BUTUAN CITY – Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza cited the tremendous advantages of charcoal briquetting to waste reduction and disposal as he briefed President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on the status of solid waste management in Metro Manila during the President’s weekly visit to environmental projects as climate change czar.
“The green charcoal process converts biodegradable waste and other organic materials into solid fuel, thus reducing waste that needs to be disposed,” Atienza said. The production of charcoal briquettes that use trash as raw materials also aids in the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to the atmosphere, he added during the Solid Waste Management forum at the Manila Police District last week.
These raw materials, he said, include paper, rice straw, coconut shell, coffee pulp, kitchen waste and even vegetable waste.
With support from no less than the President, Atienza reiterated his call for local government units (LGUs) as well as the public “to conquer garbage” through a “zero-waste lifestyle”.
Under the DENR’s Zero Basura Program, a three-pronged approach to waste reduction and minimization is being implemented through the following: 1) the installation of Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs), 2) the construction of land-fill stations in each municipality; and 3) the re-education of the communities on the virtues of segregating waste products into bio-degradable and non-biodegradable batches.
The program, Atienza said, is geared to prioritize, operationalize, institutionalize and fast-track the implementation of Republic Act No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2001, and in support to government campaign on climate change involving local government units.
The production of charcoal briquettes is not only environment-friendly, it also provides alternative livelihood opportunities for the people, which is the current thrust of President Arroyo,” Atienza said.
“Our Ecosystem Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) has been working on the generation of technologies for our LGUs, notable of which is charcoal briquetting wherein leaves and other materials like coconut husks can be turned into fuel,” he said.
The technology of charcoal briquetting is already being used by some LGUs and will be made available to other LGUs, he added.
The DENR chief pointed out that the country generates about 300,000 tons of solid waste a day which, in turn, pollute the atmosphere with 675 tons of methane a day.
Methane, the second most common greenhouse gases, is 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide, a by-product of fossil fuels. This, Atienza said, underscores the importance of a drastic reduction of solid waste. (DENR-13/PIA-Caraga)
1,623 pass fire, penology officer exams
A total of 1,126 examinees passed the Fire Officer examination (FOE), while 497 others made the grade in the Penology Officer examination (POE), the Civil Service Commission (CSC) announced.
The figures, the CSC said, represent 31.9% and 27.6% of the total number of examinees who took the FOE and POE, respectively, in selected regions last November 9.
Garnering a rating of 85.09, Marisan S. Robregado from NCR topped the FOE, while Jorge R. Lechico, also from NCR, topped the POE with a rating of 89.43.
Completing the list of top 10 examinees for the FOE are: Antonio L. Garrido Jr. (NCR), 85.05; Dario L. Panerio (Bicol), 84.86; Julius G. Gesulgon (W. Visayas), 84.85; Nestor M. Conda (Bicol), 84.51; Wendel F. Figurasin (NCR), 83.92; Leonardo A. Cui Jr. (E. Visayas), 83.77; Ernesto SJ. San Diego (NCR) and Ariel S. Sabale (W. Visayas), 83.73; Richie R. Pring (NCR), 83.72; and Elberto C. Marqueses Jr. (NCR), 83.68.
For the POE: Joaquin T. Montero (W. Visayas), 86.86; Carlos G. Lanzuela Jr. (NCR), 86.62; Roger M. Aquino (NCR), 86.52; Allan D. Avecilla (NCR), 86.51; Emmanuel Adrian B. Espinosa (NCR), 86.18; Marilou M. Rico (S. Tagalog) and Salvador G. Fecara III (W. Visayas), 86.01; Jose B. Brugada Jr. (NCR), 86.00; Renante B. Tejada (C. Visayas), 85.94; and Mamarinta Boy B. Lim (NCR), 85.81.
Profile of passers showed that both examinations were dominated by males, registering at 1,093 for the FOE and 455 for the POE, against 47 FOE female passers and 48 POE female passers.
Majority of passers for both FOE and POE were aged past 35 years and cited promotion at work as their main reason for taking the examinations. This, as bulk of the passers revealed that they have been with the Bureau of Fire Protection or the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology for more than three years.
The CSC said the resulting eligibilities, which are the Fire Officer Eligibility and the Penology Officer Eligibility, are both second level eligibilities that shall be considered appropriate for second level ranks in the fire protection, jail and penology, and other functionally related ranks in the public safety service, except for uniformed personnel in the Philippine National Police.
The complete list of successful examinees of the November 9, 2008 Fire and Penology Officer examinations can now be accessed at the CSC website at http://www.csc.gov.ph/. (CSC-Caraga Public Assistance & Liaison Division/PIA-Caraga)
DAR-Agusan Del Norte joins tree planting in Mt. Mayapay
BUTUAN CITY - The Department of Agrarian Reform, Province of Agusan del Norte recently joined the “Bombo Plant a Tree Project” at Sitio Matin-aw, Brgy. Bonbon, this city.
Photo shows two personnel of DAR-Agusan del Norte committed themselves to protect the environment, aimed to save mother earth and have safer climate for the benefit of the farmers and to all humanity as a whole towards the next generation, by joining the "Bombo Plant a Tree Project" of dxBR-Bombo Radyo-Butuan. (Gil E. Miranda, DAR-Agusan del Norte/ PIA-Caraga)This is in line with the department’s vision, not only on its program for land distribution and in providing services to the farmer-beneficiaries, but also to ensure environmental sustainability such as restoring the already depleted forest area that can cause soil erosion and flush flood that destroys many crops of farmer-beneficiaries.
“Watersheds have vital role in everyday living of our farmer-beneficiaries since it provides drinking water to the community and irrigation for their crops,” PARO Andrei Atega said.
More than 1,000 individuals from national government agencies, local government units, non-government organization (NGO), partylists, fraternities and sororities, schools and youth sector participated the activity.
About fifty (50) seedlings of trees were allotted to DAR personnel at specific site. The DAR employees eagerly showed participation by joining in the long-walk to reach the planting site and their willingness to contribute the global effort to restore the forest from total destruction is a great achievement.
Atega expressed thanks to the lead agency and Bombo Radyo for the invitation and opportunity to participate in a worthy endeavor and contribute to environmental sustainability to benefit the people in Agusan del Norte. (Gil E. Miranda, DAR-Agusan del Norte/ PIA-Caraga)
Feature: CeC Carmen: Bridge of Hope for a Brighter Tomorrow
Looking back, 2008 was a tough year for CeC Carmen brought about by an unstable political leadership that has hampered operations at the local eCenter.
During the last quarter of the same year, Hon. Ramon M. Calo regained administration of the local government, with Ms. Margie F. Braga as CeC Manager.
Fast-forward to 2009, CeC Carmen is working to regain its mandate to serve the unserved and underserved communities in the locality through information and communications technology (ICT). The eCenter has continued to deliver services through the internet particularly online communication, messaging through email and chatting, online research, job searches, as well as searches for scholarship and education grants, small business loans, and readily accessible information on agricultural and fishing technologies, and the like.
"I'm glad to serve the community once again, with the hope to achieve the realization of a CeC learning center with strong tie-ups with the eSkwela, Microsoft Unlimited Potential Program, as well as local and international agencies who share our vision of progress for the local community," Ms. Braga emphasized.
The eCenter also applied as an accreditation facility authorized by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to conduct tutorials on Computer Fundamentals, Internet and World Wide Web Fundamentals, Wordsheet and Presentation Fundamentals, for interested clients among which are barangay and SK officials.
It can be said that, indeed, ICT will help bring the town at par with other local governments elsewhere in the world, and that through information access, the masses from every segment of society, can readily empower themselves for the education they need.
Amidst the problems the LGU has faced, ICT continues to be their bridge of hope for a brighter tomorrow. (Melody M. Cocon, National Computer Center - Field Operation Office/ PIA-Caraga)
POLICE REPORTS
By PO3 Arturo Suganob Campania
Report on loose firearms
On March 3, 2009 at 4:15 in the afternoon at Purok-5, Barangay Poblacion, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte, PNP elements of Las Nieves Municipal Police Station led by PSINSP Welson M Dela Fuerta apprehended the suspect identified as Cornelio Bagtasos, 35 years old, single and resident of Agusan PequeΓ±o, Butuan City and a member of Mindanao Allied Force Inc (MAPI) while having in his possession one unit cal .45 pistol colt with serial number 451826, one magazine and five live ammos.
Suspect was not able to present any document pertaining to the legality of said firearm.
Suspect is now under the custody of Las Nieves Municipal Police Station for filing of appropriate charges in court. Progress report to follow.
Also, On March 4, 2009 at 11:45 in the morning, in front of FSUU University, Emily Homes Subdivision, Libertad, Butuan City, Suspect identified as Bayani Leyson, of legal age, married and resident of said place allegedly fired his handgun twice which caused panic to the people.
PNP elements of Butuan City Police Station 3 led by SPO1 Darwin Ruaya immediately responded and apprehended the suspect.
Confiscated from the suspect’s possession was one unit cal .45 pistol. Recovered from the crime scene were two spent shells of cal .45.
Suspect was brought to Butuan City Medical Center for examination and found positive of intoxicating substance. Confiscated firearm was submitted to Crime Laboratory Office 13 for ballistic examination while suspect will undergo paraffin test. Appropriate charges now prepared for filing in court. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
Arrest of wanted person
On March 3, 2009 at 8:00 in the morning at Purok-7, Barangay Cuyago, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte, a certain Artemio Cagulada Sr, 56 years old, married and resident of said place was arrested by PNP elements of Jabonga Municipal Police Station by virtue of warrant of arrest (WOA) for the crime of theft docketed under CC number 2006-19 issued by Hon Judge Dax Gonzaga – Zenos of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 34, Cabadbaran City dated January 17, 2009.
Arrested person is now detained at Jabonga Municipal Police Station for proper disposition. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
Recovery of stolen items
On March 4, 2009 at 7:40 in the morning at Purok-5, Barangay San Ignacio, Butuan City, PNP elements of Theft and Robbery Unit of Butuan City Police Office led by SPO4 Antonio Claros Jr recovered one unit Nokia 1208 cell phone color red bearing serial number 356810021568458 and one Nokia 2630 color silver bearing serial number 359822018315469 from the possession of the suspect identified as Bernard Baslot, 28 years old, married and resident of Purok-7, Barangay 23 Holy Redeemer, Butuan City.
Recovered items now under the custody of Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) for investigation. Progress report to follow. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
