ZamboangueΓ±os welcome participants of this year’s
12th MindaComNet Congress
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Nov. 12 (PIA) – With all smiles, the
ZamboangueΓ±os welcomed all the participants coming from the different regions
of Mindanao Island during today’s opening ceremony of the three-day Mindanao
Communicators Network (MindaComNet) Congress held at Grand Astoria Hotel, this
city.
The said congress will run until November 14, 2014
with invited speakers who will discuss relevant topics relative to the Climate
Change Advocacy of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and partners, which
include the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Mindanao.
The entrance of colors signaled the start of the
program with the parade of the regional directors of PIA from the five regions
in Mindanao: Dir. Abner M. Caga of region 13 (Caraga); Dir. Efren Elbanbuena of
Region 11; Dir. Noemi Edaga of Region 9; Dir. Thelma Oliver of Region 10; and Dir.
Olive Sudaria of Region 12.
“As the pride of Mindanao, it is our delight to
see each one of you actively participating in this congress. PIA-9 as the host
of this year’s congress would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your
effort in coming here,” expressed Dir. Edaga of PIA-11 and President of MindaComNet-Zamboanga
Peninsula
Edaga further clarified that there is no truth
over rumors that Zamboanga is the most dangerous city in Mindanao. “This place
is not as dangerous as what the media has projected. If that was true, I
believe you wouldn’t take chance to travel this far and be here for this
congress,” added Edaga.
Also, representing Zamboanga Mayor Maria Isabelle
Limaco-Salazar, Christian Olasiman, executive assistant stressed that
“Build-Back-Better Zamboanga” is their campaign as the city was one of the most
typhoon affected areas.
“Communication is essential in the humanitarian
response. It is equal to that water and food. Communication will also improve
if we converge and talk together. Let’s work this out for God, our country and
people,” emphasized Olasiman.
Meanwhile, Dir. Elbanbuena of Region 11 and MindaComNet
President highlighted that PCOO Sec. Sonny Coloma recognized that MindaComNet
is the only consistent organization in Mindanao conducting the annual congress
in different areas.
“Zamboanga is really a beautiful city. It was here
when we conceived the idea of organizing the Mindanao Communicators Network… We
will tour the city on Friday for you to witness Zamboanga’s best tourist
spots,” revealed Elbanbuena.
Elbanbuena also bared that the theme
‘Building-Back-Better Mindanao’ is nationally adopted. “We have to emphasize
the efforts of the government in addressing the rehabilitation of the typhoon
hardly-hit areas and regain its peace and order. We will also discuss different
strategies in our promotion to our Climate Change advocacy,” he said.
Zamboanga was formerly known as Jambangan in
Subanon language and the center of Subanon tribe and culture during the
pre-Hispanic times. After independence from Spain on May 1899, Zamboanga became
the Republica de Zamboanga with Zamboangueno Chavacano as its official language
and Spanish as its co-official language. After American intervention, the
republic incorporated into the Philippines and became the capital of the former
Moro Province, now Mindanao, from 1903 to 1913. On October 12, 1936, Zamboanga
became a chartered city under Commonwealth Act No. 39. It was formally
inaugurated on February 26, 1937, which was declared a local holiday.
It is also known for Hispanic influences in its
culture, it bears the nickname “Asia’s Latin City and City of Flowers. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
AgSur vows to end violence against women, crafted
strategic plan for 2014-2016
By David M. Suyao
AGUSAN DEL SUR, Nov. 12 (PIA) - The Provincial
Council for the Welfare of Women and Children (PCWWC) convened here Friday to
discuss the 18–day campaign to end violence against women (VAW), increase
awareness of stakeholders, increase commitment of right to protect the victims
of violence against women and to forge partnership among stakeholders in addressing
the VAW.
The start of the 18-day campaign to end violence
against women will be on November 25 until December 12, 2014 but the advocacy
activities will start on November 24 where members of the PCWWC will be joining
the Monday Flag Raising Ceremony at the Naliyagan Plaza and share the
activities lined-up for the duration of the campaign. Hanging of streamers will
also start on that same day including the opening of radio program at DXDA with
representatives from Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG),
Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD) regional office as guests.
Loida Antonio, Provincial Social Welfare and
Development (PSWD) focal person also presented to the members of the council
the Provincial Strategic Action Plan that will address gender-based violence
(GBV) including trafficking in person from 2014 to 2016.
“There are four major programs,projects and
activities that the PSWD has prepared for the two-year plan. Among these four
are the Advocacy and Prevention; Protection, Recovery, Rehabilitation and
Reintegration; Prosecution and Law Enforcement; and the Partnership and
Networking,” Antonio said.
“Under the advocacy and prevention, we will be
conducting trainings of trainers of the Provincial Council against Trafficking
– Violence Against Women Council (PCAT- VAWC) on the local government units
(LGUs) guidelines in the establishment and management of a referral system on
VAWC and Trafficking in Person (VAWC and TIP); advocacy on RA 9208, RA 10364,
RA 9262, RA 7610 and other related gender-based violence issues using the quad
media; institutionalization of Local Council against Trafficking (LCAT- VAW) at
the provincial and municipal level; production and distribution of tarpaulins
and billboards; the preparation of the local emergency preparedness plans with
protection concerns of women and children incorporated and; Capability building
on Gender Sensitivity Training,” Antonio added.
On the Protection, Recovery, Rehabilitation and
Integration program, activities include provision of transport, medicines, food
and other basic commodities to gender-based violence survivors and families;
Mapping and Monitoring of PCAT-VAWC to C/MCAT- VAWC as to the level of
functionality in coordination with DILG; the conduct of psychosocial
intervention to GBV survivors and the provision of livelihood assistance.
On the Prosecution and Law Enforcement, the
conduct of capacity building, training of law enforcers are on top, then the
establishment of inter-agency task force on trafficking in person (TIP) for
monitoring, surveillance and rescue/interception operation specially in
vulnerable areas and the provision of incentive awards system to top performing
local law enforcers.
On Partnership and Networking, collaboration with
partner agencies, NGOs, FBOs, CSOs, Pos, NGAs comes on top, followed by GAD
Planning and Budgeting, Gender mainstreaming and establishment of harmonized
database and management information system on GBV/TIP.
“Some of these programs were already done during
the past years but because of the willingness and cooperation from our partner
agencies and NGOs, we are expanding our activities while budget will be
provided of ourpartner agencies and NGOs,” Antonio said. (DMS/PIA-Caraga)
Surigao Sur provincial LGU, organic agriculturist
bag achievers award
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Nov. 12 (PIA) – The Provincial Local
Government Unit (PLGU) of Surigao del Sur led by Governor Johnny Pimentel and
the focal person for organic agriculture (OA) Marcos Quico of the Office of the
Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) bagged the respective top awards for this
year’s "Regional Organic Agriculture Achievers Award” in Caraga region
held on Thursday at the Almont Hotel Inland Resort in Butuan City.
“The PLGU-Surigao del Sur, which was adjudged as
the CY 2014 Outstanding Province in the implementation of the OA Program in
Caraga region, received a prize of P500,000 worth of project fund and a plaque
of recognition,” Edna Mabeza, acting director IV of the Department of
Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Office XIII said in her invitation letter to Gov. Pimentel.
Likewise, Provincial Agriculturist Marcos Quico
was awarded a cash prize worth P25,000 and a plaque of recognition being the
Most Outstanding Provincial OA Focal Person region-wide.
The awarding was done in time of the holding of
Agricultural Extension Workers’ Congress. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del
Sur)
PhilPost launches Bislig City’s Tinuy-an falls
stamp
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Nov. 12 (PIA) – The Philippine Postal
Corporation (PhilPost) launched on Thursday the postal stamp bearing the
Tinuy-an Falls in Bislig City.
Postmaster General and CEO Maria Josefina Dela
Cruz led the historic event at 11:00 a.m. in Bislig City, where the popular
tourist spot can be found, Caridad Ronquillo, senior tourism operations officer
of the province said.
Ronquillo likewise said that some personnel of the
Provincial Tourism Office headed by its new chief, Nicolas Sonsona attended the
special occasion.
Ranking employees of the PhilPost District Office
based in Tandag City were also present supporting the affair. (NGBT/Radyo ng
Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
