By Danny O. Calleja
LEGAZPI CITY, March 22 (PNA) — The Junior Chamber International (JCI) has embarked on a program that will showcase innovations and development in the fields of health, environment, academics and tourism (HEAT) wherein its local chapters will engage families and communities in social services and summer fun fares.
The program was launched during a luncheon hosted at the Airport Hotel here Friday by City Mayor Noel Rosal for JCI world president Shine Bhaskaran and several high-level officials of the organization in the country.
The interfacing of the organization’s top officers marked the beginning of its multi-pronged summer adventure program in Albay, according to JCI Legazpi president Martin Reynoso.
Rosal is a prominent member of the organization and was once its local chapter president.
“Hundreds of officials and members of different JCI chapters in Bicol attended the ‘first of kind’ affair which, in the 54-year history of the JCI Legazpi, was graced by the world’s top leader of this leadership development organization,” Reynoso said.
Bicol has 11 JCI local organizations such as the chapters of Legazpi and Legazpi Dawani, both here; Daraga, Albay;Tabaco in Tabaco City; Iriga in Iriga City; Pili Centurion in Pili, Camarines Sur; Naga and Naga Cariñosa in Naga City; Daet Kabihug and Daet Bulawan in Daet, Camarines Norte, and Labo Niogan in Labo, Camarines Norte.
Rosal said the city and the JCI local chapters are honored to have Bhaskaran with them and “prove for himself how vibrant are our organizations for being able to attract the interest of a world top leader in interfacing activities with members and communities they serve.”
The JCI Legazpi chapter is the only local organization in Southern Luzon area to host the visit of the organization’s world president who hails from Thriprayar, a town in Thrissur District of Kerala, India, so far, the mayor said.
Bhaskaran stayed the whole day and overnight loaded with activities such as a visit to the Coral Genesis project initiated by the JCI Legazpi and Daraga town chapters in August last year under the coastal waters off the municipality of Sto. Domingo, Albay.
In such visit, Reynoso said Bhaskaran himself assembled a coral bead that formed part of the set of beads readied for the rehabilitation of the Holy Rosary-themed coral reefs.
The Coral Genesis project uses the technology with a portable micro underwater solar power source, wherein any shape, design, logo, or sculpture can be charged for fast coral reef recovery or even creation of themed sculptures.
Reynoso explained that a sea floor-anchored underwater micro solar electric power tickles the corals to grow without the danger of being attacked into destruction by algae.
This project has, since it installation, been a symbol of the unrelenting efforts of the Albay provincial government, city government, JCI local chapters and other stakeholders to rehabilitate, protect and preserve the coral resources of Albay Gulf.
Albay Gov. Joey Salceda has recognized the project as a complementary undertaking to the province’s measures to restore and protect coral reefs in the gulf.
This novel project, according to Sto. Domingo Mayor Herbie Aguas, also showcases people’s commitment to environmental care whose impacts redound to the local tourism industry.
Reynoso said Bhaskaran also led the launch on Friday of the information drive on “Fishes of Albay,” a JCI Legazpi project that gives details on the resources of Albay Gulf as a rich fishing ground that needs more protective attentions.
He said the gulf boasts of a variety of fish species like blue marlin, tuna, tanguigi and tropical fishes like the lapu-lapu, talakitok, baulo and “kuwao” which thrives abundantly, especially during the onset of the summer season.
From Sto. Domingo, Bhaskaran returned to the city for the inauguration of the newly completed “JCI Legazpi” concrete marker at the Legazpi Boulevard, a coastal road network extending from the city’s central business district and port area to its southern barangays opposite the majestic Mt. Mayon.
The marker is the latest addition to the spectacular view on the picturesque seaside road that has the exciting perfect-cone view of Mayon Volcano, Ligñon Hill and Kapuntukan Hill on the background.
Ligñon Hill is a 156-meter peek near the Legazpi Airport that offers a 360-degree view of Albay Gulf, the entire landscape of the city’s urban and rural centers, the historic municipality of Daraga and the entire edifice of the volcano.
Kapuntukan Hill, also called the “sleeping lion,” is a historical landmark lying on a prominent site along the Legazpi Boulevard.
The expansive area along the boulevard, whose road network will extend up to the Bicol International Airport now undergoing construction in Barangay Alobo, Daraga town, is deemed as a new frontier of development that the city government is vigorously pursuing — especially in the fields of trade, commerce, agriculture and tourism.
Since its opening over a year ago, the boulevard has become a favorite day and night-time promenade where tourists and locals rendezvous for the fresh sea breeze blowing from Albay Gulf and its picturesque view. (PNA)