Group "helps teachers teach"
By Maria Corazon Madera
The Freeman
August 6, 2011
CEBU, Philippines - While a common concern is the welfare of the students, a non-government multi-sectoral organization is focusing its efforts on helping the country’s teachers.
The Coalition For Better Education (CBE), according to Dr. Regina Galigao of the University of the Visayas College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), has helped her deal with students more effectively and invoked in them a desire to give time for community service programs.
CBE was first convened in 2001 by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), Aboitiz Group Foundation Inc. (AGFI) and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) in cooperation of Cebu Normal University (CNU).
It is composed of different education stakeholders like students, faculty, government and parents. It is also a collaboration of faculty members from both public and private schools.
Its 279 members undergo trainings to improve their teaching methods and assessment of students thru lectures and discussions.
They also hold conferences and seminars such as on the use of technology like websites, where teachers can get something new to offer to students.
Nancy Tampus, a faculty member of Basak Night Highschool and a member of Global Filipino Teachers (GFT), said the group has improved them and empowered them as teachers.
CBE Executive Director Luchi Flores told The FREEMAN that they are celebrating their 10th Founding Anniversary at Radisson Blu Hotel. The celebration is highlighted by trainings aimed at helping students to increase passing rates especially in rural schools.
CBE also conducted a job fair at the SM Ground Floor.
Saturday, August 06, 2011
Balik-Baterya Program gets boost
Balik-Baterya Program gets boost
Cebu Daily News
August 6, 2011
In a unified call for environment protection, the Philippine Export Zone Authority-Mactan Economic Zone (PEZA-MEZ) and its locators sealed its commitment to support the Balik-Baterya Program by donating all its used batteries for the cause.
The PEZA-MEZ and Balik-Baterya coordinators Oriental and Motolite Marketing Corporation (OMMC) and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) signed an agreement during a forum held recently at the PEZA-MEZ session hall of Mactan Economic Zone 2, in barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City.
Present at the signing were PEZA-MEZ’s department manager of operations lawyer Rufino San Juan IV, corporate social responsiblity (CSR) head engineer Rolando Patalinghug, OMMC CSR head Eman Ragaza, PBSP Visayas Regional Office senior program officer Olive Jabido and the 20 locators.
In his speech, lawyer San Juan assured PBSP and OMMC that the partnership will continue to gather more locators to donate their used lead acid batteries to the program.
“With the help of the organizers, the very things we consider as wastes like used batteries can help provide for the foundation of our children’s future. This project may not be able to put back power into the used batteries, but the used batteries can put power in the minds of thousands of children,” he said.
“This (partnership) is a ‘solution within a solution.’ The program enables us to address an environmental concern while helping us support better education for the schoolchildren. By having Philippine Recyclers Inc. and Motolite as partners, we know that our used lead acid batteries (ULABs) are properly treated and disposed of. Equally important, having PBSP with the program assures us of a sustainable and worthwhile development for the children,” PEZA-MEZ Environment, Health and Safety officer Verna Luz Daño added.
Launched in 2006, the Motolite-PBSP Balik-Baterya Program aims to protect the environment through proper disposal and recycling of ULABs as well as improve the quality of learning among pupils.
ULABs donated by companies are bought by OMMC and the proceeds are used to fund the establishment of learning resource centers, such as mini-libraries that include a table, chairs and a bookshelf filled with books and supplementary instructional materials on basic academic subjects.
The signing of agreement also marked the start of collection of used batteries donated by the 20 PEZA-MEZ locators.
The donation of more than 16 tons of ULABs, which could generate more than P380,000, is enough to fund for at least nine LRCs.
To make the program more sustainable, PEZA-MEZ plans to schedule quarterly collections for its locators in a year.
Locators that joined the program include Accuform Inc., Cebu Chip Connection, Cebu Iwakami Corp., Euro-CB (Phils). Inc., Halsangz Plating Cebu Corp., HPOI Corp., KGS Phils. Corp., Lear Corp., Lexmark International Phils. Inc., MSM Cebu Inc., NKC Mfg. Phils. Corp., Olympus Optical Products Philippines Inc., SAWO Inc., Taiyo Yuden Phils. Inc., Philippine Tonan Corp., Pacific Aeronautical Inc., Philippines Light-Leather Inc., Cebu Logitem Inc., Ina Micro Opto Corp. and Toa Kiko Cebu Corp.
Cebu Daily News
August 6, 2011
In a unified call for environment protection, the Philippine Export Zone Authority-Mactan Economic Zone (PEZA-MEZ) and its locators sealed its commitment to support the Balik-Baterya Program by donating all its used batteries for the cause.
The PEZA-MEZ and Balik-Baterya coordinators Oriental and Motolite Marketing Corporation (OMMC) and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) signed an agreement during a forum held recently at the PEZA-MEZ session hall of Mactan Economic Zone 2, in barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City.
Present at the signing were PEZA-MEZ’s department manager of operations lawyer Rufino San Juan IV, corporate social responsiblity (CSR) head engineer Rolando Patalinghug, OMMC CSR head Eman Ragaza, PBSP Visayas Regional Office senior program officer Olive Jabido and the 20 locators.
In his speech, lawyer San Juan assured PBSP and OMMC that the partnership will continue to gather more locators to donate their used lead acid batteries to the program.
“With the help of the organizers, the very things we consider as wastes like used batteries can help provide for the foundation of our children’s future. This project may not be able to put back power into the used batteries, but the used batteries can put power in the minds of thousands of children,” he said.
“This (partnership) is a ‘solution within a solution.’ The program enables us to address an environmental concern while helping us support better education for the schoolchildren. By having Philippine Recyclers Inc. and Motolite as partners, we know that our used lead acid batteries (ULABs) are properly treated and disposed of. Equally important, having PBSP with the program assures us of a sustainable and worthwhile development for the children,” PEZA-MEZ Environment, Health and Safety officer Verna Luz Daño added.
Launched in 2006, the Motolite-PBSP Balik-Baterya Program aims to protect the environment through proper disposal and recycling of ULABs as well as improve the quality of learning among pupils.
ULABs donated by companies are bought by OMMC and the proceeds are used to fund the establishment of learning resource centers, such as mini-libraries that include a table, chairs and a bookshelf filled with books and supplementary instructional materials on basic academic subjects.
The signing of agreement also marked the start of collection of used batteries donated by the 20 PEZA-MEZ locators.
The donation of more than 16 tons of ULABs, which could generate more than P380,000, is enough to fund for at least nine LRCs.
To make the program more sustainable, PEZA-MEZ plans to schedule quarterly collections for its locators in a year.
Locators that joined the program include Accuform Inc., Cebu Chip Connection, Cebu Iwakami Corp., Euro-CB (Phils). Inc., Halsangz Plating Cebu Corp., HPOI Corp., KGS Phils. Corp., Lear Corp., Lexmark International Phils. Inc., MSM Cebu Inc., NKC Mfg. Phils. Corp., Olympus Optical Products Philippines Inc., SAWO Inc., Taiyo Yuden Phils. Inc., Philippine Tonan Corp., Pacific Aeronautical Inc., Philippines Light-Leather Inc., Cebu Logitem Inc., Ina Micro Opto Corp. and Toa Kiko Cebu Corp.
Cebu river basin council formed
Cebu river basin council formed
By Hazel F. Gloria
Manila Standard Today
August 6, 2011
CEBU CITY—The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has gathered a multi-sectoral group to form the Central Cebu River Basins Management Council as a driver for economic growth.
“This partnership with local executives of Cebu, national government agencies, and other stakeholders is proof that the DENR is serious and relentless in the pursuit of our mandate for an integrated watershed management as a national strategy,” said Maximo Dichoso, DENR Region 7 executive director.
He cited the overarching concern of Cebuanos over access to water as a key factor in health, social welfare, and economic progress.
Dichoso said water supply for domestic, industrial and agricultural use was showing increased salinity in lowland urban aquifers.
The morandum of cooperation of 37 representative sectors called for rehabilitation, protection and conservation of the river basins, recognizing that “the process of and Integrated Water Resources Management promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources.”
The memorandum signing was led by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez, Toledo City Mayor Aurelio Espinosa, and Danao City Mayor Ramon Durano Jr.
“We will seek the endorsement of the Regional Development Council-7 for support and in order to strengthen the organization also,” Dichoso said.
They were joined by Asturias Mayor Alan Adlawan, Balamban Mayor Ace Stefan Binghay, Compostela Officer-in-Charge and Department of Interior and Local Government-7 Regional Director Pedro Noval Jr., Consolacion Mayor Teresa Alegado, Liloan Mayor Vincent Duke Frasco.
Participating agency heads included Metro Cebu Water District general manager Armando Paredes; Agriculture-7 regional executive director Leo Cañeda; Health-7 regional director Susana Madarieta; DPWH-7 director Pedro Herrera Jr.; TESDA-7 director Rosanna Urdaneta; NIA-7 director Diosdado Rosales; BFAR-7 head Andres Bojos; and lawyer Cesar Olaer, finance department.
The advocacy groups were represented by William Granert of Soil and Water Conservation Foundation Inc.; Jose Gapas, Mag-uugmad Foundation; Renato de Rueda, Cebu Biodiversity Conservation Foundation; Rafael Lopa, Philippine Business for Social Progress; Joy Caceres, Environmental Legal Assistance Center; Evelyn Castro, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.; Fe Walag, University of San Carlos-Water Resources Center; Fr. Mar Alingasa; Cebu Uniting for Sustainable Water executive director Socorro Atega; and Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Samuel Chioson.
By Hazel F. Gloria
Manila Standard Today
August 6, 2011
CEBU CITY—The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has gathered a multi-sectoral group to form the Central Cebu River Basins Management Council as a driver for economic growth.
“This partnership with local executives of Cebu, national government agencies, and other stakeholders is proof that the DENR is serious and relentless in the pursuit of our mandate for an integrated watershed management as a national strategy,” said Maximo Dichoso, DENR Region 7 executive director.
He cited the overarching concern of Cebuanos over access to water as a key factor in health, social welfare, and economic progress.
Dichoso said water supply for domestic, industrial and agricultural use was showing increased salinity in lowland urban aquifers.
The morandum of cooperation of 37 representative sectors called for rehabilitation, protection and conservation of the river basins, recognizing that “the process of and Integrated Water Resources Management promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources.”
The memorandum signing was led by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez, Toledo City Mayor Aurelio Espinosa, and Danao City Mayor Ramon Durano Jr.
“We will seek the endorsement of the Regional Development Council-7 for support and in order to strengthen the organization also,” Dichoso said.
They were joined by Asturias Mayor Alan Adlawan, Balamban Mayor Ace Stefan Binghay, Compostela Officer-in-Charge and Department of Interior and Local Government-7 Regional Director Pedro Noval Jr., Consolacion Mayor Teresa Alegado, Liloan Mayor Vincent Duke Frasco.
Participating agency heads included Metro Cebu Water District general manager Armando Paredes; Agriculture-7 regional executive director Leo Cañeda; Health-7 regional director Susana Madarieta; DPWH-7 director Pedro Herrera Jr.; TESDA-7 director Rosanna Urdaneta; NIA-7 director Diosdado Rosales; BFAR-7 head Andres Bojos; and lawyer Cesar Olaer, finance department.
The advocacy groups were represented by William Granert of Soil and Water Conservation Foundation Inc.; Jose Gapas, Mag-uugmad Foundation; Renato de Rueda, Cebu Biodiversity Conservation Foundation; Rafael Lopa, Philippine Business for Social Progress; Joy Caceres, Environmental Legal Assistance Center; Evelyn Castro, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.; Fe Walag, University of San Carlos-Water Resources Center; Fr. Mar Alingasa; Cebu Uniting for Sustainable Water executive director Socorro Atega; and Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Samuel Chioson.
Taking it from the birds
Taking it from the birds
By Erma M. Cuizon
Sun.Star Cebu
August 6, 2011
CONCERN about nature and our world goes back before Christ.
Like in the Middle East in what Arabs called the Arab Agricultural Revolution in the 8th century, there was concern. Up to the modern times, there was the Great Smog in 1952 that affected London and killed 4,000 people, there was concern.
So now, how come it has taken us so long to do something about our environment? Do we need more natural disasters for us to worry (or do something) about our abuse of the ecosystem, asks one environmentalist.
Nilo Arribas, Jr. is a member of a group called Wild Birds Club of the Philippines who helps neighbors and the public realize the range of our environmental problem, from the point of view of birds.
He grew up in a small city in Mindanao as a boy who expected his parents to give him caged birds as gifts to make him happy.
As a boy, he never realized that the alimokon (brown fruit dove) inside the cage was unhappy. As with other birds, a caged one would have just the right colors, it jumped or flew gracefully in its wild life, it was a living toy for a small boy, or it was a friend for him, but a trapped friend. Then Arribas would later realize the bird was unhappy in his trap of a cage.
Arribas is a member of the wild birds club, which started as a small group of friends in Manila who’d come together for coffee along Roxas Blvd. to watch birds fly by for an hour or more. Then the club organized guided bird tours to the mudflats, like where the Mall of Asia is now, like in places where the sea and river meet, or mangrove areas.
But why care about birds?
In a world without birds, who’d eat insect pests and weed seeds? Some birds are scavengers, helpful in the problems of basura in the city. They also help pollinate flowers and other plants, moving seeds from one place to another and propagating trees in their own way, away from the mother tree, flushing the natural surroundings over and over again into lush growths of greens.
And they give us food, of course, like the chickens and ducks.
But the most interesting thing about birds is the story of bird migrants, which travel across the world annually like you haven’t done, not even on a plane, to cross from the cold countries in the northern hemisphere during winter, to Japan, passing by (to stay a few weeks or a month, or more months) the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Mactan, Cebu.
A photo exhibit put up last July at SM Cebu was probably one of its kind; an exhibit of migratory bird photos photographed by bird lovers. It opened with words from poet Simeon Dumdum, Jr., author of “If I Write You This Poem, Will You Let It Fly,” which is a book of poems on 129 kinds of birds in our life.
The exhibit was undertaken by the Philippine Business for Social Progress, MDR Microware Sales Inc., SM City Cebu, Pacific Online Systems, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. and the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines.
Has your grandma seen a photo exhibit of birds with bird-loving amateur photographers as participants? Not photos of tamsi (sun bird) nor goryon (sparrow) but Chinese egrets, Asiatic dowitchers, plovers, sandpipers and others of the world-traveling kind. The migratory birds come once a year to refuel and stay away from the winter and keep warm in Olango Island until it is time to go back to their nesting grounds in China, Siberia, or Alaska.
And again, the thought is simple. You could let it hit you as easily as the tamsi hums, as the sayaw dances, or the manatad swoops. God gave us his creation for us to take care of it and we get what we deserve if we don’t.
So now, shouldn’t we take it from the birds?
By Erma M. Cuizon
Sun.Star Cebu
August 6, 2011
CONCERN about nature and our world goes back before Christ.
Like in the Middle East in what Arabs called the Arab Agricultural Revolution in the 8th century, there was concern. Up to the modern times, there was the Great Smog in 1952 that affected London and killed 4,000 people, there was concern.
So now, how come it has taken us so long to do something about our environment? Do we need more natural disasters for us to worry (or do something) about our abuse of the ecosystem, asks one environmentalist.
Nilo Arribas, Jr. is a member of a group called Wild Birds Club of the Philippines who helps neighbors and the public realize the range of our environmental problem, from the point of view of birds.
He grew up in a small city in Mindanao as a boy who expected his parents to give him caged birds as gifts to make him happy.
As a boy, he never realized that the alimokon (brown fruit dove) inside the cage was unhappy. As with other birds, a caged one would have just the right colors, it jumped or flew gracefully in its wild life, it was a living toy for a small boy, or it was a friend for him, but a trapped friend. Then Arribas would later realize the bird was unhappy in his trap of a cage.
Arribas is a member of the wild birds club, which started as a small group of friends in Manila who’d come together for coffee along Roxas Blvd. to watch birds fly by for an hour or more. Then the club organized guided bird tours to the mudflats, like where the Mall of Asia is now, like in places where the sea and river meet, or mangrove areas.
But why care about birds?
In a world without birds, who’d eat insect pests and weed seeds? Some birds are scavengers, helpful in the problems of basura in the city. They also help pollinate flowers and other plants, moving seeds from one place to another and propagating trees in their own way, away from the mother tree, flushing the natural surroundings over and over again into lush growths of greens.
And they give us food, of course, like the chickens and ducks.
But the most interesting thing about birds is the story of bird migrants, which travel across the world annually like you haven’t done, not even on a plane, to cross from the cold countries in the northern hemisphere during winter, to Japan, passing by (to stay a few weeks or a month, or more months) the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Mactan, Cebu.
A photo exhibit put up last July at SM Cebu was probably one of its kind; an exhibit of migratory bird photos photographed by bird lovers. It opened with words from poet Simeon Dumdum, Jr., author of “If I Write You This Poem, Will You Let It Fly,” which is a book of poems on 129 kinds of birds in our life.
The exhibit was undertaken by the Philippine Business for Social Progress, MDR Microware Sales Inc., SM City Cebu, Pacific Online Systems, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. and the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines.
Has your grandma seen a photo exhibit of birds with bird-loving amateur photographers as participants? Not photos of tamsi (sun bird) nor goryon (sparrow) but Chinese egrets, Asiatic dowitchers, plovers, sandpipers and others of the world-traveling kind. The migratory birds come once a year to refuel and stay away from the winter and keep warm in Olango Island until it is time to go back to their nesting grounds in China, Siberia, or Alaska.
And again, the thought is simple. You could let it hit you as easily as the tamsi hums, as the sayaw dances, or the manatad swoops. God gave us his creation for us to take care of it and we get what we deserve if we don’t.
So now, shouldn’t we take it from the birds?
Friday, August 05, 2011
PEZA locators donate used batteries, fund mini-libraries
PEZA locators donate used batteries, fund mini-libraries
By Fayette C. Riñen
Philippine Information Agency
August 4, 2011
CEBU CITY, August 4 – Twenty locators at the Philippine Export Zone Authority-Mactan Economic Zone (PEZA-MEZ) in Lapulapu City, Cebu donated more than 16 tons of used batteries to support the project dubbed ‘Balik Baterya’ Program that aims to establish learning resource centers (LRCs) for poor children, and at the same time to protect the environment.
An initiative of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and Oriental & Motolite Marketing Corporation (OMMC), the program is a unified call for environmental protection through proper waste disposal and recycling of used lead acid batteries (ULABs) as well as improve the quality of learning among pupils by establishing LRCs.
ULABs donated by companies are bought by OMMC and the proceeds are used to fund the establishment of LRCs which take the form of mini-libraries that include a table, chairs and a bookshelf filled with books and supplementary instructional materials on basic academic subjects.
The more than 16 tons of used batteries donated by the PEZA-MEZ locators could generate more than P380,000 which is enough to fund at least nine LRCs, the PBSP said.
The donation on the other hand, was made possible through a memorandum of agreement signed between the PEZA-MEZ and program coordinators PBSP and OMMC in a forum held recently at the PEZA-MEZ session hall.
“With the help of the organizers, the very things we consider wastes like used batteries can help provide for the foundation of our children's future. This project may not be able to put back power into the used batteries, but the used batteries can put power in the minds of thousands of children,” PEZA-MEZ Department Manager of Operations Atty. Rufino San Juan IV said.
PEZA-MEZ Environment, Health and Safety Officer Verna Luz Daño on the other hand, said “This (partnership) is a ‘solution within a solution’. The program enables us to address an environmental concern while helping us support better education for the schoolchildren. By having PRI and Motolite as partners, we know that our ULABs are properly treated and disposed of. Equally important, having PBSP with the program assures us of a sustainable and worthwhile development for the children.”
The signing of the MOA also marked the start of collection of used batteries donated by the 20 PEZA-MEZ locators as the newfound partnership expressed hopes that other locators will follow suit. While to make the program more sustainable, the latter plans to schedule quarterly collections for its locators in a year, this is learned.
“This program focuses on the concerted effort among MEZ locators. No matter how small the amount of ULABs a locator commits for this program, when taken together, the difference these locators make to the environment and to the schoolchildren are much more significant,” Daño said.
Locators that already joined PEZA-MEZ for the Balik-Baterya Program include Accuform, Inc., Cebu Chip Connection, Cebu Iwakami Corporation, Euro-CB (Phils). Inc., Halsangz Plating Cebu Corp, HPOI Corporation, KGS Phils. Corp., Lear Corporation, Lexmark International Phils., Inc., MSM Cebu, Inc., NKC Mfg. Phils. Corp., Olympus Optical Products Philippines, Inc., SAWO Inc., Taiyo Yuden Phils., Inc., Philippine Tonan Corporation, Pacific Aeronautical, Inc., Philippines Light-Leather, Inc., Cebu Logitem, Inc., Ina Micro Opto Corp. and Toa Kiko Cebu Corporation.
The Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Program was launched in 2006.
Pres. Aquino meanwhile, placed emphasis on environment and education as priority thrusts of his administration.
The said forum was attended by PEZA-MEZ Department Manager of Operations Atty. Rufino San Juan IV, PEZA-MEZ CSR Head Engr. Rolando Patalinghug, OMMC CSR Head Eman Ragaza, PBSP Visayas Regional Office Senior Program Officer Olive Jabido and 20 locators that already committed to join PEZA-MEZ for the cause coined ‘Batteries for the Earth, Batteries for the Future Project.’(PIA 7-Cebu with Reggie Marie Barrientos of PBSP)
By Fayette C. Riñen
Philippine Information Agency
August 4, 2011
CEBU CITY, August 4 – Twenty locators at the Philippine Export Zone Authority-Mactan Economic Zone (PEZA-MEZ) in Lapulapu City, Cebu donated more than 16 tons of used batteries to support the project dubbed ‘Balik Baterya’ Program that aims to establish learning resource centers (LRCs) for poor children, and at the same time to protect the environment.
An initiative of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and Oriental & Motolite Marketing Corporation (OMMC), the program is a unified call for environmental protection through proper waste disposal and recycling of used lead acid batteries (ULABs) as well as improve the quality of learning among pupils by establishing LRCs.
ULABs donated by companies are bought by OMMC and the proceeds are used to fund the establishment of LRCs which take the form of mini-libraries that include a table, chairs and a bookshelf filled with books and supplementary instructional materials on basic academic subjects.
The more than 16 tons of used batteries donated by the PEZA-MEZ locators could generate more than P380,000 which is enough to fund at least nine LRCs, the PBSP said.
The donation on the other hand, was made possible through a memorandum of agreement signed between the PEZA-MEZ and program coordinators PBSP and OMMC in a forum held recently at the PEZA-MEZ session hall.
“With the help of the organizers, the very things we consider wastes like used batteries can help provide for the foundation of our children's future. This project may not be able to put back power into the used batteries, but the used batteries can put power in the minds of thousands of children,” PEZA-MEZ Department Manager of Operations Atty. Rufino San Juan IV said.
PEZA-MEZ Environment, Health and Safety Officer Verna Luz Daño on the other hand, said “This (partnership) is a ‘solution within a solution’. The program enables us to address an environmental concern while helping us support better education for the schoolchildren. By having PRI and Motolite as partners, we know that our ULABs are properly treated and disposed of. Equally important, having PBSP with the program assures us of a sustainable and worthwhile development for the children.”
The signing of the MOA also marked the start of collection of used batteries donated by the 20 PEZA-MEZ locators as the newfound partnership expressed hopes that other locators will follow suit. While to make the program more sustainable, the latter plans to schedule quarterly collections for its locators in a year, this is learned.
“This program focuses on the concerted effort among MEZ locators. No matter how small the amount of ULABs a locator commits for this program, when taken together, the difference these locators make to the environment and to the schoolchildren are much more significant,” Daño said.
Locators that already joined PEZA-MEZ for the Balik-Baterya Program include Accuform, Inc., Cebu Chip Connection, Cebu Iwakami Corporation, Euro-CB (Phils). Inc., Halsangz Plating Cebu Corp, HPOI Corporation, KGS Phils. Corp., Lear Corporation, Lexmark International Phils., Inc., MSM Cebu, Inc., NKC Mfg. Phils. Corp., Olympus Optical Products Philippines, Inc., SAWO Inc., Taiyo Yuden Phils., Inc., Philippine Tonan Corporation, Pacific Aeronautical, Inc., Philippines Light-Leather, Inc., Cebu Logitem, Inc., Ina Micro Opto Corp. and Toa Kiko Cebu Corporation.
The Motolite-PBSP Balik Baterya Program was launched in 2006.
Pres. Aquino meanwhile, placed emphasis on environment and education as priority thrusts of his administration.
The said forum was attended by PEZA-MEZ Department Manager of Operations Atty. Rufino San Juan IV, PEZA-MEZ CSR Head Engr. Rolando Patalinghug, OMMC CSR Head Eman Ragaza, PBSP Visayas Regional Office Senior Program Officer Olive Jabido and 20 locators that already committed to join PEZA-MEZ for the cause coined ‘Batteries for the Earth, Batteries for the Future Project.’(PIA 7-Cebu with Reggie Marie Barrientos of PBSP)
Thursday, August 04, 2011
Firms join hand in Balik Baterya Project
Firms join hand in Balik Baterya Project
Sun.Star Cebu
August 3, 2011
NKC Manufacturing Philippines Corp., a manufacturing company in Mactan Economic Zone 2, Basak, Lapu-Lapu City recently partnered with the joint Balik Baterya Project of Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and Oriental and Motolite Marketing Corporation (OMMC).
Used lead-acid batteries (ULABs) were disposed through the joint project in order to properly recycle the hazardous lead content of these batteries.
Motolite will then donate a financial amount to PBSP for the equivalent scrap value of the disposed batteries.
The partnership of NKC and PBSP will use the proceeds for the joint Basic Education Project, which covers donation of books to a public elementary school in Lapu-Lapu.
The project will also provide trainings for teachers to enhance their skills.
Last June, NKC anti-pollution committee headed by Edmond Ouano, who also serves as the company's environmental officer, disposed about 2,000 kilos of used batteries for recycling.
Sun.Star Cebu
August 3, 2011
NKC Manufacturing Philippines Corp., a manufacturing company in Mactan Economic Zone 2, Basak, Lapu-Lapu City recently partnered with the joint Balik Baterya Project of Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and Oriental and Motolite Marketing Corporation (OMMC).
Used lead-acid batteries (ULABs) were disposed through the joint project in order to properly recycle the hazardous lead content of these batteries.
Motolite will then donate a financial amount to PBSP for the equivalent scrap value of the disposed batteries.
The partnership of NKC and PBSP will use the proceeds for the joint Basic Education Project, which covers donation of books to a public elementary school in Lapu-Lapu.
The project will also provide trainings for teachers to enhance their skills.
Last June, NKC anti-pollution committee headed by Edmond Ouano, who also serves as the company's environmental officer, disposed about 2,000 kilos of used batteries for recycling.
Wednesday, August 03, 2011
Trader dares business community to provide education
Trader dares business community to provide education
By Lydia C. Pendon
Sun.Star Iloilo
August 2, 2011
ONE of the country's top businessmen challenged the business community in Iloilo City to provide accessible and quality education to those who can barely afford to go to school.
Ramon R. del Rosario Jr., president and chief executive officer of Phinma Corporation and owner of Phinma-University of Iloilo, said private businesses in Manila and Iloilo could partner with the government in providing better education and in upgrading the National Achievement Test (NAT) mean percentage score in Science, Math and English in Iloilo City's elementary and secondary education.
Del Rosario said the country needs 120,000 new classrooms for public education and that the private sector could also help enhance and subsidize the training needs of teachers to improve teaching quality.
He lauded the efforts of city Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and assured that Phinma will be active with limitless business opportunities for the city.
"Phinma affirms commitment and access to quality education in a developing [the] city [that] seeks better quality of life for its people. Phinma offers no frills education but right facilities and learning materials that will expand higher education," del Rosario said.
Aside from several business corporations he headed, del Rosario is currently chairman of the National Museum of the Philippines, the Makati Business Club, Philippine Business for Education, Philippines-US Business Council, Philippine Educational Theater Association.
He also is the co-chairman of the National Mission Council of de la Salle Philippines, chairman of the Board of Advisers of the Ramon V. del Rosario Sr. Center for Corporate Social Responsibility at the Asian Institute of Management, vice chairman of Caritas (Manila), and member of the Board of Trustees of Philippine Business for Social Progress, Synergeia and PinoyME Foundation.
By Lydia C. Pendon
Sun.Star Iloilo
August 2, 2011
ONE of the country's top businessmen challenged the business community in Iloilo City to provide accessible and quality education to those who can barely afford to go to school.
Ramon R. del Rosario Jr., president and chief executive officer of Phinma Corporation and owner of Phinma-University of Iloilo, said private businesses in Manila and Iloilo could partner with the government in providing better education and in upgrading the National Achievement Test (NAT) mean percentage score in Science, Math and English in Iloilo City's elementary and secondary education.
Del Rosario said the country needs 120,000 new classrooms for public education and that the private sector could also help enhance and subsidize the training needs of teachers to improve teaching quality.
He lauded the efforts of city Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and assured that Phinma will be active with limitless business opportunities for the city.
"Phinma affirms commitment and access to quality education in a developing [the] city [that] seeks better quality of life for its people. Phinma offers no frills education but right facilities and learning materials that will expand higher education," del Rosario said.
Aside from several business corporations he headed, del Rosario is currently chairman of the National Museum of the Philippines, the Makati Business Club, Philippine Business for Education, Philippines-US Business Council, Philippine Educational Theater Association.
He also is the co-chairman of the National Mission Council of de la Salle Philippines, chairman of the Board of Advisers of the Ramon V. del Rosario Sr. Center for Corporate Social Responsibility at the Asian Institute of Management, vice chairman of Caritas (Manila), and member of the Board of Trustees of Philippine Business for Social Progress, Synergeia and PinoyME Foundation.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Cordova-PBSP MoU signed to protect coastal town's fragile resources
Cordova-PBSP MoU signed to protect coastal town's fragile resources
By Phoebe Jen Indino
Manila Bulletin
July 30, 2011
CORDOVA, Cebu, Philippines — In its aim to safeguard its coastal resources, this town recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) for the proper management of such resources. Said MoU also ensures food security for the local people.
The MoU was also drawn in partnership with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Region 7, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other pertinent non-government organizations.
Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy, PBSP’s Linking Initiatives for Collaborative Coastal Resource Management and Governance Program (LINC-CRMG) Program Manager Marivic Abello, DENR’s Integrated Coastal Resource Management Project (ICRMP) Head Joselito Alcaria and Ocean Care Advocates, Inc. (OCAI) Administrator Mario Marababol signed the commitment at this town’s municipal hall.
By Phoebe Jen Indino
Manila Bulletin
July 30, 2011
CORDOVA, Cebu, Philippines — In its aim to safeguard its coastal resources, this town recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) for the proper management of such resources. Said MoU also ensures food security for the local people.
The MoU was also drawn in partnership with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Region 7, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other pertinent non-government organizations.
Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy, PBSP’s Linking Initiatives for Collaborative Coastal Resource Management and Governance Program (LINC-CRMG) Program Manager Marivic Abello, DENR’s Integrated Coastal Resource Management Project (ICRMP) Head Joselito Alcaria and Ocean Care Advocates, Inc. (OCAI) Administrator Mario Marababol signed the commitment at this town’s municipal hall.
Deal inked for Cordova town coastal rehab
Deal inked for Cordova town coastal rehab
Cebu Daily News
July 30, 2011
The municipal government of Cordova has teamed up with the private and the government sector for the management, development and protection of the town’s aquatic resources.
Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy signed an agreement with Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) LINC-CRMG program manager Marivic Abello, DENR’s Integrated Coastal Resource Management project head Joselito Alcaria and Ocean Care Advocates Inc. (OCAI) administrator Mario Marababol at the Cordova municipal hall for the undertaking.
Under the agreement, PBSP will assist Cordova in building up its capacity to conserve and develop coastal resources, food security and livelihood for coastal communities.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, OCAI and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in the Central Visayas, on the other hand, will handle the enforcement of coastal resource management.
The agreement is anchored on PBSP’s Linking Initiatives for Collaborative Coastal Resource Management and Governance Program (LINC-CRMG), which has already gained ground in the provinces of Bohol, Guimaras, Samar and Southern Leyte.
It is funded by the European Union.
Cordova’s Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Council (FARMC) will help monitor illegal activities in the town’s coastal waters.
“There will be continuous trainings of the FARMCs to strengthen their ability to respond to the needs of coastal barangays,” said Rei Cabalquinto, LINC-CRMG program officer for Lapu-Lapu City and Cordova.
The LINC-CRMG will run for two years and will cover the 10 coastal barangays of Cordova.
Cebu Daily News
July 30, 2011
The municipal government of Cordova has teamed up with the private and the government sector for the management, development and protection of the town’s aquatic resources.
Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy signed an agreement with Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) LINC-CRMG program manager Marivic Abello, DENR’s Integrated Coastal Resource Management project head Joselito Alcaria and Ocean Care Advocates Inc. (OCAI) administrator Mario Marababol at the Cordova municipal hall for the undertaking.
Under the agreement, PBSP will assist Cordova in building up its capacity to conserve and develop coastal resources, food security and livelihood for coastal communities.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, OCAI and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in the Central Visayas, on the other hand, will handle the enforcement of coastal resource management.
The agreement is anchored on PBSP’s Linking Initiatives for Collaborative Coastal Resource Management and Governance Program (LINC-CRMG), which has already gained ground in the provinces of Bohol, Guimaras, Samar and Southern Leyte.
It is funded by the European Union.
Cordova’s Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Council (FARMC) will help monitor illegal activities in the town’s coastal waters.
“There will be continuous trainings of the FARMCs to strengthen their ability to respond to the needs of coastal barangays,” said Rei Cabalquinto, LINC-CRMG program officer for Lapu-Lapu City and Cordova.
The LINC-CRMG will run for two years and will cover the 10 coastal barangays of Cordova.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Municipality initiates public-private partnership to protect coastal resources
Municipality initiates public-private partnership to protect coastal resources
By Fayette C. Riñen
Philippine Information Agency
July 29, 2011
CEBU CITY, July 29 (PIA) -- A coastal municipality in Cebu has initiated partnership among government stakeholders and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) to manage its coastal resources and ensure food security for local folks.
The Municipality of Cordova recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the PBSP, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR-7) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the management, development and protection of its aquatic resources within its municipal waters.
The MoU was recently signed between Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy, PBSP’s LINC-CRMG Program Manager Marivic Abello, DENR’s Integrated Coastal Resource Management Project Head Joselito Alcaria and Ocean Care Advocates, Inc. (OCAI) Administrator Mario Marababol at the municipal hall of Cordova.
Under the MoU, PBSP will assist Cordova in building up the capacities of local government units on the implementation of measures towards the conservation of coastal resources, food security and livelihood generation for coastal communities.
With the MoU, the town will also get the support of BFAR, DENR and OCAI on the enforcement of the Integrated Coastal Resource Management Project (ICRMP) to ensure sustainable management of coastal resources.
The agreement is anchored on PBSP’s Linking Initiatives for Collaborative Coastal Resource Management and Governance Program (LINC-CRMG), which has already gained ground in the provinces of Bohol, Guimaras, Samar and Southern Leyte.
Funded by the European Union, the program aims to achieve effective and sustainable coastal resource management and contribute to poverty reduction through the rehabilitation of the Visayas coastal zones, enhancement of alternative livelihood to further prevent use of coastal resources, and enforcement of fishery laws by enabling local government units through the Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Councils (FARMCs), according to a statement from the PBSP.
FARMCs are mandated by the government to oversee coastal resource regeneration and look into the improvement of the fisheries sector in the local level.
The councils are also responsible for drafting the coastal resource management plans and programs that include aspects such as the increase of income of communities living along the coastal zones, management of critical habitats, activities to lessen fishing pressure, enforcement of fishery laws and ecotourism.
Each council in the 13 barangays of Cordova will help monitor illegal activities in their specific areas which largely contributed to the rapid degradation of Cordova’s coastal waters.
“There will be continuous trainings of the FARMCs to strengthen their leadership and systems to respond to the needs of coastal barangays,” LINC-CRMG Program Officer for Lapu-Lapu and Cordova Rei Cabalquinto stated.
Cabalquinto added that Cordova still faces challenges such as providing alternative livelihood projects to augment family income and reduce pressure in the town’s coastal zones.
Furthermore, most fisherfolk organizations in Cordova still lack the skills needed to implement and enforce fishery laws, Cabalquinto said.
At present, the LINC-CRMG Program is advocating for a fisherfolk’s registration and creation of more information materials to help educate the coastal communities on effective coastal resource management.
The LINC-CRMG will run for two years and will cover 10 coastal barangays of Cordova. (FCR with Reggie Marie B. Barrientos of PBSP/PIA 7-Cebu)
By Fayette C. Riñen
Philippine Information Agency
July 29, 2011
CEBU CITY, July 29 (PIA) -- A coastal municipality in Cebu has initiated partnership among government stakeholders and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) to manage its coastal resources and ensure food security for local folks.
The Municipality of Cordova recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the PBSP, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR-7) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the management, development and protection of its aquatic resources within its municipal waters.
The MoU was recently signed between Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy, PBSP’s LINC-CRMG Program Manager Marivic Abello, DENR’s Integrated Coastal Resource Management Project Head Joselito Alcaria and Ocean Care Advocates, Inc. (OCAI) Administrator Mario Marababol at the municipal hall of Cordova.
Under the MoU, PBSP will assist Cordova in building up the capacities of local government units on the implementation of measures towards the conservation of coastal resources, food security and livelihood generation for coastal communities.
With the MoU, the town will also get the support of BFAR, DENR and OCAI on the enforcement of the Integrated Coastal Resource Management Project (ICRMP) to ensure sustainable management of coastal resources.
The agreement is anchored on PBSP’s Linking Initiatives for Collaborative Coastal Resource Management and Governance Program (LINC-CRMG), which has already gained ground in the provinces of Bohol, Guimaras, Samar and Southern Leyte.
Funded by the European Union, the program aims to achieve effective and sustainable coastal resource management and contribute to poverty reduction through the rehabilitation of the Visayas coastal zones, enhancement of alternative livelihood to further prevent use of coastal resources, and enforcement of fishery laws by enabling local government units through the Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Councils (FARMCs), according to a statement from the PBSP.
FARMCs are mandated by the government to oversee coastal resource regeneration and look into the improvement of the fisheries sector in the local level.
The councils are also responsible for drafting the coastal resource management plans and programs that include aspects such as the increase of income of communities living along the coastal zones, management of critical habitats, activities to lessen fishing pressure, enforcement of fishery laws and ecotourism.
Each council in the 13 barangays of Cordova will help monitor illegal activities in their specific areas which largely contributed to the rapid degradation of Cordova’s coastal waters.
“There will be continuous trainings of the FARMCs to strengthen their leadership and systems to respond to the needs of coastal barangays,” LINC-CRMG Program Officer for Lapu-Lapu and Cordova Rei Cabalquinto stated.
Cabalquinto added that Cordova still faces challenges such as providing alternative livelihood projects to augment family income and reduce pressure in the town’s coastal zones.
Furthermore, most fisherfolk organizations in Cordova still lack the skills needed to implement and enforce fishery laws, Cabalquinto said.
At present, the LINC-CRMG Program is advocating for a fisherfolk’s registration and creation of more information materials to help educate the coastal communities on effective coastal resource management.
The LINC-CRMG will run for two years and will cover 10 coastal barangays of Cordova. (FCR with Reggie Marie B. Barrientos of PBSP/PIA 7-Cebu)
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Cordova to rehab coastal waters
Cordova to rehab coastal waters
The Freeman
July 28, 2011
The municipal government of Cordova teamed up with Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR-7) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the management, development and protection of its aquatic resources within its municipal waters through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
The MoU was recently signed between Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy, PBSP’s LINC-CRMG Program Manager Marivic Abello, DENR’s Integrated Coastal Resource Management Project Head Joselito Alcaria and Ocean Care Advocates, Inc. (OCAI) Administrator Mario Marababol at the municipal hall of Cordova.
Under the MoU, PBSP will assist Cordova in building up the capacities of local government units on the implementation of measures towards the conservation of coastal resources, food security and livelihood generation for coastal communities.
The town will also get the support of BFAR, DENR and OCAI on the enforcement of the Integrated Coastal Resource Management Project (ICRMP) to ensure sustainable management of coastal resources.
The agreement is anchored in PBSP’s Linking Initiatives for Collaborative Coastal Resource Management and Governance Program (LINC-CRMG) which has already gained ground in the provinces of Bohol, Guimaras, Samar and Southern Leyte.
Funded by the European Union, the program aims to achieve effective and sustainable coastal resource management and contribute to poverty reduction through the rehabilitation of the Visayas coastal zones, enhancement of alternative livelihood to further prevent use of coastal resources, and enforcement of fishery laws by enabling local government units through the Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Councils (FARMCs).
FARMCs are mandated by the government to oversee coastal resource regeneration as well as look into the improvement of the fisheries sector in the local level.
The councils are also responsible for drafting the coastal resource management plans and programs that include aspects such as the increase of income of communities living along the coastal zones, management of critical habitats, activities to lessen fishing pressure, enforcement of fishery laws and ecotourism.
Cordova’s barangay FARMCs will help monitor illegal activities in their specific areas which largely contributed to the rapid degradation of Cordova’s coastal waters.
“There will be continuous trainings of the FARMCs to strengthen their leadership and systems to respond to the needs of coastal barangays,” LINC-CRMG Program Officer for Lapu-Lapu and Cordova Rei Cabalquinto stated.
Cabalquinto adds that Cordova still faces challenges such as providing alternative livelihood projects to augment family income and reduce pressure in the town’s coastal zones. Further, most fisherfolk organizations in Cordova still lack the skills needed to implement and enforce fishery laws.
To date, the LINC-CRMG Program is advocating for a fisherfolk’s registration and creation of more information materials to help educate the coastal communities on effective coastal resource management.
LINC-CRMG will run for two years and will cover 10 coastal barangays of Cordova.
The Freeman
July 28, 2011
The municipal government of Cordova teamed up with Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR-7) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the management, development and protection of its aquatic resources within its municipal waters through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
The MoU was recently signed between Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy, PBSP’s LINC-CRMG Program Manager Marivic Abello, DENR’s Integrated Coastal Resource Management Project Head Joselito Alcaria and Ocean Care Advocates, Inc. (OCAI) Administrator Mario Marababol at the municipal hall of Cordova.
Under the MoU, PBSP will assist Cordova in building up the capacities of local government units on the implementation of measures towards the conservation of coastal resources, food security and livelihood generation for coastal communities.
The town will also get the support of BFAR, DENR and OCAI on the enforcement of the Integrated Coastal Resource Management Project (ICRMP) to ensure sustainable management of coastal resources.
The agreement is anchored in PBSP’s Linking Initiatives for Collaborative Coastal Resource Management and Governance Program (LINC-CRMG) which has already gained ground in the provinces of Bohol, Guimaras, Samar and Southern Leyte.
Funded by the European Union, the program aims to achieve effective and sustainable coastal resource management and contribute to poverty reduction through the rehabilitation of the Visayas coastal zones, enhancement of alternative livelihood to further prevent use of coastal resources, and enforcement of fishery laws by enabling local government units through the Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Councils (FARMCs).
FARMCs are mandated by the government to oversee coastal resource regeneration as well as look into the improvement of the fisheries sector in the local level.
The councils are also responsible for drafting the coastal resource management plans and programs that include aspects such as the increase of income of communities living along the coastal zones, management of critical habitats, activities to lessen fishing pressure, enforcement of fishery laws and ecotourism.
Cordova’s barangay FARMCs will help monitor illegal activities in their specific areas which largely contributed to the rapid degradation of Cordova’s coastal waters.
“There will be continuous trainings of the FARMCs to strengthen their leadership and systems to respond to the needs of coastal barangays,” LINC-CRMG Program Officer for Lapu-Lapu and Cordova Rei Cabalquinto stated.
Cabalquinto adds that Cordova still faces challenges such as providing alternative livelihood projects to augment family income and reduce pressure in the town’s coastal zones. Further, most fisherfolk organizations in Cordova still lack the skills needed to implement and enforce fishery laws.
To date, the LINC-CRMG Program is advocating for a fisherfolk’s registration and creation of more information materials to help educate the coastal communities on effective coastal resource management.
LINC-CRMG will run for two years and will cover 10 coastal barangays of Cordova.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Handling of MPAs vital to catch more fishes, fix prices
Handling of MPAs vital to catch more fishes, fix prices
The Bohol Standard
July 24, 2011
To increase fish yields and control fish prices, Gov. Edgar Chatto has underlined the best management of marine protection areas (MPAs) as another core intervention of his administration.
Capitol is moving to improve and sustain the management of existing MPAs for better livelihood and socio-economic chances, which can modify the prevailing condition.
The strategy at the same time pursues the goal of breaking free from poverty and ensures food self-sufficiency.
It supports the overtowering sustainable development framework articulated in capitol’s HEAT folder and its wider LIFE HELPS agenda.
The governor observed that many LGUs and communities have invested precious resources in physical development, protection and awareness promotion in support to MPA projects.
Yet regular monitoring of MPAs to ensure that their investments produce the desired effects has been found wanting.
The governor’s office thus had the capitol Social Economic and Environmental Management (SEEM) Cluster conducting a trainers’ training on MPA monitoring and evaluation days ago.
The training was coordinated by the Coastal Resource Management (CRM) sector of the Bohol Environment and Management Office (BEMO) and Philippine Environmental Governance (EcoGov2) Project.
The provincial government and EcoGov2 intend to form a good monitoring-evaluation team who can lead LGUs to accessing to training and mentoring assistance.
This is helpful to the promotion and improvement of MPA management.
The trainers’ training was done to members of the MPA Provincial Technical Working Group (PTWG) from national agencies like the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
Non-government organizations such as BANGON, Project Seahorse, Padayon Bohol Bohol Marine Triangle, Philippine Business for Social Progress, Bohol Integrated Development Foundation and PROCESS as well as selected municipal MPA-TWGs also participated.
Training sessions involved a combination of lectures, discussions, workshops and field activities, all to enhance the skills and capacities to gauge the effectiveness of MPA management.
In measuring, they have to use the MPA Management Effectiveness Assessment Tool (MEAT).
Using the tool, the training participants did actual focus group discussions to assess the status of significant MPAs on sites.
These marine protected areas embrace the seawaters off Biking, Catarman, Bingag and Tabalong, all in Dauis, and San isidro, Dao and Bolod in Panglao.
The focus group discussion results were later reviewed, evaluated and processed by the participants.
EcoGov2 regional coordinator May Elizabeth Ybañez and training officers Rebecca Paz and Anna Meneses and BEMO-CRM sector head Adelfa Salutan led the training staff.
The Bohol Standard
July 24, 2011
To increase fish yields and control fish prices, Gov. Edgar Chatto has underlined the best management of marine protection areas (MPAs) as another core intervention of his administration.
Capitol is moving to improve and sustain the management of existing MPAs for better livelihood and socio-economic chances, which can modify the prevailing condition.
The strategy at the same time pursues the goal of breaking free from poverty and ensures food self-sufficiency.
It supports the overtowering sustainable development framework articulated in capitol’s HEAT folder and its wider LIFE HELPS agenda.
The governor observed that many LGUs and communities have invested precious resources in physical development, protection and awareness promotion in support to MPA projects.
Yet regular monitoring of MPAs to ensure that their investments produce the desired effects has been found wanting.
The governor’s office thus had the capitol Social Economic and Environmental Management (SEEM) Cluster conducting a trainers’ training on MPA monitoring and evaluation days ago.
The training was coordinated by the Coastal Resource Management (CRM) sector of the Bohol Environment and Management Office (BEMO) and Philippine Environmental Governance (EcoGov2) Project.
The provincial government and EcoGov2 intend to form a good monitoring-evaluation team who can lead LGUs to accessing to training and mentoring assistance.
This is helpful to the promotion and improvement of MPA management.
The trainers’ training was done to members of the MPA Provincial Technical Working Group (PTWG) from national agencies like the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
Non-government organizations such as BANGON, Project Seahorse, Padayon Bohol Bohol Marine Triangle, Philippine Business for Social Progress, Bohol Integrated Development Foundation and PROCESS as well as selected municipal MPA-TWGs also participated.
Training sessions involved a combination of lectures, discussions, workshops and field activities, all to enhance the skills and capacities to gauge the effectiveness of MPA management.
In measuring, they have to use the MPA Management Effectiveness Assessment Tool (MEAT).
Using the tool, the training participants did actual focus group discussions to assess the status of significant MPAs on sites.
These marine protected areas embrace the seawaters off Biking, Catarman, Bingag and Tabalong, all in Dauis, and San isidro, Dao and Bolod in Panglao.
The focus group discussion results were later reviewed, evaluated and processed by the participants.
EcoGov2 regional coordinator May Elizabeth Ybañez and training officers Rebecca Paz and Anna Meneses and BEMO-CRM sector head Adelfa Salutan led the training staff.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Sandugo expo highlights ‘green opportunity’
Sandugo expo highlights ‘green opportunity’
By Katlene O. Cacho
Sun.Star Cebu
July 21, 2011
TAGBILARAN CITY – The week-long celebration of the Sandugo Trade Expo 2011 that opened yesterday highlighted not only green products but also opened opportunities for local suppliers to forge linkages with local tourism establishments, officials said.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 7 said this year’s trade exhibition will focus on the tourism industry as possible market for local players.
“What makes the expo different this year is that we have lined up activities which would help strengthen the products and services of local small and medium enterprises (SMEs). We are also showcasing new and innovative ‘green products’ for the growing green market,” DTI 7 director Asteria Caberte said in a press conference at the Island City Mall.
Products
The Sandugo Trade Expo, which runs from July 20 to 24 at the Island City Mall in Tagbilaran City, will highlight world class product lines in handicraft, processed food, fashion accessories, gifts, decors and houseware.
The expo carries the theme “Greening Business, Wining Markets.”
DTI Bohol Director Maria Elena Arbon said 85 exhibitors joined this year’s expo. Other activities include corporate social responsibility in Bohol food and tourism sectors, SME summit and the green growth awareness day for local SMEs.
“We are looking at selling our products not only to the export market but also to the tourism and tourism establishments. We would like to influence resort owners to make use of our local materials, which are also competitive with imported products in terms of quality and pricing,” Caberte said.
“In this way, we are not only helping the environment but also helping our fellow Filipinos because of the jobs we create,” she added.
Caberte said a market encounter activity will be organized for the SMEs so they could network with potential buyers.
Aside from tapping the tourism market, German Development Corporation (GIZ) program manager for Private Sector Promotion (SMEDSEP) Program Volker Steigerwald said partner agencies like them would also push SMEs to develop green products for the growing green economy.
“We have come up with SME development strategy in partnership with the DTI which would strongly push for the creation of green products,” he said.
Caberte said they would like to enhance the competitiveness of the SMEs in the Visayas.
“Although going green is an uphill climb as the process is expensive, it has to be emphasized that there is a market outside and inside of the country for those businesses going in the green lane production,” she said.
Requirement
Caberte cited Europe as a good market for green products and said many Cebuano exporters have already started employing green technology in their supply chain management. She cited the allocation of big hectares for planting trees as one form of green advocacy adopted by some exporters.
“Adopting green initiatives in the production is already a requirement by some buyers,” she said.
While there are lot of SMEs now employing green technology in business, Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Marietta Gasatan said local SMEs still need more inputs to sustain the initiative. She said that SMEs in Bohol in particular are now maximizing the use of technology to reduce carbon footprint.
DTI 7 said last year’s trade fair held in Dao, Bohol posted total sales of P27.95 million. Total cash sales were pegged at P2.96 million, booked orders amounted to P12.16 million, while sales under negotiation hit P12.83 million.
The trade expo is being held in partnership with DTI, Bohol Province, Philippine Business for Social Progress, German Development Cooperation, Bohol and Medium Enterprise Development Council, European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines-Cebu and Japan International Cooperation Agency.
By Katlene O. Cacho
Sun.Star Cebu
July 21, 2011
TAGBILARAN CITY – The week-long celebration of the Sandugo Trade Expo 2011 that opened yesterday highlighted not only green products but also opened opportunities for local suppliers to forge linkages with local tourism establishments, officials said.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 7 said this year’s trade exhibition will focus on the tourism industry as possible market for local players.
“What makes the expo different this year is that we have lined up activities which would help strengthen the products and services of local small and medium enterprises (SMEs). We are also showcasing new and innovative ‘green products’ for the growing green market,” DTI 7 director Asteria Caberte said in a press conference at the Island City Mall.
Products
The Sandugo Trade Expo, which runs from July 20 to 24 at the Island City Mall in Tagbilaran City, will highlight world class product lines in handicraft, processed food, fashion accessories, gifts, decors and houseware.
The expo carries the theme “Greening Business, Wining Markets.”
DTI Bohol Director Maria Elena Arbon said 85 exhibitors joined this year’s expo. Other activities include corporate social responsibility in Bohol food and tourism sectors, SME summit and the green growth awareness day for local SMEs.
“We are looking at selling our products not only to the export market but also to the tourism and tourism establishments. We would like to influence resort owners to make use of our local materials, which are also competitive with imported products in terms of quality and pricing,” Caberte said.
“In this way, we are not only helping the environment but also helping our fellow Filipinos because of the jobs we create,” she added.
Caberte said a market encounter activity will be organized for the SMEs so they could network with potential buyers.
Aside from tapping the tourism market, German Development Corporation (GIZ) program manager for Private Sector Promotion (SMEDSEP) Program Volker Steigerwald said partner agencies like them would also push SMEs to develop green products for the growing green economy.
“We have come up with SME development strategy in partnership with the DTI which would strongly push for the creation of green products,” he said.
Caberte said they would like to enhance the competitiveness of the SMEs in the Visayas.
“Although going green is an uphill climb as the process is expensive, it has to be emphasized that there is a market outside and inside of the country for those businesses going in the green lane production,” she said.
Requirement
Caberte cited Europe as a good market for green products and said many Cebuano exporters have already started employing green technology in their supply chain management. She cited the allocation of big hectares for planting trees as one form of green advocacy adopted by some exporters.
“Adopting green initiatives in the production is already a requirement by some buyers,” she said.
While there are lot of SMEs now employing green technology in business, Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Marietta Gasatan said local SMEs still need more inputs to sustain the initiative. She said that SMEs in Bohol in particular are now maximizing the use of technology to reduce carbon footprint.
DTI 7 said last year’s trade fair held in Dao, Bohol posted total sales of P27.95 million. Total cash sales were pegged at P2.96 million, booked orders amounted to P12.16 million, while sales under negotiation hit P12.83 million.
The trade expo is being held in partnership with DTI, Bohol Province, Philippine Business for Social Progress, German Development Cooperation, Bohol and Medium Enterprise Development Council, European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines-Cebu and Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Agreement sealed for water system
Agreement sealed for water system
Sun.Star Cebu
July 13, 2011
MORE than 30 households from Sitio Sayaw, Barangay Tabunan, Cebu City will soon have improved access to potable water through the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) or Pag-ibig Fund’s Potable Water System Project.
The project was sealed through an agreement between the Cebu south branch of Pag-ibig and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), and involves the establishment of a level two potable water system in Sitio Sayaw.
Sayaw is located some 10 kilometers from the Transcentral Highway, which is 25 kilometers away from the city proper. For years, residents from the sitio had to walk for hours to fetch water.
Pag-ibig Cebu branch officer-in-charge and department manager III Rio Teves, PBSP Visayas regional operations manager Jessie Cubijano and Sayaw Farmers Association president Ricardo Labora recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) at Pag-Ibig Fund-WT Corporate Tower, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City for the project.
“As a financial institution that largely deals with housing projects, we know how important water is to every household,” Teves said during the MOA signing.
The project, which is worth P60,000, will take the form of boxes that collect water from springs and other natural water resources in upland areas and keep stored water safe from contamination.
The project will allow for two distribution stations for the households within the area.
Under the agreement, PBSP will serve as implementing agency in the construction of the water system, as well as take charge in the monitoring of the project.
The potable water system project signified Pag-ibig Cebu’s commitment to adopt Sitio Sayaw as its community for its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives through the Pag-ibig 1-4-3 Program.
Sun.Star Cebu
July 13, 2011
MORE than 30 households from Sitio Sayaw, Barangay Tabunan, Cebu City will soon have improved access to potable water through the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) or Pag-ibig Fund’s Potable Water System Project.
The project was sealed through an agreement between the Cebu south branch of Pag-ibig and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), and involves the establishment of a level two potable water system in Sitio Sayaw.
Sayaw is located some 10 kilometers from the Transcentral Highway, which is 25 kilometers away from the city proper. For years, residents from the sitio had to walk for hours to fetch water.
Pag-ibig Cebu branch officer-in-charge and department manager III Rio Teves, PBSP Visayas regional operations manager Jessie Cubijano and Sayaw Farmers Association president Ricardo Labora recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) at Pag-Ibig Fund-WT Corporate Tower, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City for the project.
“As a financial institution that largely deals with housing projects, we know how important water is to every household,” Teves said during the MOA signing.
The project, which is worth P60,000, will take the form of boxes that collect water from springs and other natural water resources in upland areas and keep stored water safe from contamination.
The project will allow for two distribution stations for the households within the area.
Under the agreement, PBSP will serve as implementing agency in the construction of the water system, as well as take charge in the monitoring of the project.
The potable water system project signified Pag-ibig Cebu’s commitment to adopt Sitio Sayaw as its community for its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives through the Pag-ibig 1-4-3 Program.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Maasin City strengthens disaster preparedness, conducts contingency planning
Maasin City strengthens disaster preparedness, conducts contingency planning
By R.G. Cadavos
Philippine Information Agency
July 12, 2011
MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, July 12 (PIA) –- Maasin City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC) has conducted an on-going contingency planning among 5 recipient-barangays of the Strengthening Disaster Preparedness thru SMS Technology project spearheaded by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP).
Ritche Sumalinog, a staff from the City Engineer’s Office here said “we have already finished three out of five of the beneficiary-barangays in the disaster risk management and conducted a planning activity in preparation for any calamity.”
These barangays mentioned are Mambajao, Soro-Soro and San Rafael, while Gawisan and Lunas will follow thereafter, Sumalinog who assisted the planning disclosed. The 5 barangays are the recipients of (2) cellphones each from the PBSP project tying up with Smart Communications and the World Bank.
“During times of crisis, contingency plans are often developed to explore and prepare for any eventuality, designed to inform citizens and concerned officials during a calamity by the use of short messages system (SMS) technology through cellphone, Sumalinog bared in an interview.
He further added that the (1) Blackberry cellphone is assigned to the Barangay Chairman in each barangay , while the other one is given to the one identified by the barangay leader, mostly those in-charge in the information unit basing on the BDRRMC organization.
The project will apply mobile phone SMS technology to improve the communication system among DRM organizations at various levels of the DRM command chain not only in Maasin City but throughout the province. There are identified pilot municipalities of the PBSP project throughout Southern Leyte, these are Malitbog, Bontoc, Libagon, Liloan, San Francisco, Pintuyan, San Ricardo, Saint Bernard, and Hinunangan and the city of Maasin.
The project also aimed to assess existing vulnerabilities; implement disaster avoidance and prevention procedures; and develop a comprehensive plan that will enable the organization to react appropriately and in a timely manner if disaster strikes.
Maasin City Engineer Aniceto Narit is the Action Officer of the CDRRMC while Mayor Maloney Samaco chaired the council, it was learned.
By R.G. Cadavos
Philippine Information Agency
July 12, 2011
MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, July 12 (PIA) –- Maasin City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC) has conducted an on-going contingency planning among 5 recipient-barangays of the Strengthening Disaster Preparedness thru SMS Technology project spearheaded by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP).
Ritche Sumalinog, a staff from the City Engineer’s Office here said “we have already finished three out of five of the beneficiary-barangays in the disaster risk management and conducted a planning activity in preparation for any calamity.”
These barangays mentioned are Mambajao, Soro-Soro and San Rafael, while Gawisan and Lunas will follow thereafter, Sumalinog who assisted the planning disclosed. The 5 barangays are the recipients of (2) cellphones each from the PBSP project tying up with Smart Communications and the World Bank.
“During times of crisis, contingency plans are often developed to explore and prepare for any eventuality, designed to inform citizens and concerned officials during a calamity by the use of short messages system (SMS) technology through cellphone, Sumalinog bared in an interview.
He further added that the (1) Blackberry cellphone is assigned to the Barangay Chairman in each barangay , while the other one is given to the one identified by the barangay leader, mostly those in-charge in the information unit basing on the BDRRMC organization.
The project will apply mobile phone SMS technology to improve the communication system among DRM organizations at various levels of the DRM command chain not only in Maasin City but throughout the province. There are identified pilot municipalities of the PBSP project throughout Southern Leyte, these are Malitbog, Bontoc, Libagon, Liloan, San Francisco, Pintuyan, San Ricardo, Saint Bernard, and Hinunangan and the city of Maasin.
The project also aimed to assess existing vulnerabilities; implement disaster avoidance and prevention procedures; and develop a comprehensive plan that will enable the organization to react appropriately and in a timely manner if disaster strikes.
Maasin City Engineer Aniceto Narit is the Action Officer of the CDRRMC while Mayor Maloney Samaco chaired the council, it was learned.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Guaranteed Safe Delivery for Mothers
Guaranteed Safe Delivery for Mothers
By Irene V. Fernando
Manila Bulletin
July 11, 2011
MANILA, Philippines — Launched last year as the branded generics company of Pfizer Philippines, Pfizer Parke Davis (PPD) is expanding its CSR efforts by opening its first Nay Bahay Ligtas Paanakan Center—a lying-in maternal facility that will give birthing mothers from indigent communities a safe place for labor with the expert supervision of licensed midwives.
The birthing centers, designed by young architect Jason Buensalido, will be made out of recycled shipping containers, complete with all the necessary equipment and attending staff.
The move is part of PPD’s partnership with the government in addressing the lack of quality maternal healthcare in the country. The pilot center is located in Minabalac, Camarines Sur and is set to open this August.
“We are going to build two lying-in centers this year, with the second one slated to begin construction in October in Balugao, Pangasinan,” shares Obet Bautista, general manager for Pfizer Park Davis during the Bulong Pulungan last June 28 at Sofitel Philippine Plaza.
“We will also begin intensive training for barangay health workers to ensure that the community will get the topnotch health services that they deserve,” he adds. Aside from the Department of Health (DOH), PPD is also working with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Zuellig Family Foundation, and Lowe Inc.
Maternal Mortality Rate
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 11 women in the Philippines die every day due to pregnancy-related complications. Given this rate, it is no surprise that the country is having a hard time achieving the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) set by the United Nations (UN) on reducing the maternal mortality rate by 2015.
In a presentation before the members of the press, experts discussed the importance of addressing a nation’s maternal healthcare. According to Dr. Rebecca Ramos, consultant for Women’s Health Care Foundation, “good quality maternity services can save lives of newborns” and that “most maternal deaths happen during labor, delivery and the immediate post-partum period.”
She shared that the Philippines is included in the list of countries in Asia where there is a high rate of Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), together with Cambodia, Papua New Guinea and Mongolia.
She also cited how Sri Lanka used to have high MMR but was able to reduce the percentage by introducing a system of health facilities, expanding midwifery skills, decreasing use of home childbirth and births by untrained birth attendants, and promoting family planning.
Training Birth Attendants
Under the DOH’s Administrative Order 2008-2009, the government must ensure that “every delivery of a child is facility-based and managed by skilled birth attendants.” But with the limited budget, there are not enough lying-in facilities in the country—especially in rural areas.
Ramos also shared that the MMR in the country can be partly traced to delays in the decision to seek professional care and the delay in receiving care from skilled personnel. “There is a need for staff that can provide service for 24 hours and who are well-trained on improved maternity and neonatal care practices,” she says. This is why part of PPD’s program is to train birth attendants.
According to DOH Undersecretary Teodoro Herbosa, these Nay Bahay centers will greatly complement the existing hospitals and health centers in the provinces. “There is an existing rural (health) center. What we do is build a birthing room and train people.” With the memorandum of understanding with PPD, DOH is hoping to achieve its target of coming up with 4,000 birth facilities around the country.
Aside from the lying-in centers, PPD will also launch other programs in the succeeding months, such as the Alkansya Program that will help would-be mothers save for the birthing expenses and the Buntis Congress which seeks to make would-be fathers more actively involved during the entire pregnancy period.
By Irene V. Fernando
Manila Bulletin
July 11, 2011
MANILA, Philippines — Launched last year as the branded generics company of Pfizer Philippines, Pfizer Parke Davis (PPD) is expanding its CSR efforts by opening its first Nay Bahay Ligtas Paanakan Center—a lying-in maternal facility that will give birthing mothers from indigent communities a safe place for labor with the expert supervision of licensed midwives.
The birthing centers, designed by young architect Jason Buensalido, will be made out of recycled shipping containers, complete with all the necessary equipment and attending staff.
The move is part of PPD’s partnership with the government in addressing the lack of quality maternal healthcare in the country. The pilot center is located in Minabalac, Camarines Sur and is set to open this August.
“We are going to build two lying-in centers this year, with the second one slated to begin construction in October in Balugao, Pangasinan,” shares Obet Bautista, general manager for Pfizer Park Davis during the Bulong Pulungan last June 28 at Sofitel Philippine Plaza.
“We will also begin intensive training for barangay health workers to ensure that the community will get the topnotch health services that they deserve,” he adds. Aside from the Department of Health (DOH), PPD is also working with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Zuellig Family Foundation, and Lowe Inc.
Maternal Mortality Rate
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 11 women in the Philippines die every day due to pregnancy-related complications. Given this rate, it is no surprise that the country is having a hard time achieving the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) set by the United Nations (UN) on reducing the maternal mortality rate by 2015.
In a presentation before the members of the press, experts discussed the importance of addressing a nation’s maternal healthcare. According to Dr. Rebecca Ramos, consultant for Women’s Health Care Foundation, “good quality maternity services can save lives of newborns” and that “most maternal deaths happen during labor, delivery and the immediate post-partum period.”
She shared that the Philippines is included in the list of countries in Asia where there is a high rate of Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), together with Cambodia, Papua New Guinea and Mongolia.
She also cited how Sri Lanka used to have high MMR but was able to reduce the percentage by introducing a system of health facilities, expanding midwifery skills, decreasing use of home childbirth and births by untrained birth attendants, and promoting family planning.
Training Birth Attendants
Under the DOH’s Administrative Order 2008-2009, the government must ensure that “every delivery of a child is facility-based and managed by skilled birth attendants.” But with the limited budget, there are not enough lying-in facilities in the country—especially in rural areas.
Ramos also shared that the MMR in the country can be partly traced to delays in the decision to seek professional care and the delay in receiving care from skilled personnel. “There is a need for staff that can provide service for 24 hours and who are well-trained on improved maternity and neonatal care practices,” she says. This is why part of PPD’s program is to train birth attendants.
According to DOH Undersecretary Teodoro Herbosa, these Nay Bahay centers will greatly complement the existing hospitals and health centers in the provinces. “There is an existing rural (health) center. What we do is build a birthing room and train people.” With the memorandum of understanding with PPD, DOH is hoping to achieve its target of coming up with 4,000 birth facilities around the country.
Aside from the lying-in centers, PPD will also launch other programs in the succeeding months, such as the Alkansya Program that will help would-be mothers save for the birthing expenses and the Buntis Congress which seeks to make would-be fathers more actively involved during the entire pregnancy period.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
DepEd: Partnership with LGUs reduces shortage of classrooms
DepEd: Partnership with LGUs reduces shortage of classrooms
By Jeffrey Tiangco
July 10, 2011
Journal Online
THE Department of Education (DepEd) yesterday said its partnership with the private sector and the local government units (LGU) will reduce shortage of classrooms in public schools, citing the 1,054 classrooms worth P800 million set for completion within the year.
The DepEd said another P1 billion worth of classrooms is up for signing with the LGUs and the private sector, adding that the 1, 054 classrooms are products of the 50/50 counter-parting scheme contained in various memoranda of agreement it entered into with the League of Municipalities, the League of Cities and the League of Provinces since January this year.
The DepEd said the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) has also pledged to fund the construction of 1,000 units of fully-equipped classrooms which will be turned over to DepEd by December 2012.
Based on its 2011 actual budget allocation of some P8 billion for classroom construction, DepEd admitted it can only build a maximum of 10,000 classrooms per year. The department was given P207 billion budget this year, a 19 percent hike compared to last year’s P175 billion.
“From this single government corporation alone, 10 percent of our annual capacity to build is already covered,” the DepEd said.
Records showed that there is a shortage of 66, 800 classrooms this school year even as experts pointed out that the influx of students in the public sector, 22.5 million (kindergarten, elementary and secondary) alone this school year, makes it difficult for the government to cope with the problem.
DepEd also has to implement the K to 12 program (the plan to add two more years to the current 10-year basic education cycle), especially because it has started one of the program’s component, the Universal Kindergarten, this school year.
DepEd said that aside from the assistance from the LGUs and other government agencies, the private sector also continues to give funds is by partnering with DepEd’s Adopt-A-School program for the construction of more school buildings under the Bayanihang Pampaaralan program.
Participated in by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), League of Corporate Foundation (LCF) and Philippine Business For Education (PBED), the program calls for the construction of 10,000 classrooms around the country in two years.
“To date, the commitment of the government and the private sector to help bridge the classroom shortage sums up to over 12,500 classroom units in two years. All these are on top of the regular classroom construction programmed by DepEd from its annual allocation,” the DepEd said.
Some of the private businesses that have already committed to the public school building construction program are Jollibee Foundation, SM Foundation, Coca Cola Foundation, Petron, Philamlife Foundation, and PLDT.
The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) has also come up with a proposal that seeks to construct over 200,000 classrooms from 2012 to 2013 employing out-of-the-box solutions to the perennial problem of classroom shortage.
Among the schemes being recommended are rent-to-own or build-operate-transfer, optimum use of Special Education Fund (SEF) generated by LGUs as loan collateral and allocation of a portion of lawmakers’ pork barrel for classroom construction for at least two years.
By Jeffrey Tiangco
July 10, 2011
Journal Online
THE Department of Education (DepEd) yesterday said its partnership with the private sector and the local government units (LGU) will reduce shortage of classrooms in public schools, citing the 1,054 classrooms worth P800 million set for completion within the year.
The DepEd said another P1 billion worth of classrooms is up for signing with the LGUs and the private sector, adding that the 1, 054 classrooms are products of the 50/50 counter-parting scheme contained in various memoranda of agreement it entered into with the League of Municipalities, the League of Cities and the League of Provinces since January this year.
The DepEd said the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) has also pledged to fund the construction of 1,000 units of fully-equipped classrooms which will be turned over to DepEd by December 2012.
Based on its 2011 actual budget allocation of some P8 billion for classroom construction, DepEd admitted it can only build a maximum of 10,000 classrooms per year. The department was given P207 billion budget this year, a 19 percent hike compared to last year’s P175 billion.
“From this single government corporation alone, 10 percent of our annual capacity to build is already covered,” the DepEd said.
Records showed that there is a shortage of 66, 800 classrooms this school year even as experts pointed out that the influx of students in the public sector, 22.5 million (kindergarten, elementary and secondary) alone this school year, makes it difficult for the government to cope with the problem.
DepEd also has to implement the K to 12 program (the plan to add two more years to the current 10-year basic education cycle), especially because it has started one of the program’s component, the Universal Kindergarten, this school year.
DepEd said that aside from the assistance from the LGUs and other government agencies, the private sector also continues to give funds is by partnering with DepEd’s Adopt-A-School program for the construction of more school buildings under the Bayanihang Pampaaralan program.
Participated in by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), League of Corporate Foundation (LCF) and Philippine Business For Education (PBED), the program calls for the construction of 10,000 classrooms around the country in two years.
“To date, the commitment of the government and the private sector to help bridge the classroom shortage sums up to over 12,500 classroom units in two years. All these are on top of the regular classroom construction programmed by DepEd from its annual allocation,” the DepEd said.
Some of the private businesses that have already committed to the public school building construction program are Jollibee Foundation, SM Foundation, Coca Cola Foundation, Petron, Philamlife Foundation, and PLDT.
The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) has also come up with a proposal that seeks to construct over 200,000 classrooms from 2012 to 2013 employing out-of-the-box solutions to the perennial problem of classroom shortage.
Among the schemes being recommended are rent-to-own or build-operate-transfer, optimum use of Special Education Fund (SEF) generated by LGUs as loan collateral and allocation of a portion of lawmakers’ pork barrel for classroom construction for at least two years.
Saturday, July 09, 2011
Telco supports Cebu hillylands reforestation efforts
Telco supports Cebu hillylands reforestation efforts
Cebu Daily News
July 9, 2011
Employee-volunteers and security personnel of Smart Communications Inc. trooped to the reforestation site in barangay Tabunan, Cebu City to join the kick-off tree planting activity of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) last June 18.
Called the Cebu Hillylands Reforestation Caravan 2011, the team from Smart, together with the more than 800 volunteers from PBSP member-companies, planted seedlings of Cebu cinnamon tree, tagilomboy, narra, taloto, lanotan and toong.
A first-time volunteer, engineer Jun Lavetoria of Smart’s Property and Facilities Management group was awed by the Cebuano’s spirit and camaraderie.
“It is so heartwarming to see people from different companies and walks of life working together to save and protect Mother Earth,” he said.
For the past seven years, Smart and PBSP have been working together in the greening of barangay Tabunan, one of Cebu City’s mountain barangays that form part of the Central Cebu Protected Landscape—Metro Cebu’s source of water.
Cebu Daily News
July 9, 2011
Employee-volunteers and security personnel of Smart Communications Inc. trooped to the reforestation site in barangay Tabunan, Cebu City to join the kick-off tree planting activity of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) last June 18.
Called the Cebu Hillylands Reforestation Caravan 2011, the team from Smart, together with the more than 800 volunteers from PBSP member-companies, planted seedlings of Cebu cinnamon tree, tagilomboy, narra, taloto, lanotan and toong.
A first-time volunteer, engineer Jun Lavetoria of Smart’s Property and Facilities Management group was awed by the Cebuano’s spirit and camaraderie.
“It is so heartwarming to see people from different companies and walks of life working together to save and protect Mother Earth,” he said.
For the past seven years, Smart and PBSP have been working together in the greening of barangay Tabunan, one of Cebu City’s mountain barangays that form part of the Central Cebu Protected Landscape—Metro Cebu’s source of water.
Groups commit to build 12,000 classrooms in 2 years
Groups commit to build 12,000 classrooms in 2 years
By Virgil Lopez
July 9, 2011
Sun.Star Manila
THE Department of Education (DepEd) said its call to ease classroom shortage has been generating positive responses across different sectors as partners from government and the private sector pledge assistance.
A total of 1,054 classrooms have been committed for completion within the school year, worth over P800 million under the 50/50 counter parting scheme between DepEd and some local government units.
Education Secretary Armin Luistro said another commitment for more than P1-billion worth of classrooms is up for signing in the weeks ahead.
One thousand fully equipped classrooms from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) are up for turn-over to DepEd by December 2012.
Meanwhile, the private sector will reportedly construct 10,000 classrooms nationwide in two years as provided under the Bayanihang Pampaaralan program.
These will be participated in by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), League of Corporate Foundation (LCF) and Philippine Business for Education (PBED).
To date, the commitment of the government and the private sector to help bridge the classroom shortage sums up to over 12,500 classroom units in two years.
Still, the number is a far cry from the estimated 152,000 classroom shortage for school year 2011-2012 alone based on DepEd data.
The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) has also come up with a proposal that seeks to construct over 200,000 classrooms from 2012 to 2013 following out-of-the-box solutions to the perennial problem of classroom shortage.
Among the methods being recommended to address classroom shortage are rent-to-own or build-operate-transfer schemes; the optimum use of the Special Education Fund generated by LGUs as loan collateral; and allocation of a portion of the lawmakers’ pork barrel for classroom construction for at least two years.
All this is on top of the regular classroom construction programmed by DepEd from its annual allocation.
Based on its 2011 actual budget allocation of some P8 billion for classroom construction, the DepEd can only build a maximum of 10,000 classrooms per year.
The Philippines’ public educational system suffered a decline in quality over the past decades, attributed to lack of government attention in solving classroom and teacher shortage, among others.
DepEd data also show that the country lacks 103,599 teachers, 13,225,527 chairs, and 95,557,957 textbooks this school year.
By Virgil Lopez
July 9, 2011
Sun.Star Manila
THE Department of Education (DepEd) said its call to ease classroom shortage has been generating positive responses across different sectors as partners from government and the private sector pledge assistance.
A total of 1,054 classrooms have been committed for completion within the school year, worth over P800 million under the 50/50 counter parting scheme between DepEd and some local government units.
Education Secretary Armin Luistro said another commitment for more than P1-billion worth of classrooms is up for signing in the weeks ahead.
One thousand fully equipped classrooms from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) are up for turn-over to DepEd by December 2012.
Meanwhile, the private sector will reportedly construct 10,000 classrooms nationwide in two years as provided under the Bayanihang Pampaaralan program.
These will be participated in by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), League of Corporate Foundation (LCF) and Philippine Business for Education (PBED).
To date, the commitment of the government and the private sector to help bridge the classroom shortage sums up to over 12,500 classroom units in two years.
Still, the number is a far cry from the estimated 152,000 classroom shortage for school year 2011-2012 alone based on DepEd data.
The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) has also come up with a proposal that seeks to construct over 200,000 classrooms from 2012 to 2013 following out-of-the-box solutions to the perennial problem of classroom shortage.
Among the methods being recommended to address classroom shortage are rent-to-own or build-operate-transfer schemes; the optimum use of the Special Education Fund generated by LGUs as loan collateral; and allocation of a portion of the lawmakers’ pork barrel for classroom construction for at least two years.
All this is on top of the regular classroom construction programmed by DepEd from its annual allocation.
Based on its 2011 actual budget allocation of some P8 billion for classroom construction, the DepEd can only build a maximum of 10,000 classrooms per year.
The Philippines’ public educational system suffered a decline in quality over the past decades, attributed to lack of government attention in solving classroom and teacher shortage, among others.
DepEd data also show that the country lacks 103,599 teachers, 13,225,527 chairs, and 95,557,957 textbooks this school year.
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
IBM Phils adopts 800 trees in La Mesa Watershed
IBM Phils adopts 800 trees in La Mesa Watershed
ABS-CBN NEWS
July 6, 2011
The La Mesa Watershed, said to be the last remaining forest in Metro Manila, has found a partner in IBM Philippines.
Candy Soto, IBM Philippines Delivery Leader (extreme left) and other IBM officials get ready to plant trees for the Save the La Mesa Watershed Project. Photo courtesy of IBM Philippines
The company adopted 800 trees on July 2 to support the 2nd phase of the Save the La Mesa Watershed Project of Bantay Kalikasan, the environmental arm of ABS-CBN Foundation.
IBM employees, retirees and business partners numbering in the thousands joined an environmental awareness briefing and an eco-'Amazing Race' activity that day.
They were led by IBM Country General Manager James Velasquez. Gina Lopez, president of ABS-CBN Foundation, was the guest speaker.
The La Mesa Watershed houses the reservoir supplying the water needs of Filipinos in Metro Manila. Its rehabilitation and protection programs are spearheaded by Bantay Kalikasan in two phases: reforestation (phase 1), and protection and maintenance of improvements in the past 7 years (phase 2).
In a statement, IBM Philippines said it "supports Bantay Kalikasan in its commitment to look after the environment by rehabilitating and protecting one of the country’s most critical watersheds."
The event last Saturday was part of the company's Celebration of Service program for its employees, retirees and business partners to celebrate IBM's centennial activities. Under the program, IBMers can volunteer their time and expertise to help address civic challenges and societal needs.
A recent project IBMers participated in under this program is the Mangrove Reforestation Project in Olango Island, done in cooperation with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) Visayas Regional Office.
The company reported that since January 2001, IBMers, retirees and their families have already volunteered more than 2.5 million hours of service to communities worldwide.
ABS-CBN NEWS
July 6, 2011
The La Mesa Watershed, said to be the last remaining forest in Metro Manila, has found a partner in IBM Philippines.
Candy Soto, IBM Philippines Delivery Leader (extreme left) and other IBM officials get ready to plant trees for the Save the La Mesa Watershed Project. Photo courtesy of IBM Philippines
The company adopted 800 trees on July 2 to support the 2nd phase of the Save the La Mesa Watershed Project of Bantay Kalikasan, the environmental arm of ABS-CBN Foundation.
IBM employees, retirees and business partners numbering in the thousands joined an environmental awareness briefing and an eco-'Amazing Race' activity that day.
They were led by IBM Country General Manager James Velasquez. Gina Lopez, president of ABS-CBN Foundation, was the guest speaker.
The La Mesa Watershed houses the reservoir supplying the water needs of Filipinos in Metro Manila. Its rehabilitation and protection programs are spearheaded by Bantay Kalikasan in two phases: reforestation (phase 1), and protection and maintenance of improvements in the past 7 years (phase 2).
In a statement, IBM Philippines said it "supports Bantay Kalikasan in its commitment to look after the environment by rehabilitating and protecting one of the country’s most critical watersheds."
The event last Saturday was part of the company's Celebration of Service program for its employees, retirees and business partners to celebrate IBM's centennial activities. Under the program, IBMers can volunteer their time and expertise to help address civic challenges and societal needs.
A recent project IBMers participated in under this program is the Mangrove Reforestation Project in Olango Island, done in cooperation with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) Visayas Regional Office.
The company reported that since January 2001, IBMers, retirees and their families have already volunteered more than 2.5 million hours of service to communities worldwide.
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Taiyo Yuden Philippines plants 10K seedlings at Buhisan
Employees of Taiyo Yuden Philippines planted 10,000 native and endemic tree seedlings on a four-hectare site in Toong, Cebu City.
The activity is led by their EMR Director Koichi Iguchi, General Managers Toshihiko Uemura and Akira Takahashi, Assistant General Manager Keiichi Kimura, and EMs Shozaburo Kanai, Satoshi Miyamae, Toshiaki Nakano, and Koji Taketome.
Taiyo Yuden Philippines has been a partner of PBSP for its reforestation efforts since 2001. The company will continue to adopt four hectares for reforestation every year until 2015.
Veco employees plant trees with PBSP
More than 70 employees of the Visayan Electric Company (Veco) planted 12,500 seedlings over five hectares of the Buhisan Watershed and Forest Reserve.
This activity is in partnership with the Visayas Regional Office of PBSP.
In 2010, Veco also partnered with PBSP for a five-year reforestation park project in the Cebu Hillylands. The Veco Refo Park Project aims to plant 1 million trees over 540 hectares of the Cebu Hillylands.
Art 'N' Nature's Venus Genson is Woman Entrepreneur of 2012
Congratulations to Ms. Venus Genson for bagging the Women Entrepreneur award for her trailblazing feats in social entrepreneurship and community development through Art 'N' Nature Manufacturing Corporation.
The award is one of the citations given during the recently capped Entrepreneur of the Year Philippines 2012 awarding ceremonies.
Ms. Genson is also the president of the Venus Group of Companies, a member company of PBSP.