Albay 3rd District: Ligao City

Showing posts with label Ligao City. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Housewife trains to become welder

Behind the welder's helmet: Minerva H. Bañas, a 33-year old housewife trains to become a welder.

In a male-dominated vocation, a housewife has stepped beyond her boundaries to join the industry and prove that women can likewise take on heavy jobs. She is Minerva H. Bañas, a 33 year-old mother of two from Malama, Ligao City.

Minerva is one of the first 22 trainees enrolled in the Shielded Metal Arc Welding NC 1, a training program implemented by the City Government of Ligao in partnership with Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez and Technical Education and Skills Development Auhority (TESDA) under the Special Training for Employment Program (STEP).

Minerva spends more than an hour to travel from her house at Barangay Malama to the training center at Robredo Bldg., Tuburan, Ligao City. She also leaves her two children aged six and four to her mother-in-law everyday to attend the training. Despite the challenges she faces as a housewife, she did not hesitate to enroll in the program.

Furthermore, Minerva felt motivated to join the program to develop her skills that she can use to earn additional income. Her husband, who works as a laborer, earns a weekly income of Php 1,700. Minerva, on the other hand, does not earn any income by herself. She wanted to help her husband and her parents but could not afford to due to financial constraints.

Empowered

When Minerva knew about the training program, her husband encouraged her to join in. She also knew from her husband that construction firms are accepting female welders and that he currently works with a few of them. She was then convinced that she too can do it.

Unlike other housewives, Minerva was more interested to undergo training on welding rather than take on the usual inclination of women in dressmaking, tailoring, beauty care, and cosmetology. Although she finds some parts of the training difficult (i.e. grinding and cutting) due to her slender built, she is able to keep pace with her fellow trainees.

Future direction

When asked about her plans after the training, Minerva said she wants to apply abroad for greener pasture. However, if they are able to afford all the resources to build a local welding shop, she would decide to stay and live with her family.

Minerva completed the training on 26 October 2015 together with her fellow trainees. She is now preparing for the Competency Assessment to get her National Certificate.

Minerva also wishes that the program will continue so more people can benefit from the program and Ligao can build a community of competent individuals capable of creating their own success. Lala Peñafiel \ albay3d.blogspot.com

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Bill seeking establishment of National Technical -Vocational High School in Ligao City approved

Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez (far right) during the presentation and sponsorship speech on House Bill No. 4982 at the House of Representatives. Photo courtesy of Roger Evangelista

The Committee on Basic Education approved the House Bill No. 4982, an act establishing a National Technical-Vocational High School in Barangay Nasisi, Ligao City, on 16 September 2015 at the House of Representatives. The school shall be known as Ligao City National Technical-Vocational High School.

Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez, the author of HB 4982, explained that the establishment of the Technical/Vocational school will provide the students an opportunity to learn technical skills and gain employment.

He further stated that the school would help the students “accelerate their learning skills and qualify for NC 2 after their Junior High School and accelerate to NC 4 after graduation from Senior High School.”

Furthermore, the out-of-school youths will also have a chance to reenter formal education with affordable fees.

The establishment of the National Technical/Vocational high school will also address the increased demand for personnel with technical and vocational knowledge and skills to widen the services rendered by the city as a developing urban center.

Source: House Bill No. 4982. House of Representatives

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

DepEd Sec. Luistro visits Ligao LGU-funded school buildings

DepEd Sec. Armin Luistro (4th from left) a recently completed school building at Ligao East Central Elementary School. He was joined by Assistant Schools Div. Superintendent Ma. Luisa P. Samaniego (far left), Ligao City Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua (2nd from left), Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez (3rd from left), Regional Ramon Fiel Abcede and representatives from DepEd Division office. Photo courtesy of City Government of Ligao

Before proceeding to the Department of Education (DepEd) Grand Summit at Albay Astrodome, DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro visited some of the LGU-funded school buildings in Ligao City on 14 July 2015. Accompanied by Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez, Ligao City Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua, Regional Director Ramon Fiel Abcede of Deped Region V, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Ma. Luisa P. Samaniego, together with the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, Sec. Luistro went to Ligao National High School, DepEd City Division Office, and Ligao East Central School to check on the state-of-the-art facilities.

As Sec. Luistro tours around the Ligao National High School campus, Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez explains the developments that were made in the campus. LNHS' Principal Mrs. Carmelita A. Sinson also shared the plan to replace old facilities in the school.

Sec. Luistro was also impressed by the reports presented by the local government regarding the budget allocation for the construction of the school facilities. He was surprised to know that school buildings were constructed at lower costs without compromising the quality and design of the facilities. One of the projects that were showcased includes the recently completed school buildings for the Ligao Community College which only cost 23 million pesos. Congressman Gonzalez also suggested to Sec. Luistro the construction of two-storey school buildings to maximize the use of school sites.
Written by Lala Peñafiel

Monday, July 6, 2015

LOOK: Photos of recently completed classrooms of Ligao Community College campus

The Ligao Community College (LCC) is now occupying a new campus at Guilid, Ligao City with newly completed 26 classrooms. With an allocated fund of only 23 million pesos, the state-of-the-art facility is complete with air-conditioned rooms, ceiling fans, laboratories, rest rooms, and a separate building for the Administration. Each classroom has a capacity of 45 students.

The Ligao Community College campus is now complete with 46 classrooms. Photo courtesy of City Government of Ligao

Previously, LCC holds its night classes at Ligao National High School. With its new facilities, LCC students now occupies the new LCC grounds.

Photo courtesy of City Government of Ligao

The establishment of the LCC campus is anchored in the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum Order No. 32 which includes guidelines on the establishment of local colleges.

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

PhilRice Bicol breaks ground for new laboratory and training building with lodging facilities

The ceremonial groundbreaking was lead by ASec Edilberto De Luna, Dr. Reynaldo Castro, Ligao City Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua and former Mayor Linda P. Gonzalez with representatives from Bicol University Research Center, Department of Agriculture, agriculturists, researchers, and local officials.

Expanding its facilities for rice research, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) Bicol Station held a Groundbreaking Ceremony for its new laboratory and training building with lodging facilities on 9 June 2015 at Batang, Ligao City.

The ceremonial groundbreaking were lead by PhilRice OIC-Executive Director ASec Edilberto M. De Luna, Ligao City Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua, former Ligao City Mayor Linda P. Gonzalez, PhilRice Bicol Branch Manager Dr. Reynaldo Castro, and representatives from Bicol University Research Center, Department of Agriculture, local officials, and agriculturists.

The project costs P 10.9M and is expected to be completed on 27 November 2015. “This facility will not only showcase research activity but this will focus more on the production of seeds to cater to the needs of our farmers and seed growers in the region,” said ASec De Luna. The production of rice in the Philippines has significantly increased over the years due to proper use of technologies and new varieties of rice, despite limited area for agriculture, according to ASec De Luna.

The lowering of time capsule during the ceremonial groundbreaking was lead by ASec Edilberto De Luna, Ligao City Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua and former Mayor Linda P. Gonzalez with representatives from Bicol University Research Center, Department of Agriculture, agriculturists, researchers, and local officials.

The ceremony also gathered stakeholders in the agricultural sector including agriculturists, researchers, extension workers, and policymakers. ASec De Luna saw this as an opportunity to draft a rice research agenda.

Aside from research facilities, former Mayor Gonzalez also envisions the establishment of rice museum where different rice varieties and technologies developed by the institute will be displayed, and eventually become a tourist destination. This will encourage the youth and families not to leave farming.

PhilRice Bicol is also something that Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez has dreamed of, said former Mayor Gonzalez. Because rice is next to coconut as top agricultural crop produced in Ligao, they are prioritizing agricultural programs that will enhance farming activities in the local areas. “The station represents a good part of the population, the farming sector, of the Bicol region,” said former Mayor Gonzalez.

Congressman Gonzalez and former Mayor Gonzalez were named as the Father and Mother of PhilRice Bicol due to their painstaking efforts to establish the branch in Ligao City.

Ligao has always proved to be the rightful place for the institute. ASec De Luna acknowledged the good collaboration of researchers, agriculturists, LGUs, with the strong support of the City Government of Ligao. “We are one with PhilRice with this vision,” said Ligao City Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua while stating her commitment to support the institute.

By Lala Peñafiel

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Ligao joins Earth Hour 2015

LIGHT UP THE WORLD. Representatives from different sectors join the lighting of candles during the Earth Hour.

With this year’s theme, “Use your power to change climate change,” the City Government of Ligao participated in the global celebration of Earth Hour on 28 March 2015.

"Earth Hour was famously started as a lights-off event in Sydney, Australia in 2007.Since then it has grown to engage more than 162 countries and territories worldwide." -www.earthhour.org

This year's Earth Hour focused on empowering individuals to take part in combating the adverse effects of climate change.

Ligao City Vice Mayor urged the Ligaoenos to participate in the national efforts of conserving energy by using energy-saving light bulbs, and switching off electric appliances when not needed.

Former Ligao City Mayor Linda P. Gonzalez likewise encouraged the participants to conduct more tree-planting activities with the help of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office. Since 2007, the City Government has been actively participating in the annual Earth Hour. During her administration, Mayor Gonzalez together with experts, conceptualized the Mini-Hydroelectric Power Plant to address global warming. In 2014, the Mini Hydro was inaugurated and is currently supplying power to the Class "AA" Slaughterhouse in Tinago, Ligao City.

Pledges of Commitment were offered by Sunflower Festival Queen Mae-Ann Navales, Bb. Ligao 2015 Janela Cipriano, Youth Leaders Lorna Remon and Rico Pradas, PSUPT Brenda Garcia, ALS Specialist Joy Navera, representatives from the Volunteer and Religious groups, City Health Officer Dr. Wynns Samar, and former Ligao City Mayor Linda P. Gonzalez who also represented Ligao Women’s Club.

Written by Lala Peñafiel

Watch the video for 2015 Earth Hour

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Ligao City launches Mobile Dental Clinic; conducts Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan Caravan

On the sixth day of its 14th Cityhood Anniversary celebration, the City Government of Ligao, in partnership with the Department of Health, launched the Mobile Dental Clinic and conducted the Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan Caravan at Barangay Nasisi on 23 March 2015.

Ligao City Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua and DOH Regional Director Gloria J. Balboa, M.D. graced the ribbon cutting and blessing of Mobile Dental Clinic

The mobile dental clinic features a complete set of medical equipment for performing dental procedures. This is to provide dental services to residents in remote areas who cannot afford to visit health clinics. Likewise, this will also help the dentists to conveniently and safely perform dental procedures with the patients.

Dentists can now perform dental procedures with complete medical equipment with the new Mobile Dental Clinic of Ligao City

Meanwhile, the Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan (LBK) Caravan features a bus that serves as a mobile health facility with two mobile clinics where pregnant and post-partum women can consult with specialists, according to DOH Health Education Promotion Officer and LBK Caravan head Noemi A. Bron. The LBK bus is also equipped with laboratory and birthing equipment. It has 16 seats in the waiting area where patients can watch information materials provided by the DOH.

Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan invades Ligao City.

Doctors, nurses, and health workers of the City Health Office headed by Dr. Wynns Samar served as facilitators and knowledge providers in stations or classes during the LBK Caravan. The stations discussed information on safe motherhood, reproductive health, family planning, and child nutrition. A station called Usapang Macho was also installed for fathers and male participants.

The first station in the Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan Caravan covers a topic on safe motherhood and child nutrition.

An interactive exhibit was also opened during the LBK Caravan wherein health workers and participants make a two-way discussion of displayed information.

Ligao City Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua, Vice Mayor Jorlan T. Guanzon, and DOH Regional Director Gloria J. Balboa, M.D, with the City Councilors graced the ribbon cutting and opening of the interactive exhibit at Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan Caravan.

DOH Regional Director Gloria J. Balboa, M.D. acknowledged the active participation of Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua as head of the City Government in implementing health programs. Due to its efforts in promoting good health, Ligao City received four Salud-Bikolnon Awards from DOH in 2014.

Written by Lala Peñafiel

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Ligao's 14th Cityhood Anniversary celebration has officially begun

The celebration of Ligao's 14th Cityhood Anniversary has officially begun on 18 March 2015. The City Government of Ligao conducted several activities and exhibits to kick-start the week-long celebration.

Motorcade

The City Government of Ligao headed by Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua with the Sangguniang Panlungsod marked the first day of the 14th Cityhood Anniversary with a Grand Motorcade participated by the Bb. Ligao 2015 candidates, Barangay Council members, local government officials and staff, business establishments, Non-Government Organizations.