of surplus vegetables and/or fruits. Mabuhay ang paraoma!

For seminars and workshops on urban gardening email us at [email protected] or [email protected]. Also, like us on Facebook just look for ”Cago Naga”.

should be what local agriculture should strive for, not, food security.

SARIG program was initiated by the City Government under CAgO to increase the net income of farmers in Naga City. The program believes that it is not food security but high net income that will increase the level of living of farmers. The City Government of Naga is financing the said project and CAgO is looking into the operation of the existing project. Farmers will be entitled for a loan and understandably they should have a farmland to begin the project.

Under this program, the farmers avail of loans in kind or in the form of agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. The project covers rice, corn, vegetable, and cutflower farmers.

The City Agriculture Office charges an interest rate of one percent per month from the farmer-beneficiaries. Considering the potential impact of the project on farmers’ productivity and income, it was deemed important to know how effective the project is and whether the project has met its goals. When the SARIG program was implemented in 2010, the training component was added to the direct input assistance loan project. The program believes that technical know-how will help farmers attain higher productivity and in turn a higher net income after harvest. The training provided by the SARIG program mainly

refers to Farmers Field School or FFS.The FFS implementation by

City Agriculture Office started in 2010 after changing Direct Input Assistance project to SARIG program. A field school for a specific commodity involves about 25 to 30 interested farmers. SARIG program farmer-beneficiaries are encouraged to undergo FFS before availing agricultural loans.

The FFS is a season-long training which usually runs about three to four months or equivalent to one cropping season. The FFS process begins with identifying the field school participants and the field school site, followed by the conduct of the field school itself which is composed of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Agroecosystem Analysis (AESA), crop management, fertilizer management and water management. The FFS is conducted with the assistance and expertise of local agricultural technologists from the LGU.

As a dynamic and evolving program, SARIG, thru the City Agriculturist Maria Edna B. Bongalonta who is joined by her team, have added new projects under SARIG to address farmers’ needs. In 2014, Livestock Feed Assistance Program was launched, the main beneficiaries are farmers engaged in livestock production, here they can avail of loans in-kind or in the form


NATURALLY-GROWN lettuce and cucumber at Yabo, Barangay Carolina, Naga City.

A lecture on BASIC FARM RECORDKEEPING as part of Palay Check System Farmer’s Field School at Barangay San Felipe, Naga City

PAYDAY AGRIFAIR at the City Agriculture Office

FRESHLY HARVESTED papaya at Barangay Carolina, Naga City.

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LIKE the Naga City People’s Mall, the Bicol Central Station (BCS) has been gaining headways not only in terms of the delivery of stakeholder-friendly services but also in terms of providing

the city government with revenues that help shore up further its sound economic bearing.

Aside from that, the facility, which is being run by a public service-driven management, is regarded as one of the top contributors to the economic growth of the city by providing direct employment to 12 permanent personnel, 30 casual employees, and 4 job-order workers. This is not to include the indirect employment

THE BICOL CENTRAL STATION AS SOCIAL ECONOMIC ENTERPRISE

By JASON B. NEOLA

of 221 employees at the booking offices and retail stores, 706 bus drivers and conductors, and 232 informal workers. Moreover, there are about 1,205 families that are earning a living inside the terminal.

City Administrator Florencio T. Mongoso Jr. said more workers are expected to be hired as the BCS has a pending request for additional manpower of 9 more job-order employees to augment the terminal’s operations division and 2 more all-around skilled workers knowledgeable in electrical maintenance, carpentry, masonry, painting and plumbing. A month after the city government took over


PHOTO BY SYLRANJELVIC VILLAFLOR

the operations of the Central Bus Terminal, now renamed Bicol Central Station, from its former operator in January 2014, revenues at the facility soared despite the removal of certain fees imposed for the use of comfort rooms and parking areas, the reduction of fees levied on bus operators, and the lowering of rental fees for terminal stalls by at least 10 percent.

Under the administration of Mayor Bongat, efficient services at the transportation facility were sustained despite its decision to scrap the exorbitant charges being imposed by the erstwhile private operator of the BCS.

BCS Operations Manager Roderick Reforsado said that for year 2016, the facility’s

management was able to collect P45,393,210 in total revenues obtained from the collection of terminal fees, stall rentals, electricity bills, cash tickets, water consumption, and violation/citations tickets. The figure surpassed 2015’s P42, 093, 833.

The BCS management has achieved a collection efficiency of 99.77% on tenants as monthly average.

“Our approach of involving bus companies, close coordination with operators and line agencies in planning and implementing policies and procedures, especially during peak season, has resulted in the increase in the number of trips that lessen the inconvenience of the riding public who have to wait for

several hours before they can ride on the bus that will bring them to their respective destinations,” says Reforsado.

Reforsado said among the maintenance works that are being undertaken at the facility are the de-clogging of septic tanks, repair of comfort rooms and the damages wrought by Typhoon Nina. He also said the blueprint for the planned construction of bigger passengers’ waiting area and food court is now underway.

He said the Technical Working Group which was tasked to layout the management and administrative plan of the operations of BCS has put in place better standards in the facility to ensure the safety and convenience of the stakeholders. The initiative also includes assigning of policemen 24/7 and the repair and facelift of waiting areas, comfort rooms and frontage.

What is on-going right now at the bus terminal is the installation of technical devices by the Information Technology Office as part of the BCS computerization system on queuing and billing. Next in line is the putting up of CCTV cameras and the rehabilitation of the facility’s flooring in accordance to what is mandated by the Accessibility Law.

By JUAN ESCANDOR JR.

CZECH FIRM INVESTS IN BICOLO

NE of the biggest Czech companies is presently establishing its branches in Bicol cities that include Naga, Legazpi and Iriga, according to

the Czech ambassador to the Philippines.Czech Ambassador Jaroslav Olsâ

announced recently during the visit in this city that Czech company Home Credit has opened in Naga City to serve customers that are not usually served by commercial banks.

“They (Home Credit) opened in Naga City in November last year, and it is a company that’s giving small credits to the people who can’t receive credits from the banks,” Olsâ revealed.

He said the Czech company has already employed about 5,000 Filipinos all over the Philippines.

Olsâ said Home Credit has already opened in Legazpi City last February and later in Iriga City.

Home Credit’s website claims that it focuses “on responsible lending to people with little or no credit history, who may be undeserved by traditional banks.”

It further claimed that for the 2016, it has given 114,309,976 loans worldwide.

Home Credit continued the development of more nascent operations in such countries as Indonesia, the Philippines and India.

It considers the three Asian countries to “represent significant growth opportunities for the future.”

In the Philippines, Home Credit expanded operations from thirteen to twenty-one provinces over the period,

the website revealed.“In Indonesia, Home Credit is on track to hit the

one million customer mark in 2017. India has seen an acceleration in new loans rising almost 178.0% year-on-year while the Philippines increased 433.8% and Indonesia 251.0%.”

“In India, Home Credit continued to expand its footprint and is now present in nearly seventy cities in fifteen states, servicing customers in eleven languages though almost six thousand point of sales.”

It said that in 2016, Home Credit further expanded its operations in the most established markets in China and Vietnam.

“In both countries Home Credit has become a major contributor to the local consumption-driven economy, employing sixty-four thousand people in China alone,” the website declares.

China remains Home Credit’s biggest market with over 141 thousand retail outlets at the end

of 2016, while also being an important partner for major manufacturers seeking access to a

wider customer base.“Home Credit issued EUR 6.7

billion in new loans in China in 2016, a 150% increase compared to 2015. In Vietnam the EUR 786.6 million in new loans represents a year-on-year increase of 95%.”


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AVENUE HOTEL IS TRAVELERS’ CHOICE AWARDEE ONCE MORE

THE world’s largest travel site named Avenue Plaza Hotel as one of the winners of TRAVELERS’ CHOICE AWARDS 2017, joining the

top 1% hotels worldwide recognized for remarkable service, value and quality.

The TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award is the highest honor the world’s largest travel site can bestow to businesses based on reviews and opinions from travelers around the world.

“TripAdvisor relies on the experiences and opinions of our travel community to determine the winners of the Travelers’ Choice awards for hotels,” said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor.

“Travelers planning 2017 trips can find inspiration for some of the best places to book around the world from this diverse group of outstanding accommodations.”


TRIVIA

This is not the first time that Avenue Plaza made it to the elite group of TripAdvisor awardees. It first received the Travelers’ Choice Awards Best Hotel Service in 2013, ranking 15 out of 25 top winners aside from consistently receiving the Certificate of Excellence since 2011 and Hall of Fame Award for Excellence in 2015.

ONE OF THE WORLD’S BEST!

“At the Avenue Plaza Hotel, we strongly believe in doing more, in creating more, and in being more,” said Allan S. Cu, President and General Manager of the multi-awarded and internationally recognized homegrown hospitality brand. “This is a principle enshrined in our Avenue Service Culture, our service standards. We believe it, and we live it.”

Officially rated as the only 4-star accommodation in Naga City accredited by the Department of Tourism, the whole Avenue Plaza team takes pride in delivering a five-star world-class service right in the heart of Bicol.

To date, Avenue Plaza Hotel has an average of 95% thumbs-up with hundreds of

WRITERS and visual artists in the city, in coordination with the Arts, Culture and Tourism Office, Kabulig Bikol Inc., and Salingoy Art

group, conducted an Art and Book exhibit and sale at the Plaza Quince Martires last February 18.

The exhibit was one of the activities conducted for the celebration of the National Arts Month here in Naga City, dubbed “Tagbo.” It was filled with paintings and other works of art by various Bicolano painters and artists who are members of the Salingoy Art Group headed by Rommel Perez, and Dennis Gonzaga of the Ateneo De Naga University. Alma Reyes from the AdNU Press was also present at the activity to exhibit and sell books penned and published by Bicolano writers. Emmanuel Salvosa, one the artists present, made an on-the-spot portrait of some of the exhibit’s visitors for free.

The exhibits were opened for public viewing from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Art enthusiasts, students and

professionals alike, visited to appreciate the creations of local artists. The

assortment of the paintings ranged from oil/acrylic on canvas to paper cutting

and hyper-realistic creations.


“excellent” rating on TripAdvisor and currently the top #1 rated hotel not just in Naga City but in the entire Bicol Region.

More than just an icon for transforming the urban landscape and hospitality industry with its cosmopolitan ambiance and groundbreaking celebrations, Avenue Plaza Hotel has consistently made a mark in the lives of their guests by showcasing the best of Bicol’s genuine and warm hospitality through its professional staff.

The hotel is now on its 10th year of operation and its staff and operators are delighted to share that Avenue Plaza Hotel has become the avenue for business and leisure where leaders gather and meet, a cozy home away from home where families and friends celebrate. A living testament to this is one of one of our most loyal guests who frequently travel to Naga, Mary Jane Au, who wrote more than 12 reviews since 2014.

“They are extraordinarily courteous and amazing! A frequent traveler will surely note the difference. I can vouch on that superb personalized service. If you’re travelling to Naga City, go for the best!” she enthusiastically stated on her TripAdvisor review.

Avenue Plaza Hotel is indeed becoming the preferred hospitality destination in South Luzon while continuing to showcase the very best of Bicol hospitality and becoming one of world-class Philippine homegrown brands that every Bicolano can be truly proud of.

ARTS MONTH C E L E B R A T I O N

TAGBO:

“We are grateful for this wonderful recognition of our work; it is really enlivening being acknowledged for our everyday job—- giving and doing our best at all times.” Mr. Cu expressed as he emphasized his gratitude to all the guests who serve as inspiration for his team to consistently deliver the Avenue Signature of Service.

By JOHN PAUL M. NANTES

PHOTOS BY XERES RAMON GAGERO

CSCCI President Raymond Y. Concepcion and Mayor John G. Bongat, second and third from left, respectively, show the copy of the memorandum of agreement that binds their partnership. The document defines the role of each entity in developing Naga as bicycle-friendly city. Also in photo are Vice-Mayor Nelson S. Legacion and First Lady Farah R. Bongat, chair of Naga City Bike Fest Executive Committee.

registration and accreditation of bike clubs, bicycle loan program for city government employees, bike lanes, support facilities (i.e. sidewalk improvements, pedestrian and bicycle crossing improvements) to ensure the safe travel of bikers, bicycle month, the “No Car Days” in the city’s selected streets, and bicycle parking in appropriate public places.

Bongat, who issued Executive Order 2016-043 which laid down the bases for the realization of a “Bicycle-friendly City” status for Naga, said the primordial objective of his order is to provide Nagueños with a reliable, clean, and affordable mode of transportation that can be duplicated by other private and government agencies.

CSCCI President Raymond Concepcion echoed Legacion and Del Rosario’s explanatory


maintenance and repair of the facility. CSCCI, in return, will be granted exclusive rights to use the shelves where they can post their business advertisement or promotional materials. Initially, the business group will construct at least 15 bike racks.

In a related development, the Sangguniang Panlungsod is preparing to pass an ordinance

that provides for the rules and regulations

regarding the use and promotion of bicycles in the city.

Authored by Vice Mayor Nelson Legacion and City

Councilor Joselito Del Rosario, the proposed measure

contains, among others, the duties and obligations

of a cyclist,

ASIDE from the various approaches that it has initiated to boost the city’s campaign on

health and environment, the local government unit here has partnered with the Camarines Sur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CSCCI) to make the city bicycle friendly.

The idea goes with the institutionalization of bicycles as healthful transport facility and the establishment of parking spaces and bike racks in selected public areas.

In a memorandum of agreement, the city and CSCCI believe that bicycles can replace riding motorized single occupancy vehicles which, in turn, would result in the reduction of fuel consumption while achieving better air quality.

The promotion of bike as environment-friendly and cost-efficient mode of transportation and the establishment of appropriate facilities such as safe bicycle parking spaces were contained in City Ordinance 2008-068 which was authored by Mayor John G. Bongat when he was still city councilor. Known as the “Naga City Bicycle and Motorcycle Parking Ordinance,” the measure also aims to make riding bicycles more convenient.

The CSCCI, as contained in the agreement, shall provide the bicycle racks and will pay the cost of installation including

CAMSUR BIZ CHAMBER PARTNERS WITH CITY HALL TO MAKE NAGA

BICYCLE-FRIENDLYBy JASON B. NEOLA


note in the proposed ordinance which states that “the use of bicycles may stimulate robust equitable and sustainable economic development and that bicycle tourism can attract visitors and spur growth."

Concepcion said CSCCI is more than willing to partner in the undertaking that can be an important factor in an effort to achieve a stable socio-economy, not to mention the benefit that the project would do to decongest traffic and reduce losses in travel time and opportunity costs.

The proposed locations of the bike racks, which will be permanently mounted and fastened to the ground, are: Bicol Central Station in Central Business District II, Naga City Police Office in Barlin St., the vicinity of Barangay Hall of Barangay Dinaga, Naga Metropolitan Cathedral (near the PNP-SWAT station), and the Camarines Sur National High School/SPED Center in Peñafrancia Avenue (near the PNP station).

At present, cyclists or bikers can park and lock their units at the bike racks installed in a certain portion of SM City grounds, PNP station in Plaza Quezon, and City Hall (at the back of Public Safety Office).

PALMA IS NEW MNWD CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

THE Metropolitan Naga Water District (MNWD) has seen some changes over the coming of a new year. One of these changes is the

installation of officers among the Board of Directors. Director Jorge T. Palma, representing the Professional Sector, is now the new Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Director Palma became a member of the MNWD Board of Directors last January 2015 and has been actively representing the Water District in different functions from the time of his appointment.

Chairman Palma graduated from the University of the

Philippines at Los Banos with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Extension degree and took his post graduate studies in Business Administration at the University of Nueva Caceres.

He was a Researcher for the Agricultural Credit and Coop Institute. His 23-year career with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) were spent as a Livestock Appraiser, Supervising Appraiser, Chief of Appraisal and Credit Investigation, and Chief of Marketing Division, and eventually became Bank Manager and Marketing Head. During his stint with the DBP, he won various awards for his branch, including: Most Outstanding DBP Branch in the Entire DBP Network; and Most Outstanding DBP Branch in Southern Luzon. He also won as Most Outstanding Manager in the Entire DBP Network.

Aside from being renowned as the owner of the famous Bicolano restaurant, Bob Marlin, Chairman Palma is also involved in joint

TRULY THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THE JOB. Director Palma supporting the water district’s activities and programs.

ventures and projects such as a ramen restaurant, a Hotel & Restaurant group in Camarines Norte, and a Resort Project in Pasacao, Camarines Sur.

Chairman Palma’s expertise and capabilities have landed him as consultant for a multitude of businesses and projects for Mariners Polytechnic Colleges Foundation and Maryville Realty and Development Corporation, to name a few. He had various affiliations where his leadership skills were recognized. He was president of the Camarines Sur Bankers Association, the Camarines Norte Bankers Association, and the Real Estate Brokers Association.

Among the many affiliations of Chairman Palma and his positions are: Past National Director of the Real Estate Brokers of the Philippines, member of the Camarines Sur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Director of the Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Chairman of the PNP Advisory Council in Naga City. He once chaired a project with Trias Southeast Asia and MNCCI.

Chairman Palma is a truly great person for the job. Everyone is looking forward to the developments that his new leadership will bring.

PHOTOS BY SYLRANJELVIC VILLAFLOR & JOSE COLLERA


CITY COUNCILORVIDAL P. CASTILLO

RESIDENTS of Barangay Calauag have witnessed notorious drug personalities falling into

the police dragnet long before the other local government units, including the barangays, have joined the newly-installed national government’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs.

That was because City Councilor Vidal P. Castillo, who was then their punong barangay, had been working consistently to make his barangay the most peaceful, where the youth are more pre-occupied with more productive activities, and his barangay officials constantly on alert against lawbreakers, especially those suspected to be involved in illegal drugs.

To ensure peace and order, Vidal had sustained a strong partnership with the Naga City Police Office that enhanced his barangay officials’, as well as concerned residents’ jobs and responsibilities, respectively, to pursue programs and strategies against criminality while at the same time promoting unity and collaboration among the constituents.

“With the police, members of our barangay tanod organization were able to organize a strong anti-crime surveillance group which allowed us to arrest motorcycle-riding individuals operating as Akyat-Bahay and members of the notorious

salisi gang, including several drug suspects who were trying to take refuge in our barangay,” says Vidal who also reveals that the covert operations that led to the apprehension of bad elements within his barangay can partly be attributed to tips by concerned peace-loving residents.

The former Punong Barangay was also instrumental in putting behind bars some suspects wanted for various crimes, including carnapping and child molestation. “One of those cases was about a child beaten by her own father after she failed to offer him food when he came home late from work. Things like this I could not allow to pass without giving the offender

HELPING TO KEEP NAGA’S BRAND AS

‘MAOGMANG LUGAR’

Among such citations include being chosen as the Cleanest Barangay in Naga City for three consecutive years and as the Model Barangay of Naga City in the field of good governance. Calauag’s nutrition council was also adjudged Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Council in the whole Bicol Region. It was also named finalist in pro-environment Saringaya Awards, where most of the contenders were cities and municipalities.

As pro-environment advocate, Castillo stopped an attempt for treasure-hunting within the barangay even as he sued an employee of the Department of Environment

the lesson he deserved,” Vidal underscores.

As can be recalled, more than 10 cases of rape were reported to have been solved during his term as punong barangay from 1994 up to the time he was reelected in 1997, 2002, 2010 and 2013. “Three of these rape cases were perpetrated by the victims’ fathers one of whom was tagged by the Regional Police Office as one of the most wanted criminals in the Bicol Region,” he said.

But Vidal’s leadership was not marked by a series of arrests of offenders alone but more so by the commendations he received for various exemplary achievements.

and Natural Resources (DENR) for complicity in the illegal digging of perceived treasures kept underground. He also apprehended a forester while trying to unload big volume of illegally transported lumber flitches in his barangay.

In response to the campaign to save Mother Earth, Barangay Calauag has adopted a program aimed to effectively address the challenges on the ecological solid waste management.

Under his watch, the barangay’s Material Recovery Facility (MRF) was established which he also managed hands-on to ensure the project’s efficiency and sustainability. Such effort

By JASON B. NEOLA

PHOTOS BY SYLRANJELVIC VILLAFLOR


He assumed office as ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod in January 2014, where he was an active member of the Committee on Infrastructure.

His war against illegal drugs continued without let up especially when he became a city councilor. He had requested Police Senior Supt. Narciso Domingo, then NCPO chief, during a Peace and Order Council meeting to order his men to submit to drug testing. This, after three members of the city police force were found to be positive for methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu. Succeeding drug tests showed a higher number of police officers positive for illegal drug use.

His new mandate as regular member of Sanggunian further bolstered his passion and deep commitment towards public service, especially when it concerns the welfare and interest not only of his fellow barangay residents but of the whole city constituency.

In one occasion, he strongly reprimanded a government medical doctor who was blamed by a female patient’s family

for her instantaneous death. The 26-year-old patient who complained of coughing later died of asphyxiation because of alleged wrong prescription.

His election as city councilor in 2016, after he had the opportunity to join the shortlist of Team Naga candidates, gave Castillo the chance to closely pursue one of his priority projects which is the construction of Calauag-San Felipe Circumferential Road.

Once realized, the road project will benefit the barangays of Calauag and San Felipe and the neighboring areas as it will provide convenient access to vehicles and motorists with a new route that will help decongest traffic in other areas where it will be interconnected as indicated in the city road network development plan (CRNDP) 2016-2019.

The CRNDP is expected to decongest road sections and regulate vehicular traffic in areas covered by the city’s business district I & II (CBDs I and II)

Castillo, who spearheaded the approval of the resolution earnestly requesting Rep. Gabriel H. Bordado Jr. (3rd District, Camarines Sur) to include the proposed circumferential road in the list of solon’s priority projects, said he is optimistic that it will obtain funding assistance from the national government considering the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM’s) call on all congressmen “to submit a list of their priority projects that will be funded from the 2017 annual budget.”

Congressman Bordado was also requested thru a resolution filed by Castillo and fellow City Councilors Mila Raquid-Arroyo, Cecilia Veluz-De Asis and Joselito S.A. Del Rosario to fund the proposed P13-M Balatas-Naga City Science High School (Concepcion Pequeña) Circumferential Road under the national government’s 2017 annual budget.

Also, in an approved resolution sponsored by Castillo, the Sangguniang Panlungsod requested the district congressman to sponsor a statute converting the city roads such as the Almeda Highway, the Balatas-

Cararayan-San Isidro-Carolina Road, the Del Rosario-Cararayan-San Isidro-Carolina Road and the Queborac Drive into national roads.

Castillo, who obtained special trainings and seminars in Bangkok, Thailand and benchmarking on road network evaluation in California, USA, said conversion of city roads into national roads will significantly ensure that “these essential roads are well-paved and duly maintained” given a substantial budget by the national government.

Castillo had personally observed the operation of the long road network that links the Canadian cities of Toronto and Montreal in 2007 and the roads that connect San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco in California, USA in 2005.

He said roads are very important components of economic development. “They should co-exist with those of other communities so that their economies would flourish. For the city’s economy to become more progressive, it should remain accessible to people, especially clients and customers paying for the products and services offered by any of the establishments in the city like schools, malls, restaurants, and hospitals,” Vidal concluded.

To date, Vidal has sponsored and spearheaded the passing of 46 resolutions and 3 city ordinances. Ordinance 2014-008 promotes good governance at the barangays of Naga City, establishing the Empowerment and Advancement of Barangays on Local Legislation (ENABL²E) Program; Ordinance 2015-032 which strengthens the people participation in the barangays, institutionalizing the Barangay People’s Councils (BPCs) and urging the barangay governments to allocate and provide one percent (1%) of the barangay funds as empowerment fund to all BPCs; and Ordinance 2016-___, a measure that reduces the interest rate and removing the penalty imposed upon the beneficiaries of the city’s socialized housing program.

along with that of other members of the Barangay Council resulted in naming Baranagay Calauag as Bicol Region’s No. 1 in the “Search for Model Barangay for Eco-Waste Management System 2003-2004.” Calauag also eventually landed as finalist in the same competition nationwide. Awarding was held at Malacañang Palace’s Heroes Hall where Castillo was personally congratulated by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

With Castillo at the helm of the affairs of the Liga ng mga Barangay, one can say that the city government’s support is assured as he identifies himself with the development-oriented leadership of Mayor John G. Bongat and Vice Mayor Nelson S. Legacion.

For three terms, he served as Vice President for External Affairs of the Liga ng mga Barangay in Naga City until he was catapulted to the Liga ng mga Barangay in the Bicol Region as its regional secretary in January 2013.

It was in December 2013 when Castillo was elected president of the Liga or the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) in the city.

PHOTOS BY SYLRANJELVIC VILLAFLOR


NAGA HOSTS STREET FOOTBALL FESTIVAL


FOR better sports competence, particularly in football, the City Government of Naga,

in collaboration with the Department of Education, Football Council of Naga (FCN) and Football for Humanity, hosted the Premier League of the Naga City Inter-School Street Football Festival with the theme: “One Student, One Sport: Play, Learn and Be a Champion.”

Vice President Leni Robredo, Congressman Gabby Bordado, Mayor John Bongat, Football for Humanity President Chris Thomas, FCN President Richmond Canlas and DepEd Naga City Division Superintendent William Gando were present to grace the opening ceremony last February 11, at the LCC Mall here.

“In recent years, the development of sports, particularly in football and futsal, has tremendously

PHOTOS BY JOSE COLLERACONTRIBUTOR PHOTO BYCHRIS THOMAS


sports program of the city government.”

VP Robredo, for her part, said, “for our children today, you are lucky; lucky enough to be part of this program. Let us not waste chances because we have this opportunity to develop ourselves and opportunity that serves as a vehicle for transformation.”

According to Division Superintendent Gando, the results of the Naga City Division during the recently concluded Palarong Bicol 2017 are impressive; landing as overall 1st runner up.

“We express our thanks to the city leadership of our mayor, Mayor John Bongat for

improved across the city through the efforts of the city government in cooperation with the barangay officials and the Department of Education,” Mayor Bongat said, as he added that “the City of Naga embarked on many grassroots development programs not just in basketball, football and futsal but also in various individual and team sports; engaging even the out-of-school youths in the summer

his strong support to our sports development programs, like today’s opening of the Premier League of Naga City Street Football Festival,” Gando said.

He also expressed "our sincerest thanks to those who are involved in our participation in Palarong Bicol, our teachers, coaches, school heads, our local school board and officers, Ernani Suron of Naga City School Board and the rest of the staff and City Hall employees who contributed to our success in Palaro.”

PHOTO BY SYLRANJELVIC VILLAFLORPHOTOS BY JOSE COLLERAJOSE COLLERA

CONTRIBUTOR PHOTO BY CHRIS THOMAS

Like the boys’ team, some of the female players were still lacking in experience but made up for it with a lot of drive to succeed, which they were rewarded for after beating the Tuloy sa Don Bosco team via penalties in an exciting finals match.

With the little successes that the program helped build FFH could not be more proud as it has solidified its commitment to advancing what they have

started with the people of Naga City.

“Our methodology works, as we had promised. We told the local government officials, the Department of Education officials, the teachers, the parents, and other partners, that we will create champions and world-class players from among the children of Naga. We may not have a long tradition or the best equipment but we have given them a lot of ‘heart.’ They have that hunger to be better, and they believe in the program,” Chris Thomas, volunteer football development officer of the FCN and FFH founder, shared to BusinessWorld in an e-mail.

NAGA CITY FOOTBALL INITIATIVE CONTINUES TO BEAR FRUIT

JUST a little over a year since it was established, the football initiative set out in Naga City has already claimed

a number of “victories,” a testament to how far the coming together of various stakeholders would go a long way in transforming the lives of individuals and their community.

Seeing the potentials of the sport of football in the development of its citizens, the first-class city in the Bicol Region embarked on a “football journey” early last year, involving the schools, local government and private and nonprofit organizations, with the end game of honing locals, particularly the young ones, to be “champions” in more ways than one.

The strategy was for the Football Council of Naga (FCN) to develop a training program, with help from the Football for Humanity Foundation (FFH), that will give participants the faculties to lead better lives while also enhancing the city’s football education and furthering the development of grassroots football in the area.

“Naga City has experienced resurgence in football, and this is brought about by the synergy of the schools, the local government, and private, nonprofit groups and initiatives, foremost of which is Football for Humanity,” Anton Ribano, Asian Football Confederation C-licensed coach of the FCN and FFH, disclosed.

Teams from the city winning in tournaments they joined in early this year prove that Naga City's football program is making things happen.

First to claim victory was the boys team from Naga, which bagged the championship trophy at the 1st Cainta Seongnam Futsal Tournament held last February.

While some of the team’s members were new to competing in national tournaments and had “limited” basic football training before the tournament proper, the team valiantly fought their way to claiming the title.

The boys team's triumph was matched by its female counterpart, which recently won the U15 championship at the 2017 National Youth Futsal Cup competition in May.

By MICHAEL ANGELO S. MURILLO


Mr. Thomas and FCN further said that central to their program is the establishment of a football cage, fondly referred to as the “cage,” which is an enclosed 15 x 25 structure where 4x4 plays are a regular part of training.

Set up by the local government in the LCC Mall parking lot in Sabang, Naga City, school children, street children, and adults play regularly in the cage.

In the cage plays, all members of the team get to handle the ball, and are taught to think and get into position at lightning speed, which paid dividends when the city’s teams competed in the futsal courts of Manila.

Mr. Thomas went on to say that they are just starting and that more initiatives are afoot to be implemented by their group along with the FCN as well as other stakeholders.

These include incorporating dancing, particularly hip-hop which is already under way, in their training program as well as another way to encourage more people to join the football teams and games; the setting-up of a football academy; the building of an “upgraded” cage; and the international volunteer program involving advanced football education and training as well as social work for the community.

“We at FFH feel really blessed to have been able to see our vision come true in Naga City. It’s really all about the children, whose dreams we want to fulfill,” Mr. Thomas said while expressing hope that such tack can also be adopted in other places in the country.

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CONTRIBUTOR PHOTO BY CHRIS THOMAS

tasked the City Planning and Development Office to conduct a city-wide consultation to obtain the people’s vision and aspiration for themselves, for their children and for their city. The 30-Year Sustainable Urban Development Plan will also provide the groundwork for building a world-class, self-reliant and caring city.

• S a n g g a w a d a n Ordinance (Ordinance No. 2016-043 adopted on September 6, 2016) – this legislative measure, with the able co-sponsorship of Councilors

SP’S FIRST SIX MONTHS

THE overwhelming support we received last May 2016 is a referendum for continuous advancement

of transparent and participatory governance in Naga. Hence, at the very onset of our renewed term, we have immediately worked hard to fulfil our end of our social contract with the people – that is, to make the best better.

For the first six months of our current term June 30, 2016- June 30, 2019, landmark legislative measures have been passed by the 12th Sangguniang Panlungsod, laying down policies and institutionalizing programs that enhance the city’s efficiency in delivering social services to the people, improving access to education, conserving the environment, addressing the city’s problem

in solid waste management and responding to calamities and emergency situations. Allow me to begin with the ordinances this representation introduced and subsequently adopted by the city council:

• 30-Year Sustainable Urban Development Plan Ordinance (Ordinance No. 2016-038 enacted on August 16, 2016) – penned by this writer and co-sponsored by all the city councillors, this ordinance seeks to draft a roadmap that will guide the city’s equitable and long-term growth. It has

By ATTY. NELSON S. LEGACIONVICE MAYOR, NAGA CITY

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TWIN CITIES. Naga City Mayor John Bongat presents the image of Our Lady of Penafrancia as City Memento to Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista following the signing of Sisterhood Agreement between the Cities of Naga and Quezon and witnessed by their respective Sanggunian Officers at Quezon City Hall on February 6, 2017 to strengthen partnership in economic development and cultivate programs encouraging participatory governance. Also in photo that witnessed the event are QC Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte (leftmost, front row) and (to Mayor Bongat’s left) Naga Vice Mayor Nelson Legacion and Councilors Sonny Ranola and Buddy Del Castillo (foreground, rightmost) and the Quezon City councilors led by fellow Bicolano Roderick Paulate (foreground, 4th from left).

S a n g g u n i a n g P a n l u n g s o d

Gregorio Re Abonal, Jose C. Ranola, Elmer S. Baldemoro, Mila SD, Raquid-Arroyo and Ray-An Cydrick G. Rentoy, has institutionalized and has strengthened the Sanggawadan Program. Initiated by the beloved late Naga City Mayor and Interior Secretary Jesse M. Robredo, the Sanggawadan has become a tool for thousands of marginalized Nagueños to gain access to quality basic education and, thus, uplift their quality of life. The ordinance set policies and created an office for the continuous implementation of said effective program and even added additional privileges to beneficiaries thereof, such as free hospitalization and medical assistance, death or burial assistance, housing assistance, livelihood loans, and values formation training to parents of children-beneficiaries.

• Salary Rationalization of Compensation for Non-Plantilla Personnel of the City Government of Naga (Ordinance No. 2016-071 approved on December 16, 2016) – this local law, sponsored by yours truly and Councilors Mila Raquid-Arroyo, Ray-An Rentoy and Salvador Del Castillo, recognizes the importance and contribution of job order, contractual and casual employees of the city government in making the city a truly Maogmang Lugar. This legislation, therefore, prescribes the fitting incentives and


benefits for the ordinary workers who also contribute to making the city’s brand of governance extraordinary.

The other legislators of Naga have also showed vigor and dedication in promoting their respective advocacies. With Councilor Cecilia De Asis as chairwoman of the Committee on Appropriations, the council was able to pass on time the more than a billion pesos annual appropriation ordinance (Ordinance

No. 2016-081) for 2017. Councilor Greg Abonal has advanced the cause of education by writing the Revised Raul Roco-Naga City Public Library Development Ordinance (Ordinance No. 2016-036) that creates a committee tasked to annually evaluate the status of the library and recommend improvements thereon. He also provided additional benefits to the elderly thru the Revised Consolidated Senior Citizens Ordinances (Ordinance No. 2016-054) he penned.

Thru Councilor Jose Rañola’s sponsorship of Resolution Nos. 2016-495 and 2016-503, the city has been able to link and forge sisterhood agreements with the Municipality of Siruma and Quezon City, respectively. With his care for the persons with disability and the children, Councilor Elmer Baldemoro has initiated the drafting of the Magna Carta for Persons with Disability and the revision of Comprehensive Code for the Welfare of Children to include recent local laws, such as Ordinance No. 2014-068 (Children’s Affairs Ordinance) and Ordinance No. 2014-

072 (Most Child-Friendly Barangay Award Ordinance), which he himself authored.

Councilor Mila Raquid-Arroyo has championed people participation in operation of public utilities by writing Resolution No. 2016-442 that calls on the public to inform the City Treasurer of any public utility or telecommunication companies which the latter knows are operating without valid Mayor’s Permit. In the area of agriculture, Councilor Julian Lavadia, via Resolution No. 2016-234, spearheaded the effort of crafting a strategic plan or road map for agriculture.

On peace and order, Councilor Joselito Del Rosario advocated for the creation of the Drug Dependence Reintegration Fund (Ordinance No. 2016-037), the Naga City Integrated Emergency Response and Resilience Resource Action Center (Ordinance No. 2016-046), the Intra-City Trimobile Rationalization Technical Working Group and the Safe Sidewalks, Safe Streets Technical Working Group (4S TWG). Councilor Vidal Castillo, as head of the Committee on Infrastructure, called for the construction of the Balatas-Naga City Science High School Circumferential Road

MAYORAL RECOGNITION. Regional Director Bernardo Rafaelito R. Alejandro IV (4th from left), of the Office of the Civil Defense Region V, receives a Mayoral Recognition from the city government of Naga, through City Mayor John Bongat and other city offocials, for his inspiring leadership as reliable partner in terms of good ecological governance and efficient risk reduction and disaster management programs. Witnessing the awarding of plaque of recognition (from left) are City Councilors Vidal Castillo, Greg Abonal, Vice Mayor Nelson Legacion (5th from left), City Councilors Ray-An Rentoy, Nene de Asis, and Lito del Rosario.

(Resolution No. 2016-218), the conversion into national roads of the Almeda Highway, the Balatas-Cararayan-San lsidro-Carolina Road, the Del Rosario-Cararayan-San lsidro-Carolina Road and the Queborac Drive (Resolution No. 2016-219), and the retrofitting of the Colgante Brdige and Balatas-Cararayan Bridge (Resolution No. 2016-377). To complement further our efforts to decongest traffic, Councilor Ray-An Rentoy, thru Resolution No. 2016-500, has strengthened the partnership between the Department of Public Works and Highways and the City Government of Naga relative to the installation of traffic lights in major junctions of the city.

As chairman of the Committee on Environment, Councilor Salvador Del Castillo has made considerable strides to resolve the city’s waste management issues. He is the author of Resolution Nos. 2016-203 and 2016-431 which green lighted the closure program of the Balatas Dumpsite, as well as of Resolution No. 2016-239 which created the Technical Working Group that will study the establishment of the city’s Sanitary Landfill, Waste to Energy Facility and Healthcare and Hazardous Waste Processing Plant in Barangay San Isidro. For the improvement of the barangays, meanwhile, Liga ng mga Barangay president and ex-officio councilor Tomas Ramon Sanchez pushed for the welfare of the barangays thru Ordinance No. 2016-078 granting barangay officials performance incentives.

In unity, there is strength. The legislative, in close coordination with the executive headed by our hardworking Mayor John G. Bongat, has pursued worthwhile reforms in various fields of governance. Collectively, Team Naga, in a short span of six months, has already set up measures to boost faster and further Naga’s equitable and sustainable socio-economic development. In the remaining period of our term, the Nagueños are assured that there will be no let up in our aggressive move to have a Maogmang Lugar that is world class, self-reliant and caring --- the best will be made better.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

ATTY. NELSON S. LEGACIONVICE MAYOR, NAGA CITY

SANGGAWADAN

SAN ISIDRO SANITARY LANDFILL

thereafter when the aforesaid TWG was created. Initial reports were forwarded to the Sangguniang Panlungsod in January of this year. On January 24, plenary debates ensued, subjecting the group’s recommendations to the scrutiny of our legislators.

Productive discussion on any project is beneficial. Free exchange of ideas and dynamic interaction between teammates will cause the best ideas to surface. In this case, the animated deliberation that lasted three regular sessions resulted to a reduction of the facility’s total cost by about P13M, as well as to the arrangement of acquiring a right-of-way that is two kilometre (2km) shorter than the original proposal, effectively lessening travel time of garbage trucks and corresponding gasoline expenses in the long-run.

Building of the San Isidro Sanitary Landfill will commence as soon as bidding procedures are completed. Initial financing of the project, amounting to P25M, will be sourced from the Economic Development Fund of the city already included in the 2017 Annual Budget. The other funding sources, including possibilities of

getting a loan, will be appropriated by the Sangguniang Panlungsod once City Budget Officer Francisco Mendoza furnishes us a copy of his analysis and recommendation.

The foundation of a world-class, self-reliant and caring city is a happy and productive people. Hence, it has been our enduring commitment to manage effectively the city’s solid waste and ensure that Nagueños are free from threat to their health. The Balatas Dumpsite Closure Program and the San Isidro Sanitary Landfill are steps toward the realization of such goals.

But similar to other initiatives of the city, the two programs will not be long-lasting solutions without the cooperation of the city’s major stakeholders – the people. At the individual level, everyone should be conscious of the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. We should help each other in cutting down the tons of garbage we are collectively producing. Otherwise, we are bound to repeat the mistakes of the past and suffer the smelly and unpleasant consequences.

Tarabang po kita!


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SOLID waste management is a crucial issue hounding the livability of our Maogmang

Lugar. The City Government of Naga, thru Resolution No. 2016-430, has already green lighted the P21M Balatas Dumpsite Closure Program – a move aimed at eliminating the foul odor emanating from said facility and complying with the requirement of law. However, with the shutting down of the dumpsite, it has been imperative to provide an alternative infrastructure.

As such, in the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s February 14 session, Resolution No. 2017-099 was passed approving the construction of a P260.7M Sanitary Landfill wherein actual expenditures whereof are spread in ten (10) years. Such landfill will be established in the 4.85 hectare lot acquired by the city government in Barangay San Isidro. Per design submitted by the Technical Working Group headed by City Planning Officer Wilfredo Prilles, it can handle a maximum of 508,064 cubic meters of solid waste.

The discussions concerning said plan officially began in July 2016 and

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Documents

Originally known in the Spanish colonial times as “Volcan de ......Originally known in the Spanish colonial times as “Volcan de Agua” because of its abundant source of spring