VOL. XXV, NO. 27 BICOL, THE PHILIPPINES JANUARY 21-27, 2018 P5.

00

NGCP assures stable power

LEGAZPI CITY --- The National Grid Corporation
(NGCP) in Southern Luzon reported normal power trans-
mission despite Mayon Volcano’s phreatic eruptions start-
ing Saturday afternoon.
In an advisory, the NGCP said the grid maintained its stable
power transmission services in Albay despite Mayon’s increas-
ing volcanic activity.
"Ashfall has been recorded in the 1st and 3rd districts of Al-
bay served by NGCP's Daraga-Ligao 69kV line. Line crews have
been mobilized to inspect its effect on the said line," it said.
NGCP is continuously monitoring the situation and will
provide updates for significant developments, the advisory
added.
An updated bulletin from Philippine Institute of Volca-
nology and Seismology said a degassing event at 11:07 a.m.
Monday that lasted for eight minutes produced a grayish to
dirty white ash column with a maximum of height of approxi-
mately 1,000 meters above the summit before drifting west-
southwest.
(Turn to page 6)

ROQUE ASSURES ALBAYANOS GOV’T HELP LEGAZPI CITY – The government will
do everything "to keep the Mayon Volcano
evacuees free from harm”.
This, according to Presi-
dential Spokesperson Atty.
Harry Roque, is what Presi-
dent Rodrigo Duterte would
like to convey to the Albaya-
nos.
Roque said during his
visit here Thursday that the
concerns of every resident of
the province affected by the
restiveness of Mayon Vol-
cano would be immediately ROQUE
relayed to the President. here shows that Malacanang
“Ang pagpunta natin ngay- is now here in Legazpi). The
on ay isang pagpapahayag na national government will al-
ang Malacanang ay nandito ways take care of you,” he
na sa Legazpi (Our coming (Turn to page 7)

Naga launches
Tabang Mayon drive
The City Government of
Naga, led by Mayor John
Bongat, together with the
Naga City People’s Coun-
cil (NCPC), Metro Naga
Chamber of Commerce
and Industry (MNCCI)
and the Lingkod Barangay The program was tagged
Office (LBO), launched a #TabangMayon2018— a
donation drive to help the Naga City humanitarian mis-
evacuees in several cit- sion in Albay which will be
ies and municipalities in heading in the province, par-
the province of Albay who ticularly in Camalig, Guino-
ON CLOUD NINE CIRIACO SANTIAGO III/KERBY ROSANES were forced to leave home batan and Ligao City, on
TOP PHOTO: Bicol’s ill-fated legendary lovers, Panganoron and Daragang Magayon, seem to be reminding for safety reasons with the Tuesday, January 23, 2018.
watchers of the volcano of their story in this cloud formation taken during its current eruption. ABOVE Mayon Volcano magmatic The mission will be help-
PHOTO: An artist’s re-imagination of the legend of Panganoron and Daragang Magayon. eruption. (Turn to page 6)

K-960 Aries St., Villa Grande Homes, Con. Grande, Naga City • TEL. (054) 884-93-76 • CP 0921-318-3720 / 0929-245-7353 / 0920-533-7766
2 BIKOL REPORTER
EDITORIAL
Signs of the Times
We do not want to sound alarmist, but we
also do not want to say later, that “we told you
so.”
So from reading the recent signs from
Malacanang, particularly the order of the
Securities and Exchange Commission to
revoke the license of the digital news media
outfit, Rappler; we say, we should be worried.
We should worry that this appear to be like
a déjà vu.
Remember when military men shut down
papers and broadcast networks critical of the
Marcos regime.
We should worry that this seems to be
happening all over again.
We should worry that President Duterte once
said he is an admirer of the deposed dictator;
and it looks he is walking his talk.
We should worry that the other bastion
of democracy, like the Supreme Court, is
also under siege as shown by the filing of
impeachment charges against the Chief
Justice.
We should worry that our supposed to be
representatives in Congress, in both chambers,
seem to have turned their sworn duty to the
people in ways more canine than patriotic in
this Year of the Dog.
We should worry that women leaders appear
to be the target of this siege– thus aside
from CJ Sereno, Senator Leila de Lima and
Ombudsman Carpio Morales – are also at the
firing line.
We should worry that most of the staff of
Rappler, a millennial media, are young; and
whose youth are threatened to be wasted.
We should worry that there seem to be a
disturbing and spreading apathy among our
people. Where there are concerns, they light
up and die as fast. Ningas cogon, we put it.
We should worry that our Fair Lady, Mt.
Mayon, is making her presence felt; not as the
legendary docile princess (which poet Merlinda
Bobis says is a male construction and gaze),
or as the serene mountain in the 100-Peso bill;
but as a deadly eruptive and disruptive natural
reality.
We should worry that the current Peso=US
Dollar exchange rate is PhP53 to $1.
We should worry that this weakening of our
currency had been the upward trend since
August last year.
We should worry that tomorrow at the filling
station or at the market, your peso will be like
the Mickey Mouse during the Japanese time.
Don’t tell us we did not tell you.
OPINION
Phl Press Freedom
– on “Siege”
(Atty. APA – chairs Acyatan & Co.,
CPAs-DFK International – is past chair
of ASEAN Federation of CPAs, PIC-
PA past president and Hall-of-Famer,
and ACPAPP Lifetime Achievement
Awardee).
MEDIA PROTEST: Journalists
and their supporters came out in
“black” last Friday in protest against
what they described as a “siege” on
press freedom. This is a sequel to
the SEC decision to close down an
online news site operated by a media
organization – RAFFLER. After the
questioned SEC decision came the
“coincidental” summons from the NBI
to the same outfil for a news account
that happened some four years ago!
The twin actions were interpreted by
press advocates as government “at-
tack’ against media.
The SEC action consisted in the
cancellation of the corporate registra-
tion of Raffler – an on line news agency
which allegedly is NOT entirely owned
by Filipinos – thus, violative of our
constitutional mandate. The NBI sum-
mons referred to a complaint by busi-
nessman Benjamin Keng for a news
item written by a Raffler journalist way
back in 2012. Maria Ressa Raffler
chief executive claimed that they are
being “haunted’ for their critical news
handling about the administration.
The local protesters received massive
global support!
FX OUTFLOWS – Phl foreign equity
investments or “hot money” recorded
overall net outflow of $205.03M in No-
vember 2017. This is a reversal of the
TRAIN Wreck
(Part I)
The Duterte administration’s Tax
Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion
(TRAIN) program is a disaster waiting
to happen. It is actually a disaster that
has already started to happen since
January 1, 2018, the start date of the
implementation of its first package.
The government is expected to collect
an additional PhP130 billion through
TRAIN at primarily the expense of the
lower middle class and the poor.
As if adding insult to intentional
injury, the Duterte administration
heralded the TRAIN as a “gift to the
Filipino people.” As expected, the choir
of pro-administration propagandists
(bloggers, trolls and fake news
purveyors) sang in unison, promoting
this anti-poor and economically
disastrous tax law.
The ratification of the TRAIN law
in the House of Representatives
last December 13, 2017 was also
full of controversies. It didn’t have
the required number of physically
present congressmen according to
some observers and lawmakers from
the opposition. Neither debates nor
deliberations took place. However, as
if by some magic or telepresence, the
official journal was approved indicating
a quorum. So, either the opposition
congressmen were inventing stories or
the pro-Duterte lawmakers were lying
through their teeth and committed a
grave violation of the constitution. If it
VISIT OUR WEBSITE:
https://thebikolreporter.wordpress.com
JANUARY 21-27, 2018
OPINIONS
UNLIMITED
Atty. TONY (APA) ACYATAN
net inflow of $404.43M same period
in 2016, BSP said. Foreign portfolio
investments are often referred to as
“hot money” because these can enter
and leave a market very easily. BSP
reported that aggregate FX portfolio
investments amounted to $16.1B in
2017, 8.9% lower than the $17.6B in
2016.
Nearly 82% of the investments in
2017 were channeled to PSE-listed
securities, with the rest going to pe-
so-denominated government issues.
The bulk (74.8%) of the portfolio in-
vestments came from UK US, Singa-
pore, Luxembourg and Malaysia. On
monthly basis, the lowest gross in-
flow in 2017 were recorded in August
($936M), while the peak was in June
($2.0B). On quarterly basis, largest in-
flow was in second quarter ($4.8B) =
to 30% of 2017 total hot money.
WEAKER PESO: The Phl peso
continued to weaken this week - clos-
ing at P50.80 = US$1.00. BSP de-
scribed the currency’s behavior as “or-
dinary, regular movement of the peso”
BSP explained that the movement of
the peso reflects the currency’s flexi-
bility to adjust depending on economic
condition at certain points, albeit with
limited volatility. This remark should
discourage people from speculating
on their FX holdings which worsens
the PhP exchange situation.
In times like this – those with FX
funds may try to hold on with their
dollars, while those who need FX for
their purchases might decide to hold
back awaiting “better” times. The bet-
TIP OF AN
ICEBERG
HOMAR MURILLO
Email: homar.murillo@gmail.com
were the latter, the TRAIN law should
be declared null and void.
According to the website of the
Department of Finance, the TRAIN has
the goal of the first package of TRAIN
is “to create a simpler, fair, and more
efficient system, as per the constitution,
where the rich will have a bigger
contribution and the poor will benefit
more from the government’s programs
and services.” The package intends to
reform six aspects of taxation, namely,
personal income tax, estate donor’s
tax, the value added tax system or VAT,
the excise tax of petroleum products,
the excise tax of automobiles, and the
tax of sugar-sweetened beverages.
The claim of simplifying the tax
system is partly true but the claim
that the poor will benefit more is an
outright lie. On the contrary, the poor
– particularly the poorest lower 10% of
society – will be the ones who will suffer
most because of the inflationary effects
of excise taxes on petroleum products.
The middle class won’t fare any better
either even with the adjusted bracket
of taxable income. The supposedly
additional take-home pay will barely
offset the higher utility bills and higher
prices of consumer goods. The tax on
lower-end automobiles will also be
higher but the tax on luxury vehicles
will be cut as much as PhP337,000.
Personal Income Tax
Under TRAIN, those who have
ter way to do it is to continue with
your usual transactions and let your
money’s worth find its own “level”.
Holding back on transactions is akin
to “gambling’ – sometimes you win,
sometimes you lose! Doing it the
natural way keeps you away from
headaches and self-blaming later
on.
PHL GLOBAL BONDS: The
Phl Bureau of the Treasury (BTr)
formally commenced this week
its plan to issue $2billion worth of
global bonds to become due in
2018. This is a support to prop up
the country’s program and liability
management efforts. Half of the of-
fering volume will be used to raise
new money, while the remaining $1
billion are to be swapped with ma-
turing securities. BTr said the rate-
setting auction for the new 10-year
bonds is expected to occur shortly.
According to the BTr, the gov-
ernment has tapped Citigroup
Global Markets Inc., Credit Suisse
Securities (USA) LLC, Deutsche
Bank Securities Inc., Morgan Stan-
ley & Co. LLC, Standard Chartered
Bank and UBS AG HK Branch as
the joint lead managers for the new
bond offering. Treasury also issued
an invitation to holders of existing
global bonds to sell them back for
cash and any accrued interest on
the debt papers will be paid in cash
on January 25.
PROVERB: He who conceals his
sins does not prosper, but whoever
confesses them finds true mercy!
annual gross salary of not more
than PhP250,000 will be exempted
from income tax. This would mean
approximately PhP2,500 per
month additional take-home pay
for those who are earning not more
than PhP22,000 per month. The
downside, however, is that the tax
exemptions for legal dependents
(children below 18 years old) are
now removed. Married individuals
with children will be at the same
taxation footing as single individuals
without dependents.
Those who are receiving
minimum wage will definitely not
benefit from the new tax exemption
simply because they are already
exempted under Republic Act No.
9504. Hence, TRAIN would actually
mean additional financial burden for
breadwinners, particularly for those
who are earning minimum wage and
below.
Families of five members earning
PhP10,000/month or below are
considered by NEDA as belonging to
the poorest sector of society. They will
definitely suffer the economic impact
of TRAIN. Additional excise taxes
on petroleum and sugary products
mean that the basic commodities,
including rice, will become less
affordable to these poor families who
are merely subsisting.
(to be concluded…)
 JANUARY 21-27, 2018
Decongest evacuation centers: Mayor Rosal orders
LEGAZPI CITY- The
city mayor here on Wednes-
day directed to decongest
all the city’s evacuation cen-
ters occupied by residents
covered by the 6-kilometer
Permanent Danger Zone
(PDZ) and the extended
2-km danger zone in the
city’s northern villages at
the foot of Mt. Mayon.
Mayor Noel E. Rosal
tasked the City Social Wel-
fare and Development Office
(CSWDO) and the City Risk
Reduction and Management
Office (CRRMO) to maintain
cleanliness in the evacuation
centers to prevent spread of
diseases.
NEWS REPORTER
Fifteen (15) families cur-
rently occupy one room at the
evacuation centers but Rosal
wants it reduced to eight
families.
The mayor also asked the
CSWDO to make sure all
the evacuees are given relief
goods including clean drink-
ing water.
The Philippine Red Cross
has earlier pledged to give
sufficient potable water to the
families affected by the May-
on volcanic activity.
Rosal also urged the city
health office (CHO) to put
up a medical station includ-
ing an ambulance in each of
the evacuation centers for the
BIKOL REPORTER 3
medical needs of the people.
The mayor ordered a pre-
emptive evacuation on Mon-
day evening of the residents
of five barangays numbering
to 2,686 families or 12,957
people.
He also suspended all agri-
cultural and other farming ac-
tivities as well as golf games,

Mayon not a trigger for other

ATV (all terrain vehicle) rid-
ing and mountain climbing
Mayor ROSAL
inside the danger zone.
The evacuees from Ba- be transferred to Buraguis

Bicol volcanoes – geologist rangay Mabinit have occu-

“There is no such link
except that they are part
of the 260-kilometer long
Bicol volcanic arc, and no,
the eruption of Mayon will
not cause them to erupt as
well,” said Chris Newhall, a
retired volcanologist of the
US Geological Survey as he
allayed fears and popular
belief that the current activ-
ity of Mayon will generate
a chain reaction among the
region’s volcanoes.
He told participants of the
2nd Fr. Frank Lynch, SJ. Lec-
ture Series at the Ateneo de
Naga University that unlike
earthquakes, volcanoes show
tell-tale signs of their impend-
ing eruption, like changes in
surrounding vegetation or in
animal behavior.
At 10 p.m. on Monday,
Mayon had a “lava fountain-
ing,” spraying jets of lava into
the air in rapid formation.
The Philippine Institute of
Volcanology and Seismology
(Phivolcs) raised Alert Level
Road projects blamed for floods
Eusebio Valledor, Mu-
nicipal Disaster Risk Reduc-
tion Management Officer of
Panganiban, considered the
government road widening
projects to be the cause of the
floods and landslides in cer-
tain barangays of the town
“Kaidto pag minaulan nin
makusog dai man gabaha uya.
Ngunyan, ang salog hababaw
na, because of the widening
projects sa taas nin barangay
San Miguel. Ang mga de-
bri yapalalaag sa pangpang,
syempre pag maulan mapunta
ito sa salog. Mataas su level
BY FRANK PEÑONES JR.
Lava cascades the slopes of Mayon in this photo
taken in Legazpi City
3 and said on Tuesday morn-
ing there were nine tremors,
three other short-duration
“lava fountaining,” and 75
nin lupa kaya mas madali na
bahaon”, Valledor explained.
Valledor described the
flood as ‘mala delubyo’
which started from the heavy
rains of the night of January
11 around 7 PM. At around 7
AM in the morning of Janu-
ary 12, the flood started surg-
ing at some barangays like
Salvacion which tallied 74
affected households.
He added that barangays
like Salvacion, San Vicente,
and Sta. Ana are usually
flooded only when there is a
super typhoon, but the three
lava collapse events in the last
24 hours.
“Level 4 is possible any-
time soon once we observe
barangays are now among the
total 10 barangays affected by
the flooding, according to the
data of MDRRMO.
Mercelina Villamor, 55
years old, mother of 8 and
resident of barangay Salva-
cion, said that the last flood
they experienced was about
two decades ago.
The MDRRM officer is
now asking support for a
flood control project for Pan-
ganiban. He also added that at
present, they are in dire need
of mitigation project, and to
dredge the river.
certain signs such as an explo-
sive eruption or lava ‘foun-
taining,’ which can be seven-
kilometers high,” Phivolcs
chief Renato Solidum said.|
More than 25,000 people
were evacuated from 25 vil-
lages in the towns and cit-
ies of Camalig, Guinobatan,
Ligao, Daraga, Tabaco and
Malilipot.
“Collapse events and some
degassing events at the sum-
mit crater generated ash that
rose to two kilometers and
fell on villages of Camalig,
Guinobatan and Polangui,”
(Turn to page 4)
Taxi driver returns lost phone
Mr. Noel Marquises, a
taxi cab driver from Ba-
rangay Balatas, Naga City,
received a certificate of
commendation from the
City Government of Naga,
January 15, during the flag
raising ceremony of the city
hall employees.
The commendation awards
and congratulates Marquises
for his act of honesty in re-
turning a lost cellular phone
property accidentally left on
the taxi cab by one of his pas-
sengers.
Marquises, upon finding
out of the phone left in his
cab, proceeded immediate-
ly back to the SM taxi bay
where remembered picking
up his last passenger.
pied 16 classrooms of the
Bogtong Elementary School
while the people from
Buyoan have occupied 38
classrooms of the Bagum-
bayan Central School.
The affected families from
Barangay Bonga have oc-
cupied 26 classrooms of the
Gogon Central School and
14 classrooms at the Gogon
High School while the resi-
dents of Barangay Padang
have occupied the Albay
Central School.
But Rosal said that the
evacuees from Barangay Ma-
binit would be transferred to
Bitano Elementary School
while the affected families
from Barangay Padang would
Just in time of
his return, the taxi
dispatcher called
him to inquire of
any phone possibly
left on his cab and
inform him that the
passenger- owner
of the property was
already waiting for
his arrival in the
area.
Marquises suc-
cessfully returned the
phone to the owner
identified as Mr. Karl
Llorin, a faculty member of
the Ateneo de Naga Univer-
sity.
According to Marquises,
the incident is only one of
the many same instances he
evacuation center to make
them more comfortable.
Presently, Mayon Volcano
is still under alert level 3,
according to the Philippine
Institute of Volcanology and
Seismology.
Meanwhile, Smart Com-
munications Inc. is providing
free calling and charging ser-
vices to the affected villagers
in Albay.
The "Libreng Tawag" ser-
vices and “Libreng Charging”
stations were at the Lower
Binogsacan Elementary
School in Guinobatan and
Cabangan Elementary School
in Camalig, said Ramon Is-
berto, head of the Smart Pub-
lic Affairs department. -Em-
manuel Solis/PNA
encountered as a taxi driver,
yet he took every effort in
each situation to make sure
that the owner gets back his
rightful property. -Armie B.
Gunay, CEPPIO

DANGEROUS ROAD MARY JOY VALLEDOR
Continuous rain flooded the roads in Cabuyoan, Panganiban, making them
almost impassable for cars.
EARTHQUAKE AWARENESS
Pursuant to the mandate by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management
Council (NDRRMC), the Department of Public Works and Highways, 5th District
Engineering Office conducted the 4th National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill
(NSED) last Dec. 15, 2017. Said activity is being done in all government agency
for their employees awareness to the dangers of having an earthquake and
even fires. This was also witnessed by some personnel from the Bureau of Fire
Protection (BFP) as evaluator, over-all team leader is acting District Engineer
Ferdinand E. Joven with Engineer Edgar R. Briagas as brigade commander and
Benjie Pasano as ground commander.
 4 BIKOL REPORTER HALO-HALO JANUARY 21-27, 2018

KANTONG Kontemporaryong
DIS *KARTE
*KUSYON
*KURSO

PUTIKON! Ngirhat
May nakakatakot na kiling, kun Martial Law; magpoon sa Europa
FRANK PEÑONES JR.

nin mga kahoy, an pagtugdok nin

bako man helang, an mga yaon sa abot sa Afghanistan, magin sa mga subdibisyon sa inaagihan
Naga College Foundation puesto na garo sinda lang an tama. Mindanao. nin tubig, o an konsumerismong
An isip ninda asin an sinasabi ninda Nakakatakot na tawo. In-humanity, kultura ngonyan; sasabihan na
pro urban poor iyo an syertong katotoohan. Dai sinda sabi kan sarong para-surat. “overnight expert.” Ay ta sinda
nasasala. An nagkokontra, sa hiling Nagigibo ini maski may mga lang palan kaya an tama, an may
January is Birthday Mönth of Legendary Mediamen in Bicol. ninda, bigla o bagong nagin eksperto medisina na asin teknolohiya na syertong kasimbagan.
They are all Capricornians as their Zodiac Sign. Ay ta nalilingaw sinda sa
sa sarong isyu. Mas maorag asin nagpapalaba kan buhay nin tawo
1) Jan 9 RUFO TUY JR.
2) JAN 10 D LATE mas syerto pa sainda mantang sinda harani na ki Melchezidek; o mabulong simpleng adal kan naturalesa, an
DADS SILVESTRE lang an syertong tama. an sararadit na mga mikrobyo sa tubig hinahanap an saiyang lebel;
3) JAN 11 CONG SAL Asin an kasyerto-han na ini an paagi nin nanotechnology; o mahiling o an sabi kan Desiderata: Listen to
FORTUNO nakakatakot ta an siring na pag-iisip an iba pang mga galaksiya sa satong others, even the dull and ignorant.
4) JAN 12 D LATE an nagpamartsa nin rinibong Hudyo uniberso. For they too have their own story.
MANNY ENALPE
sa Auschwitz sa mga gas chambers. Alagad, mayong nakakapagsabi Binabaha na kami digdi sa
5) JAN 13 D LATE
MARIO OCHOA O nagpuho kan buhay kan mga dai o nakakaresolbar kan mga suanoy bukid, kadto sa kapatagan lang
6) JAN 14 JOE F. OBIAS nagtutubod sa ki isay man na Diyos nang problema kan paglangkaw nin ‘yan. Sabi ni Tata. Kun siring na
******** o diyos-diyosan; magpoon kan tubig na mayong pagkasyerto. an istorya, siisay an may syertong
After the sudden, heavy and continued downpour of rain panahon nin persekusyon abot sa An masabing huli ini sa pagputol simbag?
and consequent flooding, I realized one great lesson. Inspite

Twilight in a quiet field

of its great accomplishments in modern times, science has
not yet discovered adequate controls for a number of national
phenomena, including climate change, storm surge, tsunamis,
flooding and politicians!
********
Appointed na si Dante sa anti corruption commission! By TESSA F.
******** SANTIAGO -REY
C mayor tom bongalonta an binotohan alkalde kn pili capital
town, gana, proclamado. Binotohan kn mga tga pili bko ni lray/
migz o kn mga bokal. Mayo nganing member kn sp na tga pili. I love evenings. It makes
Irespeto an desisyon kn korte suprema. me savour the many mean-
Justice without force is powerless: force without justice is ings of life in how God truly
tyrannical. May justice + force be with you.. blesses and completes each
******** of our unfulfilled dreams
Organizado na an asosasyon kn mga naguin alkalde kn
camsur. Sa mghapon mtng kn core group kn FUMA o former
and wishes unsaid, those
untiring mayors assn of camsur, pgpili an imterim board sa only whispered in the silence
pamamayo n xmayor ruben medroso kn calabanga komo pres & of the night; completely for-
xmayor romy gontang kn gainza an vp. Ngpili man kn dist reps gotten in the rush of day. I
: ricky aquino kn ragay 4 1st dist, ernie verdadero mlaor kn 2nd am deeply grateful for the
dist, joel abante canaman kn 3rd dist, jun pilapil kn lagonoy 4th darkest of nights in our
dist & rey lacoste kn buhi 5th district.
********
lives, the loneliest, saddest
Congrats 2 mlaor natl hs, mlaor camsur! D Best ICT/ and most painful moments
Innovation for governance, camsur division winner, regional when God never leaves our
winner, going to national, ICT Summit sa national, this yr 20ì8! side and stays really close
******** and awake, keeping watch
Paguiromdom sa gabos- - pobre o mayaman, madunong o to catch each tear and turn
mangmang, poderoso o ordinaryong tao, an mga kalamidad,
bagyo, baha, landslides, pagpungot kn mga bulkan, gyera, etc it into a star or a rainbow,
na may dyos na kaglalang. Rilingaw na an tao. to make us smile again, and the greatest enterprise in the happy is to stop feeling like sensitivity to say, "I need
******** believe, trust and hope once world. Only you can stop it a victim and become your you". It is to have the ability
Trivia pagkaaga, kun dae nindo aram, an mga taga mlaor more… from going bust. Many ap- destiny's author. It is to cross to say "I love you".
na mga bistadong brodkasters (radyo/tv): ruben ‘ben’ d ocampo When you become the preciate you, admire you and deserts, yet to be able to find May your life become a
alyas lolo beloy (+), joven ‘ben’ saavedra alyas amigong shadow of the person you love you. Remember that to an oasis in the depths of our garden of opportunities for
tsokolate (+), felipe tena bio kn apat na tagulipdan alyas biyo-
biyo (+), jojo ‘eldy’ amador (otoy), melvie avanceña, alex parfan love, does this make you a be happy is not to have a sky soul. It is to thank God for happiness ... That in spring
& ernie verdadero lesser person? ... No! You without a storm, a road with- every morning, for the mir- may it be a lover of joy; in
Dapat surogon n lray & migz c emin imperial. Ska kn sp. truly become a reflection of out accidents, work without acle of life. Being happy is winter, a lover of wisdom.
******** the light that creates the shad- fatigue, and relationships not being afraid of your own And when you make a mis-
An oic vm kn pili rodel divinagracia an nagorder nin ow… the person you love without disappointments. To feelings. It's to be able to talk take, start all over again. For
katuninongan sa pili na patukawon pagkaalkalde c tom
has become a source of light be happy is to find strength in about you. It is having the only then will you be in love
bongalonta bko an oic mayor nonoy rdgondola. Ano man sbi
ni migz & SP? because of how uncondition- forgiveness, hope in battles, courage to hear a "no". It is with life. You will find that
******** ally you have helped him or security in fear, and love in confidence in the face of crit- to be happy is not to have
The best leader is the one who has sense enough to pick her grow into the person God discord. It is not only to enjoy icism, even when unjustified. a perfect life. But use the
good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint enough planned him or her to be…a the smile, but also to reflect It is to kiss your children, tears to irrigate tolerance.
to keep from meddling with them while they do it. mirror of His love…an image on the sadness. It is not only pamper your parents, to live Use your losses to train pa-
********
of God’s likeness and great- to celebrate the successes, poetic moments with friends, tience. Use your mistakes to
Atty angel ojastro 4 mayor?
******** ness… and the choice to be but to learn the lessons from even when they hurt us. To be sculptor serenity. Use pain
Tierra de ibalon travel & tours thru elmer & erik platon is that mirror took on the form the failures. It is not only to happy is to let live the crea- to plaster pleasure. Use ob-
offering 1 unit aircon bus to ferry the relief goods & officials of some wise words from a feel happy with the applause, ture that lives in each of us, stacles to open windows of
of tabang mayon, a relief operation for d evacuees of mayon modern day guru that must but to be happy in anonymity. free, joyful and simple. It is intelligence. Never give up
volcano eruption. The TABANG MAYON spearheaded by naga not gather dust... Being happy is not a fatality to have maturity to be able .... Never give up on people
city mayor john g. Bongat will hev its 1st delivery of assistance
"You can have flaws, be of destiny, but an achieve- to say: "I made mistakes". It who love you. Never give up
on jan. 23 (tuesday) at 5am at d naga city hall.
******** anxious, and ever angry, but ment for those who can travel is to have the courage to say on happiness, for life is an in-
Bareta: Sarong bago asin dakulang programa pang economia do not forget that your life is within themselves. To be "I am sorry". It is to have the credible show. "
para sa mga urban poor kan ciudad kan Naga ang poponan
para sa taon 2018.
Nag pirmahan ning memorandum of understanding ang Naga
MAYON NOT A TRIGGER FOR OTHER BICOL VOLCANOES . . .
City People’s Council saka ang Naga College Foundation na Phivolcs said. gon and Isarog and Iriga in He clarified that the re- again, we cannot tell. Maybe
tatabangan kan Naga College ang Urban poor sector na nasa It advised the public to Camarines Sur. corded 1642 eruption of not even in our lifetime, but
irarom kan NCPC sa pagkaigua ning kakayahan asin sistema desist from entering the six- Mount Bulusan, he said, Mount Parker in South Co- certainly the Philippine Insti-
sa pag pili asin pag gibo ning mga project proposal tanganing
makakoa kan pondo sa pag negosyo.
kilometer permanent danger is a quaint case as it is but a tabato was wrongly ascribed tute of Volcanology will know
Ang systema asin mga guidelines o manual na itatao o zone and the seven-kilometer small volcano in an otherwise to Mount Iriga, which he said with the help of modern moni-
gagamiton sa programa mga simply asin probado na sa 14 extended danger zone on the large one, the Irosin volcano, had erupted at a much earlier toring equipment, as they did
nationes sa kinaban para sa mga pobre. southern flanks because of whose eruption 41,000 years time, a thousand years before with the Pinatubo,” said Ne-
Maguigiromdoman na ang gobyerno asin mga pribadong danger of rockfalls, landslides ago may have been much more the coming of the Spaniards. whall, who now lives in Santo
sector igua man kuta ning pondo para sa mga pagnegosyo and sudden explosions. | extensive and explosive than Isarog, on the other hand, Domingo, Albay with his
kan kasariditan alagad dai naitataong maray dahil sa mau
ning systema asin detalyadong metolohiya na hinahanap kan Newhall, who is married the 1814 or 1897 eruption of had histories of eruptions wife, Glenda.
bureaucracya. Iyo ini ang itataong tabang kan Naga College to a Bicolana and who studied Mayon, but which is now just 25,000 years ago as evi- The lecture series is named
Foundation sa NCPC asin iba pang LGU o NGO na may volcanoes in the US, Gua- a large caldera of its old self. denced by the debris deposits after the late Jesuit anthro-
programa para sa mga pobre sa linya ning rural economic asin temala, Indonesia, Ecuador, Newhall aded that the Isa- in Tinambac town, another pologist whose study on the
enterprise development. the Democratic Republic of rog and Iriga mountains are one which occurred some “sadit” and “dakulang tawo”
Hapot: May garantiya pa daw na an urban poor pgm sa 19ng Congo and Japan, related the also active volcanoes based 5,300 to 5,600 years ago, and in Canaman town placed it
barangays sa naga na mapagana pa an ubos kun ubos tcket
kn city hall sa masunod na eleksyon? histories of three other Bicol on their eruptive behavior in in 1914-1916. and the region in the academic
volcanoes, Bulusan in Sorso- the past 10,000 years. “When they will erupt map of the country.
 JANUARY 21-27, 2018 BUSINESS REPORTER BIKOL REPORTER 5

Suzuki PH closes 2017 with

strong sales growth, awards
Manila, Philippines. Janu-
ary 17, 2018 – Pioneer com-
pact car distributor Suzuki
Philippines (SPH) ends the
year remarkably, posting 34
percent year-on-year (YOY)
growth, expanding in key cities
across the country and receiv-
ing back-to-back recognitions
from renowned award-giving
bodies.
The strong performance of
several of the company’s best-
selling vehicles fueled the con-
tinued sales growth. The popu-
lar life utility vehicle (LUV)
Ertiga was SPH’s chart-topping
vehicle last year, contributing
the biggest to sales with a 34
percent share. The all-time fa-
vorite hatchbacks Celerio and
Swift followed, contributing 15
percent and 13 percent, respec-
tively.
Continued expansion initia-
tives brought the total number
of dealerships opened last year
to 11. Suzuki now has 66 dealer-
ship outlets across the country.
Strategic brand-building efforts
throughout the year also en-
abled the company to increase
awareness about the different
vehicles and their respective
features. These brand-building
projects include SPH’s influenc-
er marketing campaign and sus-
tained efforts such as those for
the company’s car clubs, Team
Suzuki Philippines (TSP).
Before closing the year, Su-
zuki successfully launched the
highly anticipated new Vitara.
Known for enhanced driving
performance, this new-gener-
ation subcompact SUV incor-
CARD MRI releases P18 M disaster
aid for Urduja, Vinta victims
A total of P18-million
assistance was released by
CARD Mutually Reinforc-
ing Institutions (CARD
MRI) to its more than
50,000 microfinance clients
affected by typhoon Urduja
and tropical storm Vinta.
In the January 11, 2018
claims settlement report of
CARD Mutual Benefit As-
sociation (CARD MBA),
34,000 CARD clients in Min-
doro, Samar, Leyte, Cebu,
Batangas, Capiz, Masbate,
and Antique have been af-
fected by typhoon Urduja
and more than 16,000 from
Agusan del Norte, Agusan
del Sur, Misamis Oriental,
Davao, North Cotabato, La-
nao, Zamboanga del Norte,
and Zamboanga Sibugay
were strucked by Vinta.
“Majority of the affected
clients came from those ar-
eas strucked by Urduja,” said
Marilyn Manila, disaster re-
porates modern elements with
strong personalization features
to make city driving even more
enjoyable for Filipino driv-
ers, specifically millennials.
This was proven in a success-
ful media drive that showcased
the new Vitara’s top-of-the-line
driving and safety features and
stylish design.
Recognitions from several
award-giving bodies affirmed
SPH’s efforts to offer only in-
novative and reliable vehicles.
Seven of the company’s popu-
lar, well-loved vehicles won ac-
colades in the annual DOE Fuel
Economy Run, 2017–2018 Auto
Focus People’s Choice Awards
(AFMCA), Car Awards Group,
Inc.’s Car of the Year (COTY)
awards and the 12th C! Maga-
zine Awards.
Stronger foothold in the
PH market
The significant growth in
sales, continuous market expan-
sion, and successive awards and
accolades prove Suzuki Philip-
pines’ stronger foothold in the
PH automotive market.
The Celerio, one of Suzuki
Philippine’s best-selling hatch-
backs, bagged the Best Value-
for-Money award in the standard
mini category in last year’s Auto
Focus People’s Choice Awards
(AFMCA). The AFMCA aims
to recognize the efforts of the
automobile industry to provide
best on-board features, style,
performance and overall value.
The Suzuki Vitara GLX won
in the recently concluded 2017
CAGI Car of the Year awards
under the Subcompact Cross-
sponse chair, adding that 17
of its clients and their depen-
dents did not survive the ca-
tastrophe.
The total number of af-
fected policy holders for re-
house reached to 1,773 with
claims payment amounting to
P2.518 million. Also, more
than P15 million was allot-
ted for relief packs for all af-
over Category. The Ciaz was
named Best Personal Commuter
in the 12th C! Magazine awards
for its fuel efficiency, roomy
interiors and enhanced driving
experience.
In the 13th DOE Fuel Econ-
omy Run organized by the De-
partment of Energy (DOE) in
partnership with Petron Corpo-
ration, Suzuki Philippines’ en-
tries—hatchbacks Alto 800 M/T
and Swift M/T, Euro-4 equipped
light commercial vehicle Super
Carry and the recently launched
subcompact SUV Suzuki Vitara
GLX A/T—were recognized in
their respective categories.
The Alto 800 M/T and Swift
M/T placed fourth and sixth,
respectively, in the gasoline cat-
egory with fuel economy ratings
of 24.81km/L and 23.27km/L.
The all-new Vitara was the sec-
ond subcompact SUV to enter
the top 15 gasoline-powered
vehicles with a 20.57km/L fuel
economy rating.
In the diesel category, the
Super Carry performed well
among the pickups and placed
second with a fuel economy rat-
ing of 19.19km/L.
The 2017 event, which ran
by the theme “E-Power Mo”
from November 20 to 21 in
Clark, Pampanga, identifies
fuel efficiency ratings for cars
recently sold and made avail-
able in the Philippines. It aims
to encourage car manufacturers
and distributors to bring in more
fuel-efficient vehicles in line
with the common goal of envi-
ronment conservation and wiser
use of energy.
fected clients.
We are glad to have re-
sponded immediately to the
needs of our clients. “Stra-
tegically, all our unit offices
within the areas crossed by
the typhoon and tropical
storm were packing relief
goods enough to cover the
clients they serve,” added
(Turn to page 7)
Continued growth in 2018
Backed by its strong perfor-
mance in 2017, Suzuki Philip-
pines is confident of sustaining
market momentum this year.
The company is gearing up
for more product launches and
dealership openings as it aims
to continue brand-building and
expansion initiatives.
SPH General Manager for
Automobile Shuzo Hoshikura
acknowledges the continued
support given to Suzuki Philip-
pines as the company marks a
successful 2017 and looks for-
Bicol-bred CPA–Lawyer heads
Phl External Auditors
The 2018 national presi-
dent of the Association of
CPAs in Public Practice
(ACPAPP) is a Bicolana by
birth. She is CPA-Lawyer
Arminda (Barbie) T. Acya-
tan-Guerrero.
Atty. Barbie, as she is fond-
ly called by friends and asso-
ciates is the youngest daughter
of the former Lilia Federizon
Tena of Milaor, CamSur and
San Mateo, Penafrancia, Naga
City. Her father is CPA-Law-
yer Antonio P. Acyatan former
popular student leader at the
University of Nueva Caceres
who rose to become a senior
executive of the Philippine
National Bank and Republic
Planters Bank.
Both enterprising daughter
and father are stalwarts of the
Philippine accountancy pro-
fession, capped by their lead-
erships in the ASEAN Fed-
eration of Accountants (AFA)
and Philippine Institute of
CPAs. Atty. Barbie was AFA
Assistant Secretary General
for three years and national
officer of the Assn. of CPAs
in Public Practice (ACPAPP)
ward to an equally, if not more,
fruitful 2018. “It has been a great
year for Suzuki Philippines. We
saw our efforts of bringing the
Suzuki Way of Life closer to
more Filipinos bear more fruits.
As we move forward to another
year, we shall bring with us the
successes we achieved and the
lessons we learned from last
year, and use them to continue
doing better, bringing more in-
novative vehicles to the Philip-
pines,” Hoshikura added.
Cecil Capacete, SPH Assis-
tant General Manager, added:
Atty. GUERRERO
leading to her ascension as
Executive Vice President in
2017.
Atty. Acyatan-Guerrero is
an alumnae of Sacred Heart
College (Lucena City) and
cum laude graduate in Ac-
countancy of the University
of Santo Tomas. She com-
pleted her Bachelor of Laws
degree at the San Beda Col-
lege. She is married to Atty.
Stephen P. Guerrero and they
have a loving daughter – Han-
nah from St. Paul (Pasig).
ACPAPP is the national
organization of external audi-
tors and practicing financial
consultants. It is composed
of the various Philippine ac-
“We look forward to another
great year. With the contin-
ued support of the Philippine
automotive industry, the Su-
zuki teams and our network
of partners and dealers, we are
confident of reaching more
milestones and delivering more
innovative vehicles to the mar-
ket.”
For more information about
Suzuki Philippines and their
automobiles, please visit www.
suzuki.com.ph and like them on
www.facebook.com/SuzukiAu-
toPH.
counting and consultancy
firms and individual practic-
ing CPAs.
It aims to consolidate the
ranks of all CPAs in Public
Practice, enhance their pro-
fessional competencies and to
strictly adhere to the Profes-
sion’s Code of Ethics.
To realize this vision,
ACPAPP shall strengthen its
linkages with all regulatory
agencies of the government,
energize its advocacy role and
come out with activities that
will solidly unite its members
and develop their technical
and professional competen-
cies.
It is ACPAPP’s vision
to see all Filipino CPAs in
Public Practice elevated to a
group of highly esteemed pro-
fessionals, competently and
excellently performing their
assigned tasks in the world
of business and governance.
It will provide the necessary
professional development
programs and training facili-
ties that would insure to the
benefit of government and
business in general.

DTI
LEGAZPI CITY -- The Department of Trade and In-
dustry (DTI) in Bicol has warned traders against increas-
ing the prices of basic commodities after the province was
placed under a state of calamity due to the Mayon volcanic
priced basic necessities like canned sardines, evaporated
and condensed milk, coffee, laundry bar, detergent powder,
candles, bread, salt, bottled water, and instant noodles, Be-
rango said.

warns
activity.
Jocelyn Berango, DTI regional information officer, in an
interview Wednesday said, businessmen must not take ad-
vantage of the situation of the evacuees and other people af-
She added, however, that “we have so far not noticed any
exorbitant pricing in various markets in Albay”.
Berango said there must be no price increase within the
60-day period upon declaration of a state of calamity for Al-

traders
fected by the multi-hazard -volcanic eruption, flood and heavy
rains. "We are closely monitoring the price and supply of basic
necessities in stores throughout the province of Albay," she
said.
DTI would make sure there was sufficient and reasonably-
bay on Tuesday afternoon.
She asked the traders to show compassion especially to
those who were affected by the calamity. "They are already
out of comfort so let us help them by being compassionate,"
she added. -CONNIE CALIPAY/PNA
 6 BIKOL REPORTER JANUARY 21-27, 2018

ACTO FIRMS UP 2018 TOURISM . . . ings for local guides. Since tour to conceptualize and implement
EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT
guiding trainings are expensive the establishment of a city mu-
will push through this year, and To date, the city has more than
hopefully it will improve the ac- 40 travel agencies and around
which results in increase in ser- seum as this city don’t have yet WITH SALE
vice charges and tour packages, a museum of its own that really Notice is hereby given that the named parties are
cess to Mt. Isarog,” Santos stated. half of it are already DOT accred-
ACTO will then give opportunity focuses on Naga itself.
With the expected increase in ited and are clamouring for tour- the legitimate and sole heirs of the late ROWENA B.
to working students, especially The ACTO chief reported that
tourist arrivals, ACTO pushes for ist guides because of the increas- AGORITA who died in Calabanga, Camarines Sur
the tourism students with Nation- they have already coordinated
the setting-up of a Tourist Infor- ing clients, but unfortunately, the on April 10, 2015 left a parcel of land situated in Bgy.
al Certificate II (NC II) on tour with the National Historical
mation Center with tourist guides city lacks tourist guides.
guiding. Commission of the Philippines Lugsad, Calabanga, Camarines Sur; that pursuant
to cater to the needs of the visi- ACTO have already formu-
“They will be trained on first (NCHP) on this matter, have to the provisions of Section 1, Rule 74 of the Re-
tors. lated a program to conduct train-
aid so that their training will be conducted trainings, coordinat- vised Rules of Court, the parties hereby agreed to
complete, and then they can be ed with Bicol historian Danny divide and adjudicate the real properties described
Sunday Gospel: Jn 1:35-42 hired on a part-time basis or on- Gerona, history advocates and in equal shares; that for and in consideration of the
call basis of the travel agencies. potential stakeholders who can
That way, we are able to help the sum of SEVENTY THOUSAND (P70,000.00) pesos
Gospel: Mk 10:13-16 loan their artefacts that can be
People were bringing their little children to him to have students and at the same time fill- paid in hand by ANNIE B. SARTE, the parties do
displayed in the museum.
him touch them; and the disciples rebuked them for this. in the requirement of our travel
The plan is to put up the city
hereby SELL, CONVEY and TRANSFER by way of
When Jesus noticed it, he was very angry and said, “Let the agencies,” Santos said. ABSOLUTE SALE unto Annie B. Sarte, her heirs and
museum at the second floor of the
children come to me and don’t stop them, for the kingdom of For a city as old as Naga, assigns their rights and interests to the parcel of land
ACTO is given the responsibility Raul Roco Library located at the
God belongs to such as these. Truly, I say to you, whoever described, as acknowledged before Notary Public
City Hall Compound.
does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter
Santos is requesting the sup- Atty. Francisco R. Velasco, Doc. No. 23, Page No. 7,
it.” Then he took the children in his arms and, laying his hands
on them, blessed them.
NAGA . . . port of the other departments Book No. XXI, Series of 2018.
Lectio Divina ing the evacuees with hygiene such as the CEPPIO and the En-
Read: Isaiah captures the joy and delight of the people kit supplies and food items— vironment and Natural Resources
BIKOL REPORTER
at the birth of the child of the promise, and how this child toothbrushes, toothpastes, Office (ENRO) to achieve their
would redefine their destiny. Paul highlights how the birth of
Published: Jan. 21, 28; Feb. 4, 2018
target. -JRM-PIA5/CamSur
Christ Jesus births us into the identity of God’s own children.
sanitary napkins, body soaps,
Mark reports that Jesus was “very angry” when children were diapers, face towels, canned
prevented from coming to him. goods, rice, noodles and bot-
Reflect: We celebrate the feast of St. Niño today, and tled water.
fittingly, the readings revolve around the theme of birth and Cash donations under the

EMERENCIANA (MARY) SALCEDO

children. The birth of a child is more than the birth of a child; Naga City Government bank
it is the harbinger of many new beginnings – often it brings
along with it hope, redemption, forgiveness, re-union, love. account is also encouraged
The presence of children in our lives keeps us alive to the among contributors.
possibilities within and around us. Children prevent the The City Social Welfare
ossification of our souls. No wonder Jesus was furious that the and Development Office (peacefully joined her Creator on December 29, 2017
disciples blocked the presence of children with him. And great (CSWDO) will serve as the at the age of 93)
is the need for us to nurture the presence and connection to
drop- off and coordinating
the little babe of Bethlehem within us, for he can give us light
and hope when we walk in the shadow of death. center for the donations. Beloved wife to Ramon (deceased). Loving mother
Pray: Pray to Santo Niño to be ever present to you as the About 30,000 individuals
to Daisy, Cynthia, Perry, Jose Noel (deceased)
Prince of your heart. have already been staying
Act: Reach out and do an act of charity to a child in distress. in the evacuation centers in and Ramon. Will be sadly missed by all her family,
Be a blessing. the province of Albay, as re- extended family and friends.
ported, which has now been Relatives and friends of Mary were invited to
EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH WAIVER declared under the State of Celebrate her life
Calamity.
Notice is hereby given that the named parties are the at Mary Mother of Mercy Chapel, Rookwood
Meanwhile, the Philippine
legal and surviving heirs of the late MERLE P. LAZARO
Institute of Volcanology and Catholic Crematorium, Lidcombe
who died on July 24, 2005 at Philippine Heart Center, Seismology (PHIVOLCS) (Metropolitan Sydney), Australia,
East Avenue, Quezon City, left a parcel of land situated has been continuing their ef- last January 4, 2018.
at San Jose, Pili, Camarines Sur covered by Transfer forts in the monitoring of the
Certificate of Title No. 20851; that pursuant to the volcanic eruptions of Mt.
provisions of Secion 1, Rule 74 of the Rules of Court, Mayon. -Armie B. Gunay
We request the pious readers to pray for the
the parties mentioned hereby adjudicate, as co-heirs eternal repose of her soul.
of the undivided share of the property described in NGCP ASSURES. . .
equal share pro-indiviso; that the heirs HONORATO G. We wish to express our heartfelt gratitude
LAZARO and AMADO P. LAZARO III, hereby WAIVE, Alert Level 3 remains in
effect over Mayon Volcano, and sincerest appreciation to all who offered Masses
RENOUNCE and QUITCLAIM their rights and partici-
pation over the described property in favor of co-heir which means that it is cur- and prayers, sent flowers and messages of sympathy
NATHALIE P. LAZARO , as acknowledged before No- rently in a relatively high and who in countless ways, condole with
tary Public Atty. Florencio R. Rosales, Doc. No. 1263, level of unrest. Magma is at and comforted us in our hour of
the crater and a hazardous
Page No. 253, Book No. VI, Series of 2017.
eruption is possible within
bereavement.
BIKOL REPORTER
weeks or even days. -CON-
Published: January 14, 21 and 28, 2018
NIE CALIPAY/PNA

FOR DECEMBER
NAME OF DECEASED DATE OF INTERMENT
AMANDO B. ARIAS DECEMBER 1, 2017
DANILO A. GONZALES DECEMBER 2, 2017
ERLINDA D. ALFONSO DECEMBER 3, 2017
MARIA B. DEBLOIS DECEMBER 8, 2017
FLORENTINA D. NICOLAS DECEMBER 8, 2017
RAMON D. NICOLAS DECEMBER 8, 2017
NILO M. VIRAY DECEMBER 8, 2017
GENEVIEVE P. NEO DECEMBER 9, 2017
VOLTAIRE G. DU JUNCO DECEMBER 11, 2017
HERMONICO A. ANTIPALA DECEMBER 12, 2017
MARILOU C. VILLAMOR DECEMBER 13, 2017
ANNABELLE B. TUY DECEMBER 13, 2017
ROGELIO D. GUERIÑA DECEMBER 14, 2017
JOSEFINA D. GUERIÑA DECEMBER 14, 2017
RITA D. GUERIÑA DECEMBER 14, 2017
ANTONIO E. GUERIÑA DECEMBER 14, 2017
ADOLFO C. ABRAGAN DECEMBER 15, 2017
MANUEL S. MORAN DECEMBER 16, 2017
HELEN B. BOSQUILLOS DECEMBER 17, 2017
LOURDES V. REMODO DECEMBER 19, 2017
EUTIQUIO R. RELLEVE DECEMBER 21, 2017
RONNIE Y. NUÑEZ DECEMBER 21, 2017
REYNALDO R. CHAVEZ DECEMBER 21, 2017
KEVIN GREGG BYRNE DECEMBER 23, 2017
GLORIOSA D. TRANQUILINO DECEMBER 29, 2017
GUIA AMORE O. JOAQUIN DECEMBER 29, 2017
LOURDES C. JULIA DECEMBER 30, 2017
 JANUARY 21-27, 2018
HOUSE EYEING DISASTER DEPARTMENT . . .
eightyear-old Republic Act
10121, which created the Na-
tional Disaster and Risk Re-
duction Framework, a land-
mark legislation but which
falls short in creating “an
institution that is sufficiently
in a position to oversee the
implementation of stream-
lined disaster risk reduction
and management policies na-
tionwide.
Salceda said the DRR will
have the necessary authority,
mandate and resources to lead
and coordinate efforts of vari-
ous stakeholders during a di-
saster as well as post-disaster
or calamity.
Under the concept, the
DRR will be separate from the
Office of Civil Defense, which
will continue to perform its
original mandate, particu-
larly its duty to administer a
comprehensive national civil
defense and assistance pro-
gram, training of community
volunteers for civil defense
and assistance, and other
mechanisms for community
preparedness, he said.
BIKOL REPORTER 7
“Now more than ever, we
feel the need to create a su-
per government agency, see-
ing the devastation around us
every time a disaster strikes,”
Salceda said.
In the face of the onslaught
of disasters, the country needs
“strategic and systematic ap-
proaches to disaster preven-
tion, mitigation, preparedness,
response and the effective
programs on rehabilitation
and recovery handled by an
agency with its own man-
date,” he said.

4 CATANDUANES BOARD PLACERS GET REWARDS . . .
“the cash incentives serve as
a token of appreciation for
their excellent performance
and being pride of Catan-
duanes.”
He disclosed that the fund
for the award both came from
his office and the Office of
the Governor.
Governor Cua likewise
lauded the young profession-
TODAY IS THE FEAST OF STO. NIÑO . . .
of the two. The statue is clothed
in rich fabrics, wears jewelry
such as gilded neck chain and
bears imperial regalia including
a gold crown, globus cruciger,
and various sceptres mostly do-
nated by devotees.
The image received papal
recognition on 28 April 1965,
when Pope Paul VI issued a pa-
pal bull for the Canonical Coro-
nation of the statue and raised
the church that houses it to a ba-
silica status to mark the 400th
anniversary of the first Chris-
tian mission and rediscovery of
the statue in Cebu. The image
has historically attracted devo-
tional worship in Philippines,
attracting devotional worship,
processions and pilgrimage,
with numerous Filipino pil-
grims touching or kissing the
foot of the statue's stand. There
Republic of the Philippines
LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRY OFFICE
Province: Camarines Sur
City/Municipality: Libmanan
als for bringing the honor and
the prestige not only to their
parents and CSU but also to
every Catandunganon.
The topnotchers were
grateful upon receiving the
incentives. For them it serves
as recognition of their hard-
work and determination in at-
taining such achievement.
is an annual feast every January
on the third Sunday which is
marked by fiesta, sinulog danc-
ing in the streets, and prayers to
Senor Santo Nino statue]
The Holy Child's image
is liturgically celebrated dur-
ing weekly Mass, novenas and
Christian holidays. Along with
the Black Nazarene statue of Je-
sus Christ, it is the most popular
object of devotion in the Philip-
pines. The Santo Niño image is
replicated in many homes and
business establishments, with
different titles reinterpreted in
various areas of the country. It
is one of the most beloved and
recognizable cultural icons in
the Philippines, with the origi-
nal permanently encased within
bulletproof glass in a chapel at
the Basílica Menor del Santo
Niño.
“We are very honored
to bring this triumph to the
province,” Aldave said.
According to them, the
money would be of great
help to their studies now that
they are taking up Nursing at
CSU.
They did not expect to top
the exam, the three affirmed.
What they truly hope for is
all of them would pass the
MLE since it is required of
them to pass the exam to be
able to pursue nursing.
“Para sa amin mas ok na
yung nakapasa kaming lahat
magkaklase kaysa may na-
katop nga, may bagsak na-
man so, yung pagiging top
blessing na rin siya kung
baga,” Soriao stated.
The full support of their
parents and their class’ team-
work helped them to over-
come shortcomings and be
successful to attain their goal,
they added.
It could be remembered
that on July 7, 2017, the said
batch from the Realized Lad-
derized Program-BSN of
CSU who got 100% passing
rate (20 out of 20) paid cour-
tesy on Governor Cua and
EBMC BOT members, at the
provincial hospital days after
the release of the result of the
Midwifery Board Exam giv-
en by the Professional Regu-
lations Commission (PRC)
last April 10-11, 2017.
MEDICAL MISSION FROM DOWN UNDER
THE MARONITE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA brought in doctors, dentists, nurses and volunteers
at their own expense, free medicines and medical supplies, for their 6th medical mission in
Naga. Their yearly mission started in 2013 in partnership with the Missionaries of the Poor (in
Brgy. Cararayan) when Fr. Joseph Ssali was still its Rector, and continued to this day by their
new Rector, Fr. Lawrence Mendoza.
CARD MRI RELEASES P18 M DISASTER AID . . .
Manila. said May Dawat, chief exec- for the request of our opera-
Strengthening 8-24 hour utive officer of CARD MBA. tions staff on list of members
claims settlement Time for rehabilitation who will be under morato-
With the success of its 1-3- The day after Urduja and rium,” said Vicente Briones,
5 day claims settlement strat- Vinta left the Philippine Area deputy executive director of
egy, CARD MBA launched a of Responsibility (PAR), all CARD, Inc.
new strategy in mid 2017, the the executive heads of CARD Affected clients may
8-24 hour claims settlement. went straight to the affected also avail calamity loan and
The new strategy aims to areas to check the status of its housing improvement loan
pay all the claims due of its clients and operations. with longer terms. More-
policy holders within eight “That was also our way over, CARD MRI, through
hours and maximum of 24 of listening to our clients es- the CARD-MRI Develop-
hours right after any incident pecially on the things they ment Institute (CMDI), is
that would cost their lives need, which we do not cover also working on the possible
and properties. at the moment but might be modules that would assist the
The Urduja and Vinta in- a welcome initiative for us to clients of CARD in coping up
cident marked 96.5% accom- consider in the future,” said with the situation.
plishment. “What we have Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip, “The module will also
achieved is already worth founder and chair of CARD help our clients in thinking
celebrating. We will, howev- MRI. alternative efforts, in case
er, continue to push ourselves For the meantime, mora- their major source of income
more and do the best efforts torium of loan collections is damaged, to sustain their
we can to pay all the claims have been raised for affected daily living,” Dr. Alip con-
within the given time-frame,” clients. “We are just waiting cluded.

NOTICE FOR PUBLICATION

ROQUE . . .
said.
In compliance with Section No. 5 of R.A. No. 9048, The Palace official said he
a Notice is hereby served to the public that ROBERTO D. would recommend to Presi-
SARALDE has filed with this Office, a Petition for Change dent Duterte to visit Albay the
of First Name from “RAUL” to “ROBERTO” in the birth soonest possible to personally
certificate of RAUL DIESTRO SARALDE, who was born see and talk to the evacuees af-
on January 22, 1963 at Libod No.1, Libmanan, Camarines fected by the Mayon eruption.
Sur and whose parents are CRISPIN SALARDE and This means, he said, that
FLORENTINA DIESTRO. the President is with Albay res-
idents in this time of calamity.
Roque said all the depart-
Any person adversely affected by said petition may
ments of the national govern-
file his written opposition with this office not later than
ment are simultaneously mov-
January 27, 2018.
ing to respond to the needs of
the people of the province.
(Sgd.) EMILIE S. AGNES-DAIRAO The Philippine National
Municipal Civil Registrar Police is also assisting the gov-
ernment in all its efforts to help
BIKOL REPORTER
the needy and ensure security
Published: January 14 and 21, 2018
in the affected municipalities
and cities, he added.
Likewise, the Department
of Education was responding
to the needs of the education
sector while the Department of
Social Welfare and Develop-
ment was supplying food packs
to the evacuees, Roque said.
The DSWD, he added, has
standby funds amounting to
PHP18 million to cover the
needs of those Albayanos
temporarily staying in public
schools.
Roque said it was a “whole
government” approach that
was being implemented by the
national government in Albay
down to the city, municipal
and barangay levels. -Connie
Calipay/PNA
ACTO FIRMS UP
PAGE 8 BICOL, THE PHILIPPINES JANUARY 14-20, 2018

2018 TOURISM PUSH
SANTOS
House eyeing Disaster Department
Congress is consolidating
43 legislative proposals on
disaster response to create a
“super government agency”
that will be tasked to carry
out a consistent calamity de-
fense program in the coun-
try.
“Since typhoons and other
calamities have been getting
stronger and broader in impact
in recent years, the creation of
a well structured agency to
manage a broad climate-di-
saster program is necessary,”
NAGA CITY -- With just a few months to go before summer comes
in, the Arts, Culture and Tourism Office (ACTO) here, is gearing up to
attract more local and foreign visitors to experience what the city and
the province of Camarines Sur has to offer for them.
In a press conference held last week at the City month the total tourist arrivals
Events Protocol and Public Information Office in the city. But based on our
(CEPPIO), ACTO Chief Alec Santos briefed the estimate, we have an increase
local media on the developments and accomplish- of about 10 percent, which is
ments of the office with regards to the promotion higher by the national average
of the tourism industry in the city. of eight (8) percent. So more
Santos revealed that in 2016, there were 1.21 or less, our conservative esti-
million tourist arrivals in Naga and it is expected mate increase in 2017 is be-
that there is an increase in 2017, although they are tween 1.3 to 1.4 million tour-
still in the process of collecting the data for the last ists,” Santos explained.
quarter of that year. The same increase is ex-
“When ACTO started collecting data in 2013, pected of them for 2018 as
there were only 859,000 annual tourist arrivals. Al-
though we are still collecting the data for the last
they will intensify their pro-
motion as per directive of City Today is the Feast
quarter of 2017, we will know by the end of the Mayor John Bongat and the
Sangguniang Panlungsod to of Sto. Niño de Cebu
promote the city aggressively.
The Santo Niño de Cebú landed on the island.
As to the development of
(Cebuano: Balaang Bata sa The statue measures ap-
roads and infrastructures to
Sugbo, Filipino: Batang Ba- proximately twelve inches
said Rep. Joey Salceda, who tourist spots, ACTO have fa-
nal ng Cebu, Spanish: Santo tall, is made of a dark wood in
heads the technical working cilitated with the Department
Niño de Cebú) is a Roman baroque style and depicts the
group on the disaster agency of Tourism (DOT) and the
Catholic title of the Child Child Jesus as a king dressed
legislation. Department of Public Works
Jesus based on a religious like Spanish royalty. The ex-
Congress would likely and Highways (DPWH) on
relic icon in Cebu City of pressions, accessories and
prioritize and expedite the the request for funding for the
the Philippines. The image hand posture of Santo Nino de
passage of a pending bill that improvement of roads going
is venerated as miraculous Cebu are similar to the Infant
seeks to create the proposed to destinations particularly
by many Filipino Catholics. Jesus of Prague now located
Department of Disaster Resil- going to Mt. Isarog.
It is one of the oldest Chris- in Czech Republic. It is be-
ience (DRR), he said. “There is already a bud-
tian relics in the Philippines, lieved that both statues origi-
Salceda had earlier filed get allocated for this by the
originally given in 1521 as a nated from the same Europe-
House Bill 6075 seeking the national government and we
creation of the DRR. gift by explorer Ferdinand an source, with the devotion
have complied the require-
The bill seeks to amend the Magellan to Rajah Huma- to Santo Nino starting earlier
ments, so the implementation
bon and his wife when he (Turn to page 7)
(Turn to page 7) Cong. SALCEDA (Turn to page 6)

4 Catanduanes Board
Placers get rewards
Four Catanduanes State
University’s Midwifery Board
Exam placers received cash
incentives from the Provincial
Government at the Office of the
Governor last January 16, 2017.
Governor Joseph C. Cua and
PBM Rafael Zuniega person-
ally handed the cheque worth
P15,000 to Kathryn Avery A.
Aldave who topped the board
with 91.45%, while P10,000
each to Claudine C. Villamor
who ranked 3rd with 90.45%,
John Nicholas Anton C. So-
riao who got the 6th place with
89.25%, and Alben Brizo Ber-
nal who ended up 10th place
with 88.75%. However, Vil-
lamor was unable to come to
the awarding.
Provincial Board Member
Rafael Zuniega, SP Chair of
Committee on Health spon-
sored the SP Resolution on
granting cash incentives to to-
pnotchers of CSU – College of
Health Sciences (CHS) in the
Midwifery Licensure Exami-
nation.
As stated in the resolution,
(Turn to page 7)

BOARD PLACERS HONORED

Catanduanes Gov. Joseph C. Cua and Board Member Rafael
Zuniega handed the cash incentives to Midwifery Board
placers from the Catanduanes State University.