President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Speech during the Economist Conferences Business Roundtable with the Government of the Philippines
Grand Ballroom, Dusit Tthani Hotel, Makati City, October 10, 2008 Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Goddard.
Ladies and gentlemen, good morning.
There is no doubt that we live in unsettled times today.
The world is at a tipping point.
The U.S. financial crisis appears deeper than most anticipated.
Just a week ago, the U.S. government approved an unprecedented bailout worth 700 billion dollars for a large section of its financial services industry. But despite the obvious concern and commitment showed by the U.S. Congress, the markets barely reacted.
The setbacks from the global shocks of the past year and the past weeks are real and profound. It will take time and perseverance to put the pieces back together.
Against this backdrop, the Philippines is in relatively good shape. Thanks to our fiscal reforms that manifested in the more than 7.0 percent GDP growth last year.
The potential exposure of our banks to the asset inflation triggered by sub-prime mortgage losses account for less than one percent of total system assets. This exposure is fully reserved, our banks are well capitalized, and the innate conservatism of our bankers is matched by the prudential foresight of our regulators.
Our Central Bank governor who is independent of the Philippine government, is in Washington together with our Secretary of Finance and Budget and our Planning Secretary for the IMF World Bank Meeting, but we have with us our Secretary of Trade and Industry who is the national government’s representative to the Monetary Board.
We are proving the value of a new paradigm for self-reliance through the use of: first, a targeted strategy with a set of precise prescriptions to ease the price challenges we are facing; second, rice self-sufficiency and more energy independence; and third, long-term reforms.
To ease our price challenges, since the volatile global economic situation became apparent many months ago, we have increased and stabilized the supply of rice. We’ve delivered targeted subsidies to the poor. We have reached out to our neighbors in the Mekong region to ensure a stable supply. We’ve clamped down on price gouging and corruption in the rice trade, and invested more and more billions in planting and agricultural modernization.
The Central Bank through all these period in several trunches increased the rate base’s points by 100 base’s points. And this is an example of what our economic team has been doing to work tirelessly on all fronts to manage inflationary pressures, provide a safety net to those members of our society who are hit hardest by these global developments, and deliver the economic growth that will continue to generate jobs and the tax revenues that are fueling the investment in our future, including the infrastructure that can visibly be seen and that was referred to by Mr. Goddard.
I am pleased at the downturn in the consumer price growth last month. While no one can predict the future during these uncertain global economic times, it seems that our measures at home are seeing us through the toughest times. We hope the worst is behind us in the Philippines and that we have weathered the worst of the global storm.
On rice self-sufficiency, from the day we took office, we have been focused on modernizing our economy, modernizing every aspect of the economic underpinnings of the economy. This includes agriculture, from development of new hybrids, to unprecedented investments in irrigation, to dramatic increases in loans to help our farmers, among other activities.
But while we have achieved a high productivity of rice per hectare, nature did not gift us with a mighty Mekong and a vast and naturally fertile plain. Nature instead, as we can see today from the rain, put our islands ahead of our neighbors in the path of typhoons from the Pacific. Therefore, it had been more economical to import 10 percent of the rice that we consume rather than produce that 10 percent on marginal lands.
But with what happened this year with the rice and global prices notwithstanding our preparation, we reached a consensus with the Legislature -- and I’m glad that we have two members of the Legislature here with us, Congressman Puentevella and Congressman Mercado -- and with the business community -- and I’m glad we have members of the business community here with us -- we reached a consensus altogether that even if the Philippines is a densely-populated, rocky archipelago with relatively few sources of fresh water, it has become desirable to be self-sufficient in rice.
The centerpiece of our drive towards self-sufficiency in rice is a multi-billion package for agricultural modernization that we have nicknamed F.I.E.L.D.S. -- an acronym that stands for Fertilizers; Irrigation and farm infrastructure; Education and agricultural extension work; Loans; Dryers and other post-harvest facilities; and Seeds, especially hybrid and certified seeds.
On energy independence. It’s auspicious that we have this meeting today because yesterday, our new Galoc oil field started pumping oil to what we believe will redouble our crude oil production in our country. This is part of what we have done to increase energy independence during our administration from 41 percent to 58 percent -- the highest in our history – through the greater use not only of oil exploration but of geothermal, biofuels and renewables. And with the Galoc oil field starting its production yesterday we expect to attain 60 percent energy independence in two years. But you will hear more about that this afternoon, I understand, at 4:00 o’clock p.m., because as I was coming here in my car, I was talking to our Secretary of Energy, getting the figures correct. And he told me that he is on board to speak before you at 4:00 o’clock this afternoon.
On long-term reforms. I came to office determined to change the strategic paradigm for the Philippine economy. A strong and growing economy has been the central pillar we have labored to create to help guarantee peace, order and stability.
Our gains in the last seven years were hard-earned. We made tough and sometimes painful reforms to reset our economy: tax increases -- again, I thank Congress for helping me do those very painful measures, banking reforms -- that’s why our exposure to the sub-prime crisis is minimal; crackdown on smugglers and tough fiscal discipline, to name a few as part of our anti-corruption efforts.
It is paying off: our economy is more resilient today than ever before. We have created almost 7 million jobs in 7 years. Our international reserves cover six months of imports. And the reforms have given us some running room to weather the wave of global price shocks that reverberated across the world this year.
It hasn’t been easy, but Filipinos are tough and resilient and that is one of our sources of competitiveness. We have pulled together. We have been able to draw on additional revenues to provide targeted investments in food and fuel to keep our poor afloat until a better day.
We are doing everything in our power to focus on the fundamentals, keep the economy steady, and to provide relief for those most in need.
In addition, as has been mentioned earlier, we are investing in modernizing infrastructure like roads and bridges but what makes it different is that it is now on an unprecedented scale because now we can afford it with our tax reforms. Incidentally, our Secretary of Education was the chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means that led us through these tax reforms.
We are also investing in expanded education, healthcare, and other social services. ICT is a major element of our education reform program. We expect it to continue taking on an increasingly significant role in improving the access and quality of education to the people. And that’s why I’ve asked our Secretary of Education Jesli Lapus to join us here not only to banner him as the author of our tax reforms but also that he can talk more about ICT in education later on in our open forum.
We encourage continued activity by business groups such as those represented in this audience today. And business groups such as those who read your very prestigious publication. This also means the government continues to promote privatization as a counterpoint to our own pump priming.
Privatizing our economy is a top priority. It is moving forward well, from power and energy to our stake in jointly owned assets with private investors. Our philosophy is that, “the marketplace performs better than government.” We want to reap the rewards of our investment and use these rewards when we divest to invest in the people of the nation.
And notwithstanding some of the constraints mentioned by Mr. Goddard, I’m glad that investments continue to come despite continued volatility in the global markets. Mr. Goddard talked about our neighbors.
We view the ASEAN community and our other neighbors like China and India as partners in economic development. We are working together to build a more cohesive regional community that will strengthen the economic clout of all our nations in our rapidly growing region. Intra-ASEAN trade has already become one of the major drivers of our respective economies. And to ensure that we remain a competitive player within the region and are able to attract investment not only from outside ASEAN but also within. We have invested heavily in improving the quality of the country’s human resources, lowering transaction flows and the cost of doing business -- which includes fighting corruption. And we have Secretary Favila here as the chairman of our Anti-Red Tape Task Force -- developing efficient access to financing. In a few days time, I will be signing a bill into law on a Credit Information System that will reduce the paper requirements for accessing financing -- and building a seamless infrastructure network, as you are seeing, from the expressways to the North, all the way up to Clark-Subic beyond that, to Tarlac, and our expressways to the South, all the way to Batangas Port. We are also focusing on developing our strongest sectors, including commodities, business process outsourcing and niche tourism, where we have, as Mr. Goddard says, unique competitive advantages, and where we can offer significant value for foreign investors. These and other measures we are taking will ensure that we will continue to attract the investments that we need to create jobs.
And so we are glad that efforts to improve our competitiveness have been recognized globally, with the Philippines moving up five notches this year in the World Competitiveness Rankings.
We will continue on the path of economic reform, including reforms to improve transparency in our governance system. Our reforms have helped us in this time of global economic upheaval. Without them, we would not be as confident as we are that our economy will withstand these external shocks. We will continue to be vigilant against further challenges to our economy. We will maintain the fiscally prudent policies that have given us the strength to weather this global storm.
Even as some external challenges are letting up, we will continue to focus on reining in inflation, bringing down prices of the basic commodities including rice and oil and power, increasing targeted investments to our poor, taking care of our environment -- and we have our Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources here also to answer questions regarding mining -- and getting our economic engine moving in a higher gear. We will also work hard to further strengthen the banking system which has shown itself to be quite strong during this crisis of the world so far. Encourage investment again as I said in our most promising growth sectors that was mentioned earlier but also expand the field of our potential sectors.
So we can see that all these measures do require strong actions internally even if the challenge we face are broadly external. They require decisive and targeted action internally, and we have done that. We repeat that the best buffer we have to external vulnerability is our own domestic internal strength. Building a stronger, healthier economy driven by domestic consumption and investment and relying less on external markets for things like food, things like energy is what our reform agenda is all about. Also things like foreign loans that we used to need to finance our infrastructure, not anymore now, we can finance it by our own resources.
These are the things that are keeping our economy on the path to long-term sustainable growth.
To the fiscally strong, the global credit crunch is a time of opportunity, not crisis. To the likes of oil-producing countries, the Singapores of the world and others of such fiscal strength, this has been a time to exploit the financial vacuum, as we have seen there purchases into the World Financial Institutions earlier this year. Similarly, in the private sector, this is the time for the businessmen who have the financial liquidity to expand their role in their respective markets. And in the Philippines, we have quite a few of those businessmen who have that financial clout.
Of equal importance to sheer financial capacity is the ability to decide and move quickly -- the road between a decision to invest and the actual writing of the check is fraught with uncertainty. And from my experience, the bastions of wealth with both financial capacity and quick execution are the Middle East powers, given their oil-driven wealth and their unitary government status. The fact that the Philippines has a Mindanao close to the hearts of Middle East powers opens up such opportunities for us, and we have been mobilizing these opportunities not only in Mindanao but in our urban beltway as well.
Our investment offer is excellent. It includes a government committed not only to continuing infrastructure expansion – and, as I said, we can afford it now on our own steam -- but also to working with individual companies to ensure that their needs are met. It includes one of the most productive and competitive work forces in the region, and a strong macroeconomic environment. If there is any doubt that we don’t value any particular company’s investment, including a company experiencing some attempts to make illegal money out of them, we want to know about it. Secretary Favila will take care of your problems and crack the whip. We can assure you that we will do anything we can to address your concerns.
So, we thank you for your interest in the Philippines.
We will work hard to help you expand your presence in what we are determined to be the best investment location in Asia.
Thank you. ###
Chinese ambassador ends tour of duty to the Philippines
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo underscored today to the outgoing Chinese Ambassador Song Tao the importance of China to the Philippines in terms of diplomatic and economic relations.
“China is very important to us in terms of diplomatic, socio-economic as well as political relations,” the President told Ambassador Song Tao.
The President also expressed regrets over the end of the Chinese ambassador’s tour of duty to the Philippines.
“So sorry to see you go. This is a very sad day for all of us. I hope you enjoyed your stay here,” she told Ambassador Tao during their 15-minute farewell meeting held at the Malacanang’s Music Room.
The outgoing envoy, for his part, thanked the President for the support and friendship the government had extended to him during his stay in the Philippines.
“It was an honor to serve your people,” the ambassador told President as he thanked the Chief Executive for the support and friendship of the Filipino people. “The Philippines is like a second home to me,” he said.
He was accompanied to Malacanang by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Assistant Secretaries Ronald Allanrey and Romeo Manalo, Guo Gianli, spouse of the ambassador, Deng Xijun, China’s deputy chief of mission, and Wu Zhengping, commercial counselor.
After almost one year as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Philippines, Ambassador Tao will go back to China for his next assignment.
Tao was a director-general of the Department of Chinese Diplomatic Mission Abroad of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was also an ambassador to Cooperative Republic of Guyana from 2002 to 2004.
PGMA: RP a step closer to realizing its vision of energy independence
WITH oil finally flowing from the Galoc oilfield off northwest Palawan, the Philippines has moved a step closer to realizing its vision of achieving energy independence, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today.
At the Business Roundtable with the government at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City this morning, the President told around 150 local and foreign business leaders that the Galoc oil field started producing yesterday the first commercially-viable gasoline-crude oil find in the country.
“Yesterday (Thursday Oct. 9) our new Galoc oil field started pumping oil to what we believe will double our crude oil production in our country,” she said.
The production of the Galoc fields is projected to be about 17,000-20,000 barrels of crude oil a day for the first 90 days or until the end of the year and make a big dent on the country’s annual oil import bill of $6 billion.
This production figure will account for about six percent of the country’s total daily demand of 300,000 barrels.
President Arroyo said the fresh oil extraction is a big boost to her administration's program to achieve energy independence through the exploration, extraction and use of crude oil, geothermal, biofuels and other forms of renewable energy.
The new oil find, she said, has increased the country's energy independence from 41 percent in 2001 to 58 percent, the “the highest in our history.”
“And with the Galoc oil field starting its production yesterday, we expect to attain 60 percent energy independence in two years,” the President said.
On Thursday, the Galoc oil field started producing light medium crude oil, with a potential high yield of light ends, such as gasoline.
Initial exploration results show that the Galoc fields have reserves containing at least 10 to 20 million barrels.
This translates to US$1.4 billion in foreign exchange savings for the country for Galoc wells’ entire lifetime which is estimated at three to five years.
Somalian pirates release 20 more Filipino seafarers
PIRATES in Somalia have released 20 Filipino seafarers seized when a Japanese bulk carrier was hijacked recently in the Horn of Africa, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita announced today (Friday).
The seafarers, all crew of MV Stella Maris, a Japanese-owned cargo ship, were seized last July 20, 2008 in the pirates-infested African waters.
Ermita said their release was relayed to him by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Esteban Conejos.
He said the crews who “are safe and unharmed” are now in the custody of the Philippine Embassy officials based in Africa.
Three days ago, 15 Pinoy seafarers were also released by the pirates, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
Ermita divulged that as of press time, a total of 35 Filipino seafarers were confirmed released by the pirates. But, some 47 Filipino crews of four vessels are still held captive by the Somali pirates
The Gulf of Aden, where the Red Sea merges with the Indian Ocean, is one of the world's busiest waterways with some 20,000 ships passing through it each year.
Somalia has no functioning government since 1991. Pirates in the area are often trained fighters, many of whom dressed in military fatigues and armed with automatic weapons, anti-tank rocket launchers and grenades.
In 2007, the International Maritime Board (IMB) recorded 263 incidents of piracy and armed attacks on ships worldwide, including 43 in Indonesia, 42 in Nigeria and 31 in Somalia. Compared to the same period in 2006, the IMB noted a 10 percent increase in the reported cases of pirate attacks in high seas.
PGMA says strong economic fundamentals make RP more resilient in face of global shocks
BUTTRESSED by strong economic fundamentals, the Philippines is more resilient than ever before and it will continue its economic growth even in the face of a feared global recession next year, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo told about 150 top local and foreign business leaders this morning.
In her speech at the Business Roundtable with the Government of the Philippines at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City, the President discussed her administration’s food and energy security and fiscal programs crafted to enable the country to withstand external shocks arising from the global economic slowdown and the financial turmoil gripping the US.
Justin Wood, director of the Singapore Corporate Network of the Economist Intelligence Unit, described the President’s presentation as “very credible and an encouraging picture of the Philippine” situation.
“She stressed the resilience that her administration has tried to build up in the past four to five years,” Wood said in an interview. “Which is all very important for promoting macroeconomic stability and establishing a firm foundation particularly with us going into a weaker global environment.”
“Even the banking sector is in quite decent shape,” he added.
Wood said a worst case projection of only a 2-3 percent global growth could result in a possible global recession.
Although the Philippines is not insulated from the global economic slowdown, the country’s projected growth of 4.3 percent this year and 4.2 percent in 2009 is “generally very positive” compared to the market situation in the Americas, Europe and Japan, he pointed out.
“So I think she (the President) did a good job of presenting a picture of the Philippines as stronger, more resilient, more able to withstand the shocks that we have seen over the past weeks and still down into the future,” Wood said.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) foresees that the performance of the global economy would also be affected given the problems of the United States, the world's largest economy.
The IMF is projecting the global economy, which grew 4.9 percent in 2007, to drop considerably this year, including a worst-case scenario of global growth dropping to 3 percent or even less in 2009 which could result in global recession.
CHED chief and ex-solon lead in mass oathtaking in Malacanang
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo swore into office today Emmanuel Y. Angeles as acting commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and former Pasay City congresswoman Consuelo A. Dy as deputy director general of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC).
The President also sworn into office during the mass oathtaking held at the Malacanang’s Rizal Hall two new commissioners of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC): Dominador Medroso, Jr, representing the employer’s sector and Herminio V. Suelo, representing the public sector; Nelson M. Aspe as deputy commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Geronimo L. Sy as assistant secretary of the Department of Justice.
For the Bureau of Fire Protection, inducted were chief Enrique C. Linsangan and F/C SUPTS Ariel A. Barayuga, Carlito S. Romero, Ruben F. Bearis, Nimfa D. Cuartel, Danilo R. Baradi and Victoriano C. Remedio.
The President also inducted 35 newly-promoted Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officers and four non-government organizations (NGOs) officials.
Inducted to the rank of lieutenant general or equivalent to a three-star general were Major/Generals Jaime B. Buenaflor, Delfin Bangit, Isagani C. Cachuela and VADM Ferdinand S. Golez.
Inducted to the rank of Major General/Rear Admiral or equivalent to a two-star general were Brigadier/Generals Ricardo A. David, Jr., Jerry V. Jalandoni, Roland M. Detabali, Nestor M. Ochoa, Johnny B. Corcha, Romeo D. Lustestica, Carlos B. Holganza, Alexander A. Flores and Commodore Roberto Q. Estioko.
Inducted to the rank of Brigadier General/Commodore or equivalent to one-star general were Colonels Alejandro T.Camagay, Antonio L. Bautista, Artemio G. Orozco, Renato Lorenzo A. Sanchez, Florante B. Martinez, Gaudencio S. Pangilinan, Jr., Victor A. Felix, Rolito B. Abad, Pedro S. Soria II, Ernesto P. Cutiyog, William S. Campos, Jose B. Vizcarra, Antonio I. Supnet, Jessie D. Dellosa, Carlos M. Clet, Natalio C. Ecarma III, Fermin de Leon, Jr., Ariel Zerrudo, Jesus A. Fajardo and Captains Eriberto C. Suria, Jr., Eugenio C.Velasco and Benhail F. Sevilla.
For the NGOs, the President inducted 15 newly-elected board of directors of the Friendship Society Philippines-Russia, Inc.; seven newly elected officers of the Life Insurance Claims of the Philippines (LICAP); 18 newly-elected national officers and board of trustees of the Philippine Academy of Medical Specialists, Inc. (PAMS) and 65 newly-elected officials of the Pastors and Elders Association for Righteous Leadership, Inc (PEARL).
New law to bolster anti-corruption drive, lower cost of doing business in RP
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today she will sign into law a bill that would effectively lower transaction flows and the cost of doing business in the country, and bolster the fight against corruption and red tape.
Authored principally by Sen. Edgardo Angara and Quezon City Congressman Vincent Crisologo, the Credit Information System (CIS) measure was approved by both Houses of Congress last month.
The CIS also seeks to improve the quality of human resources, and build a seamless infrastructure network which are all crucial for the Philippines to remain competitive and attractive to investments.
The legislation also seeks to lower the cost and risk of financing, reduce the cost of gathering credit information and the amount to be passed on to borrowers, and thereby reduce interest rates on loans.
Speaking before 150 local and foreign business leaders at the Business Roundtable with the Government of the Philippines this morning at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City, the President said the new law will develop efficient access to financing and reduce paper requirements in doing credit-related business in the country.
“In a few days time, I will be signing a bill into law on a Credit Information System that will reduce the paper requirements for accessing financing,” she said.
The new law would establish a central credit bureau spearheaded by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as part of capital market reforms.
The operations and services of the CIS is expected to greatly improve the overall availability of credit, especially to small borrowers; lower the cost of credit to responsible debtors, reduce dependence on collateral to secure credit facilities and enable financial institutions to lower their overall credit risk, thus contributing to a healthier and more stable financial system.
Statement of Secretary Jesus G. Dureza Re: Nth impeachment move
ANOTHER classic example of propagandist Roque’s carpet bombing ploys and twisted imagination.
He has ceased being an advocate for truth as he pretends to be.
He has sadly transformed himself into a hatchetman with a blatant political agenda.
As for the young de Venecia, we pity him for seemingly launching his political career on an unabashed “trapo” platform.
PGMA urges foreign investors to report immediately any shakedown attempt on them
PROMISING quick government action on their complaint, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today urged foreign investors to report immediately to the Anti-Red Tape Task Force any shakedown attempt on them.
In her speech before the Economist Conference’s Business Roundtable with the Government of the Philippines at the Dusit Hotel in Makati City, the President stressed that the Philippines’ “investment offer is excellent” and her administration values the investment brought in by business locators.
“If there is any doubt that we don’t value any particular company’s investment, including a company experiencing some attempts to make illegal money out of them, we want to know about it.
“(Trade and Industry) Secretary (Peter) Favila will take care of your problems and crack the whip. We can assure you that we will do anything we can to address your concerns,” the President assured the investors.
Favila heads the Anti-Red Tape Task Force.
“Our investment offer is excellent. It includes a government committed not only to continuing infrastructure expansion – and, as I said, we can afford it now on our own steam -- but also to working with individual companies to ensure that their needs are met,” the President said.
“It includes one of the most productive and competitive work forces in the region, and a strong macroeconomic environment,” she pointed out, as she thanked the investors for their “interest in the Philippines.”
She also assured them that her administration “will work hard to help you expand your presence in what we are determined to be the best investment location in Asia.”
She explained that “to ensure that we remain a competitive player within the region and are able to attract investment not only from outside ASEAN but also within, we have invested heavily in improving the quality of the country’s human resources, lowering transaction flows and the cost of doing business -- which includes fighting corruption, and we have Secretary Favila here as the chairman of our Anti-Red Tape Task Force.”
The President also assured investors about the competitiveness of the Philippines as a business location. “And so we are glad that efforts to improve our competitiveness have been recognized globally, with the Philippines moving up five notches this year in the World Competitiveness Rankings.”
While stressing that “it will take time and perseverance to put the pieces back together” following the US financial crisis, plus the “real and profound” setbacks from the global shocks of the past year and the past weeks,” the President pointed out that “the Philippines is in good shape – thanks to our fiscal reforms that manifested in the more than seven-percent GDP growth last year.”
“The potential exposure of our banks to the asset inflation triggered by sub-prime mortgage losses account for less than one percent of total system assets. This exposure is fully reserved, our banks are well capitalized, and the innate conservatism of our bankers is matched by the prudential foresight of our regulators,” the President stressed, adding:
“We are proving the value of a new paradigm for self-reliance through the use of: first, a targeted strategy with a set of precise prescriptions to ease the price challenges we are facing; second, rice self-sufficiency and more energy independence; and third, long-term reforms.”
“I am pleased at the downturn in the consumer price growth last month. While no one can predict the future during these uncertain global economic times, it seems that our measures at home are seeing us through the toughest times. We hope the worst is behind us in the Philippines and that we have weathered the worst of the global storm,” she said
RP joins 1st ever Global Handwashing Day on October 15
THE Philippines joins the other countries of the world in the observance of the first ever Global Handwashing Day which will take place on Wednesday October 15, 2008.
On that day, millions of elementary and secondary school children of the country will join millions of other children around the world in celebrating the 1st Global Handwashing Day, in support to the United Nation's of 2008 as the International Year of Sanitation and the Handwashing Day to echo and reinforce the call for improved hygiene practices.
As early as September 24, 2008, the Department of Education has issued DepEd Memorandum No. 441 series of 2008, enjoining all public elementary and secondary schools to actively participate in the global activity through the organization of educational and social activities in order to strengthen awareness and disseminate information on the significance of handwashing with soap and water.
The Philippine Senate has issued PS Resolution 627 introduced by Senator Richard Gordon "urging the Department of Health, the Department of Education and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation to use all resources available to assist the United Nations General Assembly in the successful implementation of the 1st Global Handwashing Day on the 15th of October 2008."
The guiding vision of Global Handwashing Day is a local and global culture of handwashing with soap. Although people around the world wash their hands with water, very few wash their hands with soap at critical moments (for example, after using the toilet, while cleaning a child, and before handling food).
The challenge is to transform handwashing with soap from an abstract good idea into an automatic behaviour performed in homes, schools, and communities worldwide.
Turning handwashing with soap before eating and after using the toilet into an ingrained habit could save more lives than any single vaccine or medical intervention, cutting deaths from diarrhoea by almost half (44%) and deaths from acute respiratory infections by one-quarter (25%).
Handwashing with soap would make a significant contribution to meeting the Millennium Development Goal of reducing deaths among children under the age of five by two-thirds by 2015. Thus, the inaugural Global Handwashing Day will revolve around schools and children. Children suffer disproportionately from diarrhoeal and respiratory diseases and deaths. But research shows that children – the segment of society so often the most energetic, enthusiastic and open to new ideas – can also be part of the solution. Ideally situated at the intersection of the home, school and community, children can be powerful agents of behavioural change.
During Global Handwashing Day and the surrounding week, it is hoped that playgrounds, classrooms, community centres and the public spaces of towns and cities will be awash with educational and awareness-raising activities as countries unite to change handwashing behaviour on a scale never seen before. (PIA 8)
Ecotourism: Enjoying nature at its best
By Ranell Martin M. Dedicatoria, KMU-SEARCA SEARCA News Release
VIETNAM has its Halong Bay, Thailand has its Phuket Beach, Indonesia has its Bali island, and Philippines has its Chocolate Hills.
What have these countries in common?
They are endowed with the best of what nature has to offer: beautiful landscapes, beaches, and islands. As these countries move towards globalization, they have an important asset to take care of: ecotourism.
Through responsible ecotourism, countries can draw large incomes at the community level without jeopardizing the environment.
Ecotourism is a "purposeful travel to natural areas to understand the culture and natural history of the environment, taking care not to alter the integrity of the ecosystem, while producing economic opportunities that make the conservation of natural resources beneficial to local people."1 Some ecotourism activities that are slowly gaining popularity include mountaineering, wildlife watching, scuba diving and snorkeling, caving, kayaking/rafting, and surfing.
In the Philippines, for example, Bohol is a successful case of ecotourism. Tourists come and go everyday in the province to enjoy the scenic view of Chocolate Hills, relax in the white-sand beaches of Panglao Island, and see the world’s smallest primate, tarsier (Tarsius syrichta). Local people have become accustomed to this flock of tourists. In fact, they serve as tour guides and this became their source of income.
Harboring a rich diversity of plants and animals, the Philippines, in all its 7,107 islands, has a huge potential of making it big in the ecotourism industry. Coupled with community-based approaches, ecotourism is a good take-off point in addressing the problem of biodiversity conservation.
Seeing the potentials of the industry, Philippine policymakers are now consciously making efforts towards developing it further.
Ten cities in ASEAN receive the ASEAN Environmentally Sustainable City Award
Ha Noi, 8 October 2008MR. Nicholas T. Dammen, Deputy Secretary-General at the 11th Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment
The ASEAN Ministers responsible for environment presented this evening the ASEAN Environmentally Sustainable City (ESC) Award to ten cities/townships/districts in ASEAN that have made exemplary efforts towards environmental sustainability. The Ministers hoped that the Award, awarded for the first time, will motivate other cities to share best practices and to make even greater efforts to achieve high standards of environmental sustainability.
The Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan in his message for the event stated that “each city that received the Award tells a compelling story of how it has placed environment and nature at the core of city planning, the challenges it faced, and its resolve to ensure the cities remain environmentally sustainable as it develops and modernizes.” He further added that apart from just recognizing their exemplary efforts, the richness of their experience in varied circumstances tells us that there are different models and paths to urbanization and environmental stewardship.
The Ministers supported the “Cool ASEAN, Green Capitals Initiative” proposed by the Secretary-General of ASEAN to encourage efforts by the ASEAN capital cities and other major cities to mitigate climate change through addressing the everyday urban issues faced such as waste management, transportation, creating more green areas and conservation of energy.
The ASEAN Ministers responsible for environment met on 8 October 2008 on the occasion of the 11th Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment, and the 4th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution. The ASEAN Ministers will also meet with their counterparts from the People’s Republic of China, Japan and Republic of Korea at the 7th ASEAN Plus Three Environment Ministers Meeting on 9 October 2008, and Australia, India and New Zealand at the Inaugural East Asia Summit Environment Ministers Meeting.
List of Cities that Received the ASEAN Environmentally Sustainable City Award 2008:
• Brunei Darussalam: Temburong District
• Cambodia: Municipality of Phnom Penh
• Indonesia: Palembang City
• Lao PDR: Luang Prabang District
• Malaysia: North Kuching City Hall
• Myanmar: Taungyi City
• Philippines: Puerto Princesa City
• Singapore: South West Community Development Council
• Thailand: Bangkok City
• Viet Nam: Ha Long City
ASEAN support for Southeast Asian Writers Awards 2008
A COMPILATION of short stories and poems from ASEAN has been published by the S.E.A. Write, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the Southeast Asia Writers Awards or S.E.A. Write Awards. Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr Surin Pitsuwan, sponsored this publication, entitled “The S.E.A. Write Anthology of ASEAN Short Stories & Poems”.
In his foreword, Dr Surin said, “the S.E.A. Write’s success goes beyond the literary dimension. I believe that its sustained efforts to promote greater exchange and understanding among Southeast Asians writers and the reading public over the last three decades have made a very important contribution to the cause of ASEAN regionalism. In its fifth decade, ASEAN wishes to promote a people-oriented region-building process, as evident in the ASEAN Charter. Creating synergy in the realm, I fervently hope that S.E.A Write can play a leading role in helping to strengthen a sense of regional identity and to bring about such a community”.
The theme for this year’s S.E.A. awards was “wisdom, vision and penmanship of Southeast Asians”. The ceremony was held on 30 September 2008 at the Oriental Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand, and was presided by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
Nine awards were given this year at the gala dinner. Dr Haji Mohammad bin Pengiran Haji Abd Rahman from Brunei Darussalam, Dr Sin Touch from Cambodia, Hamsad Rangkuti from Indonesia, Othong Kham-Insou from Lao PDR, Professor Hatta Azad Khan from Malaysia, Dr Elmer Alindogan Ordonez from Philippines, Stella Kon from Singapore, Watchara Sutjasarrasin from Thailand, and Nguyen Ngoc Tu from Vietnam were the recepients. Antony Beevor, the famous author and writer of such bestsellers as “The Spanish Civil War” and “Stalingrad”, was the guest speaker.
Ahead of the awards ceremony, a poetry and prose reading called Harmony in Diversity was held on 29 September in the idyllic setting of Suan Pakkad Palace.
The Southeast Asian Writers Awards honours leading poets and writers in the ASEAN region.
INFORMATION COMMAND CENTER-Iligan City Dispatch
Lanao Muslim leader supports law enforcement operations vs lawless MILF
ICC-ILIGAN CITY 10/10 -- A Muslim leader in Lanao del Sur recently expressed support to the ongoing Military operations against the lawless groups of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) responsible for creating havoc in some parts of Central Mindanao.
Sultan Kamlon Munir, an influential respected Muslim leader in the province said he fully supports the law enforcement operation of the Military against the groups of Abdullah Macapaar alias Commander Bravo and Ameril Umbrakato alias Commander Kato, stressing that these moves would give justice to their innocent victims and show that the rule of law prevails in the island of Mindanao.
He also said that he hopes the law enforcement operations would pave the way for peace and development in the island. (Brent M. Bravo/PIA-10, with reports from ICRT, 4th CRG, CRSAFP)
INFORMATION COMMAND CENTER-Iligan City Dispatch
IDPs can leave evac centers upon advice of LGUs, military
ICC-ILIGAN CITY 10/10 -- Regional Director Carmelito Lupo of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 10 and Executive Officer of the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) Region 10, said the evacuees or the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) can leave the evacuation centers and may go back to their homes if the concerned local government units and the Military recommends it.
During a press briefing held at the Information Command Center in Tubod, Lanao del Norte recently, Lupo reported that there are still 13,311 families, comprising 58,532 persons staying at the evacuation centers that the Local Government Units (LGUs) and the national line agencies serve.
He said that while the IDPs are still staying at the evacuation centers they have the right to receive assistance, especially food, however, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will have to validate their real condition for them to have access to family cards.
These family cards would be the basis in extending relief assistance and this process will do away with duplication of the assistance and waste of resources to be extended by the government, he explained.
Lupo pointed out that based on the records of DSWD, the IDPs are categorized - those severely affected and mostly are staying outside their homes or at the evacuation enters
Another category are those moderately affected that had left the evacuation centers and are now staying with their relatives or their friends.
About 12,000 families comprising of 52,655 persons are classified as moderately affected and are considered house based because they are no longer staying at the evacuation centers, he explained.
While only 1,311 families severely affected and are still staying at different evac centers particularly in the towns of Kolambugan, Kulasihan, Riverside, Bacolod and in the hinterland barangays in Poona Piagapo and Munai, Lanao del Norte, he added.
For his part, Provincial Information Officer Lyndon Calica of the provincial government of Lanao del Norte, said that cash assistance had been extended to all the direct victims of August 18 atrocities perpetuated by the lawless Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) group.
Some of the victims whose houses were burnt were given materials by the provincial government and had started constructing their houses, however, the LDN administration is also looking for lots to be given to the IDPs for them to put up their houses, especially those tenants who are no longer allowed to return to the lots they previously occupied, he said.
Meanwhile, Atty. Florante R. Ursua, special investigator of the Commission on Human Rights, Region 10, said that there are instructions from their Commissioner, Leila de Lima, for them to monitor the conditions of the IDPs at various evacuation centers, which would include also the monitoring of the alleged human trafficking in the centers.. (Babes Jacob-Rebultan, PIA-10)
INFORMATION COMMAND CENTER-Iligan Dispatch
MNLF not supportive of lawless MILF group
ICC-ILIGAN CITY 10/10 -- The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) is a pro-government organization and does not support the recent atrocities made by the lawless elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation front (MILF), said Col. Rey Ardo, 103rd Brigade Commander of the 1st Infantry ‘Tabak’ Division of the Philippine Army.
He made this statement during the media briefing in Tubod town, Lanao del Norte province in Mindanao recently saying that MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari is in Lanao del Sur on his third round of peace consultative conferences with his former members and followers in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) areas.
Misuari is in Lanao del Sur not to ask the government and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to stop its law enforcement operation against renegade MILF Commanders Bravo and Kato and their followers to conduct consultation on the implementation of the phase II of the 1996 Tripoli agreement which was signed with the government of Libya, Col. Ardo disclosed.
The MNLF men are now integrated into the AFP and the national agencies of the government, the Brigade Commander further said.
The MNLF and the MILF have ideology and political differences and we do not see any reason that the MNLF will push for a stop to the manhunt operation against lawless MILF groups in order to restore peace and order in Mindanao, Col. Ardo emphasized. (Rex Dumarpa/PIA-Marawi)
INFORMATION COMMAND CENTER-Iligan City Dispatch
Iligan police assures: New office location won’t hinder law enforcement ops vs lawless MILF
ICC-ILIGAN CITY 10/10 -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Iligan City in Mindanao announced that their transfer to a new location will not hinder their law enforcement operations against the lawless elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and their mandate to preserve peace and order in the City.
Police Community Relations Officer SPO4 Teodoro Llanes told reporters in a press forum at the Information Command Center of the Philippine Information Agency in Iligan City that probably next week, the City Police Headquarters will be able to move to Camp Tomas Cabili, at Tipanoy village this City.
Llanes had earlier said that even if their headquarters is five kilometers away from the city central, this will not hamper their regular duties in protecting and securing the populace, adding that the Police force are always ready for any eventualities, especially on possible threats from the lawless MILF group headed by Abdullah Macapaar alias Commander Bravo.
He said they may have a simple ceremony symbolizing the actual transfer, but that has to be scheduled.
Aside from the Headquarters, five police precincts are strategically located in several villages in the city for immediate response, namely: Tambo-Police Station 1, Nunucan, Maria Cristina-Police Station 2, Tag-ibo,Dalipuga-Police Station 3, Tambacan-Police Station 4, and in Poblacion-Station 5.
Commander Bravo and his men have arrest warrants issued by the courts for the atrocities they committed in the towns of Kauswagan and Kolambugan in Lanao del Norte, killing innocent civilians, leaving several wounded and displaced thousands of families. (Brent M. Bravo/PIA-10)
INFORMATION COMMAND CENTER-Iligan City Dispatch
Army law enforcement ops vs. lawless MILF gaining ground
ICC-ILIGAN CITY 10/10 -- Law enforcement operations by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are still ongoing against the lawless Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) groups lead by Abdullah Macapaar alias Commander Bravo and Ameril Umbrakato alias Commander Kato said Major Medel Aguilar, Commander of the 5th Civil Relations Group, Civil Relations Service.
The two renegade commanders committed atrocities in some parts of Mindanao leaving scores of civilians dead, several wounded, properties destroyed and thousands of families fleeing to evacuation centers.
Military reports indicate that the lawless groups have suffered heavy losses following relentless military offensives and these have drained their limited resources including firearms and ammunition.
Aguilar said the Bravo and Kato’s men are now heavily demoralized after their acts of atrocities have also been strongly condemned by Muslim communities and their religious leaders, calling their acts un-Islamic.
He announced that the AFP is working together with the Philippine National Police (PNP) in enforcing the law to these criminals who violated several laws because of their attacks on innocent civilians.
Aguilar added that the Military will continue to pursue the lawless elements and at the same time continue its Constitutional mandate of protecting the people.
Col. Rey Ardo, 103rd Brigade Commander, earlier stressed that the AFP is not at war with the whole MILF organization, saying that they are only helping the Police in bringing these people to Justice.
“We are not at war here. We are only enforcing the law to make the lawless elements pay for the crimes they have committed,” he added. (Brent M. Bravo/PIA-10)
INFORMATION COMMAND CENTER-Iligan City Dispatch
Army conducts info drive to convince lawless MILF group to surrender
ICC-ILIGAN CITY 10/10 -- Aside from its law enforcement operations, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), through the Civil Military Operations Unit (CMOU), has also been conducting information drive to convince the lawless Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) led by Abdullah Macapaar alias Commander Bravo to surrender.
Major Benedicto Manquiquis, Commander of the 1st Civil Military Operations of the 1st Infantry Division, Philippine Army said whenever they do field operations, they conduct dialogues with the people they meet along the way and the villages they come across, telling them of the programs that the government can offer if the lawless MILF, especially Commander Bravo, will surrender.
Manquiquis said this is what they term as face-to-face communication, including village forums in areas where the AFP conducts their law enforcement operations in the villages of the province of Lanao del Norte in Mindanao.
He said in their advocacy efforts, they encourage people especially the relatives of the lawless elements to encourage them to surrender and by word of mouth, the information would eventually reach the rebel group and maybe Commander Bravo.
He informed reporters that various government agencies would give them livelihood, scholarships and other benefits once they would surrender.
However, Manquiquis clarified only the members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) can avail of the Balik Baril Program (BBP) of the AFP that includes livelihood component and cash assistance for the firearms they surrender.
He said in the case of the lawless elements of the MILF, they cannot avail of the BBP, but can avail of the various programs and projects and interventions offered by the different line agencies of government.
“With this, he is urging the lawless MILF group, especially in Lanao del Norte to surrender so that they will be given the chance to reintegrate in the mainstream of society,” he further said. (Babes Jacob-Rebultan, PIA-10)
INFORMATION COMMAND CENTER-Iligan City Dispatch
DOH finds lingering illness as cause of death of 9 IDPs, not hunger
ICC-ILIGAN CITY 10/10 -- The reported nine deaths in Munai town, Lanao del Norte province in Mindanao is due to lingering illness and not due to hunger.
Thus clarified by Dr. David Mendoza, Chief of the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, Dept Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD), region 10, during a media forum at the Information Command Center (ICC), Philippine Information Agency in Tubod, LDN’s capital town
Mendoza who is also the Head of the DOH-CHD NM Emergency Health Team, issued the statement to clarify a news item published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer that such deaths were due to hunger.
In fact, he said, the main causes of the deaths are pneumonia due to measles, two cases, kidney failure, one case, pneumonia due to concomitant malnutrition while those of the adults were lingering illnesses.
Meanwhile, he said, water supply remains the number one concern on environmental sanitation in the evacuation centers (EC) of the province, followed by latrines, garbage disposal, drainage and vermin control.
Particularly for the Munai EC’s, the water supply is affected due to leak in the water tank brought about by heavy rains, he said.
As to the Kolambugan EC’s, the Riverside National High School has adequate water supply but the Kulasihan Elementary School needs 500 meters of water pipe for the two (2) units of typical evacuation bunkhouse constructed in the area.
On the other hand, the construction of the comfort rooms in Munai is already 60% completed while that in Tangkal has been completed 100%.
The Kolambugan EC’s also need 121 latrines but only nine units are presently constructed, leaving out 112 units more to construct.
At present, the IDP’s of Munai totals 2,024 families with 9,049 persons, of whom 247 families with 1,048 persons were severely affected and 1,777 families with 8,001 persons are moderately affected.
Tangkal also has a total IDP’s of 1,413 families with 4,552 persons , of whom 127 families with 537 persons were severely affected and 1,286 families with 4,015 persons are moderately affected.
As defined by the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC), the severely affected IDP’s are those staying inside the EC’s and the moderately affected are those living outside the EC’s and are staying with either with relatives and friends. (Rutchie C. Aguhob/PIA10)
INFORMATION COMMAND CENTER-Iligan City Dispatch
Social welfare resorts to communal feeding of IDP’s in Lanao Norte evac centers
ICC-ILIGAN CITY 10/10 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Region 10, will resort to “communal feeding” for the internally displaced persons (IDP) in the evacuation centers of Lanao del Norte province in Mindanao.
“This move is made by DSWD to address complaints of non-receipt and unsystematic distribution of food assistance in the evacuation centers,” Asst. Regional Director Aldersey Mumar-Dela Cruz of DSWD-10 said.
Dela Cruz said their office always receive complaints that the IDP’s do not receive the family food packs that DSWD has provided them thru the local government units (LGU).
“We have enough provisions for the IDP’s whose names are in the list submitted to us by the Municipal Social Welfare Development Officer (MSWDO) and supposedly, the LGU’s are the ones tasked to distribute these relief items to the IDP’s,” she said.
Of particular concern are the 157 families at the Kulasihan Elementary School in Kolambugan who are beginning to occupy the bunkhouses constructed by the Dept. of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the area so that the classrooms they have occupied can be used by the school children.
Asked why the IDP’s have continued to live in the ECs and not return to their homes, Dela Cruz said it’s because of the trauma of fear that the IDP’s felt after the Lawless Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Group (LMG) attacked Pantar, Kolambugan.
Kulasishan is a neighboring barangay of Pantar where a number of civilians were killed by the LMG when they attacked Lanao del Norte last Aug. 18 and used as escape route when they withdraw towards the Munai complex at the boundaries of LDN and Lanao del Sur.
Under the GRP-MNLF agreement, the area was declared an “area of temporary stay” of the MILF and therefore off limits to the military.
After the LMG attack, however, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has entered the area to conduct law enforcement activities to capture Bravo and the rest of the LMG members so they could be brought to the bar of justice and answer for all the atrocities they have done.
Afraid that they will be caught in the crossfire of the LMG and the pursing government troops, the Kulasihan IDP’s have opted to remain in the EC’s, Dela Cruz added. (Rutchie C. Aguhob/PIA10)
INFORMATION COMMAND CENTER-Iligan City Dispatch
Hypertension adds to list of top 5 causes of illness in Lanao Norte evac centers
ICC-ILIGAN CITY 10/10 -- Hypertension has been added to the list of top five causes of morbidity in all the evacuation centers in Lanao del Norte province in Mindanao.
This report came from the Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD), Region 10, which conducted a continuous monitoring and surveillance of the health status of the Internationally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the evacuation centers of the province.
During a recent media forum at the Information Command Center of the Philippine Information Agency in Tubod town, this province, Dr. David Mendoza, Chief of the DOH-CHD-10 Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, said they have recommended that the water supply in the EC’s be improved.
As of October 8, the DOH-CHD NM team noted that Cough had the most number of 318 cases, of which 200 cases involved those below 15 yrs. old and 118 cases were above the 15 yrs. old age group
This was followed by Fever with 199 cases involving of those below 15 yrs. old and 80 cases of the above 15 yrs.. old or a total of 270 cases
Loose bowel movement (LBM) which is caused by the sanitation problem in the EC’s posted 187 cases among those below 15 yrs. old and 65 cases of those above 15 yrs. old or a total of 252 cases
On the other hand, Body Pains posted 10 cases among the below 15 yrs. old age group and 76 cases of the above 15 yrs. old or a total of 86 cases.
As to hypertension, no case was noted under the 15 yrs. old age group but all the 60 cases were among the above 15 yrs. old.
Meanwhile, the DOH-CHD NM has recommended the provision of psycho-social process and health teaching among the IDP’s, especially mothers, in coordination with the Dept. of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for the direct victims of the attack of the Lawless Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Group (LMG).
The same services is also recommended to be undertaken by the other government agency and non-governmental organizations (NGO) for the indirect and hidden victims and the humanitarian service providers, such as, the military, health and social workers . (Rutchie C. Aguhob/PIA10)
INFORMATION COMMAND CENTER-Cotabato City Dispatch
3M Euro additional rehabilitation support for displaced persons approved
ICC-COTABATO CITY 10/10 -- European Union granted 3 million euro (approximately Ph P2oo million) for longer-term support for displaced persons in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao was approved in October 2008.
Head of Delegation of European Commission to the Philippines Ambassador Alistair MacDonald noted that this had already been under preparation for some time, even before the recent renewed outbreak of violence, and was intended to address the problems facing civilians who had been displaced by fighting over recent years, but who had been able to return fully to their former way of life.
The 3 million Euro grant for longer-term rehabilitation assistance would also address the psychosocial problems of long-term or repeated displacement and work to rebuild social cohesion in affected communities in fourteen provinces.
Furthermore, the project will include the health sector policy assistance programme of the European Commission which supports the FourMula One policy of the Department of Health (DOH) for strengthening basic health services at the provincial level, and building on the work carried out under Women’s Health & Safe Motherhood project in the 1990’s. Its objective is to strengthening the capability of provincial authorities to deliver sound basic health services and to manage effectively the financial resources required to ensure the sustainability of these effots.
The longer-term rehabilitation assistance will be implemented over a period of two years (2008-2010). (Zandra A. Hassan/RICC Cotabato City)
United Nations and ASEAN raise awareness of need for safer communities amid natural disasters observance
BANGKOK (UN/ESCAP Information Services) – Raising awareness of the need for safer communities in the Asia-Pacific region was the aim of the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during their joint observance of the International Day for Disaster Reduction and the ASEAN Day for Disaster Management.
Held in Bangkok on Wednesday, 8 October, the observance heard messages from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan, delivered by Shigeru Mochida, the Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), and Adelina Kamal, the Assistant Director for Disaster Management at the ASEAN Secretariat, respectively.
In their messages, the Secretaries-General drew attention to the increasing number and scale of natural disasters in the recent past, involving the loss of thousands of lives and rendering hundreds of thousands homeless and jobless – and the need for action to be taken now.
“We must do more to turn commitments on paper into deeds that can keep the next major disaster from taking so many lives and destroying so many livelihoods,” said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. “Now more than ever, when we are trying to accelerate national and international efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, disaster risk reduction needs to be acknowledged and incorporated as a key plank of that work.”
He added that with this year’s Wenchuan Earthquake and Cyclone Nargis still fresh in people’s minds, it was all the more appropriate to recall the lessons learned.
“These disasters are stark reminders that we are still a long way from achieving our target of having a disaster resilient and safer community by the year 2015,” said Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan, in his message. “All of us have a role to play in mitigating the impact of disasters and building the resilience of our infrastructure and communities to disaster.”
The observance ceremony also marked the conclusion of an ASEAN Regional Drawing Competition on “Safer Community: Hospital, School and House of My Dream.” Aiming to increase awareness among school children in ASEAN Member Countries on their communities’ vulnerabilities to disasters and the importance of building safe hospitals, schools and houses, the competition was jointly organised by the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management and UNISDR.
Children aged 8-15 years from ASEAN Member States were invited to express – through drawings and paintings – how safe hospitals, schools and houses can contribute to realizing ASEAN’s vision of a disaster resilient and safer community.
The winners of the competition were 11-year-old Thirawat Chumthong (1st place) from Thailand , 14-year-old Vicente Tiu Tangcueco (2nd place) from the Philippines , 13-year-old Jamille Bianca T. Aguilar (3rd place) from the Philippines , 10-year-old Alyarosa Taqwaariva (4th place) from Indonesia and 10-year-old Khairil Anwar Bin Jumat (5th place) from Brunei Darussalam.
“My drawing reflects my family’s dream of hospitals, schools and houses that are safe from natural disasters,” said Thirawat Chumthong, when asked about the idea behind his drawing. “However, this condition is only in my dream as in reality, we are faced with a lot of natural disasters such as tsunamis, earthquakes, typhoons, etc.”
The award ceremony was followed by a discussion on the subject of "Community safety and disaster resilient infrastructures in the Asia Pacific region." The session was moderated by the UNISDR’s Senior Regional Coordinator, Dr. German Velasquez. Representatives from the World Health Organization, the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre and Thailand ’s Ministry of Public Health led the discussions and emphasised the role resilient infrastructures play not only in saving lives but also in the continuation of provision of life-saving services in the face of a disaster.
Wednesday’s observance of the International Day for Disaster Reduction and the ASEAN Day for Disaster Management was the third time that ASEAN and UNISDR have partnered in marking the Day.
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