PIEP to conduct ‘Capability Building Course on
Environmental Planning’
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 8 (PIA) – The Philippine
Institute of Environmental Planners (PIEP) will conduct a Capability Building
Course on Environmental Planning (CBCEP) on April 20-24, 2015 at Dottie’s Place
Convention Hall, this city.
“The course is especially designed for those who
wish to acquire basic education or knowledge on the practice of the
environmental planning profession in the Philippines to improve their
competencies as professionals, and for those who wish to obtain a deeper
appreciation of theories, tolls, techniques, as well as laws, regulations and
policies related to environmental planning,” said Larisa Glenda de Castro,
environmental planner and president of PIEP.
The Environmental Planning Act of 2013 mandates
that “after the lapse of five years from the effectivity of the Act, only
registered and licensed environmental planners shall be appointed to the
position of heads and assistant heads of groups, departments, divisions in
government offices, agencies, bureaus or instrumentalities thereof, including
GOCCs, provinces, cities and municipalities, and such other positions which
require the knowledge, skills and competencies and qualifications of registered
and licensed environmental planners (EnP).”
Thus, CBCEP also intends to prepare those participants
who are interested and qualified for the EnP licensure examination to take the
exam scheduled on June 9-10, 2015.
For reservation and inquiry, interested parties
may contact Arlene Ty at telefax 02-9209705 or e-mail at
secretariat@piep.org.ph; or EnP/Dr. Ego Mallonga at 085-341-2694 with e-mail
address mcs_inc2014@yahoo.com.ph.
The Philippine Institute of Environmental Planners
(PIEP) was an offshoot of Republic Act 4341 which was signed into law on June
19, 1965 and provided for the establishment of the Philippine Institute of
Environmental Planning as an academic unit of the University of the
Philippines. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
Butuan Bishop tells inter-faith crowd: ‘Be the
first to love…’
By Noel B. Najarro
BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 8 (PIA) - Most Rev. Juan de Dios
M. Pueblos, bishop of the Diocese of Butuan, tells hundreds of inter-faith
crowd gathered on Black Saturday as part of the city Lenten celebration
composed of youth, priests, nuns, church leaders, military, police and
representatives from the government agency, academe and media to be the ”first
to love…”
Bishop Pueblos was the main speaker of the
ecumenical gathering for worship and prayer initiated by the Diocese of Butuan
in partnership with the Butuan Evangelical Ministerial Association, Inc.
(BEMAI) and the United Church of Christ of the Philippines (UCCP) dubbed as
“Butuan Youth Arise” at Guingona Park, 4:00 a.m. Saturday.
Seen also attending the event were contingent from
the 402nd Philippine Army Brigade led by its commander Col. Isidro Purisima and
the staff of the Philippine Information Agency 13, led by Regional Director
Abner Caga.
The event started with praise and worship songs
led by the “Love and Mercy” Community Charismatic Worship Team and the “Jesus
Is Lord” Worship Team.
Bishop Pueblos during his message praised God for
sparing the region from typhoon “Cheding” and blessing Caraga region with fine
weather during the observance of the Lenten season. He challenged everyone present
to heed what Pope Francis said “To live the faith…everything should be part of
our faith.” According to him that living the faith should start in the family
and that everyone must be the first to show love as shown by Christ’s
sacrificing, satisfying and sanctifying love. “Be the first to love…” Bishop
Pueblos said.
The bishop pointed out that youths are usually the
subject of people scheming evil especially those who proliferate illegal drugs.
“Be the first to fight illegal drugs,” he challenged. According to him that the
illegal drug problem in the city and even in its peripheries are getting worse,
and that the fight against that menace to the society should start from the
family. He said that the family has a vital role in molding good character of
its members in order to create a strong community. He said that in the basic
ecclesiastical communities (BECs) under the diocese, no drug problem has been
noted. “Parents must always be there to give love, care and constant guidance
for their children…let us create a new and vibrant future that is free from
corruption. We should start to reflect and renew our commitment to catalyze a
positive change, starting from own selves, then to our families and to our
communities. We should continue to draw other young people and to heed this
call ‘Butuan Youth…Arise, and Standup!’” Bishop Pueblos challenged.
Among the highlights of the event was the
challenge to pray given by BEMAI President and Jesus Is Lord Regional Minister
Rev. Nolan Lloren and the challenge by Rev. Fr. Carlito Clase to wake up and to
stand for righteousness, especially to the youth.
A tableau was also presented by the youths of the
St. Joseph Cathedral Parish which theme revolved on love and forgiveness.
Then a prayer for the six categories such as the:
family, education, media, peace, order and security, environment and the church
was offered led by the youth representatives backed up by their priests, nuns,
pastors or church leaders. Bishop Pueblos then prayed for all the church
priests, nuns, pastors and leaders present. (PNA/PIA-Caraga)
DENR Caraga initiates simultaneous tree planting
activity
By Maria Catherine M. Gonzaga
BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 8 (PIA) – The Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga regional office headed by
regional director Nonito M. Tamayo and the Community Environment and Natural
Resources Office (CENRO) of Nasipit conducted tree planting and coastal
clean-up activities simultaneously along the beaches of Buenavista, Nasipit,
and Carmen in Agusan del Norte in celebration of the International Day of
Forests with the theme, “Forests | Climate | Change.”
To give meaning to the celebration, each
participant was required to plant 21 seedlings to symbolize the annual
celebration of the International Day of Forests which is every 21st day of
March.
The activity, which was initiated by CENRO Norman
Asugan began at 5 a.m., participated by more than 300 individuals including the
DENR personnel, Local Government Units, fisherfolks, private sectors,
non-government organizations, and young volunteers.
A total of 15,880 seedlings of Rhizopora,
Brugeria, Talisay, and other indigenous species were planted in a total land
area of 7.52 hectares. The participants also conducted clean-up in the four
beaches and collected 183 kilograms of non-biodegradable wastes.
“This activity is a good start for the region’s
contribution to the 1 Billion Peso Mangrove Rehabilitation Project of the
agency,” RD Tamayo said.
He said that a total of 14,880 mangrove propagules
were planted in those different sites. “These mangroves would be our first line
of defense against natural calamities such as storm surge,” he added.
The International Day of Forests (IDF) was
observed for the first time on March 21, 2013 thru a resolution established by
United Nations General Assembly on November 28, 2012. This year’s IDF theme
emphasizes the ways in which forests and climate change are linked and to gain
support in the advocacy to make greater actions to create change.
“We should initiate more activities like this as
contribution to the adaptation and mitigation measures that we are doing to
cushion the impact of climate change. Forests sustain life on earth and
therefore the protection of forests must be considered over and above our daily
chores,” Tamayo said. (DENR-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
217 graduate from TESDA in SurSur
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, April 8 (PIA) – A
new batch of trainees at the Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority (TESDA) in Surigao del Sur headed by Provincial Director Rey Cueva
has successfully completed their chosen field of skills training.
According to Celestino Ares, senior TESD
specialist, some 217 trainees have earned their training certificates on March
30, 2015 during the formal ceremony held at 1:00 p.m. at the Provincial Social
Hall just across the Capitol grounds.
Toolkits have also been distributed to graduates
of electronics- and electrical-related fields, he clarified.
The affair was attended by 1st District
Congressman Philip Pichay, Governor Johnny Pimentel, Bayabas Mayor Ma. Clarita
Garcia-Limbaro, Marihatag Mayor Alan Pelenio, and Tandag City Councilor Imelda
Falcon representing Mayor Roxanne Pimentel.
It was learned that other dignitaries also graced
the occasion, particularly TESDA Caraga regional director Florencio Sunico, Jr.
The TESDA provincial office here works hand in
hand with the Jobs through Tech-voc Program-Provincial Skills Training Center
(JTP-PSTC) at all times; also with the Access for Youth training and Employment
Center (AYEC) in Tandag City if there are enrollees coming from this place.
Under the JTP-PSTC, 57 have been listed to have
passed driving lessons while five have finished as heavy equipment operators.
On the other hand, AYEC has backed up 84 trainees
for electrical installation and maintenance; 47 for maintenance and repair of
electronically-controlled domestic appliances; six for computer hardware
servicing; and 18 for personal computer operation, Ares added. (NGBT/Radyo ng
Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
DOH, PHO strengthen disease surveillance in
Dinagat Islands
By Ma. Jane A. Mayola
SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, Apr. 8 (PIA) - A
two-day refresher course on Philippine Integrated Disease Surveillance and
Response (PIDSR) was recently held at the Provincial Guest Center, here.
The seminar-workshop aims to strengthen the Local
Government Units (LGUs) in performing disease surveillance and response in the
province.
The PIDSR System is being used to improve the
current disease surveillance system as well as to strengthen the capacity of
LGUs for early detection and response to epidemics.
During the two-day activity, DOH-Caraga
PIDSR/Vaccine Preventable Disease (VPD) officer Michelle Que discussed on the
different types of notifiable diseases which include the bacterial and
viral-causing diseases, and mosquito and food-borne diseases as well as to
their definitions, classifications and confirmations.
Topics on recent communicable diseases which
include Ebola Virus, MERS-CoV, HIV, several vaccine preventable diseases and
the basics of Epidemic Surveillance and Response (ESR) were also discussed.
The activity was spearheaded by the Provincial
Health Office (PHO) and the Department of Health (DOH) Caraga and participated
by health personnel of the seven municipalities of the province. (SDR/PIO-Dinagat
Islands/PIA-Dinagat Islands)
