Army-led trek leads to pact for Mt. Kanlaon conservation
by Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, May 23 (PIA) --- The Philippine Army-led trek to Mt. Kanlaon held earlier this month resulted to a a resolution signed by troopers, government agencies and non-government organizations alike to protect and conserve the Mt. Kanlaon National Park while promoting the local tourism in Canlaon City.
The signing of the resolution entitled “Advocating the Protection and Conservation of Mt. Kanlaon National Park and Promoting the Tourism in Canlaon City” was done during the closing ceremony of the three-day climb to Mt. Kanlaon on May 15, 2011.
A statement from the 11IB said that Mt. Kanlaon is a major watershed and home to many species endemic in the province. It noted that “rampant illegal logging, wildlife hunting and massive conversion of the forests into agricultural farms and the reckless use of chemical-based pesticides and insecticides” have severaly ravaged the beauty of the mountain that has been drawing trekkers from around the world.
During the closing ceremony, First District Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong and Canlaon City Mayor Jimmy Clerigo both pledged to support the Army's initiative in conserving Mt. Kanlaon through infrastructural development and improvement of roads towards the mountain's entry point at Maput Trail.
The Army is pushing for the accreditation of the Maput Trail and the licensing and legitimization of the guides and porters in order to generate livelihood and additional revenues in the surrounding community.
The statement from 11IB quoted Julie Rex Molabin of DENR as saying that there is currently only one trail within the Canlaon City jurisdiction of Mt. Kanlaon that is accredited by DENR which is the Mananawin Trail in Brgy. Masulog.
Said resolution was signed by 13 representatives coming from the 11th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Canlaon City Tourism Office, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation, Sentinel Mountaineering Society, KABAYAN Action Group Canlaon Chapter, REACT-Pasayaw Canlaon City, Mountain Tigers, Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection and Transmontis Mountaineers of Cebu City. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)
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DOLE warns license recruiters employing minors
by: Jennifer Catn-Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, May 20 (PIA ) The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has reiterated its warning to nine license recruiters in Negros Oriental for recruiting minors at times as domestic helpers.
Labor and Employment Officer Sandra Delfin of DOLE said registered recruiters have been re-oriented the law and its rules and regulations on employment of persons locally so as to prevent cases of trafficking of children and women and eliminate child labor.
In a re-orientation held recently, Delfin informed license recruiters to submit the authenticated birth certificates from the recruited workers as one of the requirements to ensure no minors will be victimized.
Delfin said the birth certificate is a compulsory requirement for 20 years old below, however, age 20 above is DOLE’s discretion.
The DOLE only accepts birth certificates with authentication from the National Statistics Office (NSO).
In order to avoid being victims of illegal recruiters the public especially in the hinterland barangays must make sure that the recruiter has a license, has a job order and is authorized to recruit workers for employment.
“Sometimes legal recruiters conducting illegal activities,” Delfin said, however, she vowed to strictly monitor agencies that would attempt to circumvent the law.
The DOLE said agencies or recruiters caught violating the law face penalties in accordance with existing rules and regulations.
The nine license recruiters in Negros Oriental include Elen Reyes from Lumbangan, Mabinay of Banal Employment Agency; Gemma Libetario from Jantianon, Amlan; Leonardo Fausto, Tamo, Tayasan, both under the El Bethel Manpower Services; Eleuterio Gualberto and Flora Gualberto from Piapi, Dumaguete City both under the E. G. Ramon Employment Agency;
Under for Nilo Manpower Services are Elmo Mendoza from Angatan, Dumaguete City; Nehru Dipaling, Cangmating, Sibulan; and Tranquilina Gonido from Bagacay, Dumaguete City; and Lancita Balasabas from Matuog, Tayasan of Village Employment Agency. (PIA NegOr/JCT)