JESSE M. ROBREDO: A SHINING EXAMPLE OF WHAT GOOD GOVERNCE MEANS

THE LATE DILG SECRETARY JESSE M. ROBREDO has never been a national politician until he became Secretary of the DILG.  He battled with the political controversies associated with running a public office and running an office as cabinet secretary.  The public outpouring of sympathy for his death and the unabashed expression of grief by the public showed us that the principles he worked for and the way he demonstrated the possibility of getting out of traditional politics which is the cause of backwardness of our society.  This gave hope to millions of our countrymen who seem to be helpless under the prevailing situations.  He showed us that there is hope.  It is our sincere wish that our future politicians will be like him.  Only then can we a brighter future.  Public office is never a means to enrich or protect one's self-interest but a means to serve the public.

PAKIKIRAMAY

The Department of Peace Studies, (Faculty Members and Students) condoles with the family of Krizel Mae Arellano (December 8, 1994-August 24, 2012).  Krizel is a 2nd year student of BAPS who died in a tragic vehicular accident on August 24, 2012 in Camalig, Albay.  She is from Jovellar, Albay.  Let us pray for the peace of her soul.

The Faculty members and students of the Department paid their last respects to Krizel.

JESSE M. ROBREDO (May 27, 1958-August 18, 2012)

The Department of Peace Studies extend its condolences with the family of Honorable Jesse M. Robredo, Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government, Republic of the Philippines.  We have lost a good man, an honest man and a man of vision.  But his legacy will inspire our young people and our students to pursue excellence in leadership and in service.

File Photo of BAPS Batch 2005 with then Mayor Jesse M. Robredo. On a field trip in 2004 to visit and observe the anti-poverty alleviation program of the City of Naga noted for its success.

PEACE MAJORS WITNESSED FEEDING PROGRAM AT SAN ISIDRO PILOT SCHOOL OF PEACE

The Peace Major students of Bicol University were invited to the Busog-Lusog feeding program of the San Isidro Elementary School - "Pilot School of Peace" on July 13, 2012.  The launching was attended by the sponsor, Mayor Olivia Bermillo of Castilla, Sorsogon.  Other stakeholders of the community were also present during the event.

INTER-DEPARTMENTAL EXTENSION AND RESEARCH PROJECTS

The Department of Peace Studies and the Department of Sociology of the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy of Bicol University held an exploratory meeting with the Mayor of Santo Domingo, Albay, Mr. Herbie Aguas.  The mayor himself visited the department to meet with the faculty members to discuss ways by which an extension project could be undertaken.  The meeting resulted in initial verbal statements of support and the group decided to make the steps more concrete and precise in future meetings and consultations.  This activities are done in consonance with the academic functions of said departments and it's willingness to share its expertise and knowledge to the community.

A TRIBUTE TO A FALLEN COMRADEt

To an alumus who died while doing service for his country, PO1 Kenneth J. Loterina. 

LECTURE ON CULTURAL SENSITIVITY

LEGAZPI CITY,  Mar 5 (PIA) -- Civil-military cooperation plays a key role not only in disaster response but also on various risk reduction initiatives, proving its efficiency not only in Albay but also in other areas in the country and abroad.

Roderick Mendoza of the Albay Public Safety and Management Office cited the critical role of the military and other men-in-uniform in assisting civil authorities in building disaster resilient communities especially in remote and high risk areas. Mendoza noted, “Their understanding of their respective areas of responsibilities has also been important in developing contingency plans.”

He also said Albay has given equal importance on preparedness measure and the uniformed services should also be able to adapt to this paradigm shift being an integral component of the country’s disaster risk reduction management plans and strategies.

Disaster capability building component of Phl-US Pacific Angel 12-1“Bayanihan” kicked off today with lectures and interfacing with DRRM authorities of Albay, military and police personnel, and other stakeholders.

Meanwhile. Col. Arthur Ang, commander of the Army’s 901^st Brigade, said Albay has given new meaning to “civil-military cooperation” as it was apparent  how effective DRRM efforts of the province have evolved with the cooperation of the uniformed service.

“Our technically challenged equipment has been preceded by active and complementing efforts of civil-military cooperation. Adjudged as a Hall of Fame awardee of Gawad Kalasag affirms this good practice that we do and advocate in the province,” he added.

For their part, US Personnel Capt. Michael Roberts and Lt. Col. Allan Delos Santos provided inputs on Humanitarian Assistance and Rapid Response Team focusing on Contingency Report Group and Medical Component.

“We are extremely happy for the assistance accorded us by Bicol University for facilitating a Cultural Sensitivity lecture to our visitors especially to Dr. Herbert D. Rosana. His lecture indeed will help our counterpart from the US Pacific Air Force on how to properly deal with our kababayans in this five-day humanitarian mission,” said Lt. Col. Augusto Gaite, Commander of Humanitarian Assistance Task Group.

Last week two US Air Force C-17 Globemaster Cargo planes already flew in to this city from Guam ferrying medical supplies, and military and civilian experts on CCA and DRR who will train Filipinos and lecture on their fields of expertise.

 Operation Pacific Angel is a recurring joint/combined humanitarianassistance mission sponsored by US Pacific Command (USPACOM) designed to bring humanitarian civic assistance (HCA) and civil-military operations(CMO) to areas in need in the Pacific region.

The mission is conducted in locations throughout the Pacific theater to support the U.S. military charter of capacity building in partner nations.

US military participates in these operations to enhance relations with partner nations, build medical and civil assistance capacity in those nations, and to prove a commitment to support the nation’s efforts to assist their population in a time of need.  (MAL-PIAV/DFN, Navforsol)

PEACE STUDENTS VISIT 9th INFANTRY DIVISION IN PILI CAM SUR

The Second Year Students of the Bachelor of Arts in Peace Studies Program under the course PS 11 Introduction to Peace Studies taught by Dr. Herbert Rosana went on a field trip to the 9th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army.  The main purpose of the trip is to provide students with orientation on the concepts behind the BAYANIHAN, the new internal security plan of the AFP.  The trip was held on March 7, 2012.  

BAPS II students for a Photo Ops with the Head of the Civil Relations Group
of the 9th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army

Students Listen attentively as they were given briefing on the BAYANIHAN
The Internal Security Plan of the AFP

The Battery Section

An Officer giving Instructions on how to Run the Battering Machine

The Second Year Students intently listening to the Instruction

Capt Danas, the Commander of the Armory Section, Giving Lecture to the Students

PACIFIC ANGEL 12-1 LECTURE ON CULTURAL SENSITIVITY

Operation Pacific Angel is a joint and combined humanitarian assistance program conducted by the US Pacific Command in Pacific Area of responsibility to support capacity building efforts.  This humanitarian and civic assistance program is aimed at improving military and civilian cooperation between the United States and the host country.


Its activities are purely civil-military assistance activities which include Subject Matter Expert Exchanges on Disaster Response and Humanitarian Assistance, Medical and Dental Health Services and Engineering Civic Action Programs.  Pacific Angel will once again be conducted in the Philippines particularly in the province of Albay from March 5-10, 2012.

  Pacific Angel is design to improve inter-operability and cooperation between national and local governments, militaries, international organizations, and non-government organizations in responding to disasters.  Albay was chosen as venue of the event essentially because of its globally renowned civil-military disaster risk reduction management (DRRM) partnership and climate change adaptation initiatives.

Pacific Angel 12-1 includes Capacity Building. Which include Seminar on Cultural Sensitivity.
Bicol University was invited to offer this service to the US Troops and participating Agencies
of the Local Government.

The Tactical Operations Group. The Team of Pacific Angel set up Camp at TOG-5

Dr. Herbert B. Rosana Delivering a Cultural Sensitivity Lecture to US Service
Personnel and their Filipino Counter at TOG-5, Legazpi City

The event highlights the partnership of LGUs, NGAs, LGA’s, NGOs, RP-US Armed Forces and Philippine National Police in providing the humanitarian assistance program of Pacific Angel 12-1. 

Likewise, two (2) doctors from Republic of Cambodia Armed Forces and two (2) Tonga observers will participate in the medical mission in preparation for Pacific Angel iteration in their respective countries.

            PHILIPPINES

                       

·       20 AFP doctors with medical and dental teams

·       16 PNP doctors with medical and dental teams

·       Medical Doctors, Dentists and Health Workers from participating LGUs, DOH5, Philippine National Red Cross Albay and Legazpi Chapter

·       Junior Chamber International (JCI) Daraga Chapter

·       Dios Mabalos Po Foundation.           

·       AFP/PNP Joint tasked group to support various events.      

            United States

                       

·       81 US personnel

            Others

·       2 military doctors from Republic of Cambodia Armed Forces

·       2 military observers from Tonga.

In order to integrate and synchronize Host Nation Participation, A task Force dubbed as “Inter-Agency Task Force “Pacific Angel” will be organize to ensure smooth implementation of activities.

Governor Salceda and COL Arthur P Ang INF (GSC) PA sits as Co-Chairman of Joint Inter-Agency Task Force Pacific angel during the 5-day humanitarian mission in Albay.  Director of Albay Police Provincial Office PSSUPT William Macavinta DPA, PESE is the designated Vice Chairman of the joint task force which also has participating local government and non-government organizations forming various task groups to ensure the success of Pacific Angel. 

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BICOL UNIVERSITY ROTC UNIT

Congratulations to the BU ROTC Unit, Cadets under the Leadership of Gerald Llamera BAPS III student