Albay 3rd District: March 2015

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Kawakawa Hill to welcome thousands of visitors this Lenten season

Catholic devotees visit Kawakawa Hill for the Way of the Cross

Thousands of visitors are expected to arrive this Lenten season at Kawakawa Natural Park, Ligao City to experience the natural beauty of the famous hill without a hilltop. Catholic devotees flock to this religious site to practice their faith by praying in the life-size sculpted Stations of the Cross.

Influx of visitors begins with the gathering of students, seminarians, priests, and Catholic devotees to participate in the Youth Way of the Cross held every March. The arrival of thousands of visitors continues as the Holy Week approaches and families reunite for a week-long holiday.

The pilgrimage begins with the Last Supper at the bottom of hill then continues to the First to Fifth Stations located across the pathway uphill. The Sixth to Thirteenth Stations of the Cross are located around the hill’s crown.

Trekking the hill gives a different kind of experience to the devotees. The fresh and natural beauty of the hill brings peace to the visitors as they commune with God through prayers.

Aside from the life-size sculpture of the Stations of the Cross, the Divine Mercy Monastery of the Carmelite Nuns is also located at the base of the hill. A Holy Mass is celebrated everyday at the monastery.

The Thirteen Stations of the Cross at the Kawakawa Hill

The Kawakawa Hill Management headed by Congressman Fernando V. Gonzalez provides personnel to guide the visitors in trekking the hill. Refreshments, benches, Nipa huts, and restrooms are provided in the vicinity. The City Government of Ligao headed by Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alsua also provides security and medical personnel for the safety of visitors.

Structural improvements were also done for the convenience of the visitors especially children and senior citizens. Concrete pavements and additional pathways were done to ease the trekking.

There is no entrance fee at the Kawakawa Hill. However, visitors are requested to observe cleanliness and respect the religious sculptures to preserve the beauty of the site.

Written by Lala Peñafiel

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.